European Union backs New Sanctions on Iran
European Union (EU) nations decided on Monday to impose new sanctions on Iran for its failure to comply with demands to cease its nuclear program. The new sanctions will prevent people associated with the nuclear program from entering EU nations and will freeze the assets of Bank Melli, Iran’s largest bank.
With these tougher sanctions in place the EU along with the United States hope to force Iran into a situation where they pretty much have to compromise their nuclear program in order to preserve the health of Iran’s economy.
Read this Reuter’s article for more information:
“The economy of Iran will be more dependent on Chinese markets,” he added of a growing shift in Iran’s focus to Asia that has seen Europe’s share of the Islamic Republic’s trade dwindle to 25-30 percent from twice that five years ago. [read more]
The Failed States Index for 2008 | Pakistan Rejoins the Top 10 & Impoverished African Nations Remain ‘Failed’
An interesting change in the Failed States Index (published by The Fund for Peace) is #9 Pakistan. Pakistan was at #13 in 2007, from a quick analysis of the index it is clear that a huge economic downturn is the main reason for Pakistan’s move to a premier position amongst the Top 10 failed states. There are no surprises in the top 10 for 2008 as they are the usual suspects…as a matter of fact the top 10 have remained pretty much the same since 2006…Haiti left the Top 10 in 2007 and Guinea got pushed out simply because of Pakistan’s horrible year.
Here’s the Top 10 (No surprises here!):
1. Somalia
2. Sudan
3. Zimbabwe
4. Chad
5. Iraq
6. D.R. Congo
7. Afghanistan
8. Cote d’Ivoire
9. Pakistan
10. Central African Republic
By the way…give it up for Scandinavia because Sweden, Finland, and Norway are the bottom three nations on the index, making them the ‘least failing’ nations in the world.
These are the twelve indicators The Fund for Peace uses to rank nations into the Failed States Index:
- Social Indicators
- I-1. Mounting Demographic Pressures
- I-2. Massive Movement of Refugees or Internally Displaced Persons creating Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
- I-3. Legacy of Vengeance-Seeking Group Grievance or Group Paranoia
- I-4. Chronic and Sustained Human Flight
- Economic Indicators
- I-5. Uneven Economic Development along Group Lines
- I-6. Sharp and/or Severe Economic Decline
- Political Indicators
- I-7. Criminalization and/or Delegitimization of the State
- I-8. Progressive Deterioration of Public Services
- I-9. Suspension or Arbitrary Application of the Rule of Law and Widespread
- Violation of Human Rights
- I-10. Security Apparatus Operates as a “State Within a State”
- I-11. Rise of Factionalized Elites
- I-12. Intervention of Other States or External Political Actors
Check out The Fund for Peace ‘Failed States Index’ at their website here.
Chrysler’s Jedi Mind Trick: “Let’s Refuel America” - $2.99 per Gallon Gasoline Guaranteed for Three Years
Chrysler’s new campaign “Let’s Refuel America” gives customers that buy one of its cars a guarantee that will ensure them gasoline at $2.99 per gallon for the next three years (CarReview.com, 2008). This is such a great idea - hats off to the marketing team that came up with this campaign. The fact is that consumers still ends up having to shell out more money since Chrysler is way behind in the fuel-efficient car category. Just check out this Consumer Reports article that breaks down the financial aspects related to purchasing a Chrysler instead of more fuel-economic cars. A consumer could purchase a hybrid Honda, which is the only company that actually turned a profit this last fiscal cycle, and save a lot more money. Besides, Chrysler has announced that it will shutdown its factories for two weeks this July just to cut costs (NPR, 2008)
That’s all fine though…the marketing was great…and even though Consumer Reports found holes in the plan I don’t think this is a tough one to push past a sizable amount of consumers. This campaign sure sounds less shady than the ‘employee pricing’ ploys.
I just wish American auto manufacturers modernized their advertising a bit…we’ve been watching the same commercials for the past two decades: A shiny car that speeds through back roads and handles curves with ultimate precision…all to a great all-American soundtrack featuring some flavor a bad-ass classic rock jam. And let’s not get started on the truck commercials! The new Acura commercials are a good example of a change of pace, they highlight lifestyles that appeal to their target market - hip 25-40 year olds that strive to achieve a balance between luxury, sport, and fun.
This article made me laugh: Why Local Car Dealers Ads Suck
Categories
Anthropology Current Events Ethnography India Iran Islam Literary Analysis Literature Pakistan Poetry
We Read
Feed: 
Go for the gold
