No More Secret Prisons - CIA

The New York Times: Reports that the CIA is to close down its secret prisons. The Liberal NYT of course loves this idea, it does not care about the security of the United States. Since 9/11 there has not been a major attack on the USA, Obama must hope this will be the same result when he faces re-election. If the terrorists think Obama is weak and plan and have a successful strike on the American homeland, the US voter will ask if they the USA can afford to make the Obama conscience calm. Thus if there is no attack then Obama was right to scale down the US reaction to 9/11 but what if Obama is wrong, what if there is another attack, the American voter might want to be liked abroad but not at the cost of their safety and security. Thus my prediction that Obama due to his mistake in Afghanistan and his scale back of the terror polices of Bush 43 will be a one term President, he will fail to win re-election in 2012.

What Iraqi Withdrawal ?

The Times: Reports on the comments of General General Ray Odierno, the Commander of US Forces in Iraq, the General has stated that the schedule for the US withdrawal from Iraq might have to change due to the terrorist threat. These comments will not go down well with the Obama White House, although the overall plan for withdrawal is still a go, the details by the sound of it will have to change somewhat. The Agreement between Iraq and the USA had US troops off the streets of Iraq, but with the upsurge in terrorists attack and other ethnic flash points the USA might still need a presence in some of the cities of Iraq. One can postulate that the terrorists will look at the calender, if they can be seen as forcing the USA out they will fill the political vacuum when US has left. Thus it is import that while Obama turns his eye to Afghanistan he does not forget that Iraq can also cause him political damage. The Bush Surge has worked, if while withdrawing troops there is a violent outbreak in Iraq and Obama has to send the troops back in, he will be a one term President.

$83.4 billion for Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan

The White House: Request by the Obama White House for a supplemental appropriations of 83.4 billion dollars to support the planned withdrawal of troops form Iraq and for the War in Afghanistan and to the help the Government of Pakistan fight the Terrorists. This is the time for Liberals to say No to Obama, if Liberals support this move they are going down the LBJ road. Afghanistan is the next Vietnam. The Liberals in Congress should demand that Obama change his policy, rather than more troops and more money, Obama should have a light footprint in Afghanistan, special forces and other selected troops to fight the terrorists. The US Congress should support the money for the Iraqi withdrawal and to support Pakistan.

Pakistan and Afghanistan, Endless War

Time: Reports on the political, military and economic situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan. On the whole some good news form Afghanistan, a new plan by the Obama Administration, to build up the civic structure of Afghanistan while fighting the Taliban. In Pakistan is just bad news, more the USA goes after the Taliban the more it causes problems for the secular government of Pakistan. This is one of the best articles I have read on the War in Afghanistan and the terror safe heavens in Pakistan, the civic build up of Afghanistan could of course turn to dust, Obama could not get more combat troops from NATO, it does not matter if you have a good police force if your are losing on the military front to the Taliban/Terrorists. In Pakistan it could be argued that what even Obama does it will have a negative effect on the secular government of Pakistan. Thus in for a penny as much as a pound, Obama should take over the Tribal areas, clean house on the military front but also build the civic structure of the area, build schools that allow for both genders, hospitals, jobs for the locals. Pakistan could be North Vietnam as far as Obama is concerned, if he does not get it right he could be out of office in 2012. Read of the Day.

Russia ready for Tougher Action on Iran ?

Fox News: Reports that Russia is ready to take more firmer action on Iran, Moscow has stated that its Intelligence on Iran is not as up to date as the USA's recent statements on Iran. It seems that the Moscow has sniffed the wind and decided its better to be a friend of the new Obama Administration. Russia does not want a missile defence shield in the Czech Republic and Poland. Also Iran is as much of a threat to to Russia and the USA. Also Moscow might think that Israel will attack Iran anyway, thus might as well be on the same page as Obama. Also we have to look at the context that Iran will have Presidential Election this year, if the moderates win this would place Moscow on the same page as the defeated President of Iran. Thus expect Russia to take a pragmatic view of Iran.

UK and Pakistan - Work Together Against Terror

BBC News: Reports on the call by the UK PM Gordon Brown for the UK and Pakistan to work together against terrorism. This is a fine call from Mr Brown, one problem the Government of Pakistan cant even control the terrorists in the Swat Valley, and that is in Pakistan proper. In the tribal areas the Army of Pakistan is losing the battle with the terrorists. Thus the UK should expect within the next few years to get hit against as it was on 7/7. Guardian readers think its our fault, because we are in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that we don't place enough pressure on Israel. President Obama stated on his recent trip the following " .....don't fool yourselves -- because some people say, well, you know, if we changed our policies with respect to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or if we were more respectful towards the Muslim world, suddenly these organizations would stop threatening us. That's just not the case. " Thus we are fighting terrorists not because what we do, it is because who we are, Western, Liberal, Democratic.

Reagan or LBJ for America

CNN News: Article on how those that worked or supported either Reagan or LBJ are back in the political trenches, Reagan supporters see the Obama Economic Plan as another Great Society 11, while LBJ supporters think Obama is following on from LBJ. In policy terms Obama is closer to LBJ than Reagan, in fact Reagan was critical of LBJ for the debt that the Great Society had created. Obama has allowed the left to hijack his agenda, his Stimulus Act was written by the Liberal Congressional Leadership. As has been noted by historians, the New Deal of FDR did not work, it took World War Two to get the USA out of the Great Depression. The Great Society might have helped a few but looking at the African - American community one has to ask, what about those that it left behind, singe parents, lack of jobs, lack of high standard education, bad schools, high level of African - American men in jail. Thus what was great about the Great Society. It was Reagan and his tax cuts that turned the USA around in the 80s. These tax cuts and heavy defence spending helped all ethnic groups and genders.

On the political front Obama is the heir to Reagan as in communication, is he the next Great Communicator, well that to early to say, the left wing press is all over him, he can do no wrong. Its when the press turn on him we will see if Obama is a empty suit. The press will turn on Obama, and it can be postulated that the issue will be Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Elite Media is weak, they don't have a backbone, they can pick up a drink but being critical of Obama takes a morale courage, lets face it the media covered up for Kennedy and his affairs and supported Bill Clinton through Impeachment. Thus like Vietnam broke LBJ it will be Afghanistan that could break Obama. Its a War that will cost in money and blood, the left wing media will start to be critical if Obama is still there before the next election. The experts agree there will be heavy fightig in Afghanistan this year, thus a lot of American body bags going home. How long before the Media starts to call Afghanistan the New Vietnam. Its when it gets tough that we will see if Obama is a Great Communicator.