The same day U.S. Stocks Tumble Most in 2 Months on Slowing Economy Concern the western financial press takes notice that Hugo Chávez moves into banking. I’m not positing cause and effect but rather an observation that vermin have been feasting on the foundations of the mansion. I suspect the short term will be just fine, however, as the money players simply can not resist trying to beat the returns on cash.
Bill Roggio continues telling stories of Iraq that run counter to claims that murdering thugs hiding behind the false legitimacy of Islam are poised to conquer all of Babylon.
The Diyala Salvation Front: In early March, Al Sabaah reported the local sheikhs in Diyala were organizing against al-Qaeda and its Islamic State of Iraq, "which [is] spreading corruption in the province districts." Today, the speculation has become a reality, as "Arab tribesmen in Baqubah have said they will form a tribal alliance to cleanse the Diyala province of foreign fighters and those of the al-Qaeda terrorist network in Iraq."
Over 2,000 hardened al Qaeda fighters fled Baghdad and are operating in Diyala. An American intelligence official and a U.S. military officer informs us that al Qaeda is operating along the lines of Hezbollah's military structure in Lebanon. Recent al Qaeda attacks in the region bear this out. Al Qaeda is organized in small military units with infantry, mortars, anti-tank and anti-aircraft teams, as well as suicide and IED cells and the accompanying logistical nodes. Al Qaeda has been conducting a terror campaign to remove tribal leaders and others who oppose them, while waging a campaign of intimidation designed to cower the local population.
The New France: Nation-states are no longer the sole actors on the international stage. New powers and new themes have emerged. My problem with realpolitik is that it limits diplomatic action in an effort to leave unchanged the reality of the world. "Stability" and status quo are their obsessions. But the pursuit of status quo is not a policy; it is akin to giving up. Stability for stability's sake is not how I conceive the world. The steadfast adherence to stability leads to turning a blind eye to cruelty and injustice. I add that today, all action is done under the informed and vigilant gaze of public opinion, both national and international. We cannot claim ignorance anymore, so we are loosing the possibility of remaining silent in the face of genocide or criminal behavior.
