Hi there, !
Today Sun 04/07/2013 Sat 04/06/2013 Fri 04/05/2013 Thu 04/04/2013 Wed 04/03/2013 Tue 04/02/2013 Mon 04/01/2013 Archives
Rantburg
533677 articles and 1861901 comments are archived on Rantburg.

Today: 59 articles and 160 comments as of 18:55.
Post a news link    Post your own article   
Area: WoT Operations    Non-WoT    Opinion        Politix   
Syrian jets 'attack' Lebanese town
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 2: WoT Background
0 [4] 
6 21:35 Pappy [9] 
2 09:56 Besoeker [6] 
0 [3] 
1 04:42 g(r)omgoru [10] 
0 [4] 
3 11:08 Ana [5] 
3 10:04 Jack Salami [6] 
0 [5] 
0 [9] 
2 09:44 Procopius2k [5] 
0 [7] 
7 21:51 Barbara [15] 
0 [10] 
2 02:09 JosephMendiola [4] 
5 23:45 JosephMendiola [10] 
14 20:27 Barbara [9] 
Page 1: WoT Operations
0 [5]
8 21:25 Fred [12]
1 10:22 Bill Clinton [10]
1 11:09 Pappy [3]
0 [10]
0 [10]
0 [9]
0 [7]
0 [13]
1 09:22 Frank G [5]
10 23:32 Rivrdog [8]
0 [8]
0 [3]
0 [5]
0 [5]
Page 3: Non-WoT
0 [10]
2 21:47 Barbara [16]
6 11:50 Rob Crawford [8]
4 11:51 Rob Crawford [6]
2 21:43 Pappy [8]
0 [6]
0 [5]
0 [9]
7 10:46 g(r)omgoru [3]
0 [3]
0 [3]
1 12:51 Ebbang Uluque6305 [3]
Page 4: Opinion
5 19:52 Uncle Phester [5]
2 12:40 AlanC [7]
10 21:02 newc [11]
11 21:48 Pappy [9]
0 [11]
0 [6]
8 20:33 Barbara [12]
2 09:43 Besoeker [7]
3 08:57 Steve White [12]
Page 6: Politix
6 21:51 watermodem [7]
4 12:41 trailing wife [6]
7 21:35 Bright Pebbles [11]
8 10:59 KBK [3]
2 13:02 newc [6]
4 21:09 airandee [14]
Afghanistan
Karzai says history to judge his record
[Al Jizz] Hamid Maybe I'll join the Taliban Karzai
... A former Baltimore restaurateur, now 12th and current President of Afghanistan, displacing the legitimate president Rabbani in December 2004. He was installed as the dominant political figure after the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001 in a vain attempt to put a Pashtun face on the successor state to the Taliban. After the 2004 presidential election, he was declared president regardless of what the actual vote count was. He won a second, even more dubious, five-year-term after the 2009 presidential election. His grip on reality has been slipping steadily since around 2007, probably from heavy drug use...
, the Afghan president, has said history will judge his track record in office as his country prepares for foreign troop withdrawal in 2014.

"My place in history will be judged by Afghan history; by what I have done and it will be judged better after 2014 when I am no longer the president," Karzai told Al Jizz in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

"Let's leave it to then, and I hope it will be good."

Karzai, who is barred by the Afghan constitution from seeking a third term in next year's elections, listed several achievements, including making Afghanistan "home for all Afghans once again".

He said all Afghans who had been "fighting one another and running away from each other" were now living side by side.

A democratic government has been put in place as well as freedom of the press, freedom of speech and education, Karzai said.
Posted by: Fred || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under:

#1  he should be forced to stay and live his "legacy" in bloody Kabul for the rest of his short nasty life drug-besotted life
Posted by: Frank G || 04/04/2013 9:37 Comments || Top||

#2  You're on notice Frank. I'll be STEALING the term "drug-besotted life" for personal use very soon.
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/04/2013 9:41 Comments || Top||

#3  ah Emperor Karzai, isn't that always the case. Go back to the book of cliches and pick another profundity.
Posted by: Jack Salami || 04/04/2013 10:04 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Lawyers for Justice demands government arrest Al-Andalusi Mausoleum bombers
[Libya Herald] The Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL) organization has called on the government to find those responsible for Thursday's destruction of the Al-Andalusi Mausoleum in Tajoura and try them to court. It said that that government had an obligation "protect the religious and cultural rights of the Libyan people".

Most of the 500-year-old Al-Andalusi Mausoleum, named after Sidi Mohamed Al-Andalusi, and considered a national monument, was destroyed in a kaboom.

"This trend of impunity, in particular for the destruction of our rich cultural, religious, and historical heritage, if not properly addressed by the government, will only continue," said LFJL Director Elham Saudi.

"Inaction and silence amount to the validation of the perpetrators' actions and are further evidence of the lack of genuine political will to address human rights
One man's rights are another man's existential threat.
violations in a comprehensive manner. There must be accountability for human rights violations if Libya is to rebuild itself on principles of the rule of law and the government must take its obligation to protect all Libyans' freedoms seriously if a culture that genuinely prioritises human rights is to be nurtured," added Saudi.
Posted by: Fred || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Salafists


Egypt denies Hamas man wanted for Sinai border attack
[Al Ahram] An Egyptian intelligence officer on Wednesday denied media reports that a top Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, military commander was wanted by Cairo in connection with the killing last August of 16 border guards.

The Egyptian presidency, meanwhile, said authorities were still investigating the attack.

The government owned Al-Ahram Al-Arabi magazine last month reported that Ayman Nofal, a top commander in Hamas military wing the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, was allegedly wanted in Egypt in connection with last year's attack.

But an intelligence official dismissed the report as "completely false."

"We categorically deny this," the official said.
Posted by: Fred || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Hamas


Egypt Questions Comedian over Satirist Show
[An Nahar] Egyptian prosecutors on Wednesday questioned a stand-up comedian on blasphemy charges following a guest appearance on the show of popular satirist Bassem Youssef, himself the subject of an investigation.

Ali Kandil is accused of insulting Islam during a segment on Youssef's show Elbernameg in February, in which he poked fun at the discourse and style of some Mohammedan holy mans -- bringing to television screens what is already widely said in Egyptian homes.

Kandil's questioning comes hours after Islamist President Mohammed Morsi stressed Egypt's commitment to freedom of expression.

"The presidency reiterates the importance of freedom of expression and fully respects press freedom," Morsi's office said in a statement.

In a video posted on the Internet, Kandil dismissed the charges against him as "utter nonsense" but said he would go to the prosecutor's office because he had nothing to hide.

"I take responsibility for every word I said," Kandil said.

He said that it was people's responsibility to uphold the goals of the 2011 revolt that toppled Hosni Mubarak
...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011...
-- bread, freedom and social justice.

"The part in my control, the one I can guarantee in my role, is freedom, freedom of expression," Kandil said.

The soaring number of legal complaints against journalists has cast doubt on Morsi's commitment to freedom of expression.
Posted by: Fred || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring

#1  Mohammed was so much into Freedom of Speech. Why ....He (piss be Upon Him ) practically had it for breakfast every morning. You believe that?
Posted by: Threater Flusoper9823 || 04/04/2013 6:49 Comments || Top||

#2  Critics and humorists the land of sand haven't picked up the knack of using SciFi to address contemporary social issues as oft done in the 50s-60s in the West to avoid direct taboos in the general society.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 04/04/2013 9:44 Comments || Top||


Tunisian Salafist Held after Defending Jihad on TV
[An Nahar] A Tunisian Salafist who fought in Syria was tossed in the clink
Youse'll never take me alive coppers!... [BANG!]... Ow!... I quit!
on Wednesday after defending jihad, or Islamic holy war, in a television broadcast, a justice ministry source said.

Abou Zeid Ettounsi was incarcerated
Drop the heater, Studs, or you're hist'try!
under an arrest warrant issued by the public prosecutor after appearing on a private Tunisian TV channel, which questioned him about Tunisians taking part in the Syrian conflict, the source added.

During the program, Ettounsi sparked controversy by admitting having killed several people in the war-ravaged country and saying he was ready to wage jihad in Tunisia if such a fatwa, or religious edict, were issued.

The justice ministry said the public prosecutor launched an inquiry into Ettounsi based on statements supplied by Tunisia's anti-terrorist squad.

The judiciary opened an investigation in mid-March into a network recruiting and sending Tunisians to fight Syrian Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Despoiler of Deraa...
's forces alongside Islamist jihad boys.

The media has accused mosques of playing a key role, saying some imams urge young Tunisians to go to Syria.

Some civil activists and secular opposition parties have also accused the ruling Ennahda party of failing to rein in Tunisia's radical Moslems, but the moderate Islamist party insists it firmly opposes armed jihad.

No official numbers have been given on Tunisians fighting in Syria, but jihadist websites say dozens have been killed during the two-year conflict.

Tunisia's government has warned in recent months of jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda's north African franchise infiltrating the country's borders and trafficking weapons, notably to northern Mali.
Posted by: Fred || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under: Salafists


Arabia
Dubai police chief: 'Brotherhood sowing subversion'
Gulf Arab states are often wary of subversion from their Shi'ite neighbor Iran, but Dubai's veteran police chief reserves most of his wrath for the "dictators" of the Muslim Brotherhood. Dhahi Khalfan's suspicions focus mostly on the Brotherhood's Egyptian branch.

Khalfan said, "The Brotherhood as a ruling party in Egypt has no right to interfere with other countries. They are no longer a political party and should respect the independence of other countries."

He repeated charges that Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood was linked to an alleged plot to topple the UAE government, saying the group's ultimate goal was Islamist rule throughout the Gulf.

Khalfan has complained on Twitter that the West "sympathies, adopts and supports" the Brotherhood, and said he did not understand why.

Khalfan, one of the Gulf's longest serving security officials, defended a trial of the 94 alleged Emirati plotters that have been criticized as unfair.

Of the Brotherhood, banned in the UAE, he said, "These are dictators. They want to change regimes that have been ruling for a long time, but they also want to rule forever...We have evidence this group was planning to overthrow rulers in the Gulf region."

Local newspapers have said the defendants belong to al-Islah, a local Islamist organization. Al-Islah says it wants peaceful reforms and has no direct links to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, although it acknowledges that its views are similar.

Asked to describe threats to the UAE, Khalfan said at least two Emiratis had gone to Syria to fight for militants trying to overthrow Assad, but suggested al-Qaeda-style militants did not have much popular support in the Emirates.

When asked about Qatar's close ties to the Brotherhood, Khalfan said the UAE respected the Qatari leadership, even if the two countries have differences on this issue.

Khalfan criticized Iran's interference in the affairs of Gulf Arab states and its threats to close the Straits of Hormuz. However, his comments on Iran were relatively restrained. He described it as a neighbor "that is very hard to please."
Posted by: ryuge || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under:

#1  alleged plot to topple the UAE government, saying the group's ultimate goal was Islamist rule throughout the Gulf.

Picked right up on that huh?

Do the MB support golf, or is that against Shari'a?
Posted by: AlanC || 04/04/2013 9:47 Comments || Top||

#2  Mind like a steel trap that Khalfan.
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/04/2013 9:56 Comments || Top||


China-Japan-Koreas
S Korea calls on North to reopen complex
[Al Jizz] South Korea has called on the North to open a joint industrial complex that was shut down by Pyongyang in the latest escalation of tensions between the two countries.

Hundreds of workers from the South are stuck at the joint industrial complex just over the border after the North banned South Koreans to the site on Wednesday, officials said.

"North Korea's measure to ban South Koreans from entering Kaesong industrial zone is causing a serious trouble in Kaesong's operation," Kim Hyung-suk, South Korean Unification Ministry front man, said.

"To expedite the investment on North Korea which the North itself hopes for, there has to be a mutual trust between South Korea, North Korea and the international society."

Wednesday's move sparked fears the North could carry out its threatened shutdown of the complex as part of a standoff with Washington and Seoul.
Posted by: Fred || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: Commies


U.S. sends THAAD to Guam
Follow-up, confirms the timing. This will be over before the system is up and running on Guam. Keep us posted, Joe M!
WASHINGTON/SEOUL, April 3 -- The United States announced Wednesday it is sending an advanced ballistic missile defense system to the western Pacific, as North Korea's military said it received final approval for a nuclear attack.
The good news is that it takes the Norks quite a while to arm up, fuel up and otherwise prepare a big liquid-fueled IRBM/ICBM. So we should have some warning.
"The Department of Defense will deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD) Ballistic Missile Defense system to Guam in the coming weeks as a precautionary move to strengthen our regional defense posture against the North Korean regional ballistic missile threat," the Pentagon said in yet another unusual announcement of the deployment of such a strategic weapon.

"This deployment will strengthen defense capabilities for American citizens in the U.S. Territory of Guam and U.S. forces stationed there," the Pentagon said in a press release.

The THAAD system is a land-based missile defense system that includes a truck-mounted launcher, a complement of interceptor missiles, an advanced tracking radar, and an integrated fire control system.
Posted by: Steve White || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  FREEREPUBLIC Artic says a DPRK "MUSUDAN" BM has been spotted being moved to the coasts - presum that it doesn't blow up on the launch pad or in flight phase the Missle M-I-G-H-T be able to strike Nippon + ROK + [drum roll iff you please, Johnson] Taiwan.

"Mahanist" China = Guam, etc. islands is needed for PLA projection of power, hence IMO use of a strategic Nuke by China to wholly destroy Guam is unlikely or at worst an absolutely last resort in case Obama refuses to surrender or make concessions. IMO THE MOST REALISTIC THREAT TO GUAM IS CONVENTIONAL, I.E. SUB-LED COMMANDO/SPECOPS FOLLOWED BY MASSIVE AIRBORNE ASSAULT + LR HEAVY BOMBING. EMP DETONATION(S) IN THE SKIES OVER GUAM IS ALSO POSSIBLE.

China wants "sole" overseas PLA MIlbases so that means Pacific Islands like Guam may be attacked + damaged, but NOT destroyed, or made protractively or prohibitively radioactive.

Unless China is willing to delay or amend its "post-US" future World #1 "Manifest Destiny" a Sino-US or "Great Power" confrontation + mil conflict in Asia-Pacific may be inevitable - EITHER CHINA UNILATERALLY CONCEDES, OR THE US UNILATERALLY CONCEDES.

Poor North Korea + Pudgy, even South Korea, is caught smack in the middle of China's global ambitions to succeed = takeover from the US.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 04/04/2013 1:53 Comments || Top||

#2  Ona separate note, as per ABM-BMD the US should also protect the CNMI's Saipan, Rota + Tinian islands, + Iwo Jima, as these have Airfields + Harbors that the PLA may find useful.

One of the big mistakes Japanese Adm. Yamamoto made after the Pearl harbor attack was in NOT immediately invading the Hawaiian islands, iff only in part + to deny use of Pearl Harbor + Big Island, etc. to the US. Yamamoto should've attacked Pearl again or conquered nearby islands to use as Japanese bases for land-based Airpower + Submarines to isolate Pearl + other. CHINA MAY OR MAY NOT MAKE THIS SAME MISTAKE VEE THE MARIANAS.

AFAIK Saipan only has a small unit of local US Army Reserve to protect its large Airport + Tanapag Harbor - Tinian + its Airfields, Harbor only has individual US Army Reserve whom must travel to Saipan for any organized unit training.
IFF GUAM PROVES TOO DIFFICULT OR PROBLEMATIC, THE MOTHERLY COMMIE/PLA AIRBORNE MAY DECIDE TO STRIKE THE CNMI IN LIEU OF GUAM.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 04/04/2013 2:09 Comments || Top||


Strategy Page: Preparing For The North Korean Unknown
And then there is apparently the deadly South Korean tactic of killing all the sacred Kimmie statues. Srsly. Link.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [10 views] Top|| File under:

#1  ...because North Koreans are brainwashed from birth, some will still not welcome the southerners as liberators.

Piling loads of rice bags et al on the vehicles and tossing them overboard as you roll through populated areas will have a real disconcerting effect on the locals.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 04/04/2013 9:30 Comments || Top||

#2  You know what they should be reserving their fire for? FUCKING COUNTERBATTERY BARRAGES. That is, if they want to preserve something of their capital for posterity.
Posted by: Mitch H. || 04/04/2013 11:19 Comments || Top||

#3  Its likely a safe bet that USFK + ROK have long activated their HQ at BUSAN - Seoul may the ROK's sovereign + socio-cultural capital, but its NOT where the ROK will control or fight its war agz the North.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 04/04/2013 23:07 Comments || Top||

#4  ION MSN NEWS > NORTH KOREA LIKELY TO LAUNCH "RELATIVELY SMALL ATTACK" THAT WON'T LEAVE [too] MANY PEOPLE DEAD".

Uh, uh, YEAH = Oh JOY???

gut nuthin.

Again, NOKOR per se may not have it but NOKOR-overlord "post-US", future "World #1", "Rising/Mahanist" CHINA does.

* PACIFIC NEWS CENTER > THAAD DEPLOYMENT [to Guam] SEEN AS EVIDENCE US PENTAGON BELIEVES NORTH KOREAN THREAT MAY LAST FOR AWHILE.

Yuuup.

I concur.

Again, can CHINA be made willing to delay or amend, etc. its ambition to be the One-n-Only World Successor to the "weak/declining" US as Global #1???

China wants overseas PLA MIlbases vee the "First Island Chain" INCLUD REUNIFICATION + SOVEREIGNTY OVER TAIWAN BUT ITS N-O-T GETTING IT.

"Post-US", "World #1" wannabe China has said it wants to share the Pacific or Asia-Pacific wid the US but all it sees is the US entrenching + maintaining its Milbases WHILE CHINA HAS NONE.

At this point in time, I doubt China will care too much iff the DPRK + Kim Regime unilaterally collapsed, as a collapse means it + PLA is that much closer to China-desired Taiwan, Senkakus/Diaoyus, + Okinawa. IFF PRO-BEIJING ANALYSTS + BLOGGERS BELIEVE THAT CHINA CAN REBUILD A JAPAN DESTROYED BY CHINA IN ANY SINO-JAPAN NUCWAR. IMO CHINA WON'T CARE IFF THE DPRK IS DESTROYED EITHER IN WAR OR INTERNAL COLLAPSE.
CHINA WILL REBUILD + TAKEOVER A DESTROYED DPRK [+ ditto the ROK] JUST IT WILL A DESTROYED JAPAN.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 04/04/2013 23:33 Comments || Top||

#5  OOOPPSIES, forgot FREEREPUBLIC > US WILL SEEK "REGIME CHANGE" IN NORTH KOREA IFF ATTACK OCCURS.

Beijing is unlikely to accept this unless Beijing/China is in charge of any Coalition + implementation.

Lest we fergit, CHINA = has a lot of EXCESS MALES wid few or no Chinese Babes in China to marry. Ditto as per finding domestic employment for same, + ditto in both for the rest of EAST-SOUTH ASIA e.g. India + ASEAN. 'TIS ONE OF THE REASONS CHINA MAY NOT MUCHO MIND OR CARE IFF JAPAN + TWO KOREAS ARE WIPED OUT IN CONVENTIONAL OR NUCWAR.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 04/04/2013 23:45 Comments || Top||


What Air War Over North Korea Would Look Like
Technical reminder from Popular Mechanics that the USAF has faced these problems before and prevailed, though it won't be easy if they have to do it again.
Posted by: Steve White || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [9 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I was expecting a picture of a Tomcat and a biplane.
Posted by: Skidmark || 04/04/2013 0:15 Comments || Top||

#2  PM article doesn't mention drones.

Why not?
Posted by: lord garth || 04/04/2013 9:05 Comments || Top||

#3  Good question Skid. Could be a number of reasons. Drones or UAV's are primarily an Intelligence Surveillance and Recce (ISR) tool. UAV's can also be used to vector strike aircraft such as A-10's to their target or provide bomb damage assessment (BDA). Some models when armed, can also be used in a tactical, precision strike role. For obviously reasons UAV's fly relatively low and slow, which makes them [some but not all of them] highly vulnerable to sophisticated radar, missile and anti-aircraft fire.

The reason that immediately comes to mind as to why they were not mentioned may point to a US strategic response as opposed to precision tactical strikes. Other, both air and non-air breathing platforms can provide the larger, strategic look and follow-on BDA.
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/04/2013 9:28 Comments || Top||

#4  Sorry your Lordship. It was you who asked the question, not Skid.
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/04/2013 10:07 Comments || Top||

#5  How many can they throw into the skies? If they can launch thousands, it might be useful for decoy and defense-saturation purposes. Also for lighting up radar sites for HARM purposes.
Posted by: Mitch H. || 04/04/2013 11:22 Comments || Top||

#6  Looks like The Once blinked.
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 04/04/2013 12:02 Comments || Top||

#7  Of course he did. It's only surprising that Barry hasn't donned his kneepads and hurried to NK to show his devotion to thugs, his lack of spine and manhood and most of all, any sign of being an actual American.
Posted by: Silentbrick || 04/04/2013 12:08 Comments || Top||

#8  "To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape" and "Show him there is a road to safety, and so create in his mind the idea that there is an alternative to death. Then strike."

- Sun Tzo

Our failure has generally been the last, two word sentence.
Posted by: Sheager Dark Lord of the Faeries6583 || 04/04/2013 12:24 Comments || Top||

#9  Do NOT let the little bastard save face. Put a fist in his face and force him to back off or else. Anything else is projecting weakness which is how Obama got us into this mess in the first place. Ever notice how it's donk presidents projecting weakness who get us into the really nasty wars?
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 04/04/2013 12:30 Comments || Top||

#10  Barry blinked AND he has to save face over the failed $435K how to use a condom stimulus; what better way than slobbing pudgie
two losers racing to the bottom.
and barry will win, POS.
Posted by: USN,Ret. || 04/04/2013 12:35 Comments || Top||

#11  PM article doesn't mention drones.

Besoeker pretty much covered it re ISR, BDA and slow, tactical, precision strike. I'll just add on.

IMNSHEO, drones are not yet fully usable in a dynamic combat situation. As far as Wild Weasel (HARM), methinks again that the situation is going to be much more fluid than what the 'armchairs' will expect.

Again IMNSHEO, methinks the North Korean military will have benefited from its ties to other belligerent/rogue nations and will not be as... incompetent... as assumed.
Posted by: Pappy || 04/04/2013 13:04 Comments || Top||

#12  Man, the page is totally FUBAR! I had to take the long way around to find this way in to view the site.
Posted by: crosspatch || 04/04/2013 17:45 Comments || Top||

#13  hmmm? I have no problem, CP? IIUC Fred was tinkering under the hood. fixed now
Posted by: Frank G || 04/04/2013 19:59 Comments || Top||

#14  "any sign of being an actual American"

Which he ain't, no matter where he was hatched born. >:-(
Posted by: Barbara || 04/04/2013 20:27 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Mullah Nazir group summons electoral candidates in Wana
[Dawn] The pro-government Pak Taliban faction, Mullah Nazir group has summoned the electoral candidates contesting from National Assembly seat of NA-41in South Wazoo's Wana for a meeting on Thursday.

Through a pamphlet, issued by Mullah Nazir group's key commander Salahuddin Ayubi in Wana Bazaar, he has asked all the candidates to meet at Taliban capo Ainullah's office in Wana's Kari Kot Bazaar on Thursday at 4 pm.

About 53 candidates including nominees of political parties and independents have submitted papers for the said constituency.

Local sources told Dawn.Com that the group would likely try to persuade candidates to project the image of the group or to get kickbacks from them.

Ayaz Wazir of ANP, Amanullah of PPPP, Ajab Gul Wazir of PTI, Ghalib Khan Wazir of PML-N, Mualana Abdul Malik of JUI-F, Mualana Zar Wali of JUI-S besides independents are vying for the slot.

Some sources believe that the Taliban meeting is also likely to discuss the threats issued by the TTP to PPPP, ANP and MQM. Some tribal elders also believe that the religious parties' candidates are likely to have an edge over others as the Taliban hold the religious parties in high esteem as compared to the liberals who are being threatened of dire consequences.

The PML-N and PTI are among some other parties who had never been under direct fire of the Pak Taliban.

Maulana Abdul Malik, who had won twice in the elections, is likely to win for the third time if supported by the Wana Taliban. Another probable to have a victory is independent Nasirullah Wazir.

Some sources say that the Mullah Nazir group will influence the polls in NA-41 as they are calling the shots in Ahmed Zai Wazir area.
Posted by: Fred || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [10 views] Top|| File under: TTP


International-UN-NGOs
UN suspends Gaza food centres after compound attack
Wot, you can't bite the hand that feeds you? That's not very Islamic.
The UN says it is suspending all its food distribution centres in the Gaza Strip after protesters angered by aid cutbacks stormed one of its compounds.

The UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) said the centres would stay closed until it received security assurances for its property and staff.

It said it was trying to mitigate the effects caused by cuts in cash payments to some of Gaza's poorest families.

Unrwa provides aid for an estimated 800,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

It runs dozens of schools and medical clinics and distributes food to many of the territory's 1.7 million residents, but says it is grappling with a huge budget deficit.

Correspondents say the suspension of food aid will cause more hardship for people in Gaza already hit by Israeli and Egyptian controls on its borders.

An Unrwa statement said the storming of its Gaza field office was "a dramatic and disturbing escalation in a series of demonstrations that have taken place over the past week".

"We fully understand the impact the decision to suspend cash assistance had on some of our beneficiaries," Robert Turner, head of the agency's Gaza operations, said in the statement.
Protesters outside Unrwa compound in Gaza. 1 April 2013 There have been days of protests outside Unrwa compounds in Gaza

"What happened today was completely unacceptable. The situation could very easily have resulted in serious injuries to Unrwa staff and to the demonstrators. This escalation, apparently pre-planned, was unwarranted and unprecedented."

He added: "All relief and distribution centres will consequently remain closed until guarantees are given by all relevant groups that Unrwa operations can continue unhindered."
Posted by: tipper || 04/04/2013 21:25 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:


Iraq
Niniveh's governor: 'Washington deprived us of our own Arab Spring'
An interview with Atheel al Nujaifi, leading member of Iraqiya - the major opposition bloc in the Iraqi Parliament - as well as Niniveh province's governor.
He may yet realize that skipping the Arab Spring is actually a good thing.
Posted by: ryuge || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [9 views] Top|| File under:

#1  skipped the Arab Spring and went straight to inter-Muzzie sectarian bombings/killings. Kept them from getting their protests and shoe-throwing on Tee-Vee. Bummer
Posted by: Frank G || 04/04/2013 9:45 Comments || Top||

#2  Visited Nineveh once, but saw no whales.
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/04/2013 9:50 Comments || Top||

#3  I think we can truthfully classify the "Arab Spring" (who in the hell came up with that stupid misnomer?) as a titanic interfraticidinal hissy fit.

Yep, give these Moslems another 800 years, they might yet figure out who is supposed to succeed Mohammed as leader of the faith...you just have to be patient these things take time.
Posted by: Bill Clinton || 04/04/2013 10:42 Comments || Top||

#4  You know, for a supposedly brave and fearless people, they sure do whine like 4yr old girls alot.
Posted by: Silentbrick - Schlumberger Squishy Mud Division || 04/04/2013 12:57 Comments || Top||

#5  It is the Arab Spring Break hangover you need to worry about.

Posted by: newc || 04/04/2013 20:58 Comments || Top||

#6  You know, for a supposedly brave and fearless people, they sure do whine like 4yr old girls alot

It's Politics of the Souk:

"How much for this?"
(price is named)
"Aieee! That is too high! Too high! If I reward your extortion, I will have no money! My children will starve! I will be generous and give you one quarter of that."
"You are not a prospective customer - you are a prospective thief! I can barely make ends meet here because of misers like you. My own children will starve if I accept your offer! We will end up living on the street - eating dust due to your greed!"

And so forth and so on with the histrionics and theater. Arms are waved, voices are raised. One will march toward the door, either to leave or to threaten to toss the ungrateful customer out.

Eventually they will agree on a price and silently compliment each other's theatrics and their own bargaining skill.

And it all happens again the following week.
Posted by: Pappy || 04/04/2013 21:35 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
New push for Mideast peace: John Kerry heads back
[CHRON] Evoking the U.S. shuttle diplomacy of decades past, Secretary of State John F. I was in Vietnam, you know Kerry
Former Senator-for-Life from Massachussetts, self-defined war hero, speaker of French, owner of a lucky hat, conqueror of Cambodia, and current Secretary of State...
is making his third trip to the Middle East in a span of just two weeks in a fresh bid to restart long-stalled peace talks between Israel and the Paleostinians.

Though expectations are low for any breakthrough on Kerry's trip, which begins Saturday, his meetings with Israeli and Paleostinian leaders represent some of the B.O. regime's most sustained efforts at engagement in a part of the world that has frustrated American administrations for the past six decades.

"His diplomacy will be based on what he hears from the parties," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Wednesday. Kerry, she said, will be making clear that both sides have to want to get back to the negotiating table "and that they've also got to recognize-- both parties -- that compromises and sacrifices are going to have to be made if we're going to be able to help."
Posted by: Fred || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Trying for Chamberlain award?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 04/04/2013 4:46 Comments || Top||

#2  He already has the Petain Prize, it's much more prestigious.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 04/04/2013 8:36 Comments || Top||

#3  Only a candidate from nowhere, as Obama can make a traitor as Kerry, Secretary of State.
Posted by: Ana || 04/04/2013 11:08 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Syria's Assad says 'no word of truth' from Turkey PM
[Al Ahram] Syrian Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Lord of the Baath...
accused Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of not having said "a single word of truth" about Syria's conflict, in an interview with Turkish media posted on the web.

"Erdogan has not said a single word of truth since the beginning of the crisis in Syria," Assad told journalists working for Turkish television Ulusal and Aydinlik newspaper.

Turkey is a key backer of the Syrian revolt that broke out in March 2011.

Damascus
...Capital of the last remaining Baathist regime in the world...
has regularly accused Ankara of financing, training and arming rebels fighting troops loyal to Assad. The UN says Turkey currently hosts more than 260,000 Syrian refugees.
Posted by: Fred || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [10 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  Then Assad and Israel agree on a subject...
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 04/04/2013 4:42 Comments || Top||


Damascus criticises Hamas leader following re-election
[Al Ahram] Pro-Assad Syrian newspaper slams re-election of Khaled Meshaal as leader of Palestinian resistance movement Hamas
Posted by: Fred || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [9 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


Up to 600 European Jihadists Have Fought in Syria
[An Nahar] As many as 600 Europeans have joined the rebels fighting government forces in Syria, according to a British study.

Jihadists from 14 European countries including La Belle France, Germany, Britannia and the Netherlands are among those to enter the conflict, according to research published Tuesday by the International Center for the Study of Radicalization (ICSR) at King's College London.

"Between 140 and 600 Europeans have gone to Syria since early 2011," said researcher Aaron Y. Zelin.

Up to 441 Europeans are still in the country, he added.

The ICSR based the figures on some 250 "martyrdom notices" posted on jihadist websites as well as hundreds of Arab and Western media reports.

It estimated that as many as 134 fighters from Britannia have headed to Syria, along with up to 107 from the Netherlands, 92 from La Belle France and 85 from Belgium.

Others came from Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Albania, Austria, Bulgaria and Kosovo.

"As with previous conflicts, the picture is far from complete and will probably remain so for years to come," said Zelin.

"There is no 'true census' of imported muscle, and publicly available sources are inevitably incomplete."
Posted by: Fred || 04/04/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [15 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  And soon they'll come back and "fight" in Europe.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 04/04/2013 4:47 Comments || Top||

#2  Think Alaskan fish trap g(r)om. Harvest as many of these buggers as you want.
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/04/2013 5:11 Comments || Top||

#3  Jihadists from 14 European countries = not necessarily "Europeans"
Posted by: European Conservative || 04/04/2013 5:55 Comments || Top||

#4  It looks like a third of 'em are already dead... or something.
Posted by: trailing wife || 04/04/2013 7:29 Comments || Top||

#5  Pining for the fjords?
Posted by: European Conservative || 04/04/2013 8:02 Comments || Top||

#6  Lack of government-supplied health care.
Posted by: Pappy || 04/04/2013 21:41 Comments || Top||

#7  "It looks like a third of 'em are already dead"

Watchoo doin', Syria?

You're fallin' down on the job!

Aim for 100%.
Posted by: Barbara || 04/04/2013 21:51 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
36[untagged]
5Govt of Syria
3Commies
2Jamaat-e-Islami
2TTP
2Arab Spring
2Govt of Pakistan
2Salafists
1Moro Islamic Liberation Front
1Muslim Brotherhood
1Hamas
1Thai Insurgency
1Lashkar e-Jhangvi

Bookmark
E-Mail Me

The Classics
The O Club
Rantburg Store
The Bloids
The Never-ending Story
Thugburg
Gulf War I
The Way We Were
Bio

Merry-Go-Blog











On Sale now!


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.
Click here for more information

Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
sherry
ryuge
GolfBravoUSMC
Bright Pebbles
trailing wife
Gloria
Fred
Besoeker
Glenmore
Frank G
3dc
Skidmark

Two weeks of WOT
Thu 2013-04-04
  Syrian jets 'attack' Lebanese town
Wed 2013-04-03
  N. Korea approves nuclear strike on US
Tue 2013-04-02
  Dutch Hold 4, Search for Alleged Sarin Nerve Agent
Mon 2013-04-01
  Al Nusra Front chieftain killed in Syria
Sun 2013-03-31
  North Korea Declares 'State of War' with Seoul
Sat 2013-03-30
  Hundreds rally against Egypt's prosecutor general
Fri 2013-03-29
  52 Taliban killed in one day in Afghanistan
Thu 2013-03-28
  Sectarian clashes in central Nigeria kill 23: Military
Wed 2013-03-27
  Bangla: 12 vehicles torched, Train compartment set ablaze, police station bombed
Tue 2013-03-26
  Egypt: ‘Morality Police’ Thrashed for Whipping Woman
Mon 2013-03-25
  Riad al-Asaad, Syrian rebel commander, loses leg in bomb attack
Sun 2013-03-24
  Syria Rebels Seize Key Military Base in Daraa
Sat 2013-03-23
  Miqati Announces Resignation
Fri 2013-03-22
  Gunfire, bloodshed as hundreds clash outside Muslim Brotherhood HQ in Cairo
Thu 2013-03-21
  One Killed in (Leb) Tripoli Clashes after Shooting Erupts at Hospital


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.
18.119.104.238
Help keep the Burg running! Paypal:
WoT Operations (15)    Non-WoT (12)    Opinion (9)    (0)    Politix (6)