Al Qaeda still passionately hostile to America

Despite the change of presidency in the United States of America, Al Qaeda remains very hostile to the country as clearly evidenced by the condemnation of President-elect Barack Obama by Ayman al-Zawahri. Like it or hate it, Al Qaeda and its cells seem to have developed into a decentralised network which can still be operational without Osama bin Laden, whether dead or still alive, in public command and control.

Critical & touchy decision for Obama to make

America' s first female four-star army general

While many of us in the world cheers the presidential triumph of the first Black president in the USA, the country's Army has also selected a woman, Ann E. Dunwoody, as a four-star general on her own merit.

Panyu girl scores first Olympic gold for China

Republican movement revitalised in Australia

According to a news report in the United Kingdom, the long-standing debates on whether Australia should be turned into a republic is now back on the mainstream political agenda as both PM Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull (above) are avowed republicans.

India commemorates Republic Day every year

Critical & touchy decision for Obama to make

One of the most intense speculations on the future policy direction of the Obama presidency is whether it would retain the plan of the Bush administration to install a missiles defence system in eastern Europe. Like it or hate it, Obama will have to make a yes-or-no decision soon after he has been sworn in as the USA president on 20 January, 2009.

Putin could return as Russian president again

Putin could return as Russian president again

For good or for ill, Vladimir Putin may return as a powerful president of an increasingly assertive Russia just when the tense Russia-West geopolitical competition in and around Europe has always been back. Russia has also increased activities in the Caribbean region recently.

Obama' s presidency faces 3 major challenges

Obama' s presidency faces 3 major challenges

It is abundantly clear, by now, that the three major challenges facing the Obama presidency are (1) Iran, (2) financial crisis and (3) Russia. These three major challenges are also most pressing for the moment. Pogroms and terrorism apparently inspired or motivated by faiths, to be sure, still call for special attention as well as very active concerns.

History back to Europe from East & Southeast

History back to Europe from East & Southeast

Like it or not, Europe now faces the return of history not only in the form of a resurgent Russia in its east, but also a fairly bellicose and increasingly powerful Iran (Persia in ancient history) to its southeast.

Nuclearising Iran test-fires upgraded missiles

Nuclearising Iran test-fires upgraded missiles

As the speculation of Israel could be launching surgical strikes against nuclear facilities inside Iran anytime from now on to 19 January next year is abuzz, Iran has reportedly just test-fired a new generation of missiles, which reportedly can reach Israel and even southern Europe.

Barack Obama under Iranian fire from Tehran

News read from a world-historic perspective

Future historians would, I believe, consider the presidential victory of Barack Obama in America and the abolition of the 239-year monarchy in Nepal as world-historic events which are transformative in essence and progressive in direction with equality for all on earth as the goal.

World-historic meaning of French Revolution