ONTD: Politics

Israel called on the United States and a number of European countries over the weekend to curb their criticism of President Hosni Mubarak to preserve stability in the region.

Jerusalem seeks to convince its allies that it is in the West's interest to maintain the stability of the Egyptian regime. The diplomatic measures came after statements in Western capitals implying that the United States and European Union supported Mubarak's ouster.

Israeli officials are keeping a low profile on the events in Egypt, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even ordering cabinet members to avoid commenting publicly on the issue.

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Could there be any stronger indication that the United States' alliance with Israel is little more than a Cold War relic? When it is in the United States' "genuine interests" to prop up a massively unpopular president-for-life, maybe it's time to reconsider some priorities.

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Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is probably more embarrassed than anyone to learn of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il’s unexpected visit to China Thursday.
On a visit to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, Carter had an itinerary that included a meeting and dinner with the North’s No. 2 man Kim Yong Nam. Carter arrived at Sunan Airport in Pyongyang Wednesday afternoon.

Kim Kye Kwan, the North’s chief negotiator to the six-party nuclear talks, received Carter at the airport and accompanied Kim Yong Nam at the dinner held at Baekhwawon State Guest House.

The North’s official news media said Carter did not have the chance to meet Kim Jong Il. The North Korean leader went to China on an exclusive train that crossed the Chinese border on his previous China visits, and will probably return in about a week.

Because of this, it was deemed virtually impossible for Carter to meet Kim Jong Il.

The main purpose of the former U.S. president’s visit was to gain the release of the detained American Aijalon Mahli Gomes. Carter, however, also spoke of a “grand vision” of bringing Pyongyang back to the negotiating table and tackling the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and regional peace through a meeting with Kim Jong Il.

Given the situation, Carter might very well feel embarrassed and disappointed.

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Making fun of Jimmy Carter is about as funny as making fun of Dan Quayle nowadays, but I think it is in rather poor taste for Jimmy Carter to oversee a hostage's return to the United States from an antagonistic country, all things considered.

Whenever North Korea and China's relationship gets brought up, I feel bad for China.  North Korea is like the best friend China had in elementary school who grew up to be the creepiest kid in town and is sort of embarrassing now that China has friends that don't talk about their dead cat collection at parties.