Israel can’t catch a break this month. Even though the Israeli government did no wrongdoing, one former U.S. government employee attempted to sell secrets to the agents that he believed worked for Israel. The man, Stewart David Nozette, worked at the Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Department of Energy, the […]
The Olive Ridley sea turtle was nearly hunted into extinction two decades ago. Oaxaca’s beaches were a slaughter ground where the turtles—large, slow on land, and unable to retract their heads into their shells—were targeted for their eggs (hailed as an aphrodisiac), meat, and fat. Prior to 1950, 10 million Olive Ridley nested on Mexico’s […]
Posting may be light this week, as I am traveling to Phoenix and then to Washington, DC for the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa (ASMEA) meeting where I will be presenting a paper on democratization in Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. I will try to post as I can. Meanwhile, […]
Shaukat Aziz delivers a Keynote address at the 2009 Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs Conference in Washington DC (OPEN). Zainab Jeewanjee reports on Aziz’s address which focused on international security, the global financial meltdown, terrorism and bridging gaps with the Muslim world.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave an official interview this weekend where she largely discussed American policy in Afghanistan. Here are some of the highlights: Regarding the Afghanistan’s Electoral Commission coming report about a possible runoff in the presidential election: “…we’re not positive what the election commission will recommend. But clearly, whatever their recommendation […]
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas faces increased domestic opposition for his ordering of a delayed consideration of the Goldstone report into alleged war crimes during the Gaza War. Abbas defended his actions, stating: “I gave directives to [PLO Ambassador] Ibrahim Khreisha to find a way to re-submit the Goldstone report, and a week later he […]
A BBC article documents Pakistani citizens who support a military offensive to take out terrorists. Citizens of Pakistan increasingly suffer the brunt of terrorism since 9/11 as a spillover of militants from Afghanistan found their way to the northern areas. In addition to our strategic interests, America should take into account the grave human element of suffering that our allies face in cooperating with our efforts in the War on Terror.
Lebanon was elected yesterday to the United Nations Security Council. It is the first time since 1952 that Lebanon, a founding member of the United Nations, will serve on the council. Lebanon received 180 out of 192 votes from the General Assembly, greatly surpassing the two-thirds majority needed for Security Council membership. Advocates claim that […]
The Israeli government faces international disputes with some countries in the region, and this time they are Israel’s allies. It started with Turkey. And now, it has expanded to Jordan. King Abdullah of Jordan cautioned Israel to avoid the consequences of excessive force in Jerusalem during recent protests by Palestinian and Muslim demonstrators. The word […]
Overdue reform was swiftly executed last Saturday night when federal troops descended on Luz y Fuerza del Centro, a state-owned electric company serving central Mexico. The plant was closed, operations were handed over to a larger state-run utility, and 44,000 workers were jobless come Sunday morning. The president’s decree cited inefficiency and ongoing operating losses […]
The United States: Republican Senator Dick Lugar is calling for the U.S. to create a free trade agreement with ASEAN. Lugar stated that sanctions on Myanmar should not negatively America’s economic relationship with the rest of the region. Further: “China, India, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea have already finalized FTAs with Asean and are […]
Because why come up with original ideas when others will have them for me? As usual, here are stories that have caught my eye, with my commentary where apropos: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has bestowed its blessing upon Nigeria’s new Petroleum Industry Bill even as international oil companies who fear a government monopoly. Basically, […]
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