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Fridman spills the beans
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Is China the 'America' of Asia?
The Ultimate Irony: Is China the 'America' of Asia?
(an article at The National Interest)
Beijing’s claims in Asia look extravagant, however, they are as valid as those made by the United States against Mexico and Great Britain in the mid-19th century.
(an article at The National Interest)
Beijing’s claims in Asia look extravagant, however, they are as valid as those made by the United States against Mexico and Great Britain in the mid-19th century.
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Interesting read from Stratfor
A Net Assessment of the World
The United States is, by far, the world's most powerful nation. That does not mean that the United States can — or has an interest to — solve the problems of the world, contain the forces that are at work or stand in front of those forces and compel them to stop. Even the toughest guy in the bar can't take on the entire bar and win.
And some comment of mine.
The United States is, by far, the world's most powerful nation. That does not mean that the United States can — or has an interest to — solve the problems of the world, contain the forces that are at work or stand in front of those forces and compel them to stop. Even the toughest guy in the bar can't take on the entire bar and win.
And some comment of mine.
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The Urmas Paet / Catherine Ashton leak
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"Officers of Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) loyal to the ousted President Viktor Yanukovich have hacked phones of Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and leaked their conversation to the web. The officials discuss their impressions of what's happening in the country after the revolution. The gist of it is that Ukrainian people have no trust in any of the leaders of Maidan. However the most striking thing of all is the fact which concerns the use of force during the revolution, particularly the snipers who killed both protesters and officers of the riot police. Mr. Paet reveals astonishing information which confirms the rumours that the snipers were employed by the leaders of Maidan."
Question is, who hired the provocateurs. Was it Yanukovych who used them as an excuse to crack down on his own people? (Sacrificing the lives of his own security forces? That wouldn't make much sense, would it?) Or was it, as Putin alleges, pro-Western subversive factors from outside the country?
“There is now stronger and stronger understanding that behind the snipers, it was not Yanukovich, but it was somebody from the new coalition,” Urmas Paet said during the conversation.
Of course many will now argue that it's all just a discussion of a rumor at this point. But a curious addition to the context of the Ukrainian events, nevertheless.
"Officers of Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) loyal to the ousted President Viktor Yanukovich have hacked phones of Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and leaked their conversation to the web. The officials discuss their impressions of what's happening in the country after the revolution. The gist of it is that Ukrainian people have no trust in any of the leaders of Maidan. However the most striking thing of all is the fact which concerns the use of force during the revolution, particularly the snipers who killed both protesters and officers of the riot police. Mr. Paet reveals astonishing information which confirms the rumours that the snipers were employed by the leaders of Maidan."
Question is, who hired the provocateurs. Was it Yanukovych who used them as an excuse to crack down on his own people? (Sacrificing the lives of his own security forces? That wouldn't make much sense, would it?) Or was it, as Putin alleges, pro-Western subversive factors from outside the country?
“There is now stronger and stronger understanding that behind the snipers, it was not Yanukovich, but it was somebody from the new coalition,” Urmas Paet said during the conversation.
Of course many will now argue that it's all just a discussion of a rumor at this point. But a curious addition to the context of the Ukrainian events, nevertheless.
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So, it it good to intervene in foreign countries?
...Like Libya, Syria, etc?
I'm in no position to (mis)judge, since it was largely thanks to the efforts of the international community that the apartheid regime was finally brought down in my country. And I couldn't express my gratitude enough to the people around the world. I fear our guys would've never succeeded on their own.
There are causes that are just and worth fighting for, and intervening for. And then, there are just Realpolitik and economic and geopolitical interests. The trick is to distinguish which of the two ends where and gives way to the other.
I'm in no position to (mis)judge, since it was largely thanks to the efforts of the international community that the apartheid regime was finally brought down in my country. And I couldn't express my gratitude enough to the people around the world. I fear our guys would've never succeeded on their own.
There are causes that are just and worth fighting for, and intervening for. And then, there are just Realpolitik and economic and geopolitical interests. The trick is to distinguish which of the two ends where and gives way to the other.