Injustice foments and revolution is imminent. The series of protests and demonstrations collectively known as the “Arab Spring” or “Arab Awakening” was predetermined. The oppression of dictators and unyielding governments seemed inescapable, and slowly but surely the populace accepted their predicament and yielded to their social and economic erosion. However, as the years progressed three factors gave hope for renewal and prompted this enlightened revolution of today. The dawn of the new millennium saw a rapid increase in Arab literacy, a falling birthrate, and a significant decline in the widespread custom of endogamy, or marriage between first cousins. This shows that Arab societies were on a path toward mental and cultural modernization in the course that the individual became more important than an autonomous entity.  The transformation of the political system, the spreading wave of democratization and the conversion of subjects into citizens are the products of this liberal movement, and the ensuing revolution was well under way.

            As the people became more educated and informed they became less complacent and unrest soon sat heavy on the shoulders of each nation. Though progressive reformists sought a national enlightenment, the political injustices and crimes of range of tyrants continued.  As a result, a decrease of nationalism and an increase in emigration sent up a red flag to the Western world. A new class of Western Arabs was born, and in due time, their homeland economies diminished further. Governments had begun to sense this growing unrest and they attempted to placate the poor and unemployed with bread and money but it was too late; the time for change had come.

            First went Tunisia, then Algeria. These leading cases of insurrection prompted the tidal wave of change, and the revolts of December 2010 shattered the dams holding them back. With the success of the protests in Tunisia, this wave of unrest sparked by the self-immolation of a Tunisian man struck Algeria, Jordan, Egypt, and Yemen and then spread to other countries. The largest, most organized demonstrations have often occurred on “days of rage”, usually after Friday afternoon prayers. Demonstrations of epic proportions shook the Middle East, and the governments of Tunisia, Egypt, and then Libya were overthrown. These uprisings took many lives, signifying the relentless determination of the people. Even some of the better off nations, like Lebanon and Morocco sought reform and an end to corruption. The geopolitical implications of these protests have drawn global attention, prompting further protests in Europe and Asia. Even the “occupy” movements were influenced by the Egyptian revolution. This tidal wave of change had far reaching repercussions which, in hindsight, was the result of decades of injustice with little to no change.

            King was right; change is inevitable. It only took a Tunisian spark to ignite people’s suppression and it all went up in flames. The Civil Rights movement of the 50’s and 60’s shared the same principles and desires of the Arab Spring; conformation is eventually succeeded by unrest and revolution. Voters are taking part in free and fair elections, newly elected lawmakers are issuing progressive legislation, and the morale is generally high in these post dictatorial nations. Though much work is left in the name of transition, the Spring was a success and it will surely influence multitudes of revolutions to come.

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The Israeli diplomats car carrying the wife of a diplomat, a 42 year lady was attacked by a magnetic bomb, that exploded when thrown by a motorcycle borne terrorist. The lady who had just returned after dropping her children in school is in a critical condition in the Ganga Ram Hospital.

 The terror attack appears to be the handiwork of the terror group Hezbollah. It appears as claimed by Israel, that Iran may also have a hand in this. In case this is proved trues the dangers for the Indian state will mount, as such attacks will now occur more frequently. This is so as India is perceived a soft state.

Israel has vowed revenge and Iran has as usual accused Israel of telling lies. But the fact is that Iran is following a dangerous path that is fraught with grave consequences. The US carrier task force is in the Persian gulf and  Israel is flexing its muscles. the stars don’t look to bright for Iran.

Hezbolah by attacking a defenceless lady has shown that its is a terrorist organization cast in the Gestapo mold and sooner the Indian state grapples with it the better.

Israel: Yet, another missed opportunity

By Abdulrazaq Magaji, magaji777@yahoo.com,

Abuja, Nigeria.

What goes round comes round. Some few months back and, within the hallowed chambers of the UNSC, or United Nations Security Council, Washington, against commonsense, declared its opposition to the  declaration of Palestinian independence on the hare brained thesis that the United Nations was not the ‘right’ place for such an important step to be taken by the Palestinians. Few months on, the same UNSC chamber has suddenly become the ‘right’ place for Washington to effect regime change in a sovereign country. This time, Russia and China voted down an Arab League sponsored and US backed resolution to get embattled Syrian president, Bashir al Assad out of the way. And Washington is angry! Reason? Washington failed to railroad Moscow and Beijing into their machinations in Syria.  Come and see American wonder!

Let’s get this right: Assad has lost out and everything possible should be done to throw him out. After all the atrocities perpetrated by his father, Hafiz, the son, Bashir should not be allowed to get away with his crimes. The killing in Syria is simply unacceptable and Assad has the choice, if he is lucky, of negotiating his way out, as did Ali Abdallah Saleh of Yemen. Or, vote with his feet as did Bin Ali of Tunisia. He might even opt for the Mubarak option, claim he is a hero who is destined to die at home and end in a cage. Or, if unlucky, go the way of Muammar Gadaffi. Clearly, he should not get the luxury of ending up, like his father, as president for life.

Beyond Assad, two recent events in the Middle East opened a window of opportunity for Israel. But, as with similar opportunities in the past, the hawkish extreme right coalition in Tel Aviv fluffed the chance. Rather, Tel Aviv is bracing itself for another confrontation, a real fight that could probably redraw the map of the region. If snippets from Washington are to be believed, Israel has finalised arrangements to launch a unilateral strike against Iran, the idea being to force Tehran to end her nuclear programme. It is interesting that having gone nuclear itself, Tel Aviv now balks at the idea of another nuclear power in the Middle East. Interesting!

First is the seeming unity of purpose, a great window of opportunity, created by the urgent need to squeeze Assad out of power. For a seemingly isolated country, Israel has suddenly found itself, even if for different reasons, on the same page with Arab countries on what to do with Assad. On the face of it, Arab countries appear sworn on getting Assad out of power because of the needless carnage in Syria, a carnage that has led to the death of more than 7,000 Syrians. Assad may delude himself into believing that the 7,000 dead Syrians were insurgents and terrorists but truth is he is simply behaving like the proverbial drowning man.

In his macabre dance, Assad appears to have provided ammunition to Arab countries who are wary of the growing influence of Shi’ism in the region. In Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Yemen among others, Sunni Islam is under attack from Shi’ism. And since getting Assad out also means stopping the growing influence of Iran and Shi’ism in the region, it is hardly surprising that Arab governments now have an unusual ally in Israel.

The seeming thaw in the relationship between the Palestinian groups, Fatah and Hamas, provided Israel a second window of opportunity. Israel and her principal, the United States of America are clear in their opposition to Hamas, a radical Palestinian liberation movement which main aim, like Iran, is to bring Israel to her knees and possibly wipe her off the map of the world. This, for now, may appear a shot in the dark, especially now that Hamas has decided to cooperate with the moderate Fatah. Ordinarily, Washington and Tel Aviv would have been expected to encourage the alliance and hope Fatah would succeed to rein in Hamas. But that appears to be the least on the shopping list of Israel and the United States. And the reason is simple enough: with Assad out of the way, it will have to be Israel and America against Iran and Hizbullah as there will be no threat from Syria. It is unlikely Hamas would sit on the fence in the event of a confrontation between Israel and Iran.

As things stand, Israel may strike a mortal foe and succeed in getting Washington, like the partial umpire it has always been, to get Arab countries to applaud on the sideline. But that is not the way to go; Americans have a lot on their hands and given the debacle in Iraq and Afghanistan, the least it can afford now is to get itself involved in another drawn out war anywhere in the world. Ordinarily, a military confrontation between Iran and the United States would clearly be a mismatch, especially in the short and medium term: one can almost imagine the tough talking Mullahs in Tehran scampering into bunkers if Washington opts for war. But that will be momentarily: the real danger is that another operation shock and awe might go disastrously wrong in the long run. And this explains why Washington prefers to use proxies, as was with the Iran/Iraq war of 1980-1988, to whip Tehran into line rather than a direct involvement. And this also explains the reluctance on the part of the hawkish politicians in Tel Aviv to hold fire. So far, Israel, inspite of its rumoured military might have failed to wipe out Hizbullah and Hamas. This is a clear indication that, when the chips are down, war between Israel and Iran may not be a walk over. 

In 1948, the State of Israel was established in Palestine. Once again, all Jews had a homeland. Israel has also become the home of many Arabs and Christians. Today, there are about 14.5 million Jews throughout the world. Many of them (over six million) live in North America. In addition to Israel, Russia also has a large Jewish population.

The history of a country, or the people of a nation, is a record of events in the development of that country. Jewish history is even more – it is the thread that has bound the Jewish people together through thousands of years of persecution, owning no land, and wandering.

The term “Armageddon” comes from the Hebrew expression “Har–Magedon,” which literally means “Mountain of Megiddo.” Megiddo is an actual place in the Middle East that was the site of some decisive wars in the region. In fact, British General Edmund Allenby handsomely defeated the Turkish army in Megiddo in 1918. Thutmose III, the Napoleon of Egypt, crushed kings from Canaan in Megiddo in the middle part of the 1400s BC. The place has become a symbol of a conclusive battle with one emerging victor, as some theology essays concur.

The Bible says in Revelation 16: 14-16, that the kings of earth will assemble at Har-Magedon to wage war against God. Even before the war starts, the victor is already decided. Thus, Armageddon serves as an appropriate symbol of a holy war between earthly nations and the Kingdom of God, with the later mustering total victory over the opposing force.

Will Armageddon result in the destruction of mankind and earth? Isaiah 45: 18 tells that God created earth to be inhabited. The inhabitants are righteous people who expressed faith in God, and they will live on a paradise earth. Thus, there is no reason for God to destroy something he created for a certain purpose. All the Armageddon will do is to purify the earth from wickedness that the current wicked system generates.

The Armageddon is not the end, just a beginning. Even other theology essays agree that this final war will pave the way for Kingdom of God to come to earth, as people often prays. The wicked fears the Armageddon, as it signals their end, while the righteous rejoices as it ushers in a new beginning for them.

A U.S. soldier Loads a bunker-busting bomb type precision GBU-31 in South Dakota

Almost sounds like the cute acronym: MOP. That’s the name of the weapon with which the United States wants to proceed against the construction of nuclear bombs in Iran. And cuteness is the last property to have MOP. MOP stands for Massive Ordnance Penetrator. The decisive factor is the last part. The bomb is a penetrator, therefore, be an invader. Because of their purpose, they must penetrate deep into the earth. To a depth of 40 meters is the bomb can penetrate even rocky ground. Therefore, the super-bomb is also known as bunker busters. Nearly 14 tons is weighing the silver bullet – and is probably still too weak.

MOP has been successfully tested in 2007 and since 2009 makes the super bomb massive headlines. The United States as they praise her remedy against the nuclear program of Iran. In the increasingly simmering conflict with the regime of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the rhetoric of the Nobel Peace Prize winner Barack Obama is more belligerent. In his State of the Nation said the U.S. president last week: “America is determined to prevent that Iran reaches nuclear weapons. I will not exclude any possibility to achieve this goal. “

Doubts about the suitability bomb
Only recently, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, the fear of the nuclear program of Iran fanned again. Even in a year that Iran could build nuclear bombs, he said. The head of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, told the newspaper “Die Welt” on Monday: “We must take the saber rattling of Iran seriously.” The threat scenario should help Panetta, to enforce his demands: In a secret inquiry, the Minister of Defence to the Congress a increase in the budget requested for the super bomb, as the “Wall Street Journal” reported at the weekend. $ 330 million has been spent for the Pentagon to build 20 MOPs. $ 82 million will come to now, so the bomb can penetrate even deeper into rock, concrete or steel, before it explodes. The largest beneficiaries of the group Boeing, of MOP is produced.

Tests have shown that the impact of the bomb was not sufficient to destroy the facilities in Iran, says the report. This could be because on the one hand, that the plants lay so deep. Secondly, Tehran could have reinforced the security systems. The objection of some experts that the world no bomb could be powerful enough to destroy the submerged at great depths underground facilities will, the Pentagon can not apply. It could at least be enough damage done to the program to discard crucial, they say. What is the urgency of Defense attaches the bomb, shown by the fact that it does not increase the application chose the regular way for budgetary requests.

Nevertheless, the super-bomb is not the only armament measure, which the U.S. plans currently in the Middle East trouble spot. Also at the weekend reported that “Washington Post,” the Pentagon was arming an older warship to the “mother ship” to which it seeks to form a floating platform for a permanent base in the Middle East. The basic high-speed boats and helicopters that should serve as a base, as they were used by the elite Navy Seals. At the beginning of summer, the platform will be brought to the Middle East, putative target: the Persian Gulf.

Image by Rennett Stowe via Flickr

This plan was disclosed by The Washington Post newspaper, citing a confidential document, and reported by AFP on Saturday (28/01/2012).

Navy (Navy) mentioned the U.S. will modify an old war ships that are not used, into a new military base. This is done in response to demand U.S. Military Central Command.

This ship would become a kind of aircraft carriers, can accommodate high-speed boats and helicopters used by the elite Navy, Navy SEAL. Special operations forces to be of key importance in the strategy of U.S. President, Barack Obama, in making the U.S. military leaner and more agile.

This is following the Pentagon’s insistence that cutting the military budget of U.S. $ 487 billion or about Rp 4369 trillion over the next decade. Responding to this, a spokesman for Navy Forces Command, the Navy’s Fleet Forces Command, Mike Kafka denies that it plans to build a floating military base anywhere, especially in the Middle East. However, other Navy officials acknowledged that it was the middle of converting an old warship.

The process will be completed and then the new carrier will be delivered to the destination at the beginning of next summer. In the Navy’s secret documents, indicated that this floating military bases will be stationed in the Persian Gulf. Because, in the region had appeared the Iranian threat to close the Strait of Hormuz which is near in the region.

A study by the Max-Planck-Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law in Freiburg, has come to the conclusion that the retention does not affect the detection rate of crime

Justice Minister Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger resists retention. A new study supports their position. This gives the ongoing dispute for months, which is controversial even among the German public, new food.

A study by the Max-Planck-Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law in Freiburg for the effectiveness of the retention heats the coalition to identify this instrument again. One comes from the Federal Ministry of Justice report commissioned to the conclusion that the retention does not affect the detection rate of crime. “We therefore believe that the study strengthens our position that we should collect data if there is a specific reason,” said justice minister Max Stadler

An event-free storage from the Ministry rejects as before. It is encouraged by the new, now present opinion of the Max-Planck-Institute confirmed in his attitude. In contrast confirmed a spokesman for the Interior Ministry, stock data are for the safety authorities is an important determination approach. In the ongoing dispute for months to have become entrenched.
Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger for general storage

The Federal Constitutional Court had overturned the retention 2010th Since then allowed to telephone and Internet connection data can not be stored for six months anlasslos to combat crime. A new regulation is the responsibility of Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger (FDP).

She wants the data can be saved but only after specific incidents, investigators so that they are available when needed, a method known as “Quick Freeze” investigative tool. The Union and the CSU-led Interior Ministry will, however, permit a general storage of data storage for no specific reason.

For the study, the researchers analyzed data on specific crime areas, and compared the situation in Germany with the other countries with data retention. An influence on the retention of the clear-up rate, they did not see. An assessment by the research department of the Federal Parliament in March 2011 comes to a similar conclusion.

They also interviewed investigators. This would have reported limitations in their work by the omission of data retention. Whether there were still hanging to get data from the memory and practice of willingness to provide information from the relevant telecommunications company, the scientists gave back the comments of respondents.
Stadler: “the necessity of data retention, only a sense of practitioner’s

Secretary Stadler said: “The study shows that the necessity of data retention is not empirically, but only a sense of the practitioner is.” He announced to provide the results of the study, the Bundestag and the European Commission. An EU directive requires a six-month retention. However, also of Germany and several other EU Member States, such as Sweden, the Directive is not implemented.

A spokesman for Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich (CSU) said on the other hand, if offenders communicated electronically, they could not be determined without data storage. The only approach to the determination of ascertaining their identity is an IP address of a computer or a telephone number. However, the data from the ISPs are often already been deleted if the security authorities aufnähmen the investigation. Between March 2010 and April 2011 85 percent of requests for supply of the Federal Data were not answered by the company.
Study: argument based on individual cases “

The study’s authors criticize indirectly, that are used in the public debate on crime, especially children and old people as evidence for the re-introduction of data retention. “The argument founded on individual cases has the individual as a typical, without, however, that this would be empirically verifiable or” they write. Among other things, also had the head of the Federal, Joerg Ziercke, about “loopholes” and problems in investigations – complaints – even to the extreme right Zwickauer cell.

However, the study’s authors point out that their result is only a “snapshot” was. “The present situation is characterized by a very uncertain statistical data base (and) the absence of systematic empirical investigation,” it said in its conclusions.

The U.S. wants to reduce its troop presence in Europe strong. The German sites Baumholder and Grafenwöhr could be affected by the austerity measures.

The United States reduce its troop strength in Europe. For weeks, speculation about whether the two German sites Baumholder and Grafenwöhr are affected by the measure. Even the Pentagon is keeping a low profile on the issue.

Up to 15,000 troops could be withdrawn from Germany

The U.S. will make massive savings in their army. Already in the next five years to over 90 000 men could be saved. Nevertheless, said Defense Minister Leon Panetta: “We want to continue to remain the strongest military in the world.” The U.S. military continues to be in a position to “any opponent anywhere, anytime” to defeat.

The active Army would be reduced by around 70 000 to 490 000 men, Panetta announced on Thursday in Washington. In addition, the Marines would be reduced by 20 000 to 182 000 men. Together with the supportive and non-combat troops could be about 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers drawn from the German locations, as reported “tagesschau.de”. In just the next five years were savings of $ 259 billion provided, Panetta said. By 2022 there were 487 billion. It remained unclear at first how to develop the strength of the army to 2017th Moreover, should such programs for the construction of stealth aircraft will be delayed.
Future focus more on Asia and the Middle East

At the same time the American military presence in Europe would be shut down drastically: Two of the four brigades currently in Europe should be deleted, Panetta reiterated. However, he mentioned no concrete locations. Germany is certainly affected by these cuts, because there are three of the four U.S. brigades stationed in Europe. According to media reports could especially the 170th Infantry Brigade in Baumholder (Rhineland-Palatinate) and the 172nd Infantry Brigade in Grafenwoehr (Bavaria) to be affected.

Panetta emphasized the new military strategy that President Barack Obama had announced several weeks ago. Accordingly, the U.S. armed forces should be smaller, but also be flexible. The focus lies more in the future in Asia and the Middle East. Panetta described as a serious threat, especially the nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea. He also stressed the danger of cyber attacks. The Republican opposition, criticized the new course.

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Said U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said on Thursday that the cuts, which affected the defense budget will not include the U.S. deployment in the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

He said Panetta told a news conference which he introduced the orientations of the budget the Pentagon for the year 2013, the reduction rate of 9% over the budget of the previous year, adding that troops land will lose 13% of the size of the move of 565 thousand men to 490 thousand from now until 2017, also will shrink the number of Marines of 201 thousand to 182 thousand men only.

The secretary said these planned reductions will not need the U.S. military to this degree of military bases on its territory.

He pointed out that President Barack Obama will ask Congress to form a committee under the Act to determine the military installations that are supposed closed on U.S. soil.
 
At the same time, Panetta said that the budget 2012 to protect – and in some cases increase – investments crucial to the ability of the United States to pay its strength in Asia and the Middle East, which give preference to the air force and sea to meet the challenges posed by Iran and the rising influence of China, he said.

It is noteworthy that Congress and the White House agreed last summer to reduce the general budget of the Army, worth 487 billion dollars over the next decade.
 

Source: Agencies