Monday, December 1, 2008

Nuclear Tuesday, Cuba Es Verdad

In case you missed it, we came a few steps closer to a nuclear war this weekend, and the US wasn't even involved. The horrible tragedy in Bombay also triggered the existing paranoia between India and Pakistan, and if not contained, could blow up, literally, in front of our noses.

200 people dead, well over 300 wounded by a small group of men who used small boats to come ashore and disperse into the population, their goal to try and kill as much as 5,000 people as quickly as they can. In an orgy of violence like this, there is no reason to justify it and none have been given, death becomes the reason itself. One terrorist who was captured alive is a 22 year old male from Pakistan, and the Indian government has hinted at Pakistani complicity, causing the Pakistani government to bring soldiers from the area around Afghanistan to guard the border. 3 wars have already been fought between these two countries.

The US is sending an FBI team and Condoleeza Rice to help out, hoping to diffuse the escalating tensions. Diplomatic relations may be severed, and India has said that they may even strike into Pakistan without their approval, much like the US has gone into Pakistan. One of the frustrating reasons the US has had working with the Pakistani police, is they see their main purpose is to prevent war with India, not learn counter-insurgency techniques against guerilla type warfare.

The people of Mumbai are pretty pissed at their police, the head of India's security service has resigned, and other politicians may also resign. If only they would practice this in the US... One anonymous source said that part of the problem has been India's reliance on technology to get intelligence instead of sending operatives out into the streets to get it in person. Most impressive has been the civilian response, how quickly people have been rushed to the hospitals, and how quickly neighbors are taking care of neighbors, sparking another criticism on how the Indian infrastructure responds too slowly and sluggishly.

In the meantime, business as usual is going on in the Middle East, with homemade bombings in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Baghdad this morning.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has journeyed to Venezuela and signed an agreement with Hugo Chavez to help them develop nuclear reactors "for energy purposes." He also has conducted an arms deal, and Russian oil companies will help search for more oil fields. Venezuela is a member of OPEC and one of the largest producers of oil. We buy a lot of oil from Venezuela and Iran... 

Beating the US to the next chess move, Medvedev also visited with Cuba and talked to Raoul Castro. Lifting the Cuban embargo and normalizing relations with Cuba was going to be our next move, we'll see if it still will happen once Obama gets into office. Remember that Hillary Clinton is rather hawkish herself.

Oh yeah, there is also an attempted coup happening in Thailand, but since the Army is trying to stay out of it, not much attention is being expended.


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