IRAN – IN CONTROL?

IRAN PULLING THE STRINGS??

            Muqtada al-Sadr has ordered his militia to “stand down”, the Iraqi Government is still attacking some of the less disciplined members of said militia. This was one approximately 24 hours after they took to the streets to re-ignite the chaos they are so familiar with. The so called truce was brokered by Iraqi and Iranian Government officials in a hastily called meeting. Military and Intelligence sources suspect the switch was turned ON & OFF at the behest of Iran.

           Mortar attacks continue sporadically in the Green Zone in Baghdad, with only minor injuries reported, everyone is keeping their heads down. I suspect the violence will increase in the runup to the election in November, this will be done to influence the Presidential hopefuls. This is a not to subtle message being sent to America, her enemies in The Middle East know they can have an influence in the elections.

           Certain governments believe the violence, which most Americans are tired of, will end quickly once the Democrats elect the next President. There are many statements to that effect from nearly all the Democratic contenders, those in and out of the race. They then believe after America leaves Iraq the door will be open for them to step in and dominate Iraq.

The next President cannot walk away and leave that ruined country to even greater chaos.

TURKEY – top court seeks dismissal of Government

TOP COURT SEEKS BAN ON RULING PARTY 

Turkeys’ top court will hear a case calling for a ban of the ruling party. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan faces the dissolution of the Islamist based party over plans to scrap secular principles enshrined in the constitution.

The 11 member Constitutional Court voted unanimously to send the issue to court. The issue revolves around a move by the government to “lift the ban on wearing of Islamic head scarves” in universities, as well as alleged anti-secular comments by government officials. 

The chief prosecutor of the High Court of Appeals, Abdurrahman Yalcinkaya, has accused the ruling Justice and Development Party of “anti-secular activities.” Yalcinkaya is asking that 71 people including the Prime Minister and President, Abdullah Gul, be banned from politics for 5 years. The government is making plans to seek a Constitutional Amendment to, in effect, give itself protection from the court’s authority. (Read – “get out of jail free card”) 

Comment: further chaos in a very troubled part of the world “can’t we all just get along (:” Turkey has been seeking membership in the European Economic Union for many years. This latest instability will further complicate an already troubled bid for membership.

CHINA – Olympic Torch Ceremony

Security surrounds Olympic Torch ceremony 

March 31, 2008

           The Olympic torch arrived in Beijing today, amid “iron clad” security. Citizens were not allowed within 1 mile of the invitation only group of government officials, secret police and army troops. China really doesn’t get the Olympic spirit! It did however ensure there would be NO demonstrations of any sort in front of the cameras.           The torch will not set off on a month long tour, covering 85,000 miles in a global public relations tour. This world tour will be the longest in Olympic history; China will not relish the attention she is likely to receive worldwide. This trip was planned long before the Tibetan protests began, I suspect that long before the trek is over Chinese Government officials will wish they had never invaded peaceful Tibet.