Dreams Into Lightning 2

Morning Report: 2013-01-02

France: Charlie Hebdo publishes Mohammed comic. The French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo published on Wednesday a comic book biography of Islam's founder entitled "The Life of Mohammad," based on writings by a Franco-Tunisian sociologist.

Turkey: Erdogan talks to Kurds. Walter Russell Mead: 'It’s all very messy and complicated, but a settlement with the PKK would bring big advantages to Turkey—not least an end to the guerrilla war in the southeast, which has drained a lot of blood and treasure and hampers Turkey’s efforts to exert influence in the region.'

Space: Giant leaps for private space travel. Space.com: 'Of the many spacecraft being developed only one has already flown in space, the Dragon capsule built by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) in Hawthorne, Calif.The unmanned cargo ship has flown in space three times so far, and carried supplies to the International Space Station twice in 2012 — first in May during a test and then again October. ...' But there's lots more in the works. Full article at the link.

Commentary: Scary times - VDH.

There is no historical appreciation among the new progressive technocracy that central state planning, whether the toxic communist brand or supposedly benevolent socialism, has only left millions of corpses in its wake, or abject poverty and misery. Add up the Soviet Union and Mao’s China and the sum is 80 million murdered or starved to death. Add up North Korea, Cuba, and the former Eastern Europe, and the tally is egalitarian poverty and hopelessness. The EU sacrificed democratic institutions for coerced utopianism and still failed, leaving its Mediterranean shore bankrupt and despondent.

Nor is there much philosophical worry that giving people massive subsidies destroys individualism, the work ethic, and the personal sense of accomplishment. There is rarely worry expressed that a profligate nation that borrows from others abroad and those not born has no moral compass. ...

Morning Report: 2012-11-27

Libya: Muslim group kidnaps, threatens to kill alleged gays. Libya Herald:

Extremists say they will execute a dozen men they allege are homosexuals, whom they abducted last Thursday at a private party in Tripoli’s Ain Zara district.

A body calling itself the ‘Private Deterrent Force’, which is believed to be part of the extremist Nawasi brigade, one of Tripoli’s largest militias, has posted images of the men on their Facebook page. One picture (above) shows them, heads covered, standing with their hands against a wall. ...

Tajikistan: Government blocks Facebook to stifle critics. Reuters: 'Tajikistan has blocked access to Facebook in response to a slew of comments spreading "mud and slander" about veteran President Imomali Rakhmon and officials in the Central Asian republic. The ban on the popular social networking site is the latest crackdown on dissent in Tajikistan a year before an election that could extend Rakhmon's two-decade rule. ...'
Hungary: Far-right leader demands lists of Jews. Also from Reuters: 'A Hungarian far-right politician urged the government to draw up lists of Jews who pose a "national security risk", stirring outrage among Jewish leaders who saw echoes of fascist policies that led to the Holocaust. Marton Gyongyosi, a leader of Hungary's third-strongest political party Jobbik, said the list was necessary because of heightened tensions following the brief conflict in Gaza and should include members of parliament. ...'
Mexico: Ex-mayor found dead. Breitbart: 'Former Mexican Mayor Maria Santos Gorrostieta was found dead on the side of the road. Gorrostieta previously survived two assassination attempts. ...' She was known for her fearless activity against drug cartels in Tiquicheo.
Brazil: São Paulo police chiefs replaced. Miami Herald: 'The chiefs of police in Sao Paulo were replaced on Monday as Brazil's largest city emerged from a bloody weekend and authorities struggled to contain a wave of violence that has doubled the murder rate in recent months. Sao Paulo state security chief Fernando Grella, who took over the job four days ago, replaced the chiefs of the civil and military branches of the police and vowed to work closely with police, put more officers in the streets of Sao Paulo and investigate every murder. ...'

Morning Report: 2012-08-26

USA: Romney - Democrats use Akin to discredit GOP. Well, no kidding. I'm glad he's calling this nonsense for what it is: 'The leaders of our party have pretty much unanimously said, "Mr. Akin, get out of the race."'

USA / Space: Neil Armstrong dies at 82. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden:

"On behalf of the entire NASA family, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Carol and the rest of the Armstrong family on the passing of Neil Armstrong. As long as there are history books, Neil Armstrong will be included in them, remembered for taking humankind's first small step on a world beyond our own.

"Besides being one of America's greatest explorers, Neil carried himself with a grace and humility that was an example to us all. When President Kennedy challenged the nation to send a human to the moon, Neil Armstrong accepted without reservation.

"As we enter this next era of space exploration, we do so standing on the shoulders of Neil Armstrong. We mourn the passing of a friend, fellow astronaut and true American hero."

Italy / USA: Unicredit Bank in Iran sanctions investigation. BBC reports that Unicredit is cooperating with a US investigation over a possible breach of Iran-related sanctions.

Afghanistan: Haqqani figure confirmed killed. Fox reports that Badruddin Haqqani, the son of the founder of the powerful Haqqani militant network has been killed in an airstrike in Pakistan, citing Afghan intelligence sources.

Morning Report: 2012-07-29

Israel: Temple Mount closed to Jews on Tisha b'Av. 'Police closed the Temple Mount to visits by Jews on Sunday, the day when worldwide Jewry marked the fast of Tisha B'Av. The fast was postponed a day because the date fell on the Sabbath, when it is forbidden to fast, except on Yom Kippur. Tisha B'Av, the ninth of the Hebrew month of Av, the date of the destruction of both the First and Second Holy Temples. Jews are commanded to await the rebuilding of the Third Holy Temple, when the Messiah will come and bring world peace. The Temple Mount is the site of both of the Temples and is to be the site of the Third, making it the most sacred place in Judaism. ...' Meanwhile, thousands marched around the walls of Jerusalem.

Syria / Turkey: F-4 not shot down. Strategy Page: 'Did Syria make it all up? One June 22nd Syria announced that it had shot down a low flying Turkish F-4 reconnaissance aircraft while (according to Syria) it was flying 13 kilometers off the Syrian coast. Now that the Turks have recovered the bodies of the pilots and some pieces of the aircraft, there is growing evidence that the aircraft was not hit by gunfire or missiles. The Turks suspect that the F-4 was lost due to pilot error or mechanical failure. ...'

Romania: President facing impeachment, urges boycott. Reuters: 'Romanians voted on Sunday on whether to impeach their unpopular president, Traian Basescu, after a government campaign to remove him that has drawn international criticism of its methods and raised doubts about the country's IMF aid deal. ...'

Articles We Never Finished Reading

"Democracy is working just as it should in the EU's newest member state, argues the country's prime minister."

Morning Report: 2012-07-25

Syria: Assad's future. Yesterday, Morning Report posted thoughts from Michael Totten and Lee Smith. They argued that "the best reason ... to get rid of Assad while we can is the grim prospect of what will happen if he wins" (Totten) and that "it’s time for the administration finally to show a killer instinct" by denying a fugitive regime even the comfort of a rump state (Smith). Today, Daniel P. Goldman, long known as "Spengler", writes at Gatestone citing a second piece from Lee Smith. Smith argues that

... a large part of strategy is prioritizing threats, and right now the major issue in the region is Iran: Anything that weakens the Iranians is a net gain. There is time enough in the Middle East to deal with other threats, which a post-Assad Syria may well become. The most pressing concern is a scenario in which Assad is camped out on the Mediterranean coast, still allied with Iran and serving as a link to Hezbollah. An Alawite statelet is an outcome that the Obama Administration should seek to prevent.

Goldman isn't so sure: "Why not deal with Iran the way we need to deal with Iran (neutralize its WMD capacity with air strikes, commando operations, cyberwar, or whatever it takes), and deal with Syria as Syria? ..." Read the rest at the link.

Iraq: Officials warned of kidnapping attempts. Al-Monitor: 'Representatives from al-Sahwa (“the Awakening”) have called on security officials in the province of Diyala to provide protection to the province’s judges and lawyers, and to strengthen security procedures in government prisons and detention centers. The request came in light of intelligence that was received regarding al-Qaeda’s intention to attack or kidnap judiciary personnel to bargain for the release of detained al-Qaeda leaders. ...' Translated from al-Hayat.

Europe / Terrorism: EU won't blacklist Hezbollah. Michael Totten: 'After a suicide-bomber killed five Israeli tourists in Bulgaria, the Israelis are (again) asking the European Union to blacklist Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Europe (again) refuses to do so. Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, the foreign minister of Cyprus just 30 minutes off Lebanon’s coast, says Europe would consider adding Hezbollah to the list of banned terrorist organization “if there were tangible evidence of Hezbollah engaging in acts of terror.” ...'

Morning Report: 2012-07-19

Bulgaria bombing aftermath. Peres: “We have witnessed a murderous terrorist attack designed in Iran. This attempt was successful. We will not ignore it, and we will reach the architects of this attack wherever they are. We will never give up. Israel has the capability and determination to properly fight terror. Wars have casualties, this time innocent people on vacation. I send my condolences to the bereaved families and to the injured survivors fighting for their lives. The Nation is with them. We will honor their memory and act towards their recovery.” Chief medical officer: "The Bulgarians took good care of them, and I dare say saved their lives." Bill Roggio at Long War Journal:

The blast that killed seven people, including five Israelis, on bus at an airport in Burgas yesterday was carried out by a suicide bomber dressed as a Western tourist, the Bulgarian government said. Israel's prime minister and president both said that Iran was behind yesterday's deadly attack.

The Interior Ministry released video footage of the suicide bomber (above, from BGNES) as he was waiting for a plan load of tourists to leave the terminal and enter the bus. The suicide bomber is dressed in shorts, a t-shirt, a baseball cap, sunglasses, and white sneakers, and is holding what appears to be a jacket. He is carrying a large black backpack. The suicide bomber also reportedly has a fake drivers license that was issued from Michigan.

"We have established there was a person who was a suicide bomber in this attack," Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov told reporters, according to Reuters. "This person had a fake driving license from the United States, from the state of Michigan. He looked like anyone else - a normal person with Bermuda shorts and a backpack."

The suicide bomber is said to have entered the bus after the Israeli passengers boarded, and immediately detonated his explosives. Seven people, including five Israeli tourists and the bus driver, were killed in the blast. ...

Go to the link for the rest, and video.

Bulgaria: Bomb Kills Israeli Tourists

NBC News: 'UPDATED AT 1:11 p.m. ET: SOFIA, Bulgaria -- Israel's prime minister blamed Iran for the deadly explosion that struck a bus of Israeli tourists in Bulgaria. "Iran is responsible for the terror attack in Bulgaria, we will have a strong response against Iranian terror," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Haaretz reported. Earlier: An explosion on a bus carrying Israeli tourists at an airport in the Bulgarian Black Sea city of Burgas on Wednesday killed at least three people and injured as many as 20 others, the interior ministry told NBC News. ...'

Fox: 'A bus carrying mostly Israeli youth in a Bulgaria exploded near an airport Wednesday, killing 7 people, according to local media reports, and wounding at least 27 others, police and hospital officials say. Witnesses told Israeli media that the huge blast occurred soon after someone boarded the vehicle. ...'

Atlas: 'Open season on the Jews, anywhere and everywhere the jihad has its tentacles. A bus of young Jews was blown up today, death toll still undetermined. At least 3 dead. Israel has previously warned Bulgaria of the threat posed by Hizbollah. This comes on the anniversary of the fatal bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which killed 85 people and wounded hundreds.'

Tablet's new editor, Adam Chandler has more.

Morning Report: 2012-07-15

The course of human events in Mali, Iraq, Europe, and USA.

Mali: NMLA drops separatist goal. 'Malian rebel group the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad has abandoned its goal of creating a separate state in northern Mali, according to a statement from the group, Reuters reported ...'

Iraq: Baghdad complains about Kurdish exports to Turkey. As Morning Report noted Friday, Turkey has started importing oil from Iraqi Kurdistan, a.k.a. "northern Iraq". The central Iraqi government in Baghdad is not happy about this: 'Iraq said on Sunday that oil exports from Kurdistan to Turkey by truck were "illegal", warning Ankara that such trade with the autonomous region could damage its relations with the central government in Baghdad. ... "Exporting oil from Kurdistan to Turkey is illegal and illegitimate," Iraq government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement.' So, yes, you read that right: the complaint is that Kurdistan is getting too friendly with Turkey. Strange times indeed.

Sarah Palin: Big government vs. big freedom. Breitbart:

Sarah Palin boldly, clearly and sharply articulated the stakes in the 2012 election on Saturday when she addressed a "Patriots in the Park" Tea Party event. The event took place in Michigan and was sponsored by the Michigan branch of Americans for Prosperity and the Willow Run Tea Party Caucus.
“2012 is a race between the party of big government and the party of big freedom,” Palin said, contrasting the Republican party's vision with that of President Barack Obama's.
In reference to Obama and his policies, Palin said there was something “wrong with someone” who would want to fundamentally transform a country that was good and strong.
"If that’s what you call hope, then we want change,” Palin said.
Palin dubbed Obama’s economic policies as “Obamanomics,” called it a form of “crony capitalism on steroids” and said some aspects of Obamacare should be dubbed “no bureaucrat left behind” for the thousands of I.R.S. jobs the bill has created to collect what the Supreme Court found to be a tax.
She accused Obama of having “recklessly mortgaged our children’s future $5 trillion in new debt,” being “constantly adrift,” and being afraid of the Tea Party. ...

Analysis: Economist vs. "Eastern Europe". In a video post (2:11) from London, The Economist argues for retiring the term "Eastern Europe". The analysts see a role for constructs like "Danube Europe", "Roman Europe", "Scared of Russia Europe", and particularly "Solvent Europe" - but not "Eastern Europe" with its Cold War legacy. Maybe we should call it something more catchy, like, say, where the West ends.

Morning Report: 2012-07-12

Blood and explosives.

Turkey: No trace of explosives on crashed jet. It looks like Turkey is backing off on its claim that one of its jets was shot down by Syrian forces. 'Turkey announced that it has not found traces of explosives on the ruins of a fighter jet it has claimed was downed by Syria, raising new questions about the incident that inflamed tensions between the two countries, AFP reported. ...'

Israel: Haredim study to avert draft. 'Lithuanian Mentor Rabbi Aryeh Leib Steineman has instructed the Hareidi Yeshiva world to study Torah for 3 24-hour periods (in study shifts) in order to bring about a Divine annulment of the looming decree of mandatory conscription to the IDF.' In retaliation, the IDF pledged to remain on full alert, round-the-clock, indefinitely, to protect Israel from the enemies of the Jewish people. Oh, wait, they're already doing that.

Greece: Seeking pure blood. Literally. In the birthplace of democracy, 'A drive by the far-right Golden Dawn party to get Greeks to donate blood only for their fellow citizens has outraged doctors and medical authorities, who have slammed the initiative as racist and inhuman.' The Golden Dawn (Χρυσή Αυγή) party should not be confused with these guys.

USA / Counterterror: Network helps share tips on bombs. 'A U.S.-led effort to stop the spread of roadside bombs in places like Afghanistan and Iraq is meeting with some success, by using a secure Facebook-style network to trade tips with other countries about suspect chemical shipments. ...' Yeah, I know, "secure Facebook-style" is an oxymoron, but go read the article. It's called Operation Global Shield, and it's been in operation for two years now.

Jihad: Like 72 virgins. Now here's a vexing problem. You're a young guy ready to go on a shahada mission and kill some infidels for the sake of Allah. Your modus operandi: explosives in a certain orifice. But wait! How can you be sure that said orifice will be spacious enough to accommodate an effective charge? You've got questions, Abu al-Dema al-Qasab has answers. Via Mark Steyn.