With all the excitement about the elusive nuclear agreement with Iran, there is hardly any media coverage about the failure to remove Assad's chemical arsenal from Syria. As of now, no country has agreed to receive and destroy the Syria's chemical … [Read more...] about The Growing Toxicity of the Middle East
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Will China Make It?
Despite the ballyhoo, there is little prospect significant reforms will emerge from the current upper echelon Chinese Communist Party meeting. That's despite virtually all foreign observers and most Chinese experts agreeing major changes are … [Read more...] about Will China Make It?
Cyber Goobletygook
To fully comprehend the vulnerability of the United States' infrastructure, business and the public to cyber threats, read the October 24 audit report from the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general, "DHS' Efforts to Coordinate the … [Read more...] about Cyber Goobletygook
Obama’s Back-Door Dealing with Iran*
Departing from Geneva after another negotiation charade with the P5+1, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, assured reporters: “we are all on the same wavelength.” Secretary of State John F. Kerry, for his part, stated “we’re closer now … … [Read more...] about Obama’s Back-Door Dealing with Iran*
Cyber Insecurity Unchallenged
A recent report on U.S. business community's acute vulnerability to cyber attacks - 96 percent according to Ernst & Young - is alarming. This report is troubling not only because of its findings - lack of proper cyber defense capabilities - but … [Read more...] about Cyber Insecurity Unchallenged
Iran to Increase Birth Rate—Looking Forward to the End of Sanctions
Recall the 28-year-old Iranian woman who wrote to Foreign Minister Zafir about her plight, demanding that the government do whatever was necessary to remove the sanctions and improve the economy. Among her many almost heart-rending woes was the … [Read more...] about Iran to Increase Birth Rate—Looking Forward to the End of Sanctions
Syria’s “black hole” threatens the universe
Syria like one of those mysterious black holes in space, is irrevocably sucking its neighbors and the major powers into an unknown vortex that could lead to regional war - or more. Historical analogies are rarely valid but one has to recall a royal … [Read more...] about Syria’s “black hole” threatens the universe
The Revolutionary Guards’ International Drug Trade*
Summary The Revolutionary Guards are significantly involved in the international drug trade, both directly and through proxies. This involvement provides the organization with access to sources of financing that bypass international sanctions, as … [Read more...] about The Revolutionary Guards’ International Drug Trade*
Egypt’s Religious Persecutions
On August 22, 2013, Dr. Abdel Hadi al-Qasi, Egypt's predominant Sufi leader, speaking on behalf of 'millions of Sufis in Egypt', made the following statement: "President Obama, it seems that the U.S. administration, at this current time, instead of … [Read more...] about Egypt’s Religious Persecutions
Iran’s Political Preachers Are Back
You’ll be happy to know that nuclear negotiations between the West and Iran are going swimmingly. “The two sides’ detailed talks were very good,” said Iran’s Ambassador to the IAEA Reza Najafi. The Iranian Press TV reported, “a joint statement at the … [Read more...] about Iran’s Political Preachers Are Back