Japan and the UN

I have noticed in the past few months that more and more Japanese young people want to work for the UN. Having learned that I have been involved with some UNDP projects back home, they all emit their usual "Eeeee, sugoi!" (Wow! Cool!) They don't know, of course, that my work with the UNDP was very lateral and sucked most of the time. But even if they did, I think it wouldn't matter for them, because just the word 'Kokuren' (the UN) inspires awe in them.

Of course, this is not true about all youngsters in Japan. I am talking about university students with whom I've had contact most of the time. I can't say, therefore, that the group I have in mind is in any way representative of a greater number of young people in Japan.

Nevertheless, the reaction of these few young and very bright people surprised me. These young and bright people understand the importance of having good language and interpersonal skills, and they often put in a lot of effort into improving their English and presentation skills.

© REUTERS

I spent the whole evening reading The Israel Lobby, the chapter on the 'dwindling moral case' from the side of the U.S. to support Israel, followed by a set of review articles ('No sentiments in war', The face that launched a thousand MiGs) and a speech by Avi Shlaim. And minutes before logging off to go on reading the book, I came across the piece of news about Israel's attack on Hamas in Gaza (The Guardian story, The Reuters story).

The Guardian story displays a photo of dead Palestinians laid in rows and covered with blankets - a pathetic view, a picture of war among thousands of others not seen.

Ehud Barak is quoted as saying the attacks "will widen as necessary". I wonder how many more of those rows covered with blankets Israel needs.