Tyranny grows at freedom's expense in the Middle East and Latin America. Spain, suffering the ills of statism, turns to rightist Popular Party (PP) in local elections for a way out of its economic, social, and political malaise.
US Power Again Undermined by Obama Speech on Israel-Palestinian "Issue"
US President Obama, feeling his oats after killing Osama bin Laden on May 1, turned to one of the perennial chestnuts of global security - the so-called Israel-Palestinian issue.
In a speech on Thursday, while Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu was in the air on his way to Washington for talks, Mr. Obama hoped to trap his supposed ally in a public relations vise grip.
The gambit backfired spectacularly. Mr. Obama's call for a forced return of Israel to its pre-1967 borders was soundly rejected by Mr. Netanyahu and supporters of Israel.
The Jewish state's current borders were forged when its Arab neighbors ganged up for invasion and were soundly thrashed in combat, a historical fact seemingly ignored or not understood by the US president. History ignored usually is history repeated.
The public degrading of a US ally, nothing new from the current US administration, is yet another wakeup call for both friend (those remaining) and foe. Washington leans harder on its allies while refusing to confront common enemies, an amazing shift from previous administrations that understood realpolitik.
The naive leftist US president was rebuked publicly in the Oval Office on Friday by Mr. Netanyahu for all of the world's cameras to record the open dispute between supposed allies.
Mr. Obama endangered Israel's existence with his reckless and radical US policy shift despite claims to the contrary now that harsh criticism has descended upon him.
That a US president would apparently endorse the Muqawama Doctrine used by Israel's terrorist enemies is despicable.
The current US administration's anti-Israel bias is highly disturbing and provides too much comfort to the radical elements that work diligently to dissolve US power already on the wane in the Middle East and the state of Israel.
Missile Silos, ALBA Intrigue, FARC Laptop Fallout, Mel back to Honduras
Hugo Chavez's ALBA (Alternativa Bolivariana para Los Pubelos de Nuestra América) tyranny project continues unopposed across Latin America.
After reports at the end of 2010 about plans for Iran to install medium-range missiles in Venezuela, again German sources indicated this week an initiative to build missile bases on the Paraguaná Peninsula jutting out into the balmy Caribbean Sea just miles from Colombia.
Terror,Inc, racing to master the nuclear genie and build the missiles to deliver payloads of mass destruction, is not content to meddle in the Middle East region. That is why rogue regimes must be confronted and defeated. Their tentacles, once firmly rooted, continue to spread around the world.
All of this news comes on the heels of reporting about Iran's new Quiyam missile test fired by the Revolutionary Guard this week.
Iran is not the only interloper in the region (See Russian bombers post).
Now Washington, should it have the will, must confront growing Iranian influence in Latin America in alliance with Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez. The encirclement of the US and its dwindling friends in the region meshes nicely with the diabolic plans of both Tehran and Caracas to spread tyranny wherever possible.
Two other Chavez-related news bits from the region were reported this week. First, Colombia's Supreme Court ruled any evidence from the FARC laptops seized in a daring raid into Ecuador in March 2008 was inadmissible in legal proceedings.
Reyes, the number two guerrilla commander, was killed and a treasure trove of laptops and thumb drives were confiscated by the military. However, the Court cited military, not police, handling of the evidence in its harmful decision for the side of freedom in a region with less every day.
As Bogotá's El Tiempo reports today, the decision continues to cause shockwaves in and outside of Colombia. Colombian congressional representatives under investigation for collaboration with the narcoterrorist FARC and related international cases could be scuttled now. Chavez figures prominently in the FARC laptops which is not surprising given his belligerency toward democratic states.
In Cartagena, Colombia, today, Presidente Santos and the Venezuelan foreign minister welcomed the current presidente of Honduras, Porfirio Lobo, and the legally-ousted Chavista Mel Zelaya.
In a plan cobbled together over four days, Zelaya is allowed to return to Honduras to continue his tyrannical campaign and Honduras is eligible to re-enter among the flaccid Chavista-dominated Organization of American States (OAS).
The Chavistas have not given up on adding Honduras to their notch in the belt of Latin American countries heading toward the totalitarianism of Fidel's Cuba and Chavez's Venezuela: Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and soon-to-be Peru.
The return of Zelaya supposedly heals the wounds he opened with his failed gambit to force Honduras into the ALBA orbit. It is quite the opposite and the consequences for freedom-loving Honduras will become quickly apparent.
Spain's Socialists Smashed in Local Elections - "una histórica victoria" (historic victory)
Spaniards went to the polls in droves seeking relief from the pain of the incumbent Socialist Party's disastrous misrule and the country's tattered economy which threatens to deepen the eurocrisis gripping the Continent.
According to the Socialist fave, El País, the rightist opposition PP (Partido Popular) swept 10 of 13 regions and gained 10 points on the incumbent Socialists in local elections.
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was always the accidental president of Spain elected as a chaotic reaction to the PP's mishandling of the macabre 11-M Islamic terror attacks at the Atocha train station in 2004 on the eve of the presidential election.
The witless political apparatchik, Zapatero, was never qualified to lead the country and adding the failed policies of the Euro-Socialists, the electoral carnage today results.
Socialism threatens to undermine the entire European Union. After Portugal's €78 billion bailout this week by the IMF, eyes turn to "sick" Spain.
Presidente Zapatero should resign immediately given his Party's sound rejection by Spaniards across the country.
Stay tuned for the clearest insights into global security issues as developments warrant!
***
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
The EU Reckoning
An article in El País today echos GSM's analysis of the eurozone crisis: 5 Reasons Why Europe is Cracking.The "crack" is more like a gaping hole, but the realization is the same.
The confection of the European Union is not durable enough to survive the ghosts of history, mutual suspicions, and above all the failed economic system of socialism, the crux of the EU's problems.
One of our 6 Strategic Questions for 2010 was: "What next for the EU?"
Here are some other comments we have made:
Bloomberg - EU disintegration?
A Grim Future for the EU - Report
**If you need research from open sources in Spanish, French, or Portuguese and presented in a stylish English language report or a translation of documents in said languages to English, please contact Professor Winn at by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Eurozone nearing end?
Charlemagne, the medieval Frankish king, is credited as the first uniter of Europe.
Napoleon and later Hitler also tried by force to forge one Europe united under one man. In the end, the tyrants went down to defeat.
The dream was resurrected by the peaceful Treaty of Rome of 1957, the beginnings of the European Union (EU) today.
The EU went on to embellish statism as its chief economic system.
There is the root cause for the EU's angst.
Sooner than later, money tends to dry up from overregulation, numerous onerous taxes, nanny-state interference in every aspect of life, and the disincentives built into the economy that reward sloth, not hard work.
EU Pain
The rapid expansion of Europe from the Urals to the Atlantic did not come without a price.
Despite the haunting past, the European elite pressed forward with their idea of a common European market, and a common European currency in an attempt to forge a faux European identity.
The north-south split it appears in the end trumps the east-west division in the EU.
Namely, Greece, Portugal, and Spain threaten to shred the EU false construction from papier-mache. The fragile southern economies as feared are a drag on the richer northern economies of France and Germany, and to a certain extent, the United Kingdom (not in the European Monetary Union).
All eyes on Greece
Rumors of Greece's exit from the EU scheme drubbed the euro and forced a hasty meeting of EU ministers in Luxembourg last Friday to discuss restructuring Athen's debt.
Should Greece drop the euro, like a pebble in water, it would ripple from the Adriatic to the Atlantic. The eurozone house of cards would likely collapse.
But, is there enough money and willpower left in the EU to prop up Athens?
Will EU taxpayers happily pony up to save the united Europe dream of which they were barely consulted?
Or (more likely) are the days numbered for the EU as we currently know it? Charlemagne would not be proud.
***If you need research from open sources in Spanish, French, or Portuguese and presented in a stylish English language report or a translation of documents in said languages to English, please contact Professor Winn at by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.
Napoleon and later Hitler also tried by force to forge one Europe united under one man. In the end, the tyrants went down to defeat.
The dream was resurrected by the peaceful Treaty of Rome of 1957, the beginnings of the European Union (EU) today.The EU went on to embellish statism as its chief economic system.
There is the root cause for the EU's angst.
Sooner than later, money tends to dry up from overregulation, numerous onerous taxes, nanny-state interference in every aspect of life, and the disincentives built into the economy that reward sloth, not hard work.
EU Pain
The rapid expansion of Europe from the Urals to the Atlantic did not come without a price.
Despite the haunting past, the European elite pressed forward with their idea of a common European market, and a common European currency in an attempt to forge a faux European identity.
The north-south split it appears in the end trumps the east-west division in the EU.
Namely, Greece, Portugal, and Spain threaten to shred the EU false construction from papier-mache. The fragile southern economies as feared are a drag on the richer northern economies of France and Germany, and to a certain extent, the United Kingdom (not in the European Monetary Union).
All eyes on Greece
Rumors of Greece's exit from the EU scheme drubbed the euro and forced a hasty meeting of EU ministers in Luxembourg last Friday to discuss restructuring Athen's debt.
Should Greece drop the euro, like a pebble in water, it would ripple from the Adriatic to the Atlantic. The eurozone house of cards would likely collapse.
But, is there enough money and willpower left in the EU to prop up Athens?
Will EU taxpayers happily pony up to save the united Europe dream of which they were barely consulted?
Or (more likely) are the days numbered for the EU as we currently know it? Charlemagne would not be proud.
***If you need research from open sources in Spanish, French, or Portuguese and presented in a stylish English language report or a translation of documents in said languages to English, please contact Professor Winn at by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
It's the ideology, President Obama
While US President Obama has deservedly received criticism for his handling of the war on terror, his kudos for approving of the daring early morning raid deep in Pakistan are meritorious as well.
Ideology, not personality
One must remember however that OBL represented a perverse ideology. While his death was retributive justice for 9/11, Islamic fascism and corrupt reading of the Koran are key elements of the terror fight.
Another element, the schism inside Islam, trumps both of the above. However, no outsider is able to much influence the course of the world's largest and fastest growing religion.
The paroxysm of violence associated with Islamic fascism can be countered and that should be the true focus of freedom lovers around the world.
Al Qaeda's tentacles
Al Qaeda's challenge has changed since 2001. Its branch in the Arabian peninsula (AQAP) threatens to topple President Saleh in Yemen. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) haunts France. AQIM totally denies the recent terrorist attack on a popular cafe for tourists in Marrakesh. Suspicions linger.
While the operational capability for another 9/11 is not certain, Al Qaeda has adapted to the pressure from the US and its allies.
No Silver Bullet
That is why taking down the deserving OBL is not a silver bullet despite high praise for the operation.
Vigilance against terrorism is a never ending battle.
As the IRA told former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher after its failed Brighton hotel blast in 1984: You have to be lucky all the time; we only have to be lucky once.
The war on Islamic terrorism rages on many fronts. Its pernicious ideology must be defeated.
More blows against Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hizbullah and their friends must be executed before that happens.
***If you need research from open sources in Spanish, French, or Portuguese and presented in a stylish English language report or a translation of documents in said languages to English, please contact Professor Winn at by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.
Chavista Tyranny on the March
Chavista tyranny is on the march in Latin America.
Peru
Peru's embryonic democracy hangs in the balance.
Chavista Ollanta Humala, donning a business suit and tie and nice smile, but without overt Chavez endorsement this time unlike in the 2006 presidential race, appears bound for victory in the the second round on June 15. It is more probable given the poor choices for Peruvians.
The wolf in sheep's clothing may fool his fellow countrymen, but outside observers have seen this act before in Bolivia, almost in Honduras, and in Ecuador.
Electing those with dictatorial inclinations and a rabid ideology, already dooming Venezuela (and has already sunk Cuba), is usually not a good idea at all. He promises to reform the Peruvian constitution, just like Evo Morales in Bolivia, Rafael Correa in Ecuador, and almost like Mel Zelaya in Honduras.
Funny, the ''reform'' always seems to leave the Chavista in power for life.
The certain death of freedom in Peru and loss of another US ally in the region are one election away.
Ecuador
The elected Chavista dictators have not all had smooth roads to totalitarianism.
From aiding and abetting (including border refuge) Colombian FARC narcoterrorists, to roughing up his opposition, Rafael Correa's reign in Quito has had its fits and starts.
His melodramatic ''coup'' lie last year only follows the Chavista playbook that opponents are always out to assassinate them so this provides an automatic excuse to take away more freedom from the people.
Today, Correa's Diez Preguntas (10 Questions) apparently won a 57% SÍ from the people.
This is one of the most disheartening aspects of the Chavista agenda - winning at the ballot box that which could never be won as rebels in the field not so long ago.
The ''consulta nacional'' (national referendum) is a complete assault on the Ecuadoran constitution, market economics, and freedom.
The ''10 Questions" (en español) are laced with Chavista-charged language including attacks on private enterprise, ''reform of the judicial system'' especially detentions (...hmmm) and of course ''excesses'' by the press or telling the truth.
A free and independent (yes, that means privately-owned) press is a big obstacle to tyrants.
From Argentina where Cristina has relentlessly raged against media giant Clarin, to Bolivia where Evo Morales cowardly hid behind a supposed anti-racism law to muzzle the press, to Venezuela where Chavista goons have violently attacked Globovision's station, it is patently obvious the press must be ''reformed'' for tyranny to advance.
In wake of Correa's victory (and defeat for the country), Ecuador will be poorer, less free, and driven into greater despair by his Chavista schemes.
Conclusion
Dark clouds rumble on Latin America's horizon.
Given the corruption charges have been dropped against Chavista Mel Zelaya (ousted in Honduras for clumsily trying what Correa and Morales have pulled off), he could return and create mischief.
Honduras successfully fought off a Chavista coup - for now.
For Argentina, Bolivia, and Ecuador, the people opened the door to their tyrants. It is too late for them.
Peru has one last choice even a poor one to escape the Chavista mantle.
Will freedom triumph over fear?
***If you need research from open sources in Spanish, French, or Portuguese and presented in a stylish English language report or a translation of documents in said languages to English, please contact Professor Winn at by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.
Peru's embryonic democracy hangs in the balance.
Chavista Ollanta Humala, donning a business suit and tie and nice smile, but without overt Chavez endorsement this time unlike in the 2006 presidential race, appears bound for victory in the the second round on June 15. It is more probable given the poor choices for Peruvians.
The wolf in sheep's clothing may fool his fellow countrymen, but outside observers have seen this act before in Bolivia, almost in Honduras, and in Ecuador.
Electing those with dictatorial inclinations and a rabid ideology, already dooming Venezuela (and has already sunk Cuba), is usually not a good idea at all. He promises to reform the Peruvian constitution, just like Evo Morales in Bolivia, Rafael Correa in Ecuador, and almost like Mel Zelaya in Honduras.
Funny, the ''reform'' always seems to leave the Chavista in power for life.
The certain death of freedom in Peru and loss of another US ally in the region are one election away.
Ecuador
The elected Chavista dictators have not all had smooth roads to totalitarianism.
From aiding and abetting (including border refuge) Colombian FARC narcoterrorists, to roughing up his opposition, Rafael Correa's reign in Quito has had its fits and starts.
His melodramatic ''coup'' lie last year only follows the Chavista playbook that opponents are always out to assassinate them so this provides an automatic excuse to take away more freedom from the people.
Today, Correa's Diez Preguntas (10 Questions) apparently won a 57% SÍ from the people.
This is one of the most disheartening aspects of the Chavista agenda - winning at the ballot box that which could never be won as rebels in the field not so long ago.
The ''consulta nacional'' (national referendum) is a complete assault on the Ecuadoran constitution, market economics, and freedom.
The ''10 Questions" (en español) are laced with Chavista-charged language including attacks on private enterprise, ''reform of the judicial system'' especially detentions (...hmmm) and of course ''excesses'' by the press or telling the truth.
A free and independent (yes, that means privately-owned) press is a big obstacle to tyrants. From Argentina where Cristina has relentlessly raged against media giant Clarin, to Bolivia where Evo Morales cowardly hid behind a supposed anti-racism law to muzzle the press, to Venezuela where Chavista goons have violently attacked Globovision's station, it is patently obvious the press must be ''reformed'' for tyranny to advance.
In wake of Correa's victory (and defeat for the country), Ecuador will be poorer, less free, and driven into greater despair by his Chavista schemes.
Conclusion
Dark clouds rumble on Latin America's horizon.
Given the corruption charges have been dropped against Chavista Mel Zelaya (ousted in Honduras for clumsily trying what Correa and Morales have pulled off), he could return and create mischief.
Honduras successfully fought off a Chavista coup - for now.
For Argentina, Bolivia, and Ecuador, the people opened the door to their tyrants. It is too late for them.
Peru has one last choice even a poor one to escape the Chavista mantle.
Will freedom triumph over fear?
***If you need research from open sources in Spanish, French, or Portuguese and presented in a stylish English language report or a translation of documents in said languages to English, please contact Professor Winn at by sending an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.
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