But hey, at least she's not a neocon, Stephen -- I'll bet she knows "spreading democracy" is a terrible foreign policy.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Clintonian UnRealism
Stephen Walt over at Foreign Policy Magazine was not impressed with Hillary Clinton's "strategic goals" as Secretary of State, not surprisingly, and I can't say I disagree.
Wow. Bad Idea.
US forces in Afghanistan are working on a terrible idea for arming villagers in tribal areas to guard themselves against better-equipped and better-trained Taliban fighters in the area. No details are clear on how the plan would work.
Perhaps they're thinking about the successful Awakening Councils in Iraq, if they're thinking at all, but the circumstances in tribal Afghanistan are so incredibly different the program is likely to cause havoc.
Perhaps they're thinking about the successful Awakening Councils in Iraq, if they're thinking at all, but the circumstances in tribal Afghanistan are so incredibly different the program is likely to cause havoc.
Rigan Riots
Peaceful protesters accusing their government of economic mismanagement, spurred by a shrinking economy and rising unemployment, turned violent last night in the Latvian capital Riga.
30 protesters and three police officers were injured while 126 mostly young men were arrested, many of whom were drunk, reports the BBC
30 protesters and three police officers were injured while 126 mostly young men were arrested, many of whom were drunk, reports the BBC
Taiwan
At a conference ending yesterday, Chinese officials warned US delegates that American arms sales to Taiwan may strain growing relations between the two nations. "Recently, some hard-won advances have been made in cross-strait relations," said one Chinese official, "we certainly don't want something like arms sales to disrupt that."
China has 900 missiles along its coast aimed at Taiwan, who are planning to buy $6.5 billion worth of US weapons, namely Lockheed Martin's Patriot Anti-Missile systems.
China-Taiwan relations have improved drastically in recent years, though the issue still seems to be the most contentious between China and the US, says a Bloomberg.com report.
China has 900 missiles along its coast aimed at Taiwan, who are planning to buy $6.5 billion worth of US weapons, namely Lockheed Martin's Patriot Anti-Missile systems.
China-Taiwan relations have improved drastically in recent years, though the issue still seems to be the most contentious between China and the US, says a Bloomberg.com report.
Czech in Charge
Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, who took the rotating EU presidency on January 1, gave a policy speech today. Most noted were his remarks, described by France24 as "lukewarm", on the future of the Lisbon treaty.
the Czech parliament is scheduled to vote on the treaty Feb. 3 but "euroskeptic" Czech president Vaclav Claus says he will delay signing the treaty as long as possible.
the Czech parliament is scheduled to vote on the treaty Feb. 3 but "euroskeptic" Czech president Vaclav Claus says he will delay signing the treaty as long as possible.
Gas Spat Continues
The European Commission is warning of legal action towards Russian state-owned Gazprom and Ukrainian Naftogaz if the two do not move quickly towards a solution in their dispute over gas shipments.
Both sides seem to be waiting for the other to admit defeat, says a BBC correspondent.
Both sides seem to be waiting for the other to admit defeat, says a BBC correspondent.
Nth Times the Charm
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is seeking yet another referendum to abolish term limits.
A recent survey, says the LA Times, shows that 55% of the population would oppose the measure.
With oil prices dropping and a recession looming, some think this is Chavez's last shot, even if a long one, at passing the measure. Otherwise, they say, he'll be gone in four years. To that end, Chavez is campaigning hard for the measure, saying his defeat will signal an end to his welfare programs for poor Venezuelans and a victory for the "US empire."
A recent survey, says the LA Times, shows that 55% of the population would oppose the measure.
With oil prices dropping and a recession looming, some think this is Chavez's last shot, even if a long one, at passing the measure. Otherwise, they say, he'll be gone in four years. To that end, Chavez is campaigning hard for the measure, saying his defeat will signal an end to his welfare programs for poor Venezuelans and a victory for the "US empire."
When it Rains it Pours
Lack of funding for the UN's World Food Program (WFP) and a poor harvest are threatening severe food shortages in Mozambique, warns the UN. After a season of half the average rainfall, heavy rains have poured in this week causing floods, killing 25 people and leaving thousands homeless.
Worsening the impact of the rain, central provinces have seen an influx of crop-destroying locusts in the past few days.
Worsening the impact of the rain, central provinces have seen an influx of crop-destroying locusts in the past few days.
Mogadishu in Trouble
Violence and political turmoil followed the pullout of Ethiopian troops from the Somali capital Mogadishu yesterday, reports Garowe Online.
Border Region
Despite minor improvements and millions spent in "training and professionalization," the Pakistan-Afghanistan border remains porous, with terrorists moving freely between the two.
Gilani
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said yesterday that the government had reviewed the information provided by India connecting the Mumbai attackers to Pakistan and concluded the evidence was insufficient.
Gilani said he wants to work with New Delhi to find the truth about the attacks.
Gilani said he wants to work with New Delhi to find the truth about the attacks.
MILF
Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia have tightened international security across their borders following a rise in violence on Mindonao, a small Philippine island, threatening US-lead peace efforts in the region.
The violence is part of a continuing fallout between the majority-Christian Philippine government and a Muslim separatist group, whose truce collapsed this past August. The group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (or MILF -- I kid you not), has waged a decades-long war for autonomy and an independent Muslim state.
US led efforts at a sustainable peace seemed fruitful as plans were hatched for an independent Moro state when the Philippine government rejected the plans last August, paving the way for more MILF-led violence that has escalated since November.
The Philippine government is looking to Qatar to help with peace negotiations after Malaysia pulled out. Until then, says a resident of the island, "fear and loathing is expected to dominate life in the south, with many bracing for the worst."
The violence is part of a continuing fallout between the majority-Christian Philippine government and a Muslim separatist group, whose truce collapsed this past August. The group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (or MILF -- I kid you not), has waged a decades-long war for autonomy and an independent Muslim state.
US led efforts at a sustainable peace seemed fruitful as plans were hatched for an independent Moro state when the Philippine government rejected the plans last August, paving the way for more MILF-led violence that has escalated since November.
The Philippine government is looking to Qatar to help with peace negotiations after Malaysia pulled out. Until then, says a resident of the island, "fear and loathing is expected to dominate life in the south, with many bracing for the worst."
China
Despite falling exports, China has maintained it's trade surplus, reports the Economist. While exports have fallen, imports have fallen even quicker, they say. Most consumer spending in the country has held up "reasonably well," says the Economist, but with construction projects halted all over the country, raw building material imports -- one of China's biggest imported goods -- has fallen precipitously.
The Economist predicts that with big government stimulus investments planned for infrastructure building in the near future, which will reinvigorate the need for imported raw materials, the surplus may become a deficit in 2009.
China is probably the only country whose credit lending has increased this past year, and continues to do so. The Economist recommends they use this to stimulate domestic demand.
The Economist predicts that with big government stimulus investments planned for infrastructure building in the near future, which will reinvigorate the need for imported raw materials, the surplus may become a deficit in 2009.
China is probably the only country whose credit lending has increased this past year, and continues to do so. The Economist recommends they use this to stimulate domestic demand.
South Korea
South Korea saw in December its first rise in unemployment and subsequent shrink in job growth in five years, reports Yonhap News.
Some locals have lashed out in anger at what they call "young American hippie couples who come to teach English for big pay and easy work, stealing our jobs."
In a related news story, young American hippie couple Jared Acker and Jen Cooper, who moved to South Korea to teach English for big pay and easy work, have recently fled the country southwards to Thailand. South Korean officials believe Acker set fire to a school, tried to pass blame on to a small child, then fled.
You can follow the crazy antics of these two at Fudgepack--urr, I mean, BackpackerAcker.com
(Jared, sorry if your site is not prepared for the traffic you receive from Norman's International. I apologize in advance if it crashes, just trying to help.)
Some locals have lashed out in anger at what they call "young American hippie couples who come to teach English for big pay and easy work, stealing our jobs."
In a related news story, young American hippie couple Jared Acker and Jen Cooper, who moved to South Korea to teach English for big pay and easy work, have recently fled the country southwards to Thailand. South Korean officials believe Acker set fire to a school, tried to pass blame on to a small child, then fled.
You can follow the crazy antics of these two at Fudgepack--urr, I mean, BackpackerAcker.com
(Jared, sorry if your site is not prepared for the traffic you receive from Norman's International. I apologize in advance if it crashes, just trying to help.)
Still Flowing
Iran's Revolutionary Guard has called for an embargo/boycott on all business relations with Israel for their "uneven war" with Gaza, but to no avail.
A Saudi foreign minister said today that oil shipments will continue to the United States and its allies. "The oil producers who need their income are not going to do that," said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.
Most of Iran's oil is shipped eastward to Asian clients, perhaps making their calls for a Western embargo ring hallow to many in the region.
A Saudi foreign minister said today that oil shipments will continue to the United States and its allies. "The oil producers who need their income are not going to do that," said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.
Most of Iran's oil is shipped eastward to Asian clients, perhaps making their calls for a Western embargo ring hallow to many in the region.
Saudi Schools
Suadi Arabia is beginning a large scale plan to modernize and reorganize the nation's education system, implementing the practices and structures of many successful Western nations, reports Arab News.
Abdullah
Suadi Arabian King Abdullah supports the Egyptian peace talks and urged both sides to come to the table to stop the fighting. Meanwhile, reports the Arab News, cemeteries in Gaza are increasingly over-filling with nowhere to bury the newly dead.
A US ship carrying ammunitions from a Greek port to a US warehouse in Israel was canceled after Athens objected to the arrangement, in place before the war in Gaza, says the Pentagon.
A US ship carrying ammunitions from a Greek port to a US warehouse in Israel was canceled after Athens objected to the arrangement, in place before the war in Gaza, says the Pentagon.
Towards Gaza City
Israel continues to push further into Gaza City. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon arrived today, though diplomatic efforts to reach a cease fire still seem slow to come. Previous attempts at an Egyptian-led cease fire proposal were side-lined by bickering within Hamas, reports the NY Times, where Gazan Hamas officials wanted a cease fire but saw opposition from their Syrian counterparts.
Support for the effort runs high in Israel, where 10 soldiers and three civilians were killed by Hamas rocket fire. The Palestinian death toll stands just below 1,000.
All the while, Israel says that after two weeks of heavy bombardment, their main objectives remain unfulfilled.
Osama bin Laden released a voice recording calling for jihad against Israel, his first such recording since May.
Support for the effort runs high in Israel, where 10 soldiers and three civilians were killed by Hamas rocket fire. The Palestinian death toll stands just below 1,000.
All the while, Israel says that after two weeks of heavy bombardment, their main objectives remain unfulfilled.
Osama bin Laden released a voice recording calling for jihad against Israel, his first such recording since May.
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