China, Russia, North Korea, Iran...do they really want to go to war?

South China Sea

Recognizing the gravity of the deepening crisis in the South China Sea, the world’s leading western powers have begun to speak out. During their latest summit in Germany, the Group of Seven (G7) leaders underlined the “importance of peaceful dispute settlement as well as free and unimpeded lawful use of the world's oceans,” and expressed how they “strongly oppose the use of intimidation, coercion or force, as well as any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo, such as large-scale land reclamation [author’s own emphasis].” Obviously, it was too diplomatically provocative to explicitly name China, but it was pretty clear which country the Western leaders had in mind.

5 Steps to Seriously Improve Your Networking Skills

NETWORKING

No matter what profession you’re in, networking is the fuel that accelerates success. Not only is it useful for learning directly from individuals you meet, but the benefits of association and growing your own authority are just as powerful.

Saudi-led coalition strikes rebels in Yemen, inflaming tensions in region

 

(CNN)Saudi and allied warplanes struck rebels in Yemen on Thursday, with Saudi Arabia threatening to send ground troops and inserting itself into its southern neighbor's civil war, potentially opening up a broader sectarian conflict in the Middle East.

The swift and sudden action involved 100 Saudi jets, 30 from the United Arab Emirates, 15 each from Kuwait and Bahrain, 10 from Qatar, and a handful from Jordan, Morocco and Sudan, plus naval help from Pakistan and Egypt, according to a Saudi adviser.

The Egyptian state news agency on Thursday quoted Egypt's Foreign Ministry as saying Egypt's support also could involve ground forces.

What do those countries have in common? They're all predominantly Sunni Muslim -- in contrast to the Houthi rebels, Shiite Muslims who have taken over Yemen's capital of Sanaa and on Wednesday captured parts of its second-largest city, Aden. The Saudis consider the Houthis proxies for the Shiite government of Iran and fear another Shiite-dominated state in the region.

"What they do not want is an Iranian-run state on their southern border," CNN military analyst Lt. Col. Rick Francona said of the Saudis.

The airstrikes did not include warplanes from the United States, which has worked with Yemeni governments -- including that of recently deposed but still battling President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi -- to go after al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. In fact, a senior official in President Barack Obama's administration said "there will be no military intervention by the U.S."

But U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday did tell foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman that the United States commends the military action and is supporting it through intelligence sharing, targeting assistance and logistical support, according to a senior State Department official.

How did Yemen get to this place?

Iran upset, Houthis defiant

Houthi supreme leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi spoke live Thursday night in Yemen on al-Masirah TV, saying, "If any army try to invade our country, we will prove that Yemen will be a grave for those who invade us."

He added, "We call on the invaders to stop the attacks and if the airstrikes do not end then we will escalate in the needed manner."

Iran denounced the military intervention. Marzieh Afkham, a spokeswoman for the country's Foreign Ministry, said the operation will throw an already complicated situation into further turmoil and disrupt chances at a peaceful resolution to Yemen's monthslong internal strife. It also won't help a region already facing terrorist threats from groups like ISIS and al Qaeda, she said.

"This is a dangerous action against international responsibilities to respect countries' national sovereignty," Afkham said, according to a report in Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency.

Iraq -- 60% of whose citizens are Shiite, with about 20% being Sunnis -- offered similar, albeit a bit more muted opposition to what its Foreign Ministry called "the military interference of the Gulf Cooperation Council," which is made up of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

"We call on the Arab states to live up to their role to support national dialogue (that includes) all political forces to find a political solution for the crisis," the Iraqi ministry said.

The Houthis are a minority group that has emerged as the most powerful player in Yemen.

In addition to airstrikes, the Saudi adviser said 150,000 troops could take part in an operation in Yemen.

Targets in Sanaa, other Yemeni cities pounded

Just a day in, the coalition airstrikes are already costing the Houthis.

Hundreds of explosions ripped through Sanaa overnight, said journalist Hakim Almasmari, who is staying in the capital. The Health Ministry reported 18 dead and 24 wounded in Sanaa, the Houthi-run Saba news agency said.

While Sanaa was a focus -- airstrikes destroyed the Houthis' combat and control operations there, the Saudi adviser said -- it wasn't the only place struck. Compounds and military installations in Saada and Taiz also were targeted.

By Thursday afternoon, the Saudis controlled Yemeni airspace, the adviser said, and the military threatened to destroy any naval ships trying to enter Yemeni ports.

The military operation, dubbed al-Hazm Storm, was launched after the Houthis rebuffed an initiative by the Gulf Cooperation Council, Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi said in a speech Thursday. It was done in accord with a joint Arab defense treaty, al-Arabi said.

Specifically, the strikes aim to support Hadi, who was ousted in January after talks with the Houthis faltered, but still claims to be Yemen's rightful leader.

"We are determined to protect the legitimate government of Yemen," said Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi ambassador to the United States, in announcing the beginning of the military campaign. "Having Yemen fail cannot be an option for us or for our coalition partners."

Why is Saudi Arabia bombing Yemen?

Jubeir told CNN's "The Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer" that Saudi Arabia was concerned that the Houthis had control over Yemen's armed forces ballistic missiles and air force, and the fact that Iran backs the Houthis was troubling.

"We are ... just as concerned about the interference by Iran in the affairs of other countries in the region, whether it's Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and other parts," he said. "We believe Iran's behavior ... is not reassuring to people in the region."

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Thursday proposed a joint Arab military "to deal with these challenges."

But at least one major player in Yemen besides the Houthis -- the General People's Congress, which is the party of longtime leader Ali Abdullah Saleh -- thinks the Saudis and their partners should stay out.

The GPC says the airstrikes have already led to civilian casualties. The best way to stop the bloodshed is to bring everyone to the negotiating table, the group said.

"The (party) expresses its rejection of the attack on the Republic of Yemen and the capital, Sanaa, considering what (is) happening is an internal affair," the GPC said. "... The General People's Congress (calls on all parties) to return to and accelerate the completion of a national, historic agreement that ... maintains unity and democracy."

Officials: Deposed President has left Yemen

Meanwhile, the last person to be elected president of Yemen -- even if he was the only one on the ballot -- is out of the country and will soon be headed to Egypt to petition Arab officials, according to Yemeni officials.

The location of Hadi had been a mystery for days, with conflicting reports about whether he'd left Yemen and where he'd gone.

Saudi Arabia's state news agency, SPA, reported that Hadi arrived Thursday in Riyadh, where he met with the Saudi defense minister and intelligence chief.

But two Yemeni officials close to Hadi said that the deposed president is in Oman. They said that his next stop, on Friday, will be an Arab League summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Meanwhile, some 3,000 to 5,000 troops from the Saudi-led coalition are expected to reach Aden, the Yemeni city that was Hadi's last known location, in the next three days, according to the officials.

Their aim is to make that port city safe enough for Hadi to return after the Arab League summit.

Whether the rest of Yemen will be secure at that point is another matter. Unfortunately, there has been little in the last few months to inspire optimism that peace is around the corner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil prices go crazy as Saudis go to war in Yemen

 

There’s nothing like a scare about the safety of middle-eastern sea-lanes to send oil prices higher, particularly when the scare involves fears of a conflict between the region’s two biggest powers.

Crude oil prices were back at their highest in two weeks at $51.32 a barrel by midmorning in Europe, after Saudi Arabia and its allies launched airstrikes against the Houthi rebels who have overrun much of Yemen, including a military airbase that was used until recently by U.S. forces.

Prices have now surged 8% in the last 48 hours. The impact of the flare-up has been magnified by the fact that many participants in the market have bet on prices staying low all through the year. Those caught in ‘short’ positions have had to cover those positions in a hurry as the price rebounds. Fundamentally, though, the market remains oversupplied, and U.S. stocks of crude and fuel are at record highs.

Ten other countries, including other Gulf Arab states and Egypt and Sudan, took part in the airstrikes. The U.S. has agreed to provide logistical and intelligence support but nothing more.

In addition to the airstrikes, Saudi Arabia has moved thousands of troops and large amounts of heavy weaponry to the border with Yemen, in what may presage a full-scale invasion of the country in support of its beleaguered President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

© Provided by Fortune Yemen, Middle East, Asia, True Colour Satellite Image With Mask

The dramatic escalation increases the risk of another front opening in a sectarian conflict that is raging across the Middle East, pitting Sunni Muslims against Shia ones. The Houthi are part of Yemen’s large Shia minority, while Saudi Arabia is the largest and most powerful Sunni state in the region.

The Foreign Ministry of Iran, the largest Shia power, warned Thursday that the airstrikes were “a dangerous step” that will worsen the crisis.

Oil prices are always sensitive to geopolitical problems in the region, but particularly so when they threaten vital choke-points in global sea-lanes. Located at the south-western tip of the Arabian peninsular, Yemen commands the gateway to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, through which around 5% of the world’s oil passes, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Congress last month that “Backed by Iran, Huthis are seizing control of Yemen, threatening the strategic straits at the mouth of the Red Sea. Along with the Straits of Hormuz, that would give Iran a second choke-point on the world’s oil supply.”

Teheran disputes that analysis, saying it has never tried to interfere with the passage of ships through the Red Sea.

The Strait of Hormuz, which separate Arabia from South Asia, are far more important to the global oil trade, as 15% of the world’s oil supply has to come out through it.

Higher oil prices would theoretically be welcome for Iran, which has been sharply critical of Saudi Arabia’s decision in November to start a price war to defend its share of the global market.

But far more than higher oil prices, Iran needs a deal with its international partners on its nuclear program that will allow crippling sanctions on its economy to be lifted. It’s also far from clear that Iran would want to rile China, an important ally, by disrupting sea traffic through the Straits of Bab el-Mandeb.

Long-running talks about Iran’s nuclear program are at a crucial stage. CBS reported an official travelling to the talks in Lausanne, Switzerland, with Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday that “we very much believe we can get this done by the 31st.” The month-end is the deadline for reaching a political framework for a deal (they have until June to agree on the technical details).

Professionalism

Developing This Vital Characteristic

Are you a professional, all the time?

© iStockphoto/Neustockimages

 

You know that it's essential to be professional if you want to be a success. But what does "being professional" actually mean?
For some, being professional might mean dressing smartly at work, or doing a good job. For others, being professional means having advanced degrees or other certifications, framed and hung on the office wall. Professionalism encompasses all of these definitions. But, it also covers much more.
So, what is professionalism, and why does it matter? And how can you be completely professional in your day-to-day role? In this article we'll explore all of these questions, so that you can present a really professional image in the workplace

Defining Professionalism

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines professionalism as "the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation."
These definitions imply that professionalism encompasses a number of different attributes, and, together, these attributes identify and define a professional.
So, what are these attributes?

Specialized Knowledge

First and foremost, professionals are known for their specialized knowledge. They've made a deep personal commitment to develop and improve their skills, and, where appropriate, they have the degrees and certifications that serve as the foundation of this knowledge.
Not all business areas have a stable core of knowledge (and the academic qualifications that go with this); not all areas demand extensive knowledge to practice successfully; and not all professionals have top degrees in their field.
What matters, though, is that these professionals have worked in a serious, thoughtful and sustained way to master the specialized knowledge needed to succeed in their fields; and that they keep this knowledge up-to-date, so that they can continue to deliver the best work possible.

Competency

Professionals get the job done. They're reliable, and they keep their promises. If circumstances arise that prevent them from delivering on their promises, they manage expectations up front, and they do their best to make the situation right.
Professionals don't make excuses, but focus on finding solutions.

Honesty and Integrity

Professionals exhibit qualities such as honesty and integrity  . They keep their word, and they can be trusted implicitly because of this. They never compromise their values  , and will do the right thing, even when it means taking a harder road.
More than this, true professionals are humble   – if a project or job falls outside their scope of expertise, they're not afraid to admit this. They immediately ask for help when they need it, and they're willing to learn from others.

Accountability

Professionals hold themselves accountable for their thoughts, words, and actions, especially when they've made a mistake. This personal accountability is closely tied to honesty and integrity, and it's a vital element in professionalism.

Self-Regulation

They also stay professional under pressure.
For instance, imagine a customer service employee who's faced with an irate customer. Instead of getting upset or angry in return, the employee exhibits true professionalism by maintaining a calm, business-like demeanor, and by doing everything that she can to make the situation right.
Genuine professionals show respect for the people around them, no matter what their role or situation. They exhibit a high degree of emotional intelligence   (EI) by considering the emotions and needs of others, and they don't let a bad day impact how they interact with colleagues or clients.

Image

Professionals look the part – they don't show up to work sloppily dressed, with unkempt hair. They're polished, and they dress appropriately for the situation. Because of this, they exude an air of confidence, and they gain respect for this.

How to Exhibit Professionalism

As you can see from these characteristics, professionals are the kind of people that others respect and value. They are a genuine credit to their organizations!
This is why it's so important that we work to earn a professional reputation in the workplace. True professionals are the first to be considered for promotions, they are awarded valuable projects or clients, and they are routinely successful in their careers.
Now that you have a clear view of what constitutes professionalism, are you demonstrating these characteristics to the people around you? It's likely you're already showing some characteristics, but you may find yourself lacking in others: to build your own professionalism, focus on improving each of these characteristics. (Focus on one at a time, so you don't get overwhelmed.)
Additionally, here are some further strategies that will help you be more professional in the workplace:

Build Expertise

Don't let your knowledge and skills get outdated. Make a commitment to build expertise   and stay up-to-date with your industry  .

Tip:

Take our Bite-Sized training session on Building Expert Power to find out how to build and maintain your own expert power.

Develop Your Emotional Intelligence

Professionals can sense the emotional needs of others. They're able to give clients and coworkers what they need, because they know how to listen actively   and observe what's happening.
So, if you want to improve your professionalism, focus on developing emotional intelligence  .

Honor Your Commitments

Whenever you make a promise to your boss, colleagues, or clients, keep it. If it looks as if you won't be able to meet a deadline, let your boss, team or client know as soon as sensibly possible. However, do what you can to avoid ending up in this situation!
Don't make excuses – instead, focus on meeting expectations as best you can, and on making the situation right.

Be Polite

Be kind and polite and use good manners to everyone you come into contact with, no matter what their role is, and no matter how you're feeling. This might sound unimportant, but it makes a significant impact.

Have the Tools You Need

Do you show up to a client meeting lacking important samples? Or arrive at work, only to realize that you left a vital file at home? Or do you find yourself operating in situations where you don't have the skills needed to do a good job?
True professionals are always prepared. This requires advance planning, timeliness, and attention. Focus on improving your time management and planning skills  , so that you're always in control.

Note:

Although professionalism means keeping commitments, doing high quality work, and having expert status, occasionally the pursuit of these attributes might tempt you not to volunteer for projects that fall outside your "comfort zone."
However, this doesn't necessarily mean that you shouldn't try! Analyze risks   beforehand to minimize the consequences of getting things wrong, be honest about any skills gaps that you have, and work to fill them. Then do the best you possibly can!

Key Points

Professionalism is a trait that's highly valued in the workforce. It has many attributes, including:

1. Specialized knowledge.
2. Competency.
3. Honesty and integrity.
4. Respect.
5. Accountability.
6. Self-regulation.
7. Image.

To improve your own professionalism, focus on improving in each of these areas.
You can also exude professionalism by being kind and polite to everyone, presenting a professional image in your attitude and dress, and showing up for work or meetings fully prepared.

AAA: Americans saved $14 billion on gas in 2014

American consumers saved $14 billion on gasoline this year compared to 2013, according to new estimates from the auto group AAA.

Broken down by household, consumers saved $115 when filling up at the pump in 2014, AAA said in its monthly gas price report on Wednesday.
"U.S. drivers ended the year on a high-note with gas prices plummeting over the last few months,” said Avery Ash, AAA spokesman. ”Cheaper gas prices have helped to improve the economy by boosting both consumer confidence and disposable income.”
AAA said savings are expected to be bigger next year as long as the price of crude oil remains low.
“It would not be surprising for U.S. consumers to save $50 - $75 billion on gasoline in 2015 if prices remain low,” AAA said.
The annual average price of gas in 2014 was $3.34 per gallon, roughly 15 cents cheaper than last year’s annual average.
As of Wednesday, the national average price of gas is $2.26 per gallon, the lowest average since May of 2009.
The national average price of gas has fallen for 88 straight days, the longest period of daily declines ever tracked by AAA, setting a new record.

Why Twitter can backfire on companies

As print media and television continue to diminish in reach (especially to the millennial population), companies are turning toward social media to get their messages to the public. Brands are evolving by launching interactive campaigns on Twitter and Facebook, and consumers are demanding the personalization and direct communication that are the norm for these platforms.  A 2013 leadership study shows that 80% of those surveyed believe that it’s vital for a CEO to interact on social media.

Twitter campaigns can generate buzz quickly and cheaply.  Nabisco’s Oreo (MDLZ) had a huge win by quickly reacting to the 2013 Super Bowl blackout and posting its “You can still dunk in the dark,” ad. Within an hour, the post had nearly 20,000 Facebook likes and 16,000 retweets. It also benefited from as much free media as any Super Bowl commercial (which cost about $4 million for 30 seconds).

With huge returns for less money spent, it makes seeming sense that brands are building up social media teams and cutting advertising budgets. In 2013, then Proctor & Gamble CEO Bob McDonald announced his intentions to save $1 billion in advertising per year by using “free” Facebook and Google ad impressions. Tom Doctoroff, JWT Asia Pacific CEO and author of “Twitter is Not a Strategy: Rediscovering the Art of Brand Marketing” disagrees with this method.

“Twitter is a tool…but it is not a strategy,” he says. “You can’t just be a ‘cool kid’ with social media. Everything needs to be brought into a framework of a brand engagement and relationship…sometimes broadcast media is the way to go but then compliment it with social media that people can engage with if they want to.” Forcing customers to become a company’s friend, says Doctoroff, is a recipe for disaster.

When people are forced into engagement, says Doctoroff, it often does the opposite of what it is supposed to, detaching brands from the consumer and coming off as markedly unhuman.

The brands that are winning in this realm are Coca-Cola (KO), Axe and Mattel (MAT) says Doctoroff. “This alignment happens when people really understand the conceptual craftsmanship of brand building.”