Amnesty International released Freedom Limited, a report detailing declining freedom of speech in Putin’s Russia. Unsurprising, but sad news. A backlash is inevitable, but probably later rather than sooner. Intelligent systems naturally tend to open systems; Russia’s wealth is fuelling its intellectual capacities which will demand openness in governance. BBC report
Category:2 Geopolitics
Don’t waste energy on the US presidential race
As the year begins so the media coverage of the US presidential race rises. So much so that it seems almost like time filler already. But coverage is mostly irrelevant and a distraction to most people, not just outside the US but also within. It is irrelevant to those outside the US because they can …
Continue reading Don’t waste energy on the US presidential race
The world says NO to the death penalty
The United Nations General Assembly has at last voted for a global moratorium on the death penalty. While the resolution is nonbinding and its symbolic weight was hardly mentioned in US media, for those who have been trying to move the world away from lethal revenge as government policy, this was a milestone. The resolution …
Continue reading The world says NO to the death penalty
The world likes China
Link to original article here. How the World Sees China by Andrew Kohut, President, Pew Research Center December 11, 2007 The rise of anti-Americanism in recent years has given China a decided image advantage over the United States. Considerably more people around the world have an unfavorable view of the America than think poorly of …
Continue reading The world likes China
Japan’s primitive view of capital punishment is slowly changing, in the face of death
Japan hanged 3 men, bringing the number of executions in the country this year to 9. Although most of the world is against capital punishment, Japan is one of the very few industrialised countries to retain the death penalty and a recent poll suggests that fewer than 10% of Japanese people oppose the death penalty. …
Continue reading Japan’s primitive view of capital punishment is slowly changing, in the face of death
US caught torturing prisioners, again …
According to current and former US government officials, it has just been confirmed that in 2005 the Central Intelligence Agency destroyed at least two videotapes documenting the interrogation of two al-Qaeda suspects in the agency’s custody, a step it took in the midst of Congressional and legal scrutiny about its secret detention program. Its like …
Continue reading US caught torturing prisioners, again …
King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Celebrations are taking place in Thailand today to mark the 80th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest serving monarch. National Geographic has published a special report celebrating King Bhumibol’s life. It is worth seeing because of his life long example of care and commitment in his role. Why Thailand’s king is so revered …
Continue reading King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Will US vindication of Iran promote softer diplomacy?
The US National Intelligence Directorate issued a report today stating that Iran has not pursued nuclear weapons development since 2003. This is in stark contrast to the US’s aggressive words in international circles and the snubbing of Iran’s President on a recent visit to the US. The IAEA continuing to analyse the nature of Iran’s …
Continue reading Will US vindication of Iran promote softer diplomacy?
Middle east peace: after Annapolis
This report and linked reports by the BBC analyse the problems and opportunity for peace in the Middle East which the Bush administration has sponsored. Unfortunately there remain fundamental differences which will impede progress, including the exclusion of important stakeholders in the process (such as Hamas) and the favourable bias that many feel the US …
Continue reading Middle east peace: after Annapolis
Australia joins Kyoto
Kevin Rudd made his first official act as new Prime Minister of Australia, ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. Well done! Australia now joins the civilised world in contracting together to tackle climate change in a coordinated and concerted effort. The US continues to dissent. This welcome news comes shortly after Australia (under Howard) was highlighted …
Continue reading Australia joins Kyoto