Sunday, July 30, 2006

Hate Thy Neighbor

Below is my comment on the article "Hate Thy Neighbor" of the TIME magazine,Page 24,July 24, 2006.

After reading your article, I could finally recognize why Israel is so fierce and firm to demand Hizballah return only two soldiers and the battle between them this time has a new dimention of greater risk in that region.

No compromise would be expected because even one soldier’s life is the raison d’etre for both Israel and Hizballah. A greater risk lies in a complex web of relationships among Israel, the U.S., Lebanon, Hizballah, Hamas, Syria and
Iran.

I am wondering in despair how much blood of civilians on both sides would be sacrificed for the states’ survival. Civilians have no choice but wait for a ceasefire and then for peace.

Monday, July 17, 2006

The stone-faced President - Putin

Below is my comment on the article "Russia's New World Order" of the TIME magazine dated July 10, 2006.


With the continuous surge of the oil price, Russia has re-emerged as the powerful counter party to the United States, the unchallenged mighty power in the world. The G-8 summit at St.Petersburg this time seems to be the most appropriate venue for Putin to show his intelligence and delicacy to be able to coordinate with other G-8 nations and China representing as one of the big disturbing powers on many urgent issues in Lebanon, Iran and North Korea.

The existence of the U.S. as the single superpower is the problem, but the re-emergence of Russia not only solves it but may complicate it with argument divided further because the world leadership behind G-8 summit would become more tripolar, namely the first group of the US and Japan, the second of Europe and the third of Russia and China.

Saturday, July 08, 2006

AFTER KOIZUMI

Below is my comment on the article of "After Koizumi" Page 16  TIME, July 3, 2006

Although Prime Minister Koizumi maximized his abilities as “a man of destruction” to change the way that Japanese politics was played and achieved some structural reforms such as the privatization of highway and postal-saving system, they fell well short of what he originally planned as his policy pledges.

What lacked in his achievements was a grand design to lead Japan simply because he is simply stubborn to stick his goals, but does not seem to have a firm ideological background with his plain character.

I do hope his successor would pursue higher goals for Japan to lead the world as “a man of creation” with much respect not only from the U.S. but also from neighboring countries as China and Korea.

Monday, July 03, 2006

Germany's New Pitch

Below is my comment on the article of "Germany’s New Pitch" Page 31  TIME, June 12, 2006

As your article pointed out, the World Cup is one of the best chances for Germany to transmit their national image from being rigid and punctual to being fun and friendly since they still have the trauma of Nazism in World War II.

Whether their intentions can convince the world of a new Germany depends not on the well-organized and diplomatic smiles but on each German’s personality and hospitality on every pitch during the exciting games.