Blogging Commences From Three Continents

Asia, North America, and Europe — I am on assignment in Japan, Younghusband recently returned to his native Canada, and Chirol continues to send in his dispatches from Germany. I head back to the US in late August just as Younghusband moves to the other side of his country for graduate studies, while Chirol is all set to head off to Syria! So stay tuned to ComingAnarchy.com for your daily dose of international/geopolitical commentary (where else?)

I’ve only been in country for 18 hours, so I’ll have more substantial stuff to follow. In the meantime, here’s the latest interesting news from Japan:

* Russia snubs Japan

* One of my favorite Japanese politicians, the very pro-US Shinzo Abe, is seen as Koizumi’s heir apparent

* National holiday to be named after Hirohito

* Japan considering exit strategy from Iraq

* Foreign Minister Machimura appeals for the release of possible hostage Saito in Iraq, although there is no evidence that he is alive. This Saito guy is one tough motha. He joined the Japanese SDF at age 18 but decided it wasn’t challenging enough, so he joined the French Foreign Legion, a pseudo-mercenary force with a long reputation. He served there for two decades before resigning for security work in Iraq. Most hostages are shown on film in orange jump suits, begging for their lives. In Saito’s case, they’ve only shown his passport. Talking with a journalist buddy over drinks last night, the general impression is that this is the kind of guy who, if captured, would spit in his captors faces. So I fear Machimura may be acting too late…

Currently in a net cafe, more to come once I establish a reliable wireless connection from my laptop.