The American MSM isn't really covering it (what else is new?) but there seems to big trouble a-brewing in some American allies in the East. Luckily the Asia Times (
http://www.atimes.com) is out there, which I consider a high quality source of news of the Far East, Middle East, Near East, and parts thereof.
First, dateline The Phillipines. Remember this American colony? Marcos died in the US after having ripped off (along with his cronies and family) the Phillipines to an almost unprecendented extent. Imelda is still shopping for shoes, despite hundreds of lawsuits, and her children are getting ready to make runs in politics. Marcos cronies have never been convicted.
More...
The Asia Times has several good stories on the latest over there. "Phillippines tears itself apart" (
http://www.atimes.com/...) tells of the tremendous battles within the government and of the recent state of emergency declared by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The story
doesn't mention anything about the Filipino US Marine that was caught sending nasty information about President Arroyo to the Phillippine opposition out of VP Cheney's office (without Dick Cheney's knowledge, natch). The article
does mention, however, tapes of a conversation by Arroyo regarding the election vote count in 2004 with an elections official. "The tapes were made public under mysterious circumstances, and her political opponents have been trying to force her resignation ever since." Hmmm, "mysterious circumstances?" Gee, I wonder who has the power and technology to tape the President of the Phillippines?
Another good article is "When Uncle Sam comes marching in." (http://www.atimes.com/...) The US is sending in troops to fight "terrorists", namely the Mora Liberation Front, a group of Muslims that used to pretty much own all of the southern Phillippines. Seems that lately their fishermen have been displaced by globalization and large fishing fleets. So they're a bit pissed, for some ungodly reason. Can't they just get with the program?
Ok, dateline Pakistan. Lots of protests over there about the Mohammed cartoons (which Musharraf apparently instigated to boost his popularity). Didn't work though, and he's now the target of escalating protests. And Musharraf is being called "Busharraf" for his ties to the US. Seems he may be losing it: "Musharraf losing his grip". (http://www.atimes.com/...). Lots of arrests. The article concludes with, "The situation is fast coming to a head."
Another good one is "The Taliban's bloody foothold in Pakistan." (http://www.atimes.com/...) It seems that North Waziristan, which used to be pretty much lawless and a haven of bandits, is being taken over by the Taliban. Surprisingly, it seems the Taliban is using executions to get everyone on board. Lots and lots of executions. The Taliban are using their base in North Waziristan to step up their fight in Afghanistan. They're using "roadside bombs" to blow up Pakistani military vehicles and keep them out of Waziristan (where have we heard this before?) The Taliban are so tough that "Pakistani forces have just stepped away." "More than 100 suicide squads have been lined up for the summer assault", all over Afghanistan. Caveat: pretty gruesome images.
But for the very worst doomsday scenario we take you to Power of Narrative (http://powerofnarrative.blogspot.com/...). Here we have a chilling quote:
The fall of Pakistan to militant Islam will be a strategic disaster greater than anything possible in Iraq, even losing an army. It will be a greater disaster than a war with Iran that costs us our army in Iraq. Osama and Co. will have nukes, missiles to deliver them, the best conventional armed forces in the Muslim world, and an impregnable base for operations anywhere else.
The author, Arthur Silber, lays the blame directly at the feet of the Bush "Administration":
Among the consequences of the Iraq catastrophe, we have a civil war that, after simmering for a few years, may be finally erupting with full force; a newly empowered Iran, which is the only undisputed victor in this conflict; an increasing number of enraged Arabs and Muslims, some of whom may choose to exact revenge on the United States in ways that may be all too nightmarish -- and we may soon confront a Pakistan run by the forces of militant Islam, and with a nuclear arsenal. I emphasize that this list is far from complete.
Sorry to bring you the bad tidings. "The truth shall set you free" but first it shall piss you off.