Medvedev’s Military Machinations
Synopsis:
Russia has been working hard for the last couple of months to flex its muscles in an effort to gain the maximum amount of leverage prior to the first meeting between Russian President Medvedev and US President Obama. Some of Russia's moves are obviously propaganda pieces, but many more realistic Ruskie ruses are establishing the tremendous advantage they posses in getting what the want from the US. The START treaty, revamping their military, reasserting themselves in central Asia and Georgia, and even sweetening ties with Iran are all Russian cards that they will play in order to curb the growth of NATO and the US missile defense shield, as well as pushing all foreign influence out of their historic periphery.
Keywords: Russia, USA, Medvedev, Obama, military, START, NATO, missile defense shield, Central Asia, Georgia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan
Russian President Welcomes Shift by U.S.
Russia and US poised to relaunch nuclear reduction treaty
Analysis: Russia to modernize army, nukes
Lavrov: Russia unhappy with NATO security role
Resetting Relations: Russia says Missile Shield Agreement with U.S. Possible
Russia to help defend Abkhazia, S. Ossetia borders
Russia Signaling Interest in Deal on Iran
Pakistanis Primary Problem: Indecisive Intelligence and Murky Military Motives
Synopsis:
Pakistan has been on the brink of full-on catastrophe and chaos for some time now, and most look to the woes of the struggling democracy as reason for the calamity. However, the Plaid Avenger wants you to consider the indecisive nature of the the military and the intelligence communities within Pakistan as the primary problem behind the current calamity in Afghanistan, in the Swat Valley,and in the entire western side of Pakistan….which taken together may spell the possible future failure of the state itself.
Keywords: Pakistan, al-Queda, Taliban, Swat Valley, Afghanistan
Touting Religion, Grabbing Land
India has 'proof' of Pakistan role in Mumbai attacks
Briton: Extremists in Pakistan a Key Target
Taliban Militants Attack NATO Supply Convoy In Northwest Pakistan
Pakistan Says U.S. Should Review Baluchistan Strikes
Chi Slamma’ Lama
Synopsis: His Holiness the Dalai Lama is an internationally recognized figure that is respected and venerated by most folks in the world…but not all. Who is this guy, what is the deal with this place called Tibet, and why do the Chinese hate him so damn much? The Plaid Avenger tries to tackle these sticky Tibetan issues, and relates them to current events as the Lama's 50th anniversary of fleeing from China goes down.
Dalai Lama assails China one year after uprising
China's Hu demands wall of stability in Tibet
U.S. interferes in China's internal affairs with Tibet resolution (a Chinese source story)
China objects to U.S. resolution on Tibet (a US source story)
Key words: Dalai Lama, Tibet, China, Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, sovereignty
Hugo Almost Hu-Gone
Synopsis: Controversial Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has successfully lobbied his country to scrap their constitutional clause on presidential term limits, thus allowing him to run for the office indefinitely. However, the Plaid Avenger argues that the world economic recession (which has not yet fully impacted Venezuela) combined with plummeting oil prices are going to seriously affect Chávez's ability to continue to prop up his 'Bolivarian' socialist revolution. This will in turn erode his support base, leading to an extremely close election in 2012…and perhaps Hugo's last.
Chavez steps up state control in food sector
Chávez orders takeover of US agriculture giant
Chavez Wins Referendum to Scrap Venezuela Term Limits
Chavez wins referendum vote as Venezuela's crisis deepens
Venezuela says economic outlook stable in 2009
An EU of Asian Persuasion: ASEAN
Synopsis: Watch out! ASEAN stands for the Association of South East Asian Nations, a rapidly up-and-coming trade block in Asia which may very well become the foundation stone of the largest free trade zone on the planet. The ten-nation group, while still very young, is set to fashion itself as the EU of Asia…with perhaps even more potential for growth and integration. With associate members like China, India and Australia already aligning itself with the group, this is one to keep your eye on if you want to understand the rapid evolution of Asia as the center for 21st century growth.
ASEAN to strengthen ties with China and rest of Asia
ASEAN Leaders Call for Freer Trade
In midst of financial crisis, leaders join together
At ASEAN, reaching out to regular people
Keywords: ASEAN, Southeast Asia, China, India, free trade, EU
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Issue 2: Battle For Burma
Well, the battle for the heart and soul of this country is on, but no one outside Burma seems to be able to do a damn thing about it! Why not?
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