Category Archives: Global Politics

It has now been confirmed that one of the Paris suicide bombers reached Europe disguised as a refugee. Security officials had long felt that such a scenario was unlikely. How big is the risk?

Source: SPIEGEL ONLINE

For information on foreign fighters, German investigators are dependent on intelligence information — indications gleaned by the US from emails, phone conversations or chats, for example, that a certain jihadi may have left Syria. In such instances, however, police work is necessary to find them, particularly if they are traveling on falsified documents. Simply closing Europe’s or Germany’s borders, as has frequently been demanded in recent weeks, wouldn’t offer much protection.

Commentary: Turning our backs on migrant children isn’t solving the immigration issue | Latina Lista

Yes, let’s turn back the thousands of men, women, children and babies floating across the Mediterranean in overcrowded rafts and hiking miles and miles in the open elements, with their worldly possessions strapped to their backs, fleeing certain death and throwing themselves on the mercy and compassion of the rest of the world, because a few of them could turn out to be terrorists.That rationale makes as much sense as continuing to keep asylum-seeking Central American children and their mothers in detention facilities because…they pose a threat to U.S. society?The hard truth is those who are intent to do harm will find a way to either do it themselves or indoctrinate like-minded believers who may already live within a certain country. Yet, those who are in need of a new home or refuge, have no other recourse than to depend on their fellow human beings. That’s especially true of the children. Children are the face of the 21st Century international migration crisis. To think that it’s ok to deny them a safe future in this world is as barbaric an act as any atrocity committed by a terrorist because when these children are turned away, their days can be literally numbered.Reports have surfaced that some of the asylum-seeking Central American children who had been detained and later deported back to their home countries of El Salvador, Honduras or Guatemala were murdered after returning — the reason why they fled their native countries in the first place and asked U.S. authorities for help. Isolationism isn’t a quality of a great nation, nor is fear of what could happen. But what will happen in a country that, not only recognizes the life-threatening reasons forcing children and their families to flee their homes, but actively works to include them in their society, is a whole new generation who won’t just call their adopted country home but be among their most ardent defenders.

Source: Commentary: Turning our backs on migrant children isn’t solving the immigration issue | Latina Lista

WitnessLA.com » Blog Archive » Not in Our Name: Southern California Muslims Gather To Discuss the Terrorist Attacks…& Their Fears of Reprisal

YOUNG LOS ANGELES MUSLIMS EXPRESS SORROW, ANGER AND WORRYWhen a large and frightening terrorist attack occurs, like the attacks in Paris and in Beirut, we are all deeply shaken—and angry.For many U.S. Muslims, however, there is the additional worry that some of their fellow countrymen and women will conflate ISIS with Islam in the wake of the attacks.On Saturday night, young Muslim Americans gathered in Los Angeles at the Islamic Center of Southern California to listen to speakers on the topic, then to talk about their own anger at ISIS and their personal fears about backlash,Still earlier in the day, there was a press conference at ICSC, featuring various local Muslim luminaries, including Dr. Najeeba Syeed, an award winning Assistant Professor of Interreligious Education at the Claremont College of Theology, who is known for her skill at conflict resolution.“We are in solidarity with you. Parisians, we are in solidarity with you.” said Dr. Syeed, her voice full of emotion.Similar sentiments were express in a notice on the ICSC website calling members to the Saturday evening meeting, and to the candlelight vigil that occurred earlier. “As Muslims, we unequivocally condemn ISIS and its latest heartless, faithless act of terrorism that has killed over 120 innocent people, injured scores more and betrayed Islam’s core teachings and values, ” read the notice.

Source: WitnessLA.com » Blog Archive » Not in Our Name: Southern California Muslims Gather To Discuss the Terrorist Attacks…& Their Fears of Reprisal

NSW police trained to shoot extremists ‘on sight’, rather than negotiate – Australian Broadcasting Corporation {OZ knows how to over-react too!}

“We would be mad to continue to say we will do nothing but contain and negotiate.”However, Mr Kaldas stressed the “shoot on sight” order would not be appropriate in all circumstances.

Source: NSW police trained to shoot extremists ‘on sight’, rather than negotiate – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Donald Trump Repeats Call to Inspect Mosques for Signs of Terrorism – First Draft. Political News, Now. – The New York Times

The suggestion of basing refugee status on religion offended President Obama on Monday. Speaking at a news conference in Turkey, he called the idea un-American.“When I hear political leaders suggesting that there would be a religious test for which a person who’s fleeing from a war-torn country is admitted, when some of those folks themselves come from families who benefited from protection when they were fleeing political persecution — that’s shameful,” the president said.

Source: Donald Trump Repeats Call to Inspect Mosques for Signs of Terrorism – First Draft. Political News, Now. – The New York Times

Rauner halts new Syrian refugees in Illinois – Chicago Tribune

{Good thing we did not let refugees in from Cuba, Hungary, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nicaragua – oops – we did let them in because American believed in helping those who were fleeing oppression and wanted freedom. Guess these governors are saying they are for oppression and against people who want to be free. Maybe it is these governors who should be asked to leave?}

 

Bruce Rauner announced Monday that Illinois will temporarily stop taking in new Syrian refugees, joining seven other Republican governors in the wake of the Paris attacks. Rauner’s decision comes after officials said at least one of the Paris attackers entered Europe amid the recent influx of migrants from the war-torn country.”Our nation and our state have a shared history of providing safe haven for those displaced by conflict, but the news surrounding the Paris terror attacks reminds us of the all-too-real security threats facing America,” Rauner said in a statement. “We must find a way to balance our tradition as a state welcoming of refugees while ensuring the safety and security of our citizens.”Rauner said his office will “consider all of our legal options” as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security undergoes a review of acceptance and security processes.

Source: Rauner halts new Syrian refugees in Illinois – Chicago Tribune

Paris massacre: One attacker identified, rifles found in getaway car – The Hindu

The intent of the coordinated terror attacks in Paris on Friday night was clearly to deepen religious and political divisions within France, the media quoted prosecutors as saying.One of the dead terrorists had carefully placed a Syrian passport in his pocket in an obvious attempt to drive popular hostility against Syrian refugees who have been entering Europe, fleeing from the civil unrest in Syria.The attacks are believed to have been launched in retaliation for French military involvement in Syria and Iraq.‘Well-coordinated attacks’The media quoted officials as saying that the well-coordinated attacks were planned and executed by a cross-country team with links to Syria and West Asia, Belgium, Germany and France.“We must now see what measures President Hollande puts in place,” said Aurelien Mondon, an expert on French politics from the University of Bath.“Terrorism seeks to divide and unfortunately these attacks will create fertile soil for that. The media and French politicians must be very careful not to target sections who are already discriminated against.”

Source: Paris massacre: One attacker identified, rifles found in getaway car – The Hindu

After Paris, Is Peace Too Much To Ask For? | The Indignant Optimist

Look at the image below. It is a photograph, taken today, of a child in the Syrian city of Raqqah. Should she pay for Paris? This picture, just as sad and shocking as any we’ve seen coming from the carnage in France, was posted on Twitter by @PalmyraPioneer with the caption: ‘To the people & government in , #Raqqa City residents are not all , we please do not targets at random.’

Source: After Paris, Is Peace Too Much To Ask For? | The Indignant Optimist