Estd. 2002. Politics, tech, startups, media, law, history, philosophy
Word has it that the Europeans and Americans are falling out again, this time over Iran. Despite a renewed American effort to repair relations with Europe, a disagreement between the Bush administration and European leaders over how best to persuade Iran to abandon its suspected nuclear weapons program has deepened in recent weeks, diplomats on … Continue reading “U.S.-European discord over Iran is deepening”
It is looking like by early next year the EU will have lifted arms sanctions with China, imposed after Tiananmen. France seems to be the major proponent of lifting the ban. A code is being considered: The EU is drawing up a tighter code of conduct, which Europeans believe will be enough to govern arms … Continue reading “EU signals movement on China arms ban”
New Scientist has published an article on the craze of blogging sweeping China. It is written by Xiao Qiang, director of the China Internet Project at the University of California at Berkeley. He also runs China Digital News blog at chinadn.org. There is definately no shortage of enthusiasm: Meanwhile blogging seems set to grow as … Continue reading “The 'blog' revolution sweeps across China”
Dan Drezner links to an informative article in the New York Times. Drezner sings her praises, perhaps correctly, she notes: American military supremacy remains unquestioned, regional officials say. But the United States appears to be on the losing side of trade patterns. China is now South Korea’s biggest trade partner, and two years ago Japan’s … Continue reading “China's growth as a regional power”
Jonathan Power asks if Saudia Arabia will be the next country to declare it has nuclear weapons, and the ability to deploy them at long range. They bought Chinese CSS-2 rockets back in the 80’s. With elections to be held in Saudi in November, the first since 1932, are we seeing attempts to liberalise the … Continue reading “Turning a blind eye to nukes: Will Saudi Arabia have nukes next?”
Kevin Drum points to the cover of the Economist. This has hardly been the UN’s finest moment, and China and supposed-American-ally Pakistan abstained on even the milquetoast resolution that the United States eventually compromised on. But I suppose it’s a start. But I am left wondering why those two countries abstained. CNN reports that Zhang … Continue reading “Oil, Sudan, Darfur, China and genocide”
More debate on China, this time from Tom Manning, a senior partner with Bain, a global consulting firm, and a long-time resident of Hong Kong. He is worth quoting at length here: In all these matters, the U.S. tendency has been to flip-flop between treating China as friend and foe. Our actions defy coherent categorization. … Continue reading “America needs a China strategy”
Israel never signed the Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). Israel produces plutonium at Dimona in the Negev desert. This site is off limits to inspectors. Israel bombed Iraqs nuclear reactor in Osirak in 1981. Pakistani scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan, sold nuclear wares to Iran, Libya and North Korea. He may have sold nuclear material to other countries. … Continue reading “Nuclear weapons in the Middle East”
Yet more fuel into this fire that has been on slowburn on this blog over the last few weeks. George Monbiot, yes I know some of you hate him, with his views on the likely scenarios that may meet us once the oil runs out. I think Frank will enjoy this…and he also mentions issues … Continue reading “Oil is running out…”
Glenn Reynolds points to a lengthy article in the Financial Times by one of the more interesting authors out there, Philip Bobbit. I had a great time reading the Shield of Achilles, and am looking forward to his new book. I also met him briefly at a debate in Hoxton, London, last Summer. This article … Continue reading “Better than empire: Philip Bobbit”