The Groundtruth from a combat veteran, backed up by independent research and historical study. Information beneficial to the Troops. And a touch of objective politics, as it relates to the subjects at hand.
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SSgt Workman is featured in the Hall of Heroes and a book review on this from Marine Till Death that read it as it was written: http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2008/12/shadow-of-the-sword-by-jeremiah-workman-w-john-bruning.html
http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2008/12/ssgt-jeremiah-workman-navy-cross-usmc-iraq-marion-oh.html and links to prior articles.
The nephew of blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng has been sentenced to more than three years in prison in a case seen by rights groups as retaliation for Chen's escape from house arrest earlier this year.
The Yinan County People's Court convicted Chen Kegui Friday of assaulting officials earlier this year who stormed into his house looking for his uncle. Earlier, the defendant had been charged with murder, but his family says charges were downgraded because officials did not have enough evidence to prosecute. In a half-day trial, the defendant was sentenced to three years and three months imprisonment.
Chen Guangcheng had been under 19 months of house arrest in eastern Shandong province for exposing forced abortions and other wrongdoing by local officials. In April he escaped and fled to the U.S. Embassy, setting off a diplomatic dispute between Beijing and Washington. He was eventually allowed to go to the U.S. to study. The blind lawyer is now living in New York City. VoA.
Egyptians have gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square Friday for an eighth straight day of demonstrations against President Mohamed Morsi, as an Islamist-dominated panel approved Egypt's new draft constitution that must now be voted on in a nationwide referendum.
The panel, boycotted by several Christian and liberal members, retained the principles of Islamic law as the main source of legislation. The group hastily rushed through the approval of the 234 articles in a meeting that lasted from Thursday afternoon until until early Friday.
The assembly moved up the vote in order to pass the draft before Sunday, when Egypt's highest judicial power is expected to rule on whether to dissolve the panel.
Over the past few days, about 30 liberal and Christian members pulled out of the panel to protest what they called the hijacking of the process by Islamists loyal to President Mohamed Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood member.
The Egyptian leader caused a political uproar last week when he granted himself sweeping new powers that bar the judiciary from challenging his decisions. Mr. Morsi told state television Thursday the decree will end immediately after people vote on the constitution.
Egyptian protesters are angered by the president's power grab and are accusing the president of acting like a dictator.
“Complete national unity against a new dictatorship, worse than the previous one. So we came today and we will meet. There will be marches and they will all call for one demand, which is the fall of the constitutional declaration. And if we are faced with stubbornness or neglect, our sit-in will continue until the departure of Dr. Morsi.''
Two people have been killed and hundreds injured in the nationwide demonstrations.
The Muslim Brotherhood has called a rival nationwide demonstration Saturday in support of the edict.
Meanwhile, the constitutional court vowed to resist what it characterized as an attempt by Mr. Morsi to undermine the court system. Egypt's highest courts went on strike Wednesday in protest of the president's decrees, vowing to stop their work until the constitutional court rules on Mr. Morsi's order granting himself immunity from judicial review.
Mr. Morsi is expected to put the draft constitution to a public referendum as early as mid-December. VoA.
A U.S. Army analyst, charged in the largest security breach in U.S. military history, has taken the stand for the first time in a pre-trial hearing on his detention conditions.
Bradley Manning testified Thursday about restrictions he endured while in custody at an army base in Kuwait and later in Quantico, Virginia (near Washington). During his three-hour testimony, Manning complained the time he spent alone in his cell was draining. He claimed there were times he thought he was going to die.
Manning downloaded thousands of diplomatic cables and other Top Secret material onto compact discs that were sent to the anti-American website WikiLeaks. He has offered to accept responsibility for the leak by pleading guilty to reduced charges. A decision on that offer has not been made.
The defendant has said that while at Quantico he was locked up alone in a windowless cell for 23 hours a day and forced to sleep naked. The military notes the treatment was necessary because he posed a suicide risk. Manning made multiple threats of suicide, including to hang himself by his underwear waistband.
Lawyers for Manning are asking for his charges to be dropped, saying the pretrial conditions were harsh enough. Manning has claimed that he was too gay to be given a Security Clearance in the first place, much less access to classified material. Prior to Clinton's DADT policy, homosexuals were denied a security clearance or entry into the military.
Manning could spend the rest of his life in prison if found guilty.
The leaked diplomatic cables and military reports, published by WikiLeaks starting in July 2010, infuriated the international community, often providing blunt and unflattering U.S. views of world leaders' private and public lives and placing the lives of Iraqi and Afghani, as well as US Soldiers and Dipomats in danger.
U.S. officials say WikiLeaks' publication of the stolen documents put lives in danger, threatened national security and undermined U.S. efforts to work with other countries. VoA.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Nov. 30, 2012) - Afghan and coalition forces killed an insurgent, and cleared an improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Nov. 29.
Kunar Province Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs in Sabari District.
Paktika Province Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces killed an insurgent during an engagement in Zerok District.
Communist China will soon order border police to board and search non-Chinese ships that enter what Beijing claims as its territorial waters in the disputed South China Sea.
In a move likely to raise regional tensions, state mediasay police in the southern island province of Hainan will soon be authorized to “land on, check, seize, and expel foreign ships” that enter the area 'illegally," despite international recognition that the area belongs to other nations.
The official China Daily says “illegal” activities include entering the province's waters without permission and “engaging in publicity that endangers China's national security.” It says the new rules will take effect January 1.
Hainan, China's southernmost province, administers nearly two million square kilometers of the sea. In July, the Chinese military angered its neighbors by setting up a garrison in Hainan's newly established Sansha City, in an effort to enforce its claims in the region.
Many of China's rival claimants, which include the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan, are concerned about what they see as Beijing's increasing assertiveness in defending its claims in the energy-rich South China Sea.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said in a regular briefing Thursday that China has the right to implement the new regulations.
“Carrying out maritime management according to law is the justified right of a sovereign country.”
The China Daily also said new maritime surveillance ships will soon join Beijing's South China Sea patrol fleet, which has been expanded following recent high-profile standoffs with the Philippines and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Thursday called on China to withdraw three ships from the site of an April standoff.
Del Rosario told ABS-CBN television that Beijing has not fulfilled its promise to remove its ships from the disputed Scarborough Shoal, as agreed by both countries six months ago. VoA.
Communist China has doubled its military budget in the last 10 years, updating its Navy and Air Forces, while maintaining 4.5 Million troops.
Iraq officials say bombings have killed at least 30 people and wounded at least 65 others.
Authorities say back-to-back explosions rocked the city of Hillah, while another bomb blast exploded in the Shi'ite city of Karbala. Thursday's bombings come just two days after car bombs targeted a Shi'ite procession in Baghdad, killing 12 people.
Both cities are part of Iraq's Shi'ite core located in the country's south. Shi'ites participating in religious events are often targeted by Sunni Muslim Islamists.
Shi'ite Muslims marked Ashura in Karbala on Saturday, where hundreds of black-clad Shi'ites gathered near the shrine of Imam Hussein.
Ashura falls on the 10th day of the Muslim month of Muharram. The date of Ashura may vary from country to country. VoA.
On Ashura, Shi'ites cut open their heads, and their sons heads, in celebration of the assassination of a 7th Century descendent of Mohammed.
UPDATE: A suicide bomber attacked a prominent terrorist commander in northwest Pakistan Thursday, wounding him and killing at least six people.
Officials say Maulvi Nazir was one of at least 12 people hurt in the Thursday's blast in Wana, the main town in the South Waziristan tribal agency.
Nazir is the main Islamist commander in South Waziristan, with terrorists who reportedly are more interested in attacking U.S.-led troops in neighboring Afghanistan than Pakistan's security forces.
The terrorist commander signed a peace accord with the Pakistani government in 2007 and is said to have a contentious relationship with the rival Pakistani Taliban, which has carried out attacks on Pakistani forces.
Nazir's faction is said to be allied with other al-Qaida-linked terrorist groups, including that of commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Thursday's bombing.
Officials say the attacker detonated his explosives as Nazir got out of his vehicle in Wana, causing a huge blast.
Original: A suicide bomber in northwest Pakistan has wounded an Islamist Taliban commander and killed at least six people.
Officials say Maulvi Nazir was one of at least 12 people wounded in the blast Thursday in Wana, the main town in the South Waziristan tribal region.
He is the most prominent terrorist Taliban commander in South Waziristan, with fighters who support the Taliban in Afghanistan and are not hostile to Pakistani authorities.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing. VoA.
Gunmen have killed a diplomat from Saudi Arabia in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a.
Yemeni security officials and diplomatic sources say attackers wearing security force uniforms shot at the Saudi diplomat's car Wednesday, killing him and his bodyguard.
Yemen has suffered several security problems. Al-Qaida terrorists have carried out suicide bombings and other attacks targeting officials, and Yemen's south was an al-Qaida stronghold but has been weakened after the army launched an offensive earlier this year to take back areas seized by terrorists.
Saudi Arabia also has been fighting al-Qaida terrorists who have attacked Saudi interests from bases in Yemen.
Saudi authorities have arrested a number of suspects – Saudi and Yemeni nationals – in recent months. VoA.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Nov. 29, 2012) - Afghan and coalition forces cleared two improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Nov. 28.
Nangarhar Province Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs, one in Mohmand Darah District and one in Achin District.
By Nick Simeone, AFPS. WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2012 - The Defense Department and South Carolina officials are notifying military members and families who paid state income taxes there that they may have been victims of information/identity theft as a result of several recent cyber intrusions.
South Carolina's Department of Revenue reported nearly four million Social Security numbers and several hundred thousand credit and debit card numbers belonging to current and former taxpayers may have been stolen during cyber intrusions in August and September.
While the vast majority of the personal data is believed to have been protected by encryption, state revenue officials said about 16,000 accounts were not, and that anyone who filed a South Carolina income tax return as far back as 1998 could be affected.
The intrusions were discovered last month, officials said. While South Carolina officials believe their system is now secure, Gov. Nikki Haley said the state is offering one year of free credit monitoring and identity protection to anyone who might have been exposed and applies for it. "The number of records breached requires an unprecedented, large-scale response," she said.
In addition to Social Security numbers and credit card information, defense officials said information usually found on the front of checks may also have been exposed.
DOD personnel and their family members who are current or former South Carolina taxpayers, especially those who are living abroad, are urged to visit www.ProtectMyId.com/SCDOR or contact Experian's national consumer assistance center at 1-866-578-5422 by January 31, 2013, to enroll in identity threat protection.
In addition, current and former South Carolina business owners may also contact Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp., officials said. Visit www.DandB.com/SC to initiate the registration process or call 1-800-279-9881.
An investigation into the source of the cyber intrusion continues.
The Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and the Coast Guard Reserve announced this week a decrease in activated Guard members and reservists while the Navy Reserve, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve announced an increase of activated guard members and reservists. The net collective result is 597 fewer reservists and National Guard members activated in comparison to last week.
At any given time, services may activate some units and individuals while deactivating others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease. The total number currently on active duty from the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 42,175; Navy Reserve, 4,594; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 8,970; Marine Corps Reserve, 2,562; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 661. This brings the total National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been activated to 58,962, including both units and individual augmentees.
Clashes in Cairo continued Wednesday between police and several hundred Egyptian protesters following Tuesday's massive demonstration against Muslim Brotherhood's Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.
Police fired tear gas into a mob of stone-throwing protesters on a street near the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. Other Egyptian demonstrators staged a sit-in Wednesday at Tahrir Square, the epicenter of protests during last year's ouster of Mr. Morsi's predecessor, Hosni Mubarak.
Mr. Morsi granted himself new powers in a November 22 decree that bars the judiciary from challenging his decisions.
On Monday, Mr. Morsi promised the Supreme Judicial Council that he will restrict his newly self-granted powers to sovereign matters. But there was no definition of the “sovereign matters” over which President Morsi will have absolute power.
Opposition groups have demanded the cancellation of Mr. Morsi's decree and accuse him of trying to assume dictatorial powers. VoA.
Twin car bombs have ripped through a suburb in the Syrian capital, Damascus, killing at least 34 people.
Activists say the blasts Wednesday targeted the Jermana suburb, which is mostly populated by Christians and Druse. Television footage shows firemen hosing down the remains of charred vehicles. Debris from the blasts was scattered about the street.
SANA state news agency called the attack an act of “terrorists.”
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says violence across the country has killed more than 40,000 people since an uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began in March of last year. VoA.
A pair of car bombs in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk have killed 3 and seriously injured at least 20 others. The Chinese news agency, Xinhua, quotes Iraqi local police sources which state that the first blast was in the vicinity of the Kurdish political party in Alshtral and the second exploded 250 kilometers north of Baghdad.
Kirkuk Province is occupied by Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen. Historically, it is a Kurdish area, but was forcibly settled by Arabs during the Saddam regime.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Nov. 28, 2012) - Afghan and coalition forces killed 11 insurgents and detained six during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Nov. 27.
Khowst Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces wounded three insurgents during an engagement in Tani District. The wounded received medical care and were transferred to a base for questioning.
Laghman Province Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces killed nine insurgents and wounded one during an engagement in Mehtar Lam District. The wounded received medical care and was transferred to a base for questioning.
Logar Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained an insurgent during an engagement in Baraki Barak District. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.
Kunar Province Afghan National Security Forces killed two insurgents and detained one during an engagement in Kot District. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Cpl. Christopher M. Monahan Jr., 25, of Island Heights, N.J., died Nov. 26 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.
Syrian activists say military warplanes have bombed a factory in the country's north, killing at least 20 people and wounding dozens more.
Activists say Tuesday's attack targeted an olive press factory near the city of Idlib.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says violence across the country has killed more than 40,000 people since the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began in March of last year. VoA.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Nov. 27, 2012) - Afghan and coalition forces detained four insurgents, located a weapons cache and cleared four improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Nov. 26.
Ghazni Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Ghazni District. The cache contained small arms, grenades and a barrel of silver nitrate.
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs, one in Gelan District and one in Waghaz District.
Khowst Province Afghan National Security Forces coalition forces detained three insurgents during engagements in Khowst and Sabari Districts. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.
Laghman Province Afghan National Army soldiers found and safely cleared an IED in Mehtar Lam District.
Nangarhar Province Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Shinwar District.
Paktya Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained an insurgent during an engagement in Gardez District. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr., AFPS, WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has yet to forward a recommendation to the White House on how many U.S. troops should remain in Afghanistan after 2014, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.
"It's entirely premature to speculate on troop numbers in Afghanistan between now and the end of 2014 or beyond," he said. "In September, we completed the full withdrawal of the 33,000 surge troops, and we will soon begin considering how we move forward on further troop level adjustments which will include planning for our post-2014 military and civilian presence in Afghanistan."
Little told reporters the defense secretary will speak tomorrow with Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, to discuss a "range of matters on Afghanistan."
Pentagon officials have asked for options to be considered, relatively soon, for what the post-2014 presence might look like, Little said.
"As we've made clear on several occasions, any U.S. presence would only be at the invitation of the Afghan government, and aimed at training Afghan forces and targeting the remnants of al-Qaida," he said.
"Ultimately, it will be the president's call," he said. "[President Barack Obama] will make decisions on these issues in the near future based on what's in our national interests, as "he has done in the past."
"He receives options from our military leaders on the situation on the ground," Little continued, "and considers the recommendations with his national security team, including [Panetta], in a consultation with the Afghan government and our international partners."
Separately, Little said, U.S. military leaders soon will present options to the Defense Department on further troop drawdowns for the coming year.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is quitting politics.
In a surprise move Monday, Barak announced he will not run in the country's January elections, but will stay in his post until a new government is formed.
The 70-year-old Barak, who is also a former prime minister, said he has “exhausted dealing with political life” and wants to spend more time with his family. He also said he wanted to make room for others to serve in leadership positions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he respects Barak's decision and appreciates the defense minister's contributions to state security.
Barak founded the center-left Independence party after splitting from the Labor party in 2011.
He became a close ally of Mr. Netanyahu in recent years, but their relationship has become strained by differences in how to seek U.S. support for Israel's strategy toward Iran. VoA.
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi is due to meet with the country's Supreme Judicial Council, as judges try to persuade the president to limit the sweeping powers he granted himself last week.
The decree has sparked protests by opposition activists, who continued to camp out in Cairo's Tahrir Square for a fourth day Monday demanding Mr. Morsi reverse his decision. Opponents and supporters of the president have called for rival mass rallies in the city on Tuesday.
Mr. Morsi's decree says his decisions cannot be appealed by the courts, and bars Egypt's judiciary from dissolving the upper house of parliament and an assembly drafting a new constitution. Critics say Mr. Morsi is taking on dictatorial powers like those of his predecessor, Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted from power by a popular uprising.
The president says his decree is “temporary” and will last until Egypt elects a new parliament under a revised constitution. A spokesman for his ruling Freedom and Justice Party of the Muslim Brotherhood said Sunday the decree will likely last for two months or less, and characterized the move as a bid to “secure stability” in Egypt.
In Washington, influential U.S. Senator John McCain criticized Mr. Morsi's decree as “unacceptable,” in an interview with the television network Fox News.
“We thank Mr. Morsi for his efforts in brokering a cease-fire (between Israel and Hamas), which by the way is incredibly fragile, but this (decree) is not acceptable. This is not what U.S. taxpayers expect. Our dollars (should) be directly related to the progress toward democracy which you (Morsi) promised the people of Egypt when your party and you were elected president.”
The Obama administration has proposed a $1 billion debt relief package for Egypt to help revive its struggling economy. Egypt also has received billions of dollars in U.S. military aid over three decades of close relations.
The U.S. State Department said the Morsi declarations “raise concerns for many Egyptians and for the international community.” It said one of the aspirations of the 2011 revolution was “to ensure that power would not be overly concentrated in the hands of any one person or institution.”
Reformists and liberals fear the Islamist-dominated assembly revising the charter will produce a document with an Islamist slant. VoA.
Chinese state media say the country's navy has successfully landed a fighter jet on an aircraft carrier for the first time, in the latest sign of China's growing military and economic power.
In reports published Sunday, state-run news agencies said the navy landed several Chinese-made J-15 jets on the carrier Liaoning in the past week. The reports said the warplanes also took off successfully.
A senior Chinese military researcher told the China Daily newspaper that the daytime landings and take-offs are a “landmark” in the navy's efforts to develop the combat capability of the Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier.
But Du Wenlong also said more tests must be done before the carrier-based J-15 jets are ready for combat. He said the J-15 pilots have not yet performed landings and take-offs at night or in complex situations.
China Daily quoted another military researcher as saying it will take at least two years for the J-15s to become fully operational. He also predicted the Liaoning will need four to five years to achieve full combat capability.
China bought the vessel as an unfinished Soviet aircraft carrier from Ukraine in 1998 and spent years refurbishing it. The Liaoning entered military service on September 25.
Beijing has been expanding its military capabilities while also making increasingly assertive claims to disputed maritime territories. Those claims have caused growing concern in some of China's neighbor countries. VoA.
While Syria slaughters its own people and Cairo burns yet again, idealism reveals again, that war is to be left in the dustbins of history. Similar predictions were made in 1909, just 4 years before the first World War, and in the 1930's by Neville Chamberlain, on the eve of the Second World War. In the 90's, Clinton slashed our military with the idealism that the world would be a safer place. It ignored the rising attacks by Islamist Terrorists and declarations of war by al-Qaeda, in hopes it would just go away. It claimed terrorism was a law enforcement problem, and should be tried in court, rather than prosecuted by militaries.
Zero Ponsdorf of This Ain't Hell points out the latest prediction of the impending future world of peace. And some blame the realism of Veterans, of the fact that Sovereign Nations maintain standing Armies for self-defense, that wars continue. Evidently, some believe that if Nations will just give up the means to defend themselves, then dictatorships will stop trying to take over their land and people.
Meanwhile, in the real world, the Communist Central Party of China has selected their new set of leaders, without ANY input from their Chinese subjects and are publishing new passports with maps of claiming the territory of several Pacific Nations, from the Philipines, to India, to Korea, to Japan, and of course Taiwan.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Nov. 26, 2012) - Afghan and coalition forces located a weapons cache and cleared four improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Nov. 25.
Ghazni Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Muqer District.
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Waghaz District. The cache contained grenades, three barrels of silver nitrate and two receivers.
Khowst Province Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Shamal District.
Logar Province Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Pul-E Alam District.
Paktiya Province Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Sayyid Karam District.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin R. Ebbert, 32, of Arcata, Calif., died Nov. 24 while supporting stability operations in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. Ebbert was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit in Virginia Beach, Va.
"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.
The Nigerian military says an explosion ripped through a church on an army base on Sunday, with reports of an unknown number of casualties.
Reuters cited military sources as saying the blast was from a suicide car bomb that killed at least five people and injured dozens more.
The incident took place inside the Jaji military barracks in Nigeria's northern Kaduna state after a church service.
Several churches in the state have been attacked in recent months by the Islamist sect Boko Haram, an al-Qaeda affiliate. The terrorist group is fighting to overthrow the government and impose Sharia law.
Jaji is some 30 kilometers from the state capital Kaduna city which has been hit in the past by deadly attacks blamed on Boko Haram.
Boko Haram's insurgency has killed at least 2,800 people since an uprising in 2009, according to Human Rights Watch, and the group has become Nigeria's largest security threat. VoA.
Officials in northwestern Pakistan say a bomb blast near a Shi'ite religious procession has killed at least five people.
Authorities say about 70 people were wounded in the explosion Sunday in Dera Ismail Khan, where an explosion Saturday also targeted Shi'ites. Seven people, including three children, were killed in Saturday's blast.
Police say the bomb that exploded Sunday had been planted in a shop.
The bombings come as Muslims observe the holy month of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. Sunni extremists have targeted minority Shi'ites in the past during Muharram.
Authorities have tightened security across Pakistan to guard against possible attacks on Shi'ite gatherings during Muharram. Pakistan has temporarily suspended mobile phone service in major cities to prevent bombings, which are often triggered by cell phones. VoA.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Nov. 25, 2012) - Insurgents killed six civilians and wounded 124 others, including three children, in eastern Afghanistan, according to the Wardak Provincial Governor's Office, from Nov. 13 to Nov. 24.
Of the nine insurgent attacks that caused death or injury during this time period, the deadliest incident occurred in Wardak province Friday, when a vehicle born IED killed three and injured 117 civilians, causing the damage of 40 government offices and civilians homes, which resulted in millions of afghanis in property damage.
Wardak Provincial Governor Abdul Majid Khan Khogyani ordered all the security entities to pursue and bring all the perpetrators of the incident to justice as soon as possible.
In a statement the governor said, "I strongly condemn Friday's attack that was carried out by the enemies of peace, stability and the people. As the armed insurgents took responsibility of the attack, they once again proved that they don't care about civilian lives and have put many innocent families in mourning on this holy day of Friday."
Governor Khogyani offers his condolences to the families of the victims and prays for a speedy recovery of the wounded. Despite the efforts of the enemies of the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, ISAF forces in eastern Afghanistan remain committed to partnering with their Afghan National Security Forces counterparts to secure a stable and prosperous future for the Afghan people.
Pakistani officials say a bomb blast near a minority Shi'ite religious procession has killed seven people, including at least three children, and wounded more than a dozen other people.
Authorities say the attack happened Saturday in the city of Dera Ismail Khan, located near the South Waziristan tribal region.
Pakistan has temporarily suspended mobile phone service in major cities to prevent such bombings, which are often triggered by cellular phones.
Authorities have tightened security across the country amid intelligence reports of possible attacks on Shi'ite gatherings during the holy month of Muharram.
Sunni Islamists have targeted Shi'ites in the past during Muharram, especially Ashoura, when Shi'ites commemorate the seventh century death of Iman Hussein, Muhammad's grandson. Ashoura falls on Sunday this year. VoA.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Nov. 25, 2012) - Afghan and coalition forces killed two insurgents and cleared 13 improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Nov. 24.
Ghazni Province Afghan National Army soldiers found and safely cleared seven IEDs in Giro District.
A coalition airstrike killed two insurgents in Ghazni District in response to an imminent threat towards Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces.
Laghman Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared three IEDs, two in Nurgaram District and one in Alingar District.
Logar Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Baraki Barak District.
Nangarhar Province Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Achin District.
Paktiya Province Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Gardez District.
Egyptian security forces have dispersed protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square with rounds of tear gas. Security personnel fired the tear gas Saturday morning on the protesters, many of whom spent the night on the iconic protest hub.
On Friday, protesters in several Egyptian cities attacked the offices of his ruling Muslim Brotherhood, as rival pro- and anti-Islamist government groups demonstrated in Cairo about a new presidential decree.
The protests came a day after Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi put himself above oversight and declared that his decisions cannot be appealed by the courts or any other authority.
In a speech to Islamist supporters Friday at the presidential palace, Mr. Morsi said he wants to move Egypt forward as a stable and safe nation and does not want sole control of the country.
Thousands of opposition supporters gathered in Tahrir Square Friday to protest the president's decision, while police fired tear gas at the crowds.
In the cities of Port Said, Ismailia and Alexandria, crowds of protesters lobbed stones and explosives and set fire to Muslim Brotherhood offices.
Mr. Morsi's decree also bars Egypt's judiciary from dissolving the upper house of parliament and an assembly drafting a new constitution – two bodies dominated by Mr. Morsi's Islamist allies.
In addition, Mr. Morsi has ordered retrials of former officials who used violence in efforts to suppress last year's popular revolution against longtime president Hosni Mubarak.
President Morsi's action comes after he received international praise for mediating a Gaze cease-fire.
The U.S. government has expressed concern about his decrees. VoA.
The United States says a conference on banning nuclear weapons in the Middle East will not be held because of current conditions in the region.
The announcement comes amid a flare up in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza, civil war in Syria and an unsettled political situation in Egypt.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Friday “a deep conceptual gap persists in the region” on how to handle regional security and arms control.
Nuland said the U.S. would not support a conference in which any regional state would be subjected to “pressure or isolation,” a reference to U.S. concerns that participants would gang up on Israel.
Iran and Arab states often say Israel's presumed nuclear arsenal poses a threat to Middle East peace and security. Israel and Western powers see Iran as the main nuclear proliferation threat. Tehran denies any atom bomb ambitions.
The meeting was to be held in Finland before the end of the year. VoA.
Protesters in several Egyptian cities have attacked the offices of the ruling Muslim Brotherhood, as rival pro- and anti-government groups demonstrate in Cairo about a new presidential decree.
The violence comes a day after Egyptian Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, put himself above oversight and declared that his decisions cannot be appealed by the courts or any other authority. In a speech to Islamist supporters Friday at the presidential palace, Mr. Morsi said he wants to move Egypt "forward" as a stable and safe nation and does not want sole control of the country.
Thousands of opposition supporters, including liberal politician Mohamad ElBaradei, former head of the U.N. atomic energy agency, gathered in Tahrir Square on Friday to protest the president's decision, while police fired tear gas at the crowds. El-Baradei has accused the president of making himself a “new pharaoh” by taking on so much power.
In the cities of Port Said, Ismailia, and Alexandria, crowds of protesters lobbed stones and explosives and set fire to Muslim Brotherhood offices. In Alexandria, people were seen tossing papers and other objects out office windows, while a party banner hanging on the wall of a building had been ripped nearly in half. The protesters chanted, “The people want the fall of the regime.” At least a dozen people were injured.
Earlier reports said the Muslim Brotherhood offices in Suez were also burned, but state television later retracted that report.
Mr. Morsi's decree also bars Egypt's judiciary from dissolving the upper house of parliament and an assembly drafting a new constitution — two bodies dominated by Mr. Morsi's Islamist allies.
In addition, Mr. Morsi has ordered retrials of former officials who he accuses of using violence in efforts to suppress last year's revolution against president Hosni Mubarak.
A presidential spokesman said the moves were made "to end a deadlock" in Cairo on forming a new constitution and "moving the country forward."
Egyptian courts have been examining cases demanding the dissolution of both assemblies. But Mr. Morsi's decree effectively neutralizes the judiciary system in favor of his ruling Muslim Brotherhood.
The announced retrials for those suspected of involvement in the killings of protesters during the 2011 uprising, could include a retrial of former president Hosni Mubarak. The ousted leader was sentenced to life in prison in June for failing to stop the killings. But he was acquitted on more serious offenses of corruption and ordering the deadly crackdown, angering many Egyptians.
Other Mubarak-era officials and security personnel also have been acquitted on charges of killing protesters, prompting critics in the new government to accuse the top government prosecutor of mishandling the cases. In his decree Thursday, Mr. Morsi fired that prosecutor, Abdel-Maguid Mahmoud, a Mubarak appointee who had been in the post for many years. The decree retroactively limited Mahmoud's term to four years, bringing it to an immediate end.
President Morsi had tried to fire Mahmoud last month but was blocked by the courts. He named Talat Abdullah as the government's new general prosecutor. VoA.
Longtime US Ally, Hosni Mubarrak resigned after the Obama Administration urged military leaders to take over in a coup d'etat, if he refused orders by the White House to step aside. The US Administration then pressed for elections before non-Islamist parties could establish an organization to compete in the elections.
On 9/11/2012, Egyptian Security Forces failed to maintain security in the Embassy District as Islamist party supported protestors invaded the US Embassy there, desecrating the US Flag, and raising the black flag of Al-Qaeda over the Embassy.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Nov. 24, 2012) - Afghan and coalition forces killed an insurgent, detained two, located two weapons caches and cleared 10 improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Nov. 23.
Ghazni Province Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared nine IEDs in Giro District.
Afghan National Police and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Ghazni District. The cache contained barrels of explosive materials.
Khowst Province Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Tanai District.
Afghan Border Police and coalition forces detained two insurgents during an engagement in Khowst District. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.
Paktika Province A coalition airstrike killed an insurgent in Giyan District in response to an imminent threat towards Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces.
Paktiya Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Dzadran District. The cache contained four rockets.
Afghan officials say a suicide car bomber has attacked government offices in eastern Afghanistan, killing two people and wounding at least 70. Several NATO service members were slightly wounded in the explosion.
Authorities say the Friday morning blast took place in Maidan Shar, the capital of restive Wardak province.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the explosion, saying the assault was in response to the executions this week of four Taliban detainees at the Pul-e-Charkhi prison on the outskirts of Kabul.
The four Taliban terrorists were among a total of 14 executed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Those put to death were convicted of crimes, including murder and rape.
Pictured: woman executed by Islamists after allegation of adultery. This is done regularly by the Islamist Iranian government and was a regular practice under the Islamist Taliban government in Afghanistan. The Taliban continue to hold executions in areas it controls in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The mass executions were condemned by the United Nations, the European Union and human rights groups.
Executions were common in Afghanistan under the rule of Taliban, which put people to death for murder and adultery. The use of the death penalty has been rare in Afghanistan since the Taliban were expelled from power in 2001 by the US Army's 5th Special Forces Group. VoA.
Egypt's opposition has called for protests Friday after President Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, put himself above oversight and declared that his decisions cannot be appealed by the courts or any other authority.
President Morsi's spokesman announced the decree Thursday, citing a need to “protect the revolution.” Opposition members have called the move illegal.
The decree also bars Egypt's judiciary from dissolving the upper house of parliament and an assembly drafting a new constitution — two bodies dominated by Mr. Morsi's Islamist allies.
In addition, Mr. Morsi has ordered retrials of former officials who he accuses of using violence in efforts to suppress last year's Islamist revolution against president Hosni Mubarak.
Mr. Morsi's supporters say his decree was long overdue. But Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei said Mr. Morsi has usurped all state powers, warning that there could be dire consequences. The liberal politician is a leading opposition figure in Egypt and a former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The president's action comes after he received international praise for mediating a Gaze cease-fire.
Egyptian courts have been examining cases demanding the dissolution of both assemblies. But Mr. Morsi's decree effectively neutralizes the judiciary system in favor of the ruling Muslim Brotherhood.
The announced retrials for those suspected of involvement in the killings of protesters during the 2011 uprising, could include a retrial of former president Hosni Mubarak. The ousted leader was sentenced to life in prison in June for failing to stop the killings. But, he avoided convictions on more serious offenses of corruption and ordering the deadly crackdown, angering many Egyptians.
Other Mubarak-era officials and security personnel also have been acquitted on charges of killing protesters, prompting critics to accuse the top government prosecutor of mishandling the cases. In his decree Thursday, Mr. Morsi fired that prosecutor, Abdel-Maguid Mahmoud, a Mubarak appointee who had been in the post for many years. The decree retroactively limited Mahmoud's term to four years, bringing it to an immediate end.
President Morsi had tried to fire Mahmoud last month but was blocked by the courts. He named Talat Abdullah as the government's new general prosecutor. VoA.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Nov. 23, 2012) - Afghan and coalition forces killed an insurgent and cleared seven improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Nov. 22.
Ghazni Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs, one in Ghazni District and one in Giro District.
Kabul Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Sarobi District.
Kunar Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces killed an insurgent during an engagement in Ghaziabad District.
Logar Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared an IED in Pul-E Alam District.
Nangarhar Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared three IEDs, one in Chapahar District, one in Bati Kot District and one in Khugyani District.
Pakistani officials say a Taliban suicide bomber has killed 23 people near the capital, Islamabad.
Authorities said Thursday the bomber blew himself up at Shi'ite Muslim march in the city of Rawalpindi after police tried to stop him for a security check. The blast wounded at least 62 others, including several children.
Earlier Wednesday, a Taliban bombing near a Shi'ite mosque in Karachi killed at least one person.
A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for both attacks, saying the terrorist group was targeting Shi'ites because it believes they are “blasphemers.”
Shi'ite Muslims are celebrating the month of Muharram and on Saturday will observe the holiest day of the month, Ashura. The holy day commemorates the death of the Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussein, in the seventh century, and they will cut their heads open. VoA.
Palestinians and Israelis went about their day blanketed in relative calm Thursday, after a cease-fire brokered hours before gave citizens in the volatile area their first quiet night in more than a week.
If Israel and the Hamas terrorists who run the Gaza Strip can maintain peace until 9 p.m. local time , border areas from Gaza will be opened, allowing people and goods to move in and out of the territory.
The truce brokered by Egypt took effect at 9:00 p.m. local time Wednesday.
Gazans poured into the streets after the cease-fire began, with some firing guns in celebration. In the West Bank Palestinian territory, Israel's army said Thursday it arrested 55 senior-level Palestinian terorists who are members of various terrorist factions.
Egypt is monitoring both sides for violations of the cease-fire agreement. The truce follows several days of intense aerial assaults on both sides of the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip, leaving more than 140 Palestinians and five Israelis dead.
Clinton called the truce “a critical moment for the region.”
“The people of this region deserve a chance to live free from fear and violence and today's agreement is a step in the right direction that we should build on.”
Clinton also praised Egypt's new government for assuming a key role in the effort and for pledging to work with Washington to ensure the cease-fire holds.
On Wednesday, a bomb blast on a bus in central Tel Aviv wounded at least 27 people, some seriously.
New rounds of missile and air attacks rained down on Gaza following the Tel Aviv attack.
Israel and Hamas had traded rocket fire for several days after a barrage of rockets struck Israel. Israel says the attack was a direct response to months of almost daily rocket fire into southern Israel from Gaza. VoA.
India has executed the lone surviving gunman from a group of militants who killed 166 people in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Mohammed Ajmal Kasab was hanged Wednesday at a prison in Pune, near Mumbai.
The home minister in Maharashtra state, where Mumbai is located, said Wednesday that the execution is a tribute to those who lost their lives in the attack.
Kasab, who is a Pakistani national, was convicted in 2010 on charges of murder, terrorism and waging war against India. He initially pleaded not guilty, but later confessed to his involvement in the three-day siege.
He appealed his death sentence, but India's Supreme Court upheld the punishment and the country's president denied his mercy plea.
Kasab and nine other young, heavily-armed Pakistanis attacked luxury hotels, a Jewish center and a busy train station in India's financial capital.
India has blamed the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for the siege. It claims the attacks were carried out with state support from Pakistan — a charge Islamabad denies. VoA.
Pakistan has materially supported LeT since the 1980's.
For a few bucks more you can get a signed copy from the author himself! http://www.deltabravosierra.us/2011/02/10/a-word-about-the-new-book/comment-page-1/#comment-3383
Get your copy of this legendary cartoon now (or wait a few days for the signed copy!)
Go to War against the Nazis with SSG Smith of the 94th Infantry Division. Review: http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2010/04/everymans-war-vet.html.html
Ace Of Spades: Why Language Matters In this article, Ace of Spades demonstrates how the writing style of "journalists" and other writers is purposely used to influence the electorate. He explains this far better than I have been able to do, but this is the foundation of why I could no longer be silent.
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