Perspective

'So, after 12 months of living in New York is it any surprise that Israel starts to look a little less evil? And that Europe starts to look a little more parochial? That the US starts to look a little more like it is trying to solve some of the world’s problems, and that it is doing so despite the sometimes unfair criticism of its allies? If in England it always looked like the US was the playground bully. Then from the US it looks a lot more like an embattled headteacher in a problem school.'

From Paul Berger, a left-wing Englishman in New York. (Via Andrew Sullivan.)

23:09

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And so it begins

The Chinese threaten nuclear war with America if the latter 'attack their territory'. Rather conveniently, the Chinese definition of territory happens to include Chinese ships and planes.

So the cards are on the table. The Chinese are apparently willing to threaten the United States with a nuclear holocaust in order to scare them out of honoring their defense treaty with Taiwan. It seems likely that, considering the Chinese military buildup, they are now testing the waters for actually using their newfound power. Wait for them to start some serious saber rattling when their internal economic problems become apparent to the general populace.

After that, it's probably onwards to Japan, a country which is cozying up to the USA for a reason. Similar moves can be observed in India. And no matter how much I dislike Pervez Musharraf (or any other dictator), it had better be that he clings on to power for a few more years. A fundamentalist rising in Pakistan could indirectly lead to a premature increase in Chinese agression, as India will then have enough on its plate by having to deal with an agressive Pakistan.

Scary. I actually thought this moment would be a few more years away, but the game seems to be in full play.

15:01

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Can we have Sarkozy please?

Because Chirac is an arrogant and insensitive asshole.

13:39

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A beginning of Islamic reform?

Seems blowing up children doesn't go down well amongst Muslims either. Anyway, it's definitely not 'Midway', but the Pew Global Attitudes survey in Islamic countries brings excellent news nonetheless:

Osama bin Laden's standing has dropped significantly in some key Muslim countries, while support for suicide bombings and other acts of violence has "declined dramatically," according to a new survey released today.

The survey found only 2 percent of people surveyed in Lebanon and 7 percent in Turkey expressed confidence that bin Laden would "do the right thing regarding world affairs," while confidence in the al Qaeda leader dropped from almost a half to about a quarter of those surveyed in Morocco and from 58 percent to 37 percent in Indonesia. Bin Laden's standing went up slightly in Pakistan to 51 percent and Jordan to 60 percent.

The latter is something to watch out for though. If Musharraf's luck runs out, we may have a bit of a problem on our hands. Especially since his 'successor' wouldn't be as prone to please America by keeping hostilities with India to a minimum. And a renewed war between India and Pakistan might give China a window of opportunity on Taiwan.

Go directly to the survey here.

3:06

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