Heath Care Deal in the Senate

The New York Times: Reports on the US Senate version of Health Care Reform, the NYT writes the following, " it will have to be more conservative than the measures proposed by the House or the left-leaning Senate health committee. " If the Senate can produce a Health Care Reform Bill that has the support of the Republicans, does not bankrupt the country, and allows those that do not have Health Care Insurance to get medical treatment that is good it can be argued. The NYT will hate the Bill, the paper so left wing it would tax 100% of all profits it could get any support. If the Senate Bill is more conservative this will force President Obama and the Liberal Congressional Leadership in the House to choose, get a Health Care that has political support of the majority of Congress or push their version that will only have Democratic support and could lose in Congress. Lets see if Obama is new LBJ and Reagan.

Reinforcements required in Afghanistan

The Times: Reports more that more UK troops will be need to mount further attacks on the Taliban/Terrorists and to hold ground won in Operation Panther’s Claw. Thus more troops will have to be sent to Afghanistan, we can not afford to lose in Afghanistan, the UK was seen as weak in Iraq thus our pullout, the USA had to take over with the assistance of the Iraqi Army. An interesting aspect of the Times report is my suspicion yesterday that the UK Foreign Secretary had not cleared the speech with PM Gordon Brown, thus as stated the UK Foreign Secretary Mr David Miliband, it can be argued is looking at a post General Election bid for the Labour Leadership, his idea of talking to moderate Taliban will go down with the left wing of the Labour Party. Thus it can be argued that Mr Miliband expects Labour to lose the General Election in 2010 and for Mr Brown to make way for a new leader. Even in War there is politics.

Deaths in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that two British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan due to combat operations; one soldier was part of Operation Panther's Claw, while the other soldier was on another combat operation. The Soldiers came from the " Light Dragoons and the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery " Thus in total the UK has lost 160 of its Armed Forces Personnel in combat operations and 31 due to accidents, illness or other incidents. In total, we have lost 191 of our brave Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan News Part Two

MOD: Has named the soldier killed on Saturday, the soldier was " Bombardier Craig Hopson from 40th Regiment Royal Artillery (The Lowland Gunners) " Lets hope this is the last death this month, lets hope its the last death of the War in Afghanistan.

Talking to the Taliban ?

The Times: Reports that the UK Foreign Secretary Mr David Miliband has stated that NATO should talking to moderate Taliban, and try to turn them to support the Government system in Afghanistan. Just as the MOD has announced the name of the 20th soldier to die in Afghanistan at the hands of the Taliban/Terrorists it seems odd that Mr Miliband is suggesting talking to his killers. Afghanistan is not Northern Ireland or Iraq, what worked there might not work in country, of course you can buy a local war lord, that is almost a custom in Afghanistan, the local tribal clans are always changing sides, but they tend to come together to fight from their point of view an invader. The Taliban/Terrorists want us out, that is out of the question, we can not leave Afghanistan in the hands of bunch of thugs, the Terrorists of 9/11 and 7/7 would have their old base back, a base they would use to attack the West. Also the Obama Administration thinks of Afghanistan as JUST WAR, if you leave Afghanistan in the hands of Islamic thugs, who don't believe in rights of women the left in the USA will go bonkers again with Obama. This call for talks smells of thinking for a post election leadership struggle, one has to wonder if PM Brown gave the nod for this speech, Mr Brown of late has to fight the impression that our troops don't have enough helicopters and enough troops to hunt down the Taliban/Terrorists. Also sounds like Labour is getting cold feet over Afghanistan.

Israel on Iran

Fox News: Reports on a clear warning from Israel to Iran an enemy and to the USA a friend, that Israel will protect itself against a nuclear Iran, even at the cost of using force. This is in some respects a clear warning to President Obama, Israel will allow Obama to try for a diplomatic solution to the problem for a nuclear Iran but not at the cost of the security of Israel. The Government of Israel knows that US Congress will always back Israel, Blue Dog Democrats even more so when it comes to the security of Israel. One can understand why President Obama is very concerned about an Israeli hit on Iran, Iran would hit US forces in Iraq. Obama has the hot war in Afghanistan, more of a cold war in Iraq, North Korea is playing poker with the whole of Korea, the economy is still a mess, and he wants to be LBJ in the domestic field. If Israel hits Iran this could blow up any domestic agenda by Obama, lets recall the war in Vietnam finished the Great Society of LBJ. The clock is ticking for Obama, can he get his health care reform through before his polls really go South, can he get a deal with Iran over its nuclear plans before Israel just bombs the plants in Iran. Time will tell if Obama is lucky in Foreign Policy!

Afghanistan Front News

BBC News: Reports that the first stage of Operation Panther's Claw has come to an End. Of the twenty soldiers killed this month, 9 have been killed due to the operation, another 11 died in other combat operations. The Operation it has been stated has secured security for between eighty and hundred thousand people. When the military and politicians come out with such positive news from Afghanistan, a red flag goes up in my mind. How many Taliban/Terrorists just threw their weapons away, and returned to the general population. The question can our Soldiers keep the land they have taken, or will the Taliban hit back with more savage insurgent attacks. Thus just keep a red flat in your mind folks when you hear such good news out of Afghanistan. Lets be clear, if it works that is great, if we have smashed the Taliban/Terrorists that is fantastic, lets just not start a Street Party yet, I still see that Red Flag.