Turkey and Israel - Again

PM Erdoğan of Turkey appears to be in a race with Foreign Minister Lieberman of Israel to see who can create the most poisonous between the two countries.


There is obviously nothing wrong with the Turkish PM expressing the opinions of the Turkish state regarding the actions of another country. However, there is a time and place and should not be the constant drumbeat it has become. He appears to be taking every opportunity to poke a stick into Israel which he knows, or should know, will elicit an immoderate response from Lieberman – a master at intemperate, childish remarks.

The purpose of Erdoğan’s not-quite-hyperbolic observations is quite clear – a major Moslem voice of a secular nation that is part of NATO which can, and does, throw its considerable weight around in the region will have its opinions seriously considered. If Iran, Syria or Libya voices those same opinions they are easily dismissed. When Turkey says it, people actually pay attention. Lieberman understands this, which might explain some his instantaneous tantrums and perpetual crabbiness. But, enough is enough.

Whether the substance of what Erdoğan says is true or not is irrelevant. Many already agree with his statements on Israeli policies regarding Palestinians, Gaza and illegal settlements – the latter endorsed, according to some, by God, the Old Testament or Better Homes and Gardens.

Many in the Middle East, Europe and the US already think the government headed by Netanyahu is dangerous to others and itself. Lieberman, however, is not. He is a loudmouth spokesman with the attitude of a hyper-sugared twelve year old. Although he has a voice in establishing Israel’s foreign policy, he does not form it. Netanyahu does and he needs to tell Lieberman to shut up and not respond to Erdoğan’s internally driven statements. And Erdoğan needs to dial it down a bit under the circumstances and stop switching into assault mode at every international convention. He has made his point for his domestic and regional audience, the United States and Europe. None of the vituperative jousting is helpful now and only increases the perception of the current Israeli government that it is under siege.

Coals to Newcastle - via Mongolia

Image via Wikipedia

There is a very thin line between funding genuinely useful development projects and those that are established merely to spend money. I suspect the recently announce tender by the MCC in Washington is the latter.

Training of Herders and State Officials in Pasture Land Management in Mongolia

The original Mongol or proto-Mongol people, composed of a myriad of periodically warring tribes, were first chronicled around 200 BC. They were – you guessed it – nomads and herders living off various pastures in the regions now known as Mongolia and Inner Mongolia (part of China) and were similar to the other nomadic groups further to the west in Central Asia.

Mongol society, however, threw up one of the greatest military forces in history which, under Genghis Khan forged an empire stretching from Hungary to Korea and from Russia to modern day Iran and China. They were herders, among other things, and developed one of the most sophisticated legal and administrative systems the world has ever seen. It included rules on land management and animal husbandry.

The unified Mongol Empire began in earnest about 800 years ago and came to an end only recently – perhaps 600 years ago – breaking up into family khanates. Marco Polo visited the largest and wealthiest group in a China ruled by Kubilai Khan. Perhaps you’ve heard of this.

I am sure, in searching for the best project team, the key members will be required to have at least five to ten years experience in pasture maintenance and herding, preferably in Central Asia and they will intensely and sincerely instruct the modern day Mongols on both.

US taxpayers would probably be interested to know how their money is being disbursed. But, then, maybe not.

New Changes to Blog

Amazon has been added to the blog, for those interested.  Hopefully, they will be contextual.
Other ads have been removed until they become contextual - a problem for google, apparently as I don't want mothers' day ads from South Africa on the blog.

Georgia and TV Promotions

I don't know how many people out there watch CNN - I happen to get the Asian station and watch it only because my converter box is sitting at the South African border waiting for clearance and I can't get the BBC.

But...if you do and if you have seen the ad for Georgia with a voice from space looking down on the world questioning "what's that shiny little dot" and "hello, people. Having a party?" have you had enough?  This is the worst country promotion for investment in the history of the galaxy, if not the universe.  Who put this thing together? Have they seen the professional ad aired for Macedonia? Was the developer 12 years old? Please, make it stop.

New Look

In between struggling to justify sole sourced procurements, I thought it was time for a change.

Let me know what you think of the new look.  Depending on my mood, I may pay attention. Don't count on it though.

April Fool or Not in Georgia

Image by onewmphoto via Flickr

Sometimes, because what is true can be typically bizzare, this story out of Georgia may or may not be true. 

Given the content, I am inclined to think it is a joke. But then again, this is Georgia...and he looks concerned.

Bulgaria Chooses the Ruble

Image by St Stev via Flickr

The future of the euro in Bulgaria is vaporized.  The story here!