Lasers vs. pirates: The new Somali frontier
The British are going to try beating back pirates with specially-crafted laser canons. I’m not kidding. “We are using the laser as a kind…
Read MoreElsewhere
On Sudan, the view from outside Africa
All eyes are focused today on southern Sudan, where a vote begins that most expect will create Africa’s newest country — and, it turns…
Read MoreEvent: Sudan after the referendum
The Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC is hosting a conversation about post-referendum Sudan on Monday, January 10. For details, check…
Read MoreFor what a flag?
I blogged earlier on the debate over Malawi’s flag, with a quick tone that angered two commenters. So I’m going a second round, incorporating…
Read MoreMalawi’s flag war
So the Catholic Church and the Malawian president are facing off over… a flag. The president recently decided to change the flag, without much…
Read MoreThis week in “Huh?”
From CNN International, in an article about a British aid worker with what appears to be remarkable if limited telepathic capability. I think. Or…
Read MoreEinheitstag! Or, “That WWI loan consolidation really paid off…”
Today is Unification Day in Germany, aka Einheitstag, and I gotta say that I’m super-proud I remembered the word even though I haven’t lived…
Read MoreAmerican Politics 101, for anyone who can stomach it
One thing I love about living abroad are the questions and opinions about American politics. When I was here in 2008, in the leadup…
Read MoreOuting corruption in Kenya, and African authors you want to meet
Last year, I wrote about a new book on a Kenyan whistleblower, written by a British journalist. A reader pointed me to Kenyan writer…
Read MoreA Kristof must-read
No one needs me to tell them to read the New York Times, but I thought Nick Kristof’s column was worthy of a shout…
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