Reader’s Links for September 24, 2020

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

95 Replies to “Reader’s Links for September 24, 2020”

  1. US slaps new Iran sanctions for ‘human rights violations’
    https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/598413/World/Mena/US-slaps-new-Iran-sanctions-for-human-rights-violations

    “The United States on Thursday imposed new sanctions against Iranian officials and entities for “gross violations of human rights,” including one of the judges who sentenced an Iranian wrestler to death.

    “The Iranian regime has subverted its system of justice into a cruel system of repression. Today, the US is sanctioning several Iranian officials and entities for gross violations of human rights, including one of the judges who reportedly sentenced Navid Afkari to death,” said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a tweet.

    It is for the first time, the US has sanctioned any foreign judge and a court for human rights violations.

    Meanwhile, US Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela Elliott Abrams said the sanctions targeted Seyyed Mahmoud Sadati, the judge who handed the death sentence to Afkari, a 27-year-old wrestler.

    “The US is committed to holding accountable those who deny freedom and justice to people of Iran and later today the United States will announce sanctions on several Iranian officials and entities including the judge who sentenced Navid Afkari to death,” Abrams said during a hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

    The wrestler was executed earlier this month after being convicted for the fatal stabbing of a security guard during anti-government protests in 2018, according to local media reports.

    The US also blacklisted Adel Abad prison, the wrestler was reportedly tortured by Iranian officials, and Vakilabad prison, where US citizen Michael White was detained.”

  2. ‘Sisi is the enemy of God,’ chants on Egypt’s fourth day of protests against his rule
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200924-sisi-is-the-enemy-of-god-chants-on-egypts-fourth-day-of-protests-against-his-rule/

    “Egyptian citizens demonstrated for the fourth day in a row yesterday evening, in response to Mohamed Ali’s calls to take to the streets and unite against the ruling regime.

    Throughout his rule, Al-Sisi’s government has been accused of human rights abuse, including the systematic torture of political prisoners, extrajudicial killings, and the demolition of homes across the country.

    He has also been criticised for his handling of Libya and the Renaissance Dam crisis.

    Residents in Atfih district in Giza set fire to a security vehicle, reports Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

    Demonstrators chanted, “Get out Sisi.”

    Security forces shot at crowds in the Kafr Qandil area and used tear gas against them.

    In the village of Al-Atf in Giza Governorate, south of Cairo, demonstrators chanted, “Leave and let our country see the light.”

    In Minya Al-Hayit, Fayoum Governorate, they said: “There is no God but God… Sisi is the enemy of God.”…”

    • Muslim Brotherhood hoods™ are at it again.
      Filthy Turk – paradigm of enlightenment, champion of political prisoners.
      Sets Arabs to fight other Arabs – who’s the enemy of allah-ha?

  3. Record flow of boat migrants from Algeria to Spain
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200924-record-flow-of-boat-migrants-from-algeria-to-spain/

    “More than 20 boats arrived on the eastern coast of Spain from western Algeria carrying illegal migrants and refugees since the start of the week.

    Over the past few months, Algeria has become a main point of departure for migrants towards Europe.

    The Spanish press reported that more than 20 boats reached the coasts of eastern Andalusia, specifically the coasts of Almeria, Murcia, and the Balearic Islands,since the start of the week, carrying hundreds of migrants.

    On 24 July, the external border radar detected 30 boats carrying 400 migrants who set off from the Algerian coast and arrived in Spain the same evening. The unprecedented number of vessels was described as “a planned attack”, with authorities saying it was an effort by people traffickers to paralyse coast guards.

    Orion 21 said that the number of migrants coming from Algeria has multiplied six times, outnumbering those making the journey from neighbouring Morocco.”

  4. Iraq reveals plans to build nuclear reactors for research purposes
    https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2020/9/24/iraq-planning-to-build-nuclear-reactors-for-research-purposes

    “The office of the Iraqi prime minister has ordered the formation of a committee to build nuclear reactors for research purposes, the Iraqi Radioactive Sources Regulatory Authority (IRSRA) said on Thursday.

    The head of the authority, Kamal Hussein Latif, told the national Iraqi News Agency (INA) that Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi “is aware of the importance of the issue of atomic energy”, having discussed it in a recent meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

    Latif added that Iraq is “looking forward to restoring its position in nuclear science, which it occupied in the 1970s and 1980s”, highlighting a recent resolution by the UN Security Council in support of Iraq’s renewed work in the nuclear field and its potential peaceful benefits.

    The reactors will be able to help produce medical isotopes and pharmaceuticals, in addition to having agricultural and industrial applications such as seed irradiation, nuclear insect sterilisation for pest control, and the production of radioactive isotopes with various industrial benefits, Latif explained.

    He estimated the construction process for the reactor would take approximately five years…”

  5. DOJ Uncovers Trump Votes Got Thrown Away, Votes Found in Ditch, Media Says Trump Is Planning A COUP

    DOJ Uncovers Trump Votes Got Thrown Away, Votes Found in Ditch, Media Says Trump Is Planning A COUP

  6. Morocco Dominates MENA Region in Purchases of US Arms
    https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/09/320678/morocco-dominates-mena-region-in-purchases-of-us-arms/

    “Morocco purchases 91% of its arms from the US, more than any other country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), according to a new report.

    The Center for International Policy (CIP) recently released a report on the top arms suppliers to the Middle East and North Africa from 2015 to 2019 as part of its Arms and Security Program.

    The American non-profit research center based its findings on data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

    SIPRI considers major conventional weapons systems such as combat aircraft, ships, tanks, armored vehicles, bombs, and missiles. The data does not include small arms such as firearms.

    The report defines the MENA region as encompassing Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the UAE, and Yemen.

    The US is the top arms importer to 13 MENA countries, supplying nearly half (48%) of the region’s arms from 2015 to 2019.

    Russia follows with 17%, then France (11%), the UK (5%), and Germany (5%). China, meanwhile, accounts for less than 3%, although it supplies a significant portion of the region’s armed drones.

    Morocco’s arms purchases
    Morocco leads the MENA region in terms of the percentage of arms acquired from the US.

    The US supplies 91% of Morocco’s arms. The remainder comes from France (9%) and the UK (0.3%).

    In 2019, Morocco significantly increased its arms purchases. The development aligns with its five-year plan, established in 2017, to attain “regional military supremacy.” The country aims to modernize its army, airforce, and navy.

    Morocco’s arms purchases from the US this year include 25 F-16 aircraft and associated equipment worth $3.8 billion, along with upgrades to Morocco’s existing fleet of F-16 fighter jets for $985 million. The US State Department also approved the sale of 36 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related equipment to Morocco for an estimated $4.25 billion.

    Recently, in March 2020, Morocco signed a military contract with the US army to purchase 25 armored vehicles for $240 million.

    However, the Committee of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Borders at Morocco’s House of Representatives adopted a draft framework law in June that would allow for the establishment of an arms industry in Morocco. This would reduce Morocco’s need to import arms from foreign producers.

    Although Morocco is beefing up its arsenal and expanding its military budget, a separate SIPRI report ranked Morocco 31st in the world in terms of arms imports. The country accounted for only 0.8% of global arms purchases in 2019. However, Morocco is one of the top three arms importers in Africa, after Egypt and Algeria.

    Top patrons of US arms
    Aside from Morocco, other top buyers of US arms in the MENA region are in the Gulf and the Levant.

    Israel purchases 78% of its arms from the US, Saudi Arabia purchases 74%, and Jordan and Lebanon each purchase 73%. Kuwait purchases 70%.

    The UAE purchases 68% of its arms from the US, followed by Qatar (50%), Tunisia (48%), Iraq (45%), Turkey (38%), Bahrain (33%), and Jordan (30%).

    Yemen purchases 20% of its arms from the US.

    Top patrons of Russian arms
    After the US, Russia is the second-largest arms supplier in the MENA region.

    Russia supplies 67% of Algeria’s arms. The North African country acquires most of the remainder from China (13%) and Germany (11%).

    Iran purchases almost all of its arms — 98% — from Russia. Syria similarly purchases 95% of its arms from Russia.

    Russia also supplies 34% of both Egypt and Iraq’s arms.

    Other arms suppliers
    Countries in the MENA region also look to Western Europe for arms.

    France is a top European supplier, accounting for 35% of Egypt’s arms purchases, followed by Qatar (34%), the UAE (11%), Kuwait (10%), and Morocco (9%).

    The UK supplies the majority of Oman’s arms (45%).

    Jordan and Tunisia purchase 30% and 42%, respectively, of their arms from the Netherlands.

    Other European countries selling weapons in the MENA region include Italy, Spain, Norway, and Switzerland.

    Some Middle Eastern and North African countries sell arms to their regional neighbors. Yemen, for example, purchases 71% of its arms from the UAE.

    According to the CIP report, China, South Korea, and Brazil also have small shares of the MENA arms market.

    Consequences of MENA arms transfers
    The CIP report stresses that the transfer of weapons to the MENA region has exacerbated conflicts, worsened human rights abuses, and caused civilian injuries and deaths.

    While arms can be forces of stability and sales can cement alliances, CIP underlined the devastating effects of arms transfers in Syria, Yemen, Libya, and Egypt and violations of international arms embargoes.

    CIP called for more restraint on arms transfers to the MENA region, proposing recommendations that primarily target the US.

    The report urges the US to end arms sales and military support for the Saudi/UAE coalition in Yemen and encourage other major suppliers to do the same. The report also emphasizes the need to revise the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) to prohibit the sale of large armed drones to all nations but close allies.

    The US should also lower its military aid to Egypt by at least $300 million and demand improvements in human rights, especially freedom of expression.

    Major US arms sales to the MENA region should be contingent on Congressional approval rather than Congressional notification, the report added.

    Finally, US Congress should pass legislation “strengthening its ability to block problematic arms sales before the equipment is delivered, not just after the initial notification.””

  7. U.S. to provide $720 million Syria aid and funds for Sahel, South Sudan
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-syria-aid/u-s-to-provide-720-million-syria-aid-and-funds-for-sahel-south-sudan-idUSKCN26F39B

    “The United States said on Thursday it would provide more than $720 million in humanitarian assistance in response to the crisis in Syria, plus nearly $152 million for Africa’s Sahel region and almost $108 million for South Sudan.

    Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun made the announcement on Syria at an event on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. He said the money would go “both for Syrians inside the country and for those in desperate need across the region.”

    At the same event, acting USAID Administrator John Barsa announced nearly $108 million for the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan.

    Barca also said Washington would provide nearly $152 million in new humanitarian assistance for Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Mauritania to help them cope with population displacements and food insecurity because of conflict in the Sahel region.

    Biegun said the additional funds for Syria would bring total U.S. support since the start of the crisis there to more than $12 billion…”

  8. ‘Unacceptable’ state of Greek islands must improve: UN
    https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/unacceptable-state-of-greek-islands-must-improve-un/1984518

    “The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Thursday called for urgent action to improve living conditions for asylum seekers on Aegean islands, including the new Lesbos emergency site set up after the Moria camp fire.

    The Moria Reception and Identification Center was gutted on Sept. 10, forcing some 12,000 people onto the streets, said the UNHCR.

    It called on European states to continue supporting Greece by offering relocation places for the most vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees.

    The agency lauded the Greek government for swiftly establishing an emergency facility to shelter those displaced from the Moria camp.

    Some 9,400 asylum seekers left homeless by the fire are now residing in the new government-run site, which was set up in days, said UNHCR.

    Several hundred of the most vulnerable have been transferred to safe accommodations on the island or relocated to the mainland.

    UNHCR estimates that at least 4,000 people on all islands, including almost 2,000 on Lesbos, are eligible to be transferred to the mainland immediately.

    “Their transfer will be a significant step in decongesting reception facilities on the islands,” said the agency.

    Philippe Leclerc, UNHCR representative in Greece, said: “The events in Moria are a wake-up call of the long-standing need to address the precarious situation for thousands of people in the islands and to accelerate their safe and orderly transfer to more appropriate accommodation on the mainland.”

    The agency emphasized the urgent need for adequate solutions for asylum seekers who have been living in unacceptable conditions on the Aegean islands for far too long.

    “What is crucial is a comprehensive response, going beyond short-term fixes,” said Leclerc.

    “This means ensuring adequate reception conditions, access to fair and fast asylum procedures, integration opportunities for those granted asylum, and swift returns for those not in need of international protection.””

  9. Libya: new Amnesty report denounces abuses against migrants
    http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/generalnews/2020/09/24/libya-new-amnesty-report-denounces-abuses-against-migrants_b34c4514-3142-4601-a579-df65797fceac.html

    ” A new report by Amnesty International titled “Between Life and Death” said refugees and migrants in Libya “are trapped in a cycle of serious human rights violations and abuses including prolonged arbitrary detention and other unlawful deprivation of liberty, torture and other ill treatment, unlawful killings, rape and other sexual violence, forced labour and exploitation at the hands of state and non-state actors in a climate of near-total impunity”. The report was released following the announcement by the European Commission of the “New Pact on Migration and Asylum”. “These are not all new revelations…”

  10. ‘We cannot go on with such immigration’ – French politician warns that 400,000 migrants are settling in France every year
    https://rmx.news/article/article/we-cannot-go-on-with-such-immigration-french-politician-warns-that-400-000-migrants-are-settling-in-france-every-year

    “The massive amount of both legal and illegal immigration to France has become unsustainable and the situation must change, French conservative politician of the National Rally (RN), Nicolas Bay, remarked on a popular French news program.

    “If you add legal and illegal immigration, that’s over 400,000 arrivals each year… We cannot go on with such immigration,” Bay, who serves as the European deputy of RN, remarked as a guest on “4 Vérités” of France 2 on Sept. 21.

    Statistics appear to back up Bay’s sentiments about the high level of migration France is experiencing, a country which already has the largest Muslim population in Europe. For example, 276,576 new residence permits were issued in 2019, according to the French Ministry of the Interior. In addition, 132,700 new asylum requests were made in 2019. With both figures added together, it equals over 400,000 new entries into France, and does not even include illegal migrants who have not filed for asylum applications.

    Bay also spoke about the recent Moria camp fire on the Greek island of Lesbos and said that France should not accept any migrants from the camp.

    “First of all, asylum requests must be made in the countries of origin with hotspots and not on European territory… In the EU, there are five million [migrants] who have come in recent years, it is the equivalent of the population of Denmark,” said Bay.

    Five Afghan migrants were arrested for sparking the fire at the camp, which they reportedly did after their asylum applications were rejected. The Greek government has warned that fires at the camps were being used as blackmail by migrants seeking relocation to the mainland.

    Despite the many instances of migrants setting fire to their own migrant camps, Germany plans to accept over 1,500 migrants from the camp and will be joined by a number of EU nations.

    Bay also brought up taxes and economic stagnation during the program, saying, “We are one of the most taxed countries in the world. So we need two things: to liberate and protect. Today, it is the opposite. Today, we are always more constrained with more demanding standards while we deregulate when it comes to capital from outside the country,” said Bay.

    Bay was also asked about Marine Le Pen’s recent remarks that she wants to bring all of France together during the next presidential elections. responded that the leader of his party is has “gained experience” and explained remarked, “Today, there is a despair, an anger from the French against the current government and tis shortcomings. The economic situation is dramatic. Marine Le Pen is a candidate for the solution, the response to legitimate anger of the French to provide an alternative.””

  11. Two Afghan migrants beat Swedish female politician, call her a ‘SD whore’
    https://rmx.news/article/article/two-afghan-migrants-beat-swedish-female-politician-call-her-a-sd-whore

    “Last week, local politician Marianne Nordin, who lives and works in Fagersta, Sweden, was subjected to a severe assault, with the motive behind the attack was likely Marianne’s political involvement in the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats (SD) party, Samhälsnytt reported.

    Marianne Nordin was out on an evening walk on Uddnäsvägen near Fagersta center when two young people on a moped drove up behind and attacked her. One of the youngsters kicked Marianne in the stomach, causing her to collapse to the ground.

    According to the victim, the male sitting in the back of the moped said, “Fucking SD whore, you are going to die.”

    Marianne’s said that based on the perpetrators’ remarks, she believes it is clear that the motive for the attack has to do with her political involvement in the Sweden Democrats.

    She said the attack was extremely painful and that a week later she is still in pain. She also sustained injuries to one of her arms.

    Marianne believes that it was the hoodie she wore with the Sweden Democrats’ emblem that prompted the Afghan youths to attack her.

    Nordin, who works as a teacher of Swedish for new arrivals, recognized the perpetrators and has identified them as two young men from Afghanistan.

    “I recognize where they come from after all the years as a teacher. I have informed the police who are taking this very seriously,” she added.

    Marianne moved to Fagersta from Stockholm three years ago hoping it would be a safer place to live. But after the attack, she believes this is no longer the case and says she realizes that some of the problems previously connected to the suburbs of the big cities have now also become a reality in the little town of Fagersta.

    “But you must be able to go for a walk in Fagersta without risking being attacked. I have gone there many times before but this time I did not have my landlord’s dog with me because they are in Norrland out moose hunting. It was very uncomfortable, but I do not intend to be intimidated,” she concluded.

    Sweden’s rising crime levels have been tied to the influx of migrants the country has experienced, with police losing control of some areas of the country’s biggest cities.”