Archives: 2007 December

The drought in Turkey brings desert conditions to parts of Turkey. The drought also brought a great deal of finger pointing at officials who are accused of not taking steps to increase the water supply to Istanbul and the Turkish capital Ankara in time to avoid hardship.

While drought conditions have abated somewhat since last summer and steps have been taken to bring more water to the cities the long term forecast is not good. You can not pump in water that is not in the reservoirs.

Last summer was a frightening one for Turkey’s major cities. In the capital Ankara, water was not available for three consecutive days. It was announced by officials, “Later on we will have plenty of water.” Very helpful, eh? The University then issues a warning that “water remaining in pipes for three days will not be drinkable; otherwise, we will experience an epidemic outbreak.” The ministry of health set up a crisis center and waits anxiously.

The near complete lack of water in Turkey last year exposed just how quickly a city can be brought to its knees when water service stops. Not only is there the danger of epidemics and other health issues but an enraged population can be difficult and dangerous to cope with.

During the worse of last summer’s drought the best that government officials could seem to do was to turn to prayer. Prayer may help, hopefully it does, but it seems that prayer coupled with better planning and water conservation measures might have a better chance of succeeding.

Government officials all over the world in cities threatened by drought, like Sidney, Australia and Atlanta, Georgia, USA, should take note of Turkey’s plight. Prayer alone may not do the job. After all there is an old saying that God helps those who help themselves.

In spite of numerous prayers Lake Bafa, an important water resource in Turkey, is perishing due to pollution and drought. If next Summer is as bad as the last one Turkey is in for a very bad time of it in 2008.

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Vladimir Putin acts more like a new Russian Czar than a democratically elected president. However, there is a difference. Rather than attempt to change the Russian constitution and rule for life Putin is stepping down next year while at the height of his popularity in Russia.

Vladimir Putin and his success at the revitalization of Russia have been noticed. Time magazine just announced that Putin has been selected to be their 2007 Man of the Year. Most Russians would agree with that choice. The practical tough mined Putin has reigned over a Russia that has moved closer to center stage on the world stage than Russia has enjoyed for quite some time.

Russia is a nation rich in natural resources like oil, gas, timber and precious metals. Surging prices for natural resources have been in Putin’s favor. Under Putin, Russia has gone from a broke nation with over 200 billion in foreign exchange debt to a prosperous nation with hundreds of billions in foreign exchange reserves. While luck and Putin’s timing in taking office may have had something to do with this Putin still gets high marks for his forceful, no nonsense leadership.

Western nations, especially the US, have chided the Russian government and Putin for backsliding on democratic principals in favor of authoritarian rule. However, most Russians are happy with Putin and the results that he has achieved. His approval rating is about at 70% after seven years of rule. Compare that with George Bush’s approval rating in the 20’s and you may begin to wonder what’s so wonderful about democracy, George W. Bush style?

The fact is that most people respond to security, prosperity, and a sense of advancement than to the type of political system that delivers the goods. I’m confident that the style of democracy that Bush brings to the table would not be the system of choice in Russia or anywhere else.

The Russians are proud of Putin and they are once again proud of Russia. Whatever role Putin plays within Russia after he steps down as President he will be a force to reckon with in Russian and in world affairs for a very long time.

Let me ask you. What role do you see for one George W. Bush after he leaves office?

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When in doubt about who ordered a suicide attack it is easy to blame al-Qaeda in Pakistan.

The Ms Bhutto killing was quickly blamed on al-Qaeda. Pakistan says it has intelligence that al-Qaeda assassinated opposition politician Benazir Bhutto at an election rally on Thursday. After Ms Bhutto’s death, interior ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema told reporters, there was “irrefutable evidence that al-Qaeda, its networks and cohorts were trying to destabilise Pakistan”.

That could well be and is even likely the case. Yet, that alone doesn’t prove that al-Qaeda did or did not order the assassination. Ms Bhutto had powerful enemies in Pakistan, including the President and the military. But of course that doesn’t prove that they were behind the assassination.

Since Ms Bhutto was widely viewed within Pakistan as being a bit too friendly with the Americans any of the fundamentalist groups, including al-Qaeda and Taliban elements, could have carried out the attack. There are a long list of those who opposed Ms Bhutto and the PPP.

One criticism that PPP members (Ms Bhutto’s political party) have leveled at the government is that government forces did not better protect Ms Bhutto. That may well be too but after all, Ms Bhutto had been warned by the government that complete protection would be next to impossible if she returned to Pakistan and exposed herself to crowds while campaigning. Ms Bhutto was no fool. I’m sure she was very aware of the risks to her life in volatile Pakistan.

The big question is what now? How will Benazir Bhutto’s death effect the troubled nation of Pakistan? Events could quickly spin out of control as anarchy, fundamentalism, revenge, and tribal leaders, all test the ability of the military and Mr. Musharraf to retain control.

Events in Pakistan will likely further erode the United State’s ability to maintain control in the region. The US had courted Ms Bhutto and had encouraged her to return to Pakistan in the hope that she and President Musharraf could work together to improve stability. Alas, now Ms Bhutto is dead and President Musharraf has been seriously weakened in his ability to keep the lid on extremists.

2008 will likely not be a pleasant one for Pakistan or for US interests in the region.

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