Tag Archives: obama

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3: Murder rate in Chicago proof of Civil War; more deaths than in Afghanistan! Obama needs 200 Chicago cops for protection!

“Over 80% of shootings occur outdoors and in public places.”-Roseanna Ander, University of Chicago Crime Lab

18 June 2012, according to data from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), more people have been killed in just one U.S. city, than all of the U.S. personnel killed in Afghanistan since the U.S. invasion in 2001!

The DoD claims just over 2,000 personnel have been killed in Afghanistan between the invasion in 2001 to just last week (iCasualties.org says 2012 have been killed).  The FBI says more than 5,000 people have been killed in the U.S. city of Chicago, during the same time!

On 15 June 2012, Chicago Sun-Times reported that from the beginning of 2012 at least 228 people were killed, and the murder rate jumped 35% since last year!

According to iCasualties.org, U.S. personnel deaths in Afghanistan, since the beginning of 2012, is at 203 (and some of these deaths are not combat related).   So U.S. troops are slightly safer in Afghanistan than in Chicago!

Why the seeming civil war in Chicago? Blame the economy: “Not surprisingly, they’re in poorer neighborhoods…”-Roseanna Ander, University of Chicago Crime Lab

According to Chicago Sun-Times the city “…administration has cut anti-violence programs targeting some of Chicago’s poorer neighborhoods by $9 million.”

President Obama, and his family attended a wedding in Chicago on 16 June 2012.  They needed an escort of as many as 200 Chicago cops!   If that’s not a sign of a war zone then what is?

And by the way, Chicago city officials were told that the federal government is not paying for the extra police security!  Like I said, blame the economy!

And what about incompetent city officials?  Chicago cops are understaffed, yet city officials would rather pay overtime for cops working on their days off, than hire more cops.  That doesn’t make economic sense, unless they’re trying to avoid paying out benefits for those new cops. Even then, in the long run it’ll cost the city more, because the civil war will only escalate.

Business/Economics, International, Technology, U.S.

World War 3: Terror Drone update, 04 June – 17 June. UAV War an attempt to save U.S. economy? Using drones like doing drugs! U.S. mainstream media lies; drones will be used to spy on ‘mericans! Space Drone succesful. Drone war expanding!

17 June 2012

“After consultation with the Taliban Shura, servant of Mujahideen in North Waziristan Agency Hafiz Gul Bahadur has decided that there will be a ban on polio campaign as long as drone strikes are not stopped.”-public statement by the people of 17 towns in Pakistan’s North Waziristan

People living in North Waziristan refusing to let international medical personnel in to administer vaccines until U.S. drone strikes stop. The people also claim the medical personnel are spying for the United States. Apparently the doctor who got DNA samples from Osama bin Laden did so under the pretext that he was administering vaccine.

Some people believe the vaccination program is meant to sterilize them.

According to a Stars & Stripes article, President Obama’s increased use of terror drones has saved hundreds of jobs for one National Guard unit. The Springfield Air National Guard Base (Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport), in Ohio, retained 804 local jobs by becoming a dedicated terror drone base. However, ironically, current budget proposals from the Obama administration are threatening as many as 1,000 Ohio Guard jobs, including 47 positions at the terror drone base.

According to the Swiss Basler Zeitung, the U.S. is expanding their fleet of UAVs by buying more drones, and drone engines, made by Switzerland’s Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.   The Swiss newspaper also said U.S. drone operations in Africa are being conducted from Swiss made Pilatus PC-12 manned aircraft.

Covert U.S. air bases are reportedly in countries such as Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya, and Seychelles.

Afghan Mujahideen claim to have shot down a U.S. drone in Afghanistan’s Paktia Province.  U.S. led ISAF/NATO claim the drone crashed due to technical problems.

16 June 2012

“These [drone] strikes will ultimately fail to influence the outcome of an Afghan settlement, but they have already succeeded in making the United States more hated in Pakistan than India.”-Michael Krepon, South Asian Program at the Stimson Center

People living in Garbaherey town, in Somalia’s Gedo region, claim the U.S. launched drone strikes, killing at least 35 people.

Despite several articles and reports by the main stream U.S. news media, downplaying concerns over the use of drones to spy on U.S. citizens (several said outright that it was not true), here’s what the Christian Science Monitor said: “By some government estimates, as many as 30,000 drones could be part of intelligence gathering and law enforcement here in the United States within the next ten years. Operated by agencies down to the local level, this would be in addition to the 110 current and planned drone activity sites run by the military services in 39 states, reported this week by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), a non-government research project.”

After a 14 month top secret mission, a space UAV returned to Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.  It was revealed on 16 June, but the landing took place on 9 June.

It’s called the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, it was originally designed to test new space shuttle technologies, but when the NASA budget cuts scrapped the project the Pentagon took it over, turning it into a super high altitude drone.  Exactly what the U.S. Department of Defense is doing with it is still classified!

15 June 2012

It was revealed by Los Angeles Times, that the Pentagon will be testing individual assassination drones in Afghanistan next month.  The UAVs can be carried in the backpacks of special forces troops. They are called Switchblade mini-UAVs.

Two U.S. Navy classified drones (aka X-47B) flew test missions from Edwards AFB in California.  They were spotted by civilians, who promptly reported them as alien space craft!

U.S. President Barack Obama admitted, in an open letter to Congress, that the United States is at war in Yemen and Somalia, the main weapon of choice being the terror drone.

14 June 2012

U.S. drone strike kills at least three people in Pakistan.  Two missiles were fired at a busy shop in a market place in Miranshah: “When the first missile hit the building, I heard cries for help and ran towards it…..When they started rescue work, another missile hit.”-Witness

Russia and Israel to jointly develop new drones: “We are negotiating with Israel. Our aim is to persuade them to start technological cooperation and to develop a product that will be used in both countries, and could also be sold to third countries.”-Dmitry Rogozin, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia

13 June 2012

U.S. drone strike kills as many as 27 people in Shabwa Province of Yemen.  CNN said that the U.S. launched at least 14 drone strikes over a two day period.

U.S. drone strike kills four people in North Waziristan, Pakistan.

A global survey by the Pew Research Center showed that the United States is increasingly alone regarding terror drone operations.  People in 17 of 21 countries surveyed are against the U.S. drone wars.  However, the survey showed warmongering ‘mericans (62%) love the drone wars!

Venezuela revealed a recon drone, jointly built with Iran.  It’s called Arpia-001 (Harpy-001).

12 June 2012

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) admitted that their drones are being hacked!  Officials ordered new encryption of their new Skylark I UAVs after they found out that video data being sent back from older drones were being intercepted.

The IDF also revealed that Lebanon’s Hezbollah wiped out an Israeli navy commando assault, back in 1997, after they hacked an Israeli spy drone!  It’s called the Shayetet Disaster inside the Israeli military. 11 members of Israel’s Flotilla 13 unit were killed when they were ambushed by Hezbollah.

Royal Australian military officials in Afghanistan state that using Israeli made drones is like doing drugs: “The capability? It’s like crack cocaine, a drug, for our guys involved.”-Wing Commander Jonathan McMullan, RAAF Heron drone commander, Afghanistan

Australia gets the Heron drone from Canada, who in turn leases them from Israel.

U.S. Marine General John Allen order an end to drone strikes on houses in Afghanistan!

11 June 2012

“Obama is authorizing murder on a weekly basis, with a discussion of the guilt or innocence of candidates for the ‘kill list’ being resolved in secret on ‘Terror Tuesday’ teleconferences with administration officials and intelligence officials.”-Michael Boyle, former adviser to Obama’s counter terrorism group July 2007-November 2008

USAF General, Norton Schwartz, announced that U.S. drones will be deployed in South America and the Pacific.  They will be used to bolster the U.S. combat commands in those regions, known as U.S. Southern Command, and U.S. Pacific Command.

06 June 2012

A U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan killed at least 18 people attending a wedding.  U.S. military officials apologized several days later.

Israeli officials refused to apologize for killing nine Turkish citizens, in the 2010 Gaza blockade runner incident.  This after it was revealed that the IDF knew the activists on the Turkish ship were not armed, because their own Israeli drone recon mission showed they were not armed!

04 June 2012

U.S. drone strike kills at least 15 people in North Waziristan, Pakistan.  U.S. officials claim one of those killed was al Qaeda’s second-in-command (how many times are we gonna hear that claim?).

Idaho, International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 10 June – 14 June. U.S./NATO deaths pass 2000 since the U.S. led occupation began. Doctor behind school girl poisonings! More proof it’s about the oil! More proof the drug war is a failure! Accused war criminal considered for Attorney General!

14 June 2012

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said one U.S. led occupation personnel was killed by Mujahideen on 13 June, in southern Afghanistan.

The U.S. Pentagon confirmed that it was a U.S. Marine, from Minnesota, that was killed on 13 June.

The British Ministry of Defence also confirms one of their soldiers was killed by a grenade, also on 13 June.

This brings the 2012 death toll of U.S. led occupying forces to more than 200. Since the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan at least 2,000 U.S. forces have been killed.  418 British soldiers have been killed.

In Kunar Province, a suicide bomber attacked a U.S. occupation air base.  At least five people were killed.

In Jowzjan Province, an explosion wounded at least 11 people. It happened near the home of a local electoral boss.

The Ministry of Defense for Afghanistan reports that 11 of their troops were wounded in attacks by Mujahideen. The attacks took place in Kunar, Ghazni and Kandahar provinces.

ISAF claims they killed a “leader”, and a Mujahideen in Kandahar Province.  Another “leader” was captured in Helmand Province.

13 June 2012

In Baghlan Province, at least two people were killed, five wounded, in tribal disputes.

In Paktiya Province, a huge explosion left one person killed, at least 20 people wounded. It happened near the Kabul Bank.

12 June 2012

U.S. Marine General John Allen order an end to air strikes on houses!  This comes after wide spread protests over the continued killing of civilians by U.S. troops.

Iran announced the capture of 137 kilograms (302 pounds) of drugs in the past 80 days, a 176% increase in illegal drugs coming from Afghanistan, compared with the same time last year!   Many of the drug traffickers arrested are citizens of Azerbaijan Republic.

In Wardak Province, five civilians were killed when they drove over a mine.

ISAF announced that three U.S. led occupation personnel were killed by an explosion in southern Afghanistan.

Controversial Afghan General, Abdul Rashid Dostum (who receives support from the U.S.), is being investigated for interfering in the development of the oil fields in northern Afghanistan.  The main oil fields of Afghanistan are located in Faryab and Sar-e-Pul provinces. Preliminary reports estimate the area has almost 87 million barrels of petroleum.

Dostum is also being considered for Attorney General of Afghanistan, despite being involved with the murder of hundreds of “Taliban” prisoners in 2001 (known as the Dasht-i-Leili massacre).

In Kunar Province, two tribal elders were assassinated. Mujahideen say the elders were spying for the Afghan police.

The Interior Ministry of Afghanistan claims 30 Mujahideen were killed in battles in Baghlan, Kandahar, Zabul, Logar and Ghazni provinces.

In Balkh Province, two people were killed, and five wounded, by a suicide bomber riding a motorcycle.

U.S. Army Lieutenant General James L. Terry, assumed command of ISAF.

11 June 2012

In Logar Province, the residents closed down all schools in protest of the continued killings of civilians by U.S. troops.  The latest incident involved a U.S. air strike on a house that was full of wedding guests, 18 were killed.

In Baghlan Province, 3500 hectares (8,648.6 acres) of opium fields were destroyed.  It took ten days.

The Ministry of Defense for Afghanistan reports that three of their troops were killed, 12 wounded, in battles with Mujahideen.  The attacks took place in Helmand, Kunar and Maidan Wardak provinces.

In Kunar Province, the local government intelligence boss was assassinated. They don’t know who did it.

In Sar-e-Pul Province, at least four people were killed when they drove over a mine.

In Kunduz Province, three people were killed after a house blew up.

10 June 2012

A Pakistani female doctor was arrested in connection with the recent poisonings at girls’ schools.  11 other suspects have been arrested as well.

In Kandahar Province, an Idaho National Guardsman was severely wounded when he stepped on a mine. He’s expected to be sent to Germany for treatment.  According to relatives living in Pocatello, Idaho, he lost his legs, suffered a fractured pelvis, a broken arm, internal injuries and lost a couple of fingers.  His brother recently returned from occupation duty in Iraq and Kuwait.

The Interior Ministry of Afghanistan claims 33 Mujahideen were killed by Afghan police, in battles Kabul, Laghman, Parwan, Helmand, Uruzgan and Farah provinces.

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Government Hypocrisy: United States exempts 7 more countries from Iran sanctions list. What about up-coming EU sanctions? UN says Iran has no Nukes!

“….we did not say Iran had nuclear weapons. We never said such. We also did not say that Iran made a decision to obtain nuclear weapons. That we also did not say.”-Yukiya Amano, International Atomic Energy Agency

12 June 2012, apparently all the excitement over Iran’s nuclear program was hyperbole.  The Obama administration just exempted seven more countries from the oil sanctions.

In March 2012 France, Germany and Japan were exempted. Now India, South Korea, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Africa.  Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said it was because those countries have dramatically reduced their purchase of Iranian oil.

I’ve been following this and I can say that several of those countries have not reduced their purchases of Iran oil, even increasing their future orders!

U.S. officials (both in the Obama administration and in Congress) have been bold face lying to the U.S. news media, claiming that the sanctions have hurt the Iranian economy.  If that’s so then why is Iran swimming in more money than ever before?

Today it was revealed that Iran’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has doubled in the past fives years, despite decades of old sanctions, and despite the new sanctions: “Due to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s economic capacities we have been able to move through the sanctions and will do the same in future as well.”-Seyed Shamseddin Hosseini, Iranian Ministry of Economic Affairs & Finance

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Iran now has the 17th strongest economy in the World, thanks to their GDP rising to $482 billion USD last year.  The IMF expects Iran’s GDP, for 2012, to be more than 3%, and remember, that’s under sanctions!

Iran’s own stock exchange (Tehran Stock Exchange or TSE) has seen a 280% growth rate in the past five years!  The TSE is doing almost too well, so much so that Iranian officials issued a statement to try and calm investors: “Concerns about bubble growth are unfounded. The reason for the rise in the index is the flow of cash into the stock market.”-Ali Sahraie, TSE operations manager

Stock market analysts believe Iran’s TSE has a lot more room for growth: “Even though (the market) is rallying I still think of it as under performing.”-Ahmad Alanani, works for London based Exotix

The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) boss just came out (in an interview with the Wall Street Journal) and said Iran has no nukes, and that the IAEA could find no evidence suggesting that Iran is trying to build nukes.

However, the IAEA did allude to possible nuke weapons programs that were active prior to 2003: “We don’t have the impression that they are re-concentrating their activities. Before 2003 the work was quite systematic. And after that it is more dispersed. And this situation continues.”-Yukiya Amano

Sanctions against Iran, by the European Union, are set to go into effect on 1 July.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 08 June – 09 June. French troops killed, France to begin pullout. U.S. apologizes, again. 11 U.S./NATO troops killed in one day!

9 June 2012

In Kapisa Province, at least six French troops were killed, four wounded, when the NATO convoy was attacked by a suicide bomber.  This as French President, Francois Hollande, announced that French forces will begin leaving Afghanistan in July.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) says at least five U.S. led occupation personnel were killed in eastern Afghanistan. Four were killed in an attack by Mujahideen.  One was killed by an explosion.

At least 188 U.S. led occupation personnel have been killed since the beginning of 2012.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of the Interior fired a provincial security boss, and a provincial prison boss.  The two men were in charge of operations in Sar-e-Pul Province.  This is because of a prison break that happened on the night of 7 June.

Another provincial security boss, in Tagab district, was fired for being AWOL.

Afghan officials also claim they killed 11 Mujahideen, capturing two, in battles in the provinces of Helmand, Zabul, Ghazni, Paktika, Herat and Farah.

8 June 2012

Yet again, USMC General John Allen apologized for U.S. forces killing innocent people.  The killings took place on 6 June, in Logar Province.  U.S. occupying forces called in a “precision strike” on a house, which they claim was a Mujahideen hideout.  Turns out the house was full of relatives who just celebrated a wedding that day.  At least 18 people were killed, including nine children.

Mujahideen claim responsibility for a prison break in Sar-e-Pul Province.  It happened on the night of 7 June, and the Mujahideen used explosives to get the prisoners out.  More than 30 people escaped, but Afghan officials claim they captured half of them.  At least 34 people were wounded in the prison break operation.

ISAF reports two U.S. occupation personnel killed by explosion in southern Afghanistan. They said it happened on 7 June.   ISAF also said “An International Security Assistance Force service member died as a result of a non-battle related injury in southern Afghanistan today.”

 

Idaho, International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 04 June – 07 June. U.S. kills dozens of civilians, again! U.S. finally admits Mujahideen are more agressive this year! Idaho Guardsman shot. NATO signs exit deal.

7 June 2012

“There’s been an increase in the attacks.”-Leon Panetta, U.S. Secretary of Defense

After threatening Pakistan, U.S. Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, arrived in Kabul to discuss the increased violence in Afghanistan (proving that recent reports that violence was down are wrong).  If you’ve been following my posts, it’s obvious the violence has increased.

Panetta admitted, in a round-a-bout way, that the U.S. is clueless in Afghanistan, by saying his impromptu visit to Afghanistan was “…to get a sense of just exactly what are the Taliban doing.”

In classic U.S. trickery, Panetta said that while attacks were up, they were still down, compared to other years of occupation!  Some regional news sources point out that the U.S. is also behind the increase in violence as more civilians have been killed by occupying forces.

Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, is condemning yet another U.S. led occupying force attack, that left at least 18 civilians dead.  Karzai was on a trip to China, but cut the trip short to return to Afghanistan.

The airstrike, possibly by UAV, took place in Logar Province on the morning of 6 June 2012.

In Maidan Wardak Province, a member of the Afghan Parliament was attacked.  Local reports say his convoy was ambushed as he headed to Kabul.  At least four of his body guards were wounded.

6 June 2012

Idaho National Guard reporting that one of their citizen soldiers was wounded while riding in a Black Hawk helicopter.  He was shot (on 3 June) by Mujahideen on the ground.  Sergeant Albert Vieth was flown to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State for further treatment.

Idaho Army National Guard’s 1-168 General Support Aviation Battalion was sent to Afghanistan on 19 May.

Another U.S. led occupying forces helicopter has gone down.  International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed: “Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan today.”

In Logar Province, a U.S. occupying forces airstrike killed at least 18 civilians.  Afghan government officials, and occupying forces claim 25 Mujahideen killed, however, local security officials claim most of those killed were civilians.  A house belonging to a tribal elder was blown up by the airstrike.

It  was possibly a drone strike, as ISAF refers to it as a “precision airstrike”.

In Kandahar Province, a massive suicide bombing left as many as 23 people killed, and 50 wounded. The target of the bomber was the U.S. controlled Kandahar air port.  Some regional reports say occupying troops make up some of the dead.

In Faryab Province, another suicide bombing left as many as eight people dead.  It was reported by the Afghan government’s 303 Pamir Security Command.

In Kapisa Province, at least six cops were killed, and two wounded after Mujahideen attacked a checkpoint.

ISAF reports yet another “facilitator” captured, in Takhar Province.  Another “leader” captured in Kandahar Province.

5 June 2012

In Ghazni Province, two civilians were wounded, one killed after they drove over a mine.

In Nuristan Province, Afghan border police claim to have killed 12 Mujahideen in an ambush.

ISAF claims two “leaders” killed by a “precision airstrike” (drone strike?), in Ghazni Province.

NATO signs exit deal with Central Asian countries.  Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan have agreed to allow NATO forces to get the hell out of Afghanistan through their territory: “These agreements will give us a range of new options and the robust and flexible transport network we need.”

4 June 2012

In Ghor Province, the local development council chief was assassinated. No one knows who did it.

In Parwan Province, a U.S./NATO occupying fuel convoy was ambushed and burned.

British Ministry of Defence says one of their soldiers was shot and killed in Helmand Province.  They say he was shot on 3 June, while on patrol.  MoD also confirmed that another Red Coat was killed in the same area on 1 June.

Afghan Interior Ministry claims 20 Mujahideen killed, six wounded and 13 captured, in battles in Nangarhar, Helmand and Maidan Wardak provinces.

In Paktiya Province, ISAF claims three Mujahideen killed by airstrike. Also, two students were killed by a mine (roadside bomb).

Afghan Defense Ministry says one of their soldiers was killed and 14 wounded in battles in Maidan Wardak, Logar, Paktia and Zabul provinces.

Afghan National Directorate for Security claim they killed a prominent Mujahideen “leader”, along with 25 Mujahideen, in Helmand Province.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Terror Drone update. Former CIA official says blowback coming for U.S., because drones kill mainly civilians!

“We have gone a long way down the road of creating a situation where we are creating more enemies than we are removing from the battlefield. We are already there with regards to Pakistan and Afghanistan.”-Robert Grenier, former CIA official

5 June 2012, Robert Grenier, head of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) counter terrorism center from 2004 to 2006, and was a CIA station chief in Pakistan, is warning of blowback from the use of assassination drones (unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs).

This is because drone strikes kill more bystanders than actual terrorist targets!

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism estimates as many as 830 civilians have been killed in Pakistan. 138 civilians in Yemen and 57 in Somalia. The problem, Grenier says, is that Obama’s drone policy is too vague; anyone, especially males, seen in an area suspected of having terrorists is considered a target: “It needs to be targeted much more finely. We have been seduced by them and the unintended consequences of our actions are going to outweigh the intended consequences.”

He says recent drone killings in Yemen will actually make that country the new safe haven for terrorists: “If you strike them indiscriminately you are running the risk of creating a terrific amount of popular anger. They have tribes and clans and large families. Now all of a sudden you have a big problem … I am very concerned about the creation of a larger terrorist safe haven in Yemen.”

International, U.S.

World War 3: Terror Drone update, 23 May – 03 June. Mass Murder in Yemen on Obama’s orders! Drone strikes best recruiting tool for al-Qaeda ever!

“If you go to the village of Al-Majalah in Yemen, where I was, and you see the unexploded cluster bombs and you have the list and photographic evidence, as I do, of the women and children that represented the vast majority of the deaths in this first strike that Obama authorized on Yemen, those people were murdered by President Obama, on his orders, because there was believed to be someone from Al Qaeda in that area. There’s only one person that’s been identified that had any connection to al Qaeda there, and 21 women and 14 children were killed in that strike and the U.S. tried to cover it up, and say it was a Yemeni strike, and we know from the Wikileaks cables that David Petraeus conspired with the president of Yemen to lie to the world about who did that bombing!  It’s murder, it’s mass murder, when you say, ‘We are going to bomb this area’ because we believe a terrorist is there, and you know that women and children are in the area!!! The United States has an obligation to not bomb that area if they believe that women and children are there. I’m sorry, that’s murder!”-Jeremy Scahill, The Nation.com, interview with MSNBC

“Mistakes made by the U.S. killing innocent women and children has led to a significant recruiting boom, AQAP [al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula] use the pictures of shattered women and kids to stir up anger.”-Gregory Johnsen, Princeton University

“Every time the American attacks increase, they increase the rage of the Yemeni people, especially in al-Qaeda controlled areas. The drones are killing al-Qaeda leaders, but they are also turning them into heroes.”-Mohammed al-Ahmadi, Karama human rights group

“These attacks are making people say, ‘We believe now that al-Qaeda is on the right side’. ”-Salim al-Barakani, his two brothers killed in a U.S. strike in March

“…America can’t seem to hit the people you claim to be fighting.  So if you’re gonna bomb us…because there’re some al-Qaeda people in our area, well we’re gonna join up with those fighting against you. The most dangerous thing, I think, the U.S. is doing, beside murdering innocent people in many cases, is giving people in Yemen or Somalia or Pakistan a non-ideological reason to hate the United States.”-Jeremy Scahill, The Nation.com, interview with MSNBC

“In 2009, when President Obama was first known to have authorized a missile strike on Yemen, U.S. officials said there were no more than 300 core AQAP members. That number has grown in recent years to 700 or more, Yemeni officials and tribal leaders say. In addition, hundreds of tribesmen have joined AQAP in the fight against the U.S. backed Yemeni government.”-Sudarsan Raghavan, The Washington Post

28 May 2012

Five people killed by U.S. drone (UAV) strike in Yemen.  The strike targeted three cars driving on a highway.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Terror Drone update, 23 May – 03 June. U.S. launches all out drone offensive in Pakistan! If you are a man you will be killed! Rescuers are now considered militants!

3 June 2012

U.S. drone (aka UAV) attack in Pakistan kills at least 10 people.  Of course the U.S. claims that they were all militants, but that’s only because official U.S. policy dictates that any male killed in the area of a drone strike (or any military attack) is assumed to be an “enemy”: “It in effect counts all military-age males in a strike zone as combatants, according to several administration officials, unless there is explicit intelligence posthumously proving them innocent.”-New York Times  (“posthumously” means after they kill you, you know, the old “shoot first ask questions later” policy)

The New York Times article went on to explain the extremely simple mindedness of the reasoning: “…people in an area of known terrorist activity, or found with a top Qaeda operative, are probably up to no good.”

I thought the simpleton George W. Bush wasn’t in charge anymore?

Reports of the drone strike vary; some reports say it was a “military compound”, while others say it was two houses.  Local officials say the drone fired four missiles at a village, where people had gathered to offer condolences for a person killed just the day before, by a U.S. drone strike!

At least two of the people killed were not Pakistanis.

2 June 2012

A U.S. drone strike kills two people in Pakistan.

28 May 2012

Pakistani TV news, Dunya News, reported a massive drone attack. A total of eight missiles were fired into a town, during two waves of drone attacks.  Residents fled in fear because at least five drones were spotted circling the town after the strike.

The town is called Hassokhel, and was targeted by drones on 24 May as well.  U.S. officials have been reporting that the drone strikes as targeting the town of Miranshah, however, Pakistani media says the attacks actually took place against the town of Hassokhel.  The two towns are separated by 25 kilometers (16 miles).  Are these attacks a case of CIA incompetence?

26 May 2012

BBC reports four people in Pakistan killed by U.S. drone strike. The missile hit a house. The U.S. NavyTimes claims the target was a bakery!

24 May 2012

U.S. drone strike hits a Mosque in Pakistan, killing ten people. Locals say the drone fired two missiles into the Mosque. Of course the U.S. government says the Mosque was really a “military compound”.  The Mosque was located in the town of Hassokhel.

Local officials said rescue efforts were delayed as five U.S. drones continued to circle the area afterwards!  Here’s how an evil unnamed U.S. official describes a rescue effort: “The house caught fire after missiles hit it and militants immediately cordoned off the area and were searching in the rubble.”

23 May 2012

A U.S. drone strike kills five people in Pakistan.  According to Fox News, the U.S. increase in drone strikes could be in retaliation for the Pakistani government not allowing U.S./NATO supply convoys through to Afghanistan.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 31 May – 03 June. More girls poisoned. U.S. puppet government admits 70% of drugs sent into Iran! Farmers not profiting from Opium! Canada giving its taxpayers’ money to Afghanistan! India says “please don’t go!”

3 June 2012

Another Afghan school has been hit by poisoning, at least 65 girls hospitalized. It’s the 6th school poisoning this year.  This time suspects have been arrested.

In past poisonings “Taliban” reps denied any involvement, and accused the U.S. puppet government of the poisoning.  The four suspects arrested today include a  woman from Pakistan.  So far no indication that they are connected to any Afghan Mujahideen.

In Baghlan Province, the provincial education chief survived an attack, supposedly by Mujahideen. The education chief said he does not know who shot at his house.  Local police are investigating. The attack took place at 03:30 hours.

The Defense Ministry of Afghanistan claim their forces killed, or wounded, at least 20 Mujahideen in the past 24 hours.  They also report that four of their own troops were killed, and 16 wounded.  The battles took place in the provinces of Badakhshan, Maidan Wardak, Kandahar, Farah and Ghazni.

In Nangarhar Province a local police boss was assassinated by “unknown gunmen”, while he was on his way to work.

2 June 2012

Iran has hanged three drug smugglers from Afghanistan.  Iran has been claiming that illegal drugs from Afghanistan have increased since the U.S. invasion more than ten years ago.  Iran claims hundreds of their border police have been killed fighting what they believe is U.S. backed drug smuggling.

There are hundreds of Afghans in Iranian prisons, convicted of drug smuggling.  Afghans cry foul, but just the other day (2 June 2012) the U.S. puppet Afghan Counter-Narcotics Minister, Zerar Ahmad Muqbil, admitted that 70% of the illegal Afghan opium is being deliberately smuggled into Iran: “1/3 of the heroin produced in Afghanistan is smuggled to other countries through northern regions while 2/3 of the heroin produced is smuggled through Iran to other parts of the world.”

Muqbil also stated that more than 90% of the money made from illegal opium is going to the dealers, the farmers are only getting a pittance. This challenges the claim by international observers that farmers are doing it for the money!

A couple of years ago Iranian police captured several Afghan drug smugglers, who were using credit cards which the Iranian police traced back to the United States!

Also, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) reports another drug bust.  Approximately 1,364 kilograms (3,000 pounds) of hashish was captured in Kandahar Province.

The Defense Ministry of Afghanistan reports that five of their own troops were killed, and 4 wounded, after Mujahideen launched attacks in the provinces of Ghazni, Patkia, Kandahar and Badghis.

The Interior Ministry of Afghanistan claims that 30 Mujahideen were killed, 14 wounded and six captured in battles in the provinces of Helmand, Uruzgan, Logar and Ghazni.

In Farah Province, local officials claim to have killed a potential suicide bomber.

Canada has sent a new ambassador to Afghanistan. He stressed that Canada was there for the long run. On 21 May 2012, Canada announced it will give Afghanistan $110 million per year, over the next three years.

ISAF claims another “leader” was captured in Khost Province.  A “facilitator” was captured in Helmand Province.  ISAF also claims to have killed 22 Mujahideen in battles in Kunar and Khost (aka Khowst) provinces. No word on occupying troop casualties.

In Nangarhar Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was attacked by a suicide bomber.  Local officials say they don’t know how many people were killed or wounded.

In Parwan Province, an Afghan army General was assassinated, along with his wife, daughter and nephew.  Local officials say they don’t know who did it.   The General and his family were on their way to Kabul when they were killed.

1 June 2012

A U.S./NATO soldier was killed during a Mujahideen attack in southern Afghanistan. As is ISAF SOP no details were given.

At least 182 occupying personnel have been killed since the beginning of 2012.

A suicide bomber attacked U.S. FOB Salerno at Sara Bagh in Khost Province. Some reports say as many as 17 people were killed.  Other reports said several Mujahideen attacked the forward operating base, after the explosion, but were killed or driven off.  ISAF claimed 14 Mujahideen were killed, but local officials say only three Mujahideen were killed.  Many of those killed by U.S. forces were actually civilian bystanders!

In Kapisa Province, three Afghan soldiers were wounded by a roadside bomb (mine).

In Kandahar Province, local police claim they killed eight Mujahideen, and wounded four others.

ISAF claims to have captured a “leader” in Paktika province.

31 May 2012

In Helmand Province, local officials said a suicide bomber, wearing a police uniform, was shot and killed before he could blow himself up.

The Ministry of Labor reports that more than six million Afghan children are living in “critical conditions”, including being slave laborers, and sexually exploited.  The United Nations backs that up.  So what happened to all the taxpayer money coming from the occupying countries?

The United Nations has donated more vehicles to the U.S. puppet government of Afghanistan.  This time at least 50 cars and vans, making for a total of 59 vehicles given to the puppet government in the month of May.

ISAF reports that an U.S./NATO occupying troop was killed by an explosion in southern Afghanistan.

In Nangarhar Province a suicide bomber killed two cops.  The attack took place near an army commander’s office.

In Kandahar Province a suicide bomber killed five cops. The bomber targeted a police station.

In Kunduz Province a anti-terrorism boss, and three others were killed when they drove over a mine.

ISAF claims the capture of a “leader” in Khost Province.

India is begging the United States to keep major military forces in Afghanistan, past the 2014 pullout date.  It’s all about money: “India has invested significant resources for Afghanistan’s development in areas identified by Afghanistan and our Strategic Partnership Agreement with Afghanistan is a reflection of this commitment.”-Nirupama Rao, Indian Ambassador to the United States