tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post2138482634811418955..comments2024-03-28T15:20:49.356-07:00Comments on Metro Wynn Presents.........: Why did the Iraq War worry so many?Metro Wynn Presentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-84645107195618775422023-03-26T08:03:01.412-07:002023-03-26T08:03:01.412-07:00Even if the same Department that analysed the Evid...Even if the same Department that analysed the Evidence coming from Cuba in 1962 had been passed to the Pentagon in 1996 (and thus the Domain of Donald Rumsfeldt) the question could still be asked, particularly after Mr Powell's tenuous Slide Show to the UN. That while Adlai Stevenson presented very clear Proof of Soviet Missiles, Colin Powell's supposed 'proof' was nothing more than flimsy Drawings and Animations.<br /><br />How they could have used Video's showing the Contrast emphasises this.<br />Ironically, this had become part of popular Culture at the time because the Film "13 Days" had been made and shown a couple of years before in 2000.<br /><br />The Story becomes even more potent if they had because it doesn't just suggest Fabrication it also suggests a Cover-up on the part of the Secretary of State.Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-68882999964052040782023-03-25T23:53:54.641-07:002023-03-25T23:53:54.641-07:00One thing the 2nd Iraq War showed was how much our...One thing the 2nd Iraq War showed was how much our Media had deteriorated in the years running up to it.<br /><br />While Condoleeza Rice and George Bush made that cringeable Statement about "smoking Guns" turning into "Mushroom Clouds" no one asked this .....<br /><br />When Iraq was effectively blockaded by the most stringent Sanctions that would stop and inspect Ships carrying anything - even Food and Medicine - into Iraq - and was covered by No Fly Zones North and South - how exactly was Saddam going to import and construct the Facilities to make these fictitious Bombs?<br /><br />Where was his equivalent of our Aldermaston or Americas Los Alamos, and being subjected to such heavy surveillance how was he going to even transport Nuclear Missiles let alone test them in the Iraqi Desert?<br /><br />The infinatly more sophisticated and far more facilitated Soviet Union couldn't transport Weapons to Cuba with the US using comparatively primitive 1962 Recon Technology, so how would Saddam as besieged as he was? None of Khrushchev's Ships were boarded by Inspection Teams and there were none on the Ground in Cuba, but the US still knew about the Missiles.<br /><br />With the available Surveillance Technology of 1962 they not only found SS4 medium range, and SS5 intermediate range Missiles (despite attempts to hide them), they also discovered the Surface to Air Missiles deployed to defend them against Airstrikes and much of what was being shipped there. Saddam was forced to dismantle his SCUD Missiles after 1991, whose 400km Range could and did reach Israel in the Gulf War, but it was suspected he was hiding 200 of them which would have been very difficult given the Satellite Surveillance and continual Air reconnaissance he was subjected to. He might have test fired his short range Al Samoud and Ababil 100 Missiles but these couldn't reach Israel and he had no Nuclear Warheads to deploy with them anyway.<br /><br />Also, a test firing shouldn't be confused with a test Detonation. The former is to see how a Missile performs in flight, the latter how or even if a Nuclear Weapon explodes.<br /><br />To have a Nuclear Weapons Program Saddam would have to do both. In the desperate circumstances of using them he'd want to ensure they'd do both properly - not fizzle out like a dud Firework.<br /><br />In a Preamble where Saddam's Iraq was subjected to Sanctions far more stringent than Kennedy's Blockade of Cuba no-one asked any of this, not just in the Media but also the various Legislatures involved ????<br /><br />It's one thing to have a huge Demonstration - as there were - another to directly confront a Politician responsible in a TV Interview or at the Despatch Box.Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-90596334566936254152023-03-13T00:25:02.416-07:002023-03-13T00:25:02.416-07:00A "Patriotic" War?
The biggest Traitors...A "Patriotic" War?<br /><br />The biggest Traitors are those who got us into this Shambles when there were always alternatives going back 33 years. Not the People who have opposed it and tried avoiding the Damage it has done.Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-64118610969074008092023-03-12T09:23:35.533-07:002023-03-12T09:23:35.533-07:00One of the things that always perplexed me about C...One of the things that always perplexed me about Colin Powell's Slide Show at the UN - where he tries a 2nd rate impression of Adlai Stevenson - was how, if Saddam was developing a Nuclear Bomb where was his equivalent of Aldermaston or Los Alamos?<br /><br />We have seen the extent Britain and America went to develop Nuclear Weapons by the scale of the Facilities to do so. None of it was done in the back of Trucks or Rail Cars. It couldn't be.<br /><br />Even newer Nuclear Powers like India and Pakistan would have to have more ambitious Facilities to reach the extent of their Programs.<br /><br />Even with their far more advanced Technology and Architecture the Iranians still don't have WMD's.<br /><br />So how did Saddam develop any Nukes at all with what we were shown by Colonel Powell?Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-85291702588272739872022-06-24T03:32:51.304-07:002022-06-24T03:32:51.304-07:00What amazes me is how there are still People writi...What amazes me is how there are still People writing like it was 21 years ago, still using that stale, discredited "Axis of Evil" Narrative like nothing since had happened at all. After things have been proved, or disproved, Politicians who supported the War discredited and Ahmed Chalabi made to look like the biggest Scam Artist of the 21st Century. After the disaster of Afghanistan and the current Mess in Ukraine.<br /><br />When I kept meeting these nauseating pro-Warrers a few years ago I ought to have had the Territorial Army Recruitment Office Phone Number on speed dial on my Phone .... If they were under 50 I could ask them why are you here in nice safe Portishead if you're so pro-War? Here, look - it's the TA Recruitment Office Phone Number, please, be my Guest, use my Phone and save the Cost of the Call. They might hesitate and look apprehensive.<br /><br />What, not so pro-War all of a sudden?<br /><br />There were were very many People who lost what few Rights they did have with Saddam and Assad. "Beyond Baghdad" shows us some of them, many others lost more than that.<br /><br />Someone should have quipped to any female News Anchor - part of the pro-War Propaganda a few years before; "how long do you think you'd last in ISIL controlled Mosul looking like that?" Or to a Male equivalent "Enjoy a Drink after the Show? Have a Decanter of Brandy at home do you?" All of that would end very promptly with severe Consequences for those involved if they continued, but heck - the War was such a great Idea huh!Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-11962504336628081142021-12-14T00:09:34.162-08:002021-12-14T00:09:34.162-08:00Here's what some eminent People were saying in...Here's what some eminent People were saying in 2018, a few years before the collapse of Afghanistan .......<br /><br />https://www.forbes.com/sites/worldeconomicforum/2018/06/01/the-west-has-lost-its-dominant-global-position-it-should-handle-its-decline-gracefully/?sh=450a26617581Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-42863743765871313772021-12-08T01:01:40.022-08:002021-12-08T01:01:40.022-08:00History always yield Parallels and Ironies....
Wh...History always yield Parallels and Ironies....<br /><br />While Sergei Lavrov - Russian Foreign Minister - refuses to publicly recognise the Taliban Government, in the Fight against the Soviet Army in 1980's Afghanistan a Collaboration was formed involving Countries who refused to recognise Israel (Pakistan and Afghanistan). Pakistan's General Zia ul Haq was prepared to act as a Conduit for Israeli supplied Soviet made Weapons to reach Moujahedin while publicly maintaining the official Pakistani Line on Israel. Ironic, not just because the Afghans were fighting Russians - the Cause of the malaise of more recent years, but made even more paradoxical as another clandestine Source for Arms was Czechoslovakia, Moscow's Warsaw Pact Ally.<br /><br />Should we take Moscow's public Stance on the Taliban with as many Grains of Salt Pakistanis might have General Zia's on Israel?<br /><br />I've often wondered if this might be applied elsewhere, particularly when Agents representing Iranian Qasem Soliemani were meeting western Alliance Officials in 2002.Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-57970350991748715152021-12-03T21:58:10.236-08:002021-12-03T21:58:10.236-08:00And while the Taliban have consented to allow the ...And while the Taliban have consented to allow the Continuation of the Tapi Pipeline here's how Russia, China and Iran could redraw the Map of Eurasia ......<br /><br />https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://kcjohnson.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/russia-china-iran1.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiejOHeucn0AhVKY8AKHdOvARAQFnoECDIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0DrWSEawGEhEriotf1uL2KMetro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-5049652427003512392021-12-01T23:36:27.767-08:002021-12-01T23:36:27.767-08:00To further illustrate this, here's yet another...To further illustrate this, here's yet another "Arab Spring" which got even less Publicity than the one in Bahrain. Seems certain People are a bit selective about who can have a Spring - and who can't....<br /><br />https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%932012_Saudi_Arabian_protestsMetro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-4300414127997153872021-11-28T08:56:14.756-08:002021-11-28T08:56:14.756-08:00To illustrate the brutality of the Saudi Governmen...To illustrate the brutality of the Saudi Government go no further than the horrible Murder of dissident Journalist - Jamal Kashoggi - killed and apparently dismembered in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. His tenacious Coverage and Criticism of the Riyadh Regime earned him a few lethal Enemies amongst his many Friends and Admirers.<br /><br />I just hope others might continue his very brave Work!Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-66037643892126871342021-11-28T00:35:53.135-08:002021-11-28T00:35:53.135-08:00And I find it astonishing that after everything, t...And I find it astonishing that after everything, the non-existent WMDs, the bogus Al Qaida Claims, the Flood of post-Saddam Militants (even Blair conceded to that one), the Refugee Crisis that hit Europe, the Government's own Websites warning People off of affected Countries, People are still pro-War.<br /><br />While the Wars have thrown up a myriad of Ironies, here's another .....<br /><br />People like Saddam Hussein and Hafez Al Assad appeared because of Sikes-Picot. Those anglo-french Lines in the Sand drawn in 1918 showed the Arabs who was Boss - while the Hashemite Princes were only nominal Kings in their own Country. The Deal was supposed to give them complete independence if they fought the Allied Cause against the Ottomans. Sikes-Picot reneged on that Deal and the subsequent sense of betrayal was never forgotten.<br /><br />Gradually, as Arab Nationalism grew even the Hashemite Aristocrats became vulnerable. Faisal went into exile - and they were brought down in the 1950's and 60's. All of this is what led to the political ascendancy of Saddam and Assad in the first place.<br /><br />While Barzani must be questioning his Loyalty to the West with every NATO Turkey backed SNA Bullet fired at his Kurdish People, T.E Lawrence left Damascus with Faisal's Flea in his Ear once the post-WW1 Truth had emerged.<br /><br />As the proverbial Penny drops across Arabia and North Africa that there is an Attitude in the West that says; as long as they fight each other they aren't fighting us, how do People think they will respond? How will they react if it seems even the most innocent Arab Life is expendable as long as it isn't happening to the West?<br /><br />The Bloodshed and Damage makes Sikes-Picot pale into insignificance, along with the Persecution and Corruption of the pre-1979 Shahs Iran. Khomeini was merely another Exile in Paris - not killed in his 100's of 1000!<br /><br />There was another Arab Spring, one that didn't get very much publicity. That of Bahrain, except that was very forcibly put down by the Government, with the full support of America. <br /><br />Saudi Arabian Support for Al Qaida isn't just restricted to certain members of the Bin Laden Family, while the Autocrats in Riyadh maintain Power with a Rod of Iron..... again, backed by America. There are other Countries run rather like a Lid on a Pressure Cooker, and all of this could produce a Wave of Arab Nationalism that might sweep it all away and install several Saddam Hussein's..... or even Ayatollah Khomeinis!<br /><br />As Russia has proved unwavering Support for Assad's Arab Nationalism and Iran's Theocracy - which also means China - the very rapid Collapse of Afghanistan shows what can happen if the American Politico-Military Steroids wear off.Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-59674769338862667982021-11-20T23:10:31.224-08:002021-11-20T23:10:31.224-08:00As one informed Commentator put it; America wants ...As one informed Commentator put it; America wants to appear as a shiny Citadel to the World, but it's starting to look a bit slummy.<br /><br />The Wars have severely damaged it's Prestige to the rest of the World and caused a Tide of bitter Recrimination within it. "Secessionitis" was an expression coined in 1860 to describe the Flood of southern States wanting to leave the Union while one Politician said "South Carolina was too small to be a Country, and too big to be an Insane Asylum". In a Country that embarked on a foolhardy Campaign to shape an unwilling World in its own Image was the rapid Collapse of Afghanistan analogous for its own Superficiality?Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-39400602344078163182021-11-20T22:46:11.626-08:002021-11-20T22:46:11.626-08:00Meanwhile, America seems to be unravelling.
From ...Meanwhile, America seems to be unravelling.<br /><br />From the Riots after the last Election to its Winner warning that a Meteor is about to crash into the Economy, the Calexit campaign, to one of a Southern Secession - Americans are struggling to maintain the Nation State fought for in the 1860's.<br /><br />But that dismal 2016 Election was symptomatic of all of it. GWBs Wars had failed to unify the Country, and even contributed to its gradual Fracture. Republicans who felt they couldn't vote for the Establishment and Democrats who wouldn't vote Hillary either voted for "the Donald" or didn't vote at all. There was no-one to vote for that year, but why?<br /><br />Why can't the World's wealthiest Country, with 330 Million People, Yale, Harvard, Princeton and Stanford, the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress, the Hub of global Infotainment, that can put a Man on the Moon and send Probes into deep Space find 2 better Candidates than Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump?Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-15241278617918890662021-11-20T04:52:41.755-08:002021-11-20T04:52:41.755-08:00As the Warsaw Pact Military and Surveillance State...As the Warsaw Pact Military and Surveillance States stifled the Lives of the People they proportedly represented they were rejected by those very People. Western Politicians use Fear in their Propaganda to justify it, just like the KGB, Stasi, STB, and Securitae did in the Soviet Union and eastern Europe. It's all done for your benefit - they tell us as we resemble those Countries on the other side of the old Iron Curtain.<br /><br />"GWB is a bigger Threat to my Civil Liberties than Saddam" People said 20 years ago, and did that ease or improve with successive Governments since? A Photojournalist bravely covering Life in Iraq was accused of being a "Traitor" by a pro-War Pundit, but who is doing the Damage here? The Patriot is whoever is trying to prevent it, not an Act of Congress that threatens to turn us into everything the Cold War fought against.<br /><br />People in the Warsaw Pact used to look to the West for that very reason.<br /><br />Russia, China, Iran and Syria are just as pitted against Terrorism as the so called "War on Terrorism" - but the West is working against, not with, them. The West backed Moujahedin, proto-Al Qaida and Taliban against Russian Soldiers in the 1980's. In the 1990's you didn't see Russians banning Females from Careers and Education or beating Women in the Street for Fashion Violations.<br /><br />Now those same Russians are being touted by Taliban 2 for Trade and Investment. The Russians, in a Move the Tsars, Brezhnev, Gorbachev and Yetsin couldn't do - will probably check-mate the old British Empire by obliging them.<br /><br />As for Human Rights, if People thought it difficult to obtain at least a few Concessions from Moscow or Beijing when the West held at least a few Aces up its Sleeve - how difficult would it be now? But then, who knows, the ever shrewd Putin and Xing Ping might outdo the West with even that to win the Hearts and Minds of those in the Areas affected by their Pact.Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-27243749381257165852021-11-20T04:24:37.346-08:002021-11-20T04:24:37.346-08:00Rudi might fail .....
How about those Markets ......Rudi might fail .....<br /><br />How about those Markets ....?<br /><br />According to current Figures the Population of the European Union is 447 Million. Others try and extend that into Eastern Europe, except a large swathe of that is Russia and Belorus. Those of Pakistan and Indonesia - both firmly integrated into Chinese Economics - total 493 million, so just 2 Asian Countries exceed that of all EU Countries combined.<br /><br />Europe might be far wealthier, but that is due to Centuries of Empires and trading with Asia. The Empires no longer exist - while trading is becoming even more competitive. China not only makes everything America and Europe makes, it also has a huge Population of increasingly wealthy People to sell to. How many of their Cities are as big, and even bigger than, Greater London? Even India might find those Chinese Megacity Customers hard to resist, and where will they get their raw Resources .....?<br /><br />Russia has a vast supply of just about every natural Resource you can think of, thus supplying Manufacturing across the whole Continent.<br /><br />Gwadar, owned by China, on the Pakistan Coast is just waiting for a Russian built Pipeline from Iran to go through Afghanistan. Whenever India imports or exports with Britain, Europe, America, Australasia and Africa it takes Days by Ship instead of Hours by Land - which doing same with China would involve. Why not resolve the Ladakh Dispute and establish Trade with China? Why not allow Russian and Chinese Peacekeepers into Kashmir to stabilise things there?<br /><br />Even Europe is partially dependant on Russian Gas and Oil as the Yamal Pipeline sends it to Germany. <br /><br />The Problems the West will have are in danger of looking similar to those of the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact.<br /><br />The Warsaw Pact was a Bloc that served the exchange of Trade, Resources, Culture, Humanity ..... but what it was synonymous with was Military. Say "Warsaw Pact" to People and their first Impression might be Tanks in Budapest or Prague. Vast military manouvres in Eastern Europe, Nuclear Testing, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Invasion of Afghaistan and the Cold War.<br /><br />Everything that seemed wrong with Communism and it's fascist equivalent in other Words. Because those Juntas in Latin America were run by the Generals, as was Franco's Spain.<br /><br />America particularly might dot the World with Drone Bases and "over the Horizon" Surveillance Centers, but how long will it be before People start asking if they have anything else to offer?Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-5883604027204932282021-11-20T01:41:18.954-08:002021-11-20T01:41:18.954-08:00And that Mess has caused a Plethora of Contradicti...And that Mess has caused a Plethora of Contradictions and Ironies .... not least the actual Existence of Terrorist and Islamist Groups in Iraq that weren't there before ..... but it continues.<br /><br />In America some far-right White Supremacist Groups that were classed as Terrorists have flourished in an Environment that has occured concurrent to the rise of Jihadism. One Casualty in it all are American Values - which dissipated in the Strain against Reactionaryism. One quote I thought particularly poignant was given to the Washington Post ....<br /><br />"The U.S. squandered an opportunity to create a better world<br /><br />“What if instead of launching a War on Terror, the greatest strategic disaster in the United States’ modern history, U.S. leaders had used 9/11 as a catalyst to bring about a more tolerant, peaceful and prosperous world, the antithesis of al-Qaeda’s worldview? This was neither a far-fetched scenario nor it is wishful thinking.” — Fawaz A. Gerges,<br /><br />Exactly, and pre-empt all of this with Summits in Damascus and Tehran - concurrent with that in Tripoli!<br /><br />And the horrible thing is, after leaving a Trail of Dead, Damage, Disruption and Displacement, America and other Coalition Countries limped home to recrimination and a huge Bill running into Trillions of Currency Units.<br /><br />As they do Russia and China will scoop up the Spoils with Trade Agreements and Infrastructure!Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-26546531353824247612021-11-20T00:11:51.146-08:002021-11-20T00:11:51.146-08:00According to several Articles the War on Terror co...According to several Articles the War on Terror continues concurrent with, and after Iraq and Afghanistan.....<br /><br />That it is costing a huge amount of Money and continues to compromise America's moral Authority in the World.<br /><br />Drone Strikes happen regularly, targeting Militants before they strike, except the arbitrary nature of these means how many before they do hit a civilian Target or even one within Territory part of the Russo-Chinese Orbit? The last one poses considerably danger, while How much Hype about these things can we believe anyway - in terms of Accuracy and Effectiveness?<br /><br />The supposed Saviour of the 1991 Coalition in the Gulf War was the Patriot Missile, except very few of them actually hit SCUD Missiles fired from Iraq, and those that did did so through luck rather than judgement.<br /><br />Isn't all this merely tackling the Symptoms - caused by the West anyway?<br /><br />I believed the Morass facing the World at the end of the 20th Century could have been solved diplomatically. That while Tony Blair met Mouammar Ghadaffy, he and other western Leaders could have done the same with Bashar Assad (Syria) and Mohammed Khatami (Iran). Thus, neutralising the Islamic Bloc so to speak, and isolating Saddam. What happened after he was toppled when pro-Iranian Groups took control of large Chunks of Iraq is proof of how effective a Summit with Khatamis Tehran would have been.<br /><br />Rumsfeld as Guarantor to Saddam's Economy, his ability to export Oil, should have used leverage with him in the 1980's, but he didn't.<br /><br />There was a Subtext in some of that Reportage I found offensive .....<br /><br />How, the "Arab Spring" meant Militants turned on their own Societies implies that Arab Life is cheaper than those of the West. That it is somehow acceptable that they be sacrificed in their Millions as long as the West continues as before. I'm sure that would do nothing to assuage anti-western Opinion in Afghanistan, the Levant, Arabia and North Africa.<br /><br />Also, it failed to mention the rapid Decline in western Influence - which will start to effect it's Economy. As China and Russia carve up Asia - the world's most populated and biggest Market - how is the West going to keep financing the never ending War?<br /><br />As the Bedroom Tax was the tip of the Iceberg when it came to where Monies would be recouped after the huge Expenditure on recent Wars - are we to infer that that will continue and other Areas of Social Spending will be cut to pay for it all?<br /><br />What bankrupted the Soviet Union was it's huge and unaffordable Military Spending. As China finances Russia and Russia fuels China that is no longer a Problem in Moscow. If the West isn't careful that 1992 Shoe could end up on the other Foot! Ideology restricted Soviet Trade and it's ability to raise Capital - Stupidity might do the same with the West. Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-89378875278061510492021-11-17T01:19:23.401-08:002021-11-17T01:19:23.401-08:00Concurrent to that the Sino-Russian Pact will prob...Concurrent to that the Sino-Russian Pact will probably link up the Mediterranean with the South China Sea, Spitsbergen in the far North to Sri Lanka in the South. Not even Alexander did that. He only got as far as Hindu-Kush!<br /><br />Vladimir Putin will probably broker a Peace between China and India in their Dispute in the Ladakh Province, while he and/or Beijing will do same in resolving the Indo-Pakistan Cold War, and might even send Russian and Chinese Peacekeepers into Kashmir.<br /><br />The Damage to Western Prestige when this happens will be huge. Brokering Peace Deals was always seen as something Britain or America did, whether it was George Mitchell in Ireland, Lord Owen in the Balkans or Henry Kissinger elsewhere. Would the World see Mr Kissinger in quite the same light as Paul Bremer was one of his Protégés?Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-2369140876512580822021-11-16T23:39:59.352-08:002021-11-16T23:39:59.352-08:00While the West flails about trying to find trading...While the West flails about trying to find trading Partners, one of them was the Man who was murdered in Libya. The Founder of the African Union and Head of one of its wealthiest States Ghadaffi was trying to establish a peaceful and prosperous Africa.<br /><br />Seeing Libya as African not Arabic, thus put him in opposition with Osama Bin Laden, the 2 were Enemies. He might even have been a Partner in the War on Terrorism if his Agreements with Tony Blair hadn't been cut short by his Demise and Libya's Downfall. Because of the Union he established Africa might have been a much more prosperous trading Partner, while Commonwealth Members in it could bring that Wealth to an Organisation we might need after Brexit. Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-73841784895552441892021-11-15T00:56:13.722-08:002021-11-15T00:56:13.722-08:00How about the Political Blackmail and Bribery from...How about the Political Blackmail and Bribery from Washington?<br /><br />Those terrifying Words from George Bush - "You're either with us or the Terrorists" he told us in 2001 when his Cabinet were preparing for War. When Barack Obama won in 2008 it looked like the Bush-Cheyney Nightmare had ended. He had opposed the War as a Senator and it seemed we could heave a Sigh of Relief. Then along came John Kerry - who was for it, then Hillary - also for it, and while John Kerry might have gone to Moscow - Hillary was far more provocative. Then she made her Comment about how the Iranian People should be "obliterated" and we had to double check to see if she wasn't some Neocon GOP Candidate in disguise. Libya was next as Ghadaffi was gruesomely murdered and Syria became the new Civil War as her Saudi and Qatari Friends supported ISIL and other extremist Groups against Assad's comparatively moderate Government. More Syrians were killed, oppressed, fled or disappeared in that than he or his Father ever did.<br /><br />Then, in 2016 it looked like there might be an alternative. While the Establishment gave us more Hawks on either side of the Aisle (Geb Bush/Hillary Clinton) who spelt more of the same "The Donald" ran for Office - and won. Those of us who knew a thing or two thought at least he might not be more of the same, won't take us to War against Russia - and was comparatively mute about Iran. He was antagonistic about China - but only in terms of Trade and wanting American Manufacturing in China to come home and employ Americans. Some of us also mistrusted Obama by then - looking more like a Trojan Horse full of warmongering Hillary's - than who we knew in 2008. The Problem was Trump was also very very conservative - Nemesis to anything remotely liberal - but at least he seemed against any War. John Pilger summed up that Election when he said Americans had no-one to vote for in 2016.<br /><br />Post-Trump, as President Biden withdrew from Afghanistan - the Damage was done, and it collapsed. The President's Blame on Afghanis not putting up a Fight was appalling, but how about back Home? Clintonite's who were more Neocon than the Neocons during Obama's Presidency have reasserted themselves after her defeat in 2016 and it seems we had no-one to vote for in 2016 either!Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-58359356690923611122021-11-14T23:20:55.246-08:002021-11-14T23:20:55.246-08:00Indeed, one Question hasn't been asked.
While...Indeed, one Question hasn't been asked.<br /><br />While British Soldiers were in Iraq - and not Darfur, how many others were in Iraq instead of doing UN work for example? How many Problem Areas of the World were neglected as Resources were sent to the Gulf?Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-91424715481865713082021-11-14T23:03:50.311-08:002021-11-14T23:03:50.311-08:00And rather like a severe Wound, the Shock hasn'...And rather like a severe Wound, the Shock hasn't worn off yet. A severe Wound is numb for a while as the Victim is in shock. When that wears off the Pain become excrutiating. Afghanistan fell and the Shock has caused a Torpor of Denial as it hasn't sunk in yet. When it does People will realise the Implications.<br /><br />As the Region's afflicted visit Graves and mourn the Dead and Disappeared, try to rebuild shattered Homes and Lives, understandably enraged at the brutality they have endured - so will the Countries that were involved in the Conflicts. Veterans Associations have reported an Increase in Trauma Cases and even Suicides at the News from Kabul. Societies have been fractured by those who were for and those who were against the Wars at all, Reputations irredeemably tarnished ("I'm Canadian" or "I didn't vote for him" Americans would say to me), Democracy damaged, Latinos now call Britain, and Blair particularly "America's little Dog", and the Human and Fiscal Cost is immense. From Baghdad to the Bedroom Tax might be one way of explaining the huge Expenditure these Wars - particularly Iraq - have cost Britain for example, while what it means for future Social Spending in light of the Covid Crisis is yet to be calculated.<br /><br />One of the first Casualties of all this, and secondary Victims were New Labours doomed ethical Foreign Policy and what that meant in Darfur. While Sudanese Government Forces killed and ethnically cleansed non-Arabs in their 100's of 1000's. Britain's Soldiers can't be everywhere, and instead of pursuing that ethical Policy, protecting those People, they were in Iraq.<br /><br />Some of us put up with a lot of Crap during all of this by daring to question any of it. Years spent in a sort of Coventry for writing about it, putting "No War" Posters up or wearing "No War" T'Shirts. It was like we had become social Lepers for being right.<br /><br />They say of the Spanish Civil War the Rifts caused by a War from 1936 to 39 haven't properly healed. I'm not sure those caused by all this will either! Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-49625839314050985752021-11-14T20:00:13.855-08:002021-11-14T20:00:13.855-08:00The Fall of Afghanistan is a lot more significant ...The Fall of Afghanistan is a lot more significant than People realise, but only happened because the West blundered through it all like the proverbial Bovine in a China Shop.<br /><br />The failure to tackle Al Qaida - even when Osama was the World's most notorious Terrorist, the misdeployment of Resources in Iraq that ought to have been in Afghanistan. The botched Opportunities to work with rather than against the Iranians, the Disasters that led to the opening of a 3rd (Syria), then a 4th (Libya) Front in the War on Terrorism and the Betrayal of the Kurds - all make the Mistakes by Sykes-Picot and the fall-out in 70's Indochina pale into insignificance.<br /><br />It's also a bi-partisan Problem because when GWB spouted his "Axis of Evil" Gaffe that time, it was made comparatively tame when Hillary Clinton said how Iranians should be "obliterated" while poking Putin in the Eye, and Trump continually rattled his Sabre with China and Iran.<br /><br />All of this Noise could have been avoided with a few more protagonists rather than antagonists and the Courage to try the unprecedented. Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-62185404778140569042021-11-14T01:30:35.052-08:002021-11-14T01:30:35.052-08:00Betraying the Kurds might have been a huge Mistake...Betraying the Kurds might have been a huge Mistake in the Context of everything else in the Region.<br /><br />As Russia and China carve up Asia in the next 5 years under the Auspices of the Sino-Russian Treaty - which means the World's biggest Populations and Markets - India will see the proverbial Writing on the Wall and Ghandi's Work, begun in 1947, will be complete as the last Apron Strings with the old Empire are finally cut.<br /><br />The World could be a very different Place after those years and Regions bruised, battered and bloodied by years of War might start to see the West, with its Intrigue, Subterfuge and Squabbling as more trouble than it's worth.<br /><br />The West, gradually marginalised from the World's biggest Land Mass is left with what? Africa - where, thanks to its own Business Practices, many Countries are propped up with foreign Aid and unrepaid Bank Loans, Latin America - much of the same, with Problems of Crime and Corruption in some Countries, sparsely populated in others and occasionally unsavoury Politics, the Pacific = tiny Island States like Micronesia and Europe where it can sell to itself!<br /><br />It's like History is turning full Circle and the new New World could end up being the Continent where it all started - while the old New World starts looking very old indeed!Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051823036562401979.post-64935092238414235182021-11-14T00:46:00.465-08:002021-11-14T00:46:00.465-08:00While Russia now has the Option of an afghani Pipe...While Russia now has the Option of an afghani Pipeline to Chinese Facilities in Gwadar from Iran in the West and elsewhere in the North, what of that Region of Iraq run by the Kurds?<br /> <br />It's a huge Boost to Barzani's Prestige and the Kurdish Economy if he can accommodate russian built Infrastructure from Syria (and thus the Mediterranean) to Iran (Assad's Allies) while Kurds begin to doubt their previous Alliances with Washington.<br /><br />As the Iraqi Election gave Moqtada Sadr less than a Quarter of the Seats in Parliament it makes pro-Iranian Hashed al-Shaabi the second biggest Player in the Countries Politics. Masoud Barzani - ever the shrewd Operator - will realise what this means for the KDP in Baghdad as he can now act as Interlocutor with considerable Leverage with either Parties. Metro Wynn Presentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12225345619193116509noreply@blogger.com