Forget the criminal this is lethal

This Rolling stone article by Michael Hastings shows the abuse of power and misappropriation of resources by a Lt Gen William Caldwell, a high ranking US military officer. This article should cause outrage not at Hastings as Abu Muqawama has deemed appropriate nor the lightening of significance of Lt Gen Caldwells actions as Ricks has done. It should send shivers, sweats, outrage, through the military community operating in Afghanistan. It also should lead to investigation and/or immediate removal of the Gen from a command position.

Where I'm from the military is supposed to fight and win wars. The military does not like that it is loosing this war to what was once viewed to be a far inferior enemy, and in many way such as access to technology and size of force is unquestionably inferior to this day. That however does not give it the rig
 ht to its own facts nor permission to conduct illegal activities. H
 ow they view the difference between “its working give me more" and "we need more to make it work" as profound enough to conduct illegal activity to hammer this point home causes me confusion. That said what I do know is when a commander decides that it is appropriate to use psy-ops (regardless of what they want to call them today) to manipulate and skew the facts to leaders of the coalition it destroys those leaders ability to make informed decisions. Whether it was done for personal gain or because the commander believes he can achieve his mission with more

2006 Hezbollah Israel war unclassified examination

We were caught unprepared. That is putting it lightly.

Just a rant

It seem to me that American control over the main stream media has no bounds. The original self censorship of the Egyptian uprising should be a serious cause for concern. However disconcerted that was it seems trivial to what has become a call for an uprising in Iran.

The Iranian green movement is a far cry from a domestically created organization. It is more or less a creation of ex patriots (many left with the Shah), special interests, and covert interference. Support and financing come primarily from the US and UK governments and their friendly “NGOs”.

This movement has all the trademarks of an organization that can be appealing to mass audiences. The green of the green movement is a color. The color has significance to the people of Iran however it is still   color. Colors don’t hold a great deal of significance thus they don’t alienate anyone.  

The call for change is wildly un-descriptive. Yes we here democracy but there are no democracies in the world, nor will there be one in Iran. There are democratic forms of government but the notion of democracy as a system of government would mean that all the leaders of government and every institution would be selected by the people. It is unfathomable that any state could operate under those conditions.

American Allies

FP’s list of “Americas most embarrassing allies”

Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen
King Abdullah II of Jordan
Yoweri Museveni of Uganda
Nursultan Nazarbayev  Of Kazikstan
Nguyen Tan Dung of Vietnam

Alternet list if the more pointedly phrased “Worst Dictators the US is backing".
Paul Biya of Cameroon
Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov, Turkmenistan
Teodoro Obiang Nguema, Equatorial Guinea
Idriss Deby, Chad

These they argee on, presumably making them “the worst and most embarrassing dictators the US is allied with and backing”
King Abdullah of saudi Arabia
Meles Zenawi of  Ethiopia
Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan

McCain on Tehran Times?

Strange;

While Tehran is making it quite clear it wants Mubarak gone seeing a Fox interview with john McCain in the Tehran Times took me by surprise. This is a guy who started to sing "Bomb Iran" (link to Dark humor clip caused by his speech). His take on this seems more distinguished stating "The US has to come down on the right side of history" on this.

Article run-down;

1, Mubarak has to go (There doesn’t seem to be any other course of action.)
2, ME most dangerous time since US involvement (The area is in a great transition. US has dominated region with autocratic governments and the people are fighting for self determination..... Capitol flight from gains made in the recent economic neo-liberal period is in the hands of a very few and is a huge risk. This risk, almost certain to materialize, could further exasperate the economic problems of the region. etc etc etc
3, He worries the Muslim Brotherhood would "hijack the elections." (There is some legitimate risk of a political coup to form a theocracy, unlikely to happen. Mostly just code for the Egyptian people will vote for people he doesn't want them to. US image is terrible in ME and is it going to find its relationship change with a democratic government, many Egyptians despise the US. Geo politics will continue to play an important role and is likely to be a moderator of emotion. However if allegiance were to decisively switch to another

Legitimacy in Palestine

With legitimacy related unrest in the region the Palestinian Authority, ruled by Fatah, has announced plans to hold elections very soon. Protests had spread into the territories only as “solidarity protests” with the anti mubarak protestors in egypt. In Gaza Hamas allowed the “solidarity protests” to take place while in the PA controlled West bank Fatah led security forces cracked down. Hamas has many reasons to allow these protests to take place legitimacy being the most profound of them.  The Palestinian authority has moved to bolster its legitimacy, having already served long past its elected term, by calling for elections. The legitimacy of these elections being "fair" will depend on a number of issues.

1, Many of Hamas supporters in WB have been detained and subject to tribunals that prescribe little or no rights to defendants (recently 289 have been detained). If political detainees are not released it may have implications on how the legitimacy of the elections.

2, The Palestinian Commission on Human Rights stated in relation to the PA crack down on Egyptian solidarity demonstrators that "The Palestinian Authority should immediately make clear that its ‘state-building’ training of security forces does not include beating peaceful demonstrators," Without freedom to associate

Instead of "Frank" convos who ever Frank is

"We've been asking for reforms" Aparently we've always been the good guys according to Hillary. It might be a tough sell to protestors when we have and continue to support their enemy. They had the internet until a couple days ago, they might be briefed on the matter.


FP Tom Ricks posts this from this Blogger.
1, Support the protestors (Hearts & Minds)
2, Suspend aid to rulers (might not want to leave a vacume)
3, Ask Egyptians for friendship. Offer economic aid (Pro; include new market, it will build bonds to have assets there to help rebuild (hearts & minds), corps are great for intel and influence... Con; it'll be hard to do, there is risk involved in trying, for those risk averse force protection folks at home it's a tough sell )
4, Food aid, they will need it (They would be less inclined to "Bite the hand that feeds them". I'd be patient and take a few hits before committing to over throwing them (see Iran 1941).
5, Warn their neighbors about interfering (Protect them)

From my last post;
5,  The real 1^st in this case and critical in any;  Prevent outside backing Interference (not that they would get much anyways); Islamic forces will take over scare, better the devil you know (US), if I  they go down

Egypt puts a glove on the fist

High Speed Counter Insurrection

1, Scare them by dominant position "meet the fist with a club". Show of force ”We have organization and weapons, you don't”. “Take the square" for a physiological and territorial conquest.
2, Give them no sanctuary; Put security forces in civilian cloths, use mercenaries, and use gangs. (The who’s
 who problem with the insurrectionists and it gives diplomatic cover internationally), disperse/displace, cut off food/water/communication lines, and remove every element of safety/hope (looting, riots, lethargic army, no police, and a general feeling of vulnerability).
3, Split them; Pro government forces are already using anti US and Islamic slogans. (Whose protest is this?)
4, Kill and jail those who won't quit and the rest get apathy.

Then the many are reoccupied by the few. The most brutal get metals, money, and don’t go to jail for these

Domino

Following on the news that President Mubarak will reform Egypt King Abdullah of decrees himself Jordans reformer, after sacking cabinet (sound familiar?).

Yemeni President won't seek new term.

Calls for protests in Syria.

2 cents; Well the domino theory has gained some prestiege.

Out comes unclear.

Info Monopoly

Must read

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/01/tunisia-egypt-miami-the-importance-of-internet-choke-points/70415/

Pretty brief summery so my only comment is; "If Egyptians can overcome their apathy with monopoly can we not do the same."

See previous post on the "military technology congressional complex” here.

Egypt 2-1-2011

Freedom of the press is gone. Freedom of speech highest ever.
Freedom to communicate with the outside world gone. Freedom to assemble highest ever.

Control over security forces, both Gov and Military.
Control over military, neither Gov nor Civilian.

Government is paralyzed fading autocracy leaning toward military junta? Future unclear.

Why We Flattened Afghanistan?

Flynn is flyin high! http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/02/i-flattened-afghan-villages/#more-39714

Is 49,200 pounds of bombs an apropriate method for IED disposal. The US military says the answer is yes. Force protection at its finest? They have no idea how to fight this war? This is so far lost that are troops are loosing their minds?

(LT Col Flynn called together Tarok Kolache’s malek and the other area residents to let them know that he was planning, essentially, large-scale demolitions. (((however)))“We didn’t show them a plan and say, ‘We’re going to destroy everything in the village, is everyone OK with that?’” he says.) Hmmm wonder why not?

link to AJE in US

@LinkTV has the most @AJEnglish coverage in the US, DIRECTV 375, DISH 9410. LIVE 11am-3pm EST, and more throughout the day #wewantouraje

Egypt today

A clear path of succession was made. The naming of Omar Suleiman as Vice President, first VP in thirty years, may ease tensions of some concerned parties. He is of a military and intelligence background and should ease concerns of the military and of those opposed to the transfer of power to the current Presidents son.

Security forces, 350,000 strength and loathed by protestors, not visibly present in cities.

Military, 468,500 strength and embraced by the protestors, urges respect for curfew so they can hunt looters (it has been reported that the looters are the Security Forces).  Military has not engaged protestors nor security forces with direct force of arms. It is reported that the military has used its presence to protect Protestors on the ground with armor (see video here), intimidation (simply by their presence), and also using helicopters to clear the rooftops of security forces snipers.

Cairo live

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/ woe news in the Middle East. ((super coverage!!))

Blundering Pajama Pundit on Secret Societies

Go FP

           Recently an article was published in FP. Its focus was Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Seymour Hersh speech in Qutar. Hersh stated that the US Joint Special Operations Command is run by officers who believe they are in a holy war. He went even further by stating that they where also in Christian secret societies such as the "Knights of Malta" and "Opus Dei". The article was seemingly to denounce the notion with statements such as "conspiracy-laden diatribe" and "down hill from there".

          The article didn't come across the way he planned. The article just had too much Hersh and not enough denouncing. So another post was made where he again tried to denounce Hersh and clarify his own stance. With four points he provided more ammunition for conspiracy theorists.

1, In reference to the accusation there is a pervasive attitude of a Christian crusade he stated you would have to do a survey of JSOC. "Good luck with that" was his assessment of the possibility of that happening. He is correct there is no chance of a specop survey of whether they believe they are on a crusade.

"and"

Around 4,000 Jordanians staged a protest in Amman after weekly prayers Friday against their government’s economic policies, demanding "bread and freedom" and the resignation of the government.

Two cents;
The Kings advisors may find some room for compromise on the "and" portion of their demands

.

Think tank proposal leaves to 80% of W. Bank to Israel

That was really nice of them!

First line of article; A pro-Israel US think tank released proposals that would reconcile allowing a majority of the settlers to stay in place with a Palestinian state through commensurate land swaps.

Two cents;
Sand swaps!!!

Political Adventurism

Prince Saud al-Faisal ; Saudi Arabia has "only [given up] with regards to the issue of mediation."

Breakdown
1; Life guard analogy; Hezbollahs going down and those who ally with them do so at their own peril.
2; Saudi Arabia is still interfering, they are just not mediating. They have picked sides and see no reason to speak to the other side.
2; Lebanese only hear what they want to hear; (This isn't going as planned. The Lebanese aren't reading the moves the way we would like.)
3; Location location location; Hassan Nasrallah is a puppet because he went to see the Iranian President,

Wild world of Sports

I felt that Huffpo needed to do a better job with this so I made my own filler piece off wikipedia, my intent was to have some fun not sure what theirs was.

Seldom seen by the western world is the sport of "Buzkashi". This sport is played with two teams and only one rule, no tripping. The objective is to get the carcass of a recently slaughtered beast into the goal, "The Circle of Justice". Competition is fierce and only the best steeds will do in this polo like sport. These hardcore sportsmen will dawn the toughest clothing they have to protect themselves from there opponents glancing blows and cracking whips. They will come from territories near and far to compete and the prize will be their pride. Teams will need speed, agility, coordination, and unrelenting toughness to find victory. The winning team will fight their way through the blocking, kicking, punching, and whipping of there opponents. At just the right moment one of the team will break free of the scrum. With the beast in hand and whip in mouth he will make a break for the Circle of Justice and lead his team to victory. Hard fought this victory will be sweet!!! This is the formidable sport of Buzkashi.

 

The French "Crimes"

         
          French foreign ministers convoy was pelted by Palestinians for a comment she didn't make about war crimes.

          The FM didn't call anything a war crime. While in Israel she did not call the thousands of Palestinian political prisoners a war crime. While in the Gaza strip she did not call the collective punishment of the inhabitants a war crime.  She did not call Israel’s settlement policies a war crime. She did not call the most recent assault on the strip a war crime. She did not she call the failure of Hamas to give Red Cross access to SSGT Gilad Schalit a war crime.
     
          Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bernard Valero, told reporters that France “strongly supports the Gazan population” He made no accusations of war crimes nor compicity in them.

Trickle to Crisis

Push NY Times 

            “It’s on the razor’s edge,” Walid Jumblatt, a politician and a leader of the Druse minority who has emerged as a kingmaker, said in an interview. “I can see the nervousness of Hezbollah and the Syrians. They feel — and they are right to feel — outmaneuvered and betrayed.”

Special Tribunal for Lebanon is expected to name high ranking members of Hezbollah for the assassination of the former PM of Lebanon. The current PM, the son of the assassinated PM, is allied with US and Saudi Arabia (the “West”) against Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran. The "West" insists the STL is not in the hands of the Lebanese government on the continuation of the STL work and have taken up financial responcibility for it. Hezbollah believes that the STL is an American Israeli tool to attack them and want a Lebanese Gov that will abolish all further cooperation and denounce the STL.

The American Congressional Complex

The American Congressional Complex

Push for Asia Times; "Giant weapons maker becomes Big Brother", By William D Hartung

Push for CFR for the little idea received from the interview "Military-Industrial Complex, Fifty Years On" ("the military-industrial-technological-congressional complex.") the theme of this piece.

           America’s most influential think tank conducts a fluff interview on the military industrial complex. Asia Times bites back with one company.

           Asia Times article covers just one of the most powerful companies in the world, non other than Lockheed Martin. LM has operations in all fifty states. It did so to be sure that it would have a lobbying platform with some local faces and economic benefits in all the states. LM did this to be sure that the F-35 (being that it is late, costing more, and leaving air forces with fewer planes) flies. It was however in all fifty

The conspiracy not covered by the West

Push to BBC for publishing this cheeky piece without an author.

         Israel appears to have attempted to kidnap Chinese and Japanese tourists in Egypt. Egyptian security forces claim this was an attempt at harming the Egyptian economy. While this may be true a more devious plan would be to encourage anti Arab and Muslim sentiment in those countries. Any rift, whether political or public, in these Asian countries would, at least presumably, bolster Israel’s standing (Zero Sum). Increased standing would lead to stronger diplomatic, economic, and intelligence strength for Israel. They already want the tourists.

         Common where are the Arabs at? They used to be so good at this conspiracy stuff. Somebody see a Buzzard in Saudi Arabia or the Shark in the Mediterranean?

Tunisia to the dismay of Saudi

An influential Saudi daily reports on Tunisia http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=2&id=23785
Confused and lacking any insight but truly Saudi. Almost a request to stop supporting unreliable dictators (Saddam mentioned along with Bin Ali) because the scene of collapsing regimes wasn't good for them, or the US for that matter.
Here's a sumation;
1 Why doesn’t this happen where we want
2 We don't know what happened
3 US policy is at fault
4 Kingdoms and Emirates are far more open than Republics (So they say)
5 And a very sarcastic argument for Democracys to be stable, sort of? More of a poke in the eye because ME watchers watch them, a little told you so sarcasm? Kingdoms are better!

Wiki Fun

via huffpo, via newser, http://gizmodo.com/5733304/man-sues-wikileaks-and-julian-assange-for-150-million-over-emotional-distress push for cracking this baby open!

Less than "cents"

Apparently some moron has decided to file a lawsuit for 150 million for stress related to fear of nuclear war. He managed to link this to its obvious source “wikileaks”. I guess we’ll see if the judge believes theres a posibility that a non-nuclear, non-state, man with an ankle bracelet is the cause of his stress.
Source not verified by ThinkWT it is all over.

In other WikiTastic (however totally untrue in this case) news;
IBF; cracks non-death of moron case. IBF asserts Julian Assange (AKA; Wiki Warrior, Spaz Tastic, and Fuzzy Bear) on conspiracy to commit involuntary manslaughter.

Profound Reversal of US policy on Tunisia?

Pundit Push goes to Stephen Zunes, Professor of Politics and Chair of Mid-Eastern Studies at the University of San Francisco for his article. This article gives a good backround of the relationship between Tunisia and the US.  U.S. Backs Tunisian Dictatorship in Face of Pro-Democracy Uprising

News;

In a welcome reversal from the Secretary of States “wait and see”, albeit after the fact of seeing, the US President backs free and fair elections for an allied Arab state. After a day where Tunisia saw three presidents in twenty-four hours it has come to light that the state has a Constitution to deal with the fallout. The Tunisian Constitution stipulates, according to the Constitutional Council, that the Speaker of Parliament will assume power as President and elections must be held within 45-60 days. 

Two Cents;

Bravo, to the US President, on the free and fair portion. The Tunisian Constitutional Court made no mention of these elements.

This is an opportunity to give Democracy a chance in Arabia away from some of the more profound national interest issues of the Persian Gulf. The upcoming elections will undoubtedly effect US national interests in very broad and, problematically, unpredictable ways. The world is watching and a successful

Push "Where do bad ideas come from, and why dont they go away?

In this article Mr. Walt does the good service of stating the need for reflection on the past and have a look in the mirror.
We thank Mr. Walt for his contribution and here by give him our "Pundit Push".

“Two cents”;

 "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana,  Reason in Common Sense. 

No good quote however I will add "If one has a false impression of himself his impression of everything else is in jeopardy" ThinkWT

It is always a service to people in general to have a mirror held up to them from time to time and the same goes for states. This same element of reminding a state of what it looks like and where this may leadUS has to have a look in the mirror when it relates to a lot of things including domestic and foreign affairs. It also must believe its eyes instead of attempting to put “lipstick on a pig” if that is what it sees. It is and will continue to be a flaw for the US to fall prey to the belief that it is more important to use power to preserve power than it is to lead with it, where as it could preserve and perpetuate itself.