Punished by Regime They Covered

Little news has been made recently about two American journalist held prisoner in North Korea. Laura Ling and Euna Lee were filming a story about North Koreans fleeing over the Chinese border for Current TV when they were arrested by North Korean officials on March 17th. They have been tried, convicted, and sentenced to twelve years in a labor camp, in what can only be horrific conditions.
North Korea is already possibly the most isolated country in the world, and this situation is made all the more complex by numerous issues inside North Korea. First, the "Dear Leader" Kim-Jong Il is in failing health, and he has just named his son Kim-Jong Un. This has created a dynamic where the father does not want to make any concessions for fear of making his son look weak in what is often a perilous time for any totalitarian regime. One concession that the US wants is the halt of North Korea's nuclear weapons program. The North has already tested several missiles, and is capable of striking Japan and perhaps Alaska. Although US officials would like to pretend that these items are unrelated, North Korea could not disagree more. Both are seen inside the government as Western meddling.
Surely, there are back channel negotiations taking place over these two journalist. A key step in the process will come if and when the US decides to send a envoy or surrogate to deal with the North Koreans. Possible candidates include Bill Richardson and Al Gore, who is CEO of Current TV.
We at OTB would like to say that we were previously big fans of Laura Ling's reporting. Current TV relies on citizen journalism to fill most of their content, and is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys creative and innovative reporting from around the world. This crisis shows the danger that journalist (of any kind) place themselves in to report from the world's most troubled areas, and how grateful we all should be to the people that put their lives on the line to bring the world to our doorstep. Or nowadays, televisions, computer screens, blackberries...

National Sovereignty Day

June 30th has been declared National Sovereignty Day in Iraq. Coalition forces will be required to pull out of Iraqi cities and into their bases, as required by the status of forces agreement signed in late 2008. In recent days, there have been several bombings in Iraq, resulting in many civilian deaths. Iraqi and American officials alike have promised that this would not delay the withdraw.
Delaying withdraw of forces from Iraq's cities would be a major blow to its security. Major attacks inside Iraq have dwindled significantly, mostly thanks to the so-called Sunni Awakening. These recent attacks are an obvious attempt by those who wish to destabilize Iraq to frighten US officials into delaying the withdraw. However, there can be no doubt that Iraqis themselves want Americans out of their day to day lives. Additionally, once American troops have been withdrawn from crowded cities, these types of attacks will lose any justification they once had, even with the most nationalistic Iraqis. How can one support this kind of action against the foreign occupiers if all of those killed are Iraqis?
The next step in the SOFA will be a referendum that would require all foreign troops out by the middle of 2010, instead of the end of 2011 as originally planned. As of now, the referendum is expected to pass. Will the violence in Iraq frighten Iraqis into believing that they need the US forces to help quell the violence, or will they see it as just another threat to their sovereignty, peace, and prosperity?
Six years after the US first invaded Iraq, this move will be first sign to everyday Iraqis that this is once again their country. Iraq has not been turned into the beacon of democracy that we were promised. However, the country has been removed from the hands of a dictator and given back to its people, but at what cost. There is increasing evidence that a new dialogue is emerging in the middle east, and perhaps a new can be Iraq involved in that debate moving forward.

US Soccer Falls to Brazil

The United States soccer team was defeated 3-2 in the final of the Confederations Cup. In a game of two halves, the US was leading 2-0 at the half, but conceded 3 in the final 45 minutes. The US team played well throughout, but Brazil found their 5th gear for the first time this tournament.
The US came out applying pressure all over the field, showing great work rate. It was only ten minutes in when Jonathan Spector's hopeful cross received just enough of a touch from Clint Dempsey, and the US had the early lead. They continued to play well defensively, but controlled little of the play. Then, in the 27th minute, Brazil turned over possession to Ricardo Clark. Only five touches later, Landon Donovan slipped the ball past Brazilian keeper Julio Cesear. In the final 15 minutes of the half, Brazil would start to their samba futbol. It was only 40 seconds into the second half when Brazil struck first. The US reacted fairly well over the next 10 minutes, holding little possession, but maintaining their composure. Then, in the 71st, major cracks started to show in the US defense, perhaps from fatigue. Oguchi Onyewu was caught ball watching, and Benny Feilhaber was unable to cover. Tim Howard made a great save to keep the States up by one, but only 3 minutes later Fabiano tucked the second rebound past Howard to tie the score. 10 minutes later, Jay Demerit made a great defensive play, but conceded a corner. Elano's cross found Lucio at the back post for the winner. Given 5 minutes to attack, the US was able to create a chance for an Onyewu header, but it was blazed over.
Overall in the tournament, the US made great strides, especially defensively. They still need to learn how to manage a lead and how to close out games. Howard, who stars for Everton in the Premier League, is undoubtedly their best player. Donovan and Dempsey also improved their reputations for next year's World Cup. DeMarcus Beasley, once thought of as a lock, is now out of favor with manager Bob Bradley. If the US can replicate their effort in next month's Gold Cup, and more importantly, the World Cup, they will truly begin to gain the respect of much more established footballing nations. But as Landon Donovan said about their lost to Brazil, "We don't want respect. We want to win."

Bonnaroo '09 Big Hits

The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival was held on June 11-14th this year. Your friends "On the Border" are big fans of Bonnaroo, and attended the festival. Bonnaroo may not be everyone's idea of multicultural, but there can be no doubt that it is counter-cultural.
The big hit on Thursday was Passion Pit, a fun, dancy band from Cambridge, Massachutes. Late night dance parties are always fun, and Passion Pit did not disappoint. Friday was a big day for the "urban" scene, with Santigold, Beastie Boys, and Public Enemy. Saturday started (for us)with indie stars Of Monteal, and alternative legend Elvis Costello. Sunday starred hiphop superstar Snoop Dogg. Headlining this year's festival was Bruce Springsteen, and he joined Phish on stage Sunday night to top off the weekend. Bonnaroo seems to be growing every year. What started out as a jam band festival has grown to include all types of music, from rock and reggae to indie and soul. It is possibly the best festival on this side of the Atlantic.

Heartbreak for South Africa's "Boys"

Brazil defeated South Africa 1-0 in the second Confederations Cup semifinal. Brazil were huge favorites going into the game, but the host nation played well, passing and working off the ball for each other.
The first 30 minutes were even, with South Africa having the best chance. Brazil showed what they were capable of in the 38th minute when "World Football Player of the Year" Kaka barely missed from range. The 45th minute proved an ominous prelude as South Africa conceded a free kick from just outside the box to end the half, but Brazil were not able to score. South Africa's best chance came in the 58th minute when a shot from far out deflected to the near post, but Julio Cesear was able to react and just tip it wide. Then, to end the second half as they had the first, South Africa conceded a free kick outside the box. This time Brazil would not be so kind. Danny Alves, who had entered the game less than 10 minutes before, scored to put Brazil up and surely into the final.
Brazil certainly looked frustrated early, and perhaps had taken South Africa too lightly, as Spain had done to the US the day before. At the half, South Africa had all to play for, and they were positive throughout. Brazil just seemed to lack that creativity, and were often too direct. This has been the main criticism of manager Dunga, but they are leading in South American World Cup qualifying and into the final on Sunday to play the US, as well.

BBC Interviews Witness to Neda's Death

The BBC has taped an astonishing interview with a doctor who was on the scene when Neda Soltan was infamously killed in the streets of Tehran. Doctor Arash Hejazi is an Iranian who is studying in Britain. The interview, by Rachel Harvey, is an astonishing narrative of the last moments of Neda's life and how Iranians reacted in the immediate aftermath.
In the interview, Hejazi describes walking down to the site of the protest, and what he saw there. He heard what he thought may have been a gunshot, and turned around to see Neda standing in a pool of blood. He rushes to her aid, but his attempts to stop the bleeding are in vain. Mostly, these facts are already known. However, Hejazi also describes how Iranian citizens accosted the man they believed to be her killer. He was shouting, "I didn't mean to kill her." Then, the protesters demanded his ID cards, which say that he was a member of the Basij. Personally, Hejazi describes compulsively trying to wash the blood from his hands, and losing three nights of sleep.
It is amazing how, despite the crackdown inside Iran, light is leaking through the media blackout. The number of tweets and YouTube post have all but disappeared over the last few days, and street protest have significantly dwindled. There are even reports that the government has resorted to physically confiscating personal electronic devices, which cannot sit well with those Iranians who may be on the fence. The regime, however, has already lost much of its legitimacy, certainly to the world, but also inside Iran. As shown by Dr. Arash Hejazi, Iranians want to be part of the world community. Cracking skulls and taking names may work to quiet demonstrations this week, but it does not change the underlying dynamics or the attitudes of its people for the future.

Spanish Expiration

Today the United States men's soccer team defeated number 1 ranked Spain 2-0 in the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. The US had only sneaked into the semi-final on goals for, and was a massive underdog. Spain is defending European champions and was unbeaten in 35 games.
Spain started confident, but US goalkeeper Tim Howard kept the score even and appeared key for motivating and organizing the outfield players. The US clearly wanted to let Spain possess and counter-attack, but was not able to keep possession. Then, against the run of play in the 27th minute, Jozy Altidore used his body to shield a Spanish defender from a ball into the box and scored the go ahead goal. Spain continued to dominate possession but failed to really test Howard in the remainder of the first half.
Spain seem to come out of the locker room with renewed confidence, and was all over the US defense for the next 20 minutes. Finally, US manager Bob Bradley substituted Benny Feilhaber for forward Charlie Davies in the 68th minute. Obviously believing that they could not grant Spain so much possession and keep the clean sheet, the US began to hold the ball up and relieve the pressure. This worked less than 10 minutes later when Clint Dempsey won the ball in his own half. Feilhaber made a long snaking run into the final third and laid the ball of nicely to Landon Donovan. Donovan eventually found Dempsey at the far post to complete the move that he started some 30 or 40 yards back and the US was up 2-0. It wouldn't be a walk to the finish line, however. US midfielder Micheal Bradley received a (dubious?) red card in the last 10 minutes, but the US was able to cling tightly to that clean sheet.
The next game for the US on Sunday will be the winner of the Brazil - South Africa semifinal being played tomorrow. Then, in July, the Gold Cup will be played on home soil. The US is still hopeful to qualify for the World Cup taking place next year, also in South Africa. The American team showed today that, with discipline, any team can be beaten. If the US hopes to win on Sunday, they will need to keep their shape and defend as hard as they did today. And maybe keep some possession, too.

Iran So Far Away

The Internet has been a useful tool in politics in the US since 2004. Then, Howard Dean's short lived status as "the front runner" in the democratic primary was fueled mostly by campaign donations solicited online. In 2008, Barack Obama turned the Internet into a fundraising machine and turned a long-shot into a historical presidential run. Yet, the 'net's power as an international political force has not been felt until now.

Iran is the web's first real test outside the US, and has passed with flying colors. In a country where most of the population is under 30, the Islamic regime's attempts to shut down social networking sites have been mostly futile. Who knew that Iranians knew about Twitter? Well, not only do they know how to use it, but they apparently know how to work the system more than the powers in charge. As reported on HuffPost, even challenger Mir-Hossein Mousavi sees the value of tweets. He argues that violence in the street will not win them what they want and that an economic protest would be more effective.

Twitter is not the only website that is fueling the Iranian protest. Thanks to Youtube, millions of Iranians and Westerners know the name of Neda Soltani. Soltani was killed in the street and her death was recorded by amateur cameramen. The video was posted to Youtube for all to see (it is disturbing.) Neda has become a rallying point for protest inside Iran and a touchstone to those outside Iran who oppose the government.

Despite the rise of blogs, web video, and online news, there are still some problems with this new information age. This decentralized model of reporting not only makes it hard for governments to control, but also hard for reporters to verify. No one outside Iran can say 100% that those are Mousavi's tweets or that Neda Soltani is even dead. However, major news outlets are slashing budgets while the world is getting smaller. The Internet is beginning to reach the darkest corners of our planet, and perhaps it is becoming the disinfectant of fraud and totalitarianism in the cracks of a crumbling regime.

Mission Statement

Welcome to the Occurrence on the Border! We are here to discuss all things that involve American multiculturalism. Of course this includes politics and international relations, but also culture, music, and sport.
The biggest example of Ameri-Multi is our newest president. Obama is famously a product of immigration and a middle-american upbringing. His world view has served him well even early on, giving him insight on Iran and North Korea.
Music is the United States' biggest influence on world culture. From Jazz to the British Invasion of the '60s, the US has long been engaged in a give and take with Latin America and Europe. Nowadays, you can visit a shantytown in Africa and see a Tupac picture hanging on the wall in a one room shack.
Globally, however, sport has been the best way of cultural exchange. From the Olympics to the World Cup, nations have tested themselves in this peaceful and often ground-breaking diplomacy. The US has only recently seen value in such and (except for baseball) has little interest in the games the world plays.
There it is. The mission statement. The United States was and is a country born of immigration. Only through acknowledging and embracing this history can we truly become a beacon and inspiration for the world. This is what Occurrence on the Border is about.