- Christmas in Texas.
- Alex de Waal on why the U.S. is losing influence in Sudan (hint: it's not all Gration's fault.)
- In case you missed it, here's Bec Hamilton's excellent piece on the upcoming Sudanese elections.
- It's not just your imagination: 2009 was a record year for Somalia's pirates.
- Are expats working for international organizations being targeted in N'Djamena?
- Jason Stearns evaluates the debates surrounding Congo's possibly upcoming local elections and looks at the mess that is the Congolese parliament and its pay structures.
- Ah, magical realism. Chris Blattman discusses the ethics of getting his Liberia researchers to prove that a man can turn into an animal. And Louisa Lombard has a fascinating reflection on "crocodile men" in the Central African Republic.
- Even in the eastern Congo, the vast majority of fistulae are not caused by rape. The country's weak/collapsed health care system is more at fault; women who need c-sections at delivery but cannot access that level of care in their communities represent the bulk of regional fistula cases.
- Duncan Green on a fascinating method of collecting data on medical supply shortages in East Africa.
- The Ugandan-born Archbishop of York condemns the anti-homosexuality bill now under consideration in the country's parliament.
- A gay couple became engaged in a traditional ceremony over the weekend and were quickly arrested. Here's a picture of the two with a reflection on the use of traditional ceremonies as a way of breaking ground for gay rights in traditional societies.
- Nestle suspends production at its Zimbabwe milk processing plant. As per usual, normal Zimbabweans will suffer because of Mugabe's political games.
- The NYT got to the Ugandan anti-sexuality bill about six weeks late, but at least they got there. Check out this feature of comments on the issue from Ugandans.
- The United States' HIV+ travel ban ends. Good riddance.
- Via @transitionland, here's an awesome takedown of Rory Stewart.
- From the same awesome The Security Crank blog, here's a fantastic note about U.S. intervention in Yemen. Can we say "Cold War," class?
- John Sides gives a crash course on one point you learn in a basic American political science class: there aren't that many true independents, and everything the media tells you about independent voters is a lie.
- Tales from the Hood has a nice list of newish aid-related blogs.
- This is the best review of Avatar I've seen.
- Apparently Charles Taylor was THAT kind of neighbor.
- Alanna Sheikh wrote a lovely post on living life to the fullest over at Speaking of Faith.
- On Muhammad's promise to Christians.
- Emerging human security issues.
- Thanks to Alanna for linking to these amazing pictures of homes in the slums.
- Owen Barder reviews the Kindle in Ethiopia.
- "The Top 10 Craziest Things Ever Said During a U.N. Speech"
- Here's a nice missive on the danger of the anti-vaccine crowd. Hint: it's entirely possible that people died of H1N1 flu because their insanity kept the government from producing the vaccine in a more efficient manner. Check out the rest of the Worst Ideas of the Decade here.
- I loved this post on the history of the display and preservation of the Declaration of Independence.
- Texas Monthly's Mimi Swartz wrote an absolutely beautiful essay in memory of her mother and their complicated relationship.
- Grover Norquist goes sledding.
- This is an excellent explanation of the Senate health care bill.
- Historical institutionalists rejoice: the President has ordered that no government information may remain indefinitely classified.
- A TSA triology: 1) Dear TSA, It's not us, it's you. 2) If you hate the TSA as much as I do, you should watch this video. 3) Perhaps the problem in the TSA now/as it was originally created is a fundamental misunderstanding about how the world actually works.
- Are terrorists statistically significant?
- Good to know that semi-delusional people are allowed to teach in prominent law schools.
- I'm guessing an essay entitled "Jerry Jones is the Worst Thing that Ever Happened to the Dallas Cowboys" won't win me the chance to blow up Texas Stadium.
- DC takes a cue from South Africa and slaps a tax on disposable bags.
- "Libertarian Reluctantly Calls Fire Department." "Jacobs did not offer to pay firefighters for their service"
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