However, there were two reasons for Obama to push the Afghan conflict during the election. First was to present the meme that Afghanistan was a Bush failure and that Iraq (even thought the surge succeeded) was a mistake because it distracted from where the "real" fight should have been. The second, and more important, was to show that he was not a leftist peacenick and that as president he would fight a war.
#2
No it won't officially be "Obama's War" until the media start running their US soldier body count again. Until that occurs, then the media narrative will be that Obama has inherited "Bush's Botched War".
WASHINGTON -- A majority of Americans say the war in Afghanistan is not worth fighting and oppose sending more US troops to fight a growing insurgency, a poll showed. The survey results show US public support sliding for the war as Afghans prepare to vote Thursday in a pivotal election and amid speculation that the top US commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, will request more troops.
But President Obama has staked himself on the idea that Afghanistan is the good war, the necessary war, and has committed himself to sticking it out, no cut and run. Once again he has put himself on the wrong side of public opinion, canny politician that he is.
Not just Bambi but most of the progressive Left said that this was the 'good war'. At least while Bush was president. They aren't saying much of anything now, and they aren't protesting much about our continued involvement in Iraq. Why, it's almost as if the wars were just an excuse to attack Bush. So much for 'fierce moral urgency' ...
Asked if the war has been worth fighting, 51 percent said it was not, while 47 percent endorsed the mission, according to the Washington Post-ABC News poll. In July, a narrow majority backed the war as worthwhile.
Only 24 percent said more US forces should be deployed, while 27 percent said the troop levels should be kept the same and 45 percent said the troop commitment should be reduced. In a January survey, only 29 percent said the number of troops should be cut back.
It was the second poll this month that revealed public support slipping for the war. In a CNN-Opinion Research Corporation survey released earlier this month, 54 percent opposed the US-led fight, with only 41 percent in favor.
The latest Washington Post poll, carried out between August 13-17, showed Americans had doubts that Thursday's elections would result in an effective Afghan government. Only 31 percent said they were confident that the vote would produce a government that could rule effectively while a 64 percent majority said they were not confident of such an outcome.
Despite signs of public anxiety, a majority of 60 percent approve of how President Barack Obama has handled the war, while 33 percent disapproved, the poll said.
Opinion was divided as to whether the United States was winning the war, with 42 percent saying Washington was winning while 36 percent said the US was losing.
Opposition to the war has grown among those who form Obama's core of support -- liberals and Democrats, the survey said. Nearly two-thirds of staunch Democrats now feel "strongly" that the war was not worth fighting, it said.
And support for the war among voters who identify themselves as liberals has dropped dramatically. Strong approval for Obama's approach to the war among liberals has fallen 20 points and 63 percent of liberals want troop levels reduced.
Public unease has been reflected in Congress, where some of Obama's fellow Democrats have voiced worries about the open-ended US commitment. Support for the war is running strong among Republicans, however, with 70 percent saying the war was worth fighting, according to the poll.
The survey was based on a sample of 1,001 adults and has a margin of error of three points, according to the Washington Post website.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/20/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
I don't believe Afghanistan can have a democracy as there is no Afghan demos.
Afghanistan/North Pakistan should be several nations.
#3
Iraq clearly and distinctly showed us that when occupying a dysfunctional country, both every effort to preserve any of the local systems of government and authority are counterproductive; *and* that introducing proven western systems of government and authority work.
If Afghanistan fails, it will be primarily because that in the name of "cultural respect", and other such stupid political correctness, we tried to build on a rotten foundation, instead of replacing it entirely with one that worked.
The top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan may look to replace desk jockeys with gun-toters while keep troop levels even in the Taliban-infested war zone, The Washington Times reports.
Many of these so called "desk jockey's" are females soldiers and Marines. Are we now putting these people out on combat patrols?
#8
The goals of the war should be
1. Elimination of Taliban
2. See 1 As long as Af is a uncivilized hideout for barbarian worshipers of Mohammed it will be a problem for the rest of the world. Too bad we can't blockade the mountain passes & roads & keep them all in there to kill each other to their heart's content.
#9
I always thought the original goal was to bring Osama bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahiri to justice. Was I wrong? Well, we could get lucky with a drone attack but that doesn't seem like much of a strategy. Those guys are in Pakistan and Pakistan is the enemy. The Taliban are straw men who don't matter to anyone outside of Afghanistan. If we are not willing to go into Pakistan what is the point? Opium?
To the donks, as cynical, treasonous and bitterly partisan as they are, Iraq was never anything but a club they could use to bash Bush.
But I could understand nation building in Iraq. Saddam had it coming, the people are not all crazy, the location is strategic and there is the oil. Beyond that, it teaches ME leaders the lesson that if they screw with us we could do it to them too.
But what have we taught Pakistan? That they can screw with us and we'll give them billions of dollars?
#11
They don't have to make public the goals of fighting the war in Afghanistan, but they had darn well better have some. It is not clear to me that we have any realistic chance of achieving the more obvious or acknowledged goals using the strategies and tactics we appear to be employing. Our domestic politics make it highly unlikely that we will be able to change to effective strategies. What I suspect we will do is the same thing we did in Vietnam - futz around several years getting our guys killed while we try to find a way to get out and save face. Bush had it right initially - declare victory and move the war to Iraq, where it could potentially be fought effectively and where there were worthwhile goals. But our own internal politics wrecked that plan. Zero et al are in water WAY over their heads with this war.
#12
What is the strategic significance of Afghanistan? I don't think there is much. The place is a tribal crap-hole. Add to this the list of other negatives...enemy has safe haven next door in another tribal crap-hole, we have to resupply on long routes through enemy territory, the terrain reduces many of our technological advantages, the locals don't give a shit, etc, etc. I say we declare victory after this election, get out and leave with the warning we will nuke the place from orbit if anything bad comes from there.
#13
1) to Ebbang: the original goal was to a) destroy al-Qaeda b) remove the Taliban from power and prevent them from coming back c) prevent al-Qaeda or anyone else from using Afghanistan to launch terrorist attacks on the U.S. Except for pinching Binny, we accomplished 2.5 of our goals -- al-Q was hammered hard but not destroyed, the Taliban are (currently) out of power, and no one is using Afghanistan to attack the homeland.
2) to remoteman: the strategic importance follows from our previous goals, as above. We don't want the Taliban to come back into power because they would in turn invite terrorist groups such as al-Q to use their country as a base to launch attacks on us.
That doesn't mean a perpetual war and permanent garrisoning of the place, but it does mean defeating the Taliban.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/20/2009 15:47 Comments ||
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#14
I hate to bust anyone's bubble here, but the astounding fact is that Pakistan has 176,000,000 people (source: CIA Factbook), making it the 7th most populous country on Earth.
By comparison, Afghanistan has 33,000,000 people. (Iraq has only 29,000,000).
All friendly forces in Afghanistan total about 100,000, plus 90,000 Afghan army forces, for whatever good they are.
Afghanistan has about the same population as California, in a land area almost exactly four times as large as that of California. And we are trying to police it with the equivalent of a single Army-sized element.
And right next door is a country that is over half the size in population of the United States.
I am not quite sure who counts as a progressive, as I consider myself a progressive, (the Progressive Policy Institute also consider progressive appropriate for the DLC agenda) but some use progressive to refer to the more left wing of the Dem party. I certainly continue to consider the war in afghanistan necessary. I would say most Dems do. Prof Walt does not, and wrote a piece in For Pol saying why, to which there was a reply by Peter Bergen.
As for adopting unpopular positions, well BHO's team has shown a penchant for not panicing in rough spots. That he isn't doing so now, is a good sign. That of course does not rule out the possibility he will panic later.
He of course has not won over the people to his stand. He has not proven to be the magic persuader some thought he would be. Nor has he, until recently, really addressed persuading the public on Afghanistan. What the public sees is steady casualties, the prospect of more as the US profile increases (JUST like the surge in Iraq, BTW) and an Afghan govt that tolerates corruption and even drug smuggling, and that carps at the actions of US forces.
Running the WOT is not easy.
Posted by: liberal hawk ||
08/20/2009 16:28 Comments ||
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#16
Especially if you start by banning the phrase War on Terror.
#17
That doesn't mean a perpetual war and permanent garrisoning of the place, but it does mean defeating the Taliban.
I agree with that. Though I think if that was the original plan, it might have been counterprodctive to make deals with the local forces to let the Talibs go free out the south side of the city while the friendlies entered it from the north.
Leading me to believe I have no idea what the hell our goals are there or that someone responsible for achieving them didn't know how to accomplish said goal. I dunno. Thinking about Afghanistan hasn't given me a good feeling since about '02.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
08/20/2009 17:40 Comments ||
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#18
The most important thing that the US needs to do is to totally destroy Pakistan's ability to do ANYTHING militarily, give all territory west of the Indus to Afghanistan, and everything east of the Indus to India. The British thought they were so smart to "divide and conquer" the Pashtuns. Instead, all they did was to provoke an unending war. Pakistan, as long as it exists, will be a ready source of cannon fodder in the "war against terrorism". Destroying it, dividing it up and totally eliminate it as a nation, will not only reduce that role significantly, but also send a clear message to all the rest of the a$$holes in the Muddled East that we WILL eventually get tired of their bs, and respond. I'll guarantee you that five minutes after the capitulation of Pakistan, the "Palestinians" will discover a new willingness to talk SERIOUSLY about peace. I'm not sure Syria would recover from the shock, and Iran will immediately begin honest discussions with anyone who will listen. Until then, however, the whole area will continue to be a sore spot for everyone.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
08/20/2009 19:19 Comments ||
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#19
Old Patriot gets it down to basics. Pakistan is the problem. We and others got the Pakistanis into the world show to counter India, then palzie walzie with the USSR. Remember Kissinger's Tilt in favor of Pakistan? Well, it came to bite us in the a$$. Afghanistan is the symptom but Pakistan, as it stands, is the disease. Give Rageboy money and nukes and you have a big migraine. Pakistan needs to go back to tribal fiefs and its nukes need to be taken away. The world will be a better place. Pakistan goes nutbag nuke and it becomes a Roentgen Soup Bowl.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
08/20/2009 21:20 Comments ||
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#20
I believe Gen. Dave McKiernam (before he was unceremoniously relieved) was....asking for additional boots on the ground as well.
[Al Arabiya Latest] Shiite rebels in Yemen are receiving financial support from abroad, a government spokesman said on Tuesday, strongly implying Iranian involvement in an armed rebellion that has flared up in recent weeks.
Yemen said earlier on Tuesday that it wanted to arrest 55 rebel leaders and that fierce fighting was under way in northern Saada province, a rebel stronghold -- a day after the government said it was close to ending the uprising.
"There are foreign parties that are giving financial and political support to elements of rebellion and destruction in Saada," the ministry of defense's online newspaper "September 26" quoted Hassan Ahmed al-Lawzi, information minister and government spokesman, as saying.
" There are foreign parties that are giving financial and political support to elements of rebellion and destruction in Saada "
Yemeni Information Minister Ahmed al-Lawzi
For proof of this, Lawzi said, one need only look at the coverage of media outlets such as al-Alam, Iran's state-run Arabic-language television station. Lawzi suggested religious sympathies were a factor in the rebels' foreign backing.
The Houthi rebels are adherents of the Zaydi branch of Shiite Islam -- a strongly tribal minority in mostly Sunni Muslim Yemen. Iran is predominantly Shiite Muslim.
"There are religious authorities that are trying to interfere in the affairs of our country. These authorities are giving financial and political support to acts of terrorism and destruction which are aimed at the heart of the security and stability of Yemen and especially Saada", Lawzi said.
Yemen's foreign minister had met an ambassador to "caution against the continuation of such interference and meddling in Yemen's domestic affairs", Lawzi said, according to the website, without naming the envoy's country.
Yemen has in the past accused unspecified Iranian entities of backing its Shiite rebels, but Tehran has denied any Iranian links to the conflict.
The resurgence of a conflict with the Houthi rebels that has erupted intermittently since 2004 compounds the troubles of a country already grappling with secessionist violence in the south and a growing threat from al-Qaeda militancy.
Yemeni forces have used air strikes, tanks and artillery in an offensive launched a week ago and described by officials as a determined attempt to crush the revolt, led by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.
The Houthi rebels oppose Yemen's close ties with the United States and say they are defending their villages against government oppression.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/20/2009 00:00 ||
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"The U.S. attorney general, Eric Holder, was in fact deputy attorney general to Janet Reno at the time of the pre-trial negotiations. He was adamant that assurances had been given to the U.S. government that any person convicted would serve his sentence in Scotland."
#7
...Anyone want to lay bets on when his miraculous recovery is announced?...
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
08/20/2009 13:14 Comments ||
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#8
seen on the BBC website: Let's see, the British government are willing to hand over a British man to the Americans with the chance of him serving 60 years in prison, for hacking. On the other hand, a man found guilty of mass murder is let out after a few years to home to die. The difference is one is Moslem and the other isn't and guess who is shown mercy by this craven government.
#10
Always follow the money:
http://tinyurl.com/nnls7d
Tony Blair has been accused of agreeing a 'blood money' deal involving the Lockerbie bomber with Colonel Gaddafi just hours before BP unveiled a £500million oil contract.
The then Prime Minister laid the foundations for the release of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi during a meeting with the Libyan leader in a desert tent two years ago.
The pair thrashed out a controversial prisoner transfer deal just before BP chairman Peter Sutherland announced the firm was investing $900million - about £545million - to search for oil in Libya. If the firm strikes rich, it could be worth £13billion.
#12
I spent awhile on bbc's letters discussion today....
I heard all sorts of whining about the Iranian Airbus shot down.... no mention of the US Captain murdered in cold blood recently -- Iran?
I heard all sorts of NorAid bullshit. Yes... maybe Kennedy and the IRA supporters should have been dumped into Whitehall..
BUT... I can't help thinking FUCK EUROPE and it's Worldview.
#14
Over at Rand Simburg's site, Transterrestrial Musings, he says it as well as I could: Warm Welcome
What does it say when someone who engineered the murder of hundreds of innocent civilians in an American airliner is given one in Libya?
What it says to me is that we, and the West (even if we and they dont recognize it) are in a de facto war with that nation. Of course, thats really been the case for over two-hundred years its just been a prolonged (and often faked) truce.
From the halls of Montezuma,
To the shores of Tripoli...
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has issued a harsh warning on the Caucasus region saying that "terrorists there must be liquidated without emotion." "The battle against terrorists must be pursued unceremoniously," Medvedev was quoted as saying at a meeting with members of his national security council in the southern Russian city of Stavropol. "They must be liquidated without emotion or hesitation, or else we will not succeed," he said.
Medvedev spoke two days after a truck packed with explosives rammed the gates of a police station in Ingushetia, a province neighboring Chechnya, and exploded in a suicide attack that killed 24, wounded 130 and left nine missing.
The Russian President said the situation in the north Caucasus, an area located in the south of the country, was still insecure. The Kremlin in April ended a 10-year "anti-terror" operation in Chechnya. Medvedev said the fight against terrorism in the volatile region would be expanded and would incorporate "different approaches", but did not elaborate on what measure would be taken.
He cited "foreign" elements as a factor fomenting instability in the region, but pointedly said the root cause of the problem was within Russia itself, referring specifically to corruption among law enforcement personnel.
Deadly attacks by militants on Russian law enforcement forces in the north Caucasus have become a daily occurrence, but Monday's bomb attack in Nazran, the main city in the province of Ingushetia, was unusually large.
Medvedev's warning came less than two months after the new president of Ingushetia, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, was seriously injured in a bomb attack on his motorcade.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/20/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
"terrorists zombies there must be liquidated without emotion."
North Korea believes it's owed bilateral talks with the United States after the communist government released two detained American journalists this month -- a notion that senior Obama administration officials quickly rejected on Wednesday. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
"They feel, the North Koreans, that by giving us the two American journalists, that they've made an important gesture," New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson told CNN Wednesday after meeting with two North Korean diplomats. "And now they're saying the ball's in our court." And it looks like we're just giving it back. With a pat on the back for a nice try.
But senior Obama administration officials said six-party talks are still the proper venue for such a dialogue, and stressed that Richardson was not negotiating on the president's behalf. Richardson himself said he would only relay the information to the White House. "I spoke with those guys from Wonderland. The Mad Hatter feels you owe him tea."
"Our policy toward North Korea remains today as it has been -- calling for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," one of the administration officials said Wednesday. "We believe the six-party talks are the best forum for that. The bottom line is, the ball is in North Korea's court."
The officials said North Korea can choose one of two paths: either continued provocation by testing missiles or a more peaceful road on which they live up to previous commitments. I'm betting on the former. No penalty for it. Just huffing and puffing.
The visit by the seemingly well-fed North Korean diplomats comes on the heels of former President Bill Clinton's trip to North Korea to gain the release of the two journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling. During the visit, Clinton met with reclusive leader Kim Jong Il, whose government is under ineffectual U.N. sanctions for its efforts to develop a nuclear weapons program.
"They do feel they are owed a gesture on the U.S. part," Richardson said, adding, "I don't believe that should be the case because this was a humanitarian gesture that needed to happen."
The North Korean diplomats felt Clinton's trip helped "thaw relations" and gave North Korea "international prestige," Richardson said. They also think Kimmie can give field guidance to Tiger Woods on his golf swing.
That's the advantage of having an expat brat in the White House. He understands other cultures so much better than the average Ami, and so won't cause to little misunderstandings like this.
The White House has said that Clinton was not carrying any message -- written or oral -- from Obama, describing Clinton's trip as a "solely private mission to secure the release of two Americans." That's their story, and it appears that they're sticking to it.
Richardson said the North Koreans are interested only in direct talks with U.S. officials, such as special envoy Stephen Bosworth, and have no plans to return to the six-party talks with China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States. Cool! Can we get on with thumping them now?
"They don't like the six-party talks, they felt that it's produced sanctions on them," Richardson said. "They want a new format -- and the format they want is direct talks with the United States." Ooh, Mr. Kotter! Can I talk to them? It'll just take a second!
Administration officials had said they hoped the release of the journalists would give North Korea a face-saving opportunity to return to talks aimed at ending its nuclear program. Err, you kidnapped them to begin with. Like a couple of girls are a national threat? Only to the Norks.
Kim Myong Gil and Taek Jong Ho, senior diplomats with the North Korean mission to the United Nations, left New York on Tuesday for two days of meetings with Richardson. Ha ha! Those are girl's names!
Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has traveled to North Korea several times, most recently in April 2007 to secure the return of the remains of American soldiers killed during the Korean War.
He said the North Korean officials approached him with the idea of meeting. "Take us to your leader!"
"I detected for the first time ... a lessening of tension, some positive vibrations," Richardson said, comparing Wednesday's meeting with the many others he's engaged in with the North Koreans. Uh oh, you just may have signed their death warrant Bill.
On Thursday, the two diplomats will talk with Richardson about renewable energy initiatives, and Tiger's golf swing
Richardson aide Gilbert Gallegos said. New Mexico is a leader in the United States in exploring renewable energy technologies. Bill, I think the Norks would be happy just to have a pedal-powered generator. They wouldn't know what to do with a windmill. Unless Kimmie instructed them on how to build and operate one, of course.
Shopkeepers working within sight of the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge spanning the Yalu River that separates the countries said traffic is down by as much as half since May.
Fan Bo said he sells about 10 generators a month to North Korea, all to Chinese companies doing business there. âThe North Koreans donât need generators,â he said. âThey donât use electricity.â
North Korea will send a delegation to the funeral of former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, who died Tuesday. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jie-won, a close aide of the former president's, said the message was sent to the Kim Dae Jung Peace Center.
In a separate message to Kim Dae-jung's family, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il wrote, "Upon hearing the sad news, I express my deep condolences to Lee Hee-ho (Kim Dae-jung's widow) and his bereaved family," according to North Korea's official KCNA news agency.
Park told reporters the North's Asia Pacific Peace Committee sent a message to former unification minister Lim Dong-won at the center. The delegation will consist of about five members, including a secretary and a department director of the Workers' Party, who will arrive with a wreath in the name of Kim Jong-il right before the funeral.
"The North said the delegation will come via the west coast route on a special plane. They will stay one day but will extend their stay for one more day if necessary," he added.
In the message to the family, Kim Jong-il said, "It is sad that former President Kim died, but his achievements on the path to realizing national reconciliation and unification will go down in history."
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/20/2009 00:00 ||
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Norks to Send Delegation to Kim Dae-jung's Funeral
Assign ten "Bodyguards" each and count their every breath, They're mortal enemies, treat them as such NOT "Honored Visitors".
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/20/2009 12:57 Comments ||
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[Kyodo: Korea] North Korean diplomats will meet with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Wednesday, the Washington Post reported Wednesday. The two diplomats, who are with the North Korean mission to the United Nations, will hold discussions with Richardson, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, on an informal basis, the newspaper said.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/20/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
The Norks need a distraction. Any distraction from their multiple problems. Bill needs a distraction that he spent like a drunken sailor rather than stuff the state's income into a rainy day fund during his tenure.
#4
Somewhat off topic but I read today that the ex-Sect'y of State of New Mexico is being indicted for some scam. Then I think back to then Gov Richardson pulling out of the presidential race for no known reason. Could be coincidence.... I suppose.
[The News (Pak) Top Stories] A Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) delegation in a meeting with US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke on Tuesday conveyed the party's concerns over the expansion in the US embassy in Islamabad and the drone attacks, besides raising the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui's detention. The delegation comprising JI Secretary General Liaquat Baloch and Naib Ameer Dr Muhammad Kamal met the US special envoy at the US Embassy. The JI delegation was invited by the US Embassy for the meeting, which continued for over 90 minutes. The US envoy and over a dozen other officials were also present on the occasion. The JI team also handed over a document to the US official containing their stance on US policies in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/20/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
That must have been a fun meeting.They hate us as much as we hate those religious bigots!
An anti-terrorism court has issued a proclamation against Swat Taliban leader Fazlullah, his spokesman Haji Muslim Khan and other Taliban on sedition charges, and ordered them to appear in court or a police station within seven days. Malakand ATC Judge Khalilullah Khan Khalil said in the proclamation that those charged would be declared proclaimed offenders if they failed to comply with orders.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/20/2009 00:00 ||
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[Geo News] Pakistan and India should continue dialogue process and enhance people-to-people contacts to further strengthen bilateral ties, said Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. He was talking to Indian High Commissioner Sharrat Sabharwal, who called on him at his residence in Murree on Wednesday. Nawaz Sharif said that peace process, started in 1999, should continue and instead of allegations and counter allegations, both countries should adopt positive attitude. Bilateral problems should be resolved through negotiations, he added. Nawaz Sharif said that if issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, are resolved, a new era of development would usher in the region, ensuring peace and prosperity for both countries. The PML-N chief also stressed the need for increasing trade relations between Pakistan and India. Indian High Commissioner conveyed good wishes of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and said that his efforts for peace and democracy were appreciated in India.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/20/2009 00:00 ||
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Iraqi lawmakers hurl criticism at Saudi Arabia for funding efforts to destabilize Iraq and inciting its Sunni Muslim community against Baghdad.
"There are regional powers that pay billions of dollars ... to push for the failure of Iraq's democracy," said senior lawmaker Haidar al-Ibadi of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Dawa party.
Ibadi blamed "a multi-billion dollar plan by Saudi Arabia and other states" for a hike in terrorist attacks across the country, aimed at shaking people's confidence in the Shia-led government ahead of the January polls.
A member of parliament's foreign relations panel, citing intelligence reports, accused Saudi Arabia of making efforts to incite insurgents and to wield political influence by financing Shia, Sunni and Kurdish politicians and tribal leaders.
"Saudi Arabia is not happy that Shias lead this country," said Sami al-Askari, adding that Egypt and Jordan were also meddling in Iraq's affairs.
Kurdish lawmaker Adel Berwari -- a member of parliament's security and defense committee -- confirmed the remarks made by the fellow deputies, saying he had received the same information.
Maliki on Saturday repeated his criticism of neighboring countries and said those spending money to weaken Iraq would fail.
The comments follow an earlier report published by Nahrainnet website, accusing Wahhabi Saudi Arabia of employing Ba'athists and al-Qaeda terrorist groups to carry out terror acts in Iraq to eliminate Shia faith in the country.
Unlike most Arab states, Saudi Arabia has so far refrained from opening an embassy in Iraq.
"There is no indication Saudi Arabia will open an embassy in Baghdad anytime soon. The Saudis think Maliki is too close to Iran," a diplomat in Saudi Arabia told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
According to Iraqi security officials, many foreign insurgents caught in Iraq are Saudi nationals.
A little understanding, please.After all, aren't something like 25% of Saudi births physical or mental defectives, in a society that still imagines themselves as romantic,dashing Bedouin?
Posted by: Fred ||
08/20/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
"Ibadi blamed "a multi-billion dollar plan by Saudi Arabia and other states" for a hike in terrorist attacks across the country, aimed at shaking people's confidence in the Shia-led government ahead of the January polls.
Now if only Mr Obadi were as concerned about Irans attempts at building influence.
Posted by: liberal hawk ||
08/20/2009 16:33 Comments ||
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[Al Arabiya Latest] Leaders of the European Union and the United Nations condemned a series of deadly bombings that killed almost 100 people and injured hundreds in Baghdad earlier on Wednesday, in the worst day of carnage to hit the Iraqi capital since American troops pulled out.
As U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said he was saddened by the "appalling" attacks, Iraqi officials raised the death toll from 75 to 95 and said at lleast 563 people were wounded.
The attacks included two massive truck bombings outside government ministries just minutes apart, including one near the heavily fortified Green Zone, a car bombing and a spate of mortar attacks.
The bloodshed struck on the six-year anniversary of a truck bombing on the U.N. compound in Baghdad in 2003, killing U.N. special envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello and 21 other people.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/20/2009 00:00 ||
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Footage of a speech by Minister of Strategic Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Moshe Yaalon (Likud) which was released Wednesday night caused a stir
Yaalon named the foreign-sponsored leftist group Peace Now as another such "elite," and termed it a "virus." Choice quotations
"any time politicians bring out the dove of peace, the army has to clean it's mess." (my translation)
"The media is biased... Unfortunately, there are those, one could call them elites, who influence the Israeli public discourse in a warped, dishonest, manipulative and misleading manner,"
"We're in a situation where there are centers of power with authority, but no responsibility. This is not democracy... "
"We took the Jews out of Gaza, but we did not disengage. I think we should disengage, the sooner the better. No electricity and water, no fruit, no vegetables, no cash."
The United States has harshly criticized new Israeli restrictions placed on foreign nationals entering the West Bank via the Allenby Bridge, calling the new regulations 'unacceptable'. A report on the restrictions appeared in Haaretz last week.
Earlier this week, a senior official at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv met with the head of the Foreign Ministry's consular division, Yigal Tzarfati, for clarifications on the new procedure, by which passports are stamped at the bridge with a directive limiting the bearer to areas of the Palestinian Authority only.
The U.S. message was that such a procedure is harmful to U.S. citizens who come to the Palestinian Authority. At the meeting in Jerusalem, U.S. diplomats asked Tzarfati what the reason was for the restrictions, and a statement issued yesterday by the State Department said that "the United States expects that all American citizens be treated equally, regardless of their national origin or other citizenship."
The statement added, "we have let the government of Israel know that these restrictions unfairly impact Palestinian and Arab-American travelers, and are not acceptable."
In addition to its critical public statement, on August 14 the U.S. State Department renewed its travel advisory to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, drawing the attention of American travelers to Israel and the West Bank to the new procedure at the Allenby Bridge.
For some three months, border control officials at the Allenby Bridge have been stamping visitors' passports with a visa and the additional words "Palestinian Authority only." Those who have received the stamp are mainly citizens of countries that have diplomatic relations with Israel, from Europe and the United States, and are mainly those who have family in the West Bank, work or study there.
If the issue is that American passports are handled differently based on the former nationality of the holder, then Bambi has a valid point. All Americans are the same and we expect to be treated the same.
Lots of Palestinian-Americans (and Muslim-Americans altogether, although I wouldn't dare venture a guess as to number) are active or emotional supporters of Fatah, Hamas or other terror groups, cf President Obama's dear friend, Professor Khalidi. Under the circumstances, should Israel assume they won't engage in nefarious activities on the Israeli side of the border just because they carry American passports now?
At the same time, Interior Ministry officials at the borders advise these people not to come to Israel through Ben-Gurion International Airport or the Sheikh Hussein Bridge crossing with Jordan near Beit She'an, rather only through the Allenby Bridge, frequently after they had been refused entry through the other entry points.
Meanwhile, other foreign nationals arriving at Ben-Gurion airport have reportedly been asked to sign a pledge that they will not enter Palestinian Authority territory without the approval of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.
Senior Foreign Ministry officials said that the Interior Ministry is behind the new procedures, and the Foreign Ministry does not support it and does not understand its logic. Foreign Ministry official said. "All it does is damage Israel's image in its foreign relations," a Foreign Ministry official said. Ha'aretz has learned that a number of European embassies are planning to approach the Foreign Ministry to protest and seek clarifications.
The Oslo Accords state that citizens of countries with diplomatic ties with Israel can enter the West Bank and the Gaza Strip with their Israeli visa and a valid passport.
Instructions the coordinator of government activities sent to diplomats in 2006, which were based on the decision, do not prevent entry to Israel, but determine that foreign nationals must request the approval of "the military commander" to enter the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Authority is not mentioned as one of the categories in these instructions.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/20/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
If the issue is that American passports are handled differently based on the former nationality of the holder
If you don't like it, maybe you should stop giving citizenship to terrorists. Or, at least, have the courtesy of confining your liberality to terrorist who only kill Americans.
#2
I'm all for racial profiling. The Israelis have to be right 100% of the time to prevent deaths, so they need to use every tool in the box. A screwup here, even if politically incorrect, costs lives and emboldens terrorists to do it again.
Sorry to the 99% who are unnecessarily hassled. If you don't like it, do something about it within your own community other than trash-talk the Israelis, otherwise STFU because you are part of the problem.
[Iran Press TV Latest] A senior US lawmaker has charged the IAEA with hiding "evidence" of Iran's alleged "quest for atomic weapons" and called for the information to be made public.
"Instead of preventing nuclear proliferation, it appears that an increasingly politicized IAEA may be concealing evidence of just that by the Iranian regime," claimed Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
"The IAEA must immediately release all evidence of Iran's nuclear activities," AFP quoted her as saying in a statement.
The Florida lawmaker's remarks come as Israel's Haaretz newspaper accused the UN nuclear watchdog of holding back evidence of "Iran's drive to obtain nuclear weapons."
The daily cited unnamed Israeli officials as alleging that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is refraining from publishing the data it has obtained about Iran's nuclear program during the recent months.
The IAEA has repeatedly declared that no single evidence has been found to indicate that Iran's nuclear program is aimed at developing nuclear arms.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/20/2009 00:00 ||
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[Iran Press TV Latest] Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says world powers, particularly Washington, have lost their one-time influence in the Middle East.
In a Wednesday meeting with visiting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Ayatollah Khamenei said the US-led drive to eradicate resistance movements in the region have come to naught.
"The American blade has lost its sharpness," said the Leader, citing the presence of resistant countries such as Iran and Syria as the reason why.
The Leader said Syria has managed to distinguish itself from the rest of the Arab world by taking a stand against Western despotism. "Syria has become a symbol of resistance."
Ayatollah Khamenei welcomed Syria's proposal to form a united alliance among Iran and its western neighbors, Iraq and Turkey. "Such an alliance would undoubtedly serve the best interests of the region."
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in Tehran for a two-day visit to discuss the latest regional developments following the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on June 12.
Al-Assad said Ahmadinejad's reelection would significantly help the regional resistance front in its cause. "The failure of Western interference in the election aftermath should be an important lesson for them," he said.
He had earlier met with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.
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08/20/2009 00:00 ||
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With the end of a deadline set for the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to submit the new Cabinet line-up to Parliament, speculations about the nominees remain.
On Wednesday, Fars News Agency provided a new list of Ahmadinejad's proposed ministers who will be introduced to Majlis for a vote of confidence. The proposed ministers are:
Kamran Daneshjou -- nominated to head the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology -- holds a PhD degree in Aerospace Mechanics. He has served as political deputy interior minister, head of the elections headquarters and Tehran governor general.
Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar -- nominated to head the Ministry of Interior. Mohammad-Najjar holds a BA in Mechanical Engineering and an MA in Executive Management. He was the defense minister in Ahmadinejad's first four-year term and has carried out many executive management-related activities in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
Manouchehr Mottaki is to remain in his post as the foreign minister. Mottaki got his BA in Social Sciences from Bangalore University in India and his MA in International Relations from Tehran University. He is a former lawmaker and was Iran's ambassador to Ankara and Tokyo.
Mohammad Hosseini - nominated to lead the Ministry of Culture and the Islamic Guidance. Hosseini completed his PhD study in Religious Jurisprudence at Tehran University. He has served as deputy minister of science, head of Payam-e Nour University, a member of the Parliament and deputy head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
Incumbent Mohammad Soleymani or Reza Taqipour will be the minister of Communications and Information Technology.
Taqipour has been working as deputy communications minister, head of the Iranian Aerospace Organization and managing director of Iran's Telecommunications Industries.
Abdol-Reza Sheikholeslami will be introduced to Majlis as the minister of labor and social affairs. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in civil engineering. Sheikholeslami has served as governor general of Hormozgan, head of the presidential office and assistance to Ahmadinejad.
Sousan Keshavarz is to head the Education Ministry. Keshavarz, who holds a PhD degree in philosophy, was deputy education minister.
Massoud Mir-Kazemi is Ahmadinejad's proposed oil minister. He got his PhD in Industries Engineering from Tarbiat Modares University. He was deputy commerce minister and head of Shahed University.
Mohammad Aliabadi has been nominated to be the minister of energy. Aliabadi, who holds a B.S. degree in civil engineering, has served as Tehran's deputy mayor and vice-president and head of the Physical Education Organization.
Sadeq Khalilian is proposed to head the Commerce Ministry. He got his PhD in Economics from Tarbiat Modares University. Khalilian was deputy agricultural jihad minister and a university professor.
Ali Nikzad is the nominee to head the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. He holds a Master of Science degree in civil engineering and has served as deputy interior minister, head of the Organization of Municipalities and Rural Administrations (OMRA) and governor general of Ardebil.
Hamid Behbahani is expected to remain in his post as the minister of Roads and Transportation. Behbahani got his Professional PhD in civil engineering.
Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Montazeri is to be introduced as the justice minister.
Ahmad Vahidi is the nominee for the Ministry of Defense. He has served as deputy defense minister and was also the head of the political, defense and security commission of the Expediency Council.
The Iranian president will propose Habibollah Bourbour to lead the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad. Bourbour has previously held the position of deputy interior minister.
On Sunday, Ahmadinejad disclosed the names of six members of the new line-up in a televised address.
He nominated Ali-Akbar Mehrabian as the Minister of Industries and Mines, Seyyed Shamseddin Hosseini as the Minister of Economy, Hojjatoleslam Heidar Moslehi as the Intelligence Minister and Mohammad Abbasi as the Minister of Cooperatives.
He also named Fatemeh Ajorlou as the Minister of Welfare and Social Security and Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi as the Iranian Health Minister.
Posted by: Fred ||
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Tehran governor says the Iranian government will compensate those who have suffered damages during the country's post-election unrest. "Following the Leader of the Islamic Revolution's order to compensate those families who have fallen victim to the post-election incidents, the government is ready to pay indemnities to individuals who have suffered damages," Fars news agency quoted Hossein Tala as saying on Tuesday.
He noted that only those who have not committed "provocative" acts would be offered compensation.
Tala stated that victims within the Tehran Province should provide the Tehran Governor Office with evidences to prove that they have been damaged during the post-election unrest. He noted that the office would then investigate the credibility of the applicants' claims, before giving them the indemnities.
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
"They do feel they are owed a gesture on the U.S. part," Richardson said, adding, "I don't believe that should be the case because this was a humanitarian gesture that needed to happen."
Tehran governor says the Iranian government will compensate those who have suffered damages during the country's post-election unrest. "Following the Leader of the Islamic Revolution's order to compensate those families who have fallen victim to the post-election incidents, the government is ready to pay indemnities to individuals who have suffered damages," Fars news agency quoted Hossein Tala as saying on Tuesday. 
