Burka Ban Signifies Shift in Europe
watch on iPhone/iPod TouchSynopsis: There is talk in France of a nation-wide ban on the wearing of the Islamic full-body covering burka…a proposition supported by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Many have viewed this move as anti-Islamic or Islam-o-phobic, but hold on! This ban, along with a Swiss ban on minarets and anti-immigrant violence in Italy, is indicative of a major shift underway across all of Europe: a move to the conservative right, both socially and politically. The Avenger discusses these issues and the reasons why they have arisen….and what you can expect in European politics and cultural frictions of the future.
France moves toward burqa ban amid concern over Muslim integration
Race Riots Grip Italian Town, and Mafia Is Suspected
Fixing Europe's Immigration Problem
Keywords: France, Sarkozy, Switzerland, Italy, Berlusconi, Germany, Merkel, birth rates, immigration, culture, Islam
NATO now NOT-O; Taliban to the Table
watch on iPhone/iPod TouchSynopsis: On the 8th anniversary of the US-led NATO invasion of Afghanistan, a resurgent Taliban combined with a fraudulent election and a wimpy and demoralized NATO have made for a disastrous situation for all. In this dire hour for the entire Afghan campaign, the Plaid Avenger predicts that the US administration will have to change its tactics…namely by starting negotiations with the Taliban to bring it into a coalition government while focusing on al-Qaeda as the real target of the war. In addition, what we are now seeing is two different Taliban teams in the field: the Afghan Taliban and the Pakistan Taliban…the latter team being the real one to watch as it picks apart Pakistan and causes way more calamity for the region and the world.
U.S. Reviewing Taliban Links with Al-Qaeda
Taliban growth weighs on Obama strategy review
Europeans must do more in Afghanistan, NATO chief says
Afghanistan and Pakistan: is it time to ditch “AfPak”?
Pakistani army facing threat from Punjabi, al-Qaida and Taliban militants
Keywords: US, NATO, Taliban, Afghanistan, Pakistan, al-Qaeda, President Obama, General McCrystal
Diplomatic Dalai Diss to Save 6-Party
watch on iPhone/iPod TouchSynopsis: The venerated Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, is hanging out in and around Washington DC this week….but will NOT be meeting with US President Obama. Why the diss from the world’s most popular politician to the world’s most popular buddhist? Ah….there is always more going on behind the scenes in the international intrigue game of politics! The Avenger explains why the US cannot meet with the Lama right now, so as not to piss off the Chinese….specifically as Chinese Premier Wen Jaibao is concurrently visiting North Korea to re-start the 6-Party talks with Kim Jong-Il. US reliance on China’s money and political influence, as well as what the hell the 6-party is, are elaborated on as well.
Dalai Lama not to meet Obama during US visit
Premier Wen Jiabao speaks on Six-Party talks
Keywords: 6-Party Talks, NPT, nuclear weapons, Wen Jaibao, China, Dalai Lama, Tibet, Kim John-Il, North Korea, Barack Obama, US
A Shift to the BRIC
- World
- International Organizations
- East Asia-Pacific
- European Eurasia
- South Asia & Central Asia
- The Americas
Synopsis: The Avenger has his plaid panties in a bunch about a serious global shift that started during the big G-20 in Pittsburgh last week: a move to more representative economic and political power on the world stage. Listen as the plaid one explains the background of the G-20 evolution, and the impacts of the most recent G-20 party….specifically for the BRIC countries….as they redistribute voting power in global institutions like the IMF and World Bank. Gee golly, its G-20 genius!
G-20: New Clout, New Responsibilities
G-20 Agrees to Boost Emerging Nations Clout at IMF, World Bank
BRICs stand by demand for bigger share of IMF votes
Keywords: BRIC, G-20, G-7, G-8, IMF, World Bank
Proliferation Frustration
watch on iPhone/iPod TouchSynopsis: Listen as the Plaid Avenger spouts prophetically about nuclear proliferation on the heels of a historic meeting of the UN Permanent Security Council chaired by US President Barack Obama. Details include the structure of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), its weaknesses and issues in today’s world, and how Obama and the funky P5+1 bunch hope to strengthen it for the future…specifically the future of dealing with Iran and its nuclear ambitions. NPT Party On!
Obama At the UNGA, Four Pillars
Key elements in UN nuclear resolution
IAEA: Iran on wrong side of law
Keywords: NPT, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, US, Obama, UN Security Council, P5+1, Iran
Plaidcasts by Region
