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POPSThe Long Road to Indecision (we need a "Decider") selecting Gen. Stanley McChrystal to implement it, the administration began to get very cold feet about the war it had described as a strategic necessity. Consider this quick timeline: March 27 . Accompanied by Gen. David Petraeus, author of the Iraq “surge” and head of U.S. Central Command, President Obama announces the conclusion of the “Af-Pak” review: a “comprehensive strategy” to “disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda” and “combat insurgents”"i.e., the Taliban. May 11 . McKiernan is fired and replaced by Gen. Stanley McChrystal. “We have a new strategy, a new mission and a new ambassador. Late June . Traveling in Afghanistan with Bob Woodward"who has by now simply opened an office in the West Wing"National Security Adviser (and ex-Marine general) Jim Jones tells on-the-ground commanders “that the Obama administration wants to hold troop levels here flat for now, . . .
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POPSNow Pakistan - Sequential Destruction of Muslim Nations Many Western policymakers rarely see Muslim nations, including allies, with any inherent respect. Vice President Dick Cheney described the Muslim world as "brute and nasty." Obama advisers, though more guarded in their word choices, see Muslim nations no differently. The idea that Islam is inherently violent, openly expressed during the Bush administration, continues to animate foreign policy. The White House holds a new President but Congressional leadership and Washington policymakers are more or less the same. Anti-Islamic policies of warfare and destabilization are intact.
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POPSOIL: The Real Purpose for the Afghanistan War and Af-Pak Policy It's not about "terrorism" but an oil pipeline from the Caspian region to Pakistan, thru Afghanistan. The proof is that the invasion was planned before Sept. 11th! This fact should be sufficient to establish Motive, should it not? Now you know why the Taliban and bin Laden got fingered for 9/11, instead of Saudi hijackers, etc. "It's not going to be built until there is a single Afghan government. That's the simple answer." Bush began war in the region in Oct. 2001. May 2002 the BBC reported the immediate result The leaders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkmenistan have agreed to construct a $2bn pipeline to bring gas from Central Asia to the sub-continent . Now look at this map of Military and Oil .
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POPSPresident Obama! Yo! This guy has some good ideas! I have seen loads of advice, all of which seems to be forwarding an agenda that will bring fame to the adviser, benefit a particular group or party but little that will help the people in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the US, and especially US troops in harms way.
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POPSThe Cost of War in Afghanistan -- 779 Troops, $229 Billion Obama's war now. The economic cost of this war that has been paid by Americans as well here , along with the devaluation of the U.S. dollar and higher gas prices (inflation in all consumer goods). See also this article with this obscure fact: ECONOMIC SCENE: Afghanistan will cost US more than Iraq Funding for war in Afghanistan will eclipse Iraq for the first time in next year's budget.
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POPSAnalysis: Why Everyone Is Saying No To Obama The only thing Obama did manage to get Bibi and Abbas to say yes to is a photo-op at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in NY. Mazel tov. So why is everyone saying no to Obama? It's the economy, stupid. Everyone has worked it out by now: The great secret is out. America's economy has made Obama a weak president, and he will likely remain weak throughout his first term. He has about two years to pull the American economy out of its free-fall before he begins his reelection campaign. If he can do it, and that's a big if, chances are good that he'll get reelected, and in his second term he can try to pull some geopolitical strings. But for the next three years, expect to see a world that says no to Obama. No meaningful and dramatic diplomatic initiative can come out of the White House in the next three years, as long as Obama remains weak. And that's a real pity, because there are some serious and imminent issues that need to be addressed.
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POPSGovernors Oppose Federal Martial Law Powers, Invoke States' Rights This could apply to any potential Swine Flu emergency declarations or any other federal responses during acts of terrorism, disasters, or crises whereby the Pentagon has pleaded a domestic role for power. See Clipmark U.S. Military Plans for H1N1 Flu Outbreak Good for the governors and states' rights! As a side, people should note that because Governor's have authority over each states "National Guard" that they could invoke their authority to NOT DEPLOY these troops (never intended for foreign wars) to unjust wars, or war undeclared by Congress (the only lawful wars) for foreign operations, i.e. Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc. They have full legal power to resist if only they have political courage to stand upon principle against mistaken notions of zeal or "patriotism" invoked to push such wars. More on that here.
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POPSWalk for Peace in Pakistan/Afghanistan Few can actually walk for peace in these border lands, if for no other reason than you may get zapped by an American Predator drone. If you can join in spirit or virtually, come along!
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POPSThe Obama opiate: Crisis deepens, crowds cheer
"The destabilization of Iran, a product of massive US covert operations (and overt political manipulation) continues unabated, built upon the pretext of “restoring democracy”—a “stolen election” hoax, and an aggressive “color revolution” spearheaded by Anglo-American surrogates, aspiring puppets, and hordes of intelligence assets and so-called “liberals” touting “democracy”. The Iranian corridor remains critical, for the control of Central Asian and Middle East energy, and the Anglo-American empire is intent upon controlling it. A blatant coup in Honduras has been carried out in the classic fashion, according to the same intelligence playbook that has been at the core of US-Latin America policy since the Iran-Contra era; the same destabilization tactics used in recent years to topple the governments of Venezuela and Haiti. Domestically, Obama has endorsed the continued surveillance of the American people, and an even more ironclad electronic police state. While the average Ameri
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POPSCome See the Afghanistan-Pakistan Web This analysis illustrates how the whole Afghanistan/Pakistan situation is a lot more complex than played here in the USA. It suits Pakistan, that Afghanistan is not at peace, or so it seems. It is hard to tell who to believe about who is in control in Pakistan or in what parts of Pakistan. But it is instructive to remember that being in control of a capital city does not mean the "central" government has all that much control. Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan are not at all like USA, Canada, England, etc.
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POPSAfghanistan: US Soldiers Repel Complex Taliban Assault on Combat Outpost, Kill 22 Taliban Fighters....
The US Army counterattacked with "with counter fire, close air support and attack helicopters," according to a press release. Ten Haqqani Network fighters were killed and one was detained, the US military said. The Afghan Interior Ministry put the number of terrorists killed at 22, while some reports put the number killed at more than 30. The large number of enemy fighters killed during the counterattack indicates that an assault team was prepared to enter the combat outpost if the suicide bomber created a breach in the wall. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan, took credit for the attack. Mujahid claimed that more than 8,000 kg of explosives were used in the attack. In the past, the Taliban, al Qaeda, and allied terror groups have conducted numerous attacks of this nature in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Yemen. The rocket attack is designed to cause the defending troops to take cover.
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POPSMore Czars Than There are in the Russian Section of Hell The Obama Administration is not the first administration to appoint someone with broad powers to oversee a function. You know. A “czar.” So, why stop at 25-30 czars? Why not appoint a bunch more: * Gaffe Czar: Joe Biden. Sure, he’s vice-president, but he’s already doing the job of Gaffe Czar; why not make it official? * News Czar: Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf. You knew him as “Baghdad Bob.” He’d fit right in with this Administration. And it would give Robert Gibbs a break from having to make up explanations for things all by himself. * Anti-semitism Czar: Jeremiah Wright. He’s already promoting anti-semitism as much as anyone is this country. This would give him a larger platform. * Fashion Czar: Michelle Obama. Remember Jackie Kennedy? Michelle Obama is equally qualified. Except for having poor taste in clothes. And men. Previously, we’ve had Drug Czars, Energy Czars, and so on. But, Barack Obama has gone Czar crazy.
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POPSTerrorist attack on Golden Gate green-screened? "until we are certain, I advise all Americans to stay alert. If digital imagery was not behind 5/16, there is still a 2,000-foot moth out there capable of creating a mushroom cloud that looks exactly like the one at Hiroshima."
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POPSRethink Afghanistan Take that, Preznint Obomba, You foolish tool of the MIC. Did you ever actually study the history of this fucked up war? Remember who started it? and don't tell me that 911 horseshit. Afghani's didn't cause 911.
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POPSObama's Af-Pak Policy, Expanding the War on Terrorism Historically democrats have always waged the world wars (i.e. Wilson, FDR) under the pretense to "make the world safe for democracy". With all the rationale and logic of hunting mosquito's with howitzers the fraudulent "war on terrorism" is being expanded , increased, both in arms and foreign aid for Pakistan (more billions). The mistake of Democrats was in limiting their criticism of unjust war only to Iraq, while Af-Pak wars also have false justifications. (Neither the Taliban nor bin Laden were involved in 9/11, and said so on BBC and Karachi Pakistan newspapers). Yet hardly a cry from the liberals and democrats? How party-loyalty makes one blind.
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POPSA War Fought in Ignorance There are reports that the Taliban provided American emissaries with opportunities to take bin Laden, which the U.S. failed to do because it was culturally blind to the signals being given. No one is forcing the Afghans and the Pakistanis to adopt the Taliban’s deplorable practices; the people of those two nations are making the choice to do so. America feels it has to destroy “Islamo-fascism,” and the Taliban was the only radical Islamic fundamentalist group that Washington knew about. U.S. leadership was seriously unaware of the difficulties of invading other countries to stamp out objectionable forms of native religion. Why does the U.S. insist on forcing its views on other cultures? We have no business interfering in foreign nations religion, politics, or civil traditions. Hasn't it been proven enough that peace is better than war?
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POPSAxis of Upheaval If only we'd taken care of business at home:a financial chain reaction, beginning in the U.S. subprime mortgage market, spreading through the banking system, reaching into the “shadow” system of credit based on securitization, and now triggering collapses in asset prices and economic activity around the world.
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POPSObama's Afghan/Paki Surge, Civilians Will Suffer Most But the politically-correct premise of the entire war there is left unchallenged by the Democrats, and of course Republicans, except for a few lone voices. The heaviest consequences will fall on the civilian population , who will be increasingly opposed in turn against the US-led foreign invading forces increasing resistance who are the real "insurgents" involved in a domestic dispute that is of a very long history. Apparently the 1 million deaths of Iraqi civilians is not enough blood for the bipartisan war-mongers who have bought the neoconservative line of wars for "regime change" , nor the hidden death count of Afghans and Pakis thus far (with women and children). Do Americans really believe that the Taliban is a real or imminent threat to the U.S.? (And no, they publicly admitted on BBC, as well as Bin Laden in Karachi newspaper, that they had no knowledge or involvement in Sept. 11th).
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POPSPakistan: Black Market For US Military Equipment, Information Thrives The laptop, which has clear U.S. military markings and serial numbers, contained restricted U.S. military information, as well as software for military platforms, the identities of numerous military personnel and information about weaknesses and flaws in American military vehicles being employed in the war in Afghanistan.
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POPSU.S. wants Afghanistan to be "world's responsibilty."
I'm not sure if the world or most of us woke up realizing we've been assigned a new responsibility. Obama's come into office with more mess than Vietnam and with apparently the same political dictum: "We can't be defeated." This is a good idea if talking about defending your country but no such a great idea when it forces you to defend foreign aggression started with deliberately fabricated lies (the the UK and USA) in a no-win situation. It's also becoming clear that now another nation, Pakistan, is being identified as a problem. More info on other thread about this. I think I finally sense a 'master plan." Obama can't allow the "Fall of Kabul," so he's going to let the Russians back in (as they are asking). The U.S. doesn't like Muslims with nukes so this means take-over or "regime changes,' in Pakistan and to make this most 'hard and real,' Obama will let India in (as part of ongoing working together), eventually occupying Southern Pakistan. Iran surrounded. Ira
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POPSOne Surge Does Not Fit All producing the forces necessary to help hold difficult neighborhoods against the enemy. By 2007, the surge, for most Iraqis, could have an Iraqi face. And the political scene in Iraq had shifted. Moktada al-Sadr, the firebrand cleric, declared a cease-fire in February 2007. The best indication that timing is everything may be that there had been earlier surges without the same effect as the 2007 surge. In 2005, troop levels in Iraq were increased to numbers nearly equal to the 2007 surge — twice. But the effects were not as durable because large segments of the Sunni population were still providing sanctuary to insurgents, and Iraq’s security forces were not sufficiently capable or large enough. During my last weeks in office, I recommended to President Bush that he consider Gen. David Petraeus as commander of coalition forces in Iraq, as General Casey’s tour was coming to an end.
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