By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
There are riots in Southern Egypt. Christians are getting beaten and church property is being destroyed.
The riots began because an image of the Prophet Mohamed was posted on the Facebook page of a 17 year old Christian student. The student, Gama Massoud, has been arrested for creating an image of the Prophet.
The student denies that he did it. Massoud claims that someone else posted the image on his page.
The significance of these events is gargantuan. Look at what happened: Because an image was posted on Facebook there were two days of violence - riots, beatings and burnings. Someone was arrested for posting an imagined picture of Mohammed and he claims that his friends did it as a practical joke and that lands him in prison. People can die in these riots.
We in the West blithely assume that Egypt is making the trek along the road to democracy. This does not look anything like the democracy we know.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
More Iranian Computer Worms
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Remember Stuxnet and DUQU? They were 2 of the worms that have attacked Iranian nuclear installations and computer systems.
Yesterday the Russian anti-virus company names Kaspersky gave even more insight in to the worms. They confirmed that the worms were related. This is what I have said since the end of October when DUQU arrived on the scene.
But most importantly Kaspersky says that there are five more worms. They called them cousins.
My contacts explain that more worms like Stuxnet were inevitable. The principle behind the worm is to attack Iran. Not to attack once but to constantly attack. And each attach sets the stage for another future attack.
There are two reasons why there must be more Stuxnet worms:
The worms cost too much money to develop and as such they need a complete set of them.
A single attack would never be significant enough to ultimately ruin the Iranian nuclear system.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Remember Stuxnet and DUQU? They were 2 of the worms that have attacked Iranian nuclear installations and computer systems.
Yesterday the Russian anti-virus company names Kaspersky gave even more insight in to the worms. They confirmed that the worms were related. This is what I have said since the end of October when DUQU arrived on the scene.
But most importantly Kaspersky says that there are five more worms. They called them cousins.
My contacts explain that more worms like Stuxnet were inevitable. The principle behind the worm is to attack Iran. Not to attack once but to constantly attack. And each attach sets the stage for another future attack.
There are two reasons why there must be more Stuxnet worms:
The worms cost too much money to develop and as such they need a complete set of them.
A single attack would never be significant enough to ultimately ruin the Iranian nuclear system.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Thursday, December 29, 2011
Congress Gives $40 Mill to PA
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
The US Congress agreed to free $40 million of aid and give it to the Palestinians. This is 20% of the $187 million that was frozen by Congress after the Palestinians began their move for statehood which put them in the Congressional doghouse.
The Obama administration has been pushing to free up aid saying that the money will help stabilize the Palestinian areas.
The Administration also claims that Israel is in favor of freeing the aid money.
All along the Palestinians knew that the US could not withhold the aid. And unfortunately, they were correct.
If the aid goes through, the Palestinians will be made to suffer no consequences for publically and internationally humiliating the United States.
And the Palestinians continue to act against US interests and still ask for more money. Now they are pursuing a plan of unity with Hamas. That can only end in one way - in anti-Western and anti-US actions.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
The US Congress agreed to free $40 million of aid and give it to the Palestinians. This is 20% of the $187 million that was frozen by Congress after the Palestinians began their move for statehood which put them in the Congressional doghouse.
The Obama administration has been pushing to free up aid saying that the money will help stabilize the Palestinian areas.
The Administration also claims that Israel is in favor of freeing the aid money.
All along the Palestinians knew that the US could not withhold the aid. And unfortunately, they were correct.
If the aid goes through, the Palestinians will be made to suffer no consequences for publically and internationally humiliating the United States.
And the Palestinians continue to act against US interests and still ask for more money. Now they are pursuing a plan of unity with Hamas. That can only end in one way - in anti-Western and anti-US actions.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Will Iran Close Hormuz
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Iran is threatening to close the Straits of Hormuz if more sanctions are levied on them by the West. The Straits are a narrow water way through which about 30% of the world's oil travels on any given day.
Iran's first Vice President Mohammad Raza Rahimi was quoted in IRNA yesterday saying "If they (the West) imposes sanctions on Iran's oil exports, then even one drop of oil cannot flow from the Strait of Hormuz."
Much of the Straits are in the territorial water of Iran. Until now Iran has permitted the international community to use the Straits as if they were international waters - but that is only by their grace. That fact seems to have eluded the United States and most other Western countries in their bid to apply sanctions against Iran.
It is in the vital interests of the United States to keep those Straits open. But at any time the Iranians can legally shut the Straits down. Iran will probably make this argument in advance in order to totally disarm any potential attack against them.
In addition the Iranians have just announced that they will seek the death penalty for an America caught and being tried as a spy.
Bundling these issues demonstrates how Iran is planning to utilize
pressure to achieve their diplomatic goals. Once again, the Iranians are very good at what they do.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Iran is threatening to close the Straits of Hormuz if more sanctions are levied on them by the West. The Straits are a narrow water way through which about 30% of the world's oil travels on any given day.
Iran's first Vice President Mohammad Raza Rahimi was quoted in IRNA yesterday saying "If they (the West) imposes sanctions on Iran's oil exports, then even one drop of oil cannot flow from the Strait of Hormuz."
Much of the Straits are in the territorial water of Iran. Until now Iran has permitted the international community to use the Straits as if they were international waters - but that is only by their grace. That fact seems to have eluded the United States and most other Western countries in their bid to apply sanctions against Iran.
It is in the vital interests of the United States to keep those Straits open. But at any time the Iranians can legally shut the Straits down. Iran will probably make this argument in advance in order to totally disarm any potential attack against them.
In addition the Iranians have just announced that they will seek the death penalty for an America caught and being tried as a spy.
Bundling these issues demonstrates how Iran is planning to utilize
pressure to achieve their diplomatic goals. Once again, the Iranians are very good at what they do.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Iran Signs Deal w Afghanistan
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Iran and Afghanistan have just signed a gasoline and jet fuel deal that will begin next week.
According to the deal, Iran promises to provide 1 million tons of gasoline and jet fuel to Afghanistan.
This agreement is very significant - it proves what I have been saying for at least 18 months: Iran is not suffering from sanctions.
Common knowledge was that Iran produced oil, but still needed to import 45% of its gasoline. That number was then reduced to 30%.
And now Iran exports oil. Iran refines oil and has plenty left over to sell.
Those who thought that sanctions would cripple Iran because they did not have gas were simply wrong. The sanctions motivated Iran. They updated and built new refineries. And because Afghanistan borders
Iran it will be easy to transport the gasoline.
Once again, proof of just how good Iran is at playing this game.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Iran and Afghanistan have just signed a gasoline and jet fuel deal that will begin next week.
According to the deal, Iran promises to provide 1 million tons of gasoline and jet fuel to Afghanistan.
This agreement is very significant - it proves what I have been saying for at least 18 months: Iran is not suffering from sanctions.
Common knowledge was that Iran produced oil, but still needed to import 45% of its gasoline. That number was then reduced to 30%.
And now Iran exports oil. Iran refines oil and has plenty left over to sell.
Those who thought that sanctions would cripple Iran because they did not have gas were simply wrong. The sanctions motivated Iran. They updated and built new refineries. And because Afghanistan borders
Iran it will be easy to transport the gasoline.
Once again, proof of just how good Iran is at playing this game.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Monday, December 26, 2011
PLO - Hamas Unity Agreement
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Israeli and US leadership are asking the big question.
Western European leaders are asking the same thing.
Speaking about peace is one thing - but what about actions?
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been speaking about peace but at the same time that his lips are moving, his arms are hugging freed terrorists and making deals with Hamas.
Serious thinkers and conscientious leaders want to know what Abbas really wants to accomplish. They are beginning to say that Abbas cannot have it both ways.
Is Abbas influencing Hamas or is Hamas going to influence Abbas?
Any unity government, in fact, any agreement of any type with Hamas is dangerous. And now there is a PA/Hamas agreement that has not yet been made public.
Hamas is sworn to the destruction of Israel. It is highly unlikely that Hamas leaders will change their charter even if, for the short term, they agree to a cease fire and not attack Israel.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Israeli and US leadership are asking the big question.
Western European leaders are asking the same thing.
Speaking about peace is one thing - but what about actions?
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been speaking about peace but at the same time that his lips are moving, his arms are hugging freed terrorists and making deals with Hamas.
Serious thinkers and conscientious leaders want to know what Abbas really wants to accomplish. They are beginning to say that Abbas cannot have it both ways.
Is Abbas influencing Hamas or is Hamas going to influence Abbas?
Any unity government, in fact, any agreement of any type with Hamas is dangerous. And now there is a PA/Hamas agreement that has not yet been made public.
Hamas is sworn to the destruction of Israel. It is highly unlikely that Hamas leaders will change their charter even if, for the short term, they agree to a cease fire and not attack Israel.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Sunday, December 25, 2011
Church Bombings in Nigeria
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
On Christmas Day 5 explosions rocked Nigeria. At least 25 people were killed.
The explosions were attacks on churches. They were attacks on Christians celebrating Christmas.
The attacks were coordinated. The goal was to intimidate Christians. The group called Boko Haram almost certainly perpetrated these murderous bombings.
Let me give you a sense of the philosophy of the group: The name Boko Haram means "Western education is sacrilege" or "Western philosophy is a sin."
Boko Haram is a Muslim group and they want total Islamic control over all aspects of life in Nigeria. There is nothing more threatening to them than other religious points of view - and Christianity means Western culture.
Boko Haram attacks show a continued increase in sophistication and planning. Their attacks are becoming more and more deadly and more and more, they are targeting specific symbols of Western values.
I am shocked that the response to these attacks has been so muted.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
On Christmas Day 5 explosions rocked Nigeria. At least 25 people were killed.
The explosions were attacks on churches. They were attacks on Christians celebrating Christmas.
The attacks were coordinated. The goal was to intimidate Christians. The group called Boko Haram almost certainly perpetrated these murderous bombings.
Let me give you a sense of the philosophy of the group: The name Boko Haram means "Western education is sacrilege" or "Western philosophy is a sin."
Boko Haram is a Muslim group and they want total Islamic control over all aspects of life in Nigeria. There is nothing more threatening to them than other religious points of view - and Christianity means Western culture.
Boko Haram attacks show a continued increase in sophistication and planning. Their attacks are becoming more and more deadly and more and more, they are targeting specific symbols of Western values.
I am shocked that the response to these attacks has been so muted.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Saturday, December 24, 2011
Turkey Pulls Paris Envoy
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
There was a true diplomatic scuffle between France and Turkey.
As of Now Turkey has recalled their ambassador from Paris and they do not plan on having him return.
It happened as a result of a bill, passed in the French Parliament, making it illegal to deny genocide - specifically the genocide of the Armenians which took place at the close of WW I at the hands of the Turks.
The Turks have called the bill racist and will not even posit a public argument to debate the issue.
French diplomats have asked Turkey to discuss the matter, suggesting that pulling an ambassador is a very serious diplomatic act.
The French are suggesting that there are other, better methods of resolving differences.
Observers are not placing bets on a reconciliation, they see this diplomatic posturing as indicative of the new Turkey.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
There was a true diplomatic scuffle between France and Turkey.
As of Now Turkey has recalled their ambassador from Paris and they do not plan on having him return.
It happened as a result of a bill, passed in the French Parliament, making it illegal to deny genocide - specifically the genocide of the Armenians which took place at the close of WW I at the hands of the Turks.
The Turks have called the bill racist and will not even posit a public argument to debate the issue.
French diplomats have asked Turkey to discuss the matter, suggesting that pulling an ambassador is a very serious diplomatic act.
The French are suggesting that there are other, better methods of resolving differences.
Observers are not placing bets on a reconciliation, they see this diplomatic posturing as indicative of the new Turkey.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Friday, December 23, 2011
Hamas Agrees to Join PLO
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Yesterday Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with Hamas Politburo Chief Haled Mashaal. The meet was held in Cairo, Egypt.
Hamas agreed in principle to join the PLO, the political party of the PA. And then they decided to set up a series of committees - including an election committee to plan the next election for the PA.
This is a huge step.
It is hard to say whether it is a positive or a negative step, but it is a step.
Hamas has never recognized the PA government because Hamas won the plurality in the last election but then never had an opportunity to govern because Abbas ousted Hamas and their prime minister. That led to Hamas throwing the PLO and booting the PA out of Gaza in a bloody coup.
Since then Hamas and the PA have not been able to agree on power sharing.
Because Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have come together it does not necessarily follow that Hamas will not run in the election.
The PLO is by definition an umbrella for many Palestinian organizations. What it means is Hamas is confident that if they do run, they will once again win the plurality.
These are not the Republicans and the Democrats - they are and will always be the PA and Hamas.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Yesterday Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with Hamas Politburo Chief Haled Mashaal. The meet was held in Cairo, Egypt.
Hamas agreed in principle to join the PLO, the political party of the PA. And then they decided to set up a series of committees - including an election committee to plan the next election for the PA.
This is a huge step.
It is hard to say whether it is a positive or a negative step, but it is a step.
Hamas has never recognized the PA government because Hamas won the plurality in the last election but then never had an opportunity to govern because Abbas ousted Hamas and their prime minister. That led to Hamas throwing the PLO and booting the PA out of Gaza in a bloody coup.
Since then Hamas and the PA have not been able to agree on power sharing.
Because Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have come together it does not necessarily follow that Hamas will not run in the election.
The PLO is by definition an umbrella for many Palestinian organizations. What it means is Hamas is confident that if they do run, they will once again win the plurality.
These are not the Republicans and the Democrats - they are and will always be the PA and Hamas.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Thursday, December 22, 2011
Syria Evicts Hamas
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Syrian leader Bashar Assad has refused to meet with Hamas leader Haled Mashaal.
This tension is not new.
It began several months ago when Hamas called for reforms in Syria.
Since then Hamas has been asked to leave Syria.
Hamas had found digs elsewhere.
Hamas' main offices are now in Jordan, with some other facilities in Qatar.
Jordan granted Hamas safety under one condition: absolutely no operations be initiated from Jordan - that means no planning and no execution of operations.
Mashaal accepted the conditions and moved almost the entire Hamas bureaucracy base to Amman. But because they also need an operations center, the Qatar office was opened.
Should Israel discover that Hamas operations were being executed out of Jordan, that would be casus belli which means an incident of war and hence - a reason for war. If that were to happen it could and it would legally permit Israel the right to strike Hamas operation centers in Jordan.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Syrian leader Bashar Assad has refused to meet with Hamas leader Haled Mashaal.
This tension is not new.
It began several months ago when Hamas called for reforms in Syria.
Since then Hamas has been asked to leave Syria.
Hamas had found digs elsewhere.
Hamas' main offices are now in Jordan, with some other facilities in Qatar.
Jordan granted Hamas safety under one condition: absolutely no operations be initiated from Jordan - that means no planning and no execution of operations.
Mashaal accepted the conditions and moved almost the entire Hamas bureaucracy base to Amman. But because they also need an operations center, the Qatar office was opened.
Should Israel discover that Hamas operations were being executed out of Jordan, that would be casus belli which means an incident of war and hence - a reason for war. If that were to happen it could and it would legally permit Israel the right to strike Hamas operation centers in Jordan.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
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Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Avoid the Hack: Iran Brings Websites Home
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Iran has jst decided to move 90%of all their websites - into Iran. Until now they were hosted by private servers and companies outside Iran.
The Iranians believe that this will render their websites more difficult to hack and make them impenetrable.
Of course, the opposite is true.
Until now the Iranians blamed the hosts for the hacks. The reality is that the hackers were very, very good at what they did. There is only so much a host can do when the hackers are dedicated and relentless.
Bringing the websites to Iran is a problem. Iran has neither the people nor the technology to defend their websites, to constantly update and to fend off attacks.
This decision will only make Iran's websites easier to hack and allow hackers better access to Iran.
For everyone outside Iran, that's good news.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Iran has jst decided to move 90%of all their websites - into Iran. Until now they were hosted by private servers and companies outside Iran.
The Iranians believe that this will render their websites more difficult to hack and make them impenetrable.
Of course, the opposite is true.
Until now the Iranians blamed the hosts for the hacks. The reality is that the hackers were very, very good at what they did. There is only so much a host can do when the hackers are dedicated and relentless.
Bringing the websites to Iran is a problem. Iran has neither the people nor the technology to defend their websites, to constantly update and to fend off attacks.
This decision will only make Iran's websites easier to hack and allow hackers better access to Iran.
For everyone outside Iran, that's good news.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
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Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Deserters are Shot in Syria
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
In Syria yesterday 60 to 70 deserters were gunned down as they were running away from their posts.
This is the first situation in Syria where so many soldiers deserted at a single time. In order to make certain that the soldiers did not escape, machine guns were used to shoot them dead.
Until now desertion has not been a serious issue Syria.
This incident can go both ways.
It can intimidate other soldiers not to desert out of fear of being executed.
Or it could move more soldiers to plot a clean escape out of an oppressive military environment.
This shooting is extremely telling. Syrians are running away and other Syrians think nothing of shooting to kill.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
In Syria yesterday 60 to 70 deserters were gunned down as they were running away from their posts.
This is the first situation in Syria where so many soldiers deserted at a single time. In order to make certain that the soldiers did not escape, machine guns were used to shoot them dead.
Until now desertion has not been a serious issue Syria.
This incident can go both ways.
It can intimidate other soldiers not to desert out of fear of being executed.
Or it could move more soldiers to plot a clean escape out of an oppressive military environment.
This shooting is extremely telling. Syrians are running away and other Syrians think nothing of shooting to kill.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Monday, December 19, 2011
Muslim Parties WIn Again in Egypt
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Last week the second set of elections took place in Egypt. Nine more provinces went to the polls to vote for the Egyptian Parliament which is composed of 498 representatives.
Once again the two largest Muslim extremist parties, the Muslim Brotherhood Freedom and Justice party and the Salafi al- Nour party, garnered a large majority of the vote. This time they came home with 75% of the vote, gaining even more votes in the second set of elections than extremist parties did three weeks ago when the first nine provinces went to the polls.
This time the FJP (Freedom and Justice Party) received 40% of the vote and the Salafi al-Nour party received 35%.
In the previous election the Nour party received 24% and the Muslim Brotherhood garnered 37%.
The next set of provinces is scheduled to vote in January.
None of this should surprise anyone. The first set of elections took place in more urban centers, the second set in rural provinces. The rule is that: the more urban the more likely to vote non-extremist, the more rural the more likely to vote for the extremists.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Last week the second set of elections took place in Egypt. Nine more provinces went to the polls to vote for the Egyptian Parliament which is composed of 498 representatives.
Once again the two largest Muslim extremist parties, the Muslim Brotherhood Freedom and Justice party and the Salafi al- Nour party, garnered a large majority of the vote. This time they came home with 75% of the vote, gaining even more votes in the second set of elections than extremist parties did three weeks ago when the first nine provinces went to the polls.
This time the FJP (Freedom and Justice Party) received 40% of the vote and the Salafi al-Nour party received 35%.
In the previous election the Nour party received 24% and the Muslim Brotherhood garnered 37%.
The next set of provinces is scheduled to vote in January.
None of this should surprise anyone. The first set of elections took place in more urban centers, the second set in rural provinces. The rule is that: the more urban the more likely to vote non-extremist, the more rural the more likely to vote for the extremists.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Sunday, December 18, 2011
Terrorists Bomb Sinai Gas Pipeline
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Once again the gas pipelines in the Sinai desert of Egypt have been attacked by terrorists.
This is the 10th time in the recent past that attempts have been made to explode the pipe lines - and it will not be the last time. The terrorists want to disrupt the flow of natural gas to Israel. They want to hurt Israel.
Problem is, the terrorists still don't get it.
Israel has been weaning itself from Egyptian natural gas. They are far less dependent than they once were. Jordan, however, is still nearly 90% dependent on Egyptian natural gas. The terrorist plan to hurt the Jewish State actually ends up crippling an Arab state instead.
What is most strange is that these pipelines are supposed to be guarded by the Egyptian army. The army has simply been sound asleep on the job. By virtue of their silence, the Egyptian army is sending a signal to the terrorists that it is all right to continue their attacks on the gas pipelines of Sinai.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Once again the gas pipelines in the Sinai desert of Egypt have been attacked by terrorists.
This is the 10th time in the recent past that attempts have been made to explode the pipe lines - and it will not be the last time. The terrorists want to disrupt the flow of natural gas to Israel. They want to hurt Israel.
Problem is, the terrorists still don't get it.
Israel has been weaning itself from Egyptian natural gas. They are far less dependent than they once were. Jordan, however, is still nearly 90% dependent on Egyptian natural gas. The terrorist plan to hurt the Jewish State actually ends up crippling an Arab state instead.
What is most strange is that these pipelines are supposed to be guarded by the Egyptian army. The army has simply been sound asleep on the job. By virtue of their silence, the Egyptian army is sending a signal to the terrorists that it is all right to continue their attacks on the gas pipelines of Sinai.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Saturday, December 17, 2011
US Amb Meets Muslim Brotherhood Leader
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Earlier this week US Ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson, together with US Senator and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee John Kerry, met with representative from the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
This is no small feat.
This is the first time any official meetings have taken place at this high a level. In diplomatic speak, the ambassador is called a senior government official. The chairman is referred to as an influential political leader or politician.
The meeting was a shift in US policy. It was a move away from isolating the Muslim Brotherhood towards acknowledging them as a major player in the new Egypt.
Here is the problem: The Muslim Brotherhood is not democratic and should never have been permitted to stand for election in the first place. But they did.
So now, because they are such a significant power, the United States has begun to court them. For their part, the Brotherhood has not shown any reciprocal interest.
We need to wait and see. The Muslim Brotherhood sometimes surprises us.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Earlier this week US Ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson, together with US Senator and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee John Kerry, met with representative from the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
This is no small feat.
This is the first time any official meetings have taken place at this high a level. In diplomatic speak, the ambassador is called a senior government official. The chairman is referred to as an influential political leader or politician.
The meeting was a shift in US policy. It was a move away from isolating the Muslim Brotherhood towards acknowledging them as a major player in the new Egypt.
Here is the problem: The Muslim Brotherhood is not democratic and should never have been permitted to stand for election in the first place. But they did.
So now, because they are such a significant power, the United States has begun to court them. For their part, the Brotherhood has not shown any reciprocal interest.
We need to wait and see. The Muslim Brotherhood sometimes surprises us.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Friday, December 16, 2011
Iran Hacks US Drone
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
The top secret US Bat Drone that the Iranians now possess - and are in the process of reverse engineering, was, according to a report in the Christian Science Monitor, hacked and hijacked.
The logic works. The huge question was this: how could the drone, which was being displayed on Iranian TV, be in such good condition. There were no signs of damage which would make no sense at all if it fell from the air or was shot down.
Now we have the answer.
The report which is based on Iranian sources says that Iran hacked the control system of the drone and took advantage of it while it was in between GPS connections. Evidently the Iranians knew that there were GPS gaps in the drone's link to it handlers and that during that time, the drone was vulnerable.
Iranian hackers tricked the drone into landing, making it think that it was returning to Afghanistan. This information was gleaned from other downed US drones.
The entire episode is an embarrassment to the United States. It is the beginning of a dangerous and unfortunate new reality. Iran has some of the US's latest technology. And the United States just handed it over to them. The only thing missing was a big bow.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
The top secret US Bat Drone that the Iranians now possess - and are in the process of reverse engineering, was, according to a report in the Christian Science Monitor, hacked and hijacked.
The logic works. The huge question was this: how could the drone, which was being displayed on Iranian TV, be in such good condition. There were no signs of damage which would make no sense at all if it fell from the air or was shot down.
Now we have the answer.
The report which is based on Iranian sources says that Iran hacked the control system of the drone and took advantage of it while it was in between GPS connections. Evidently the Iranians knew that there were GPS gaps in the drone's link to it handlers and that during that time, the drone was vulnerable.
Iranian hackers tricked the drone into landing, making it think that it was returning to Afghanistan. This information was gleaned from other downed US drones.
The entire episode is an embarrassment to the United States. It is the beginning of a dangerous and unfortunate new reality. Iran has some of the US's latest technology. And the United States just handed it over to them. The only thing missing was a big bow.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Thursday, December 15, 2011
Iran Has US Bat Drone
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Now, a week later, it is obvious that the Iranians are in possession of a US Bat Drone. Both the president and the secretary of state of the United States have asked the Iranians to please give it back. The answer was a resounding NO!
The Iranians want to reverse engineer the drone. According to Iranian press reports the Chinese, the Russian and the North Koreans have all called and asked to see the drone.
I do not understand why the US did not outfit the drone with a kill switch. That drone should have been destroyed as soon as it went out of US control.
Each drone should be outfitted with a switch that either destroys everything inside or a self destruct mechanism that fries the entire mechanism. These are built specifically to prevent reverse engineering.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Now, a week later, it is obvious that the Iranians are in possession of a US Bat Drone. Both the president and the secretary of state of the United States have asked the Iranians to please give it back. The answer was a resounding NO!
The Iranians want to reverse engineer the drone. According to Iranian press reports the Chinese, the Russian and the North Koreans have all called and asked to see the drone.
I do not understand why the US did not outfit the drone with a kill switch. That drone should have been destroyed as soon as it went out of US control.
Each drone should be outfitted with a switch that either destroys everything inside or a self destruct mechanism that fries the entire mechanism. These are built specifically to prevent reverse engineering.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Wednesday, December 14, 2011
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Yesterday, Iranian Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi met with Saudi Intelligence Minster Prince Nayef.
This was indeed a very unusual meeting.
This was the first interaction between Iran and Saudi Arabia since the United States accused Iran of plotting to murder the Saudi ambassador to Washington, DC.
There is no question that tensions are running high between these two polar opposites countries. The agenda of this tete a tete was almost certainly to smooth over the terrible animosity that has emerged the countries.
I was not a fly on that wall, but I can say with the wisdom gained from years of studying and analyzing these countries and the region, that the Iranians did not apologize but rather - came with an explanation.
They probably said that yes, these were former Iranians plotting the assassination, but that the members of the cell caught by the United States were rogues and amateurs. That it had nothing to do with Iranian's real leadership. That Iran would not jeopardize the stability of the region by plotting such an assassination.
And Saudi Arabia, I believe, walked away satisfied.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Yesterday, Iranian Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi met with Saudi Intelligence Minster Prince Nayef.
This was indeed a very unusual meeting.
This was the first interaction between Iran and Saudi Arabia since the United States accused Iran of plotting to murder the Saudi ambassador to Washington, DC.
There is no question that tensions are running high between these two polar opposites countries. The agenda of this tete a tete was almost certainly to smooth over the terrible animosity that has emerged the countries.
I was not a fly on that wall, but I can say with the wisdom gained from years of studying and analyzing these countries and the region, that the Iranians did not apologize but rather - came with an explanation.
They probably said that yes, these were former Iranians plotting the assassination, but that the members of the cell caught by the United States were rogues and amateurs. That it had nothing to do with Iranian's real leadership. That Iran would not jeopardize the stability of the region by plotting such an assassination.
And Saudi Arabia, I believe, walked away satisfied.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Israel Launches New Satellite
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Israel launched their Amos 5 satellite from somewhere in Kazakhstan.
The Amos 5 is the newest and most sophisticated satellite that Israel has launched. It can and will serve as a communications hub for all of Israel's interactions. It will also be used to transmit and relate the clearest of all images from around the globe.
Israel's satellite systems are enormously important tools in protecting Israel. They gather information and enable Israel to observe and interpret the actions of both friends and foes.
Satellites also permit Israel to trade information and intelligence with the United States and other world powers.
Because of their state of the art satellites, Israel is a player in world intelligence.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Israel launched their Amos 5 satellite from somewhere in Kazakhstan.
The Amos 5 is the newest and most sophisticated satellite that Israel has launched. It can and will serve as a communications hub for all of Israel's interactions. It will also be used to transmit and relate the clearest of all images from around the globe.
Israel's satellite systems are enormously important tools in protecting Israel. They gather information and enable Israel to observe and interpret the actions of both friends and foes.
Satellites also permit Israel to trade information and intelligence with the United States and other world powers.
Because of their state of the art satellites, Israel is a player in world intelligence.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Monday, December 12, 2011
Egypt PM Cries at Press Conference
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
The acting temporary prime minister of Egypt broke down in tears while speaking to the press yesterday.
Kamal el Ganzouri is the third person to hold the position of temporary prime minister in Egypt since February, when Hosni Mubarak was ousted.
Ganzouri cried as he described the economic situation in Egypt. He said that the Egyptian economy is worse than anyone can imagine. He said that the state of tourism is horrific and that crime is rampant.
Seldom have I ever witnessed a tearful Arab leader. Certainly I have never seen an emotional display of this sort in public and not ever when discussing the economy.
It will be interesting to see how the Egyptians and other Arabs interpret this act. Will they describe it as an act of weakness or will they describe it as pathos.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
The acting temporary prime minister of Egypt broke down in tears while speaking to the press yesterday.
Kamal el Ganzouri is the third person to hold the position of temporary prime minister in Egypt since February, when Hosni Mubarak was ousted.
Ganzouri cried as he described the economic situation in Egypt. He said that the Egyptian economy is worse than anyone can imagine. He said that the state of tourism is horrific and that crime is rampant.
Seldom have I ever witnessed a tearful Arab leader. Certainly I have never seen an emotional display of this sort in public and not ever when discussing the economy.
It will be interesting to see how the Egyptians and other Arabs interpret this act. Will they describe it as an act of weakness or will they describe it as pathos.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Sunday, December 11, 2011
Iran Nuke Factory Explodes
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Two weeks ago a huge explosion was heard in Isfahan, the third largest city in Iran.
The explosion came from a factory that refined yellow cake also known as urania. The blast was reported on Iranian websites - but then quickly taken down.
Now there are intelligence satellite pictures that show bulldozers at work clearing rubble and destroying buildings in the factory compound.
The pictures in and of themselves do not say anything - but they allow so to make inferences as to what truly happened as a result of that blast.
We can infer that the factory was badly damaged by the explosion and we can infer that Iranian decision makers are either knocking down the building in order to rebuild it, or in order to eliminate evidence of any explosion.
Any way you look at it, it is clear that Iran's nuclear program was damaged. The extent of that damage is harder to assess.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Two weeks ago a huge explosion was heard in Isfahan, the third largest city in Iran.
The explosion came from a factory that refined yellow cake also known as urania. The blast was reported on Iranian websites - but then quickly taken down.
Now there are intelligence satellite pictures that show bulldozers at work clearing rubble and destroying buildings in the factory compound.
The pictures in and of themselves do not say anything - but they allow so to make inferences as to what truly happened as a result of that blast.
We can infer that the factory was badly damaged by the explosion and we can infer that Iranian decision makers are either knocking down the building in order to rebuild it, or in order to eliminate evidence of any explosion.
Any way you look at it, it is clear that Iran's nuclear program was damaged. The extent of that damage is harder to assess.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Friday, December 9, 2011
How to Defeat Assad
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
There is only one way to topple Bashar Assad of Syria. There needs to be a massive armed uprising.
And the Syrians are so far from making that happen.
True, a massive armed uprising would mean an enormously high number of deaths on the side of the resisters - but it is the only way. A simple, small uprising would only make matters and the lives of Syrians worse.
As of now Assad has the army behind him and very few military have defected from the army. Those who have defected are not from elite units and do not have great training. If they have weapons they are small and have limited ammo.
A massive uprising would require mass defections from the army, but that is not happening because everyone had the feeling that whatever they do, it will be useless. Assad is strong and Assad is ruthless.
The uprising I am talking about will need outside aid with weapons. But until there is a united voice for the opposition within Syria, outside sources of help cannot and will not help them.
Even when they try to act like opposition resistance forces, they get it wrong. The two major resistance groups in Syria decided to restrict their attacks against Assad's forces and instead, only defend the demonstrators.
That is a step backwards for regime change.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
There is only one way to topple Bashar Assad of Syria. There needs to be a massive armed uprising.
And the Syrians are so far from making that happen.
True, a massive armed uprising would mean an enormously high number of deaths on the side of the resisters - but it is the only way. A simple, small uprising would only make matters and the lives of Syrians worse.
As of now Assad has the army behind him and very few military have defected from the army. Those who have defected are not from elite units and do not have great training. If they have weapons they are small and have limited ammo.
A massive uprising would require mass defections from the army, but that is not happening because everyone had the feeling that whatever they do, it will be useless. Assad is strong and Assad is ruthless.
The uprising I am talking about will need outside aid with weapons. But until there is a united voice for the opposition within Syria, outside sources of help cannot and will not help them.
Even when they try to act like opposition resistance forces, they get it wrong. The two major resistance groups in Syria decided to restrict their attacks against Assad's forces and instead, only defend the demonstrators.
That is a step backwards for regime change.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Thursday, December 8, 2011
Egypt: Muslim Brotherhood is Winning
By Micah Halpern I've Been Thinking:
The Muslim Brotherhood claimed electoral victory yesterday in the second round of elections in Egypt. This past Monday and Tuesday there was a two day run off for 45 individual seats. These seats are not connected to the party - the people ran on their own.
The Muslim Brotherhood claims to have won 34 of the 45 individual seats.
This segment of the election was held in 9 of the most urban of provinces in Egypt. If their claim is proven correct and this trend continues that will mean the Muslim Brotherhood will control nearly 75% of the 498 seats up for election in the Egyptian parliament.
These results should be truly worrying for the West and there is nothing we can do about it.
Once again the West's push for democrat elections in an Arab country results in Islamic extremists rising to power and control.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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The Muslim Brotherhood claimed electoral victory yesterday in the second round of elections in Egypt. This past Monday and Tuesday there was a two day run off for 45 individual seats. These seats are not connected to the party - the people ran on their own.
The Muslim Brotherhood claims to have won 34 of the 45 individual seats.
This segment of the election was held in 9 of the most urban of provinces in Egypt. If their claim is proven correct and this trend continues that will mean the Muslim Brotherhood will control nearly 75% of the 498 seats up for election in the Egyptian parliament.
These results should be truly worrying for the West and there is nothing we can do about it.
Once again the West's push for democrat elections in an Arab country results in Islamic extremists rising to power and control.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Wednesday, December 7, 2011
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
The United States returned its ambassador to Syria last night.
Ambassador Ford had been recalled for a combination of reasons. One reason was for his personal safety. The other was that the White House was sending a message to Syrian President Assad.
There was good intel that the US ambassador to Syria was becoming a target. For his safety they brought him back. In response, Syria withdrew its own ambassador from DC.
Now the question is: why would the US return Ambassador Ford?
The official reason is to help make certain US interests are served. But France is also returning its ambassador. France and Italy are the two European countries who withdrew their ambassadors in the first place.
When the United States and France return their ambassadors to Syria, you can bet there is a very important back story. So what's the real, not official reason? The US and France want and need trusted observers and diplomats on the ground in Syria.
It is a shame.
Saudi Arabia is not for a moment thinking of returning its ambassador.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
The United States returned its ambassador to Syria last night.
Ambassador Ford had been recalled for a combination of reasons. One reason was for his personal safety. The other was that the White House was sending a message to Syrian President Assad.
There was good intel that the US ambassador to Syria was becoming a target. For his safety they brought him back. In response, Syria withdrew its own ambassador from DC.
Now the question is: why would the US return Ambassador Ford?
The official reason is to help make certain US interests are served. But France is also returning its ambassador. France and Italy are the two European countries who withdrew their ambassadors in the first place.
When the United States and France return their ambassadors to Syria, you can bet there is a very important back story. So what's the real, not official reason? The US and France want and need trusted observers and diplomats on the ground in Syria.
It is a shame.
Saudi Arabia is not for a moment thinking of returning its ambassador.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Iranians Are Expecting An Attack
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Iranians in the capital city of Teheran live in fear of an air strike that might happen at any time, on any day.
Since last week's raids on the two British embassy compounds in Teheran, Iranians are almost certain that retaliation will come in the form of an air strike.
Citizens have been stockpiling food and necessities. Foreigners have been pouring out of the country and the international schools have all closed. The French international school, which is located on the British Embassy compound, watched as the mobs attacked the embassy. They have since closed. The German school located nearby has closed and the British school - which is not located on the compound, has also been closed.
Iranians see all the closings as forebodings, they take is as a sign of a Western attack.
Actually, the schools closed to protect the students. Just like the British embassy these schools are Western institutions. They are very public and easy targets. The rioters and extremists could easily attack them.
Until the tone changes and tensions and calm are restored, the schools will remain closed and the people of Teheran will remain fearful.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Iranians in the capital city of Teheran live in fear of an air strike that might happen at any time, on any day.
Since last week's raids on the two British embassy compounds in Teheran, Iranians are almost certain that retaliation will come in the form of an air strike.
Citizens have been stockpiling food and necessities. Foreigners have been pouring out of the country and the international schools have all closed. The French international school, which is located on the British Embassy compound, watched as the mobs attacked the embassy. They have since closed. The German school located nearby has closed and the British school - which is not located on the compound, has also been closed.
Iranians see all the closings as forebodings, they take is as a sign of a Western attack.
Actually, the schools closed to protect the students. Just like the British embassy these schools are Western institutions. They are very public and easy targets. The rioters and extremists could easily attack them.
Until the tone changes and tensions and calm are restored, the schools will remain closed and the people of Teheran will remain fearful.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Sunday, December 4, 2011
Iran Thinks it was a Virus
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
My sources are telling me that Iran has, with almost certainty, come to the conclusion that the huge explosion that rocked the Algahdir missile base on November 12th, the explosion that killed 36 people including the head of the Iranian missile program - was caused by a worm.
The Iranians are now seriously trying to determine if the explosion was caused by either the Stuxnet or the DUQU virus.
If they are correct, it means that their systems are still seriously infected. It means that the Iranian missiles, the main weapon in any attack by Iran on Western targets or on Israel, are out of commission. It means that the Shahab 3 and the Sejil 2 are now useless.
People say that it will take Iran two to three months to clean their systems of the viruses. My tech people do not believe that to be the case. They say that there is really no way to clean these worms from your system. The virus becomes dormant and is not detected - but it has not gone away. Actually, it creates a false trail suggesting that your defense has detected and removed the virus while in reality, it is still deeply embedded in your system.
If the Iranians are correct, their entire missile system is in jeopardy. And that is good news for the West.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
My sources are telling me that Iran has, with almost certainty, come to the conclusion that the huge explosion that rocked the Algahdir missile base on November 12th, the explosion that killed 36 people including the head of the Iranian missile program - was caused by a worm.
The Iranians are now seriously trying to determine if the explosion was caused by either the Stuxnet or the DUQU virus.
If they are correct, it means that their systems are still seriously infected. It means that the Iranian missiles, the main weapon in any attack by Iran on Western targets or on Israel, are out of commission. It means that the Shahab 3 and the Sejil 2 are now useless.
People say that it will take Iran two to three months to clean their systems of the viruses. My tech people do not believe that to be the case. They say that there is really no way to clean these worms from your system. The virus becomes dormant and is not detected - but it has not gone away. Actually, it creates a false trail suggesting that your defense has detected and removed the virus while in reality, it is still deeply embedded in your system.
If the Iranians are correct, their entire missile system is in jeopardy. And that is good news for the West.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Saturday, December 3, 2011
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
As the rhetoric continues to escalate in Iran about a potential strike and then their counter strike, we need to pay careful attention to what is being said and who is saying it.
Iranian Defense Minister Ahamed Vahidi was quoted recently saying: "Iran is not Iraq or Afghanistan, if the Americans make the mistake and attack Iran, we will show them how to fight."
The Defense Minister continued: "Israel has to be punished for what it has done to the Muslims in Palestine and Lebanon."
Vahidi said all this in front of 50,000 volunteer recruits to the Revolutionary Guard and concluded his remarks by saying that if Israel attacks Iran they will be hit by 150,000 missiles.
Iran does not have 150,000 rockets that have the range to hit Israel -- they have many fewer. But the minister was making a rhetorical point. He was preaching to the converted, he was egging them on.
Micah@Micah Halpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
As the rhetoric continues to escalate in Iran about a potential strike and then their counter strike, we need to pay careful attention to what is being said and who is saying it.
Iranian Defense Minister Ahamed Vahidi was quoted recently saying: "Iran is not Iraq or Afghanistan, if the Americans make the mistake and attack Iran, we will show them how to fight."
The Defense Minister continued: "Israel has to be punished for what it has done to the Muslims in Palestine and Lebanon."
Vahidi said all this in front of 50,000 volunteer recruits to the Revolutionary Guard and concluded his remarks by saying that if Israel attacks Iran they will be hit by 150,000 missiles.
Iran does not have 150,000 rockets that have the range to hit Israel -- they have many fewer. But the minister was making a rhetorical point. He was preaching to the converted, he was egging them on.
Micah@Micah Halpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Friday, December 2, 2011
Iran's Rhetoric is Dangerous
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Iran is torquing up the tensions and really applying the rhetoric.
Iranian military leader Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Revolutionary Guards' Division of Aerospace, recently said that Iran will target the NATO missile defense shield in Turkey if the United States or Israel attacks the Islamic Republic.
The Iranian general was quoted by the semi-official Mehr news agency as saying that this warning is part of a new defense strategy to counter what Iran sees as an increase in threats from the United States and Israel.
In other words, Iran is giving notice that they will strike at US bases and their ally's bases.
The threats are increasing and they are real - but this is also about politics, US politics. Republican candidates, in debate after televised debate, keep spouting on about Iran without any real sense of the ramifications of their words.
Iran is responding in kind.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Iran is torquing up the tensions and really applying the rhetoric.
Iranian military leader Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Revolutionary Guards' Division of Aerospace, recently said that Iran will target the NATO missile defense shield in Turkey if the United States or Israel attacks the Islamic Republic.
The Iranian general was quoted by the semi-official Mehr news agency as saying that this warning is part of a new defense strategy to counter what Iran sees as an increase in threats from the United States and Israel.
In other words, Iran is giving notice that they will strike at US bases and their ally's bases.
The threats are increasing and they are real - but this is also about politics, US politics. Republican candidates, in debate after televised debate, keep spouting on about Iran without any real sense of the ramifications of their words.
Iran is responding in kind.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Thursday, December 1, 2011
Iran General's Will
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Several weeks ago there was a massive explosion that rocked a missile base just outside of Teheran. 18 people were killed. One of those killed was General Hassan Teherani Moqaddam, head of the missile program.
It is still unclear what caused the explosion. Some have said it was the Mossad, others have said that it was insurgents and anti-government underground forces. The government has been asserting that the explosion was an accident.
The explosion could have been caused by any or all of those reasons. Add to that the computer virus that has badly infected Iranian Siemens systems and there is another possible cause.
What is fascinating me right now is a Basij website that reported that the general's last will and testament said that he wants his tombstone to say "the person buried here wanted to destroy Israel."
For General Moqaddam, as for many leaders in the Iranian regime - and not only religious leaders as many people mistakenly believe, destroying Israel is a primary life objective.
That is mind boggling. That is insight into the Iranian mind.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Several weeks ago there was a massive explosion that rocked a missile base just outside of Teheran. 18 people were killed. One of those killed was General Hassan Teherani Moqaddam, head of the missile program.
It is still unclear what caused the explosion. Some have said it was the Mossad, others have said that it was insurgents and anti-government underground forces. The government has been asserting that the explosion was an accident.
The explosion could have been caused by any or all of those reasons. Add to that the computer virus that has badly infected Iranian Siemens systems and there is another possible cause.
What is fascinating me right now is a Basij website that reported that the general's last will and testament said that he wants his tombstone to say "the person buried here wanted to destroy Israel."
For General Moqaddam, as for many leaders in the Iranian regime - and not only religious leaders as many people mistakenly believe, destroying Israel is a primary life objective.
That is mind boggling. That is insight into the Iranian mind.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Russian Carrier Group to Syria
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Russia has decided to send its only aircraft carrier, named Admiral Kuznetzov, to join a flotilla of war ships to Syria.
The Russians have built a multi-billion dollar navy base in Tartus, Syria. Tartus will be the new base of operations for the entire Russian presence in Middle East, especially for its submarine force.
Tartus is just north of Lebanon and a stone's throw from Turkey. It is practically next to Israel. And it is the second largest port of Syria.
Moving its aircraft carrier - its only aircraft carrier to Syria, makes a very strong statement.
This move says that Russia is going to support Syria on the ground and in the arena - not just in the United Nations Security Council where they continue to veto sanctions and any action against the Syrians.
Russia has too much to lose if Assad falls. That is why the Russians are doing their best to bolster Syria and secure the position of Bashar Assad.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Russia has decided to send its only aircraft carrier, named Admiral Kuznetzov, to join a flotilla of war ships to Syria.
The Russians have built a multi-billion dollar navy base in Tartus, Syria. Tartus will be the new base of operations for the entire Russian presence in Middle East, especially for its submarine force.
Tartus is just north of Lebanon and a stone's throw from Turkey. It is practically next to Israel. And it is the second largest port of Syria.
Moving its aircraft carrier - its only aircraft carrier to Syria, makes a very strong statement.
This move says that Russia is going to support Syria on the ground and in the arena - not just in the United Nations Security Council where they continue to veto sanctions and any action against the Syrians.
Russia has too much to lose if Assad falls. That is why the Russians are doing their best to bolster Syria and secure the position of Bashar Assad.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Nuke Plant Explosion in Iran
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
A huge explosion occurred in the Iranian city of Isfahan at 2:40 in the afternoon local time yesterday. According to FARS, the official Iranian news agency, the explosion took place in their uranium enrichment plant.
Soon after the piece was posted on FARS, it was removed. All the other official news sites in Iran quoted officials saying that no such explosion had occurred.
The Isfahan plant enriches uranium. It makes urania which is popularly known as Yellowcake. The Yellowcake is transformed into UF6 Gas which is the shortened form of Uranium Hexafuoride Gas. After the UF6 Gas is produced it is shipped to Natanz and Qom.
The explosion did take place and it did a great amount of damage. It resembles the explosion that happened two weeks ago outside of Teheran at the Revolutionary Guard's missile base.
In that explosion 18 people were killed including the general in charge of the missile program.
Isfahan is Iran's third largest city. People know about the uranium conversion plant - it is located too close to the city for people not to hear and know what happened.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
A huge explosion occurred in the Iranian city of Isfahan at 2:40 in the afternoon local time yesterday. According to FARS, the official Iranian news agency, the explosion took place in their uranium enrichment plant.
Soon after the piece was posted on FARS, it was removed. All the other official news sites in Iran quoted officials saying that no such explosion had occurred.
The Isfahan plant enriches uranium. It makes urania which is popularly known as Yellowcake. The Yellowcake is transformed into UF6 Gas which is the shortened form of Uranium Hexafuoride Gas. After the UF6 Gas is produced it is shipped to Natanz and Qom.
The explosion did take place and it did a great amount of damage. It resembles the explosion that happened two weeks ago outside of Teheran at the Revolutionary Guard's missile base.
In that explosion 18 people were killed including the general in charge of the missile program.
Isfahan is Iran's third largest city. People know about the uranium conversion plant - it is located too close to the city for people not to hear and know what happened.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Monday, November 28, 2011
Elections in Egypt
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Elections will be held in Egypt tomorrow and Tuesday. This is the beginning of a long, extended, election for the lower parliament which does not conclude until January.
There is an array of parties and the entire election process is unclear. There will certainly be bullying and corruption. There will be no international observers.
The follow up, the upper parliament and presidential election, is scheduled for the end of June.
Field Marshall Tantawi, head of the Supreme Military Council, has begged people to come out and vote. The problem is that when there is crisis, those who do vote - vote for the extremes.
Because there has been almost no education about the parties running for election and no education about the voting process - very few Egyptians will ultimately come out to vote. They do not know where to go and have no idea of when to vote or how the votes will be tallied.
Egypt has no single independent body watching the process. It is a recipe for corruption and for extremism.
This is electoral anarchy. That is the worst kind of elections.
Just wait and see.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Elections will be held in Egypt tomorrow and Tuesday. This is the beginning of a long, extended, election for the lower parliament which does not conclude until January.
There is an array of parties and the entire election process is unclear. There will certainly be bullying and corruption. There will be no international observers.
The follow up, the upper parliament and presidential election, is scheduled for the end of June.
Field Marshall Tantawi, head of the Supreme Military Council, has begged people to come out and vote. The problem is that when there is crisis, those who do vote - vote for the extremes.
Because there has been almost no education about the parties running for election and no education about the voting process - very few Egyptians will ultimately come out to vote. They do not know where to go and have no idea of when to vote or how the votes will be tallied.
Egypt has no single independent body watching the process. It is a recipe for corruption and for extremism.
This is electoral anarchy. That is the worst kind of elections.
Just wait and see.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Sunday, November 27, 2011
Election in Morocco
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Morocco held an election on Saturday and The Party for Justice and Development (PJD) won the plurality. That means it won more votes than any other party, but not a majority. Now they need to form a coalition in order to rule.
There are about 33 million people in Morocco. 13 million are registered to vote and 45% of that group actually voted. In other words, about 6 million came out to the polls.
The PJD is an Islamic party. In all likelihood they will join with the left wing socialist party and two other parties in the current ruling coalition.
Bottom line: those who voted the Islamic line hoping for an Islamic state, will be disappointed.
For Moroccans in general the results of this election mean that there is virtually no chance to solve their country's 30 % unemployment and their huge deficit. It means that the 8.5 million Moroccans, 25% of the country, now living in abject poverty will continue to live in abject poverty.
Morocco now joins Tunisia as the second Muslim country to elect an Islamic plurality. These elections do not portend well for change. At best, there will be no impact on the lives of the voters, at worst - well, let's just hope for the best.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Morocco held an election on Saturday and The Party for Justice and Development (PJD) won the plurality. That means it won more votes than any other party, but not a majority. Now they need to form a coalition in order to rule.
There are about 33 million people in Morocco. 13 million are registered to vote and 45% of that group actually voted. In other words, about 6 million came out to the polls.
The PJD is an Islamic party. In all likelihood they will join with the left wing socialist party and two other parties in the current ruling coalition.
Bottom line: those who voted the Islamic line hoping for an Islamic state, will be disappointed.
For Moroccans in general the results of this election mean that there is virtually no chance to solve their country's 30 % unemployment and their huge deficit. It means that the 8.5 million Moroccans, 25% of the country, now living in abject poverty will continue to live in abject poverty.
Morocco now joins Tunisia as the second Muslim country to elect an Islamic plurality. These elections do not portend well for change. At best, there will be no impact on the lives of the voters, at worst - well, let's just hope for the best.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Saturday, November 26, 2011
Egypt Rally: "Kill All The Jews"
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Yesterday in Cairo, Egypt there was a rally attended by about 8,000 people.
The one verse quoted from the Koran, repeated over and over, by speaker after speaker, was this: "We will kill all the Jews."
One speaker said that the reason the US is losing in Afghanistan is because Muslims are willing to die for their cause. He said that: "Muslims have a different mentality."
Speakers referred to freeing Tel Aviv.
Speakers spoke about Jerusalem and how Muslim holy sites are being Juda-ized.
Speakers called on Muslims to unite and defend themselves against the Zionists and the United States.
The theme was: unite against the common enemy - Jews, Israel and the West.
The speaker who said Muslims have a different mentality was right. These rallies are deserving of more coverage in the mainstream Western press. The Western world needs to know what is going on, needs to understand how much the Muslim world hates us.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Yesterday in Cairo, Egypt there was a rally attended by about 8,000 people.
The one verse quoted from the Koran, repeated over and over, by speaker after speaker, was this: "We will kill all the Jews."
One speaker said that the reason the US is losing in Afghanistan is because Muslims are willing to die for their cause. He said that: "Muslims have a different mentality."
Speakers referred to freeing Tel Aviv.
Speakers spoke about Jerusalem and how Muslim holy sites are being Juda-ized.
Speakers called on Muslims to unite and defend themselves against the Zionists and the United States.
The theme was: unite against the common enemy - Jews, Israel and the West.
The speaker who said Muslims have a different mentality was right. These rallies are deserving of more coverage in the mainstream Western press. The Western world needs to know what is going on, needs to understand how much the Muslim world hates us.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Friday, November 25, 2011
Sanctions & Syria
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Sanctions are the kind of thing Westerners understand. They are one of the only tools that can have an impact and that can help convince oppressive regimes to change.
Sometimes they work - sometimes they have the opposite effect.
Syria is the perfect example.
The EU has stepped up their sanctions on Syria. Heating oil, specifically, is not to be exported to Syria.
So who gets hurt by the lack of heating oil in Syria? The very people who want to oust Assad. Assad is not hurt at all, he has plenty of heating oil and he makes certain that those loyal to him have heat.
There was a delivery of heating oil to Syria on Wednesday by AOT, a Swiss company. Unfortunately, they are the only ones who understand what is really happening.
If ousting Assad is a priority, the actions applied should place pressure on Assad, not on those we are trying to support and to protect.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Sanctions are the kind of thing Westerners understand. They are one of the only tools that can have an impact and that can help convince oppressive regimes to change.
Sometimes they work - sometimes they have the opposite effect.
Syria is the perfect example.
The EU has stepped up their sanctions on Syria. Heating oil, specifically, is not to be exported to Syria.
So who gets hurt by the lack of heating oil in Syria? The very people who want to oust Assad. Assad is not hurt at all, he has plenty of heating oil and he makes certain that those loyal to him have heat.
There was a delivery of heating oil to Syria on Wednesday by AOT, a Swiss company. Unfortunately, they are the only ones who understand what is really happening.
If ousting Assad is a priority, the actions applied should place pressure on Assad, not on those we are trying to support and to protect.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Thursday, November 24, 2011
Israel to Invade Gaza W/ Bulldozers
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
The Israeli army is preparing for a major offensive in Gaza.
The division that will be primary in the operation is the engineering corps. Right now the army is trying to understand the TUNNELS.
It was through the use of tunnels that Hamas was able to capture and hold Gilad Shalit. In the eyes of the Israeli army, it is the tunnels that will be the key to any future offensive against Hamas.
One of the things the engineering corps is investigating is how effective their D-9 bulldozers are. They are determining how far can the bulldozers can go inside Gaza and how deep they can dig.
These are humongous vehicles. These are intimidating machines with great strength. They can destroy any structure above or below the ground. But they have to know where to go to be effective.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
The Israeli army is preparing for a major offensive in Gaza.
The division that will be primary in the operation is the engineering corps. Right now the army is trying to understand the TUNNELS.
It was through the use of tunnels that Hamas was able to capture and hold Gilad Shalit. In the eyes of the Israeli army, it is the tunnels that will be the key to any future offensive against Hamas.
One of the things the engineering corps is investigating is how effective their D-9 bulldozers are. They are determining how far can the bulldozers can go inside Gaza and how deep they can dig.
These are humongous vehicles. These are intimidating machines with great strength. They can destroy any structure above or below the ground. But they have to know where to go to be effective.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Presidential Debates Foreign Policy
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Presidential Debate on Foreign Policy & National Security
*It should be clear that foreign policy is enormously important to the task of the president --- but it is not foreign policy that influences voters. Very few people say I support this candidate because of his/her foreign policy POV.
*Foreign policy segues into national security. Threats against the US and against US interests begin abroad. Those threats need to be understood - they are what stimulates terror and threatens the homefront.
* Several of the candidates make the debates interesting - but they are not real candidates. Ron Paul is one such candidate. He articulated libertarian ideas which are growing in popularity, but are wrong vis a vis for example, the Middle East. Rick Perry is another such candidate - his no fly zone over Syria is "way out there" it makes no sense and shows a lack of understanding of the way international decisions are made.
All the candidates did well - there were no major gaffs which also means that there were no memorable moments.
Each candidate is really only dealing in theory. These threats against the US are truly overwhelming and will only be actually understood after the first security briefing.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Presidential Debate on Foreign Policy & National Security
*It should be clear that foreign policy is enormously important to the task of the president --- but it is not foreign policy that influences voters. Very few people say I support this candidate because of his/her foreign policy POV.
*Foreign policy segues into national security. Threats against the US and against US interests begin abroad. Those threats need to be understood - they are what stimulates terror and threatens the homefront.
* Several of the candidates make the debates interesting - but they are not real candidates. Ron Paul is one such candidate. He articulated libertarian ideas which are growing in popularity, but are wrong vis a vis for example, the Middle East. Rick Perry is another such candidate - his no fly zone over Syria is "way out there" it makes no sense and shows a lack of understanding of the way international decisions are made.
All the candidates did well - there were no major gaffs which also means that there were no memorable moments.
Each candidate is really only dealing in theory. These threats against the US are truly overwhelming and will only be actually understood after the first security briefing.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
At Least 33 Die in Egypt
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Monday was a bloody day in Egypt.
At least 33 people were killed in clashes between the army and protesters.
As a direct result of the violence, the entire Egyptian cabinet submitted its resignation to the Supreme Military Council later that day.
The Council accepted their resignations.
This is all happening during the week that the first stage of Egyptian parliamentary elections is to take place.
There is very little chance that the election will be democratic and even less chance that Egypt will usher out the Supreme Military Council.
The army rules in Egypt and I expect they will continue to rule in the near future.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Monday was a bloody day in Egypt.
At least 33 people were killed in clashes between the army and protesters.
As a direct result of the violence, the entire Egyptian cabinet submitted its resignation to the Supreme Military Council later that day.
The Council accepted their resignations.
This is all happening during the week that the first stage of Egyptian parliamentary elections is to take place.
There is very little chance that the election will be democratic and even less chance that Egypt will usher out the Supreme Military Council.
The army rules in Egypt and I expect they will continue to rule in the near future.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Monday, November 21, 2011
KIlling Ghadaffi was a Mistake
By Micah Halpern
Column:
Ghadaffi is dead and that should not have happened.
Moammar Ghadaffi, the Colonel as he preferred to be called, was murdered. Not in battle or a shoot out, the thug-hero who ruled Libya was murdered, in cold blood, after he surrendered.
Rules of war, as well as the rules of Islam, require that when a person surrenders, he be taken prisoner. Even tyrants. Even despots and dictators. Even Moammar Ghadaffi. But that is not what happened.
The question that needs to be asked is this: Was the murder of Moammar Ghadaffi the best outcome. In other words, was it best to drag him, beat him and kill him or should Ghadaffi have been arrested and then tried in a court of law?
Any established democracy would respond by saying that the tyrant should be brought to trial and be given legal representation - but Libya never was and is still not, a democracy.
In all probability, with almost certainty, had Ghadaffi been brought to trial he would have been given a death sentence, a sentence which he rightfully deserved. That is not the issue I am debating. My issue is whether or not this death, dealt in this fashion, was the best course of action to be taken by a developing country emerging from forty-two years of oppression.
The rules of war are very clear. The ethical and just ways of acting in war are also clear. Killing in war is justified, not simply because the clich of 'kill or be killed' is true, but because war is about survival. In this case, the war was about eliminating the dictator who ruthlessly oppressed and maimed and killed the people of Libya over an extended time. It was about ousting an oppressive murderous tyrant.
As long as the Ghadaffi was fighting, killing was justified by those in opposition to his rule. But as soon as the dictator stopped fighting, the equation changed. That is when killing as an act of war turned into murder. After that, the only way to take a life is by way of trial, conviction and then execution.
It is the role of the soldier to protect the life of his prisoner once that prisoner surrenders. That is the case regardless of the horrific extent of the prisoner's crimes. So says the rules of war and so says the rules of Islam.
Ghadaffi knew the rules. That is why, on the tapes, we hear his voice shouting: 'You are wrong.' 'You do not know right from wrong. 'You do not know Islam.' 'You sin.'
Ghadaffi was counting on this eventuality. He had thought it through. He knew that there was a chance that he would be captured and not killed in battle. And if that were to happen he wanted to make certain that he would receive protected status as a prisoner. But it didn't happen. Instead, the angry crowd reportedly sodomized him with a combat knife before lynching him. We heard only one voice saying: 'Do not kill him' as Ghadaffi was dragged off and murdered.
Rules aside, there are other reasons why it was wrong, morally, ethically, historically and financially wrong to murder Ghadaffi. Unfortunately, these reasons were never made clear to the opposition fighters, Libyans interested only in exacting immediate revenge for the gruesome acts committed by the tyrant who ruled over a thugocracy in Libya.
From the very beginning, as the rebellion started and the no-fly zone was erected, opposition leaders should have made clear to their fighters that capturing a live Ghadaffi was more important than displaying a dead Ghadaffi. They should have explained that the cathartic experience of recording the hundreds of thousands of atrocities perpetrated by Moammar Ghadaffi, of recording each and every one and entering them all into the historical archive, was essential for national healing.
A public trial, where the horrific acts would be articulated, broadcast, written down as part of the history, even if it took years, would eliminate the possibility of the re-writing history, or questioning of the veracity of events, years later. It was for this purpose that Adolf Eichmann was captured, brought to Jerusalem and tried publicly. The objective of Israel was to enter events as part of the legal and historical record. Had Ghadaffi been brought to trial his trial would have been an educational tool and a historical catharsis for a country that suffered under a brutal tyrant.
Then there is the subject of money. $200 billion or more is socked away. No one knows where. That is money that should be used to rebuild Libya. It is money for education, health and retraining. It is money that the families of those Libyans tortured, terrified and murdered by their leader could use.
This $200 billion, or it's equivalent, will now come out of the pockets of Western democracies, of Western tax payers who will foot the bill for the lion's share of the first stages of reconstruction Libya so desperately needs after the rebellion. Certainly, the Libyan oil industry will help offset the cost - but only later on. If Ghadaffi were still alive and able to reveal where this $200 billion is, that money could be put to use immediately.
But these Libyans were not interested in history. These Libyans were out for revenge. And that is just what they got. And that is not good news for the future of Libya.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Column:
Ghadaffi is dead and that should not have happened.
Moammar Ghadaffi, the Colonel as he preferred to be called, was murdered. Not in battle or a shoot out, the thug-hero who ruled Libya was murdered, in cold blood, after he surrendered.
Rules of war, as well as the rules of Islam, require that when a person surrenders, he be taken prisoner. Even tyrants. Even despots and dictators. Even Moammar Ghadaffi. But that is not what happened.
The question that needs to be asked is this: Was the murder of Moammar Ghadaffi the best outcome. In other words, was it best to drag him, beat him and kill him or should Ghadaffi have been arrested and then tried in a court of law?
Any established democracy would respond by saying that the tyrant should be brought to trial and be given legal representation - but Libya never was and is still not, a democracy.
In all probability, with almost certainty, had Ghadaffi been brought to trial he would have been given a death sentence, a sentence which he rightfully deserved. That is not the issue I am debating. My issue is whether or not this death, dealt in this fashion, was the best course of action to be taken by a developing country emerging from forty-two years of oppression.
The rules of war are very clear. The ethical and just ways of acting in war are also clear. Killing in war is justified, not simply because the clich of 'kill or be killed' is true, but because war is about survival. In this case, the war was about eliminating the dictator who ruthlessly oppressed and maimed and killed the people of Libya over an extended time. It was about ousting an oppressive murderous tyrant.
As long as the Ghadaffi was fighting, killing was justified by those in opposition to his rule. But as soon as the dictator stopped fighting, the equation changed. That is when killing as an act of war turned into murder. After that, the only way to take a life is by way of trial, conviction and then execution.
It is the role of the soldier to protect the life of his prisoner once that prisoner surrenders. That is the case regardless of the horrific extent of the prisoner's crimes. So says the rules of war and so says the rules of Islam.
Ghadaffi knew the rules. That is why, on the tapes, we hear his voice shouting: 'You are wrong.' 'You do not know right from wrong. 'You do not know Islam.' 'You sin.'
Ghadaffi was counting on this eventuality. He had thought it through. He knew that there was a chance that he would be captured and not killed in battle. And if that were to happen he wanted to make certain that he would receive protected status as a prisoner. But it didn't happen. Instead, the angry crowd reportedly sodomized him with a combat knife before lynching him. We heard only one voice saying: 'Do not kill him' as Ghadaffi was dragged off and murdered.
Rules aside, there are other reasons why it was wrong, morally, ethically, historically and financially wrong to murder Ghadaffi. Unfortunately, these reasons were never made clear to the opposition fighters, Libyans interested only in exacting immediate revenge for the gruesome acts committed by the tyrant who ruled over a thugocracy in Libya.
From the very beginning, as the rebellion started and the no-fly zone was erected, opposition leaders should have made clear to their fighters that capturing a live Ghadaffi was more important than displaying a dead Ghadaffi. They should have explained that the cathartic experience of recording the hundreds of thousands of atrocities perpetrated by Moammar Ghadaffi, of recording each and every one and entering them all into the historical archive, was essential for national healing.
A public trial, where the horrific acts would be articulated, broadcast, written down as part of the history, even if it took years, would eliminate the possibility of the re-writing history, or questioning of the veracity of events, years later. It was for this purpose that Adolf Eichmann was captured, brought to Jerusalem and tried publicly. The objective of Israel was to enter events as part of the legal and historical record. Had Ghadaffi been brought to trial his trial would have been an educational tool and a historical catharsis for a country that suffered under a brutal tyrant.
Then there is the subject of money. $200 billion or more is socked away. No one knows where. That is money that should be used to rebuild Libya. It is money for education, health and retraining. It is money that the families of those Libyans tortured, terrified and murdered by their leader could use.
This $200 billion, or it's equivalent, will now come out of the pockets of Western democracies, of Western tax payers who will foot the bill for the lion's share of the first stages of reconstruction Libya so desperately needs after the rebellion. Certainly, the Libyan oil industry will help offset the cost - but only later on. If Ghadaffi were still alive and able to reveal where this $200 billion is, that money could be put to use immediately.
But these Libyans were not interested in history. These Libyans were out for revenge. And that is just what they got. And that is not good news for the future of Libya.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
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Elections in Egypt
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Elections will be held in Egypt tomorrow and Tuesday. This is the beginning of a long, extended, election for the lower parliament which does not conclude until January.
There is an array of parties and the entire election process is unclear. There will certainly be bullying and corruption. There will be no international observers.
The follow up, the upper parliament and presidential election, is scheduled for the end of June.
Field Marshall Tantawi, head of the Supreme Military Council, has begged people to come out and vote. The problem is that when there is crisis, those who do vote - vote for the extremes.
Because there has been almost no education about the parties running for election and no education about the voting process - very few Egyptians will ultimately come out to vote. They do not know where to go and have no idea of when to vote or how the votes will be tallied.
Egypt has no single independent body watching the process. It is a recipe for corruption and for extremism.
This is electoral anarchy. That is the worst kind of elections.
Just wait and see.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Elections will be held in Egypt tomorrow and Tuesday. This is the beginning of a long, extended, election for the lower parliament which does not conclude until January.
There is an array of parties and the entire election process is unclear. There will certainly be bullying and corruption. There will be no international observers.
The follow up, the upper parliament and presidential election, is scheduled for the end of June.
Field Marshall Tantawi, head of the Supreme Military Council, has begged people to come out and vote. The problem is that when there is crisis, those who do vote - vote for the extremes.
Because there has been almost no education about the parties running for election and no education about the voting process - very few Egyptians will ultimately come out to vote. They do not know where to go and have no idea of when to vote or how the votes will be tallied.
Egypt has no single independent body watching the process. It is a recipe for corruption and for extremism.
This is electoral anarchy. That is the worst kind of elections.
Just wait and see.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
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Sunday, November 20, 2011
Kissinger and the Jews
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Newly released documents show just what Henry Kissinger thought about American Jewish leadership. It is not flattering.
Quotes from 1972 tell of Kissinger talking to Nixon aide Leonard Garment, who is also Jewish. In one exchange Kissinger asks, "Is there a more self-serving group of people than the Jewish community?" Garment, answers "None in the world."
Then Kissinger expounds on his earlier point "What the hell do they think they are accomplishing? You can't even tell bastards anything in confidence because they'll leak it."
I cannot say that I am surprised, but this does not make me feel comfortable. What is most deplorable to me is that Henry Kissinger has made millions of dollars speaking to Jews and advising Jewish groups - and the Jewish community has always taken pride in his accomplishments and showered Kissinger with respect.
Given these statements I do not think this self-hating Jew deserves such respect.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Newly released documents show just what Henry Kissinger thought about American Jewish leadership. It is not flattering.
Quotes from 1972 tell of Kissinger talking to Nixon aide Leonard Garment, who is also Jewish. In one exchange Kissinger asks, "Is there a more self-serving group of people than the Jewish community?" Garment, answers "None in the world."
Then Kissinger expounds on his earlier point "What the hell do they think they are accomplishing? You can't even tell bastards anything in confidence because they'll leak it."
I cannot say that I am surprised, but this does not make me feel comfortable. What is most deplorable to me is that Henry Kissinger has made millions of dollars speaking to Jews and advising Jewish groups - and the Jewish community has always taken pride in his accomplishments and showered Kissinger with respect.
Given these statements I do not think this self-hating Jew deserves such respect.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
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Saturday, November 19, 2011
Protests in Cairo
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Friday is the Sabbath in the Islamic world. It is the perfect time for protests and rallies.
Yesterday, in Tahrir Square, 10's of thousands of Egyptians gathered to shout out against their military government. The main organizers and the main groups that attended the rally were religious groups - principally the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Supreme Military Council is the body that has been in charge of Egypt since Mubarak stepped down. Some people do not think that the Military will step aside - even after any elections.
Egyptian elections are slated for November 25th. But they are not final elections, they are the first of a series of elections that will be dragging out over months.
The people who came to the square to protest are expressing their anger.
Signs read: "Down with the Military." "We are not an Army Camp." "The Koran is our Constitution."
This last one is important. The draft of the new constitution contains an article giving the military council the power to supersede elected president.
This is the country that the Western world, specifically the United States, is hoping will turn into a democracy.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Friday is the Sabbath in the Islamic world. It is the perfect time for protests and rallies.
Yesterday, in Tahrir Square, 10's of thousands of Egyptians gathered to shout out against their military government. The main organizers and the main groups that attended the rally were religious groups - principally the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Supreme Military Council is the body that has been in charge of Egypt since Mubarak stepped down. Some people do not think that the Military will step aside - even after any elections.
Egyptian elections are slated for November 25th. But they are not final elections, they are the first of a series of elections that will be dragging out over months.
The people who came to the square to protest are expressing their anger.
Signs read: "Down with the Military." "We are not an Army Camp." "The Koran is our Constitution."
This last one is important. The draft of the new constitution contains an article giving the military council the power to supersede elected president.
This is the country that the Western world, specifically the United States, is hoping will turn into a democracy.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
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Friday, November 18, 2011
IAEA Has A New Mission in Iran
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
The IAEA now has a plan for Iran. They want to create a mission. That’s UN terminology for an onsite study.
Last week the IAEA issued a scathing report on Iran. You would think that the IAEA would now take some real action, especially after 15 years of walking on a tightrope with Iran.
But no ... the IAEA once again lives up to their tradition.
In response to their own damning report, the IAEA geared up, took a deep breath and asked Iran for permission to visit their nuclear facilities and inspect them again.
I ask you: What is the IAEA really there for?
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
The IAEA now has a plan for Iran. They want to create a mission. That’s UN terminology for an onsite study.
Last week the IAEA issued a scathing report on Iran. You would think that the IAEA would now take some real action, especially after 15 years of walking on a tightrope with Iran.
But no ... the IAEA once again lives up to their tradition.
In response to their own damning report, the IAEA geared up, took a deep breath and asked Iran for permission to visit their nuclear facilities and inspect them again.
I ask you: What is the IAEA really there for?
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
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Thursday, November 17, 2011
Syria Protests Begin to Shake Assad
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Syria's opposition is beginning to strike at Syrian military targets.
For the first time in eight months the handful of army deserters that now form the opposition are using their training, their weapons and their knowledge to hit Syrian army targets.
At 2:30AM, in the dark of night, a major military target on the edge of Damascus was attacked by shoulder mounted rockets and machine gun fire. At least six soldiers were killed and over twenty were wounded.
The opposition targeted an air force intelligence center. In Syria, the army and air force intelligence agencies are responsible for tracking and finding deserters.
This attack is a watershed, it was well planned and executed.
Attacks like prove to the Syrian that the balance can shift. Attacks like this one would be proof that Assad and his forces are vulnerable and even beatable.
These attacks can move the opposition up a notch, propelling them from the protest stage to actual conflict.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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To reprint my essays contact sales (at) www.featurewell.com
I've Been Thinking:
Syria's opposition is beginning to strike at Syrian military targets.
For the first time in eight months the handful of army deserters that now form the opposition are using their training, their weapons and their knowledge to hit Syrian army targets.
At 2:30AM, in the dark of night, a major military target on the edge of Damascus was attacked by shoulder mounted rockets and machine gun fire. At least six soldiers were killed and over twenty were wounded.
The opposition targeted an air force intelligence center. In Syria, the army and air force intelligence agencies are responsible for tracking and finding deserters.
This attack is a watershed, it was well planned and executed.
Attacks like prove to the Syrian that the balance can shift. Attacks like this one would be proof that Assad and his forces are vulnerable and even beatable.
These attacks can move the opposition up a notch, propelling them from the protest stage to actual conflict.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
To reprint my essays contact sales (at) www.featurewell.com
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Iran Wants the Hajj
By Micah Halpern
Column:
Internal divisions within the Muslim world are as old as Islam itself. Disputes and conflict have resonated throughout history.
This period of the Muslim year is known as Id al Adha. It is at the end of the month long Hajj, the Pilgrimage is no different from any other internal Islamic conflict. It all boils down to the conflict between the Shiites of Persian Iran - and the rest of the Sunnis of the rest of the Muslim world.
Mecca is the most holy site in Islam. In Mecca sits the Kabbah, a massive black stone, the focus of prafor all Islam and the site to which 1, 500,000,000 Muslims from around the world yearn to make a Hajj, a pilgrimage.
The city of Mecca is located in Saudi Arabia and for some Muslims that is a problem.
There is a movement underway to re-orient Islam away from Mecca. The person at the forefront of this movement is a well respected Iranian Shiite cleric named Ahmad Alam al Hadi.
This Shiite cleric has his supporters. Al Hadi is trying to convince the greater world of Islam that Muslims should not pray towards, nor visit holy sites in, Saudi Arabia or Iraq because those countries are controlled by infidels. He asserts that the leadership of Saudi Arabia is empty of Islamic value and interested only in its own self preservation. He asserts that Iraq is run by the West. And al Hadi attacks the prevalent form of Islam in Saudi Arabia, Wahabism, as extremism and as not representative of true Islam.
Ahmad Alam al Hadi proposes an alternative site. He suggests replacing Mecca, the centerpiece of Islam, with Mashhad.
Do not pray to Mecca, he says, pray toward Mashhad. Do not make pilgrimage to Mecca, make pilgrimage to Mashhad. Reorient yourselves, he says, towards Mashhad which has been a spiritual capital of Islam for hundreds of years. These are very powerful statements coming from a respected religious leader and they have sparked significant debate.
The truth is that Mashhad is and has been a Muslim holy site, primarily for Shiite Muslims, but it also holds importance for Sunni Muslims. Al Hadi claims that Mashhad already accommodates 20,000,000 Iranian pilgrims and 80,000 foreign pilgrims every year and can certainly accommodate the greater onslaught of pilgrims who would be making their way to Iran.
On paper, the plan works. But Islam is not about progress or about change. Islam is about tradition. Even the use of the verb "to orient" is based on tradition. The word "orient" means "to the east." Every Muslim place of prayer contains a mikhrab, a prayer niche, and that prayer niche points in the direction of Mecca. Moving away from Mecca, replacing Mecca, would be a revolutionary move in the world of Islam - and a move that would foment an Islamic revolution.
The irony behind the choice of Mashhad as the new holy site in Islam should not be lost. Imam Raza, the 8th Imam and one of the most influential leaders in the development of Sufi Islam, is buried there. After Imam Reza was murdered in the year 818, probably poisoned to death, there was massive conflict over who should take control his Abbasid Empire. The fight was between his two sons. One son was the son of his Arab wife, the other was the son of his Persian wife. The Shiite Persian son won.
Internal historical conflicts between Islamic groups have very deep roots. So do linguistic traditions. Saudi Arabia is called the land of "Hijaz," an expression which really means the lands of the Hajj, the religious pilgrimage to Mecca. Iran can try to unseat Mecca as the holiest of holy sites, but they will fail - there are too many direct links to the Koran and Mohammed. When the move to change is approached from the perspective of serious Muslim scholarship which begins every investigation by examining the written word of the Koran and the teachings of the prophet Mohammad the argument to replace Mecca with Mashhad appears very, very weak.
Iran wants to take over the world. But first, the Iranians will have to conquer the Islamic world.
This is a good - even if unsuccessful, try. They will try and try again. Iran does not shy away from conflict and dispute.
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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Column:
Internal divisions within the Muslim world are as old as Islam itself. Disputes and conflict have resonated throughout history.
This period of the Muslim year is known as Id al Adha. It is at the end of the month long Hajj, the Pilgrimage is no different from any other internal Islamic conflict. It all boils down to the conflict between the Shiites of Persian Iran - and the rest of the Sunnis of the rest of the Muslim world.
Mecca is the most holy site in Islam. In Mecca sits the Kabbah, a massive black stone, the focus of prafor all Islam and the site to which 1, 500,000,000 Muslims from around the world yearn to make a Hajj, a pilgrimage.
The city of Mecca is located in Saudi Arabia and for some Muslims that is a problem.
There is a movement underway to re-orient Islam away from Mecca. The person at the forefront of this movement is a well respected Iranian Shiite cleric named Ahmad Alam al Hadi.
This Shiite cleric has his supporters. Al Hadi is trying to convince the greater world of Islam that Muslims should not pray towards, nor visit holy sites in, Saudi Arabia or Iraq because those countries are controlled by infidels. He asserts that the leadership of Saudi Arabia is empty of Islamic value and interested only in its own self preservation. He asserts that Iraq is run by the West. And al Hadi attacks the prevalent form of Islam in Saudi Arabia, Wahabism, as extremism and as not representative of true Islam.
Ahmad Alam al Hadi proposes an alternative site. He suggests replacing Mecca, the centerpiece of Islam, with Mashhad.
Do not pray to Mecca, he says, pray toward Mashhad. Do not make pilgrimage to Mecca, make pilgrimage to Mashhad. Reorient yourselves, he says, towards Mashhad which has been a spiritual capital of Islam for hundreds of years. These are very powerful statements coming from a respected religious leader and they have sparked significant debate.
The truth is that Mashhad is and has been a Muslim holy site, primarily for Shiite Muslims, but it also holds importance for Sunni Muslims. Al Hadi claims that Mashhad already accommodates 20,000,000 Iranian pilgrims and 80,000 foreign pilgrims every year and can certainly accommodate the greater onslaught of pilgrims who would be making their way to Iran.
On paper, the plan works. But Islam is not about progress or about change. Islam is about tradition. Even the use of the verb "to orient" is based on tradition. The word "orient" means "to the east." Every Muslim place of prayer contains a mikhrab, a prayer niche, and that prayer niche points in the direction of Mecca. Moving away from Mecca, replacing Mecca, would be a revolutionary move in the world of Islam - and a move that would foment an Islamic revolution.
The irony behind the choice of Mashhad as the new holy site in Islam should not be lost. Imam Raza, the 8th Imam and one of the most influential leaders in the development of Sufi Islam, is buried there. After Imam Reza was murdered in the year 818, probably poisoned to death, there was massive conflict over who should take control his Abbasid Empire. The fight was between his two sons. One son was the son of his Arab wife, the other was the son of his Persian wife. The Shiite Persian son won.
Internal historical conflicts between Islamic groups have very deep roots. So do linguistic traditions. Saudi Arabia is called the land of "Hijaz," an expression which really means the lands of the Hajj, the religious pilgrimage to Mecca. Iran can try to unseat Mecca as the holiest of holy sites, but they will fail - there are too many direct links to the Koran and Mohammed. When the move to change is approached from the perspective of serious Muslim scholarship which begins every investigation by examining the written word of the Koran and the teachings of the prophet Mohammad the argument to replace Mecca with Mashhad appears very, very weak.
Iran wants to take over the world. But first, the Iranians will have to conquer the Islamic world.
This is a good - even if unsuccessful, try. They will try and try again. Iran does not shy away from conflict and dispute.
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
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PA Wants Unity with Hamas
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Palestine Prime Minister Salam Fayyad gave an interview to al Quds, an official Palestinian media outlet, yesterday.
In the interview Fayyad asserted that unity between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority is a major objective and is an essential ingredient in moving ahead and gaining statehood. He referred to statehood as the "Palestinian dream."
He said: let there be a new prime minister.
Fayyad was never elected, instead, he was appointed by President Abbas in a move to oust Hamas from political power.
For Hamas, Fayyad is the symbol of the political power that was stolen from them by the Palestinian Authority.
Hamas has never accepted Fayyad as prime minister and it is no secret to anyone - including Fayyad, that in order to have any unity between Hamas and the PA, Fayyad must step aside.
The problem is that Fayyad is one of the only people in the Palestinian government who understands how a government should work and he is actively working for reforming in order to achieve some sense of government accountability and responsibility.
This is a Palestinian Catch - 22.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
Palestine Prime Minister Salam Fayyad gave an interview to al Quds, an official Palestinian media outlet, yesterday.
In the interview Fayyad asserted that unity between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority is a major objective and is an essential ingredient in moving ahead and gaining statehood. He referred to statehood as the "Palestinian dream."
He said: let there be a new prime minister.
Fayyad was never elected, instead, he was appointed by President Abbas in a move to oust Hamas from political power.
For Hamas, Fayyad is the symbol of the political power that was stolen from them by the Palestinian Authority.
Hamas has never accepted Fayyad as prime minister and it is no secret to anyone - including Fayyad, that in order to have any unity between Hamas and the PA, Fayyad must step aside.
The problem is that Fayyad is one of the only people in the Palestinian government who understands how a government should work and he is actively working for reforming in order to achieve some sense of government accountability and responsibility.
This is a Palestinian Catch - 22.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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Monday, November 14, 2011
DUQU Virus Hits Iran's Computers
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
The virus struck again.
Iran has been hit once again by a computer virus. This virus, which is very similar to the Stuxnet, is called DUQU.
Iran admitted that they have been hit and are saying that it is now under control.
Symantec (Norton) identified the worm on October 19th. It is hard to imagine that Iran managed to get it under control so quickly.
The DUQU virus attacks Windows fonts systems, it also gathers information and intel for further attacks. The virus has already been indentified in 12 countries - but the hacker community buzz is 100% certain that the target was Iran.
The name DUQU comes from the prefix of the file it creates. It looks like this ~DQ.
Stuxnet specifically attacked Siemens systems. Siemens controls water, electricity, gas, oil and of course, nuclear technology.
It is highly unlikely that Iran has either of these worms under control. The only way to know for sure is to actually use the weapons system.
DUQU is a major setback for Iran - and that is good news for the rest of the world.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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I've Been Thinking:
The virus struck again.
Iran has been hit once again by a computer virus. This virus, which is very similar to the Stuxnet, is called DUQU.
Iran admitted that they have been hit and are saying that it is now under control.
Symantec (Norton) identified the worm on October 19th. It is hard to imagine that Iran managed to get it under control so quickly.
The DUQU virus attacks Windows fonts systems, it also gathers information and intel for further attacks. The virus has already been indentified in 12 countries - but the hacker community buzz is 100% certain that the target was Iran.
The name DUQU comes from the prefix of the file it creates. It looks like this ~DQ.
Stuxnet specifically attacked Siemens systems. Siemens controls water, electricity, gas, oil and of course, nuclear technology.
It is highly unlikely that Iran has either of these worms under control. The only way to know for sure is to actually use the weapons system.
DUQU is a major setback for Iran - and that is good news for the rest of the world.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
To reprint my essays contact sales (at) www.featurewell.com
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Does Mossad Work in Iran
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
The internet is lit up about the explosion in Iran at a missile base located only 25 miles outside of Teheran.
The explosion killed 17 members of the elite Revolutionary Guard, including a general.
Speculation is that the Israeli Mossad is behind the attack. The Mossad could not have done it on its own, so added speculation says that Israel acted together with MEK, the Mujahedeen e Kalq.
The MEK is a well organized anti-regime movement in Iran that has the very strong support of wealthy Iranians living in exile.
The word was that MEK, together with the Mossad, is responsible for a slew of attacks including those against the Iranian nuclear scientists and explosions at other military installations over the past few years.That's the speculation. But the reality is that even if the Mossad supports these acts, it is highly unlikely that they are involved. It is almost impossible to run agents in Iran.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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To reprint my essays contact sales (at) www.featurewell.com
I've Been Thinking:
The internet is lit up about the explosion in Iran at a missile base located only 25 miles outside of Teheran.
The explosion killed 17 members of the elite Revolutionary Guard, including a general.
Speculation is that the Israeli Mossad is behind the attack. The Mossad could not have done it on its own, so added speculation says that Israel acted together with MEK, the Mujahedeen e Kalq.
The MEK is a well organized anti-regime movement in Iran that has the very strong support of wealthy Iranians living in exile.
The word was that MEK, together with the Mossad, is responsible for a slew of attacks including those against the Iranian nuclear scientists and explosions at other military installations over the past few years.That's the speculation. But the reality is that even if the Mossad supports these acts, it is highly unlikely that they are involved. It is almost impossible to run agents in Iran.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
To reprint my essays contact sales (at) www.featurewell.com
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Arab League Suspends Syria
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
The Arab League suspended Syria. The suspension takes effect as of November 16.
I never thought it would happen.
This was such a surprise move that even caught many Arab League members unawares. It was 18 votes for suspension and only Yemen, Lebanon and, of course, Syria voting against the suspension.
The Arab League has been trying to pressure Syria top stop killing civilians. And each time, even after Syria agreed to stop the killing, it continued - sometimes just minutes and hours after the agreements were reached.
Last week another agreement was reached to stop the killing - and at least 250 civilians have been killed since then.
The Arab League is saying that they will now institute sanctions against Syria and they are calling all members to withdraw their ambassadors. They are walking the walk and talking the talk.
This move by the Arab League may be the most significant step towards ousting Assad.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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To reprint my essays contact sales (at) www.featurewell.com
I've Been Thinking:
The Arab League suspended Syria. The suspension takes effect as of November 16.
I never thought it would happen.
This was such a surprise move that even caught many Arab League members unawares. It was 18 votes for suspension and only Yemen, Lebanon and, of course, Syria voting against the suspension.
The Arab League has been trying to pressure Syria top stop killing civilians. And each time, even after Syria agreed to stop the killing, it continued - sometimes just minutes and hours after the agreements were reached.
Last week another agreement was reached to stop the killing - and at least 250 civilians have been killed since then.
The Arab League is saying that they will now institute sanctions against Syria and they are calling all members to withdraw their ambassadors. They are walking the walk and talking the talk.
This move by the Arab League may be the most significant step towards ousting Assad.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
To reprint my essays contact sales (at) www.featurewell.com
Friday, November 11, 2011
Iran Increases Rhetoric
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Iran's Speaker of the Parliament, Ali Larijani, has warned Israel not to attack Iran.
Larijani made it clear that the Iranians are well prepared to defend themselves. He made it clear that should Israel attack, it will be very costly for Israel for the US and for their allies.
Of course, the Speaker did not call Israel by name. In Iran the conventional form is to refer to Israel only as the Zionist Entity and sometimes, as the Zionist Occupier.
The question is whether the Speaker was just bloviating or whether these were true threats.
Normally, in situations like this the more rhetoric Iran uses the less likely they are to strike - words are used to mask how weak they are. However, when Iran utilizes such heavy threat and rhetoric it also means that they are activating their proxies in the region.
Iran has a capable army. Iran also has a very serious set of surface to surface missiles. But it is much easier for Iran to turn up the rhetoric and activate their proxies than to launch an attack or a counter attack against Israel.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
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To reprint my essays contact sales (at) www.featurewell.com
I've Been Thinking:
Iran's Speaker of the Parliament, Ali Larijani, has warned Israel not to attack Iran.
Larijani made it clear that the Iranians are well prepared to defend themselves. He made it clear that should Israel attack, it will be very costly for Israel for the US and for their allies.
Of course, the Speaker did not call Israel by name. In Iran the conventional form is to refer to Israel only as the Zionist Entity and sometimes, as the Zionist Occupier.
The question is whether the Speaker was just bloviating or whether these were true threats.
Normally, in situations like this the more rhetoric Iran uses the less likely they are to strike - words are used to mask how weak they are. However, when Iran utilizes such heavy threat and rhetoric it also means that they are activating their proxies in the region.
Iran has a capable army. Iran also has a very serious set of surface to surface missiles. But it is much easier for Iran to turn up the rhetoric and activate their proxies than to launch an attack or a counter attack against Israel.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
To reprint my essays contact sales (at) www.featurewell.com
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Report from the IAEA
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) report is out. There is nothing new in the report, nothing we did not know from the outset. This exact report could have been written fifteen years ago.
For the past 15 years some of us have been warning about Iran's nuclear ambition - but to no avail. Most of the world, including the IAEA, has been blase, uninterested and downright apathetic to Iran's nuclear aspirations.
In many ways the IAEA actually helped Iran cloak and continue their development. The United States served the same role. They were always willing to give Iran another chance. And each time Iran received a new chance, they used it to improve on their technology.
The UN and the US could be considered "useful fools." Using the term "fools" at least posits that their role was not deliberately malicious. Although some say that the IAEA, under the leadership of Mohammed Baradei, was complicit in Iran’s nuclear development. It is true that under the leadership the agency deliberately did not publish findings which were damning to Iran.
This IAEA report is based on foreign intel and strongly suggest that Iran is working to develop nuclear technology in order to create weapons. So what else is new?
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
To reprint my essays contact sales (at) www.featurewell.com
I've Been Thinking:
The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) report is out. There is nothing new in the report, nothing we did not know from the outset. This exact report could have been written fifteen years ago.
For the past 15 years some of us have been warning about Iran's nuclear ambition - but to no avail. Most of the world, including the IAEA, has been blase, uninterested and downright apathetic to Iran's nuclear aspirations.
In many ways the IAEA actually helped Iran cloak and continue their development. The United States served the same role. They were always willing to give Iran another chance. And each time Iran received a new chance, they used it to improve on their technology.
The UN and the US could be considered "useful fools." Using the term "fools" at least posits that their role was not deliberately malicious. Although some say that the IAEA, under the leadership of Mohammed Baradei, was complicit in Iran’s nuclear development. It is true that under the leadership the agency deliberately did not publish findings which were damning to Iran.
This IAEA report is based on foreign intel and strongly suggest that Iran is working to develop nuclear technology in order to create weapons. So what else is new?
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
To reprint my essays contact sales (at) www.featurewell.com
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Big Story But No Traction
By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
There is no explaining why the press did not pick up the story of how US President Obama and French President Sarkozy dissed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
It happened last Thursday and the story has only just begun to get traction. It was a web site in France that broke the story and then the Israeli press ran with it. The New York Post covered the story, but it was a small piece. Then the Huffington Post and AOL posted it and Fox News ran it along with an interview with John McCain saying how embarrassing this is for the United States, and that Obama should know better.
When I tweet the incident I was asked for my sources - suggesting that it was all a made up incident, validated by the fact that the White House would not even make a comment about it.
This is yet another example of a very amateurish Middle East POV.
Even if he believes what he said and was not just politely agreeing with Sarkozy, Obama should never say these things. They will only come back to haunt him in the Jewish community. Even if Jewish donor and communal leaders agree with the president's assessment of Netanyahu they will never tell him that or make it public.
The US president owes the Israeli prime minister both a private and public apology. He has put his fundraisers in a very bad position and he has some more serious explaining to do to his Jewish donors and backers.
This is the same mistake that Obama made when speaking of the '67 borders. Certain things are quietly understood, but they are never voiced.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
To reprint my essays contact sales (at) www.featurewell.com
I've Been Thinking:
There is no explaining why the press did not pick up the story of how US President Obama and French President Sarkozy dissed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
It happened last Thursday and the story has only just begun to get traction. It was a web site in France that broke the story and then the Israeli press ran with it. The New York Post covered the story, but it was a small piece. Then the Huffington Post and AOL posted it and Fox News ran it along with an interview with John McCain saying how embarrassing this is for the United States, and that Obama should know better.
When I tweet the incident I was asked for my sources - suggesting that it was all a made up incident, validated by the fact that the White House would not even make a comment about it.
This is yet another example of a very amateurish Middle East POV.
Even if he believes what he said and was not just politely agreeing with Sarkozy, Obama should never say these things. They will only come back to haunt him in the Jewish community. Even if Jewish donor and communal leaders agree with the president's assessment of Netanyahu they will never tell him that or make it public.
The US president owes the Israeli prime minister both a private and public apology. He has put his fundraisers in a very bad position and he has some more serious explaining to do to his Jewish donors and backers.
This is the same mistake that Obama made when speaking of the '67 borders. Certain things are quietly understood, but they are never voiced.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah
To reprint my essays contact sales (at) www.featurewell.com
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