#2
Can someone explain to me what Sara was wearing to give her a tan line like that? I think the photoshop guy put the thong tan on the wrong side! LOL! She is just a hottie!
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
03/26/2010 21:17 Comments ||
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[Iran Press TV Latest] US rockets have killed at least two children and wounded four others in eastern Afghanistan, according to local witnesses.
Local sources told Press TV on Thursday the attack took place in the province of Khost, near the border with Pakistan.
US forces, after being ambushed by Taliban militants, fired two rockets which did not reach the intended target but hit a house, killing two children and wounding four others, including two women, said our correspondent in the Afghan capital of Kabul.
However, the US military claimed that the victims were militants.
After the incident, furious Afghans gathered in protest outside a NATO base in the city and chanted anti-US slogans.
Civilian deaths in Afghanistan have been a source of tension between the Afghan government and the NATO forces.
More than 2,000 civilians were killed in the war-torn country last year to mark the highest death toll since the US-led 2001 invasion of Afghanistan.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
What are children doing in a live fire war zone?
Terrorists' children, terrorists' human shield or terrorist enablers. Pick one.
Afghan civilians seem to be a valuable commodity to the terrorists. (rolls his eyes)
btw...as always...consider the source of the news.
Posted by: Mike Hunt ||
03/26/2010 9:38 Comments ||
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#2
Propaganda, state the ages of these supposed "Children" and whether or not they were holding AK47's when they "Were Killed".
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/26/2010 17:28 Comments ||
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#3
for most leftist agenda 'children' is people under 21 (the study on gun deaths in US jumps to mind.) unless you are usurping parental rights (to get an abortion for example), in which case 13 is 'old enough to determine their own destiny'.
Posted by: abu do you love ||
03/26/2010 19:18 Comments ||
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[ADN Kronos] A close aide of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar and former governor of Afghanistan's province Oruzgan, Abdul Hai Salik, has been arrested in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, Pakistan's Aaj News reported on Thursday. Salik and and one of his associates, Zaki Izzat Mohammad, was arrested in Karachi's Sohrab Goath area, according to the Aaj News report.
Abdul Hai Salik is the alleged mastermind of of attacks against US and NATO forces and was also allegedly involved in attacks on Pakistani forces. Mohammad is one the richest men in Egypt and was involved in financing the Al-Qaeda terrorist network, Aaj News reported, quoting unnamed sources.
Karachi has in recently years become a hotbed for Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and other militant groups. Mullah Omar himself may be sheltering in Karachi, according to British and US intelligence. Earlier this month, Pakistani security forces in Karachi detained the Taliban's alleged political and military strategist, Agha Jan, and five of his aides. Jan is said to be the seventh most wanted terrorist on a US list.
In mid-February, Pakistani and US agents seized the Afghan Taliban's number two, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, in a Karachi madrassa or Islamic school.
Another senior Afghan Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammad Younis, was also recently arrested in Karachi, in the same operation that netted Baradar, according to a spokesman for the governor of surrounding Zabul provinces, Mohammed Jan Rasoulyar.
This article starring:
ABDUL HAI SALIK
Taliban
AGHA JAN
Taliban
MULLAH ABDUL GHANI BARADAR
Taliban
MULLAH MOHAMAD YUNIS
Taliban
ZAKI IZZAT MOHAMAD
Taliban
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
Mohammad is one the richest men in Egypt and was involved in financing the Al-Qaeda terrorist network
A super-rich Egyptian was found wandering through Karachi, Pakistan? Did he decide to combine a bit of pheasant shooting with supervision of his investment? I wonder if there's any chance one of his shooting companions was President Obama's college roommate, the one whose home he visited using his Indonesian passport...
Posted by: trailing wife on the other computer ||
03/26/2010 6:40 Comments ||
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Representatives of the Hezb-i-Islami, a militant group linked to an infamous Afghan warlord, are hoping to convince UN officials today that the time is right for a peace deal with insurgents.
Hezb-i-Islami spokesman Muhammad Daoud Abedi said that the UN asked a delegation for a meeting, which follows talks that the Taliban-linked group had with President Hamid Karzai earlier this week.
EU representatives: He said the group also plans to speak with representatives from the European Union, but an official at the EU office said he had no knowledge of any meeting with the delegation.
Talk about possible reconciliation with insurgent groups, however, has not reduced violence, especially in southern Afghanistan where a major military operation is under way to rout the Taliban from parts of Helmand province. NATO said two service members were killed on Wednesday in a bombing, and another died as a result of small-arms attack, in the south. It is the first time that high-ranking representatives of the insurgent group, led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, have travelled to Kabul to discuss peace. It's uncertain whether the talks with Hekmatyar's group will lead to an end game in the eight-year war, given the group's demand for a quick exit of foreign forces. Hezb-i-Islami wants international forces to begin withdrawing in July - a year ahead of President Barack Obama's desired deadline to begin a pullout, if conditions allow. But Abedi said the group is flexible on that main point of its 15-point peace offer.
"That is a starting point," Abedi said in a telephone interview. "If we start the process, we can be ready by another year or so. If President Obama wants the situation to be right for the withdrawal of the foreign forces from Afghanistan, he should start talking and taking some firm, honest steps to make the situation acceptable for that day. That's why we are putting this proposal on the table, to say 'If you really mean this, then let's work and get this thing done",' he said.
US Embassy spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden has said US officials have no plans to meet with representatives of Hekmatyar's group. Abedi said the delegation hoped European officials would persuade the US government to get involved in the negotiations.
"The ball is in their court." Abedi said. "If the US government would like to leave in honour and leave something behind that the Afghan people and the international community would be proud and grateful for, it is good for them to expedite the peace process, get involved in the negotiations and bring out their concerns so we could answer them and together we could get this all done and bring this ugly war to an end," he added.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2010 00:00 ||
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[Maghrebia] The al-Qaeda terrorists directly involved in the kidnapping of an Italian couple in Mauritania last December are now in custody, El Khabar cited Italian press as reporting on Wednesday (March 24th). "All the kidnappers were arrested and they will pay a heavy price," Mauritanian Foreign Affairs Minister Naha Ould Mouknass said Tuesday in Rome after meeting with his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2010 00:00 ||
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[Bangla Daily Star] Rajshahi University Shibir president Shamsul Alam Golap, who was arrested early yesterday, admitted to Rab of having instructions from some central Jamaat and Shibir leaders during and prior to RU violence that left a BCL leader dead, Rab sources said.
Rab intelligence wing members arrested Golap, prime accused in the murder case, in Patalkandi area under Bhuapur Upazila of Tangail around 2:00am.
On February 9, Bangladesh Chhatra League leader Faruq Hossain was killed as Shibir launched an attack on BCL activists at the university.
"During primary interrogation Golap provided some significant information similar to that disclosed by Ekram Hossain, a Shibir leader and an accused in the case, " Rab legal and media wing director Commander Mohammad Sohail told a press briefing at Rab-1 headquarters at Uttara yesterday.
He did not elaborate on the findings for the sake of investigation.
Ekram, on March 12, confessed to a Rajshahi court that Golap contacted several times with central Jamaat and Shibir leaders on the night of the violence.
He also had told the media that in the early hours of February 9, Golap ordered the attack following directives of Islami Chhatra Shibir president Rezaul Karim.
Golap, who was allowed to speak at the briefing, however denied the allegation of leading the attack and maintaining constant contact with Jamaat high command during and prior to the incident.
Golap said he had talked only to Rezaul Karim who asked him to keep the situation calm.
"Though Golap has denied before the media his involvement and contacts with central Jamaat and Shibir leaders during the attack, he has already admitted his involvement and Jamaat and Shibir central leaders' link with the incident," said a senior Rab official requesting anonymity.
With the arrest of Golap, Rab alone has arrested 11 accused in the cases filed for Faruq murder and RU unrest while a joint team of police and Rab arrested 18 others.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2010 00:00 ||
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[Dawn] A car bomb exploded near the mayor's office in the Colombian port city of Buenaventura on Wednesday, killing at least nine people and injuring 20 others, local authorities said.
The death toll has been increasing over the day as some of the critically wounded died in hospital, police said. One of the latest three fatalities included a police officer who, despite his serious wounds managed to evacuate some of the injured from the bomb site, police added.
Officials said the blast occurred at around 9:30 am local time. Army General Freddy Padilla blamed leftist militants with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
"Surely this was the FARC," Padilla said.
Valle del Cauca Department Governor, Juan Carlos Abadia, said the bombing was "a stumble" in the region's two-year program to stem violence. He said the bombing was part of destabilisation efforts by armed groups.
"We're approaching an electoral process (presidential elections on May 30) and they're trying to destabilise, spreading fear and uncertainty," said Abadia without speculating on who was behind the bombing.
Defence Minister Gabriel Silva, who travelled to the town in Valle del Cauca state for a meeting on security issues following the blast, said that "all scenarios are evaluated by intelligence (agents)."
The explosion was powerful enough to shatter windows in nearby buildings and carve a hole in the street.
One of Colombia's poorest cities, Buenaventura, some 550 kilometres from Bogota, faces daily challenges from militants, drug traffickers and other criminals. The port city is a major shipment point for illegal drugs and has been wracked by violence that in five years has left 150 people dead and some 300 injured, police said.
On a highway linking Buenaventura to Cali, six trucks and a van were set alight by suspected FARC guerrilla late Monday, without any reports of injuries.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2010 00:00 ||
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A South Korean navy ship with about 100 personnel on board is sinking off the west coast near North Korea, possibly due to a torpedo attack, reports say.
The ship was sinking near Baengnyeong island, Yonhap news agency quoted navy officials as saying.
It also said the South Korean ship had fired shots toward an unidentified ship from the North.
There were no immediate reports of casualties, but a rescue operation was said to be under way, Yonhap reported.
The incident happened late on Friday night local time. More from Yonhap news agency at 00:23 KST:
SEOUL, March 26 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean Navy ship was sinking off the west coast near its maritime border with North Korea, officials here said Friday. Officials also said South Korea fired a shot at an unidentified vessel toward the North.
The 1,500-ton ship carrying 104 crew members went down around 9:45 p.m. near a South Korean island in the Yellow Sea, prompting an emergency meeting of security-related Cabinet ministers.
Seoul's Navy officials refused to give details, but said a South Korean vessel fired at a ship toward the North later in the evening, indicating possibilities of a possible torpedo attack from the North. Local residents reported having heard gunfire for about 10 minutes from 11 p.m.
"The ship appears to have begun sinking after an explosion at the rear of the ship," the Navy said in a statement. "We have been unable to find the exact cause of the incident as of this moment."
The Navy said it has rescued 58 crew members during an ongoing rescue operation, but fears some may have died.
North Korea has said in recent weeks it is bolstering its defense in response to joint South Korean-U.S. military drills that were held this month. The North Korean army conducted dozens of artillery firing drills earlier Friday, according to Seoul's military officials. Not clear if it was a Nork attack or some dreadful accident on the ROK ship.
Update at 1430 CST: from the Guardian, mostly op-ed so big EFL:
Late last night, the South Korean patrol ship Cheonan suffered an explosion and sank. As of midnight Korean time, 58 of the 104 member crew of the Cheonan had been rescued. The cause of the sinking of the Cheonan, a 1,300 ton missile corvette, is as of yet unknown. However, the South Korean cabinet has convened an emergency meeting to deal with the situation, and some reports suggest that a North Korean torpedo may have struck the Cheonan.
Details remain sketchy, and at this point it is unclear whether Cheonan sank as the result of an attack, or because of an accidental explosion. Given the number of survivors the SKors should be able to figure that out pretty quickly.
Another South Korean patrol ship reportedly fired on North Korean targets in the area. The area in which Cheonan sank has recently seen several skirmishes between North and South Korean forces. In January, patrol vessels from each nation exchanged gunfire with one another. A similar exchange in November resulted in severe damage to a North Korean vessel, and the death of a North Korean sailor. The disputed area involves several islands that are claimed by both sides. South Korea recognises a UN-drawn line of demarcation, while North Korea does not.
If Cheonan sank because of an accident, the incident will serve as an example of the challenges presented by high tension situations like that between North and South Korea. In such situations, a lack of information can lead to considerable danger, as both sides face pressure to react without having a grasp of the full situation. If, on the other hand, Cheonan was destroyed by a torpedo, the situation must be considered extremely grave. Forty-six crewmen at last report have yet to be accounted for, and are unlikely to survive long in cold Korean waters. South Korea cannot ignore a provocation of this magnitude, and will likely be forced to respond in some fashion. South Korea's navy substantially outmatches its North Korean counterpart, but the North Korean response to any South Korean retaliation remains uncertain.
The problem of discerning North Korean intentions complicates factors. It is possible that the North Korean government ordered the attack in order to provoke the South, but the attack may instead have been launched by lower level local commanders. Even if this were the case, however, it would be impossible for South Korea to divine genuine North Korean intentions. The Cheonan is a Pohang-class corvette commissioned in 1989.
#2
Now, Halliburton, you know it was your own hidden onboard bomb that did it, as part of your scheme to incite war between the Koreas so you can profiteer on it.
#4
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Military officials say a South Korean navy ship has sunk off an island not far from North Korea.
An official with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul said early Saturday that the ship sank some four hours after it began taking on water. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, in line with department policy.
The official said at least 58 of the 104 crew members have been rescued. There was no immediate confirmation of casualties. A rescue operation was still under way.
The cause of the sinking was not immediately clear.
#5
this is how our enemies respond to weakness. we don't know this was Nork attack or not, but it was it is only the beginning. The enemies of freedom smell blood in the water and will be on the offensive strongly soon.
Posted by: abu do you love ||
03/26/2010 13:12 Comments ||
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#6
I saw a reference on the net; some of these ships are equipped for anti-surface-warfare, and some are equipped for anti-submarine stuff.
#8
Navy Type, reporting as requested
It's possible for a mine to hit and explode on a ship's rear, they can be pushed aside by the Bow wave, and be pulled in by the suction at the stern.
That said, I go with the Torpedo theory, although this would be an act of war, it's very likely as a diversion from NOR-K's people Starving, we reported here that Kimmie was looking for a diversion, war is a good one.
Don't forget the War's NOT ended, Only an Armistice (Stop shooting a while) in effect, and can "Resume" at will.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/26/2010 13:28 Comments ||
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#9
Wouldn't a homing torpedo typically go towards where the screws are? (Assuming it's not something really fancy or anything; assume it's a homing torpedo from WW2 or something like that. And yes, they had them back then.)
#10
Unless the USN wants to go hunting, which it usually does, the SKOR will get their own payback, with interest.
They have three new Sohn Wonyil class (German 214 design), and nine Changbogo-class (German Type U-209s), against the Norks 26 Romeo class subs, built in the 1950s, and four Whiskey class Russian subs from the same period.
No idea what type of torpedoes the SKOR use, other than that they are 533mm, which is the same as the US MK-48.
#13
Thanks Redneck Jim - I sorta thought as much, but agree that a torpedo is more likely.
Still - not at all a good thing, seeing as how a sinking is now reported, and this was a very large ship. (Off to Jane's to check the ROK fleet).
As for the "diversion" idea - I dunno - how much more diverted can the Norks get? At some point won't the Chinese just up and say "whatever, we don't care"?
I expect we'll learn a lot about treaty obligations in the next few days, as well as chain of command. Is the UNSN Comfort still in Haiti? Ugh.
#16
Navy type reporting, also. The Chinese and NorKs have sea bottom secured mines that will release upon detection of vibrations and/or magnetic signature. But they have to be "programmed".
#18
I've seen quite a few guesstimates on what caused this attack, but one I haven't heard, and one that is probably the most likely, is a NORK sea-skimming anti-ship missile. The North Korean navy has quite a few small anti-ship patrol boats that carry Russian anti-ship missiles. Hide one behind an island, pop out for a minute, shoot,and hide again. A lot of those islands and land areas around that part of North Korea have tunnels carved in them for just such a purpose. Remember the damage a "Silkworm" did to the Israeli navy ship in 2006. The NORKS have "Silkworm" missiles.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
03/26/2010 14:51 Comments ||
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#19
The USNS Hope, sister-ship to the USNS Comfort, is home-ported in either San Diego or Bremerton, Washington, can't remember which. No need for the COMFORT to make the long journey around.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
03/26/2010 14:53 Comments ||
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#20
Has President Obama said that the South Koreans acted stupidly?
Posted by: Harry Elmatch8053 ||
03/26/2010 15:42 Comments ||
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#21
FYI: CAPTOR type mine satisfies both the mine and torpedo theory.
And the ship sinking so fast indicates that sort of an attack. ASM, even sea skimmers take a while to sink a ship. Mines similar. Torps on the other hand will sink a ship fast.
SKOR navy will be getting very very aggressive as long as their politicians don't choke them on s short leash.
In most times, this would be considered an act of war.
Fox I do not trust any more; its spinning things however the Saudis want it spun or else spinning to curry favor with the left.
I also have noticed this. That really bodes ill, because it will take some time before the less astute realize that fact. Some really nasty stuff, this way comes.
Posted by: Secret Asian Man ||
03/26/2010 16:08 Comments ||
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#24
I'm back to the 48 rule, instead of 24. Not enough facts yet, and plenty of speculation.
As bad as the Iowa accident was, has any ship ever sunk itself by accident with onboard munitions, which discounts the Maine and Vasa events? Could the ROK have really done this to itself?
I don't know what Occam would say yet, so its back to a 2 day wait.
#25
There were quite a few naval vessels sunk by magazine explosions. These are just some significant cases from WWI - major vessels, battleships, heavy cruisers, etc.
http://www.gwpda.org/naval/thist24.htm
There have been many many more over the years, but rather few in recent decades (other than among Soviet and ex-Soviet vessels possibly)
#26
My father was an F-4 flyer off the USS Coral Sea during Vietnam.
They got a commendation after patrolling the coash of North Korea.
Those frakers are crazy.
#27
won't the Chinese just up and say "whatever, we don't care
I'm afraid not. Without going into a long explanation, China's policy (and I understand it is written into its constitution) is to regain all territory lost 'under duress' in 'unfair treaties'. North Korea was a vassal state of China for several hundred years prior to the rise of Japan in the 19th century. Historically its relationship to China was similar to that of Tibet and we all know what happened to Tibet.
My guess is that if push comes to shove, ie the alternative is NKor is lost to the 'West', China will annex N Korea.
#28
Ala FREEREPUBLIC/FOXNEWS AM > seems a SOKOR warship has fired on an unidentified vessel, ostens believed to be NOKOR at this time. SOKOR MIL OFFICIALS ARE DOWNPLAYING THE INCIDENT, claiming that it is dubious or inconclusive as to whether the NOKORS = DPRK is involved.
My first thought was that it was a NK CAPTIVE MINE given prelimar News reports on the stern blast. The SOKORS are very mindful of NOKOR Commandoes using Underwater, Riverine, andor Ooastal crafts to sneak over the LAnd-Sea DMZ = LoD.
#30
yep - 32nd street, which saw the homecoming of the Nimitz strike group - the Nimitz Carrier arrived at North Island. There was a lot of rejoicing (we were pouring bridge deck by the Convention Center and saw several ships come in) - and no doubt new American patriots conceived tonight
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/26/2010 22:40 Comments ||
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U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Walter Sharp has warned of sudden regime collapse in North Korea and called for urgent preparation for such an eventuality. Sharp was speaking at a subcommittee hearing of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.
"We would also be mindful of the potential for instability in North Korea," he said. "Combined with the country's disastrous centralized economy, dilapidated industrial sector, insufficient agricultural base, malnourished military and populace, and developing nuclear programs, the possibility of a sudden leadership change in the North could be destabilizing and unpredictable."
South Korea and the U.S. are ready for any kind of contingency, he said, including local skirmishes, humanitarian support operations, and even the elimination of the North's weapons of mass destruction.
Commenting on the North's nuclear program, he said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's strategic goal is to survive and maintain the regime, and that his pursuit of the nuclear weapons program is the key part in this strategy. The North's nuclear program is now believed to have extracted enough plutonium to make several nuclear weapons, Sharp added.
Sharp again dismissed the option of delaying the handover of full control of South Korean troops to Seoul. He said the roadmap for the transition of operational control is "on track as planned and we are working hard to ensure that all conditions will be met" for a smooth transition in 2012.
Meanwhile, Adm. Robert Willard, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, commented on South Korea's participation in the U.S. missile defense system at the same House subcommittee hearing. Willard said Seoul has already developed its own missile defense system and it is up to the country to decide whether to expand it.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/26/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
I hope we have provisions in place to sieze NorK's records on its cooperation with Iran and Syria in developing atomic bombs.
I wonder what sort of evidence there would be against China.
#3
Imminent. This is going to go gangbusters all at once.
I want a statement from China since they want "ownership".
All weapons systems they have will be probably okay for the near term . And as if, they have issues with transference.'
This is a China do or die or draft the ROK . Stand them up. This will not last very long at all. Planning powerpoint rangers really do need to get ready.
Everything I see leads me to collapse for them first.
Blame China. Coddle Japan.
No one wants them. China is not impressive with their plans, better than ours.? !?
It's time - it's coming down right now no matter whats going on with obama care.
#4
FREEREPUBLIC > NORTH KOREA VOWS NUCLEAR ATTACKS TO DEFEND ITS REGIME.
* WMF > UNO SUDDENLY WARNS CHINA ON DAIJIN DAMS IN MEKONG RIVER [ala Lacang/Lang Cang/Lau Cang River]; + ONCE FULLY OPERATIONAL, "VARYAG" PLAN CARRIER WILL FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT THE NAVAL BALANCE OF POWER IN EAST ASIA REGION FROM JAPAN TO CHINA + CHINA TO BEGIN DESIGN PHASE, WORK ON 93,000-TONNE NUCLEAR CARRIER.
* SAME > RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: RUSSIA WILL HELP VIETNAM BUILD BILATERAL/JOINT NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE IN VIETNAM.
#8
"Combined with the country's disastrous centralized economy, dilapidated industrial sector, insufficient agricultural base, malnourished military and populace, and developing nuclear programs, the possibility of a sudden leadership change in the North could be destabilizing and unpredictable."
For a short moment there I thought he was talking about Obamaland.
India has stopped a small but symbolic pullout of soldiers from the beleaguered state of Jammu and Kashmir, after the number of militants crossing into the Indian-controlled territory from Pakistan increased in recent months. The Paks sent more bad turbans in even as the Indians started withdrawing? Wotta surprise. Who'da ever thunkit?
A year ago, militant-related violence in Kashmir fell to its lowest level in two decades and India announced it would begin to withdraw troops. Since then, some 36,000 troops -- or about 5 per cent of the estimated 600,000 security personnel in Kashmir -- have been transferred out of the state. But further withdrawals have been cancelled out of concern more militants will lead to more violence in Kashmir, a picturesque region of pine forests, clear lakes and mountain ranges which has become one of the most complex conflict zones in the world.
Recent Indian intelligence reports suggest militants already in Kashmir are under pressure to step up attacks, the Hindustan Times newspaper reported Thursday. Some 114 terrorists infiltrated the state in 2009, up from 58 the previous year. Since violence flared in 1987, a generation has grown up in a virtual conflict zone.
India's decision against withdrawing soldiers comes as Pakistani officials continue talks with U.S. leaders. It's anticipated they will ask the U.S. to press India to negotiate a settlement on Kashmir. Since 1947, no fewer than 46 peace proposals regarding Kashmir have been made and many have involved the U.S. These days, the U.S. would like the controversy settled so Pakistan can concentrate its efforts on its western border region with Afghanistan, where Taliban forces for years have regrouped and planned attacks on NATO forces.
"The U.S. role in the Kashmir conflict has to be as subliminal as possible," said Thomas Pickering, a former U.S. ambassador to India. Despite speculation that U.S. President Barack Obama considered sending former president Bill Clinton as a special envoy on Kashmir, Pickering said appointing a U.S. mediator wouldn't work. India, he said, "has special genes to resist `made by the U.S.' solutions." Then-Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf was close to reaching a deal with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before being ousted.
"Singh is probably kicking himself for not having taken a deal with Musharraf," said Bruce Reidel, a former U.S. Central Intelligence Agency agent who led Obama's review of the administration's Afghanistan and Pakistan strategy. "India wants to emerge in the 21st century as a leading state, but that cannot happen if it's next to a failed state or a state run by jihadists, with the world's fastest growing nuclear arsenal to boot."
Former Jammu and Kashmir governor Lt.-Gen. L.K. Sinha said Singh could easily see his public support plummet if he gives away too much on Kashmir. "For the sake of secularism, even if today the majority of Kashmiris want (independence), we will not allow them to go," Sinha said, adding that allowing independence to Kashmir's 5 million Muslims could have drastic consequences for India's 100 million other Muslims. "The 900 million Hindus in this country would say secularism is bogus and we could see another round of riots like in 1947 where the Muslims are thrown out."
#2
A clerification: by "disassembled", in the case of the ISI I mean liquidated, to a man - every one of them dead. The rest just chop into manageable (politically isolated and bombable) tribal chunks.
KABUL, Afghanistan - A suicide bomber wearing a vest laden with explosives was killed by locals Thursday in eastern Afghanistan before he was able to detonate, police said. The incident occurred in the Muqur district of Afghanistan's Ghazni province, according to Kheyal Mohammad Sherzai, a police chief in the province.
The suicide attacker was from Pakistan's Warizistan area, authorities said.
The people who intervened in the incident pelted the man with stones and slashed him with knives and were able to kill the man and give the suicide vest to police.
Posted by: john frum ||
03/26/2010 06:55 ||
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#1
Did anyone get video? Would make a fantastic You Tube.
#6
The bomber suffered from thinking he was a tough guy in a town full of guys who attack bombers with kitchen knives & rocks! NOW surely thinks the guys in town are insensitive & politically incorrect too!
Pakistan has sent extra troops to its border with India, saying rising tensions with its neighbour prevent it from expanding its military campaign against Taliban militants on its western border.
The move came as Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, held talks with Pakistan's military leadership in Washington about how to exert more pressure on Taliban forces fighting US and Nato troops in Afghanistan.
Islamabad's envoy to London told the Financial Times that assertiveness by New Delhi was sapping his country's ability to fight Pakistani Taliban militants. He said Islamabad had been unsettled by pressure on its eastern border created by the building of military cantonments close to the sensitive frontier over the past year.
This is taking away from our defence capabilities on the Afghan border,' Mr Hasan said. We really wish the international community would intervene, but nobody has said anything to the Indians."
Pakistani officials said the number of troops the army had deployed was modest and declined to give details, though the reinforcements are estimated to be in the hundreds.
"This is more of a political and diplomatic problem rather than a strategic one,' said a western diplomat based in Islamabad. Every time Pakistan has to defend itself on criticism for gaps in its campaign, they bring up India. The campaigns in Waziristan cannot be expanded because of India, for example, is one issue".
We have enough problems of our own on our eastern border,' said Mr Kasuri (Khurshid Kasuri, a former Pakistani foreign minister). We are concerned about India. Resolve the problems with India and then [our security orientation] could change.'
Posted by: john frum ||
03/26/2010 06:25 ||
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#1
because, of course, India is always infiltrating terrorists...
oh, wait
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/26/2010 7:46 Comments ||
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Aswat al-Iraq: Border guards arrested on Thursday five Iraqi infiltrators, who tried to enter the country illegally in west of Mosul, a source from the Ninewa Operations Command said. "A force from the 6th border brigade arrested on Thursday (March 25) five Iraqis, who tried to enter Iraq illegally from Syria, in al-Baaj district, west of Mosul on the Iraqi-Syrian borders," the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
When these border guards' contracts are up, maybe we can sign them as free agents? I mean, that's a rare and valuable skill - arresting illegals at the border.
#2
Surely these infiltrators wouldn't be coming in from Syria. Nancy Pelosi made a kiss and make up trip to Syria during George W. Bush's administration. Did she not sing Kumbaya and curtsy, apologize, and bow? She is one of the 100 most powerful women in the universe-maybe beyond.
Aswat al-Iraq: An Iraqi army force freed a man taken hostage and arrested the kidnappers in eastern Mosul city on Thursday, a police source in Ninewa said. "The hostage was freed in al-Intissar neighborhood, eastern Mosul, based on intelligence tip-offs, and detained the kidnappers," the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. "The kidnappers are now remanded under investigative custody," he added, not giving more information. Mosul, the capital city of the unrest-stricken province of Ninewa, lies 405 km north of Baghdad.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2010 00:00 ||
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Aswat al-Iraq: Forces from the Kirkuk Districts' Police Department captured four men wanted in accordance with Article 4 of the law on terrorism near Kirkuk city on Thursday, according to the KDPD chief.
"The forces conducted a raid in the village of Nafila, al-Huweija district, (65 km) southwest of Kirkuk, arresting four men wanted on charges of involvement in terrorism," Brig. Sarhad Qader told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
"The raiding force also seized three improvised explosive devices, eight missiles, one RPG-7 shell, 20 liters of a yellow liquid used in home-making explosive charges, 500 meters of detonation wires and six Kalashnikov magazines," Qader said.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2010 00:00 ||
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Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi special forces (SWAT) killed a senior leader of al-Qaeda group in western Mosul on Thursday, commander of the SWAT said. "SWAT killed on Thursday (March 25) a leader of al-Qaeda group in 17 Tamouz region, western Mosul," Captain Habib Elyas told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. "Clashes erupted with gunmen after receiving a tip-off on the presence of what is called the Finance Minister of the Islamic State of Iraq, Khedr Abd Ghanem Khedr Dawan," he explained. "The operation ended without casualties among the forces," he added, noting that the dead man is wanted for armed operations he made in separate areas of Ninewa.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/26/2010 00:00 ||
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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.
[ADN Kronos] A close aide of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar and former governor of Afghanistan's province Oruzgan, 
Representatives of the Hezb-i-Islami, a militant group linked to an infamous Afghan warlord, are hoping to convince UN officials today that the time is right for a peace deal with insurgents.
[Maghrebia] The al-Qaeda terrorists directly involved in the kidnapping of an Italian couple in Mauritania last December are now in custody, El Khabar cited Italian press as reporting on Wednesday (March 24th). "All the kidnappers were arrested and they will pay a heavy price," Mauritanian Foreign Affairs Minister Naha Ould Mouknass said Tuesday in Rome after meeting with his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini.
A South Korean navy ship with about 100 personnel on board is sinking off the west coast near North Korea, possibly due to a torpedo attack, reports say.
Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi special forces (SWAT) killed a senior leader of al-Qaeda group in western Mosul on Thursday, commander of the SWAT said. "SWAT killed on Thursday (March 25) a leader of al-Qaeda group in 17 Tamouz region, western Mosul," Captain Habib Elyas told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. "Clashes erupted with gunmen after receiving a tip-off on the presence of what is called the Finance Minister of the Islamic State of Iraq, Khedr Abd Ghanem Khedr Dawan," he explained. "The operation ended without casualties among the forces," he added, noting that the dead man is wanted for armed operations he made in separate areas of Ninewa.
