Note this excerpt from a recent Reuters story: U.S. fears serious famine in troubled Sudan region By Andrew Quinn WASHINGTON | Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:52pm EST “The United States fears a large-scale famine in Sudan’s restive border states of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile and is boosting pressure in Khartoum to accept aid or […]
Read MoreMitt Has True Grit
Merriam-Webster: Grit (firmness of mind or spirit: unyielding courage in the face of hardship…) If one hasn’t experienced certain aspects of life, it is easy to criticize another person’s position. Even though it may be a false premise, repeating it over and over again, it becomes real in their mind. With a lack of experience […]
Read MoreA Fresh Start for Madagascar
Note this excerpt from a recent New York Times story: Ousted Leader Is Thwarted in a Return to Madagascar By Lydia Polgreen | Published: January 21, 2012 “A commercial airliner carrying the ousted president of Madagascar back to that country’s capital was turned around mid-flight, after government officials abruptly closed the nation’s airspace on Saturday, […]
Read MoreMitt is Fit to Serve
In June 1995 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the XIX Olympic Winter Games to Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) had worked hard for years, and finally was awarded this prestigious 2002 event. Along the way much one-on-one effort was made with the IOC members. However, this effort brought about claims […]
Read MoreFrench control — years of Destabilization
Note this excerpt from a recent story from theafricareport.com: Posted on Thursday, 12 January 2012 18:15 By Alain Faujas “Lack of infrastructure, a poor corporate culture and bad governance, French-speaking countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are, in recent years, lagging behind their English-speaking neighbours.” Click here for the full story: http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/news-analysis/africa-why-francophones-are-lagging-behind-anglophones-50179046.html Op-Ed: “French control — years […]
Read MoreBureau of Counterterrorism in 2012
Note this recent State Department Announcement: “Counterterrorism: Establishment of the Bureau of Counterterrorism” State Department Announcement 01/04/2012 02:52 PM EST “Today the State Department is pleased to announce the establishment of the Bureau of Counterterrorism, fulfilling one of the key recommendations of the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, which was concluded in December of 2010. […]
Read MoreYeah Samake Runs for President of Mali
In 2011, I had the pleasure of meeting Mayor Yeah Samake at a ‘CHOICE Humanitarian’ event. I was impressed with this young man’s vision for his country Mali. He is a breath of fresh air for this very poor state located in the western region of sub-Saharan Africa. I had spent almost two weeks traveling […]
Read MoreRounding up al-Shabaab militants
Please note these highlights from a recent AP story: “Somali militants gather, recruit at border town” By Jason Straziuso- Associated Press, Monday, January 2, 2012 “Militants from the insurgent group al-Shabab appeared to be gathering hundreds of fighters and attempting to recruit even more in villages outside a Somalia border town invaded by Ethiopian troops […]
Read MoreChina’s base in Seychelles – It Should Be No Surprise
Note this recent editorial from The Tribune (India): The Tribune (India). [Editorial]. 15/12/2011. A fresh challenge for India China continues to plan and execute its strategic projects in different parts of Asia and elsewhere to expand its area of influence as a major world power. The latest is its military base in Seychelles, ostensibly […]
Read MoreNew from John Price
I wish all of you a Happy Holiday Season.
Today I am launching my new website, at the dawn of another year filled with hope for peace around the world. I welcome your opinions and comments on the issues that will challenge our freedom.
As we close-out 2011, a very trying year, we embark with great expectations for 2012, an election year. Promises will be made and hopes for a better life will fill the air. Yet internationally, concerns will continue to heighten in the Middle East and Africa, as the Salafist movement marches on and gains strength. Some groups are associated with Salafi jihadists in their quest to create a worldwide caliphate, and govern according to religious law — Sharia.
Read MoreResponse to Secretaries of State Letter
On November 14, 2011, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition sent a letter to members of Congress in support of a strong and effective International Affairs Budget. The letter was signed by former U.S. Secretaries of State Madeleine K. Albright, Henry A. Kissinger, Colin L. Powell, Condoleezza Rice, and George P. Schultz.
I believe strongly in the importance of the issues presented in the letter, and sent my response (below) which was also posted on ambassadorsperspectives.wordpress.com.
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