International relations theory is just killing me nowadays. That and school in general.
I'm sure from that, you can figure out why my long absence.

Here're 2 good articles from online magazine Slate. The first by Christopher Hitchens is on North Korea. It's blunt, direct and tells it as it is, describing North Korea. Ironically GW Bush has to be given some small credit for his stance on that country and its leader. Everytime I think about this country it makes me feel disgusted and scared how anybody can so openly and blatantly wield absolute power and dominance over a country. At the same time, I do understand why this is allowed to happen, because all the neighboring countries stand to lose something if the regime and leader are brought down or attempted against.

The second, is on the recent Hamas victory in the Palestinian elections. I think the real test will be to see if the results will be accepted and peace maintained in the upcoming elections. It's good that a new party other than Fatah won, it gives the Palestinian state a solid chance to start over
and curb the corruption and inefficiency characterised by the previous administration. Let's just hope violence doesn't break out soon or in the near future, whether between the different Palestinian factions or with Israel.