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Two strikes and out
The U.N diplomat running the Syria peace talks in Geneva declared them over after two sessions. U.N. mediator Lakhdar Brahimi felt the need to apologize to the Syrian people, saying he was “very, very sorry” that, despite two rounds of talks, “we haven’t done very much,” he told CNN and other media. Brahimi told CNNRead moreVenus and Martina will play together
A very exciting possibiliy. Nice to still get scoops ! Once again, the Washington Kastles – reigning champions of WorldTeam Tennis and owner of the longest unbeaten streak in major league sports – are teasing history. http://www.10sballs.com/2014/03/12/world-team-tennis-hingis-and-venus-as-teammates/Read moreIssues in Ukraine, Turkey and Venezuela
My return to current affairs television….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnuCTb5EsCA&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8xu_5HnSAA&feature=youtu.beRead moreThe situation in Ukraine remains prime topics for public television discussions. Here is my latest:
The situation in Ukraine remains prime topics for public television discussions. Here is my latest: Part 1 – Ukraine, Russia and Syria https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcFw7HcczX0&feature=youtu.beRead moreThe crisis in Nigeria, what options are real and the larger issue of human trafficking:
Talking on public broadcasting about the crisis in Nigeria, what options are real and the larger issue of human trafficking: Part 1 – Nigerian Kidnapping https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IotQTirnxVY&feature=youtu.beRead moreWhat happens next in Thailand, both the land of smiles and the land of coups, is up for debate. The latest foreign policy discussion:
What happens next in Thailand, both the land of smiles and the land of coups, is up for debate. The latest foreign policy discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQdGnuw5QiY&feature=youtu.beRead moreTwo links from the last foreign policy show, on Ebola and the Ukraine:
Two links from the last foreign policy show, on Ebola and the Ukraine: Segment 1: Ebola death toll rises in West Africa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_NC5sTkkH0&list=UUI-7wiB_585tAw7l66MXVWQ Segment 2: Ukraine Plane Crash Investigation begins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tej1N25UNkM&list=UUI-7wiB_585tAw7l66MXVWQRead more
The Winds of Independence can be a blowhard sometimes. A look at independent hopefuls Scotland, Kurdistan, Catalonia
One of the most certain things you can count on in the world of international relations is that almost every year, some group of people, some sector of geography, some suddenly wealthy enclave, will want to declare independence from its current nation-state and become the world’s newest entity. Today we are witnessing two vibrant examplesRead more
The paucity of hope
Nothing seems to be safe in Egypt these days. Political opponents of the military leadership are the chief targets for the attacks, attacks that include live fire from security forces. They are not alone: The seething rampages have spread to Christian churches, the media, foreigners, those held in custody, and even to the corpses waitingRead more-
Cartes prepares Paraguay potential
Paraguay has long been one of the poorest, least developed and most isolated countries in Latin America, dating back from when the country gained independence from Spain in 1811. The landlocked nation is expected to grow by 10 percent this year – due in large part to soy and beef exports – but nearly aRead more -
John Kerry reels them in
Secretary of State John Kerry has the Israelis and Palestinians talking again. In the context of all that is happening in the Middle East, that qualifies as a positive. Kerry does not give up. That has been well documented before. While many see the Israeli-Palestinian issue as a morass, Kerry believes the United States doesRead more -
Sometimes a cigar is just a stogie
This past week was one that offered sharp reminders that – under the veneer of white papers and white lies — reality can bite. In other words – hello, why are you surprised at these “surprises.” Let’s start with an easy one. Who is surprised that at least some elements of Pakistan’s government probably knewRead more
This past week was one that offered sharp reminders that – under the veneer of white papers and white lies — reality can bite.
In other words – hello, why are you surprised at these “surprises.”
Let’s start with an easy one. Who is surprised that at least some elements of Pakistan’s government probably knew that bin Laden was most likely in the country and were doing nothing about it? Anyone who ever worked in that part of the world knows factually and instinctively that bin Laden and his outfit have deep support among many tribes and many government officials. Yet that very myth is what diplomats and others would prater about.
Eventually, the United States grasped this reality. It decided to go after bin Laden and not tell Pakistan because telling Pakistan would be akin to telling bin Laden.
The cigar that was lit in triumph after the successful operation did not explode like a sideshow prank. The U.S. read the reality and acted on that reality.
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