Tag Archives: Islamic State

How France Lead the Resurgence in Defense Spending Despite Economic Austerity

In the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks last November, France, England, and Germany are leading a resurgence in military and security spending to support troops both domestic and abroad, but to also see the destruction of the Islamic State once and for all. The super powers of Europe have all provided essential roles in global security from France in West Africa, England in Afghanistan, and Germany in Iraq.

France is spending one million euros a day on heightened security, as part of a renewed surge in military spending throughout Europe.  France has been on an extended terror alert and is now spending more to increase safety, and other nations are also increasing military spending realizing terrorism is a permanent threat.

French President, Francois Hollande, has stated, “we need to track the terrorists, dismantle their networks, cut off their financing, and stop propaganda and radicalization.”

Germany will be hiring more police officers and intelligence officers, and in January, the defense minister suggested to increase defense spending by 130 billion euros, which includes purchasing a European-led air defense system known as MEADS and a bids for multi-purpose combat ships.  David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is pushing for provisions for an additional 1,900 new officers and double funding for aviation security. England also authorized 12 billion pounds for Boeing P8 maritime patrol aircraft, increased fighter squadron numbers, and new strike brigade teams.

Belgium is also planning to increase its security spending. Nearly half a billion euros will be spent to jail returning jihadists, reinforce borders, and keep hundreds of troops on the street.

Defense companies both in American and Europe are reaping the rewards from this resurgence in defense spending. Europe’s defense industry is expected to benefit in terms of $50 billion in defense contracts as a result of the November Paris attacks. Areas of importance being emphasized include: cyber security, jet fighters, armored vehicles, and drones.

The path to military rejuvenation was not easy for many European nations, as many are still engulfed in Europe’s austerity program. The austerity program instituted by the European Union (EU) with Europe’s financial crisis in 2010. The program called for major cutbacks especially in military spending and personnel. The austerity program, was not popular among the public, and did not fix Europe’s economic ills.

France, Germany, Britain, and neighboring countries sharply curtailed their military spending when austerity was enforced. In 2015, only five nations of NATO met the military spending requirements of 2%  of national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

From 2009 up till 2011, European states discharged 160,000 soldiers as a means to balance military forces.  By rule, European nations were hindered with broader government spending restrictions. Major European powers such as England had to cut 20,000 troops; Spain vacated airbases and switched to drones; and Germany closed 31 military bases and downsized another 90.

To save on cost European Union wants England, France, and Germany to cease in deploying unnecessary troops abroad, especially to the Middle East since involvement beginning to wind down. Countries like England use deployments of troops not just for war, but peacekeeping missions in hostile parts of the world.

A handful of European nations are quickly moving away from the “austerity mantra“that has dominated the region since the financial crisis. European leaders want a more flexible approach in balancing budgets and supporting security measures.

Jean Claude Juncker, former Prime Minister of Luxemburg, believes the time has come for the European Union to have its own army. The premise is to defend the continent against traditional strategic threats like Russia and other threats.

For years the United States called for its European allies to pull their own weight when it came to providing for themselves.  Europe’s free ride off American military will come to a halt very soon. Europe has been sole reliant on the United States for military financial support, and with European superpowers willing to carry the debt it could have significant economic ramifications for decades to come.

Israel Working With West Africa to Deter The Spread of Islamic State

On January 27, 2016, Ami Mehl, Israeli ambassador to Ghana, spoke at a International Holocaust Remembrance Day lecture, at Cape Coast University. He brought up comparisons and concerns between al Qaeda, Islamic State (IS), and The Nazi Regime. Jihadist groups such as al Qaeda and the Islamic State, are wake up calls for all democratic nations to “brace themselves”.

Ambassador Mehl, cautioned Ghana leaders to be vigilant and protective of their people, and come out to fight extremist groups if the nation wants to remain a democratic one. He pointed out the Islamic State’s atrocities against innocent civilians are similar to the  Rwanda genocides in 1994.

It’s unsurprising that Israeli diplomat would be urging African nations to take part in a larger world struggle against global jihad. Israel has a long history of  involvement in Africa from sending experts in agriculture, development, and military advisers to Nigeria, Tanzania, and the Ivory Coast.

Israel had previously been involved in counterterrorism discussions with Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan to combat Islamic State and other jihadist groups. Shaul Shay, an African expert at Israel’s Interdisciplinary Center, made the comment, “Israel has an interest in fighting al-Qaeda anywhere, including Africa.”

Unlike other regional neighbors, Ghana has remained largely stable with its various religious denominations, Muslims largely residing in the North, and Christians in the south.

Over the decades Ghana proudly hard-earned reputation as a stable and steady democracy. However, the influence of the Islamic State has begun to reach into the coastal nation due to its proximity near troubled states including: Nigeria, Niger, Mali, and Chad.

In August 2015, Two college students joined the Islamic State, Ghanaian authorities noted that universities throughout West Africa have been targeted by the Islamic State. Whether rich or poor the idea of having a luxurious life and assurances promised to families is a major lure to young Ghanaians especially northern Ghanaian Muslims.

Factors such as the financial crisis and high unemployment rate among university graduates can develop frustration at the government. The Islamic State promises a luxurious life prior to going into battle, which is one of their main propaganda tactics. Lea Roshkovsky, an Educator with Yad Vashem, explained that the Islamic State similar to Nazi propaganda  as well to lure young men to join before committing some of the most horrible atrocities.

Ghana, like many African nations, does not have a specialized counterterrorism capability. There is fear throughout Ghana bout the Islamic State further impacting the nation, and they are fearful of those who have become indoctrinated by the group returning to Ghana. Areas like northest Nigeria, Niger, and Chad are all major recruitment centers for young Ghanaians looking to join the Islamic State.

Israel’s relationship with Ghana is more than just foreign relations. Israel  has over $400 million in an assortment of business investments, and two hundred Israeli’s working in Ghana.  The State of Israel may be concerned about the future of Ghana and its people, but he also equally concerned about the investments Israel has in the country.

The future of Ghana will rest heavily strong cooperation with Israel in finding a means to target Islamic State sympathizer in Ghana while limiting cross-border impact of Islamic-State activity in the region. Israel certainly has the hard earned counterterrorism experience to train and assist Ghanaian’s in this effort.

Malaysia’s Political System is Breeding Ground For Islamic State

Malaysia is currently in a state of heightened security after the recent terrorist attacks in Indonesia. Najib Razak, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, has vowed to fight the Islamic State and protect the youth of Malaysia from what he calls “the New Evil.” However, the road to defeating the Islamic State will require cooperation from all political entities and right now that seems to be one of the biggest challenges.

Malaysia had always been deemed a moderate Islam country in southeast Asia with a population of 31 million, of whom approximarely are 60% Sunni Muslim.  However, as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East went on, the influence of the Islamic State soon began to spread into Southeast Asia. In 2013, authorities arrested 122 Islamic State jihadists and believe there are 200-250 fighting in Iraq and Syria.

At least a fraction of Malaysian jihadists have found their way into the Islamic State affiliated Katibah Nusantara (also know as Maylay Archipelago Combat Unit or Katibah Unit), led by an Indonesian man named Bahrum Syah.

There are a number of reasons why the Islamic State has surfaced in  Malaysia, even above the general global trend. In particualr, Malaysia has seen a steady growth in the invocation of Islam in politics.

Government policies by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) and Biro Tata Negara (BTN), whose world views are becoming more influential, are drawing anger from the Islamic State and other intolerant Islamists. Each organization is influential in Malaysian Muslims lives from religion, education, personal behavior, and appearance. Biro Tata Negara has been accused of insinuating ethno-centric hatred towards non-Malay citizens, and JAKIM can have people brought up on sedition charges for challenging their authority.

The “politicization of Islam” by parties in Malaysia, has also driven a wedge between the government various ethnic constituencies.  The current ruling party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) has undertaken a project of actively inserting Islamists into the highest ranks of government to help establish a Malay-Islamic State, which combines Islamic supremacy and Malay nationalism. The effort to impose political Islam on Malaysia is not limited to just the ruling party. Opposition parties like, Parti Islam SeMalyasia (PSA), is currently pushing the Malaysian parliament for the implementation of Islamic Hudud laws. Hudud are Quranicly prescribed punishments, primarily for “criminal” violations, and include amputation for theft, and floggings or death by stoning for Zina, or illicit intercourse.

Opposition parties claim the law could strain or destroy fragile relationships throughout the multiracial country.

It would be an error to divorce the issue of Islamic State’s growth in Malaysia from the larger role of Islamist politics in the Southeast Asian state. While the Malaysian government has been praised by the United States for it’s stance on counterterrorism, it is  viewed by some Malaysians as corrupt and a dictatorial. As a result, despite that it has purposefully inculcated growing support for Islamic politics, the Malaysian government itself can be viewed as not living up to its own rhetoric, leaving Islamic State and other Jihadist groups as an attractive outlet.

Scotland’s Incomplete Counter Terrorism Plans Displays Lack of Urgency and Commitment to Public Safety

 

This past weekend a highly confidential document titled “Emerging and Residual Threat Local Profiles” was accidentally leaked onto the Scottish Police Authorities (SPA) website. Police concerns were displayed in the document when it was found that local authorities have not been fully briefed on how to prepare and respond to an act of terrorism, and a number of key agencies need ongoing training.

A police spokeswoman noted, “The paper contained protectively marked information, which was uploaded to the Scotland Police Authority’s in an error and was spotted and corrected after a media inquiry.” The report was never meant for public view and was replaced by a public version of the plan.

Police Scotland, was formed in 2013 through the merger of eight regional police forces, and provides the law enforcement services for Scotland. The Specialist Crime Division (SCD) of Police Scotland incorporates counter terrorism and intelligence support as part of its responsibilities.

The paper provides an update on Scotland’s compliance with the United Kingdom’s counter-terrorism strategy known as CONTEST.

CONTEST cover’s four sections known as the “four P’s” of tactical policing in response to terrorism. Pursue- investigate and disrupt terrorism; Prevent – to stop people from working with or becoming terrorist; Protect – to stop a terrorist attacks; and Prepare – to minimize impact of an attack and aid in recovery.

The Prevention phase has come under scrutiny and debate over time as fatally flawed and incapable of achieving its goals. In the wake of the 7/7 attacks, millions were spent by ministers to improve security. The Original PREVENT strategy, despite focusing on outreach to Muslim communities, was criticized across the political spectrum, with the left and Muslim groups, accusing it of spying or alienating Muslims, and criticism from the right that it favored Muslim groups over other religious organizations, and provided “thousands of pounds of tax payers’ money” for Islamist groups to “proselytize for Islam.”

The Emerging and Residual Threat Local Profile plan inquired for Police Scotland to provide to develop counter terrorism tools for healthcare, law enforcement, and teachers. The plan also contained a mock drill for law enforcement and partners called “Operation Archer.” This mock terrorist event included news bulletins and arrests, and was designed to “demystify” the CONTEST strategy.

There was concern about the threat profile by the Scottish Police Authority’s Watchdog panel, when information displayed showed that police have yet to identify vulnerable targets prone to a terrorist attack. Also, that counter terrorism security advisers (CTSA’s) are not mentioned in the report at all. Counterterrorism security advisors are trained by the National Counterterrorism Security Task Office, (NaCTSO) and identify assess local sites which may be vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

Police Scotland have been in involved in a number of controversies with the public over the past six months. Incidents include using heavily armed officers to report to minor incidents.The increased need for armed police, demonstrated by the killing of unarmed police during the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris, has been a continuous topic, in Europe.  Chief Philip Gormley, noted how the Paris attacks have called for tighter security measures to maintain public safety.

There was concern that Scotland was nowhere near prepared for a Paris-style terrorist attack. This assumption was verified when Colum Steele, General Secretary for the Scottish Police Foundation (SPF), was quoted, “Scotland is under prepared, under resources, and under equipped when it comes to terrorism.”

Scotland’s terrorism concerns occurred back in November 2013, when Aqsa Mahmood, fled Glasgow, and married a Jihadi fighter in Syria. Her online blog “Diary of a Muhajira”, under her new name Umm Layth, explained to young women of how to prepare for life in Syria and what to expect. She is very popular in underground social media circles and may have been highly influential in encouraging four school girls to join the Islamic State (IS).

Chief Gormley admitted, “We need to take a very careful look at counterterrorism planning.” The events of Pan Am Flight 103 are still imbedded into Scotland’s history of terrorism. The country is seeing a renaissance in their financial and information technology sectors, which would be prime targets for terrorists to strike. It will be law enforcement’s responsibility to continually train, maintain strong partnerships, work with the public, and be vigilant of a changing landscape.

Australia: The Funding Capital for the Islamic State in Southeast Asia

In the aftermath, of the Jakarta, Indonesia terrorist attacks, investigators began to investigate a suspicious money trail that lead all the way to Australia. Just a few weeks prior to the terrorist attacks, authorities from Australia and Indonesia arrested an Australian jihadist supporter, who was transferring $500,000 USD to Islamist groups in Indonesia.

Luhut Binsar Pajaitan,  Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, noted  the day after the Jakarta terrorist incident that funding for this attack could have come from Australia. He saw a flow of money from the country some time ago, according to Indonesia’s Financial Transactions and Analysis Centre (INTRAC/PPATK).

Augus Santoso, deputy chairman of Indonesia’s Financial Transactions and Analysis Centre,  noted what the money is used for: recruitment, training, arms purchases, and supporting the families of martyr’s.

Around 200 Indonesian men have gone off to Syria to  fight with the Islamic State (IS) and 60 have been killed.

Suspected terrorist cells have been known to move between southeast Asian countries, especially in areas where borders are porous, such as the Island of Kalimantan, shared by Indonesia and Malaysia, and between the Philippines and the southwest Sulawesi Island of Indonesia.

The Australian government estimates some 120 Australians are in Iraq and Syria and are supporting the Islamic State and other extremist groups, with another 160 actively supporting extremism at home through financing and recruiting.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) has noted there are 500,000 Muslims  living in Australia, and also have 400 mosques to serve them.

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) found the volume of terrorism financing in Australia is linked to a number of Australians traveling to Syria and Iraq to fight for the Islamic State.

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre black flagged 536 financial transactions  which were connected to terrorism in 2014-2015. A total of 367 financial transactions that were deemed suspicious were submitted to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Security Intelligence Organization. A total of $53 million questionable transactions were linked to funding terrorism.

Cooperation with Australian authorities has allowed both institutions to detect billions of rupiah suspected in being used for terrorist activities. The Financial Transaction and Analysis Centre and Australian Transaction Report and Analysis Centre,  through a three year study found that $5 billion rupiah in money transfers from a suspected terror cell in Australia and sent to  Indonesia.

Muhammad Yusuf, the head of the Financial Transaction Analysis Centre, notes that Australians are tricked into giving money to a foundation or for starting a business.

Mr. Yusuf also noted that his agency has been able to freeze $2.1 billion in rupiah of 26 individuals and entities with ties to al-Qaeda and the Taliban in accordance to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1267.

In June 2015, the Financial Action Task Force on Money laundering (FAFT), removed Indonesia  from a list of countries that have high probabilities of money laundering to support terrorism.

Augus Sontoso, believes the working relationship between Indonesia and Australia will be a model for financial intelligence units in neighboring Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. This could help track the flow of money between the Association of Southeastern Nations (ASEAN) member states allegedly used to fund terrorism activities.

The joint partnership between Indonesia and Australia is a model for many countries not just in Southeastern Asia to follow, but for all countries to adopt.

 

 

 

Bangladesh’s Growing Jihadist Movement at Home and Abroad

Between November 16, 2015 to December 1, 2015, Singapore authorities arrested 27 Bangladeshi Jihadist supporters.  Singapore police were able to arrest the men utilizing the country’s city-state International Security Act (ISA) as the group had threatened armed jihad against the Bangladesh government.  The group told authorities that they followed the teachings of al-Qaeda teacher Anwar al-Awlaki.

The 27 men detained were construction workers and had lived in Singapore anywhere from two to seven years. Singapore has a high population of migrant workers from Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

The New Age Newspaper, found that the jihadists had visited the Anguilla Mosque, located in the Little India section of Singapore. They often passed jihadist reading materials and leaflets while meeting on every Sunday. They also visited the mosque on Serangoon Road to try and recruit new members.

Members of the group were encouraged to return to Bangladesh and wage jihad on the Bangladesh government. They also sent monetary donations to groups linked to terror activities in Bangladesh.

While questioned by Singapore authorities many in the group cited reasons for committing jihad based on religion; fighting for the Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East, and killing Shi’ite Muslims because they are  deviant in nature. Bangladesh population has 89% as Muslim and the majority are Sunni.

This was the first terrorist network consisting of all foreigners that Singapore authorities had ever caught. The Singaporean Jemmah Islamiyah has been involved in terrorist incidents overseas and several Singaporeans were arrested last year for attempting to go over seas and fight for the Islamic State.

Authorities have already repatriated 26 of the jihadists back to Bangladesh where 14 have already been jailed. The last member is currently serving a twelve week jail sentence for attempting to leave Singapore over illegal and clandestine means.

In October 2015, a New York Times editorial, reported that U.S. officials warned the Bangladesh government that terrorist groups with ties to the Islamic State were plotting attacks. However, Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, called several incidents since the story conspiracy tactics used by domestic opposition to tarnish the government.

Police and authorities also refuse to acknowledge the idea that the Islamic State may be operating in Bangladesh.

Islamist groups in Bangladesh are  angry over the Dhaka government’s refusal to acquit Motuir Rahman Nizami, leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami,  and charged with war crimes during the 1971 conflict with Pakistan. He was part of a student wing of Jamaat, called al-Badr Pro-Pakistani Militia, and killed writers, doctors, journalists, and professors. Motuir Rahman Nizami, is currently sitting in Bangladesh’s death row, and is expected to be executed this year.

Riots and protests have become more frequent in Bangladesh as supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami have violently demonstrated continued support for the terrorist network. Jamaat-e-Islami was officially banned from participating in politics in by the Bangladesh courts in July 2013.

Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have also made their presence further known in Bangladesh with a sharp increase of violence throughout 2015. The murders of secularist bloggers and publishers; attacks on police; mosque bombings; and an influx of British jihadists with connections to the East London Jamaat-e-Islami network.

There is a Sunni Islamist that is growing in parts of Bangladesh and the Dhaka government needs to begin taking action before its too late. One ex-military advisor noted, “ISIS has its eye on Bangladesh.” Prime Minister Hasina has had a zero tolerance policy for terrorism, but critics say her methods of reprisal violate human rights. Singapore authorities may have saved Bangladesh from a major catastrophe, but the next time the warning may be too late.

How Shi’ite Militias Are Turning Iraq into Kidnapping Hunting Grounds

On January 16, armed  Shi’ite militia kidnapped three American contractors from an apartment in Baghdad’s southeastern Dora district. The group’s interpreter was also kidnapped by the militia.

An Iraqi police colonel, told the French news network Agence New-Presse (AFP), that the Americans were kidnapped by militia men wearing military uniforms.

Iraqi Police noted that the region the contractors were kidnapped is largely controlled by Shi’ite militia including the Iranian backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq, or League of the Righteous.

Kidnappings have been on the rise by Shi’ite militias throughout Iraq. In September 2015, Shi’ite militia kidnapped 18 Turkish construction workers in a predominately Shi’ite region. They made them appear in a propaganda video holding up a banner reading, “Death Squads” and “Oh, Hussein,” both Shi’ite slogans. The workers were later released. In December 2015, a group of 26 Qatari hunters, including members of the ruling family, were kidnapped in the Iraqi desert.

Further investigations into the interpreter’s home by authorities found that owner of the complex Abu Maria, was known to throw illicit parties.  Witnesses say the militia kidnapped the Americans on Saturday, in broad day light, and only one hundred yards from a police station.

Before United States forces started pulling out of Iraq in 2011,  there were a number of western citizens who were kidnapped and killed by Shia as well as Sunni Jihadists, but none have been abducted since.

State Department Spokesman, John Kirby, was asked by reporter Matt Lee, if the government is working with Iranian authorities since the militia men who kidnapped the contractors were Shi’ite.  John Kirby stated, “Shi’ite militia were operating in the area, and that some, but not all were influenced by Tehran.”

A State Department source said that the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, received threat information last week that an Iranian-backed Shi’ite militia group wanted to seize an American or American contractor.

Responding to the call of Shi’ite clerics in the summer of 2014, Shi’ite militias began fighting Islamic State (IS) forces in the northern and western provinces in Iraq. The Shi’ite militia in Iraq now has more power than the country’s security and military forces.

Despite Shi’ite militia fighting alongside U.S. coalition forces against the Islamic States, they are still very anti-American, and have made threats to attack American soldiers if more arrive.

The three contractors who were kidnapped included Amaro Mohammad, Wael al-Mahdawi both of whom worked for General Dynamics, and third contractor was Rusul Furad, her employer is unknown. Two senior security officials noted that Wael al-Mahdawi and Rusul Furad were both of Iraqi origin, and Amaro Mohammad of Egyptian origin.

Contractors were sent to assist Iraq’s Special Operations Forces (ISOF) as part of the country’s counter terrorism  service after Baghdad asked Washington for further assistance. General Dynamics said its contractors provided “sustainment training” to the Iraq’s Special Forces 1st Brigade and subordinate units near Baghdad Airport.

The Iraqi Special Operations Forces are vital to the nation and regions stability as they were successful in mounting a victory of the Islamic State in the Western Iraq city of Ramadi with Shi’ite militia support. United States Military trained Iraqi Special Operations Forces but relationships devolved following the United States departure from Iraq.

Officials in Washington had hoped the Iranian government would tell the militia groups to hold off because of all the negotiations of the prisoner swap that saw five Americans released. A State Department source said, “The fear was one of the groups might have gone off the reservation.” However, given the recent ransoming of captured Americans by the Iranians, together with the detaining of U.S. Sailors suggests the Iranians place high value on their ability to openly seize U.S. citizens without fear of substantial consequence.

The State Department claims that the safety of Americans abroad is their top priority, but they willingly knew the risks and threats towards Americans in Iraq, and now those contractors safety could be in serious danger.

How Turkish Kurds Will Fight Erdgan’s Regime in the Streets and in Parliament

At 11:30 P.M., on Sunday January 17, 2016, multiple attacks were launched by Kurdish fighter on police forces on the southeastern province of Sirnak, near the Syrian border. An armored police vehicle carrying seven police officers was struck by an anti-tank mine as the armored police vehicle was passing through the province. Kurdish fighters near the city of Diyarbikar also fired a rocket launcher another police vehicle just after midnight but missed.

A Turkish security official said the rebel Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) was responsible for the attack. The Kurdistan Worker’s Party was formed by Abdullah Ocalan in 1978, and has deep Marxist-Leninist roots. Up until recently the group sought to create a Kurdish state in southeast Turkey and parts of neighboring countries habituated by Kurds. Today their aim with winning greater level of autonomy.

The Kurdistan Worker’s Party has been in an armed struggle with the Turkish government since 1984, and has in the process led to 40,000 people killed throughout Turkey including civilians. The group is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.

In late 2012, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government launched a peace process with Abdullah Ocalan. But the negotiations came to a halt when Turkish leaders vowed to continue the operations until the militants are defeated.

An initial cease fire was declared in March 2013, when Abdullah Ocalan, called for a cease fire and for all Kurds to leave Turkey and relocate to Northern Iraq. The jailed leader, now says he wants the the Kurdistan Worker’s Party become a political party, and not a terrorist organization.

Recep Tayipp Erdogan who was elected as prime minister in 2002 was voted president in 2014, but has been under heavy criticism for abuses of power. His tactics include using lethal force to silence opposition; banning western media; and trying to rewrite the constitution to make the presidency more of an executive position rather than ceremonial.

During the June 7, 2015, elections over 46 million Turks turned out, and in a historic vote the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which is the party of President Erdogan, received only 41% and could not form a government. Receiving a surprising 13% of the vote was the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), Kurdish based political party, who support the causes for the Kurdish people Turkey. Surpassing the 10% needed to get a seat in parliament. The goal by leftists, Kurds, and anti-Erdogan protestors who are against the Erdogan regime.

In July 2015, when Turkey began its “synchronized war on terror” by launching air strikes against Kurdistan Worker’s Party camps in northern Iraq and crackdowns on hundreds of Kurdistan Worker’s Party members throughout Turkey the cease fire ended.

Curfews have been enacted in towns like Cizre and Sipoli, which were hotbeds for the PKK, have been under twenty four hour curfews since last December. Turkish military officials say they have killed 320 Kurds in Cizre, 135 in Sipoli, and 101 in Diyarbakir since the operations began in December. The Pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HPD) say 100 civilians have also been killed in these areas.

Many Kurds believe President Erdogan is effectively aligned with the Islamic State (IS), and exploiting Kurds as a buffer zone as they note that both the July 2015 and October 2015 Islamic State bombings exclusively targeted non-hostile Kurds. Riots followed, along with retaliation by Kurdish forces that have resulted in 130 Turkish police officers and soldiers being killed.

With the changing nature of the Turkish regime, from once stable secular NATO ally to increasingly pro-jihadist and authoritarian Islamist regime, together with the growing role that Kurdish forces play together to an effective alliance against the Islamic State in both Syria and Iraq, and a growing Kurdish population within Turkey itself, and it’s no surprise that the PKK may believe that now is their last best opportunity to secure their goals.

Likewise, for Erdogan, the continued struggle against the PKK continues to serve his political interest, giving occasion to crackdown on legitimate Kurdish politics and attempt to break up the secular left/ Kurdish alliance which was the most effective resistance to AKP goals.

The New Jihadi John: Who is He and the Threat He Possess?

The New Jihadi John: Who is He and What Threat Does He Possess?

As of 2014, it was estimated that 200 Britons are part of the 2,000 Europeans who have left their homes to fight for the Islamic State (IS). When British born Mohammad Emwazi (AKA Jihadi John) denounced his citizenship and joined the Islamic State he became a martyr for those who held the same ideology and religious values, and the killing of infidels. When he was killed through a joint coalition air strike it seemed to only add to his legacy rather than eliminate it. However, a new Jihadi John has emerged named Siddhartha

Siddharta Darh was born in London to parents of Bihar-Bengal background.  He would later change his name to Abu Rumaysah when he switched from Hinduism to Islam. To his friends he was simply known as “Sid” and was an easy going guy throughout his early teens. Abu Rumaysah would attended the Finsbury Park Mosque and followed the teachings of Jihadist  preacher Omari Bakri Muhammad over the next few years. The mosque has a history of ties to terrorist organizations. Former preacher Abu Hamza, born Mustafa Kamel Mustafa in Egypt, he became interested in Islam and Politics in the early 1980’s and traveled to Afghanistan to meet with  Abdullah Azzam, co founder of al-Qadea.

He arrived at the Finsbury Park Mosque in 1997. The concerns included being investigated by Scotland Yard for assisting in a 1999 Yemen bomb attack; the praising of the 9/11 attacks; a 2003 police raid of reports of the mosque producing ricin; a list of terrorists connected to the mosque; and setting up a terrorist training camp in Oregon.

Abu Rumaysah joined the banned Islamic group Al-Muhajiroun, an extremist group linked to half the terrorist attacks in England over the past twenty years. These include the 7/7 London Transport bombings, the Murder of Lee Rigby, the attempt to blow up planes with liquid bombs which are composed of chemicals like triacetone triperoxide that breakdown irregularly and become highly volatile, and attempted to bomb the Ministry of Sound night club.

His popularity grew with the Islamic movement in London for openly preaching against the United States, Israel, and Arab nations who were not controlled through Shariah. He stood outside of mosques on Friday afternoons and attempted to recruit new members to join IS and Al-Muhajiroun. On several occasions he openly expressed relinquishing his citizenship if he could travel to Iraq and Syria. In interviews with BBC, CBS, and VICE he detailed of how he would like to see the United Kingdom ruled by Shariah, as Sariah law is much superior to democracy.

Married Aisha Tariq and had four children prior to his arrest, and has since had a fifth child born in Syria. In 2014, Abu Rumaysah was arrested along with Islamist preacher Amjem Choudary for encouraging acts of terrorism and continued support for Al-Muhajiroun.  After posting bail  in September 2014, Abu Rumaysah along with his wife and children fled England and headed to Paris and settled in Syria.

David Anderson, a member of the Queen’s Council (QC), made the statement, “There are hundreds of people who have managed to get out of this country – people who are already known to the security service – and end up in Syria associated with ISIS”.

Individuals like Abu Rumaysah are now becoming part of a growing trend of young British Muslims traveling to join IS.  Abu Rumaysah was indoctrinated into jihad by British Muslims, and if these individuals who take religion and ideologies to indoctrinate more British Muslims into Abu Rumaysah then the world will forever be in an endless struggle.

“Why are we letting them in?” New video ad dismantles case for refugee influx

President Obama has ordered his administration to bring in ten thousand more refugees from the Syrian civil war over the next year alone. This represents nearly a tenfold increase in the number of refugees resettled in the United States since the beginning of that war, yet all in a single year. And that’s not all. Secretary of State Kerry says that, under this administration, the United States is “committed” to increasing the number of refugees it will accept. After a closed-door meeting with the President, Kerry made clear that Obama is personally invested in the United States taking “a leadership role” in the refugee issue. The Associated Press reminds us in its report on Kerry’s remarks that the United States took more than a million refugees after the fall of Vietnam, and speculates that the Obama administration may raise the annual limit above 70,000 refugees a year. Democratic leaders are already asking the President to consider a figure of 65,000.

The plan is strongly opposed by the American people. Nearly two thirds of state governors have taken formal steps to refuse to accept more refugees from Syria. The administration rejects their concerns. President Obama and his administration have repeatedly said that they recognize no legitimate state interest in the question, and that the President alone shall have power to decide how many refugees are put in their states.

The President says that Americans opposed to his plan are “shameful” for applying a “religious test” to American hospitality. He said that the Americans opposed to the plan, a strong majority of Americans according to polls, are cowards who are afraid of “widows and orphans.” In fact, the American people are chiefly concerned that the Syrian refugees may bring with them radicals and terrorists. More than half say that they have no confidence in the Federal government’s vetting program. That concern is echoed by no less than the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, James Comey. The FBI itself knows it cannot vet ten thousand refugees, coming from a place where any records of their lives will have been destroyed.

More, the truth is that the Obama administration already has a terrible record where refugee terrorism is concerned. Two Iraqis brought by the Obama administration in 2009 turned to terrorism within two years, attempting to send sniper rifles, Stinger missiles and cash to Al Qaeda. During the investigation one of them confessed to having been an insurgent in Iraq who destroyed American military vehicles and participated in attacks on US troops.

Just this year, six Bosnian immigrants were arrested in St. Louis for sending money and military equipment to terrorists including the Islamic State and Al Qaeda. This was more than a plan. They managed to fund and equip terrorist fighters who are some of the worst enemies of the United States of America.

And, of course, the female shooter in the recent San Berinadino terrorist attack actually had been vetted by the Federal government and she was approved. The process somehow completely failed to reject her despite her ties to a very radical Pakistani mosque, but instead waved her in on a fiancée visa. This process requires certification from police agencies in all the countries in which she lived, including Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Unlike Syria, those countries’ police services are intact and could plausibly produce evidence of radicalization. The American Federal vetting process itself turns out to be unreliable.

No wonder that, in a recent Congressional hearing on refugee resettlement, administration officials were silent on the question of how we could be sure that we were not bringing in terrorists who had infiltrated the flow of Syrian refugees. We simply cannot be sure. Please watch our video on this question, and contact your Senators and Representatives today. Let them know that you are not afraid of widows or orphans, but of the proven danger of terrorism slipping past American defenses that have grown feeble under this President.