Holy diplomatic thaw! For the first time since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, an Iranian head of state (currently President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad) is visiting Egypt; a core of Arab culture and power. And this comes on the heels of the Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi visiting Iran a few months back…the first time that an Egyptian head of state has been to Iran since 1979 as well! Are we seeing the beginnings of an Islamic/theocratic alliance between these states, and thus Iran’s increasing influence spreading to the religiously conservative Muslim Brotherhood? Will Egypt go the way of theocratic Iran? Doubtful. Learn what the Professor makes of this most memorable Mahmoud/Morsi meeting in this podcast! Shoes will be thrown!
While the main stories out of the European Union center on the economic and financial fiasco that the block has been suffering through for years, the Professor actually sees a much bigger issue forming behind the scenes: a true ideological division of the EU, epitomized by the diverging roles of the 3 biggest players in the bunch…the EU-3! France suddenly has a new-found military leadership prowess; the Germans remain the bank and fiscal boss of Europe; and the Brits (who have never had a leadership role in the EU) are seemingly ready to bail out of the union altogether! This is much more than the standard disenchanted disagreements….this smells more like a devolution!
Keywords: EU, European Union, France, Germany, UK, US, Mali, devolution
In another 2013 world leader update, the Professor focuses on France, where a surprising turn of events has suddenly shown French President François Hollande as a force to be reckoned with, nationally and internationally no less! With his political party and allies commanding a majority of the government, he has the power to make things happen, and he is now riding that train for all it’s worth here at the onset of the new year. From tax policy to labor contracts to social policy, Hollande is moving forward with clarity and resolution that is enviable in most of the other grid-locked democracies. And the final kicker? Hollande has now thrust France back into the international power regime by sending troops to take back Mali from radical Islamist and terrorist groups! France leading the way militarily? How the hell did that happen? Who knows, but this Hollande guy is one to watch as he brings France back into contention as a significant global player.
Keywords: France, taxes, austerity, social policy, gay rights, labor reform, Germany, Europe, US, Mali, Islamist, terrorists, colonial power, West Africa, war on terror
Well, I totally did the podcast on new Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe two days too early! Radical developments in the assignment of his Cabinet and an announcement of a radically increased defense budget have changed the equation of what direction he will be taking Japan in for the coming year…and that direction is hawkish. Tune in to the Professor’s Godzilla-style rant on the particulars of the Samurai Shinzo shenanigans!
Keywords: Japan, LDP. DJP, defense spending, cabinet, defense budget, Senkaku, Yasukuni, hawkish, US relations, self-defense force, TPP, Godzilla, China, South Korea, India, Australia
Yo, wasabi with the Abe? Japan has a new Prime Minister, but he ain’t new to the job! In an effort to get smart, and get back into the swing of things in the plaid podcasting universe, the Professor is launching a run-down of new Presidents and Prime Ministers across the planet…and will possibly revisit some current leaders not likely to survive the year as well. Today’s top dog topic: Shinzo Abe, new Prime Minister of Japan. See what the Professor thinks are the things to watch for in this second round of Abe rule in the land of the rising sun!
Keywords: Shinzo Abe, Japan, LDP. DJP, economy, stagnant, Yasukuni, hawkish, US relations, self-defense force, TPP, Godzilla, China, South Korea
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