Category Archives: International

International, U.S.

Drug War: Drug Lord gets new life in Spain thanks to the U.S. taxpayer!

On 28 May 2012, Spanish media reported that a Colombian drug lord, Javier Antonio Calle Serna (aka Comba), and his parents, sister, wife and kids, are now living a new life in Spain.

The drug lord worked in the Norte del Valle cartel before forming his own drug gang, known as the Rastrojos.  He surrendered to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) on 6 May.

He was supposed to stand trial in New York City, however, the Spanish newspaper, El Mundo, says Spanish authorities also wanted the drug lord for drug dealing and money laundering in their country.

In the end the drug boss agreed to tell everything he knew, in exchange for a new life in Spain, thanks in part to the U.S. DEA.  What’s interesting is that the Spanish media reports his whole family arrived in Spain back in April!

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Global Economic War: New study shows lack of business had a lot to do with the collapse of the Mayan Empire. Similar to the collapse of the Caliphate. “It’s the Economy stupid.”

A new study published in the journal Antiquity, reveals a new factor in the collapse of the Mayan Empire.  You can now add ‘bad economy’ to social unrest, disease, warfare, drought and deforestation.

The bad economy was due to a shift away from inland centers of business, to coastal centers.  Researchers at the University of Illinois say the main product the Mayan’s traded was obsidian.  It was used for making tools, as the Mesoamericans had not yet learned how to make metals strong enough for tools.

Researchers say Mayan maps show that the obsidian, and other products, were increasingly sent to coastal areas for trade.  They are not sure why, but speculate that military/political/social/environmental problems inland could be factors. Also, methods to ship over water probably improved.

I think they are correct, because if you study the demise of the Islamic Caliphate you realize that it was a combination of internal political disputes and, mainly, the ability of the Europeans to sail directly to Asia, thus avoiding the traditional Silk Road.

The invasion of North Africa by Napoleon, and finally the demise of the Ottoman Empire, were only the end result of a long period of decline for the Muslim Empire.

From the beginning of the Caliphate there were always internal problems arising out of differences of opinions as to how the Empire should be run, but that’s typical with all societies. The true cause of their collapse is economic. The Muslim Empire controlled most of the famous Silk Road trade routes, and the Christian Crusades were attempts by Europeans to regain a piece of that pie (of which they had since the time of Alexander the Great, forget the rhetoric about religion and god).

It actually began in earnest when the Portuguese, followed by the British and Dutch, were able to finally sail around Africa to the point where the Silk Road actually began, in a sense cutting out the middle men who controlled the trade routes through the Muslim Empire.

What’s been going on since the discovery of oil in the Middle East, is an attempt by Western societies to maintain control of the region, and prevent the locals (who have radically different ideas about politics/religion/economics) from regaining a position of economic power.

So, as usual, most wars are economic, that is, an attempt to monopolize international trade. As one infamous U.S. President said, before he became president: “It’s the economy, stupid!”-Campaign slogan created for Bill Clinton, by James Carville, criticizing then U.S. President George H.W. Bush

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; May 23-27. 5 U.S./NATO deaths in 2 days. More civilian deaths. Civilians fighting back. Politicians cave to U.S. bribes. Cops stealing oil and running drugs. France will keep troops in country after all!

“Afghanistan would sign long term partnership agreement with the People’s Republic of China and the agreement will probably be inked during President Hamid Karzai’s participation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit on June 6-7 in China.”–Zalmai Rasoul, Foreign Minister of Afghanistan

China will join United States, Britain, Germany, India, Italy and Australia in long term “strategic” pacts with Afghanistan.

27 May 2012, local officials in Paktia Province are now confirming that a U.S./NATO airstrike, on the night of 26 May, has killed eight civilians, and that not a single Mujahideen was killed.

Earlier, reports said as many as 20 Mujahideen were killed by the U.S. led airstrike, but when local officials investigated all they found were the bodies of one man, his wife and their six children!

Also on 27 May 2012, Afghan Ministry of Defense says five of their soldiers were killed, and 13 wounded in battles in the following provinces: Kapisa, Kunar and Laghman.

The Ministry of the Interior claims that six Mujahideen were killed, two wounded, and nine captured in the following provinces: Kapisa, Kandahar, Maidan Wardak and Khost.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) says three U.S./NATO personnel were killed by Mujahideen attacks in eastern Afghanistan, on 27 May.  ISAF also confirmed that four U.S./NATO personnel were killed by explosions on 26 May.  ISAF did not give much info (SOP) other than the explosions were separate incidents.

About 169 occupying personnel have been killed since the beginning of 2012.

In Baghlan Province, five people wearing police uniforms tried to steal a truck hauling oil. They were arrested.  Owners of the oil tankers are praising local authorities because hi-jackings of tankers by people wearing police uniforms has been ongoing on Baghlan-Samangan highway.

26 May 2012, in Kabul Province two police officers were arrested and accused of helping alcohol and drug traffickers. Officials say one of the arrested cops is a high level officer.

The counter-narcotics and intoxicants court, in Kabul city, says in the past month at least 50 people have been detained.  Compare that to last year when a total of 53 people were detained.  Now realize that those 53 people included 33 cops!

Also on 26 May, officials in Ghazni Province say local civilians, and the local Mujahideen group Islamic Party of Afghanistan (Hezb-e-Islami), repelled an attack from an outsider group.

The local civilian militia, and Hezb-e-Islami, claim to have killed 12 and captured 15 of the outsider militants.  The report also says the attacks took place in at least five villages.  Other sources say the attacks took place weeks ago and are only now being reported.

The new French President, Francois Hollande, has pulled an Obama! Just weeks ago he sounded like he was getting France out of Afghanistan altogether.  Now he admits that even after the official French withdrawal there will still be 1,400 French troops in country, to help the United States with training and logistics.

On 23 May, one member of the Afghan Parliament (National Assembly of Afghanistan), Qorban-Ali Erfani, said the United States was bribing officials with money and promises of immigration to the U.S., if they would approve the midnight military pact signed by Obama and Karzai on 1 May.

On 26 May the parliament approved the pact.  But wait, there’s more!  Of the 249 members of parliament only 183 were present, and only six of them voted against it. Where were the other 66?  Unnamed sources say the 66 who were no shows were threatened because they were openly against the Obama/Karzai pact.

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Global Food Crisis: Japan now dependent upon other countries for fish, as much as a 74% increase!

25 May 2012, Japan’s Fishery Ministry reports a huge decrease in fish catches.  Blame the 11 March 2011 disasters.

The reports says the fishing industry in the northeast of Japan was hit hard by the disasters, and has not been able to recover enough to supply Japan with enough fish.  Supplies of local fish to Japanese markets is at about 78% of what it was before the disasters.

About 70% of the fishing boats damaged or destroyed have been repaired or replaced.

And don’t forget the fish that are radioactive.

As a result Japan has increased imports of Pacific saury (aka mackerel pike) by as much as 74%.  Oyster imports are up 20%.

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Government Incompetence: U.S. Courts allow Japanese banks to do buisiness with Iran

On 17 May 2012, the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ filed a suit against the U.S. government’s sanctions on Iran.

25 May 2012, the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ said they’ve officially restarted transactions with Iran, after a U.S. court decided in their favor.

The whole thing was because of a U.S. federal judge deciding that Iran was responsible for the 1983 bombing of the USMC barracks in Beirut, after the U.S. invaded Lebanon.  Their is little evidence to back up such a claim. And by the way, shouldn’t the invader (the United States) by held responsible?

Attorney’s for Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ argued that the U.S. court ruling is not valid under Japanese law.

It’s estimated that the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ handles 70-80% of Japan’s transactions with Iran.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Global Economic War: Japan & China drop the U.S. dollar, will use their own money for international transactions! Britain wants in on the deal!

26 May 2012, Japan and China could begin using their own money for international transactions as early as June.

The two countries have been working on a plan to conduct business with each other using the yen and the yuan, and avoiding international banks requiring the U.S. dollar.

Japan’s Kyodo News said Japan and China need to use their own money in order to reduce risks associated with exchange rate fluctuations in the U.S. dollar.

Japan’s NHK is also reporting that United Kingdom and Singapore want similar deals with China. This is an acceleration of the Chinese yuan as the new international currency, replacing the U.S. dollar!

Business/Economics, International, Technology, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Desperate Mazda to sell out to Fiat, look out that Alfa Romeo might actually be a Miata from Japan!

23 May 2012, after losing it’s former supporter, Ford, Mazda is now desperate for help from a bigger car maker.  In steps Fiat.

Fiat already owns most Italian brands, like Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Mazarati, and they’re majority owner of Chrysler.

NHK reporting that a deal between Mazda and Fiat would see the two seat Mazda roadster (known as Miata in the U.S.) being equipped with a Fiat engine and sold as an Alfa Romeo.

Mazda and Fiat would work together to produce more fuel efficient engines, and Fiat could incorporate Mazda technology into its Fiat 500 mini car.

Back in March, Mazda reported their fourth straight year of huge losses!

International, U.S.

World War 3: Afghan Parliament rejecting U.S. military pact. U.S. bribing Afghan politicians with promises of Green Cards.

23 May 2012, two parliamentary committees have rejected the military pact signed in a midnight meeting between Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and U.S. President Barack Obama.

One of those committees is the Judicial Committee, which ruled that the military pact violates the national interests of Afghans.  The pact must be approved by the Afghan parliament.

Qorban-Ali Erfani, a member of the National Assembly of Afghanistan (parliament), said officials from Karzai’s administration, and the United States government, are busy trying to bribe politicians into approving the Strategic Partnership Agreement.

The bribes include money and promises of paperwork allowing them to immigrate to the United States (Green Cards).

Erfani also said that U.S. statements about the Afghan police and army being ready to take over are all propaganda. He claims that in the past 11 years nothing has been done to make Afghan security forces truly self-sufficient.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: General Allen issues statement proving that U.S. will be “in Region” for long time to come

The following is ISAF commander, U.S. General John R. Allen’s 21 May 2012 statement following the NATO/Afghanistan summit in Chicago. It shows that not only will the U.S. stay in Afghanistan, but considers the whole region vital to U.S. national interest.

I am grateful for the overwhelming commitment from the international community to support Afghanistan through 2014 and beyond. I was proud to join in the NATO Summit in Chicago that sent three unmistakable messages to the world:

• To the Afghan people: we are committed to your future,
• To the Region: the international community will not abandon Afghanistan; and
• To the Taliban: you cannot wait us out.

Among the important outcomes of this event was the resounding commitment by the ISAF partner nations for the long term support of an Afghan National Security Force that is sufficient, capable, and sustainable in the post-2014 period.

This historic summit took place at a time of considerable operational progress in our shared campaign. Because of the extraordinary courage and skill of our ISAF coalition partners, and the Afghan National Security Force’s fighting men and women, this spring and summer, the insurgents have come back to find that many of their caches are empty; their former strongholds are untenable; and a good many of their foot soldiers absent or unwilling to join the fight. And, most importantly, insurgents are facing a battle-tested and increasingly capable Afghan National Security Force that is also serving as a source of pride to the Afghan people and a symbol of unity for this country.

During the last 12 months, the Afghan security forces have expanded from 276,000 to 340,000. They will reach their full surge strength ahead of the scheduled deadline in October. Additionally, Afghan forces are increasingly in the lead throughout the battle space, and the Afghans were in the lead for planning of this year’s campaign plan, Operation Naweed.

The expansion and professionalization of Afghan security forces now allow us to recover the remaining 23,000 U.S. surge troops by this fall, enable us to continue to pressure the Taliban to reintegrate and reconcile, and make possible security transition to the Afghans in accordance with our Lisbon commitments – and on time.

President Karzai’s historic announcement of Tranche 3 of the transition process is a significant milestone in our progress. The coming transition of every provincial capital and the Afghan National Security Forces providing security lead for three-quarters of the population marks the ever-increasing authority and capability of the Government of Afghanistan.

This summit, with its unambiguous commitment of long term support for the security of Afghanistan, is the clearest message yet the Taliban and the enemies of the Afghan people will not win this war. The Afghan National Security Forces, with the unwavering support and tangible commitments of the 50-nation coalition, grow stronger every day. Additionally, the Summit was a powerful signal of international support for an Afghan-led process of reconciliation; and in this process resides the greatest hope for the Taliban for the future. In the wake of this historic NATO Summit, as the Taliban see that their time grows short, they can choose to be part of the prosperous future of Afghanistan, but they can never prevail through violence and intimidation.

This campaign has been long, it has been difficult, and it has been costly. But I believe that ISAF’s campaign is on track. I see it every day – tangible evidence of progress. We are making a difference. We are fulfilling the Lisbon Roadmap of Transition, and the international community is standing with the noble Afghan people and Afghanistan now and into the Decade of Transformation. 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S./NATO/ISAF Chicago declaration on Afghanistan; “task is not yet complete”

Preamble

  1. We, the nations contributing to ISAF, and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, met today in Chicago to renew our firm commitment to a sovereign, secure and democratic Afghanistan. In line with the strategy which we agreed at the Lisbon Summit, ISAF’s mission will be concluded by the end of 2014. But thereafter Afghanistan will not stand alone: we reaffirm that our close partnership will continue beyond the end of the transition period.
  2. In the ten years of our partnership the lives of Afghan men, women and children, have improved significantly in terms of security, education, health care, economic opportunity and the assurance of rights and freedoms. There is more to be done, but we are resolved to work together to preserve the substantial progress we have made during the past decade. The nations contributing to ISAF will therefore continue to support Afghanistan on its path towards self-reliance in security, improved governance, and economic and social development. This will prevent Afghanistan from ever again becoming a safe haven for terrorists that threaten Afghanistan, the region, and the world. A secure and stable Afghanistan will make an important contribution to its region, in which security, stability and development are interlinked.
  3. ISAF nations and Afghanistan join in honoring all those – civilian or military, Afghan or foreign – who have lost their lives or been injured in the fight for our common security and a prosperous, peaceful and stable Afghanistan. We pay particular tribute to the courage of the armed forces of Afghanistan and ISAF countries who live, train and fight next to each other every day. We are determined that all our sacrifices will be justified by our strong long-term partnership, which will contribute to a better future for the people of Afghanistan.

General principles

  1. Our efforts are part of the broader engagement of the International Community as outlined by the Kabul Conference in July 2010, the Istanbul Process on regional security and cooperation which was launched in November 2011 and the Bonn Conference in December 2011.
  2. We recall the firm mutual commitments made at the Bonn Conference on 5 December 2011, which form the basis of our long-term partnership. In this context, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan confirms its resolve to deliver on its commitment to a democratic society, based on the rule of law and good governance, including progress in the fight against corruption, where the human rights and fundamental freedoms of its citizens, including the equality of men and women and the active participation of both in Afghan society, are respected. The forthcoming elections must be conducted with full respect for Afghan sovereignty and in accordance with the Afghan Constitution. Their   transparency, exclusivity and credibility will also be of paramount importance. In this context, continued progress towards these goals will encourage ISAF nations to further provide their support up to and beyond 2014.
  3. We emphasize the importance of full participation of all Afghan women in the reconstruction, political, peace and reconciliation processes in Afghanistan and the need to respect the institutional arrangements protecting their rights. We remain committed to the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on women, peace and security. We recognize also the need for the protection of children from the damaging effects of armed conflict as required in relevant UNSCRs.

Fulfilling the Lisbon Roadmap and building the Enduring Partnership

  1. In Lisbon, in November 2010, we decided on the phased transition of security responsibility from ISAF to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), in order to enable Afghans to take full responsibility for their own security. NATO/ISAF and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan remain committed to this transition strategy which began in July 2011. Irreversible transition is on track and will be completed by the end of 2014. We also recognize in this context the importance of a comprehensive approach and continued improvements in governance and development.
  2. The third wave of provinces to enter the transition process was announced by President Karzai on 13 May 2012. This means that 75% of Afghanistan’s population will soon be living in areas where the ANSF have taken the lead for security. By mid-2013, all parts of Afghanistan will have begun transition and the Afghan forces will be in the lead for security nation-wide. This will mark an important milestone in the Lisbon roadmap. ISAF is gradually and responsibly drawing down its forces to complete its mission by 31 December 2014.
  3. The success of transition has been enabled by the substantial improvement of the ANSF since Lisbon in terms of capability and professionalism. Afghan soldiers are increasingly taking the lead in operations on Afghan soil. Afghan forces, both army and police, have proven able to maintain security in those areas which have  already entered into transition.
  4. The completion of transition, however, will not mean the end of the International Community’s commitment to Afghanistan’s stability and development. Afghanistan and NATO reaffirm their commitment to further develop the NATO-Afghanistan Enduring Partnership signed at Lisbon in 2010 in all its dimensions, up to 2014 and beyond, including through joint programs to build capacity such as the Building Integrity Initiative. In this context, NATO and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will now deepen their consultations towards shaping the Enduring Partnership.
  5. Meanwhile, we welcome the fact that a number of ISAF countries have concluded, or are in the process of concluding, bilateral partnership agreements with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. These bilateral partnership frameworks will form the basis of cooperation and friendship between an independent, sovereign and democratic Afghanistan and those countries on the basis of equality and mutual interest.

Beyond 2014

  1. In order to safeguard and build on the substantial progress and shared achievement, ISAF nations reaffirm their enduring commitment to Afghan security beyond 2014; the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan continues to welcome that support.
  2. ISAF, including the NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan, has played a key role in taking the ANSF to the levels they have now reached. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan reaffirms that NATO has a crucial part to play, with partners and alongside other actors, in training, advising and assisting the ANSF and invites NATO to continue its support. As transition of security responsibility is completed at the end of 2014, NATO will have made the shift from a combat mission to a new training, advising and assistance mission, which will be of a different nature to the current ISAF mission.
  3. We agree to work towards establishing such a new NATO-led mission. We will ensure that the new mission has a sound legal basis, such as a United Nations Security Council Resolution.

Sustaining the ANSF

  1. With the support of ISAF nations, Afghanistan is committed to developing an ANSF which is governed by the Constitution and is capable of providing security to all Afghans. It will operate under effective civilian leadership, in accordance with the rule of law, and respecting human rights.
  2. At the International Afghanistan Conference in Bonn on 5 December 2011, the wider International Community decided to support the training, equipping, financing and capability development of the ANSF beyond the end of the transition period. NATO Allies and ISAF partners reaffirm their strong commitment to this process and will play their part in the financial sustainment of the ANSF. We also call on the International Community to commit to this long-term sustainment. The pace and the size of a gradual managed force reduction from the ANSF surge peak to a sustainable level will be conditions-based and decided by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in consultation with the International Community. The preliminary model for a future total ANSF size, defined by the International Community and the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, envisages a force of 228,500 with an estimated annual budget of US$4.1billion, and will be reviewed regularly against the developing security environment.
  3. Sustaining a sufficient and capable ANSF is the responsibility of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan supported by the International Community. As part of the wider International Community, and building upon existing mechanisms, we will play our part in developing appropriate, coherent and effective funding mechanisms and expenditure arrangements for all strands of the ANSF.   Such mechanisms will be flexible, transparent, accountable, cost-effective and will include measures against corruption. They will also distinguish between funding for the army and the police as well as for further capacity development within the relevant Afghan ministries and security institutions.
  4. As the Afghan economy and the revenues of the Afghan government grow, Afghanistan’s yearly share will increase progressively from at least US$500m in 2015, with the aim that it can assume, no later than 2024, full financial responsibility for its own security forces. In the light of this, during the Transformation Decade, we expect international donors will reduce their financial contributions commensurate with the assumption by the Afghan government of increasing financial responsibility.
  5. As the Afghan National Police further develop and professionalize, they will evolve towards a sustainable, credible, and accountable civilian law enforcement force that will shoulder the main responsibility for domestic security. This force should be capable of providing policing services to the Afghan population as part of the broader Afghan rule of law system. This will require an adequate plan to be developed by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, supported as appropriate by the International Police Coordination Board (IPCB) or its successor. Both the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police will play a crucial role in ensuring security and stability, and in supporting legitimate governance and sustainable economic growth across the country.

Towards a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan

  1. A political process involving successful reconciliation and reintegration is key to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. In this context, we reiterate the importance of the principles decided at the Bonn Conference. These are that the process leading to reconciliation must be truly Afghan-led and Afghan-owned, and must be inclusive and representative of the legitimate interests of all Afghan people, regardless of gender or status. Reconciliation must also contain the reaffirmation of a sovereign, stable and united Afghanistan, the renunciation of violence, the breaking of ties to international terrorism, and compliance with the Afghan Constitution, including its human rights provisions, especially on the rights of women.
  2. A peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan will positively contribute to economic and social development in the wider region, and deliver progress in the fight against narcotics trafficking, illegal migration, terrorism and crime. In this context, regional cooperation and support for stability in Afghanistan is key. There are two important events on the way to securing the future commitment of key regional and international partners. The upcoming Kabul Ministerial Conference on the Istanbul Process will launch an initial set of regional confidence-building measures while at the Tokyo Conference the International Community and Afghan leadership will discuss a framework for future development assistance.
  3. Our task is not yet complete. But in the light of our substantial achievements, and building on our firm and shared commitment, we are confident that our strong partnership will lead Afghanistan towards a better future.