Category Archives: International

Idaho, International

Idahoan interviewed by Iranian media, says U.S. foreign & domestic policy is two headed beast, not about democracy

An Idaho political commentator was interviewed by Iranian PressTV, which aired on May 13.

Controversial Mark Glenn, high school teacher turned political commentator,  stated that United States foreign policy is controlled by corporate America, and Israel: “…with Tel Aviv as well we have to keep in mind that this is a two-headed beast, it’s not just the U.S. and her political/business interests.”

Glenn also said that corporate capitalism and true democracy are not compatible: “Where there is freedom as far as capitalism goes where there is true freedom to choose, capitalism cannot thrive. Capitalism as much as we are told it is a supporter of a free market and competition, in true essence it is not. We do not want the people to have the opportunity to choose for themselves to make choices in their own best interests and so America at the highest political level is not in the least bit interested to have any form of democracy- it is the iron fist in a velvet glove.”

Events in the Middle East and North Africa will only make the U.S. government more aggressive:  “…if the U.S. and Israel manage to lose control of these governments in that part of the world they are going to up the ante as the saying goes and they are going to apply even more desperate measures to maintain the kind of control that they have enjoyed…”

 

International

Israel boosts border forces, bans access to Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israeli officials are concerned about upcoming Nakba demonstrations by Palestinians, Egyptians, Jordanians and Lebanese.  The demonstrations come one day after Israel celebrates its so called “Independence”.

Israelis are increasing military and police forces along their borders with Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon. They have also banned access to Al-Aqsa Mosque (aka Temple Mount). Only men more than 45 years old, and having Israeli ID will be allowed in.

Israeli officials say intelligence has picked up a huge increase in internet and cell phone activity between Palestinians.  In Gaza alone, officials expect at least a quarter million demonstrators on May 15.

 

International

Millions of people in the Middle East demonstrate for Palestinan freedom, Day of Unity prior to Nakba anniversary

May 13, hundreds of thousands of Egyptians are demonstrating in Cairo and Alexandria.  The demonstrators are calling for unity within Egypt, for former Mubarak officials to be brought to trial, and freedom for Palestinians.

In Jordan, hundreds of thousands of people are demonstrating, calling for the freedom of Palestinians.  People of Jordan and Lebanon are also planning on marching on Israel’s borders on May 15.

May 13 is National Unity Day in Egypt.  The Nakba, when Palestinians officially lost most of their land to Israel, is May 15.  Egyptians are planning a million man march to the Israeli/Egyptian border at Gaza, on May 15.

Earlier in the week, Palestinians in Fatah controlled West Bank, and Hamas controlled Gaza, held huge “Unity” demonstrations.

International, U.S.

Pakistani General cancels trip to Washington DC, relations between CIA and ISI broken

General Kahlid Shamim Wynne, Pakistan’s Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, canceled his planned six day visit to the United States.

The General has not yet given a reason.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani, said in an interview on May 12, that communication between the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, and Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence has broken down.

 

International

Pakistan makes official warning to U.S. Ambassador, next time it’s war

U.S. Ambassador Cameron Munter was summoned to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, where an official protest was issued to him.

Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Secretary, Salman Bashir, officially stated that the May 2 operation to assassinate Osama bin Laden was an attack on Pakistan.  He added the Pakistan will not tolerate any future operations from the U.S., without consultation.

Ambassador Munter said it was regretful that the U.S. did not consult with the Pakistani government before the operation.

The May 2 operation, and the fact that U.S. drone attacks continue, is splitting the Pakistani government.  Several political parties in the Pakistani Parliament,  are calling for an end to relations with the U.S.

International, U.S.

U.S. increases drone attacks in Pakistan, says War on Terror will not be scaled back

Since the supposed assassination of Osama bin Laden, the United States has actually increased the number of drone attacks in Pakistan.

Since May 2 there have been four attacks.

An unnamed official says the assassination of bin Laden will not affect U.S. policy in Pakistan: “There are absolutely no plans at present to cease or scale back U.S. counter terrorism operations in Pakistan.”

International, Opinion, U.S.

Libyan rebel representatives at the White House asking for money

As if the United States and Europe aren’t doing enough for the Libyan Civil War.  Today, May 13, Libyan rebel reps are meeting with President Obama, to ask for more money.

Mahmoud Jebril, with the rebel’s National Transitional Council, is asking that Obama turn over the frozen assets of Gaddafi.  Jebril is a U.S. educated technocrat, who is helping to lead the rebel campaign against the Libyan government.

Jebril says that if the rebel Council doesn’t get more money soon, they will not be able to pay their mercenaries, I mean rebel troops.  The implication is that the so called rebel freedom fighters would walk away.