歐巴馬就職成為美國第四十四任總統，也是第一位入主白宮的非裔美國人。美國正值經濟衰退期，歐巴馬總統在國會大廈的階梯上，對國家廣場上的群眾，發表了一番沉重的演說。白宮稱歐巴馬就職的這天，是「嶄新、和協的國慶日」。
Barack Obama was inaugurated as America’s 44th president, becoming the first black man to hold the office. With the country in recession, Mr Obama delivered a sombre speech from the steps of the Capitol building to a throng of people on the National Mall. The White House proclaimed it “a national day of renewal and reconciliation”.
Source: http://www.economist.com資料來源：http://www.economist.com
評論：
歐巴馬的勝利不只是他的勝利，也不是只黑白之爭的勝利。在美國這樣一個民主國家，總統不但是國家的主人，他還代表了賜予他權力的選民，反應出其選民的態度與道德。
歐巴馬的總統之路是否會一帆風順？難說。政治情勢可能在短時間內變得惡劣。在經濟陷入危機的時候，人通常會找另一個人做為發洩的對象。在恐怖攻擊的陰影下，害怕會很容易導致局勢緊張，並帶來憤怒和躁動。
美國現在擁有一位新總統，但這位新總統也有一個全新的國家待他領導，一個改變幾乎已超越我們的想像的國家。
Our say:
The Obama victory is about more than Obama, and about more than black and white. In a democratic republic like the U.S., the president is both a maker and a mirror of the manners and morals of the electorate that has invested him with ultimate authority.
Will the journey be smooth? That is doubtful. Politics can quickly turn mean. In hard economic times there is often a search for an "other" on which to blame the problems of life. In the wake of a possible terrorist attack, fear could easily lead to tension, resentment and discord.
The U.S. has a new president. But he, too, has a new nation to lead, one that's changing almost beyond recognition.
Source: www.newsweek.com資料來源：www.newsweek.com
2009年1月24日 星期六
2009年1月12日 星期一
Casual Words #3: Gaza
U.S. thwarts cease-fire endorsement
While Arab, European and United Nations leaders have put their weight behind calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, the U.S. has blocked a Security Council statement to that effect.
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)/Reuters (1/3), The Toronto Star/The Associated Press (1/3)
美國使停火受挫
當阿拉伯世界、歐洲及聯合國領袖致力於呼籲加薩停火時，美國則阻擋了一份陳述此意的安理會聲明。
UN meets for rush diplomacy section
Foreign ministers from key UN nations met in New York for an emergency session to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis conflict between Israel and Gaza, now into its 11th day. The group seems to be coalescing behind Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who have authored plans for a truce. BBC (1/7)
聯合國召開緊急外交會議
主要的聯合國會員外長於紐約召開緊急會議，以找出以色列與加薩間進入第十一天危機衝突的外交解決手段。這個團體似乎是在曾提出停火計畫的埃及總統Hosni Mubarak和法國總統Nicolas Sarkozy之下結合而成。
Our say:
Blocking the Security Council statement appears to be among the farewell performances of the Bush administration (along with a recent ocean conservation plan). As the Obama crew comes in place, the balance in US foreign policy between the liberal approach of a democrat government (perhaps a change from the previous “unilateralism”) and the general “anti terrorism” position of recent years, is of observation worth.
阻擋安理會的聲明看來是Bush政府的的告別演出之一（也包括錢陣子提出的大型海洋保育計畫）。在Obama的團隊逐漸接手之際，美國對外政策當中，民主黨政府（有別於之前單邊主義）的自由主義取向與近年來反恐怖主義的一般立場如何相互平衡，值得觀察。
And there’s the eager Frenchman. France has kept a tradition of foreign policies which “stands out” from its fellow European countries, be it the constant contravention against US positions during the Cold War, or the hardheaded nuclear test in 1997. Since President Sarkozy came to office, we have seen the Frenchman’s active participation in international politics, as observed in the European summit in response to the current financial crisis, the EU conference on carbon emission, and of course the call for a cease fire on the present Gaza conflict. Again we may suggest that the tradition is being kept, in a rather dramatic manner.
而眼下有個急切的法國人。法國與其他歐洲國家相比，一直保持著「特異」的外交政策傳統，不論是冷戰中經常駁斥美國的立場，或者是1997年在國際反對聲浪下的核子試爆。自Sarkozy上台以後，我們就可以看到這位法國總統在國際上的積極參與，由歐洲金融高峰會、歐盟氣候變遷會議及新聞中提到呼籲加薩停火可見一般。
As to economic influences, the strength of the current global recession and the impact of the Middle East conflict can be regarded as two factors working against each other. Which of these factors has the greater effect on oil prices, and hence the world economy, might prove an interesting episode in midst of the credit crunch.
至於經濟方面的影響，或可將當前全球通貨緊縮的強度，與中東衝突的衝擊視為作用相反的兩個因素。究竟哪一個對於油價（與世界經濟）有較大的影響，或許是金融危機中有趣的插曲。
While Arab, European and United Nations leaders have put their weight behind calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, the U.S. has blocked a Security Council statement to that effect.
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)/Reuters (1/3), The Toronto Star/The Associated Press (1/3)
美國使停火受挫
當阿拉伯世界、歐洲及聯合國領袖致力於呼籲加薩停火時，美國則阻擋了一份陳述此意的安理會聲明。
UN meets for rush diplomacy section
Foreign ministers from key UN nations met in New York for an emergency session to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis conflict between Israel and Gaza, now into its 11th day. The group seems to be coalescing behind Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who have authored plans for a truce. BBC (1/7)
聯合國召開緊急外交會議
主要的聯合國會員外長於紐約召開緊急會議，以找出以色列與加薩間進入第十一天危機衝突的外交解決手段。這個團體似乎是在曾提出停火計畫的埃及總統Hosni Mubarak和法國總統Nicolas Sarkozy之下結合而成。
Our say:
Blocking the Security Council statement appears to be among the farewell performances of the Bush administration (along with a recent ocean conservation plan). As the Obama crew comes in place, the balance in US foreign policy between the liberal approach of a democrat government (perhaps a change from the previous “unilateralism”) and the general “anti terrorism” position of recent years, is of observation worth.
阻擋安理會的聲明看來是Bush政府的的告別演出之一（也包括錢陣子提出的大型海洋保育計畫）。在Obama的團隊逐漸接手之際，美國對外政策當中，民主黨政府（有別於之前單邊主義）的自由主義取向與近年來反恐怖主義的一般立場如何相互平衡，值得觀察。
And there’s the eager Frenchman. France has kept a tradition of foreign policies which “stands out” from its fellow European countries, be it the constant contravention against US positions during the Cold War, or the hardheaded nuclear test in 1997. Since President Sarkozy came to office, we have seen the Frenchman’s active participation in international politics, as observed in the European summit in response to the current financial crisis, the EU conference on carbon emission, and of course the call for a cease fire on the present Gaza conflict. Again we may suggest that the tradition is being kept, in a rather dramatic manner.
而眼下有個急切的法國人。法國與其他歐洲國家相比，一直保持著「特異」的外交政策傳統，不論是冷戰中經常駁斥美國的立場，或者是1997年在國際反對聲浪下的核子試爆。自Sarkozy上台以後，我們就可以看到這位法國總統在國際上的積極參與，由歐洲金融高峰會、歐盟氣候變遷會議及新聞中提到呼籲加薩停火可見一般。
As to economic influences, the strength of the current global recession and the impact of the Middle East conflict can be regarded as two factors working against each other. Which of these factors has the greater effect on oil prices, and hence the world economy, might prove an interesting episode in midst of the credit crunch.
至於經濟方面的影響，或可將當前全球通貨緊縮的強度，與中東衝突的衝擊視為作用相反的兩個因素。究竟哪一個對於油價（與世界經濟）有較大的影響，或許是金融危機中有趣的插曲。
2009年1月6日 星期二
Casual Words #2: NATO and Russia
NATO Acts to Renew Its Relations with Russia
By STEVEN ERLANGER
Published: December 19, 2008
PARIS — The secretary general of NATO had lunch on Friday with the Russian ambassador to the organization, beginning the “conditional and graduated re-engagement” with Moscow that NATO foreign ministers approved earlier this month.
(Source: NY Times)
北約展開行動重建對俄關係
北大西洋公約組織秘書長在週五中午與俄國大使餐敘，開啟了與俄國「有條件的漸進交往」，該政策於本月稍早獲北約各成員國外長贊同。
Our say:
Russia has always taken NATO as an aggressive alliance, especially when the Czech Republic, Poland and Baltic countries became members of NATO. While the United States tried to bring Georgia and Ukraine into NATO, Russia finally made a move and gave a firm response with the Georgia War, condemned by the West afterward.
俄國向來將北約視為有侵略性的聯盟，特別在捷克、波蘭及波羅的海諸國成為北約成員之後。當美國試圖將喬治亞及烏克蘭引入北約，俄國終以喬治亞戰爭做為堅決回應的手段，也因此受到西方的譴責。
However, a large part of European countries’ gas imports are from Russia. No one can promise the stability of gas sources since Russia once cut the pipeline to neighboring countries. If the European countries are in conflict with Russia, it will only threaten their energy supply and consequently their economy.
然而，歐洲有一大部分地區依賴俄國供給天然氣。沒有人可以保證該供給的穩定性，因為俄國曾經切斷與鄰國間的天然氣管線（以能源為其外交籌碼）。若歐洲國家與俄國發生衝突，勢必會對其能源造成威脅而牽連經濟。
While China, being more influential after the Olympics, actually gets the most benefits from the status quo. How to avoid a firm alliance between Russia and China in confrontation against the West might be the latter’s priority challenge. It seems the big nations have no choice but to gradually re-engage with Russia as a new rising power. Hope the re-engagement is as good as the lunch.
另一方面，奧運之後國際影響力更行增加的中共，則在現狀當中得利最多。如何避免中俄形成與西方對抗的同盟關係，為後者的優先考量。如此看來，各大國除了與俄國重啟關係以外，似乎沒有其他選擇。
2008年12月15日 星期一
Casual Words: Exordium (Very, Very Casual)
These posts are meant to make some (casual) comments on recent international events. They are NOT meant to fulfill any academic criteria or purpose, except being generated through some (definitely not so thorough) knowledge of international relations.
Personal opinions and feelings of the author(s) can be found in the paragraphs, and everyone, especially applicants and participants of the GIS conference are welcomed to share their views.
Informal and casual. Open ended.
Ban, Kerry urge action on climate
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday urged the world to overcome economic and political concerns to work out a "Green New Deal" to cope with climate change, while incoming U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's representative to talks in Poland, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., urged China -- now the world's top greenhouse gas emitter -- to commit to large-scale emissions cuts.
Reuters (12/11), Chicago Tribune (12/12)
Our say:
Over the past couple of years, discussions have been emerging among many of the influential international figures and entities (UN, US, EU, etc.). With the Kyoto Protocol expiring in 2012, the buzz on reaching a new agreement on climate change/ green house gas emission has been the one of the core topics (and a “universal value”) on numerous events. Yet on this specific issue, we can again easily observe the realism of international politics. The quarrel between “developed” and “developing” nations have been shoving the “responsibility” of reducing emission to each other. Seriously, who gives a damn about polar bears when you have hungry (perhaps even angry and armed) people, international pressure and/or big time industries on your back?
Source:
UN Wire (http://www.unwire.org/)
序言：
GIS Taiwan將定期張貼國際新聞的摘要報導，並無任何學術意圖，純粹提供一討論國際事務的平台。文章內清楚標明資料來源與作者評論的引述，歡迎各位學子一起分享你的心得與想法。
聯合國秘書長力倡「綠色新政」
聯合國氣候變遷大會今年12月11、12日於波蘭舉行。聯合國秘書長潘基文(Ban Ki-moom)迫切強調各國應盡力排除經濟與政治因素，共同實行「綠色新政」(Green New Deal)，合力對抗全球氣候變遷問題。美國總統當選人歐巴馬的代表，約翰克里於大會中特別要求中國，世界第一溫室氣體排放量國，遵守承諾大幅降低溫室氣體排放量。
文章摘錄自：Reuters (2009/12/11), Chicago Tribune (12/12)
評論：
過去幾年，重要的國際組織或團體紛紛出現，開始針對特別議題進行熱烈討論。
鑒於全球暖化，東京議定書將於2012任務到期後，如合議定新的氣候變遷方案及溫室氣體排放量的規定，成為最重要的核心問題。然而，各國討論此特別議題時，已開發國家與發展中國家間的爭論，相互推卸減少排放量的責任，我們不難發現國際政治體系的現實主義。說真的，當人們貧窮飢餓時，誰還在乎北極熊的存亡？
資料來源：UN Wire (http://www.unwire.org/)
Personal opinions and feelings of the author(s) can be found in the paragraphs, and everyone, especially applicants and participants of the GIS conference are welcomed to share their views.
Informal and casual. Open ended.
Ban, Kerry urge action on climate
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday urged the world to overcome economic and political concerns to work out a "Green New Deal" to cope with climate change, while incoming U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's representative to talks in Poland, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., urged China -- now the world's top greenhouse gas emitter -- to commit to large-scale emissions cuts.
Reuters (12/11), Chicago Tribune (12/12)
Our say:
Over the past couple of years, discussions have been emerging among many of the influential international figures and entities (UN, US, EU, etc.). With the Kyoto Protocol expiring in 2012, the buzz on reaching a new agreement on climate change/ green house gas emission has been the one of the core topics (and a “universal value”) on numerous events. Yet on this specific issue, we can again easily observe the realism of international politics. The quarrel between “developed” and “developing” nations have been shoving the “responsibility” of reducing emission to each other. Seriously, who gives a damn about polar bears when you have hungry (perhaps even angry and armed) people, international pressure and/or big time industries on your back?
Source:
UN Wire (http://www.unwire.org/)
序言：
GIS Taiwan將定期張貼國際新聞的摘要報導，並無任何學術意圖，純粹提供一討論國際事務的平台。文章內清楚標明資料來源與作者評論的引述，歡迎各位學子一起分享你的心得與想法。
聯合國秘書長力倡「綠色新政」
聯合國氣候變遷大會今年12月11、12日於波蘭舉行。聯合國秘書長潘基文(Ban Ki-moom)迫切強調各國應盡力排除經濟與政治因素，共同實行「綠色新政」(Green New Deal)，合力對抗全球氣候變遷問題。美國總統當選人歐巴馬的代表，約翰克里於大會中特別要求中國，世界第一溫室氣體排放量國，遵守承諾大幅降低溫室氣體排放量。
文章摘錄自：Reuters (2009/12/11), Chicago Tribune (12/12)
評論：
過去幾年，重要的國際組織或團體紛紛出現，開始針對特別議題進行熱烈討論。
鑒於全球暖化，東京議定書將於2012任務到期後，如合議定新的氣候變遷方案及溫室氣體排放量的規定，成為最重要的核心問題。然而，各國討論此特別議題時，已開發國家與發展中國家間的爭論，相互推卸減少排放量的責任，我們不難發現國際政治體系的現實主義。說真的，當人們貧窮飢餓時，誰還在乎北極熊的存亡？
資料來源：UN Wire (http://www.unwire.org/)
訂閱：
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