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Author Archives: Nicolai
Copenhagen Diary: “Martial Law Is The Only Answer”
When I picked up my newspaper this morning, I was met by a startling front page headline: “Permanent political martial law is the only viable answer to the climate catastrophe”. The headline belonged to the Danish newspaper Information which today released a mock issue from the year 2059. Combining humor and horror, the issue was written as if the upcoming Copenhagen Climate Conference (COP15) had been a failure 50 years earlier. The Problem with Democracy The funny (or tragic) thing is that the headline is not all that farfetched. If you remove the word ‘permanent’, it runs close to Thomas Friedman’s dream of being “China for a day”. The idea is that at least totalitarian politicians can get painful legislation … More >>
Tagged climate change, congress, democracy, obama
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The PR Challenge of State Building
Last week, General Stanley McChrystal submitted his review of the war in Afghanistan. While it’s classified, much of its contents can be guessed based on the General’s recent statements. It recommends an increase in Afghan troops and police, stronger emphasis on military-civilian coordination and efforts, and more focus on protecting Afghan civilians rather than hunting Taliban. By large, the review follows General Petraeus’ counterinsurgency (COIN) strategy. It’s also state building by any other name. Critics have claimed that the COIN will not work in Afghanistan due to the country’s size, terrain, poverty, “war-lordism”, opium production, corruption and governmental inefficiency. Selling the war Let’s assume that the strategy can work. That still leaves the current administration with the huge problem of … More >>
I Don’t Have A Clue What Will Happen In Iran
The unrest in Iran is approaching its third week. Traditional news media have been barred from the country. What we know about the situation stems from online images and reports from the Iranian people. Information has been scattered and tainted by rumors and hearsay. Still, it is clear that much of the country is in a state of chaos. Millions of protestors have taken to the streets, challenging the unlikely election results. The Iranian ruling elite has repressively responded by clamping down on dissent. On youtube and flickr young Iranians are seen beaten, bruised and even killed. An irrevocable development is happening in Iran, and when it is over, the country will have fundamentally changed. The question on everyone’s mind … More >>
Once More Unto The Breach, Mr. President
“This is the last chance for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.” Since 1977, this has been said every time an American president tries to broker a peace agreement between the two. And now, it’s being said again. This statement is actually quite a paradox. Since peace has not been achieved, the assertion is not false. Yet, since we don’t know whether it will happen, it is also not true. Or put differently, last chances always happen. (Schrödinger, anyone?) Certainly, some things are on the clock. Hamas is looking to pick up additional seats in the 2010 election. Palestinians may outnumber Israelis in the not-too-distant future. And lastly, a nuclear-armed Iran could upset the entire region. But to spin … More >>
Tagged israel, middle east, obama, palestine
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With “Friends” Like These
Last week, President Obama held a trilateral summit in Washington with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. The intention was to increase cooperation on fighting al Qaeda and the Taliban in South Asia. Given the laundry list of challenges upfront, there must have been many an awkward moment. To begin with, all three presidents greatly distrust each other: Karzai and Zardari fear that the US will abandon them in the face of mounting political pressures. (It wouldn’t be the first time.) The Obama administration views both foreign leaders as corrupt, weak and uncooperative. In particular, Zardari has been hesitant to combat the Taliban. This wavering adds to the suspicion that the Pakistani government maintains some relations … More >>
Obama Throws Another Ball In The Air
During his first 100 days in office, few would accuse President Obama of indolence. Which is why it is all the more impressive that at the Fifth Summit of the Americas, he reasserted his intention to reform the US immigration system by the end of the year. His announcement could not have been more timely. Our current immigration system is broken. We have roughly 12 million illegal immigrants in the US. Illegal labor has become an unrecognized but integral part of our nation’s agricultural, commercial and services industries. In other words: we need these people but don’t acknowledge it. Few states have a larger stake in immigration reform than New York. Our city is the living, breathing incarnation of Immigration. … More >>
