Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Real News Video: Two Years On, Egyptian Revolution Caught in Violent Past
Egypt still reeling from January 25th anniversary violence, as police brutality
moves some revolutionaries to abandon peaceful protests. Over 60 people have
been killed across country, hundreds more injured, detained and still missing.
Police torture leaves multiple detainees fighting for their lives in hospitals,
while one activist died Monday morning after subjected to savage police torture.
Attacks on police stations and government institutions are on the rise.
CIA using Saudi base for drone assassinations in Yemen
Disclosure comes as architect of programme, John Brennan,
prepares for Senate confirmation hearing to become CIA director
"The CIA is secretly using an airbase in Saudi Arabia to conduct its controversial drone assassination campaign in neighbouring Yemen, according to reports in the US media.
Neither the Saudi
government nor the country's media have responded to the reports revealing that
the drones that killed the US-born
cleric Anwar al-Awlaki and his son in September 2011 and Said al-Shehri, a
senior al-Qaida commander who died
from his injuries last month, were launched from the unnamed base.
Iranian state media highlighted the story, which is also likely to be seized upon by jihadi groups. Saudi Arabia has previously publicly denied co-operating with the US to target al-Qaida in Yemen. Evidence of Saudi involvement risks complicating its relationship with the government in Sana'a and with Yemeni tribal leaders who control large parts of the country......"
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
مع الثورة السورية رغم كل شيء
link
2013-02-04
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رغم الاحباط، ورغم الارتباك السياسي الذي تعيشه المعارضة، ورغم غياب التنسيق بين وحدات الجيش الحر، ورغم وجود جبهة النصرة، ورغم الأخطاء والمطبات والمواقف الملتبسة، ورغم رفض العالم دعم الشعب السوري، ورغم تأخر الحسم العسكري والبلبلة السياسية، ورغم الانزعاج من التصريحات التلفزيونية، ورغم كل شيء، فأنا مع الثورة السورية.
كنت اتمنى ان يسقط نظام الاستبداد الأسدي في درعا، امام قدسية تضحية حمزة الخطيب. كنت اتمنى ان تنتصر ازهار غياث مطر وقناني الماء التي وزعها على الجنود، ويسقط النظام بلا خسائر. كنت اتمنى ان تكفي صرخة حمص واغاني القاشوش وعشرات الألوف الذين احتلوا الشوارع بحناجرهم وايديهم المرفوعة بالتحدي السلمي. كنت اتمنى ان لا يرتفع السلاح في وجه السلاح، وان تنجح الإرادة الشعبية في ايقاظ ضمائر الذين لا ضمير لهم، وتشلّ ايديهم قبل ان تقوم بإطلاق النار. كنت اتمنى، ولا ازال اتمنى، لكن النظام الوحشي المافيوي الأخطبوطي الذي بناه الأسد الآب واورثه لابنه، قرر ان يواجه الشعب حتى النهاية. الأسد او لا أحد، الأسد او نحرق البلد، الأسد الى الأبد. هذه هي شعارات النظام الاستبدادي، الذي اعتاد على التصرف وكأن سورية مملكة طوّبت بإسمه. الطائرات في كلّ مكان، والقتل في كل مكان. لا هدف للنظام سوى البقاء، وشرط بقائه هو اذلال الشعب. ليس صحيحا ان هدف القمع الذي يمارسه النظام، منذ اندلاع الثورة، هو توحيش الشعب السوري وتمزيق نسيجه الاجتماعي. التوحيش بدأ من زمان حين صارت السلطة وحشا اجوف، انفصل بأجهزته القمعية كلها عن المجتمع، وتصرف كقوة احتلال غاشمة لا رادع لها. وما نشهده اليوم هو تعميم هذا التوحيش، وتحويله الى الوسيلة الوحيدة للتعامل مع المجتمع، عبر اغراق الشعب في الدم، وتحويل العمران الى دمار. الكلام عن حلّ سياسي للوضع السوري هباء واضاعة للوقت. فهذا النظام لا يفهم السياسة الا بوصفها لعبة على حافة هاوية الموت. يصفي خصومه السياسيين، يقتل رموز المجتمع، ثم يترك لمن بقي حيا ان يستخلص الدرس، اي يتعوّد على الانحناء والصمت والخنوع. لكنه في المقابل يعمل بشكل محترف في حقل السياسة الخارجية، اقليميا ودوليا. ينحني، يساوم، يبيع ويشتري من اجل المحافظة على بقائه. يُسقط طائرة تركية، لكنه ينحني امام الطائرة الاسرائيلية. يدعم حزب الله، لكنه لا يخلّ بتفاهمات الحدود السورية- الاسرائيلية الآمنة، يتنعّج ويتنمّر بحسب
موازين القوى. لكن قدرته على المناورة الاقليمية والدولية مرهونة بنجاحه المطلق في اخراج المجتمع السوري من المعادلة السياسية بشكل كامل.
شعب السوري سينتصر لأنه استحق ذلك بتضحياته الهائلة. وحين ستعود سورية الى السوريات والسوريين سوف تبدأ مسيرة المشرق العربي نحو استعادة صوته وحضوره.
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Real News Video: Egypt and the Revolt Against Morsi
Omar Dahi: Cities along the Suez canal are revolting against the betrayal of the
revolution by Morsi and the lack of meaningful economic reform
Azmi Bishara on negotiations with Assad
أ. الا يوجد حل؟
ب. يوجد حل وأكثر من حل، ولكن النظام يرفضها جميعا، لأنه لا وجود لحل إلا ويتضمن رحيله. الاختلاف بين الحلول يكون فقط في كيفية الرحيل.
أ. الحل يكون إذا عندما يفهم النظام أنه راحل.
ب. نعم.
أ. ولكن ما نراه من استعداده لهدم البلد، وتطبيق مقولة الأسد أو نحرق البلد بحرفية مرعبة فاقت الخيال، يعني أنه لن يفهم أنه راحل إلا اذا اصبح مضطرا للرحيل. ولكن إذا أصبح مضطرا للرحيل بالقوة فمن الذي سوف يقبل أن يفاوضه؟ إذا في الحقيقة لا يوجد حل دبلوماسي.
ب. عليك نور.
أ. لماذا إذا يتكلم بالعض عن تفاوض أو حوار على الرحيل.
ب. أولا عليك ان تميز بين مفاوضات وحوار. المفاوضات تكون مع عدو أو خصم. ومن طرح فكرة المفاوضات مع النظام قد يفهم من يلح على المعارضة السورية أن تطرح حلا سياسيا، أن النظام لا يريد أن يرحل بالتفاوض.
أ. ولكنهم جميعا يعرفون هذا. فكل ما يفعله النظام يفعله لأنه لا يريد ان يرحل لا بالتفاوض ولا بغيره. وسبق أن طرحت حلول سياسية تدريجية ورفضها.
ب. نعم، يعرفون. ويتظاهرون أنهم لا يعرفون.
أ. لماذا؟
ب. لأنهم لا يفعلون شيئا، ويخجلون من هذه الحقيقة أمام هذا الدمار والخراب والبربرية. فيطرحون على المعارضة مرة أن توحد نفسها، ومرة أن تغير عناوينها، ومرة أن تطرح مبادرات سياسية.
أ. حسنا، فليكن، ولنر.
ب. فليكن يا سيدي، ولكن لا تنتظر لترى. لا أحد ينتظر.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Another Hizbullah fighter killed in Syria performing "Jihadist duties"
Link
NABATIEH, Lebanon: A Hezbollah fighter was laid to rest in his hometown of Arab Salim Friday.
The exact cause of his death was not announced, although reports said he was killed in Syria.
In a statement, Hezbollah said that Hussein Mohammad Nazar was killed fulfilling “his jihadi duty.” [Euphemism for Sectarian Duties]
A Hezbollah squad accompanied Nazar’s coffin to the village cemetery, where he was laid to rest.
The exact cause of his death was not announced, although reports said he was killed in Syria.
In a statement, Hezbollah said that Hussein Mohammad Nazar was killed fulfilling “his jihadi duty.” [Euphemism for Sectarian Duties]
A Hezbollah squad accompanied Nazar’s coffin to the village cemetery, where he was laid to rest.
Syrian rebel raids expose secrets of once-feared military
Former regime strongholds are now being picked clean –
and some are underwhelmed by what lies behind the perimeter walls
Abu Mohammed, now a senior member of the rebel movement in the north of the
country, broke the glass. What followed, he said, were the most puzzling 10
minutes of his military career.
"I shattered the glass and answered the phone," he said. "There was a
brigadier on the other end from the strategic air command in Damascus. He said:
'There are enemy planes approaching, you are not to do anything.'"I was confused. Do nothing? This is what we were waiting for. We couldn't see them on our radars. And then our radars were jammed. The missile base nearby could not have fired even if it was allowed."
Until last week, the
Israeli raid in 2007 that destroyed what the International Atomic Energy Agency
concluded was a nuclear reactor at al-Kibbar, north of Deir Azzor, was the last
time Syria's much-vaunted air
defence system was tested.
But last Wednesday just before dawn, the Israeli planes returned.......Nearly two withering years of war have clearly taken a toll on the Syrian military, which before the insurrection was reputed to be one of the region's most powerful. Army bases were considered impregnable, air defences the most formidable in the region, and soldiers resolutely loyal.
"The only thing we really still fear is the Migs," said Maalik Sayedi, a carpenter turned guerrilla fighter, as he picked through the remains of an overrun infantry school on the northern outskirts of Aleppo. "When we raided this place, the fight was over in less than two hours."........
"We thought they were strong. But the veil has been lifted. Fear was the regime's greatest weapon. Without that, we can match them," he said, before stopping in mid sentence as a distant roar drew nearer.
"Except for the planes," he added....."
No Need For Monkeys: Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ready to go into space
After Tehran fires monkey into orbit, president says he
is willing to be launched skywards in country's fledgling space
programme
Current Al-Jazeera (Arabic) Online Poll
Do you support giving Assad immunity from trial in return for the regime departure?
With over 800 responding, 68% said no.
Just Back From The Mideast – And I’m Really Worried
By Eric Margolis
"The Mideast is stumbling into one of its most dangerous crisis in decades. I’m just back from the region – and as an old Mideast hand, I am very worried.
This region is always tense, but right now a series of separate conflicts are rapidly beginning to intersect. We see the Mideast, North Africa and the Sahara buffeted by revolutions and counter-revolutions. Old colonial powers France and Britain, and the US, are trying to reassert their domination in the region. The jihadist are back.
In a brazen act of war, Israel launched airstrikes on Syria last Wednesday in a clear attempt to worsen the crisis in that war-torn nation and challenge Syria’s ally, Iran. Israel’s forces are on high alert and may invade Syria, whose strategic Golan Heights were seized and annexed by Israel. Will more Syrian land follow?
Goaded by Israel, Iran thundered “any attack on Syria is an attack on Iran.” An Iranian general warned Tel Aviv might come under attack. Hot air, as they say in Farsi......."
"The Mideast is stumbling into one of its most dangerous crisis in decades. I’m just back from the region – and as an old Mideast hand, I am very worried.
This region is always tense, but right now a series of separate conflicts are rapidly beginning to intersect. We see the Mideast, North Africa and the Sahara buffeted by revolutions and counter-revolutions. Old colonial powers France and Britain, and the US, are trying to reassert their domination in the region. The jihadist are back.
In a brazen act of war, Israel launched airstrikes on Syria last Wednesday in a clear attempt to worsen the crisis in that war-torn nation and challenge Syria’s ally, Iran. Israel’s forces are on high alert and may invade Syria, whose strategic Golan Heights were seized and annexed by Israel. Will more Syrian land follow?
Goaded by Israel, Iran thundered “any attack on Syria is an attack on Iran.” An Iranian general warned Tel Aviv might come under attack. Hot air, as they say in Farsi......."
Syrian State TV Provides Evidence Of Anti-Aircraft Vehicles Destroyed In The Israeli Airstrike
Brown Moses Blog
"Following Israel's reported air strike on Syria several theories and version of events have emerged from a variety of sources, with Syrian State TV showing the damage at the site they claimed was attacked near Damascus
"Following Israel's reported air strike on Syria several theories and version of events have emerged from a variety of sources, with Syrian State TV showing the damage at the site they claimed was attacked near Damascus
At the end of the video we see a group of destroyed vehicles, shown in the
pictures below
These appear to be the remains of at least three 9K33 Osa/SA-8 Gecko surface-to-air
missile systems, with three distinct wheel arches, and the distinct radar area
visible in the second picture. Here's a picture of an undamaged system
for comparison
One element that is missing are the missiles from the rear of the vehicle.
These come supplied in the launching tubes, and can be attached individually to
the back of the vehicle.
So what we have is three unarmed surface-to-air missile systems parked next
to what the Syrian military has called a "military research centre". We then
have to ask why they were parked there? It seems by the way they are parked and
their lack of missiles they weren't their for defensive purposes, so that
remains an open question."
Egypt, US celebrate delivery of F-16s
Egypt receives four out of 20 F-16 aircraft from United States; US ambassador
stresses 'shared interests, mutual respect' between two countries
"The US Embassy in Cairo issued a press release on Sunday to announce the delivery of four new F-16 aircraft to Egypt's Air Force, following a joint ceremony Sunday to mark the deal.
“Today’s ceremony demonstrates the firm belief of the United States that a strong Egypt is in the interest of the US, the region, and the world,” the statement quoted US Ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson as saying.
“We look to Egypt to continue to serve as a force for peace, security and leadership as the Middle East proceeds with its challenging yet essential journey towards democracy," the statement added.
Patterson said that the 34-year security partnership between the states is based upon "shared interests and mutual respect."......."
Ahram Online , Sunday 3 Feb 2013
"The US Embassy in Cairo issued a press release on Sunday to announce the delivery of four new F-16 aircraft to Egypt's Air Force, following a joint ceremony Sunday to mark the deal.
“Today’s ceremony demonstrates the firm belief of the United States that a strong Egypt is in the interest of the US, the region, and the world,” the statement quoted US Ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson as saying.
“We look to Egypt to continue to serve as a force for peace, security and leadership as the Middle East proceeds with its challenging yet essential journey towards democracy," the statement added.
Patterson said that the 34-year security partnership between the states is based upon "shared interests and mutual respect."......."
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Shura Council to discuss laws aimed at controlling street protests and confronting thuggery
The government is set to give the police sweeping powers to disrupt protests and
combat 'saboteurs and provocateurs'
Ahram Online
DIFFERENT ASSHOLE......
SAME SHIT!!
"The government of Prime Minister Hisham Kandil is currently in the process of drafting two new laws aimed at regulating the right of street protest and combating the proliferation of thuggery. According to Justice Minister Ahmed Mekki, anti-protest laws have become a necessity to stem the tide of violence in the street and to regulate the right of organising demonstrations......
In its meeting held today, the Committee on National Defence launched
scathing attack against private TV satellite television channels, taking them to
task for alledgely inciting protesters to launch violent attacks on several
state buildings in recent days, notably Al-Ittihadiya presidential palace in
Cairo's district of Heliopolis on 1 February. Deputy Interior Minister Major
General Abdel-Fattah Othman complained that "police forces have not been able to
fight violent street protests in recent days because there is no law that gives
us the authority to do this."
The government's new draft law would grant police forces a free hand to use force to disrupt and disperse streets protests, especially in the vicinity of Al-Ittihadiya Palace and other significant state institutions, such as police stations, parliament, and state ministries. The 26-article law also makes it obligatory that the interior ministry be notified of any given protest or demonstration's date, objective and site. The notification request must be submitted to the ministry five days in advance of the date of the demonstration. The interior ministry reserves the right to forbid "demonstrations" or "public gatherings and meetings" if they risk "disrupting public peace and security."
The draft law also stipulates that demonstrations or street protests be organised between 7am to 7pm, and public gatherings from 7am to 11pm. The law gives police forces rights to disrupt demonstrations or public gatherings by use of force if they are found to threaten public order.
Additionally, the draft law prohibits protesters and demonstrators from chanting slogans that "might sow the seeds of sedition," or wearing black face coverings. Prosecutor-General Talaat Abdallah recently ordered police forces to arrest citizens who wear black face masks or coverings or who belong to new revolutionary groups known as "Black Bloc." The law threatens violators with one year in prison and a fine of no less than LE30,000 (around $4,000) and no more than LE100,000 (around $14,000)........"
Ahram Online
DIFFERENT ASSHOLE......
SAME SHIT!!
"The government of Prime Minister Hisham Kandil is currently in the process of drafting two new laws aimed at regulating the right of street protest and combating the proliferation of thuggery. According to Justice Minister Ahmed Mekki, anti-protest laws have become a necessity to stem the tide of violence in the street and to regulate the right of organising demonstrations......
The government's new draft law would grant police forces a free hand to use force to disrupt and disperse streets protests, especially in the vicinity of Al-Ittihadiya Palace and other significant state institutions, such as police stations, parliament, and state ministries. The 26-article law also makes it obligatory that the interior ministry be notified of any given protest or demonstration's date, objective and site. The notification request must be submitted to the ministry five days in advance of the date of the demonstration. The interior ministry reserves the right to forbid "demonstrations" or "public gatherings and meetings" if they risk "disrupting public peace and security."
The draft law also stipulates that demonstrations or street protests be organised between 7am to 7pm, and public gatherings from 7am to 11pm. The law gives police forces rights to disrupt demonstrations or public gatherings by use of force if they are found to threaten public order.
Additionally, the draft law prohibits protesters and demonstrators from chanting slogans that "might sow the seeds of sedition," or wearing black face coverings. Prosecutor-General Talaat Abdallah recently ordered police forces to arrest citizens who wear black face masks or coverings or who belong to new revolutionary groups known as "Black Bloc." The law threatens violators with one year in prison and a fine of no less than LE30,000 (around $4,000) and no more than LE100,000 (around $14,000)........"
Real News Video: Creative Finance: Leaving Felons in Charge of the Banks
Bill Black: Obama Administration following logic that to not investigate and prosecute banking fraud builds trust in the institutions
There is No Limit to the Stupidity of the Egyptian Interior Ministry and Police: Man beaten by Egypt police shown on TV blaming protesters
"Footage shows a group of
Egyptian riot police beating a partially clothed man with batons and fists,
during protests in Cairo on Friday. Opponents of Mohamed Morsi say the footage
proves that the president has chosen to order a brutal crackdown like that
carried out by former president Hosni Mubarak. Morsi's office has promised an
investigation into the incident - The Guardian"
"(Reuters) - A man who was beaten and dragged across the ground naked by Egyptian riot police during a demonstration on Friday was shown on state television blaming the incident on demonstrators.......
State television aired overnight a recording of Saber, lying on bed in a police hospital, giving his account of the incident, in which he blamed protesters for stripping and robbing him.
It was not clear how his account could be reconciled with the widely seen footage, which clearly showed police beating him with truncheons and dragging him naked across a road.
Saber said he had seen a crowd running and then felt himself shot in the leg.
"I fell over, I failed to stand up again, then they surrounded me in a circle and attacked me," he said. The interviewer asked if he was referring to the demonstrators, and he answered: "Yes I am. They took my clothes off, maybe they were looking for money in my pockets. Then someone among them shouted: 'He is not a soldier. He is not a soldier, he is an old man and you are going to kill him.'
"The soldiers ran towards me. I was afraid of them, but they were saying, 'We will not beat you'. I swear to God this is what happened. I kept on running. They said again: 'Do not be afraid.' I kept running away and they said, 'We are exhausted because of you'."
Egypt's prosecutors' office has released a statement saying Saber denied that police had hit him. That statement was received angrily by the opposition which suspects the authorities of intimidating him to exonerate the police.
"That a citizen be dragged in a public space is a crime against humanity. That he be forced to amend his testimony before the Public Prosecution is tyranny. It has dire consequences for justice," Nasser Amin, a prominent lawyer and campaigner for judicial independence said on Twitter."
"(Reuters) - A man who was beaten and dragged across the ground naked by Egyptian riot police during a demonstration on Friday was shown on state television blaming the incident on demonstrators.......
State television aired overnight a recording of Saber, lying on bed in a police hospital, giving his account of the incident, in which he blamed protesters for stripping and robbing him.
It was not clear how his account could be reconciled with the widely seen footage, which clearly showed police beating him with truncheons and dragging him naked across a road.
Saber said he had seen a crowd running and then felt himself shot in the leg.
"I fell over, I failed to stand up again, then they surrounded me in a circle and attacked me," he said. The interviewer asked if he was referring to the demonstrators, and he answered: "Yes I am. They took my clothes off, maybe they were looking for money in my pockets. Then someone among them shouted: 'He is not a soldier. He is not a soldier, he is an old man and you are going to kill him.'
"The soldiers ran towards me. I was afraid of them, but they were saying, 'We will not beat you'. I swear to God this is what happened. I kept on running. They said again: 'Do not be afraid.' I kept running away and they said, 'We are exhausted because of you'."
Egypt's prosecutors' office has released a statement saying Saber denied that police had hit him. That statement was received angrily by the opposition which suspects the authorities of intimidating him to exonerate the police.
"That a citizen be dragged in a public space is a crime against humanity. That he be forced to amend his testimony before the Public Prosecution is tyranny. It has dire consequences for justice," Nasser Amin, a prominent lawyer and campaigner for judicial independence said on Twitter."
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