UK Air Strikes against ISIL in Syria Will Fuel the Rise of Terror, Says Bashar al-Assad

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad giving an interview to a
British journalist in his Damascus residence

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Europe is the incubator of terror and not Syria, the president says in Damascus, as he claims the West is to blame for thousands of dead Syrians

The UK's bombing campaign against Isil fighters in Syria is "illegal" and will only cause the “cancer” of terrorism" to spread, Bashar al-Assad has said in an interview published on Sunday.

The Syrian president mocked Britain’s decision to launch air strikes, blaming the West for the rise of the terror group, as well as for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Syrians.

Speaking from the tranquil surroundings of his Damascene palace, shielded from the distant thuds of war in the suburbs, Assad said the UK's actions would "support terrorism".

“It will be harmful and illegal and it will support terrorism, as happened after the coalition started its operation a year or so [ago] because this is like a cancer,” Assad said. » | Louisa Loveluck | Sunday, December 6, 2015

German Vice-Chancellor Accuses Saudi Arabia of Funding Islamic Extremism in the West

Sigmar Gabriel with German Chancellor Angela Merkel

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: In a highly unusual moment of a Western politician attacking a critical Arab ally, Sigmar Gabriel says the time has come to make it clear to Riyadh the time of looking away is over

The German vice-chancellor has publicly accused Saudi Arabia of financing Islamic extremism in the West and warned that it must stop.

Sigmar Gabriel said that the Saudi regime is funding extremist mosques and communities that pose a danger to public security.

“We have to make clear to the Saudis that the time of looking away is over,” Mr Gabriel told Bild am Sonntag newspaper in an interview.

“Wahhabi mosques all over the world are financed by Saudi Arabia. Many Islamists who are a threat to public safety come from these communities in Germany.”

The allegation that Saudi Arabia has funded mosques with links to Islamist terrorism in the West is not new. But it is highly unusual for a Western leader to speak out so directly against the West’s key Arab ally. » | Justin Huggler, Berlin | Sunday, December 6, 2015

Why Does the British Royal Family Visit Saudi Arabia But Not Israel?

The Prince of Wales shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu at the CO21 conference

THE TELEGRAPH: Members of the Royal family regularly visit authoritarian Arab states, but they have never made an official trip to Israel

When Prince Charles threaded through the hallways of last week’s climate change conference in Paris, he swapped ideas with world leaders on how to confront the dangers of a warming planet.

But Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, had something else on his mind. During a brief meeting, he invited the Prince of Wales to pay an official visit to Israel.

Mr Netanyahu’s offer - like dozens of others extended by Israeli leaders to the Royal family - is unlikely to be taken up.

In the 67 years since Israel was founded in territory once controlled by Britain, no member of the Royal family has ever visited in an official capacity. While Prince Charles and others have occasionally set foot in Israel, Buckingham Palace and the British Government have been at pains to stress they were personal visits and not official ones.

The rejected invitations are a source of deep frustration for Israel, especially as the Royal family has made high-profile visits to authoritarian regional neighbours like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as Charles did in February.

“We’re the only democracy in the Middle East and so you ask why do the Royals go to the Arab dictatorships around us but they don’t come here?” said one Israeli official. » | Raf Sanchez, Jerusalem, and Gordon Rayner | Saturday, December 5, 2015

Britain Leaving EU Would Be Like Fall of Berlin Wall, Says Marine Le Pen

Marine Le Pen is keen for Britain to exit the EU

THE TELEGRAPH: Leader of the far-right Front National tells the Telegraph that her support in France, which goes to the polls for regional elections on Sunday, is only growing

If the British public were to vote to leave the European Union it would be the modern equivalent of the toppling of the Berlin Wall and herald the beginning of the end for the bloc, says Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s National Front.

In a week when Denmark rejected “more Europe” in their latest EU referendum, and David Cameron was rebuffed in Brussels over his demands to cut welfare benefits to newly arrived EU workers, the new, softer face of France’s far-Right is clearly dreaming big.

“Brexit would be marvelous - extraordinary - for all European peoples who long for freedom,” she told The Telegraph on Friday on a frantic last day of campaigning ahead of Sunday's regional elections in France where the polls put her party on the cusp of a new electoral breakthrough.

“Objectively, it will be the beginning of the end of the European Union,” she adds, “I compare Brussels to the Berlin Wall. If Great Britain knocks down part of the wall, it’s finished, it’s over.”

And if Britain did knock a hole in the European project, then Ms Le Pen, with her hardline anti-immigrant, anti-Europe, anti-globalisation mantra wants to be there in 2017, leading France through the breach. » | Peter Foster, Europe Editor and Henry Samuel in Senlis | Saturday, December 5, 2015

Call me Madame Frexit »

La Turquie va trouver d'autres fournisseurs que la Russie

LE MATIN: ENERGIE — Les tensions entre Ankara et Moscou se poursuivent après la destruction d'un avion russe. Erdogan confirme avoir signé un accord avec le Qatar pour la livraison de gaz de pétrole liquéfié.

Le président turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a assuré samedi que son pays allait trouver d'autres fournisseurs d'énergie que la Russie. Cette déclaration suit les tensions qui opposent les deux pays depuis que l'aviation turque a abattu un avion militaire russe.

Le Kremlin a imposé des sanctions commerciales à Ankara, dont le gel de projets d'investissements et l'interdiction d'importation de produits agricoles, en représailles à la destruction par l'aviation turque d'un appareil russe bombardant la Syrie.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan a assuré samedi qu'il n'y avait pour l'heure «aucun signe» que ces représailles affectent le secteur de l'énergie, mais a confirmé avoir signé cette semaine avec le Qatar un accord pour la livraison de gaz de pétrole liquéfié. » | ats/nxp | samedi 5 décembre 2015

Regionalwahl in Frankreich: Le Pen steht vor Wahl-Triumph

SÜDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG: Am Sonntag finden in Frankreich die Regionalwahlen statt. / Marine Le Pen von der rechtsextremen Partei Front National wird wohl triumphieren / In einigen Gegenden ist die Partei bereits so stark, dass sie es im Wahlkampf ruhig angehen lässt

So tritt sie selten vor das Volk - so matt, so leise. Marine Le Pen, die sonst allzeit kämpferische Vorsitzende von Frankreichs Front National, flüstert an diesem Abend ins Mikrofon. Auch jetzt, da sie ihren Anhängern verspricht, sie werde eines Tages "den islamischen Fundamentalismus ausrotten". Oder später, da sie den Mächtigen in Paris vorwirft, "dass sie eben nicht alles getan haben, um uns vor den Terroristen zu beschützen".

Ihre Sätze klingen merkwürdig sanft, wie in Watte gepackt. Behutsam geht Marine Le Pen hin und her auf der Holzbühne im Gemeindehaus von Villers-Cotterêts, unendlich müde wirkt sie, da sie sich eine zottelige Strähne aus dem Gesicht streicht und zum Ende kommt: "Am Sonntag werden wir einen schönen Sieg feiern." Immerhin, sie lächelt.

Selbstverständlich, die 200 Zuhörer im Saal haben die Rede ihrer Partei-Präsidentin artig beklatscht. Und Franck Briffaut, der lokale Bürgermeister, strahlt, seit ihn Le Pen eine knappe Stunde zuvor mit Küsschen begrüßte. Aber es gibt auch Kritik: "Diesmal hat Marine nicht alles gegeben", mault eine beleibte Dame beim Apero: Es gibt Kartoffelchips, dazu Weißwein aus Plastikbechern. » | Von Christian Wernicke | Samstag, 5. Dezember 2015

Meinung: Angst spült die Rechtsextremen in Frankreich nach oben

DIE WELT: Die Terror-Furcht in Frankreich lässt den Front National erstarken. Dessen Wahlprogramm ist unrealistisch, bestenfalls naiv, schlimmstenfalls gefährlich – und ein weiterer Schlag für Europa.

In den Pariser Fenstern hängen vereinzelt noch die Trikoloren, an den Landesgrenzen stehen wieder Polizei und Zoll. Es herrscht Ausnahmezustand in der Republik, formal für die nächsten drei Monate, aber real vielleicht für viele kommende Jahre. Im Augenblick, drei Wochen nach Freitag, dem 13., fühlt es sich so an, als könnte die Ausnahme zur neuen Regel zu werden. Frankreich hat sich verändert, in kürzester Zeit, binnen einer furchtbaren Nacht.

Frankreich zieht in den Krieg. Aus "Flanby", dem Wackelpudding-Präsidenten, ist Rambo geworden. Gleichzeitig steht François Hollande, zum Glück, würdevoll vor seiner trauernden Nation. Aber während dieser schon abgeschriebene Präsident so beliebt ist wie zuletzt nur ganz am Anfang seiner Amtszeit, rollt der Front National wie ein Bulldozer durch diese Krise: Bei den Regionalwahlen am Sonntag könnte die Partei der Le Pens als großer Sieger hervorgehen.

Wenn die Prognosen stimmen, wird der FN in allen Regionen Frankreichs in die zweite Wahlrunde kommen. Im Norden und im Süden könnte die Partei in den Zweikämpfen der Stichwahl über 40 Prozent der Stimmen bekommen. » | Von Martina Meister | Samstag, 5. Dezember 2015

Der verhasste Partner

Sein Abgang scheint keine Vorbedingung mehr zu sein:
Syrien Präsident Bashar al-Assad.

TAGES ANZEIGER: Der syrische Tyrann muss sofort weg, hiess es im Westen. Nun sind die Regierungen weicher gegenüber Bashar al-Assad. Es gibt ein dringenderes Problem.

Die Haltung der westlichen Regierungen im syrischen Bürgerkrieg schien klar – nachdem sich europäische und amerikanische Spitzenpolitiker auffällig lange in dem Konflikt bedeckt hielten: Bashar al-Assad müsse weg. Erst dann könne man das gespaltene Syrien wieder zurück zum Frieden führen. Das verkündeten Regierungen von Washington über Paris bis nach Berlin.

Doch nun pocht Frankreich nicht mehr auf einen sofortigen Machtverzicht des syrischen Staatschefs. Ein Rückzug des Machthabers vor Beginn des angestrebten Übergangsprozesses in Syrien sei nicht zwingend nötig, sagte Aussenminister Laurent Fabius am Samstag der französischen Regionalzeitung «Le Progrès» aus Lyon. » | spu | Samstag, 5. Dezember 2015

Saudi Arabia - Jeddah Street Life

Jeddah is the second largest city of Saudi Arabia. Located at the Red Sea and being the most important starting point for the Hadj it has a more international atmosphere than Riyadh and is therefore more liberal. The video clip shows impressions of the city.

Extremism? Being Critical of Government Is Sign of Radicalization - Guide

A child protection group has issued a leaflet to help people spot if a child is being radicalized. It claims that if they don't agree with mainstream media, or appear angry at government policies, they are potentially at risk. RT's Anastasia Churkina's gets reactions from citizens in London.

European Jewish Union Meets Marine Le Pen (2012)

As part of ongoing efforts to foster greater inter-community understanding, the European Jewish Union has begun a dialogue with France's Front National leader Marine Le Pen.

Marine Le Pen Interview: 'The New Anti-Semitism Is Linked to Islamic Fundamentalism' (2012)

The leader of the rightwing party Front National is attempting to change the image of party in France. Marine Le Pen elaborates her views on anti-Semitism and discusses her political plans in an exclusive interview with JN1.

Le Pen: I Admire 'Cool Head' Putin's Resistance to West's New Cold War

The Power of Le Pen - BBC, Our World

Obama: "Entirely Possible" San Bernardino Attackers Were Radicalised

US President Barack Obama says it's "entirely possible" that the San Bernardino attackers were radicalised and reiterates his call for tighter gun controls

Swedish Foreign Minister: Israel Is 'Executing' Palestinians

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom

ARUTZ SHEVA: Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom again lashes out at Israel, claims it is executing terrorists without trial.

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom once again lashed out at Israel on Friday, accusing the Jewish state of “executing” without trial Palestinian Arabs who carried out stabbing attacks in Israel.

Wallstrom’s comments were made during a 45-minute debate in the Swedish parliament, in which she replied to questions from parliamentarians on Sweden’s foreign policy.

One of the issues that came up for discussion was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and three MPs asked Wallstrom why the Swedish government had adopted an unbalanced position which prefers the Palestinian position over the Israeli position.

Wallstrom was asked why she did not condemn terrorist attacks against Israelis, to which she replied that she does indeed condemn attacks against Israelis, but then went on to level harsh accusations at Israel. » | Elad Benari, Canada | Friday, December 4, 2015

Gingrich: Obama Represents Greatest National Security Threat

Dec. 04, 2015 - 8:13 - Former House speaker goes on 'Hannity' to talk POTUS' response to terror

Is It Fair to Call Terrorism a 'Muslim Problem'?

Dec. 04, 2015 - 5:15 - CAIR-LA director's remarks spark heated debate on 'Hannity'

Anti-Muslim Prejudice ‘Is Moving to the Mainstream’

Members of Britain First, the far-right counter-Jihad
street protest group, march in Rochester, Kent. 

THE GUARDIAN: Report warns of rapid growth of far-right groups that plan to provoke a ‘cultural civil war’

The “counter-jihad” movement in the UK is expanding rapidly, according to new analysis showing that 24 different far-right groups are currently attempting to whip up hatred towards Muslims and provoke a cultural civil war.

The most comprehensive report yet into the alliance of international counter-jihad organisations warns that Islamophobic groups in Britain are capitalising on public concerns following the Paris attacks and ongoing refugee crisis.

Next month, the former leader of the English Defence League, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, often known by the pseudonym Tommy Robinson, will make his political comeback by fronting the relaunch of the UK arm of Pegida, the German anti-Islam organisation whose provocative rhetoric has prompted attacks on refugees.

The report, by the anti-racist group Hope Not Hate, chronicles 920 anti-Muslim organisations and key Islamophobes in 22 countries, noting that such groups are becoming increasingly well-resourced, particularly in the US, where eight foundations have donated more than £38m since the 9/11 attacks. » | Mark Townsend | Saturday, December 5, 2015

Wimpering Students Need to Grow Up Or Get Out of University

THE TELEGRAPH: Political correctness was admirable. Now it has gone too far on campus. Far too far. It is time to fight back

A university should be a “safe space” – for free speech, for challenging dogmas and assumptions, for putting forward innovative ideas, for robust debate, for discovery, for intellectual courage. It should not be a safe space for preserving the timidities and assurances of pre-university childhood and adolescence.

Yet that is what university students on many American campuses now demand. They want to be warned in advance if course material contains references to subjects that could distress them. They want to be exempted from reading texts that touch on such matters as sexual abuse, divorce and suicide – which immediately puts Thomas Hardy, F Scott Fitzgerald and Virginia Woolf off the syllabus. It has even happened that professors have been driven from their jobs by students accusing them of being insufficiently “politically correct”.

On some campuses, students have set aside “safe spaces” with cuddly toys and puppy videos where those stressed by uncomfortable topics can avoid them. The atmosphere of hypersensitive inability to handle challenging ideas invites caricature: today’s American students, it seems, want mollycoddling and reassurance, not education; they want security, not intellectual and personal growth. And what happens in America is too soon copied elsewhere – including in Britain. Read on and comment » | AC Grayling, Master of New College of the Humanities in London | Friday, December 4, 2015

Anti-Muslim Dutch Leader Wilders Opposes Turkey Joining EU, Says Doesn't Want More But Less Islam

DAILY SABAH: Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders, the most popular politician in the Netherlands, has told Turks "you are not welcome here" in a video that takes aim at Turkey's hopes of joining the European Union.

Wilders, who is fiercely Islamophobic, has surged in public opinion polls with his call for the closing of national borders in the face of a refugee crisis that has seen hundreds of thousands of people, mostly Muslims, fleeing to Europe this year to escape conflicts and poverty in the Middle East and beyond. » | Reuters | Amsterdam | Friday, 4. December 2015

Expertin: "Sind in einer brenzligen Situation"

KRONEN ZEITUNG: Weiter keine Grenzkontrollen, Prügeleien in einem steirischen Asylheim und nach dem Blutbad in den USA zeigt sich, dass eine Spur zu Islamisten führen könnte - Nahost-Expertin Karin Kneissl analysiert: "Wir sind in einer äußerst brenzligen Situation." Mit der "Krone" sprach sie über die akuten Sicherheitsprobleme.

"Vor Kurzem war ich in Israel und im Libanon. Die Leute dort schütteln über unsere Politik der offenen Grenzen nur noch die Köpfe. Sie fragen: 'Wie könnt ihr all diese Menschen ohne Kontrolle in euer Europa reinlassen? Ihr wisst nicht, auf was ihr euch da eingelassen habt'", kritisiert Kneissl, dass es "offenbar kein Gewaltmonopol des Staates mehr gibt". » | Richard Schmitt, Kronen Zeitung | Freitag, 4. Dezember 2015

Robert Spencer on Hannity: The San Bernardino Jihad Attack and Jihad Denial

On Thursday, December 3, 2015, Jihad Watch director Robert Spencer appeared on Fox's Sean Hannity Show, discussing the jihad terror attack in San Bernardino, California and the government's refusal to confront the reality of jihad, which makes vetting Syrian refugees impossible.

ISIS Claim Responsibility for California Shootings as FBI Investigate It As Act of Terror

EXPRESS: ISLAMIC STATE (ISIS) has said its followers carried out the deadly mass shooting that killed 14 people at a Christmas party in San Bernardino.

The revelation comes after US officials said the female shooter who carried out the mass shooting with her husband pledged allegiance to Islamic State (ISIS).

If a link to the terror group is confirmed, the mass shooting would be the first attack in America that has been led or inspired by ISIS.

Tashfeen Malik, who burst into a staff Christmas party with Syed Rizwan Farook, wielding assault rifles, pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on Facebook, according to officials investigating the attack in San Bernardino, California. » | Selina Sykes | Saturday, December 5, 2015

Les musulmans américains craignent des hostilités

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Après le massacre de San Bernardino perpétré par un couple de musulmans, la communauté a peur d'être prise pour cible.

Les musulmans des Etats-Unis craignent d'être victimes d'une vague d'hostilités après la pire fusillade du pays en trois ans, commise mercredi à San Bernardino par un couple d'origine pakistanaise.

«Il y a de toute évidence la crainte d'un contrecoup» contre les musulmans, a admis à l'AFP Abed Ayoub, directeur juridique du Comité anti-discriminations américano-arabe.

Selon lui, une importante population arabo-musulmane vit dans la région de San Bernardino, ville de 200'000 habitants à une heure de Los Angeles.

Depuis la fusillade qui a fait 14 morts et 21 blessés mercredi, aucun incident affectant cette communauté n'a été signalé. Pourtant, «nous devons rester prudents, étant donné l'atmosphère (tendue) et ce qui s'est passé à Paris il y a quelques semaines», a poursuivi Abed Ayoub. » | afp/nxp | vendredi 4. décembre 2015

Le Canada va légaliser le cannabis

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Le Canada compte adopter des lois «qui légaliseront et règlementeront la consommation de marijuana».

Le candidat Justin Trudeau l'avait promis. Désormais élu, il le confirme ce 4 décembre 2015 dans son discours de politique générale pour 2016, lu au Parlement par le Gouverneur général du Canada. Le cannabis sera légalisé.

Le Canada devient ainsi le premier pays du G7 à légaliser cette drogue douce.

Le nouveau gouvernement libéral, élu le 19 octobre, souhaite ainsi adopter au cours de la prochaine année des «mesures législatives (...) qui légaliseront et réglementeront la consommation de marijuana et limiteront l'accès à cette substance», a dit le Gouverneur général, David Johnston, en lisant le discours préparé par M. Trudeau, assis à ses côtés dans la Chambre des communes. » | afp/nxp | vendredi 4. Décembre 2015

Le Monde dénonce l'«imposture» du Front national

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Un édito du directeur du quotidien français Le Monde fustige le Front national ; une première, à deux jours des régionales.

Le quotidien Le Monde a pris position vendredi contre le Front national, son directeur Jérôme Fenoglio dénonçant dans un éditorial une «imposture» qui «constitue une grave menace pour le pays».

Les hebdomadaires L'Express et L'Obs ont également publié cette semaine des éditos contre le FN. Lundi, c'était le grand quotidien régional La Voix du Nord qui avait pris position contre une éventuelle élection de Marine Le Pen à la tête de la région Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie.

A deux jours du premier tour des régionales, le Front national est en tête des intentions de vote dans les derniers sondages, avec 29,5% des voix, devant Les Républicains (28,5%) et le PS (23%).

Soulignant la montée du Front national d'élection en élection, «avec la présidentielle de 2017 en ligne de mire», Le Monde affirme que «son idéologie, ses propositions sont contraires aux valeurs républicaines, à l'intérêt national, à l'image de la France dans le monde». » | afp/nxp | vendredi 4. Décembre 2015

Germany 'Draws Up Plans to Prevent Sharing Intelligence' with NATO Ally Turkey

THE TELEGRAPH: German commanders fear Ankara may use intelligence of its flights to target Kurdish forces allied to the West

Germany has reportedly drawn up plans to prevent sharing intelligence with its Nato ally Turkey as it prepares to support international air strikes against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

German Tornado aircraft are to commence reconnaissance flights over Syria and Iraq after the country’s parliament on Friday voted to deploy up to 1,200 military personnel.

Highly un[u]sual measures have been ordered to prevent Turkey getting access to intelligence from the flights, according to Spiegel magazine.

The aircaft are expected to operate from Incirlik airbase in southern Turkey, and as Nato allies, the two countries would normally expect to share intelligence.

But German commanders are concerned Turkey may use surveillance information from the flights to direct attacks against Kurdish forces allied to the West. » | Justin Huggler, Berlin | Friday, December 4, 2015

San Bernardino Shooting: Female Suspect 'Pledged Loyalty to Isil Leader during Attack'

FBI now consider attack by Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik "act of terrorism"

Ist das, was Angela Merkel treibt, gegen das Deutsche Volk gerichtet?

Trotz der massiven Kosmetik in den Massenmedien gerät die Bundesregierung angesichts ihrer völlig "kopflosen" Politik unter der Regiede von Angela Merkel immer weiter ins Abseits. Mehr und mehr Menschen begreifen, das die Bundesregierung und weite Teile der ohnehin gesteuerten Opposition sich nicht an den Wünschen der Bevölkerung orientieren, sondern seit Jahren Politik gegen die Interessen der Mehrheit innerhalb des Deutschen Volkes betreibt.

Russia Accuses Erdogan of Trading Oil with IS - BBC News

Russia's defence ministry has accused the family of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of being directly involved in the trade of petroleum with the Islamic State group. Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov said Turkey was the biggest buyer of "stolen" oil from Syria and Iraq.

Mr Erdogan said Russia had no right to "slander" Turkey with such claims.

'We Are Increasing Terrorism by Bombarding IS' - BBC News

Jürgen Todenhöfer is a German journalist and former MP who spent 10 days with IS last year - the first Western journalist to do so. He spoke to Ros Atkins about what he believes would be the most effective way to deal with IS.

RT Talks to Both Sides of Turkish Media for Reaction to Crackdown

Only a few independent voices are brave enough to speak out against the alleged wrong-doings of the Turkish government.

Libyen: Das Ersatzkalifat des "Islamischen Staats"

ZEIT ONLINE: Einige Tausend IS-Kämpfer haben sich in Libyen festgesetzt. Der zerfallende Staat wird zum attraktiven Ziel für den Dschihad, der Konflikt im Land ist festgefahren.

Die Gotteskrieger des "Islamischen Staats" vermarkten Libyen inzwischen als ihr zweites Kalifat. Mal posieren sie grinsend auf den Straßen, mal werben sie per Video für den Post-Gaddafi-Staat als neues Dschihad-Ziel. "Das Leben hier ist gut, man kann ein Auto und ein Haus bekommen", prahlte ein ägyptischer Extremist gegenüber Gesinnungsgenossen. "Überdenkt euren Wunsch, nach Syrien zu gehen. Libyen braucht euch", twitterte ein anderer. » | Von Martin Gehlen | Donnerstag, 3. Dezember 2015

Pegida UK: Tommy Robinson's Anti-Islam Street Movement

Tommy Robinson - the former leader of the English Defence League - says he is now planning to launch a British wing of the Pegida anti-Islam protest movement. But Robinson says that this group will be different from his last outfit - no alcohol-fuelled hooliganism, no racism, no anti-semitism and no homophobia. But he does want a five year ban on Muslim immigration to Britain. He's been talking exclusively to our Chief Correspondent, Alex Thomson.

CHANNEL 4 NEWS: Tommy Robinson is back – but what’s changed? » | Alex Thomson’s View | Thursday, December 4, 2015

Across Europe with Tommy Robinson: Inside the New Wave of Anti-immigration Protest Coming Soon to Britain

THE TELEGRAPH: The EDL founder has just announced 'Pegida UK' – part of an international network of far-Right activism given new life by the refugee crisis

Late Monday night in Dresden, Germany, former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson gave a speech to a large group of Pegida supporters. He told the crowd that he’s been working with nationalist groups across Europe in order to coordinate a Europe wide movement that seeks to, in his words, counter the "Islamification of our countries". The first demo, he said, will be taking place on February 6, 2016, in at least 12 European countries simultaneously, all marching under a single banner: ‘'Save our Country. Save our Culture. Save Our Future." » | Jamie Bartlett | Friday, December 4, 2015

US Still Using ISIS for Political Means – Iraqi Security Official

US still using ISIS for political means, never serious in combating them, states Saad Al Mutalabi from security council of Baghdad province.

Turks Say Erdogan Won’t Go Despite Promise, Media Crackdown to Resume

RT reached out to nearly 40 Turkish media outlets asking for comment on the Russian evidence of Ankara's oil dealings with Islamic State. We've yet to receive a response from any of them. The Russian revelations come amid accusations of a crackdown on any media hostile to the Turkish government. RT's Harry Fear has more on the reaction to the oil trade allegations that are coming from inside Turkey.

Islamic State Terror Squad 'In Thailand' Planning To Kill Russians, Warns Moscow

THE TELEGRAPH: Ten-person terrorist squad entered the Kingdom in October on a mission to target Russians, Moscow warns

Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil) has dispatched a ten-person squad to kill Russian tourists in Thailand, Russian security services have warned.

Thai police confirmed on Friday that they had received intelligence from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor agency to the KGB, about 10 terrorists from Syria who reportedly entered Thailand in October.

The warning came to light in a leaked letter, marked “secret” and “urgent”, that began circulating on Thai social media on Thursday.

Thailand is a popular holiday destination for Russians, especially in the peak Christmas and New Year periods.

Phuket, Pattaya and Bangkok are all also popular with British visitors, meaning there is a high chance any terrorist attack there could also target Britons. » | Roland Oliphant, Moscow and Philip Sherwell, Bangkok | Friday, December 4, 2015

Syrien-Krieg: Trial and Terror

Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel

ZEIT ONLINE: Angela Merkel war immer skeptisch gegenüber militärischen Lösungen. Jetzt schickt sie deutsche Soldaten in den Syrien-Krieg. Was will die Kanzlerin damit erreichen?

Das Wort Krieg hat sie eigentlich immer gern vermieden. Wenn es um die deutsche Beteiligung an Missionen in Afghanistan, Irak oder Mali ging. Wenn es um Russlands Vormarsch auf die Ukraine ging und die Frage, ob sich daraus womöglich Folgen für das Baltikum ergeben könnten. Nun schickt Merkel das erste Mal in ihrer Amtszeit deutsche Soldaten in einen laufenden Kampfeinsatz.

Es ist nicht der erste deutsche Einsatz, aber es ist Merkels erster Krieg.

Sie setzt damit erneut eine Zäsur, für ihre Kanzlerschaft, aber auch für das Land. Denn dieser Krieg ist besonders gefährlich und unberechenbar: Es ist ein Einsatz, bei dem nicht nur das Ziel unklar ist, sondern auch der Weg. Nicht eigener Antrieb oder Überzeugung haben ihn bewirkt, keine überstarke Weltmacht erzwingt ihn, sondern tiefe Ohnmacht: Der Nahe Osten löst sich auf, der Terror kommt nach Europa, und die EU wirkt wie gelähmt. Und auf den Schurken von gestern ruhen die Hoffnungen für die Zukunft. » | Von Matthias Geis und Tina Hildebrandt | Freitag, 4. Dezember 2015

Read the English version of this article here »

Comment «réagir en cas d’attaque terroriste»

LE MATIN: SÉCURITÉ — Trois semaines après les attentats de Paris, le gouvernement français a publié ce vendredi une affiche indiquant au grand public la conduite à adopter en cas d'attentat.

«A la suite des attentats du 13 novembre 2015, le Gouvernement lance une campagne de sensibilisation pour mieux préparer et protéger les citoyens face à la menace terroriste. L’affiche «réagir en cas d’attaque terroriste» donne des instructions pratiques qui s'articulent autour du triptyque: "s’échapper, se cacher, alerter".», peut-on lire sur le site officiel de Matignon. De plus, le document sera placardé dans tous les lieux publics. » | Par K. A. | vendredi 4 décembre 2015

Islamic Terrorism: It’s Time to Look to Russia. The US under Obama Has Failed to Give Us Any Leadership

Sergei Lavrov has got it right; Putin has got it right. And some of us have been saying this for a very long time. It makes absolutely no sense to get rid of Bashar Al-Assad. He is certainly not perfect; but he's far better than the alternative. As Lavrov said succinctly: Haven't we learnt from our mistakes in Iraq and Libya?

It's time to work with the Russians. They understand the situation well, and are achieving results. Russia has shown real leadership in this matter. Obama should bow his head in shame. – © Mark

Working with Assad may be the only option in Syria » | Friday, December 4, 2015

This comment appears here too.

UK Airstrikes 'All Noise of Bombing and Propaganda' - Syria Minister

BBC: British warplanes have carried out their first airstrikes over Syria, after British MPs backed UK military action against so-called Islamic State (IS).

RAF Tornados conducted air strikes on six targets in Syria, according to the Ministry of Defence.

The BBC's Lyse Doucet spoke to Syria's information minister, Omran Zoubi, who described the airstrikes as "a noise of bombing and propaganda".

He also said anyone wanting to fight terrorism was "welcome" but had to do so "according to international law, and together with the Syrian government". (+ BBC video) » | Thursday, December 3, 2015

Secret Video Shows Life Inside Islamic State Stronghold of Raqqa

BBC: Syria's information minister has criticised the first British air strikes on so-called Islamic State (IS) targets in the country, describing them as "a noise of bombing and propaganda".

Omran Zoubi told the BBC that anyone wanting to fight terrorism was welcome, but that they should follow Russia's example and work with the Syrian government.

Lyse Doucet reports from the Syrian capital, Damascus, as footage emerges showing life under IS in their stronghold of Raqqa in Syria. (+ BBC video) » | Thursday, December 3, 2015

Australia Gets Tough on ISIS: Jihadis Banned from Country Even If Not Convicted

EXPRESS: ISLAMIC STATE (ISIS) jihadis fleeing Australia to fight for Daesh will be stripped of their citizenship even if they haven’t been brought before a court in a major crackdown on international terrorism.

The country’s tough stance on extremism will see anyone with dual citizenship who travels to the Middle East to fight for the crazed jihadis stranded in the group’s so-called Caliphate or deported elsewhere.

Senators voted on tough new laws targeting Islamist militants in response to the growing threat that ISIS poses to Western nations.

Security services believe that at least half of the 100 Australian extremists fighting for ISIS, also known as Daesh, hold dual nationality.

The Government has acted now to prevent them from coming back home and carrying out terrorist atrocities against innocent civilians. » | Nick Gutteridge | Friday, December 4, 2015

Schengen Crumbles: EU 'to Bring Back Borders and Passport Checks between Countries'

EXPRESS: BORDER checks could be reimposed between European Union countries under proposals expected to be put to ministers in Brussels today.

The proposal to suspend the 26-country Schengen passport-free travel zone is driven by the crisis of hundreds of thousands of people fleeing Syria, Afghanistan and other countries to Europe via Greece and Italy this year.

The mass arrivals have sparked fears about the wisdom of letting people move freely around key EU countries with no document checks after inadequate initial assessments of their origins and motives for being in Europe.

Suspending Schengen - which the UK has never been part of - is the most drastic emergency measure its members can consider. » | Alison Little | Friday, December 4, 2015

Do We Now Have to Look to Russia for Leadership? Listen to This Excellent Short Interview: ‘Business As Usual’ with Erdogan Is Now Over - Putin's Chief of Staff

‘Business as usual’ with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is now over, Sergey Ivanov, the head of Putin’s office, confirmed to RT after the Russian president’s address.

Germany: US Created IS "Monster" Through War - Die Linke's Wagenknecht

The Co-chair of Die Linke Sahra Wagenknecht fired sharp criticism against the US, saying that they are the ones "who created the monster" of the so-called Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) in order to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as she spoke in opposition to German participation in the war against IS, in Berlin, Friday.

Letter From German Nurse on Muslim Invaders

A riveting account from a nurse in Bavaria Germany you won't hear from the Mainstream media on the invasion going on in Europe by Muslims, who have no intention of assimilating to the culture of the host countries they are invading.

'Devout' Muslim and Saudi Wife Kill 14 in Massacre - Obama Says Could Be 'Terrorism'

EXPRESS: A DEVOUT Muslim and his Saudi wife were shot dead after killing at least 14 people at a work Christmas party.

Officers confirmed the suspects as Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and Tashfeen Malik, 27.

The couple had more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition and a dozen pipe bombs on them and elsewhere, authorities said as they sought to determine whether the pair had links to Islamic militant groups.

They were a married couple who dropped off their 6-month-old baby with her grandmother hours before carrying out the deadly rampage, according to a family member.

In a press conference US President Barack Obama said it is possible the mass shooting was “terror-related” but the motive is not yet clear.

Law enforcement sources have said Farook was radicalised and was in contact with an individual under FBI investigation for terrorism links but other motives may have played a role in the shooting.

Farook attended a Christmas party with colleagues at the San Bernardino County Health Public Health Department but had left in an “angry” state, according to witnesses.

He was next seen by his co-workers dressed in battle gear and wielding an assault rifle.

The suspects have killed at least 14 people and injured another 17 - two of which [sic] remain in a critical condition, California Hospital confirmed. » | Dion Dassanayake, Peter Henn, Jake Burman & Selina Sykes | Thursday, December 3, 2015

America to Allow Women to Serve in All Military Roles

THE TELEGRAPH: Ash Carter, the defence secretary, announces that woman will be able to apply for any job in the military

America is to allow women to serve in all roles in the military – including in front line combat roles – in a sweeping decision announced on Thursday by the defence secretary in a historic move to strike down gender barriers.

Ash Carter, speaking at the Pentagon, said he had decided to overrule objections raised by the Marine Corps that mixed-gender units were, in some cases, less efficient.

"I am announcing my decision to proceed with opening of all these remaining occupations and positions to women," said Mr Carter. "There will be no exceptions." » | Harriet Alexander, New York | Thursday, December 3, 2015

Sweden Considers Emergency Closure of Bridge to Denmark

THE TELEGRAPH: Swedish government prepares proposal to halt traffic across the Oresund bridge to Denmark in bid to stop influx of asylum-seekers

Sweden’s government is rushing an emergency bill through parliament which will give it the power to halt road traffic across the Oresund Bridge to Denmark — bringing any future influx of asylum seekers to a sudden and dramatic halt.

The bridge, made famous by the popular television drama The Bridge, is used by 20,000 road commuters a day and has been the main entry route for those seeking asylum in Sweden. The country is expecting to receive some 190,000 asylum-seekers this year.

“This bill, if passed, would give the government the ability in an emergency to close the bridge without having to deal with it in parliament, because that would probably take too long”, Elin Tibell, press secretary to infrastructure minister Anna Johansson, told Sweden’s Dagens Industri newspaper.

Trains across the bridge will continue to run, but operators expect travel times to double from 30 minutes to an hour as police carry out passenger checks.

It comes as European ministers meeting in Brussels discussed sweeping measures to reintroduce border checks for up to two years, in an effective suspension of the thirty-year-old Schengen agreement. » | Richard Orange, Copenhagen | Thursday, December 3, 2015

Pakistani Lawyer Files Petition for Return of Koh-i-noor Crown Jewels Diamond

The Koh-i-noor diamond is set in the state crown of Queen Mary,
consort of George V, and last worn by the Queen Mother.

THE GUARDIAN: Gem set in crown last worn by Queen’s mother belongs to Punjab province and was forcibly taken by British colonialists, says petitioner in Lahore

A lawyer in Pakistan has filed a court petition seeking the return of a diamond he says Britain forced India to hand over in colonial times.

Once the largest cut diamond in the world, the 105-carat Koh-i-noor is one of the crown jewels. It is set in a crown last worn by the Queen’s late mother during her coronation.

Lawyer Jawaid Iqbal Jafree filed the petition at the high court in Lahore on Wednesday naming Queen Elizabeth II as a respondent. The application asks that Britain hand back the diamond, now on display in the Tower of London.

India also has made regular requests for the jewel’s return, saying the Koh-i-noor is an integral part of the country’s history and culture. In 1850, Britain’s then colonial governor-general of India arranged for the huge diamond to be presented to Queen Victoria. » | Reuters | Thursday, December 3, 2015

EDL Co-founder Tommy Robinson to Launch New UK Anti-Islam Movement

BT.COM: The co-founder of the far-right English Defence League (EDL) Tommy Robinson is to launch a new UK anti-Islam movement.

The co-founder of the far-right English Defence League (EDL) Tommy Robinson is to launch a new UK anti-Islam movement.

The former EDL leader, who left the group in 2013 to work with anti-extremism think-tank The Quilliam Foundation, will signal a return to politics on Thursday in an interview with Channel 4 News, the broadcaster said.

He is to appear on the programme to discuss launching a "new anti-Islam street movement in the UK", believed to be international far-right group Pegida - whose roots are in Germany.

Mr Robinson spoke at a Pegida rally in the German city of Dresden last month where, according to a Facebook post by the group, he spoke about the Paris attacks and said he wanted them to "save our culture, save our country, save our future". » | PA | Thursday, December 3, 2015

Putin kritisiert Ankara erneut

Greece: Refugee Electrocuted to Death on Macedonian Border after Clashes

A refugee was electrocuted to death on the Greek-Macedonian border near the Idomeni crossing, Thursday. Fellow refugees read Muslim prayers for the deceased, who is believed to be of Moroccan origin.

Russlands Präsident droht der Türkei: „Nur Allah weiß, warum sie das gemacht haben“

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Wladimir Putin droht Ankara nach dem Abschuss eines russischen Kampfflugzeugs mit weiteren Sanktionen. Die westlichen Staaten macht der Präsident für die Ausbreitung des Terrorismus verantwortlich.

Russlands Präsident Wladimir Putin hat der türkischen Führung schwere Vorwürfe wegen der angeblichen Unterstützung von Terroristen gemacht. „Wir wissen, wer jetzt in der Türkei den Terroristen hilft, sich zu bereichern, indem das gestohlene Erdöl verkauft wird“, sagte Putin am Donnerstag in seiner Rede an die Nation. Das türkische Volk sei fleißig, aber das „Regime“ in Ankara sei verräterisch. » | Quelle: dpa | Donnerstag, 3. Dezember 2015

«Les Turcs vont regretter» la destruction d'un avion russe

Vladimir Poutine a proféré des menaces lors de son adresse
annuelle devant les parlementaires, le gouvernement et les
gouverneurs des régions de Russie.

LE MATIN: SYRIE — Vladimir Poutine a dénoncé la Turquie et affirmé que la Russie «n'oubliera jamais».

La Russie «n'oubliera jamais» la destruction d'un avion militaire russe le 24 novembre au-dessus de la frontière syrienne et les Turcs «vont regretter ce qu'ils ont fait», a prévenu jeudi le président russe Vladimir Poutine. «Nous n'oublierons jamais cette complicité avec les terroristes. Nous considèrerons toujours la trahison comme l'un des pires et des plus vils actes. Que ceux en Turquie qui ont tiré dans le dos de nos pilotes le sachent», a déclaré le président lors de son adresse annuelle devant les parlementaires, le gouvernement et les gouverneurs des régions de Russie.

«Je ne comprends pas pourquoi ils ont fait ça. Seul Allah le sait», a-t-il ajouté, suscitant les applaudissements de l'assemblée. «Il semble qu'Allah ait décidé de punir la clique au pouvoir en Turquie en la privant de la raison et du bon sens». «Il ne faut pas attendre de nous une réaction nerveuse, hystérique, dangereuse pour nous et pour le monde entier», a-t-il promis. «Nous n'allons pas brandir les armes». » | ats/nxp | jeudi 3 décembre 2015

‘Turkish Government to Blame for Terrorist Funding’ – Retired US Army Major General

Russia is preparing a draft UN resolution aimed at cutting off financing to terrorist groups, including ISIS. The jihadi group makes up to 1.5 million dollars a day from black-market fuel exports. The Russian government says it has proof that most of the oil sold by terrorists makes it way to Middle East markets via Turkey. Paul Vallely, a retired Major General of the US Army, thinks world powers need to put greater pressure on the Turkish government.

Charges for 'Disrespect' in Australian Court after Accused Rejects Any Authority Other Than Islam

Supreme law courts in Sydney, Australia

THE TELEGRAPH: New South Wales will introduce laws to ban disrespectful behaviour after a 25-year-old man refused to stand in court for four judges

The Australian state of New South Wales will introduce laws to ban “disrespectful behaviour” in court after a devout Muslim charged with attempted murder repeatedly refused to stand, saying he did not recognise the authority of the judiciary.

Milad bin Ahmad-Shah al-Ahmadzai, 25, caused a public outcry – and his conduct was criticised by local Muslim leaders - but authorities said his failure to stand did not appear to be illegal under existing contempt laws.

Al-Ahmadzai has been charged with the vicious beating and shooting of a man outside a gay sex club in Sydney, apparently after the man interrupted an attempt to break into a mechanic business next door to the club.

For the past 18 months, al-Ahmadzai has refused to stand in court, insisting he was “not at the behest of any authority other than Islam”.

Dismissing his conduct as unacceptable, Gabrielle Upton, the state’s attorney-general, said she will introduce legislation early next year to create a new offence for disrespectful behaviour in court. » | Jonathan Pearlman, Sydney | Thursday, December 3, 2015

THE GUARDIAN: Man who refuses to stand in court to be considered for contempt: The NSW attorney general, Gabrielle Upton, seeks advice on whether man on attempted murder charges should be investigated ‘for breaches of contempt’ » | Australian Associated Press | Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Victim of Sydney sex club shooting shown running for his life in disturbing CCTV »

Vladimir Putin: Terrorists Use Money Made in Turkey to Launch Attacks against West and Africa

THE TELEGRAPH: Russian president says God is punishing the ruling elite of Turkey by taking away their sanity after the deaths of Russian servicemen when Turkey shot down its warplane

Vladimir Putin has launched another scathing attack on Turkey, vowing not to forget its shoot down of a Russian plane, as he opened his annual state of the nation address to parliament, discussing security and Syria.

The Russian president pulled no punches and claimed God was punishing Turkey's leaders by "stripping" away their insanity [sic].

"We will not forget this complicity with terrorists. We always considered and will always consider treachery to be the ultimate and lowest act. Let those in Turkey who shot our pilots in the back know this," Mr Putin told politicians in his address.

Mr Putin told the country that Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) was a "barbaric ideology", suggesting the group were like Nazis that the world must come together and fight against.

"In the 20th century, when people were not willing to join forces to fight Nazism they had to pay for that with tens of millions of innocent lives. Today we face this barbaric ideology, and we should set aside our differences and unite in one anti-terrorist front under international law and the United Nations."

He added: "Terrorists in Syria pose a special threat. They receive money and weapons, build up their forces, and if they win there sooner or later they will come back to Russia and we will have to fight them here.

"Our forces fight in Syria for Russia - for the security of our people, first and foremost. In fighting terrorism Russia is acting with extreme responsibility."

Mr Putin then addressed the escalating war of words with Turkey, claiming yet again that Ankara let Isil terrorists sell oil, an allegation Turkey denies strongly.

"We know who it is who profits in Turkey by letting terrorists sell oil there. Terrorists use that money to plan attacks against us, France, Mali and others. It was in Turkey that terrorists from the north Caucasus used to find refuge, and some of them are still there." » | Roland Oliphant, Moscow | Thursday, December 3, 2015

Russia: ‘Allah Decided to Punish Turkey’s Leaders by Making Them Lose Their Minds’ - Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on Russia's relations with Turkey in the wake of Turkey's downing of a Russian Air Force jet, during his state of the nation address in Moscow on Thursday.

US State Dept Dismisses Russian Evidence of Turkey Aiding ISIS

The Pentagon rushed to defend Turkey, calling it an important partner in the fight against terrorists, despite earlier claims from Washington that Ankara was supporting extremist groups in the region. RT’s Gayane Chichakyan was at a US State Department briefing dealing with these allegations.

Good Grief! Obama Thinks Christmas Is about Loving Tiny Trees

Obama on San Bernardino Shooting: We Should Not Accept This as Normal

Barack Obama comments on the shooting in San Bernardino, California, on Wednesday morning that left 14 people dead and 17 injured. Extending his sympathies to the families of those who were killed, the US president says there is a ‘pattern of mass shootings’ in the country that has ‘no parallel anywhere else in the world’ and steps need to be taken to stop these attacks in the future

Follow the developments on the Guardian’s live blog

Hilary Benn Speech in Full: 'We Must Now Confront This Evil'

Wednesday’s Commons debate will be remembered for Hilary Benn’s extraordinary wind-up speech, in which he powerfully (but politely) challenged his own leader and asserted Labour’s claim to be the party of activist, hard-edged internationalism. Towards the end, he compared the imperative to bomb Isis in Syria to ‘why this entire House stood up against Hitler and Mussolini’

Egyptian Sheikhs Lead Islamization Campaign in Africa: Jesus Is the Slave of Allah and His Messenger

Erdogan & His Family Involved in ISIS Oil Trade - Russian MoD

Turkish leadership, including Erdogan & his family are involved in ISIS oil trade, Russian MoD announced on Wednesday, showcasing satellites images and footage from oil facilities and Syrian-Turkish border.

Saudi Arabia 'Destabilising Arab World', German Intelligence Warns

Prince Mohammed bin Salman is believed to have played a key
role in Saudi Arabia's decision to intervene in Yemen

THE TELEGRAPH: It is unusual for the BND spy agency to publicly release such a blunt assessment on a country that is considered an ally of the West. Germany has long-standing political and economic ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is at risk of becoming a major destabilising influence in the Arab world, German intelligence has warned.

Internal power struggles and the desire to emerge as the leading Arab power threaten to make the key Western ally a source of instability, according to the BND intelligence service.

“The current cautious diplomatic stance of senior members of the Saudi royal family will be replaced by an impulsive intervention policy,” a BND memo widely distributed to the German press reads.

The memo focuses particularly on the role of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the 30-year-old son of King Salman who was recently appointed deputy crown prince and defence minister.

The concentration of so much power in Prince Mohammed’s hands “harbours a latent risk that in seeking to establish himself in the line of succession in his father’s lifetime, he may overreach,” the memo notes. » | Justin Huggler, Berlin | Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Britain Is Arming Saudi Arabia in Yemen Conflict

MoD confirms is arming Saudi Arabia in Yemen conflict where 80% of the people face humanitarian disaster.

‪'Saudi Arabia Is to Blame for ISIS' Success'‬

Massoud Shadjareh, Chair of the Islamic Human Rights Commission criticized David Cameron's approach to the UK terror threat.

Saudi Ambassador Attacks Corbyn Over ISIS Funding ‘Insult’

Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia

RT: Saudi Araba’s ambassador to the UK has attacked Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for suggesting the kingdom supports Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL).

Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz al Saud described comments made by Corbyn and former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown as “distortion” and “an insult” to the Saudi Arabian government.

The Labour leader said on Tuesday there were several “very big questions” around the rise of IS which remained unanswered, such as who is providing financial aid to the group.

Corbyn suggested Saudi Arabia may be involved in funding IS, a theory shared by many journalists and Middle East analysts. » | Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Galloway: 'Government Should Tell 'Best' Friend Saudi to Stop Supporting ISIS'

George Galloway believes British attacks against ISIS in Syria are likely to happen but says it's unclear who the allies & enemies of ISIS really are.

'Secret' German Plan to Resettle 500,000 Syrian Refugees across Europe Unveiled This Week

EXPRESS: SECRET plans to bring up to 500,000 Syrian refugees into the European Union (EU) from Turkey are to be unveiled by Germany this week.

According to the Hungarian prime minister, EU and Turkish leaders are set to announce a behind-the-scenes agreement to resettle hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the war in Syria.

It is not known how many of the 500,000 will arrive in Britain, but fears have been raised that a significant number could be drawn to the UK by its relatively generous welfare system.

It comes just days after the EU agreed a €3billion (£2.1bn) funding package for Turkey in return for their help in stemming the flow of migrants passing through on their way to Europe.

Hungary's PM Viktor Orban warned of a "nasty surprise" for Europeans when the deal is announced in the coming days.

He said: "The issue [of resettlement] will be a hot potato in the coming period because even though this could be kept in a semi-secret state...someone somewhere - I think in Berlin this week - will announce that 400,000-500,000 Syrian refugees could be brought straight from Turkey to the EU.

"This nasty surprise still awaits Europeans." » | Tom Batchelor | Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Russia: "Terrorism without Money Is a Beast without Its Fangs" - Antonov

Russian Deputy Minister of Defence Anatoli Antonov gave an exclusive interview to RT after the Defence Ministry briefing in Moscow, Wednesday.

Russia: Turkey's Oil Trade with IS Is Erdogan's "Sparkling Family Business" - MoD

The Russian Deputy Minister of Defence Anatoli Antonov accused multiple members of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's family of being involved in illegal oil trade with the so-called Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), in Moscow, Wednesday.

Turks in Russia Hit by Putin's 'Serious Consequences' after Downing of Warplane

THE GUARDIAN: Tens of thousands of Turks fear their lives have irrevocably changed amid diplomatic war between Russian and Turkish leaders


Vildan Seçkiner was looking forward to seeing the sights of St Petersburg during her first trip to Russia. Instead, the 32-year-old was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport for 16 hours, threatened, and deported. Her crime: holding Turkish citizenship.

Seçkiner, a post-doctoral researcher who lives in Romania, had also planned to give a lecture to a small group of students during her visit, but was stopped at passport control and taken to a holding room. Police told her she could not enter Russia as she did not have a hotel booked, but made it clear the real reason was her Turkish passport.

“When they took me to the transit area, there were many Turkish citizens there also being deported. Some had been waiting for 48 hours. Many of them were workers, who had personal belongings in Moscow and didn’t know how they were going to get them back. Others had Russian wives or girlfriends they were planning to visit,” Seçkiner told the Guardian from Bucharest. » | Shaun Walker in Moscow | Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Cameron Accuses Corbyn of Being 'Terrorist Sympathiser'

THE GUARDIAN: Prime minister urges Tory MPs not to vote with Labour leader and ‘a bunch of terrorist sympathisers’ against Syria airstrikes

David Cameron has appealed to Conservative MPs to give him an overall parliamentary majority in favour of military action in Syria by warning them against voting alongside “Jeremy Corbyn and a bunch of terrorist sympathisers”.

Amid Downing Street concerns that support among backbench Labour MPs is weakening, the prime minister told a meeting of the 1922 committee that he needed to win the vote solely on the basis of Tory MPs’ support to achieve his goal of securing a clear consensus.

“You should not be walking through the lobbies with Jeremy Corbyn and a bunch of terrorist sympathisers,” the prime minister reportedly told the committee. » | Nicholas Watt, Chief political correspondent |Tuesday, December 1, 2015

«Mein Kampf» en édition commentée dès janvier

Soixante-dix ans après la fin de la Seconde guerre mondiale, c'est
la première fois que le brûlot antisémite est réédité en Allemagne.

LE MATIN: ALLEMAGNE — Pour la première fois depuis la fin du Troisième Reich, une édition commentée de «Mein Kampf» sortira en Allemagne début 2016.

Andreas Wirsching, directeur de l'Institut d'histoire contemporaine (IFZ) de Munich (sud) a estimé que la sortie du pamphlet d'Adolf Hitler aura lieu «entre 8 et le 11 janvier». Une présentation au public est prévue durant la première quinzaine du même mois.

L'ouvrage, qui comprend le texte du dictateur nazi ainsi que 3500 annotations, comportera deux volumes pour un total de 1.948 pages et sera vendu 59 euros, a précisé le responsable de l'Institut qui travaille depuis 2009 sur ce projet.

«Il aurait été irresponsable de laisser le livre passer de main en main sans être commenté», a-t-il également insisté lors d'une rencontre avec des journalistes étrangers à Berlin. » | afp/nxp | mardi 1 décembre 2015

Explosion dans le métro d'Istanbul, des blessés

L’EXPRESS: Une forte explosion d'origine indéterminée a eu lieu dans le métro d'Istanbul, rapportent plusieurs médias. Il y aurait au moins six blessés.

Une forte explosion a eu lieu en début d'après midi dans le métro d'Istanbul. D'origine encore indéterminée, elle s'est produite près de la station Bayrampasa. Elle a fait au moins six blessés, selon la chaîne turque NTV. Il y aurait aussi un mort, selon la chaîne Haberturk. » | Par LEXPRESS.fr avec AFP | mardi 1 décembre 2015

Turkey Should Be Booted Out of NATO - US General

The downing of a Russian jet in Syria by Turkish fighters has shocked both Russia and NATO. And though the motives for the action are unclear, the incident is bound to have significant geopolitical consequences. What was the reasoning behind the Turkish decision to shoot down the jet, and is it likely to jeopardize the fragile diplomatic effort to reach a peaceful settlement in Syria. Oksana is joined by Paul Vallely, a retired US Army Major General, to sift through these issues.

WORLDS APART: Full episode »

Erdogan Promises to Resign If ISIS Oil Links to Turkey Are Confirmed

Russia has received additional intelligence confirming that oil from deposits controlled by Islamic State is moved through Turkey on an industrial scale, said Vladimir Putin. President Recep Erdogan said he will resign if this is confirmed.

Germany: Darmstadt Parents Sentenced to Life for Murder of Daughter

A mother and father were sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering their 19-year-old daughter, during their trial for the crime in the city of Darmstadt, Tuesday.

Germany: Die Linke against Joining War against the So-called Islamic State

Die Linke Parliamentary group co-leader Dietmar Bartsch said that Die Linke opposes the German government's decision to participate in the war against the so-called Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Tuesday.

Germany: Merkel to Seek Parliamentary Approval for Military Action in Syria

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she aims to increase her countries military participation in the US-led alliance in Syria, in a joint address to press with New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key, in Berlin, Tuesday.

France: Turkey Can Do "Much Better" in Stopping IS - Obama

US President Barack Obama said that Turkey can do much more to seal off their border with Syria and block off supply routes of the so-called Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) during a press conference at the COP21 climate talks in Paris, Tuesday. "With respect to Turkey, I have had repeated conversations with President Erdogan about the need to close the border between Turkey and Syria," Obama said. The US president continued, noting that "our militaries work together to determine how a combination of air and Turkish ground forces on the Turkish side of the border can do a much better job of sealing the border than it currently is and I think President Erdogan recognises that."

Russisch-türkischer Streit: Kreml veröffentlicht Sanktionsliste

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Auf Tomaten, Apfelsinen und Weintrauben aus der Türkei müssen die Russen in Zukunft verzichten. Der Kreml hat die Einfuhr dieser und anderer Güter jetzt untersagt. Es gibt aber auch noch weitergehende Sanktionen.

Russland hat im heftigen Streit mit der Führung in Ankara seine Sanktionsliste gegen die Türkei veröffentlicht. Demnach verbietet Moskau vom 1. Januar 2016 an unter anderem die Einfuhr von Hühner- und Putenfleisch, Tomaten, Apfelsinen, Weintrauben und Salz aus der Türkei. Ebenfalls am Neujahrstag tritt eine Visapflicht für Türken in Kraft.

Der visafreie Reiseverkehr zwischen beiden Ländern war im April 2011 in Kraft getreten und vor allem von Touristen genutzt worden. Zuletzt reisten jährlich etwa vier Millionen Russen in die Türkei, die größte Gruppe nach den Deutschen. Nun stellt Russland – bis auf die Heimreisen russischer Touristen – auch alle Charterflüge mit der Türkei ein. » | Quelle: okü./dpa | Dienstag, 1. Dezember 2015

Cabinet Approves Syria Airstrikes Motion

THE GUARDIAN: Twelve-point plan put forward by David Cameron is approved unanimously at weekly meeting devoted entirely to Syria

The cabinet has approved a 12-point motion designed to pave the way for Britain to extend its involvement in airstrikes on Islamic State targets from Iraq to Syria.

The motion, which is deliberately designed to reflect the motion passed by the Labour party at its conference in September, was approved unanimously by the cabinet at its weekly meeting, which was devoted entirely to Syria. » | Nicholas Watt, Chief political correspondent | Tuesday, December 1, 2015