Gambling: Meles Zenawi’s New Foreign Policy Doctrine

Tuesday, 17 August 2010 06:53 |

Jawar S. Mohammed

August 16, 2010

In recent years, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has been pushing hard to signal to the West that they cannot use their leverage to pressure him into undertaking economic and political reforms that threaten his power. At times, he propagandizes his seemingly anti-imperialist “nationalism” against this so called “neoliberal” pressures. His most recent media briefing continued this anti-West rhetoric, but with a different vocabulary. He was blunt and appeared overconfident. He announced the closure of the Ethiopian embassy in Sweden, followed by a declaration that, since the economy will grow by 14.9%, Ethiopia could free itself from food aid dependence in a short five years. Whether this is Meles Zenawi’s lofty rhetoric, genuine attempt, or a shift in foreign policy directives, I believe it is an unwise blunder with far reaching consequences for everyone in the country.

China Passes Japan as Second-Largest Economy

Monday, 16 August 2010 17:43 |

The New York Times -- On Monday August 16, 2010, 12:20 am EDT

SHANGHAI — After three decades of spectacular growth, China passed Japan in the second quarter to become the world’s second-largest economy behind the United States, according to government figures released early Monday.

Add new comment

Last Updated (Monday, 16 August 2010 17:46)

More Articles...

--- Newsflash ...

Charity founder's son says father should be given life for sex abuse
Lon Kennard, Sr. was a prominent church businessman and active humanitarian who adopted six children from Ethiopia. In March, Kennard, 68, was arrested and charged with nearly 50 counts of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation after he allegedly molested two of those adopted children. Kennard's family talked Wednesday to FOX 13 about the sex abuse charges.
CARE Learning Tour in Ethiopia Showcases U.S. Investments in Maternal Health
-- Delegation of Lawmakers and Advocates, Including Christy Turlington Burns and Jenna Bush Hagar, Explore Ways to Improve U.S. Policies Related to Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in Ethiopia --
Floods displace thousands in Ethiopia
Floodwaters have displaced nearly 16 000 people in north-eastern Ethiopia, the United Nations said on Monday.
Ethiopia floods displace thousands
Days of heavy rainfall and flooding in northeast Ethiopia have displaced another 16,000 people and caused extensive damage to agricultural crops, report says.
Floods displace thousands more in Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Floodwaters have displaced nearly 16,000 people in north-eastern Ethiopia, the UN said Monday, weeks after thousands of others were affected in the country's central region.
Traveling Nurses travel to Ethiopia
The Traveling Nurses travel to Ethiopia.
Ethiopia rebels warn foreign firms are in danger
* Govt security assurances "dangerous", rebels say
Alemayehu G. Mariam: Ethiopia: Indoctri-Nation
The Ministry of Indoctrination This past week Ethiopia's Ministry of Education issued a "directive" effectively outlawing distance learning (or education programs that are not delivered...
ETHIOPIA: Pastoralism against the odds
Source: IRIN Pastoralists' disproportionate contribution to Ethiopia's economy is belied by their marginalized status and by policy assumptions that they would be better off farming. But those who raise livestock tend to make the most of marginal land, according to experts, and are often proficient at adapting to changing circumstances.
Ethiopia Devalues Its Birr Currency 17% Against Dollar, Central Bank Says
Ethiopia devalued its currency, the birr, by 17 percent against the dollar, the third such move in the past 14 months, according to the National Bank of Ethiopia.