Monthly Archives: August 2013

“Al-Qaeda expands in Syria via Islamic State” Washpost

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Pat Lang

  "The group, now known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, is by no means the largest of the loosely aligned rebel organizations battling to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and it is concentrated mostly in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Syria | 15 Comments

I want to buy a bicycle.

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Pat Lang

  I had a good Schwinn bike when I was a boy.  I believe it was the "Traveler" model as in the picture).  It was made in Europe.  It had  a European profile, four speeds, hand brakes, high handle bars … Continue reading →

Posted in Ukraine Crisis | 71 Comments

Embassy closure farce ends except in Yemen.

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Pat Lang

  "Eighteen of the 19 US embassies and consulates that were closed in the Middle East and Africa over fears of attack will reopen on Sunday, according to the US state department. The embassy in Sana'a, Yemen, will remain closed. … Continue reading →

Posted in government | 11 Comments

Sunday Observation on US/Russia relations – 11 August, 2013

Posted on August 11, 2013 by Pat Lang

Americans generally continue to display symptoms of an "illusion of central position."  We exhibit the greatest difficulty in imagining that foreigners like; the Russians, Egyptians, Iraqis, Pakistanis, etc. will not simply obey us once we explain our desires to them … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Middle East | 41 Comments

‘Tis the Risin’ of the Moon – TTG

Posted on August 10, 2013 by Andrei Martyanov

"James Madison, the father of our constitution, said that the the accumulation of executive, judicial and legislative powers into the hands of any faction is the very definition of tyranny. He then went on to assure the nation that the … Continue reading →

Posted in government, Intelligence, Politics, TTG | 27 Comments

Court petition against FBI collaboration with ADL

Posted on August 10, 2013 by Pat Lang

  This week, IRmep's Center for Policy and Law Enforcement filed a formal petition with each field division Special-Agent-in-Charge requesting they maintain a visible professional distance from the ADL, especially since past liaisons appear to have severely compromised legitimate law … Continue reading →

Posted in government | 6 Comments

“The Failed Saudi-Russian Talks: Desperate Diplomacy as Syria Implodes” Time

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Pat Lang

"You could call it the Hail Mary pass of diplomatic relations. In a desperate attempt to find some solution to the ongoing Syria crisis, now in its third year with no end in sight, Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief Prince Bandar … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle East, Syria | 20 Comments

Saudi offers Russia deal to scale back Assad support – TTG

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Andrei Martyanov

(Reuters) – Saudi Arabia has offered Russia economic incentives including a major arms deal and a pledge not to challenge Russian gas sales if Moscow scales back support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Middle East sources and Western diplomats said … Continue reading →

Posted in Saudi Arabia, Syria, TTG | 51 Comments

“Tunisia crisis: Tens of thousands join protest” BBC

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Pat Lang

"The protest in central Tunis was called by the opposition to demand the assembly's dissolution and the resignation of the government, and to mark the six-month anniversary of the assassination of prominent secular opposition leader Chokri Belaid. The powerful Tunisian … Continue reading →

Posted in Tunisia | 6 Comments

Graham and McCain’s peace “train” should roll on.

Posted on August 7, 2013 by Pat Lang

Egypt does not want McCain and Graham?  How strange.  The new government says it does not want to be interfered with by ajanib (foreigners).  How strange.  Bill Burns, the EU people, the Qataris, etc. have all been made to look … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Humor, Iran, Syria, Turkey | 17 Comments