Al-Qaeda the 'worst threat' to US

New US intelligence chief, Michael McConnell has stated that Al-Qaeda, based largely out of Pakistan, poses the largest threat to the United States. McConell also referenced the Hezbollah, from Lebanon, as another potential threat, and Iran and North Korea in his address to a congressional panel. McConell stated that Iran and North Korea are both very questionable as they could spread WMD's, and since the Al-Qaeda is interested in obtaining WMD's, this could be a fatal equation. McConell's statements are in question in light of the recent nuclear agreement signed between the US and North Korea.

This topic seems to be intertwined in a dangerous way. The Al-Qaeda is ever growing and with networks spreading the Middle East, North Africa, and North America, they could become a very serious threat (even more so than they currently are). Should Iran or North Korea ever choose to ally closely with Al-Qaeda, there could easily be a worldwide catastrophe with the reckless abandon shown by many of their extremist members. Hopefully McConell will put significant resources into eliminating terrorism, and appropriate action will be taken against anyone affiliated with these organizations.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6401427.stm

US soldier jailed for Iraq murder

An American soldier has been jailed for the rape and murder of a 14 year old girl in Iraq, as well as the killing of her family. Sergeant Paul Cortez admitted four murders, rape, and conspiracy to rape on Thursday, February 22nd. Cortez will be eligible to receive parole in 10 years, he also received a dishonourable discharge from the US military. This type of case is one of many in which US soldiers are being charged with murder or assault on Iraqi citizens in the towns that troops are patrolling. Cortez has admitted to conspiring with three other soldiers. These soldiers are still awaiting court martials.


Obviously these types of cases are overly disheartening and disturbing to read about, however it is not surprising that they are surfacing more often these days. Due to the high casualty rate in Iraq, it is understandable why events like these occur. They are, in all likeliness, easy to get away with (Iraqi rights and freedoms are limited) and the people whom these actions are being committed on have limited access to any type of media outlet which will tell their story. Seeing stories like these is quite disturbing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6388585.stm

Mayor signs Venezuelan oil deal

Ken Livingstone, mayor of London, England, has signed an oil deal with Venezuela, providing cheap fuel for London's public transit systems. The deal will also give price cuts on those traveling on their public transportation system. Obviously the deal appeals to the 250,000 persons in London who live off of low incomes, and the deal will cut prices in half. Livingstone has said "Those on income support will be eligible to receive half price bus and tram travel - a benefit worth at least £280-a-year." Richard Barnes, leader of the London Assembly Conservatives has attacked Livingstone's move, stating "Why does London, one of the richest capitals in the world, need to exploit a developing nation? This money would be better directed at the poor of Venezuela..." Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the Americas, so there is no shortage of oil (at this point).

While Richard Barnes' concerns are well founded, they seem to be rather brash and impetuous, but to a certain degree I agree with him. It has been stated in other articles that president Hugo Chavez approached the London mayer Livingstone with this proposal, so it is hard to say who is at fault here. Luckily there is a great positive to this story as London's poorest will now be able to save their money for other necessities, and to a certain degree could eliminate welfare in London, or at least limit tax dollars going towards welfare.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6377867.stm

Colombian foreign minister quits

Colombia's foreign minister Maria Consuelo Araujo has quit her position after her brother was arrested on charges of links with paramilitary groups. Araujo's resignation will contribute greatly to the pressure that is currently placed on Colombia's president, Álvaro Uribe Vélez. Many of his allies have links to paramilitary groups, groups which are accused of trafficking drugs and participating in massacres. Her brother, senator Alvaro Araujo, became the highest ranking politician to be detained in the ongoing investigation of the links in Colombian politics between government officials and right-wing military groups.

It seems as though this issue will contribute greatly to Colombia's ongoing issues between the government and right-wing military groups who control much of the country's economy. The drug trade in Colombia is huge, as was noted in a previous blog of mine, and seems to be a major support mechanism in terms of the Colombian economy. I do not feel as though the resignation of Maria Araujo will contribute to political unrest in Colombia, and that her position will be replaced swiftly and seamlessly.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6376359.stm

Mexico drug gangs 'in web taunts'

Mexican police are investigating allegations that gangs are posting and taunting each other over the internet, on sites such as Youtube.com. Police are monitoring pages and assuring that the internet is kept clean of such activities as lynching, decapitation, and other gruesome scenes of gang violence. In 2006, more than 2,000 Mexican citizens died because of affiliations to gang violence, specifically drug gangs. Some videos have been found that show gangsters brandishing enemy heads, or standing over their rivals who have apparently been shot. Mexican President Calderon is doing everything he can to ensure that gang violence in Mexico is eliminated, dispatching troops to various known gang inhabited areas.

The steps taken here by the Mexican government seem appropriate for eliminating the actions and known behavioural patterns of Mexican gangs. As more and more people are being injured and falling by the wayside because of gang violence, the government involved must take charge. Dispatching troops to areas of Mexico that are infamous for gang violence is a great step and the sheer amount of troops being sent out (7,000 to Michoacan state, 3,000 to Tijuana) will surely help to eliminate casualties. The Youtube issue will surely die out, as Youtube has great policies for keeping inappropriate material off of their site, and does their best to keep any type of inappropriate media out. However, it will be difficult to monitor all facets of the internet and keep gang-related taunts off as the interweb is ever-growing and expanding.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6361899.stm

Key Farc role in US cocaine trade

The United States have recognized the 'Farc,' a Columbian guerrilla army whom account for 9/10 grams of cocaine coming out of Columbia. 90% of cocaine in the United States comes from Columbia. The United States have given 3 billion dollars in aid to Columbia in order for their government to fight off the major issue of cocaine, however the military aid issued has been largely unsuccessful thus far. It is thought that the Farc makes between 500 million and 1 billion per year on trafficking cocaine. The DEA believe they are winning the war against cocaine, as another major militant group in Columbia is demobilizing. However, no matter how much money the U.S. government pumps into Columbia, more needs to be sent in as Columbia accounts for 70% of the entire world's cocaine supply.

The issue of cocaine is obviously a major one, as it has created turmoil and exploitation in Columbia for years now. Child labor is a major issue in the production of cocaine, and militant groups monitor cocaine fields and plants closely, keeping especially tight tabs on their child workers. Due to the military involvement in this matter, cocaine production and trafficking is extremely dangerous and obviously illegal, but it remains to be one of Columbia's major exports. The battle against cocaine is an interesting topic because it combines so many facets of illegality, and it has become a major issue in U.S. politics.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6353449.stm

Portugal will legalise abortion

Abortion will be legalized in Portugal, Prime Minister Jose Socrates has said. The proposal at hand allows all women pregnant for less than 10 weeks to have abortions. Right now in Portugal, abortion is only allowed in cases of rape, health threats, and in instances of severe deformity. Although the turnout for the referendum was exceptionally low at 40%, and because of this the proposal is not legally binding. However, out of the 40% who did vote, the majority was in favor of the proposal. Currently many Portuguese women go to Spain to have abortions, a nation in which there are much more liberal abortion laws.

One interesting thing to follow in this debate will be morality (Religion?) vs. legality. Nearly 90% of Portugal is Catholic, and in Catholicism, abortion is frowned upon. The Catholic Church is telling Catholics of Portugal to oppose abortion. I don't favor either side of this argument, but the debates and questions, especially moral, that it creates are very interesting.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6350651.stm