Iraq has been facing a myriad of problems, from a totally demolished infrastructure after eight years of US occupation to rising food shortages and a stubborn insurgency. They also are facing the prospect of life after that occupation, with the US pushing them to build a massive military to replace the US forces.
Beyond that, protests have been growing across the country, with protesters hammering the religiously dominated government blocks for corruption and a total lack of basic services, in the face of a rising budget deficit.
So it came as something of a surprise when the Iraqi government took what was a shockly rational measure, announcing that they are shelving a contract to buy a collection of US-made warplanes meant to build an Iraqi Air Force, and are instead buying food.
The US has been insisting Iraq is “at risk of air attack” without an Air Force, though the country doesn’t really have any enemies (at least not the sort who have Air Forces to attack with). The decision to delay the deal will probably spark an angry rebuke from the US, and from whichever arms dealer was set to make those warplanes.
On the other hand, Iraq has one thing that’s very real, and that is hunger. It seems difficult to fathom that the Iraqi government noticed that, even in the face of public protests, but for the six million Iraqis dependent on food rations to survive in the waning days of the occupation, it will likely be a welcome decision.
Rahm Emanuel said, ‘Never let a good crisis go to waste,’
http://www.barry.warmkessel.com/ALIENINTERVENTION…
HAVE COMET FRAGMENT EXPLOSIONS STARTED AN ICE AGE?
THE DANGEROUS COMET FRAGMENT EVENTS OF 7 TO 15 NOV. 2010
Perhaps the USA is intent on using this predicted Natual event to reduce the Moslim population.
http://www.barry.warmkessel.com/6related.html#d
CALIFORNIA AND THE WORLD AT RISK
US doesn't care if Iraqi people stave to death. They already killed millions through war and malnutrition through strict embargo. The savagery of the US defense department is out of control with the rubber stamped congress & senate houses supporting this murderous industry. Sooner than later the All Mighty will shower these criminals and their supporters with his hell-fire for their despicable deeds.
Upon reading this headline, I jumped up and shouted "YES!!!!" in the classic celebratory gesture.
Months back, I read a report stating that Iraq planned to buy US F-15s or F-16s for its new air force. I thought with disgust that the US MIC govt had bought the appropriate functionary in the "Iraqi defense ministry", and was proceeding with its plan to co-opt the new Iraq using the Egyptian model (supply the military equipment, own the military; own the military, own the country).
At the same time I had some hope that it wouldn't work, because such military expenditures must be approved by the parliament, and while it is not out of the question that the US could co-opt that body as well, reality-based assessments of the attitude of the Iraqi people and of the parliament indicate a fierce hostility toward the US, its invasion, and its occupation.
If the parliament members understand — and setting aside the self-stroking US bias that Arab "towelheads" are stupid or ignorant or unsophisticated or backward or,… you know,… INFERIOR –and I have to believe they do, then all of Iraq except the Kurds will be working to get the US out of their lives.
The US has been pushing of late for a certification from the Maliki govt that US forces will be "requested" to stay in Iraq beyond the 2011 departure date specified by the 2008 SOFA agreement. So far Maliki is said to stand firm on adherence to the 2011 exit schedule, and the inclusion of al Sadr in the Maliki coalition tends to support that stance, as al Sadr is unequivocal in his opposition to any continued US presence.
So the food problem has been used as a convenient excuse to quash the US arms deal. I wonder if it isn't something of a poke in the US eye as well. If the Iraqis had really wanted the deal, they could just have quietly asked the US for some help with the food problem, and the MIC would have been there to support them in that effort.
Anyway, it ain't over till it's over, and the mega-embassy complete with its own army is still there as plan B. Then there's plan C and plan D and plan E and etc. We shall see.
What a travesty that war has been! Bush and Cheney should be hung by the balls for this one till they die. These poor people have been lied to, invaded, occupied, bombed, tortured, massacred, maimed, raped, pillaged and still, it doesn't end. It's one indignity on top of another. The Empire can fall fast enough if, nothing else, for these poor people's sake.
I think it is time for rest of countries in Middle East to think twice before buying any weapons from US or EU.., French just hade a deal with Arab Emirates in few billion dollars…, are you paying attention king of Saudi Arabia…, or for that matter Arab emirates rulers.., look your people of Arab descends are going hungry and your families buying tons of underwear in Swiss and Paris making the dressmaker rich.., when and where you are going to use all that weapon, you cannot take it with you when you die and you cannot use it now, so why are you paying the warmongers machinery to make your brothers and sisters in Iraq and elsewhere in middle east go hungry.