...the results on stress tests of European banks have been released today. Even with their softball methods (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-23/stress-tests-for-banks-assume-loss-of-23-1-on-greek-debt-12-3-on-spain.html), seven major banks still failed, and plenty of others don't exactly come out of this smelling of roses either. The fact that the majority of the banks that failed are Spanish should also send some warning signals http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10732597
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/07/killer-drones-get-stealthy/
They're giving drones stealth technology.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/LG24Dg04.html
Kim Jong-eun is looking increasingly likely to be annointed the new leader of North Korea at this September's Communist Party meeting.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/LG24Ae01.html
The US is resuming bi-lateral military ties with Indonesia, whose military are...not nice people.
http://www.newshoggers.com/blog/2010/04/most-favored-cartel-status-up-for-grabs.html
Is the Mexican government embracing the Sinaloa Cartel? I've heard the rumour before, but I'm still not sure what to make of it.
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/sug_russian-spy-network-moved-money-to-zimbabwe-column--1057031.html
Looks like the Russians are doing business with Robert Mugabe....
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/39130.html#ixzz0sDlUO249
A former US colonel who was part of Iran-Contra is being accused of smuggling weapons into Somalia.
"US federal authorities accuse Joseph O'Toole, now 79, of conspiring with Israeli citizen Chanoch Miller, formerly an aeronautics engineer with Israeli defense firm Radom Aviation, to transport nearly 2,000 AK-47s from Bosnia to Banderal, Somalia. The smuggling operation, which employed forged end-user certificates issued in Chad, violated US weapons export control regulations, which are in compliance with a United Nations weapons embargo to war-ravaged Somalia. This is the second time O'Toole has been indicted with conspiring to smuggle weapons. In 1989, he was charged of working with fellow-American Richard St. Francis and Israeli alleged ex-Mossad operative Ari Ben-Menashe, to sell several US C-130 cargo airplanes to the Iranian government. Remarkably, the US government dropped all charges against O'Toole in 1991."
Woot.
I can see most of those links from this comp!
Thanks, Cain. The board is slower than dogshit, and this will give me something to while away a slow Friday.
It has been a pretty slow news week, truth be told. Afghanistan is rumbling on, the Mexican Drug War is rumbling on, the BP oil spill is rumbling on, the economic crisis has been rumbling on...not much new is actually happening.
Quote from: Cain on July 23, 2010, 06:55:43 PM
It has been a pretty slow news week, truth be told. Afghanistan is rumbling on, the Mexican Drug War is rumbling on, the BP oil spill is rumbling on, the economic crisis has been rumbling on...not much new is actually happening.
I like the stealthy drone thing.
So apparently the UN is claiming that the drones are illegal as they don't meet human rights requirements... something about extrajudicial killings being a bad idea..... pffffft. Morals, who needs 'em? We have Drones!
Also, consider the news about North Korea in the light of the current threat about nuclear weapons aimed at joint US-South Korean operations today. Kim's son is seen as somewhat unreliable by elements in the military, it is believed, and taking a hard posture against the USA may be his doing, to show the generals he cannot be intimidated and is capable of keeping up the brinkmanship diplomacy that his father has used so well.
Quote from: Cain on July 24, 2010, 06:50:24 AM
Also, consider the news about North Korea in the light of the current threat about nuclear weapons aimed at joint US-South Korean operations today. Kim's son is seen as somewhat unreliable by elements in the military, it is believed, and taking a hard posture against the USA may be his doing, to show the generals he cannot be intimidated and is capable of keeping up the brinkmanship diplomacy that his father has used so well.
Add in the planed US and S Korea joint 'training' exercise.
That's the one they're threatening to deter with nuclear weapons.
Quote from: Cain on July 24, 2010, 09:05:17 AM
That's the one they're threatening to deter with nuclear weapons.
In your opinion is he crazy enough to do it?
Not really. North Korea has a long history of threatening with nukes in order to achieve short term political goals. In this case, the USA is not the target of the threat, the North Korean generals are. There may be secondary benefits from the stalled negotiations for North Korea and that is probably also being taken into consideration. I can only really see those nukes ever coming into play in the event of an invasion of North Korea itself.
Quote from: Cain on July 24, 2010, 03:53:56 PM
Not really. North Korea has a long history of threatening with nukes in order to achieve short term political goals. In this case, the USA is not the target of the threat, the North Korean generals are. There may be secondary benefits from the stalled negotiations for North Korea and that is probably also being taken into consideration. I can only really see those nukes ever coming into play in the event of an invasion of North Korea itself.
I feel the same way, bur I have to admit his posturing does make me nervous.
I'm more worried about Pakistan's nukes - they're half a coup away from being in the hands of Islamist radicals who believe they're under attack from America - not just in a general sense, but right now with an army on the border and killer drones flying over the country.
Quote from: Cain on July 24, 2010, 04:05:04 PM
I'm more worried about Pakistan's nukes - they're half a coup away from being in the hands of Islamist radicals who believe they're under attack from America - not just in a general sense, but right now with an army on the border and killer drones flying over the country.
Pakistans are also long range, aren't they? And, yes that situation could turn very ugly very fast.
Do you blame them for thinking they are under attack by America?
Not super long range, but enough to cause discomfort in any forward operating bases in Central Asia.
Not really. They are under attack from America, just not for the reasons they think
"We are working to re-establish a trust with Pakistan which was virtually eliminated when we stopped our relationship with them in 1990," Mullen said in Friday's news briefing.
Saturday's visit comes two days after Pakistan's government extended the term of Mullen's counterpart, Pakistan Army Chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
But this will not address Lashkar-e-Taiba except as a threat.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/24/pakistan.mullen.arrival/index.html?hpt=Sbin
And meanwhile, humans are winnowing down the only possessions we really have of any meaning, our biological and intellectual heritage, the mass of information trapped within genes and monuments and writings, all being lost while petty arguments continue completely ignoring just how tiny and insignificant our world is, fragile and finite.
Done with the e-democracy thread, after seeing this. I have better things to do with my time.
Quote from: Kai on July 24, 2010, 07:23:37 PM
And meanwhile, humans are winnowing down the only possessions we really have of any meaning, our biological and intellectual heritage, the mass of information trapped within genes and monuments and writings, all being lost while petty arguments continue completely ignoring just how tiny and insignificant our world is, fragile and finite.
Done with the e-democracy thread, after seeing this. I have better things to do with my time.
Humans are immersed in theology, ideology and lines in the dirt. If those fail to explain a situation look for a profit motive.
The ones that aren't wrapped up in the above items are too worried about Lindsay Lohan tweets.
Torrential flooding across much of the nation has left 701 dead and hundreds missing, China's vice minister of water resources said.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/20/china.floods/index.html#fbid=oznrGCbBL7l
Nearly 15 million people in 10 provinces and regions along China's longest river, the Yangtze, have had their lives disrupted after heavy rains began July 8, according to a statement from the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief, Xinhua reported.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/12/china.levees.break/index.html#fbid=oznrGCbBL7l
The head of Iran's nuclear energy agency announced Saturday that the country had launched a "serious" nuclear fusion research program, according to state-run Press TV.
http://m.cnn.com/primary/_rRIH2n-i0sibA9pqDF
Having a bit of trouble loading that last link.
Quote from: Sigmatic on July 24, 2010, 07:58:59 PM
Having a bit of trouble loading that last link.
Hmm. Opened right up for me.
Quote from: Doktor Charley Brown on July 24, 2010, 07:48:45 PM
Humans are immersed in theology, ideology and lines in the dirt. If those fail to explain a situation look for a profit motive.
The ones that aren't wrapped up in the above items are too worried about Lindsay Lohan tweets.
The truly wonderful thing about self awareness and consciousness of the above is
choosing not to be swept up in it.
Quote from: Doktor Charley Brown on July 24, 2010, 08:00:46 PM
Quote from: Sigmatic on July 24, 2010, 07:58:59 PM
Having a bit of trouble loading that last link.
Hmm. Opened right up for me.
Worked on a different comp.
Interesting. I would be really pleased if they turn out to make a viable fusion reactor, but I doubt it's a move lacking in ulterior motive. Still, if they do make a fusion generator...
Quote from: Sigmatic on July 24, 2010, 08:10:15 PM
Quote from: Doktor Charley Brown on July 24, 2010, 08:00:46 PM
Quote from: Sigmatic on July 24, 2010, 07:58:59 PM
Having a bit of trouble loading that last link.
Hmm. Opened right up for me.
Worked on a different comp.
Interesting. I would be really pleased if they turn out to make a viable fusion reactor, but I doubt it's a move lacking in ulterior motive. Still, if they do make a fusion generator...
Seriously? Why? Don't you think the region is too unsettled for that?
Quote from: Doktor Charley Brown on July 24, 2010, 08:17:30 PM
Quote from: Sigmatic on July 24, 2010, 08:10:15 PM
Quote from: Doktor Charley Brown on July 24, 2010, 08:00:46 PM
Quote from: Sigmatic on July 24, 2010, 07:58:59 PM
Having a bit of trouble loading that last link.
Hmm. Opened right up for me.
Worked on a different comp.
Interesting. I would be really pleased if they turn out to make a viable fusion reactor, but I doubt it's a move lacking in ulterior motive. Still, if they do make a fusion generator...
Seriously? Why? Don't you think the region is too unsettled for that?
Because no human has been able to initiate a sustained and stable fusion reaction. It would be an enormous leap in nuclear physics.
Yeah, that. The instability is why I'm somewhat ambivalent. If they do it, yay. If, more likely, it produces nukes, fuckity shit.
Iran was ready to do an enriched uranium swap deal, but the US freaked out, because they want to keep the possibility of a war of Iran on the cards, as a final financial stimulus.
If I was surrounded on three sides by an enemy with the marked political instability that is the hallmark of US foreign policy, I'd want a nuke as well.
Quote from: Cain on July 24, 2010, 09:18:18 PM
Iran was ready to do an enriched uranium swap deal, but the US freaked out, because they want to keep the possibility of a war of Iran on the cards, as a final financial stimulus.
If I was surrounded on three sides by an enemy with the marked political instability that is the hallmark of US foreign policy, I'd want a nuke as well.
Oh, I can understand that, I just see the potential of another Pakistan situation.
Iran's a lot more centrally controlled, and a lot more rational in terms of its foreign policy. In fact, since the Revolution, Iran has been an exemplar of raison d'etat, cutting deals with Israel, the USA, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and India when required.
Quote from: Cain on July 24, 2010, 10:52:36 PM
Iran's a lot more centrally controlled, and a lot more rational in terms of its foreign policy. In fact, since the Revolution, Iran has been an exemplar of raison d'etat, cutting deals with Israel, the USA, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and India when required.
Point taken. What about outside forces?
Quote from: Doktor Charley Brown on July 24, 2010, 07:48:45 PM
Humans are immersed in theology, ideology and lines in the dirt. If those fail to explain a situation look for a profit motive.
You also forgot sex. Everything is about sex, even when it's not about sex.
Quote from: Doktor Charley Brown on July 24, 2010, 10:53:15 PM
Quote from: Cain on July 24, 2010, 10:52:36 PM
Iran's a lot more centrally controlled, and a lot more rational in terms of its foreign policy. In fact, since the Revolution, Iran has been an exemplar of raison d'etat, cutting deals with Israel, the USA, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and India when required.
Point taken. What about outside forces?
Iran wont give them any important weapons. It already has a highly developed chemical warfare program, and those have not been given to the likes of Hezbollah or Hamas.
Look at it this way - you are the leader of a terrorist group, reluctantly relying on the support of state backers who seek to use you for their own geopolitical ends. And then they give you a nuke. What is your first response? Well, mine would be to blackmail by state supporters for more, or else I set off the nuke in one of
their cities.
Most nations involved in supporting terrorism know their proxies are untrustworthy and unreliable. They have already considered the above scenario, and so have come to the conclusion it is better to just give them bullets, semtex and grenades.
Quote from: Cain on July 25, 2010, 11:55:54 AM
Quote from: Doktor Charley Brown on July 24, 2010, 10:53:15 PM
Quote from: Cain on July 24, 2010, 10:52:36 PM
Iran's a lot more centrally controlled, and a lot more rational in terms of its foreign policy. In fact, since the Revolution, Iran has been an exemplar of raison d'etat, cutting deals with Israel, the USA, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and India when required.
Point taken. What about outside forces?
Iran wont give them any important weapons. It already has a highly developed chemical warfare program, and those have not been given to the likes of Hezbollah or Hamas.
Look at it this way - you are the leader of a terrorist group, reluctantly relying on the support of state backers who seek to use you for their own geopolitical ends. And then they give you a nuke. What is your first response? Well, mine would be to blackmail by state supporters for more, or else I set off the nuke in one of their cities.
Most nations involved in supporting terrorism know their proxies are untrustworthy and unreliable. They have already considered the above scenario, and so have come to the conclusion it is better to just give them bullets, semtex and grenades.
Now this makes sense. Kind of like controlling them by self attrition!
Mexico City, Mexico (CNN) -- Authorities in the Mexican border state of Nuevo Leon have finished excavating and are trying to identify 51 bodies they found in nine hidden mass graves, state media said.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/07/25/mexico.mass.graves/index.html?iref=NS1
Cartels are getting nastier.
Quote from: Doktor Charley Brown on July 25, 2010, 03:21:54 PM
Mexico City, Mexico (CNN) -- Authorities in the Mexican border state of Nuevo Leon have finished excavating and are trying to identify 51 bodies they found in nine hidden mass graves, state media said.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/07/25/mexico.mass.graves/index.html?iref=NS1
Cartels are getting nastier.
"Narco-fosas" aren't a new trend...
Just sayin'.
Quote from: Cain on July 24, 2010, 04:05:04 PM
I'm more worried about Pakistan's nukes - they're half a coup away from being in the hands of Islamist radicals who believe they're under attack from America - not just in a general sense, but right now with an army on the border and killer drones flying over the country.
Yup. I've been worried about this for YEARS. Meh.
Quote from: Joh'Nyx on July 26, 2010, 12:20:08 AM
Quote from: Doktor Charley Brown on July 25, 2010, 03:21:54 PM
Mexico City, Mexico (CNN) -- Authorities in the Mexican border state of Nuevo Leon have finished excavating and are trying to identify 51 bodies they found in nine hidden mass graves, state media said.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/07/25/mexico.mass.graves/index.html?iref=NS1
Cartels are getting nastier.
"Narco-fosas" aren't a new trend...
Just sayin'.
Naw. They're just not as well hidden as they used to was.
Quote from: Cain on July 25, 2010, 11:55:54 AM
Quote from: Doktor Charley Brown on July 24, 2010, 10:53:15 PM
Quote from: Cain on July 24, 2010, 10:52:36 PM
Iran's a lot more centrally controlled, and a lot more rational in terms of its foreign policy. In fact, since the Revolution, Iran has been an exemplar of raison d'etat, cutting deals with Israel, the USA, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and India when required.
Point taken. What about outside forces?
Iran wont give them any important weapons. It already has a highly developed chemical warfare program, and those have not been given to the likes of Hezbollah or Hamas.
Look at it this way - you are the leader of a terrorist group, reluctantly relying on the support of state backers who seek to use you for their own geopolitical ends. And then they give you a nuke. What is your first response? Well, mine would be to blackmail by state supporters for more, or else I set off the nuke in one of their cities.
Most nations involved in supporting terrorism know their proxies are untrustworthy and unreliable. They have already considered the above scenario, and so have come to the conclusion it is better to just give them bullets, semtex and grenades.
This. Iran would loose an important advantage to a group of people that might turn on them at any moment. Even if they didn't turn right around and use blackmail, they may eventually become a target for different reasons themselves.