Radio War Nerd EP #168 — Balochistan Insurgencies

Fun fact- the Brits tried to export what they did to Balochistan to Iraq. They referred to it as the “Sandeman System”- and it entailed giving communal land rights and the responsibility of tax collection to recognized tribal leaders. The policy was instrumental in the formation of the Iraqi monarchy. The “Sandeman System” by all accounts did not work particularly well. Iraq was a diverse, complex society where tribal organization was extremely variable. In the 1920s there was widespread multi confessional resistance to the Brits- the “thawra” (which at least one Iraqi insurgent group took their name from- the 1920 Revolutionary Birgade.) The conflicts it engendered led the Brits to pioneer “aerial policing” (ie bombing villages and communities that failed to pay taxes, respect recognized tribal leaders, or harbor criminals.) The relatively small group of large landholders- the tribal leaders who benefited from the British system of land tenure- became the backbone of the Hashemite monarchy- and the “Republican” nationalists of Iraq mobilized in part against them.

C'mon, you gotta link to TLW's photo of General Marri "Balls on Legs": <a href="http://theselongwars.blogspot.com/2010/11/ayaz-amir-talks-about-bankruptcy-of.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://theselongwars.blogspot.com/2010/11/ayaz-amir-talks-about-bankruptcy-of.html</a>

Asharq al-Awsat is one of the two major London based Arabic language papers owned by the Saudi royal family. Is this the one that was being referred to at 12 mins? If so, I would definitely not give it the benefit of the doubt when it comes to objective reporting on matters concerning Hezbollah.

This beautifully produced interview by the fairly left liberal podcaster Christopher Lydon of Pakistani travel writer Salman Rashid was my introduction to the Baloch people, and to much of nearby Pakistani culture. Bonus points for the music of composer Sohail Rana. <a href="http://radioopensource.org/salman-rashid-a-pakistani-travelogue-with-tears/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://radioopensource.org/salman-rashid-a-pakistani-travelogue-with-tears/</a>

I've read "Manhunt" by Peter Maas, on the Edwin Wilson story. Pretty gripping tale of a man with no morals, extreme greed, and the chutzpah to pull off his schemes. John often brings up how the Cold War was a huge money-making opportunity. None exploited that potential more than Wilson. He had a humongous estate in Virginia, and everyone just looked the other way, or enjoyed his largess, until his downfall.

On the topic of neocon Hezbollah/Iranian conspiracies in South America and Argentina especially, you really should do an episode on the AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires in 1994. It’s a mind blowing story, and has long been used as a bloody shirt to wave by Iran hawks. Gareth Porter wrote a great article for the Nation on the subject that is really worth reading. To top it all off, a government prosecutor investigating the bombing was murdered, which became a huge political issue in Argentina. Even if you don’t do an episode on it, it makes for good reading, and I’m sure would be quite the conversation starter while John’s in BA.

AWESOME! I can't wait to listen!

For those too excited to wait for an RWN on Ed Wilson (referenced in mins 26-28), here's a stellar documentary about his partner-in-crime, Frank Terpil — <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQyggh7Ats8" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQyggh7Ats8</a>