Sledgehammer Tenderizes Turkey
watch on iPhone/iPod TouchSynopsis: An uncovered military coup plot nicknamed ‘Operation Sledgehammer’ has seriously rattled the military and political foundation of Turkey. This military maneuver has its roots in the formation of the modern state of Turkey itself, and has serious repercussions for the the future direction of the Turks’ secular democracy. The Avenger does his best to explain the background leading up to this event, and discusses why some elements of the powerful Turkish military would be greatly concerned about the rise of the Islamist-base AK Party…which is the most popular political party in the country right now. Let’s talk Turkey!
More arrests over alleged 'Sledgehammer' plot to overthrow Erdogan
PM tells Turks to 'show courage'
Keywords: Turkey, Gul, Erdogan, Kemal, Ataturk, military, AK Party, Abdullah Gul, Recep Erdogan, Mustafa Kemal, NATO
Iran’s Nuclear Thirst on its 31st
watch on iPhone/iPod TouchSynopsis: What the hell are the Iranians spouting about with all this ‘20% uranium enrichment’ business on their 31st birthday? Why 20%? Why does 20% it so infuriate many other countries on the planet, many of whom are now aligning to slam Iran with punishing economic sanctions? The Avenger explains what all the fuss is about with the magic number 20, why Iran may want a nuclear weapon, and the players who are adamant that Iran should never get a nuclear weapon.
Other Plaidcasts mentioned:
02.06.10 - Sino Sniping Has International Impacts
Outside stories:
Ahmadinejad provokes western anger
Hundreds of thousands back Iran Revolution
Iran further enrages Uncle Sam
Clinton warns of Mideast nuclear arms race
The case for an Israeli strike against Iran
Keywords: Iran, US, China, Israel, Arab state, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iranian Revolution, Ayatollah Khameini, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Iran: the State Built on Hate
watch on iPhone/iPod TouchSynopsis: Grab a snack and a cold one and settle in for an epic long rage on Iran hating! Why is Iran considered a ‘rogue state’ or part of an “Axis of Evil”? Why is the state so hated by the US, by Western Europe, by Israel, and even by its fellow Muslim states in the Middle East? A lot of the hate has its foundation in the creation of the state itself during the 1979 Iranian Revolution which made Iran into the world first Islamic Republic. The Avenger briefs you on this historic event, and its impact to the state, the region and the globe…many of these impacts which still foster a state of hate between the country and its enemies. Hate on!
Iran Revolution's End Will Be Heard Around World
A brief history of the Iranian Revolution (video)
Keywords: ran, US, Islam, Islamic Republic, Iranian Revolution, Shah, Ayatollah Khomeini, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Proliferation Frustration
watch on iPhone/iPod TouchSynopsis: Listen as the Plaid Avenger spouts prophetically about nuclear proliferation on the heels of a historic meeting of the UN Permanent Security Council chaired by US President Barack Obama. Details include the structure of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), its weaknesses and issues in today’s world, and how Obama and the funky P5+1 bunch hope to strengthen it for the future…specifically the future of dealing with Iran and its nuclear ambitions. NPT Party On!
Obama At the UNGA, Four Pillars
Key elements in UN nuclear resolution
IAEA: Iran on wrong side of law
Keywords: NPT, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, US, Obama, UN Security Council, P5+1, Iran
Iranian Issue Emboldens Europeans
watch on iPhone/iPod TouchSynopsis: As Iran continues to develop its nuclear energy industry, the US and Team West as a whole are increasingly worried that the Iranians are actually wanting to develop a nuclear weapon. The P5 +1 (5 members of the UN Permanent Security Council + Germany) are debating about increasing sanctions and/or incentives on Iran in order to reel in their nuclear ambition. Whether any of the P5 + 1 actions will actually work is anybody’s guess, but the Plaid Avenger wants you to be aware that the whole situation marks a new era in assertive foreign policy for two of the EU’s super-powers: Germany & France. Merkel & Sarkozy: a new axis of ass-kicking foreign policy?
US faces a tough choice on Iran
Merkel Signals Support for Tougher Iran Sanctions
Tough talk toward Iran as deadline month begins
Western Powers Push For Fresh Iran Sanctions
Keywords: P5 + 1, Iran, US, Angela Merkel, Germany, Nicolas Sarkozy, France, IAEA, nuclear energy, nuclear weapon, Russia, China, UK
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