The BBC reports this morning that Sudan’s odious president Omar al-Bashir has suddenly discovered some pressing business at home that will prevent him from attending this week’s Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) summit in Turkey.Bashir, indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the ongoing war in Darfur, had earlier been expected to attend.  This […]

Twenty years ago I was in a cafe in Rio de Janeiro, eating breakfast and looking at the morning paper.In those days, you couldn’t get the English language newspapers until much later in the day in Rio; neither was the internet much use as a news source.So I was drinking some strong Brazilian coffee (“hot […]

Thailand used to be the most stable country in Southeast Asia.  That is no longer the case and its long-running, slowly developing political crisis is taking a dramatic turn for the worse.This is important.  Geopolitically and economically, Thailand matters enormously to both China and the United States.  Any serious unrest there could bring American and […]

The “great game” is what nineteenth century British strategists called the contest in Central Asia between Britain and Russia; it usually came down to competition for the shifting allegiances of various warlords and tribes in Afghanistan.That ‘game’ is still being played with a new set of players, but a new and potentially much more explosive […]

If you go down to paragraph five of this CNN story, you will find the real news: those polled opposed “Barack Obama’s proposals” on health care 53 to 45.The next graph is equally newsworthy: 60% of independents opposed the proposals, a nine point increase in October.No wonder the House margin was so narrow.

A BBC story this morning should be required reading for anyone running a company, a government, or a political campaign.It matters who talks to the press.  An off-the-cuff, arrogant and untested press spokesman brought down the Berlin Wall.By accident.East German Politburo member Gunter Schabowski told reporters that new regulations easing travel between East and West […]

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao pledged $10 billion in new low interest loans to African countries at a summit in Sharm-el-Sheik, Egypt, yesterday, and, according to the New York Times,  offered a slew of other goodies ranging from debt forgiveness to increased foreign aid.Not everyone is happy.China’s push into Africa has been controversial; some are alarmed […]

Over at Taegon Goddard’s Political Wire, a link to video of Richard Nixon’s infamous ‘last press conference.’ Today marks the 47th anniversary of Nixon’s bitter remarks to the press following his failed 1962 bid to become governor of California.One thing to remember about Nixon; we think of him today mostly in terms of the Watergate […]

This Gallup poll on migration shows that 700 million people around the world want to emigrate from their current homes.  The top three destinations for would-be migrants: The U.S., Canada, and the U.K.  Australia is also in the top ten.

The Pakistani glitterati turned out in force for this fashion show featuring daring outfits by local designers.At one level, you have to wish them well.  People and especially women-people should have the right to wear what they want, and encouraging local designers is a good way to help Pakistan’s textile industry move higher up the […]