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The perfect storm brewing in The Middle East???
Yemen, hailed as a success story just four months ago has had its government collapse. This is also the country where we send most Gtmo prisoners as we leave them out and noted as the center of most Al Queda activity
Saudi Arabia...our closest ally and deadly enemy of Iran has had their king die. And then, and all of this within 48 hours...... "Iran has built a 27-meter-long missile, capable of delivering a warhead “far beyond Europe,” and placed it on a launch pad at a site close to Tehran, an Israeli television report said Wednesday, showing what it said were the first satellite images of the missile ever seen in the West It stressed that the missile could be used to launch spacecraft or satellites, but also to carry warheads Read more: Israeli TV shows 'Iranian missile' that 'can reach far beyond Europe' | The Times of Israel Israeli TV shows 'Iranian missile' that 'can reach far beyond Europe' | The Times of Israel Follow us: @timesofisrael on Twitter | timesofisrael on Facebook I realize that folks on here do not want to hear this and feel it is "crying wolf" but I stand on the other end where I think we need to stay advised and know what is happening. |
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It is vital that we be aware....if we, as americans are to stand together at all, we better get educated on what is going on in the world. We have embassy folks in Yemen who are trying to get out...prays with them. And remember, just FOUR MONTHS ago, this country..Yemen... was held up an example of our success fIghting ISIL. |
Am with ya Rags and am watching the developments on television as well as web sites. I always get the impression that some folks think we live in a bubble and others think it's an iron dome. More prayers for those who have to get out of the country and for those who must remain there.
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ha eretz
I wonder if the US had any part in this...UN meeting on Antisemitism.... |
IMO The prefect storm been brewing for 7 years now! We are just now seeing the results here and around the world! The crying wolf eyes have been dry for some time now!
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All of these things, getting worse in the last 48 hours scares the hell out of me.
It is like a gigantic monster emerging from everywhere, and we can't even decide what it's name is. |
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The shattering and instability of the Middle East that just appears to get worse, may not be "in your face" at present, but it will be. The longer we pretend it is not something we need to address, the longer it will take for stability to be achieved. That stability, or lack thereof, DOES affect us, our internal goals, our economy, and while we call ourselves open and sophisticated as in our very open borders (in some locales) we ignore what is happening in the ME as if it will never affect us. Those who say it is not our business, and we should be uninvolved are right...IN AN IDEAL WORLD, which we all know we do not live in. Watching what we call a success story in our struggle against terror...YEMEN....in just 4 Months crumble ..is a bit disconcerting. If our ideal story is falling apart, what then in places we cannot call successes ? |
And remember, just FOUR MONTHS ago, this country..Yemen... was held up an example of our success fIghting ISIL"
By who our current Administration! Which IMO has only made it worse. The Arab spring is not or buddy. Yemen has and always will be threat to modern ways meaning 18 century and on. |
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It has been the premise for wars and controversy for centuries. A lot of people are concerned. We are just having a problem with knowing what should be done. |
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However, it is not a time for looking back but looking forward as to doing what should be done. Some choices are: US soldiers sent to Yemen in a combat role to take out the ISIS; withdraw completely from that area and let them fight it out; continue drone strikes against ISIS targets; work with countries in the area for solutions (and rewarding the ones who work with USA and sanctioning those who do not). Anymore choices? |
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BUT.....it still is a problem for the USA and not the R or the D and my hope and prayer is that people stop playing this game. As long as every item is viewed through a P prism we are solving nothing. Does not matter under whose watch it happened as long as we recognize it exists and deal with it. We just do not seem to be able to do that, do we ? |
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That is what we just will not do, and we need to do that so conress and the WH can collectively deal with it. But we do not seem to even know what or where the problems are. For P purposes, we had to hang a sign proclaiming this as a success story, and that presents a question as to why we did that a short 16 weeks ago, and if we were not aware the terrorists were taking over...why not.s I agree with looking into the future but in order to do that correctly, you need to find out why we are where we are. We seem to be reluctant to use our power and the payoff for that is what is happening. That does not mean...attack and destroy a country in anyway, or invade and conquer, so before you call hawk or whatever the name of the day is, I mean assert ourselves. The world seems to know that we will do nothing offensive...that we are politically stunted because THAT...politics....is seen to be driving what we do. I have no idea of what kind of power is needed or to what extent, but I am hoping that our country knows and will begin to exert it. When we draw a line in the sand or are negotiating we need to insure that others know that we mean what we say (See Syria and Iran). Do we not know enough about these folks to know that only our power is recognized, otherwise we are simply infidels to be pushed around. I am not blaming....using a new technique as we have was tried and it is not working. Not even recognizing the threat is a scary thing to me. |
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Or what to call the threat. We are playing word games, Isis, Isil, Daesh? I heard Kerry call it "Dash" yesterday and had to look it up. Why is there such a negative stigma to calling it Radical Islam on the Washington stage? Why didn't Obama go to Paris and march with the other world leaders to show WE are against Islamic terrorism..as a nation. Why is he not receiving Netanyahu in March? He seems more angry and defiant by the day. At least 100 years from now that is probably what will be written in history books. |
Newt tried to tell you we need a base on the moon
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I recall a very appropriate cartoon from the cold war days showing Kruschev with his hand out to shake with Uncle Sam with his other hand behind his back with a fist full of nuclear weapons. Updated for today it would be the heads of Iran and Syria with their hands out while trying to constrain ROTFLOF!!!!
The play nice nice diplomacy and naievete' of recent years has compromised our position in the world. We the people of the USA are in far more danger now as a result of this predictable wishy washy positioning. The ruthless are salivating at the opportunities being afforded to them. The bad guys have the advantage of dealing with what used to be called the paper tiger. I see no change in the course of events of the current events. Only an emasculated acting, once upon a time feared, military and technologically superior country. It usually takes a "significant event" to change a course of current events.....which will most likely involve a major loss of innocent lives!! I am very concerned about the ability of the USA to be able to defend itself and recover as our history shows we were very able to do. |
Please acknowledge the big white elephant in the room. NATIONAL LEADERSHIP HAS FAILED AMERICA DESPITE CONTINUAL WARNINGS FROM PEOPLE LIKE JOHN BOLTON.
THE FRENCH DID THE SAME THING IN WWII AND THE USA HAD TO BAIL THEM OUT. WHO HAS THE CAPABILITY TO BAIL US OUT?????? I am so disgusted with our national leaders |
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4 months ago Yeman was a success. ONLY if your definition of success is that a radical bunch of crazy killers were about to take over. We knew exactly what the status of Yeman was. We knew what was going to happen. And to stand up and say it was a success could only mean one thing. What was going to happen was what you wanted to happen. Wake up America
If it's not clear to everyone by now that this countries leadership supports muslim ambitions than you are very blind to what is going on in the world. Why our forth estate continues to turn a blind eye is beyond rational thinking. Elections have consequences and we have been seeing the results for a while now. |
As sad as it is, I have to agree and our major news sources are complicit. Our leader has been given a pass by all but one news source and they have been hesitant to call him on the radical Islam issue. There is not doubt, Islam is at war with the Western world. History is just repeating itself.
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That is not true. Both CNN and MSNBC questioned why he did not attend the march in Paris. They have reported he is furious that Netanyahu has been invited to Congress. I watch primarily CNN. But all print and TV news and internet news used the word "defiant" to describe his state of the union speech. |
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A senior American official, who asked to remain anonymous due to the diplomatic sensitivity of the issue, said Obama gave Netanyahu this message during a telephone call on Monday, January 12." "Obama also warned Netanyahu not to meddle in the battle he is waging against Congress over the sanctions legislation, the official said. This warning was issued more than a week before Speaker of the House John Boehner publicly invited Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress. Netanyahu’s address, which will take place at the height of the battle between Obama and the Republican-controlled Congress, is expected to focus on the Iranian nuclear issue and what he sees as the need to ratchet up the pressure on the Iran." Obama to Netanyahu: Stop pushing Congress toward new sanctions on Iran - Diplomacy and Defense - Israel News | Haaretz Wondering how our government would react if WARNED not to get involved. THIS IS THEIR LIVES. I do understand the asking not to get involved. I DO NOT understand not meeting with him based on "long standing practice" as our leader is not big on long standing practice as we have found out. PLEASE....I am simply responding to reply to posts, but do not want this to become P, so maybe we can talk about what is going on in the ME. |
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Your fact is not even close to correct: al-Qaeda | Islamic militant organization | Encyclopedia Britannica This entire thread is LONG on condemnations and very SHORT on recommendations on EXACTLY what to do! "We need to be aware" .... ok, now what?? |
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"Peninsula (AQAP), described by the U.S. government as "the most active and dangerous" branch of Al Qaeda, is the terrorist organization's wing in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The growth of AQAP has led American officials to indicate that Yemen could become Al Qaeda's next operational and training hub for the group's militants from around the world. Formed in early 2009, AQAP has attempted to carry out multiple attacks against the United States, including at least three failed attacks involving U.S.-bound aviation, most recently in 2012. Not limited to foreign targets, AQAP has also plotted attacks against regional leadership, including a failed assassination attempt on a Saudi prince serving as Deputy Minister of the Interior. These plots, though unsuccessful, have garnered the group substantial media attention and a reputation as one of the gravest terrorist threats. http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/combat...13-1-11-v1.pdf "t’s not a surprise to those who follow terror groups to find that there are several groups of foreign fighters among Al-Qaeda in Yemen, particularly because Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which is based in Yemen, was founded in 2009 by fusing Al-Qaeda affiliates in Yemen and Al-Qaeda affiliates in Saudi Arabia into one umbrella organization." Foreign fighters for Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula |*Yemen Times From a 2012 report.... the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), signifying greater regional and international ambitions as the group continued to attract new members. Later that year, Al Qaeda attempted to assassinate Muhammad bin Nayif, the Saudi prince in charge of counterterrorism and, of course, on Christmas Day it put a b"… In 2009, Wuhayshi publicly welcomed several former Guantanamo Bay detainees into the organization and adopted the name Al Qaeda inomber on a plane to Detroit. Both operations failed, but the bombs hadn’t been " Understanding Yemen’s Al Qaeda Threat | Al Qaeda In Yemen | FRONTLINE | PBS As far as the money is concerned.... "he United States will provide Yemen with the largest amount of U.S. government assistance to date for both the civilian and security sectors,the State Department announced Tuesday. The Obama administration will provide $337 million in assistance in the 2012 fiscal year, up from $147 million provided in the previous fiscal year, the State Department said in a news release. The United States has an interest in ensuring stability in Yemen, which is one of the poorest countries in the Arab world and one where a democratic transition is still under way. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the organization's most lethal affiliate, is based in the southern portion of the country." Feds more than double aid to Yemen – CNN Security Clearance - CNN.com Blogs And frankly, most of the thread is responding to folks who are defending something or another instead of discussing the situation. THIS IS THE PROBLEM...we all have to defend, and my weak point is that I will respond but this is supposed to be about the situtation and not for defense of anyone or anybody. |
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July 2008:*Then-Sen. Obama travels to Israel as a presidential candidate, where he pledges to work on ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict “from the minute I’m sworn into office.” Israeli officials are wary of Obama’s possible election, especially after they had established cozy ties with many in President George W. Bush’s administration. Netanyahu takes over the top Israeli post a few months later, a decade after his first term as prime minister. June 2009:*It doesn’t take long for Obama and Netanyahu to get off to a rocky start. Obama gives a*speech in Cairo*in an attempt to make inroads with the Muslim community. The president says that the U.S. “does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements” on land occupied during the Six-Day War in 1967, which*Palestinians*say is their territory. Obama tries to walk back his remarks, but the damage is done. March 2010:*Vice President*Joe Biden*travels to Israel — at the same time, Israel decides to move forward with settlements on land claimed by Palestinians in East Jerusalem. The vice president rips the decision; Netanyahu counters that it wasn’t his call and Israeli-Palestinian peace talks look like even more of a long shot. May 2011:*In what likely will go down as the most awkward Oval Office meeting of Obama’s presidency, Netanyahu*lectures the president*on why Israel cannot accept pre-1967 borders with the Palestinians. The sermon, of sorts, lasts for a painful seven minutes, as Obama quietly stews in front of the television cameras.White House*officials are furious with Netanyahu for embarrassing the president. September 2011:*Obama comes out against the Palestinian bid for statehood at the*United Nations, which is welcomed by Netanyahu and senior Israeli officials. Netanyahu calls Obama’s statement a “badge of honor.” The president also tones down his push for Israelis to halt their disputed settlements in Palestinian territories. September 2011:*Obama helps secure the release of Israelis trapped in the country's embassy in Cairo during an*Egyptian*protest. “This was a decisive and fateful moment,” Netanyahu says of Obama. “He said, 'I will do everything I can.' And so he did. He used every considerable means and influence of the United States to help us. We owe him a special measure of gratitude." November 2011:*So much for the friendly talk. Obama is overheard on a hot mic at the G-20 summit in*France*mocking Netanyahu. “You’re fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day,” Obama tells French President Nicolas Sarkozy. September 2012:*Obama declines to meet with Netanyahu on the sidelines of a U.N. meeting in*New York. The Israelis accuse the White House of snubbing Netanyahu, while the president says it was a scheduling issue. The diplomatic squabble comes as Netanyahu says the U.S. is being too soft with*Iran. November 2012:*Netanyahu does everything short of endorsing Republican*Mitt Romney*for the presidency, talking up the former Massachusetts governor, his former colleague at a Boston consulting firm. Obama goes on to*win the election, and both sides call for a reset in the relationship — but few people actually believe them. March 2013:*During Obama's first presidential visit to Israel, he and Netanyahu surprisingly align on Iran’s*nuclear capabilities. "I think that there’s a misunderstanding about time,” Netanyahu says. “If Iran decides to go for a nuclear weapon — that is, to actually manufacture the weapon — then it will take them about a year.” Obama gives a similar assessment, prompting speculation that the two leaders are on better terms — or at least better at hiding how much they dislike one another. July 2014:*Senior Obama administration officials learn that Israel has secretly been obtaining ammunition from the*Pentagon, further eroding the U.S. influence on the intensifying clash in Gaza between the Israelis and*Hamas. Israeli officials begin leaking criticisms of Secretary of State*John Kerry*over his failed attempts to produce a cease-fire. August 2014:*Obama is forced to come to the defense of his secretary of state. "[Kerry] has endured on many occasions really unfair criticism,” Obama says. “There shouldn’t be a bunch of complaints and second-guessing about, 'well, it hasn’t happened yet,' or nitpicking before he’s had a chance to complete his efforts. Because, I tell you what, there isn’t any other country that’s going in there and making those efforts.” The next day, it’s revealed that Netanyahu told the White House "not to ever second guess me again" on how to deal with Hamas. And days later, Obama and Netanyahu have what Israeli officials describe as another “combative call.” More lows than highs. |
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Not sure of the point you make. The King of Saudi who just died could not stand President Obama either which means what. Sometimes for the good of the order you just do what is right, not what is comfy and best for you personally. I have no idea of personal relations but sure hope that in order to be an ally of the USA, you have to be best buds. That might restrict our friends quite a bit. |
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There will come a time that folks will say "I didn't see this coming!" We here in the U.S. are so privileged and so far-removed from "over there" that we've become complacent. I believe that it's in the not too far distant future that "they" will become more of a presence here...more, than we'd ever bargain for.
There will arise a man who will say, now I'm para-phrasing, I can bring peace to all of this. For a time he will THEN we'll see a world as we've never seen it before and might I say, it won't be pretty. Thank you Rags123 for posting your thoughts!!! |
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Anyone really interested in a great overview of the area up to date....read this....for me, anyway, this is important...it is not political, so just be aware...
"King Salman of Saudi Arabia has inherited the throne from his older brother and with it a host of pressing challenges in a turbulent region. To the south, Yemen is in chaos. To the north, the militant group ISIS is wreaking havoc in Iraq and Syria. More broadly, Saudi Arabia remains locked in a regional cold war with Iran. Within the kingdom's borders, Salman has to decide how to pace sensitive reforms while keeping a lid on extremism. The stakes are high in one of the leading regional powers in the Middle East and a key U.S. ally. "Saudi Arabia has been critical to preserving some degree of regional stability in the face of a growing Iranian threat, during the rise of Islamic extremism that followed the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and during the new wave of upheavals that began in the spring of 2011," Anthony H. Cordesman, a Middle East expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, wrote in a commentary this month. New Saudi King's big challenges: Yemen, Iran and ISIS - CNN.com This link gives a great overview by country and/or group....a real worthwhile read. |
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Read more: Actually, a US president did host an Israeli PM just before elections | The Times of Israel Actually, a US president did host an Israeli PM just before elections | The Times of Israel Follow us: @timesofisrael on Twitter | timesofisrael on Facebook Just mentioning so we all work with FACTS |
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"This was odd since “protocol” would normally prohibit a foreign leader such as British Prime Minister David Cameron from lobbying Congress on the matter. It would also not permit the administration to repeatedly promise Congress that it would have a vote on any final deal and then do a complete reversal, claiming the administration could enter into any agreement without Congress." Last night a story broke suggesting Mossad and the CIA were both telling lawmakers that sanctions would wreck negotiations. This “leak” would be another breach of protocol. Secretary of State John Kerry repeated the accusation about Mossad today, strongly suggesting that this all came from the administration spin machine. Mossad in turn issued an unprecedented denial: On 19 January 2015, Mossad Chairman Tamir Pardo met with a delegation of American Senators. The meeting took place at the Senators’ request, and with the Prime Minister’s approval. Contrary to the report, the Mossad Chairman did not say that he opposes additional sanctions against Iran. In the meeting, the Mossad Chairman emphasized the unusual effectiveness of the sanctions imposed on Iran a number of years ago in bringing Iran to the negotiating table. Israel intrigue: What happened since the SOTU - The Washington Post |
history repeats itselfbecause human nature hasn't changed. It is a no win situation. If we stay in the middle east, they blame us for their problems, but if we leave, they will continue to fight each other anywzys. I would like to say we should leave, but Iran and pakistan do have nuclear bombs besides Israel. If a nuclear war starts there, will we, russia and china stay out of it?
We tried to be isolationists before, but got dragged into WWI and II. I have heard an interesting possible solution and wish it could be so easy. divide the current countries into separate ones according to the warring factions: shiites, sunnis, and kurds. Though they may still fight each other anyways. |
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The point was just an FYI based on your post which was about Obama and Netanyahu as far as policy differences. Nothing more, nothing less. Pretty simple. |
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