Say what? Why would a non-state like Palestine joining a sub-group of the UN named UNESCO be of any global significance? Oh man, I’m telling you, this is a sign of things to come! Listen to this podcast to understand how the US may be isolating itself to its own detriment on the world stage, and how this little ‘global parks service’ entity’s vote on Palestine may be a harbinger of things to come at the UN as a whole. The US’ role in the world is changing…and I want to know what you think of it!
Keywords: UNESCO, UN, US, Palestine, Israel, Canada, sovereignty, UNICEF, Halloween
A new era of military and political focus is upon us my friends! A big geographic shift is underway for US armed forces! ...and that shift is to Africa! Perhaps dozens of discrete air/drone bases are probably being built across North Africa and the Middle East, and the first one just “officially” opened in Ethiopia…a country that the US is already militarily tight with, as they help fight radical groups in neighboring Somalia. And what cannot be a coincidence, the Obama administration just sent 100 military advisors to Uganda to help quell a terrorists group there too. As times and threats change, so does US foreign policy, troop deployment, and geographic focus for action. Africa is the future!
Keywords: Africa, Ethiopia, Somalia, US, military, drones, air base, al-Shabab, Uganda, Lords' Resistance Army Joseph Kony, terrorists
Turkey had a titanic earthquake this week in the mostly-Kurdish, southeastern part of their country! But before that even happened, the ground was shaking under Kurdish feet in nothern Iraq—because Turkey invaded it and has been bombing it! Why? To route out the PKK, a Kurdish terrorist group. In this rant, the Professor explains why this is happening, and more importantly, why is the US suddenly throwing support behind this endeavor…and who may be behind the resurgence of PKK activities!
Russia and 7 other countries just signed a free trade agreement…which makes it more of a free trade block. What is so fascinating about that? Well, the 7 countries in question are all former republics of the Soviet Union! Is Russia trying to re-form the Union? Hmmm…doubtful, but this does come on the heels of Vladimir Putin publicly promoting the formation of a “Eurasian Economic Union,” and the strengthening of the SCO group which is dominated by the Chinese and Ruskies. Wow! We are definitely seeing the beginnings of a serious alternative to the EU, and the geo-political and economic future of the Eurasian continent as whole. Putin party on!
Keywords: Russia, Eurasian Economic Union, EU, CIS, SCO, USSR, Commonwealth of Independent States, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Ukraine
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been the most powerful and effective defensive alliance of all time….but it’s in bad trouble all of the sudden, and easily in its weakest position ever since the group was founded over 60 years ago. Loss of defined mission and over-extension are just the start of NATO’s issues; the European members have long been under-contributing to the cause, and the US is being forced to cut military spending which will affect its contributions as well. All NATO countries are undergoing serious recession bordering on depression, and most are also decreasing their military expenditures…just at a time when the group is involved in more missions than ever before. Can the alliance survive?
Keywords: NATO, US, Leon Panetta, Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, Afghanistan, Libya, Europe
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