Why Iran can not be attacked by Israel and US?

After its humiliating attempt to contain the ‘nuclear power’ progress of Iran, Israel embarked to embrace the potent weapon of ‘intervention and war.’ Everything from political pressure, sanctions, sabotage, counter-proliferation measures and attempt for regime changes, have failed in Iran.

Few are even calling Iranian President Ahmadinejad as Adolf Hitler, all set to wipe out the Jewish identity from the world.  Interestingly, this is not 1935 and even Israel is not a naive participant in utterly innocent international diplomacy.

America’s ambiguous strategy

Barack Obama has stated that there is no evidence that Iran has the ‘intentions or capabilities’ to wage a war on US soil. Well, it was only last October when Iranians have been accussed by Americans for planning the assasination of a Saudi Arabian ambassador on this very American soil.

Also, US after the 1979 hostage crisis that followed after the 1953 coup in which CIA has dismantled the Iranian government, America cannot predict whats on Iran’s mind. Though, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta seems more worried about the Israel-Iran attack rather than withdrawing US army from Afghanistan or even calculating their defence budget.

Republican Candidate Mitt Romney, the topmost contender for the Presidential position, has already stated that he would be more pro-Israel than Obama and he would back up the American diplomacy with very credible military option.

‘If Iran makes the first move’

Iranian Rafah News Website which is identified with President Ahmadinejad has already threatened Israel, last month. Iran is already known for blowing up Israeli embassy and Jewish communities in Buenos Aires in 1992.

If Iran, once again, targets soft power of Israeli foundation, it might act as a vitriolic catalyst to give a reason for Israel and US to attack Iran. Under Article 51 of UN Security Council’s Charter, US does not need the permission to launch military intervention. This Charter preserves the right of the member nations to respond to any armed attack.

‘Few Ignorant analysis of Iran’

Ignorant US analysts believe that since Syria, the major supporter of Iran is being shattered in the Arab Uprising, Iran might become weak. They also have a weaker perception of Hamas and Hezbollah who have been heavily financed by Syria and Iran.

Few believe that President Ahmedinjead does not have the power to call a nuclear war and the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khameini, already 72, is too old for such an operation.

Few only believe that Israel can once again operate Operation Opera in which it destroyed a nuclear reactor under construction in Baghdad on 7th June, 1981.

Well, once again, Iran is not Iraq that can be mercilessly crushed by foreign intervention.

‘Why Israel can not attack Iran’

1. It is defended by substantial ground forces, fighter aircrafts and SAM sites. Unlike Iraq, Iran has not accumulated its power plants at one location. They are scattered and are well protected.

2. Israel is far from Iran. So, in case, Israel plans to bombard the Iranian soils, it would need modified aircrafts and extra tanks for refueling. Saudi Arabia might allow Israel to land for refueling, but then again, Israel will have to calculate every move with precision.

3. Iran’s Vice president Mohammad Reza Rahimi has declared on 27th December that ‘not a drop of oil will pass through Strait of Hormuz’. Iran, suffering the worst of sanctions on its central banks and oil exports, would take the revenge by closing this strait from where 20% of world’s oil passes out.

4. Iran has already started the activation of Fordow Facility for the underground Uranium enrichment plant near Qom. It is well protected under a bomb proof tunnel or  under a mountain near the military. Also, both US and Israel do not have bunker buster bombs that can penetrate these mountains and explode the power plants.

5. It has hundreds of flawless Shabab missiles that are capable of striking Israel.

‘Israel’s covert nuclear involvement’

Turning to Israel, one does not readily mention that it is also clandestinely developing large and well sophisticated nuclear weapons. Mordecai Vanunu, who defected Israel’s nuclear programme and the Wisconsin Project have revealed that Israel is building thermo-nuclear and neutron war heads. It is injustice to target Iran just became it has oil reserves.

‘Deaths of Iranian nuclear scientists’

Also, what about the Stuxnet computer virus which hit Iran last year and caused Uranium enriching centrifuges at Natanz to spin out of control and explode?

Also, the rampant and mysterious death of Iranian nuclear scientists is another clue of Mossad’s intelligence and how Israel is inculcating fear in Iranians to cause them to defect. Interestingly, all of these bomb explosions ( 5 since 2007) carry the same hallmark.

There is a motorcycle that targets the victim’s car, flashes the ‘sticky bomb’ or magnetic explosive and elopes. Eventually, only the target dies and nothing else is disrupted apart from the car. It is also believed that Israel has been buying off few Iranian citizens and paying them fat salaries to work as spies.

Conclusion

In the end, it is not important when the attack would happen, if it does but what would happen after it does. Would Iran become another Iraq or Afghanistan or is 2012 when America surrenders and Iran becomes the super power?

Financing of SMEs can revamp the economy of South Africa, says Deputy Mayor Of Durban

In spite of contributing 40% of the GDP in South Africa, small and medium centre enterprises (SME) have been marginally avoided in the economic past of the country.

Logie Naidoo, the Deputy Mayor of Durban who attended the 2011 Construction Indaba advised the event attendees about the potential of SMEs and urged them to work more in the private sector. Talking about tendering bigger projects, Naidoo stated that the SMEs can gain experience and build their respective capability through contracts.

‘Two sectors’

No doubt, the economy of South Africa is currently divided into two major sectors. The first one deals with the investment of the international companies and their contribution in the revenue generation and GDP. On the other hand, the second sector includes these SMEs who do play a very pivotal role in both business and economic impact of the country.

Over the years, Durban has been playing an essential role in boosting the growth of the SMEs so that the small business profiles can be boosted and in return, revamped into major sector industries with higher economies of scale and more concrete business models.

But these SMEs are often ignored because of the risk involved in financing them. Most of the times, their business models include entrepreneurial assets, which definitely is challenging to incorporate since the recession effects are still not bygone.

‘The bank financing and loans’

Though, Amrei Botha, the head of the Standard Bank’s Africa SME Unit stated that during the past years, the banks have started to understand the potential of the SMEs and have been positive in investing in them.

For example, the Standard bank has started financing the loan worth $300-$30,000 dollars for a period ranging from three to twelve months. Another impact is also pursuing the entire finance of SME’s in a unique manner.

‘Porter’s Five Forces’

Taking into consideration the ‘Porter’s five forces’, the growing SME’s need to understand the potential of the new companies which are entering into the same market, the threat faced by the introduction of substitutes, the difference in the bargaining power of the consumers and the buyers and above all, the increase in the competitive rivalry.

Nevertheless, the avenues present for the venture capitalists and the tenders are increasing in the sector of small and medium scale enterprises. With innovation, technology and communication boosting the integration of functionality with business, the enterprises have a direct effect on the consumer spending.

Hence, tapping the wealth can be done through involving the right investment, especially by following the trademarks set by the Standard Bank and financing the SMEs which have the power to revamp the economy of South Africa.

Civil Servants in Zimbabwe face controversy

A Broke country. Civil servants protesting for salary hike. And suddenly, to silence everything else, comes up a report leak. Another whistle blowing. But this time, in  Zimbabwe.

In one of the leaked World Bank report reveals that more than half of the civil servants in Zimbabwe are not qualified or are not working, BBC reports. The auditors from Ernst and Young India had also found out that one ministry had even appointed 7000 people ahead of the 2008 elections. During this period, Zimbabwe was going through a meltdown.

An inevitable winter of discontent had started building up in the first week of May in the country when the same civil servants had started protesting for hike in their salaries.

In fact, the trade unions have exposed that $15m state money is being invested on these civil servants, per year.

Though, there are still debates if the civil service in Zimbabwe is worth all the investment or are the state funds rapidly used for political benefits.

In the meantime, the civil servants had warned the government of crippling strike in the next months if their demand to increase the salary were not met.

‘Current Salary’

Right now, the civil servants in Zimbabwe are earning $200 per month and hence, demanding a 300% rise in their income.

Moreover, after the setting up of the power sharing government, an extra number of 40,000 government workers have been employed.

BBC also reports that currently, there are 70,000 staff workers who do not have the needed qualifications for the government job.

‘President’s assurance’

President Robert Mugabe has announced that he would introduce hefty increments in the salary of the government workers.

He said that this increase would be derived from the sale of gems obtained from the Marange diamond fields.

The production of diamonds from Marange is highly controversial because of continuous legal battles and government crackdowns.

‘Biti’s being accused’

Tendai Biti, the Finance Minister of Zimbabwe has been accused by the public workers for deliberately refusing the salary hikes.

The accusation also proves to be against the globetrotting of ministers especially when the country is facing economic crisis.

Biti had also stated that the government does not have the financial condition to support the rise in salaries.

Meanwhile, Eliphas Mukonoweshuro, the minister for Public Service stated that the government was broke right now.

‘Human Rights watch’s concern’

In the current situation, especially after the leak, the Human Rights Watch harbours the concern that President Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party is using youth militia to control people in rural areas.

But this leaked World Bank report has been officially dismissed by the Zanu-PF party.

Credits: Photo from Reuters

Royal Wedding, why I dont give a damn!

London has gone crazy.

Tubes, hotels, restaurants, roads- everywhere, Royal wedding has become a fever. I see pizzas, cakes, dolls, comics, films being made on the royal couple. BBC and other news channels I am addicted to, have pompously broadcasted the countdown for the wedding.

As this week dawned, hundreds of ardent supporters have been camping around Westminster Abbey. There are fans grumbling, pushing elbowing for space, amidst cameramen and reporters. As the dress rehearsals start, everyone literally jumps in. When Prince Harry comes in his royal car, it becomes a breaking news, as if nothing else is important.

Be it Sainsbury’s, Tesco or even local shops, hundreds of cups, cards, souvenirs of the royal wedding are flooding everywhere, trying their level best to coax the customers. Indeed its a gala affair. Indeed.

After Prince Charles and Lady Diana married, the Britons have been eagerly waiting for this new auspicious revelry. More than them, its William and Catherine who have faced the twists and turns, the rebukes that sarcastically commented their relationships, the frivolous comment of Kate Middleton’s family not being royal, so and so forth.

Eventually, as a simple lady as I am, I do respect the fact that their love story is finally approaching towards a happy ending. And they, indeed have come a long way. It does seem like a fairy tale.

But then, I do not give a damn. And I have my reasons.

To start with, the journalist in me has been quite disturbed by the media space given to this ceremony when other important issues, rather deaths have been causing rampant bloodshed in the Middle East. In Syria, around 450 pro democracy protesters have been killed. In Libya, I cant even count the numbers, anymore. But when you look at the front page of the tabloids and local newspapers, the judgment of giving away most of the page presence to the wedding, sometimes, does boil my blood.

But then, thats what commercialization does. Thats a business now, more than a national celebration. Human emotions are being sold and purchased. And thats when, the beauty dies.

Secondly, its a wedding. For me, marriages are very sacred and private affairs. It can also be because of my deep rooted trust in the Indian culture. Sadly, I do not see the value in such a massive public display of a love marriage. But then again, to each, his own.

Thirdly and most importantly, what disturbed me was the expenditure on the royal wedding. In one of the tweets I read ‘spending up to $60M on a #RoyalWedding when you owe $1 trillion in national debt? There’s hope for you yet, British Empire.’

Hundreds of people are facing the employment cuts, everyday, in London alone. Several are living in the most egregious circumstance. Britain herself is plunging into recession and still fighting it for the past 2 years. There are NATO officials who are not able to be precise in their operations because they do not have finance to invest in fighter jets.

Sadly, Royal wedding is not an investment. Its just an episode, a process, a ceremony or an event.

But then, I shall go and attend it. Its also a history in making, a part of royal essence, at least to some level. And more than that, a happy ending to a beautiful love story!

NATO controls Libya, coalition dents the potential of pro Gadaffi supporters

As NATO under takes the air strikes and control of no-fly-zone into its domination, few things are repeatedly being made clear.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Secretary General at NATO said that the role of these air strikes was just to protect the lives of the civilians and not to cause threat to Colonel Gadaffi’s life.

The rules and regulations of the parameters on which the no-fly-zone is controlled come under the UN Resolution 1973.

Though, the stand of NATO becomes more crucial as countries opposing the no fly zone contemplate that no fly zone is not saving the lives of civilians and is further prolonging the civil war in Libya.

Rasmussen also cleared that at the end of the day; the operations are undertaken by NATO rather than any particular country.

Though, the full command of Libya by NATO would still take few days.

NATO believes that this operation would take next 90 days to complete before it gets terminated.

Defence

Interestingly, Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is defending the stand of his country by acting as a mediator in diminishing the cease fire.

Britain and France, on the other hand are asking the Gadaffi forces to surrender before it is too late. They are also suggesting the officials to start engaging in a political process so that the departure of Gadaffi can be made easier.

Charles Bouchard, the Lieutenant General, says that all the military operations undertaken by the NATO would be undertaken to protect the civilians and with minimum collateral damage in mind.

Though, he chose not to discuss further on the rudimentary aspect of the operational engagements due to safety reasons.

Following the recent updates, the collation air strikes have targeted Colonel Gadaffi’s birth place in Sirte.

Sirte was one of the chief targets of the Libyan rebels as well.

Currently, the significant cities of Ben Jawad, Ras Lanuf and Brega have been captured by the Libyan rebels.

Rebels and victory

Undoubtedly, this tends to be a symbolic victory for the rebels in Libya who have been struggling very hard to take over the control of prime Libyan cities.

The loudness of pro Gadaffi slogans has definitely decreased in the town of Tripoli.  Rather, there are armed men, soldiers and military guards scattered all over the city.

As the air strikes in this North African country has been going on, the power of the rebels has witnessed an empowerment.

On the other hand, the cease fire and strikes by the Libyan government has also witnessed a considerable denting in its potential.

Recently, the coalition troops have also taken control over the city of Nawfaliyah.

The Libyan officials are openly complaining against the role of the coalition forces.  To start with, they are alleging the role of these forces defined for the aid of the Libyan rebels rather than the protection of the civilians.

Secondly, the Libyan government officials believe that Qatar’s intervention in the domestic affairs of the Libyan government is not advisable.

Meanwhile, the Libyan TV channel is broadcasting the footage involving the injured civilians in the hospitals and destruction caused to several buildings by these coalition forces.

The struggle continues, witnessing ten days to this no fly zone operation, inevitably looking out for more such episodes.

The Village Phone Program creates women entrepreneurs

The International Finance Corporation(IFC), a member of the World Bank Group had launched the village phone program to create opportunities, connect communities and to improve lives.

Their main target was to encourage the participation of African women in economic activities of their rural communities.

IFC recently announced that this Village Phone Program had provided credit to around 6,000 women and has trained around 10,000 women in Nigeria, Malawi and Madagascar to set up their own phone services businesses.

This program was launched by IFC in 2007 in Nigeria. It spread to Malawi and Madagascar in 2008.

On the 100^th celebration year of International Women’s Day, Cherie Blair, the Founder of Cherie Blair Foundation for Women graced the ceremony at IFC’s headquarters in Washington.

During this event, the Village Phone Program bagged the ‘Annual IFC CEO Gender award.’ This program has played a pivotal role in partnering major mobile carriers with local entrepreneurs.

This ‘IFC CEO Gender award’ had been created four years ago, to value the priority placed by IFC in working towards sustainable development.

Blair, who herself works in strengthening the number and potential of women entrepreneurs in Middle east, Africa and South Asia, was very pleased with IFC’s achievement.

She said that this initiative by IFC is working towards lowering the gender biases and is definitely increasing the growth of women entrepreneurs in Africa.

Lars Thunell, the CEO of IFC stated that this program clearly states that women play an important role in achieving sustainable development.

The basic concept deals with identifying the rural communities which have little access to needed telephony. Then the local business entrepreneurs in the community are targeted by successful micro-enterprises.

With the purchase of the village phone operator, the micro loan is extended to include solar chargers, antenna, shared phone software, etc. Technical and management training camps are organised.

In order to further promote the village phone business, marketing tools are also provided. Eventually, phone ladies earn by selling air time on per call basis.

The business model of the Village Phone program is based on mutually beneficial partnerships. Its three main targeted sectors are mobile operators, customer community and village phone operators.

The Village phone program has spread to other countries like Bangladesh, Rwanda and Nigeria, creating several success stories.

Though, the program does face several threats. For example, they can be seen under suspicion by the traditional societies because of their connective power.

Moreover, lack of literacy is one of the hassles in the progress and reach of the program.

Nevertheless, IFC has recognised that sustainable development is impossible to achieve without the input from women. To work on this goal, IFC has been partnering with 14 financial institutions from 2007 to aid the women entrepreneurs.

IFC has also played an important role in enacting various reforms that work for the participation of women in their respective communities.

 

The Experience of a British Journalist in South Asia

“It was difficult for me to go back to the frail lady in Pakistan, who had given birth to a very weak baby and report if the baby survived. What if, the baby had not?” Jill McGivering, the South Asian Director of BBC Worldservice, said.

Last year in August- September 2010, Jill had covered the floods in Pakistan. More than cultural differences, she carries few guilts which only journalists can click with.

“I knew I had to say a story. I could not do anything. The guilt of reporting the story objectively rather than helping people.” she confessed.

I have often wondered how difficult journalism can be, when you are in a different country, trying to report emotional traumas.Indeed, the shadows get engraved in the memories, always bringing out the old forgotten taste, no matter how engrossed life becomes.

“Your first flood, first earthquake, first tremor- it stays with you. After you start reporting more, you learn to grow seperate.” she conveyed, filerting her own journey of life.

She revealed how she used to ask herself if some story did not affect her. The ways in which she grew different from what she reported, did make her question the level of humanity she had. She used to see her other colleagues get bothered.

With time, she learnt how to make the hard choice. How to accept her job and the various outputs associated with it.

She also narrated incidents in which she explained her personal conflicts. “Sometimes, I used to have a bottle of water, perhaps the only one left and maybe when someone used to come and ask for it, it made a difficult decision.” she explaied.

How can one bottle of water make a difference, we might think. But the reality is, it does. Especially, when you are in places where even one drop is difficult to manage.

“But then, in the end, you need to sleep well in the night, you need to be hydrated, you need to report. That is your job,” she said. Sadly, she was not able to hide the very sacrifices she must have or might not have made. But definitely had felt.

Sometimes, journalism becomes a personal battle. Life goes topsy turvy. Difficult and unpredictable.

But I guess, the spirit of journalism is more important than anything else. More than name, fame and affluence.

Some people are born journalists, others just live normal lives.

UK Economy faces major slump, again

The world might have believed that the UK economy had prospered, but the results of the last three months reveal the ignored doomsday.

In the last three months, the Britain economy has shrunk in an never before expected manner.

When the Gross Domestic Product of UK’s economy fell to 0.5 pc. The last three months report a bigger drop to 0.6 pc now. The dip would severly effect UK’s standard of living.

Definitely, the UK market needs to wait a little longer to return to the pre-credit cruch state. Investment and constuction are the main reasons behind the continuing slump. The growth of production agencies like mining and manufacturing has been very slow.

Though, the value of pound against Euro might not change, remaining at 1.17 euros, it suffered a set back of 0.5%.

With cosumer confidence collapsing, the economy still needs to fight against inflation and growing unemployment.

Bounceback

Irrespective of the disappointing figures, the economists hope for a bounceback. The bigger squeeze in, starting from the mid of 2011, might pose treacherous risks.

With the value of imports overwhelming those of exports, the expediture and investment faces a strict danger.

Even the concern over the cuts programme foresee debates, if the same situation continues.

Why Mario Draghi should be the next President of ECB?

Mario Draghi, the Italian banker and economist might be the next president of the European Central Bank.  For the past one year, his succession to current President Jean-Claude Trichet, seemed impossible.

His main competitor Axel Weber, the President of German Bundesbank has already left the race. For economists from Germany and France, this is sad news. They wanted someone “German” enough to take the charge, taking into consideration the shattering plunges of financial crunch witnessed by the Euro Zone.

Though currently, Yves Mersch from Central Bank of Luxembourg is definitely another competition. Though, Mersch is known for option for display of force in international relations and economy rather than diplomatic tones.

Another opponent can by Cathy Aston, European Union’s representative of foreign affairs. Unfortunately, she is more in news for brooding over Cameron’s visit to the Middle East as she wanted to be the first “Westener” to do so.

Politics and fiasco

The future seems quite unpredictable for the European Union, as always after the tenacious recession hit the continent. The adoption of the single currency is causing more pressure on the Zone to unite and fight.

Rejecting Draghi does not make sense if the selection is based to suit the images of respective countries and not to actually opt for the best President. Its quite necessary for the European conglomerate to understand the repurcussions which would be caused by the delay.

Draghi and Presidentship

The President should know how to fight against inflation. Incidentally, that is what Darghi is trying to harp upon. He is also compared to Cardinal Richelieu, who is often called as the first prime minister of the world. All this is because, time and again, Draghi has shown how he can face politics and work around it, in a very intelligent and impressive manner.

He knows his deal about government finance and central banking. He has years of experience in both public and private sector.

What shall happen?

Just because he is Italian, does it mean that he should be discouraged? When will the entire European learn to differentiate that every Italian is not Silvio Berlusconi.

Secondly, his four years of work experience with Goldman Sachs is another bogus issue which people are pointing out.

Its high time when Germans should know that they have the right man and they indeed should support him.

The European Union in danger

The glass is smashed. The pieces are jumbled up together in confusion. Stuck. But falling one by one. Will this glass survive?

Well, the European Union faces jeopardising financial times with Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Greece going bankrupt. Who will save them? Let us put it in this way, can Britain and Germany save these nations?

Three year loan to Ireland

UK government has decided to offer a three-year direct loan of £7 bn to Ireland to rescue the once Celtic tiger from financial depression, says BBC. The naked melting of the Irish banking system might indicate the initial rift that might break the European Union.

At the same time, will the loan help a country which needs to strictly devise its budget, spending ways and economy?

On the other hand, will the UK economy face positive results after granting this loan? European officials believe that it might help the bleeding economy of Britain, as in three years, they can earn more by interest rates, business and even cross border negotiations.

The European monetary Union is being pushed too far. So, should Ireland discard the Euro? Till 2002, the Republic Ireland survived with the Irish Pound, which alarmingly fell in comparison with other currencies in the international market during the late nineties.

So, to save its skin, Ireland joined the Eurozone, utterly unaware of the fact that it might face the music again. What about the Irish pride?

At the same time, the officials from the European Union will not let the dream of single currency die. Unfortunately, they might face rejection. Sound nations like Germany and Finland are not ready to bailout Ireland without a coherent plan being in action, says the Daily Crux.

Financial downturn in UK

But how can UK save the entire scenario when her own banks are at high stake? The UK’s debts are expected to rise to 79.1pc of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2010, compared with 124.9pc in Greece, 64.9pc for Spain, 118.2pc in Italy and 85.8pc for Portugal, reveals theTelegraph.

The rescue package might affect the pockets of Britons with around £300 per household more investment in the form of taxes.

So, is Europe going to move in two different directions? Will the team of sisters break?

Surprisingly, United States might pressurize the International Monetary Fund to play a role in the bailout. The loan might prove to be financially advantageous with appealing interest rates and paybacks.

Though, it too is surviving recession, US could work better on a common currency because of having a mobile labor market, portability of pensions and common language, says BBC.

Shattering Glass

German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the site Prison Planet believes, “If the Euro fails, even the European Union will.”

So, should we get a new glass? Dump the broken pieces in trash? Or should we handle it with care and see a better reflection? After all, how many times would we change this glass? Blow after blow? Well, that is impossible.