In Washington DC (USA), the lagna is Leo 18'27'. The conglomeration of planets is in the eighth house. There is an exchange between the second and eighth too. The affliction to the two-eight axis is pronounced. The overall health of the nation is under a cloud. A great concentration of planets in the eighth house from the lagna can only have an ominous significance.

The lagna lord Sun occupies the eighth house in exact conjunction with the twelfth lord Moon, aspected by the malefic sixth lord Saturn and a retrograde eighth lord Jupiter. Other than Mars, all the planets have an association with or aspect on the eighth house. The absence of Mars' aspect may actually be a consolation since it takes away to a significant extent the element of violence inherent in its aspect. However, the importance of the eighth house does signify intrigues and underhand dealings in all matters of governance. Possibility of benefitting from the oil from Middle East is a distinct possiblity even if all codes of propriety are to be sacrificed. More enmity and trouble seem to be lurking ahead. Governance is unlikely to be a smooth affair as it continues with its game of brinkmanship. Affliction of the tenth lord Venus in the eighth house, even if exalted, could put the head of the government at physical risk from his enemies. Saturn in the eleventh house and Mars in the sixth do indicate that nation will continue with its approach without taking into consideration the views of other countries.

At times it is likely to find itself in the position of a person who has swallowed a hot potato. Now neither can the potato be spit out nor can it be swallowed without more damage. The present scenario in Iraq fits the situation very well. The lagnas for the Chaitra Shukla charts and the navamsha charts for both the USA and India are mutually in 6/8 position. This is the worst possible placement and indicates no possibility whatsoever of improvement of relations between the two democracies, with differences coming out in the open in several matters. The situation with our wayward neighbour, however, is different. The natal lagnas of USA and Pakistan are mutually 5/9 from each other while their navamsha lagnas are in a 4/10 position. This ensures continued support to Pakistan under the garb of mutual fight against terrorism.