Parag Khanna: Rise of the Info-States

Edging toward the sweet spot of new-century governance Enter the info-state. The info-state – today one of a growing number of dynamic and entrepreneurial cities, city-states or small nations scattered around the world – governs as much through data as via democracy. Scholars have for decades appreciated political mutations that drive international competition and result …

Berto Jongman: CIA Junior Clandestine Operations Officer Arrested in Moscow with Full Kit for a Cold Pitch Adds Marcus Aurelius Huffington Post Overview

The details are being read in Europe. Cloak, dagger and a blond wig? FSB says CIA agent nabbed in Moscow (VIDEO, PHOTOS) Promises of millions, a new face and detailed instructions on a double-agent conspiracy in Moscow. Bearing the hallmarks of a Cold War spy thriller, Russia’s counterintelligence agency says it nabbed a CIA officer …

SchwartzReport: Plastic Guns Drive Home the Criminal Insanity of “The Western Way” of Security

It is amazing how an inexpensive technological development can render irrelevant billions of dollars of investment. In this case the security apparatus of Homeland Security. When I did the original 3-D printing story about three years ago the printers cost $50,000. Just a few weeks ago, when these printers hit the news big time the …

SchwartzReport: The Dark Side of Home Schooling — And Public Schooling + Education Meta-RECAP

Anyone who reads SR regularly knows my views on religious fundamentalism in general, and the threat posed to America by the Christian version particularly. Here is the latest. Notice the universals of fundamentalism of whatever faith: Deeply distorted views on sexuality, the suppression and subordination of women, the emphasis on guilt, and the commitment to …

Chuck Spinney: Understanding the Arab Transformation — Political & Economic Harmonization, Not Democratization, Is Core First Step

Below is a very interesting summary of the political tensions among secularism and religion and modernism and tradition in Tunisia.  I think the author, who I do not know but whose writings I have followed, is one of the most knowledgeable observers of the Arab Spring. Chuck Spinney Washington Report on Middle East Affairs April …

Penguin: General James “Mad Dog” Mattis, USMC, on Why “Too Busy to Read” Is a Moron’s Cop-Out on Leadership Responsibility

A model for all of us. General James ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis Email About Being ‘Too Busy To Read’ Is A Must-Read Geoffrey Ingersoll In the run up to Marine Gen. James Mattis‘ deployment to Iraq in 2004, a colleague wrote to him asking about the “importance of reading and military history for officers,” many of whom …