Chuck Spinney – Cogent Analysis pf Arab Spring Seven Key Challenges Not Available from CIA or Department of State – Plus Personal Appeal for Contributions to Keep CounterPunch Going

Jeffrey St Claire, the editor at Counterpunch has given me permission to distribute the attached essay, “The Arab Spring at the Crossroads,” by  Esam Al-Amin.  It was published in the subscription edition of Counterpunch and is not available at the CP website.  Al-Amin, who I do not know, has written a very informative summary of …

Chuck Spinney: TIME Blog on Key Questions That Don’t Get Asked in Presidential Debates

Key Questions That Don’t Get Asked in Presidential Debates By Chuck Spinney | October 11, 2012 For reasons that were quite clear well before the Afghan “surge” began (see here and here), America’s Afghan adventure is now ending without achieving its goals, despite Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s claim Wednesday in Brussels that “significant progress” has been made …

Berto Jongman: Food Security Index & Map 2013

Food security in 75% of African countries at high or extreme risk – Maplecroft global index ‘Arab Awakening’ countries at increased risk from 2013 food price shocks 10/10/2012 Despite strong economic growth, food security remains an issue of primary importance for Africa, according to a new study by risk analysis company Maplecroft, which classifies 75% …

Chuck Spinney: Questions Not Asked in Presidential Debates

National Insecurity Questions That Won’t Be Asked in the Presidential Debates How Bad Will Things Get in Afghanistan? by FRANKLIN C. SPINNEY. Counterpunch, October 08, 2012 For reasons that were quite clear well before the Afghan “surge” began (see here and here), America’s Afghan adventure is now ending without achieving its goals. The prospects for a civil life in Afghanistan are likely …

Yoda: Muslim Rebels and Philippine Government Agree on Peace

Good news this is. Philippines, Muslim rebels agree on peace pact EILEEN NG, Associated Press, JIM GOMEZ, Associated Press | Sunday, October 7, 2012 | Updated: Sunday, October 7, 2012 8:44pm MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine government and the country’s largest Muslim rebel group have reached a preliminary peace deal that is a major …