Afghanistan, in Today's News 04.05.10

Afghanistan. Today's Wall Street Journal headline (pg A14): "Karzai Slams the West Again". 

The Journal writes that Karzai "accus[ed] the U.S. of interfering in Afghan affairs and saying the Taliban insurgency would become a legitimate resistance movement if the meddling doesn't stop."

The immediate background is Karzai's attempt to take over the Electoral Complaints Commission before the September parliamentary elections. The US resists this move. Karzai is fighting for his political life by trying to ensure the US doesn't affect the elections.

The US has been trying to get rid of Karzai for some time. They tried to oust him in the Presidential elections last year, but failed when the US designee decided not to pursue a run-off election. The US then let Karzai have the presidency, but has put unremitting pressure on him to become what the US wants or to get out of the way.

Karzai is becoming more and more militant as he realizes the extent to which the US is willing to go to remove him. He has even suggested that he would support the Taliban as a legitimate opposition. He is being courageous, but he faces a powerful opponent.

As for Obama: it is not a good sign for one's war policy when the ruler of the country your are supposedly helping attacks you. Obama's only real alternative is to step up efforts to remove Karzai. But such a step would have significant negative consequences among the Afghans.

 

Afghanistan, in Today's News 04.02.10

Afghanistan. One week after a visit by President Obama and about a month after the initiation by the United States of their much-heralded military offensive against the Taliban, Afghan President Karzai has shown his support by blasting the US, its allies and the United Nations. 

Today's Wall Street Journal, Karzai "...charged Western officials and embassies with fraud in last summer's presidential elections..." Karzai accused the US of bribery and death threats. He said the US efforts also included offers of cash and armored vehicles.

What prompted this outburst?

The United States has been trying to oust Karzai for some time. The US did just what Karzai alleges in an effort to remove his government, perhaps overthrow it, but at least force him into a coalition government in the last elections. The whole effort failed only because the US-sponsored candidate got cold feet and declined to participate in the run-off election.

WSJ: "Associates of Mr. Karzai say he was deeply wounded by what he considered Western treachery against him." The WSJ journal does not mention it, but it should be remarked that Senator Kerry played a key role in the treachery, when he flew to Afghanistan to pressure Karzai into accepting a run-off election.

Karzai took his time after the election, but when he felt he could, he issued a decree taking control of the Independent Election Commission, which had played the central role in trying to influence the election against Karzai.

Today's outburst occurred because parliamentary elections are scheduled for September and already Karzai has detected the manipulations of the US. In short, Karzai is fighting for his life. It doesn't worry him that his remarks might cause the US to undermine him. The US already is, and has been for some time.

One final note: Obama might be asked how his offensive is going? The Afghan government is providing very little support. Karzai, after much prodding of his staff, had to be awakened from a mid-day nap to hear of the plans for the offensive. It took a major effort to force Karzai to go to the initial military target, Marjah, to listen to the residents there. He also showed his support by appointing a thug to preside over the newly 'liberated' area. Karzai has also repeatedly accused the US of needless killing of civilians.

The media will never mention it, but Obama's efforts in Afghanistan are a little short of disastrous.

Health Care, in Today's News 03.25.10

Health Care.  The Church leaders got exactly the change they had been crying about in the Obama-care legislation. They therefore look pretty silly now complaining that the legislation is flawed.

The Church leaders, for months, have given the impression that the legislation would be okay if funding for abortion was omitted. The Cryptocracy, not being stupid, realized they could use the Church's stance to get the legislation passed. All that was need was some parliamentary maneuver to give the impression of no funding for abortion. And thus the impression would be given that the Church would think the legislation is okay. And thus they utilized Michigan's Stupak to pull it off with an executive order banning funding (which can easily be reversed or even ignored).

The Church leaders were maneuvered right out of their pants. They were left with not much to say except to whine that the legislation was flawed. That complaint was probably worth a few laughs in the inner sanctums of health-care planners. 

All this could have been avoided if the Church leaders had not overlooked a few key points. Ignored was the overall issue of the legislation establishing a nationalized, bureaucratic, cost-cutting, profile driven method of health care. Ignored was the fact that the Church's creation - compassionate health care - was being submerged in a de-humanized system. Ignored was the overwhelming opinion of the American public that this legislation stinks.

And so, the Church leaders set themselves up for the Stupak-type maneuver. 

This story is a disgrace. Not only did the Church leaders fail to defend one of the great legacies of the Church, through their inept attempt to influence the legislation they also ended up bearing the central responsibility for the adoption of this law that will adversely affect the faithful and all Americans.

There are something like 65 million Catholics in the United States, all of whom would follow the lead of the leaders of the Church and Catholic organizations. Properly educated and organized, the Catholic faithful could (and should) have stopped the health-care attack.

The Church leaders' lack of back-bone and their failure to even understand what was at stake spells big trouble for the Church in coming times. Prayers are needed.

Israel, in Today's News 03.14.10

Israel. The media can't get over the Israeli "insulting behavior" toward United States Vice President Biden during his recent visit. Hillary* even got in on the act, making a phone call to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

What the media misses is the cleverness of the Israeli actions. Biden went to Israel to discuss the Obama agenda of pretending to be sympathetic to the Arab world. The Israelis, of course, wanted nothing to do with that discussion. So, to avoid the discussion, the Israelis simply announced as Biden was landing that they were putting up more housing in the Palestinian sector. Immediately the agenda was totally changed. Instead of the Obama agenda, the topic of concern was the Israeli actions. Everyone forgot about the Obama agenda.

The price the Israelis paid was a small one. They made Biden look like a fool, but that doesn't really matter to the Israelis. Soon the world will not pay much attention to the new housing. And so, things will be right back where they were before Biden's visit.

IOW, the Israelis completely out-maneuvered Obama. In fact, they made Obama look a little silly. But, the media has no intention to accurately report what happened. Their job is to enhance the image of Obama. So, they complain about the Israeli bad manners.

Much is being made also of the differences between Israel and the United States. Basically the differences are tactical. Both countries share the same objective to make Israel the premier country in the middle-east, and to do this by force when the time comes.

The media is making a big noise about the 'differences'. After all it sells. But, the differences don't amount to much. With one caveat: the hysterical Israelis can get very worked up over tactical matters, and they are capable of most anything. The recent actions of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee to pressure Obama are an example.

* - Hillary is still trying to get even with the Israelis for the way they treated her after she appeared on the same platform with Mrs. Arafat.

Afghanistan, in Today's News 03.10.10

Afghanistan. The great military campaign in Afghanistan continues to roll along. This time, the Wall Street Journal reports today, the 'allies' captured another deserted and undefended ghost town, Now Zad, a neighbor of Marjah.

Evidently no Afghan officials were available, so the victory parade consisted of Defense Secretary Robert Gates and a heavily armed escort and sharpshooters on the roofs. Any remaining Afghan inhabitants had been hustled out of the way before Gates made his tour. The removal of the natives was no doubt done to endear the Now Zad inhabitants to the United States.

What have the 'allies' captured? "Now Zad has no electricity, sewage system, or running water, and there are few visible signs of new construction." Plus, few who live or work there. 

Such 'victories' are no doubt designed to 'impress' the Taliban, who are probably happy to let the 'allies' do this busy work while the Taliban concentrates its forces elsewhere. Are the 'allies' also trying to impress Obama that they are really doing something?

Hillary Clinton, in Today's News 03.09.10

Hillary Clinton. Hey, Hey!!!! She did it again! Twice! In one trip!

As Hillary visits various continents she leaves behind a trail of diplomatic disasters. This time she went to South America.

Her first stop was Chile, immediately after the earthquake. Of course, the last thing a leader of Chile wants to deal with in the wake of the monumental damage is a visiting foreign dignitary. This consideration didn't seem to bother Hillary as she used the quake to promote her own image.

Then it was on to Argentina. There she managed to create a diplomatic blow-up with Britain. Her contribution to the long-standing dispute over the Falkland Islands was to suggest that the issue be referred to the United Nation's decolonization committee!

The British uproar was immediate. The Wall Street Journal (3.9.10) reports, "This has not played well in London, nor among [Falkland] island residents, who have been British subjects since 1833 and have no desire to become Argentines...British officials are angry at what they regard as a cavalier disregard for Britain's interests at a time when Britain is the only major European power committing significant numbers of combat troops to Afghanistan."

And so add another Hillary disaster to the list. The American authorities in Washington, London, and Buenos Aires will now have to work overtime to clean up her mess, as she travels merrily along to her next victims.

Obama has relegated Clinton to secondary issues and kept her away from all the major foreign policy questions, and with good reason. Yet, Hillary has managed to screw up almost every matter she has directed her attention to.

The media, of course, covers up for Clinton as they have been doing for years. But the list of disasters is so long now that she can give up on any further elective office. Her only hope for political advancement is to secure a Supreme Court position. (God Help Us!)

General Motors, in Today's News 03.03.10

General Motors. The Obama-ites have the notion that GM's lack of sales and profits results from the buddy-system of management at the old GM. The Obama-ites think that all the problems can be solved with a new management and a 'you're accountable' management system.

And so, the administration through its friends, brought GM into bankruptcy, reorganized the whole thing under total government control, and brought in a new board of directors and chief executive officer. The Obama-ites just knew that these changes would soon bring profits as the new management system took effect.

The Obama-ites, however, overlooked one small factor: the GM vehicles, for the most part, stink; and the public has so little confidence in them that they are unwilling to shell out five-figures to own one.

And so, we get to witness the continuing corporate comedy at GM. Every time something doesn't go quite right, the new GM managers blame the old management system, and then make all kinds of changes in the corporate ranks.

The latest episode has GM announcing today an overhaul of its top managers because Ford outsold GM for the first time in decades. (This is the second executive shuffle in three months.) [!!!]

So it goes. Expect another executive shuffle when the next bad news occurs as the Obama-ites pursue the folly of their management solution.

GM will only revive when it is recognized that very few in the public want the GM products. This was the problem of the old GM and of the new GM. If GM wants to succeed they will need to design and produce a vehicle that inspires the public, regardless of management machinations.

Afghanistan, in Today's News 02.22-27.10

Afghanistan. The media's pravda-like coverage of the US offensive in Marjah, Afghanistan continues. One would think that the US is completing a magnificent strategic and tactical victory. The reality is quite a bit different.

The latest achievement is the arrival in Marjah of the Afghan-appointed new administrator of the area. The media describes this event as a turning point, as a key event in eventual success. Take a look at the reality:

There is no government building in Marjah. Lack of security is such a problem that this new official spent his first night in a simple tent in the middle of a heavily armed security zone. His tent had a red rug with floral designs and a cot. He received military meals. Hail the conquering hero! [Sarcasm]

The rest of the bureaucracy (health, schools, utilities) that will be imposed on Marjah has yet to make it there. One can easily understand their fear.

The Wall Street Journal (February 24) described the situation with the Afghan police: "The biggest challenge for the government, Afghan officials acknowledge, will be to reverse the damage done by the national police who served in the town before the Taliban takeover. Locals uniformly [!] complain the police were brutal and corrupt." [!]

Another big victory was recored. Three (yes, three, count them) elders played up to the US forces, telling a tale of how they rebuffed the Taliban. Such confessions are suspect, of course, when there is a power around that has millions of dollars to distribute.

To win support, the US forces distributed food. "After the food distribution some 20 [yes, 20, again count them] men signed up with the Marines for $5-a-day jobs cleaning roads and irrigation canals." [Sarcasm added.]

The final stupendous [sarcasm] achievement has been the hoisting of the Afghan flag in Marjah. This was supposed to signify something, but who knows what. It occurred surrounded by a heavy 'allies' military presence at a empty building that is now called the government offices.

And so, the 'allies' great military action continues its merry way. In the meantime the Taliban struck again in the capital, Kabul, with a three-hour battle that was heard throughout the city. In the aftermath, a key hotel and two guesthouses were found to be severely damaged.

So, while the allies continue their make-believe in Marjah, the Taliban is massing its forces in Kabul, preparatory to driving the Karzai and his government out of power.

Is there anyone who does strategic thinking for the 'allies?'

Health Care, in Today's News 02.25.10

Health Care. President Obama at his carefully contrived health care summit is quoted, "We cannot have another yearlong debate over this..."

Obama's remark well expresses his frustration with two dilemmas. First, he and his mentors realize that the longer it takes to complete health reform legislation, the poorer will be the result. 

The Cryptocracy who promoted Obama and created an economic crisis to ensure the passage of several of their big projects, has a high priority on health care reform, which is another way of saying governmental take-over of 1/6 of the American economy. This is such a big theft and will result in such a qualitative leap in Cryptocracy fortunes, that the Cryptocracy is in no mood to accept anything less.

The Cryptocracy craves this 'reform' so much that they are willing to sacrifice their latest man in the White House, Obama, and the Democratic control of Congress. They are not at all pleased with the plodding pace of Obama's attempt to pass the appropriate legislation which in the end may be defeated.

Thus Obama's quote on not taking another year. He meant every word of the quote because he knows that health care failure also means Obama failure in the eyes of the Cryptocracy.

Second, the Obama team is perfectly aware that to the extent that Obama's identification with health care continues over time, to the same extent his standing with the American public will plummet. Obama knows he must get this legislation moving or he can forget about a second term, and he can kiss the Democratic majority in Congress good-bye. 

If it were up to him, he would probably put off  health care reform to another day in order to save his career. But the Cryptocracy is insistent. He must achieve this take-over.

And so Obama set up his health care summit. The whole show had no purpose at all except to try to demonstrate to the public that Republican opposition will force him to proceed on his own without bi-partisan support.

Obama is scheduled to make an announcement next week where he will say that he must go ahead and that he needs the support of the public. It is dubious that the public will take the bait.

Economic Crisis, in Today's News 02.24.10

Economic Crisis. Today's Wall Street Journal (page A4) headline: "Attempt to Curb Risky Trading Hits Senate Wall."

Yet another setback for President Obama. This one concerns the "Volcker rule" which would prevent banks from making risky bets with its own capital. Former Fed Chairman Volcker is a prime spokesmen for the Rothschilds and other owners of the world's wealth. The reform he advocated is a Cryptocracy priority to try to stop ambitious novices from playing with the Cryptocracy's money.

The inability of Obama to achieve this reform is less than pleasing to the Cryptocracy. Obama is racking up a series of losses on projects that the Cryptocracy elected him to do. The reform of financial regulations to give the Fed more power has stalled almost completely. His setback on health care is a setback to major plan to bring 1/6 of the economy under government (read Cryptocracy) control. 

Obama is trying to salvage his health care reform. Success is dubious.

The Israelis seem disappointed in Obama and, for the moment, are patiently waiting for him to come around to militarily attacking Iran. At some moment they will give up on Obama, and force a confrontation that the US will have to become involved in.

When the 2008 election began, it seemed that Obama would not be the choice of the Cryptocracy because his standing and experience were insufficient to rally the American people around key objectives such as attacking Iran. But, the Cryptocracy chose him, probably thinking that Obama's messiah-like image would carry the day especially in the context of their planned economic crisis. They were correct up to a point. But Obama's image tarnished rapidly and his hold on public opinion is declining, as is his ability to achieve the Cryptocracy goals.

There seems to be little the Cryptocracy can do to bring Obama back to his former authority. Once it is gone, it is very difficult to restore. Obama is trying valiently to press ahead, but the futility is right there for all to see. 

What will the Cryptocracy do? We'll have to wait to see. But the changes they wanted to come out of the economic crisis are still very much must-do goals. They will not give up easily on achieving them.

Health Care, in Today's News 02.23.10

Health Care. The main headline in today's Wall Street Journal reads: "Obama Renews Health Push."

It is easy to conclude that Obama and the Democrats are tone-deaf when they press ahead with their health care legislation against the overwhelming opposition of the American people.

But they are not tone-deaf. They are astute politicians that can read the tea-leaves as well as anyone. Their push on health care simply reflects the extremely high priority the Cryptocracy has put on health care reform.

The Cryptocracy has a plan for a government take-over of 1/6 of the American economy (the health care system), moving the profit-making out of private hands into their conglomerates. In the process the traditional compassionate health care now existing will be replaced by bureaucratic control, cost reduction, protocols, and death panels.

The Cryptocracy really, really wants this change. They want it so bad they are willing to sacrifice the second term of Obama and a loss of Democratic control of Congress. 

And so, Obama presses ahead against all odds in an effort that is guaranteed to further destroy his reputation and authority.

Three things to watch out for:

1. Treachery. Obama will make any kind of deal to win over some votes for his legislation. Will anyone take the bait? We'll see.

2. Second Chance for the Leaders of Catholicism. They flunked miserably the first test on health care reform by not opposing the whole rotten mess. Now the American public has made its opposition clear. Will this mean anything to the Catholic leaders? We'll see.

3. Contrived Event. If the Cryptocracy runs true to form, they will produce an event, crisis or scandal to try to stampede support for the legislation. This is their tried and true method of operation. For example, most recently they managed to get someone to fly with an explosive in his underwear, creating a crisis that could conveniently be solved with full-body scans of all travelers at airports.

The Cryptocracy means business. They intend to push until they get their way. In some ways the situation is analogous to pre-World War II. Then the American public was overwhelmingly opposed to the US entering the war. But the Cryptocracy pressed ahead in the face of opposition, created a crisis (Pearl Harbor), and finally got their way.

There is a big test coming up. Will there be anyone in public life who will step forward, tell the truth, and rally the public to stop this take-over that will drastically affect the lives of every American?

Afghanistan, in Today's News 02.17-21.10

Afghanistan. It is difficult to figure out whom the US government is trying to fool with their offensive in Afghanistan. Is it themselves, the military, the Taliban, the Afghan government, the American public? Who?

The question has to be asked because the media coverage is so different from the reality. The media seem to think the offensive in Marjah is one of the greatest battles in American military history. But is it really? What is this Marjah place anyway? Just what are the 'allies' conquering?

Marjah is an agricultural center of some 75,000 people spread over a wide area. The central buildings (the government office, schools) are mere shells and have not functioned for years. The irrigation canals have fallen into disuse with garbage and refuse filling them up. Most people have left the area to avoid the 'allies.' 

The 'allies' have met only token resistance to their full-scale invasion of some 15,000 troops. (Does it really take a fully-armed force such as this plus helicopters to capture what is almost a ghost town?) 

The Afghan government is even more of a joke. The Wall Street Journal revealed that President Karzai had to be awakened from a mid-day 'nap' to be briefed on the offensive on the eve of the invasion. Evidently the briefing was his first acquaintance with the action, which had been reported for weeks in the American press. 

Known as the 'President of Kabul', Karzai gave his assent to the offensive, but covered his butt by saying there should be no civilian casualties. He then appointed someone to be the administer for the new Marjah. The only problem is the 'allies' know nothing of this figure, who has failed to appear in Marjah, despite the 'victory' there.

The US has no confidence in Karzai, having tried to oust him before and during the presidential elections in Afghanistan last year. The WSJ reported (2.19.10), "US officials have concluded that despite Mr. Karzai's failings as a leader, they have to find a way to make him lead if they [the 'allies'] are to succeed."

How about the Afghan army and police? WSJ (2.19.10): "The Afghan army and police are still works in progress, beset by desertions, and their members frequently picked off by the Taliban. The police are despised by many Afghans, who view them as corrupt and predatory." [!!!!!]

Meanwhile the 'allies' are announcing the capture or killing of a number of Taliban leaders, mostly in Pakistan. Whether these leaders are actually leaders is unknown. The Pakistanian forces could easily pick up anyone and claim he is a Taliban leader.

The US State Department sent an official to Marjah to see if the area was ready to be transformed by American plans and money. His conclusion: "I don't think we are there yet." (WSJ 2.20.10) Why did he conclude this? WSJ: the official found "the town so devastated by years of war and neglect that it was hard to imagine scores of civilians setting up shop there very soon."

The official is quoted upon seeing the ruins of the government center, "Is there a good part of town?"  Further, "Where are the Afghans?"

To sum up: the US is conducting a major offensive to capture an area in ruins which even the Afghans have abandoned. The Afghan president appears to hardly care about the military action.

The question is, just what do the allies think they are capturing? They are seizing an area that the Taliban is perfectly willing to let them have. The Taliban only needs to do a few small-scale counterattacks to keep the 'allies' pinned down. Meanwhile the Taliban can concentrate its forces somewhere else, where the 'allies' are not.

One is almost forced to conclude that this offensive is just busy work to allow Obama time to try to get the Saudis to convince the Taliban to reach a settlement. There is no other road out for Obama. He cannot win militarily. The longer the conflict goes on, the more he will face opposition from the American public and from his own party. And the costs of the action continue to sky-rocket at a time when the public wants government costs and taxes reduced. 

Stock Market Decline, in Today's News 02.05.10

Stock Market Decline. Wall Street Journal page C1: "Dow [Industrial Average] Sinks to 3-month Low Near 10000."

It is always a mistake to see the stock market ups and downs as primarily a function of supply and demand, natural causes, etc.

The Rothschilds and others in the cryptocracy don't make their money through speculation in the market. They have always believed in making money through manipulation and usury. To them the stock market is merely a tool to influence the course of human events. 

The cryptocracy has manipulated the stock market from the beginning of the stock market age. The media covers it up and the volume of trade on the market would seem to preclude manipulation, but the truth is these families in the cryptocracy are extremely powerful, strong enough to influence the market to do what they want it to do.

So, it pays to look at the present politico-economic situation from the point of view of the cryptocracy.

The current drop in the stock market just happens to coincide with several setbacks for the cryptocracy. First was the dramatic disillusionment in their man in the White House, as shown in the Massachusetts election. Next, was the utter crash and burn of the health reform. This reform was a central goal of the cryptocracy and one of the purposes for precipitating the general economic crisis. And then, there is the cryptocracy's much desired reform of financial regulation putting more power in the Federal Reserve. This reform is stuck in congressional quick-sand, and is going absolutely nowhere. Even worse, their nominee to head the Fed, just barely squeaked through his election in congress.

All this means only one thing to the cryptocracy: it is time to deepen the economic crisis in the hopes of creating an atmosphere where their cherished reforms can be pushed through. This is the cryptocracy's primary mode of operation: create a crisis so that in the resulting emergency, they can obtain what they want from the government. 

Will it work? It is dubious that the health care reform can be resurrected in the short term. But their real aim is probably to get the Fed (which they own) empowered to regulate the entire economy. Obama himself is also making a valiant effort to regain his stature. He even went to a prayer-meeting, of all things!

In the meantime, the entire population suffers. Every person now knows of someone or family that is in a crisis because of the economy and the machinations of the cryptocracy.

And not a word from the leaders of Catholicism. It's almost as if they don't live in the real world of today.

Afghanistan, in Today's News 01.30.10

Afghanistan. From today's Wall Street Journal: "Thousands of U.S. forces are massing for a coming offensive in Helmand [Afghanistan], one of the country's most violent regions."

This offensive will go nowhere. Why? Because the Taliban is one or two steps ahead of the Obama war planners.

While the US concentrates forces in one area of Afghanistan, the Taliban is attacking other areas. They are taking Stan Musial's advice: "Hit Em Where They Ain't." A couple of weeks ago, the Taliban rocked Kabul, the capital, in an attack on the center of the city. Yesterday the Taliban attacked Laskar Gah and engaged the Afghan security forces in a day-long battle. Where they will attack next is unknown, but for sure it will not be Helmand.

In the meantime, the US, its allies and the Afghan government continue their efforts to buy off a section of the Taliban. A $500 million corruption fund is being built up for this purpose. But it is a good bet that a healthy portion of the loot will end up in pockets of officials.

The US is somewhat desperate to find a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan. Certainly the Obama war planners understand that this war will go on forever with no US victorious achievements. And in the meantime the American public and the left wing of his own party will grow impatient. Plus, Obama is under pressure to reduce spending while the war drains away money.

And thus the Obama people have sought to make back-door contact with the Taliban to reach a settlement. The US primarily went into Afghanistan to disrupt a training and organizing center for the enemies of Israel and its client state, the USA. The US would be willing to reach an agreement (with Israel's ok) if the Taliban would limit themselves to Afghanistan and cease efforts outside of Afghanistan's borders.

To this end, the United Nations' top representative to Afghanistan met with the Taliban recently to find a diplomatic solution. The results of this contact are unknown to the public right now.

But, it is reasonable to assume that the Taliban is in no mood to negotiate. Why should they? The momentum is on their side. The longer the US is involved, the greater will be the pressure to get out. And time will certainly not strengthen the Afghan government.

There is no easy way out for Obama.

Afghanistan, in Today's News 01.29.10

Afghanistan. The London conference on wishful thinking and excursions into never-never-land concluded yesterday. Afghan President Karzai and representatives of 65 other countries have been meeting to discuss and determine the future of Afghanistan. It is as if these people are living on another planet or are from another dimension.

The conference communique stated that, according to the Wall Street Journal, "the Afghans will take the lead in securing the most volatile parts of the country within three years, with the first provinces potentially passing to Afghan control by the end of this year." Karzai even said in his address to the conference that "Afghan forces will take control of physical security of the whole country within five years."

All this regarding a government that was almost overthrown a couple of weeks ago. All this regarding a government that controls nothing in the country except the capital, Kabul. All this regarding a President the US tried to get rid of just a few months ago. All this regarding a President, some of whose military advisors aided an assassination attempt against him. All this regarding an American strategy for Afghanistan that is designed to simply hold the fort rather than trying to defeat the Taliban.

In other words, the plans of Karzai and the conference have no possibility of success or even minimal achievement. 

Further details of a now crowned "Peace and Reintegration Trust Fund" were also revealed. Japan, the United Kingdom and others are planning to raise $500 million to reach out to militants to give them "a way back into mainstream life on the condition they renounce violence." 

Karzai also promised to make a "key focus" the fighting of corruption. It is a well-known strategy to combat corruption by having $500 million laying around in a poor country. [Sarcasm.]

Karzai told the meeting he intends to invite the Taliban leaders to a tribal conference. This ought to be good. Not only will the Taliban not attend, but the conference itself will be another of those CIA-type front organizations.

In short, Afghanistan, from the point of view of Obama and friends, is going you-know-where in a hand-basket. And yet Obama and his allies engage in the most delirious of delusions about how the situation is steadily improving.

Just wait for the Taliban's next show of force to see all these grandiose plans go up in smoke.

On a humorous note, Obama let Hillary Clinton feel important by addressing the conference. Most of her remarks were just a tired reiteration of Obama-talk. Then she took it upon herself to tell Afghanistan how it should run itself. "Afghan women must not be viewed [by whom?] simply as victims who need to be sheltered. They must be respected and valued as leaders -- a treasury of untapped talent that Afghan society needs." Other cultures are always receptive to being told they "must" do something. [Sarcasm.]

Pakistan and India, in Today's News 01.24.10

Pakistan and India. United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been visiting India, then Pakistan. The purpose of the tour seems to be to convince the two countries to end their hostility and instead oppose the enemies of Israel. 

Gates has made a big push on how Al Qaeda and others are trying to foment conflict between India and Pakistan. Gates is pleading with them to not fall for this, and realize their joint enemy is Al Qaeda et al.

Gates' point about Al Qaeda trying to cause a regional conflict is questionable. What Al Qaeda would have to gain by such a conflict is a mystery. But, Gates does know that a defense of Israel requires at least neutrality toward Israel by mideast and asian nations. 

Israel's illegitimate presence in the mideast will continue to provoke conflict. Moreover, Israel continually makes aggressive moves toward the Palestinians and its neighbors in a misconceived effort to defend itself.

The Israelis target-of-concern nowadays is Iran. Israel has been seeking US support for a military confrontation with Iran for more than a couple of years. The US, for its part, has preferred to try to undermine Iran through CIA sponsored internal conflict. When this US strategy runs its course with no appreciable results, the US will be stuck with the Israeli alternative of direct engagement with Iran.

Enter Gates and his attempt to line-up two asian and mideast powerhouses against Arab militancy. When a confrontation with Iran occurs, it will be a big help to the US and Israel if the major players in the region don't get in the way.

*****

BTW, shouldn't the Secretary of State be involved in these kinds of discussions? Well, no. Obama smartly prefers to keep Hillary Clinton involved only with secondary issues. 

Obama, in Today's News 01.23.10

Obama. The Wall Street Journal termed Obama's Elyria, Ohio speech as a sharpening of "his populist tone." This is a nice way of covering over Obama's extreme rhetoric. Only communists up to now have said things the way Obama did. 

Case in point: Obama: "I'm not going to have the insurance companies click their heals and watch their stocks skyrocket, because once again there's no control on what they do." Lenin or Castro could not have said it better.

One of the prime cryptocracy goals to be achieved during the economic crisis precipitated by the cryptocracy was to bring the economy under government control and to begin to institutionalize a planned economy. The idea is that planning and central control will reduce the risk to the cryptocracy's wealth production. Annoying things like competition for the wealth would also be eliminated.

To this end, Obama has sought to establish czars and oversight committees for various industries, the auto industry and General Motors most notably. He has promoted a thorough reorganization of financial regulation giving oversight powers to the Federal Reserve. He has tried to bring the banks and insurance companies under government control. His health care reform is designed to bring this wide-ranging industry under central planners and bureaucrats.

The truth of the matter is that all these efforts are only crawling along. With the exception of the government take-over of GM, all Obama's 'reforms' are foundering, which is none too pleasing to the cryptocracy. And thus is explained Obama's desperate rhetoric which reflects his and the cryptocracy's frustration with the lack of success.

Health care is the most obvious of the failures. His effort to install a new system of financial regulation is going nowhere. The banks have fought back and tried to get the yoke of government control off their necks. His effort to control salaries and bonuses in the financial world has had only meek success.

There is an ominous side to this situation. The cryptocracy made the economic crisis possible in order to create a political atmosphere where quick passage of the cryptocracy's aims through Congress could occur. But few cryptocracy proposals have managed to make it through Congress into law. As Obama was quoted in reference to the health reform, "The longer it takes, the uglier it gets."

This result is a problem for the cryptocracy. Their favored mode of bringing change is to create a crisis and then rush through their 'reforms.' But, it didn't work as well as they wanted this time. So what are they to do? The very worrisome reality is that they are undoubtedly concluding that it will take an even greater crisis to achieve their ends. They are therefore certainly now preparing an even worse crisis. 

When the cryptocracy will drop the next crisis on us is unknown, but be prepared.

Afghanistan, in Today's News 01.22.10

Afghanistan. Boy, this gets better all the time!! The Afghan government is declaring that Monday's insurgent attack on the central government institutions was a 'victory' [!!] for the government.

The Wall Street Journal quotes the Afghan Army Chief of Staff, "What happened was a victory and a show of our strength." [!!!]

If the Afghan leaders really believe this, their delusion is of epic-proportions. The insurgents attacked the presidential palace, several key ministries, and the central area of Kabul, held their positions, and then retreated when the day ended. The attackers were within a hair's breadth of actually seizing the central Afghan government. And this is a victory for the Afghan government???

What probably really happened is this: the attacks caused such a drop in morale in the armed forces, the ministries, and the public that supports President Karzai, that extraordinary measures had to be taken to prop things back up again. And thus, the government beats its chest, makes strong-sounding statements, and issues a few medals to the army.

But, it won't work. The Afghan population knows full well that the Karzai government has no support and is only there because the United States is there. It is only a matter of time before this whole edifice crumbles.

*****

As the situation deteriorates the Obama adminstration is looking desperately for some kind of face-saving deal. Today's WSJ reveals that a significant effort is being made to split one of the influential regional leaders away from the Taliban. The US appears to be holding out all kinds of carrots to Gulbuddin Hekmatyar to seperately work out a settlement with the Karzai government.

This gambit, too, won't work. Hekmatyar has nothing to gain by such a settlement. He knows full well what the situation is. It is in his interests to wait for the Karzai regime to fall, and then work out his deal with the other insurgent forces.  

Economic Crisis, in Today's News 01.22.10

Economic Crisis. The Obama administration proposed new limits yesterday on the size and activities of the nation's largest banks with the aim of reducing high-risk investing, and as a result the stock market crashed and the Wall Street Journal has a four-column page one headline today.

But, there is nothing new here. This type of proposal has been a central cryptocracy goal from the beginning of the economic crisis. Just last week Paul Volcker, who was present when Obama made the proposals, called for breaking up banks that do traditional banking and high-risk investing. Volcker is a prime spokesperson for the Rockefeller and Rothschild interests.

The cryptocracy is risk-adverse. They much prefer to set things up so that their wealth-production goes smoothly. They are willing to manipulate any and all factors to assure their profits are not at risk.

The cryptocracy therefore is not too happy when some of the key institutions that they use to control the nation's economy engage in investing activities that have the possibility of undermining the institution (read bank). They have been working for a couple of years now to find a way to prevent the banks from such high-risk investing.

The banks on their part resist because the high-risk investments can result in high-reward profits, which in turn mean big incomes for the bankers. 

The cryptocracy appears to have had enough of this nonsense. They are doing their best to change this situation. They want to reduce the high-risk investing and trim the bonuses and high salaries that create an incentive to do the high-risk activities.

The impression is given that the new proposals are more of Obama's heavy hand. But, he is only doing what he is told. That the cryptocracy is pushing this change so persistently and loutishly gives an indication of how seriously they think the situation is. They are very, very serious about there being no threat to their wealth.

Afghanistan, in Today's News 01.20.10

Afghanistan. The Obama brain trust is beginning to come to grips with the seriousness of the situation they now face in Afghanistan after the all-day battle in Kabul on Monday.

The US is now involved in more than a war with a Islamist-oriented Taliban. It now has to deal with a war that is led by an established leader of Afghanistan, whose father is a hero for his fight against the Russians a couple of decades ago. Sirajuddin Haqqani has stepped forward to organize the assault on the Karzai regime.

This development means the US now has a generalized war on its hands. The isolation of the Karzai government is near complete and only capable of surviving by virtue of the US military strength. The Obama team now has to think out whether it wants to deepen the war or whether it can construct a means to get out. With the Israelis looking over Obama's shoulder the US administration faces some very difficult decisions.

The Wall Street Journal today says that Haqqani "has become ruthless in his own pursuit of an Afghanistan free from foreign influence." The WSJ quotes Haqqani, "We have managed to besiege the Afghan government."

The WSJ also reveals today that the current 'surge' of American troops "...is based on a strategy of applying sufficient pressure on some Taliban leaders that they will negotiate for terms acceptable to Washington." A careful reading of the news would indicate that Obama had tried unsuccessfully to negotiate before his surge decision. But, today's statement is the first time the Obama team has admitted the attempt at negotiations.

The entrance of Haqqani into the equation changes everything. No longer is the US dealing with some Taliban leaders they thought they could pressure. Now they have to deal with two parties with their own interests, and one of them is proving to be adamant in his determination to rid Afghanistan of US presence.

Moreover, Haqqani's interest is not limited to Afghanistan. His base is in Pakistan and (WSJ) "...has become arguably the most important Islamist militant haven in the region..." 

And listen to this, "Mr. Haqqani has emerged as a powerbroker on both sides of the border. He has ties to almost every major faction in the confederation of groups operating under the Taliban umbrella. He has the strongest links to Al Qaeda of any major Taliban faction...While pledging allegiance to [Taliban chief] Mullah Omar, he operates independently, choosing his own targets and only loosely coordinating with the Taliban's supreme leadership." [!!!!] [Bracketed words added.]

The Karzai regime is hanging by a thread:

The Haqqani forces attacked at the center of power: "...Pashtunistan Square, which is ringed by the central bank, the entrance to the presidential palace, as well as several [key] ministries, a shopping center [that was destroyed] and a luxury hotel." [Bracketed comments added.]

Karzai would be well-advised to not turn his back on anyone: "...Mr. Haqqani has cultivated high-level double agents inside the Afghan government--including senior military and police officers, some of whom are suspected of having aided an assassination attempt on President Karzai..."

Karzai has no allies at all: "US officials have long alleged that Pakistan tolerates and even aids [!] Mr. Haqqani, so he can be used to maintain its influence in Afghanistan after an eventual American withdrawal." [Emphasis added.]

Karzai's government seems doomed. The US has few options. In the long run they can either escalate the war or get out. In the short run, Obama is putting pressure on Pakistan to crack down on Haqqani, a gambit that is sure to produce very little.

Stay tuned. Afghanistan moves closer and closer to being the determinant of peace and war in this world.