A Nuclear Middle East

As events in the Middle East dominate today's news cycle, one that has special media attention for the past months (years really) is the perceived Iranian nuclear threat. As the world contemplates what to do in this emerging crisis, one consequence of a nuclear Iran is forgotten. Besides the threat of a nuclear conflict with Israel and even the nuclear arming of terrorist organizations is the proliferation of nuclear weapons to nation-states in the Middle East and the creation of a new 21st century cold war.

Nations such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan have been rumored in pursing nuclear weapons if Iran indeed is allowed to get the "bomb". This would create a crisis in the M.E. and would leave the U.S. in a difficult situation enforcing the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Less than China??

This Tuesday the Obama administration made a shocking announcement; weighing an option to cut are strategic nuclear weapons arsenal by as much as 80%. That would leave the number of warheads at levels that would sub-cede China which has an estimated arsenal of 300 nuclear weapons.

Frankly, this moves puzzles me and makes me wonder if the Obama administration is just using this as a political tool rather than a sincere policy decision. What Mr. Obama either ignores or fails to see is the effects this would have on our first strike capabilities. Even with the unlikelihood of nuclear war with one of the major nuclear powers, it is still imperative that we do not lose our first strike capabilities. First strike capabilities is essentially when one nation has enough nukes to launch a first strike taking out the opposing nation's arsenal.

President Obama must re-think this strategy in order to keep America a strong legitimate superpower in the world. If our nuclear arsenal is reduced to the levels that he is considering, than we have a more dangerous prospect of showing weakness to a rogue nation like the DPRK which could bolster its resolve to develop more nuclear weapons.

From Europe to the Mid-East

I should really get to bed right now but I have promised myself that I will try and update this blog once a day or should I say once per cycle that I am awake...

Quite a bit has happened since last time I posted. Moody's investor service today downgraded a few Eurozone countries today which among them included major countries such as Italy (A3 to A2), Portugal (Ba3 to Ba2) and Spain (A3 to A1). As U.S. stock markets will surely be rattled tomorrow morning from these events the oil markets will surely have its own startling in the days ahead. Iran is being blamed for an array attacks on Israeli diplomats most likely as revenge for the suspicious killings of Iran's own nuclear scientists. This and Iran's promise of releasing new information about its nuclear program will surely lead to a spike in oil prices. If you've missed the days of $4.00 gas then you might be in for a treat...

Athens Burns.....again

Sunday marked the beginning of a new infusion of violence and unrest for Greece. Greek lawmakers today passed once again another major austerity bill in order to secure another EU/IMF bailout. This marks the second time Greece has made sweeping cuts in order to save the nation from its sovereign debt crisis.

Greek citizens once again have taken into the streets with wide spread violence, looting, and overall unrest. As Athens burns the IMF, which receives a substantial amount of its funds from the United States, plans to give another bailout package.

As civil unrest has plagued Greece for almost a year now and has already seen major changes in its leadership, one must think how long this nation can survive at this state without substantial or dare say radical changes. This past year has been a rocking one to say the least in regards to the crisis in Greece and Euro crisis that has followed. The technocracies of Greece and now Italy have led to roller coaster like European Union. Can the EU survive this now elongated crisis or will Greece and the other "PIGS" truly bring down the European experiment?

He's Alive!

Reports from sources inside of Libya have confirmed that Muammar Gaddafi is still in fact alive and leading his army against the rebel held city of Misrata. This is on the eve of reports that British special forces troops have been deployed in order to help rebels pin point targets for air strikes. Gaddafi remains defiant and confident that he will regain control of his country.

It seems that Gaddafi is being two-faced when it comes to his leadership role in Libya. On one hand, he gives speeches railing against "western aggression and imperialism". On the other hand, a delegation from South Africa has been in talks with the controversial Libyan leader over a possible ceasefire agreement. In my opinion, Gaddafi's two-faced approach is just another attempt for him to buy time. If Gaddafi can act as if he might agree to a ceasefire, then other nations (the west) will ease up on their air strikes over Libya. That is the key for Gaddafi. When the Libyan civil war ends, it ends the need for western involvement. Gaddafi knows this and that is why he needs to stall for much needed time.

Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza opened.

It's official, after wide speculation Egypt has laid the way for the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Palestinian territory of Gaza to be opened ending Egypt's long compliance with Israeli blockade of Gaza. This move by Egypt's post-Mubarak government has led to justification of Israel's concerns with the new Egyptian government ,which since the departure of  President Mubarak has been more pro-Palestinian.

With the opening of the Rafah crossing, I believe the security concerns for Israel and that region have increased immensely. This is so because with the combined Egyptian and Israeli blockade of Gaza broken, there is a potential for arms to be smuggled through this border into the hands of the terrorist organization, Hamas. It will be interesting see how this move by Egypt will effect future relations between these two countries and to the middle east as a whole.

-Cicero

Greetings Everyone

Hello, Firstly, I would like to thank you the viewers for taking time and following this blog. Currently, I am a political science/international studies major at the University of Akron and have made this blog in order to satisfy my immense interest in international politics and global events. I will try to post world events daily and try my best to relate them to our normal everyday lives. Stay tuned and Thanks again!


                                                        Cicero