War On Terror News

Iran makes inroads into Egypt

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in Egypt, where his arrival Tuesday made him the first Iranian leader to visit the country since Iran's 1979 Islamist revolution.

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi greeted Ahmadinejad as he stepped off his plane at Cairo airport.

The Iranian president will meet with Egyptian officials and attend a summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which begins Wednesday in Cairo.

Relations between Egypt and Iran deteriorated following the 1979 Iranian revolution and Egypt's peace agreement with Israel, but have improved since the Islamists Muslim Brotherhood's Morsi took office last year. VoA.

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Morsi adds more Islamists to Egypt's Government

Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Morsi has expanded the number of Muslim Brotherhood ministers in his Cabinet as part of a reshuffle.

Ten Egyptian ministers were sworn in on Sunday, three of them members of Mr. Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood movement. A Brotherhood spokesman said the reshuffle increases the number of Brotherhood Cabinet ministers from five to eight.

Mr. Morsi also appointed a Brotherhood-allied expert in Islamic finance as the new finance minister. El-Morsi Hegazy replaces former finance minister Mumtaz el-Said, whom the Brotherhood had accused of being too close to the Egyptian military, which ruled the country for more than a year before handing power to Mr. Morsi in June.

In another key appointment, Mr. Morsi named a new interior minister, Mohammed Ibrahim, to replace Ahmed Gamal Eddin, who was criticized for his handling of last month's violent street protests for and against Egypt's new Islamist-backed constitution.

Mr. Morsi promised a Cabinet reshuffle last month as part of a plan to restore confidence in the economy, which has seen a slump in foreign tourism and investment due to political instability since the 2011 ouster of longtime president Hosni Mubarak in a popular uprising.

Egypt also has been suffering a currency crisis that has seen the Egyptian pound weaken to eight-year lows against the dollar. Egypt's central bank has spent billions of dollars to support the value of the pound since 2011, leaving its foreign reserves at what it calls a “critical” level. In a report Sunday, the central bank said Egypt's foreign reserves were just above $15 billion in December, a slight decline from the previous month.  VoA.

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Stone throwing Egyptians clash over Islamist constitution

Clashes have broken out in the Egyptian city of Alexandria between supporters and opponents of the country's new constitution, one day before the highly contentious referendum on the document.

Witnesses say fighting between stone-throwing protesters began Friday near a mosque in Alexandria, the country's second largest city. Several cars were set on fire.  There was no immediate word on injuries.

In Cairo and other cities, thousands of flag-waving activists turned out for rival rallies.  Such gatherings have been generally "peaceful," killing 8 Egyptians in the last week. 

The proposed constitution has the support of President Mohamed Morsi's Islamist Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist groups.

However, members of liberal, secular and Christian opposition note it will erode civil liberties because it boosts the role of Islamist Sharia law and does not mention women's rights.

An Islamist committee approved the document last month after minority liberal and Christian members walked out, stating they had been ignored by the Islamist body writing the constitution.

Last week, clashes between supporters and opponents left eight people dead and hundreds injured.

Polls open on Saturday in Cairo, Alexandria and a group of other provinces. The rest of the country will vote on December 22.

Egyptians living overseas began casting their ballots earlier this week.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Working Group has urged Egyptian officials to review the document to ensure that in conforms to international laws on equality and women's rights.

In a Friday statement, independent expert Kamala Chandrakirana said “key opportunities so far has been missed.”   The group says the final draft of the constitution does not include adequate provisions to protect against gender discrimination. VoA.

The Muslim Brotherhood's Morsi came to power after Obama pressured his predecessor out of office and pressed for elections in Egypt before secularists could organize political powers.  On 9/11/2012, Egyptian security forces delayed response led to the US Embassy being overrun, the US Flag desecrated, and the black flag of Al-Qaeda being raised over it.  In neighboring Libya, the US Consulate in Benghazi was also overran, resulting in the deaths of the US Ambassador, and three Americans working for the US government.

Full text of proposed Islamist Constitution of Egypt

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Middle East News, 06 December, 2011

Egypt to hold referendum on Islamist constitution

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has set a date of December 15 for a national referendum on a controversial new constitution that has sparked large protests.

Mr. Morsi announced the date after Egypt's Islamist-dominated assembly handed its final draft of the constitution to him late Saturday.

The draft constitution mandates the principles of Sharia law as the main source of legislation.

Earlier Saturday, tens of thousands of Islamists demonstrated across Egypt in support of Mr. Morsi and the draft constitution.  Supporters gathered outside Cairo University and elsewhere, waving Egyptian flags, raising banners and demanding the implementation of what they called “God's law.”

The Muslim Brotherhood called for the rallies.

Also Saturday, thousands of protesters demonstrated in Cairo's Tahrir Square for a ninth straight day against the president and the draft constitution.  They have been voicing opposition to a decree giving Mr. Morsi extraordinary powers.

The Egyptian leader caused a political uproar when he granted himself sweeping new powers that bar the judiciary from challenging his decisions.  Mr. Morsi said Thursday the decree will end immediately once the people vote on the constitution.

Mr. Morsi has been waging a battle with Egypt's judges, many of whom are opponents of the Muslim Brotherhood that dominates Egypt's parliament.  The president is a former member of the once-banned group.

On Sunday, Egypt's top judicial power is expected to rule on whether to dissolve the country's Islamist-led assembly.

In recent days, about 30 Christian, liberal and secular members have boycotted the assembly to protest what they call the hijacking of the process by Islamists loyal to President Morsi.

At least two people have been killed and hundreds injured in Egypt's nationwide demonstrations. VoA.

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Islamist assembly approves draft of Egyptian Constitution

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.

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Egyptians continue violence against MB's Mosri

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.

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Egyptian judges to meet Morsi over his new dictatorial powers

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.

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Parallels of History: "the end of war is nigh"

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. 

Egyptians protest rise of new Islamist Dictator

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.

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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.

MB Egyptian President Morsi fires chief Prosecutor

Egypt's president has removed his prosecutor general from office after a court acquitted loyalists of ousted President Hosni Mubarak of organizing a brutal attack on protesters last year.

Egyptian state television announced Thursday that President Mohammed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, removed General Abdel Maguid Mahmoud and named him as the country's ambassador to the Vatican.

The announcement follows activists blaming Mahmoud of presenting weak evidence that resulted in the acquittals of 24 Mubarak era officials.

They had faced charges for organizing a notorious camel-borne assault on protesters during last year's popular uprising. VoA.

"Hope is NOT a Strategy!"

 

Many have expressed concern that the current Presidential campaign has been devoid of National Security/Foreign Policy issues, myself included.  I've said very little about Romney, because he has previously said very little about National Defense.  I've picked up a few encouraging snippets in the last few weeks, but finally he has added some substance, on the topic Obama considers his strong suit.

"Hope is not a strategy."  Romney is not the first I've heard say that.  My old team Sergeant said it on a regular basis, when he felt complacency was setting in, when he thought someone wasn't planning or preparing properly, when someone forgot to plan.  He was right "Hope is NOT a strategy."  You can't just hope the right supplies and equipment will be available when you need it, where you need it, or that the other units involved are on the same sheet of music.  You have to have a plan and you have to have thought out all the details of that plan, including what the enemy may do in response to your moves.

Romney is right.  Hope is not a strategy.  You have to have a plan for how to help your friends, and how to defeat your enemy.

Romney has pledged to roll back the Obama cuts to the Troops, to the restore the Navy from its current 1916 strengths.  He has pledged to lead the Free World, not just hope others will do the right thing.  He stated his recognition that a strong military prevents war, and that the world is more dangerous today than it was in 2008.

He noted that our Friends, our Allies, want American leadership, that the people of the Middle East, and the world want the Freedoms we have here.  He pointed out that Libyans rejected the presence of the Islamist terrorists that had killed our diplomats, from remaining in their midst.

In the short 22 minutes of Romney's speech he points out many failures of the current Administration, such as Obama's silence when the Iranian people risked, and sacrificed their lives, in hopes that the world would help them overthrow their tyrannical regime, in 2009.

And when the civilian fatalities stood at half of the now 30,000, Obama sent Panetta & General Dempsey to Congress where his Secretary of Defense stated he would not get Congressional permission to go to war in Syria, but would wait on UN or NATO approval, despite the Constitution.  And when the civilian fatalities stood at 1/3rd, the Administration said they didn't know who the rebels were, even after a year of combat.  Now, al-Qaeda has made inroads, along with Hamas into the Syrian Civil War against Bashar Assad, his Russian and Communist Chinese allies, his Iranian allies, and their Hezbollah underlings.  Lost in the crossfire are Syrians, who want Freedom, and democracy.

Though the Obama Administration denied the obvious for weeks, it has finally admitted that the attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi was the work of Al-Qaeda, or at least its Islamist allies, and not just an overreaction to a two bit video no one had heard of or would have heard of, if it hadn't of been for the attack on our Embassy in Cairo.  In fact, the attack on the Embassy in Cairo was advertised and supported by the Islamist Nour Party there, an ally of the Muslim Brotherhood ruling party, and the attack on the Consulate in Benghazi appears to have been led by a terrorist released prematurely from GITMO, and directed to occur by Al-Qaeda's leader, al-Zawahari.

And the attack came days before Obama announced he was releasing a 1/3rd of the remaining terrorists left at GITMO, and turning over the terrorists at Bagram, along with the prison to Afghanistan.

 

The Romney speech comes on the heels of Lara Logan's speech to the Better Governance Association in Chicago, where she told them that Islamism, the Taliban, and Al-Qaeda have grown stronger in the last few years (of the Obama Administration).  She knows.  She's been there.  She was in the middle of the events in Cairo, and has the lumps to prove it.  She has interviewed General Allen, President Karzai, and members of the Taliban.  She wore no scarf with Karzai or Allen, semi-covered her hair with Karzai's underlings, and had to scarf the camera as well with the Taliban.

 

We now know there were many Islamists in that crowd that day.

Obama has abandoned the Middle East, and Latin America, while ignoring Africa, while ordering the Military to focus instead on the vast ocean of the Pacific, with fewer Troops.  His Administration pulled back on security forces in Libya, when his Ambassador there asked for more, and intelligence noted a pending attack.  And the Marine response team that should have been on a moment's notice, was days away.  His Ambassador, OUR Ambassador there was murdered as a result.  Yes, it is the fault of the Islamist Terrorists that conducted the attacks, but it is the Administration which is to blame for ignoring the intelligence and the requests of the Ambassador on the ground.

Romney has struck a stark difference between his policies in Foreign Affairs and the current Administration's.  Romney says he won't publish an enemy emboldening timeline of retreat, but will instead use the Diplomacy of Strength.  He won't abandon allies, or back down from enemies, but instead ensure that allies and enemies alike will know we mean what we say, and have the means to back it up, and the will to do so.

Romney has said he won't allow America to be tossed about on the waves of world events, but will lead from the front, and shape those events.

I'm not necessarily excited about Romney but I am impressed with his speech.  And I'm glad he has finally stated some positions on National Security and Foreign Policy.  I will hold him to those words if he wins, just as I have pointed out that Obama's were empty when he said "Afghanistan would be his top priority," in the 2008 campaign.

It is time to turn the tide back in the favor of Freedom, and to push the rise of Islamism back on its heels.

Morsi pardons criminals of the "revolution"

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has issued a decree granting a pardon to Egyptians who were detained or convicted for acts linked to the 2011 revolution that ousted his longtime predecessor, Hosni Mubarak.

In the decree posted on his Facebook page late Monday, Mr. Morsi said the pardon covers crimes “committed with the aim of supporting the revolution” from January 25, 2011, when the uprising began, to June 30, 2012, when he took office.

Mr. Morsi said Egyptians facing trial and those already serving prison sentences for such crimes will be eligible for release. He said the amnesty excludes people charged with or convicted of murder.

The presidential decree said Egypt's attorney general and military prosecutor have one month to compile and publish a list of people included in the amnesty. But Mr. Morsi did not say how many people will be pardoned or when they will be freed. He also did not define the specific offenses to be pardoned.

"Youth groups" that led the Egyptian revolution have long demanded that authorities drop charges against and release thousands of fellow activists detained in Mr. Mubarak's crackdown on the uprising and in the 18 months of military rule that followed. Many were convicted of thuggery, damaging public property, resisting authorities and disrupting public order.

Mr. Morsi already has pardoned several hundred civilians convicted in military tribunals of involvement in the recent unrest. He had been under pressure to deliver on his promise of building on the revolution in the runup to his 100th day in office, which he marked on Sunday.  VoA.

Muslim Brotherhood holds protests in Jordan

Thousands of Islamists gathered in Jordan's capital to protest.

Protesters raised flags and banners and chanted anti-government slogans during the demonstration Friday in Amman.

The rally was organized by Jordan's main Islamist group, the Muslim Brotherhood.

The protest took place a day after Jordan's royal palace said King Abdullah had dissolved parliament.  That move sets the stage for early parliamentary elections.

Jordan's government says the elections are a result of reforms it made that spared Jordan the Arab Spring uprisings that have toppled four Middle East rulers.

But critics say the electoral reforms do not go far enough to eliminate inequities that ensure parliamentary strength for supporters of King Abdullah or that curtail his absolute powers.

King Abdullah has said a new parliament will elect a prime minister early next year, in response to popular demand.  The king has traditionally appointed the prime minister.

The palace did not say when the parliamentary elections will take place.  VoA.

Pakistan offers $100k Reward for death of Videographer, asks for AQ/Talib help

Islamist demonstrators in Islamic countries and elsewhere held new protests Saturday against an Internet video.

In Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, at least 10 people were injured in clashes between police and protesters.

Security forces fired tear gas and used batons to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing protesters who were part of an alliance of about a dozen Islamist groups.  Witnesses say the protesters burned vehicles, including a police van.  Some demonstrators were arrested.

The alliance that led the demonstration called for a nationwide strike Sunday to protest the Internet video, which was produced in the United States.

In Pakistan, a government minister announced a $100,000 award for the death of the person who made the film.  The minister urged the Taliban and al-Qaida to help locate and kill the filmmaker.

More than 1,000 people rallied Saturday in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, calling for the filmmaker to be punished.

In Nigeria, thousands of people opposed to the video took to the streets of Kano, the largest city in the country's mainly Muslim north.  Demonstrators marched toward the palace of the Emir of Kano, the region's top Muslim spiritual leader.

In Germany, more than 1,000 people against the film marched peacefully in the western city of Dortmund.

Funerals were held in Pakistan for victims of the protests in cities across the country Friday.  More than 20 people died in clashes between security forces and demonstrators.

Thousands of Muslims also demonstrated Friday in other countries, including Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iraq, Lebanon and Indonesia.  Some protesters burned American flags and effigies of U.S. President Barack Obama.

The low-budget Internet video was produced by an anti-Muslim filmmaker in  California.  It first sparked recent protests in Cairo, and an attack followed on the U.S. consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi that killed U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three members of his staff.  The Obama administration originally said that attack was a spontaneous response to the Internet video, but U.S. officials have since called it a terrorist attack.

Since the release of the video, anti-U.S. protests have spread as far as Indonesia.  Protesters have also voiced anger about images of the Muhammad, including some of him naked, published in a French magazine.

France's government closed embassies, consulates, cultural centers and schools on Friday in 20 countries as a precautionary measure.  French authorities also banned two anti-U.S. protests planned for Saturday. VoA.

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Egypt issues warrants on Americans insulting Islam

On 18 September 2012, the Egyptian government issued arrest warrants for Terry Jones, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, and six others associated with the amateur youtube video, the "Innocence of Muslims."  The warrant alleges that they are wanted for the crimes of: "Harming national unity," "Insulting and publicly attacking Islam," and "spreading false information."

Aside from Terry Jones, the remaining individuals targeted in the warrant are Egyptian Coptic Christians, who fled the religious persecution of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. 

The Muslim Brotherhood has taken over the reins of government in Egypt, after Obama ordered longtime US ally, Hosni Mubarrak to resign.  It is currently in the process of writing a new constitution for the country, which is expected to make it a crime to speak against Islam.

The video in question opens with scenes of the oppression Egyptian Coptics have experienced in Egypt where a Coptic daughter asks her father why they are being persecuted.  The father tells the daughter, she'll have to come to her own conclusions as to why fellow Egyptians would commit such violence.  It then portrays scenes described in the Koran, including allusions to the marriage of Muhammed to his supporter's post-toddler daughter, and overt calls of Mohammed to violence.

Lost in the violent aftermath, and to the public debate, is the irony that Islamists are acting out the very violence that the video producer was highlighting.

The Egyptian video producer, who lives in California, faces the possibility of a violent death over his production.  Theo van Gogh, the great-grandson of the famous artist, was brutally stabbed to death in the streets of Europe for a film which Islamists considered blasphemous.  A 14 year old mentally challenged Pakistani girl faced the death penalty for buring pieces of paper, on which verses of the Koran were allegedly written.

Meanwhile, today, a left-wing French magazine is publishing cartoons depicting Mohammed naked, along with other cartoons of the 7th Century Arab conquerer.  And the French government is closing its Embassies in 20 Islamic countries to counter the threat.

The Obama Administration has made no statements concerning extradition or protection of the Americans wanted in Egypt, but the video producer has previously been brought in for questioning.

Coptic Egyptian claims directorship of "Innocence of Islam;" denies ties of video to US

A man who says he was behind the private film sparking demonstrations in the Muslim world is criticizing the protesters.

In an interview with U.S.-government-funded Radio Sawa, the alleged director of the film says his fellow Arabs “have to learn demonstrate peacefully against the issues on which we disagree.”  He says any allegation the United States government was involved in the making of the movie is “funny and ridiculous” and that “America has nothing to do with the film.”

Radio Sawa says the man refused to confirm his identity but that a source who provided the contact information identified him as Nakoula Basseley Nakoula.

Several news organizations have linked the inflammatory film, titled “The Innocence of Muslims,” to Nakoula, a 55-year-old Egyptian Coptic Christian who lives in California and recently served a prison sentence for bank fraud.

Initially, the film was said to have been produced by a man named Sam Bacile, who told news media he is Israeli-American.  A consultant on the film confirmed the name “Sam Bacile” was a pseudonym.  There is no record of the film or its producer in Hollywood reference sources. 

The man believed to be Nakoula tells Radio Sawa he did not expect the film would cause such strong reactions from the Arab and Muslim world, saying the film's other producers “put my mind at ease.”  But he also says all the film's advisers were “foreigners who do not know anything about Arabs and have never visited Arab countries.” VoA.

Four protesters killed in Yemen as anti-US protests spread

Four protesters were killed when a mob stormed the grounds of the U.S. embassy in Yemen Thursday, part of a wave of violent demonstrations against the United States.

Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi immediately condemned the violence and promised to protect U.S. citizens in Yemen. The White House says President Barack Obama telephoned Mr. Hadi to thank him for his swift response. It says Mr. Obama rejects any efforts to denigrate Islam, but said there is no justification for the violence.

Protesters also marched in Cairo, Tehran, Baghdad and Dhaka, chanting “no to Israel” and burning the American flag.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned an amateur youtube video that mocks the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. She called it “disgusting” and “reprehensible.” Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi also condemned both the video and the violence Thursday. He promised to protect foreigners in Egypt.

U.S. and Libyan authorities are investigating Tuesday's storming of the U.S consulate in Benghazi that killed U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three of his staff. One of those killed was identified Thursday as a former U.S. Navy SEAL who was on a security detail in Libya.

American intelligence agencies are examining the involvement of al Qaida terrorists. But they say they do not have solid evidence.

The United States also has sent two Navy destroyers, a Marine Corps anti-terrorist security team and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to Libya to protect Americans. VoA.

The call for 9/11 "protests" on Cairo Embassy

The date was not a coincidence.  A two-bit youtube video by previously unknown people unrelated to the US Government was not the reason.  As reported by a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Walid Shoebat, the advertisement for the "protests" was this:

"This demonstration was about one thing – creating havoc to apply pressure that would lead to a change in Egyptian Constitution by Nour:

"Salafi Nour Party officially joined the Commonwealth of ‘voice of wisdom’ with Wisam Abdul Waris, as well as with Nader Bakkar, the party’s official spokesman and Dr. Ahmed Khalil Khairallah, member of the supreme body."

Said Bakkar:

"Ahmed Khalil of the supreme body and I joined the Association of the voice of wisdom with Dr. Wisam Abdul Waris as official representatives from Nour Party and the Salafist call."

Bakkar then added that the association…

"…aims for legal prosecution for anyone of harm to Islam at home and abroad"

That explains the reasons for Islamist extremists to desecrate the US Flag and hoist the black flag of Al-Qaeda.  The Nour Party controls 20% of the Egyptian parliament, with the majority being the Muslim Brotherhood.

Meanwhile, Debka reports that the assassination of the US Ambassador in Libya was conducted on orders from al-Qaeda's leader, al-Zawahari himself:

"Debkafile’s counter-terror sources report exclusively that far from being a spontaneous raid by angry Islamists, it was a professionally executed terrorist operation by a professional Al Qaeda assassination team, whose 20 members acted under the orders of their leader Ayman al Zawahri after special training. They were all Libyans, freed last year from prisons where they were serving sentences for terrorism passed during the late Muammar Qaddafi’s rule.

In a video tape released a few hours before the attack, Zawahri called on the faithful to take revenge on the United States for liquidating one of the organization’s top operatives, Libyan-born Abu Yahya al-Libi in June by a US drone in northwestern Pakistan."

The War on Terror has not "ended," and it will not end by retreating from an enemy that attacked without provocation, and despite the US ignoring its declarations of war in 1996 and 1998.

 

Islamists attack US Embassy in Egypt, US Consulate in Libya

On the anniversary of 9/11, Islamists in Egypt breached the walls of the US Embassy in Cairo, shouting "Sons of the Cross, leave Mohammed alone," reminiscent of the 1978 attacks by Iranian "students" on the US Embassy in Tehran.  After tearing down the US Flag, they desecrated it, and raised the black flag of Al-Qaeda.

Main Stream Media continues to repeat the excuse of Islamists, that the attack on the US Embassy was in "response" to a film produced by Coptic Egyptian refugees in California, depicting Mohammed in an unfavorable manner.

A few hours later an Islamist mob in Libya attacked the US Consulate in Benghazi.  They then set fire to the Consulate.

An official at the embassy told VOA that all the employees on the compound were safe.

Media reports say the film about the prophet was financed by expatriate members of Egypt's Coptic Christian minority group.

The protests coincide with the 11th anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Islamists attack US Embassy in Egypt, US Consulate in Libya

On the anniversary of 9/11, Islamists in Egypt breached the walls of the US Embassy in Cairo, shouting "Sons of the Cross, leave Mohammed alone," reminiscent of the 1978 attacks by Iranian "students" on the US Embassy in Tehran.  After tearing down the US Flag, they desecrated it, and raised the black flag of Al-Qaeda.

Main Stream Media continues to repeat the excuse of Islamists, that the attack on the US Embassy was in "response" to a film produced by Coptic Egyptian refugees in California, depicting Mohammed in an unfavorable manner.

A few hours later an Islamist mob in Libya attacked the US Consulate in Benghazi.  They then set fire to the Consulate.

An official at the embassy told VOA that all the employees on the compound were safe.

Media reports say the film about the prophet was financed by expatriate members of Egypt's Coptic Christian minority group.

The protests coincide with the 11th anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Islamist Egypt begs for $4.8 Billion in handouts

Egypt has formally asked the International Monetary Fund for a rescue package of up to $4.8 billion, as it struggles with its faltering economy after more than a year of political turmoil triggered by an Islamist uprising.

Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil, speaking Wednesday, said the loan is aimed at lowering Egypt's borrowing costs.  He said his government hopes to sign the deal by the end of the year, with a five-year repayment plan at an interest rate of 1.1 percent.

The request came during a visit by IMF managing director Christine Lagarde, who later said that “getting the country's economy back on track and raising living standards for all will not be an easy task.”  But she said the IMF will “accompany” Egypt “as it undertakes this challenging journey.”

Lagarde said the two sides had not yet begun discussing details.

The loan request is the second from Cairo in a year.  An application for $2.8 billion was rejected last year after months of political wrangling. VoA.

Obama Admin expected Egyptian purge

Egyptian media outlets are hailing as “revolutionary” a decision by President Mohamed Morsi to dismiss the once-powerful defense minister and curtail the military's authority.

On Sunday, Mr. Morsi ordered Defense Minister Hussein Tantawi to retire along with armed forces chief of staff Sami Enan.  The president also canceled a constitutional declaration that had granted Tantawi and other top military officers in the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces wide powers.

Mr. Morsi, of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, said he “did not intend to embarrass institutions,” and that his decisions were for the benefit of Egypt and its people. The military has not publicly responded to the decisions.

U.S. reaction at the White House and State Department stressed the need for the Egyptian civilian and military leaders to work together to advance the democratic transition. Pentagon spokesman George Little said the changes were expected.

“The new defense minister is someone who's known to us. He comes from within the ranks of the SCAF and we believe that we will be able to continue the strong partnership that we have with Egypt.”

Both Tantawi and Enan were named as presidential advisors and received top medals for their military service.

Some Morsi supporters celebrated in Tahrir Square late Sunday, but a VOA reporter in Cairo says there have not been a lot of people in the streets Monday, most likely due to the hot weather and the fasting associated with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Sunday's changes at the top of the military followed last week's announcement that Mr. Morsi fired his intelligence chief and the governor of North Sinai.  That reorganization — which also extended to replacing the commander of the military police — came days after militants launched their bloodiest attack ever on the army in the Sinai Peninsula, killing 16 Egyptian border guards. VoA.

Islamists purge rivals in Egyptian Govt; consolidating power

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has ordered his defense minister and military council's chief of staff to retire.

A presidential spokesman also announced Sunday that Mr. Morsi has canceled a constitutional declaration the military approved shortly before his election that granted its top commanders wide powers.

President Morsi replaced the outgoing defense minister Hussein Tantawi — a holdover from ousted President Hosni Mubarak's rule — with Abdel Fattah al-Sissi.  He also has appointed a senior judge, Mahmoud Mekki, as vice president.

This is the latest major reorganization following last week's announcement that Mr. Morsi fired his intelligence chief and the governor of North Sinai.  That reorganization — which also extended to replacing the commander of the military police — came days after militants launched their bloodiest attack ever on the army in the Sinai Peninsula, killing 16 Egyptian border guards. VoA.

Mohammed Morsi was elected on the top of the Muslim Brotherhood ticket.

Ramadan begins 2012

Muslim religious leaders have declared Friday as the start of Ramadan in much of the Arab world.

The start of the holiest month in the Islamic calendar is marked by the sighting of the new moon, which varies from country to country.

During Ramadan, Muslims are expected to fast and abstain from smoking, sex and drink from sunup to sunset, as well as to perform good deeds and acts of charity.

The month marks the time more than 1,400 years ago when Muslims say the Prophet Muhammad first received the words of the Quran — the Muslim holy book.

Mainly Muslim Indonesia and Muslims in China also will celebrate Ramadan on Friday. VoA.

Islamists often use the month of Ramadan as an occasion to increase attacks on civilians.

Obama/Hillary offer Islamist Egyptian government $1 Billion in economic aid

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has ended two days of talks with Egypt's quarrelling leaders, offering them U.S. assistance for the struggling Egyptian economy without publicly taking sides in their ongoing power struggle.

A U.S. State Department official said Clinton discussed U.S. aid proposals at a meeting in Cairo Sunday with Egyptian military chief Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi. The official said Tantawi told Clinton that reviving the Egyptian economy is a priority for his country. Clinton revealed details of the U.S. aid pledge on Saturday, when she held talks with Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, who took office last month.

Hillary meets new Islamist President of Egypt

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Sunday in Cairo with Egypt's top military commander Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, a day after holding talks with newly-inaugurated Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.

Clinton and Field Marshal Tantawi, who was the country's interim leader after the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, discussed an extensive range of topics, including the north African country's political transition, the importance of protecting the rights of all Egyptians, and regional stability.

Clinton is set to hold talks separately with Egypt's Christian leaders and women leaders before travelling to Alexandria to participate in a flag-raising ceremony at the U.S. consulate.

Later Sunday, Clinton departs for Israel.

On Saturday, the top U.S. diplomat reaffirmed U.S. support for Egypt's political transition.  Clinton said the United States wants to be helpful, but “it is for the Egyptian people to decide” how the transition plays out.

Clinton also announced a $60-million enterprise fund for small and medium-sized businesses and $250 million in private-sector loan guarantees. VoA.

Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood won elections to write the new Constitution, after the US and Western Nations rushed Egypt to hold elections while only the Muslim Brotherhood was organized to campaign.

Hasan terrorist Ft Hood case to resume June 19th

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Military Judge Col. Gregory A. Gross announced his ruling on  when the parties will reconvene in United States v. Maj. Nidal M. Hasan. Gross  announced the parties will be back in court at 10 a.m. June 19 to argue various  motions, including whether the case should be delayed until Dec. 3, 2012, and  various discovery issues.      

The accused, Maj. Nidal M. Hasan, is  presumed innocentuntil proven guilty in a court of law.  

On  the date for the event, satellite trucks should report to the Fort Hood Clarke  Road Gate on West Highway 190 at 6:15 a.m. Truck registration ends at 6:45 a.m.  All others should check in to the Fort Hood visitor's center, from 8-9 a.m. for  final registration. All media should be prepared to show a U.S. driver's license  with photo and an accredited press badge with photo.

Middle East News 1 June 2012

Israel Defence Force relatiates after deadly kidnapping attempt and mortar fire. Shortly after noon on Friday identified a terror squad in Gaza preparing to fire rockets into Israel and scored a direct hit. The Bethlehem-based Maan News Agency said four people were killed and four were wounded in the attack.

As the killings of Syrian civilians continues, the UN is now an independent investigation into last week's slaughter of dozens of civilians in the Syrian town of Houla, as activists on Friday reported the killing of at least 12 more civilians.

A prominent U.S. newspaper says U.S. President Barack Obama has been orchestrating secret, sophisticated cyber attacks on Iran's main nuclear facility. The New York Times cited anonymous sources close to the program who said the order - given just after Obama took office in January 2009 - was a major expansion of America's cyberweapons program.

After the promise of round one of Egypt's first post-revolution presidential election, a bitter debate has arisen among many voters over the relative merits - and demerits - of the final two candidates. The crowds on Tahrir Square last year were euphoric; they had forced their president of nearly 30 years to resign. The promise of the revolution was still there in round one  -- 13 candidates on the ballot, the first real choice most voters had ever had.

The future of seven Islamist activists stripped of their nationalities and imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates remains in doubt after a court this week rejected a request to return the men’s Emirati passports. It is the latest incident in what appears to be an intensifying crackdown on dissent by authorities in the Gulf nation worried that regional unrest could spread to their shores.

Details after the break.

Middle East News 30 May 2012

UN Security Council was briefed today on the ongoing violence in Syria. This after the UN envoy Kofi Annan left Syria on Wednesday to attend talks with Jordanian officials.  A U.N. official said the international envoy did not secure any major steps from the Syrian government to implement a faltering peace plan for the country.

The Iranian government said Tuesday it has produced an antivirus program capable of fighting what computer experts are calling "the most sophisticated cyber weapon yet unleashed."
The data-stealing virus has been infecting computers in Iran and other parts of the Middle East.

In Egypt, when el-Sayyed heard that the Supreme Presidential Electoral Commission (SPEC) had rejected all appeals challenging last week’s election results, thus pitting Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi and Mubarak minister Ahmed Shafiq against each other in the runoff, he came straight to Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

Details after the break.

Egyptians face Presidential choice between Muslim Brotherhood & Secularist

The top two vote-getters in Egypt's first round of presidential elections reached out to their rivals Saturday and described their visions of building a new Egypt if elected in next month's run-off.

Former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, a secularist, has praised the “glorious” revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak, and vowed there will be no “re-creation” of the old regime. Shafiq said he was extending his hand to all political forces, especially the young people, who were the backbone of the uprising, and said nobody will be excluded or pushed aside by the new government.

“Egypt is for everyone. No one will be excluded and no one will be pushed aside. Everyone must have a share in this nation.”

But Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Mursi dismissed Shafiq as a symbol of the old regime and refused any cooperation with it, saying it ruined the country. He promised to create a new regime based on one that is inclusive of all forces in the country.

Crimes Against Islam Land Egyptians in Jail in 2012

An Egyptian comedian and filmmaker has been convicted of "Offending Islam" for films he made in the 1990's.  This comes on the heels of a Coptic Christian's conviction in January for tweeting a Mickey & Minnie Mouse cartoon.  These are just two of the cases recently reported by the ABC News.

The cartoon portrayed Mickey Mouse with a beard and Minnie with a veil.  Egyptian businessman, Naguib Sawaris, was prosecuted and convicted by Islamist lawyers for the tweet.

Obama Admin Holds Islamist Conference in DC

The White House has defended Thursday meetings between mid-level officials from the U.S. National Security Agency and representatives of Egypt's Islamist political party, Muslim Brotherhood.

White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters the United States in engaging with a variety of Egypt's emerging political groups as the country's political situation evolves following last year's ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.

On Wednesday, Carney described the agency officials as “low-level.”

Carney said he did not have information on the substance of the meeting but gave assurances that great emphasis was placed on democracy and human rights.

Muslim Brotherhood to Write New Egyptian Constitution

Egypt's newly elected parliament has selected members of an assembly that will draft the country's first constitution since last year's overthrow of long-time President Hosni Mubarak.

However, lawmakers from liberal and leftist parties withdrew from Saturday's crucial vote, saying the country's most powerful political group — the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood which won a sweeping victory in parliamentary elections earlier this year — was trying to monopolize the 100-member panel.

Liberals say that a permanent constitution should not be written solely by the victors of a single election, but it should include all political and ideological streams in the assembly and represent all sectors of Egyptian society.

The new constitution will define the balance of power between the Islamist-dominated parliament and once all-powerful president. A power struggle over the future document is already underway between Egypt's army-backed executive and the parliament, which wants to curb presidential powers.

Other key concerns are the role of Islamic Sharia law, which is subject to a wide variety of interpretation, as well as the role of the military and the future of the country's military rulers. VoA

Middle East News - 11 FEB 2012

Bahrain has expelled two American protestors, in contrast to Egypt, where 19 are being put on trial.

Syrian violence continues to expand, including to Lebanon's Tripoli, as two were killed there, and into Damascus, where a senior Syrian General/Doctor was assassinated today.  Meanwhile 10 civilians were killed in Homs.  Three others were killed in Douma.  Another 25 were killed when the anti-Syrian forces bombed government buildings in Alleppo.

In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood continues to press for earlier elections while they hold the edge of organization over newer political parties.  Islamists have a solid hold on both houses of legislature.  On the contrary, protests marking the anniversary have withered on the vine, as it appears that many Egyptians have buyer's remorse over the results of their previous actions.  Three South Koreans were released today.

VoA details follow:

Middle East News - 29 Jan 2012

Syrian Govt Troops are defending the capital of Damascus, as they attempt to retake suburbs from rebels and 19 Syrians were killed.

The IAEA arrived in Tehran for a 3 day visit to look at Iranian Nuke Facilities.

The soon to be ex-President of Yemen arrived in the US for medical treatment, possibly related to the Al-Qaeda assassination attempt on him at a mosque.

The Obama Administration has opened negotiations with the Taliban in Qatar.

An Iraqi was killed in a bombing, as the Iraqi Parliamentary Impasse ended.

And the Islamists are expected to take the upper house of Parliament in Egypt in elections with low turnouts.

Middle East News - 23 JAN 2012

The EU has banned Iranian oil imports as China & Russia step in to pick up the slack.

15 more Syrians were killed in today's violence as Syria's Bashir Assad has rejected calls for him to step down by fellow Arab leades.

Libyan Rebels killed 4 Libyan Rebel Government troops in Benghazi, as the Civil War there appears to be re-kindling.

Egyptian parliamentarians began their disputes during oathes of allegiance to a non-existant Constitution, on their first day at work.  Islamists, which grossly outnumber all others, want to include allegiance to Sharia.

The soon to be ex-President of Yemen has departed for medical treatment in the US, with a layover in Oman.

The USS Abraham Lincoln has returned to the Persian Gulf, a few days after Iran backed down from vague threats if a US Aircraft Carrier did so.

Islamists Take >76% of Egyptian Parliament, To Write New Constitution

The party of Egypt's Islamist Muslim Brotherhood has won a sweeping victory in the country's parliamentary election, taking 47 percent of the seats in the new assembly.

The head of Egypt's election commission, Abdel Moez Ibrahim, announced the final results on Saturday.

''Freedom and Justice party, the political wing of the once-banned Muslim Brotherhood – 10 million one hundred and thirty four thousand voted, the number of seats are 127. Second, the Salafi Al-Nour Party – seven million five hundred and thirty four thousand votes with 96 seats, the Wafd Party – two million and forty eight thousand, making 36 seats.”

The Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party won 235 of the 498 seats in the People's Assembly, including a 108 in the first-past-the-post constituency votes.

Middle East New - 1 Jan 2012

Syria killed 9 more of its people Saturday.

Egypt defended its raids on foreign organizations, claiming they had been funding political activities inside their Nation, but agreed to move up the election schedule which will favor Islamist parties.

Elements of the Arab League have recommended that the body pull its monitors out of Syria since they aren't doing anything to stop the slaughter there anyway.

The Growing Power & Threat of Islamism: 2011

A while back, I created a map overlay demonstrating the worldwide threats, with a focus on Islamism but also including secular and Communist regimes that ideologically or violently oppose us.  The world has changed since then.  Reluctant allies have distanced themselves in the last 3 years.  Lasting allies have fallen.  Old enemies have fallen to new enemies.  And my current picture editor isn't as good as the one I had then.

There is one small speck of good change in the world.  The Sudan split into two nations, helping to decrease the mass genocide of Islamists killing Christians and Animists in the newest Nation of South Sudan.  The South Sudanese have an uphill battle to establish their new government and this success began its path years ago.  North Sudan remains Islamist, in greater concentration.

Unfortunately, Islamism has spread dramatically in the last year, both in its violent attacks and in its takeovers of governments.  Tunisia was the first to fall, followed by Egypt, while the Islamist party of Turkey retained its power.  Some have hailed these as successes for democracy, but it is a failure of US Foreign Policy and a blow to Freedom.

The Obama Administration's response to seeing mass protests against an old ally was precisely as was the Carter Administration's.  Both in Tehran 1978 and Cairo 2011, the Administration urged a Military Coup against an allied leader.  The difference is that the Egyptian Generals were actually able to hold the reins of power for a short period of time, while the Iranian Generals had never really taken the concept as reasonable.  In both cases, the protestors were a mix of those supporting Freedom and Democracy and those supporting Islamism.  Forces for Democracy outnumbered forces for Islamism, but the Islamists were better organized.