Ari on the web

For those of you playing at home, I'm back in print and pixels: The April edition of the Institute of Public Affair Review magazine has published a piece I wrote on fledgeling capitalism in North Korea, as well as the difficulties that will be faced as part of Korean reunification. They may be right-wing headkickers at the IPA, but they've got a lot to say that's worth listening to. Read my piece here . OnlineOpinion, a great source of interesting ideas and opinions, has published my piece on the destructive role of career politicians and hacks in Labor's current woes. Read it here , and join in the lively debate . Orrighty. Nuff 'bout me for now.

Frydenberg vs Georgiou for Kooyong is an exciting battle to watch. Both are fine intellects, both would make good ministers if given the chance, and both are representatives of very different strands of the Liberal tradition. It's also a battle of talent that the ALP should be salivating over. I have a personal connection to both Josh and Petro. Josh Frydenberg and I are both alumni of Bialik College, and have come across each other where Judaism intersects with politics. We were on a panel together last year for a discussion on that very topic. Josh is one of those tremendously talented young people who inspires admiration and jealousy in equal quantities. There's no doubt, though, that he would make a fine member of parliament. Now, or maybe later. The incumbent is Petro Georgiou, the posterchild of moderate liberalism (well, Liberalism, really). In 2001 I ran as the Democrat candidate against Georgiou and came to admire and respect him. Whilst not a particularly v...

For those of you with an interest in one of the world's most vibrant democracies, have a look at this selection of bumper stickers from Israel ahead of Tuesday's general election. Tafnit: Enough of ignoring corruption, with (L-R) Peretz, Olmert and Netanyahu I won't be saying much on the substance of the election beyond what I said a few months back. If these polls are any indication, it looks like voters in Israel feel the same way I do about the importance of keeping Kadima in power. Fans of Israeli politics with extremely long memories might remember that I wrote about the phenomenon of bumper sticker democracy when I was 'reporting' from Israel during the last elections in 2003. Nothing much changes. UPDATE 24/3, 11:58pm: With Sharon as Prime Minister and Olmert as Acting Prime Minister, with poth of them representing the Kadima party, I'll stand by my assertion that their success will be 'keeping Kadima in power'.

STOP PRESS!! (Or it's electronic alternative): Kevin Rudd, my personal favourite as next deputy leader of the ALP - behind Gillard - is speaking at Melbourne Uni on Wednesday evening. Okay, so it's sponsored by the old-style lefties at the Fabian Society, but it should be interesting nonetheless. 2006 CHIFLEY MEMORIAL LECTURE given by KEVIN RUDD This is an Australian Fabians event. Event date: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - Wednesday, March 22, 2006 Location: Laby Theatre, Physics Building Melbourne University VIC Time: 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm Web: www.fabian.org.au A Very Special AFS (Victorian Branch)Campus Liaison Committee Presentation: KEVIN RUDD MP, ALP Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs will deliver THE 2006 CHIFLEY MEMORIAL LECTURE on AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN POLICY UNDER A LABOR GOVERNMENT More info . UPDATE, 22/3 11:58pm: It was an excellent performance by Rudd tonight, albeit in front of a crowd of true believers. Rather than addressing the advertised topic, Rudd focuss...

A few weeks back I interviewed Lebanese journalist Zaki Chehab, who is one of the few journalists in the world to have spent some time with the insurgents in Iraq. I wasn't a big fan of his politics, but I admire his tenacity as a journalist. The piece is now online at Vibewire , and a similar version is also in the latest version of Farrago: Iraq Ablaze - An Interview With Zaki Chehab Contributed by Ari Sharp 21 Mar 06 On the back cover of Zaki Chehab’s new book is a single photo. In it the Lebanese author and journalist is sitting in close confines with two Iraqi men, their heads encased in red and white headscarves. Only the tiniest glimpse of their faces is available though a small slit at eye level. Both are heavily armed, one with the long barrel of a gun sitting over his left shoulder, the other with his weapon pointing nonchalantly just a little off to the side. On the wall is some ageing pink floral wallpaper. Unlike so many who have faced this scene invo...

You guys are a creative bunch. Who's got some ideas for my friend Sarp here: Hi Ari, My name is Sarp, Im currently studying media and screenwriting at RMIT university and I'm trying to write a screenplay for a feature film about what would change in Australia if we become a republic. The actual story is a love story but the main caracter is an ex Australian bureaucrat who's being held as a prisoner in London and the story revolves around the political and legal intrigue around him. He's being a scapegoat between two countires silent political friction and the woman of his life is far from the Queen. Anyways, the reason im writing you this email is because I'v came across your website and i thought perhaps you could help me with my lack of information about this whole situation in your spare time. I know the basics about the scenario like changing the head of states etc, but i was just wordering if you could give me some ideas with the unlikely but possible outcomes...

The State owes me a job. With good pay. And a guarantee that the job is mine to keep, no matter how bad my performance might be. And if I don't get one, the The State owes me generous welfare benefits. And if I don't get it, then I'll march in protests, burn cars and attack police. And if it means that my country and its economy sink slowly toward the third world, then so be it. Fiery protests puts fear into French leaders By Molly Moore ABOUT 250,000 students have taken to the streets of Paris and major cities across France, escalating a political rebellion by the younger generation against a new labour law. --- Due to come into effect next month, it will make it easier to hire and fire young people at a time when the youth unemployment rate averages 23 per cent. The protesters' anger focuses on provisions that will allow companies to fire employees under 26 at any time during their first two years of work, without cause. "They're offering us nothing but sla...