What does a change of leader mean for Cuba?

The leadership change in Cuba does not translate to change in the way the Cuba will be run and governed. It’s still going to be a communist state according to Raul Castro with everything taking place “within socialism”. Raul Castro is 76 years old and is too old to run Cuba. Cuba may also face succession problems in the future as older statesmen are lined up for senior positions. The appointment of Jose Ramon Machado to the number two post clearly demonstrates that.

Fidel Castro’s legacy is standing up against the empire that is America.

Added Al Jazeera English Website: Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 01:09 PM GMT

Was the latest IAEA report a victory for Iran?

The United States that goes to the war in Iraq on false reasons are again guilty of making up excuses to wage war with Iran. This time, the US wants war with Iran’s nuclear issues as an excuse. The US should ignore Mahmoud Amadinejad’s rhetoric against the west and Israel. Populist leaders like Amadinejad, Chavez and Castro love making speeches against the west for their people who love listening to them. The IAEA report is a big slap on the US face.

Added Al Jazeera English Website: Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 01:08 PM GMT

Should Chavez be involved in mediation efforts with the Farc?

It’s difficult for Colombia and third party countries like the US and EU to deal with terror organizations like the FARC. These countries have policy of not negotiating with the terror organization.

The Colombian government should give humanitarian consideration in the case of FARC hostages without giving too much leverage to the FARC guerillas. The only solution of the Colombian insurgency is if the Colombian government gets tougher and declares an all out war against drug production. Drug trade in Colombia is the lifeblood of the FARC rebels.

Hugo Chavez’s involvement in the release of the hostages should be commended. The hostages suffered so much under the FARC rebels and Chavez worked hard for their release. However, FARC should be answerable for the crimes they committed under Colombian and International laws.

Added Al Jazeera English Website: Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 01:09 PM GMT

What impact will Fidel Castro’s resignation have?

Raul Castro, who has been Cuba’s acting President since July 2006 is the presumed successor of the seasoned leader Fidel Castro. It’s too early to say what will happen to Cuba with Raul in power but for now I don’t see drastic changes in the way Cuba will be run.

Fidel Castro, who has hundreds of human rights violations in his name, survived US pressures, Cold War, trade embargo and CIA backed assassination attempts. His greatest legacy in the world politics is his guts to go against the wishes of the imperial United States.

Added Al Jazeera English: Tuesday, 19 February 2008, 02:07 PM GMT

What will independence mean for Kosovo?

Kosavar Independence is long overdue. The Kosovo Albanian have suffered from ethnic cleansing, discrimination and famine under the Serbian regime. It is not only right but proper to recognize their independence. The Kosovar did not get justice since the mastermind of ethnic cleansing Slobodan Milošević, died before his trial at The Hague released a verdict. Serbia, Russia and China may not recognize the newest country in the world because of their personal interests in Kosovo claiming technicalities and breaches in the international law. However the strong backing of US, UN and EU member nations legitimize Kosovo’s independence.

Kudos to the people of Kosovo, live free and celebrate!

Added Al Jazeera English: Tuesday, 19 February 2008, 07:13 AM GMT

9/11 Suspects Charged

The United States have been gaining bad press because of their treatment of the “War on terror” suspects and Guantanamo inmates. The Bush led US Administration in it’s last year in office had to do this in order to justify Guantanamo and the war they wage in Iraq and Afghanistan under false pretense. Though they have been condemned by the human rights group, I don’t believe that the US Military prosecutors and the Bush Administration would relent to all pressures. The US is known for its double standards when it comes to their treatment of their “War on Terror suspects” and Guantanamo inmates. As far as I am concerned, the bogus trial was concluded years ago and we all know it’s a guilty verdict.

Added Al Jazeera English website: Saturday, 16 February 2008, 02:02 PM GMT

Pakistan Elections

The Pakistani Opposition leaders are not just unfair, irrational but also premature to call the February 18 general election as rigged. What they are doing is conditioning the minds of the people that there’s cheating so that when they could not muster the votes they needed to control the parliament, they would accuse the government of cheating. Pakistan is a troubled and impoverished country. The people need food more than the rhetoric of their politicians. The Pakistani Opposition leaders should follow the Indians who could graciously accept defeat in the election.

Added Al Jazeera Website: Saturday, 16 February 2008, 01:47 PM GMT

How can the crisis in Lebanon be overcome?

Lebanon is a deeply divided country. They are divided by religious affiliation (Islam Shia, Islam Sunni and Christian), by class and education. The only respected and uniting force in Lebanon is their military. The only solution I could think of is for Iran and Syria to stop meddling with the internal Lebanese affairs. The UN, EU and US should help strengthen the Lebanese government so as not allow a terror organization forming a de factor state within the state. Of course this would never be achieved unless the Lebanese people unite and make a stand for their country.

The picture of child holding the picture of the deposed terror leader is very disturbing. I wouldn’t be surprised if 20 years from now that child would become radical.

Added Al Jazeera Website: Saturday, 16 February 2008, 01:58 PM GMT

Does the headscarf defy Turkey's secularism?

Turkey’s parliament, composed mostly of AKP (Justice and Development Party) MPs, is expected to draft the banning of the ‘Head Scarf Law’ and any other laws that would promote Islamism of Turkish society. It is known all throughout that AKP was founded with religious objectives. Turkish President Abdulla Gul’s wife wears headscarf even if she’s in an official government function.

If the constitutional change is made to lift the ban on headscarf will push through, this is a big blow to the secular nature of the Turkish State. It may cause chaos and political unrest in the country. Supporters of the late Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the modern Turkish Republic are expected bring this issue in the streets for more public protests. The Turkish military, guardian of Kemalism have previously warned the parties not to draw the line between religion and secularism or they might intervene with another military coup. The European Union could take this issue against Turkey in its application for EU membership.

Added Al Jazeera English Website: Monday, 11 February 2008, 03:12 PM GMT

Should US send troops to Pakistan?

Why does the Bush Administration think they’re God’s gift to mankind? This is the last year of Bush Administration and Bush should concentrate more on his legacy. What Bush, Robert Gates and his advisers should do is to wrap up their wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The wars that they are currently engaged to are adding insult to injury of their already damage image abroad.

While trillions of dollars are spent on these wars, roughly 47 millions of Americans do not have proper health care. If America wants to play Big Brother to Third World Countries that they call allies as euphemism, they should instead work on their (US) economy. As the green buck fall, other currencies in the developing countries are rising and it creates a false rise that could backfire in the future.

The world has enough of these wars that were raged in false reason. For sure, the Pakistanis are also against these plans.

Added Al Jazeera English Website: Saturday, 09 February 2008, 09:33 AM GMT

Jose de Venecia’s Downfall

Jose De Venecia’s political demise is a triumph to Filipinos around the world. JDV, a traditional politician (TRAPO) and one of the most corrupt politicians in our country finally succumbed to political assassination orchestrated by PGMAs KAMPI party through her sons Mickey and Datu.
JDV never expected that the House Speakership would be declared vacant by non other than Ramon Mitra’s (RIP) son, Baham Mitra. This political drama all started when JDV3, JDVs loser of a son’s company, lost the bidding of National Broadband Network to ZTE of China. He claimed and fabricated lies against the PGMA, Malacañang, and the first family. It was obvious that JDV3 is just a sore loser. He was hurt that the project was not awarded to him and his greed would not let him accept his loss, so he decided to make up stories in the Senate against the NBN’s ZTE deal. Knowing the Philippine Senate, which is mostly composed of grand standing Senators who have presidential ambitions, they (senators) perceived JDV3s fabricated confession as gold mine that could give them (ambitious senators) media mileage. JDV never protected and supported PGMA while the controversy was being heard in the Senate. In fact, JDV issued a statement that his son has his own mind. For obvious reasons, PGMA, the Malacañang and the First Family were disappointed by JDVs statement.

Blood is thicker than Politics. JDV protected his son at the height of NBN ZTE controversy. The orchestration of JDVs downfall by KAMPIs Mikey and Datu is to protect PGMA and their family.

JDVs speech did no move the skeptical Filipinos. His expression during his speech was not tragic but pathetic, a sour loser. His caricatured brow gave away is disappointment and pain of losing the House Speakership and the perks attached to the position. He started calling for moral renewal and moral revolution but he’s not exactly the best person to heed the call.

World Speaks Out on US elections

I am a migrant worker from the Philippines and currently reside and work in Saudi Arabia.
The Philippines is a traditional ally of the US. Our country, a Third World country, for decades has been dependent on US aid, particularly military equipment.

Our government is hostage to the US since we cannot change our foreign policy - such as establishing closer relations with other nations that America considers as enemy - or we risk losing US aid.

Aside from the aid, we could also face economic sanctions and it would mean economic collapse as the US is our number one trade partner.

I see no difference in whoever wins the US presidential race. The US has changed leadership for decades yet there is no change in their policy towards their Third World country allies.
For me it is a close call between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for the Democrats and John McCain and Mitt Romney for the Republicans.

I personally want a candidate from the Democratic Party to win this year's presidential election; I prefer Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama as she is more experienced.
The Republicans are too conservative and I doubt if a new Republican president would dare to change their foreign policy.

I do not think that the US elections will affect my life directly. The results may affect my country and Saudi Arabia, where I work, but not me. However, the devaluation of the US dollar has affected the economies of so many countries and the Philippine peso is at an all time high.
The downside of the rising peso is that migrant workers' earnings are reduced.



The Saudi Arabian riyal is a fixed currency so the declining rate of dollars does not affect the Saudi Arabian economy. With the rising oil prices at $100 per barrel, it will only make Saudi Arabia richer.

Everyone in the US wants change. It would be a breather if a Democratic president is elected. However, a 360-degree change in US foreign policy is maybe too idealistic.

Ian / Philippines & Saudi Arabia

--oo0oo--

This is the piece I did for Al Jazeera English Website. Sarah Brown of Al Jazeerah asked me to write this piece for the Super Duper Tuesday. Sarah told me in her email to me that this piece is the forth most viewed page on 5 Feb 2008. Published on Al Jazeera Website 5 Feb 2008 "World Speaks Out on US Elections.

Al Jazeera Link: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/ACF81E00-4EFB-4F0A-A88C-8E8011B3FC71.htm

EONS Link: http://www.eons.com/groups/topic/615718

THE CORNER REPORT Link: http://www.thecornerreport.com/index.php?title=world_speaks_out_on_us_elections_1&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

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ZIMBIO.COM LINK: http://www.zimbio.com/Somalia/articles/20/World+speaks+out+elections

Arab Unity

Arabs are united only in one issue that is their biggest disgust of the state of Israel and Israelis policy againts the palestinians. Other than that, Arabs are not united and unity is the last thing they have in Mind. Each States has personal interests like Syria and Irans meddling with the Lebanese State affairs, Libyas disgust with some of the GCC monarchy, A GCC States effort to control media within the GCC in order to gain favorable image abroad, An emirates independent stand against other Arab and GCC states, Egypt and Jordans effort to promote peace in the Middle East by forging diplomatic ties with Israel. Religion, custom and Language commonality could not unite the Arabs and Arab Unity is not achievable, its too idealistic.

Added: Al JazeerahSunday, 03 February 2008, 07:54 AM GMT

Should Europe host the US defence shield?

Russia must realize that Poland is a sovereign state and it can do whatever it wishes to do including forging ties with the United States, the West and the European Union. Russia should respect the right of other countries and must stop resorting to bullying. It's obvious that Putins Russia wanted to bring back the Glory of the former USSR but it must not do so at the expense of damaging the relations with former Soviet States who wanted a closer ties with the west.

Added: Sunday, 03 February 2008, 108:40 AM GMT

Bush's state of the union

George Bush will go down in the history as the worst US President ever. He inhereted a budget surplus when he assumed the US Presidency and now he's leaving it with economic recession, budget deficit and war. His last year in the office will be terrible for him as Republicans do not have the majority in the US Congress (both the House and Senate). Any proposal or laws he has in mind would have to be decided by democratic Representatives/Senators who are not so fond of him and his party. He'll be a rubber duck president in the last year of his presidency.

Added: Al Jazeera English Wednesday, 30 January 2008, 07:15 AM GMT

What is Suharto's legacy?

Strongmen, however strong they are in their prime, will eventually succomb to death. Suharto was known for mass murder, ethnic cleansing and corruption and that is not a legacy. His legacy is combating communist and inforcing security to the world's most populous muslim nation.

Added: Al Jazeera English Wednesday, 30 January 2008, 06:58 AM GMT