[TRIBUNE.PK] Afghanistan's feuding presidential candidates signed a deal Friday to form a national unity government, opening an apparent way forward in a dispute over the fraud-tainted election that threatens to revive ethnic conflict.
Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah ... the former foreign minister of the Northern Alliance government, advisor to Masood, and candidate for president against Karzai. Dr. Abdullah was born in Kabul and is half Tadjik and half Pashtun... vowed to work together whoever becomes president after an ongoing audit of all eight million votes finally declares the winner of the June 14 election.
US 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... , visiting Kabul to mediate an end to the impasse, welcomed the deal as a major advance in bringing Afghanistan back from the brink of political chaos as US-led NATO ...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A cautionary tale of cost-benefit analysis.... troops withdraw.
But an earlier deal brokered by Kerry last month soon frayed due to disagreements between the candidates, and attention will focus on whether all their supporters accept the latest pact.
The risk of spiralling instability has loomed large in Afghanistan since Abdullah refused to accept preliminary results that put Ghani ahead, accusing his rival of stealing the election by massive ballot-box stuffing.
"Today (we) have taken another step forward in the interests of strengthening national unity⦠and also to bring hope for the better future for the people of Afghanistan," Abdullah said, standing beside Ghani and Kerry.
"We are committed to working together on the basis of our common vision for the future of our country."
The signed text admitted Afghanistan was "in one of the most politically sensitive periods of its history" due to the contested outcome of an election that should herald the country's first democratic transfer of power.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/09/2014 00:00 ||
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[ARABNEWS] Two judges were taken to court for adopting stances that are in contravention of state rules. However, some people cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go... the disciplinary department in-charge of judges decided to postpone their trial.
One of the two judges sided with a religious teacher who has been convicted for having ties with Al-Qaeda terror group. The judge objected to the 15-year prison sentence handed over to the man, while the other judge sent Tweets that were political in nature. He also published suspicious links and criticized the decisions of the rulers.
Local media quoted a source as confirming that a disciplinary order against the first judge will soon be issued.
The second judge was involved in the case of a female defendant involved in a moral transgression. The judge released her soon after her arrest, but failed to cite the reasons for his decision in writing. The committee that looks into the violations of judges postponed its decision.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/09/2014 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Arabia
[TRIBUNE.PK] LAHORE: Pakistain Awami Tehrik (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri ...Pak politician, and would-be dictator, founder and head of Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran and Pakistain Awami Tehrik. He usually resides in Canada, but returns to Pakistain periodically to foam at the mouth and lead demonstrations. Depending on which way the wind's blowing, Qadri claims to be the author of Pak's blasphemy law. Other times he says it wasn't him... on Friday labelled the PML-N government "state terrorists" for sealing off roads to his residence in Model Town, Lahore.
"Model Town has been transformed into Gazoo," said Qadri, referring to the barricade around the Minhajul Koran secretariat and deployment of heavy contingents of police in Model Town.
"The government has assumed the role of Israel in Gazoo," Qadri alleged, while claiming that thousands of his workers, who have gathered at his house ahead of the planned Youm-e-Shuhada rally, are now running low on food and water supplies due to the government seal off.
Urging the public to bring food and water for his workers, Qadri insisted that his supporters overcome all obstacles and continue gathering at his residence to transform the future of the country and fight for their rights.
Qadri said the police has been raiding the houses of PAT workers and arresting them, including women.
"Innocent PAT workers are being tossed in the slammer Don't shoot, coppers! I'm comin' out! ," he said, adding that present rulers will be held accountable for their actions.
"The Punjab government and police have made the situation worse in Model Town," the PAT chief added.
Refuting police claims that Model Town had been sealed off to ensure his security, Qadri said that the government has not provided him with any security. "If anything, the government has been arresting members of my personal security staff," he added.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/09/2014 00:00 ||
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#1
"The government has assumed the role of Israel in Gazoo," Qadri alleged, while claiming that thousands of his workers, who have gathered at his house ahead of the planned Youm-e-Shuhada rally, are now running low on food and water supplies due to the government seal off.
"Divide the loaves and fishes, yer Immensity!"
Posted by: Frank G on the road ||
08/09/2014 11:51 Comments ||
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[DAWN] Pakistain Awami Tehrik (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri ...Pak politician, and would-be dictator, founder and head of Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran and Pakistain Awami Tehrik. He usually resides in Canada, but returns to Pakistain periodically to foam at the mouth and lead demonstrations. Depending on which way the wind's blowing, Qadri claims to be the author of Pak's blasphemy law. Other times he says it wasn't him... on Friday night said that a party activist was killed and six others injured in a clash with police earlier and termed Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif ...Pak dynastic politician, brother of PM Nawaz Sharif, chief minister of Punjab... , murderer of the "15 deaders."
Speaking to the media, he said the group would have "no choice other than giving a final call of revolution to the entire nation to come out on streets and march towards Islamabad and quiet provincial capitals to topple (the) government," should the arrests of his followers continue.
He alleged that more than 500 followers were jugged You have the right to remain silent... by police in a campaign of intimidation.
Qadri, who is normally Canada-based, returned to Pakistain in June to lead what he terms a "peaceful revolution."
Clashes between Qadri supporters and police in June left 14 activists dead in a rare example of political violence in the relatively peaceful Punjab province.
The holy man had previously announced "deaders day," a mass prayer session for the victims of June's violence to be held on August 10 in Lahore but it is unclear whether he plans to march on the capital the same day.
A religious moderate, Qadri commands tens of thousands of followers and held a disruptive four-day sit-in protest against the government in 2013, months ahead of the election that saw Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... come to power for the third time.
Earlier, sources in the Punjab administration told DawnNews that Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif had issued orders to the police to arrest Dr Qadri.
The orders were issued as PAT workers armed with clubs clashed with coppers in Lahore Model Town, with reports of several people being injured.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/09/2014 00:00 ||
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[DAWN] LAHORE: As the PML-N government is taking 'administrative' measures to curtail the Pakistain Awami Tehrik's protest plans, the latter's chief has claimed that the Sharifs are trying to flee the country and have applied for US visas.
The administration erected barricades and placed containers around Model Town, which houses the central offices of PAT and its sister organization Minhajul Koran, adjacent Faisal Town and a portion of Garden Town. It caused hardship for the residents, including those wishing to visit nearby Jinnah Hospital, one of the city's main health facilities.
Even PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Shujaat and Pervaiz Elahi and leader of opposition in the Punjab Assembly Mahmoodur Rashid were not allowed to enter Model Town. The Chaudhrys were, however, allowed to go to the PAT offices on foot.
A crackdown on PAT activists has also been launched across Punjab and vehicles, particularly cycle of violences, are being impounded. The measures have been taken to prevent PAT workers from attending a Koran Khwani programme scheduled for Aug 10 to pay homage to the victims of the June 17 Model Town incident.
However, Switzerland makes more than cheese... hundreds of PAT workers — both men and women — have already made it to Model Town. Women are camping in a small ground facing the PAT chief's residence, while tents have been erected for men in the main ground outside the offices of Minhajul Koran. Their number is growing day by day as the party is providing them three meals every day.
Talking to news hounds, PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri ...Pak politician, and would-be dictator, founder and head of Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran and Pakistain Awami Tehrik. He usually resides in Canada, but returns to Pakistain periodically to foam at the mouth and lead demonstrations. Depending on which way the wind's blowing, Qadri claims to be the author of Pak's blasphemy law. Other times he says it wasn't him... alleged that the government had asked the private agency providing him security to withdraw its guards at the earliest. He claimed that Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... and other members of his family were trying to escape from the country and had applied for US visas for their personal attendants and cooks since the Sharifs had already got their own visas.
Copies of a covering letter written to the US embassy on July 15 on the letterhead of MNA Hamza Shahbaz were also distributed among the journalists. Comments and signatures of the embassy officials on the letter have been smudged to protect privacy.
However, Switzerland makes more than cheese... the leakage of the letter from the US embassy gives credence to the reservations Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had expressed at a meeting of his close friends the other day that the Americans were also playing a role against the government in the current political crisis.
Dr Qadri claimed the embassy had invited the Sharif family's staff for interview on Aug 18, but the rulers approached the Foreign Office for an early appointment. He said the UK and Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... had already refused to give 'asylum' to the Sharifs.
He urged people to reach his Model Town offices so that the Sharifs could not escape accountability and said he would soon announce his next step.
In reply to a question about Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif ...Pak dynastic politician, brother of PM Nawaz Sharif, chief minister of Punjab... 's statement that doors for talks were open, Dr Qadri said he had shut all such doors. He said he did not believe that his movement would lead to imposition of martial law in the country.
Meanwhile, ...back at the fist fight, Jake ducked another roundhouse, then parried with his left, then with his right, finally with his chin... PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat said a civilian martial law had been imposed in Lahore and asked Shahbaz Sharif not to try to name Model Town as 'Jallianwala' Town, a reference to the massacre in an Amritsar (India) park by the British in 1919.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/09/2014 00:00 ||
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[DAWN] Security forces are likely to launch action in Surbat and other areas against suspected forces of Evil as the district administration vacated a couple of high school buildings for accommodating displaced people.
Sources in the administration said that a meeting at the deputy commissioner's office the other day had approved measures for a possible military action against holy warriors. They said the building of the Government Boys High School and Government Girls High School at Brawal had been vacated for accommodating displaced people.
Residents of Surbat, a village where a military vehicle was attacked on Monday, might be asked to vacate the area. Though no casualty occurred in the IED blast, it has alerted the security forces about the possible presence of holy warriors.
The health department officials have been asked to remain on duty and send ambulances to the area. Assistant commissioner, Dir, Khwaja Faheem confirmed the contingency plan to cope up with any emergency. The Monday's blast and ensuing measures, possibly a military action, have worried the people of Upper Dir, the district where the people not only fought holy warriors, but also defeated them.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/09/2014 00:00 ||
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[ARABNEWS] President Barack Obama Dreams of My Sainted Father... has not established a "specific end date" for US military strikes in Iraq, the White House said on Friday, explaining the situation will depend on the security situation in the country.
"The president has not laid out a specific end date," White House front man Josh Earnest told news hounds. Pentagon front man Rear Admiral John Kirby said on Twitter that US forces bombed the jihadis after artillery fire against Kurdish regional government forces defending their capital Arbil.
Two US jets hit a mobile artillery piece, he said. A Kurdish official said the strikes targeted the towns of Gwer and Makhmur, southeast of the autonomous Kurdish region.
The US operation began with air drops of food and water for thousands of people hiding from the Lions of Islam in a barren northern mountain range.
Many people who have been cowering in the Sinjar mountains for five days in searing heat and with no supplies are Yazidis, a minority that follows a 4,000-year-old faith.
Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and other airlines canceled flights to and from Irbil after the Arclight airstrikes.
The UN said it was "urgently preparing a humanitarian corridor."
Obama said the strikes would be limited and it remained unclear how much of a game-changer they would be on the ground. Iraq's military chief of staff told AFP he expected to see his forces and the peshmerga reclaim large tracts of land "in the coming hours."
Many people in Baghdad were skeptical of Obama's motives.
"He did nothing for three years but something happened to the Kurds and the Christians and he started talking about terrorism," said Rashaad Khodhr Abbas, a retired civil servant. "Where were you all this time, Obama?"
Meanwhile, ...back at the alley, Bugs Moroni was holding Slats from behind while his brother Greasy Thumb was pounding his face into paste ... one of Iraq's most influential Shiite holy mans, Moqtada Sadr, claimed that the IS men were poised to attack Baghdad and he vowed to send his men to defend the capital. "There are terrorist groups that have completed their preparations for a breakthrough into Baghdad," the holy man said.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/09/2014 00:00 ||
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#1
As per FREEREPUBLIC Artics, because clearly EIGHT BOMB DROPS AGZ ISIS TARGETS = A MAJOR B-52 BUFF, ETC. STRIKE.
Well, I'm convinced - REJOICE, AMERIKA, FOR TOTAL VICTORY AGZ THE ISIS IS AT HAND!
Oh wait ... ...
* TOPIX > [Hot Air] WHITE HOUSE: "NOT GOING TO DECIMATE THE ISIS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE PLANNING US ATTACKS".
* RELATED SAME > OBAMA: IRAQ ACTION WILL BE LIMITED.
* RUSSIA TODAY > US CULTIVATED ISIS: NOW ISIS PLANS TO RAISE FLAG OF ALLAH IN THE WHITE HOUSE".
#5
Biden was right, but only because we left too soon, and left a crooked Shia pol in charge who splintered the country. Maliki pissed of the Sunni with his heavy handed and exclusionary (retribution?) conduct, and froze out the Kurds from economic and military participation. Plus there's the corruption Maliki actually seemed to favor.
#8
Rashaad Khodhr Abbas, a retired civil servant. "Where were you all this time, Obama?"
Dear Mr. Abbas:
Thank you for posing that interesting question. It is what Americans who follow baseball would call “a hanging curveball”.
If you are referring to the location of Mr. Obama’s head, it has been firmly embedded in his ass. If you are referring to his whole self, the answer is: golf, Hawaii, golf, Martha’s vineyard, golf, fundraisers, hoops, golf, etc. You get the picture. If you want his attention, put together a $35,000 a plate fundraiser at any available five-star restaurant in New York. Be sure to invite the Danish Prime Minister.
But do you really want Obama’s attention? Depending on whether you think he’s merely incompetent or entirely malicious, it’s either like being locked in a closet with the Three Stooges or having the Eye of Sauron turn your way. On balance, the best thing you can do is send him a new set of Pings and hope for the best.
But speaking of the last three years: Where have you been, Mr. Abbas? I personally think we left too soon, but even if I’m right, 4,000 Americans gave all their days so that your peachy country could have a chance of leaving the seventh century. You couldn’t take a head start like that and make something of it? The bad guys are coming your way? Man up and fight for it, dude, because I’ve had my fill of Americans rolling over IED’s or walking into ambushes that the locals didn’t warn them about. And if you survive and ever visit America, be sure to stop by Section 60 at Arlington and say whatever Iraqis say when they want to express gratitude.
Posted by: Matt ||
08/09/2014 11:31 Comments ||
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#9
Biden's administration created the situation they wanted whether it really was a good idea or not.
#10
Biden's still wrong, and Iraq isn't finished. Kurdistan was already de facto independent, but very much preferred the overall Iraqi state to continue, and to operate mostly within it.
We'll see, but I still think the forces that kept Iraq together will maintain the lines on the map. The internal divisions were always there. Just that for the moment the usual combo of coercion, bribery, and sharing at the trough is out of kilter, for lots of reasons.
Matt, excellent comment. The idiocy of Mr Abbas - tragically the sort of tribal infantile nonsense you will now find in America for the first time probably in our history - deserves the most acid contempt.
Overall, the Iraqi Sunnis are lucky with their enemies. With less pathetic and weak ones, they would have long ago been eliminated or driven out for their relentlessly despicable behavior, and it would have been richly deserved. Now they have on more chapter to darken their historical indictment.
#11
It is a good thing the Kurds basically want to be left alone in their corner of the map. If they had territorial ambitions outside of their area (other than a buffer zone), they would be a big problem. Its been a milline, but once upon a time, there was this Kurdish guy named Saladin
#13
Overall, the Iraqi Sunnis are lucky with their enemies. With less pathetic and weak ones, they would have long ago been eliminated or driven out for their relentlessly despicable behavior, and it would have been richly deserved. Now they have on more chapter to darken their historical indictment.
Most of the people ISIS has been killing since early Spring have been Iraqi Sunnis. Given all the uncertainty (as has been pointed out here before) about who ISIS is really workihng for, it might be a good idea to consider the possibility that they're basically Maliki's way of cutting the Sunnis down to size.
#14
Consider: the area they're operating in is landlocked. They must be getting support from someone with a port and roads that go into their area of operation. That would have to be: Jordan, Syria, or Turkey. I don't think the Saudis have good roads up there.
#15
Blame Bush, Blame Obama, blame the Sun and Moon! It does not fucking matter, that is the past. ISIS is a real threat, the only threat will the real capability to bring it to America, right now. They have upward of 900 US Passport holder in their ranks. We need to stop bickering along political lines, stop living in the past. We need to deal with this very specific and real threat. I don't really give a Damn if Iraq survive this or not, I care that America is safe, and that our children sleep well at night.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
08/09/2014 20:16 Comments ||
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[TIME] ISIS's expansionist ideology will lead it to attack U.S. allies in the region and, eventually, Europe and the United States.
President B.O.'s decision to authorize humanitarian operations and targeted Arclight airstrikes in Iraq comes as fundamentalist Islam is on the rise throughout the Middle East.
Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, and other Paleostinian terrorist groups continue to threaten Israel. The United States and its allies have been forced to close their diplomatic missions in Libya because of fighting between secular militias and al Qaeda-affiliated groups. The Taliban is going on the offensive in Afghanistan as the United States and coalition partners continue to draw down.
And perhaps of most concern, in Iraq, the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) has established a caliphate, a fundamentalist state, in the heart of the Middle East. Flush with weapons and money, ISIS's forces are making significant advances as they expand their territory.
ISIS, an extreme Sunni murderous Moslem group that emerged from al Qaeda, has been occupying and razing churches across Iraq, pulling down crosses, destroying religious documents and holy sites, and forcing Christians and other non-Sunni Iraqis to convert or face death. It is capturing maidens of tender years and the widows of men they have executed for their own unmarried fighters. It has seized bridges, dams and other infrastructure that Iraqi towns and communities rely on for subsistence.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/09/2014 00:00 ||
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#1
I agree with Rubio, either we fight now or we for our lives later...a paraphrasing of Ole Nikola.
Seems to me the "airstrikes" the empty suit has authorized are pissing on a forest fire. He should be going all in on air support, like we did before the invasion of Iraq. I still think invading Iraq was a good idea, but Paul Bremer screwed it up with his crazy rules and the empty suit screwed the pooch completely when he pulled out prematurely.
Posted by: Bill Clinton ||
08/09/2014 11:37 Comments ||
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#2
Ripley: I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit.
#1
Does this mean running semi-clandestine arms shipments to the Kurds and such is now more difficult?
And speaking of the Kurds, seems to me the solution to little geopolitical problems like this is private enterprise. Imagine if you will, a Blackwater equipped with heavy weapons, a little light armor and some air...
[Iran Press TV] The Israeli war machine has completely demolished at least 60 mosques during more than a month of bombardment in the besieged Gazoo Strip.
The Paleostinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs said in a Friday statement that 20 mosques were destroyed in Gazoo City, 17 in Khan Younis, 11 in the northern Gazoo Strip, 10 in the center, and two in the southern city of Rafah.
Israeli tank shelling and air strikes have also left 150 mosques partially damaged, said the statement.
Meanwhile, ...back at the mall, Clarissa spent the day shopping for new underwear. Tonight was going to be a special occasion... the Gazook Ministry of Agriculture said the enclave's agricultural sector had sustained USD 251 million of damage.
Earlier in the day, artillery shelled northern parts of the blockaded sliver. There were two children among the five killed in Arclight airstrikes on northern and southern parts of the besieged territory.
The attacks came following a three-day truce that took effect at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Tuesday.
Israeli warplanes have been pounding numerous sites in the Gazoo Strip, demolishing houses and burying families under the rubble. Israeli forces also began a ground offensive against the impoverished Paleostinian land on July 17.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/09/2014 00:00 ||
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#3
Yep, normally religious places of worship are exempt from military action as they are usually places of refuge for non-combatants.
However, when the mosques are used as weapons storage and marshaling areas, they loose that protection. Funny how a single mortar round in the courtyard of a mosque next to the Wadu fountain can cause an explosion that can flatten a city block of apartments...those are some kind of special 4.2 mortars, let me tell you...wow.
Posted by: Bill Clinton ||
08/09/2014 11:29 Comments ||
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Gaza Citys Greek Orthodox church compound, a site that sheltered hundreds of Palestinians who fled their homes during IDF shelling in the area, was used by members of Hamas to launch rockets at Israeli territory, a prominent Christian leader in the Strip said Wednesday.
When the Israeli army expanded its offensive in the Palestinian enclave several weeks ago, Archbishop Alexios of the Saint Porphyrios church made the decision to open the holy sites doors in a show of interfaith solidarity, offering food, drink and shelter to all Gazans, regardless of their religion.
But now, as both the IDF and Hamas have held their fire for over two days in compliance with an Egypt-brokered 72-hour ceasefire, a frightened Alexios claimed that even with Palestinians crowding the church, Islamist fighters had set up a rocket launching site in the compound, CBN News reported. Alexios went on to point out to CBN News reporters a roof terrace outside his office where he claimed rocket launchers had been set up. Citing security concerns, the archbishop refused to disclose any further details regarding Hamas activity in the area.
On July 21, five or six Israeli shells slammed into the church compound, as well as a nearby mosque, apparently in response to rocket fire from the site.
#5
And how much does anyone want to bet that this turns out like "Jeningrad" and the 60 razed turns into 3-4 with bullet and shrapnel damage after the UN "commission" gets done with its investigation?
You can apply the same math to the civilian casualty figures. But once it gets in the public record, someone will always be able to reference it for future propaganda purposes.
[Sowetan] Archbishop Emeritus Desmond [The Red Arch] Tutu called on Thursday for the suspension of the Israeli Architects' Association from an international architectural body.
"I believe it would be appropriate for the UIA [International Union of Architects] to send a clear message of support for justice in Palestine and Israel by suspending the Israeli Architects' Association from the world body," Tutu said in a speech prepared for delivery at the UIA's 25th world congress in Durban.
Tutu appealed to architects from Israel to disassociate themselves and their profession from the design and construction of any infrastructure that could be related to injustice. The definition of "injustice" being his of course.
That included the separation wall in the West Bank, security terminals and checkpoints, and the Israeli settlements built on Palestinian land. The Arch obviously isn't well informed on geography.
"I implore you to take this message home: Please turn the tide against violence and hatred by joining the non-violent movement for justice for all people of the region," he said. Turning the tide against violence? Durban would be an excellent place to start.
Tutu told delegates that politicians had over the years tried to find a workable solution for the two nations to live in peace but they had not succeeded. Otto Beit was Jewish, perhaps Beit Bridge over the Zambezi needs to come down. Oh WAIT!
#4
Geez Desmond get on your bully pulpit about the hundreds of Christians being beheaded in Iraq and Syria why don't you.
Or are you so tied in knots by your liberal polluted mind that you cannot see anything except a BBC/NPR filtered reality of fanatics and terrorists as good guys?
Seems to me the MSM went over the falls glorifying terrorists and revolutionaries when they ran cover for the VC and the Khmer Rouge in the 60s and 70s. They just can't bring themselves to take off the blinders and see how bad their anti-Semitic/anti-Christian darlings are.
PS, I thought Desmond was a Christian??
Posted by: Bill Clinton ||
08/09/2014 11:33 Comments ||
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#5
Social Justice Christian. Which allows all sort of regular apostasy while still maintaining that you're a Christian
Posted by: Frank G on the road ||
08/09/2014 12:04 Comments ||
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#6
Ouch, that's going to hurt. One has to be suspicious about anything that might have the taint of "social justice" about it.
OK Asia, we tried to screw up Israel in Gaza, its your turn in the spin machine now...
Already scrambling to confront multiple simultaneous international crises, the Obama administration stepped up efforts Saturday to avert another, as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called on China and its smaller neighbors to take new steps to ease tensions over maritime disputes in Asian waters that many fear could spark conflict.
Recent activity by several claimants, particularly China, in disputed areas has heightened concerns about confrontation, which would destabilize the Asia-Pacific, interfere with international maritime commerce and roil the global economy. How long will it take him, Foggy Bottom diplos, and Obama to screw this up, anyone have a pool?
The newly installed army commander in Basilan said a dialogue with the Abu Sayyaf was among peace measures he is considering. The comment shocked an adviser to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao but was welcomed by the governor of the island province.
Colonel Rolando Bautista, who took command of the 104th Infantry Brigade on Thursday, said his priority was to "promote dialogue with those who want to discuss peace with the government" even if they belonged to the Abu Sayyaf. He said, "I am open to waging peace with the Abu Sayyaf Group" adding that he knew that the Abu Sayyaf also wanted peace.
Alvin Dans, a senior consultant to Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said Bautista’s proposal came as a shock, since the Abu Sayyaf is a terrorist group.
But Basilan Governor Jum Jainuddin Akbar said that while the Abu Sayyaf was notorious, she understood Bautista. She said a dialogue might be a much better approach to the search for peace and progress in her province.
Akbar said, "There's nothing wrong with it. Whatever it is that can help us achieve peace is most welcome. If we can achieve peace through non-violent means, then it would be better."
Bautista said a dialogue with the Abu Sayyaf might be unpopular but that the Bible teaches man to reach out. He said, "God said you reach out not only to your friends but to your enemies as well."
Bautista said he had no deadlines in his quest for a dialogue with the Abu Sayyaf, adding, "The search for peace has no timetable."
But he clarified that it did not mean the military would not pursue those he called "spoilers". He said, "For those who resist as we offer our left hand, we also have our right hand to deal with spoilers."
Posted by: ryuge ||
08/09/2014 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: Abu Sayyaf
[Iran Press TV] A deputy to the Iranian foreign minister has warned against the global threats of foreign sponsorship for Takfiri ...an adherent of takfir wal hijra, an offshoot of Salafism that regards everybody who doesn't agree with them as apostates who must be killed... terrorism.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Friday that taking advantage of Death Eaterbully boyz as a political tool for certain countries will inflict irreparable political and security damage and human loss on the region and the international community.
The Iranian official said without any doubt, the actions of Takfiri bully boyz in Iraq, Syria and Leb are not possible without foreign support.
The Takfiri mindset has nothing to do with the pure and real Islam, but it represents a link between the Zionist regime of Israel and the terrorist currents such as the ISIL, Amir-Abdollahian pointed out.
In Iraq, the current crisis escalated after the ISIL Takfiri bully boyz took control of the city of djinn-infested Mosul ... the home of a particularly ferocious and hairy djinn... in a lightning advance on June 10.
More than a million people have been displaced in the country due to the ISIL terrorist activities so far this year, according to estimates by the United Nations ...an organization originally established to war on dictatorships which was promptly infiltrated by dictatorships and is now held in thrall to dictatorships... .
Posted by: Fred ||
08/09/2014 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: Govt of Iran
#1
NOW I am worried...
When the alpha dog of sponsored terrorism says ISIL/Takfari is a big problem, IT IS A BIG PROBLEM.
Seems to me the regimes that have fed the beast throughout the Middle East, KSA, Iran, Qatar, and Syria are now seeing how fanatics will ALWAYS bite the hand that fed it.
The ISIL, Takfari, Salafists, etc., are so fanatical no one can control them, as Iran and KSA are finding out.
I think we will see a bit more cooperation from these guys now that the guns and beheading knives are pointed at them as well. At least I hope so.
If Iran is sounding an alarm, albeit cloaked in a propaganda riddled message blaming Israel for the twisted theology of these fanatics, will the children that "formulate" and I use that term loosely, our "foreign policy" wake up to the reality of the situation.
I think this is a time for the US to go all in on providing whatever support the Iraqi and Kurdish governments need.
We can't fight the ISIL with a few popgun drone strikes and a gratuitous convoy bombing. It has to be a BOMBING CAMPAIGN that kills everything that moves in the ISIL controlled regions...
Posted by: Bill Clinton ||
08/09/2014 11:24 Comments ||
Top||
[Jamestown.org] The publication of the first issue of the Islamic State's official magazine, Dabiq, went into further detail about the Islamic State's strategic direction, recruitment methods, political-military strategy, tribal alliances and why Saudi Arabia's concerns that the Kingdom may be the Islamic State's next target are well-founded.
Published in several European languages, including English, the magazine has a number of purposes. The first is to call on Muslims to come help the new caliph. Next, the magazine, comprising 50 vivid pages of color pictures, illustrations and artfully crafted text, tells the story of the Islamic State's success in gaining the support of Syrian tribes, reports on the success of its recent military operations and graphically portrays the atrocities committed by its enemies, as well as vivid pictures of its own violence against Shi'ites. The premier issue also used classic Islamic texts to explain and justify the nature of the caliphate, its intentions, legitimacy and political and religious authority over all Muslims. Throughout its carefully constructed allusions, the magazine subtly appeals to the followers of other jihadist groups including the followers of the Islamic State's foremost jihadist critics and potential followers in the Arabian Peninsula.
Another important purpose of Dabiq in the service of recruitment is to establish the Islamic State's cosmic destiny by combining an eschatological account of coming battles gleaned from popular apocalyptic literature, the classical traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, prophecies and modern tactics taken from Salafi-Jihadist strategic literature. The strategic portion of this message is attributed to the original leader of the jihadist insurrection during the American occupation of Iraq, Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi. Taken together this mix is intended to capture the imagination of young warriors and inspire them to come and fight for Islamic State. This presentation will not solve the array of challenges facing the Islamic State, but it probably will help attract more young adherents as well as prove that al-Baghdadi and his advisors have developed a serious plan. It is important for Western countries to appreciate the dangerous instability this new movement, despite its obvious flaws, is capable of generating if left to its own devices.
Dabiq: Symbol of Armageddon
The most significant of the Islamic State's recent efforts at public relations and recruiting is the publication of the first issue of its official magazine Dabiq. Published in multiple languages (including English), Dabiq's cover theme is "The Return of Khilafah" (caliphate). [1] According to the magazine, its title:
... is taken from the area named Dabiq in the northern countryside of Halab (Aleppo) in Sham. This place was mentioned in a hadith describing some of the events of the Malahim (what is sometimes referred to as Armageddon in English). One of the greatest battles between the Muslims and the crusaders will take place near Dabiq. [2]
The group was shocked by the armed opposition of the Sunni Awakening Councils in 2007 and started planning for the post-U.S. occupation era in Iraq in 2010, when Iraqs jihadist movement published an important booklet with direct relevance to the strategy and tactics used by the Islamic State today: Khoutah Istratigya li Taaziz al-Moqif al-Siyasi al-Dawlat al-Islamyiah fi al-Iraq (A Strategic Plan to Improve the Political Position of the Islamic State of Iraq).
The booklet was published in a time when the Iraqi jihadists were in difficulty, appearing only months before Abu Omar al-Baghdadi (Abu Musab al-Zarqawis successor as leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq) and the movements defense minister, Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, were killed in April 2010. The contents of Khoutah Istragiya outlined a strategic plan to improve the position of Islamic state; therefore it will be more powerful politically and militarily so the Islamic [State] project will be ready to take over all Iraq after the enemy troops withdraw. [1]
The Islamic State is a linear descendant of al-Zarqawis Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn (The Organization of Jihads Base in the Country of the Two Rivers more commonly known as al-Qaeda in Iraq), formed in 2004 to fight the American invasion of Iraq.
ˇ Unification: This agenda urges jihadists to unify their efforts in Iraq and prove that the Islamic state is a reality. Efforts by the jihadists to run day-to-day management of the cities of Fallujah and Mosul after the Islamists took control may be considered as part of attaining this goal. [3]
ˇ Balanced Military Planning: This agenda is divided into three tactics:
1. Nine Bullets against Apostates and One against Crusaders, referring to a campaign to increase the rate of fear amongst Iraqis who join the army and security forces;
2. Cleansing, in which the movement aims to occupy places where the Iraqi army and security forces are located and keep them busy trying to retake these places. [4] To achieve this goal, jihadists in Iraq resort to a tactic involves holding hostages, killing dozens of them and then engaging in an open clash with security forces. This kind of attack has been dubbed Mumbai-style after the storming of the historic Taj Hotel in Mumbai by the Kashmiri jihadist group Lashkar-e-Taiba in 2008. Although the preferred jihadist tactic in Iraq is suicide bombings, mostly due to the damage they cause, their lower cost, the ability of the perpetrators to bypass security checks and the increased media coverage they attract. [5] Although they are not cheap compared to suicide bombings, Mumbai-style attacks achieve other goals in addition to media coverage. Most importantly, they undermine confidence in the security services in the targeted country, according to the assessment of the jihadists themselves. In October 2010, jihadists used a Mumbai-style attack on Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad, killing more than 50 worshippers (National Iraqi News Agency, November 1, 2010). The group used the same tactic five months later at the provincial council building in Tikrit, where another 56 people were killed (al-Shorfa, May 30, 2011);
3. Targeting influential military and political leaders by assassination. [6]
ˇ Formation of jihadist Awakening Councils: Jihadists admit that the formation of Awakening councils in Anbar was a clever idea, therefore, they have urged local Sunnis to form groups to protect their areas from the army and security forces, take control of day-to-day security in those areas and implement Sharia. According to the jihadists, the aim is to integrate locals into the project to establish Sharia and avoid the alienation of local people. All these groups are to be overseen by a jihadist religious amir. [7] Progress towards these goals was seen in the increasing numbers of Iraqis joining the jihadists as well as the alliance created with some local tribes in Fallujah in January. [8]
ˇ Political Symbolism: The jihadists believe that advancing a political and religious leader is an essential step in establishing an Islamic state. [9] At the time of the booklets publication, jihadists thought it would be difficult to find such a symbol, but when Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi became the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) several months later, it was clear he was assuming this symbolic role by combining the necessary political and religious credentials. This symbolic role was displayed when al-Baghdadi delivered the Friday sermon at Mosuls Great Mosque of al-Nuri (built 1172-1173), which was traditionally used by the early Muslim Caliphs.
ˇ Assuring Non-Muslims: This refers to a just ruling by the Islamic State to assure non-Muslims that the jihadists are able and willing to protect them and their interests, a stance the jihadists view as important in light of ongoing efforts to misrepresent jihadists in the media. [10] However, after the jihadists took the city of Mosul in June, hundreds of Christian families fled after the jihadists demanded they convert, submit to their rule and pay a religious levy (jizyah) or face death by the sword. The Islamic State does not see this as a contradiction since their concept of justice involves implementing Sharia as the group understands it.
Since it started to operate in Syria in 2013, the ISIS/Islamic State organization has been obsessed with controlling geographical space to support its plans to establish a caliphate. To achieve aims such as securing the border between Iraq and Syria, the Islamic State has actually engaged in more fighting with Kurdish militants, the Free Syrian Army rebels and even other jihadists than with the troops of the Assad regime. The announcement of a caliphate has benefited the Islamic State in terms of attracting fighters from all over the world. European citizens are reported to have carried out suicide attacks and even jihadists in Jordan who once opposed ISIS have now changed their position in support of the caliphate (al-Ghad [Amman], July 23). [11] These developments reflect the ideological foundations presented in the plan presented in 2010.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
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Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
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[TIME] ISIS's expansionist ideology will lead it to attack U.S. allies in the region and, eventually, Europe and the United States.
