Introduction In the mainstream view, al-Qaeda did not play a role in the Syria conflict until Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi dispatched his deputy, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, to Syria in August 2011 to establish a wing of the group there, called Jabhat al-Nusra, or the Nusra Front. Additionally, al-Qaeda allegedly did not carry out any military operations until December 2011 and did not announce its establishment until January 2012. However, there is evidence that al-Qaeda affiliated militants were involved in the Syrian conflict much earlier. Saudi intelligence...
Lebanon
News Roundup 12/23/21
US News US airstrikes have dropped about 54% since Biden took office. [Link] Military families in Hawaii believe they have been exposed to contaminated water for months longer than the Navy currently admits. [Link] The US sanctions three people in Brazil for supporting al-Qaeda. [Link] Covid Secret Service reports over $100 billion in covid relief funds was stolen through fraud. [Link] The US donates over 600,000 vaccine doses to Lebanon through Covax. [Link] Great Power Putin says he sees an overall positive reaction from the US to the Russian security proposal. [Link] The State...
News Roundup 10/29/21
US News Kevin Gosztola breaks down day two of Assange’s extradition appeal. [Link] China FBI Director Chris Wray says US businesses need to work with the FBI to prevent China from becoming the world’s only superpower by stealing US business information. [Link] China called Taiwan’s announcement that US troops were deployed to the island a “provocation.” [Link] Taiwan’s defense minister says his government should look inward for defense. [Link] Middle East An Israeli representative has an office at CENTCOM. [Link] The US sanctioned three men in Lebanon, including a member of parliament....
In World’s View, Palestinians Are The Weaker Side’: Inside Israel’s PR War
Israel is losing the PR war. From The Times Of Israel A new ‘bridge’ Last Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry’s Public Diplomacy Division created an initiative called Gesher – Bridge in Hebrew – to bring the IDF Spokesperson, Israel Police, Prime Minister’s Office, Strategic Affairs Ministry, and Government Press Office together in the same room. Gesher is “creating the messages, coordinating the media appearances, coordinating digital activity, and giving answers to our embassies and consulates abroad,” Lior Hayat, Foreign Ministry spokesman, told The Times of Israel. PMO senior adviser Mark...
Massive Explosion Escalates Lebanon Protests
On FPF #531, Will Porter returns to the show to discuss the ongoing unrest in Lebanon. Protests escalated after government negligence led to a massive explosion at the Bierut Port. The country's prime minister and his cabinet resigned, although they will remain in place as caretakers until a new government is formed. Will and Kyle also talk about Biden's VP pick, the US trying to take Syrian oil, and Turkish drone strikes in Iraq.
Beirut Explosion: Details Emerge on the Origin of the Blast
On FPF #529, Will Porter returns to the show to discuss the massive explosion in Beirut. So far, over 150 people have been killed; however many more remain missing. The damage to the port will also significantly harm Lebanon's economy, doing billions in damage. Will explains that a cache of improperly stored ammonium nitrate caught fire and eventually exploded. While many details – such as how the ammonium nitrate ended up at the port and how the initial fire was stated – remain unknown, hawks are rushing to turn the tragedy into anti-Russia/Iran/Hezbollah propaganda. Links Around the...
Trump Doubles Down on Ineffective Sanctions
On FPF #498. I discuss Trump's foreign policy strategy of using sanctions to deal with any international issue. Trump has sanctioned several countries, including Russia, China, Iraq, Lebanon, Zimbabwe, and Myanmar. For others - North Korea, Venezuela, and Iran - he has not limited the sanctions to individuals or industries, but rather imposes an economic war on the entire population of the country. Trump's sanctions have actually harmed the president's foreign policy, as the sanctions interfere with his ability to engage the countries diplomatically. Links Kevin R. Brock on the FBI and...
Israeli Defense Forces New Strategy To Combat Hezbollah
Israeli Defense Forces are on high alert after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened retaliation after Israeli drone strikes in Southern Lebanon. “I say to the Israeli army on the border from tonight, stand guard (on high alert). Wait for us one, two, three, four days ... what happened last night won’t cut it with us,” Nasrallah said. Undeterred, the IDF has employed a new strategy of replacing real soldiers with dolls. With tensions at an all-time high along the Israel-Lebanon border, Hezbollah militants have been cracking jokes at the Israeli military, which has seemingly placed...
Hezbollah Debate: Terrorism or Self-defense?
Hezbollah is labeled a terrorist organization by the United States. Should they be? Some argue that they are defending their homeland from Israeli conquest. Others argue they are trying to kill innocent Israelis without just cause or legitimate state backing. What is the truth? Tune in to find out! Check out our schedule of upcoming episodes: http://hypocritetwins.com/
Is Israel Guilty of War Crimes in Lebanon?
The Sabra and Shatila massacre in Lebanon was the brutal murder of many Palestinians committed by a Christian group (that Israel was allied with). Is Israel responsible? Some blame Ariel Sharon, Israel’s Defense Secretary at the time, because he was directly supervising the Christian group. In addition, Israel trained, armed, fed, and funded the killers. Others defend Israel’s actions by saying Israeli Defense Forces did not directly commit the actual crimes. Well, how much were they involved and how much did Sharon know? You don’t want to miss this! Click here for the Show Notes on...
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