Comments for American Footprints http://americanfootprints.com/wp reality-based commentary on foreign affairs Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:13:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Comment on 2011 in Arab History by News – Saudi Arabia – 2011-12-30 | ArabiaLink http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/12/2011-in-arab-history/comment-page-1/#comment-364 News – Saudi Arabia – 2011-12-30 | ArabiaLink Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:13:26 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1234#comment-364 [...] of these uprisings might be, much less what will stand out about them after decades or a century. At most, we can say that these events will continue to be contested in political rhetoric, secondary.... Nonetheless, it seems worthwhile to offer some thoughts about aspects of these ongoing events [...] [...] of these uprisings might be, much less what will stand out about them after decades or a century. At most, we can say that these events will continue to be contested in political rhetoric, secondary…. Nonetheless, it seems worthwhile to offer some thoughts about aspects of these ongoing events [...]

]]> Comment on 2011 in Arab History by News – 2011.12.30 | SUSRISbiz http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/12/2011-in-arab-history/comment-page-1/#comment-363 News – 2011.12.30 | SUSRISbiz Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:11:28 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1234#comment-363 [...] of these uprisings might be, much less what will stand out about them after decades or a century. At most, we can say that these events will continue to be contested in political rhetoric, secondary.... Nonetheless, it seems worthwhile to offer some thoughts about aspects of these ongoing events [...] [...] of these uprisings might be, much less what will stand out about them after decades or a century. At most, we can say that these events will continue to be contested in political rhetoric, secondary…. Nonetheless, it seems worthwhile to offer some thoughts about aspects of these ongoing events [...]

]]> Comment on Requiem for a Two-State Solution by Dr Harold Goldmeier http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/12/requiem-for-a-two-state-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-361 Dr Harold Goldmeier Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:59:50 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1230#comment-361 It's one thing to differ on the concept of a solution to Israeli-Palestinian coexistence. It's quite another to lie and distort the facts as Ulrich does i9n this piece. The fact that Hamas is dedicated to the destruction of Israel seems not to phase Ulrich one bit; nor does their unceasing rocket attacks and attempts at terrorism like the one that kid a teen two months ago riding home in his school bus. The intifada was a mistake? A political misstep, as Ulrich implies? Hardly. City buses blown up by suicide bombers killing women and children, pizza restaurants, attacks in malls, throwing children off school roof tops years earlier, are incidents Ulrich ignores and miscategorizes. Israel needs a real peace partner, and to only blame Netanyahu for the lack of progress is a lie. It’s one thing to differ on the concept of a solution to Israeli-Palestinian coexistence. It’s quite another to lie and distort the facts as Ulrich does i9n this piece. The fact that Hamas is dedicated to the destruction of Israel seems not to phase Ulrich one bit; nor does their unceasing rocket attacks and attempts at terrorism like the one that kid a teen two months ago riding home in his school bus. The intifada was a mistake? A political misstep, as Ulrich implies? Hardly. City buses blown up by suicide bombers killing women and children, pizza restaurants, attacks in malls, throwing children off school roof tops years earlier, are incidents Ulrich ignores and miscategorizes. Israel needs a real peace partner, and to only blame Netanyahu for the lack of progress is a lie.

]]> Comment on Requiem for a Two-State Solution by KapitalmarktTechnische Analyse der Finanzmärkte http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/12/requiem-for-a-two-state-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-360 KapitalmarktTechnische Analyse der Finanzmärkte Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:02:32 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1230#comment-360 [...] Ergänzte Fassung des Vortrags an der Schmalenbach-Tagung 2008, Köln ... Return DocWofür soll dieser Blog zum Thema "Technische Analyse der Finanzmärkte" eigentlich gut sein? L E B ...kt.de/data/files/kapitalmarktpartner/bgp.gif" [...] [...] Ergänzte Fassung des Vortrags an der Schmalenbach-Tagung 2008, Köln … Return DocWofür soll dieser Blog zum Thema "Technische Analyse der Finanzmärkte" eigentlich gut sein? L E B …kt.de/data/files/kapitalmarktpartner/bgp.gif" [...]

]]> Comment on Onward, Egyptian Democracy by jhm http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/12/onward-egyptian-democracy/comment-page-1/#comment-355 jhm Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:46:05 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1225#comment-355 My take on this echos an Egyptian shown after casting his ballot, obviously joyous that he had the opportunity to do so: "I don't care who wins, as long as they don't stay there forever." The need to start the development of democratic institutions trumps any particular outcome, IMHO. My take on this echos an Egyptian shown after casting his ballot, obviously joyous that he had the opportunity to do so: “I don’t care who wins, as long as they don’t stay there forever.” The need to start the development of democratic institutions trumps any particular outcome, IMHO.

]]> Comment on Onward, Egyptian Democracy by Dr Harold Goldmeier http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/12/onward-egyptian-democracy/comment-page-1/#comment-354 Dr Harold Goldmeier Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:59:05 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1225#comment-354 Two factors to keep in mind. First, like most democracies, the parliament will need a coalition of parties both to secure a government and to pass legislation; thus, the smaller parties will have a larger influence than their electoral popularity implies. Egypt will have to deal with some of their religious and right wing party platforms both in foreign and domestic policies. This might lead to further tensions in the streets if the police are asked enforce laws, for instance, pertaining to women's dress/make up, interest on loans, etc. Second, it's the economy stupid! No Egyptian gov't can do much about about unemployment, foreign investment, etc., because Egypt has so few natural resources, no oil to speak of, and only 4% of her land is arable leaving her to import enough food to feed her ever-expanding population. Dr. Goldmeier is a former Res. and Teaching Fellow at Harvard U., and a writer and consultant on economic and business development living in Chicago Two factors to keep in mind. First, like most democracies, the parliament will need a coalition of parties both to secure a government and to pass legislation; thus, the smaller parties will have a larger influence than their electoral popularity implies. Egypt will have to deal with some of their religious and right wing party platforms both in foreign and domestic policies. This might lead to further tensions in the streets if the police are asked enforce laws, for instance, pertaining to women’s dress/make up, interest on loans, etc. Second, it’s the economy stupid! No Egyptian gov’t can do much about about unemployment, foreign investment, etc., because Egypt has so few natural resources, no oil to speak of, and only 4% of her land is arable leaving her to import enough food to feed her ever-expanding population. Dr. Goldmeier is a former Res. and Teaching Fellow at Harvard U., and a writer and consultant on economic and business development living in Chicago

]]> Comment on The Next Phase by Making Sense of Egypt’s Revolution 2.0 « CONNECTED in CAIRO http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/11/the-next-phase/comment-page-1/#comment-353 Making Sense of Egypt’s Revolution 2.0 « CONNECTED in CAIRO Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:54:31 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1223#comment-353 [...] Ulrich, writing in americanfootsteps.com,  points out that revolutions are rarely one time events, but processes that unfold in fits and [...] [...] Ulrich, writing in americanfootsteps.com,  points out that revolutions are rarely one time events, but processes that unfold in fits and [...]

]]> Comment on The Next Phase by MaXxiM » Street Fights http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/11/the-next-phase/comment-page-1/#comment-352 MaXxiM » Street Fights Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:45:15 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1223#comment-352 [...] football player stabbed in street fight (thegazette.com) [caption id="" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Image by Getty Images via @daylife"][/caption...17: A man who identif..." src="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/08l56Q0ccy5LA/150x100.jpg" [...] [...] football player stabbed in street fight (thegazette.com) [caption id="" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Image by Getty Images via @daylife"][/caption...17: A man who identif..." src="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/08l56Q0ccy5LA/150x100.jpg" [...]

]]> Comment on Weird Iran Plot by Competing Theories On The Iran Plot | Poison Your Mind http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/10/weird-iran-plot/comment-page-1/#comment-350 Competing Theories On The Iran Plot | Poison Your Mind Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:09:24 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1201#comment-350 [...] Via Brian Ulrich, who adds: I’m most interested in the idea that the plot arose from a faction within the Iranian government seeking to use an international crisis to enhance its own stature. President Mahmood Ahmadinejad, who thrives on controversy, has been on the losing end of a power struggle with Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamene’i, the country’s paramount leader, and with his military connections could leave the appropriate fingerprints. [...] [...] Via Brian Ulrich, who adds: I’m most interested in the idea that the plot arose from a faction within the Iranian government seeking to use an international crisis to enhance its own stature. President Mahmood Ahmadinejad, who thrives on controversy, has been on the losing end of a power struggle with Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamene’i, the country’s paramount leader, and with his military connections could leave the appropriate fingerprints. [...]

]]> Comment on Slow Grinding in Libya by All Kinds o’ Libya Stuff : Lawyers, Guns & Money http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/07/slow-grinding-in-libya/comment-page-1/#comment-334 All Kinds o’ Libya Stuff : Lawyers, Guns & Money Sat, 09 Jul 2011 20:11:19 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1131#comment-334 [...] As has been the case from the beginning, I’m unconvinced of the prospects of the rebels for winning a military victory. I don’t think it’s right to say that Gaddafi is “winning,”  (his forces appear to be losing ground on several fronts) but NATO and the rebels are on the clock; sooner or later, they’ll have either win or decide to accept/impose some kind of de facto partition in Libya. Dan Byman and Matthew Waxman do a good job in FP describing the asymmetrical stakes in the war, and explaining why Gaddafi has been so difficult to pry loose. See also this update from Camile Tawil (via Brian Ulrich). [...] [...] As has been the case from the beginning, I’m unconvinced of the prospects of the rebels for winning a military victory. I don’t think it’s right to say that Gaddafi is “winning,”  (his forces appear to be losing ground on several fronts) but NATO and the rebels are on the clock; sooner or later, they’ll have either win or decide to accept/impose some kind of de facto partition in Libya. Dan Byman and Matthew Waxman do a good job in FP describing the asymmetrical stakes in the war, and explaining why Gaddafi has been so difficult to pry loose. See also this update from Camile Tawil (via Brian Ulrich). [...]

]]> Comment on Isn’t It Possible that Our Military Operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan Are Actually Destabilizing Pakistan? by Eric Martin http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/06/isnt-it-possible-that-our-military-operations-in-afghanistan-and-pakistan-are-actually-destabilizing-pakistan/comment-page-1/#comment-328 Eric Martin Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:24:52 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1125#comment-328 I don't disagree. I don’t disagree.

]]> Comment on Isn’t It Possible that Our Military Operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan Are Actually Destabilizing Pakistan? by Dole's __ http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/06/isnt-it-possible-that-our-military-operations-in-afghanistan-and-pakistan-are-actually-destabilizing-pakistan/comment-page-1/#comment-327 Dole's __ Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:23:27 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1125#comment-327 Nice article Eric. In theory it works, but you are trying to assess Pakistani's intentions as if they conformed to our sense of logic. Pakistan is like the guy who sits down at the blackjack table and hits on 18 even though you tell him the laws of probability. Try all you want but its damn well impossible to predict how they would approach the Taliban once we are gone. Again, I don't disagree with anything you wrote, and I'm a big proponent of applying a strict CT approach (the Biden option) in the region but if we learned anything from the past few years, it is impossible and foolish to overlay logic where no logic exists. Nice article Eric. In theory it works, but you are trying to assess Pakistani’s intentions as if they conformed to our sense of logic. Pakistan is like the guy who sits down at the blackjack table and hits on 18 even though you tell him the laws of probability. Try all you want but its damn well impossible to predict how they would approach the Taliban once we are gone. Again, I don’t disagree with anything you wrote, and I’m a big proponent of applying a strict CT approach (the Biden option) in the region but if we learned anything from the past few years, it is impossible and foolish to overlay logic where no logic exists.

]]> Comment on Repression in Bahrain by Taylor http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/05/repression-in-bahrain/comment-page-1/#comment-325 Taylor Thu, 19 May 2011 22:43:13 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1111#comment-325 I'm not familiar with the composition of the Bahrain protesters and what their demands are, but I'm confused about the Shiite/Sunni dimension of this this uprising. Is there really a major, meaningful sectarian aspect to this quasi-rebellion, or is it in fact more about secular demands, like political and economic rights? If it's more about the rights and freedoms, it seems to me like the Sunni majority should be able to loosen up those restrictions in exchange for re-entrenchment as the political and economic elite - they could be using the rebellion to make their position as rulers seem more legitimate and beneficial for everyone, rather than reacting to a religious dimension of the protesters that may or may not be actually connected to what's driving them to the streets. I’m not familiar with the composition of the Bahrain protesters and what their demands are, but I’m confused about the Shiite/Sunni dimension of this this uprising. Is there really a major, meaningful sectarian aspect to this quasi-rebellion, or is it in fact more about secular demands, like political and economic rights?

If it’s more about the rights and freedoms, it seems to me like the Sunni majority should be able to loosen up those restrictions in exchange for re-entrenchment as the political and economic elite – they could be using the rebellion to make their position as rulers seem more legitimate and beneficial for everyone, rather than reacting to a religious dimension of the protesters that may or may not be actually connected to what’s driving them to the streets.

]]> Comment on Ayatollah Khoeiniha by Kirk H. Sowell http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/04/ayatollah-khoeiniha/comment-page-1/#comment-319 Kirk H. Sowell Mon, 02 May 2011 05:10:06 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1103#comment-319 I'm looking for the contact link and don't see it. Would appreciate it if you could contact me if you are open to running an ad for my newsletter. Thanks, kirk.sowell@insideiraqipolitics.com I’m looking for the contact link and don’t see it. Would appreciate it if you could contact me if you are open to running an ad for my newsletter.

Thanks,

kirk.sowell@insideiraqipolitics.com

]]> Comment on The U.S. Government: Firing Missiles and Keeping the Lights On by Taylor Wray http://americanfootprints.com/wp/2011/03/the-u-s-government-firing-missiles-and-keeping-the-lights-on/comment-page-1/#comment-315 Taylor Wray Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:47:54 +0000 http://americanfootprints.com/wp/?p=1085#comment-315 I'm still not understanding the economics argument that seems to be front and center regarding Libya. There is no way in hell Libya's total cost is even a drop in the bucket compared to what we've been spending EVERY FUCKING YEAR in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's not even a comparison, really. Do you think the U.S. is running out of expensive missiles to fire? Let me assure you, we have thousands, and for all intents and purposes, those missiles cost the U.S. government just as much money to sit there on the launchpad as they do to fire into another country. What really seems to be going on is that FOX News and other pundits have suddenly discovered that war costs a shitload of money and have run endless stories about how much of it is going to Libya after laughably failing to report on the massive economic drag created by the two major conflicts we've been engaged in FOR A DECADE. Your post seems to take the same tack as FOX, literally whining about paying for a $1 billion peacekeeping op while ignoring the HUGE STRATEGIC FOLLIES that have now cost upwards of $1 FUCKING TRILLION. So WTF? Why is Libya's cost sooooo important? I’m still not understanding the economics argument that seems to be front and center regarding Libya. There is no way in hell Libya’s total cost is even a drop in the bucket compared to what we’ve been spending EVERY FUCKING YEAR in Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s not even a comparison, really. Do you think the U.S. is running out of expensive missiles to fire? Let me assure you, we have thousands, and for all intents and purposes, those missiles cost the U.S. government just as much money to sit there on the launchpad as they do to fire into another country.

What really seems to be going on is that FOX News and other pundits have suddenly discovered that war costs a shitload of money and have run endless stories about how much of it is going to Libya after laughably failing to report on the massive economic drag created by the two major conflicts we’ve been engaged in FOR A DECADE.

Your post seems to take the same tack as FOX, literally whining about paying for a $1 billion peacekeeping op while ignoring the HUGE STRATEGIC FOLLIES that have now cost upwards of $1 FUCKING TRILLION. So WTF? Why is Libya’s cost sooooo important?

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