The World Reporter: News Opinion and Analysis

Dassualt Rafale Wins 126 MMRCA Jet Fighters Deal With India

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:18:00 +0000

French Dassualt Rafale

Long wait has come to an end for the Indian Air Force and combat aircraft lovers. Neither the American way, nor the Russian way, Indian government has gone the European way. French company Dassault Rafale has almost bagged the 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft multi billion dollar largest-ever deal with India.

The Indian Air Force projected a requirement for about 126 aircraft in 2001 considering the aging MiGs, when the strength was at 39.5 squadrons (down from 45) also recently the expected delay in the development of LCA got the government kick started.

The process was started with the issuing of a global tender in 2007 after which all the six contenders were subjected to extensive field evaluation trails by the Indian Air Force at several locations across the globe. They were the Swedish Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, French Dassault Rafale, Russian Mikoyan MiG-35, and the American F-16IN and F/A-18IN Super Hornet.

India has had good strategic relations with Russian Mikoyan and French Dassault Aviation. Both the companies have provided the aircrafts as well as the technology to manufacture at home. Indian pilots and manufacturing companies are familiar with French and Russian products. These criterias would have been put under consideration while making the deal.

Although having an upper hand and the status of all weather friend, unfortunately Russian MiG 35 couldn't make up to the finals. It is believed that the officials in the government and Air force are displeased with the delays in delivery as well as supply of parts by the Russians.

It was Dassualt Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon which made up to the finals. Dassualt Rafale being the lowest bidder won the deal.

It would be the first sale of Rafale outside France once the deal is finalized. Officials here said that the representatives of Dassualt Aviation have been informed of the results and development and soon within the next 10 to 15 days talks could be held for further negotiation on the price of the aircraft.

According to the agreement the company who wins the contract will have to provide 18 aircrafts from their manufacturing facilities within 3 years or 36 months. Rest of the aircrafts will be manufactured at home facilities within India by HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) under license.

Dassault Aviation said in a statement the decision was "an extraordinary success" for the company, singling out the backing of French President Nicolas Sarkozy for the company's bid. as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

"We have won this contract," French Trade Minister Pierre Lellouche said Tuesday.

"But a number of things are yet to be finalized. At this stage I will remain cautious," he told French radio station BFM Business.

"It's a big win for the Dassault and the Rafale—its first overseas order—after a couple of big disappointments in Brazil and UAE, and a big loss for Eurofighter," said James Hardy, Asia-Pacific analyst at IHS Jane's Defence Weekly.

"This is a major win for France, and a major loss for the U.K.," said Endre Lunde, a consultant at IHS Jane's. "This leaves Oman and the UAE as the largest potential markets for the Eurofighter, both of which are significantly smaller than India and are less certain to move forward," Mr. Lunde said.

WSJ reports that the shares in Dassualt Aviation rose up to 20% €735 after this news.

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Russia and Latin America: Geopolitical Considerations

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:32:00 +0000

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev waves

as he walks with Cuba's President

Posted by Cristina Avram, Geopolitics.ro

Although geographically distant from Russia, Latin America is one of the main priorities of the Russian government's foreign policy. Russian authorities have come very close, in fact, to some Latin American regimes. Actually Russia's spectacular return to this region is part of its overall strategy to strengthen Russia's interests and position in the world scene.

Russia's recent tendency to influence Latin America started in 1997. The collapse of the Soviet Union has precipitated the collapse of the Russian Federation's influence in South America, as succesor of the Soviet Union. This has determined the Prime Minister Evgheni Primakov to start reviving Russia's position in Latin America as a global power in 1997. Since then, Russia's objectives have remained remarkably consistent, as policy instruments: trade, arms sales political support for those governments who were trying to escape USA's influence.

In Latin America, Moscow takes full advantage of the open anti-american climate and the diplomatic tensions with Washington (anti-missile shield, NATO's expansion, the Georgian crisis, the presence of the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Black Sea) to implant itself in the American sphere of influence. Thus, Russians reply to U.S. intrusion in the Caucasian and Central Asian region. Actually, Russia wants to gain the loyalty of new economic partners by making bilateral agreements in the aeronautics, energy and military sphere.

Brazil

In Brazil, Russian diplomacy favors, above all, increasing trade and expanding energy, aerospacial and military cooperation. Only in 2008 trade of the two BRIC countries exceeded $ 7.3 billion. The dynamics of the Russian-Brazilian partnership is explained mainly by converging interests in several strategic areas. In the energy sector, Moscow is determined to associate itself with Brazil to exploit Brazilian oil and gas deposits. On the other hand, Brazil wants to purchase Russian equipment for their hydroelectric plants which are under construction, as well for developing their booming rail network. In aerospace, the Russian Federal Space Agency (Rocosmos) signed an agreement with the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) to implement a cooperation and development mechanism for 'Glonass', the Russian system for satellite global navigation, competitor of the American 'GPS' and future European 'Galileo'. Russian military-industrial complex hopes actually to sell to Brazilians military equipment (weapons, helicopters, bombs, planes, submarines) that the country needs to strengthen its military power. In addition, relanching the Brazilian nuclear program also opens the path for stronger cooperation between Moscow and Brazil in civil and military nuclear.

Cuba

With Cuba, relationships were initially damaged after the fall of Soviet Union in 1991. In the world after the Cold War, Havana didn't hope to matter anymore to Moscow. The comming to power of Vladimir Putin has changed this geopolitical situation. Since Cuba was still suffering because of U.S. embargo established in 1962, the Russian President was personally involved in the Cuban affairs, supporting the lifting of economic sanctions by the UN, on one hand, and by providing financial credit for many areas, on the other hand. In November 2008, Moscow offered Havana a loan of $ 335 million for the purchase of Russian equipment for the oil, mining and transport sectors. In early 2009, the two countries have signed new agreements. These agreements mainly concern the food and fishing industries, cooperation in education, scientific research, sports and tourism. This Russian-Cuban dialogue allows Moscow to have guaranteed new markets for its products, to expand its influence on the castrist regime and to maintain its presence here, at less than 300 km from the U.S. coastline.

Venezuela

Venezuela is the key element in the Russian-Latin-American game. The parallel anti-american positions of Russia and Venezuela are already known: Russia out of interest and willingness to become a respected power like USSR used to be, Venezuela by Chavez's ideology and willingness to impose himself as a lider in his country as well throughout the South-American continent. For the anti-imperialist sentiment is growing rapidly in an over-exploited Latin-America by the 'yankee' 's interests for so long.

Caracas is a reliable ally for Moscow in the new energy cold war that is foreshadowing. First producer of gas from South America and fifth worldwide producer of oil, Venezuela incites the Russian gas and oil appetite. In November of 2008, Russian companies Lukoil and Gazprom signed an agreement with the PDVSA oil group which was targeting the exploitation of oil in Orinoco, a river located in the East of the country, hoping to produce more than 1 million barrels per day. If this project materializes, we'll be talking about the most powerfull alliance in the world of oil. Far from being limited to hydrocarbons, Russian strategy in Venezuela is making profit from Venezuela's chavist government military ambitions. Between 2005 and 2007 Caracas signed with Moscow 12 contracts for arms worth 4.4 billion dollars, buying 24 Sukhoi fighter jets, 50 fighter helicopters and 100,000 Kalachnicov rifles. In 2010 Caracas obtained from Moscow a loan of $ 2.2 million to buy T-72 tanks and an undisclosed number of S-300 air-defense bombs, in 2011 negociating a new agreement with Russia to get a $ 4 billion loan, half of which is destined to equip and modernize the armed forces. Also, with Chavez's visit to Moscow in 2010, relations with Russia have been strengthened, Russian President saying that Russia may sell equipment and machinery to Venezuela, and Venezuela might sell agricultural products to Russia. Medvedev claimed that Russia is ready to take part in various regional organizations and Latin American forums which requires a joint task approach such as terrorism, transnational crime, drug trafficking, environmental issues, sustainable development and economic aid. Furthermore, Medvedev considers that Venezuela 'has acted like a true friend' when it followed Russia and recognized former Georgian republics South Ossetia and Abkhazia at the last visit Chavez had made to Moscow in 2009.

In the civil nuclear area, Russians and Venezuelans have signed a bilateral agreement on controlled thermonuclear synthesis and safety of nuclear installations and radiation sources. The nuclear cooperation is also accompanied by a military cooperation. On September 10, 2008, two Russian bombers capable of carrying nuclear bombs landed at Palo Negro in Venezuela to participate in joint manuevers with Hugo Chavez's Bolivarian armed forces. In December 2008, a similar training of naval forces of the two countries, called "VenRus", took place in the Caribbean. These military exercises employed 2,300 people of the Russian and Venezuelan fleet, 3 frigates, an amphibious vehicle and 8 patrol vessels. This strategic cooperation serves Moscow's interests who wants to propose an alternative to the American presence in the region.

In fact, the geopolitical situation between these two countries illustrates how the relationship between Russia and Latin America becomes more important day by day, not only because of the weapons sold in the region, but also because of the diplomatic resources that Moscow had used in South America. The continously cold relationship between Venezuela and the U.S. in addition to Washington's controversial relationship with Moscow will contribute further to the substantial strengthening of military and diplomatic ties between Russia and Venezuela. This possibility can't make U.S. happy. The new situation facing Washington is that Russia will be a growing factor when it comes to leftist governments in the region, who want autonomy from U.S. policy makers, and which Washington considers dangerous, but that Moscow considers to be very good.

In conclusion, we can say that the policy led by Moscow in Latin America is the product of old aspirations: to establish Russia the status of a great power and of a country which promotes a multipolar world; in fact, it's more of a closing towards USA than an economic policy with strategic objectives.

Translated in English from Romanian language, Original Article appeared on our Partner website.

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Croatia to Join Debt Stricken European Union: Poll Results

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:57:00 +0000

Courtesy: Allvoices.com

In a poll conducted by the Croatians whether to join the European Union or not, Croatians have shown interest in joining the union, despite the high profile protests in the country against joining the European Union. (Read: Protests in Croatia Against Joining European Union)

Thus, Croatia will become second country after Slovenia from the former Yugoslavia to join the European Union.

Reports says that the turn out for the poll was mere 43.58 percent which was even lesser than the turnout for the general election in the country last year in the month of December. Nevertheless the voting results are valid regardless of turnout as only a simple majority was required. Among the people who voted, 66% voted in favour of joining the European Union.

Anti EU groups which were also involved in anti European Union protests claimed that the results of the vote cannot be considered as valid because of the poor turnout which was less than 50%

Although nearly 40% of the people voted against the idea of joining the European Union, all major political parties are in favour of joining the union, as it is believed it will help in recovery of the economy of this former Yugoslavia republic which got independence in 1995 after four years of war with Serb rebels.

"The Croatian government can now complete the remaining preparations for membership... so that Croatia can become the Union's 28th member on July 1 2013," the two EU leaders, president Herman Van Rompuy and Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso said in a joint statement.

Croatia, whose economy is largely dependent on Adriatic tourism has been facing little struggle to maintain its economy, experts believe that the economy might shrink by 0.2 percent this year. At this people believe joining the European Union might help int he recovery of economy of the country. Though the time of joining might not be a golden time for both as the European Union is itself asking countries like China, India and gulf countries to bail out their crippling economy.

Membership in the world’s largest trading bloc may provide the Adriatic nation with hundreds of millions of euros in regional development and infrastructure subsidies. Companies such as Germany’s Siemens AG and Deutsche Telekom AG and Sweden’s Ericsson AB expect to expand into the Balkans as western Europe’s growth stalls over the debt crisis, reports Bloomberg Businessweek.

“The European Union gives us a ticket to the world in which we can be successful,” Davor Majetic, head of the Croatian Association of Entrepreneurs, said by phone. “We want to work and have an opportunity to turn our ideas into profitable products that can reach that market of 500 million people.”

Meanwhile, Anti Union groups are were stressing on low turnout, "This is a defeat of Croatia's freedom (and) independence... We are entering an association that is falling apart," Zeljko Sacic, of the 'Council for Croatia - No to EU' umbrella group, told national television as reported by AFP.

Those opposed to entering the European Union have also expressed fears about a loss of sovereignty and national identity in this country of 4.2 million, says AFP.

It was in the year of 2000, when the pro European government came in this former Yugoslavia republic which transformed the government system in the country into genuine parliamentary democracy.

With this success of Croatia, other former Yugoslavia republics are also showing their interest in the union. Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Bosnia all have aspirations to join.

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Pro Gaddafi's Forces Captured Bani Walid, 5 NTC Troops Killed, 30 Injured

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:42:00 +0000

In a new development from North Africa, Pro Gaddafi's fighters re-emerged to take small revenge.

Pro Gaddafi Fighters loyal to late Libyan leader clashed with revolutionary forces in the former-regime stronghold of Bani Walid on Monday after the arrest of one of the Gaddaffi Loyalist. With this they have successfully gained the control over the city. According to few analysts the country is heading towards another civil war. The head of Libya’s National Transitional Council Mustafa Abdel Jalil has said the country will find itself in civil war if NTC resigns.

The clashes reportedly came after mass protests in the city of Benghazi happened on the weekend as well as subsequent resignation of NTC (National Transitional Council) deputy chief Abdel Hafiz Ghoga resulting into death of at least five NTC troops and injury to 30 others

Sabah al-Mukhtar, President of the Arab Lawyers Association explained to Russia Today that why another civil war is possible in the country.

“Reason number one is that the arms are still in the hands of the various militias in various areas," in addition to competing tribes in those areas, explained

“At the same time, the political views of the people are in conflict. You have a situation when people want Islam to be a part of the constitution, while you have others that are liberals who do not.”

“So you have the conflict on policies as well as the availability of arms,” he concluded.

Sabah al-Mukhtar also says there are dramatic divergences in what the NTC says and what it actually does.

“Many of them are actually from the old regime – including the leader who was a Minister of Justice under Gaddafi – and there are many other people like his deputy, like many others, who were men of Gaddafi and at the same time now they say, 'we will not allow those who benefited from Gaddafi`s regime to stand for elections.'"

The lawyer pointed out that the head of NTC himself served as a Minister of Justice under Gaddafi and turned blind eye to many injustices in the country, as told by RT.

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Hungarian Protests Against European Union, Backing Government in the Row

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:47:00 +0000

Demonstrators burning EU flag

In an another important development in Eastern Europe, hundreds of thousands of Hungarians came out on the streets to protest against the European Union's attitude towards their government and head of the state, Prime Minister Victor Orban.

The protest labelled as " Peace parade for Hungary " is the largest rally since the government assumed the power in May 2010. Indicating that the majority of the countrymen are with their government in the row with European Union.

The European Commission - the EU's executive arm - has opened legal proceedings against Hungary over reforms like the independence of the national central bank, the retirement age of judges, and the independence of the country's data protection authority aiming to prop up its battered forint currency and keep access to financial markets. The commission is also seeking more information in regard to the independence of the judiciary, said the president of The European Commission, Barroso.

The Commission launched an infringement procedure against Hungary on Tuesday, the first stage of which is a warning calling for changes to the controversial laws, Infringement proceedings are a step preceding legal action, intended to enable a state to make changes to conform with EU law rather than be taken to court.

Barroso had written to Orban in December requesting him the withdrawal of two recent bills related to the country's financial stability and the central bank. The prime minister of Hungary, Orban had then rejected the requests.

The Commission can go as far as imposing fines and taking Hungary to the European Court of Justice. Both the European Union and International Monetary Fund have said they will refuse to extend aid to Hungary, which is struggling financially, unless the government in Budapest guarantees the independence of the central bank. The process could lead to Hungary losing voting rights in Brussels, not to mention bankruptcy if the EU torpedoes Hungary’s bid for an urgently needed financial bailout.

Hungarian Prime Minister, Orban is travelling to Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday to try to come out with a political agreement with EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, in order to be able to start formal talks with the EU and International Monetary Fund about a loan deal worth $25 billion (20bn euros) to service its debts which Hungary wanted to secure from a while back. Hungary's total debt has risen to 82% of its output, while its currency, the forint, has fallen to record lows against the euro.

Orban has faced domestic protests against him demanding his resignation for passing anti democratic bills, Tens of thousands of people protested against the new constitution in Budapest earlier this month. The demonstration lasted only mere five hours and was organized by opposition parties and civil society groups.

But the current protests in Hungary are pro government in Orban's support, demonstrating anger against the European Union.

Deputy PM Zsolt Semjén told hard-right station Lánchíd Rádió that he knows the government has made “millions and millions of mistakes but I believe that there were no strategic errors committed”, and attacks against Hungary have no factual basis whatsoever.

Semjén said Hungary should respond much more strongly to criticism because it is unacceptable for certain politicians in the European Union to attack the country on issues that are more strictly regulated in their own countries.

According to Gábor Vona, the leader of the radical right Jobbik, Hungary should secede from the European Union. Responding to it Semjén said it is rational for Hungary to exercise its rights within the 27-member bloc. But the real question is what would happen the day after Hungary leaves the EU? “There are two wrong ideas about this issue,” Semjén said. “One belongs to the liberal side, which looks at the EU as a goal of Hungary. The other error is being hostile towards international organisations due to certain emotional reasons. I can understand the latter to a certain extent but if we are not with the EU, where are we? Are we to be a part of Russian interests or do we hover in the no man’s land between the EU and Russia?”

Protesters on the streets of Budapest, (c) AFP

The protesters in a single voice told Reuters that they won't bow down to West. "We won't be a dominion, we don't want to be a colony," news magazine editor Andras Bencsik told the crowd. "This is our message to those abroad. "The other is we fully support Viktor Orban, and we are proud of what we achieved at the 2010 elections."

"They have shown the political left that the street does not belong to them," Politics analyst Zoltan Kiszelly told Reuters. "And they have sent a message to the government's partners abroad to stop trying to tell us what to do, the government is doing fine."

"The way the Italian or the Greek governments were removed will not work in Hungary, and early elections are out of the question with this kind of public support."

The common people of Hungary are enraged with the behaviour of leaders of EU against their prime minister. "This is no way to negotiate, this is no attitude to any country."

Also Read: Anti government protests in Romania against Health Reforms and EU
Protests in Croatia against joining EU

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Protests in Croatia Against Joining European Union

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:01:00 +0000

Banner saying "Not in the EU"

A large number of Croatian protesters gathered on the street to raise slogan against the European Union. Croatia has hence become another East European country after Ukraine, Romania and Hungary to protest against the EU. Unlike Romania an Hungary, Croatia is not a part of European Union yet, but is expected to join in 2013.

The protest's main focus is to warn government against joining the European Union which they feel is an organization to serve the West's need with East's resources.

The protests came just a day before on the country's referendum on whether it will join the European Union or not.

Meanwhile the reports are coming of clashes between the police and protesters, the clashes began at the end of the protest rally when a group of angry demonstrators attempted to take down the EU flag. A recent survey results show that about 40% of the public in Croatia feel joining EU is not a good decision.

Protesters raised Anti EU slogans and demonstrated their anger with banners reading "No to the EU" and "I love Croatia".

The protests which were peaceful initially resulted into clashes with police that caused arrest of at least three protesters and several were injured.

Today (22 Jan 2012) citizens of Croatia will be asked to answer the question, "Do you support the membership of the Republic of Croatia in the European Union?"

Protesters are encouraged seeing the condition in Romania and Hungary, as more and more people are raising their voice against EU in the other two East European countries which are already member of EU. Croatians are warned and have a thought that EU in no way has helped Romania and Hungary and don't want the same to happen with their country.

Patrick Young, Executive Director of the investment advisory firm DV Advisors also believes that the people of who would say "no" to this question will be due to what they are seeing in neighboring countries that have joined the EU. (Anti Government Protests in Romania against Healthcare Reforms Continues)

People are "protesting because they see the European Union not delivering its side of the deal – and the deal is free trade and jobs,” he explained as quoted by Russia Today.

He also points to the EU's vast economic problems as one a reason why so many Croatians are against joining.

“Ultimately there is economic chaos within the European Union at the moment, driven from the Eurozone – and that is not to the advantage of Croatian citizens.”

“The problem is that the European Union really cannot solve its internal problems at the moment. Rather, it is in total denial about a problem – about the Euro,” he concluded.

The question now is whether Croatia should join the EU at a moment when the union is deep in crisis, international consultant and former Belgian MP Lode Vanoost told RT.

“If now they say, ‘No, we’d rather wait’, they might be waiting forever, and that’s the risk they – at least the political class in Croatia – does not mean to take. What strikes me is that all the political parties represented in parliament are for EU accession – all the manifestations that we see are done by organizations that are not present in it.”

Regarding the fact that protesters defend an opinion held by some 40 per cent of the population – that is, opposition to EU membership – that’s a bad sign for the Croatian political class, Vanoost told Russia Today.

Romania and Hungary are blaming EU and IMF (International Monetary Fund) that they are dictating terms on their government and stealing their resources. While Hungarians are shocked how can EU warn their democratic government and Prime Minister who is the head of the state with a two-third majority, Romanians are protesting against their government and head of the state for accepting selling resources to EU for the benefit of himself and western countries at the cost of his own citizen. Protests in Hungary are pro government and anti EU, while protests in Romania are anti government, anti EU.

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Anti Government Protests in Romania against Healthcare Reforms Continues

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:57:00 +0000

A Romanian man holding the national flag with a hole,
Earlier there used to be a symbol on that place,

which was later dropped.

Translate article in Romanian

Thousands of Romanians protesters marched through the streets and University Square in the capital, Bucharest. The protest has now spread to over 40 cities in the country against the government demanding the resignation of the president for imposing harsh austerity measures in order to receive international loans for the nation's slow economy.

Romania is seeing one of the largest protests in recent time. Last big revolution was in 1989 which brought down the communist regime in the country. The same University Square was the place where anti communist revolution took place, hence it keeps a great historical significant for the citizens of Romania.

Protesters hanged the dummies of President Basescu and other ministers, Tourism and Regional Development Minister Elena Udrea to demonstrate their anger towards his corrupt government and laws. So far most of the protesters and protest demonstrations have been really peaceful, except few incidences.

A Romanian reporter giving Rose to the policemen

The editor of Cadran Politic Review and a close friend of ours, Gabriela Ionita went through the depth of the event and analyzed the situation with her experience in journalism.

In her recent article Romania – a revolution for evolution? on her blog, she explains that the protests in the country is for various reason, the anger against the government was stacking up for years which was sparked by the resignation of Deputy Health Minister, Raed Arafat. It all started with President Basescu calling him enemy of health reform on national TV.

Arafat, Syrian who became Romanian citizen, is the founder of advanced state of the art emergency rescue system (SMURD). The system is so sound that even some West European countries like Framce wants to implement it.

The protests now doesn't focus only on the health reforms but has now has widened against the corruption and the bad governance of Basescu's government.

Government in a failed attempt tried to appease the protesters and the situation in the country with some excuses that didn't convince the people of Romania. The heads of the government, Prime Minister and President, are maintaining low profile and in between have mimic the protests by calling it a political game by opposition, similar to what we have been observing in India which is in the state of peaceful protest and demonstration of public demands since early 2011. As the country saw protest against Black Money and Corruption.

A Romanian kid giving a heart shaped balloon to the police

A large number of Romanian protesters are demanding for early election and change in the government, the possibility of which has been rooted out by the government saying it would create dangerous precedent and economic instability. People of Romania seem unconvinced with this, as in 2011 the amount of foreign investments in Romania fell down by 36%, 18% of Romanian have fallen below the poverty line, a poor Romanian employee now earns 159 euros achieving the lowest minimum wage in EU countries, as compared to UK ~ 967 Euros, Bulgaria ~ 233 Euros, Poland ~ 326 Euros, says Gabriela.

As Romania became ally of western bloc joining NATO and EU, the country which was supposed to be benefited didn't experience much change. Many Romanian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq unnecessarily in the name of NATO army, though the actual war was in America's interest.

Romanian Protesters claim that the President and his close allies have sold their country resources for the benefit of himself and richer west European countries.

A similar blame was slapped on former government of Ukraine which was a puppet to US and West Europe, but Ukrainians were quick to realize the destiny of their country in the hands of Pro western government. The government changed in the next election, the process to join NATO was stopped and ties with Russia were fixed. (Read More: Europe or Russia? Whom will Ukraine Choose?).

Looking at the scenario in Romania, the theory of East Europe loosing confidence in Democracy, capitalism and western powers looks even stronger. Few weeks back in an article (Democracy, Capitalism Loosening in Former Soviet Union, Union is Being Missed) we took example of three East European countries, Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia to show that the public confidence in their economy, democracy in their country and western powers is declining. Now Romania joining the same league, it shows that governance and economy culture enforced by western countries is not working out in this region as the current ruling politicians are not much enlightened how to lead a democratic society.

US, which claims to support the voice of the people in the name of democracy is currently quiet and is just following the protest incidents happening in the Balkan country. As the deal of Anti Ballistic missile with Romania is on the way, US wouldn't like the government to fall down.

It is very much similar to what happened in Egypt. Mubarak was a dictator, but at the same time an ally of US. When people marched and organized rally in protest against their Egyptian leader, US was mere a spectator. But when people came out to protest against Libyan leader Gaddaffi, NATO and European force came up with full military, monetary and medical support.

Just like conventional media, this protest event in Romania has taken over the social media as well. While Romanians are posting the updates of the events, people living in different countries are getting the real picture which is sometimes purposely not covered by mainstream media.

Protesters on the streets being monitored by the Police

The facebook is full of pictures and videos from the University Square.

A commentator on our facebook page (Join Now) says, "The generation of protest is the favorite and catchy scenario al over the world .No body is satisfied with anybody .Once the protestors are satisfied with their victory, next they start fighting amongst themselves to establish his/her (group) hegemony . This continues till a powerful group with support of Arms and Ammunition s from neighboring / interested greedy country ,takes over through a massacre of human lives. This is NOT THE END. Vultures are available to exploit with slight provocation. The century of protest is on."

Davis Wendy on RT says, "It's a coincidence I guess that the entire globe's developed nations are simply coming unglued. It's funny how the collapse of economies simultaneously occurred just as a handful of "savvy businessmen" got richer than stink. Credits ruined, homes lost, jobs outsourced, medical care unattainable, currency crashes, the banks becoming consolidated into a mega corporation. All just a fluke, right? Do you think we are stupid? The party is OVER. It was devised, designed to end with them with everything and us with NOTHING. Pawn shops have never done so well. How dare men without regard for human suffering are now equipped with their very well-trained personal armies!"

Another commentator on the facebook says, "Americanism...Romanians you caught that one ...part of the American bankster extortion or harvesting program...you too can now have mind numbing psychotropic drugs with little effort. Don't stress about it and no need to protest about it....there is always Prozac. hahaha. (made in Taiwan)"

Aleahim said, "None of you know the truth about how hard is to live nowadays for the people in Romania. We have no industry, no doctors, the education system was crushed...everything is being sold to other countries for 50 cents....people can't stand this anymore! First get informed and then comment! The protests will go on until some changes will be made, for better living conditions hopefully!"

An intellectual gentleman Dan Veliscu told RT, "In Romania - a country were almost nothing works as it should or as it's claimed, we have one working emergency service - the SMURD. And now a good-for-nothing president tries to close it. People have sided with the SMURD, against the president who on his second term can't show anything that he's done for the country - not like he did anything tangible before being elected president when he held positions such as transports minister or mayor of Bucharest.

Now the intended closure of the SMURD is just the tip of the iceberg - the spark that ignited the masses - as there are countless reasons to protest and overthrow the regime.

WE ROMANIANS DON'T NEED THE IMF! We don't want any money from the IMF, we don't need to borrow and we don't want any debts for us or for our children to pay. Previous money the IMF gave to Romania were ALL stolen, most of it by banks which sent billions outside the country just as soon as they got their bailouts, and the rest was stolen by politicians. We don't need foreign money and foreign debt, we can make it on our own. Politicians which demand IMF money are all thieves and traitors, since they want that money for their own pockets, not for the country. Let them pay the debts, not us!"

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Why BJP, NDA Government Could Not Pass the Lokpal Bill in 1999-04 Term

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:02:00 +0000

In the year 2011 we saw lots of development. From winning Cricket World Cup to the death of Osama, but the event and the development which was on the headlines throughout the year, specially the second half was the protest led by Anna Hazare to make the Jan Lokpal Bill as a law in the country.

Anna Hazare with hi team as well as Baba Ramdev tried to to heir best what they could to make the government take this necessary step. But every time when the discussion took place int he parliament. Disappointment was the only thing which we all got. Today all the anger is on the current ruling government, despite of various parties including BJP voiced against the bill in the parliament few days back.Though now BJP maintains that it voted against the bill because they don't want the weak Government's bill but want a strong bill like Jan Lokpal.

Lokpal bill is not a new thing, it was first introduced in Lok Sabha in 1968. And after that it has been introduced many time but was a failure each time. The question is, if BJP is really in support of strong Lokpal bill then why did it not pass when it formed the ruling government from 1999-04?

We analyze and look back on the news papers of that time and try to find the answer.

Friday, January 26, 2001: The LokPal Bill, as appeared on The Hindu.

MR. ATAL BEHARI Vajpayee's recent statement about to the Lok Pal Bill settles the question about whether the office of the Prime Minister will fall within its purview. Over the last couple of months, there have been (unfounded) worries that conflicting views within the Union Government over the wisdom of including the Head of Government within the Bill's ambit would eventually result in the Prime Minister's exclusion, thereby diluting the proposed legislation in a significant way. Although fears were expressed that inclusion may result in the Prime Minister's office being open to all manner of charges (including frivolous ones), bringing the Head of Government within the purview of the Lok Pal legislation is essential to send out the important signal that no one - irrespective of the importance of the office he holds - is above the law. An earlier draft of the Lok Pal Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha in 1998 (not passed because of the collapse of the previous BJP-led Government) specifically brought the Prime Minister within its ambit. Therefore, there was never any justification for the latest draft Bill to alter this provision. One of the major reasons why a Lok Pal Bill has failed to be passed by successive Governments is differences over the question of inclusion - those opposed strongly arguing that the Prime Minister's office must be insured from the risk of too much litigation.

Then Prime Minister was not only thinking of bringing the Lokpal Bill back on table, but according to the news above. BJP had introduced the Lokpal bill in 1998 which couldn't be passed because the government was collapsed after a mere 13 months of term.

On April 18, The Union cabinet had cleared the Lokpal bill to be brought to the Parliament for review, Like previous version of the bill under BJP government, this one also included Prime Minister under it.

April 18, 2001: Cabinet clears Lokpal Bill, as appeared on The Times of India.

The Union Cabinet is understood to have on Tuesday night cleared the long-discussed Lokpal Bill to check corruption in high places, bringing within its ambit the office of the Prime Minister and members of Parliament.

The Bill, which has been awaiting government's nod, aims at ensuring probity in public life.

The approval of the cabinet, at its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, comes barely a month after the Tehelka expose of corruption in fictitious defence deals.

The bill would now be brought before parliament to secure its passage. The ruling NDA in its election manifesto had pledged that its government would enact the Lokpal Bill with adequate powers to deal with corruption charges against anyone, including the Prime Minister.

"In the administration of justice, we shall not allow discrimination between the rich and the poor, the empowered and the powerless, restore the majesty of law and objectivity of the state," it had said.

The Bill, which has been awaiting government's nod, aims at ensuring probity in public life.

After the green signal from the Union cabinet, the bill headed towards the parliament and was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 14th

August 14, 2001; Lokpal Bill Introduced in Lok Sabha Eighth Time, as appeared on The Hindu

The Lokpal Bill, seeking to check corruption in high places in the Government, including the office of the Prime Minister, was introduced in the Lok Sabha today.

The much-awaited but often-delayed bill was introduced by the Minister of State for Personnel and Pension, Ms. Vasundhara Raje Scindia, amid noisy scenes over alleged police excesses at a DMK rally in Chennai.

The bill, providing for the establishment of the institution of Lokpal to inquire into allegations of corruption against public functionaries, including the Prime Minister, has been in the pipeline for more than three decades.

It proposes to appoint the Lokpal and two members by the President on the recommendation of a committee headed by the Vice-President and comprising the Prime Minister, the Lok Sabha Speaker, the Home Minister, Leader of the House other than the House in which the Prime Minister is a member and Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

The Lokpal will inquire into complaints alleging that a public functionary has committed an offence punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The ``public functionary'' will cover the Prime Minister, the Ministers, the Ministers of State, the Deputy Ministers and the Members of Parliament. Other constitutional functionaries such as Judges of the Supreme Court, the Election Commissioners have been kept out of the purview of the bill.

Later the bill received tough response and criticism from opposition and other parties, specially there was a disagreement among them on the inclusion of Prime Minister under the range of this bill.

August 16, 2001; Is Lokpal Bill headed for panel again? as appeared on The Times of India

V K Malhotra said the government was keen to pass the bill in this session, sources in the union cabinet indicated that since this was a "fresh bill", which had serious implications, the "normal practice" would be to send it to a parliamentary committee for scrutiny before taking it up.

A senior cabinet minister compared the lokpal bill to the women's reservation bill: he said while no one would dare oppose it publicly, there was virtually an unspoken understanding among parties not to allow it to come to the house for voting, as it would be politically embarrassing to be seen defeating it there.

The Samajwadi party says the MPs should be left out from the scrutiny of the lokpal. The main opposition party, the congress, which has publicly stated it supports the bill and wants it passed in this session, is also internally ambivalent on the issue. Of course, if the bill comes up for voting in the house, it is committed to pushing it through. The bill provides for inquiry into any complaint against ministers of the union government, including the prime minister and MPs.

After deep reviews and discussion, the bill was rejected in the Parliament as the majority of the opposition and other political parties didn't agree and considered a lot of revisions like exclusion of MPs and Prime Minister.

It was only two years from that day, that BJP led government again cleared the Lokpal bill in the year of 2003, which again included the Prime Minister.

June 28, 2003; Cabinet clears new Lok Pal Bill, as appeared on The Hindu.

The Union Cabinet has once again decided to put in place a Lok Pal regime, intended to check corruption in high places.

The office of Prime Minister has also been brought under the jurisdiction of the proposed Lok Pal. The Government would try to get the proposal passed in the coming monsoon session of Parliament.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting this evening presided over by the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajapayee.

The Cabinet decided to incorporate the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs on the Lok Pal Bill, 2001 (introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 14, 2001).

The Standing Committee presented its report to the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman on December 31, 2001; and, the report itself was laid on the table of the House on February 26, 2002.

Like its many predecessors, the Vajpayee Government too has intermittently sought to mobilise parliamentary support for an anti-corruption institutional watchdog. In fact, the first time a Lok Pal Bill was introduced was as early as 1969; since then, six more attempts were made, and each legislative initiative was allowed to lapse, invariably with the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.

Finally, the attempt by BJP to promote this bill to form a law went in vain as the Government was brought down in the 2004 elections by the powerful public of India. Congress led UPA formed the government and the progress in Lokpal bill was blocked. Today Anna Hazare, his team and many other intellectuals are repeatedly explaining and encouraging government to promote this bill as it is for the good of all.

Lets begin the new year 2012 with the hope of seeing this bill as Law which will be good for India and hence for the world.

Disclaimer: We don't support or criticize any political party, however we are keen on researching, analyzing and publishing what is not very known.

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Democracy, Capitalism Loosening in Former Soviet Union, Union is Being Missed

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 12:03:00 +0000

All stats from pewglobal.org and images from englishrussia.com

Intellectuals of the early decades now tell the present days younger generation how another super power used to exist in this world parallel and side by side to the present day super power. A power that kept the imperialists in their limits. A multipolar world then was much better than now, where nobody is there to prevent the western superpowers from opening newer fronts.

If the socialist economy fell down in 1991, the capitalist economy is now falling down due to recession. On the one hand democratic countries like US, Russia, Greece and India are seeing various revolts and movements showcasing anger among the public for their government. On the other hand non democratic countries like Arab World and north Africa saw similar revolutions. Then which one is better? Non democratic like China, or Democratic like India?

Without putting us in this long and old debate, we analyse the situation in the three countries of former Soviet Union after 20 years: Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia, which adopted the democratic government.

A study by the Pew Research Center shows the result that after two decades of the collapse of USSR, the people in Russia, Ukraine and Lithuania are unhappy with the direction in which their country is going. Energy, Enthusiasm which was on top of of everyone after the collapse for the democracy and rights has now waned considerably in last two decades. While many believe that the changes which their country underwent all these years have done nothing good but given a negative impact to public morality, economy and law and order and standard of living.

Democracy and Capitalism

Source: pewglobal.org

Russia, in the name of democracy has hardly enjoyed any benefits, as a stronger opposition lacks in the country which can give tough competition to powerful Putin. Ukraine has seen bad politics, interference by western diplomacy and colour revolution, whereas Lithuania, unlike Russia and Ukraine believe that changes in past 20 years have done good for them. 49% of the people are satisfied with the changes while 30% says no.

Despite the belief that capitalist economy is better than socialist only 42% of the Russians now approve a change to market economy, just before the collapse of Soviet Union in 1991 the count was 54%. The change of 11% fall. In Lithuania 76% used to approve in 1991 whereas now only 45%, In Ukraine this has slipped to 34% from 54%.

Who is benefited?

Source: pewglobal.org

There is a general feeling among these countries that the only benefit during these two decades were enjoyed by politicians and business elites, whereas common people were left behind, unlike Soviet Union where everybody was considered equal. The only thing which people like about democracy in their country is the improved judiciary and free media.

The transparency in the coverage of Moscow protests by Russian media is indeed a colour of democracy. Public is able to protest freely against their own government is democracy unlike Arab world where military was ordered to attack their own civilians. The public might be protesting against Putin as they don't want him or his party yet again for another 4 or 8 years, but still if we look at the stats in 1991 just before the former Soviet Union was officially dissolved, there was a general optimism among the public for a change towards a multiparty system.

Change to a Multiparty System can Solve the problems?

Almost 61% of Russians then believed a change to multiparty system will be good for their society, now that belief has shrunk to 50%. Similarly, in Lithuania the count was 75% back in 1991, now only 52%. In Ukraine the optimism has slipped from 72% to 35%, but it is true that in all the three surveyed countries, the youth, the well educated class and the urban population only supports the change to multiparty system.

Source: pewglobal.org

Vladimir Putin has all the qualities of a strong leader, who has transformed the broken Russia into a powerful economy within past 12 years. He has brought back the respect to Russia which was lost after the break up of Soviet Union. Russia now is now leading in race to become a military as well as economy super power. Unlike strong leader of Arab world, Vladimir Putin is far more democratic also. Despite the protest against him, only 32% of Russian feel that they need a democratic form of government compared to 51% in 1991. When asked whether they should rely on democratic leader or strong ruler to solve their national problems only 3 in 10 Russians and Ukrainians chose democracy, whereas in Lithuania 52% prefer democratic leader now compared to 79% back in 1991.

When asked whether people are happy with the current state of democracy in the country, a large number of the people in all these three countries showed dissatisfaction with the present state of democracy and how it is working in their country when compared to the results in 1991. Moreover, in Lithuania and Ukraine this belief has only changed only in past two years. According to the survey by Pew Global in 2009, 60% of Lithuanians said they were dissatisfied now this feeling has spread to 72%. In Ukraine the same unhappiness has risen from 70% to 81%.

Just when the world lost confidence in socialist economy after the collapse of Soviet Union, these three countries lost the confidence in capitalist economy after the recession. 76% of Lithuanians were optimistic about switching to a market economy in 1991, now only 45% feel the same way. Among Ukrainians, optimism fell from 52% in 1991 to 34% after 20 years. Although, 42% of Russians currently endorse the free market approach, a 12-percentage-point drop since 1991, eight points of which occurred in just the last two years during recession.

Slipping confidence in the capitalism is due to the reason that the people don't feel that their country is doing good in economy. In all the countries those who have not seen the life in Soviet Union or were too young when the giant collapsed are only the people who support capitalism and democracy.

Russians Missing the Soviet Union

Source: pewglobal.org

There is a feeling among majority of Russians that Soviet Union was a great place to live. According to the survey by pewglobal more than half of the
Russians believe that it is a great misfortune that Soviet Union now no longer exists. While only 36% disagree to this belief.

US and Russia who is better?

When asked about the influence of these countries whether positive or negative on Ukraine, Russia and Lithuania. The results were not very shocking. Majority of the people support Russia and Russian cause and its foreign policy rather than going the western way. While US enjoys positive influence on Lithuania with 73% of Lithuanians considering US as favourable and 20% considering it as unfavourable, Russia enjoys positive influence in Ukraine with 84% Ukrainians considering Russia as favourable and only 11% considering it as unfavourable

Views of European Union and NATO

Source: pewglobal.org

All the three countries surveyed considers EU important for economy and development and hence EU enjoys positive views, whereas NATO is considered as America's military expansion towards these countries rather than a security network. Lithuania being involved in EU and being a member of NATO gives plus points to both the organization.

While 49% of Lithuanians think joining EU is a good thing, 31% doesn't find any change, whereas 8% feel it is not a good thing. Lithuania being a member of NATO also backs the idea of Ukraine joining the security group. Whereas 72% in Russia and 51% in Ukraine oppose Ukraine joining NATO.

Source: pewglobal.org

It is true since the day the Soviet Union fell down, democracy ended in the world. After the collapse of Soviet Union we have seen more wars on small countries than ever before. But it is true as well that the world was on the brink of a real big war which could have turned into a nuclear war when both the super powers existed side by side.

The time when US is understanding that soon its supremacy could be taken over by Asian giants, US is welcoming warmer ties with as many countries possible. At this time rise of Russia, which is more open and transparent than before along with China, Europe and possibly India and Japan will lead us towards a multipolar world. Which would be more complex but peaceful.

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Russia, America and Canada after the Control of the Arctic Sea

noreply@blogger.com (Andreea) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:02:00 +0000

Arctic Shore line, Image by savillent

Posted by Ana Maria Ghimis, Geopolitics.ro

The energetic map of the world is far from being complete and the Arctic is playing a fundamental role in marking it. However disputes present here are far from being over, especially when the strategic interests of five powers collide and create a feeling of insecurity felt worldwide. Arctic has the ability to change the international status-quo ,that is why states to engage in a race that will, in the end, be zero-sum. / lead nowhere

The bipolar distribution of power during the Cold War led to do the emergence and persistence of a well-defined international order, which was recognized and accepted by most states. The defining element for keeping order was military power, but after the end of the war, the dismantling of USSR and the birth of emerging powers, the international system started across a transitional period in which the concept of security could not be defined as referring exclusively military capabilities held by a state. Adjustment was necessary. The reason is obvious, the nature of the current security threats has changed so that states cannot react using the same traditional means used in the past. As proposed by Barry Buzan, we could talk about different types of security: political, military, economic, societal, environmental.

Developing and maintaining a high level of economic performance has become a primary need for states, but to achieve this performance (at least in the industry) states need energetic resources. They have a limited nature so the whole bilateral or multilateral relationship is a game of zero-sum, where there can be only one winner and ones winning is others' loss. Energy resources are becoming increasingly more important specially coupled with the growing energy dependency of the most developed countries in the world. Until recently the map of energy-producing states was clearly defined (Middle East, Eurasia etc), but the emergence of an area that is expected to accommodate 30% of the natural gas resources and 13% of the petrol ones, has the potential to permanently change the geopolitical energy map of the world.

Although internationally there is a preference for currents such as functionalism, constructivism, idealism, precisely because they promote cooperation between states in one way or another, when international law fails to give a verdict, we are witnessing what realists would call 'a race for power'. If until now the center of interest has been mainly on some areas within the continents, today we are seeing a change of interest towards the geographical periphery. Arctic has become a hot spot in which the interests of five national powers (USA, Russia, Canada, Norway and Denmark via Greenland) directly collide.

Global warming has led to the withdrawal of ice, allowing the exploitation of the resources that are under Arctic's waters using the current available technologies. At first sight this should be an aspect that would strengthen global energy security, because more resources mean more producing states and more producing states generate a multi-polar energy system, thus an increased global stability. Yet the occurrence of these resources has led to an unstable system in which the directly involved states are engaged into a race for power under the auspices of a zero-sum game. The reason is the international character of the Arctic. Being a frozen desert, which until recently had no available exploitation perspectives, the Extreme North was considered everyone's and yet no one's land, on which there were no legal demands from any state. However, as we mentioned before, global warming and the technological progress led to a change of perspective, so that Russia, USA, Canada, Norway and Denmark are trying to prove through scientific research that the Arctic territory is actually an extension of their continental shelf. This is the only way these countries could exercise sovereignty over the existing oil and gas resources.

This argument is amplified by the fact that the international law is rather vague in this situation. The only available source is the Sea Law, which was adopted in 1982 and took effect in 1994. Following its provisions, 'a state can claim exclusive economic rights over a distance of maximum 200 miles'. Of course there are exceptions, in which a state can ask for sovereign rights over a territory larger than 200 miles. But this is possible only 'if a state can prove its continental shelf extends beyond the 200 mile economic zone, then it can claim similar rights over a larger area'. Instead of resolving current disputes, these provisions have intensified the race for the Arctic, both in elaborating more maps proving the extension of the continental shelf and also in developing unilateral destabilizing actions.

We can say that the country that kicked-start this race is the Russian Federation, which has used submarines to plant in August 2007 two national flags in the Arctic waters, thus making their claims known. This action had no legal support, that is why it drew much criticism from other states, Canada being the most vehement through the statements of its Foreign Minister: 'We are not in the XVth century. You can not go through the world and just plant your country's flag and say - We claim this territory'. Russia's action wasn't meant to have a legal effect so such reactions were expected. Russia's objective was achieved: it demonstrated that it can act unilateral in a system that wants to be interdependent. From then until now, disputes have increased in intensity and even in number. Although we call it the race for the Arctic, this is rather a generic name, no state actually claiming the whole Arctic, this being impossible. The territories on which states claim sovereign rights aren't the same for all five states, rather they are divided into groups of dispute. We can identify disputes between: USA and Canada on the waters near Alaska's border and the status of the Northern Passage; Canada and Russia on the underwater mountain, Lomonosov Ridge; Russia and Norway on Barents Sea; Denmark and Canada on Hans Island. Also Russia has not ratified the treaty on the delimitation of its border with the U.S. near the coast of Alaska.

So Arctic has become in recent years a clash of strategic interests space of five states, of which three can be considered as major powers. The battle for gas and oil has just started and prospects for settlement are still unclear, mainly due to the failure of UN in finding a solution.

Translated in English from Romanian language, Original Article appeared on our Partner website.

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Charity in China; Reforming China's Non-Profit Sector

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:51:00 +0000

China Red Cross, Source: AsiaNews.it

Posted by Jessica Drun, AsiaEye

Recent scandals involving charity misspending and embezzlement have tarnished the image of China’s non-profit organizations (NPO). News of these controversies has spread like wildfire across Chinese micro-blogs and public philanthropy suffered a blow by alienating potential donors. For instance, China saw an immediate decline in blood donations following the Guo Mei Mei incident, in which the supposed general commercial manager of the Red Cross flaunted her lavish lifestyle on Weibo, a Chinese social networking site. The Red Cross in China now reportedly faces a 30-40% shortage. With Chinese people increasingly wary of corruption, monetary contributions to charities have reportedly more than halved from June to August of this year. The consequences of these trends are grave, as Chinese citizens across the board have called for government reform in the country’s nascent third sector—and Beijing is feeling some pressure to respond.

The economic reforms spearheaded by the late Chinese patriarch, Deng Xiaoping, are largely credited with unleashing market forces that spurred China’s rapid growth. The “opening up” policy contributed to a wide scale privatization campaign, leaving in its wake a debilitated social safety net. These trends, coupled with an upsurge of development-induced social problems, have opened space for Chinese NPOs to emerge at the forefront of the country’s public service sector. Under- resourced and overextended, China’s third sector has been a reoccurring topic in legislative debates in recent years—both in the front lines of grassroots initiatives and among many levels of government officials. The situation presents an interesting contradiction, wherein the Chinese government must face the need to address social problems while at the same time realizing that such a move could detract from its authority.

The landscape of the country’s third sector has changed significantly in recent years. This change is reflected in official government statistics that show the number of registered organizations has shot up over 40% between 2005 and 2010 alone. This increase does not include unregistered organizations, which are blocked from formal proceedings by China’s dual-registration system and strict guidelines. Comparatively, the non-profit landscape was practically barren under Mao’s rule and these types of organizations did not emerge until the 1980’s. This surge coincides with the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) decision to defer social management responsibilities to NPOs as a means to promote Deng’s economic policies and encourage market forces. The initial non-profits were directly under government jurisdiction but as social problems emerged at a faster rate than the Party could manage, the central government began to defer control and reform the system.

Approaches to reform have been multifaceted. The central government, citing the importance of preserving social order, has sought to revise the current bylaws underlining non-profit management. The central government has overseen the establishment of experimental sites in Wenzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen to test the prospect of transferring more government functions to non-profit organizations. The National People’s Congress and the CCP Central Committee have dedicated a section of the country’s next Five Year Plan (FYP) to charity management, ostensibly to address rising public discontent towards corruption in NPOs.

In Chapter 39 of the 12th Five Year Plan, the central government called for the development of social organization through a streamlined application process, improved tax incentive laws, and policy support a la legal and regulatory protections. Before final approval in March 2011, the government disclosed the FYP guidelines to the Chinese people through a series of public hearings, seeking e-mail feedback and leaving room open for revision. Consequently, a Charity Law, drafted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MoCA), which has been on the table since 2005, has resurfaced for consideration. In July 2011, the government reopened the draft as the “Guideline for the Development of Charity in China” and solicited public input to give direction to charity growth and expedite processes conducive to the 12th FYP. However, the draft has since seen little movement within the legislature.

Meanwhile, frustrated by government inaction, local and provincial governments have apparently taken matters into their hands. Respective authorities in Jiangsu, Ningbo, Hunan, Beijing, and just recently Guangdong have each enacted their own set of regulations, facilitating registration processes and allowing for more accountability in non-profit management. These moves have been commended by officials higher up in the government. In late 2010, a MoCA representative voiced his hopes that these developments will help guide those on a national scale.

The general consensus on the need for reform paints an interesting picture for future developments of the third sector. The timing of the FYP and its related reforms comes at a critical crossroad in China’s development. First, the 12th FYP coincides with a transition of power to its fifth-generation leadership that will take place in 2012. Chinese leaders seek a seamless power change, but they must address the growing challenges posed by increasing social unrest. By adhering to the tenets set by the FYP and by shaping public interests through the charity law, the Party could mitigate discontent among the masses, while at the same time demonstrate responsible leadership. Moreover, promoting China’s international image should provide further incentive for the government to amend its non-profit regulations by legitimizing the new leaders through social progress. It should be noted, however, that certain types of non-profits within the sector, such as those dedicated to religion and human rights, will see little change in their directive.

These advancements in the third sector may also point to the prospect of more comprehensive reform throughout the country. Grassroots movements empower and educate citizens for involvement in the public sphere, which then calls for a more active and informed society, with its own functions and claims. Larger citizen involvement, enabled by a burgeoning nonprofit sector, could lead to a further decentralization of power. This would be in line with the CCP’s “big society, small government” policy that seeks to create a network of social protections wherein citizens serve as intermediaries between the government and social organizations to sustain and promote a “harmonious society”. In essence, nonprofit reform may equip the citizenry with the capacity to take on the Chinese government’s social functions and become that “big society.” The deciding factor, however, is largely dependent on the direction the central government takes from its current Catch-22: toward third sector reform at the cost of its relative power or the continuation of the status quo at the risk of social instability.

Please share and join the discussion on facebook by clicking the "Like" below. Published with the written permission from AsiaEye (Project 2049 Institute).

American-Western State and Media's Influence on Anti-Putin Moscow Protests

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:24:00 +0000

RT photo / Vitaliy Matveev

Translate in Russian/Читайте в русском

Background and Recent Developments on Moscow Protest (История вопроса и последние события на протест Москвы

While Russia prepares itself for a change in government with new elections, many people believe with the same party and same duo (Vladimir Putin and Dmitri Medvedev) there is actually no change at all.

Russia is seeing one of the biggest protest in recent Russian history in Moscow. The protest began after the results of Russia's parliamentary results on December 4 which saw Putin's United Russia win a majority.

Initially estimates of the demonstrators numbers ranged from 5,000 to 10,000 as reported by Associate Press, interior ministry reports that the number of protesters could have exceeded to 25,000 while opposition parties claims the number is well around 40,000 during the rally held on December 10 at Bolotnaya Square in central Moscow. Entry to the Red square was restricted while other squares near Kremlin were blocked by the local Moscow Police.

Police trucks, interior ministry troops, paramilitary forces was a common sight on the streets of Moscow to control any aggressive outbreak among the protesters. Carrying white ribbons, balloons and flowers protesters raised slogans against Putin, "Russia without Putin" and "Putin Go Away".

Putin has done various things to bring Russia out of the turmoil after the breakdown of Soviet Union. Russia's economy was in mess and a weaker Russia could have further become a victim of aggressive diplomacy by west. Today Russia once again stands on the internarional platform as a super power and is compared to US and China. Russia is taken together by the eyes of the world leaders as fastest growing economies along with India, China and Brazil.

Putin has done a lot for Russia, but there is a lot which people had expected out of him. Experts and aware Russian people believes that the power is too centralized in the country and that around 80% of President Dmitri Medvedev's rule of laws are ignored or are partially implemented by the regions; finally, very few people trust the power structure he has established in the country.

In a meeting with Valdai club where all these allegations were raised, Putin said, ""I tell you, I agree. I don't object to anything you have said." Vladimir Putin is keen on bringing clear democracy in the country.

He explained further that when he became the president of Russia almost 11 years ago, the state of the country was not good and the country seemed to be going in a wrong path. After the breakup of USSR and the political turmoil in the next term brought the nation into so much chaos that it was leading to a civil war. He had to go for a system of "manual control" over the regions, abolishing elections and choosing governors was done carefully to bring the situation back on the track. Now when he believes that the situation and economy is back on track, he is willing to decentralize the power. As he said speaking to a meeting of the Valdai Club, "it is time to devolve certain powers and taxation back to the regions." (Read More: Putin to Decentralize Power in Russia; Admits Unpopularity).

American State Interference and Possible Influence on Moscow Protests (Американского вмешательства государства и возможное влияние на протесты Москвы)

At the time when Russia is tackling this internal problem, American media and leader didn't miss the opportunity to comment on this in their own flavour and style. Recently, Hilary Clinton has dubbed these elections as fake and called for "full investigation of all credible reports of electoral fraud and manipulation" she concluded that “The Russian people, like people everywhere, deserve the right to have their voices heard and their votes counted.”

Putin in a response said that Hilary's this comment has given a signal to his opponents and they have began their active work with the support of US State Department.

"We need to think about strengthening the law and holding more responsible those who carry out the task of a foreign government to influence our internal political process," he said accusing US state department of spending hundreds of millions of dollars in Russia to stage a protest.

Addressing supporters in a television meeting, Putin said, "We are the largest nuclear power, and our partners have certain concerns and shake us so that we don't forget who is the master of this planet, so that we remain obedient and feel that they have leverage to influence us within our own country."

He further added "especially unacceptable is the infusion of foreign money into the electoral process."

Many among the protesters and in US believe that Putin's response to Hilary Clinton's comment is rubbish as he has no proof to prove this. The Washington Post said, "The Putin regime has been trying to play on anti-American sentiment since before the election; now it is doubling down." There major feeling is that Putin is raising anti America sentiments to raise the supporters as well as public confidence in him.

When Hilary Clinton was asked to respond to Mr. Putin’s remarks, she said that “we value our relationship with Russia” but also “have a strong commitment to democracy and human rights. It’s part of who we are. It’s our values. And we expressed concerns that we thought were well-founded about the elections.”

Back in Russia, State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee head Konstantin Kosachev believes that America has got a right opportunity at the right time to play a political game against Russia, citing that he was “very much surprised” by Hillary Clinton’s recent remarks. “They were very much out of the framework drafted in a preliminary conclusion by the parliamentary assemblies of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) and the Council of Europe, issued the day after the elections." he said adding that her comments were “not free of the United States' political interests,” as the US and Russia are rivals on many important issues.

“It is quite obvious that if and when you can create addition problems for your interlocutor," Kosachev told RT, "then it may be easier to reach your own goals. So, for me the statement by Hillary Clinton, some other statements by the EU, and by NATO and other high representatives in the West are just a part of the game.”

According to the Duma official as quoted by Russia's English language News Channel RT (Russia Today), this is not about democracy in Russia, nor is it about elections – the most important thing, he says, is “making Russia a little bit weaker in order to make yourself a little bit stronger – and this is absolutely unacceptable.”

American Media's Interference and Influence on Moscow Protest (Американская Медиа вмешательства и влияния на протест Москвы)

US mainstream media has also not spared this opportunity of cracking down at Russia spilling the anger of cold war era. Fox News which is always at war with Russian media made its own story and showed fake pictures of protests in Russia to defame Russians, Russia, and its policies and governance.

The Washington post wrote in a tone that it is US administration's responsibility to "open the eyes of the Russian citizens" and should stand by them during this tough time and teach Putin to go "American way, "The Obama administration should go on pushing him [Putin] to choose the path of democratization, however unlikely that is; more important, it should keep telling the majority of Russians who just voted against the regime that the United States is on their side."

On the other hand, RT, Russia's English language news channel came up with an exclusive article on their website to uncover the lies being shown by the FOX news to the US public and Russians in US.

Fox in their news report showed pictures of protests going on in other countries as the pictures and videos of protests in Moscow. When questioned by Russian media, Fox told that it is no doubt Moscow, But Muscovite (Moscow citizens) at TWR and Russia Today believes this can not be Moscow and one glance is enough to say that.

Still shot from FOX news video coverage of "Russian" protests, Katerina Azarova, RT (click to enlarge)

Reasons why this picture is not from Moscow:

Phone box/Telephone Booth: In Moscow they are grayish-blue, and are few and between. The author at RT Katerina Azarova, said that in fact, she can’t even remember the last time she saw a public phone box, as now they are very rare in Moscow.
Protesters Dress: The young couple pressed against the building? They’re dressed in jeans and long-sleeved tees, in Russia that too in December, it is not possible. People in Moscow wear thermals, ski jackets, hats and gloves in winters.
Sign Boards: And this one is the strongest evidence, if you zoom at the image properly you will see a Greek National Bank signboard that too in Greek, in Russia Greek is not understood.

Close-up of the Greek National Bank sign/still shot from video, Katerina Azarova, RT

The author in her final comments wrote, "FOX, it appears, isn’t satisfied with the "Real" Russian rallies. They wanted a "Bang!" But there were no bangs, so I figure they thought “hey, it’s police running after people and fires and chaos – who on earth will be able to tell the difference?” So they took videos from Athens, put a ‘’Russia” comment on screen – and voila, stick a fork in ‘em, they’re done." She further added, "I don’t harbor any hopes that the FOX people will see this and suddenly change their “errant ways”. But for the viewers – there are no palm trees in the streets of Moscow, the Prime Minister is spelled ‘PuTin’, not ‘PuTTin’ and the plural for ‘protester’ is ‘protesterS’. For future references."

Watch Russia Today's television report of the above news

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Another Busy Week has Come and Almost Gone.

noreply@blogger.com (Jules) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:02:00 +0000

TWR is supporting the efforts of Julli Sterling for helping people in need from Nicaragua, Guatemala and most Central America to be able to receive proper education, and basic needs. You can help too by visiting Julianna Sterling's blog. Below is the article written by her:

For me, having the first few days off each week from work, means rolling up my sleeves and getting to work early on my volunteer projects and bulldozing through, often burning the midnight oil trying to accomplish some seemingly impossible goals/tasks.

The past two weeks with the guidance of a good friend AsTold By Jules the blog as gone under some serious construction, hopefully you all will enjoy the finished product as much as we do. I wanted it to be more readable and to connect social networking sites such as facebook and twitter to the blog. I also wanted to learn how to publicize the blog better and really drive visitors to the page. Please feel free to post a comment letting us know your thoughts as you’re the one reading it…

You will notice on the top right hand column of the blog a donations button now ready and working using both paypal and google shopper for your convenience. Many, many friends have written to me that live afar wanting to support the projects restricted or otherwise and have found the donation button to be the best means for them.

I learned a lot in my fundraising days at Colby; good and bad, and have utilized a lot of the trials and errors in designing what I think is a pretty darn good webpage for appealing, donating, educating, and informing. Of course, the page is ever changing and growing but I am growing into my own style of branding and finding what works for Jules.

In networking I have been able to organize a couple of fundraising projects which have me very excited for the upcoming trip in March and proudly I would like to announce that this is a fully sponsored trip.

First, is a Complimentary Pancake Breakfast that will be held at the Waterville, Maine Applebee’s on February 19th. Details are in the previous blog, can found on the facebook fan page and, in the right hand column on the blog page. Essentially, what I am offering is a pancake breakfast to each person who brings a backpack that morning, and backpacks are described in more depth in the prior blog and on the facebook fan page. I think this will be an exciting opportunity for those wanting to contribute and to meet with me in person as well as have a great breakfast.

Secondly, I have been working diligently at creating an Amazon sellers account to “Lighten the Load” my goal here is to resell used books and designated the funds towards purchasing educational materials for school children. As you already know, As Told By Jules works with school children in the USA and Central America donating backpacks and forging friendships through penpal letters. At present I have over 100 books listed and have sold 12 in the past two days.

Third, a continued effort in the “Closet Cleaning” process carries on at Retail Therapy in Waterville, Maine. If you are interested please stop by there are; purses, scarves, belts, boots, shoes, pants, shirts, dresses, jackets and jewelry displayed in Brenda’s boutique. I hope you will check it out.

This coming year, 2012, As Told By Jules will be donating $500 to Casa Rosario providing a one year education for two Guatemalan’s and in honor of my ten beautiful children, niece and nephew ( Aicha, Jami, Roja, Martin, TJ, Hieu, Josie, Mari, Alexandra & Dimitri ) much need school supplies to Common Hope, and naturally through my own backpack project another 50 students will receive school supplies both in USA and Nicaragua.

Once the spring arrives, which winter has yet to really hit the northeast corridor, therefore I have no idea when this will be…I will be hosting an “RE” project. If you have been following the blog you know how passionate I have become about RE’s; recycle, reduce, reuse. A yard sale downsizing some of my personal over-stocked-ness and providing people in my area with some relatively good condition second hand items along with utilizing the funds generated to follow through with the afore mentioned projects in Central America.

Thank for your continued support and stay tuned as this year is shaping up to be even more exciting than the years past.

US, NATO Attack on Pakistan Affected South Asia's Geopolitics Over a Week

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:02:00 +0000

All Credits to AFP/Getty Images

26th November will now no longer be linked with the Mumbai Attacks by the Pakistani terrorists alone. Early in the morning on 26th November 2011, NATO helicopters opened fire on a Pakistani military post on the Afghan border. Pakistan has termed it as an aggression and has denied it was only an accident.

Two NATO helicopters with fighter jets entered Pakistani airspace up to 2.5 KM (1.6 miles) where they opened fire at two military border patrol check posts killing 28 soldiers and wounding 13 another.

US-Afghan Version and Claims

According to US and Afghan officials, militants belonging to Afghan Taliban attacked the Afghan side with firing which made the Afghanistan call for NATO support. Later the government said that the firing came form the Pakistani military base and not from any Talibani militant. The Afghan government called the NATO attack on Pakistani troop as a defensive action (Source: The Wall Street Journal). Military officials of Afghanistan also said that many times terrorists have used empty Pakistani military posts to stage attacks, thus NATO forces might have misjudged this time.

Pakistani Version and Claims

According to Pakistan, the region was much before cleared by Pakistani forces and there were no militant activities for months. Though there is some ambiguity in the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, but that particular post was properly marked and was known to ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) as active Pakistani post.

Major General Athar Abbas, spokesperson of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), said that the attack continued for two hours even after the personnel had informed the command which had in turn informed ISAF. Pakistan to prove their point has also come with a solid evidence in the form of video to show that the raid done by the NATO was not an accident.

Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani said today on 30th Nov, 2011 that the attack on the check posts was not an accident and only an apology was not enough. She further added, "Pakistan cannot see its soldiers being killed by allied forces anymore. There is an established mechanism between Pakistan and allied forces working in Afghanistan regarding movement on the border but Nato authorities didn't inform us about their activity before the incident.". She added that Pakistan's role in Afghan peace efforts had been accepted by all but not appreciated, highlighting that it was not the first time when NATO crossed the limit.

Major General Ishfaq Nadeem shared the video with several defence analysts and journalist saying "Four border communication centres had been setup to coordinate operations against militants but Nato and Isaf ( International Security Assistance Force) violated all standard operating procedures (SOPs) on that night."

In the meantime Pakistani military also said that the NATO forces returned second time to attack the post again.

Outcomes and Results

In a strong reply Pakistan has blocked supply to NATO troops. About 40% of non lethal supply to NATO troops pass through Pakistan. The spokesman for the government of Balochistan, Kamran Asad, said the provincial government had banned the entry of NATO supplies.

The very same day Pakistan had ordered NATO to vacate the Shamsi airbase, from where US launches drone attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan, giving an ultimatum of 15 days.

Pakistani government said the time has come to review its relation with US and to sort out whether US is really an ally or not.

In a protest Pakistan has decided to boycott a vital international conference on the future of Afghanistan next week to be held in Bonn, Germany.

In several public and private gathering across the nation, people raised slogans against US and burned US flags.

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Neutral Analysis: Occupy Wall Street Movement and Its Impact

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 06:19:00 +0000

Zucotti Park, cleared and cleaned on November 15, 2011

Occupy Wall Street is an ongoing protest against social and economic inequality, high inequality, greed and corruption in US initiated by the Canadian Activist group Adbusters. The protesters believe that most of the wealth is controlled by only 1% of the population. The slogan "We are the 99%" was raised referring to the growing difference in wealth.

The movement has faced several police crackdown across the United States and fuelled several similar protests in other western nations as well. Where this protest is taking us is still uncertain, but it's true that this movement has become a hot topic for debate around the world.

The protesters claim that increasing unemployment, spending cuts, and income stagnation has made the so called 99% of the American population suffer. They blame the Wall Street for the global recession. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2010, real median household income has declined 6.4 percent since 2007. Meanwhile, the income of the top 1 percent continues to rise according to analyses of cfr.org.

The major factor driving the Occupy Wall Street movement is unemployment among the youth of the nation. The very same young population equips themselves with all social media tools to keep the movement alive while it grows.

Loosening Grip

While the Occupy Wall Street movement grows, it is still unable to gather the support of most of the Americans. The polls conducted in October and November shows a decreasing support of the public for the protest. According to a poll done by Quinnipiac University on November 3 only 30% of the American voters had favourable views on the ongoing protest, while 39% were against and rest were unsure. Another survey by the TIME magazine on October 13 showed that 54% of the Americans supported the idea of the movement, while 23% had negative impression.

Most of the Americans believe that 99% term being used as a slogan might not be correct. Dave Gilson at Mother Jones explains how this term "We are the 99%" has come up in the protest with the help of statistics and graphs as he tries to expose who are the 1% in his article.

Percent of Total Assets owned, by wealth
in 2007, By Dave Gilson

Average Income including capital gains, 2008
US Dollars, By Dave Gilson

According to E. D Kain at forbes.com, the slogan "We are the 99%" is little exaggerated, his analysis shows that we could be 75% or atmost 80%, but not 99% or even 90%.

The Goal

The public is unclear about which path the protest has taken. According to most of the people in America, the protest is losing focus and lacks a unified aim, while some journalists feel the protest has a strong message but the way to put it forward has been wrong till now.

Adbusters co-founder Kalle Lasn says while it is difficult to talk about the protest and the path which it has taken, he believes that the goal of the protests is economic justice, specifically, a "transaction tax" on international financial speculation, the reinstatement of the Glass-Stegall Act and the revocation of corporate personhood. Another group has written an unofficial document, "The 99 Percent Declaration”, that calls for a national general assembly of representatives from all 435 congressional districts to gather on July 4, 2012, to assemble a list of grievances and solutions.

Views of the American Government and Leaders

President Obama during a news conference, on October 6: "I think it expresses the frustrations the American people feel, that we had the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression, huge collateral damage all throughout the country ... and yet you're still seeing some of the same folks who acted irresponsibly trying to fight efforts to crack down on the abusive practices that got us into this in the first place."

Ron Paul, U.S. Congressman and 2012 Republican presidential candidate: "If they were demonstrating peacefully, and making a point, and arguing our case, and drawing attention to the Fed—I would say, 'good!'"

Herman Cain, 2012 Republican presidential candidate, calling the protest as anti capitalist: "Don't blame Wall Street, don't blame the big banks, if you don't have a job and you're not rich, blame yourself!"

Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve Chairman: "People are quite unhappy with the state of the economy and what’s happening. They blame, with some justification, the problems in the financial sector for getting us into this mess, and they’re dissatisfied with the policy response here in Washington. And at some level, I can’t blame them. Certainly, 9 percent unemployment and very slow growth is not a good situation."

John Paulson, billionare and founder of Paulson & Co.: "The top 1% of New Yorkers pay over 40% of all income taxes, providing huge benefits to everyone in our city and state. The protesters are vilifying our most successful businesses"

Vikram Pandit, head of Citigroup: "Protesters' sentiments completely understandable, Wall Street had broken the trust of its clients."

Manmohan Singh, Economist and Prime Minister of India: "There are reasons why people are protesting. People are protesting in Wall Street, in Europe about the fat salaries that the bankers are getting when people are being asked to tighten their belts. There is problem of growing unemployment in the United States. There is also worry in Europe. So there are problems which the system must have credible answers to take them on board."

Mikhail Gorbachev, President of former Soviet Union: "The protest is justified, Americans should put their own house in order before attempting to do such with other countries."

A similar protest took place in India in the month of August against the government over corruption. The protest was extremely peaceful where the public marched the roads with candle lights and also sat on hunger strike without damaging any property or harming anyone. The movement was successful to gather support of a large number of Indian public, nearly 75% claimed by an unknown source.

Though India might not have much to say on economic issues of America, but the land of Gandhi has a lot to teach the violent protesters in New York.

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~ Feliz Dia de Accion de Gracias ~ Happy Thanksgiving ~

noreply@blogger.com (Jules) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 07:40:00 +0000

Posted by Jules, Please visit the Author's blog to support the cause

TWR is supporting the efforts of Julli Sterling for helping people in need from Nicaragua, Guatemala and most Central America to be able to receive proper education, and basic needs. You can help too by visiting Julianna Sterling's blog. Below is the article written by her:

As midnight struck in the US, and Thanksgiving Day fell upon us, I sat in front of my computer mulling over the, ‘to do’ list for Thanksgiving Dinner, and was overcome with gratitude for the many blessings that have filled my life. I have a lot to be thankful for this year; the truth is I feel I am incredibly blessed.

This year I had the amazing opportunity to spend several weeks in Guatemala with a new-old friend; Jewels. A friend who became a treasured gem in my world; together we were granted the fortune of volunteering building houses, picking coffee, and studying Spanish. We met countless wonderful people working for a number of organizations that do some pretty amazing things and we met some of the most beautiful people living in some of the most impoverished of conditions. I am blessed to have her in my life.

I think it was there where my journey of recognizing my blessings began.

Boarding the plane to return to my life in America, I realized I had become very complacent in my life and really hadn’t taken a good long hard look at all of the blessings I have. Somewhere on the drive back in the middle of a blizzard that night I stopped and said, “Thank you God.”

I couldn’t get the words out fast enough and the tears fell like rain from my eyes. I had been in a place where people had nothing and complained about even less. I had been in a place where choices were few, rights were fewer, and freedoms were even less than that. A place where jobs, education, nutrition, healthcare, home owning, vehicle owning, personal protection, clean water, the gamete are virtually nonexistent yet, every man, woman and child I met greeted each day with a renewed sense of joy, happiness and zest for life.

The day prior I had been on top of a volcano which had recently erupted and decimated an entire village its venomous lava had spread a now thick layer of black ash and soot from peak to valley. Blanketing a once vibrant green tropical mountain top with nothing but darkness, yet everyone living there was filled with the brightest smiles, peace, happiness and love. Though my body was racked with pain from the hike and the twenty hours of planes, trains and automobiles, I cried not because I hurt but, because everywhere I looked I had a blessing.

I had friends to pick me up at the airport, a warm coat and winter boots, a hot meal on the table when I got home that night. A roof over my head, running water (hot at that), electricity, my own home, my own car…my family that couldn’t wait to see me and a puppy that was so excited she peed all over the floor when I walked through the door. I have my health and my job –my goodness I have A LOT. In fact I realized I have so much to be thankful for that I spent the entire summer thinking of ways to give back and spread some of these blessings….a blessing is only a true blessing when it’s shared.

I worked all spring and all summer and not just at my job.

I proudly graduated my daughter and host daughter. I am very, very proud of the accomplishments of both Jami and Roja and am truly blessed to have such fine women as my family. My daughter Jami, is the first member of my family to graduate with a college degree and the very first to ever attend grad school…For all the naysayers that said a teen mother and high school dropout could never be more than a welfare whore…Here’s my little blessing!

When a brush with a dangerous man in our community resulted in my having been put in harms way my son was the first person I told. Not a word was spoken when a loaded twelve gage was placed at the head of my bed and no arguments were had over the fact he was sleeping in my room that night. We didn’t talk about when the bastard got out of prison, we talked about how “no one eff’s with my mom.” Every mom should know her son has her back like that. I am blessed to have a protective and devoted fine young man as a son.

My family has always been loving and supportive. My sister has always been more like a bestest friend; listening, sharing, commiserating, encouraging and just always being ‘there.’ We can talk about anything and everything and it is the judge free zone. She always gets where I am coming from even when I don’t. My brother in law is more like a brother and my niece and nephew have always made me feel like I was on a pedestal, what I don’t think they realize is, it is I, who put them on the pedestal. I am so proud of my sister and her returning to college, my brother in laws continued efforts as a small business owner to not give in to the corporate muscle flexing and my head to toe pride in everything that Alex and Dimitri do; school, dance, crew, and being beautiful proactive, productive, members of their community. I am blessed to have such a beautiful loving sister and family.

As I started planning my trip to Nicaragua, people, complete strangers and lifelong friends would come up to me and ask what they could do to help make my dream come true. They wanted to help, make a contribution or tell me what a good person they thought I was. I am truly blessed to have such wonderfully supportive loving friends, both old and new. No such friends stood out anymore than my two biggest and best; MOM & DAD. It seems no matter what I do; good or bad, success or failure they are always by my side with their love and support. They have always been there and will always be there. Fact is the learning to give back and count my blessing was instilled in me by them. I am forever blessed to have them as parents.

I have a beautiful and amazing host family filled with brilliant young men and women from every corner of the world and their friendships over the years has meant more to me than words can say. I always believed and told them that I involved myself in the host family program as a way to give back…my belief is that if my son and daughter were to visit them in their country they would treat them the same way they have been treated by me, and that someday all of my children will find a way to give back. They have always gone out of their way to make me feel like I am the most special person ever, cooking for me, taking me to dinner, including me in their college lives, sharing some of their most inner thoughts, laughter and tears, appreciating and respecting our political, religious and cultural differences. This fall was one of those times; I was invited to a bbq and unsuspecting me attended. There I discovered my host children had gathered together along with many of our mutual friends to celebrate my birthday. It came at a time when my own daughter had just left to live on other side of the US and the same day my parents were to depart for Florida. I felt so blessed to have such thoughtful loving friends surround me, actually they are more than just friends, they are my FAMILY.

I took an inventory of my excess living and put the brakes on. I stopped buying because I felt like it and started buying because I needed to. I am blessed to live in a community that is full of talented people, which I can purchase locally grown and locally produced items. I continued to empty my closet of selfish living and pass it on to women in the US who need clothing and donate the proceeds to women abroad in need. I have had an overly blessed closet…

I became thankful for the forty one years I have had on this earth and the healthy life I have been granted to live and decided it was time to be a little nicer to my body and begin taking better care of it by eating, healthier and treating with a little more love. Yes I went veggie on you; I am blessed to be in good health and want to stay that way.

I planted a garden and shared it with my neighbors grandchildren it is always better to share an experience with a child they are after all the seedlings of tomorrows future…I am very blessed to have these vivacious giggling little girls as my neighbors, they are little blessings in my life and a constant reminder of my blessed childhood days on Central Ave. I started thinking in a more earth conscious way, being thankful for the environment and the planet we live on. I have made a conscious effort to leave less of a carbon foot print…I am blessed to have clean air, clean water, green grass, blue skies (well that’s up for debate) and beautiful trees and flowers all around me.

As it came time to go to Nicaragua and bring my donations with me a renewed sense of gratitude and feeling of being the one blessed enough to do this filled my soul, I had spent a large part of the summer feeling this trip was never going to happen and it did! Every hurdle I climbed every road block I stumbled over, washed away and returned to me with strength and courage. I have been blessed to have visited some of the poorest corners of the western hemisphere; visiting some of the most beautiful sites and meeting some of the most beautiful people… dining at their tables, walking their streets, working in their schools, being embraced into their way of life, culture, and language..my home away from home… I went with the intentions of bringing gifts little blessings and instead came home having been blessed. The whole trip was one giant blessing.

Two nights ago my computer chimed with an incoming message from my first host student, who is now married and in grad school, excitedly I replied back, we chatted for hours, we have always been that way…As the conversation closed she told me she often thinks back over her four years in my city and how I and my family fill her fond memories. She said we made her, a young girl from Senegal Africa, feel like a member of the family and knows no matter where she goes in the world she will always have a ‘home’ in Waterville, Maine. What she may never realize is that all of this started with her. I am blessed to have had her come into my life, she impacted my world, without her friendship a lot of the things I have gone on to do, may never have been done.

Thanksgiving may be different in its numbers around the table this year as my parents are in Florida, my sister and her family in Massachusetts, my daughter in California, my oldest two host daughters now in New York and New Hampshire and, my younger three host children are traveling about America…As Martin, TJ, Lucy and I sit down to partake in the traditional feast it doesn’t change the countless number of blessings felt in my heart.

With a full belly and even more full heart I am very grateful and blessed for my beautiful, loving, amazing, family, friends, both old and new friends, here and abroad, friends I have shared a lot with and friends I have yet to make, I am blessed to have you all…

Jules is a passionate writer and a social activist who is involved in various social activities in Guatemala and Nicaragua. You can visit her blog and contribute here As told by Jules. Please visit the Author's blog to support the cause.
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Will a Conflict Between Israel and Iran Drag the World into War?

noreply@blogger.com (Svetlana Petrova) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:08:00 +0000

UK Protesters against bombing Gaza

It is no secret that tension is building in the middle-east over Iran’s ambition for nuclear weapons. Israel has repeatedly voiced its concerns about the risks of Iran having nuclear capability, and the past thirty years of cold war between the two nations is undoubtedly coming to a head.

On the 18th of November the UN’s nuclear watchdog passed a resolution that expressed serious and rising concern over the nuclear programme being carried out by Iran. Subsequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has requested that Tehran provides answers to the many questions that surround its nuclear capabilities. At the moment the UN Security Council has not become involved, but it now seems that it’s just a matter of time.

Iran remains as stubborn as ever, and the country’s ambassador to the IAEA has spoken out about how the recent resolution would do nothing but strengthen the resolve held by Iran to develop its own nuclear weapons.

Has a covert action against Iran already begun?

While politicians and international groups have spoken out against Iran and their nuclear program, there seems to be real attacks going on right now that could well be a prelude to actual armed conflict. On the 14th of November the BBC reported that Iran had managed to control a cyber-attack that they think originated in the United States, but cannot prove. The ‘Duqu’ virus had references to a US television show in its coding. Iranian officials have said that the infection is now under control, but this is the third attack within the last year.

There are also other reports that suggest Iran could already be under covert attack. A recent explosion at the Bid Ganeh base, where munitions have stockpiled, has raised suspicions that Special Forces are carrying out operations against Iran. 17 soldier’s form the Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed in the explosion, which was described as an ‘accident’ by officials in Iran. But people that are studying events in the region are sceptical. Over the last two years three Iranian nuclear scientists have been assassinated, and less than a year ago a computer virus called Stuxnet somehow made it into Iran’s nuclear enrichment centrifuges, causing the entire programme to be set back by months.

Politicians indicate military action has not been ruled out

International pressure is certainly mounting on Iran. On the 13th of November the former US secretary of State Condoleeza Rice was reported to have said that in regard to Iran, “I’m really a believer that regime change is going to be our only choice here.” She also added that the, “American president should never take force off the table.”

In response to the recent explosion at the Bid Ganeh base, the Israeli Defence minister Ehud Barak said, “I don’t know the extent of the explosion but, it would be desirable if they multiplied.”

The United States Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has said that he would warn his Israeli counterpart against any type of military attack that targeted Iran’s nuclear program. Panetta believes that the consequences of a strike against Iran could be catastrophic, and instead diplomacy should be used, along with imposing sanctions against Iran’s Central Bank.

Why a military strike has not happened yet

A key issue over whether Iran should be attacked is concerns over oil. Iran’s large reserves of oil and the international dependency on its supply mean that an attack could cause a rise in the price of oil around the world. This increase in value could end up befitting Iran, as they will be making more profit on the oil they sell. For this reason sanctions against the country keep on being delayed, and other ways to pressure Iran are being searched for.

Another reason why governments are holding back from military action against Iran is the risk of creating an escalating conflict, which could drag in neighbouring countries, and the opposition of public opinion. After the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, it is evident that the policy of ‘regime change’ is flawed, and the public don’t want another war.

The stage for a war against Israel and Iran has been set for some time now, and no doubt allies will flock to both sides in support. While Israel may have the United States on its side, the forces that oppose the American superpower should not be underestimated. But it should be recognised that the reluctance to take decisive action against Iran must signify that doing so will have serious implications for nations around the world.

--
Izzy Woods is a freelance writer living in London. She spends most of her time researching the best current accounts for consumer publications, but is deeply fascinated by Middle Eastern geopolitics.

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How to be a Journalist? Get Published on News Website

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:01:00 +0000

Student Journalism, TWR

Everyone has an idea, everyone has a thought. Some put their thoughts in front of the public, some write in their diary and some do nothing and move on. Lack of easy access to journals and newspaper's editors and lack of knowledge on how to get published is one of the major reason why most of our thoughts remain within a barrier.

Like progression of energy needs some medium, progression of thoughts and opinion needs a medium through which it can travel to people's mind. Journalism is a passion. You have to be dedicated, unbiased and should have love to write, if you are seriously looking forward to pursue journalism as a career.

Everyone has a journalist inside him. Though good writing skills are required, but one doesn't have to be master in Hi-Fi English, or any other language. And what are Editors for? But if journalism or writing is just a hobby, like most of the people who don't have any degree or certification, then it can get little difficult getting published on newspapers or big journals.

Join the Student Journalism

The World Reporter, being a student journal always encouraged public and students to get published. A website dedicated to student journalism is a platform for getting your general ideas published. Founded and maintained by the students from around the world, The World Reporter is listed in Lund University and South Asia Studies Network, Sweden as a useful resource. The World Reporter has also been a platform for a Management Research Project with the students of Academia de Studii Economice, Bucharest (Romania).

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Putin to Decentralize Power in Russia; Admits Unpopularity

noreply@blogger.com (Svetlana Petrova) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:53:00 +0000

Vladimir Putin

The man who took charge as the president of Russia at the time when Russia was just recovering after he breakup of USSR, now admits that the popularity of his party and his appointed governors has gone down in the country among the common people. He believes that the power is too centralized in the country and the public's trust in his system of governance is going down.

Pledging to bring "direct democracy" as soon as he becomes president of Russia for the third time, he said "I have every intention to do that, but we have to act carefully. We have certain ideas about how to expand direct democracy, but it would be premature to announce them now. The British say it took 400 years for a law to be made, but we have not got that time."

The question was raised in a meeting with foreign academics, students and journalists. The major concern which was among them was that the power was too centralized in the country and that around 80% of President Dmitri Medvedev's rule of laws were ignored or were partially implemented by the regions; finally, very few trusted the power structure he had established. At this Putin only said, ""I tell you, I agree. I don't object to anything you have said."

He explaied that when he became the president of Russia almost 11 years ago, the state of the country was not good and the country seemed to be going in a wrong path. After the breakup of USSR and the political turmoil in the next term brought the nation into so much chaos that it was leading to a civil war. He had to go for a system of "manual control" over the regions, abolihing elections and choosing governors was done carefully to bring the situation back on the track. Now when he believes that the situation and economy is back on track, he is willing to decentralize the power. As he said speaking to a meeting of the Valdai Club, "it is time to devolve certain powers and taxation back to the regions."

Putin is credited for bringing back the lost glory in Russia though Russia doesn't stand where USSR used to in terms of power, science and technology and international influence, but economy, positive image and first class education is improving significantly.

Russia in the recent days is looking active in the international forums, whether it was the debate on Libya or warning to wester nations from attacking Iran, If a country which can lead this world towards multipolarity soon, then it is Russia. China is though more powerful than Russia, but unlike China, Russia carries a group of nations along with it.

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What is War? and Why Do We Fight?

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 04:22:00 +0000

Churchill Waving to the crowd

What is War?

War is not that new concept. It has been there since the birth of civilization. War is not a human phenomena, but in forest animals also fight or kill to survive, and when these animals form a group and attack another group of animals to chase them away or to eat them, it is called as War.

Human specie fought war basically to protect their land, food and gain more land, now resources, imperialism, and dictation is one of the major reason for war. War now is more politically motivated and sometime even public forces the government to go for war. Just because it creates a great adrenaline rush and makes us feel proud and passionate watching our army winning and killing others.

A war now is more like an order rather than individual or community aggression. The soldier who kills other soldier in the war doesn't have any personal hatred against him, but still he kills because both are ordered to kill each other, if one wouldn't kill other one will kill. The man who dropped Atomic bomb on Hiroshima was not his idea, he also might not be interested in doing this. Infact, he would have been tensed thinking whether he would be able to return safe or not, because the atom bomb had to explode in the air itself.

A war has taken a more dangerous shape now, earlier battle used to be fought in battlefields which only involved army of the two sides. General public used to be safe in the city. But now the aggression and invasion takes place directly by attacking public and destabilizing the economy, whether it is by conventional warheads, nuclear, bio or chemical weapons.

Cold War V/S Direct Conflict

With advancement in weapons and methods of mass destruction, governments are now more concerned to avoid any physical wars. Various departments and ministers have this job only to protect the country from any aggression or getting into any conflict. Such a situation has given rise to a new term called Cold War.

Now, what is Cold War? Cold war is in another words is also called as war of words, where two or more country never indulge in direct conflict but work aggressively to destabilize others either by pushing fake currency in their economy, brain washing the public of other country, fighting proxy wars, and sending terrorists and spies.

A Cold War in a sense is more dangerous than a physical war. A physical war may get over within few days or months, but Cold war can continue for decades which has a long term effect on the public, a kind of torture which places fear, and terror in the common public minds as countries in cold war are always on the brink of a real war which can trigger anytime.

Modern Assets of War

Terrorism, "What is terrorism?" will always remain a question. who promotes them? Sometimes it is a group of people, sometimes it is an ideology, Alqaeda is a group of people, where as Taliban is an ideology. Terrorism is a weapons used by many armies or countries as a strategic asset. Countries who know they can never win in a direct conflict with their enemy, they send some trained militia secretly into another country whose aim is to raise their citizen against their government or may be execute some small attack on public, military or vital economic systems. Countries pushing terrorists in enemy country might also not know that why they are waging this war. And in worst cases terrorists might become more autonomous and can execute actions without the knowledge of the government or may raise themselves against their own government.

Today not just weapons or bigger army is required to win a war, but also a strong information network. This is where spy agencies come into the picture. Their main motive is to gather information about the formation, presence and movement of the enemy troops and passing on the information to the friendly army. A robust intelligence network also keeps an eye on the technical and political development within the enemy nation. It is done to either keep an eye on others progress or to steal their technology to build a counter of it.

How Can We Prevent War?

It is an easy question with an easy answer, but implementing it is not so easy. We have to understand why we fight war? To prevent, the first thing which needs to be done is to drop the greediness. Learn to live happily in what we have already.

Get involved in economic partnership with other countries which will be of benefit for both, thus you will never risk a war, like what India and China did.

Encourage sports in the countries who might go for war. This ensures more people to people contact and is a great platform to learn about each other. Also, winning and losing in sports somehow gives an equal feeling like winning or loosing a war. Thus a war can be protected by playing sports which will have no harm and people who force their government to go for war will get that satisfaction.

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War News - Iran; A Victim of Western Imperialism or A Real Culprit?

noreply@blogger.com (Svetlana Petrova) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:17:00 +0000

Everyone seems to be tensed up in the political world today. No pizza for the correct guess! Yeah, the West-Iran confrontation. We all know the world hardly got over Afghanistan , Iraq, and woah now Iran? It's not just the Americans that are affected in this situation, also not only the Israelis. The whole world is caught up on to the turmoil and we, the people, have to go through it. Wish we could have changed the channel and left it? That's not going to work. The accusations and confrontations, the sanctions etc. are going to take their toll and what are we going to be left with? A deadly war! Now how grand its going to be is a wild guess.

The Background Story

The story begins with the American accusation on the Iranian regime for their alleged clandestine "weapon" class nuclear device development. Iran is being accused of developing a military nuclear program which can lead to a creation of new nuclear power. Now, when the accusers and the accused come in to the discussion, there have to be sides and corners. The good ole allegations of American "imperialism" and the statement of Iran being an Islamic "radical" entity. OK, now we are not concerned about who is who. What concerns us is how it will fall on us. Continuing, the United States went to the United Nations and it went on to the watchdog "IAEA". The International Atomic Energy Agency took a while to produce the report on Iran's nuclear power status, that gave a good window for the conflict to escalate up.

The momentum started gathering up, when the state of Israel started its rehearsal for surgical strikes on the the Iranian nuclear power plants. Hope we all remember Israel's "Osirak strike"? For those who have forgotten about it , it was a first ever missile attack in history on a nuclear plant by the Israeli air force in June 1981. The target then was the Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor built with the help of France, and the Israeli air force did live up to their name.

The Story Now

So, with these latest rehearsals going on, what was coming in to the picture was that this was going to be "Osirak take 2". Now along with Israel , The United Kingdom Royal Navy started its preparation for its journey in to the gulf for probable engagements that will be taking place. And the cherry on the cake was placed by the Israeli and Western government's announcement that they are thinking about a military strike on Iran. This has really tensed up the whole situation.

The whole world thought that the game was set. Then another series of events changed the whole scenario. The Russians came up for the support of lonely Iran. They decided to provide the Iranian's with S-300 missiles. These missiles beyond doubt had proven their capacity in the actions that had taken place. The Arab countries pledged their solidarity to the Iranian government . The motive behind some of the countries to pledge solidarity was much of a religious brotherhood bond rather than a politically motivated one. And still there were other countries who thought that after Iraq and Iran, the west may come after them. The S-300 missiles and the growing coalitition of the Arab countries were enough to put the Americans and the Israelis on a hold.

The western governments retaliated with the "allegations" that the Iranians had the help of senior Russian weapons specialist. Another intriguing evidence was that the Iranians had the facility (a double Decker sized container) which enabled them to test the reaction of the device.

IAEA's Late Entry

Then comes in between the IAEA report . It gave a partial nod to the allegations from the Americans that the Iranian regime possessed the capability to develop a device capable of mass destruction, that is their nuclear power plants were not only civilian. IAEA's report also contained the fact that Iranians possesed simulation capability and had "mechanisms" to develop nuclear weapons that cud very well fit on to the their ballistic missile heads. And now the Russians decided that they should better stay away and blocked the sale of the S-300's to the Iranians. This has put the Iranians in jeopardy.

The stage is already set. All it needs is a small flare that would trigger the whole process. Another important factor bothering America is the CIA reports during the time of Soviet Union's breakup, the loose nuclear devices from the Soviet Union stockpile which had gone missing. The weapon dealers had delivered two devices to Iran. Now how much of it is a fact is known to none of us. We can only assume it.

Iraq was different, Iran is a strong military regime and a possible nuclear power. Even though the head of the Iranian regime have been putting up a hardliner attitude, it will be difficult for them to fight a conventional war at this point. Consider all the economic sanctions that will be leveled against Iran. It won't be easy to fight war more than a few days. Combat Aircrafts in Iran's inventory are pretty much outdated. Lets not forget that the American military presence in the Iraqi region, which will be creating a buffer zone between the Iran and Israel. So a probable land invasion by Iran will be out of question.

Iran though has a stable ballistic missile capabilities. So the worst case scenario can be a global thirld world war or a shower of scud missiles on Israel, but the way things are looking up, Israelis are holding up to that, the brand new "IRON DOME" system. But that is not foolproof too. Not to mention the fact that Iran is only one place behind Israel in military strength according to globalfirepower.com .

What we are looking at is a major weapons race in the middle east, sharp rise in the crude oil prices, terrorist attacks that won't be confined to America or Israel. So what is it that we the people are going to face globally? Imperialism? Terrorism ? Surgical Strikes? Or the probability of Third World War? Well that's only worst case scnario and much far from today.

Mithun Krishna is a passionate writer whose area of interest lies in foreign policy and international diplomacy. He can be reached at krishna.mithun@gmail.com

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Huge Asteroid to Pass Between Earth and the Moon

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:42:00 +0000

A huge asteroid named 2005 YU55, apparently of the size of an aircraft carrier is going to make a close approach to earth on 8th November, 2011.

On November 7, its distance from the earth is reported to be 1.38 million kilometres (860,000 miles) from earth. On November 8th, It will come within about 324,600 KM (201,700 miles) of planet earth at 6:28 PM (EST) or 3:58 AM (IST). That means a 400 metres (1300 feet) wide asteroid will come closer than moon, which orbits at 384,499 KM (238,864 miles)

Any heavenly body hasn't come this close to the Earth since 1976 and won't come again until 2028.

The huge asteroid will pass the planet earth without touching either earth or the moon. Scientist believe that for at least the next 100 years this asteroid may not pose any danger to the Earth and moon duo, as 2005 YU55 will continue to pass by this planet frequently completing one orbit around the sun every 15 months.

Such a close proximity of this asteroid is exciting the scientists every where around the world. A number of instruments have been trained to watch and take a closer picture of this object before it dives back into the deep space.

The 230-foot (70-m) Goldstone antenna at California has been tracking 2005 YU55 since Nov. 4 until Nov. 10. Scientists will be following the asteroid with the even larger Arecibo Planetary Radar Facility in Puerto Rico tomorrow.

People like us can also watch the object passing between the earth and moon under the clear dark sky. How much it can be seen with naked eyes is not known. Scientists recommend the use of a decent telescope with an aperture of 15 centimetres (6 inches) or better.

To be informed about the coordinates or direction of the asteroid Solar System Dynamics website run by NASA's jet propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California can be used. This is to make sure you don't end up looking in the wrong direction while the asteroid pass behind your back.

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Russia Warned Israel, US against Attacking Iran

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:26:00 +0000

File: Russian Prime Minister with Iranian President

As Israel and western nations are gearing up to launch an attack on Iran, Russia's foreign minister warned on Monday that any military strike against Iran can bring some unpredictable consequences and would be a gross mistake.

Among the nations which may support Iran, Russia is the strongest one. Taking the responsibility, Russia is strictly opposed to any military action against Iran, it believes that things can be solved with dialogues, though Moscow has supported United Nations Security Council sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme.

Israel has already declared that it would attack Iran once majority for the cabinet members approve. Most of the cabinet members are waiting for the report by IAEA which has done research on Iran's nuclear program.

"This would be a very serious mistake fraught with unpredictable consequences," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said when asked about reports that Israel planned a military strike against Iran. he further added that there could be no military resolution to the Iranian nuclear problem and said the conflicts in Iran's neighbours, Iraq and Afghanistan, had led to human suffering and high numbers of casualties.

A disturbed region near Iran due to war can affect the sea trading routes as well as oil export from Iran causing rise in prices of oil as well as imported material prices

It's not first time that Iran has got warning from the west, Iran is already under four rounds of UN sanctions due to concerns about its nuclear program. According to Iran, its nuclear program is completely peaceful and is in process to fulfill the energy needs of the country once the crude will be over.

Russia to save Iran from several allegations had pushed the government of Iran to disclose more details about their nuclear work to gain trust of the other countries and make them realize that it is really for the civilian purpose, that would ease international worries.

To what extent Russia can take a step is unknown if West attacks Iran. Russia might like to avoid jumping in the war. But definitely can help resolve the problem by opening various diplomatic channels and pressurizing the western powers.

"There is no military solution to the Iranian nuclear problem as there is no military solution to any other problem in the modern world," said Lavrov, who has served as foreign minister since 2004.

"This is confirmed to us every day when we see how the problems of the conflicts around Iran are being resolved -- whether Iraq or Afghanistan or what is happening in other countries in the region. Military intervention only leads to many times more deaths and human suffering."

Lavrov added that talks between Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States, Germany and Iran should be resumed as soon as possible.

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American Stealth Fighter F-22 Vs Russian-Indian Fifth Gen PAK FA; Comparison with Latest Figures

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:40:00 +0000

PAK FA T-50

Russia and India dominated the sky for almost a decade with Sukhoi 30 MKI (Modernizirovannyi Kommercheskiy Indiski / Modernized Commercial India), but the dominance was soon taken over by a new 5th generation aircraft from America. The plane can penetrate the enemy skies without being detected. This new stealth feature in the plane makes it a dominating aircraft.

To regain the air supremacy, Russia is soon going to induct its own 5th generation stealth aircraft PAK FA (Read: Russia to rule the sky once again), the development had begun much before in the late 1980s when the Soviet Union outlined a need for a next-generation aircraft to replace its MiG-29 and Su-27 in frontline service. PAK FA would be a single seater combat aircraft, whereas with the help of India, Russia will be making a twin seater variant too which will use Indian origin weapons and avionics. HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) chairman on 16th September, 2008 told that contribution of India will be mostly in composites, cockpits, avionics and arming the fighter.

On Friday 29th Jan, 2010, PAK FA performed its first test flight successfully (Read: Indo-Russian stealth fighter performed its first flight)

American F-22 is already serving the US Airforce, while Russian plane is still to be inducted. Now that both the planes are out of the paper into the real existence. We got many requests to do a comparative research and analysis on the specification and performance of these two planes.

F-22 with drop tanks in transit to Kadena Air Base,
Japan from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia

In 1981, the U.S. Air Force developed a requirement for an Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) as a new air superiority fighter to replace the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon. This was influenced by the emerging worldwide threats, including development and proliferation of Soviet Su-27 "Flanker"- and MiG-29 "Fulcrum-class fighter aircraft.

While US itself is having problem in keeping and maintaining F-22 in the airforce that they had to stop further orders, it is not clear to what extent Russia and India will be able to carry this costly fighter.

US has ruled out any selling plans for F-22, instead it will consider selling only F-35 to friendly nations. PAK FA and FGFA (Indo Russian Fifth Gen Figther Aircraft) will be only used by India and Russia, recently South Korea has shown interest in purchasing this aircraft from Russia.

Stealth technology is acquired by incorporating a combination of features to reduce visibility in the infrared, visual, audio and radio frequency spectrum. It is accomplished by using a different concept design than the conventional design which though arises some limitations to it, gives it an advantage of intruding a hostile region without the knowledge of enemy.

Russian approach towards stealth is slightly different, the plan is to make the aircraft invisible to radar by using a sort of plasma torch on the nose of the plane, and this torch creates ionized cloud around the plane which will absorb radar waves. (Read more: Russia to rule the sky once again).

The unit cost of Russian Aircraft is slightly more than the F-22, but Russians planes are considered to be more agile and better aerodynamically designed.

According to the interview of the Sukhoi officers, the new radar used in the PAK FA will reduce the pilot load and will use dedicated data links to share information between aircrafts.

On the other hand, The high cost of the F-22 aircraft, a lack of clear air-to-air combat missions because of delays in the Russian and Chinese fifth-generation fighter programs, a US ban on Raptor exports, and the ongoing development of the planned cheaper and more versatile F-35 resulted in calls to end F-22 production. In April 2009 the US Department of Defense proposed to cease placing new orders, subject to Congressional approval, for a final procurement tally of 187 Raptors. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 lacked funding for further F-22 production. US is now giving more stress on completing the development and production of much cheaper and better F-35.

There has been reportedly 3 accidents of F-22, latest one was On 16 November 2010, where an F-22, based at Elmendorf, Alaska, lost contact with Air Traffic Control. The accident has been attributed to a malfunction in the bleed air system that shut down the aircraft's Environmental Control System (ECS) and On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS).

On 11 January, 2011 Chinese had tested their own J-10 stealth fighter, leading to the speculation of the reactivation of F-22 production. As we have come so far, and US has had not so good hands on experience of having a stealth fighter in the force. It wouldn't be fair to compare F-22 with PAK FA. The next comparison should be between F-35, PAK FA/HAL FGFA and Chinese J-10.

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Crew Completes 520 Days Mission to Mock Journey to Mars

noreply@blogger.com (Sanskar Shrivastava) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 05:24:00 +0000

Oleg Voloshin / AP/IBMP
The six members of the Mars500 simulation
crew face the cameras outside the hatch
of their windowless isolation module.
Alexander Smoleyevesky is at the top of the ladder
, and the others are (from left)
Alexey Sitov, Diego Urbina,
Sukhrob Kamolov, Romain Charles
and Yue Wang.

In a longest ever space simulation, an international crew of researchers on Friday came out of the set after a long 520 days simulation of a flight to Mars in Moscow.

"The crew has completed the experiment," team leader Alexey Sitev reported to Russian space officials. "The mission is accomplished, the crew is in good health and is ready for new missions."

Among the international crew, three were Russians, one from France, one Italian-Colombian and one was fro China. The simulation was to study the confinement, stress and fatigue while travelling from one planet to another.

Psychologists who were studying the test from outside said long confinement has put the team member under stress as they grew increasingly tired of each other's company. Saying that real flight would be more interesting as they will get a complete different experience on board.

The crew showed signs of fatigue but no signs of stress as they walked to microphones to speak before cameras. "We hope that we can help in designing the future missions to Mars," Frenchman Romain Charles said with a smile.

When asked by the reporters, that what advice would give real Marsonauts to survive the monotony? "Always stay busy," Charles said, and "don't forget your e-book reader!"

His Italian-Colombian crew mate Diego Urbina was proud to achieve the longest-ever imitation of space flight, so that "humankind can one day greet a new dawn on the surface of distant but reachable planet."

During the whole mission which cost $15 million, the crew could communicate to their organizers and family members only via Internet. The Internet was purposely made slow and delayed occasionally to imitate the effects of space travel. They had canned food similar to what is offered on International Space Station.

Organizers of the experiment at Moscow's Institute for Biomedical Problems said, that the crew will undergo a series of medical checkup to ensure the noise and life of the city doesn't affect them which was not present in their metal walled habitat.

"Time seems to have flown by since we closed the hatch last year. But how time really felt to the crew we'll soon know. Probably we'll have a very big difference of opinion," said the head of the institute, Igor Ushakov.

A real flight to Mars seems decades far away, as it involves huge cost and technological challenges, specially the task of creating a lightweight compact shield to protect the crew from the space radiations, NASA is aiming to land their mission on a nearby asteroid in 2025 and then on Mars in 2030. Whereas Russian space agency said that with the help of this experiment, they can pave way for a real Mars expedition until the mid-2030s and that too with close international cooperation.

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