Photo courtesy of BBC
BBC: Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, to protest against Monday's visit by US President George W Bush. Indonesia sees anti-Bush ralliesMark Alexander
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Foto dank der Neuen Zürcher Zeitung
NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Fast 10'000 Personen haben am Samstag in Brandenburg friedlich gegen Rechtsextremismus protestiert und erstmals seit Jahren einen Neonazi-Aufmarsch vor dem Volkstrauertag am grössten deutschen Soldatenfriedhof in Halbe verhindert. Neonazi-Aufmarsch verhindertMark Alexander
Photo courtesy of BBC
BBC: Chancellor Gordon Brown has made his first visit to Iraq and has promised an extra £100m ($188m) over three years to help rebuild the country's economy. Brown makes first visit to IraqMark Alexander
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: Muslim women politicians, business leaders, academics, cultural figures and activists are meeting in New York to try to improve women's rights. Muslim women debate more rightsMark Alexander
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: There were times when Sir David Frost's interview with Tony Blair on al-Jazeera threatened to turn into a quick 40 winks, so languid was the great interrogator's delivery.Mark Alexander
But seasoned Frost-watchers know that this is the moment when the man or woman in the hot seat should be most on his or her guard. The Prime Minister wasn't, and blurted out two monosyllabic words he will have plenty of opportunity to regret. Blair is badly nipped by a vintage touch of Frost by Neil Tweedie
Friday, November 17, 2006
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: The Dutch cabinet has backed a proposal by the country's immigration minister to ban Muslim women from wearing the burqa in public places.Mark Alexander
The burqa, a full body covering that also obscures the face, would be banned by law in the street, and in trains, schools, buses and the law courts.
The cabinet said burqas disturb public order, citizens and safety. Dutch government backs burqa ban
Burqa ban splits Holland
Thursday, November 16, 2006
"America has lost a true visionary and advocate for human freedom. And I have lost a great friend" - Gordon St Angelo, president of the Friedman FoundationMark Alexander
BBC: Nobel prize-winning US economist Milton Friedman has died at the age of 94. Economist Friedman dies aged 94
Milton Friedman: Free market thinker
An enduring legacy
WATCH VIDEO: Economist Milton Friedman dies
Le prix Nobel d'économie Milton Friedman est mort
Nobelpreisträger Milton Friedman gestorben
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
THE CONSERVATIVE VOICE: By Sher Zieve – Appearing on Wednesday’s Laura Ingraham’s radio program, the author of “Now They Call Me Infidel” Nonie Darwish said the ultimate goal of radical Islam is to take over the US. Ms. Darwish, a Muslim, said that hundreds of Islamic mosques are being quickly built throughout the US, which currently have no attendees. Radical Islam Plans to Take Over AmericaMark Alexander
YNET NEWS: Iranian newspapers Kehyan and and Resalat have urged Muslims around the world to prepare for a 'great war' to destroy the State of Israel. Iranian paper: Great war to wipe out Israel coming by Yaakov LappinMark Alexander
Jeddah (AsiaNews) – “Call Me to Islam” is an initiative launched in Saudi Arabia by dawah activists to convert non Muslims to Islam via short message service (SMS) or receive information about Islam, Saudi daily Arab News reported. SMS from Saudi Arabia promoting conversion to IslamMark Alexander
YAHOO NEWS: LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is facing a "very great threat" from a wave of plots among Muslim extremists and a terrorist attack on the UK is highly likely, Home Secretary John Reid said on Wednesday.Mark Alexander
Echoing a warning last week by the head of domestic spy agency MI5, Reid said authorities were aware of 30 active terrorist plots.
"There are a lot of conspiracies out there," Reid told BBC radio.
"These 30 are the ones we think are the most serious of them. They are ongoing, they are working, and they have the potential... some will be nearer preparation than others."
Asked how serious the situation was, Reid said: "It is a very great threat". Reid says terrorist threat "very great"
President Bush has done enough damage in Iraq. Iraq has ended up on the verge of civil war. We read reports of carnage and mayhem daily now. He has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he has neither any understanding of Islam, nor of the the intentions of Muslims worldwide, nor of jihad, nor of the history of the conflict between the Christian and Islamic worlds. As if he hasn't done enough damage already, he now finds it necessary to create havoc with the future of Europe, too!
GWB wanted to bring democracy to the Middle East by imposing it in Iraq. He thought it would spread like a cancer throughout the Middle East. How wrong he was! How naïve! Had he known anything about Islam, he would have known that such an exercise would be futile. Alas, he was not so well-informed.
He is also not well-informed on Europe or Turkey, either. Yet he finds it necessary to meddle in the internal affairs of the European Union, and all in the "interests" of the United States.
I thought Dubya was committed to the concept of democracy? Were he really to be committed, then he would know that democracy functions according to the will of the people. The vast majority of the people of Europe do not want to admit Turkey to their Union, for they know, and understand, that it will be disastrous for the Judeo-Christian culture that Europe has as its underpinning. They know that Islam will spread throughout Europe like wildfire if the Turks ever get the chance to accede. But Bush doesn't give a damn: he soldiers on with his ridiculous and damaging policies, regardless.
Bush should know one thing now: If he is dismayed by the anti-Americanism in Europe today, he needs just to wait to see how anti-American sentiment will grow once Turkey becomes dominant in Europe. And with the population of Turkey set to increase substantially, it will become the dominant power in Europe. Further, if Bush thinks the Turks will thank him in years to come for his support of their application to join, he is deluding himself. Nor need he think that the Europeans will thank him. They won't. George W Bush will have messed up the continent.
It is common knowledge that President Bush is not popular in Europe. Is there any wonder? If Bush continues with this policy, then Europe is destined to become a hotbed of anti-Americanism for many years to come!
President Bush has done enough damage already. For God's sake, don't let him do anymore!
©Mark Alexander
EU OBSERVER: The United States has waded into the debate on the fate of Turkey's EU accession talks, questioning an EU deadline for Ankara to lift a blockade on Cypriot trade while proposing to continue the talks in any case.Mark Alexander
UK daily The Guardian quoted a senior US diplomat as saying that the EU never put a clear-cut deadline on Turkey to open its ports and airports to trade from Cyprus, when the bloc opened formal membership talks with Ankara on 3 October last year. US makes fresh intervention in EU-Turkey row
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: A senior Vatican cardinal has expressed concern over the use of some Muslim veils by Islamic immigrants in Europe.Mark Alexander
This is the first time that the Vatican has joined in the Europe-wide debate on how women who insist on wearing the veil affect the integration of Muslims.
Cardinal Renato Martino said immigrants must respect the traditions, culture and religion of the nations they go to.
They ought to abide by local laws banning the wearing of certain types of Muslim veils, he added.
"It seems elementary to me and it is quite right that the authorities demand it," said Cardinal Martino, who heads the Vatican department dealing with migration issues. Vatican enters Muslim veil debate
"There are tensions, there are even hostilities but they are not caused by religion, by culture or by civilisations " - Archbishop Desmond TutuMark Alexander
Myth and reality feed West-Muslim gulf
BBC: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad has said Tehran is ready to talk to the US - once it changes its attitude.Mark Alexander
His remarks follow suggestions that the US should start direct talks with the country to reduce the violence in Iraq.
US President George W Bush has said Iran must halt nuclear activities before any talks could begin, but Mr Ahmedinejad rejected this. Iran will talk to 'corrected' US
WATCH VIDEO: Bush maintains hard Iran line
Blair addressing the Lord Mayor's banquest last night
Photo courtesy of The Telegraph
THE TELEGRAPH: Iran is trying to form an unholy alliance with al-Qa'eda by grooming a new generation of leaders to take over from Osama bin Laden, The Daily Telegraph can reveal.Mark Alexander
Western intelligence officials say the Iranians are determined to take advantage of bin Laden's declining health to promote senior officials who are known to be friendly to Teheran.
The revelation will deal a major blow to Tony Blair's hopes of establishing a "new partnership" with Teheran.
Addressing the Lord Mayor's banquet in London last night — an occasion traditionally used by the Prime Minister to set out the Government's foreign policy — Mr Blair said he wanted to launch a diplomatic initiative to secure peace in Iraq by establishing dialogue with Iran and ending threats of military force against the regime. Iran plotting to groom bin Laden's successor
Leader: Blair's desperate new plan for the Middle East
Monday, November 13, 2006
The mid-term elections have swept the Democrats to power in both houses of Congress. But the vote is a protest against the Republicans.Mark Alexander
They're calling it a Blue Wave, a sweeping rejection for President Bush. A re-alignment of the political makeup of the United States. In handing power over from one party to the other, just what did American voters really say on Tuesday?
The War in Iraq - change course. The people who run the country in Washington - throw the bums out. The direction of the country - terrible. Protest vote turns the tide 'A point of view' by Tim Egan
The US and UK can't do it alone, so now they call on Syria nd Iran! If this isn't appeasement, what is? What hope have they got now of stopping Iran get the nuclear bomb?
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: Britain's policy towards Iran and Syria has not softened, Downing Street says, despite the prime minister's call for them to help bring stability to Iraq.Mark Alexander
In a major foreign policy speech in London, Tony Blair said a "whole Middle East" policy includes co-operation with the two states.
But his spokesman insisted that did not mean offering new concessions to the governments in Tehran and Damascus. 'No softening' on Iran and Syria
Blair für Gespräche mit Syrien und Iran
Photo courtesy of the Daily Mail
DAILY MAIL: Behind the handsome façade of Bishopthorpe Palace there is a maze of cold and shabby offices. It is here that the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is wrestling with the spiritual decay in Britain.Mark Alexander
It is his job, he believes, to defend the 72 per cent of Britons who described themselves as Christians in the last census against the prevailing secularism of the 'chattering classes.'
It has fallen to a Ugandan, educated by Christian missionaries to take up the sword. In a speech he attacked the 'illiberal atheists, who, under the cloak of secularism, insist that Religion must be a private matter.' Archbishop blames 'chattering classes' for collapse of Britain's spiritual life by SARAH SANDS
Muslims in Britain, fearing the growth of far-right extremism, have helped their Christian counterparts to launch a broadside on politicians and town halls that play down Christmas.Photo courtesy of The Telegraph
THE TELEGRAPH: Muslim leaders joined their Christian counterparts yesterday to launch a powerful attack on politicians and town halls that play down Christmas.Mark Alexander
They warned that attempts to remove religion from the festival were fuelling Right-wing extremism. Leave Christmas alone, say Muslims by Jonathan Petre
Photo courtesy of the Daily Mail
DAILY MAIL: She has been dubbed Iran's Paris Hilton after appearing in a sex video on the internet.Mark Alexander
But while Paris's exploits propelled her to worldwide stardom, Zahra Amir Ebrahimi faces ruin, a public lashing and even a jail term.
Ebrahimi is one of the best-known actresses in the strict Islamic country and made the 20-minute sex tape privately with her boyfriend on a camcorder at the flat they shared two years ago.
Unbeknown to her, it was posted on the internet and widely released as a DVD - angering millions in Iran. Outrage in Iran as actress does a "Paris" and her sex video ends up on the net by Richard Creasy
THE TELEGRAPH: Besides his penchant for champagne and singing outmoded French songs, far-Right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen is known to like a practical joke.Mark Alexander
So when he strode purposefully out of his private office at the National Front's presidential convention outside Paris this weekend towards the press tent, camera crews in tow, nobody seemed overly surprised when he veered off at the last minute into the lavatory.
The cameras were still rolling when he reappeared with a grin, chin jutting forth, to carry on with the presidential show.
At 78, Mr Le Pen can afford such low farce: his popularity ratings have never been better.
An IFOP poll in this weekend's Le Monde showed that 18 per cent of the French say they will "definitely" vote for the National Front chief.
That is nine points more than at the same period before the 2002 election, in which he horrified Europe by coming second to Jacques Chirac. No longer a joke – France is having to take Le Pen's threat seriously by Henry Samuel
Le Pen pledges
Image courtesy of YNET NEWS
"Skin heads and uniform-wearers are already a minority. The convention participants were well-kept, well-dressed people from all levels of German society." - Eldad Beck
YNET: BERLIN - Decades after World War II, Germany isn't the same Germany, but whoever came across the neo-Nazi convention Saturday in Berlin couldn't help but sense a slight chill crawl up his back.Mark Alexander
And yet, just as the hall in Munich in the 20s of the previous century was too small to contain the ambitions of a former corporal, the venue in the worker's quarter of Berlin is seen as just a starting point for the former paratrooper and current chairman of the neo-Nazi party.
"One day we will control this country, and not from some remote town, but from Berlin," declared National Democratic Party (NPD) Chairman Udo Voigt at the convention. The declaration received roaring applause from those in attendance. NeoNazis: One day we'll control Germany by Eldad Back
YNET: Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's daughter Dana told Army Radio on Sunday that the struggle of the homosexual community in Israel has just began, charging that the community's rights remain violated.Mark Alexander
"There is a continuing history of violence and hatred, there is homophobia. Coming out of the closet is not a one-time struggle," Dana, a lesbian, said. PM's daughter slams lack of support for gay parade
BBC: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has warned that hanging former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein will lead to even more bloodshed in Iraq.Mark Alexander
A Baghdad court condemned Saddam Hussein to death on Sunday for the killing of 148 Shia Muslims after a 1982 assassination attempt against him.
Mr Mubarak said hanging the former president would only exacerbate ethnic and sectarian divisions between Iraqis. Mubarak warns on Saddam execution
BBC: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will be presented with a plan of action on Monday to ease increasing polarisation of Muslim and Western societies.Mark Alexander
The report is by a group of prominent international figures, including Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu and ex-Iranian president Mohammad Khatami.
They have been brought together under the United Nations initiative, the Alliance of Civilisations. UN tries to heal religious divide by Sarah Rainsford
Alliance of Civilizations
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: Sir Elton John has said he would like to see all organised religion banned and accused it of trying to "turn hatred towards gay people".Mark Alexander
Organised religion lacked compassion and turned people into "hateful lemmings", he told the Observer.
But the musician said he loved the idea of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the beautiful stories about it which he had learned at Sunday school. Sir Elton: Ban organised religion
Photo courtesy of Google Images
Mark AlexanderIn deep gratitude: Remembering those who died for our liberty.
WATCH VIDEO: Remembrance Day ceremony
WATCH VIDEO: Ceremony honours war dead
Saturday, November 11, 2006
BBC: Thousands of Turks have demonstrated in support of secularism during the funeral of the veteran statesman Bulent Ecevit in the capital Ankara.Mark Alexander
"Turkey is secular and will remain secular," crowds chanted as his coffin reached the city's main mosque.
They also booed the arrival of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose party has its roots in political Islam. Chants as Turks bury ex-PM Ecevit
Turkey holds Ecevit funeral
"We will not rest from our jihad until ... we have blown up the filthiest house -- which is called the White House" - al-Muhajir (Abu Ayyub al-Masri)Mark Alexander
THE WASHINGTON TIMES: BAGHDAD -- The head of al Qaeda's Iraq operations yesterday gloated in a new audio tape over the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and praised U.S. voters for punishing President Bush and the Republicans in Tuesday's midterm elections.
Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, in the first public statement by a senior al Qaeda figure since the vote, said in an Internet-posted recording that his group now had 22,000 armed fighters and reserves in Iraq and taunted Mr. Bush not to copy Mr. Rumsfeld and "flee the battlefield."
Al-Muhajir, also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri, urged the United States to stay in Iraq so his group would have more opportunities to kill American troops. Al Qaeda gloats over U.S. election by Christopher Bodeen
CNN: BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- German neo-Nazis, some shouting "Sieg Heil," rampaged in the eastern city of Frankfurt on Oder and destroyed wreaths placed to mark the anniversary of the 1938 Nazi pogrom against the Jews, police said on Friday.Mark Alexander
A police spokeswoman said the group had launched an attack on Thursday evening, shortly after a memorial service by community and Jewish leaders at a monument where a synagogue once stood.
She said the neo-Nazis trampled floral wreaths placed at a memorial stone to the synagogue in the Polish border city that was destroyed 68 years ago in the Nazis' Kristallnacht or "Night of Broken Glass." Neo-Nazis attack Jewish memorial
CNN: MUNICH, Germany (AP) -- Nearly 70 years after Adolf Hitler declared Munich's main synagogue an "eyesore" in the center of his power base and personally ordered it torn down, the city's Jews are celebrating a return to the heart of the southern German city.
On Thursday, the 68th anniversary of Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, Torah scrolls were marched with fanfare through the winding, cobblestone streets of downtown Munich to a newly built synagogue in the heart of the city. After 68-year wait, a new synagogue for Munich
NPD darf ihren Parteitag in Berlin abhalten: Gericht macht Weg frei
Intense rivalry between father and his wayward son has given way to mutual concern about the family legacyMark Alexander
THE TIMES: THE White House was in no mood this week to discuss President Bush’s psychological state after an election defeat that he himself had described as “a thumping”. Tony Snow, Mr Bush’s press secretary, said: “The President is not a guy who — he doesn’t get on the couch — what he does is [say], ‘What it is, is what it is’ ”.
But if the President ever did lie down on a therapist’s couch, any psychoanalyst worth the name would begin by asking about his relationship with his father, George H. W. Bush. The 41st US President is a figure that his son, George W. Bush, the 43rd President, has variously ignored, clung to, sought the approval of and competed with. Some commentators have long since taken to describing an oedipal struggle between them.
Bush v Bush: an oedipal battle between men of rigid beliefs by Tom Baldwin
Foto dank der Welt
DIE WELT: Prinz Alwaleed besitzt das größte Privatflugzeug der Welt, einen Palast mit 317 Räumen und 20 Milliarden Dollar. Nun will der Saudi zusammen mit Bill Gates die Hotelkette Four Seasons kaufen.Mark Alexander
Was geschieht, wenn die beiden mächtigsten Investoren der Welt aufeinander treffen? Sie tauschen Höflichkeiten aus. So fühlt sich Prinz Alwaleed, Nummer acht auf der Forbes-Liste der reichsten Menschen der Welt, geschmeichelt, wenn die "New York Times" ihn als "Saudi Arabiens Warren Buffett" bezeichnet. Umgekehrt lässt der amerikanische Großinvestor und zweitreichste Mann der Welt den saudischen Prinzen wissen, dass er in seiner Heimatstadt Omaha im US-Bundesstaat Nebraska der "Alwaleed von Amerika" genannt wird. Nach den Schmeicheleien kommt das Geschäft, oder eine Partnerschaft mit dem allerreichsten Mann der Welt: Buffett beglückte jüngst seinen Bridgepartner Bill Gates mit einer Spende von 30 Mrd. Dollar für dessen humanitäre Stiftung. Und der Prinz legte zu Wochenbeginn gemeinsam mit dem Microsoft-Gründer ein Übernahmeangebot von 3,7 Mrd. Dollar für die Hotelkette Four Seasons vor. Der reichste Mann Arabiens von Von Katja Ridderbusch
Friday, November 10, 2006
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: BNP leader Nick Griffin and party activist Mark Collett have been cleared of inciting racial hatred after a retrial at Leeds Crown Court.Mark Alexander
Mr Griffin, 46, from Powys, Wales, had denied two charges of using words or behaviour intended to stir up racial hatred in a speech in Keighley.
Mr Collett, 26, of Leicestershire, was cleared of four similar charges.
Chancellor Gordon Brown has told the BBC race laws may have to be revised in light of the acquittal. BNP leader cleared of race hate
WATCH VIDEO: BNP chief celebrates victory
Brown hints at new race hate law as BNP chiefs are cleared by Paul Stokes
Bringing case was own goal as Griffin makes political capital
BBC: Few issues divide the Europeans as much as Turkey.Mark Alexander
Divisions are becoming ever more apparent as the European Union nears the moment of truth in relations with its biggest and poorest applicant country, which also happens to be Muslim. Turkish bid exposes EU rifts
Mark Alexander
"I have read a lot of books on the issue of Islam and by no means consider my self totally across it. As is the case with most subjects, it has the capacity to glaze the eyes if you let it. This book though is a breezy and comprehensive easy read. You can pick it up and put it down at will and not lose the plot. The introduction of Mark Alexander's easy to read reality check, The Dawning of a New Dark Age is Wake Up, West! It is compelling reading." - Jim Ball
"The book I wish I could have written myself!" - Norman Caswallon
"Mark, I have you to thank for two nights in a row of very little sleep! I have just finished reading your book. Awesome, but very worrying. I have been researching Islam for years now and your book is the latest. I feel that your book is probably the most amazing, and by far the most frank and to-the-point book about this very real and massive problem at hand. From one page to the other I thought about people in my street, my town and my country who are blissfully unaware of the impending peril." - Liberty Lover
”Recently, I took a competitive exam that would enable me to be a candidate for permanent hire. The odds of passing this writing test are around 15%. The vast preponderance of people who pass are people fresh out of college and lawyers. We were told we cannot study for this exam. We were told that either one has the ability or one does not. I refused to accept those myths. I quickly realized that my style would not pass that exam. I went through books of short essays and one book stood out above the rest: Mark Alexander's. His simple, no-frills writing style, his eloquence, worked like a charm! Before the exam, I examined Mark Alexander's sentence style for one hundred hours. Mark's style made the rules of grammar come alive! I have to give credit to Mark Alexander for this. Going into the test, I knew I had to produce a first rate essay, and I did. My boss has noted the drastic improvements in my writing style. He even asked me if I had taken a brush-up course at the local University!” - Beakerkin
A MUST READ for Americans who do not understand the forces behind the attacks by Islamic terrorists on Western civilization. Mark Alexander bases his analysis on extensive research in Islamic literature, passages from the Koran, and his own experience gained from living and working in the Middle East. Mark's book is beautifully and powerfully written and is eminently readable.MUST READ for Americans who do not understand the forces behind the attacks by Islamic terrorists on Western civilization. Mark Alexander bases his analysis on extensive research in Islamic literature, passages from the Koran, and his own experience gained from living and working in the Middle East. Mark's book is beautifully and powerfully written and is eminently readable." - Anonymous
Single best book to start to learn truth about Islam - George M.
"The author has deep insight and personal knowledge of the Islamic faith - knowledge upon which he bases his evidence and expresses his clear views and insights. The book is clearly written, and it makes fascinating reading.The warnings to the West are skilfully stated. I found it difficult to put the book down!" - Anon. UK
Great Insight Great Read: "Mark Alexander has perfect insight into the issues facing the free world from Islam. Anyone who wants to understand the roots of terrorism will want to read Mark's book. It is short, readable and to the point." - George, University Professor
"Mark has written a very readable book here. He states clearly what Islam is all about, and he shows why this religion and political system is likley to be a problem for the West. Definitely a good read. I highly recommend this book." - EL
Great Read: "Mark Alexander is 'right on target.' His book is not only beautifully written, but is perfect for those who want a clear, straightforward understanding of Islam and its ambitious goal to make the whole world Islamic (and/or to destroy the infidels who refuse to convert). Mark's book is a 'great read,' an 'easy read' and a 'fascinating read' - I commend it to you highly." - D. K., Academic
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... then watch this video of Keith Ellison, the US's first Muslim congressman, on the night of his victory:
With thanks to Always On Watch for alerting me to this video.
Mark Alexander
1,600 suspects under surveillance
30 plots to kill, maim, damage
200 terror groups or networks
THE TIMES: Hundreds of young British Muslims are being radicalised, groomed and set on a path to mass murder, the head of MI5 said yesterday.Mark Alexander
In a stark public warning, Dame Eliza ManninghamBuller, the Director-General of MI5, revealed that the Security Service’s caseload had risen by 80 per cent since January and now involved about 30 “Priority 1” plots.
It has identified 200 terrorist networks involving at least 1,600 people, many under the direct control of al-Qaeda leaders in Pakistan.
“More and more people are moving from passive sympathy towards active terrorism through being radicalised or indoctrinated by friends, families, in organised training events here and overseas,” she said. “Young teenagers are being groomed to be suicide bombers.” More Britons are turning to terror, says MI5 director by Michael Evans
But th editorial misses the main point. It's Islam, stupid! The al-Qaeda challenge
WATCH VIDEO: MI5 boss spells out UK threat
Thursday, November 09, 2006
The rueful President Bush
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: US President George W Bush has appealed to members of the US Congress to rise above party differences, after heavy Republican losses in mid-term polls. Bush drive to heal partisan splitMark Alexander
Photo courtesy of Google Images
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Democratic voters were last night pressing for the impeachment of President George W Bush for his conduct over the Iraq war.Mark Alexander
With the Democrats preparing to control both houses of Congress, they have extensive powers to investigate the president, including the appointment of a special counsel.
Many Democrats are keen to press home their new-found advantage by investigating the president's conduct in the build-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq and any role he may have played in exposing the identity of the CIA agent Valerie Plame.
Mr Bush may not know it, but "his presidency is now over" said Terry McAuliffe, the former Democratic Party chairman, who promised that Mr Bush would be held accountable for "the colossal failure in Iraq that has set our foreign policy back by 50 years". Cock-a-hoop Democrats clamour to impeach Bush by Alex Massie
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Democrats have now taken control of both chambers of congress, the American media reported late last night. Democrats take control of both chambers of Congress by Sally Peck
Bush's hell starts today by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
THE TIMES: Turkey was told yesterday to open its ports and airports to Cypriot traffic within the next month or face the suspension of talks to join the European Union.Mark Alexander
The ultimatum from the European Commission — the first delivered to a potential EU country — solicited a promise to speed up domestic reforms, but the Turkish Prime Minister insisted that the Cyprus issue could be solved only by Greece and Greek Cypriots. “Don’t expect us to open our ports and airports until the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot state is lifted,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
Suspension of accession talks would damage relations between Turkey and the EU. Opposition to Turkish membership in Germany and France would make restarting the process difficult if stalled. Ultimatum may end Turkey EU hope from Rory Watson and Suna Erdem
NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: In dem am Mittwoch veröffentlichten Fortschrittsbericht übt die Europäische Kommission harte Kritik am EU-Beitritts-Kandidaten Türkei. Vor allem moniert sie den lahmenden Reformprozess. Für Ankara kommt die Brüsseler Beurteilung einer eigentlichen Ohrfeige gleich. Doch damit nicht genug: Die Regierung Erdogan muss mit der Suspendierung der Beitrittsverhandlungen rechnen, wenn die Türkei bis Ende Jahr das sogenannte Ankara- Protokoll nicht ratifiziert haben wird. Darin hatte sich das Land noch vor Aufnahme der formellen Beitrittsgespräche vor gut einem Jahr verpflichtet, die Zollunion mit der EU auch auf die zehn neuen EU-Mitgliedstaaten, also auch auf Zypern, auszudehnen. Die Türkei weigert sich zurzeit noch, dieser Verpflichtung nachzukommen und ihre Häfen für Schiffe und Flugzeuge aus Zypern zu öffnen. Verkorkste EU-Beitritts-VerhandlungenMark Alexander
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
On the day of the mid-term elections in the States, it seems fitting to profile one of the world's recent great leaders: Margaret Thatcher. The then president of France, President François Mitterand once said of her: "She has the eyes of Caligula, and the lips of Marilyn Monroe."
Photo courtesy of Google Images
TIME: She's called the iron lady, but to me there has never seemed anything iron about Margaret Thatcher, a remarkable woman and one of the greatest politicians of the modern age. I've had the pleasure to meet her many times over the past 17 years, since the fall of communism. She has always been kind and a good listener. Margaret Thatcher: Her political philosophy provided a model for postcommunist countries by VÁCLAV KLAUSMark Alexander
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Jews and Muslims in Jerusalem have found common ground in their fierce opposition to a gay rights rally due to be held in the city this week.Mark Alexander
Leaders from both faiths have united to denounce the parade, which has prompted nights of street protest by ultra-orthodox Jews, who regard homosexuality as an "abomination", and death threats against those taking part. Jews and Muslims unite against homosexuals
In support of free speech
Is gay marriage a threat to marriage? by Steve Chapman
Watch video here: Row over Israeli gay pride
Is a gay who opposes same-sex marriage a hypocrit? by Dennis Prager
Vatican asks Israel to ban Jerusalem gay pride parade
Monday, November 06, 2006
DAILY TELEGRAPH: Tony Blair has joined other EU countries in asking Iraq not to execute Saddam Hussein.Mark Alexander
Mr Blair said the conviction of the former Iraqi leader was a reminder of his regime’s “barbaric brutality”.
He told his monthly press conference in Downing Street that the Government was “against the death penalty, whether it is Saddam Hussein or anybody else”. Blair opposes execution of Saddam
BBC: Morocco's state airline Royal Air Maroc has banned its staff praying at their offices and headquarters.Mark Alexander
The company says that in the past its workers have abused the privilege of praying, by taking too much time away from their desks and their customers.
But the airline's workers as well as Islamist politicians say it is part of a crackdown on their religious freedom. Moroccan airline bans prayer time
"Anywhere in the world where there are two peoples and two religions there is conflict. What we have seen in Cyprus is that since they have that model, there is no terror. There is security." - Avigdor LiebermanMark Alexander
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR: Less than a week after being appointed to the Israeli cabinet, ultra-nationalist Avigdor Lieberman called for Israel to become "as much as possible" an all-Jewish country without an Arab minority. Israeli cabinet minister calls for Arab-free Israel by Tom Regan
BBC: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that Turkey's EU bid will be in serious trouble if Ankara does not open its ports and airports to Cyprus.Mark Alexander
Mrs Merkel, whose government assumes the EU presidency in January, called on Turkey to "do all it can to prevent such a complicated situation arising". Merkel warns Turkey over Cyprus
Turks cool towards 'unfaithful' Europe
Analysis: Turkey and the EU Drift Apart
THE INDEPENDENT: So America's one-time ally has been sentenced to death for war crimes he committed when he was Washington's best friend in the Arab world. America knew all about his atrocities and even supplied the gas - along with the British, of course - yet there we were yesterday declaring it to be, in the White House's words, another "great day for Iraq". That's what Tony Blair announced when Saddam Hussein was pulled from his hole in the ground on 13 December 2003. And now we're going to string him up, and it's another great day.Mark Alexander
Of course, it couldn't happen to a better man. Nor a worse. It couldn't be a more just verdict - nor a more hypocritical one. It's difficult to think of a more suitable monster for the gallows, preferably dispatched by his executioner, the equally monstrous hangman of Abu Ghraib prison, Abu Widad, who would strike his victims on the head with an axe if they dared to condemn the leader of the Iraqi Socialist Baath Party before he hanged them. But Abu Widad was himself hanged at Abu Ghraib in 1985 after accepting a bribe to put a reprieved prisoner to death instead of the condemned man. But we can't mention Abu Ghraib these days because we have followed Saddam's trail of shame into the very same institution. And so by hanging this awful man, we hope - don't we? - to look better than him, to remind Iraqis that life is better now than it was under Saddam. Robert Fisk: This was a guilty verdict on America as well
Europe calls for death penalty to be commuted
Bush hopes verdict will boost election campaign
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: It is wrong to take pleasure in the approaching death of any human being, and therefore we do not celebrate the fact that – barring an exceedingly unlikely turn of events – Saddam Hussein will soon be dangling from a hangman's rope. But we recognise the justice of yesterday's death sentence by the court in Baghdad, and we also welcome the fact that this guilty defendant will be denied the firing squad reserved for those to whom a shred of honour still attaches. A hangman's noose is all Saddam deserves
Sunday, November 05, 2006
BBC: A month after ex-foreign secretary Jack Straw suggested that Muslim women who wear veils over their face can make community relations harder, what do people within the Muslim community in the UK think of his remarks?Mark Alexander
Jack Straw's comments on veils have been good news for the owner of The Hijab Centre in the MP's constituency of Blackburn.
Nadeem Siddiqui tells me he is selling more veils than he did before his local MP made his controversial remarks. How veil remarks reinforced its support
THE SUNDAY TIMES: IN SUSSEX they celebrated England throwing off Catholicism with traditional bonfire night gusto yesterday by blasting effigies of the Pope to smithereens. In Rome, meanwhile, a Catholic member of the British royal family married a fellow papist as if the 16th-century break with the Vatican was ancient history.Mark Alexander
The marriage of Lord Nicholas Windsor, youngest child of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, to Paola Doimi de Frankopan is thought to be the first British royal marriage to take place at the Vatican since the Reformation. It was blessed by the Queen, who has written to the couple paying tribute to their shared devoutness. After 500 years, a royal wedding in the Vatican by Christopher Morgan
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: Katharine Jefferts Schori has taken office as the first female leader anywhere in the Anglican denomination.Mark Alexander
Bishop Jefferts Schori, 52, became the presiding bishop and primate of the US Episcopal Church at an investiture service in Washington DC.
She was selected in June to lead the 2.3m-strong Church after narrowly winning a vote.
The choice has proven controversial as most other Anglican Churches around the world do not allow women to be bishops. Woman bishop takes over Church
Watch Video of snippets from ceremony in National Cathedral in Washington here: Church first for woman bishop
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (AU): PRESSURE is growing on Pope Benedict XVI to use a trip to Turkey this month to rebuild badly strained ties between the Vatican and the Muslim world.Mark Alexander
Two new developments last week – a shooting incident at the Italian consulate in Istanbul and news that Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan would not meet him during his visit – have given an added edge to the visit from November 28 to December 1. Pressure on Pope to rebuild ties with Islam
Photo courtesy of the BBC
THE SUNDAY TIMES: THE Church of England’s only Asian bishop, whose father converted from Islam, has criticised many Muslims for their “dual psychology”, in which they desire both “victimhood and domination”.Mark Alexander
In the most outspoken critique of Muslims by a church leader, Michael Nazir-Ali, the Bishop of Rochester, said that because of this view it would never be possible to satisfy all their demands.
“Their complaint often boils down to the position that it is always right to intervene when Muslims are victims, as in Bosnia or Kosovo, and always wrong when the Muslims are the oppressors or terrorists, as with the Taliban or in Iraq,” said Nazir-Ali.
“Given the world view that has given rise to such grievances, there can never be sufficient appeasement and new demands will continue to be made.” Bishop attacks 'victim' Muslims by Christopher Morgan
Bishop attacks 'Muslim hypocrisy'
Saturday, November 04, 2006
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: ANKARA, Turkey: Thousands of pro-secular, nationalist Turks marched in the capital Saturday, vowing to defend the secular regime against Islamization and urging the government not to make too many concessions in order to gain European Union membership.Mark Alexander
Some 12,000 people from more than 100 pro-secular associations waved Turkish flags as they marched to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, in a show of loyalty to secularism.
"Turkey is secular and it will remain secular," they chanted during a march broadcast live on some TV channels. 12,000 pro-secular Turks march against radical Islam, urge against making concessions to EU
Italian Foreign Minister runs scared of culture clash with Islam
BBC: Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the EU of placing new obstacles on Turkey's bid to enter the bloc.
"Don't ask us for things that aren't part of the programme," he said, adding that the EU should be "honest and sincere" in its approach.
He was responding to a draft European Commission report, due to be released next week, that raises fresh doubts about Turkey's bid to join the EU. Turkish PM regrets EU 'obstacles'
Watch 'Obstacles' to Turkey's EU bid
Friday, November 03, 2006
Have you noticed that we never hear any good, light-hearted music these days. Nor do we get 'entertaining' films. Everything has become so, so HEAVY! The more influence Islam will have over the West, the WORSE it will get. For now, just for a change, click here to understand what life used to be like: Smokey Robinson
PS: I make nothing from this. I bring this music to you so that you do not forget what life used to be like: Light-hearted and happy! Why don't YOU add a link to the music of your choice. Let's have a jam session!
Mark Alexander
BBC: British National Party leader Nick Griffin told a crowd that Islam was a "wicked, vicious faith" a court heard.Mark Alexander
Mr Griffin, 47, from mid-Wales, is charged with using words or behaviour intended to stir up racial hatred in Keighley, West Yorkshire, in 2004.
BNP activist Mark Collett, 25, of Leicestershire, also faces four similar charges at Leeds Crown Court.
The charges arose out of speeches filmed by BBC journalist Jason Gwynne for a documentary on the party.
The jury heard Mr Griffin, of Llanerfyl, Powys, urged the gathering to vote BNP to ensure "the British people really realise the evil of what these people have done to our country". BNP leader 'said Islam is wicked'
Vor diesem Kloster in Erfurt hat sich Weisselberg verbrannt
Photo dank der Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: 03. November 2006Mark Alexander
Auf der Pressekonferenz am Mittwoch nachmittag zeigen sich Bischof Axel Noack aus Magdeburg und der Kurator des Augustinerklosters in Erfurt, Lothar Schmelz, ratlos. Was sollen sie, die selbst noch erschüttert sind, zur Selbstverbrennung des Pfarrers Roland Weisselberg am Reformationstag vor dem Erfurter Augustinerkloster sagen? Die Erfurter Pröpstin Elfriede Begrich, die mit Verspätung zur Pressekonferenz kommt, macht den Bischof wohl noch ratloser. Denn sie berichtet, daß sie bis eben mit der Witwe gesprochen habe und mit ihr einig sei, das Motiv des Pfarrers offenzulegen, um Spekulationen vorzubeugen. Roland Weisselberg sei es mit seinem Selbstmord „um die Ausbreitung des Islam und die Haltung der Kirchen dazu gegangen. Das war immer sein Anliegen.“ Seit drei Jahren habe er darum gebeten, sich des Themas anzunehmen. Es sei „das große Thema, das uns bewegt für die nächsten Jahre“. Weisselberg habe in Briefen dazu aufgefordert, „das Problem ernster zu nehmen“. Es sei für ihn „wirklich ein Dauerthema gewesen“. Die Kirche, sagt die Pröpstin, habe sich zwar damit beschäftigt, „aber nicht so exzentrisch“. „Nicht aus Angst, sondern aus Protest“ Von Claus Peter Müller, Alfons Kaiser und Raoul Löbbert
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: The Prince of Wales has called for tolerance between all religions as he continues his tour of Pakistan.Mark Alexander
Accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, his trip to Lahore took in a mosque, a Sikh temple and a cathedral.
The prince called on community leaders of all faiths to have the "courage" to encourage mutual understanding and tackle religious intolerance.
BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt says the prince is passionate about improving inter-faith dialogue. Charles urges inter-faith respect
M & C NEWS: TALLAHASSEE, FL, United States (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has strongly condemned a county commissioner and his wife for their calling Islam a 'hateful, frightening religion.' Jeb Bush denounces anti-Islam statementMark Alexander
Thursday, November 02, 2006
THE BRUSSELS JOURNAL: Europe’s current problems are entirely self-inflicted. This does not mean, however, that the result will be less catastrophic. By subverting the roots of its own Judeo-Christian culture – a process that started with the French Enlightenment (as opposed to the Scottish Enlightenment, which was not anti-religious) – a religious and cultural vacuum was created at the heart of European civilization. The collapse of faith in its own values has, not surprisingly, led to a demographic collapse because a civilization that no longer believes in its own future also rejects procreation. Today, a new religion and culture is supplanting the old one. There is little one can do about it, but hope for a miracle. The Closing Civilization of Europe by Paul BelienMark Alexander
BBC: Some 1,500 migrants arrived to live in the UK every day in 2005, according to official estimates.Mark Alexander
Government figures suggest 185,000 more people came to live in the UK than emigrated in 2005 - making the population grow by 500 a day.
The total for those arriving was lower than 2004's record, but continues a trend of high levels of migration.
While the number of arriving Eastern European workers grew, the numbers of people leaving the UK has also risen.
In total, 565,000 people arrived in the UK in 2005 saying they intended to stay for at least a year. At the same time, 380,000 people left - 1,000 people a day - more than half of whom were British citizens. 1,500 migrants arrive in UK daily
Watch video: UK takes 1,500 migrants a day
Outline of the problem [facing the UK]
What is it with these people? Don't they ever wear anything except black? Why do they always have to be so morbid? Black veils, black turbans, black abayas, black, black, black. Everywhere you look, they're dressed in black! Psychiatrists! Please get on their case. This has got to be indicative of something. I think I know what it is: It's a morbid outlook and a love of death and the so-called afterlife. But a more scientific opinion would be more than welcome.Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: Teaching assistant Aishah Azmi has no regrets about the huge controversy stirred by her refusal to take off her veil during lessons.Mark Alexander
She is small in stature, but big on principle.
The Cardiff-born support teacher is unfazed by the national - and international - attention paid to her refusal to take off her veil when working with male colleagues.
The 23-year-old, married mother-of-one knows she could defuse the row by backing down, but will she?
"No" is her polite but firm reply. The woman at centre of veil case
SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: For almost half a century, Turkey has been pursuing European Union membership. With negotiations now started though, enthusiasm is waning. And the influence of Islam is on the rise.Mark Alexander
At first glance, the "Sah Inn Suite" Hotel in Alanya looks no different from the average sunny resort along the Turkish Mediterranean coast: a bulky construction with a honeycomb of balconies, looking out over a generous swimming pool surrounded by parasols and lounge chairs. But, in fact, only men are allowed to take a refreshing plunge into these shimmering blue waters. Women vacationers at the Sah-Hotel swim in a strictly isolated pool for women. And what about a cold beer? Forget it. There is no alcohol here; instead, a mosque offers communion with God. Less Europe, More Islam
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: 01. November 2006Mark Alexander
Der evangelische Pfarrer, der sich in Erfurt am Reformationstag selbst anzündete und tötete, hat den Suizid begangen, um ein Zeichen zu setzen gegen die Ausbreitung des Islam in Deutschland. Bevor er sich anzündete, rief er in Anspielung auf den Pfarrer Oskar Brüsewitz die Worte: „Jesus und Oskar!“
Das bestätigten Bischof Axel Noack aus Magdeburg und die Erfurter Pröpstin Elfriede Begrich am Mittwoch nachmittag in Erfurt. Begrich sagte, seit mehreren Jahren habe den Mann der angeblich wachsende Einfluß des Islam umgetrieben. Pfarrer verbrennt sich aus Angst vor dem Islam
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: BERLIN: A retired Protestant minister died Wednesday of burns after setting himself on fire, apparently to express his concern over the spread of Islam, a church official said. Retired minister dies after setting himself on fire over Islam, church official says
Retired pastor burns himself in Islam protest
THE GLOBE AND MAIL: TEHRAN — Iran's Culture Ministry on Thursday dismissed criticism of its competition of cartoons on the Holocaust and lauded it as an expression of hatred against oppressors, while the Israeli Foreign Ministry, echoing widespread international condemnation, deplored that Tehran had joined the “obscene chorus” of denial.Mark Alexander
Iran awarded a Moroccan artist late Wednesday the top prize in an exhibition of cartoons against the Holocaust, saying it wanted to emphasize that Palestinians were the indirect victims of the Nazi's killing of six million Jews in Europe during the Second World War.
“Palestinians have been victim of a deceptive history by Zionists,” Iran's Culture Minister Hossein Saffar Harandi was quoted as saying by the Kayhan conservative daily on Thursday.
“The cartoonists expressed their hate against oppressors and their love toward [Palestinian] victims in their works,” the Culture Minister said.
Israel, where many Holocaust survivors immigrated to, expressed its dismay at such hatred. Iran dismisses criticism of Holocaust cartoon contest by NASSER KARIMI
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: UK Muslims should obey British law as well as accepting the obligations of citizenship, the former president of Iran has urged.Mark Alexander
Mohammad Khatami, during a three-day visit to Britain, told BBC News the UK was right to fear radicalism.
But it had added to the problem by getting involved in Iraq, he said. Obey UK law, Iran ex-leader urges
BBC: The former president of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, has branded US attempts to impose Western-style democracy in the Middle East as "a great joke".
Mr Khatami was critical of the US-led military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, which he said had led to more Muslims supporting al-Qaeda.
In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC, Mr Khatami, said he was committed to fighting extremism around the world. Khatami labels US policy 'a joke'
Audio Interview: Khatami: US policy is a joke
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
ZAMAN ONLINE: Following the cartoon crisis and Pope Benedict XVI’s offensive remarks on Islam, many European state-owned TV channels have launched new initiatives to disseminate more information on Islam.Mark Alexander
Inspired by the TV programs on Islam broadcast by state-sponsored TV channels in France, the Netherlands and Denmark, Germany and Belgium are also now considering starting programs of the same kind.
The lack of accurate information on Muslims, which became clearer following the cartoon crisis, and the pope’s contentious remarks, has led some European countries to introduce TV programs on Islam and its fundamental precepts. It is already expected that the Islamic programs, which will be prepared in the native language of the country, will contribute to social cohabitation. European Television Hosts more Programs on Islam
This award to the former President of Iran disgraces Scotland’s oldest universityMark Alexander
THE TIMES: WE MUST thank the University of St Andrews for that rare opportunity — the chance to employ with a straight face the cliché “it’s like Caligula appointing his horse as consul”. How so? Because Scotland’s oldest university has decided to award an honorary doctorate of law to former President Khatami of Iran “in recognition of his efforts to encourage interfaith dialogue”.
I kid you not. No less a person than Sir Menzies Campbell, the university’s Chancellor, will bestow the accolade on the acceptable face of violent, arbitrary clerical rule. It will come to be seen as one of the most shameful days in the university’s history — on a par with the honorary degrees granted by the University of Edinburgh to Robert Mugabe, of Zimbabwe, or the Central London Polytechnic to Elena Ceaucescu, of Romania. They, too, were once fashionable items among the appeasing classes, of which Sir Menzies is the contemporary personification. The dishonouring of St Andrews by Dean Godson
THE SUNDAY TIMES: STUDENT leaders are organising a mass protest over St Andrews University’s decision to award an honorary degree to a former Iranian president who praised Hezbollah.
Muhammad Khatami is to be made an honorary doctor of laws by Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat leader who is also the university’s chancellor.
Khatami will open the university’s Institute for Iranian Studies, which will house 12,000 books donated by Sadegh Kharazi, Iran’s former ambassador to France. The collection of Iranian texts, the largest of its kind in Europe, is estimated to be worth more than £100,000. Fury as St Andrews honours Hezbollah backer by Mark Macaskill and Abul Taher
BBC: The former president of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, has begun a visit to the UK by calling for dialogue between civilisations to prevent religious wars. He is the most senior Iranian figure to visit the UK since the Islamic revolution in 1979. Mixed reception for Iran's ex-president
BLOOMBERG: London Police have concluded there is insufficient evidence to pursue a criminal investigation against Iran's former president Mohammad Khatami, after two exiled Iranians said they were tortured by his government.
The Metropolitan Police service received a letter last week referring to alleged acts of torture in the Islamic Republic in 1999. Torture committed anywhere in the world is a criminal offence under British law, according to section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act. London Police Dismiss Accusations Against Iran's Khatami by Caroline Alexander
BBC: A court in the Turkish city of Istanbul has acquitted a 92-year-old academic of charges of insulting Muslim women and inciting religious hatred.Mark Alexander
Archaeologist Muazzez Ilmiye Cig was prosecuted over a book in which she linked the wearing of headscarves with ancient Sumerian sexual rites. Turkey court clears archaeologist
THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION: According to the latest polls, by spring 2007 the president of France could well be Nicolas Sarkozy, the man who The Washington Post described as “not your everyday French politician.” For a start, the current French Interior Minister and leader of the UMP conservative party is pro-American. He understands that the war on terrorism is the world’s fight and not one America should have to bear alone. He grasps the nature of the threat facing Continental Europe from Muslim extremism and favors fighting terrorism head-on and without apology. His worldview is not one that ends in the Michelin-starred restaurants of Paris. Further, he is vocally enthusiastic about the Anglo-Saxon economic model and keen to shake up the statist, government-centered French economy with a hefty dose of innovation and entrepreneurialism. So if Nicolas Sarkozy does become president next year, what exactly will it mean for U.S. interests? Regime Change in Paris: How Nicolas Sarkozy Could Reinvigorate U.S.-French Relations by Sally McNamaraMark Alexander
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