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Today: 85 articles and 197 comments as of 13:58.
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ISIS Blamed for Murder of Scandinavian Women on Camera in Morocco
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-Land of the Free
Pro-Israel Jews using US Treasury to wage economic war on Russia: Writer
[PRESSTV] Pro-Israel American Jews are using the Treasury Department as a cover to wage economic warfare against Russia because they don’t like it, according to E. Michael Jones, an American political analyst in Indiana.

Jones, a writer, former professor, media commentator and the current editor of the Culture Wars magazine, made the remarks in a phone interview with Press TV on Thursday.

The United States on Wednesday imposed new sanctions against Russian individuals and entities over what it calls their "malign activities" around the world.

The US Treasury Department said the sanctions target 15 members of a Russian military intelligence service and four entities.

The Treasury accused them of interfering in the 2016 US presidential election, hacking the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Moscow has repeatedly dismissed any meddling in the US elections as unsubstantiated.

"There is an irony here that no one is noting here in the mainstream press. The office for sanctions for economic warfare at the Treasury Department is controlled by Jews. And this is one group that has meddled in every single election in the United States -- for decades now ‐ it’s the Jews, particularly the Israel lobby, particularly a group like AIPAC -- the American Israel Public Affairs Committee," Jones said.

Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran


Africa North
Algeria now makes large combat ready UAVs
[twitter]


Posted by: 3dc || 12/21/2018 05:36 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


UN report: Majority of female migrants faced gang rape in Libya
[Al Jazeera] The "overwhelming majority" of women and older girls who passed through Libya as migrants colonists reported being gang-raped by traffickers or witnessed others taken away to be abused, according to a UN report based on hundreds of interviews.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a statement published on Thursday that its report, along with 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...
support mission in Libya, turned up "unimaginable horrors" among migrants colonists who sought to reach Europe
...also known as Moslem Lebensraum...
through the largely lawless country.

The 61-page report covers the period between January 2017 to August 2018.

The OHCHR said Sherlocks pulled together 1,300 first-hand accounts detailing "a terrible litany of violations and abuses committed by a range of state officials, gangs, smugglers and traffickers against migrants colonists and refugees".

Those included unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary detention, gang rape, slavery, forced labour and extortion.

"The UN staff visiting 11 detention centres [in Libya], where thousands of migrants colonists and refugees are being held, documented torture, ill-treatment, forced labour, and rape by the guards, and reported that women are often held in facilities without female guards, exacerbating the risk of sexual abuse and exploitation," OHCHR said.

"Female detainees are often subjected to strip searches carried out or watched by male guards."

Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Human Trafficking


Britain
Man acquitted of terror charge in Buckingham Palace sword attack
[IsraelTimes] Mohiussunnath Chowdhury, who last year injured coppers outside queen’s residence while shouting ’Allahu Akbar,’ said he was merely trying to get killed.

An Uber driver was found not guilty Wednesday of a terror charge after he injured coppers arresting him outside Queen Elizabeth II’s Buckingham Palace residence while he was armed with a Samurai sword.

Mohiussunnath Chowdhury, 27, was unanimously acquitted by jurors at England’s Old Bailey central criminal court in London of one charge of preparing acts of terrorism, following a retrial.

Two unarmed officers had suffered cuts to their hands when they tried to disarm him near the monarch’s famous London residence in August 2017.

They feared for their lives during the confrontation as Chowdhury repeatedly shouted "Allahu Akbar."

The court also heard he supported terrorism by 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....
group, and had sent a suicide note to his sister "expressing hate of the queen and her soldiers."

But during his trial Chowdhury, from the town of Luton, north of London, told jurors he only wanted to be killed by police and had no intention to hurt anyone himself.

After the not guilty verdict was read out, he saluted the jurors who had spent 11 hours and 36 minutes considering his fate.

A front man for England’s Crown Prosecution Service said Chowdhury had been charged with "the most appropriate offence" and would face no further prosecution over the incident.

Jihad Watch has more.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/21/2018 01:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Moslem Colonists

#1  Mohiussunnath Chowdhury, who last year injured coppers outside queen’s residence while shouting ’Allahu Akbar,’ said he was merely trying to get killed.

And bypass the judgment process and go straight to martyr heaven. But he's feeling much better now.
Posted by: gorb || 12/21/2018 4:24 Comments || Top||

#2  Was he acutally born in England? or a recent gimmigrant?
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/21/2018 7:39 Comments || Top||

#3  He wants to be killed? Accommodate him
Posted by: Frank G || 12/21/2018 8:53 Comments || Top||

#4  "unanimously acquitted" England is doomed.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 12/21/2018 22:19 Comments || Top||


Cyber
Twitter says it blocked 22 Hamas and Hezbollah accounts at Israel’s request
[IsraelTimes] In new report, social networking giant says it suspended 205,156 accounts for promoting terrorism during first half of 2018, having flagged most of them itself

Twitter blocked 22 accounts affiliated with the Hamas, the well-beloved offspring of the Moslem Brotherhood, and Hezbollah terror groups during the first six months of this year in response to a demand from the Israeli Justice Ministry, the social media giant has revealed.

The accounts are blocked in Israel, but still largely operational in other regions.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Europe
Denmark approves plan to send foreign criminals to tiny island
[Guardian] The Danish parliament has approved funding for a plan to hold foreign criminals on a tiny island, despite criticism from the UN and local opposition.

With Denmark taking an increasingly tough stance on immigration, the government wants to send up to 100 people who have completed jail sentences but cannot be deported because they are at risk of torture or execution in their home countries to the island of Lindholm.

Funding for the scheme was included in the 2019 Danish budget, which lawmakers voted through on Thursday. A centre for people convicted of crimes ranging from murder and rape to less serious offences is to be established in 2021 and will cost 759m krone (£92m).

Lindholm is used as a laboratory and crematorium by scientists researching swine flu, rabies and other contagious diseases. One ferry serving the three-hectare (seven-acre) island south-west of Copenhagen is named Virus.
So Lindholm will continue to serve by containing dangerous pathogens.
Posted by: Tarzan Hitler4525 || 12/21/2018 00:39 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Could be used by the every EUSSR vassal state.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/21/2018 8:06 Comments || Top||

#2  The Prisoner
Posted by: Frank G || 12/21/2018 8:59 Comments || Top||

#3  after this week's activities in Morocco where a Danish woman was murdered, I suspect the Blood Eagle is no longer off the table.
Posted by: Herb Schwarzeneggar4949 || 12/21/2018 9:25 Comments || Top||

#4  The Prisoner. One of the best shows ever. Of course, #6 was one of the good guys.
Posted by: M. Murcek || 12/21/2018 10:07 Comments || Top||

#5  The UK tried this a long time ago, but Australia really isn't tiny.
Posted by: AlanC || 12/21/2018 10:55 Comments || Top||

#6  Put them on ice floes. With the polar bears.
Posted by: gorb || 12/21/2018 19:48 Comments || Top||


German police step up security at airports in southwest amid terror scare
[IsraelTimes] Extremists feared to have tried to scope out operations at Stuttgart airfield; four people reportedly being investigated.

Police stepped up security at airports in southwestern Germany on Thursday, amid concerns that bandidos faceless myrmidons may have tried to scope out operations at Stuttgart airport.

German news agency dpa and public broadcaster SWR reported that security officials are investigating four people, including at least one with possible ties to the Islamist scene.

In a tweet, federal police said flights shouldn’t be affected by the "robust" police presence at Stuttgart airport. Additional officers were also deployed to other, smaller airports in Baden-Wuerttemberg state ‐ Friedrichshafen, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden and Mannheim ‐ as a precaution.

SWR reported that two of the suspects, a father and son, were spotted taking pictures at La Belle France’s Charles de Gaulle airport near Gay Paree last week.

Separately, German authorities said they incarcerated
You have the right to remain silent...
two men and a woman in southwestern Germany on Wednesday on suspicion of illegal firearms ownership and preparing an attack. Karlsruhe prosecutors said police seized a fully automatic weapon and ammunition in the raid, but that there was no indication of a link to the security alert at the nearby airports.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/21/2018 00:36 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Brussels Jewish Museum terror suspect appears in court
[IsraelTimes] Mehdi Nemmouche faces murder charges for killing 4 people in what is believed to have been the first jihadist attack by a foreign fighter in Europe

An alleged French terrorist accused of returning from Syria and shooting dead four people in a jihadist attack on the Jewish Museum of Belgium in central Brussels appeared in court Thursday.

Mehdi Nemmouche, allegedly the first foreign fighter to return to stage a terror attack on European soil, is charged with murder in the May 24, 2014, attack.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


Albania fell prey to Israeli-US scenario by targeting Iran diplomats: Tehran
[PRESSTV] Tehran has denounced Albania for expelling two Iranian diplomats, saying the Balkan country fell prey to a scenario fabricated by the US and Israel.

Albania’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that it had expelled two Iranian diplomats suspected of "involvement in activities that harm the country’s security."

A ministry front man told the News Agency that Dare Not be Named that the expulsions followed talks with others, including Israel.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Thursday that Albania’s move was "in line with previous such scenarios meant to damage Iran-Europe
...also known as Moslem Lebensraum...
relations at the current sensitive juncture."

He said the expulsions come while Tehran has "always had appropriate relations with Albania and respected all of its domestic regulations in a move based on principles of the Islamic Theocratic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy."

US National Security Adviser John Bolton was quick to publicly support Albania’s decision.

"We stand with PM [Edi] Rama and the Albanian people as they stand up to Iran’s reckless behavior in Europe and across the globe," he tweeted.

Qassemi said that Washington’s stance on the issue and Albania’s declaration that its move had been coordinated with foreign security services, prove that the US and the regime in Israel had been behind the expulsions.

Albania, he added, had fallen prey to a scenario fabricated by the US and the Israeli regime and certain terrorist groups.

The Iranian official further called on the Albanian government "to defend its illusory sovereignty, independence and security" in the face of the US-Israeli scenario," stressing that the country "must not allow others to affect and hamper its relations with Iran due to special political reasons."

Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran


Danish Minister For Migration Tells Somalis To Go Back Home And Rebuild Their Country
[RADIOSHABELLE] Danish authorities have concluded that the situation in some parts of Somalia is safe and that Somalis no longer have valid grounds for asylum.

Following a review of the situation in Somalia, which began in 2017, residence permits will, therefore, be withdrawn for no less than 1,000 Somalis. "It is time for them to go home now," Denmark states.

"If you no longer need our protection and your life and your health are no longer at risk in your homeland, you must, of course, return home and build up your country of origin", says Minister for Migration Inger Støjberg, according to DR.

The minister also points out that each case has been carefully examined and that they always base decisions on facts.

Withdrawing or not renewing a residence permit has become possible since Denmark 2015 changed its immigration law. The legislative amendment was actually aimed at Syrians in connection with the asylum wave of the same year but was also applied to migrants colonists from Somalia.

Denmark has an agreement with Somalia that the home country should take back repatriated Somali citizens in exchange for help in building a police force. However,
the man who has no enemies isn't anybody and has never done anything...
the agreement only applies to 12 persons per year.

Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: al-Shabaab (AQ)

#1  Gee, it sounds like there really are s#ithole countries. This seems like a reasonable response to Guatamalans, Hondurans, and other Central American "visitors".
Posted by: AlanC || 12/21/2018 11:00 Comments || Top||

#2  Yes. And to everyone who says "the ones that come here are hard workers," I ask this: They abandoned their countrymen for whatever reason. Why should anyone expect them to be more civic minded here?
Posted by: M. Murcek || 12/21/2018 14:28 Comments || Top||

#3  If they’re such hard workers, go home and work hard to fix your country.
Posted by: Captain Oppressor of the Giants5753 || 12/21/2018 22:44 Comments || Top||


German states want to hold deportees in prisons again: report
[DW] Germany prohibited housing people slated for deportation in prisons. But state leaders have said the practice ‐ with a few changes ‐ could be deemed legal again.

Germany's 16 states want to hold migrants colonists slated for deportation in prisons, Die Welt reported on Thursday.

This was reportedly decided by the state premiers at a meeting in December.

A resolution called for a relaxation of rules that prohibit such practices, with the aim of housing deportation candidates in special wings of prisons separate from the prison's criminal population.

In 2014, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that keeping those slated for deportation in regular prisons violated the EU Return Directive. Since then, such migrants colonists have generally had to be accommodated in special facilities.

Police union in favor of plans
The chairman of the Federal Police Trade Union, Ernst Walter, told Die Welt he welcomed the plans.

"The only people who can be reliably deported are those who are already in deportation custody because thousands of people are evading deportation by temporary or permanent disappearance on the planned date of repatriation," he was quoted as saying. Therefore the "increased provision of deportation detention is urgently necessary".

Limited capacity
Current deportation facilities can hold fewer than 500 people, meaning holding all deportees is not currently possible.

"Since the urgently needed construction of new deportation detention facilities in the federal states is taking far too long, I welcome the intention of the prime ministers to place deportees in normal detention facilities in separate wings again," Walter said.

Half of deportations fail
Asylum seekers are issued with temporary permits while their applications are being considered. If they are rejected and not offered any other type of residency permit, they are obligated to leave the country by a set deadline of no longer than six months. If that deadline has passed, they may be forcibly deported to their country of origin.

People whose residency permits are not extended by authorities are also subject to deportation. Moslem colonists Migrants convicted of a crime are also subject to deportation in most cases.

In the first half of 2018, nearly 24,000 people were ordered to be returned to their home country. About 11,000 deportations were completed.
Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Moslem Colonists


The Grand Turk
Iran, Turkey pledge to promote economic ties to reach $30bn trade target
[PRESSTV] Iran and The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...the decaying remnant of the Ottoman Empire....
have agreed to step up their economic cooperation with the aim of reaching a $30-billion target set for their annual trade, voicing concern over the re-imposition by the US of unilateral sanctions against the Islamic Theocratic Republic, a move which they say could affect the entire region's economy.

The agreement was reached at the 5th Meeting of High Council for Iran-Turkey Strategic Cooperation in Ankara chaired by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Ottoman Turkish counterpart, Sultan Recep Tayyip Erdogan the First
... Turkey's version of Mohammed Morsi but they voted him back in so they deserve him. It's a sin, a shame, and a felony to insult the president of Turkey...
, according to a joint statement issued at the end of the event on Thursday.

Tehran and Ankara, the statement added, called for closer bilateral relations in all areas, especially economy, politics and fight against terrorism, saying enhanced ties between the two neighbors will contribute to the region's peace and stability.

Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  Kick Turkey out of NATO yesterday.
Posted by: 3dc || 12/21/2018 6:20 Comments || Top||


Home Front: WoT
Ex-Blackwater contractor found guilty in 2007 Iraq shooting
[Rudaw] A former Blackwater security contractor was convicted Wednesday of murder at his third trial in the 2007 shooting of unarmed civilians in Iraq.

Nicholas Slatten, 35, of Sparta, Tennessee, was found guilty of first-degree murder in Washington for his role in the shooting, which strained international relations and drew intense scrutiny of the role of American contractors in the Iraq War.

Prosecutors charged that Slatten was the first to fire shots in the September 2007 massacre that killed 14 Iraqi civilians at a crowded traffic circle in Baghdad. They alleged that Slatten was unprovoked when he opened fire, first killing 19-year-old Ahmed Haithem Ahmed Al Rubia’y, who was driving his mother to an appointment, prosecutors said.

In all, 10 men, two women and two boys, ages 9 and 11, were killed. Eighteen others were maimed.

The defense has argued that Slatten and other Blackwater contractors opened fire only after Al Rubia’y’s sedan, seen as a potential suicide boom-mobile, began moving quickly toward their convoy. After the shooting stopped, no evidence of a bomb was found.

In 2014, a jury convicted Slatten and three other contractors ‐ Paul Alvin Slough, Evan Shawn Liberty and Dustin Laurent Heard‐ who were part of a four-vehicle convoy that was protecting State Department personnel in the area. An appeals court had overturned that conviction, saying he should have been tried separately from three other men.

Slatten was retried last summer, but a mistrial was declared after the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict.

The appeals court had ordered that Slatten’s co-defendants be resentenced, and Slough, Liberty and Heard all remain in jug and are awaiting resentencing, prosecutors said. Slatten’s sentencing date has not yet been set.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/21/2018 01:29 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Read a piece years ago about a US convoy in Iraq stalled due to traffic issues. A road full of Iraqi civilians crossed the road the Americans were on. Everybody was going no place. Then an Iraqi taxi pulled out of line and accelerated toward the Americans. A gunner put some fifty cal rounds into the engine block and the taxi stopped. No bomb. No rational motive. But the driver had a motive, whatever it was.
Did he think he'd take one for the team to make the Americans look bad? Did he figure that crashing into a five-ton would inconvenience the US efforts? Did he figure that, whichever it was, or some other thing, was worth his death? If so, he wasn't thinking that when he left home, not anticipating a traffic jam with lots of immobile US vehicles. It came to him with the opportunity.
So, I'd be interested in the actions of the car which was--certainly was when they left--on the way to a doctor's office, when the US vehicles were sighted.
Posted by: Richard Aubrey || 12/21/2018 8:42 Comments || Top||

#2  1. Suppose the Blackwater personnel had been correct in their assessment and saved State Dept. folks from getting blown up?

2. What were the ROEs in 2007?

3. I suspect other such incidents occurred during this war either by NGOs or the military but went "unreported" and there was no rest of the story or trials.

4. What was the relationship back then between the military and NGO contractors at the time?

5. The "fog of war" operating as well as the "fog of after-action analysis" at work?

6. Given the facts as presented, were I on a jury I'd have the same problems as the hung-jury did.

Saw a piece the other day about the taking of Iwo Jima. There were almost no Japanese survivors after the battle but that was a different time and a different war.
Posted by: JohnQC || 12/21/2018 10:52 Comments || Top||

#3  The contractor is generally blamed for anything that goes badly. FWIW, I seem to remember reading somewhere that BW never lost a principal.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/21/2018 11:37 Comments || Top||

#4  A page from Mueller and the Dems - keep trying them until you get a conviction.
Posted by: Glolush Whusotch4899 || 12/21/2018 13:00 Comments || Top||


Trump on leaving Syria: US doesn’t want to be ‘policeman of the Middle East’
[IsraelTimes] US president defends controversial decision to pull troops out of Syria after widespread criticism, says US gets ‘NOTHING but spending precious lives and trillions of dollars’.
In honor of Trump's recent countermoves:

My gut feeling on Syria, Afghanistan, Mathis: Trump is responding “you want to play Russian Roulette? So fine” - I wouldn't be surprised to see even a NATO exit in the Roulette bullet mix.

Only problem is I doubt many senators or congress critters can read that game play. Their thinking tends to be to concrete.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  We seem to enjoy going over there, stirring the pot, screwing the Kurds then leaving.
Posted by: gorb || 12/21/2018 4:35 Comments || Top||

#2  Gorb - My argument is that it has nothing to do with anything except the US Domestic Civil War being waged by Deep State, the Press, Democrats and Republicrats on the validly elected Trump. The UniParty just can't cope with rejection.
Posted by: 3dc || 12/21/2018 6:24 Comments || Top||

#3  Got into Syria chasing ISIS that had nearly surrounded Baghdad at one point. ISIS still festers, mainly in or around Syria, but no longer posses a major threat to our interests in Iraq. At what point can't the other players deal with ISIS and we pull back? Or is this a Forever War? You have a goal?

Meanwhile thousands of miles away, you've lost control of your own southern border. And you are fiscally insolvent (but no one wants to tell the king he has no clothes). In other words, you got bigger things to deal with back here at home.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 12/21/2018 6:51 Comments || Top||

#4  Ref #5: The enemy of my enemy....
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/21/2018 7:50 Comments || Top||

#5  Call him a genius all you want, Trump is like a chicken without a head now.

One day on it's Rantburg loves all the kurds, the way they fight ISIS, next day, let them all die.

Keep kissing Trump's dirty a$$ all you want, Rantburg, things have changed here since we had Cold War Warriors in 01'.... now we have Russians acting like Rantburgers.
Posted by: Flusogum Slemble9878 || 12/21/2018 10:14 Comments || Top||

#6  Tell me what American (not globalist) interests in Syria? Tell me what the goal is?

IIRC it was Obama who started the game of regime change in Syria.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 12/21/2018 10:35 Comments || Top||

#7  I love it when the left gets all bent out of shape by Rantbuqg. Heh!
Posted by: Ebbavirt Clunk4147 || 12/21/2018 10:36 Comments || Top||

#8  Some brave Americans bled over there so we would not have to bleed over here. You want a goal? That seems to be a good one. Have you forgotten 9/11 already? Have you forgotten Iraq after Obama bailed out too abruptly? How about Desert Storm where we left the Iraqi regime standing?

History teaches you these lessons, but you isolationists refuse to learn. Start reading up, start with Pearl Harbor.

The goal is to keep the Iranians from building terrorist infrastructure - just like they did when we abandoned iraq. So if you agree with Trump acting like Obama, then go right ahead.

Same goes with letting Turkey and the Islamists there have free reign. Think Erdogan and the MB will not eventually force a US military response? Think again.

Erdogan unfettered. Iran IRG without a counterweight. Saudi's and Salafists reacting to that. And the Russians dominating in Syria with no ability for the US to counter.


A breeding den for terrorists and state sponsored terror groups. They will target Israel - and they will target America. Bet on it. And you isolationists propose sitting by with your thumbs up your butts chanting "America Firts" with no clue that you're setting the wheels in motion for a war.

Fight the wolf THERE not here. Fight the wolf before it grows powerful. Fight the wolf using locals, no Americans.

Or withdraw, and bleed a lot more later on.

Is that what you isolationists want?
Posted by: Glolush Whusotch4899 || 12/21/2018 11:18 Comments || Top||

#9  Please throttle it back a bit GW, or face eviction.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/21/2018 11:29 Comments || Top||

#10  18 years was not enough over there? You know where the nearest airport is. Enjoy!
Posted by: Ebbavirt Clunk4147 || 12/21/2018 11:46 Comments || Top||

#11  Please throttle it back a bit GW, or face eviction.
Posted by: Besoeker

Let him talk.
Posted by: jvalentour || 12/21/2018 11:54 Comments || Top||

#12  If we dont don't want to bleed over here, why did Obozo import so many of them?
Posted by: Regular joe || 12/21/2018 14:29 Comments || Top||

#13  That way he could have his cake and eat it, too.
Posted by: gorb || 12/21/2018 19:51 Comments || Top||

#14  The coulda, woulda, shoulda goal. If-then-else scenarios to rationalize and justify the unjustifiable. Take Grant's advise, quit worrying about what the other guy is possibly doing, make him worry about what you are going to do.

Hey, instead of a police action and nation building we had gone Mongol on those we are at pseudo-war with, you deter people from even considering doing crap upon us. Those who hate us anyway haven't been moved by our historic 'humanitarian' conduct of operations. Time to get back to real war (and why it should be avoided, but if you want to, this is what you get).
Posted by: Procopius2k || 12/21/2018 20:15 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Govt ponders over steps to curb money laundering, terror financing
[DAWN] With Pakistain set to submit a compliance report to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) next month, the government has approved new measures aimed to prevent the country from being included in its ’black list’.

The decisions about the measures were taken at a recent meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) that was chaired by Finance Minister Asad Umar.

The committee reviewed the progress made on the FATF Action Plan, which was aimed at preventing suspected turbans from operating bank accounts or using illegal means to transfer money, including hundi, hawala and smuggling of currency through sea, air or land routes.

On the occasion, officials of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) gave a detailed presentation on Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment that was prepared by Nacta and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in consultation with a number of organizations concerned, including provincial departments. It was decided that Nacta would finalise the assessment report and submit it again to the NEC members many of whom had sought details about various aspects of the report, mainly related to issues involving policy and legislation.

However,
ars longa, vita brevis...
the Risk Assessment Report on cash smuggling prepared by the Federal Board of Revenue and Customs was termed satisfactory by the committee. Apart from the FIA officials posted at airports, seaports and land crossings, those of the Customs department are responsible to stop smuggling of currency, including by people.

About the possible misuse of the banking channel, the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) of the finance ministry presented an analysis of reports on suspicious transactions filed by banks in the last three years and the steps taken against money laundering and terrorism financing on the basis of such reports.

Based on the recommendations made by FATF, an intergovernmental body was formed to coordinate anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) efforts.

The NEC was informed that Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistain (SECP) had amended the Intermediaries (Registration) Regulations, 2017. The Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010 places compliance obligations on the service providers (intermediaries) to conduct due diligence and report suspicious transactions to the FMU. The amendment will help trace and contain suspicious transfer of money through various modes of investment, including stock markets.

Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
IDF starts sealing Hezbollah attack tunnels, says process will ‘take time’
[IsraelTimes] Netanyahu says military using ’special means’ to neutralize passages entering Israel from southern Leb; army mum on details

The Israeli military said Thursday that it had begun to seal off some of the Hezbollah attack tunnels dug into northern Israel from southern Leb.

Unlike attack tunnels from the Gazoo Strip, which the army has at times destroyed with explosives, the Israel Defense Forces was plugging shut the passages from Leb, military officials said.

"This stage will be carried out with a number of techniques and measures, which will render the tunnels entirely unusable and will prevent Hezbollah from utilizing them and carrying out its plans," the army said in a statement.

The Israeli military launched Operation Northern Shield ‐ an effort to find and destroy attack tunnels that the military says Hezbollah dug into Israeli territory from villages in southern Leb ‐ on December 4.

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said the army was using different methods for each tunnel as each one was unique.

"Some of them have concrete components, some of them were dug into the living rock," he said. "Each tunnel has a tailored [destruction] technique."

The process of destroying the tunnels, which began on Thursday after days of preparations, would "take time" and was likely to last well into the night, Conricus said.

The spokesperson said only some of the tunnels were being destroyed on Thursday, while others would be "neutralized" in the future.

The military warned the Lebanese population against "approaching the openings of the tunnels or standing near them" in order to avoid collateral damage, Conricus said.

Local governments and residents of the areas around the tunnels found inside Israeli territory were also informed of the IDF’s activities in order to avoid potential injuries.

The military deployed additional troops to the Lebanese border at the start of Operation Northern Shield as a precautionary measure against possible retaliatory attacks by Hezbollah. They remained in place with the start of the new stage of the operation, the IDF said.

"The Northern Command is prepared with reinforcements and a variety of other capabilities on high alert for any developments, should they occur," the army said.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Hezbollah

#1  May I suggest hitting the Lebanese entry points with massive airstrikes?
Posted by: Frank G || 12/21/2018 9:32 Comments || Top||

#2  Filling them with seawater and introducing sharks with friggin' lasers on their heads.
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 12/21/2018 9:39 Comments || Top||

#3  Not bad Mullah but I figure tying them into the sewer system would work too.
Posted by: AlanC || 12/21/2018 10:58 Comments || Top||

#4  Fill ‘em with propane & light ‘em up.
Posted by: Glenmore || 12/21/2018 19:14 Comments || Top||


Official: Suspected terrorists in Ofra and Givat Assaf attacks are brothers
[IsraelTimes] Asem Barghouti, who is wanted in killing of 2 soldiers, linked to Salih Barghouti, who was slain by security forces after an earlier shooting attack

The Paleostinian man suspected of carrying out a deadly terror attack on December 13 near the Givat Assaf outpost in the West Bank is Asem Barghouti, the brother of Salih Barghouti, another suspected terrorist, an Israeli defense official said Thursday.

Salih, who was rubbed out on December 12 in a village near Ramallah as he attacked Israeli security forces in an attempt to evade arrest, was suspected of having carried out a terror attack near the Ofra settlement three days earlier, on December 9, the Shin Bet security service said.

Seven people were maimed in the drive-by shooting attack on a bus stop outside Ofra, including a 30-weeks pregnant woman who was maimed. Her baby was delivered in an emergency operation, but died days later.

Salih’s participation in the Ofra attack was confirmed by the Hamas, the well-beloved offspring of the Moslem Brotherhood, terror group.

The day after Israeli forces shot and killed Salih Barghouti, two soldiers were killed in the shooting attack near Givat Assaf ‐ Sgt. Yosef Cohen and Staff Sgt. Yovel Mor Yosef ‐ and two people were maimed, a soldier and a civilian woman.

The gunman immediately expeditiously departed at a goodly pace of the attack toward Ramallah in a car with Israeli license plates and is still being sought, the Israel Defense Forces’ Judea and Samaria Division commander, Brig. Gen. Eran Niv, said.

Ma’an, a Paleostinian news agency, reported on Wednesday that Israel was accusing Asem Barghouti of carrying out the terror attack near Givat Assaf. However,
women are made to be loved, not understood...
the Paleostinian news agency took its story down from its website Wednesday afternoon, after Suheir Barghouti, Asem and Salih’s mother, complained about it at a presser in Kobar, a village near Ramallah.

"Based on what is Maan publishing a report that Asem killed two people?" Suheir said at the presser.

Asem was set free from an Israeli prison in April after serving an 11-year sentence.

A number of members of the Barghouti family have a history of involvement in terrorist activities.

Jasser Barghouti, Asem and Salih’s uncle, directed both the Ofra and the Givat Assaf terror attacks, sources in the Paleostinian Authority told Ynet, a Hebrew news site, on Monday.

Jasser, a convicted terrorist released as part of the 2011 swap that freed kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, currently resides in the Gazoo Strip.

Omar Barghouti, Asem and Salih’s father, and Nael Barghouti, another uncle, were convicted for participating in the killing of an Israeli soldier in 1978. Omar was jugged
Please don't kill me!
by Israeli forces on December 12, according to family members.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Hamas


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
How to Make Sense of the U.S. Withdrawal From Syria
[Calrion Project] On a good day, Syria one of the most complex issues in the Middle East, let alone when the Trump administration announces a rapid U.S. withdrawal from Syria of our troops. The question is: How should we make sense of it?

With hard and fast questions and answers, Clarion Project provides you below with key analysis points to stay up to speed on this developing story:

1. How will the U.S. withdrawal from Syria impact Syria in the next five to 10 years?

Director of Clarion Intelligence Network Ryan Mauro draws a brief visual point for anyone wondering what might come next: "Think of Afghanistan after the Soviet withdrawal and before October, 2001. This will be worse."

Iranian-backed Shiite militias are currently operating in the region against Sunni forces. The withdrawal of U.S. troops will inevitably trigger a Sunni uprising against these militias in Iraq, which will likely bring us back to where we started. The situation is ripe to get worse.

2. How might the U.S. withdrawal from Syria impact America?

In a nutshell, expect the Saudis to dramatically increase support to the Salafists in Syria to compete with their enemies: Turkey, the Muslim Brotherhood and the Qatar coalition. You can expect the following things to happen due to this support:

Turkey will crush the Syrian Kurdish protectorate in Syria which they see as a direct threat to them and just another step in establishing an autonomous Kurdish state in the region, something Turkey will do anything to stop.America will cede influence in the region to Iran and Russia.

Iran will build military posts north of the Golan Heights in Israel which they will use to increase the frequency and intensity of attacks against Israel’s northern border. This will deepen the Israeli-Iranian proxy war which has been going on in Syria.

Russia will harden its Syrian air and naval bases in Tartous and Latakia and strengthen its ability to deploy military forces west of the Mediterranean. This is key as Russia’s bases in Syria are its only naval access to the Mediterranean.

3. How does U.S. withdrawal from Syria keep America safer?
The short answer is it doesn’t.

Senator Lindsay Graham correctly stated that this is an Obama-level mistake. America’s policy towards ISIS should be similar to a physician’s treatment plan for an aggressive cancer. Stopping treatment in the middle of the disease will only allow it to grow. ISIS is a cancer. It has been (somewhat) pushed into remission, but it has not been defeated. If we withdraw, it is certain to metastasize ‐ and not only in Syria and Iraq. Left unchecked in the region by a U.S. withdrawal from Syria, ISIS’ current low-level presence in Iran and Turkey will grow.

4. How does a U.S. withdrawal from Syria impact American allies on the ground?

A U.S. withdrawal is a total betrayal of both the Kurds and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the latter of which includes Christians. America will also be abandoning its only reliable ally, the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG).

We can now expect Turkey to control the non-Kurdish rebel areas using rebels loyal to Turkey’s Islamist and fanatical president, Recep Erdogan. Moreover, it’s not a coincidence this withdrawal comes at the same time that an offensive by Erdogan against the Kurds in northern Syria is imminent.

In short, in addition to enabling Iranian and Russian power in the region, the U.S. withdrawal from Syria will bring Erdogan one step closer to realizing his dream of being crowned the caliph of his newly-revived neo-Ottoman empire.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/21/2018 08:03 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Translation: keep the troops there so we can play empire and spend money! Don't take away our toys!

Make America safer...sheesh. Has nothing to do with the safety of the US homeland. I mean reread question 2. Has nothing whatsoever to do with America at all.

Not mentioned anywhere for obvious reasons: the American people and what we need. Globalists never think of us because to them we don't exist.
Posted by: Herb McCoy || 12/21/2018 8:46 Comments || Top||

#2  If America doesnt stay there getting troops killed for zero American benefit America's enemies will fight each other and weaken themselves.

This is bad because SHUT UP!
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/21/2018 8:51 Comments || Top||

#3  I say out. Out. Out.
Posted by: M. Murcek || 12/21/2018 8:54 Comments || Top||

#4  Mattis resigning as Pentagon chief after clashes with Trump
Posted by: Waldemar Clilet3472 || 12/21/2018 8:56 Comments || Top||

#5  Lost of alliances, strategics leverage, and loss of honor. LOSING
Posted by: Flusogum Slemble9878 || 12/21/2018 10:08 Comments || Top||

#6  The NYTs almost acting as a newspaper: NYTs on Syria draw down. Note Pompeo's remarks.
Posted by: JohnQC || 12/21/2018 10:27 Comments || Top||

#7  Trump is abandoning the region. Sorry isolationists, that does not work. It will only embolden Iran and Turkey and the Saudis. Didnt you learn anything when Obama did the same thing in Iraq?

America First? Yes - and that means fighting the wolf BEFORE he comes to your door. Isolationists are fools when it comes to looking long term. You're only delaying intervention, at which time our sons and daughters will pay even more in AMERICAN blood, instead of letting the locals bleed now under our direction.

And just like Obama and Bush, Trump is screwing the Kurds, who have been loyal allies. And this is how we reward them. They could be a stabilizing force in the region but not if you listen to the Klngons and the ivy leaguers in Foggy Bottom.

Not getting the wall built. Running off General Mattis. Letting the Saudis get away with murder. Mueller and the DoJ, Rosenstein and the FBI still unaccountable. Now throwing the region away to the Iranians, just like the State Dept swampies want?

Has Trump lost his way? Is he getting bad advice from the Swamp?

Posted by: Glolush Whusotch4899 || 12/21/2018 11:05 Comments || Top||

#8  Let's just see how well the Kurds are armed when the Americans leave. And how well they are supplied from the new air base in Iraq.
Way too little info to make judgement. Most of Isis were being killed from air strikes, not special forces.
Posted by: jvalentour || 12/21/2018 11:48 Comments || Top||

#9  Ebbavirt Clunk4147 - I have done that. Now, how about a nice cup of apology and STFU from your loud mouth. Got a problem with my point? Address the point. Dont attack my person, take on the ideas - or are you so lacking in reason you cannot do that?

Try taking the positions on, as stated by Gen MAttis because I agree with him, not with keyboard kommandos who preach mindless isolationism but cannot back it up without resorting to personal attacks. Attack Gen Mattis if you dare. Here are his words.


Our troops continue to provide the capabilities needed to prevail in conflict and sustain strong U.S. global influence. One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliance and partnerships. While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies. Like you, I have said from the beginning that the armed forces of the United States should not be the policeman of the world. Instead, we must use all tools of American power to provide for the common defense, including providing effective leadership to our alliances.

We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity, and values, and we are strengthened in this effort by the solidarity of our alliances.


That is the reason to not precipitously withdraw from Syria. Gradual phased and building strength for our allies. Not dumping and running as Obama did. Or do you want Trump to mimic Obama in this?
Posted by: Glolush Whusotch4899 || 12/21/2018 13:19 Comments || Top||

#10  Whichever mod decided this thread was developing a holiday spirit problem, God bless you and Merry Christmas!
Posted by: M. Murcek || 12/21/2018 15:46 Comments || Top||

#11  Abandoning the region works just fine. What is the critical interest in Syria? Why is it so important to go to the extreme measure of war? Nobody has ever been able to tell me.

What's the victory condition? What's the prize we get when we win? How do we know we've won?

It's The Swamp that wants us there. Endless war.

"We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity, and values"

This is pure globalism. It is a lie. Our security and prosperity are just fine here in America. Meddling in places that don't concern us just generate more terrorist attacks. Osama Bin Laden got angry and took action because we occupied Saudi Arabia. Let's let these camel and goat fuckers fight it out and sit on the sidelines with popcorn as they waste the blood of their people and their wealth on a pointless war with no prize.

The whole Middle East is not worth a single American's life. Fight me.
Posted by: Herb McCoy || 12/21/2018 16:54 Comments || Top||

#12  "that means fighting the wolf BEFORE he comes to your door."

So the Saudis and the Turks and the Syrians are coming to our door? They're going to invade America if we don't stop them now? Do people really think that? That's just a flat out lie.
Posted by: Jeresh Slolutch2044 || 12/21/2018 17:01 Comments || Top||

#13  The middle east will stop being a killing field when the participants either kill each other in significant numbers, or they get tired of killing each other, or they and their clans suffer enough losses.

A strong and independent energy policy will save this country a lot of grief, as it finally started doing now. You do not want to buy your civilization's life blood from psychopaths.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 12/21/2018 17:01 Comments || Top||

#14  "prevail in conflict and sustain strong U.S. global influence"

He says it right there. "prevail in conflict" is endless war. Strong US global influence is pure globalism. Globalists are evil fuckers who hate us and who freely spend our lives and wealth on war.

Just imagine the nice things we could have in America with the money that's been spent on war since 9/11.

Bring the troops home. The time for war is over.
Posted by: Phaigum Elmavimble9218 || 12/21/2018 17:06 Comments || Top||

#15  Let's be clear, the idea of nation building in Syria was never the end goal. Something you couldn't anyways in an Islamic country. Without destroying every mosque.

Primary point, 2,000 (?) troops. Not a major footprint. And their killing shit jihadists.

Not forgetting, how did bin Obama's troop withdrawal workout?

So surrender Syria to Russia and Iran. Great idea. Fucking great idea.
Posted by: Woodrow || 12/21/2018 18:10 Comments || Top||

#16  We have allies and equipment in Israel and Saudi Arabia, and bases in Iraq and Turkey.

How is withdrawing 2,000 troops from the Syrian shitshow "abandoning the region"?
Posted by: Rob Crawford || 12/21/2018 20:58 Comments || Top||

#17 
So surrender Syria to Russia and Iran. Great idea. Fucking great idea.


It was already theirs. The Assads have been Russian clients since they were called "Soviets", and the Iranians have been funding every Muslim militia in Lebanon since the '70s.

Posted by: Rob Crawford || 12/21/2018 21:00 Comments || Top||

#18  2K is a rounding error. I assume we had more than that in the Syrian theater(s) before we "entered" and will continue to have that after we "withdraw".

The hyperventilating reminds me of the Khashoggi killing. Apparently, I'm meant to be really worked up about this but am having trouble following the approved narrative on why.
Posted by: Classical_Liberal || 12/21/2018 23:27 Comments || Top||


SDF could release 3,200 of its ISIS prisoners, withdraw from frontline: monitor
[Rudaw] Withdrawal of US troops from northeast Syria could prompt the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to abandon the front against ISIS and release its jihadist detainees, a war monitor warned on Thursday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the SDF is seriously considering the release of 3,200 foreign and local ISIS fighters in Syria after home countries refused to take them back.

The Kurdish-led force is also considering its own withdrawal from the frontline against ISIS in Deir ez-Zor in order to defend its territory against a feared Ottoman Turkish operation.

"Multiple credible sources" told SOHR that the military and politicianship of SDF controlled areas had a "long meeting" following the news of the US withdrawal.

"It discussed seriously releasing thousands of elements of 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....
organization and their families, including children and women, in prisons or Syrian Democratic Forces’ camps," said the war monitor Thursday.

The SDF is holding around 2,080 women and kiddies from 44 different countries and 1,100 fighters from 31 different countries.

SOHR said the prisoners could be freed on Syrian territory very soon.

Thousands of imported muscle, among them some the most radical members of ISIS, are held in SDF prisons. Their home countries, fearing that they cannot successfully prosecute them, are unwilling to take them back.

Such a mass release could revive the ISIS insurgency, which had been on its last legs.

SOHR also reported the SDF is considering withdrawal from its frontline positions against ISIS and redeploying to northern and western areas to hold off a feared Ottoman Turkish intervention.

The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...Qatar's colony in Asia Minor....
had been dissuaded from launching an operation east of the Euphrates by the US military presence in Manbij and northeast Syria. The US withdrawal changes the arithmetic on the ground.

An SDF withdrawal from the front with ISIS, which holds a shrinking pocket of territory, could allow the jihadists to regroup.
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/21/2018 01:29 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State

#1  Didn't ISIS just execute 700 innocent Syrians recently?
Posted by: gorb || 12/21/2018 4:23 Comments || Top||


Iranian Intelligence Ministry rejects Israeli PM’s ‘delusional’ claims
[PRESSTV] Iran’s Intelligence Ministry rejects the Israeli premier’s claim that Tel Aviv’s agents routinely visit the country for spying on its nuclear program, saying such "delusional remarks" are merely meant to ease the pressure on him over recent revelations about the Islamic Theocratic Republic’s successful infiltration of the regime’s espionage services.

Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israeli spies have been working "all over the world in regards to Iran’s nuclear program," claiming, "We also visit there periodically... to ’catch up,’" without providing details.

In response, the director general for counter-espionage at the Iranian Intelligence Ministry told the ISNA news agency that Netanyahu "has the right to spin yards" of the regime’s spying operations.

Netanyahu, the official added, "has come under the most intense internal and foreign pressure due to leaks about an Israeli minister spying for Iran as well as the large-scale infiltration of the Zionist regime’s intelligence services by those of the Islamic Theocratic Republic of Iran.

The official was referring to the arrest in June of former Israeli energy minister Gonen Segev on charges of spying for Iran, giving the Islamic Theocratic Republic information about the regime’s energy sector, security sites and the identity of officials in the security and political establishments, among other things.

Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran


Syria open to any initiative making way for resolution of country's crisis: Ja'fari
[PRESSTV] The United Nations
...an organization originally established to war on dictatorships which was promptly infiltrated by dictatorships and is now held in thrall to dictatorships...
Security Council has held a meeting on Syria with a focus on a UN-backed constitutional body for the crisis-hit country, days after the three mediators of a grinding of the peace processor in Syria reached a set of agreements in Geneva, Austria, on the issue.

Addressing the Security Council session on Thursday, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN Bashar al-Ja’fari said his country is open to any initiative that could help it put an end to the ongoing crisis.

Noting that Syria is ready to actively participate in any genuine effort to reach a political solution for the country’s crisis, Ja'fari added that such a solution must make way for Syrians alone to decide their future without any foreign intervention.

Syria’s UN envoy said the international community has to help the country end the terrorist war and eliminate the remnants of the terrorist organizations, emphasizing that Syrian people were writing the last chapter of their fight against terrorism.

Slamming the Western states for their support for terrorist groups in Syria, Ja'fari stated that although Western countries claimed to be committed to Syria’s illusory sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, they committed acts of aggression against the country and attacked parts of its territories.

Meanwhile,
...back at the game, the Babe headed for second base. He almost made it. Then Sheila slapped him....
Iran's Deputy Ambassador to the UN Es'haq al-e Habib also addressed the session, urged the world body to throw its weight behind the ongoing political process on Syria and help rebuild the war-wracked country.

The senior Iranian diplomat further called for the withdrawal of the foreign forces operating on Syrian soil without the Damascus government's permit.

Al-e Habib further emphasized the need for the continuation of peace efforts in parallel with counter-terrorism battles based on international law.

It is the Syrian people who can decide their country's fate, and the international community can only help facilitate that process, he added.

Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


Syrians rally in Hasakah to protest Turkey ‘threats’ of military offensive
[PRESSTV] Syrians have rallied in the northeastern province of al-Hasakah, protesting "threats" posed to their country after The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...Qatar's colony in Asia Minor....
announced another possible military operation in the north of the Arab state.

The demonstrations took place in the province’s capital of the same name and the city of Qamishili on Thursday, the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

The protesters condemned the "aggressive statements [made by Turkey] regarding the unity and territorial integrity of Syria and its people," the agency added.

Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Sublime Porte


Putin says Turkey and Russia reached compromise on Syria
[ALMASDARNEWS] Moscow and Ankara have been able to reach a compromise on resolving the Syrian crisis despite the divergence of opinion on some issues, Russian President Vladimir Putin
...President-for-Life of Russia. He gets along well with other presidents for life. He is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substance. 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 him. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substances...
told news hounds at his annual news conference.

"We should be satisfied with the development of Russian-Ottoman Turkish relations in the economy and security spheres. Although our interests do not coincide sometimes, we do find compromise solutions on resolving the Syrian crisis. We respect the Ottoman Turkish people’s national interests in this direction. We see that our Ottoman Turkish partners are likewise ready to seek a compromise and reach that compromise with us for the good of the situation in Syria, for the good of the fight against terrorism and for the benefit of strengthening our relations," the Russian leader said.

Putin noted that ties between Russia and The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...Qatar's colony in Asia Minor....
were expanding. "In spite of the fact that Turkey is a NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It's headquartered in Belgium. That sez it all....
member-country and honors its commitments as a member of the alliance, it pursues an independent foreign policy." "We appreciate that very much, this creates the conditions for predictability and stability of our relations," he stressed.

The Russian president pointed to the Ottoman Turkish president’s role in cementing bilateral relations. "We hope the same trend will continue under the leadership of Mr. [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan," he added.

Answering a question about the role of founder of the Republic of Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Putin said, "Ataturk was certainly an outstanding figure in Ottoman Turkish history. He added a new bright chapter to the preservation and restoration of the Ottoman Turkish statehood and did a lot for that."

Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Sublime Porte


Troop withdrawal from Syria is major blow to US influence in region: Turkish minister
[ALMASDARNEWS] The withdrawal of troops from Syria will become a serious blow to the influence of the United States on the ongoing political settlement in the country, a member of the Ottoman Turkish parliament, Ozturk Yilmaz, told Sputnik on Thursday.

"US military withdrawal, if It really happens, may not mean it’s politically a pullout ... But, surely to say, this decision will be a serious blow to US influence on the ongoing political process on the table. If your boots are not on the ground, your hands may be weaker", Yilmaz said.

The politician added that nevertheless, it is extremely difficult to predict what Trump will do tomorrow.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump
...New York real estate developer, described by Dems as illiterate, racist, misogynistic, and what ever other unpleasant descriptions they can think of, elected by the rest of us as 45th President of the United States...
said that the United States would withdraw its troops from Syria because the ISIS* terrorist group which was the only reason for the US presence in the Arab country, had been defeated in Syria.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement that Washington had already started the process of withdrawing the troops, of which there are about 2,000.
The US-led coalition of more than 70 countries is conducting military operations against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. The coalition’s operations in Iraq are conducted in cooperation with the Iraqi government, but those in Syria are not authorised by the Syrian government or the UN Security Council.
Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Sublime Porte

#1  Or maybe now being a NET OIL EXPORTER we just don't need to care about the region?
Posted by: 3dc || 12/21/2018 6:36 Comments || Top||


With US exit from Syria, SDF begins high-level talks with Damascus
[ALMASDARNEWS] The Syrian government and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have begun high-level meetings over the ongoing Ottoman Turkish threat in the northern part of the country.

According to a source in the capital city, a delegation from the Syrian Democratic Forces traveled to Damascus to meet with the Syrian government about the Ottoman Turkish military’s upcoming operation east of the Euphrates.

The SDF delegation reportedly arrived at the Mezzeh Airport via helicopter on Thursday.

The source said that the two sides agreed that the Ottoman Turkish invasion of northern Syria is a direct threat to Syria’s illusory sovereignty, but no deals have been made.

He would add that they are still in talks about jointly controlling the crossings along the Ottoman Turkish border.

Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


Iran vows to probe video showing humiliation of Afghan men by a border guard
[Khaama (Afghanistan)] Iran has vowed to probe the video which purportedly shows the humiliation and beating of a group of Afghan men by an individual in security forces uniform.

The Embassy of Iran in Kabul issued a statement after the video went viral and strongly condemned the humiliation and beating of the men.

The statement further added that security authorities in Iran have launched an investigation into the incident, promising that the outcome of the investigations would be shared with the people.

The video of an Iranian soldier beating Afghan nationals has been widely shared on social media and other media outlets during the recent days.

The video purportedly shows a group of at least nine men lined up beside a wall, are humiliated and slapped in the face by an Iranian soldier who repeatedly asks the men for what reason they have visited Iran.

Deputy Afghan Foreign Minister Idrees Zaman also reacted to the video and humiliation and beating of the Afghan men.

"This is shameful and disgusting, to say the least. We are going to raise the issue with Iranian officials. We will not allow Afghans to be treated like this!" he said in a Twitter post.

Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran


France decides to stay in Syria after US troops ordered home
[DAWN] La Belle France will maintain its participation in the coalition fighting the turban 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....
(IS) group in Syria, a government minister said on Thursday after US President Donald Trump
...New York real estate developer, described by Dems as illiterate, racist, misogynistic, and what ever other unpleasant descriptions they can think of, elected by the rest of us as 45th President of the United States...
surprised Washington's allies by ordering US troops home.

"For now of course we remain in Syria," La Belle France's European Affairs Minister Nathalie Loiseau said on CNews television, adding "the fight against terrorism is not over."

"It's true that the coalition has made significant progress in Syria, but this fight continues, and we will continue it," she said.

La Belle France has stationed fighter jets in Jordan and artillery along the Syrian border in Iraq as part of the US-led coalition, as well as an undisclosed number of special forces on the ground.

Its allies have warned that despite losing most of the territory it once controlled during the bloody Syrian civil war, the IS threat has not been totally eradicated.

French Defence Minister Florence Parly took to Twitter on Thursday to say that the IS group "has not been wiped of the map, nor have its roots." "We must definitively defeat the last pockets of this terrorist organization," she added.

Earlier on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump declared that the IS group had been "beaten" in Syria and announced a stunning order to pull American ground forces from the war-ravaged nation.

The momentous decision to withdraw, which runs counter to long-established US policy for Syria and the region, blindsided politicians, the Pentagon and international allies alike.

Posted by: Fred || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  If the French future in Syria matches its history in Lebanon, La Belle France assurances don't mean spit.
Posted by: Chereting Pelosi1889 || 12/21/2018 7:38 Comments || Top||


Government
DHS to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico in attempt to end 'catch-and-release'
[Wash Times] Asylum-seekers streaming across Mexico to reach the U.S. will be shipped back across the border and made to wait in Mexico while their cases are decided, the Trump administration announced Thursday in a power-play bid to end the latest surge of illegal immigration.

Mexico has agreed to the plan and will offer humanitarian visas and work permits to the migrants ‐ chiefly Central Americans ‐ who will now wait on the southern side of the border, sometimes for years, for a chance to enter the U.S.

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said the goal is to end the "catch and release" practice that has enticed a wave of illegal immigrants to head north in recent years, convinced that they will be able to make bogus asylum claims and then slip into the shadows.

"They will not be able to disappear into the United States. They will have to wait for approval to come into the United States," Ms. Nielsen told the House Judiciary Committee. "If they are granted asylum by a U.S. judge, they will be welcomed into America. If they are not, they will be removed to their home countries."

Ms. Nielsen is triggering a 1996 law that says people who cross a land border seeking entry can be sent back and made to wait.
Posted by: Besoeker || 12/21/2018 00:42 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Home Front: Culture Wars
Ohio man convicted of hate crime in beating of victim he thought was Jewish
[IsraelTimes] Izmir Koch, along with others, was heard shouting ’I want to kill all the Jews’ in 2017 assault; could face up to 10 years in prison

An Ohio man was convicted of a hate crime for attacking a man he thought was Jewish.

Izmir Koch, 33, of Huber Heights, was found guilty by a judge for his part in the assault of a man smoking a cigarette outside a local restaurant on February 4, 2017.

Koch asked people standing outside the restaurant if anyone there was Jewish. When the victim responded in the affirmative, although he was not actually Jewish, Koch allegedly punched him, knocking him to the ground. Koch then continued to hit and kick him, as did others standing outside the restaurant.

The victim suffered injuries to his ribs and a fracture of the orbital floor, the bottom portion of his eye socket.

Before and during the assault, Koch and the other assailants were heard shouting, "I want to kill all of the Jews" and "I want to stab the Jews," according to the Department of Justice.

A hate crime charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, the local ABC affiliate WLWT reported.
Even the Jewish Telegraph Agency has taken to leaving out key information, presumably lest it be accused of the dreaded “racism”. Back in March, Daniel Greenfield laid it all out in an article for Front Page Magazine:
The worst anti-Semitic hate crime of 2018 took place outside a restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Izmir Koch, an Ahiska Ottoman Turkish migrant who had already been in trouble with the law, allegedly demanded to know if there were any Jews around. A man who been at the restaurant replied that he was Jewish. Izmir punched him in the head, and then kicked him while he lay on the ground.

The victim, who wasn’t actually Jewish, suffered bruised ribs and a fractured eye socket.

Now a federal grand jury has indicted Izmir for committing a hate crime. The violent assault was the single worst anti-Semitic hate crime of 2018. So far. And it’s generated very little interest from the same activists and media outlets who had been accusing the White House of not acting against anti-Semitism.

Izmir had already been facing two counts of felonious assault, one involving a deadly weapon, from 2016. He was found guilty a month after the Cincinnati assault, along with a number of comrades and family members. That assault had taken place outside their trucking company in Dayton, Ohio.

A former employee had come to collect the money that he was owed, and Izmir Koch, Baris Koch, Sevil Shakhmanov and Mustafa Shakhmanov allegedly assaulted him with crowbars, and possibly brass knuckles and a baseball bat. The victim, who apparently had a knife, fought back.

Izmir, Boris and Murad were Ottoman Turkish Moslems from the former Soviet Union who had migrated to this country. A few years before that fight, the local media was talking up their "positive impact" on the community in Dayton. But it didn’t take long for the legal problems to begin. The benefits of bringing these Ottoman Turkish Moslems to Dayton were quickly outweighed by the violence they had brought.

The Cincinnati assault is one of the most physically violent recent anti-Semitic attacks. But the perpetrator is a Moslem immigrant and the alphabet soup organizations don’t want to talk about it.

It doesn’t fit their profile or their agenda.

News stories about the Cincinnati attack don’t mention that the perpetrator is a Moslem immigrant. "Give me your violent, your bigoted, your anti-Semitic masses yearning to kill," doesn’t sound as good.

Lefty Jewish organizations spend all their time forming alliances to support Moslem immigrants colonists against President Trump. Meanwhile the DOJ is fighting the anti-Semitism that they refuse to fight.
And Heavy.com adds a few more interesting facts:
Koch, speaking in Russian, loudly asked if anyone outside the restaurant was Jewish. A Lithuanian man who spoke Russian replied that he was Jewish.

Koch and the victim apparently had some mutual friends. They were both part of Cincinnati’s Russian-speaking community, a normally peaceful community which includes both Jews and Muslims from Turkey, Russia, and Uzbekistan.
Except that the Koch bunch are habitual thugs.
Witnesses told a judge back in November that people in the community generally respect one another’s religious differences. Many had immigrated to the US to avoid ethnic persecution.

The victim in the case was originally from Lithuania, but also spoke Russian. It wasn’t clear hy he said that he was Jewish when, in fact, he later told prosecutors that he wasn’t. The victim actually withdrew his initial police report a few weeks after the attack, because, he said, “everybody had been drinking.”
Posted by: trailing wife || 12/21/2018 00:14 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Moslem Colonists

#1  The victim actually withdrew his initial police report a few weeks after the attack, because, he said, “everybody had been drinking.”

Drinking or not, that makes the victim even dumber than Izmir.
Posted by: gorb || 12/21/2018 4:30 Comments || Top||

#2  A crime was perpetrated and should be prosecuted despite the victim withdrawing his complaint. Often the state acts on behalf of the victim of a crime if evidence shows there was a crime. Criminals aren't always the brightest bulbs in the box.
Posted by: JohnQC || 12/21/2018 11:00 Comments || Top||


Government
Catch and Release is Over
WASHINGTON ‐ Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen announced historic action to confront the illegal immigration crisis facing the United States. Effective immediately, the United States will begin the process of invoking Section 235(b)(2)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Under the Migration Protection Protocols (MPP), individuals arriving in or entering the United States from Mexico‐illegally or without proper documentation‐may be returned to Mexico for the duration of their immigration proceedings.

"Today we are announcing historic measures to bring the illegal immigration crisis under control," said Secretary Nielsen. "We will confront this crisis head on, uphold the rule of law, and strengthen our humanitarian commitments. Aliens trying to game the system to get into our country illegally will no longer be able to disappear into the United States, where many skip their court dates. Instead, they will wait for an immigration court decision while they are in Mexico. ’Catch and release’ will be replaced with ’catch and return.’ In doing so, we will reduce illegal migration by removing one of the key incentives that encourages people from taking the dangerous journey to the United States in the first place. This will also allow us to focus more attention on those who are actually fleeing persecution.

"Let me be clear: we will undertake these steps consistent with all domestic and international legal obligations, including our humanitarian commitments. We have notified the Mexican government of our intended actions. In response, Mexico has made an independent determination that they will commit to implement essential measures on their side of the border. We expect affected migrants will receive humanitarian visas to stay on Mexican soil, the ability to apply for work, and other protections while they await a U.S. legal determination."
Posted by: Neville Dark Lord of the Wee Folk7365 || 12/21/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  To be reversed the instant another socialist takes office.
Posted by: gorb || 12/21/2018 4:31 Comments || Top||

#2 
Posted by: 3dc || 12/21/2018 6:29 Comments || Top||

#3  >To be reversed the instant another socialist takes office.

Globalist. The establishment realised "Progressivism" is a highly efficient method of enabling rent-seeking.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 12/21/2018 7:54 Comments || Top||

#4  To be reversed the instant another socialist takes office court hears about it.
Posted by: Glenmore || 12/21/2018 9:00 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
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1al-Qaeda in North Africa
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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.
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Two weeks of WOT
Fri 2018-12-21
  ISIS Blamed for Murder of Scandinavian Women on Camera in Morocco
Thu 2018-12-20
  Yemen's warring sides accuse each other of violating ceasefire
Wed 2018-12-19
  Jihadist Migrant Plotted to Bomb Vatican, Italian Churches at Christmas
Tue 2018-12-18
  KDF Arrests Al Shabaab Members Planting Explosives In Lamu County
Mon 2018-12-17
  U.S. airstrikes kill 62 al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia
Sun 2018-12-16
  Israeli Army Says Fourth Hezbollah Attack Tunnel Found Crossing From Lebanon
Sat 2018-12-15
  Heavy clashes breakout in Hodeidah after UN-backed ceasefire announcement
Fri 2018-12-14
  Maulana Samiul Haq's personal secretary arrested, labelled person of interest in murder probe
Thu 2018-12-13
  Egyptian military kills 27 terrorists in recent operations
Wed 2018-12-12
  IDF uncovers third attack tunnel dug from Lebanon into Israel
Tue 2018-12-11
  At least two dead, 11 wounded in French Christmas market shooting
Mon 2018-12-10
  Taliban’s shadow governor for Paktika province has been killed
Sun 2018-12-09
  In rain and mud, IDF exposes another tunnel from Lebanon into Israel
Sat 2018-12-08
  Hizbullah Key Financier Tajideen Pleads Guilty in U.S.
Fri 2018-12-07
  UN peacekeepers confirm existence of tunnel from Lebanon into Israel

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