A bane of modern military studies (let’s eschew the term “science”) is the concept of counter-insurgency--the idea that indigenous revolts around the world can be analyzed with “the scientific method” and that a set of general principles, if … [Read more...] about A World Ablaze – But Different Fuels*
Syria
Could “Rabbit Fever” Become a Biological Weapon?
The Obama administration held a meeting today in Washington with the representatives of more than two dozen countries on how to confront "a perfect storm of converging threats from infectious disease epidemics.” For once, the current administration … [Read more...] about Could “Rabbit Fever” Become a Biological Weapon?
Iran Flexes Muscles in the Gulf
The Iranians now feel confident enough to attack Sunnis openly - scary for the Saudis. For the first time, the Iranians are attacking not just the Saudi government, but also the Wahhabi extremist Sunni sect that is the ideological underpinning of … [Read more...] about Iran Flexes Muscles in the Gulf
Al-Qaida’s Repudiation of the Islamic State in Iraq and Greater Syria
[At left] From the text of Al-Zawahiri’s announcement concerning Al-Qaeda’s repudiation of the Islamic State in Iraq and Greater Syria. The announcement was published on Islamist forums affiliated with Al-Qaeda (www.muslm.org) Overview 1. On … [Read more...] about Al-Qaida’s Repudiation of the Islamic State in Iraq and Greater Syria
The Proliferation of Suicide Bombing in the Middle East and Beyond
’’A nation that does not wage jihad cannot exist…God is with us and Satan with them. We will fight and fight until we regain our rights… God willing.’’ -- Muslim Brother Sheik Ahmed Yassin, Hamas’s founder and spiritual leader, October 1997 Suicide … [Read more...] about The Proliferation of Suicide Bombing in the Middle East and Beyond
“Our Goal is Jerusalem” – Militant Islamists in Southeast Europe
Over the past several years, the Balkans has emerged as a new battleground for militant Islamism. [i] In June 2010, Islamist extremists bombed a police station in the central Bosnian town of Bugojno, killing one police officer and wounding six … [Read more...] about “Our Goal is Jerusalem” – Militant Islamists in Southeast Europe
Syria – Training Ground for Western Jihadists
Western governments are increasingly voicing their concern that growing numbers of their Muslim citizens who volunteered to fight the jihad in Syria, are becoming “battle-hardened extremists,” who are “exporting terrorism” to their home … [Read more...] about Syria – Training Ground for Western Jihadists
Deceiving the Nation
President Obama's remarks on his foreign policy achievements in his State of the Union address on January 28, 2014, were misleading. A good example is his boasting, "American diplomacy, backed by the threat of force, is why Syria's chemical weapons … [Read more...] about Deceiving the Nation
Washington’s Artful “Engagement” Diplomacy
Mirabile Dictu! Even Fareed Zakaria says the Joint Plan of Action, signed between Iran + P5+1 countries in Geneva, Switzerland, is a “train wreck.” Why? Because Iran has no intentions to freeze any parts of Iran’s nuclear program. “They talked about … [Read more...] about Washington’s Artful “Engagement” Diplomacy
Israeli Arabs and Palestinians Jihadis fighting in Syria
"The Twitter account of the Ibn Taymiyyah Center, affiliated with the global jihad in the Gaza Strip (The Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem), announces the death in Syria of Wissam Muhammad al-Atal from the Gaza Strip (apparently during a … [Read more...] about Israeli Arabs and Palestinians Jihadis fighting in Syria