For that reason, and because the subject is dear to my heart, I have taken the plunge into blogging. If I can add a little bit of international news and opinion to the public consciousness, I will be happy.

I’ll be focusing on the countries I’ve reported on, like China and Taiwan, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria. But I will also report on developments elsewhere in the world, especially from places like Afghanistan.

Hopefully, if you all start reading this blog, you will have suggestions on stories/countries to write about.

I can only hope.