On the Road Again

Heading for Kamiah, Idaho to hang out with a bunch of family for the weekend. Light posting likely.

Not Quite Summer

..but it's sure trying. All we need is a bit more sunshine



Compare to April.

Why You Should Not Rely on Mainstream Media

You won't get anything like MK Bhadrakumar's analysis of the Afghanistan-Pakistan regional dynamics and his assessment of possibilities for an Afghan-led peace process. The article is a detailed assessment of players and interests that leads Bhadrakumar to conclude,

[E]verything points toward a favorable backdrop for Kabul and Islamabad to kickstart a peace process, finally. Both capitals profess that Washington will be a participant in such a process - and neither is exaggerating the fact. Indeed, they will be downright unrealistic to visualize that there can be an Afghan settlement without the US's involvement and backing.

But neither is likely to seek or offer a "larger-than-life" role for the US in the peace process or hand over the steering wheel to it. Their trust deficit with the US runs far too deep, thanks to flawed US policies over recent years - bullying Karzai and humiliating him and even seeking his replacement on the one hand, while on the other hand sowing the seeds of doubt in the Pakistani mind about American intentions toward Pakistan.

Bhadrakumar's article is long and requires some effort. And it is not US-centric. Asking Americans to make some effort to think outside of our distinctly unique American perspective is not something mainstream media will do. Conventional wisdom--comfort food for the mind--is more their style.

That's why you can't rely on the mainstream media.

You will miss too much real information.