I was listening to some wonderful programs on The Connection about Turkish and Kurdish relations and it occurred to me that it’s helpful to read the news from different countries and regions. A lot of times we read about a certain part of the world with the myopic eye of the west and do not get all the information we need to. Either because our domestic media only reflects the American establishment point of view or due simply to media ignorance. Anyway, I’m starting to bookmark news sources from around the world and might start linking to those here.
22
Feb 03
A Balance of Power
From InfoPlease.com: Balance of Power:
balance of power, system of international relations in which nations seek to maintain an approximate equilibrium of power among many rivals, thus preventing the preponderance of any one state. Crucial to the system is a willingness on the part of individual national governments to change alliances as the situation demands in order to maintain the balance. Thucydides’ description of Greece in the 5th cent. B.C. and Guicciardini’s description of 15th-century Italy are early illustrations. Its modern development began in the mid-17th cent., when it was directed against the France of Louis XIV. Balance of power was the stated British objective for much of the 18th and 19th cent., and it characterized the European international system, for example, from 1815–1914. After World War I the balance of power system was attacked by proponents of cooperation and a community of power. International relations were changed radically after World War II by the predominance of two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, with major ideological differences between them, but this ended with the collapse of the USSR in 1991.
See H. J. Morgenthau, Politics Among Nations (1960); H. Butterfield and M. Wright, ed., Diplomatic Investigations (1966); P. Keal, Unspoken Rules and Superpower Dominance (1984); R. J. Lieber, No Common Power: Understanding International Relations (1988).
22
Feb 03
US effort to secure world sanction of Iraq invasion slowing
UN: Russia Affirms Objection To Second Resolution On Iraq
I’m glad to see all these countries lining up against the US. From Machiavelli’s The Prince:
The Prince who establishes himself in a Province whose laws and language differ from those of his own people, ought also to make himself the head and protector of his feebler neighbours, and endeavour to weaken the stronger, and must see that by no accident shall any other stranger as powerful as himself find an entrance there. For it will always happen that some such person will be called in by those of the Province who are discontented either through ambition or fear; as we see of old the Romans brought into Greece by the Aetolians, and in every other country that they entered, invited there by its inhabitants. And the usual course of things is that so soon as a formidable stranger enters a Province, all the weaker powers side with him, moved thereto by the ill-will they bear towards him who has hitherto kept them in subjection. So that in respect of these lesser powers, no trouble is needed to gain them over, for at once, together, and of their own accord, they throw in their lot with the government of the stranger. The new Prince, therefore, has only to see that they do not increase too much in strength, and with his own forces, aided by their good will, can easily subdue any who are powerful, so as to remain supreme in the Province. He who does not manage this matter well, will soon lose whatever he has gained, and while he retains it will find in it endless troubles and annoyances.
I think this is what is happening. The weaker nations are banding together to check the power of the United States. In that sense, a balance of power can be a positive situation.
22
Feb 03
Butt skirts
You just have to check out these silkscreened skirts that appear to be see through but that are actually sik-screened to look this way. Check it out.
22
Feb 03
Trackback
I finally upgraded to Movable Type 2.62 and added the trackback tags to the site. So, you know what that means? Trackback me so I can see how it works!
In other news regarding the site, I’m looking to change the look a bit and to set up a site for my online photo album. I’m guessing I’ll have to familiarize myself with how to set up PHP so I can set up one. Apparently, most of the free photo album packages I’ve seen are in PHP.
22
Feb 03
US to create Iraqi chaos
IHT: If Saddam were to go, experts still see violence. It’s going to be a mess.
21
Feb 03
This crazy world
The statement which was published by what is known as the Vilnius 10 on February 5 is considered as a way to help seven out of the 10 countries, which are not yet members of NATO, to join the Atlantic alliance, says the paper.