Kofi Annan’s Two Schools of Thought on the US Invasion of Iraq

According to UN Sec-Gen Kofi Annan, he discovered from his recent tour of the Middle East that there are two schools of thought propounded by Mideast leaders on the US invasion, occupation, and potential exit from Iraq. Some believe that the American military action has seriously destabilized the region and strengthened the hand of Shia Iran and fomented widespread ethnic conflict between Shites and Sunnis. So this is the destabilization school of thought. Followers of the second school of thought believe that the US should not suddenly exit because it only will plunge the region into further chaos (Don't cut and run school of thought). Can it get any worse? More than 100 people died just yesterday. Either way we are really in a long messy fight without a positive outcome. It resembles Vietnam in every way. It simply stinks!

But to his credit UN Sec-Gen Kofi Annan has strongly and openly disagreed with the US action in Iraq, which is indeed a rare thing among UN Secretary Generals. Because UN Secretary Generals are known for cleverly masking their views and maintaining a carefully calibrated diplomatic face.

Conflict and Blood Diamonds

I recently saw a full page Ad in NY Times by an organization called diamondfacts.org established by the World Diamond Council. The Ad proclaimed that they wanted to present the positive side of diamonds and how diamonds are helping the world with education, healthcare, and HIV AIDS. How about that? Did you know that (1) Diamond revenues enable every child in Botswana to receive free education up to the age of 13, and (2) The revenue from diamonds is instrumental in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Well, these are just a sampling of the facts listed in diamondfacts.org.

The problem with this website is that the motivation is not all that fair. Diamondfacts.org has been specifically set-up to counter the negative publicity generated by a new movie, "Blood Diamonds" staring Leo DiCaprio, to be released in December. Ha, there we go!! Another industry group trying to portray itself as nice as the oil industry. According to a story in NYT on Sep. 4, the attempt to sell itself as Mr. nice industry is another cynical attempt much like the oil companies.

Battle for Seattle

Remember the Seattle Anti-Globalization protests. Burning cars, rocks thrown, international delegates cornered by protestors of every color and nationality. I guess Hollywood liked the theme a lot. So, Charlize Theron is set make movie along with Stuart Townsend, a producer/actor. The goal, according to the movie makers, is to present the "power of the individual in the face of powerful governments and global corporations."

Ms. Theron's decision to make a movie about the Seattle Anti-Globalization protests has bitterly divided the anti-globalization community. One should be wary of Hollywood because it always has the knack of taking things that are very positive and mucking it up in a politically-correct syrupy way. Or maybe they will end up saying that yes, the anti-globalization people are right, but yes the WTO is also right. In the name of balance, the various viewpoints will be fundamentally buried.

Another African Genocide

Another African Genocide is in full swing and the world is sitting by idly and watching. Despite UN Resolution 1706 authorizing a peacekeeping force to enter Sudan. The Sudanese government has refused permission for the UN Peacekeeping force enter Sudan. Thereby, worsening the already progressing Genocide. The African Union troops are threatening to leave or already in the process of exiting Darfur. If a new group of UN Security forces don't enter into Darfur soon, we are likely to witness another genocide and the rest of the world will sit by and watch people being killed.

There is need for robust military action Now! UN Act Now!

10 Questions for Pakistan

1) Why did he sign the deal with the tribal leaders in Warizistan? Is it because Pakistani forces killed Nawab Bugti and he thinks the Baloch's are going to truck with Pastuns?
2) Are the tribal leaders hiding the big kahuna (whom our president wants dead or alive)?
3) What has Pakistan done to dismantle the aftereffects of the AQ Khan network?
4) Why has Pakistan become a haven for terrorists?
5) Is Pakistan playing a double-game (a macabre dance), seemingly assisting the US on the war on terror, while continuing to stroke it?
6) What have they done to shut down the Madrashas (religious schools)?
7) Is the use of terror against India and "morally helping" Kashmiri militants still an official part of Pakistani foreign policy?
8) How safe are the nukes?
9) Where is Hamid Gul these days and what are his political ambitions?
10) Why is the Pakistani cricket team tampering with the cricket ball...just play the game, mate!

Ethics of Poverty Assistance

How to solve world poverty, chronic hunger, and food shortage if you are journalist or an academic on a field trip. Michael Wines describes the predicament of an international journalist and the ethics of assistance in a great piece in the Times. Is it okay to just send some money, give alms during a visit to a developing nation or should you contribute to a NGO or charity or, should one just cover the story objectively and hope the UN and the G8 will attend to the problem. Maybe the Millenium Development Goals will assist the poor eventually. Meanwhile, crushing poverty and chronic hunger bedevils rest of the world.

Sudanese Intransigence

Sudan has strongly refused to accept additional UN Peacekeeping troops for the Darfur region. Recently, rebel and militia activity has increased causing further concern among UN members about the fragility of the peace deal in Sudan. Presently, weak and ineffective African Union troops are attempting to keep the warring militias from attacking each other.