This article in The New York Times addresses both the promise but also the difficulties of addressing some of South Africa’s public transportation difficulties through the growth of public buses as a viable form of mass transportation, especially from the distant (for those without vehicles) townships and the urban cores. I am particularly interested in […]
Great political confusion is taking place in Israel, the confusion is manifested by actions and statements made by a government that can only be described as a government in disarray. The cold relationship and the lack of chemistry between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu are seen to be a tacit disapproval of the current […]
According to at least one organization Kenya has a vibrant and safe media culture compared with many other African nations, and even does reasonably well when placed next to many European countries.
What do some in the halls of power in Beijing make of U.S.-China relations? A recent op-ed penned for the China Daily by a scholar at the Central Compilation and Translation Bureau, an influential government think tank that often sets the Party’s ideological bearings, suggests the emerging view that the U.S. has adopted a strategy […]
It is now the 10th day of what Gen. Petraeus called the ‘initial salvo’ of the mission in the former (can we call it that?) Taliban stronghold in Helmand Province. The fighting has been been fierce, yet sporadic, as reports of American soldier, Afghan army, and civilian deaths slowly roll in (Here’s a video of […]
A private meeting between the Venezuelan and Colombian leaders apparently ended in a shouting match on Monday. They were both attending a Latin American summit in Cancun, Mexico. An already tense discussion appeared to blow up when Chávez raised the issue of Colombian paramilitaries. The explanation of the words used is critical, since the meeting […]
The Awami League government in Bangladesh is reaching out to all its neighbors for foreign aid and investment. Along with its recent moves to court the Indian government to fund development projects in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reportedly will be seeking $3 billion in assistance from China during her 5 day state visit to […]
The outside world is sending somewhat mixed messages on Zimbabwe. The International Monetary Fund has restored Zim’s voting rights, albeit with the caveat that any new loans will only be considered until it pays arrears of about US$140 million to the Poverty Reduction & Growth Trust (PRGT). The European Union, meanwhile, believes that the country […]
Israel is still contemplating restarting peace negotiations with Syria. The Obama administration just reversed a Bush administration position and sent an ambassador to Damascus. Syria continues to fuel turmoil in Lebanon and function as an ally for Iran. Syria also continues to support terror and permit conventional weapons proliferation and attempted -unsuccessfully thanks to an Israeli […]
One of the questions about South Africa’s preparation for the World Cup has been just what benefit the majority of the country’s people will accrue from the event, especially when the world has packed up and headed back home. National Commissioner of the Police Bheki Cele argues that policing will be markedly improved because of […]
I’ve been out of commission for a few days with travel and catching up and the ebbs and flows of modern life. Here is a deluge of links to get you (and me) back in the swing of things: In South Africa there is a new documentary series on the Truth and Reconciliation process, When […]
After a bruising 2009, Mexico’s economy should return to positive growth of around 3% this year, but the path to sustainable development remains uncertain. Reforming state-owned industries risks massive political backlash, but improving Mexico’s trade regime offers promise without the peril. What trade strategies can boost Mexico’s growth? Several prospects have been bandied about. Talk […]
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