The old adage “generals always fight the last war, especially if they’ve won it” applies not only to the military and war, but to almost all aspects of human conflict and interaction, such as diplomacy. Paradigms often change right underneath the noses of so-called “experts” or policymakers.
In regards to foreign policy, in the late ’90s, while everyone was staring through the prism of the Soviet-U.S.… [Read more]
As the New Year unfolds before us, we find ourselves falling off one rock and headed down toward another. We’re a bunch of Rockhounds, really, with an excellent collection going. While we’re busy arguing about the Fiscal Cliff, however, there are other dramas unfolding around the world.
Across East Asia there have been huge political changes following several important national elections this year.… [Read more]
Despite the armchair psychology, while Newtown school mass murderer Adam Lanza was probably rather off upstairs, National Rifle Association CEO and Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre isn’t a psychopath. He’s a million-dollar-a-year shill in a nice bespoke suit who seems to know which side of the toast the butter’s on. His idea of a flannel outdoorsy shirt probably has a Brooks Brothers label.… [Read more]
Scrolling through the world and Asia news sections on CNN and NPR like I do most evenings, I came across a poll summary that was a refreshing change from what I usually spend my time scouring over. This poll was conducted by AFP-Ipsos, a Hong Kong-based think tank. The survey targeted two major economic forces with which we share incredibly important ties: China and Japan.… [Read more]
There is an up-and-coming political group, deeply conservative and spawned from the power struggles of the last decade, gaining traction by stoking the fires of fiscal dissatisfaction and social frustration that are gaining more traction with the voting populace.
This party’s platform includes such charming planks as radical nationalism, anti-immigration reform, a belligerent distaste for taxes, and a blind eye to programs that help struggling school districts, unions, and recipients of social welfare.… [Read more]
Striving towards becoming borderless involves traveling the world. How else can one really experience a culture without visiting?
Tomorrow is my last day here and the heat and humidity was definitely my biggest surprise. I travelled throughout the country and everywhere it was over 90 degrees with 70 % humidity. Obviously good preparation for Cambodia where the heat index is forecast to be about 110-115 degrees next week.… [Read more]
East Asia experienced a series of rapid-fire international relations conundrums over the weekend on the uninhabited islands trailing off from Okinawa in the South China Sea. The Japanese national government, spearheaded by the governor of Tokyo, made a move that upset the Chinese so much that a small group of nationalists made an excursion out to the islands in order to express their grievances.… [Read more]
In honor of the victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, I would like to offer sincere condolences and a wish for deeper understanding and greater empathy the world over. Sixty seven years ago this August 6, at 8:15 AM, 140,000 were killed by the destructive power of the world’s first nuclear weapon detonation.
This Monday, August 6, 2012, marked the 67th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan — and the world’s first use of a nuclear weapon.… [Read more]
Since HIV/AIDS hit the surface of public consciousness in the 1980s, it has been frequently discussed and impressed upon the psyche of more than a generation’s worth of young people worldwide. As a member of this 1980s generation, I knew it was a problem that lurked about us, but I was at a loss for how to define or describe it.… [Read more]
This week, the latest Japanophile documentary, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, made its way to my local theatre. It is the story of world-renowned sushi chef Jiro Ono’s quest for perfection, his relationship with his son and protégé, and the future of the sushi business. I went to the theatre with the expectation of it being a simple documentary with some great looking seafood sprinkled throughout (like so much spicy tuna roll topping), but I was pleased to find much more.… [Read more]
The Japanese people are outraged.
In particular, Japanese women are outraged.
As well they should be. With the decision to reactivate the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors, there has been a lot of scrutiny into what happened last year in the aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Many problems arise, but one of the most unsettling revolves around the Japanese nuclear power industry’s views on women.… [Read more]
Oftentimes when travelers are asked what they think about Japan, the one word that comes up time and time again is “polite.” As a whole the people of Japan are known to be gracious and polite, yet they live and work in heavily populated areas which, in other countries, usually creates a recipe for contention and aggressiveness.… [Read more]
Last year, I was involved in a car accident in which I’m lucky to have survived. Both me and another car tried to merge into the same lane at the same time; our cars kissed on the side and then after bouncing off his car, I over corrected and went off the road and into an embankment, totaling the Ford Explorer I was driving, breaking two vertebrae and tearing my right rotator cuff.… [Read more]
With the holidays just around the corner, there is someone to whom ol’ Panama would like to give a special present. In fact, I’d like everyone to give this special person a present over the holidays. This special someone does more work, puts in more hours, sacrifices more, and receives far too little credit. You may be thinking that I’m talking about the American soldier, but I’m not.… [Read more]
Taking a Look Back, a Look Ahead
If you haven‘t picked up a copy of Haruki Murakami’s Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche, I highly reccommend snapping up a copy now while relevance is high. On June 15, the last fugitive of the worst terror attack in Japan since World War II was apprehended by police in Tokyo. This attack, the 1995 sarin gas attack, be might distant for some, but I would argue it has had a profound effect on the Japanese psyche ever since.… [Read more]