New Documentary: Behind Taliban Lines

New documentary from PBS Frontline "Behind Taliban Lines" shows the challenges faced by the U.S. in Afghanistan. Najibullah Quraishi, an Afghan journalist, was able to infiltrate the Taliban and get a glimpse of life in Afghanistan in areas outside of the control of U.S. troops. The U.S. is losing the battle for hearts in minds in some parts of the Country, although the West has tribal support in others... but in many areas not physically held by U.S. troops & where the Taliban has found shelter, such as in Southern Afghanistan, the U.S. faces an almost impossible situation.

There is a reason why they call Karzi the Mayor of Kabul... because that is the only place where the Afghan government has effective control. The central leadership is poor due to corruption, tribalism, the lack of resources, and the ongoing insurgency. Outside of the Capital, the federal governments presence is spotty. Even in areas where the Karzi government has a presence... officials have been either compromised, corrupted or killed.

Luckily the U.S. is now on the offensive... but the hearts and minds battle is still a problem. The film raises questions about Afghanistan's future and its ability to stand on its own. It would probably require a strong NATO commitment of 5-7 more years (minimum), and billions more in American tax dollars. With all the other challenges faced by the U.S., I don't know if this kind of commitment is sustainable.

Will Obama Be Another Lapdog for Israel?

Yet another story about this unhealthy alliance (unhealthy mostly for the American side). Israel calls the shots for U.S. policy... tells the U.S. how to vote in the UN Security Council. And the U.S. responds like an obedient, subservient slave and does exactly what it is told.

I suspect Obama will be another lapdog....and they'll probably have him on a short leash too.

Worlds Most Dangerous Flashpoints for 2009

Here is my new list of the Worlds most Dangerous Flashpoints.

Here is the list from the previous year.... and it looks like I was pretty close on a few. In parenthesis below, you will see last years spot for each location or conflict zone. Notice which locations and conflict zones moved up.

New list (for the coming year, 2009)


1. Israel - Iran (4) **
2. Persian Gulf/U.S. - Iran (3) (How will Obama’s Neo-Con Light Foreign Policy Team approach this situation? It bothers the Hell out of me…I have been let down by the signals given by Obama’s transition so far). **
3. Georgia (6) **
4. Pakistan (1)
5. Afghanistan (10)
6. Russia (13) (Russia can officially be called a dictatorship) **
7. Pakistan - India (14) **
8. Caspian Region (12) **
9. Ukraine- Russia (17) **
10. Darfur (Sudan) (5)
11. Iraq (2)
12. Somalia (22)
13. Chad (7)
14. Congo (15)
15. Turkey/Iraq border (Turkey's battle with Kurds) (11)
16. Chechnya, Russia (18)
17. Israel- Lebanon (9)
18. Israel - Syria (8)
19. China - Taiwan (16) ** (now that the Olympics are over... and with the global economy tanking, China may again make a push to take Taiwan. A Nightmare scenario. The good news is... a much less bellicose Government is now in charge in Taiwan-- the confrontational Pro-Independence Party was recently defeated-- which may decrease the chance of a conflict with China).
20. North Korea (the North Koreans have been waiting for a Democratic Administration… but with the Neo-Cons simply being replaced by Obama's Neo-Con Light, it is unclear how negotiations will play out.) **
21. Kosovo (23)
22. Thailand (new to the list)
23. China - Japan (26)
24. Poland - Russia /NATO vs. Russia (new to the list) Not so unthinkable anymore, thanks mostly to U.S. foreign policy. In fact, it’s more likely today than 30 years ago during the height of the Cold War. Eastern Europe is nearing powder keg status once again thanks to Bush's plan to place an anti-ballistic missile system in Poland- one of many Bush policies that Obama and his Neo-Con Light crew are likely to continue.
25. Israel- Palestine (new to the list) I typically think of this long never ending conflict as being isolated to the region. That's mostly true...but it still manages to heighten tensions and affect negotiations elsewhere.
26. Greece- Turkey (25)

Dropped from list: Myanmar/Burma, Sri Lankan Civil War, Venezuela

** = locations and conflicts of particular interest.

Russia and the U.S. - An Essential Discussion

Hear an excellent discussion regarding U.S. - Russian relations from the On Point radio program.

The panel includes Strobe Talbott (A former Clinton Hawk, playing more of the neocon role in this debate), and Stephen Cohen, a great foreign policy analyst who has a more sane approach to U.S. foreign policy and seems to have a better grasp of where U.S. - Russia relations have been and where they are headed.

Anti-Americanism Still High Around the World

Hear an interesting discussion on the problem of Anti-Americanism around the World.

Bush Talking Armageddon

Bush has begun talking Armageddon again. Stating that Iran will cause him to set off World War III. This nut wants to hold us all hostage... telling the World that if another sovereign Nation does not do exactly what he says, he is willing to start a 3rd World War. In essence...he wants to hold us at gun point.

And of course the rest of the Country is sleeping on his comments (too busy watching football and driving their SUV's...of which they won't be able to gas up pretty soon because prices will be too damn high. But until then... people will remain in La La Land). Even during the Cold War, American Presidents generally refrained from such talk.

Bush's comments were in direct response to Vladimir Putins warning to the U.S., not to attack Iran. The message was intended for Russian ears, just as much as it was intended for Iran. Of course any war with Iran risks drawing in Russia, Israel and other countries in the region.

Giuliani's Foreign Policy Approach

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