Potential Flashpoint for Internatinal Conflict

Razor has it right in my opinion.  An external enemy has always and will always be the best way to unify a nation.  An example is from the classic movie “Canadian Bacon”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0R5DTHcmGU

The problem with an Israeli attack is that it would end up unifying sunnis (mostly) and shias which are normally mortal enemies.  An Iranian first attack would end the current regime as the US would really then have to step in, could you imagine the politics back home if the US sat back?

There was a thread where Iran was mentioned as a possible target of attack but I can’t seem to recall where it was!  I read this article and thought it interesting how economics might effect change in Iran if the screws is large enough and applied tight enough.  Lets home the people in Iran vote with their wallet and install leaders who will exude rational thought and peaceful ways.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19786662

An interesting random map of the Ottoman empire’s rise and fall.  One thing I will never forget…… How I felt when a Persian friend of mine pointed out to me that Persia was never part of the Ottoman empire which I had assumed.  D’uh comes to mind

http://www.naqshbandi.org/ottomans/maps/

On the geeky side…

These “Chinese Hacker” groups seem to have weird targets for their attacks and espionage.  Seems to me this is more in line with what state hackers would do:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/09/28/telvent_hack/

I never noticed that typo!  Funny how the brain sees things.  That’s what happens when your brain works faster than your fingers resulting in a dropped letter.  I must be slowing down in my old age, normally I would drop a few letters!  Either that or the brain injury……

I see how normal hacker groups get paid or derive purpose for what they do, but this is so obviously state sponsored it amazes me that Chinese ‘hackers’ continue to get away with it.

The Iran-Israel standoff has been going on for awhile but I take note of the last two days drop in the Iranian currency.  27% drop over two days could force some change much quicker than I thought.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19798655

And now back to Japan versus China……  not quite saber rattling yet but getting close…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19811387

I wonder if this will end up being like the Gulf of Tonkin incident.  I too support Turkey,  they used radar to determine where the incoming shells were being fired from and squashed that spot.  A measured response to a minor incident.

Now if Turkey goes ahead with talk of a safe haven within Syria due to a looming refugee status that is a different animal and not withing the scope of that bill.  I also note that a great number of Turk lawmakers voted against this and there are demonstrations against this reasonable bill and action.  Great to see the ‘Generals’ control give way to actual democracy.

This the same ‘scary’ political party fear mongerers and pundits had been warning us against.

I find it interesting that Syria and Turkey had been pretty friendly in the past.  But its all about religion.  Turkey and FSA=Sunni versus  Government=Alawite offshoot of Shia hated by Sunnis.

This does not have a Nelson Mandela moment in the ending.

Clyde, we do we have to choose what we talk about?  Can’t we talk about potentials AND real incidents?

Syria versus the rest of the world does not have a world game changing ending but certainly changes things in the region.  China fighting a regional neighbour in a hot war would in my opinion have world changing consequences.  Although I didn’t specifically allude to this that was my thinking when I started this thread.  I do appreciate your related link, thanks!

I feel bad for the average alawite, not easy being a small hated minority.  They will fight to the bitter end, they have little choice with the religious hatred brewing there.

Soldier kills two commanding officers to defect!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19855313

I don’t think this would be a big deal anywhere else.  But when the solider is North Korean and the south used loud speakers to guide him to safety into South Korea then that is a different story.

Something like this would cause daddy to initiate something to stir up the world, launching a missile over Japan or sinking a South Korean frigate.  I wonder what his son will do to teach the capitalists pigs a lesson……

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19855313