Reader’s links for April 17 – 2015

This post has all its contents in the comments. For the newest freshest videos and news stories of interest to the Counter-Jihad and the Geopolitics of Islam, please click comments and add to, or read what is posted there.

Some will be integrated into the day’s posts and others not. But this way we can keep a great news flow going without interfering with the conversations about the issues under the various essays and news items in the posts that will be presented throughout the day.

Thank you all for your informative and important contributions.

About Eeyore

Canadian artist and counter-jihad and freedom of speech activist as well as devout Schrödinger's catholic

55 Replies to “Reader’s links for April 17 – 2015”

  1. Italy accused of bringing in Islamist ‘terrorists’ after Christians thrown into sea

    “Intervention is now urgent because what has happened is extremely worrying”

    “The Renzi government is bringing in Islamist fundamentalists and using Italian ships as taxis for potential jihadists.”

    http://timesinitaly.com/italian-news-in-english/item/8000-italy-accused-of-bringing-in-islamist-terrorists-after-christians-thrown-into-sea

    Trafficking gangs ‘conspiring with officials to smuggle illegal immigrants into EU’

    Gangs are so certain their boats will be picked up they’re even putting less fuel in the tank because naval vessels will pick them up, a former UK immigration manager has revealed.

    Search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean are making the job of smuggling immigrants from North Africa into Italy easier and encouraging the illegal trade.

    http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ba6_1429177311

  2. ‘Their reward is slaughter’: ISIS beheads ‘six Syrian soldiers’ in front of young children

    ‘Soldiers’ were sentenced to death by Islamic Court ‘for waging war on God’

    Masked executioner beheads the men before wiping his blood-stained blade

    Men and young children gathered to watch execution in ISIS-held al-Mayadin

    ISIS has recruited ‘hundreds of children’ from east Syrian city, experts claim

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3042070/Their-reward-slaughter-ISIS-beheads-six-Syrian-soldiers-young-children.html

  3. James Lewis: Thinking the Unthinkable: Are we Looking at Nuclear Treason?

    http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2015/04/thinking_the_unthinkable_are_we_looking_at_nuclear_treason.html#ixzz3XVp7jgN0

    Just this week Obama dismissed the 1963 Cuban Missile Crisis by saying that “I’m not interested in having battles that frankly started before I was born… The Cold War’s been over for a long time.”

    It seems that history only started with the Birth of the One. A more direct confession of delusional narcissism is hard to find.

    • Of course, these are FAR-far-right-wing musings. None of us here at Vlad Tepes would think of such heresy on our own.

    • Here’s another refreshing peice, packs a wallop.

      Not just ‘acting out of sympathy’ because,
      “Sympathy alone is inadequate to explain his facilitating, enabling, obfuscating, whitewashing, and congenially interacting with Islamo-fascist extremists. There can be only one explanation for his otherwise unexplainable series of decisions and statements that have supported or even facilitated Islamic fascism’s expansion.

      What other explanation can there be other than that he wants the Jihadists to win?

      What other explanation can there be but that he actually wants Iran to achieve nuclear capacity, to surround Sunni Islam in the Fertile Crescent, to reign as a supreme regional hegemon, armed with atomic weapons, controlling the Straits of Hormuz, and equipped to fulfill the jihadist dream of obliterating Israel and annihilating another 6,000,000 Jews?

      What other explanation can there be but that he does not merely sympathize with Islamic fascism,?but that he is at one with the ideologically driven psychotic murderers who seek to destroy all of western civilization and replace it with the 7?? century barbarism that they call “true Islam”?

      What other explanation can there be but that our president is fighting on the side of our enemies, and that he is, therefore, committing treason?

      The Question of Obama’s Allegiances

      http://www.frontpagemag.com/2015/david-meir-levi/the-question-of-Obms-allegiances/

    • That depends on what version of the S300 were acquired and did the Russians lower the efficiency of the missiles in case they have to fight Iran?

      • …did the Russians lower the efficiency of the missiles in case they have to fight Iran?
        _^u^_ glorious _^u^_

        To get a grip and appreciate the permutations, I spent some quality time looking at S-300 variants.

        And was rewarded by J.E. Dyer’s answers to a couple great questions in the comments of the article above.
        ——-
        Why would Russia be ‘probing to incentivize Israel (or even the U.S.)?’ What would Russia gain from an attack on Iran, either before S-300s are installed or after? (4) What – specifically –does Russia gain by alternately incentivizing and courting Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt. Or is the point not some specific advantage but rather political leverage/capital that can be ‘banked’ and then used in the future as circumstances dictate? (4) Against whom does Egypt require S-300VMs?
        ——-
        “Incentivizing” is a diplomatic-speak way of saying “force to come to you” or “force to negotiate” or “put in your debt,” or a variety of other behavior dynamics you may want to provoke.

        From Russia’s perspective, one of the possible outcomes from promising to deliver the S-300 to Iran is that Israel comes to Russia and is ready to talk turkey about something in order to prevent that.

        That’s what “incentivizing” means. It can mean a lot of different things, but in general, one of the chief things it’s about is goading someone else in some way. It can also mean offering rewards without first applying a threat, but frankly, in international relations, it rarely means that. Only during the Pax Americana were people able to believe in magical international relations, with Mickey Mouse on one side and Snow White on the other.

        Now, I know you’re going to say, “What does Russia want from Israel?” Russia wants to make a client of Israel that Russia can keep on a string with her other clients, so that Russia is in the catbird seat for what goes on in the Middle East.

        Israel’s independence in that regard is an inconvenience for Russia. There is unquestionably a layer of apocalypticism over everything to do with Israel and her neighbors, but there’s also a very real layer of ordinary international dynamics, and in Russian moves, the chief thing we’re always seeing is Russia being Russia.

        Here’s how Russia would like for it to go. Israel doesn’t attack Iran; that would be counter to Russia’s interests. Russia is the broker that can keep Israel from attacking Iran, AND Iran from attacking Israel — that’s what Russia needs Israel to at least see as her only option.

        Russia has no love for Israel, but Putin & Co aren’t ready for the Middle East to fight the big “destroy Israel” war. Putin doesn’t have enough hooks in any useful local clientele for that. If such a war is to happen, it needs to go Russia’s way, and the props aren’t lined up for that today.

        Russia’s way… is for the relatively state-tethered Persian Shias to gradually win out over the shrieking, head-lopping Sunni Arabs, who wouldn’t feel viscerally the civilized benefits of nation-statehood if it plunged like a dagger through their ribcages.

        For the time being, a well-armed Israel is useful to Russia, because a well-armed Israel keeps the Sunni mess from descending into utter chaos, and gives Iran time to maneuver. Russia isn’t anxious to do away with Israel, but she doesn’t want Israel dealing a big blow to Iran.

        ——- Here’s your Russia vs Iran play.

        => “That said, Russia doesn’t trust the Iranians any further than she can throw them. The beauty of Iran is her geographic location and her very long history of central government and comparative stability, not any great love Russia has for her. Iranians and Russians both think the other smells and has fleas. So it doesn’t hurt to have Israel being a thorn in Iran’s side, to keep Iran from prancing around all frisky and impertinent-like.“ <=

        • Very good analysis, that tells all of the possible motives as well as the rewards if Putin pulls this off. The down side is that I don’t think he can keep the lid on Iran, especially if China decides to play in that area, China is the wild card as is the very real possibility that the US will get out of its current political and economic mess and once again be a major facgtor in the world. While Obama has thrown away the sole superpower era the US is far from out and remember no matter what we will remain a food super power. it the wanna be world rulers push hard enough it they want to eat they will have to pay our price.

          Also we are rapidly becoming energy self sufficient which allows us to be free from the extortion of the oil producing nations.

          The above must be added into any analysis of what is going to happen in the future.

  4. The New York Slimes explains why we should be understanding of the genuine worries of these evil witches. Or say how much they’re paid for such vicious aggression. Or why Mohammedans launch airstrikes with zero concern for the damage they might do to it. It doesn’t choose to understand those for whom this place means everything.

    Palestinian Women Join Effort to Keep Jews From Contested Holy Site

    http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/17/world/middleeast/palestinian-women-join-effort-to-keep-jews-from-contested-holy-site.html?_r=1

  5. I can’t get an exact URL because Foreign Policy wants money for access. But you can navigate toward it. Good article.

    Genocide Under Our Watch

    Newly declassified White House documents show Richard Clarke and Susan Rice pushed to weaken U.N. peacekeeping operations during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

    http://foreignpolicy.com

  6. Top Iraqi militant Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri ‘killed’

    Fugitive Iraqi militant leader Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, a former right-hand man to Saddam Hussein, has been killed, Iraqi officials say.

    They say he died in fighting with government troops in Salahuddin province, north of Baghdad.

    Al-Douri, 72, led the Naqshbandi Order insurgent group, a key force behind the recent rise of Islamic State (IS).

    He was deputy to Saddam Hussein, who was ousted when US-led forces invaded Iraq in 2003 and executed in 2006.

    Al-Douri was regarded as the most high-profile official of Saddam Hussein’s Baath party to successfully evade capture after the invasion, and had a large bounty on his head for years.

    He was the King of Clubs in the famous pack of cards the US issued of wanted members of Saddam Hussein’s regime after its defeat.

    There have been reports of al-Douri’s death or capture before, but correspondents say this is the most credible so far.

    Al-Arabiya TV showed a picture of what it said was al-Douri’s body.

    Salahuddin governor Raed al-Jabouri said he died during an operation by soldiers and allied Shia militiamen east of Tikrit – a city that was recaptured by the government two weeks ago.

    Iraqi forces, backed by US-led air strikes, have seized large areas from IS and its allies in recent months.

    However, the jihadist group still controls swathes of northern and western Iraq, including the second city of Mosul.

    Al-Douri is believed to have played a key role in masterminding last year’s offensive by IS.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-32347036
    ===========================================================
    Top Saddam aide Izzat al-Douri reportedly killed

    http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/04/17/Key-Saddam-aide-and-ISIS-commander-Ezzat-al-Douri-killed.html

  7. ‘Bakur’ screening ban causes controversy at the Istanbul International Film Festival – cinema

  8. Expressen TV meets the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the presidential palace in Damaskus, for an exclusive interview. PART 1.

  9. Calgary school slapped with $26K fine for refusing to let Muslim students pray on campus

    A Calgary private school unlawfully discriminated against two Muslim students by refusing to allow them to pray on campus, says the province’s human rights tribunal.

    The Alberta Human Rights Commission fined Webber Academy a total of $26,000 for distress and loss of dignity after the boys were forced to hide at the school or leave the property during the city’s chilly winter to fulfill their faith’s obligations.

    http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/private-school-that-forced-muslim-students-to-pray-outside-unlawfully-discriminated-human-rights-tribunal-rules

    Saguenay Mayor Jean Tremblay says he’s surprised by Supreme Court’s prayer ruling

    The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the reading of a Catholic prayer at council meetings infringes on freedom of conscience and religion.

    http://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/saguenay-mayor-jean-tremblay-responds-to-supreme-courts-prayer-ruling

  10. Al-Qaida in Yemen Takes Massive Weapons Depot From Army (abcnews, Apr 17, 2015)
    http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/calls-274-million-yemen-aid-humanitarian-30387289

    “Al-Qaida’s Yemen branch routed government forces from a large weapons depot in the country’s east on Friday, seizing dozens of tanks, Katyusha rocket launchers and small arms, security officials said, as airstrikes by a Saudi-led coalition intensified in the capital, Sanaa, and also in Yemen’s second-largest city.

    The seized depot is located in Mukalla, the capital of Hadramawt — Yemen’s largest province where al-Qaida has been consolidating its control. Only the day before, the militants captured a major airport, an oil terminal and the area’s main military base.

    The gains highlight how al-Qaida has exploited the chaos in Yemen, where Shiite rebels are battling forces loyal to exiled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. The Saudi-led air campaign in support of Hadi, now in its fourth week, has so far failed to halt the rebels’ advance….”

  11. Top Kashmir separatist leader arrested (BBC, Apr 17, 2015)
    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-32346490

    “Police in Indian-administered Kashmir have arrested a prominent separatist leader just a month after his release from his prison.

    They say Masarat Alam has been encouraging his supporters to wave Pakistan flags in the disputed valley.

    He was arrested from his home in Srinagar city on Friday.

    He ended a four-year jail term last month for violent protests in 2010 against Indian rule in Kashmir in which more than 100 people were killed.

    Mr Alam is a member of the Hurriyat Conference – the political umbrella of separatist groups in Indian-administered Kashmir….”

  12. Mediterranean Union in practice… 😉

    Sicilian fishing boat seized off Libyan coast is recaptured (BBC, Apr 17, 2015?
    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32348938

    “The Italian navy has recaptured a Sicilian fishing boat hours after it was seized by the Libyan coastguard up to 64km off the coast of Libya.

    Italian navy personnel boarded the vessel, which was taken to the Libyan port of Misrata before being released.

    The Libyan coastguard said the boat was seized in “a peaceful operation” after entering Libyan waters.

    The vessel did not have a fishing permit and had breached Libyan sovereignty, a spokesman told the BBC.

    “It was a peaceful operation, no shots were fired,” he said.

    The Italian navy said that military personnel in the area on migrant rescue duties responded to reports of the fishing boat seizure. There were no reports of any injuries.

    The crew, which had been fishing for shrimp, comprised three Italians and four Tunisians resident in Italy.

    A spokesman for the Italian fishing co-operative told the BBC that there have been 12 such seizures by Libya since 2005.

    The gunmen initially appeared to be militia members using an unmarked government boat, the spokesman said.

    The fishing co-operative has described the incident as “an act of piracy” and said that, since 2005, Libya has insisted that its territorial waters extend more than 112km (69 miles) off shore – much further than international agreements allow.

    The co-operative said Libya’s deteriorating security situation – the country is in effect fragmented with rival parliaments backed by warring militias – had added to concerns about the safety of the crew.”

  13. You will do much better if you donate to the counter-jihad movement instead.

    Yemen crisis: UN appeals for $275m in humanitarian aid (BBC, Apr 17, 2015)
    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32356303

    “The UN has launched an appeal for nearly $275m (£183m;€255m) of aid to help civilians caught up in Yemen’s worsening conflict.

    About 150,000 people have been displaced by fighting, according to the UN, with 12 million short of food.

    Meanwhile, al-Qaeda militants overran an arms depot in Yemen’s Hadramawt province, seizing heavy weapons.

    A Saudi-led coalition has been bombing Yemen’s Shia Houthi rebels, who are advancing across the country.

    The coalition is bombing 18 of Yemen’s 22 provinces, exacerbating an existing humanitarian crisis.

    The UN said 731 people had been killed and 2,754 injured – many of them civilians – in three weeks between March and April. The numbers were likely to be an underestimate, it warned.

    The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) is now calling for $273.7 million in donations….”

  14. Iranian ship convoy moves toward Yemen, alarming US officials

    U.S. military officials are concerned that Iran’s support for Houthi rebels in Yemen could spark a confrontation with Saudi Arabia and plunge the region into sectarian war.
    Iran is sending an armada of seven to nine ships — some with weapons — toward Yemen in a potential attempt to resupply the Shia Houthi rebels, according to two U.S. defense officials.

    Officials fear the move could lead to a showdown with the U.S. or other members of a Saudi-led coalition, which is enforcing a naval blockade of Yemen and is conducting its fourth week of airstrikes against the Houthis.

    Iran sent a destroyer and another vessel to waters near Yemen last week but said it was part of a routine counter-piracy mission.

    What’s unusual about the new deployment, which set out this week, is that the Iranians are not trying to conceal it, officials said. Instead, they appear to be trying to “communicate it” to the U.S. and its allies in the Gulf.

    It is not clear what will happen as the convoy comes closer to Yemen. Saudi Arabia has deployed ships around Yemen to enforce the blockade, as has Egypt. An official said the ship convoy could try to land at a port in Aden, which the Houthis have taken over.

    Although the U.S. is assisting with the Saudi-led air campaign, it is not participating in the naval blockade of Yemen, said U.S. Central Command spokesman Col. Pat Ryder.

    However, the U.S. Navy is in the region and has already “consensually boarded” one Panamanian-flagged ship in the Red Sea on April 1 on the suspicion it was illegally carrying arms for the Houthis.

    None were found, but the move raised alarm bells in Washington over an increasingly active U.S. military role in the conflict. The Pentagon indicated this week that more boardings could occur.

    “We will continue to vigilantly defend freedom of navigation and to conduct consensual searches in an effort to ensure that drugs, human trafficking, weapons trafficking and other contraband are limited,” Army Col. Steve Warren said on Monday.

    Officials fear a naval confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia could escalate what has become a proxy war between the two countries.

    The U.S. has been supporting the airstrikes with intelligence and logistical support, and last week began refueling Saudi fighter jets. Administration officials say it is important to support Saudi Arabia.

    Earlier this week, a senior State Department official said the U.S. would try to ensure that a United Nations Security Council arms embargo against Houthi leadership is enforced.

    “We will be taking very careful look and examining very closely efforts to violate the embargo,” senior State Department official Gerald Feierstein told the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

    The deepening of the conflict comes as the U.S. hopes to reach a deal with Iran to roll back its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Officials say U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition has not affected the negotiations with Iran.

    The conflict also threatens to complicate U.S.’s relations with Iraq. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, an Iran ally, criticized Saudi Arabia for its airstrike campaign during a visit to Washington this week.

    U.S. officials say they are unsure why Iran is making the brazen move. One theory they have floated is that the Saudi-led coalition has effectively blockaded any air routes into Yemen and there are no other ways to resupply the Houthis.

    Another theory is that Iran is trying to distract the coalition from another ship it has tried hard to conceal that is currently docked at Oman — a potential land route for smuggling arms into Yemen.

    Yet another theory is that Iran wants to force a confrontation with Saudi Arabia that it believes it will win, because Iran views the Saudi military as weak and suspects the U.S. lacks the willpower to support its Gulf ally.

    Earlier this week, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Twitter taunted Saudi Arabia, calling its military puny and smaller than Israel’s. He also said the air campaign was tantamount to genocide of innocent Yemeni civilians and that the U.S. would also fail in Yemen.

    U.S. officials say they hope the airstrikes will force Houthis to the negotiating table in order to restore stability in Yemen, where America faces a terrorist threat from al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

    “We’re assisting the Saudis to protect their own territory and to conduct operations that are designed to lead ultimately to a political settlement to Yemen,” said Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Thursday.

    “That’s good for the people of Yemen, first and foremost. It’s good for Saudi Arabia that doesn’t need this on its southern border. And … it’s good for us, among other reasons, because of AQAP’s presence in Yemen. But for that to occur, it’ll require more than military action,” he added.

    http://thehill.com/policy/defense/239295-us-officials-concerned-about-iranian-convoy-headed-towards-yemen