Barry Rubin, of the Global Research in International Affairs Center (GLORIA) posted an interesting article online earlier this month. His belief as to the nuclear aspirations of Iran is straightforward:


"The simplest and cheapest--therefore very popular--idea is to talk Iran out of making nuclear weapons. This is silly. The regime wants them, laughs at Western threats not backed by strength, and awaits the next American president (no prizes for guessing who it prefers) hoping he'll follow a surrender strategy.

Iran won't be bought off, it merely seeks to buy time."


And his mention of the undermining of diplomatic pressure and sanctions by ever-extensive trade with various members of the EU, which is unashamedly Iran's largest trading partner, reminds us of the fact that the states of Europe can't even devote themselves to their own positions, let alone the fostering of stability abroad.

But most interesting is his assertion that Obama's current policy on Iran would be disastrous for everyone who cringes at the thought of missiles at Iranian command - meaning everyone except for the winners who happen to rule the Islamic Republic. He writes, quite simply, that Obama would, by holding unconditional talks with Ahmadinejad, validate the Iranian president's shrewd policy of "scream psychotically enough from your prison cell and they'll move you to posh quarters in the nuthouse." A friendly dialogue with Iran would give the impression that the United States has been wrong in its position against Iran's nuclear program, eroding American status abroad and, frighteningly, making diplomatic pressure against the radical policies of the Iranian government even less effective. To hold the sort of talks Obama proposes is to automatically put the US on the defensive with regard to its foreign policy,which is exactly the sort of provocation a volatile and aggressive state like Iran needs to carry out its agenda.

Apparently, Raul Castro wasn't feeling too revolutionary on July 26, which marks the 55th anniversary of the date Fidel Castro began to carry out his glorious dream - of NEVER DYING. In fact, that's what Neutrogena should start bottling as a true anti-aging serum - communist revolutionary extract. But we digress.
Aside from Raul's rousing report of the spectacular progress of milk distribution, there was little to suggest that Cuba's economic condition is improving; just as importantly, Raul avoided discussing any notable government reforms. We are not exactly sure what about this constitutes news. It is hardly surprising that the new chief of state of the Republic of Cuba hasn't shown too much enthusiasm about the whole democracy thing. The Communist Party of Cuba has hardly been swayed by international post-cold war pressure, so why expect marked change just because a different old comrade named Castro is in power? Raul, too, was there for the revolution, and although the staunchest Fidel supporters may have him pegged as a dangerously open-minded new leader, that doesn't mean the rest of us should. After all, a good time for these people is building a Che bust out of tobacco plants and rusted 1950s car parts. The fact is that Cuba isn't going to significantly change anytime soon barring more comprehensive US and international reform pressure. Of course, the youth of Cuba could always stage another revolution, but considering the tendency of armed college students to plunge already miserable regions into even lower depths of corruption and despair, we're not so sure that's a good idea.

In light of the continuing drama surrounding Kwame Kilpatrick, the distinguished mayor of America's most miserable city, we have decided to raise the OC blog's idiocy threat level to critical. We realize the threat elevation may come as a surprise to those not familiar with the Detroit mayor's predicament. In short, the accumulated almost-funny-except-for-the-assaulted-people fiascoes that constitute Kilpatrick's terms make us yearn for the relative honesty and good government of Tammany Hall. It would be enough, of course, for the mayor to spend his time partying as his city falls to pieces around him. But not to be outdone, Kilpatrick attacks cops - and that is what gives him "the edge"! His day appears to be filled with figuring out new ways to slap Detroit - and America - and the human race - in the face, and the bowels of Detroit's government appear to be an indispensable aid in this pursuit. Now, of course, he may not be a Ferdinand Marcos, or even an Al Capone, but darn it, he is doing just about as well as our blasted "democracy" will allow him to do. And for the effort, we certainly hope to see him in Judicial Watch's most wanted politicians 2008. Keep on keepin' on, Kilpatrick!

According to an action poll on Congress.org, 65% of respondents agree with John McCain's policy on an Iraq withdrawal timetable -- namely, that there shouldn't be one. On the other hand, 35% of respondents agree with the plan Barack Obama discussed with our pal Nuri (aka captain independent). Now, we're hardly under the impression that those who frequent Congress.org constitute a majority of voters, but it is interesting -- by which we mean COMPLETELY UNSURPRISING -- that people who care enough about politics to wade through stats on key congressional votes and who know the power ratings of the foreign relations committee also tend to agree with McCain on this foreign policy issue.

Finally, some semi-belligerent tees for the right side of the aisle. Check out the goods at http://www.cafepress.com/oldcorps/5778901

In light of the current ratio of Obama/McCain news coverage (72hrs per day/34.6 seconds per week, respectively), we'll be posting regular McCain news supplements to keep you healthy. We realize that "regular" is an ambiguous term. It doesn't matter. Our plan is to publish a weekly post that just says "McCain is still alive." This will be four times his current media coverage, and will thus make us the most trusted news service in the world.