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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 6-Apr-2010
6-Apr-10 News - US Consulate attacked in Peshawar, Pakistan

Web Log - April, 2010

6-Apr-10 News - US Consulate attacked in Peshawar, Pakistan

US delays report declaring that China is a 'currency manipulator'

Pakistan's Taliban in failed assault on the US consulate in Peshawar

Heavily armed terrorists in two vehicles failed to explode the US Consulate in Peshawar. Two Pakistani security guards who were guarding the Consulate were killed in the attack. In addition four of the attackers were killed, according to Dawn.

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Pakistan branch of the Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attacks. "We accept the attacks on the American consulate," said a spokesman. "This is revenge for drone attacks. We have already told you that we have 2,800 to 3,000 fedayeen (suicide bombers). We will carry out more such attacks. We will target any place where there are Americans."

This attack represents a change of strategy by TTP. Times of India points out that this was the TTP's first assault on a US mission since 2006, when the American consultate in Karachi was targeted.

TTP has been responsible for major recent terrorist attacks in Lahore and Islamabad on Pakistani targets. It's hard to see (at least for me) what TTP hopes to gain by attacking the US Consulate, except for public relations purposes. The goal of al-Qaeda-inspired terrorist groups like the Taliban is to establish a Sunni Muslim government, in this case in Pakistan, by provoking a civil war similar to the one that resulted in Iran's 1979 Great Islamic Revolution. Perhaps the TTP believe that they have something to gain by duplicating the 1979 attack on the US Embassy in Tehran, followed by the Iran hostage crisis.

Tea Party politics appears to be moving into the mainstream

One of the major themes of this web site for several years has been that a new political consensus will form, as it always does in generational Crisis eras. This new political consensus will take elements from both the Democrats and the Republicans, but will be different from both. As the financial and war crisis deepens, it may take a dangerous far left or far right turn, or somehow tunnel down the middle of the political spectrum. We can already see the growth of both far-left and far-right in some countries of Europe.

For the last year, it's been increasingly apparent that the Tea Party demonstrations are going to be the vehicle for the adoption of this new political consensus in America.

A new Gallup Poll appears to show that Tea Party supporters are increasingly more mainstream with regard to age, educational background, employment status, and race.

Politically, what really unites Tea Party supporters is their negative reaction to the recently passed health bill. Only 12% consider the health care bill to be a "good thing," while 87% say that it's a "bad thing."

However, the poll shows that a plurality, but not a majority, of Tea Party supporters are Republican. 49% are Republican, 43% are Independent, and 8% are Democrats.

Congress complains, China applauds, as US delays in issuing currency report

The Obama administration sought to relieve US-China tensions over the weekend by delaying a report on whether China is manipulating its remnbini (yuan) currency, in order to keep its manufactured goods cheaper. Economic adviser Larry Summers said that the delay would provide time to resolve issues by negotiation, according to CNN.

Two weeks ago, a letter from over 100 members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, urged the administration to name China as a currency manipulator. Once such a conclusion is reached, the administration would then be forced, either politically or by law, to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese imports. This would undoubtedly trigger retaliatory measures and a trade war, which the administration would like to avoid.

Delaying the currency report "brightens China relations," according to People's Daily.

Additional Links

Road sign near Treviso, Italy <font face=Arial size=-2>(Source: Telegraph)</font>

Road sign near Treviso, Italy (Source: Telegraph)

A road sign near Treviso, Italy, is confusing motorists. It shows a scantily-clad woman carrying a handbag, and warns people of prostitutes in the area. Telegraph

A major naval drama is in the offing, after Somali pirates unexpectedly hijacked a 300,000 ton Korean oil supertanker in the Indian Ocean. The ship, Samho Dream, was on its way to Louisiana. The Korean government has dispatched a warshhip to intercept the pirate ship, but it's not clear what will happen then. Korea's Arirang

Thailand's generational Awakening era protests continue, as many shopping malls in downtown Bangkok were closed for a third day. Tens of thousands of red-shirted anti-government clogged the streets. So far, the government has not used force against the protestors. NY Times

Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin met with Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez in Caracas, and discussed the sale of $5 billion of weapons to Venezuela. Telegraph

It appears that toads can predict earthquakes. Time

Germany security officials are becoming alarmed that a wave of young Germans, including entire Catholic familes, are converting to Islam and going to the Pakistan tribal areas for Islamist training. Der Spiegel

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 6-Apr-10 News - US Consulate attacked in Peshawar, Pakistan thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (6-Apr-2010) Permanent Link
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