BEYOND AQs WILDEST DREAMS.

AQ planners could have never imagined the second and third order effects of their attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi, and if you are one of the few who still doesn't believe it was a AQ event, then you need to stick your head back in the sand.

Perception, as I have always said, is reality 90 percent of time, especially in a world ruled by instantaneous media and social communications.

Does anyone think for a minute the AQ planners realized the disruption that would take place between the two political parties in the US  based upon the attack in Libya, an act that would lead to the accusations of "cover-up" by  the head of the CIA?

For AQ to realize the Benghazi event is now somehow tied to the fall of two Senior US Military Commanders is nothing shy of a blessing from Allah!

As impossible at this might seem, the two stories are so intertwine, based upon ether fact or party politics in the US, that once again AQ comes out the real victor.

Again, the issue here is "perception" and for that reason alone, AQ finds leverage in both stories.

Would two Senior US Military Commanders have fallen without the event of Benghazi?

Probably, but it is now much harder to make this embarrassment for the US go away.

The US's loss is almost always a gain for it's enemies and make no mistake about it, this is a loss for the US and a huge victory for the enemy.

So, you see, this is not just about "affairs" and the lack of trust in US Military Leaders.

It's about the price we all pay when we are divided and allow poor leaders to stay in positions that represent their nation and people.

A REAL " NO BRAINER " EXCEPT WHEN EUROPEANS  ARE INVOLVED.

Ok, so the common person would have to wonder why the EU would not consider Hezbollah a Terrorist Organization, much less just their military wing.

The problem is, the EU is not run by "common people".

The age old fault of "intellectuals " is their ability to over-analyze just about everything they do and this issue is a classic example.

The EU will do what it always does, it will sit and wring it's hands over what this flash of the obvious might mean to them.

I can hear some of them know, " It could be they will target our people"; as if Hezbollah doesn't already have that plan, just ask Bulgaria.

Official recognition as a Terrorist group has one tremendous impact on Hezbollah and everyone knows what that is... the ability to raise money!

What just slays me is the consistent, apathetic mindset of so many in Europe.

" Lets not move too fast on this issue"..

The EU's indecisiveness is exactly what Hezbollah is counting on.

Come on EU... do the right thing..... label they killers for what they are and be ready for them to lash out at you.

They are going to do it anyway!!!

http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=291555

MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD. WELL PLAYED MR HASSAN!!! 

From the beging of the so called Arab Spring, a term I still don't totally buy into, I and many like me have doubted the so called, " new and improved MB".

I've written about this on several occasions and yes it's old news that I distrust the whole group.

But, this time around, I simply had to post what I consider an outstand editorial that paints a picture of the MB like none other I have seen.

Greedy people thirsting  for power and have had many names and or causes over the history of civilized man.

The picture this author frames is an absolute classic example of how the MB once again fits the mold of a elitist group out to accomplish one goal... power....

What continues to perplex me, and perhaps I shouldn't be given the over confidence most of us have in the so called "experts", is the West desire to see the MB as some form of an acceptable answer to the issues of the Middle East.

Does the MB have it doubters?

Just ask the GCC leaders and see what their answer is.

Ok, back to a simply brilliant OpEd by Ammar Ali Hassan.

What really struck me about this viewpoint, was the brilliant link between the MB's desire for pure Capitalistic wealth and leverage, yet, much like the Communist, they portray this outward distain for  " Elitist Wealth".

Like every good socialist  / Communist / the MB seems to hold true to the age old argument, " They believe in the redistribution of Wealth... Just not their wealth"!!!

 To the MB leaders, it's ok to be a Capitalist just as long as it furthers the hollow cause of the MB.

No wonder the MB purist and the more radical Islamic movements have ill feelings towards them.

For all the negatives many of these so called radicals have, the one thing that often holds true is their lack of desire real economic wealth.

Hassan's  masterful depiction of the inner tension of the MB, based on the desire for capital status and personal gain, must not be overlooked by those who may be tasked to counter this false movement.

I will be willing to bet you, the Royals of the GCC have read this article and if they have not, they better do so quickly.

So, Mr Hassan....... " Well played Ammar... Well played"!!!

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2012/1120/op2.htm

US ELECTIONS AND THE IRANIAN ISSUE.. ISRAEL'S VIEW

If you read what DEBKA and those sights like them are saying,  one would have to believe betrayal is just around the corner.

Does a second term President see things differently than in his fist term?

History says it depends on the issue and it depends on how hard the decision is that might have to be made.

Now, the perception in the region, at least from the viewpoint of the GCC Royals, is based upon what they would consider,  " betrayal".

Does that equate into Israel falling into the same perception mindset?

Some would argue  the Israeli leadership already had this opinion prior to the US election.

The "perception" of the relationship between the two leaders being less than positive is well known, but then again, that could be "perception"!

So, has anything really changed?

Yes!

Two things have changed... one is time.. and that is a clock no one can predict right now...the other is the attitude of the Iranian leadership.

A few feeble efforts have been made by Iran to have some level of appearance they are not racing towards a weapons program and some would argue this is based upon their observation of our elections.

Here is another way to look at this issue.

Does the Iranian leadership believe a reelected US President is more or less likely to support Israel?

My opinion is Iranian leadership probably believes this issue has been pushed back at least for the time being.

Does the Iranian leadership worry an Israel that believes they are now on their own, is far more dangerous than before the US election?

Yes!

Iran knows that Israel will not let the future of their existence rest on the outcome of the US election.

Ok, it's clear to see the US election has only made the issue of Iran and Israel even more complicated and by doing so made the prediction of what might happen much more difficult to envision.

The cool months have started in the region..

Jets need cool air for maximum lift...

Time is not on the side of Iran.. .Israel or the rest of the world...

If anyone wants to make perhaps the last attempt to avoid a catastrophic regional war, they need to do it soon..

http://www.debka.com/article/22501/Barack-Obama-wins-reelection-Mid-East-faces-nuclear-Iran-Brotherhood-grip

THE DAY AFTER.. A SNAP SHOT OF WHAT IS AHEAD IN THE MIDDLE EAST!

A day after the US elections, let me give you my perspective of what the issues are in the Middle East and what, if anything, has changed.

Perception:

The perception of the region, by the people who live in the region didn't change.

The perception the US may change it's plan for dealing with the region didn't change as well.

Challenges:

Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait... yes Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and last but not least Saudi.

If that list is not enough for you to chew on, then you are a gluten for punishment.

Ok, now lets look at the many in the world believe the cause for list of challenges.

Sunni vs Shia ///// Suppressive governments, lack of jobs; jobs at the level the educated youth of the region are qualified to do.

Now, the Sunni vs Shia issue is one many still have a hard time discussing and most often don't; especially the local "talking heads" from the region who seem to blame Israel and the West for everything and anything.

Ok, time for the next category of "Challenges"!

Here ya go:

Ottomans, Arabs, Christians, Persians, Christians and Drews.

Add on top of this, the Ottomans, Persians and Arabs are all three old Empires that long to be Empires once again.

Ah yes; for all of you who like to say it's only the issue of the old Colonial Christians that have set the region up for failure; lest you not forget the Ottomans, Persians and the Moors!!

History.... it's a two way street:)

Ok, no topic of challenges in the Middle East would be complete without the never ending topic of Oil!!!!

Who has it... who wants it.. and most importantly... who gets rich from it?

At this point in the conversation, we need to add yet another key player... the Tsar!!!!

Yep, it's impossible to talk about the region and fuel without folding the Tsar of Russia into the mix.

So, the day after the US elections; has anything really changed??????

I think you know the answer...

Next time; I will talk about what the elections in the US means to the people of Israel.

Hint... the answer is doesn't flow with the conversation above!!

THE ABSOLUTE JOKE OF THE DAY... 

Iran's attempt to draw attention to the issue of the Israeli nuclear weapons  is simply a waste of time.

So, could it be Iran is once again, subconsciously trying to say, "what's good for Israel is good for Iran"?

Drawing attention to the Israeli weapons issue is going to achieve what for Iran?

If Iran is not trying to develop nuclear weapons, insert laughter here, then why are they concerned over Israel having something they have had for decades?

 When was the last speech given by a Israeli leader talking about how the country of Iran must be destroyed... and don't be a fool and state they say it all the time.. you know exactly what I am getting at.

 Some left of left, liberal dreamers from Europe who sit down with Iran is not going to change a thing.

If a few pacifist from Europe make statements about supporting Iran, that will not stop the IDF from defending Israel!! Wake up!!

Europe has seen these "dreamers" before... Remember the guy named Chamberlain from England... "Peace in our time"????

If Iran really thinks attending this love fest is going to change a single thing, that just goes to show you how out of touch with reality their leadership truly is.

Iran is playing to the media of Europe.

The problem is, the IDF doesn't work for the media of Europe and it surly doesn't listen to the UN.

A country that is only miles wide surrounded by enemies who talk everyday of destroying their very existence will develop any weapon needed to survive and they will not  place the lives of their citizens in the hands of liberal dreamers from Europe.

http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=290736

THE TSAR REACHES OUT TO TURKEY...WELL.. .. NOT REALLY!!!! 

Nothing has changed for the Tsar and the Russian Kingdom.

The desire is to keep Assad in power, at least as long as it take to find an alternative that will still " work" with the Russians.

I did find it somewhat amuzing last week when the rebels and the Russians had the same opinion of the US's new requirements for rebel leadership.

These are the same Russians the rebels despise for backing Assad, yet they both lash out at the US for the latest "idea" from the West / US.

Now, it's clear one of the overarching issues for the Russians is to not so damage relationships with Turkey that the price of saving it's relationship with Syria ruins the one with Turkey.

Oh by the way, the two of them have something far more important incommon than Syria and Assad..... .fuel!!!

As for this "Three-member group" concept; well it's nice to see the Russians can get stuck on a deadened theory just as bad as the West.

 I'm not sure Erdogan really believes there is any value in this " three-group" idea, but it does give him a little wiggle room with the Tsar.

So, is this concept going anywhere?

No!!!

Does the Tsar and Erdogan know that?

Yep!!

Does that make it a waste of time?

Well, in the world of international diplomacy, one often doesn't really have to make progress; one simply has to look as if they are trying to do so!

http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=98113