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Pakistan plunged into election dilemma
Violence that erupted after the funerals of Shi'ites killed in bomb blasts in Karachi on Sunday is raising pressure on authorities to sanction army control in cities hit by attacks from Sunni militants. Yet the military pursuit of terrorists that is increasingly being demanded would itself imperil the upcoming elections. - Syed Fazl-e-Haider
(Mar 5, '13)
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A war of many interests in Myanmar
The conflict intensifying between the Kachin Independent Army and Myanmar's government will prove a crucial test of the federalist vision in Naypyidaw's apparent steps towards democracy. Hundreds of ethnic groups represent almost half the population, and unless leaders can generate trust by controlling the army and granting new economic rights, war will spread.
- Aung Tun
(Mar 5, '13)
Tajikistan regions still deep in conflict
Tensions between rival regional groups in Tajikistan remain high as the country prepares for presidential elections, with clashes last year between the ruling Kulyabi elite and Pamirs in Gorno-Badakhshan underlining the lack of progress since civil war ended in 1997. Unless the Kulyabis launch an inclusive political process, the cycle of conflict won't be broken.
- Shavkat Kasymov
(Mar 5, '13) |
 Glacial progress
belies climate threat
The minimal global impact of the "largest ever" climate change rally in Washington last month underlined difficulties in getting the masses behind the cause, despite the chances of human-induced weather extremes ending life on Earth as we know it. Preparation for a grim, apocalyptic future may seem pessimistic, but it's a leap of faith humanity must take.
- Tom Engelhardt
(Mar 5, '13)
China robots signal US challenge
The robotic invasion on factory floors in China points the way to the power of automation to "reshore" American industry. Along the way, the battle to maintain low-skilled jobs needs to end, and a swathe cut through regulations that prevent companies from attracting innovators. - Joshua Jacobs and Eftychis Mourginakis
(Mar 5, '13)
SPEAKING FREELY
US pivot puts Pakistan in a bind
The US's "pivot to Asia" will again force Pakistan to choose between two powerful and competing benefactors, this time with more significant regional implications than during the Cold War. While diplomatic and financial support has flowed freely from Beijing in recent years, rapprochement with Washington suggests Islamabad will make a familiar choice. - Hamza Mannan
(Mar 4, '13)
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Terror strikes switch to Karachi
Karachi has become a new focus of terror in Pakistan after twin blasts left their deadly mark in a Shi'ite-dominated community on Sunday. As the southern port city emerges as another "sectarian flashpoint" following attacks by Sunni militants in Quetta, the surge in violence is opening fears that the campaign for the upcoming general election could be marred by more blood. - Syed Fazl-e-Haider
(Mar 4, '13)
COMMENT
Bangladesh finds just a touch of Arab Spring
The ongoing Shahbagh protest that has spread far and wide in Bangladesh shares its social-media spark with the Arab Spring. There the similarity ends. The movement does not just have an uneasy relation with Islamist parties; from its inception it has borne the seal of secularism and tolerance.
- Peter Custers
(Mar 4, '13)
 SPENGLER
Looking for marriage
in all the wrong places
Defenders of gay marriage style themselves as enlightened and reasonable. The well-reasoned arguments in a new book propounding a traditional concept of marriage on the basis of nature and social benefit prove them to be nothing of the sort, while in any case hedonistic heterosexuals have been hacking away at the institution for years. (Mar 4, '13)
What is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense, by Sherif Girgis, Ryan T Anderson, and Robert P George. |
Slam-dunk diplomacy in North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong-eun's fascination with the US, seen in his adoration of the visiting Harlem Globetrotters last week, suggests he could change tack if only Washington diverts from its "strategic patience" approach. As Beijing mulls time out on its usual play with Pyongyang, Washington should consider how more useful the North would prove as friend rather than enemy.
- Nile Bowie
(Mar 4, '13)
Beijing holds seeds of cross-strait pride
Beijing can grow the seeds of Chinese nationalism now appearing in Taiwan if it applies patience and a continued willingness to avoid confrontation. Visiting Kuomintang leader Lien Chan's admiration of achievements such as China's growing space program can be fertile ground for cultivating cross-straits pride.
- Brendan P O'Reilly
(Mar 4, '13)
Iran nuclear talks reach a turning point
Positive tones emerging from both sides of the negotiating table in the standoff over Iran's nuclear program this week are a marked departure from the vitriolic deadlock of past engagements. The setting of a date for the next round of talks between Tehran and the so-called Iran Six is a big plus, but there is a long road ahead with bumps created in Washington's halls of power.
- Kaveh Afrasiabi
(Mar 1, '13)
A trillion-dollar concept left undefined
The cost of the technologies created in the name of "homeland security" as envisioned by president George W Bush is now approaching one trillion dollars, funds that could've revitalized crumbling infrastructure from shore to shining shore. While it's unclear if the concept's deeply flawed implementation has made Americans safer, there is little doubt it's made them poorer. - Mattea Kramer and Chris Hellman
(Mar 1, '13)
Sequestering American exceptionalism
Growing consensus in Washington that the military must be spared more sequestration cuts is predicated on the belief that the so-called world's policeman must never surrender its badge and gun. This ignores that rank unilateralism has no basis in international law and those billions could be better used to protect civilians in war zones. - Roger Peace
(Mar 1, '13)
THE ROVING EYE
News from Kyrzakhstan
US Secretary of State John Kerry's inadvertent outing of the country of Kyrzakhstan, took geographers and political analysts by surprise, while opening up new possibilities for the Global War on Terror, and adding a new dimension to the Great Game and the US pivot to Asia. - Pepe Escobar
(Feb 27, '13)
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Centerra Gold risks Kyrgyz collapse
A legal row between Kyrgyzstan and Centerra Gold has entered a decisive stage after parliament ordered the government to renegotiate the 2009 deal with the Candian company to operate the world's largest gold mine or withdraw its license. Both sides have good reasons to avoid the bottomless pit of international arbitration. - Fozil Mashrab
Japan shows social side
The number of businesses run by young Japanese entrepreneurs who are giving social goals priority over personal gain is rising. Government polls show the value of work is being reconsidered after two decades of economic stagnation. - Daan Bauwens
CREDIT
BUBBLE BULLETIN
Italy and "Ro, Ro"
The world's markets have enjoyed six months of powerful ''risk on'' gains, with a flood of ''money'' into equities and global risk markets. Yet currency market volatility especially points to an inflection point, Italian elections adding notably to the trepidation.
Doug Noland looks at the previous week's events each Monday.
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India-China shibboleths
take time to dissipate
Two years back at a rare colloquium I participated in with Delhi’s China watchers, when I mentioned that from an Indian perspective China should be regarded as a ‘factor of stability’ in relation to the worsening Afghan situation, eyebrows were raised and vague traces of condescending smile began appearing on many keen faces suggesting that I was an innocent abroad trespassing into a mystique land where I might lose my way.
- M K Bhadrakumar
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