The US is on alert following the Libyan embassy attack which reulted in the death of four of its citizens. Whilst the exact nature of events is still open to some guesswork there is no doubting that US nationals in the Middle East need to tread carefully.

Are these isolated incidents? Was it an Al Qaeda inspired attack on the US?  Was the short film blaspheming the Prophet Mohammed really to blame?

There are still many questions and few hard facts. Those facts are that US embassies were attacked, people died and the violence continues to spread. Libya, The Yemen and Egypt have seen violent protests against Americans and their embassies.

The latest report is that a protester was shot dead outside of the American Embassy in the Yemen.

At time of writing thousands of protesters are attempting to storm the US embassy in the Yemen. Protesters there were making their sentiments clear as they shouted "death to America"

President Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has spoken strong words condemning the violence. For Obama and the Democrats just how this violence pans out could be crucial. It will of course be used by the GOP to bolster their 2012 election campaign. Once again Obama is in a tricky situation with little room for manouvere. Drones and more are being sent to protect affected embassies in the ME.

At stake is the peace of the Middle East. War has seemed a distinct possibility for some time. Many have been warmongering in recent years. These days it is a case of when Israel strikes against Iran not if.

Leaders in the Middle East, notably those who have come to power since violent uprisings, have been quick to condemn the violent protests but also quick to condemn the blasphemous film. We may not think the film is enough to stir such violence but it is for Muslims. Attacking their religion is simply not done.

The Egyptian President said "We Egyptians reject any kind of assault or insult against our prophet. I condemn and oppose all who ... insult our prophet. (But) it is our duty to protect our guests and visitors from abroad."

As the Muslim Brotherhood and others call for more protests following Friday prayers tomorrow the situation remains volatile.

Whether the initial attack was co-ordinated or spontaneous is being investigated but it makes little difference in real terms. The damage has already been done. Now ordinary people in the Middle East are in a state of unrest once more.

If the film "the innocence of Muslims" was responsible for the violence then many people should be ashamed. We in the West may not be as respectful of our religions as we were in the past but we know that Muslims are. Creating such a movie was bound to cause problems. In reality it has caused deaths and much, much more. Those responsible may care little for peace in the ME but they have hurt their own, intentionally or not.

RIP

Playing those mind games, Ethel Smith June 26, 2012

Is it just me or do readers often feel that they are living in a work of fiction? Currently something between the impending doom of The Titanic or an increasingly far fetched science fiction tale seem to lead the field?

What with economic doom and gloom becoming daily words it is a pessimistic period in many people'e lives. All that they may or may not have valued, under threat. Homes, possessions, the family unit, money, World Peace and the environment. None of these are safe any more.

One thing under threat, that until lately most of us in the West took for granted, is freedom. That loose word which encompasses so much. Freedom online, free speech, freedom of movement, the freedom to spend what you want where you want, and more. Little by little most of us are having our freedoms restricted. Some of the changes are blatant but many are underhand. Tiny so that, in the words of Joni Mitchell, you may not realise what you have lost until it has gone.

In the last two days former US President Jimmy Carter has voiced his concerns regarding the US record on human rights, or rather the lack of them.

You can of course argue that we have never been truly free. For most people modern day living has some restrictions such as work, school, how you behave and where you can go. You may feel that the world has in effect become smaller and that you can travel where you want when you want. Lose that magic document, your passport, though and see just how far you get.

The authorities however right now want to edge that bit further into an Orwellian Novel. Big Brother will be watching you. In the UK a heavy presence of CCTV means that most people's moves are monitored frequently. You can blame this on the mindless hooligans who trawl UK streets but excessive CCTV is a good tool for the authorities also.

Our current coalition government is hoping to extend snooping online in the UK under the premise of fighting crime, terrorism and pornography. Such law breakers will simply find another way. The changes will remain in force though and it will be the law abiding citizens of the UK whose freedoms will have been restricted.

As we face the threat of global war, global economic crisis and hell on earth we are being pushed this way and that.

The propaganda machine of each country and each political party is nothing new. It is however becoming increasingly difficult to sort the "wheat from the chaff". Just what is actually happening can be hard to determine. There are so many news sources these days and many are far from independent. Mainstream news also favours one way or another.

Take the 2012 US Election.

Articles online for instance manipulate the voter and certain situations. The way that President Obama and Mitt Romney are portrayed will be crucial in the election. Both have backers pulling strings. Both put forward an electable persona. Will it end up, as in the UK, where US voters simply opt for who they believe is the lesser of the evils? Many people vote this way now having little definite faith in either side.

Netanyahu has decided to attack Iran before the US November 2012 elections, by Micheal Carmichael
The absurdity of NATO

Both of the above articles make for worrying reading. Both tell a tale but how much is the truth and nothing but the truth? The first details how Mitt Romney backer Sheldon Adelson also backs Netanyahu of Israel. He claims that an early attack on Iran by Israel will help Romney in the polls and also help defeat Obama. People often do not see the wider picture but simply the narrow one portrayed by mainstream media sources and vote accordingly.

The second article asks if we are looking at an imminent Third World war. Sadly many of us believe that we are. The conditions such as civil unrest, a collapsing banking system, nationalism, multiple small skirmishes, over population and more could be seen as war predictors.

So much in this world is about perceptions. We observe in different ways and then decide our viewpoint whilst outside sources attempt to manipulate what we believe. US voters have a tough task ahead, unless they are hard line Democrats or Republicans. A lot is happening right now and this is set to escalate before November 2012.

What will impact on the result of the US election though is up to the voters.

Tags: Mind Games, Orwellian, US 2012 election, Netanyahu, Israel strike on Iran, Third World War, Sheldon Adelson, Mitt Romney, President Obama, perceptions

Shakeel Afridi, a Pakistani doctor has been jailed for the part he played in the capture and ultimate killing of Osama Bin Laden. Whilst some in the West may praise the help this man gave to the US Intelligence services, Pakistan holds a different view.


May 23, 2012, Dr Afridi was jailed for 33 years for treason and also fined $3,500 for spying for the United States. US officials will no doubt consider his sacrifice worth it, for finally enabling them to apprehend Bin Laden. It is doubtful that Afridi and his family will see things in quite the same way.

Usually witness protection schemes look after the interests of people who help the authorities in such a way. As Afridi was a foreign national it could have been a different matter altogether.

Dr Afridi was tried under tribal law which did not allow him to offer his own defence. The trial has been ongoing for two months. This would seem to indicate that in many ways Afridi was given a fair trial but the outcome may have been a forgone conclusion.

According to CNN, "Afridi helped the CIA use a vaccination campaign in an attempt to collect DNA samples from residents of bin Laden's compound in the city of Abbottabad to verify the al Qaeda leader's presence there."

Opinion: This case raises mixed feelings. Bin Laden captured was the aim and achieved. He however died an innocent man, having never been tried for his crimes. You can say what you will but without a trial guilt has not been proven. It harps back to "hang 'em high days" before the rule of law.

Then you have to consider the way that the US entered Pakistan and if the boot was on the other foot. Whilst this blogger may seem preoccupied with talk of setting bad precedents it must be acknowledged. Breaking all the rules when it suits sooner or later tends to backfire on you.

What of Doctor confidentiality which we treasure so much in the West?

Pakistan has a justice system and many now believe that should a legal challenge be raised against the tribal court's ruling it will be overturned. The case appears to be far from over yet as a separate Federal case is ongoing.

If the sentence stands it is hard to believe that other foreign nationals will ever help the US again. After all it sends a stark message to those tempted.

Instigating treason, as you feel the ends justify the means, smacks of downright hypocrisy. US soldier Bradley Manning is still facing an uncertain future after charges of US treason were levied against him. His crime? He dared to let the World see what was really going on in US conflicts. For that we should be eternally grateful.

In the case of Afridi the US encouraged him to enable a foreign mission on his own territory. Does it compare at all? We think not.

Bradley Manning here