The World's Plaidiest News Source

Chi Slamma’ Lama

• World
• East Asia-Pacific

Synopsis: His Holiness the Dalai Lama is an internationally recognized figure that is respected and venerated by most folks in the world…but not all. Who is this guy, what is the deal with this place called Tibet, and why do the Chinese hate him so damn much? The Plaid Avenger tries to tackle these sticky Tibetan issues, and relates them to current events as the Lama’s 50th anniversary of fleeing from China goes down.

Dalai Lama assails China one year after uprising

China’s Hu demands wall of stability in Tibet

U.S. interferes in China’s internal affairs with Tibet resolution (a Chinese source story)

China objects to U.S. resolution on Tibet (a US source story)

Key words: Dalai Lama, Tibet, China, Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, sovereignty

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Hugo Almost Hu-Gone

• World
• The Americas

Synopsis: Controversial Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has successfully lobbied his country to scrap their constitutional clause on presidential term limits, thus allowing him to run for the office indefinitely. However, the Plaid Avenger argues that the world economic recession (which has not yet fully impacted Venezuela) combined with plummeting oil prices are going to seriously affect Chávez’s ability to continue to prop up his ‘Bolivarian’ socialist revolution. This will in turn erode his support base, leading to an extremely close election in 2012…and perhaps Hugo’s last.

Chavez steps up state control in food sector

Chávez orders takeover of US agriculture giant

Chavez Wins Referendum to Scrap Venezuela Term Limits

Chavez wins referendum vote as Venezuela’s crisis deepens

Venezuela says economic outlook stable in 2009

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An EU of Asian Persuasion: ASEAN

• World
• International Organizations
• East Asia-Pacific

Synopsis: Watch out! ASEAN stands for the Association of South East Asian Nations, a rapidly up-and-coming trade block in Asia which may very well become the foundation stone of the largest free trade zone on the planet. The ten-nation group, while still very young, is set to fashion itself as the EU of Asia…with perhaps even more potential for growth and integration. With associate members like China, India and Australia already aligning itself with the group, this is one to keep your eye on if you want to understand the rapid evolution of Asia as the center for 21st century growth.

ASEAN to strengthen ties with China and rest of Asia

ASEAN Leaders Call for Freer Trade

In midst of financial crisis, leaders join together

At ASEAN, reaching out to regular people

Keywords: ASEAN, Southeast Asia, China, India, free trade, EU

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Wahoo for Netanyahu!!!; Palestinian Peace Process Pillaged

• Middle East
• World

Synopsis: Benjamin Netanyahu is the new Prime Minister of Israel. This is much more than a simple changing of the guard of a head of state.  Netanyahu and his Likud party represent a serious shift to the political right for Israel…which means a much more hawkish approach to Iran and Hamas, and a virtual end to any peace process with Palestine. The US and the world will have to seriously change their approach to all things Israel with this new leadership in command.

Israel’s new leader faces a rough ride to the middle

Netanyahu calls for unity after taking PM post

Binyamin Netanyahu targets Iran after he is appointed Prime Minister

Preparing for a Hard-Right Israel

Gaza Grind Gets Gritty

Key words: Netanyahu, Israel, Tzipi, Likud, Kadima, Iran, Palestine

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Mugabe Madness: Robert Pulls a Ruse

• World
• Sub-Saharan Africa

Synopsis: An internationally-brokered power sharing deal to ‘redistribute’ political power within the crumbling state known as Zimbabwe has just been implemented today. Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition MDC leader, is now the Prime Minister of the country to Robert Mugabe’s president position. The Avenger elaborates on why Mugabe would allow this to happen and why these moves are a total sham.

Is Zimbabwe Now a Rogue State?

Robert Mugabe: What an asshole.

Mugabe Madness

Zimbabwe Unity Cabinet Sworn Amid Concern Over Arrest Of MDC Official

Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe

Mugabe says only God will dethrone him

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