In These New Times

A new paradigm for a post-imperial world

Author Archive

As the East creates, the West tries to destroy

Posted by seumasach on January 2, 2016

William Engdahl

New Eastern Outlook

28th December, 2016

I’m feeling more and more in recent months that, as difficult as it may be to believe, our world is moving away from seemingly endless wars. Make no mistake, we haven’t seen the end of wars at all. The dynamic and the war energy is changing, however. Not without a frenzy of self-conceit does the so-called Western World throw forks, china, pots, pans, rolling pins–anything it can get its bloody hands on–like a spoiled child throwing a gargantuan temper-tantrum. It tries to deny this reality over which it has less control by the second. The world is moving away from wars, from an, if-you-will, patriarchal psychosis of control–a matrix of fear, shame, guilt, rage, hate. What is beginning to emerge in what we in the West have egoistically termed the East, is construction, building new great projects to uplift a sector of mankind ignored for more that a thousand years. This transformative positive motion is what, if anything, will save our humankind from the mass death and destruction some in the West so devoutly wish for us.

Read more

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

We are going to attack Isil on five fronts

Posted by seumasach on December 17, 2015

This collective effort is working towards a UN Security Council resolution to empower a UN-endorsed ceasefire monitoring mission and to support a political transition process that will see Assad leaving office.

The British government continues to prefer the old script with it’s rumbustious, Gilbert and Sullivan style,”He’s got to go!” chorus line. How many encores they’ll receive in New York remains to be seen.

By George Osborne and Philip Hammond

Telegraph

16th December, 2015

In recent weeks, we have seen appalling events in France and America. Acts of terror have killed hundreds of innocent people going about their daily lives. They have been designed to divide the Western world and to spread fear across our great nations. Instead, we stand together, strengthened by our united determination to hold firm to our shared values and confront the evil that threatens us.

Read more

 

Posted in Syria | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Saudi Arabia rallies Sunni boots to fight terror

Posted by seumasach on December 17, 2015

M.K.Bhadrakumar

Indian Punchline

16th December, 2015

The announcement by Saudi Arabia on Tuesday regarding the formation of an Islamic military alliance to fight terrorism has caught everyone by surprise. The announcement came in the nature of a ‘joint statement’ purportedly by 34 Muslim states (here and here). The Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has personally identified himself with the initiative and held a rare press conference to claim that Riyadh would “coordinate efforts to fight terrorism” in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan. MbS announced that the alliance will be headquartered in Riyadh.

Read more

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

Biden calls on Turkey to withdraw from Iraq

Posted by seumasach on December 17, 2015

“The Vice President reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Iraqi sovereignty and territorial integrity and called on Turkey to do the same by withdrawing any military forces from Iraqi territory that have not been authorized by the Iraqi government.”

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Call With Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi

The White House

Office of the Vice-President

16th December, 2015

The Vice President spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi yesterday following his December 14 call with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. The Vice President noted the recent deployment of Turkish forces into northern Iraq had occurred without the prior consent of the Iraqi government. Both leaders welcomed initial indications of the withdrawal of some Turkish forces and agreed this should continue, reiterating that any foreign forces can only be present in Iraq with the coordination and permission of the Iraqi government. The Vice President reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Iraqi sovereignty and territorial integrity and called on Turkey to do the same by withdrawing any military forces from Iraqi territory that have not been authorized by the Iraqi government. The Vice President encouraged continued dialogue between Iraq and Turkey to address any outstanding grievances in the spirit of mutual cooperation. Both leaders reaffirmed their continued commitment to the fight against ISIL in Iraq.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

Britain to support newly-formed Muslim nations’ ‘ground army’ against Isil

Posted by seumasach on December 16, 2015

“On Tuesday night Downing Street welcomed the proposals from the Gulf-led nations but declined to comment on military support.”

But, presumably Downing Street didn’t welcome last night’s positive diplomatic developments in Moscow. As the US and Russia move closer, we move closer to Saudi.

Telegraph

Britain faced the prospect of being dragged further into the war in Syria on Tuesday night, as it was poised to support a newly-formed “ground army” from Muslim nations who could attack Isil within weeks.

Read more

Posted in Syria | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Kerry ‘publicly scraps policy of Russia’s isolation’

Posted by seumasach on December 16, 2015

Sputnik

16th December, 2015

US Secretary of State John Kerry made public statements in Moscow where he announced that Washington has abandoned its isolation of Russia, according to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Read more

Posted in Global peace process, Syria | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

‘We see Syria fundamentally very similarly’ – Kerry after talks with Putin, Lavrov

Posted by seumasach on December 15, 2015

“A project for a resolution on Syria is expected to be ready for presentation to the UN Security Council after Friday’s meeting, Lavrov said.”

RT

15th December, 2015

Russia and the US have agreed on a number of ‘critical’ issues, particularly with regard to Syria, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said following talks in Moscow.

Read more

Posted in New Cold War | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Moscow, Washington agree on Syria peace talks in New York on Friday

Posted by seumasach on December 15, 2015

“Lavrov also said that both parties agreed that the Vienna Accords on Syria must be backed by a United Nations Security Council resolution, adding that Washington and Moscow have agreed on the next steps for effectively coordinating anti-terror efforts”.

Sputnik

15th December, 2015

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has confirmed that Syria talks will resume in New York City on Friday, adding that he and US Secretary of State John Kerry are finding common ground.

Read more

Posted in Syria | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Boris Johnson: we should work with Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad in Syria

Posted by seumasach on December 7, 2015

 

“Who else is there? The answer is obvious. There is Assad, and his army; and the recent signs are that they are making some progress. Thanks at least partly to Russian air strikes, it looks as if the regime is taking back large parts of Homs. Al-Qaeda-affiliated militants are withdrawing from some districts of the city. Is that a bad thing? I don’t think so.”

I’m glad someone else can see the obvious even if it is Boris Johnson. Amazingly, not a single MP was able to make this point in the debate last Wednesday in the House of Commons. Dave Davis, another Tory, came the nearest. With this bit of good sense, Boris is now positioning himself nicely for a future leadership challenge. He also has the great advantage of not having been in government during the Libya debacle, an issue which will surely return to haunt Cameron. Corbyn, who voted against it, is similarly well-placed.

Let’s deal with the Devil: we should work with Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad in Syria

 

Telegraph

7th December, 2015

Read article

Posted in Syria | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Investment by Chinese firms supported by domestic finance sector

Posted by seumasach on December 6, 2015

Global Times

26th November, 2015

As more and more Chinese enterprises expand into Africa, there has been increasing interest in China’s economic activities in the continent. As well as positive feedback, there have also been some negative comments, with China having been accused of neo-colonialism, of grabbing resources and dumping low-quality products.

Read more

Posted in Multipolar world | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

‘By Fighting Against Assad, We Strengthened ISIL Positions’

Posted by seumasach on December 6, 2015

The simple truth that , to my knowledge. not one single person was able to articulate during Wednesday’s debate in the Commons. Only right-wing politicians are allowed to say this, it seems!

Sputnik

Bashar al-Assad is for now the only person who can rule Syria and save it from overall chaos, French politician and leader of the National Front Marine Le Pen said in an interview with Le Temps.

Read more

Posted in Syria | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »