"There is frequently the risk that Pashtun boys will face a set of experiences that mold their beliefs regarding sexuality as adults in ways that are ultimately damaging, both to themselves and to Afghan society," the report concludes. "It appears that this set of experiences becomes cyclical, affecting generations, and that this cycle that has existed long enough to affect the underpinnings of Afghan culture itself." Err, I'd say this is part and parcel of the Afghan culture. If not other cultures in the area.
Is it really too much to expect just one US lawmaker to say, I want to have General Petraeus come and report to us on:
what the hell is happening over there -- why we are spending $350 million a day to send fine young Americans to train up illiterate child rapists and pederasts and misogynists into a "police force" (half of which tests positive for drugs, so the British tell us) and then get shot them in the back while under military orders-- who the hell issued those orders? I want him to testify, too -- to "drink tea" when one of them "goes jihad" to get his 72 virgins, or raisins or whatever they get in that disgustingly carnal vision of Eternity goddammit.
#5
It's not the whole country, but primarily the Pashtuns (Karzai's tribe) that are the problem. It's ingrained, because it's heavily influenced by Arab practices due to Islam. It was a minor problem before the Islamization of that part of the world that has grown into a major problem that affects everything in the nation. BTW, the same problem exists in the tribal agencies of Pakistan, and to a lesser extent throughout the rest of Pakistan.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
12/21/2010 13:15 Comments ||
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#6
Read a joke (on one of the milblogs, I think) about a year ago. It's a joke other tribes tell about Pashtuns. Seems buzzards flying over pashtun land have to fly on one wing, because they need the other to cover their butts. Maybe it's a case of pot & kettle or maybe The Pashtuns do lean a little more that way. Perhaps with the repeal of DADT we'll find out for sure....
#9
The first reports of Pashto perversity, were floated in 2002, when US occupier troops leaked the fact that they had to guard pedophiles who had a practise of weekly sodomity rites that US soldiers called "Boy Tuesday." Frankly there is only one anti US ethnic group in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, the Bush government chose to push an American Pashto - Karzai - into leadership of Afghanistan. Nation-Destruction would have been a better idea than nation-building among the central Asian savages.
#10
One of the most famous of Pathan songs, the Zakhmi Dil (Wounded Heart) starts:
There is a boy across the river with a bottom like a peach,
but alas I cannot swim.
Though we all know what would happen If a Pathan hove in sight,
And if he could only reach.
"This traditional Pushtu folk song is included to commemorate the many years of service on the North West Frontier of India by the 1st and 2nd Battalions Seaforth Highlanders. Pushtu is the language of the Patahn and Afghan tribesmen of the frontier districts, but the version sung by British troops in 'pidgin' Hindustani had references to 'The Road to Kandahar'......"
Posted by: john frum ||
12/21/2010 18:42 Comments ||
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[Tolo News] Misinformation said to President Karzai by his close ones has caused him to shift behaviour against the West in particular the US, leaks said
Leaked US diplomatic cables claimed that some officials in Afghan government were after a big conspiracy.
The documents viewed Palace Chief of Staff Mohammad Daudzai, Education Minister Farooq Wardak, and former Information and Culture Minister Abdul Karim Khoram as figures with maximum influence over President Karzai's decisions.
Leaks said MFA Chief of Protocol Hamid Sidiq is convinced that Daudzai is working to advance Tehran's interests in the Palace.
President Karzai's Chief of Staff Daudzai has restricted access to the president and has prevented other Palace staff from having one-to-one meeting with President Karzai, the documents claimed.
Mohammad Daudzai, Farooq Wardak and Abdul Karim Khoram have links to Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's ... who used to be known as The Most Evil Man in the World but who now seems merely run-of-the-mill evil... Hezb-e-Islami Party and provide advices to Karzai in favour of their party, it said.
Analysts rooted back the problem to President Karzai's appointment of officials in government circle.
They said from now on President Karzai should seriously act against conspirators in Afghanistan.
"This is a pity that these kinds of issues about Afghan officials are leaked," said Head of Afghan Journalists Union, Abdul Hamid Mubarez.
Daudzai, Khoram, and Wardak were members of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's Hezb-e-Islami Party in the 1980s, during the mujahideen struggle against Soviet forces and they still have kept their tie with the party, it said.
Posted by: Fred ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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[Tolo News] In the New US war strategy there hasn't been much focus on some main challenges tackling peace and stability in Afghanistan, a top Afghan official said on Monday
President Karzai's front man, Wahid Omar, told news hounds that there are some sections in the Afghanistan report which are being welcomed by the Afghan government.
But the report doesn't focus enough on some other parts in particular about the decrease of civilian deaths, economical improvement and dissolving of organisations that are parallel to Afghan government.
Following the publication of the US report on Afghanistan and Pakistain, the Afghan government greatly welcomed some parts of the report that were centred on destruction of thugs' safe havens, Afghan grinding of the peace processor, reintegration of anti-government groups, and security transition.
"We hope the points we discussed get some more focus in the future and one of the points is a stop or down turn of civilian deaths in Afghanistan," said Mr Omar.
While making comments about some military progress, he said the progress has been fragile.
"We agree that there were some military progress in the last year, and we also agree that the progress has been fragile and reversible," he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
maybe we should start a new hearts and minds strategy! by hanging the new govt. leaders and and dropping leaflets all over the country of the picture.
Posted by: chris ||
12/21/2010 8:05 Comments ||
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#2
It will come. Just ask the Najibullah brothers.
Oh. Right. they're dead now.
Posted by: Fred ||
12/21/2010 9:12 Comments ||
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#4
Pull out, nuke all the large cities in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, nuke Quetta and Chitral with dirty nukes, and dust our hands. Make it US policy that in response to any terrorist attack on the United States or its people, one "Islamist" nation will be nuked back beyond the stone age. Follow through. There probably won't be a "third" time, especially if the first time the "Islamist" state being nuked is SA.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
12/21/2010 13:21 Comments ||
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[Arab News] Saudi Channel 1 is to air on Tuesday an interview with Jaber Al-Fifi, the thug who was No. 20 on the Kingdom's list of 85 most-wanted deviants that was published several years ago by the Ministry of Interior. Al-Fifi? That sounds kinda... ummm... swish.
In the interview, Al-Fifi will speak about his experiences, how he was recruited by Al-Qaeda, his travels to "havens of terrorism" and how he became an expert in explosives. The interview will be broadcast in the program Himoumina (Our Concerns).
On his release from Guantanamo Bay, 36-year-old Al-Fifi was brought back to the Kingdom and made to join a rehabilitation program initiated by Prince Muhammad bin Naif. He, however, managed to escape to Yemen where he rejoined Al-Qaeda but then subsequently gave himself up to Saudi authorities and announced that he had repented of deviant thought.
This will be Al-Fifi's second appearance on TV in which he speaks about terrorist organizations, and how they recruit young men and women and make them hostile to the Kingdom.
In his first appearance on Saudi TV on Nov. 29, Al-Fifi, who was born in Taif and codenamed Abu Jafaar Al-Ansari, spoke about the plans and conspiracies being carried out by organizations connected to foreign powers to attack Saudi targets and interests. He said these plans were made in coordination with Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in the mountains of Yemen.
Adel Al-Sobaie, associate professor at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, and Saeed Al-Siraiha, a researcher in youth issues, will participate in the program and speak about the exploitation of youth for devious purposes from the religious and social perspectives. They will also highlight the factors that drive young men and women to adopt an Islamic myrmidon mindset.
The program gains special importance in the light of a recent announcement by the Ministry of Interior that it has jugged 149 members of organizations that hold devious thoughts. The ministry said the detainees were planning terrorist acts against Saudi organizations and personalities.
Posted by: Fred ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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It's a bit like train-spotting but rather more serious. On October 10, Korea-watchers pored over live televised coverage of a massive military parade in Pyongyang, held to mark the 65th anniversary of North Korea's ruling party. Just like the Soviet parades of yore, it was a chance to see what military hardware the North might be showing off.
#1
What I see is a whole lot of junk weapons, wonder if ANY of them actually work?
Given the poverty, I'll bet that critical parts are "Missing".
Anybody can make a missile, making it work is a whole different matter, making it actually hit whatever it's aimed at is a magnatude harder.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
12/21/2010 12:02 Comments ||
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#2
Good to see they've been wasting scarce foreign currency on useless crap like "anti-personnel lasers".
I gotta wonder if all these indigenous tank designs aren't just their armorers recycling rusted, clapped-out chassis into something bright and shiny for the cadres to puff their chests at & make the battalions look spritely in the next review.
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
12/21/2010 12:40 Comments ||
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#3
In the area of tanks, the old standard was Western (German designs first), Soviet (Polish built first), Yugoslovian, ChiCom, and then Albania/North Korea. With several of the Russian designs coming out of the Soviet/Russian factories, the tanks were running for 3-4 hours straight off of the line. Then they had their oil filters pulled, their oil dumped, and the 25 pounds of casting sand that had worked its way out of the casting channels was emptied with the oil.
#4
Also, Soviet/Russian tanks used alcohol-based hydraulic fluids, which resulted in catastrophic destruction of the tank if the armor was penetrated and a fire started. There are lots of videos of T-72 tanks blowing their turrets 100 hundred feet into the air after being hit by a DU round from an M-1 or Challenger II during OIF.
#6
Shieldwolf No apologies necessary. I was just impressed that the turret could make it to 10,000 feet.
Posted by: Total War ||
12/21/2010 17:27 Comments ||
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#7
FREEREPUBLIC/TOPIX > CHINA SAYS NORTH KOREA HAS RIGHT TO NUCLEAR POWER. Read, ENERGY-ONLY???
HMMM, HMMMM, methinks BEIJING = CHINA broadly recognizes the underlying opportunity wrought by a Chin-accepted INTEGRATION, LATER REUNIFICATION OF THE TWO KOREAS, as per demanding the full withdrawal of any + all potent US Milfors from the Korean Peninsula + possibly Japan, + to reduce US MilPol commitment to security of Taiwan, + to demand that both SOKOR + JAPAN NOT DEV NUCWEAPS, US-CHINA "JOINT" REGIONAL MISSLE DEFENSE SHIELD, etc.
CHINA wants to seen as the "good guy", but wid Beijing knowing that Pyongyang knows that CHINA WILL NOT + NEVER ACCEPT A NORTH KOREA WID CHINA/REGION-THREATENING POTENT = ADVANCED NUCWEAPS. CHINA per se is also unlikely to accept any kind of INTER-KOREAN REUNIFICATION WID A NUCLEAR-ARMED SOUTH KOREA, NUCLEAR-ARMED JAPAN, MISSLE DEFENSE SHIELD IN NE ASIA WIDOUT CHINA, FOREIGN FORCES, etc.
And Kimmie knows it.
1980's US-SOVIET "CONVENTIONAL FORCES IN EUROPE" [CFE] + INF AGREEMENTS > MEET POST-COLD WAR/9-11, 21st CENTURY US-CHINA "CONVENTIONAL FORCES IN KOREAS" [CFK] + INFK [K=Korea] TREATIES.
* ION KOREA TIMES > [CSIS Pert LARRY NIKSH]
PYONGYANG MAY BE USING DECEPTIVE STRATEGY.
ARTIC = D *** NG IT, IT NOT WHAT NORTH KOREA SAYS, BUY WHAT IT DOESN'T SAY THAT MAY MATTER THE MOST - ACTIONS, OR LACK OF SAME, MAY HIDE ULTERIOR = ALTERIOR = MALTERIOR TRUE INTENT(S)???
* PEOPLES DAILY FORUM > BEIJING STERN OVER JAPAN DAOYUS PLOT.
[Chosun Ilbo] Having issued dire threats of "merciless retaliation" only this weekend, the North Korean military now says it was "not worth reacting" to a South Korean artillery drill on Yeonpyeong Island on Monday. The armed forces of the North "did not feel any need to retaliate against every despicable military provocation," the North Korean Army's Supreme Command said in a statement.
This implied that the North will not attack South Korean territory immediately as it did on Nov. 23, experts speculate. The reaction came about two hours and 30 minutes after the drill ended.
But the North Korean state-controlled media kept up the martial rhetoric, threatening to "annihilate the strongholds of the U.S. and South Korean warmongers."
Meanwhile, ...back at the ranch... the North's official Rodong Sinmun said South Korea's plan to switch a floodlight tower overlooking the demilitarized zone back on as part of the resumption of psychological warfare "is a dangerous rash act that could ignite a fresh armed clash."
Posted by: Fred ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
Again, IMO the DPRK wants to observe + likely test the reaction of both the US + CHINA, etc. to the DPRK-desired set-up of VIETNAM-STYLE INTERNATIONAL = "NON-NOKOR/CHINESE/ASIAN" ECON [Political?] PRESENCE inside North Korea, espec as DPRK's "hedge" agz the new SINO-DPRK FTA setting up Chinese-controlled or dominated Freeports = EEZ-FTZ enclaves inside the North.
KIMMIE + REGIME > IMO desire not only to preserve the POST-WW2 "STATUS QUO" = KIM-FAMILY DYNASTIC POWER but also NORTH KOREAN-STYLE COMMUNISM-SOCIALISM, ETC. AGZ ALL COMERS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BEIJING = CHINESE COMMUNISM, as interpreted + practiced by Kimmie + La Familia.
#2
"Merciless retaliation? Oh no, no, no, we said Mertz-less retaliation, that we'd cut off the 'I Love Lucy' reruns if the imperialist puppets tried provoking us. We are still gonna annihilate the strongholds of the U.S. and South Korean warmongers tho, so watch yerselves."
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
12/21/2010 6:13 Comments ||
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#3
"We could moiderized ya, but we decided not to. Despite our fierce threats"
Posted by: Frank G ||
12/21/2010 9:48 Comments ||
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#4
Mental Picture of an ant screamin at a skyscraper.
"YOU'RE COMING DOWN"
Yeah, right.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
12/21/2010 12:07 Comments ||
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In drip-feed of concessions apparently aimed at kickstarting dialogue with the U.S., North Korea has pledged to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to return to a nuclear facility at Yongbyon and to negotiate the sale of fuel rods abroad. CNN on Monday said the North made the announcement to New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who was on what was billed as a private visit there.
The North expelled IAEA inspectors in April last year when it pulled out of six-party nuclear disarmament talks in protest at UN Security Council censure over its test-launch of a long-range rocket.
The North also agreed to "negotiate the sale of 12,000 fresh fuel rods and ship them to an outside country," a CNN correspondent accompanying Richardson said, "presumably South Korea." It "agreed to consider Richardson's proposal for a military commission between the United States, North Korea and South Korea as well as a separate hotline for the Koreas' militaries."
The U.S. administration reacted without enthusiasm, maintaining that Richardson was in the North as a private citizen and has no authority to close any deals on behalf of his government.
Seoul indicated it will wait until Richardson briefs the U.S. administration on the full results of his visit.
"Seoul, Washington and Tokyo have agreed that there will be no negotiations with Pyongyang while it continues nuclear development," a senior South Korean government official said. "North Korea will first have to announce a detailed plan for the inspection of all nuclear facilities, including any uranium enrichment plants."
"If it is genuinely willing to denuclearize, it should present an action plan to the South Korean and U.S. governments instead of a private citizen" like Richardson, the official added.
Posted by: Steve White ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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There was widespread relief Monday when an artillery drill in the West Sea ended without the threatened retaliation from North Korea or any other noticeable rise in tensions. The military fired live rounds on Yeonpyeong Island for an hour and 34 minutes, but fears of another North Korean strike proved unfounded.
However, the military is staying on high alert for the time being, monitoring North Korea for signs of additional provocations after the North deployed multiple rocket launchers in areas on the west coast near Yeonpyeong Island and readying coastal artillery.
A spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Monday said the maritime fire drill on Yeonpyeong Island started around 2:30 p.m. and came to a complete stop around 4:04 p.m., ending with a Vulcan gun firing."
The marine unit on the island fired about 1,600 rounds, including four rounds of K-9 self-propelled guns and 1,500 Vulcan gun shells.
A military source said, "We had difficulty because the sea fog didn't lift completely until the afternoon, but we went ahead with for fear of problems that might arise if we delayed any further."
In response to the South Korean drill, the North apparently deployed a battalion of 18 122-mm multiple rocket launchers in Kaemori north of Yeonpyeong as it did prior to its artillery attack on Nov. 23. It also reportedly set up several decoys near Baeknyeong and Yeonpyeong islands.
Some dozen warships including South Korea's first Aegis destroyer the 7,600-ton King Sejong the Great and two Korean-type 4,500-ton KDX-Ⅱ destroyers took part in waters south of the island. They were also ready to order a sortie of F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets to strike in case of a North Korean attack.
Support troops from the U.S. Forces Korea will reportedly stay there for the time being to watch the North Koreans movements.
After the drill ended, JCS Chairman Gen. Han Min-koo warned, the North "can attack at any time" and ordered all operations commands to "check preparedness for contingency plans so they can respond to any provocations no matter when and where they happen."
The North is closely watching a floodlight tower set up by the South Korean military across the demilitarized zone in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, apparently with an eye to shooting at it once it is switched on Wednesday.
Posted by: Steve White ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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Already struggling with a massive debt crisis that is shrinking its economy, Greece is also facing a rising tide of illegal immigration.
The country's land border with Turkey makes it a major gateway to the European Union, which says more than 90 percent of this year's illegal immigrants entered through Greece.
Despite EU assistance, Greece is overwhelmed by the influx of migrants who believe the financially crippled nation still has more to offer than their home countries.
That's very likely true and a sad commentary on the home countries ...
In the past, migrants would have crossed into Europe by sea. But improved coast guard patrols have cut off those routes, so now smugglers use the land border between Greece and Turkey. Illegal crossings at the border went up nearly 370 percent this year, according to Frontex, the European Union border agency.
"This is a really massive flow of migrants across the border," Frontex spokesman Michal Parzyszek says. "I mean, people are asking what Greece could do. I cannot imagine any country to handle this issue alone."
Frontex says fewer people have crossed since November, when the agency sent 175 officers to help the Greek police. The migrants travel without papers. Frontex says almost half claim false nationalities from war-torn countries to get asylum.
Most migrants released from detention centers must leave Greece within 30 days.
Why not drive them to the border and then release them so that they leave the country in 30 minutes?
But most only get as far as Athens. In a dreary courtyard in the city center, migrants line up for free food prepared by local churches.
Frontex expects more than 80,000 people to have entered Greece illegally by the end of the year.
[Iran Press TV] The Turkish premier has criticized the US and EU for not standing against Israel over its violations of international laws, while renewing his call on Tel Aviv to apologize for killing Freedom Flotilla activists.
"We expressed our utmost regret over this stance," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an interview with the Syrian Arab News Agency when asked about the US and EU stance over the Israeli attack on a Gazoo-bound aid convoy, which left nine Turkish activists dead and scores of others injured.
"We expected a different stance from these countries that claim to be pioneers of basic freedom and defend human rights ... which are not the same thing as individual rights, mind you... , seeking to appear as the only one struggling for these values and rights," he added.
On May 31, Israeli commandos stormed an aid convoy, which was to deliver humanitarian supplies to 1.5 million impoverished people of Gazoo, in international waters.
The bilateral relations between Turkey and Israel reached their lowest ebb ever following the incident.
Erdogan pointed out that it was very clear to everyone that Israel did not respect international laws and human rights, which was recorded by the independent UN committee.
The US and the EU took a stance based on pure political calculations, which proves to everyone how these countries do not hesitate to take biased stances even in cases related to the right to live and human rights, the Turkish premier argued.
Erdogan once again reiterated that Israel must make an apology over the killing of the Turkish activists, saying the resumption of relations with Israel is linked to Tel Aviv's apology to Ankara and paying compensations.
Posted by: Fred ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
NO mention of the Iron bars, axe handles and knives these "Peacefull Relievers" used against the soldiers preventing the Illegal entry of these thugs in ship's clothing.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
12/21/2010 12:13 Comments ||
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#2
And Turkey can apologize for disempowering the Armenian population that once lorded over one-third of what is the current territory of Turkey.
Some of us believe that Israel (incorporating what was the Roman Province of Palestine) is OUR Judeo-Christian homeland, and that arab muslims are invader-occupiers. The same for occupied Constantinople ("istanbul").
Iran will take necessary action if Pakistan continues to fail in controlling terrorist activities along its border, a top military official has said.
Brigadier General Hassan Firouzabadi, the chairman of Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Pakistan is Iran's friend but "it falls short of controlling and stopping terrorists", IRNA news agency reported Monday.
Firouzabadi, who is also a member of the country's Supreme National Security Council, said Iran retains the right to avenge its martyrs and if Pakistan fails to control and contain terrorist actions along its border, Iran will use its legitimate right.
Iran shares an 800-km border with eastern neighbour Pakistan.
Al-Qaeda is trying to topple the government in nuclear powered Pakistan, the United States has warned.
Vice President Joe Biden said the Obama Administration is trying to make sure that terrorists do not in fact, bring down the Pakistani government, which is a nuclear power.
The over-arching American goal in the region and the rationale for being there is to dismantle and ultimately defeat Al-Qaeda, residing central al Qaeda residing in Fatah, the western regions of the mountains of Pakistan.
Towards that end, we think its important that there be stability in Afghanistan so that Al-Qaeda cannot re-establish it as a base from which to attack the United States of America, he was quoted as saying by a channel.
With regard to our efforts to degrade Al-Qaeda, were making great progress, the socalled CT (counter terrorism); that U.S., counter terrorism, the use of Special Forces and the like to go after individuals who make up the leadership of al Qaeda and of the Taliban, Biden said.
On the issue of counterinsurgency, that is where we clear, hold and build and transfer. Were making progress not as rapidly as we are on the other front. The (US) President has been frank to say that in his release, pointing out that we need two things that were working on very hard and were making some progress: one, Pakistan and safe havens; and two, governance in Afghanistan, Biden said.
Al-Qaeda significantly degraded
Our intelligence community is united in the view that the ability of central Al-Qaeda that is, Osama bin Laden and company in the AfPak area, in those mountains has been significantly degraded and we dont believe they have the capacity from there to pull off a 9/11 type operation, he said.
But what has also happened, as youve noticed, youve seen in the Arabian Peninsula, youve seen in other parts of the world, there are Al-Qaeda-related affiliates not under the direct control of Osama, but yet engaged with him, Biden said.
They are planning a much smaller war, but yet deadly attempts to go after the United States of America. We saw that in the underpants bomber last Christmas we saw that in the Times Square effort, Biden said.
So there are going to be continued efforts to be able to coming quite frankly more likely out of places other than the Fatah other than Pakistan, where bin Laden is but we have significantly degraded and knocked off a lot of the main planners and organisers and trainers, he said.
Does that mean we succeeded? No. Does that mean were in much better shape than we were a year ago? And two and three? Yes, Biden said.
#1
If Pakistan were to fall apart into a few smaller states it would be a good thing. If they were to fall apart into a giant Somalia-like failed state it would be a nightmare.
Hopefully the individual ethnic groups in Pakistan have enough cohesion/leadership that the first option is more likely than the second. India should be talking to folks in Baluchistan, the Punjab and Kashmir about their accepting neutral/independent states in those territories if, god forbid, Pakistan should dissolve.
Might even be worthwhile to start dealing with their own Punjab area as they are likely to have some uncomfortable questions popping up if Pakistan's Punjab gains independence.
#2
Yah, Punjabis form over half the population. Like Sindh, Secularism isn't totally anathema. The biggest drag on Pakistan is the Balochi and Pashto savages. I am indifferent to accusations of excessive force against them.
I wonder how Paki muslims treat the fact that their god entity - "allah" - placed the world's deepest concentration of flesh eating carrion birds, in their country. I guess: Pakistan disleases "allah."
[Arab News] Shiv Sena A Hindoo nationalist political movement that presents a resistance using the same nasty tactics to aggressive Islamists and that's a pain in the underwear to other Indian political parties... chief Bal Thackeray launched a severe attack against Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi for his alleged comments that Hindu cut-throats were more dangerous than the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).
In an editorial in his mouthpiece Saamna, published on Sunday, Thackeray warned that Rahul would have to pay dearly for his alleged comments stating that the Hindu majority in the country would retaliate very strongly.
"The Italian connection of Rahul is well known and his maternal grandfather was an admirer and close friend of Mussolini. Rahul's family, right from his parental great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru, worshipped those who divided the country," Thackeray said when asked about Rahul's credentials.
In a turn around from his earlier anti-China stand, Thackeray lavished praised on the Chinese and stated that India should befriend China which could turn out to be a better friend than the United States, which he alleged was not keen to curb terrorism outside it border.
"Make no mistake that China is our next door neighbor and also a powerful country that is capable of challenging the US. Agreed that our experience with China is not good since the 1962 war, but it is a fact that we lack the courage to wage a war against China and recover the land under its possession, but we can regain the land by maintaining good relations with China," Thackeray wrote in the editorial.
Emulating his uncle Bal Thackeray, the estranged nephew and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray too launched a tirade against Rahul. Speaking at a public function in Dombivili suburb of Mumbai on Sunday morning, Raj described the Congress leader as a "mentally unsound" person and asked whether Rahul had ever studied and known what terrorism is? Does he know what is LeT? "Rahul does not have the courage to speak before four people but he goes and makes the comments about Hindu terrorism before the US Ambassador. However, The infamous However... we do not know for sure whether Rahul had truly spoken or not about Hindu terrorism," he added while taking potshots at the media. He said, "Should we believe and trust what is published in the media? Also we wonder whether the media understand the news itself."
Posted by: Fred ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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[Dawn] The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has sought removal of Sindh Home Minister Zulfikar Mirza for accusing it of extortion and assassinations in Bloody Karachi.
According to sources, a five-member delegation of the party presented its demand to President Asif Ali President Ten Percent Zardari ... husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who showed remarkably little curiosity about who actually done her in ... when it called on him to discuss a one-point agenda--a recent statement by Mr Mirza blaming the MQM for the unrest in the country's commercial hub.
The meeting lasted about an hour.The president assured the MQM delegation that their grievances would be addressed, but said that the party should also support the coalition's decisions, including the imposition of Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST).
A source in the MQM said the delegation conveyed its reservations to the president and urged him to maintain discipline in the government by taking action against the home minister.
"If Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani can remove two federal ministers for violating government discipline, why not Mr Mirza who created a breach in the ruling coalition through his humiliating statement," the MQM delegation said.
Mr Mirza had said: "The biggest political party in Bloody Karachi is involved in extortion and killing innocent people of other linguistic groups but if these groups retaliate, only innocent people of the Urdu-speaking community will be killed."
The MQM delegation comprised Minister for Overseas Paks Farooq Sattar, Minister for Shipping Babar Ghori, Syed Hyder Abbas Rizvi, Adil Siddiqui and Raza Haroon.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Law Minister Babar Awan and President's Spokesman Farhatullah Babar were present at the meeting.
"We have been assured by the president and prime minister that action will be taken on our request. Let us see what action they take," Mr Sattar told Dawn.
President Zardari assured the delegation that he would soon visit Bloody Karachi to sort out the issue.
The MQM leaders had met the prime minister on Sunday and expressed their concerns.
The prime minister talked to Mr Mirza and barred him from issuing statements against any ally of the PPP.
"President Zardari took cognisance of the reservations expressed by an MQM delegation and said that appropriate measures will be taken to address issues," said the president's front man.
Responding to a question about the RGST, the front man said: "Coalition matters in Sindh and the MQM's concerns were discussed in the meeting."
The MQM delegation left the matter of their concerns to the president for a resolution and said that they had full confidence in President Asif Ali Ten Percent Zardari ... husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who has been singularly lacking in curiosity about who done her in ... .
Posted by: Fred ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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[Dawn] India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday that friendly ties with Pakistain can only come when Islamabad ensures its soil is not used for "terrorist" activities against Indian targets.
"We want friendly relations with Pakistain. But we know this will be possible only when our neighbour will see to it that its territory is not used for terrorist activities against us," Singh told a ruling Congress party meeting.
India is still pressing Pakistain to bring to justice the alleged criminal masterminds of the attacks in which 10 gunnies attacked a host of targets including luxury hotels, a Jewish centre and a train station. Nine of the gunnies were killed and the sole survivor was condemned to death by a Mumbai court in May.
Singh's remarks came as the Congress party passed a resolution that called on Pakistain to "deliver with sincerity on its assurances to dismantle terror outfits."
Singh also said there was "great potential for working together with China, especially in economic matters."
Speaking on the heels of last week's visit by his Chinese counterpart to New Delhi, the prime minister said India has "some outstanding issues with them (the Chinese) which we hope to resolve in an atmosphere of friendship."
Last week, Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao agreed to double bilateral trade to 100 billion dollars by 2015.
Posted by: Fred ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
And why would Pakistain do this exactly? Without outside enemies and conspiracies, they would have to focus on the actual internal causes of their problems being a modern country. Without a target for their pet jihadis, they run the risk of being "It" in the next round of Who Is An Infidel Now?
And then there are the Sunnis themselves, who are fearful of government retribution if they open the doors and of divine disapproval if they treat this particularly gruesome volume of the Qur'an with the reverence of a holy book. It's the money, isn't it?
"It was wrong to do what he did, to write it in blood," says Sheikh Samarrai. "It is haraam [forbidden]." Better dig him up and stone him then.
#6
Painted yourselves into a bloody corner, did ya now?
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
12/21/2010 10:57 Comments ||
Top||
#7
It is not plausible that Saddam actual gave 27 litres of blood for this. Typically, a healthy donor can provide a bit less than a half a litre every two months.
Do the math.
Posted by: Lord Garth ||
12/21/2010 11:21 Comments ||
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#10
Better test that blood, it's probably Porcine.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
12/21/2010 12:16 Comments ||
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#11
A young, pre-revolutionary SADDAM back in the 1970's proclaimed to be personally upset at America's role, influence in the Mideast, espec as per support for Israel. During DESERT SHIELD + early 1990's it was seeming US-NATO support + protection of Saudi Arabia despite that Govt's pervasive suppor for RADICAL WAHABBISM, includ MILITANT JIHAD.
Saddam was a complex Personage, Leader to be sure - IMO he was definitely a PRO-SECULAR, PRO-MODERNIST, ARAB NATIONALIST = "ARABIA [Mideast] FOR ARABS+ MUSLIMS" ONLY whom disliked the Ultra-Conservative-Traditionalist, "primitive" aspects of Islam.
IMO also, outside of ISRAEL + SHAH OF IRAN + TURKEY, Saddam in LT could had been the MOST POTENT POST-SHAH SECUALR MUSLIM ALLY OF THE US-NATO IN THE MIDDLE EAST IFF HE + SAME COULD OVERCOME THEIR RELATIVE DIFFERENCES.
#12
FYI Saddam was planning to write a Quran in his own blood since the late 1960's + 1970's, to prove his willingness to die for his beliefs, Allh, + Iraqi Nation.
* SHADE OF ATTILA THE HUN versus childhood Friend, adult Opponent AETIUS aka "LAST OF THE OLD ROMANS".
Not unlike Myself + [Whitney Huston fan] OSAMA per the 1980's Afghan War agz the USSR, I again found it ironic to had helped plan the defeat Saddam's Army in Kuwait during DESERT SHIELD/STORM.
[DARTH "YOUNG SKYWALKER MUST NOT BECOME A JEDI ...HE WILL JOIN US OR DIE" VADER here].
Former Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi says he will join Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's coalition government, as long as Mr. Maliki keeps his promise to fairly distribute power.
Criminy, Ayad, you could have had this done the first week. It wasn't hard.
Mr. Allawi said Sunday he has agreed to accept a job in the government as head of a newly created strategic policy council that will limit Mr. Maliki's authority on various issues. But he warned that his support could end if there is any change to the current power-sharing agreement.
The announcement comes a day before Prime Minister Maliki is expected to name a new Cabinet, potentially ending a nine-month political stalemate after inconclusive elections.
Late last month, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani asked Mr. Maliki to form a new government as part of a deal to end the political stalemate, and gave him 30 days to choose a new Cabinet. Mr. Talabani's request came after political leaders reached a power-sharing deal that put Mr. Maliki, a Shiite, on track for a second term.
In Iraq's March 7 elections, the Iraqiya coalition of former Prime Minister Allawi won two more seats than Mr. Maliki's State of Law coalition. But neither won enough for a parliamentary majority, triggering the political impasse.
Iraqiya's inability to find political partners allowed Mr. Maliki to gain momentum and support. He partnered with anti-American Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in an Iranian-backed coalition.
If Ayad had made a deal quickly he could have kept Maliki and Mookie apart. As it is Mookie's now inside the tent bringing Iran's influence that much closer.
NYTimes reports from Ramallah that the 60 Israelis were involved in creating a 2003 document called, "blueprint for peace" one of several 'land + limited repatriation + water rights + a few more things for peace' documents produced in the past 15 years.
They had lamb and rice and some of the Israelis were optimistic that Abbas was a 'partner in peace'.
During the meal two Americans, hiking in Arab Jerusalem, were assaulted near Jerusalem and one was killed.
Posted by: lord garth ||
12/21/2010 01:17 ||
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In response to criticism and outrage by supporters, the video-sharing website YouTube reactivated on Dec 20
a video channel operated by Israeli NGO Palestinian Media Watch on Monday.
The website removed PMW's video channel from its servers on Sunday for "severe violations" of YouTube's community guidelines. the PMW posts actual footage of Paleo TV - all the incitement, hate, etc. is Paleo in origin - of course showing the truth offended a lot of Paleos or Paleo apologists who complained to Youtube
Posted by: Lord Garth ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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[Iran Press TV] Hezbullies has warned against a politicized indictment by the US-backed Special Tribunal for Leb (STL), but expressed optimism on a Saudi-Syrian solution.
The US-sponsored court was established two years after former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri was assassinated in a massive bombing that also killed 25 other people in Beirut on February 14, 2005.
Reports earlier this year indicated the court's intention to issue an indictment against Hezbullies based on false testimony from Western-backed elements, and to accuse the resistance movement of involvement in Hariri's killing, which Hezbullies blames on Israel.
"Hezbullies has announced time and again that the solution which addresses the conspiracy of the indictment is the best solution for Leb and all the various Lebanese components," Hezbullies Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem ... Grand Vizier of the Hezbullies... said in an exclusive interview with Press TV.
Sheikh Qassem said the movement's opposition was not "because we fear the indictment but because we believe it is in Leb's interests that the country not be held hostage to baseless accusations."
On a joint Saudi-Syrian effort to tackle the issue, Hezbullies said the resistance was still optimistic on an Arab initiative to solve the political impasse the tribunal has sparked in Leb.
"We are in contact with the Syrians and Saudis and we hear positive talk from them, and they tell us they need time.... Soon we will witness positive results."
Sheikh Qassem referred to a race between the release of the indictment and the achievement of a solution, saying a settlement in time "will be an achievement for Leb and will spare everyone the complications which could arise."
"If, on the other hand, the indictment is released before a solution is reached, then the conditions would be different and the nature of the situation would be different," he said, without specifying the steps to be taken.
When asked about the role of the US and Israel in the STL indictment, the Hezbullies official said they "are very enthusiastic in releasing the indictment as soon as possible."
"They believe that the release of the indictment will be a sword put at the neck of Hezbullies and they believe that its repercussions will weaken Hezbullies and hence bring about the circumstances which will enable Israel to benefit more and more, whether it is by issuing threats of war or by launching war."
Sheikh Qassem vowed that an STL indictment would not affect Hezbullies but would strengthen their convictions and views.
"We already view that this tribunal has no judicial or justice standards of justice based upon it performance until now. So we believe that the release of an indictment is an American-Israeli step which we totally reject," he stated.
Posted by: Fred ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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[Iran Press TV] A Hezbullies MP says the US-backed tribunal on the liquidation of Leb's former premier is an international conspiracy against the country.
On Sunday, MP Mohammad Raad, the head of the Lebanese resistance movement's parliamentary bloc, said that the goal of the intrigue is "to enslave the Lebanese, humiliate them, dominate their resources, control their fate, and jeopardize their future," the Lebanese website Naharnet reported.
But Hezbullies's "objective is to rescue this country from the international conspiracy," he added.
Former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri Hariri was killed along with over 20 other people in a massive bombing in Beirut in February 2005.
The Washington-sponsored Special Tribunal for Leb (STL) was set up some two years later to investigate the incident. The court is expected to announce its findings by the end of 2010.
Earlier in the year, reports said that the court planned to issue an indictment against Hezbullies members.
Hezbullies Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah has rejected the allegations, saying the plot is part of "a dangerous project that is targeting the resistance."
Raad said that "the enemy has its own measures inside the tribunal that aim to fabricate a false indictment... that seeks to undermine our civil peace, tamper with our stability, and incite the Lebanese against each other."
Posted by: Fred ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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[Iran Press TV] Leader of the Islamic theocracy Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says any ruling by the US-sponsored Special Tribunal for Leb (STL) is null and void.
"This court is a kangaroo court and every verdict it issues is rejected. We hope influential sides in Leb will act prudently, so the issue will not be turned into a problem," said the Leader in a meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Monday.
The Leader noted that plots in Leb will bear no fruit and said, "We are very optimistic about the improvement of situation in the region."
The US-backed STL is charged with investigating the liquidation of Leb's former Prime Minister Refiq Hariri in February 14, 2005.
Hariri was killed along with over 20 other people in a massive bombing in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
Set up nearly two years later to investigate the incident, the US-backed STL is expected to announce its findings by the end of 2010.
Earlier reports indicated that the court planned to issue an indictment against members of the Lebanese resistance movement of Hezbullies.
Hezbullies has rejected the allegations, saying the plot was part of "a dangerous project that is targeting the resistance," and being one-sided in line with Israeli interests.
Major political figures and parties in Leb have also condemned the indictment, calling it a US-Israeli plot to sow discord in Leb.
In an August public address, Hezbullies Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah delivered detailed speeches pointing to Tel Aviv's role in Hariri's murder.
The televised address featured video materials, captured by Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles, and recorded confessions by Israeli fifth columnists, substantiating that Tel Aviv had been behind the terror attack.
Different Lebanese factions have also accused the US-sponsored STL of using false witnesses, who reportedly gave unreliable testimonies to the international probe into Hariri's 2005 liquidation.
Ayatollah Khamenei further stressed the importance of tightening security in the Persian Gulf and said all regional countries will benefit from a secure region.
"However, The infamous However... all countries in the region will become insecure and suffer from insecurity if regional security is undermined," the Leader pointed out.
Ayatollah Khamenei assessed as "very important" the issue of unity between Shia and Sunni Mohammedans in the region.
"Shia and Sunni Mohammedans in the region have had years of peaceful coexistence, but certain (countries) seek to damage this friendly atmosphere and turn certain differences of opinion between Shias and Sunnis into a social difference," he went on to say.
The Leader emphasized that there are "mercenaries and prejudiced individuals on both sides," adding, "This issue should be controlled both in terms of beliefs and security."
The Qatari emir, for his part, praised relations between Tehran and Doha and said, "The two countries have always enjoyed similar political stances."
He expressed hope the two countries will further promote relations in other fields.
Al Thani highlighted the significance of maintaining unity among Shia and Sunni Mohammedans in the region, saying certain countries intend to hatch a fresh plot in Leb.
He expressed his country's readiness to prevent such a conspiracy and act based on regional interests in cooperation with countries in the region.
The Qatari emir arrived in Tehran on Monday at the head of a high-ranking delegation on an official day-long visit.
Earlier on the day, Al Thani held talks with Iran's diminutive PresidentMahmoud Short Round Ahmadinejad on bilateral relations and the latest regional developments.
Posted by: Fred ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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TEHERAN Iran and Qatar on Monday pledged to cooperate for greater regional security during a visit to Tehran by the emir of the tiny but energy-rich Gulf state, state media reported.
Whose security?
By consultation and harmony Iran and Qatar can strengthen unity among regional countries and implement security and stability, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying in a meeting with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.
Ahmadinejad also described ties between Tehran and Doha as brotherly and excellent, state television reported.
Cooperation between Iran and Qatar can guarantee security and stability in the region, the emir was quoted as saying.
Posted by: Steve White ||
12/21/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
If Iran is going to be the local big dog, you might as well make nice, especially if there is no one you can rely on for protection.
#2
BHARAT RAKSHAK > {Asia Times] THE VALUE OF A NUCLEAR IRAN, to the US-WEST in indir promoting DEMOCRACY THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST + resisting WAHABBIST EXTREMISM [read, Saudi Arabia].
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.
"There is frequently the risk that Pashtun boys will face a set of experiences that mold their beliefs regarding sexuality as adults in ways that are ultimately damaging, both to themselves and to Afghan society," the report concludes. "It appears that this set of experiences becomes cyclical, affecting generations, and that this cycle that has existed long enough to affect the underpinnings of Afghan culture itself."
It's a bit like train-spotting but rather more serious. On October 10, Korea-watchers pored over live televised coverage of a massive military parade in Pyongyang, held to mark the 65th anniversary of North Korea's ruling party. Just like the Soviet parades of yore, it was a chance to see what military hardware the North might be showing off.
Iran will take necessary action if Pakistan continues to fail in controlling terrorist activities along its border, a top military official has said.
And then there are the Sunnis themselves, who are fearful of government retribution if they open the doors and of divine disapproval if they treat this particularly gruesome volume of the Qur'an with the reverence of a holy book.
