Is President Obama's Middle East Envoy About To Quit Because Of White House Bias Towards Israel?

Photo: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. envoy George Mitchell in London last September. (Archive)

Arab Source: Mitchell Wanted To Quit Over U.S. Bias For Israel -- Haaretz

An Arab political source said Friday that special U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell has requested to resign due to his frustration with the way the Obama administration has been handling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a Nazareth-based daily.

Hadith a-Nass reported that Mitchell's request stemmed partly from to his own failure to advance the resumption of peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians and also from his perception that certain elements within the State Department hold biased favor toward Israel.

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My Comment: I have been following the Middle East conflict for the past 30+ years. The present frustration level is now approaching the level that in the past always resulted in wars and an increase in terrorism.

So .... is war possible in the next year or two? In this case I cannot help but feel that all sides are now positioning themselves for another war, and I cannot help but believe that envoys like George Mitchell are aware that they are powerless to do anything to stop it.

I know that if I was George Mitchell .... I would probably be looking for the exits.

Is America's Monopoly Of Drones In The Sky About To End?

MQ-9 Reaper USAF

Defending Against Drones -- Newsweek

How our new favorite weapon in the war on terror could soon be turned against us.

The unmanned spy plane that Lebanon's Hizbullah sent buzzing over Israeli towns in 2005 was loud and weaponless, and carried only a rudimentary camera. But the surprise flight by a regional terror group still worried U.S. analysts, who saw it as a sign that the unmanned vehicles were falling into the wrong hands.

Today that concern appears to have been well founded. At least 40 other countries—from Belarus and Georgia to India, Pakistan, and Russia—have begun to build, buy, and deploy unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, showcasing their efforts at international weapons expos ranging from the premier Paris Air Show to smaller events in Singapore and Bahrain. In the last six months alone, Iran has begun production on a pair of weapons-ready surveillance drones, while China has debuted the Pterodactyl and Sour Dragon, rivals to America's Predator and Global Hawk. All told, two thirds of worldwide investment in unmanned planes in 2010 will be spent by countries other than the United States.

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My Comment: One way to counter what the other side is doing is to build better drones .... a development that is well underway in the U.S. military.

Colombian Govt Confirms Death Of FARC Leader 'Edgar Tovar'

Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva

Colombia Confirms Death of Rebel Commander -- Latin American Herald Tribune

BOGOTA – Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva confirmed the death of a leftist rebel commander who authorities said headed up the guerrillas’ drug-trafficking activities in the southern part of the country.

Angel Gabriel Lozada, alias “Edgar Tovar” – commander of the 48th Front of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, guerrilla group – was killed on Jan. 20 but it was not until Wednesday that he was identified through DNA tests.

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Update: Govt confirms death of FARC leader 'Edgar Tovar' -- Colombia Reports

My Comment: It has taken a long time for the Colombian Government to confirm this death .... but due to the importance of the target I can appreciate their caution. I do not expect the civil war in Colombia to now calm down because of this death, but the soldiers and commanders who make up FARC must be wondering if this struggle can continue at this intensity for any significant period of time.

So Much For That Special Relationship Between Britain And The U.S.

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Gordon Brown walk along the colonnade between the residence and the West Wing of the White House. (White House photo 3/3/09 by Joyce N. Boghosian)

American Neutrality On the Falklands Is A Symptom Of US Foreign Policy Drift -- The Telegraph (Commentary)

The Bush administration got a lot of things wrong – but at least they usually had some idea of who America’s adversaries were and who America’s friends were. For example, Bush’s policy of maintaining the special relationship with Britain was a simple recognition of the close bonds of alliance, friendship and interests that the British and Americans have had since World War I.

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My Comment: The US media is quiet, but the ferocious criticism of President Obama and US foreign policy from the British press is (from my experience) now reaching unprecedented levels. The Falklands issue will probably be the issue that will break the camels back between President Obama and the British public .... with the long term outlook showing no signs of improvement even if there is a change of government in London.

Tensions Increasing Between The Government And It's Military In Turkey

Turkey's President Abdullah Gul, flanked by Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, left, and Chief of Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, right, meet at the presidential palace in Ankara on Thursday. (Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Presidential palace press office/Reuters)

More Officers Charged in 2003 Turkish Coup Plot -- Voice of America

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says no one should consider themselves above the law.

His remarks to lawmakers Friday come after an additional 11 military officers were charged with involvement in an alleged 2003 coup plot.

The latest suspects include two admirals and a retired general. They will stay in jail pending a trial.

Authorities have arrested thirty-one officers so far in connection with the alleged plot, raising tensions with the armed forces.

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More News On The Crisis In Turkey

Turkey Charges 11 More in Coup Plot -- Wall Street Journal
Turkish markets stung by new military detentions -- Reuters
Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 'coup plot' warning -- BBC
In Turkey, a Showdown Between the Government and Military -- Time Magazine
Turkish views on 'coup' charges -- BBC

Another Top Taliban Leader In Pakistan Is Killed In Drone Strike

Photo: Qari Zafar

Officials: Taliban Leader Killed By Missile Strike -- Washington Post/AP

ISLAMABAD -- A Taliban commander wanted in the deadly 2006 bombing of the U.S. consulate in Karachi was killed in a suspected CIA missile strike in northwest Pakistan, officials said Thursday - the latest blow in a crackdown on militants in the region.

Mohammed Qari Zafar was among at least 13 people killed Wednesday when three missiles slammed into a compound and a vehicle in the Dargah Mandi area of the North Waziristan tribal region on the border with Afghanistan, two Pakistani intelligence officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

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More News On The Latest Drone Strike Against Al Qaeda

Consulate attack suspect killed -- UPI
Fedayeen-i-Islam commander thought killed in US airstrike -- Long War Journal
Suspect in consulate attack dies in strike, Pakistani source says -- CNN
Missile kills Taliban leader wanted in ‘06 U.S. consulate bombing -- Toronto Star
Another top Taliban commander killed in drone attack -- DNAIndia
Top Taliban commander killed in US drone attack in North Waziristan -- One India
Al Qaeda leader Qazi Zafar killed in drone attack -- New York Post
3 top militant commander killed in US Drone attack -- Press Trust of India
US drone kills top al-Qaeda operative in Pakistan -- Asia Tribune

US House Bill To Criminalize CIA Interrogation Methods Withdrawn

House Tries Again to Pass Intel Bill After Controversy Over CIA Punishment -- FOX News

The House plans to take a second crack at passing a bill to reauthorize the country's intelligence programs Friday, after Democratic leaders suddenly yanked it from the floor following a controversy over whether to punish CIA interrogators who cross the line while questioning terror suspects.

The House plans to take a second crack at passing a bill to reauthorize the country's intelligence programs Friday, after Democratic leaders suddenly yanked it from the floor following a controversy over whether to punish CIA interrogators who cross the line while questioning terror suspects.

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More News On A Revised Intelligence Bill

House Leaders stop vote to ban degrading treatment -- Washington Times
Torture add forces House Democrats to pull bill -- Politico
Rep. McDermott tries to sneak anti-CIA amendment into bill in the dead of nigh -- American Thinker
Hoekstra Turns Back Effort to Target CIA Interrogators -- The American

My Comment: As predicted, the bill was pulled and the language removed. Makes you wonder what was Rep. McDermott thinking. Oh yeah .... I forgot .... it is all Washington politics.

U.S. Arm Sales To India And Pakistan Stirs Resentment

U.S. Sells Arms To South Asian Rivals -- Wall Street Journal

Washington Increases Weapons Transfers to India and Pakistan to Maintain Neutrality, Aid Industry.

The Obama administration is sharply expanding American weapons transfers to both India and Pakistan, longtime rivals about to sit down for peace talks Thursday.

The U.S. has sought to remain neutral in the thorny relationship between the nuclear-armed neighbors. But Washington hasn't been shy about pursuing weapons deals in the region, which officials say will lead to closer ties with each country while creating new opportunities for American defense firms.

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My Comment: For the US India is the 800 lb gorilla in the room, especially since they pay for their purchases with their own money. Pakistan's importance is in direct relation with how it assists the US in Afghanistan and targeting Taliban/Al Qaeda leaders .... a precarious and unreliable relationship even at the best of times.

Afghanistan War News Updates -- February 26, 2010

Scene of destruction. (Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images)

Suicide Bombers Attack Central Kabul, Killing At Least 17 -- Washington Post

KABUL -- A crew of suicide bombers attacked a central commercial area dotted with guesthouses frequented by foreigners, setting off an hours-long gunbattle with Afghan police early Friday and killing at least 17 people.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the dramatic raid, which began around daybreak and wounded at least 32 people. The assault was the latest in a string of attacks to rock the capital city, whose residents generally feel a world away from the raging rural insurgency that U.S.-led forces are seeking to contain in a new push in southern Afghanistan.

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More News On Afghanistan

Suicide bombers strike in heart of Kabul; 17 dead -- Yahoo News/AP
Guesthouses Used by Foreigners in Kabul Hit in Deadly Attacks -- New York Times
Taleban suicide bombers kill 17 and injure 30 in Kabul attack -- Times Online
Militants Strike Central Kabul, Attack Hotels -- Wall Street Journal
Deadly Explosions Rock Afghan Capital -- Voice of America
TIMELINE - Attacks in Afghan capital target foreigners -- Reuters
Eyewitnesses: Kabul suicide attacks -- BBC
With Deadly Attacks In Kabul, Taliban May Be Retaliating For Gains Made Against It -- NPR

Afghan Flag Marks a Turning Point in Marjah -- Wall Street Journal
As Fighting Eases, Afghans Plant Flag and Their Hopes in Marja -- New York Times
Afghan government raises its flag in Marja -- L.A. Times
Afghan flag hoisted over Marjah for the second time -- Times Online
As Afghan government takes helm in Marjah, insurgents try to hang on -- Dallas news/LA Times/AP
Marja Operations Move Toward ‘Holding’ Phase -- US Department of Defense
Kabul Bureau Chief Answers Readers’ Questions on Marja -- New York Times

Two NATO troops killed in Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AFP
UK soldier killed in Afghanistan -- BBC

Pentagon: Taliban Is Under Heavy Pressure on Two Fronts -- Voice of America
McChrystal: Taliban hears our footsteps -- USA Today
Taliban defectors accept U.S. approach but wait for promises to be kept -- Washington Post
At new Bagram prison in Afghanistan, some inmates buoyant -- McClatchy News
German lawmakers approve troop increase for Afghanistan -- Deutsche Welle
NATO chief defends European role in Afghan war -- Washington Post
Afghan army improving, not ready to go it alone -- Washington Post
A real test for Afghan forces: Worthington -- Toronto Sun

World News Briefs -- February 26, 2010

An injured man is escorted away from the site of a blast in Afghan capital Kabul Feb. 26, 2010. Two explosions hit downtown area of Afghan capital Kabul on Friday morning, killing at least 22 people. (Xinhua/Zhang Ning)

Many Dead In Attacks On Kabul Guesthouses -- New York Times

KABUL, Afghanistan — At least 18 people were killed and 32 wounded on Friday in suicide and car bomb attacks on two guesthouses popular with foreigners in the center of Kabul, police officials said.

In a telephone interview, a Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attacks, which coincided with a major offensive by American-led coalition forces against militants in the southern province of Helmand, a central element in President Obama’s strategy in rural Afghanistan.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iran, Syria mock U.S. policy; Ahmadinejad speaks of Israel's 'annihilation'.

Sectarian tensions rise before Iraq elections.

Will the UN put off the Goldstone report another five months?

More clashes over Israeli claim to shrine.

Jundallah arrest proves timely for Iran.

ASIA

Coup rumours as Thailand awaits Thaksin assets ruling.

Cynicism in both India and Pakistan after talks.

At new Bagram prison in Afghanistan, some inmates buoyant.

Myanmar denies dissident’s appeal for freedom. Aung San Suu Kyi appeal rejected by Burma court.

AFRICA

Niger: A coup for democracy?

After Yar'Adua return, Nigeria wonders when he'll take power. Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan 'is acting president'.

Somali pirates release Singaporean ship for cash.

UN deplores Gaddafi call for anti-Swiss 'jihad'.

On visit to Rwanda, Sarkozy admits ‘grave errors’ in 1994 genocide.

EUROPE

New Ukrainian President touts domestic reforms, non-aligned foreign policy.

European Union pushes cuts for indebted countries.

Greek PM says worst fears confirmed on economy.

AMERICAS

Olympic wire ....

Argentina seeks US backing in dispute with Britain over the Falklands.

Venezuela annuls election of anti-Chavez mayor.

Dissident's funeral spurs crackdown in Cuba.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US House Leaders stop vote to ban degrading treatment.

U.S. law aimed at terrorists may go too far on free speech (Commentary).

Freed French hostage speaks of al-Qaeda ordeal in Mali.

US drone kills top al-Qaeda operative in Pakistan.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

In Greece’s crisis, Fed studies Wall St.’s activities.

Clinton says U.S. deficit now a security issue.

US senator warns of ‘financial meltdown’ risk.

Euro in danger as the Greek crisis deepens and Merkel admits currency is at risk.