Wall Street Journal (July 28)
When China’s roller-coaster stock market plunged downward in early July, “the Communist Party responded with every measure conceivable to fix the market.” This included the suspension of trading. “At one point in the middle of July 97% of all listed companies’ shares were not trading, 51% because management had sought a suspension and 46% because the share prices were down by the 10% daily limit.” On July 27, the Shanghai Composite took its biggest tumble ever, but this downswing “may be good news. Monday’s drop was due in large part to investor fears that the government is pulling back on market support. If Beijing has learned from its failure to prop up stock prices, that could mean the market finds a bottom.”
Tags: Bottom, China, Government, Listed, Market, Shanghai Composite, Shares, Stock market, Support, Suspension, Trading
New York Times (October 28)
“It is anyone’s guess how much more turmoil the Ukrainian people can take after they have watched their country battered, dismembered and bankrupted.” Nevertheless, Sunday’s elections “demonstrated that a large majority still support reform and a Westward course. At this critical juncture, it is imperative that the United States and European Union support them with immediate, tangible and generous support.”
Washington Post (October 23)
It’s reassuring to think “that the Islamic State is its own worst enemy, so extreme in doctrine and practice that it will galvanize opposition within the Islamic world.” The “sobering truth” is less comforting. “The Islamic State also has picked up popular support and the allegiance of other militants in countries as far away as Algeria and Pakistan.”
Tags: Algeria, Allegiance, Doctrine, Enemy, Islamic State, Militants, Opposition, Pakistan, Reassuring, Support
Washington Post (January 24, 2014)
“France’s counterterrorism operations in Africa deserve U.S. support.” Though the U.S. is now largely disengaged from the area, West Africa continues to be a hot bed of al-Quaeda activity. Fortunately, France has moved to fill the vacuum and will likely have 3,000 troops stationed in the region by year end. “For the government of François Hollande, this is a costly and risky initiative, and it deserves strong support from the United States.”
Tags: Africa, Al-Quaeda, Costly, Counterterrorism, Disengagement, France, Initiative, Risky, Support, Troops François Hollande, U.S., Vacuum, West Africa
Washington Post (November 18, 2013)
Little is definitively known about global warming, but it would be wise to take pragmatic measures. “Putting a price on carbon—through a tax on oil, coal and natural gas—that reflects global warming’s costs… would promote energy efficiency and favor renewables.” But how would one determine the size of that carbon tax? “We don’t know global warming’s full effects…. But we do know the size of the budget deficit, and we do know that revenue from a carbon tax might help finance a simplification of the income tax. By addressing multiple problems, an admittedly unpopular carbon tax might command broader support.”
Tags: Budget deficit, Carbon, Carbon tax, Energy efficiency, Global warming, Income tax, Renewables, Revenue, Support
Wall Street Journal (July 21)
“Since taking office in December, Mr. Abe has shown a nearly unprecedented level of resolve on all three fronts [fiscal, monetary, regulatory] compared to recent prime ministers.” In his quest to reignite Japan’s economy, “Mr. Abe still faces a long and difficult road to get from where Japan is now to where he wants it to be. He may yet fail, or only partially succeed, in some of his priorities. But outside observers should not discount the extent to which Mr. Abe is giving voters something tangible to support. Voters certainly didn’t discount that on Sunday when they gave their support to Mr. Abe’s party.”
Tags: Fiscal policy, Japan’s economy, Monetary policy, Prime minister, Regulatory policy, Resolve, Shinzo Abe, Support, Voters
Washington Post (March 9, 2012)
Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshito Noda writes, “March 11 is etched in Japan’s collective consciousness. Today, on the first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which triggered the starkest crisis our country has faced in a generation, we pause to commemorate all of those who suffered. Our thoughts go out to all of the victims of the tragedy….We will not forget the loved ones, friends and colleagues lost in the disaster. Nor will we forget the outpouring of support and international expressions of solidarity that Japan received. For this, we feel deeply indebted and forever appreciative…. Our goal is not simply to reconstruct the Japan that existed before March 11, 2011, but to build a new Japan. We are determined to overcome this historic challenge.”
Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshito Noda writes, “March 11 is etched in Japan’s collective consciousness. Today, on the first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which triggered the starkest crisis our country has faced in a generation, we pause to commemorate all of those who suffered. Our thoughts go out to all of the victims of the tragedy….We will not forget the loved ones, friends and colleagues lost in the disaster. Nor will we forget the outpouring of support and international expressions of solidarity that Japan received. For this, we feel deeply indebted and forever appreciative…. Our goal is not simply to reconstruct the Japan that existed before March 11, 2011, but to build a new Japan. We are determined to overcome this historic challenge.”
Tags: Anniversary, Appreciation, Earthquake, Japan, Reconstruction, Support, Victims
New York Times (February 12)
“The Egyptian protesters inspire us all.” Largely peaceful protests achieved “a stunning accomplishment” in the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Even as the world cheers this peaceful revolution, worries arise about the next phase. “The cheering won’t last long if the military council does not quickly follow through on its pledges.” The U.S. and other countries need to provide their full support and stand “ready to press for full democratic change.”
