Big news unfolding on the Arabian Peninsula concerning what is shaping up to be a major power player in Middle Eastern action for the 21st century: the GCC! That’s right, the little known Gulf Cooperation Council just had an official joint meeting with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to discuss how this small band of 6 Arab states will likely become a major arm of power in the region, as the US is selling them butt-loads of arms and even promised a missile defense shield to the group! A much more potent player than the larger and unruly Arab League, this GCC group is the one to watch for possible moves against Iran, or even one of their own in Syria! Find out more about it here!
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
After a bit of pre-gaming for VT vs. Appalachian State, the Professor gives his take on a few international stories he thinks are of much greater significance this week than the droll domestic drivel that is forced upon the American public on a daily basis. This week:
...violence in Jos, Nigeria
...new Japanese Prime Minister Yoda takes over
...Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard in trouble
...Kim Jong-Il in Russia, because his country sucks
and…Russia covertly bashes NATO? What is NATO all about now?
Keywords: Muammar, Libya, Nigeria, Jos, Yoshihiko, Noda, Japan, Gillard, Australia, Russia, Medvedev, NATO, North Korea, Kim Jong-Il
The Professor gives his take on a couple of international stories he thinks are of much greater significance this week than the droll domestic drivel that is forced upon the American public on a daily basis. This week:
...US reputation takes a hit globally due to political infighting
...Muammar Quadaffi threatens Europe
...but mostly, Hugo Chavez has cancer, and all that impacts
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?
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