Spring Time in the Markets Too?

Reports Bloomberg, last week U.S. stocks had their largest weekly gain in almost two months.

Link | May 31, 17:45

Neoconservatives and the American Mainstream

Interesting piece in the latest issue of Policy Review by Zachary Selden, the director of the Defence and Security Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly: "[Many Europeans] overlook the deep historical roots of the current direction of American foreign policy. It is not driven by a 'neocon cabal.' Rather, it is that certain individuals associated with the neoconservative label have been particularly articulate in expressing a set of policies that flow from two ideas that resonate deeply in American public opinion."

Link | May 26, 19:07

In Televised Debate on the US and Iraq

Today, as the leader of the Norwegian Friends of America, I took part in another televised debate on Norway's largest TV station, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation. The subject was the situation in Iraq after the events in Abu Ghraib become known, and how they will affect both the situation there and the political situation in the United States. There were eight participants in all, including -- in addition to yours truly -- Mr. Jan Petersen, the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Kristin Halvorsen, leader of the Socialist Left Party and member of the Norwegian Parliament and Mr. Espen Barth Eide, former Norwegian State Secretary (Deputy Minister) of Foreign Affairs. I was asked three questions in total, and here are my responses, quickly transcribed and translated, plus some still images.

Link | May 25, 23:01

Historic Advertising

Just discovered the History of Advertising Trust Archive, storing a vast collection of Britain's "advertising and brand communications heritage".

Link | May 23, 21:14

The Stock Market

Professor Jeremy Siegel of Wharton School on The Short- and Long-Term Outlook for Stocks.

Link | May 19, 21:25

Spanish troops after leaving Iraq: "We should have stayed"

From the Boston Globe: While all of the [Spanish] soldiers interviewed said they were relieved to be home and out of the harrowing dangers of serving in Iraq, most of them -- even some originally opposed to the war -- also expressed regret over Prime Minister Zapatero's decision to pull out of Iraq. They said they were forced to abandon what they felt was a useful humanitarian mission. "We should have stayed and finished our mission," said sergeant Jose Francisco Casteneda. "America's reason for going to war was cynical," said communications specialist Cesar Royo. "But when you are there on the ground, you see the poverty and people living in mud houses next to Saddam's palaces, [and] the work we were doing seems justified. It had valor." Added infantry corporal Marco Antonio Torvisco: "The great majority do not understand what we were doing there or what we went through. I think it was worth it to bring peace to a country at war, as we had helped to do in Kosovo and Afghanistan. But I also know that I won't be able to convince a lot of people in this country of that." The only Spanish troops still in Iraq are folding up their tents and packing military equipment. The final phase of their withdrawal is to be completed by the end of this week...

Link | May 13, 19:47

A quick update

There's a simple reason why I've been fairly quiet on this site for the last few days, and that's because I'm busy studying for my upcoming exams at school. I can reveal, however, that I'll be going to Boston for about eight weeks this summer, more precisely to Cambridge where I'll be taking finance classes at Harvard's summer school. I'm very much looking forward to experiencing some of the college atmosphere over there, albeit just for a couple of months. Also worth noting, perhaps, is that in the last couple of weeks, I've been featured both on American and Norwegian radio. The former was an hour-long interview on the show of the very kind and intelligent Mr. Dennis Prager, and the latter was a short debate on the Iraqi prisoner abuse story. As for the prisoner abuse story, I'm quite upset indeed, first and foremost because this sort of behavior contradicts everything that I admire in America. At the same time, I've been impressed by the way the US administration has handled the situation, and appreciate very much their openness and concern -- in contrast with Iraq's former regime. I trust that this will be resolved quickly and decisively, so that the reputations of the vast majority of US and coalition troops serving admirably around the world is not uneccesarily tarnished. As for the situation in Iraq in general, I found Charles Moore's description in the Telegraph to be on point. Recommended.

Link | May 12, 09:04

EU and US: Drifting Apart?

The WP's Robert J. Samuelson expertly articulates one of Europe's fundamental dilemmas: "The truth is that Europe is too weak to lead and too proud to follow".

Link | May 06, 18:37

On Globalisation and American-German Relations

Jean-Francois Revel on why Anti-Globalism = Anti-Americanism and, on another note, an interesting NYT backgrounder on The German Question.

Link | May 05, 21:52

Europe's non-Strategy

The latest issue of the Weekly Standard aptly points out that for all its complaining about the US strategy in Iraq, Europe isn't offering any alternative.

Link | May 03, 18:10

Historic Day For Europe

Last night, the European Union added 10 new members (more info: 1, 2, 3) to become a group of 25 countries in total with about 450 million inhabitants. While promising on its surface, this enlargement could also mean the start of vast challenges for the Union. Ultimately, the "honeymoon" period will end, and the new EU will have its first real test. There's no lack of potential for conflict, with referendas being held in the UK and other countries, possibly dooming the constitution entirely, ever more ethnic/cultural groups struggling for special consideration and economies becoming increasingly stagnant compared to the dynamic American market. We're either witnessing the end of the beginning for the European Union, or the beginning of its end. It'll be quite interesting in the years to come to see which it is.

Link | May 01, 14:48

Swedish PM Persson Meets with US President Bush

Yesterday, President Bush met with Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson, and it's quite interesting to read what Persson thinks about Bush in leading Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. Here's a quick translation: "He's intelligent, well-read and a very nice guy indeed. It's rare to meet a politician at his level who is so up-to-date on details. He even knew the Swedish unemployment rate. Bush is easy to speak with, makes you feel respected and seen and he gives you the chance to make your case. He's really under-appreciated in Europe. He's described as a person who doesn't know what he wants. That's not true. He's goal-oriented and knows exactly what he's doing." On European anti-Americanism, Persson commented: "I never had that blind hate towards the American society, the USA is a fantastic nation. Rich, large and complex -- which is often forgotten. There's not one political view or a criticism that's not better articulated in America than in Sweden."

Link | April 29, 08:40

Wilson and Porter Coming to Oslo

Two geniuses in two very different fields of work are coming to Oslo this fall: Brian Wilson and Michael Porter, of Beach Boys and HBS fame respectively. I was fortunate to get to see Mr. Wilson in London earlier this year, performing Smile, and that was obviously a won-won-wonderful experience (pardon the pun). Dr. Porter is pretty much the father of modern competetive strategy, and certainly one of the greatest business thinkers of all time. What a treat to get to experience them both right here in Norway! (Just discovered the price of the Porter seminar: $850! Ouch.)

Link | April 27, 18:47

Ahlmark on Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights

Per Ahlmark, Sweden's former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour, has just released a new book called It's the Democracy, Stupid. Among other things, Ahlmark discusses why Democracies should work together against totalitarian states, the demise of the United Nations, the indifference that many Western countries showed towards the Iraqi liberation and how Muslim fundamentalism is the third totalitarian movement with global aspirations. Although I think other factors may be more fundamental for individual liberty than democracy, this looks like a rather interesting read, particularly when you take into consideration that it's written for a Scandinavian audience. (Swedish only).

Link | April 17, 15:30

Great American Business Leaders

Harvard Business School has created a database on Great American Business Leaders.

Link | April 12, 23:25

The Fruits of Appeasement

Brilliant piece by Victor Davis Hanson: "In the face of [anti-Americanism], the problem may not be real differences over the West Bank, much less that 'we are not getting the message out'; rather, in the decade since 1991 the Middle East saw us as a great power that neither could nor would use its strength to advance its ideas—that lacked even the intellectual confidence to argue for our civilization before the likes of a tenth-century monarchy."

Link | April 12, 22:38

Tony Blair on Iraq

A must-read piece by Prime Minister Tony Blair on Why we must never abandon this historic struggle in Iraq: "On the one side, outside terrorists, an extremist who has created his own militia, and remnants of a brutal dictatorship which murdered hundreds of thousands of its own people and enslaved the rest. On the other side, people of immense courage and humanity who dare to believe that basic human rights and liberty are not alien to Arab and Middle Eastern culture, but are their salvation." Blair, of course, will be visiting the U.S. later this week for a meeting with President George W. Bush.

Link | April 12, 00:33

Update

Been rather busy lately, for two reasons. First, the Finance Comittee which I chair at school has organized a major business conference with 4-500 student attendees and speakers including the governor of the Norwegian Central Bank, CEOs, fund managers, national press etc. A lot of work, but also a lot of fun. Second, my exams are coming up, and I obviously have to prepare for them. While it's not always a joy to be studying, this year I've had the chance to revisit Clayton M. Christensen's magnificent work on The Innovator's Dilemma through a school paper. If you have 90 minutes, I heartily recommend this broadband video presentation by professor Christensen on the subject. Like his colleague at HBS -- Michael Porter -- he's truly superb in both substance and style. In related news, also check out Business Week's cover story on Microsoft's Midlife Crisis

Link | April 12, 00:30

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