A Sputnik moment in alternative energy

The political aftermath of Fukushima in Japan and Germany has presented the USA with an opportunity in alternative energy.

Manufacturers of solar panels, wind turbines and electricity network systems are among the key groups that stand to benefit most from [Germany]'s decision to shut down its nuclear plants... Chinese [solar panel] manufacturers have price structures that are far below those of European rivals, Wilkinson said, making it increasingly difficult for the Europeans to compete. As a result, some of them have begun to shift production to Asia to take advantage of the region's low labor costs.

However, this is a race that the USA can win, if they step up to the plate. Rising labor costs in China are projected to result in US manufacturing being cost-competitive later this decade.

“All over China, wages are climbing at 15 to 20 percent a year because of the supply-and-demand imbalance for skilled labor,” said Harold L. Sirkin, a BCG senior partner. “We expect net labor costs for manufacturing in China and the U.S. to converge by around 2015. As a result of the changing economics, you’re going to see a lot more products ‘Made in the USA’ in the next five years.”

But will this moment be recognized?

Timing is everything

In light of apparent Pakistani complicity in sheltering Osama Bin Laden, it's worth re-examining Cheney's 2007 visit to Pakistan.

A suicide bomber detonated himself outside the main U.S. military base in Afghanistan ... less than 24 hours after U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney arrived ... Cheney had just arrived in Afghanistan following a highly secretive four-hour stopover in Pakistan, where he delivered a muscular private message to President Pervez Musharraf, in which he urged him to crack down more aggressively against Taliban and growing al-Qaeda activities.

Assuming this was not a coincidence, just how much pull did Pakistan's ISI and/or military have with Taliban suicide operations in Afghanistan?

Ironically, Osama Bin Laden ended up being a symbolic target

Looking back at this NATO report from October, I wonder if it was part of a ploy to prompt Bin Laden to change hiding places, risking exposing his location.

Osama bin Laden is living in relative comfort in the far north-west of Pakistan, according to a Nato official who has day-to-day responsibility for the war in Afghanistan.