A couple political bits I have to scrape off the iceberg.

Just in case the writings on the wall weren't obvious, stories like this should cause at least a pause in the towel-snapping at the White House. China Increases Foreign Military Training. Monroe Doctrine, anyone?

Also, and I'll attempt restraint on the topic, but anything that the US "must" do in Iraq is a clear signal that things are already totally out of control. Whatever the application, good strategy almost always involves leaving options for yourself, and none for your opponent. The last thing you "must" have done, how well did it go?

本当に、アメリカの政治が困っています。