Al-Abadi Embarks on the Iraqi Road from Ramadi to Mosul – and Beyond

Monday morning, Dr. Telhas T’zee Yasharmouta al-Feekah, Chief Policy Attaché Without Portfolio at the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq, arrived at my office for a consultation. The discussion scheduled was supposed to be about restructuring Iraqi petroleum policy, but as he morosely settled into the tastefully upholstered chair in front of my desk, it… Continue reading Al-Abadi Embarks on the Iraqi Road from Ramadi to Mosul – and Beyond

Kerry Stokes GOP Greenhouse Effect

With the Ukrainian Crisis in its second week, the Dalai Lama visiting Washington amid protests both diplomatic as well as on the streets, and the Conservative Political Action Conference in full swing, those would have been quite sufficient to keep Gretchen and me working twelve and fourteen hour days all week, including up until ten… Continue reading Kerry Stokes GOP Greenhouse Effect

Ach du Liebe Zeit! NSA Private Cell Phone Tap Penetrates Angela Merkel

Fortunately, despite the desperate state of the world, it did not prove necessary for Gretchen to book any consultations on this particular weekend.  So she had both days off – although I am, technically speaking, on call year-round, 24/7.  And so it was that shortly after breakfast in bed, while Cerise and I relaxed with… Continue reading Ach du Liebe Zeit! NSA Private Cell Phone Tap Penetrates Angela Merkel

State Department’s Whistle Blower Scandal Cure

Thursday morning, I received a visit from Dr. Evelyn Waugh Tsvangari-O’Shay.  She works at the US State Department Office of the Inspector General. “I suppose,” she began, “you are familiar with the recent allegations lodged against us?” “That the Office of the Secretary of State intervened to quash an investigation of an affair between a… Continue reading State Department’s Whistle Blower Scandal Cure

Conspiracy Nuts Go Bananas Over Newtown

Having stayed out rather late Saturday night, Cerise and I slept in this morning.  She made us breakfast, which included Segafredo cappuccinos made with organic grass fed whole milk, duck eggs Benedict and Dom Pérignon mimosas with the juice of fresh blood oranges – in other words, a typical Sunday breakfast in bed as served… Continue reading Conspiracy Nuts Go Bananas Over Newtown