Friday, March 26, 2010
The Cheonan Crisis?
I have a short piece at Guardian: Comment is Free on the sinking of the Cheonan:
If the sinking of Cheonan was intentional, it creates a serious crisis for the Koreas’ neighbours and for the United States. None of the US, Japan, or China desire the threat of major military action on the Korean Peninsula. The US, still embroiled in Iraq and Afghanistan, doesn’t want another military confrontation on its plate. At the same time, it will be difficult for the US to restrain South Korea from some form of retaliation. Japan’s patience with North Korea has similarly run thin, and it is unlikely that Tokyo could be relied on too heavily as a voice of caution. Beijing has only limited affection for its North Korean client, but certainly does not want war, or even the threat of war. North Korea’s intentions remain mysterious; if it intended to signal its toughness and resolve to South Korea, it may have bitten off more than it can chew.
snipped....
[From the newsletter]
UPDATE: This report indicates that 58 of the crew had been picked up by midnite, which would be about an hour and a half ago. Make sure to follow CDR Salamander for additional updates.
http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2010/03/korean-naval-skirmish-rok-navy-ship.html;
March 27, 2010 - UnitedStatesAction.com Newslinks
Upcoming Event:
— Washington DC: March 28 – Lincoln Memorial Event: Supporting Racial Equality, Gender Equality, and Religious Freedom
http://www.realcourage.org/2010/03/lincoln-memorial-2010-rally/
Newslinks:
(Afghanistan) How Suicide Bomber Lured CIA Agents to Their Deaths
— Humam al-Balawi, the Jordanian double agent
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/balawi-suicide-bomber-lured-cia-agents-deaths/story?id=10200236
(Afghanistan) Newsweek: “A Deal with the Devil”
— “Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is a vicious, brutal, devious warlord”
http://www.newsweek.com/id/235556
— “US once again thinks Hikmatyar is a good Taliban”
http://thedawn.com.pk/2010/03/27/us-once-again-thinks-hikmatyar-is-a-good-taliban/
(Afghanistan) UK Soldier Dies After Suicide Bomber Strikes
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100327/tuk-uk-soldier-dies-after-suicide-bomber-45dbed5.html
— killed by car bomb
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2071537&Language=en
(Afghanistan) Twin strike on home of Taliban
— “While allied troops fight for the land around Kandahar, Afghan forces are left to secure the city and repel Taliban advances”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/afghanistan/article7078894.ece
(Afghanistan) Taliban fighters are ‘conditioned’ to die in battle, claims former insurgent
— Daily Telegraph interviews “a member of the Helmand Taliban”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/7530164/Taliban-fighters-are-conditioned-to-die-in-battle-claims-former-insurgent.html
(Afghanistan) Blog: “Bad Ghey Taliban Facebook Jihad”
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/201760.php
(Afghanistan) Report says Afghan women can help sell war to Europeans
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5404617,00.html
(Pakistan) U.S. missile strike kills four in Pakistan
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20100327/tpl-uk-pakistan-missile-strike-81f3b62.html
— 19 militants killed in military strikes in Pakistan
http://story.irishsun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/2411cd3571b4f088/id/616938/cs/1/
Pakistan: Truckers Killed for providing supplies to Shiite Muslims: - Six kidnapped truckers found dead in Thal
— Dawn: “A letter in a dead driver’s pocket said if anyone supplied goods to Parachinar’s Shias, he will be treated like this.”
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/provinces/04-thal-kidnapped-truckers-dead-qs-07
(Pakistan) 26/11 trial: Pak court dismisses plea for naming Kasab, Ansari as proclaimed offenders
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/26/11-trial-Pak-court-dismisses-plea-for-naming-Kasab-Ansari-as-proclaimed-offenders/articleshow/5731413.cms
Pakistan to get 14 more F-16 jets from US
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistan-to-get-14-more-F-16-jets-from-US/articleshow/5732660.cms
India: “Appeasing Pakistan likely to be US miscalculation”
http://bit.ly/cWicMv
Kashmir: 8 militants killed in Kashmir
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100328/jsp/nation/story_12273188.jsp
Al-Qaeda: Marketing the al-Qaida brand
— “The evolution of franchised terrorism under Osama bin Laden”
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Marketing+Qaida+brand/2503533/story.html
(U.S.) Osama Bin Laden tape has intelligence officials fuming
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/spy-talk/2010/03/osama_tape_has_intelligence_of.html
(U.S./UK) Raja Lahrasib Khan Case: Briton is duped into carrying terror cash
— son linked to terror cash for plot to attack U.S. stadium in August 2010
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/165608/Briton-is-duped-into-carrying-terror-cash
Iraq: Four Iraqis wounded in power generator explosion in Mosul — bomb
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2071478&Language=en
Iraq: Threat of violence in Iraq after Nouri al-Maliki loses election
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/7528938/Threat-of-violence-in-Iraq-after-Nouri-al-Maliki-loses-election.html
Iraq: Maliki’s forces detain, investigate winning Sunni candidates
http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20100327/wl_mcclatchy/3462870
Iran: Muslims must foil Israeli plot
http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=171892
‘Iran sanctions may be necessary’
— Russia’s Medvedev tells Arab League restrictions aren’t optimal, but cannot be excluded.
http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=171917
Palestinian Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for Gaza clashes
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3868614,00.html
Gaza: IDF concerned Hamas trying to change ‘rules of the game’ in Gaza
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1159618.html
Israel weighs response after Hamas takes credit for death of two soldiers
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1159597.html
Israeli feared abducted by al-Qaida contacts his family
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1159337.html
Yemen: U.S. warns ships in Yemen of al-Qaeda attack
http://www.yobserver.com/local-news/10018420.html
(Yemen) U.S. Seeks Cleric Backing Jihad — Anwar Al-Awlaki
— “Preacher Radicalized Activists With Writings, Officials Say”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704094104575144122756537604.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines
Yemen Says Houthis Draw People to Jihad Against U.S.
http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=2013
Somalia: Shabab Claims Responsibilty of Roadside Bomb Killed Gov’t Officer
http://www.raxanreeb.com/?p=42730
— Somali Government Official Killed After Mogadishu Evictions
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Somali-Government-Official-Killed-After-Mogadishu-Evictions-89323392.html
— Four Somalis killed by roadside bomb, police say
http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE62Q07O20100327
(Somalia/Israel) Israeli security guards foil pirate attack off Somalia
— Attackers driven off in gun battle as crew thwarts second hijacking attempt in a week
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1159437.html
Ugandan rebels killed 321 in Congo massacre, rights group says
— terrorist group Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1544240.php/Ugandan-rebels-killed-321-in-Congo-massacre-rights-group-says
Italian hurt by letter bomb to party before vote
— likely by Anarchist group
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/27/AR2010032701060.html
(Thailand) Yala: Police arrest suspect in Sompien bombings
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/35119/police-arrest-suspect-in-sompien-bombings
(Thailand) Pattani: Insurgent suspects arrested
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/35051/insurgent-suspects-arrested
(Thailand) Pattani: Salesman shot dead in Pattani
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/172084/salesman-shot-dead-in-pattani
Thai soldiers injured in station blast — likely Red Shirt related, not likely jihad related
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/thai-soldiers-injured-in-tv-station-blast/story-e6frfku0-1225846432118
(Philippines) One dead,2 wounded in Philippine communist attack
http://www.ptinews.com/news/584117_One-dead—two-wounded-in-Philippine-communist-attack
War on Women News:
New Jersey College Newspaper: “Women’s equality in the Muslim world”
— “Expert on genocide and minority rights, Zainab Al-Suwaij, speaks out against injustices in the Muslim world”
http://media.www.thestute.com/media/storage/paper1092/news/2010/03/26/CampusLife/Womens.Equality.In.The.Muslim.World-3894712.shtml
Other News:
Sudan’s Darfur and “A Deal with a Devil” - by Mohamed Yahya
http://www.realcourage.org/2010/03/a-deal-with-a-devil/
(Sudan) Whip awaiting alcohol drinkers and dealers, Sudan president warns
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article34548
Saudis fund Balkan Muslims spreading hate of the West
— Saudi Arabia: “is pouring hundreds of millions of pounds into Islamist groups in the Balkans, some of which spread hatred of the West and recruit fighters for jihad in Afghanistan”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7078771.ece
(U.S.) Detroit: Protesters gather over FBI shooting of Muslim cleric - Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah
— Imam Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)
http://www.freep.com/article/20100327/NEWS01/100327025/1003/Protesters-gather-over-FBI-shooting-of-Muslim-cleric
— Mosque leader’s death topic of Mich. meeting
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=12214126
-— October 29, 2009: Michigan: Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah Called for Attacks on FBI, Washington DC, Police – Sought Hate, Violence Against Non-Muslims
http://www.realcourage.org/2009/10/detroit-imam-called-for-jihad-on-usa/
(U.S.) “Bin Laden Threatens America, NYC Welcomes Tariq Ramadan” - by Phyllis Chesler
— thanks for the shoutout Phyllis!
http://www.phyllis-chesler.com/718/bin-laden-threatens-america-welcomes-tariq-ramadan
(U.S.) TSA: President’s Second Choice for Transportation Security Chief Withdraws From Consideration - Robert Harding
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/26/presidents-second-choice-transportation-security-chief-withdraws-consideration/
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/us/politics/28tsa.html
(U.S.) Reports of Militia Linked to Violence in U.S.
— Former militiaman unapologetic for calls to vandalize offices — Mike Vanderboegh
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/25/AR2010032501722.html
— related report
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/24/AR2010032402122.html
(U.S.) DC: Tuesday March 30 - China Embassy Protest to Save North Korean Refugees
http://www.realcourage.org/2010/03/dc-march-30-protest/
(UK) The Muslim Brotherhood’s Gala At the Regent’s Park Mosque
http://hurryupharry.org/2010/03/26/30906/
(UK) London Times: “MP quits radical mosque over forgery”
— Khalid Mahmood and North London Central Mosque — formerly known as Finsbury Park Mosque
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7078865.ece
(UK) No ‘special relationship’ between Britain and US: lawmakers
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/No-special-relationship-between-Britain-and-US-lawmakers/articleshow/5733733.cms
(Kuwait) ‘Government and citizens willing to implement Sharia’
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/151471/reftab/69/Default.aspx
Australia: Radical Islamic elder preaching jihad in Perth’s suburbs
-— Perth Now: “Sources confirmed the joint-agency investigation after The Sunday Times revealed to police that the newspaper had infiltrated a group in which the sheik described armed jihad as the ‘top’ ideal for Muslims and likened the Taliban to ‘angels’”
-— “Muslim community members said they warned police weeks ago that the Middle Eastern man was recruiting disaffected young Muslim men at a Perth mosque and spreading dangerous messages - about armed jihad, or holy war, against those fighting Islam; and that he claimed to know, and have trained with, Osama bin Laden.”
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/radical-islamic-elder-preaching-jihad-in-perths-suburbs/story-e6frg12c-1225846371476
Pakistani Christians’ only TV station in financial crisis:
http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/viewnews.php?newsid=1595
Islam in Europe Commentary
http://islamineurope.blogspot.com/2010/03/opinion-confession.html
Against Totalitarianism News:
Communist Chinese city is world’s hacker hub
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article7078760.ece
South Korea: 46 sailors missing after warship sinks — near Communist North Korea border
http://www.news.com.au/world/sailors-missing-after-south-korean-warship-sinks/story-e6frfkyi-1225846336854
— Investigation ordered into sinking of S Korean warship
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/southkorea/7531174/Investigation-ordered-into-sinking-of-South-Korean-warship-as-relatives-express-anger.html
— South Korea President: Ship sinking ‘unlikely’ to be caused by North Korea
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/southkorea/7529761/South-Korea-ship-sinking-unlikely-to-be-caused-by-North-Korea.html
Venezuela: Anti-Hugo Chavez TV channel owner arrested in Venezuela
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/venezuela/7521261/Anti-Hugo-Chavez-TV-channel-owner-arrested-in-Venezuela.html
Against Racial Supremacism:
Chicago: N-Word, “KKK” spraypainted on Southwest Side garage
— Chicago Tribune: “Antwana Muhammad, 33, who is African-American, said her garage door has been the target of racist graffiti three or four times since she moved to the 6400 block of South Komensky Avenue in the West Lawn neighborhood about four years ago.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-racial-graffiti-20100326,0,3514881.story
(South Africa) London Times: “Murderers stalk South Africa’s white farmers”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article7078730.ece
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