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.
Iran vows to continue missile work, dismisses EU powers’ UN letter
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191205-iran-vows-to-continue-missile-work-dismisses-eu-powers-un-letter/
“Iran on Thursday rejected pressure to shelve its ballistic missile programme after a European letter to the UN Security Council accused Tehran of developing missiles capable of being delivering nuclear bombs, Reuters reports.
The British, German and French ambassadors to the UN Security Council, in a letter circulated on Wednesday, called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to inform the Council in his next report that Iran’s missile programme was “inconsistent” with a UN resolution underpinning the 2015 nuclear deal reached between Iran and six world powers.
Iran responded defiantly, saying it was determined to proceed with its disputed ballistic missile programme, which it has repeatedly described as defensive in purpose and nothing to do with its nuclear activity.
“Iran is determined to resolutely continue its activities related to ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles,” Iranian UN envoy Majid Takhte Ravanchi said in a letter to Guterres.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had earlier on Thursday denounced the European powers’ intervention.
“Latest E3 letter to UNSG on missiles is a desperate falsehood to cover up their miserable incompetence in fulfilling bare minimum of their own #JCPOA obligations,” Zarif tweeted, referring to the nuclear deal by its formal acronym. He urged Britain, France and Germany not to bow to “US bullying”.
The European letter surfaced at a time of heightened friction between Iran and the West, with Tehran rolling back its commitments under the deal step by step in response to Washington’s pullout from the pact last year and reimposition of sanctions on the Islamic Republic that has crippled its economy.
A 2015 UN resolution “called upon” Iran to refrain for up to eight years from work on ballistic missiles that could be capable of delivering nuclear warheads.
Some states – including Russia, which with four other world powers wields a veto on the Security Council – argue that the language does not make it obligatory.
France said on Thursday that Iran’s ballistic missile activities did not conform with the Security Council resolution and called on Tehran to respect all of its obligations under that resolution.
The Security Council is due to meet on Dec. 20 to weight the state of compliance with the resolution underpinning the nuclear deal, and the European letter “will add to that discussion,” a senior European diplomat told Reuters.
Britain, France and Germany have sought to salvage the nuclear pact, under which Iran undertook to curtail its disputed uranium enrichment programme in return for relief from sanctions. But Tehran has criticised the three European powers for failing to shield Iran’s economy from the US penalties.
The United States, Iran’s arch foe, and its allies in the Middle East view Tehran’s ballistic missile programme as a Middle East security threat.”
Iraq paramilitaries stab anti-government protesters in horrific attack
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/12/5/iraq-paramilitaries-stab-anti-government-protesters-in-horrific-attack
“Some 25 Iraqi anti-government demonstrators gathered in Baghdad were stabbed by assailants in civilian clothing on Thursday, after thousands of pro-paramilitary demonstrators flooded the protest site in capital’s main square.
Dozens of young men were attacked with knives, screwdrivers and other sharp objects in the back, abdomen, arm and thigh in or near Tahrir Square, a medical source told The New Arab’s Arabic-language service, adding that all those injured were in a stable condition.
Several thousand men, backing a host of paramilitary forces close to Iran, including the Hashd Al-Shaabi [PMF], also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces, and the Hezbollah Brigades, entered the square in apparently coordinated marches on Thursday, waving sticks, Iraqi flags, and portraits of martyred fighters from the paramilitary, as well as pictures of the country’s top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani…”
Hugh Grant ‘endorses’ left-wing Muslim candidate Faiza Shaheen ahead of UK General Election
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/12/5/hugh-grant-endorses-labour-muslim-candidate-faiza-shaheen
“Love Actually star Hugh Grant was confronted by hecklers when he endorsed a Labour Party candidate in London on Wednesday evening, a week before the UK goes to the polls.
The actor, who has been vocally backing candidates fighting for Conservative-backed seats, was accused of campaigning for a “racist” party as he endorsed Labour Party candidate, Faiza Shaheen.
Grant was giving a speech to crowds in the North East London constituency of Chingford and Woodford Green, a seat which has been held by Conservative Brexiteer Iain Duncan Smith for the past 27 years.
After Grant’s address hecklers criticised the actor for his support of Labour, which has been criticised on issues surrounding alleged anti-semetism in the party…”
In rare legal test, Myanmar faces genocide hearings at The Hague
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-rohingya-world-court/in-rare-legal-test-myanmar-faces-genocide-hearings-at-the-hague-idUSKBN1YA01J
“In a wood-panelled hall of the ornate Peace Palace at The Hague, lawyers pressing a case against Myanmar for alleged genocide against its Muslim Rohingya minority will next week ask judges to order immediate action to protect them from further violence…”
Egypt, France say Libyan-Turkish deals violate international law
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/357177/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt,-France-say-LibyanTurkish-deals-violate-inte.aspx
“Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian criticized on Wednesday two memoranda of understanding (MoU) signed last week between Libya’s National Accord Government and Turkey delimiting maritime borders in the Mediterranean and covering military and security cooperation between both sides.
In a phone call between them, the two top diplomats said the deals contravene international law and a UN arms embargo on Libya.
They both stressed the importance of reaching a comprehensive political settlement for the Libyan crisis, supporting the Libyan state’s institutions and elected parliament and helping Libya in its efforts to eradicate terrorism, end the military conflict and set the stage for holding free elections.
The ministers also discussed Egypt-France cooperation and solid relationship, agreeing on the importance of maintaining consultation and coordination to further promote ties especially in the economic, trade and investment fields.
Shoukry offered his condolences to France for the loss of 13 of its soldiers in a tragic helicopter accident in Mali and reviewed with Le Drian the latest developments in the Middle East region and most particularly conditions in Libya.
The French minister invited Shoukry to visit France in the next few weeks for more bilateral talks and they both agreed that the visit should take place next month.”
Egyptian police kill 3 terrorists in North Sinai shootout: Ministry
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/357201/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptian-police-kill–terrorists-in-North-Sinai-sh.aspx
“Egypt’s Ministry of Interior said in a statement on Thursday that security forces killed three terrorists in a shootout in North Sinai.
“The operation was part of the ministry’s efforts to track and arrest terrorists involved in hostile operations that have claimed the lives of many in the Armed Forces, police and among civilians,” the ministry said.
“Information was gathered by the National Security Agency regarding the presence of terrorists in the Jalbana area in North Sinai, and that they were preparing to carry out a series of attacks against the Armed Forces and police,” the statement said.
“Upon the approach of police forces, the terrorist group opened fire, prompting police to fire back and kill three terrorists,” the ministry said.
Security forces seized two automatic rifles, two grenades, rounds of ammunition and a pistol.”
Shooting Near Nightclub in Sweden Kills Two
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/12/288246/shooting-near-nightclub-in-sweden-kills-two/
“A shooting near a nightclub in the city of Norrkoping, southeastern Sweden, has killed two men. The incident took place on the morning of Friday, December 5, at 1:20 am.
The victims, aged 40 and 45, later succumbed to their injuries.
Police cordoned off several neighborhoods in the city center and launched an investigation to find the culprits.
“We have around ten patrols at the scene at the moment,” declared Thomas Agnevik, the police spokesperson, shortly after 3 am.
“There are several witnesses who saw things and we have spoken with some of them,” he added.
The shooting did not cause any other injuries, however, it did damage the facades and windows of several nearby restaurants.
On the same night, another shooting in the town of Katrineholm, about 50 kilometers north of Norrkoping, injured a man in his 20s. Police are still investigating the possibility of a link between the two incidents.
Swedish media, who speculate that the incidents were gang-related, reported that gang violence has been on the rise over the past decade.
Swedish police recently announced the launch of a temporary task force to focus solely on reducing the number of explosions and shootings in the country.”
Morocco to Host Conference on Preventing Extremism Through Religion
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/12/288267/morocco-to-host-conference-on-preventing-extremism-through-religion/
“The research and study center at the Mohammadia League of Scholars, “Rabita Mohammadia of Ulema,” is organizing the second conference on “the role of religious institutions in reinforcing the ability of youth to prevent extremism.”
The two-day conference is set to take place at the institution’s headquarters in Rabat, starting on Friday, December 6. The event is a collaboration between the league of scholars and the UN office in Rabat.
The event aims to open up a dialogue between governmental institutions, civil society, UN organizations, and religious bodies.
Experts from various fields and from several Arab and African countries will attend the conference. The participants will share their experiences in preventing extremism in its different forms.
The conference’s different sessions aim to propose plans and programs to reinforce the role of religious institutions in building a positive religious dialogue, based on respecting human rights.
The organizers explain that the conference also aims to present explanations of religious texts that emphasize the value of safety, security, and tolerance.
Participants expect the event to result in practical strategies for national and regional religious institutions that will strengthen the role of women and youth in preventing extremism.
The conference is also expected to launch a committee to supervise the implementation of the strategies and their results.
The event will include a number of activities, including seminars, storytelling, and workshops.
King Mohammed VI founded the Mohammadia League of Scholars in February 2006. The organization’s main goals are defining and promoting the values of moderate Islam, organizing scientific and cultural events on Islamic studies, and ensuring collaboration between scholars, intellectuals, and cultural and religious organizations both in Morocco and in the region.
The league of scholars is one of many institutions that bring international recognition to Morocco’s counterterrorism efforts.
In November 2019, the US State Department’s 2018 Country Report on Terrorism praised Morocco’s efficient handling of terrorist threats.
Morocco is an active participant in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. The kingdom is also a member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum and is currently its co-chair with the Netherlands.
Regionally, Morocco is a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council and an active member of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership.
Morocco is also a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force that aims to prevent the financing of terrorist organizations.”
Two army soldiers martyred in North Waziristan operation
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2112393/1-two-army-soldiers-martyred-north-waziristan-operation/
“Two Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred while two terrorists were killed during an intelligence based operation (IBO) near a village in North Waziristan on Thursday, the military said.
“Security forces conducted [an] IBO near village Charkhel, Boya, North Wazirstan. Presence of terrorists was reported in a hideout. During operation two terrorists killed,” ISPR, the military’s media wing said in a statement.
The martyred personnel were identified as Havaldar Sher Zaman and Sepoy Muhammad Jawad.
The region is one the seven tribal districts in erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) – Bajaur, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, North Waziristan, Orakzai and South Waziristan – before its merger with K-P.
North Waziristan – once a focal point in the global war on terror – held provincial elections for the first time in July this year, a key step in bringing the region into the political mainstream after years of turmoil fuelled by terrorism.”
Migrant rescue ship Sea-Watch 3 changes flag from Dutch to German
https://www.dw.com/en/migrant-rescue-ship-sea-watch-3-changes-flag-from-dutch-to-german/a-51549111
“The Sea-Watch organization accused the Netherlands of purposely trying to prevent the rescue of drowning refugees. The group expressed the hope that Germany would be a better supporter of its mission.
The rescue vessel Sea-Watch 3, which has been detained by Italian authorities on multiple occasions, said on Thursday that it would no longer be registered in the Netherlands and would instead fly Germany’s flag.
In a statement, Sea-Watch accused Dutch authorities of not fulfilling their role as a nation supporting their mission, adding that the Dutch “deliberately created a situation that would make further rescue missions impossible.”
According to the NGO, a ship’s flag country “is responsible for allowing ships to dock in a safe harbor as soon as possible after a rescue operation. However, whenever the Sea-Watch 3 appealed to its flag nation, the Netherlands repeatedly failed to fulfill its responsibilities.”
The statement went further, saying that the Netherlands had intentionally tried to prevent the rescue of dying people.
Suzanne Kroger of the Dutch Green Left party expressed her disappointment to the organization, saying, “This is a loss for the Netherlands and is in conflict with the policy of the ‘open arms'” that the Dutch government purports to exemplify.
Since its inception, Sea-Watch has rescued hundreds of drowning migrants between the coasts of northern Africa and Europe. Most notably it earned the ire of Italy’s former interior minister, the far-right League party leader Matteo Salvini.
Under Salvini’s instruction, refugees were sometimes left for many days on ships without adequate medicine, food, or water, until another EU country agreed to take them after disembarking in Italy. Sea-Watch ship captains Carola Rackete and Pia Klemp have both faced the threat of legal action in Italy.”
London Bridge terror attack sees new laws passed that will keep dangerous terrorists behind bars even when they’re eligible for parole
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7761775/Terrorists-released-sparking-federal-government-fight-bars.html
“Some of Australia’s most dangerous criminals will remain behind bars for as long as possible under new terror laws.
The Counter Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill was passed in federal parliament on Wednesday, making it significantly harder for terrorists and their supporters to get bail or parole.
The toughened up laws were prompted by last week’s terrorist attack in London by convicted terrorist Usman Khan, who killed two people before he was shot dead by police.
He had been on parole for less than a year after serving time behind bars for his involvement in an Al-Qaeda inspired plot to blow up the London Stock Exchange in 2012.
The amended Australian laws close a loophole that could have prevented high-risk terrorists from being kept in custody after their sentences expired on what are known as continuing detention orders.
It means some Australia’s most notorious terrorists now eligible for parole now face a tougher bid for freedom.
At least four terrorists are locked up at Goulburn Supermax Jail.
Among them are Faheem Khaled Lodhi, who planned to blow up the electricity grid and former Qantas baggage handler Bilal Khazaal, an Australian ally of Osama bin Laden.
Others included a Sydney man who travelled to Syria to fight and a man allegedly at the centre of a group of Islamic extremists, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Melbourne cleric Abdul Nacer Benbrika, the man responsible for Australia’s largest ever terror plot, will also eligible for parole early next year after serving a 15 year sentence in Victoria.
Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter made no apologies for the government’s tough crackdown to protect the community from the real and ongoing threat of terrorism.
‘The presumption against parole for all convicted terrorists, means they won’t be released early to potentially reoffend like the terrorist responsible for last week’s horrific attack in London who had only served about half of his sentence,’ Mr Porter said in a statement.
‘The Bill also expands the circumstances in which a presumption against bail applies, capturing those with previous convictions for terror offences, as well as people who have openly shown support for terror groups.’
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton added: ‘This is a timely and vital Bill that reflects the Morrison Government’s resolve to ensure dangerous terrorist offenders do not get another chance to terrorise our communities.’
There have been seven terrorist attacks on Australian soil and 16 plots have been disrupted by authorities since the national terrorism threat level rose to ‘probable’ five years ago.
Of the 76 convicted of terrorism related offences since, ten are due to walk free in the next year.
Lodhi became Australia’s first convicted terrorist in 2006 when he was sentenced to 20 years’ jail for plotting to blow up a Sydney national electricity grid and three Army bases.
His latest bid for parole was squashed by Attorney-General Porter in April.
Khazal, from Sydney’s south-west was identified by the CIA as bin Laden’s main contact in Australia after the 9/11 terror attacks.
He was arrested in 2004 and for producing a terrorist handbook that provided assassination techniques and detailed how to effectively shoot down a plane was and sentenced to 12 years jail four years later.
Benbrika will become eligible for parole at the beginning of 2020, when his 15 year sentence expires.
The new terror laws were in response to a deadly 2017 hotel siege in Melbourne, which involved a man out on bail for terrorism charges.
Yacqub Khayre held a sex worker hostage, shot the Brighton Hotel clerk dead and wounded three officers before he was killed in a shoot-out with police.”
Indonesian Man Revived After Fainting Mid-Flogging Only to be Whipped Again
https://sputniknews.com/asia/201912061077496547-indonesian-man-revived-after-fainting-mid-flogging-only-to-be-whipped-again/
“An Indonesian Muslim man was rushed to the hospital after his public punishment for pre-marital sex had to be broken up into two segments due to his losing consciousness during the religious Islamic law practice.
A 22-year-old man in Aceh, Indonesia, begged a Sharia officer on Thursday to halt the public flogging moments before passing out in front of a 500-person crowd, reported the AFP.
In accordance with Islamic law in the Aceh region, the individual was sentenced to receive 100 strokes from a rattan cane for having pre-marital sex with a woman – who also received 100 lashes in another district.
The Sharia officer finished the sentenced lashings after the young man received momentary medical attention, being ultimately taken to the hospital afterward.
The 22-year-old was not the only individual to pass out from a public caning. According to the AFP, citing local media, a woman in a separate case fainted while receiving her punishment Thursday in Aceh Tamiang. The details of her sentence and case were not divulged.
“The fact that two people were beaten unconscious today, in two separate incidents, is a damning indictment of the authorities who let this happen on their watch,” Usman Hamid, director of Amnesty International Indonesia, asserted to the outlet on December 5.
The Amnesty director went on to call the Sharia punishment system exhibited in Aceh “cruel, inhuman and degrading” – even bordering on torture.
However, voices from the audience of some 500 spectators believed that the punishment was par for the course under their interpretation of Islamic law, and AFP reported that some were overheard cheering “harder, harder.”
“This is the consequence they have to face for violating the law,” Muhammad Yunus, an attendee of the act, explained to the outlet.
Sharia was implemented in Aceh following the province’s special authorization for autonomy by Jakarta in 2001. Since then, religious officers have patrolled and monitored the region to detect punishable wrongdoing such as pre-marital sex, consumption of alcohol, same-sex relations and gambling.
This recent series of floggings comes just weeks after Aceh Ulema Council member Mukhlis bin Muhammad and his supposed mistress were publicly whipped 28 and 23 times, respectively.”
Alireza Nader @AlirezaNader
#Iranian man in Esfahan protests fuel price hike on his donkey cart & is arrested for it by regime police.
https://twitter.com/AlirezaNader/status/1202784006061907968
Huge, important piece by Michael Rubin of the Hudson Institute. One of the greats on Turkey and Iran.
It’s Not Us—It’s Him
Our problems with Turkey aren’t due to Trump, or Obama, or any other President. Put the blame where it belongs: with Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his choices.
https://www.the-american-interest.com/2019/12/03/its-not-us-its-him/