Keeping Up with the Bin Ladens
March 1, 2009
Don’t Look Now: Eastern Europe Catches the Virus
February 25, 2009
Poland’s currency has slumped 48 percent against the euro; Hungary’s has fallen 30 percent and the Czech Republic’s is off 21 percent.
“As It Falters, Eastern Europe Raises Risks”
“Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the countries of Eastern Europe have emerged as critical allies of the United States in the region, embracing American-style capitalism and borrowing heavily from Western European banks to finance their rise.” Written by Nelson D. Schwartz.
from The New York Times
DB notes: The last to come into prosperity in Europe, the last to regain its footing.
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Previously on Take 2: Iceland is…What?
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Meanwhile, Iraq
February 16, 2009
Same as it ever was.
“Iraq from the Inside of an Armored BMW”
“In late 2006, roughly speaking, months before George W. Bush’s “surge” strategy sent 30,000 more American troops into Baghdad and surrounding areas, the U.S. began making down-payments on the cooperation of local al-Anbar tribal sheiks and started funding and arming the Sunni militias they were then organizing. As a result, the number of insurgent attacks quickly began to drop, and so the Americans widened the program to other provinces. It grew to include nearly 100,000 Sunni fighters, most of whom were paid $300 a month—a sizeable income in a devastated city like Fallujah with sky-high unemployment rates.” Written by Dahr Jamail.
from Mother Jones
DB notes: From my post on today’s Politico on the question of returning American coffins from Iraq and Afghanistan: “On a more serious note. Whether our military men and women return to the homeland to be paraded or memorialized, it’s our duty on the home front to fully participate in their ceremonies and traditions upon their return. Unquestionably, in a country this large, televised and still images provide many American with the only means for such intimacy and tribute. The Secretary of Defense supports a new policy, as do many members of Congress in both parties–and a majority of the public as well. We should have covered each and every one of the more than 5,000 soldiers coming home. Not covering their return to their families and to the nation they defended–as well as those to follow–is disrespectful and embarrassing. “
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Next on Take 2: Neko Case is at the door.
First Ireland, then Steroids, now…Israel and Palestine?
February 3, 2009
George Mitchell and the art of the impossible.
“Mitchell Gets Earful from Mideast”
“Winding up his week-long tour of the region, President Barack Obama’s Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, met Saudi officials here over the weekend for an exchange of ideas on ending the volatile Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Mr. Mitchell conferred with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud bin Faisal Saturday night and met with King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Sunday. Specifically, the talks were said to cover the Saudi-initiated Arab Peace Initiative – first offered to Israel in 2002 – as well as how to counter what many Arab states regard as an alarming development: The increased involvement of Iran in Palestinian affairs, through its partners, Syria and Hamas.” Written by Carole Murphy.
from the Christian Science Monitor
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DB notes: Where is the Israeli Marshall Plan? Where is the Palestinian Ghandi?
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Also, see George Mitchell at State Department announcement:
Report: Iran’s Roadside Bombs Made in the U.S.A.
January 11, 2009
Should we be the least bit surprised?
“Iran Using Fronts to Get Bomb Parts from U.S.”
“Iran in the past two years has acquired numerous banned items — including circuit boards, software and Global Positioning System devices — that are used to make sophisticated versions of the improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, that continue to kill U.S. troops in Iraq, according to documents released by the Justice Department and a new study by a Washington research institute.” Written by Joby Warrick.
from The Washington Post
Iceland Is What…?
December 30, 2008
Can a nation declare bankruptcy?
“Iceland is, for many of us, the waist of the hourglass: the narrowest point in the flow of culture and commerce that buoys modern life, a place where the First World is winnowed and exposed. This is why we call its financial collapse a “crisis.” It’s the reason some of us with no clear stake are keen to learn what happened.” Written by Nathan Heller.
from Slate
A Trojan Horse?
December 28, 2008
From the Department of Be Concerned.
“Greece has been torn apart by the worst riots in decades, now entering their third week. Bands of self-declared anarchist youths have rampaged through the streets of Athens and other major cities causing hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage, setting off a spiral of unrest in which the nation’s unions, among other groups, have taken part. Both shops and hotel lobbies have been ransacked, and hospitals, airports, and transport have been brought to a standstill.” Written by Robert D. Kaplan.
from The Atlantic Monthly
