and that's the way it was is hitting the road for a few days and, if it's all the same to you fine readers, I'd kind of like to turn the blog more or less off and take a real break. That means we won't be back to regular posting until January 3. Happy New … Continue reading Conflict update: December 29 2016
Month: December 2016
The best stupidity money can buy
You have to wonder whether the guy who recently wrote this: Why shouldn’t the president surround himself with successful people? Wealthy folks have no need to steal or engage in corruption. Their business success demonstrates that they know how to achieve goals and convince skeptics that good deals can be made to the benefit of … Continue reading The best stupidity money can buy
Conflict update: December 28 2016
In the rarest of rarities, I might actually get to go on a date with my wife this evening, so I'm getting this out there early. If anything big happens later I'll come back and update. Israel-Palestine John Kerry's speech on the Israel-Palestine peace process was perhaps (though perhaps not; see below) the biggest story … Continue reading Conflict update: December 28 2016
Conflict update: December 27 2016
This may be mercifully (for all of us) short tonight. World War III Senator John McCain (R-WEBOMBINGANYONEYET) went to Estonia today and said some words about America's commitment to NATO and protecting its Baltic members from possible Russian aggression. He was trying to reassure the Baltic states in advance of Donald Trump's inauguration, Trump having … Continue reading Conflict update: December 27 2016
Today in Central Asian history: the Soviets invade Afghanistan (1979)
For a while Americans mostly viewed the Soviet-Afghan War positively, as the Beginning Of The End for the Soviet Union, and while there may still be something to that, I imagine most of us think of it a bit differently nowadays. The plucky Mujahideen who earned America's support and admiration for their brave fight against … Continue reading Today in Central Asian history: the Soviets invade Afghanistan (1979)
Conflict update: December 26 2016
Israel The fallout from Friday's UN Security Council resolution condemning Israel's illegal annexation of occupied Palestinian territory continued all weekend. Benjamin Netanyahu's government began by summoning the ambassadors of the 12 security council members who voted in favor of the resolution and with which Israel has relations (Venezuela and Malaysia also voted yes but don't … Continue reading Conflict update: December 26 2016
Conflict update: December 23 2016
Barring some kind of major happening I'm out for the next couple of days. Merry Christmas to those who are celebrating it and Happy Hanukkah to those who are celebrating it. To those who are celebrating both, stop hoarding all the presents. Now, one last dose of (mostly) bad news for you all. Israel-Palestine I … Continue reading Conflict update: December 23 2016
A Real Festivus Miracle
There's nothing like being pleasantly surprised for the holidays: The U.N. Security Council will vote on Friday on a resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlements, defying pressure from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as well as Israel and several U.S. senators who urged Washington to use its veto. The United States is likely to abstain … Continue reading A Real Festivus Miracle
Philippine President Dexter
Here's a fun story. Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, is a bit of a controversial character. One particular reason why he's controversial is because he has this little policy about drug users, which is that he feels it's OK for people to just kill them, whatever, no big deal. Last week, Duterte said something … Continue reading Philippine President Dexter
Conflict update: December 21 2016
Israel-Palestine The UN Security Council will vote tomorrow on a resolution, authored by Egypt, demanding a stop to the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This will not be the first time the Security Council has taken up the issue of Israel's illegal, slow-rolling annexation of occupied Palestinian territory, and … Continue reading Conflict update: December 21 2016
The Foreign Exchanges Companion 