Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Eurasia Review: News & Analysis

---

• Blood Test For Alzheimer’s Gaining Ground
• North American Freshwater Fishes Race To Extinction
• Can Israelis, Palestinians Learn From Srebrenica? – OpEd
• An Explanation For Russia’s Interest In Syria – Analysis
• Confirmed! US To Strengthen Missile Defense In Gulf
• Somalia’s Constitution Of Ambiguity And Deferment – OpEd
• New Israeli Cyberworm Spies On Lebanese Bank Transactions – OpEd
• What China Stands To Gain If Assad Falls – Analysis
• Alienated People And An Overcautious State In China’s Xinjiang – Analysis
• India: Violence In The Bodo Areas And Deciphering The Causes – Analysis
• Tunisia: IMF Forecasts Economic Growth
• ECOWAS Envoy Meets Mali Militants
• Robot now, Human Later: America’s Mars Dream – OpEd
• Where Is The Shame And Anger As UK Government’s Unbridled Assault On Disabled Continues? – OpEd
• Greece: Calls To Halt Mass Migrant Round-Ups
• Indonesia: Dynamics Of Violence In Papua
• Indonesia: Overhaul Of Security Crucial – Analysis
• Indian Membership To The NSG: American Interests And Chinese Opposition – Analysis
• Pakistan: Priest Says Poisoned Nurses Threatened
• Singapore Changes Its Tune: “Stop At Two” Now Raps “Make A Baby Tonight” – OpEd
• The Swan Song Of American Democracy – OpEd
• The Democratic Party Sleeps On FDR’s Legacy – OpEd
• Security Ministers Departure To Worsen Afghan Security Situation – Analysis
• Food Security: Cities As Part Of Solution And Not The Problem – Analysis
• Ron Paul: Interventionist Policies Make Us Less Secure – OpEd
• Back From Three Weeks Vacation With A Bold Proposal – OpEd
• Syria: Aleppo Battle Continues, Assad Names New PM
• Cambodia: PM Defends Border Pact
• Turkmenistan: British Complaint Bores Into Murky World Of Spyware Usage
• Central Asia: An Intensifying Energy Hub? – OpEd

Blood Test For Alzheimer’s Gaining Ground Posted: 09 Aug 2012 09:18 PM PDT The possibility of an inexpensive, convenient test for Alzheimer’s disease has been on the horizon for several years, but previous research leads have been hard to duplicate. In a study to be published in the August 28 issue of the journal Neurology, scientists have taken a step toward developing a blood test for Alzheimer’s, finding [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

North American Freshwater Fishes Race To Extinction Posted: 09 Aug 2012 09:15 PM PDT North American freshwater fishes are going extinct at an alarming rate compared with other species, according to an article in the September issue of BioScience. The rate of extinctions increased noticeably after 1950, although it has leveled off in the past decade. The number of extinct species has grown by 25 percent since 1989. The [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Can Israelis, Palestinians Learn From Srebrenica? – OpEd Posted: 09 Aug 2012 09:12 PM PDT By Einat Levi As a Jewish Israeli, I had assumed that the Holocaust ceremonies that take place in Israel every year would have made me more immune to grief than others. I was wrong – being present at a ceremony commemorating the 8,000 Muslims killed in Srebrenica, Bosnia during the wars in the former Yugoslavia [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

An Explanation For Russia’s Interest In Syria – Analysis Posted: 09 Aug 2012 09:09 PM PDT By Sadhavi Chauhan After seventeen months, the Syrian crisis continues and threatens the dispute settlement mechanism of the United Nations. The 15-member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) remains divided on Syria – Russia and China as its permanent members vetoed the sanctions against the incumbent Bashar al-Assad regime, while Saudi Arabia and Pakistan abstained, leaving [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Confirmed! US To Strengthen Missile Defense In Gulf Posted: 09 Aug 2012 09:07 PM PDT The United States will continue establishing a global missile defense system and strengthening partnership with Persian Gulf countries, State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said on Thursday. “The threat from ballistic missiles to our deployed forces, allies, and partners in the region is growing, and this threat is likely to increase in both volume and complexity [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Somalia’s Constitution Of Ambiguity And Deferment – OpEd Posted: 09 Aug 2012 08:51 PM PDT By Abukar Arman If constitutions are supposed to make boundaries of the government’s legitimate authority over its citizens and state or regional administrations clear, Somalia’s new constitution oddly falls short. While there are some bright provisions in the new constitution, much of it can be aptly described as uncertain assurances and a ‘not now’ legal [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

New Israeli Cyberworm Spies On Lebanese Bank Transactions – OpEd Posted: 09 Aug 2012 08:24 PM PDT Kaspersky Labs reports (and here) a new computer virus infection using some of the same coding as Flame, an earlier major malware creation largely attributed to Israel cyberwarfare experts (probably affiliated with the IDF’s Unit 8200): A more in-depth analysis conducted in June 2012 resulted in the discovery of a new, previously unknown malware platform [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

What China Stands To Gain If Assad Falls – Analysis Posted: 09 Aug 2012 08:20 PM PDT By Daniel Wagner President Assad’s inevitable fall from power, presumed to be later this year, will be important for many reasons – among them, a possible shift in the geo-strategic balance of the Middle East and how today’s ‘great powers’ wield their batons and attempt to manipulate the marionettes on the ground. China, Russia and [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Alienated People And An Overcautious State In China’s Xinjiang – Analysis Posted: 09 Aug 2012 08:07 PM PDT By Avinash Godbole The People’s Republic of China continues to give out contradictory signals on the question of ethno-religious identity among its minorities. While its desire for economic prosperity in Xinjiang may be achievable, it has not seemingly found any solution to the sense of alienation felt by the local Uighurs. In yet another instance [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

India: Violence In The Bodo Areas And Deciphering The Causes – Analysis Posted: 09 Aug 2012 08:03 PM PDT By Namrata Goswami After a brief lull last week, violence has returned to the Bodo Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD) in Assam. On August 6 and 7, four more people were found dead and two injured in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts raising the figures of the number of people killed to 78. The BTAD districts, namely, [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Tunisia: IMF Forecasts Economic Growth Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:59 PM PDT By Monia Ghanmi Tunisia’s economy is showing signs of recovery and may reach a 6% growth rate by 2017, the International Monetary Fund said on Friday (August 3rd). “Tunisia’s medium-term economic growth potential remains favourable, but unleashing it requires a comprehensive package of structural reforms to foster private investment,” the IMF said in its annual [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

ECOWAS Envoy Meets Mali Militants Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:57 PM PDT By Jemal Oumar Burkinabe Foreign Minister Djibrill Bassolé arrived in Gao Tuesday (August 7th) to hold talks with Islamist militants on behalf of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The regional mediator was received by local dignitaries before touring a local hospital, according to AFP. The Burkina Faso envoy later moved on to [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Robot now, Human Later: America’s Mars Dream – OpEd Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:54 PM PDT By Ajey Lele The US will undertake a manned mission to Mars to once again demonstrate its supremacy as well as to demonstrate the limitations of China’s rise. Mars is in the news. The much published successful landing of NASA’s (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Curiosity rover on the surface of Mars on August 06, [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Where Is The Shame And Anger As UK Government’s Unbridled Assault On Disabled Continues? – OpEd Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:49 PM PDT What has happened to my country? I grew up in a Christian household — my father was Church of England, my mother Methodist — and both believed in Christian charity; in other words, the need for people of faith to look after those less fortunate than themselves. In the case of my Methodist heritage — [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Greece: Calls To Halt Mass Migrant Round-Ups Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:44 PM PDT The Greek authorities’ ongoing sweeps targeting suspected migrants based on little more than their physical appearance violate international standards, Human Rights Watch said today. Since August 4, 2012, more than 6,000 foreigners presumed to be undocumented migrants have been taken into police stations for questioning, and more than 1,500 arrested for illegal entry and residence [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Indonesia: Dynamics Of Violence In Papua Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:43 PM PDT The only measure likely to halt violence in Indonesia’s Papua province in the short term is a major overhaul of security policy. Indonesia: Dynamics of Violence in Papua, the latest report from the International Crisis Group, examines multiple sources of conflict in Papua, following fifteen violent incidents in the provincial capital Jayapura in May and [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Indonesia: Overhaul Of Security Crucial – Analysis Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:41 PM PDT By Jaya Ramachandran A major overhaul of security alone is likely to halt violence in Indonesia’s Papua province in the short term, says the prestigious International Crisis Group in its latest report. Titled Indonesia: Dynamics of Violence in Papua, the report scrutinizes multiple sources of conflict in Papua, following fifteen violent incidents in the provincial [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Indian Membership To The NSG: American Interests And Chinese Opposition – Analysis Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:38 PM PDT By Debak Das The recently concluded third India-US Strategic Dialogue has been a remarkable exhibition of the strengthening bilateral relationship between the two states. The dialogue meanwhile has also delivered a much needed fillip to the issue of the prospect of Indian membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). While this road seems to be [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Pakistan: Priest Says Poisoned Nurses Threatened Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:35 PM PDT Nine nurses from Karachi’s Civil Hospital who were found unconscious at a hostel late last month are being threatened, says Father Abid Habib, a local peace activist. The women were victims of a suspected poisoning on July 29. A police investigation is ongoing, but no suspects have been identified. “We are still convinced that they [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Singapore Changes Its Tune: “Stop At Two” Now Raps “Make A Baby Tonight” – OpEd Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:29 PM PDT Today is the anniversary of Singapore’s independence, and they’re celebrating by urging citizens to make a baby. With headlines like “Thursday’s the Day to Go All the Way for Civic Duty in Singapore,” and a new commercial rap video produced by Mentos to “Get Your National Night On,” Singapore is fighting a battle with one [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

The Swan Song Of American Democracy – OpEd Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:26 PM PDT The Obama re-election campaign and the Democratic Party and their backers, like the organization MoveOn, are bitterly decrying the flood of corporate money going to his opponent, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who is out-fund-raising the president by an ever-increasing amount. But there is a hollow sound to the president’s whining.  Back in 2008, Obama, [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

The Democratic Party Sleeps On FDR’s Legacy – OpEd Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:23 PM PDT Calling Obama, Pelosi, Reid and the rest of the Democratic Party, elected officials, political operatives and labor’s leader Richard Trumka. Thirty million American workers want and need a federal minimum wage of $10 per hour which is slightly less than their predecessors got in 1968 – yes 1968 – adjusted for inflation. What will it [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Security Ministers Departure To Worsen Afghan Security Situation – Analysis Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:15 PM PDT The dismissal of two key security ministers in a critical time when the country is going through the security transition could be considered a serious blow to any government. It could also jeopardize the gains. Any government’s stability is dependent on a triangle of security organizations, the intelligence department, the army and the police. They [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Food Security: Cities As Part Of Solution And Not The Problem – Analysis Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:11 PM PDT As the world becomes increasingly urban, food demand will come mainly from people living in cities while there will be fewer rural farmers producing food on less land with less water. Cities can play a bigger role in food security. But to accomplish this requires new thinking and new policies by policy makers and politicians, [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Ron Paul: Interventionist Policies Make Us Less Secure – OpEd Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:06 PM PDT Last week the House passed yet another bill placing sanctions on Iran and Syria, bringing us closer to another war in the Middle East. We are told that ever harsher sanctions finally will force the targeted nations to bend to our will. Yet the ineffectiveness of previous sanctions teaches us nothing; in truth sanctions lead [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Back From Three Weeks Vacation With A Bold Proposal – OpEd Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:04 PM PDT Back from three weeks off grid, much of it hiking in Alaska and Australia. When I left the U.S. economy was in a stall, Greece was on the brink of defaulting, the euro-zone couldn’t get its act together, the Fed couldn’t decide on another round of quantitative easing, congressional Democrats and Republicans were in gridlock, [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Syria: Aleppo Battle Continues, Assad Names New PM Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:02 PM PDT The battle between Syrian troops and rebels for the control of Aleppo, Syria’s second city, c continued on Thursday amid contradictory information circulating over the evolution of the fighting. The rebels were completely removed Thursday from the emblematic Salaheddin district after an unprecedented bombardment by the Syrian army. “The Free Syrian Army (FSA) has made [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Cambodia: PM Defends Border Pact Posted: 09 Aug 2012 07:00 PM PDT Cambodia’s recent border deal with Vietnam will not result in any ceding of land to its eastern neighbor, Cambodian Prime minister Hun Sen told lawmakers Thursday in a rambling speech of more than five hours meant to address concerns over the demarcation agreement. Hun Sen was summoned to the lower house of Cambodia’s National Assembly, [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Turkmenistan: British Complaint Bores Into Murky World Of Spyware Usage Posted: 09 Aug 2012 06:58 PM PDT By David Trilling Think Skype is a secure way to make a call? Think again. That smartphone in your pocket? It could be a portable bug. And the camera on your laptop screen? You might consider covering it with duct tape. Disguised as regular software updates, sophisticated British-made spyware – sometimes described as “malware” – [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Central Asia: An Intensifying Energy Hub? – OpEd Posted: 09 Aug 2012 06:55 PM PDT By Aygul Hanova China’s energy demand from Central Asia is growing. While China’s natural gas consumption was 131.7 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2011, it is forecasted to increase to 375 bcm by 2020. This meant that natural gas demand of China is an opportunity for Central Asian gas suppliers to diversify their routes and [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.