#2
Unbelievable! Caroline Glick in the JPost reports,
The next day, Somali pirates attempted to hijack the Trafalgar, a British frigate, but were forced to flee by a German naval helicopter dispatched to the scene.
I couldn't find any other news reports on this. So either CG is mistaken or is reporting intelligence being kept secret.
#3
Tanker Trafalgar The latest drama in the perilous stretch of water came as Somali pirates who captured a Saudi supertanker narrowly failed in hijacking a British ship. The British tanker Trafalgar was suddenly surrounded in the Gulf of Aden by at least eight speedboats. It was rescued when the German frigate Karlsruhe on patrol 12 miles away sent a helicopter to scare off the pirates who fled at high speed.
Posted by: ed ||
11/22/2008 18:49 Comments ||
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#4
It's a pity that the pirates who 'fled at high speed' were able to out-run the missiles that I'm sure that German helicopter launched at them ...
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/22/2008 19:26 Comments ||
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#5
The only real dog in this fight that we have is a non-state becoming a terrorist base. We can give our allies intel and let them deal with the pirates. They need to have this dumped squarely in their laps and deal with it. When the Suez Canal tolls start drying up, maybe Egypt will even think of trying to do something.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
11/22/2008 20:57 Comments ||
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Saudi Arabia said it will join a fleet of NATO warships on an anti-piracy mission, as hijackers bolstered defenses around an oil-laden Saudi tanker captured off the East African coast.
"Mahmoud! The Soddies are coming! Send money, guns and preachers!"
The kingdom will contribute ``naval assets to help in pursuing piracy in the region, and this is the only way this can be dealt with,'' Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal told reporters in Oslo today after meeting with his Norwegian counterpart, Jonas Gahr Stoere. ``Negotiations and ransoms only encourage piracy and are not a solution.''
Cheez, the Foreign Minister must really be angry, he told the truth ...
Al-Faisal didn't provide details of the Saudi contribution to the forces in the Gulf of Aden, flanked by Somalia and Yemen and leading to the Suez Canal, where at least 91 merchant vessels have been attacked since January. The Saudi ship is being held for a ransom of $25 million.
In Harardhare, a town in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region close to where the ship is anchored, pirates are bringing in extra fighters to strengthen security, Bile Mohamoud Qabowsade, senior adviser to Puntland President Adde Muse, said in an interview yesterday.
The Sirius Star, which belongs to Saudi Arabia's state-owned shipping line, Vela International Marine Ltd., along with its crew of 25 was seized on Nov. 15 about 420 nautical miles (833 kilometers) off Somalia. It is carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude valued at about $110 million. The ship itself is worth about $148 million new.
The Saudi foreign minister confirmed two days ago that Vela was in talks with the pirates; Vela has declined to comment. A man who identified himself as Abdi Salan, a member of the hijacking gang, said in a telephone interview yesterday that the ship's owners must pay up ``soon.'' He didn't say what would happen if they didn't.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/22/2008 00:00 ||
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[1 views]
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#1
I'm sure that when the Saudis refuse to pay a ransom, the pirates will apologize for the misunderstanding and hand the ship back.
/endsarcasm
Actually, they will probably kill the crew and sink the ship.
#3
In Harardhare, a town in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region close to where the ship is anchored, pirates are bringing in extra fighters to strengthen security
I don't think they realize what naval bombardment means.
Not that anyone has the guts to actually do anything.
#9
Get all the pirates in one place and ARCLIGHT the HE$$ out of it. Let the Saudis spring for the gas, and NATO the cost of the munitions. The US contribution will be the 12 B-52s used in the strike. The pirate contribution? Tons and tons of tiny body parts that won't need a grave.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
11/22/2008 17:00 Comments ||
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#10
Drinks!
Posted by: Mike N. ||
11/22/2008 17:20 Comments ||
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#11
Haven't seen Errol Flynn in years.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
11/22/2008 17:42 Comments ||
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#12
In like Flynn!
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
11/22/2008 20:59 Comments ||
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Iran is negotiating with the Somali pirates to release a Hong Kong-flagged ship that was chartered by an Iranian company, an official says.
The ship, Delight, which was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday, was carrying 36,000 tons of wheat has seven Indians onboard among the 25-member crew. The ship was chartered by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), the country's biggest shipping firm.
"We are in contact with the vessel. We could get in contact with the vessel yesterday (Thursday) and all the ship's personnel are in good health and we are discussing the matter with the pirates," an IRISL official told Reuters.
"They put forward their demands...We are following the case," the official said. "They (the pirates) called us ... when they anchored further down the coast (south) from the Eyl area," he noted, referring to a former fishing outpost now used by gangs.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/22/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
I do not want to make light of the situation, but the Somali pirates have a ship in custody called the MV Genius. YJCMTSU.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
11/22/2008 14:31 Comments ||
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The Senate confirmed the nomination of career diplomat Gene Cretz as the first U.S. ambassador to Libya in 36 years, the State Department said Friday.
Cretz's confirmation by the Senate comes after the United States and Libya cleared the last hurdle to a full normalization of ties with Tripoli in the last few weeks compensating U.S. victims of terrorist attacks in the 1980s. "Done deal. Confirmed," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters, adding that the confirmation occurred late Thursday. "We're very pleased."
Cretz's appointment by U.S. President George W. Bush had been held up over the compensation issue.
The last U.S. ambassador left Tripoli on November 7, 1972 "because of Libya's support for international terrorism and its subversion of moderate Arab and African governments," the State Department said.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/22/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
So, this guy's gonna be ambassador for what, 8 and a half weeks?
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
11/22/2008 1:42 Comments ||
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#2
but he gets a sprocket, which is nice
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/22/2008 7:41 Comments ||
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Posted by: Frank G ||
11/22/2008 8:32 Comments ||
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#7
So, this guy's gonna be ambassador for what, 8 and a half weeks?
He's a career diplomat. Bambi is unlikely to make a change, at least right away. The career State people become ambassadors in places like Libya, whereas the political appointments get France and Italy.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/22/2008 13:08 Comments ||
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#3
She wasn't for checks till the people of Arizona rose up and slapped her and hers one on the issue, then she became a temporary believer of political convenience. If she's as effective as the current sock puppet she'll still be looking the other way as she was before without having do deal with the voting public.
#4
That woman is a disaster. The bright side for me is it gets her out of my state.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
11/22/2008 10:18 Comments ||
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#5
Napolitano is probably the only AZ Democrat who could beat McCain when he runs for reelection in two years time. Removing Napolitano may be Obama's way of bringing McCain on board so that he'll help him push some of Obama's bills through the Senate.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon has banned, at least temporarily, the use of external computer flash drives because of a virus threat officials detected on Defense Department networks. While defense officials would not publicly confirm the ban, messages were sent to department employees informing them of the new restrictions. As part of the ban, the Pentagon was collecting any of the small flash drives that were purchased or provided by the department to workers, according to one message distributed to employees.
Workers are being told there is no guarantee they will ever get the devices back and it is not clear how long the ban will last.
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman would provide no details on the virus Friday, but he described it as a "global virus" that has been the subject of public alerts. "This is not solely a department problem, this is not solely a government problem," Whitman said.
The Pentagon has acknowledged that its vast computer network is scanned or probed by outsiders millions of times each day. Last year a cyber attack forced the Defense Department to take up to 1,500 computers off line. Officials said then that a penetration of the system was detected, but the attack had no adverse impact on department operations.
However, military leaders have consistently warned of potential threats from a variety of sources including other countries -- such as China -- along with other self-styled cyber-vigilantes and terrorists.
The issue has also been of concern at the Department of Homeland Security. A September audit by the DHS Inspector General recommended that the agency implement greater procedures to ensure that only authorized computer flash drives or other storage devices can be connected to the network there and that an inventory of those devices be set up. DHS agreed with the recommendations and said some of that is already being done. DHS also said more software enhancements are in the works that will provide more protection.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/22/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
even without the flash drives are they still running vista?
total crap. all but guaranteed compromised in 48 hours if you leave it connected to the net.
Posted by: Abu do you love ||
11/22/2008 0:48 Comments ||
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#2
I thought the DoD has a private internet separate from the civilian one?
#4
I thought the DoD has a private internet separate from the civilian one?
Hmmm...the internet was created under the auspices of DoD through ARPA. On the public internet the address is .mil. Now there are segregated networks [you don't cross the black and red wires] in which the administrators desperately try to keep outside links from developing, but the usual weakest link is humans who do not follow directions, regulations or orders on bringing in stuff on transportable media such as flash drives and attaching them to it.
#6
The elephant in the room is the Chinese. The Russians play a part, but the Chinese are the culprits here. Massive intrusions, data and technology theft and Order of Battle and intel probing. And what do we do, talk about DEFENSIVE strategies and limitations. There thieving SOBs are stealing us blind at every turn and we are just passive about responses? How about curring off the student and work visa's that let them come here to learn how to steal from us? How about limits on the access to the internet and DOS counterattacks? Come on folks in Washington, find a pair somewhere. Maybe Hillary will show us how!
#7
All I read about on this subject is that DoD runs defense. How about a little offense? Sort of a cyber drone armed with digital bombs to take out the bad guys?
Posted by: Richard of Oregon ||
11/22/2008 11:43 Comments ||
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#8
No offense for the same reason nothing is really done against the pirates and those incredibly stupid ROEs in combat zones - the lawyers.
Islamabad: As the government is seriously taking up the US strikes' issue, the American administration is likely to use its influence in delaying financial assistance from the Friends of Pakistan and possibly the International Monetary Fund (IMF), official sources suggest.
"The government expects the first tranche from the IMF by the end of the current month but if the Pakistan government continued its harsh language against the US, the American government might delay the process", a senior government official, privy to the latest developments, told The Post. "The US government can also influence the Friends of Pakistan to stay away from helping Pakistan unless Islamabad changes its attitude", he added.
Pakistan is aiming to somehow accumulate $25 billion from the 'friends', which may be enough to bring the economy back on track for the next 10 years.
The IMF recently agreed to pay $7.6 billion to help Pakistan come out of the persistent financial crisis. The government expects the first $3-4 billion tranche of the IMF loan, spread over 23 months, by the end of November, saving it from almost certain default on an international bond maturing in February.
But before the first tranche from the IMF could reach Pakistan, the military has started exercising to gun down drones. This is a clear message to the US that drones intruding into Pakistani space would be targeted in future.
"Whatever information, we have, the US government is not happy over the retaliatory statements by Pakistan. The (Pakistan) government will have to soften its stance to come out of the fiscal crisis", the official said.
US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher said after the recent 'Friends' meeting that the group wanted to help Pakistan but that its "goal was not to throw money on the table, it is to support long-term goals for Pakistan".
His remarks appeared to suggest that immediate assistance for Pakistan would likely come from groups like the IMF or the World Bank.
The economic crisis comes amid a surge in violence by Taliban militants in Pakistan as well as neighboring Afghanistan.
(AKI) - By Syed Saleem Shahzad - Various militant organisations are present in the southern port city of Karachi and may figure in the terror network's plans. This is what the the Government's top advisor for interior affairs, Rahman Malik, told Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday.
Rahman Malik briefed Zardari in a high profile meeting in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city and the country's financial capital.
Several militant organisations especially the anti-Shia Lashkar-i-Jhangvi have regrouped in Karachi, according to Malik. He said that militants are taking refuge in Karachi after fleeing from the anti-Taliban operations being carried out by the military in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan in northwest Pakistan.
Sindh province's home minister Zulfiqar Mirza has categorically denied Karachi is being 'Talibanised'. The claim was made by a coalition partner in the Sindh provincial government, the Muttehida Quami Movement (MQM). Malik said however that everyone entering Karachi needs to be screened.
The city is home to 3,000 out of the country's 17,000 Islamic seminaries, Malik noted.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/22/2008 00:00 ||
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Link ||
[3 views]
Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Pakistan
#1
and Osama living in plush quarters in Rawalpindi?
BAGHDAD - Iraqs parliament is debating a pact that would allow U.S. forces to remain in the country for three years and is expected to vote on it next week. Its passage is seen as likely but not assured. Here are some facts about the vote:
Ruling Shiite and Kurdish blocs, with the support of some independents, should have enough votes to enact the pact with a simple majority of 138 votes in the 275 seat house.
The vote is due to be held on Monday, but Iraqi parliamentary votes are frequently delayed. Parliamentarians break next week for a holiday recess and a delay could prevent a vote from taking place until they return in mid-December.
Authorities may seek to hold a secret ballot, which could enable members of blocs that are publicly opposed to it to break ranks and support it.
Some opponents say the pact requires a two-thirds majority, but the government says an Iraqi court has ruled this is not necessary.
Influential Shiite Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has said the pact should have the support of all of Iraqs communities. This could cause difficulty for the government if, for example, all major Sunni Arab parties oppose it.
Once passed by the parliament the pact can still be vetoed by President Jalal Talabani or either of his two vice presidents. Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi belongs to a Sunni political group that has insisted on a referendum.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/22/2008 00:00 ||
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Thousands of followers of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr demonstrated Friday against an agreement that would extend the U.S. military presence in Iraq, shouting "Death to the Great Satan! America out!" and burning an effigy of President Bush.
The rally was held in Firdaus Square, where U.S. soldiers toppled a statue of President Saddam Hussein in an iconic moment after the 2003 invasion. Friday's demonstration followed two days of boisterous protests by Sadr's loyalists in parliament, which is scheduled to vote next week on the agreement.
The Sadrists do not appear to have the strength to derail the bilateral accord, which would allow American troops to stay in Iraq for three more years. The group has only 30 seats in the 275-seat parliament. Friday's protest drew at least 10,000 people but was smaller than a massive demonstration held by Sadr loyalists in the same central Baghdad plaza in 2005.
Still, the Sadr group could make the government pay a stiff political price for passing the agreement. Many Iraqis resent the U.S. presence, and the issue could be a potent one in provincial elections scheduled in late January. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government bargained hard in the months of negotiations on the accord, pressing the Bush administration to agree to a pullout date of Dec. 31, 2011.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/22/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
LERN TO GLOWER!
In dis time of financial uncertainty there is a sure road to personal security.
LERN TO GLOWER!
Israel said on Friday it will maintain its closure of the Gaza Strip despite international concern over a deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the aid-dependent Palestinian territory.
"This decision was taken because of the continuation of Palestinian rocket attacks against southern Israel," said Peter Lerner, a defense ministry spokesman.
In the meantime, Palestinian armed groups in Gaza said they will remain committed to a truce with Israel if the Jewish state reciprocates, Hamas's Gaza leader said on Friday, even as militants launched more attacks from the coastal territory.
"I have met with armed factions over the past two days and they stated their position clearly: they are committed to calm as long as (Israel) abides by it," said Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas's most senior representative in Gaza.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/22/2008 00:00 ||
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[0 views]
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#1
My one concern re: the UN... could they find their ass with both hands AND a flashlight? Leading pundits say "No".
#2
Oh Scooter, at least on "Palestinian Refugee problem", the UN knows perfectly well what they're doing---after all, they have invented the problem in the
The Islamist government of the Gaza Strip said Palestinian resistance groups were willing to lay down their arms and go back to a five-month-old truce - if the Jewish state did likewise. The head of the Hamas administration in Gaza, Ismail Haniyya, said all Palestinian factions in Gaza were prepared to respect the truce if Israel kept to its side of the bargain.
"Over the past two days, we've had meetings with the Palestinian factions and we have arrived at a clear position - to respect the truce as long as the occupier does too," he said.
"But so far the occupier has not honored its commitments, indeed it has closed the border crossings and tightened the blockade," he added.
After Hamas won legislative elections in 2006, the Jewish state imposed a crippling siege on the territory, which it tightened when the Islamists ousted their Fatah rivals from Gaza in 2007. An Egyptian-mediated truce in June that brought a halt to Israeli military incursions and Palestinian rocket attacks also called for Israel to lift the blockade. However, the Jewish state reneged on its pledge.
On November 4, Israel shattered the cease-fire deal by invading Gaza with tanks and troops, an incursion that killed seven Hamas members. The move prompted Gazan fighters to launch rockets into Israel, with tit-for-tat attacks from both sides continuing since.
A rocket fired from Gaza exploded near the port city of Ashkelon early on Friday without causing casualties or damage, Israeli army radio said.
Israel said on Friday it would maintain its closure of the Gaza Strip despite international concern over a deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
The UN Relief and Works Agency, which distributes rations to half of Gaza's 1.5-million population, said it had food stocks for "days not weeks." They seem to have enough rockets to last for years, though.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/22/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
anticipating Obama doing the same, they reward a terrorist state
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/22/2008 16:27 Comments ||
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#2
We already have diplomatic relations with Syria.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/22/2008 16:33 Comments ||
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#3
It is doubtful that we are going to get an accurate picture of what is really going on. At least not from any news outlet.
Say, for example, that Syria has been cooperating in ways that have been kept quiet. There was a recent raid by US forces into Syria that the Syrian government apparently approved although they had to say the required things for domestic consumption lest they look like they are kissing our butts.
Say, for the sake of argument, that this hasn't been the only such raid, but the only one where a lot of shooting has been involved. Lets say that several "snatch" operations have been allowed across the border and the Syrians have been playing along.
We would probably also assume that anything we get from the Syrians is likely to be crap but that isn't important. What is important is that if we establish ties at that level and we inform them of various goings on, there is no possible way they can claim they didn't know.
I don't think we are so much interested in getting information from them as much as we are in getting certain information to them so that if they fail to act on it, we can hold them responsible.
Just a thought, I would have no idea what the reality is and neither would anyone else outside of those having a need to know.
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/22/2008 17:08 Comments ||
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#5
There is a big difference between allowing some violent foreigners to be killed and having your secret nuclear bomb facility bombed to rubble against your will.
#6
The bombing of the nuclear facility showed Syria that they can be touched anywhere at any time and there really isn't a whole heck of a lot they can do about it. There is the implied message that whatever they have now, they retain it only because they are allowed to retain it.
They most certainly should be asking themselves in a strategic sense which course would provide better long term security for Syria. They could continue to be Iran's proxy in the ME but what protection can Iran offer, particularly with oil prices at today's levels. We could wipe out Iran at this point with no more pain in the oil markets than we already suffered this past spring.
Syria now has a stabilizing US ally between her and her "master" in Persia. What protection would Iran be able to offer in the long term? What threat or deterrent can Iran play to dissuade reaction from a Syrian adventure into Lebanon or Israel? Iran has growing internal dissatisfaction with the economy and policies of her President. Iran is becoming increasingly a "paper tiger" in the region. While wild statements come from the mouth of the President, one has to wonder how much support he actually has.
But Syria must move gradually in order to save face. I believe they have switched sides but aren't being public with that yet. It certainly would be in her interest to do so. A relationship with Iran appears at this point to have diminishing return potential over time.
Syria's dwindling resources are often cited by analysts as one of the main reasons the country needs to end its international isolation, a process that has now started with improved ties with Europe. David Miliband, UK foreign secretary, was in Damascus this week in the latest sign of a thaw in ties between the west and Syria.
While fighting off pressure from the US and other western states in recent years over alleged interference in Iraq, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, Syria has also struggled for economic survival.
The energy sector comprises a large chunk of the country's economy, and oil revenues have funded a quarter of the expenditure in the nation's huge public sector. Five years ago oil comprised more than half of Syria's $29bn in income, but last year it contributed only $3.8bn to revenues totalling $22bn (17.5bn, £14.6bn).
Being in an axis with Iran may not be to Syria's long term economic advantage.
#8
Also, I remembered that Syria was overpumping its oilfields, against the recommendations of oil experts, so they screwed themselves of their reserves in the ground.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
11/22/2008 21:04 Comments ||
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Months after offering Russia to deploy long-range ballistic missiles in his country, Syrian President Bashar Assad was informed this week that Moscow will not sell Iskander missiles to foreign clients due to production delays.
According to a report by the Russian news agency Novosti, the state arms exporter Rosoboronexport has decided that despite interest from a number of countries - including Syria, the United Arab Emirates and India - Moscow will not export the Iskander missile until the Russian Armed Forces are fully equipped with the system.
The Iskander missile - also known as the SS-26 Stone - is a long-range, solid fuel- propelled, theater quasi-ballistic missile system.
Syria's nuclear energy chief said on Friday a U.N. watchdog report on an alleged secret Syrian nuclear site bombed by Israel proved nothing and the investigation should be closed. Ibrahim Othman said he expected Syria would stick by a written agreement with U.N. inspectors that permitted only one visit to the al-Kibar site -- which took place last June -- and "we will not allow another visit".
An International Atomic Energy Agency report issued on Wednesday said a Syrian complex destroyed in a 2007 Israeli air strike bore a number of characteristics resembling those of a nuclear reactor and U.N. inspectors had found a significant number of uranium traces in desert sands there.
The findings, based on satellite pictures and soil and water samples taken by U.N. investigators, were not enough to conclude a reactor was there but the findings were serious and warranted more investigation and Syrian transparency, the IAEA said.
No other country would allow any person to visit a restricted military site, "just because he would like to see it," Othman said, after IAEA inspectors briefed members about a probe into Syria's alleged illicit nuclear activities. It was up to Syria's military authorities to decide whether to allow IAEA inspectors into the site, he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/22/2008 00:00 ||
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[5 views]
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#1
and they are right. the IAEA report was intentionally evasive so they can continue to 'monitor' the situation and prevaricate at a future date provided that the accommodations are up to snuff.
Posted by: Abu do you love ||
11/22/2008 0:51 Comments ||
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Al Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri is a plagiarist who worked for Sudanese intelligence before his handlers grew tired of his jokes, his former spiritual mentor has claimed in a newspaper article. The accusations are the latest in an increasingly bitter war of words between Zawahiri and Sayed Imam, the former spiritual guide of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad movement to which Osama bin Laden's deputy once belonged.
The feud began in 2007, after Imam penned a book from his Egyptian prison cell denouncing Al Qaeda for killing innocent people and being responsible for the US-led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. Zawahiri responded with his own book, The Exoneration, saying Imam's book was written with the help of the "Crusaders and Jews." This nettled Imam, who countered with a broadside against his former student in an essay on The Shaming of the Exoneration, published this week by the independent Egyptian daily Al-Masry al-Yom.
In the essay, which is replete with insults, Imam invites Zawahiri to partake in an ancient custom of invoking God's wrath on the liar in a dispute. He accused Zawahiri of promising Sudanese intelligence that he would conduct operations in Egypt, saying Zawahiri had told him the Sudanese paid him $US 100,000. "While the six were on their way to the execution room, Zawahiri was sitting with his friends in Sudanese intelligence telling them funny jokes, although they were expecting a discussion on important and dangerous matters," Imam wrote.
"Zawahiri had nothing to tell them, and he continued until the Sudanese got bored of his jokes and complained to his friends: 'Find us another man to talk to; all he knows is 'Abu Lama' jokes'." Abu Lama was a character in an Egyptian radio comedy who was a lying fantasist. Imam also wrote that Zawahiri took credit for a book Imam had written.
The exchanges between the two have left some former Islamist militants in Egypt rolling their eyes. "This is embarrassing for Imam," Kamal Habib, a former Jihad member, said. "I don't think he realises what it does to his image."
#5
Al Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri is a plagiarist...
To say nothing of the prayer bump that has addled his pea brain. He also sleeps with donkeys and fleas and buggers the local goats when he can catch them.
You don't frighten us, pig dog. Go and boil your bottom, you son of a silly person. I blow my nose at you, so-called leader of a dung heap.
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.
Saudi Arabia said it will join a fleet of NATO warships on an anti-piracy mission, as hijackers bolstered defenses around an oil-laden Saudi tanker captured off the East African coast. 
Iran is negotiating with the Somali pirates to release a Hong Kong-flagged ship that was chartered by an Iranian company, an official says. 
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon has banned, at least temporarily, the use of external computer flash drives because of a virus threat officials detected on Defense Department networks. While defense officials would not publicly confirm the ban, messages were sent to department employees informing them of the new restrictions. As part of the ban, the Pentagon was collecting any of the small flash drives that were purchased or provided by the department to workers, according to one message distributed to employees.
(AKI) - By Syed Saleem Shahzad - Various militant organisations are present in the southern port city of Karachi and may figure in the terror network's plans. This is what the the Government's top advisor for interior affairs, Rahman Malik, told Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday. 
Thousands of followers of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr demonstrated Friday against an agreement that would extend the U.S. military presence in Iraq, shouting "
The Islamist government of the Gaza Strip said Palestinian resistance groups were willing to lay down their arms and go back to a five-month-old truce - if the Jewish state did likewise. The head of the Hamas administration in Gaza, Ismail Haniyya, said all Palestinian factions in Gaza were prepared to respect the truce if Israel kept to its side of the bargain.
