Back in August 2008, Russia recognized the breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russia hoped that a sort of counter-American (but not anti-American) alliance would also recognizes the breakaway republics to punish NATO and the United States. Instead only Nicaragua backed the Kremlin while the Hamas-occupational government of the Gaza Strip released a statement that may or may not have formally recognized the breakaway republics.
The situation became a bit of a joke. While the Republic of Kosovo has sixty-two states, not counting the Republic of China, backing its independence claim Russia could not rally any of its allies including Belarus which desires a form of reunification. Recognition from Daniel Ortega made it look like Russia could only command 1980s Communist throwbacks.
Now Hugo Chavez has granted recognition to the breakaway republics during his visit to Moscow. This gives Moscow and its satellites... another Latin American communist backer. While Kosovo gains more legitimacy everyday with non-first world countries joining first-world backers, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are still stuck with Russia and far left Latin American states. If these regions expect to separate themselves from Georgia in the eyes of other, they must show themselves of being free from Russian domination and seek recognition from countries who's governments are not run by jokes.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Norman Borlaug, Founder of the Green Revolution, Dead
For the most of history, famines were plentiful and caused by environmental fluctuations, pests and crop disease, and/or human mismanagement of either resources or population. Disease, mass migration, wars, and variety of other nasty things had their roots in the lack of food. Mankind was at the merciless sway of variables.
Norman Borlaug saved possibly over a billion lives by using science to help defeat these variables. Borlaug was an Iowan farm boy who received his education from life and the University of Minnesota. In the 1940s Borlaug began to develop species of wheat that could resist diseases and flourish in a variety of environments. His crops spread from Mexico to Pakistan then to Africa. While scientific doomsayers were saying that humanity was about to collapse due to overpopulation, Borlaug showed how science can readjust the equations. Today food crises are limited to ones that involve poor human practices (Ethiopian overgrazing) to authoritarian mismanagement (North Korea, Zimbabwe).
Reason has a great obituary for Borlaug. It is much better than one I could ever do. While some may harp on Borlaug for his Nobel Peace Prize and other awards, I think he should best be remembered for saving perhaps a billion lives. We will never know exactly how many lives would have been lost if it was not for Borlaug's Green Revolution... thank God.
Norman Borlaug saved possibly over a billion lives by using science to help defeat these variables. Borlaug was an Iowan farm boy who received his education from life and the University of Minnesota. In the 1940s Borlaug began to develop species of wheat that could resist diseases and flourish in a variety of environments. His crops spread from Mexico to Pakistan then to Africa. While scientific doomsayers were saying that humanity was about to collapse due to overpopulation, Borlaug showed how science can readjust the equations. Today food crises are limited to ones that involve poor human practices (Ethiopian overgrazing) to authoritarian mismanagement (North Korea, Zimbabwe).
Reason has a great obituary for Borlaug. It is much better than one I could ever do. While some may harp on Borlaug for his Nobel Peace Prize and other awards, I think he should best be remembered for saving perhaps a billion lives. We will never know exactly how many lives would have been lost if it was not for Borlaug's Green Revolution... thank God.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Royal Geographical Society's Booklet on Geography Careers
The British Royal Geographical Society has released a booklet about a dozen geographers and their career choices. The RGS has cast a wide net in talking about not only professional geographers but also geography graduates who have managed to integrate their studies into other fields. (Hat tip: Geography at About)
I have been particularly lucky in my geographical development. My father gave me a love of maps and history while my mother taught me how to read the story a map or globe tells. Besides academia, I managed to combine computers (I worked as a computer technician/trainer in undergraduate) and my geography education to obtain an internship at the National Geographic Society. After graduate school I was lucky enough to earn a professional position as a geographer. So far my two years has allowed me to study different concerns around the world with a four month tour to Iraq.
Only a few people are employed as a "geographer." However, many professions, some demonstrated in the booklet, combine elements of geography. Check out the booklet and see if there are ways you can bring geography into your position.
I have been particularly lucky in my geographical development. My father gave me a love of maps and history while my mother taught me how to read the story a map or globe tells. Besides academia, I managed to combine computers (I worked as a computer technician/trainer in undergraduate) and my geography education to obtain an internship at the National Geographic Society. After graduate school I was lucky enough to earn a professional position as a geographer. So far my two years has allowed me to study different concerns around the world with a four month tour to Iraq.
Only a few people are employed as a "geographer." However, many professions, some demonstrated in the booklet, combine elements of geography. Check out the booklet and see if there are ways you can bring geography into your position.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
JetPunk's Wide Range of Geography Quizzes
JetPunk has contacted me and demonstrated their wide range of geography quizzes they have online. Quizzes vary on scale and subject. Some are "which country is this" on a map while others are "festival x is held in what city?" I recommend the site for geographic training and amusement. Enjoy!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Maps of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
In honor of those who died serving themselves, their families, their friends, and their country. Rest in Peace
To add your story or to read others on a Google Street View Map click here (via Google Maps Mania). Another map shows the international loss of life caused by al Qaeda terrorists on September 11th.
Flight paths of the hijacked planes on 9/11 (click to go to interactive timeline)
Map of the Attack on the Pentagon by American Airlines Flight 93 (click to enlarge)
Map of American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175's impact into the World Trade Center (click to enlarge)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Online Choropleth/Outline Map Maker
This is a great find via geographyteach's Twitter feed. P&P World Map is an easy to use online program that allows one to draw, write, and color in an outline map of the world free of charge. Various labels and borders are toggleable and while I have not tried it, there is the ability to enter in statistical data. This is a must have tool for the amateur cartographer or blogger who needs a quickly made world map.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Switzerland: The Working Model for Afghanistan?
The most recent news about Switzerland is good economic news: the Swiss economy is judge to be more competitive than the United States'. A combination of smart, limited economic controls and a much more solid banking system has allowed the Swiss to reward capitalistic actions better than America.
While some underinformed observers may think of Switzerland as just another Western European country, it is very unique for that sector of the world. Decentralized government, functioning multiethnic population, and a conservative tint make Switzerland less like a Western European country and more like a working Afghanistan.
To understand how true this comparison is one must remember two things: 1) both countries are militaristic while practicing a form of isolationism and 2) Afghanistan was not always a basket case.
Membership in the Swiss military is mandatory and there are laws about citizens needing to own weapons. Meanwhile the average Afghan male knows how to use light weaponry with a fair chunk familiar with things ranging from heavy machine guns to anti-tank rockets. The Swiss have adopted a long and well known policy of neutrality. Meanwhile, Afghanistan has been concerned more about internal affairs and repelling foreigners rather than expanding its borders since the downfall of the Durrani Empire. The only exception is the Third Anglo-Afghan War in which the Afghans decided to go home after realizing it was impossible to rally themselves to invade Pakistan.
Since the establishment of a modern Afghanistan, meant to be a buffer between Russia and British India, there has been periodic turmoil but as the governments in Kabul became more established the less civil conflict there was. This is not to say Kabul ran the country, various local mayors and tribal leaders did, but everyone had a place and was generally content with it. During the first half of the Cold War both the USSR and United States gave aid to Afghanistan and help construct modern infrastructure. Social progression was very slow but an educated class was being developed. It was not till the Communist take over and the following Soviet invasion that modern Afghanistan became the war state it is now. This mirrors Switzerland where the various cantons have much more power than the central government in Bern.
There are some differences though that currently hamper Afghanistan becoming the next Switzerland.
Neutrality versus intervention
Various European powers have prized Switzerland for its neutrality. It has been a buffer between powers, a good meeting place for sides whose politics would prevent any other form of communication, and its banking laws have allowed states to realize its better to have an economic partner rather than a unwilling subject. Afghanistan has been a puppet, though throughout much its history. First the Persian, Russian, and British Empires fought to have advantage over each other by holding sway over Afghanistan. Then during and after the Soviet invasion Iran, Pakistan, and various Central Asian countries have favored factions in a long running civil war. The various factions would not have the funding, human capital, or weaponry if it was not for foreign funders.
Nationality
In Switzerland one defines themselves as a Swiss first then by their canton or their canton and then Swiss. Either way both the first choice and the second choice are usually nearly equal. Intra-national alliances are looked down upon. One alliance of German Catholic cantons was destroyed in a civil war by a united Catholic/Protestant alliance who feared the German Catholics were trying to unite against the rest of the country.
In the past Afghans were strongly tribal and ethnic divided yet rallied behind the idea of Afghanistan when foreigners threatened. The civil war has changed that. Now in the Pashtun south tribe is the most important factor with some ignoring Afghanistan and supporting a Pashtunistan that would unite parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Meanwhile the north is ethnic based with people identifying themselves as Tajik, Uzebek, or Hazara first while Afghan is a very distant second (or in the case of the Hazara a far third after ethnicity and political tribe).
How Afghanistan Could Work (Easier Said Than Done)
Afghans have tended to prefer a weak government in Kabul that can provide goods while leaving them alone to allow organic developments in society. Developing a democratic republican system that allows for tribal inputs with most of the control resting in local hands (much like the original intent of the American constitution) with a ethnically shared federal government like Lebanon could appease those who want strong local control yet still desire to have a say in national events. This would also prevent either a Pashtun bloc or everyone-but-Pashtun alliance from dominating the national government. After the anti-Communist forces took Kabul, many Pashtuns who previously cared little about Kabul became alarmed and anti-government because of the new non-Pashtun leadership. Political satisfaction increases when everyone feels they have input into both the local and national levels.
The big step to winning the peace is having Afghanistan's neighbors realize that peace is much more beneficial than war. Afghanistan has perfect geography because it can link oil pipelines in a way that avoids Russia and it can connect Central Asia to the Indian Ocean ports in Pakistan. Also, peace in Afghanistan help Iran and Pakistan return their Afghan refugees back home. The absence of terrorists would also help Uzbekistan, Iran, and Pakistan in ending their insurgency which use(d) Afghanistan as a safe zone.
Afghanistan is not Switzerland and will always have its own culturally unique traits. However, culturally acceptable divisions of governance and neighbors accepting a neutral Afghanistan that should not be unduly swayed could make Afghanistan a sort of Swiss-like state with limited central government control but peaceful.
While some underinformed observers may think of Switzerland as just another Western European country, it is very unique for that sector of the world. Decentralized government, functioning multiethnic population, and a conservative tint make Switzerland less like a Western European country and more like a working Afghanistan.
To understand how true this comparison is one must remember two things: 1) both countries are militaristic while practicing a form of isolationism and 2) Afghanistan was not always a basket case.
Membership in the Swiss military is mandatory and there are laws about citizens needing to own weapons. Meanwhile the average Afghan male knows how to use light weaponry with a fair chunk familiar with things ranging from heavy machine guns to anti-tank rockets. The Swiss have adopted a long and well known policy of neutrality. Meanwhile, Afghanistan has been concerned more about internal affairs and repelling foreigners rather than expanding its borders since the downfall of the Durrani Empire. The only exception is the Third Anglo-Afghan War in which the Afghans decided to go home after realizing it was impossible to rally themselves to invade Pakistan.
Since the establishment of a modern Afghanistan, meant to be a buffer between Russia and British India, there has been periodic turmoil but as the governments in Kabul became more established the less civil conflict there was. This is not to say Kabul ran the country, various local mayors and tribal leaders did, but everyone had a place and was generally content with it. During the first half of the Cold War both the USSR and United States gave aid to Afghanistan and help construct modern infrastructure. Social progression was very slow but an educated class was being developed. It was not till the Communist take over and the following Soviet invasion that modern Afghanistan became the war state it is now. This mirrors Switzerland where the various cantons have much more power than the central government in Bern.
There are some differences though that currently hamper Afghanistan becoming the next Switzerland.
Neutrality versus intervention
Various European powers have prized Switzerland for its neutrality. It has been a buffer between powers, a good meeting place for sides whose politics would prevent any other form of communication, and its banking laws have allowed states to realize its better to have an economic partner rather than a unwilling subject. Afghanistan has been a puppet, though throughout much its history. First the Persian, Russian, and British Empires fought to have advantage over each other by holding sway over Afghanistan. Then during and after the Soviet invasion Iran, Pakistan, and various Central Asian countries have favored factions in a long running civil war. The various factions would not have the funding, human capital, or weaponry if it was not for foreign funders.
Nationality
In Switzerland one defines themselves as a Swiss first then by their canton or their canton and then Swiss. Either way both the first choice and the second choice are usually nearly equal. Intra-national alliances are looked down upon. One alliance of German Catholic cantons was destroyed in a civil war by a united Catholic/Protestant alliance who feared the German Catholics were trying to unite against the rest of the country.
In the past Afghans were strongly tribal and ethnic divided yet rallied behind the idea of Afghanistan when foreigners threatened. The civil war has changed that. Now in the Pashtun south tribe is the most important factor with some ignoring Afghanistan and supporting a Pashtunistan that would unite parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Meanwhile the north is ethnic based with people identifying themselves as Tajik, Uzebek, or Hazara first while Afghan is a very distant second (or in the case of the Hazara a far third after ethnicity and political tribe).
How Afghanistan Could Work (Easier Said Than Done)
Afghans have tended to prefer a weak government in Kabul that can provide goods while leaving them alone to allow organic developments in society. Developing a democratic republican system that allows for tribal inputs with most of the control resting in local hands (much like the original intent of the American constitution) with a ethnically shared federal government like Lebanon could appease those who want strong local control yet still desire to have a say in national events. This would also prevent either a Pashtun bloc or everyone-but-Pashtun alliance from dominating the national government. After the anti-Communist forces took Kabul, many Pashtuns who previously cared little about Kabul became alarmed and anti-government because of the new non-Pashtun leadership. Political satisfaction increases when everyone feels they have input into both the local and national levels.
The big step to winning the peace is having Afghanistan's neighbors realize that peace is much more beneficial than war. Afghanistan has perfect geography because it can link oil pipelines in a way that avoids Russia and it can connect Central Asia to the Indian Ocean ports in Pakistan. Also, peace in Afghanistan help Iran and Pakistan return their Afghan refugees back home. The absence of terrorists would also help Uzbekistan, Iran, and Pakistan in ending their insurgency which use(d) Afghanistan as a safe zone.
Afghanistan is not Switzerland and will always have its own culturally unique traits. However, culturally acceptable divisions of governance and neighbors accepting a neutral Afghanistan that should not be unduly swayed could make Afghanistan a sort of Swiss-like state with limited central government control but peaceful.
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