-World-wide recession caused by EuroZone.
-More North-African countries rioting.
-Hopefully some big changes around the US and their debt problems after the election.
-North and South Korea remain separate.
-RIM will be bought out by another company (hopefully Apple or Google).
Should be an exciting year.
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
NSA Response
"Prince Saud al-Faisal, I have seen you really evolve over the course of this simulation. Most recently, I was very impressed by your ability to leverage your oil production in your favor. You really developed the idea and expressed it in a very formal professional matter. I was impressed that you took such a complex idea and sythesized it into something that everyone in the simulation could understand. Additionally, it made a very powerful impact on the situation at hand."
I honestly feel as though this reflection is quite off. Yes, I played a major role in *trying* to use leverage on the US, however, they were the most adamant team in the simulation. I also don't agree that I "evolved" throughout the last few months. My activity in the press was only near the end because there was no need to bring large issues public before the US and Israel attacked us. My actions were true to what a reasonable diplomat would have done. I was also not noted for the large array of press releases and action forms that I had worked on. My actions behind the scenes there and in comments on other newsflashes and updates were a large part of what I spent my time doing.
To my dissatisfaction, our NSAs and Game Mentor did not help our case. As an Arab country, we were quickly deemed as untrustworthy by many larger, more powerful countries such as the US and France. It is too bad that these countries did not understand their relationship with us, as if they had it would have lead to a much more meaningful simulation. On top of that, our NSA and Game Mentor response on action forms and press releases were very, very slow and our activity was stalled because of it. What really bothered me was that our master plan to invade Jerusalem, that took much collaboration with other Arab countries on our side, was completely disregarded on the last day therefore leaving the simulation with no climatic ending. At one point, I asked the NSA to talk to the US for me to remind them that we are strong allies, the NSA said that I had to remind them of that, though the US only thought we were scheming against them. I also asked the Game Mentor to allow us to have private communications with Marwin Barghouti as we heard he was in Saudi Arabia. They simply told us that we could do that by creating an email-- he was not on our lists. After informing them of this dilemma, they did not reply.
Though a very enjoyable experience, I feel as though some of the other countries needed to know more about their countries ties with Arab nations and that our NSAs and Game Mentor should have been more helpful. I honestly feel as though they signed in to do something maybe once every four or five days.
I honestly feel as though this reflection is quite off. Yes, I played a major role in *trying* to use leverage on the US, however, they were the most adamant team in the simulation. I also don't agree that I "evolved" throughout the last few months. My activity in the press was only near the end because there was no need to bring large issues public before the US and Israel attacked us. My actions were true to what a reasonable diplomat would have done. I was also not noted for the large array of press releases and action forms that I had worked on. My actions behind the scenes there and in comments on other newsflashes and updates were a large part of what I spent my time doing.
To my dissatisfaction, our NSAs and Game Mentor did not help our case. As an Arab country, we were quickly deemed as untrustworthy by many larger, more powerful countries such as the US and France. It is too bad that these countries did not understand their relationship with us, as if they had it would have lead to a much more meaningful simulation. On top of that, our NSA and Game Mentor response on action forms and press releases were very, very slow and our activity was stalled because of it. What really bothered me was that our master plan to invade Jerusalem, that took much collaboration with other Arab countries on our side, was completely disregarded on the last day therefore leaving the simulation with no climatic ending. At one point, I asked the NSA to talk to the US for me to remind them that we are strong allies, the NSA said that I had to remind them of that, though the US only thought we were scheming against them. I also asked the Game Mentor to allow us to have private communications with Marwin Barghouti as we heard he was in Saudi Arabia. They simply told us that we could do that by creating an email-- he was not on our lists. After informing them of this dilemma, they did not reply.
Though a very enjoyable experience, I feel as though some of the other countries needed to know more about their countries ties with Arab nations and that our NSAs and Game Mentor should have been more helpful. I honestly feel as though they signed in to do something maybe once every four or five days.
Monday, 12 December 2011
Lyrical Quote
"Security has left you treading water." Idols and Anchors- Parkway Drive.
This song is a very strong metaphor for global warming. Security for many people is considered a job, a car, heating, running water, etc. However, these "securities" are, ultimately, what are causing the burning of fossil fuels. "Treading water" is referring to the fact that global warming is causing sea levels to rise and eventually leave peoples homes and securities quite literally underwater. This leads to the question of: can we really call ourselves good people? In a world where our "necessities" lead to our own destruction can we really consider ourselves "the future?"
This song is a very strong metaphor for global warming. Security for many people is considered a job, a car, heating, running water, etc. However, these "securities" are, ultimately, what are causing the burning of fossil fuels. "Treading water" is referring to the fact that global warming is causing sea levels to rise and eventually leave peoples homes and securities quite literally underwater. This leads to the question of: can we really call ourselves good people? In a world where our "necessities" lead to our own destruction can we really consider ourselves "the future?"
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Belarus
After reading this article, do you think that creating a democracy in countries such as Iraq and Libya would prove successful? Will these "democracies" still be run by dictators?
I believe that democracy will always have a positive effect on countries. Even if there is a corrupt leader, there will always be room for UN intervention. We've seen more good done in democracy than in any dictatorship.
This being said, this article becomes more disturbing the more I think about it. Why hasn't the UN intervened at this point? It almost seems as though labelling the government as democratic has put Belarus off of the corruption radar. It's sad to think that the UN needs to keep their eyes on countries who have had power-thirsty and corrupt leaders elected.
At least a democracy is a start. If moving from dictatorship to democracy could lead to a true democratic government, it is better than having a straight dictatorship. It is better to have a dictator in a democracy than a dictator in a dictatorship. At least in a democracy there is hope.
I believe that democracy will always have a positive effect on countries. Even if there is a corrupt leader, there will always be room for UN intervention. We've seen more good done in democracy than in any dictatorship.
This being said, this article becomes more disturbing the more I think about it. Why hasn't the UN intervened at this point? It almost seems as though labelling the government as democratic has put Belarus off of the corruption radar. It's sad to think that the UN needs to keep their eyes on countries who have had power-thirsty and corrupt leaders elected.
At least a democracy is a start. If moving from dictatorship to democracy could lead to a true democratic government, it is better than having a straight dictatorship. It is better to have a dictator in a democracy than a dictator in a dictatorship. At least in a democracy there is hope.
Friday, 2 December 2011
Iranian Discussion.
What is worse: the bomb or the bombing?
Is it our place to stop this? What makes countries such as the USA eligible to make and hold nuclear weapons yet stop countries such as Iran from making them?
Do you think Israel will go along with an attack on these nuclear plants despite the warnings they have been given?
Casus Belli- Justification for an act of war.
Is it our place to stop this? What makes countries such as the USA eligible to make and hold nuclear weapons yet stop countries such as Iran from making them?
Do you think Israel will go along with an attack on these nuclear plants despite the warnings they have been given?
Casus Belli- Justification for an act of war.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)