Blast kills Syrian defense minister, Assad’s brother-in-law
If this was indeed the work of a suicide bomber, the Assad regime is in its death throes. Things are heating up. -R.O.
The World Assessor Blog: Critical insights into world events, foreign affairs, legal issues and Middle Eastern politics. Written by: Robert D. Onley
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Blast kills Syrian defense minister, Assad’s brother-in-law
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Egypt's New President Morsi: ”Our Capital Shall Be Jerusalem, Allah Willling”
Watch Egypt's newly elected Muslim Brotherhood President Mohammed Morsi in his speech this past May, chanting that "Allah willing", "millions of martyrs will march on Jerusalem" as he declares that Egyptians are "all Hamas". Watch as eager crowds jump and scream and cheer this radical Islamist on, surely buoyed by delusions of heaven-bound suicide bombing madness.
The Islamist Morsi has since indicated that he will "revisit" Egypt's long-standing peace treaty with Israel. This was after he was elected. After!
Clearly, then, what the economically-broken, revolution-strained nation of Egypt needs is a devastating war with Israel, at a time when Syria is collapsing and negotiations with Iran are at an impasse. Not.
Morsi's rhetoric is despicable but unsurprising. If he starts a war with Israel, he can guarantee three things will come to an abrupt end: his Presidency; the Egyptian revolution; and any chance of a peaceful, democratic Egyptian state.
Is Morsi's hate-filled bile what the Arab Spring has wrought? Can we expect a similar Islamist whacko to take power in Syria should Assad fall?
Thursday, June 7, 2012
3D Cities in Google Earth - what's next?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Douyfa7l8&sns=em
Where will Google stop? With the introduction of fully rendered 3D cities in Google Earth, the world's must influential tech company unleashes never before seen detail and depth, while adding a new realm to the Google user experience.
This is truly remarkable technology, almost unthinkable a mere five years ago. More striking is that the level of topographical precision available in Google Earth provides a tactical capability that will soon be in the hands of every smartphone user worldwide.
While impressive, the prospect of providing fully rendered 3D overviews of every major city raises questions about how such information could be used in the wrong hands. What was once the purview of superpower spy surveillance satellites is now effectively in the pockets of your average citizen - and your potential enemy.
As the technology develops, it will be interesting to see how Google finesses the fine line between pushing new technical frontiers and crossing old fashioned national security boundaries.
-R.O.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Why Intervene in Syria?
The Real Reason to Intervene in Syria – By James P. Rubin | Foreign Policy
A cogent, if a bit optimistic assessment of potential U.S.-led military intervention in Syria. Rubin suggests that toppling the Assad regime would help avert a greater war between Iran and Israel. I agree this would certainly de-fang Ayatollah Khamenei in the Levant at a crucial moment during negotiations over Iran's nuclear weapons program. A worthy read.
-R.O.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
State of Windsor Law - Interview on 99.1FM Windsor
Special thanks to Hayley Watson and Maddy Godard for setting up the interview. Have a listen below!
"Interview with Robert Onley - The State of Windsor Law and the SLS"
Ipso Facto - CJAM 99.1FM, University of Windsor Radio - January 23, 2012
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B56cVZO3CDLXZGY3Mjg2OWEtNTVmZC00NWYxLWI5MGYtNDg2ZTRhMmE4MTYz