Middle East

Palestinian victims of 1948 war found in mass grave

"The remains of dozens of Palestinians killed by Israelis in fighting following the 1948 foundation of the Israeli state have been found in a mass grave in Tel Aviv’s Jaffa district. The grisly find occurred on Wednesday when ground subsided as workers carried out renovations, revealing six chambers full of skeletons. Jaffa was at the time a Palestinian town, but there was an exodus of most of its Arab population when it fell to the fledgling Israeli army and rightwing Jewish militias. Around 760,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes in what they call the 'Nakba' or 'catastrophe' of 1948 and which Israel refers to as its 'War of Independence'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPalestinian victims of 1948 war found in mass grave

Israel: Syria Missile Defense Acquisition a ‘Red Line’ for Military Action

"In a meeting with EU ambassadors, Israeli National Security Advisor Yaakov Amidror declared the Syrian government’s imminent acquisition of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to be a 'red line' that would obligate Israeli military action to prevent them becoming operational. Syria is eager to acquire them after several recent Israeli air strikes, which their existing defensive systems proved unable to prevent. The comments come just a day after Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon suggested in an interview that Israel might attack the Russian Navy in an attempt to sink the ships and prevent the delivery." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIsrael: Syria Missile Defense Acquisition a ‘Red Line’ for Military Action

Despite Ongoing Protest, Obama Resumes Drone Attacks in Pakistan

"Despite repeated and recent warnings that such attacks are destabilizing and an affront to its territorial sovereignty, reports indicate the US military executed a pair of drone missile strikes in Pakistan on Wednesday in what appears to be an attempt to assassinate a high-level Taliban commander. It remains unclear whether or not Wali-ur-Rehman—the reported target of the attack— was, in fact, killed, but reports from various media outlets suggest between four and seven fatalities resulted from the attack that occurred in the North Waziristan tribal region." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDespite Ongoing Protest, Obama Resumes Drone Attacks in Pakistan

Turkish PM urges end to Istanbul protests as police pull out after 2 days

"Turkey’s prime minister on Saturday called for an immediate end to violent protests which have engulfed Istanbul for two days, in what were one of the biggest anti-government demonstrations since the Islamist-rooted leadership came to power. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan admitted that 'there have been some mistakes, extremism in police response' and that legal action would be taken against officers who added disproportionately. But he also remained defiant, vowing to push forward with controversial plans to redevelop the iconic Taksim square — the catalyst that had sparked the protests." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTurkish PM urges end to Istanbul protests as police pull out after 2 days

Iran amends stoning-for-adultery law to allow judges discretion on type of execution

"Iran has amended its internationally condemned law on stoning convicted adulterers to death to allow judges to impose a different form of execution. Under Iran’s interpretation of Islamic Sharia law in force since its 1979 revolution, adultery is punished by the stoning of convicted adulterers. Women are buried up to the their shoulders, but men only up to their waists. They are spared if they manage to free themselves before dying. Murder, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking are also punishable by death in Iran, which has one of the highest annual execution counts in the world, alongside China, Saudi Arabia and the United States." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIran amends stoning-for-adultery law to allow judges discretion on type of execution

Israeli defense chief indicates if Russia ships advanced missiles to Syria, they could be hit

"Israel’s defense chief said Tuesday a Russian plan to supply sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles to Syria was a 'threat' and signaled that Israel is prepared to use force to stop the delivery. The warning by Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon ratcheted up tensions with Moscow over the planned sale of S-300 air-defense missiles to Syria. Earlier in the day, a top Russian official said his government remained committed to the deal. Israel has been lobbying Moscow to halt the sale, fearing the missiles would upset the balance of power in the region and could slip into the hands of hostile groups, including the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, a close ally of the Syrian regime." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIsraeli defense chief indicates if Russia ships advanced missiles to Syria, they could be hit

Did Senator McCain Violate NDAA by Hanging Out with Syrian Rebels?

"In fact, the same day President Obama announced our recognition of the opposition, rebel groups across Syria signed a petition pledging allegiance to the Jihad and asking America by name not to intervene. It’s hard to imagine that twelve years after 9/11, Senator McCain would be calling for US foreign and military aid be given to 'the Jihad.' Interestingly enough, this is the same Senator McCain who championed NDAA 2012, which gives our government the right to indefinitely detain Americans for doing exactly what he did: supporting elements aligned with al-Qaeda." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDid Senator McCain Violate NDAA by Hanging Out with Syrian Rebels?

Sen. John McCain makes unannounced visit to Syria to meet with rebel forces

"The senator did not comment on his trip. Rebel sources told the news they were thankful for McCain’s decision to visit Syria, calling it 'very important and very useful.' 'What we want from the U.S. government is to take the decision to support the Syrian revolution with weapons and ammunition, anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft weapons,' Syrian Free Army Gen. Salem Idris told reporter John Rogin. 'Of course we want a no-fly zone and we ask for strategic strikes against Hezbollah both inside Lebanon and inside Syria.' McCain entered Syria through Turkey with the help of an American nonprofit called the Syrian Emergency Task Force, which works to support the rebels." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSen. John McCain makes unannounced visit to Syria to meet with rebel forces

Getting Up-to-date on Syria

"The rebel leader has called for reinforcements. That article mentions that 'More than 80,000 Christians were forced to flee al-Qusayr in late 2012 to escape the frenzy of the jihadists.' The U.S. is on the side of a collection of certain jihadist groups. Hezbollah, associated with Iran, has joined the Syrian government side. It is the prospect of an Assad win that has Obama, Kerry and the Senate warmongers scrambling with new propaganda angles so that they can find cover and more freely supply the rebels with stronger weapons. They are also pushing to end an embargo on arms shipments from Europe." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGetting Up-to-date on Syria

Court orders UK to hold inquiries into illegal civilian deaths during Iraq War

"A series of public inquests should be held into the deaths of civilians who are alleged to have been killed unlawfully by the British military following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the high court has ruled. In a ground-breaking judgment that could have an impact on how the British military is able to conduct operations among civilians in the future, the court ruled on Friday that up to 161 deaths should be the subject of hearings modelled upon coroners’ inquests. In practice, a series of hearings – possibly amounting to more than 100 – are likely to be held as a result of the judgment, which follows a three-year legal battle on behalf of the Iraqis’ families." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCourt orders UK to hold inquiries into illegal civilian deaths during Iraq War