THERE IS NO BELGIUM:

Belgium Taps Legislator to Defuse `Political Crisis' (James G. Neuger, Aug. 29, 2007, Bloomberg)

Belgium's king, warning of a ``political crisis,'' tapped the head of the lower house of Parliament to explore options for forming a new government after an 11-week standoff between French and Flemish parties spurred concerns that the country might break apart.

The head of the Flemish Christian Democrats, Yves Leterme, last week abandoned a bid to put together a coalition as French- speaking parties torpedoed demands for the transfer of more power to Flanders, the country's wealthier northern region.

With Belgium lacking a new government almost three months after national elections, the king described the deadlock as a ``crisis,'' and a poll showed that fewer than a third of Belgians are certain that the country will still exist in 10 years.

Another one of FDR's quagmires.

Posted by Orrin Judd at August 30, 2007 2:42 PM