Sub-Saharan Africa is Losing Ground

John Price (Ambassador to Mauritius, Seychelles and Comoros, 2002-2005)

Cross-posted from the February 21, 2012 blog post by Ambassador John Price

_____

“When the missionaries came, the Africans had the land and the Christians had the Bible. They taught us to pray with our eyes closed. When we opened them, they had the land and we had the Bible.”        – Jomo Kenyatta, Founding Father and First President of Kenya, 1964-1978

In June 2011, I traveled to Zimbabwe and by private charter flew over miles of arable land, as far as the eye could see. Most of it lay fallow since Mugabe’s confiscation policy towards the former owners, immigrants from Europe, but having a long history of living in the country. Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia in its prime, was considered a bread-basket of Africa, a major exporter of agricultural products. While I was there, rumors ran rampant that China was in the process of a land-grab, gaining access to millions of hectares (1 hectare = 2.47 acres). From the air I could see many streams and tributaries emptying into the great Zambezi River, which waters flow into Lake Kariba, the second largest man-made lake in Africa, spanning over 6000 km2; bordering between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Water for agriculture cultivation seemed abundant.

Assad’s Survival is not Syria’s Destiny

Edward M. Gabriel (Ambassador to Morocco, 1997-2001) and Jean AbiNader

_____

I would like to think, as the Russians and Chinese seem to believe, that Bashar Assad can end the carnage in Syria and still remain a viable leader for his country…but that time has passed. I met with President Assad five times between 2001 and 2005 as a private citizen, representative of the think tank community or as part of the American Task Force for Lebanon. At that time, he still had the chance to make his presidency a force for progress and stability.

Sudan – Erratic Diplomacy at Best

John Price (Ambassador to Mauritius, Seychelles and Comoros, 2002-2005)

Cross-posted from the February 2, 2012 blog post by Ambassador John Price

_____

In the Horn of Africa, Sudan is considered a failing state. The United States closed its embassy in Khartoum in 1996. This country with a significant Muslim and Christian population, has had internal strife, interclan fighting, safe-havens for terrorist groups and terrorist training camps; participated in genocide—all of which have become the norm ever since. Our absence there had provided a paucity of reliable in-country intelligence information.

Rounding up al-Shabaab Militants

John Price (Ambassador to Mauritius, Seychelles and Comoros, 2002-2005)

Cross-posted from the January 6, 2012 blog post by Ambassador John Price

_____

As discussed in my book, “When the White House Calls”, in July 2006 Osama bin Laden urged the mujahideen in Somalia to fight anyone who might weaken their grip on power. At that time the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) factions had strengthened their grip on the capital of Mogadishu, and surrounding villages as far south as the Kenya border, pressing for their control under Sharia, the strict Islamic law.

A Fresh Challenge for India

John Price (Ambassador to Mauritius, 2002-2005)

Op-Ed as it appeared in the December 15, 2011 issue of The Tribune (India)

_____

China continues to plan and execute its strategic projects in different parts of Asia and elsewhere to expand its area of influence as a major world power. The latest is its military base in Seychelles, ostensibly established following a request from the government of this tiny island nation. It is China’s first overseas base of its kind, which is linked to its first aircraft carrier to be launched soon. The Chinese military presence in Seychelles should also be seen against the backdrop of Beijing’s anti-sea piracy operations going to begin shortly along with Thailand and Myanmar. The Chinese explanation is that it has gone ahead with its Seychelles project because it needed “safe navigation” facilities in the Indian Ocean region. China has such refuelling facilities in Oman and Yemen, too.

Renewing American Ideals in Asia

M. Osman Siddique (Ambassador to Fiji, Tonga, Nauru and Tuvalu, 1999-2001)

Published in the December 23, 2001 issue of The Straits Times (Singapore)

_____

As President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently observed, a major focus of American attention in the coming decades will be to expand and deepen American relationships with the Asia-Pacific region. Approximately 40 percent of America’s export earnings are generated in Asia, and the region is poised to be the United States’ fastest growing market. The economic growth in Asia is shifting the overall architecture of the global economy – and the US must play a decisive role in shaping Asia’s direction and significantly increase America’s participation in this new global economy.

President Obama and the Arab Change

M. Osman Siddique (Ambassador to Fiji, Nauru, Tonga and Tuvalu, 1999-2001)

As published in the December 2011 issue of Perspectives, a Layalina Productions publication

_____

The media and pundits have a proclivity to portray a negative picture of America, representing an unfair and short-sighted view of both what it took to earn to greatness of America and what it will require to reassert our leadership in the world. The challenges faced by this administration are unprecedented, and it is only fair to say that President Obama has demonstrated a willingness to do much of what was necessary under very difficult circumstances. Without minimizing the difficulties encountered and our impatience, it is useful to take stock of where we are.

A Perspective on Proposed Defense and Foreign Aid Budget Cuts

Diane E. Watson (Former US Representative for California’s 33rd Congressional District, Ambassador to Micronesia, 1998-2001)

_____

At a time when violence is raging in Syria as the deadline to begin implementing an Arab League sponsored plan is to expire—throwing a solid agreement into chaos amid fear that this situation could lead toward civil war; while Egypt cools down from an eruption of anger at the ruling military council prior to the Parliamentary elections; with the Arab Spring uprising in neighboring Tunisia and Pakistan’s president supporting a request for Washington’s help in reining  in the country’s powerful military,  the call for democracy needs our guiding hand.

Response to Secretaries of State Letter on The Importance of a Strong and Effective International Affairs Budget

John Price (Ambassador to Mauritius, Seychelles and Comoros, 2002-2005)

_____

The November 14, 2011 letter addressed to the Members of Congress urging them to “support a strong and effective International Affairs Budget,” and further stressing that “these programs are critical to America’s global leadership and represent strategic investments in our nation’s security and prosperity,” is most timely.

A Rationally Optimistic Solution for the State and Defense Budgets

Richard N. Swett, FAIA (Ambassador to Denmark, 1998-2001)

_____

Let’s set the plate by reviewing the facts. The US has only 4% of the world’s population but produces 25% of world GDP – about $15 of $60 trillion last year. While we bemoan our economic doldrums, obviously this is an extraordinary achievement which we should nurture.