While Obama shrugs: turmoil in Honduras, Afghanistan, China

Honduras is on the threshold of closing stages a four-month political calamity after rival camps cut a deal that could return expelled President Manuel Zelaya to power and earn worldwide support for a November 29 election.

Caving under demands from U.S. diplomats, representatives for Zelaya (whom was toppled in a June 28 coup while the de-facto leader Roberto Micheletti supplanted him) reached an agreement to put an end to Central America's worst political tumult in two decades.

The deal, seen as a too-late diplomatic setback for U.S. President Barack Obama, leaves it up to the Honduran Congress to decide whether Zelaya can be returned to perform the last few months of his term – the very obstacle that caused previous talks to falter – a Congressional vote is expected in the near future, after the Supreme Court gives a non-binding opinion on the matter.

Meanwhile, Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah had already announced he would not boycott the formerly scheduled runoff against incumbent Hamid Karzai, after talks about how to determine the country's ongoing election predicament broke down.

Since that time, Abdullah has conceded and the government has declared Karzai the winner. Karzai replaced Burhanuddin Rabbani in 2001 and has had a tumultuous relationship with the United States and his country is teetering on the verge of civil war and a return to a lawless nation state, ruined by the Taliban and Al Qaeda. The precariousness continues while General Stanley McChrystal awaits a decision for more troop requests.

At the same time, A U.S. Navy admiral articulated new trepidation last week over China's military buildup and insisted Beijing to be clearer about its intent.

Rear Adm. Kevin Donegan, commander of the USS George Washington aircraft carrier strike group, a key part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, told reporters on a visit to the Chinese territory of Hong Kong that China's military growing at an "unprecedented rate". The U.S. wants to guarantee that increase doesn't subvert the rest of the region. Donegan cited China's expanded weaponry and his remarks repeated the apprehension of other U.S. military leaders who have alleged the growth in China's military spending — up nearly 15% in the 2009 budget — raises questions about how Beijing plans on deploying its new power.

These events are not new, nor are they easily fixed, yet while President Obama makes robo-calls to voters in New Jersey and stumps for health care reform, turmoil ensues around a world looking for leadership.

-- Killswitch Politick

Click here to subscribe

Click here to contact