Middle East

Kicking The Iraqis When They’re Down

"Yes, the Hamiltonians are moving in, and they're bearing the gifts of 'Modern Banking'. Those gifts include: Inflation, Credit Expansion, Business Cycles (Booms/Busts), bailouts, and broken financial lives. Iraqis can probably expect to see ads for some sweet and exotic loan packages in their future. And if they're lucky, perhaps some American mathematical 'economists' will fly over to teach them about the advantages of a 4% inflation rate over a 2% rate. If Iraqis are really lucky, they'll learn the time-tested secrets that 'deficits don't matter' and 'debts never have to be repaid'. Yes, the corrupt days in Iraq are about to wind down for sure." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingKicking The Iraqis When They’re Down

What Does History Say About U.S. Success in Arming Rebel Movements?

"So what does history say about how successful the U.S. has been in arming rebel opposition movements? On that, we get two views, Michael Pillsbury was assistant undersecretary of defense for policy planning during the Reagan administration. He was responsible for coordinating covert aid to the Afghanistan mujahideen in their fight against the Soviets. He's now a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and still advises the Defense Department. And Robert Dreyfuss is a journalist and contributing editor at 'The Nation' and author of the book 'Devil's Game: How the United States Helped Unleash Fundamentalist Islam.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhat Does History Say About U.S. Success in Arming Rebel Movements?

Boots on the ground in Egypt: trading one dictator for another [2011]

"Sure, Hosni Mubarak is now standing trial after 3-decades of looting and pillaging his country’s wealth. For most Egyptians, this is viewed as a major victory; there is a feeling of intense optimism here on the streets of Cairo, and even though nothing is fundamentally different, expectations are high. Mubarak was a symbol of tyranny, and a great deal of blood was shed to topple his regime. Unfortunately, Egyptians have essentially replaced one form of dictatorship with another. There is now one person in charge of Egypt– military Supreme Commander Mohamed Hussein Tantawi." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBoots on the ground in Egypt: trading one dictator for another [2011]

Clashes erupt as Islamists push back in Egypt

"Enraged Islamists pushed back Friday against the toppling of President Mohammed Morsi, as tens of thousands of his supporters took to the streets vowing to win his reinstatement and clashed with their opponents in violence that killed 30 and drove the divided nation toward an increasingly dangerous showdown. The clashes accelerated after the supreme leader of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood defiantly proclaimed that his followers would not give up street action until the return of the country's first freely elected president, swept out of power days earlier by the military. Morsi opponents called out the public to defend against the Brotherhood." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingClashes erupt as Islamists push back in Egypt

Egypt army opens fire on pro-Morsi protesters

"At least three supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi were killed by gunfire as a crowd of several hundred tried to march towards the military barracks in Cairo where he is believed to be held. Al Jazeera's Matthew Cassel, reporting from near the military barracks, said several dozen people were also injured by shotgun pellets fired by the army. Security forces were cordoning the Republican Guard barracks but it was not immediately clear who had opened fire. Also on Friday, Adly Mansour, the newly appointed interim head of state, dissolved parliament by decree, state television said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEgypt army opens fire on pro-Morsi protesters

Canadian military still investigating Afghan sex assaults

"After five years, the Canadian military is still investigating claims that Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan were told by their superiors to ignore incidents where Afghan soldiers and interpreters sexually assaulted young boys. The probe continues, with no specified end date, long after most Canadian soldiers have left Afghanistan and nearly five years after a board of inquiry was convened on Nov. 21, 2008, by Lt. Gen. Andrew Leslie. During the summer of 2008, the Star reported that some Canadian soldiers who had returned from Afghanistan had sought counseling to cope with feelings of guilt because they had not stopped incidents of child abuse." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCanadian military still investigating Afghan sex assaults

Michael Scheuer: For Egypt’s Islamists war is a legitimate option

"What should concern Americans most about the near certainty of war in Egypt, and thus the broadening of the mujahedin’s overall war against the West, is whether Obama’s administration — in league with pro-Israel Republican and Democratic senators, Britain, and Israel — used its intelligence services to help the leaders of Egypt’s anti-democratic opposition to organize, fund, and train the democracy-killing forces that filled Cairo’s streets with demonstrations and prompted the Egyptian army to use that most democratic of all tools — a military coup." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMichael Scheuer: For Egypt’s Islamists war is a legitimate option

US Egypt Policies Don’t Pass the Laugh Test

"Let’s review US policy toward Egypt to see the foolish hypocrisy of the government’s interventionism: First the US props up the unelected Hosni Mubarak for decades, spending tens of billions of dollars to keep him in power. Then the US provides assistance to those who in 2011 successfully overthrew Mubarak. Then the US demands an election. The Egyptians held an election that was deemed free and fair and shortly afterward the US-funded military overthrows the elected president. Then the US government warns the military that it needs to restore democracy – the very democracy that was destroyed by military coup! All this they do with a straight face.." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS Egypt Policies Don’t Pass the Laugh Test

Catholic Priest Allegedly Beheaded in Syria by Al-Qaeda-Linked Rebels Who Take Pictures and Cheer

"The Catholic news service quotes local sources who report that the radical Al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra, or Al-Nusra Front, was behind the savage killing. Dozens of men and boys are seen cheering on as three men are seated on the ground awaiting their grisly fate. The men are methodically beheaded one at a time by men holding what appears to be a simple kitchen knife after which the heads are placed on top of the bodies. A frenzy ensues, with dozens drawing out their smartphones to capture the bloody scene. Catholic Online is raising alarm that western nations are providing support to the rebels who have shown a proclivity toward persecuting Christians." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCatholic Priest Allegedly Beheaded in Syria by Al-Qaeda-Linked Rebels Who Take Pictures and Cheer

Obama and Israel Stoke a Sectarian Shia-Sunni War

"Obama is acting as an appendage of Israel. He does this by increasing arms shipments to rebels in Syria who are Sunnis. Islamist fighters are flooding into Syria, we read. Obama thereby rewards and encourages extreme religious sentiments, leading to religious conflicts. Moderate Muslims find that their nations are increasingly subject to the drives of the armed extremist contingents who become battle-hardened. Obama and Israel are lighting a keg of dynamite. It will explode in their faces. If enough extremist Muslims become armed and ready to fight, they will eventually turn on Israel." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama and Israel Stoke a Sectarian Shia-Sunni War