19 Nov 2014 Inside the Blue Dollar

My latest article for the Argentina Independent, on the inner workings of the underground market for US currency in Argentina. Huge thanks to Marc Rogers, at the Indy, for his editorial acumen, reportage, and incredible patience on the long journey from...

Read More

08 Mar 2014 Ambassador Non Apropos

Fifteen former presidents of the American Foreign Service Association - not a bunch of wild-eyed radicals - have sent a letter to the US Senate opposing the appointment of Noah Mamet as Ambassador to Argentina, along with two other obviously...

Read More

19 Feb 2014 On Learning Spanish in Buenos Aires

Past rulers of Castilia include Ferdinand, Isabella, and Alfonso the Wise. "I am off to Argentina to learn Spanish," I say. "Spanish is easy," they say, "you'll pick it up in no time. Have fun." Those people are wrong. Spanish hasa remarkably low...

Read More

11 Feb 2014 Democracy Meets Tech in Experiment in Argentina

A fascinating experiment in technology-enabled participatory democracy is happening, right now, in Argentina. They are called the Partido de la Red, and the Argentina Independent did a quality, thoughtful interview (in English) with their founders. The basic idea is as follows: (1)...

Read More

24 Jan 2014 News Flash from the Argentine Economy

And the bombshells keep dropping! The peso fell 11% against the US dollar yesterday, the single steepest daily devaluation since the 2002 financial crisis. In response, the government announced that they would relax currency controls implemented in late 2011 to stem...

Read More

22 Jan 2014 More News from the Argentine Economy

For those who did not live here, the Argentine economic saga is as gripping as the run-up to the Super Bowl and World Cup combined, with much more happening on a daily basis. Another edge case milestone occurred recently (see...

Read More

13 Dec 2013 Puerto Deseado

Puerto Deseado, where Darwin once walked. At 47S, the air is thin and cool, even in full sun. The town is at sea level - the sea is just outside my hotel window - but the air feels like the...

Read More