Armed opposition is spreading, albeit slowly. The Western countries, Turkey, and most of the Arab world are incensed by the brutal killing and destruction, and pressure to intervene and stiffen international sanctions is building.

As they handle the ice, in fact, they keep an extra pair of gloves warming in an oven, so that, when their work gloves freeze and their fingers stiffen, they can don a fresh pair.

The victory of Parliament in Kuwait s succession crisis is likely to lead some of Kuwait s neighboring autocracies to stiffen their resolve against modernity and democracy. But Kuwait shows that there will invariably come a moment when holding onto feudal ways is no longer an option.

They are finding themselves forced to shift their own rhetoric and attitude in order to dampen their defense of policies viewed as pro American or US inspired, and to stiffen their resistance to Washington's demands and desires. In many cases, American demands and desires are contrary to Latin interests, and should be resisted.

When Abe became Prime Minister almost three years ago, he vowed to restore Japan s standing as a first tier country by implementing an economic stimulus package, dubbed Abenomics, and reinterpreting Japan s constitution to stiffen the country s defense posture. But, whereas Abenomics was enacted quickly, the Diet enacted the defense legislation only recently and after more than a year of effort.