So now, it appears that not only has Ayatollah Sistani blocked the Bushists’ plan to cut off and isolate Moqtada al-Sadr– but also, the main Shiite party the Bushists were hoping would help them in their plan, SCIRI, has started distancing itself rapidly from it, too…
AP’s Qassim Abdul-Zahra is quoting Shiite parliamentarians visiting Najaf as saying that an aide to Ayatollah Sistani today said that Sistani “does not support” a US-instigated plan to construct a new governing coalition that would exclude and isolate Sadr.
Abdul-Zahra wrote,
- “There are obstacles in the face of forming this coalition, because al-Sistani does not support it. So we will work to strengthen the (Shiite) alliance,” said Hassan al-Sunnaid, of the Dawa Party of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Ali al-Adib, also a Dawa Party member, said al-Sistani “does not support such blocs because they will break Shiite unity.”
An official close to al-Sistani, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the cleric “will not bless nor support any new bloc or front. He only supports the unity of the Shiites.”
This AP reporter does seem a little unduly under the sway of the US spinmeisters in Baghdad, since he describes the US plan as being one “to persuade Iraq’s political leaders to set aside sectarian interests and work together for the sake of national unity.”
However, as Reidar Visser has pointed out in a comment at this JWN post,
- It should be pointed out that there IS already in place a [governing] coalition across sectarian lines and the only new proposal is to make it more narrow, by chopping off Sadrists and possibly some Sunni elements. Sistani has given his support for the existing government. Why would he want to support the proposed, more narrow alternative?
Anyway, this would be far from the first time that Sistani has foiled the political machinations of the US occupying forces in Iraq. (It is also at least the second time he has saved Moqtada Sadr from a potentially lethal US scheme.)
Qassim Abdul-Zahra reports that after visiting Sistani the delegation went to talk to Sadr, who was also (I believe) in Najaf. He wrote that Sadr had agreed to allow the members of his bloc to end the walkout from the parliament that they started to protest PM Maliki’s recent meeting with President Bush, in Amman.
However, Abdul-Zahra also quoted Khaled al-Attiya, an independent who is parliament’s deputy speaker, as implying that Sadr hasn’t given his final answser on that yet: “He will give his final decision to rejoin the government and parliament after Eid al-Adha.” That will apparently be on around January. 4.
Meanwhile, AFP’s Hassan Abdel-Zahra (related? who knows?) reported more forthrightly that,
- Talks to woo supporters of radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr back into Iraq’s ruling coalition broke up without agreement after he insisted on a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops.
Nevertheless, participants in the talks expressed confidence that his 32 lawmakers and six ministers would soon return rejoin the government…
“They agreed to all our demands, except scheduling a withdrawal for the occupier. This demand will be discussed during the next meeting,” Abu Firas al-Mutairi, a political official from Sadr’s movement, told reporters.
This reporter also, intriguingly, wrote this:
- The Pentagon has explicitly blamed Sadr and his militia for much of the sectarian violence engulfing Iraq.
Sunni politicians have threatened to pull out of Maliki’s coalition if the Shiite prime minister fails to halt attacks on Sunni civilians by Shiite militants and publicly denounce Sadr’s alleged involvement in the violence.
But the main Shiite plank in the proposed “moderate coalition”, the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), rejects this approach, calling for Sadr to be brought back on board.
Okay, first of all, note this reporter’s unexamined use of Pentagon “spin” in framing this portion of the story… Firstly, by not including any critique of the Pentagon’s attempt to blame only the Sadrists for the anti-Sunni sectarian violence– a claim that certainly is not supported by the available evidence. Secondly, by implying in the second para there that all the Sunni pols have threatened to pull out unless Maliki publicly denounces Sadr– not true. And thirdly, when he calls the US-proposed coalition the “moderate coalition”. (Okay, so he put that in tell-tale scare quotes, thereby perhaps distancing himself a little from endorsement of the Bushist-originated monicker.)
But mainly, regarding that small portion of the AFP story, which is tucked into it only at the very end, note that even Bush’s hoped-for buddies from SCIRI are now reported as dissociating themselves from the isolate-Moqtada campaign.
So what is the Bushists’ Plan B, again?
“So what is the Bushists’ Plan B, again?”
Kill ’em all and let God sort ’em out.
Sistani foils the occupiers’ plot (again)
Occupier foils Sistani(again)?
Kill ’em all and let God sort ’em out.
That’s what some leaking news today John C,
In the news (Arabic) there is a meetings going on some where in Baghdad “Operational Room” there are 60 Israeli intelligence officers, some commanders from Bader Miliia, commanders from Al-Sadar Miliia, officers from internal Affeers and some commanders from Iraqi intelligence /Government, all discussing next phase which is the news saying kill and empty any area in Baghdad from any oppositional to US occupations! So “Kill ’em all” sadly that all about…… we will hear soon more dead bodies laying on the streets in Bagdad early morning each day, more kidnapping and more air ridding so “Kill ’em all” sadly that all about..
They are starting in Al-Adell District west Baghdad…
Salah – I am deeply sorry about this. I wish I could stop it.
Salah, your arabic news channel is misinforming you. There were in fact 37 Israeli agents and the 2 guys from the Badr militia who were supposed to show up couldn’t make it. They ate some bad tikka and had diarhea. And the bit about Al-Adell District is all misinformation to catch the glorious mujas off-guard.
none,
Well if you knew more why you pope up now and try to tell this is “misinformation”.
Are you on the ground or one of who is close to the tope stories, then tell us the details? are they tope secrets.
Where are you? Why you did not join us in this discussions board before, or you just pop up now to tell this?
Prove for us your sources and tell us more if you really like to enrich our posting here.
How you convince us that your sources are truthful from first time commentator!!
BTW, I did not say it’s a true, all I said I read some new in Arabic whatever that news close to the truth or not, I will leave it to the coming days will prove and then we can say that source ok is telling some thing.
Whish to hear from you more in due course and more truthful information’s from mine…
Salah- are you seriously suggesting that al-Sadr’s army, the Badr Brigades, and others are coming together with Israeli intelligence in order to decide to kill all in Baghdad? Even considering the usual conspiracy theories I see from you, this is way over the top and beyond absurd. Bring all these people into one room, and you’d have them all fighting each other to death, for one thing.
And you provide no sources yourself. “Some Arabic media” is no source. You’re not enriching the debate by giving us your conspiracy theories.
And why should the fact that the above poster is a first-timer affect his credibility? Some people have been posting here for a very long time and continue to make absurd claims without any evidence.
Salah- are you seriously suggesting
Did I suggesting to you? I am telling what I read in Arabic newspaper what’s wrong I did here? Its up to you believe it or not it’s your problem. Or if you have better sources telling other things bring it on…
Any way Mike, I don’t know what’s your background and how much knowledgeable you what’s going on inside?
Tell us who is killing of Iraqis now those who go and kills and kid napped tens of Iraqi from Ministry or from Al-Sanak Market riding the police cars with theirs heads covered while the Iraqi police in many case wittiness the killing and kidnapping but they are not responding!!
These Black 4 wheel drive cars driving through Baghdad streets passing many check points can you tell us what these check point for and what they checking for?
Please don’t start personal attack using these words “the usual conspiracy theories I see from you” this just insane and telling that you don’t like what I put or write.
There is no doubt inside Iraq Bader, Sader and Americans, Israelis and a private contractors killing Iraqis, to your attention read Asharq Alawast interview with Badaer Commander when he visited London I think last month he telling that there are 33 miliia killing Iraqi! Is this my “the usual conspiracy theories I see from you” give me a break choose another words to paint me for sake Iraqi dieing and you come here telling us” the usual conspiracy theories I see from you”.. What conspiracy theories here it just makes no sense at all from some one to speak like this.
And you provide no sources yourself. “Some Arabic media” is no source. You’re not enriching the debate by giving us your conspiracy theories.
AL Watan Newspaper
P.O.Box 2727
Anaheim, CA 92814
Tel. (714) 502-9908
Fax (714) 502-9920
E-Mail: watan@watan.com
About Al Watan
Al Watan is a weekly Arab American newspaper dedicated to providing its constituency with up-to-date news breaking information. Al Watan was established in 1992 in Washington DC and has since expanded with three additional locations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, California and New York.
Our mission is to provide customers with the most current, valuable, reliable and informative news on political, economical, social, cultural, and educational issues, which concern the Arab American community and their relations with the US society at-large. Our top-priority is ensuring that ethical business practices are followed through all of our business activities.
Al Watan seeks to achieve its goals through maintaining a positive relationship with the community, promoting business through advertisements and coordinating efforts with Arab and Muslim American organizations to promote the achievements of the community as well as empower them through active involvement in the political, media, social and educational sectors.
Who enjoys Al Watan
Al Watan caters to the 1st and 2nd generations of Arab Americans (20 years and older). Nearly 300,000 Arab Americans live in Los Angeles and Orange county alone and they enjoy a plethora of tastes and preferences. The 2nd generation of Arab Americans are constantly on the go. Their interests range from what’s going on in the business arena to what the latest fashion trends are to the latest news on international affairs. The older generation has a keen sense of civic responsibility and are constantly keeping themselves updated with what community events are taking place.
They also keep up with the most current business trends. Both generations maintain a constant connection with their family and friends in the Middle East through the Internet and telephone.
Who are Arab Americans
Arab Americans are prominent in business, the arts, education, medicine, journalism and government. On average, they are younger, more educated and more affluent than most Americans. Education is a top-priority with the Arab community.
In fact, many Arabs from the Middle East immigrate here to enhance their education and assimilate into the American dream.
Most Arab Americans are of Lebanese or Syrian origin, but the population of Egyptian, Palestinian and Iraqi Americans has been growing steadily.
وصول 60 من افراد العدو الاسرائيلي لمساعدة الميلشيات
هدهد سليمان / هدهد سليمان
بواسطة: admin في , 16 ديسمبر, 2006 – 04:50 16:50
الضوء الاخضر لمعركة فاصلة بين الميلشيات الموالية لايران التي جاءت بها قوات الاحتلال الاميركي على رأس الحكم في العراق مدعومة من اجهزة الجيش والشرطة لحكومة الميلشيات وبين احياء من يعارض الاحتلال الاميركي للعراق ستبدأ في غضون فترة قريبة جدا .
بموجب معلومات حصلت عليها المنظمة العراقية للمتابعة والرصد فان الضوء الاخضر لمعركة فاصلة بين الميلشيات الموالية لايران التي جاءت بها قوات الاحتلال الاميركي على رأس الحكم في العراق مدعومة من اجهزة الجيش والشرطة لحكومة الميلشيات وبين احياء من يعارض الاحتلال الاميركي للعراق ستبدأ في غضون فترة قريبة جدا .
وأكد الاخ مصطفى سالم الامين العام للمنظمة العراقية للمتابعة والرصد انه طبقا للمعلومات فان الساعات الماضية شهدت تحركات مريبة تتعلق بدخول ما يقرب من 300 ايراني لمنطقة (الثورة) الصدر وهم مدججين بالسلاح، كما شهد وصول فريق اسرائيلي مختص بحرب الشوارع التقى فور وصوله السبت ويجب ملاحظة يوم وتوقيت وصوله مع اعضاء حكومة الميلشيات ومع مسؤولي اجهزة وزارة الداخلية، واشار سالم الى ان قطع الرؤؤس كما حصل في منطقة الحرية هو دليل على قيام المخابرات الايرانية بقيادة حملة التهجير والتصفية.
وقال سالم ان الفريق طبقا للمعلومات يضم اكثر من 60 فردا ما بين ضباط ومحللين في جيش العدو الاسرائيلي.
وأكد سالم ان غرفة مشتركة تضم وزارة الداخلية وميلشيا بدر وميلشيا حزب الدعوة وعصابة مقتدى صدر وضباط استخبارات في قوات الاحتلال وافراد في عصابة البيشمركة الكردية وكبير ضباط فريق العدو الاسرائيلي وضباط في المخابرات الايرانية تدير مخطط تصفية كل رافضي الاحتلال.
واوضح سالم ان الدور الايراني في العراق يتم بموافقة ومباركة اميركية وليس كما توحي الادارة الاميريكة او وسائل الاعلام.
وقال سالم ان التوافق الاميركي الايراني الاسرائيلي قي العراق تم على اساس ان اكثر اناس يضمن ولاءهم في العراق هم الميلشيات الموالية لايران والتي للمرجعية الشيعية الصفوية التي روجت للاحتلال اصلا الدور الضامن لتقديم الغطاء لهم اضافة الى ميلشيا البيشمركة التي تعمل كمرتزقة هدفهم لا يتجاوز جيوبهم وهم معباءين بالحقد والكراهية.
وأوضح سالم ان كل ما يمكن عمله الان ليس تصديق وعود وكلام نوري مالكي رئيس حكومة الميلشيات، بل الاستعداد الكامل للدفاع عن النفس في ظل غياب الحكومة وهو امر يتوافق مع الشرع والقانون الدولي وتناسي الخلافات وغيرها والتركيز على دور الحكومات العربية والشعب العربي الواحد وكافة الحكومات الاسلامية عدا ايران لانها اثبتت ان حقدهم على الاسلام وعلى العرب في العراق يفوق ما فعله هولاكو وكل مجرمي التاريخ.
ويذكر ان المرجعية الشيعة الصفوية في مدينة النجف بالعراق تضم فقط من هو غير عربي ومعظمهم من ايران.
هذا المقال من قبل Al Watan Arab American National Newspaper
http://www.watan.com/
رابط هذا المفال:
http://www.watan.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=9643
BTW, Mike: I did not said decide to kill all in Baghdad
This not my words, John C. wrote “Kill ’em all” and I wrote my boast in response of John’s Post, I said they will target “any Oppositionists for the Occupation” not killing kill all in Baghdad
Read my post well before making your claims and alligations about me Mike.
Salah and JohnC
The Sunday Times gives us the gen. You are quite right. It is Battle of Algiers in Baghdad or “Kill em All”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2517659,00.html
and
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2088-2517657,00.html
Another two brigades won’t cope with all the foreign fighters who will move into Baghdad.
I dont quite understand how the next phase of the battle will be morphed into engaging Iranian and Syrian forces yet. But wait and see.
US voters may wish to look at the literature that criticises German civilians for looking the other way in the 1940s. Quakers are good at understanding questions of morality so perhaps Helena can give us some guidance on doing more than just saying “not in my name”
Helena
I said they will target “any Oppositionists for the Occupation”
I know the screenname of an opposionist of the occupation. Riverbend.
If Sunni death squads
This is mileading statment, all we know the death squad traned and crated by US from Bader and others
If Sunni death squads
This is misleading statement, all we know the death squad trained and crated by US from Bader and others
Frank, here is a more concise Fred Kagan:
“It is now time to abandon the failed strategy of “transition” and return to the basics of counter-insurgency and stability operations by bringing peace to the Iraqi people.”
WAR IS PEACE
“The presence of US and Iraqi troops brings greater security, which enables the start of economic and political development.”
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
“By offering reconstruction assistance through local Iraqi leaders, the coalition would get Iraqis used to looking to their own government for essential services.
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH
This give you the idea what’s going on in Baghdad with Sectarian Fault Lines Explained through Maps.
http://iraqimojo.blogspot.com/
Conspiracy Theories
Some of what I have seen from Global Research has not been very credible. It was blatantly polemical, and some of the assertions were questionable to downright non-factual, and absent any recognizable logic. Therefore, I approach everything I see from them with caution.
Shirin: A journalist like Robert Dreyfuss when he said in his article: Our Monsters in Iraq, you can not tell us he is also not credible source.
It’s a mater of fact now that Death Squad is US made this is not new and there is no need to argue in this.
What happening in Iraq today, are really the continuations and the planing from the time those Death Squads created.
Salah,
Does Robert Dreyfuss write for Global Research? Not that I know of.
My comment referred to your choice of sources. You often use sources that lack credibility, and this hurts your argument, even when it has merit.
Shirin thank you for your words, but I care much about the core of the subject.
In our time its difficult to find balanced non biased source of media or news, you know your media NYT, WP CCN and FOX, we all hear read them but we take the things between the lines and things we knew its right and genuine we all not agree all what said is right and why they saying it but we leave those propaganda things.
I appreciate what you said, I should take it in account Shirin in the future but that not distance us as we discussing in this lovely space from Helena, to get the facts and the truth out.
This is core of this discussion here if we start to argue this post or this source is this and what we interested? I thing we will loos in the paths and we will find ourselves far what every looking to achieve of balanced discussions.
Yes, I admitting I might be viewed by some of you sympathises more to one side or other put I am Iraqi and I love my home country, I knew there are many mistakes and bad thinks in our society but still in the end of the day we all human looking to join the world loving peace with other humans and friends.
Thanks
انه عراق الملكي عراق السلب والنهب والقتل والاغتصاب؟ نتمنى لو كانت احدى المغتصبات من بناتهم ؟ ربما شعروا بشئ من الغيرة او الكرامة. لكن كل عوائلهم خارج العراق مع الاسف. لماذا لايجلبونهم الى العراق كي يستدفئوا بشمس الديمقراطية الخرقاء؟ وماذا سيعلل المالكي الامر ؟ هل هم التكفيريون ايضا وازلام النظام ؟ ام الميليشيات القذرة وفرق الموت الرسمية التي يحميها علنا وسرا ؟ أسأل المالكي وغيره من المدافعين عن نظامه المنخوب ؟ هل سمعوا او قرأوا مثل هذه الامور والانتهاكات منذ عهد المغول اقصد القدامى وليس الجدد.
http://www.iraq-ina.com/showthis.php?type=1&tnid=4604
To all who read ARABIC, and others who argue here about the sources, read this news report (in Arabic) most importantly read the comments by Iraqis look to their reactions and their words…
I hope some will change their thinking and mind how they looking to Iraqi chaos when they write about the situation in Iraq from far away supporting their argument by saying they “visited Iraq” the “saw in Iraq” or they have Iraqi friend, to convince us that they have the background to write to believe in them…
yahoo links tend to disappear after a few days.
here’s your 1st Sistani link.
helena
Oh Dear God!
I dont quite understand how the next phase of the battle will be morphed into engaging Iranian and Syrian forces yet. But wait and see.
New York Times reports that they have lifted four Iranian military in Iraq
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/25/world/middleeast/25iraq.html?hp&ex=1167109200&en=4e111a821b3118d9&ei=5094&partner=homepage
If the charges are as advised in the article it might be construed as an act of war. Barney is sure to think it is an open and shut case and advise the boss.
The presence of MilInt people in a neighbouring country with an unstable or non existent government would appear to be normal and prudent practice.
So from the guys who brought you Shock and Awe, Nuclear Attack at 45 minutes notice, the Zinoviev telegram, and the Gulf of Tonkin Incident and the Three Bears, here we go again.
and it sneaks out on Christmas Day when nobody is looking.
The presence of MilInt people in a neighbouring country with an unstable or non existent government would appear to be normal and prudent practice.
Be sure to tell this to KDJ. He seemed to think otherwise when the supposed “MilInt” people were Israelis in Lebanon.
“Zinoviev telegram”? I think that you mean the Zimmerman telegram.
James Brown RIP
There’s no good news, but there is good music.
oops
Thanks Jes
the Zinoviev Letter was a hoax, the Zimmerman Telegram was in fact a real intercept. Both are written up in Wikipedia.
Peer review is a powerful technique.
Seasons greetings
“The El Salvador option”
Death Squads
I’ll try again:
“El Salvador Option”
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=%22El+Salvador%22+option&spell=1
Seth, please fix the link in your last post. It does not work.
I posted it again, but it got caught in the spam filter[?]
The link was to google anyway.
Just google: “The El Salvador option”
It’s been in discussion for awhile, and again recently.
Whether it’s now operational is another matter, but it’s the US government’s phrase, which is disgusting enough.
(and Negroponte was there the first time around.)
Thanks Seth. I have been aware of the “Salvador Option” since around the time they sent Negroponte to act as “ambassador” in Iraq. In fact, there was a cover article on it in Time or Newsweek about that time. I was hoping maybe there was some newer information.
Confusion creates fear
Iraqis tell me that when they see a police checkpoint they get terrified; they do not know if it is a real police checkpoint or a fake one manned by men posing as police.
If it is a fake one, well, they are in trouble because there is a big chance they might be kidnapped. But also, if they establish that it is a “real” checkpoint, they have to worry whether or not those police men are part of a death squad.
Personally, I think the most interesting aspect here is whether the thieves were actual thieves in uniform or real security forces committing crimes and disgracing the uniform. In any case, it is another example of the lawlessness that this country has plunged to after the start of the war and the “end of all major” operations.
Frank,
The Iranian papers this morning are reporting that the two diplomats have been freed but the two ‘high ranking military security officials” are still being kept by the US forces. Different papers, from the opposition paper:
http://www.roozna.com/Images/Pdf/2_5_10_1385.Pdf
to the official IRNA news agency newspaper:
http://www.iran-newspaper.com/1385/851005/pdf/i2.pdf
have all quoted Talebani and his spokesman as saying that he invited the four officials to come to Iraq in his trip to Tehran 3 weeks ago, to coordinate plans to control the flow of arms, and security matters etc. He has vowed to secure their release as soon as possible. The 2 diplomats were picked up as they were being driven to the embassy from a large public ‘tahreem’ (religious remembrance ceremony) in a mosque. The two military guys were picked up, supposedly at night while they were sleeping at the hostel at the “Aljaderiyah Complex”, which is said to be the “combined security headquarters of the SCIRI and interior ministry”. The “seized documents” are apparently maps of the locations and operational plans of the interior ministry special forces.
Interestingly enough, quite a few of the editorials of the Tehran papers have your conclusion, namely that “… from the guys who brought you Shock and Awe, Nuclear Attack at 45 minutes notice, the Zinoviev telegram, and the Gulf of Tonkin Incident …” i.e. the US, in a classic move, seems to be looking for an excuse and pretext to (A) ignore the ISG recommendations for talks with Iran and/or (B) escalate the war of words, and then more than words, against Iran.
I heard an interview with someone on BBC world service radio this morning (missed his name unfortunately, but spoke English with an Arab accent, and the interviewer addressed him as your excellency, so could have been an Arab ambassador to somewhere). The “excellency” was saying the accusations are laughable, as Iran has thousands of Iraqi Shi’ite sympathizers whom it can use to do anything for it, and would never risk doing things like this (operations against Iraqi security forces) using passport-carrying high ranking officials. And add to this the fact that Iran is the biggest supporter of the Maliki gov’t and its security apparatus.
I agree with you that this may be a smokescreen for something that will hatch soon enough. As they say, stay tuned!
Thanks David
Joshua Landis picked up on leaks of possible unauthorised spookiness in Syria and Lebanon last week.
http://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=131
now does everybody know how to spell Mosaddeq?
I had a wonderful experience at a conference a few weeks ago. Andrey Kurkov the Ukranian Author who wrote the marvellous Death and the Penguin was describing how after he published his latest book “The President’s Last Love” last year he was dragged off to police headquarters. The story involves the president of Ukraine getting poisoned by dioxin in his soup. The interrogators wanted to know how he had got wind of the plot to kill Yuschenko and why he had told nobody. Interesting situation to have to talk your way out of.
agree with you that this may be a smokescreen for something that will hatch soon enough. As they say, stay tuned!
This is the “Change The Course” in Iraq that GWB telling us and more to go like these doggy things.
The Cheney government has intentionally boxed itself in a corner from which an attack on Iran is the only conceivable “exit.” They have taken every opportunity to close off all other possible escape routes. Again, this was intentional, not just the result of incompetent bungling. They have built in multiple levels of redundancy in case some of the traps set for themselves should fail. The final piece is placing every last American soldier that can be scrounged up into harms way in Iraq, so that the inevitable failure to stem the “insurgency” will be undeniably catastrophic, thus completely cowing the Democrats and recalcitrant Republicans in Congress into ratifying any desperate measure Dick & W might propose. Don’t you see it????
Frank, quite interesting. I think a better title for Landis’ post would have been “How Could You Imagine that the US not be Planning Covert Action in Lebanon and Beyond?
John C, I see/hear it, loud and clear my friend.
Salah, I agree with you. I think the ultimate “doggy thing” on the horizon may be the coalescing of the Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Afghan theatres of war. One big burning hellfire! They will do it if they are given the chance to. Goodness have mercy on all.
David
You are dead right. Stratfor has a lovely email analysis of the consequences of Turkmenbashi dropping dead last week. Probably best summarised as “Total Nightmare”
Despite the seriousness of the subject I found myself laughing out loud at remarks like “Chances for a messy sucession battle
are less in Kazakhstan because President Nursultan Nazarbayev has not made it a policy to kill all those with whom he does not agree.
But that does not mean the process will be tidy (or that Nazarbayev is a particularly nice man)
Helena
This has got to get a lot of points for subtlety.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2006/12/28/cnoil28.xml
It is the old canard of people being unable to run a vital resource themselves, and thus for the benefit of everybody they need to get invaded and have their regime changed and sign over their assets to the saintly oil companies who know how to do things for the greater good of mankind.
The same point has been made about the Russians and the Venezuelans under Chavez.
The answer is of course “you and whose army?”