Location^3 @locationcubed-blog - Tumblr Blog

What to Take

As I do more and more research and worry about visas, budgets, and tickets and the like my plans keep evolving. Legal Nomads, Thorn Tree, and Reddit/r/Travel have all been great resources, and I am shamelessly stealing from Answering Oliver and GQ travel's blogs. And reading these blogs I've had to reconsider what I want to take and what I need to take vs what I simply feel I should. For example, the camping backpack that I've had for years is wonderful, but it might be excessive. The Osprey Fairpoint Devon Mills recommends looks great and even though I know I'm not going to blend in when I travel, I think there is a lot to be said for not lugging around more than I need. I've probably spent the most time agonizing over my camera. I really love photography and hopefully I'll have the opportunity for some great shots on my trip. But I've been torn between upgrading my Canon XSi to the 7d (which I have long coveted) or the new Sony Nex-7. The 7d will work with my existing lenses but it's very large and its pretty obtrusive to pull it out in the middle of a group. I also worry that it might make me more of a target. The Nex7 on the other hand is more expensive, would only have one lens (18-55mm) and even with it's small size wouldn't fit into a pocket. The Sony has a better sensor but is a bit slower than the Canon, though early reports suggest that this isn't much of a problem. I also like that the Sony can be used for street photography because of it's unobtrusive size, if only it was weather proofed. In the end I'm going to have to spend some time in B&H agonizing over them. Other electronics will include kindle (2nd gen), kindle fire (for storing photos and email), power adapters, and an unlocked iphone 4s. I've decided against bringing my macbook air because I think it will just be one more thing to worry about (though this may change). Additionally I'll probably get a dumb phone early on so that I can easily use local sim cards (iphone 4s has an atrocious microsim). I'm still on the fence about whether or not to take my hiking boots that I got for India. For now, I don't plan on doing serious hiking, but really who knows. Again, it's a specific vs space consuming conundrum. I've tried to lean towards general multi-use items (like more rugged running shoes), but I'm afraid I'll miss them if I end up really getting into some hiking. I still have a bunch of shopping to do, but I feel like the trip is starting to come together.

#RTW #Packing #cameras

Children in Chelsea Market

#Photos

Planning my Round the World Trip

Of course, leaving my job is hard, I've met so many great people working in DC and politics remains a great passion of mine. However, there are several reasons I'm looking forward to this trip.

Firstly, I feel like I'm coasting in DC. I can't remember the last time I got that knot in my stomach and was afraid about what was going to happen next. When I look back at some of the most rewarding, fulfilling experiences of my life they involve jumping in the deep end and seeing if I can swim. Traveling alone (a first for me) will definitely test me and I'm looking forward to seeing what challenges I come across. Second, the opportunity. I'm off to Law School next fall, so for the first time in my life I have 12 months without any responsibilities or obligations. I can't imagine this type of opportunity presents itself very often, so fully intend to take advantage of it. And finally (and perhaps most cliche), I'm looking forward to figuring out the quarter life crisis of my 20s. As much as I love DC, I'm not overly fond of the person I've become living here. I hope that traveling outside the US and exposing myself to people and opinions that aren't formed in the crucible of our nations capitol will give me some perspective on my own life. As for the trip itself I've decided on three very VERY loose phases. I'll have to get into these more later, but right now they are: Phase I: Trans-Siberian Railroad Start in early July

I plan on starting in London and training it to Moscow

After a few days in Moscow get on the East bound train to Irkutsk

Hang out in Irkutsk and Lake Baikal

Get back on the train to Ulaanbaatar see/pet/ride one of those furry Mongolian ponies

Back on the train to Beijing

Spend a week to 10 days in Beijing

This should take me to August. Phase II: South East Asia

Somehow make my way from Beijing to Indonesia

Join up with a friend of mine who has been doing the peace corps there for several years

Island hop, swim, eat, scuba-dive

Accidentally start a family

Travel to Laos, Cambodia (elephants!), Thailand, and Myanmar

Regroup

I really don't now how long this will take, but let's take a wild stab and say mid-November. Phase III: Middle East/North Africa

Start out in Cairo (I've been there twice before so I have at least a passing familiarity with the city, and I would be comfortable living there for an expended period of time)

Sail or otherwise boat up the Nile

Various regional wars permitting, head into the Sudan for Nubian pyramids

Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, underground churches

Sana-Socotra (this one will be a bit tricky because the various interconnected competing conflicts, but I think it's doable)

Lebanon (not sure when this fits into the itinerary, but I want to go)

I have 12 months and only a vague idea of what adventures I'll get into. Should be fun.

#RTW #Travel #Indonesia #Cairo #Trans-Siberian

The Next Step

"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving." –Lao Tzu

The time has come for me to cease intermittently blogging about Yemen, and US counter terrorism policy. I've given notice at my job in Washington DC and getting ready to take the next step.

I've been fortunate enough to have been accepted at law school for the start of 2013, which means that I have just over fourteen months before doubling down and heading back to school. So I've decided to make the most of them. Starting in July I'm going to start an ambitious, poorly organized, round the world adventure.

I'll get into it more in subsequent posts, but I'm very excited to put my love of politics aside so that I can explore my other interests of traveling, cooking, and photography.

Living in DC has been great and there is a good chance I'll live here again in the future, but for now I'm off to see what comes next.

#RTW #politics

The Game of Drones

"The common people are waiting for him. Magister Illyrio says they are sewing dragon banners and praying for Viserys to return from across the narrow sea to free them."

“The common people pray for rain, healthy children, and a summer that never ends,” Ser Jorah told her. “It is no matter to them if the high lords play their game of thrones, so long as they are left in peace.” He gave a shrug. “They never are.”

An absolute must read from Casey Coombs on AQAP's takeover of Ja'ar:

Here, Al Qaeda’s ranks have swelled in the last year, and at least five ciites are now controlled by the terrorist group.

Despite the hefty death toll, some think the military assault might be aiding the terror group more than hurting it, sewing sympathy for the militants and anger toward the Americans.

Yemenis who live in these poverty-stricken areas, long neglected by the central government, said that with Al Qaeda now governing large parts of the region, some stability has finally arrived.

One local merchant, when asked by GlobalPost what he thought of the new government, said, “Very, very good. Very peaceful. I go to prayer knowing my store is safe. I leave the door unlocked."

...

The black-and-white flag of Al Qaeda flies at each entrance to the city, flapping behind Kalishnakov- and grenade-strapped soldiers on motorcycles. Other Al Qaeda soldiers patrol the city’s streets in army trucks pillaged from the Yemeni military weeks earlier.

Townspeople said Al Qaeda provided them with reliable services, such as electricity, food, water and even healthcare, though officials would not allow GlobalPost entry into the town’s only hospital, one wing of which had been shelled in recent months.

While speaking to merchants in Jaar’s central market, an elderly man with a long red beard asked GlobalPost, “Why American drones?” The sound of the drones buzzing overhead was a constant reminder, they said, of the strikes that could happen at any time.

Seriously, read the whole thing.

#Yemen #Ja'ar #game of thrones #Security #Drone war

New Casualty Numbers, Same As The Old But Better

New casualty numbers! This time 100 al qaeda militants have been killed in fighting in the south over the past two days. Needless to say this number probably bears very little resemblance to reality. I'm honestly not sure why the disparity in reports fascinates me so much. The combination of propaganda, politics, and uncertainty, especially in today's world of smart phones and instant access to news is amazing. I'm so used to knowing the facts as they happen that going for days or weeks without knowing what is actually happening on the ground, if we ever find out at all, is intriguing. On top of that we are able to watch the different agendas play out regardless of the facts on the ground. The Yemeni government wants to show their effectiveness and strength in dealing with AQAP, but also try to project control and calm as we can see from their quote.

The interior ministry said the air and land offensive has rattled the militants, who are trying to regroup near the sea. The authorities vowed to continue their campaign.

The US, on the other hand, wants high numbers of militants but low civilian casualties to justify the ongoing drone program and strict counter-terrorism policy that they've adopted. Overall, even if the casualty numbers don't tell us much about what is happening on the ground, they can tell us about the politics and intentions of the various groups involved by reading into their desired outcomes.

#Yemen #fighting #casualty numbers

Government Pushback in the South

Apparently, Yemen forces backed by US "support" shelled and bombed al-Rahha in Lahj, which is an important gateway to the south. Reports coming out say that the air raids and mortars were targeted at al qaeda strongholds. Depending on the story either 14, 38, or 43 militants were killed.

Update: According to mukallastar (arabic) 27 government forces died in the fighting over the past week.

Update 2: via: Gregory Johnsen: al qaeda denies that 43 militants were killed.

#Yemen #Lahj #Fighting

Suicide Attack in Yemen

A car bomb laden with explosives detonated at a police checkpoint this morning in southern Yemen, killing four policemen. Government officials are saying it was al qaeda related, and it may very well be, but before anyone claims responsibility it seems too early to say (in other words, don't trust the government's report).

If it was AQAP, or some offshoot, it will be interesting to see if they cite the recent three day drone campaign by the US and Yemen governments as causes.

The drone strikes, in turn, are a response to AQAP's advances in recent days and the capture of a Yemen army base and taking 55 soldiers prisoner. Casualty reports from attack on the base (and the drone strikes) have been erratic and fluctuating.

In any event, whether or not the car bomb this morning was AQAP or southern secessionists or somebody else, makes little difference. Yemen is now less stable, and the election/GCC deal, which was supposed to be a great coming together of different interest groups and organizations, is failing before our eyes.

It seems important to note that only the major events–car bombs, drone strikes, etc.– are getting attention in the press. As the situation in Yemen unravels sentences tucked away in stories such as, "The governor of al-Bayda province said clashes between the army and "terrorists" erupted in the wake of the explosion" should be of particular concern. Violence that doesn't involve the US military or the government of Yemen is being ignored.

Manali Himachal Pradesh, India

#India #Photos

Quick Thought on Yemen

There have been a lot of great posts recently about the recent election in Yemen. Now that President Hadi has taken over the country there is a lot of commentary about how he will juggle the different interest groups and whether or not an election with only one candidate can really be called change. However there are several points that are vital to the discussion of the future of Yemen and the national security problems that President Hadi and the United States face.

First, as Gregory Johnsen, has been noting recently, the economy is paramount. Unemployment in Yemen is almost 40% and about half the population lives on less than $2 a day. This is a vital statistic that is almost never mentioned when people talk about national security and containing threats coming out of Yemen.

Second, more than 40% of the population is under the age of 14. This goes hand in hand with the first point. A huge portion of the population is young and unemployed and it's only going to get worse in the next few years.

Third, they're running out of water. According to a 2010 report by McKinsey and Company the capitol, Sana, could run out of water by 2025. This only exacerbate the unemployment and poverty situation, and could lead to a humanitarian crisis that could fuel unrest and violence.

And Fourth, Yemen is running out of oil, which accounts for approximately 75% of government revenues. Yemen was never overly blessed with it, but declining oil revenues will mean that President Hadi will have an even harder time maintaining the careful balance between tribal leaders and interest groups that he relies on. To make matters worse, several of the regions where the remaining oil is, such a as Shabwa, are now controlled by Ansar al Sharia.

These issues linger in the background of the Yemen conversation, but their impact is going to be very serious, and people should keep them in mind as they discuss Yemen's future.

#Yemen #Economy #unemployment