The majority party in Scotland’s parliament is calling for Scottish independence.
Scotland Rallies Anew Around Cries for Secession
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Europe & Central Asia
Cold Comfort for Egypt
What shape will the convergence of Egypt’s civilian and military management with the Muslim Brotherhood take?
Nick Clegg’s Pro-Israeli Pronouncements Pale Beside Washington’s
Newt Gingrich, not to mention President Obama, outdo British Deputy Prime Minister Clegg in their support for Israel.
Is Latvia an Example to Other States in Economic Crisis?
Renowned economics columnist Robert Samuelson tried to make the case that austerity measures in Latvia saved its economy.
Ron Paul’s Anti-War Stance Is to Progressives as Atheism Is to . . .
Libertarians and atheists have some commendable stances — but for the wrong reasons.
Nigeria with Nukes
John F. Kennedy essentially bought his way into politics. His father, the wealthy Joseph Kennedy, picked out a nice congressional seat in Massachusetts and basically paid the occupant of the position to step down and run instead for the Boston mayoralty. JFK’s father then tried to pay off the Democratic frontrunner to drop out of the race, and when that didn’t work, persuaded William Randolph Hearst not to run any of the candidate’s ads or pictures in Hearst-owned newspapers. Joe Kennedy even paid a janitor named Joseph Russo to run in the race in order to dilute support for another leading candidate named Joseph Russo. Recognizing the importance of PR, the Kennedy family contributed $600,000 – an enormous sum in 1946 – for a children’s hospital in the district where JFK was running for office.
Conn Hallinan’s 2011 “Are You Serious?” Awards
Each year Conn Hallinan’s blog Dispatches From the Edge awards news stories and newsmakers that fall under the category of “Are you serious?”
Did the “Godfather” of Pakistan’s Nuclear-Weapons Program Aid India’s, Too?
Strange as it seems, the “godfather” of Pakistan’s nuclear-weapons program may have sold nuclear know-how and technology to India.
START Stopper
Standing the New START treaty on its head.
Nuclear Weapons Make Rulers of States That Possess Them Hitlers Waiting to Happen
Nations still use Nazi Germany’s nascent nuclear-weapons program as a justification for developing or retaining nuclear weapons. Russ Wellen at the Foreign Policy in Focus blog Focal Points.