Finland joins NATO; now what Russia?

It is more fun criticizing

Many say that this event (+ Sweden) checkmates Russia's ambition. Finland's border with Russia  is 800 miles long.  Its a long one.  But it is so close to St Petersburg and Stalingrad.   And USSR access to the Baltic sea will be severely limited.   Finaldnd can threaten USSR.

In the past USSR under Stalin made pre emptive incursions into Finland and lost territories.  But Finland despite maintaining neutrality, has built its defenses and continued conscription of male population into its reserve post.   Finland failed to neutralize Russia when it joined forces with Sweden.

Finland decided to join NATO when USSR invaded Ukraine.    

What will happen to balance of power in Western Europe/Russia.   It is in stalemate with Ukraine.  Putin lost out in Middle East with fall of Syria.  This has considerably weakened Russa   And now Finland joining NATO?  And to think that Russia's economy too has faltered, and armaments greatly diminished by war in Ukraine.  Military ranks too decimated.   Can it continue sable rattling....

Hama City Aleppo in Syria falls to rebels

It is more fun criticizing

In  a recent development tt was learned that rebels captured Hama City and Aleppo.   Assad's army fled and Putin has apparently left  Pres Assad.   It was learned that Israel and USA are supporting the rebels.  In a surprise move, Assad sought the help of Israel.

Syria fell to the rebels in 2016 but was able to take back control of Syria.   

How will this development affect the geopolitics in Middle East.    (Tespecially the proxy wars between US and USSR)      

Simultaneous fall of ISIS at Marawi City and Raqqa in Syria - end of the caliphate so soon?

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal Philippines
October 18, 2017

                                         US led forcescelebrate the fall of Raqqa

                               President Duterte announces the Liberation of Marawi City

From CNN - President Duterte announces the liberation of Marawi;  Isnilon  Hapilon and Omar Maute now dead

From the New Yorker - the end of ISIS Caliphate

There were some  pleasant news yesterday:  the end of the Tigil Pasada, the tirade of the President vs the Piston (dapat matakot na at sumunod sa batas mga ralllyista.  Batas and Jeepney Modernization Law) the Liberation of Marawi city (marked by the death of Hapilon and Omar Maute) and the fall of the declared capital of ISIS (Islamic State of Syria) Raqqa. It was a sad day for ISIS for having collapsed so soon. They deserve this for sowing so much fear and death all the over the world. Such barbarism and violence has to end, and maybe it is the will of our God or their Allah to have mercy on them by ending their rampage.

From the New Yorker:  History will record that the Islamic State caliphate—a bizarre pseudo-state founded on illusory goals, created by a global horde of jihadis, and enforced with perverted viciousness—survived for three years, three months and some eighteen days"

Thanks be to God

The latest news is that today, another 13 Maute fighters were killed and the Malaysian professor financier  Dr. Mahmud Ahmad was believed to be included among the dead  The rescued hostages confirmed the death, including the presence of foreign fighters among the Mautes

 13 Maute terrorists killed, Malaysian financier believed to be one among killed from Manila times    10/19/2017

                                   The Malaysian Professor Dr. Mahmud Ahmad said to have been
                                    killed too in the last assault by the Philippines security forces
                                    How come Malaysians are here to sow terror (the allegations
                                    about Malaysians infiltrating the country is true?)

The establishment by ISIS (levant) of Caliphate of All Muslims, State of Islam, is driving up oil prices

It is more fun criticizing

From Fox News. Isis establishes State of Islam
July 1, 2014

The SUNNIs of Iraq has formed a Caliphate of Islam whose goal is to govern all armed Muslims all over the world. The Caliphate covers both Syria and Iraq.   They are at the gates  Bagdad and driving the Iraq PM crazy (and so with the oil prices)  They say Iraq will be divided into 3: into 3 warring sects:   Sunnis, Kurds and  Shiite

I am just wondering as to whether this warlike Moslems are within the precepts of Islam.  I thought Moslems never hurt animals much less kill fellows for Allah.

In the meantime, enjoy the rising gas prices.  And do not blame Pnoy for this, nor the oil companies.  Blame em... The I state.....

Major Shift in US Saudi Relations?

Social and political criticisms

 
 KSA intel chief Bandar Bin Sultan


Repost from Reuters | October 22, 2013

From Al Jazeera | October 23, 2013

There could be a major shift in the US Saudi relations, its lowest in years, KSA intelligence chief Bandar Bin Sultan,  on what the kingdom perceives as its inaction over the Syrian civil war and the Israel - Palestinian peace talks.  KSA rejected a two year seat at the UN Security Council lately.  The recent overtures to Iran was also displeased the Arabs.

In an unusual public attack, Prince Turki Al Faisal called Pres Obama's foreign policy in ME "lamentable"

The low point in US KSA relations started in 2001 9/11 attack in NYC, where most the terrorists involved were Arabs.

How would this affect the oil supply?

What happens next?  Would Pres. Obama change its current foreign policy towards Syria, Iran, and Israel?

                         
                    With whom will the Arabs will be friendly with next?  Pres Putin of USSR at right

Brewing conflict between refugees and host countries

Social and political criticisms




A CNN feature story suggests growing conflict between refugees from Syria in Lebanon.   Refugees who subsist from donations from relatives have to pay $100 rental per site in refugee site.  And they compete with jobs for local.  The rich refugees on the other hand compete for scarce housing by paying more on apartments.

Is the compassion shown by Italian citizens and  govt to the dead of Lampedussa is just because the refugees died.  Would it be different;  would there be conflict.

Just look at how US treats illegal, who are in effect refugees seeking better life in US, to escape hardship in Mexico.

Will military action by US and allies bring the world on the brink of another world war?

Social and political criticisms

September 7, 2013

As Pres. Obama calls on lawmakers for support of the legislature for military action vs Syria on account of use of chemical weapon vs Syrians by the current leadership, Russia Pres. Putin, says otherwise;   Russia is ready to support its ally -  Syria.  What does this mean?

It is going to be Russia and Syria vs the rest of  US, France what could this conflict lead to?

Another world war?

The Trouble with Iran, Yemen, Somalia Syria and Afghanistan are all About Iranian Imperialism? Lignet

Reflections

I came across a LIGNET report (Langley Intelligence Gathering Net -  publication of CIA, fed to internet) analyzing the problem in the middle east.  The problem in Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria are all inter related.  They are financed by Iran who has a  an imperialist ambition, as probably Darius (Persian empire) has done in the past.  If Iran is successful, it would mean its world domination as it would control the oil and oil traffic.  Somalia, Yemen near the Gulf of Hormuz are passageway/choke points of traffic of oil tankers from the oil fields of the middle east.

That is how the West see it and against the West domination.  That means, this is one reason why oil prices will remain high.

This struggle and threat of war hangs in the air and the jitters send the price of oil sky high.

What do you think?