Ankara Bars

President Zardari recently visited Tajikistan and agreed to build a rail and road network from Dushambe to Gwader. This surely did rankle feathers in Delhi. The Bharati defense establishment is in a tizzy. Unable to come up with a proper reply, they are going through the motions of a diplomatic response. Since Russia brokered the deal between Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan, Delhi is unable to undo the alliance. Premier Singh could not go to Dushambe so the Delhi bureaucracy did the next be

It’s a good analysis, but as usual for Stratfor — as with most analysis by US geopolitical experts — it shows astonishing blindness to our interests in Iraq. Reading it, one would think we are philanthropists. Sort of a hybrid with the best qualities of the Red Cross and the Wehrmacht. Most notably, no mention of those permanent-looking, massive bases. Or our persistent efforts to get Iraq to approve the most generous (to foreigners) oil law in the world.Also note the sensitive writing, avoi

As many of have heard, I had the pleasure of partaking in a weekend of fishing and intellectual jousting with some of today's most brilliant minds. We spoke of war, politics, and of course, the economy. Their interconnection seems somehow much clearer sitting on a Maine lake fishing for bass. This week I offer you an article that's key to understanding the U.S. role in Iraq. Futurologist and fellow aspiring fisherman George Friedman at STRATFOR lays out piece by piece U.S. options in the region.

By George Friedman EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article was provided by Stratfor , the global intelligence news service. Though the Iraq war is certainly not over, it has reached a crossroads. During the course of the war, about 40 countries sent troops to fight in what was called “Multi-National Force-Iraq.” As of this summer, only one foreign country’s fighting forces remain in Iraq — those of the United States. A name change in January 2010 will reflect the new reality, when the term