History has shown for millennia that grotesque disparities in wealth and power, and ownership of resources, are unsustainable in the long run. I see ISIS as merely the visible tip of a regional economically-based unrest based ultimately upon wealth … [Read more...] about Is Economic Inequality Behind Rising Global Jihad?
Contributor:
Western Economic Policy Still Fighting Wrong Battle*
Labor is steadily becoming less valuable than capital, and boosting liquidity won't help. The US government recently lowered its estimate of economic growth for 2014 to slightly over two percent. During the first quarter of the year GDP growth was … [Read more...] about Western Economic Policy Still Fighting Wrong Battle*
FCC to China – “Stop! Or, or I’ll Say Stop Again!”*
The Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seem to model themselves after British policemen, popularly known as "bobbies," whose only regular weapon is a short, wooden truncheon, which they keep out of sight and may not … [Read more...] about FCC to China – “Stop! Or, or I’ll Say Stop Again!”*
Mexico: Mañana is Here*
Much has changed, obviously, since 1989 when I published "Mexico: chaos on our doorstep.** As so often has happened, my timing was bad. The book’s research identified a problem prematurely and the title raised hackles among some Latin American … [Read more...] about Mexico: Mañana is Here*
Weekly Briefing, June 15-21, 2014
From ACD: “Stop! Or, or I’ll Say Stop Again!” (The FCC to China) - Rachel Ehrenfeld - The Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seem to model themselves after British policemen, popularly known as “”bobbies,” whose only … [Read more...] about Weekly Briefing, June 15-21, 2014
Next Steps in Cyber Security*
Mounting cyber attacks on the economic interests of the United States are a constant reminder that, despite the billions of dollars spent by both the U.S. government and the private sector to date, our cyber defenses are lacking. This is not to say … [Read more...] about Next Steps in Cyber Security*
Loose Sallies—Essays by Daniel Kornstein*
The title of this superb new collection of 44 essays, "Loose Sallies," led me to believe that Daniel J. Kornstein—a highly regarded attorney who has written several books and articles on the law and its relationship to literature—had decided to try … [Read more...] about Loose Sallies—Essays by Daniel Kornstein*
An Intelligence Coup and Kurdish Aspirations
"What will Washington do about us?" Telephone conversation, Kurdish subject. 18 June 2014 Two days before the ISIS (the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) attack on Mosul led to the discovery of 160 flash drives of inestimable value. From them, … [Read more...] about An Intelligence Coup and Kurdish Aspirations
Turkey, Erdogan, and the Muslim Brotherhood in Iraq
A recent photograph taken 16 April 2014, which appeared in Turkey's Hurriyet Daily, shows an injured ISIL commander Abu Muhammad "allegedly receiving free treatment," in Turkey's Hatay State Hospital. It was reported that commander Muhammad was … [Read more...] about Turkey, Erdogan, and the Muslim Brotherhood in Iraq
Iraq’s Theater of the Absurd*
After wasting so many lives and so much treasure, the US may now have to cosy up to Iran to save Iraq. Everyone in the ongoing Iraq tragedy has boxed himself in. The Iraqi government of al-Maliki invited disaster by refusing to sign a status of … [Read more...] about Iraq’s Theater of the Absurd*