On 11 December a freight rail link between north and south Korea will open. This will be the first for 50 years. It follows the recent detente between the two countries. It is a good step in the right direction. Either it is a sign of Kim Jong-Il’s softening or a sign of greater desperation …
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Category:2 Geopolitics
Will Money Solve Africa’s Development Problems?
A Templeton conversation. The concensus seems to be No. Either was the participants are well informed and offer a broad insight to the challenges of Africa. Read it here. Will Money Solve Africa’s Development Problems?
Report on Iran’s nuclear programme is not the drama expected
The report by the IAEA on Iran’s nuclear programmes is not the dramatic revelation that some expected. In Iran’s favour, most of the data reveals authentic energy applications of nuclear material. On the other hand, questions remain about what current activities are. And those questions are being asked. The response by both Iran and the …
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Iraq war costing twice as much as we were told
The US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are costing nearly double the amount previously thought, according to a report, War At Any Price?, by the Joint Economic Committee of the US Congress. (Press release here – pdf) It says “hidden costs” have pushed the total to about $1.5 trillion – nearly twice the requested $804 …
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Suu Kyi “optimism” – is it real or diplomatic?
We have been sanguine about the prospects of reform of the sad situation in Myanmar. The first sign that there might be positive change is the statement that Aung San Suu Kyi is optimistic that a dialogue might produce reconciliation with the military junta. He sentiment was revealed through intermediaries and comes as she communicates …
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Saudi visit to Vatican shows the way
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia visited the Pope on this European tour. This meeting helps to alleviate some of the religious tension in geopolitics and an example for enlightened Muslims and Christians to observe. Both leaders represent communities which legislate restrictions on personal behaviour, from celibacy to limitations on public expression, and may seem to …
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Child military recruits in Myanmar
While this news is not surprising, the Burmese government is forcibly recruiting many children, some as young as age 10, into its armed forces. The Human Rights Watch report Sold to Be Soldiers: The Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers in Burma found that military recruiters and civilian brokers receive cash payments and other incentives …
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The US’s poor example of nuclear weapon management
From The Economist: Concerns were raised about the handling of America’s clear weaponry apparatus. Around 70 air force personnel, including four officers, were disciplined for an incident in August when six cruise missiles armed with nuclear warheads were mistakenly flown on the wing of a B-52 from North Dakota to Louisiana, a serious breach of …
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This is not the EU constitution
The world’s biggest economy, the EU, passed a slightly rephrased constitution calling it a “reform treaty” so that a referendum would not be needed. Whether or not the constitution is good is irrelevant to teh fact that the process by which the reform treaty was passed goes against the raison d’etre of the EU. The …
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US sanctions on Iran – the pot calling the kettle black?
As expected, the US has stepped up its sanctions on Iran for “supporting terrorists” and pursuing nuclear activities – new measures target the finances of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and three state-owned banks. The US said the moves were part of “a comprehensive policy to confront the threatening behaviour of the Iranians”, while Iran …
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