Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Eugenics victim sees struggle bearing fruit

Between 1929 and 1974, North Carolina sterilized more than 7,600 individuals in the name of "improving" the state's human stock. By the time the program was halted, the majority of those neutered were young, black, poor women — like Riddick. Read More

Psicopatas S.A.

Ele vai a todo happy hour, é companheiro de cafezinho e ouve você reclamar do salário. Não confie tanto nesse colega de firma - é 4 vezes mais comum encontrar psicopatas nas empresas do que na população em geral

por Mauricio Horta

                                  Tribal Rifts Threaten to Undermine Libya Uprising

By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and C. J. CHIVERS

An increase in discord and factionalism among rebels could threaten the effort to overthrow Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi and put Libyan civilians at risk.

Weekly Report from Taiwan Security Research (Aug. 14, 2011)

For full text, click on the title or visit the TSR web page at taiwansecurity.org

China Launches Sea Trials of Its First Carrier

China Launches Sea Trials of Its First Carrier
(AP, Aug. 10, 2011) China's first aircraft carrier swept through fog-shrouded waters Wednesday to open sea trials that underline the country's big naval ambitions and fuel concerns about its growing military strength amid regional territorial disputes.

As China Launches Aircraft Carrier, Taiwan Touts ‘Aircraft Carrier Killer’ By Paul Mozur (Wall Street Journal, Aug. 10, 2011) Experts played down the seemingly goading presentation of the Hsiung Feng III missile, arguing that China is unlikely to see the missile as much of a threat.

China’s Aircraft Carrier Plan Should Not Affect Regional Peace: US
(CNA, Aug. 12, 2011) China's aircraft carrier ambitions should not threaten regional security and stability, the U.S. Department of Defense said.

China Aircraft Carrier Should Handle Disputes: Report
(AFP, Aug. 12, 2011) A news Web site run by the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said that the nation’s aircraft carrier should handle territorial disputes, despite government assurances the vessel posed no threat to its neighbors.

China to Start Landing Drills on Aircraft Carrier
(AFP, Aug. 13, 2011) The Chinese military could launch air exercises on the nation's first aircraft carrier which was unveiled earlier this week, state media reported.

US Shows Off Supercarrier to Former Foe Vietnam After China’s Aircraft Carrier Takes Test Run (AP, Aug. 14, 2011) Less than a week after China launched its first aircraft carrier, the U.S. showed off its own big-boy supercarrier to former enemy Vietnam — one of several smaller Asian nations with jittery nerves amid Beijing’s burgeoning maritime ambitions.

Cross-Strait Issues

As Chinese Visit Taiwan, the Cultural Influence Is Subdued By Andrew Jacobs (New York Times,, Aug. 11, 2011) Economics are a key factor in the growing rapprochement, but the decision to open the door to greater contacts has also been inspired by politics and some wishful thinking on both sides.

Soft Power Smackdown! Confucius Institute vs. Taiwan Academy By Aries Poon (China Realtime Report, Aug. 12, 2011) At the same time as Taiwan is moving to defend itself against China’s rising military power, the island is also planning a counteroffensive against the mainland’s push for greater soft power.

U.S. Policy and U.S.-China Engagement

Getting Foreign Policy Right By Elbridge Colby(PacNet #41,Pacific Forum, CSIS, Aug. 4, 2011) The pendulum should not be allowed to swing too far toward an incautious retrenchment. For our problem has not been overseas commitments and interventions as such, but the kinds of interventions.

America’s Coming Retrenchment By Michael Mandelbaum(Foreign Affairs, Aug. 9, 2011) The battle to bring deficits under control is bound to be protracted, difficult, and contentious, and one of its casualties will be spending on foreign and security policy, which will decline in the years ahead.

The KORUS FTA Is a Strategic Imperative By L. Gordon Flake and Troy Stangarone (PacNet #42,Pacific Forum, CSIS, Aug. 4, 2011) An America that cannot resolve its own differences to pass the KORUS FTA would be seen by prospective partners as unable t follow through on its commitments.

Taiwan Significant to US, CRS Analysis Shows By William Lowther(Taipei Times, Aug. 12, 2011) In the era of President Ma Ying-jeou’s“ cross-strait engagement” the analysis says that both Washington and Taipei have “put more efforts into their respective relations with Beijing” than they have put into relations with each other. U.S.-Taiwan Relationship: Overview of Policy Issues

All Eyes on Locke As He Starts New Job By Zhang Wenzong(China Daily, Aug. 11, 2011) Perhaps the real test for Locke comes in 2012, when the US will hold its general elections. Criticism of the US' current policy on China may be intensified. Handling this will be Locke's test of wisdom as the top US diplomat in China.

Military Balance and Arms Sales

How the Navy Can Defend Taiwan By James Holmes(Taipei Times, Aug. 14, 2011) The Republic of China Navy needs to reinvent itself as a “sea-denial” force rather than waste its increasingly outmatched fleet of major combatants in fruitless combat against the People’s Liberation Army Navy.

Biden Not to Discuss with China Arms Sales to Taiwan: Minister
(CNA, Aug. 8, 2011) U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will not touch on any topics related with arms sales to Taiwan during his upcoming visit to China, Foreign Minister Timothy Yang said.

F-16s Pivotal for Taiwan’s Future: Yang
(Taipei Times, Aug. 9, 2011) If Taiwan does not get the F-16C/D aircraft it seeks from the US to replace its aging fleet, Taipei will lose its leverage and face immediate challenges in fulfilling its responsibilities of preserving peace and stability in Asia, Deputy Minister of National Defense Andrew Yang told a defense magazine in an interview published.

Radar Upgrade for F-16s in Doubt By J. Michael Cole(Taipei Times, Aug. 12, 2011) As Taiwan awaits Washington’s decision on whether it will sell the Lockheed Martin F-16C/D aircraft Taipei has been seeking since 2007, rumors are now emerging that Taipei’s request for preferred radar system for an upgrade program for its ageing F-16A/Bs might also be encountering difficulties.

Jet Deals to Keep State-Owned Firm Busy
(Taipei Times, Aug.13, 2011) State-owned AIDC is facing promising prospects for the coming years, with an advanced trainer program in the works and the likelihood of a major role in a possible F-16A/B upgrade project.

Taiwan's Foreign Relations

Gov’t Invites Minister-Level US Officials to Visit in 2012
(China Post, Aug. 10, 2011) The central government is actively inviting minister-level United States officials to visit the country by yearend, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

China's Rise and Its Domestic Issues

China’s Premier Seeks Reforms and Relevance By Michael Wines, Jonathan Ansfield and Sharon LaFraniere (New York Times, Aug. 8, 2011) As Mr. Wen enters the twilight of a decade as China’s third-ranked leader, he appears to be struggling to remain relevant in a political system that covets his benevolent public image but has little use for his ideas.

Chinese Fault Beijing Over Foreign Reserves By Keith Gradsher(New York Times, Aug. 9, 2011) It is not just many Americans who are upset about the Standard & Poor’s downgrade of United States debt. A lot of people in China are angry, too. But they are aiming their venom at the Chinese government.

This Time Around, Politics Could Hobble China’s ‘Decisive’ Leaders By Russell Leigh (Wall Street Journal, Aug. 12, 2011) The policy-making process in China may be well suited to crisis management: Tactical adjustments have worked and support for the leadership’s economic approach has remained generally solid among the powerful. But what happens if an economic tsunami arrives and major restructuring is called for?

Regional Issues

Vietnam Accuses Beijing Over South China Sea Exploration
(VoA, Aug. 9, 2011) Vietnamese officials say they have met with Chinese counterparts to formally protest the activities of a research vessel in the South China Sea off its coasts.