Pseudo Solution To Euro's Failings
Martin Taylor | FT | 21 March 2010
Imagine splitting euro into two currencies—neuro for thrifty north, sudo for spendthrift south. Their values would diverge widely, quickly. Shows why break-up of single currency is only a matter of time
Video Games: The Addiction
Tom Bissell | Guardian | 21 March 2010
Once-promising young author recounts three-year addiction to cocaine and video-games. Regrets cocaine, still loves Grand Theft Auto. Strange, skewed, beguiling piece of writing. Part-brave, part-silly
Health-Care Waterloo
David Frum | Frum Forum | 22 March 2010
Health-care reform bill was full of Republic values. But Republicans opposed it, because they were afraid of talk-radio demagogues and tea-partiers, and arrogance blinded them to Obama's strength
Obama's Tainted Victory
Clive Crook | FT | 22 March 2010
Passage of health care reform a momentous event, long overdue. Tactical triumph for Democrat leaders. But bill was badly explained, is unpopular with voters, may prove expensive—economically and politically
Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight
T. Christian Miller et al | Newsweek | 19 March 2010
US-backed Afghan National Police Force totally useless, $6bn disaster. Illiterate volunteers get six weeks' training, learn nothing, start work, take bribes, sell bullets to Taliban
Walking With The Comrades
Arundhati Roy | Outlook India | 20 March 2010
Long report on Naxalite rebels in central India—"a superbly organised, hugely motivated Maoist guerrilla fighting force with extraordinary history of armed rebellion"
Let's Trade With Iran
Jason Rezaian | Slate | 20 March 2010
Iranians love to shop, and they love American brands. By lifting embargoes, America could dominate consumer markets. Great way to make friends and money at same time
Obama Needs This Victory
Andrew Sullivan | London Times | 21 March 2010
Health care loss would cripple Obama's world standing. Victory would give him greatness as leader who changed society, after rescuing economy from brink of depression
South Sudan's Road To Independence
Barney Jopson | FT | 20 March 2010
Excellent report. Southern Sudan approaches independence with almost no skills, resources. Not medicine, not government, not even agriculture. “A society before civilisation”
In Dubai, The Party's Far From Over
Syed Ali | Guardian | 20 March 2010
Dubai succeeded for reasons it's now mocked. Consumer culture unique in Arabian Gulf. Foreigners swapped political rights for good life. Economy will recover, foreigners will return
Gay Soldiers And General Wingate
Toby Young | Telegraph | 19 March 2010
Orde Wingate, one of finest British commanders of WW2 was as bent as nine-bob note. Rarely washed, tried to cut his own throat, forced 40,000 Italian troops to surrender
Israel Loses Liberal American Jews
Jacob Weisberg | Slate | 20 March 2010
Split widens within American-Jewish community. Kadima, Democratic, secular, J-Street gains ground. Likud, Republican, religious, AIPAC embattled. Settlements main reason
A Dagger To The CIA
Robert Baer | GQ | April 2010
Suicide bomber killed 7 Americans at Afghan CIA base in December. Ex-spy blames deaths on poor tradecraft, following shift in CIA culture away from operations towards analysis
Thailand's Succession
Anonymous | Economist | 18 March 2010
King Bhumibol 82, ailing. Discussing what happens next is taboo. Might be nasty. Thailand's democracy already paralysed by post-Thaksin power struggle. Army may be tempted
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's Trial
Benjamin Wittes and Jack Goldmith | Brookings | 19 March 2010
Why try 9/11 conspirators at all? They are held outside criminal justice system. Possible gains from trial—capital punishment, legitimacy, catharsis—not worth political cost
On Banking Reform
Josh Reich | BankSimple Blog | 18 March 2010
Promoter of banking start-up attacks jargon, tricks, fees used by big banks to charge and overcharge account holders. "A confused customer is a profitable customer"
Ratzinger's Responsibility
Hans Küng | National Catholic Reporter | 18 March 2010
Hold bishops responsible for child abuse. They protected priests. End celibacy rule for priests. It reinforces deviant behaviour. Hold Pope responsible. He was in thick of it