Others were driven by the uncertainty of the future. The posture Russia chooses to adopt in its efforts to reclaim its former status, in particular, was mentioned as cause for concern. The deterioration of Russian military capacity and the unlikelihood of a direct conflict make it more of a destabilizing factor than a threat. Nevertheless, [...]

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Anyone moderately familiar with the UN’s history will not be surprised by the latest development regarding UNICEF and its newest partner.
Two English language Arab news outlets reported this week that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has partnered with the Saudi-based International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO).
While both articles are celebrating this partnership, both fail to [...]

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Tired of American global dominance? Just consider the alternatives. By Niall Ferguson.
Critics of U.S. global dominance should pause and consider the alternative. If the United States retreats from its hegemonic role, who would supplant it? Not Europe, not China, not the Muslim world—and certainly not the United Nations. Unfortunately, the alternative to a single superpower [...]

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(by Martin Weiss)
3/26/2007 8:00:00 AM

Martin Weiss here with an urgent update on the breaking Iran crisis and its potential impact on your money.

On Friday, precisely when the United Nations was preparing to slap new, tougher sanctions on Iran, President Ahmadinejad’s gunships captured 15 British sailors and marines on a routine patrol off the waters of southern Iraq.

And just in the past 24 hours, Iran’s leaders have unleashed the most venomous diatribes against the West since their capture of U.S. embassy hostages nearly 28 years ago:

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman condemned the British for their “interventionist and suspicious move” against Iran’s sovereignty.
After moving the 15 British captives to Tehran for “interrogation,” Iran promptly declared that they “have confessed the illegal entry of territorial waters of the Islamic republic,” an act of “blatant aggression.”
500 Iranian students, gathered on the shore near where the soldiers were captured, shouted “Death to Britain” and “Death to America,” urging the government to hold the detainees until the U.S. grants Iran a series of unlikely concessions.
British officials are hoping — and praying — that the Iranians will come to their senses and release the hostages within the next few days.

However, on Saturday, even as British diplomats were trying to reason with Iranian officials in London, the U.N. Security Council in New York not only voted unanimously to pass the new sanctions against Iran … but also promised even tougher punishment within 60 days.

This confirms and double-confirms everything Larry Edelson has been warning you about.

Our view: Even if the current hostage crisis is resolved, there’s nothing of substance that could soon end the broader, brewing conflict with Iran.

Some analysts still hope the Iranians will finally respond favorably to the carrots the U.N. continues to offer.

But don’t hold your breath, because, right now …

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Link to this article.
By Niall Ferguson
Money’s disappearing, world leaders are blathering at the U.N., Thailand had a coup and Hungary’s prime minister was caught on tape.
It’s a mad world.
I was wondering why the antics of world leaders at the United Nations seemed so familiar last week. Then I realized it was just like a university [...]

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