Time to do a little house cleaning at the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry. I seem to remember many years ago, a beret flash being rejected for having two parallel lightening bolts. How times they have changed.
#9
#4 This Patch came from the "Duffleblog," a military satire website.
I can't find it there, but perhaps my google fu is weak.
An easy assumption to make, though. One of the 21st century's defining characteristics is that you can no longer distinguish goofy stuff somebody made up from goofy stuff that is actually happening.
[DAWN] YORK:Commenting on the capture by the Taliban of the Afghan city of Kunduz, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said on Wednesday that the occupation of a part of Afghanistan by any group was "unacceptable" to Pakistain.
"Afghanistan is being run by a democratically elected and legitimate government and occupation of its territory by any group is unacceptable," the top diplomat told news hounds at a news briefing.
"Pakistain believes that the solution to the Afghan issue lies in further cooperation between Pakistain and Afghanistan," he said. "We should avoid blame game and find means to a lasting solution between the two countries."
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10/01/2015 00:00 ||
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#1
Iff Islamabad doesn't want US Troops to stay in Afghanistan, or worse for strategic BFFS Russia + China to militarily locally intervene, then it behooves Pakistan to destroy the ISIS + aligned ASAP AMAP ALAP, + keep any remaining pro-isolationist Talibunny factions isolationist + securely contained widin Pak borders.
[Tolo News] As Afghan forces inch forward to break the Taliban's strong defense lines in a bid to retake the strategic city of Kunduz, Afghan politicians in parliament on Wednesday warned of the collapse of more cities unless so-called spies -- or fifth pillar elements within government -- are rooted out immediately.
The politicians also accused the National Unity Government (NUG) of being "incompetent" and failing to protect and preserve national interests. They suggested the establishment of a defense council and the transferal to such a body of the authority currently held by the National Security Council.
Amid mounting pressure on NUG leaders over the dramatic fall of Kunduz city, some Afghan politicians suggested some government leaders need to be brought to book in the wake of deteriorating security in a number of provinces in recent months.
Kunduz city has come under heavy assault in the past three days -- after the Taliban launched a massive offensive against them in the early hours of Monday morning. All three access points leading into the city have been closed off, trapping residents inside the city limits and preventing troops from entering.
"Leaders of the National Unity Government must face trial as they failed to secure the people's lives and properties. Leaders in the Presidential Palace and Sapidar Palace (CEO 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... 's office) must be stoned to death," MP Iqbal Safai said.
"When there is no capacity and management, they must offer their resignations in a civilized manner and apologize to the people of Afghanistan," another MP Kiramuddin Afzalzada said.
Rumors have meanwhile been circulating recently of so-called double agents within government. However, the man who has no enemies isn't anybody and has never done anything... despite growing calls for a name and shame campaign, none have as yet been identified.
"Take effort and clear the Presidential Palace of the fifth pillar elements. The fifth pillar has infiltrated inside ARG (Afghanistan's Presidential Palace) and they have become decision makers," MP Nahid Farid stated.
"We thought Mohammad Omar Safai was the governor for the government of Afghanistan, but he served as Taliban shadow governor."
One angry MP, Shukria Paikan said: "We thought Mohammad Omar Safai was the governor for the government of Afghanistan, but he served as Taliban shadow governor."
The Afghan politicians also recommended the establishment of a defense council and said it was a necessity.
"Parliament should consider a defense committee and all authorities of national security council must be transferred to this committee, if the issue is not handled today, along with Kunduz, more provinces will collapse in the coming days," MP Fakoor Behishti said.
Reports are rife however, that after capturing Kunduz, the Taliban embarked on a looting spree and deliberately killed residents -- an accusation which is rejected by a Kunduz politician.
"As a representative of Kunduz people, I want to say that the Taliban did not loot banks and money exchangers, these are totally baseless allegations," Kunduz MP Kamal Safai said.
Reacting to Safai's statement, some other MPs said that those who openly back the Taliban in fact have links to the fifth pillar.
"Those who justify treason and looting committed by the Taliban are in-fact fifth pillar elements, the fifth pillar is at ARG (Presidential Palace), in the national assembly and in the security institutions," MP Zahir Saadat said in a retaliatory statement to Kunduz MP.
As criticism against government gathers momentum over the fall of Kunduz, the office of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on Wednesday rejected the existence of the fifth pillar inside government and called the collapse of Kunduz the aftermath of a plot.
"There are certain elements in many countries who commit such treason, but we reject the existence of such elements within the leadership of our national unity government," CEO front man Mujiburrahman Rahimi said.
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[Tolo News] The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) continued to battle hard boyz on Wednesday near the northern city of Kunduz that was captured by Taliban fighters on Monday.
Initial reports from the battle field suggest that scores of Taliban fighters have been killed as a result of air strikes by the US-led coalition forces and Afghan army which targeted Taliban positions in the area.
Meanwhile, ...back at the chili cook-off, Chuck and Manuel's rivalry was entering a new and more dangerous phase... Afghan military experts have said that air strikes could inflict major casualties on the Taliban.
U.S defense department in a statement announced air strikes are helping to eliminate Taliban members controlling Kunduz, adding that the strikes also targeted a Taliban gathering inside government facilities and those looting properties.
According to U.S Department of Defense, air strikes in Kunduz have left at least 200 Taliban dead.
While ANSF pushes to break the Taliban siege on Kunduz, experts again called on NATO ...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It's headquartered in Belgium. That sez it all.... and U.S to equip ANSF with modern military hardware and artillery so as to enable them to tackle the war against hard boyz effectively.
"Air strikes remain supportive in areas where the hard boyz operate, numerous turbans were eliminated as a result of air attacks," front man for the Afghan Ministry of Interior, Sediq Sediqqi said on Wednesday.
However, facts are stubborn; statistics are more pliable... the Taliban carried out more assaults on Wednesday targeting ANSF forces deployed around Kunduz airport in an attempt to gain more strategic locations. But the Taliban was thwarted after US-led coalition troops bombed their positions.
"We managed to enter Kunduz at around 10:00 pm last night along with our colleagues, the plan was to move forward, the enemy forged obstructions on the way of implementing the plan and our camps came under massive attacks," Khalid Amiri, the commander of Afghan National Army Special Forces Unit told TOLOnews in a telephonic interview on Wednesday.
"Commandos and forces from special units responded to Taliban bravely, later on U.S aircrafts came and dropped bombs on the area and major damage was inflicted on them," he said.
"Despite having each and every thing, if a country doesn't have an air force, it means that its right arm is cut. If we have a strong air force which is equipped with modern fighter jets, we can cover long distances in less time, this helps not to allow the hard boyz to capture an area," military commentator Atiqullah Amarkhail said.
In the wake of the fall of Kunduz to the Taliban, many in the country stress the need for inclusive measures to be considered in a bid to curb further advance and influence of the Taliban and the Daesh bad boy group.
"People along with the Jihadi commanders and security forces must join hands and repress the terrorists. With an extended cooperation we can overcome the enemies," military expert Jawed Kohistan ...a backwoods district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa distinguished by being even more rustic than is the norm among the local Pashtuns.... i said.
U.S-led coalition forces meanwhile carried out a number of targeted drone attacks on key Taliban hideouts and training camps in eastern Nangarhar The unfortunate Afghan province located adjacent to Mohmand, Kurram, and Khyber Agencies. The capital is Jalalabad. The province was the fief of Younus Khalis after the Soviets departed and one of his sons is the current provincial Taliban commander. Nangarhar is Haqqani country.. and southern province of Helmand ...an Afghan province populated mostly by Pashtuns, adjacent to Injun country in Pak Balochistan... on Wednesday, leaving scores of Taliban dead including some key officials of the group.
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[Tolo News] Police in Baghlan warned on Wednesday that the Taliban will pose a serious threat to Pul-e-Khumri city, capital of the province, if reinforcements are not sent to the area to back forces on the ground.
Late Tuesday night, faceless myrmidons launched repeated attacks against Afghan Local Police (ALP) who are deployed in Dand-e-Shahab village of Pul-e-Khumri. Several check posts were set on fire.
"People's concerns deepen, the people demand peace as they can't deal with more atrocity," a resident of Baghlan said.
ALP personnel on the front line were forced to evacuate their trenches on Wednesday when Taliban launched attacks on their posts.
"We were forced to leave the check posts," an ALP officer said.
"If reinforcements do not reach the area, the situation will deteriorate and faceless myrmidons will enter Pul-e-Khumri," deputy commander of Special Forces of police in Baghlan, Jamshid said.
"Forces are deployed on the ground, but in need of sufficient facilities. All are committed to defend security of Kunduz," Sayed Zewar Shah, operational commander of Baghlan police said on Wednesday.
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[Tolo News] The presidential administrative office said in a statement Wednesday night that Hamdullah Danishi, from the Independent Directorate of Local Governance has been appointed as Kunduz acting-governor.
The appointment comes in the wake of the fall of Kunduz to the Taliban on Monday. Kunduz Governor Omar Safai was out of the country at the time and has not as yet reportedly returned.
Danishi previously worked as the Kunduz deputy governor.
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[Libya Herald] Benghazi municipal council has accused Misrata of sending turbans and weapons to Benghazi and demanded that it stop the flow immediately.
In a strongly-worded letter signed yesterday by the mayor of Benghazi, Omar Al-Barasi, the council said it had evidence as the result of confessions from prisoners that the authorities in Misrata were actively involved of dispatching turbans and weapons by sea to Benghazi.
Barasi said he held Misrata municipal council, its military council, its elders, and Central Libya Shield ...a conglomerate of pro-Islamist militias deployed across Libya. It reports to the Libyan defense ministry and is organized like a real army unit. Its commander used to head a Benghazi brigade called Free Libya Martyrs... forces directly responsible for bloodshed in his city. Their actions were incompatible with the principles of the 17th February Revolution. Benghazi council would seek to prosecute them in the court, he added.
The attack is unprecedented. There were close ties between Misrata and Benghazi during the revolution and many families in Libya's second city originally hail from Misrata.
There have, however, been persistent reports over the past year of boats moving between Misrata and Mreisa harbour in south Benghazi, bringing in fighters and weapons for Ansar al-Sharia ...a Salafist militia which claims it is not part of al-Qaeda, even though it works about the same and for the same ends. There are groups of the same name in Libyaand Yemen, with the Libyan versions currently most active. Tunisia's Shabaab al-Tawhid started out an Ansar al-Sharia and changed its name in early 2014. It still uses the old name now and then, probably because the stationery's not all used up and the web site hasn't expired yet... (and more recently for the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... ) and taking out maimed, either for treatment in Misrata or to be flown on to The Sick Man of Europe Turkey ...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire.... .
The Libyan National Army has proved unable to take the harbour but has bombed both it and vessels coming and going. However, death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate... this has failed to stop the flow.
So far, there has been no response from Misrata.
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[Libya Herald] A Benghazi-based federalist group has threatened to boycott the referendum on the new constitution unless the document adopts the 1951 federal dispensation . . .
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[Iran Press TV] The UN independent expert on the human rights ...which are usually entirely different from personal liberty... situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) warns that the landlocked country could face "civil war" unless the latest wave of violence there is brought under control.
"I fear that if this violence is not rapidly contained, targeted attacks based on ethnicity and religion inevitably risk increasing and leading to a real civil war," Marie-Therese Keita Bocoum told the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in the Swiss city of Geneva on Wednesday.
The remarks came just days after fierce sectarian festivities between the country's Christian and Moslem populations, which left almost 40 people dead and prompted some 30,000 people to flee their homes. The conflict broke out on Saturday following the murder of a Moslem motor-taxi driver in the capital city of Bangui.
Elsewhere in her remarks, the UN expert also emphasized that "disarming gangs must be an absolute priority" ahead of presidential and general elections in the African state due by the end of the year.
She further called on the Central African Republic's government to "present a realistic and concrete plan" aimed at resolving the ongoing violence gripping the country.
The CAR plunged into crisis in December 2013, when Christian anti-balaka militia began coordinated attacks against the country's mostly MoslemSeleka ...a 'mainly' Moslem rebel force in the Central African Republic that overthrew the govt, imposed a regime of rapine and looting on the country's non-Moslem population, and was then tossed by France. They still exist, getting funding and weapons from somewhere or other, licking their wounds, complaining about the oppression of Moslems, and occasionally raping and looting someone... group, which toppled the government of President Francois Bozize in March that year.
La Belle France also invaded its former colony in December 2013 after the United Nations ...an organization conceived in the belief that we're just one big happy world, with the sort of results you'd expect from such nonsense... Security Council adopted a resolution giving the African Union ...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful... and La Belle France the go-ahead to send troops to the country.
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[YEMENONLINE.INFO] The Sudanese government has renewed its readiness to send troops to Yemen ...an area of the Arabian Peninsula sometimes mistaken for a country. It is populated by more antagonistic tribes and factions than you can keep track of. Except for a tiny handfull of Jews everthing there is very Islamic... in support of the legitimate government there.
Sudan made the largely symbolic move last March of joining the Saudi-led military coalition against Houthi ...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews ... rebels who are accused by Riyadh of being a proxy to Iran in the region.
At the time it was reported that four Sudanese fighter jets were dispatched to 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... during the Arclight airstrikes launched by the alliance in Yemen which is made up mainly of Arab Gulf states. However it is not clear if Sudanese planes actually took part in the aerial bombardment.
Last week, the Sudanese first vice-president Bakri Hassan Saleh confirmed that his government is poised to send the equivalent of a full brigade to confront the Houthis in Yemen.
Sudan's ambassador to Cairo and permanent representative at the Arab League ...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing... (AL) , Abdel-Mahmood Abdel-Haleem, on Tuesday reiterated Sudan's readiness to meet the military demands of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
He told the Dubai based News24 website that his country is ready to deploy ground forces whenever requested to do so by the coalition, adding "however there is no Sudanese ground troops [in Yemen] at the moment".
Earlier this month, media reports quoted sources as saying that 6,000 Sudanese troops have joined the fight inside Yemen but Sudan's military spokesperson later said the troops are at the ready but not yet been sent.
"The martyrdom of several soldiers from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain indicates that victory is imminent and the restoration of the legitimacy is only a matter of time". Abdel-Haleem pointed out.
He stressed that there would be no retreat from the military campaign ably led by Saudi Arabia to restore the legitimacy in Yemen, noting that Khartoum is ready to meet the entire demands of the coalition.
Observers believe that economic pressures faced by Sudan caused by multiple military conflicts, US sanctions and the loss of oil due South Sudan's secession in 2011 prompted the government to reconsider its regional alliances particularly with Iran.
Late last year, Sudanese authorities ordered the closure of the Iranian Cultural Centre in the capital Khartoum and other states and asked the Iranian cultural attaché to leave the country in a move seen as a gesture of goodwill towards the Arab Gulf states.
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#1
What for? To rape, pillage and burn? In those activities the Sudanese Armed Forces have much practice.
[YEMENONLINE.INFO] The oil refinery in the port city of Aden in southern Yemen ...an area of the Arabian Peninsula sometimes mistaken for a country. It is populated by more antagonistic tribes and factions than you can keep track of. Except for a tiny handfull of Jews everthing there is very Islamic... is operational again after six months, according to Naser Shaif, a front man for the Aden Oil Refinery Co.
Shaif said that oil production started again on Monday which would help to ease the oil crisis in the city.
On March 26, the refinery was captured by Houthi ...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews ... forces of Evil and forces loyal to former president, President-for-Life Ali Abdullah Saleh ... Saleh initially took power as a strongman of North Yemen in 1977, when disco was in flower, but he didn't invite Donna Summer to the inauguration and Blondie couldn't make it... . After the capture, oil production was stopped at the refinery.
The Port of Aden is considered one of the most important naval facilities in the Gulf of Aden and is one of the biggest natural ports in the world.
Its total area is 131 square kilometers [50 square miles] and its maximum total cargo capacity is 5.5 million tons per year.
It lies on the international shipping line that connects the East to the West.
The Yemeni government and Arab coalition forces, led by 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... , are prioritizing the reconstruction of the Port of Aden so that it can be used to deliver military aid to anti-Houthi forces, as well as deliver humanitarian aid to the displaced or those otherwise affected by the war.
Houthis and pro-Saleh forces accuse the United Arab Emirates, part of the anti-Houthi Arab coalition, of trying to undermine Aden in order to maintain the dominance of the Port of Dubai in the region.
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[ARA] Russia's powerful Orthodox Church on Wednesday voiced support for Moscow's decision to carry out air strikes in Syria against the Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group, calling it a "holy battle."
"The fight with terrorism is a holy battle and today our country is perhaps the most active force in the world fighting it," said the head of the Church's public affairs department, Vsevolod Chaplin, quoted by Interfax news agency.
Russia on Wednesday launched its first air strikes in Syria after President Vladimir Putin ...Second and fourth President and sixth of the Russian Federation and the first to remain sober. Putin is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from polonium poisoning. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to Putin. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead... won parliamentary approval to use force abroad.
"The only correct way to fight international terrorism.... is to act preemptively, to battle and destroy fighters and bully boyz on the territories they have already seized, not to wait for them to come to us," Putin said in televised comments.
In an official statement, the Church's Patriarch Kirill said "Russia took a responsible decision to use military forces to protect the Syrian people from the woes brought on by the tyranny of terrorists."
The Patriarch, who often weighs in on political matters in support of the Kremlin, said armed intervention was necessary since "the political process has not led to any noticeable improvement in the lives of innocent people, and they need military protection."
He cited the suffering of Christians in the region, the kidnapping of holy mans and the destruction of churches, adding that Moslems "are suffering no less."
Church front man Chaplin said that the decision on military action "corresponds with international law, the mentality of our people and the special role that our country has always played in the Middle East."
A senior Moslemholy man also backed the military intervention, saying Syrians are "practically our neighbors."
"We fully back the use of a contingent of Russian armed forces in the battle against international terrorism," said Talgat Tadzhuddin, head of the Central Spiritual Administration of Moslems of Russia, in comments to RIA Novosti state news agency.
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#1
Yuuup, because it is, + in more ways than just one or even two.
Putin = Russia wants any Afghan or AFPAK-based ISIS/ISIL threat to Central Russia + RFE + East Asia, AKA Russia's new Eurasian Customs Union + SCO-CSTO, etc. eliminated ASAP AMAP ALAP, + still wants neo-Ottoman Turkey + Germany proper NOn-Nukulaar + under tight UNO = International control
IFF THE BAMMER = UNILATERALLY/SELF-RETREATING USA IS NOT GOING TO TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO DESTROY THE ISIS ONCE-N-FOREVAR!, RUSSIA WILL.
DITTO NOW AS PER CHINA + PLA - INDIA???
Despite the absence of INDIA from joining the Russia-led anti-ISIS/Hard Boy fight in Syria = Syria-Iraq, [Nuke-armed]RUSSIA + CHINA + INDIA CAN LONGER TOLERATE THE GROWING ISIS THREAT TO EAST-SOUTH ASIA + THEIR SPECIFIC COUNTRIES.
As for IRAQ, IMO Darth Vlad/VladVedev + Russia wants to see iff fellow OWG CO-SUPERPOWER SIBLING IRAN can handle the ISIS threat by itself before Russia + Coalition intervenes.
#2
putin is turning russia into a theocracy. the priests drive him, they are his power base.
this is a HUGE problem since the only lasting form of peace is a strong secular government which allows the different religious groups their freedom to practice. theocracies are bad news for everyone
#3
Partially correct. The re-establishment of the Soviet Union is the real Russian 'Holy War.'
Notice while Europe is being flooded with hungry mouths, few if any of the old Soviet States are taking any of the Syrian mooslim "refugees." Appears they did in fact get the memo.
#4
"Gov. Romney, I'm glad that you recognize that al-Qaida is a threat, because a few months ago when you were asked what's the biggest geopolitical threat facing America, you said Russia, not al-Qaida. You said Russia ... the 1980s, they're now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because, you know, the Cold War's been over for 20 years,"
#5
Russia got their Church from Byzantium. Byzantine Church was a department of state---one of the reasons why Eastern Empire outlasted the Western one by a 1000 years.
#6
Putin can do things for the Church and the Church can do things for Putin. That's what you call a symbiotic relationship. Lenin and Stalin didn't quite grasp that. Neither does Obama.
[ARA] La Belle France is investigating Bashir al-Assad over alleged crimes against humanity, the Gay Paree prosecutor's office said on Wednesday, launching a case that highlights divisions among major powers over relations with the Syrian leader.
The investigation, which is also examining claims of torture and kidnapping by Assad's forces, was opened "on the basis of indications received from the foreign ministry" on Sept. 10, an official at the prosecutor's office said.
An estimated 250,000 people have been killed in Syria's four-year civil war between Assad's troops, rebel groups and Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... murderous Moslems, and a further 11 million displaced.
The ministry's dossier drew on some 55,000 photographic images smuggled out of the country by a former Syrian army officer, showing 11,000 alleged victims of forces loyal to Assad, according to various media reports.
The competence of French courts to try those held responsible may hinge on the identification of Frenchies among the victims. Even in that event, the prospect of a trial in La Belle France would appear remote.
In the face of sustained Russian support for the Syrian president, La Belle France recently joined other western powers in softening earlier demands that Assad leave office as a precondition for peace talks.
U.S. President Barack Obama They get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them... and Russian President Vladimir Putin ...Second and fourth President and sixth of the Russian Federation and the first to remain sober. Putin is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from polonium poisoning. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to Putin. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead... agreed on Monday to look for a diplomatic end to the war but clashed over whether Assad should retain power.
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#1
An estimated 250,000 people have been killed in Syria's four-year civil war between Assad's troops, rebel groups and Islamic State.
If accurate, that's 250k that won't be trekking to Europe, but no investigation will be forthcoming in that regard.
[Hurriyet Daily News] Turkish journalist Hasan Cemal has denied allegations that he "defamed the Turkish president," during an appearance in an Istanbul court as part of two separate investigations launched into two of his articles published on the news website T24.
Cemal said the two articles subject to the investigations were not intended to defame anyone, but were political criticisms, adding, "politicians should tolerate such criticisms and critical articles can sometimes be bold," as he appeared in the courthouse in Istanbul's Caglayan district on Sept. 30.
"I have been a journalist for 47 years. There is nothing insulting or defaming in the articles in question. Not in any single word or in the entire text," he said. "However, there is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened... this article is a political criticism. A critical article can sometimes be bold, and is regarded as being within the context of freedom of expression in democratic societies," Cemal told Emin Aydinc, the prosecutor heading the investigations.
"Lawmakers should tolerate criticism," Cemal said.
Previously in early September, two separate investigations were launched into the two articles, titled "The sultan in the palace is culpable for the bloodshed" and "Hey, you" on the charge of one count of "defaming the Turkish president."
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#1
I'm sure Obama would love to have a law like that here in the US.
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[DAWN] An antiterrorism court declared on Wednesday Muttahida Qaumi Movement ...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead... chief the increasingly roundedAltaf Hussain ..The head of MQM in Pakistain, who has lived in London and hasn't laid eyes on Pakistain since Caesar made corporal. Judging from the size of him,he may be a Hutt... a proclaimed offender (PO) in a case pertaining to criminal intimidation.
The self-exiled MQM chief was booked for allegedly threatening Rangers officials during a TV talk show following a pre-dawn raid on his party's headquarters, Nine Zero, in Azizabad, on March 11.
Police had charge-sheeted Mr Hussain in Section 512 (record of evidence in absence of accused) of the criminal procedure code and shown him as an absconder in their investigation report.
On a previous hearing, the court asked the investigation officer to initiate proceedings against him under Sections 87 (proclamation for persons absconding) and 88 (attachment of property of person absconding) of the CrPC after the police informed it that they were unable to execute the warrants twice issued by the court.
When the case came up for hearing before Judge Saleem Raza Baloch of the ATC-III on Wednesday, the IO submitted that the process of proclamation was completed and that Mr Hussain did not own any property.
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10/01/2015 00:00 ||
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[DAWN] 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... , while addressing the UN General Assembly's 70th session in New York, proposed a four point agenda to diffuse tension between Pakistain and India.
"Cooperation, not confrontation, should define our relationship with India," said Nawaz.
Yet today ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary are intensifying, causing civilian deaths including women and kiddies, he added.
"I want to use the opportunity today to propose a new peace initiative with India, starting with measures that are the simplest to implement."
Nawaz suggested that Pakistain and India should formalise and respect the 2003 understanding for a complete ceasefire on the Line of Control in Kashmire.
For this purpose, he called for UNMOGIP's expansion to monitor the observance of the ceasefire.
Secondly, the premier urged both the countries to reaffirm their resolve that they will not resort to the use of force under any circumstances. He pointed out that this is a central element of the UN Charter.
Nawaz also proposed that steps should be taken to demilitarise Kashmire.
"Pakistain and India should agree to an unconditional mutual withdrawal from Siachen Glacier -- the world's highest battleground," he said.
Nawaz said an easing of threat perceptions through such peaceful efforts will make it possible for Pakistain and India to agree on a broad range of measures to address the peril posed by offensive and advanced weapons systems.
"Pakistain neither wants to, nor is it engaged in, an arms race in South Asia," he asserted.
As a responsible nuclear weapon state, Pakistain will continue to support the objectives of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, he added.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/01/2015 00:00 ||
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[RUDAW.NET] The man shaved his beard and then stood in the street smoking a cigarette in broad daylight - two major offenses in the so-called caliphate of the Islamic terror group ISIS.
Before too long, the group's inquisitors religious police, the Hisba, came and put the man in their car and drove away. In the car, the man pulled out a weapon and killed them all. He then escaped in the car of a friend that had escorted him on his mission.
This Hollywood-like plot was recently played out for real in djinn-infested Mosul
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
10/01/2015 00:00 ||
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#1
Not unlike inner-city districts of the larger cities in the US.
#2
Before too long, the group's inquisitors religious police, the Hisba, came and put the man in their car and drove away. In the car, the man pulled out a weapon and killed them all. He then escaped in the car of a friend that had escorted him on his mission.
What's not to like about a good story with a good ending?
[RUDAW.NET] The number of recorded cases of cholera in Iraq has climbed to at least 533, the ministry of health and environment in Baghdad announced on Wednesday.
It said in a statement that the victims are from across Iraq, but controversially added that no one had died of the epidemic.
However, you can observe a lot just by watching... Baghdad Governor Ali al-Tamimi said less than a fortnight ago that at least five women had died of cholera in the Abu Ghraib district of Baghdad, and that many more victims were infected. He said some were at death's door.
UNICEF has provided the Abu Ghraib district with 50,000 boxes of bottled water, 1,000 20-liter water bottles and chlorine tablets to add to drinking water.
Tamimi had said that cholera has become a problem in Abu Ghraib due to unclean drinking water.
In 2007, dirty water let to an outbreak of cholera in Iraq, reportedly infecting about 7,000 people and killing 10.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), large-scale outbreaks of cholera were also reported in the Kurdistan region in 2007, 2008 and 2012.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/01/2015 00:00 ||
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#1
Since they were probably using Israeli target folders, coordination was obligatory.
More please, and faster. We must have hourly news updates. Geraldo Rivera and news hounds from CNN and MSNBC should deploy to cover this story immediately. Time is of the essence!
#4
Putin repor senta top general to the US + Israeli Embassies to DEMAND = "ORDER" THEM TO KEEP THEIR AIR FORCES ON THE GROUND WHILE RUSSIA'S FLYBOYZ WERE IN THE AIR BOMBING ASSORTED MILITANT TARGETS.
[Mindanao Examiner] Former Moro militants, whose leader is wanted on rebellion charges, have joined the search for three foreigners and a Filipino woman kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in the southern Philippines.
The Moro National Liberation Front said it is helping to locate Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Tess Flor who were abducted on September 21 from an upscale resort on Samal Island.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who is aiding in the search for the victims, has sought help from MNLF chief Nur Misuari to locate the four. The mayor, citing an intelligence report, claimed that the victims were being held by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.
MNLF spokesman Habib Mudjahab Hashim said Duterte and Misuari spoke on the phone. He said Duterte sought Misuari's assistance in locating or helping in efforts to free the victims. He said Misuari, who is hiding out in Sulu, has ordered his men to search for the hostages.
Misuari is wanted for his alleged role in the September 2013 MNLF attacks in Zamboanga City that had displaced over 100,000 people. More than 200 people were killed in the siege. It is not known how Misuari would persuade the Abu Sayyafto free the victims.
[Iran Press TV] Iran has called for a "collective response" towards extremism, terrorism, and 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... ideology, which are all threatening the whole world.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif made the comments during a UN Security Council meeting held in New York on Wednesday.
Zarif said all of the global community must be given the chance to battle terrorism. He added that Iran is fully aware that it must not "live in the past" and that serious talks over regional problems must be given a chance as his country believes that its "neighbors' security" equal its own.
He also warned that if the crisis in the region is left unchecked, none of the members of the global community will be left unscathed from its consequences, adding that as the threat is global it requires the whole world's attention.
The Iranian foreign minister also voiced regrets over the fact that "one or two neighboring countries have not been able to realize this common threat," and over their "irresponsible" actions with regard to regional matters, especially the victims of the recent Hajj tragedy.
On September 24, two large crowds of pilgrims, who were on their way to participate in the symbolic stoning of Satan, a Hajj ritual, collided in Mina, resulting in a fatal crush. According to the head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, Saeed Ohadi, 239 Iranian pilgrims have so far been confirmed dead in the incident. Twenty-seven Iranian pilgrims have also been maimed and 241 others remain unaccounted for.
In a separate meeting with Luxemburg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn held earlier in the day, Zarif called on the European Union ...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing... to play a more active role with regard to the Hajj tragedy and the situation in Yemen, where thousands of people have killed in 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... 's military aggression against the impoverished Arab country since March.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/01/2015 00:00 ||
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[Iran Press TV] The United States does not want a direct military confrontation with Russian forces in Syria, an American political analyst based in Virginia says.
But the primary objective of the B.O. regime is the overthrow of the government of Syrian Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad Scourge of Qusayr... with the assistance of terrorist groups including Daesh (ISIL), said Keith Preston, the chief editor and director of AttacktheSystem.com.
Preston made the remarks in a phone interview with Press TV while commenting on a statement by Republican Senator Bob Corker, who said on Wednesday that the Pentagon should target both the Assad government and ISIL.
Corker's comments came shortly after Russia carried out its first Arclight airstrikes against ISIL holy warriors near the Syrian city of Homs.
"The B.O. regime seems to be pulling back from waging the war on ISIS," Preston said, using an alternative acronym for the terrorist group, which is operating in Syria and Iraq.
"They are conducting military operations against ISIS, but I don't think the total destruction of ISIS is something they are really that motivated to achieve, because they see ISIS as the weapon against the Assad regime," he said.
"I think that the first objective of the American foreign policy in Syria is to bring down the Assad regime. They see ISIS as perhaps the useful force towards that end, but they are also concerned ISIS potentially threatening American allies," the analyst noted.
"Now that the Russian have gotten involved, I think the B.O. regime really doesn't want a direct confrontation with the Russians," he observed.
"Bob Corker comes from the opposition party, from the Republicans, which take a more hard-line perspective on foreign policy than the B.O. regime," Preston said. "He seems to be more eager for a confrontation with the Russians."
"I think he wants [the US] to fight ISIS more aggressively and tries to take down the Assad [government] at the same time. And that's totally unrealistic objective, because there's no viable alternative in Syria," he pointed out.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/01/2015 00:00 ||
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[Iran Press TV] Moscow says journalists should gain information over its Arclight airstrikes on Syria from the Russian Defense Ministry and not from the Pentagon.
"Do not listen to the Pentagon about Russian strikes, ask the Russian Defense Ministry," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov before a meeting with 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... in New York on Wednesday.
Lavrov added that all information concerning Russia's military operations in Syria had been made public at a UN Security Council ministerial meeting held earlier.
Meanwhile, ...back at the game, the Babe headed for second base. He almost made it. Then Sheila slapped him.... Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told journalist at the United Nations ...the Oyster Bay money pit... that reports issued by Western and Syrian opposition sources about the nature of the Arclight airstrikes were distorted.
Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry released video footage of the Arclight airstrikes that targeted Daesh 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... terrorist command centers.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/01/2015 00:00 ||
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#1
"Do not listen to the Pentagon about Russian strikes, ask the Russian Defense Ministry," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
Russian air strikes or not, an unnecessary admonishment.
#4
"Don't believe Western misinformation, believe our misinformation."
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
10/01/2015 13:52 Comments ||
Top||
#5
Just heard a piece about this on National People's Radio. When an NPR drone said "The Russian people only listen to state-controlled media, so they don't often hear criticism of government policies", I just about drove into a ditch laughing.
#6
It strongly appears that, ala the Russian airstrikes agz alleged Non-ISIS targets = anti-Assad forces, that Vald = Russia intends to secure Baby Assad's base or position in Syria before going after the ISIS/ISIL full-bore.
[Iran Press TV] The United States has reacted to Russia's air campaign against Daesh (ISIL) bandidosholy warriors in Syria, saying it is not sure what Russian warplanes are targeting in the Arab country.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said on Wednesday that it was "too early for me to say what target they were aiming at and what targets were hit."
He made the remarks after Russia launched Arclight airstrikes against the bandidosholy warriors near the city of Homs.
Although Russian President Vladimir Putin ...Second and fourth President and sixth of the Russian Federation and the first to remain sober. Putin is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from polonium poisoning. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to Putin. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead... has assured that the warplanes were targeting ISIL terrorists, Earnest said, the White House could not confirm who the Russian military forces are targeting inside Syria.
"The Department of Defense is going to take a look at the Russian military activities there," Earnest added.
"It is fair to say that US officials had already been in touch with their Russian counterparts to set up those meetings," he said. "It's accurate to say those deconfliction conversations have not occurred" but they are expected to begin soon.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/01/2015 00:00 ||
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#1
As long as it's not U.S. troops, it matters little.
[Iran Press TV] Fearless Leader of the Islamic Revolution ...Iran's doddering head theocrat... Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei ...the successor to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the actual dictator of Iran... says 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... has not made good on its obligations regarding the recent deadly Hajj incident, saying Iran's possible response will be"tough and harsh."
"Should we decide to show any reaction, our reaction will be tough and harsh," said the Leader at a joint commencement ceremony for the graduates of the Iranian Army's military academies in the city of Noshahr in northern Mazandaran Province on Wednesday.
Ayatollah Khamenei blasted Saudi officials for failing to live up to their commitments regarding the crush in Mina, near the Saudi city of Mecca, on September 24.
"Saudi Arabia failed to fulfill its duties concerning the desperate maimed [pilgrims]," said the Leader.
Ayatollah Khamenei noted, "Saudi authorities do not discharge their responsibilities and in some cases act contrarily (contrary to their duties) and slyly."
Ayatollah Khamenei also lashed out at Riyadh for failing to ensure the safety of Hajj pilgrims.
"Our nation is grief-stricken; the Hajj should be a place of security; is it [called] security when the lives of people are jeopardized during the [Hajj] rituals?"the Leader asked rhetorically.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/01/2015 00:00 ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
[Tolo News] As Afghan forces inch forward to break the Taliban's strong defense lines in a bid to retake the strategic city of Kunduz, Afghan 
[Tolo News] The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) continued to battle 
[Tolo News] Police in Baghlan warned on Wednesday that the Taliban will pose a serious threat to Pul-e-Khumri city, capital of the province, if reinforcements are not sent to the area to back forces on the ground.
[Libya Herald] Benghazi municipal council has accused Misrata of sending 
[YEMENONLINE.INFO] The Sudanese government has renewed its readiness to send troops to 
[YEMENONLINE.INFO] The oil refinery in the port city of Aden in southern 
...Second and fourth President and sixth of the Russian Federation and the first to remain sober. Putin is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from polonium poisoning. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to Putin. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead...
"Gov. Romney, I'm glad that you recognize that al-Qaida is a threat, because a few months ago when you were asked what's the biggest geopolitical threat facing America, you said Russia, not al-Qaida. You said Russia ... the 1980s, they're now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because, you know, the Cold War's been over for 20 years," 
[ARA] 
...Second and fourth President and sixth of the Russian Federation and the first to remain sober. Putin is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from polonium poisoning. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to Putin. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead...
[Hurriyet Daily News] Turkish journalist Hasan Cemal has denied allegations that he "defamed the Turkish president," during an appearance in an Istanbul court as part of two separate investigations launched into two of his articles published on the news website T24. 
[DAWN] An antiterrorism court declared on Wednesday 
[DAWN] Prime Minister 
[RUDAW.NET] The number of recorded cases of cholera in Iraq has climbed to at least 533, the ministry of health and environment in Baghdad announced on Wednesday. 
Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir 
[Iran Press TV] Moscow says journalists should gain information over its 
...Second and fourth President and sixth of the Russian Federation and the first to remain sober. Putin is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from polonium poisoning. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to Putin. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead...
