"IPE Journal" - 5 new articles
Video of the Day: Squandersville v. ThriftvilleWarren Buffet explains the very basics of the financial and trade imbalances between the United States and China, complete with funky animations:  Europe DecidesEurope has decided who will staff the two most powerful positions to come out of the Lisbon Treaty: Belgian PM Herman van Rompuy is the first permanent President of the European Council, and the EU Trade Commissioner, Britain's Baroness Catherine Ashton, is the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security.
A few brief thoughts: -As expected, the centre-right got the presidency while the centre-left filled the high representative position. I always found this bargain a bit odd, seeing that the centre-right is far more popular (based upon the last elections), and the high representative is judged by most to be the more powerful/globally significant position. -van Rompuy's position on Turkey (anti-EU accession) no doubt endeared him to both Merkel and Sarkozy, whose consensus all but guaranteed his appointment. Consider Turkish accession dead for now. Also, his reputation as a consensus builder fits the technocratic preference Europe has long held for its bureaucrats. -The low international profile of both candidates has disappointed many and furthered concerns that the new EU positions will fail to 'stop traffic' in Washington or Beijing. But I suspect this was a calculation of both Merkel and Sarkozy. Neither wanted a European head with more clout or name-recognition than they (this undoubtedly played a role in Tony Blair's failed candidacy for the presidency). van Rompuy's press conference remarks surely pleased France and Germany when he said he would remain 'discreet', as he had 'throughout his political career.' -Baroness Ashton's notable lack of international experience makes her a curious choice. In the post-meeting press conference, she said she would put forth a 'quite diplomacy.' I would argue Europe needs a more robust global presence. -It will be perhaps a year before we can fully understand the significance and power of the new positions, but it seems certain that national leaders (Sarkozy, Merkel, Brown/Cameron) will continue to wield the most power in Europe and drive its agenda, both home and abroad.  Colbert on the Frozen Waffle CrisisDave has brought to our attention a truly frightening development in the world of frozen breakfast goods: the waffle crisis. Akin to peak oil, it threatens the very fabric of western civilization. I am hard at work on a bunker and have stockpiled enough pop-tarts to get me through the winter. God help us. Stephen Colbert, host of The Colbert Report and all-around American hero, calls on US President Barack Obama to open the nation's strategic waffle reserves.
 The Impact of Climate Change on Frozen WafflesYou read that correctly: there will be a shortage of Eggo breakfast waffles in the United States as the result of flooding in Georgia, the site of Kellogg's main factory.  A big day for EuropeEuropean leaders are gathering in Brussels to appoint their first permanent president and foreign affairs high representative under the Lisbon Treaty.  More Recent Articles | |||||||||||
