The title is pretty self-explanatory. Basically, two Chechen men were arrested after accidentally blowing up their apartment buidling in Odessa. Closer investigation revealed that the men were trying to build a bomb, and closer questioning (using some violent methods) revealed a Ukranian plot to assisinate Vladimir Putin, who has been consolidfating and expanding his power since 2000.
The men were hired by Doku Umarov, a Ukranaian war lord. (yes, these still exist apparently.) This isn't his first attempt on Putin's life; he has orchestrated another failed attack back in Jan. 24, 2011, a blast that killed 37 people.Their names are Ilya Pyanzin and Adam Osmayev; they are currently being detained.
Personally, I think that Putin should get a hint. If people are trying to kill you (this plot was one of a dozen since 2000) then I think it speaks volumes about your rule and how satisfied people are with it. This, on top of Russians protesting and whatnot, I really think it's time for Putin to go into retirement mode.
read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/putin-assassination-plot-reported/2012/02/27/gIQAaDTZdR_story.html
Monday, February 27, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Current Event #3: Scandal May Topple Party Official in China
In the city of Chonqing in China, the Communist Party is initiating the secret process of installing a new generation of leaders. Unfortunately, this is proving to be a little bit more troublesome and violent than they had anticipated.
The main two players right now for a strong leadership position in the future are Xi Jinping, (China's "leader-in-waiting") who visited the US on Thursday, and Bo Xilai, the powerful commerce minister, and governor/leader of Chonqing.
Bo Xilai has made many populist changes in China, from taking on foregin companies such as Wal-Mart, to fighting the underground mafias who attack the native people. His powerful family (his father was a revolutionary war leader) also gives him a good name, and standing in politics.
However, this good name, and his upward rise in politics is being marred by his association with Wang Lijun, who he hired to eradicate the mafias. Though Wang is efficient, he has proven to be brutal, nd doesnf't seem to have any consideration of the other citizen casulaties that might come into play through his harsh measures.
Personally, I think that despite Bo's ties to Wang, he still has a high chance of being elected to a leadership position in the future. Though Wang's methods are harsh, they are effective, and he has arrested 2000 people, along with Communist leaders who are accused of ebing corrupted and in alliance with the mafia heads. This shows that he is fair in his justice, and to me, in a place like China where there is so much breeding ground for corruption, thast's pretty good. However, if Wang continues his methods and injures more innocen citizens, I think Bo's chances could be affected as most of his city is a agrarian area, with people who are concerned for their personal safety, whether it be from attack of mafia, or attack of the law enforcement organization trying to wipe ou tthe mafia.
read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/world/asia/scandal-may-end-rise-of-bo-xilai-party-official-in-china.html?_r=1&ref=world
The main two players right now for a strong leadership position in the future are Xi Jinping, (China's "leader-in-waiting") who visited the US on Thursday, and Bo Xilai, the powerful commerce minister, and governor/leader of Chonqing.
Bo Xilai has made many populist changes in China, from taking on foregin companies such as Wal-Mart, to fighting the underground mafias who attack the native people. His powerful family (his father was a revolutionary war leader) also gives him a good name, and standing in politics.
However, this good name, and his upward rise in politics is being marred by his association with Wang Lijun, who he hired to eradicate the mafias. Though Wang is efficient, he has proven to be brutal, nd doesnf't seem to have any consideration of the other citizen casulaties that might come into play through his harsh measures.
Personally, I think that despite Bo's ties to Wang, he still has a high chance of being elected to a leadership position in the future. Though Wang's methods are harsh, they are effective, and he has arrested 2000 people, along with Communist leaders who are accused of ebing corrupted and in alliance with the mafia heads. This shows that he is fair in his justice, and to me, in a place like China where there is so much breeding ground for corruption, thast's pretty good. However, if Wang continues his methods and injures more innocen citizens, I think Bo's chances could be affected as most of his city is a agrarian area, with people who are concerned for their personal safety, whether it be from attack of mafia, or attack of the law enforcement organization trying to wipe ou tthe mafia.
read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/world/asia/scandal-may-end-rise-of-bo-xilai-party-official-in-china.html?_r=1&ref=world
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Current Event #2: Iran increases control over the Internet
Iran recently upped their measures to censor the internet.
This restricts access to social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and other sites like Google. Many perceive this to be a measure against a revolt, like the other countries in the Middle East; those revolutions were primarily orchestrated through social networking sites.
Iranian officials insist that this is being done for the protection of their citizens, and to prevent the US gov't from "spying" on them.
Personally, I think that the Iranian gov't is getting more paranoid with every passing year. Their false claims of trying to protect their people, when in reality they're only trying to control and stifle them is a bit bizarre. They should realize that this is going to come back and bite them in the butt: they're trying to prevent an uprising, but by enforcing more stringent rules, the people will get angrier and organize one without the help of the internet. Let's be honest: if someone really wanted to organize a revolution, I'm sure they could manage without the help of Facebook or something sure it'd be difficult, but it could still happen.
article link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iran-increasingly-controls-its-internet/2012/02/07/gIQAxTya1Q_story.html?tid=pm_world_pop
This restricts access to social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and other sites like Google. Many perceive this to be a measure against a revolt, like the other countries in the Middle East; those revolutions were primarily orchestrated through social networking sites.
Iranian officials insist that this is being done for the protection of their citizens, and to prevent the US gov't from "spying" on them.
Personally, I think that the Iranian gov't is getting more paranoid with every passing year. Their false claims of trying to protect their people, when in reality they're only trying to control and stifle them is a bit bizarre. They should realize that this is going to come back and bite them in the butt: they're trying to prevent an uprising, but by enforcing more stringent rules, the people will get angrier and organize one without the help of the internet. Let's be honest: if someone really wanted to organize a revolution, I'm sure they could manage without the help of Facebook or something sure it'd be difficult, but it could still happen.
article link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iran-increasingly-controls-its-internet/2012/02/07/gIQAxTya1Q_story.html?tid=pm_world_pop
Current Event #1: Rebels in Sudan Capture 20 Chinese Workers
20 Chinese road builders have been captured by Sudanese rebels, showing the dangers of the increasingly volatile area. China has interests in that area, primarily due to the oil rich region, and construction opportunities.
China has had old ties with Sudan, protecting it and its regime (which is so often criticized) by the West. Conflict between Northern and Southern Sudan have jeopardized China's oil/economic interests in the area.
Personally, I find this to be a bit of a mini setback for the Chinese. Sure, the Sudanese rebels are frustrating their efforts to exploit the rich resources found in the area, but from the sound of the article, China wasn't exactly all up in arms about their own citizens going missing. This shows that China definitely has a stake in Sudan, and won't be willing to leave for awhile, constructing their own buildings, and making more investments there. And honestly, I think that even if China had to pull out of Sudan in terms of making a profit, they could easily do so in other places, such as Nigeria where they're already building various buildings and whatnot.
read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/more-than-2-dozen-chinese-workers-captured-in-sudan-attack/2012/01/29/gIQAuFnFaQ_story.html
China has had old ties with Sudan, protecting it and its regime (which is so often criticized) by the West. Conflict between Northern and Southern Sudan have jeopardized China's oil/economic interests in the area.
Personally, I find this to be a bit of a mini setback for the Chinese. Sure, the Sudanese rebels are frustrating their efforts to exploit the rich resources found in the area, but from the sound of the article, China wasn't exactly all up in arms about their own citizens going missing. This shows that China definitely has a stake in Sudan, and won't be willing to leave for awhile, constructing their own buildings, and making more investments there. And honestly, I think that even if China had to pull out of Sudan in terms of making a profit, they could easily do so in other places, such as Nigeria where they're already building various buildings and whatnot.
read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/more-than-2-dozen-chinese-workers-captured-in-sudan-attack/2012/01/29/gIQAuFnFaQ_story.html
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