Monthly Archives: February 2011

Iran: Another Domino Teeters; America Should Shove It Over the Edge

Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

On the heels of my recent article on food prices and Middle Eastern stability, events in Iran are coming to a head. Riot police today physically beat protestors in major Iranian cities. The New York Times estimates that 20,000-30,000 demonstrators took … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Middle East, Policy, Politics, Predictions | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Food Fight: Instability May Beget Instability

Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

In prior articles, I mentioned that one reason Egypt’s revolution happened now rather than in 2003 may have been due to a rapid increase in the price of food. Last week’s edition of The Economist cited a Goldman Sachs report … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in China, Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Middle East, Policy, Politics, Predictions | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Channeling Luxor: Stable Egyptian Transition Not So Simple

Posted on Saturday, February 12, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

On November 17, 1997, jihadists massacred a group of Swiss, British, and Japanese tourists enjoying the majestic sights of ancient Egyptian marvels at Luxor. The terrorists savagely butchered 58 tourists and 4 Egyptians with gunfire and knives. They mutilated many … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Middle East, Policy, Politics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Weimar Arabism Slouching Towards Islamo-Fascism

Posted on Friday, February 11, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

Today the Egyptian people are dancing in the streets. Tomorrow they may be drowning in blood. Hoping for a smooth transition is just that — hope. And hope is not a method. Every Middle Eastern country that has tried to … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Middle East, Policy, Politics, Predictions | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Deal = No Deal: Framing Energy Policy Matters

Posted on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

Michael Kanellos at greentechmedia published an article today arguing that the President’s comparison to Sputnik with America’s dependence on fossil fuels is an imperfect one. He later suggests that the New Deal better fits the clean energy narrative. I think … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Business, China, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Energy Security, International Security, Policy, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Middle Eastern Instability and the Youth Bulge

Posted on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

The Economist published an interesting map this week that hints at one of the potential sources of Middle Eastern instability — the demographic imbalances in most Middle Eastern countries. As is evident on the map, over half the population in … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Middle East, Policy, Politics, Predictions | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Of Smart Grids and Cyber Warfare

Posted on Monday, February 7, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

Richard Clarke posted an interesting article today on the potential of cyber warfare to be the next major domain of war, much as sea power was in the 19th century, and air power, in the 20th. The evolution of this … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Business, Clean Energy, Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Policy, Predictions, Smart grid | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Felling Pharaohs: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid (Part V)

Posted on Monday, February 7, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

Parts I through IV of this series show that the Egyptian crisis will have both regional and global consequences for the future of the Arab world and the global energy crisis. Given these stakes, what is America to do? America’s Vital … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Policy, Politics, Predictions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy Birthday, President Reagan

Posted on Sunday, February 6, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

“There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Felling Pharaohs: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid (Part IV)

Posted on Sunday, February 6, 2011 by Sean Patrick Hazlett

While the last three parts of this series focused on issues ranging from the immediate impact on Egypt to the far reaching potential for unrest to spread to key American energy suppliers, it has ignored the crisis’ implications for Israel. … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Defense, Energy Security, International Security, Politics, Predictions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments