You can now find Gringo Lost here
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
A walk down Paseo de la Reforma
Yesterday, I went for a walk down my favorite avenue in Mexico City, Paseo de la Reforma. Here's a brief photo summary of my trip.It started by walking into perhaps a million of Mexico's GLBT community as I guess Saturday was their day to have a national parade. It was interesting to say the least.
(The photo to the right has nothing to do with the parade but instead is a statue commemorating Aztecan warriors who fought for the defense of their homeland.)
This statue above must be important because it was guarded by about 8 policia (of course they just may have been taking a break. The police aren't known for working too hard here in Mexico.)
This is some sort of park ranger. His head is down because he's texting.
This is Mexico's Metropolitan Cathedral, de Maria. It's located in the City's Central Square (by the way the Square is the second biggest in the world behind Moscow's Red Square). It's a famous cathedral for many reasons. Of one, it is built atop Aztecan ruins (which explains the cordoned off, glass floor display). Also Napolean III's implant Maximilian and his wife Carlota had their coronation here, marking their tenure as Mexico's last monarchs in the early 1860s.
What a day to forget my paraguas (umbrella). I had to stop at this place for a beer and then the roof blew out from over me. I left for the next closest shelter...
Which apparently was housing a mariachi convention.
Lastly a photo of the gay pride parade. This was after it had rained, literally on their parade. All in all they still seemed happy.Thursday, June 18, 2009
Today's lunch
Una Torta bistec de Uruguaya con avocado, jam, cheese, and tomato.
Total Cost: ~ USD $4.50 (includes the drink)Thank you NY Times for helping out with my (potential) thesis on COIN
Here's an "Op-Chart" from the NY Times which shows some metrics for measuring success in Afghanistan and Iraq.
War supplemental funding narrowly passes House
The House voted a couple days back on Obama's $106 billion dollar supplemental funding to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Bill passed by a vote of 226-202.
Here's two things, as I see it, that are interesting about this Bill:
One, it barely passed the House. This doesn't bode will for future supplementals if we need to fund a "long war" and can barely agree to fund it right now.
Two, about $80 billion of the $106 is going to fund military operations while the rest will fund civil ops. Under Patreaus' COIN strategy this number should be flipped with 80% of the funding going to civil reconstruction efforts. Granted this is not a critique of COIN as much as it is a reflection on Obama's Afghan-Iraq strategy.
Here's two things, as I see it, that are interesting about this Bill:
One, it barely passed the House. This doesn't bode will for future supplementals if we need to fund a "long war" and can barely agree to fund it right now.
Two, about $80 billion of the $106 is going to fund military operations while the rest will fund civil ops. Under Patreaus' COIN strategy this number should be flipped with 80% of the funding going to civil reconstruction efforts. Granted this is not a critique of COIN as much as it is a reflection on Obama's Afghan-Iraq strategy.
My internal thesis debate: COIN or Mexico
Before, I thought my graduate thesis would be on the Merida Initiative. Essentially to explore whether the Initiative is the best way for the US to focus its counter-narcotics efforts with Mexico. Well in true Bender fashion, instead of settling, I may change my thesis. Consequently giving myself heartburn and headaches because the replacement thesis will most likely be much more difficult. Here's the basics on thesis option #2:
The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have resulted in a re-thinking of counter-insurgency (COIN). As before, the army concentrated solely on killing the bad guys - an "enemy-centric" strategy - which often led to many civilian deaths from collateral damage and has been well argued (read Kilcullen and Exum, amongst others) was self-defeating. Now, the prevailing theme in COIN is to protect civilians at all costs - a "people-centric" strategy - which places a premium on protection, even if it means less strikes against insurgents.
However, there are some who argue (read Bacevich and Cohen) that this approach to COIN is flawed for several reasons: principally it requires too long of a commitment, the military is not designed for it, and the US doesn't have the political will for it.
Now regarding my thesis, I believe the critiques of contemporary COIN as mentioned above are legitimate. But as I believe Exum has said how do we confront insurgents in any other way? Because if a "people-centric" approach can't work and an "enemy-centric" approach produces more harm than good, then what is the US to do in Iraq and Afghanistan?
I guess this would be the root of my thesis... The question of "if not this, then what else?"
And yet another area of contemporary COIN that I would like to explore is its foundation. This area concerns me because I feel in practice it is a) unsustainable, b) uneconomical, and c) irrespective of the local political culture. Principally this is all because the system - with its various security controls, economic assistance, and political manufacturing - is not based on the initiative of the people. It is not organic.
In this sense, COIN doctrine seeks to gain the will of the people by making them clients of an occupying force. In the end, this results in citizens either becoming dependent on the force or moving away from the model. While either scenario may not be catastrophic, they assuredly cannot be the best outcomes.
Since this post is getting a little wordy, I'll close now with a paradox courtesy of Andreas Kluth (heads-up its about how achieving success may ultimately lead to failure):
The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have resulted in a re-thinking of counter-insurgency (COIN). As before, the army concentrated solely on killing the bad guys - an "enemy-centric" strategy - which often led to many civilian deaths from collateral damage and has been well argued (read Kilcullen and Exum, amongst others) was self-defeating. Now, the prevailing theme in COIN is to protect civilians at all costs - a "people-centric" strategy - which places a premium on protection, even if it means less strikes against insurgents.
However, there are some who argue (read Bacevich and Cohen) that this approach to COIN is flawed for several reasons: principally it requires too long of a commitment, the military is not designed for it, and the US doesn't have the political will for it.
Now regarding my thesis, I believe the critiques of contemporary COIN as mentioned above are legitimate. But as I believe Exum has said how do we confront insurgents in any other way? Because if a "people-centric" approach can't work and an "enemy-centric" approach produces more harm than good, then what is the US to do in Iraq and Afghanistan?
I guess this would be the root of my thesis... The question of "if not this, then what else?"
And yet another area of contemporary COIN that I would like to explore is its foundation. This area concerns me because I feel in practice it is a) unsustainable, b) uneconomical, and c) irrespective of the local political culture. Principally this is all because the system - with its various security controls, economic assistance, and political manufacturing - is not based on the initiative of the people. It is not organic.
In this sense, COIN doctrine seeks to gain the will of the people by making them clients of an occupying force. In the end, this results in citizens either becoming dependent on the force or moving away from the model. While either scenario may not be catastrophic, they assuredly cannot be the best outcomes.
Since this post is getting a little wordy, I'll close now with a paradox courtesy of Andreas Kluth (heads-up its about how achieving success may ultimately lead to failure):
Failure is often the result of succeeding at the wrong thing (eg, choosing the wrong “battles” and “wars” to win, as Pyrrhus did). Ironically, success is therefore often the result of failing at the wrong thing, and thus having an opportunity to “return” to the right things.What does this mean, who knows? But, maybe it can be of help to analyze the trajectory of current approaches to COIN.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Counter-narco woes
This article just appeared in the CS Monitor about how increased enforcement in Mexico has led to increased drug violence and crime in other parts of Central America - i.e. it has caused a "balloon effect" whereas the trade simply shifts to less governed areas.
This is something that is hammered on over and over: current counter-drug policy doesn't address the roots of the problem. Instead of decreasing the demand and limiting supply, current policy overly focuses on the middle of the production cycle. Instead of treatment and public education campaigns that stigmatize drug use, counter-drug policy focuses on interdiction at the worst points in the supply chain (i.e. land borders and coastline) - at best this reduces supply but raises prices, which in turn increases dealer profit margins. Instead of focusing on the beginning of the production cycle (the actual growers and producers of narcotic substances or pre-cursor chemicals) the current approach emphasizes extradition and arrest of cartel leaders and under-bosses, as if by eliminating these guys will get rid of the economic incentive for distributing narcotics.
The Merida Initiative, in my view, concentrates too much of our combined efforts on the border and middle-road interdiction. Perhaps this aid is needed and does help reduce distribution, but it should at least be accompanied by a more comprehensive approach that hits the key nodes in the drug cycle: consumption and production.
To start, the US should conduct a greater strategic assessment of how to combat drug gangs and illicit networks, not just with border enforcement or with Mexico's rule of law institutions, but in greater Mexico and moreover in Central and South America. To avoid shifting distribution chains - or the balloon effect - will take extensive cooperation amongst multi-national partners and better defined objectives. We cannot expect to achieve the results we want if wide differences in priorities exist, not just at the international level, but additionally at the federal, state and local levels.
If priorities need to be focused, then what should they be? Well for starters, the goal should be a gradual reduction in drug use. Anything more is unlikely to succeed. Second, the violence that accompanies the trade has deleterious effects on the functioning of the state and public confidence in the rule of law. This in turn creates a vicious cycle in which the trade can flourish. Tackling the economic incentives of the drug trade by trying to offer economic alternatives, such as crop replacements haven't worked. Maybe what is required is an approach that doesn't try to create alternatives but reduces the rents received from trafficking. Thus, try not to incentivize leaving the trade but dis-incentivize staying in.
This is something that is hammered on over and over: current counter-drug policy doesn't address the roots of the problem. Instead of decreasing the demand and limiting supply, current policy overly focuses on the middle of the production cycle. Instead of treatment and public education campaigns that stigmatize drug use, counter-drug policy focuses on interdiction at the worst points in the supply chain (i.e. land borders and coastline) - at best this reduces supply but raises prices, which in turn increases dealer profit margins. Instead of focusing on the beginning of the production cycle (the actual growers and producers of narcotic substances or pre-cursor chemicals) the current approach emphasizes extradition and arrest of cartel leaders and under-bosses, as if by eliminating these guys will get rid of the economic incentive for distributing narcotics.
The Merida Initiative, in my view, concentrates too much of our combined efforts on the border and middle-road interdiction. Perhaps this aid is needed and does help reduce distribution, but it should at least be accompanied by a more comprehensive approach that hits the key nodes in the drug cycle: consumption and production.
To start, the US should conduct a greater strategic assessment of how to combat drug gangs and illicit networks, not just with border enforcement or with Mexico's rule of law institutions, but in greater Mexico and moreover in Central and South America. To avoid shifting distribution chains - or the balloon effect - will take extensive cooperation amongst multi-national partners and better defined objectives. We cannot expect to achieve the results we want if wide differences in priorities exist, not just at the international level, but additionally at the federal, state and local levels.
If priorities need to be focused, then what should they be? Well for starters, the goal should be a gradual reduction in drug use. Anything more is unlikely to succeed. Second, the violence that accompanies the trade has deleterious effects on the functioning of the state and public confidence in the rule of law. This in turn creates a vicious cycle in which the trade can flourish. Tackling the economic incentives of the drug trade by trying to offer economic alternatives, such as crop replacements haven't worked. Maybe what is required is an approach that doesn't try to create alternatives but reduces the rents received from trafficking. Thus, try not to incentivize leaving the trade but dis-incentivize staying in.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Mom update, weekend in Cuernavaca
I was in Cuernavaca. A city that is rich in cultural history and known for it's climate which is a seasonable 72 Fahrenheit year round. It also has Hernan Cortes first castle and was a vacation destination for former Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
Sadly, however, I didn't get to see any historical sites. I have really been a terrible tourist since coming to Mexico because I haven't seen any cultural sites except those that are right outside of my house. Hopefully this will soon change. But this trip to Cuernavaca with co-workers and was meant to be more of a bonding experience. While I didn't see Cortes' castle or anything cool like that, I did have a relaxing time in this compound.
And to show you a little of what I ate, here are some more photos.
One of my favorites: grilled steak with an avocado slice
A snack, I'm not sure what these seeds were called but they tasted like bitter earth. I had about 3 pods worth.
We stopped at a fruit stand and I bought this mini avocado with paper thin skin that is meant to be ate whole. What made it even better, the price tag about 15 cents.
The calories I received from this are innumerable.
Definitely not my favorite michalada, this is actually a beer garnished with pineapple, a watermelon paste sprinkled with chili powder salt, and lime-juice. Usually, michalada's are much better because they are simpler - only containing some lime-juice and beer poured in a sea-salt rimmed mug.
Grilled cactus topped with provolone - and pretty good.
Stomach of cow soup. Had one bite. One bite too many.
Sadly, however, I didn't get to see any historical sites. I have really been a terrible tourist since coming to Mexico because I haven't seen any cultural sites except those that are right outside of my house. Hopefully this will soon change. But this trip to Cuernavaca with co-workers and was meant to be more of a bonding experience. While I didn't see Cortes' castle or anything cool like that, I did have a relaxing time in this compound.
And to show you a little of what I ate, here are some more photos.One of my favorites: grilled steak with an avocado slice
A snack, I'm not sure what these seeds were called but they tasted like bitter earth. I had about 3 pods worth.
We stopped at a fruit stand and I bought this mini avocado with paper thin skin that is meant to be ate whole. What made it even better, the price tag about 15 cents.
The calories I received from this are innumerable.
Definitely not my favorite michalada, this is actually a beer garnished with pineapple, a watermelon paste sprinkled with chili powder salt, and lime-juice. Usually, michalada's are much better because they are simpler - only containing some lime-juice and beer poured in a sea-salt rimmed mug.
Grilled cactus topped with provolone - and pretty good.
Stomach of cow soup. Had one bite. One bite too many.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Third world street children
I wanted to post something a couple weeks back about a proposed bill that is going through Mexico's congress to "ban" street children. I don't think the word "ban" is exactly right, the way I read it is Mexico wants to get more kids of the street by making it a fine if a public official sees a child (under 14) working on the street and does not take that kid to social services.
Not to get too much into the article, but the other point that is made is that kids work on the street - doing a myriad of things from washing windshields to selling almost anything - for money that supplements family income. I'm not one to judge because living can be pretty tough, especially when you live in a country so poor. But I have seen this in every country that I have visited: Afghanistan, Colombia, Ecuador, and now Mexico. To me, however, money earned from street labor is often obtained in an exploitative way. Especially from kids in some countries.
Yes, in Mexico it does seem like many of the kids are co-located with a parent who is doing something similar to make money or the parents are at least close by. But even then I get the impression that these kids are taken out of school at times to make money that isn't really necessary or could be made if the parent worked harder or made better choices.
With that, the worst forms of child street labor that I have seen were in Ecuador, Colombia, and Afghanistan. In all of these countries, it seemed more apparent that the kids weren't working to supplement a family income. I have strong inclinations that these kids were selling goods for someone who in turn paid them little money or perhaps just gave them a place to sleep (akin to what happens in Slumdog Millionaire). For instance, a kid would come up with a tray full of everything from cigarettes to gum to magazines and he/she would be making plenty of money. But, when I offered one of these kids some food they acted like they hadn't eaten in weeks. Even though there was food on their tray.
Anyways, this is a little rant. But it is just something that I think is pretty endemic to most developing countries and often times represents serious exploitation.
And it kind of goes along with the picture - which is a cool circus stunt, but at the top is some little kid balancing on the shoulders of two relatives while skirting traffic on one of the busiest streets in Mexico City.
Not to get too much into the article, but the other point that is made is that kids work on the street - doing a myriad of things from washing windshields to selling almost anything - for money that supplements family income. I'm not one to judge because living can be pretty tough, especially when you live in a country so poor. But I have seen this in every country that I have visited: Afghanistan, Colombia, Ecuador, and now Mexico. To me, however, money earned from street labor is often obtained in an exploitative way. Especially from kids in some countries.
Yes, in Mexico it does seem like many of the kids are co-located with a parent who is doing something similar to make money or the parents are at least close by. But even then I get the impression that these kids are taken out of school at times to make money that isn't really necessary or could be made if the parent worked harder or made better choices.With that, the worst forms of child street labor that I have seen were in Ecuador, Colombia, and Afghanistan. In all of these countries, it seemed more apparent that the kids weren't working to supplement a family income. I have strong inclinations that these kids were selling goods for someone who in turn paid them little money or perhaps just gave them a place to sleep (akin to what happens in Slumdog Millionaire). For instance, a kid would come up with a tray full of everything from cigarettes to gum to magazines and he/she would be making plenty of money. But, when I offered one of these kids some food they acted like they hadn't eaten in weeks. Even though there was food on their tray.
Anyways, this is a little rant. But it is just something that I think is pretty endemic to most developing countries and often times represents serious exploitation.
And it kind of goes along with the picture - which is a cool circus stunt, but at the top is some little kid balancing on the shoulders of two relatives while skirting traffic on one of the busiest streets in Mexico City.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Ezequiel history lessons, part II: The truth about which tortilla to take if you are a real Mexican.
Earlier I learned about the root of the word "gringo" from a very wise co-worker. Now, this same co-worker has explained to me the cultural dynamics of the tortilla grab. Here's a story to illustrate:
A while back, many Salvadoreans wanted to enter Mexico and become Mexican citizens. Many were denied entry and couldn't enter the country illegally through the border. Some of these Salvadoreans came up with a plan. They would forge Mexican passports and go to the embassy to claim that they were really Mexicans stuck in El Salvador and wanted to return home.
Well, Mexico's ambassador at the time wasn't fooled. And in his suspicion he conjured up a test that would prove which one of these "Mexicans" was truly Mexican, and which ones were impostors. His test involved tortillas.
This ambassador invited all of these individuals who claimed Mexican citizenship to dinner. At the dinner table, the ambassador sought to prove their true identity by offering them a tortilla from the little tortilla keeper thing. As any true Mexican would know, when offered a tortilla from this little keeper thing, it is best not to take the top tortilla, but instead pass it up for one of the warmer ones in the middle. So, as this ambassador began passing around the little tortilla keeper he noticed which individuals took from the top and which ones (very Mexican-like) went for the ones in the middle. Thus, he determined that the individuals who were claiming to be Mexican citizens were really impostors when they took the top tortilla.
The moral of the story... to know when you are eating with a real Mexican, pay attention to what tortilla he/she takes from the little tortilla keeper.
A while back, many Salvadoreans wanted to enter Mexico and become Mexican citizens. Many were denied entry and couldn't enter the country illegally through the border. Some of these Salvadoreans came up with a plan. They would forge Mexican passports and go to the embassy to claim that they were really Mexicans stuck in El Salvador and wanted to return home.
Well, Mexico's ambassador at the time wasn't fooled. And in his suspicion he conjured up a test that would prove which one of these "Mexicans" was truly Mexican, and which ones were impostors. His test involved tortillas.
This ambassador invited all of these individuals who claimed Mexican citizenship to dinner. At the dinner table, the ambassador sought to prove their true identity by offering them a tortilla from the little tortilla keeper thing. As any true Mexican would know, when offered a tortilla from this little keeper thing, it is best not to take the top tortilla, but instead pass it up for one of the warmer ones in the middle. So, as this ambassador began passing around the little tortilla keeper he noticed which individuals took from the top and which ones (very Mexican-like) went for the ones in the middle. Thus, he determined that the individuals who were claiming to be Mexican citizens were really impostors when they took the top tortilla.
The moral of the story... to know when you are eating with a real Mexican, pay attention to what tortilla he/she takes from the little tortilla keeper.
Lunch for the day MXN $38
Because I bought a camera during the weekend, I now have to save money. To do so, I will not pay more than USD $3 (or basically MXN $38 pesos) for lunch any day over the next two weeks. If this works well than I will continue the plan. But for now let's consider this a trial.
Here is what I ate today:
Sopa de Alubias (White bean soup w/sausage)
Arroz Rojo con huevo soleado arriba (Red rice with fried egg sunny side up)
Enchillada de Rellenas con verdura y Gualillo (I thought there was going to be some meat and cheese in these enchilladas but instead they were filled with carrots and green peas - not too bad nonetheless. But next time I'm getting something else)
Pudin de Banano (Banana pudding)
Total cost: MXN $38 + $7 for tip = about USD $3.50 --> And the mango juice was free. And awesome.
Here is what I ate today:
Sopa de Alubias (White bean soup w/sausage)
Arroz Rojo con huevo soleado arriba (Red rice with fried egg sunny side up)
Enchillada de Rellenas con verdura y Gualillo (I thought there was going to be some meat and cheese in these enchilladas but instead they were filled with carrots and green peas - not too bad nonetheless. But next time I'm getting something else)
Pudin de Banano (Banana pudding)
Total cost: MXN $38 + $7 for tip = about USD $3.50 --> And the mango juice was free. And awesome.Sunday, June 7, 2009
DEA investigates futbol teams for money laundering and more
According to this article by today's El Universal, the DEA is investigating whether several drug cartels have used futbol leagues and teams to launder money, or coerce players/owners/umpires through extortion and bribery.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Quite appropriate
After I finished the FSOT today, I stepped out of the US embassy and onto Playa la Reforma to see that Mexico City was having an international culture event. I did some walking around, and there were kiosk's from probably 20 different countries. The largest kiosk award went to the Islamic Republic of Iran though, as it was about 4x bigger than any other. It actually took up about a half a city block. (Hola Khomeini =>)
All of this prompted me to buy a camera, which I did (and now I need to do some penny pinching). But, it was worth it because now I can take pictures and post them. So here's my first few.
FSOT in Mexico City
I took the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) this morning. And I think it went generally well. Except for maybe the essay, and that is mainly because I ran out of time.
Anyways, I have two cautions for anyone out there who will ever take the FSOT in Mexico City:
1) The computers will inevitably lose their connection to the internet, whereas you will have to start over.
2) Montezuma's revenge strikes at the worst time.
Anyways, I have two cautions for anyone out there who will ever take the FSOT in Mexico City:
1) The computers will inevitably lose their connection to the internet, whereas you will have to start over.
2) Montezuma's revenge strikes at the worst time.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Obama's speech in Cairo
President Obama broke some new ground today in Cairo as he gave a speech, basically emphasizing what the US and Muslim world have in common, a shared desire for peace. Of course this speech played into the hands of many ultra-conservatives in the US because Obama talked about a dialogue with Hamas, said Israel shouldn't expand its settlements, that there should be a two-state solution, and that Iran does have the right to peaceful nuclear technology.President Obama has a great power to unite people across cultural, religious and political identity. However, there are still some in the US who do not want to buy-in to his actions. While, it seems like most headlines and people around the world applauded the speech because of Obama's emphasis on peace and human rights (he spoke briefly about the rights of women), some still wanted to cherry pick some of his words and turn them around to make it look like he was conceding America's security. The pundits (er... reporters) at Fox News chose to pounce on Obama's references to Hamas as an overture to terrorists (if you follow the link, pay special attention to the comments page. There are some real gems hidden in there).
Yet, it is peculiar to me how misleading this Fox News piece is given that this is what Obama said in its entirety about Hamas (but I guess I shouldn't be surprised):
"Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, and to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, and recognize Israel's right to exist."
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
NY Times blogs on Mexico's monopoly woes
And a thank you to the New York Times for publishing this blog post about Mexico's trouble with monopolistic type firms in its oil and telecommunications industries. It is especially redeeming for the NYT that they published the post despite the fact that Carlos Slim (owner of basically all of Mexico's telecom industry) is now a major stockholder of the NYT Company.
In the blog, a World Bank Report called No Growth Without Equity (pdf) is cited which states much of the blame for Mexico's lackluster GDP growth (~3%) is on its particular form of nationalist-capitalism that places large industries in the hands of singular firms, in an effort to keep out foreign competition. While there may be economic benefits in keeping the petrol-economy located in the hands of one firm (PeMex) - *and that could be argued. There is definitely no benefit in keeping information technology, internet, and communication services concentrated in one firm. As is the case in Mexico with Telemex.
The report makes many points about Mexico's telecom industry. Here are only some of the indictments against Telemex:
In the blog, a World Bank Report called No Growth Without Equity (pdf) is cited which states much of the blame for Mexico's lackluster GDP growth (~3%) is on its particular form of nationalist-capitalism that places large industries in the hands of singular firms, in an effort to keep out foreign competition. While there may be economic benefits in keeping the petrol-economy located in the hands of one firm (PeMex) - *and that could be argued. There is definitely no benefit in keeping information technology, internet, and communication services concentrated in one firm. As is the case in Mexico with Telemex.
The report makes many points about Mexico's telecom industry. Here are only some of the indictments against Telemex:
- Authorized by the Ministry of Communications and Transport, Telemex is allowed to bill the costs of a local call to all international calls. In essence, doubling the billing costs. (In addition, this charge was implemented in an opaque manner which hindered many users from even knowing that the charge existed)
- Telemex is allowed to charge per minute, and round up on all minutes used per phone call.
- Telemex's links with government have helped block competition from other firms that could provide Wi-fi, digital subscriber line (DSL), and VoIP communications.
- When Telemex was privatized in 1990, it was given a significant reduction in its tax rate and protected from competition for six years.
Monday, June 1, 2009
North Korea: What's the US to do?
Since, I'm a student at one of the flagship international relations schools, I feel like I should do some real IR blogging on this site (similar to the kind that happens here). So, today when news passed that North Korea has named Kim Jong-un as their next leader, I felt like it was a good idea to start with my IR blogging on the DPRK. After all, there is so much to say about this country.
To recap, within the last two-weeks, the DPRK has detonated a nuclear weapon, ended a 56-year long truce with South Korea, began preparations to test an inter-continental ballistic missile (that would put Alaska and Hawaii within range), and announced their new leader will be the son of Kim Jong-il, a 26 year old spawn who was chosen because of his many "similarities" to his predecessor and father.
What, if anything, should we be worried about this? First, I think the possibility of nuclear attack from Pyongyang against the US is minimal for several reasons. First, The DPRK can't fit a warhead on any of their missiles to send them across the Pacific. Second, the likelihood that a ballistic missile shot from the northeastern part of the Korean peninsula reaching the northwestern part of the US before it was intercepted by an anti-ballistic missile system is doubtful. This is simply because our ABM systems can intercept a ballistic missile at three stages during its trajectory from this distance (the initial ascent phase; the free-flight/mid-course phase or apogee; and the re-entry phase), giving us ample time and opportunity to strike down an offensive. The last reason why I don't think the DPRK would try to attack the US is because it wouldn't serve any strategic purpose, if only to draw the US into a war that wouldn't make much sense from anyone's standpoint.
But, a strike against the US is not the most worrisome scenario posed by a nuclear DPRK. North Korea has deep hostilities with regional neighbors such as Japan and South Korea. Recently, after Seoul joined the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) in an effort to curb the flow of nuclear materials and missile systems being proliferated by and to Pyongyang, a DPRK military official revealed through threat that the move could provoke war. Yet, Seoul only agreed to join the PSI after Pyongyang conducted its second nuclear test.
The PSI represents an opportunity to reign in the DPRK; if it includes China's support. Up until now China has declined to support the initiative because it questions whether the treaty interferes with sovereignty and violates international law. But, China's wavering on the PSI is less of an indication on how it feels about the DPRK. Even Bejing recently lashed out against Pyongyang for its actions. And considering that North Korea is the closest to China of any other country in the world, this must have got their attention.
Gaining China's acceptance of the PSI wouldn't stop Pyongyang's actions, because the DPRK already has the nuclear capabilities it needs, but it would be a clear signal to Pyongyang's leadership that the region is wholeheartedly against its recent actions. China's support for the PSI, backing of international sanctions, and restrictions on leadership in North Korea could offer the greatest potential for a diplomatic breakthrough. In fact, what might be the best strategy to obtaining a compliant DPRK is to focus on where it hurts them the most, their leadership.
Continuing with my point, the US shouldn't back away from its support for South Korea, the six-party talks, and the PSI. But, what may prove more fruitful is if the US can concede some control to China, while maintaining its core objectives in regional negotiations. Hedging that China wants to maintain a stable region and is less susceptible to supporting communist governments (just because they're communists), the US could reasonably predict that China would at some point increase its pressure on Pyongyang. While this might not work completely, it would at least be a change from our strategies over the past few years, which have basically rewarded Pyongyang for bad behavior. Kind of like providing carrots to the donkey who is immune to the stick. With this new approach, we wouldn't supply any carrots nor furnish any sticks.
The DPRK has typically gained two benefits from its actions: 1) diplomatic favors/plea bargains and 2) regional legitimacy. Not to mention the economic benefits it receives from selling nuclear materials to places like Syria and Iran. The US cannot prevent the DPRK from receiving these benefits on its own. In actuality, the US is very limited for several reasons (partly because of a poor economic situation at home and an over burdened military abroad). Thus, by conceding more responsibility to regional players, the US could benefit by decreasing its obligations while supporting a more legitimate regionally-focused bargain. The only stipulation must be that deals brokered by China, Russia, and other nations less concerned with the DPRK threat, would have to be more along the lines of punishment or coercement, and not continued rewards and inducements that seek to spoil the DPRK into behaving better.
To recap, within the last two-weeks, the DPRK has detonated a nuclear weapon, ended a 56-year long truce with South Korea, began preparations to test an inter-continental ballistic missile (that would put Alaska and Hawaii within range), and announced their new leader will be the son of Kim Jong-il, a 26 year old spawn who was chosen because of his many "similarities" to his predecessor and father.What, if anything, should we be worried about this? First, I think the possibility of nuclear attack from Pyongyang against the US is minimal for several reasons. First, The DPRK can't fit a warhead on any of their missiles to send them across the Pacific. Second, the likelihood that a ballistic missile shot from the northeastern part of the Korean peninsula reaching the northwestern part of the US before it was intercepted by an anti-ballistic missile system is doubtful. This is simply because our ABM systems can intercept a ballistic missile at three stages during its trajectory from this distance (the initial ascent phase; the free-flight/mid-course phase or apogee; and the re-entry phase), giving us ample time and opportunity to strike down an offensive. The last reason why I don't think the DPRK would try to attack the US is because it wouldn't serve any strategic purpose, if only to draw the US into a war that wouldn't make much sense from anyone's standpoint.
But, a strike against the US is not the most worrisome scenario posed by a nuclear DPRK. North Korea has deep hostilities with regional neighbors such as Japan and South Korea. Recently, after Seoul joined the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) in an effort to curb the flow of nuclear materials and missile systems being proliferated by and to Pyongyang, a DPRK military official revealed through threat that the move could provoke war. Yet, Seoul only agreed to join the PSI after Pyongyang conducted its second nuclear test.
The PSI represents an opportunity to reign in the DPRK; if it includes China's support. Up until now China has declined to support the initiative because it questions whether the treaty interferes with sovereignty and violates international law. But, China's wavering on the PSI is less of an indication on how it feels about the DPRK. Even Bejing recently lashed out against Pyongyang for its actions. And considering that North Korea is the closest to China of any other country in the world, this must have got their attention.
Gaining China's acceptance of the PSI wouldn't stop Pyongyang's actions, because the DPRK already has the nuclear capabilities it needs, but it would be a clear signal to Pyongyang's leadership that the region is wholeheartedly against its recent actions. China's support for the PSI, backing of international sanctions, and restrictions on leadership in North Korea could offer the greatest potential for a diplomatic breakthrough. In fact, what might be the best strategy to obtaining a compliant DPRK is to focus on where it hurts them the most, their leadership.
Continuing with my point, the US shouldn't back away from its support for South Korea, the six-party talks, and the PSI. But, what may prove more fruitful is if the US can concede some control to China, while maintaining its core objectives in regional negotiations. Hedging that China wants to maintain a stable region and is less susceptible to supporting communist governments (just because they're communists), the US could reasonably predict that China would at some point increase its pressure on Pyongyang. While this might not work completely, it would at least be a change from our strategies over the past few years, which have basically rewarded Pyongyang for bad behavior. Kind of like providing carrots to the donkey who is immune to the stick. With this new approach, we wouldn't supply any carrots nor furnish any sticks.
The DPRK has typically gained two benefits from its actions: 1) diplomatic favors/plea bargains and 2) regional legitimacy. Not to mention the economic benefits it receives from selling nuclear materials to places like Syria and Iran. The US cannot prevent the DPRK from receiving these benefits on its own. In actuality, the US is very limited for several reasons (partly because of a poor economic situation at home and an over burdened military abroad). Thus, by conceding more responsibility to regional players, the US could benefit by decreasing its obligations while supporting a more legitimate regionally-focused bargain. The only stipulation must be that deals brokered by China, Russia, and other nations less concerned with the DPRK threat, would have to be more along the lines of punishment or coercement, and not continued rewards and inducements that seek to spoil the DPRK into behaving better.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Ezequiel lesson, part I: Green Go! = gringo
I got it from one very wise co-worker of mine that the etymology of the word gringo originates from the Mexican-American war. As the story goes, American troops - dressed in their green uniforms - were occupying Mexico City when they began to encounter resistance from Mexican nationalists. These nationalists used as their rallying cry "Green... Go!" because they wanted the American soldiers dressed in their green uniforms to go home. Thus, the moniker "gringo".
Friday, May 29, 2009
Outside of Mexico: North Korea has nukes, twitter
We all know the DPRK is a sane, responsible, and benevolent member of the international community. But, did you know that they twitter?
Bonus, apparently Kim Jong Il has a twitter page too, but he doesn't update (what a shame).
Bonus, apparently Kim Jong Il has a twitter page too, but he doesn't update (what a shame).
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
This week in odd Mexican news: swine flu statues and stripping government officials
As my roommate (a life-long resident of Mexico City) has told me, the greatest thing about Mexico is its chaos. I would add to that its quirkiness. Here are two stories from this week that are particularly odd, and completely Mexican - and I mean that in the best way.
So swine flu has got you down, nearly ruined your economy... well how's about erecting a statue to memorialize it then. And so it seems, we here in Mexico are commemorating this "pandemic" outbreak with a statue of the little young'n who was the first to contract the virus (don't worry he didn't die).
I wish I had more weird stories but I've been a little busy trying to find $650,000. Either way, I got the best weird news story right here.
It seems one Veracruz government employee decided to go desnuda to work one day to garner support for a legal case against her ex-husband (er... what? Isn't there better ways to do this?). Apparently, Ms. Garcia says her ex-husband who is the Minister of Finance for the State of Veracruz and is swindling her out of her monthly alimony of MXN $7000 (USD $500) a month. So, obviously this kind of injustice calls for naked civil disobedience.
So swine flu has got you down, nearly ruined your economy... well how's about erecting a statue to memorialize it then. And so it seems, we here in Mexico are commemorating this "pandemic" outbreak with a statue of the little young'n who was the first to contract the virus (don't worry he didn't die).
I wish I had more weird stories but I've been a little busy trying to find $650,000. Either way, I got the best weird news story right here.
It seems one Veracruz government employee decided to go desnuda to work one day to garner support for a legal case against her ex-husband (er... what? Isn't there better ways to do this?). Apparently, Ms. Garcia says her ex-husband who is the Minister of Finance for the State of Veracruz and is swindling her out of her monthly alimony of MXN $7000 (USD $500) a month. So, obviously this kind of injustice calls for naked civil disobedience.
"There are no good parts in the east"
I got acquainted with an eastern part of Mexico City, known as Chimalhuacan on Monday. We drove to this area of Chimalhuacan, called ciudad dormitorio, from our main office which is southwest of the city center. Although the total distance was less than 20 miles, it took us nearly 1.5 hours to get to these centers because the roads and traffic are tremendously bad.
I am told the area is called Ciudad Dormitorio (sleeping city) because many who live there travel to the city center to work and do not return but only to sleep. I asked my co-worker if the eastern part of the city was the poorest and he said that there are poor areas like that all over Mexico City, in every section. However, he did say that of all the wealthy parts of the City, none are in the east.
There was a Slumdog moment during this drive when we passed up the pepenadores who are trash collectors and live on the city dump. They cart tremendous amounts of trash on the back of their caballos (horses) to a pepenador market where they sell the best of what they got in order to earn a living.
As my co-worker observed "one man's trash is another man's treasure". I understand that many people would have probably a range of feelings about this, from pity to shame, and of course these pepenadores are stigmatized in society for being dirty and uncivilized. But, I guess my feeling is more of an admiration for people like this because they work hard for what they got and put up with so much crap just to make it by. I don't know what I would do if I was born in conditions like that. Actually, I know very well what I would do. I would make a B-line for the border and try to find my way in the United States.
I am told the area is called Ciudad Dormitorio (sleeping city) because many who live there travel to the city center to work and do not return but only to sleep. I asked my co-worker if the eastern part of the city was the poorest and he said that there are poor areas like that all over Mexico City, in every section. However, he did say that of all the wealthy parts of the City, none are in the east.
There was a Slumdog moment during this drive when we passed up the pepenadores who are trash collectors and live on the city dump. They cart tremendous amounts of trash on the back of their caballos (horses) to a pepenador market where they sell the best of what they got in order to earn a living.
As my co-worker observed "one man's trash is another man's treasure". I understand that many people would have probably a range of feelings about this, from pity to shame, and of course these pepenadores are stigmatized in society for being dirty and uncivilized. But, I guess my feeling is more of an admiration for people like this because they work hard for what they got and put up with so much crap just to make it by. I don't know what I would do if I was born in conditions like that. Actually, I know very well what I would do. I would make a B-line for the border and try to find my way in the United States.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Thesis topic
So, I believe I decided on a thesis topic. Or at least something definitive enough to look into. I was thinking that an analysis of the Merida Initiative would be good.
What kind of analysis, I'm not to sure. Potentially it could be about how the $1.4 billion USD is being used for the initiative. Most of it is going to supply Mexican counter-drug forces with equipment to do interdiction. For this, the US is supplying Mexico with various types of equipment from helicopters, to reconnaissance aircraft, to non-intrusive inspection equipment. I may look into the Merida legislation to see if this type of equipment is the best use of our resources, or if other types of assistance would actually work better, bearing in mind that probably the principle goal for any US-assistance in this regard would be for interdiction of narcotics entering the US and not as much to aid Mexican officials in decreasing their violent crime or own domestic drug problem.
What kind of analysis, I'm not to sure. Potentially it could be about how the $1.4 billion USD is being used for the initiative. Most of it is going to supply Mexican counter-drug forces with equipment to do interdiction. For this, the US is supplying Mexico with various types of equipment from helicopters, to reconnaissance aircraft, to non-intrusive inspection equipment. I may look into the Merida legislation to see if this type of equipment is the best use of our resources, or if other types of assistance would actually work better, bearing in mind that probably the principle goal for any US-assistance in this regard would be for interdiction of narcotics entering the US and not as much to aid Mexican officials in decreasing their violent crime or own domestic drug problem.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Monopolies are bad
And Carlos Slim is no bueno.According to these rankings (pdf) of internet accessibility and broadband usage, Mexico ranks last of thirty countries in a composite of broadband measures. One of those measures is price per Mpbs of usage per month. And at $18.41 a month per Mpbs, Mexicans pay about 6x more than combined average of the other 29 countries.
From what I hear, the world´s richest man and proprietor of Telemex (Mexico´s telecom giant), Carlos Slim has something to do with these gauging prices that have resulted in only 20% of the households here having access to internet. For comparison´s sake, the US has about 60% household access to internet.
Hangover earthquake
Also, today during my heated battle with a hangover, I thought it had the best of me for a second when I felt like the earth was moving. But actually that wasn´t the hangover but this.
Want to see something nice.
This is outside my house.
Too bad I can´t go into my house because of that crap door.
Too bad I can´t go into my house because of that crap door.
Mescal no bueno
I´m going to do some backtracking right now because I meant to get this blog up when I first arrived in Mexico but got distracted with a few things.
But now I have some free time, since it´s about 10:30 on a Friday night and I´m locked out of my house and my roommate just left for San Diego and won´t be back until Wednesday. Regarding me being locked out. I´m not really, just a little lost, or confused. Because for some reason I turn the key but the lock doesn´t release. Even when I bang and push on the door it doesn´t open. The fail-proof yelling at the door didn´t do anything. So, now I´m left on the streets in a city I don´t know, trying to speak Spanish, which I also don´t know. But I´m certain it will all work out for the best.
Other than this latest development, my trip has been great. Yesterday I was greeted by my new co-workers, and to celebrate my arrival (and the culmination of 6 months of hard-work they had been doing to open up several computer centers in disadvantaged neighborhoods) we put down some drinks. Vino tinto and mescal to be exact. To much of it to be more exact.
The mescal and red wine was the glue that helped me bond with my new co-workers. It also caused a poor co-worker to lose his lunch. Too much drinking left me extremely hung-over this morning for my first official day of work. I drank too much in fact that I had to brush my teeth twice this morning to remove the red (vino tinto) tint that had become a part of me.
Despite the hangover, I learned a lot today about the project and what I´ll be doing. I came here only knowing the name (Proacceso ECO) and my duties (to seek additional funding sources for the project). My other additional job duty is to help everyone in the project to practice their english. The project will eventually open 80 computer centers in Mexico housing over 5,000 computers and bring unprecedented technology to about 1.2 million Mexicans who have never had access to the sort before. As of today, there are 3 computer centers open with approximately 150 computers, but they are already registering almost 2,000 users. About 85% of these users have extemely limited experience with computer technology.
I also learned a little about programming and systems administration from a couple of very competant techies. One thing of which is apparently going to change the world and we are the first ones using it in Mexico.
So, this summer looks like its going to be great (despite the fact that I might be homeless on the streets of Mexico until work starts up again on Monday). The expectations are high here that this thing will work. Already, the Mexican government has guaranteed about $4 million USD in funding, we are just short of about $650,000 for our goal. Unfortunately for me, that is going to be my job. I can´t come up with a few thousand to pay down my credit card, but it is expected that in the next three months I can round up some funds to put a dent in this monstrous some. I think I can do it. Hopefully, I better at grantwriting than I am at opening doors.
But now I have some free time, since it´s about 10:30 on a Friday night and I´m locked out of my house and my roommate just left for San Diego and won´t be back until Wednesday. Regarding me being locked out. I´m not really, just a little lost, or confused. Because for some reason I turn the key but the lock doesn´t release. Even when I bang and push on the door it doesn´t open. The fail-proof yelling at the door didn´t do anything. So, now I´m left on the streets in a city I don´t know, trying to speak Spanish, which I also don´t know. But I´m certain it will all work out for the best.
Other than this latest development, my trip has been great. Yesterday I was greeted by my new co-workers, and to celebrate my arrival (and the culmination of 6 months of hard-work they had been doing to open up several computer centers in disadvantaged neighborhoods) we put down some drinks. Vino tinto and mescal to be exact. To much of it to be more exact.
The mescal and red wine was the glue that helped me bond with my new co-workers. It also caused a poor co-worker to lose his lunch. Too much drinking left me extremely hung-over this morning for my first official day of work. I drank too much in fact that I had to brush my teeth twice this morning to remove the red (vino tinto) tint that had become a part of me.
Despite the hangover, I learned a lot today about the project and what I´ll be doing. I came here only knowing the name (Proacceso ECO) and my duties (to seek additional funding sources for the project). My other additional job duty is to help everyone in the project to practice their english. The project will eventually open 80 computer centers in Mexico housing over 5,000 computers and bring unprecedented technology to about 1.2 million Mexicans who have never had access to the sort before. As of today, there are 3 computer centers open with approximately 150 computers, but they are already registering almost 2,000 users. About 85% of these users have extemely limited experience with computer technology.
I also learned a little about programming and systems administration from a couple of very competant techies. One thing of which is apparently going to change the world and we are the first ones using it in Mexico.
So, this summer looks like its going to be great (despite the fact that I might be homeless on the streets of Mexico until work starts up again on Monday). The expectations are high here that this thing will work. Already, the Mexican government has guaranteed about $4 million USD in funding, we are just short of about $650,000 for our goal. Unfortunately for me, that is going to be my job. I can´t come up with a few thousand to pay down my credit card, but it is expected that in the next three months I can round up some funds to put a dent in this monstrous some. I think I can do it. Hopefully, I better at grantwriting than I am at opening doors.
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