iraq

The Iran problem is again making rounds with saber rattling by every one.

Iran that is feverishly pursuing its quest for nuclear status has recently fired few Long Range Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (LRBM) that has potential to seek American targets at different locations around the world and is viewed as a direct threat to American ally Israel (1). The show of strength came three days after U.S.-led warships finished naval exercises in the Gulf  that Iran branded as "adventurist” Iran  remains locked in dispute with the West over its nuclear program, which Washington says is geared to producing atomic weapons but Tehran says is only for generating electricity.  Iran’s state-run media reported that one of them was a modified Shahab-3 ballistic missile, which has a claimed range of 1,250 miles and could theoretically deliver a one-ton nuclear warhead over Israeli cities. Tel Aviv is about 650 miles from western Iran. General Hossein Salami, a senior Revolutionary Guard commander, boasted that “our hands are always on the trigger and our missiles are ready for launch”.............

continue reading "WAR DRUMS ARE HEARD AGAIN"

Kurds are demanding a separate nation called Kurdistan. They are distributed in Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran. Kurds live in the mountainous region of the Middle East where the borders of Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran meet. There are an estimated 20-25 million Kurds throughout the Middle East. The Kurds have always been a stateless people. It is concentrated in the parts of eastern Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq that make up the region known as Kurdistan that does not have any national status as a country. Kurds are distinct from the Arabs, Turks, and Persians (Iranians) of their region, but are ethnically and linguistically closest to Persians. Kurdish origins are commonly traced back to the Empire of the Medes in the sixth century BC. About 12 million Kurds live in the southeast region of Turkey alone. Twenty percent of Turkey's population is Kurdish. Iraq is 15-20 percent Kurdish; Syria, less than 10 percent; and Iran, 7 percent. The majority of Kurds is devout Sunni Muslims (1). .

continue reading "Turkey's Offensive Against Kurds Would Disturb Already Complex Middle East"

Middle East politics are replete with rivalries, sectarian conflicts, mutual hatred and ethnic struggles that transform into terrorism causing great human suffering. Struggle between Turkey and problem of Kurds is a live example that has contributed to destabilization of the region and conflicts in neighboring countries such as Iraq, Iran and Syria too apart from Turkey. Guerilla war now has been clubbed with terrorism globally and both have become synonymous although they are distinct from each other. The name “Kurd” was a generic term used to denote nomads and non-Arabs in particular. In Kurdish, the name “Kurd” means “warrior” or “ferocious fighter.” By the time of the Islamic conquest of the northern Middle East in the 7th century AD, the name “Kurd” was already in use as a term to designate the population of Western Iranians in the Zagros Mountains.

continue reading "Turkey Struggles With Terrorism by Kurds"

USA today is going through a difficult and complex phase of involvement in conflicts in the world against determined terrorist onslaught who declared war against it. USA has always been the leader and beacon of light for liberty and freedom in the world. Hordes of freedom fighters who were persecuted in their native countries found asylum in America. Some of these organizations at a later date took advantage and plotted against the country. The present conflict with AlQaeda of Bin Laden Group is an example. The nation has evolved out of bitter struggle for liberty from the clutches of England after a war with the Englishmen. Since then, it has maintained a high profile and a special position in the world where every one looked at it with reverence, for inspiration and guidance. After Industrial revolution, America progressed rapidly on technological and industrial front and grew into a major world power in all aspects. It played key and decisive roles in the World War I and World War II. With acquisition of Nuclear weapon it attained the position of super power. It stood for liberty and democracy and automatically it got involved in cold war with the communist block after the Korean War. It has shown great restraint during Korean War and did not attack mainland of China inspite of great provocation (1). The war was limited to use of conventional weapons.

continue reading "Will America Withdraw Into a Cocoon?"

The Iraq war that became a focal point at the hustling in USA last year continues to haunt the American President. The report of BBC news states that, more than 3,600 coalition soldiers had died including more than 3000 US military men, but US forces generally do not keep complete records of civilians killed. Nor does the Iraqi government have a precise figure. Health ministry estimates in November 2006 ranged from 100,000 to 150,000 dead. This contrasts with a survey of Iraqi households in the Lancet, which suggested that - by July 2006 - about 655,000 Iraqi deaths were "a consequence of the war". These estimates are both higher than the running total of reported civilian deaths maintained by the campaign group, Iraq Body Count. Using two media reports as its source for each death, IBC says the civilian death toll is now almost than 69,000, including more than 3,650 police. But the organization also warns that many deaths may not have been reported (1).

continue reading "American President Under Continuous Pressure Over Iraq"

The stakes are high. Not only for the American president, but for American's ability to work in the world, as well as for world peace and stability. There are great changes happening economically, politically and even religiously. Geopolitical forces are realigning and the events over the next several years will determine their structure for decades to come. The following analysis is close enough to American and the Middle East to understand them, yet far enough away to see the big picture.

continue reading "The American President Cornered"

Hello all, I just wanted to say that I am home from Iraq and thank you all for your support and prayers. I am enjoying time with my family and friends and am back home at church. Attending chapel services is great, but not the same as a church home.

I boarded the plane and never looked back and I have not looked at any news about the war since I left. It may take me some time to come to terms with my experience, right now I am just glad to be home.

continue reading "Home from Iraq"