Winding Down 2014: A Brief "Newsflash" on the Advent of the Global Arms Treaty

As 2014 is winding down,  the new Global Arms Treaty has gone into effect that takes aim to regulate the 85 Billion Dollar Arms Industry.    AFP reported on the top Arms Suppliers in the World along with the top buyers of Arms around the World: 

The United States has signed it--but is yet to ratify it.      How this new Treaty will change the Arms landscape around the World is an open question as 2015 is before us.

Winding Down 2014: A "Newsflash" from India & Thoughts 4 the Day.....

We here throughout #Outsiders have been working to wind down 2014 and gearing up for 2015 as we have been sharing ideas, remembering a rather challenging World before us.   As we work to wind down thoughts on the BRICS, Iran, Rosewater, Daesh and other areas of focus, the one country that has continued to be fascinating is India as epitomized by its' latest round of State Elections.

As we write this, major Indian News outlets including +NDTV & +The Times of India are sending lives feeds of the latest from Jammu and Kashmir and the State of Jharkhand.    The Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the +Bharatiya Janata Party will form governments in both Indian States.    It is of profound significance especially as the +congress party continues to be beaten in States almost 4 months after the elections.   It will be fascinating to see what the Indian Prime Mninister will continue to do with the Regional Strength--although Congress continues to control the Upper House at the "Centre" in Delhi.

As part of our on-going review of the year, we have also been on the prowl to remember and reflect & reaffirm.    On our Facebook Page, these we ran across underscore what will continue to drive us to create, engage and serve as we bid farewell to 2014 and welcome 2015:

    

Holidays Are Upon Us: Thoughts 4 the Week-End

Holidays are upon us.    It is a time, be merry and thankful for all our blessings.    It has been ever so a challenging year as well as we have been witness to so much carnage around the World.   The horrific reports of death and destruction we have noted here in the #Outsiders network gives us all a moment of pause.    Yet, a sense of hope and optimism was captured by the distinguished Scholar Professor Dabashi of Columbia as he reminded us all of the beauty of this time:

Post by Hamid Dabashi.

We have to remain hopeful as we celebrate all that is good amongst us as all our brothers and sisters embrace the Winter Solstice, celebrate Hanukkah and celebrate Christmas: