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NEWNATIONS BULLETIN 1ST OCTOBER 2010
The World Seen from America
What makes a Superpower? How to Use WMD’s? What’s wrong with the UN? We take a brief look at these questions, and more.
North Korea: The Kim family show
Amidst a whole bunch of 3 star generalships for the ladies, as well as the (civilian) men, we witness the apotheosis of Kim Junior to the role of chief executive-elect, in a nation where not much electing goes on. This is one of the moments when the grim, ultra-serious ‘hermit kingdom’ lightens up a bit, and the world can actually enjoy reading about it.
Turkey stands Up
There is much to admire about modern Turkey, once the home of the Sunni Caliph (it doubled with the role of Sultan), one of the great historical empires, now a firmly secular state. It has the juice to stand up to pressure from the US
and insists on making its own foreign policy regarding its awkward neighbour, Iran, which doesn’t always agree with that of WDC. We believe it to be a force for good - our Update illustrates why.
South Africa: A Wake-up call for Democracy
Our very comprehensive report tells a gloomy story. Through what in marxist jargon were called ‘internal contradictions,’ readers can see how this shining beacon in Africa is in danger of being extinguished. This is largely because of failures of leadership, not just at the top, although that is the case, but also because politics is so dominated by one monster party, who arrogate key decisions to themselves, endangering the separation of powers, a key element of any democracy. There is a danger, not imminent perhaps, but nevertheless deteriorating, of going down the cul-de-sac of the Zimbabwe road.
Asia’s Sleeping Giant
We look at Japan and its career since WWII. Now it is a model of what nation states can become, but China is behaving provocatively towards it.
Imperial China
Taiwan – a comparative shrimp, but that’s an illusion. China seeks to roll it up
given a complaisant KMT government, but the Taiwanese people are not so sure.
Iraq looking at the unresolved election
Half a year since the people smudged their fingers with purple ink, but the power boys cannot get any alternative act together. We review.
Syria: Where the politics are getting really interesting
Given the complexities of middle-east politics and recent events, SYRIA could become pivotal in potential new alliances.
Russia: looking at personalities (not called Putin or Medvedev)
All change at the Moscow mayoralty, one of the ‘big’ jobs in Russia, and what of St Petersburg?
Afghanistan: the shape of a post-conflict settlement
We take a look at what, given the experience of Iraq, might work as an end game.
Pakistan: What odds on Musharraf returning?
He has intimated he is considering it. The army and much of the population is heartily sick of the failed politicians. Since he left, things have got much worse.
It would be a good solution for this troubled country.
India concerned at new Pakistani reactors
And why wouldn’t they be? The dangers of Islamic terrorists plundering fissile materials are obvious.
Philippines: Aquino’s progress
The new ‘clean-up president’ is making a difference.
Doing Business with Libya, and ‘the Profumo Affair’
Italy is learning: Beware the mighty petro-dollar if it comes from Libya.
Iran: the permanent terror of its own people
The anti-Ahmadinejad movement - who now holds the baton?
Saudi Arabia and a role re Somalia
The recent vast arms order is about more than countering Iran.
Bangladesh: militant Buddhists on the rampage!
In this overwhelmingly Moslem nation there are both Buddhst and Christian minorities. It seems that they have fallen out.
Central Asia: We look at Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
The Caucasus: Reports on Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia.
The Balkans: Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia, Bulgaria, Romania.
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