One Japanese hostage killed, one left with IS - New War on Terror

CNN - Politics: Reports " One of ISIS' two Japanese hostages has been killed after a deadline for ransom passed, and the terror group has issued a new demand for the other's freedom -- a prisoner exchange.."

Lets Get Real:

The IS terrorists group is low life scum. their terror knows no bounds, the West and Japan have to fight IS with everything they have, it is important that IS does not go in Lebanon and Jordan, that its control of Syria and Iraq is reduced.   The West has to make it clear that any Western people going to IRAQ and SYRIA are going at their own risk, and that the West will not pay ransom for them if they are taken, the West has to be clear on that, there should be no back room deals, no dealing with terrorists. 

IS Update - New War on Terror

Telegraph: Reports " Islamic State lose only one per cent of captured territory in Iraq after airstrikes..US-led strikes have allowed Kurdish peshmerga forces and Iraqi government troops to retake just 270 square miles of ground in northern Iraq "

Lets Get Real:

If after all the air bombing and the millions spent on the operation ALL that IS has lost is 1% then the West has a problem, modern missiles cost hundred of millions dollars, and this rate the WAR will last years, not just the expected three.   The IRAQI army wants to take Mosul, but for that they will need US troops, one can see that the Obama Oval is waiting to hand over the problem to the next President.   The rise of IS is down to the move by President Obama to withdraw all troops from Iraq in 2011.   THE REAL WORLD has a way of making an out of control ego look foolish.   The problem is that Obama has no RFK or Nancy Reagan, all his staff kiss his backside and the press are worse. 

Obama, Democrats vs. Israel - The Middle East

Guardian: Reports " Democrats rally around Obama amid furore over Netanyahu Congress visit..Boehner’s invitation sparked controversy despite White House growing more confident it can withstand efforts to frustrate its policy of nuclear talks with Iran "

Lets Get Real:

Interesting an article saying that the Democrats on the Hill are going to oppose Iran sanctions and support Obama over Israel, this blog has its doubts, will Democrats really allow their political future to be in the hands of a Chicago pol and Iran.  If they do they are fools.   One would be surprised that Democrats want to risk the taint that they would rather appease Tehran than support Israel.   The problem the Democrats have is that Obama might sign a bad deal, this would be like adding a steal ball your feet and jumping off a cliff, lot of pain.   One can expect the Israeli Lobby to be in action, reminding Dems in Congress that 2016 is not far away.   Politics is about money at the end of the day!

The THREAT to Mariupol, East Ukraine - The Cold War 2

BBC News:  Reports " At least 15 people have been killed and 46 injured in a series of rocket attacks by pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine's government-held port of Mariupol, police there say. "

Lets Get Real:

The Port of Mariupol is of strategic importance to the Russian rebels, its through Mariupol that you get to the Crimea,  the increase fighting would show that any statements from the Obama Oval about the pressure of the sanctions it has placed on Russia are not serious.    The Putin Regime is the short term does care about the economic sanctions, its given Russians back their feeling of bride that was taken away from them with the end of the USSR.    This is the crisis that could blow up and lead to a European Crisis, watch the developments  in the Ukraine.  The Russians as confirmed by NATO are using their own troops in the fighting and in secret has had secret burials of those killed. 

Obama's Yemen Problem - The New War on Terror

Telegraph: Reports " President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi resigned Thursday saying the country was in "total deadlock" after the powerful Huthi Shiite militia took control of most of Sanaa. "

Lets Get Real:

The fall of the Yemen President is a problem for the Oval Office, the Huthi Shiite Militia are supported by IRAN, thus on the one side the last government supported the use of US drones to strike Al Qaeda in Yemen, the question is will Iran carry on that support and what does that mean for the US and Iran nuclear talks.    The US needs to keep Al Qaeda on the ropes but IF Iran is in control it might use that to force the US to grant Tehran a better deal.  AS stated Israel is already worried that the US will sell them out, this added pressure on President Obama could help Israel with its message, that IF Obama does a bad deal with Tehran to keep the Yemen operation going what will he give away, the Obama Oval has two years to go, Israel has to take long the long view on the strategic front , they can outlast Obama and any sanctions he might place on Israel should Israel attack Iran over the objections  of the Oval Office.  In politics everything is connected. 

Greece OUT of the Euro - The Euro Crisis is BACK

Guardian:  Reports " Syriza stretches poll lead as Greek election campaign ends..Anti-austerity party leader Alexis Tsipras pledges historic change at Sunday’s ballot, as PM Antonis Samaras warns of catastrophe "

Lets Get Real:

This is the time for decision for Greece, the view from Berlin, Germany is clear, the Greeks for getting life support on the economic front have to follow through with tough austerity, if Athens backs off this agenda, the Germans have made it clear that Greece will be OUT of the Euro.   The Germany taxpayer is not going to pay for the left wing promises of the Syriza Party in Greece.    The Greek people have to smell the coffee, there is only the German way or it is OUT of the Euro.   The Sundy ballot will be decision time for Greece and the EU. 

Israel vs. The Obama Oval - 2nd Term Blues

BBC News: Reports " Barack Obama will not meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits in March to speak to Congress, the White House says. "

Lets Get Real:

The Israeli PM and the US President do not get along, the main focus now is Iran, the Oval Office wants a BAD deal, any deal over no deal.    The  Oval Office knows that if there is no deal there is a chance that the US will have to take military action against Iran for its nuclear development.   The Israeli Government feels that a nuclear armed Iran is a THREAT to its existence, thus is placing pressure on the US not to take a bad deal.   The visit to the US Congress is the reaction the State of the Union address by the President were he stated that he would veto any new sanctions against Iran.   The Israeli Government is placing pressure on the US through the Israeli lobby to be tough with Iran, at present ALL it sees is weakness.    In this debate one has to give ones support for Israel, they feel under threat, and its their neighbourhood.