Texas in Africa and G. Zachary Pastal of Africa Works have a go at this Thomas Friedman column from last Sunday that I could only be bothered to call “particularly incoherent.” I did argue earlier in the week that Frieman’s larger point might be fine — that more and better cell phone and internet access would […]
Pakistan has a deep interest in seeing stable, peaceful democratic processes in Afghan elections this week. Islamabad’s insistence on allocating resources to uprooting domestic factions and maintaing troops along the Indian border rather than focusing directly on fighting terror in Afghanistan do not mean they are uncommitted to stability in Afghanistan. Rather, Pakistan is better equipped and rightfully focused on fighting domestic turmoil and given current Indo-Pak relations, must keep forces on the Indian border. Also, Pakistan has a profound interest in seeing their large refugee population repatriate to Afghanistan, which can only happen if elections are successful and lead to a more stable, democratic Afghanistan.
A recent comment by the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, during his visit to the United States, has caused an outrage among some Iranian officials, once again highlighting the tense relationship shared between the two countries. According to the Fars News Agency, addressing Jewish leaders in a closed meeting in Washington, President Mubarak said, “There is […]
While it wasn’t perfect, as no one predicted it would be, but for the most part the Afghan presidential election went relatively well. Of course, we should hold off full judgment until all the votes are collected, counted, and the election commission is allowed to check fraud complaints. There have been some vote tallies, but […]
Golf in Venezuela has again come under pressure after President Hugo Chávez recently labeled it “a bourgeois sport”. The links are considered by the President, and his supporters, to be the playing fields of the wealthy and elite. An article in the New York Times further describes the situation. Interestingly, it appears that some of […]
Scattered stories that have crossed the transom of my scattered mind, with brief commentary as appropriate: Michael O’Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, argues in the Washington Post that the key to a successful United States relationship with the democratic Republic of the Congo is the development of a serious security relationship. In […]
U.S. Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke is in Pakistan, again! Personally, I admire America’s commitment to strengthen democracy in Pakistan. I also applaud Obama’s efforts to stabilize Pakistan. For some, it is obvious that Holbrooke’s intense efforts and frequent visits are a clear sign that Washington is very serious about doing whatever it […]
Israeli military technology firm Rafael will sell the Indian army $1 billion worth of anti-aircraft systems with a range of 45 kilometers, making Israel the largest military supplier to India. The technology is capable of destroying aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Last year, India bought $270 million worth of the technology. Previously, Russia provided […]
In a matter of hours many of those eligible to vote in Afghanistan, but not all unfortunately, will go to the polls and choose who they want to govern them for the next half decade. This election has been fraught with peril and questions for months now and in many ways it’s hard to believe […]
Russia’s annual disaster season is in full swing. From the Kursk submarine disaster and the Beslan school massacre (along with the simultaneous suicide attacks on two airliners), it seems that if something will go wrong, it’s likely to do so between July and September. Unfortunately, this year was no different: a major explosion killed as […]
President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela continues to criticize the recent agreement allowing access by a limited number of United States military forces and contractors to Colombian military bases. The accord, signed last Friday, enables the US to support anti-narcotics operations, and to replace its previous base at Manta, Ecuador. Chávez has used particularly strong language […]
The NY Times notes the rise of Central Asians, especially those from the Ferghana Valley, crossing into Afghanistan to fight alongside the Taliban. Many have been killed by security forces upon their return home. While at first glance, one would be concerned, upon deeper investigation, the likelihood is low of a Taliban-style insurgency forming and […]
The world’s highest battlefield seems to be in danger due to climate change. According to Bansi Lal Kaul, the Siachen glacier has receded 800 meters in the last 20 years. In his book ‘Biodiversity Conservation in Himalayas‘ he discusses how the constant military presence in the region has deteriorated the eco-system, polluting the Indus River […]
-Najib Razak’s United Malays National Organization (UMNO) is fanning racial flames in an attempt to shore up power for its National Front Coalition. Although Najib came to office promising to be more inclusive of minorities, recent electoral pressure from the opposition People’s Alliance has prompted a change in strategy. Analyst believe the UMNO wants […]
The State Department issued the following statement on the new Palestinian Authority-only travel visas: We are aware that the Government of Israel has recently begun employing restrictive measures for people entering the West Bank via Allenby Bridge, such as the use of a Palestinian Authority only stamp. We have included information on this new policy […]