Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has released the name of the recent soldier killed in Afghanistan, the soldier was " Rifleman Aidan Howell of 3rd Battalion, The Rifles " Our thoughts are with the family of Rifleman Howell.

Yemen the New Afghanistan ?

CBS News: Reports that Yemen is fast becoming the new Afghanistan, a failed state that allows Al Qaeda to come back fighting, thus recent attempted Christmas Attack in the US. Lets not make the same mistake that we did in the 1990s, if Yemen is the new base for Al Qaeda, lets go in and clean house, as the article notes the US already has a presence in Yemen, but if Yemen is such a threat lets send in combat troops and clean house, lets now allow Yemen to become another Afghanistan.

Heavy Weight vs Light Weight = UK vs Iran

BBC News: Reports that the regime in Tehran has complained to the UK Ambassador about the critical comments coming out of London. It can be argued that the UK should follow the 19th Century example and send a gun boat with order to fire on some military structures in Iran, why is the West playing about with such a lightweight regime, one could push and its over, the Army will bolt once they see that its over, but the West has to push and push back hard, start to support a military opposition to the regime, close down their access to revenue and cut off oil to Iran. Lets bring this regime down now while they are weak, when your enemy is on the floor you give him a good boot to end it, then the people of Iran can be free and the West does not have to deal with War in the Middle East.

The HAMMER Falls Part Two

Guardian: Reports that the Tehran Regime has let down the hammer on its own people, after the protests of the last few days the regime is taking back the streets of Tehran and other cities. This could be the last chance for the people of Iran to gain their freedom, sometimes freedom is something you have to fight and die for, its a God given right, but the regime in Tehran is not Godly it is evil, if you try to politically correct they win, you have to show the regime for what it is, evil as was the USSR, as with the USSR the Islamic Republic of Iran needs to find the nearest dustbin and bin itself, then the people can make their own minds up as to what system they want, through free elections. As Reagan called out the USSR then Obama has to be as tough, he has been tougher but he needs to really support the people, no more appeasement, no more the idea of talks, finish the regime before it goes nuclear, do the world a favour Mr President, act like Reagan no Carter.

Iran Nuclear Power by 2011

Fox News: Reports from Israel that the Israeli Government has stated that Iran will have the technology to build a nuclear bomb by next year and have the bomb by 2011. If Israel is saying this in public what are they doing in private, will they allow Iran to develop the technology for a bomb or will they strike, will the wait for Obama to make up his mind, aka Afghanistan, ask Iraq and Syria if Israel waits for the US to give the green light. It can be postulated that Israel will take military action within the first six months of 2010. Will Israel risk that Iran is further ahead in its development, if your Israel would you wait folks. Would you trust Obama to back you in a tight corner, ask that question folks and see what answer comes to mind.

Obama on Iran

The last time POTUS discussed the Iran in the context of the stole election it was mild and was seen as weak, this time President Obama has made a stronger statement, the President stated the following, " The United States joins with the international community in strongly condemning the violent and unjust suppression of innocent Iranian citizens, which has apparently resulted in tensions, injuries and even death ( Does Obama not watch the TV, when does death in Tehran not become apparently ).....For months the Iranian people have sought nothing more than to exercise their universal rights. Each time they have done so they have been met with the iron fist of brutality, even on solemn occasions and holy days. And each time that has happened the world has watched with deep admiration for the courage and the conviction of the Iranian people, who are a part of Iran's great and enduring civilization ( Will Obama stop making nice to Iran, its a terrorist state with a terror regime, just ask the people of Iran)....What's taking place within Iran is not about the United States or any other country -- it's about the Iranian people and their aspirations for justice and a better life for themselves. And the decision of Iran's leaders to govern through fear and tyranny will not succeed in making those aspirations go away. ( Then why Mr President did you want to send Senator Kerry to Tehran to appease Iran) As I said in Oslo, it's telling when governments fear the aspirations of their own people more than the power of any other nation...Along with all free nations the United States stands with those who seek their universal rights. ( Does sound like Bush 43 in Language if not in tone) We call upon the Iranian government to abide by the international obligations that it has to respect the rights of its own people. ( How many UN Resolutions have been passed by the UN and thrown in the bin by Tehran, grow UP POTUS ) We call for the immediate release of all who have been unjustly detained within Iran. We will continue to bear witness to the extraordinary events that are taking place there. And I'm confident that history will be on the side of those who seek justice. " As Reagan stated a long time ago, modern communication will bring down the regime in Tehran, but the question is how many people have to die, before the West support the good people of Tehran, they have the right to be FREE.

Death in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that another British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the soldier was from the " 3rd Battalion, The Rifles ". Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 244 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 211 in combat operations and 33 due to illness, accidents or other incidents. There will be more suffering in Afghanistan folks, this will not be the last death in the graveyard of Empires.

15 DEAD in IRAN

Fox News: Report that fifteen people have been killed in the protests against the regime in Tehran. As stated in this blog, either the dissenters take power with the support of the security forces or they are dead in the streets of Tehran. The opposition leaders have to make a choice, its either them or the Islamic Regime, one will be in the dust of history. If the opposition does not go all in it will lose and a generation will lose a chance of freedom. Thus its not down to the Tehran regime, its down to the people, they have to get on to the streets, they have to take on the security forces, they have to in a old Kennedy Line " WIN ". If they fail this time the regime in Tehran will get the nuclear bomb and the US and will have to deal with them as they have had to deal with North Korea. Thus people of Iran this is your time, you either win or you blow it, the fate of the future of Iran is in your hands.

Opposition ARRESTED - 8 DEAD in IRAN

BBC News: Reports of arrests of those in the opposition to the regime and that eight people have been killed in the protests against the regime in Tehran. One death that could be the tipping point is the killing of Seyed Ali Mousavi the nephew of the opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, from the BBC report it seems Mr Mousavi was shot in the back by the regime. Thus Mir Hossein Mousavi must know that he has nothing to lose, if the regime will take out his family he is next, the question is can Mr Mousavi be ruthless and use this death to bring down the regime. Its sad and brutal folks but that is how revolutions are won, you have to damage the regime beyond its own repair, and this could be the only chance for the protesters in Iran. As stated in previous post, the Tehran Government made it clear that it would bring down the hammer on the protesters, know the dissenters need the security forces to come over to its side, if they can manage that they just might win, but without that they will die in the streets and prisons of Tehran.

Four People Dead in Iran - NYT

The New York Times: Reports on more deaths in Tehran, Iran, the NYT writes the following, " killing at least four people in the fiercest clashes in months, opposition Web sites and witnesses said. ". It will be interesting to see what take the Liberal New York Times takes on the recent idea for Senator Kerry to go to Iran to discuss the nuclear tension between the Iran and the West/UN. Will the extreme liberal NYT allow its appeasement agenda get the better of its own eyes. Have a look at their Editorial pages of the next few days folks.

Death in Iran

BBC News: Reports on more protests in Iran and not confirmed reports of deaths in Tehran. Sooner or later folks there will be a tipping point in Iran, either the regime falls or there are mass deaths on the streets, Twitter is full of reports from Iran, as to protect those sending messages this blog will report what it thinks to be credible reports but with no ID to the source, here are some of the latest stories out of Iran, " People have disabled traffic cameras....(sounds like a good idea, prevents the people being tracked )....Unconfirmed: Clashes inside the Army Faculty (half a kilometer from Leader's house...( Could be split in the security structure )....forces have lost control of many locations....( Is this the tipping point ).....In Tehran, police & special guards have lost control of many areas.....( There is a thread to the last three messages )....Radio: Forces at Baharestan have refused to shoot directly at people. ...( If your on the losing side you don't want to end up against the wall and shot yourself) " Lets hope POTUS is not foolish enough to send Senator Kerry to Tehran when the regime could be on its last legs.

The HAMMER in Iran

The Washington Post: Reports that the Regime in Tehran will bring down the hammer on those that dissent from the regime if they do not stop protesting. Thus the Tehran regime is in a race, it needs the nuclear bomb or its leaders will be hanging from the nearest yard arm, thus its in their interest to rebuff the Obama Administration and run towards the bomb. Once they have the bomb the Obama Administration will have to try to contain them, also it will have to contain Israel from taking military action. If it gets to this point the Democrats on the Hill will bail on Obama, they will not want to be seen as weak as Obama, because by this time Obama would have become another Jimmy Carter, a political dodo in other terms, his agenda would be dead on the Hill, and the Republicans could have a chance of retaking the House, and gaining more seats in the Senate. Also like Carter, Obama would fail to win re-election in 2012. That is the real nightmare for Democrats in 2010.

2010 is about IRAN

RCP: An Excellent article by Mr Krauthammer of the WP on the failure of the Obama policy towards Iran, and how Iran will be central to US Foreign Policy next year. It will be interesting folks what the UN Security Council comes up with when it comes to sanctions, any thing weak and it becomes very hard for POTUS to stop an Israeli attack, if this is the end result, Iran will take action in Iraq, thus any US withdrawal would be over, in fact the US could end up sending more troops to Iraq to support its existing forces. Also Iran could try to prevent oil getting to the West, thus the US Navy could see action in the region as they did in 80s under the Reagan Administration. The problem for POTUS is that Tehran needs the bomb for the Islamic regime to survive, it needs that ace in the hole, or one day Obama will get that call that there is a full scale revolution in Iran, thus Obama might want to deal but Tehran has learned the lesson of the USSR, when the Cold War came to and end the USSR was the last casualty. The government in Tehran needs the USA as an enemy and it needs the bomb, not in that order, but the same effect. Thus the first few months of 2010 will show what road the the world is going to go down, either Tehran smells the coffee and takes a risk and does not go nuclear or Israeli hits to prevent a nuclear armed Iran. Those are the stark choices folks, there is no third way.

Appeasement in the Oval - Senator Kerry to Iran ?

WSJ: Reports that the failed Democratic Nominee in 2004 Senator John F. Kerry has offered to go to Iran to talk with Iran about its nuclear plans, the visit is due to the fact that time is running out for such talks. It take a certain kind of arrogance and stupidity to think that sending Senator Kerry to Iran would prevent Israel taking military action against Iran, Kerry is still fighting Vietnam, it sunk his Presidential bid in 2004. What ever the Obama White House is smoking they should take a cigarette patch, it will cure their appeasement urges and give them some backbone, lets see the regime in Tehran is dealing with massive internal protests, and what does the Obama White House want to do, yes send high ranking Democratic Senator to give his blessing to the regime in Tehran, also lets not forget the holidaymakers being held as hostages by Iran. How many times does Tehran have to slap Obama before he gets the message, if Kerry goes Obama will lose in 2012, it will look like Obama is just another Neville Chamberlain willing to sell out Israel because he does not have the brain cell to work out that sometimes you have to start and finish wars, and the other side will not role over. If Kerry goes to Tehran it will be attempt at another Munich of 1938, this lead to the selling out of the then Czechoslovakia, or Yalta and the selling out of Eastern Europe. But this time Tehran in a odd way cant afford to deal, the regime needs the bomb or the regime in Tehran will fall, its in their interest to kick Obama in the backside. If Obama gives Kerry the green light to go, Israel will understand that it cant trust Obama and thus will strike, in way it is ironic, the very fact of appeasing might lead to regional War in the Middle East.

Remembrance of those Lost / Afghanistan Front News

MOD: In the last few days the MOD has released the name of the latest soldier to die in Afghanistan, the soldier was " Lance Corporal Tommy Brown from The Parachute Regiment ". Our thoughts are with the family of Lance Corporal Brown and all those families that have lost loved ones this year, they are all heroes, let us never forget they died for Queen and Country, and we owe a debt of gratitude to their families that we can never repay but lets us look after their families.

Happy Christmas and Holidays

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has released the name of the soldier killed on Monday, the soldier was " Lance Corporal Christopher Roney of A Company, 3rd Battalion The Rifles " Our thoughts are with the family of LCpl Roney.

Obama and the Liberals in the House

The Hill: Reports how President Obama will have to work on House Liberals for them not to change the Senate Bill, if the House changes the Bill that will pass tomorrow that could be a threat to the survival of the Bill. This is the test for the Obama White House, can they keep liberals in the House from bolting but also get the moderate and conservative blue dogs to accept the Senate version on abortion, that is tricky. On whole this should be PR, and the President should have a bill on his desk to sign by the end of January 2010. Then the real job comes, selling the hike in taxes when the benefits don't kick in till four years later, that will be interesting to see from the Obama White House.

Memorial Service in Iran - Mass Arrests of Dissenters

The Times: Reports on the arrests of protesters at the memorial service for the dissenting cleric, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri. As stated many times, the protesters in Iran can only win if the security services and the Army think the regime in Tehran will fall, otherwise a lot of good people will be beaten up or worse killed. Thus this the time for the Obama Administration to place the MAX pressure on Tehran, make sure the UN sanctions next year bring down the regime.

Death in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports on the third death of a British soldier in Afghanistan this week, the soldier was from " The Parachute Regiment ". Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 243 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 210 in combat operations, while 33 have died due to illness, accidents or other incidents.

Death in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that another British soldier has died in Afghanistan, the soldier was from the " 3rd Battalion, The Rifles " BBC News reports that this is a suspect friendly fire incident. Thus as of the 21 December the UK has lost 242 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total in the revise info due to recent deaths, the UK has lost 209 of soldiers in combat operations and 33 due to illness, accidents or other incidents, the last two deaths are the other incidents. There is a need for a fast and clear investigation of these two cases, they have to discover how the deaths occurred and how to make sure there are no more friendly fire deaths, this is the 21st Century after all, we should have the technology to prevent these kind of deaths.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has released the name of the British soldier that was killed due to an friendly fire incident, the soldier was, " Lance Corporal Michael David Pritchard of the 4th Regiment, Royal Military Police " Our thoughts are with the family of LCpl Pritchard's family.

Obama's Polls

RCP: Reports on the average of polls on President Obama's approval ratings. RCP reports Obama has 49.5% approval rating, while the negatives stand at 44.8%. Thus can Obama improve his ratings for next year, Obama can not afford to lose the House or for Republicans to take more seats in the Senate, if the above happens his Agenda is dead on the Hill. Also the economic recovery is not like the Reagan years, a deep recession followed by an economic boom of the 80s, the recession could be a slow recovery followed by a low level of job recovery. Thus my prediction that the Republicans will take a lot of seats in the House if not take control and make deep gains in the the Senate that makes the Obama Agenda a dodo on the Hill. Thus my stated prediction that Obama will either not run in 2012 or lose his bid for re-election.

The Stage is SET - Iran

Fox News: Reports that the Obama Administration is setting the stage for sanctions against Iran next year. This is not new to readers of this blog, Iran will be a major crisis next year folks, on the one hand you have the internal protests in Iran that could bring down the Tehran government, you have that very government seeking the nuclear bomb, its their only ace in the hole, you will have tough UN sanctions on Iran, that could bring down the regime. Thus it only takes an actor in the crisis to miss read the event and you could have internal and regional war in the Middle East.

Democrat to Republican, The Next Political Wave ?

The Hill: Reports on the move by House Democrat, Congressman Griffith to cross the political road and become Republican. This should worry the House leadership, if Blue Dog Democrats feel that their political careers face going down the toilet they might decide to flush the Obama Presidency down the toilet to save their necks. It only takes a few Democrats in the House to change their votes on health care to have this effect, President Obama should stay close to D.C over the Christmas break, stroke a few egos more powerful than his own, Blue Dog Democrats. One can feel it the air, the Democrats could even lose the House next year.

Protest in Iran and the funeral of Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri

The Times: Reports on the confrontation between the protesters at the funeral of Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri and the Tehran Government. The dissenters in Iran need the Army or the security forces to change sides, as long as the security structure is loyal then the Government is on firm ground. Lets recall there is a lot of Chicago politics in Tehran at the moment, the Government of President President Ahmadinejad is keeping the security forces sweet through using oil money to keep them loyal. Also the regimes knows if it falls, the structure in Iran will fall, a few people at the top are very afraid that the mob could lynch them if they fall from power. Thus power structure created by Ahmadinejad will not give up without a blood bath, its their necks on the line, in the literal sense of the word. Thus the march by Tehran to get the nuclear bomb, its their ace in the hole, they will use their control of the media to make the UN demands for Iran to stop a threat to the security of Iran, thus Obama has two worries, that Israel will strike in the new year or a major bloodbath in Tehran and terrorists with the bomb. Obama thinks 2009 was bad, wait till next year Mr President, Iran more that health care could define the Obama Presidency.

Obama on Health Reform

The Obama Administration sees the end of the Republican filibuster as a big win, they are making a big mistake, they now own the project, President Obama stated the following on the end of the Republican filibuster, " The United States Senate knocked down a filibuster aimed at blocking a final vote on health care reform, and scored a big victory for the American people. By standing up to the special interests -- who've prevented reform for decades and who are furiously lobbying against it now -- the Senate has moved us closer to reform that makes a tremendous difference for families, for seniors, for businesses, and for the country as a whole....For those who have insurance, reform will mean greater security and stability. No longer will people with preexisting conditions be excluded from coverage. No longer will people who are seriously ill be dropped from coverage. And no longer will families be allowed to go broke because they’re forced to pay exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses.... Many people recall the enormous fights around the Patient's Bill of Rights that never got done. Well, you know what, the Patient's Bill of Rights is embedded in this health care bill and -- to make sure that all Americans who have insurance right now are getting a fair deal from their insurance companies...Small businesses and those who don’t get insurance through their employer will finally be able to get insurance at a price that they can afford with tax credits to help. And Medicare will be stronger and its solvency extended by nearly a decade. Seniors will get more assistance with prescription drug costs than they're getting right now. And finally, these reforms will help the inexorable and unsustainable rise in health care costs that are overwhelming families, businesses, and the federal budget...The Congressional Budget Office now reports that this bill will reduce our deficit by $132 billion over the first decade, and by as much as $1.3 trillion in the decade after that. So I just want to be clear, for all those who are continually carping about how this is somehow a big spending government bill, this cuts our deficit by $132 billion the first 10 years, and by over a trillion in the second. That argument that opponents are making against this bill does not hold water. " The one thing the President and his ego has forgotten is that the health debate is never a winner in the long term, the costs of keeping people alive is always on the up, that is due to the costs of new drugs and new medical developments. Thus if Obama really thinks the US Government is going to make real saving in health he needs to come to the UK. The cost of NHS is always going up, and at the end of the day there is the rationing of care, its harsh but real, and when the US voter wakes up to that the Democrats will be in real trouble in 2010 and 2012.

Obama's Health Care Reform - HE OWNS IT!!

The Hill: Reports on the successful end of the Republican filibuster by the Democrats in the US Senate. Thus all that goes wrong with the health reform will be at the door of the Democrats and the Oval Office, higher taxes and the cost of health care will go up, that the fact of the Bill for the next year, also younger Americans will have to buy insurance, lets see how the US Courts deal with that issue. It can be postulated that the Republicans will make big gains in the 2010 Mid Term Congressional Elections and that POTUS will find that voters don't like a President who's ego is bigger than the USA. Thus this blog will predict that Republicans will make big gains in the House of Representatives and gain enough Senate seats to block Obama for the last two years of his Presidency, and that in 2012 the Republicans will run on a simple slogan, GET RID OF OBAMA CARE AND ALSO OF OBAMA, and thus POTUS will lose his bid for re-election in 2012.

Friendly Fire DEATH in Afghanistan ?

BBC News: Reports that the latest death of a British soldier in Afghanistan could have been a result of a friendly fire incident. I will be honest I am quite concerned about this story, if the friendly fire incident was due to UK or USA side that is one thing, it happens in War, but if the shot came from the Afghanistan Army or Police there needs to be a quick and thorougher investigation.

Death in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that another British soldier has died in Afghanistan, the soldier was from " The Royal Military Police ". Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 241 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 210 in combat operations and 31 due to illness, accidents or other incidents.

Turmoil in Iran ?

The Times: Reports on the death of Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali, a critic of the regime in Tehran. Is it to much to hope for that this could start a revolution in Iran, could people power bring down the regime, if not War in the Middle East next year.

The Chicago Way and Iran

ABC News: Reports that the Obama Administration will take a tough stand on Iran at the end of the year. The Obama Administration will try to get tough sanctions out of the UN Security Council, the question is will China and Russia go along with the deal, they have economic interests in Iran and don't want to be left with a new regime in Tehran that owes its existence to the West and might turn cold on either China or Russia. Thus one can expect that Russia and China will demand more talks and soft sanctions, in other words nothing, this will force POTUS to either go the Chicago way, in other words kill off the regime in Tehran or try to prevent Israel taking military action, that will be the choice in the new year folks. Obama in his hearts of hearts would like to contain Iran as the West did with the USSR during the Cold War, but this will not be good enough for Israel, either Obama takes military action or Israel will, then see the price of oil go up folks. Thus watch events in the Middle East at the start of the new year folks, if Israel goes quiet about attack plans then they are up to something, Israel will get tired with Obama and just strike Iran, Obama will have NO CHOICE he will have to support Israel or be critical and be one term President, another core element of the Democratic Party is the Jewish vote, these voters will not tolerate for Obama to be on the same page as Iran, no matter how many Peace Prizes Obama is given by Europe. If Obama was critical he would lose re-election in 2012.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has released the name of the soldier killed on Saturday, the soldier was " Corporal Simon Hornby of the 2nd Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment ". Our thoughts are with the family of Corporal Hornby.

US Senate to PASS Health Care Reform

The Washington Post: Reports that the Democratic US Senate leadership has secured the 60th vote to end debate on health reform in the USA. On the whole support the bill, its helps main street, as stated many times this bill will not allow insurance companies to refuse clients if they already have a medical problem, if a customer is ill the costs can not be a negative factor in the cover of the customer, all Americans will have to pay for cover, this will allow the USA to cover those with no cover at present in the USA. The one downside is that abortion is not paid for by the US Government, this is wrong on the morality and the politics, liberals should have faced down the Conservative element of their fellow Democrats. The other downside is the idea that this will cuts cots, that is rubbish, costs in health always go up, its just down the line as with the UK there will be a form of rationing to those that are not rich, that is the real world folks, the rich will ways get all they want, this bill just gives the rest of the US population a better floor, but it still the floor. Also Obama and the Democrats will lose big in 2010 and 2012, the benefits don't come in to effect in till after 2012, but the costs in higher costs for customers and taxes comes in now, thus Democrats will lose big in the Mid Term Congressional Elections and Obama will not win re-election.

Death in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that another British Soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the soldier was from the " 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment ". Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 240 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total 209 have died in combat operations, while 31 have died due to illness, accidents or other incidents. Lets hope this is the last death this year in Afghanistan, to be honest have my doubts, Afghanistan is a hell hole for our Forces. When ever I see news footage from the place it brings back Vietnam but worse, since we cant win but we cant afford to lose, and then there is a nuclear armed Pakistan on the border, if we lose Afghanistan, the West could lose Pakistan, then all hell would break lose in the region.

The Liberal Left and Iran

The New York Times: Has an interesting Op - Ed piece on Iran, as expected the Liberal left does not surprise, the article states the following, " because the time has come to do nothing in Iran. ". If POTUS was to follow that advice Israel would have no choice but to take action, Iran can no be allowed to get the nuclear bomb, this would lead to a war in the Middle East.

The Health Care Bill - US Senate

The Hill: Reports that the Democratic leadership in the US Senate will release its final version of the compromise health care bill on Saturday. The US leadership in the US Senate would not release this final version of the bill without already having secured the 60 votes to end debate. Thus the Bill should pass due to the fact that there is no public option, medicare will not cover more people and the abortion rules will be tight as in the House. This blog supports the bill as it reforms the system, those with pre -existing conditions will not be barred from getting health cover, those that have an illness can not be thrown off their cover due to costs, all Americans will have to pay for insurance, this will help cover those without insurance. The bad aspect of the bill is that abortion will not be paid for by the US Government, that is wrong on the morality and on the politics but Liberals would not fight for their cause, typical, I hope women take notice that you cant trust Democrats to take care of your interests at the of day.

What is Iran up to in Iraq ?

BBC News: Reports that troops from Iran have taken over an Iraqi oil well on the border between Iran and Iraq. This could be a crafty move by Iran, one can postulate that Tehran wants the USA to move them out, then they can say that Tehran was taking back an oil well that belonged to Iran and that USA was really in charge in Iraq. On the other hand if Baghdad sends in the troops, Tehran could back up its outpost with more troops, this could drag in the USA. A very crafty move by Tehran, another humiliation for Obama. At its most basic this is a play for time, a diversion while Iran goes nuclear, always recall that folks, any story like this is a diversion from the real issue, Iran and the bomb.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has announced the names of the soldiers that died on Tuesday in Afghanistan, the soldiers were, " Lance Corporal David Leslie Kirkness and Rifleman James Stephen Brown, both from the 3 RIFLES Reconnaissance Platoon " Our thoughts are with the families of these heroic soldiers, their deaths prevented a major suicide attack killing a lot more people.

Liberals could BOLT over Health Reform

Fox News: Reports that Liberals in the House of Representatives and in the Democratic Party could refuse to support the Obama health care reform. I will be shocked if Liberals will bring down the Obama Administration, at the end of the day the core of the Democratic Party is the African - American vote, and President Obama is the first African - American President, thus Liberals through gritted teeth will have to support the Obama health care reform, as with Afghanistan the left have no place to go, they are stuck with Obama.

Left ATTACK Lieberman

The New York Times: Has a critical Op - Ed piece on Senator Lieberman, the articles the states the following, " Lieberman’s apparently successful attempt to hijack health care reform and hold it hostage until it had been amended into something that liberals couldn’t stomach...". What the article does not state is that the actions of Senator Lieberman might have just saved the USA from going bankrupt, the Senator is only following his duty and the right path. Thus Lieberman supported the Iraq War, the Foreign Policy of Bush 43 and the failed Campaign of McCain/Palin in 08. The Senate owes a debt of thanks to the Senator, he has the backbone to say NO to Liberals out of their minds on spending. Thus this blog says, THANK YOU SENATOR LIEBERMAN.

POTUS in the Senate Game - Health Care Reform

McClathy: Reports that the Obama health care reform is not a done deal. I must admit I was surprised that the Obama West Wing allowed Obama to gather all the Democratic Senators together without a done deal, if the deal does come through then it looks like the President used how skills to get a deal, but if no deal then it looks like Obama is weak on the domestic front. I expect a Bill to get voted on and passed by the US Senate by Xmas. A failure of the Obama health care reform bill would make sure that Obama would lose his bid for re-election in 2012.

The Threat from Iran - Long Range Missile Threat

The Times: Reports that Iran has tested its long range missile, the missile could be a threat to Israel and Europe. As this blog posted yesterday the US Military has tested its missile defence system and the enemy was Iran. Thus Iran is now sending a message that US assets and Europe could be targets for any Iran counter attack to an attack by Israel. All games at the end of the day, but the result could be deadly for the Middle East and the World.

Israel on Iran and the BOMB

Fox News: Reports that Israeli Military Intelligence has confirmed that Iran is close to getting a nuclear bomb. It seems that Israel is willing to give the UN a chance to solve this problem, but the time is limited, this is crisis will not take a year to come to an end, either Iran gives up its nuclear ambitions or Israel hits, that simple and brutal folks. As stated before, one has to look at the internal politics of Iran, as the NYT has stated the protests against the stolen election of this year has turned to anger at the regime itself, thus for the regime to survive in Tehran is needs a Ace in the hole, the bomb is that Ace in the hole, lets see who is good at poker, lets hope Obama knows the difference between a winning and losing hand.

Deaths in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that two more British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, the soldiers came from the " 3rd Battalion, The Rifles ". Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 239 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total 208 have died in combat operations, while 31 have died due to illness, accidents or other incidents. These deaths will not be the last, the cost of Afghanistan is always high for the UK.

Kennedy and the Coup in Vietnam

The National Security Archive: An excellent National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 302 by the NSA. After a very quick read it can be seen that Kennedy as Obama with Afghanistan, at the end of the day was not planning to leave Vietnam. Lets hope the Obama West Wing reads the book. Read of the Day.

International Politics and International Law - The REAL World

Guardian: Reports on the breakdown of diplomatic relationships between the UK and the Israel, an arrest warrant was granted by the Courts for the former Israeli Foreign Minister and head of the Kadima Party Tzipi Livni. This could be a real problem for the UK, if Israel wont talk to the UK how will the UK place pressure on Israel not to strike Iran in the New Year. This is time for an Enabling Act by Parliament, this Act would remove the power of the courts in cases of International Diplomacy to act without the authority of the FCO or Downing Street. As Judges the UK are an eccentric bunch at the best of times, but they don't have a clue when it comes to International Politics, thus time to revoke the powers of the courts in such cases.

In the Oval for Health Care Reform

Fox News: Reports that POTUS is meeting all Democratic Senators as to create a united health reform package that does not include a public option or allowing medicare to cover people over 55. One can postulate that this meeting is more of a PR stunt, as Liberals have been forced to give up the above, this will give them face time with President Obama, they can vent their anger and go out and support the package. I would be very surprised if this deals requires Obama to do another Afghanistan level of meetings. Expect a nice picture of the Senators with Obama and the Bill passing before the Christmas break.

Iran test for the USA Missile shield

T J Post: Reports on a test of the USA missile shield, the difference from the usual tests is that the enemy was seen as Iran and not North Korea. I guess the US military is sending a warning shot to Iran, the message is simple, your in our target hairs, dont make any stupid mistakes, lets hope Tehran has its ears open, or else the Middle East is heading for War in 2010.

No Public Option, No Medicare Extension - Health Care Reform

The New York Times: Reports that the new compromise Health Care Reform Bill in the US Senate will not have a public option or the idea for Medicare to cover those over 55. The Bill will force Insurance companies to take people on what ever their medical history, those Insurance companies cant throw people off if the charges are high, all Americans will have to buy cover, thus this will allow more cover for those that don't have cover at the moment. The sour note is that Liberals it seems wont fight for women, the US Government should help with abortion costs, but lets be honest after Bill Clinton the feminist groups showed they are political animals, thus have no interest in the rights of women. On the whole minus the abortion debate support the new Bill.

Tough New Sanctions on Iran - USA

The Times: Reports that the news it broke last night that Iran has been working on a nuclear trigger could mean that UN passes tougher sanctions, the Obama Administration is moving in that direction. Its down to the simple question, do the UN sanctions pass the smell test of Israel, any Israeli Government will want to see tough and harsh sanctions to prevent them attacking Iran. If the UN passes weak sanctions then Israel will see that UN and the Obama Administration can not be trusted and will take action. Lets hope POTUS gets this right or it could be a hot new year in 2010.

The West on Iran's Nuclear Trigger

Sky News/Foreign Matters: Excellent article by Tim Marshall of Sky News on how the UN and the West has been quite since the news broke last night that Iran could have a nuclear trigger since 2007. It has been interesting watching the news today, not a lot of comment on the fact that Iran could be weeks or months away from having a nuclear trigger. Of course Iran as always is playing a double game, thus the recent news that the three American holidaymakers would crossed the border between Iran and Iraq by accident are to be tried as spies. The Government in Tehran it can be postulated will throw the book at the Americans, even the death penalty as way to force the the USA to talk to them, of course Iran could drag this out for weeks or months, you get the idea, the end result Iran has the bomb. Thus we come back to my favourite hobby horse, when is Israel going to get off its backside and take care of this problem, Israel cant count on Obama, his dithering over Afghanistan is a classic example of weakness that would have shown up on the radar of Iran. Thus Israel its down to your, this 1981 again, and of late Syria, time for you take action, for your own protection and the region.

Iran to place Americans on TRIAL

BBC News: Reports that Iran is to place three US holidaymakers on trial after they crossed the border between Iran and Iraq by mistake. This is North Korea all over again folks, Iran will expect that the Obama Administration will send former President Bill Clinton over to pick up the Americans, the cost will be that Iran will try to get Clinton in to discussions about the growing nuclear problem of Iran. Thus the USA should place pressure on Iran but should not allow itself to be dragged in to direct talks, Iran is playing a game, the trial could take months, the idea to prevent an attack by Israel or the USA on the nuclear plants in Iran. An endless game folks.

Health Care Stalled in the US Senate Redux

The New York Times: Reports that the Independent Senator Joe Lieberman has refused to back the compromise new version of health care reform, the NYT writes the following on the remarks of Senator Lieberman, " said on Sunday that he would vote against the health care legislation in its current form. " One has to admire Senator Lieberman, he cares more about the country than the fixed ideology of the Democratic Party, Lieberman supported Bush 43 over Iraq and now showing the Democratic Party that you have to have logic in any reform, the present health care reform bill would allow those under sixty to enter the Medicare, this would bankrupt the system, also Lieberman is opposed to the public option that would give medical cover to a majority of Americans but at the cost of higher taxes, this would place the USA further in to recession. Thank God for Senator Lieberman, lets hope the Democrats take his wise advice, and start again with health care reform.

Iran's Nuclear Trigger - The Smoking Gun for War?

The Times: Reports that Iran has been working on a nuclear trigger for its nuclear bomb. As the evidence for this research comes from 2007 it can be argued that Iran could have the trigger for the bomb already. As noted in recent Telegraph article the Government in Tehran has been smuggling special equipment from Taiwan, thus one would not be surprised if Iran announced to a shock world that it had the bomb at the start of 2010. Also as it has been noted that Iran has been working on miniature warheads for smaller missiles, missiles that could reach Israel. This technology it seems came from North Korea. Lets recall President Obama in Norway stated that Iran and North Korea could not be allowed to play the system. Also as this blog has followed there are reports out of Tehran that Islamic system itself has come under attack by protesters, thus the regime in Tehran needs to pull a rabbit out of the hat soon, a big rabbit would be that Iran had the bomb. The Year long search by Obama for talks with Iran has failed, it even might have allowed Iran more time to get the bomb. In 2010 we have crunch time folks, either the West appease Iran or Israel hits, tense days ahead folks.

Inside Iran Part Two

Telegraph: Reports on the warning by the the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to the protest leaders in Iran, the Supreme Leader has warned the reform leaders to back off their support of the protesters. As noted in a recent New York Times article the opposition in Iran has mutated, now its more that a protest against the fraudulent election its about the right of the regime to suppress its own people. This is the time for the protest movement to lead a revolution, otherwise the regime in Tehran will use the tough sanctions imposed by the UN to use even more heavy handed tactics, they will also try to get the to the bomb before there is an internal revolution in Iran. What the Obama Administration failed to see through out the year is the simple fact that if the regime and the system in Iran is to survive it needs the USA as an enemy, looked at the fate of the USSR once the Cold War was over, it melted away faster than some snowmen.

Health Care Reform - US Senate

The New York Times: Reports that health care reform is the US Senate is stalling, the NYT writes the following, " Democratic leaders hit a rough patch Friday in their push for sweeping health care legislation......" The Liberal Leadership are fighting two political wars, on the one side it wants to import drugs from abroad to to cut health costs but this would go against a deal by the White House has with Medical drug manufactures, it is through high cost of drugs in the USA that these manufactures can make money but also invest in new drugs, a catch 22 folks. Also the health care reform would cover a larger group of younger Americans, those under 60 but that would bankrupt the system over time, as the age would be pushed down to cover all, in other words the NHS. Lets recall folks there are three hundred million Americans, not the sixty million people as in the UK. Thus at the end of the day do moderate and blue dog Democrats have the nerve to pull the plug on this bill that will bankrupt the USA in the future, and lets not forget Abortion, that is another trap door for this Bill. Best all around if they go back to the drawing board.

Ultimate Spin by Tony Blair - Iraq

Iain Dale's Diary: Reviews the admission by former UK PM Tony Blair in an interview shown this Sunday morning the he would have still gone to War in Iraq even if he had known that Iraq did not have any WMDs, but he would have just used other arguments. This blog supported the Iraq war based on WMD and the the direct threat to UK interests, but even if we give that a pass, the post planning for Iraq was a disaster, the deaths of UK Forces and Iraqi civilians is down to Tony Blair and Bush 43. Thus if we give Bush/Blair a pass on the the war itself, the post War planning has to be looked at, and the lessons learned for future wars.

Inside Iran

The New York Times: Reports that the protests in Iran has gone beyond the rigged election to the foundation of the state, the NYT writes the following, " demonstrators have made it clear that their target is not just.......... the disputed election......but the entire foundation of Iran’s theocracy. " Thus we come to the nuclear issue, the Government of President Ahmadinejad needs the success of the bomb to keep it in power, thus Iran is in a race to get the bomb before the UN passes tough sanctions, if Ahmadinejad does not have the bomb and quick and the there are tough sanctions or a US Naval Blockade of Iran the regime could fall if it does not have the bomb. The question is will Obama follow through and enforce UN sanctions, what if Russia and China just wont go along, what will Obama do, he cant dither or Israel will take action, but can the Obama ego take being the same club as Bush 43. If Israel sees weak sanctions they will strike, Obama can dither but he will have to support Israel or the Congress will over rule him, at the end of the day the Israeli lobby is lot more powerful than the Chicago run West Wing. Lets be honest Obama cant use the race card on Israel. Harsh but true folks, just go and ask Bill Clinton. Thus 2010 should be quite interesting folks, advice to drivers, make sure you have enough petrol in your car, the price of crude Oil could go through the roof.

Time for sanctions on Iran - France

BBC News: Reports on the call by France for the UN to place sanctions on Iran due to its move to become a nuclear armed Power. As stated in previous post, the UK Telegraph reports that Iran is seeking special equipmenet from Taiwan that would allow it to be a nuclear armed power, also President Obama stated the following in his speech in Norway, " I -- like any head of state -- reserve the right to act unilaterally if necessary to defend my nation. .........But it is also incumbent upon all of us to insist that nations like Iran and North Korea do not game the system. Those who claim to respect international law cannot avert their eyes when those laws are flouted. Those who care for their own security cannot ignore the danger of an arms race in the Middle East or East Asia. Those who seek peace cannot stand idly by as nations arm themselves for nuclear war. " Thus it could be argued that if Iran goes not agree to the UN deal and the sanctions do not work this only leaves two options, the acceptance by the UN and USA that Iran will join the nuclear club or Israel and the USA will take military action. The clock is heading close to actions folks, Obama in his own way could be telling the world that 2010 could make the Cuban Missile Crisis look like happy hour. Lets hope that he is no JFK, Kennedy sold out Turkey in 1962, a NATO ally, lets hope Obama does not sell out Israel, his record is not great, just ask Poland and the Czech Republic. The question is does Iran really want a showdown, in a crisis the people of Iran would support the government, thus an end to the protests on the streets of Tehran, it will be interesting to see if Iran makes the same mistake as Iraq in 2003 and think the USA will not take action, its either USA or Israel, there is not third way folks, not in this case, interesting times ahead folks.

Iran and the Bomb Redux

Telegraph: Reports that Iran is using Taiwan as way to secure equipment that will allow it to become a nuclear armed power. The clock is ticking folks, either Obama or Israel will strike Iran, lets hope its Obama, that just might avoid a regional War in the Middle East, he might have to give back his Nobel Peace Prize, but it would still be the right decision.

USA in Afghanistan for the LONG HAUL - Obama

Fox News: Reports on comments by President Obama that the July 2011 withdrawal from Afghanistan will be conditions based. In 1963 before Dallas JFK withdrew around a thousand troops form Vietnam, the last time I looked events on the ground can change any War planning. Thus this is a wise move by POTUS, it gives him options, if the security is better in 2011 he can withdraw more troops but if the Taliban are still a threat it can be a very slow hand over to the Kabul Government. It can be postulated that the Taliban will try a Tet style offensive in the New Year as to place pressure on Obama, they will want to make Obama the next LBJ and 2011 to be 1968 all over again. Thus the next 18 months will really test President Obama and his policy in Afghanistan. Out of ten I give the Obama policy a 4.5% chance of being a success, and that's being very optimistic.

36bn Cuts in UK Spending!

BBC News: Reports that the UK will need to cut thirty six billion to get out of the financial mess that the Labour Party has placed the country. Its an odd world folks, our brave Armed Forces and fighting and dying in Afghanistan, and it seems Labour will have to cut the defence spending, so that Labour can pander to the left, our soldiers will die or face injury due to the lack of equipment, a national disgrace folks, Mr Brown have you no SHAME.

The OTHER Farce - Health Care Reform

The Hill: Reports on the US Senate version for health care reform, how the public option would only come in under a trigger, if the private market failed to provide cover. This shows how moderate and conservative Democrats have no backbone, rather than making their own minds up they want to see how the Congressional Budge Office grade the cost, does not matter if costs a $1 or a Trillion, the cost will always go up, a public option will bankrupt the United States in the long term. If Democrats want to destroy a Super Power they are going down the right road, it was the economic decline that in the end saw off the Roman and British Empires, it seems that Democrats have forgotten that the USA was meant to be the New World, but it seems that the Democrats want to turn the USA in to a weak European power. This is the time to contact your Senator folks, tell him or her, this is deal breaker, if they vote for the Obama health care reform they will be out on their ears at the next election, make it clear, if they go down this road they cant come back and get re-elected.

Farce Day - Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize

Guardian: Reports on the anger by Norway that President Obama has a very limited visit to pick up his Nobel Peace Prize. Lets get honest here folks, POTUS should rather that Norway posted the Prize to him and even better if it got lost in the post. But it seems that President Obama cant help himself, has to be the STAR, thus he is going to collect his Nobel Peace Prize, perhaps Norway felt he had the best suit of the present world leaders, it was not for doing anything on the world stage. As the Guardian notes even Obama knows it is ironic that a President that has just sent another thirty thousand troops, YES TROOPS to Afghanistan is getting a Peace Prize. The real irony will be if Obama has to bomb Iran next year, what will the daft Nobel Committee do then, give him a second Nobel for his wisdom, have my doubts, the clip of Obama getting this prize will be used by Republicans and comedians for years to get under the Obama skin, now that is funny, very funny in dark sense of the term, the perfect pin to the hot air balloon that is the Obama ego.

The US Senate and Health Care

The New York Times: Reports that Democratic US Senators have agreed a way around the public option argument within their own ranks, the NYT writes the following, " senators said the tentative agreement would sideline but not kill the “public option” ". Thus we shall see if Liberals can take the deal and if moderate and Conservative Democrats can sell the deal back home. At the end of the day its about 60 votes, if the Democrats can get that then they have a bill if not they don't. It will be fun to see how much the Democratic Leadership have to pay for votes, the last one was a hundred million dollars.

Quinnipac Poll - New Low Poll Rating

RCP Blog: Reports on a new poll that shows that President Obama's approval rating going down, the Quinnipiac Poll has Obama at 46% approval rating, while 44% have a negative view of the President. The White House and the Democratic Leadership in the Hill are using the argument that once Obama's health care reform bill is passed his polls will go up, what if they are wrong, lets recall that in the 1960s LBJ pushed for civil rights, it was the right thing to do, but it handed the South over to the Republicans. This is one of the reasons that the White House on the whole was in Republican hands after the 1960s from Nixon to Bush 43. What if by passing the health care reform Bill the Democrats are breaking the camels back, lets recall that after 1945 and the introduction of the NHS in the UK the government for the majority of the period was not in Labour hands but the Conservatives. This is not late 1983/84 when the economy turned around and saw Reagan thrash Walter Mondale by 49 States and 525 Electoral Votes. All the Obama Taxes to pay for his health care reform bill could damage the recovery, thus it could be slow and thus by 2012 Obama could find that he wants to spend more time with his family and decides not run, he does not want to be one term President but to lose in 2012 would be worse, thus Obama might nor run in 2012.

Afghanistan is not Iraq - General Petraeus

Fox News: Reports on the statement by General Petraeus that results in Afghanistan will be slower that the quick results in Iraq. The USA could be in Afghanistan for fifty years and the result will be the same folks, Afghanistan is just one of those places that if your Western power you run the other way. The terrain and the people do not fit some Western model of state, even the British Empire learned that lesson the hard way, thousands of deaths in the 19th Century. This is my prediction for Afghanistan, at the end of the day, the West under leadership of the USA will pick a strong man and hope he can keep power in Kabul. Or the Obama Administration will do a deal with the Taliban as long as they keep Al Qaeda out of Afghanistan and don't support the Taliban of Afghanistan.

UK in DEBT and in the TOILET

BBC News: Reports on the statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling that the UK is debt to the tune of 178bn. That's the problem with Labour at the end of the day, they ruin the economy, lets recall the Winter of discontent of the 70s, how the UK was seen as the sick man of Europe. All that hope from the election of New Labour in 1997 has long gone, what we have left is the very bitter taste of failure.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has released the name of the soldier killed on Monday, the soldier was " Lance Corporal Adam Drane, from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment " Our thoughts are with the family of Lance Corporal Drane.

The White House vs The Polls

The Hill: Reports on White House offensive to show that they are not interested in the latest poll findings on Obama. In other words they are worried, would use strong language but this is an open page. As previous post on the Gallup daily tracking Poll, the poll had found that Obama had only a 47% approval rating, when a President starts to go down in to this area he losses his power in Congress. When Obama was the STAR the Congress wanted to support him, but as in the movies your only as good as your last movie, in other words Obama was the bright star but now his follow up has proven to be a dud, from the economy to Afghanistan, and of course we have Iran next year. Thus lets see if the Democratic Party will go over the cliff with Obama, President Obama is no JFK or Reagan, although they had their agenda they had political skills in bad time. At West Point you could see that Obama was expecting the military to fawn on him, even the speech had spaces for wild applause, it didn't happen, thus Obama has now shifted to talking about getting the US voter back to work, the problem that with his economic stimulus and his health care reform he does not have the real money to get the US economy going, that is why Obama is heading in to Jimmy Carter land, a one term President, thus my stated prediction that Obama will lose big in 2012.

Baghdad Attacks

The terrorist attack today has the hallmark of Al Qaeda in Iraq, POTUS can not lose Iraq, is Iran behind the attack? It has to be asked, will Iran cause havoc in Iraq as to divert attention away from is march to become a nuclear armed power.

Obama falls BELOW 50% Approval - Gallup

Gallup: Reports that President Obama's approval rating has dropped to 47%, while those that have a negative view of Obama is at 46%. One has to ask does POTUS want a second term, he is no Reagan, one gets the feeling that he would rather take the Democratic Party over the cliff in the first term and fail at re-election. Has the USA elected another Jimmy Carter but worse. Poll after Poll has shown that Obama has lost the Independents, its easy to get them and lose them, its a lot harder to get them to come back, the Liberal Reagan that was seen in 08 has turned in to a combination of Carter/Mondale, and they both got crush when running for re-election in 1980 and when Mondale was the candidate in 1984.

100 Dead in Afghanistan this YEAR

MOD: Reports that a soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the soldier was from " The Royal Anglian Regiment ". Thus before the end of the year the UK has lost 100 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan. In total since 2001 the UK has lost 237 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 206 in combat operations and another 31 due to illness, accidents or other incidents.

The Abortion Vote - US Senate

Washington Examiner: Reports on a crucial Abortion vote in the US Senate today, if it passes it keeps Conservative Democrats on board for health reform but at the cost of liberal Democrats, if it fails Conservative Democrats could block the Health Care Reform. This could be the major vote folks, if Liberals win the moderate and Conservative Democrats in the House could bolt to oppose the Bill. Let see how good a politician Obama is when it comes to the trenches of vote getting on the Hill.

Shots in Tehran - Iran

BBC News: Reports on shots being fired at protesters in Tehran. Lets be clear here folks, the regime in Tehran will use the nuclear card to stay in power, they have to in many respects, they need the UN to pass hard and tough sanctions, then they can come down hard on those that are opposed to the regime. The question is how far the regime will go, does it want a War with Israel or the United States, that the one way to make sure that the regimes stays in power. Thus the clock is ticking as to has fast the regime will fall before it goes nuclear, and stated yesterday all politics is local, can the pressure from the UN and the USA push the regime out before it goes nuclear or before it starts a war in the region.

The Obama Surge in Afghanistan - THE BACKGROUND

The New York Times: Has a report on process that lead to the Obama surge in Afghanistan. The process took to long, thinking through a problem does not equate with taking a long time, in 1976 Reagan had a simple answer to the question of the USSR and the relationship with the USA, the President stated, " We win they lose ", Obama is to much of windbag to get that simple message. That the problem when you elect an academic to be President, Woodrow Wilson was also an academic and look at the mistake he made at the end of the World War One, he was stubborn and would not deal withe Senate, thus the League of Nations didn't have the power to prevent World War Two. Read of the Day.

The Game of Iran

RCP: Interesting article on an academic role playing on how to deal with Iran next year, Iran wins of course as a result. I think from reading the article that the players missed one sore point, if Israel was to hit Iran Obama could not do a Suez of 1956, when the Ike was critical of UK and French action in Egypt, the Israeli lobby is powerful on the Hill, also there are the Obama poll ratings, guess witch side the US voter would support, Iran or Israel, yes you got it folks, Israel. Thus Obama would have to come out and support the move and warn Iran that should they take action then the USA would support Israel. If Obama was slow the Congress would demand that he takes action, lets recall its the Mid Term Congressional Elections next year in the USA, who in the Hill wants to be in the bad books of the Israeli Lobby. As an old Democratic politician used to say, all politics is local, and Obama might have the Nobel Peace Prize but Israel might have the votes on the Hill and the will to attack Iran.

Health Care Reform in TROUBLE

Bloomberg.com: Reports that POTUS is going back to the Hill to keep health care reform on the road, the problem is the public option and opposition from Conservative Democrats to any government funding of abortion. This blog is split on these two issues, when it comes to the public option it can be argued that it will bankrupt the USA, costs in health never go down, also older Americans will see their benefits cut as to help those with no insurance. On abortion, this blog support the rights women to choose, and that the costs should be meet by some measure by the US Government. Lets see how good a politician President Obama is, can he get the 60 votes needed to end debate and get a vote in the Senate before the end of the year.

NATO + 7000 = Afghanistan - CNN

CNN News: Reports that NATO has agreed to send seven thousand more troops to Afghanistan. It really depends folks on what these troops can do, some NATO troops cant go out at night, others cant take action in till shot at, others are in secure parts of Afghanistan, as secure as Afghanistan ever gets, it really depends on their operational orders. Will they be allowed to fight the Taliban/ Al Qaeda, it cant be the USA and the UK does all the fighting all the time.

The Death of Richard Todd

BBC News: Reports on the death of the actor Richard Todd. Mr Todd was a fine actor and a World War Two hero. It should be noted that he was in my favourite show Dr Who and he acted along side President Ronald Reagan in the Hasty Heart, not a much shown film but a film that allowed Mr Todd to play not a very sympathetic character. Our thoughts are with the family of Mr Todd.

Nelson and Abortion

The Hill: Reports that Senator Nelson has threatened to block health care reform unless the Senate version has a restrictive language on abortion. This blog has opposed the Obama health care reform bill but when it comes to abortion the Liberal leadership in the Senate should support women, the government should support the right of a woman to chose and to help with funding. Its appalling that the Democratic Party has thrown women under the bus when it comes to abortion, without the female vote Democrats would never win Presidential Elections. Its time for Democrats to support women and battle away those that want to restrict the right of choice for American women.

July 2011 - SET IN STONE - Afghanistan - CBS

CBS News: Reports from the White House that the withdrawal date for the US to leave Afghanistan is set in stone. If your Taliban you can see that POTUS does not want to fight the War in Afghanistan, you don't give the enemy your end date for leaving. This shows that POTUS is not a War President, can you see FDR telling Germany and Japan in World War Two that the United States will start to withdraw after 1944 no matter if the D - Day landings had been successful. This shows that President Obama does not understand military matters, this is a clear message to Israel that they have to protect their own security, Israel can not trust Obama, he does not have the stomach for War. That is why Obama will either not run in 2012 or will lose his re-election bid. Your saw it here first folks that prediction.

McCain on Obama's Health Care Reform

The Obama health care reform is is being debate in the Senate folks, as stated many times the bill with hurt older Americans, Republican Senator John McCain has written the following in an article for US Today, " Simply put, the Democrats' proposed cuts to Medicare would impact seniors' access to quality care. This is a price that Americans should not........pay. " This great Senator is standing up for older Americans, folks support him, tell your Senator to oppose the Obama Health Care Reform Bill.

Iran No Bomb - Russia

Reuters: Reports that PM Putin of Russia has stated that Iran does not have the bomb. This is the problem that President Obama has with his Russia policy, the power in Russia is former President and now PM Putin. Lets recall Putin is old school KGB, he thinks the end of the USSR was a massive mistake, thus wants the Russian bear to have its claws back when it comes to the United States. At the IAEA meeting Russia approved a resolution that was critical of Iran but when it comes to tough sanctions it can be postulated that Obama will find that Iran has become a Polar Bear on ice, in other words cold to the idea. Lets hope selling out Poland and the Czech Republic was worth this refusal from the USSR sorry Russia.

Obama and VICTORY in Afghanistan ?

LA Times: Reports on the Obama Speech at West Point, the Liberal LA Times does point out an interesting fact, the article states the following, " And here's how many times the Democratic chief executive used the word "victory" -- 0. " Thus if your the Taliban what do you see, a President that is in some respects weak, how can you win if your telling the enemy your leaving in 18 months, they just have either wait you out or do another Tet, it will take years to win Afghanistan and President Obama has stated that if conditions allow the USA will start to leave in July 2011. Its is ironic that Obama has allowed more time for Iraq, the War he opposed than the War that he wanted to fight in Afghanistan. As stated last night in my tweet on the speech, Obama is not a War President, can you see Kennedy or Reagan going to War and then stating the end date. If by July 2011 the War is not going well, is Obama going to leave his Just War, while keeping troops in Iraq till the end of the year, that would be a major contradiction, think of the political adds that the Republicans would use to attack him, weak and dithering. Thus a good policy speech but a weak PR, one got the impression that Obama was expecting a lot more applause that he got, sometimes if you watch his eyes he is expecting the adulation of the Campaign trial, cant he work without people falling at his feet, this was West Point they don't faint at his presence.

General McChrystal Supports July 2011 End Date

Fox News: Reports that General McChrystal supports the Obama start of the end date for the US presence in Afghanistan. As McChrystal got what he wanted I guess it is no surprise that he supports the Obama decision. Also lets be honest here the deadline for the start of US withdrawal from Afghanistan is based on the conditions on the ground at the time. Thus there is some elastic in that timeline. Lets see what General McChrystal can do with his new troops, he has about a year or else the Biden view looks good, yes even VP Biden sometimes has an original thought, sometimes!! I wont hold by breath for winning in Afghanistan.

5,000 = NATO - CNN

CNN News: Reports that NATO will add five thousand troops to the Obama thirty thousand surge to Afghanistan. The question will it work folks, the simple answer NO, but the US and NATO has to try, we saw the result of the failure of the Afghan War on the USSR. The terrain of Afghanistan makes any war hard if not impossible, also one has to understand that Afghan culture is not New York or London, the different sectors of Afghanistan come under tribal chiefs and war lords, corruption is the way they show good faith, lot like Chicago politics. Thus the idea that you can change a culture in under 18 months is rubbish. The best that the West can achieve is that Taliban agree not to have Al Qaeda back when they get power and not to support the Taliban of Pakistan. Any idea that you can change Afghanistan is just an illusion, Iraq was a different matter, the people of Iraq at the end of the day had gone through enough terror to want to end the power of Al Qaeda in Iraq, thus they turned against Al Qaeda, the civic society in Iraq is developing, its slow but its growing, in Afghanistan we have a society that has been destroyed by wars and terror. Thus the best the West can hope for is deal with the devil in the shape of the Taliban, if Churchill could do deals with a mass murder in the shape of Stalin, then the West will have to deal with the Taliban.

Good PR for Iran ?

BBC News: Reports on the release of the five British yachtsmen by Iran. It seems that Iran has gone for good PR rather than their usual actions of trial for espionage. Lets hope the FCO did not do a deal, this matter is small fry when you look at the issue of Iran's march towards the the nuclear bomb.

Obama's Pitch Part Two - Afghanistan

Its the day folks that President Obama has to sell the War in Afghanistan to the American voter, the White House has released some of what POTUS will tell his audience around the world. The President will say some of the following, " The 30,000 additional troops that I am announcing tonight will deploy in the first part of 2010 – the fastest pace possible – so that they can target the insurgency and secure key population centers. They will increase our ability to train competent Afghan Security Forces, and to partner with them so that more Afghans can get into the fight. And they will help create the conditions for the United States to transfer responsibility to the Afghans.” Its a mistake to give the impression that you want out, shows weakness, the Taliban will use this to get the people of Afghanistan to support them over the USA, they will argue that Obama's heart is not in the War. “Because this is an international effort, I have asked that our commitment be joined by contributions from our allies. Some have already provided additional troops, and we are confident that there will be further contributions in the days and weeks ahead. Our friends have fought and bled and died alongside us in Afghanistan. Now, we must come together to end this war successfully. For what’s at stake is not simply a test of NATO’s credibility – what’s at stake is the security of our Allies, and the common security of the world.” The Allies in NATO DON'T want to send troops to Afghanistan, that is the price the USA agreed to pay when it become the leader of the West, the UK will have ten thousand troops in Afghanistan by next year, no more folks, lets see if we can win with this second Obama surge. “Taken together, these additional American and international troops will allow us to accelerate handing over responsibility to Afghan forces, and allow us to begin the transfer of our forces out of Afghanistan in July of 2011. Just as we have done in Iraq, we will execute this transition responsibly, taking into account conditions on the ground. We will continue to advise and assist Afghanistan’s Security Forces to ensure that they can succeed over the long haul. But it will be clear to the Afghan government – and, more importantly, to the Afghan people – that they will ultimately be responsible for their own country.” It is a massive mistake in military terms to set out an end date, the Taliban can either wait Obama out or create havoc, think another Tet offensive ( 1968 ). On the political front the Republicans will say that it shows that Obama does not have his heart in the fight, but they will support the move, worse for Obama the Liberal left could see him as another Bush 43. The date set for the start of the end is conditional on the theatre of War, thus liberals wanted a hard end date, they will not be happy. This is now more than ever is Obama's War, if it goes South on him he will be a one term President, he wont seek re-election in 2012, its that crucial folks, if he wins in Afghanistan he gets a second term, that simple and very political.

Afghanistan Front News

MOD: Has released the name of the soldier killed on 30/11/09, the soldier was " Acting Sergeant John Paxton Amer, of 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards ". Our thoughts are with the family of Acting Sergeant Amer.

Faster Deployment for Afghanistan - CNN

CNN News: Reports that the second Obama surge for Afghanistan will go in to effect faster as to counter the threat from the Taliban. In other words POTUS can see the election clock, he does not want Afghanistan to become a major issue in the Mid Term Congressional Elections of next year. If Afghanistan surge does not work by November next year and the US is taking heavy casualties the left wing in the US will not go and vote for Democrats, thus the Democratic Party could lose the House. If Obama was to lose the House of Representatives his political agenda would be dead on the Hill, but it would allow Obama to move to the centre as Clinton did after the 1994 loss of the House. This could allow President Obama to win re-election in 2012. All events are political folks, even Afghanistan.

30,000 + 10,000 = Afghanistan - Fox News

Fox News: Reports that the second Obama surge for Afghanistan will be thirty thousand US troops, in total the US will have a hundred thousand troops in theatre. Thus if you look at the leaks the US voter can expect that POTUS will send around thirty thousand US troops to Afghanistan and that NATO will have to pull its finger out and back the US. The UK by next year will have ten thousand troops in theatre, lets see the rest of NATO spend some money and send troops to Afghanistan. In total with NATO forces there will be around one hundred and forty thousand troops in theatre, General McChrystal will have a year to win, not two years but a year. After a year if it is still not working then POTUS will have go down the VP Biden line, scale back the troops and use special force to attack Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan. That would be the only choice, it would not be a good choice as you could see the fall of the secular government of Pakistan, and the Taliban of Pakistan taking over a nuclear armed nation. That would force India to attack, yes folks it could get that bad in the region.

The Obama Surge and Exit - Afghanistan

The Washington Post: Reports that President Obama will send thirty four thousand soldiers out to Afghanistan and will ask the Allies to make up the difference between the US surge and the McChrystal request of forty thousand soldiers. As long as the surge is over thirty thousand then President Obama is on the right track, as getting more troops out of NATO and US Allies that depends if its 5 or 10 thousand Obama wants from them, five thousand should be a reasonable request to NATO and US Allies. The idea that somehow you can turn Afghanistan around in to Chicago with the flaws of that state is barmy, Afghanistan is and always has been a nightmare for any power, from the British Empire through the USSR now to the USA under Obama. At the end of the day if the Taliban agree to keep Al Qaeda out of Afghanistan and not to support the Taliban of Pakistan they can take Afghanistan back to the stone age, that brutal and honest folks. There is no way on God's earth that you can make Afghanistan in the Western image. Its about grinding down the Taliban, make them do a deal and get the hell out of the place.

UK HOSTAGES in Iran

BBC News: Reports on the five British Yacht crew being held by Iran. I had hoped that someone in Iran had a brain cell when it comes to PR, it seems this time this blog was wrong. The Government in Iran is holding five private British citizens as hostages, it is nothing more that a rogue nation. I am sorry but I have had enough of FCO wanting to appease Tehran, time to show Iran there are limits. This of this as a test run over the nuclear issue, it does not matter if the boat went by accident in to the waters of Iran, any civilized Nation would have helped them out if their was yacht was in trouble, not Iran. This is time for gunboat diplomacy, or even better send in the SAS, Iran will not get the message in till when drop the brick on them, and its better the UK does it than Israel. The totalitarian regime in Tehran sees Obama as weak thus their push for the bomb, lets show them that British have played this game longer, send in the gunboat and teach the lesson on how to behave as a real nation. If we are weak over this they will bush for the bomb, that simple and brutal folks.

POTUS = 30,000 = Afghanistan - NYT

The New York Times: Reports that President Obama has issued his final orders for Afghanistan, the NYT writes the following, " advisers to the president have said Mr. Obama intends to commit roughly 30,000 more troops. " One can argue that with the other troops from NATO Allies and close US Allies the request by General McChrysal of forty thousand will get close. So on this lets give President Obama a pass on the process, lets see what the results are, if its thirty thousand troops plus a few thousand more troops from the Allies this should give General McChrystal the troops he needs to secure the towns from the Taliban and help build up the Kabul Government. As to if it will work that is a different question, it really depends does President Obama have his heart in the fight, will he take on his Liberal base, the Liberals in Congress are not going to roll over when it comes to Afghanistan, they see Afghanistan as another Vietnam and Obama as the successor to LBJ. Thus expect the far left to go bonkers and the Obama polls to dive a bit, even with Republican support, one can postulate that Independents will be also very nervous with the Obama process and decision when it comes to Afghanistan. But lets be clear this blog supports Obama if the above is correct on the troop surge. Lets face it folks Obama needs to toughen up his act, he has Iran to deal with next year.

Obama Pitch - Afghanistan

Politics Daily: An excellent article by Mr Corn on how President Obama will sell his second Afghan surge to the US voter. As Mr Corn states the President will get the support of Republicans but his political base will have done a runner, also how do you get beyond this paradox, Obama has stated that Afghanistan is the JUST war but also that there is an END date for the US voter. Its in the details folks, lets see how many troops President Obama sends, are there any benchmarks for the Kabul Government, does Obama give the impression that he wants to win the War in Afghanistan. God forbid that he sets a end date, the Taliban will throw a Party in Las Vegas. Read of the Day.

Death in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that a British Soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, the soldier was from the " 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards ". Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 236 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 205 in combat operations and another 31 due to illness, accident or other incidents. As posted today the UK will have around ten thousand soldiers in Afghanistan by next year, lets hope with the second Obama surge NATO can start to win in Afghanistan and then get the hell out of the place, its far to costly in dead and treasure, lets see what the Obama EXIT route is out of Afghanistan. Its rubbish folks but lets see if he can sell it to the US voter.

UK = 500 Troops to Afghanistan = 9,500

BBC News: Reports that the UK will send another five hundred troops to Afghanistan, this will bring the total of all UK forces including SAS and other special forces up to ten thousand. Lets hope Obama does not have second or third thoughts and go down the VP Biden line, the UK has thrown it weight behind Obama, time to see if Obama can face down his liberal base.

Liberals WANT to TAX YOU - Afghanistan

The Hill: Reports on the move by Congressman Obey to raise taxes by 1% on those that ear over a hundred and fifty thousand dollars. This is not about the cost of the War folks, its about Liberals in Congress finding that Afghanistan has joined Iraq as a bad war. The use of costs is a smoke screen, do you see Liberals being concerned that they will bankrupt the USA with their health care reform plan, this not so subtle attack on the Afghan War is a warning to the Obama White House that Liberals can not be pushed around, the problem is that in the real world the base of the Democratic Party is the African - American vote, thus liberals will have to support their President, or face problems back home in urban areas. Also Republicans will support the second Obama surge to Afghanistan, it has to be noted that you don't raise taxes when your economy is in the toilet, that is basic economics folks.