(AKI) - By Syed Saleem Shahzad - The Taliban was fighting a "defensive war" in Afghanistan and had no desire to conduct violent attacks in other countries, a key Taliban leader said on Wednesday. "We just want to be left alone to oppress our people in peace." Mullah Abdul Jalil, former Afghan foreign minister under the Taliban and pioneer of the movement in the 1990s, also told Adnkronos International (AKI) that it had nothing to do with Pakistan's Tehrik-i-Taliban or its violent attacks. "The Taliban are fighting a defensive war in Afghanistan and we don't have any aggressive agenda against any nation," Mullah Jalil told AKI. "We have nothing to do with Al-Qaeda or any other group's agenda. "The occasional Arab, central Asian, Chechen, Mongol, Guantamalan, Urdmurt or Hottentot corpse you see isn't with us. Somebody left it here."
"We abide by our own code of conduct known as Asasi Qanoon (Basic Law) which clearly says that we would not disrupt the normal life in any country of the world. Even tomorrow, if NATO forces withdrew as a result of our resistance, we would keep a peaceful co-existence with all nations of the world," Mullah Jalil elaborated.
Mullah Jalil has always been part of the inner circle of Mullah Omar, the reclusive leader of the Taliban of Afghanistan and the country's de facto head of state from 1996 to 2001. He was deputy foreign minister during the Taliban regime removed in December 2001 and once served as foreign minister. Like many other Taliban, he has reservations about Al-Qaeda. But he preferred not to comment on the issue as Mullah Omar supported Pushtunwali, a tribal code of honor, which defends anyone who seeks protection.
Abdul Jalil said that the Afghan Taliban had nothing to with Pakistan's Tehrik-i-Taliban, the main Taliban militant umbrella group in Pakistan and never approved of violence in Pakistan. "We never approved suicide attacks in Pakistan or Gulf countries," he said. "This strategy is only for Afghanistan because of western occupation forces. People were often confused between the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Taliban (led by Baitullah Mehsud) and the Taliban. We have nothing to do with them. "Honest we don't."
"In fact, we individually spoke to every group engaged in violence in Pakistan to stop them fighting against the Pakistani security troops and we don't allow them to come into our areas," Mullah Jalil said.
Mullah Abdul Jalil said that whatever the Taliban did during its rule in Afghanistan was merely upholding Islamic law.
On Tuesday, US President George W. Bush, announced 8,000 troops would be withdrawn from Iraq while an extra 4,500 would be sent to Afghanistan within the next few months to counter an increasing number of attacks by the Taliban. Bush said Afghan soldiers were "courageous" but needed help and that it was important to rebuild education and infrastructure in the country.
This article starring:
Tehrik-i-Taliban
Baitullah Mehsud
Tehrik-i-Taliban
Mullah Abdul Jalil
Taliban
Posted by: Fred ||
09/11/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[2 views]
Top|| File under: Taliban
#1
Yeah, that's why you send suicide bombers into market places full of women and children. It's defensive. That's why you use woman and children as human shields to hide behind. That's defensive. That's why you have to travel from Pakistan into Afghanistan with Pakistani and other non-Afghan recruits to spread your death. That's defensive.
#3
"We abide by our own code of conduct known as Asasi Qanoon (Basic Law) which clearly says that we would not disrupt the normal life in any country of the world."
You aided and abetted Osama bin Laden to disrupt the normal life in my country seven years ago today, you lying son of a b*tch, so you can hide in a cave or face your death sentence from the air. Seven years and two hours ago I was on an airplane backing away from the terminal when my normal life was disrupted.
The windows are wide open and birds are singing in the trees outside. The Kabul traffic hums in the distance. Abit (21) and not looking a year more in his jaunty cap and black shalwar kameez, is sitting in the headquarters of the National Security Directorate, the Afghan intelligence service, and talking about how he became a suicide bomber.
"So I drove the truck towards the base," he says. "I was not thinking of anything. I just kept saying 'allahu akbar, allahu akbar' [God is great, God is great]."
He is not from these parts, Abit says, and that is part of the reason he is talking. The Afghan government is keen to underline the role that they say Pakistan -- or at least some Pakistanis -- play in the violence in Afghanistan. Foreign journalists who struggle through the bureaucracy and can pull a few strings can get interviews with detainees, in the company of their jailers. The conditions are not ideal but the stories of young men like Abit are revealing nonetheless, not least for the number of common elements they share with other accounts from suicide bombers interviewed elsewhere. Abit comes from Bahwalpur, in the eastern Pakistani province of Punjab. He is not, therefore, Afghan nor even from the Pashtun tribes that straddle the Afghan-Pakistani frontier like the majority of average Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
09/11/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under: Taliban
Posted by: Richard of Oregon ||
09/11/2008 5:55 Comments ||
Top||
#3
Yeah. When they raise his hand and let go, he is able to flop it back down on the bed unassisted.
LOL Gorb! It's tough being at the Top...
Being a Great Leader is no picnic. The sacrifices I make for the people gives me one hell of an appetite, but life can be so unfair.
The damnable Drs. say I shouldn't be eating so many rare fattened green peasants children but I was famished. You know they gave my father [Great Leader l] one hell of lot of gas too.
Posted by: The Great Leader ll ||
09/11/2008 6:19 Comments ||
Top||
#4
You never really "recover" from a stroke. It's going to be a council of generals if he's too slow to keep on top.
#5
While I sincerely hope Kim Jong is a vegetable I have to take issue with the statement that " You never really "recover" from a stroke.
I have, as completely as if there never was one in the first place, all that continues to be affected is my wallet.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
09/11/2008 12:40 Comments ||
Top||
#6
I heard he had lunch with Yasser Arafat and Fidel Castro yesterday
Posted by: James Carville ||
09/11/2008 15:28 Comments ||
Top||
#7
#5 While I sincerely hope Kim Jong is a vegetable I have to take issue with the statement that " You never really "recover" from a stroke.
I have, as completely as if there never was one in the first place, all that continues to be affected is my wallet.
I agree Redneck Jim there are lots of folks who make complete recoveries from strokes.
During one of my abdominal reconstruction surgeries "I threw some blood clots" into my left lung? [or right one?]. Well I didn't feel a thing but still had to take Coumadin for 6 months.
Watching paint dry is way more exciting than Watching clots dissolve.
>;)
Posted by: Red Dawg ||
09/11/2008 22:08 Comments ||
Top||
#8
IMA NOT SAYIN THAT A BRAIN STROKE IS THE SAME AS CLOTS IN THE LUNG.
NOPERS... A BRAIN STROKE IS WORSER... ~:)
Posted by: Red Dawg ||
09/11/2008 22:14 Comments ||
Top||
#9
Tonight Jay Leno showed the trailer for the new movie "Weekend at Kim Jong-il's"
* Bombers want proof death by firing squad hurts
* Attempting to delay their executions
* They argue they should die 'humanely'
LAWYERS for the three death-row Bali bombers will call former East Timor militia leader Eurico Guterres to testify that death by firing squad would constitute torture.
Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, Ali Ghufron, also known as Mukhlas, and Imam Samudra are expected to be put to death some time after Idul Fitri, the early-October conclusion to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, The Australian reports.
But they are trying to delay their deaths with a constitutional court appeal that argues they should be allowed to die by beheading, lethal injection or some other, more humane means.
The trio was responsible for the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings in which 202 people, including 88 Australians, were killed.
They want Guterres, the only person to have been convicted over the 1999 Indonesian-led rampage in East Timor in which thousands died, to describe how painful various shooting deaths he witnessed were.
"We want him to demonstrate that being shot dead constitutes torture, because he's been to war and he's seen that people who are shot do not die straight away," lawyer Wirawan Adnan said.
Guterres was released from jail last year when his conviction for crimes against humanity, based on his leadership of pro-Indonesian militias in East Timor, was overturned.
The bombers' lawyers are arguing that even though members of a firing squad aim directly at the condemned person's heart, there can still be a delay before they are dead.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/11/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[2 views]
Top|| File under: al-Qaeda
#1
This is a make work project for an unemployed socialized government worker, right?
Posted by: Richard of Oregon ||
09/11/2008 5:19 Comments ||
Top||
#2
Well, root out the terrorists and kill them. That will alleviate the problem. Jeez, Some (not all) of these folks from across the pond lack spine. Quit making a haven for these terrorists and making it so easy for them. Mollycoddling terrorists will get you nothing but more problems.
I was tempted to place this under WOT Operations since Jim McDermott is operating more as an enemy agent than a representive.
That's why we have 'Fifth Column' -- AoS.
Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., delivered these remarks on the House floor Tuesday:
Mr. Speaker:
For the last two years I have struggled with the issue of whether the House should consider impeachment of a sitting President.
Next to declaring war, impeachment is the gravest matter the House of Representatives must consider. I fully understand the gut-wrenching consequences such a national debate could precipitate. Yet, there is one fact we cannot overlook or escape.
American cannot regain its moral leadership in the world if America cannot hold its leaders accountable for their actions at home.
The allegations that would warrant impeachment keep growing.
They have been illuminated in many recent books including The Way of the World by Ron Suskind, the book by Vincent Bugliosi, and the new book by Bob Woodward, The War Within. None of which have much bearing in reality - and definately not admissable to any fair court.
Over five years ago, I tried to place an asterisk in the Congressional Record next to the statements about Iraq the President made to Congress. I was attacked for saying the President would mislead us into the war, but the American people ultimately learned the truth. You're right - several Investigations have shown that the President did *NOT* mislead the nation. I guess the truth you're talking about is that your an idiot.
There seems to be no end to the allegations and we have a responsibility to investigate their authenticity. That's why I am signing onto a resolution to consider impeachment of the President. Don't mind poor Jim. He has a hard time counting past 1 - never mind the number of 'investigations' which have been done into the lead-up to the war in Iraq.
Without accountability, a Democracy will fail. Does this mean that your going to resign Jim?
Thank you.
IMpeach Bush and let the energy bill rot, let the budget rot, let the war rot. Show the nation and prove without a dobut that the idiot moonbat leftys and kos kids and Moveon truly own the Democrat party now.
#3
Nothing short of another Continetal Congress will fix our problems. Without it, We'll always get sone partisan asshat whom thinks some books they got at Barnes and Noble are reason to impeach a President.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
09/11/2008 1:08 Comments ||
Top||
#4
Ok, I understand why we have 'Fifth Column', but why do we have 'Jim McDermott'?
#5
American voters elected George Bush who in the first term launched the war on Iraq and took out Saddam and has fought his Al Qaeda allies there ever since. The re-election of George Bush by the American voter confirmed the American people's support of this war on terror.
When individuals in the losing party trys not only to remove that elected official, they are telling America that we have no respect for elections, and if we don't like who you elect, we will imprison them.
Jim McDermott IS no less than a third world TYRANT within our borders. They are anti-American traitors.
#6
If we can't win an election there is impeachment.
The election was stolen any how.
Under the wicked crusader George W. Bush, the United States has become the mother of all terrorism and anti-americanism.
America must be "changed" under a great leader, like Barack Obama, to be a kinder, gentler nation.
Men wearing black robes must determine and interpret law and truth and rid all crusader oppression.
When the crusaders have been judged wrong and destroyed then all will be united under one muslim brotherhood.
Our muslim friends will then hammer their swords into plow sheares.
Then every man will do what is right and best in his own eye.
Earth will be our heaven.
And, I, Jim McDermott, approve this propaganda vision.
#7
Unfortunately a Large segment of the DemoC*rap Party doesn't believe in America or our system of governance/Government.
Since the days of Nixon, The Totalitarian MSM and demoC*RAPS have stooped to criminalizing politics when they lose elections.
And If that weren't galling enough for we 'Citizens', the squeamish Pubs lie down for the most part REFUSING to recognize the character of America's **ENEMY within. (**"demoC*rap Party")
Posted by: Red Dawg ||
09/11/2008 3:08 Comments ||
Top||
#8
Did McDermott talk to Kucinich about his attempt at impeachment? How'd that work out for you Dems?
In an opinion piece in Commentary magazine, writer Abe Greenwald commented on Obama's belief that the 9/11 attacks were rooted in poverty and despair. "Strange," he called it, "considering our attackers were wealthy and educated, connected and ecstatic."
As Greenwald put it, Obama "could have asked (terrorist and colleague) Bill Ayers, 'Bill, did your 'failure of empathy' stem from your impoverished upbringing as the son of the CEO of Commonwealth Edison?" Did poverty and despair also cause the Weather Underground member and host of Obama's first fundraiser to bomb government buildings?
Fact is, the roster of terrorists and their handlers reads like a list of of Ivy Leaguers ....
Another in a long line of IBD editorials hammering Obama, read the whole thing. If you haven't done so, be sure to read their "Audacity of Socialism" series as well.
#1
According to Barack Obama, the madness that drove terrorists to turn passenger jets into manned cruise missiles aimed at our centers of finance, government and military power "grows out of a climate of poverty and ignorance, helplessness and despair."
BULLSHIT! 17 of the 19 of these asshats were from Saudi Arabia and they came from a privileged background. It was religious muslim ideology, fervor, a desire to take over the world and re-make it in the mold of islam, and a hatred of freedom that drove these people.
#3
poverty and ignorance, helplessness and despair."
would anyone deny that they were ignorant?
And helplessness and despair are more than economic. I thought we went into Iraq, in part, because dictatorship breeds terrorism. It does so, because the society it creates is a failure as a society, and that failure leads to humiliation of those who identify with it, even if they personally have decent jobs. And the humiliated are a recruiting ground for terrorists. thats the point of Bernard Lewis' "What went wrong" and of much pre-2003 neocon discussion of Iraq and the GWOT.
Now the above may be wrong. But its hardly the "vulgar marxism" that Greenwald implies Obamas statement is.
And helplessness and despair are more than economic.
I agree. For instance when you consider yourself to be the master race/religion and denied your rightful place as herresnvolk due to a conspuiacy of Jews/Americans.
In case my transparent alliusions aren't transparent enough this is more or less what SS believed.
So, Obama, has been tried to justify SS-like people.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
09/11/2008 12:45 Comments ||
Top||
#6
So, Obama, has been tried to justify SS-like people
Shoud have read Obama has tried to justify SS-like people
Now, remind the "We should ask ourselves about Why they hate us?". Do you think that the people who told that idiocy would have accepted any other answer that "Baecause we are bad, bad, bad with them?"". Like "They hate us because they are bastards, bastards who think they are the master race".? Do you think any of them was indignant because Saudis, those saudis who a
mere ten yeas earlier were shaking at the knees
in front of Saddama and hiding behind American bayonets, after 9/11 beagan to wear Bin Laden T-shirts"?
I remind visting the blog of a Jewish, yes Jewish, American, female, yes female; pop singer and she told about telling to her msuicians after 9/11: "We should ask ourselves why they hate us?"
Had I had a chance of being read by her I would have told: "So the Jews, even the children, who were being gassed at Auschwitz should have twisted their hands, asked themselves Why the Nazis hate us and atoned about what they, children included, had done to the Nazis? Is that what you are saying? Couldn't thet thay hate us just be because likde the Nazis they are evil?"
And now I have heard many people tell the meme about empoverished and despaired Saudis becoming suicide bombres, but none of them was friend of teh United Sates and If I were Amaerican, even for purely egoistical reasons, the first quality I would care for a President is for him loving his country and willing teh best for it.
I would, they were well-informed and purposeful. Ignorant perhaps of the good America does in the world but that's obviously not what you're implying.
And helplessness and despair are more than economic.
A fact that right has always know but one to which the left has blinded itself post-JFK. Nice to see you coming around, bring a few of your fellow kooks with you would you please.
#8
REDDIT > RUSSIA TODAY - seems SOUTH OSSETIA's President had inferred that the US-West promised to recognize SOssetia iff it joined wid NORTH OSSETIA AND SECEDED FROM THE RUSS FEDERATION???; + WILL THE US INVADE IRAN ANY DAY NOW [Signs of coming US-Iran War]? Alleged covert, escalatory US mil buildup of MBTS + other AFVS in Afghanistan - Vehicles are considered unsuitable for any Afghan-Paki milops, but is suitable for the flat terrain of IRAN???
A US missile strike targeting a top Taliban commander in Pakistan's restive northwest killed four mid-level Al-Qaeda operatives, a security official and a militant source said Wednesday, as fresh violence erupted in the lawless tribal area. Monday's strike in North Waziristan, however, failed to kill Jalaluddin Haqqani or his son, Sirajuddin, accused by Afghan and Western forces of orchestrating the insurgency across the border in Afghanistan.
The five missiles fired Monday, by suspected US drones, destroyed a seminary and an underground tunnel built by the Haqqanis in Darpa Dandekhen, near Miranshah, the main town in the troubled Pakistani tribal district. The aerial strike was reported to have killed 21.
"According to local sources the strike killed four Al-Qaeda operators and some extended family members of Haqqani's," a security official told
A source in Haqqani's group confirmed the death of four Arabs, identified as Abu Harris, Abu Hamza, Abu Qasim and Abu Musa Alkhyan. The four names are thought to be cover names and neither the security official nor the militant source would reveal their real identities.
The official said Hamza was believed to be an expert in making roadside bombs, while Harris was looking after the group's logistics in the North and South Waziristan areas.
Missile strikes targeting militants in Pakistan in recent weeks have been blamed on US-led coalition forces or CIA drones based in Afghanistan. Pakistan does not have missile-equipped drones.
Did they check with the Ruritanians ...
Haqqani, who was a close aid to fugitive Taliban leader Mullah Omar, has not been seen since the fall of the hard-line regime in Afghanistan in 2001. He is widely believed to be bed-ridden while his son is the main contact between Afghan and Pakistani Taliban militants based in North Waziristan.
Residents said that two pilotless aircraft circled over Dande Darpakhel, about two kilometers north of Miranshah, before at least one drone fired several missiles.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/11/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[6 views]
Top|| File under: al-Qaeda
#1
Seems the US got who it wanted. Haqqani's spawn is just a bonus.
Posted by: ed ||
09/11/2008 1:43 Comments ||
Top||
#2
They war against terrorists just seems to drone on and on, It's wonderful.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon ||
09/11/2008 5:58 Comments ||
Top||
#3
Godfrey Daniel those danged Turks and Caicos guys never get it right.
YOu would think a crack SO group from a military power like Turks and Caicos would have gone in on foot and shot them all at close range.
Missiles at 6000 feet? Bah
Posted by: James Carville ||
09/11/2008 15:21 Comments ||
Top||
#4
'missed Taliban target but killed four Al-Qaeda men'
The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff has called for a new strategy in Afghanistan which will deny militants bases across the border in Pakistan.
Adm Mike Mullen said he had asked for a "a new, more comprehensive military strategy for the region that covers both sides of that border". The US must work closely with Pakistan to "eliminate [the enemy's] safe havens", he told Congress.
Pakistan insists it will not allow foreign forces on to its territory. "There is no question of any agreement or understanding with the coalition forces whereby they are allowed to conduct operations on our side of the border," said Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
A surge of US attacks in Pakistan's border region over the past week has prompted outrage from the government and army.
Now stating it as a strategy will only add to the pressure on Pakistan's new President, Asif Ali Zardari, as he grapples with the militants, the BBC's James Coomarasamy reports from Washington.
'Inextricably linked'
Adm Mullen was speaking a day after US President George W Bush announced that about 4,500 extra US troops would be sent to Afghanistan by February 2009, boosting the 33,000 currently in the country.
Addressing the House Armed Services Committee, he argued that militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan were waging a common fight. "In my view, these two nations are inextricably linked in a common insurgency that crosses the border between them," he said. "We can hunt down and kill extremists as they cross over the border from Pakistan... but until we work more closely with the Pakistani government to eliminate the safe havens from which they operate, the enemy will only keep coming."
Adm Mullen conceded the challenge was great, pointing to Afghanistan's drugs and economic problems, and the "significant political uncertainty" in Pakistan.
'Reckless actions'
However, Pakistan's military chief said in a statement that his country's "sovereignty and territorial integrity" would be "defended at all cost".
Gen Kayani also expressed concern about a cross-border raid by foreign troops on 4 September in which at least 15 Pakistani villagers were killed. "Such reckless actions only help the militants and further fuel the militancy in the area," he was quoted as saying. The army spokesman said the general had aimed to dispel impressions in the media that he had granted permission for US raids.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/11/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[6 views]
Top|| File under: Taliban
The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country would be defended at all costs and "no external force is allowed to conduct operations inside Pakistan", Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani said on Wednesday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Gen Kayani said that the rules of engagement with the coalition forces were well defined and "within that, the right to conduct operations against the militants inside own territory is solely the responsibility of the respective armed forces". The ISPR quoted Gen Kayani as saying, "There is no question of any agreement or understanding with the coalition forces whereby they are allowed to conduct operations on our side of the border."
Referring to his meeting with the United States Army's senior officials aboard USS Abraham Lincoln on August 27, he said that they were informed about the complexity of the issue that required deeper understanding and more patience for evolving a comprehensive solution.
The army chief said he had elaborated Pakistan's viewpoint in detail and it was urged that in such situations "military action alone cannot solve the problem. Political reconciliatory effort is required to go along with the military prong to win hearts and minds of the people".
The ISPR said US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen acknowledged the better understanding of ground realities explained by the COAS, and remarked: "He (the COAS) is committed to doing what is best for Pakistan and he is going to stay the same. He reiterated that ultimately it is our national interest which would always guide our policy."
Commitment: Gen Kayani said that Pakistan Army had conducted successful operations against militants in the past and was presently committed to eliminating them from the affected areas of FATA and Swat, according to the ISPR.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/11/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[4 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
#1
He is absolutely right. Its an issue of national defence. The US is not and should not be welcome to perform combat operation in Pakistan. Welcoming us would destablize the two day old government and president. With that said we will still go after our enemies in any country they are hiding in. Pakistan should complain to the UN and be thankfull we do not invade their country in mass.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
09/11/2008 1:45 Comments ||
Top||
#2
We promise not to send any more into Pakistan than Pakistanis do into Afghanistan.
Posted by: ed ||
09/11/2008 2:04 Comments ||
Top||
#3
I see this as an announcement for public consumption, not meant to be taken seriously, but more a CYA.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
09/11/2008 12:50 Comments ||
Top||
#4
What else can he say? "I, for one, welcome our new Crusader Overlords"? I suspect there's a few $B riding on how vigorously the Pak gov't decides not to pursue the issue.
The NWFP government will enforce shariah in Malakand Division during Ramazan, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.
"We are trying to implement the Nizam-e-Adl Regulations," Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain told journalists after a meeting of the provincial cabinet, which was chaired by Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti.
Iftikhar said the CM would soon meet the representatives from Malakand, following which shariah laws would be implemented. He also said that a jirga of NWFP legislators, to be led by the CM, would call on the prime minister and demand Rs 110 billion as the province's share on account of net hydel profit. "A five percent royalty will be given to the district where natural resources were discovered," he added.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/11/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[5 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
Militants in North Waziristan have threatened to target girls' schools and government offices unless madrassas destroyed in military operations were reconstructed. An unsigned message distributed here on Wednesday says the Pakistan Army had destroyed Islamabad's Jamia Hafsa and several other madrassas in North Waziristan and Swat. "We have received authenticated information that the present government is constructing girls schools and other buildings in North Waziristan with the support of Jews and Christians," the message said.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/11/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[6 views]
Top|| File under: TTP
#1
So now they want government built madrasses? Pity, deadline for turning in grant requests for fanatical schools ended at rhe beginning of Ramadom. Next year, maybe.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon ||
09/11/2008 5:23 Comments ||
Top||
The British government has declared Jamiat JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman persona non-grata. Sources said the British government imposed a lifetime ban on him from entering the UK on the accusations of supporting terrorist groups and opposing military operations against them. Rehman failed to explain his position when contacted.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/11/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[7 views]
Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Ulema Islami
U.S. General David Perkins told FOX News Wednesday that the military has intercepted a letter in which senior Al Qaeda operatives reveal their fury over militants' failure to keep up with the campaign against U.S.-led forces in Iraq.
The letter, dated March 6, 2008, has been reproduced with select quotes in English. It was found on the body of Abu Nizar, believed to be the go-between between Al Qaeda's second in command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and Abu Ayyub al-Masri, his leader in Iraq. Nazir was killed by Coalition Forces in Baghdad on April 24.
The letter blasts Al Qaeda in Iraq for failing to maintain communication and for poorly-planned attacks. Al Qaeda leaders also slam operatives for sending fighters into battle alone, without direction. Al-Zawahiri also criticizes them for posting videos online using archive footage of violent attacks, yet presenting them as new evidence of their success.
The letter reads, "[Abu Ayyub al-Masri]... is not strong enough to bear this great great responsibility, and is weak at [...] decision making. He is weak [...] he is totally isolated [..] this is affecting his grip on reality." The United States military said Al Qaeda in Iraq responded to the criticism with claims of being financially cut off, and unable to recruit capable new members.
Perkins told FOX News the communications show that Al Qaeda in Iraq is "psychologically bankrupt," and that it cannot raise meaningful support within in the country. He added that the numbers of Al Qaeda operatives in Iraq are a third of what they were previously. When asked what those levels were, Perkins would not release numbers.
Personally, I'm more interested in seeing iff the ISLAMIST HIDDEN IMAM-MAHDI will make an Appearance 2008-2010, Maxi NLT 2012[Mutiple Best/Opportune Conditions to do so], NOW ADD WID "HADRON" GOODNESS.
D *** NG IT, POSH SPICE = VICTORIA BECKHAM CUT HER HAIR SHORT [I Like], BUT I NEED A HAIRCUT MYSELF [theme from DRAGNET here]!
The United States is now in the "end game" in Iraq but should proceed cautiously with further reductions in troops in Iraq, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday in a congressional briefing. Gates said President George W. Bush's decision to draw down only 8,000 troops from Iraq by February "represents not only the right direction but the right course of action."
Posted by: Fred ||
09/11/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[4 views]
Top|| File under: Iraqi Insurgency
#1
But-t-t, "WAR OUTSIDE IRAQ" > the USA-Allies are now in WAR FOR CONTROL OF MAINLAND ASIA/ASIA-PACIFIC [Philippines]!?
(AKI) - Israel is expected to free the 40 Hamas Palestinian parliament members held in Israeli prisons, as part of a deal to release captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The Israeli daily, Haaretz, said if Israel freed the prisoners before the end of 2009, the move would bring Mahmoud Abbas' term as Palestinian president to an early close in a legal sense, though not necessarily in practice.
The legislators' release would give Hamas a majority - 74 out of 132 seats - in the Palestinian Legislative Council.
The parliament is expected to convene after its Hamas-affiliated members are released, and to decide not to extend Abbas' term beyond January. Abbas is not expected to resign, although the Hamas position would seriously threaten his legitimacy.
Hamas is demanding the lawmakers' release as part of the first stage of a deal to release Shalit. Most of the 40 legislators were arrested after the 25 June 2006 cross-border raid near the Gaza Strip that resulted in Shalit's abduction, although some were elected while serving time in prison.
Israel is expected to allow the release of the legislators, since most were arrested because they are members of Hamas, and are not considered terrorists.
According to Haaretz, the previous Fatah-run parliament passed a law shortly before the 2006 elections won by Hamas stipulating that Abbas' term should run five years - until January 2010 when both parliamentary and presidential elections would be held. But Hamas and several experts in Palestinian law say that the Palestinian election law can be amended by a two-thirds majority, rendering the one-year extension unconstitutional.
Hamas says that Abbas' presidency should end this January, unless he wins a new presidential election.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/11/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[2 views]
Top|| File under: Hamas
#1
I'm with Dr. Steve from yesterday. Any exchanges should be done in kind: an alive Shalit for X number of alive Paleos. If he's dead, kill the Paleos...so, how many you wanna exchange now?
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/11/2008 5:22 Comments ||
Top||
#2
I read steves comment is that if Hamas gives remains, Israel should give remains it already has, not that they should kill prisoners.
Anyway, some interesting stuff on the politics. Time for Abbas to simply dissolve the Pal Parliament, I think.
#3
That's what I said, and while mostly rhetorical I am just firm enough about this to make the point: Israel should not play the sucker's game of prisoner exchange. What has happened in the past is that Israel gives up hundreds of live terrorists and agitators in return for the remains of an Israeli soldier who was tortured and murdered some years before.
Now, it's admirable that the Israelis will go to almost any length to get their own back. I appreciate it, and if I were in charge I'd understand the temptation to 'negotiate'. But I also understand that in the end, it's a sucker's game. The more I negotiate, the more I encourage the murderous scum to take more of my people prisoner. And worse.
So, you wanna exchange prisoners Mahmoud? Fine and dandy: like for like. You give me the remains of one of my dead soliders, and in return I give you the remains of a thousand of yours. If I don't have a thousand, I'll make them, and you won't like that one bit. Now then, deal or no deal?
I'm guessing all talk of these asinine 'exchanges' would shortly thereafter end.
Yes, it's a cold, brutal, even bloodthirsty thought. Then again, I'm dealing with the Paleos, today's version of the Thuggees.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/11/2008 11:51 Comments ||
Top||
#4
I'm a barbarian, this I know, I firmly believe that if you hurt me or mine, you die, I'm NOT aiming to torture, just eliminate.
Having said that WHY do the Israellis NOT grab the negotiator, and swap him for Shalit, if remains are presented, kill the negotiator/extortionist, and rturn remains for remains.
Shortly they'll have a severe shortage of "Negotiators" no one will take the job.
Phase two, when "Negotiators" are coerced (Kidnap families, Etc.) provide the negotiator with protection, recover their families, (Unharmed if possible) and kill the kidnappers PUBLICLY.(Anyone going to the kidnappers aid, dies instantly as can be managed)
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
09/11/2008 13:04 Comments ||
Top||
Iran warned Tuesday that it would not hesitate to act in self-defense against Israeli threats. The Islamic Republic demanded a "resolute and clear response" from the United Nations to what it called dangerous threats against it by Israel.
A letter from Iran's U.N. Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described comments by two Israeli ministers as "vicious threats ... in blatant violation of the most fundamental principles of international law."
Israel, which has the Middle East's only atomic arsenal, believes Iran could have a nuclear bomb by 2010; a development it says would threaten the existence of the Jewish state.
Khazaee said remarks attributed to Cabinet Minister Rafi Eitan by German magazine Der Spiegel this week "yet again put on display the aggressive and terrorist nature of the Israeli regime."
Der Spiegel quoted Eitan as saying in an interview that while the era of Israel hunting down former Nazi officials abroad was over, "that's not to say that such operations are a thing of the past."
Asked to explain, he was quoted as saying, "It could very well be that a leader such as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad suddenly finds himself before the International Criminal Court in The Hague."
Ahmadinejad is feared and reviled in Israel because of his repeated calls to wipe the Jewish state off the map. His aggressive pursuit of nuclear technology has only fueled Israel's fears. Iran insists its nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes. The United States, Israel and key European nations suspect its real aim is to produce atomic weapons.
Last week, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in a televised interview that Israel was serious about using "any option" if diplomacy did not curb Iran's nuclear program.
"These dangerous threats of resorting to criminal acts ... require a resolute and clear response on the part of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council," Khazaee said.
"Iran, in accordance with its inherent right under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, would not hesitate to act in self-defense to respond to any attack against the Iranian nation and to take appropriate defensive measures to protect itself, its people and its officials."
The Security Council has passed three rounds of sanctions against Iran because of its refusal to stop uranium enrichment, which the West fears is aimed at making atomic bombs but Tehran says is solely for power generation.
Khazaee demanded "firm action" by the U.N. Security Council over the threats from Israel, regarded by Iran as one of its main enemies along with the United States.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/11/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[5 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iran
#1
IRNA > LARIJANI: IRAN'S BASIC POLICY IS TO SUPPORT IRAQI INDEPENDENCE + PALESTINIAN ISSUE [Settlement/Lands + Rights + Govt] IS THE CENTRAL/CRUCIAL ISSUE OF THE MUSLIM WORLD.
HMMMMM, IMO I would argue the ISLAMISTS, etc. ARE SMELLING RUSS + ASIAN "BLOOD IN THE WATER" + GOING FULL MONTY TO LEGALLY FORMALLY ENTRENCH = EXPAND THE MUSLIM-ISLAMIST [Multi]REGIONAL POSITION.
Israeli Cabinet Minister Rafi Eitan, a one-time spy involved in the operation to kidnap Nazi mastermind Adolf Eichmann and bring him to trial, thinks the same tactic could be used in the case of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
"A man like Ahmadinejad who threatens genocide has to be brought for trial in The Hague, seat of the international war crimes tribunal," Eitan said yesterday. "And all options are open in terms of how he should be brought."
Asked if kidnapping was acceptable, Eitan replied, "Yes. Any way to bring him for trial in The Hague is a possibility."
Posted by: Fred ||
09/11/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[5 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iran
A US-based think tank says Iran's navy forces are capable of waging a unique asymmetric warfare against larger naval forces.
The report by The Washington Institute for the Near East Policy authored by Fariborz Haghshenas, an expert on the Iranian military, says that in the two decades since the Iran-Iraq War, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy (IRGCN) has been transformed into a highly motivated, well-equipped, and well-financed force.
The study sheds light on the historical evolution of Iran's approach to asymmetric warfare, assessing its naval forces and evaluating its plans for a possible war with the US.
The report says Iran, with such a strong navy force, is effectively holding the world's oil lifeline, the Strait of Hormuz.
The study concludes that Iran is capable of taking preemptive action in response to a perceived threat of imminent attack.
In the event of a US attack, the scale of Iran's response would likely be proportional to the scale of the damage inflicted on Iranian assets, the report says.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/11/2008 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[5 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iran
#1
All the more reason to do an Alpha strike on ALL their naval forces and facilities.
#3
I don't get it. Recently read that US has half of the world's naval capability. Britaion's previously awesome navy now is mostly paint holding rusty metal together. Russia has much of the remaining world naval capacity. I can see Iran blocking the strait for a week or two, but then what? After we destroy everything bigger than a ski boat of theirs, what do they do next? Maybe they can ski boat sucide bombers in to blow up the oil tankers? Help me out, here military guys. I don't get what Fariborz Haghshenas is talking about.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon ||
09/11/2008 5:36 Comments ||
Top||
#4
And in the two decades since the Iran-Iraq War, the US Navy has added Aegis, Tomahawk, GCCS, etc.
Global Security is currently showing the Iranian naval inventory as such:
I'd suggest Mr. Haghshenas take a look at Operation Praying Mantis. There can be asymmetry in naval warfare (sub vs. surface, mines vs. everything), but boghammers don't get to blend in with the local populace; they kind of stick out on the ocean.
Also, the last line makes no sense. Typically, in warfare, the greater the damage your opponent does to you lessens the scale of your response because, like, you know, your stuff got blown up and isn't around to respond anymore.
#6
Yeah, but we and most other legitimate navies have mine sweepers. Sweeping a sea lane wouldn't be that hard, and ships don't get out of the sea lane. It sounds stupid, but in the middle of the ocean they stay in the sea lanes that are only, say, half a mile wide.
As for the swarming that they plan to do with small boats: 500 marines on the deck of a ship could shoot a lot of rubber dinghies.
#9
Sounds like an OPEC conspiracy. Besides trying to delay any strike against them, the threat of closing the Strait of Hormuz will drive up the price of oil again.
#11
Here's his report if any one wants to read it. If I'm in the Iranian navy, I don't think I would. Words like "martyrdom", "kamikaze", "suicide" and "does not bode well for their survival" show up. A lot.
Missiles and mines. Everybody else seems to end up dead.
#12
our minesweeping capabilities are way down from even Vietnam timeframe. I believe all the MC-53 assets have been retired w/out replacements (H-53 helicopters towing sleds to detect / explode mines) and there are only a few operational minesweepers.
#17
In this context, "asymmetric naval warfare" means kamikaze swarms of small boats and planes to take out US naval vessels. However, against CIWs, 5-inch primary guns, .50 caliber machine guns, Standard missiles, Penguin missiles, and the like, the Iranian swarm rapidly becomes chum. That view of the Iranian ability to attack makes one major assumption : that Iranian assets will be immune from counter-strike operations, both before and during their swarming. Tomahawks and 500-lbs JDAMs make that most unlikely.
#2
Think about this Mr Syrian Information Minister: If we are sooo ruthless that we would murder 3,000 of our own citizens in cold blood, think about what we might do to people that we don't like when they annoy us.
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.
(AKI) - By Syed Saleem Shahzad - The Taliban was fighting a "defensive war" in Afghanistan and had no desire to conduct violent attacks in other countries, a key Taliban leader said on Wednesday. 
The British government has declared Jamiat JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman persona non-grata. Sources said the British government imposed a lifetime ban on him from entering the UK on the accusations of supporting terrorist groups and opposing military operations against them. Rehman failed to explain his position when contacted.
