Washington-Vancouver

The day after the Nobel announcement – and the associated media circus (admittedly asked for) – I boarded the plane for Washington DC. My main ambition was to map the debate on Obama's strategy, a moving target. This exact week, the target was virtually out of sight, as everybody are waiting for the boss to decide. My particular interest is in the regional ambitions of the strategy (beyond AfPak).

I took that topic with me as I flew to Vancouver on Wednesday, where I gave a talk on 'Afghanistan and its troublesome neighbourhood' at the Simon Fraser University. Next two days, I was CSCW-workshopping on transnationalism. Saturday, Martin Nome and I went to Bowen Island, enjoying the hospitality of long-time PRIOites Martha Snodgrass and Jeff Checkel. A wonderful day: Breakfast at the local cafe, long (and somewhat wet) walk in the forest, elaborate inspection of the impressive Snodgrass/Checkel mansion, good local food. Most importantly: Warm regards to friends at PRIO!