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Monday, August 31, 2015

How the Iran Deal Could Complicate U.S. Efforts to Prevent a Nuclear Breakout

How the Iran Deal Could Complicate U.S. Efforts to Prevent a Nuclear Breakout

When It Comes to Foreign Policy, Trump Is Best of a Bad Bunch

When It Comes to Foreign Policy, Trump Is Best of a Bad Bunch


http://www.newsweek.com/when-it-comes-foreign-policy-trumps-best-bad-bunch-366806

U.S. is even more implicated in Israeli settlement project than we thought

U.S. is even more implicated in Israeli settlement project than we thought

http://mondoweiss.net/2015/08/implicated-settlement-thought?utm_source=Mondoweiss+List&utm_campaign=efe2d72866-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b86bace129-efe2d72866-398529325
on August 30, 2015 
The Israeli colonies are an American problem in a whole new way. Nearly one out of six settlers in the West Bank is an American. Haaretz broke the story. Oxford scholar Sara Yael Hirschhorn says Americans are starkly overrepresented among West Bank settlers:
Roughly 60,000 American Jews live in West Bank settlements, where they account for 15 percent of the settler population, according to figures revealed Thursday by an Oxford University scholar and expert on this population. http://mondoweiss.net/2015/08/implicated-settlement-thought?utm_source=Mondoweiss+List&utm_campaign=efe2d72866-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b86bace129-efe2d72866-398529325

Israeli minister says IDF should have fired on unarmed Palestinian protesters for humiliating a soldier

Israeli minister says IDF should have fired on unarmed Palestinian protesters for humiliating a soldier http://mondoweiss.net/2015/08/soldiers-protesters-occupied?utm_source=Mondoweiss+List&utm_campaign=efe2d72866-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b86bace129-efe2d72866-398529325


on August 30, 2015

Realism Is an Attitude, Not a Doctrine

The National Interest


Realism Is an Attitude, Not a Doctrine

Realists agree that power is what drives international politics, but they disagree about exactly when and where it should be unleashed or husbanded.
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/realism-attitude-not-doctrine-13659?page=show 
August 24, 2015  |  http://nationalinterest.org/feature/realism-attitude-not-doctrine-13659?page=show

America’s Short-sighted ‘Grand Strategy’

https://consortiumnews.com/2015/08/31/americas-short-sighted-grand-strategy/

America’s Short-sighted ‘Grand Strategy’

August 31, 2015

“Tough-guy/gal-ism” remains the dominant rhetorical approach to foreign policy emanating from Official Washington, which may protect the political and media careers of the tough-talkers, but it is doing grave damage to America’s strategic standing in the world, as military analyst Franklin Spinney explains.
By Franklin Spinney
https://consortiumnews.com/2015/08/31/americas-short-sighted-grand-strategy/

Recognize that Iraq Is HIstory

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ivan-eland/recognize-that-iraq-is-hi_b_8065626.html

  Senior Fellow and Director of the Center on Peace & Liberty, The Independent Institute
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ivan-eland/recognize-that-iraq-is-hi_b_8065626.html 

Recognize that Iraq Is HIstory

Schumer’s Troubling Mideast Record

Schumer’s Troubling Mideast Record

August 31, 2015 | https://consortiumnews.com/2015/08/31/schumers-troubling-mideast-record/

Exclusive: In trying to torpedo the Iran nuclear deal, Sen. Charles Schumer is continuing his longstanding role as a front man for U.S. neocons and Israeli hardliners who favor a Mideast strategy of violent “regime change” over negotiated solutions, as Jonathan Marshall describes.
By Jonathan Marshall https://consortiumnews.com/2015/08/31/schumers-troubling-mideast-record/

Sunday, August 30, 2015

"Restoring American Exceptionalism"Dick Cheney Never Disappoints - By Jim Lobe

"Restoring American Exceptionalism"
Dick Cheney Never Disappoints
  -
By Jim Lobe
Our former vice president really needs to exercise more care in hurling such accusations. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article42752.htm

American, Not Russian, Aggression is the Real ProblemBy Bryan MacDonald

American, Not Russian, Aggression is the Real Problem
By Bryan MacDonald
The fact that genuine Russia analysts, who understand the country, have been replaced by neocon nutters who lump the nation in with the likes of Syria, ISIS and North Korea is, frankly, disturbing. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article42751.htm

Pushing the Edge on Nuclear WarBy William R. Polk

Pushing the Edge on Nuclear War
By William R. Polk
Washington's neocons and liberal hawks are ratcheting up tensions again over Ukraine with the goal of humiliating and even destabilizing nuclear-armed Russia. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article42757.htm

Op-Ed: Pope Francis to be "tried" in Jerusalem

Op-Ed: Pope Francis to be "tried" in Jerusalem

The Pope plans a visit to Washington, but the Sanhedrin plans a "trial" in Jerusalem.


http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/17443#.VeNL9M6KI-8

NASA Zeroes in on Ocean Rise: How Much? How Soon?

NASA Zeroes in on Ocean Rise: How Much? How Soon?
Pasadena CA (JPL) Aug 27, 2015 - Seas around the world have risen an average of nearly 3 inches (8 centimeters) since 1992, with some locations rising more than 9 inches (25 centimeters) due to natural variation, according to the latest satellite measurements from NASA and its partners. An intensive research effort now underway, aided by NASA observations and analysis, points to an unavoidable rise of several feet in the future ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/NASA_Zeroes_in_on_Ocean_Rise_How_Much_How_Soon_999.html

Catholic vs catholic


Catholic vs catholic

http://www.catholic365.com/article/2242/catholic-vs-catholic.html#

The Fingerprints of Sea Level Rise

The Fingerprints of Sea Level Rise
Pasadena CA (JPL) Aug 27, 2015 - When you fill a sink, the water rises at the same rate to the same height in every corner. That's not the way it works with our rising seas. According to the 23-year record of satellite data from NASA and its partners, the sea level is rising a few millimeters a year - a fraction of an inch. If you live on the U.S. East Coast, though, your sea level is rising two or three times faster than avera ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/The_Fingerprints_of_Sea_Level_Rise_999.html

Warming Seas and Melting Ice Sheets

Warming Seas and Melting Ice Sheets
Pasadena CA (JPL) Aug 27, 2015 - Sea level rise is a natural consequence of the warming of our planet. We know this from basic physics. When water heats up, it expands. So when the ocean warms, sea level rises. When ice is exposed to heat, it melts. And when ice on land melts and water runs into the ocean, sea level rises. For thousands of years, sea level has remained relatively stable and human communities have settled ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/Warming_Seas_and_Melting_Ice_Sheets_999.html

Turkey duped the US, and Isis reaps rewards

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/turkey-duped-the-us-and-isis-reaps-rewards-10478720.html

Sunday 30 August 2015| The Independent

Turkey duped the US, and Isis reaps rewards

The real losers are the Kurds, the only force to have effectively resisted the jihadis in Syria
The disastrous miscalculation made by the United States in signing a military agreement with Turkey at the expense of the Kurds becomes daily more apparent. In return for the use of Incirlik Air Base just north of the Syrian border, the US betrayed the Syrian Kurds who have so far been its most effective ally against Islamic State (Isis, also known as Daesh). In return for this deal signed on 22 July, the US got greater military cooperation from Turkey, but it swiftly emerged that Ankara’s real target was the Kurds in Turkey, Syria and Iraq. Action against Isis was almost an afterthought, and it was hit by only three Turkish airstrikes, compared to 300 against the bases of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/turkey-duped-the-us-and-isis-reaps-rewards-10478720.html


Today’s refugee crisis is the price for yesterday’s interventions


Today’s refugee crisis is the price for yesterday’s interventions

By Stephen Kinzer – BOSTON GLOBE - AUGUST 30, 2015

REFUGEES ARE SURGING into Europe. More have come since the beginning of this year than in all of 2014. Scenes of their plight are as relentless as they are poignant. This is Europe’s new crisis.

Immigration has also become a hot political issue in the United States, where an estimated 11 million people live without legal status. As the presidential campaign heats up, candidates win votes by promising to deport as many as possible, and then seal the border to keep them out. This same impulse has led to the rise of anti-immigrant parties in European countries. On both sides of the Atlantic, passionate debate over immigration is shaking politics and society. http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2015/08/29/botched-interventions-then-refugee-crises-now/XvPgwpQlmBy2YRb7OCNYYK/story.html

U.S. Nuclear Power Plants - CNN.com

U.S. Nuclear Power Plants - CNN.com

Russia to Develop Earth Remote-Sensing Satellite System for Iran

Russia to Develop Earth Remote-Sensing Satellite System for Iran

California Drought Causing Valley Land to Sink

California Drought Causing Valley Land to Sink

In Appalachia, the coal industry is in collapse, but the mountains aren’t coming back | Grist

In Appalachia, the coal industry is in collapse, but the mountains aren’t coming back | Grist

Francis: Catholics who judge, criticize offer 'counter-witness' to Jesus | National Catholic Reporter

Francis: Catholics who judge, criticize offer 'counter-witness' to Jesus | National Catholic Reporter

German Aerospace Center Open to Cooperation With Russia Despite Sanctions

German Aerospace Center Open to Cooperation With Russia Despite Sanctions
Moscow (Sputnik) Aug 25, 2015 - The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is open to cooperation with Russia despite political disagreements between the West and Moscow, including anti-Russian sanctions, the DLR press secretary told SNA Radio Monday. According to Andreas Schutz, the German Aerospace Center is currently working with a number of Russian companies. "Despite all the political differences, science, especially c ... morehttp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/German_Aerospace_Center_Open_to_Cooperation_With_Russia_Despite_Sanctions_999.html

Pentagon joins Silicon Valley in 'flexible' tech hub

Pentagon joins Silicon Valley in 'flexible' tech hub
Washington (AFP) Aug 28, 2015 - The Pentagon is building a tech hub in Silicon Valley to help create new gadgetry for the supersoldiers of the future as well as tech-savvy consumers. A plan unveiled Friday called for a new Manufacturing Innovation Institute to be based in San Jose, California to work on new kinds of flexible technology that can be used both on the battlefield or for civilian health, smart homes and cities. ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/Pentagon_joins_Silicon_Valley_in_flexible_tech_hub_999.html

87K homeless school children in NYC, report says - NY Daily News

87K homeless school children in NYC, report says - NY Daily News

After a week of intense debate, Stephen Hawking and his colleagues are still puzzled by black holes

After a week of intense debate, Stephen Hawking and his colleagues are still puzzled by black holes


http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/08/29/after-a-week-of-intense-debate-stephen-hawking-and-his-colleagues-are-still-puzzled-by-black-holes/

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Restoring Russian Influence in the Middle East

Restoring Russian Influence in the Middle East



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/raghida-dergham/restoring-russian-influen_b_8059136.html

Boeing: China to buy nearly $1 trillion worth of planes - Business Insider

Boeing: China to buy nearly $1 trillion worth of planes - Business Insider

War News Updates: NSA's Phone Data Collection Is 'Not Illegal' According To The U.S. Appeals Court

War News Updates: NSA's Phone Data Collection Is 'Not Illegal' According To The U.S. Appeals Court

War News Updates: China Has Shifted From Building Islands In The South China Sea To Building Deep Sea Ports And Military Airstrips

War News Updates: China Has Shifted From Building Islands In The South China Sea To Building Deep Sea Ports And Military Airstrips

ourt: We Can’t Rule on NSA Bulk Data Collection Because We Don’t Know Whose Data Was Collected

ourt: We Can’t Rule on NSA Bulk Data Collection Because We Don’t Know Whose Data Was Collected


https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/08/28/court-cant-rule-nsa-bulk-collection-dont-know-whose-data-collected/

That time Jimmy Carter walked into a nuclear reactor

That time Jimmy Carter walked into a nuclear reactor

What happened when Brad Pitt and his architects came to rebuild New Orleans - The Washington Post

What happened when Brad Pitt and his architects came to rebuild New Orleans - The Washington Post

Western Balkan Exodus Puts Pressure on Germany and EU - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Western Balkan Exodus Puts Pressure on Germany and EU - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Clinton Camp Says One-Fifth of Delegates Secured for Nomination - Bloomberg Politics

Clinton Camp Says One-Fifth of Delegates Secured for Nomination - Bloomberg Politics

Friday, August 28, 2015

13 Controversial Quotes From Planned Parenthood's Founder

13 Controversial Quotes From Planned Parenthood's Founder

FBI, Hillary Clinton private email - Business Insider

FBI, Hillary Clinton private email - Business Insider

"No Recovery For You!" Brazil Officially Enters Recession, Goldman Calls Numbers "Disquieting" | Zero Hedge

"No Recovery For You!" Brazil Officially Enters Recession, Goldman Calls Numbers "Disquieting" | Zero Hedge

Bill Clinton looked into giving Congo, North Korea speeches - Business Insider

Bill Clinton looked into giving Congo, North Korea speeches - Business Insider
http://www.businessinsider.com/bill-clinton-north-korea-congo-hillary-clinton-speeches?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=referral

Hillary Clinton just held an uncomfortable press conference where she dismissed a question about Bill and North Korea


http://www.businessinsider.com/hillary-clinton-just-held-a-testy-press-conference-2015-8?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=webfeeds

Federal court rules in favor of NSA bulk snooping, White House happy — RT USA

Federal court rules in favor of NSA bulk snooping, White House happy — RT USA

Russ Baker recaps the Katrina story that will make your blood boil

Russ Baker recaps the Katrina story that will make your blood boil


This week, WhoWhatWhy marked the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with Russ Baker’s exposé of the real story behind the federal government’s epically botched response to the superstorm’s devastation of New Orleans.  Baker explains to Jeff Schechtman in this podcast that It wasn’t just rank incompetence involving another hapless set of Bush cronies. Rather, it represented something more fundamental: corruption within the Bush administration so pervasive that it amounted to depraved indifference toward the people who suffered and died in Katrina’s aftermath. That, combined with a desire to “outsource” government services so friends, allies and supporters could make money.

Http://whowhatwhy.org/2015/08/28/russ-bakers-recaps-the-katrina-story-that-will-make-your-blood-boil/

Spy Report Spinning Has a Long History

http://www.newsweek.com/spy-report-spinning-long-history-366731

Spy Report Spinning Has a Long History

BY  8/28/15 AT 2:02 PM
The Pentagon’s internal watchdog is reportedly investigating whether military officials have "skewed intelligence assessments" about the U.S. effort against ISIS. http://www.newsweek.com/spy-report-spinning-long-history-366731

New Israeli ambassador to UN says God is on Israel's side, but not the United States

New Israeli ambassador to UN says God is on Israel's side, but not the United States

Pro-Life Group Prepares Legal Response on Planned Parenthood | ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome

Pro-Life Group Prepares Legal Response on Planned Parenthood | ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome

Pope Didn't Bless ‘Gender Theory’ Children's Books

Pope Didn't Bless ‘Gender Theory’ Children's Books

Holy See Denies Any Papal Endorsement of Children’s Books Promoting Same-Sex Relationship


http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-didn-t-bless-gender-theory-children-s-books

WPR Articles Friday, Aug. 21, 2015 - Friday, Aug. 28, 2015


WPR Articles Friday, Aug. 21, 2015 - Friday, Aug. 28, 2015

In Familiar Move, U.N. Recycles Old Proposals to End Syria’s War

By: Richard Gowan | Column
Peacemaking is a repetitive business. Mediators and diplomats handling protracted conflicts rarely come up with entirely new ways to end them. The U.N. Security Council did just that last week, recycling old proposals to end the Syrian war and selling the initiative as a minor breakthrough.

From China to India, States Risk Unrest With NGO Crackdown

By: Brent Crane | Briefing
A new law in Cambodia that critics say endangers the autonomy of NGOs is the latest in an alarming spate of efforts by authoritarian and nationalist governments to reduce the reach of NGOs across Asia. But such restrictions might end up weakening rather than strengthening ruling parties.

Nine Years After Fiji’s Last Coup, Civil-Military Relations Still Blur

By: The Editors | Trend Lines
Earlier this month, Fiji’s military chief, Mosese Tikoitoga, resigned, saying he wanted to start a career in the foreign service, raising questions about the state of civil-military relations in Fiji. In an email interview, Vijay Naidu, professor at the University of the South Pacific, discussed Fiji’s domestic politics.

Travel Bans to Terrorism Hot Spots Won’t Deter Foreign Fighters

By: Benoît Gomis | Briefing
Earlier this month, following Australia’s lead, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper proposed prohibiting travel to terrorism hot spots like Iraq and Syria. But a travel ban is likely to be ineffective and even counterproductive in dealing with homegrown terrorism and the flow of foreign fighters.

The Islamic State’s Brutality May Not Be Its Undoing

By: Steven Metz | Column
Brutality is a defining characteristic of the Islamic State. For many, that fuels rage and a desire to strike at the group in any way possible. To assess where brutality might lead the Islamic State and what the U.S. can do about it requires working through the disgust to understand brutality’s purpose.

The Danger of America Asking Its Army to Do Too Much

By: Steven Metz | Column
The U.S. Army’s ability to do many things, from humanitarian relief to high tempo combat, has always been one of its selling points. But this utility can be pushed too far as demands grow: A case can be made that today America is asking its Army to do too much with the resources it is given.

French Train Attack Revives Fear of Foreign Fighters

By: Maria Savel | Trend Lines
The thwarted attack last week on a high-speed train traveling to Paris has many Europeans on edge. The EU has been working to improve counterterrorism data sharing, but has made little progress. Yet the risks of homegrown terrorism and foreign fighters returning home to Europe from the Middle East remain.

How the TPP Could Disrupt U.S. Aid Plans in Central America

By: Eric Farnsworth | Briefing
At first blush, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Obama administration’s aid plans for Central America appear unrelated. But the trade deal could unintentionally impede Central America’s economic development, especially its labor market, undermining Washington’s policy and security goals in the region.

Democratic Detour: Guiding ‘Good Coups’ Back to Democracy

By: Clayton Thyne | Feature
After the Cold War, the conventional wisdom that coups are bad for democracy ushered in a flurry of policies meant to dissuade and condemn them. But the mismatch between policies and actions in responding to more recent coups illustrate a broader puzzle: Might some coups actually be good for democracy?

From Cairo to Cape Town: Africa’s Huge Tripartite Free Trade Deal

By: Finbarr Toesland | Briefing
The ambitious, 26-member African trade agreement known as the Tripartite Free Trade Area aims to bring together three key African trading blocs and create a common market spanning the continent from Cairo to Cape Town. But there are still many barriers that must be overcome to make it a success.

Iraq’s Future Is About Much More Than the Islamic State

By: Ellen Laipson | Column
For months, the focus on Iraq has been its role in the fight against the Islamic State. But in Baghdad, other dynamics are in play, as Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has taken on corruption and governance shortcomings. It’s not too late to support the push and pull of democratization in Iraq.

Israel’s Least Bad Options the Day After the Iran Deal

By: Chuck Freilich | Briefing
While Iran has not abandoned its long-term nuclear aspirations, the nuclear issue is likely to be on the back burner for the foreseeable future if the Iran deal is sealed. In these circumstances, Israel, after repairing its ties with the U.S., faces three primary challenges in a rapidly changing Middle East.

What Went Wrong: Republicans Keep Ignoring the Lessons of Iraq

By: Michael A. Cohen | Column
Jeb Bush’s major foreign policy speech earlier this month offered a lesson in the pitfalls of a politician named Bush talking about Iraq. But Bush and other Republican presidential candidates are doing more than engaging in historical revisionism; they are missing the larger lessons of what went wrong in Iraq.

Amid Border Dispute, Maduro Pins Venezuela’s Ills on Colombia

By: Frida Ghitis | Column
Embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has found a convenient scapegoat for the multiplying problems besetting Venezuela’s economy and its people: neighboring Colombia. And it’s just in time to affect crucial legislative elections in December that could threaten his hold on power.

Upstart Parties Podemos and Ciudadanos Redraw Spain’s Political Map

By: Omar G. Encarnación | Briefing
As Spain heads into general elections this fall, all eyes are on two new political parties threatening to upend the political establishment: Podemos, the fiery left-wing movement, and Ciudadanos, or Citizens, often referred to as “the Podemos of the right.” Despite opposing politics, they have much in common.
 

Japan Launches Latest Helicopter Carrier

http://news.usni.org/2015/08/27/japan-launches-second-helicopter-carrier

Japan Launches Latest Helicopter Carrier

By: Sam LaGrone
http://news.usni.org/2015/08/27/japan-launches-second-helicopter-carrier

Europe won't bow to an anti-Iran-deal US Congress

Europe won't bow to an anti-Iran-deal US Congress


http://thebulletin.org/europe-wont-bow-anti-iran-deal-us-congress8685

Muslims must combat the extremist cancer

http://bit.ly/wsj-gulen-2015

The Wall Street Journal

Fethulah Gulen | Friday, August 28, 2015

Muslims must combat the extremist cancer

As the group that calls itself Islamic State, known as ISIS, continues to produce carnage in the Middle East, Muslims must confront the totalitarian ideology that animates it and other terrorist groups. Every terrorist act carried out in the name of Islam profoundly affects all Muslims, alienating them from fellow citizens and deepening the misperceptions about their faith’s ethos.

It isn’t fair to blame Islam for the atrocities of violent radicals. But when terrorists claim the Muslim mantle, then they bear this identity, if only nominally. Thus members of the faith must do whatever possible to prevent this cancer from metastasizing in our communities. If we don’t, we’ll be partly responsible for the smeared image of our faith.http://rumiforum.blogspot.com/2015/08/1fethullahgulens-op-ed-wsj-muslims-must.html#axzz3k7m4y4l1

The Social Psychology of Corruption

The Social Psychology of Corruption


http://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2015/08/28/the-social-psychology-of-corruption-lack-thereof/

CFR Blog Update: Sea and Land Deaths Deepen European Migration Crisis

TOP OF THE AGENDA
Sea and Land Deaths Deepen European Migration Crisis
Two boats believed to be transporting refugees to Europe capsized in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya on Friday with more than two hundred people feared dead (Guardian). More than 300,000 people have attempted to cross (Deutsche Welle) the Mediterranean to Europe this year and about 2,500 have died on the journey, according to UN data. Meanwhile, Austrian authorities confirmed the deaths (NYT) of seventy-one migrants, likely Syrians fleeing conflict, in an abandoned truck lorry. Four arrests have been made in connection to a suspected organization smuggling migrants from Hungary into Austria. Migration is a divisive issue in the European Union and member states have failed to produce a unified response to the influx of people. 

ANALYSIS
"Some officials speak of tackling the networks that enable migrants to make their epic journeys across deserts and mountains. The best hope, many argue, is to convince so-called 'countries of origin' to crack down on smugglers. Yet ruthless as they may be, smugglers are meeting a demand, and plenty of transit countries enjoy the economic activity they bring," writes the Economist.
"When the pressure increases in the future, it may well be that the states have second thoughts on their sovereignty at the borders and want to protect their own little fortress. The freedom to travel without identity checks in the countries of the so-called 'Schengen Area' could be in danger. Could the issue of migration, regardless of all the social problems, be a political bomb for the EU?" writes Bernd Riegert in Deutsche Welle.
"Choosing to go it alone on migration sends the wrong message—that the Hungarian government rejects EU solidarity. It is not accidental that other countries at the southern periphery of the EU that are most exposed to the migrants (for example, Greece and Italy) prefer joint EU-level solutions instead of pursuing solo attempts to solve their migration issues. If Hungary finds itself isolated, it will be extremely difficult to deal with a mass inflow of migrants without the help of other member states," write Peter Kreko and Attila Juhasz in Foreign Affairs.

Civil unrest is already happening in America and it could get a lot worse in 2016

Civil unrest is already happening in America and it could get a lot worse in 2016



http://www.businessinsider.com/americas-civil-unrest-could-get-worse-2015-8

Insurers Win Big Health-Rate Increases

Insurers Win Big Health-Rate Increases

Some state regulators say new costs justify hefty increases under the Affordable Care Act


http://www.wsj.com/articles/insurers-win-big-health-rate-increases-1440628848?mod=trending_now_4

America Is So in Play

America Is So in Play

Donald Trump’s staying power in the polls reflects a change in the electorate only now coming into focus.


http://www.wsj.com/articles/america-is-so-in-play-1440715262

Stocks Crashed the Last Two Times This Happened


Stocks Crashed the Last Two Times This Happened


http://wolfstreet.com/2015/08/27/stocks-crashed-the-last-two-times-this-happened/

GDP Numbers Reveal Underlying Momentum, Possible Headwinds for U.S. Economy

GDP Numbers Reveal Underlying Momentum, Possible Headwinds for U.S. Economy

Growth at 3.7% pace is broad-based, led by business investment, inventories, government and consumer spending


http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-gdp-expands-at-3-7-pace-in-second-quarter-1440678866

The Upside of a Downturn in Silicon Valley

The Upside of a Downturn in Silicon Valley


http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/27/technology/the-upside-of-a-downturn-in-silicon-valley.html?mabReward=CTM&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=Recommendation&src=rechp&WT.nav=RecEngine

The nWeek with IPS 8/28


Opinion: A Farewell to Arms that Fuel Atrocities is Within Our Grasp
Marek Marczynski
The recent explosions that apparently destroyed a 2,000-year-old temple in the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria were yet another grim example of how the armed group calling itself the Islamic State (IS) uses conventional weapons to further its agenda. But what has fuelled the growing IS ... MORE > >

Water, Climate, Energy Intertwined with Fight Against Poverty in Central America
Diego Arguedas Ortiz
Central America’s toolbox to pull 23 million people – almost half of the population – out of poverty must include three indispensable tools: universal access to water, a sustainable power supply, and adaptation to climate change. “These are the minimum, basic, necessary preconditions for ... MORE > >

Winning Women a Greater Say in Somaliland’s Policy-Making
Katie Riordan
Bar Seed is the only female member in Somaliland’s 82-person Parliament, but activists hope upcoming national elections may end her isolation. Gender equality advocates in the self-declared nation are currently renewing a push for a quota for women in government that has been over a decade in ... MORE > >

Plant in Chile Opens South America’s Doors to Geothermal Energy
Marianela Jarroud
Chile, a land of volcanoes and geysers, has started building South America’s first geothermal plant, which would open a door to this kind of renewable energy in this country that depends largely on fossil fuels. The Cerro Pabellón geothermal project is “immensely important for the Chilean state, ... MORE > >

Poverty and Slavery Often Go Hand-in-Hand for Africa’s Children
Jeffrey Moyo
“Poverty has become part of me,” says 13-year-old Aminata Kabangele from the Democratic Republic of Congo. “I have learned to live with the reality that nobody cares for me.” Aminata, who fled her war-torn country after the rest of her family was killed by armed rebels and now lives as a as a ... MORE > >

Alternative Destinations Emerge as Cuba Gets Ready for Tourism Boom
Ivet González
Along the road to the Viñales valley, travelled by thousands of tourists to Cuba, lies the home of self-taught artist Miguel Antonio Remedios, which he has turned into a sort of museum to show visitors a wooden home typical of this mountainous area in the west of the country. “It would be a big ... MORE > >

Shifting Sands: How Rural Women in India Took Mining into their Own Hands
Stella Paul
Thirty-seven-year-old Kode Sujatha stands in front of a hut with a palm-thatched roof, surrounded by a group of men shouting angrily and jostling one another for a spot at the front of the crowd. 3Each of the boatmen, who carry sand mined from a nearby river to the shore every day, wants to be ... MORE > >

Opinion: Children of the World – We are Standing Watch for You
Oscar Arias Sanchez
Twenty-eight years ago this month, an indigenous woman stood in the plaza in Guatemala City, watching as the presidents of Central America walked out into the street after signing the Peace Accords that would end the civil wars in our region. When I reached her, she took both my hands in hers and ... MORE > >

Breaking the Media Blackout in Western Sahara
Karlos Zurutuza
Ahmed Ettanji is looking for a flat in downtown Laayoune, a city 1,100 km south of Rabat. He only wants it for one day but it must have a rooftop terrace overlooking the square that will host the next pro-Sahrawi demonstration. "Rooftop terraces are essential for us as they are the only places ... MORE > >

Climate Change Shrinking Uganda’s Lakes and Fish
Wambi Michael
Climate change is reducing the size of several species of fish on lakes in Uganda and its neighbouring East African countries, with a negative impact on the livelihoods of millions people who depend on fishing for food and income. Studies conducted on inland lakes in Uganda, including Lake ... MORE > >

China’s Economy Has Sounded the Alert; Will Latin America Listen?
Diego Arguedas Ortiz
For years, Latin America has exported its raw materials to China’s voracious factories, fuelling economic growth. But now that the Asian giant is putting a priority on domestic consumption over industrial production, how will this region react? China’s dizzying growth gave a boost to the ... MORE > >

U.S. Provides Cover for Use of Banned Weapons in Yemen
Thalif Deen
The United States is providing a thinly-veiled cover virtually legitimising the use of cluster bombs – banned by an international convention – by Saudi Arabia and its allies in their heavy fighting against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Asked if cluster bombs are legitimate weapons of war, “if used ... MORE > >

What abortion rhetoric says about the state of our souls

What abortion rhetoric says about the state of our souls

 f you want to understand how people justify their behavior, look at the language they use. The less emotional the words, the easier it is to rationalize the actions.

We’re watching this play out with Center for Medical Progress’s ongoing Planned Parenthood exposé. But we’ve already seen where it’s going in the larger abortion debate—and the trajectory should give us pause.
It’s worth looking at the evolution of abortion rhetoric in three stages.

http://blogs.ancientfaith.com/joeljmiller/abortion-supporters-killed-their-own-souls/

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Five Surprising Teachings of Jesus

Five Surprising Teachings of Jesus

10 most expensive places to raise a family in the U.S. - MarketWatch

10 most expensive places to raise a family in the U.S. - MarketWatch

Rising Sea Levels More Dangerous Than Thought - Scientific American

Rising Sea Levels More Dangerous Than Thought - Scientific American

What China's Treasury Liquidation Means: $1 Trillion QE In Reverse | Zero Hedge

What China's Treasury Liquidation Means: $1 Trillion QE In Reverse | Zero Hedge

It's Official: China Confirms It Has Begun Liquidating Treasuries, Warns Washington | Zero Hedge

It's Official: China Confirms It Has Begun Liquidating Treasuries, Warns Washington | Zero Hedge

War News Updates: The U.S. Was Not Ready On How To Respond After 9/11

War News Updates: The U.S. Was Not Ready On How To Respond After 9/11

Eugene Robinson: The Republican Nomination: Anyone Who Says Donald Trump Can’t Win is in Deep Denial - Truthdig

Eugene Robinson: The Republican Nomination: Anyone Who Says Donald Trump Can’t Win is in Deep Denial - Truthdig
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_republican_nomination_anyone_who_says_donald_trump_cant_win_is_in_deep_

Too Warm, Too Few Fish: Health Warning for World’s Oceans - Truthdig

Too Warm, Too Few Fish: Health Warning for World’s Oceans - Truthdig

Kasich, Not Trump, May Be Top Threat to Bush | RealClearPolitics

Kasich, Not Trump, May Be Top Threat to Bush | RealClearPolitics

The Persistence of the War Party by Justin Raimondo -- Antiwar.com

The Persistence of the War Party by Justin Raimondo -- Antiwar.com

The Inevitability of a War President by Lucy Steigerwald -- Antiwar.com

The Inevitability of a War President by Lucy Steigerwald -- Antiwar.com

Danger: If Congress 'Blows Up' the Iran Deal | The National Interest

Danger: If Congress 'Blows Up' the Iran Deal | The National Interest

After the Nuclear Deal: Rouhani's Game Plan for Iran | The National Interest

After the Nuclear Deal: Rouhani's Game Plan for Iran | The National Interest

It Is Time To Kick Prepping Into Overdrive, Because This Stock Market Crash Is Just The Beginning

It Is Time To Kick Prepping Into Overdrive, Because This Stock Market Crash Is Just The Beginning

Foreign Policy, Sanders-Style: Backing Saudi Intervention

Foreign Policy, Sanders-Style: Backing Saudi Intervention

What Millennials Really Need


What Millennials Really Need


http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/what-millennials-really-need/2095/

Jimmy Carter: Is it Possible to Canonize a Baptist?


Jimmy Carter: Is it Possible to Canonize a Baptist?


http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/jimmy-carter-it-possible-canonize-baptist

People are still living in FEMA’s toxic Katrina trailers — and they likely have no idea

People are still living in FEMA’s toxic Katrina trailers — and they likely have no idea

Our map shows the formaldehyde-laced trailers went on an odd journey, and our reporter explains why.
Read the posthttp://grist.org/politics/people-are-still-living-in-femas-toxic-katrina-trailers-and-they-likely-have-no-idea/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=notification&utm_term=u%28Heather%20Smith%29&utm_campaign=FEMA%20Trailer%20Launch

How China's Currency Policies Will Change the World

How China's Currency Policies Will Change the World


The recent fluctuations in China's currency typify the best and worst of a globalized world, where developments in one place can instantly change the political and financial calculations of governments in others. For most of human history, the communities, cultures and economies of the world existed independently of one another, separated as they were by vast distances and difficult terrain. It would, for instance, take months or even years for news of China to reach Europe across the great Silk Road trading route during the height of its use some 1,000 years ago. Even then, the communities along that route could hardly be considered entirely coherent.

But that is clearly no longer the case. And now, as China continues to adjust the yuan, markets throughout the world will react accordingly, even as they react differently.
There were several reasons behind China's decision, but it nevertheless came as a surprise to many. In search of stability, China has tied its currency to the U.S. dollar since 1994, usually at a low value relative to the dollar. During the 2000s, the connection helped China keep its exports competitive, with the developed world consuming its output. The West's economic collapse in 2008 meant that this model could no longer function, and China began trying to grow consumption levels so that the domestic consumer might come to fill the hole left by the faded international market.

Changing China
Transforming from an export-led economic model to a consumption-led one could be described as changing from being like Germany to being like the United States, and China has tried to reproduce some of the advantages that the United States has created for itself in the same role. One of those advantages is ...

Read more » https://www.stratfor.com/analysis/how-chinas-currency-policies-will-change-world?utm_source=freelist-f&utm_medium=email&utm_term=article&utm_campaign=20150827&mc_cid=a0cb0c3eab&mc_eid=52511177bc