Sic Semper Tyrannis

FB Ali - Short Resume

Download Short Resume

The Iraq Provincial Election

"Polls opened shortly after dawn after a step-by-step security clampdown across the country, including traffic bans in central Baghdad and other major cities and closure of border crossings and airports. Voting ended 11 hours later with no reports of major violence, though voters at some polling stations complained that their names did not appear on lists. Balloting was extended for one hour to accommodate voters.

Officials said counting would begin Sunday with preliminary results are not expected before Tuesday."  Yahoo News

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With voting completed in the Iraq provincial election and results not yet announced I reckon that this is an appropriate time to speculate on the outcome and the implications for the future of Iraq and the US effort there.  pl

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090131/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq

"Is The Two State Solution Dead?"

http://security.nationaljournal.com/2009/01/after-gaza-is-two-state-solution-dead.php

pl

Obama's Vietnam Plus? - FB Ali

We are fortunate to have received this short essay by Brigadier FB Ali on the subject of the kind of strategy that the US should adopt in Afghanistan.

I particularly share the author's conviction that the insurrection in Afhganistan is not simply a contest between the Taliban, and Al-Qaida on the one hand and the forces of democratic modernization and centralization on the other.  The war is much more complex a phenomenon than that.

Will a large increase in American resources prove a panacea for Afghanistan or is something more subtle and more suited to Afghanistan what is needed?

pl

Download Obama's Vietnam Plus

Gaza Atrocities

With regret I note the following story sent me by McClatchy News.  pl

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/226/story/60853.html

Let's take a good look at Iran

"CIA Director-designate Leon Panetta should consider a bipartisan review of intelligence collection concerning Tehran. Since the Obama administration is reviewing policy options toward the Islamic republic, it would seem sensible to know what Langley's actions have produced. Policy built on weak intelligence and analysis obviously isn't a good idea. "  Gerecht

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Reuel, like nearly all CIA alumni, continues to instinctively believe that the CIA IS the intelligence community.  Such old think" is pathetically out of date in a world in which Admiral Blair made it very clear at his installation ceremony that Leon Panetta will be one of his several subordinates.

But, this is clealy a case of "mind over matter."  Blair does not mind and the "ancien regime" of CIA nostalgics do not matterr.

Nevertheless, Reuel has a good idea.  There is little that is as important as the truth about Iran.  The Israelis have one view of things and the US intelligence community has another.  Reuel undoubtedly prefers the Israeli view.

Admiral Blair, not Panetta, would be wise to order just such a review as Gerecht suggests.

What should it be called?  Ah.  Perhaps "National Intelligence Estimate - Iran" would be a good title.  pl

The Politics of Aid

Sky joins BBC in Gaza appeal veto

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7850407.stm   Sky has joined the BBC in deciding not to broadcast a charity appeal for Gaza, despite mounting political and public pressure for them to do so. BBC boss Mark Thompson has again defended the decision, saying it would jeopardise the BBC's impartiality. Sky News said running the Disasters Emergency Committee advert was "incompatible" with its objective role. __________________________________________________________________________ I am at a loss to understand this happening. While not being able to view the content of the ad at this time, I have heard and read reporting that running such appeals is a tradition at the BBC. It appears to be yet another marginalization of Palestinians as a people, as humans. If the ad was itself inflammatory, could it not be redone to wash any overt emotional appeal? Or has this whole issue now become so radioactive that we are asked to accept that Gazans should expect less from the West. MCC

Dennis Ross and the "Jewish People Policy Planning Institute"

"A think tank founded recently by The Jewish Agency. The Jewish People Policy Planning Institute was established in 2002 by the Jewish Agency for Israel to be an independent professional policy planning think tank entrusted with the mission of promoting the identity, culture, prosperity, and continuity of the Jewish People. Every year, leaders of the Jewish world including such distinguished personalities as Dennis Ross, Shimon Peres, Natan Sharansky, Malcolm Hoenlein, Tzipi Livni, participate in JPPPI’s conferences and meetings that forecast the Jewish condition. The Institute conducts meetings, publishes reports and position papers, and produce contingency plans that help shape the future course of the global Jewish community.  Wiki

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This is undoubtedly a laudable institution, but is it an institution that should be the "day job" of the US presidential envoy to and for Iran?  Should we be surprised if Muslims do not think Dennis Ross an unbiased American negotiator?

Dennis Ross is the Chairman of the Board of this group and a former head and present counselor of the "Washington Institute for Near East Policy."  (WINEP)  For those who know not, WINEP is one of a galaxy of Washington groups that exist within the orbit of AIPAC, the Zionist lobby.  There are others;  the "Jewish Institute for National Security," (JINSA), "Business Executives for National Security" (BENS), etc.

Free the Uighurs

 

"Dear Pat

 

Today counsel to the Uighur prisoners at Guantanamo Bay made the attached request of the Obama administration that it launch the President's program to close Guantanamo by immediate release of our clients, who have been cleared by the courts and the military itself, and last September were ordered released.

 

As we have argued to the administration, the emptying of the Guantanamo prison cannot be achieved without the cooperation of America's allies, and that cooperation cannot be realized without America's firm leadership.

 

For too long this case has cried out for remedy.  We are buoyed by the President's order this week.  We urge him to begin the real work of implementation with this long overdue first step.

 

P. Sabin Willett

Counsel"

 

Download 2008.10.07. - Petitioners' Written Proffer of Evidence Proffered Orally at Hearing

 

Download 2009.01.23. - Letter to Holder, Filip & Gates re Uighurs

 

 

 

A desert called "peace"

  http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1184614595/bctid8702580001

I think the graffiti on the  walls of ruined houses in jihar al-dik is particularly interesting.  pl