@JohnX What I want to do is use the death throw of this system, as the rebirth of a better world, unfortunately I don’t think our bankers have the moral fiber, the intellect or the vision to pull it off… they’ve replayed the WWII model almost down to a T, and will probably proceed blindly, until even they realize it’s too late. You don’t want to win this… you want to fix it. So JohnX, you right again, Russia and China have to force a solution, not a temporary placebo that again works for just one generation, if that, and they need to be very aware of the real possibility of a double-cross. The key to the fix I believe is to make an Inter-Country global currency that belongs to “no nation”. The mandate is “no country fails”. Forget about the basket of currencies, it’s the same game. I believe that change of culture will launch the biggest project man has ever seen, “save the planet” and it will be massive, even going so far as relocating entire cities, as it fixes this bankers' mess. Failing that, I think we too late, dead men don’t need pensions, and destroyed suburbs need new housing loans. If I had to try and describe what I see, I want to put god into the global central bank and see if we can fix this planet, the trouble is, no one is offering him the job ;) What these bankers seem to be doing now is dividing up the gold mine between more henchmen but the problem is, the mine is on empty. A little like a slave master killing the slaves and then wondering why nothing works. When I look at this crazy world and start to see what they actually trying to do, I think it’s the plan of a fruitcake… they are mad. I really cant explain this thing I see, other than saying if they play this same game, they building a bigger titanic, but it they step out of the system, they’ll see that it was always possible to fly. The problem with my solution is that these bankers have to go, and it seems they would rather be the last men on earth, clutching a gold bar ;) The world needs a visionary in the global central bank. I’m saying give it a try, if it doesn’t work, we can still nuke each other, but if it does work, and it will, you just might build heaven, naturally the bankers wont like that ;) My job is done here… I think people now see it.

Peter. It's been a while since you posted such "Peter's trademark" article. For me -- it is like a portion of drug for a drug addict. Now I recognize "old good" Peter who attracted my attention one year ago and keeps it since then. Brave, original, direct, with very clear message, ... :-)

I have a problem. I cannot decide if I agree or disagree. I may agree with the end, but that is assuming that the premises are right! And I do not think they are. It is true, Afghanistan and the entire region needs SECURITY. The prospects of some free-lancing bands strutting into Tajikistan, Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan -- is scary. And to help them out, US has even build a very good bridge between Afghanistan and Tajikistan to make it easy and convenient for them. But it is downhill from here. First, Pakistan under Mr. 10% is a wholly owned US playground. The make-believe world of Pakistan's statehood is now over. The battle along the Tribal Areas were not for the sake of finding Al-Qaeda, or uprooting Taliban. Now, which "Taliban" are we talking about? In Tribal Areas, "Taliban" were Pakistani intelligence people, and their well paid help. Their role was to destroy the independence of the Tribal Areas. In "Taliban" garb, they managed to kill off almost all the leaders of these, formerly independent areas. US has done that in order to accomplish quid pro quo. Pakistan wanted to get these independent areas under Pakistani control, but could not do it alone. The presence of US troops and air cover, along with the "Taliban", resulted in millions of refugees, killed off all the native leadership, and near total Pakistani control. But in turn, they had to accept US military in Pakistan, and from now on, it is a question of time before military bases are built. So what has been accomplished. A lot, actually. The resurgent "Taliban" is just the same as old Taliban, the recreation of Pakistani mercenary forces. This is why suddenly, Taliban has moved quite far to the north and west. Really! Not a bird can fly without NATO permission, and "Taliban" just strolled into the Northern Alliance area??? Now, this "resurgent" Taliban are more of Pakistani, US approved force that will take it to the insurgents. Now, keep in mind, to confuse the issues, NATO forces call these insurgents --- the Taliban! Why not clear it --- once and for all. Taliban was the product of the collaboration between Pakistani government, US and Saudi Arabia. With Saudi money, US leadership, and Pakistani's endless supply of young men -- Taliban movement, or Student movement --- was created. Suitably "educated" in hundreds of "madrases" created for the purpose, the new, religiously inspired, and well armed force was sent into Afghanistan to secure the country for US and Pakistan. Taliban were to add strength to Pashtun population, as the post-Soviet Afghanistan was a conflict ground among Northern Alliance, Al-Qaeda, and the pro-Soviet government in Kabul. While Al-Qaeda thought that, having gotten US money and arms, it was just the formality before they will be given the rule over Afghanistan. As Al-Qaeda weakened, Northern Alliance, that is, Tajik and Uzbeki tribes gained in strength. Now, the southern Pastun tribes were getting reinforcements from Pakistan, and soon the Kabul government fell, and the Northern Alliance on the ropes. Taliban was successful, and Al-Qaeda was finally at home. Al-Qaeda was never a meaningful force there. It helped coordinate the war against Soviets, but the rank and file fighters were Afghans. However, Taliban was getting independent, and nothing US can do about it. Pakistan liked the situation, as they had good control over Taliban. Then came 911. Regardless of what Taliban or Al-Qaeda did, or did not do --- 911 was a pretext to move into Afghanistan, and take up a strategic position in Central Asia. Al-Qaeda disappeared, as there were probably no more then a few thousands of them, while Taliban took the brunt of US invasion. US has imprisoned the Pakistani-infiltrated Taliban, and the rest of them fled. The existence of Taliban in Afghanistan is a myth. Pashtun tribes in the south of Afghanistan are not Taliban, even though they greeted them with open arms. In fact, what has happened shortly after the invasion, the resistance --- or the insurgents -- were growing in numbers. The resistance was kept in check by giving a great deal of privilege to Tajik and Uzbeki areas, and keeping the token Pashtun in power. South Afghanistan was targeted for "democratization" , but from the beginning the project went bad. The beating up of Taliban, the very creature that US and Pakistan created, did not sit well in Pashtun Afghanistan, Tribal Areas and Pakistan itself. This is why Musharraf could not do anything about it. It was not until Mr. 10% took power following his wife's death, that US got access to Pakistan. Pakistan found more "Taliban" hanging around, and had them clean up the Fronteer. Now, the same newfangled "Taliban" is being infiltrated deeper. This is why Tajik was running for President. Not that there was ever chance of him coming close to winning. His base is very narrow. But, creating cloud over Karzai victory was the goal, so that he will be forced to appoint some undesirable individuals. So, there is no Taliban-Al-Qaeda force to be beat. Current "Taliban" are Pakistani infiltrators; having executed leaders of tribal areas, now they are poised to do the same with any Pashtun leader that supports "insurgents". And here we come to the real goal. The Pashtun "insurgents", or Afghan anti-occupation fighters are the real deal. They need to be subdued, and will be by the "resurgent" Taliban supported by Pakistani intelligence. As the new "Taliban" moves into the Tajik areas, it will be interesting to see if the "Taliban" will embrace the extremists there. That is the thing to watch. If so, it will be the loudest signal yet that Pakistani intelligence , "Taliban", intends to do some organizing of extremists there, for infiltration into Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. By expanding the war into Russia-China-Iran back-yard, the countries of the region will have to find the way to appease the US and the AfPak. This name actually makes a lots of sense. So, I do not think that NATO has any interest in leaving. Quite to the contrary, it can now pull back into fewer, better protected bases, and let the fake "Taliban" do the work. First by chopping the heads of their own Pashtuns who will try to support the fight against occupation. Then, they will take it to the north, check-mating both Tajik and Uzbeki tribes. For little money, one can finds thousands to fight for whatever just to stay employed. This new "nation building" is about getting power back through "Taliban". Will it work? Probably not. It was easy to trick the Tribal leaders, and assassinate them. That was then. Now, everybody is aware of their game. If Pashtuns in the South come to terms with this "Taliban", it is likely that Afghanistan will split. The northern region may have no other option. Pakistan may gain some territory, but at the loss of sovereignty. The schema will fall apart if things get really hot in Pakistan. This President will never be able to live in Pakistan. He came from exile with his wife to wrestle the power from Musharraf. He, if he is lucky, will have to disappear into another friendly country with his billions stashed. Should things go really bad in Pakistan, Afghanistan will look like a worthless project. And north actually stands a chance of consolidating power, and leaving the rest of Afghanistan to sort itself out. NATO would be well advised to leave, before this house of cards collapses. But, this is not the current fear. Until something unpredictable happens.

Sorry, my posting here should be in the Fisk thread.

The citizens of the countries involved in this operation are becoming disenchanted .We must now limit the scope of our expectations. After 8 years we seem to have achieved little. A strategy change is desperately needed or we could start to see mass protests on the streets of London, Washington and New York. The losses are unacceptable based on the level of success. This should now become an operation to build and train a strong Afghan national army, let the Afghans deal with their own internal politics, we can not impose our western style democracy on these people it goes against their culture and traditions. The use of Special Forces should be expanded to deal with specific terrorist threats unleash the British SAS/SBS and American Delta on the drug barons and terrorist training camps with a mandate to show no mercy. And leave the Afghans to govern the general population.

007. "My job is done here… I think people now see it.". Are your sure? No doubts, that you are doing great job by opening people eyes on the underlying mechanisms which are driving the world of humans. But, this is not enough. This is your full-time job. As soon as you stop lifting people's eyelids, they will fall back again. :-) Bianca. You have great system vision and, as usual, looking at the depth of that activity which is happening in the AfPak (as you called it) region. You said, that you have a problem with the Peter's comment. Though, I do not see any contradictions between your and Peter's views -- they just do not overlap (different dimensions). Because, you are describing the engine and forces behind the US presence in that region, while Peter just provides the plan of actions for the US -- "to get lost". :-) Now. I would like to point out on couple of more variables in this AfPak equation. India and China. The one could understand how important this Afghanistan-Pakistan region for the US. The United States are ready to put everything on the map for this. Even its own existence. And, if they still want to proceed with the ambitions of the world domination -- they will not leave this region no matter what. Because, if they fail -- they have to say goodby to their world monopoly dreams. So, China and India are rising. And these two countries have a quarter of the world population. If they manage to climb to the category of the world leading economies nothing the US can do to stop them after that. Thus, the better approach -- to prevent them to rise. For example, but cutting easy access to the energy resources and creating tensions of any kind in their vicinities (make them being nervous), so they could spend more money for military development, internal political battles, and weaken themselves in the neighboring skirmishes. So, think about it. The Middle East is the place where, according to the Bible, humans came from. For thousands of years, one way or another, it was a center of gravitation of the human world. This is the place where Alexander the Great dreamed to be a ruler of. Shortly, if you control the Middle East -- you are in the core of the human civilization and the whole world rotates around you and controlled by you.

Peter, I am stunned just as you may be that Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. I knew all along he was something different. I argued with family and friends to look beyond the color of his skin. Some called him "nigger". I think your President, Medvedev is just as worthy of this award. Obama will donate the $1.4 million prize to charity. It is a new day. Gene H., San Francisco

Gene Hopkins. Unlike all previous Nobel Prize winners, who got this award for their lifetime achievements, this time, the Prize was given for the lack of actions. And if you think about it -- it totally makes sense. Because, looking back in the history you would easily understand why any American President which is "idling" deserves Nobel Peace Price. This is the case when the actions create much more damage in the human world than the lack of them. So, the Nobel Committee was really thought out of box this time. And now, think, how foolish Obama would look like if he continues his was in Afghanistan. ... Or may be the Nobel Committee would look foolish... Also, I think, their primary goal was to create another Gorbachev. This time for America. According to the world bankers master plan so well described by 007. :-)

Unfortunately, the resources in that region breed civil war. Nothing is so hard to control as internal conflicts, especially when they are eternal. The Arab Nations can't even unite to get rid of invaders of any kind. That's saying something. You talk about a values gap even with siblings, and I see why it exists with the differing climates/ interests in every direction. Just like communism didn't work everywhere the same, democracy does not fit all either, but everyone is entitled to a decent government of some form, whatever you wish to call it. And remember when calling a government a name, an apple is an apple even when labeled an orange. That region needs help on an international scale since there are international interests in the region. Does it pose a true threat? Yes, I disagree with you, it does. The country itself does not pose a threat because it eats itself and its brothers and sisters, but foreign interests pose a massive one. It's kind of like soccer's midfield of the world. Everyone is ignoring this fact, but just as the Soviets pulled out, the Americans went in. Why do they think this was? Someplace like China is going to come galloping to the rescue next. Security, there? It isn't possible. Just one overworked dictator after another offering "security" when none can come with so many hungry eyes watching. And if security were all they needed, a military invasion would suffice as intervention, don't you think? Gain control then rebuild, but they can't stop the internal wars long enough to lift a brick. When the region tries to govern itself, terrorists from various directions, with their own agendas and funds, will flood against the government as usual as well as foreign interests. Nobody seems to be able to gain control of the region. It's been this way, well, for a long time. The reasons seem obvious. The answers are not.

I think they are indeed mad...just as mad as the Southern elite that started the US Civil war on the thin hope that Britain would support them! That they did so in the very face of what was at that time a vastly superior economic and political system is quite scary! Oddly enough, its probably the very same US families who did that horrible deed that are likely behind this latest wave of Roman Empire envy. Unfortunately we now have nukes.

It is fair to say that the US and UK are not suceeding in their attempts to curtail the guerilla forces. When they will realise this and whether they can pull out is the right question to ask. GW Bush, dragged the west into a battlefied zone that was more a knee-jerk reaction to the twin tower attack that a carefully planned strategy for dealing with the taliban

Gene Hopkins, the evil is still an evil no matter who the president is and whether he got Noble or not. I recognize Obama has said few good things during the campaign but he already forgot great part of that. For example Guantanamo was to be closed within 100 days. Obama like Bush is fishing for wars and conflicts outside US borders. To gove peace price for that is a misunderstanding.

Bogdanov, we’ve thread jumped, but I’ll just say one more thing and hopefully our leaders pick up on it, this idea of a “no/all country” global currency can be used to take the entire world green. But my reason for wanting to do that is very different to the current bankers idea. This “global warming” thing is also a scam, and if you research the Clean Development Mechanism, you’ll see it. Basically the bankers print some money, do some project that is really not economically feasible, but it saves carbon. This carbon credit saving is then priced at something like $30 dollars a ton “saved” and sold to polluting nations (the ones making the goods) who will be otherwise fined. It doesn’t actually reduce carbon, what it is, is another siphon that sucks on developing countries, its really just another slave tax, working through a carbon credit exchange, that bankers will make a profit on. The system itself cannot work on a global scale because those costs will simply reflect in the price of goods… zero sum game actually. But if this technology were applied to thousands of self sustaining green villages, applying solar, biogas, etc, each of which has a small transparent democratic bank, it does many things, it takes the pressure off dwindling oil, gas and fish stock. It allows the world to move to a one-child policy so we get back some nature and our kids see wild animals again. But most importantly, and it’s the thing that any plan must implement, it builds communities because this is the real problem, this banking system has broken down society and even it cant run without it. Getting people closer to nature will also create food security and reduce unemployment, and in a way its a social contract, you bankers keep the big cities, use it to drive your oil empires, but give us our planet back, and make happy people. Its abundantly clear that this system cant look after its people now, but its also abundantly clear that its breeding “bankers”, a whole generation of lost souls. When I read this thread, Afghanistan is as clear as mud, if they said that Obama’s generals were smoking the poppies, I’d get more of a Eureka, but what worries me more is that highly intelligent people are saying, “if we pay those guys to kill those guys, we win”, carry on with that thought, soon your suburb will also be a chess pawn in this bankers game. I think that even after the war these bankers create, its still not going to work, the only thing I’m sure of is that the world is now fighting the wrong war. Here’s my prediction, if they start this war, the terrorism veil will come down, the system will unravel completely, billions of people will start starving everywhere, and they’ll have to have another war, and another war… like Einstein said, the war after this one will be fought with sticks and stones. And that’s my final word… probably a good idea to get a job on a farm now because I cant see any good coming out of where this world is going. If there are any sane leaders out there, don’t let the bankers do this… fix it.

You are correcti nyour assessment of using the Northern Alliance.

@007 Unfortunately I agree. I can feel this “big bang” coming with my skin now for years, and this is the main reason why I’ve come home (to my native Bulgaria); home I think is where we need to be in critical times. I could feel it even before, but what came as my final and Big wake up call was the bombing of Yugoslavia exactly 10 years ago – this is when I came to the conclusion that either sanity has left this earth or some very urgent factors were behind this aggression: either way, the ship is sinking and we ought to be thinking of our own, individual salvation. As I don’t have too much belief in our leaders’ ability to cope, arranging some small, self-sustainable farm (+other facilities) in a home region (isolation is also very necessary) seems like a good idea to me.., as you’ve suggested. Yes, I know.., but it has also been said that when surrounded by crazy people the one that is not, in fact looks like the crazy one. I think most people on this forum know what I’m talking about, and what seems really stupid to me is to put my head in the sand just to be part of the crowd: I owe it to my kid at least not to. What I’m afraid of? Short list is: 1.That the current economic crisis is just a hickup before the real deal.. 2.The US debt. 3.A possible single terror act with a WMD that will be the end of the world as we know it (there’s more WMDs and more people ready to use them today than at any time in history..) 4.A possible real global conflict. (danger spots, created almost..on purpose, at this point in time would be: Pakistan-India, Israel-Iran, Russia-Ukraine ..) 5.Global Climate Change due to human and Natural causes (I’m afraid with consequences much exceeding what we’re ready to cope with..) 6.Geometric progression/growth of global population 7.Aggression due to ending global resources (water, food, land, oil, metals..) 8.Globalization (I’m not sure the ones promoting it realize the dangers.., just blinded by shot-term profits.. – unless short-term is all we have left..) 9. Exactly this: that when I take into consideration points 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 it seems to me everything is short-term planned these days. But Why?.. If I’m to believe in a conspiracy theory, then I’ll say our great leaders know something we don’t. If I’m more down to earth, I’ll say our great leaders are themselves setting the time bomb ready to go off in the very near future, simply by seeing just the short-term. Either way we’re cooked: this or max the next generation. BR Aleks

I like your programs and comment just briliant

Good points re: Afghanistan.

Russia’s going East, or making some major steps in this direction if I have to be more exact – wow! It’s all over the news these days. And I also like the timing chosen: the message to the West seems to be ‘we’ve waited long enough for your good will, now you’re late and we’ve gone East.’ And not only East, but all, East, South and North, look like ways leading to the future for Russia; the West is the past. Now I believe also that going externally to the East, will help Russia do something about its own, internal, huge East – and this should be considered the most important goal I believe. China is by far the most important country to be engaged by Russia and the relationship can be both long-lasting and mutually beneficial if done with mutual respect – I believe both sides are well capable of that; both should be however well aware of external provocations. Next, India should be brought into the same relationship with both Russia and China: here China and India have to work hard to repair some damaged trust due to China being somewhat aggressive towards India (as seeing it as its major competitor in Asia I guess..). I see these three (with China playing the central role) as coming into an almost EU type relationship in the future: with post Soviet space republics, Mongolia, Nepal, Iran, Turkey.. also joining at some stage. One desirable side effect of such scenario will be very positive influence on Pakistan and Afghanistan. But if anything like that is to happen, I think structure should be closer to that of the Suisse regions/cantons rather than to that of the EU of today. BR Aleks

Peter, America's operations in Afghanistan will be forced to come to an end, and no matter who is left to rule Afghanistan. I believe it will be a bloodbath. As not only US troops but all the troops from NATO countries who are present. Not only Afghanistan but also Iraq, not withstanding, hands off Iran, leave them alone. Recently I read a report on RT, in which Mr Medvedev has stated quite bluntly that Russia would use nuclear weapons if pushed into a corner. The present world situation combined with the world economic situation and western countries persisting in trying to bring a failed economic situation back to life, is heading to a world confrontation. Which leaves a question. Which side do you want to be on? Having followed much of this, for a long time now, its politics and economics are leading to disaster. "You can lead a horse to water, but you'll never make him drink. You can lead a man to slaughter, but you'll never make him think." For everyone go to http:/www.leap2020.eu/ and read GEAB No 38.