Archive for the 'Iraq' Category

04
May
18

Who Are We To Believe?


FLAGS

Since the 2016 election of Trump, 45th President of the United States, a component to his winning campaign is the allegation that the Iranian nuclear agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), adopted by all participating nations of the United Nations Security Council in 2015, is a poorly negotiated agreement principally for reason that it would cease to curtail Iran from re-instituting its former nuclear weapons development, deemed to have ended as earlier as 2009, in fifteen years from date of its coming into effect.

Now, several months since his inauguration, during which period saw the hiring and firing of several senior members of his cabinet, Trump has strategically or otherwise, surrounded himself with well know Neocons such as John Robert Bolton, an American politician and attorney who is now National Security Advisor of the United States as of April 9, 2018. Bolton served as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations and widely known for his hawkish war posturing during the uptake to the attack on Iraq in 2003. And most recently, to replace fired Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, Trump has appointed Michael R. Pompeo, an American politician, lawyer, and former army officer to serve as the 70th United States Secretary of State. Previous to this appointment, he was the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

The point of this essay is to highlight the political posturing and strategies being put into the public space by the media in preparation for President Trump’s decision to the future of the JCPOA, scheduled for on or before May 12, 2018, however, it is relevant to point out, at the present moment, the Trump presidency, and his administration’s credibility, is being challenged on the following three, widely publicized fronts:

  • First, domestically, is Special counsel, Robert Mueller’s and F.B.I.’s investigations related to purported Russian interference in his election campaign and more; and, the allegations related to a sexual affair with porn-star Stormy Daniels.
  • Second is North Korea: it’s leader Kim Jung Un’s highly publicized willingness to meet with Trump to negotiate for the dismantling of its nuclear missile program, to pursue re-unification with the South for the removal of economic stifling sanctions;
  • Third is Trump’s voiced threat to withdraw from the JCPOA with Iran if it is not renegotiated, to the satisfaction of the United States.

The need for Trump to divert public attention from the Mueller and F.B.I. investigations could suggest heightened emphasis, through media channels such as FOX News and conservative pundits, on the latter two major issues challenging the Trump administration.

Recent coverage of Kim Jung Un’s crossing of the North-South Demilitarized Zone to meet with South Korea’s President Moon Jae-In, in the latter part of April, 2018, is for the short term, de-emphasizing Trump’s role for the present moment, however, the appointment of Mike Pompeo, who has public voiced his discontent, and current mistrust of the North Korean regime’s willingness to dismantle its nuclear program for a lifting of sanctions and possible re-unification, has the potential to put that effort into jeopardy.

This leaves the United States posturing leading up to the self-imposed date of May 12, 2018 for its decision on the Iran deal (JCPOA).

To date, the leaders of all consenting countries to the JCPOA, have stated their continued support for the deal, and Iran’s compliance as demanded. The only dissenter is the United States and, to that end, the forces to make its case, now being front and center.

First, there is John Bolton, National Security Advisor. To firmly establish his advice on the JCPOA, is to Google or YouTube: “John Bolton on Iran deal” to view a litany of recent interviews where he states the case on behalf of the President. Here is one recent example: https://theintercept.com/2018/03/23/heres-john-bolton-promising-regime-change-iran-end-2018/

As early as July, 2017, Bolton tweeted: “Withdrawing from the Iran #NuclearDeal should be a top @realDonaldTrump administration priority.”

Most recently, in a move to discredit the Iranian governments role in the original negotiations, and its current commitment to meet its obligations as detailed by the JCPOA; Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, by way of YouTube video presentation, purports to have secured physical, documentary evidence, captured by Israeli secret services, that undeniably proves Iran lied leading up to the negotiated deal, and continues to deceive participating nations on its intent to reconstitute its nuclear ambitions, if not before the end of the fifteen year limitation.

Netanyahu Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrPFH_KIqSc

In response to Netanyahu’s video claim is Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s Foreign Minister:

Iranian Foreign Minister: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHXpzHIwW1M

What should be of concern is the statement that Trump is prone to believing what Netanyahu is making claim to by his presentation even though the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), the watchdog to the advancement of nuclear development, has indicated Iran has been, and continues to be, compliant with the agreement contrary to that of the United States.

Trump in Agreement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aU2bckMD_g

IAEA Report of Key Events: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/focus/iran/chronology-of-key-events

So, these are the facts as best known, and as conveyed, through the various public media platforms.

What is at stake is the potential for another contrived conflagration instigated by the United States premised upon unfounded, but highly publicized, misinformation, or is it?

The point to be made by this essay is to highlight the different claims being made on this very important issue, and to suggest who might have the most to gain, or lose, by the various, outcome potentials. Certainly, Iran and its Peoples stand to lose the most in much the same way those of Iraq, Libya, and currently Syria and Yemen have lost. But, for the United States, and its supporting allies, and their citizens; may be impacted by an increase in their taxes to pay for the carnage they seem willing to support being imposed on foreign nations’ regimes that are not willing to march to the tune of western governments, or at best, maybe just to serve as a major distraction to events occurring or not, domestically.

You decide who to believe!

FLAGS

 

 

 

08
May
17

Hypernormalisation


To better understand and comprehend the world as we are coming to know it, the reason for what is evolving, one need look at the history to what makes it so; and this comprehensive BBC documentary is a good start to that end:

29
Dec
16

Future Of Humankind


fg

December 28, 2016, United States Secretary of State, John Kerry’s seventy-minute-plus speech addressing the Israeli and the Palestinian State is a futile, last-minute attempt to bring resolve, a peace accord, to a seemingly unresolvable, decades-long conflict. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is quick to admonish Mr. Kerry’s remarks by advocating in the eight years of President Obama’s administration, it has failed to recognize the true plight of the Israeli Peoples. The Prime Minister then went further to seal the future for continued conflict in the region by putting his faith in the incoming President-Elect Donald Trump’s administration to provide the needed political, military and financial support for Israel to achieve its true and ultimate goal: a One-State solution.

Though the public position of the Netanyahu government is to move toward a Two-State solution the illegal expansion of settlements amongst other illegal Israeli maneuvers, remarked by Kerry, is evidence that this is not so. These obvious contradictions in policy supported by members of the Israel Knnest fly in the face of the United Nations Security Council and the Arab League of Nations which advocate for a Two-State solution in recognition of the Palestinian State and the Peoples of Palestine.

The tone of the incoming Trump administration comprised of hardball, militaristic, win at any cost attitudes; pledging undying support for Israel to achieve its unofficial goals to a One-State solution absolutely guarantees an escalation in acts of terror coming from apartheid occupied Gaza and West Bank and supporting factions in Jordan and Lebanon. To further exacerbate tensions in the already conflict-mired Middle-East region and of a broader concern for Israel; the growing influence of Iran. Which, under normal circumstances, would not have the backing support of the Arab League of Nations and potentially, some members of the United Nations Security Council such as Russia and China.

It does not take the intellect and talents of a master chess player to see the pieces to the game that is unfolding and that can only declare one party the winner. Unfortunately, the tools in the hands of those who seem bent on winning, at any cost, are sufficiently dire and decisive enough to bring humanity, if not its ultimate demise, most definitely its undoing for millennia.

The power of prayer seems beyond the wisdom of those to whom humanity has given the power to chart its course and leaves for history, the future of humankind, to truly know its ultimate fate.

 

14
Oct
16

News Headlines Oct 14, 2016


Logo for dark background

 

The following are the Headlines of News for the Day as covered by DemocracyNow (DemocracyNow.org) for this day October 14, 2016.

The negativity that emanates from this list of world events is reflective of the depressing state the globe today with little optimism for it to change any time soon!

HEADLINES:

11
Oct
16

What Monumental Event?


PROMISE BOUND

Awakening to this world increasingly in disarray,
When will this needless suffering go away?
Cluster bombs, extreme weather taking innocent lives,
When will we take serious the global, human, deathly cry?

Who are these leaders that make the charge?
To what end do they allow this to go so far?
To allow suffering on such monumental scale,
Can they not see their deemed leadership, disastrously fail?

Have decades of brutal war on every horrendous scale,
Not taught humanity, this is a defeatist’s path to curtail?
Trillions of dollars expended to advance this inflicted pain,
All to the benefit of those, out of harm’s way, to richly gain.

Political platitudes and ceremonial remembrances become insults
To those willingly giving their lives, to remedy these egregious faults.
Expending the future of humanity, being lost to needless death and strife;
What monumental event will it take to bring back a loving, harmonious life?

12
Apr
16

HISTORY: Comprehension of the Present Future


 

The further one recedes into the history of global economic development and, the politics that have and continue to direct its course, the fuller one is able to comprehend the present and future, potential state of global conflict and, the factors that continue to contribute to it.

The Empire Files, an investigative journalistic News reportage exposes the crucial history of how empires of the early 19th and 20th centuries, feeding off the wealth of resources in the region of Africa now known as the Congo, can be considered responsible for present day conflict in the form of civil, regional and proxy wars.

The early meddling of Belgian monarchy with the sole purpose to exploit the resource riches of the region while publicly expressing the desire to educate and make more civil the indigenous Peoples can be reasonably projected to the rise in terrorism being experienced today.

Too, western empire nations such as the United States, Britain and France by way of clandestine, political subterfuge administered by the CIA and MI-6’s convert activity over the decades, with the sole objective of capturing and securing the wealth of resources offered by the Congolese region of Africa, can be deemed responsible for the militaristic and terroristic turmoil suffered by the Peoples of the region.

Of particular attention is the conversation up to and including the 15-min. mark referring to the democratically elected leader to the Congo; his assassination and permanent disposal of his body. A treatment procedure repeated more recently in history with the goal to stifle any potential for the future veneration of those who fought in opposition to western, economic and political interests.

The current presidential election cycle in the guise of Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump are ceremoniously unveiling the corruptness of western, corporate-driven politics and the destructive influence such interests are having not only for the United States but too, the globe in general, by way of corporate driven foreign policies shaped to secure the wealth of undeveloped and developing nations by means of political subterfuge or outright military force.

The world by any standard is in upheaval and disarray: civil, regional and proxy wars throughout the Middle-East; millions of migrants fleeing the regions of strife only to be confronted by nationalistic driven xenophobia; strident financial inequality diminishing the economic influence of the middle and lower classes of all nations; obfuscation of climate change, global warming and their all to present destructive effects; etc., etc..

Not until members of the infamous 99% realize what has transpired in the past, initiated and executed by those who were politically and economically influential in achieving their greed driven enrichment, still all too present directing the course of global affairs by the hands and minds of bought and paid-for elected officials administering world governance today, will change ever see the light of day.

The outcome of the 2016 Presidential election will be a hallmark to the quality of life, for global civil-society, well into this 21st Century!

29
Mar
16


 

homage to a world lost 4

(To view, Click on image and once there, scroll down to view each successive page)

Encountering one of my earliest published works online gave pause to what I wrote and subsequently self-published under the title: HOMAGE TO A WORLD LOST . Contained within this book, debut 2010, are poems reflective of the tumultuous first decade of this 21st Century.

The reading of many of the poems clearly  echoes, in a prophetic way, what is being experienced around the globe presently namely; the seeming collapse of effective governance and the politics it embodies; the run-away state of sectarian and religious terrorism throughout the globe; and, the extremes of climate change driven by global warming to name but a few of the subjects addressed.

Here is your chance to freely read some or all of the 133 pages contained therein and, for yourself, to draw your own conclusions about the state of a WORLD LOST!

Link: HOMAGE TO A WORLD LOST   (once there, scroll down to view each successive page)

 

Thank you.

26
Mar
16

TERRORISM – THE NEXT PANDEMIC


HEGIMONY

While rummaging through some old file disks I happened upon the following essay I wrote back in 2005 and given the experience of the eleven-odd years since its writing, unfortunately, it is proven to be somewhat prophetic in light of what is currently the situation around the globe. Though some may argue, it doesn’t take much of a genius to have perceived the outcome of the invasion of Iraq:

The growth of Islamic extremists who are intent on forming `cells’ around the world with the objective of inciting fear and terror through indiscriminate bombings in high traffic public areas of targeted cities can be paralleled to the infection and growth of a virus.

Like the common cold the infection comes about by an individual who is carrying the virus infiltrating and spreading amongst that segment of the populace most susceptible to infection typically through the local Mosque and by taking up residence in the section of a city where the majority of Muslims reside.

This carrier is one who has been fully indoctrinated into the cause of the movement that being to re-establish Islam as the premier religion of the world by ridding the world of infidels and their perversions by any means necessary even at the cost of their own life – to be martyred.

This infiltration individual targets the poorest districts of an urban community where the majority of Muslims who being new immigrants are typically on the lower end of the socio-economic scale due to lack of employment. The male children of these first generation immigrants are fodder for these groups. This arises from this generation being segregated and disenfranchised by their country and community of residence that contributes to a lack of allegiance to nationality or country. It is this void of purpose and loyalty that makes these young typically male individuals, highly susceptible to infection and being absorbed into the viral movement.

Often these young males are drawn to their local Mosaics with the intent of communing with others of like origin and tradition to feed their need for familiarity in a foreign land and not necessarily for strong beliefs in Islam. In this environment they become highly vulnerable to persuasion by those aware of their weaknesses and needs. And like any highly infectious viral disease once the virus has gained a foothold within the populace, it is not long before all become infected, spreading from one another in rapid order.

Accepting this analogy as true – the solution to stop the spread would be to inoculate the most vulnerable with an appropriate anti-virus which would need to be formulated.

The first question that remains to be asked: to formulate this anti-viral serum; what are the components of the decease?

03
Mar
16

Promised Values


GREED

High-level criminality persists through to this modern day
The power of greed-money maintains its stay
Politicians of every stripe becoming too willing to play
Opposition to such influence, by death, is easily put away

Universal changes for the good are easily contrived
Yet common sense solutions are forcefully denied
Mainstream Media propaganda reinforcing the lies
So what is right versus what is done are destined to collide

Pressure is building and becoming harder to contain
Extremist to the right and the left making louder their claim
That oligarchic power can no longer be tolerated, be sustained
Use of destructive, deadly force no longer a viable refrain.

The warnings for decades have been visible, evidently clear
The 21st century Peoples common voice increasingly sincere:
They covet what has been promised, values held dear
And willing to fight for their Rights, to death, without hesitation or fear.

 

16
Feb
16

United States 2016 Presidential Campaign: Where Will It Lead?


 

conflict

The seminal experience: the attack and destruction of the World Trade Centre September 11th, 2001, has yielded a level of dysfunction in global politics unseen in current human history. The dissemination of the global human collective on the lines of ethnicity, religion and political affiliation has never been as pronounced and, continues to be amplified as the world advances through this, the second decade, of this 21st Century.

Increasingly, the world is witnessing a menacing rise of divisiveness instigated by the march of humbled Middle Eastern or North African refugees. Hundreds of thousands of Peoples brutally torn from their former tranquil lives by the scourge of political and civil unrest wanting only for the perceived safety of shelter in the sanctity of European nations only to be rebuffed by a vocal segment of the established populace of affected nations such as Greece, Germany and even Sweden, particularly against those of Muslim faith.

Adding to the embroilment of human discontent is the hardship arising from the meltdown of the global financial system ignited by the collapse of Wall Street in 2007-08, the implications and hardships that continue to affect the balance sheets of nations globally to this day. The citizens of European nations suffering from imposed, harsh austerity measures to counter losses of wealth suffered, respond vehemently and vocally to the erosion of their political sovereignty worsened by the infusion of immigrants and refugees invading their porous borders.

In such troubling and tumultuous times of the past, the world’s populace turned to great nations such as the United States and Great Britain for balanced and dogmatic leadership to aid in deriving peaceful resolve and as when necessary, military intervention, to quell the rising storm of insurgency as was the case with the rise of Germany’s Führer-State in the 1930’s under Adolf Hitler that manifest as global conflict that ended in the western nation’s allied victory of 1945.

Unfortunately, unlike the era that preceded the execution of World War II when the United States in particular, was viewed as the globe’s most stalwart of economic, socio-political stability, able to aid in the defeat the rise of Fascism, today in 2016, as evidenced by the execution of the Primary process to select each major party’s candidate to run in the 2016 Presidential election, such could not be farther from the case.

Of particular concern is the foment arising from the campaign of Republican nominee candidate Donald J. Trump.

Video:Donald J. Trump

The crux of Mr. Trump’s campaign is to amplify the level of fear garnered from the rise of terrorist factions outside of the United States though they are perceived by his ardent and often misinformed followers, as being a direct threat to their security. As well, he instigates hatred toward undocumented immigrants charging them, without substantiation, as taking away the jobs and livelihood of his often low-wage earning campaign supporters.

With respect to the Democratic party’s campaign to nominate a 2016 presidential candidate, Senator Bernie Sanders’, a Socialist-Democrat, too, is gaining support from what is effectively the same segment of the United State’s electorate as Donald Trump however, for decidedly less inflammatory reasons such as economic and social inequality derived from the power and influence of `big money’ Wall Street financiers and, corporate lobbyist in the political process.

Video: Bernie Sanders

In light of what has been said, all-be-it in brief form, it behoves not only the citizen-electorate of the United States to pay attention to the developments arising from the 2016 presidential elections but for reasons illustrated by the following video, the global population need be concerned. The eventual outcome in the election of next President of the United States may have irreversible and devastating consequence for the entire Peoples of the World:

Video: Rise of Fascism




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