We'll be back in early February with plenty of Revolutionary fervor as we contemplate the hideous attack on Gaza, blaming the victim has never been so obscene. And our boys in blue (police and National) have been spying on activists. The supreme irony of course is that under the pretense of preventing terror, Greenpeace, the only legit victim of terror in New Zealand, was targeted. I guess we know what the ultimate terror is, private property damage.
Stay tuned for more great guests and the best in revolutionary music. PEACE
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Obama Orders 17,000 Troops to Afghanistan
In his most significant military decision to date, President Obama has ordered an additional 17,000 US troops to Afghanistan. The move fulfills a campaign pledge to increase the size of the US occupation. The new deployments will take effect in May, increasing the US occupation force to 55,000—a 50 percent rise. Another 32,000 non-US NATO troops are also in Afghanistan. The news came as the UN said Afghan civilian casualties jumped by nearly 40 percent last year. US-led forces were responsible for nearly 40 percent of the deaths, killing 828 people out of a reported 2,100 casualties.
US Drone Attacks Kill 61 in Pakistan
A pair of US missile strikes over the past week have killed sixty-one people in Pakistan. On Sunday, a remote-controlled US drone bombed three compounds in South Waziristan, killing thirty. Earlier today, another US drone struck the Kumman tribal region, killing thirty-one people. The US has now struck Pakistan at least three times since President Obama took office.
Sen. Feinstein: US Using Pakistani Base for Drone Attacks
The attacks come days after Senator Dianne Feinstein, the chair of the US Senate Intelligence Committee, became the first US politician to publicly state that the US is using a Pakistani base to carry out the strikes. During a congressional hearing, Feinstein said, “As I understand it, these are flown out of a Pakistani base.” Until now, the Pakistani government has attempted to distance itself from the US air strikes.
Pakistan to Allow Sharia Law in Malakand Region
The Pakistani government and Taliban militants appear close to reaching a ceasefire in the Malakand region of northern Pakistan. Under the deal, the government said it would allow the region to be ruled under Islamic or sharia law. The deal was announced on the same day Pakistani President Asif Zardari said the Taliban was trying to take over the state of Pakistan.
Kyrgyz Parliament Votes to Close US Air Base
In other regional news Kyrgyzstan lawmakers have voted to close a key US air base used for the occupation of Afghanistan. Earlier today, the Kyrgyz parliament voted 78-to-1 in favor of shuttering the Manas Air Base. The base is a transit point for 15,000 troops and 500 tons of cargo each month. But it’s become widely unpopular amidst opposition to US foreign policy and controversy over US refusal to pay a higher fee. The US has also refused to revoke the immunity of a US soldier who fatally shot a Kyrgyz truck driver in late 2006
Trial Delayed for Shoe-Throwing Iraqi Journalist
In Iraq, the trial of the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at former President George W. Bush has been delayed until next month. Muntadhar al-Zaidi will stand trial in March on charges of assaulting a foreign leader. He faces fifteen years in prison. Zaidi’s attorney and family have alleged abusive treatment since his imprisonment. On Wednesday, Zaidi was applauded as he entered the courtroom.
Israel Seizes 425 Acres in West Bank for New Settlement Homes
Israel has seized 425 acres of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank in order to build 2,500 new homes as part of a major expansion of the Efrat settlement. This settlement is particularly sensitive given that it would help complete a ring of hilltop settlements in Efrat that threaten to cut Arab East Jerusalem off from the West Bank and undermine prospects that East Jerusalem could serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.
British Lawmakers Accuse Israel of Committing War Crimes
Meanwhile, a team of British lawmakers arrived in Gaza on Monday to conduct a fact-finding visit following Israel’s twenty-two-day attack on Gaza.
British MP Edward Davey: “I think we need to get a clear message to the Israeli government, whoever it turns out to be: this sort of thing is just unacceptable. There has to be an international investigation into this, because it seems to me that war crimes have been committed.”
UN: 50 Million Workers to Lose Jobs Due to Economic Crisis
In economic news, the UN’s International Labor Organization is estimating the global economic crisis could result in a staggering 50 million workers to lose their jobs. The UN agency’s chief Juan Somavia said, “I sense a huge popular frustration brewing.” Somavia said the current economic squeeze is "provoking tensions, political uncertainties and even possible security risks.” Last week, Dennis Blair, the US’s new Director of Intelligence, warned that the current global economic crisis has become a greater security concern to the United States than terrorism.
Greenspan Backs Nationalization of Struggling Banks
Former Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan has endorsed the nationalization of struggling US banks. In an interview with the Financial Times, Greenspan said, “It may be necessary to temporarily nationalize some banks in order to facilitate a swift and orderly restructuring. I understand that once in a hundred years this is what you do.” Greenspan’s embrace of neoliberal policies during his Fed tenure has been criticized for helping to cause today’s financial crisis.
Guatemala Apologizes to Cuba for Bay of Pigs
Guatemala has issued a formal apology to Cuba for taking part in the US “Bay of Pigs” invasion of 1961. The Kennedy administration used Guatemalan soil to train the group of militants used in the ultimately failed attack. On Tuesday, Guatemalan President Álvaro Colom said he wished to “officially ask Cuba for forgiveness.” The US has never apologized for the Bay of Pigs invasion.
Venezuela’s Chavez Wins Vote on Re-Election
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez won a referendum vote on Sunday to remove term limits, paving the way for him to run again in 2013. Electoral authorities said 54 percent of voters approved the constitutional amendment to remove term limits for all politicians. Chavez held a victory celebration in Caracas last night.
Hugo Chavez: “The Venezuelan people today radiate their light and democratic, revolutionary virtues to the entire world. Let the world see this light and the people of Simon Bolivar."
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