By Spengler A decade ago I argued that radical Islam might horrify the West into submission through the mass sacrifice of Muslim lives. During the past two weeks Iran has virtually invited a nuclear exchange with the West, in a series of statements that blend a deranged sort of bluster with malevolent calculation. Iran’s Kayhan press service warned last week, “If the US strikes Iran with nuclear weapons, there are elements which will respond with nuclear blasts in the centers of America’s main cities.” Meanwhile, Behzad Soltani, the number two man at Iran’s Atomic Commission, proclaimed last week, “Iran will … Continue reading How radical Islam might defeat the West: A reprise

Pakistan’s trade bear-hug with China By Syed Fazl-e-Haider KARACHI – China and Pakistan, which have strongly increased bilateral trade this decade with the help of a series of free-trade agreements (FTAs), have committed to doubling their commerce within the next three to four years. That is raising concern about the impact on Pakistan’s domestic industries, due to the disproportionate value of Chinese imports to the country, while cheating using FTA-related documentation is also worrying authorities. Annual trade has increased from less than US$2 billion in 2002 to $6.9 billion, with a goal of $15 billion by 2014. China, which has … Continue reading Pakistan’s bear-hug with China

By M K Bhadrakumar A terse Kremlin announcement said the Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov would be paying a two-day visit to Moscow starting on Monday. It brings home how much the geopolitics of Central Asia have changed since the color revolution in Kyrgyzstan that ousted Kurmanbek Bakiyev as president began unfolding this month. Karimov is a shrewd observer of regional politics. Of late, Tashkent has been gravitating toward the West, but the turmoil in Bishkek underscores Moscow’s unique role as the preserver of regional stability. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev drew attention to the great fluidity and political uncertainties when he … Continue reading China plays it cool on Kyrgyzstan

By Kaveh L Afrasiabi As one of the seven million or so travelers stranded by the flight shutdown caused by the Icelandic volcanic eruption, in addition to pondering the length of my delayed flight (four days behind schedule now), my thoughts are also focused on the long-term significance of this natural calamity. The giant cloud of volcanic ash that has caused havoc to international travel, the European landscape and the global economy, once again reminds us of the fragility and downsides of an interdependent world. With more than 70,000 flights canceled since last Thursday, including mine for a disarmament conference … Continue reading Eyjafjallajokull Volcanic Anger

By Syed Saleem Shahzad ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has suspended eight police officials following the release of a United Nations report into the assassination of former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, but no action has been taken against any members of the military or intelligence agencies, even though the report implicates the military in the events surrounding Bhutto’s death on December 27, 2007. “The failure of the police to investigate effectively Ms Bhutto’s assassination was deliberate,” the report found. There has also been no official response to the report’s suggestion that the Pakistan authorities should investigate the al-Qaeda connection in the assassination … Continue reading Bhutto probe: More than enough blame

When the Army Uses “Enhanced Interrogation” on an American Soldier I had been covering veterans’ issues for several years and thought I’d developed a thick skin. But the pain on the other end of the telephone line was difficult to stomach. Sergeant Chuck Luther, now back from Iraq, was describing his journey to hell and back. The worst part, he said, wasn’t battling insurgents or even the mortar blast that tossed him to the ground and slammed his head against the concrete — it was the way he was treated by the U.S. Army when he went to the aid … Continue reading When the US Army tortures an American Soldier!

Surgeon ‘cut off patient’s testicle by mistake’ By Daily Mail Reporter Bumbling doctor: Dr Sulieman Al Hourani ‘mistakenly’ removed a whole testicle of a patient A patient lost a testicle during an operation after the surgeon accidentally cut it off, the medical watchdog was told today. Dr Sulieman Al Hourani was only supposed to cut out a cyst on the patient’s right testis, but instead he ‘mistakenly’ removed the whole testicle, the General Medical Council (GMC) heard. Dr Al Hourani, who worked as a locum surgeon at Fairfield General Hospital in Bury, Greater Manchester, is accused of misconduct over the … Continue reading Balls up! As Surgeon ‘cut off patient’s testicle by mistake’

Museum of death: Heinrich Himmler’s eerie castle plays host to macabre Nazi memorabilia By Mail Foreign Service A macabre museum dedicated to the history of Nazi Germany’s evil SS has opened in the eerie castle that was once home to its boss Heinrich Himmler. Wewelsburg Castle – now dubbed ‘Naziland’ by critics – was SS leader Himmler’s headquarters for the darkest deeds of World War II. A Nazi SS helmet which is part of the display at Wewelsburg castle in western Germany Eerie: The so-called ‘Crypt’ opened during the opening of the exhibition ‘Ideology and Terror of the SS’ at … Continue reading Himmler’s eerie castle plays host to macabre Nazi memorabilia

Foul-mouthed GP lost 800 patients ‘due to string of temper tantrums’ By Daily Mail Reporters Allegations: Dr Henry Hart is accused of being abusive to patients and staff A foul-mouthed family doctor branded a real life ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ lost 800 patients in only four years due to a string of temper tantrums, a medical tribunal heard today. Dr Henry Hart, 45, was so rude and abrupt to patients at his surgery he turned his back on them during consultations to concentrate on his computer. On one occasion he allegedly reduced an eight-year-old girl to tears. Hart is also accused … Continue reading British Doctor – A Tosser from Hell!

Comedian who was unlawfully searched by police wins £1,200 payout By Daily Mail Reporter Payout: Mark Thomas received an apology after police searched him for weapons after he spoke at a rally A comedian who was unlawfully stopped and searched by police for displaying an ‘over-confident’ attitude has won a £1,200 payout. Comic and activist Mark Thomas was searched for weapons by Metropolitan police after giving a speech at an anti-arms trade rally in 2007, but nothing was found. The constable involved later stated that Mr Thomas may have been carrying weapons as he appeared over-confident. In legal papers filed … Continue reading If Police Stop and Search you – you can sue them!