January 23, 2012
"

The effort to take Iran’s 2.6 million barrels of oil per day off international markets has kept global prices high, pushed down Iran’s rial currency and is causing a surge in the cost of basic goods for Iranians…In addition to the oil embargo, the EU measures are also expected to include sanctions against the Iranian central bank and a ban on trading in gold with the government, diplomats said.

Our correspondent said the impact of the sanctions would be felt by ordinary Iranians as it will increase the price of the US dollar vis-a-vis the Iranian rial, she said, noting that the dollar rose by about 10 cents following the EU sanctions announcement on Monday.

"

—

EU approves Iranian Oil Ban - Jazeera

So wait a moment.  More profit for Western oil companies.  Death and starvtion for the Iranian people (and profits for anyone foreign middlemen selling to them), and a ban on hard currency ownership for the Iranian Bank.  Meaning greater western Imperialist control.

Surprise!  Global capitalism strikes again, under the tired old banner of “fighting terror.”  I would encourage anyone who thinks the US can be trusted to fight terrorism to research history.  Cubana flight 455 would be a good starting point. 

5:46pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZiWeSyFFlOdd
(Notes: 99)
  
Filed under: Iran Oil Sanctions Ban United States of AMerica European Union Capitalism Imperialism Anti revolutionary tactics communism socialism resistance 
December 15, 2011
"

Remember, “It’s the economy, stupid” - the slogan that helped Clinton win in 1992? So how come Democrats in congress - over the objections of the Obama administration - are helping Republicans press sanctions against Europeans who buy oil from Iran - sanctions that would increase unemployment in the US during the 2012 campaign?

The National Defence Authorisation Act now contains an amendment by Republican Senator Mark Kirk - supported by many Democrats as well - that would sanction European banks and companies that do business with Iran’s Central Bank in order to stop them from buying Iranian oil.

This is a big deal, because Iran is the world’s fifth-largest oil exporter, and blocking Iranian oil exports to Europe would raise the price of oil in Europe and in the United States. Kirk’s amendment would hurt the US economy at a time when economic contraction in Europe could push the US back into recession.

"

— Jazeera

Ahh, imperialism 

1:14am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZiWeSyDHbU1D
(Notes: 149)
  
Filed under: United States Iran Imperialism foreign policy oil politics Europe EU European Union 
October 31, 2011
"

The US government has cut off tens of millions of dollars in annual funding to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) after it voted to admit Palestine as a full member.

Victoria Nuland, the US state department spokeswoman, said payments to the Paris-based organisation would be stopped immediately. She said Washington would refrain from making a $60m payment it planned to deliver in November.

The Palestinian bid received 107 “yes” votes during a UNESCO meeting in the French capital, with 14 countries voting against and 52 abstaining, enough to satisfy a two-thirds majority of those countries present and voting.

"

— The United States once again reiterates its role as a force for evil and the perpetuation of apartheid in the world.  Via Jazeera

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Filed under: Israel Palestine Occupation Conflict United Nations Membership E U European Union United States of America USA Corruption Fascism Reprehensible Behavior 
September 22, 2011
"Obama told the opening of the UN general assembly in New York that negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians, not a security council resolution, was the way to ensure a lasting peace. But he was challenged by the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, who said US leadership on the issue had failed and called for a new initiative involving Europe and Arab states to create a Palestinian state within a year."

— http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/21/barack-obama-israel-palestinian-negotiations

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(Notes: 101)
  
Filed under: United States of America Imperialism Israeli Occupation Palestine PLO Fatah Europe European Union Statehood United Nations UN Vote Sarkozy Obama Muslim Arab World 
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