If anyone wanted an example of how fast international events are happening, you only have to turn to Phoenix and its new trade agreement with Bahrain. Literally as Phoenix officials were inking their deal , which certainly made sense for Phoenix, demonstrators were crowding into the country’s main square in a fashion reminiscent of recent demonstrations in Cairo. With Bahrain’s Parliament in chaos, who knows the value of this new agreement? No Phoenix official could have predicted the ironic twist of fate that linked these two events. However, it does tell you that what happens outside our borders is important and elected leaders at all levels need to be paying attention to international happenings.
– Susan Bitter Smith