The current wave of populism sweeping the world isn’t necessarily ideological - as witness Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump. "He who can convince people to believe absurdities can convince them to commit atrocities." Voltaire. A new tide of … [Read more...] about What’s Driving The New Populism*
Economics
Washington’s China Problem*
The U.S.’ confrontation with an increasingly powerful and incipiently aggressive China is getting much more complicated. There is no question of its high priority among the U.S.’ foreign policy issues. But with a lame duck Obama Administration which … [Read more...] about Washington’s China Problem*
Taiwan’s Democracy Needs U.S. Arms*
“Taiwan is part of China is a sacred mission for all the sons and daughters of China” - Yu Zhengsheng, fourth-ranked leader of the Communist Party of China, Oct. 23, 2015. If there was any doubt that Taiwan is the first democratic state in the long … [Read more...] about Taiwan’s Democracy Needs U.S. Arms*
Weekly Review, June 1-5, 2015
Pic Credit: Saul Loeb, the Atlantic --- Fueling the ISIS Fire - Rachel Ehrenfeld - Under growing criticism of handling the war against ISIS, the Obama administration decided to send more weapons to the Iraqi army and has already sent the first … [Read more...] about Weekly Review, June 1-5, 2015
US Risky Economic Recovery*
Left: U.S. gross domestic product, 1st quarter revised to -0.7% from +0.2%. Source: Commerce Department The US remains Israel's most important market, but its economic recovery is stalling. In recent years the Israeli government and the Israeli … [Read more...] about US Risky Economic Recovery*
The Iran Deal Through an (Oil) Glass Darkly
The profit margins Big Oil requires are no longer to be made in Saudi Arabia but in Iran and Iraq. Once the US concludes a nuclear deal with Iran, Big Oil will see to it that it sticks, and Washington can turn its attention to the true cause of … [Read more...] about The Iran Deal Through an (Oil) Glass Darkly
Cyberwarfare Threatening U.S. Economy and Free Speech
Lack of appropriate cybersecurity exposes U.S. vulnerable communications to sophisticated cyberattacks; the fastest and safest venue to attack the U.S. economy, national security, and even the right to free expression. Sony’s recent hacking and … [Read more...] about Cyberwarfare Threatening U.S. Economy and Free Speech
Advanced Targeted Cyber Attacks – Identifying New Patterns
Analysis of Firsthand Experiences of the World’s Most Renowned Cybersecurity Forensics Teams Pinpoints Exploitation of Privileged Accounts as a “Signature” in Targeted Attacks. A new report was just released, identifying the compromise and misuse of … [Read more...] about Advanced Targeted Cyber Attacks – Identifying New Patterns
Weekly Briefing, October 6-10, 2014
Countering BioTerrorism - Rachel Ehrenfeld - Bio-terrorism dates back to the New Stone Age. The Scythians (7th century BC – 4th century AD), the Gauls (Celtic people, 5th century BC – 3rd century AD), the ancient Romans (first and second centuries … [Read more...] about Weekly Briefing, October 6-10, 2014
The Islamic States’ Oil Revenue
The European Union Ambassador to Iraq, Jana Hybášková, repeated last week her claim that European countries are “inadvertently aiding the Islamic State.” She claimed the Europeans are purchasing $3 million worth of oil a day, from areas controlled by … [Read more...] about The Islamic States’ Oil Revenue