Read This: April 2, 2010 04/02/2010
Not the Easiest Way to Make a Buck in NYC (RFE/RL)
Mastering a language is only the start to being a good interpreter. In a UN guide for would-be language specialists, the job appears to be equal parts diplomat, rocket scientist, and traffic cop. "A good translator," it reads, "knows techniques for coping with a huge variety of difficult situations, has iron nerves, does not panic, has a sense of style, and can keep up with a rapid speakers."
The Saudi Soul (The Economist)
Saudi Arabia is a land of superlatives. It has the biggest oil reserves in the world, the driest deserts and the holiest cities of Islam, as well as the most stubbornly autocratic of governments and irksomely puritanical people. But the realm that was patched together in the early part of the last century by its first king, Abdel Aziz ibn Saud, with an equally energetic mix of jihad and tribal diplomacy, also ranks as one of the most poorly understood countries. Critics portray the kingdom as an oily heart of Islamic darkness, a wellspring of the fanaticism that threw up Osama bin Laden and his furious ilk. Apologists, swayed as often by the ruling Al Sauds’ courtly manners as by their fat purses, paint it instead as a repository of noble Arab tradition, a bastion of stability in a strategically crucial but hopelessly troubled region.
You Can Never Tell How These Things Will Turn Out (Wealth of Nations)
The backlash against Russia's cops should give strength to Medvedev's liberal supporters, who were already calling for deep reforms of Russia's notoriously corrupt Interior Ministry. Popular resentment against law enforcement had been building for at least a year before the attacks, thanks to a series of scandals including a supermarket shooting spree by a drunken officer; a YouTube appeal by a police major in southern Russia complaining of "pure banditry" among his colleagues; and press revelations of how paramilitary cops regularly blackmail, terrorize, and even kidnap businessmen for profit. A poll just before the bombings showed that 81 percent of Russians consider the police to be "outlaws." The outbursts of indignation since the bombings suggests that people's opinion of the police has now sunk even lower.
Mastering a language is only the start to being a good interpreter. In a UN guide for would-be language specialists, the job appears to be equal parts diplomat, rocket scientist, and traffic cop. "A good translator," it reads, "knows techniques for coping with a huge variety of difficult situations, has iron nerves, does not panic, has a sense of style, and can keep up with a rapid speakers."
The Saudi Soul (The Economist)
Saudi Arabia is a land of superlatives. It has the biggest oil reserves in the world, the driest deserts and the holiest cities of Islam, as well as the most stubbornly autocratic of governments and irksomely puritanical people. But the realm that was patched together in the early part of the last century by its first king, Abdel Aziz ibn Saud, with an equally energetic mix of jihad and tribal diplomacy, also ranks as one of the most poorly understood countries. Critics portray the kingdom as an oily heart of Islamic darkness, a wellspring of the fanaticism that threw up Osama bin Laden and his furious ilk. Apologists, swayed as often by the ruling Al Sauds’ courtly manners as by their fat purses, paint it instead as a repository of noble Arab tradition, a bastion of stability in a strategically crucial but hopelessly troubled region.
You Can Never Tell How These Things Will Turn Out (Wealth of Nations)
The backlash against Russia's cops should give strength to Medvedev's liberal supporters, who were already calling for deep reforms of Russia's notoriously corrupt Interior Ministry. Popular resentment against law enforcement had been building for at least a year before the attacks, thanks to a series of scandals including a supermarket shooting spree by a drunken officer; a YouTube appeal by a police major in southern Russia complaining of "pure banditry" among his colleagues; and press revelations of how paramilitary cops regularly blackmail, terrorize, and even kidnap businessmen for profit. A poll just before the bombings showed that 81 percent of Russians consider the police to be "outlaws." The outbursts of indignation since the bombings suggests that people's opinion of the police has now sunk even lower.
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War Games: An Israeli Strike on Iran 03/29/2010
Alicia Cheng and Sarah Gephart, Mgmt. Design
The U.S. Department of Defense regularly runs war simulations on all sorts of interesting scenarios, which are unfortunately (for us) classified. The Brookings Institution, however, which is chock-full of former U.S. officials, did run a recent simulation. Check out the indispensable David Sanger's report here. Below is a summary of his observations:
1. By attacking without Washington's advance knowledge, Israel had the benefits of surprise and momentum - not only over the Iranians, but over its American allies - and for the first day or two, ran circles around White House crisis managers.
2. The battle quickly sucked in the whole region - and Washington. Arab leaders who might have quietly applauded an attack against Iran had to worry about the reaction in their streets. The war shifted to defending Saudi oil facilities, and Iran's use of proxies meant that other regional players quickly became involved.’
3. You can bomb facilities, but you can't bomb knowledge. Iran had not only scattered its facilities, but had also scattered its scientific and engineering leadership, in hopes of rebuilding after an attack.
4. No one won, and the United States and Israel measured success differently. In Washington, officials believed setting the Iranian program back only a few years was not worth the huge cost. In Israel, even a few years delay seemed worth the cost, and the Israelis argued that it could further undercut a fragile regime and perhaps speed its demise. Most of the Americans thought that was a pipe dream.
1. By attacking without Washington's advance knowledge, Israel had the benefits of surprise and momentum - not only over the Iranians, but over its American allies - and for the first day or two, ran circles around White House crisis managers.
2. The battle quickly sucked in the whole region - and Washington. Arab leaders who might have quietly applauded an attack against Iran had to worry about the reaction in their streets. The war shifted to defending Saudi oil facilities, and Iran's use of proxies meant that other regional players quickly became involved.’
3. You can bomb facilities, but you can't bomb knowledge. Iran had not only scattered its facilities, but had also scattered its scientific and engineering leadership, in hopes of rebuilding after an attack.
4. No one won, and the United States and Israel measured success differently. In Washington, officials believed setting the Iranian program back only a few years was not worth the huge cost. In Israel, even a few years delay seemed worth the cost, and the Israelis argued that it could further undercut a fragile regime and perhaps speed its demise. Most of the Americans thought that was a pipe dream.
The Saudis Fight Back 10/09/2009
Saudi Arabia is back on the diplomatic offensive in the Middle East. This week King Abdullah made a rare trip outside the Kingdom to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. During the visit, the two leaders signed a series of agreements aimed at ameliorating relations between their two countries and made a joint statement calling for the formation of a unity government in Lebanon.
Syria, in partnership with Iran, has long backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, while the Saudis support the ruling March 14 coalition. Enmity between the two Lebanese parties is deep-seated but has been exacerbated in recent years by Saudi, Syrian and Iranian influence.
For the Saudis, the visit is less about actually solving the Lebanese political stalemate and more about countermanding Iranian influence in the region.
King Abdullah’s visit is the most recent in a series of diplomatic exchanges between the two countries, which include the appointment of a Saudi ambassador to Syria after an 18 month absence and a state visit by President al-Assad for the inauguration of the new Saudi research university.
Syria, in partnership with Iran, has long backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, while the Saudis support the ruling March 14 coalition. Enmity between the two Lebanese parties is deep-seated but has been exacerbated in recent years by Saudi, Syrian and Iranian influence.
For the Saudis, the visit is less about actually solving the Lebanese political stalemate and more about countermanding Iranian influence in the region.
King Abdullah’s visit is the most recent in a series of diplomatic exchanges between the two countries, which include the appointment of a Saudi ambassador to Syria after an 18 month absence and a state visit by President al-Assad for the inauguration of the new Saudi research university.
Saudis Offer Airspace 07/06/2009
Apparently, the Mossad has secured a promise to use Saudi airspace for a future attack on Iranian nuclear sites.
We believe that this mostly a strategic leak- except for an attack on the Russian-supplied plant at Bushehr and other targets in the south of Iran, an Israel attack using Saudi airspace would not be logistically sensible. This does, however, demonstrate the potential of a threatening Iran to unite Sunni Arab states with Israel.
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