June 21, 2007

DON'T PREDICT IT, EFFECT IT:

US predicts regime change in Zimbabwe as hyperinflation destroys the economy (Andrew Meldrum, June 22, 2007, The Guardian)

Zimbabwe's inflation will rocket to 1.5m% before the end of the year, the US ambassador to Harare predicted yesterday, forecasting massive disruption and instability that will drive President Robert Mugabe from office.

In a telephone interview with the Guardian, Christopher Dell said prices were going up twice a day, sapping popular confidence in a government which is now "committing regime change on itself".

"I believe inflation will hit 1.5m% by the end of 2007, if not before," Mr Dell said. "I know that sounds stratospheric but, looking at the way things are going, I believe it is a modest forecast."


Sure, we owed Liberia a special debt, but Zimbabwens deserve our help too.

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 21, 2007 7:29 PM
Comments

That's a British issue, OJ. They're the ones that need to make up for the shameful treatment of the Rt. Hon. Ian Smith and his cohorts. This isn't our dance.

Posted by: Brad S at June 21, 2007 8:25 PM

Am I my brother's keeper?

Posted by: Cain at June 21, 2007 9:27 PM

Mugabes's head in Mbeki's bed. Tonight.

That said, I have heard from friends in the US defense community that Brad's comment is why it hasn't happened already.

Posted by: ratbert at June 21, 2007 10:58 PM

The US has traditionally deferred from involvement in Africa to its former colonial powers. However, I think the main obstacle is what kind of pressure the US could bring to bear that would actually do something. We're not going to invade - even if Zimbabwe was accessible by the sea. And we have enough items on our plate already. US power is not unlimited. That we could conceivably do anything we wanted does not mean we can do everything we want. Zimbabwe falls outside our immediate concerns. If Mugabe is likely to fall anyway, it's better to conserve resources for some place where it can be decisive.

Posted by: Chris Durnell at June 22, 2007 12:05 PM

Hellfires are cheap. Cut of the head, the snake dies.

Posted by: Bob at June 22, 2007 1:51 PM
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