Mike Pouraryan
SP View (8/26/2010): Phillipines, Congo & Other Thoughts
I have been assessing with horror some of the events going on on the four corners of the World. I understood that some 200 women were systematically raped in the Democractic Republic of the Congo. The UN Secretary General has sent forth his Special Representative to investigate. I am very sceptical about what the UN will actually do.
Moving on halfway around the World, there is the botched rescue attempt in the Phillipines. Police commanders have been relieved and an investigation is going on. The new President, Mr. Aquino, has a challenge. I will be keen to see how the President deals with this to hopefully underscore his pledge to be open and transparent after the Arroyo Years. I am willing to give the President the benefit of the doubt on this.
There is, of course, Afghanistan and Iraq. I have been asessing the aftermath of the horrific bombings throughout Iraq. US troops have fallen below 50,000 troops. But, Iraq does not have a Government, yet. The bombings and death underscores how fragile the situation is on the ground. As President Obama gears up for a speech on the target date, August 31, I have to wonder what he will say as there is no Government yet. I also wonder how he would reconcile the end of combat operations with what his Commander has said about the fact that the US can resume combat operations if necessary. Afghanistan also has been rocky. Spanish troops shot dead a Afghan Police Cadet who had gone rogue near a Spanish base. The locals went on a rampage. This has not been the first time. I have to wonder who can truly be trusted. This is something that I have noted repeatedly in my periodic write-ups on Afghanistan.
Moving down to Africa again, there is the issue of Somalia. AL Shahab has declared total war to kick out the crusading 'invaders". They killed some politicans during an attack on a hotel. The question I have been trying to assess is how they are getting their arms. Who is actually supporting them? The World seems to be ever more impotent as they continue their onslaught.
As I assessed this over the past 24 hours, It underscores how precarious our World is and how tought it is to be hopeful.
Moving on halfway around the World, there is the botched rescue attempt in the Phillipines. Police commanders have been relieved and an investigation is going on. The new President, Mr. Aquino, has a challenge. I will be keen to see how the President deals with this to hopefully underscore his pledge to be open and transparent after the Arroyo Years. I am willing to give the President the benefit of the doubt on this.
There is, of course, Afghanistan and Iraq. I have been asessing the aftermath of the horrific bombings throughout Iraq. US troops have fallen below 50,000 troops. But, Iraq does not have a Government, yet. The bombings and death underscores how fragile the situation is on the ground. As President Obama gears up for a speech on the target date, August 31, I have to wonder what he will say as there is no Government yet. I also wonder how he would reconcile the end of combat operations with what his Commander has said about the fact that the US can resume combat operations if necessary. Afghanistan also has been rocky. Spanish troops shot dead a Afghan Police Cadet who had gone rogue near a Spanish base. The locals went on a rampage. This has not been the first time. I have to wonder who can truly be trusted. This is something that I have noted repeatedly in my periodic write-ups on Afghanistan.
Moving down to Africa again, there is the issue of Somalia. AL Shahab has declared total war to kick out the crusading 'invaders". They killed some politicans during an attack on a hotel. The question I have been trying to assess is how they are getting their arms. Who is actually supporting them? The World seems to be ever more impotent as they continue their onslaught.
As I assessed this over the past 24 hours, It underscores how precarious our World is and how tought it is to be hopeful.
