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This article describes a case the US is planning to file against China for subsidizing cars and car parts, mostly in developing countries. The reporter does mention that the rise in automation and the global recession of 2008 probably have effected employment numbers as well. International economics and business is pretty fascinating (ok, maybe, not to everyone), and it's worth noting that increased revenues for Chinese companies will allow China to pursue broader areas of research and development, as well as specilization in a lucrative market: auto sales in developing countries. Once a company has a market, it can give quite the fight to keep it, which provides the country and company a long term source of R&D funding. The article also raises the question of the timing of the case against China, and whether it's filing by the incumbent Obama administration is politically motivated. This question is more fully explored in an article from today's New York Times that goes well with the discussion from class today about government action on science and technology issues, and when it takes that action. Here's the link if anyone's interested in incumbent electoral advantages: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/20/us/politics/obama-exploits-familiar-junction-of-policy-and-politics.html?pagewanted=all

An interesting article that claims that the doctor who was jailed for aiding the US in its search for Osama Bind Laden is on a hunger strike due to the conditions in which he is being held. His incarceration was significant because it is a referendum on the consequences that scientists and medical professionals can incur when getting involved in some edgy political situations.

It's crazy the amount of tumult this created in the relations between the United States and Pakistan. The claim of the hunger strike is interesting as there seems to be differing reports as to the true nature of his time in prison. I wonder what is really going on. I suppose that he is trying to draw attention to himself from sympathizers in the U.S. Regardless of whether his claim of the hunger strike is true or not, the attention seems to be having some result. Hilary Clinton's role in the controversy may cause Pakistani prison officials to provide Afridi better treatment. We will just have to wait and see.

An interesting article, but what stood out to me even more than the particular subject of the article was the response of the villagers. They were unaware of even the type of weapon used against them, and there is an absence of medical attention to care for the burns suffered by many protesters. This is definitely a politically troubling article, particularly because it is coming out of Burma, a country that has recently had hopes of a more democratic future.

This incident shows how much not as developed countries such as Burma wish to expand their industry and technology, to the point that they are harming their own people in such a terrible way. The fact that people have burns but cannot place where they came from is a sign that some questionable forms of force were used.

I remember discussing in class the immense amount of nuclear power we have especially when compared to other nations. Also, I remember us considering the fact that our government believes it is acceptable for us to possess nuclear power and not acceptable for other nations to possess nuclear power because we feel that as a whole, our morals are more honorable. If China is leading the cyber war, then can our nuclear power keep us safe when they can potentially access our launch codes in the future?

It is a bit disconcerting how the government tries to cover up and not discuss the fact this severe of a breach happened, and when it was brought to light, they seem to very shyly admit to the fact it happened. Even though they say the success rate of the cyber attacks is rare, the fact that China, or potentially any other nation with enough willpower, may hack and access the codes is daunting. Hopefully, the U.S. will do more to develop stronger forms of security and technology to protect this information.

This is pretty interesting. I follow politics fairly close and even I was unaware of this most recent attack. I agree with Sana, they very shyly admitted the downfall. These attacks should not be taken lightly, and it seems like more precautions need to be taken as well. Perhaps, they should install Norton Anti-Virus.

In response to police brutality, students of a northern Sri Lankan university have begun a two-day boycott of classes. Southeast Asia has been in the news a lot lately, maybe because of the ASEAN summit that President Obama attended; and while a good portion of the recent news has been optimistic, it's important that when issues such as this one arise, that they are appropriately covered and discussed.

Tensions are rising as we approach the rocket launch window given by North Korea; the United States has moved ships into the area, and Japan has already ordered its military to shoot at any debris or rocket passing their air space. Even China, one of North Korea's only allies, has called on them to cancel their rocket test.

It is interesting and somewhat frightening that the North Korean government would launch rockets without the permission of not only America but China and even Japan as well. It seems that even through globalization and the development of a multipolar world, opposition to the majority is still plentiful.

There was relatively little damage as a result of this earthquake, and one major reason is the system Japan has been implementing since 2004 for early warning; in the analysis given by Jason Palmer, he mentions that many citizens received warnings on their mobile phones several seconds before the quake reached them, allowing them a few seconds to move toward a safer location.

The two main up and coming power houses continue their conflict over oil and gas. I am intrigued to see how much the United States will intervene as the conflict continues.

It sometimes seems as if we try to be the police of the world, and yet we are also sometimes the most despised nation of the world. Do we need to change our tactics in the face of globalization?

Last year's nuclear disaster in Japan has caused a lot of controversy within the country about whether to continue using nuclear energy or not. There seems to be some miscommunication between government officials and the common citizens too. I personally think nuclear energy should be studied and used more than it is already, but with last years events I can understand why some people would be wary of this technology.

Hopefully, for the sake of the future of nuclear power, they do not abandon their nuclear plants but I agree with the idea that it's a political move made by the current office to avoid the loss of votes. I wonder what their ultimate alternative to nuclear energy would be if they did abandon the plants? Maybe they would resort to more solar power use as is becoming popular in Southeast Asia according to an above article.

I agree that Japanese officials are being conservative when it comes to the issue of nuclear energy or any type of energy. I think going away from nuclear energy is not a great idea. I remember we talked about France in class about how they have nuclear energy and there wasn't much nuclear waste or pollution. I know France was ranked 15 but I assume Japan would be ranked higher since they said "Japan has to import most - around 96 percent - of its energy, primarily in the form of fossil fuels. That is expensive as well as harmful to the environment." in the article. In addition going away from nuclear energy will leave Japan behind in energy programs. Like we talked about in class the planets natural resources are becoming scarce. So if Japan thinks about the future I believe they would try to improve their nuclear energy programs.