In World Diplomacy, Turkey Looks Both Ways Before Crossing the Street

Turkey's slow but certain transition from an independent and stabilizing force in the Middle East to a puppet for Iran is well documented.  Syria's troubles have thus put Turkey in an awkward position.  Careful not to upset Iran and Hezbollah (also strong supporters of Syria and the Assad regime), Turkey announces that it may prepare its forces only to act as a buffer should the inevitable Syrian civil war flood the region.  With Iran's reins firmly around Turkey's neck, however, it will talk only as tough as its handler will allow.  Syria presents Turkey with a golden opportunity to play peace-maker and world leader in a real Middle East peace process.   Sadly, going no further than the Arab League, Turkey refuses to commit troops or resources to help topple Assad.  Turkey is the only country outside Russia and Iran (and no one can expect either nation to step in in any meaningful way), that has a way to ease tensions.  Unfortunately, in its path towards the dark side, it lacks the will.   

Solemn Occasion Has 1984 Feel When Performed During Hockey Game

While at the Blackhawks v. Blue Jackets game the other night, a group of nervous/confused looking teenagers were sworn into the U.S. Army.  Certainly no one can doubt their courage and love of country, and their choice to enter into the service is an honorable one.

Their induction, however, felt very Orwellian.  During intermission, right near where the cannon (fired for every Blue Jackets goal) sits, and broadcast on the center score board monitor, about a dozen men and women raised their right hand, repeated the words, and became America's newest soldiers.  I had an easy time imagining Proletariat officers roving around town looking for wayward youths with cropped hair, reminding them of their duty to serve, and their devotion to their nation, inducting them on the spot, and whisking them away.  The decision to join the military, which these days will almost guarantee a trip to a foreign, inhospitable land that most kids and adults could not find on a map without words and lines, was hopefully not taken lightly.  To cement what should be a solemn and dignified occasion, should be done in the right place and at the right time.  During the first intermission of an NHL game (in a blatant recruitment effort) is neither.

Greeks Swim Towards Life-Raft, Daggers Unsheathed

More than a mere band-aid, the European version of a "bail-out" was a pressure dressing designed to stem the bleeding of the eviscerated Euro.  The plan was an inflatable lifeboat set afloat to rescue drowning economies, and country after country was climbing out of the frigid turbulent waters.  Until, that is, a tiny Mediterranean nation used to just barely staying afloat slashed all hope of rescue.  Greece, where tax evasion is a national past-time, now stands between success and failure.  Allowing Greece to decide via referendum whether to accept the terms of the rescue is akin to allowing a disoriented patient tell the doctor how to treat his injury.

Certainly Greece is not responsible for the downfall of the world economy.  Having neglected (in general) to pay their fare share (pun intended) of the clean-up, however, highlights not only a challenge to the world economy, but to globalization in general.