From the FT, word that Vladimir Putin is moving ahead with plans to build a 21st century version of the Soviet Union with some of Russia’s neighbors: A customs union he launched a year ago between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan has already removed tariffs and customs controls along the three states’ internal borders. Come January […]

Adam Garfinkle, the editor of the print edition of The American Interest has written two brilliant essays on the “days not weeks” war in Libya — the first at the beginning, the second just published today.  Both essays are required reading; good intentions and weak analysis mixed with wishful thinking frequently get the United States […]

Brewers, bakers, butchers and picture takers can now make money selling what they know as opposed to what they make at Skillshare. Sign up for classes. Sign up to teach. Short circuit the slow and expensive official educational machine and pick up some new skills without taking out a student loan.It sounds like a lot […]

Press reaction to events in Wisconsin remains educational.  The introduction of legislation curtailing union rights and activities for most public employees in Wisconsin was first billed as a victory in disguise: a triggering event that launched the flight of the legislators and a wave of demonstrations that would stop the Republican juggernaut in its tracks.  […]

According to the Washington Post, President Obama has decided to support a continuing government role in the housing market and plans to keep Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac operating with government guarantees into the indefinite future.The decision is a GOP dream come true and could play a significant role in the campaign.If you wanted to […]

Remember this name: Xi Jinping.  You may not think you need to know who the vice president of China is, but he is likely to be China’s next premier and is one of the people who will be making your world. Today’s Washington Post has a gushing profile of him here.The Post is happy to […]

In a post a few weeks ago I envisioned a future for middle-class job growth in light of the contraction of American manufacturing employment. By leveraging the power of the internet, a wide range of services may spring up in which experts aid laypeople in navigating complicated systems such as health insurance and college selection: […]

In a bad sign for the future of religious pluralism in Indonesia, a member of the Ahmadi faith has been railroaded by an Indonesian court.  From the Financial Times: SERANG – A member of Indonesia’s minority Islamic Ahmadi sect was jailed for six months on Monday for inciting a mob attack on a house he […]

Back in those halcyon days when the world was young and pundit school was still far in the future, people in eastern South Carolina used to speak scornfully of “301 Yankees”, northerners driving south on what was then the main highway to Florida.  You could spot them because one arm would be fish belly white […]

India has arrested an anti-corruption activist for — conspiring to fast without permission.  1300 of his followers are also in the clink.  Given the role of fasting and non-violent resistance in India’s independence struggle, it’s almost the equivalent of the Feds arresting someone for reading the Declaration of Independence without a government permit.Anna Hazare, 74, […]