PNUT GALLERY
Thank you to those who filled out our survey yesterday. About 10% of you asked us to interview people aren’t actually alive which might be difficult. We’ve staffed our intern on it and will let you know if we hear back from any of your suggested prospects.
IN A NUTSHELL: MUST READ
Let’s Take A Minute To Discuss Syria
We’ve been avoiding doing a deep dive on Syria, because, quite frankly, it’s hard to make sense of the civil war. But with Russian TV anchors discussing if the weather in Aleppo is “excellent” for a bombing and four different air forces bombing the country at any given time, we gave it a shot. Below are some snippets, but you can read the full nutshell here.
First, the numbers:
- The war started in 2011.
- 250,000 to 300,000 are estimated dead.
- 4 million people are refugees.
- 10 million people are internally displaced (of a prewar population of ~22 million).
- Over a dozen countries are “involved” in the Syrian war in one way or another.
Who is bombing who?
- Russia says it is bombing ISIS but is bombing other groups (including Al-Nusra) some of which are being supported by the US and Arab states.
- Turkey says it is bombing ISIS, but it is actually bombing the Kurds who are America’s allies. Russia and Turkey don’t get along.
- America is bombing ISIS and doesn’t like Assad but isn’t bombing him. Russia and the US are sort of engaged in a proxy war with each other despite the fact that they are both “bombing ISIS.†Things have been chilly with them since the Ukraine war last year.
- Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries are funding anti-Assad groups (a lot of this money ends up in the wrong hands aka Al-Nusra).
- Iran and Hezbollah are supporting Assad with whatever he needs.
- The French are also bombing ISIS…
Confusing? Yes… we know, and there is no real end in sight. Everyone is sending more troops, planes and money into the country. It seems that heads, Syrians lose, tails, Syrians lose. If you want to help the refugees who are victims of this war, please visit this Kickstarter campaign to chip in.
 Pnut’s Nutshell on the Syrian Civil War
NUTS AND BOLTS: SHOULD READ
IMF Downgrades World Growth, Deeply Regrets Optimism
The International Monetary Fund has downgraded its global growth forecast to 3.1% from its 3.3% July forecast. It pointed to a “growth realignment” in China (Chinese economy not doing very well) and a drop in commodity prices (on which many emerging economies rely). It’s not all doom and gloom as India is expected to lead the emerging economy pack with growth of 7% next year. This is the fourth year that the IMF has tried to talk up the world economy only to downgrade everything.
US Admits Fault In Doctors Without Borders Hospital Bombing
General John Campbell, Commander of the US war in Afghanistan, admitted that the US strike on a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital last week was called in by US special forces and not by the Afghan military as was previously stated. General Campbell also said that the attack probably violated the rules of combat that the US military follows in Afghanistan.
Europe No Longer Wants NSA Spying On Its Citizens
Max Schrems, a 28-year-old law student from Austria, took down the biggest data transfer agreement in the world yesterday. Europe’s highest court made it illegal for Facebook, Google and 4,000 other companies to transfer data about their customers to the US for fear of being spied on by the NSA. Meanwhile, Snowden is feeling homesick and wants to come home.
Keeping Our Eye On…
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- Pistorius: The South African former Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius was not granted house arrest as previously thought and will remain in prison for fatally shooting his girlfriend. His family is furious.
- UN Corruption: If the modest “$30,000 basketball court” wasn’t a dead giveaway, the former president of the United Nations general assembly and five others have been arrested on corruption charges in the UN.
- Turkish Refugee Aid: As countries scramble to find solutions for the Syrian refugee crisis, the EU drafted a plan for financial aid in Turkey “up to €1 billion for this year.” Turkish President Erdogan still isn’t satisfied.
LOOSE NUTS: FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT
Measure Ice Caps, Spot Penguins… Find The Breathalyzer
An audit of two US bases in Antarctica prompted the Office of the Inspector General to call for breathalyzers to be shipped to the seventh continent. Alcohol abuse among scientists has apparently led to “unpredictable behavior,” including showing up to work drunk, indecent exposure and fighting. A researcher was even found to be brewing his own beer. Regulating employee behavior is particularly difficult when your HR department is 10,000 km away. When not drinking, however, scientists have discovered some amazing things about Antarctica over the years.
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