The Israeli airstrike against the weapons convoy was actually on Syrian soil, not Lebanese soil as I indicated yesterday–such news is always difficult to corroborate quickly. But the Syrian and Iranian response has been swift, although it is difficult to see how either can retaliate. Since the weapons were most likely headed for Hezbollah in Lebanon, it is more likely that it will take the retaliatory action. Israel has already moved some of its anti-missile systems (the Iron Dome) into northern parts of Israel to prepare for any missile strikes from Hezbollah.
The steady deterioration of air quality in China has led to many Chinese people questioning whether the pursuit of economic growth should be limited in order to protect the environment. The debate is interesting, since it seems as if the Chinese are willing to ask a central question about their futures that many Western countries did not ask initially when confronted with similar environmental concerns. I suspect that the debate, while a healthy recognition of the tradeoffs in policy, will be resolved in favor of the environment unless concern over the environment becomes as politically potent as concern over the benefits of higher incomes.
We should be aware of growing protests in Europe as the economies of several countries continue to slow down under the austerity programs. Greece, in particular, is going to go through a spate of strikes which will disrupt its economy. Some of these protests are going to affect vital services in Greece and the reaction of the public to the strikes will give us a good idea of how much longer the Greek people are willing to endure the IMF and European Bank strictures.
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