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23 wounded in Iraq car bombing
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 4: Opinion
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2 00:01 JosephMendiola [3] 
2 10:38 lord garth [4] 
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Africa North
Is the Obama administration allied with Muslim Brotherhood?
By Barry Rubin
Posted by: ryuge || 07/23/2012 06:21 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  No. Muslim Brotherhood has standards.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 07/23/2012 6:46 Comments || Top||

#2  But some in the Obama administration are now seeing things differently.

"The war on terror is over," a senior official in the State Department official tells the National Journal. "Now that we have killed most of al Qaida, now that people have come to see legitimate means of expression, people who once might have gone into al Qaida see an opportunity for a legitimate Islamism."


For the president himself, this new thinking comes from a "realiz[ation that] he has no choice but to cultivate the Muslim Brotherhood and other relatively 'moderate' Islamist groups emerging as lead political players out of the Arab Spring in Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere."

Link
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/23/2012 7:00 Comments || Top||

#3  Breitbart on Huma Abedin

You decide.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/23/2012 7:29 Comments || Top||

#4  Is a pigs ass pork?
Posted by: Secret Asian Man || 07/23/2012 7:36 Comments || Top||

#5  American Thinker - July 23, 2012

Obama Administration Draws Closer to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/23/2012 7:55 Comments || Top||

#6  Why not? It isn't as if he's administration is allied with America and there might be a conflict.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 07/23/2012 8:01 Comments || Top||

#7  The MB in America
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/23/2012 8:18 Comments || Top||

#8  " the war on terror is over" tell that too the ppl blown up on a bus in Bulgaria! Also with the Olympics about too start in a couple days I wouldn't be conting my chickens before eggs hatch just yet. Seems like there have been several other incidents over the last few years involving offshoots of al queada trying too blow up US airliners also.
Posted by: chris || 07/23/2012 9:00 Comments || Top||

#9  The war on terror was over when Hussein victoriously became President of the United States of America.
Posted by: Big Croluns7422 || 07/23/2012 9:39 Comments || Top||

#10  Someone's alleged that the pope wears a pointy hat. Is this true?

Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 07/23/2012 11:20 Comments || Top||

#11  McCain's reflexive move is to always protect those he works with, regardless of their politics, before the interests of his country or party. McCain is a bureaucrat of the worst kind.
Posted by: Hellfish || 07/23/2012 12:50 Comments || Top||

#12  McCain's reflexive move is to always protect those he works with, regardless of their politics, before the interests of his country or party. McCain is a bureaucrat of the worst kind.

You have no idea. McVain was known as a Buddy Fu&*er in an around the Light-Attack community. He'd look after your wife while you were deployed...if you know what I mean.
Posted by: Secret Asian Man || 07/23/2012 13:53 Comments || Top||

#13  "The war on terror is over," a senior official in the State Department official tells the National Journal. "Now that we have killed most of al Qaida, now that people have come to see legitimate means of expression, people who once might have gone into al Qaida see an opportunity for a legitimate Islamism."

I could be wrong but isn't Islamism mean militant expansionist Islam? Sort of like imperialism.
Posted by: rjschwarz || 07/23/2012 14:29 Comments || Top||

#14  McCain is often on the wrong side of politics with the wrong crowd.

The Holy Land Foundation trial showed them to be linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. The strategic goals for the U.S. were formulated by the MB were stated as early as 1987.

The primary strategic concept to accomplish the Brotherhood's objective is "civilizational jihad," the usurpation and replacement of American Judeo-Christian and Western liberal social, political and religious foundations by Islam. The MSM and the left take a ho-hum attitude toward such threats. To them conservatives are the threat. They may want to put their collective heads under the Islamic sword but not me.
Posted by: JohnQC || 07/23/2012 14:50 Comments || Top||


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Russia's Nightmare and the Danger of Abandoning Assad
By Walter Russell Mead
A taste:
Russia has long struggled with Islamic (and other) terrorists in the Caucasus. President Vladimir Putin promised to eradicate terror networks and separatists movements as he rose to power in 1999 and 2000, and ever since then he's been ruthless in targeting enemies of the state. The days of hostage crises and apartment block bombings are gone, but danger, still lurking in the mountains of the Caucasus, is expanding to other parts of Russia too.

Part of Putin's support for Assad comes from fear that if religious extremists win in Syria, or if chaos allows them to develop bases and networks, fighters, money and other things will start moving through the mountainous regions into Russia itself. The "Sunni surge" sweeping the Middle East threatens Russia through the Caucasus and through Central Asia.
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/23/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under:

#1  This is hard to believe. The Russians have long considered Syria to be a good customer for Russian armaments.

The stuff about Syria being a bulwark against Sunni revivalism seems goofy
Posted by: lord garth || 07/23/2012 1:14 Comments || Top||

#2  Russians do consider Sunni Islam a threat---that's why they support Iran.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 07/23/2012 3:19 Comments || Top||

#3  The Russian plan, plain snd simple.
Posted by: Dale || 07/23/2012 6:51 Comments || Top||

#4  Morely likely Putin's is afraid that if Assad falls, Syria will not pay the Russian debt.

Posted by: bernardz || 07/23/2012 7:16 Comments || Top||

#5  Maybe Russia has picked up on our cynical old strategy of keeping the various Muslim factions in balance militarily, and pre-occupied with killing each other.
Posted by: Glenmore || 07/23/2012 12:12 Comments || Top||

#6  Russians do consider Sunni Islam a threat---that's why they support Iran.

Maybe they will have an epiphany one day and realize that Iranian Shites are also a threat.
Posted by: JohnQC || 07/23/2012 14:32 Comments || Top||

#7  Maybe they will have an epiphany one day and realize that Iranian Shites are also a threat

A case of being too smart for their own good. They believe that MM are the Soviet leadership---nationalists masquerading as ideologists.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 07/23/2012 15:02 Comments || Top||

#8  are the ---> are like the
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 07/23/2012 15:20 Comments || Top||

#9  The overwhelming majority of Muslims in Russia is Sunni. Here you go.
Posted by: European Conservative || 07/23/2012 17:25 Comments || Top||

#10  Also Chechnyan rebels are Sunnis and supported by Saudi Arabia, Iran's mortal enemy.
Posted by: European Conservative || 07/23/2012 17:27 Comments || Top||

#11  "Morely likely Putin's is afraid that if Assad falls, Syria will not pay the Russian debt."

Doncha' just hate it when a cash-paying customer goes bankrupt - or their corrupt regime just collapses? Sheeesh ... it's hard to find stable third world dictatorships these days.
Posted by: Raider || 07/23/2012 20:28 Comments || Top||

#12  nnaaahhhhh. I'm sure Iran will make good on that debt. Right?
Posted by: Frank G || 07/23/2012 20:38 Comments || Top||


China-Japan-Koreas
A Mickey Mouse Monarchy: Thoughts on the Sacking of Ri Yong
Great (and long) analysis by Josh Stanton, filled with one-liners I wish I had created. Worth the read if you think 1) there is a real chance of 'reform' in North Korea 2) Pudgy is a man of the people and/or 3) Pudgy can stand up to octogenarian generals who learned how to backstab when Joe Stalin was still alive.

Recommended.
Posted by: Steve White || 07/23/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  IMO the bigger picture is Rising China's newfound "aggressionism" throughout East Asia.

* DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > CHINA TO GARRISON DISPUTED ISLANDS | CHINA APPROVES CITY COUNCIL, MILITARY BASE ON DISPUTED ISLANDS, vee new "Sansha" City = offshore Province composed of the Xisha [Paracels], Nansha [Spratlys], Zhongsha + Dhongsha islands; + wid a "Division-Level" [or higher?] PLA military establishment.

* RELATED DAILY TIMES.PK > CHINA TO FORMALLY GARRISON SOUTH CHINA SEA.

ARTICS ABOVE = MOVE BY CHINA SEEN AS DIRECT CHALLENGE TO US POSITION IN SCS + SE ASIA.

* CHINESE MILITARY FORUM > PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA DEMANDS THE BEAR [Russia] RELEASE SEIZED FISHERMEN [+ their seized Fishing Vessels].

Methinks its safe to say that Rising China is now MilPol challenging the pro-US stance or modus of the entire "First Island Chain", from Okinawa + Daoyus/Senkkaus in NE Asia down to the SCS + Sri Lanka.

POSTERS/BLOGGERS = opine that CHINA WILL OR SHOULD INVADE JAPAN IFF THE LATTER DECIDES TO DEV A NUCLEAR ARSENAL OF ITS OWN.

IMO Jong-un is playing it safe wid Beijing, + truth be told the US-ROK-Nippon may want him to for time being - DILYUHN DOLLAR, MAHA-RUSHIAN QUESTION IS "HOW LONG"???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 07/23/2012 0:26 Comments || Top||

#2  DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > CHINESE NATIONALISTS EYE OKINAWA [Ryukyus kingdom].

"Global Times" urges Chinese challenge to Japanese control of Okinawa + Senkakus [China = Daoyus].

Yeeeuuuppp ...

* WAFF > NORTH KOREA BUILDS EMP MUNITION.

DPRK winky-wink to the ROK???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 07/24/2012 0:01 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Khanewal stoning
[Dawn] JUST when the shock at the last grotesque outrage begins to wear off, Pak society seems to throw up a new incident to recoil at. As reported in this paper, the Supreme Court on Friday came down hard on the Punjab administration over reports that a woman had been stoned to death in a village near Khanewal. Adding to the shocking -- though, can it be termed as shock anymore? -- Maryam Bibi, a 25-year-old mother, was lynched on the orders of a local panchayat. She had reportedly refused a landlord's advances, which led to the man levelling questionable charges against her and to the woman's eventual lynching in her own home. The incident reflects a frightening proclivity for violence on the flimsiest of contexts.

The negative role jirgas and panchayats have played in Pakistain, particularly where the abuse of women is concerned, is no great secret. Going on the available facts of this incident, this sort of twisted system of 'justice' punishes women even if they try and defend themselves from rape and assault. Passing laws and making commissions is great, but two major steps need to be taken to check incidents such as these. Firstly, the specific laws regarding human and women's rights must be taken up in a methodical way. This includes punishing police and administration officials who look the other way or are complicit in the crime by protecting 'influential' suspects. For example, in this case the apex court has censured the police for not taking action despite knowing about the crime. Secondly, a social catharsis and rebirth of sorts is needed -- difficult as it may be. It would be a slow process and would require civil society, politicians, community leaders and the clergy working together to end such crimes. The road towards eradicating violence in the name of tradition in Pakistain is long and bumpy. Yet the state and society cannot sit idle and must act to ensure incidents such as the one in Khanewal do not occur in this country, while those responsible for the woman's murder must be punished.
Posted by: Fred || 07/23/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  This guy,and the commenters, clearly don't understand trends.
Talk about spitting upwind--as we say in polite society.
Posted by: Richard Aubrey || 07/23/2012 6:53 Comments || Top||

#2  "...The negative role jirgas and panchayats have played in Pakistain, particularly where the abuse of women is concerned, is no great secret..."

On the other hand, the negative role of Islam may not be spoken.

Posted by: lord garth || 07/23/2012 10:38 Comments || Top||


Iraq
The Return of the Iraqi WMD Controversy - The American Thinker
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/23/2012 07:56 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The strategy is to push until some are used, then examine the residual debris?
Posted by: Skidmark || 07/23/2012 9:06 Comments || Top||

#2  Halabja, how soon the liberal media forgets.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/23/2012 9:43 Comments || Top||

#3  They didn't forget the chemical attacks, they just redefined WMD to mean shiny nuclear missiles ready and waiting to be used.
Posted by: rjschwarz || 07/23/2012 14:31 Comments || Top||


Southeast Asia
How the Thai insurgency stays beneath our radar
Posted by: ryuge || 07/23/2012 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Thai Insurgency


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
As Assad Regime Totters, The Kremlin And Beijing Shudder
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/23/2012 07:44 || Comments || Link || [9 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Yea, they don't sleep night worrying about the march of liberal democracy.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 07/23/2012 15:04 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
34[untagged]
6Govt of Syria
5al-Shabaab
3Govt of Pakistan
2Hezbollah
2Govt of Iran
2Thai Insurgency
2TTP
1Arab Spring
1Taliban
1al-Qaeda
1Baloch Liberation Army
1al-Qaeda in Iraq
1Govt of Sudan

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Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
sherry
ryuge
GolfBravoUSMC
Bright Pebbles
trailing wife
Gloria
Fred
Besoeker
Glenmore
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Two weeks of WOT
Mon 2012-07-23
  23 wounded in Iraq car bombing
Sun 2012-07-22
  Pencilneck may use chemical weapons against rebels
Sat 2012-07-21
  Islamic Jihad Leadership Abandons Syria For Iran
Fri 2012-07-20
  Syria Rebels Take 'All Iraq Border Points'
Thu 2012-07-19
  Pencilneck runs away to Latakia
Wed 2012-07-18
  Two Buses With 40 Israeli Tourists Blown Up At Bulgarian Airport
Tue 2012-07-17
  Blast kills MP in Mogadishu, Militants claim responsibility
Mon 2012-07-16
  US Ship Fires on Boat off Dubai, 1 Dead
Sun 2012-07-15
  At Least 83 Killed across Syria
Sat 2012-07-14
  NDS Chief Among Bombing Victims at Afghan Wedding
Fri 2012-07-13
  Defected Syrian Ambassador Calls on Countrymen to Join Him
Thu 2012-07-12
  Sudan university students hold major protest: Witness
Wed 2012-07-11
  Al Qaeda suicide bomber attacks Yemen police academy
Tue 2012-07-10
  Gang Linked to Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel Busted in Arizona
Mon 2012-07-09
  Nigeria raids, reprisals kill 37


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