Contributor’s links for May 24, 2019

Daily Links Post graphic

Each day at just after midnight Eastern, a post like this one is created for contributors and readers of this site to upload news links and video links on the issues that concern this site. Most notably, Islam and its effects on Classical Civilization, and various forms of leftism from Soviet era communism, to postmodernism and all the flavours of galloping statism and totalitarianism such as Nazism and Fascism which are increasingly snuffing out the classical liberalism which created our near, miraculous civilization the West has been building since the time of Socrates.

This document was written around the time this site was created, for those who wish to understand what this site is about. And while our understanding of the world and events has grown since then, the basic ideas remain sound and true to the purpose.

So please post all links, thoughts and ideas that you feel will benefit the readers of this site to the comments under this post each day. And thank you all for your contributions.

This is the new Samizdat. We must use it while we can.

About Eeyore

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

99 Replies to “Contributor’s links for May 24, 2019”

  1. Facing War Prospects, Iranians Stockpile Food (aawsat, may 24, 2019) https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1737741/facing-war-prospects-iranians-stockpile-food

    “Iran’s armed forces Chief of Staff Gen Mohammad Bagheri has issued a new stark warning as tensions between Tehran and Washington continue to rise, threatening a shocking retaliation to any US “adventurism.”

    The escalatory war of words between the US and Iran has worsened with no signs of it winding down anytime soon. Tehran’s clerical regime, however, sought to reassure economically ailing Iranians that despite threats, it’s not looking for war.

    Nevertheless, these reassurances have fallen on deaf ears with the people registering unprecedented levels of anxiety.

    According to Reuters, the nerves of ordinary Iranians who already face hardship from tightening sanctions are being strained by worry that the situation could slip out of control.

    In interviews conducted from outside the country by telephone and online, Iranians described heated discussions at home, on the streets and on social media.

    The prospect of war is now the main topic of conversation in workplaces, taxis and buses, Nima Abdollahzade, a legal consultant at an Iranian startup company, told Reuters.

    “Apart from the deterioration in the Iranian economy, I believe the most severe effect” of confrontation with the US “is in the mental situation of ordinary Iranians,” he said. “They are sustaining a significant amount of stress.”

    This month tensions have risen sharply, with Washington extending its sanctions to ban all countries from importing Iranian oil. A number of US officials led by National Security Adviser John Bolton have made hawkish remarks, citing Iranian threats against US interests. President Donald Trump himself tweeted: “If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran.”

    Meanwhile, Iranians cope with the day-to-day implications of sanctions and tension. Worries over access to products have prompted some Iranians to stock up on rice, detergent and canned food, residents and shopkeepers said.

    An advertisement on state TV discourages stockpiling. A middle-aged man heading home after work is drawn to a supermarket when he sees people panic shopping. He buys anything he can put his hands on, causing shelves to be emptier.

    Shahin Milani, a 38-year-old who tweets about Iranian politics to more than 7,000 followers on Twitter, believes military intervention could never bring democracy.

    “The people should do it themselves … If someone is truly worried about the threat of war, they should work to create a democratic, secular government in Iran … As long as the Islamic Republic is in power, the shadow of war will loom over Iran.””

    • I doubt if the US will invade, bombing the government buildings and every military asset is a horse of a different color. Done properly the current government would be weakened and it would be up to the Iranian people to pull off Regime Change.

  2. Saudi Arabia studying plans to criminalize racism, religious hatred (saudigazette, May 24, 2019)
    http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/567089/SAUDI-ARABIA/Saudi-Arabia-studying-plans-to-criminalize-racism-religious-hatred

    “Saudi Arabia has announced it is studying new draft legislation to criminalize racial discrimination and religious hatred, according to a speech delivered at the UN.

    The Kingdom said that intolerance based on ideology and race has emerged as a major threat to global peace and security.

    Dr. Abdullah Bin Fakhri Al-Ansari, an adviser to the Saudi Interior Ministry, noted this during a speech on Tuesday at the 28th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held at the UN Center in Vienna.

    He said that relevant Saudi authorities were currently considering a new draft law criminalizing racism and hatred, as well as prohibiting the formation of organizations that racially discriminate. The draft law would also prohibit attacks on places of worship, insulting religions, and abuse of religious sanctities.

    Al-Ansari also called on the UN and all regional and international organizations to strengthen international efforts to combat crimes against religions and condemn and prevent intolerance and discrimination. He said that Saudi Arabia also urged others to continue issuing laws to restrict sermons preaching hatred against other religions. — Al-Arabiya English”

    • No discrimination here,we will cut anyones head off.Murderers complaining that people say nasty thing about them,it is maybe the headrag that stops reason from penetrating into their primeval brain cell.

  3. Morocco Thwarts More Than 30,000 Irregular Migration Attempts in 2019 (moroccoworldnews, May 24, 2019)
    https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/05/274054/irregular-migration-attempts-morocco/

    “Moroccan security services have thwarted more than 30,000 irregular migration attempts in 2019, compared to 88,761 of foiled attempts in 2018.

    Spokesperson of the government, Mustapha El Khalfi, announced on Thursday that the decrease in the number of irregular migration attempts reflects the “great” effort of Morocco’s law enforcement forces against the issue of undocumented migration and the trafficking networks active in this area.

    El Khalfi met with the p after the weekly government council, telling them that the 2019 statistics were shared by the Ministry of Interior.

    The Minister added that the statistics “testify to the considerable efforts” made by Morocco to combat irregular migration networks, especially those active on the Morocco-Spain axis.

    Spain and Morocco have been facing considerable pressure on both sides of the axis due to the flow of irregular migrants.

    The issue prompted the two countries to strengthen their cooperation to fight irregular migration networks.

    Spain has been a strong supporter of Morocco’s efforts on migration, repeatedly calling on the European Union to help the North African country in the Mediterranean.

    The European country also expressed satisfaction with Morocco’s efforts, emphasizing that the number of irregular migrants in Spain dropped by 52% from April 2018 to April 2019.

    The Spanish Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, lauded the cooperation between the two countries, saying that her country has “full confidence” in the collaboration with Morocco.

    The Moroccan-Spanish collaboration has been reinvigorated in the last months, especially after the recent visits of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to Morocco in November 2018 and the Spanish royal family in February 2019.

    In a recent interview, Sanchez stressed the significance of the ties between his country and Morocco, saying that Morocco is a “special ally” for Spain. “Progress and prosperity in Morocco,” he said, are key to the stability of the region.

    During Thursday’s Press Conference, El Khalfi also commended Morocco’s strategy in handling the issue, emphasizing that “Morocco continues its policy of fighting [irregular] immigration with a humanitarian approach, noting that the Royal Navy has intensified its rescue operations of irregular migrants, and, at the same time, “Morocco is implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration adopted last December [2018] in Marrakech””

  4. Maghreb Faces Severe Challenges as Population Increases (moroccoworldnews, May 24, 2019)
    https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/05/274048/maghreb-challenges-population/

    “The Maghreb’s population is increasing, which will place significant pressure on infrastructure, health, employment and resources across the region. According to Moroccan statistics body HCP, investing in youth is the key to addressing inevitable demographic pressures.

    The Moroccan statistics body High Commission for Planning (HCP) has released a report analyzing the demographic trends of the Maghreb region and their key influencing factors.

    According to the report, between 1980 and 2018, the population of the Maghreb (Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya) doubled from 49.8 million people to 99.9 million people, with an average increase of 1.3 million people a year.

    Noting the population across the region will continue to increase, the report warns that the growth in population will place pressure on education, health, employment, housing, water and infrastructure resources across the region.

    It paints a bleak picture of the Maghreb in 2050, but concludes the best way forward is to invest in youth.

    Previous demographic trends
    While the Maghreb’s population is increasing, the rate of population growth is decreasing. HCP finds that the key factors that have influenced the change in growth rates are a drop in mortality rate and birth rate due to changing social patterns.

    Providing figures on the child mortality rate in the Maghreb, the report notes that while the rate has decreased, with less children dying at birth (Tunisia has the lowest rate at 1.4%, and Mauritania the highest at 6.1%. Morocco sits at 1.8%), number are still well above European averages (Spain 0.23%, Portugal 0.16%, France 0.28%).

    HCP finds the Maghreb has also experienced a significant drop in birth rate in the last 50 years.

    In the 1960s and 1970s, women across the region were having on average 7 children, the report notes. In contrast, in 2018, women were having on average 2.6 children.

    According to the HCP, this drop is due to changes in marriage practices and the increasing use of contraception.

    Thirty years ago, women in the Maghreb were getting married on average around 18 to 21 years of age whereas in 2000, the average marriage age in the Maghreb was over 25 years old.

    Maghreb culture and religion do not permit sexual relationships or childbearing outside marriage, HCP notes. Therefore, any increase in the average age of marriage leads to a logical decrease in the childbirth rate, HCP concluded.

    The report also identifies general changes to the role of women in Maghreb society, which paired with an increased use of contraception, all contribute to a drop in birth rate.

    Pressure on housing
    HCP finds that family structures across the Maghreb have changed, with a shift towards smaller nuclear families, rather than the traditional extended family groups.

    The report concludes that based on past patterns, future generations will likely aspire to live in smaller, nuclear families. It warns this will likely lead to increased pressure on housing needs across the Maghreb region, and notes an urgent need for new housing infrastructure.

    Challenges of urbanization
    HCP projects that the Maghreb’s population will grow to 131.9 million in 2050 (45.5 million in Morocco, up from 35 million in 2018) and that a key challenge for states will be the continued urbanization of the population.

    The report projects that by 2050, 79.9% of the population will be urbanized, with the highest rate of urbanization in Libya (88.4%), and the lowest in Mauritania (72.9%), with Morocco following next (73.6%).

    Between 1980 and 2018, the regional urban population tripled. HCP warns that future urbanization will require “colossal efforts” in relation to infrastructure, water, transport, health, and waste management to sustain the population. It will also require countries in the Maghreb to intervene to prevent the marginalization of urban populations due to poverty.

    Unemployment
    The report warns of significant pressures on job markets, as between 2018 and 2030, 4 million new job seekers will be searching for work across the region.

    Referencing the increasing rate of university educated individuals, it warns the Maghreb will need to find avenues for its educated workforce.

    Aging population

    The population in the Maghreb is aging quickly. The number of people over 60 years of age will almost triple by 2050 to 30.5 million.

    Countries will face increased pressure on retirement schemes. The report flags that, in 2018, only 20% of Moroccans over 60 received a pension, as opposed to 35% in Algeria and 38% in Tunisia.

    An aging population means that countries will need to increase spendings on health, the report notes, especially as nuclear families are less likely to look after older family members.

    Countries will also have to shift their spending towards age-related pathologies (heart disease, diabetes, cancers, etc.) at the expense of addressing infectious diseases.

    Brain drain
    HCP recognizes the brain drain is causing qualified workers from the Maghreb to migrate towards countries in Europe or elsewhere so that they might have a better chance with more professional opportunities.

    It warns countries to need to address the issue, particularly given that educated workers could represent a development potential for the region.

    It emphasizes that if the Maghreb does not make any efforts to maintain connections with its diaspora, workers might be absorbed into the overseas society they have moved to. With this, the Maghreb will lose any potential benefits.

    Solutions: a focus on youth
    According to the HCP, the key solution to tackling demographic pressures across the Maghreb is to invest in youth.

    For HCP, the Maghreb’s first priority should be massive investments in education (particularly for girls and vulnerable youth), training, employment, social security and health of youth.

    It recommends that countries establish employment and training strategies to promote youth engagement and promote entrepreneurship.

    It concludes by noting that young people should be involved in decision making processes and the creation of any programs set up to meet their needs. Youth participation is, therefore, the key to addressing inevitable demographic pressures in the Maghreb.”

    • I would have thought that a “brain drain”from a muslim country was an impossibility,since they have none to begin with.So instead of putting a strain on their infrastructure,water,health provision,and economy,they want to put that strain on ours.

  5. Let the games begin! Donald Trump releases the Kraken. Sebastian Gorka on AMERICA First

  6. Declassified info shows Iran’s financial situation and inability to fund terror groups

  7. Three escape from court after bail recalled in abduction, rape case (dawn, May 24, 2019)
    https://www.dawn.com/news/1484182/three-escape-from-court-after-bail-recalled-in-abduction-rape-case

    “Three suspects, including two females, escaped from the court on Thursday after their interim pre-arrest bail was recalled in a case pertaining to alleged abduction and rape of a Christian girl, who is said to have converted to Islam.

    The suspects have been booked in a case pertaining to alleged abduction of a 15-year-old girl and her rape within the remit of the Ittehad Town police station. The main suspect has been arrested.

    The additional district and sessions’ judge (west), Mumtaz Ali Solangi, had granted interim pre-arrest bail to the suspects against a surety bond of Rs30,000 each on May 14.

    On Thursday, the judge pronounced his verdict reserved on the applications seeking confirmation of the suspects’ bail before arrest after hearing arguments from both sides.

    The judge dismissed their applications seeking confirmation of the interim pre-arrest bail, which was also recalled.

    The three suspects, who stayed outside the courtroom, easily escaped in the presence of the investigating officer, said the judicial staff and complainant’s lawyer…”

  8. 3 killed, 19 wounded in blast inside Quetta mosque ahead of Friday prayers: DIG (dawn, May 24, 2019)
    https://www.dawn.com/news/1484328/3-killed-19-wounded-in-blast-inside-quetta-mosque-ahead-of-friday-prayers-dig

    “At least three people were killed and 19 were wounded in a blast inside Rehmania mosque in Quetta’s Pashtoonabad area during Friday prayers, according to Civil Hospital medical superintendent (MS) Dr Saleem Abro.

    The injured were shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta.

    Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Quetta Abdul Razzaq Cheema confirmed the casualties and said that the attack was carried out through an improvised explosive device (IED). According to Cheema, the blast occurred before Friday prayers started.

    There has been no claim of responsibility as yet.

    The DIG said that out of 618 mosques, 100 have been provided with security. He added that 1,500 police officials have been posted across the city…”

  9. At least 514 irregular migrants held across Turkey (aa, May 24, 2019)
    https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/at-least-514-irregular-migrants-held-across-turkey/1488524

    “No less than 514 irregular migrants were held across Turkey on Friday, multiple security sources said.

    In the northwestern Edirne province, bordering Greece and Bulgaria, the gendarmerie rounded up 343 migrants of Afghan, Pakistani, Algerian, Dominican and Bangladeshi nationals, said a source on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

    In Canakkale, another northwestern province, 29 Afghan and Iranian nationals were held while they were preparing to sail for Greece.

    Separately, the gendarmerie forces arrested 36 irregular migrants including children in Aegean province of Aydin, another source said.

    Moreover, the gendarmerie rounded up 57 irregular migrants in a bus in the Mediterranean province of Adana during a regular road patrol.

    In addition, the security forces held 49 irregular migrants in the eastern Kars province in simultaneous operations.

    All the migrants were later referred to provincial migration directorates.

    Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross to Europe, especially since 2011, the beginning of the Syrian civil war.”

    • Mobile phones were never intended to aid communication,thier object was and still is isolation of the individual.look around,people would far rather talk to someone miles away than the person right next to them.

  10. Joe Biden Reportedly Involved in Controversial Early Stages of 2016 Russia Probe

    NEW YORK — Former Vice President Joe Biden was reportedly one of the few Obama administration officials who participated in secretive meetings during the early stages of the Obama-era intelligence community’s initial operations regarding suspected Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.

    That tidbit was contained deep inside a 7,700-plus word Washington Post article published June 23, 2017 in which the newspaper also detailed the highly compartmentalized nature of the original Russia interference investigation and the manner in which other U.S. intelligence agencies were deliberately kept in the dark. Part of the efforts eventually involved unsubstantiated and ultimately discredited charges made by the Christopher Steele dossier that Trump campaign officials were colluding with Russia.

    Biden’s largely unreported role in the initial Obama administration meetings on the matter of Russian interference could spark further questions now that Attorney General William Barr has appointed a U.S. attorney to investigate the origins of the Russia collusion claims.

    Only last week, Barr commented that the intelligence community’s early handling of the Russia investigation may itself raise questions. He noted that it was first handled at a “very senior level” and then by a “small group.”

    https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/05/24/joe-biden-reportedly-involved-in-controversial-early-stages-of-2016-russia-probe/

    • Why has the pig on the right of this picture brought his side handled baton with him ,or is it a dildoe for afterwards.