Sunni members of al-Maliki's cabinet have "withdrawn" from their posts. This means that there are now no Sunni members of al-Maliki's cabinet. This is not a good thing, but it is not the end of the world either. The 44 Sunni members of the Iraqi parliament are going to stay on. It is good that the parliament is staying intact because it was not so long ago that I wrote about the Sunni representatives rejoining the legislature after their "protest".
We shall see if this government defection snowballs and creates a problem (both in Iraq and here at home). I believe that this issue will come to a head in September when the progress report on Iraq is due.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Obama's tough talk
Grrrr...says Barack Obama. In a speech today Senator Obama announced that he would not hesitate to attack terrorists in Pakistan if the situation warranted. Okay, I'm with him there, I think that is a good idea...in theory.
But as you have most likely heard the act of invading Pakistan in pursuit of terrorists would be devastating to the Musharraf presidency. And with the few allies we have in that area of the world, it would probably be best to keep the current moderate regime in place. The conventional wisdom says that Obama is talking tough to Pakistan to try to take a strong stance in foreign affairs, an area he has recently been criticized as being unqualified.
But as you have most likely heard the act of invading Pakistan in pursuit of terrorists would be devastating to the Musharraf presidency. And with the few allies we have in that area of the world, it would probably be best to keep the current moderate regime in place. The conventional wisdom says that Obama is talking tough to Pakistan to try to take a strong stance in foreign affairs, an area he has recently been criticized as being unqualified.
Castro's Cuba...that's Raul Castro
Fidel Castro, despite his lack of public appearances claims that he is still consulted on "every important government decision". Umm...news flash Raul is the new boss of Cuba. There must be something very wrong with the health of Fidel to keep him sidelined for more than a year now. His days must be numbered.
The question now turns to what will happen to Cuba after Fidel's death. Will Raul open up the government? Or will he continue in his brother's footsteps leading Cuba further into despair.
The question now turns to what will happen to Cuba after Fidel's death. Will Raul open up the government? Or will he continue in his brother's footsteps leading Cuba further into despair.
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