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Category Archives: Politics
January 26, 2012
ESSAY
Turkey: Islamist Nightmare or Misunderstood Friend?
Four days before he dropped out of the Republican race, Governor Rick Perry created an uproar by saying that Turkey is “being ruled by what many would perceive to be Islamic terrorists,” suggesting it was time to reevaluate Turkey’s place in NATO and to consider zeroing-out US aid to the country.
There was, of course, a huge media uproar in Turkey over these comments, but after the first shock wore off, something of a debate has erupted among Turkish and American commentators regarding the state of relations between the two countries.
Major Turkish newspapers described the incident as “scandalous,” with distinguished columnists like Mustafa Akyol opining “Rick Perry: What an Idiot.”
Continue reading
ESSAY
Trend #9: The European Crack Up
Back at the start of the decade, Via Meadia predicted that “[t]he end of the Cold War combined with the rise of Asia will introduce the world to a new kind of reality: a post-European world order.” The past year … Continue reading
January 25, 2012
ESSAY
Indiana, Meet Wisconsin
Earlier this month, reports that Indiana was gearing up for a fight between conservative politicians and organized labors brought echoes of Scott Walker’s Wisconsin to mind. The comparison has just become even more apt—the New York Times reports that Democrats … Continue reading
ESSAY
Trend #8: Uneven Development and the “African Time Bomb”
The Olympics, like the world, is a complicated field of winners and losers. Some countries win often: the U.S. mens’ 400-meter swimming relay team has won thirteen straight times, a streak going back to 1960. Other countries are accustomed to … Continue reading
January 24, 2012
ESSAY
The Great Game of Thrones
This morning Via Meadia commented on China’s buildup of naval power. Anxious not to be left behind, India has just taken possession of a Russian nuclear submarine. According to the BBC, a second, Indian-built nuclear sub will be ocean-ready later … Continue reading
January 21, 2012
ESSAY
Drug War Sanity in NJ?
For years, one of the primary criticisms of America’s expensive and self-destructive drug war has been that it leads to the incarceration of large numbers of nonviolent youths, harming their reputations and future job prospects for the rest of their … Continue reading
ESSAY
Trend #4: Small ‘d’ democratization
In January 2010, Via Meadia suggested that traditional structures of authority will everywhere be stressed; without embracing (and indeed while rejecting) the ideals of western democratic liberalism, people around the world will be ‘small d’ democrats who insist on a … Continue reading
January 20, 2012
ESSAY
In China, You Can See and Smell Economic Growth
Beijing has been blanketed by a particularly thick haze of smog this week. Chinese officials call it “fog,” and citizens complain that the US Embassy does a better job monitoring pollution than the government. Beijing’s leadership at last responded this … Continue reading
ESSAY
Drug War “Whack-A-Mole”
Washington’s war on the Colombian cocaine industry has been largely successful, but successful only in pushing drug cartels into neighboring Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. Coca farms and cocaine-producing facilities have simply jumped national borders to safer havens. Anti-American governments in … Continue reading
January 19, 2012
ESSAY
Washington Post Blasts Obama on Pipeline
President Obama’s decision on Tuesday to reject the Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry “dirty” oil from Canadian tar sands to American refineries, drew the expected response from familiar corners. The vocal green fringe is ecstatic; the Canadians are disappointed; … Continue reading
ESSAY
Global Trend #2: Proliferation, Great and Small
“Proliferation,” Via Meadia wrote in January 2010, “is not just a question of a few rogue states and terror organizations.” From nuclear bombs to Kalashnikovs, weapons are easier to find, simpler to design, build and operate, and deadlier than ever. … Continue reading
January 18, 2012
ESSAY
Obama’s Secret Letter To Tehran
Is Obama trying once again to bring Iran back to the discussion table? CBS reports that Obama sent Iran a secret letter proposing new talks and admonishing Tehran over its threats to close the Straits of Hormuz. “In the letter, … Continue reading
ESSAY
Green or Black: Must Democrats Choose?
While the President’s poll numbers have fallen dramatically since the heyday of Obamamania, African Americans continue to overwhelmingly support the first African-American President. Yet the Democratic coalition contains two elements who tend to not get along very well: urban African … Continue reading
ESSAY
Wukan: The End, or End of the Beginning?
Chinese officials seem to have settled on a strategy to contain the fallout from last month’s protests in Wukan: First, calm the upheaval by promoting the head of the protestors, Lin Zuluan, to Party Secretary of Wukan; return a few acres … Continue reading
January 17, 2012
ESSAY
Teachers, Parents Face Off in Indiana. Guess Who Wins?
Parent-teacher relations in America are beginning to look a lot like the time-honored playground game Red Rover. Teachers’ unions link arms to form a defense against, say, charter schools; the parents, sometimes with a little help from legislatures or the … Continue reading
