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Today: 65 articles and 143 comments as of 10:09.
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Today's Headlines
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-Obits-
Erica Garner, Black Lives Matter activist, dies aged 27
[THEGUARDIAN] Black Lives Matter activist Erica Garner has died, after a week in hospital following a heart attack. She was 27. Garner was the daughter of Eric Garner, a man who died in a police chokehold in New York in 2014.

Among tributes, Senator Bernie Sanders
...The only openly Socialist member of the U.S. Senate. Sanders was Representative-for-Life from Vermont until moving to the Senate for the rest of his life in 2006, assuming the seat vacated by Jim Jeffords. He ran for the 2016 nomination for president, to be cheated by Hillary, then went back to being a socialist...
said that although Garner "didn’t ask to be an activist, she responded to the personal tragedy of seeing her father die ... by becoming a leading proponent for criminal justice reform and for an end to police brutality".
That’s certainly one perspective...
Announcing Garner’s death in New York on Saturday morning, the Rev civil rights hustler Al Sharpton
...Tawana Brawley's spiritual advisor...
said she was "a warrior to the end" and said "her heart was broken when she didn’t get justice ... the [heart] attack just dealt with the pieces that were left."

Four months ago, Garner gave birth to a son who was named for her father. She also had an eight-year-old daughter. In a recent interview with the webshow Like it or Not, she talked about the difficulties of life as a parent and an activist. "I’m struggling right now from the stress of everything," she said, "because the system, it beats you down."

Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  So her Daddy might have died from a heart condition as well.
Posted by: Skidmark || 12/31/2017 3:20 Comments || Top||

#2  Four months ago, Garner gave birth to a son who was named for her father. She also had an eight-year-old daughter.

Any father around?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/31/2017 3:42 Comments || Top||

#3  they're setting up a GoFundMe to pay for funeral expenses. Pay up, raycissssts!
Posted by: Frank G || 12/31/2017 8:20 Comments || Top||


Afghanistan
Izadyar funeral attackers were transported in black mirrored vehicles: Noor
[Khaama (Afghanistan)] The Chief Executive of Jamiat-e-Islami Ata Mohammad Noor claims that the suicide bombers who detonated themselves in Salim Izadyar’s funeral ceremony were transported to the attack area in black mirrored vehicles.

Noor made the latest claims during a press conference in Balkh governor’s office as he assumed his work as an ordinary governor despite his resignation was signed by President Ghani nearly two weeks ago.

He said the suicide bombers who detonated themselves among the funeral participants of Salim Izadyar were shifted in vehicles having black mirrors.

The former governor of Balkh province went on to claim that the main target of the attack was to wipe out the leadership of Jamiat-e-Islami.

Noor blamed the leaders of the government of national unity for hatching the plot to eliminate the Jamiat party leaders.

A coordinated suicide attack rocked Kabul city earlier in June as scores of people had gathered in the funeral ceremony of Salim Izadyar, the son of the deputy house speaker of the Afghan Senate House, who was killed during the rallies organized to protest against the attacks and failure of the government and security institutions to ensure security for the people.

The Afghan intelligence had then said the directorate has credible information suggesting that the attacks were plotted and carried out by the Haqqani network based in Pakistan.

Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Haqqani Network

#1  You know if anyone did a body count of this stuff you might find out that they are killing more of each other than we are...

Someone pass the popcorn and thanks to whoever is stirring this interfaticidinal mess up
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom || 12/31/2017 12:06 Comments || Top||


Africa Horn
Sudanese president announces six-month state of emergency in two states
[PRESSTV] Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir
Head of the National Congress Party. He came to power in 1989 when he, as a brigadier in the Sudanese army, led a group of officers in a bloodless military coup that ousted the government of Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi and eventually appointed himself president-for-life. He has fallen out with his Islamic mentor, Hasan al-Turabi, tried to impose shariah on the Christian and animist south, resulting in its secessesion, and attempted to Arabize Darfur by unleashing the barbaric Janjaweed on it. Sudan's potential prosperity has been pissed away in warfare that has left as many as 400,000 people dead and 2.5 million displaced. Omar has been indicted for genocide by the International Criminal Court but nothing is expected to come of it.
has announced a six-month state of emergency in two of the country's states.

On Saturday, Bashir issued a decree installing the state of emergency in North Kordofan and Kasala.

The announced measures need to undergo parliamentary approval, within two weeks, before coming into force.

According to local media, the measures are part of ongoing disarmament campaigns near Darfur and Blue Nile.

Seven other conflict-ridden states on the country are already under a state of emergency, five of which make up the Darfur region, where government troops have been battling hard boyz since 2003.
Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Sudan


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Russia, US cooperation good for global security: Putin
[PRESSTV] Russian President Vladimir Putin
...Second and fourth President and sixth of the Russian Federation and the first to remain sober. Putin is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from polonium poisoning. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to Putin. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead...
has called for "pragmatic cooperation" with Washington in his New Year wishes to US President Donald Trump
...New York real estate developer, described by Dems as illiterate, racist, misogynistic, and what ever other unpleasant descriptions they can think of, elected by the rest of us as 45th President of the United States...
According to a statement released by the Kremlin on Saturday, Putin told Trump that "a constructive Russian-American dialogue is especially needed to strengthen strategic stability in the world."

He also noted that "mutual respect" should be "a base to develop relations" between the two nations.

"This would allow us to move towards building pragmatic cooperation, orientated on the long term," it added.

Putin also sent messages to other world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel
...chancellor of Germany and the impetus behind Germany's remarkably ill-starred immigration program. Merkel used to be referred to by Germans as Mom. Now they make faces at her for inundating the country with Moslems ..
, and Syrian Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Horror of Homs...
.
Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Message received?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/31/2017 3:45 Comments || Top||

#2  Yes, much to be gained. Yes!; "pragmatic cooperation", exactly. I don't trust China myself. Great powers should interact at all levels. I don't see China doing that. They will take as much as you allow them.
Posted by: Dale || 12/31/2017 9:23 Comments || Top||

#3  Sure, I'm all for cooperation!

Let's start with North Korea, what are you doing to cooperate with us on this issue?

Oh wait, you're transferring oil from tanker to tanker out in the open sea, so much for cooperation.

Same thing with China.

Trust is a two way street, when one violate that trust, well...
Posted by: Seeking cure for ignorance || 12/31/2017 16:39 Comments || Top||


Europe
15-Year-Old Girl Stabbed to Death by ‘Child Migrant' in Drug Store
[Breitbart] A 15-year-old girl in the German town of Kandel was stabbed to death by her Afghan ex-boyfriend in a local drug store, shocking locals.

The attack occurred earlier this week and saw Afghan asylum seeker Abdul D. stab 15-year-old Mia repeatedly with a kitchen knife until customers were able to drag him off her and hold him until police arrived, Bild reports.

According to investigators, the incident came as a result of a dispute between the asylum seeker and the victim, who no longer wanted to be in a relationship with him. The parents of the victim also told police that Abdul D. had threatened their daughter earlier this month, and had told her he was going to "take care" of her.

Abdul came to Germany in April 2016 illegally claiming to be an unaccompanied minor seeking asylum. Investigators say they are in the process of trying to determine whether or not Abdul lied about his age when he entered the country.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/31/2017 11:56 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Moslem Colonists

#1  Comment from the article:

k-dog sunray • an hour ago
Women are not men. They have very little in the way of in-group loyalty and teenage girls especially are attracted to confident, older, alpha males. In a continent dominated by beta cucks, that means mostly muslims, you'd as well to tell women to go against their genetic programming. Why do you so think muslims hold their women so close to their community's chest? They understand women are the most valuable and precious resource a tribe possesses.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/31/2017 12:07 Comments || Top||

#2  whether or not Abdul lied about his age when he entered the country.

take him apart and count the rings on his bones
Posted by: Frank G || 12/31/2017 12:13 Comments || Top||

#3  So how old was the perp? And, no, 'child migrant' does not mean anything.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 12/31/2017 12:15 Comments || Top||

#4  ...whether or not Abdul lied about his age when he entered the country.

Apparently there is an move afoot for Abdul to plead to a lesser crime.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/31/2017 12:17 Comments || Top||

#5  "shocking locals".

Really? Afghans, who have known nothing but family, clan and tribalism for a millennia combined with 7th century Orcism...thrown into the 21st century with welfare and handouts.

Who would think this would end badly.
Posted by: anymouse || 12/31/2017 14:24 Comments || Top||

#6  Anyone with more than half a brain.
Posted by: gorb || 12/31/2017 15:26 Comments || Top||

#7  Abdul D claims to be 15. The girl's parents included him in family activities for the duration of the relationship. They were so concerned about his threats after their daughter broke up with him that they went to the police, who said there was nothing they could do.

I suspect they and many of their friends will vote AfD next time.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/31/2017 20:02 Comments || Top||


Greek government applies for cancellation of asylum granted to Turkish soldier
[Ynet] The Greek government said on Saturday that it had filed a request for the cancellation of the asylum granted to a Ottoman Turkish soldier accused of involvement in last year's coup attempt.

Greece's administrative court of appeal will now look into the case.

Eight Ottoman Turkish soldiers fled to Greece following The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...just another cheapjack Moslem dictatorship, brought to you by the Moslem Brüderbund....
's abortive July 2016 coup. Seven of them applied for asylum and were rejected, but have been kept in preventive custody.

Angered by a decision to grant asylum to the eighth soldier by the Greek asylum service committee, a panel of judges and experts, Turkey said earlier in the day that the move would affect bilateral relations and cooperation.

Athens said it was following its standing position regarding the eight soldiers, "as it has been repeatedly expressed, also in public", a government official said.

The Greek government has said that it does not support coup plotters and that the country's justice system is independent.

A Greek police official said the soldier who was granted asylum would be released from custody.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/31/2017 00:35 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Sublime Porte


Home Front: WoT
How America's toughest jail turned hookless Abu Hamza's hair white in just two years
  • [DailyMail] Hamza's lawyers have claimed he would return to HMP Belmarsh 'in a second'

  • He is being held in the ADX, 100 miles south of Denver, America’s most secure prison, reserved for ‘the worst of the worst’

  • Hamza complains that his tiny cell is unsuitable for a double-amputee and that the stumps of both his arms are regularly becoming infected


Posted by: trailing wife || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  A good commercial for ADX
Posted by: lord garth || 12/31/2017 0:24 Comments || Top||

#2  Why don't they widen that window to 7". Maybe we'll get lucky and see pix of him with his head permanently stuck there while trying to get out.
Posted by: gorb || 12/31/2017 0:51 Comments || Top||

#3  Just when you though it was time to off Nidal Hassan, up pops ADX. Sounds like a great place for Majpr Orc.
Posted by: anymouse || 12/31/2017 0:52 Comments || Top||

#4  Wouldn't want him to die from those infections -- remove his arms from the neck down.
Posted by: Rob Crawford || 12/31/2017 8:43 Comments || Top||

#5  He and his lawyers claim the prison breaches his human rights under European law to be protected from ‘inhuman and degrading’ treatment

Ahahahahahahahahaa
Posted by: Frank G || 12/31/2017 8:58 Comments || Top||

#6  For a New Year's Eve story I must admit it is not quite as heartwarming as the thought of Prince Alwaleed being hung upside down and soundly thrashed by retired spec-ops guys. But all in all it is a pleasant thought to carry into '18.
Posted by: Cesare || 12/31/2017 10:18 Comments || Top||

#7  His vicious hooks were replaced by a "prosthetic spork".... Who says prisons don't have a sense of humor?

Hey Hamza! he donna like the taste of martyrdom...even just a little...not a bit...exhorting others to blow up the innocent is just fine by him! but a spork limb is going too far!
Posted by: Tennessee || 12/31/2017 11:36 Comments || Top||

#8  Poor guy - let's give him a hand!
Posted by: Raj || 12/31/2017 11:38 Comments || Top||

#9  Chopsticks?
Posted by: Zenobia Floger6220 || 12/31/2017 17:26 Comments || Top||

#10  The prerequisite for human rights is to be human first.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 12/31/2017 19:26 Comments || Top||

#11  A black & white TV which shows educational and religious programs.

I nominate continuous episodes of Leave it to Beaver.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 12/31/2017 20:25 Comments || Top||

#12  A black & white TV which shows educational and religious programs.


My nomination is The 700 Club.
Posted by: H. Jineng3062 || 12/31/2017 20:56 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Pakistan says it needs no financial assistance from US
How very fortunate, under the circumstances.
[ARABNEWS] Pakistain’s Foreign Office said on Saturday that the country needs no financial assistance from the US, which it accuses of ignoring Pakistain’s effective operations in the war on terror.

"We do not need any financial assistance from the United States. We do not care about it. If America wants to stop it, we will loudly say go ahead," Dr. Mohammad Faisal, spokesperson for Pakistain’s Foreign Office, told Arab News in an interview.
Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  Let them be a drain on and disappointment to China.
Posted by: gorb || 12/31/2017 0:39 Comments || Top||

#2  Give the $255M to India
Posted by: Frank G || 12/31/2017 9:23 Comments || Top||

#3  #2 Give the $255M to India
Posted by: Frank G


India voted against the United States, so no.

Use the money to reduce the federal defect.
Posted by: Seeking cure for ignorance || 12/31/2017 16:45 Comments || Top||

#4  That would give us about 5 days of debt relief! But, a good start.
Posted by: Alistaire Untervehr8459 || 12/31/2017 18:03 Comments || Top||


Pakistani military claims to have arrested Afghan intelligence facilitator
[Khaama (Afghanistan)] The Pak military claims that an Afghan national who was acting as the controller of the Afghan intelligence, National Directorate of Security
...the Afghan national intel agency...
(NDS), has been placed in durance vile
Maw! They're comin' to get me, Maw!
during an operation.

"Balochistan
...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it...
along with Intelligence agencies conducted IBOs in Musa colony and Sangan areas. An Afghan national suspected NDS controller apprehended," the Pak military said in a statement.

The statement further added "In Sangan FC recovered weapons and ammunition including explosives and communication equipment. In de-weaponising campaign residents of Sibbi, Talli and Dera Murad Jamali voluntarily deposited illegal weapons to FC."

This is not the first time an Afghan national is being arrested on charges of working with the Afghan security institutions or having links with the terror groups.

On the other hand, the Afghan security institutions have also made similar claims in the past.

The Afghan intelligence said late in August that an agent of the Pak military intelligence, inter services intelligence (ISIS), has been arrested by the security forces in Kabul as he was planning an attack on the major Pul-e-Charkhi prison.

The Afghan intelligence, national directorate of security (NDS), said the man was detained during an operation from Kabul city.

A statement by NDS said the detained suspect has been identified as Allah Noor who is originally a resident of Quetta city of Pakistain.

The detained agent confesses in a video published by NDS saying he wanted to have a role in the attack on Pul-e-Charkhi prison.

He also admits his involvement in organizing meetings between the ISI officials and Taliban
...Arabic for students...
leader Mullah Hebatullah as well as Haqqani network leader Sirajuddin Haqqani
...son of Pashtun warlord Jalaluddin Haqqani, still titular head of the Haqqani Network....
network in Pakistain.

Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Ayesha Gulalai told to sit behind stage occupied by men to show respect for tribal customs
[DAWN] MNA Ayesha Gulalai was not allowed to sit on a stage occupied by her male counterparts when she arrived at a protest on Saturday to register her voice against the proposed merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, forcing her to eventually leave in disappointment.

Gulalai had wanted to join the protesters from Fata, who instead told to her take a seat behind the stage. The organisers explained that this was "in line with tribal customs and traditions".

The politician, who plans to launch her own political party, was seen trying to reason with the organisers ‐ which also included members of the PML-N backed JUI-Fazl ‐ for half an hour, but was repeatedly told that she would not be allowed on stage.

The federal politician reluctantly obliged for a while, but eventually departed.

Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


JUI-F chief seeks province status for Fata
[DAWN] Maulana Fazlur Rehman
Deobandi holy man, known as Mullah Diesel during the war against the Soviets, his sympathies for the Taliban have never been tempered by honesty ...
on Saturday called for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) to be granted the status of a province, and vowed to continue his stand against the proposed merger of the tribal areas with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

"If Gilgit-Baltistan can get its own government, why can’t Fata be given a provincial government system?" the Jamaat Ulema-e-Islam
...the political wing of the Pak Taliban...
-Fazl (JUI-F) chief asked the participants of a rally that descended on China Chowk, a stone’s throw from Parliament House.

This was the first major rally organised by the JUI-F and attended by groups opposed to the merger of the tribal areas with KP.
Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Palestine recalls envoy for sharing stage with Hafiz Saeed
Yes, that was one of those brave choices.
[DAWN] Paleostine has recalled its envoy to Pakistain after India objected to his appearance in a public meeting on Al Quds along with Jamaat-ud-Dawa
...the front organization of Lashkar-e-Taiba...
(JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed
...founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba and its false-mustache offshoot Jamaat-ud-Dawa. The United Nations declared the JuD a terrorist organization in 2008 and Hafiz Saeed a terrorist as its leader. Hafiz, JuD and LeT are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Pak intel apparatus, so that amounted to squat...
A statement by the Paleostinian foreign ministry said: "The minister of foreign affairs and expatriates under the direct instructions of the president of the state of Paleostine has decided to recall the Paleostinian ambassador to Pakistain immediately."

It said that the envoy’s participation "in a mass rally in solidarity with Jerusalem... in the presence of individuals accused of supporting terrorism is an unintended mistake, but not justified".

Ambassador Walid Abu Ali had on Friday attended the gathering in Rawal­pindi’s Liaquat Bagh under the banner of Difa-e-Pakistain Council, a grouping of dozens of jihadi parties, in support of the Paleostinian cause. JuD, which is the leading party in the alliance, had hosted the ’Tahaffuz-e-Baitul Muqddas’ rally.

Besides speaking on Al Quds, leaders at the rally had lashed out at India for its oppressive actions to subdue the uprising in the occupied valley.

"We consider it our prime responsibility to liberate Kashmire from India. We will free Kashmire in fulfillment of (Mohammad Ali) Jinnah’s dream," Hafiz Saeed had said on that occasion.

The Paleostinian envoy had been active after President Donald Trump
...New York real estate developer, described by Dems as illiterate, racist, misogynistic, and what ever other unpleasant descriptions they can think of, elected by the rest of us as 45th President of the United States...
decided to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel coordinating with political and religious parties’ reaction in Pakistain over the American move. A few weeks back, he had visited Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa, who had told him that Pakistain viewed Kashmire and Paleostinian disputes similarly and both issues had "public, moral and political" support of the people of the country.

Paleostinian envoy’s pictures with Hafiz Saeed, which were carried by the media, were noticed in New Delhi. The Indian government summoned the Paleostinian ambassador in New Delhi to the ministry of external affairs to receive the demarche over Mr Ali’s participation in the rally.

"Government of India has strongly conveyed to the Paleostinian side that the Paleostinian ambassador’s...association with terrorist Hafiz Saeed, who is proscribed by the United Nations
...a formerly good idea gone bad...
, at an event in Rawalpindi on 29.12.2017, is unacceptable. The concerns were conveyed both in New Delhi to the Paleostinian ambassador and in Ramallah to the minister of foreign affairs and expatriates, state of Paleostine," the Indian ministry said in a statement.

As per the Indian statement, the Paleostinian envoy assured that Paleostinian Authority stood with India "in the war against terrorism, and will not engage with those who commit acts of terror against India". More importantly, the Indian government was shortly communicated that Abu Ali was being recalled.

India was among the countries that voted in favour of a UN resolution that effectively rejected Mr Trump’s move and asked member states not to establish diplomatic missions in Jerusalem.

When contacted by Dawn, Ambassador Ali said he would not comment on the decision.

Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Lashkar e-Taiba


US to deny military aid worth $255 million
[HINDUSTANTIMES] The Trump administration on Friday announced the United States will deny Pakistain military aid amounting to $255 million as it expects Islamabad to take decisive action "against gunnies and turbans on its soil".

"The United States does not plan to spend the $255 million in FY 2016 in Foreign Military Financing for Pakistain at this time," said a spokesperson of the President’s National Security Council in a statement to Hindustan Times.
Oh my. It turns out President Trump is keen on meaningful consequences, especially when they contribute to reducing his nation’s bottom line.
"The President has made clear that the United States expects Pakistain to take decisive action against gunnies and turbans on its soil, and that Pakistain’s actions in support of the South Asia Strategy will ultimately determine the trajectory of our relationship, including future security assistance.

"The Administration continues to review Pakistain’s level of cooperation."

The statement reflected and sealed the administration’s complete disillusionment with Pakistain, which had sought to brazenly disregard the explicit warnings issued by President Donald Trump
...New York real estate developer, described by Dems as illiterate, racist, misogynistic, and what ever other unpleasant descriptions they can think of, elected by the rest of us as 45th President of the United States...
personally and leading members of his cabinet, such as secretaries James Mattis and Rex Tillerson.

"This could be the severest blow dealt to Islamabad by this administration if it indeed decided to withhold it," said a leading US expert on Pakistain, who did not want to be identified. "There is more coming," the expert added.

The amount, $255 million, is left over from $1.1 billion aid earmarked for Pakistain in 2016, and which included non-military aid as well. It was cleared for handing over in August, just days before it would lapsed as unspent money.
Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  He, he, he.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/31/2017 3:09 Comments || Top||

#2  "The Administration continues to review Pakistain’s level of cooperation."

The Ben Laden dividend wearing this is it ?
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/31/2017 7:04 Comments || Top||

#3  Yep Consequences for bad behavior

Just like we would discipline a petulant child for unacceptable behavior, so our current administration is talking directly the clowns stirring things up in Afghanistan and India.
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom || 12/31/2017 12:09 Comments || Top||


Iraq
Newspaper: Iraq heading towards U.S.-militia confrontations
Is it about to get educational over there?
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Iraq is most probably going to witness a clash between U.S. forces deployed there and Iran-backed militias, a newspaper has predicted.

Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar, which is close to Shia militia Hezbollah, said Saturday that it is possible that "festivities will erupt between U.S. troops and Islamic resistance factions during 2018", attributing its speculations to "the American expansion and attempts to reoccupy Iraq".

"The provocative U.S. troops presence in Iraq could impose a confrontation with resistance factions backed by Iran," according to the report.

It said the possibility raises a number of questions, including whether Iraqis will accept a "return to U.S. occupation under a new slogan, such as "international coalition, advisers and security firms". It wondered whether those factions were ready to " put down arms for the sake of electoral interests".

The Pentagon said in November it maintains nearly 8000 troops in Iraq.

U.S. forces withdrew from Iraq in 2011, ending a presence since 2003 when they invaded the country to topple late president Saddam Hussein.

But the U.S. led an international coalition to back Iraqi forces in its war against IS since the emergence of the murderous Moslem group in 2014 and until its defeat this month.

Also contributing to the campaign were the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces, a Shia force that was recognized as a national force last year.

Many PMF leaders are recurrently quoted urging a U.S. troops pullout, and labelling them as enemy forces.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran Proxies

#1  Actually, if you were to pull out, IMO the Sunnis - not necessarily calling themselves ISIS or Al Quida - would come back.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/31/2017 10:00 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
ODS Movement looks to popularize one-state solution for Palestine
[ARABNEWS] The Popular Movement for One Democratic State in Historic Paleostine (ODS) is stepping up efforts to increase the awareness and the popularity of its cause.

ODS front man Radi Jarai told Arab News that his movement wants to make the concept "much more accessible and understandable to people."

Jarai, an active member of Paleostine’s nationalist Fatah party who has spent years in Israeli prisons, said the movement is currently made up of academics and thinkers, so, "We need to make the idea understandable to the common person so that it begins to gain traction."

The board of the movement met in Istanbul in early December and agreed on a plan to popularize its credo. "This week, we will tape a number of episodes to be broadcast on Paleostine TV with the hope of triggering discussions about a democratic state," Jarai told Arab News.

Lectures are scheduled at Bethlehem and al-Quds universities, along with a major conference in Ramallah on March 16.

ODS was founded in March 2013 and welcomes both Jews and Paleostinians as members.

"There are Israeli Jewish groups that support our goal but have chosen not to join us at the moment," Jarai said.

Yoav Haifawi, an Israeli activist and publisher of the Free Haifa blog, told Arab News that he is a longtime supporter of the one-state concept.

"The biggest obstacle we face is that Israel is a privileged country for Jews. Therefore, as a colonial state that gives privileges through discrimination, the decolonization of Paleostine cannot happen as long as Israel is strong and Paleostinians are weak."

Uri Davis, a Jewish member of Fatah, told Arab News that the Paleostine Liberation Organization (PLO) is the representative of the Paleostinian people.
Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Fatah


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Iran slams 'duplicitous, opportunist' US support for protests
[PRESSTV] Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi has denounced US officials' "duplicitous and opportunist" support for recent gatherings in protest against economic conditions in some Iranian cities.

"The great Iranian nation regards the opportunist and duplicitous support of the American officials for certain gatherings over the recent days in some Iranian cities as nothing but [part of] the deceit and hypocrisy of the US administration," Qassemi said on Saturday.

He condemned the "cheap, worthless and invalid" remarks by US officials and said, "The Iranian people attach no value to the opportunistic remarks by American officials and [President Donald] Trump himself."
Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 14:38 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  CNN nods in approval
Posted by: Frank G || 12/31/2017 15:15 Comments || Top||

#2  Just projection folks
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 12/31/2017 16:36 Comments || Top||

#3  CNN nods in approval, as does Obola, ValJar, Rice, Rhodes, Clinton, Kerry, et. al.
Posted by: AlanC || 12/31/2017 19:39 Comments || Top||


Iranians free to express criticism, stage protest: President Rouhani
[PRESSTV] Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says the Iranian people are completely free to express their criticism of the government or stage protests according to the Constitution and citizenship rights, and in a way that would lead to the improvement of the country's conditions.

Rouhani made the remarks while addressing a Cabinet session on Sunday as he pointed to recent gatherings in protest against economic conditions in a number of Iranian cities.

"We are a free nation and based on the Constitution and citizenship rights, people are completely free to express their criticism and even their protest," he said.
However,
there's more than one way to stuff a chicken...
he added that the manner of expressing criticism and protest must lead to the improvement of the country's conditions and people's lives.

He emphasized that the settlement of some problems in the country was "not easy and takes time," calling for cooperation between the Iranian government and nation to solve those problems.

The Iranian people have the right to voice their criticism with regard to all affairs, Rouhani said, adding, "We believe that the government and the country belong to the people and the people must properly express what they want."

Rouhani emphasized that criticism completely differed from violence or inflicting damage on public property, saying, "We must not allow an atmosphere to be created in the country under which supporters of the revolution and people will be concerned about their lives and security."

Since Thursday, groups of Iranian protesters have held rallies in several cities to voice their anger over rising prices and economic conditions.

Habibollah Khojastehpour, Lorestan Province's deputy governor for political and security affairs, said on Sunday that two people were killed during a protest rally in the western city of Dorood on Saturday, adding that Takfiri
...an adherent of takfir wal hijra, an offshoot of Salafism that regards everybody who doesn't agree with them as apostates who must be killed...
groups and foreign intelligence services appeared to be behind the killings.
Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 14:36 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran


Uprising in Iran!! Video and images from social media the news is ignoring
[RS] This is so odd. There is an enormous uprising of the common people in Iran against the government, and the mainstream media is just sitting there with its thumb up its Obama and mostly ignoring what’s going on.

I’m gonna try collect some of the more insightful tweets, videos, and images from the historic uprising.

They’re burning down images of Khameini:

I think that people don’t understand that although Iran is one of the world’s largest supporters of terrorism, many Iranians absolutely despise the government, but they’ve been too afraid to speak out. With the failing economy, they’re finally coming out in big numbers…
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/31/2017 02:51 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  Just remember that 90% of Iranians are rural.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/31/2017 3:48 Comments || Top||

#2  I know a lot of secular, non-religious, Iranian people who came here to the U.S. when the Shah was deposed to get away from the Ayatollahs.

They are actually very wonderful people have done very well here.

One of my favorite places when I go to Dallas, Texas is this place owned by one of those Iranian families (LINK)
Posted by: Ulaigum Ebbineng7056 || 12/31/2017 5:06 Comments || Top||

#3  #1 Just remember that 90% of Iranians are rural.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2017-12-31 03:48


(g)rom,

Excellent point, sir. For myself, I hope and pray that this time the protesters dig in - that when the Basij are turned on them, they decide to take as many as they can with them - and that this time, the mullahs cower in fear:

The Koran, Chapter 4, Verse 78: "Wherever you are, death will overtake you, though you are in lofty towers..."

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski || 12/31/2017 7:57 Comments || Top||

#4  Just a few years ago under the Shaw the youth were very western. The music the clothes the happy days. Now older these people see the before and after and today's life does not have the appeal they had hoped for. Their government like ours has its version of a political swamp. Follow the money.

I have also found it interesting that the Iranians here when asked say they are from Persia.
Posted by: Dale || 12/31/2017 9:08 Comments || Top||

#5  My point is, Mike, until you get the peasants revolting - nothing goes.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/31/2017 9:29 Comments || Top||

#6  the national guard used thug tactics to take over a lot of businesses in Iran but now that so many businesses are run by corrupt incompetents and, of course the government is a mess of competing mullahs, the economy is suffering and the national guard run businesses are suffering along with all the others

I'd laugh but for the fact that a lot of innocent people are suffering because of this

Posted by: lord garth || 12/31/2017 10:23 Comments || Top||

#7  The last time this happened when Obama was president, I remember the social media video and the looks on the faces of those people. They were faces of righteous wrath. They are most likely still angry, probably even more so. I remember how Obama said nothing to condemn the brutality and the oppression of the government. That time the uprising was crushed.
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 12/31/2017 10:43 Comments || Top||

#8  The Koran, Chapter 4, Verse 78: "Wherever you are, death will overtake you, though you are in lofty towers..." Mike
Posted by Mike Kozlowski


Bin Ladin's version of Tora Tora Tora. OBL quoted this Fourth Sura verse in a sermon to the 19 hijackers pumping them up for martyrdom.
Posted by: Tennessee || 12/31/2017 11:20 Comments || Top||

#9  #1 Just remember that 90% of Iranians are rural.
Posted by g(r)omgoru

Roughly 3/4 live in the city, few are rural anymore...that is why we are seeing the unrest...city dwellers there are no different than ours.
Posted by: Tennessee || 12/31/2017 11:22 Comments || Top||

#10  from wikipedia:
"According to 2015 population estimates, approximately 73.4 percent of Iran's population lives in urban areas, up from 27 percent in 1950."
The percentage is greater in 2017.
By the way, about a third of Iranians are minorities, and these are, I believe less urban, and less happy with the regime.
Posted by: Bertie Jones3369 || 12/31/2017 11:55 Comments || Top||

#11  Well, they formerly lived in quake-prone rural towns with provocative names like Bam, and CollapseMyHome
Posted by: Frank G || 12/31/2017 12:11 Comments || Top||

#12  Successful totalitarian, single party systems of government are heavily dependent upon urban clustering. Chicago is but one example.

Posted by: Besoeker || 12/31/2017 12:14 Comments || Top||

#13  Me bad - should've looked it up.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/31/2017 12:37 Comments || Top||

#14  There is nothing the world needs more (Other than no democrats) than a Free Persia.

It's my hobbyhorse and this time, I hope they can shake off the seven dwarfs.
Posted by: newc || 12/31/2017 14:50 Comments || Top||

#15  Ohh,

I'm watching live streams and video on Iran Ayaee tv
Posted by: newc || 12/31/2017 14:56 Comments || Top||

#16  ...UPDATE: Unconfirmed, but supposedly the basij have been turned loose in a couple of the smaller cities...and joined the protesters. Keep your fingers crossed on this one.

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski || 12/31/2017 15:35 Comments || Top||

#17  If the riots are put down the US should start looking into supporting Baluchistan and Kurdish sections of Iran.
Posted by: rjschwarz || 12/31/2017 18:31 Comments || Top||


National Army formed by Interim Government in Syria
(Iraqi News) The Syrian Interim Government, which has been formed by the Syrian opposition, announced forming the Syrian National Army, after many calls to unify the fragmented factions of the Free Syrian Army
... the more palatable version of the Syrian insurgency, heavily influenced by the Moslem Brüderbund...
Syria News reported, today, that the Syrian Interim Government ‐ the alternative government of the Syrian opposition ‐ announced forming the "Syrian National Army" that gathers all factions of the Free Syrian Army.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Muslim Brotherhood


Dozens of anti-Assad militants evacuated from southern Syria
[Ynet] Militants, including some associated with al-Qaeda, are bussed away with their families from the area bordering the Israeli Golan Heights in an agreement between Assad and the rebels, returning control of the strategic area to forces supporting the Assad regime.

Dozens of Syrian faceless myrmidons and their families departed aboard buses from an area besieged by government forces near the Golan Heights early Saturday, part of a deal to clear yet another district from holy warriors.

The government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media said 153 people, including 106 fighters, left the village of Beit Jin early Saturday toward the southern province of Daraa.

The Ibaa news agency of the al-Qaeda-linked Levant Liberation Committee said six buses carrying fighters and their families arrived in rebel-held parts of Daraa province.

On Friday, Syria's state news agency SANA said some 300 al-Qaeda-linked faceless myrmidons and their families would be sent to Daraa and the northwestern province of Idlib.

The evacuation allows the government to reassert control over Beit Jin near the Golan Heights that were captured by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war.

Israel has publicly warned against the accumulation of Iranian and Iranian-backed forces at its border. Iran has arranged for thousands of gunnies from across the region to fight on behalf of Syrian Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Scourge of Qusayr...
's government and has sent top commanders to direct its own Revolutionary Guards in the country as well.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda


Iranians commemorate 2009 pro-Islamic Republic rallies
[PRESSTV] Millions of Iranians across the country are commemorating the anniversary of the 2009 mass rallies that were held in support of the Islamic Theocratic Republic and put an end to post-election unrest back then.

On Saturday, people from all walks of life took part in demonstrations and ceremonies in several Iranian cities to mark the "Dey 9 epic," which refers to the historic rallies held on the ninth day of the Persian calendar month of Dey.

In the capital, Tehran, people gathered at the the Imam Khomeini Grand Prayer Grounds, while other cities were the scene of demonstrations to mark the occasion.
Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran


Iran slams 'duplicitous, opportunist' US support for protests
[PRESSTV] Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi has denounced US officials' "duplicitous and opportunist" support for recent gatherings in protest against economic conditions in some Iranian cities.

"The great Iranian nation regards the opportunist and duplicitous support of the American officials for certain gatherings over the recent days in some Iranian cities as nothing but [part of] the deceit and hypocrisy of the US administration," Qassemi said on Saturday.

He condemned the "cheap, worthless and invalid" remarks by US officials and said, "The Iranian people attach no value to the opportunistic remarks by American officials and [President Donald] Trump himself."
Posted by: Fred || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  Maybe they didn't get the memo that Hussein isn't in charge anymore?
Posted by: gorb || 12/31/2017 0:40 Comments || Top||

#2  If our current administration is behind this, I like it. Time to make the mullahs turn inward instead of fomenting so much upheaval in the ME.

Heh Heh Heh, I hate to say it but this DOES kinda have the look of something the Donald would approve.
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom || 12/31/2017 12:04 Comments || Top||


Iran blocks internet, may shut down Telegram app as protests spread
[IsraelTimes] Anti-regime demonstrators attack town hall in Tehran, burn Iranian flag; 3 said rubbed out in central Iran by Revolutionary Guards

Demonstrators attacked a town hall in the Iranian capital Saturday as protests spilled into a third night despite government warnings against any further "illegal gatherings" and moves to cut off the internet on mobile phones.

Unverified videos on social media appeared to show thousands marching through the western cities of Khorramabad, Zanjan and Ahvaz, while reports spread rapidly that several people had been rubbed out by police in the town of Dorud. According to al-Arabiya, three Iranian protesters were killed by the Revolutionary Guards in the central Iran town.
The Daily Mail has videos and photos, of course. See here.

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/31/2017 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  Nothing to see here. MSM says it's about money.
Posted by: anymouse || 12/31/2017 0:54 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Culture Wars
IDF reservists call to investigate US funding promoting draft-dodging
[Jpost] Reservists on Duty, an anti-BDS group in Israel penned a letter to Israeli Ambassador to Washington Ron Dermer calling on him to investigate sources of US funding which support organizations that promote-draft dodging in Israel.

The group called for the investigation following a letter published Thursday morning in which 63 youths from around the country openly declared their refusal to enlist in the IDF and encouraged other youth to do the same.

The letter, first published by Israeli daily Yedioth Aharonot, was addressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, Education Minister Naftali Bennett and IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot.

In their letter to the Ambassador, obtained by The Jerusalem Post, the group wrote: "The organization that sponsored and supported the creation and signing of this letter is called ’Mesarvot,’ roughly translated as ’dodging.’ Shockingly enough, this organization is financed by an American based organization called RSN [Refuser Solidarity Network]."

According to the RSN website, the organization is a non-profit organization based in Washington DC that "provides a US base of support for those who refuse service in the Israeli military for reasons of political conscience."
I wonder if our old pal Soros is behind it?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 12/31/2017 10:05 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  ....this organization is financed by an American based organization called RSN [Refuser Solidarity Network]."

Formerly known as Habitat For Humanity.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/31/2017 11:31 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
18[untagged]
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8Govt of Iran
6Islamic State
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2Muslim Brotherhood
2Sublime Porte
2al-Shabaab (AQ)
2Commies
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1Taliban
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1al-Nusra
1al-Qaeda
1Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (IS)
1Boko Haram (ISIS)
1Fatah
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1Govt of Sudan
1Haqqani Network
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Two weeks of WOT
Sun 2017-12-31
  Iran protests: Telegram and Instagram restricted
Sat 2017-12-30
  IS says it was behind Saint Petersburg supermarket bombing
Fri 2017-12-29
  Senior Pakistani Taliban leader blown by own explosives in Kunar province
Thu 2017-12-28
  Islamic State claims attack on Shiite center in Kabul, 41 dead
Wed 2017-12-27
  Swede among 'terror' suspects arrested in the Netherlands
Tue 2017-12-26
  Six Islamic State, involved in killing policeman, killed in Kirkuk
Mon 2017-12-25
  ISIS military commission chief killed in US drone strike in Afghanistan
Sun 2017-12-24
  Taliban’s IED expert famous as Osama killed in NDS operation
Sat 2017-12-23
  Terror Attack in Pennsylvania's State Capital?
Fri 2017-12-22
  US drone strike kills Qaeda propaganda chief in Yemen
Thu 2017-12-21
  ISIS shadow judge among 5 killed in Afghan forces operations
Wed 2017-12-20
  US drone targets compound in Kurram
Tue 2017-12-19
  Ballistic missile intercepted over Saudi Arabia capital Riyadh just seconds before it slammed into royal palace
Mon 2017-12-18
  Senior Al-Shabaab Militants Killed In Somalia Drone Strike
Sun 2017-12-17
  Suicide bombers attack Pakistan church, killing at least 9, officials say

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