Mazdaspeed 6

Didn't you used to own one of these, F1Outsider?

Red Chinese pilot defects to Taiwan

This was always a big deal. I remember as a kid, Mainland Chinese fighter pilots who defected to Taiwan were treated as heroes.

Eating the Globe: Peru

This new Peruvian place in El Cerrito is pretty good. The lunch special comes with a very rich (and peppery) chicken and rice soup.

My entree was the Aji de Gallina. Shredded chicken in a cream sauce with walnuts and olives. 

I'm up to 34 countries!

Countries tried so far:
Africa: Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa
Asia: Afghanistan, Burma, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Yemen
Europe: Bosnia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Sweden
North America: El Savador, Mexico, USA
South America: Brazil, Chile, Peru, Venezuela

Sharp robot

Okay, who's going to buy one?

1980 Taiwan taxi cab

Nostalgia level-- 11.

Russian jet flies within 75 feet of US destroyer

I am breaking off all diplomatic ties with you, Nick! :)

Foreign bases in Djibouti

Happenin' place.

• Camp Lemonnier (USA). 4,500 troops and contractors conduct missions against AQ in Yemen and al-Shabab in Somalia. $60m a year in rent. The camp used to be a French Foreign Legion post.

• Chabelley Airfield (USA). A second American base just for drones. Drones used to fly in and out of Lemonnier, which shared runways with Djibouti's international airport. However, after a few drones crashed into populated areas, the drones were moved out of Lemonnier.

• Airbase 188 (France). 10 Mirages are at the base, which is at the international airport.
• 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment (France). Infantry housed in the Monclar and Briere de L'Isle Districts.

• Naval base under construction (China). $20m a year in rent. Logistics hub for anti-piracy ops and evacuating citizens from Yemen. First overseas base for China.
• Japanese base. Japan's only foreign base. Consists of two destroyers, patrol helicopters, and two P-3C Orions.

• Spanish and German soldiers from the EU's anti-piracy force stay at the Kempinski and Sheraton hotels.

Egypt just gave Saudi Arabia two strategically located islands

Egypt gave Saudi Arabia the islands of Tiran and Sanafir today. They are at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba, which Israel and Jordan need access to if it wants to reach the Red Sea. The natives are restless. From a 1982 New York Times article:

"Israel has also asked Egypt and the United States to agree that a permanent outpost of the international force in Sinai be established on the island of Tiran to patrol Tiran and Sanafir, which control the narrow strait into the Gulf of Aqaba.

The two islands were transferred by Saudi Arabia to Egyptian control in 1950 because the Saudis feared an Israeli attempt to seize them. Along with the rest of Sinai, they fell under Israeli control in the 1967 war, but Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Fahd said recently that he would ask Egypt, after regaining them in April, to return them to Saudi sovereignty.

Israel fears that Egypt, attempting to repair relations with the Saudis, might make such a transfer, and has told the Egyptian Government firmly that this would constitute a violation of the peace treaty."

Hat tip to Ramon.

Eating the Globe: Yemen

Saul's Jewish deli is a Berkeley institution. I usually go there on weekends. I've noticed on the menu that there is a Yemeni breakfast that's only available on weekdays. I assume it's on the menu because it's popular with Yemeni Jews.

It's called a Malawach Yemeni Pancake. Deep fried dough. I ordered it with shawarma on top, but it tasted just like corn beef hash. On the side, you have a poached egg, zhoug (that green thing), harissa, fresh tomatoes, and labne yogurt cheese. Everything was tasty, but it's not really my cup of tea. So I don't think I would order it again.

Countries tried so far:
Africa: Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa
Asia: Afghanistan, Burma, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Yemen
Europe: Bosnia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Sweden
North America: El Savador, Mexico, USA
South America: Brazil, Chile, Venezuela

Peru or America?

1990s First Lady who failed to win presidency last time around now running against 70-something Polish Jew. #FujimoriVKuczynski

— Tamerlane's Thoughts (@TamerlaneBlog) April 11, 2016