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.
Ireland Set for ISIS Detainee, Young Daughter to Return from Turkey
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2015096/ireland-set-isis-detainee-young-daughter-return-turkey
“Ireland expects to repatriate an Irish citizen aligned to the ISIS group and her two-year-old daughter from Turkey this weekend, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Saturday, as authorities in Ankara continues its deportation of detainees.
Turkey says it has captured 287 militants in northeast Syria, where Turkish troops launched an offensive against the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) last month, and has hundreds more extremist suspects in detention.
It began deporting foreign citizens linked to ISIS earlier this month and Ireland confirmed shortly afterwards that Lisa Smith and her daughter were the two Irish citizens identified by Ankara for deportation.
“It is anticipated that two Irish citizens, Lisa Smith and her daughter will return to Ireland this weekend,” Varadkar told reporters.
“Obviously when it comes to her daughter, she’s a child and she will be protected. In relation to Lisa Smith, the Gardai (Irish police) are going to want to speak to her, they may be in a position to charge her and if they do a prosecution may follow.”
Dublin has said for months that it has a responsibility to find a way to bring Smith back to Ireland after she became aligned to the radical group in Syria and that its main concern was for the safe repatriation of her daughter.
Smith had said in media interviews that she wished to return home.
Varadkar had previously said that a security assessment would need to be carried out to ensure that Smith “does not become a threat to life and limb in Ireland.”
Turkey has accused its European allies of being too slow to take back their citizens who had traveled to the Middle East to join ISIS. Meanwhile, European countries are trying to speed up a plan to move thousands of extremists out of Syrian prisons and into Iraq.
So far Turkey has repatriated 10 German nationals, one US citizen, and one British suspected fighter. Eleven detainees from France will be repatriated in early December, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu was quoted as saying on Thursday.”
Libya Navy Says over 200 Migrants Rescued from Mediterranean
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2015121/libya-navy-says-over-200-migrants-rescued-mediterranean
“Libya’s navy said Saturday it had rescued 205 migrants in an operation off the coast of Tripoli.
The rescue took place on Friday, with 158 men, 33 women and 14 children taken from three inflatable boats off the coast of Zawiyah, 45 kilometers west of the capital, a navy statement said.
After receiving calls for help, coast guards had found the boats between 45 and 50 nautical miles (83-93 kilometers) offshore, it said.
The migrants, who came from African nations including Mali, Ivory Coast and Guinea, were returned to port in east Tripoli.
Rescued migrants returned to Libya are often detained in overcrowded detention centers, where a lack of regulation means people face torture, sexual abuse and forced labor.
Their situation deteriorated after fighting broke out south of Tripoli in April, with the Libyan National Army attempting to seize the capital from the Government of National Accord.
The battle has killed more than 1,000 people and displaced 120,000, according to the United Nations.
Some 40,000 refugees and asylum-seekers also live outside detention centers in urban areas in Libya, according to the United Nations agency for refugees (UNHCR).
The chaos that followed the fall of Moammar Gaddafi in 2011 enhanced Libya’s status as a transit route to Europe for migrants coming from the Sahel, east Africa and the Middle East.”
New UAE arms to renegade Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191130-new-uae-arms-to-renegade-libyan-commander-khalifa-haftar/
“A large UAE arms shipment has recently been sent to Libya’s renegade military commander, Khalifa Haftar, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported Egyptian sources saying on Friday.
Haftar has been fighting against the UN-recognised, Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) since 4 April.
The arms shipment entered Libya through the Egyptian borders, along with UAE and Egyptian military officers, according to sources earlier this month.
Speaking to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the sources stated “the arms which Abu Dhabi has recently sent to Haftar aimed to build up the force equation in favour of its ally, Haftar, after great losses occurred during the clashes with the GNA forces.”
According to the sources, the losses included the deaths of a number of Russian fighters affiliated with a private firm which had a deal with the UAE, in order to back Haftar in the battle to raid Tripoli.
The sources claimed that Egyptian military cargo planes landed in Libya, including several kinds of modern arms and unmanned drones.
In addition, the sources stated that UAE military officers arrived in Egypt just four days after the arrival of the arms shipment, to supervise the use of arms and drones.
On 13 November, Al Jazeera revealed that Egypt, UAE and Russia had sent arms to Haftar.
Al Jazeera reported the GNA interior minister, Fathi Bashaga, stressing that Haftar’s “biggest support lies in the fact that the [Haftar-controlled] eastern region directly borders Egypt.”
This, the minister affirmed “makes the border crossing with Egypt the main channel for military supplies.””
They keep repeating that the MB/al-Q/Turk “Government of National Accord (GNA)” is * U. N. *- recognised.
Like that would mean something even if true.
Bomb explosions injure 16 in Iraq’s Kirkuk
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191130-bomb-explosions-injure-16-in-iraqs-kirkuk/
“At least 16 civilians were injured in bomb explosions in the city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq on Saturday, according to a local police officer, Anadolu reports.
Three devices exploded in the city center, leaving 16 people injured, police captain Hamed al-Obeidi told Anadolu Agency.
He said an investigation has been launched into the blasts…”
Tunisians protest in southern town after man sets himself alight
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-protests/tunisians-protest-in-southern-town-after-man-sets-himself-alight-idUSKBN1Y40O7
“Tunisian police used tear gas to disperse dozens of protesters who blocked roads in the southern town of Jelma on Saturday following the death of a young man who burned himself to death, witnesses said.
Abdelwahed Hablani, 25, set himself on fire and died in hospital on Friday in protest at poverty and poor living conditions, echoing the 2010 self immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi, whose death triggered the Arab Spring.
The protesters on Saturday afternoon burnt tires before police intervened to reopen roads, firing tear gas canisters, the witnesses said, but the demonstrations were continuing late into Saturday evening.
Hablani had occasional work as a casual laborer in Jelma, located near Bouazizi’s home city of Sidi Bouzid in Tunisia’s deeply impoverished interior. He was buried on Saturday.
Since Bouazizi’s death in December 2010, numerous young men have followed his example by setting themselves alight in the face of Tunisia’s chronic economic difficulties.
Mass protests that followed Bouazizi’s funeral resulted in January 2011 in a revolution that pushed from power the veteran autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who died in exile in Saudi Arabia in September, and introduced democracy.
Tunisia held free presidential and parliamentary elections in September and October, but economic frustrations and perceived failures of repeated elected governments to improve state services led voters to largely reject the major parties.”
European Parliament Denounces Human Rights Violations in Algeria
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/11/287891/european-parliament-human-rights-violations-algeria/
“The European Parliament on Thursday, November 28, condemned the grim reality of human rights in Algeria, calling on the North African country to end the criminalization of dissent, arbitrary arrests, and violations of minority rights.
“MEPs are deeply worried about the state of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Algeria,” read a summary of the EU body’s stance on human rights breaches in Algeria. “[MEPs] strongly condemn the arbitrary and unlawful arrest and detainment of, attacks on and intimidations of journalists, trade unionists, lawyers, students, human rights defenders and civil society and all peaceful protesters taking part in the Hirak demonstrations.”
The statement comes as post-Bouteflika Algeria grapples with the widening lack of trust between the political elite and masses of protesting Algerians. When Algerians took to the streets in February in a burst of anti-Bouteflika protests, the general mood among the political establishment was that the departure of the ailing president would ease tensions and satisfy young protesters…”
Police in Saidia Thwart Migration Attempt, Arrest 3 Trafficking Suspects
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/11/287885/police-saidia-migration/
“Moroccan law enforcement thwarted an irregular migration attempt on Friday, September 30, at 3 am from the city of Saidia’s Plaisance port, northeastern Morocco. The undocumented migrants were attempting to reach Spain in an inflatable boat.
Based on precise information provided by the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), police elements with the cooperation of the marine brigade of the Royal Gendarmerie thwarted the operation and arrested three individuals suspected of organizing the migration attempt.
The police also arrested eight migrants, all Moroccans, said the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) in a statement.
The operation led to the seizure of a one-engine inflatable boat and two petrol drums of 25 liters of capacity, pointed out the DGSN.
The Police have opened an investigation to determine the circumstances of the operation and arrest further suspects implicated in the affair.”
Dadu police arrest parents, 2 others over alleged stoning to death of minor girl
https://www.dawn.com/news/1519710/dadu-police-arrest-parents-2-others-over-alleged-stoning-to-death-of-minor-girl
“Dadu police on Saturday arrested the parents of a 10-year-old girl as well as two other accused amid reports that they had allegedly stoned the girl to death…”
JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, others to be indicted in terror financing case on Dec 7
https://www.dawn.com/news/1519704/jud-chief-hafiz-saeed-others-to-be-indicted-in-terror-financing-case-on-dec-7
“An antiterrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Saturday announced that it would indict on December 7 Hafiz Saeed, the chief of the proscribed Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), and other JuD leaders who were booked in July for offences pertaining to terror financing.
Saeed, along with deputy emir Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, Hafiz Abdul Salam bin Mohammad, Professor Zafar Iqbal, Mohammad Ashraf, Mohammad Yahya Aziz, and others, was presented before the court today under strict security protocol.
According to Deputy Prosecutor General Abdul Rauf Watoo, the court was provided copies of the nearly two dozen cases registered against the JuD leaders during today’s hearing which was presided over by Judge Malik Arshad Bhutta.
“As per the law, after the provision of copies to the court, the trial begins. The first step of a trial is indictment,” explained DPG Watoo.
The state’s counsel requested the court to hold daily hearings since the copies had been provided. At this, the lawyers for the JuD leaders, Naseeruddin Nayyar and Mohammad Imran Gul, argued that they be given a week’s time so that they can carefully examine the documents and prepare their arguments.
When the state counsel pressed for daily hearings nonetheless, Judge Bhutta said: “The law binds us to hold a fair trial with properly prepared arguments. That’s why everyone should be given time.”
With this, he adjourned the trial till December 7.
Financing terrorism
On July 3, the top 13 leaders of the JuD were booked in nearly two dozen cases for terror financing and money laundering under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.
The Counterterrorism Department (CTD), which registered the cases in five cities of Punjab, declared that the JuD was financing terrorism from the massive funds collected through non-profit organisations and trusts including Al-Anfaal Trust, Dawatul Irshad Trust, Muaz Bin Jabal Trust, etc.
These non-profit organisations were banned in April as the CTD, during detailed investigations, found that they had links with the JuD and its top leadership.
Subsequently, on July 17, Saeed was arrested from Gujranwala on charges of terror financing by the Punjab CTD. He was sent to prison on judicial remand after the CTD presented him before a Gujranwala ATC.
Pakistan warned to curb terror financing
In February, the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) had warned Pakistan to deliver on its commitments to curb terror financing and money laundering.
Risks to the global financial system virtually put the country’s entire machinery into an aggressive mode to show tangible progress within two months of the warning.
In late February, the government announced a ban on JuD and Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation to partially address the concerns raised by India that Pakistan supported these and six similar organisations, including Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), or at least considered them low-risk entities.
Law enforcement agencies over the next few weeks intensified their crackdown on JeM, JuD, FIF and other banned outfits, and arrested more than 100 activists. Nearly 200 seminaries besides hundreds of other facilities and assets associated with them across the country were taken over by the government.
Quarterly assessments by the FATF of Pakistan’s progress continued over the course of the year.
In the latest FATF review held in October, it was found that while Pakistan has made significant improvements, it will have to take “extra measures” for “complete” elimination of terror financing and money laundering. A reprieve until February 2020 has been given until when Pakistan will remain on the task force’s “grey list”.
In 2012, Pakistan was placed on the grey list and remained on it till 2015. The country was put on the list again on June 29, 2018. Pakistan was given 15 months for implementation of the 27-point action plan, with a warning that in case of failure the country would be added to the blacklist — a list of the countries branded as uncooperative and tax havens for terror funding.
Currently, only Iran and North Korea are on the blacklist.”
Turkish defense giants to grow in 2019
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/turkish-defense-giants-to-grow-in-2019/1659649
“Significant defense sector players in Turkey want to close the year with annual increases, their chairmen said Friday.
Haluk Gorgun, the head of the Turkish defense giant Aselsan, which reached $1.87 billion in revenues in 2018, will close 2019 with $2.9 billion in revenues.
“A significant amount of this revenue will come from exports, while the price per kilogram of the Turkish exports is around $1.5, Aselsan’s price is $1,500 per kilogram,” he said.
Aselsan is active in military and civil telecommunications, radar, electronic warfare, defense, weapons, command control and navigation systems.
Temel Kotil, general manager of the Turkish Aerospace of which the largest stakeholder is the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, stressed it will grow 43% in 2019 on an annual basis.
The firm will close 2019 with $2.3 billion in revenues and wants to enter the top 10 defense firms in the world, he added.
The Turkish Aerospace was established in 1973 under the auspices of the Industry and Technology Ministry to reduce foreign dependency of Turkey in the defense industry.
The company produces unmanned aerial vehicles, communication satellite, planes, helicopters and components, and works on modernizing projects.”
Dutch police arrest suspect in Hague knife attack that wounded 3 teenagers
https://www.france24.com/en/20191130-dutch-police-arrest-suspect-in-hague-knife-attack-wounded-3-teenagers
“Dutch police arrested a homeless man on Saturday over a knife assault in a busy shopping street in The Hague in which three teenagers were wounded.
The 35-year-old suspect was detained in the centre of the city a day after the stabbing, which caused panic as shoppers hunted Black Friday bargains.
Police had earlier said they were investigating “several scenarios” and that it was “too early to speculate” about whether there was a possible terror motive.
The attack happened just hours after a terror suspect stabbed two people to death in London.
“Following the stabbing incident in Grote Marktstraat, a 35-year-old man has just been arrested in the centre of The Hague. The man has no fixed place of residence,” police said on Twitter.
“He will be transferred to a police station where he will be questioned.”
The victims were a 13-year-old boy and two 15-year-old girls, none of whom knew each other, police said. They were all treated in hospital but released overnight.
The male attacker ran off after the stabbings at a department store in the city centre, triggering a huge manhunt involving police helicopters.
Images on social media showed shoppers running in panic away from the scene, on a nighttime retail street lit by Christmas fairy lights.
Two teenage girls came running into the store after being stabbed, broadcaster NOS quoted witnesses as saying.
‘Screaming and running away’
“I saw two girls screaming and running away. A man fled. He jumped very athletically over benches to get away. He looked like a cheetah,” one witness told NOS.
“People were trying to get away. but that didn’t work. I was shocked.”
Police forensics officers were seen examining a knife found at the scene overnight.
“It’s a little too early to speculate about that kind of thing,” police spokeswoman Marije Kuiper told AFP earlier when asked about a possible terrorist motive, adding that investigators were still looking at several possible scenarios.
The stabbing took place not far from parliament, which is the seat of government for the Netherlands and home to many international organisations and courts.
In Britain, two members of the public were killed in a stabbing on London Bridge in the heart of the capital on Friday.
The Netherlands has seen a series of terror attacks and plots, although not so far on the scale of those in other European countries.
In March four people were killed when a Turkish-born man opened fire on a tram in the city of Utrecht.
In August 2018 an Afghan man stabbed and seriously wounded two American tourists at Amsterdam’s central station, saying he wanted to “protect the Prophet Mohammed”.
He was jailed for 26 years in October this year.
Earlier this month a Pakistani man was sentenced to 10 years in jail for a plot to kill far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders.”