There's military slang that seemingly applies to the situation on the ground in Afghanistan today. The operative acronym is FUBAR - Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition. That first letter doesn't really stand for "Fouled," and the R sometimes stands for Repair.
One of the sharper military analysts I know has just returned from a tour of that sorrowful nation, which has been at war continuously since the Soviet Army invaded it in late 1979.
Gen. Barry McCaffrey, who retired from the U.S. Army with four stars and a chest full of combat medals including two Distinguished Service Crosses, says we can't shoot our way out of Afghanistan, and the two or three or more American combat brigades proposed by the two putative nominees for president are irrelevant.
Continued on Page 49
#3
Actually went to the article. I agree with P2k that this is a lot of bitchin' with no solutions. The only thing he actually recommended was some Combat Engineers w/ Stryker infantry backup. I could have come up with that one.
For a man formerly carrying 4 stars this is pretty poor.
RAND has missed the point in that that lawfare only works in a society that believes in the rule of law. Since there are many in the world that do not follow that premise, lawfare did not and will not work. That the police and the courts will take care of it attitude at places like RAND and the halls of government is the primary reason our troops have had to be used to address the problem after the failure of lawfare policys.
The use of modern police techniques by the military does not negate the need for military presence to make it work. Passing some laws and telling the police and courts to take care of it will not address terrorism or radical Islam.
#7
i agree... more troops in a-stan is not the answer.
more HE in pak-land is.
Posted by: Abu do you love ||
07/31/2008 23:36 Comments ||
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#8
HMMMMM, massive US-Allied investment aside IMO I don't think getting Afghani-Paki farmers to switch to FLORIDA ORANGES ala 1980's WAR ON DRUGS is gonna work in this region. This region has basic been a NO-MAN'S LAND for 00's of yarns as per EAST-WEST TRADE, and will likely remain so for decades to come.
COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES > ECONOMIC REDEVELOPMENT/RECONSTRUX > in absence of anything else, perhaps its time for the US-Allies to consider turning Afghani-Paki into a major, LEGIT Regional-Global source of CHEAP PHARMACEUTICALS AND DRUGS. THE PRIORITY RIGHT NOW IS TO FIND SOMETHING THAT IS BOTH EMPOWERING AS WELL AS PROFITABLE FOR LOCALS, WHILE ALSO BEING LOW-COST AMAP FOR AMERICA.
The lack of substantive local development is another reason. among others, why THERE CAN BE NO "STALEMATE" IN THE WOT BWTN THE USA + RADICAL ISLAM, AS PER UNIPOLAR DOMINATION OF OWG-NWO.
A prominent Taliban commander boasted to NBC News in an interview that Afghan officials are aiding his forces in fighting U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan.
In the interview, wanted Taliban commander Sirajuddin Haqqani said that the corrupted Afghan officials are a key to the Taliban's military success. "There are some people with government portfolios who are supporting us because they are worried about their own security," Haqqani said. "They inform us of the movements of U.S. and NATO troops. There have even been some instances where they have assisted us in carrying out attacks," he added.
Sirajuddin Haqqani, 28, controls the Taliban in the Afghan border areas with Pakistan, and in the area surrounding Kabul. Under tight security, he consented to an interview with NBC News' Mushtaq Yusufzai in a safe house in Khost, the Afghan province that borders Pakistan.
Continued on Page 49
This article starring:
Jalaluddin Haqqani
Sirajuddin Haqqani
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
I think I covered this pretty well yesterday. We may need to "overthrow" another Afghan government, and this time continue our occupation for several years instead of a few months.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
07/31/2008 12:43 Comments ||
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(Xinhua) -- Egypt and South Africa Tuesday expressed their support for a 12-month delay of indictment on Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes at the International Criminal Court (ICC), the South African Press Association reported.
"We are both making efforts to find a solution and we are trying hard," said visiting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak at a joint press conference after holding talks with his South African counterpart Thabo Mbeki. "The case could perhaps be postponed for about 12 months during which something could happen to decrease the tension," he was quoted as saying during his first official visit to South Africa.
I think that means the body count would go up ...
Mbeki said the indictment "does not help" efforts to move forward the peace process between north and south Sudan, nor in the Darfur region.
(Xinhua) -- Hundreds of people Wednesday rallied in a number of districts in the Somali capital Mogadishu in support of the Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein's decision to sack Mohamed Omar Habeeb as the mayor of the city.
Nur dismissed Habeeb, who is also the governor of Banadir region, in a decree issued Tuesday. The premier accused the former mayor and governor of incompetence, mismanagement, embezzlement and failure to stabilize the capital.
People rallied in Yaqshid, Hamarweyne, Hamarjajab, and Wadajir districts, chanting slogans in support of the Prime Minister. The demonstrators were addressed by commissioners of the districts who also welcomed the Premier's move.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2008 00:00 ||
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(Xinhua) -- Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazef on Wednesday warned of attempts to jeopardize Sudan's security and stability,
Such as it is...
reiterating his country's commitment to helping achieve national reconciliation in Sudan.
... which has been tripping right along, hasn't it?
Nazef made the remarks at the sixth session of the Egyptian-Sudanese higher committee that opened Wednesday in the northern Egyptian coastal city of Alexandria, the official MENA news agency reported. "We called on rebel movements in (the western Sudanese region of) Darfur to listen to the voice of reason and live up to (their)responsibility to protect the unity of Sudan," said Nazef.
"And they suggested we get bent. Go figure."
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2008 00:00 ||
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British forces are so short of helicopters in Afghanistan and Iraq that they are considering renting them from other countries, or even from the controversial US security contractor Blackwater.
As a roadside bomb in Afghanistan's Helmand province claimed the life of another UK paratrooper, The Independent has learnt that the Ministry of Defence will hold a crisis meeting at 5pm today to discuss leasing helicopters from former Warsaw Pact countries as well as commercial companies.
Continued on Page 49
#1
HMMMMM, compare wid HOTAIR > CONSERVATIVE GRAPEVINE [paraph] - THE FIVE THINGS/REASONS WHY EUROPEANS LIKE ABOUT BARACK OBAMA + THE TOP TEN THINGS TO EXPECT FROM AN OBAMA SUPREME COURT.
Socialism-Govtism, versus Might-as-Well-Be- Socialism-Govtism > THUS OF COURSE, LA DIFFERENCE???
#2
Thank Labour for selling us down the river and providing inadequate resources for our armed forces . Des Browne is the most ineffectual , spineless , gutless wonder to have ever stepped foot into the shoes of Defence Secretary .
Shame on him , bring back Maggie ..
#3
Seems to me that this indicates that Britian is no longer really a player, but just playing.
Posted by: Kelly ||
07/31/2008 10:18 Comments ||
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#4
Is the Prime Minister's given name, "Des", short for despicable? I'd assume so, considering how the UK is treating its military. A clue, Des: you cannot 'rent' a national defense force. You have to spend real money on it, in its conception, its operations, and for the retirement of those who make the military their career. You need boots on the ground to win wars, not complaisant generals and admirals. If you can't understand that, you shouldn't be Prime Minister.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
07/31/2008 12:58 Comments ||
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#5
OP,
Des isn't the PM he's the Defense minister they share an antonymic last name.
PM Gordon (aka Dum* **it) Brown and Des (aka *^&^&*$^%**%%($$##^@(**) Browne.
(Xinhua) -- Foreign students hoping to come to Britain to study will have to meet strict new rules, the government announced on Wednesday.
The Home Office has published proposals for much tighter rules for foreign students and the universities and colleges hosting them, under the new point-based system. All colleges and universities will have to take greater responsibility for their foreign students, and will even need a license should they wish to recruit from abroad, to help the government crack down on bogus colleges who abuse the system.
For the first time education providers face a ban on bringing over international students if they fail to follow strict new rules including alerting the UK Border Agency (UKBA) if students fail to enroll. Foreign students must be sponsored by a UKBA-licensed education institution, prove they have the means to support themselves and their families while studying here as well as supplying their fingerprints.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
Of course, exceptions will be made for students coming from "good" countries, like Pakistan. Part of the old empire and all.
Posted by: Rambler in California ||
07/31/2008 0:56 Comments ||
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#2
This only hurts the legitimate students. Fake students will just get fake paperwork prepared by their schools.
Russia's top arms producer has unveiled plans to help repel attacks by pirates and reduce the number of hijacks on the country's civil ships.
Vladimir Korenkov, from arms manufacturer Bazalt, said it's equipping vessels with it's multi-barrel grenade launching systems to help curb pirate aggression.
But the move is a complex one and involves passing stringent measures regarding weapons on boats.
Continued on Page 49
D *** NG IT, THIS SOUNDS LIKE YET ANOTHER DREAM/VISION OF MINE, BUT DOES PAULA "HOW ABOUT SOME INFORMATION, PLEASE" "DELILAH" "COCONUT KILLER" ABDUL REMEMBER???
#2
I like the idea of a 360-degree waterline flamethrower myself. Then use grenade launchers on anything not hightailing it out of Dodge fast enough to suit whoever is running the grenade launchers.
#3
An old idea recounted by Neal Stephenson in " Quicksilver" was the Comet: wrap a cannonball in oil soaked rags, set it alight and toss it into a troublesome boat.
The point is, it isn't so complicated. These mopes are in aluminum dinghies, and they are in arms reach of the hull. When it gets to the point where seamen start to say, " Fuck this", the problem will start to disappear.
#4
How about an arms locker with a couple of shotguns and AR-15s. At least make it a little hard on them.
The grenade launcher should be required gear for sailing.
#5
The reporting I've seen about pirates in the Filipinos showed they were quite well-armed, with automatic light weapons and Rpg-7, an di doubt the armament is lighter for the somalia guys; so, if crewmen wish to repel a boarding, if only by making it too costly (I doubt the pirates are willing to take much casualties, simply not cost-effective), a crew-served weapons with more reach & bang could be a good answer, an automatic GL or even a GPMG. Such weaponry always wasn't out of reach for civilians and private societies, the early days of the machine-guns were very fuzzy, and until 1934, US police departments or large coproration securities actually packed WWI surplus grenades and machine-guns without anyone finding it unacceptable, so, it's not like it never has been done.
Over that basic self-defense ability, a few weapons specialists with personal weapons onboards for larger boats, and private security companies patroling dangerous waters on behalf of insurance companies, and even over that, an actual willingness from pirate-dens countries to fight against them (by actually hitting them where they live, fishermen villages, shutting down corruption,...)???
#8
I'm for all options. Give the ships some crew served weapons that are hell on small boats and have the special forces "negotiate" with the villages that provide pirates safe havens.
#9
During WW2 the Germans had commerce raiders disguised to look like merchant ships. We need a few of those. The pirates come aboard and suddenly they're facing a fully armed ship loaded with troops. Grab the pirates and force htem to lead you to their base and clean out one of the nests.
One problem with piracy they don't often talk about are the shadow ships and shadow crews. Basically a shadow ship takes on cargo and then disappears. The ship is reported lost but of course it is repainted, renamed, and takes on some other fools cargo. So no armed pirates are involved so grenade launchers would not help.
With a shadow crew the pirates hire on as seamen and at some prearranged time disable the ship so their buds can board without problems. Grenade launchers would be less effective in this scenerio as well. Although some decent GPS tracing devices to track them back to their lair would be helpful in both cases.
And that is the final problem. Everyone believes the pirates are all based out of the Phillipines and Indonesia but a lot of them are actually working out of China. Governments need proof of this and then they need to get the Chinese government to respond.
#10
Put a high-voltage wire on short pylons about four feet below the ship's rail. Run 20,000 volts at 180 amps through the wire. Anyone touching it would get a very good reason to abandon piracy. Back the wire up with crews specially trained to drop whatever they're doing, grab automatic weapons, and attack the pirates. Offer a bounty for each one killed, and a larger bounty for captured pirates (so they can be "interrogated"). Include at least one crew-operated 4.5" weapon that can put a round through the waterline of any "mother ship" that might try to interfere. Bunch up and run as a convoy through pirate-infested waters, with the armed ships being on the outside, in front, and behind the formation. Burn any village to the ground that harbors or supplies pirates. Allow armed ships to add a surcharge to their cargos, and to get paid by other ships for providing defense.
Grenade launchers, unless they're capable of swiveling 360 degrees, aren't much of a defense. An old WWII 4.5" cannon with beehive and armor piercing ammunition would be far more effective.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
07/31/2008 13:10 Comments ||
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#11
How'd they originally deal with pirates and piracy in the Caribbean? It wasn't by being nice to the pirates. As I recall, piracy was an instant death sentence even if all you were was part of the crew or even if you'd been shanghaied or pressed into service.
It's high time to stop treating our own modern-day pirates with kid gloves. Issue a few Letters of Marque to hunt pirates o a couple of mercenary outfits and turn 'em loose. Sink every pirate vessel encountered and execute any pirate who doesn't surrender immediately. Those that do surrender are hanged, publically.. Shell, torch, and otherwise destroy any port or community found to be harboring pirate vessels. Back everything up with the might of the US (since the Russians don't have a fleet-in-being much anymore) or the Japanese if anyone protests the US being involved (and they will).
The United Nations says hunger in North Korea is at its worst since the 1990s, prompting the resumption of emergency UN food shipments. The UN's World Food Program (WFP) says devastating floods have wrought havoc on the impoverished country, forcing millions to resort to eating grasses and roots to stay alive.
Once again the world aid organizations will look to us to foot the bill, and once again we'll get no credit for it.
The WFP's country director for North Korea, Jean-Pierre de Margerie, says between five and six million Koreans are in need of food assistance now. "I won't say that we are seeing an impending famine, (but) hunger levels are at their worst since the late 1990s," he said.
In a just completed survey, the WFP found that up to half the country is having to forage for foods and resorting to eating edible grasses and roots. Mr de Margarie says the nation of about 23 million will face critical food shortages until the autumn harvest is completely in at the end of October, and will need international assistance until at least October 2009.
#3
I'm sure the army is getting all the food it needs and Kimmie-boy looks well fed.
Mr de Margerie says the arrival of emergency aid will mean that the WFP could be feeding up to 6.4 million North Koreans by the end of September
Wrong - the WFP will be providing Kimmie the food and he will give it first to his army and political buddies and then repackage any leavings and issue them to his own people (as coming from the Great Leader of course).
the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) have been working on a public relations campaign to silence Steven Emerson at this July 31 hearing. ISNA sent out an "Urgent Action Alert" to its membership calling for them to lobby Congressman Brad Sherman to either have "balanced, qualified testimony"... [or demand that] "the session be canceled." MPAC sent a similar letter to Congressman Brad Sherman and also issued "demands" calling for its membership to lobby for silencing Steven Emerson or for Congress to "cancel or postpone" the hearing. ISNA charges Steven Emerson with "Islamaphobia" [sic] and "hate mongering," while MPAC charges Steven Emerson with "bigotry." Not surprisingly, ISNA and MPAC don't support their accusations with any facts or specifics, just ad hominem name-calling to silence and discredit those who speak out against Jihad.
An eighth card promising "Bombs! Bombs! Bombs!" in lower Manhattan was delivered yesterday as cops were investigating whether one of the recipients sent out the series of sicko greetings.
The latest missive from the "New York Jihad" was received yesterday morning by an unidentified man at 400 E. 89th St. on the Upper East Side, cops said. Police declined to say which of the recipients was under suspicion or why they thought the mailings were a hoax. Like the others, it was delivered by US mail. At least one of the eight was delivered to an address in Morningside Heights, and another was sent to a woman in Chelsea. Investigators are testing the card and envelope for fingerprints and DNA evidence, police sources said.
The cards were festooned with cartoon animals and read, "You're invited to a party, so put on a happy face" on the outside. Inside was the ominous message: "Bombs! Bombs! Bombs! Lower Manhattan. July, August, September. New York Jihad."
#1
Hmmm, Hadn't heard of this one before.
Probably some idiot's idea of a joke, but you can never be sure.
Posted by: DanNY ||
07/31/2008 7:42 Comments ||
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#2
Four-wheeled industrial trucks + maritime vessels remain the two most likely and feared methods [USDHS-DOD] for Terrorists to conduct 9-11 type or greater Terror events agz major American cities or other targets.
IFF OSAMA + RADICAL ISLAMISTS WANTED TO SPECIF ATTACK THE WHITE HOUSE + CAPITOL BUILDING ON 9-11-2001, JUST NEEDED A BUNCH OF RPGS ANDOR MORTAR TUBE SYSTEMS, ETC.
An "annoyed" US president, George Bush, has confronted Pakistan's PM over ISI leaking intelligence, shared by Washington, to militants and quizzed him on who was controlling the spy agency.
Pakistan, which has reacted angrily to recent calls for direct US military strikes or "hot pursuit" of militants thriving in its tribal areas, has been harping on the need for the American intelligence agencies to share information so that it can carry out operations against the extremists.
However, Bush during his meeting with prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday said that Washington is reluctant to share intelligence with Islamabad because people in ISI are passing on such information to militants, Pakistan's defence minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar was quoted as saying by Pakistani newspapers on Thursday.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: john frum ||
07/31/2008 15:50 ||
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[12 views]
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#1
Sounds like the first payment on those jets is already due.
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The United States has accused members of Pakistan's main spy agency of tipping off al Qaeda-linked militants before U.S. missile attacks on targets in Pakistani tribal lands, Pakistan's defense minister said. Defense Minister Ahmed Mukhtar openly acknowledged American mistrust of Pakistan's main military spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), in remarks aired on Thursday on Pakistani television. "They think that there are some elements in the ISI at some level that when the government of Pakistan is informed of targets, then leak it to them (militants) at some level," Mukhtar told Geo in Washington, having accompanied Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on a maiden visit to the United States."This is an issue on which they were a bit annoyed."
The disclosure of American displeasure by a minister in the four-month-old civilian government of American could embarrass President Pervez Musharraf and the Pakistani military, and reawaken concern about the stability of the nuclear armed state.
The U.S. no longer gives Pakistan advance notice when it targets militants in tribal areas. Continued on Page 49
Nicholas Burns, one of the architects of the Indo-US nuclear deal, feels that Pakistan cannot expect a similar pact, a day after its Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani openly demanded from the US such a deal.
Burns also pressed for the speedy approval of the nuke deal ahead of the IAEA taking up the India-specific safeguards pact on Saturday for approval saying it was "good" for both the countries besides helping strengthen the non-proliferation regime.
"India's trust, its credibility, the fact that it has promised to create a state-of-the art facility, monitored by the IAEA, to begin a new export control regime in place, because it has not proliferated the nuclear technology, we can't say that about Pakistan." said Burns when asked whether the US will offer a nuclear deal with Pakistan on the lines of the Indo-US nuke deal during a panel debate on nuclear agreement at the Brookings Institution.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: john frum ||
07/31/2008 13:19 ||
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#1
"India's trust, its credibility, the fact that it has promised to create a state-of-the art facility, monitored by the IAEA, to begin a new export control regime in place, because it has not proliferated the nuclear technology, we can't say that about Pakistan."
Simple. To the point
Which is why the Paki's will go nuts...
#2
Ironically Pakistan doesn't need a deal like the US-India one.
India has 22 nuclear power reactors and is building several more. It has a fast breeder reactor and is building another, larger one.
It is building an advanced heavy water reactor that will burn thorium. It has several research reactors, including Apsara, the oldest reactor in Asia (which makes medical isotopes), and Kamini, the only U-233 reactor in the world. India operates its own superconducting cyclotron, its own Tokamaks. It is researching waste immobilization and vitrification.
It is building components for CERN's large hadron collider.
Canada for example is looking to collaborate with India on thorium research and advanced reactors.
India has joined ITER (the international thermonuclear experimental reactor) and will build components for it.
So there are good reasons to increase international nuclear trade with India.
It will not be one way.
India's enrichment and reprocessing facilities may eventually be part of GNEP.
By contrast, Pakistan doesn't have much of a civil nuke power sector and simply isn't in India's league where it comes to nuclear research and development. It has no shortage of Uranium ore for its few reactors.
A nuclear deal is far less relevant in their situation.
Pakistan's interests in nuke tech is primarily for weapons. It is a lot like the space sector.
Pakistan has no launch vehicle capable of even low earth orbit while India builds heavy boosters and its own satellites and will launch a lunar probe in September.
Pakistan's clamor for a N-deal is like the whine of a spoilt child.
Posted by: john frum ||
07/31/2008 13:57 Comments ||
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#3
if they want to give civilian nuclear status to India, we would also expect the same for Pakistan
Once you become civilized enought to warrant such treatment you will get it. Once you become equal to India in temrs of controlling Islamist terrorists, then you'll get equal treatment. Once you conrol your intelligence agencies you will get equal treatment. Once your nation is no threat to the US as Idnia is no threat, then you will get equal treatment.
#5
We have a "different" nuclear deal for Pak animals. Don't feel at all slighted, you'll be very, very impressed by this little sweetie we've got planned for you.
WASHINGTON: Pakistani diplomats are unable to explain why Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his entourage were treated almost with contempt when they arrived at the Andrews Air Force Base on Sunday afternoon.
The prime minister was made to walk from his plane to the shed, almost a two-three minute walk, where at the shed gate none higher than Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher met him. During the walk, Gilani and his wife were seen quite perturbed as neither there was an ordinary carpet nor the customary red carpet, as is usual on official visits.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: john frum ||
07/31/2008 08:14 ||
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#1
You shit on us, we shit on you. What's not to understand?
Posted by: Whiskey Mike ||
07/31/2008 8:46 Comments ||
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#3
I was curious about the tone of the article, and went to the sourcing web site. Wow, skim through the articles and comments. I get a sense that the site is railing against the rest of the universe. India, Jooos, western warlords (US, europe and NATO as far as I can figure) - and virtually everyone else in the world are all arrayed against poor Pakistan. As to why, they have no clue.
Posted by: Whiskey Mike ||
07/31/2008 8:58 Comments ||
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#4
If that is the greatest of this guy's complaints, he must be a very content person.
#8
Next time, pick him up in a golf cart, with a Marine sentry in battle fatigues behind him. Drive him to Base Ops, slam him up against the wall, and frisk him. Tell him, in way of explanation, that we have to be careful, since so many terrorists all around the world appear to be Pakistanis. Maybe he'll get the message.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
07/31/2008 13:17 Comments ||
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#9
Think this just might have something to do with the recent CIA presentation of evidence that the ISI is supporting/funding/training the Taliban. Can't act like the head of state in your own country, can't control your government institutions, why on earth should we treat you like the head of state??? Douche.
Indian investigators are convinced terror attacks in the country, including last week's blasts in Ahmedabad and Bangalore, are masterminded from Pakistan and Bangladesh. But every time they seek an Interpol 'red corner' notice so that the suspects are arrested wherever they are found, it is denied due to lack of "personal details".
"We have clinching evidence that LeT, JeM and HuJI have formed a nexus and carrying out terror attacks in the country. HuJI militants travel to LeT bases in Pakistan for training and in turn provide logistic support in Bangladesh territory," a top intelligence official told IANS. "We strongly suspect that this nexus also involves SIMI and is using SIMI's widespread network of nearly 20,000 activists to execute bombings in the country," the official added, declining to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.
But despite the clinching evidence against LeT and HuJI ultras in terror strikes, Indian security agencies have failed to secure Interpol red-corner notices against them. Every time the plea is rejected due to insufficient "personal details".
Continued on Page 49
#2
Is what is happening in India typical criminal activity?
Or is it basically war against the Indian state?
If it is war, is the criminal justice system the most appropriate mechanism to deal with it?
Should it be the Delhi police registering a case with Interpol? Or should it instead be RAW and Indian special forces acting against the plotters and financiers ?
When he was PM, IK Gujral dismantled RAW's black operations team. He was uncomfortable with their bombing and assassination operations in Pakistan.
Even Vajpayee as PM was reluctant in reconstituting RAW's offensive arm.
Much talk and hand wringing.
India needs another Indira Gandhi, another Sardar Patel. State sponsored terrorism is not a criminal justice problem.
Posted by: john frum ||
07/31/2008 7:53 Comments ||
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Australia is prepared to send counter-insurgency experts to help Pakistan prevent its rebellious northwest becoming a new breeding ground for global terrorism.
Although rejecting any proposal to boost troop numbers in Afghanistan, Canberra is concerned by the frustratingly slow progress of the Nato-led war, and angered by the reluctance of European governments to commit more forces.
Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon warned that the al Qaeda and Taleban insurgents infiltrating the largely lawless Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the adjoining Northwest Frontier Province presented a growing threat.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2008 00:00 ||
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[9 views]
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The Pakistan Army on Wednesday denied the Indian Army's charges of firing by Pakistani troops across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Nowgam sector of the Kashmir Valley. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas termed the Indian claims as baseless and said that the Pakistani troops had fired at the Indian side. "There is no report of firing from any part of the LoC by Pakistani troops. Our troops did not violate the ceasefire," he said. India on Wednesday alleged that Pakistani troops had opened fire at Indian positions across the LoC. "Pakistani troops started firing at our positions on this side of the LoC in Nowgam again," army spokesman Lt Col AK Mathur said. "Our troops are maintaining restraint. We have asked the Pakistani troops to stop firing so that the situation does not escalate," he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2008 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
A meeting of the Taliban Commanders Shura condemned United States' missile strike in South Waziristan Agency and the killing of tribesmen including Taliban commander Meeta Khan, on Wednesday. According to a press release issued by North Waziristan Taliban spokesman Ahmadullah Ahmadi, the Shura meeting also formed a 120-member Ulema committee, which appointed Commander Shamsullah as Meeta Khan's successor. The Taliban Shura also condemned the US attack in Azam Warsak in South Waziristan and called it a gift from Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to appease the US and to ensure that he could remain the prime minister. The Taliban vowed to defend the country's borders in accordance with Islamic principles. The Shura also criticised US presidential hopeful Barak Obama for his anti-Taliban statements, saying that he was doing that only to win the presidential election. The Taliban Shura meeting also decided to continue Jihad for the imposition of shariah law in Pakistan.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2008 00:00 ||
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[2 views]
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#1
Then do something you acid-throwing, goat-buggering p*ssies. Challenge the 24th MEU.
Or if they are too bad for you, go find a teenage girl and throw acid in her face to save your honor.
Tehreek-e-Islami Taliban Pakistan (TITP) has distributed a fifteen-days notice to several "un-Islamic" businesses in Kot Addu to shut down or face dire consequences. The TTIP wrote threatening letters to owners of CDs shops, Internet cafes and cable service providers urging them to close down their activities.
Similarly, the group warned that women must wear hijab to ensure their safety.
Muzaffargarh District Police Officer (DPO) Shahzad Sultan told Daily Times that Rao Yasin, owner of Nomi Video Center, at Railway Road received one such letter. Sultan said the police have increased the security though it could not independently confirm the group's activities.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2008 00:00 ||
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[5 views]
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#1
Taliban now have the best of two worlds: they can impose Sharia without worrying about running the country.
(Xinhua) -- Pakistan army on Wednesday rejected a U.S. media report over the links between Pakistan's intelligence agency and militants.
A New York Times report said that a top Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) official confronted senior Pakistani officials with evidence showing that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency have links with some militant groups, which are responsible for increasing violence in Afghanistan. "It is a well-organized plan to target ISI," News Network International (NNI) news agency quoted Pakistan's military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas as saying. "ISI is a national organization and has played a key role in the war on terror and extremism," said Abbas.
The U.S. newspaper said a top CIA official flew to Pakistan for a tense secret meeting earlier this month with Pakistani officials in this regard.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
Pakistan may have "rejected" the accusations, but they sure as he$$ haven't "refuted" them. In fact, every day makes it more and more clear that the Taliban are a wholly-owned subsidiary of the ISI. Phakestan needs to disappear.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
07/31/2008 13:23 Comments ||
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A top Iraqi official visited wounded American troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Tuesday to thank them for their part in ending Saddam Husseins rule in his country.
We have come to express our gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices made by these great warriors, soldiers, in freeing the Iraqi people and in helping us in Iraq recover from tyranny and dictatorship, Jawad Karim al-Bolani, Iraqs minister of the interior, said through a translator to a handful of journalists in the lobby of the medical center.
We also want to express our gratitude to the families of all these great men and women and express how important their sacrifices are for our nation, he added.
BAGHDAD -- Iraq and the United States are close to a deal on a sensitive security agreement that Iraqi officials said on Wednesday satisfies the nation's desire to be treated as sovereign and independent.
The agreement, under intense scrutiny in both countries, sets the terms for the presence of American troops in Iraq. Negotiations had stalled a month ago largely over the Bush administration's refusal to specify an intention to withdraw troops. While the current version does not specify any exact date, officials said, President Bush's recent acknowledgment that withdrawal was an "aspirational goal" has revived the talks and pushed them closer to completion.
The emerging agreement, officials said, gives Iraqis much of what they want -- most notably the guarantee that there would no longer be foreign troops visible on their land -- and leaves room for them to discreetly ask for an extended American presence should security deteriorate.
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The leader of the Sunni insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq and several of his top lieutenants have recently left Iraq for Afghanistan, according to group leaders and Iraqi intelligence officials, a possible further sign of what Iraqi and U.S. officials call growing disarray and weakness in the organization.
U.S. officials say there are indications that al-Qaeda is diverting new recruits from going to Iraq, where its fighters have suffered dramatic setbacks, to going to Afghanistan and Pakistan, where they appear to be making gains.
"We do believe al-Qaida is doing some measure of re-assessment regarding the continued viability of its fight in Iraq and whether Iraq should remain the focus of its efforts," Brig. Gen. Brian Keller, senior intelligence officer for Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top American commander in Iraq, wrote in an e-mail. But Keller said that the reliability of indications that recruits have been diverted has "not yet been determined" and that U.S. officials have no evidence that top al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders have gone to Afghanistan.
Continued on Page 49
BAGHDAD - Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday offered full support for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government if it refuses to sign an agreement President Bush has sought to allow semi-permanent stationing of U.S. troops in Iraq. Sadr warned at the same time that he would oppose any agreement between Iraq and the United States. If the Iraqi government signs the agreement it's: "Go and boil your bottoms, you sons of a silly person. I blow my nose at you..."
Sadr's followers have abandoned active resistance in recent months, as Maliki's government has asserted its authority in military offensives around the country. Sadr's statement, posted Wednesday on his Web site, said that elements of his insurgency had erred in targeting fellow Iraqis and called for a centralized resistance directed only against U.S. occupiers.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. Davis Petraeus will make his recommendation for troop cuts in Iraq in late August or early September, just before he leaves, according to aides familiar with his thoughts on the matter.
Petraeus is scheduled to turn over command in Iraq to Gen. Raymond Odierno in mid-September and will assume his new assignment as commander of U.S. Central Command, responsible for Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and the Middle East.
The recommendation by Petraeus for U.S. troop reductions was expected within 45 days of the end of the surge, but aides say the timing of the decisions is based on his desire to consult with his commanders, not on the calendar.
Pops must be thrilled...
A moment before beginning his supper, Masab, son of West Bank Hamas leader Sheikh Hassan Yousef, glances at the friend who has accompanied him to the restaurant where we met. They whisper a few words and then say grace, thanking God and Jesus for putting food on their plates.
It takes a few seconds to digest this sight: The son of a Hamas MP who is also the most popular figure in that extremist Islamic organization, a young man who assisted his father for years in his political activities, has become a rank-and-file Christian. "I'm now called Joseph," he says at the outset.
Family denies son of Hamas leader has converted to Christianity
Bethlehem Ma'an Reports that Massab Yousif, son of Sheikh Hassan Yousif a high profile Hamas leader, has converted to Christianity and rejected Palestinian resistance, have been denied by his family.
The initial report was printed on Thursday in Ha'aretz, a leading Israeli paper, which said that their correspondent had interviewed Massab. The Ha'aretz interview quotes Massab as saying that "the nation, the religion, the organization," of his youth were what made him convert. The article claims that Massab does not want to be part of a society that he apparently described as, "sanctifying death and the suicide terrorists."
Suhaib, Mussab's brother, has strongly denied these claims. He said that while his brother is indeed in United States, he has not converted to Christianity and is adhering to Islam.
Suhaib went on to express his disappointment that Palestinian news outlets, including Ma'an, had picked up the story from Ha'aretz saying, "how could they report such news and quote Hebrew newspapers without contacting Mussab?"
Hamas supporters have also criticized media sources, claiming that they are spreading lies and working as mouthpieces for Fatah in order to cover-up the "crimes" of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
His Father Hassan Yousif, who is currently in prison, is a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and is considered by many to be the most prominent Hamas figure in the West Bank. He is also one of the more moderate leaders of the movement.
The family said they are considering their legal options to deal with what they called a totally made up story.
2. However, if it is true he has a good reason for not giving the name of the place he is living in. Also, if this is true, he should get some plastic surgery.
The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) welcomed on Thursday the decision of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to quit his ruling party and the political life in Israel on September.
Hamas spokesman in Gaza Sami Abu Zuhri told reporters that Olmert's decision to retire "is a victory for Hamas movement and an indication for the deterioration of the political life in Israel." The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement's website "Paltoday" said that Olmert decision to retire is an achievement of Hezbollah war and the Palestinian rockets attacks on Israel."
Meanwhile, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, who is in Washington, told Voice of Palestine "Radio" in an interview that "regardless of the changes in Israel, the Palestinians will continue efforts to reach a peace deal with Israel."
Continued on Page 49
#5
Olmert's decision to quit was not a victory for Hamas. However, his staying in office and pursuing a path of appeasement was definitely a victory for Hamas. Israel has been steadily backed into a corner under his so-called leadership.
Posted by: Alaska Paul in Fairbanks ||
07/31/2008 12:20 Comments ||
Top||
#6
Just living another day in the squalor that is Gaza without your a*s being targeted is a 'victory' for Hamas, if you follow their thought process.
Posted by: Mullah Richard ||
07/31/2008 13:56 Comments ||
Top||
#7
If Bibi ends up Prime Minister I find it hard to see how Hamas will spin it as a win. Olmert needed to go. Democracies can remove failures without bloodshed and loss of face. Hamas will never understand that.
Palestinian Authority security forces were put on high alert Wednesday following threats by Hamas against its senior officials, PA security sources told The Jerusalem Post.
The PA leadership was taking Hamas's threats seriously and had ordered its security forces to be prepared to foil any attempt to harm PA figures, the sources said. Additional bodyguards have been assigned to a number of top PA officials in the West Bank, and security had been beefed up around the homes of PA President Mahmoud Abbas and other senior officials in Ramallah, the sources said.
Leaflets distributed over the past few days by Hamas's armed wing, Izzadin Kassam, threatened to target top Palestinian leaders in the West Bank for "collaborating with Israel." The leaflets specifically referred to Abbas, PA Prime Minister Salaam Fayad, PLO executive committee member Yasser Abed Rabbo and top Fatah officials Azzam al-Ahmed and Ahmed Abdel Rahman, as well as Tayeb Abdel Rahim, a senior adviser to Abbas.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[3 views]
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#1
I'll lay in stocks of wasabi powder and jalapeno jelly.
Lebanese cabinet ministers are set to meet again on Thursday to try to reach accord on a policy statement that will allow government to take office, after a twelfth attempt failed on Wednesday.
A new national unity cabinet was formed two weeks ago but negotiations on a manifesto have been hampered by disputes on the issue of weapons held by Hezbollah, the powerful Shiite Muslim political movement and militia.
Ministers met on Wednesday for the twelfth time but again failed to reach agreement, with Information Minister Tarek Mitri saying the discussions revolved around the phrasing of the document.
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Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2008 00:00 ||
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(Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that the Islamic Republic would not step back on its path to develop nuclear programs.
"If Iran takes one step back, the arrogant powers in the world would take one step forward," state television quoted Khamenei as saying in a sermon.
"It is totally wrong and baseless to think that any retreat from our righteous positions would change the policies of the arrogant powers," the Iranian supreme leader said.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
07/31/2008 00:00 ||
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[7 views]
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#1
Isn't close to 1/5 of Iran's GNP in this guys pockets?
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
British forces are so short of helicopters in Afghanistan and Iraq that they are considering renting them from other countries, or even from the controversial US security contractor Blackwater.
(Xinhua) -- Foreign students hoping to come to Britain to study will have to meet strict new rules, the government announced on Wednesday. 
The United Nations says hunger in North Korea is at its worst since the 1990s, prompting the resumption of emergency UN food shipments. The UN's World Food Program (WFP) says devastating floods have wrought havoc on the impoverished country, forcing millions to resort to eating grasses and roots to stay alive.
Tehreek-e-Islami Taliban Pakistan (TITP) has distributed a fifteen-days notice to several "un-Islamic" businesses in Kot Addu to shut down or face dire consequences. The TTIP wrote threatening letters to owners of CDs shops, Internet cafes and cable service providers urging them to close down their activities.
BAGHDAD -- Iraq and the United States are close to a deal on a sensitive security agreement that Iraqi officials said on Wednesday satisfies the nation's desire to be treated as sovereign and independent.
The leader of the Sunni insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq and several of his top lieutenants have recently left Iraq for Afghanistan, according to group leaders and Iraqi intelligence officials, a possible further sign of what Iraqi and U.S. officials call growing disarray and weakness in the organization. 
BAGHDAD - Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday offered full support for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government if it refuses to sign an agreement President Bush has sought to allow semi-permanent stationing of U.S. troops in Iraq. Sadr warned at the same time that he would oppose any agreement between Iraq and the United States. 
(Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that the Islamic Republic would not step back on its path to develop nuclear programs. 
