Crude oil is an international commodity. Its value is a function of the worldwide supply-demand balance. There are two main accepted benchmarks which reflect crude’s value at any point in time. One is “Brent” crude, a high quality North sea crude, mainly used as a reference for international markets. The second is a quality “WestContinue reading “On Gas Prices”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
On a U.S., Iranian, Israeli Peace Agreement
Here is what seems to be a reasonable proposal for a peace pact with Iran – – from an observer far away. Strait of Hormuz Nuclear Program Military Matters Regional Undertakings Financial Matters When Iran has demonstrated its compliance to the above terms Future Trade & Investment arrangements – The US, Israel and Iran willContinue reading “On a U.S., Iranian, Israeli Peace Agreement”
On War
Sun Tzi, the Chinese warrior and philosopher of the 5th century BC once wrote; “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” Now, 3000 years later. we can learn a lot from that ancient wisdom – – but regrettably we seem to learn little from history, neither ancient history nor ourContinue reading “On War”
On ICE
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security, established in 2003. Its mission: to protect America through enforcing immigration laws, conducting criminal investigations, and preserving national security and public safety, focusing on those who threaten security or undermine immigration integrity by identifying, arresting, andContinue reading “On ICE”
On the Future of the Middle East
Everybody, everything has a future. It’s either good, bad or unknown. Middle East future hovers between bad and unknown. Iran: Sanctions, mismanagement and wars have devastated Iran economically and severely weakened it politically. The recent widespread protests demonstrate the mood of its citizens but the people have no power to wrest control from the Ayatollahs.Continue reading “On the Future of the Middle East”
On Anti-Semitism
Anti Semitism is an awful allegation and a terrible label. In fact, being “Anti” anything simply because of differences in religion, ethnicity, physical attributes, etc. has no place among freedom loving people in a civil society. Anti Semitism seems to be defined these days as “hostility towards or prejudice against Jewish people”. Interestingly, Semites areContinue reading “On Anti-Semitism”
On Government Shutdowns
Thankfully the latest government shutdown, and the longest ever, is over, having resulted in around 750,000 federal employees being furloughed, close to 6000 commercial flights cancelled and countless flight delays across America. Its impact was ubiquitous with widespread disruptions to public services and threats to public health and safety. The Congressional Budget Office estimated thatContinue reading “On Government Shutdowns”
On US-Israeli Relations
After Israel’s stunning victory over Egypt, Syria and Jordan in the 1967 “Six Day war”, America began to view Israel as a strategic ally, a strong partner able to protect U.S. interest in the volatile Arab Middle East, long at odds over the UN imposition of the state of Israel in what had been ArabContinue reading “On US-Israeli Relations”
On Gaza – – The final Chapter
This will probably be my last coverage of Gaza because Gaza will unlikely exist much longer. These hapless Gazan’s who were mostly displaced, moved or driven out of their homes in other parts of “Palestine” had the temerity to assume that the land occupied by their ancestors for over two thousand years, where their forefathersContinue reading “On Gaza – – The final Chapter”
On Biden
Our government is adept, indeed masterful, in taking up causes which are extremely time consuming, excessively expensive, but with little or no redeeming value. Today, we seem obsessed with pursuing a former president, no longer relevant to a future to which our current government should be devoting it’s full time and attention. While no fanContinue reading “On Biden”
Views of a Common Man 