Room Fire Alert mechanism blasts off since 3 AM this morning

 My fire alert room system has been sounding an alarm since 3 AM.  Obviously, no one from property management is in the residence to turn it off or deactivate it. 

That's life in the fast lane!

Taliban, ruling in Afghanistan, discourages poppy production in the fields; wants farmers to grow wheat, etc.

/What years of presence of US troops in Afghanistan could not counter successfully the drug trade in Afghanistan.  It took the Taliban, whose home is Afghanistan, to start a crusade against the poppy!  Reported in the Economist, June 10 issue, p. 7.  

CNN Sunday's program "GPS" reports today that the Middle East Oil Rich Countries have come upon a bonanza in sales since the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Preferring not to buy oil from Russia, many that would have otherwise done its oil business with the Russians have returned to purchase energy source from the traditional Middle East favorites--Saudi Arabia, for one.  With the largesse in the bank, Middle Eastern tycoons are turning to sports--investing in golf schemes--and to games of chance--invading the casinos-hotels market lucrative deals.

     

Brookings: Evaluating NATO Enlargement Since the End of the Cold War

On Thursday, June 15, 2023, 2:30 PM, a discussion group was assembled to talk about enlarging membership in NATO since the Cold War.  Moderator Peter Baker, New York Times, presided over the conclave consisting of James Goldgeier, Brookings; Jim Townsant, Center for the New American Security; Professor Joshua Shifrinson, University of Maryland; and Ms. Susan Colbourn, Program in Grand Strategy.

As early as 1997, Dr. Z. Brzezinski mentioned in a speech just prior to a NATO summit meeting in Madrid, that he thought Ukraine might qualify as a member in it; though the issue of corruption in government would sometimes be akso brought up as a hindrance to its membership anytime soon.  And, occasionally both Georgia and the Ukraine were mentioned together since they both were invaded by Russian forces, I understand in 2014.

Even at one time or another, Russia itself was singled out as a possible candidate, though the Russian hierarchy did not favorably welcome the presence of a friendly force backed by America so close to its frontier.

Be it noted, that apparently both Sweden and Finland sought membership from NATO itself, since the invasion of Ukraine last year.  Currently, Ukraine would seemingly be on the path toward membership;  and it is now certainly benefiting from the military aid from European countries, most also members of NATO, along with the US.

Any thought of not granting membership to the former USSR satellites was voiced at the discussion regarding how Russia would regard the acceptance, given how close they are to Russian land.

Expansion of membership and the path toward becoming a member will probably be discussed at the next summit meeting coming up pretty soon.

It was noted, how Russia would regard any continued expansion of NATO toward its territory is no longer a primary concern as was in earlier times, though some participants were aware that President Biden has assured he wants the United States to remain out of confrontation with the Russian military.

         

Wilson Center: Carbon Pricing and the Energy Transition Methodology--A Discussion

A very important think tank session on cap and trade of carbon emissions was held on Friday, June 9th, 2023 online from 9-10:30 AM.  Participants were Mr. Stefano DeClara, Head of the Secretariat at ICAP; Professor Jessica Green, University of Toronto; Mark Kennedy, Director, Wilson's Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition; Dagmara Koska, Deputy Head, Global Issues, Delegation of the EU to US; Professor Barry Rabe, University of Michigan; and moderator--Sara Schondhardt, E&E News.

The cap and trade method, extant and used by governments at various levels around the globe, is coordinated by ICAP.  It, in turn, takes as a model the EU ETS (emissions trading) as the basic procedure in the process of amassing funding for transition to a decarbonization energy universal source, i.e., one no longer largely dependent on the use of carbon-based matter to produce energy for the world.

I noticed the EPA was not represented among speakers on the topic, despite seemingly, that the topic falls within its legal area of concern and monitoring.

I have witnessed over the years of the EPA several instances in which it fought hard to be on such a panel to express their viewpoint on a topical matter within their legal ken.  And what I find missing is the oversight critical function of evaluating those ETS on-going without significant appraisal of these systems, evidently, voluntarily controlled.  I observed at the meeting that occasionally a panelist would, himself, raise criticism, e.g., removing offsets because they are too expensive and little regulation of them.

I came away with the impression that the energy system now in place is being self-served in the use of this industry's commitment to a method--cap and trade--that appears to lack independent validation.

My opinion, after having attended the session.

           

Brookings: A Conversation with General Jaqueline Van Ovost of US Transportation Command

 To interview her in the capacity of the Commander under the Department of Defense were Michael O'Hanlon of Brookings and Colonel in the US Air Force Jason Wolff, also of the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy and Technology group at Brookings.  The interview was held at Brookings, Tuesday, June 6, 2023 from 3-4 PM.   

We, the public, don't get a chance to locate the department that considers complaints of mobile movements of the military across the globe; and so I was delighted to be able to listen to Ms. Van Ovost describe some of the activities her office deals with.  To me, I finally found someone to complain to--I think!  We come into contact with movement of the military personnel during evacuation of personnel, for example.  I'm thinking of when our troops were pulling out of Saigon, South Vietnam, some years ago.  The chaos of the final plane leaving the ground.  Who can forget it?  It caused me to wonder, are troop movements governed by levels of secrecy, such that multiple sites for evacuation would lessen the problems encountered, when so many felt they were being ignored and would succumb to being left behind?  

One would think the final plane taking off from a land being vacated by the military would be a mop-up crew of soldiers, only--not people feeling disparate at their encountered plight!  

But then again, when our military were pulling out of Kabul, Afghanistan the same sort of chaos seemed to be occurring at the city's airport!  Indeed, people were hanging on some object of the plane during its takeoff!  Again, there was no secrecy and apparently little staggering of planes taking off from multiple locations for country exit.

Impressions are made regarding the exit from a country.  Our leaving Afghanistan in such a hurry, might have given President Putin of Russia the impression that, if he were contemplating Russia's swallowing up Ukraine, he would not encounter protest from the West to thwart any such attempt.

But there's another major instance involving troop movement during war game exercises of the United States with our allies.  Again, might they go off without a complaint by neighboring countries in the area?  The use of levels of secrecy might enable others to go about their business and not be concerned that the war games are being conducted in the region.  Or again, our planes have sometimes been accompanied by some foreign country's airplane or ship.  Could departure or arrival times be closed mouthed publicly to prevent an incident?

In any case, I think the movement of the military must be governed by making sure the people who need to know of the movements are informed and that the business of others is not a cause for our unpopularity when we're not interfering with others' exercise of their rights.  

I don't want to lose my health aide!

 I've been so busy I flobbed the dub on clocking out my health aide on Sunday.  Please rectify for me.  I'm not perfect--ha, ha.

China and Russia both are engaged in making deals with Central Asia's former Russian satellites.

As part of its search for minerals, China under President Xi has more than 90 projects currently underway in Central Asia.  Reports the Economist in its May 27 issue, p. 61, a gas pipeline through Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is being planned by the Chinese; and probably, Russia envisions it to benefit by transporting the gas through its pipeline systems.

Apparently, Russia is already attempting to circumvent the West's sanctions using banks in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan which accept gold and roubles, while most satellites are permitting trade in Russian goods to pass bound for Europe.  These countries have probably welcomed former Russians as immigrants into their region, too.  In these ways, the satellites are, according to the article, "booming."  While not agreeing with Putin's invasion into the Ukraine, they have partnered with China and Russia, both--a policy that offers significantly greater wealth those of Central Asia.

Nevertheless, Russia is currently led by President Putin, who clearly has raised the issues of invading another country that he seeks to annihilate; and in the process, of committing crimes against humanity.  That real situation raises the moral question of his leadership of the Russian people.

My opinion.

    

  

Africa rife with thugs and corruption!

Take South Africa, for example.  The Economist reports in the May 27 issue, page 38, 2023, "In 2019 at least 183 infrastructure projects were disrupted by 'construction mafia' demanding jobs and bribes."  Not to mention the thievery of construction materials.

There's got to be a change in priorities.  Africans have to stress they want an education and good paying jobs; and no corruption!

My opinion.   

My little rumor! AI will make it possible to live much longer!

 The reason, so I've heard on some mass media programming, is that AI will enable the medical field to use plastics in the body, manufactured with the use of AI programs for the computer in the making of artificial internal parts, instead of say, for example, arteries!...That's what I've heard.

Get ready, grandchildren of today, to live to 130 years of age, retirement at age 110!  Could be!! Maybe....

My rumor, only; alas.  My dream.

NATO'S sphere of influence felt in Russia proper! Can it be, really?

 It's uncanny, but it seems that Russia is itself NATO's sphere of influence, because Russian dissenters to President Putin's invasion of Ukraine are accepting the challenge to march into Russia armed to take Putin's war to the homeland, Russia itself.

Can it be, really; or is this a case of fake propaganda by the Russian propaganda machine to ward off those who disagree with Putin's War Policy to stay away from Russian lands?

I wonder.  My opinion. 

The Whole of Africa needs educational opportunities!

It is clear that the African countries do not emphasize the importance of education!  

But now the Chinese colonies are being established in their countries.  No doubt they will offer to educate the African youth for business and government positions, possibly without having the people pay for their system on African soil.

I've suggested an alternative: send Africans abroad to get university training and knowledge.  These students, educated abroad, could lay the foundation for youths being educated in their countries.  China is already familiar with this way to bring educational opportunity to the many, because the Chinese sent students to study at American universities just after China was opened up to the West.

  

Brookings: Discussion on Digitalization and Digital Skills Gaps in Africa

A lengthy series of talks by professionals in the computer field in Africa was held on May 31, 2023 at the Brookings--an online presentation.  Mr. Haroon Bhoret, Director, DPRU-UCT served as moderator.  There were 2 panels: Panel 1: Landry Signe, Global Economy Initiative--Brookings; Alonysius Ordu, Director, Global Economy Initiative; Zaakhir Asmal, University of Capetown; Jaboulile Monnakgotla, University of Capetown; and Christopher Rooney, University of Capetown.

Panel 2: Haroon Bhoret; Lesly Goh, World Bank; Cecilia Mansson, TalentUp Africa; Landey Signe, Africa Growth Initiative; and Alison Gillwald, Executive Director, Research ICT Africa.

The first Panel tended to address the issue of where do the African techs in the field rate in comparison with those of countries in the G20: it's below the average in skill and knowledge of those having knowledge and skill in the computer field.  It was noted, too, that those interested in computers in Africa may not be working as professionals but manage to be self-employed or work "informally" in the field.  But there seemed to be consensus among them all that Africa is definitely "behind" most other countries on the planet in keeping up in the field--lacking infrastructure, wifi access, and educational opportunities and so on!  The point was even raised tangentially, whether it is a good for a society to be so wrapped up with AI and computer systems!

The second panel was more specific in the programs these professionals admired that is occurring elsewhere, not in Africa, particularly, but which might be models to be imitated as to demonstrate involvement in the industry: e.g., India, and even Bangladesh, where sound educational training is given early on in a child's appreciation of life's opportunities.

Cecilia Mansson was encouraging of seeking successful programs in training and development of computer skills elsewhere as instances that might prove applicable for import onto African soil.  The point being the Chinese sent their youth to the United States colleges and universities for training in modern technology and even thus, the African nations might sponsor their younger citizens to come to the advanced nations of the world for knowledge and experience as a way to rise to the stature of expert.

But the very telling diagram presented showed the real problem for Africa to solve to join with the world's participation in systems technology and Artificial Intelligence: the need for foreign investment in infrastructure on their continent--to demonstrate their reliance upon computers.  Investors shy away from putting their money in government ventures or private ones where the culture permits corrupt business practices of favoritism to escape public condemnation and rebuke.  They're afraid they won't get a good return on their investment.  Perhaps, modern society's virtual obsession with the computer is not something they want in their culture.  

If they want to join the Computer Age, these Africans would have to adjust their financial priorities to make it happen!  Free education for their youth in computers!