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.
Yemen: Houthi-led army developing new defence systems
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20191209-yemen-houthi-led-army-developing-new-defence-systems/
“The Ministry of Defence in the Houthi-aligned National Salvation Government has announced that it is working on new technology for its air defence system in order to neutralise future threats from Saudi-led coalition aircraft.
According to an interview with Al-Masirah newspaper published yesterday, Minister of Defence Major General Mohammed Al-Atefi said forces were preparing to launch a “strategic offensive that will cripple the Saudi-led aggression coalition capabilities.”
They are also issuing warnings to coalition partner UAE and Israel who it claims “is still present from the first day of the aggression against our country” emphasising that “we have a databank of naval and ground military targets of the Zionist enemy, and we will not hesitate to strike them if the leadership decides to.”
Al-Atefi noted that their armed forces have new and developed armament capabilities pointing out that the weapon that had shot down a number of the coalition aircraft will be announced soon, stressing that the weapon has capabilities to neutralise the hostile air force.
Yesterday the Houthi-affiliated news site Uprising Today reported that the fourth drone belonging to the Saudis had been downed in a week, reporting that it was shot down over Saudi’s border region of Jizan.
In a move interpreted as a reluctant acceptance by Riyadh that the Houthi movement are a legitimate part of a post-war Yemen, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said on Friday that “all Yemenis, including the Houthis, have a role in the future of Yemen.””
U.S. defense policy bill requires nuclear power inspections for Saudi Arabia: sources
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-saudi-nuclear-congress/u-s-defense-policy-bill-requires-nuclear-power-inspections-for-saudi-arabia-sources-idUSKBN1YD2D4
“Saudi Arabia and other countries seeking to use U.S. technology to develop nuclear power plants must agree to comprehensive U.N. inspections under legislation to be included in the defense policy bill expected to be announced as soon as early this week, two Democratic congressional aides said on Monday…”
Erdogan: Turkey and Libya can conduct joint explorations in eastern Med
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-libya-erdogan/erdogan-turkey-and-libya-can-conduct-joint-explorations-in-eastern-med-idUSKBN1YD23G
“Turkey and Libya can carry out joint exploration operations in the eastern Mediterranean after the two sides signed a deal on maritime boundaries, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday after the move sharpened disputes over the area…”
‘Egypt utterly rejects the agreement between Libya’s Al-Sarraj and Turkey’: Parliamentary speaker
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/357399/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-utterly-rejects-the-agreement-between-Libya%E2%80%99.aspx
“Egypt’s Parliamentary Speaker Ali Abdel-Aal said on Monday that Egypt will not stand idly by as any foreign country may pose a threat to its western borders with Libya.
“Egypt will not be idle about the reckless agreement signed between Fayez Al-Sarraj, head of the Libyan government in Tripoli, and Turkey,” said Abdel-Aal, adding that “Egypt will strongly stand against these reckless practices. The madness of some people might push him to pose a threat to Egypt, and I want to inform everyone that Egypt has all the means to strongly stand up to such irresponsible and mad figures,” said Abdel-Aal.
Abdel-Aal said Egypt is strongly in solidarity with the Libyan national parliament led by Aqila Saleh. “We also firmly support the Libyan army that is currently leading a ferocious battle against terrorism in Libya,” said Abdel-Aal.
“Egypt utterly rejects Al-Sarraj’s agreement with Turkey. To all the mad people who might think they can harm Egypt’s western air, land or sea borders, you will never be allowed to do so, and you will be vanquished.”
Abdel-Aal’s words came in response to an “urgent statement” delivered by independent MP Mostafa Bakri who said in a plenary session on Monday morning that the deal between the Tripoli government in Libya, led by Al-Sarraj, and Turkey is in violation of the Sokhairat agreement which does not allow Al-Sarraj to sign treaties with foreign parties.
Bakri said Greece has decided to expel the Libyan ambassador, thereby unrecognising Al-Sarraj’s government. “We should follow suit,” he added.
Hani El-Hennawi, an independent MP, described Al-Sarraj as a traitor who decided to sell off his country’s interests and wealth to Turkey. “The agreement is a threat to Arab national security and allows Turkey to occupy Libya and plunder its oil resources,” he said.
El-Hennawi said that much like Iran, Turkey’s intervention in the affairs of Arab countries such as Libya, Syria and Iraq poses a grave threat to Arab national security. “Turkey gives logistical and military support to terrorist groups, particularly to the ruling militias in Tripoli, and I think that all Arab countries and the Arab League should move quickly to stand up to Turkey’s bullying practices in the Arab world,” said El-Hennawi.
Last week Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and prime minister of Libya’s internationally recognised government Fayez Al-Serraj signed two MoUs on security and maritime boundaries in the Mediterranean.
Egypt condemns the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoU) by the Turkish and Libyan prime ministers on maritime borders and security, saying they have no legal effect, and cannot be officially recognised in light of the Skhirat Agreement’s Article 8, which stipulates that the Libyan government or the cabinet, not the prime minister, have the authority to sign international agreements.
“The two memoranda of understanding have no legal effect, they cannot be officially recognised in light of the Skhirat Agreement’s Article 8, which stipulates that the [Libyan] government or the cabinet, not the prime minister, have the authority to sign international agreements,” the Egyptian foreign ministry said.
“It is well known that the current Libyan cabinet lacks ministers and representation of different Libyan regions, and thus the role of the prime minister is limited, and so making agreements with other countries is considered a blatant violation of the Skhirat agreement,” the Egyptian foreign ministry commented.
“These two agreements do not have any effect or impact on the rights of the countries on the Mediterranean or maritime borders in the Mediterranean region,” the ministry added.”
Moroccans Top List of 2018 Citizenship Grants in Spain
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/12/288580/moroccans-top-list-of-2018-citizenship-grants-in-spain/
“For the third year in a row, Moroccans remain the foreign community that received the most Spanish citizenships in 2018, making up 16.7% of Spain’s newest citizens. Around 15,398 Moroccans became Spanish citizens last year, according to the Spanish National Institute of Statistics.
Moroccans received more than three quarters of the Spanish citizenships granted to African immigrants. Immigrants of African nationalities received 20,478 Spanish citizenships in 2018.
The Spanish institute denied rumors accusing Spanish authorities of giving Moroccans preferential treatment in decision making. The organization affirmed that all applicants for Spanish citizenship need to pass a test in language, culture, and politics.
The number of Moroccans with dual-nationality living in Spain reached 238,000 people. However, the number of Moroccans living illegally in Spain is even larger, estimated at 250,000.
In 2017, Spanish authorities granted citizenship to 17,082 Moroccans, representing 25.7% of all naturalized immigrants during that year. In 2016, about 28,505 Moroccans received a Spanish citizenship.
The Spanish institute justifies the decline in the number of naturalized Moroccans in recent years with the large amount of applications from South American immigrants. A significant number of immigrants from Latin America flee their countries because of socio-political crises and travel to Spain because of their shared language.
In 2017, Spanish authorities naturalized 7,307 immigrants from Ecuador, 6,124 Bolivians, and 5,647 Colombians.
Spain naturalizes thousands of immigrants every year, in an effort to curb the aging of its population that threatens pension funds.”
Anti-corruption drive will bring prosperity to Pakistan: PM Imran
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2114387/1-anti-corruption-drive-will-bring-prosperity-pakistan-pm-imran/
“Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday Pakistanis were unaware of the “dire” consequences corruption could have on their lives, adding that the continuing anti-corruption drive would make the country prosper.
“People don’t understand the relation between corruption and their lives… corruption badly affects them,” the premier said in his address at a ceremony in connection with the Anti-corruption day in Islamabad.
He hailed the Punjab government for launching an anti-corruption app, and “recovering encroached land worth billions of rupees”.
PM Imran said the corrupt launder their illegal wealth outside the country, which in turn leads to devaluation and rise in inflation. “No one wants to invest in the society where corruption is widespread,” he said. “Overseas Pakistanis, who are our major assets, refuse to bring their investment due to corruption.”
Taking an apparent jibe at his opponents, the premier said projects like “metro were built not for the people but to take commission and kickbacks”.
He said China’s President Xi Jinping became popular due to his ruthless drive against corrupt officials in Beijing. “President Xi jailed around 500 people of ministerial level… this shows he is a real statesman.”
People in many countries including Iraq and Lebanon have taken to the streets against corruption, PM Imran said, adding that no country could prosper where misappropriation was rampant and the government “not clean.”
For the sake of survival, he said, the entire nation needed to participate in the anti-corruption drive, which “will pave way for a modernistic outlook of the country.”
PM’s aide on accountability Shahzad Akbar and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar also addressed the ceremony.”
4,000 square km cleared from terrorists in N Syria: VP Oktay
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/4-000-square-km-cleared-from-terrorists-in-n-syria-vp-oktay-149638
“With the Operation Peace Spring, Turkey aimed to preserve the territorial integrity of Syria, Turkish vice president said on Dec. 9.
“More than 4,000 square-kilometer [1,544-mile] area has been cleared from the terrorists [in northern Syria],” Fuat Oktay said.
The vice president’s remarks came during his 2020 budget speech in the Turkish parliament.
Turkey also aimed to reduce its security concerns with the operation, Oktay noted.
He added that Turkey also aimed to preserve the territorial integrity of Syria with the operation.
“Turkey’s fight against terrorism in the Operation Peace Spring region will continue until the terror in the area is completely removed,” Oktay said.
Oktay also reminded that Turkey’s drilling vessels, Fatih and Yavuz, have been continuing their drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“We will continue to follow an active strategy in oil and natural gas explorations while drilling five more wells with our national vessels [in the Eastern Mediterranean],” Oktay said.
He added: “Turkey will not make any concessions for its rights neither in Cyprus nor in the Aegean or in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
He also said that the U.N., the European Union, and NATO have not fulfilled their responsibilities for Turkey, while Turkey has been affected by uncertainties in the region.”
Erdo?an slams Macron over ‘Islamic terrorism’ expression
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-slams-macron-over-islamic-terrorism-expression-149645v
“Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an on Dec. 9 slammed French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks and once again rejected the term “Islamic terrorism.”
Speaking at the opening of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ministers of Social Affairs Summit in Istanbul, Erdo?an criticized Macron for using “Islamic terrorism” at the NATO Summit held in London.
“Here at the last NATO Summit, the president of France is talking about Islamic terrorism. How many times have I told him, Islam literally derives from word of ‘salam’ and its meaning [in Arabic] is peace. How do you combine peace and terror with the expression of Islamic terror? There’s no such a thing,” Erdo?an said.
Erdo?an also stressed that Macron was silent to his own face, but made such statements at the NATO Summit. “What is it now? Yellow vests came out in Paris. Come on, fix it, stop it. Why can’t you stop it? Why can’t you bring it into shape peacefully? As you sow, so you shall reap,” Erdo?an said.
Erdo?an recalled that Turkey hosts 5.5 million refugees and migrants, of which 3,650,000 are Syrians and 350,000 are Kurds. “Only in this [2019] year, nearly 57,000 people were left to die by other countries taken from the sea, we saved their lives. We serve asylum seekers in our country at the same level as our own citizens. Moreover, we provide these services without any serious help from abroad,” Erdo?an said.
The Turkish president stated that over $ 40 billion spent by Turkey for asylum seekers and refugees and a maximum of around 3 billion euros in financial support given to Turkey by the European Union.
Erdo?an also said that some of the asylum seekers “who entered Turkey illegally” were sent back to Syria and 370,000 people returned to Syria and settled after the region was secured, referring to “Operation Peace Spring.”
Turkey launched “Operation Peace Spring” on Oct. 9 to eliminate the YPG from northern Syria, east of the Euphrates River, in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.
Recalling that the Jerusalem case laid the foundation of the OIC, Erdo?an said that the situation in Jerusalem and Palestine is getting worse every day.
He noted that Israel’s attitude, which does not recognize rights, law, justice and humanity, constantly deepens the crisis in the region against Muslims.
Erdo?an said that there is a picture of Palestine, in which innocent young girls, fathers, mothers, elders, children and young people are publicly executed and brutally killed by Israel.
“Moreover, I would like to point out this rudeness of Israel is almost encouraged by Western countries and I would like to say with great sorrow that some Arab states do this too,” he noted.
“We will never stop defending the rights of the Palestinians and standing in solidarity with all the oppressed,” he said.
Erdo?an said that the imperialist approach of divide, disintegrate and rule continues in Islamic countries.
“The better we protect children, women, elderly and disabled against western threats, the more we protect our family structure,” he said.
The Turkish president said that the “isolated” Islamic countries are wasting their opportunities and energies.
“Muslims, who make up about one-fourth of the world’s population today, do not have, unfortunately, the political influence or the economic, social or cultural prowess,” said Erdo?an.
Erdo?an stressed that it is impossible to get somewhere just by complaining or talking, adding that there is a need to think carefully, analyze and produce solutions to the causes of Muslims today.
“It is our responsibility, the Muslims, to take the Islamic civilization to its rightful place.””
2 senior terrorists among 5 neutralized in east Turkey
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/2-senior-terrorists-among-5-neutralized-in-east-turkey/1668269
“At least five terrorists including two senior operatives were neutralized in a counter-terror operation in eastern Turkey, the country’s Interior Ministry said Monday.
Turkish authorities often use the word “neutralized” in statements to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.
The terrorists were neutralized during operations on Dec. 7-8 in the eastern Mus province, the ministry said in a statement.
Among the terrorists was Erdal Tekay, codenamed Zinar Amed, who was a regional operative of the terror group and sought in the grey category of the Interior Ministry’s wanted list with 300,000 Turkish liras (around $52,000) bounty on his head.
The list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange and gray.
Another senior terrorist Musa Kalkan, codenamed Ciwan Tolhilda, was also among those neutralized in Mus.”
Turkey calls for more int’l investment in Afghanistan
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/turkey-calls-for-more-int-l-investment-in-afghanistan/1668399
“Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the international community on Monday to boost investments in Afghanistan during “sensitive” times the country has been going through.
Erdogan’s remarks came at the 8th Ministerial Conference of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process convened at Dolmabahce Palace under Peace, Partnership, Prosperity theme.
“Afghanistan has been going through a sensitive period. As international community, we need to boost the investments we have been making for Afghanistan for the last 18 years,” Erdogan said.
Erdogan stressed that a significant number of the problems faced by the people in South Asia were arising from outside of their borders and said that people in this region had to struggle with the negative impacts of the developments that had “nothing to do with them.”
He also emphasized regional cooperation to tackle problems South Asia region has been facing…”
2 security officers martyred, 7 injured in SE Turkey
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/2-security-officers-martyred-7-injured-in-se-turkey/1668515
“At least two security officers were martyred and seven others injured in a blast when an explosive device planted by PKK terror group in southeastern Sirnak province detonated on Monday, according to provincial governor’s office.
The incident happened while the security forces were trying to defuse an improvised explosive device planted by the PKK terrorists in Idil district.
The explosive device went off martyring two security officers and injuring seven others.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign, the PKK — considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S. and EU — has killed more than 40,000 people, including numerous women, children and infants.”
Man accused of hijacking student bus ‘not killer, terrorist’
http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2019/12/09/man-accused-of-hijacking-student-bus-not-killer-terrorist_363da382-e9d4-4c3f-a741-4c93e2ffb71b.html
“Ousseynou Sy, the 47-year-old Senegalese-Italian accused of attacking last March a bus with schoolchildren aboard and subsequently setting it on fire in an apparent attempt to kill them, told a court on Monday he is neither a killer nor a terrorist.
“I am neither a killer nor a terrorist and I hope justice will be done also for us Africans”, the defendant said in a spontaneous statement to the court.
“I am also a son of Africa, the Africa that you know very well, that has seen its sons deprived of human dignity, of any right to serenity, of happiness, even today”.
The man is accused of hijacking the bus with 50 pupils, two teachers and a janitor on board in San Donato Milanese on March 20.
“As an Italian citizen and an African, I accuse” anti-immigration League leader Matteo Salvini, who was deputy premier and interior minister at the time of the hijacking, “and his government of crimes against humanity and genocide”.
Sy, a man with a criminal record who is originally from Senegal but has been an Italian citizen since 2004, got off the bus after it was stopped by police, alerted by ‘hero’ students on board.
He is also accused of setting it alight.
The Carabinieri managed to get the children out by smashing windows at the back.”
Tunisian migrant smuggler arrested
http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2019/12/09/tunisian-migrant-smuggler-arrested_35a6ada4-aaa6-4f8b-8fa8-02dc0b0fde30.html
“A 22-year-old Tunisian alleged migrant trafficker was stopped by police in Agrigento Monday on suspicion of piloting the boat that sank off Lampedusa killing at least 20 migrants on November 23.
The man, Helmi El Loumi, is under investigation for causing a shipwreck, favouring clandestine immigration and multiple manslaughter, police said.
A probe is continuing to try to identify other possible migrant smugglers among those who survived the wreck.
There have been several deadly shipwrecks in the Mediterranean this year.
Many migrants attempt the perilous central Mediterranean crossing from Libya to Italy.
Lampedusa is the main target for most migrants.
But some try to get to Sicily, Puglia, Calabria or even Sardinia.”
The “rival militias” that have supposedly united to fight Haftar keep changing sides, depending on who’s paying what and the toys they’re offering. Same goes for Haftar’s “soldiers”.
It’s a place to test new weapons, improve technologies, display the products to potential customers in places like India and Thailand.
EU should take lead on Libya reconstruction, Borrell
http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/politics/2019/12/09/eu-should-take-lead-on-libya-reconstruction-borrell_332b9fd1-aa2d-4a06-8eb5-d802a9f798fe.html
“New EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said in a letter to Member States that the EU should take the lead in efforts to reconstruct the Libyan state. The UN cannot manage alone without active and determined international support, he said. In the letter, which ANSA has seen, Borrell warmly welcomed the ”German initiative” and vowed to actively support it, noting the importance of a strong and united EU position.”
Libya: The infernal trap
https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20191209-reporters-plus-libya-the-infernal-trap-conflict-frontlines-militias-tripoli-plight-migrants
French far-left leader Mélenchon convicted of ‘rebellion’
https://www.france24.com/en/20191209-france-far-left-leader-m%C3%A9lenchon-convicted-jail-term-suspended-unbowed-office-raid
“A French court on Monday handed a suspended jail term of three months to far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon over his conduct during a raid on his party offices last year, when he shoved a police officer and a prosecutor…”
Rep. Matt Gaetz’s full questioning of committee lawyers
Gaetz: I may not be on Nadler’s Christmas card list anymore
OAN EXCLUSIVE: Yuriy Lutsenko says Yovanovitch perjured herself before Congress
Fitton slams IG Horowitz’s report findings as as ‘dishonest’
“EXCLUSIVE & BREAKING: @JudgeJeanine of
@FoxNews
HAS ENDORSED Laura Loomer for Congress FL 21 at her book signing tonight in Palm Beach!
Go Laura!!
Support Laura: https://lauraloomerforcongress.com”
DrJaneDC – December 9, 2019 – Twitter
https://mobile.twitter.com/DrJaneRuby/status/1204224966461403136
Paul Sperry – Twitter
https://twitter.com/paulsperry_
Tosca – Opening night at La Scala theater – Milan – Dec 07 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFTaCQCQ6tU
Tore Says Show – December 6, 2019 – Podcast
Podcast Link – White Box
Libya War | 06 Dec 19 | Impeaching Ronald Reagan
http://toresays.com/tore-says-show/