[BLOG] Some Wednesday links

[rfmcdonald]

• Acts of Minor Treason's Andrew Barton speculates that North Korea, taking advantage of its ballistic missile technology, might want to launch an astronaut into space. Here's to hoping that North Korea doesn't make first contact.


• A BCer in Toronto supports the decision of the Harper governments to not give in to the United Arab Emirates' blackmail, aiming to let Canada keep its base in that country in exchange for greater privileges for UAE airlines in Canada.


• The Burgh Diaspora reports on ways in which cities facing migration-related issues can try to attract immigrants, via their social networks.


• Centauri Dreams reintroduces the discussion of interstellar flight.


• Daniel Drezner argues that, in true MTV Behind the Music fashion, Al Qaeda has become a has-been.


• Geocurrents explores the genesis of the Thai tourist city of Pattaya in the leaves of American GIs in the Vietnam War.


• Language Log reveals that the suggestions an Indonesian tribe was adopting Korea's hangul script were entirely misfounded.


• Slap Upside the Head presents his satirical drawings most commonly pirated by homophobes. Yes, you read that correctly.


• Window on Eurasia reports that a growing number of Tajiks are giving their children Arabic names, perhaps reflecting a resurgence of Muslim identity.


• Zero Geography's Mark Graham links to an article of his analyzing the impacts of broadband internet on East Africa.