Russia Shields Syria…sez Nyet! to UN
The violence continues to escalate in Syria, where the entrenched regime of Bashar al-Assad continues a bloody repression of protestors who are trying to bring the ‘Arab Spring’ revolution to their country. In the latest news, Russia has now publicly stated that there is no way in hell they will allow any UN-sponsored and NATO-led invasion of Syria—the likes of which toppled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi last year. Say what? Why would Russia openly support a civilian-slaughtering regime? The Professor talks about some of the reasons for this Russian promise of a veto at the UN, and also why the Syrian regime has lasted longer than other Arab dictatorships which have bitten the dust much quicker.
Keywords: Syria, regime, Russia, veto, UN, Security Council, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Arab Spring, weapons, revolution
In Other News…Palestine joins UNESCO
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
Bye Bye Bin Laden! Hello Taliban! (part 2)
Yes, yes, yes, there is tremendous hype and pomp and circumstances surrounding the death of Osama Bin Laden by US forces who covertly invaded Pakistan and took out the head terrorist honcho of al-Qaeda a couple of weeks ago. While much attention has been focused on the man since his death, and the future of his death-wielding terrorist group, and even on how this affects US power/prestige in the world, the Plaid Avenger believes the biggest impacts of bin Laden’s locational transfer to hell will be most felt by the Afghanistan Taliban…who will be ‘legitimized’ and become an accepted power player in Afghan politics.
Say what? Yeah, confusing stuff! That’s why the Avenger did this two-part series to unpack it for you:
Part 1 goes over the differences between the main groups involved in the chaos in this neighborhood, including the goals and objectives of the Afghan Taliban, the Pakistani Taliban, and al-Qaeda.
Part 2 offers 5 reasons why the death of Osama bin Laden will influence the US, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the wider world to accept the Afghan Taliban as a legitimate component of a future stabilized Afghanistan.
The Avenger also points out some relevant insight into the dangers of a growing Pakistani Taliban, and what this might mean for future US/Pakistani relations. And he wants your opinion on how that should be proceeding as well…
Related Stories:
Kabul and Islamabad upgrade Taliban peace bid
Indian PM sees change after bin Laden's death
U.S. Speeds Up Direct Talks With Taliban
Q+A: Pakistan's Taliban: who are they what can they do?
Keywords: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Taliban, Afghan Taliban, Pakistani Taliban, al-Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden, ISI
Liberating Libya 4: Some Unanswered Questions
In this final flustered finale part 4 on what’s happening in Libya, the Plaid Avenger answers a host of other questions sent into him by you, the intelligent and inquisitive plaid viewers. And BTW thanks so much for those questions and comments! Topics for this Libya rant include why the Arab League supported an invasion of a fellow Arab country, why the French and British have been so hawkish on this whole affair, why other Arab states with uprisings are not being considered for like-minded invasions, who now supports this Libyan mission, who does not, and the greater repercussions of this event not just to Libya and the Middle East but to the entire world. And please comment below about what story the Avenger should report on next! The True Finns or the BRICS?
Related Stories:
Fears of Libya mission creep as British-French advisory team sent to Benghazi
US resists pressure from Europe's hawks to boost role in Libya figh
Middle East and North Africa: Revolution and Counter-Revolution
NATO war in Libya violates U.N. mandate, Russia says
Leaders at BRICS Summit speak out against airstrikes in Libya
Keywords: NATO, Arab League, UN, EU, immigration, mission creep, sovereignty, BRIC, BRICS, France, UK, US, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, Syria
Liberating Libya 3: A Beleagured Arab League
In our third installment on the ‘liberating’ of Libya, the Plaid Avenger examines the critical role that the Arab League has played…and how their political wavering is typical of the international group’s lack of focus and effectiveness. But first, what the heck is the Arab League? What is it all about? What is it supposed to do? Why has is thus far been a total failure? The Avenger and his friend ‘the Professor’ cover the backstory, and then catch you up in the League’s steps and missteps in the current calamity we call Libya.
Related Stories:
Clinton Says Arab League Vote for No-Fly Zone Changed Minds
Arab League Wavers On U.N.-Sanctioned Airstrikes
Arab League reiterates support for Libya action
Arab League states: a recent history of protest
Keywords: Arab League, Libya, Muammar Qaddafi, UN, NATO, US, UK, France
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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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