A Future Without Belongings: Own Nothing, Have Everything

A Future Without Belongings: Own Nothing, Have Everything – Orit Dolev

Technology Designer Orit Dolev gave a talk about cherishing experiences over material items and examines the importance of services in a nomadic world where citizens can work from anywhere, so long as they have access to the internet. She discusses the shift in consumer behavior, where we are valuing digital services more than physical products. She elaborates with the example of Uber: a technology company that was able to replace the need for purchasing a car by providing a service. She argues that as technology advances to be implemented in most of our everyday objects, they will become a tradable service that can be swapped, traded, and used in the same way we use digital media.

US Lawmakers Accuse Pompeo of Complicity in Israel’s ‘Violation of International Law’

US Lawmakers Accuse Pompeo of Complicity in Israel’s ‘Violation of International Law’

“Creeping annexation cannot be a policy that the US government supports if we wish to see peace in the region. This single act was the largest Israeli displacement of Palestinians in four years, behavior only made possible by continued silence from the American government.”

In tapping Blinken, Biden will be served by confidante with deep Jewish roots

In tapping Blinken, Biden will be served by confidante with deep Jewish roots

The disagreements referenced were largely over the Iran nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration in 2015 — while Blinken deputy secretary of state — and are likely to return to the forefront given Biden’s desire to re-enter the multilateral accord.

Blinken told ToI last month that a US re-entry would require Iran first returning to acquiescence with its obligations under the agreement: “compliance for compliance.”

How Biden’s Foreign-Policy Team Got Rich

How Biden’s Foreign-Policy Team Got Rich

Tasked by Obama to end the Iraq War, Biden supported Nouri El-Maliki, the leader he knew, and rescued the Iraqi prime minister’s career even though it ended up fracturing the country. When Maliki narrowly lost in 2010, Biden didn’t give Iraqi political parties time to broker a new coalition. With Biden’s endorsement, Maliki gained a second term; he grew more authoritarian, which is now widely believed to have led to the rise of ISIS. Biden ignored experts who were skeptical of Maliki and preferred to glad-hand. “He came to deal with Iraqi politicians like local political kingpins in Delaware or Pennsylvania,” said Robert Ford, who was deputy ambassador in Baghdad from 2008 to 2010.