Regional ambitions

There's a lot of talk about Turkey's recent (supposedly civilian) adventure in the Mediterranean especially since it had the blessing of the ruling junta.  What message were the Turks sending out to the whole world and the region, in particular?

Turkey is ideally placed between Europe & Asia.  One side of the Bosphorus wants to be close to Europe, the other side not.  Having tried all these years to appease the Europeans with reforms, nothing seems to work out in their favor due to the prominence of two groups (traditionalist versus modernists).  The former believes Turkey is swaying way off course with its liberalism while the latter wants even more liberalism.  For now, the former is the driver's seat with no intention of relinquishing its position.

However, there's a lot at stake here.  One of them being they are our strategic partner for security and other avenues of regional cooperation.  Considering these aspects, I seriously hope the Obama administration is reviewing the recent developments and have corrective measures planned in the short & long term.  From what I've heard from sources in DC, there's already a minor state of panic that we are on course of losing an ally that is strategically important for us in this region.

On the other hand, maybe the Turks with their moderate views would not be such a bad idea of a power broker in the region.

Having that said, a key element remains.  Will the traditionalist Arabs allow an outsider even though they share the same religion to flex its muscles in their backyard?

I hope for the sake of stability, we never have to pick a side.

Video

I like this guy's sense of humor and the way he conveys the message to accept ourselves as we come.  That apart, I think this video would be a great reminder once in a while when any one of us gets that worthless feeling.

Reminds me of an old college gutter slang; life is a bitch that came riding on a horse at the end of which we die.  

The only difference here with this guy is that by the time he dies, he would have made a big impression on people and changed lives in a way no one could dare imagine.

I don't think I make sense, could be an impending writer's block.

Overstepping the dotted line

Had a conversation with my Dad this evening.  The topic was the recent fiasco with the aid ships.  According to him, it appears that the Israeli leadership surely overdrew their blank check.  And he's pro-Israel, as pro, as no one can ever imagine or dream of.  So when he condemns, I sit back in awe and just listen.  Maybe there is some credibility in his opinion what with having interacted with both, liberal & ortho-conservative Jews in Israel as well back home in the States.

Based on his words, I don't think Israel will find a valid excuse to escape with a slap on its wrist, on this occasion.  Having said that, I still feel there's an Ace waiting to be flashed at the right moment.  Thank God, I'm not a participant in this game of high stakes.

Hardships & success

Calluses on the hands of a nine-year old gymnast during a training camp in the Hubei Olympic Sport Centre, Wuhan, China. The best young athletes will be selected to train with coaches from the national team

Photographer: China Photos/Getty Images 

 

By focusing on the detail of the gymnast's hands, the photographer has encapsulated the hardships endured by young athletes. The use of details can be an effective way of portraying a wider story

 

Eyewitness

Frogs hop across the Egnatia highway near the town of Langada, Greece. The frogs migrate from a nearby lake looking for food

Photographer: Nikolas Giakoumidis/AP

Ethnic music

A few years ago, my parents gifted me a CD of Buddhist chants after they returned from their visit to Dharamshala in India.  Not that they are Buddhist converts but they have an affinity for Buddhism and all that it preaches about being kind to all living beings irrespective of their caste, creed or religion.

Somehow in my deepest, darkest moments, I used to find solace in those chants.  I don't know if it had anything to do with spiritualism, something that I'm not good at unlike my parents but I used to feel good around this CD especially when I was down or simply exhausted from the fast paced life in DC.  Or maybe it was just the melody that did the trick for me.

Note to self: Ethnic is an interesting word.  Take off the 'n' and add an 's' and it matches my specialty.

Elves Chasm