OF THE
TIMES
"If you don't want a man unhappy politically, don't give him two sides to a question to worry him; give him one. Better yet, give him none. Let him forget there is such a thing as war. If the government is inefficient, top-heavy, and tax-mad, better it be all those than that people worry over it.... Give the people contests they win by remembering the words to more popular songs or the names of state capitals or how much corn Iowa grew last year. Cram them full of noncombustible data, chock them so damned full of 'facts' they feel stuffed, but absolutely 'brilliant' with information. Then they'll feel they're thinking, they'll get a sense of motion without moving. And they'll be happy, because facts of that sort don't change." ― Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451How do you change the way people think? You start by changing the words they use.
"The F/16 aircraft crash dedicated to Iraq within the US arms deal is not a merely simple military accident but is an American message saying that Iraqi pilots are not qualified for such a type of aircraft."It's not clear whether some F-16's have already been actually delivered to Iraq, as RT claims. According to Air Force Times, "The Iraqi government has purchased 36 F-16s. The head of the Iraqi air force told the Associated Press in April that the first F-16s and Iraqi pilots are expected to arrive in Iraq on July 12."
All this adds up to the question: Will Iraq ever receive their F-16s and could they even sustain their use if they had them in the first place? This crash will only put the program into further doubt and disarray, and Iraq is already ordering robust, simpler, and available Russian aircraft in a desperate attempt to fulfill their aerial attack needs. A move that should have probably happened in the first place.It should be no surprise if the US are not very eager to provide Iraq with forces to fight ISIS. Once again, things seem not to be what they appear.
Comment: Pressure from the White House did not keep US allies from breaking ranks and joining the AIIB. Some see this new bank as a chance for China to extend its influence by financing big infrastructure and development projects throughout Asia. Some see it as a move to diminish US influence in the financial system. Some think that the AIIB will force China to be more transparent. And then there is the "rise-of-power" threat... Regardless the reason(s), it is happening and perhaps AIIB will have a competitive edge and be a sorely needed catalyst...the paradigm is changing, hopefully for the better!