It Appears Baghdad Will Fall to Al Qaeda Related Group - Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - Dire News for Price of Oil and and for the Civilized World

Commentary by Mark Carolla, Former Defense Diplomat and Analyst. It appears that there is little standing in the way of an Islamic Extremist, not to mention terrorist, capture of Baghdad, or at best a partition of Iraq into sectarian parts - Kurdish, Shiite, and Sunni. For US foreign policy and strategic interests this makes the Ukrainian-Russian ethnic clash look like a Sunday School outing. What could result here is an Islamic extremist Caliphate - the extremists have already threatened to kill staunch American Ally King Abdullah of Jordan. At the very least the price of oil could go sky high. Saudi Arabia could be threatened,and there could be a general Shiite-Sunni conflict ranging from Lebanon and Syria to Iran. Our readers are urged to follow Retired US Air Force Colonel Rick Francona's blog at www.francona.com for up to date informed analysis. Additionally, Mark Carolla, the author of this small piece, in collaboration with Edna Chirico of Green Moose Consulting, LLC is prepared to do an analysis of what this means for Charlotte area business. Edna Chirico's knowledge of the Carolinas infrastructure and economy along with Mark Carolla's three decade plus international security experience can be deployed to help you evaluate your business risk strategy.

Airport Bus Connector Provides Limited Connector Service to Charlotte Airport

CATS and the Airport have announced a New Albeit Constrained Bus Connector to the Airport. TAKE THE NEW AIRPORT CONNECTOR ON YOUR NEXT TRIP Charlotte, NC - The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) announced a new express bus service for travelers and employees that begins June 16. Two separate routes will provide riders direct service from select CATS park and rides. “This partnership provides another way to get to the airport without having to drive,” said Carolyn Flowers, CATS CEO. “The success of the Sprinter route to the airport from Center City indicates people are looking for travel options.” Route 590 Airport Connector-Northlake will operate from the Northlake park and ride and travel I-485 to the airport. Route 591 Airport Connector – Archdale will pick up riders along the LYNX Blue Line at the Archdale, Tyvola and Woodlawn transit stations. For security reasons, no 24-hour parking will be permitted at the park and ride lots as this service is designed to primarily accommodate employees and travelers who are dropped off at the bus stop. “We’re pleased to see this new employee and passenger transit option and encourage the public to try the Airport Connector” said Haley Gentry, Airport Business Affairs Director. “This is a creative alternative, particularly during a busy time of significant expansion and roadway construction at the airport.” Buses will run every 30 minutes between the hours of 5 a.m. and midnight seven days a week. One-way cash fare is $2.75. The fare will increase to $3.00 one-way on July 1. CATS also offers weekly, monthly and 10-ride passes for frequent riders. Schedule and fare information can be found on CATS’ website at www.ridetransit.org or by calling 704-336-7433. The new transportation service is hardly as robust as service from our Nation's Capital via Metro to Reagan National Airport and Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport via Amtrak or Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) or to Newark International Airport via Amtrak or New Jersey Transit and the lack of 24 hour park and ride will constrain some passengers and employees (those who do not have the means to be dropped off at the bus stop) but it is a start. On a positive note, it can be fed into by existing LYNX service.