Sunday's Best

We can expect much more on the Shiites almost getting the majority of votes in the Iraqi elections tomorrow, since the news came to late to be commented on today. The world is still reeling from N. Korea declaring that it had nuclear weapons. World opinion is mixed, but no one doubts that even if it is bluffing that the issue is a critical one. Most surprising has been the Chinese reaction. Official and unofficial sources have been critical, whether N. Korea reacts is anyone's guess. Speaking of China there is further evidence that in the Far East realpolitik is alive and well. Japan has informed China that its Coast Guard will be administering the disputed Senkaku Islands.

Back to Baghdad and the Middle East...Ahmad Chalabi makes another comeback, Richard Perle must be thrilled. Max Boot thinks that Hosni Mubarak is a lousy investment and that we should cut back on his funding to open up Egypt. Over at the NY Times Thomas Friedman makes another effort to enter "geo-green" into the political lexicon. Granted "No Mullah Left Behind" is a snappy headline, but didn't we already talk about our reliance on fossil fuels and how it funds our enemies two weeks ago? And why not mention the problems it creates for us closer to home? That means you Hugo. Say what you will about Hugo at least he is smarter than the Bolivian Congress which is looking to impoverish its own country. On the back-burner is the news in Nepal where the King has clamped down on dissent and human rights groups. Finally the neglected continent of Africa has been taking some steps to correct itself through the African Union.