Wall Street Journal (April 8)
“Japan knows the Ukraine stakes.” In contrast, U.S. critics, especially Republican members of Congress are wavering on Ukraine aid, suggesting “the war in Europe is a distraction from more serious threats in Asia.” Tokyo realizes “a Russian victory may encourage Chinese imperialism.” Hopefully, during his visit next week, Prime Minister Kishida “can disabuse” Republicans of their errant notion. His government’s foreign policy “reflects the seriousness of the current geopolitical moment. Japan recognizes that the threat to the well-being of free nations is global.”
Tags: Aid, Asia, China, Congress, Critics, Europe, Free nations, Japan, Kishida, Republican, Russia, Stakes, Threats, U.S., Ukraine, War, Wavering, Well-being
Washington Post (June 20)
Iraq’s unraveling poses a “confounding” challenge for the U.S. “Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has put sectarian interests above national goals, so to join him in beating back the terrorist challenge might only widen the country’s divide. But… an al-Qaeda-style ‘caliphate’ stretching from Syria into Iraq would be too dangerous for the United States and its allies.” By sending aid and military advisers, President Obama’s modest steps toward engagement “represent a judicious start.”
Tags: Advisors, Aid, Al-Qaeda, Challenge, Engagement, Iraq, Judicious, Maliki, Obama, Sectarian, Syria, Terrorists, U.S.
New York Times (March 19)
Will Crimean exuberance over a Russian homecoming soon turn to disappointment? History suggests as much. When South Ossetia was liberated from Georgia in 2008 “people were delighted to see the Russian soldiers…. But within a few months of Russia’s recognition, shivering through the winter behind windows made of plastic sheeting, people began to wonder when the billions of rubles of aid pledged by Russia would reach them.”
Tags: Aid, Crimea, Disappointment, Exuberance, Georgia, Rubles, Russia, Soldiers, South Ossetia
Washington Post (August 15)
The “refusal to take a firm stand against massive violations of human rights is as self-defeating for the United States as it is unconscionable. Continued U.S. support for the Egyptian military is helping to push the country toward a new dictatorship rather than a restored democracy.” The U.S. should suspend all aid until “the generals end their campaign of repression and take tangible steps to restore democracy.”
Tags: Aid, Democracy, Dictatorship, Egypt, Human rights, Military, Repression, U.S., Violations
The New York Times (November 26)
“To counter a rising China,” Japan is raising its military profile and providing aid to help other Asian countries boost their defenses. “Taken together those steps, while modest, represent a significant shift for Japan, which had resisted repeated calls from the United States to become a true regional power for fear that would move it too far from its postwar pacifism.”
The Economist (March 3, 2012)
North Korea will suspend uranium enrichment at Yongbyon, admit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors, and halt weapon and long-range missile testing. The U.S. will provide 240,000 tonnes of food aid, organize cultural exchanges, and support six-nation talks. “Despite North Korea’s record of caprice and outright deceit, this is a good deal for America. It could even turn out to be a great one.”
New York Times (February 9, 2012)
The “Greek Tragedy” continues to unfold. “By forcing all Greeks to suffer with no real prospects of relief, Europe is uniting the country, now beset by strikes, against further reforms.” Unfortunately, Greece has little choice. “It cannot survive without Europe’s money, even if it chokes on Europe’s conditions.”
