Is The Empire Losing its Grip?
Posted on January 15th, 2012
Hameed Abdul Karim
In recent times the US Empire has taken quite a few body blows. Gone are the days when Henry Kissinger and Ronald Reagan reigned supreme in tandem with their cousins across the pond. The heady days of the Bush doctrine of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”either you are with us or with themƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ are fast vanishing whilst Barack Obama grapples with the crises left behind by the neocons and creating new ones for himself and his successors. There seems to be no way out for the empire unless it decides to extend its war on terrorism to Iran and unleash its military might on China and the rest of the disobedient states
The most punishing of the blows was the eruption of the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Occupy Wall StreetƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ protests that shook and shocked the rulers and the banksters. Disenchanted Americans comprising 99% of the population have woken up from an induced state of euphoria and have decided to take the country back from the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”occupiersƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ in Washington DC.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ But itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s unlikely that the American media will ever speak of the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”shock and aweƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ these protests have created in the minds of the plutocracy.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Amidst the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”OccupyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ protests came the news of the empireƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”withdrawalƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ from Iraq on a flimsy excuse. That the mighty empire could not browbeat a pliant Al-Maliki to provide immunity to AmericaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s occupying forces in Iraq beggars belief. In all probability they got Maliki to say just that so that Obama can have a face saving pretext to leave Iraq. ObamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s war ending speech was sans the usual ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”mission accomplishedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ rhetoric that U.S. presidents are so fond of. And whilst he was telling the world the American army was leaving Iraq with its head held high, IraqiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s were celebrating by burning American flags.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
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Just days after the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”withdrawalƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ came the news that Iran had shot down a U.S. drone. The Pentagon was quick to call it a lie. The next day Iran said they had not shot the drone but brought it down, using their newly acquired high profile computer technology. Again there was a denial. Then the Iranian showed the drone, all in one piece, on their ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Press TVƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢. No denial this time, instead we had Barack Obama shamelessly and sheepishly asking Iran to return the drone without the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”or elseƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ dictum! What has probably stunned the Pentagon and the White House is the fact that the Iranians have caught up with modern technology despite the many sanctions imposed on their nation. Add to this the fact that Israeli military computer system was down for two days in November. This suggests there are computer whiz kids somewhere in the neighbourhood up there in the north. Modern technology, it seems, is not a closed shop.
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Prior to this, the PalestiniansƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ victory at UNESCO dealt another blow to the empireƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s pride. Here was Barack Obama, Nobel Peace Laureate and all, telling the world not to vote in support of Palestine and giving notice of dire consequences if they defied his ultimatum. Still 107 nations stood up to the bully and voted Palestine into UNESCO. In this exercise ObamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s hypocrisy was laid bare. He was, after all, the same man who had said a year earlier that Palestine would be a full member of the UN ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”come next yearƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
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To compound matters further the Japanese and the Chinese have decided to trade in their respective currencies giving a smack to the empireƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s not so almighty dollar.
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Then there is Bradley Manning. How could we forget this courageous young man? It was he who provided the catalyst for what came to be known as the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Arab SpringƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢. The world owes him an enormous debt of gratitude for leaking AmericaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s dirty secrets to WikiLeaks. And also to Julian Assange. It was Manning who put the last nail in the coffin of AmericaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”good guyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ image. He may be a criminal in the eyes of the American ruling elite, but to ordinary people of the world living their ordinary lives, he must certainly be a hero. America can never recover from the expose he had made. Today heƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s in jail living with the prospect of a life sentence if not execution.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
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The icing on the cake came when the ever obedient Pakistani government asked the Americans to close their base in the country pack up and just vamoose after a US drone attack killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. The empire meekly obliged.
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As events take new and dramatic turns and with nations looking for new directions, it looks like the empire is losing its vice like grip on world affairs.
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ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Appeared in Ceylon Today on Thursday 5 January, 2012ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
January 15th, 2012 at 10:35 pm
A very good analysis. Different to many venting up the spleen barrages and subservient pro-US analysis.
Of particular importance is the currency matter. Japan-China Yuan-Yen replacing US dollars. Their trade is over 350 billion (unfortunately) US dollars and growing. Replacing the dollar with local currencies (by stage) will mean USA will lose $350 billion every year (minus printing cost of dollar notes which is very small).
For starters, US currency notes are donations to USA. If USA runs out of money they just print currency for 10 cents a $1 note and sell it for $1. Profit 90c per dollar note. The more they print the more profit they make. In finance this is called seignior-rage.
Now China and Japan will take seignior-rage profits from their trade which earlier went to USA. USA did everything to keep China and Japan separate but failed.
Lenders to US government will increase their lending rate when the dollar loses its appeal. Then it would be better for the US government to borrow in Yuan. Pride will not let that happen.
BRICS countries (BRIC and South Africa) are the fastest growing economies in the world by value. They have come to a similar agreement on grants and loans to each other. They plan to extent it to trade. BRICS countries plus Japan hold over 50% of world currency reserves in US dollars.
Just imagine what will happen to the US economy when it takes place.
Gaddafi planned a similar agreement for African countries. That was why he was killed. Iran planned it even before. Sanctions on Iran are aimed at preventing it. If Iran is free to trade, its international trade would be substantial.
USA can be brought to its knees through capitalist economic policies. US capitalist model fails while the capitalist models of BRICS work.
There is a lesson for us. Sri Lanka should borrow in Yuan not dollars unless replacing high interest loans with lower ones. All equipments can be now purchased from China. For all development loans buying them from China makes sense.
When USA finds it impossible to frame Sri Lanka on war crimes charges it will put sanctions on Sri Lanka. It will be another idiotic cowboy decision which actually favours China. USA will plan it at the next presidential election of Lanka to help the pro-US opposition. Sri Lanka should diversify its exports before that. At present 22% of our exports go to USA (largest). But when imports of garment accessories associated with these exports are factored in, the real net exports are less. Timely diversification of export goods and services and destinations is imperative. It can also save the local economy from any disaster in the US economy which is increasingly plausible. Two top US trade authorities will be in island this week. Though they have not said anything of their sudden trip, they may be coming to remind Lankans that we depend on USA in exports. Blake did the same with GSP USA. Nothing happened so far but he reminded Lankans of the importance of US GSP. Using these gutter threats to agree to an “independent” investigation is their plan.
One point I disagree is on Pakistan. USA is still carrying on drone strikes. Last week there was another huge strike. Pakistani US bases still operate. Supply routes through Pakistan still operate. Pakistan cannot survive without US aid, trade and war in Afghanistan. If they end Pakistan will disintegrate, collapse into another Somalia and fight among each other. Pakistan’s largest neighbour is doing everything it can to bring it upon the Islamic republic.
January 16th, 2012 at 6:11 am
what dilrook said is almost everithing is correct. however, west as a whole, they uses a sinple tool to get control over economy of other countries is verious terrorism and verious terrorism producing department and economy department run by spies belong to several countries.
This is where major problem come from. They may lose one country or countinent for a while but they will program a war project or terrorism project to fall that country or countinent into their hand once for all.
Second, As I misundoot about them in the past, that they are not just looking to do business with other countries; what their long term plan is to set up one government to rule the world.
Therefore, three four majorly western countries and one western base agency work together to achieve this goal.
The major reason why other countries cannot counter them simply because western spies keep other countries divided, political parties are divided and second reason is other countries’ economy and counter terrorism plan are done by politician not by spies. however pakistan is the only country in the world counter terrorism plan done and or manage by military interligent and the only military intililigent in the world who educated about this matter and keep off politician.
But they, West Did overthrew presedent Mushraaf because he controlled economy and intelligent and he could not be tricked by western spies to get into pakistan under various names of orginizations to create great blood shed and destruction. Presedent Mushraaf kept pakistan prosperous and relatively safe regardless whether he come from democracy or not.
the division between Butto familly and millitary was installed by west starting 60s, 70s, 80s, and now. This is the usual job done by West everday, everywhere in the world.
Important: next I have something to share with India and Sri lanka. watch for my next coment.
January 16th, 2012 at 11:30 pm
In regard to India and Sri lanka situation, any body spied on them, can do very good job without knowing to the public. The reason is that Sri lanka and India as well as every other country in the world have no intelligent agency that can stand on their own. Therefore, any spies set up any terrorist group against the country, frighten that country’s politician and get them to do treasonous deals. That’s how west bought Indian cooperation, all Indian small businesses and will continue until they finish buying India. They did in Sri lanka. Right now they are trying Sri lanka politician by frightening war crime. making India invading Sri lanka saying China coming against India
one of Latest deal west made creating terrorists fear is buying Indian news papers which give full access to destroy Indian culture which is major barrier for their agendas to owe the world.
Once, they hired some Indian fellows to promote pornographic in Indian public news papers, magazines and tvs and you influence Indian to take away respected Indian culture replace with western culture which is mama divorce papa. children seek drugs and alcoholism. No grandma, no grandpa, no Aunts , no family feeling, Mama and papa is in retirement home and Western retirement cooperation will come with billion dollar deals, Western pharmaceutics cooperation will come up another billion dollar deals for depression pills use after divorce for all family members. another billion dollar alcohol deal as another depression treatment and so fourth
Apart from those above, Billion dollar weapon deals from creating terrorists fear or invasion fear(presently did in Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia by creating fear of Shia Iran invasion of Sunny Arabs) In India making billions dollar by creating fear of Pakistan and China.
Alcohols and drugs already inserted to Sri lanka and India
I missed something in above paragraph. Those same group infiltrated Indian movie industry and got some Indian actresses to publish semi nude magazine and insulted Pakistan by tricking Pakistani actresses to pose a picture. All these done in resent deal with permission Prime minister Monamohan Singh. These all products of West creation of terrorist fear
And lately somebody orchestrating attack on Indian community of Sikh, Hindus and Muslin in
New York.
Connection of this New York attack and secretly selling Indian small businesses by Indian government of Congress disregarding Indian public protest can be well established.
Any body who study this case, never will miss this very popular western pattern used everywhere in the world; if any group of India had organized to watch the western groups, they could have well established connection between latest Bombay attack and Western cooperation behind it, all Western cooperation got Indian government to sell Indian operation right two days after Bombay attack. the plans were already given to Indian government. months before any attack. Same with the past India attack. several Western cooperation ready to move to India after each attack. Again they used these pattern every part of the world.
Western cooperation cannot buy companies in other countries in one day, so they keep terrorists war 20, 30,40,50 years for a life.
Regarding India. if any body ready to bring Indian politician to court, there is no doubt, present Indian prime minister and team will go to jail for life for cooperating with foreigner spies and betraying Indian public.
They try to bribe all leaders in the world and whoever do not accept their weapon deals or selling national companies, they either overthrow or be killed. Until Rajive Gandhi India was proud place. Everything build India. India was prosperous. Same thing Pakistan. There was no bombers in Neither country and un- touch by foreign spies except for some cases like death killing miss Gandhi and her sons
West never tell truth to their own public and they will continue the killing with keeping the world
divide but they also forcing their enemies to seek nuclear revenge and that is where centuries old covert operation end.