Latest News

Sunset In Uhland Heights, Namibia

WINDHOEK, Namibia, (a few years ago) – It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. It was June, (therefore Winter, in that part of Africa). Over there, from the hilltop in Uhland Heights, I had a perfect view of the northern parts of the city.

Splendide Royale

LUGANO, Switzerland, (a few years ago) – The large hotel dining room was in the old-fashioned Swiss style. Discreet lighting, simple and elegant decor. Looking out of the windows, to my right, a beautiful view of the Lake of Lugano at dusk. As I took my seat, I noticed that he place was not crowded. Only a […]

Okvango Silence, Midday in Botswana

OKAVANGO Delta, Botswana, (a few years ago) - That was the end of the week-end in the Okavango Delta, in Northern Botswana. It was a beautiful and mild African Winter day. Past midday the sun was high in the sky and quite warm. From the camp we drove in the open Land Rover to the landing strip […]

America Will Save Billions By Using LNG To Fuel US Heavy Trucks

WASHINGTON – Thanks to hydraulic fracturing, the United States has increased its oil production quite significantly in the last few years. Still, America imports about 50% of the 18 million barrels of oil it consumes every day. For the month of February 2014 the US imported 255 million barrels of oil, at a cost of $ 27.8 billion. Buying more […]

An Aging Population Is Japan’s Real Problem

WASHINGTON – Supposedly “Abenomics” is economic shock therapy aimed at ending Japan’s decades of slumber. Abenomics is about devaluing the currency in order to energize exports. It is about encouraging stock market investments, eliminating barriers to economic activities, while at the same time increasing consumption taxes in order to contain the gigantic national debt. Some things have worked. The […]

Is Greece Back From Its Near Death Experience?

WASHINGTON – So Greece is back? We are told that the very first attempt to sell new Greek debt went spectacularly well. Eager investors were lining up and –surprise– there is hardly any risk premium. Greek ten 10 year bonds not too long ago came with a choking 40% interest. Now it is less than 6%. This […]

US Strategy Against Russia: Give the Ukrainian Army Military Socks

WASHINGTON – Effective deterrence is essentially about two key components working in combination: 1) Having the tools to inflict immediate and irreparable devastation on an adversary who crosses a line 2) The unquestionable will and ability to do so at a moment’s notice, if and when the line has been crossed. For example, a Russian invasion of Eastern Ukraine.  […]

Would NATO Defend Estonia? I Am Not So Sure

WASHINGTON – The governments of the vulnerable Baltic States feel uneasy these days. They look at Russia’s invasion and annexation of Crimea, followed by American and European protests, a few token economic sanctions and….little else. They look at large numbers of Russian troops and other military assets now close to the Ukraine border, and they see no […]

As Russia Stirs More Trouble In Eastern Ukraine, The West Does Nothing

WASHINGTON – We were told that Russia would pay a heavy price for its invasion and subsequent annexation of Crimea, a flagrant violation of well established international law principles. Well, aside from a few targeted sanctions, I do not see much of anything. Isolation We were told that Russia would suffer increasing international isolation compounded by crippling economic […]

A Walk in Georgetown

WASHINGTON – When I was heading back, it was already late in the afternoon. Slowly I lifted my head and I realized that the sky was intensely pink. The clock tower of the old university building was sticking out very distinctly in the distance. But the sky was so fascinating. Little clouds all over. And this […]