News and Notes the Extended Version
Having been unavailable yesterday, this list is a bit more extensive than normal. Some of the notes will be expanded in future posts.
China is the subject of Newsweek’s latest issue's Soft Power, Hard Choices. It’s a look at China’s use of diplomacy, backed by economic incentives and largely executed by China’s businesses, to expand China’s power and reach around the world. The story doesn’t exactly gloss over the potential for war over Taiwan, but fails to discuss the anti-succession legislation about to be passed, the EU arms embargo about to be lifted, China’s expansion of its naval reach, or China's human rights abuses. The issue also includes an interview with Chen Shui-bian, President of Taiwan.
China's response to the aforementioned U.S. human rights report. And their actions leading up to the parliament meeting.
Also, China has announced an increase in military spending. Of course.
Russia also expressed their displeasure with the U.S. report on human rights abuses. Here is the reports analysis of Russia.
North Korea, where human rights are essentially non-existent, may begin testing missiles again. Now there is a way to reassure the region of your desire for peace, trustworthiness, and cooperation. Perhaps they had forgotten their agreement to end testing the missiles, and now that they've remembered it, must break it. Consistency matters to them apparently. Treaties, like parliament meetings, aren't binding in the DPRK.
After yesterday's propaganda piece, one might have thought the LA Times would think twice about such reports. Instead, today we get the DPRK's list of conditions for a return to the negotiation table. UPDATE: Hugh has more on today's Demick column, and a list of those posting on yesterday's propoganda piece.
Syria, also a human rights hell hole, is under additional pressure to remove its troops from Lebanon. Assad may tell his parliament that he'll do so shortly. Yet, President Bush rightly reminds us again that it is more than the troops, its the intel operatives.
Iran, are we noticing a human rights trend here, has stepped up the rhetoric given this weeks IAEA meetings on their lack of transparency (Iran says the IAEA has too much transparency) with regard to their nuclear programs. The U.S. may finally, press for the IAEA to take the issue to the UN Security Council. Given their deception, tunnel building, new efforts, etc. it is an over due step. Reports of the President moving toward support for the European effort are frankly misguided. He has supported the negotiations throughout and appropriately not committed the U.S. to direct communications, eased up on the IAEA, or removed any alternative options from the table. The EU-3 plan will fail, whether adopted or in negotiation.
Libya, a future friend. So says Gadhafi. Here's the human rights report on Libya.
Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama are building a "rapid-response force to combat drug trafficking, terrorism and other regional threats." Good news.
How to Write Compelling Blog Posts, via SmartChristian. I should have known. None, other than the linking, would be a fitting description of my post. Darn.
And finally, thanks for the purchases via Amazon. Added two weeks ago, the links have generated $9.20 thus far, and it is appreciated. All funds from the links, tip jars, etc. will go to expanding the resources available for coverage or analysis at the Little Red Blog. Thanks.
