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NEWNATIONS BULLETIN 1ST APRIL 2010
Sleepwalking into disaster
We tell how close the world came to a nuclear war on March 27th (last week)!
Who knew? Who would have thought it? Who predicted it? But the possibility was always there.
NATO seeks a new doctrine
We look to our own defences and to Europe’s disarray. An alliance that sixty one years ago had its primary purpose to “Keep the Russians out, the Americans in and the Germans down,” now seeks a new doctrine.
We examine NATO as it is and ask again, as we did in 2006 : What is Nato for?
We look at an outrage against democracy. Where? In the United States.
Introducing the dread “Keep America Safe” movement.
Britain’s two scandals
One is about lawmakers expenses which everybody knows about. The story runs and runs.
The other is about the Tabloids caught pirating e-mail, hacking computers and bugging mobile phones. Since they were the villains, the tabloids didn’t print the story. Many of their readers don’t even know about it.
Watchdogs with no bark
After collapsing giants Enron and now Lehman Bros Bank showed very dubious accounting the question is, why didn’t the auditors blow the whistle?
Why are the Somali Pirates still in business?
200 years ago the Barbary pirates were cleaned out by the United States Marines. (recall their anthem: “..to the shores of Tripoli..”) How is it that after years of their arrogant high-seas robbery, the Somali pirates are still thriving?
Iran - tough but not too tough
We look at the Iranian situation which looks slowly to be ‘coming to the boil’.We look at the sanctions already in place and the psychological war that has already started.
Iraq - Winners and losers, but no clear victor
No certain outcome as to the next government but we explain the results of the election – who did well and what happens next.
Pakistan: The strains with the US
It has a lot to do with money. US military audits have improved since the wild, early days of IRAQ.
But Pakistan is conscious that one day the US and the NATO countries will go home - yet they will still be there, next door to Afghanistan. That’s why they will always look out for their own interests.
Corruption in Afghanistan
We give some insights into the scale of corruption - starting with an estimated $10 million a day leaving Kabul airport.
Libya on the warpath
Libya seeks to destroy ….Switzerland (you would never have guessed)!. We give the reasons why.
Russia, the US and the elephant in the room
Hallelujah. The cut in nuclear stockpiles has been agreed, but nearly came unstuck. We explain.
Al Qaida, the Yemen and Saudi Arabia
100 or so al Qaida suspects arrested in Saudi, most of them not Saudis, but the threat is resurrected.
Syria from pariah to ally
Syria’s status has changed and there are many implications for several nations. If Israel through calculated inertia, blocks the emergence of a Palestinian state, then Syria’s importance will grow.
Taiwan: The people speak - and it sounds good.
We survey the political situation where the president has moved too far too fast for the citizens. They may one day agree to re-joining the mainland, but they will not be bounced into it.
Ukraine: out with the Old
The elections were decisive but the feisty loser, Yulia Timoshenko battles on – within the constitution, which has taken on a new significance for both sides. Meanwhile, NATO is off the wish list for the new government.
India’s secret ‘green’ weapon
We unveil a new stun grenade designed for the anti-terrorist campaign, now passed for service.
Philippines lethal elections
We give a run-down of what to expect in the upcoming elections.
Conspiracy and Paranoia in Turkey
An important survey of an important country. There is a deep chasm between contending forces, both civil and military. Fears exist of a religious slide into a similar situation as next door IRAN governed by priests, with democracy out of the window. But some contenders of the Deep State, the secular old guard, are not too keen on democracy itself.
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