http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/28/us-algeria-security-islamist-idUSKCN0HN05Z20140928
Sunday 28 September 2014
Saturday 27 September 2014
Thursday 25 September 2014
Pax Sinica
On September 11th and 12th the SCO held its 14th annual summit in
Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital. It agreed to adopt procedures for
expansion, first for those countries that are already observers. India
and Pakistan are likely to join in the next year. Iran is at present
disqualified because it is under UN sanctions. Another observer,
Mongolia, is a democracy and has long had qualms about joining what
looks like a club for authoritarians. Afghanistan, the final observer,
has other priorities.
In August the SCO held its largest joint military exercises yet, an anti-terrorist drill in Inner Mongolia in China involving more than 7,000 personnel. The SCO’s boosters, however, insist it is not an alliance, like NATO, but a “partnership”, with no adversary in mind. That is not entirely true. It has always been explicitly directed against three enemies, even if they are only abstract nouns: the “three evil forces” of terrorism, separatism and extremism. China, in Xinjiang; Russia, in Chechnya; the Central Asian members, in the Ferghana Valley and on their borders with Afghanistan. All SCO members face a threat from Islamist extremism.
China itself is building all sorts of institutions: the SCO, CICA, the “BRICS” (grouping China with Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa), a Trilateral Commission (at present languishing) with South Korea and Japan and a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Their shared characteristics are that China has a big and sometimes dominant role and that the United States is not a member—and indeed was rebuffed when it sought to join the SCO as an observer. China is not just challenging the existing world order. Slowly, messily and, apparently with no clear end in view, it is building a new one.
http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21618866-china-trying-build-new-world-order-starting-asia-pax-sinica
In August the SCO held its largest joint military exercises yet, an anti-terrorist drill in Inner Mongolia in China involving more than 7,000 personnel. The SCO’s boosters, however, insist it is not an alliance, like NATO, but a “partnership”, with no adversary in mind. That is not entirely true. It has always been explicitly directed against three enemies, even if they are only abstract nouns: the “three evil forces” of terrorism, separatism and extremism. China, in Xinjiang; Russia, in Chechnya; the Central Asian members, in the Ferghana Valley and on their borders with Afghanistan. All SCO members face a threat from Islamist extremism.
China itself is building all sorts of institutions: the SCO, CICA, the “BRICS” (grouping China with Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa), a Trilateral Commission (at present languishing) with South Korea and Japan and a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Their shared characteristics are that China has a big and sometimes dominant role and that the United States is not a member—and indeed was rebuffed when it sought to join the SCO as an observer. China is not just challenging the existing world order. Slowly, messily and, apparently with no clear end in view, it is building a new one.
http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21618866-china-trying-build-new-world-order-starting-asia-pax-sinica
Islamic State recruitment soaring in wake of U.S. bombing
The Islamic State jihadist organization has recruited more than 6,000
new fighters since America began targeting the group with air strikes
last month, according to the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human
Rights.
Islamic State recruitment soaring in wake of U.S. bombing - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz
U.S. and Arab partners attack Islamic State controlled oil refineries in Syria - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz
The United States was joined by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in striking modular oil refineries in eastern Syria on Wednesday, in an effort to choke off Islamic State finances, officials said.
One U.S. official told Reuters that such refineries could produce about $2 million a day in oil revenue.
U.S. and Arab partners attack Islamic State controlled oil refineries in Syria - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz
One U.S. official told Reuters that such refineries could produce about $2 million a day in oil revenue.
U.S. and Arab partners attack Islamic State controlled oil refineries in Syria - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz
Al-Qaida may carry out attacks to prove relevancy, EU warns
Wary of being upstaged by even more ruthless Islamic State fighters,
Al-Qaida may try to show its relevance by carrying out attacks in
Europe, the United States or Israel, the European Union's
counterterrorism coordinator said on Wednesday.
Al-Qaida may carry out attacks to prove relevancy, EU warns - Diplomacy and Defense Israel News | Haaretz
Al-Qaida may try to show its relevance by carrying out attacks in
Europe, the United States or Israel, the European Union's
counterterrorism coordinator said on Wednesday.
Al-Qaida may carry out attacks to prove relevancy, EU warns - Diplomacy and Defense Israel News | Haaretz
Egypt says Erdogan's UNGA speech 'full of lies and fabrications'
The Turkish president accused Egypt's President al-Sissi of coming to power in a coup in his speech at the annual UN meet.
Egypt says Erdogan's UNGA speech 'full of lies and fabrications' - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz
Egypt says Erdogan's UNGA speech 'full of lies and fabrications' - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz
Tuesday 23 September 2014
US and allies strike ISIL targets in Syria
US and Arab coalition attacks ISIL in northern Syria, as Washington conducts separate strikes on Al-Nusra Front ally.
US and allies strike ISIL targets in Syria - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
US and allies strike ISIL targets in Syria - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Fears in Jordan over attacks on ISIL
Jordan has confirmed it took part in air strikes launched against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) inside Syrian territory in the early hours of September 23.
Mohammad
al-Momani, the Jordanian information minister and government
spokesperson, said that his country was among four other Arab countries
that participated in the air strikes.
Fears in Jordan over attacks on ISIL - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Mohammad
al-Momani, the Jordanian information minister and government
spokesperson, said that his country was among four other Arab countries
that participated in the air strikes.
Fears in Jordan over attacks on ISIL - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
China firms exporting 'tools of torture'
More than 130 companies are involved in producing or trading the
equipment, typically marketed to law enforcement agencies, up from about
28 companies a decade ago, Amnesty said in a report released on
Tuesday.
The equipment encourages human rights abuses by law
enforcement authorities in African and Southeast Asian nations, the
group said.
"While some of the exports are no doubt used in legitimate law
enforcement operations, China has also exported equipment that has
inhumane effects, or poses a substantial risk of fuelling human rights
violations by foreign law enforcement agencies," it said.
One company, China Xining Import/Export Corporation, which advertises
thumb cuffs, restraint chairs and electric stun guns, said in 2012 it
had ties to more than 40 African countries, according to Amnesty. The
firm could not be reached for comment.
China firms exporting 'tools of torture' - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English
Monday 22 September 2014
Turkish forces fend off Kurdish protesters
Authorities temporarily close border, blocking Kurds from returning to Syria and joining battles against ISIL.
Turkish forces fend off Kurdish protesters - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Turkish forces fend off Kurdish protesters - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Saturday 20 September 2014
Hollande: France to present Israeli-Palestinian solution to UN Security Council - Diplomacy and Defense Israel News | Haaretz
President Abbas on his part called on all nations to do their part to end the conflict, the French press agency said.
“Making peace will give added legitimacy to the fight against terrorism in the region,” he added.
Hollande: France to present Israeli-Palestinian solution to UN Security Council - Diplomacy and Defense Israel News | Haaretz
Israeli drone crashes in southern Lebanon
The Skylark drone experienced a malfunction during a routine patrol
along the Israeli-Lebanese border, according to the IDF. The incident is
being investigated.
The crash, which was initially reported in the Lebanese media, took place in the Marjayoun region.
Earlier
this month, Lebanese media reported that Israel remotely detonated a
spying device planted in south Lebanon, killing a member of Hezbollah
and wounding several others in the explosion.
Hezbollah’s
Al-Manar TV said on September 6 that Hassan Ali Haidar was killed after
army intelligence spotted a “strange device” in the village of Adloun,
near Tyre. An unmanned drone remotely detonated the device following its
discovery, according to the report, killing Haidar.
On
August 28, the Arabic-language Al-Mayadin TV channel reported that an
Israeli Hermes drone crashed in the vicinity of Baghdad Airport, in
Iraq. According to Al-Mayadin, the cause of the crash is unclear.
Israeli drone crashes in southern Lebanon - Diplomacy and Defense Israel News | Haaretz
Monday 15 September 2014
Libyan PM says Qatar sent arms to opposition - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Abdullah al-Thinni alleges planes loaded with weapons landed at Tripoli airport, which is controlled by an armed group.
Last updated: 15 Sep 2014 11:55
Sunday 14 September 2014
US: no place for Iran at Islamic State talks - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
John Kerry says Iranian role in coalition to confront Islamic State in Syria precluded by support of Damascus regime.
US: no place for Iran at Islamic State talks - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Hundreds feared dead as boat sinks off Libya - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
The officials declined to identify which countries made the offers, but said on Sunday they were under consideration as the US begins to identify roles in its coalition against fighters who control parts of Iraq and Syria.
Hundreds feared dead as boat sinks off Libya - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
US: Arab states to join air raids on IS group - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
The officials declined to identify which countries made the offers, but said on Sunday they were under consideration as the US begins to identify roles in its coalition against fighters who control parts of Iraq and Syria.
US: Arab states to join air raids on IS group - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Thursday 11 September 2014
Monday 8 September 2014
US expands air campaign against IS group
The US has launched five air attacks on Islamic State fighters
threatening the Haditha dam, as Washington widened its air campaign
against the group.
The attacks on Sunday destroyed Islamic State vehicles, two of
which were carrying anti-aircraft artillery, a fighting position and a
command post, the US central command said.
"At the request of the Iraqi government and in keeping with our
mission to protect US personnel and facilities, US military planes have
begun striking ISIL terrorists near the Haditha dam," said a US
official.
US expands air campaign against IS group - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Libya accuses Sudan of arming rebels
Libya has intercepted a Sudanese military plane loaded with
ammunition in its airspace, and declared Sudan's military attache
persona non grata, amid growing accusations Khartoum was supporting
Islamist rebels in the country.
Libya's newly elected government accused Sudan on Sunday of breaching
its "national sovereignty," by flying in ammunition destined
for "terrorist groups".
Sudan confirmed it had sent a military plane but said it had only
carried equipment for a joint Libyan-Sudanese state border force.
"Sudan is interfering by supporting a terrorist group," a Libyan statement said.
"This work from the Sudanese state violates [the sovereignty] of the
State of Libya and interferes with its affairs," it said, adding that
Libya had asked the Sudanese military attache to leave the country.
Libya accuses Sudan of arming rebels - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Saturday 6 September 2014
Kenyan president's Hague trial halted in blow to war crimes court
The International Criminal Court case against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta collapsed on Friday as prosecutors admitted they lacked evidence, casting doubt on whether the decade-old court can hold the powerful to account.
In a court filing, prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said Kenya had not handed over the bank and telephone records that the decade-old court was demanding, leaving them without a case ahead of the scheduled October 7 start date.
The case against Kenyatta, accused of stoking lethal inter-ethnic violence after Kenya's 2007 presidential elections in which 1,200 died, had been postponed several times as prosecutors tried to gather evidence against him.
The collapse of the case is a severe blow for the Hague-baesd court, the first permanent war crimes tribunal, which was set up with the aim of ensuring that people accused of the most serious international crimes face justice.
"The accused person in this case is the head of a government that has so far failed fully to comply with its obligations to the Court," ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in a filing, asking judges to adjourn the case indefinitely.
Judges could respond to the filing by throwing out the case, bringing the case against Kenyatta to an end.
But a prosecution lawyer told Reuters they hoped judges would agree to a highly unusual permanent adjournment, which would indicate the case had failed because Kenya authorities had obstructed the investigation.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/05/us-icc-kenya-adjournment-idUSKBN0H01LI20140905
Key allies ready to join U.S. military action in Iraq: Obama
Obama said NATO leaders were unanimous at a summit in Wales that the radical Sunni fighters posed a significant threat to the West and he had found support for U.S. actions in Iraq.
"Key NATO allies stand ready to confront this terrorist threat through military, intelligence and law enforcement as well as diplomatic efforts," Obama said after ministers of 10 nations met on the sidelines of the NATO meeting to form what Washington called a "core coalition".
"Already allies have joined us in Iraq where we have stopped ISIL's advances, we have equipped our Iraqi partners and helped them go on offense," he told a news conference.
The United States hoped a new Iraqi government would be formed next week and was confident it would have a coalition for the sustained action required to destroy ISIL.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/05/us-iraq-crisis-obama-idUSKBN0H01S820140905
Islamic State is our top enemy: Saudi mufti
Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority calls group labels group apostates and says terrorism has no place in Islam.
Islamic State is our top enemy: Saudi mufti - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Islamic State is our top enemy: Saudi mufti - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Islamic State 'kills second Lebanese captive'
The incursion in to Arsal marked the most serious spillover to date
of the Syrian civil war into Lebanon and triggered five days of battles
with the Lebanese army.
Islamic State 'kills second Lebanese captive' - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
of the Syrian civil war into Lebanon and triggered five days of battles
with the Lebanese army.
Islamic State 'kills second Lebanese captive' - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Friday 5 September 2014
Survivors demand justice after Iraq massacre
No one disputes the horrific outcome: Iraqi military recruits were led off their base unarmed and murdered in their hundreds, machine gunned in mass graves by the Islamic State, whose fighters boasted proudly of the killings on the Internet.
The massacre of the Iraqi army detachment at Camp Speicher in June was unprecedented even by the standards of Iraq's decade of sectarian war. It sent panic through Iraq and announced to the world that the Sunni militants of Islamic State were a new kind of foe, determined not only to seize and hold territory but to exterminate sectarian enemies who fell into their hands.
For the survivors and the families of victims, the killers themselves are not the only villains in the story. They blame the government and local tribespeople in the surrounding Salahuddin province, who they say promised the recruits safe passage and allowed them to be led to their deaths.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/05/us-iraq-crisis-massacre-idUSKBN0H021L20140905
The story of an Islamic State massacre survivor
Eight hundred Iraqi soldiers were divided into lines of ten men, given rushed interrogations by Islamic State fighters and shot dead, the survivor said. By dawn, he was one of only 20 left alive.
Mohammed Majul Hamoud, a 24-year-old survivor who spoke to Reuters in his home town of Diwaniya, south of Baghdad, said he was spared because he pretended to be a Sunni Muslim Bedouin.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/05/us-iraq-crisis-escape-idUSKBN0H025G20140905
Islamic State guides Egyptian militants, expanding its influence
Islamic State, fighting to redraw the map of the Middle East, has been coaching Egypt's most dangerous militant group, complicating efforts to stabilize the biggest Arab nation.
Confirmation that Islamic Sate, currently the most successful of the region's jihadi groups, is extending its influence to Egypt will sound alarm bells in Cairo, where the authorities are already facing a security challenge from home-grown militants.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/05/us-egypt-islamicstate-idUSKBN0H018F20140905
NATO alliance: the moment of truth? - Inside Story - Al Jazeera English
To call it a "historic failure" may be is to forget Libya failure, the failure to help turkey, to intevene to punish and prevent the use of chemical weapon in Syria, and their "contribution" to Afhanistan peace and security.
Speaking at the summit in Wales, British prime minister David Cameron
outlined a three-point plan to take the organisation forward.
He
called for a multi-national rapid response force to be restored, a
commitment by NATO members to spend two percent of GDP on defence, and a
more effective global security network.
But will it mark a defining moment for the military alliance? Or a historic failure?
NATO alliance: the moment of truth? - Inside Story - Al Jazeera English
Speaking at the summit in Wales, British prime minister David Cameron
outlined a three-point plan to take the organisation forward.
He
called for a multi-national rapid response force to be restored, a
commitment by NATO members to spend two percent of GDP on defence, and a
more effective global security network.
But will it mark a defining moment for the military alliance? Or a historic failure?
NATO alliance: the moment of truth? - Inside Story - Al Jazeera English
US confirms al-Shabab leader's death
The United States has confirmed that Ahmed Abdi Godane, a founder of
Somalia's al-Shabab group, was killed in a US air strike this week.
"We have confirmed that Ahmed Godane, the co-founder of al-Shabab, has been killed," the Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement on Friday.
On Tuesday at least six people were killed as the US hit a convoy of senior al-Shabab leaders. Since then the US was assessing the results to see who died
US confirms al-Shabab leader's death - Africa - Al Jazeera English
Somalia's al-Shabab group, was killed in a US air strike this week.
"We have confirmed that Ahmed Godane, the co-founder of al-Shabab, has been killed," the Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement on Friday.
| Ahmed Abdi Godane |
US confirms al-Shabab leader's death - Africa - Al Jazeera English
US announces coalition to fight Islamic State
This is so irresponsible to insist in a strategy that NEVER works, give arms to "friendly" groups is not going to solve any crisis, it will only mean more weapon available to IS. And all this talk about cutting found is meaninless for a group that doesnt rely on foreign money, it may help them, but their power and motivation are enough to reach their goals, since there are so much weapon available in the region, not safguarded by anyone that west powers may trust.
Obama says new Nato-led coalition will confront group, cut its funding, and support those opposed to "savage nihilism".
US announces coalition to fight Islamic State - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Obama says new Nato-led coalition will confront group, cut its funding, and support those opposed to "savage nihilism".
US announces coalition to fight Islamic State - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Thursday 4 September 2014
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