State-Sponsored Terrorism

China, India and Pakistan beefing up nuclear arsenals

"China now has 250 nuclear warheads against 240 in 2012, while Pakistan has increased its warheads by about 10 to between 100 and 120 and India has also added roughly 10 for a total of 90 to 110, SIPRI said in its annual report. Only the two old superpowers have cut their warheads, Russia reducing its number from 10,000 to 8,500, and the United States scaling back from 8,000 to 7,700. The warheads controlled by France stayed at 300, while Britain’s remained at 225, and Israel’s at 80. The United States and Russia have not destroyed all their chemical weapons in 2012 as promised, and Syria has said it is prepared to use them in the case of foreign attack." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChina, India and Pakistan beefing up nuclear arsenals

House votes to uphold increased spending on ‘unneeded and unwanted’ nuclear bombs

"The DOE requested about $537 million for the B61 Life Extension Programs, but the GOP-led House Appropriations Committee provided $23.7 million more than the department asked for. In a report, the committee explained the nuclear program had its funding boosted because it had a 'troubling history of insufficiently planning for its ongoing production requirements.' Polis noted that the Air Force had recently doubted the effectiveness of the B61 nuclear bomb. A former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said the bomb was virtually useless, Polis explained. In addition, some European allies no longer wanted the bomb deployed in their country." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHouse votes to uphold increased spending on ‘unneeded and unwanted’ nuclear bombs

Libyans demand end to violence of rebel militias from 2011 regime change

"Prime Minister Ali Zeidan spoke to reporters of the necessity 'to dissolve the brigades and other formations (of ex-rebels who battled the late Moamer Kadhafi) and integrate them individually into the army and police'. 'In future, no one will bear arms in Libya unless he is in the army or police and is subject to military law… which prevents the taking of political actions,' he said. Libya’s authorities, who are struggling to form a professional army and police, regularly use former rebels to secure the borders or to intervene in tribal conflicts. The government has failed to disarm and disband the former rebel groups who implement the law in parts of the country." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLibyans demand end to violence of rebel militias from 2011 regime change

Catholic Priest Allegedly Beheaded in Syria by Al-Qaeda-Linked Rebels Who Take Pictures and Cheer

"The Catholic news service quotes local sources who report that the radical Al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra, or Al-Nusra Front, was behind the savage killing. Dozens of men and boys are seen cheering on as three men are seated on the ground awaiting their grisly fate. The men are methodically beheaded one at a time by men holding what appears to be a simple kitchen knife after which the heads are placed on top of the bodies. A frenzy ensues, with dozens drawing out their smartphones to capture the bloody scene. Catholic Online is raising alarm that western nations are providing support to the rebels who have shown a proclivity toward persecuting Christians." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCatholic Priest Allegedly Beheaded in Syria by Al-Qaeda-Linked Rebels Who Take Pictures and Cheer

Who is this that “Makes Nations Tremble”?

"Mr. Obama and his predecessor, George W. Bush, had gone to the Tanzanian capital to commemorate the 15th anniversary of a terrorist bombing at the U.S. embassy. Just hours later, his administration quietly ordered two European countries – France and Portugal – to deny access to their airspace to a plane carrying Bolivian President Evo Morales home from Russia. This was a hijacking – an act of official terrorism committed against an elected head of state of a country with which the US is not at war. The President who authorized it commands a nuclear arsenal and routinely kills innocent people through remote-controlled drones." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWho is this that “Makes Nations Tremble”?

Glenn Greenwald: ‘Obama Admin Using Snowden as an Example in War on Whistleblowers’

"Glenn Greenwald, The Guardian newspaper columnist who first published Edward Snowden's revelations about the NSA surveillance programs, joined Fox and Friends this morning and said that there are many more secrets still to come to light. While he declined to specifically say what they were at this time, he did say, 'There are vast programs of both domestic and international spying that the world will be shocked to learn about that the NSA has engaged in with no democratic accountability.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGlenn Greenwald: ‘Obama Admin Using Snowden as an Example in War on Whistleblowers’

U.S. Removed Mubarak Over Refusal To Allow Permanent Military, Spy Installations?

"Why did the US support both Mubarak and the opposition (April 6 Movement, Kifaya, etc.)? It is not as uncommon as it might seem. Aging and ailing Mubarak's rule was coming to an end anyway, Egypt's population was young and frustrated, and though the US did not necessarily wish to spoil its relationship with the Egyptian dictator it did seek maximum influence on the coming succession struggles. Additionally, as Mubarak explains in an interview this month, he was proving an irritation to the US over his refusal to allow permanent US military installations in Egypt and his refusal to allow the US to 'help' with establishing a communications network in Egypt." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. Removed Mubarak Over Refusal To Allow Permanent Military, Spy Installations?

Syrian Christians: ‘Why Is America at War with Us?’

"Syrian Christians are asking why the United States supports extremists who want to turn Syria into an Islamic state. That testimony came during a congressional hearing on Syria's religious minorities Tuesday. Nina Shea, director of the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom, testified that Islamic insurgents are targeting Christians for 'ethno-religious cleansing.' Christian Solidarity International CEO Dr. John Eibner said displaced Christians are asking him, 'Why is the U.S. at war against us?' Eibner said the United States should work with Russia to negotiate a peace rather than help Sunni Muslims turn the country into an Islamic state." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSyrian Christians: ‘Why Is America at War with Us?’

Retired U.S. Marine Gen. James Cartwright under investigation for alleged Stuxnet leak

"A former high-ranking US military officer is being probed for allegedly leaking details about a US cyberattack on Iran, a US media report said. Citing unnamed legal sources, NBC News said retired Marine Gen. James Cartwright has been told he is under investigation for allegedly disclosing details about the Stuxnet attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Cartwright, 63, is the former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The four-star general retired from the military in August 2011. Stuxnet, tailored specifically to target Iran’s uranium enrichment operation, struck Iran in 2010 and reportedly dealt a serious blow to its disputed nuclear program." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRetired U.S. Marine Gen. James Cartwright under investigation for alleged Stuxnet leak

Syrian rebels say they have received anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles

"Syrian rebels have received heavy weapons -- including anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles -- from 'brotherly nations that support the Syrian revolution,' a rebel spokesman said Friday. Free Syrian Army political and media coordinator The White House has not publicly specified what steps it would take to support members of Syria's opposition, though sources have told CNN that small arms, ammunition and possibly anti-tank weapons would be part of the assistance package. The White House announcement this month that it was increasing the 'size and scope' of its material support to Syrian rebels came after months of political debate over the U.S. role in the conflict." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSyrian rebels say they have received anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles