Killing Al Baghdadi

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Al Baghdadi, arch terrorist, founder and head of ISIS, was killed in a US Special Ops mission in
Syria.

Now that Baghdadi has been killed, will that put the nail in the coffin of ISIS?
Unfortunately, Baghdadi’s death will probably not make a big difference.

Killing Baghdadi was important for the United States. It spoke to our sense of justice, but it has very little to do with ISIS.

Many of Baghdadi’s underlings have already been targeted by the United States. There are still many more senior ISIS members and an internal power struggle will emerge for the new ISIS leader. While Baghdadi was the terrorist organization’s figurehead while alive, in death his position could be even more powerful.

ISIS is as strong as ever and still growing. 11,000 ISIS prisoners have walked out of Syria’s Kurdish jails. They are now regrouping, organizing and readying to fight under their original mandate.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

Read my latest 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

Protest Ripple Effect in the MidEast

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

The protests in Lebanon are having a ripple effect in the Middle East. People in

Lebanon have been taking to the streets to protest against government corruption and mismanagement.

Hamas in Gaza is afraid that the residents will learn form Lebanon and swarm to the streets and protest in Gaza.

So Hamas has arrested dozens of political leaders from groups and parties and organizations that might want to challenge Hamas especially those who have the potential to gather protesters.

This is another great example of the inter-connectedness of the issues across the Middle East. Even the small internal politics of Lebanon impact Gaza and probably many other places in the Middle East.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

Read my latest 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

Palestinian Converts to Judaism

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

A 50 year-old Palestinian man from Hebron converted to Judaism on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.

His name has not been made public. But we do know that on the eve of Yom Kippur the new convert paid a visit to Hebron, his home town.

And then, as he was visiting his children, Palestinian police came, dragged him out and beat and arrested him. He is still in prison. All because he converted to Judaism.

The convert is proud of his status. His grandfather saved 26 Jews during the horrific massacre in Hebron in 1929.

There is an important lesson here: Palestinians are not open to any alternative to established, Islamic, Palestinian lifestyle.

How narrow minded. How sad.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

Read my latest 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

Israel to Attend Summit in Bahrain

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Israel’s Channel 13 reported that an Israeli delegation will attend a two-day summit in Manama, Bahrain starting on Sunday.

This is part two of a meeting that was sponsored by the United States and originally held in Poland in February.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Oman will attend the conference and they have made it clear that they will certainly address the "Iranian threat in the Persian Gulf.”

This conference is another example of how relations with Israel are being normalized.

The normalization has caused others to be upset. Like Hamas, for example, which has condemned the meeting.

Now Hamas will probably target those countries that are publicly working with Israel against another Muslim country.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

Read my latest 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

Arabs Warn Against Trips to Lebanon

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have issued travel warning against visiting Lebanon.
The warning also urged those in Lebanon to stay inside or even leave.

Over the past few days protests have enveloped Lebanon. Thousands have rushed to the streets and caused traffic jams. The military has cracked down. The protests continue.

It is all about economic reforms and the changes people are demanding from
Lebanese the government. Prime Minister Saad Hariri has promised reforms.

And Hezbollah, the powerful terror group that controls southern Lebanon, is the de facto king maker in the country and has thrown their support behind Hariri.

Until recently, Lebanon, especially the capital city Beirut, was returning to its old cultural self - a city of cafes and international appeal with a vibrant night life.

These protests are unique. Never before has here been such civil engagement in Lebanon about policy.

For decades the conflict and the protests were always about Christian/Muslim and Shiite/Sunni divisions. Now the protesters are demanding that the government, especially the cabinet, work together to solve the economic crisis and free up $11 billion to go towards infrastructure.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

Read my latest 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

China Buying Iran's Oil

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

China is the by far the country importing more Iranian oil than any other country in the world. The Chinese are doing so in direct opposition to US President Trump’s demand that they sanction Iran.

The Chinese have been turning off their GPS transponders making it impossible to know the exact location of their ships. That means that Chinese ships are not trackable when they go to Iranian ports.
Then, after picking up their oil load, they turn their GPS back on and go on their way.

US sanctions have been successful. Before Trump imposed these sanctions Iran was exporting 2.5 million barrels of oil each day. Now their oil output has been cut to 400,000 barrels a day.

The White House is not happy with this situation. They are contacting Chinese shipping companies and warning them not to play games when it comes to sanctions.

It does not appear that China is taking the White House’s message to heart.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

Read my latest 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

UAE Luring Israeli Techies

By Micah Halpern

I've Been Thinking:

DarkMatter is a cyber company headquartered in Cyprus. In reality, DarkMatter is actually a company that is run and controlled by the United Arab Emirates.

What makes this interesting fact even more interesting is DarkMatter is recruiting ex Israeli intel officers. They are luring them with annual salaries of nearly $1 million.

The Israelis were part of 8200, an elite cyber command unit that is responsible for the defense of Israel as well as creating offensive strategies to attack Israel’s enemies.

DarkMatter’s official goal is supposed to limit their work to defense but that is highly unlikely. They have already been accused of threatening and attacking activists and journalists.

Israeli leadership is concerned. Is Israeli know-how being used to attack innocent people? Is it helping an Arab dictatorship?

There is little doubt that people act in their best interest and $1 million is a huge incentive.

Micah@MicahHalpern.com 

Read my latest 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