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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 14-Oct-2011
14-Oct-11 World View -- Obama accuses Iran of 'dangerous and reckless behavior'

Web Log - October, 2011

14-Oct-11 World View -- Obama accuses Iran of 'dangerous and reckless behavior'

Burma's ties with India deepen, as ties with China weaken

This morning's key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com.

* World opinion split on Iran's alleged assassination plot
* Obama accuses Iran of 'dangerous and reckless behavior'
* Slovakia votes to approve Europe's extended bailout fund
* Burma's ties with India deepen, as ties with China weaken
* Bhutan's king marries a commoner

World opinion split on Iran's alleged assassination plot

Alleged terrorist Manssor Arbabsiar in booking photo (AP)

Alleged terrorist Manssor Arbabsiar in booking photo (AP)

Manssor Arbabsiar, the Texan charged in the alleged plot to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the U.S., Adel A. al-Jubeir, was actively working for Iranian handlers involved in the drug trade, according to U.S. officials. They believe that he was hired by the Iranian Qods Force, an elite covert arm of the Iranian military involved in drug smuggling. The Qods Force has built up a significant presence in Latin America, especially in Venezuela, where it has forged close ties with the government of anti-U.S. President Hugo Chavez. The organization has also long had extremely close ties with, and directly funded, Hezbollah -- a Mideast terror group that has long been linked to the drug trade and money laundering. But there has been no clear evidence linking the Qods Force directly to narcotics smuggling or to dealing with the Mexican cartels. However, it is not known whether Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, or its president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, were involved. MSNBC

Obama accuses Iran of 'dangerous and reckless behavior'

Iran has vehemently denied having to do with the alleged plot. However, President Barack Obama said it was part of a pattern of "dangerous and reckless behavior" by the Iranian government. He added, "We believe that even if at the highest levels there was not detailed operational knowledge, there has to be accountability with respect to anybody in the Iranian government engaging in this kind of activity." However, some analysts are questioning the credibility of the charges. The alleged plot called for killing al-Jubeir by blowing up a coffee shop in Washington while he was eating, and some are saying that Iran would never risk a major act of war like that, when they could simply hire a sharpshooter to do the job. AP

Slovakia votes to approve Europe's extended bailout fund

As we recently reported, Slovakia's parliament voted to oppose proposals to expand Europe's bailout fund, the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), from its current €250 billion ($338 billion) to €440 billion, a proposal that required the approval of all 17 euro zone nations. However, Slovakia's opposition made it clear that if the government of of Prime Minister Iveta Radicova collapsed, then they would reverse themselves and support the EFSF expansion. Both of those things have now occurred, and Slovakia has approved the expansion. European officials are continuing to look for ways to "kick the can down the road," hoping to continue to do so until 2014, when a new EU treaty takes effect. In the meantime, it's widely expected now that EU officials, at a scheduled October 23 meeting, will approve the next €8 billion bailout payment to Greece for early November, as the cheapest way to give officials several more months to figure out what to do next. Wall Street Journal (Access)

Burma's ties with India deepen, as ties with China weaken

Following Burma's suspension of a big hydroelectric project funded by China, Burmese President Thein Sein is visiting India to deepen ties between the two countries. He will be meeting with India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, to discuss joint projects in such areas as security, trade, energy, infrastructure development, education and agriculture, especially along the two-countries' common 1600 km border. International Business Times (Delhi)

Bhutan's king marries a commoner

Newlyweds King Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema on Thursday (AP)

Newlyweds King Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema on Thursday (AP)

In today's style and fashion news, there was a royal wedding in Bhutan on Thursday, joining King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 31, and Jetsun Pema, 21, the daughter of a pilot. Oxford educated King Wangchuck has pledged to love a single wife, in contrast to his father, who, in 1988, chose to tie the knot with four brides. King Wangchuck is the son of his father's third wife. LA Times

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 14-Oct-11 World View -- Obama accuses Iran of 'dangerous and reckless behavior' thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (14-Oct-2011) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 14-Oct-2011 14-Oct-11 World View -- Obama accuses Iran of 'dangerous and reckless behavior'

World opinion split on Iran's alleged assassination plot

Obama accuses Iran of 'dangerous and reckless behavior'

Slovakia votes to approve Europe's extended bailout fund

Burma's ties with India deepen, as ties with China weaken

Bhutan's king marries a commoner

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 14-Oct-2011
14-Oct-11 World View -- Obama accuses Iran of 'dangerous and reckless behavior'