US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave an official interview this weekend where she largely discussed American policy in Afghanistan. Here are some of the highlights: Regarding the Afghanistan’s Electoral Commission coming report about a possible runoff in the presidential election: “…we’re not positive what the election commission will recommend. But clearly, whatever their recommendation […]
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas faces increased domestic opposition for his ordering of a delayed consideration of the Goldstone report into alleged war crimes during the Gaza War. Abbas defended his actions, stating: “I gave directives to [PLO Ambassador] Ibrahim Khreisha to find a way to re-submit the Goldstone report, and a week later he […]
A BBC article documents Pakistani citizens who support a military offensive to take out terrorists. Citizens of Pakistan increasingly suffer the brunt of terrorism since 9/11 as a spillover of militants from Afghanistan found their way to the northern areas. In addition to our strategic interests, America should take into account the grave human element of suffering that our allies face in cooperating with our efforts in the War on Terror.
Lebanon was elected yesterday to the United Nations Security Council. It is the first time since 1952 that Lebanon, a founding member of the United Nations, will serve on the council. Lebanon received 180 out of 192 votes from the General Assembly, greatly surpassing the two-thirds majority needed for Security Council membership. Advocates claim that […]
Overdue reform was swiftly executed last Saturday night when federal troops descended on Luz y Fuerza del Centro, a state-owned electric company serving central Mexico. The plant was closed, operations were handed over to a larger state-run utility, and 44,000 workers were jobless come Sunday morning. The president’s decree cited inefficiency and ongoing operating losses […]
The Israeli government faces international disputes with some countries in the region, and this time they are Israel’s allies. It started with Turkey. And now, it has expanded to Jordan. King Abdullah of Jordan cautioned Israel to avoid the consequences of excessive force in Jerusalem during recent protests by Palestinian and Muslim demonstrators. The word […]
The United States: Republican Senator Dick Lugar is calling for the U.S. to create a free trade agreement with ASEAN. Lugar stated that sanctions on Myanmar should not negatively America’s economic relationship with the rest of the region. Further: “China, India, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea have already finalized FTAs with Asean and are […]
Because why come up with original ideas when others will have them for me? As usual, here are stories that have caught my eye, with my commentary where apropos: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has bestowed its blessing upon Nigeria’s new Petroleum Industry Bill even as international oil companies who fear a government monopoly. Basically, […]
At the UK’s Prospect magazine David Goldblatt has as good a defense of South Africa’s hosting the World Cup as any I have seen. I have been an ardent defender of South Africa being prepared and capable and am pleased to see Goldblatt’s piece so aggressively and capably tackle one of the most pernicious critics […]
Today, the Murmansk International Economic Forum met in the world’s largest city north of the Arctic Circle. The Barents Sea Nations, which are composed of Russia and the five Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, and Norway, convened to discuss the future of oil and gas development in the region. The Shtokman Field is […]
Like everyone else, I too was taken aback by the fierce opposition to the Kerry Lugar bill. Not sure what the fuss is about, I decided to read about it. So, I read everything that was available on-line about the bill. During my research, I realized that the government of Pakistan has nothing wrong. It […]
Turkey is loving the limelight. Today, another Turkey-related story emerged, this time characterizing Ankara as the hero. Turkish news reported that Turkish authorities thwarted a terrorist plot against Israeli, NATO, and U.S. targets. An elite police squad from Istanbul arrested 32 individuals with terror links in eight different provinces throughout Turkey. Additional information has yet […]
[kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/gFc0zFUA9r0″ width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /] This Al-Jazeera video examines the strong trade relationship that exist between China and Iran. As the report shows, oil exports, which account for nearly half of Iran’s revenues , are being cut off from the West, they are being increasingly exported to Asian countries – and a big percentage […]
Pakistan suffers decreased security with weekly suicide attacks, terrorists fleeing NATO forces from Afghanistan into Pakistan and a stagnant if not worsening economy. ALthough the situation is partially a result of Cold War policies in which Pakistan cooperated with the United States against Soviets, today’s post 9/11 context puts both countries back into cooperation with one another. However, the alliance is looked at with skepticism, specifically by way of the Kerry Lugar Bill which many feel, sidelines the military. Zainab Jeewanjee explains.
Before giving Moscow State University a statue of the humanist poet Walt Whitman yesterday, Hillary Clinton should have started by disowning the ideas of his nefarious namesake, Walt Whitman Rostow. Squandering all the promise associated with the cuddly Tolstoy look-alike after which his Socialist Russian-immigrant parents had named him, Rostow spent his life promoting the […]