The evening news came on as scheduled last night on the Mexican Televisa network. Outside the Monterey station, two cars pulled up. Men with ski masks jumped out and sprayed the entrance with bullets, then lobbed a grenade into the station.
The attackers left a note nearby warning the station to stop reporting on violence due to drug cartels.
In case you haven't noticed, Mexico is in the midst of a quasi-civil-war amongst its extremely powerful drug cartels and goverment forces. It's a god damn bloodbath down there.
"15 journalists have been killed and many newspapers have stopped investigative reporting on drug cartels" since 2006, reports the BBC.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
DRC
The leadership split within the Democratic Republic of Congo's CNDP has brought mediators to declare cease fire talks must begin in preparation for a summit of African leaders scheduled for later in the month, reports the Mail & Guardian.
Former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, now mediating the conflict, says a cessation of hostilities is needed before the planned meeting of African leaders in the region can begin.
Former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, now mediating the conflict, says a cessation of hostilities is needed before the planned meeting of African leaders in the region can begin.
Talkin' Smack
India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is ratcheting up the rhetoric in his latest accusation of Pakistani official involvement in the Mumbai attacks. Yesterday he made statements saying their is enough evidence, based on the high tech tactics of the attacks and the fragility of the Pakistani state, that the government was involved. "The more fragile a government, the more it tends to act in an irresponsible fashion," he said.
Pakistan denies any official involvement and has called Indian evidence "not credible."
Just to keep in mind, these are two nuclear armed states we're dealing with here.
Pakistan denies any official involvement and has called Indian evidence "not credible."
Just to keep in mind, these are two nuclear armed states we're dealing with here.
View from the Left
Here's how Tariq Ali sees the situation in Gaza. Tariq Ali is editor of the New Left Review, a widely published writer and human rights activist.
Tariq says that Israel and other powers in the region sought to subvert the democratic process in an effort to keep Hamas from rising to power in Gaza. When that didn't work, they tried to bend Hamas to their own will. With support from the people in Gaza because of the many humanitarian projects they engaged in, Hamas became even more defiant. These are the roots of the current conflict, and with this view he draws his own conclusions about what ought to be done now.
An interesting point of view, and certainly worth reading whether you agree or not.
Tariq says that Israel and other powers in the region sought to subvert the democratic process in an effort to keep Hamas from rising to power in Gaza. When that didn't work, they tried to bend Hamas to their own will. With support from the people in Gaza because of the many humanitarian projects they engaged in, Hamas became even more defiant. These are the roots of the current conflict, and with this view he draws his own conclusions about what ought to be done now.
An interesting point of view, and certainly worth reading whether you agree or not.
Brotherly Love
Afghan President Hamid Karzai welcomed Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari as a "brother" in their fight against terrorism and "non-state actors" in Kabul yesterday. Relations between Karzai and former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf were more tenuous -- a rift that led in part to an inability to govern tribal border areas between the two neighbors.
Let's hope this paves the way to a cooperative relationship in combating extremism. I wonder what Tariq Ali has to say about this.
Let's hope this paves the way to a cooperative relationship in combating extremism. I wonder what Tariq Ali has to say about this.
Bird Flu
China's first 2009 incidence of bird flu was reported after a 19-year-old woman died of the disease two days ago. After noting the World Health Organization, Beijing blocked all poultry from other parts of the country from coming into the city while the origins are investigated.
In Cambodia
Combodia marks the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Khmer Rouge. Though jubilant at the anniversary celebration, many feel short-changed by the fact that there has not been a single trial or persecution of any leading Khmer Rouge figure, reports the BBC. Some blaim the Cambodian government, itself employing ex-Khmer Rouge officials that defected from the group early on. Human Rights Watch voiced concern over the governments deliberate delays in bringing some to justice. A tribunal is planned to try five member in March.
Onward Ho?
Israel is still debating whether or not to continue on with the third stage of their plan, which would include further incursions into major strategic points in Gaza. Diplomats involved in the discussions are working closely with Egypt to find another way to assuage Israeli strategic concerns, thereby founding a cease fire.
The strategic concern centers on the Philadelphi route, a point on the Gaza-Egypt border Hamas has been smuggling weapons through. Egypt says they have destroyed many tunnels already and that the long range missiles may be coming to Gaza by sea. Diplomats are looking at ways to deal with that scenario as well.
My guess is that Israel's concerns about its own defense will not be quelled in the near-term. There seem to be too many variables, a lack of transparency and an inability to monitor the area effectively enough to appease Israel. Israel will likely move on with phase three.
The strategic concern centers on the Philadelphi route, a point on the Gaza-Egypt border Hamas has been smuggling weapons through. Egypt says they have destroyed many tunnels already and that the long range missiles may be coming to Gaza by sea. Diplomats are looking at ways to deal with that scenario as well.
My guess is that Israel's concerns about its own defense will not be quelled in the near-term. There seem to be too many variables, a lack of transparency and an inability to monitor the area effectively enough to appease Israel. Israel will likely move on with phase three.
He Keeps it Cool
Barack Obama's silky-smooth words fall upon my ears like early morning dew. I swear, this guy is good. As he works to assuage the concerns of legislators in Washington, he has very much calmed me on the Panetta pick.
Anyone seen the movie Slackers? Remember the "seed of doubt"? It's as if Obama can convince me of anything in that measured eloquence he's so deft with.
Anyone seen the movie Slackers? Remember the "seed of doubt"? It's as if Obama can convince me of anything in that measured eloquence he's so deft with.
Who Passed Gas?
Gas shortages continue throughout Europe stemming from the Russia-Ukraine dispute, this in the middle of winter, while Russia and the Ukraine continue to bicker like two sorority sisters fighting over the only blow dryer in the house. Aside from disputes over prices and claimed thefts, Ukraine says Russia is trying to weaken the Ukrainian government as it seeks NATO membership and closer ties to the West, while Russia claims Ukraine is trying to curry anti-Russia fervor in the West. (Washington Post.)
Obviously, East and Central Europe have been crippled the most, with some industries shutting down completely, but shortages are felt all over.
Just to recap, The EU gets 25% of its gas from Russia, and 80% of that via Ukraine.
Mild winters and previous scuffles have prepared much of Europe with a two week surplus stockpile, which should help until matters are resolved. Times Online says that throughout Europe, blame has fallen on both parties.
Also telling is that some countries are turning to Iran for increased supply.
Obviously, East and Central Europe have been crippled the most, with some industries shutting down completely, but shortages are felt all over.
Just to recap, The EU gets 25% of its gas from Russia, and 80% of that via Ukraine.
Mild winters and previous scuffles have prepared much of Europe with a two week surplus stockpile, which should help until matters are resolved. Times Online says that throughout Europe, blame has fallen on both parties.
Also telling is that some countries are turning to Iran for increased supply.
Two Wrongs
An AP report seems to back the notion that militants were firing on Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from within the UN school that came under attack yesterday. Unfortunately, this means little to the conscience when the aftermath is this gruesome.
My mind is entirely lost somewhere in the equation of wrongs equaling rights at this point. And it doesn't help that I just watched Full Metal Jacket for the first time in my adult life the other day.
My mind is entirely lost somewhere in the equation of wrongs equaling rights at this point. And it doesn't help that I just watched Full Metal Jacket for the first time in my adult life the other day.
Sweet Reprieve!
Israel has halted operations in Gaza for a three-hour window to allow humanitarian aid in. Sweet reprieve! And it appears that this three-hour reprieve will be a daily thing, during which a Hamas spokesman said the group WILL NOT fire on Israel. This is a great move on Israel's part, and a great step forward for the whole situation.
Some aid workers say the humanitarian situation in the area while not be changed in the least by a three hour window. "When you are trying to feed 750,000 people a day in Gaza as we are, you need a permanent ceasefire. You can't do that in a three-hour window," said one. It still seems a positive move to me.
Major powers in the region continue working on a cease fire. Hamas has been largely boxed out of the dialog, for better or worse. My guess is, in the end, negotiating parties (Egypt and France, the United States in the background) are going to deal directly with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and guide them into a controlling position in the area. This may be a very good thing for the area for at least a little while.
Some aid workers say the humanitarian situation in the area while not be changed in the least by a three hour window. "When you are trying to feed 750,000 people a day in Gaza as we are, you need a permanent ceasefire. You can't do that in a three-hour window," said one. It still seems a positive move to me.
Major powers in the region continue working on a cease fire. Hamas has been largely boxed out of the dialog, for better or worse. My guess is, in the end, negotiating parties (Egypt and France, the United States in the background) are going to deal directly with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and guide them into a controlling position in the area. This may be a very good thing for the area for at least a little while.
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