The <a href="archive/">Archive</a> is open for business, although not in its final form.  It's in open beta.

<a href="http://www.tntluoma.com">Timothy Luoma</a> encourages us to <a href="http://www.tntluoma.com/ethan/gallery/css.jpg">start 'em young</a>.

<a href="http://www.csis.org/pacfor/pac0229.htm"> Jiang Zemin's Succession and the Ghost of Yuan Shikai</a> is Robert Sutter's very insightful article into the coming possibility of a leadership change in the upper echelons of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).  In it, he discusses not only the reasons that Jiang wants to stay in power, but the possible negative repurcussions of that move, which are not often mentioned.  Sadly, Sutter concludes that the best outcome for the United States would be that Jiang would remain in power and continue to cause contention within the party on the issue of succession, drawing the CCP's focus away from international issues like Taiwan.  My opinion is that this could backfire, and lead to some rash actions on the part of the Chinese leadership on either side (not an unprecedented phenomenon).  I'm hoping for a younger and more dynamic leadership, that is willing to sacrifice some of China's long-sought stability for a more ambitious place in the global race, challenging the comfortable lead that the US now enjoys and possibly giving Bush Jr. a case of the jitters.

In support of my ongoing series "Why the world like China better than the US", the <a href="http://www.angola.org/news/NewsDetail.cfm?NID=9413">Angola News Service</a> reports that China is giving a grant of USD 90 million to rebuild the rail system in Rwanda.  This is the country that Clinton chose to ignore while sending troops to the lesser conflict in Bosnia.  What has the US done to make up for it?  Stonewall on the International Court issue.  As a developing but newly rich country, China is in the unique position to befriend and help out other second and third world countries, extending its sphere of influence in a way that the US isn't willing to do.  If or when I join the Foreign Service, I hope to make this kind of foreign aid available from <em>American</em> coffers, working towards the practical betterment of the lives of people in developing countries.