As we have long suspected, the major powers are considering a division of Syria along ethnic and sectarian lines. Syria would remain a united nation-state, but different parts of the country would be given a high degree of autonomy to regulate local affairs. The arrangement is not dissimilar to the way other countries are ruled, e.g. Switzerland, and actually mimics, to a certain degree, the federalism which exists in the US. Opposition to the proposal remains strong among the rebel groups, but the arrangement is viewed as a face-saving way for Assad to remain in power while at the same time tamping down the violence in the country.
Australian researchers have released a study which suggests that the earth could warm by 2 degrees C by the year 2030, and not by the year 2100. The Australian model is the first to use projections of energy use per capita as well as economic and population growth. Those variables are not typically incorporated into the climate models. The research is certain to be heavily scrutinized, but we should keep our eyes on the model.
Nine days before US President Obama is scheduled to visit Cuba, the European Union has normalized relations with Cuba. The Cubans were not required to make many changes, but the policy, which had been in place for many years had not yielded any changes and there really was no hope that any would ever be forthcoming. The policy of isolation was widely regarded as both foolish and bootless.
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