Pros and Kons
Danger Zone Europe
In a nation overloaded with counter-terrorism and security experts and watchers, we have become masters of the vague threat alert. The latest: terrorists mimicking the tactics of the tragic 2008 Mumbai attacks in any one of Europe’s three biggest countries. Osama Bin Laden may or may not be involved; so might other leaders. Of course, the same experts who can divine terrorists’ intent do so only before strictly necessary. The official who spoke to the Associated Press also said there were no indications that there was a capability of such attacks to actually take place. So to summarize: Al-Qaeda wants to attack tourists in Europe but probably doesn’t have new methods to do so.
Mubarak’s Fancy Footwork
Al-Ahram’s sneaky attempt to place Egypt in the forefront of the peace process was spotted by blogger Wael Khalil, whose blog post has since made the rounds of major media publications. Khalil himself seems to be amused by the attention his post has received—as recounted by the Huffington Post, his Twitter account announces, “Currently enjoying my moment as a famed blogger.” Video of the procession of leaders confirms Khalil as correct.
Parties and Protests
It is unlikely that the tea partiers will ever look for inspiration from a party seeking to introduce a Marxist administration in its home government. The Maoists, however, know how to convey their intentions to the utmost effect. The nation’s capital, Kathmandu, is currently under a general strike shutting down the city’s operations. While tens of thousands of protesters remain in the streets, only emergency vehicles may pass.
Deus Ex Vulcan
Iceland, geographically an isolated island, has become a symbol of the interdependence of the global community, both in the good and in the bad. When the financial crisis struck economies across the globe, the collapse of Iceland’s banks exacerbated the problem. In its aftermath, The Wall Street Journal has reported that investment from foreign banks in Iceland’s banking system severely worsened the damage.
They Never Go Home
The “War on Terror” marches on—and so do American soldiers. The United States has currently transported only a small amount of the 30,000 troops reassigned to Afghanistan from duty in Iraq. While one may find comfort in the simple fact that the situation in Iraq remains stable enough that American withdrawal can continue, the situation in Afghanistan provides no such cause for even cautious optimism. With President Hamid Karzai, the United States has likely created a monster it can neither easily control nor destroy. One cannot reasonably expect a day without U.S. troops in Afghan territory to come soon. As a global superpower, the U.S. will also continue to maintain personnel in Europe, Central America, and East Asia.
