Tag Archives: Distant Echoes

Image

Russia has sent a message to the outside world

02 Sunday Mar 2014

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

wp-1489243042641.png

ANALYSIS – The pictures unfolding on our television screens show well armed ‘professional’ troops patrolling the key sites of the Crimea.  By all accounts, the atmosphere is calm and everyone is carrying on their daily duties with some waiving Russian flags, others Ukranian. When they are asked whether they are Russian, the troops do not reply. Since the takeover in Kiev, hundreds of such men have arrived in the Crimea and have  occupied key strategic areas. Initially, they were there to protect the Russian speakers who form the majority of the province but the longer they are there the more this looks like a complete takeover of what to Vladimir Putin is a vital part of his nation’s identity. Russia has been accused by the Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen of putting peace at risk in Europe. The US President Barack Obama has threatened Moscow with economic and political sanctions. Ukraine says that Russia has declared war on her, but could the highly dubious government in Kiev really risk more bloodshed against a far bigger and more dangerous bully than the one it fought for its freedom on her own streets? Russia has sent a message to the outside world – it wants to be treated with respect, and part of that includes no lectures on international law from nations that play fast and loose with its principles when it suits them. As for Ukraine, if it wants to continue with the current political state of affairs in Kiev, it will not only lose its cheap gas supplies but also the Crimea.

Posted by | Filed under Analysis 🙌, Comment, Europe 🇪🇺, International News, Politics 💼 🗳 🪖, Russia 🇷🇺, Terrorism, USA 🇺🇸

≈ 1 Comment

Image

Could there be a war over Crimea?

01 Saturday Mar 2014

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

wp-1489243042641.png

ANALYSIS – With thousands of Russian troops now reported to be in the Crimea, armed gunmen thought to be Russian in control of Parliament and the governor of the province appealing to the Kremlin for assistance, could we be seeing  conflict unfolding in this vital region along the lines of Georgia?
Those who are quoting international law may find that Moscow is in no mood to be dictated to, given what has gone on in Ukraine and of course the Middle East and North Africa.
Crimea is in Russia’s sphere of influence and anyone who wants to argue with that like the former Georgian President did during that conflict will find themselves out in the cold when looking for allies and like that conflict will guarantee a sealed breakup of the country.

Posted by | Filed under Analysis 🙌, Comment, Europe 🇪🇺, France, Germany 🇩🇪, International News, Politics 💼 🗳 🪖, Russia 🇷🇺, Terrorism, USA 🇺🇸

≈ Leave a comment

Image

Why Premier League sides don’t cut it in Europe

20 Thursday Feb 2014

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

TEMPLATE ANALYSIS

There was a depressing familiarity to Arsenal’s defeat to Bayern Munich at the Emirates stadium last night.
Arsene Wenger’s men are currently sitting near the top of the Premier League where they have been for most of the season, and yet that didn’t matter when faced with the current European champions.
Like Manchester City the night before, Arsenal were taught a lesson by the German Champions who many argue are a stronger side this season than the one that destroyed Barcelona in the last.
After a strong start the Germans took full advantage of a penalty miss by Mesut Ozil in the first half to put the game out of Arsenal’s reach in the second with goals from the highly rated Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller.
Arsenal like City face an uphill struggle when they leave the comfort of their own turf for the second leg of this tie.
Already, winning this competition looks well out of their reach, and that of Manuel Pellegrini’s side whose outstanding performances in the Premier League now looked to have flattered to deceive.
Of course, the impartial observer can’t wait to see Pep Guardiola’s German side face the Spanish side he built up into the European Champions.
But that still leaves the English sides who are at the moment a yard short when they line up against the European elite.
And that doesn’t bode well for England’s chances in the World Cup later this year – or for the chances of any Premier League manager like David Moyes who is hoping to attract talent like Toni Kroos to a team that was once called Manchester United.

Posted by | Filed under Analysis 🙌, Comment, Europe 🇪🇺, Football ⚽️, Sport 🏏 🎾 ⚽️

≈ Leave a comment

Image

TEMPLATE REPORT: Barcelona teach Manchester City a lesson

18 Tuesday Feb 2014

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

TEMPLATE REPORT

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Etihad Stadium

MANCHESTER CITY 0 BARCELONA 2

Just how good and how far have Manchester City come this season – that was the question on everyone’s mind as the blues took on Lionel Messi and the highly rated and much respected side called Barcelona at the Etihad Stadium tonight.
In the first half, City had the best of the chances despite the dominance of Barcelona who played in the way that they have done so often, possession followed by more possession, wearing down the opposition through silky passes that called on the hometeam to chase after the ball.
In the second half though, the game was out of City’s reach once Messi had slotted in a penalty following an advance that reduced the Premier League’s most exciting side to ten men.
The second goal from Danni Alves in the 90th minute ensured that there would be no way back in the second leg of this tie.
Barcelona are virtually threw to the quarter finals and they had not even got out of first gear – remaining throughout the nintety three minutes compact, assured and ever dangerous when given a sniff of a chance.
City were taught a lesson today by a side that is used to success at the highest level. The team that has dazzled us all in the Premier League were outclassed in a game their opponents never looked like losing.
And still they will be many who will question whether Barcelona have what it takes to win this competition.

Posted by | Filed under Analysis 🙌, Comment, Europe 🇪🇺, Football ⚽️, Sport 🏏 🎾 ⚽️

≈ Leave a comment

Image

🪖 Are China and the US heading towards war? 🇺🇸 – 🇨🇳

17 Monday Feb 2014

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Subscribe to continue reading

Subscribe to get access to the rest of this post and other subscriber-only content.

Posted by | Filed under Analysis 🙌, Asia 🌐, China 🇨🇳, International News, Politics 💼 🗳 🪖, USA 🇺🇸

≈ Comments Off on 🪖 Are China and the US heading towards war? 🇺🇸 – 🇨🇳

Image

Will the Yasukuni shrine bring about a third world war?

03 Friday Jan 2014

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Yasukuni_Shrine_201005

ANALYSIS – Shinzo Abe’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo last week angered many – friends and foe alike.

Predictably, China for whom the men that are honoured as men that died for the sacred Japanese nation in the second world war are nothing more than war criminals.

The same is of course true for South Korea with whom Tokyo is allied with, in fear of the rise of China.

And on that score, there is also Vietnam.

So, what was America’s position, as the Japanese internal affairs minister made the trip to the house of the dead souls yesterday?

Well, the state department has urged calm and called for dialogue.

Those who are predicting future conflict in Asia between China and the US may point to such visits by senior Japanese ministers to the site denounced by the world – that includes China – as the starting point for a conflict that could embroil all the key powers of South Asia.

Posted by | Filed under Analysis 🙌, Asia 🌐, China 🇨🇳, Comment, International News, Politics 💼 🗳 🪖, USA 🇺🇸

≈ 2 Comments

Image

2013 – The year two tyrannies made the democracies look like the ‘bad guys’

30 Monday Dec 2013

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Subscribe to continue reading

Subscribe to get access to the rest of this post and other subscriber-only content.

Posted by | Filed under Analysis 🙌, Comment, International News, Politics 💼 🗳 🪖, Russia 🇷🇺, Terrorism

≈ Comments Off on 2013 – The year two tyrannies made the democracies look like the ‘bad guys’

Image

⚽️ Have England really got a chance in Brazil 2014? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Roy hogdson

Contemplating failure?

TEMPLATE ANALYSIS

The last two games that this country’s national soccer side were involved in, have been cited by most commentators, even the most the patriotic ones, as a wake-up call for England’s chances when they enter the lofty heights of tournament football.

Chile, and later Germany showed, that despite fielding a ‘second-team’ against England, that they were a yard ahead in terms of class.

In the case of Chile, one outstanding player, namely Alexis Sanchez, proved to be the difference.

But perhaps, more disappointingly, against Germany Roy Hodgson’s men lacked a clear structure and were caught short on the counter on a number of occasions – the scoreline of 1-0 could easily have been two or three.

England don’t play to a game plan, and when they do they stick to it rigidly. When playing in qualifying games to major competitions that is fine, but you will always come unstuck when facing the best in Europe or the World.

And at a time, when more money than ever is going to be poured into the Premiership – thanks BTSport’s One billion pound deal –  that only mean more failure and disappointment at an international level for England’s overpriced and overrated football ‘stars.’

roy-hodgson-press-2and this is what it looks like.. after Euro 2012

Posted by | Filed under Analysis 🙌, Brazil 🇧🇷, Comment, Football ⚽️, International News, Sport 🏏 🎾 ⚽️, UK

≈ Leave a comment

Image

What is the point in having a London Mayor?

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Boris

Nice hair, Boris.

TEMPLATE ANALYSIS

When Tony Blair, the then British PM, put forward the idea of having a London mayor, it didn’t sound like a great idea.

Today, as the present incumbent at City Hall faced questions over the shocking number of cycling deaths over the last two weeks – six in total – the less convincing this American-style role appeared to be.

Boris Johnson brings a floppy hairstyle, colourful comments and language, as well as a buffoon-like manner to this role, all this no doubt helps to distract away from the central question about the London Mayor and the very expensive general assembly where he was being ‘grilled’, namely – ‘What is the point?’

Apart from being a talking shop – and at a time when ordinary Londoners and not the supper rich who Boris openly champions, are being squeezed like never before – a criminally over-priced one, there is little to be said for the glorified councilors who gather in the most grandiose surroundings to score points against each other.

Those who for so long despaired at Parliament and MPs may want to turn their attention to the capital and the motley crew of elected representatives that reside in a building that can only rival Athens for modern-day European-nostalgic hubris.

George Galloway’s announcement that he may be running for the role of London Mayor just highlights the utter pointlessness of this role.

For Boris Johnson of course, this is all a prep-school for bigger and better things, namely number 10 and being leader of the country.

As for the people he will leave behind – well, they will have to grin and bare another London Mayor and the promise of more council tax, higher car parking charges, VAT etc to pay for the dubious privilege.

Posted by | Filed under Analysis 🙌, Breaking News 📺 🎙🗞, Comment, Politics 💼 🗳 🪖, UK

≈ Leave a comment

Image

Leader of Pakistani Taliban ‘is dead’

01 Friday Nov 2013

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Mehsud

TEMPLATE ANALYSIS

News that the leader of the Pakistani Taliban has been killed in a drone strike will be greeted with some joy within Pakistan, and will also be seen as a vindication of the drone policy pursued by the CIA inside the ‘tribal areas’ bordering Afghanistan.

Of course, Pakistanis would argue that the Pakistani Taliban would not be attacking their country had America not conducted its highly controversial drone strikes which the Pakistan military said has killed 67 civilians, and over a thousand militants.

Pakistan’s military has been accused of conniving with America in allowing the strikes to occur. If that is so, the reason for this may not be as straight forward as many believe. Pakistan’s relationship with America in the war on terror has always been to pursue their own nation’s interests, which in this case was to pacify a lawless part of the country – a borderland where  the kidnap of young boys and girls was commonplace.

So, the drone programme is as much a Pakistani military project, as  it was a CIA one.

The slaughter of Hakimullah Mehsud – however an unpleasant and unsavory character he may have been – is however, hugely problematic for Pakistan.

The rationale behind this assassination is of course to cut off the head of the snake, a man who the Pakistan military have been itching to get at after a series a high-profile attacks on their soldiers and headquarters.

For one, where does this leave the peace talks sponsored by the elected Prime Minster of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif – he had offered the Taliban the chance to engage in dialogue with the Pakistan government. That attempt at rapprochement was met with more attacks inside Pakistan, which left many wondering whether the Mehsud really spoke for the Pakistani Taliban, whoever they may have been.

And what does this say about the relationship between Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan military?

But more concerning than this of course, is the fear of what is follow. How many more Mehsuds have been created out of making this evil man a martyr?

Posted by | Filed under Analysis 🙌, Arab World 🌎, Asia 🌐, Breaking News 📺 🎙🗞, Comment, Crime 🔪 🔫, International News, Politics 💼 🗳 🪖, Terrorism, USA 🇺🇸

≈ Leave a comment