The Peanut Gallery

Statements, comments and forecasts that have no substance, but just might turn out to be relevant.

1. New reports have emerged on Washington and Tehran's "special understanding" on operations against Islamic State militants in Iraq. The details emerge as U.S. and Iraqi officials warn that actions should be carefully conducted to avoid worsening sectarian tension. The U.S.-led coalition has not conducted airstrikes to coordinate with Iraq's latest offensive in Sunni-dominated Salah al-Din province. Iran is leading this offensive. COMMENT: BO cannot make up his mind who the enemy is. Even Peter Pan knew not to smile at a crocodile. Mr President FYI they are all crocodiles, and they are all smiling at you.

2.  The United Arab Emirates has recalled its ambassador to Sweden, an unnamed Swedish government official said March 18, The Daily Star reported. The source did not disclose why the United Arab Emirates made the move. Last week, Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador to Sweden after calling Stockholm's criticism of the Saudi human rights record an interference in its internal affairs. COMMENT: The Swedes call this their Progressive foreign policy. The Swedish attempt to sell human rights to Islam could be termed laughable if it wasn't so pathetic. 

3.Egypt evidently understands that it is no longer regarded by the US as a strategic player in the region. To be fair, the US is trying to remove itself from the region. In the last 3 weeks Egypt has negotiated a missile deal with Russia, purchased grain from Russia and allowed BP to initiate a gas project on condition the joint venture partner is a Russian company. COMMENT: Egypt is also negotiating for the purchase of nuclear technology and spy satellites from the Russians. This appears to be a major policy change.

4.Nigerian Islamic terror group Boko Haram swears formal allegiance to ISIS and posts an oath on Twitter, The Associated Press reports. COMMENT: Population of Nigeria is 50% Muslim. 38% are Sunni and 12% Shia. The other 50% are Christians. COMMENT: Let the games begin! 

5. China will continue to seek more economic and diplomatic cooperation with Russia despite the sanctions Moscow faces over its involvement in the Ukraine crisis, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, France24 reported March 8. The two countries will try to grow bilateral trade to $100 billion by improving financial and energy ties. Other initiatives aimed at improving relations between the countries include constructing a natural gas pipeline, high-speed rail lines and economic development projects. COMMENT: The Chinese couldn't give two hoots about the Ukraine.

6.The People of Israel have spoken loudly and clearly. David Horovitz: Unloved by the Obama administration, relentlessly criticized by ostensibly friendly European governments, attacked day after day by substantial sections of the Hebrew media. Netanyahu did not just scrape back into office. He swept his critics aside and he trounced his rivals." COMMENT: Plainly Israeli's in the vast majority distrust Obama more than they distrust Bibi. As for the Israeli left.....like the price of oil...a collapsing commodity. 

7.(Bloomberg) -- A decision by Whiting Petroleum Corp., the largest producer in North Dakota’s Bakken shale basin, to put itself up for sale looks to be the first tremor in a potential wave of consolidation as $50-a-barrel prices undercut companies with heavy debt and high costs. COMMENT: Its difficult to understand why so many analysts believe that US interest rates will rise this year. The US dollar might continue to rise since the US is the strongest economy amongst an exhausted cluster of punch drunk competitors. BTW all of them rushing to weaken their own currencies...but raise US rates?

In spite of warnings, nothing much happens until the status quo becomes more painful than change - Laurence J. Peter

The hardest thing to believe when you're young is that people will fight to stay in a rut, but not to get out of it - Ellen Glasgow