Obama and Clinton’s foreign policy spells clampdown on rights at home, abroad

Dr. Walid Phares not only predicted the Arab Spring, he predicted the uncertainty that would follow. [Book cover from WalidPhares.com]Democrats have already put the so-called ‘Arab Spring’ behind them. Fact is it isn’t over and the outcome is uncertain.

In Egypt a businessman named Naguib Sawiris will soon go on trial for Tweeting a message about a cartoon of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Mickey had a beard and Minnie wore a veil in the cartoon. A group of Islamist attorneys is reportedly suing the business leader who could actually go to jail.

One great barrier in any scenario where East meets West is freedom of speech. Countries with Muslim majorities do not permit practices a Westerner takes for granted—criticism or ridicule of the majority faith is not acceptable.

The Obama administration's political appeasement of groups like the OIC is basically creating special status for one faith.

Click to read more ...

Scheuer to Cavuto: Obama should ‘cut his losses’ on bin Laden

Michael Scheuer, author of the most credible bio on Osama bin Laden, told Fox News’ Neil Cavuto President Barack Obama should “cut his losses.” Scheuer was answering questions on Wednesday about the Osama bin Laden operation—Scheuer believes Obama should show photos documenting OBL’s death. Scheuer headed up the CIA’s first OBL unit.

Click to read more ...

Al Jazeera analyzes ‘new Arab century’ but muddles US actions

The world has become a smaller place and right now, Aesop’s maxim ‘Familiarity breeds contempt’ seems appropriate. It’s no secret the US image has deteriorated, and any hopes of a Democrat executive branch as remedy have failed. Nowhere is this more evident in a blatantly misleading essay by Mohammed Kahn published at Al Jazeera (English).

Click to read more ...

Congressional Black Caucus Cuba trip: media and pundit omissions

Flag of Cuba from The CIA Factbook online.Newspapers and talking heads are on the same page with Cuba talking points—the kids wear shoes and eat ice cream, Fidel is “engaging” and “50 years” of failed US policy (largely dictated by Democrats who have controlled Congress for most of those years). I watched Tuesday’s entire press conference after the Congressional Black Caucus visited the Castros—you can watch it too at C-SPAN.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) headed up the delegation and it was obvious all the members were still under the influence of Cuban hospitality. Remarks made by Lee and her fellow delegates are a reminder that when a country has an iron fist on media and the populace, nothing but positive stories are forthcoming. An off-the-cuff remark by Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Calif.) and an unattributed report by none other than Fidel Castro himself constitute interesting omissions in stories circulating at present.

Click to read more ...

China cyber attacks, authoritarianism, trade violations impede US interests say experts

Larry M. Wortzel, Ph.D., chairs the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Photo courtesy USCC.A US Government study offers 45 recommendations to Congress, revealing China's shop of global horrors and few positives in the process.

(Washington, D. C.)—China exerts heavy-handed government control over its economy to maintain an export advantage over other countries. The result: China has amassed nearly $2 trillion in foreign exchange, using this hoard to manipulate currency trading and diplomatic relations with other nations.This is just one of the conclusions in the sixth Annual Report to Congress of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

Click to read more ...

Townhall question for Obama: why did three US senators boot Iraqi oil to China?

Sen. Barack Obama often contrasts the billions in reserve in Iraqi revenues with what the war costs the U.S. But not a single reporter has asked the senator about a key economic decision on Iraq by some of Obama’s staunchest supporters, a decision that might have strengthened Iraq’s economy as well as our own. I’m not the only one who wants an answer. Frederick W. Kagan, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a contributing editor for a conservative magazine, said members of Congress wanted answers too. Kagan testified recently about Iraq before the House Budget Committee. Kagan said members asked a question: “Why, after all the assistance we've given to Iraq over the past five years, was the first major Iraqi oil deal signed with China and not with an American or even a western company?”

Click to read more ...