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Six turbans dronezapped
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 2: WoT Background
16 00:00 Penguin [4] 
5 00:00 Barbara Skolaut [4] 
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Afghanistan
New Tech-Tuned Rifle Becoming Spec-Op Favorite
An unconventional Belgian assault rifle is emerging as the favorite of U.S. special operations forces looking for more firepower to turn the tide in Afghanistan.

The Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle - also known as SCAR - is intended redress the shortcomings of the M-4, an updated version of the M-16 which has been in service since the mid-1960s.

The U.S. military's workhorse rifle did well in Iraq, where much of the fighting was in urban settings. But its light rounds have underperformed in Afghanistan, where the Taliban tend to rely on deadly long-range fire.

An Army study found that the M-4s 5.56mm bullets don't retain enough velocity beyond 1,000 feet (300 meters) to kill an adversary. NATO commanders say U.S. firepower cannot always respond adequately to Taliban sharpshooters firing from 2,000 to 2,500 feet (600-800 meters).

The SCAR, manufactured by Belgian gunmaker FN Herstal, fulfills a specific special operations forces requirement for an easily modifiable rifle that to be used for both urban combat and for extended-distance shooting.

This called for a unique modular system accommodating not just the two main Western rifle calibers - the L-model for the light 5.56mm rounds and H-model for the heavier-hitting 7.62mm rounds - but also barrels of lengths in both calibers.

Many of the components can be interchanged between the two models. Both versions also allow soldiers to quickly replace their barrels to deal with a changing tactical situation.

Martin Fackler, a U.S. ballistics expert, said the SCAR-H round enjoys a clear advantage at long distances because the lighter 5.56mm bullets slow down significantly after about 400 meters (yards), sharply reducing their ability to inflict serious damage to the target.

"(In contrast) at 1,000 yards the 7.62 bullet is still traveling at over the speed of sound," Fackler said.

The U.S. Special Operations Command based in Tampa, Florida, first tested the SCAR in Afghanistan in 2009.

Last April, FN was awarded an initial contract for both versions of the SCAR and a separate grenade launcher. On Wednesday, FN announced that its U.S. plant in Colombia, South Carolina, has been authorized to start full-rate production.
Posted by: tipper || 08/22/2010 05:32 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The FN SCAR-H is 7.62x51, standard NATO medium caliber. Same caliber as M14. Same as M240 (another FN weapon) and the M60. The 5.56x45 in the M-4 and M-16 (and M249) is very accurate but has little energy compared to the 7.62x51. You don't want to be hit by either, but the 7.62 has more energy. And weighs more. And is larger. etc etc.
Posted by: Whiskey Mike || 08/22/2010 7:41 Comments || Top||

#2  OK, jingoists, wanna start fussing because the weapon is Belgian instead of US, even though much of it will be manufactured here in SC? (c.f. EADs vs Boeing)

Get the troops the best weapon we can afford to buy and maintain.
Posted by: OldSpook || 08/22/2010 12:13 Comments || Top||

#3  ? I read last month, Straegy Page, I think. that SOCOM had cancelled the contract - the reason given was that it was good weapon but not that much better than M16/M4 to justify the cost of replacement
Posted by: Shusose Panda8829 || 08/22/2010 15:26 Comments || Top||

#4  here's the Strategy Page link

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htweap/20100711.aspx
Posted by: Maggie Clinegum5252 || 08/22/2010 15:38 Comments || Top||


Africa Horn
All eyes on Sudan as it prepares for vote on South's independence
[The Nation (Nairobi)]
Posted by: Fred || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Sudan


Africa North
Megrahi in 'good condition' for cancer patient, says report
[The Nation (Nairobi)] A Libyan official said convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al Megrahi was "in good condition" for a cancer patient but depressed by reports he should have died by now, an Arab daily reported on Saturday.
Wait til he finds out that we at Rantburg think he should have bought the needle years ago. Maybe he'll be so depressed he'll off himself ...
Megrahi was thought to have had only three months to live when Scotland's incompetent devolved government released him to Libya in exchange for an oil deal on compassionate grounds a year ago, in a move which has incensed victims' families and stirred pro forma US criticism.
Bambi didn't really object, he went through the motions ...
The senior official said Megrahi was "in good condition considering his situation as a cancer patient," the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported.

But Megrahi, who has secluded himself in a Tripoli villa and only emerges to undergo hospital treatment for his prostate cancer, is "experiencing a very hard mental condition," said the unnamed official.
Continued on Page 49
This article starring:
Abdelbaset Ali al Megrahi
Posted by: Fred || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "His miraculous survival is prrof of his innocence and Allan's love." or
"His miraculous survival is proof of his guilt and Allan's love." But can't be both.
Posted by: Glenmore || 08/22/2010 9:59 Comments || Top||

#2  His "miraculous survival" is proof of either the Scottish doctors' stupidity, the doctors being bribed, or the British government's perfidy.

I'll take what's behind Doors No. 1, 2, AND 3, Alex. >:-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 08/22/2010 10:05 Comments || Top||

#3  Let us not forget that Harvard educated, global uniter and sometimes White House woodpile visitor who quietly sanctioned Megrahi's release.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/22/2010 11:46 Comments || Top||


Africa Subsaharan
Somali neighborhood in Nairobi becoming Islamist hotbed
Posted by: ryuge || 08/22/2010 01:44 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  VERSUS

PAKISTANI DEFENCE FORUM > INDIAN JIHADIS IN AL QAEDA'S SOMALIA ARM [Al-Shabaab]?

ARTIC = INDIA is shaking at the prospect of Indians being involved in Regional, International Terror + potens bringing same back to India. AL-SBABAAB VIEWED AS A "HYBRID" OF THE AFGHAN TALIBAN + AL QAEDA - IFF THE LATTER IS DEEMED AS [future]"HEIR APPARENT" TO AQ, THEN Al-SHABAAB IS LIKLEY RISING TO PROMINENCE = HIGH INFLUENCE IN THE TERROR HEIARCHY???

Read, AL-Shabaab to become future #2 to [post-AQ] #1 Taliban, which IMO is the same as saying the Talibs MULLAH OMAR may takeover OSAMA'S ROLE-POSITION???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 08/22/2010 21:33 Comments || Top||


Bangladesh
BNP, Jamaat had direct links to grenade attack
[Bangla Daily Star] Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has claimed that the previous BNP-Jamaat coalition government had direct links with the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004.

No matter how powerful the culprits might be, they would be brought to justice, Hasina said at a rally on the Bangabandhu Avenue commemorating the sixth anniversary of the grenade attack.

"Certain activities of the then BNP-Jamaat coalition government point to the fact that they had direct links with the attack and there is no doubt about it," claimed Hasina.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Islami


China-Japan-Koreas
N Korean Reinstates Ex Premier
[Bangla Daily Star] A news report says a former North Korean premier who was apparently sacked for proposing a wage system deemed too similar to US-style capitalism has returned to power after being demoted to being manager of a chemical plant.

Yonhap news agency said Saturday that a North Korean radio report introduced Pak Pong Ju as the first deputy director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party.

Yonhap reported Pak had been chief administrative manager of the Sunchon Vinalon Complex after being fired as premier in April 2007.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


N Korea Agrees to Return to Talks
North Korea has agreed in principle to the resumption of six-nation talks on dismantling its nuclear programme, Japanese media reported on Saturday, quoting a senior Chinese diplomat.
Kimmy's meds kicked in again?
It's the back step on the minuet ...
Wu Dawei, China's special envoy on Korean affairs, said Pyongyang was committed to a step-by-step process towards returning to full disarmament talks, the daily Yomiuri Shimbun said. North Korea was aiming to return to the talks after holding bilateral consultations with the US and an informal preparatory meeting with dialogue partners, Wu was quoted as saying.

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [9 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Why are we talking with these people? What are these talks supposed to accomplish? Does anybody honestly think that the Nork's promises are worth the rice paper they are printed on?
Posted by: Mike Ramsey || 08/22/2010 4:45 Comments || Top||

#2  ION TOPIX > VARIOUS > SAY SORRY, SOUTH KOREA TELLS NORTH; + SEOUL DEMANDS CHEONAN APOLOGY FROM NORTH BEFORE NUKE TALKS.

Methinks we all know what KIMMIE'S = NORTH KOREA'S RESPONSE will be on that.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 08/22/2010 23:41 Comments || Top||


Home Front: WoT
Feds finally try Oregon activist on money laundering charges
On Aug. 30, Pete Seda, labeled by one witness as "the smiling salesman for radical Islam", will go on trial for money laundering and tax fraud in Eugene, OR. He's charged with making clandestine efforts to funnel cash illegally through his Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation charity to terrorists in Chechnya.

Seda, 52, was indicted on the federal charges more than five years ago while he was hiding out in Syria and other countries with whom we have no extradition treaty. He returned as a fugitive in 2007 to fight the charges.

Seda's been free under federal supervision ever since, recently living in Portland, as prosecutors and defense lawyers fought for years over what jurors could hear.

The accusations against Seda were published in an affidavit written by a IRS Special Agent used to obtain a warrant to search Seda's residence in February 2004. It reads like a somewhat routine money-laundering case.
Nothing's routine about money-laundering when it involves an Islamic charity ...
Accoding to the affidavit, an Egyptian doctor in England wired $150,000 to Seda's foundation's bank account in Ashland in February 2000. In March, Al-Buthi flew from Saudi Arabia to Ashland, where the pair transferred the money into a $21,000 cashier's check and 130 $1,000 traveler's checks that Al-Buthi carried back to Saudi Arabia in violation of financial-reporting laws. Seda failed to report the donation properly on the foundation's 2000 tax return.
Buying that number of travelers checks is in and of itself suspicious, as it is done precisely to circumvent the reporting laws on money transfers.
Seda's defunct charity and Al-Buthi, who remains in Saudi Arabia and is not extraditable for trial, have been designated supporters of terrorism by the government. Seda hasn't.

In an Aug. 10 evidentiary ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Hogan outlined what evidence will enter into the trial and how prosecutors will use it. Hogan hinted that prosecutors likely will assert that the pair intentionally smuggled money to aid Chechen rebels and that the false tax statement was done to hide the money flow and was not an accounting mistake.

Hogan wrote that Seda's defense will attempt to rebuff this theory of nefarious intent by arguing that Seda's motives were peaceful and the financial irregularities not willful.
And that his trip to Syria was to help out fluffy kittens who've been tortured by Zionists.
Hogan also hinted at a possible defense theory that Seda's sympathy for Chechen terrorists rebels was fueled not by Islamism but by Russian brutality against Chechens.
Can't the latter fuel the former?
Jurors will hear that Seda believed he was under surveillance after 9/11 and that he initiated contact with local FBI agents, condemning the attacks and Osama bin Laden during the same time frame his false tax return was allegedly being prepared.
Coincidentally.
Jurors might also hear some evidence that Al-Buthi was under watch through the government's Terrorist Surveillance Program, which was part of a recent federal ruling rendering warrantless wiretaps involving this case illegal.
This article starring:
Pete Seda
Posted by: ryuge || 08/22/2010 07:42 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "Al-Buthi, who remains in Saudi Arabia and is not extraditable for trial..."

And why isn't Al-Buthi extraditable?
Posted by: American Delight || 08/22/2010 14:15 Comments || Top||

#2  Activist is what the media is calling this sorts. That sounds awfully benign. The feds ought to be charging him with being a child-molesting pedophile bomb-making terrorist.
Posted by: JohnQC || 08/22/2010 17:57 Comments || Top||

#3  "The feds ought to be charging him with being a child-molesting pedophile bomb-making terrorist."

And what makes you think that would make a difference in what the terrorist-asskissing-media calls him?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 08/22/2010 18:16 Comments || Top||

#4  Maybe the statement is a little over the top. I'd settle for an unbiased, non-agenda pushing, non-partisan, truthful media but then maybe that's asking too much. I realize that most articles, when written put forth some bias. I get tired of the MSM pushing things under the carpet, looking the other way, in some instances simply making up a story, and unabashedly pushing a particular candidate. It is the difference between news and propaganda such as Joseph Goebbels advanced.
Posted by: JohnQC || 08/22/2010 22:07 Comments || Top||

#5  "I'd settle for an unbiased, non-agenda pushing, non-partisan, truthful media"

GFL on that one, John. :-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 08/22/2010 23:59 Comments || Top||


Military to Improve Terrorist Vigilance
The military will henceforth become more vigilant with the identification of terrorists and other dangerous individuals who may be working within the military community, as shared in a feature on the Navy Times. Methods through which such people may be identified are included in a 23-page report that was released on Friday by the Defense Department.

This is being done as part of the Pentagon's response to the shootings that occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, last year, which resulted in the death of 13 people; 43 people also suffered injuries due to the incident.

Mental health screening tests, according to the report, will be revised to include factors related to violence, such as "work, home, financial, legal and interpersonal stressors." Improved instructions will also be provided to commanders to assist them in differentiating "appropriate religious practices from those that might indicate a potential for violence or self-radicalization."

This is the first response issued by the military since the completion of an independent review of the Fort Hood incident that was commissioned by Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The review, which was completed in January, provided a series of recommendations.

Since the alleged perpetrator of the Fort Hood shootings, Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, served as a psychiatrist, one of the things that the military would like to do is to launch a new effort towards ensuring the mental health of those who provide mental health care. The report mentioned plans to hire additional health care providers, and close monitoring of their deployment lengths.
Posted by: tipper || 08/22/2010 05:25 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  So, now a belief in the narrative of radicalized religious groups is now going to be classified as a mental health issue? Talk about dancing around the problem. Echos of Soviet Psychology. YJCMTSU
Posted by: Procopius2k || 08/22/2010 7:06 Comments || Top||

#2  Improved instructions will also be provided to commanders to assist them in differentiating "appropriate religious practices from those that might indicate a potential for violence or self-radicalization."

Advanced degrees in cultural studies not needed. See "Improved Instructions" below:

Amish NA
Baptist Low threat
Catholic Low threat
Methodist Low threat
Jew Low threat
Islam Career ending! Extremely high threat!
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/22/2010 8:14 Comments || Top||


Jihadi books lead to arrest at Houston airport
A passenger from Mumbai, India seemed very jittery as he stood in line at the airport security checkpoint in Houston. When 40-year-old Vijay Kumar was pulled aside, after raising suspicion with 'behavioral detection officers,' they became even more alarmed.

He had many books, including jihadist books and publications written in Arabic. He had books about espionage and diagrams that seemed to explain how certain US military weapons can be taken apart in the field. One book was called "Spycraft", another "New Voices of Islam" and police noticed the word "infidels" in some of the writings.

Officers also found a pair of brass-knuckles in the luggage he had checked with his airline. Brass-knuckles are prohibited by law in Texas,so he was booked on a felony charge. In addition to the brass knuckles and the jihadist publications, police confiscated more than $10,000 in undeclared cash.

When a TSA officer pulled out a swab and swiped it on Kumar's bags to test for explosives, the alarm sounded on the testing machine. A secondary test came up negative, which would likely mean the first machine wasn't calibrated properly.

Kumar told police he was in Houston attending an "Islamic seminar."
Posted by: ryuge || 08/22/2010 02:17 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The universe has been brought back into balance: today it was very, very good to be a TSA officer.
Posted by: trailing wife in Amsterdam || 08/22/2010 17:38 Comments || Top||

#2  "Kumar told police he was in Houston attending an 'Islamic seminar.'"

What kind of "Islamic seminar," considering the brass knuckles, jihadist books, and large amount of cash, is pretty obvious. Ask him the location and time of the "seminar."
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 08/22/2010 18:12 Comments || Top||

#3  "I am traveling to visit White Castle"
Posted by: Frank G || 08/22/2010 19:07 Comments || Top||


GITMO Judge Finds Khadr Not Tortured
[Bangla Daily Star] There is "no credible evidence" Canadian-born Omar Khadr was tortured or even threatened after he was arrested in Afghanistan in 2002, wrote the military judge presiding his trial at the US Naval Base at Guantanamo, Cuba.
Code Pink and the Center for Constitutional Rights will never believe you, judge ...
In a court document The Miami Herald posted online Friday, judge Patrick Parrish said "there is no credible evidence the accused was ever tortured as that term is defined... even using a liberal interpretation considering the accused's age."

Kadhr, the last Westerner held at the US prison facility, was 15 when he was arrested for lobbing a hand grenade that killed a US sergeant during a 2002 attack in Afghanistan.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:


Ground-Zero-Mosque Imam off to ME on taxpayer's dime
Just a bit of the article. Headline rewritten for accuracy.
Imam Behind New York Project Starts Mideast Tour
CAIRO -- Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the organizer of the planned Muslim community center in Lower Manhattan, arrived in Bahrain on Thursday to begin a three-country tour of the Persian Gulf sponsored by the United States State Department.

But the United States government refused to divulge details of his schedule of speeches and meetings, which are part of a program to promote interfaith tolerance. Local journalists have been invited to meet with Imam Feisal but were told the State Department wanted to keep the international news media at bay, said the editor of a Bahraini newspaper.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Free Radical || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  He's raising money, obviously. An imam oing to the Persian Gulf to "promote interfaith tolerance" is like Bernie Madoff going to Switzerland to promote paying taxes.

This story has passed beyond the appalling stage into the absurd stage. It's as if Obama and Bloomberg are TRYING to hand the November elections to the GOP.
Posted by: lex || 08/22/2010 3:36 Comments || Top||

#2  Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the organizer of the planned Muslim community center in Lower Manhattan, arrived in Bahrain on Thursday to begin a three-country tour of the Persian Gulf sponsored by the United States State Department

Care to explain that Hillary? Yeah, didn't think so.
Posted by: DMFD || 08/22/2010 9:24 Comments || Top||

#3  I can explain it DMFD. Government mandated and controlled health care has been Hillary's wet dream for ages. Bill couldn't get it done for her. Hussein did. Any thing Hussein wants now from Hildebeast, he gets. Neither the mandated health care program or the Mosque is what the American people want. But these demons don't barter with the people. They barter with each other. It is the dance of the devils.
Posted by: Clusogum Squank3815 || 08/22/2010 10:52 Comments || Top||

#4  "But these demons don't barter with the people. They barter with each other. It is the dance of the devils."

And they can both go to hell, CS.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 08/22/2010 11:52 Comments || Top||

#5  They barter with each other. It is the dance of the devils. Posted by Clusogum Squank3815

He has the Hildebeast right where he wants her. He's told her he's moving over and she and Slick can once again take the reigns in 2012. All she has to do is play along and make sure he doesn't change his mind.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/22/2010 12:08 Comments || Top||

#6  And all the willfully blind people will pretend she wasn't OK with everything the Zero was doing during his term. Including funding this little junket.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 08/22/2010 14:43 Comments || Top||

#7  ION see also TOPIX > HAMAS: BUILD NYC MOSQUE.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 08/22/2010 23:38 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Nomination over a prayer leader ends in killings
QUETTA: Two people were killed and four sustained injures in a clash between two rival groups in Pishin district on Saturday. The riot occurred over the nomination of a prayer leader.

According to official sources, the reported clash was for the vacant post of a prayer leader in Pishin district. The issue took an ugly turn when both the groups opened fire on each other within the premises of the mosque.

The local elders intervened and managed to bring the situation under control taking the injured and deceased to the nearby hospital. The police arrived an hour late.
Posted by: Fred || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  In'Shallah!
Posted by: borgboy || 08/22/2010 16:10 Comments || Top||

#2  Clearly attempting to affect the number of votes the other side could bring to bear: a strategy I believe Obama may be considering...
Posted by: Ptah || 08/22/2010 17:07 Comments || Top||


Indian Government warns Google over Kashmir Maps
This is a Big Deal™ in India
[The] Government on Saturday said it has issued a notice to Internet search giant Google for depicting Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir as part of Pakistan. "Any wrongful depiction of Indian map and its boundaries is liable for action under the India Information Technology Act. Google has been asked to
immediately correct this inaccuracy," Minister of State for Telecom and IT Sachin Pilot said.
In a lot of places Google Maps is the best resource out there. They are going to step into these kerfluffles every now and then.
Posted by: Free Radical || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  How many years has Pakistan controlled that part of Kashmir? (I could look it up, but it's a lot.) I'd say it's part of Pakistan now until somebody takes it from them. I'd say the Golan Heights are likewise part of Israel. And Arizona is part of the US.
Posted by: Glenmore || 08/22/2010 10:08 Comments || Top||

#2  Kashmir originally voted to be a part of India. Orbat has a good section on kashmir from about a week ago.
Posted by: newc || 08/22/2010 10:40 Comments || Top||

#3  newc - what 'should be' is not always what 'is', and most of the people who participated in that original Kashmir election have moved on to where they only vote in Chicago. Don't get me wrong - I'd prefer to see it as part of India, but unless India takes it over, it is de facto part of Pakistan.
Posted by: Glenmore || 08/22/2010 16:11 Comments || Top||

#4  Correction to #1: PARTS of Arizona are part of the USA.
Posted by: borgboy || 08/22/2010 16:16 Comments || Top||

#5  Google changed it today. Story here.
Posted by: Free Radical || 08/22/2010 18:15 Comments || Top||


US and UN Declare Harakat-ul Jihad Islami (HUJI) Bad Guys
Do we have a quote policy for VoA?
Same as for the AP ...
The United States and the United Nations, aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society have designated Pakistain's Harakat-ul Jihad Islami, or HUJI, as a foreign terrorist organization. Moreover, HUJI leader Mohammad Ilyas Kashmiri was named a "specially designated global terrorist." These actions require all U.N. member states to implement an asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo against this group and individual.
If I recall correctly we had this story at least a week ago. VOA is just now picking it up?
According to Ambassador Daniel Benjamin, U.S. State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism, "the linkages between HUJI and al-Qaida are clear, and [these] designations convey the operational relationship between these organizations."
Continued on Page 49
This article starring:
MOHAMAD ILYAS KASHMIRIHarakat-ul Jihad Islami
Mohammad Ilyas Kashmiri
Posted by: Free Radical || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Palestinians say new settlements will end talks
[Al Arabiya Latest] Palestinian leaders on Friday accepted a U.S. invitation for face-to-face peace talks with Israel but said they would withdraw if it resumed Jewish settlement building on occupied land.

The chief Palestinian negotiator said the Palestinians would pull out of the talks, due to start on Sept. 2, if the Israeli government announced any new settlement building on land where the Palestinians aim to found their state.
Like they aim their rockets - all over Israel.
"If the Israeli government decides to announce new tenders on Sept. 26, then we won't be able to continue with the talks," Saeb Erekat said after a meeting of the Palestine Liberation Organization's (PLO) executive committee in Ramallah.
"And if they don't, well, we'll find another demand reason."
Posted by: Fred || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Palestinian Authority

#1  Fine! Start building today!
Posted by: borgboy || 08/22/2010 16:05 Comments || Top||


PFLP, Paleo People's Party reject invite for direct talks
[Ma'an] Two leftist Paleostinian factions rejected Saturday calls by the Quartet and US to relaunch direct talks with Israel, a day after the PLO endorsed the resumption of negotiations.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Paleostine and the Paleostinian Peoples' Party released separate communiques slamming the Quartet's statement, which called for Paleostinian and Israeli leaders to resume talks.

"The Quartet's statement means implicit legalization of settlements, the blockade and temporary Paleostinian state, which contradicts last March's statement which confirmed that settlement was illegal," the PFLP wrote.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


Gaza govt to seize all unlicensed weapons
[Ma'an] The Gaza government announced Saturday that security forces will begin confiscating all unlicensed weapons in the Strip in a bid to maintain public security, a spokesman said.

In a statement, Gaza police spokesman Major Ayman Al-Batneeji called for compliance with the law, urging residents to refrain from opening fire at concerts or during family disagreements, which have seen several killed.

"All illegal weapons or those used illegally will be taken without being returned to owners," Major Al-Batneeji said.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Hamas

#1  That's a LOT of weapons.
I wonder if they've heard of the tunnels?
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 08/22/2010 3:04 Comments || Top||

#2  Illegal weapons in Gaza = weapons NOT being used for killing jooooosss.
Posted by: DMFD || 08/22/2010 9:32 Comments || Top||

#3  Sounds like Mayor Daley's Chicago.
Posted by: borgboy || 08/22/2010 16:07 Comments || Top||


Former Fatah splinter group says talks a subjugation
[Ma'an] Hamas-leaning splinter group Al-Ahrar issued a statement Saturday calling the decision to return to talks a "subjugation to American decisions."

The group said it would not be "committed to any of the outcomes" of the talks, and called for "Palestinian organizations to announce their rejection of these talks," adding that they believed the process would "bring more settlements and the judization of Palestinain lands."
Posted by: Fred || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Hamas


Southeast Asia
Red shirt aide linked to Thai mosque bombing?
A redshirt protester arrested for violating the Thai emergency decree might be the same man wanted for a Narathiwat mosque massacre, according to investigators. Tharit Pengdit, Director General of the Department of Special Investigation said "Judging from the information we have received, he is most likely the very same person. We are looking into the suspect's history."

Tharit was referring to Jakchalat Kongsuwan, a close aide to Army specialist Maj. General Khattiya Sawasdiphol, who oversaw the red shirts' security measures before his death in May.

The latest information suggests that Jakchalat might have previously been known as Suttirak Kongswan and reported himself to the Crime Suppression Bureau in January to face charges related to the fatal attack on al Furqon Mosque last year. Ten people were killed in the attack.

Suttirak, a former Army ranger, was then released on bail. "But two months ago, his guarantor withdrew the bond," Tharit said.
Posted by: ryuge || 08/22/2010 01:29 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Iran unveils long-range bombing drone
Posted by: tipper || 08/22/2010 08:31 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  hey, they recreated a Y-2!
Posted by: chris || 08/22/2010 12:49 Comments || Top||

#2  hey, they recreated a V-2!
Posted by: chris || 08/22/2010 12:49 Comments || Top||

#3 
Posted by: Frank G || 08/22/2010 12:51 Comments || Top||

#4  Chris:
Actually, they created a V-1 V-1.

Notice that they claimed "long range at a high speed" but did not give any numbers. The look on this aircraft screams "non-stealthy subsonic".
Posted by: Frozen Al || 08/22/2010 13:26 Comments || Top||

#5  Al, you forgot the 'Jinn' factor in its speed and stealthiness.
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 08/22/2010 13:28 Comments || Top||

#6  Ah... I was hoping for a manned target.
Posted by: DarthVader || 08/22/2010 13:36 Comments || Top||

#7  I for one, would like to know which companies sold them the electronics and parts being used in these rockets.
Posted by: Mike Hunt || 08/22/2010 14:02 Comments || Top||

#8  Looks like a rocket with a bomb hung beneath it to my inexpert eye.
Posted by: phil_b || 08/22/2010 14:46 Comments || Top||

#9  I can imagine the meeting at Iran Aerospace Industries.

"The Zionists have a long range UAV bomber and the Mullahs say we have to have one too."

"That will take years of R&D and with the sanctions ..."

"How about we take one of the old Nork rockets, bolt a dumb bomb to it and call it a long range bombing drone. Have a glitzy launch and press conference. Paint a few words from the Koran on the side. The Mullahs will be impressed. They don't know shit about technology."
Posted by: phil_b || 08/22/2010 14:59 Comments || Top||

#10  v=1 or v-2 they're 70 years behind. looks like they could have gotten the plans from a nazi along time ago since they where such bedroom buddies.
Posted by: chris || 08/22/2010 15:11 Comments || Top||

#11  The claim the drone is a sort of "mother ship" that carries 4 cruise missiles and then returns to its base. Sounds like a great way for Israel to attack Iran using the same sort of technology. No pilots to worry about.
Posted by: crosspatch || 08/22/2010 15:47 Comments || Top||

#12  It does look very like a V1.

I even see a pulse jet engine in there.

Anyone on here could make one for 1000 USD easily.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 08/22/2010 15:50 Comments || Top||


#14  If it's remotely controlled, it's probably subject to jamming, or even hacking.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia || 08/22/2010 15:57 Comments || Top||

#15  In the picture, Short Round can hardly contain his glee.

Wotta maroon.
Posted by: Bobby || 08/22/2010 17:56 Comments || Top||

#16  It would be pretty funny to get a video of the Iran UAV flying along and have a USAF Predator come up from behind and mount it
Posted by: Penguin || 08/22/2010 18:46 Comments || Top||


Basij Members Trained To Conquer Virtual World
Controlling the virtual world is one of the priorities of Iran’s pro-government Basij force and members are receiving necessary training in that area, according to an official with the militia.

Abbas Mahmudian, an official in charge of media and public relations of Khorasan’s Imam Reza Basij force, said that through “policies and planning” the Basij organization has set the “conquering of the virtual world” as one of its priorities.

Mahmudian said in this regard over 100 members of the Basij went recently through training in Mashad:

In this three-day course, 120 Basij sisters and brothers learned about blogging, social networking sites, psychological operations, online spying security, and acquaintance with Basij cyber centers, mobile phones and their capabilities, and computer games with the aim of targeted entry of the virtual world.

Iranian officials have warned about the dangers of the Internet, which they see as a fertile ground for “the enemy’s soft war” against Iran and emphasized the need to bring it under control.

Last January, the cultural deputy of the Basij organization Mohammad Ali Nayini said that the militia is taking action for the hardliners to conquer the virtual world within a year.

Yet despite the government's massive online censorship -- and other measures it has taken including the launching of pro-government blogs and social networking sites -- it hasn’t so far been successful in fully controlling the web and preventing activists and other citizens from using it for their own purposes.

The Internet remains an empowering tool for the opposition, which uses websites and social-networking sites to spread news and information.

Earlier this week opposition leader Mehdi Karrubi spoke to his supporters online and answered their questions about a number of issues including the future of the opposition Green Movement, the support of the clergy, and the role of Iranian expats and social networking.

During his online chat, Karrubi said that he is involved in talks for participating in Qods Day demonstrations that are taking place in Iran on the last Friday of the month of Ramadan.
Posted by: tipper || 08/22/2010 06:09 || Comments || Link || [8 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "The World of Warcraft shall be under the flag of Islam, and all the homosexual elves will be put to the sword!"
Posted by: Anonymoose || 08/22/2010 13:22 Comments || Top||

#2  In this three-day course, 120 Basij sisters and brothers learned about blogging, social networking sites, psychological operations, online spying security, and acquaintance with Basij cyber centers, mobile phones and their capabilities, and computer games with the aim of targeted entry of the virtual world.

The plan was thorough in nature. What could go wrong? The plan was faultless except for one thing. These repressed buggers are suckers for internet P0RN!
Posted by: JohnQC || 08/22/2010 18:01 Comments || Top||


No 'risk' from Iran's plant: US
The United States sees no "proliferation risk" from Iran's Russian-built first nuclear power plant at Bushehr that was loaded with fuel Saturday, the State Department said.
...with their eyes screwed shut, and wearing a blindfold. This has gone well beyond the point of an ill-conceived faith in the ability of President Obama or Secretary of State Clinton to persuade through intelligent argument and sheer force of personality, arriving with a thump at deliberate evil.
Perhaps it's the same people who wrote the 2007 NIE.
But the reactor, intended for civilian purposes, "underscores that Iran does not need an indigenous enrichment capability if its intentions are purely peaceful," State Department spokesman Darby Holladay told AFP. "We recognize that the Bushehr reactor is designed to provide civilian nuclear power and do not view it as a proliferation risk."
What does the CIA say about this in private? After all, they're the ones who issued that NIA in 2007 that said Iran had given up the pursuit of nuclear weapons.
After more than three decades of delay, engineers on Saturday finally began loading the Russia-supplied atomic fuel in the nuclear power plant in the presence of UN inspectors. Western nations led by Washington suspect that Iran's nuclear program masks a weapons drive, a charge strongly denied by Tehran.
Posted by: Fred || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  Huh.
Posted by: bigjim-CA || 08/22/2010 3:10 Comments || Top||

#2 
Nuke power plant in rogue nation = No Risk
Nuke power plant in US = Too Risky
Posted by: Parabellum || 08/22/2010 8:44 Comments || Top||

#3  "It's all Bushehr's fault!"
Posted by: Skunky Glins**** || 08/22/2010 19:30 Comments || Top||


Iran's Response To Israeli Attack Would Be "Harsh and Painful"
Rewriting the lead.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned today his nation's response would be "hard and painful" in the event of an attack by Israel.
The rest of the article is so good, we won't quote any of it here.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Ominous1 || 08/22/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  Meanwhile, BATMAN + SPIDEY fans, back in SUDAN...

ISRAEL NN > SUDAN MOVES FORWARD WID "PEACEFUL" NUCLEAR REACTOR.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 08/22/2010 21:37 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
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3Hamas
3Govt of Iran
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1Palestinian Authority
1Thai Insurgency
1al-Qaeda in Pakistan
1Commies
1Govt of Sudan

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Two weeks of WOT
Sun 2010-08-22
  Six turbans dronezapped
Sat 2010-08-21
  Russians Flatline Mastermind of Moscow Subway Attack
Fri 2010-08-20
  Blast in China's Xinjiang kills 7
Thu 2010-08-19
  Goodbye Iraq: Last US combat brigade heads for home
Wed 2010-08-18
  Turks capture raving Paleostinian at Tel Aviv embassy
Tue 2010-08-17
  41 Die in Suicide Bombing of Iraq Army Recruiting Center
Mon 2010-08-16
  AZ Sheriff: Border Patrol Abandoning Parts Of Border
Sun 2010-08-15
  Dronezap ices 12 turbans in Haqqaniland
Sat 2010-08-14
  B.O. defends plans for mosque near ground zero
Fri 2010-08-13
  Durango: Mexican Army Bags 12 Bad Guys; 5 Others Die
Thu 2010-08-12
  Afghan army reaches target strength
Wed 2010-08-11
  Nuevo Leon: Mexican Army Seizes $1.3 Million in Cash, Drugs
Tue 2010-08-10
  Hezbollah accuses Israel of Hariri assassination
Mon 2010-08-09
  Indonesian police arrest Bashir on terror charges
Sun 2010-08-08
  60 killed in triple bombing in Basra


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