War News Updates

Syrian Opposition Unity Talks Fail

2013-05-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

Syria Opposition Unity Talks Face Specter Of Collapse -- Reuters

ISTANBUL - Syrian opposition talks aimed at presenting a coherent front at an international peace conference to end the civil war faced the prospect of collapse after President Bashar al-Assad's foes failed to cut an internal deal, opposition sources said on Friday.

The failure of the Syrian National Coalition to alter its Islamist-dominated membership as demanded by its international backers and replace a leadership undermined by power struggles is playing into the hands of Assad, whose forces are attacking a key town as his ally Russia said he would send representatives to the conference, coalition insiders said.

After two days of meetings in Istanbul, senior coalition players were in discussions late into the night after veteran liberal opposition figure Michel Kilo rejected a deal by Syrian businessman Mustafa al-Sabbagh, who is the coalition's secretary-general, to admit some members of Kilo's bloc to the coalition, the sources said.

Read more ....

Update: Syria opposition group struggles to agree -- Al Jazeera

My Comment: Assad will never be overthrown if the opposition can never unify. One would think that everyone's burning hatred of Assad would be enough for the opposition to forget about their differences and unify to get rid of this regime .... but apparently not.

Murder Suspect Who Hacked To Death A British Soldier On A Busy London Street Was Offered A Job With MI5 Six Months Ago

2013-05-25T05:00:00.000-04:00

Suspect: Michael Adebowale, 22, of Greenwich, south-east London, with a knife in his hand at the scene where Lee Rigby was stabbed to death

Woolwich Murder Suspect 'Was Offered Job With MI5'... While The Other Is Probation Officer's Son Who Chatted With His Neighbours About Jamie Oliver Recipes -- Daily Mail

* Michael Adebowale, 22, named as other suspect in murder of Lee Rigby
* He and Michael Adebolajo, 28, were shot by police after the attack
* Pair arrested on suspicion of murder - officers are waiting to speak to them
* Friend of Adebowale said he had converted to Islam and then 'changed' from fun-loving Christian schoolboy to violent fundamentalist

Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo was approached by MI5 six months before the killing - and rejected an offer to work for them, a childhood friend of his has claimed.

Abu Nusaybah told BBC Newsnight Adebolajo turned down the security service.

Meanwhile, it was claimed yesterday that Woolwich suspect Michael Adebowale became radicalised after trying to escape gangland ‘trouble’.

Read more ....

My Comment: This claim is coming from a friend .... but if it is true .... what can I say but this is unbelievable.

Britian Pays Islamic Preachers Of Hate $38k/yr While British Soldiers Earn Only $24k/yr

2013-05-25T04:00:00.000-04:00

The London Terror Attack Was More Than 'Unforgivable' -- Wall Street Journal

Britain has been in denial about the Islamist threat. Time to face it down.

How many ignored warnings does it take? That is one question that should hang over Britain after the horror of the daytime murder of a British soldier on the streets of south London. On Wednesday afternoon, Drummer Lee Rigby was killed in Woolwich by two men wielding large knives and shouting "Allahu akbar"—God is great.

Islamists have been saying for years they would do this. They have planned to do it. And now they have done it.

The attack itself is not surprising. What is surprising is that British society remains so utterly unwilling not just to deal with this threat, but even to admit its existence. Politicians have called the Woolwich killing "unforgivable" and "barbarous." But expressions of anger should not really be enough.

Read more ....

My Comment: The key section of this WSJ reoprt is the following ....

.... Most of the extremists who have repeatedly expressed their hatred of British soldiers are themselves supported by the British state. A prominent hate-preacher—Anjem Choudary, a leader of the disbanded al Muhajiroun—was even caught on video earlier this year extolling Britain's "jihad-seekers' allowance." As he explained to his followers, "The normal situation, really, is to take money from the kafir"—a slur for non-Muslims. "Allahu akbar. We take the money."

After the video showed up online, a BBC reporter asked Mr. Choudary to clarify how much he's taking—the press has long reported a sum of £25,000 ($37,770) per year. "It's irrelevant," Mr. Choudary replied.

This would not be the first time a country has paid both sides in a conflict. But if the reported figure is anywhere near accurate, it would surely be the first time in human history that a society has paid its opponents better than it pays its own. A British soldier can expect to start in the army on a salary of around £16,000 ($24,172).

If true .... British society and it's government is insane.

US Caught Off Guard By Iran Hackers?

2013-05-25T03:00:00.000-04:00

Hackers Appear To Probe U.S. Energy Infrastructure, Suspicions About Iran -- CNN

The United States is investigating "a string of malicious" cyber incidents that appear to be focused on probing energy infrastructure, a U.S. official familiar with the latest intelligence tells CNN.

The official, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the information, said the suspected hacking did not appear to be intended to steal trade secrets or exploit technology for commercial reasons.

It appeared to be aimed at identifying weaknesses in fuel and electrical systems in the United States.

While the official did not identify any suspected origins of the apparent hacking, a U.S. lawmaker raised suspicions about Iran.

The United States has over the past year become more concerned about Iran and cyber security. American officials said last October that cyber attacks on U.S banks and oil companies in Saudi Arabia and Qatar in 2012 were believed to be carried out by surrogates supported by the Iranian government.

Iran denied any involvement.

Read more ....

My Comment: These concerns are justified. In the past year state-owned Saudi Arabian Oil Co. and the Saudi security agencies have been cyber attacked and disrupted .... and all fingers have been pointing to Iran. Is Iran now setting it's "sights" on sensitive U.S. targets .... according to cyber experts the answer is yes.

The Rise Of The 'Irrational' Hackers

2013-05-25T02:00:00.000-04:00

'Irrational' Hackers Are Growing U.S. Security Fear -- Reuters/Aviation Week

Cybersecurity researcher HD Moore discovered he could use the Internet to access the controls of some 30 pipeline sensors around the country that were not password protected.

A hacking expert who helps companies uncover network vulnerabilities, Moore said he found the sensors last month while analyzing information in huge, publicly available databases of Internet-connected devices.

“We know that systems are exposed and vulnerable. We don’t know what the impact would be if somebody actually tried to exploit them,” said Moore, chief research officer at the security firm Rapid7.

Read more ....

My Comment: I suspect that they are referring to hackers like these guys.

Not All Terrorism Experts Agree With President Obama's Assertion That Terrorism Threats Are At Pre-9/11 Levels

2013-05-25T01:00:00.000-04:00

U.S. President Barack Obama makes a point at the National Defense University at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., on May 23, 2013. Larry Downing / REUTERS

Experts Contradict Obama On Islamic Terror Threat -- Washington Times

errorism analysts are rebutting President Obama’s assertion that the “scale of the threat” from Islamic terrorists has reverted to pre-Sept. 11, 2001, levels.

“This is a total fabrication,” said Steven Emerson, whose Investigative Project on Terrorism tracks radical Islam. “The ‘scale of this threat’ in the 1990s never closely resembled the terrorist attacks post 9/11. This is an outright lie.”

The Heritage Foundation has been cataloguing foiled terror attacks post-9/11 by Islamic groups. The number: 54.

James Carafano, a military analyst at Heritage, said the 1990s’ numbers “were a fraction of that.”

Mr. Obama on Thursday delivered a speech at the National Defense University that came close to declaring victory over al Qaeda, saying it is now operating franchise groups.

Read more ....

Previous Post: Will Our War Against Terror Come To An End?

My Comment: I am not a terrorism expert, but I have definitely not seen a decrease in terrorism threats in the past few years .... both here and abroad.

Picture Of The Day

2013-05-25T00:45:00.000-04:00

MEMORIAL TRADITION

Hundreds of members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, or The Old Guard, placed flags at each of the more than 220,000 graves in Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 23, 2013. The flags will remain through the memorial weekend. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.

Syria's Missile Arsenal (Graphic)

2013-05-25T00:30:00.000-04:00

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

WNU Editor: Image from the National Post.

No Quick Rebel Victory In Syria Is Expected Right Now

2013-05-25T00:25:00.000-04:00

Assad Makes Small But Strategic Gains In Syrian Civil War As Rebels Begin To Lose Hope -- Ruth Sherock and Richard Spencer, The National Post/The Telegraph

The rebels are in disarray and the regime is gaining ground. Two Telegraph correspondents report from the front lines in Damascus and Aleppo

The posters of President Bashar al-Assad hang over the streets of Damascus a little prouder these days.

A few weeks ago, rebel mortars landed on Umayyad Square, the capital’s symbolic centre, and the noise of shelling was close and ever-present.

After two years of insurgency, residents said the city’s upmarket central boulevards felt besieged for the first time.

The state television building was attacked. Rebels established a chain of control from the north of the city around its eastern side to the fringes of the airport to the south-west. Even analysts who thought Mr Assad would be hard to beat were talking of a last stand on the Qasioun Mountains behind the city.

Read more ....

My Comment: After two years of warfare there is no clear winner. I do not see Assad winning .... but I definitely do not see him losing (right now). As long as Russia/Hezbollah/and Iran continue to support the Assad regime .... they will still control their part of Syria. But if this Russian/Hezbollah/Iranian support wavers .... and the rebels get better weapons .... anything is then possible.

Are Chinese Subs Violating Japanese Territorial Waters?

2013-05-25T00:20:00.000-04:00

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus visits a Chinese Yuan-class submarine during an official visit Nov. 29, 2012. Sam Shavers/U.S. Navy, Flickr

Suspected Chinese Subs Raise Concerns In Japan -- Stars and Stripes

SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan —Foreign submarines have been spotted unusually close to Japanese turf three times this month, raising concerns that China is escalating a territorial dispute and flexing its sea might.

The subs were spotted just outside Japan’s territorial waters off the coast of Okinawa and the southern Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima. Japanese officials have either declined to comment on the vessels’ nationality or said it is not yet known; Japanese media are reporting they are Chinese.

Read more ....

My Comment: The Japanese have made it very clear on what will be their response if this continues.

Darfur's Refugee Crisis Returns

2013-05-25T00:15:00.000-04:00

Darfur Conflict Displaces 300,000 In Five Months - UN -- BBC

Some 300,000 people have fled resurgent fighting in Sudan's Darfur region in the first five months of this year, the UN's top humanitarian official said.

This was more than the number of people displaced there over the last two years put together, Valerie Amos said.

"We cannot let Darfur slip off the radar of the international community," she warned, calling the situation "extremely worrying".

As many as 1.4 million remain homeless after the decade-long conflict.

Around 300,000 people are estimated to have died since 2003, according to the UN.

Read more ....

More News On Darfur's Growing refugee Crisis

New Strife in Darfur Leaves Many Seeking Refuge -- New York Times
300,000 displaced in Sudan's Darfur this year: UN -- AFP
U.N. humanitarian head: Situation in Darfur 'extremely worrying' -- UPI
Fighting in Sudan's Darfur region displaces 300,000: U.N. aid chief -- Reuters
Sudan: 300,000 Displaced in Darfur Conflict, UN Say -- allAfrica.com

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Predicts That Drones And Guantanamo Will Continue To Be Used

2013-05-25T00:10:00.000-04:00

Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld delivers his speech to the crowd during a "Symposium on Values and Consequences" as part of the 30th anniversary celebration of The Washington Times at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington on Oct. 2, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr., The Washington Times)

Rumsfeld: ‘There Is Clearly Going To Be A Use For Drones’ -- Washington Times

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Thursday he expects that the use of drone planes will continue to play a significant role in the global “War on Terror,” and that the prison at Guantanamo Bay should remain open.

“I think we have to begin with the fact that a drone is nothing more than an airplane,” he said Thursday on Fox News. “It just doesn’t happen to have a human being flying it. So you ought to be able to do with a drone what you do with a manned aircraft. The difference is simply that one thing — there isn’t a person in it.”

Read more ....

My Comment: Some sound advice that will be totally ignored by the White House .... because this is their reality.

Here Comes The U.S. Drone 'Kill Courts'

2013-05-25T00:05:00.000-04:00

U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the White House in Washington November 28, 2012. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Obama Drone Oversight Proposal Prompts Concern Over 'Kill Courts' -- The Guardian

Human rights groups wary after president asks Congress to establish special court or board to authorize legal drone action

Proposals to vet future US drone strikes risk creating "kill courts" according to human rights campaigners who say Barack Obama's promise of new legal oversight does not go far enough to end what they regard as extrajudicial executions.

The president has asked Congress to consider establishing a special court or oversight board to authorise lethal action outside warzones under a new counter-terrorism doctrine which he says will end the "boundless war on terror".

But responses to his speech from leading campaign groups, though broadly welcoming, highlight how little change Obama is proposing to the underlying principle that the US has a legal right to kill suspected terrorists abroad without trial.

Read more ....

My Comment: How times have changed. When I was growing up the practice of U.S. targeted assassinations was repulsive to many on the American left .... today .... it is accepted as policy with little debate and little opposition.

Update: Would a US 'drone court' to authorize drone strikes be a good idea? -- Anna Mulrine, Christian Science Monitor

President Obama Forgot To Salute

2013-05-25T00:01:00.000-04:00

Did Obama Forget To Salute? -- ABC News

The president may have forgotten something as he boarded Marine One this morning.

On his way to the U.S. Naval Academy graduation ceremony on Annapolis, Md., President Obama didn’t return the salute of the marine standing guard at the door of Marine One, as he climbed the steps to the helicopter cabin.

Obama soon ducked his head out, waved to the pilot, and jaunted back down the stairs to address the marine, shaking his hand. In the short video clip, one can’t hear the two men talking, so it’s unclear what exactly was said. A faint smile appeared to cross the marine’s face as the they exchanged brief words.

Obama jogged back up the steps, still not having saluted.

Read more ....

More News On President Obama Forgetting To Salute

Obama does handshake do-over with Marine guard after failing to salute -- Washington Times
Obama fails to return Marine's salute -- The Hill
President Obama Forgets To Salute -- CNN
Obama shakes hands with Marine -- USA Today
Obama forgets Marine One salute -- Politico
Obama Forgets To Salute Marine, Awkwardly Makes It Up To Him -- Huffington Post
To salute or not? Obama's handshake sparks debate -- CNN

My Comment: This is what the mainstream media loves to cover .... not answering questions on Benghazi, not the IRS targeting conservatives, not the wiretapping of journalists, not the .....

Graphic: Islamic Terrorist Attacks From 2001 - 2011

2013-05-25T00:00:00.004-04:00

Graphic: Terrorist Attacks By Al-Qaeda, Islamist And Islamic Terrorist Groups, 2001 - 2011 -- The Telegraph

The 9/11 attacks marked the start of an unprecedented period of Islamist terror attacks. This graphic charts global terror attacks from September 11 to the May 2013 Woolwich machete attack in London.

The September 11 attacks on America was by no means the first act of terrorism carried out in the name of Islam. The 1993 World Trade Center bombings killed six, while the 1998 US embassy bombings of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya, left 223 people dead.

However, the scale, horror and repercussions of 9/11 - 2,996 people dead, the World Trade Center destroyed and the Pentagon attacked - set it apart as a seminal moment that changed the course of history. It caused the US-led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq as part of the “War on Terror”.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Global Terrorism Database is here.

South Korean Newspaper: Wartime Atomic Bombings Were 'Divine Punishement' On Japan For Wartime Atrocities

2013-05-25T00:00:00.003-04:00

Photo: The atomic bombing of Hiroshima

South Korean Newspaper Says Hiroshima 'Divine Punishment' For Japan's Wartime Acts -- The Telegraph

The Hiroshima and Nagasaki wartime atomic bombings were "divine punishment" on Japan, a South Korean newspaper has claimed.

The article stated that the 1945 nuclear bombs were justified as a response to Japan's lethal experiments on humans during the War.

"God often borrows the hand of a human to punish the evil deeds of men," the paper said in an anonymous comment piece.

Referring to the activity of Unit 731, the infamous Japanese biological and chemical research facility that carried out the experiments, the article read: "The cries (of the unit's victims) reached heaven and the bombs were dropped on Tokyo and the atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki."

The piece also accused the Japanese government of denying the worst of Japan's wartime abuses, before warning: "God may feel that retaliation against Japan hasn't been complete."

Read more ....

My Comment: Even though the war ended almost 70 years ago .... the bitterness and hatreds still exist .... and will probably be the case for the next century or two.

President Obama: Sexual Assault Threatens Trust In Military

2013-05-25T00:00:00.002-04:00

Sex Assaults Threaten Military Trust, Obama Tells Naval Graduates -- CNN

(CNN) -- A rash of sexual assaults in the armed forces undermines Americans' confidence in the military, President Barack Obama told newly commissioned officers at the U.S. Naval Academy Friday.

"Those who commit sexual assault are not only committing a crime, they threaten the trust and discipline that makes our military strong," Obama told the graduates, who were commissioned as Naval ensigns and Marine Corps second lieutenants.

"That's why we have to be determined to stop these crimes. Because they have no place in the greatest military on Earth," Obama continued.

Read more ....

More News On President Obama's Speech To The U.S. Naval Academy

Obama urges military to stamp out sexual assault -- Reuters
Amid military sexual assault crisis, Obama urges Navy grads to uphold honor -- CBS
Obama challenges Naval Academy graduates to help restore trust in institutions -- NBC
Obama: sex assaults undermine trust in military -- AFP
Obama decries military sexual assault in address to Navy grads -- MSNBC
Obama tells Navy class culture of sex assault must end -- BBC
Obama: Sexual Assaults Threaten Military Strength -- Voice of America
Obama Speaks to Naval Graduates About Sexual Assault Issue -- New York Times
Citing military sexual assaults, Obama urges Naval Academy graduates to uphold public trust -- Washington Post
President Obama: Assaults undermine military effectiveness -- Politico

China Offers Troops For The UN's Mali Peacekeeping Mission

2013-05-25T00:00:00.001-04:00

A PLA officer at a peacekeeping training centre. Photo: Reuters

China 'Offers Troops' To UN Mali Peacekeeping Mission -- BBC

China has offered soldiers to the new UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, UN officials say.

Talks are underway, and more than 500 Chinese peacekeepers and engineers could potentially take part in the mission, according to UN officials.

Mali's government was deposed in a coup in 2012, and Islamist rebels controlled the north of the country until French troops ousted them in January.

Around 6,000 African troops are currently in Mali providing security.

Read more ....

More News On Reports That China Has Offered Troops To The UN's Mali Peacekeeping Mission

UN Says China Offers Peacekeepers for Mali -- Military.com/AP
China offers troops for UN Mali mission -- The Telegraph
China offers 500 troops for UN Mali force -- France24/AFP
China offers soldiers for Mali UN mission -- Global Times

Woolwich Attack Video: The Moment When The Two Terrorists Charged The Approaching Police Car

2013-05-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

Woolwich Attack Video: Watch Full Extended Footage Of Terrorists Charging At Police Car In Attempt To Kill WPC -- Daily Mirror

The film of the terrifying attack shows how suspect Michael Adebolajo got within two feet of the WPC who was driving the armed response BMW X5

This shocking footage shows how the brave WPC first on the scene at the Woolwich beheading came within inches of death.

The female driver, unable to draw her firearm, is saved by a male colleague in the back who fires his machine-gun through his window at a suspect who is charging at her.

The callous Islamic extremists had lured police to the scene by dragging the body of the murdered fusilier – named yesterday as Lee Rigby, 25 – into the middle of the road.

When they see the first police car arrive, the pair split up.

Blade-wielding Michael Adebolajo, 28, runs at officers head-on and his accomplice, named locally as 22-year-old Michael Oluwatobi Adebowale, advances alongside, aiming his gun at them.

The film of the 10 seconds of terror shows how Adebolajo got within two feet of the WPC who was driving the armed response BMW X5.

Read more ....

My Comment: This video footage is incredible. It looks like the reason why these two murderers did not flee the scene was that they were waiting for law enforcement to show-up and to inflict even more casualties. The above video is from YouTube, but you will have to go to the Daily Mirror (click here) for a clearer and extended look at what had happened. In short .... law enforcement had to act immediately and with deadly force .... their lives were clearly at risk.

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- May 24, 2013

2013-05-24T19:00:00.001-04:00

Rhetorical vs. Substantive Change in Obama’s Security Policy -- Max Boot, Commentary

With his address today at National Defense University, President Obama continued his pattern of trying to separate himself from the Bush administration—while largely carrying on, and even expanding, its legacy in the counter-terrorism fight.

Obama said, for example, that after he came into office, “we unequivocally banned torture, affirmed our commitment to civilian courts, worked to align our policies with the rule of law, and expanded our consultations with Congress.” Umm, actually all of that happened in Bush’s second term.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

The World Still Needs American Muscle -- Robert Kaplan, Real Clear World

Is Bashar al-Assad winning the civil war in Syria? -- The Telegraph

Russia's Syria Policy Isn't Going to Change -- Michael Weiss, NOW

A Cyberattack Campaign for Syria -- Chris Finan, New York Times

What is Hezbollah? -- Fouad Ajami, Real Clear Politics

Japan the Model -- Paul Krugman, New York Times

Water, the Great Regional Threat in Asia -- Luke Hunt, The Diplomat

The London Terror Attack Was More Than 'Unforgivable' -- Douglas Murray, Wall Street Journal

Keeping the peace with Russia -- Paul J. Saunders, Washington Post

Moscow Fills the Superpower Vacuum -- Daniel McGroarty, Real Clear World

Early Putin biography gives insight into dark mood of distrust in president’s inner circle -- Will Englund, Washington Post

Swedish Multiculturalism Goes Awry -- Soeren Kern, Real Clear World

A nation of centrists -- Chris Selley, National Post

What's Behind Venezuela's Toilet-Paper Shortage? -- Alasdair Baverstock, The Atlantic

What scandals? Obama tries tacking to terror, drones and Gitmo -- Andrew Malcolm, Investors.com

Bernanke out by August, QE ends, rates up: Crash -- Paul B. Farrell, Market Watch

World News Briefs -- May 24, 2013 (Evening Edition)

2013-05-24T18:00:00.000-04:00

Afghan Taliban Battle Police In Central Kabul -- BBC

Afghan security forces have fought Taliban insurgents for hours in the centre of Kabul, after a major explosion shook the city.

A Nepali guard and an off-duty policeman were killed, along with a number of militants.

The attack hit a guesthouse used by the International Organization for Migration, one of whose employees was badly injured.

The Taliban told the BBC it was targeting CIA trainers.

The attack began at about 16:00 local time (11:30 GMT) with a car bombing, and it was late evening in Kabul by the time interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said the last of the assailants had been killed.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Britain and US call for 'hard decisions' on Middle East peace.

Syria opposition struggles to forge transition plan before talks.

Russia: Syria agrees to take part in talks. Syria: Bashar al-Assad agrees 'in principle' to head to peace conference.

Syria: Assad regime is making gains and 'planning a major push'.

Israel: Go on Syria, make my day.

British Foreign Secretary Hague: Israel has 'lost international support' over its policies.

Striking Dubai workers face mass deportation.

Iran denies it has forces in Syria.

UN nuclear agency says Iran expanded nuclear activity.

U.S. casts doubt on credibility of Iranian election.

Yemen's main oil pipeline attacked, pumping stopped.

Turkey parliament passes anti-alcohol bill.

ASIA

Afghan Taliban attack aid group, 2 guards killed. Taliban attack U.N. compound in Afghan capital.

Suspected Kashmiri rebels kill 4 Indian soldiers.

North Korea says will take 'positive steps' for peace. North Korea 'offers to discuss nuclear disarmament'.

Pakistan military, incoming PM pledge to fight U.S. drone campaign.

Blasts, shooting in center of Afghan capital.

Buddhists from Bangladesh resettle in Myanmar, Rohingya Muslims cry foul.

Russia speaks of unease over Indo-US ties.

A tussle in China over the Communist Party bowing to the Constitution.

AFRICA

UN envoy pledges to lobby for more Darfur aid.

China offers 500 troops for UN Mali force.

French president defends African military intervention after attacks in Niger.

Jihadist group threatens more Niger attacks.

Death toll from Guinea opposition march rises to four.

South Sudan says war crimes court persecutes Africans.

Doctors Without Borders shuts clinic in northern Nigeria.

Kenya, South Sudan Presidents to focus on joint highway project.

EUROPE

Spain's Princess Cristina to be investigated for tax fraud.

'New Deal' to tackle Europe's mass youth unemployment.

Sweden prepares for sixth night of violence. Stretched by riots, Swedish police call reinforcements. Stockholm rioting continues for fifth night.

Britain braces for possible copycat attacks.

Woolwich terrorist attack: British intelligence under pressure over suspects' extremist links.

Killing of British soldier stirs tension in poor corner of London.

Pictured: Two men who 'tried to get in cockpit during flight from Pakistan to Britain' as they are searched on the tarmac at Stansted.

Runways reopen after emergency landing at London Heathrow Airport. Plane 'on fire' flying over central London.

Analysis: German economy to pick up but fall short of traditional pace.

Germany is the 'most popular country in the world'.

Massive Far East quake felt in Moscow, no casualties.

UK gas supply six hours from running out in March.

AMERICAS

Obama wants to end 'war on terror' but Congress balks.

oronto mayor denies, finally, use of crack cocaine.

Partial bridge collapse in Washington state sends vehicles plunging into river. Wash. I-5 bridge collapse caused by oversize load.

Tornado insured losses estimated at $2 billion-$5 billion.

Farc deny kidnapping Spanish couple in Colombia.

Toronto mayor Rob Ford's allies set to take over if mayor steps down.

Canada terror suspect: Lawyer must use 'Holy Book'.

NASA puts shuttle launch pad in Florida up for lease.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Graphic: terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda, Islamist and Islamic terrorist groups, 2001 - 2011.

Exclusive: Congressman preps bill to end terror war authority.

Obama renews push to close Guantánamo military prison.

Belmokhtar's unit participated in Niger suicide attacks.

Is terrorizing terrorists a war crime?

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Yahoo joins growing list of bidders for Hulu: sources.

Analysis: Markets face rough summer ride as Fed pullback feared.

Is this Google X's plan to wire the world?

IMF chief's hearing over payout resumes.

The Woolwich Aftermath -- News Roundup

2013-05-24T16:00:00.000-04:00

Attacks On Soldiers 'Incredibly Hard' To Prevent Ex-MI6 Chief Warns As Ministers Say Controls Are Difficult In A Free Society -- Daily Mail

* Richard Barrett, ex-head of counter-terrorism at MI6, highlights difficulties in spotting 'red flags'
* Communities Secretary Eric Pickles says there are limits to controls in a free society
* Killers of Lee Rigby, 25, were known to security services up to 8 years ago

Preventing the brutal killing of soldier would have been ‘incredibly hard’, a former MI6 chief warned as the security services face questions about its failure to intercept the terrorists.

Richard Barrett, ex-head of counter-terrorism at the spy agency, said security services may have had little chance to intervene before two men slaughtered the 25-year-old on the streets of London.

And Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said the public must be realistic about what controls are possible in a 'free society'.

Read more ....

The Woolwich Aftermath

Woolwich: new video shows suspect charging at police – live updates -- The Guardian
Woolwich attack: as it happened May 24 -- The Telegraph
Woolwich aftermath as it happened -- BBC

UK spies face pressure over soldier murder -- The Australian
UK security criticised after death of soldier -- AL Jazeera
Woolwich: The investigation -- BBC
Three men remain under arrest as two women bailed over Woolwich attack -- The Independent
Fifth arrest over Woolwich attack -- Financial Times
'He converted to Islam and changed': Woolwich murder suspect, 22, was friends with second 'killer' at university -- Daily Mail
Agony of hero father's family: Relatives reveal how they saw footage of horrific murder on TV and then tried in vain to phone the soldier slaughtered by Islamic fanatics -- Daily Mail
Woolwich attack: Lee Rigby's family tell of grief over death of 'our hero' -- The Guardian
RIP brave soldier: Outpouring of grief for murdered Lee Rigby as stream of strangers leave their tributes on street where he died -- Daily Mail
Woolwich attack: Muslim leaders condemn killing of Lee Rigby -- BBC
Pictured: The dramatic moment Woolwich killers are shot by officers after one charged at a police vehicle -- Daily Mail
Woolwich attack video: Watch full extended footage of terrorists charging at police car in attempt to kill WPC -- Daily Mirror
£600,000 donated to Help For Heroes since attack -- ITV

Israel Now Expects The Syrian Regime Of Bashar Assad To Last Awhile

2013-05-24T15:00:00.000-04:00

Israel, In Reassessment, Thinks Syria’s Bashar Assad Will Last Awhile -- McClatchy News

JERUSALEM — Israel has reversed its assessment about the staying power of Syrian President Bashar Assad and now thinks he’ll remain in control of at least part of his country for some time to come – a conclusion that makes it likely, a growing number of officials think, that an escalation of violence between the two countries may be inevitable.

Israeli defense officials said that not only was the Syrian army outperforming expectations against rebel forces but also that previous forecasts of Assad’s fall depended on the belief that vast numbers of his supporters would defect, a prediction that hasn’t come to pass.

Adding to the assessment that Assad won’t fall quickly is the Israeli failure to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to delay the sale of S-300 air defense missiles to Syria. The advanced weapons system will significantly boost Syria’s ability to stave off intervention in its civil war, and "change the balance of power" in the region, Israeli officials said.

Read more ....

My Comment: The Russians are also now reassessing their earlier predictions (at the start of the year) that the regime of Bashar Assad would start to fray by April/May of this year. In my case, I had used both Russian and Israeli predictions that the regime would start to crumble by summer ..... with Assad supporters making their last stand on the Mediterranean coast at the end of this year or next. The dynamics on the ground have clearly changed in the past 6 weeks, and the reason why .... in my opinion .... is the introduction of thousands of fresh soldiers from this organization into the fight. Hezbollah has changed the dynamics of the war .... but I agree with this assessment ..... they cannot afford to stay long in Syria's quagmire.

Syrian Government Has Agreed To Attend Peace Talks

2013-05-24T14:00:00.000-04:00

Syrian Government Agrees To Attend Geneva Conference, Says Ally Russia -- The Guardian

Assad regime agrees 'in principle' to conflict resolution initiative as Syrian opposition comes under pressure to take part as well

The Assad government has agreed to take part in next month's international conference in Geneva aimed at resolving Syria's civil war, according to ally Russia, as the Syrian opposition came under pressure to also commit to the initiative.

Russia's foreign ministry spokesman, Alexander Lukashevich, said: "We note with satisfaction that we have received an agreement in principle from Damascus to attend the international conference in the interest of the Syrians themselves finding a political path to resolve the conflict."

Read more ....

More News On Reports That Syria Has Agreed To Attend Peace Talks

Syria crisis: Government 'to attend Geneva conference' -- BBC
Russia says Syrian government agrees to take part in US-Russia proposed conference in Geneva -- Washington Post/AP
Russia says Assad agrees ‘in principle’ to join Syria peace talks -- Washington Post
Syria Agrees to Attend Peace Talks Next Month, Russia Says -- Bloomberg Businessweek

My Comment: So they agree to meet .... but with no guidelines/agenda on what to discuss and/or bargain over .... this peace conference is going to fall apart. My advice .... the Russians and Americans better get together quick and iron out what will be discussed before this "peace conference" starts, and make sure that all parties know what is expected from them.

Update 14:20 EST: It looks like both Russia and the U.S. are now rushing to meet and arrange what will be discussed at next month's peace talks in Geneva. Talk about doing everything at the last moment.

Update 14:50 EST: The Syrian rebel movement is now also trying to get their act together before next month's peace talks .... but I doubt that the more radical members of the rebel movement will be invited ... and they are the ones who are now doing most of the fighting.

How Did The Benghazi Attackers Learn About The Secret CIA Annex After They Had Attacked The U.S. Consulate

2013-05-24T13:00:00.000-04:00

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

The location of the U.S. ‘consulate’ and CIA annex in Benghazi, Libya. Business Insider

Who Outed The CIA Annex In Benghazi? -- Eli Lake, Daily Beast

In a classified hearing, a House panel is trying to figure out how the attack transpired. Did the attackers know that secret location, or did they learn it that night? By Eli Lake.

More than eight months after the 9/11 anniversary attacks on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, the CIA is still trying to find out how the attack that killed two former Navy SEALs at the agency’s annex transpired.

The attack on the CIA base came more than seven hours after an armed mob stormed the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, setting the compound ablaze and killing U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and Sean Smith, a State Department communications officer who was with him.

On Wednesday, Deputy CIA Director Mike Morell—along with CIA officers who were at the agency’s Benghazi base on the night of the attack—testified at a classified hearing before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. In the closed hearing, according to U.S. officials with knowledge of the proceedings, Morell was asked by Republican members about how the second wave of attackers knew to go to the CIA annex, which was a mile away from the diplomatic mission. Morell responded that at this point the CIA did not know whether the attackers had known the location of the annex or learned about it on the evening of the attack, according to these sources.

Read more ....

My Comment: I concur with these concerns .... how the attackers knew about what was supposed to be a secret CIA facility is important .... because other CIA facilities may now be compromised.