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Mali's Tuareg rebels ready to sign peace deal
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 2: WoT Background
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5 16:45 Steve White [] 
3 12:03 Dale [] 
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7 19:10 Uncle Phester [] 
7 20:08 Redneck Jim [1] 
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6 13:52 Glenmore [] 
3 11:37 Rambler in Virginia [] 
2 10:53 Pappy [1] 
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Page 4: Opinion
7 23:32 Skidmark []
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4 10:51 junkiron []
12 23:13 Dale [1]
Page 6: Politix
1 19:51 Redneck Jim []
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6 21:19 trailing wife [1]
4 16:46 Bright Pebbles []
Afghanistan
Changing Political System of Afghanistan Will Not Be Accepted: Political Parties
[Tolo News] n an exclusive interview with TOLOnews on Wednesday, a number of political parties raised their voices against the comments made by the first Vice-President of Afghanistan, Marshall Mohammad Qasim Fahim about changing the political system of the country.

The politicians said, "If efforts are made to stay in power under the name of changing the political system of the country, it will not be acceptable to the political parties, coalitions and the people of Afghanistan."

A number of political parties and coalitions warned that any kind of efforts to hold Loya Jirga (traditional gathering) and bringing changes in the Constitution is against the national interest of the country.

It comes in after, the first Vice-President of Afghanistan Marshall Mohammad Qasim Fahim while speaking at the Governors' National Conference on Tuesday about changing the political system of the country, gave clear indication of internal differences within the government and the war for power inside the Presidential Palace.

The National Coalition of Afghanistan warned that any kind of efforts put in by the government to stay in power will be detrimental for the people of Afghanistan and nobody will let them do that.

Fazlur Rahman Orya, Spokesperson of Afghanistan National Coalition said, "These efforts are being made to stay in power under the name of changing the political system of the country. And, if this is implemented, it will not be acceptable to the political parties, coalitions and the people of Afghanistan. The government should not waste its time in this regard."
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Changing Political System of Afghanistan Will Not Be Accepted:

Unless it's OUR change.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 06/15/2013 19:59 Comments || Top||


Afghan Gains Not Yet Sustainable, Says NATO Commander
[An Nahar] The NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A single organization with differing goals, equipment, language, doctrine, and organization....
commander in Afghanistan warned Friday that gains secured in 12 years of fighting could be lost if donor nations cut back support when troops leave next year.

Billions of dollars in military and civilian aid have been promised to Afghanistan after the NATO-led combat mission ends, but many Afghans fear they will be abandoned by the war-weary international community.

U.S. General Joseph Dunford said that further investment was needed to turn the Afghan army and police into a modern fighting force that could protect its people and defend progress made since the Taliban regime was ousted in 2001.

"The gains that we have made to date are not going to be sustainable without continued international commitment," U.S. General Joseph Dunford told a group of foreign correspondents.

"We are not where we need to be yet".
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Afghan Gains Not Yet Sustainable No Longer Sustainable.

FIFY.
Posted by: gorb || 06/15/2013 1:15 Comments || Top||

#2  Afghan gains Not Yet Sustainable Never Sustainable. Unless the Muslims leave.
Posted by: Glenmore || 06/15/2013 8:29 Comments || Top||

#3  Doesn't matter. Obama has declared victory. We are leaving.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia || 06/15/2013 11:37 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Muslim Brotherhood condemns Shiites for Syria's woes
Egypt’s ruling Muslim Brotherhood blamed Shiites Friday for creating religious strife throughout Islam’s history, as the movement joined a call by Sunni clerics for jihad against the Syrian government and its Shia allies.

In a striking display of the religious enmity sweeping the region since Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah committed its forces to back Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a Brotherhood spokesman in Cairo told Reuters: “Throughout history, Sunnis have never been involved in starting a sectarian war.”

Until recently, Egypt’s new Islamist President, the Brotherhood’s Mohammed Morsi, was promoting rapprochement with Iran, the bastion of Shia political power. In February, he hosted the first visit by an Iranian president in more than 30 years.

But spokesman Ahmed Aref said Hezbollah had launched a new “sectarian war” last month by joining Tehran’s other key ally, Mr. al-Assad, in a fight that pits mainly Sunni rebels against a Syrian elite drawn from Mr. al-Assad’s Alawite minority, a Shia offshoot.

For that reason, Mr. Aref said, the Brotherhood, which emerged from oppression after the fall of military rule two years ago to run the most populous Arab state, had joined a call made on Thursday by leading Sunni clerics for holy war in Syria.
Posted by: tipper || 06/15/2013 01:20 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  What kind of butter do ya'll like for this one?
Posted by: texhooey || 06/15/2013 1:34 Comments || Top||

#2  Tex.... pssst, lookey here. I will no longer be a slave to Barb's popcorn cartel -- at least until December anyways.
Posted by: Shipman || 06/15/2013 2:26 Comments || Top||


Libya strengthens ties to Tunisia
[MAGHAREBIA] Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zidan wrapped up a two-day visit to Tunisia on Thursday (June 13th) that focused on strengthening economic and security co-operation.

"The meeting addressed security challenges and responsibilities of the interior ministries of the two countries on the prosecution of crime and in tackling violence and counter-terrorism," Tunisian Prime Minister Ali Larayedh said.

During a press conference held with his Libyan counterpart on Wednesday at the Government Palace in Tunis, Larayedh mentioned the need to confront smuggling. He also touched on the use of expertise available to the two sides, especially in the field of security training.

Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring

#1  Do either countries even have a unified govt?
Posted by: Skidmark || 06/15/2013 10:35 Comments || Top||


Salafists take up politics in Morocco
[MAGHAREBIA] A number of salafists just joined Moroccan political life, signing up with the Party of Renaissance and Virtue (PRV).
I give them six months at the outside before they're demanding somebody be killed.
On Saturday (June 8th), the Islamist party welcomed Mohamed Abdelouahab Rafiki (aka Abu Hafs), Naima Daher, Hicham Tamsamani, Jalal El Moudden, and Hassan Aasri to its ranks.
"Hi! Welcome to the party!"
"Where's your beard?"

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Salafists


Thousands of Egypt Islamists Rally for Syria Jihad
Why does this feel like a Children's Crusade?
[An Nahar] Thousands of Islamists rallied in the Egyptian capital on Friday in support of calls by Sunni Musselmen holy mans for a holy war against the regime of Syrian Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Before going into the family business Pencilneck was an eye doctor. If he'd stuck with it he'd have had a good practice by now...
The demonstration took place outside a Cairo mosque where Saudi preacher Mohammed al-Oreifi called in a sermon for a "jihad in the cause of Allah in Syria."

Oreifi urged worshipers to "unite against their enemy."

Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
, like Egypt, is an overwhelmingly Sunni Musselmen country, and Sunnis are the backbone of the revolt against Assad, whose Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shiite Islam.

Demonstrators, most of them bearded and wearing the traditional white galabiya, shouted "there is no God but Allah, and Bashar is his enemy."

People waved not only the Egyptian flag but also the one adopted by the Syrian opposition.

On Thursday, influential Sunni holy mans from several Arab states called for a holy war against the "sectarian" regime in Syria.

"We must undertake jihad to help our brothers in Syria by sending them money and arms, and providing all aid to save the Syrian people from this sectarian regime," they said in a statement at the end of a gathering in Cairo.

They called the "flagrant aggression" of Iran and Leb's Hizbullah -- both Shiite -- and their "sectarian allies" in Syria "a declaration of war against Islam and Musselmens."

Hizbullah has been fighting alongside Assad's forces, and its leader, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
The satrap of the Medes and the Persians in Leb...
, said on Friday it would continue to do so.

Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia's top holy man Abdulaziz al-Sheikh has urged governments to punish the "repulsive sectarian group" while Qatar-based Sunni holy man Yusuf al-Qaradawi
...crackpot Egyptian Islamist theologian. He is best known for his program Shariah and Life on Al Jazeera, with an estimated audience of 60 million kindred souls worldwide. He is also well-known for IslamOnline, which occasionally advocates things like slavery and thumping the old lady with a rod no thicker than an inch, and has published more than 120 books, including Islam: The Future Civilization. Joe has long had a prominent role within the intellectual leadership of the Moslem Brüderbund. Some of his views have been controversial in the West, though less so among the rubes of the Mysterious East, and he was refused entry to the United Kingdom in 2008. In 2004, 2,500 Muslim academics from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and from the Palestinian territories condemned Qaradawi, and accused him of giving Islam a bad name....
has called on Sunnis to join the rebels.

Hizbullah's intervention in Syria, which helped Assad's troops overrun the strategic town of Qusayr, has been roundly condemned by Arab countries.

In Cairo, a senior aide to President Mohamed Morsi demanded on Thursday that the group "immediately end" its involvement in Syria.

The Shiite group's assistance to Assad could "further turn this conflict into a sectarian conflict that will spill over into the entire region," Khaled al-Qazzaz said.

Qazzaz, Morsi's secretary on foreign relations, said the government was not trying to stop Egyptians from volunteering in Syria, mostly in relief work.

"The right of travel or the freedom of travel or taking certain positions is open for all Egyptians," he told news hounds at a briefing.

"But we did not call on Egyptians to go and fight in Syria," he said.

Egypt believes the conflict will have to be resolved politically, he added.

The conflict has drawn Sunni volunteers from several Arab countries to join rebel ranks. In addition to Hizbullah, Shiites have traveled from Iraq to support Assad.

During Friday's rally, 22-year-old student Ossam Zeyd said "I am here to support the Syrian people. I am participating in jihad in Allah's cause by prayer and by sending money."

A number of Egyptian humanitarian organizations have set up stands outside mosques to collect funds for Syrians.

And Egypt's Moslem Brüderbund, from whose ranks Morsi comes, will hold a gathering on Saturday at a stadium in Cairo under the slogan "in support of the Syria revolution."
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Salafists

#1  "there is no God but Allah, and Bashar is his enemy."
No one's all bad.
Posted by: Shipman || 06/15/2013 2:29 Comments || Top||

#2  So what pool of fighters will be used to attack Ethiopia's dam or is the pool infinite?
Posted by: 3dc || 06/15/2013 2:55 Comments || Top||

#3  Massive Arc Light raids against the dam, using jihadis as the bombs. We'll see if the pool is infinite.
Posted by: Glenmore || 06/15/2013 8:33 Comments || Top||

#4  The world of Islam where the enemy of my enemy is still my enemy.
Posted by: JohnQC || 06/15/2013 9:50 Comments || Top||

#5  Damn Glenmore... it's 11:25... am.
Posted by: Shipman || 06/15/2013 11:23 Comments || Top||

#6  It's 5 o'clock somewhere - drink up!
Posted by: Glenmore || 06/15/2013 13:52 Comments || Top||


Mali's Tuareg rebels ready to sign peace deal
[Daily Nation (Kenya)] Rebels from Mali's minority Tuareg group are ready to sign a regionally brokered peace deal with the government paving the way for the conflict-torn country to hold elections, a source in their delegation said Tuesday.

"We won't obstruct the process," the source told AFP. "When the time comes, we'll sign no problem," he added in neighbouring Burkina Faso
...The country in west Africa that they put where Upper Volta used to be. Its capital is Oogadooga, or something like that. Its president is currently Blaise Compaoré, who took office in 1987 and will leave office feet first, one way or the other...
, where a source in the Malian government's delegation earlier said the other side was also ready to sign a deal but wanted some final changes made.
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  sure they are.
Posted by: Mikey Hunt || 06/15/2013 1:09 Comments || Top||

#2  I think they are. The Tuaregs got burned by their supposed Islamist allies (go figure) and Mali has had a change in government since the initial rebellion.

The French are also likely putting a little pressure...
Posted by: Pappy || 06/15/2013 10:53 Comments || Top||


Home Front: WoT
Accused Fort Hood gunman cannot use defending Taliban defense
[NEWS.YAHOO] Army psychiatrist Major Nidal Hasan cannot argue at trial that he was defending the Afghan Taliban when he opened fire in a 2009 shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, that killed 13 people, a military judge ruled on Friday. "There was no evidence that there was any immediate threat to others from your fellow soldiers," Colonel Tara Osborn said, denying Hasan's request to use the defense as he represents himself at his upcoming trial on 13 counts of first-degree murder.
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Salafists

#1  The "Taliban defense" would be an admission of terrorism. We cannot have that.
[sarc off]
Posted by: Besoeker || 06/15/2013 4:15 Comments || Top||

#2  It would be an admission of treason in open court and prosecutable as such in either military or civil court.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 06/15/2013 9:11 Comments || Top||

#3  I wonder if he's trying for an 'insanity/incompetency' angle?
Posted by: Pappy || 06/15/2013 14:34 Comments || Top||

#4  "There was no evidence that there was any immediate threat to others from your fellow soldiers,"

Never mind that that 'others' referred to here are better described as enemy combatants.
Posted by: SteveS || 06/15/2013 18:26 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
PPP dares PML-N to try Musharraf
[Pak Daily Times] The Pakistain People's Party (PPP) on Friday threw down the gauntlet to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
asking him to publish the Abbottabad
... A pleasant city located only 30 convenient miles from Islamabad. The city is noted for its nice weather and good schools. It is the site of Pakistain's military academy, which was within comfortable walking distance of the residence of the late Osama bin Laden....
Commission report, shoot down drones and prosecute former military dictator Pervez Perv Musharraf
... former dictator of Pakistain, who was less dictatorial and corrupt than any Pak civilian government to date ...
for treason, to fulfil the pledges he made before coming to power.

Addressing a presser, PPP Secretary General and former Punjab governor Sardar Latif Khosa asked Nawaz Sharif to publish the report on the Abbottabad operation in which al Qaeda chief the late Osama bin Laden
... who is now beyond all cares and woe...
was hunted down by the US whose forces intruded into the Pakistain airspace in the dark of night. "Mian Nawaz Sharif used to say that he would implement this commission's report. Now the time has come to fulfill his promise," Khosa remarked.

He asked what was stopping Nawaz from shooting down the intruding drones despite being the prime minister now. Khosa recalled that Nawaz had also pledged to prosecute Musharraf and should honour his commitment now. He also lashed out at the PML-N government for presenting what he termed an anti-people budget and said that the government has "slaughtered the masses" by presenting such an unjust budget.
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Wounded Syrian Arrives In Israel With Note From Doctor
[Ynet] Syrian hospitalized in Safed brings note in Arabic from physicians who treated him before his transfer to Israel. 'Patient was hit by bullet that penetrated his chest and caused a fracture in the lungs. Please do what is needed. Thank you in advance,' note reads.
Posted by: trailing wife || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring

#1  how nice.
Posted by: Mikey Hunt || 06/15/2013 1:06 Comments || Top||

#2  Uh, uh, "SIGNED - EPSTEIN'S MOTHER"!?

gut nuthin.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 06/15/2013 1:09 Comments || Top||

#3  LOL Joe!
Posted by: Shipman || 06/15/2013 2:30 Comments || Top||

#4  Yes, but the hospital food is terrible, and he's slumming in a room for two with no view.
Posted by: Perfesser || 06/15/2013 3:54 Comments || Top||

#5  This from people who are SO rrready to point a finger and say,"it
's the Jewzzzzz."
Posted by: Threater Flusoper9823 || 06/15/2013 7:08 Comments || Top||

#6  Just make sure he gets plenty of that icky joooish blood!
Posted by: Hupomp Lumumba6900 || 06/15/2013 7:23 Comments || Top||

#7  "Please do what is needed."....but I doubt they did....

Posted by: Uncle Phester || 06/15/2013 19:10 Comments || Top||


Gaza Suffers Drop In Foreign Aid Over Syrian War
[Ynet] Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, says Iran reduced monthly cash transfers because it refuses to side with Assad regime; ministries ordered to slash operating costs by 50%.

A refugee from Syria recently opened a bakery here, drawing long lines of customers eager to taste meat and cheese pastries with the special flavors of Damascus - a rare bright spot in the long shadow that the Syrian civil war is casting over the Gazoo Strip.

The conflict in Syria, some 300 kilometers (190 miles) away, is increasingly hurting Hamas-ruled Gazoo financially, according to several figures in the Islamic terrorist group and in Islamic charities.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: trailing wife || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Hamas

#1  the special flavors of Damascus evocative of Arab Spring Soap.
Posted by: Shipman || 06/15/2013 2:34 Comments || Top||

#2  Remember when the Israelis GAVE the strip a big slice of coast with hotels and that nice Israeli Greenhouse complex that produced so much fresh vegetables? The Gazoos did what with it They broke all the windows and dug holes in the lobby and trashed the greenhouses because it all smelled too much like Jewwzzz.

But they take handouts for fifty years....and blame it all on other people. Arab values. Some people with two Left eyes eat that up.

When is the last time you bought something produced by Palestinians...something useful ? No? I wonder why.
They get 40% of their running expenses from handouts? !!!.
My dog has more self respect.

How does a person STAND being a Palestinian ? Garbage people.

And the Moslem world stands around sniffing the garbage with a big smile. Values. Can you spell i-n-f-e-r-i-o-r , boyz and gurlz?
Posted by: Threater Flusoper9823 || 06/15/2013 7:22 Comments || Top||

#3  Dark cloud, meet silver lining.
Posted by: Glenmore || 06/15/2013 8:27 Comments || Top||

#4  it's always tough when a fading drama queen welfare state gets upstaged by a new more attractive drama queen. A long slow decline is in order
Posted by: Frank G || 06/15/2013 8:30 Comments || Top||

#5  I'm sure USG will make it up---probably pat themselves on the back for winning one over Iran.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 06/15/2013 9:07 Comments || Top||

#6  My,my 100000 dead and a shortage of pasteries.
Posted by: Skidmark || 06/15/2013 10:38 Comments || Top||

#7  Makes a nice terrorist honey pot, all the terrorists want to go there, and die.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 06/15/2013 20:08 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Israel, US, Mull Raids on '18 Chemical Targets' in Syria
Israeli and U.S. military officials are coordinating how to target and destroy Syrian president Bashar Assad’s arsenal of unconventional weapons under assorted scenarios, Israeli military and intelligence officials told TIME Magazine.

One scenario would be the sudden removal of Assad from the scene, the magazine said. “That would prompt the allies to launch operations on the estimated 18 depots and other sites where WMDs are stored,” Israei military and intelligence officials said.

“Search and destroy operations would also be launched if the weapons appeared to be about to fall into the hands of the rebels, which include Islamist extremists aligned with al-Qaeda.”

The Israeli officials emphasized, according to the magazine, that it has not been decided whether Israeli and U.S. forces would act together, and how the work would be divided between them if they did cooperate. “But the U.S. plans called for deploying forces on the ground as well as waves of airstrikes, to assure that the chemical and biological components are neutralized, according to the Israeli officials.”

“The main arms of concern to us are the arms that are already in Syria — these are anti-aircraft weapons, these are chemical weapons and other very, very dangerous weapons that could be game changers,” Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told the BBC in April. “They will change the conditions, the balance of power in the Middle East. They could present a terrorist threat on a worldwide scale. It is definitely our interest to defend ourselves, but we also think it is in the interest of other countries.”

Posted by: tipper || 06/15/2013 16:24 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Remember [Persian] Gulf syndrome? Brace yourself for Damascus Insurgency syndrome.

VA seeks input on burn-pit registry

Posted by: Bubba Big Foot1639 || 06/15/2013 18:25 Comments || Top||

#2  The Balad Air Base burn pit was absolutely something else. The "Poo Pond" at Kandahar is nothing in comparison.

I had a buddy who was awaken in the middle of the night unable to breath properly. The electricity had gone off all over Balad and the AC in the CHU was TU. Half asleep, he opened a window and went back to his rack. He awoke a few minutes later breathless, coughing and weezing. It was 105 degrees f, and His room was full of soot from the pit. He said he thought he had gone to HELL. I arrived in November and he was still shaking his head over it.
Posted by: Besoeker || 06/15/2013 18:49 Comments || Top||

#3  Get ready for another "infant formula factory bombed by the Zionists" story coming from the ME....
Posted by: Uncle Phester || 06/15/2013 20:32 Comments || Top||

#4  Mulling anything like what one does to wine or cider?
Posted by: 3dc || 06/15/2013 22:15 Comments || Top||


Hassan Rouhani wins Iran election
Reformist-backed cleric Hassan Rouhani has won Iran's presidential election, securing just over 50% of the vote and so avoiding the need for a run-off.

Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf was well behind in second place.

Turnout was estimated at 72.2% among the 50 million Iranians who were eligible to vote to choose a successor to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is scheduled to ratify the vote on 3 August.

The new president will then take the oath in parliament.
Posted by: tipper || 06/15/2013 12:04 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I see this winning cleric is described as a "moderate". Does that mean he is a fan of the 12th imam?
Posted by: Mugsy Glink || 06/15/2013 13:37 Comments || Top||

#2  He would allow the non-believers to be slaves rather than kill them all now...
Posted by: Steve White || 06/15/2013 13:50 Comments || Top||

#3  So, the fix was in?

(Not that we expected anything else)
Posted by: Barbara || 06/15/2013 14:21 Comments || Top||

#4  surely he is got to be better than get shorty.
Posted by: Paul D || 06/15/2013 15:26 Comments || Top||

#5  That isn't necessarily true, and don't call me Shirley...
Posted by: Steve White || 06/15/2013 16:45 Comments || Top||


Syrian ‘Chemical Weapons’ Claim
h/t Gates of Vienna
Ben Rhodes, the White House national security advisor behind the claim that President Bashar Al-Assad used chemical weapons in Syria, is a fiction writer with zero educational background in government, diplomacy or national security who also played a key role in covering up the truth behind the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 06/15/2013 09:37 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Fiction Writer of all things. That makes sense. I hope this series of programing is is ended soon. OH my, then we will have years of reruns. OH my, cable deals. OH my, Internet Hulu deals and so on. Give me a cabin in the woods and while at the widow I stood. I saw a rabbit running bye frightened as can be. Help me Help me Sir he said. Come on in I completely understand I said.
(I needed a little something for the pot). They didn't tell you the Paul Harvey rest of the story did they.
Posted by: Dale || 06/15/2013 10:11 Comments || Top||

#2  You may have had a little too much pot, Dale.
Posted by: Skidmark || 06/15/2013 10:34 Comments || Top||

#3  HA HA Skid that was good, of all people never me.
Posted by: Dale || 06/15/2013 12:03 Comments || Top||


U.S. Shoots Down Syria 'No Fly Zone' Idea
[An Nahar] The White House on Friday all but ruled out the notion of mounting a no-fly zone in Syria, billing it as difficult, dangerous and costly, and unsuitable to halting close quarters ground battles.

A day after U.S. officials pledged to stiffen military help to Syrian rebels, likely moving towards sending some form of arms for the first time, they made it clear that swift U.S. mission creep in the country is not on the cards.

Deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said mounting a no-fly zone in Syria poses significant logistical and strategic challenges that are more acute than those faced by NATO
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  "Its more difficult and dangerous and costly ... for a variety of reasons" > ...

* CHINA DAILY FORUM > DAGONG CREDT RATING AGENCY: US HAS ALREADY BEEN DEFAULTING ON ITS LOANS TO CHINA DUE TO ITS INTENTIONAL WEAKENING OF THE VALUE OF ITS DOLLAR CURRENCY IN RELATION TO INTERNATIONAL COMPETITORS.

* FREEREPUBLIC, TOPIX, WORLD NEWS > OBAMA AFRICA TRIP TO COST US TAXPAYERS US$100.0MILYUHN [$50-100.0M].

China + East-South Asia aside, even iff the Syrian Rebs per se are defeated by Assad it still leaves Al-Qaeda, Taliban, + Hezbollah, ETAL. FOREIGN MILTERR GROUPS THAT ARE NOW ESTABLISHED IN SYRIA. Is the Bammer + NATO-EU still going to try + have Assad forcibly removed while he goes after AQ + the others [except likely Hezbollah]???

Lest we fergit, both Al-QAEDA + HEZBOLLAH NOW HAVE SET UP IN MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD-CONTROLLED POST-MUBARAK EGYPT.

THE SAUDIS CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO N-O-T INITIATE ANY UNILATERAL REGIONAL MILACTIONS in its own defense as well as the security of Sunni Islam + Saudi Royal Family.

The Bammer = USA cannot ignore it as the world -vital Suez Canal poten falls under a OWG Islamic Caliphate - its only a question iff the Caliphate will be Sunni Islamist or Shia Islamist.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 06/15/2013 1:45 Comments || Top||

#2  * WORLD MILITARY FORUM > JAPANESE PM SHINZO ABE WORRIES THAT POTUS OBAMA + CHINESE LEADER XI JINPING WILL MAKE A SECRET DEAL OVER THE DISPUTED DIAOYUS ISLANDS, OBAMA UNDER INCREASING CRITICISM BY THE US CONGRESS FOR "EVADING" IMPORTANT ISSUES.

* Also from SAME > US THINK-TANK ARGUES THERE WILL BE NO NEED FOR US-CHINA WAR IN EAST ASIA IFF THE PHILIPPINES CAN ALLOW CHINA NAVAL ACCESS INTO WESTPAC FROM A NUMBER OF PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

IIUC ARTIC, PHIL = should allow the PLA major "base rights" in lieu of need for Taiwan + Okinawa + Senkkaus/Diaoyus.

Handover of PHIL islands to China + PLA???

VERSUS

* SAME > PREPARE FOR WAR! ON-GOING NATIONAL RESISTANCE BY BOTH CHINA + JAPAN TO MUTUAL SETTLEMENT OF THE DIAOYU ISLANDS ISSUE LEADS TO AN INCREASINGLY PROBABITY OF RESORT TO A MILITARY SOLUTION(S).

* SAME > HONG KONG "MIRROR": CHINA DESIRES TO SECRET BUILD TWELVE "SPECIAL AIRCRAFT CARRIERS", WHITE HOUSE IN RESENTMENT, PANIC MODE.

Chinese version of high-tech, multi-mission capable, "integrated combat platforms".
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 06/15/2013 2:13 Comments || Top||

#3  S-300?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 06/15/2013 3:07 Comments || Top||

#4  worried about who our new "friends" will use their ex-Libyan manpads against
Posted by: Frank G || 06/15/2013 8:32 Comments || Top||

#5  Latest idea from the mavens at the Puzzle Palace is a 25-mile no fly zone (NFZ) into Syria, along the Jordan border. Said NFZ to be enforced by aircraft in Jordanian airspace, from Jordan airbases.
Posted by: Pappy || 06/15/2013 10:59 Comments || Top||

#6  NEWSFLASH: Magic Eight Ball Guiding Obama Syria Policy
Posted by: Angans Jones9613 || 06/15/2013 11:06 Comments || Top||


Hariri: Nasrallah Replaced Entire Lebanese State with Hizbullah Shura Council
[An Nahar] Former prime minister Saad Hariri
Second son of Rafik Hariri, the Leb PM who was assassinated in 2005. He has was prime minister in his own right from 2009 through early 2011. He was born in Riyadh to an Iraqi mother and graduated from Georgetown University. He managed his father's business interests in Riyadh until his father's assassination. When his father died he inherited a fortune of some $4.1 billion, which won't do him much good if Hizbullah has him bumped off, too.
snapped back on Friday at Hizbullah chief His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
The satrap of the Medes and the Persians in Leb...
, accusing him of replacing the entire Lebanese state with "Hizbullah's Shura Council."
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Hezbollah

#1  "We all Iranians + Shias now", which AFAIK was the original intent to begin with.

US ALLIES IN EAST-SOUTH ASIA ARE PROB FEELING NERVOUS-N-TWITCHY RIGHT NOW.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 06/15/2013 1:14 Comments || Top||

#2  So Iran directly or indirectly now extends to the Eastern Mediterranean ....

Ditto CHINA to Guam [+ CNMI] + Hawaii, or at least Guam???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 06/15/2013 1:18 Comments || Top||


Nasrallah Says Hizbullah Will Be 'Where It Needs to Be' in Syria
[An Nahar] Hizbullah will stay involved in the Syrian conflict, after having helped regime forces recapture the key town of Qusayr from rebels, party leader His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
The satrap of the Medes and the Persians in Leb...
said Friday, noting that Hizbullah is "open to any discussion over Syria."

"Before Qusayr is the same as after Qusayr. Nothing has changed," Nasrallah said in a televised speech marking the Resistance
That'd be the Hezbullies, natch...
Wounded Fighter Day.

"Isn't the conspiracy the same?... Have the facts changed? On the contrary, the other side is stirring up this conflict even more," said Nasrallah.

"Where we need to be, we will be. Where we began to assume our responsibilities, we will continue to assume our responsibilities," he added.

"To defeat this very, very dangerous conspiracy (against Syria) we will bear any sacrifices and all the consequences."

But the Hizbullah chief stressed that his party is "open to any discussion over Syria," revealing that "some scholars are sending us initiatives."
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Hezbollah

#1  I hope they bear many sacrifices and many consequences. The more the better

Posted by: BernardZ || 06/15/2013 7:08 Comments || Top||


Iran Contenders Urge Calm as Officials Report Big Turnout
[An Nahar] The six contenders for Iran's next president issued a joint appeal for calm Friday as officials extended polling hours in the first election since outgoing President Mahmoud's Ahmadinejad's 2009 re-election sparked mass protests.

Polling stations remained open four hours longer than initially scheduled as officials reported a turnout almost as large, or bigger, than that for the controversial vote of four years ago.

Representatives of all six remaining hopefuls approved by the conservative-dominated body that vets candidates for public office urged their supporters to remain calm until the official results are known.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  Headline of the day....
Posted by: Uncle Phester || 06/15/2013 19:27 Comments || Top||


Independence Movement to Franjieh: Your Ties with Assad Made You Forget a Country Called Lebanon
[An Nahar] The Independence Movement on Friday hit back at Marada Movement
the personal militia of Suleiman Franjieh, president of Lebanon at the outbreak of the civil war, currently Syrian toadies, but you never know when that could change...
leader MP Suleiman Franjieh, accusing him of forgetting "a country called Leb" and voiced surprise that he linked the anniversary of the liquidation of his father Tony Franjieh to the battle of "blood and shame" in Qusayr.

Franjieh "has crossed the ethical limits and the most basic rules of political conduct," the Independence Movement said in a statement.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


U.N. Human Rights Council Slams Hizbullah Role in Syria
[An Nahar] The U.N.'s top human rights
...which are often intentionally defined so widely as to be meaningless...
forum on Friday condemned the involvement of imported muscle in Syria's civil war, singling out the pro-regime forces sent across the border by Leb's Hizbullah.

The 47-member U.N. Human Rights Council backed a resolution from the United States, Britannia, Qatar, Kuwait, Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
and Turkey, with 37 votes in favor, nine abstentions and just one member, Venezuela, against.

The text said that the council "condemns the intervention of all foreign combatants in the Syrian Arab Republic, including those fighting on behalf of the regime and most recently Hizbullah".
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: Hezbollah

#1  "Slams" ? Hahahahahahaha

since when has the UN ever had any teeth? SUCK, maybe...but "slam" ?

And who ISN'T aware that the Arabs won't and can't fight and all they are good for ( much as Obama is also good for ) of just waving a finger in the air and going,"Hey ! Hey!".

Obama and his Red Line? Yeah? Hahahahahaha. He won't DO anything. Sell guns to al-Qaeda? That should work.

Now privately I would be meticulously careful and add just enough and no more American "help " to keep BOTH sides in business, neither one getting an active advantage on the other. And keep them slashing each other till they bleed each other white. The more dead the better. I would even sell them Nerve Gas to use in downtown Damascus. Just ship it to them in Cyrillic labeled cases and have it manufactured by Bulgaria or somebody. They can put that in their Hookahs and suck it up.

We don't want a war in which WE are involved....but it is nice to have a war in which only Moslems kill each other. Keep it going for ten years. What is the population of Syria? That many?
Nice. Hizbullah is in it? That is a PLUS. Iran is paying real money to supply the killing too. Love those people. Make sure the money gets there. Sell them Soviet ( stored in Fairfax warehouses just across the river from Obambam's house) flamethrowers and ask to get paid in wheelbarrow loads of Iranian silver.

Then Bambam can go on another $100 million Vacation and get in a good round of Golf.
Posted by: Threater Flusoper9823 || 06/15/2013 7:50 Comments || Top||

#2  I would even sell them Nerve Gas to use in downtown Damascus.

No. You are getting over-exuberant again, Threater Flusoper9823.
Posted by: trailing wife || 06/15/2013 21:49 Comments || Top||


Syria Opposition Allies Discuss Arms Delivery in Turkey Talks
[An Nahar] Representatives from countries that support the Syrian opposition met Friday in Istanbul with rebel military chief General Selim Idriss, to discuss the possible delivery of weapons, a Syrian opposition front man said.

"Over the next 24 to 48 hours, there are going to be several meetings between the Syrian Military Council (SMC) and different countries to understand the needs of the SMC and to begin to really satisfy those needs," said Khaled Saleh, a front man for the opposition Syrian National Council.

"At this stage, we expect that the international community would begin to supply the SMC... with sophisticated arms, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles because that is what the Assad regime uses," Saleh added.

Up to now the Western countries backing the opposition against Syrian Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
The Scourge of Hama...
have refused to supply the rebels with weapons, fearing they could land in the hands of Islamist bad turbans.

But the United States has now toughened its line on Syria, promising rebels weapons for the first time, after saying it had evidence the regime had used chemical weapons, a charge Damascus dismissed on Friday as "lies."
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


France Says Syria No-Fly Zone 'Unlikely'
[An Nahar] La Belle France said Friday that it was unlikely the U.N. Security Council would agree to impose a no-fly zone in Syria, as Washington dramatically toughened its line on Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Light of the Alawites...
's regime.

"It seems unlikely such a measure will obtain the agreement of the Security Council," French foreign ministry front man Philippe Lalliot told news hounds.

"The problem is that this kind of measure can only be put in place with international authorization," he added.

Russia and China have repeatedly used their vetoes on the Security Council to block measures against the Syrian regime.
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  Russia has rejected US claims that Baby Assad used CHEMWAR agz the Rebs.

* FREEREPUBLIC > [Russia Today] JORDAN WARGAMES: F-16'S, PATRIOTS, + 4,500 US TROOPS.

* IIRC RELATED SAME > US LEAVES BEHIND F-16'S, PATRIOT BATTERIES, + US MARINES IN JORDAN.

versus

* CHINA DAILY FORUM > [Die Welt] SYRIA WAR: 95% OF FSA TERRORISTS ARE NON-SYRIAN.

* SAME > [Russia Today] IRAN HAS URANIUM FOR FOUR NUKES [Nuclear Bombs], BUILDS MISSLES THAT CAN REACH USA - ISRAEL.

IDF Military Intelligence Chief GEN. Aviv Kochavi.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 06/15/2013 1:27 Comments || Top||


Hamas Denies it Has Fighters in Syria
[An Nahar] Gazoo's Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, Prime Minister Ismail Haniya denied on Friday that members of the Paleostinian movement were fighting in the Syrian civil war.

He also rejected reports of internal divisions within the Sunni Moslem group over its ties with Shiite Iran and its ally, Leb's Hizbullah.

"There is no truth to (claims) that Hamas fighters are in Syria, although we stand on the side of the Syrian people and condemn the brutal attacks they are exposed to," Haniya said at a mosque in Rafah, on the border with Egypt.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 06/15/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Hamas

#1  Hamas "fighters" in Syria

Now I understand.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 06/15/2013 15:10 Comments || Top||


Terror Networks
Guantanamo's first secret national security session a mystery
Pentagon prosecutors and defense lawyers in the USS Cole death penalty case held the first closed hearing of the Obama war court Friday, a 78-minute secret session that excluded both the public and the accused al-Qaida terrorist.

Army Brig. Gen. Mark Martins, the chief prosecutor, disclosed the length of the national security session but gave no details. He said the judge ordered production of a redacted transcript but gave no timetable for release.

“There was a secret session. That’s all I can say,” said veteran criminal defense lawyer Rick Kammen after the hearing on a subject so sensitive the motion being argued was called CLASSIFIED on the war court docket. In red.

For the occasion, Kammen was sporting a kangaroo lapel pin. “Real justice occurs in the sunshine, not in secret,” he said, ducking every question about the first closed hearing of President Barack Obama’s war court.

How long did it last? No comment. Were there witnesses? He would not say. Neither would the general, who said a transcript of any unclassified portions might make clear if anyone testified.

It was the first closed hearing under the Military Commissions Act of 2009, the war court Obama reformed to give the accused terrorists greater rights. Kammen said, however, the closed hearing violated the rights of his client, Abd al Rahim al Nashiri, who got to Guantánamo in 2006 after four years of secret CIA custody that included waterboarding and interrogating with a revving power drill and racked pistol.
Posted by: tipper || 06/15/2013 02:28 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:



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Two weeks of WOT
Sat 2013-06-15
  Mali's Tuareg rebels ready to sign peace deal
Fri 2013-06-14
  Mortars Fired at Damascus Airport, Delay 3 Flights
Thu 2013-06-13
  60 Boko Haram members killed in Maiduguri
Wed 2013-06-12
  Thousands Throng Istanbul Protest Square
Tue 2013-06-11
  Bombs and battles hit northern Iraq, more than 70 dead
Mon 2013-06-10
  Syria Islamists Execute Youth in Front of Family
Sun 2013-06-09
  Pak police recovers 15,000 kilos of explosive material
Sat 2013-06-08
  Tunisia Turns Away 8 Gulf Muslim Preachers
Fri 2013-06-07
  Seven killed in suspected U.S. drone strike in Pakistan
Thu 2013-06-06
  Nawaz Sharif elected as Pakistan PM
Wed 2013-06-05
  Locks Cut To Boston Water Supply Aqueduct
Tue 2013-06-04
  Missile Kills 26, including 8 Youths, in Syria Village
Mon 2013-06-03
  Damascus car bombing kills 9 security forces members
Sun 2013-06-02
  Second Muslim Convert Charged with London Soldier Murder
Sat 2013-06-01
  Turkey Finds Sarin Gas In Homes Of Suspected Syrian Islamists

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