Much has changed in the world since my last post. China's growth has slowed a bit, Europe faces another recession, Russia's on a land grab using separatists in Ukraine as proxies, and the world is faced with a new set terrorist organizations and associated attacks. 

In the Middle East, half of the nations in the region are in either battling insurgencies, or dealing with repressive governments. In Asia, countries are affected by a recent slump economic slump in China, and fears of a rising China militarily. Add to that concerns of a reduced presence by the United States, and you have a region in the midst of a bit of turbulence.

In Europe, there are concerns over Greece's economic instability, and their inability to pass back loans from creditors, particularly Germany. It faces the prospect of another recession resulting from a perception that the continent didn't manage their recovery from the financial meltdown of 2008.  Rising attacks by criminals, under the guise of Islam, are plaguing France, Denmark, and Sweden. 

And in the United States, political polarization, income inequality, an ineffective federal government, and new voter laws, are drawing wedges between its citizens. Democrats continue to fight Republicans, and vice versa. Civility continues to occupy less of place in our population, and I find that very troubling.

If you haven't done so already, sign-up for Gmail's 2-step authentication verification to protect against hackers.

It's heartbreaking to hear that in the eastern Congo, over 400,000 men, women, and children have raped by militias and the military.

I can't help but wonder how autocratic rulers could sleep at night, while siphoning off billions from average citizens.

The number of uprisings continue to escalate in the Arab world; Tunisia, Egypt, Oman, Bahrain, Yemen, and now, Syria.

I hope justice is finally served upon those complicit in the death of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

It's incredible what is happening in the Arab world. No doubt jihadists will seek to exploit events across the Middle East.