Category: International

* Re: UN envoy Susan Rice and her early Benghazi comments on those Sunday morning TV talk shows. We now know the intelligence community sanitized her talking points in the ostensible interests of national security. Rice, in effect, took one for the team when those better informed begged off. What is disconcerting is this: Key governmental operatives considered Rice expendable. She was an unwitting dupe in an effort to seemingly mislead and buy time. That’s who you might want running the State Department?

* Among the loudest Rice critics has been Sen. John McCain. But how credible is his foreign policy perspective? He still thinks Vietnam was a good idea and Sarah Palin was qualified to be a heartbeat away from being commander-in-chief.

* Consensus has it that Hamas came out a winner from its 8-day conflict with Israel. The bystanding Palestinian Authority is further neutered, the Arab Springers are on board with the Gaza plight, the Israelis are the heavy and Hamas, which still doesn’t recognize Israel, dodged the invasion bullet and remains entrenched in power in Gaza. Credit the Hamas strategy of lobbing hundreds of missiles into Israel from locations embedded in civilian contexts. It assured collateral damage with Israeli retaliation. In other words, you have to be willing to sacrifice a number of your children to get this outcome. The resultant images were graphically moving and powerful.

*The headline indicated Mexican President Felipe Calderon wants to change his country’s name. No, not Mexistan or anything radical. Seems that the formal name is actually the Estados Unidos Mexicanos (the United Mexican States), which sounds a bit too much like its yanqui neighbor to the north. The new formal name would be: Mexico.

No, it wasn’t exactly a stop-the-presses moment. More like another day at the United Nations’ office.

Once again–for the 21st year in a row–it was time for the world to officially, and ineffectually, weigh in on the globally-maligned Cuban embargo. Once again the vote last week was one-sided in condemning this 50-year-old, Cold War relic. The actual count: 188-3-2.

Joining the U.S. in defending the indefensible were Israel and Palau. The abstentions: the Marshall Islands and Micronesia who, as with Palau, are in a compact of free association with the U.S., which provides for their defense. This is the quid pro quo.

Frankly, UN Ambassador Susan Rice deserves more criticism for fronting for this position than for making the post-Benghazi, Sunday morning TV rounds with CIA talking points. But the real embargo outrage, of course, should be aimed at the Obama Administration.

It was pragmatically understandable, albeit disappointing, for the candidate/president-elect/first-term president to take an incremental approach to the embargo. The familiar, Bush-era “Let’s see some serious signs of democratization first” approach. Obama had enough enemies, he reasoned, and didn’t need to gratuitously toss the crazies in South Florida a freebie.

But surely the tipping point approaches. The issue is generational and the ranks of the well-organized, well-financed, influential hard-liners are thinning. As recently as 1988, Democrats were drawing only 15 percent of the Cuban vote in South Florida. According to varying estimates, President Obama drew at least 40 per cent of the Cuban vote two weeks ago.

Obama obviously has no third term scenarios. If he cares about a legacy that truly includes doing the right thing–geopolitically, morally and economically–before it becomes a fait accompli, he can take the lead on normalizing relations with Cuba. This should be a viable part of any meaningful definition of “Forward.”

One day recently a U.S. aircraft carrier group cruised through the disputed South China Sea. The most noteworthy aspect: The U.S. showing the flag–in an area largely claimed by China–to help ensure freedom of navigation for ourselves and Asian friends in an area of vital shipping lanes and potential oil riches.

A much-less noteworthy aspect: also aboard the U.S.S. George Washington–besides its crew of 5,000 American sailors–were Vietnamese security and government officials. It was our way of cementing closer economic and military ties–and assuring them of American support in countering the growing economic and naval strength of China.

It’s all part of our ongoing, normalized relations with Vietnam, a former enemy. Some 50,000 Americans died in its jungles. But we  moved on. It was in our enlightened self-interest to do so, and it just made sense to no longer be tethered to some unconscionable, Cold War misadventure.

Meanwhile, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has been in the news for continuing to give voice to the vendetta agenda of South Florida’s Cuban-exile community. He’s been leading the opposition to President Obama’s policy of relaxing travel to Cuba.

The embargo, however, is still in force, and the average American is still not free to travel to Cuba. Formal relations with Cuba remain time-warped in the 1960s. What an ironic juxtaposition.

Vietnam, where 50,000 American G.I.s died, thousands wounded, a generation alienated and a president forced into retirement, is now a trading partner, an investment vehicle and a geopolitical ally. Cuba, a former proxy of the erstwhile Soviet Union, remains mired in Cold War rhetoric and policy. As with Vietnam, it’s in our enlightened self-interest to normalize relations with Cuba. But unlike Vietnam, Cuba is up close and personal–and still represents leverage for those whose priorities don’t include what’s best for Florida, the U.S. and all those people still held hostage to vengeful politics.

Chances are, if you’re heading to Europe, it’s not to Portugal.

Logistically, it’s out of the way for non-cruisers. Besides, London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Vienna et al remain the premier traveler magnets. Lisbon doesn’t have the same cachet. Moreover, it doesn’t help when your country has long been known as Europe’s perennial poor economic cousin. There are better marketing mantras than “Where Europeans go for their cheap trips.”

And yet.

My wife Laraine and I were there for a week recently. We found the Lisbon area intriguing and charming. Same for Porto–actually more so–about 200 miles to the north.

Maybe we are that impressionable. Maybe we’re easily smitten by funiculars, public elevators, grand squares, majestic archways, historic cathedrals, postcard seascapes, fado clubs, strolling accordionists, a mild climate, winding cobble-stone streets, hilly vistas of pastel-colored, red-roofed residences and port wine. Maybe in a politically polarized world, we’re too impressed with a country with a history of liking and supporting America. Maybe we were overly enamored of Europe at 20 per cent off.

But let me pause here. I swore I wouldn’t do one of those “I-had-a-super-swell-time-on-my-fancy-ass-vacation-and-now-let-me-regale-you-with-details” columns. But, yes, I took some notes.

*After Portugal joined the European Community (1986), serious EC funding began boosting redevelopment. Tourist appeal was a key part of the strategy–from infrastructure to building rehabs. It’s apparent in Lisbon, especially in the fashionable Chiado and historic Alfama districts. The country, of course, remains a European debt-crisis case study, but it’s making a concerted effort to woo even more Germans, Brits, Brazilians and Americans.

*Let’s hear it for public buildings as public art. Most notably: light rail and train stations. Tiled walls that seduce the aesthetic eye. While graffiti, mostly non-political, marred too much, the transit facilities seemed less targeted. Even self-indulgent punks must be impressed.

*Lisbon is no exception to the Irish pub explosion. The one that caught our attention featured  “Yes We Can” signage out front. Portugal, of course, tilts left, and Barack Obama would be its preferred American presidential candidate–but such blatant political partisanship? The manager of O’Gilin’s explained that it meant “Yes We Can (allow you to smoke inside).” But upon further inquiry, she acknowledged impishly that the double entendre was, of course, intentional.

 

*Speaking of, smoking is more than manifest despite campaigns to curtail it. The “Fumar Mata” (“Smoking Kills”) warnings on cigarette packs are larger than the brand name. Prices are projected to rise from approximately $5 a pack to $7.75. A prominent media story noted that a recent survey indicated that more than 90 per cent of Portuguese want to raise non-smoking children. But a cursory look around tells you many won’t succeed.

*In our case, nice familiar touch that canary palms, birds of paradise, bougainvilleas and oleanders were so prolific.

*The daily press carried accounts of an increasing exodus of younger Portuguese. In the last year, some 65,000 residents–25-34–left Portugal, a country with a population of 10 million. Projection for this year: 100,000. It’s their form of career move and anti-austerity protest.

*Happened upon the University of Lisbon one day. It was apparent why it makes nobody’s must-see list. Caped academics were cool, but it looked like the University of South Florida–if USF had stayed mired in 1960s architecture.

*The most notable exception to Lisbon’s Old World look is on the east side by the Tagus River where Expo ’98 was held. It’s now a modern enclave of repurposed exposition and pavilion space including hotels, an aquarium, a stadium, a casino and a major shopping destination plus cable cars and the 10.7-mile Vasco da Gama Bridge, Europe’s longest.

*It’s always, well, interesting being privy to back-home news and references while on another continent. But we could have done without any more analysis of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, the Treyvon Martin case and America’s gun culture. The BBC ran a documentary on it. Its correspondent noted that “democracy was increasingly for sale” in reference to NRA influence and how “presidential candidates duck gun issues.” I wished he were wrong.

*CNN International provided a next-day, commercial-replete re-run of the presidential debate on foreign policy. The President and the Second Guesser-in-Chief squaring off. The bottom line: It ratcheted up election anxiety. No holiday from that. Obvious Romney strategy: Work in “tumult” as often as possible. He did, five times. And while moderator Bob Schieffer was certainly no Jim Lehrer, his use of hypotheticals involving the Middle East was disconcerting. Where there’s a trip-wire hypothetical, there’s a chance a given candidate, but especially an incumbent, could get recklessly self-serving with an answer being monitored in Tehran, Tel Aviv and Kabul. To the credit of both President Obama and Mitt Romney, neither took the bait. Normally nuanced responses are annoying political palaver. Not in this instance.

*Always need to have a book going–in this case, it was the all too pertinent, well-researched “The President’s Club.” May there be no new members for a while.

*Global Village update: Shared Lisbon tram space one day with a couple from Manchester, UK. I inquired if the husband were a fan of Manchester United. He said he was–but not of its owner. “Does he (Malcolm Glazer) ever smile?” he asked rhetorically.

*Another reminder: Wherever you’ve been, there’s no place better to conclude it than TIA. From coach to first class. Makes you proud every time. And nice touch hearing Joe Maddon’s welcoming voice on the tram.

This might sound weird–or worse. It was a reaction to a weekend headline: “Sacrificial cow bolts, killing Palestinian man.” That reaction: less than sympathetic.

The cow was about to be slaughtered because such an act is a traditional part of the Eid al-Adha holiday. I find such “celebrations” abhorrent. If that’s intolerant or insensitive or ethno-centric or anti-Muslim, too bad. I’m neither old school nor Old Testament on this one. Shouldn’t religions be above ritualistic butcherings of innocent animals? If they’re not, stuff sometimes happens. Call it poetic justice.

Look who just won the Nobel Peace Prize: the European Union. Let’s hear it for not bumbling into World War III. Political theater obviously plays well in Oslo, even as social unrest increases and nationalist parties are on the ascent in Europe. Too bad the EU didn’t merit the Nobel Prize for economics.

NATO’s underlying credo is “an attack on one is an attack on all.” But as we know, it’s hardly a hair-trigger provision. Good thing. NATO-member Turkey borders Syria, where across-the-border shelling has been originating.

From a Western perspective one of the most frustrating aspects of battling Islamic extremists is that the “Muslim Street”–as well as government-controlled media and influential, high-profile spokesmen–don’t react to barbaric acts as demonstrably as they do to cultural insults. Mohammed-parodying cartoons and rank-amateur, anti-Islamic videos are an outrage; suicide sorties and “adultery” stonings seemingly another day at the office.

However, we now have serious rallies in Pakistan over the Taliban’s targeted shooting of a 14-year-old girl, Malala Yousafzai, whose transgression was speaking out for girls’ education. This arguably is progress, although it’s a sad commentary that rallying against the reprehensible has to be lauded.

Here’s hoping these morally-perverted assassins are soon captured. And maybe we in the West can then broaden our perspective. Perhaps there is a place for execution-by-stoning, after all.

Jesus was or wasn’t married. We can still speculate. And even parody the speculation in cartoons. And what was your favorite line from Jesus Christ Superstar? Personally, I’ve always liked Herod’s challenge: “Prove to me that you’re no fool. Walk across my swimming pool.”

But I also get how some believers don’t appreciate the irreverent, everything-is-fair-game crowd and see satire as sacrilege. Monty Python’s The Life of Brian wasn’t funny to all the faithful, and tempers flared, of course, over Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ, Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ and Andres Serrano’s intentionally provocative Piss Christ art. And The Book of Mormon, you can believe, has some insulted detractors.

But it comes with the territory of modernity, global-reach media and evolving concepts of freedom–from thought to expression. Most of us have made an accommodation to living in the post-Inquisition era.

But obviously not all of us.

We’ve seen Danish and French cartoons depicting Mohammed prompt outrage and street violence in numerous Muslim countries. We’ve seen a fatwa hit put out on Salman Rushdie for The Satanic Verses. We’ve seen Theo van Gogh murdered for his movie short, Submission. We’ve seen scores of people, including Americans, die as a result of that amateurish video, Innocence of Muslims. We’ve seen a Pakistani Cabinet minister offer a $100,000 reward for the death of the bozo responsible for Innocence. Ironically the filmmaker was born in Egypt. We’ve seen France go pre-emptive by shuttering 20 embassies after a French magazine ran a Mohammed cartoon satirizing Muslim–you got it–overreaction.

Well, we’ve seen enough. And, no, I’m not channeling Terry Kemple or in league with some of the anti-Muslim yahoos ferreting about in the county.

It’s one thing to turn cultural contortionist and bend over backwards to be sensitive to religious  differences in our global village. “Live and let live” is more glib than easy. But lives are worth it. And it’s another thing to misuse that freedom for profit or mean-spirited perversion. We have our share and we deplore–and apologize for those responsible. Even if one of our political parties considers that appeasement.

But nothing–including blasphemy laws, lack of a free-speech tradition, a cultural thin skin and a frustrating love-hate relationship with the West–excuses the de facto encouragement of lethal overreaction to insults, perceived and real. In the name of religion, of all things. A “religion of peace” at that.

At a certain point–and it has nothing to do with ethnocentrism–it should be fair to ask: Aren’t you bigger than this? Aren’t you better than this? And aren’t you overdue to grow up?

We have our societal shortcomings, to be sure, but this one isn’t on us. It is about Islam.

* So John McCain thinks the president is pursuing a “feckless foreign policy.” Let’s put this in proper perspective. McCain still thinks Vietnam was a good idea.

* Osama bin Laden is dead. Good. We’re still high-fiving his death. Not so good.

Anyone else feel just a mite awkward at celebrating an assassination–even of one so loathsome as bin Laden? But it’s part of our political partisanship and underscores President Obama’s commander-in-chief chops. And it’s now a book worthy of a 60 Minutes marketing interview.

Enough–bin there, done Laden.