There is a lot going on right now in the Horn of Africa, and in Somalia in particular. I thought this would be an opportune time to visually review some of the components in this drama… The Actors: Somali pirates: Ethiopia’s Ogaden rebels: Fighters working for various Somali warlords: The African Union: The Kenyan military: … Continue reading »
Filed under Politics …
What’s The Best Passport To Have?
I was at a birthday party up in Harlem last night (which, by the way, has gentrified significantly in the past ten years) and was catching up with a friend of mine that recently married a British girl. He’s American and I was thinking about how he would now be eligible for a British passport. … Continue reading »
Occupy Wall Street – The Day After…
At the request of our Middle East correspondent, Ben Walker, The Velvet Rocket staff braved the rain and foul weather to explore the aftermath of the New York Police Department’s eviction of the Occupy Wall Street protesters at Manhattan’s Zuccotti Park. The scene tonight: Yes, there is still some activity at Zuccotti Park – police, … Continue reading »
Photo Of The Day: Libyan Rebels Fighting In Ad Dafniyah
Liberian Mercenaries: The One With The Gun Makes The Rules
Liberian mercenaries returning from western Ivory Coast tell of fighting for both sides in Ivory Coast’s civil war, killing civilians, raping women, and destroying villages as they went. (This excerpt is sourced from an article by Emily Schmall and Mae Azango) One commander of a unit of more than 30 Liberian mercenaries who returned days … Continue reading »
Overthrow Gadhafi in 90 Days: Just Add Mercs, Cash
Another timely guest post on Libya… This one is courtesy of Spencer Ackerman and is a variation on an assisted regime change plan I outlined in 2009: The world’s worried about mercenaries in Libya helping Moammar Gadhafi snuff out the Libyan revolution. But what if — what if — the rebels tapped the expanding world … Continue reading »
We Had Our Chance To Topple Colonel Gaddafi 38 Years Ago
We’re featuring a timely guest post on The Velvet Rocket today by Frederick Forsyth… *** Back in 1973 I was researching a new novel, which became The Dogs Of War. I was in Hamburg investigating the covert world of the international black market arms dealers, which was then headquartered there. I became aware there were … Continue reading »
