Let’s begin the new week with a roundup of stories from across Africa, with commentary as apropos: Mozambique’s voters went to the polls last week and it appears that, as with every national election since independence in 1975, they have returned FRELIMO to power. One voter seems to have captured the consensus opinion: “I voted […]
With Palestinian elections scheduled for January, the big question is on every one’s mind- will Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas run for re-election? The Fatah leader’s popularity is low… and dropping. However, speculation remains that he will likely top the his party’s ticket for the presidency. Hamas leadership has said that the terror organization will […]
In the wake of an announcement by British polar explorer Pen Hadow, leader of the Catlin Arctic Survey, that the Arctic will be ice-free within ten years, Russia announced that it will charge ships a “fair” fee to cross the Atlantic to the Pacific through the Northern Sea Route, the majority of which is Russian […]
Philippines: China and the Philippines signed two major agreements last week. The first agreement, the Joint Action Plan for Strategic Cooperation, is a bilateral relations road map for the next five years. The second, the Philippines-China Consular Agreement, is the first consular agreement that the Philippines has negotiated with another nation. This agreement includes notification […]
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton traveled to Israel this weekend and met with both Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas before making controversial remarks on preconditions for negotiations that led to condemnation from the PA. Speaking with Netanyahu yesterday, Clinton affirmed the U.S. stance on the need to halt settlement activity […]
Zainab Jeewanjee interviews former National Security advisor, Foreign Minister & Attorney General of Pakistan. They discuss Jinnah, democracy, Musharraf international relations and current political affairs in Pakistan.
An elaborate resting place. A celebration of perspective. Two years ago the National Museum of Death opened in Aguascalientes to chronicle cultural approaches to the end of life. “Mexicans have death imprinted all over their art and culture.” So says Jose Antonio Padilla, the museum’s director. It is the moribund product of Octavio Bajenero Gil, who had too […]
The Indian Ministry of Defense announced that domestic companies will now be allowed to bid for large defense contracts. So far domestic companies could supply only non-combative equipment to the Indian military. They can now bid for contracts for tanks, artillery and air-crafts. In July when the CAG’s report criticised defense procurement methods, this author […]
Gaza schools damaged by Israeli bombing will be exposed to the cold and rain this winter unless Israel relaxes its blockade to permit the import of windows, doors and building materials… Officials of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and Gaza’s Education Ministry say thousands of pupils face “darkness and cold” this winter […]
Had the urge to go on that all-expenses paid 10-day tour of Israel? Or, conversely, had the urge to shove a group of 30 Americans out of the way while trying to walk to the market in Tel Aviv? The program, Birth Right, has been accused of having a not-so-hidden agenda to encourage ties between […]
It sounds like a travesty when you hear that the Obama Administration has cut down funding to Iranian human rights groups, until you take a deeper look at the facts. Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, Freedom House and International Republican Institute (IRI) will be among the groups that will be denied State Department funding this […]
With federal resources aimed at drug traffickers and local police more often a part of the problem than a part of the solution, vigilantes are stepping into the void. Suspected criminals who run afoul of these vigilantes endure the brunt of a skewed version of justice that enjoys a groundswell of support. In the southern […]
Another body of a Colombian migrant – now the eleventh – was recently found along the border region of Venezuela. The victim had been playing pick-up soccer when kidnapped two weeks ago. The Colombian and Venezuelan governments have each traded accusations related to the incident, leading to increased tensions. Who would massacre these Colombians, and […]
The hilarious fake newspaper The Onion has a breaking news story….”US Continues Quagmire-Building Effort in Afghanistan“ Though I can normally read Onion pieces and just let myself go and enjoy the hysterical satire, but I couldn’t quite relax fully while reading this one. Here’s an excerpt: “We’ve spent a lot of time and money fostering […]
This week’s JStreet conference led to proponents and opponents of the new group to claim victory. Supporters of the conference applauded the high levels of publicity and attendance at the event, while opponents used the speakers list and comments heard at the conference to reinforce their criticisms of the self proclaimed “pro peace, pro Israel” lobby. […]