The last time Obama ended the Iraq war he said that all 'combat troops' would return home. That was a signal to observers that the Yanks were in to stay, 50000 strong, as 'trainers' or what not.
Today was a different story. Most of the information I have heard lately is that Iraq is to be cut loose. Effective sovereignty for Iraq: defined in political science as the monopoly over the use of violence. US troops will remain nearby but in Kuwait.
And so now begins a new cold war as Saudis and Iranians support proxies inside Iraq. They will stalemate, for now. But civilians there will continue to die suddenly
Friday, October 21, 2011
A world without Gadhafi
World leaders today are a boring bunch...technocrats often, or worse, ideologues. Gadhafi cannot be classified as either a technocrat or as an ideologue (that is for sure).
Gadhafi was the first postmodern leader. He altered his look and temper often, no doubt purposely, as part of his ruling style. These changes prevented enemies from grabbing hold of his image, fixing it as evil, mad, brilliant, stupid, or anything else in particular, thereby making it more difficult to target him. That's what will be missed...the lengths he went through to play with power and to dominate it (watch Berlusconi for some of the same moves).
What arises as a serious question today is whether his pomo style was necessary to govern a place like Libya in modern times, whether it was a function of his own personality, or both? This is an important question because it is the question that Libya faces now.
Gadhafi was the first postmodern leader. He altered his look and temper often, no doubt purposely, as part of his ruling style. These changes prevented enemies from grabbing hold of his image, fixing it as evil, mad, brilliant, stupid, or anything else in particular, thereby making it more difficult to target him. That's what will be missed...the lengths he went through to play with power and to dominate it (watch Berlusconi for some of the same moves).
What arises as a serious question today is whether his pomo style was necessary to govern a place like Libya in modern times, whether it was a function of his own personality, or both? This is an important question because it is the question that Libya faces now.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Occupy Wall Street: Fair play
What's it mean? I have not met them and cannot speak for them. But my take is that they saw Wall Street get a bailout and so, quite rightfully, they want a bailout too. They are 99% after all.
Wall Street banks not only got TARP from Congress/Presidents but the Fed Reserve secretly coughed up $3 Trillion for them. Don't believe me? Just check out the recent audit that Ron Paul forced from Bernanke and the Fed.
It's that simple.
So, since Wall Street has been such a great location for handouts why not wait there too for a big handout?
Wall Street banks not only got TARP from Congress/Presidents but the Fed Reserve secretly coughed up $3 Trillion for them. Don't believe me? Just check out the recent audit that Ron Paul forced from Bernanke and the Fed.
It's that simple.
So, since Wall Street has been such a great location for handouts why not wait there too for a big handout?
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