Editor's Note

First I wanted to thank all of the visitors and readers of my blog. I especially appreciate those who take the time to post a comment. We have had quite a few so far and they come from all corners of the world.
There is a lot going on in the US and the world that is worth commenting and blogging on. The biggest challenge I have, as an author, is time. I try to read as much as I can and share my thoughts on as many subjects as time permits, but still I feel like it's not nearly enough to make this site really popular worldwide. I have been approached a few times by others interested in helping me post insightful articles about what's going on in the world of politics. Most likely we will have a few staff additions in the near future as a result of that.
But in the meantime, the focus of this blog will shift slightly from blogging just about anything, to political blogging about places that deserve it the most. In my view those are countries and places in the world that have a very dynamic political and economic environment, often times very rural and yet to be conquered in many ways. Places often ignored, poor, forgotten, but as we saw on 9/11, places that can turn into centers of world's attention in a matter of a few hours. I believe these places are just as interesting, if not more interesting, as developed democracies with market economy and relatively peacefully societies. So this is the goal and I hope I will have more time to post interesting stories here more frequently.

category: International | posted by: Norbert | comments: 0

Cuba Libre - One Step Closer

On April 13 President Obama has eased some of the restrictions imposed on travel and money transfers for Cuba. This is about the first serious sign of improvement in the relationship with Castro's regime the US has had for close to 50 years. The original embargo and restrictions were installed in 1959 shortly after Castro became the official leader of the Cuban state.
The lift of the restrictions applies only to Cuban-Americans for now. The general embargo still holds and the restrictions for non-Cuban Americans also apply. But it's a sign of things moving towards the right direction. The US administration still wants the Cuban regime to make significant improvements in opening the Island for democracy and free trade before any serious engagement in government level talks can be made. On the other hand the Cuban government claims it is ready to engage in talks but without any preconditions in place. So there seem to be some signs of further improvements on the horizon.
The move is a reflection of a bigger shift of the current US administration from isolation and realistic approach to international affairs towards engagement and more cooperation, even with those who are not the biggest friends. It's a continuation of Obama's campaign promises and generally speaking a positive development.
If anything can be learned from 50 years of imposing embargo and attempts to isolate a state on an international arena, it's that it doesn't work very well. Castro is still holding strong with his ideology, the Cubans who live on the island lack access to some basic commodities and services, and the lack of political will to work cooperatively on changing the status quo has prevented any positive changes, at least until yesterday.

source: BBC News

category: International | posted by: Norbert | comments: 0

Russia To Help in Afghanistan

I don't think there is anyone left who thinks that the road to Kabul leads through Washington. As the last 8 years of fighting in Afghanistan demonstrated the successfully outcome of that conflict will largely depend on the actions and involvement of the regional players. That includes Pakistan, India, China, Iran, Central Asian States and Russia. And its actually Russia that may be a very valuable asset in efforts to bring this war to an end.
Russia has fought a very unpopular and unsuccessful war in Afghanistan for 10 years since 1979 till their last troops left the country in 1989. It may seem a bit ironic that now the US could be asking Russia to step up to the plate and help in resolving this conflict, while it was actually the United States that supported the fighters in Afghanistan who were undefeated for 10 years by the Russian troops. But hey, things change and our yesterday's enemies may be our tomorrow's allies. Needless to say, being for 10 years in that country and having large presence on the ground accounts for a lot of experience and knowledge. It's actually this more than any other support is what the US should be asking Russia to help with in Afghanistan. Russia failed in its own efforts to control that country, but it must have gained a lot of valuable experience while trying. I just hope that the current US administration can see that and can make an effort to utilize it for the greater good.
Speaking of reaching out. How about inviting Iran to at least voice their opinions about how to stabilize Afghanistan. Wouldn't that be something?

category: International | posted by: Norbert | comments: 0

Where is Karl Rove?

It is undoubtedly written with an invisible ink in the Republican Party bi-laws to criticize and go after any mistakes the Democratic leaders make. And vice-versa, one could claim similar humorous conclusion about the Democratic Party documents.
So unsurprisingly enough, those who used to be close to the former administration are sparing no efforts to point out the mistakes Obama makes and question his judgment. In a recent article by Karl Rove published in the Wall Street Journal, he is criticizing Obama for saying things and acting like exactly the opposite of what his campaign promises were all about. Perhaps Karl Rove is right in some of his conclusions, perhaps the Obama administration has recently drifted away from the earlier promises to reform Washington. But one has to be realistic about it. Conditions change and we have to adapt to them. Not that I would advocate for Obama or try to explain away some of his arguable steps, but being flexible and open minded with your approach to things is not a bad thing. And if there is any lessons in all this it should be for Karl Rove and his lack of adapting with his view. Sure he was a very successful architect of Bush's presidential campaigns and later his long term advisor. But we may have been in a much better position now with regards to the war in Iraq if Karl Rove was just a little bit more open minded and willing to accept others views.
Karl Rove is currently working on his book and also writes regularly for the Wall Street Journal and Newsweek. More about Karl at www.rove.com

source: The World Street Journal

category: US domestic | posted by: Norbert | comments: 1