Obama admin just doesn’t like fences
But notice there is a rather large fence around the White House.
Debka reports that U.S. Army engineers have been recalled from a $500 million project constructing anti-smuggling fencing between Egypt and Gaza.
After eight months of back-breaking work, the American military engineers helping Egypt build a steel anti-smuggling wall along the strategic Philadelphi Route dividing Gaza from Sinai were suddenly recalled, debkafile’s military sources report – signaling the collapse of Egypt’s blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Washington thus abandoned its half-a-billion dollar investment in the joint Egyptian-Israeli siege project.
Of note: While our nation is going bankrupt, Obama gave a $400 million “down payment” to Gaza and West Bank.
In: Geopolitics · Tagged with: Egypt, Gaza, Israel
Video may prove that Gaza flotilla was carrying weapons for Hamas
http://www.flix.co.il/tapuz/showVideo.asp?m=3423928
In: Geopolitics · Tagged with: Gaza, Israel
Terrorism Roundup
Egypt: According to Ynet, Egyptian security forces captured 100 anti-aircraft missiles and other weapons believed destined for Gaza on Wednesday according to the Egyptian newspaper al-Youm al-Sabe’. Egyptian forces also discovered three tunnels linking Rafah to the Gaza Strip, and confiscated dozens of vehicles used for smuggling.
Gaza: The Kuwait News Agency reports that Palestinians fired two more rockets into Israel on Wednesday. Local radio stations said the Ali Mustafa Brigade – the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – claimed responsibility.
And just hours after Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov urged Hamas to stop militants from firing rockets into Israel, a Qassam rocket was fired into Ashkelon.
Israeli warplanes responded by launching at least five attacks on various targets.
Lebanon: Tribunal investigators have summoned 12 Hizballah members and close supporters for questioning for the 2005 assassination of Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.
Hizballah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah referred to the 12 as “witnesses and not as suspects,” and told al Manar – the jihadist group’s television station – that “We have nothing to fear and we will co-operate.”
Nasrallah stated that six additional members would appear for questioning.
Hizballah, Israel, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, Syrian intelligence, and even al Qaeda have been speculated to be involved in the Hariri killing. But in May of last year, Der Spiegel reported the tribunal had evidence showing that Hizballah was behind the massacre.
Russia: Chechen terrorist leader Doku Umarov has claimed responsibility for the “Black Widow” suicide attacks on the Moscow Metro, which killed 39 Russians on Monday. Another double attack in Dagestan killed 12, including nine policemen on Wednesday. A second Dagestan bombing killed two more on Thursday. President Dimitri Medvedev said in a Security Council meeting that the attacks are “links in the same chain,” and called for a “brutal” response.
Monday’s blasts were the first terrorist attacks against Russia in six years.
In: National Security · Tagged with: Egypt, Gaza, Hamas, Hezbollah, Israel, Lebanon, Rafik Hariri tribunal, Russia
Military Roundup
Iran: While our leadership appears willing to move mountains to work with the Iranians, Iran is busy teaching the Taliban how to murder our troops more effectively. It is important to note that the Sunni Taliban and the Shi’ite Iranians have little problem working together to kill our men and women. Meanwhile, Iranians are killing U.S. troops in Iraq.
Vets for Congress: Lt. Col. Bill Connor (U.S. Army Res.), who is running for Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, has earned a recent endorsement from retired Army Major General Paul Vallely. With leadership principles like “Mission first, men always,” and “leaders eat last,” it appears that the Palmetto State will be in good hands. Scores of other military members have endorsed Connor including 12 generals and all five of South Carolina’s living Medal of Honor recipients.
Lt. Col. Allen West (U.S. Army, retired) is running for U.S. Congress in Florida. Mike Thornton – one of the S.C. Medal recipients supporting Connor – has also endorsed Lt. Col. West, and will appear in two campaign events on Thursday, March 25.
This week in U.S. military history: Military Milestones from Guilford Courthouse to Iraq
65 years ago, the Battle of Iwo Jima was drawing to a close. The Medal of Honor citations for the battle can be viewed at Unto the Breach.
The first episode of HBO’s miniseries The Pacific is available for online viewing at HBO.com.
Israel has declassified materials that display multiple instances of Hamas terrorists using children as human shields during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza Strip, despite a U.N. report stating the exact opposite. Meanwhile, five Gaza rockets have hit Israel in the past 24 hours.
Following its first-ever vertical takeoff the day before, the F-35 Lightning II made its first-ever vertical landing on Thursday.
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell update: In the military, male-on-male rapes reportedly occur more often than male-on-female rapes.
Afghanistan: Two Russian veterans of the Soviet campaign in Afghanistan seem to think that the Taliban can be bribed not to fight.
In: Military Roundup · Tagged with: Afghanistan, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Gaza, Hamas, human shields, Iran, Israel, Mike Thornton, Taliban
Hamas’ stance on peace with Israel
This is a transcript of the Unto the Breach program. Click here for the audio.
Hillary Clinton is going through her Senate confirmation hearing today for Secretary of State. If I were there, I would love at some point for someone to make this statement: “the statements you have made today really require the willing suspension of disbelief.”
After Clinton’s confirmation, she will have to face the situation in the Middle East. The world is always calling on the Israelis to stop the violence. But telling Israel to stop shooting back isn’t exactly the best path to peace. Israel pulled out of the Gaza Strip four years ago. You would think when that happened, Gaza would have settled down and relaxed, maybe even become a productive member of the world society.
But the terrorist group Hamas staged a coup and swept to power through murder and intimidation. While in charge of Gaza, Hamas fired thousands of rockets into Israel. In fact, more than Nazi Germany fired into Britain during the Blitz. And those countries were fighting World War 2! Gaza is portrayed as the victim of the Israelis, but the Palestinians have only themselves to blame.
In: terrorism · Tagged with: Barack Obama, Gaza, Hamas, Hillary Clinton, Iran, Israel, pirates
