What We’re Reading 1/16/09

Jan 16th, 2009 1:32 PM UTC
By Chandler Smith

New York Times: Hearing Goes Smoothly for Obama’s U.N. ChoiceSusan Rice, designee for the post of ambassador of the United Nations, faced the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. In her opening statement, Ms. Rice said she would work on four main issues with the overall goal of reinvigorating American leadership at the United Nations. They are improving the capacity of the United Nations to undertake peacekeeping operations; providing leadership in addressing climate change; preventing both the spread and the use of nuclear weapons; and working to alleviate the suffering of the world’s poorest.

BBC News: Has Bush been Africa’s best friend?
According to the BBC, there is great anticipation in Africa as the inauguration of Barack Obama draws near, but President George W Bush may turn out to have been the continent’s best friend. While Mr Bush has been severely criticized for the invasion of Iraq, his green credentials and the general deterioration of relations with the rest of the world, his African record has won considerable support. Even normally critical voices, like the aid activist and former rock star, Bob Geldof, gives Mr Bush credit for what he has achieved.

Asahi Shimbun: Japan must find way to heighten ‘quality of growth’ (editorial)
A call from the editor-in-chief of one of the nation’s largest newspapers to heighten the quality of the nation’s economic growth and share it with the world. The editor pushes for action, saying that Japan has the necessary technology and the ability to do this but lacks political will and leadership that delivers.

-Chandler Smith

TAGS: Policy News, What We're Reading