Al Qaeda most likely behind Lebanese general killing

Posted on January 24, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

The massive bomb which killed Lebanon’s likely next army chief, Brig. Gen. Francois Hajj, has raised many questions. At first glance it would appear to be revenge killing by Fatah al-Islam, the Al Qaeda aided Muslim outfit that was hounded out from the Palestine camp of Nahr al-Bared by the Lebanese army this summer. But Middle East politics has never been that simple. There are wheels within wheels. Moreover, the killing has to be seen with reference to the stalled presidential elections in Lebanon. It was beginning to appear that all the parties were agreeing on Gen. Michel Suleiman, commander of the Lebanese Army, as the compromise candidate. The explosion is an attempt to break this emerging agreement. After the bombing those elements in Lebanese politics that have always been wary of Syria, are likely to rethink on their decision to go along with other parties for the new president. The aim behind the killing of Brig. Gen. Francois Hajj was to weaken Lebanon. The army is considered its strongest institution. Fatah al-Islam would love to see it shaken. Syria [along with its masters in Iran] would like to see it weaken, so that its influence could increase in the unstable country. Hezbollah could be the culprit too as the Lebanese army is the only force that can stand up to its fighters. Some elements in Lebanon are also pointing their accusing finger at Israel. But this is unlikely. Israel would hardly like to strike at the army in Lebanon and make things easier for its arch enemy, Hezbollah. The strongest possibility is that the Al Qaeda is behind the bombing. It has used its agents in Lebanon, Fatah al-Islam, to do the dirty work. And it has succeeded to a large extent. It has struck at Lebanon’s main strength- the army, and has once again created political uncertainty in the country. Christian Science Monitor Image credits

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Iran sponsored Argentina bombings in 90s

Posted on January 24, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

Terrorist attacks in South America a decade ago were the handwork of the Iran government of that time, a former Argentinean Investigating official has said. The revelation comes at a point of time when the world looks at Iran with doubts of nuclear proliferation going on in that country, the repercussions of which would be nothing less than destruction at a large scale. If the revelations were correct, that will mean Iran could go any way in gaining its motives, as it did then and the reason for its attacks in Argentina would startle even more. Iran sponsored suicide attacks that claimed hundreds of innocent lives in Buenos Aires in 1994, as a result of a failed secret nuclear treaty between Iran and Argentina. The failure of the South American nation to comply with the nuclear agreement, mainly because of a change in government cost it dear. Such a revelation is quite astounding and it comes at a time when many eyebrows have been raised over the issue of Iranian nuclear proliferation and missile development. The threat that Iran poses to the stability in peace is quite large, especially after the world comes to know such an incongruous fact about the Iranian history. The legacy of the then Iran administration continues into the present, with the current regime threatening to disturb world order with its nuclear enhancement. One thing is for sure now that the Iranian warnings to the US, and Israel are no mere gimmicks and it can go any way in sending tremors around the world, especially when it has passive support from terror groups as the al-Qaeda, who are active in Afghanistan and whose presence in Iraq cannot be doubted. World will be more suspicious of Iran now and the US would doubt it more. Time is ripe to take Iran seriously. Image Via: Fox News

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Heart of the Matter in Tibet

Posted on January 23, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

China should respect Tibetans and their rights. Reuters quotes Anne Holmes, Acting Director of Free Tibet Campaign, as hollering this.She was referring to the case of a nun who was beaten on the chest by Chinese authorities for wearing a photo of the Dalai Lama on her neck. No photos of the Dalai Lama are allowed in Tibet by the Chinese. China maintains that it has never hurt anyone in Tibet ever, leave alone beating innocent monks. Rather, China sees itself as the great liberator of the Tibetan people. Before the Chinese kindly freed the poor Tibetans, the latter were burdened with the evils of religious superstition and mindless persecution at the hands of tyrannical lamas. In The Power and the Glory, Graham Greene had written of religious persecution by a Communist State in catholic Mexico. The novel can be retold by substituting Buddhism for Catholicism and Tibet for Mexico. The novel will clarify the truth about Tibet more than any blog-post or humanitarian report can. The Chinese are systematically looting monasteries in Tibet. They are using torture and even bribes to buy out monks loyal to the Dalai Lama. This is a part of the ongoing Marxist Cultural Revolution to which China subscribes. The war that China is waging against Tibetans have intensified after the Dalai Lama recently declared his intentions for either ending the institution of the Dalai Lama or choosing his successor himself. Ironically, China wants to choose the next Dalai Lama. One wonders why China is so interested in religious head when the nation rejects religion as a policy. No gentle murmurs against China will end the persecution of the Tibetans. The US is dependant on China for massive capital goods’ outsourcing. It sees China as the great economy of this century. So understandably, the cowardly and opportunistic USA is silent at the sufferings of the Tibetan people. There are going to be no sanctions against the Chinese, no diplomatic outrage by the international community, only meaningless and futile hollering by some kind and concerned people. China will see in such protests only capitalist assaults against its humane socialism. This is the heart of the matter. Via: Reuters Image: NY Times , Magic Planet & Nepal Hiking

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Is Africa the next oil target for the US?

Posted on January 23, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

It was inevitable that the US would turn its eye towards Africa and now that it has eventually been directed itself towards the Dark Continent, apprehension and skepticism have risen to the surface. Anywhere the US goes, misery follows or so goes the dictum and the continent that is already steeped in poverty and economic crisis is looking towards a scary future with the US presence there. American interest in Africa is mainly for three reasons: oil, terrorism and instability. The first factor, that is oil, is the most important and it is under the pretext of solving Africa’s plethora of problems that the US would try to get more oil deals. The announcement that the Pentagon has launched a new command center for military operations in the continent might have been accepted with cheers by the Americans, but for those who side with the African interests, this indeed does signal something more than just military operations. The initiative to lend the US more integrated approach to Africa, known as Africom, was conceived in February this year and for the moment will be based in Stuttgart, Germany. What the Pentagon says is that under this new programme, it will be able to fight the extremists and warlords in the continent more easily and with better facilities. It says that the US is worried over the seemingly unending military problems and warfare that the entire Africa is confronting. But scratch the surface and you shall come up with darker intensions beneath. Most observers suggest that the ousting of Saddam Hussein from Iraq was an act taken to supply the US with better oil facility and the talk is that the Africom initiative too is made to extract more oil from Africa, At the moment, the US gets only 10% of its oil from Africa and it is eager to increase that percentage. The US does have self-invested interest in trying to help Africa combat military operations and it now all depends on how African leaders carry on with it. Image Source: All Africa Source: BBC

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War against ‘war on terror’ and apartheid

Posted on January 23, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

We all know Iraq and Afghanistan as the victims of US ‘war on terror’. However, in these two countries, there is another war going on except this. Well, you may question which one, and right, however, this another war goes on. Yes, this is a war against ‘war on terror’. One may call it Jihad but for all else, it’s a war against ‘war on terror’ – an answer to US for its bogus rhetoric and profit intended machinations in the name of ‘war on terror’. The result of this war can be witnessed in Afghanistan and Iraq where suicide bombings, roadside bombings, bombs planted in cars and fighting between rebels and occupying forces is on. This fighting between the two is not only because of ideological differences but it’s also against suppression, imperialism… And result, for sure, is bloodshed on both sides and in both countries. Remnants of these are encountered daily in both nations. Kabul, Afghanistan, witnessed second suicide bomb attack in four days when a suicide bomber attacked a bus that was carrying police officers and civilian employees of the Interior Ministry killing at least 12 people including one child. In Baghdad, the situation is even grimmer and high ranking people – Iraqis or of occupying forces – are attacked. In such an attack, Polish ambassador to Iraq, Gen. Edward Pietrzyk, 57, marginally escaped in a car bomb attack wherein one civilian was killed and four others were injured. The clash between war on terror and war against it is leading the world to apartheid. And it is not only between different civilizations but among civilizations as well, which is, as of now, screwing Mideast hard, but days are not far when it’ll spill over and over and over. So, will Mideast provide that loophole? Not surprising! The present Mideast bedlam is leading to a catastrophic denouement. And US War on terror and its support to Israel – despite the miseries that it inflicts upon Palestinians – is going to play a major role in it.

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Horn of Africa: A lost nation, hunger and freelance violence

Posted on January 22, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

Somalia is easily one of the toughest places to live today. More than a decade of hard violence coupled with an irresponsible government playing to the arrogant tunes of the clan leaders lobbying for power and pride has left many millions lifeless. Not many even contemplate leading a life with happiness and satisfaction in the near future. Militants, looters, bandits and security forces are to be seen everywhere. Ever since the Somali government fell in 1991, there has been complete chaos in the horn nation. Turned into a battlefield, there is fighting everywhere. Children hear to gunfire almost everyday. Problems pile up, hunger everywhere Hunger, poverty, militancy, civil strife, human rights abuses, food-aid delivery, forced displacement and security of aid workers are major issues here. The economy is so battered that feeding the population is an impossible task. Unfortunately, there is hardly any functioning government, which should ideally address these concerns. To make matters worse, the harvest has failed in Somalia’s Shabelle region, the traditional breadbasket. The country is experiencing its worst drought in 13 years. Though aid has been coming from far off regions, it doesn’t reach the hungry on time. Health and Education Women and children suffer the worst in any war-affected region. Many children have stopped going to schools for reasons ranging from militant attacks to hunger at home. A decade of war has done enough to promote illiteracy. Quranic schools remain the only accessible educational option to the many displaced people. On the health screen, Somalia has one of the highest child mortality rates in the world. Early childhood care is a dream here. Even the sick do not get adequate medical attention. Sexual violence against women is also widely reported. Delivering aid after fighting pirates, sharks, bandits and looters Shipping food from the fields of western countries to Somali camps has become very dangerous. Sea pirates round up WFP (World Food Programme) ships almost regularly and delay delivery. They attack with modern weapons and hold the containers at ransom. Next comes the problem of docking. There is no port in operation for now and ships are forced to stop a few miles before reaching land. Small boats carry food to the shores where people wait in neck deep water, ruled by hungry sharks, to manually transfer them to camps run by aid workers. The food is then repackaged and transported by trucks to the respective destinations. Check points on the way serve as ideal locations for ruthless bandit attacks. Over a dozen workers have been killed trying to defend the aid. At the destination the looters dominate. When some food eventually reaches the hungry population, it is at least a week or two behind time. Aid workers continue good work While freelance violence continues in Somalia, the aid workers have not lost hope and continue to work with people in dire straits. Their own security is often put to test, but for the moment it is only these souls who remain for the displaced. The government is a junk spectator and the clan leaders, uncaring rapists of their own country. Image Credit: MSNBC Media News Source: MSNBC

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UN confirms sharp increase in Afghan violence, signals a grim future

Posted on January 22, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

For all who like to keep a keen eye on the situation in Afghanistan, it is all too apparent that violence has been increasing steadily since last year and that the Taliban is making a strong comeback into the heart of the country. The recently released United Nations report on how much violence and suicide bombings have escalated this year doesn’t quite surprise the analysts. Instead, it just confirms the suspicion that a lot still remains to be accomplished in the dilapidated Asian nation. The UN report states that violence in Afghanistan has increased nearly 30% this year with an increase number of suicide attacks that have entrapped an astoundingly large proportion of civilians. Last year the average violent incidents in the nation numbered 425 per month; now the figure stands at 550. Suicide bombings too have peaked and surprisingly, three-fourths of such attacks have been directed towards local and international peacekeepers. There have been other reports by other independent bodies that paint a truly grim picture of the restoration and rebuilding process in the post-American invasion of the Afghanistan. The news agency Associated Press stated that no fewer than 5,086 insurgency-related deaths have occurred in the first 9 months of this year. It also reported death of about 180 international soldiers so far. A couple of years after the US drove away the Taliban from Kabul and the political arean in Afghanistan in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, there was a huge slice of optimism that Afghanistan would be able to rebuild itself. But now things have taken a bleak shade. Last week, Afghan President Hamid Karzai bowed down to the Taliban and acceded to invite them to politics should the rebels decide to completely disarm themselves. But this proposal was dismissed by the Taliban who want a new Constitution to be written and also demand the complete withdrawal of foreign troops from the nation. Everyday there are reports from various corners of the nation of suicide bombings and innocent civilian getting killed. While the Afghan security force remains extremely fragile, the international peacekeeping force too appears to have no clue to the rescuing of the rapidly sinking ship. Image Source: Alertnet Source: USA Today

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Benazir Bhutto accepts the need of American forces to eliminate bin Laden

Posted on January 22, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

One of the stiffest opponents to the Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is the former Prime Minister of the nation Benazir Bhutto. She has been in exile for 8 years now and faces corruption charges at home. Yet they don’t deter her from monitoring the events in her native country and expressing her opinions on them. Bhutto might be against several policies adopted by the Pakistani General Musharraf but on topic, she is at one. In a recent interview to the BBC, Bhutto remarked that she would join the American forces and let them come into Pakistan should they give the assurance that their strikes would kill the al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. She admits the need of the Americans in the fight against terrorism in Pakistan and more importantly in eradicating bin Laden from the world but at the same time, she is not ready to hand the initiative to the Bush administration. Benazir Bhutto said that she would invite the American military into Pakistan only after she is convinced that she with her Pakistani forces cannot eliminate the al-Qaeda leader. For her, cooperation with the Americans would come only after her own resources have been tried and tested and have been proved to be incapable of containing the threats. Such an opinion appears to be a shred one indeed. The polls in Pakistan are on October 6 and the opposition parties there are firmly against the President seeking yet another term in the Presidential office. The US is fast running out of patience with the President in combating the escalating al-Qaeda insurgency in Pakistan and the people too are desperate for improvement on domestic policies. Under such circumstances, Benazir Bhutto’s comments about fostering America’s help demonstrate that she too is willing to forge alliance with the Americans. In recent weeks, she has propagated herself to be the one to lead Pakistan to a new era and now she acknowledges the American help. She might have out of active politics for 8 years but she still retains the tricks. Image Source: South Western Education Source: Dawn

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Gaza’s economic and political isolation forces Hamas to call for ceasefire

Posted on January 21, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

Palestinian hardline faction Hamas is feeling the pressure leading up to the holiday marking the Islamic feast of Eid-Al-Adha. Gaza’s desperate economic and security situation has forced the violent anti-Israeli organisation to offer a hope of ceasefire in the region which recently has seen a spate of deadly Israeli airstrikes targeting Palestinian radical militants. Furthermore, with the continuing deep divisions among Hamas and moderate Fatah, the former has largely been isolated by the international community after violently taking over Gaza from Fatah in june. The situation in Gaza is far different compared to the political and economic progress that is partially being carried out at the West Bank which is under Fatah control with the help of the international community. It is quite surprising to hear of reports suggesting Hamas to be in a position to enter into negotiations with the Israelis but the daily suffering of the people of Gaza is a clear indication that political and military arrogance is fatal at this critical stage. Maybe there is immense pressure within Hamas to find a way out of this economic mess and the best idea is to appeal for peace. By doing this the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyah is atleast giving himself and his party a chance to expect international sympathy. With the rise in Israeli incursions and attacks into Gaza, one dubbed the Annapolis agreement to be a complete failure even before it started. But this unlikely appeal for peace from an even more unlikely source perhaps makes way for somesort of opportunity for the conflicting parties to carry forward the commitments agreed upon at Annapolis in late november. But for peace to have any say in the volatile region where killings and appeal for peace walk hand in hand, Israel should also reciprocate by stopping unnecessary killings and assassinations inside Gaza. Yes, its a self-defensive action but when you have the offer of peace, letting the opportunity go is an even more criminal act. May be Gaza’s much suffering citizens are forcing Hamas to go the direction of peace and Tel Aviv should take up the opportunity by taking steps that would somewhat win the hearts of the Palestinians. The EU, US, the Arab world and the UN should now take a lead in influencing the Palestinians to give up violence which would prevent further destruction of the region and isolate the likes of Islamic Jihad and pockets of Hamas fighters which get constant help from Iran and Syria to continue deadly rocket attacks against Israel. Peace is rare let alone an offer but when it has come, both the parties should grab it with smiling faces, although this is easier said than done and the future events would certainly prove where is the Israel-Palestine conflict heading towards

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Darfur crisis deepens: Peacekeeping forces attacked

Posted on January 21, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

The Darfur conflict is getting worse by the day. What commenced as a common tussle between a militia and rebel groups in 2003 has now webbed in the entire world. The final full stop to the script doesn’t arrive in the perspective at all. Some 200,000 people,mostly of them innocent civilians, have lost their lives since 2003 and an estimated 2 million people have been rendered as refugees. This in spite of the 7,000 African Union troops stationed in the region. And now the peacekeeping forces themselves are being targeted. In the last several months, the troops have come under increasing attacks in Darfur by both fractions of the divide. The latest attack, in which thirty vehicles overran an AU base in the region and killed at least 10 peacekeepers with 50 soldiers reported missing, is another vivid illustration of how vulnerable the situation is. Rebel group Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has declined to take responsibility for the attack but have admitted that it was carried out by three dissident and breakaway militant commanders from the movement. The Darfur conflict has gained in complicacy over the years and such breakaway factions have contributed to the convoluted circumstances. Even in the face of sharp demand for the deployment of more UN troops, the Sudanese government refuses to let in any foreign forces inside its territories. The UN has already approved a 26,000 troop deployment scheme, but the Sudanese government has yet to accept the formulation. However, the October’s Libya peace talk is drawing nearer and nearer and it’s high time now that Sudan changes its policy. Image Source: Darfur Centre Source: BBC,CNN

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