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Peter C. Maffitt

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Understanding Ukraine and Crimea Issues

Understanding Ukraine and Crimea Issues

Events in Ukraine and Crimea are difficult for Americans to understand. There are three books which help explain some of the historical and contemporary issues. Begin with Orlando Figes’sThe Crimean War, A History. One of the consequences of the Russian

'Heart Of A Soldier': An Opera Worth Seeing

David Gockley, general director of the San Francisco Opera, has commissioned an opera, “Heart of a Soldier,” on the life of the hero Rick Rescorla, the man who predicted the NY World Trade Center 9/11 attack. The director is Francesca

Mexican Oil Production: The Coming Crisis

Crude oil production and revenue are essential elements to a stable Mexico. The Rice University James A Baker Institute for Public Policy Energy Forum has just presented a compressive study on “The Future of Oil in Mexico.” It was financed

America's Southwest Border Is A 'Threat'

Congressman Michael T. McCaul of Texas There is growing concern regarding the security of our US-Mexican border. In 2006 our Homeland Security Committee did a report on the issue. It is available on the web site of Congressman Michael T.

The Great 2011 Floods

There is a potential natural disaster developing with the water deluge creating flood conditions along the Mississippi River, Ohio River, Black River, etc. Will the Mississippi River peak around May 14th and will the levies hold? In 1927 the levies

U.S. Mexican Border Is A War Zone

In early April (PIT/TIP) Policia International Transfonteriza and The Transborder International Police had their 5th annual Training Conference in Houston, Texas. Few Americans have a full appreciation for the degree of Drug violence along the US Mexican border. The mission

Iran Primer: Take a Look

Land borders: Afghanistan – 585 miles Armenia – 22 miles Azerbaijan-Nakhchivan exclave – 112 miles Azerbaijan – 270 miles Iraq – 911 miles Pakistan – 568 miles Turkmenistan – 620 miles Turkey – 312 miles 2010 population: 74.5 million Ethnic

Spain's Debt Crisis Bodes Ill for Our Own

Events in Spain need to be watched closely. Spain is in the midst of a credit crisis, a major debt crisis. The reality is Spain has tapped the financial markets through borrowing treasury bills. Spain is paying more than a

India Nuclear Power Development

India just announced a $9 billion nuclear power deal with France. India’s Nuclear Power Corporation (NPCIL) currently has 17 atomic plants which only produce 3% of India’s power. That will change. AREVA, the French national nuclear power company, just closed

Mexican Demographics and the Coming Crisis

What is not understood in Washington, and by most US citizens, is that Mexico, our closest neighbor, is our most important strategic foreign policy and economic trade nation. Mexican demographics both in Mexico and of Mexican-Americans in the US are