Washington Post (March 12)
The U.S. military is not ready for cyber conflict. “U.S. nuclear weapons, hardened to survive an atomic blast in the Cold War, may not be ready to survive a cyber-onslaught… We ought not wait until a disaster has arrived to address the policy implications of cyberwar.”
USA Today (November 12)
“Thanks to computers and smartphones, Americans are more dependent than ever on electricity. But the nation’s 20th century power grid is incompatible with its 21st century economy and increasingly extreme weather.” For days and even weeks, thousands were left in the dark following hurricane Sandy. “The utilities are not powerless. They can bury more key lines, harden substations and protect cellular communications, a vital link when disaster strikes.”
Tags: Disaster, Extreme weather, Power grid, Sandy, Smartphones, U.S., Utilities
New York Times (May 24)
“With Greece in meltdown, raising fears of cascading bank insolvencies and deepening recession, Europe’s leaders failed again this week to agree on the ambitious initiatives needed to quell the crisis.” If they don’t quickly wise up and promote growth, “the consequences could be disastrous — for their countries and the rest of the world.”
The Economist (November 23)
“What safe haven?” As worries spread, the entire Euro zone looks increasingly tainted. “There is an awful sense of a slow motion disaster in the markets at the moment, with every day bringing some herald of bad news.” The latest bad news involved Germany. Once considered a safe haven, Germany was only able to auction €4 billion of a planned €6 billion bund sale.
“What safe haven?” As worries spread, the entire Euro zone looks increasingly tainted. “There is an awful sense of a slow motion disaster in the markets at the moment, with every day bringing some herald of bad news.” The latest bad news involved Germany. Once considered a safe haven, Germany was only able to auction €4 billion of a planned €6 billion bund sale.
Tags: Disaster, Euro zone, Germany, Markets, Safe haven
Time (April 21)
Time will include Dr. Takeshi Kanno in its list of the 100 “most influential people in the world.” When the tsunami alert sounded, the doctor “immediately began moving patients to the highest floor, helping dozens of people in the short window between the 9.0-magnitude quake and the deadly wave.” He remained at his post in Minami Sanriku treating patients until the survivors could be evacuated from the stricken Shizugawa public hospital. After three days he rejoined his wife for the birth of their second child. They named the boy Rei, which means “the wisdom to overcome hardship,” a trait Dr. Kanno exemplified during the disaster.
Washington Post (April 15)
Prime Minister Naoto Kan writes thanking the U.S., other governments, NGOs and private citizens for their acts of kindness as Japan recovers from the Great East Japan Earthquake. With over 28,000 dead or missing, Kan’s current “top priority” is bringing the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear situation “under control at the earliest possible date.” Though struck by a staggering earthquake, tsunami and nuclear catastrophe, Kan believes “this difficult period will provide us with a precious window of opportunity to secure the ‘Rebirth of Japan.’”
Institutional Investor (April 12)
“A silver lining was not what anyone expected to find in the radioactive cloud that fanned out from Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant following March 11’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.” Nevertheless, Institutional Investor believes ”the catastrophe may have been the catalyst the country needed to galvanize its stagnant economy and escape from decades of deflation.”
Tags: Deflation, Disaster, Earthquake, Japan, Radiation
The Financial Times (April 7)
A “cup of sake could save the nation.” The Financial Times disagrees with Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara’s efforts to discourage traditional hanami cherry blossom viewing parties out of respect for those still suffering from disaster. The Governor’s entreaties could make a bad situation worse, as restraint worsens a reeling economy. “Mr Ishihara risks deepening the post-disaster slump by simultaneously seeking to stop Tokyo residents from celebrating the arrival of cherry blossoms with their traditional hanami flower-viewing parties.”
Economist (March 25)
Japan’s multi-front disaster reveals “a crisis of leadership.” Even with exceptions for the disaster’s massive scope, “some of the suffering is avoidable.” The Government’s response has been muddled, hampering relief efforts. While the stoicism of the disaster victims is admirable, it is “time for the Japanese to unleash some righteous anger on a system that has let them down.”
Tags: Change, Disaster, Government, Japan, Stoicism
Financial Times (March 15)
Can anything good come of Japan’s disaster? Martin Wolf dismisses fears that rebuilding will financially strap the government of Japan. In fact, the rebuilding effort may provide the focus to jumpstart a country that’s been floundering for decades. “It is in adversity that a country shows its mettle. The Japanese will surely do just that, on this occasion. It is for the leaders to match the mettle of the people. If they are able to do so, out of a great disaster may yet come a rebirth.”
Tags: Disaster, Economy, Government, Japan, Rebuilding
