January 31, 2005
No (Darfur) Blood for China and France’s Oil!
The United Nations is set to release a report which concludes that the humanitarian crisis perpetrated in the Darfur region of Sudan against non-Muslim Africans by government backed Arab militias is not “genocide.” Since the United States government has all…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
MUST READ
Be sure to read… Arthur Chrenkoff’s 20th installment of A roundup of the past two weeks’ good news from Iraq, which includes news of Sunday’s election. how the German media had an 80% negative quotient for reporting on the Iraq…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Is North Korea Collapsing?
Over the last few months we have reported on various stories from North Korea indicating that strange events were taking place inside the Stalinist enclave, some of which indicated a weakening of the Kim Jong-Il regime. Yesterday the Times Online…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 30, 2005
Ten Observations From the Iraq Election
We contemplated writing an in-depth (and potentially self-righteous) entry on the historic elections in Iraq, but decided a concise list of our ten observations from the election would convey their implications more precisely: 1) The allure of democracy is more…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (2)
Kojo’s Role in Oil for Food Deepens
The Times Online has obtained information that Kojo Annan, the son of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, was involved in negotiations for at least one (failed) oil deal related to the Oil for Food program: THE son of the United…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Congratulations for Iraq
We would like to congratulate the Iraqi people for refusing to be intimidated by the jihadists and jaded Bathists aiming to derail progress and democracy with hallow threats and random acts of violence. The Iraqis defied all expectations by turning…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (1)
January 29, 2005
The Turtle Bay Circus Continues
While visiting one of our favorite think tanks this morning, the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, we stumbled upon this op-ed piece revealing a disappointing incident that transpired during the tsunami relief effort, but has all but been ignored:…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 28, 2005
Green Hawks
Robert Bryce at Slate magazine has an interesting piece on the developing and somewhat strange alliance between environmentalists and “hawks.” Here is an excerpt of the piece, which we highly recommend reading in its entirety (please note that the author…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Not So Fast…
Those across the Atlantic who have dreamed of the day when the EU surpasses the Untied States as the global economic powerhouse might need to revise their expectations: Most EU countries have failed to put in place policies aimed at…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 27, 2005
Ted’s Brilliant Idea
Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy said today that he wanted the United Nations to take over the Iraqi mission from the United States. Such a policy would of course include transferring military, peacekeeping, and budgetary duties, among others. The budgetary problems…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Remembering Auschwitz
As world leaders gather in Auschwitz to pay their respects to the many who passed through those infamous gates never to return, we wish to direct you towards a an entry we posted a few months back in response to…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
The Killing Resumes
Despite agreeing to a ceasefire requiring an end air attacks against the Darfur region, of Sudan the Sudanese air force has launched fresh bombing raids in Darfur: The Sudanese air force has bombed villages in Darfur despite agreeing to stop…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (1)
Fully Capable of Undermining Itself
As foreign news papers gripe about “neo-conservatives” trying to undermine the United Nations, and the domestic media reports of Republican “attacks” on the world body, none of these entities discuss the excellent job the United Nations is doing to undermine…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 26, 2005
No Blood for Freedom?
Reading through Washington Post columnist David Ignatius’ latest piece Reality Check for the Neo-Wilsonians, we stumbled upon this interesting piece of information: Bush’s idealism astonishes even Saakashvili. The Georgian leader recalls a meeting at the White House last year in…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Visualizing China’s Oil Quest
An excerpt from the Investor’s Business Daily, the source of the above image: [China's] oil imports hit a record 12.1 million tons in December. For 2004, they soared nearly 35% to 122.7 million tons. China will consume 8 million…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
MUST READ
Be sure to read… Chrenkoff today because he is on a roll. Specifically, he discredits the “violence is increasing before the Iraqi election” falsehood, reports on a recently translated poll indicating the Iraqi’s have a strong desire to vote ,…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Debunking the “Declining America” Myth
Taking aim at a recent barage of “America is declining” hit-pieces (see here and here), Victor Davis Hanson systematically debunks the hallowed premises of these articles. Here is an excerpt of his analysis: But this country is now in its…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 25, 2005
Sunni Leaders Changing Their Tune?
The New York Times reported today that while most major Sunni “leaders” are boycotting the national elections, they have every intention of participating in the creation of a permanent Iraqi constitution. Here is an excerpt: “Certainly because we withdrew from…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Anti-Semitism Marches On
Earlier today we recommended reading a piece over at the Moderate Voice on rising anti-Semitism in Russia. It turns out their analysis was 100% correct as the AP reports that Russian lawmakers are targeting Jewish groups: A group of nationalist…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (1)
MUST READ
Be sure to read… the disturbing post-modernist responses on the BBC website in response to the following question: Should Iran suspend its nuclear program? (Absolute ‘MUST READ’) the account of a would-be suicide bomber in Iraq who now wants vengeance…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
EU Constituion Anti-Smear Force
The Times of London reports that the EU parliament is preparing to create a “rapid reaction force” to respond to what it (subjectively) considers to be “unfair” criticisms of the EU constitution: As part of a campaign by Brussels, to…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 24, 2005
Bush Doctrine Legitimized?
Lost among the car bombings and miscellaneous violence in Iraq last week was the words of top Iraqi terrorist Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi seemingly confirming that the Bush Administration policy of promoting democracy in the Arab World is correct: “We have…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
MUST READ
Be sure to read… why hydrogen fuel may not be the alternative to oil that many (including us) think it is. about the heroic actions of a college colleague of ours, Neil Prakash, which earned him a Silver Star while…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Diverting Environmental Attention
Among the many non-environmental functions played by global warming alarmism, the most overlooked role is the diversion of world attention away from verifiable and arguably more dangerous environmental damage. For instance, we told you in June 2004 how despite overall…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 23, 2005
Zarqawi Capture Update
We reported back on January 4 that there were rumors the top terrorist in Iraq, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, had been captured. Normally we will not report rumors without credible information to back them up, but the source of the information…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 22, 2005
Icelandic Selfishness
We are having difficulty determining which part of this story is most appalling: that a week before the Iraqi elections, a group of Icelanders are trying to undermine post-Saddam Iraq or that they selfishly spent over $100K on a full-page…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 21, 2005
Defending Syria
Continuing Russia’s recent trend of supporting state sponsors of terror (reference their enabling of Iran’s clandestine nuclear program), Russian officials came to the defense of Syria amidst the Bush Administration stating (the obvious) that Syria has ties to terrorism. At…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
MUST READ
Be sure to read… the Transatlantic Intelligencer discussing Hillary Clinton and the trouble with ‘minority rights’ in the context of the maligned European Romas, but also the misrepresented Kosovo Liberation Army. Victor Davis Hanson examining the misconceptions and falsehoods surrounding…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Shiites Eager to Vote
In a surprising move by the MSM, USA Today decided to move beyond the overwhelming negative coverage of Iraq and reported today on the eagerness of Iraq Shiites to vote. Here is an excerpt of their piece: Like any shrewd…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
America’s Theo van Gogh?
Despite growing evidence indicating a religious hate crime was indeed committed in the murder of a Coptic Christian family by Islamists in New Jersey, it is still too early to decide whether or not that is truly the case. Until…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 20, 2005
The Smoke is Thickening
Fox News is reporting that Samir Vincent, the first person charged and convicted in connection with the Oil for Food Scandal, has informed U.S. authorities that he has first-hand knowledge of at least one U.N. Official taking a bribe from…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
MUST READ
Be sure to read… The Daily Demarche’s roundup of world headlines concerning President Bush’s inauguration. Why Russia is erecting a monument to Joseph Stalin. about China’s risky scramble for oil. Thomas Friedman discussing how in terms of support for President…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
A Hopeful Sign
“The greatest affliction to strike the nation of Islam came from some of its own sons, who were lured by the devil… They have called the nation infidel, they have shed protected blood and they have spread vice on earth,…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Interesting Blog Concept
If you have ever wanted to experience the thrill of blogging before setting up your own blog, you are in luck. The creators of the Foreign Service blog The Daily Demarche have established My Blog is Your Blog to allow…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 19, 2005
Increasing Anti-Semitism in France
It is undeniable that anti-Semitism has increased throughout Europe over the last few years. The reasons for this phenomenon range from ever-increasing Muslim populations to anti-Israel sentiment to a biased media. And nowhere is anti-Semitism stronger in Europe than France,…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
China’s String of Pearls
Over the last few months, we have closely followed China’s growing quest for oil, highlighting deals they made with Iran and a potential one with Venezuela. But yesterday brought news courtesy of the Washington Times that China is building up…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (1)
January 18, 2005
American Oil for Food Update
As Iraqi-American Samir A. Vincent became the first person charged in the U.N. Oil for Food scandal today, it is important to remember that other Americans were involved in the scandal and are likely to have the same fate as…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
No Trust in “the Press”
In what came as no surprise to us, a recent Harris Poll measuring the levels of trust that Americans have in important institutions found that only 22% trust “the press” (62% did not trust the press). As troubling as that…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
MUST READ
Be sure to read… how reporters worked for Saddam and Arafat, yet the Media Elite ignored it, or in some cases, profited from it. Read additional information on this topic here. Victor Davis Hanson discussing how the postmodern world is…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 17, 2005
Spray-On Solar Cells
Further progress is being reported in the development of viable solar technology, thanks to the help of nanotechnology. National Geographic reports that the for the first time, scientists have successfully created a solar cell that is capable of utilizing both…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (2)
Corruption Apathy
One of the overlooked aspects for the lack of attention the Oil for Food Scandal has received in Europe is the relatively high tolerance of government corruption among the European population. Although polls show that Europeans distrust politicians on a…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Tension in South America
Venezuela suspended diplomatic and commercial ties with Colombia late last week following the revelation that Colombia used bounty hunters to detain a wanted rebel leader hiding in Venezuela: President Hugo Chavez said Friday that diplomatic and commercial relations with Colombia…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 14, 2005
Another Global Warming Theory
As if the scientific foundation of (human induced) global warming were not questionable enough, a BBC documentary will put forth the contention that a reduction in the burning of fossil fuels will worsen the alleged threat posed by global warming:…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (1)
MUST READ
Be sure to read… about the Pentagon’s since abandoned plans to develop a host of non-lethal chemical weapons that would disrupt discipline and morale among enemy troops. how a new environmental report supports the theory long denied by the Brazilian…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Dutch Jihad Update
A plot to assassinate Dutch parliament member Ayaan Hirsi Ali (the co-author of Theo van Gogh’s film Submission) was recently revealed by Dutch officials: Members of the suspected terror network Main City Group were planning to murder MP Ayaan Hirsi…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
MidEast Unspoken Rules
Foreign Affairs expert and NY Times Columnist offers his basic rules for Middle East reporting: Rule 1 Never lead your story out of Lebanon, Gaza or Iraq with a cease-fire; it will always be over by the time the next…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (1)
January 13, 2005
General Assembly Strikes Again
The U.N. General Assembly, arguably the most embarrassing and troublesome aspect of the U.N., has succeeded in implementing yet another anti-Israel policy at the world body: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday that the United Nations will set up…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (1)
January 12, 2005
Roundup of Recent European News
The last few days have seen a large number of important European news stories which are too numerous to warrant individual entries. So, we decided to compile short excerpts from each of these important stories for your convenience. They are…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Iraqi Security Beyond the Daily Killing
Above and beyond the daily killings of Iraqis and coalition forces in Iraq, two security and military developments are worth mentioning. The first is that Iraq’s military is rapidly expanding before the January 30 elections. Here is an excerpt of…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
U.N. Audits Are A Piece of the Puzzle
It has been a few days now since U.N. audits used by Paul Volcker during his investigation of the Oil for Food program were released, and figures from all sides are putting forth their interpretation of the information. As an…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 11, 2005
Food for Sex Scandal
Additional details of the United Nations’ sex scandal in the Congo are slowly being revealed. Today, the Telegraph provided the latest information, which we excerpt for you here: Peacekeeping troops guarding refugee camps in the Democratic Republic of Congo sexually…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
India, Iran & Oil
Comming on the heels of Iran and China’s multi-billion dollar oil deal, Iran has all but sealed an additional multi-billion dollar oil and natural gas deal with India: India’s oil diplomacy took a giant leap forward on Friday when New…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
MUST READ
Be sure to read… Christopher Hitchens comparing and contrasting the Palestinian and upcoming Iraqi elections. David Brooks discussing how Iraq can now only be saved by Iraqis. Right Wing News’ latest interview with Victor Davis Hanson on contemporary events, especially…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Iraqis on Elections and Insurgents
One of the more popular Iraqi blogs, Iraq the Model, published the results of a recent poll taken in and around Baghdad with a sample size of 4,974: 1-Will the security problems cause you to: Not come out and vote…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
January 10, 2005
North Korean Haircuts
The BBC is reporting that the North Korean communist government has launched a media campaign to combat a recently identified threat to the regime: long hair on men. North Korea has launched an intensive media assault on its latest arch…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more… | Comments (0)
Venezuelan Land Reform Begins
Updating a story we reported last week, Venezuela has begun to implement their controversial “land reform” campaign with their inspection of a U.K. owned cattle ranch: Venezuelan troops and police have escorted local authorities on to a cattle ranch owned…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
MUST READ
Be sure to read… why not capturing or killing Osama bin Laden may be beneficial in the War on Terror. Arthur Chrenkoff’s latest installment of the past month’s good news from Afghanistan. Thomas Friedman discussing how “militant messianists” in Israel,…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
Holy Warriors Infiltrate Europe
The AP is reporting that European officials are concerned that insurgents from Iraq are beginning to infiltrate Europe, increasing the terrorist threat on the continent: Islamic extremists accused of plotting to kill Iraq (news – web sites)’s prime minister in…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
January 09, 2005
Bush & MidEast Elections
As the Palestinian elections come to a close and Iraq’s national election date approaches, the Washington Post examines what will arguably be the most defining aspect President Bush’s tenure as President: democracy in the Middle East. Here is an excerpt…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
January 08, 2005
U.N. Sex-Capades in Congo Confirmed
Updating a story we have been following since May 2004, the United Nations has determined that sexual abuse allegations leveled against U.N. peacekeepers in the Congo are valid: A United Nations inquiry has found that UN peacekeepers working in DR…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
Tsunami Conspiracy Theories
In what was probably an inevitable development, numerous and widely varying conspiracy theories were created in the aftermath of the deadly Southeast Asian tsunami. We already pointed out the absurd attempt to link the tsunami to global warming, which would…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
January 07, 2005
Ukraine Omission Explanation
Over the last few weeks we received emails regarding our lack of commentary on the “Orange Revolution” led by Viktor Yushchenko that took place during the last few months in the Ukraine. It is true that we have not commented…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
MUST READ
Be sure to read… the Mudville Gazette’s rebuttal to a Washington Post op-ed classifying Abu Ghraib as a “left-right issue.” But most importantly, take his “torture test” to see how much you really know about the abuse that took place…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
Exploiting the Tsunami
As post-tsunami clean up efforts move along, and the extent of the devastation grows each day, the exploitation of the traumatic event to promote radical agendas is taking place. Example 1: FRENCH President Jacques Chirac made a new call today…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
January 06, 2005
U.N. Tsunami Relief Ineffectiveness
Reuters is reporting that the United States, Japan, India and Australia agreed to disband their “core group” (established to jump-start and coordinate aid relief efforts in the aftermath of the tsunami) and will now merge their aid efforts with the…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
MUST READ
Be sure to read… Arthur Chrenkoff’s compilation of the 12 most stupid tsunami quotes. Thomas Friedman arguing that proper Iraqi elections must be held on January 30 so the Iraqis can have a proper civil war. why Ralph Peters contends…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
“Land Reform” in Venezuela
In what appears to be further evidence of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s communist influence, Venezuela is expected to begin a “land reform” campaign within the next six months. This policy will allow the government to seize private land and redistribute…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
January 05, 2005
Appeasing North Korea
In what can only be described as a surprising (if not shocking) development in the relationship between the divided Koreas, South Korea will no longer accept large groups of North Korean defectors: Unification Minister Chung Dong-young declared Tuesday that Seoul…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
Worldwide Anti-Semitism Continues to Grow
The Department of State released a report yesterday that concludes worldwide anti-Semitism is on the rise, especially in Europe and the Middle East. The data used in the report was compiled during the time period of July 2003 and December…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
January 04, 2005
U.S. Preparations For Iran?
Iranian state run media (not exactly a reliable source) is reporting that U.S. warplanes have been spotted flying over Iran: U.S. warplanes flying out of bases in Afghanistan and Iraq have committed a string of violations of Iranian airspace, Iranian…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
Zarqawi Arrest Rumors
Iraqi Kurdistan radio is reporting that Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, the most wanted terrorist in Iraq (and arguably the world), has been captured in the city of Baakuba. It should be noted that this Kurdistan radio station was also the first…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
Democrats Aim to Rescue Kofi
In the aftermath of John Kerry’s loss to President Bush, there was reason to hope that another failed Presidential campaign would allow the Democratic Party to get back on course through self-reflection. Unfortunately, a recent article by the International Herald…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
January 03, 2005
Arab “Election” News
To date, we have declined to join the overt skepticism of the Palestinian elections showcased by many of our colleagues, most LGF. Instead, our policy was to let things play out, believe in the demonstrated power of democracy and attribute…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
MUST READ
Be sure to read… Arthur Chrenkoff’s latest roundup of the past two weeks’ good news from Iraq. a letter from a friend of Theo Van Gogh offering insight into the controversial film maker’s life and the motivation for his work…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
Al Jazeera & Saddam
An important story broke over the weekend that further eroded Arab propaganda station Al Jazeera’s credibility as a legitimate “news” organization: A videotape found in a pile of documents in Baghdad following the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime shows a…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
January 02, 2005
New Year’s Eve Massacre
Reuters reports of a New Year’s Eve massacre of women and children in Northeast Colombia by the Marxist narco-terrorist group FARC: Left-wing rebels killed at least 17 peasants in northeast Colombia on New Year’s Eve in reprisal for cooperating with…
Posted by GPR on 2005 01: Read more…
