|
(Continued from page 37)
Analysis: US budget woes could hobble outreach to Asia in Obama's 2nd term
• WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama wants Asia to be a growing focus of his foreign policy, but as his second terms starts, success could hinge on his ability to manage hot spots elsewhere in the world and avert a fiscal crisis at home.
• Within two weeks of winning re-election, Obama became the first U.S. president to visit Myanmar, signaling his intent to sustain his administration's commitment to the region following the decade-long entanglement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• That's a reflection of Asia's growing economic and strategic importance. In the past three years, Washington has embroiled itself in diplomacy over the disputed South China Sea, deployed more military assets to the Asia-Pacific and pushed forward a regional trade pact. It has also put a lot of effort into managing ties with emerging rival China.
• Those moves have been broadly welcomed in Asia, but governments question the U.S. ability to sustain its policy.
• While Sen. John Kerry, the nominee to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state, is expected to continue the policy, the Middle East looks destined to demand the lion's share of his attention. There's no end in sight to the civil war in Syria and pressure could mount to take military action over Iran's nuclear program.
• ___
Macedonian village's rebellious spirit comes alive in carnival
• VEVCANI, Macedonia (AP) -- The tiny Macedonian town of Vevcani boasts its own constitution, its own currency and a passport emblazoned with a golden coat of arms.
• They are a tongue-in-cheek expression of the village's historical defiance of authority -- and were born of a symbolic declaration of independence. But beneath the mockery lies a real rebellious streak that has coursed through Vevcani for decades and spawned violent protests, diplomatic incidents and run-ins with the law.
• That spirit of rebellion reaches a climax every year during the village's annual carnival in January, where villagers don costumes that poke fun at the world around them. The sharp satire leaves nothing untouched, targeting the national leadership, politics, religion and social issues. Most recently it has taken aim at Macedonia's cri (Continued on page 39)
|
|
