Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Muslims Feel At Home in The US

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

The Pew Research Center just came out with a study about Muslims in American. The survey is geared to coincide with 9-11 commemorations.

The objective of the study was to find out how Muslims living in the United States view America. As can be expected, some of the answers were predictable and some were surprising.
1000 US Muslims were called at their homes. This sampling represents the 2.75 million Muslims living in America of whom 1.8 million are adults and 300,000 are converts to Islam.
56% are pleased with the direction the United States has taken
76% are pleased with President Obama's performance
80% are satisfied with their lives in America
70% said they cooperate with law enforcement on an appropriate level
70% had an unfavorable view of al Qaeda.
90% voted as Democrats in 2008

Not surprising is that this study tells us that Muslims in the United States are not only comfortable here, they are elated to be in a democracy like the US.

As a rule Muslims in America are neither extremist nor do they support extremist movements - quite the opposite, they assist law enforcement in rooting out undesirable, extremist, Muslims.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Arms Comes to Hamas from Libya

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

Nile TV, national Egyptian television, is reporting that the Egyptian army intercepted a large transport of weapons on their border with Libya.
The weapons were coming from Libya, across the Egyptian border, through Egypt, into Gaza and from there straight into the hands of Hamas terrorists. The situation is not new. Libyan tribes have become the major supplier of weapons to Gaza.
The 140 tribes of Libya get their weapons from NATO and from the United States. That means US tax dollars and weapons are being sold to Hamas, the arms terrorists of Gaza .In July Israel told the United States that this was happening - but the information fell on deaf ears.
One thing should be perfectly clear: the force that ousted Ghadaffi is not friendly.
Now there is not only verbal confirmation but also televised news footage confirmation. Perhaps now the United States will take off their rose colored glasses and respond appropriately.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Monday, August 29, 2011

Iran & Their New Arms

By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Iran is always developing new weapons. The Iranians are always announcing new and improved items for their arsenal.
Because of their constant announcements and celebrations it is not always clear what is true and what is bluster. Iran is known to have fabricated military information in the past. It is only after Iran tests their new equipment and actually begins to use their new equipment that we can believe the announcements.
Iran recently displayed and tested a new cruise missile. The name of the missile is Ghader or Capable. It has a range of 124 miles and can destroy warships. This missile is lighter than it older predecessor and it can fly with much more accuracy and maneuverability than its predecessor.
Until now the Iranians had have many different missiles for middle and short range targets. The Ghader will add to the depth and power of their weapon cache and their weapon sales.
We all know that when push comes to shove, the real purpose behind Iranian military development is to make huge profits on the sales of their weapons.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Sunday, August 28, 2011

Egypt Will Not Recall Ambassador

By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Despite all the press - internet, radio, TV and traditional print media filled with screaming headlines that Egypt was pulling their ambassador from Israel, the Egyptians cannot and will not pull the ambassador.
An official recall of an ambassador is a very serious diplomatic statement. It usually means an end to relations as they were and it means that a diplomatic downgrade is in the works.
The Egyptian press pushed the story. But within a day it was clear that the ambassador was not going home and the official foreign ministry press releases never even mentioned the possibility of a recall.
Recalling the ambassador to Israel would be a setback to the peace deal between Israel and Egypt and it is not in Egypt's best interest to scuttle the peace deal.
There is however popular support to demonize Israel.
The result is that Egyptian leadership maintains a schizoid stance when it comes to Israel. It must permit the vehement anti-Israel propaganda and vitriol. And it must also reach over and continue working with Israel on mutually beneficial projects.
This is all part of what it means to be the new Egypt.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Egypt and Al Qaeda in Sinai


By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:

The Washington Times was the first media outlet to report that the terrorists who struck Israel in the area around Eilat were members of an al Qaeda terrorist unit. The unit was based in Sinai.

For some time now there have been intelligence reports that al Qaeda was organizing cells in the Egyptian Sinai and training there. These groups and individuals also trained in other parts of the world especially Iran, Pakistan and Syria.

In general, the activities of these terrorist units were local and they seldom crossed the border. There are, however, always exceptions and the barrage of rockets that hit Aqaba last year were also said to have been shot by al Qaeda cells in the Egyptian Sinai.

The intel and the evidence seem to point in one direction. If it really is al Qaeda behind these attacks, the rules of the game have shifted and as such, the rules of engagement will shift, as well.

Egypt - even the new Egypt, does not want al Qaeda perpetrating attacks from their soil. Not locally and not against Israel.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Friday, August 26, 2011

Israel Appeals to UN Security Council

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

Israel has filed an official complaint to the United Nations Security Council.

The Security Council has not yet condemned the recent terror attacks that killed eight Israelis. Why? What is stopping the Security Council from condemning the horrific events that targeted innocent civilians?

The answer is simple. The answer is Lebanon.

Lebanon has refused to permit the passage of any wording condemning the terrorist attack. In response, Israel's new ambassador to the UN, Ron Prosor, filed a formal complaint. He added the recent rocket fire, too. That attack should have been condemned by the Security Council as well.

The letter of complaint from Israel was sent to Ban Ki Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Prosor explained that these terrorist actions against Israel are more evidence proving that Gaza, under supposed control by Hamas, is a "hotbed of terror."

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Thursday, August 25, 2011

By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:

It should come as no surprise that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, no matter what, continues to support and side with Colonel Muammar Ghaddafi.

Chavez said that Venezuela will not recognize the National Transitional Council in Libya. During a cabinet meeting that was broadcasted on Venezuelan television Chavez said boldly and clearly that ousting Ghadaffi was wrong.

He said: "This is kicking, spitting ... on the most basic elements of international law."

He said: "Where are the international rights? This is like the caveman era."

Chavez saw the intervention of NATO as an example of how the West is trying to unseat and exploit the non-Western world.

His good friend Ghadaffi would agree. With friends like these ...

Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Ghadaffi talks to Russian Chess Master

By Micah Halpern


Wednesday August 24, 2011

I've Been Thinking:

On Tuesday, head of Russian Chess Federation Kirsan Ilyumzhinov announced that Muammar Ghaddafi had told him by telephone that he was still in Tripoli, alive and well, and had no plans to leave the city.

On a recent visit to Libya Ilyumzhinov met with Ghadaffi. The Russian representative visited during the NATO bombing campaign.

According to Ghadaffi's eldest son Mohammad, he came to talk about the situation and relay messages to and from the Russian government.

Ilyumzhinov said that he had called Ghadaffi by telephone on Tuesday afternoon and they spoke. He said that the former leader of Libya sounded as if he was gearing up for a fight.

This is an important message. Ghadaffi has not been seen in public or on tape since a television appearance on June 21. Now we have the word of a very distinguished Russian official that Ghadaffi is in Tripoli and is during well.

We shall see.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Libya After Ghadaffi

By Micah Halpern


I'm Predicting:

Ghadaffi was, is and always will be a tyrant, a despot, a thug. Libyans are celebrating now that he is no longer in control of their country. But is Libya any closer to stability today than it was under the rule of Colonel Muammar Ghadaffi?

The NTC, the National Transition Council, the interim government chaired by Mustafa Abdul Jalil and now running the country, has created the beginnings of an infrastructure. But it is only the start.

Libya is a tribal country - a collection of 140 tribes that do not get along.

Jalil successfully brought together a few of the tribes to fight and oust Ghadaffi. Now he must bring more tribes into the group and begin the arduous task of re-building their country.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Monday, August 22, 2011

What Does Ramadan Mean?

By Micah Halpern
Column:

We are now in the Muslim month of Ramadan. But what is Ramadan? Let's clear up some misconceptions.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar. Every day, throughout this month called Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset and break their fasts only at night. The fast is referred to as sawm, the breaking of the fast is called iftar in Arabic.

Ramadan is a month dedicated to introspection and repentance. According to Islamic lore it is thought to be an extremely auspicious month, a month during which through prayer and fasting, believing Muslims are moved even closer to Allah, God.

Conceptually, Allah is the same as the monotheistic God of Judaism

and of Christianity. In fact, in Judaism, one of the classic names of God is Al, exactly the same name as the God of Islam - it is in the English language and in Christianity where the name God is altered. The word God comes from the middle German "Gut" meaning "good", as in all good. In English we use a descriptive word explaining what God is rather than by a name itself, a decision most probably taken so as not to violate the commandment against using the Name in vain.
In Islamic tradition great events took place during the 9th month of Ramadan. It is understood that the Koran was given to the Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. And during Ramadan the first major battle against the pagan tribes of Badr, a battle that highlighted the powers of Muhammad as a great leader and military thinker, took place in the area around Mecca. And it is at the close of one of the odd-numbered days of the last ten days of the month, a time called Laiylatu Qadr, the Night of Power, during which Allah evaluates the deeds of each person and seals their destiny.
The month-long fast concludes with a three-day holiday called Id el Fitr which is best translated as the Festival of the Breakfast Feast. This is the centerpiece of the Muslim calendar. It is believed that celebrating the Id with music and dance will bring families together and so families erect tents and sit and visit and entertain and gifts are presented to Muslim children. Many Muslims remember the breaking of the fast of Ramadan on the three day festival of Id el Fitr as the most memorable part of their childhood.

In Arabic, the word zakat means purity and growth. Zakat is the charity given by Muslims, it is what is called alms in the Christian world and zedaka in the Jewish world. It is important that every Muslim participate in the act of zakat and there is a special calculation made to determine how much each family or individual should give. It turns out to be 2.5 percent of your wealth and for farmers it is 5%-10% of the annual harvest. Ramadan is a particularly important time to give zakat and the charity given during Ramadan is understood to be 70 times as powerful and as important as the same zakat given at any other time of the year
There is no doubt that Ramadan, like so much else in Islam and like many things in Christianity, emerged out of Jewish tradition. In fact, Muhammad made an appeal to the Jewish tribes living around the cities of Yatrib and Mecca to join his newly-created movement called Islam. They rejected his approach.
Muhammad then modified or changed several components of Islam that he borrowed from Israel. He, quite literally, turned his back on Jerusalem and chose to pray to Mecca. The Jews pray toward Jerusalem, the Muslims pray to Mecca. He upped the ante and instituted prayer five daily times instead of the original three times a day Jewish prayers are offered. And he transformed a single day of introspection, repentance and prayer into a full month. He turned the day of Yom Kippur into the month of Ramadan.
Like the rest of the Muslim calendar and unlike the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan floats. The Muslim calendar is a lunar calendar with months that are either 29 or 30 days long. The Gregorian calendar is linked to the sun and is called a solar calendar.
Ramadan moves around, it falls back in time and in a course of 34 years Islam will have lost an entire year. According to their calendar, Muslims age slower than non-Muslims so when a non-Muslim reaches the age of 68, a Muslim will be only 66 years old.

The Jewish calendar is also a lunar calendar. Because of the Biblical decree that Passover be celebrated in the spring, the High Holidays of Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur and Succot be celebrated in autumn and because Chanukah must fall in winter, the Jewish calendar instituted corrections and leap years to make certain that the holidays match their seasons. The Islamic calendar did not.
Actually, even today the Islamic calendar is not standardized within itself. Muslims will start Ramadan and celebrate Id el Fitr on different dates depending on where they live and who determines the dates.
Despite the fact that some followers of Islam believe that if a Muslim dies on Ramadan while defending Islam in Jihad, that person will be rewarded with an even more special place in heaven, Ramadan is not is a time to fight. Ramadan is a time to pray and a time to evaluate. It is a time for peaceful introspection.
Ramadan is a lot of things. It is certainly a very special time of year for Muslims.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Sunday, August 21, 2011

Middle East Tension Will Subside

By Micah Halpern


I'm Predicting:

These past few days have been fraught with tensions in Israel, Gaza and Egypt.

Terror escalated. Then came attacks and counter attacks. Now there are demands for justice and demands for apologies.

It seems clear that the tension will dissipate over the next few days.

It is in the interest of everyone for calm to be re-introduced.

But that calm will require Israel to apologize to Egypt.

Israel has already expressed regret, but that is not enough. This is not a redo of Turkey. Israel wants to use the apology as a way to help move Israeli - Egyptian relations forward, but the objective of Egypt's request is to quell national angst. Turkey's motivation for demanding an apology from Israel was entirely different, Turkey's aim was to humiliate Israel.

Hamas will reign in the rocket launchers from Gaza because they do not want another ground offensive or any offensive similar to operation Caste Lead. But Israel will certainly strike back hard at the terror cells in Gaza.
Expect this all to happen over the next 48 hours. And then, it will be over.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Saturday, August 20, 2011

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

Israel successfully found and targeted the commander of the group that has been launching rockets into the southern region.

In tandem with the horrific terror attacks of yesterday, approximately twenty GRAD rockets rained down on Israel within a 24 hour period. At least ten people were injured, some seriously, from the rocket attacks.

Israel's intelligence and operational units shifted into high gear and Samil Abdul Mati, Senior Commander of the Palestinian Resistance Committees (PRC), was found. Abdul Mati was on his motorcycle in Northern Gaza when Israel dispatched the missile that killed him.

As an important point of clarification - Israel's action was not retaliation.

Israel engaged in a surgical attack - a defensive mission to prevent future rocket attacks. Abdul Mati was responsible for numerous past sorties and was planning future attacks on Israel.

Israel's retaliation will take place later, of that I am certain.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Friday, August 19, 2011

Egypt Gaza Nexus in New Terrpr

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

The horrific terror attacks that struck Israel three, nearly simultaneous, times yesterday are a product of the out-of-whack metabolism that is raging in the region. At last count, eight Israelis were dead, killed by terrorists

There is no doubt about it. These attacks were able to take place because of the combination of the fall of Hosni Mubarak and an opening of the border between Gaza and Egypt.

Perpetrators, who probably have links to Egypt, and were probably aided by Gaza residents who scouted the area from their vantage point. The terrorists shot at and murdered Jewish Israelis on their way to vacation in Eilat.

At the same time as the shootings, road side bombs were detonated and three rockets were shot from Gaza toward Israel. All three rockets were intercepted mid-air by Israel's new Iron Dome anti-rocket anti-missile defense system.

Israel retaliated with an air force strike on Gaza.

The Israeli counter strike is not yet completed. Israel will seek out the group that organized and perpetrated the attacks and Israel will counter hard and counter surgically.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Thursday, August 18, 2011

Step Down Assad

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

Yesterday's Egyptian daily al Gomhuriya quoted former Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak as saying that Syria strongman Bashar Assad should step down because of the "crimes he committed against his countrymen."

Mubarak said that Assad should honor the Syria people's request and he should resign.

This entire episode is probably fiction.

There is no free press in Egypt and Mubarak has not and will not make public statements - about anything. He is being held in an Egyptian hospital under guard as a defendant in the case that could cost him his life. The last thing on his mind is what is happening in Syria and whether Bashar Assad should resign.

However, the current dictators of Egypt most certainly have an interest in Bashar Assad.

Their first interest in weighing in on Syria is to try to position themselves, once again as they were under Mubarak, as leaders in the Arab world. It may, however, be a miscalculation to invoke the old guard and the prowess of a fallen leader to achieve this status.

The image of Mubarak might backfire and Egypt will gain nothing more than a reputation as pathetic interventionists.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Soccer Match Egypt Brazil Cancelled

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

Egypt cancelled their friendly soccer match against Brazil.

The match was schedule to take place on Tuesday, September 6 but because of security reasons that match will not happen.

Brazil is a five-time world champion and when the two teams last met, Brazil won 4-3 in a nail biting match.

Things have changed. It used to be that soccer was more important than just about anything in Egypt ... including politics.

But now, if something were to go wrong during a match with Brazil - if there were to be a security snafu while the Brazilian team was in

Egypt ... then Egypt would suffer an embarrassment at a level beyond which any Westerner can possibility imagine.

So the authorities, correctly, cancelled the game.

And besides, the Egyptian soccer team does not even have a coach right now.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Syria Must Change Says Jordan

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Yesterday Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit called on Syria to stop killing civilians.

Jordan has gone on the record saying that reforms and more liberal policies must be implemented in Syria and that the time has come to reshape the powers that govern Syria.

The Jordanian news service Petra reported all this yesterday. The prime minister is quoted as saying: "There is a need to stop violence immediately, start implementing reforms and resort to dialogue."

On Sunday The King of Jordan also called a press conference and announced a set of proposed changes that would empower his own parliament. The reforms would give the parliament some of the powers that had been under the control of and reserved for the King

So Jordan calls on Syria to change and reform and Jordan slowly initiates her own changes and reforms. Jordan is, in a matter of speaking, putting her money where her mouth is.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Monday, August 15, 2011

PA to Go to UN and Declare

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas went on the record yesterday and said that the UN proposal to unilaterally declare a Palestinian State will break the stalemate and help move Israel and the Palestinians closer to a negotiated settlement.

A message was also sent out by Hanan Ashwarwi saying that the Palestinians plan to ask the Security Council for approval.

The Palestinians hope that the US will abstain.

If the US does abstain the proposal will pass the Security Council and go to the General Assembly where the Palestinians have lined up at least 134 countries that they can count on to vote in favor of statehood.

The Palestinians have been told that the US cannot vote in favor of their statehood in the Security Council. But an abstention, that might be a way out. At least, so think the Palestinians.

The problem or the genius with this logic is that if the United States abstains it will turn US Middle East policy on its head. This administration, however, has been known to do just that. It would mean an end to direct negotiations and would thrust the region into conflict.

On the flip side, if the US vetoes rather than abstains, as would be the expectation, it would mean a thumb in the eye of the US by the Palestinians. The move would publically humiliate the United States. The Palestinians would call them out saying you are not really in favor of a Palestinian state - you pay lip service, but you the great magnanimous United States of America, are preventing the declaration of a Palestinian state.

Once again, the United States has managed to stab itself in the back - diplomatically speaking, of course.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Sunday, August 14, 2011

Russia to Talk to Iran

By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:

Most foreign affairs analysts and policy makers would agree that the threat of Iran making a nuclear weapon is probably the greatest single danger facing the Western world. The fear is not just that Iran may use that weapon against Israel or other Western targets, but that Iran will supply nuclear weapons or nuclear technology to any country or group wanting it.

The Russians are not immune to that fear. It appears that they are now attempting to use their special relationship with Iran to bring about a mutually acceptable resolution to this nuclear issue.

Over the past few days Russia Foreign Minister Sergie Levrov and a special emissary of the Russian president have been involved in high level discussions and meetings with Iranians - including discussions with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The purpose of the discussions is to assure Iran that they will be able to develop nuclear technology ... like every other country in the world ... with supervision.

Iran trusts Russia more than any other country on this issue with the possible exception of China. Russia has an ongoing relationship with Iran on nuclear development and Russia is bound to make money on any deal that is struck.

This plan may succeed. This time, Iran might be willing to play along.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Saturday, August 13, 2011

Saudis Strike At Iran Using Syria

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

If the Middle East were a game, the game would be called Push-Me Pull-You, Middle East style.

The main split in power in the Middle East right now is between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Although there are those who would have us believe that there is one united voice in the Middle East, that is a total myth and fabrication.

Saudi Arabia pulled its ambassador from Damascus. They did it not simply to take a stand against a tyrant who murders civilians, they did it because Saudi Arabia is taking a stab at Iran. Iran is linked to the Syrian regime and Syria is one of Iran's few friends in the region.

Iranians are Muslims but they are not Sunnis. They are Shiites.  The Iranians have forged a link with Syria. The Saudis want to isolate Iran and one method is by forcing Iran's few friends to fall.

If Syria falls it would strike a significant blow to Iran. And it could help bring about a drastically altered Saudi vision of the region - one in which Iran is not a player.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Friday, August 12, 2011

Riots in England

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

Commentary from the other side of the pond: Even casual observation of the rising surge of violence enveloping Great Britain leads us to conclude that the rioters feel comfortable and anonymous enough to join in and celebrate the destruction.

Mass mentality is a powerful tool - it is a dangerous and destructive tool.

Scotland Yard will slowly call people to account for their actions and their crimes. The police are using facial recognition software to identify participants and will, in the end, find and prosecute the perpetrators for their role in these days of bedlam.

It used to be that after riots people, the masses, slipped back into the woodwork and resumed their normal lives. The average rioter did not refer to the events and it was as if no one had been part of the destruction - as if they were all anonymous, leaving only the leaders to accept responsibility.

Technology has changed all that. Now, no one can slip away and even faces hidden behind masks can be identified,

We are witnessing a new level of civil discontent. Now comes the consequences.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Thursday, August 11, 2011

Poisoning Arafat

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Events in the Middle East are sometimes so hilarious that even experienced analysts throw up their hands in disbelief.

Case in point: the other day I read about a high level report prepared for Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president. The report was about the poisoning death of Arafat.

Two other reports like this have already surfaced, so I was not surprised to read that there was a third account. The first two reports rambled on, page after page, explaining how the Israelis poisoned Arafat in his French hospital bed.

This report contained new and different information. It blamed Mohammed Dahlan - not the Israelis. Dahlan was Arafat's strong-arm man in Gaza, he was an up and coming leader under Arafat. Dahlan and Marwan Barghouti were thought to be the future of Palestinian leadership. And Dahlan was the preferred choice of the Clinton administration.

Mohammed Dahlan has, for the most part, been out of the Palestinian picture ever since the coup that ousted Fatah from Gaza. He did, however recently criticize the PA leader by suggesting that Abbas saw himself above the law for pushing off elections. Dahlan was slapped with a charge of sedition and has left the country.

In order to further sully Dahlan and make certain that he cannot make a play for power this new report emerged, constructed and made public by Abbas' cronies.

I wonder why they didn't just come out with it and call him a Mossad operative?
Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Messages to Syria

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The Foreign Minister of Turkey met with Syria's President Assad yesterday in Damascus. He delivered a message.

The message went like this: Enough already - stop killing civilians.

The Turkish Foreign Minister said that the tone of the meeting was frank but friendly. He said that Turkey will be watching closely these next few days to make certain that Syria heard the message.

Assad characterized the meeting as a thank you to Turkey for their help in fighting terrorists and securing the border.

Assad does not get the messages that are being sent him. He sees the protesters as terrorists. He missed the entire point of the Turkish mission. And today when an international committee speaks to him, he will not hear that message either.

Assad has no interest in hearing verbal messages. It is clear to him that the longer he stays in power, the easier it is to hang on to power.

Muammar Ghadaffi would agree.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

US Ambassador Stays While Arabs Leave

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

Yesterday the US State Department officially announced that they were pleased that Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait had recalled their ambassadors from Syria.

They added that they hoped that more Arab countries would follow suit.

The irony of the State Dept. announcement is that last week Italy withdrew their ambassador from Syria and called on Western countries to do the same. The United States engaged in no serious discussion after the bold move by the Italians and has had no serious discussions about pulling their own ambassador.

Add to that the fact that the United States just re-established relations with Syria a little over a year ago, in 2010. In 2005 the US pulled its ambassador after the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

The fact that the US sent an ambassador back to Syria is indicative of the misguided impressions and mistaken assumptions the US has of the region. The United States should never have rewarded Syria and upgraded their diplomatic status by returning an ambassador.

Right now, as the brutal Syrian regime murders and arrests masses of people, the United States should once again recall its ambassador.

There is no conscionable reason for the United States to have an ambassadorial presence in Damascus.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Monday, August 8, 2011

Saudis Recal Ambassador from Syria

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

According to reports, Saudi Arabia is recalling its ambassador to Syria. The first outlet to report this news was al Arabiya TV.

If the report is accurate, it could be the first step towards saving the lives of those Syrians being slaughtered by the Assad regime. If other Arab countries follow suit strong message will have been sent to Assad that he must stop the slaughter.

On Tuesday Turkey is scheduled to send their foreign minister to Syria to deliver a very strong statement telling Assad that Syria must stop killing civilians.

And on Sunday The Arab League issued a statement acknowledging that they were concerned about what was happening in Syria.

Either Assad will feel the Arab pressure and stop killing civilians and start instituting reforms or Assad will feel the pressure and simply slow down the killing and the crackdown so that he can fly under the radar which will relieve the pressure put upon him but change nothing.

Either, or. It is impossible to predict the actions of this thug.

Micah@MicahHaleprn.com
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Sunday, August 7, 2011

Arab League Makes a Statement

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Finally - the Arab League has made a statement about Syria.

Here is the official statement as quoted in QNA, the Qatar based news agency:

"Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby issued a statement expressing growing concern and strong distress over the deteriorating security conditions in Syria due to escalating violence and military operations in Hama and Deir al-Zor and other areas of Syria.'"

"Growing concern and strong distress" are hardly demands to stop the mass murder.

"Deteriorating security conditions" hardly describes the crisis that Syria is faces.

"Escalating violence and military operations" is an understatement when it comes to the police and army attacks shelling beating and arresting civilians and torturing them in makeshift prisons.

I know we should be happy that the Arab League has at least taken the step to issue a statement. But this kind of statement will not corral the Arab masses nor will it intimidate the Syrian regime. This is what we call a pro forma statement borne out of pressure, not conviction.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Saturday, August 6, 2011

Did NATO Kill Ghadaffi's Son

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

There were unconfirmed reports coming out of Libya yesterday that Khamis, son of Muammar Ghadaffi, was killed in a NATO air strike.

Opposition forces claim that he was killed. Forces loyal to the regime say that he was not killed.

Here are the key problems: Confirming information from Libya is impossible and spreading an untruth in Libya is propaganda. Each side has an interest in the story going their way - but only one side is accurate and truthful.

If Khamis was killed it is a huge blow to the Ghadaffi regime. Khamis heads the most loyal, best trained and best equipped unit in Libya. Everyone knows it. Without Khamis the opposition would have a much easier time.

Now we wait and see. Will Khamis step forward? Will he be buried.

Will he try to stay low and watch the opposition strut forward and show their skills and weaknesses and then strike hard at their leadership?

It is all possible. Probable - I just don't know.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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Friday, August 5, 2011

1 Senator Was in Session

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Earlier this week United States ambassador to Syria Robert Ford testified before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.

At almost the exact moment that the US Ambassador to Syria was giving his presentation, the US embassy in Damascus was evacuating all-non essential personnel from Syria.

Ambassador Ford testified before only one person. The other 18 members of the committee were otherwise preoccupied. Many were home -fleeing as soon as the debt ceiling issue was resolved.

The only Senator on the dais was Bob Casey, Democratic Senator from Pennsylvania.

Syria is a critical arena in the world today. A despot is oppressing his people and conducting a systematic campaign to stifle reforms and democratic values. US leadership must have the best information about what is happening and the man with boots on the ground is Robert Ford, the Ambassador.

Not to have heard with their own ears what Ambassador Ford had to say was a missed opportunity to be best informed in order to make the right decisions when the time comes. And it will be coming soon.

Shame on those members of the Committee.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Thursday, August 4, 2011

Egypt is of 2 Minds

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

Yesterday Hosni Mubarak was wheeled into a courtroom in the police academy in Cairo, Egypt. He was placed in a metal cage with his two sons and several other defendants.

Mubarak, the former president of Egypt, was being tried on three charges:

# 1: the deaths of people who died during the January revolution that ousted him from power

# 2: corruption in a Sinai development deal

# 3: corruption in a gas deal that cheated Egypt out of natural gas while selling it to Israel

Egyptians seem of two minds regarding the Mubarak trial, and both sides came out and made their voices heard.

One side says try him, convict him and kill him - he was a ruthless dictator, a thug and a tyrant. They say the new Egypt must make a symbol out of old man Mubarak.

The other side says that over the three decades of his reign, Mubarak accomplished important and positive feats for Egypt - now he is old and sick and just let him go already. They assert that his greatest crime was staying in power too long.

The trial was pushed off and will continue on August 15. In the meantime, Mubarak is being moved to a Cairo hospital, close to the court proceedings.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Arab Double Standard

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

Italy recalled its ambassador from Syria yesterday. Then the Italians called on all European Union member countries and the EU itself to recall their ambassadors.

This was an important and bold step on the part of Italy, it signals that the Italians are taking a leadership role against Assad and his regime in Syria.

The EU officially said that they are not planning to recall their ambassador but many other Western countries are contemplating the move.

One big question is why are the Western countries thinking of applying such heavy pressure on Syria? Recalling an ambassador is a very strong diplomatic statement.

Another questions is, where are the Arab and Muslim countries? They seem to be standing and watching as Arabs and Muslims are murdered.

There is no outcry and there has been no move to isolate Syria. If there was a mass recall of 15 or 10 or even 5 ambassadors from Arab and Muslim countries it would have a huge impact on Syria's actions and the way they view their actions.

But this is typical of the Arab and Muslim world. Thousands will die in Syria at the hand of a Muslim Arab dictator and there will be absolute silence. The Arab and Muslim worlds only get up-in-arms when Israelis kill Palestinians.

That is a terrible double standard.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Did Mossad Hit Another Iranian Nuke Scientist?

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:
The German paper Der Spiegel ran a piece saying that the Mossad assassinated another Iranian nuclear scientist last week in Teheran.
It is possible - although you would never know it from the Iranians who first said that the victim was a scientist working on developing switches. The scientist was shot while taking his daughter to kindergarten. Originally Iran said that the name of the scientist was Darioush Rezaei. Later they said the victim was really Darioush
Rezeinejad, a graduate student in electrical engineering.

Their names are very similar and the murderers killed the wrong person, said the Iranians.
The German paper cited its source for the assassination being a Mossad operation as an Israeli intelligence source in Beirut. They concluded that this was the first operation of the new head of Mossad Tamir Pardo. They are saying that there is a growing conflict between the Israeli airforce and the Mossad as to how to manage and attack the Iranian nuclear program.
Once again, it is possible, but the source is highly unlikely.
There is no way that any Mossad source in Beirut has the access to know what is happening on an operation in Iran. And no way that he or she would be speaking to a German journalist in Beirut.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Monday, August 1, 2011

Bieber's Hebrew Tat

By Micah Halpern


I've Been Thinking:

Popular culture is sometimes a key to understanding politics and foreign affairs.

Justin Bieber made a trip to Israel in May. The teen pop music sensation from Canada wanted to walk where Jesus walked. And indeed, Bieber is a devout Christian who admitted to praying before his performances in Hebrew and in English.

Yup, Justin Bieber prays in Hebrew.

That's not all. Bieber has, to use the correct lingo, a tat - for the over the hill gang, he has a tattoo. And the tat is in Hebrew.

Justin Bieber and his father Jeremy Bieber have matching tattoos - the name Jesus written in Hebrew.

The message of the holy land resonates for young people across the world.
The Jewish people in their ancestral homeland, connecting, walking, living in the cities of the Bible is, for many people, an inspiration and a vehicle to better understand the Bible in today's world.
Justin Bieber is a cultural icon. He has an enormous impact on an entire generation. This trip to Israel and these prayers in Hebrew and Justin's Hebrew tat are priceless tools presenting Israel's message to today's youth in a positive, vibrant and awesome way.

Going to Israel is now cool.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com

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