Iraq Political Quagmire following Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Appointment

November 21, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

Iraqi Parliament reportedly commenced its fractured session on November 11, 2010 with Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki appointed for the second term against the electoral mandate.

The Parliamentary ominous beginning resulting in a walkout by the secular leader Ayad Allawi and other political party members disappointed with the Maliki government default on a range of issues is indicative of the so-called agreement notably imposed upon the Iraqi people represented by the elected officials rather than allowing the democratic course to choose a leadership capable of governing a diverse state exhausted from wars and sectarian violence.

The Iraqi election held in March 2010 yielded a narrow victory for the secular Shia leader Ayad Allawi political party unified with the Sunni, Kurdish, Assyrian and other minorities in the country.

However, the reports confirmed that the incumbent Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki was nominated as the head of the state with the blessings from the United States administration and not from Iran as predicted.

According to the news reports –

“Mr. Allawi’s walkout occurred even as Obama administration officials praised the deal in a conference call with reporters. Two American officials later played down the walkout, saying that Mr. Allawi’s bloc remained committed to the agreement, despite what one of the officials called a “hiccup.”

For better or worse, the agreement reflected the still-potent American influence here, despite assertions by some that the United States was losing sway to Iran.

When the leaders met on Wednesday night to broker the agreement — however tenuous it seemed — it was the American ambassador, James F. Jeffrey, who was in the room, not the one from Iran, according to Antony J. Blinken, the national security adviser to Mr. Biden.”

Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki Shia centric party alliance with anti-American cleric Muqtadā al-Ṣadr currently a resident in Iran was not approved in the Iraqi political circle most importantly on the streets of Baghdad and across Iraq –

Due to Prime Minister Maliki led Shia government’s poor track record against the minorities especially the Sunni population contributing to insurgency that has claimed thousands of innocent Iraqi lives until now.

Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki is the leader of the Islamic Dawa Party – stated as a Shia political party sworn to build an Islamic State in Iraq and combat secularism.

Although the party is known to have strong ties with the Iranian theocratic leadership – Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and believed to receive financial assistance to date, it could not win in March 2010 democratic electoral process.

The Iranian ally and anti-American cleric Muqtadā al-Ṣadr co-operation with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki did not strengthen the political representation in Iraqi Parliament with qualified concerns about the Iraqi leadership ability to maintain law and order, achieve legislative victories or promoting solidarity in national interest.

It was evident during the Parliamentary vote for Kurdish President Jalal Talabani to serve the second term.

In a 325 member Iraqi Parliament, the legislative impasse apparently ended with a simple majority of 195 votes for it failed to secure the two thirds majority – attributed to the discord between Prime Minister Maliki and other political factions.

As for the democratically elected non-sectarian Shia leader Ayad Allawi with strong Sunni and other demographic votes – the leader is eliminated and not even considered for any worthy position by the Maliki administration thereby explicitly rejecting the electorate will.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki characterized as ‘dour and divisive’ leader lacking voter confidence and political support across the nation is appointed for the second term reflecting the U.S. foreign policy contradictory to the democratic reality in a war torn nation.

Power politics is the contemporary trend displayed through interventional tactics even if it proved detrimental to the vast majority struggling to emerge from the ravaged war and incessant suicide bombings.

The Iraqi situation is best summarized as the fragile democracy assigned to the republic opposed political leadership with a doomed forecast facilitating the never ending occupation to curb the inevitable sectarian tensions not to mention the regional threat from the incumbent’s formidable partnership with Iranian cleric rule.

But the euphoria on the status quo is an irony.

Antony J. Blinken, the national security adviser to Vice President Joe Biden.

“The result — an inclusive government, all blocs in and a redistribution of power — was exactly what the Iranians didn’t want,” Mr. Blinken said in a telephone interview.”

People in Iraq have a responsibility to unanimously decline the foreign power intrusion in national politics and exercise the democratic right to be governed by the unifying and not polarizing leadership.

Iraqi population could change the present political dilemma by enforcing the electoral victory declaring the secular coalition to power.

The Iraqi electorates’ verdict in March 2010 was loud and clear denying Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki opportunity to derail progress, prolong U.S. occupation and revive Iranian instigated militancy – essentially resisting the counterproductive domestic and international policies implemented under Maliki leadership with foreign coercion.

Iraq is a sovereign nation and at liberty to determine the political future with fair representation that guarantees peace, economic prosperity and social equality for all.

Any political party refusal to accommodate the national requirements and address issues effectively benefiting the entire nation is a serious challenge to a democracy.

Considering the bloodshed and over a million Iraqi civilian lives lost since invasion, every Iraqi citizen is obliged to protect their individual freedom by working together as one national force regardless of the religious denomination and identity.

Iraq has tremendous potential to deal with crisis provided the central leadership is unanimously recognized and accepted as the trustworthy governing authority.

The minority skepticism and fear from the political bias could lead to perpetual sectarian conflicts depriving the majority a peaceful existence.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki might be the head of the state but the legitimacy is arguably at stake based on the political fragmentation and public disapproval in the government formation.

Poignantly, the anti-American cleric Muqtadā al-Ṣadr response following the U.S.
involvement in the political decision and effort to encourage Maliki leadership in severing affiliation with Sadr movement could lead to the merger collapse.

The similarities between Iraq and Afghanistan with the foreign troops presence, training the police and the armed personnel for security, entrusting power to unpopular leadership, political uncertainties…cannot be ignored.

Hence the Iraqi non-sectarian coalition is the only reliable power to govern the state traumatized by the sectarian warfare, carnage and destruction in the absence of secular leadership.

Peace and political stability to the people of Iraq.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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Iran Nuclear Program – U.S. NATO & Israel Military Strike – An Apocalyptic Mission

November 10, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

Nuclear proliferation is a global challenge in the twenty first century. The nuclear states hierarchy has contributed to non-cooperation in ratifying Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

The explicit nuclear threats exemplified by the prominent nuclear nations are largely responsible for the prolific nuclear quest.

Since the nuclear nations share equal responsibility in adherence to non-proliferation, the lack of fairness in the nuclear capability verification and the absence of universal treatment is the deterrent factor for the non-compliance among certain nuclear and non-nuclear weapon states.

Further, the ‘peaceful purpose’ concept through civilian program is a convenient avenue for some nations to advance their nuclear weaponization ignoring the inevitable serious ramifications.

Iran seeking nuclear status under such premise is a legitimate concern among the international community. Besides, Iran’s nuclear ambition could be detrimental for national and regional security.

In the increasingly insecure global environment, the nuclear threat is a potential cause for preemptive strikes and the opportunity readily available upon the Iranian nuclear weapon development.

Iran would essentially facilitate the imminent targeted attack by moving forward with the fissile material production or in accepting any nuclear deal considering the inflammatory remarks against Israel possibly used as circumstantial evidence and the Arab nations’ conspicuous reservations against Iran as the nuclear power.

Iranian authorities’ influence over Hamas, Hezbollah and the Iraqi Shia insurgents is well known and the speculative nuclear arms race in the Middle East following the Iranian nuclear armament could become the fundamental reason in the military operation against Iran unequivocally evolving into a recipe for disaster in the volatile region.

Given Iran’s extemporaneous nuclear undertaking the events leading to the military response would be catastrophic triggering a worldwide confrontation. The recent reports stated that the White House never ruled out the military option and the policy reiterated through the US State department.

Hence, it is in Iran’s best interest to terminate the entire nuclear activities effective immediately and allow IAEA inspection not only to meet the international requirement but also thwart the underlying inextricable military attack aimed at the Iranian nuclear facilities with a pervasive impact on the region and the rest of the world.

Iran is not in a position to procrastinate as the military strategy has been a work-in-progress and completely prepared for the appropriate time. Iran’s default would be self-endangering and devastating considering the ‘all options including nuclear warning’ has been the agenda in the long contentious nuclear dialogue.

It is imperative for Iran to realize that convincing the allies on the nuclear involvement as the sovereign right to nuclear energy and any decisions to pursue nuclear arsenal would precisely authorize the military intervention for the warring factions.

Moreover, Iran being the fourth major oil producer with an estimated 10% of the total global oil reserves, the civilian nuclear program arguably raises a credibility issue and declining access to the international monitoring agencies for assessment arouses suspicion implying the definitive expansion to a nuclear warhead in the discreet uranium enrichment.

Iran could perhaps end the nuclear program and consequentially the imposed economic sanctions that has created enormous trade restrictions affecting the national revenue especially investments for oil production.

It would clearly be a winning situation for Iran in renouncing the nuclear goals and most importantly prevent an apocalyptic occurrence with Iran being the initial casualty and originating point.

Hopefully, Iran would reconcile terms with reality and let rationality prevail over ideology.

Peace to Iran and the Middle East.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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Iraq – Partial Troop Withdrawal

August 22, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

Congratulations! To President Barack Obama, the United States Military and the coalition forces in the decision on the estimated 50,000 troop withdrawal from combat position in Iraq.

The President fulfilling the campaign commitment on timeline troop withdrawal is praiseworthy with the remaining forces to be withdrawn at the end of the year 2011.

However, the Iraqi national security is directly related to the political stability that remains unresolved.

The incumbent Prime Minister Nouri-Al-Maliki refusal to honor the Iraqi electorates’ will is contributing to the perpetual violence claiming innocent lives and enabling the insurgents’ establishment in the exhausted and war torn Iraq.

Perhaps, if Prime Minister Maliki were to prioritize his country’s interest over personal political ambitions by allowing the electorate mandate to prevail and that being,

The secular government comprising the Shi‘ite, Sunni and other minorities representing Iraq led by Prime Minister-elect Ayad Allawi, then Iraq would be debating on the economic issues rather than dealing with incessant bombings and explosions.

The people of Iraq could initiate the immediate formation of the secular government they elected back in March 2010 by urging the Iraqi leadership to recognize the importance in having a functional government to address all national issues.

A failure would result in the Iraqi security forces taking much longer to maintain law and order without a nationally approved federal authority in power.

Prime Minister Nouri-Al-Maliki and the political faction are undermining the fragile democracy in Iraq obtained through sacrifices from Iraqis and the U.S. as well as coalition armed forces.

Meanwhile, the lack of evidence in U.S. and international pressure on the Iraqi political situation is exacerbating the national security.

The default is also promoting Iran’s influence and the militants’ operations in Iraq.

Troop withdrawal from Iraq is a tremendous relief to the U.S. economy and a welcome change in the defense strategy with the credit attributed to President Barack Obama and all others responsible for the action.

Iraq’s future is entirely dependent upon the elected representatives expediting the March 2010 political outcome and granting the long beleaguered nation a secular, sovereign status.

Best wishes to the people of Iraq in forming a viable democratic government committed to long lasting peace and economic progress for all citizens.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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International Events – Pakistan Independence Day

August 15, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

Happy Independence Day on August 14, 2010 to Pakistan!

Pakistan celebrated its 63rd anniversary since partition from India and the nation has been confronted with humongous challenges until now.

The recent flooding has taken a toll on the population and the victims’ frustration is directed at the authorities engaged in rescue operation.

The United States assistance and the generous contributions from people around the world are significant in saving lives.

Pakistan is also politically and economically undermined by the various terror networks wreaking havoc within and outside the country.

More than six decades into independence and Pakistan is deprived of a vibrant democracy predominantly due to the liaison maintained by the key officials in the Pakistan military along with ISI, the intelligence agency with the militants and radical groups like Taliban, Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Haqqani networks, the underworld don viz. Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar and the likes.

Why is Pakistan so tolerant and providing refuge to these criminal elements despite their notoriety are the legitimate concerns in the international community?

One would presume that the substantial U.S. military and financial aid to Pakistan to clamp down on terrorism should have eliminated terror from the nuclear nation.

Instead, the terror organizations prominently the Al-Qaida, Taliban, the Haqqani and Lashkar-e-Taiba have transformed Pakistan into a terror haven killing more Pakistanis, their fellow Muslims in the endless explosions across the country.

Besides, them instigating violence in neighboring Kashmir and consistently plotting against the United States as well as other democracies around the world.

How can they possibly justify these actions in the name of Almighty God, the Allah and the Holy Quran that forbids any harm to the living in any shape or form?

Can these individuals be regarded Muslims considering their indiscriminate violence towards fellow human beings particularly their own Muslim brothers and sisters, whether in the United States, India, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, or for that matter the incessant bombings that are occurring in Pakistan?

It’s no secret that the certain Pakistani military and ISI members ‘aiding and abetting has emboldened the terror networks and enabled them to freely operate in the nuclear armed nation.

What is the solution to this radicalization and how can it be addressed effectively?

Arms embargo in addition to freezing bank accounts facilitating terror activities within Pakistan is paramount in ensuring global security.

The Pakistani educated youth and the middle class have a responsibility to take control of their nation.

For, it’s their future that is being squandered by the unscrupulous sources in the national defense and intelligence agency.

Pakistan has enough military power to have contained if not eradicated terror, considering the successful military coups against democratic governments since its birth.

Then, why the combined forces of Pakistan and U.S. military are having difficulty demolishing the medieval terror infrastructure in the twenty first century is mind boggling.

As a result, the Pakistani citizens and the U.S. taxpayers are forced to bear the brunt in human casualties and the economic aspect.

How long should these war games continue and at what cost?

These are the questions to be raised by the people of Pakistan and the United States.

Human lives are expended on both sides with no end in sight to the war on terror.

Throughout history, the people have demonstrated the will and courage to stand up to the forces stalling human progress.

Evidently, they have triumphed from time and time again.

Therefore, Pakistan’s public complacency to the decadent status quo from the myriad sources dominance is the problem and could be easily resolved through solidarity by identifying the ‘bad apples,’ and replacing them with those dedicated in renewing Pakistan’s image as a friendly neighbor, viable economic partner and a true ally in the global war on terror.

There is an opportunity for a new chapter in the twenty first century provided the people initiate the peaceful beginning.

‘Change,’ cannot be brought upon by mere hope, it has to be delivered through action.

Best Wishes to the people of Pakistan in achieving peace, progress and prosperity.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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Human Tragedy

July 19, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

Condolences to the families mourning the loss of life from different tragic events.

The recent train crash in West Bengal, India with reportedly 61 people dead in the accident is regrettable.

In other incidents, terrorism taking toll on human life is the norm in certain parts of the world.

The bomb blasts in July 2010 alone has claimed many innocent lives –

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran…in July 2010 is worthy of condemnation as often the civilians are the victims in the terror related violence.

Freedom along with social and economic opportunities would substantially deter the terror recruitment among the desolate youth population hired for committing horrendous crime against their fellow humans.

Evidently, the citizens in these regions unanimously favor the divestments from prolonged wars towards social and economic development.

Peaceful resolutions focused on economic progress would enormously benefit everyone involved in the global terrorism era.

Terror networks successfully engage the impoverished segment of the population under the pretext of improving their life and the lack of education among the terror recruits is a huge advantage to them.

Accordingly, the militants and the terror organizations regularly attack schools and the educational institutions to deprive the youth from proper education.

Investments in drones, bombs and sophisticated artillery thus far might have eliminated the crucial targets. However, terrorism never dissipates despite the relentless military intervention due to the underlying hindrances in human existence.

Besides participation in the governance through democratic process, the overwhelming majority in these nations seek basic requirements such as clean drinking water, healthy environment to live in modest conditions enabled by agriculture and industrial growth .

Unless these issues are addressed effectively which is not possible by a dysfunctional government, the terror networks will continue to exist as a parallel governing authority holding the people hostage to their violent agenda.

Empowering people with necessary economic and human rights is the best alternative to the military options that are increasingly alienating the local population from the Western interests.

Perhaps, the nations combating terrorism could consolidate their resources and aim to alleviate the suffering through peaceful means.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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G-8 and G-20, 2010 Summit – Toronto, Canada

June 27, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

A warm welcome to the world leaders attending the back to back G-8 and G-20, 2010 summit in Toronto, Canada.

The G-8 summit held on Friday, June 25, 2010 appeared to focus on the common economic issues such as financial regulations, deficit reduction and economic aid to disadvantaged countries on the financial side.

International peace and security – the leaders’ discussions are expansive from Iran’s controversial nuclear program, disarmament of North Korea, war in Afghanistan, Pakistan including the tensions in the Middle East.

Also in the agenda is the African leaders outreach on economic progress.

Social issues are related to protecting women’s health viz. maternal well being and infant growth in the regions lacking in antenatal care.

It’s important to begin with the financial sector and the economy for this topic.

Congratulations! To President Barack Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid and the Congress members for the bipartisan votes in the long overdue financial reform.

It’s a major milestone and a fresh beginning to avert future financial crisis responsible for the global economic meltdown with spiraling effects on the housing, credit and job market.

Other industrialized nations like Germany passed their financial regulation with a mandatory deficit reduction. The constitutional amendment by Germany to contain the deficit to 0.35 percent of GDP by 2016 provided the higher deficit not attributed to GDP decline is a trendsetter in curbing the economic recession.

Similarly, the United Kingdom, Japan and the hard hit economies with huge deficits are in the process of clamping down on the national debt through fiscal austerity and tax hikes.

The deficit reduction is the popular stance among the member nations in this summit.

Although, containing national debt is an immediate priority, the measures to achieve the desirable goal needs to be balanced, so that the vulnerable population like children, senior citizens and the people with disabilities or life threatening conditions are not deprived of basic services from the targeted spending cuts.

Maintenance of social services and programs availed by the citizens across the spectrum would prevent the inevitable outcome – For the elimination would lead to unsustainable economic costs impacting health, education, housing, consumer spending, states’ emergency units – fire and police departments.

Notwithstanding the potential increase in domestic crime rate that had been relatively low nationwide.

Likewise, raising taxes on health and environmentally harmful sources is a place to start due to the dual cause. It would protect the people and the habitat while generating revenue to pay off the accumulated debt.

In the United States, the legislation aimed at economic revival and federal aid to the states for essential programs is challenged by the opposition minority based on their national debt concern.

It’s a legitimate reason but the disapproval is directed at the nerve center of the society.

By denying unemployment benefits to the laid off workers and,

Blocking federal aid to the states is an erroneous decision. States’ employment would be affected leading to massive retrenchment resulting in tax revenue losses.

Already, some states have furlough hurting many American families. In addition, the states offer lifeline support to many contributing back to the system via taxes as wage earners and consumers.

Despite the reality, the ‘Nay’ vote defies logic.

There are ways to pay for these bills by reallocating the unutilized funds in defense spending and pet projects. Moreover, there cannot be anything significant than helping the workers survive and enable them to be gainfully employed yielding tax payments.

Ignoring citizens’ plight has much higher economic and political ramifications.

Therefore, the stimulus bills with guaranteed tax returns are the means to expedite economic recovery.

Since globalization is embraced as the twenty first century economic policy, the anomalies in the system beckon the world leaders’ attention.

There is an urgency to implement international labor and environmental laws binding on transnational corporations to safeguard the environment and the workers’ interest against exploitation, negligence including fair and equal compensation regardless of territories.

Even though, the child labor is banned in some developing nations, the practice is widespread in the desperate parts of the world often engaged by the established multinational companies from the industrialized nations.

Stringent strategies against financial investment firms’ speculative activities that led the Greece and the neighboring economies to the brink of collapse are quintessential in the sweeping financial overhaul.

Some have addressed the problem by enforcing strict rules on the ‘derivatives’ and hedge fund mismanagement in the financial reform. However, the global standard would strengthen the application.

Currency adjustments by the emerging economic power creating trade imbalance and subsequently influencing the rising deficit financed by the creditor is yet another matter to resolve in the present meeting.

Tax havens and withholding income from offshore investments by corporations are impediments to the struggling economies irrespective of stature. Again, cooperation from the G-20 partners facilitating such activities is to be sought on this occasion.

Clean energy to free mankind from fossil fuel and nuclear technology is crucial to replace the discriminatory civilian nuclear program paving way for nuclear proliferation.

Global terrorism and security – Coordinating with international intelligence agencies as opposed to militarization or deploying military personnel on espionage to collect information is a serious violation of the respective nations’ sovereignty. The clandestine military operation is bound to exacerbate the insurgency in the volatile regions forcing the local population to favor the militants reluctantly against the infiltrators.

The article titled “U.S. Military Espionage – Directive for Global Operation,” May 30, 2010 highlighting the inherent dangers of the provocative activities, was presented under the “National and Global Security,” category on this website for further understanding.

International Peace Agreements – Unanimous condemnation of Iran and North Korea nuclear capabilities and belligerent displays against neighbors is a positive step.

Similarly it should be extended to allies violating human rights through illegal invasion and occupation of land, prominently Israel and China viewed by the international community as the U.S and Europe’s ‘turn a blind eye,’ foreign policy.

Actions are effective and meaningful when they are universal and not selective in the enforcement.

Other nations like Thailand cracking down on civilian population with military might in public square deserve international isolation for successfully thwarting the democratic uprising against abuse of power.

Democracy has become a token political system undermined by excessive military involvement and constitutional monarchy as seen in Thailand.

Burma/Myanmar belongs to the league in brutality against its citizens by the military junta reportedly occupied with the nuclear activity.

Worldwide nuclear disarmament is the course to pursue for global peace.

In other humanitarian issues – whether it is women’s rights, social justice or dealing with hunger, poverty and disease, they are all related to the political power governing the nations.

United States, EU, United Nations, Arab countries and emerging economic powers have a decisive role in promoting democracy, peace, human rights, economic and social progress by remaining impartial and committed towards the noble mission.

Best Wishes to G-8 and G-20 nations attending the 2010 summit.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Economy | Leave a Comment 

The Freedom Flotilla Crisis – Exacerbating Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process

June 2, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

Israel is in spotlight for the recent intervention of the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara originally scheduled to deliver humanitarian aid directly to the beleaguered Palestinian population in Gaza.

According to the worldwide reports, the Israeli Navy commandos stormed the ‘Freedom Flotilla,’ that was carrying humanitarian essentials like medical supplies, equipments, children’s toys other than cement and building materials on board to help the Gazans rebuild the enclave that has been under siege in the ongoing Israeli Palestinian conflict.

As a result, per IBA – Israel Broadcast Authority at least 15 international activists on the Turkish cruise liner have died and several including around seven Israeli soldiers are wounded from the skirmish,

That prompted the U.N. Security Council to convene an emergency session to express concern and regrets over the loss of lives in the clash between the Israeli forces and the Pro-Palestinian activists.

Israel’s blockade on Gaza subsequent to the 2008 Gaza invasion is claimed by Israel as a territorial trade embargo to weaken the Palestinian authority, Hamas and prohibit conventional weapons importation into Gaza from Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria.

While Israel has adopted these measures to deter the possible arms shipment from its adversaries in the region, the joint display by Israel and its strongest ally, U.S. on October 22, 2009,

Titled –“Juniper Cobra 2009 – Reports stated that:

“U.S. and Israel conducted massive missile defense drills to create the world’s most sophisticated anti-missile umbrella to protect the Jewish State,”

Further, it emphasized that:

“Unlike past Juniper Cobras, this one will employ the widest spectrum of missile defense assets yet, including the US’s Aegis BMD ships, Patriot PAC-3 batteries, THAAD batteries, the mobile X-Band radar currently stationed in the Negev, and Israel’s own Arrow 2 batteries. Interoperability between allied systems is the main goal.”

United States does have a small military garrison at a strategic radar, X-band, stationed in Israel’s southern Negev desert.

“The Israel Defense Force can defend Israel alone,” Gavish said. “But it is good to know that U.S. capabilities are available.”

Despite the unflinching U.S. military aid to Israel and its nuclear capability, the Israeli policies against the Palestinian population under the “national security,” pretext in the Gaza war and,

Now in the Freedom flotilla raid is characteristic of the twentieth century Imperialism promoted into the twenty first century – through illegal invasion, occupation, oppression, persecution and denial of basic human rights in the modern civilization.

Israel’s persisting provocative actions in this instant along with Jewish settlements expansion in Palestinian territories, refusal to comply with international humanitarian law including the Geneva Convention violation as detailed in the “Goldstone Report,” are responsible for Israel’s self-inflicted insecurity.

Ironically, not long ago, Israel found an ally in Hamas when they both were implicated in the ‘Goldstone report,’ much to the frustration and disappointment of the West Bank authority – Fatah leader and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in their successful attempt to evade the potential trial for war crimes by the offenders in the international court of justice.

Thus, proving that “politics finds strange partners.”

It’s apparent that the innocent civilians in Palestine and Israel were victims in the Gaza war with the perpetrators on both sides forging alliance to prevent prosecution in the U.N. sponsored investigation.

The independent investigation in the Freedom flotilla deaths and the Goldstone report on Gaza war deserve to be honored and executed.

Nevertheless, the Palestinian plight in the past six decades and their struggle for an independent state is nearing end due to the increased international awareness and solidarity to liberate Palestine from Israel.

Israel is at the crossroads amid widespread global disdain for the systemic abuse of power against Palestinians.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the hard line Likud Party coalition partners advocating anti-democratic doctrine fail to recognize the mirage in the occupied land.

History is testimony to the fact that colonization eventually leads to emancipation.

Israeli check posts, blockades, military aggression, settlements has consumed the moderate and the conservative powers’ time and resources leaving Israel in self-bondage without truly experiencing the independent statehood granted in 1948.

Israel is perceived to exist in the shadow of the staunch supporter, the United States, in spite of the great many attributes within not optimized to attain peace and harmony with the fellow human beings – the Palestinians.

Rather than adopting the ‘Live and let Live,’ maxim, the prolonged annexation of boundaries from 1967 to until now has generated acrimony, bloodshed and perennial border disputes among Israel and Arab neighbors.

By enduring the generational loss in the quest for freedom that has sadly remained a fantasy among the young and the old on the Palestinian side and similarly the Israeli side deprived of normal existence from the fear of being attacked, the two-fold tragedy has a simple solution.

Signing the Israel and Palestinian Peace Treaty as outlined on several occasions.

1. Complete withdrawal of Israeli settlers and the military base from all Palestinian territories including the occupied peripheral lands since 1967.

2. Palestine is to be internationally recognized as a sovereign nation with East Jerusalem as the Capital for the independent state.

3. The policy restricting Palestinians the right to return to Israel would conversely apply to the Jewish settlers and Israeli citizens on the Palestinian land. Similar reciprocation applies to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s insistence to call Israel the ‘Jewish’ state.

Therefore, it’s very important to weigh the pros and cons of the harsh terms and conditions being imposed by the powerful against the powerless to avoid the inevitable backlash from such extemporaneous demands.

4. Palestinian and Arab nation’s reaffirmation of Israel as a sovereign nation in the Middle East along with a solemn oath to disavow violence in the form of suicide bombings, rocket firing and last but not the least any nuclear threats against Israel.

5. Free flow of Economic and Humanitarian aid to Palestine for reconstruction purpose, to commence effective immediately without Israeli authority intrusion.

6. Evidently, the International community seeks equal support from the United States and other economic powers to both Israel and Palestine to reflect fairness in the deal.

Finally, it’s imperative and incumbent on the U.S., the U.N.,the EU and the Arab league to be honest brokers in implementing the Peace Treaty to restore credibility in resolving international problems.

Palestinians and Israelis are entitled to a long lasting peace and a bright future. It’s time to set the differences aside and reconcile terms with reality that,

Future is determined by the present as time and tide waits for none.

The burden lies more on Israel as the occupying power in setting the corner stone for peaceful resolution in the age-old conflict.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under International Politics | Leave a Comment 

Secret War Ramifications – U.S. Military Espionage and Directive for Global Operation

May 30, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

With reference to the preceding article May 30, 2010 titled U.S. Military Espionage – Directive for Global Operation:

It’s clear from the reports that the signed directive promoting espionage through troops deployment around the world would be an invasion of sovereign nations apart from undermining the intelligence agencies in the U.S. and the rest of the world.

The U.S. is officially engaged in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Yemen that has claimed millions of lives with the Afghan war surpassing Iraq in the U.S. troop casualty reaching 1000 mark.

Notwithstanding death toll of service members reportedly as part of “Operation Enduring Freedom,” in the Philippines, the Horn of Africa and the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
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Per AP report on May 29, 2010, titled U.S. records 1000th death in Afghan war by Robert H. Reid

“More have died in past 10 months than in first 5 years, the death toll for this month alone being 32 in 29 days with more expected in the aggressive campaign this summer.

In the past 10 months, at least 313 U.S. service members have been killed in the war – more than the 295 who died in the first five years of the conflict.

More than 430 of the U.S. dead were killed since January 2009.

The number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan has now surpassed the total in Iraq – roughly, 94,000 in Afghanistan compared with 92,000 in Iraq.

In 2008, the U.S. force in Afghanistan numbered about 30,000.”
————————————————————————————————–

Secret War Ramifications Continued – By Padmini Arhant

That being the grim reality, the elaborate scheme to accentuate the military role throughout the world in the mission against “war on terror,”

Despite the ongoing conflict spanning nine years in Afghanistan and eight years in Iraq including the escalation in Pakistan via drone attacks, missile strikes from Navy ships in Yemen producing immense loss of lives and economic liability is tragic if not outrageously ambitious.

Sadly, the universal dissent for the invasion and occupation in Iraq and the prolonged war in Afghanistan is ignored with a false presumption of winning the wars that has contributed to political instability, scores of deaths, alarming national deficits and anti-Americanism.

Now with a new strategy involving troops regardless of size on clandestine military activity would be provocative creating opportunities for militancy to continue their resistance by plotting against innocent civilians in the United States and their domicile.

Such offensive plan with utter disregard for the individual national security measures maintained and coordinated by the majority in global terrorism is likely to generate more adversaries than allies.

Again, the recent terror plots have been thwarted by the courageous unarmed civilians on flights and ground level as witnessed in the Christmas bomber or The Times Square conspiracy.

The terror suspects and offenders invariably use the invasion and occupation as the reason for their participation in the violent attacks when they try to win the local population support.

Peace and diplomacy to resolve disputes is no longer an option in the aggressive military action setting the world stage for a dangerous outcome in the nuclear era.

Unfortunately, the military command’s secret war across the globe appear to have little or no concern for the troops’ safety as shared by the military officials revealing the truth about the risks upon the brave service men and women being captured as spies and denied Geneva Convention protection,

Thus, allowing the rivals to justify their treatment of the captives similar to the detainees’ experience in Bagram Air base and the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

In addition, the crisis is worsened by the private contractors’ apparent sportive shooting incidents of civilians in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan fomenting deep resentment against the hiring authorities for their failure to investigate these crimes.

Continuation of torture, prisoner abuse, denial of Habeas Corpus and federal trials as opposed to military tribunals are few of the many human rights violation attributed to the citizens’ protest in the nearly decade old battles.

The cyclical violence through suicide bombings and explosives used by the militants is counteracted with drones and improvised explosive devices by the military in the perpetual warfare, leaving the victims – the civilians, the troops and their families endure the indefinite combative environment.

Terrorism is being redefined by the frustrated population of the war zones and the potential targets as the one involving the insurgents and the other ‘state sponsored,’ displaying the sophisticated artillery in their possession, with neither willing to ceasefire.

Understanding the population plight due to the lack of freedom, political stability, economic prospects and social justice is not a priority for the warring factions.

If it were to be the case, the leadership in Afghanistan, Honduras, Haiti…would represent the electorates’ choice and not be the external political power nominees.

Usually, the U.S. legislative process is gruelling on pertinent issues viz. the economy, health care, energy and environment with the exception of overwhelming bipartisan support for war funding.

Poignantly, per the current report – the Senate passed the $58.8 billion war funding 67 – 28, a dozen Republicans, including GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky voted for the 30,000 troop increase in Afghanistan against the jobless benefits before Memorial Day, suggesting that the Senate will not hold any more votes until senators return from their holiday break June 7.

The legislators in favor of deficit reduction have approved the Afghanistan troop surge funding while declining their votes for the average Americans’ interest forcing the House Democratic leaders to drop the following provisions in response to the deficit concerns:

$24 billion for states to help cover Medicaid costs.

$6.8 billion to provide health insurance subsidies to the jobless under the COBRA program.

$22 billion to provide a 19 month reprieve from a scheduled 21 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors.

Further it’s reported that “Spending cuts demanded by Democratic moderates unhappy about voting to increase the deficit will mean layoffs next year by state governments and no health insurance subsidies for people laid off after Memorial Day.”

Evidently, the spending cuts required for deficit contraction is directed at the population’s nerve center – jobs and health care over the insatiable appetite for redundant warfare resulting in the loss of precious lives sacrificed by the valiant troops and the vulnerable civilians.

The misplaced priority in the two conflicting options – lifesaver and fatalities is attention worthy.

Contemporary policy embracing war and aggression on all sides defies the conventional wisdom that violence begets violence leading the world to go blind in the revengeful act.

Non-violence means empowered with empathy for one another is far more powerful in attaining global peace and harmony.

On the Memorial Day weekend, our nation salutes the fallen heroes for their patriotism and commemorates those serving at present as well as the members in the past.

Fresh beginning awaits humanity celebrating life through peace.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under National and Global Security | Leave a Comment 

U.S. Military Espionage – Directive for Global Operation

May 30, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

According to the latest news reports obtained from the defense officials and military documents, an extensive clandestine military operation is ordered by the Middle East top U.S. commander to intercept militant groups or threats in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and other African countries.

Courtesy – The New York Times report, May 25, 2010 – By Mark Mazzetti titled:

“U.S. Oks secret war on terror by military – Iran among likely targets of special operations order”

Washington -“The secret directive, signed in September by Gen.David Petraeus authorizes the sending of U.S. special operations troops to both friendly and hostile nations in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Horn of Africa to gather intelligence and build ties with local forces.

Officials said the order also permits reconnaissance that could pave the way for possible military strikes in Iran if tensions over its nuclear ambitions escalate.

While the Bush administration had approved some clandestine military activities far from designated war zones, the new order is intended to make such efforts more systematic and long term, officials said.

Its goals are to build networks that could “penetrate, disrupt, defeat or destroy” al-Qaida and other militant groups, as well as to “prepare the environment” for future attacks by U.S. or local military forces, the document said. The order, however, does not appear to authorize offensive strikes in any specific countries..

In broadening its secret activities, the U.S. military also has sought in recent years to break its dependence on the CIA and other spy agencies for information in countries without a significant U.S. troop presence.

Petraeus’ order is meant for use of small teams of U.S. troops to fill intelligence gaps about terror organizations and other threats in the Middle East and beyond, especially emerging groups plotting attacks against the United States.

But some Pentagon officials worry that the expanded role carries risks.

The authorized activities could strain relationships with friendly governments like Saudi Arabia or Yemen, or incite the anger of hostile countries like Iran and Syria.

Many in the military also are concerned that as U.S. troops assume roles far from traditional combat, they would be at risk of being treated as spies if captured and denied the Geneva Convention protections afforded military detainees.

The precise operations that the directive authorizes are unclear, and what the military has done to follow through on the order is uncertain.

The document, a copy of which was viewed by The New York Times, provides few details about continuing missions or intelligence-gathering operations.

Several government officials who described the impetus for the order would speak only on condition of anonymity because the document is classified.

Spokesmen for the White House and Pentagon declined to comment.

The Times, responding to concerns about troop safety raised by an official at U.S. Central Command, the military headquarters run by Petraeus, withheld some details about how troops could be deployed in certain countries.

The seven-page directive appears to authorize specific operations in Iran, most likely to gather intelligence about the country’s nuclear program or identify dissident groups that might be useful for a future military offensive.

The Obama administration insists that, for the moment, it is committed to penalizing Iran for its nuclear activities only with diplomatic and economic sanctions.

Nevertheless, the Pentagon has to draw up detailed war plans to be prepared in advance, in the event that, Obama authorized a strike.

“The Defense Department can’t be caught flat-footed,” said one Pentagon official with knowledge of Petraeus’ order.

The directive, the Joint Unconventional Warfare Task Force Execute Order, signed Sept. 30, also may have helped lay a foundation for the surge of U.S. military activity in Yemen that began three months later.

Special operations troops began working with Yemen’s military to try to dismantle al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, an affiliate of Osama bin Laden’s terror network based in Yemen.

The Pentagon has carried out missile strikes from Navy ships into suspected militant hideouts and plans to spend more than $155 million equipping Yemeni troops with armored vehicles, helicopters and small arms.

Officials said that many top commanders, Petraeus among them, have advocated an expansive interpretation of the military’s role around the world, arguing that troops need to operate beyond Iraq and Afghanistan to better fight militant groups.”

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under National and Global Security | Leave a Comment 

Iraq’s Political Stalemate and Solution to a Promising Future

May 14, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

It has been over two months for the parliamentary elections in Iraq and the nation is without a new government thus far.

Since there is no absolute majority winner, the political parties have been scrambling to form a coalition unsuccessfully.

The situation has created a void in the absence of ruling government allowing insurgency to re-emerge that claimed 119 civilian lives on Monday 10, 2010.

Further, the U.S. troop withdrawal with August 31 deadline and the complete pull out from Iraq by the end of 2011 is contingent on the political stability.

The military perspective is “to hold as many forces on the ground until the need to redeploy them.”

Even though, the security agreement between Iraq and the United States requires the U.S. exit by the end of 2011, that now appears to be improbable from the military officials’ statements.

If this is not a wake up call to the elected officials in Iraq, then nothing can revive democracy in the war torn nation.

The Iraqi election mandate was clearly in favor of a secular representation predominantly seeking an end to the sectarian violence that has crippled the economy and stifled the troop withdrawal.

Despite the secular Shiite leader Ayad Allawi being the front runner in the election with strong backing from the Sunnis and different political parties,

The Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s Shiite alliance with the religious Shiite and Iran is being pushed forward for a second term by those preventing peace to prevail in the country that has lost millions of innocent lives to incessant bombings and shootings.

Such undemocratic maneuvering is provoking the Sunni and other minorities causing immense frustration.

The anxiety is exploited by the militants responsible for the insurgency in 10 cities lately and the foreign troops to postpone departure.

Further, the Maliki government with strong Iranian support has failed to curb the earlier attacks allegedly influenced by Iran arguably polarizing the diverse society.

Iraqis were looking forward to a democratically elected government strong on the economy and national security.

Knowing the leadership that would bring the different political factions together rather than strengthening their own representation is likely to succeed in the national endeavor.

Similar expectations were prevalent among other Arab nations concerned about Iran’s ally – the Maliki government’s consecutive term de-legitimizing the Sunnis and others in the Shiite dominant Parliament.

Besides, the events replicating the political outcome in Afghanistan is evident in Iraq with the killings on the rise and the foreign troops presence extended indefinitely utilizing the political discord and social unrest as the reasons for the decision.

However, unlike Afghanistan, Iraqi election completed its process regardless of the routine electoral complaints for inaccuracy in certain districts, delivering the secular Shiite leader, Ayad Allawi as the front runner and the preferred choice.

Whenever the incumbent administration with the following traits:

In agreement with the foreign troops occupation,

Contributing to the political turmoil by rejecting the democratic results against the electorates will and determined to prolong its power,

That government has a bleak future.

Their focus is centered on remaining in office rather than resolving national issues.

With the lack of consensus during the self-appointed term, not much progress is anticipated in the legislative matter fomenting public disappointment and anger in all directions.

Any political power conspicuously inept at governance with the fragmented political structure in constant disapproval of legislations generates a leadership vacuum.

The dilemma is exemplified in Afghanistan and Iraq, the twenty first century battlegrounds with no end in sight, in the war on terror including the deepening political and national security crisis.

Iraq has tremendous potential to reverse its course due to the vast geographic and demographic advantages that exists.

Enriched in oil, there is enormous economic opportunity for nation reconstruction provided the political system be solidified with the multifaceted representation.

In addition, the Iraqi population is educated and suitably trained in the respective fields for the desirable GDP growth.

The perpetual carnage and destruction exacerbated with the political uncertainty has deprived them of a stunning economic performance.

The Shiite policy associating the present Sunni and other minorities with the inhumane past is detrimental to the country’s future. Injustice against one or the few affects the entire society.

It’s important to recognize one another as an Iraqi prior to any other denomination.

The vengeful act is counterproductive and benefits none.

National unity irrespective of the unique cultural and religious attributes could deal with any internal or external threats and the society thrives in harmony.

Consolidating the talents and resources accelerates the individual achievements reflected in the common goal.

Human beings across the globe share the basic aspirations – freedom, peace, secure jobs, good education, health care access and clean environment.

Anything beyond that is made possible with en masse creative and innovative ideas for greater good.

The Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s visit to Iran and the close ties with the Iranian regime, prominent for human rights abuse and regional threats is a major impediment for a credible majority rule in Iraq under this administration.

Subsequent to the Kurdish political activists execution in Iran on May 9, 2010,

The autonomous Kurdistan in the national politics might face legitimate opposition among their constituents demanding non-coordination with Prime Minister Maliki led Parliament.

Leaving the prospective Allawi administration as the only alternative – a coalition government per the Iraqi constitution.

Iraq is historically a secular nation. Therefore, it cannot afford to let one group be dominant over others as witnessed in the Shiite bloc headed by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Sunni representation in the Parliament is essential to curtail domestic terrorism and enable peaceful existence for the people of Iraq.

Likewise, the Kurdish constitutional rights need to be acknowledged to the fullest extent in a real democracy.

The Kurdish impressive victory in Kurdistan and the disputed areas is well deserved, considering the persisting brutality against them in the Middle East.

Similarly, the secular Shiite leader, Ayad Allawi’s rainbow coalition is the ideal political option for the long-suffering people of Iraq.

Iraq is still experiencing relentless assaults after millions of lives sacrificed in the illegal invasion and occupation.

It’s in the best interest of the people – the Sunnis, the Shiites, the Kurds, the Assyrians and other minority groups to come together and govern Iraq in a democratic system with the secular leader, Ayad Allawi as the Prime Minister.

Without a shadow of doubt, the unified power would promote political stability and national security.

Once that being established, the economic prosperity is inevitable.

The skepticism by Sami Shorsh, the head of the Kurdistan alliance List, regarding the Kurdish rights at the national front is reasonable, based on the isolation.

At the same time, the Kurdistan President, Massoud Barzani emphasis on the Kurdish unity in national issues is prudent. For it would expedite the regional progress and reduce the state’s economic burden through solidarity.

The Shiite and Secular outreach to the Sunni representatives in the formation of the new government is paramount.

It would unequivocally settle the storm that has wreaked havoc in Iraq until today.

Obviously, the people of Iraq could no longer endure the agony and grief in the mass burials that has become the fact of life.

No race or society should be subject to the systemic elimination of the generation anymore.

The leaders in the majority and the minority party across Iraq are urged to put their differences aside and acknowledge one another as an Iraqi first by prioritizing the national development.

It’s obligatory on them to revive Mesopotamia’s once sophisticated civilization.

The people have the responsibility to confirm the new coalition government pledged to united Iraq and committed in their service to all citizens.

Secular Shiite leader, Ayad Allawi adequately satisfies the requirement and the coalition under his leadership is far more realistic and promising.

Iraq war and the continuous violence have erased the possibility of hope among the victims.

It’s time to honor those who lost their precious lives by blessing the living with a functional democracy.

On that optimistic note, Good Luck! To the people of Iraq awaiting,

The dawn of new era with long lasting peace and glory in abundance.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under International Politics | Leave a Comment 

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