The State Department's daily press brief focused on Gaza again.
So the U.S. State Department doesn't want Israel to stop unless they know the rockets from Gaza will stop and they can begin a political dialog. The best way to stop the rockets is to let Israel continue the ground campaign and wear Gaza out, at which point a political remedy can be worked out.
The problem with this is, if the world's strongest power, by definition a requisite mediator in an international humanitarian crisis, stands by idly (which perhaps is a complicit sort of support), the Palestinians are never going to come to the table. The other side will be further marginalized, much of the population radicalized. If the Israelis are using cluster bombs and depleted uranium -- war crimes -- we will have a severely weakened ability to negotiate later on.
Hamas may be spent, their threat perhaps extinguished, but that will mean almost nothing for lasting peace, or what McCormack keeps calling a "sustained, durable" solution.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Greek Tragedy
Violence in Greece has not ceased. While gun violence has largely been a rarity in the protests, the shooting death of 21-year-old police officer Diamandis Matzounis yesterday brings a new level of intensity to the conflict.
Police have linked one of the guns used in the attacks to a small, "sloppy" leftist group known as Revolutionary Struggle, a group strongly opposed to the U.S. and the "global capitalist system."
The group was formed in 2003 and has claimed responsibility for smaller acts, mostly symbolic rather than murderous, reports the Monitor.
Police have linked one of the guns used in the attacks to a small, "sloppy" leftist group known as Revolutionary Struggle, a group strongly opposed to the U.S. and the "global capitalist system."
The group was formed in 2003 and has claimed responsibility for smaller acts, mostly symbolic rather than murderous, reports the Monitor.
Passing Gas
Gas shortages have reached intense levels across much of Eastern and Western Europe today, stemming from a dispute between Russia -- a major supplier to the region, and Ukraine -- the major transit point for that supply.
The dispute focused on details of a contract between Russia and Ukraine, which prompted Russia to shut off supplies through Ukraine (whom it accused of stealing gas en route) on New Years Day. Ukraine says Russia was manipulating the pumps.
Europe is startin' to feel it.
The dispute focused on details of a contract between Russia and Ukraine, which prompted Russia to shut off supplies through Ukraine (whom it accused of stealing gas en route) on New Years Day. Ukraine says Russia was manipulating the pumps.
Europe is startin' to feel it.
Biden Ridin' East
Joe Biden's doin' him some fact-finding in Southwest Asia this week. That's about all he'll say at this point. He makes the trip as chairman of the Senate Foriegn Relations Committee, and is travelling with Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lindsey Graham (R-S. Carolina).
Panetta On My Mind
So Obama's Panetta-Blair team to head intelligence surprised many and alarmed quite a few. I am a little worried about the lack of intelligence experience myself, but some say Panetta's position as a former cabinet member with Bill Clinton will bring the CIA further into the fold of national security planning than we've seen with this past administration -- a good move if you ask me, but still a little unnerving. Proceed with trepidation.
A Moment of your time . . .
Friends and neighbors, may I please ask that you take a moment of your time to answer the newly created poll on the right of the page. I am very interested in your responses. Thanks all,
-Norman
-Norman
Denied!
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has told Haitian President Rene Preval that the situation in Haiti, after a series of deadly storms this summer, does not warrant the temporary protected status (TPS) he requested earlier this fall.
Preval asked that the tens of thousands of undocumented Haitians living in the United States be allowed to stay until Haiti can recover, which the Bush administration has refused.
After a three month reprieve, 28 Haitians have been deported this past month.
Four back-to-back storms this summer left Haiti with "800 dead, tens of thousands of homeless and caused $1 billion in damage," reports the Miami Herald.
Check out these quotes from Randy McGrorty of the Catholic Legal Services;
''According to independent reports, the successive storms destroyed 15 percent of Haiti's GDP. That's the equivalent of eight to 10 hurricane Katrinas hitting the United States in a month's period of time."
Preval asked that the tens of thousands of undocumented Haitians living in the United States be allowed to stay until Haiti can recover, which the Bush administration has refused.
After a three month reprieve, 28 Haitians have been deported this past month.
Four back-to-back storms this summer left Haiti with "800 dead, tens of thousands of homeless and caused $1 billion in damage," reports the Miami Herald.
Check out these quotes from Randy McGrorty of the Catholic Legal Services;
"They are not basing it on the reality of the situation on the ground but other considerations when applying the law to Haiti. But frankly, after eight years of dealing with this administration and their policy toward Haiti, one of those considerations is racism.''
''According to independent reports, the successive storms destroyed 15 percent of Haiti's GDP. That's the equivalent of eight to 10 hurricane Katrinas hitting the United States in a month's period of time."
Haitian advocates plan to push for TPS with the incoming Obama administration.
Deadly Divide
A split in leadership in the rebel group the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could intensify violence once again after a short lull.
Brig. Gen. Bosco Ntaganda had announced earlier the ousting of the group's leader Gen. Laurent Nkunda. A large faction still remains loyal to Nkunda, however. The BBC reported on "crisis meetings" held by both sides. North of Kivu, Nkunda's faction declared loyalty to their leader, while to the west near Masisi Ntaganda supporters accused Nkunda of "bad leadership."
The BBC report suggests Ntaganda took a more hardline approach to operations, unhappy with Nkunda's decision to hold back from attacking some villages in the past and supporting a cease fire with the Congolese government.
Both leaders are considered war criminals, though Ntaganda has a longer history with other rebel groups now held by the ICC in the Hague, who accuse him of conscripting 15-year-old children to fight. Also interesting about Ntaganda; he studied psychology, is known as "the Terminator," and owns a cheese farm. Really.
Brig. Gen. Bosco Ntaganda had announced earlier the ousting of the group's leader Gen. Laurent Nkunda. A large faction still remains loyal to Nkunda, however. The BBC reported on "crisis meetings" held by both sides. North of Kivu, Nkunda's faction declared loyalty to their leader, while to the west near Masisi Ntaganda supporters accused Nkunda of "bad leadership."
The BBC report suggests Ntaganda took a more hardline approach to operations, unhappy with Nkunda's decision to hold back from attacking some villages in the past and supporting a cease fire with the Congolese government.
Both leaders are considered war criminals, though Ntaganda has a longer history with other rebel groups now held by the ICC in the Hague, who accuse him of conscripting 15-year-old children to fight. Also interesting about Ntaganda; he studied psychology, is known as "the Terminator," and owns a cheese farm. Really.
Trying to Vote
Spring elections may be postponed in Afghanistan as fears of violence and insufficient security are projected to keep many from going out to vote.
Uh-Oh
India signaled they may be becoming more assertive in claims of Pakistan's official ties to the Mumbai attacks. I think we better get some diplomats into South and Central Asia, quickly.
"I Guess We're All Keynesians, Now."
In a move that seems to echo a global trend, the South Korean government has announced plans to invest $37.8 billion over the next four years in "eco-friendly" businesses -- an investment expected to create nearly one million jobs. This, following a five-year-low job creation rate in November and a generally slowing economy.
South Korea's "Green New Deal" is reflective of a much larger political-economic trend throughout the world. Many governments are planning big infrastructure investments and job creation projects to fight the sluggish world economy.
Obama's U.S. plan is close to $850 billion; $100 billion for state governments to cover Medicaid and other expenses; middle-class tax cuts; and further spending in five key areas -- traditional infrastructure, school construction, energy efficiency, broadband access and health IT.
China announced its largest ever stimulus package in November -- a $586 billion investment in ten key areas, among them low-income housing, electricity, water, rural infrastructure, environmental protection and technological innovation.
The EU announced a $260 billion plan around the same time. Many Latin American countries are following suit as well.
Here's a paper from Brookings on how to make these plans work.
And here's one from Heritage on why the best medicine is - you guessed it - less government spending.
South Korea's "Green New Deal" is reflective of a much larger political-economic trend throughout the world. Many governments are planning big infrastructure investments and job creation projects to fight the sluggish world economy.
Obama's U.S. plan is close to $850 billion; $100 billion for state governments to cover Medicaid and other expenses; middle-class tax cuts; and further spending in five key areas -- traditional infrastructure, school construction, energy efficiency, broadband access and health IT.
China announced its largest ever stimulus package in November -- a $586 billion investment in ten key areas, among them low-income housing, electricity, water, rural infrastructure, environmental protection and technological innovation.
The EU announced a $260 billion plan around the same time. Many Latin American countries are following suit as well.
Here's a paper from Brookings on how to make these plans work.
And here's one from Heritage on why the best medicine is - you guessed it - less government spending.
Palatial Embassy
While some progress moves forward in Baghdad, al-Quada-in-Iraq still remain a constant threat as the U.S. continues to hand over security details to Iraqi forces. All the while, the U.S. opened one of its largest and most expensive embassies in Baghdad. The cost has been reported at $592 million.
. . . $592 million.
. . . $592 million.
Lebanon
Lebanon's Parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri, speaking with diplomats in France today, said that he is confident Hizbullah does not want a piece of Israel right now, so to speak. Fresh in their memory, says Lebanon's Daily Star, was the 2006 Israeli reaction to cross border rockets; "1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers, dead," says the Daily Star.
Information Minister Tarek Mitri did warn that the longer the conflict continues the more "hearts and minds" in the Arab world may be won over for the Palestinian plight, to the point - possibly - of reaction.
Information Minister Tarek Mitri did warn that the longer the conflict continues the more "hearts and minds" in the Arab world may be won over for the Palestinian plight, to the point - possibly - of reaction.
In the Strip
Israel continues to push further into Gaza, apparently seeking to cut off the strategic Rafah crossing into Egypt, while the humanitarian situation becomes increasingly desperate. The Gaza offensive following an 18-month Israeli-enforced blockade of the strip, basic supplies were low for Gazan citizens going into the conflict.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, for his part, is asking Syria to apply pressure on Hamas to stop rocket fire into Israel.
Staunch Palestinian supporter Saudi Arabia denounced the international communities silent acceptance of the Israeli offensive. They echoed a long narrative of Israel as an imperial force for conquest in the region, and see this as another move in that direction. They called for a pan-Arab unity among the various factions and sects of Muslims and Arabs in the region to defend Palestine.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, for his part, is asking Syria to apply pressure on Hamas to stop rocket fire into Israel.
Staunch Palestinian supporter Saudi Arabia denounced the international communities silent acceptance of the Israeli offensive. They echoed a long narrative of Israel as an imperial force for conquest in the region, and see this as another move in that direction. They called for a pan-Arab unity among the various factions and sects of Muslims and Arabs in the region to defend Palestine.
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