Folklight Reflections

The Guardian confirms assertions that the “Hidden Revolution” was well underway by “Khamenei Inc.” long before the current protests made headlines. In my June 22 post , citing a NY Times Op-Ed, the pieces began to fit together in such a way as to indicate Iran was being raped and pillaged by a thugocracy. On the eve of today’s expected tenth anniversary protests commemorating the 1999 student uprising Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has taken control of the militia being used to crush the protest movement, according to a senior Iranian source. The source, a politician with strong connections to the security apparatus, said that the leading role being played by Mojtaba Khamenei had dismayed many of the country's senior clerics, conservative politicians and Revolutionary Guard generals. But these conservatives are reluctant to challenge the Khameneis openly out of fear that any conflict would destabilise the Islamic Republic and weaken Iran in the region. Instead they will use their posi...

The “script” that is playing out in California is merely a shadow of what transpires daily in DC - “District of Corruptiom” where we see two different political parties headed in the same direction. The only difference is the speed; as they both daily offer expensive government programs for every perceived need. After years of playing this charade called “pass the buck” power thirsty politicans, instead of paying for what we truly need, now are reaping the proverbial whirlwind. We're trapped in the cellar California politicians have wallowed in an orgy of spending but they are a poor imitation of the porkers based in Washington. Yes California’s deficit this year is over $26 billion and IOU’s are being printed (3 Billion in July). These numbers pale in comparison however to the federal deficit which will be nearly 70 times larger. Obama's administration is the most fiscally irresponsible in the history of the U.S., he has no shame, and seems willing to cast aside any sembla...

The U.S.-Russian Summit Turns Routine By George Friedman courtesy of Stratfor The Moscow summit between U.S. President Barack Obama, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has ended. As is almost always the case, the atmospherics were good, with the proper things said on all sides and statements and gestures of deep sincerity made. And as with all summits, those atmospherics are like the air: insubstantial and ultimately invisible. While there were indications of substantial movement, you would have needed a microscope to see them. An agreement was reached on what an agreement on nuclear arms reduction might look like, but we do not regard this as a strategic matter. The number of strategic warheads and delivery vehicles is a Cold War issue that concerned the security of each side’s nuclear deterrent. We do not mean to argue that removing a thousand or so nuclear weapons is unimportant, but instead that no one is deterring anyone these days, and the...

[Getty Image] Violent clashes erupted Sunday between Honduran troops and the supporters of ousted President Manuel Zelaya as the military began moving trucks into position to prevent a plane carrying Zelaya from landing. Police reported 2 deaths. Following the attempted landing by Zelaya; Honduran interim President Roberto Micheltti accused Nicaragua of massing troops on their mutual border. Micheletti also urged President Daniel Ortega to respect Honduran sovereignty. The Interim Government reported it had contacted the OAS to express it’s willingness for discussions following their earlier suspension from the group. Curfews have been imposed at night and media blackouts have been reported as Honduras, one of Latin America’s poorest countries, struggles to deal with the freezing of millions of US dollars of international aid. Regional trade blockades and recalls of foreign ambassadors have also had an impact. To get a focused picture of what is brewing in Central America one must lo...

North Korea is starving while Pyongyang pursues ICBM. While this is not a recent revelation; hunger pangs seem destined to breach even the militarized fortifications that are the heart of DPRK power. The latest figures I have read from UN World Food Program indicate nearly a third of current NK people depend on food aid indicating the situation is growing ever more dangerous. An emergency humanitarian program that began last year has ceased due to NK governmental restrictions placed on the agency’s operation and dwindling donations. Ian Kelly, U.S. State Department spokesman, indicated any future aid will have strings attached. “We currently have no plans to provide additional food aid to North Korea, and any additional food would have to have assurances that it would be appropriately used” Kelly further stated; “We remain very concerned about the well-being of the North Korean people. But we are very concerned because we need to have adequate program management in place, monitoring an...

Following passage of UN resolutions the military rulers of North Korea and Burma continued doing business as usual until Sunday. Reports from Radio Free Asia indicated The Kang Nam 1 initially presumed to be bound for Burma; was refused permission to dock if the cargo ship was carrying weapons or other prohibited materials. US officials in Washington said yesterday they do not know where the ship is headed but it was 250 miles (400 kilometers) south of Hong Kong on Tuesday and slowly heading north. The NK cargo vessel has been trailed by an American warship for more than a week on route towards Burma in what could serve as a successful implementation of the new UN non-proliferation resolution targeting DPRK. Pyongyang re-issued warnings against any attempts to board the Kang Nam 1 saying any such action would be considered an act of war. A US delegation headed by former Ambassador Philip Goldberg left yesterday for Beijing to discuss the UN sanctions. China's cooperation is crucia...

The ongoing international discussions on how best to deal with North Korea have landed on the old strategy of strangulation. While this method is effective it also affords opportunities for world powers to illustrate their commitment of preventing military dictatorships from threatening global communities with nuclear fallout. President Obama has directed Treasury to begin actions against Hong Kong Electronics, an Iranian-based company (imagine that) believed to be involved in North Korea's missile proliferation networks. This action will effectively seize any company assets discovered in the US. Also key elements of North Korea’s financial sector is being targeted as well. These banks are largely used by Kim Jong Il and his family. UN sanctions are also targeting the ruling inner circle by prohibiting shipment of all luxury items to NK. US Diplomats are pushing for additional sanctions on private individuals and companies that are suspected of involvement in NK weapons sales. Ce...