3/31/2009
Ehiztari
- Uncovered a Chinese cyber-espionage net. For now, it is impossible to determine if the Chinese government is behind it but between the sites affected by the spies are a few foreign embassies and NGOs.- France announces the construction of a Pentagon a la francaise.- Russia gets tough with the fight for the North Pole and creates an Artic Task Force.- Dumb and dumber in the Occupied Territories in a race to guess who is worse: a young Palestinian orchestra is disbanded by the AP after playing for Holocaust survivors.- Israel attacks in Sudan a convoy with weapons, supposedly, for Hamas. Meanwhile, al Bashir gets a 5 star holiday in Doha, defying the warrant from the ICC with the support from the Arab...
3/31/2009
Ehiztari
Photos from the launching site, via DigitalGlo...
3/31/2009
Ehiztari
Unlike for the Bush-Rumsfeld administration, war in Afghanistan has been a key aspect of Obama’s policy even before he arrived in the White House. For Obama, a pacified Central Asia is fundamental for the new pax romana order. However, that won’t be as easy as many though.But Obama’s new focus says a lot about how changed is everything. Ok, they are still using the same wild cards as Bush did: more boots on the ground, more money in the Afghan pockets. Obama has added 4,000 soldiers to the promised 17,000 that he announced in February to be shortly deployed. A total of 21,000 more American reinforcements who will join 2,000 British and possibly...
3/31/2009
Ehiztari
OMG! OMG, Koreans are about to launch (maybe) an ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile)! But, is it really so worrying?Just before the G20 summit, the NATO summit and the first face-to-face between Obama and Medvedev and European leaders, Kim Jong-Il just did the unthinkable: stealing the protagonism to the American president.Some will say that what the North Korean president wants is just that, more relevance. A long illness drove him outside the media for several weeks, awakening all kind of rumors. Together with the successful launch of an Iranian communications satellite in February, that should have turned green of envy the red commie.First,...
3/26/2009
Ehiztari
Sometimes you just have to shut up. At least on public and with the cameras pointing at you. Not Gabi Askhenazi, chief of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). In an event with new recruits, Askhenazi said:"I can say that the IDF is the most moral army in the world".Really? Well, without digging too much in the dirt, it is quite easy to find just in the last two weeks examples of the opposite. Like last weekend, when Haaretz newspaper uncovered the story about supposed irregularities in the rules of engagement, lax moral and arbitrariety -even cruelty- in the behavior of the troops involved in Cast Lead operation in Gaza. From the lips of the own...
3/26/2009
Ehiztari
- The Top 10 conspiracy theories of all time.- Biker brutal deadly brawl in Sydney's airport. - Two American journalists detained in North Korea.- Watch out! Let's don't put ETA's cons in jails near to the Basque Country. That could drive us into another peace process. And we don't want that, do we? El Mundo dixit.- Last defense line in Iraqi soccer are bullet...
3/26/2009
Ehiztari
Shame. That is what Spaniards will be facing in the next G20 summit. The withdraw from Kosovo is a betrayal to many of Spain allies. And a worst thing is that this is not the first time Mr. Zapatero does it.But frankly, I don’t know what is worse, if the shame abroad or the shame inside your own country. The mistakes made by Ms. Chacon (Spain’s MoD) and Mr. Zapatero are many and big. The main one, not asking first NATO about it or their intentions. But it wasn’t consulted internally either! Mr. Moratinos (Spain’s Foreign Minister) didn’t know anything about the withdraw and many Spanish ambassadors (including the one to the US) had to know about...
3/26/2009
Ehiztari
It looks like Obama is taking seriously a new approach with Iran (and Russia). After knowing the mailing between Ahmadineyad and the new kid in the block, now the President broads its message to all Iranians.With the Nowruz holidays as background, Obama recorded a video message with subtitles in Farsi. On it, he wishes a happy new Iranian year, wishes the best for Iran... And let’s know the Iranians that it would be better if they don’t go on after nukes. Damn it... Now that they were almost this close to something close to a nuke... Maybe. From the transcription of the video:The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful...
3/26/2009
Ehiztari
Another sub that hits in the middle of the ocean. A few months ago it was France and the UK. Now it is the turn for tow American ships: the sub USS Hartford and the amphibious vessel USS New Orleans. Both are part of US Navy V Fleet.In a brief note, the Navy explains that the incident happened because of still unknown reasons around 1 a.m. (local time) near the Strait of Hormuz. This is, near Iran. At least 15 crew members of the sub were injured but all of them are already back on duty. The ship crew didn’t suffer any losses, but 25,000 gallons of diesel fuel went into the sea. This is not the first incident where the USS Hartford is involved....
3/25/2009
Ehiztari
Finally, after 61 years, Ireland won last weekend a Grand Slam. Last one was in 1948. This time was the last chance for the Golden Generation to reach glory and they took the opportunity on their hands.In an exciting game, Ireland survived a late scare as Steven Jones’ long range penalty fell just short, giving Ireland a 17-15 win, the Triple Crown, the Six Nations Championship and that coveted Grand Slam.It wasn’t so clear during the game. The first half was a disaster for Ireland. However, half time is when coaches earn their corn and Declan Kidney’s team talk is destined to go down in folklore. It is at least at the same level as that Jack...
3/25/2009
Ehiztari
If it wasn’t bad enough just with the economic troubles, Britons (and Irish) will have it tougher to get over it. Partying in the UK is becoming a luxury not affordable for everyone.Let’s make an example. So, let’s say it is your birthday and you want to celebrate it with your friends. First step would be to call them. But calling is very expensive, is better texting. And with just one text that you can resend to everyone, it makes everything easier. So, you text them. Well, if the proposition from the Irish Green Party goes on, it will cost you 1c extra per text in taxes. Not much, but we just got started. With everyone gathering to the party...
3/25/2009
Ehiztari
As I’ve been out for a while, here is a double portion of Friendly fire.- Another March Madness for the Americans: Sarah Palin’s daughter, in the end, won’t marry the redneck.- Drone wars: if they are up to the challenge in Afghanistan, they are up to the challenge for Global Warming. Northrop Grumman dixit.- Russia wants to rearm itself. Heavily. USA wants more updated nuclear bombs. So, cold war is not already over? Apparently, not.- Madagascar’s descend into chaos.- If you are on a tour in Iraq, better get cover: back at home, war wounded are not under Social Security insurance. Socialist Obama dixit.- Financial crisis arrives to the media. First was Colorado’s oldest newspaper, the Rocky Mountain. Now it is the turn for the Seattle Post-Intelligence.- No more back to the future in Iran:...
3/25/2009
Ehiztari
The American withdraw from Iraq is linked to an increase of the boots in Afghanistan. It was the natural and expected movement. But Americans aren’t as eager as their President to make that move. First is the not minor issue of leaving a few dozens of thousand soldiers in Mesopotamia. Second, they don’t want to continue in Afghanistan either. Just the withdraw from Iraq is already a pain in the arse. Indeed. It is not easy to take out of the country 90,000 soldiers, 40,000 airplanes, helicopters and other heavy weaponry, 80,000 containers (not to mention 100,000 contractors) spread in 280 sites nationwide, in less than a year and in a more or...
3/25/2009
Ehiztari
Vatican may be infallible while talking about God. But when it comes to human issues it sucks. In fact, it’s understandable. It is like me talking about Bengali vegetarian recipes. Just in case anyone is wondering why I say that: I’m not Asiatic, I like to cook simple and I’m mostly carnivore.Well, with the Vatican is similar. The ones that dictate how to behave to millions of people all over the world have been quite for a long time living far away from those people’s world. So they have lost contact with the real world. They are stuck, at best, 200 years ago. Also, at the light of History, Church has the weird ability to positioning itself...
3/25/2009
Ehiztari
A "diet" post for today. Just videos. The breakdown in (slightly more than) ten minutes.The first one is for the parents: what is all this about and how everything started:The Last Laugh - George Parr - Subprime - subtitulosby eriolukSecond one, for kids: who is Madoff, what he did, how and… well, don’t try to make this at home, kids:The third one is a demonstration of angry Americans in the streets of NY the day after we knew about AIG scandal. Well, kinda. By the way, is it possible to spot the building the company is about to sell to bail herself out:.cc_box a:hover .cc_home{background:url('https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_va-1Ko0t4NRGH8Ix2I-8VSoFR9gOwMQN0QU2trtDEcVbwLBZzkNoZGjlVozNj274aSl2lb5NE7s0py5QhFkGZW-RHIs7KFiyRhNEYoceOnCCUbn781nl4q47HeYQ-9nw1PKfRny55l2mH18xS_LsvFmA6k=s0-d')...
3/16/2009
Ehiztari
- AIG will never learn. Now, daddy is angry.- The war is on in Mexico. The market of drugs is hot in Canada. And the USA is the supermarket for the narcos. Call it a NAFTA for the narcos.- Israel goes further right: Lieberman appointed as Foreign minister.- How to turn a black menace into a green opportunity.- ISS evacuated. Extra: Everyone cheers with Jon Stewar...
3/16/2009
Ehiztari
I have to say that I didn’t expect this, but I’ve been awarded with a prize! Well, it is actually more a moral prize than a real one, but it is as worthiness as money! Hayda Ramos, a fellow journalist, has given me a “This blog is a jewel” prize. And now I have to pass it over. There it goes:- Curistoria (Spanish): Small details that doesn’t appear in the books of History. But without them, History wouldn’t be what it is.- Real Clear Politics (English): Up-to-the-minute up-to-date information about American politics- Crónicas desde Oriente Próximo (Spanish): Articles from various journalist working for the Spanish paper El Mundo in Middle East.-...
3/16/2009
Ehiztari
Let’s say you are doing your job. Your manager comes and says you: “Congratulations, you are going to be promoted”. Then, from your department and other departments inside the company, people start to criticize openly the decision, start to demand that it doesn’t apply and start to dig into your past in search for dirty stuff you could have (like write your blog while you should be working)That’s mobbing. Except if you are a politician. In politics, it is called a “lobby” and not only is permited; it is in fact what keeps the machine working. There is nothing wrong with a lobby. Except if that lobby has so much power that is able of, not just...
3/16/2009
Ehiztari
Osama bin Laden must be getting really green. With envy. Not even his new videoclip megahit has been able to bring him back to the position of Most Hated Criminal. These days that title goes to Bernie Madoff, the world’s biggest white collar thief for many -just another banker for many more. His are the frontpages and the headlines.Both for bin Laden and Madoff Jews have been their preferred preys. But the second one, it is estimated, has caused more economic damage than September 11. And it isn’t over.Bernie woke up being the prisoner no. 61727-054 in a federal low security compound. The old man took over himself the blame in the pyramidal fraud uncovered at the end of past year. He faces a 150 years sentence; a life sentence actually. But he doesn’t have much to lose: being 70 years old...
3/16/2009
Ehiztari
For years, the Army has been after a device capable of knock out gadgets. Until now they only were able to shut down the electrical power with graphite bombs. Trying to use an EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) was not recommended as it world switch off as well their own machines. And usually, military commands prefer to use the traditional way: make everything explode. Now maybe they have found the way to make both at the same time.The new e-bomb is capable of, on one hand, explode as any other conventional device, and on the other hand, be able to kill all the electronic devices around with an EMP. A great idea, only that many of the military gadgets,...
3/13/2009
Ehiztari
Australian Government decided this week which aircraft will become the backbone of the RAAF for the next decade. At the beginning, it was thought that Oz would buy the JSF, as the F-22 Raptor (the first option) cannot be sold outside the US. But both jets are getting a bumpy trip to the market.In fact, the Raptor is already calling wolf to save itself. After being reduced once and again the number of aircrafts the USAF will acquire, Pentagon is out of ideas of what to do to pledge for more Raptors. So now they link the jet production to the loss of jobs. Give us Raptors or people will lose their jobs.The message is so good (although not quite...
3/13/2009
Ehiztari
The missile market is on fire. If previously in Worldwide we talked about Korea, Iran and UK and USA pretensions to improve their arsenals, now it is the turn for Israel. And what does Israel do? They dance Bollywood-style.Carried over the fever around “Slumdog Millionaire” success in the Oscars, the Arms-dog Millionaire Israeli missile manufacturer Rafael has launched a promotional video for the Indian market. But it cannot be explained with words. You have to watch it. Otherwise you wouldn’t believe me.But it gets better. Asked by journalist Stephen Trimble about the video, Rafael media kids admitted that not only the video is real, but there...
3/12/2009
Ehiztari
- Miss Atom 2009 contest’s results are in, and the winner is: Yekaterina Bulgakova. The prize: a weekend holiday in the communist paradise of Cuba. - Drone wars: Taliban say they shot down an American UAV over Pakistan; USA say they shot down an Iranian UAV over Iraq. - History lessons in animated .gif’s for teens addicted to the Internet. This week: I World War.- France as the prodigal son of NATO.- Massacre in a school in Germany. Apparently the gun madness is not only a problem in America, but in Europe to...
3/12/2009
Ehiztari
For the USA, the exit from Iraq finally looks close in the calendar. The news about the deployment in Afghanistan came by the hand of the announcement of the withdrawn from Iraq. At the end, two thirds of the troops on the ground will be at home -or at a new home at the other side of Iran- by August 2010. In the Tigris valley they will remain around 50,000 soldiers, many of them for training purposes. Britons are also pulling out from Iraq this year. In fact, the withdrawn has already began. Just now that in London politicians are arguing about the documents and tapes of meetings about Iraqi invasion that right now are being unclasified. But...
3/12/2009
Ehiztari
Chinese borders have seen an unusual increase of tension during the last week. Well, the unusual is not the tension; it is the increase in many fronts at the same time.With the warrant from the ICC of The Hague over Sudanese president al-Bashir, came also a complicated gambling for the Asian giant. The business with the African country play an important role in China’s economy, but it implies a risky game involving Human Rights. Just in case everything goes wrong, Beijing announced this week a new deal with Iraq to be provided of oil.Closer to home, North Korea has lightened up a few alarms. This time it wasn’t the worrying about Pyongyang’s...
3/10/2009
Ehiztari
The advance in military cooperation between Russia and the US goes on. The time of confrontation and warnings seems far behind us after Obama went into the White House. Next face to face will be during the G-20 meeting and is expected the missile shield America plans to put in Europe will be part of the agenda.Since the beginning, Russia betted for a joint initiative -or otherwise, nothing at all- but that offer was repeatedly refused by Bush administration. With Obama in the office, Biden opened a door for cooperation with Russia in his first international appearance with NATO partners. Ok, Biden was reassuring the willing of Washington in going...
Are you afraid? Well, this works in that way. First you do what scares you and it's later when you get the courage
3/31/2009
Ehiztari
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