News Stories

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by AnimeFan188

"The United States military has said in a secret report that the Taliban, backed by
Pakistan, are set to retake control over Afghanistan after NATO-led forces withdraw
from the country, Britain's Times of London newspaper said Wednesday."

"Citing the same report, the BBC reported on its website that Pakistan and the ISI
knew the locations of senior Taliban leaders and supported the expulsion of "foreign
invaders from Afghanistan."

"Senior Taliban leaders meet regularly with ISI personnel, who advise on strategy
and relay any pertinent concerns of the government of Pakistan," it said."

See:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...81006N20120201

The CIA needs to start arranging a couple of accidents.

[Irenicus]

So Pakistan is whose ally again?

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by Irenicus

So Pakistan is whose ally again?

Pakistan of course

[SaintessHeart]

More like the Taliban infiltrated the ISI at the top echelons.

[TinyRedLeaf]

Originally Posted by AnimeFan188

"The United States military has said in a secret report that the Taliban, backed by Pakistan, are set to retake control over Afghanistan after NATO-led forces withdraw from the country, Britain's Times of London newspaper said Wednesday."

Originally Posted by Irenicus

So Pakistan is whose ally again?

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

More like the Taliban infiltrated the ISI at the top echelons.

I had the opportunity to attend a session between Mr Sajjad Ashraf, former high commissioner of Pakistan to Singapore, and a few journalists about two months ago, and Mr Ashraf had a number of interesting things to say (not least of which were his views about 9/11) about Pakistan's relations with its neighbours, the United States and the world.

In my view, that Pakistan has links to the Taliban shouldn't surprise anyone (though it's quite a stretch to claim infiltration by such elements). We're talking about a mountainous country that shares a highly porous, 2,600km border with Afghanistan. At some points, the border literally cuts across individual houses: one could "cross" it simply by moving from the living room to the kitchen.

Imagine if you're the commander in charge of patrolling and defending this border. How would you go about doing this, on a practical, day-by-day basis? Quite simply, you can't. Not without co-opting some of the elements you would otherwise call your "enemies".

And as for the Taliban's resilience in Afghanistan, again, should that come as a surprise? We're talking about a country that has known — and fought against — generations of foreign invaders, from the British to the Russians and now to the Americans.

Imagine if China were to conquer the United States. What, would Americans just happily roll over and play dead? (Hmm... that reminds me. I really need to get around to that Anchorage campaign some time soon.)

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by TinyRedLeaf

I had the opportunity to attend a session between Mr Sajjad Ashraf, former high commissioner of Pakistan to Singapore, and a few journalists about two months ago, and Mr Ashraf had a number of interesting things to say (not least of which were his views about 9/11) about Pakistan's relations with its neighbours, the United States and the world.

Head ambassadors are usually the last to know about the real opinion of the head government towards the country they hold mission in. Even if their fellow diplomats are "foreign defense agents" (spies), it won't be surprising if the head of office in the mission doesn't know about it.

They are just there to pose for photos and to prevent political shit from hitting the fan just because one of their countrymen decides to act the goat and offend someone else.

In my view, that Pakistan has links to the Taliban shouldn't surprise anyone (though it's quite a stretch to claim infiltration by such elements). We're talking about a mountainous country that shares a highly porous, 2,600km border with Afghanistan. At some points, the border literally cuts across individual houses: one could "cross" it simply by moving from the living room to the kitchen.

Imagine if you're the commander in charge of patrolling and defending this border. How would you go about doing this, on a practical, day-by-day basis? Quite simply, you can't. Not without co-opting some of the elements you would otherwise call your "enemies".

Nobody asked them to make enemies with India. Nepal and Bhutan have had politicals problems (especially Nepal now since the monarchy is gg and the biggest political party is Maoist......something than Indians don't like as it reminds them of China).

Though most likely than not, I think it is due to India's jealousy of the port of Karachi, since it is closer to the Strait of Hormuz than any other port in India. Amongst other problems would be Kashmir and those mountain regions that are often the source of ball flashing.

And as for the Taliban's resilience in Afghanistan, again, should that come as a surprise? We're talking about a country that has known — and fought against — generations of foreign invaders, from the British to the Russians and now to the Americans.

The Taliban are an offshoot of the Mujahideen. They weren't around until some delusional hikkikomori Mujahid fighter came out of his mountain cave and thought that religion should be imposed to unite a wartorn land.

And they haven't fought generations of invaders; they probably lost a number of times but the records are missing in time. Otherwise why do they have to dynamite Buddha carvings to keep their propaganda unquestionable that Afghanistan is the centre of their "Islamic caliphate"?

[ganbaru]

U.S. accuses China of instigating plot against DuPont
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8100OP20120201

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by ganbaru

U.S. accuses China of instigating plot against DuPont
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8100OP20120201

Isn't DuPont founded by a Frenchman? So who is stealing from who? *sarcastic*

[Ithekro]

Israeli prime minister wins primary, offers settler grants



http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/s...N7inLFfXEytrdu


Abridged:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won the leadership race of his Likud Party over his ultranationalist rival early Wednesday, hours after his government approved new incentives to entice people to move to West Bank settlements.

......

Upon taking office in 2009, Netanyahu reluctantly embraced the concept of an independent Palestinian state, antagonizing hard-line Likud loyalists who believe Israel should hold on to the West Bank for religious and security reasons.

The new housing subsidies offered to West Bank settlers appeared to be aimed at appeasing those hard-liners.

........

The Palestinians claim the West Bank and east Jerusalem, captured by Israel in 1967, as parts of a future state and say that continued Israeli settlement is a sign of bad faith.

They have demanded a halt in settlement construction before resuming peace talks. The alternative, they warn, is a single state in which Arabs will eventually outnumber Jews.

"I think with every additional settlement activity, the feasibility of having two states is diminished," said Khatib, the Palestinian spokesman.

This week's decision approved housing subsidies and loans for 557 communities deemed "national priority areas."

An announcement in English made no mention that West Bank settlements were included in the order. But attached to the original Hebrew announcement was a full list that included 70 settlements, most of them deep inside the West Bank in areas that Israel would likely have to evacuate to make way for a Palestinian state.

The incentives, according to the Prime Minister's office, are "meant to encourage positive migration to these communities.".....

This did again stall peace talks by the way. And there is an investigation to examine land ownership in the West Bank as well as removal of unauthorized settlements, such as Migron. Though the panel's makeup is suspected to legalize some of the 100 or so unauthorized settlements, some claimed to be on Palestinian lands based on an earlier review of the matter in 2005.

[sneaker]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

Isn't DuPont founded by a Frenchman? So who is stealing from who? *sarcastic*

Always funny to read these complains by countries who are very active in industrial espionage themselves.

[Ithekro]

I'm unber the impression DuPont was an immigrant that started a gunpowder company a few years after he arrived in the United States.

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by Ithekro

I'm unber the impression DuPont was an immigrant that started a gunpowder company a few years after he arrived in the United States.

He is, during the post French Revolution if I am not wrong since neither the Republic nor the Monarchy liked him. His boss got the chop, and he supported the revolutionaries before defending the King. His dad almost got hauled to meet the same fate as his boss, so he ran.

Industrial espionage is pretty common, but it seems that China is getting worse and worse at it; they used to do it pretty well in the early 1990s and 2000s and made the production of computer parts pretty cheap - most of the computer companies got pretty sick of running lawsuits and decided to buy out the CCP, then license the tech processes to their contracted manufacturers there.

Though I am interested in what processes China is interested in for this case. If it has got major military application, then no-no.

[Zakoo]

Most countries in development do it, Japan did it during the 70-80s I believe, and it was even "legal" with the MITI.

Nothing new here, everybody do it.

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by Zakoo

Most countries in development do it, Japan did it during the 70-80s I believe, and it was even "legal" with the MITI.

Nothing new here, everybody do it.

Unlike Japan, the problem is that China gives the impression that it has no holds barred when it comes to getting what it wants.

And that is the real problem : governments are running scared and start spending more on defence while neglecting other areas of governance. China likes to up the stakes to bolster their own ego and image for goddamn knows what reason.

And all it takes is for one ultranationalist from one side to start a conflict.

[Vexx]

Its like we used to say in the Cold War... the enemy is really the hawks/zealots/nationalists on both sides.

[ganbaru]

Ex-Credit Suisse traders admit cooking subprime books
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...80U2HT20120201

[flying ^]

another great TV icon... *poof*

http://www.ktla.com/videogallery/677...m-reports#gl-0

[ganbaru]

Sony sees $2.9 billion loss, new CEO says to move fast
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8110E020120202

[Darkbeat]

Originally Posted by ganbaru

Sony sees $2.9 billion loss, new CEO says to move fast
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8110E020120202

Kaz Hirai? That line is just begging for a RIIIIIIIIIIIDGE RACER joke.

[MrTerrorist]

'Supergiant' crustacean found in deepest ocean

Looks like a giant shrimp.