Commentary on the reasons countries fall apart, Conrad on the United Nation’s bungled mission, in praise of immigration, running out of growth lubricant, strange times in Myanmar, a new economic strategy for Japan, and for some Canada’s greatest achievement is a publically funded health care system.

10 sad stories.

Foreign Policy -- 10 Reasons Countries Fall Apart
States don't fail overnight. The seeds of their destruction are sown deep within their political institutions.

Conrad takes aim at the UN. Thanks to David of London.

National Post -- The end of Canada’s love affair with the UN
It is disappointing that the recent outrageous criticism of Quebec by the United Nations Human Rights Council has not led to a serious debate in Canada about the country’s almost slavish veneration of the United Nations.

Related.

Globe and Mail -- Blue helmets cast aside, Canada keeps the peace no more
Once pre-eminent among peacekeeping nations with thousands of “blue berets” deployed around the world, Canada now ranks 53 – between Paraguay and Slovakia – on the United Nations contributors’ list with less than a schoolbus-load of Canadian soldiers serving on UN missions overseas.

How immigration has and is changing London.

Economist -- Hello, world
Growth has brought foreigners, and foreigners have brought growth.

Have governments run out of ammo?

Charlie Fell – Convergence
The global economy began to stabilise following the most severe downturn since the 1930s during the summer of 2009. 

Out from the shadows.

New York Review of Books -- Burmese Days
In January, Min Ko Naing, one of Burma’s leading dissidents, walked out of prison.

Japan the resource exporter.

Japan Times -- Liberating Japan's resources
Japan has long been characterized as a nation with virtually no natural resources like oil, natural gas, coal, iron and copper. More than 125 million people live on land area ranking only 61st in the world in terms of size.

Oh please.

Globe and Mail -- Medicare is part of us
July 1, the birthdate of our great nation, is also the birthdate of Canada’s emblematic health-care system.