In 1994, then mayor of Isbanbul, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan famously proclaimed himself an Islamist-a "servant of shari'a." Further, he said that, for Islamists, "democracy is just the train we board to reach our destination. When … [Read more...] about Pragmatism a la Islam
Archives for 2013
EMP Mythology???
What will it take to get the powers that be to initiate timely and effective countermeasures to the existential threat posed by an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), from either manmade or natural causes? Whether it will lead to effective actions is … [Read more...] about EMP Mythology???
Clouds of Dust Still to Settle
Out of the Washington political chaos of the past few weeks, two overwhelmingly critical questions have yet to be decided. * Can a wily President Barack Obama, despite his Administration's repeatedly demonstrated incompetence in both domestic and … [Read more...] about Clouds of Dust Still to Settle
Law and Ideology**
In the spirit of the ancient Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times," these are interesting times. It is useful to talk about three places where the times are particularly "interesting"-in the Middle East in general, in Turkey in … [Read more...] about Law and Ideology**
Whose Interests Are Served by the Iran Rapprochement?
The White House strategy to renew relations with Iran is advancing whether it's in the U.S. interest or not. While the latest "negotiations" in Geneva ended as most previous meetings, with an agreement to meet again, the Obama administration let it … [Read more...] about Whose Interests Are Served by the Iran Rapprochement?
Islamist Terror Threat Rises in North America
On Wednesday, Mohamoud Jimale was arrested at the prime minister's office in Ottawa for bringing a suspicious package into the building, "threatening people and praying in foreign language." The bomb squad was called, all streets in the vicinity … [Read more...] about Islamist Terror Threat Rises in North America
Meet Hassan Rouhani’s Younger Brother and Adviser Hossein Fereydoun
Summary Since the election of Iranian President Hassan Rowhani, his brother, Hossein Fereydoun, has been presented in the Iranian media as one of his allies and senior advisers. He accompanies the president to some of his meetings, he accompanied … [Read more...] about Meet Hassan Rouhani’s Younger Brother and Adviser Hossein Fereydoun
Printemps Arabe: Obama Va-t-il. Payer La Facture?
Printemps Arabe : Obama Va-t-iL Payer La Facture ? Arnaud Dotezac, Directeur des Rédactions, Market L’histoire retiendra que George W. Bush pu renverser la dictature irakienne à prix d’or (plus de 3000 milliards de dollars) et que Barak Obama aura … [Read more...] about Printemps Arabe: Obama Va-t-il. Payer La Facture?
EMP & Nuclear Proliferation Threats
The following is Dr. Peter Pry's discussion during ACD's September 30 symposium on "Energy, Space, and Cyber Security - Current and Future Threats." Dr. Peter Pry is the Executive Director of the Task Force on National and Homeland Security. . . . I … [Read more...] about EMP & Nuclear Proliferation Threats
Iran’s Artful “Negotiation”
On the eve of the West's negotiations with Iran, the West seems to have given up on demands that Iran stop its nuclear enrichment program, as well as on maintaining the sanctions. Our Pollyannas in the media and policy "talking heads" want us to … [Read more...] about Iran’s Artful “Negotiation”