Nous allons au vacances! See you in a week!

Notes on Barcott's: It Happened on the Way to War

I am working on a book review of Rye Barcott's excellent It Happened On the Way to War: A Marine's Path to Peace Following are my notes on the first two-thirds of the book. 

My thoughts after meeting Rye Barcott.
FAO Africa Recommended Reading List
ATTENTION:  IS THE LIST ABOVE TOO OVERWHELMING?  I'VE PUT TOGETHER  A STARTER READING LIST HERE.

 It Happened on the Way to War: A Marine’s Path to Peace Review

p. 27
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”  -Margaret Mead, legendary anthropologist and one of Rye’s mother’s favorite quotes.

p. 28
Rye relates his moment of spiritual realization when “the force swept me into its embrace”  following his near-drowning episode during his adolescence.

p. 30
“Reach out to a bunch of people and eventually a few will give a damn.” Ted Lord’s advice to Rye as he seeks a way to spend the summer in Rwanda

p. 33
Rye related the travails of networking:  “I had spent 3 hours for a 10-second offer of an introduction that might be able to take me where I needed to go.”

p.36
Rye’s Rwanda plans are scrapped and professor Jennifer Coffman suggests Kibera.  Rye’s begins anew searching for the next 5% who gave a damn.

CHAPTER TWO FIST BUMP (BIG GOTA)
p. 38
“Did poverty alone make people less trustworthy” Rye ponders after conversation with Kenyan businessman on flight to Nairobi.

p. 40
Kenyan couple can’t comprehend that someone would only have one child (BIG cultural difference).

p. 41
Rye gets his Kenyan nickname: Omosh, based on the time of day he was born from Elizabeth and Oluoch. 

The Challenge of Nationhood by Tom Mboya

p. 42
In the book, Mboya points out that: “the second generation leadership would inherit a framework that is so dependent on personality that it cannot survive the person on whom it depended.  This could bring with it a phases of deep political problems—tribalism, personality cults, foreign intervention and even military coup.  (march 1960, six years after Kenya’s independence.  4 months later he was assassinated. 

p. 45 “Sheng” is the language of the youth in the slums, an extreme slang of Swahili

p. 46 The railroad tracks separate Kibera from Nairobi (part of the Kenya-Uganda railway).  VERY poorly maintained. 

p. 47  The thumbs-up is a sign of the NDP  and ‘mzungu’ means white person.

p. 48  Rye describes the sounds of life inside Dan’s compound in Kibera.  These sounds could be the start of a movie…or even combine into a song for the movie:  boy’s shout, dog’s bark, man’s cough, door slaps shut, water splashes, broom whisks, pickaxes ping, stereos rattle music etc…

p. 53 While it seems a little callous that Rye is so hesitant to share/donate his money to someone like Baba Chris (even though it’s only $7)…it’s also important to note that mids don’t get paid anything at all (or at the most $50 a month).

"Blood diamond" regulation system broken: The recent regulatory approval of Zimbabwean diamonds for sale reveals deep flaws in the system

"Blood diamond" regulation system broken: The recent regulatory approval of Zimbabwean diamonds for sale reveals deep flaws in the system.

I wish I knew more about the diamond business, but even in my near total ignorance of the subject I can tell you that this is a very interesting article. 

A famine of food and international politics in East Africa

Daniel Howden: This famine is a failure of politics, not of generosity

After 9/11 it no longer mattered to the West what happened to the Somalis as long as their suffering was contained and radical elements neutralised

Preach it Daniel!  If want to read more about the famine (and international failures in response) he mentions back in the 90's check out The Zanzibar Chest by Aiden Hartley.  Now compare the points made in Daniel's article with France's Agriculture Minister "Monsieur Je miss the point and root of the crisis here'  Le Maire statements in the article below:

Horn of Africa famine: France warns of 'scandal'

The world has "failed to ensure food security", France's agriculture minister has said at the UN food agency crisis talks on East Africa's drought. "If we don't take the necessary measures, famine will be the scandal of this century," AFP news agency quotes Bruno Le Maire as saying in Rome.

 

LINKS:

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/daniel-howden-this-famine-is-a-failure-of-politics-not-of-generosity-2319944.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14271539

CNAS Next Gen Leaders Program and 4 African Presidents parlent à USIP ce jeudi

CNAS Next Gen Leaders Program and 4 African Presidents parlent à USIP ce jeudi

CNAS Launches Third Annual Next Generation National Security Leaders Program: All eligible candidates are invited to apply at

http://www.cnas.rsvp1.com/s1bef553jLHt

Check out their website as this is a cool program and one which offers you access and exposure to DC's brightest.  Granted these smug bastards they didn't select me for it when I applied last year, so I have reason to doubt its selection process but perhaps you, my young (32 years old is the age cap for this program) readers, stand a better chance.  I would apply again this year but I am bitter and wanted to give everyone else a shot and I want to hold it over their heads one day when I am the SDO/DATT in South Africa and they need my help to set up a safari or something  will be leaving the DC area in December. 

USIP hosts 4 Francophone Presidents this Thursday

RSVP Now

Four Francophone states in West Africa have recently held elections.  In three, new presidents have taken office in processes that followed protracted periods of conflict and disputed rule; in Benin, a reelected incumbent has continued a democratic tradition of 20 years' standing.  Despite the fact that the outcomes of some of these elections have been disputed, they nevertheless represent steps toward strengthening democracy in the region. 

The U.S. Institute of Peace is pleased to host the presidents of these four countries at 2:00 pm on Thursday, July 28.   

This event will feature the following speakers:

Boni Yayi

President of Benin

Alpha Conde

President of Guinea

Issoufou Mahamadou

President of Niger

Alassane Ouattara

President of Cote d'Ivoire

Webcast: You may participate in this event in two ways. You can register to attend the event, or you may watch the live webcast beginning at 2:00 pm EST on July 28, 2011 at www.usip.org/webcast . Please note this webcast will be spoken in part French, and will not feature translation

LINKS:

http://click.newsletters.usip.org/?qs=0eb86b471470221bca7f9554036c9262b95265b1dad16b66472dfbb0a926f289  

http://click.newsletters.usip.org/?qs=0eb86b471470221bb19ff51f38d8848f6cde2b49aaa9a1f3425abefc0342140d

http://www.cnas.rsvp1.com/s1bef553jLHt

Kenya's government opens its robes and the State Dept shows up

Ushahidi welcomes Kenya Open Data Initiative

In case you didn't know, Ushahidi (meaning 'testimony' in Swahili) is the company behind all those cool crowd-sourcing maps that pop up on the news whenever the latest crisis occurs (a VERY simplified explanation).   Spend some time on their website and you will get a glimpse of what the future will look like.

Africa: East Africa Cyber Workshop to Address Cyber Security 

July 22, 2011

State Department Coordinator for Cyber Issues, Chris Painter, will be traveling to Kenya for the East Africa Workshop on Cyberspace Security, to be held in Nairobi July 25 to July 27. Coordinator Painter will be leading the U.S. Interagency Delegation and will provide keynote remarks. Kenyan Minister of Communications, Samuel L. Poghisio, and U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Scott Gration, will also provide keynote remarks.

As the internet, networked systems, and the use of mobile phones expand throughout sub-Saharan Africa, nations are grappling with multiplying cyber threats ranging from transnational crime groups to terrorists. This workshop, a partnership between the U.S. and Kenyan governments, will address broad issues on cyber crime and cyber security while focusing discussions on issues of specific interest to East Africa, such as mobile cellular security and the development of national computer emergency response teams or CERTs.

The conference will be attended by government officials from the five East African Community states: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. U.S. and African private sector and academic experts will also contribute their thoughts and insights to the discussion.

LINKS:

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/07/168964.htm

http://blog.ushahidi.com/index.php/2011/07/12/ushahidi-welcomes-kenya-open-data-initiative/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ushahidi+%28Ushahidi.com%29

http://opendata.go.ke/

Navy-Capitol Hill Workshop and CCA US-Africa Business Summit

This is a pretty cool ('pretty' because it costs $1500) 4-day primer on all things Capitol Hill for the young naval officer.  Many applicable naval staffs will foot the bill for this if you know about it!  I've been working in the PGON for more than a year though and I just found out about it today, so feel free to spread the good word.  I'd also be interested to hear comments from any FUUO readers that have attended the workshop.

NAVY CAPITOL HILL WORKSHOP

The Government Affairs Institute, Georgetown University, provides opportunities for Department of Navy (DON) employees to receive a first-hand understanding not only of congressional process and procedure, but also the unique culture surrounding the United States Congress. Over the four days, participants will hear from, and be afforded the opportunity to ask questions of, Members of Congress, congressional staff, academic observers, interest group representatives, news media representatives and DON Legislative Liaison staff.

The Corporate Council on Africa is hosting their 8th biennial US-Africa Business Summit.  Have any readers been to one previously?  I am looking forward to Plenary III which has a maritime DOD focus!

LINKS:

http://www.public.navy.mil/donhr/TrainingDevelopment/developmentalresource/Pages/NavyCapitolHillWorkshop.aspx

http://www.cvent.com/events/8th-biennial-u-s-africa-business-summit/attendees-8c44ecbbdeec4caaa5436dcc186eb40a.aspx

Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Reading list updated!

Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Reading list updated!

I have updated my reading list page: http://fuuo.blogspot.com/p/the-fao-africa-book-list.html


Please let me know if you have suggestions that I should add.  My list is still very weak on South American and Europe. 

I am also happy to link to any reviews you might have for any of these books. 

International Relations through a 20mm lens

As a photography enthusiast, I found Wide Aperture's latest blog post to be a phenomenal one (Wide Aperture is a photography subset of the online news magazine Current Intelligence).  The article doesn't directly pertain to Africa but it does speak to the power of the captured image to offer commentary and insight into a country and its issues.  Photographs can offer texture and context to circumstances that are difficult to address with the written word.  In the article the editors address this idea of photographic texture and context in Hannes Opelz's latest work, "The Dream of Occupation", a photo essay about the West Bank. 

What are your favorites blogs and websites and photography in Africa?

LINKS:
http://www.currentintelligence.net/wideaperture/2011/7/14/dreams-of-occupation.html

http://www.20mm.ch/the_dream_of_occupation/

http://www.currentintelligence.net/wideaperture

Starvation, Births, Diamonds and How to Pack Like a Spy: FUUO's recommended daily dosage

Starvation, Births, Diamonds and How to Pack Like a Spy: FUUO's recommended daily dosage

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/features/reading-lists  Some of these are a bit old (2009) but there are some more recent ones as well.  Regardless of the date, they are a good jumping off point for a wide range of topics and countries.  Sadly, there is not a specific Africa one.  HOWEVER, I have an extensive one here on this blog:  http://fuuo.blogspot.com/p/foreign-area-officer-fao-book-list.html

How to Travel Safely - Tips from a Former Agent.  This is a great little video that highlighted a couple of things I don't always think about when traveling abroad.  Worth the 5 minutes out of your day.  Also, if you are a member of FAOWeb you can access all of STRATFOR's material for free!

http://www.stratfor.com/content/video-travel-safe?utm_source=freelist-f&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20110714&utm_term=sweekly&utm_content=bluebox&elq=83d7ea8073534425807404526f892de7>

Africa: Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Hearing on Somalia - Assessing the Consequences of the Failed State of Somalia http://www.state.gov/g/prm/rls/rmks/2011/168614.htm

Sudan Updates: Two New Sudans: A Roadmap Forward http://www.state.gov/s/sudan/rem/2011/168657.htm

Pentagon Protesters and Sorcerers

NOTE:  For those who don't know,  every Monday morning the Pentagon allows only the biggest idiots best and brightest dissenters to post up on the grassy area by the Metro entrance escalators and display their signs. 

It's been a busy week and it's Friday afternoon (and the Harry Potter series finale comes out this weekend)so I will leave you with two great DC "bulletins" that I saw recently!

For the Metro Ride Home: More Southern Sudans, Cellphone Civil Wars and Stetsons in Africa

Now here would be a great app: one that allows me to download a series of articles to my phone (or IPAD..one day) to read on my metro ride home (the majority of that ride I don't have an internet connection). 

Here are the articles I would read today (and yes, they are biased towards The Atlantic Monthly...sue me; it's just about my favorite magazine, aside from Cooks Illustrated--and don't snicker until you've read CI--if you are a clueless guy whose always wondered why his scrambled eggs or boneless skinless chicken breasts are inedible, CI will be an epiphany!).

This article is certainly a controversial one but definitely contains some ideas that merit debate and discussion.  The author also has a book on the FUUO Book List.  After South Sudan: The Case to Keep Dividing Africa  by G. Pascal Zachary. 

 

This article is sure to make you feel a twinge of guilt...especially if you are reading it on your smartphone.  I also learned that the mineral 'tungsten' is what makes my cell phone vibrate...who knew!  Is Your Cell Phone Fueling Civil War in Congo? by Erin Banco.  And there's no need to put your cellphone down just yet--the criminals/murderers/thugs/rapists are still going to be the evil scumbags they are with or without a mineral demand signal.

An interesting historical (if biased) look at the US' role throughout the years leading up to July 9th.  Worth the read if for nothing more than the accompanying photo of President Salva Kiir rocking a Stetson with President Bush.  US Played Key Role in Southern Sudan's Long Journey to Independence by Rebecca Hamilton.

Texas In Africa is an informative and solid blog I read every day (and follow on twitter).  I came across the following two articles from his post today:

When I first read Kristof's article I thought it was an okay read.  After I read Bohnstedt's blistering rebuttal to it, I was reminded that I am a neophyte idiot still have much to learn and need to read these fluff pieces with a much more discerning eye.
An African Adventure, and a Revelation by Nicholas Kristof.

Africa's Bright Side Is Always Ignored by Andrea Bohnstedt

If you are interested in Maritime Safety and Security then Information Dissemination should be on your daily read list (it's on mine).  And I am not just saying that because he gave FUUO a shoutout in his post below: http://www.informationdissemination.net/2011/07/river-wars.html

Links:

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/07/after-south-sudan-the-case-to-keep-dividing-africa/241705/

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/07/is-your-cell-phone-fueling-civil-war-in-congo/241663/

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/07/us-played-key-role-in-southern-sudans-long-journey-to-independence/241660/

http://texasinafrica.blogspot.com/2011/07/while-we-were-out.html

http://the-star.co.ke/business/andrea-bohnstedt/31062-africas-bright-side-is-always-ignored-

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/opinion/sunday/03kristof.html?pagewanted=4&_r=2

http://www.informationdissemination.net/2011/07/river-wars.html

Ethiopia's Plan For A 'Power Hub' On The Nile

I came across this article in ACSS's excellent daily media review:

Ethiopia's Plan For A 'Power Hub' On The Nile

Ethiopia says it will build four more hydroelectric dams on the Nile river as part of a plan to become a power hub for Africa. Ethiopian power corporation manager Mihret Debebe said Wednesday the dams could produce up to 11,000 megawatts and that work will start after 2015. He says the electricity will be exported to neighboring countries. The

China's meeting with Africa Documentary--Screening here in DC?

Check out the article below (linked) and the trailer on this documentary! 

(I came across it in ACSS's excellent daily media review)

It certainly looks to be an interesting one.  When it comes to China in Africa, I am implanted firmly in the 'learn' mode so you won't see any incisive analysis from me.  For that you must check out (as I have said many a time before) Deb Brautigam's and Amb. Shinn's blogs:

http://www.chinaafricarealstory.com/

http://davidshinn.blogspot.com/

I look forward to hearing their thoughts, when and if they screen the film!


Incidentally, I have submitted a request to the company to allow me to screen the film here in DC for anyone interested!

China's meeting with Africa

Few countries capture the essence of the China-Africa relationship better than Zambia. Our film tells the story of the two countries in microcosm.

Links:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/jun/30/china-zambia-relationship

http://www.blackgoldmovie.com/
http://whenchinametafrica.com/