Thanks for stopping by! Mr. Collier was generally cordial in his assessment of, and tone toward, his hosts. Yet, he did seem to establish certain parameters for the Command’s proper role, for example by expressing skepticism toward the usefulness of “conflict prevention” as a component of foreign policy. This, he indicated, could lead to an excessive amount of meddling justified by good intentions.

His primary interest is in the ability to translate resource extraction over the coming years into substantive increases in income across the continent, which in his assessment correlates to improved security and political circumstances. Accordingly, he emphasized the importance of a multitude of actors in this process, from official government aid agencies, to the UN, the AU, regional and sub-regional organizations, and of course the private sector.

I am not aware of a transcript, but AFRICOM public affairs has released this: http://www.africom.mil/getarticle.asp?art=4108

Rugby does seem to be more of an art form. Football is linear and calculating, whereas rugby is dynamic and intuitive (as you said). Interesting post.

I must admit that I’m not a big fan of Friedman, and in this particular case he seems to have made no effort to engage in anything but historicism, framing the last century as a universe of chaos swirling around and being brought into order by the shining light of the American sun. Perhaps I’m blessed (or cursed!) but I have a hard time sharing in the hyperbolic certainty to which Friedman’s stock is pegged. My reluctance to embrace his praise for military peacemakers on the one hand is perhaps a response to his flippant appeals to raw militarism on the other. I concede that this reaction may be more to the style of the delivery than to the substance of the message, but…

Two words: Friedman Unit!

check Tom Friedman’s thoughts as well in the 10/10/09 NYT.

Firstly – the picture – you really need more shelves! Next you’ll be filling the shelves in double rows, then building towers on the floor. (Or is that just me?) More shelves, more shelves.

Secondly – what you’ve written – You mention that a remark from a university tutor set you off on European and Middle Eastern history. It was a bit like that with me too. I had a small political interest in Africa – mainly South Africa and the frontline states during the apartheid era. But my encounter with one Professor David Birmingham set me off on an academic exploration of African literature, politics and economics. Very rewarding and a complete change from what I had gone to university to study in the first place. The secret ingredient Prof Birmingham added was huge enthusiasm. I salute him.

As for you – more shelves. And more fiction to put on them.