Yemen

I recently visited Yemen on behalf of a European import/export company. This country is a microcosm of the endemic problems associated with pervasive poverty and a lack of upward modernity plaguing many ordinary citizens from countries in particular sectors of the world. This, despite being one of the many countries (regions) around the world older than many European and American ones. Much of the strife is a result of archaic governmental institutions intertwined with religious intra-control. It begs historical analysis and reflection on pre-democratic, church/state European times.

In any event, most villages still resemble ones in the time of Muhammad. Religious factions control regional pockets. Central governmental appertain has not gained full control. Thus, fanatical conditions, and hence instability for innovative business pervades these areas. As a result, the aforementioned improvement in economic conditions for the populace continues to suffer.

The reality is that societies that have separated religious institutions from governmental ones continue to progress and flourish, yet those that have not, do not.

Egypt

I recently returned from Egypt conducting an analysis for an independent agency. This agency provides consultative service for service sector development. Needless to say, the current political situation there is not favorable for development. As anyone must realize at this time, the economy, and hence the standard of living for the majority, which are poor, is declining. Tourism, a sizable portion of the Egpytian economy, is suffering considerably.

The current American Administration is, obviously, torn between promoting freedom and democracy on the one hand, and ensuring that radical, unfriendly regimes on the other, are not installed and hence subsequently allowed to institute that which they sought for so long to overcome; political illegitimacy. The "Admin" is not pressing too hard, at this time, despite weak protestations, against the military rulers since the military is stifling the "radical" Brotherhood; the Brotherhood that did, at one time, seek to impose Sharia law similar to that which The Taliban instituted in Afghanistan.

I found that, as is usually the case in these types of political uprisings, the youth are the ones driving the uprising. My analysis concludes that this will go on for some time and may spiral further down into cival war.

Missing religious artifacts from the Iraq War

During the Iraq War in 2003, religious and historical artifacts were looted in the immediate aftermath of the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Some were recovered and returned to Iraqi museums, some were not; some were kept by nefarious governmental organizations. I have written a novel, based on an event that took place during the Iraq War. This book will be released on June 1, 2014. The Lost Hadith is coming from Rogue Phoenix Press. Please visit: http://thelosthadith.com/

Afghanistan

During the Soviet invasion, occupation and ultimate attempt at regime installation in Afghanistan in 1979, the new American Administration, as many know, supported and supplied the Mujahedeen there with weapons and various other supports in its effort to dislodge the Soviets. It worked, in the end, but the country then degenerated into chaos until the Taliban (mostly comprised of former Mujahedeen) took over (and the rest is history; again, bit was the hand that was fed). In science, there is the axiom that “every action has an equal and opposite reaction;” so too in political spheres; that is, your actions often result in an equal and opposite reaction (from that which you sought).

Religious Artifacts recovered during the Iraq War(?).

Why would the US government keep important religious artifacts from not only the American people, but from the world at large, no matter what said material contained? I will soon try to answer this.

IRAQ WAR

Throughout the 1980's one particular administration envoy helped Saddam acquire the chemical weapons he later used on his own people. Some analysts at the time advised against arming Saddam because he was unstable and would, without hesitation, use these weapons on his own people to quell any challenge to his regime. The administration ruled that that was not of concern because Saddam was “our boy,” we could control him, and Iran was our number one enemy. This same envoy, two decades later, became a high-ranking administration official who cried "monster" as he made the case for invasion. As soon as Saddam refused to “play ball” with us, he had to go. LESSON: bitten was that hand that fed.

NSA

I have been listening to this NSA debate with some curiosity at how “shocked” people are in thinking that this has only recently been happening. I have news for everyone; J. Edgar Hoover tapped citizens’ (that is right) citizens’ phones (without a court order), throughout his tenure. He put a tape recorder under Dr. Martin Luther King’s bed. He had files on JFK (and many American citizens).

No, this NSA revelation is amusing to me. Having worked in foreign affairs, American citizens would be dismayed with what their government has been doing, all in the name of preserving American democracy. No, actually; all in the name of preserving the “State,” (with a capital “S”).

In any event, I will be updating this blog periodically with interesting “tidbits” of intrigue about what has been going on. Stay tuned.

NGO's

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's), sometimes called, "Front Companies," are widely used to conduct foreign affairs for governments under the radar.  They could be as simple as the tourist trinket booth in a bazaar, or a larger company that distributes fruit. In any event, these organizations are used to provide cover and deniability for governments. All governments use these entities. They were widely used during the Cold War by the super-powers, but are still used to conduct affairs in the new global world order.

Welcome to S. Milsap Thorpe's Blog

I will be updating this blog regularly about international issues, particularly issues in the Middle East. I have a novel based on events during the Irag War coming out soon. Please check back. To review my credentails, please read my profile description to the right of this page. Thank you for visiting.