Notations On Our World: On the "Virtual Prowl" of the US Political Scene (Updated)

The US Republican candidates have their latest debate in Boulder in a few hours.   Our founder shared interesting take as the debate draws close:

W @DailyOutsider On the eve of @GOP debate an interesting take on Why are @realDonaldTrump @RealBenCarson R rising? https://t.co/QkYsRNz9qG

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) October 28, 2015

The RealClear Politics average which our team reviews weekly underscores the continued volality of the campaign:

Battle for the White HouseRCP Poll Averages

National	Iowa	New Hampshire
Trump26.8	Carson29.2	Trump29.5
Carson22.0	Trump20.6	Carson14.0
Rubio9.0	Rubio10.2	Bush9.0
Bush7.0	Cruz9.6	Rubio8.3
Cruz6.6	Bush6.2	Fiorina7.8

National	Iowa	New Hampshire
Clinton48.2	Clinton54.4	Sanders39.2
Sanders25.4	Sanders34.4	Clinton36.8
Biden17.0	O'Malley3.4	Biden12.0

General Election Match-Ups

• Rubio41.5

  Biden45.8

  Biden+4.3

  Clinton46.5

  Paul42.5

  Clinton+4.0

  Clinton49.0

  Huckabee41.5

  Clinton+7.5

• Clinton45.7

  Trump43.2

  Clinton+2.5

  Bush44.8

  Clinton43.2

  Bush+1.6

  Carson48.2

  Clinton43.4

  Carson+4.8

• 
  

Ben Carson has moved ahead even though Trump continues to maintain the edge Nationally.    Our team finds it quite interesting how Fiorina has faded away after a surge after the second debate and as Cruz continues to linger in the bottom.   We could also not help but ask as we assessed the campaign as to why the 9 candidates lingering at the bottom continue onward with their campaign:

An Email came out under Mrs. Jindal's name on Bobby Jindal's campaign as John Kasich came out swinging yesterday.  It will be interesting to see what happens tonight    as we are assessing reports of Jeb Bush "taking it to Donald Trump" with this latest fundraising note in an outreach to supporters earlier today:

Mike,

Millions of Americans will tune in for tonight’s debate, and it would mean a lot to me to know you’re at home cheering me on.

Before I walk on stage to share my ideas with the country to upend Washington and take the fight to ISIS, my staff will be pulling the names of who stepped up to help before the biggest debate yet, and I want to see your name.

This is a big night, so please join the team. Chip in just $1 to our Debate Response Fund now: Jeb2016.com/Debate-Response-Fund/

Thank you,

Jeb

There was a meeting of the "Bush Network" in Houston that apparently saw nervous suppoters feel assured of the path ahead as the Super Pac (run by Mike Murphy) is gearing up to spend millions.    This is as he noted recently that he could do a lot of "Cool Stuff".

Beyond the Presidential race, there is Congress.      Paul Ryan is expected to be elected Speaker tomorrow--as there is a new budget deal has been negotatated so that the outgoing Speaker wanted to "clear the barn".   Paul Ryan spoke earlier today praising John Boehner as he promised a "new era".      Reports we reviewed noted that only 200 members voted for Paul Ryan--but he will be expected to garner enough votes.

(Update:  The "Kids Table" concluded on CNBC within the past hour.    They joined CNBC to share their "Spin" as a number of their claims were debunked--including Bobby Jindal.      The top tier Candidates are about to get on the stage as the latest development is Ted Cruz about to have a "Big Bang" plan with a Wall Street Editorial (the standard choice for the Republican Party) as this came out earlier:

Dear GOPUSA Friend, 'Defeat Ted Cruz' ..that's the battle cry of the liberal left, the elite media, and even some in my own party. Friend, this is personal. As you may already know, the GOP debate on CNBC is tonight...and the attacks are already beginning -- the liberal, former pop star, Cher called me the 'devil.' That is just the start. Immediately after the GOP debate it will get worse. The elite media, left wing pundits, politicians, and the leftist blogosphere are planning their full on assault against me and my campaign. Even a few of the more liberal talking heads within the GOP are planning to attack. Let me tell you why: My debate plan will lay out a forceful and hard-hitting defense of American conservatism and how as President I will restore the American Dream. I will make it clear that Barack Obama has been a failure -- he put our national security and financial security at great risk. I will further make the forceful case that Hillary Clinton will be a disaster as President and will further risk the future of our nation. And Friend, I will also make it clear that the current path of the GOP in Washington -- the elite members of the Washington Cartel -- will lead us to defeat. After I make this forceful case to millions of American -- the backlash is going to be brutal. Friend, I am going to need your support in the next 48 hours more than ever. I wish I didn't have to ask again... but will you make a special contribution of $35 or as much as $100 to help me and my campaign prepare for the onslaught we're about to endure? I've asked my staff to prepare this special, secure link just for you: take just TWO minutes to click and make a special donation. Make no mistake -- when I lay out my plan to restore the American Dream, indict Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for their failures, and call out my own party for its failures as well...things will get rough on all sides. The New York Times will ATTACK. MSNBC will ATTACK. The Washington Post will ATTACK Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Harry Reid, Bernie Sanders, Rachel Maddow, and James Carville will ALL ATTACK. When all this happens and times get tough -- you turn to your friends.Friend, that is why I'm turning to you now. Your donation of any size will be used 100% to fight the attacks and make sure our positive message of reigniting liberty in America is not lost in the angry, liberal noise. For liberty, Ted Cruz What was quite striking was how the largest newspaper in Florida came  out calling on Marco Rubio to resign from the US Senate which will not look well for someone who some say is the next "Obama".   As the debate starts and the debaters are being announced , this came out from the Demoractic Governors Association: We’re turning on the debate and sitting down with our popcorn, Mike. But before all those Republicans take the stage yet again, we just wanted to know: Who do YOU think is going to come out on top? Attacking women’s rights? Check. New tax breaks for the top 1%? Check. Dismantling Medicare and Social Security? Check. We already know we’re about to sit through more of the same extremism we’ve seen all along. But amid the din of this right-wing circus, we want to hear from you. GOP Debate Survey: Who do you predict will be the Republican nominee? Thanks for standing with us to make sure none of these clowns become our next President...

A Special Edition of the Friday Musical Interlude: Bob Baldwin's Morning :-)

We wanted to greet all as we begin a day new here in #outsiders with this from Bob Baldwin:

Notations From the Grid: A "Thought 4 the Day"

Our team will be going "dark" for the day for a day of reflection.   

As we have been on the "Virtual Prowl", we wanted to share this which we here @ #outsiders aspire to.    The statement is simple yet so profound which is a quite an admonition from Sir Richard Branson to live up to. 

Notations From the Grid: An #Outsider Newsflash From @WHO: Processed meat causes cancer!!!!

We just received this courtesy of the Guardian of London:

For further information on the latest From the World Health Organization, please visit here:

http://www.who.int/cancer/en/

Notations On Our World (Special Edition) : On the "Virtual Daily Prowl" & On #AiWeiwei

It has been another challenging morning as the people of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India had to deal with the aftermath of a major Earthquake.  This is as we are seeing an insurgency rage on with no end in sight.    Our team was also working away on the Daily Twitter Curations with some of the other on-going challenges.    It was distressing as we saw reports of  a bus carrying members of the Afghan Human Rights Commision was targeted.   

We also wanted to share this "newsflash" our founder shared with us.    Our "Visions" Channel has featured some of the projects on Kickstarter we've backed.   Our Foudner shared htis exceprt of one of the projects he personally backed  We had to edit out the actual link to the images which is owned by our Founder--but we hope all enjoy the time lapse video and how one man can make a difference:

Hello Mike  Thank you so much for supporting the Royal Academy’s first Kickstarter ever project. Thanks to you, we have been able to bring Ai Weiwei’s Treeto London for the public to enjoy. Your digital images, exclusive to our Kickstarter campaign, are now ready for download Tree is free to be enjoyed by visitors until 13 December in the RA’s Annenberg Courtyard. Watch a time-lapse of the installation and find your name in our list of 1,319 supporters. It was also of curious interest as we saw a report that Lego refused contributions to another of his projects becuase it was deemed "political".

Notations On Our World: On #uselection watch (On the Eve of the Election of Paul Ryan (@PRyan) As Speaker)

Our team recently ran across this "roster" of the Caucus that seems to be the key to power in the US House of Representatives that the Daily Signal reported.     Many of these members have not been known up to now.    One of their leaders, Jim Jordan, led the charge against Hillary Clinton during Mrs Clinton's marathon session which was "Nothing". 

It will be yet again an interesting week in Politics in the United States 

Notations On Our World: On The "Trash River" in #Beirut w/#YouStink

Our team has been watching with horror as we saw images of the Beirut Trash River taking over the streets of Beirut that the #YouStink movement reported on:

What is so shocking is that Lebanon has not had a President in over a year and the Government has not met in over 6 weeks as each Minister seems to just want to preserve its' own power.   It is shocking to be witness to it.

Notations For the W-End (Special Edition): On #Outsiders Mission

As our team has been working away gearing up for the new week, we wanted to share this we recevied here in our Virtual Studios:

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~ Mary Engelbreit

#Outsiders was launched with this simple objective in mind:  To help transform how we think about our World.   We look forward to the continued privilege to serve.

We are grateful for all our patrons and wish all a fabulous week and look forward to "seeing" all throughout our properties.

Notations On Our World (W-End Edition): An #Outsider Newsflash On #Israel & #Bangladesh

We have been monitoring reports out of Israel that the Israeli Prime Minister has agreed to 24-Hour Monitoring to insure that the World is aware that the status quo at Temple Mount has not changed.  Whether that will calm the situation down remains to be seen.     This is as we are seeing disturbing reports of the claims by Daesh (known in Western Media as IS/ISIL/etc.) is claiming responisblity for a blast in Bangaldesh.  

 

Notations on Our World (Breaking Developments From South Africa): Zero fee increases for 2016 – Zuma

We have been following student protests in South Africa over fee increases.    President Zuma announced that there would be no fee increases and a whole host of complaints by students will be reviewed as result of the #FreeMustFall Protests.   

 It was troubling as we reviewed reports that the viablity of Free Education was deemed possible by the South African Government three years ago--but the Higher Education Minister sat on it.



Please click here for the latest on South Afirca on this received here at our #Outsider Virtual Studios: Zero fee increases for 2016 – Zuma

The Friday Musical Interlude: Michael Jackson's "You Rock My World"....

It is Friday here in #Outsiders.     We hope all enjoy this selection from our artist of the week, Michael Jackson as as he sings "You Rock My World" with the fab Chris Rock:

Notations On Our World: On #CanadaElections

The New Canadian Prime Minister Designate is hard at work.   He will be announcing his new Cabinet on November 4 as he is starting his moves to transform Canada.    

One very interesting developoment is the threatened withdrawal from the F-35 Stealth Fighter program.     We just received this:

Pentagon expects USD1 million unit price increase if Canada leaves F-35 programme

Canada's threatened departure from the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft programme could raise the price of the stealthy jets for the remaining customers, according to US Air Force Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan, the Pentagon's F-35 programme manager.

READ FULL ARTICLE... 

We will continue to assess the on-going changes in Canada.

Notations From the Grid: Can We See Such a Day?

As the Israel Palestine Inferno continues, our team was "on the grid" as it ran across this beautiful and telling scene:

Palestine before 1948
Posted by Celebrating Palestine on Wednesday, October 21, 2015

We could not help but wonder if we could truly see such a day.

Notations On Our World: Thoughts on the #BenghaziHearing

(Updated 10/23/2015 w/insights from the Heritage Foundation's "The Daily Signal")

We here @ #Outsiders were monitoring the Benghazi Hearing that Hillary Rodham Clinton was the star witness.      Here is an excerpt of her opening testmony:

The terrorist attacks at our diplomatic compound and later, at the CIA post in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012 took the lives of four brave Americans: Ambassador Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, and Tyrone Woods.

I am here to honor the service of those four men, the courage of the Diplomatic Security agency and the CIA officers who risked their lives that night, and the work their colleagues do every single day all over the world...

I was the one who asked Chris to go to Libya as our envoy. I was the one who recommended him to be our Ambassador to to the President. After the attacks, I stood next to President Obama as Marines carried his casket and those of the other three Americans off the plane at Andrews Air Force Base. I took responsibility. And, as part of that, before I left office, I launched reforms to better protect our people in the field and help reduce the chance of another tragedy happening in the future...

We need leadership at home to match our leadership abroad. Leadership that puts national security ahead of politics and ideology. Our nation has a long history of bipartisan cooperation on foreign policy and national security. Not that we always agree -- far from it -- but we do come together when it counts.

As Secretary of State, I worked with the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to pass a landmark nuclear arms control treaty with Russia. I worked with Republican Leader, Senator Mitch McConnell, to open up Burma, now Myanmar, to find democratic change. I know it’s possible to find common ground, because I have done it.

We should debate on the basis of fact, not fear. We should resist denigrating the patriotism or loyalty of those with who we disagree. So I am here. Despite all the previous investigations and all the talk about partisan agendas, I am here to honor those we lost, and to do what I can to aid those who serve us still.

And my challenge to you, members of this Committee, is the same challenge I put to myself.

Let’s be worthy of the trust the American people have bestowed upon us. They expect us to lead. To learn the right lessons. To rise above partisanship and to reach for statesmanship. That’s what I tried to do every day as Secretary of State. And it’s what I hope we all strive for here today and into the future. 

  From our standpoint, our view was that there was "nothing there" as the Former Secretary of State and leading Presidential Candidate for the Democratic Party sat through 11 hours of testimony and one of the many faces as reported by the Guardian of London--and noted on our Twitter Feed curatoin said it all: 

On #Americas Watch w/The many, many faces of Hillary Clinton at the #Benghazi hearing https://t.co/6deatI8LBg

— The Daily Outsider (@DailyOutsider) October 22, 2015

It concluded with a handshake:

Mrs. Clinton Shakes Hands w/Congressman Gowdy

The Democrats were in fighting form as they spared with the Republicans.   This was epitomized by this sent out under Senator Barbara Boxer of California's name:

MIke -- 11 hours. For 11 hours to‌day, we saw all the qualities that will make Hillary Clinton an extraordinary president. For 11 hours, we heard Republicans on the Benghazi Committee subject Hillary to recycled conspiracy theories, false attacks, interruptions, and innuendos. But what didn't we hear? Not one new fact, not one new insight, nothing. There have now been 8 investigations, 11 reports, 32 hearings, and 800 pages of findings. This select committee has now lasted 17 months, longer than congressional investigations into Watergate, Iran-Contra, and Hurricane Katrina. Enough. It is time -- it is long past time -- to disband the Benghazi Committee and end this sham. Tell the GOP: It's time to shut down their sham Benghazi Committee right now. Benghazi was a tragedy, not a scandal centered on Hillary Clinton. The real scandal is the $4.7 million of taxpayer funds that the GOP has misused in a political witch hunt with one goal: to stop Hillary Clinton from becoming president. But don't take my word for it. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy made clear that the Benghazi committee was all about driving down Hillary Clinton's poll numbers. Congressman Richard Hanna agreed. A fired Republican whistleblower made the same claim. It is time for the Republican National Committee to reimburse the American taxpayers. It is time to disband the Benghazi Committee and stop this political hit job once and for all. Join my colleagues and me in telling the GOP to end their political sham and shut down their Benghazi Committee. In Friendship, Barbara Boxer U.S. Senator

The Hillary Clinton Campaign and Marco Rubio Campaigns have been fundraising of this as Marco Rubio continues attackig Hillary Clinton.      Our team understood the political nature of it as noted in this we received from the Heritage Foundation's "Daily Signal"

6 Key Exchanges From Hillary Clinton's Benghazi Testimony

In the much-anticipated hearing, Clinton testified about her role as secretary of state during the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attacks. We watched the 11-hour hearing and identified the most important moments.

Read More

However, we found it extremely disturbing that this email was sent out in an effort to effectively  "monetize" a clearly politically charged matter that we found to be unfortunate:  

w Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special House committee Oct. 22 about events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Questions posed by the Gowdy Commission went to such areas as the need for speartip diplomacy in chaotic environments like Libya, Mrs. Clinton's connections and treatment of various intelligence sources and previous statements attributing the attack to mob violence. Regardless of whether you think the hearings are political theater for its own sake or a meaningful way to unearth hidden facts, the questions at their core go to deep issues revolving around geopolitics and security. And that's why people who want clear-eyed analysis -- without politics or spin -- turn to Stratfor. Our analyst team brings a deep understanding of world cultures, history, tactical security and intelligence processes and combines that with a cross-disciplnary approach to produce analysis that explains not onlywhy events happen, but what's likely to come next. Deepen your own understanding of the world: Subscribe to Stratfor.com for 1 year for only $99 and get unlimited access to our globa affairs analysis and forecasts -- and we'll also give you the Kindle version ofUnder Fire: The Untold Story of Benghazi, the best-selling book by Stratfor's own security expert Fred Burton, as a gift. But act fast -- this offer is good for 48 hours only! You can also listen to Fred Burton discuss matters related to Hillary Clinton's intelligence sources in the August issue of our monthly podcast, Stratfor Talks. Listen here for free!  *This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

MIke --

11 hours. For 11 hours to‌day, we saw all the qualities that will make Hillary Clinton an extraordinary president.

For 11 hours, we heard Republicans on the Benghazi Committee subject Hillary to recycled conspiracy theories, false attacks, interruptions, and innuendos.

But what didn't we hear? Not one new fact, not one new insight, nothing.

There have now been 8 investigations, 11 reports, 32 hearings, and 800 pages of findings.

This select committee has now lasted 17 months, longer than congressional investigations into Watergate, Iran-Contra, and Hurricane Katrina.

Enough. It is time -- it is long past time -- to disband the Benghazi Committee and end this sham.

Tell the GOP: It's time to shut down their sham Benghazi Committee right now.

Benghazi was a tragedy, not a scandal centered on Hillary Clinton.

The real scandal is the $4.7 million of taxpayer funds that the GOP has misused in a political witch hunt with one goal: to stop Hillary Clinton from becoming president. But don't take my word for it.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy made clear that the Benghazi committee was all about driving down Hillary Clinton's poll numbers. Congressman Richard Hanna agreed. A fired Republican whistleblower made the same claim.

It is time for the Republican National Committee to reimburse the American taxpayers.

It is time to disband the Benghazi Committee and stop this political hit job once and for all.

Join my colleagues and me in telling the GOP to end their political sham and shut down their Benghazi Committee.

In Friendship,

Barbara Boxer
U.S. Senator

w

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special House committee Oct. 22 about events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Questions posed by the Gowdy Commission went to such areas as the need for speartip diplomacy in chaotic environments like Libya, Mrs. Clinton's connections and treatment of various intelligence sources and previous statements attributing the attack to mob violence. Regardless of whether you think the hearings are political theater for its own sake or a meaningful way to unearth hidden facts, the questions at their core go to deep issues revolving around geopolitics and security. And that's why people who want clear-eyed analysis -- without politics or spin -- turn to Stratfor. Our analyst team brings a deep understanding of world cultures, history, tactical security and intelligence processes and combines that with a cross-disciplnary approach to produce analysis that explains not onlywhy events happen, but what's likely to come next. Deepen your own understanding of the world: Subscribe to Stratfor.com for 1 year for only $99 and get unlimited access to our globa affairs analysis and forecasts -- and we'll also give you the Kindle version ofUnder Fire: The Untold Story of Benghazi, the best-selling book by Stratfor's own security expert Fred Burton, as a gift. But act fast -- this offer is good for 48 hours only! You can also listen to Fred Burton discuss matters related to Hillary Clinton's intelligence sources in the August issue of our monthly podcast, Stratfor Talks. Listen here for free!  *This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special House committee Oct. 22 about events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Questions posed by the Gowdy Commission went to such areas as the need for speartip diplomacy in chaotic environments like Libya, Mrs. Clinton's connections and treatment of various intelligence sources and previous statements attributing the attack to mob violence. Regardless of whether you think the hearings are political theater for its own sake or a meaningful way to unearth hidden facts, the questions at their core go to deep issues revolving around geopolitics and security. And that's why people who want clear-eyed analysis -- without politics or spin -- turn to Stratfor. Our analyst team brings a deep understanding of world cultures, history, tactical security and intelligence processes and combines that with a cross-disciplnary approach to produce analysis that explains not onlywhy events happen, but what's likely to come next. Deepen your own understanding of the world: Subscribe to Stratfor.com for 1 year for only $99 and get unlimited access to our globa affairs analysis and forecasts -- and we'll also give you the Kindle version ofUnder Fire: The Untold Story of Benghazi, the best-selling book by Stratfor's own security expert Fred Burton, as a gift. But act fast -- this offer is good for 48 hours only! You can also listen to Fred Burton discuss matters related to Hillary Clinton's intelligence sources in the August issue of our monthly podcast, Stratfor Talks. Listen here for free!  *This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special House committee Oct. 22 about events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Questions posed by the Gowdy Commission went to such areas as the need for speartip diplomacy in chaotic environments like Libya, Mrs. Clinton's connections and treatment of various intelligence sources and previous statements attributing the attack to mob violence. Regardless of whether you think the hearings are political theater for its own sake or a meaningful way to unearth hidden facts, the questions at their core go to deep issues revolving around geopolitics and security. And that's why people who want clear-eyed analysis -- without politics or spin -- turn to Stratfor. Our analyst team brings a deep understanding of world cultures, history, tactical security and intelligence processes and combines that with a cross-disciplnary approach to produce analysis that explains not onlywhy events happen, but what's likely to come next. Deepen your own understanding of the world: Subscribe to Stratfor.com for 1 year for only $99 and get unlimited access to our globa affairs analysis and forecasts -- and we'll also give you the Kindle version ofUnder Fire: The Untold Story of Benghazi, the best-selling book by Stratfor's own security expert Fred Burton, as a gift. But act fast -- this offer is good for 48 hours only! You can also listen to Fred Burton discuss matters related to Hillary Clinton's intelligence sources in the August issue of our monthly podcast, Stratfor Talks. Listen here for free!

*This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special House committee Oct. 22 about events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Questions posed by the Gowdy Commission went to such areas as the need for speartip diplomacy in chaotic environments like Libya, Mrs. Clinton's connections and treatment of various intelligence sources and previous statements attributing the attack to mob violence. Regardless of whether you think the hearings are political theater for its own sake or a meaningful way to unearth hidden facts, the questions at their core go to deep issues revolving around geopolitics and security. And that's why people who want clear-eyed analysis -- without politics or spin -- turn to Stratfor. Our analyst team brings a deep understanding of world cultures, history, tactical security and intelligence processes and combines that with a cross-disciplnary approach to produce analysis that explains not onlywhy events happen, but what's likely to come next. Deepen your own understanding of the world: Subscribe to Stratfor.com for 1 year for only $99 and get unlimited access to our globa affairs analysis and forecasts -- and we'll also give you the Kindle version ofUnder Fire: The Untold Story of Benghazi, the best-selling book by Stratfor's own security expert Fred Burton, as a gift. But act fast -- this offer is good for 48 hours only! You can also listen to Fred Burton discuss matters related to Hillary Clinton's intelligence sources in the August issue of our monthly podcast, Stratfor Talks. Listen here for free!

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special House committee Oct. 22 about events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Questions posed by the Gowdy Commission went to such areas as the need for speartip diplomacy in chaotic environments like Libya, Mrs. Clinton's connections and treatment of various intelligence sources and previous statements attributing the attack to mob violence. Regardless of whether you think the hearings are political theater for its own sake or a meaningful way to unearth hidden facts, the questions at their core go to deep issues revolving around geopolitics and security. And that's why people who want clear-eyed analysis -- without politics or spin -- turn to Stratfor. Our analyst team brings a deep understanding of world cultures, history, tactical security and intelligence processes and combines that with a cross-disciplnary approach to produce analysis that explains not onlywhy events happen, but what's likely to come next. Deepen your own understanding of the world: Subscribe to Stratfor.com for 1 year for only $99 and get unlimited access to our globa affairs analysis and forecasts -- and we'll also give you the Kindle version ofUnder Fire: The Untold Story of Benghazi, the best-selling book by Stratfor's own security expert Fred Burton, as a gift. But act fast -- this offer is good for 48 hours only! You can also listen to Fred Burton discuss matters related to Hillary Clinton's intelligence sources in the August issue of our monthly podcast, Stratfor Talks. Listen here for free!

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special House committee Oct. 22 about events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.

Questions posed by the Gowdy Commission went to such areas as the need for speartip diplomacy in chaotic environments like Libya, Mrs. Clinton's connections and treatment of various intelligence sources and previous statements attributing the attack to mob violence.

Regardless of whether you think the hearings are political theater for its own sake or a meaningful way to unearth hidden facts, the questions at their core go to deep issues revolving around geopolitics and security. And that's why people who want clear-eyed analysis -- without politics or spin -- turn to Stratfor.

Our analyst team brings a deep understanding of world cultures, history, tactical security and intelligence processes and combines that with a cross-disciplnary approach to produce analysis that explains not onlywhy events happen, but what's likely to come next.

Deepen your own understanding of the world: Subscribe to Stratfor.com for 1 year for only $99 and get unlimited access to our globa affairs analysis and forecasts -- and we'll also give you the Kindle version ofUnder Fire: The Untold Story of Benghazi, the best-selling book by Stratfor's own security expert Fred Burton, as a gift. But act fast -- this offer is good for 48 hours only!

You can also listen to Fred Burton discuss matters related to Hillary Clinton's intelligence sources in the August issue of our monthly podcast, Stratfor Talks. Listen here for free! 

*This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

*This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

*This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

*This offer is valid only for new Stratfor subscribers. These prices cannot be applied to returning or new Stratfor accounts. Subscriptions cannot be purchased to replace other, higher-priced subscriptions. Other exclusions or limitations may apply.

Notations On Our World: On #Iran & #humanrights

As we went to press, we received reports earlier that President Rouhani of Iran will be going to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis.   It signifies the continued emergence of Iran from the years of isolation despite the continued pressures that the conservatives continue to exert as signified by Ayatollah Khameini's letter ascending to the nuclear agreement earlier this week.

Despite the incremental openings, Human Rights continue to be a profound challenge in Iran.   We have been continuing to follow the case of the Washington Post' Jason Rezayian as he continues to languish in an Iranian Prison on charges of espionage and sedition.    As we went to press here, we are yet to get any indication of his situation and if there is a prospect of him being released.   We have seen no reports on progress on the other three Americans currently missing in Iran.

One further indication of the profound challenges to Freedom of Expression is the case of the 30-Year Iranian Filmaker Keyvan Karimi.   He has been accused of  insulting the cultural norms because he depicted a kissing scene in one of his films.    Recent reports we received indicates that although he's currently free, he will be subject to arrest at any time after his conviction.    He has been sentenced to 6 years prison and 323 lashes.     It was a welcome development as we saw French Filmakers issue a statement of support for him.    

We will continue to monitor his case.    

Keyvan Karimi @ Work

On the Latest From Washington: An #Outsider Newsflash (Evening Edition)

Earlier today, Vice President Biden announced that he will not be seeking the Democratic Nomination for President.   It ends months and months of speculation on it.    It has been interesting to have seen the deliberations in the mainstream media on it.  


Beyond the quest for the Presidency, though, there is the continued leadership challenge in the US House as Congressman Ryan has laid out his five conditions as this just got released courtesy of the Huffington Post:

BREAKING NEWS

Wednesday October 21, 2015

House Conservatives Support Paul Ryan For Speaker, But Won't Formally Endorse Him

Rep. Paul Ryan, R- Wis., speaks at a news conference following a House GOP meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Ryan told GOP lawmakers that he will run for speaker, but only if they embrace him by week's end as their consensus candidate, an ambitious bid to impose unity on a disordered and divided House. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

It will be an interesting few days especially as this interesting take on Congressman Ryan's views was received at our Virtual Studios:

Paul Ryan Wants to Shut Down the Government, Permanently by Dean Baker Following Ryan's plan, in 35 years we would have nothing left over after paying for the military.