The World's Plaidiest News Source

Uncle Sam Kicked Out of Kyrgystan

• World
• South Asia & Central Asia
• The Americas

Kyrgyzstan announced that it was closing a major US air base in their country which is a strategic center of the US-led NATO mission in Afghanistan. This comes one week after a promise of huge amounts of aid to Kyrgyzstan from the Russians, as well as a joint security venture including these two sates and others.  But the Russian motives are more complex than just pissing off the US. This move increases western reliance on Russia’s aid and influence to fight the Afghan campaign….thereby having a strategic lever by which to get what is wants out of the US/NATO, namely no more NATO meddling in Ukraine and Georgia, and possibly stopping the development of the proposed NATO missile defense shield in eastern Europe.

In the news:
Analysis: US base falls victim to Kyrgyz crisis

Russia’s Silver Bullet for Afghanistan

Kyrgyz vote on US base held up by Russian aid

Kazakhstan helps out US on Afghanistan

Russia Kicks U.S. Out of Kyrgyzstan

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Mexico Madness: Cartels Crashing the Country

• World
• The Americas

Synopsis: The Plaid Avenger reports form the US/Mexican border on the serious nature of the current cartel calamity causing consternation to the Mexican government, as well as anyone in the US who is smart enough to know about the issue. The Gulf, Tijuana, Sinaloa, and Federation (combo team-up) drug cartels have become staggeringly powerful due to the $15 to $50 billion illegal drug trade….all of which goes to supply the outrageous US demand. These cartels are increasingly cavorting with gang crime/violence within the US itself. This is now a North American problem that demands increased attention from the US and Canada.

US Needs to Boost Fight Against Drugs in Mexico, Marti Says

U.S. border proves no obstacle for Mexican cartels

‘Key drugs player’ held in Mexico

Mexico’s Drug Cartel War
Who is to Blame?

Mexican Drug Cartels Armed to the Hilt

Cartels in Mexico’s drug war get guns from US

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Obamafication of US Foreign Policy: Diplomacy Trumps Military

• World
• East Asia-Pacific
• The Americas

As the Obama administration begins the task of taking the helm of the US superpower state, they have been making it very clear that they want to break strongly with the past Bush administration’s foreign policy tactics and targets. Thus, a huge shift is underway to make the US approach to international matters a more open and multilateral process…but not necessarily suggesting that they will be entirely dovish.  While this is certainly a more diplomatic approach, the Plaid Avenger wants you to be aware that there are many international issues which may not be substantially changed (if at all) by this shift in administrative policy.

As Obama Visits State Dept., Clinton Announces Two Special Envoys

Obama marks ‘new era’ at State Dept

Biden to signal new era in US foreign policy at security talks

Biden moves to heal rift with Europe

Keywords: US, Barack Obama, foreign policy, dovish, hawkish, unilateralism, multilateralism

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Ukrainian Gas Problems Causing Constipation For the EU!

• World
• International Organizations
• European Eurasia

In the news:
Russia, EU sign deal to help end gas crisis
France, Germany urge deal in Russia, Ukraine gas row
Accord signed in Russia gas row

Synopsis: Russia has turned off natural gas supplies to Ulraine on Jan 1 since the two countries could not decide on a market price for this year. The Plaid Avenger gives you some background on what this gas issue is really all about, the ramifications to the EU, and even some possible future winners in this chilly siuation.

Other Plaid Avenger related stories:
Ukraine in NATO? Nope, no, nyet, never, nein, non!
Russia Holds All Aces: Game Over Georgia
Russia Holds All Aces: Game Over in Georgia (part 2)
Russia Holds All Aces: Game Over in Georgia (part 3)

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Most Popular Politician on the Planet Portending Huge Policy Shifts

• World
• The Americas

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