Sunday, November 28, 2010

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Containment-Lite - NYTimes.com

Containment-Lite - NYTimes.com:

"No, India is not going to jump into America’s arms. But we’re not asking it to. Democracy, geopolitics, geography and economics are all combining to move America and India closer together. And that’s a good thing for both. If China plays it smart, Indian-American relations will never go beyond pre-containment. But if China doesn’t play it smart, Obama to India could one day become the new Nixon to China: my enemy’s enemy is my new best friend.

Monday, November 08, 2010

Obama Supports U.N. Seat for India - NYTimes.com

Obama Supports U.N. Seat for India - NYTimes.com:

"Many Indian officials had worried that the Obama administration was less interested in India than China, and that the bilateral relationship was lacking a “big idea,” like the landmark civilian nuclear agreement between the two countries under former President George W. Bush.

American foreign policy experts have expressed much the same concern. In a recent report, the Center for a New American Security, a research institution in Washington, warned that “the rapid expansion of ties has stalled,” and encouraged the Obama administration to address the problem by supporting India’s effort to win a security council seat.

India’s foreign policy establishment had been divided on the issue, with some arguing that the United Nations is increasingly outdated compared with groups like the Group of 20, where India is a major player. Mr. Obama and Mr. Singh will meet again at the G-20 meeting in Seoul, South Korea, later this week.

“A country of our size, with our civilizational heritage, I don’t think we should be canvassing or banging the door to get in,” Ronen Sen, who recently retired as India’s ambassador to the United States, said before Mr. Obama spoke. “Why should we be bothered? Maybe it is a colonial hangover. We want to get into every club.”

Lalit Mansingh, a retired Indian diplomat, said Mr. Obama’s announcement was as critical to the United Nations as it was to India, because Indian officials were beginning to doubt the relevance of the global body and were placing more importance on the G-20, where India plays a significant role.

“It is a key moment both for India and the future of the United Nations,” Mr. Mansingh, who also is a former ambassador to the United States, said as Mr. Obama prepared to address Parliament. “If you defer this much further, I don’t think people will be excited about the U.N. It is not a key player in Iraq. It is not a key player in Afghanistan. It is beginning to lose its relevance and might.”

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Friday, November 05, 2010

Finish Yitzhak Rabin’s Work - NYTimes.com

Finish Yitzhak Rabin’s Work - NYTimes.com:


"In many ways Rabin was ahead of his time. The end of his life overlapped with the emergence of the most interdependent age in human history, the explosion of the Internet and the era of globalization. The ties that bind the Israelis and the Palestinians — in his words, two peoples “destined to live together on the same soil” — are a powerful example of the connections that tie us all together across the globe. We are linked in so many ways that we cannot get away from each other.

Let us pray on this anniversary that his service and sacrifice will be redeemed in the Holy Land and that all of us, wherever we live, whatever our capacity, will do our part to build a world where cooperation triumphs over conflict. Rabin’s spirit continues to light the path, but we must all decide to take it. "

China And Germany Belittle U.S. Actions Before G20 - NYTimes.com

China And Germany Belittle U.S. Actions Before G20 - NYTimes.com

Thursday, November 04, 2010

Born to Run the Marathon? - NYTimes.com

Born to Run the Marathon? - NYTimes.com:

"Ms. Radcliffe tried, but her hamstring wouldn’t release. Ms. Tulu finally set off on her own. Somehow, she caught back up with the lead back, and then the under-underdog blew past in the final quarter-mile to snap the tape. It’s among the most awe-inspiring performances I’ve ever seen, and to this day, I still don’t understand exactly what happened.

The best I can come up with is this: Maybe it wasn’t a coincidence that one of the most compassionate people on the streets that day was also the most competitive. The greatness of spirit which urged her to watch for every faltering orphan, to keep the pack together, also gave her the strength to lead it. At its finest and most time-tested, after all, running was never a solitary pursuit. The Tarahumara don’t compete individually, preferring instead to kick-flip a small wooden ball from teammate to teammate, maintaining a constellation of flowing bodies. The Hopi believed running was a form of prayer; before setting off on a long run from Arizona to the Pacific, they’d offer their effort on behalf of loved ones in need of help. “I’m offering my strength to them,” the runner would murmur to their god, the Great Mystery, “and in return I ask for some of yours.”

DARPA orders Transformer vehicle engine - UPI.com

DARPA orders Transformer vehicle engine - UPI.com:

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

China, Looking to Invest, Turns to Europe - NYTimes.com

China, Looking to Invest, Turns to Europe - NYTimes.com:

How Obama Saved Capitalism and Lost the Midterms - NYTimes.com

How Obama Saved Capitalism and Lost the Midterms - NYTimes.com:

Do Believe the Hype - NYTimes.com

Do Believe the Hype - NYTimes.com:


"India today is this unusual combination of a country with millions of people making $2 and $3 a day, but with a growing economy, an increasing amount of cheap connectivity and a rising number of skilled technologists looking to make their fortune by inventing low-cost solutions to every problem you can imagine. In the next decade, I predict, we will see some really disruptive business models coming out of here — to a neighborhood near you. If you thought the rate of change was fast thanks to the garage innovators of Silicon Valley, wait until the garages of Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore get fully up to speed. I sure hope we’re ready.

- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Monday, November 01, 2010

Reagan's Rebound Offers Lesson for Democrats - WSJ.com

Reagan's Rebound Offers Lesson for Democrats - WSJ.com

"Mr. Kessler argues that 'the 80-year mission to fashion a strong safety net is basically over with the passage of health care, and a new mission must take its place. And that mission has to be growth.'

Is It Time To Revamp Systems Engineering? | AVIATION WEEK

Is It Time To Revamp Systems Engineering? | AVIATION WEEK: