Issues of Global Import

20 October 2003


Security Council Accepts US Occupation of Iraq
The Bush Administration moved a bit closer to harmonious relations with the rest of the world over Iraq with a 15-0 Security Council vote in favor of the latest resolution on Iraq. The details are not particularly interesting, full of the usual meta-language in which UN resolutions are written. What is significant is the acceptance by the world body of the Anglo-American fait accompli in Iraq; even the Syrians went along. Click here to read Kensington's Opinion.

China Puts a Man in Space
The People's Republic of China put Yang Liwei, a fighter pilot in his nation's air force, into orbit last week, becoming only the third country to launch a citizen into space. While undoubtedly a great moment for the Chinese, analysts elsewhere are either elated, hoping it will spark their own space programs, or they are worried, concerned that China is getting ahead in space. The appropriate mood is confusion, since the Chinese have no more idea what to do in space than anyone else. Click here for more.

Azerbaijan: Soviet Union Lives
When the old Soviet Union died, the hope that freedom-loving people in that part of the world would be able to establish democracies, market economies, and individual liberties in the region. The results have been encapsulated in last week's election in Azerbaijan. Instead, one finds a case of plus ca change, plus ca la meme chose, or better still, same shit different day. Click here to read why.