Monitoring Strategic and Geopolitical Developments
In a little over two centuries, America has grown from a regional power to a superpower, and to what is today called a hyperpower. But can America retain its position as the world’s dominant power, or has it already begun to decline?
Historians have debated the rise and fall of empires for centuries. To date, however, [...]
At the heart of developing Caspian reserves are two major contenders, Russia and Western oil companies, most notably U.S. firms. Both have scored successes and minuses, but on balance, the year has seen a diminution of both Western and Russian influence, as the rising petro-states of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan have moved to reassert control [...]
Last month, Iran tested its new “Ashura” missile with an estimated range of 1,250 miles. That, according to American Enterprise Institute scholar Charlie Szrom, could give Tehran the ability to “reach U.S. bases in the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe, including such U.S. allies as Romania, Georgia, or Ukraine.”
Even the most conservative intelligence [...]
Axis Of Evil: If Iran has suspended its nuclear weapons program, what are the Russians shipping advanced air defense systems to protect? The National Intelligence Estimate didn’t predict the Cuban missile crisis, either.
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Another red flag should be raised by a statement Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najar read on state radio last Wednesday. Though Moscow [...]
Prior to the meeting speculation was rife among the Russian media that Putin intended to coerce Belarusian president Alyaksandr Lukashenka into forming a Union State that would effectively end Belarusian independence and provide Putin with a new political career as the head of the new entity, which theoretically could wield greater power than the Russian [...]
Rising oil prices, a resurgent Russia and continued turbulence in the Middle East have intensified competition for control of the vast oil and gas reserves in the Caspian Sea. The competition, involving big business and power politics, pits Russia against the West. At stake, some experts say, is world domination of the energy market. VOA’s [...]
Indications terror network sending cells to Jewish state using foreign passports.
The security officials said al-Qaida has come to the conclusion Palestinian terror groups operating in the Gaza Strip and West Bank have had great difficulty infiltrating Israel due to the country’s security barrier and antiterror measures and that Palestinians who do successfully infiltrate are not [...]
Analyze This: Why Assad got a French kiss-off from Sarkozy
Jerusalem Post, Israel - 16 hours ago
… Israel’s Foreign Ministry has set about formulating a strategy for separating Syria from the “radical axis” (Iran and its Hizbullah and Hamas allies) as …
France to boycott Syria over Lebanon crisis AFP
France says suspending contacts with Syria Reuters South Africa
France ends [...]
North Korea Breaks End-of-Year Nuclear Declaration Promise
Voice of America - 1 hour ago
By Kurt Achin The United States and Japan are expressing regret that North Korea is breaking a key promise aimed at ending its nuclear weapons programs. …
North Korea slams US ahead of nuclear deadline Reuters
North Korea Fails to Disclose Nuclear Data, US Says (Update2) [...]
An anti-missile shield, or America’s ambition to establish one in Europe, has become the event of the year in security and strategic terms. The most discussed subject in Russia has been an adequate but asymmetrical response.
To counter several interceptor missiles and a radar station in Europe, Russia has repeatedly said it will build up its [...]
Losses arising from America’s housing recession could triple over the next few years and they represent the greatest threat to growth in the United States, one of the world’s leading economists has told The Times.
Robert Shiller, Professor of Economics at Yale University, predicted that there was a very real possibility that the US would be [...]
The Iranians’ denial contradicts their previous announcement on the issue, claiming Russia was preparing to equip Iran with the missile systems that would dramatically increase the country’s ability to repel an air strike.
On Saturday, the federal agency overseeing Russia’s military exports denied reports that the country planned to deliver S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran. [...]
The power of Shiite Muslim clergy has eroded in favor of various competing groups within a unique religious, civil, social and bureaucratic framework.
BEIRUT — Iran’s supreme leader spoke not with the thunder of a man regarded in his country as God’s representative on Earth, but with the exasperated tone of a corporate manager chastising his [...]
Ali Larijani, top aide to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, says his country is ready to cooperate with Egypt on nuclear issues if Cairo asks for help; says assistance would be given only with approval of International Atomic Energy Agency
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US says N.Korea has not met terms of nuclear deal
Reuters UK, UK - 1 hour ago
31 deadline to reveal details of its nuclear program under a disarmament-for-aid deal it reached with the United States, China, Russia, Japan and South …
US urges nuclear disclosure from North Korea before deadline AFP
US urges NK to provide full nuclear declaration as [...]
It is true that in the short run, the United States has benefited from trade with China. However, The China Model might prove to be our Trojan Horse. Beware of Greeks - Chinese bearing gifts (or toys) might be an apropos colloquialism in the new era of “Checkbook Diplomacy†[15] ushered in courtesy of the [...]
The most important story to come out of Washington recently had nothing to do with the endless presidential campaign. And although the media largely ignored it, the story changes the world.
The story’s unlikely source was the staid World Bank, which published updated statistics on the economic output of 146 countries. China’s economy, said the bank, [...]
Israeli goal for 2008 - to isolate Syria from radical axis
Jerusalem Post, Israel - 3 hours ago
Does Israel wish to lure him away from Iran’s influence? The top goal, according to this list, was “promoting diplomatic processes in the Middle East with …
Israel Wants to Distance Syria from Hizbullah, Iran Naharnet
Israel wants to draw Syria [...]
“Since August 17, Russian strategic bombers have conducted over 70 patrol flights and more than 217 practice launches of unarmed missiles,†Major-General Pavel Androsov, commander of the Russian Air Force’s strategic aviation, said at a news conference.
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For the first time since the end of the Cold War, America isn’t alone on top. What’s replacing the unipolar world of the 1990s? A gang of five superpowers: China, Russia, India, the Eurozone and the U.S.
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China has also been helping Pakistan in its missile program since the beginning. China has provided at least 30 M-11 missile and its components to Pakistan, which is capable of carrying nuclear weapon up to a range of 300km. China is also building missile production facility in Pakistan.. Today many analysts have raised concerns that [...]
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