Is the Punjab the next Swat Valley ? - Pakistan

The New York Times: Reports on the growing power of the Taliban/Terrorists in a major province of Pakistan the Punjab. The Government of Pakistan has lost the Swat Valley to the Taliban/Terrorists, if they lose the Punjab it could be game over for the secular government of Pakistan. The USA, UK have to go in mob handed to be graphic, we have to remove this threat, if the Taliban/Terrorists get hold of Pakistan then all bets are off in Afghanistan. If fact the West would not have a policy for Afghanistan. Think of that call President Obama could get at 3am, not some modern pirates holding a single US hostage but the Taliban/Terrorists in control of Pakistan with its nuclear weapons. This could force India to go nuclear against Pakistan, just in case Pakistan started something first. Lets hope the West is on guard in the Punjab, or all hell could break lose in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Read of the Day.

Tough Talk, No Real Action - North Korea

BBC News: Reports that the UN has been critical of Communist North Korea but not new sanctions. The old ones will be enforced. In other words this is about spin, the UN looks like its taking action, the tough words of the Obama Administration after the launch does not look foolish and North Korea goes on as usual, playing its own game with the USA and the region. If the UN had taken real action, sanctions that would really hurt North Korea then would could take this action seriously, but its all spin. A crisis will come down the road when it comes to North Korea.

Is Obama another Jimmy Carter ?

The Times: Interesting article asking if President Obama will stop being compared to President Jimmy Carter after he gave the green light for the US Navy to kill the Somali Pirates holding a US hostage. Lets to be fair to Carter, he did authorize the military to attempt to rescue the hostages held in Iran, the mission failed, one of the reasons for his defeat in 1980. Also the hostages had been on land, not the sea, hard job. Many respects Obama got lucky, if the hostage had been taken on land it would have been difficult for Obama to get him back, Carter and Reagan had that problem. Thus one order does not make him another Jimmy Carter, lets see how he does with Afghanistan and Iraq. Also lets see how he deals with the future problem of Iran and its nuclear ambitions.

North Korea, The Road Ahead ?

CNN News: Has an interesting article on the North Korean Missile Launch, the background pre launch, the expected non reaction after all the tough talk from Obama on down and the aim for talks to get North Korea to give up its ace, its nuclear bombs. In the world of 24/7 news we bloggers had moved on to modern pirates, a lot more sexy story lets be honest, modern pirates and the US Navy. The end result was even better, dead pirates and firm Presidential leadership. Thus what about Communist North Korea, well back to those tedious talks, they will be long, frustrating, lead all over the place. If your North Korea would you give up your Ace in the pack of cards. North Korea will never give up its nuclear weapons. They will play Obama forever. It can be postulated that Japan and South Korea will go nuclear within the decade. North Korea will be a failure for Obama as will be Iran.

Obama's Green Light to Kill Pirates

The New York Times: Reports on President Obama's order that allowed the US Navy to Kill the Somali Pirates that held a US hostage. This order by Obama will show that he is no push over, it will make enemies wary of pushing Obama, it seems the President is not gun shy, in other words he will give that order. One can guess that if it had been Bush 43 the Liberal New York Times would have found some way to be critical. Lets hope Obama is as tough with Iran, thus prevent the need for Israel to take action within the year.

Israel to Strike Iran ?

TJP: Reports that the President of Israel, Shimon Peres has stated that Israel will take military action against Iran should the peace overtures from the USA to Iran fail. The Obama Administration does not have all the time in the world, Israel well never allow Iran to become a nuclear armed power. Thus if there are going to be talks Obama needs to start backdoor talks with the leadership Iran now, the problem is who does Obama have discussions with in Iran. Reagan had the same problem, thus Iran - Contra. The problem is that Iran has a Presidential election this year, Obama does not want to help the Conservative President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, he needs a moderate to win the election. Thus talks might have to wait, but the clock is ticking, one way or another Iran has to be solved before the US Presidential Election in 2012.

Counselor, A Life at the Edge of History, By Ted Sorsensen

Have just finished Counselor, A Life at the Edge of History, By Ted Sorsensen. Ted Sorsensen was Special Counselor to President John F. Kennedy. I have to admit I was wary of reading it, Mr Sorsensen is the last of the Kennedy Loyalists and he still loyal. I thought I should start to understand Liberals, they will be in power in D.C for the next four to eight years, so thought it might be easy to understand a Liberal through one of the best known Liberals and a good writer. Thus bought the above book. My wariness was miss placed, Mr Sorsensen has written a very honest book, but he still loyal. The book is frank about the Kennedy weakness of women, but what is important is the negatives and positives of the Kennedy Administration. One can disagree with Mr Sorsensen's view of events in the past but one does get to understand Liberals and the mind set. I have always been a JFK fan, of the real JFK faults and all, this book should be read after you read all the negative stuff about JFK and Camelot, its an excellent counter balance, you have to accept that Ted Sorsensen will always be the last Kennedy loyalist, but you get to understand him and JFK. Excellent Read.