The unlit but smoldering poweder keg in South Africa is the poor. The end of the Apartheid years represented a nearly incomprehensible transition in South African history and was surely one of the high points in the often grim history of the 20th century. But while the African National Congress has done much for many, […]
At least in part at the behest of Zimbabwean Prime Minister (and longtime antagonist of President Robert Mugabe) Morgan Tsvangirai, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) met today to discuss encouraging the Western powers to end sanctions against Zim. Already the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has provided Zimbabwe a $510-million loan, its first loan to the […]
Not only are things in Africa not as bad as many think, but it runs the possibility of becoming the world’s breadbasket. [Hat Tip for both.]
The horrific attack on Pakistan’s religious minister the other day has reminded the world that Pakistan’s struggle for survival is not over. Actually, it has not even begun, even though we see military operation against the Taliban in Swat, the battle itself against nihilists has yet to be started. For this battle to begin, the […]
As the United States, Britain, Germany and France threaten Iran with sanctions over its nuclear program, Iran can at least count support from its loyal friend, Venezuela. Al Jazeera quoted Chavez as stating, “We are certain that Iran, as it has shown, will not back down in its effort to obtain what is a sovereign […]
In the latest New Republic historian Christine Stansell has a lengthy essay using Rwanda to draw some conclusions on post-conflict envronments. The article is fine. But if you’ll forgive a little territorialism, what in the hell is Christine Stansell doing writing on Africa in such a prominent forum? Stansell is a fine historian of American […]
Indonesia’s military has been busy lately, and not just perusing terror suspects, but in activities one might consider a serious misallocation of resources. The Indonesian Navy has deployed Marines to the barren island of Jemur, one of nine islands in the Riau (Arwah) Archipelago, in response to both the Travel Journal and Osvaja.net listing it as part of the Malaysian […]
Andrew Revkin, the DotEarth blogger over at the New York Times, posted a lengthy entry on September 4 about the Northern Sea Route, which is finally nearing completion. The two German heavy-lift ships navigating the route are being led by a Russian nuclear icebreaker and have Russian pilots on board to supervise the transit. There’s […]
Conjecture is rife in the aftermath of Mexico’s decriminalization program. Much of it concerns the reaction of the drug cartels. Will they be undercut by legalization? Will they redouble efforts to expand drug use in Mexico? Will prices decrease? Will Mexico’s new focus on treatment, as opposed to punishment, work? Answers to some of these […]
As tension between Iraq and Syria grows, it looks like Iran is stepping in to play the mediator role between the two neighbors. The already poor relationship between Iraq and Syria deteriorated further in the aftermath of August 19th suicide attacks in Baghdad that left 100 people dead. Iraq has accused Syria of sheltering the […]
In Russia we have a saying: “Dwell in the past, and you’ll lose one eye; forget the past and you will lose both eyes”. Amidst all the recent recriminations between Russia, Eastern Europe and the West thrown up by the anniversary of the start of WWII, there’s certainly no danger of anyone going blind. Yet […]
Here is a deluge of tidbits to catapult you into your weekend. If you are reading this from the United States, have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Eat a hot dog and drink beer while wallowing in college football and baseball pennant races. (If you are in South Africa, have some boerewors, keep the beer, […]
Today and tomorrow (September 4 and 5) there will be a series of marches in Venezuela, Colombia and throughout the world based on the theme of “No More Chávez”. El Universal, one of the independent newspapers in the Venezuelan capital, has a short blurb here. Two weeks ago a march against the new education reform […]
If you’re for an Israeli freeze on settlements, there is some good and bad news for you (and if you’re opposed to a freeze, just swap the two headings). The good news: Some reports indicate that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu intends to initiate a settlement freeze in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem construction. The […]
It’s hard to believe how much Afghanistan is dominating (with health care reform a close second) the American media landscape. The Afghan presidential election results, and all of the fraud claims surrounding them, are constantly changing, leaks from Gen. McChrystal’s ‘secret’ Afghan war strategy review are popping up everywhere, and poll results and calls from […]