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Murray Feshbach, Woodrow Wilson Center | October 7, 2008

We are too easily impressed by the Russian bear. ++ “Moscow remains bent on ignoring the devastating truth: The nation is not just sick but dying.” ++ The population is declining, the economy is totally dependent on oil revenues, and the public health crisis “verges on the catastrophic.” ++ AIDS, tuberculosis, alcoholism, heart disease, and smoking are killing Russians at an alarming rate. ++ Life expectancy for men is 59, ranking 166th world-wide. ++ The Kremlin’s misplaced priorities must change.

California: Where the Players Play

Editorial, The New York Times | October 7, 2008

Given the Bush administration’s obstinacy in refusing to take action against climate change, many US states have stepped up to the challenge - none more so than California. ++ California has taken the bold step of becoming the nation’s first state to introduce a law intended to curb urban sprawl, and hence commuter travel (automobile traffic accounts for the single largest source of CO2 there). ++ New York will soon follow suit; there is, however, “no substitute for federal action or for American global leadership on climate change.”

US-Taiwan Arms Sales Prod China Toward Peace

Editorial, Wall Street Journal | October 7, 2008

The Bush administration announced its intention to agree to a $6.4 billion arms sale to Taiwan. ++ There are more than 1,400 missiles on the Chinese side of the Taiwan Strait that endanger Taiwan’s security. ++ The sale will help to avert the threat and “fulfill the US commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act”. ++ Taiwan will thereby gain leverage against China, who has defined its action by militarization. ++ As both parties have decided to open a dialogue, the sale could incentivize China to settle its disputes with Taiwan.

Creating an Asian Bond

Thaksin Shinawatra, former PM of Thailand | October 7, 2008

It is time for the “globar” - or “global dollar,” a collective Asian bond that could revitalize the world economy by catering to US currency-stabilization needs and simultaneously recycling massive Asian surpluses back into tangible assets in Asia itself. ++ Asia’s surpluses are primarily in US dollars, a risky investment in the current turmoil. ++ Asian countries are no longer mere borrowers, they are lenders. ++ Development of a collective bond based on one currency and monitored by the IMF is exactly what Asia and the world market need.

"Israel and Iran Have Much in Common"

Anthony Zeitouni, Middle East Times | October 7, 2008

On Israel’s 60th anniversary and the Islamic revolution’s 30th, both countries are actually more similar than one may think. ++ Israel fears a loss of power from shifting demographics, and similarly Iranian conservatives fear losing power to supporters of former president Mohammad Khatami. ++ Both countries also feel isolated: Israel, a Jewish state in an Arab region, and Iran, a Shiite state surrounded by Sunnis. ++ Politicians must cease their divisive rhetoric and focus on social exchanges to develop links between the two countries.