Malala Yousafzai
The news of 15-year old school girl, Malala Yousafzai, has been shot and injured in an assassination attempt by Taliban in a school bus while returning home from school in Mingora; Swat Valley, Pakistan has sent shock waves through the world. Taliban claimed responsibility for the attempted killing and vowed to kill Malala. Pakistanis are parading on streets for calling support for her. Malala has been flown to England for further treatment for her head and neck injuries and the Pakistani government has agreed to cover the cost of her treatment.
Malala is fighting for her education as a female and for rights for all women especially in Pakistan. Taliban at times has banned girls attending school after certain age. In early 2009, Malala wrote a blog for BBC about her life under Taliban rule, her personal struggle to stay in school, and actions of Taliban in the Swat Valley. At the time Taliban was taking over the Valley and banning television, music and girls’ education. In summer of 2011, the New York Times made a documentary about her life in Swat Valley. Her influence is her father who is a poet, school owner as well as an educational activist. Malala won the first ever Pakistan’s National Youth Peace Prize.
Shocking killings in Syria
The cruel killings of innocent people in Syria continue to shock the world. News media reports that within last few days, there has been a massacre of innocent children in Syrian town of Houla. The United Nations believes that at least 108 people were killed in Houla including 49 children and 34 women. The 14-month old uprising that started in 2011 so far claimed to have more than 10,000 lives. No one claimed responsibility for the recent killings in Houla but each party, pro-government and activists blame each other. The activists claim that the Syrian army pounded the town with heavy artillery, clashed with the rebels in the area and later pro-government thugs roamed the area doing most of the killings.
The peacemaker, former United Nations Secretary Kofi Annan brokered a ceasefire deal with activists and the government very recently. But it appears that the truce has been violated by all parties leading to more killings every day.
The most recent killings of innocent children may lead to additional actions by the United Nations. Even the reluctant China condemned the most recent cruel killings in Houla. Many other nations are shell shocked by the news and strongly condemned the recent events in Syria.
Operation Shock and Awe : Iraqi Freedom (Part II)
They are calling in “Operation Shock and Awe.” The US attacks on Iraq. Is it working?
The personal wear and tear on Donald Rumsfeld was evident at his press conferences. His confrontational style with the press was subdued, his body language was tired and psychologically the prospect of a failed strategy was evident. The 20 year old Rumsfeld objective to remove Saddam from leadership in Iraq did not look swift.
As of April 10, 2003 the military campaign had indeed Shocked and Awed the people, soldiers and leaders of Iraq. A military campaign turned to an occupation in less than 72 hours.
Rumsfeld’s strategy is complete. Saddam is gone. A 20 year goal, achieved. Now Donald Rumsfeld can bring the multi-Billion dollar Trans-Iraqi/Jordanian oil pipeline into operation as envisioned in 1982.
But America, and the world still wonders why Iraq was so important ?
Is the political Shock and Awe Saudi Arabia ? With a stable oil producing economy in Iraq, reinforced with stability in the remaining oil producing communities in the Middle East, the United States can finally reconcile the link between terrorism, the attack on United States on September 11, 2001, and the Saudi leadership.
Is Democratization of Saudi Arabia, and the eviction of the 70 year reign of the terrorist supporting monarchy, the final Shock and Awe ?
Operation Shock and Awe: Iraqi Freedom
They’re calling it “Shock and Awe ,” as in air strikes so devastating they would leave Saddam’s soldiers unable or unwilling to fight.
This site is an informative site to any party with the desire to read the thesis behind the “Shock and Awe ” strategy in Iraq 2003. This site is not intended to support or oppose Operation Iraqi Freedom. The intent of this site is to provide, all sides, an understanding of the strategy.
By releasing the “Shock and Awe ” strategy weeks prior the assembly of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the US Pentagon intended to alert the people of Iraq of the planned campaign.
Had the strategy functioned as planned, the people and leaders of Iraq would have submitted to the coalition force to prevent a punishing assault.
Had the Iraqi people and leaders perceived the “Shock and Awe ” strategy as described, the outcome of Operation Iraqi Freedom would have resulted in minor losses to coalition forces.
The intent is to facilitate a proper exchange of knowledge.
As of March 23, 2003 there is no evidence the Shock and Awe has not produced the intended results. It is not an indication the Shock and Awe strategy will not work as intended in the future.