Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Eurasia Review: News & Analysis

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• Patrick Buchanan: Last Hurrah Of Nixon’s ‘New Majority’? – OpEd
• World Oil Transit Chokepoints – Analysis
• US And Paraguay: An Uphill Relationship – Analysis
• Pakistan: Banking For Terror In Karachi – Analysis
• Afghanistan: Targeting Stabilization – Analysis
• Nepal: Widening Polarisation – Analysis
• How To Reduce High Incarceration Rates – Analysis
• The Fading Promise Of The Euro – OpEd
• FIFA Investigates: World Cup Host Qatar In The Hot Seat – Analysis
• America Preparing For A Post-Israel Middle East? – OpEd
• US Veteran Politician Ron Paul Retires – OpEd
• A Tale Of Three East Asian Nationalisms – Analysis
• Germany Pledges To Revitalize Nuclear Disarmament – Analysis
• Greater Power Involvement In “Vacuum Wars” And “Resource Trapped” Countries Of Africa – Analysis
• A Tunnel-Free Future For Gaza? – Analysis
• Arrigoni’s Murder Trial In Gaza: Answers Not Just A Verdict – OpEd
• Indian Government In Dilemma Over Muslim Killings In Myanmar – OpEd
• Saudi Arabia: Misuse Of Mosque For Manufacturing Explosives Condemned
• Ron Paul: Democracy ≠ Freedom – OpEd
• US Exploits Iran Scare For Massive Boost In Arms Exports – OpEd
• Decoding The Air-Sea Battle Concept: Operational Consequences And Allied Concerns – Analysis
• Arab Diaspora A Business Opportunity – OpEd
• Three Arrested In Croatian Corruption Sting
• Diplomatic Storm In East Asian Prosperity Rim – Analysis
• Japan, South Korean War Memories And Territorial Disputes: A Dangerous Mix – Analysis
• Japan-China Stand-Off Over Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands – Analysis
• France Ready To Recognize Syrian Opposition Government
• Burma: Three Arakan Aid Workers Handed Jail Terms
• Controversial Military Law Tests Macedonia Coalition
• The Arab Revolts: Impact On Central Asia – Analysis

Patrick Buchanan: Last Hurrah Of Nixon’s ‘New Majority’? – OpEd Posted: 27 Aug 2012 10:18 PM PDT Looking back all the way to America’s Civil War, there have been three dominant presidential coalitions. The first was Abraham Lincoln’s. With his war to restore the Union and his martyrdom, Lincoln inaugurated an era of Republican dominance that lasted more than seven decades and saw only two Democratic presidents: Grover Cleveland and Woodrow Wilson. [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

World Oil Transit Chokepoints – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 09:24 PM PDT (EIA) — Chokepoints are narrow channels along widely used global sea routes, some so narrow that restrictions are placed on the size of the vessel that can navigate through them. They are a critical part of global energy security due to the high volume of oil traded through their narrow straits. In 2011, total world [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

US And Paraguay: An Uphill Relationship – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:56 PM PDT By Eric Stadius and Peter Tase Two months after President Fernando Lugo’s impeachment, Paraguay has transitioned from reconciling its relatively benign political crisis to enhancing regional and international links politically and economically. While no Latin American country has recognized the de facto government, none have maintained economic sanctions against Federico Franco’s administration. Mercosur and Unasur, [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Pakistan: Banking For Terror In Karachi – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:52 PM PDT By Tushar Ranjan Mohanty On July 27, 2012, a local ‘commander’ of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), identified as Umer Khattab, was shot dead in a Police encounter in the Manghopir Police Station area in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Khattab was wanted by the Police in more than 25 cases of target killings [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Afghanistan: Targeting Stabilization – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:47 PM PDT By Sanchita Bhattacharya A spike in targeted killing in Afghanistan has seen Anti-Government Elements (AGEs) hitting critics and opponents with increasing frequency. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in its Mid Year Report of 2012, noted that casualties resulting from targeted killings of civilians by AGEs increased by 53 per cent in the [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Nepal: Widening Polarisation – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:43 PM PDT By Fakir Mohan Pradhan The uncertain calm in Nepal, disturbed by no more than occasional rumblings for the ouster of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, received a jolt when at least 20 Political parties, mostly from the ruling coalition, announced the formation of an alliance – the Federal Democratic Republican Alliance (FDRA) – at a press [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

How To Reduce High Incarceration Rates – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:35 PM PDT By Ben Vollaard Incarceration is costly – easily €100 to €200 per night per prisoner, depending on the country and the prison regime. That makes €36,500 to €73,000 per prisoner per year, excluding fixed costs of building prisons, and all other costs such as time not spent at work or with the family. Given the [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

The Fading Promise Of The Euro – OpEd Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:27 PM PDT When the euro was created in 1999 the new currency promised to facilitate trade within the euro zone, to further unify Europe, and to challenge the dollar as the world’s reserve currency. The common currency does facilitate trade, but the differing goals of the member countries seem to be creating more divisiveness than unity today. [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

FIFA Investigates: World Cup Host Qatar In The Hot Seat – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:22 PM PDT Three major investigations into corruption in global soccer are putting the credibility of major soccer associations and World Cup 2022 host Qatar to the test and could challenge the Gulf state’s successful bid as well as a massive Asian soccer rights contract. World soccer body FIFA’s newly-appointed corruption investigator Michael Garcia announced this week that [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

America Preparing For A Post-Israel Middle East? – OpEd Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:17 PM PDT Congresswoman Illena Ros-Lehtinen will have her hands full as she makes the political and social rounds at this month’s Republican National Convention. Illena, is the only female committee chair in the House of Representatives and arguably Israel’s most ardent agent. She is a constant thorn in the Obama administration’s side, regularly castigating the president for [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

US Veteran Politician Ron Paul Retires – OpEd Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:13 PM PDT By Vladimir Gladkov The legendary Ron Paul, a 77-year-old US congressman, is now quitting big politics. Thousands of his supporters have already set a grandiose farewell ceremony for him. Mr. Paul has run for the presidency tree times, but never got really far. Still, practically during his entire political career, he was one of America’s [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

A Tale Of Three East Asian Nationalisms – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:09 PM PDT By Zachary Fillingham Nationalism in East Asia is often portrayed as a phenomenon unto its own; something that waxes and wanes in isolation of top-down political manipulation. While there is some truth to this, for history is littered with examples of nationalist forces that spontaneously spin out of control, this oversimplification misses an important point [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Germany Pledges To Revitalize Nuclear Disarmament – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:06 PM PDT By Ramesh Jaura The Geneva UN Conference on Disarmament (CD) has been turned into a talking shop because of the vested interests of a few mighty states without whose consent no genuine nuclear disarmament, not to speak of abolition of nuclear weapons, would ever be within the realm of possibility. This formed the backdrop to [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Greater Power Involvement In “Vacuum Wars” And “Resource Trapped” Countries Of Africa – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:03 PM PDT Africa is gaining greater strategic significance for its natural resource abundances including high quality oil, natural gas and valuable minerals. The region known worldwide for violent extremist activities extending almost all over the continent and other potential source of threat from HIV/ AIDS, piracy and illicit trade to armed conflicts and state failures, contains two [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

A Tunnel-Free Future For Gaza? – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 07:56 PM PDT This month’s border attack in the Sinai Peninsula, which killed 16 Egyptian soldiers, has bolstered calls to shut down a network of underground tunnels between Egypt and the isolated Gaza Strip. The tunnels have been used for years to smuggle goods into Gaza and, Egypt alleges, fighters into the Sinai. But Hamas, which rules the [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Arrigoni’s Murder Trial In Gaza: Answers Not Just A Verdict – OpEd Posted: 27 Aug 2012 07:51 PM PDT There was once a young man from a very small Italian town called Bulciago who wished to change the world. As soon as he finished his exams, he began his quest. He travelled near and far, and when he arrived in Jerusalem in 2002, he knew he had found his calling. In 2008, that young [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Indian Government In Dilemma Over Muslim Killings In Myanmar – OpEd Posted: 27 Aug 2012 07:47 PM PDT The violent protest in Mumbai that snuffed out two precious lives is the most visible dissent witnessed on Indian soil till date against the Myanmar government’s brutal policy of disowning the Rohingya population settled in the Rakhine province since eighth century. Government officials in New Delhi however remain steadfast in maintaining a stoic silence on [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Saudi Arabia: Misuse Of Mosque For Manufacturing Explosives Condemned Posted: 27 Aug 2012 07:43 PM PDT A number of religious scholars and academics have stressed the need for the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Call and Guidance to beef up monitoring of places of worship. It followed the recent report of a Riyadh mosque serving as a facade for manufacturing explosives. The Interior Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Ron Paul: Democracy ≠ Freedom – OpEd Posted: 27 Aug 2012 07:39 PM PDT As we enter the fall political season, we will hear a great deal of rhetoric from both major political parties and their many candidates for office. It’s important for us to remember, however, that words can be made meaningless by misuse or overuse. And when we as citizens allow politicians to obscure the truth by [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

US Exploits Iran Scare For Massive Boost In Arms Exports – OpEd Posted: 27 Aug 2012 07:35 PM PDT Let it not be said that turning it into the bogeyman of the Middle East doesn’t have its benefits to the U.S.  In a world economy desperate for export opportunities, this country turned 2011 into a banner year for arms dealing.  We tripled our exports ($66-billion).  The primary customers were Gulf States flush with cash [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Decoding The Air-Sea Battle Concept: Operational Consequences And Allied Concerns – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 06:38 PM PDT The emerging Air-Sea Battle (ASB) operational concept has been riddled with ambiguity and uncertain operational consequences. U.S. allies in East Asia have expressed varying perceptions and concerns, while the growing emphasis on the ASB has overshadowed conceptual alternatives and counterarguments within the U.S. military. By Michael Raska The AirSea Battle (ASB) concept does not specifically [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Arab Diaspora A Business Opportunity – OpEd Posted: 27 Aug 2012 06:34 PM PDT By Nada Akl For immigrants in the Arab diaspora – those who have left Arab countries for the West or other regions – the tension between trying to stay connected to one’s homeland and trying to integrate into a new culture is a challenge. But a new generation of savvy young entrepreneurs in the Arab [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Three Arrested In Croatian Corruption Sting Posted: 27 Aug 2012 06:30 PM PDT By Drazen Remikovic A joint investigation by authorities in Slovenia and Croatia to crack an alleged bank corruption ring is an indication that Croatia won’t tolerate corruptive practices, Nikola Kristic, president of Transparency International Croatia, said. The investigation, which is targeting the Croatian unit of Sloviena’s second-largest bank NKBM, is said to have cost the [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Diplomatic Storm In East Asian Prosperity Rim – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 06:28 PM PDT Conflicting claims over two small groups of islands lying between the prosperity rim of East Asia has established that reason does not always govern nations when popular votes or state power matters. The island called Takeshima in Japanese and Dokdo in Korean that are located about 200 kilometers away from their mainland is under South [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Japan, South Korean War Memories And Territorial Disputes: A Dangerous Mix – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 04:07 PM PDT By Preeti Nalwa This year, there was a convergence of South Korea’s and China’s territorial disputes with Japan and Japan’s commemorative services at the Yasukuni shrine. The Yasukuni Shrine was constructed in 1869 to commemorate all those who died in the Boshin War which initiated the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and led to the [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Japan-China Stand-Off Over Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 04:00 PM PDT By R. S. Kalha The dispute between Japan and China over the barren rocky islands known as Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea owes its origins to the unfinished business of the Second World War. At the end of the war, the United States dispossessed Japan of most of its overseas island territories such [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

France Ready To Recognize Syrian Opposition Government Posted: 27 Aug 2012 03:54 PM PDT French President Francois Hollande on Monday called on the Syrian opposition to establish a provisional government and said that France was ready to recognize it. “France calls on the Syrian opposition to establish a provisional government that may become a legitimate representative of new Syria. France will recognize the government of a new Syria once [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Burma: Three Arakan Aid Workers Handed Jail Terms Posted: 27 Aug 2012 03:50 PM PDT By Hanna Hindstrom Three aid workers – accused of inciting violence in the recent sectarian clashes in Arakan state – have been sentenced to jail by a local Burmese court, a UN spokesperson confirmed today. A Maungdaw court on Friday handed hefty jail terms to three Burmese nationals employed by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

Controversial Military Law Tests Macedonia Coalition Posted: 27 Aug 2012 03:48 PM PDT By Darko Duridanski Albanian party’s threat to quit faces crucial test as ruling party pushes on with a law that it bitterly opposes. A controversial law concerning the rights of members of the Macedonian armed forces and their families was put before parliament on Friday. The draft law has provoked a serious crisis in the [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.

The Arab Revolts: Impact On Central Asia – Analysis Posted: 27 Aug 2012 02:27 PM PDT Two years ago, the scenes in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek resembled those in Cairo’s Tahrir Square in the last 18 months. Mass anti-government protests demanding an end to autocratic rule toppled the country’s ruler despite attempts by security forces to squash them. The protests paved the way for presidential elections contested by a former [...] To continue reading this article, click on the headline.