Is it better to be feared or loved?

So the world, in general, loves Obama. But that doesn't necessarily mean our image in the world has that much improved according to Foreign Policy. I think we have a long way to go to regain our status in the world after 9/11 and no new President could immediately wipe away bad feelings of Iraq and Afghanistan. I like this analysis though because it analyzes the complexity of our "standing" or image in the world, not boiling it down to a simple change in leadership.

No Analysis Here: I Completely Agree

Roman Polanski Slammed, Amongst Other Things

European Union President

So, the Lisbon Treaty was ratified by the Irish yesterday. This leaves the Czechs and the Poles as the only states who haven't ratified. For those who aren't aware, the Lisbon Treaty will establish two major things: a President of the European Union position, and a single foreign affairs office. This is massive news, because the EU has been crippled by a lack of common foreign policy, something this aims to reverse. And the so-far most talked-about candidate? None other than Tony Blair.

Article.

"The Latest Updates from Barak Obama's Facebook Feed"

This is the funniest one yet that I've read.

Here

Special Envoys

Because I was sadly unable to attend Great Decisions with everyone last Sunday, I want to share my thoughts on Special Envoys.
I think Special Envoys are useful only when the official capacity of the State Department or other Bureau is unable to address certain concerns. For example, there is no U.S. Ambassador to North Korea, for obvious political reasons. However, because interaction between the US and North Korea is necessary and inevitable, it makes sense to have a Special Envoy who can stay on top of everything.
However, Special Envoys are likely to complicate diplomacy in places where multiple outlets for communication already exist, such as in the Middle East. For good reason, many State Department officials feel that their toes are being stepped on. Early in his campaign and in his Presidency, Obama promised to bolster the number of diplomats in the State Department. And I think that is where he should be concentrating his resources. Working around the State Department only weakens its strategic abilities.
Lastly, the special interest Special Envoys are absolutely silly. A Climate Change Envoy? Seriously? This seems like a waste of resources. Any interest group can come along and demand a Special Envoy. How about Special Envoy to the Elderly Citizens of the World? I can see the AARP pressing for that one. Or Special Envoy to Women’s Independence? Perhaps a suggestion from NOW. Political ties, webs, and organization already exist for special interest groups. Obama shouldn’t be giving into these groups, even if it sounds nice and friendly on the nightly news.
I hope that Obama can limit his envoys to the places where they are really needed. However, at the rate he’s going, this is unlikely. I hope that Clinton can learn to hold her ground.

Legalize Cannabis, Reduce Violence?

The debate over legalizing cannabis (pot, weed, marijuana)—is not a new one. Several states have legalized the drug for medical purposes, but what happens when cannabis is legalized for everyone? This BBC article http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8275794.stm illustrates the growing cannabis culture in California and the fight for and against legalizing the drug. However, what I find most intriguing about the article was this statement from Richard Lee, a California man who runs Oaksterdam, a facility which explores cannabis in the medical industry and educates people about cannabis "According to some estimates, the Mexican cartels get 60-70% of their money - their profit - from cannabis…So if we cut that out of the equation then theoretically 60-70% of the violence they perpetrate would be cut out, because they'd have less money for the guns and weapons and ammunition to kill people and to spend on bribing officials and all the rest.” While this is by no means a verified fact, but perhaps a hasty assumption to make—it does bring to light an interesting question—can the legalization of drugs actual make violence go down? Can the legalization of cannabis in the United States mitigate the effects of drug cartels in Mexico and South America? What does the legalization of a formerly illegal drug do to drug cartels worldwide?

Image from: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/uploadedImages/News/Chicago/Images/Science/DSC00987.JPG

China's 60th anniversary celebrations

CCTV, China's state-sponsored media network, has comprehensive multimedia coverage of Beijing's monumental celebrations for the Communist Party's 60th anniversary.

http://www.cctv.com/english/special/60anni/video/index.shtml

As part of extravagant military and civilian parades to Tiananmen Square, China marched thousands of troops with pristine coordination, rolled hundreds of tanks and other heavy artillery, and drove dozens of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear payloads to the United States through the main thoroughfare of Beijing. Says David Shambaugh, China expert with the Brookings Institute: "This is really, from a public relations standpoint, a major mistake on the part of the Chinese government. But this is not being done for the outside world; this is being done for the internal audience."

Looks like the propagandist, opportunist, exploitative Party of Mao's era is still alive and well.