Where Life Meets Politics!

Archives for the day Sunday, December 14th, 2008

While We’re Looking Elsewhere

Posted on 2008 under Blogs, CounterTerrorism, Terrorism | No Comment

14 Dec

Once declared "finished" by the Government of Peru, its leaders imprisoned, its ranks reduced greatly in numbers, Peru's Sendero Luminoso (SL) ("Shining Path") has been percolating along, preserving its options and taking in revenues. As did Colombia's FARC before it, SL has reinvented itself as a drug-related operation, both providing protection for full-time purveyors and producing and processing Cocaine in areas under its control. The danger for Peru -- and for others, including the US -- is that SL will be the subject of derision while it continues to grow into a state within a state, metasticizing into a threat that will be, at the very least, vastly more difficult to combat.

The full article may be viewed on the Jamestown Foundation's website.

Bush Makes Farewell Visit to Iraq

Posted on 2008 under Military, Operations In Iraq, US_Military | No Comment

14 Dec

His legacy forever linked to an unpopular war, President George W. Bush flew under intense security to Iraq and called the nearly six-year conflict hard, but necessary to protect the U.S. and give Iraqis hope. Bush visited the Iraqi capital just 37 days before he hands the war off to President-elect Barack Obama, who has pledged to end it.

Troops to Stay in Iraqi Cities After June

Posted on 2008 under Military, Operations In Iraq, US_Military | No Comment

14 Dec

Some American troops will remain in Iraqi cities after a June 30 deadline for combat Soldiers to leave urban areas, the top U.S. commander said. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, meanwhile, dismissed suggestions by his own spokesman that the Iraqi government may ask some U.S. troops to remain behind as trainers.
 

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