Well the vacation was nice while it lasted. I’m still not sure why they call it a vacation though. Hmmmm? What’s up with that?

Anyhow, here’s a few links for ya while I try to re-adjust to my normal life cycle
Log. On. Fire……….

Cycles of History, Boom and Bust
by J. R. Nyquist

“When the economic situation changes, when peak oil has its say, when the Middle East crisis cannot be solved, when American politics reduces to a sharp ideological division, when the real estate bubble continues to burst, what will happen? What will the Russians and Chinese do? For thousands of years the world was about war and dominance, the power of oligarchies and the exploitation of peasants. Does anyone believe that the world cannot revert back? Does anyone think that the fall of modern capitalism will result in any other outcome?”

Read it here

H/T to 1913 Intell for the following links.

A Pearl Harbor without War

By Gabor Steingart in Washington, D.C.

“The dollar crisis has politicians alarmed worldwide. The US currency has lost 24 percent of its value since the introduction of the euro, and now there is even a chance that China could abandon its policy of pegging its currency to the dollar — a problem the United States should take very seriously.”

” Translated into Texan, what the Chinese politely told the Americans last week simply means: Unless something happens, all hell will break loose.”

Read the rest……….

IS CHINA BLACKMAILING AMERICA?

Geopolitics at $100 a Barrel

ECONOMIC WARFARE IN THE FINAL PHASE

by J. R. Nyquist

This week the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, warned against Russia’s use of energy as an instrument of foreign policy. Speaking before his ambassadors, the French President said: “Russia is imposing its return [as a great power] on the world scene by employing its assets, notably oil and gas, with a certain brutality.” A great power ought to be gentle in its economic or political superiority. The Russians, however, are accustomed to a more cynical use of their advantages. The language of the Russian president includes mockery, condescension and threats. The West cringes, the East advances. Who cares what the weak countries think? Their feelings are without consequence.

Russia is not only engaged in a military buildup. Russia wants to use its economic muscles. You might ask what economic muscles Russia could have? It is bankrupt, backward, hobbled, demoralized and generally dismissed as an effective economic actor. We must remember, however, that positions in the world economy can change, that tables can be turned. Last June, at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, the Russians called for a “new international financial architecture.” Here is Russia’s “Final Phase” economic strategy. The financial vulnerability of capitalism is growing. Keep pushing oil prices higher. Weaken the dollar. Precipitate the inevitable “crisis of capitalism.” Let the have-not nations rise up. Let them throw off their dollar shackles. Let them unite with Russia and China in “one clenched fist.”

Read the rest HERE

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China is missing some Uranium and they have no idea where it has gone.Seventeen pounds of highly radioactive uranium was stolen in an attempt to resell the deadly element on the black market.

Four Chinese citizens have been charged with an attempt to sell enriched uranium between 2005 and 2007. The men were arrested in January after a potential buyer turned them in to the Chinese police.

However, the trial has been delayed because Chinese authorities have been unable to locate the missing uranium.

According to court records and information published in the Sydney Herald Post, all four defendants are suffering from radiation poisoning due to mishandling of the uranium.

The missing uranium was described in the press as being “weapons grade.” According to the court testimony, the uranium was obtained from a “military-controlled” mine in the mountainous southern province of Yunnan. More than 20 people are reported to be ill after being exposed to the radioactive material, the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy said, citing an official involved in the investigation.

If you’re going to steal that high quality stuff, you really need to think about shielding first. That trail shouldn’t be very hard to follow…

All eyes in Washington are focused on the Middle East as the war there continues, the troop surge in Iraq nears its climax and the ever-elusive Osama bin Laden, assuming he’s still alive, continues to evade capture. Iran is rattling its sword and the hawks in Washington are demanding satisfaction. The 2008 election countdown has started and politicians on both sides of the aisle have begun the traditional blame game of finger pointing, name calling and jockeying for political advantage. The American political process is once again paralyzed by the politicians’ lust to retain power. Forget the business of running the nation; there’s an election to be won! And so it will go until November of next year.

Meanwhile, in a country far, far away, the political, military and economic downfall of the United States is being planned by an intelligent, patient, industrious enemy who hopes never to fire a shot in anger, yet fully expects to win. Its goal: To replace the United States as the world’s reining superpower. The war, by all indications, may have already begun.

Read the rest HERE