Tensions over Ukraine between the US, the European Union, and Russia took a rather bizarre turn as a US State Department official’s comments about the diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine were intercepted and broadcast over YouTube. Russia seized upon the video to argue that the US was interfering in the internal affairs of Ukraine, thereby escalating the stakes in the outcome of the struggle–it is no longer about an internal matter for Ukraine, it is now to some observers a struggle for control over the foreign policy of Ukraine.
The collapse of the talks about Syria in Geneva was a terrible tragedy for the people of Syria. One way for the talks to restart and perhaps proceed more productively would be to invite Iran to join the talks. The UN initially invited Iran, but rescinded the invitation after the US objected. The Voice of America has published a very cogent op-ed that argues that the US should reverse its opposition and allow Iran to join the next stage of talks which is scheduled to begin in a few days.
Google Earth has produced a new program that allows people to view local temperatures over the last few decades. I encourage everyone to play around with the new program–it’s easy to use and shows an incredible amount of information. Unfortunately, it also shows that local temperatures have clearly increased. Obviously, the program does not explain why the temperature has increased, but the reality of higher temperatures is hard to deny.
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