The recently concluded trip of Secretary of state Hillary Clinton to the Middle East solidified U.S. positions on the peace process while leaving extensive questions regarding the Administration’s posture towards Israel and the Palestinians. During comments with a variety of Israeli officials, Clinton emphasized the “shared values” of the two nations and their common interests. […]
No new stimulus package, but gobs of optimism In his annual speech to China’s National People’s Congress Premier Wen Jiabao said he was confident that China could reach its 8 percent GDP growth target this year. This indicates that China will not announce a new stimulus package beyond the 4 trillion yuan ($585 billion) package […]
Dr. Ofra Bengio outlines the historical ties between Israel and Turkey along with recent clashes between the two governments. Even though the recent tifts may tense relations in the short term, the two countries share a common bond and mutual need that ensures strong ties well into the future, although repairing the recent disagreements may take […]
via the New York Times. This article reminds me of a short film I saw at LUNAFEST this week on women’s wrestling in the United States called “Grappling Girls“. Both stories feature bits on the winning over of athlete’s fathers: At the Kartalspor-Gazi Universitesispor game, a motley mix of curious men and boys gathered in […]
With Iran continuously threatening Israel, including statements claiming its missiles can reach the Dimona nuclear facility, Israel may be increasing preparations for a unilateral strike. Meanwhile the Obama administration continues diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, including discussions with Russia to prevent their technical and material assistance to Iran. Following his […]
On the one hand, the signs aren’t so good for the ex-oligarch. A new trial begun yesterday could see the former Yukos tycoon convicted for 15 additional years if found guilty of charges that are, according to his lawyer, Robert Amsterdam, “even more fraudulent than the first set.” So why did Medvedev allegedly fly the […]
Russia’s Gazprom has just signed an agreement with Spanish utility Gas Natural. As part of the arrangement, gas from Russia’s Shtokman Field will eventually be sold on the Spanish market as part of an effort to increase Gazprom’s presence in Europe. The Shtokman Field will come on line in 2014 and will deliver gas through […]
The Guardian newspaper has the best overview of US Special Representative Richard Holbrooke’s ‘listening tour’ of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Holbrooke spent most of his time in Pakistan and met with government leaders, military leaders, opposition members, and some elements of civil society. He visited Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, the insurgent targeted and vital transportation hub, Khyber […]
Additional stimulus expected in China Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is expected to announce additional economic stimulus measures at the opening session of the National People’s Congress on Thursday. The new stimulus would add to the 4 trillion Yuan ($585 billion) stimulus package announced in November last year. According to government insiders the new stimulus measures […]
In more good news about Tajikistan and Uzbekistan relations, 85% of their border has now been agreed upon by both sides. Only four points of contention remain, but this is still progress. I cannot guess why they decided to finally deal with this, but alls well that ends well. In other good news, electricity rationing […]
Gaza reconstruction conference attendees heralded the need for opening border crossings and an end to any aggression on the Strip. Moreover, attendees called for immediate Palestinian reconcilliation between Fatah and Hamas, although the two groups did not reach any conlcusive agreements following a conference last week in Cairo attempting to bring them together. After leaving […]
Mokhtar Ghambou, professor of English at Yale, expounds on the virtues of Sufism in fostering moderate and modern versions of Islam in Morocco.
Yesterday’s terrorist attacks do not mean that Pakistan is a failed state. But it has a failed President. Asif Zardari, a disastrous replacement for his assassinated wife, Benazir Bhutto, is compounding his country’s problems by his pursuit of personal survival at the expense of its Constitution, the rule of law and agreement between the main […]
The African National Congress (ANC) continues to suffer high-profile defections to the Congress of the People (COPE) in the run-up to April’s elections in South Africa. Former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and prominent businessman, Robben Island veteran, and former parliamentarian Saki Macozoma have joined the Congress of the People. So too has the ANC’s Limpopo […]
