Author Archive
By Paolo von Schirach May 24, 2013 WASHINGTON – In a major policy speech President Obama tried to outline current and future US conduct regarding the use of unmanned drones to target and kill terrorists. That said, there is something profoundly wrong in the way the President framed the issue. “This war, like all wars, [...]
By Paolo von Schirach May 23, 2013 WASHINGTON – For many (and not too good reasons) Western intellectuals truly believe the fantasy of all knowing, supposedly benevolent, authoritarian but “wise” leaders who behind the scenes quietly concoct far reaching strategies that will benefit all humankind. Just like Plato’s Philosopher-King, these benevolent leaders are never moved by issues of [...]
By Paolo von Schirach May 22, 2013 WASHINGTON – The Guardian reports that the EU Commission bureaucracy, known for its entrenched habit of over regulating everything up to the point of ridicule, continues to live up to its well earned reputation. Now the focus of Eurocratic zeal –please believe that this is not a joke– [...]
By Paolo von Schirach May 21, 2013 WASHINGTON – If you like Marx Brothers movies humor, with all its irreverent absurdities, praise for law breakers and seasoned con men who in the end come up on top, while large audiences cheer, then you must like today’s Italy. The only problem is that this “Italy” is not [...]
By Paolo von Schirach May 20, 2013 WASHINGTON – The Greek economy is a disaster worse than post-tsunami Japan, the only difference being that this is a totally man made catastrophe. A movement is emerging in Greece demanding an exit from the Euro. This really means advocating bankruptcy. As horrible as this may sound, realistically [...]
By Paolo von Schirach May 19, 2013 WASHINGTON – Much is said about the magic powers of well crafted federal public policy to “create jobs”. Yet, the record is not so good. Plenty of honest attempts; modest results. But how about the opposite? How about a mix of bad policies that tend to depress job creation?
By Paolo von Schirach May 18, 2013 WASHINGTON – According to the WSJ, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke in an address at Bard College indicated that he is very optimistic about innovation-led future growth. He acknowledged that, beyond the always booming IT sector, we have not seen many technological breakthroughs in the last 50 years. Even allowing [...]
By Paolo von Schirach May 17, 2013 WASHINGTON – The most telling evidence of Obama’s weakness is that B or C category ”scandals” have monopolized the attention of most media and commentators. We have the resurfacing of the once dead Benghazi terror attack story. This is something that seemed to have legs during the political campaign [...]
By Paolo von Schirach May 16, 2013 WASHINGTON – What happened to the “Western World”? We were used to the idea that America, Europe and Japan, taken together, were and were destined to stay at the top of the economic performance charts, while their societies would keep enjoying a very high quality of life. They were the [...]
By Paolo von Schirach May 15, 2013 WASHINGTON – Of all the comparative statistical compilations produced by multilateral lending institutions, the “Doing Business” Report published annually by the World Bank is one of the most useful. At a glance, the Report provides a good idea of how any given country is or is not “business friendly”. [...]