By Fareed Zakaria, CNN
At the start of 2012, here are the four countries we all need to watch closely: Italy, Iran, Pakistan and North Korea.
Let me explain:
Italy: Linchpin of the euro
The most important country to watch in 2012 is Italy. Italy needs to successfully institute reforms that give the markets confidence. It needs to do more than just deal with its budget deficit and debt - it needs to reignite growth. For the past ten years, the Italian economy has not grown at all.
If Italy manages to stimulate economic growth, it will send a very positive signal to the markets. Italy’s new Prime Minister Mario Monti is bravely and boldly advocating longer work hours and the reform of archaic laws that have made Italian businesses unproductive and uncompetitive.
If Monti succeeds, it will vindicate Germany’s strategy, which has been not to bail out the eurozone countries, but to instead pressure them to reform. Germany knows that the only solution to the crisis of Europe’s Southern economies is for them to become more competitive.
If that starts to happen, two things follow: First, the markets will place less pressure on these Southern European countries because it will be clear that their reforms are working. Second, the Germans will become increasingly willing to accept what would be, in effect, a secret bailout. Germany will not back Eurobonds, which are a public bailout, but it would be willing to let the European Central Bank and the Bundesbank quietly ease a lot of the pressure on the Southern European economies.
Italy’s success is of paramount importance because it has the potential to stave off - or even alleviate - the eurozone crisis. On the flipside, if Italy fails, it is equally significant because the markets will likely start substantially raising Italian interest rates.
Of the Southern economies, Italy’s actions will have the greatest impact on the rest of Europe. Italy has to refinance $500 billion euros worth of debt in the next 18 months. Even the Germans don’t have the checkbook to bail them out. So if the markets lose confidence in Italy, it’s difficult to see how the euro can survive in its current form.
Keep your eye on Italy because this whole game is going to be played in Rome over the next year.
Iran: Acting out of weakness
The next country to keep your eye on is Iran. There’s a tendency when we look at Iran to say, “This country is so powerful; it’s so strong; it’s on the march.” But actually what’s happening in Iran is the exact opposite: Iran is acting out, because it feels weak. (Read my column on this topic in this week's TIME Magazine.)
Internationally-imposed sanctions have hit Iran’s economy quite hard, effectively forcing the government to cut subsidies and make reforms that are very unpopular at home. The Iranian regime is clearly straining under enormous external pressure, which has led to deep divisions within their political establishment.
Read: Fareed Zakaria's reflections on his visit to Iran.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad used to be the favorite candidate of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Now the supreme leader has put forward the idea of dispensing with the presidency entirely. The ruling elite is in flux. In addition to the president and the supreme leader, you have the old guard of people like former President Akbar Rafsanjani and reformers like former President Mohammad Khatami and presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Moussavi. It’s within this context that you have decisions being made both about the nuclear program and about dealing with Western sanctions.
Iran’s behavior reflects these internal divisions. First, Iran said it was going to block the Straits of Hormuz and that it would be “as easy as drinking a glass of water.” Then that was disavowed almost a day and a half later. Iran later made suspicious claims about its nuclear program. And Iran began testing missiles that are not, in fact, particularly threatening. These actions collectively convey an impression of weakness and internal division.
Read: A post-American world in progress.
Meanwhile, Iran’s big international play, which has been the propping up of Syria, is going very, very badly. The Syrian government seems to be running out of money and support. Syria will probably bleed slowly rather than suddenly collapse, but none of it looks very good for the regime in Damascus.
Now one shouldn’t take too much comfort in Iran’s weakness because countries that are weak can cause as many problems as countries that are strong. The continued pressures building on Iran indeed seem pretty dangerous.
Pakistan: An uncivil government?
Country No. 3 to look at is Pakistan, which remains more unstable than people realize. You have a civilian government that is now operating in name only. The president is often not even in Pakistan anymore. He’s often in Dubai where he can immediately receive medical treatment. He also, conveniently, happens to have a house there, just in case something were to happen in civil-military relations in Pakistan. In other words, if there were some kind of a soft coup by the military (there will not be any kind of formal coup), he’s going to be spending a lot more time in Dubai than in Islamabad.
Read: Pakistan, friends without benefits.
In addition, you have a breakdown in the relationship between the United States and Pakistan. The Pakistanis are basically moving to a post-American strategy in Afghanistan, asking themselves how to retain influence once the United States goes. Pakistan’s path to influence in Afghanistan is the Taliban. So all of that means that there is a possible confrontation with the United States; there is a possible confrontation with India; there is a possible confrontation with Afghanistan. And all this is happening while the Pakistani economy is in freefall.
North Korea: The black box
North Korea is the fourth country to watch, only because the truth of the matter is that none of us knows what is going on there. Nobody really understands the regime. Nevertheless, you’ve got to assume that this is very complicated transition. You have a completely untried, untested guy who is clearly the face of the regime (he is the non-threatening figure everybody else can rally around). That will work for a while. But the question is whether or not there are internal rivalries that might break out in the future.
Read: North Korea's moment of truth.
The possible eruption of internal rivalries is one of those events that may have a low probability of happening, but if it does indeed take place, it will have a very high impact. If there were an unwinding of the North Korean regime, it would have huge repercussions for South Korea, China and the U.S. If there were a kind of collapse and sudden integration with the South, it would put tremendous pressure on the South Korean economy and would bring the United States and China into direct military confrontation, because at that point you’d have 40,000 U.S. troops on China’s border.
North Korea is one hot spot where you can’t do much, and you really just have to hope for the best.
These are my top four hot spots of 2012.
What’s on your radar and why?
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We should add the USA as a hotspot in 2012 since the seeds of a violent 2013 will be laid this year.
That will certainly happen if the conservative christian taliban gets any closer to the White House.
YOU ARE WHATS WRONG WITH AMERICA. THANK GOD YOU ARE ONLY THE 10%. I CANT WAIT TO VOTE OUT THIS IDIOT FOR A PRESIDENT SO HE CAN GO BACK TO HIS HATE CHURCH AND BACK TO BEING A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER ....ACORN? WHAT A LOSER!!!
The people that you are thinking of are about as "christian" as Al Gore is a true environmentalist. They are more militant libertarians than conservative christians.
HAY BC, I CAN TYPE IN ALL CAPS. **YOU** ARE WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE USA. YOU SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN TALIBAN LUNATICS ARE THE ONES WHO HATED AMERICA SO MUCH YOU ACTUALLY SECEEDED AND WAGED A 5 YEAR WAR AGAINST IT. GO BACK TO PLAYING YOUR BANJO. AND BTW, OBAMA'S SUPPORTERS AREN'T IN THE MINORITY - HE WON THE ELECTION, REMEMBER???
very true!
@ marko
Lol love that old chestnut. I disagree with them so they are not real (fill in the blank) ..blah blah. I am intrigued by your second statement though. What do you consider a militant libertarian? Whatever your definition I’d like to see your source for numbers. Seeing as Christianity is the largest religion worldwide.
@Will
If you’ve been paying attention to the republican candidates, you’d realize that the Christian Taliban is not a southern issue. Those nuts are everywhere
Actually, BC and Will, you're both what's wrong with America. Extremists on either end of the spectrum can only do harm. Working together despite your religious/political beliefs (which is how the majority of the population acts on a daily basis) is the only way to build a strong successful country. Name calling should be reserved for grade school children...
So true, there's plenty of Christan-o-facists in the cornfields of Iowa.
Jesus loves you!!!
@Will – for your information – you really are the 10%, thank the good lord! And, just in case you haven't noticed, Obama has been elected YET! The lame stream media, non-working college students and the minority voter got that one elected. Everyone has seen his "change". The only "change" has been horrific for me AND this country! Can't wait to vote the idiot out!!!
Just in case you never realized it, the Taliban are a political/militant group that formerly ruled most of Afghanistan and supported the terrorist group al-Qaeda. You must have meant the latter group.
These anti-US posts are chinese..
I would be good with a split of this country, and I am most certainly not alone. You can wander off with your socialist brethren. Since you embody most of the unemployed, you can aspire to be the next Mexico. Meanwhile, I will go with the conservatives that you loathe. We are the hard working, producers. We are also the philanthropists. Don't dispair in your unemployment and poverty though. I can see a guest worker program with your name on it. How are you at manual labor?
There is nothing wrong with being truly Christian! An authentic Christian is an asset to every nation. The problem with American Christians is that they have gotten too morally relative and pragmatic. A true Christian has no fear to denounce abortion as the greatest evil on earth, short of rejecting the Holy Spirit! Abortion destroys what it claims to defend, the freedom, the dignity, and the life of the children-to-be-born and of the women! Yet, how many American Christians have had the courage to say so? Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich did. This is why I support them for presidency and vice-Presidency!
Son, I'm sorry to have to tell you this but you are a totally useless moron, incapable of understanding anything. I certainly hope it isn't heriditary.
What about United SNAKES of America
1, United States foreclosure crisis finally implodes, banks defeated by armed home owners.
2, Government dysfunction becomes official. Congress same as being dismissed.
3, Election dysfunction becomes official. President becomes a wasteful symbol.
4. Tea party controlled states gain tax and currency independence. Dollar abolished in several states.
If you dont like it then go move to a Socialist country!
"Tea party controlled states gain tax and currency independence. Dollar abolished in several states."
Translation: Tea party-controlled states go back to 1492.
Hey BC or Bh@n Ch0.. or whatever,
People should not move to other country if they dont like something. Thats why we re-elect.
I dont like you with pleasure hahahaha!
The majority of these comments are not very smart.
II think Fareed's list is exactly right, especially regarding Italy and Iran. If the U.S. economy tanks, it will be because of what happened in those nations. That's right internet commenters, the global economy is global. Obama (or Romney or Superman) can't save the day by himself. The Eurozone is in recession, not the US. Next time, we should all watch the financial news, not the liberal or conservative commentaries on it.
I agree with Paul. Our current situation wasn't caused by just one administration. When Bush came into office, we had a surplus. He distributed d money & engaged in 2 wars. If anyone else would have done that, we would have labeled him socialist. Do u know what it means for a single country to engage in 2 wars simultaneously? Whatever d president proposes, d other party opposed. He has resorted to taking unilateral actions within his power. D Republicans & their cronies Tea potty have shamelessly admitted to not wanting to bail him out by opposing anything he propose. Because they think people r stupid enough to blame it on Obama.
5. Treason Trials held in the "Flyover Zone".
6. USA re-born.
7. USA becomes energy independent.
8. USA reduces carrier battle groups to three and departs the Med', Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf.
9. USA supports and protects its true friends in the World – all three of them!
We have already gone back to 1492 because the USA has abolished the Magna Carta...so any American can be held indefinetely in military prison without charge or a trial!! With no rights to even call witnesses...this is pre dark age.
Consiering the U.S. was never under the Magna Carta, how the heck could they abolish it? Did you mean the Bill of Rights?
Your predictions are closer to what is going to happen than you might think. There is a growing movement in this country for mass secession from the union. There are 23 states that have held several meetings on this very subject. Most are red states but a few are blue. You better hope you live in one of those which chooses to secede, life in the old union will be as close to hell as you can get before dying.
Will-turn off your caps and cry, go back to where you come from I believe Mexico. It doesn't matter you join Mexico and look for you f dream and freedom there. Tea party states will be perfectly fine, with self-ruled central banks, small businesses, and armed militia.
It didn't work in 1820. It won't work now.
hey lexington, dont forget your robe and hood ok.
Ha ha ha ha ha!!! Ha ha ha ha ha!!!! you are such a joker. We will have all these poor little states accept the ones who have natural resources to plunder. No electricity, no interstates. Just good old fuedal times.
Just like the Confederate States of America, or the states under the articles of confederation. Let's go back to Laissez Faire since that worked out so well for us as well. That was definitely the golden age of the common man..... Oh wait. It didn't. Great article Fareed Zakaria. It was very informative and I learned a great deal from your articles.
Idaho!
You know I just read this book called "The Pirates of Somalia". Your "ideal" tea party state describes Puntland in Somalia to a T, or should I say to a "Tea".
Tea-Hee!
Sorry lexington, you're delusional. The tea party states don't generate anywhere near enough income to be self-reliant.
You do realize that every "tea party" state has a significant net financial gain from their involvement with the federal government (at the expense of places like NY and CA can't say), right? Of course you do. You're full of answers. I'm sure your peer-reviewed economic journal entry is right around the corner, right?
Yeah, the Far Right- ignorant and full of blind religous devotion will be fine in their states. People that want to get rid of Obama have no grounds of sanity. Mitt Romney is a business magnant and will treat the whitehouse as the same. I am all for capitalism but a Mormon cannot run the white house. People that come from Humble early upbringings need to run the white house. We need to do exaclty what Obama is doing, lean out the military and rely on technologies for defense instead of boots on the ground,as well as increase tax rates on higher income households, legalize cannibus with heavy taxation, reduce the allowance of welfare leachers and pump this economy up with good ole fashion consumers. Eliminate the world reliance on credit while we are at it.
Chicken Little crying it's head off: "Doom and Gloom! Doom and Gloom!"
1) Obama out of office in 2012, fer sher. Why else are all these businesses doing hiring now ?
2) More and more drilling for the now estimated 2 TRILLION barrels of oil in North America
Which means more and more cheap gas. And last time we had cheap gas we had
a booming economy
3) America still manufactures 3.5 X more than China. Couple that w/ the cheap gas from #2 and
it's a no brainer. And the PRC is now going thru it's version of the sub-prime mortgage crisis,
in some urban areas prime real estate prices have dropped 30%
4) Somebody has to take care of Iran in 2012, if Iran doesn't inadvertently starts a regional war.
War economy will be the "boom" times again.
You have things wrong. Under Bush, 800,000 jobs a month were lost in his last year, and under Obama, there have been job gains almost every month. Though small or flat when factoring in new workers entering the market, it's still VASTLY better than the nightmare crisis under Bush!
you sir are an idiot im 17 and i can tell that "drill drill drill?" oh yes because the entire country doesnt run on oil so we should dril until all of the oil is gone then have absolutly no way to try to find an alternative fuel source cause everything runs on gas and nothing will work, your stupid,you can go to work because of gas, you have fresh water because of gas, you have electricty because of gas so what happens when we run out? oh yeah everyone dies
@Trololololo – Do me a favor and pls do your research before spewing nonsense. Facts from BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) do not lie unless you think the government agency is holistically collecting data incorrectly period over period. 1) Bush left office in Jan 2009, so in Jan 2008 there were 146.272M jobs and at the end of December 143.324M jobs a loss of 2.948M jobs or an average loss of 246,000 lost jobs per month. Not even close to your ridiculous suggestion. Obama since taking office in Jan 2009 there were 143.324M jobs and at the end of November 2011 140.580M jobs a loss of 2.744M jobs or an average loss of 80,000 lost jobs per month. Not exactly even as you state. Please check your stats, do a little homework, stop tainting readers with nonsense.
@ jarrod
I hear you, I do. However there is no imminent threat of running out of oil. The worse predictions suggested another 50 years or more and that was before the recent discovers. So much so that car manufactures are having second thoughts about electric cars. With weak sales, new supplies of oil and dropping gas prices. I agree we need to find another fuel source, but you need to keep up with events if you want to be taken seriously.
Right on, Anon E. Moose. The Chinese economy is a house of cards, and *will* collapse. It's only a matter of time...
(though the non-China related stuff is a bunch of horse manure)
@Patrick
well im not saying it is a problem today but as you read im 17 witch means as im sure your generation is atleast somewhat aware you completly ****** my generation we cant put the problem off until we need it, i understand alot of the people on here will be dead by then but i dont plan on that so all im saying is that we cant just ignore the problem
I think we should put California on the hot seat.
let them sell pot.
Grow up, the U.S. has its problems but it is nothing like the aforementioned places.
Exactly. You're fighting an uphill battle when you try to tell people that. They like to pretend they live in a 3rd world country on the brink of violent revolution. Why? I don't know... too many action movies I guess.
I think that Pakistan is 100% bogus state. They are dishonest, cheater and robber. They can never be trusted. Truly almost over 99.999% Pakistanis living in USA are sympathizers to terror or anti American group. US must not help at all to Pakistan. Pakistanis in US are law abusers.
Harvey – You write like an Indian. I say, all Indians (including your ugly leader AKA Fareed Ugly Man Zakaria) that are in the US on H1 work visa should be deported! As a matter of fact, I would deport you guys before the Mexicans. The poor wet backs hold jobs the the every day American doesn't want and the every day Dot Head lies on his resume to compete for the jobs we want. That's the difference. This is the only route to a true recovery in the US job market.
I bet most all Pakistanis in the US hate the government they left behind and love the Us because they aren't a tolitarian country in the name of a democracy
Wishful thinking...
I wish the right-wing extremists WOULD finally put their money where their mouths are and violently revolt. It would be an entertaining 2 days...
Ur all a bunch of wing nuts!
The USA is not going to fall apart. You guys have too much time on your hands. Why not use some of it for good instead of BS.
you beat me to it, i was planning to say exactly the same thing, beware the USA, especially if it becomes an extremist religious state
Don't listen to a word Fareed Zakaria says. He is full of it. He always promotes the interests of Pakistan. He will use dishonest arguments to protect middle eastern dictators and with the same logic attack Us middle east policies. He is no friend to America. Hopefully CNN will see the error of their ways and send him packing like Sanchez.
According to your article, WAR is more important than anything in North America...Americans should pay attention to their country (first) and them they should build good ties with their neighbours (second)... But it doesn´t happen, unfortunately...
I'd add Egypt re: leadership transition.
What's on my radar is an awareness that it's very easy to demonise another culture or nation without remembering that the larger population of that place is simply of body of folks like you and me. I would like to see less projection onto those portrayed as "other" and more responsibility being taken for our own part in things.
What a matured response. I see the welcome in our thought process. If politicians could put aside their national, religious & corporate affiliations, world would be a better place to live.
And that Utopian political process exists in your India?????????????
Pramod is not an Indian name, even if it is, he is an American now.
You Pakistanis will be always be anti Americans.
While taking Oath Pramod discarded and completely eliminated affections towards India.
He will take a Bullet for the president like me.
Because we believe.
I don't know where you clown's came from, but please about face and "GO BACK TO YOUR COUNTRIES"
Oh shutup, Charles. Why don't you go back to whatever chunk of dry earth your ancestors came from?
Nationalism is stupid.
Hey Mike Dick talks to me. Amazinggg!!!
Charles your ancestors came from some other continent the first humans appeared came from Africa
Hey Mr. Brown turd skin man, why do I get sun burn if my ancestors were African. lol. Gotta love the logic in the 3rd world.
Good comment!
@james
I have to disagree. I’ve spent a little too much time studying other cultures to believe everyone is just like us. You can’t even say that about Americans and our own population. It’s simply politically correct to say we are all the same. I’m not saying one way or the other which is better.
Hi Sean,
My comment was not specific enough. I agree with you that we're not culturally the same. What I meant to convey was simply that the things that make the news are connected with the politicians, rulers, military bodies, and so forth. The people on the ground just want to carry on with life. My partner is from a Middle Eastern country and now lives here in Canada. His family members, back there, are working people who just carry on with everyday activities. They're not interested in their country being a superpower or not. Thank you for helping me to be more specific. I like that we can all hear one another in a forum like this.
@james
Thank you for your respectful response. I understand your point more clearly now.
Culture is who we are. It is both what we create and an expression of our values and beliefs. If we have different values and belief (most of which are acted upon) then fundamentally we are not the same. The world is a large and complex place. It is my experience that very few people actually have a live and let live outlook. Humans by nature are territorial, insular with their beliefs and violent to anyone that disagrees.
Sir, don't you know rational opinions are frowned upon on these boards?
exactly!!
That's a very noble yet naive comment. I am guessing that you have not traveled much? The idea that everyone else in the world is comprised of "folks just like you and me" is pretty far off the mark and is a great example of US ignorance about the reality of world cultures. I am not even necessarily referring to "Hardworking Americans" vs "Extremist Saudis." I am an American who expatriated several years ago and, after seeing it from the outside, I can honestly attest to how strange and idiosyncratic a place the US is... the ability to form strong opinions without ever leaving your borders is just anathema to me.
I am very thankful for the intelligent outlook provided regularly by GPS's Fareed Zakaria. Always educational,unbiased and to the point. Keep up the good work, Fareed.
Uh no.....he carys the water for Obama like all of the other CNN dorks!!
It's nice that your trailer park manager let's you play with his computer. But you better hurry back to your double wide now. Nascar's on and you won't want to miss that.
Was your brain oxygen deprived as a child? You have to work pretty hard at being so monumentally uninformed! Congratulations, you win the prize for utter lack of critical thinking skills.
I agree with you BC. Zakaria too is a hypocritical dork.
Perhaps you should go to Fox!
"""Perhaps you should go to Fox!"""
It's pretty clear he's already been there. And often.
Zakaria is a long respected foreign policy specialist, journalist, historian, and author.
He is smarter than all of you.
You Nancy-boys wish you could carry his jock...
If you're capable of reading, perhaps you've heard of a magazine called Foreign Affairs? Probably not. Never mind. Just make sure you wash your hands after you pull your thumb out of your... mouth.
Zakaria is no more than a self serving commentator and if you think otherwise, you don't know his true intentions. Which is self promotion and no more.
I bet you say that about anybody better than you.
Oh no, he makes a career through commentary! STOP THE PRESSES!
Oh, wait...that's his JOB. I don't care what his intentions are.
Bottom line is he has a very good track record with being right about these things. What, I should trust somebody who DOESN'T follow these things for a living???
Considering his current position is a step down from his last (or at the very least a horizontal shift), I see it as more of a public service announcement from someone who is well informed, to people who are not. Similarly, the comments section is a bastion of uninformed dolts whose base instinct of hitting things they don't understand with rocks is satiated by smacking their keyboard with their dumb face.
Fareed is repulsive. He looks like an Indian Vampire.
May the power of Christ repel FAREED and his little clan of Indian Vampire bats commenting on these boards..
RACIST
Vampires make valuable contributions to our society every day, and I for one am offended on their behalf that such hatefull comments are allowed on CNN.
help, my neck. The vampire bats are coming. Runnnnnn
Stop talking about Italy Zakaria. You know nothing about Italy, Italians and Italian culture.
They need to break up the EU as a political union, and return the "EU nations" their Sovereignty. Monti is a EU puppet whose loyalty is with the unelected EU government and not with his home county. The EU needs to be a trade agreement amongst sovereign nations, and nothing more.
And yes, we should all know by now that Pakistan is an uncivil government. How about this idea?
Let India deal their uncivil neighbor!
I do agree though with you on breaking apart EU , the people of Germany needs to step up.. I dont know why they let her loose to deal with this mess. Zakaria may not know the Italian culture but he is a powerful journalist who is consulted by nations leaders.
Yes Common Sense, the Eurozone does need to be dissolved. In fact, the idea of the Eurozone is about as good of one as WW1 itself. It's all stupidity. Moreover, these countries need to quit taking orders from Washington D.C.!
Since its origin....The Euro was a complete failure. It made no improvements of fiscal spending and the European economy as seen now by Greece's bankruptcy and now Italy's fiscal downfall.
I remember all the hype about "The Euros way more stable than the Dollar"....That was short-lived!
I'm gonna go ahead and guess that Zakaria knows more about Italy than you do...
Also, note that Zakaria didn't say whether or not the EU should break up or not. He simply stated the conditions it is in. Relax, people.
relax Mike, or are you part of Fareed's legion of Vampire bats.
I totally agree with Tim lau,I am Egyptian and I don't even know what is going to happen tomorrow
You got it FZ !
Rick Santorum... why would anybody want a president whose name is synonymous with bung hole foam? A freak that brings a dead fetus home to meet the family?
The same reason why we have a president that claims hes not a muslim. But hides his birth cirtificate and has a muslim name. Wow....I didnt realize that Libtards were that stupid. I mean you all try to act like you have an education but you all lack.....substance!!!!!!
You goin' out with your cousin Bobbi Sue again this weekend? Or is it your sister's turn?
BC – you are the MORON! Stop typing in all caps, are you addicted to failure – if so, then get GW back!
The teabaggers and haters like you are what is currently wrong with the US of A, Obama was rightfully elected! He didn't need GW's Daddy-warbucks influence with the Supreme Court to appoint him – so eat it and die!
Must feel a little sickening to know you are not just un-informed, but on the wrong side of history!
The only thing that need to be said......BC you are sick in your heart and mind. Check your self in to CW,that the Crazy Ward. There one in your city,tell them to lock you in and throw away the key!!!
قال ناشطون إن 26شخصا على الأقل قتلوا اليوم برصاص الأمن السوري معظمهم بدير الزور، يأتي هذا بعد يوم سقط فيه 23 قتيلا وسط تحذير من أزمة إنسانية تحدق بحمص. في المقابل أفرجت السلطات السورية عن مئات المعتقلين بالأحداث الأخيرة.
وأضاف الناشطون أن ثمانية قتلى سقطوا في دير الزور التي تشهد قصفا عنيفا واقتحاما لعدد من مناطقها.
وبالتوازي مع مقتل المزيد من المدنيين حذرت الهيئة العليا للإغاثة السورية أمس من أن حمص على شفا كارثة إنسانية، وحثت المنظمات الإنسانية على الإسراع بالتدخل
SPEAK ENGLISH YOU TOOL!!!! ALSO TO ALL OF YOU IDIOT SOCIALIST LIBTARDS...OBAMA IS ONE & DONE ..:)
Rick Santorum = bung hole foam. Don't believe me? Google 'Santorum'.
Could you make that font a little bigger? Maybe bold it? Can't see what you mean despite all those CAPS
BC – you are at it again! Grow up!
Maybe you need to learn a bit about other cultures before you spew so much hate!
It's ignorant asshats like you that make conservatives look bad. I think people should learn what the word "liberal" means and stop wielding it like a damned Mccarthy term. Democrats and Republicans have both done good and bad for this country, but by all means exercise your right to look like a a complete idiot.
It's ignorant asshats like you that make conservatives look bad. I think people should learn what the word "liberal" means and stop wielding it like a damned Mccarthy term. Democrats and Republicans have both done good and bad for this country, but by all means exercise your right to look like a complete idiot.
hah, bc, i was reading this article, and usually i don't bother with the forums afterwards cuz its mostly ridiculous people ranting and it's just boring rather than interesting, but you- you are just plain funny and you make me chuckle with your outrageous and ignorant input. thanks for the laugh!!
Is this a joke?
Translation from Google Translate...
Activists said at least 26 people were killed today shot dead by Syrian security forces, mostly in Deir Al-Zour, comes after a day when 23 people amid a warning of a humanitarian crisis staring in Homs. On the other hand the Syrian authorities released hundreds of detainees for the recent events.
The activists said that eight people were killed in Deir Al-Zour being bombarded violent and intrusive for a number of regions.
In parallel with the killing of more civilians warned the High Relief Commission yesterday that the Syrian Homs on the brink of humanitarian catastrophe, and urged humanitarian organizations to intervene to expedite the
Looks like a clip in Arabic detailing actions of the Syrian security forces... which is off-topic and likely posted as a joke.
Pharaphrase from above article:
"Meanwhile, Iran’s big international play, which has been the propping up of Syria, is going very, very badly. The Syrian government seems to be running out of money and support. Syria will probably bleed slowly rather than suddenly collapse, but none of it looks very good for the regime in Damascus."
Activists said at least 26 people were killed today shot dead by Syrian security forces, mostly in Deir Al-Zour, comes after a day when 23 people amid a warning of a humanitarian crisis staring in Homs. On the other hand the Syrian authorities released hundreds of detainees for the recent events.
The activists said that eight people were killed in Deir Al-Zour being bombarded violent and intrusive for a number of regions.
In parallel with the killing of more civilians warned the High Relief Commission yesterday that the Syrian Homs on the brink of humanitarian catastrophe, and urged humanitarian organizations to intervene to expedite the
نوع اللغة الإنجليزية هذا هو شبكة سي أن أن
Syria really should be on this list. There have been stories of Syrian ambulances which drive into middle of protests only have to armed guard members stepping out and shooting on the crowd.
سوريا يجب ان يكون حقا في هذه القائمة. كانت هناك قصص من سيارات الاسعاف التي تدفع سوريا الى وسط
احتجاجات لا تملك إلا أن أعضاء حارس مسلح يخرج واطلاق النار على الحشد
Interesting and poignant Fareed. However, a confrontation with the Chinese? That is tantamount to biting the hand that feeds you. The US has to get out of the confrontation business as it has rarely yielded any dividends for "we the people".
I'll add the US. It's an election year, the President just announced a "leaner' military, lots of cut backs etc. It will be interesting to see their responses to world issues and also to a possible change in President, if any.
WE HAVE AN IDIOT AS PRESIDENT THAT WANTS TO MAKE THE US WEAK!!!
Rick Santorum likes to wallow in his own bung hole foam.
BC – the main idiot on here!
By the way, is that when your knowledge and understanding of civil rights and history STOPPED, Before Christ?
Dear BC,
Please go back to school and get a decent education. Also, it seems that you need to get out often and realize that there is a bigger world out there than what you live in. When you live and breathe in a world that is filled with hate and ignorance it shows through your thinking and your comments
I would probably throw the entire African continent in as a strong 6th.
Africa as a hole has been irrelevant for a very long time.
Mr. Zakaria's analysis of Iran misses the point entirely. If they join the nuclear club then all these issues are irrelevant because they will be treated with a new deference and will set policy in the middle east and obtain almost whatever they want for their regime. Is Europe going to sanction a nearby nuclear power with a willingness to use the weapons? No.
What we sorely need to do is to sit down with the Iranians at the negotiating table and work out our differences. A war between Iran and the U.S. will be just as senseless as WW1 and most modern scholars today know what a bad idea that was!!!
Israel has their finger on the pulse in Iran via covert operations. If/when they believe a nuclear weapon is imminent they'll strike and make sure that doesn't happen. We'll see war before we see a nuclear Iran. It's that simple.
awesome, and I think once the bombs make there way to Iran, someone should just nuke Israel. Ahh, what a beautiful sight that would be.
I would say while those nations are important to watch that we need to watch ourselves first. We are seeing large protests with the occupy movements along with the growing number of home grown militias. Unrest in our nation due to a crippled economy and a failed attempt at leadership. A congress that can't seem to agree on anything and massive unemployment. I fear that if we don't start fixing things here we will see an Arab Spring type revolution on our streets and that will have an enormous effect on the world and our allies. In order to help others stand we must be able to do so ourselves. I'm 18 years old and seem to have more sense than half of our leaders.
Thank you, Zack. I'm an old man but I agree with everything you said above. Either Rick Santorum or Mitt Romney will be nominated to run against Obama and whichever one wins, this country loses bigtime and we'll be plagued with poor leadership for years to come!!!
Thank you, and I completely agree with your statement as well.
Zack
Having watched the world for half a century, I can honestly say this is the FIRST time I have ever felt that societal order is on the brink of collapse.
We would be well served indeed to bring our resources and our troops home, because I suspect we may need all we can muster of both right here at home.
Its 1968 all over again, and alas this time the stakes apear to be much higher.
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Not that it's necessarily a threat but I would throw Brazil's emergence as a rising world power to the list of countries to watch in 2012.
That depends on your definition of world power. They are on the rise but nowhere near even the second strong players.
string*
....One has to mention Venezuela then- Oil, a turn towards socialism and bitter division are found in a country that stays on Washington's mind. The elections at the end of the year (and the lead-up to it) are events to watch this year.
Leave Pakistan alone please !!!
I agree with you, k. Unfortunately, we won't!!!!!
NO!!! THEY HID BIN LADEN. THEY ARE NOT OUR FRIENDS.
Rick Santorum would have us in another war quicker than you can say " bung hole foam ".
Another shoddy piece of pseudo journalism from swarthy skinned sycophant aka Freddie Zako.
The hotspots to watch in 2012 are:
1. USA: The most belligerent, jingoistic and intolerant country on earth.
2. Israel: The fanciful and false Zionist state created by usurping land and resources from the rightful owners
3. India: The ubber 3rd world, dirt poor, poverty stricken, disease laden, conflict ridden, pseudo nation of multiple ethnicities, cultures and religions (some of them full of hatered towards the other), masquerading as the tech. leader of South Asia.
Thank you, Al-Maghrib. I couldn't have said it any better!!!
Jingoistic. What the loosers always call the victors. One month to Bahgdad. Their neighbors couldn't do it in 8 years. And we played nice. Freed those idiots, gave them billions, showed them how to do it, then left their arm pit country. What countries serve their citizens best? The free trade capitalistic pig countries.
It is clear which dark hole of the universe you come from!
And your problem with the US is what? That we even tried? If we were truly the evil empire it wouldn't be named Iraq anymore.
Zakaria's reference to pakistan got your goat, didn't it? Hello, Mr Pakistani! Grouping the US, Israel and India is a favorite pastime of the Pakistanis, isnt it?
Jealous much ?
Resent your betters ?
All of the aformentioned states out-do & out-shine the Muslim World.
As for any domestic dissension & protesters actually overthrowing any Govts (US, Israeli, India)
the only threat the likes of OWS present is to their own sorry selves. The only fatalities have
been self-inflicted (e.g. drug overdoses, criminal assaults, etc) and the movement is adrift
w/ no strategic plans forthcoming.
The very extremism Pakistan exported to the world is eating it up now from within and there is no hope for this country since everybody lives in utter Denial in the country and they feed it to each other. As long as they don’t trouble the rest of the world who cares if they take their country back into the Stone Age.
Regarding Italy, why is economic growth always the objective? Why should it be necessary in a country with a declining population and with very high living standards? Shouldn't maintenance of economic consumption be the objective? I mean to stay, the achievement of a steady-state for the economy? Requiring unlimited growth of all economies, mature and developing, is an antiquated idea from neoclassical economics that obviously isn't working for too many people on a global level. Unlimited growth is not only impossible but will be our demise.
Socialist!!!
j/k
Mexico should be added due to the drug wars. Pull the troops out of Afghanistan and put them on the U.S.-Mexican border. Stop the flow of drugs and illegal aliens coming into the U.S.
Sure...go ahead and open that can of worms....we need another knee-jerk reactor just like you back in office
Further to your comments on North Korea, it is instructive to follow the Korean National News Agency (of the DPRK, ie N. Korea), which has not updated its web-site in some days, contrary to its pattern of daily, tho' wearying, short and empty news bulletins.
Mexico. Mexico. Mexico. Greece. Doug.
????
hey, zakaria, we should add you to the top of the list, as a sane mind threat
Fareed looks like a troll.
Hot spots to watch? Well, yeah. Unfortuantely, that's become US policy. Watch. Watch Iran develop nuclear weapons potential, for example. Watch, and maybe talk. But do nothing. Insane.
Dear Mr. Zakaria:
Here's a response I wrote today that fits in well here:
It's Pakistani power politics in full play.
As Gen. Musharaff and even several Taliban leaders have themselves openly claimed, the Taliban cannot lift even their little finger w/o the Pakistani military's nod! Given that fact, this killing is nothing surprising. The Pakistani military and ISI, and in turn the Pakistani govt view such killings ONLY AS COLLATERAL DAMAGE (calling them Martyrs) in their quest to keep the war going. To that end they have systematically eliminated anyone intent on making peace with the US and the Karzai regime.
Why do they do it? To keep the US and Western aid flowing, and to bring America on its knees by continuing to bleed us, just as they are doing with India by locking up half a million Indian soldiers by pushing in a mere couple of thousand die-hard, well trained, religiously motivated Islamic guerilla fighters. As we know most of the aid so GLEENED goes straight into the Pakistani military coffers, while pretending that they are themselves victims of terror. That also serves as a cover to quietly add to their nuclear stockpile, convinced that the US will YET AGAIN turn a blind eye in view of the Pakistani partnership in the war on terror.
All this has one laser focused goal – of carrying forward the Saudi inspired, Pakistani delivered goal of exporting Islamic Jihad to the west, bring the west, Israel & India on its knees and eventual Islamization of the entire world.
Many people incl. CNN's own rabidly anti-Semite, America/India/West hating Mr. FAREED ZAKARIA are overtly & covertly working to ensure just that, while outwardly pretending to be American patriots and ONLY NOTIONALLY condemning radical Islam to hoodwink gullible & naive Americans.
Unless America, Europe (b4 it's completely lost), India and Israel join hands to tame this Islamic demon once & for all, our demise as free, secular, democratic nations is definite........if not in the coming years/decades......may be even if it were to take a century!
If only we look at the examples of how predominantly Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish lands have fallen into the Islamist's lap with all traces of their non-Islamic past totally erased, to what is currently underway in Europe, India, Israel and also right here in America, nobody can call them mere doomsday prophecies!!! When we do realize that they indeed were true…….it may be just too late!!!!
GOD BLESS AMERICA.....GOD BLESS INDIA......GOD BLESS ISRAEL.
Amit-Atlanta-USA
Are you advocating a world war in order to "tame this Islamic Demon?"
TRH - Inevitable ! ! !
I agree 100%, and this is what is going to happen, unless the American congress understands what the islamic people are trying to do. The American congress and the European union are both stupid and they are just harming their own people. you need to stop Iran from making any progress as far nuke is concern. Just blow them apart, and show them the air power, and they will never come back and bug you. Stop sending them any aid and they will be closer to death.
You guys are just hilarious. An Indian and a Israeli actively blogging about where the United States of America should wage it's next war. Here's my opinion, maybe we should have India finally grow a set and fight Pakistan and China and push Israel to fight it's own war with the entire Middle East utilizing it's own troops. We can sell them ammo and cheer them on. I guess this would be the inverse of what these 2 regimes are doing to us right now.
Oh Yeah, my opinion counts more because I'm an American. We fight for our lives, not your's. Welcome to 2012. GFY!!!
Just because you put on a name "Charles" that does not make you an American. You are a racist pig full of ignorance. All the above commentators are Americans no matter how Arabic or how Pakistani their name sounds. Even if some Paki scoundrels sound Anti-American. But what are prisons for, put them in prison.
Hey Gerry, my name is not put, I was named. You are a foreigner on my turf. Back da F up!!!
I agree with everything except the concern about Korean reunification. If the North and South reintegrate, the 40,000 US troops can go home and need not stay on China's doorstep.
sooner or later the hot spot should be the u.s.this country should divide.we are not enough alike anymore.our ideas of what government should be.
Far, FAR too dumb to comment upon ! ! !
I think our own country bears watching also. I think of a Republican president along with a Republican-controlled House AND Senate and my blood runs cold.
TRH - ABSOLUTELY CORRECT ! ! !
lets just bomb everyone in europe and asia
Don't forget that Pakistan is now on the U.N. Security Council for the coming year. That hsould make things even more interesting.
I would add Iraq to the list. If the country falls back into chaos – will the US turn it's back. After all, we created helped create it.
I don't think we would have a military confrontation with China at all in Korea...If the N. Korean gov't collapses so be it, let them reunite and let's withdraw our troops from there and bring them home. Personally i would add Iraq to the list of nations to watch in 2012, there already have been bombings in Baghdad and 2012 is 5 days old. Iran is probably behind the strife there.
I would say that China and Somalia are also places to watch this coming year. China is about to transition into a new leadership with a President that is known for his more assertive positions and quoted many times saying that he will not be pushed around. China is also stepping up the Communist propaganda in order to win legitimacy for the Party. Lastly, and probably most important, China is egregiously asserting territorial claims in all of the South China Sea which may be the flash point between China and the rest of Asia/USA. Vietnam and South Korea have had anti-Chinese protest after separate incidents involving Chinese fishermen and Chinese territorial claims and the Communist Party does not seem to be changing it's assertiveness anytime soon.
Somolia speaks for itself almost. The Transitional government still has virtually no control over the country and with Kenya mobilizing without international support, this looks like a volatile situation that seems to continually spiral downward.
I would add:
1. Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya: Those countries are going through profound changes.
2.Syria: There is still a bloody uprising.
3. The entire European Union: Those countries realize that the status quo is not working.
4. Turkey: There was an overhaul in Turkey's foreign policy in 2011 and may continue.
BC: go back to whatever rock you live under & get the facts: whatever "god" you believe in couldnt fix the mess that W started and left to be cleaned-up. also, the health-care plan is/was based on the MA plan-"forcing" all people in MA to have ins. oh! and who was the governor at the time?? ROMNEY! USA founded on religious freedom-which means i can believe in ANY "god" i want...or dont want. you morons want a "smaller" gov't; yet you want to tell me who i can sleep with; or that i cant have an abortion: my body-my choice. UT just banned the "happy hour" so much for separation of church & state. the religious right is NEITHER! obama/biden 2012
Where should America look?
How about at AMERICA. How about throwing money at helping its OWN people instead the rest of the world? How about that?
Wow. Election year and America is not on the list?
I think a 5th country to look out for is Nigeria.. Directly it might not be a threat to the US but the current terror acts plotted and executed by the Boko Haram could destabilize a region already worn out with the dust of war.
Unlike the traditional civil war and coup's West Africa is used to, what is happening in Nigeria with Boko Haram is on another scale which even first world countries like America find challenging in battling.
Nigeria being one of the biggest economies in Africa might spiral into economic abyss should Boko haram succeed in driving out investors – Americans, Europeans and Chinese hence turning the country into a failed state.
This of course will have a knock on effect on the other countries as a failed Nigerian state in the arm of terrorist will begin bullying their neighbors.
"Politicians are the lowest form of life on earth. Liberal Democrats are the lowest form of politician." –General George S. Patton, J
It's very difficult to omit Russia and China from this list, particularly since there will be leadership transitions in both countries this year. I also agree with those who argue in favor of Egypt and Turkey. Finally, avoiding the failed state scenario in Mexico will always be a vital interest of the US.
Zakaria's articles does not sound objective and has an underlying agenda, his articles are just frivolous!!!
The only reason any of these countries matter is if they declare war on the US and invade us. Otherwise, who cares what Pakistan does. Or North Korea. Or Iran. Or Italy and the friggin Euro. The one place Americans need to keep their eye on is America and fixing our broken down, dilapidated country. The American government has been much too concerned with the world view and playing Global Thermonuclear Police Force rather than looking inward.
The number one hot bed in 2012 will be the United States.
After reading all the comments here.
If we have lot of folks like BC, GOD help us (not sure which GOD).
"""After reading all the comments here. If we have lot of folks like BC, GOD help us (not sure which GOD)."""
Which God? How about ALL of them? Maybe if we add them all together they'll amount to something approaching omnipotence.
Or not.
Happy New Year
Yeah isn't it a great idea for us all to work longer for the same pay so that we can compete with each other and make the rich elite (and that include you Fareed as their voice) richer. Great plan. Never going to happen.
Watch as our DICK-TATER puts the finishing touches to the end of AMERICA!
The Detroit 3 automakers are hiring thousands. Maybe you should move to Michigan.
Mr. Zacharia. It is very clear that Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan will not only be hot-spots, but the problems that are brewing within each of these countries wil "touch and concern" the rest of the world. Please tell us something that we do not know.
How about Latin America? Thoughts?
I'm worried about violence, and war in America if the GOP doesn't get its way in the electons this year.
I lost my poodle other day and found in my neighor's house cuddling with another poodle. !!
Rick Santorum would have both of the poodles burned at the stake.
If a republican wins the Presidency, you can bank on the US economy pretty much going down the tubes all over again. It's because of republicans who haven't the slightly clue of modern Keynesian economics that we have such a rotten economic situation as we do today...a situation that will take years to fix, even under best-case scenarios.
Fareed is the ugliest man on TV.
It's not that he's ugly so much as his head to body ratio being 2:1. You notice they never show him walking? It's because he's so topheavy he can't walk without falling down.
good analysis. I couldn't agree with you more. Besides his looks, his accent really get's under my skin. It seems like he flexes his anus every time he make's a power statement.
@Charles – I think that may just be gas.
CNN though I understand has been trying to infect him with multiple sclerosis so they can wheel him around in a chair and wait for him to make prophetic statements in an electronic voice.
Anderson Cooper got reprimanded late last year for saying "That's not a forehead, that's a fivehead."
Let countries within those regions worry about those four and lets mind our own business. We have enough to worry about buy just looking at the comments here from our intellectual giants.
Is Obumbles still patting himself on the back for the amazing job he's done in Egypt and Libya? He took two contained countries, moderately friendly with the west, and turned them into havens for violent Islam. He had a chance to do something about an uncontained, rogue nation in Iran that is anti-American and did less than absolutely nothing.
Right, we needed to go to Egypt and Libya for 10 years, spend trillions in dollars and thousands in American lives and then complain about spending.
Not to worry. Rick Santorum would have us in another war quicker than you can say "bung hole foam".
Rick Santorum looks like a genetic cross between Liberace and Paul Lynde. Wonder why???
dang i should vote for him then anyone with a brain can realize what this country needs is some form of total war eco., thats the only thing that will help, and if you dont believe me or think im crazy go ahead look at statistics from pre and post wwII eco. youll see that it boomed afterwards, and wwI is the only thing that saved us from the depresion
disregaurd that last part about wwI i miss spoke
i ment WWII pulled us out of the depresion
"""Is Obumbles still patting himself """
Want to be taken seriously here? Dump the childish name insults and discuss this like an adult.
That wouldn't be much fun, now would it? Many of us are waiting for the day that we have the technology to have virtual fistfights with other forum posters.
JERRY JERRY JERRY!!!
Zakaria's big fish head should be added as a 5th hotspot.
lol. and handed over to the Big Game Hunter!!
Italy alone is not going to save the euro. France is in trouble now and the very serious argument that the EMU was a mistake and the EU itself can never remedy its democracy gap without eliminating national sovereignty, are forces that cannot be stopped. Britain's argument, that Europe should revert to a simple EFTA free trade area is gaining ground.
On North Korea, unification would not put "40,000 U.S. troops on China's border". For one thing, the numbers have been reduced to about 28,000. And they are near Seoul. There is no reason to believe they would be moved far north to the Chinese border if unification were to happen.
The troops in Korea when compared to the size of the Chinese army mean nothing.
@areyoukiddingme – Army size of China means nothing. If we fight China it will go nuclear relatively fast and it just depends on who launches 1st. We each have enough nukes to destroy the planet at least 100 times.
@Patrick
That is not as concrete as you may believe. Both sides do have nukes and know if one launches so will the other. Insuring mutual destruction. It is far more likely a conventional war would be waged until one side or the other became desperate. Then it would be a race to secure said nations nuke sites before they launched.(if they haven’t already) Even in this event it is again unlikely if the U.S. has the upper hand. The U.S. promotes a hearts and minds approach (no matter how many times it fails) China would be left with the option to launch their nukes insuring its own death or accept defeat, smile, nod and wait for us to rebuild their nation for them and go home. I agree however that China’s numbers are only a consideration depending on where the primary battles are. People underestimate the logistic of moving a force that size and keeping it operational. To say nothing of the U.S. Navy wiping the floor with the Chinese navy.
The real threat of a nuke being used is from extremist countries like Iran and North Korea.
Another hotspot to watch is the western european archipelago (And it's associated nations of England, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and Ireland). Northern Ireland has a census looming that could require a unification referendum (if the majority of Ulster identify as "Irish"). Also, Scotland plans to vote on independence. Heck, even England itself is considering withdrawing from the UK to avoid having to foot the bill in Belfast, Glasgow, and the Falklands. Not to mention paying for Royal weddings with taxpayer loot. There's alot of bad blood on those islands folks. Don't sleep on the Celts and the Anglos in 2012.
Hot spot number 5 is the United States of America. How will we react to the other four hot spots? Will we sanction an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear installations? If push comes to economic shove will we come to europe/Euro's aid. Will the neo-isolationists force the US to withdraw all support for Pakistan? How we deal with the four hot spots and under whose leadership will be a critical factor in 2012.
The group said 69,000 people have been detained over a-nine month period and more than 6,800 people have died, including more than 600 by "torture."
"Of the 69,000 detained since March, over 37,000 people remain in detention and about 32,000 people have been released, many of them bearing scars from torture and violence," Avaaz said. The group said it confirms deaths or arrests with "three independent sources, including a family member of the deceased and, in the case of a death, the imam who performed the funeral procession."
I agree with the USA needing to be on that list. While yes, events in any of the mentioned countries will definitely have some sort of reaction on our markets, the giant, steaming pile of dung that is our economy along with the fact that people can't find jobs or receive health care or eat while a select few hoard all the wealth is pretty much a major catalyst for revolution in any country.
Also, to the folks crying about the Mexican/US border...The higher ups (those our President answers to..and it's not we the people) will never TRULY allow restricted access along the Drug Belt. Too much money is being made off of the South American Drug Trade for anyone to ever seriously consider doing that. Mexico is just a gateway. Get with the program.
I'm going to worry about if I put catsup or muster on my hotdog, maybe both.
I'd add China since their military is growing at astonishing rates and it also poses a threat to the U.S. strategically.
Great Article!
A very uninteresting small country compared with more important issues like the ones cited in this article, but I have always had curiosity about what is, if any, Fareed Zakaria's opinion on Cuba.
A writing on this country's situation and future possibilities would be very appreciated.
Forgetting the media fanfare for a minute every TRULY knowledgeable reader knows that N.Korea is much less evil than the proudly Islamic (& un-Secular!) Pakistan whom we consider as an ally (ALL-LIE).
It’s a pity that the otherwise immensely talented/hard working N.Koreans remain among the most oppressed, ignorant, brainwashed people on the face of this earth, so much so that they almost behave like Zombies! A classic display of that group mentality was the large-scale public mourning at the passing away parade of Kim Il Jhong!
And, the N.Korean leaders themselves remain subservient to the Chinese who are the real forces behind the scenes…. to prevent American influence washing up their shores in the event of reunification.
Hey E.T. – GO HOME!!!
Poor Zakaria, AIPAC won't even let him say "Israel" anymore.
My "hotspot" to watch for 2012 is people with computers and Internet connections – who are allowed to post ridiculous comments on blogs.
Happy New Year!
Pakistan will spiral into mayhem no matter how much $ we give them. Solution: Let India deal with them.
Iran? Solution: Take out their weapons before they go nuclear.
Italy? Solution: Merge Italy and Germany into one country–Geritaly. Euro solved.
N. Korea? Give N Korea to China, let them handle it.
Then we can cut back on our military spending and quit trying to be the worlds cop and we can start fixing our problems here in America. Like jobs, the economy and slashing the pay and benefits our useless congress pays themselves.
you have all the answer's.
So next time you'll bomb Italy?
or breed a new Island if Sicily.
Yeah... I´m lucky that Brazil is not on this list... Otherwise, I would live inside a bunker!!
@Charles_Widmore
You Said: " An Indian and a Israeli actively blogging about where the United States of America should wage it's next war."
Are you serious, Sir? Could you answer these please?
a) Did India/Israel ask America go fight in Af-Pak.?
b) Did India/Israel start the war on Islamic terror?
c) Did India/Israel urge the FBI to start monitoring mosques & also many Muslim communities right here in America, or identify Muslim sounding names for extra scrutiny at our a/ps?
d) Was it India or Israel (discounting the conspiracy theorists) that urged Al-Qaeda to wreck havoc on 9/11?
e) Was India/Israel responsible for trading in WMDs the way Pakistan did? ( A Q Khan is a MERE sacificial lamb who carried out the Pak govt's Jihadist agenda, even though he surely is one of the most virulent hater of all things un-Islamic, just the way some Muslims are).
f) Is it India/Israel that's facilitating large scale human smuggling to alter the demographics of Europe, America?
g) Is it the Hindus/Jews who are rampantly recruiting drug addicts, criminals, rapists from prisons, drug rehabs across Europe/America just to swell their ranks?
h) Are you aware who is Islamic Pakistan's #1 sworn enemy (& of most Muslims worldwide incl. in the UK!) ....it's NOT India, not even Israel, it's America!
i) Do you see any Hindu/Jewish media barons involved in promoting every Hindu/Jewish cause the way Mr.Zakaria does.....only little more sophisticatedly!!!
The list goes on & on & on.
Would you still say India/Israel are urging America to fight their wars Sir?
absolutely!! I'm actually astounded that you know most of the alphabet. Bravo!!!!!
and you should be ashamed of yourself!
why big George? I'm not an inbreed like you?
1) True, Italy's PM Monti is advocating longer work hours. He demonstrated his sacrifice by working for the government without salary.
2) Iran's domestic affairs would not be so much of a threat to the outside world, but Israel's profound fear towards Iran's nuclear program could escalate the conflict.
3) True, Pakistan's president Zardari has a house in Dubai. He and His late wife Benazir Bhutto left for Dubai in 1997 after charges of corruption were brought against her.
4) A palace coup in North Korea would be meaningful and successful if the usurpers get help from outside, from China most unlikely, from the West, probably.
It is funny that liberals are just beginning to realize that there are people in the world that want to kill Americans.
It couldn't be that any of our foreign policies had anything to do with it, could it?
and it's amazing how many people in the trailer parks are watching the news.
Michael Hayden has it backward when he said that we left Iraq too soon. I say that we left 8 and a half years too late!!! We never had any right to be there in the first place.
I'd say the same, but no one listens!!
a definite hotspot is Australia. those kangaroos mean business.
or Spanish Harlem. the *iggers and *pics have gone mad.
Choke on it, Charles.
Israeli police have issued restraining orders to a dozen settlers barring them from entering the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli military described the group as "extremists" suspected of involvement in violence targeting Palestinians and Israeli forces.
The bans run for up to nine months.
Israeli authorities have announced plans to stop so-called "price tag" attacks carried out by Jewish extremists in response for any action taken against settlement expansion.
There has recently been a series in arson attacks on mosques and a reported rise in vandalism against private Palestinian property.
Israeli military bases in the West Bank have also been targeted. Israeli soldiers are based in the territory to protect Jewish settlers but are also responsible for carrying out demolition orders of illegal outposts.
According to Israeli public radio restraining orders were handed out in two right-wing settlements close to Nablus, Yizhar and Elon More, and three outposts.
The IDF statement said they were the result of "a specific security necessity", issued "after exhausting all other alternatives."
It said the Shin Bet internal security service had gathered information that "the group of extremists has been involved in leading, directing and executing violent and clandestine activity targeting Palestinian residents of Judea and Samaria [the West Bank] and security forces operating in the area, therefore endangering lives and disrupting public order".
"New steps"
Last month, after an incident at an Israeli army base, the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said a list of administrative measures was being taken.
Israeli soldiers are brought in to stop clashes between settlers and Palestinians Under the new regulations, the army will now have the authority to detain offenders, as well as the police, and they will be tried in military courts rather than in civilian courts.
In the past, Israeli police have made arrests of individuals suspected of being behind "price tag" violence but none has been charged.
The Palestinians have criticised what they see as a lack of serious action by Israel to stop the attacks on their communities.
There are more than a hundred Jewish settlements in the West Bank, territory that Israel captured in the 1967 war. They are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.
There are also dozens of outposts which were never authorised by the Israeli government.
Palestinian officials demand a halt to settlement construction in occupied territory which they describe as "an obstacle to peace".
hey *ick for brains. Stop spamming your pro Palestine turd.
if the jews would kill all the arabs the conflict would be over and the world a better place.
actually, they both killed each other... babooom... ahh what a site!!
Read your history. Learn why the UN doesn't help. Read the Charter of Hamas. Find out what the relationship between the Muslim Brotherhood (Egypt) and Hamas is. Learn who provides water, power, currency and banking to your beloved intractable and ever-posing-as-a-victim misnamed Palestinians.
I wish Israel would stop supplying any help to Gaza and the West Bank. Let them get help from Iran, Syria, Egypt; anywhere but Israel.
Israel no longer has to provide any support to Gaza as it is now under Hamasi control therefore its Hamas problem and everything that goes with it
Israel demands rocket attacks stop but they continue to be launched at Israel. Why doesnt the Gaza Strip be integrated with Egypt and the west back integrated with Jordan after all jordan population is comprised of a lot of palestinians including the queen. then we would have Egypt Israel and Jordan all fixed
My no.1 issue is watching the ignorance of americans (especially on these boards) continue. Although I don't want this to happen, it clearly is.
Jon Huntsman 2012! The only legitimate candidate on either side.
get a life!!!
Maybe we should "watch" our own country for a change instead of trying to police the world and look for WMD that don't exist.
go back to work on the set of Family guy.
Hey charles_Widmore,
EAT SHlT YOU LITTLE TURD NUGGET!!!!!!!!
Well, Mr. Zakaria, here's my list.
#1: China. China has engaged in state-sponsored theft by economics for a decade. If they continue and we do nothing, then we'll keep losing ground.
#2: Ourselves. If we do not deploy policies and programs which match China's approach to global industrial domination, we'll continue to lose ground. (Set aside that that may be a WTO violation; China's gotten away with it, we should too). If we do not immediately invent ways to stop importing oil from enemy states, we're just dumb. That includes building refining capacity in Detroit in lieu of a big pipeline across the country, for example.
#3: Russia. If we admit yet another communist country to the WTO, after seeing what China's done, we're just stupid.
#4: Brazil and India (tie): We should recognize them as budding Chinese acolytes on the economic front
#5: Israel. As the only democracy in that region, and the likely target of Iran's threats, along with threats from the flowers of Arab Spring, specifically a rapid rise of governments dominated by Islamic law and sharia traditions, they are our only ally, and we would be unwise to abandon them in any form for even one second.
#6: Pakistan. Pakistan is unstable. And they have nuclear weapons. Take care.
#7: North Korea. More likely, and capable, of launching a bomb than Iran, and even crazier.
Iran isn't even on the list, because they never do what they say, especially when it comes to war. Not that we shouldn't help Israel blow up everything in sight which is nuclear; Iran has (I think) the #2 natural gas reserves on the planet, so they could have built turbines for power cheaper and faster than nuclear plants, so we all know what they're trying to do.
As for America's policies, it is time for all policies to be about Americans first, specifically those who built the country, and those who continue to work on it every day: the middle class.
On the foreign front, our economic policies should be a bit more like EU nations today. They don't permit many, many actions on their soil to make darn sure they have jobs available for their citizens. They do state-fund enterprise, a bit like China does. We're still #1, so now is the time to really jam a policy shift to protect our jobs. We're the only country which really doesn't.
Finally, let's see if we can broadly correct what I call America's Errors.
#1: The belief that we can, or should, save anyone from themselves. Foreign and domestic. Foreign policy that means we don't rebuild, ever, if we have to bomb. We don't send food to North Korea.
#2: The belief that other nations which are not explicitly allies are telling us the truth. They're not. They'll lie when the stakes are high.
#3: The belief that capitalism leads to democracy.
#4 The belief that democracy leads to freedom.
I'll be amazed if you read this. But, if you did, thanks for listening. (Solid fan of yours)
Fareed seems to be a SME on every global issue.
He's just a good writer.
We all seem to expect too much from media figures.
I kind of agree with you.
Mr. Zakaria has this uncanny "DESIRE" to stay in the limelight and showcase his all round credentials by trying to comment on everything under the sun. He has evolved his style of "PROPHESIZING’ by "merely" stating the obvious by sewing & weaving already well known facts/trends....something that's a no brainer to majority of informed Americans!
A little bit of analysis of Mr. Zakaria’s writings reveals his immense ability to bring in his passionate issue of propping up Islamic causes, and trashing America & the west in any discussion. In that quest he bashes up anyone/anything that comes in the way – notably America, America’s freedoms, and America’s fairness, albeit…..…so covertly (pretending to be an American patriot!) that, most gullible readers can’t even decipher!
This also has a long way to go in his quest for netting a coveted public psoition such as the US Secretary state to carry forward his agenda. No wonder during the 2004 election a web site appeared out of nowhere urging the next US president to appoint him as the next US Secretray of State. Mr. Zakaria himself gave credence to that by saying in an interview for the New Yorker (?) that his friends wanted him to be a US Sec.of State!
So what Americans are increasingly aware is that there are a lot of motivations behind Mr. Zakaria's writings/utterings!
Yup, and that is how you land a cushy job with CNN !
I see a lot of bias in your comments when it comes to Pakistan. Well you are of Indian Origin and you should be proud of your origin indeed but that doesnt mean that you should be anti-pakistan.
Charles Widmore – I am sorry to disappoint you, but today's world needs to persist as one of global intercommunication and understanding. It is sad that people like you still exist. As a youth of this country, I can only hope that you're insensitive comments and ideals resonate through from another time – a time which is quickly losing its place in the modern world. If this country is to thrive in the future, it will be through global cooperation. I honestly pity you. It is unfortunate that you do not value other cultures and other peoples. Furthermore, you have made many comments about other forum writers on this site, yet you have refrained from adding one piece of meaningful information.
If you actually did fight for this country I can do nothing, but thank you. However, I feel you are nothing more than a low-life, degenerate loser who has nothing better to do with his time than to sit on his couch and type off a bunch of ignorant comments.
As I move to college next year I hope to persue a major in international Relations and the Arabic language. Welcome to the world Mr. Charles Widmore – hopefully you can find a place in it.
.
You are young and will soon learn the ways of the world. There are no unicorns and rainbows in the real world and americans are afloat in a sea of human garbage. I would call you a know it all college student but you are not even in that world yet so all I can hope is that you will stop wetting your bed and get real.
I never said anything about unicorns and rainbows, so I do not know where that came from. I also never mentioned being afraid of anything in my post so dont worry, I am not wetting the bed. Honestly, I have probably seen more of the world than you have and I have come to know a greater diversity of people. You float in a sea of human garbage if you choose to – I hope you can swim.
Danny likes to kiss brown butt so he doesn't get beaten up. Are nigras and Mexicans going to be our future electrical engineers, Danny? Keep kissing, Danny boy.
I am a worthless sand-ni&&er who thinks he knows everything but is just peddling misinformation as a form of terrorism. Not because I look like an arab skeletor, but because I am a joke as a human being.
You're not Fareed Zakaria. You're a chump. A big, dumb chump.
@______________
He is so Fareed! Silly nigra.
Fareed has again put on his conductors hat and revved up the steam engine on his very own fa&&ot train!
When it comes to Islamic Republic of Iran an issue becomes immpossible to be silent about and difficult to comment on. More difficult is to be rational and objective. No right thinking will ever tell any body that this is the best of times of the US. Yet we see that as part of life. Yet when it comes to the Islamic Republic the story is always gloom. It may be to an extent but what else is new to the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution.You guys find it difficult to accept reality that is not in turn with your wishes. Instead of having the courage to say it as it is you do resort to verbal diarrhea. How else can I describe you take?
Europe is going to implode on itself because the public sector pensions have finally grown bigger than all of the wealth of the so called "1 percent" who shoulder all of the burden.
Are you paying attention, California? New York? New Jersey? Connecticut? Wisconsin?
Amerika?
>> rick santorumtwit... America's favorite frothy one
>> That will certainly happen if the conservative christian taliban gets any closer to the White House.
What a ridiculous statement. In the Bible, Jesus tells us to love God first, then love our neighbors and treat them as we want to be treated. He tells us to defend and care for the poor and orphaned, and to share God's Word in a kind, loving way. Why on Earth would you attack conservative Christians for holding fast to high standards of moral and ethical behavior? I just prayed that God opens your eyes to His truth.
Ok, Fareed, you have picked the low-hanging fruit. Now how about earning your money? I have listed a few questions below. Also, how about some success stories for 2012? (Burma, USA, India, etc.)
By the way, the observation about Chinese-American military confrontation is overblown and not worthy of an intelligent discussion.
What happens to the Occupy movement? (Take a look at Star Trek: DS9 "Past Tense" episodes)
What happens in the current Russian political crisis?
What happens to Afghanistan? Does Karzai form a coalition with the Taliban or simply lose to them?
What happens to Greece?
Does the EU grow, shrink, or remain the same?
Do the Tories remain in power in the UK?
How about Mexico as a new hotspot?
I have the 5th hot spot: Syria. Pakistan as a country from geopolitical perspective will loose its importance over the next decade. The uncivil government and brutal repression of people's economic and civil freedom by 65 years of military rule has destroyed the basic foundation of that country to stand on its own feet.
Dear Fareed,
I agree with your comments 100% but I think your top 4 shouuld be 6. #5 has to be China. As someone who works and lives in the PROC Manufacturing Hub of Guangdong Province, it will be only a matter of time until China implodes due to civil unrest. With inflation continuing to rise, the RMB being exchanged at a rate that will only continue to be a problem, and the government's inability to deal with the surge between the wealthy and poor, it is going to be a big problem. Number 6, has to be the USA. If, and only IF, Obama loses his presidency, I feel that the USA will only take a big step backwards in trying to recover from the 2008 economic turmoil and the Bush years.
Let's see what happens... best, Ante Galic
Dummy he left USA. Will see the beginning of destruction of Wall Street/Congress Mafiosi.
Fareed, I wish you could run for President. Thank you for being the wise, calm, person that you are.
BC, I hear they have meds that help people like you. You may want to try some.
Why isn't China on this list? South China Sea, anyone?
FZ mentions North Korea and how, if things play out in a particular way, there could be war between the US and China. However, he chooses to completely ignore the South China Sea, a much more volatile and potentially dangerous region. Rather odd, I'd say.
Left out pakistan is having problems with Iran now and refuses to hand over Iranians who crossed into Pakistan to take out drug traffickers. They will soon also have a problem with China by supporting and training Islamic terrorists in pakistan who then go back to China and cause problems there. Who else can Pakistan cause problems for..
There will be more nigra violence in 2012.
US economy. Its still showing signs of being very shakey. We are already in a double dip recession, but we don't know how deep the bottom could be if investor confidence takes another major hit. Full out investor panic – and we might see a repeat of 1929.
Rubbish Zakaria article as usual, USA should be number 1 country to watch for this year.
I feel pretty shame that you put Italy, my coutry, with Iran, Pakistan and North Korea.
Have some sense, please.
Of all these, Pakistan scares me the most. Now I have nothing against Pakistani people as such, nor the religion of Islam but everything that Pakistan does seem to have the stamp of god on it (atleast in their mind). Time and again democracy has proven to be an ineffective method of administration in those parts. This leads one to believe that the Pakistani people are either not responsible or mature enough to govern themselves or have been oppressed or in abject poverty so that the survival process itslef becomes a struggle leaving no strength in their spirit to rise up against oppression.
In such a case, military rule works best(which it has) and once they decide it's time to fight then with the stamp of god on it (Holy War) and a nuclear arsnel it becomes a lose-lose for everyone. With the flow of American dollars ceasing from Pak, it might be the most dangerous situation militarily.
The bit about Pakistan is slightly misleading. For one, the President has been back for weeks now; the civil-military relation despite the memogate issue do not indicate that the civilian government will be toppled (in an unprecedented statement the Army Chief has in fact given a statement categorically saying that the military will not trespass its job description to topple the government) and finally the Government just announced early general elections yesterday so we will be heading to polling stations somewhere towards the last leg of 2012 instead of the first quarter of 2013 to elect a new democratic government.
The economic bit remains true and post-American strategy for Afghanistan, that's still in its infancy so speculating about its dynamics would be too early at this point.
USA.....after the idiot came a wise president who's wisdom is lost in the detriment that has become the government, the next president still to be determined. Don't hold out much hope. With the country mired in capitalism mortus there will be some changes to make, big changes, I think.
UK.....Having stayed out of the Euro adjustments and having tied their ship a to a rockbound USA, they will have choices, sink or swim or let go while there still time, and row as fast they can towards Calais.
EU.....the euro will survive and become the international trading currency and make some people very happy.
Russia.....Starting to come out of the cold, and what a cold 20 years it’s been. If there is spanner in works, it’s Putin. Russians must reject strongmen and go for intelligent solutions. After all, we don’t win chess with Kalashnikovs or with a karate bout.
scramble.
China.....The inscrutable Chinese will get screwed over by all sundry except the Africans where they collect trees and rhino horn until the trees and rhino horn are gone in Africa, leaving Africans to scratch their heads in the sunshine and import caps from China for shade.
The Middle East.....Now that Arab spring has morphed into a long hot summer t they need to think long and hard about democracy vs Islamism. Enough said.
Israel.....Now we come an outstanding prediction taking place at the United Nations. I go the last equinox which precedes and overrides all other predictions.
Tomorrow is the equinox, the 23rd September. If all else is not equal on the Earth, at least the days and nights will be. For those who are interested, tomorrow is also the day when Palestine puts their request for statehood before the United Nations general assembly. I will make a prediction. A prediction garnered on many years of contemplation on what tomorrow will bring, and today’s tomorrow will be a special day. If Palestine is granted the right of statehood there will be a furtherance of equality amongst the people of the world, the beginning of a new world to come. But I dream, a dream too often dreamed. The reality of what will happen is that Israel and the USA will put an end to Palestinian aspirations. That Israel would do it I understand (but disagree), but the USA? It is a gross violation of rights they want and have for themselves but won’t grant and let others have for themselves, in this case Palestine. So, to move on to my prediction – tomorrow will be the day when the glue holding the whole of the world so tenuously together will snap, leaving all and sundry gluesless. That crash I hear, so persistent in my thoughts, I hope it’s the world markets crashing that I hear, that would much less messy than earthquakes or bombs. As I said before, tomorrow is the equinox, and starting tomorrows tomorrow, it will be summer again, when all is not equal again with the earth.
Those are my predictions. I have only been wrong once, and that was when I thought I was wrong, but wasn’t .
Des Currie
you are wrong about tomorrow being September 23rd...
Italy? Why not justnlist the entire EU!? Ironic isn't it – the EU was created to blunt and eventually defaet the US and now its survival is completely dependent on the US TAXPAYER. Let them crash and burn!
Mexico.
*MEXICO-MEXICO-MEXICO*
While I agree with the author of the article I believe that these four countries are not the entire list. For many years we have ignored Mexico, Central and South America. These people are our neighbors, and they have an economical as well as an population effect. If we start to understand what is happening in our neighboring countries in Central and South America, be perhaps can understand why the drug violence and the illegal immigration is happening.
In addition, you always want to be good to your neighbors, for someday the will be good to you. So how are we being good to Mexico, Central America and South America when we ignore them?
RUSH SAVE GLOBAL ECONOMIC TSUNAMI
M.S.Mohamed Ansari 13 April 2009
All press and Media Arabs leader and G20 leader at. Headquarters of All association
CONGRESS. CONTROLL
By. A TO Z + 8. QUEEN + 8
Royal wedding. And royal security force 10 generation total cost $ 57 trillion
Each every politician rolling 8 years only just like chess board Game
But queen family enjoying 10 generation y
GLOBAL ECONOMIC COLLAPSE REASON WAR. Improve Economy only 6 points. Peace, prayer
Liberty, Unity, friendly And simplicity.
I am also Happy to kill osma bin laden
Turing point of global Economy. Islam not allowed to be Terrorist and Terrorist people are not a Muslim
1. Please avoid war. Day by Day war cost increase $ 3.5 trillion
2. Global economy and food price every Day increase
3. International job less Y. All businessmen effected business.
4. Global financial crisis every CNC manufacture. New technology energy product Effected FDI investors.
5. Every Day OPEC Oil Price Increase
6. World poverty problem. Bankrupt 170 Bank overalls 87000 Branch
7. Each every single man Effected
8. Ignore future Death million of already Death
9. Million of People Wounded
10. Global environment climate will be change this will lead Global Agriculture problem
Copy.
A. International criminal court. B. white house. global human right association .C.IMF
D. euro union. E. united nation F.ALL international famous press and media
JUSTICE IS IN PERIL. SAVIOUR OF INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE ALONE CAN PROTECT HUMANITY
From. Mr.M.S.Mohamed Ansari,
154, Angappa Naicken Street,
Chennai – 600 001.
Tamil Nadu,
INDIA..
To , The Hon’ble Chief Justice,
The Supreme Court,
United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
Fax no: 213.547.8080
Dear Sir,
Sub: Prosecution of previous President Mr. George W.Bush, for violation of International Code of Conduct.
Mr. George W.Bush, the previous President of United States of America, initiated a war against IRAQ, without obtaining the previous sanction of United Nations Organization (UNO) on the pretext of having nuclear weapons, even though the then IRAQ government openly exhibited to the whole world that it has no nuclear weapons.
According to the CNN WORLD report, in the war 6, 75,000 civilians killed, 7500 troops of USA and its allied forces killed 3 25 000 people wounded and $ 3.5 Trillion Dollar spent for the war. This spending of $ 3.5 Trillion Dollar is the main cause of action for the present economic crises prevailing all over the world.
After winning the war against IRAQ, the United States of America’s President Mr. George W.Bush, also admitted the same fact, and he openly stated that the Intelligence agency misguided him.
Later on, even the United Nations Organization (UNO) also certified that the IRAQ has no nuclear weapons.
Then it is the bounded duty of the United States of America and its allied forces to withdraw from IRAQ.
But instead of withdrawing from IRAQ, the United States of America and its allied forces formed a government in IRAQ, under their control and administered the entire IRAQ, and its peoples.
This indicates a clear violation of duty by the President of United States of America Mr. George W.Bush and also a clear case of violation of the International Code of Conduct for UNO members.
Thus Mr. George W.Bush attracts prosecution for the above said offence.
Thus I hereby pray this Hon’ble Court initiate criminal proceedings against Mr. George W. Bush, and give him maximum punishment for
a) initiating the war against the IRAQ
b) killing its innocent IRAQI peoples civilian 6, 75 000
c) Killing troops of USA and allied forces and 7 500
d) The present economic crises.
e) 3 25 000 civilian and coalition 39 000 wounded
Dated on this day of 13th day of April, 2009.
Yours truly, (M.S.MOHAMED ANSARI)
COPY TO
The Chief Justice, the International Court of Justice, The Hague, Netherlands.
The Secretary General United Nations Organization
The Chief Justice, the Supreme Court, IRAQ.
His Excellency Mr.Barack Obama, the President of United States of America, White House, Washington D.C.
China, something has to change in China.
It is a totalitarian regime whose only ideological purpose has become to maintain itself in power. Eventually, democracy – which I believe is the system 'natural' to human society – will find its way out.
Chinese totalitarianism is fairly beneficial – if you're not a criminal or a coal miner – but still, there will be a part of the excluded upper class which wants power of some kind which the regime will be unable to find.
The Chinese hierarchy will move on this year. New leaders have new histories and politicians base their self-preservation – usually their main purpose – on their own world view.
It's hard to see how the totalitarian ethos inherited from Mao will continue in its present form.
The top hotspot should be USA. Fareed, don't you think it is more important to focus on domestic needs rather than foreign?
What does Fareed have to say about U.S. taxpayers paying for the formation of a mercenary army that reports to corporate instead of the President?
Mexico is on the top of my list. Narco-terrorism and violence will likely increase and continue to spill over into American communities. The government does not have control over much of the country. I know the people are not in favor of foreign troops on their soil, but at some point that may be the reality. An international coalition may be necessary to finally bring stability and security to the country.
THE RECENT ATTACK IN IRAQ CAME AFTER MOQTADA AL QATHER AND HIS MAHDI MILITIA THUGS WORN ANOTHER SHIIA THUGS CALLED ASYEB AHEL AL HAQ , THOSE ASYEB ARE GROUP OF THUGS BACKED BY IRAN SEPERATED FROM MOQTADA AL QATHER, NOW THE 2 FRACTION ARE SCORING AND KILLING EACH OTHER AND ATTACKING CIVILIANS AND BLAMING THE SUNNIS , IT WILL KNOWN IN IRAQ THAT THOSE 2 GROUPS KILLED MANY CIVILIANS THAN USA DID.....THEY ARE EVIL SHIIA THUGS TRYING TO CONTROL IRAQ, AL SADDER GROUP ARE IN SADDER CITY AND NASREYA WHERE THE ATTACK TOOK PLACE FEW DAYS AFTER SADDER WORN AL KHAZALY AND ASYEB AL HAQ SO THEY DID THIS TO SHOW HM THEY MEAN WAR. USA MUST STOP IRAN , MUST GET RED OF NORI AL MALEKI IF THEY WANT TO SEE PEACE IN IRAQ.
I'd like people in the US to pay attention to anything – seriously.
I was hoping this article was about Fareed's favorite restaurants.
PAKISTAN.....The New Gateway to Central Asia and Europe.
With a population of over 180 million most of whom are well educated, English speaking, entrepreneurial and a cultural and social fit with Central Asians...Pakistan will now become the new face and gateway to Central Asia and Europe. Pakistan will thus span this region and provide the impetus for growth, prosperity and unity among these countries. These are new and exciting times for Pakistanis who should now look forward to their new leadership role aligned with Central Asia and Europe rather than the Subcontinent. We wish them much success as they have sacrificed the most during the past 30 + years creating a new world order.
why does zakaria has that constipated look on his face?
I would watch out for Canada! Our little sister to the north is getting richer and more powerful by the day. It use to be the Canadian dollar was only half the value of the US dollar. Now they work to keep it at around par. But as we bicker between our two political parties the Canucks are getting ready to start selling more oil to our enemies. The reason they are doing this is because we have put off build a pipeline to America. Once China has their foot in the canadian door they will be looking to get more and more resources from our northern neighbours, and while that might not seem like a bad thing – historically we Americans have been the major buyer of Canadian resources. When we finally do get our economy ready to move again, we might find the fuel and materials we need have been sold the the Chinese.
you are not off the mark mike. the US was riches when it made goods and sold them to other nations, now we get everything from places like China. we give money to China for finished goods, they give it to Canada for raw materials, and as a result we get poorer and they get richer. look how well the canadian economy is doing. it barely had a rescession and now these canadians are buy up all sorts of stuff here.
Personally, I'm starting to think that you guys don’t really understand the article’s intent. It was about global impact, not US exclusive. As far as the U.S. goes, I don’t really expect Obama to get re-elected, but what’s really the issue isn’t "I hate/love Obama." The issue is that Americans in general have been completely disillusioned with the political system as a whole. So many people choose who to vote for or not to vote for out of spite for the "other guy" instead of voting because they truly believe in who they are voting for. It’s sad because somehow there has become as standard method for raising support and honesty has been removed from it. If a candidate were to be honest about things, it would cost him all of his support and support=money and money is everything when running for office. Unfortunately what we have now is a bunch of children running for office who will do whatever it takes to be the most popular kid, no matter what it takes. It’s gotten to the point where we cannot be sure if they are even sincere when they cry, because it might just be for votes, and until we get someone who runs for office in a way we never thought possible, we will keep hating politics and politicians.
That’s just MY OPINION though, not facts.
CNN needs a nice cat to chase away all of these nasty little trolls. My radar for 2012? I wonder when the Mexican cartel violence might end...
Hungary, the country I mean. (thought I needed to clarify given some of the posts on this board)
i did see my country on your list, pls put my great country Nigeria as the first that you need to watch closely
among the four hot spots,
iran and pakistan will both need a tough fight for the topmost spot.
Italy's problems a mangeable with a togh guy like Monti.
with reference to north korea ,ignornace is bliss.
Trouble Spots for America: corporate control of federal agencies, congress, presidency, supreme court... and the growing corporate mercenary army. How on earth is it legal for Halliburton to have a standing army?
Zakaria: Four hot spots to watch in 2012
(1) Italy will be OK; Europe has the capability to handle the economic issue.
(2) The relation between Iran and Iraq is improving, Iran is OK!
(3) The 100,000 US soldiers look like will escape from Afghanistan. Pakistan is OK and happy on this.
(4) Now PRC and South Korea is friendly and OK. If North Korea collapses; "40,000 U.S. troops on China’s border" is not an issue. Now have 100,000 US troops on China's border in Afghanistan. But no Chinese care it. The Afghan-American War proves that the US soldiers are low quality. Even Taliban does not fear the 100,000 US soldiers.
* Last year the US Federal Debt passed 15 trillion, this year will pass 16 trillion, it is a big problem!
I have great appreciation for Pakistani – Army, ISI and even politicians – They are able to run terrorist organizations so effectively – everybody knows that but no-body is able to do any thing. They are considered the ally of US to fight against Terrorists. But actually they are the generator of the Terrorism – The more fun is everybody knows it.
Even Osama Bin Laden was found here. I bet 80% of the world terrorists will be found in Pakistan.
But poor countries like Libya – blamed of blowing of plane – Actually Pakistan harbors number of terrorists who have hijacked, blown and even killed passengers are living free,
Iraq – WMD – they had nothing while Pakistan has WMD and not only that it has exported to North Koreas and other country and now Iran are blunt of the World.
Pakistan is able to get out without any impunity. Not only that instead of getting sanctions they milked US for $20 billion dollars and world even more.
We should respect Pakistan capability of fooling the world and taking advantage of it.
I have great appreciation for Pakistani – Army, ISI and even politicians – They are able to run terrorist organizations so effectively – everybody knows that but no-body is able to do any thing. They are considered the ally of US to fight against Terrorists. But actually they are the generator of the Terrorism – The more fun is everybody knows it.
Even Osama Bin Laden was found here. I bet 80% of the world terrorists will be found in Pakistan.
But poor countries like Libya – blamed of blowing of plane – Actually Pakistan harbors number of terrorists who have hijacked, blown and even killed passengers are living free,
Iraq – WMD – they had nothing while Pakistan has WMD and not only that it has exported to North Koreas and other country and now Iran are blunt of the World.
Pakistan is able to get out without any impunity. Not only that instead of getting sanctions they milked US for $20 billion dollars and world even more.
We should respect Pakistan capability of fooling the world and taking advantage of it.
I have great appreciation for Pakistani – Army, ISI and even politicians – Pakistan is able to run terrorist organizations so effectively – everybody knows that but no-body is able to do any thing. Pakistan are considered the ally of US to fight against Terrorists. But actually they are the generator of the Terrorism – The more fun is everybody knows it.
Even Osama Bin Laden was found here. I bet 80% of the world terrorists will be found in Pakistan.
But poor countries like Libya – blamed of blowing of plane – Actually Pakistan harbors number of terrorists who have hijacked, blown and even killed passengers are living free,
Iraq – WMD – they had nothing while Pakistan has WMD and not only that it has exported to North Koreas and other country and now Iran are blunt of the World.
Pakistan is able to get out without any impunity. Not only that instead of getting sanctions they milked US for $20 billion dollars and world even more.
We should respect Pakistan capability of fooling the world and taking advantage of it. Look the the capabilities of their leaders. I have not found a single country whose leaders capability of fooling the world is as good as Pakistan.
Kudos to you
We can only hope that the US will have the good sense to elect a president who can skillfully manage the hot spots around the world as well as domestic issues at home, a large order to fill.
As to Italy. We are doing our very difficult and burdensome job, others are merely talking in Europe – full stop. Of course we are paying for the mistakes made by everybody in Italy in the last 20+ years. But, to be clear about bail outs. Germany or any other EU country has not paid a single Euro. So please, do not say the Germans are paying for everybody, please. Actually the have gained the most from the Euro. Regards.
@Kerry: Do not forget what you Americans look at the most, he better have the sense to love God also.
I have great appreciation for Pakistani – Army, ISI and even politicians – They are able to run terrorist organizations so effectively – everybody knows that but no-body is able to do any thing. They are considered the ally of US to fight against Terrorists. But actually they are the generator of the Terrorism – The more fun is everybody knows it. Even Osama Bin Laden was found here. I bet 80% of the world terrorists will be found in Pakistan. But poor countries like Libya – blamed of blowing of plane – Actually Pakistan harbors number of terrorists who have hijacked, blown and even killed passengers are living free, Iraq – WMD – they had nothing while Pakistan has WMD and not only that it has exported to North Koreas and other country and now Iran are blunt of the World. Pakistan is able to get out without any impunity. Not only that instead of getting sanctions they milked US for $20 billion dollars and world even more. We should respect Pakistan capability of fooling the world and taking advantage of it.
On my radar is Iraq.
I live in Europe but visit my parents in Iraq frequently and hear aweful stories about the youth in the generally liberal Kurdish region becoming suddenly more and more religious and angry at the west. I don't know where this recent hatred is coming from, but I know the Kurds used to appreciate the West including America especially after the fall of Saddam.
Suddenly all the girls are covering their heads and at the University's scienctific debate classes only few dare to speak up against fundamentalism.
On top of it, soon the troops will leave and the decreasing security, decreasing quality of education and decreasing work morale of the Iraqi people will result in more poverty and anger.
I am unimaginably thankful for my European passport and the fact that I don't have to stay in Iraq. What kind of a person would I become under such pressures?
I could not agree with you more, but you forgot about Isreal and Palestine, Isreal and Negev, Isreal and Lebonan, Isreal and Iran and US non recource loans to Isreal while US and its citizens are on the depth of starvation and begging for survival from Chinese, who are sitting there wiating patiently until they own USA lock stock and barrel to pull the net while Isreal will sit and watch loaded with US cash and WMD and not raise a hand to help us.
I think you should call your program "American Public Square" since all you talk about is America.
USA, UK, FRANCE, GERMANY THE NATO must attack Iran now before it is too late.
USA must help mojahedi khalq opposition group who are stationed in Iraq,. help the Iranian Kurds up north more than 7 million Kurds in Iran, help Arabestan Sunni region in Iran with more than 9 million Sunni who are repressed by those evil Iranians, help the Assyrian christens in Iran, the Iranians Turks blossh, and many other repressed minorities , Isolate Iran, freeze their assets, also embargo china and Russia \if the deal with them, destroy their electronic by viruses, don't allow them to come to USA AND CANADA , ATTACK THE TERRORISTS HEZBOLLAH AND SYRIAN BASHAR AL KALAB THE EVIL HANDS OF Iran IN THE REGION. Iran is a paper tiger as soon as the tomohak start flying and get red of their command and control their navy peace and the radars then the sky is control by USA make it 24 hours non stop hit until the surrender attack them, from turkey, Afghanistan the gulf, the red sea the Arabian sea and the Arabian gulf. If Obama attack Iran he will win the election too.Help Iraqi Sunni to counter attack the Iranians group in Iraq, the world will be in peace with our those majoos thugs and the dark evil empire of Iran must demise.
Fareed, why isn't India on your radar? You should take a good look at the mirror and take a wiff at yourself so that you never forget where you come from.
America's national debt ballooning sensation, creating the greatest financial tsunami never seen before – would make USA the hottest spot for 2012 .... and beyond. And Pres Obama would be glad he had nothing to do with it.
"It's the Republicans, stupid".
,
The evidences were clear for all to see , yet many chose to be myopic, and racists to see them. And so 2012 would see the same questionable politicians who thought wrongly that they could resolve the national debt problem. They wouild be spending more instead. And liokely be fighting more foreign wars.
So, how high you think the national debt could go up to? How about a dizzy US$25 trillion by 2020?
So this is the hottest spot in 2012, and for the next 10 years even !!!
..... and as for many of you who are wishing for China's economy to fall off a cliff, I have this to say DREAM ON! And get real about your own country's insumountable financial problem instead of boasting about America's myth of being the greatest going forward.
But dont get me wrong about America. It was a great couintry, consistently coming out with new innovations and inventions – and enabling US to make trillions from them. The biggest threat to America's economy is the old guys who should have retired together with their old mindsets – and allow younger and smarter Americans to run this country instead.
You cannot teach an old dog new tricks. Its a fact!
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