The wait is finally over, Porkins Great Game is back! We begin by taking a look at the recent Parliamentary elections in Georgia. We break down how the elections turned out and analyze the results and what that may mean for the political future of Georgia. Christoph and I also touch on the most recent scandal in Georgia dealing with yet another leaked audio tape of Saakashvili. In our second segment we discuss the ongoing violence in Afghanistan as well as a ongoing peace negotiations. We begin with the recent peace deal between the government and famed heroin warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. We also break down the latest Taliban attack on the city of Kunduz and the wave of attacks in the south in Helmand provience. Christoph and I also analyze the latest Taliban/Kabul peace talks which has conspicuously left out Pakistan. For our final segment we talk all things Syria. We touch on the recent push for more direct US action from armchair generals such as Charles Lister. Christoph and I discuss the reality of what is going on in Aleppo as well as the threat of armed conflict between Russia and the United States.
In our Weird Terrorism section we talk about the strange case of Jabar al Bakr: the White Helmet humanitarian who tried to blow up the Berlin airport. We also talk about the recent death of Uzbek leader Islam Karimov.
Show Notes:
Georgian Elections:
The New Great Game Round-Up: Georgia Investigates Another Saakashvili ‘Coup Plot’
The New Great Game Round-Up: Georgia Elections: Russia Wins, Saakashvili Loses
Ruling party in Georgia wins constitutional majority after vote run-off
Hekmatyar’s return:
The New Great Game Round-Up: Afghanistan Rehabilitates the ‘Butcher of Kabul’
Pakistan-Taliban rift:
Taliban and Afghanistan restart secret talks in Qatar
The New Great Game Round-Up: Taliban Restart Talks With Kabul from Position of Strength
Exclusive: Former Leader’s Bombshell Letter Exposes Internal Taliban Struggles
The New Great Game Round-Up: Are the Taliban Breaking Ties with Pakistan?
Upset at being sidelined in talks, Pakistan warns Taliban
US vs. Russia in Syria:
Syria ‘Cease-Fire’ Brings U.S. & Russia Closer to War
Washington War Party Urges Obama to Go to War against Assad & the Russians
Jihadists and other rebels launch new offensive in Aleppo
Russia tells rebels to leave Syria’s Aleppo by Friday evening
Weird terrorism stuff:
The Jaber al-Bakr Story: How a White Helmets Volunteer Almost Blew Up Berlin Airport
Germany convicts 4, calls US-backed Syrian group Ahrar al-Sham a “terrorist organisation”
Majlis Podcast – Uzbekistan without Karimov
Majlis Podcast – Uzbekistan under Mirziyaev
Music:
Porkins Policy Review 