At 60, NATO turning into NOT-O
Synopsis: NATO celebrated its 60th anniversary last week in Strasbourg, France. The military/defense group had clarity of purpose back in 1949: stop Soviet aggression/expansion. However, since the fall of the USSR in 1991, the group has lost a bit of focus of mission and today’s NATO is nowhere near the cohesive tight military unit it once was. The Plaid Avenger highlights a variety of issues that the organization is currently NOT doing so well at, from its relationship with Russia to the current war in Afghanistan.
At 60, NATO Faces Challenges Both Old and New
Kremlin ‘pushing Nato divisions’
NATO Struggles With Conflicting Views on Russia
Lukewarm Afghan commitment raises credibility issues for NATO
Keywords: NATO, Cold War, USSR, Soviet, Russia, US, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Afghanistan, Obama, Sarkozy, Merkel
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Global Gridlock Over Kooky Korean’s Kwangmyongsong-2
Synopsis: North Korea launched a missile/rocket/space satellite on Sunday April 5, 2009, much to the chagrin and consternation of most of the ‘Western’ world. However, China and Russia are unconvinced of the launch’s motivations, and are therefore stalling any UN condemnation of the act. The Plaid Avenger explains the basis for this difference in world opinion, its historic precedent, and the reasons behind why impoverished North Korea would even attempt these ‘satellite’ shenanigans. Even Kim Jong-Il should check this one out!
North Korea’s Rocket Launch Spurs Broad Condemnation
North Korea threatens “strong steps” if U.N. acts
Japan Acknowledges UN Security Council Split on N. Korea Sanctions
China warns US over N.Korea launch
Keywords: North Korea, rocket, missile, satellite, 6-Party Talks, US, Japan, South Korea, Russia, China
Gargantuan Global Gathering: G-20
The G-20 met this week, in what the Plaid Avenger predicts will be looked back upon as a hugely historic event. This meeting is the first time a truly representative group of the biggest movers and shakers has gotten together to truly try and solve some global problems. Unlike the UN, this tight 20-entity group has the capacity to actually get stuff done without the bloated bureaucracy bogging it down. It represents big changes in the global outlook of how to solve global problems…perhaps for the first time in history. The G-20 is now the premier institutions for problem solving on the global scale. How exciting!
The G-20: saying farewell to the ‘blue-eyed blond men’?
G-20 Meeting May Give Impetus to WTO Accord
Sarkozy: G20 Results “Beyond His Expectations”
Take heed from the G20’s emerging focus
Keywords: G-20, G-7, G-8, global economy, global issues, UN
Medvedev’s Military Machinations
Synopsis:
Russia has been working hard for the last couple of months to flex its muscles in an effort to gain the maximum amount of leverage prior to the first meeting between Russian President Medvedev and US President Obama. Some of Russia’s moves are obviously propaganda pieces, but many more realistic Ruskie ruses are establishing the tremendous advantage they posses in getting what the want from the US. The START treaty, revamping their military, reasserting themselves in central Asia and Georgia, and even sweetening ties with Iran are all Russian cards that they will play in order to curb the growth of NATO and the US missile defense shield, as well as pushing all foreign influence out of their historic periphery.
Keywords: Russia, USA, Medvedev, Obama, military, START, NATO, missile defense shield, Central Asia, Georgia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan
Russian President Welcomes Shift by U.S.
Russia and US poised to relaunch nuclear reduction treaty
Analysis: Russia to modernize army, nukes
Lavrov: Russia unhappy with NATO security role
Resetting Relations: Russia says Missile Shield Agreement with U.S. Possible
Russia to help defend Abkhazia, S. Ossetia borders
Russia Signaling Interest in Deal on Iran
Pakistanis Primary Problem: Indecisive Intelligence and Murky Military Motives
Synopsis:
Pakistan has been on the brink of full-on catastrophe and chaos for some time now, and most look to the woes of the struggling democracy as reason for the calamity. However, the Plaid Avenger wants you to consider the indecisive nature of the the military and the intelligence communities within Pakistan as the primary problem behind the current calamity in Afghanistan, in the Swat Valley,and in the entire western side of Pakistan….which taken together may spell the possible future failure of the state itself.
Keywords: Pakistan, al-Queda, Taliban, Swat Valley, Afghanistan
Touting Religion, Grabbing Land
India has ‘proof’ of Pakistan role in Mumbai attacks
Briton: Extremists in Pakistan a Key Target
Taliban Militants Attack NATO Supply Convoy In Northwest Pakistan
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Issue 2: Battle For Burma
Well, the battle for the heart and soul of this country is on, but no one outside Burma seems to be able to do a damn thing about it! Why not?
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