The GCC: the Arab Power Place to Be!
Big news unfolding on the Arabian Peninsula concerning what is shaping up to be a major power player in Middle Eastern action for the 21st century: the GCC! That’s right, the little known Gulf Cooperation Council just had an official joint meeting with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to discuss how this small band of 6 Arab states will likely become a major arm of power in the region, as the US is selling them butt-loads of arms and even promised a missile defense shield to the group! A much more potent player than the larger and unruly Arab League, this GCC group is the one to watch for possible moves against Iran, or even one of their own in Syria! Find out more about it here!
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2010-12 Saudi Shopping Spree
Gulf states, SNC to bankroll Syrian rebels
Clinton proposes missile shield to protect GCC
Clinton pledges 'rock-solid' commitment to GCC
Keywords: GCC, Gulf Cooperation Council, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Abdullah, US, Clinton, missile defense shield, arms, Turkey, Syria, Iran, common military
Syrian Situation Squeezing Iran
As the situation continues to spiral into bloody chaos in Syria, the regime of Bashar al-Assad is not the only party that is going to lose big when the state fully collapses into civil war: believe it or not, it’s Iran that stands to be the Biggest Loser, and I ain’t talkin’ about shedding pounds on network TV my friends! In this plaid-cast, the Professor points out multiple ways that Iran is currently getting squeezed by the international community, and how the loss of Syria, its only major ally in the region, is going to be a devastating blow to their power, influence, and status in the Middle East and possibly the wider world.
Keywords: Syria, Iran, Homs, Arab, Persian, Hormuz, nuclear weapon, Hezbollah, embargo, civil war
Russia Shields Syria…sez Nyet! to UN
The violence continues to escalate in Syria, where the entrenched regime of Bashar al-Assad continues a bloody repression of protestors who are trying to bring the ‘Arab Spring’ revolution to their country. In the latest news, Russia has now publicly stated that there is no way in hell they will allow any UN-sponsored and NATO-led invasion of Syria—the likes of which toppled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi last year. Say what? Why would Russia openly support a civilian-slaughtering regime? The Professor talks about some of the reasons for this Russian promise of a veto at the UN, and also why the Syrian regime has lasted longer than other Arab dictatorships which have bitten the dust much quicker.
Keywords: Syria, regime, Russia, veto, UN, Security Council, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Arab Spring, weapons, revolution
In Other News…Palestine joins UNESCO
Say what? Why would a non-state like Palestine joining a sub-group of the UN named UNESCO be of any global significance? Oh man, I’m telling you, this is a sign of things to come! Listen to this podcast to understand how the US may be isolating itself to its own detriment on the world stage, and how this little ‘global parks service’ entity’s vote on Palestine may be a harbinger of things to come at the UN as a whole. The US’ role in the world is changing…and I want to know what you think of it!
Keywords: UNESCO, UN, US, Palestine, Israel, Canada, sovereignty, UNICEF, Halloween
Bye Bye Bin Laden! Hello Taliban! (part 2)
Yes, yes, yes, there is tremendous hype and pomp and circumstances surrounding the death of Osama Bin Laden by US forces who covertly invaded Pakistan and took out the head terrorist honcho of al-Qaeda a couple of weeks ago. While much attention has been focused on the man since his death, and the future of his death-wielding terrorist group, and even on how this affects US power/prestige in the world, the Plaid Avenger believes the biggest impacts of bin Laden’s locational transfer to hell will be most felt by the Afghanistan Taliban…who will be ‘legitimized’ and become an accepted power player in Afghan politics.
Say what? Yeah, confusing stuff! That’s why the Avenger did this two-part series to unpack it for you:
Part 1 goes over the differences between the main groups involved in the chaos in this neighborhood, including the goals and objectives of the Afghan Taliban, the Pakistani Taliban, and al-Qaeda.
Part 2 offers 5 reasons why the death of Osama bin Laden will influence the US, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the wider world to accept the Afghan Taliban as a legitimate component of a future stabilized Afghanistan.
The Avenger also points out some relevant insight into the dangers of a growing Pakistani Taliban, and what this might mean for future US/Pakistani relations. And he wants your opinion on how that should be proceeding as well…
Related Plaidcasts:
Af-Pak Insanity: Borderline Chaos, Part 1: The Places
Af-Pak Insanity: Borderline Chaos, Part 1: The Places (continued)
Af-Pak Insanity: Boradline Chaos, Part 2: The People
Af-Pak Insanity: Borderline Chaos, Part 2: The People (continued)
Af-Pak Insanity: Borderline Chaos, Part 3: Problems
Af-Pak Insanity: Borderline Chaos, Part 3: Problems (continued)
Plagued, Pissed Pakistan Neutralizes NATO
Bye Bye Bin Laden! Hello Taliban! (part 1)
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Kabul and Islamabad upgrade Taliban peace bid
Indian PM sees change after bin Laden's death
U.S. Speeds Up Direct Talks With Taliban
Q+A: Pakistan's Taliban: who are they what can they do?
Keywords: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Taliban, Afghan Taliban, Pakistani Taliban, al-Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden, ISI
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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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