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OV Week-End II (6/20/2010): The Middle East Over the Past 24 Hrs

: Never a Dull Moment!!!
The Past 24 hours has been quite exciting throughout the MIddle East. In Iran, the terrorist Rigi was executed. He was leading a Sunni Splinter group in Southern Iran who had used Pakistan's Baluchestan Region to launch raids into Iran and provide safe passage for drug runners who have used the nearly lawless Southern Iran for drugs coming through Afghanistan. There are some who may say that he was one of the brave ones who took on the regime in Iran because his group was behind the assassination of a number of Senior Revolutionary Guard Commanders . What his biggest crime was to perpetuate the regime because he played into the hands of the regime.
This is exactly the kind of fight that the current regime is vying for to rally the country. They have done it repeatedly throughout the last thirty years.
Iran and the World are continuing their cat and mouse game, too:


Moving on to Israel, it has been quite busy again. Although I welcome the annoucement of the easing of the Gaza blockade, the sea blockade will continue to remain in effect. I am certain that the Israeli Prime Minister wants a prize for doing what the World has been asking for the longest time. I am yet to figure out how it is that chocolate, shaving cream and textbooks are a security risk. But, I guess the folks running Israeli Government Policy are a lot smarter and see things the rest of us don't see. Not withstanding this "development", the fact still remains that Gaza will continue to remain the World's biggest prison. At least Egypt had the courage to open up the Rafah crossing indefinitely. As for the West Bank, supposedly there is freedom of movement. But this was debunked when Norm Chomsky was denied entry to Bethlehem to speak at Bir Zeit University. The Israeli Prime Minister talks a good talk about "two people/two states". Yet, the actions of the Israeli Government betrays this very vision.

Moving on to Iraq and Afghanistan, the wars rage on. They have termporarilyl dropped off the radar screen simply because the Gulf Tragedy continues to dominate--and rightly so. There was just some scant attention made to the Foreign Policy challenges the United States faces. But the challenges are real. The fight is real as this clip indicates and I reported on it earlier when commenting on the "Trillion Dollar Bet":

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy


The Political Leaders continue to remind us that it will get worst before it gets better. The question is what is defined as better? What is victory? I have read the Obama National Security Strategy and view it as fundementally flawed because it continues to perpetuate a vision originally pushed by George W. Bush. The question is what will happen now.
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OV Iran Watch (5/17/2010): G15 & Other Comments

: Never a Dull Moment
The last number of weeks have been quite startling, to say the least. As I write this, Iran is in the midst of a National Holiday to commemorate the death of the Prophet Mohammad's Daughter, Fatima. Last night saw Ayatollah Khameini preside over a remembrance in Tehran. Iran's National News Network is now broadcasting reflections on the Prophet's Daughter and the lessons that can be learnt from her life.

Events in Iran continue to be as quite dynamic as ever on the political front. As the opposition continues to be under pressure, The Government tries to portray an aura of normalcy. In a few hours, The G-15 Meeting being held in Tehran is slated to begin. The Turkish Prime Minister, the Brazilian President, the President of Algeria and the President of Senegal have been among World Leaders who have arrived in Tehran for this occassion.
Some of these luminaries have been given an audience with Ayatollah Khameini, Iran's Supreme Leader (or Leader of the Revolution).

Iran continues its' Iran's continued attempt to fight the expected sanctions have taken on even more of an urgency in light of the move by the Western Powers. What I find especially quite startling is an apparent agreement struck between Brazil, Iran and Turkey for Fuel Swap. President Lula warned Iran that it should be focused on the peaceful use of nuclear weapons. The United States has underscored it. Yet, there is a concerted campaign to have Iran be portrayed as marching towards Nuclear Weapons. Whether that in fact is true or not remains to be seen.

On another note, it was gratifying news to hear that Iran had released the young French teacher's aide. She arrived in Paris yesterday and saw the French President. What I found quite ironic was that the killer of the late Sha's last Former Prime Minister was paroled and then expelled from France. The French noted that there was no swamp. When I saw this denial by the French Government, I laughed.

What will happen now? Will the Brazilians and the Turks succeed where others have failed? Will we see some sense of stability which is vital as Afghanistan Burns and Pakistan continues to be on the edge? Time will tell.
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OV Week-End (1/2/2010): Never Dull...

: Always Exciting!!!
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OV Week-End: Wow!!!

: Truly Never a Dull Moment!!!
It has been a very busy week-end. There is of course Burma and the fact that Jim Webb got to see the Pro-Democracy Leader and the Chief Thug who runs Burma today. There is the burning debate over healthcare that dominated the airwaves over the week-end on U.S Sunday Talk Show Circuit. There was of course Afghanistan and the upcoming election. And last, but no tleast, there is of course Iran.

Here was a sampling of the debate over healthcare


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The Terrorist Attack In Iran

: Why would anyone do this?
Why?


It was a sad day in Iran yesterday. There was an attack on a Mosque in the City of Zahedan in Southeastern Iran, near the border with Pakistan. 19 people died while attending Friday prayers to commemorate a major religious event . According to the dispatch I reviewed from the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the wounded included a 4 year old child


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As The First Day of The Obama Adminstration Begins....

: I am not surprised at the Republicans...
A Day in the Life....
The President Arrives For His First Day....A Busy One too!!!


The first day of the Obama Adminstration has begun. The President began his day by attending the National Prayer Service and got down to work. I saw him when he met with the White House and signed off on the new Ethics Rules. He has also been meeting with the Economics and National Security Teams. They have hit the ground running. Unfortunately, the Senate has not done the job by confirming the nominees. At least three key members are yet to be confirmed. A new Era has truly begun


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Witness to History: An Historical Inauguration

: ..and now the real work begins......
History.....
A New Dawn Has Arrived


Barack Hussein Obama is now the 44th President of the United States. Throughout my lifetime, I have had the privilege to read on the traditions and was finally able to be a true witness to this momentous transfer of power due to the power of technology. I have continued to marvel at how someone with so much power gives it up so willingly because the people are truly sovereign in America. This was quite moving when the President and the First Lady escorted Former Mr. and Mrs. Bush


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