2010 Elections, Political News

Failed Bombings in Thailand, India Indicate Weaknesses in Iranian Espionage

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:46:00 +0000

Six people have been named as suspects in an alleged Iranian bomb plot targeting Israeli diplomats in Bangkok, Thailand, last week. Though the suspects mistakenly set off the explosives while inside their house, the homemade, improvised bombs matched those used in twin attacks the day before in New Delhi, India, and Tbilisi, Georgia. The device in New Delhi, planted on a car door, left four people wounded; the device in Georgia was defused. Israel has accused Iran of being behind the attacks, which Tehran denies. But the method used in Thailand, India and Georgia looked a lot like that used to assassinate an Iranian nuclear scientist in Tehran last month, for which Iran blames Israel. And according to Michael Eisenstadt , director of the Military and Security Studies Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, that strongly suggests Iranian involvement, even though he cautioned that only forensics can tell for sure. “The Iranians place great emphasis on reciprocity in the relationship to the outside world,” said Eisenstadt. “They are always tit for tat.” “These attacks basically send the message: You killed our scientists with these kinds of bombs, we’ll kill your diplomats with these kinds of bombs,” he said. “It’s almost a modus operandi of the way the Iranians work. They very often use the same mode to strike back at their enemies.” Eisenstadt pointed to three Iranian intelligence and paramilitary organizations that could be behind the attacks: the Ministry of Intelligence and Security, the primary Iranian intelligence agency; the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the military founded to protect the country’s Islamic system; and the Qods Force, which is nominally a part of the IRGC, but in fact operates independently and covertly beyond the borders of Iran. The IRGC and the Qods force, Eisenstadt explained, often work in coordination with Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militant group regarded by the U.S. as a terrorist organization. Eisenstadt mentioned the collaboration between Hezbollah and the Iranian government in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as an example. That attack killed 85 people and left 300 others wounded.

S.132 Criminal Justice and Forensic Science Reform Act of 2011

Agustineyy98 — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:20:54 +0000

A bill to establish an Office of Forensic Science and a Forensic Science Board, to strengthen and promote confidence in the criminal justice system by ensuring consistency and scientific validity in forensic testing, and for other purposes.

The rest is here:
S.132 Criminal Justice and Forensic Science Reform Act of 2011

H.R.3813 Securing Annuities for Federal Employees Act of 2012

Agustineyy98 — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 07:19:22 +0000

To amend title 5, United States Code, to secure the annuities of Federal civilian employees, and for other purposes.

Read this article:
H.R.3813 Securing Annuities for Federal Employees Act of 2012

Brotherhood, Mubarak Crony Attack U.S. NGOs

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:29:15 +0000

Despite a collapsing economy and deteriorating security situation, the Egyptian government appears determined to continue its harassment campaign against foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Sixteen American citizens are awaiting trial in Egypt

Read the rest here:
Brotherhood, Mubarak Crony Attack U.S. NGOs

MB Spokesman Describes Caliphate "Dream"

Nina33Green — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:46:51 +0000

Having swept into majorities in Egypt’s parliament, a Muslim Brotherhood spokesman is making it clear the group has ambitions far beyond Cairo. “Concerning the Islamic caliphate, this is our dream, and we hope to achieve it, even after centuries,”

Read the original here:
MB Spokesman Describes Caliphate "Dream"

Breaking: Would-Be Capitol Hill Bomber Nabbed

ClaudineCorbita — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:36:00 +0000

Updated 3:25 p.m. The Washington Post, citing an Associated Press report, identifies the suspect as Amine el-Khalifi, 29, and says he was an illegal alien who overstayed a visa issued many years ago. — A man of Moroccan descent was arrested Friday on

Go here to read the rest:
Breaking: Would-Be Capitol Hill Bomber Nabbed

With All Eyes on Xi, What About the Rest of China’s Leadership Transition?

sylvester starke — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:14:00 +0000

All eyes have been on Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping this week, as the heir apparent to Chinese President Hu Jintao continues his tour of the United States. But Xi will not be the only new face to emerge this fall, when the Chinese Communist Party will convene its 18th National Party Congress to announce a new generation of leaders in the top party and government positions. The congress convenes every five years to announce changes in policy or to make changes in personnel. But this year, the political transition is particularly important, with more than half of the 25 most influential people in government retiring, and new leaders filling positions that include the president and prime minister . “The U.S. should not just focus on Xi Jinping,” Thomas K

Egyptian Liberal Slams American Islamists

jerrodaske719 — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:56:05 +0000

The most powerful oppressors of liberal Muslims in modern times aren’t Arab dictators or armies, according to Essam Abdallah, an Egyptian liberal intellectual. Abdallah, who teaches at Ain Shams University in Cairo, writes that the main threats today

Read this article:
Egyptian Liberal Slams American Islamists

Verizon Drops "Bridges" Television

Detlev55Doktorovish — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:45:28 +0000

“Very low viewership” is being blamed for a decision by cable provider Verizon FIOS to remove the Muslim-oriented Bridges Television from its lineup starting March 15. The decision removes Bridges from 4 million FIOS subscriber homes throughout the

See the original post:
Verizon Drops "Bridges" Television

Tehran Ramps Up Support for Assad

Detlev55Doktorovish — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:17:57 +0000

As Syrian President Bashar Assad fights for his dictatorship’s survival, Tehran has increased support for its top regional ally. The number of Hizballah operatives and Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Syria to help Assad suppress the opposition is in the

See more here:
Tehran Ramps Up Support for Assad