30 November 2015
The Chechen Factor in Syria and Ukraine
The whole of the
Chechen conflict and its context have been largely underreported in the Western
media and for good reason. The US has taken an aggressive posture toward Russia
since the end of the Cold War and this has only increased under the tenure of
Putin.
28 November 2015
The Syrian Powder Keg
Here are three links of interest and a few comments related to the Russo-Turkish
incident on the border of Syria and Hatay Province.
Labels:
Diplomacy,
Middle East,
Militarism,
NATO,
Russia,
Syria,
Turkey
26 November 2015
Syria and the Strategy of Tension
For some time it has been suggested that the United States is
involved in some kind of semi- or informal relationship with al Nusra in Syria.
This seems to many to be an assertion that is prima facie absurd. How could the
United States even consider allying with a branch of al Qaeda? Doesn't that fly
in the face of everything the War on Terror is all about? You might think so,
but you would be mistaken.
25 November 2015
American Thanksgiving: Civic Deism at Best
http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=010a95d4b48dd7b0a7d1b401f&id=01ebe1e14b&e=60d11585a1
This showed up in my inbox. We use this organization for our
standardized tests that we have to turn in every few years. I appreciate that
service but little else about them. They proffer Theonomic heresies and I
receive not a few of these disappointing emails. I've written them back but to
no avail. Every year or so, when we buy a new test for one of our children,
we're back on their miserable list. I do find some satisfaction in the fact
that I 'share' their emails, but not in the way they would wish.
24 November 2015
Belmokhtar, Hekmatyar and Blowback in Bamako
If
reports are to be believed, Belmokhtar's Al-Mourabitoun movement, a branch of
al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is responsible for the 20 November 2015
attack on the Radisson Hotel in Bamako, Mali. This claim has been countered by
al Qaeda's rival, ISIS who also wishes to claim credit for the attack.
There's
an irony here. Belmokhtar as a young man fought in Afghanistan under the
command of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, one of the Mujahideen warlords heavily backed
by the United States. Hekmatyar is a character straight out of a novel, a man
of blood and intrigue, a keeper of secrets and dark alliances.
21 November 2015
Establishment Media's Hostility to the Left
While listening to a BBC podcast on 'The Obama Doctrine' I
was surprised to hear Jeremy Scahill was sitting on the discussion panel.
Scahill who is best known for his affiliation with 'The Intercept', his book on
Blackwater and the movie 'Dirty Wars' represents the kind of figure the
mainstream media usually avoids. His views are considered too extreme.
19 November 2015
Establishment Media and the Hastert Scandal
You would think that if the Mainstream Media was really
committed to the Leftist agenda then they would be going after the Dennis
Hastert story. It has the potential to be one of the biggest scandals in US
political history.
15 November 2015
Erdogan and the AKP's 1 November Victory- For the Present
Erdogan cut a deal with the United States. The Kurds entering
the political spectrum had all but sabotaged his political ambitions and
constitutional aspirations. He allowed the US to formally utilize the bases in
the south (Incirlik and Diyarbakir) to strike ISIS while at the same time at
the behest of Erdogan, the US betrayed the Kurdish factions in Syria which it
has been backing contra ISIS. In truth most US allies are not allies at all,
but throw away tools, a type of fodder to feed the war machine. Thus Erdogan
was given the go-ahead and promptly began to bomb Kurdish positions seeking to
break their growing power along the Syrian border. This harmed the fight
against ISIS in one sense but for the Americans it allowed them closer striking
points for their aircraft.
Labels:
Middle East,
NATO,
Proxy Wars,
Russia,
Syria,
Terrorism,
Turkey
Freedom, Security and the Budget: A Few Reflections on the Democratic Debate
There's much that could be said about Saturday night's Democratic
Presidential debate, but I don't have time to pursue it.
Nevertheless I was struck by two things Sanders said. At one
point he was talking about reforming the VA and meeting veterans. He mentioned
they defended his freedom. Earlier he said the Iraq War was a total disaster, a
mistake and that the rise of ISIS is directly related to it.
14 November 2015
European Paradigm Shift: The Friday the 13th Attacks
The 13 November Paris attacks will prove a political boon for
the European Right. If there are proven connections to Syrian refugees this
will quickly escalate the immigration crisis. Further border controls, nationalism
and a waxing police state will be the result and this will aggravate already
existing economic stresses and tensions.
13 November 2015
Energy Independence: Realpolitik, Neo-Conservatism and Nativism
While perusing a financial magazine in a waiting room I
stumbled upon an article about billionaire T Boone Pickens, a name that's been
floating around for some time. I've heard him interviewed on NPR from time to
time and was already pretty familiar with his controversial energy plan. In
fact not long ago while reading Steve Coll's book on Exxon, I recalled Pickens
argument for energy independence. It was pertinent and represented a mindset in
Conservative circles less than appreciated by representatives of Big Oil.
11 November 2015
Dissensions Within the Conservative Mafia and the Mainstreaming of the Fringe
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/06/us/politics/george-bush-swings-at-sons-aides-rattling-clan.html?_r=0
Despite the media hype this information is not new. This has
been known for many years and others have written about it. The rift is real
and yet from an outsider's perspective it's somewhat superficial.
09 November 2015
Dead vs. Living Stones
While I'm not endorsing this website, this article recently
brought to my attention is a good read.
Just a couple of weeks ago I was teaching on 1 Peter 2 and
thinking about the Temple Mount and the Wailing Wall. It struck me in light of
the passage that these people are putting their faith in dead stones. The image
is striking to me. Our Temple is made of living stone and it must be contrasted
with these dead ones. Judaism's devotion to a temple of dead stone is the basis
of their rejection of the Messiah. The doctrine of the Living Temple, the very
person of Jesus Christ becomes a stumblingblock and occasion for offense.
08 November 2015
Multinationals, Corruption and the Tool that is the FCPA
The previous discussion regarding Multinational mining
companies and their relationships with the Indonesian government compelled me
to mention the ambiguous nature of the SEC and the Justice Department's mandate
with regard to multinationals and diplomacy.
06 November 2015
America's Byzantine Tactics at Work in Indonesia
Nairn does a fine job simply explaining how the US relates to
many of its allies. It establishes diplomatic relations, and backs a government
that in some cases is not fully in line with Washington's policy. There's an
element of ambiguity inherent in the bilateral relationship.
05 November 2015
The Asian Cold War: A Mysterious Shooting in the Philippines
We will probably never know the full story. I am reminded of
the Ray Davis incident in Pakistan. A fuller version of the story later came
out, but at the time of the incident, it was just a mysterious blurb in the
press.
Labels:
Asia,
China,
Geopolitics,
Philippines
03 November 2015
Pentagon Ministries and North Korea
This report is really not all that surprising. For many years
there have been hints of and in some cases confirmed reports of Christian
ministries and various NGO's collaborating with American intelligence agencies.
This has happened in many countries and contexts. Occasionally foreign
governments will act with hostility toward these groups. While we must lament
all such actions our media both mainstream and Christian often fail to report
the full story and provide context.
02 November 2015
The Guns of November?
http://ericmargolis.com/2015/10/the-us-and-china-are-playing-with-matches/
Another helpful Margolis commentary. I think a lot more could
be said with regard to the legality of US actions in the region but regardless
he draws out the necessary point. While China is hardly some kind of moral
exemplar, the American presence in the region, their provocations as well as
their alliances play no small part in driving China toward its own questionable
moves.
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