Boutros Hussein and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The government of Ethiopia is unfazed by psychological games being played by President Mohammed Mursi (Morsi) of Egypt over the Nile. Ethiopia is currently in the process of constructing a viable hydroelectric dam in order to provide essential power. Therefore, Ethiopia caught Egypt on the hop last month when this nation began to divert the Blue Nile while providing information to Sudan about construction developments.

Ethiopia clearly needs to modernize the infrastructure of this nation in order to lift many people out of poverty and to support many areas of the economy. The Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is also a sign of growing confidence within the body politic of Ethiopia. Mursi therefore should be very careful when he states that “all options are open.” After all, it is easy for events to spiral out of control and it doesn’t help a very complex region.

Mursi did comment that he wasn’t “calling for war” but then further complicated issues by also making it clear that Egypt could not afford to sit idly by while Ethiopia threatened to control the water flow. Clearly, the worry is that with Mursi and the Muslim Brotherhood coming under greater scrutiny at home; then he may decide to play the nationalist card. Therefore, events remain unstable because a slippery slope may occur whereby tensions continue to increase.

Mursi stated that “Egypt’s water security cannot be violated at all…As president of the state I confirm to you that all options are open…If Egypt is the Nile’s gift, then the Nile is a gift to Egypt.”

“The lives of the Egyptians are connected around it… as one great people. If it diminishes by one drop then our blood is the alternative.”

Mursi clearly wants to maintain a colonial ruling which denies Ethiopia the right to control its own water. Obviously, no nation can be held back by the past when it is clear that Ethiopia wasn’t responsible for the ruling which favored Egypt and Sudan in the first place. In saying that, it is also incumbent on Ethiopia to be sensitive to the needs of other nations which rely greatly on the water resources emanating from this country. Ethiopia is therefore stipulating that the interrupted flow will only take place for a set period during the building of this important dam.

Tedros Adhanom, the Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, replied by stating  that “Ethiopia cannot remain poor….It must utilize its resources to lift its people out of poverty.”

Also, other upstream nations are disillusioned by the shenanigans of a past colonial agreement which violates their respective rights to exploit the water that they are blessed with. Egypt should be careful because regional powers like Uganda would not standby and allow Cairo to bully the region. After all, just like events between Sudan and South Sudan; it is clear that regional black African states are not interested in “a colonial Arab straightjacket.”

Sudan which is beset by many internal issues appears to be on board because this nation understands that Ethiopia isn’t threatening regional stability. This in itself further isolates Egypt because Sudan is a major downstream nation.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/73769/Egypt/Politics-/Ethiopia-dismisses-Egyptian-psychological-warfare-.aspx

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Helmut Joachim Schmidt and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The Syrian Armed Forces have retaken Qusair near the border with Lebanon and clearly this successful military operation is hurting the enemies of this secular nation. After all, with NATO Turkey facing internal social and political issues – and with this major terrorist and military ratline being closed in Qusair – then clearly the situation looks more optimistic for the Syrian government. Therefore, major Western powers are responding by manipulating the mass media by raising the issue of chemical weapons and that allies of Syria must refrain from supporting the government of Bashar al-Assad.

Killing and kidnapping religious leaders: Silence when al-Qaeda groups took Raqqah

It is noticeable that two Christian bishops have been kidnapped by the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA) but issues like this and killing pro-government Sunni clerics does not concern Gulf and Western powers. Also, when the Al Nusrah Front which is affiliated with al-Qaeda took Raqqah (Raqqa), alongside other terrorist groups like Ahrar al Sham Brigade; then did America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Kingdom tell al-Qaeda groups to pull out? More alarmingly, with thousands of American and British troops being killed in Iraq; then why are America and the United Kingdom supporting the al-Qaeda funding states of Qatar and Saudi Arabia? After all, this is a mockery and perversion against the soldiers of America and the United Kingdom who sacrificed their lives for nothing in Iraq.

The Al Nusrah Front, Ahrar al Sham Brigade and various Takfiri groups then set about turning Raqqah into a “year zero Islamist zone.” Captured soldiers and anyone deemed loyal to the government of Syria were openly executed in front of adults and children alike. Then summary justice of whipping people and putting women in the shadows followed. Yet did major NATO Western powers bat an eyelid and did the take-over of Raqqah by al-Qaeda affiliated groups concern Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other nations in the Gulf? Likewise, did the mass media throughout the West and in the Gulf region launch a campaign to be used against al-Qaeda affiliated groups to pull-out of Raqqah?

Former Yugoslavia to Libya

It is worth recalling that major Western powers and Gulf petrodollars have been involved in the wars of Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, former Yugoslavia and now against Syria. At the same time, Mali, India, Niger, Pakistan, (Pakistan destabilized itself by allying with Islamist forces in Afghanistan throughout the 1980s and 1990s) Tunisia (secular leader killed by terrorists) and other nations have felt the ripples of outside meddling. Also, the fiasco of Afghanistan throughout the 1980s and 1990s fueled anti-Shia and anti-modernity forces which continue to grip many parts of the world.

The former Yugoslavia and Libya were bombed from the sky by NATO powers while terrorist groups were given a free reign to kill at random on the ground. This applies to the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and Libyan affiliated al-Qaeda terrorist groups which once had fought allied American and British troops in Iraq. Indeed, the rise of the KLA and FSA share many parallels in terms of the speed of their development and the ratlines now being used against Syria. After all, it is known that FSA members visited Albanian ruled Kosovo (Vast numbers of Orthodox Christians have been cleansed on the watch of Western powers) and Libya is a military, covert operative and mercenary play ground.

Libya and the former Yugoslavia were bombed from the sky whereby major NATO powers were free to kill and destroy the infrastructure at random. In the former Yugoslavia (by this time Serbia and Montenegro) it is clear that NATO forces did not want to fight the armed forces of Serbia openly. Therefore, NATO systematically bombed the infrastructure of Serbia and killed vast numbers of civilians. The ratio of civilian deaths to military troops is shockingly high but of course NATO powers were exonerated from breaking international law. Likewise, willfully targeting the infrastructure of Serbia and spreading untold fear against civilians in order for this nation to capitulate was deemed reasonable by elite nations. At the same time, KLA terrorist forces which committed mass atrocities, including killing people for organs, were given a free reign to kill Serbian Orthodox Christians and destroy Serbian Orthodox Churches.

Vivian Martin, International Action Center in New York, states that “From the onset of NATO’s aggression from March 24 to June 11, 1999, the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) flew over 35,000 combat missions over the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Over 1,000 warplanes (among others F-15, F-16, F-117) and 206 helicopters were used in the air strikes. More than 20,000 laser or satellite-guided weapons were launched and over 79,000 tons of explosives were dropped, including 152 containers with 35,450 cluster bombs, thermo-visual and graphite bombs, which are prohibited under international conventions.”¹

“The NATO forces justified the bombing of civilian targets as either “mistakes” or essential to the destruction of Milosevic and the Yugoslav Army. However, these attacks were not made solely against military targets but against the Yugoslav population as a whole.”

“As a direct result of the bombings, thousands of civilians were killed and more than 6,000 sustained serious injuries. A large number of the injured will remain crippled for life. NATO bombings have burned amputated, wounded and disabled many civilians of all-ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Children make made up 30% of all casualties as well as 40% of the total number injured. In addition, approximately 300,000 children have suffered severe psychological traumas and will require continuos medical surveillance and treatment. Children have been victims of the sprinkle cluster bombs, with delayed effects, and will continue to be victimized until all parks, play-fields and open areas have been made safe from the remaining unexploded bombs scattered throughout Yugoslavia.”

In Libya major NATO powers would once more bomb from the sky while anti-Gaddafi forces would execute their prisoners after torture. Many videos highlight that anti-Gaddafi forces which were allies of America, France, Qatar, the United Kingdom, and others; also systematically tortured and killed black Africans based on their skin color. Indeed, sometimes black Africans were put in prisons that resembled zoos and then forced to beg for mercy while being treated like animals. Of course, massacres took place on all sides but how does this exonerate the barbarity of what happened in Libya based on the meddling of outside nations?

Modern day Libya is nothing more than a failed state whereby Sufi shrines are attacked and the minority Christian community resides in fear. Various militias control several parts of major cities and terrorism emanating from this failed state continues to worry Algeria, Mali, Niger, Tunisia and Syria. Therefore, the new free Libya is a hotbed of instability, terrorism, Takfiri hatred and lawlessness. Also, Libya is a conduit in the flow of terrorists from North Africa to Syria alongside supplying military arms and covert operatives which manipulate the failed structures of this country.

UK, US and France condemn Qusair but Fine for Allies to Sponsor Sectarianism, Terrorism and Sedition

France is clearly riled by the loss of the international terrorist and ratline base in Qusair because once more President Hollande is using the specter of chemical weapons. Ironically, the UN finding under Carla Del Ponte firmly points the finger at forces being supported by major NATO powers and Gulf nations. Also, in Iraq and Turkey it is clear that al-Qaeda affiliated groups have been found with chemicals. Of course, this matters not because it is fine for al-Qaeda and the FSA to behead, kill minorities, kidnap Christian bishops, kill pro-government Sunni clerics, deliberately kill journalists and train little children to behead captured Syrian soldiers. In the world of President Obama, President Hollande and Prime Minister Cameron all the above equates to “freedom” and “democracy.”

American with its usual hypocrisy called on Hezbollah and Iran to pull fighters out of Syria. Of course, the same America isn’t stopping Qatar and Saudi Arabia from funding Sunni militant jihadists which not only hate the Alawites, Christians and Shia – but given their Takfiri mindset, then killing Sunni Muslim clerics is also fine. Qusair is also within easy reach of Lebanon and clearly Shia villages on both sides of the border have been attacked by various Takfiri and terrorist groups. Indeed, instead of condemning Hezbollah it is clear that this political movement stood by for a long time while their co-religionists were being persecuted. It is also essential to note that Christians are not worried about Hezbollah and the same applies to all faith groups because this movement supports the mosaic of Lebanon and Syria respectively. Yet, Takfiri groups want to destroy all and sundry and to crush Syrian civilization just like the Taliban wants to destroy the mosaic of Afghanistan and eradicate all traces of past cultures like Buddhism.

Chemical Issue

In the last few weeks it is clear that al-Qaeda groups and various affiliates are trying to use chemicals. The Long War Journal states “The Iraqi military announced today that it arrested five members of an al Qaeda cell that was seeking to manufacture chemical weapons, including sarin nerve gas, and plotting to conduct attacks within Iraq, Europe, and North America.”

“The Defense Ministry announced that it arrested the five members of the al Qaeda in Iraq cell and raided two factories in Baghdad that were used to research and manufacture the deadly chemical agents. The arrests were made with the help of undisclosed foreign intelligence services.”

In another article by The Long War Journal which provides information from several Turkish media groups. It is stated that “On May 30, the Turkish media reported that 12 individuals from the al Qaeda-linked Al Nusrah Front had been captured in antiterror operations in Adana, along with a total of two kilos (4, 5 lb) of sarin gas. Five of the 12 suspects were later released; the interrogation of the other seven is ongoing.”

“According to another daily, Radikal, however, the suspects said that they planned to take the materials back to the conflict areas in Syria.”

In another article by Modern Tokyo Times it was stated that “Human rights investigators from the United Nations (UN) have taken medical testimonies from Syrians which clearly imply that terrorists in Syria have used chemicals against the people of this nation. This applies to sarin nerve gas therefore will the enemies of Syria bomb and agitate against the so-called Free Syrian Army (supported by outside nations and agencies like the CIA)? Of course, individuals like John Kerry (US) and William Hague (UK) will try to squirm their way out like usual and a future “false flag” is sure to be raised. Despite this, it is clear that the “chemical issue” is “dead and buried” because at worse the side of Ankara, Doha, London, Paris, Riyadh and Washington have been involved in using sarin gas. Of course, with America using Agent Orange against Vietnam and dropping this agent on Cambodia and Laos despite not even being at war with Cambodia and Loas – then clearly the information released by the UN human rights investigators isn’t shocking.”

Also, the independent commission of inquiry which was set up by the UN according to Carla Del Ponte can’t find any incriminating evidence against the government of Syria. Therefore, Del Ponte comments that “investigators have been in neighboring countries interviewing victims, doctors and field hospitals and, according to their report of last week which I have seen, there are strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof of the use of sarin gas, from the way the victims were treated.”

“This was use on the part of the opposition, the rebels, not by the government authorities.”

All the above information is mocking America, France, the United Kingdom and their allies throughout the Middle East. The same also applies to the mass media in the West and Gulf region which have raised countless false flags and distorted events on the ground. Laurent Fabius, the Foreign Minister of France, clearly doesn’t like to read about al-Qaeda being caught in Iraq and Turkey with chemicals. Likewise, he desires to ignore the UN independent commission which points the finger at the side of so-called opposition forces.

Fabius reported to France 24 “that his government was certain Syria’s army had used chemical weapons during the bloody civil conflict, in particular the deadly nerve agent sarin.”

“Asked if chemical weapons had also been used by the opposition, Fabius said he was not certain, but that documented reports of the use chemical weapons for now only reliably pointed a finger at Assad.”

In other words Fabius like William Hague of the United Kingdom are claiming that the security agencies of Iraq and Turkey are lying and the same applies to international agents which helped Iraq. Similarly, Fabius is rejecting the independent UN commission which reports that it is the side backed by major Western and Gulf powers which appear to have used chemicals. Of course, with the FSA and various al-Qaeda affiliates suffering setbacks on the ground then more false flags must be used against Syria in order to stem the time which is favoring the Syrian government. In other words, the so-called Western and Gulf sponsored revolution can’t succeed without major military support to vast numbers of international terrorists, mercenaries and covert operatives.
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/06/iraq_breaks_up_al_qa.php#ixzz2VPfCodc0

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/05/us-syria-crisis-un-idUSBRE94409Z20130505 　

http://rt.com/news/un-syria-rebels-chemical-weapons-854/　

http://www.france24.com/en/20130605-syria-rebels-weapons-qusair-france-laurent-fabius-diplomacy-russia-assad

http://www.iacenter.org/warcrime/25_civil.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22789455

http://moderntokyotimes.com/2013/05/06/syria-and-un-investigators-concrete-suspicions-that-fsa-islamists-used-sarin-gas/

http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2013/05/on_may_30_the_turkish.php#ixzz2VPgQxrfY

http://www.agentorangerecord.com/agent_orange_history/in_cambodia_laos/ US and Agent Orange

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Hiroshi Saito and Joachim de Villiers

Modern Tokyo Times

The government of Japan is to expand its mission in the role of peacekeeping in South Sudan. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is also thinking about not only expanding the territory covered by the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) but also the number of personnel on the ground, Therefore, the mission from June will apply to the entire state of Central Equatoria and in adjacent neighborhoods in Equatoria.

This comes at a time of frayed relations between the Khartoum government of Sudan and the South Sudan government based in Juba. Currently, you have approximately 350 troops from the GSDF in South Sudan. The core of their work is focused on infrastructure development therefore many of the serving GSDF are engineers.

GSDF troops entered South Sudan in 2011 and despite initial concerns related to the delicate relationship between Sudan and South Sudan; the GSDF continues to do valuable work. Many of the GSDF are engineers and clearly their expertise is most welcome in South Sudan.

Japanese engineering units in past UN peacekeeping operations have worked distinctively in order to help the respective host nations. Valuable experience gained from Cambodia, East Timor and Haiti means that Japan’s involvement is most welcome in South Sudan. Also, given the economic clout of Japan and its global standing; then South Sudan was more than pleased when Japan decided to provide support to the newly created nation state way back in 2011.

In a past article by Modern Tokyo Times it was stated that “In the past the Khartoum Arab-Islamic dominated regime was responsible for millions of Africans being killed in southern Sudan. At the same time, the brutal Khartoum regime turned against African Muslims in Darfur.  The leadership in South Sudan is greatly influenced by the binding force of Christianity but all southern Sudanese are pulling together in political circles irrespective of religion. Animism also remains strong in South Sudan and this new nation state is multi-religious and multi-ethnic.”

Sadly, while it appeared that political elites in Khartoum and Juba had resolved many long standing issues in order to prevent open hostility. It once more appears that relations are going pear shaped. At the same time, it is clear that both nation states have major internal issues related to poverty, religious issues, ethnic tensions and corruption within the body politic of Sudan and South Sudan.

Tensions are once more on the rise between Sudan and South Sudan. The BBC reports that the “Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has threatened to close “forever” an oil pipeline that carries oil from South Sudan to Sudan’s Red Sea coast.”

President Omar al-Bashir also stated that “I now give our brothers in South Sudan a last, last warning that we will shut down the oil pipeline forever if they give any support to the traitors in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.”

The Information Minister of South Sudan, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, countered by making it clear that the President of South Sudan “has said several times that we don’t support any rebels in Sudan….We agreed that there is a new environment of dialogue, we don’t want to go back to square one….There are channels to discuss this, we don’t think that you should go on a public forum and say all these things.” 

The government of Japan certainly needs to remain vigilant while at the same time helping the people of South Sudan.

Lee Jay Walker provided guidance to both main writers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22680858

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

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Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Irrespective if people support the Syrian government or are against the political leaders of this nation, it is abundantly clear that past interventions lead to chaos and failed states. Either political elites in Gulf nations, America, France, Turkey and the United Kingdom enjoy mass instability and cleansing religious minorities; or the agenda is to create weak failed states in order to protect the feudal monarchies of the Gulf and Israel. If not, then nothing makes sense and this also applies to Western nations being anti-Christian in the Middle East and in other parts of the world.

It is known that the most powerful religious leader in Saudi Arabia desires that all Christian churches are to be destroyed throughout the region. Of course, with Qatar and Saudi Arabia supporting Sunni Salafi fanatics and terrorists against the government of Syria; then this could be part of the anti-Christian crusade installed by feudal monarchs and religious elites in Saudi Arabia.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Asheikh from Saudi Arabia stated that it was “necessary to destroy all the churches of the region.” This distinguished Islamist cleric who is a close friend of the ruling elites in Saudi Arabia, voiced this opinion to the visiting delegation from Kuwait. It appears that he wants Kuwait to follow the anti-Christian and anti-non-Muslim religious line of Saudi Arabia which refuses to allow one single Buddhist temple, Christian church, Hindu temple and so forth. Therefore, when one militant fanatic desires to burn the Koran (something that Islamists do all the time during their terrorist attacks and destroying Shia mosques) in America the American administration and mass media speaks out; however, having strong relations with Islamist states which hate all other religions is obviously not a concern.

It is clear that Egypt under Gamal Abdel Nasser was a threat to the elites throughout the Gulf and in major Western nations. Likewise, Saddam Hussein was an ally of the Sunni Gulf dominated monarchies and powerful Western nations during the Iran-Iraq war. Yet the Kuwait question destroyed this unity. Of course, when Saddam Hussein was busy killing the Shia in Iraq and fighting against Iran then this was welcomed. Likewise, when Kurds were gassed in Iraq then this also could be brushed under the carpet. However, to enter a feudal undemocratic state called Kuwait was something else. Therefore, a well orchestrated media campaign was paid to increase many lies about the nation of Kuwait and with regards to many alleged massacres which later turned out to be clear fabrications. Despite this, the United States and United Kingdom will protect anti-Christian Gulf monarchies to the hilt because of energy factors, geopolitics and other important areas.

Over forty years ago the usual nations intervened in Afghanistan by supporting the most “year zero Islamists” on the face of the planet. Not only did America, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and other nations, support Islamist sectarians and terrorists – but they even gave military training, assistance and helped to co-ordinate future terrorist groups. Osama bin Laden was once a friendly ally of major Gulf nations, America, Pakistan and the United Kingdom. Of course, September 11 brought this home to America but for the people of Afghanistan, North-Western Pakistan and India ruled Kashmir; then Islamist militancy is continuing to destroy all forms of moderation and helping to cleanse religious minorities. Women also have bore a terrible price and while Islamists may ban alcohol it is clear that selling and taking heroin isn’t deemed un-Islamic. Therefore, you now have a major drug problem in Afghanistan and Pakistan but despite all the chaos it is now the turn to destroy multi-religious and secular Syria.

Even while Afghanistan continues to burn in a spiral of Islamist hatred, enormous indoctrination, forcing women into the shadows and being unable to crush Taliban forces; the next venture had begun against Iraq. The Kuwait debacle highlighted the reality that while approximately 3 to 4 million black Africans were killed in Sudan based on the policies of Arabization and Islamization; then this could be tolerated, but invading a wealthy Gulf state was a different matter. Simply put, just like in East Timor whereby approximately one third of the population was killed by central forces in Indonesia – it is apparent that Christians (Sudan and East Timor) and Animists (Sudan) just don’t count because the US and UK kept on supplying weapons to Indonesia. America also welcomed the introduction of Islamic Sharia law in Sudan under the leadership of President Jaafar Nimeiri in 1983 just like Washington helped this legal framework to take power in Afghanistan, Iraq and most recently Libya.

Clearly, the anti-Muslim rhetoric aimed at America doesn’t hold much weight apart from opposing moderate forces in the Muslim world based on the objectives of Saudi Arabia and other major Gulf nations.  Therefore, the only forces to suffer at the hands of America’s foreign policy in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Cyprus (invasion by Turkey), Kosovo, Libya, Iraq and now in Syria – are Christians, secular forces and mainstream Islam which became attacked by Sunni Islamic jihadists, Salafi militants and a plethora of terrorist groups. These Islamist groups think nothing about killing Shia Muslims, minority Muslim groups like the Alawites, Sunni Muslim clerics which support religious diversity and non-Muslims. In this sense, the political elites in Washington and London have installed compliant Muslim dominated governments in Bosnia and Kosovo – while doing nothing when Orthodox Christians were cleansed by Turkey after this nation invaded Northern Cyprus. Meanwhile, secular forces within the state institutions of Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya have all been vanquished by the implementation of Islamic Sharia law once ruling elites were overthrown in the three above nations. Given this reality, it appears that America and the United Kingdom are implementing a pro-Saudi Arabia and Gulf Islamist agenda which is anti-Christian, anti-secular and anti-mainstream Islam because they always side with conservative and reactionary Islamist forces. The upshot being that approximately 50% of Christians fled Iraq and vast numbers of Christians have fled Kosovo; this happened on the watch of America and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, in Egypt the Coptic Christians are now facing a growing Islamist menace but once more America and the United Kingdom keep on supplying more funds to the Muslim Brotherhood led government.

In Kosovo the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) was implicated in killing people for organs and other massacres. Similarly, in Syria you have video evidence of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and various Islamist groups teaching children to behead Syrian soldiers, cutting open Syrian soldiers and eating organs, killing Sunni Muslim clerics which support the government and a host of other brutal deeds including beheading many Alawites and Shia Muslims. Yet, it appears that all the above – and kidnapping Christian bishops – means zilch to America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Kingdom. After all, the more massacres are committed by the FSA and various Islamist terrorist groups then the more they obtain funds in order to destroy Syria. It must be stated that Syria, just like Egypt under Nasser, is a proud and free nation which refuses to bow down to international domination. Therefore, the secular government of Syria is deemed to be a threat to Western powers, Gulf powers and treacherous Turkey because these collective forces saw an opportunity to destroy the last major secular and independent nation in the Arabic speaking world.

Libya in the post-Gaddafi period is nothing more than a failed state whereby various militias control parts of the country. Recent terrorist attacks in Algeria, Mali and Niger all have a connection linking the failed state of Libya. At the same time the CIA, MI6 and other security intelligence networks have been involved in sending military arms to terrorists in Syria via Bosnia, Libya, Croatia, Kosovo and other routes. Note, that the US and UK all supported anti-Serb forces in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo; meanwhile, the ruling elites in Libya now rely on London and Washington for economic support.

In another Modern Tokyo Times article about Libya it was stated that “The ‘bomb democracy’ Western and Gulf policy in Libya brought about the massacres of black Africans, killing of Gaddafi loyalists and created a “new society” based on disorder which is currently ongoing. Indeed, the chaos which is engulfing Libya is now destabilizing Northern Mali and creating problems for Tunisia. This destabilization is based on vast quantities of military hardware being available and more dangerously the Salafi ideology is spreading because of money from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.”

“Turning back to Libya and Northern Mali then currently Salafist organizations are intent on destroying all Islamic thought patterns outside of their “blinkered monoculture,” which thrives on hatred and fear. Indeed, in Syria video evidence survives which makes it clear that the Western and Islamist “marriage of convenience” is now spreading this dangerous ideology within this country. Therefore, mainstream Islam and religious minorities have much to fear in Syria. However, like usual political leaders in London, Paris and Washington will support any form of barbarity providing it meets their geopolitical ambitions.”

The nation of Syria welcomed the fleeing Palestinians and took in over one million refugees from Iraq irrespective if the refugees were Christian, Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim or whatever. Syria is a multi-religious nation and secular based. Also, it is abundantly clear that no evidence can be provided which shows massacres by the government of Syria before outside nations sponsored sectarianism, terrorism and sedition against this nation. Therefore, the armed forces of Syria are doing their upmost to protect the people of Syria and preserve the independence of this nation. After all, which side is kidnapping Christian bishops, kidnapping UN personnel, killing Sunni Muslim clerics, beheading Alawites, butchering the Shia, murdering journalists and so forth? Despite this, major Western and Gulf powers alongside Turkey are intent on destroying the fabric of Syrian society and these nations care little about creating another failed state – after all, look at the track record of Afghanistan, Kosovo, Libya and Iraq.

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

In Kosovo and Iraq under the watch of America, the United Kingdom, and other allies, the Christian communities suffered greatly. At no point was their suffering addressed properly and because the Christians of Iraq had no militia to protect them, then over half of the Christian population fled. Likewise, the Orthodox Christian population in Kosovo plummeted alongside the destruction of churches, monasteries and many things connected with the indigenous faith. The same scenario is now happening in nations which are being supported by major Western powers and of course Northern Cyprus is another “cleansed” Christian area. Indeed, Northern Cyprus connects the past with the present anti-Christian policies of Washington, London and other nations which appease Islamist forces.

In Egypt the indigenous Christian faith is once more facing another bleak future because of ongoing Islamization. Despite this, and the fact that secular forces face being crushed by the current government of Egypt; the United States, the European Union and Gulf nations are all working together in order to help the Muslim Brotherhood survive financially. Simply put, Christian blood isn’t “only cheap” it doesn’t even enter the radar to any significant degree. Therefore, apartheid Sharia Islamic law is threatening to engulf Egyptian society. Also, the indigenous Christians don’t fit the false history of the Middle East because it was their land which was colonized by invading Islamic armies. This colonialism is forgotten and the same applies to many areas of the Middle East whereby the indigenous Christian faith struggled for survival because of jizya policies, slavery, dhimmitude and enormous discrimination within Islamic Sharia law.

Alarmingly, in the modern world you still have several Islamic Sharia law states which support killing apostates and killing non-Muslim males for merely marrying a Muslim woman. Therefore, while old men in Saudi Arabia can marry young 8 and 9 year old girls legally under Islamic Sharia law; the hatred within this apartheid legal system can be seen by the fact that non-Muslim males face the death penalty for an act of love in several Islamist nations. Of course, if Christian law supported the same barbarity in the modern world then the media would cover this from head to toe.  Instead, in Saudi Arabia women must cover-up from head to toe and non-Muslims must stay in the shadows without any holy places to visit.

The latest clash between Coptic Christians and Muslims took place after a Muslim woman named Rana el-Shazali is believed to have converted to Christianity. It appears that a normal romantic relationship is deemed to be a threat to the Muslim community because the reaction was violence and intimidation. While in the West the term “Islamophobia” is being manipulated in order to crush genuine debate. It is noticeable that the same people who cry “Islamophobia” say little about Islamic Sharia law having “a real legal phobia” against atheists, Christians, minority Muslim groups like the Ahmadiyya, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Zoroastrians, Baha’is, Sikhs, and all non-Muslim faiths.

Anti-Christian attacks have taken place in the Beni Suef province where the romance began to flourish in the town of Wasta. AP comments that “Muslims have attacked churches there and forced Christians to close their shops for nearly eight days last month and members of the Christian man’s family have been arrested, including his mother and father, after a prosecutor accused them of collaborating in hiding the woman. The woman’s family issued an ultimatum for the church to bring her back early this month, but when it didn’t, violence erupted anew.”

“On Friday, ultraconservative Salafis distributed flyers accusing the church of “proselytizing Christianity,” according to a copy of the flyer posted on a social networking site. It called on residents to rally inside a mosque located meters (yards) from the church to “rescue a Muslim soul and bring her back from the deviant path.”

Somehow, the Salafists and Muslim Brotherhood are so concerned about this “one Muslim soul” because it threatens their apartheid worldview whereby non-Muslims are unequal in law. Of course, the Muslim Brotherhood doesn’t mind taking money from major Western nations but equality is out of the question.

The Investigative Project on Terrorism highlights the naivety and duplicity of important institutions in America because James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, commented in 2011 that the Muslim Brotherhood is “largely secular” and that this organization “eschewed violence.”

In the same article it was stated that “Some Islamists, such as Wagdy Ghoneim, who enjoyed close relations with the Council on American Islamic Relations while he lived in the United States, have issued calls for genocide against the Copts.”

“The day Egyptians — and I don’t even mean the Muslim Brotherhood or Salafis, regular Egyptians — feel that you are against them, you will be wiped off the face of the earth. I’m warning you now: do not play with fire!” Ghoneim said in a Gatestone Institute report. “I want to remind you that Egypt is a Muslim country…. if you don’t like the Muslim Sharia, you have eight countries that have a Cross on their flag [in Europe], so go to them. However, if you want to stay here in Egypt with us, know your place and be respectful.”

In the New York Times it was stated by Roger Cohen that “Perhaps the most radical change in U.S. foreign policy under President Obama has occurred here in Egypt, where the Muslim Brotherhood, long shunned as a collection of dangerous Islamist extremists, is now the de facto object of American support….. Not only that: Ultraconservative Salafist politicians, who make the Brotherhood seem like moderate pragmatists, are now regular visitors to the U.S. Embassy and, on the theory that it is better to have them inside the tent than out, they are able to visit the United States to learn how things work in the land of Jeffersonian democracy.”

Modern Tokyo Times meanwhile commented about the recent visit of John Kerry to Egypt by stating that “The only conclusion to come from Kerry’s trip is that you have no unity and that now it is Islamists which welcome Washington in Egypt. After all, important moderate leaders within the National Salvation Front refused to meet Kerry in person – because they seek “a real broad church” within the government of Egypt – and not the chains of a “theocracy.”

In another article published on the Investigative Project on Terrorism it was stated that “In Egypt, the Obama administration is asserting a moral equivalency between actions by government forces and the Coptic Christian minority, said Shea, director of Hudson’s Center for Religious Freedom. She noted that the State Department failed to forcefully condemn the Egyptian government for sending tanks and bullets after Copts protested the burning of their churches in October 2011.”

“The massacre left 24 Copts dead and 272 injured.”

“The U.S government put out a response condemning it and asking for both sides to refrain from further violence,” Shea said. “Sam Tadros said in NRO at the time that I should tell the military to stand down and tell the Copts to stop dying.”

Gulf petrodollars are spreading militant Islam which hates not only non-Muslim faiths but also religious diversity within the Muslim faith. In Egypt it is clear that the Muslim Brotherhood hopes to usurp power at the expense of pluralism. Therefore, this movement is backing up the “theocratic dream” by manipulating many dark forces including ruling by fear and spreading sectarianism. Given this reality, then why did President Obama openly celebrate when Hosni Mubarak fell but the same leader refrains from tackling anti-Christian forces within the corridors of powers in Egypt?

http://www.investigativeproject.org/3877/opposition-leader-obama-administration-downplayed

http://www.investigativeproject.org/3959/hudson-panel-us-ignoring-increasing-christian

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/02/director-of-national-intelligence-james-clapper-muslim-brotherhood-largely-secular/

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The Nigerian armed forces have been involved in heavy clashes with Islamist militants near the border of Chad in the last few days. Estimates vary about the numbers of people killed but irrespective of the final death toll it is clear that the town of Baga was badly hit. Also, the armaments used by suspected Boko Haram Islamists is highlighting a worrying trend because their military arsenal is growing.

Meanwhile the nation of Mali needs to know that France and the international community will continue to support central forces in this nation. Also, given the knock-on-effect from the demise of Colonel Gaddafi in Libya then nations like America and the United Kingdom have a responsibility to assist Mali. After all, the changing dynamics of Libya witnessed many vacuums. This applies to a plentiful supply of military arms which have been used in Mali, the Algerian hostage crisis and of course many ratlines are being used in order to destabilize Syria. Therefore, Mali is a victim of the whims of America, major Gulf powers, France and the United Kingdom because of their short-sighted objectives which often lead to many new nightmares.

In Nigeria the issue is internal but given the nature of international terrorism and the many ratlines in the Gulf whereby petrodollars are supporting Islamist indoctrination through many angles; then events in Libya and Mali can soon become interconnected either to a major degree like in Mali – or based on growing terrorist networks because of failed states. The destabilization policies of America, France, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and major Gulf powers; are always short-sighted and often their policies create major chain reactions which can’t be contained.

The civilizational war is equally important in Mali and Nigeria because Gulf petrodollars and international jihadist groups want to destroy indigenous black African Islam. In Mali the rich cultural norms of Islam in this country were attacked ideologically and physically. This applies to destroying Sufi shrines, indigenous Islamic architecture and then enforcing barbaric Gulf Islamist norms on society. Indeed, this fresh colonialism is not only abhorrent but it highlights the reality that Gulf nations and Islamist terrorist networks hate religious diversity within the Muslim world alongside despising the non-Muslim world.

In another article by Modern Tokyo Times it was stated that “In modern day Mali you currently have multinational forces being led by France which are attacking Islamist forces. Much of the chaos in Mali was instigated by genuine ethnic concerns in the north, the internal political chaos, weakness of central forces and other important factors which enabled many vacuums to take place. Thereby, the failed state of Libya became the” negative icing on the cake.” The Libya angle applies to enormous military hardware being available and the failed state reality whereby ethnic and religious forces entered the failed political landscape of Mali. Therefore, once Islamists got the upper hand against ethnic forces in Mali and decided to consolidate their powerbase further south; then Islamists “crossed a line” that France wasn’t willing to accept. However, given the nature of Islamist tactics in Afghanistan and Somalia, and other parts of the world; then it would appear that the proposed pull-out by France is too soon. After all, multinational forces and the central government still appear weak without France playing a leading role despite the professionalism within elite Chad military units.”

Since this was stated President Deby of Chad commented that “Face-to-face fighting with the Islamists is over. The Chadian army does not have the skills to fight a shadowy, guerrilla-style war that is taking place in northern Mali…Our soldiers will return to Chad. They have accomplished their mission. We have already withdrawn a mechanized battalion.”

However, the leader of Chad did state reassuringly that military personnel from this country would partake in the 10,000 contingent of forces under the wing of the United Nations (UN) once the military operation changes the baton to the UN. Of course, Chad fears being over-stretched because of possible internal issues, the continuing chaos in the Central African Republic, the recent heavy clashes between Islamists and the army of Nigeria near the border of Chad – and because of other important issues related to regional concerns and economic limitations. Therefore, it is essential that France remains the backbone for Mali irrespective if the military angle is reduced in numbers.

In Nigeria the clash between the military and Islamist terrorists a few days ago is known to have killed many people near the border of Chad. Some reports are claiming extremely high numbers but the military denies such figures. What is known is that suspected Boko Haram Islamists are becomingly increasing better armed. This reality will be setting off alarms bells within the military of Nigeria. It is also unclear if the Islamist assault against Baga was a response to the political overtures currently going on in this nation – or, equally, if Boko Haram will use this attack in their bargaining chip with central forces in Nigeria.

The BBC reports that “Religious and political leaders in northern-eastern Nigeria, the epicentre of the insurgency, recently called for an amnesty….The president responded at the beginning of April by asking a team of security advisers to look into the possibility of granting the militants a pardon.”

Therefore, it would appear that regional internal leaders, the central government in Nigeria and representatives from Boko Haram are talking through various channels. Of course, a possible amnesty will be the start of a long journey providing Boko Haram comes on board. However, if you look at the complex nature of the Philippines, then it is more than likely that several splinter groups will emerge because militants within Boko Haram are very far away from the thinking of indigenous Christian and Muslim communities in Nigeria. Also, like the recent clash a few days ago it is more than apparent that Boko Haram is increasingly becoming better organized and militarily supplied. Indeed, given the nature of various Islamist forces throughout parts of West and North Africa then the growing network may be ushering in a new stage. It would therefore appear that Nigeria is faced by the growing internal angle alongside the shadowy international angle.

Until Boko Haram does decide to enter genuine talks then the words of Brigade Commander Iliyasu Abba should be heeded. He stated that “this is the time to demonstrate courage in the face of naked terror to assist the security agencies overcome the challenges posed by the terrorists in our midst”

Turning back to Mali then the Austrian Foreign Ministry commented that “The creation of democratic institutions is the vital first step for assuring that other additional aid measures will be effective in Mali and the region. The EU training mission for Mali is an important component of European commitment here. The agenda for this initiative is to train the armed forces in Mali and to ensure that they are capable of re-establishing territorial control over the entire country. The maintaining of human rights can only be achieved if appropriate training is given to the army in Mali.”

It is imperative that France, the European Union and regional nations in Africa work together in order to stem the tide of Islamist terrorism in Mali and to give fresh hope to the people of this country. Ethnic issues also need to be addressed. Equally essential is that the infrastructure is given adequate funding because Islamists seek economic, political, educational and religious chaos. Also, the petrodollars of the Gulf need to be cut when it applies to political and religious ambitions which are based on Islamist indoctrination by stealth.

Nigeria and Mali face enormous challenges but both nations need to know that the international community is focused on progressive forces in order to defeat “the forces of death, sectarianism and religious hatred.” In the past, Mali was betrayed by the political intrigues of major Western and Gulf powers which unleashed negative vacuums after overthrowing Colonel Gaddafi in Libya. At the same time, the sinister role of Gulf petrodollars which seeks to destroy indigenous African Islam needs to be watched carefully and this also applies to Nigeria.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22243834

http://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/foreign-ministry/news/press-releases/2013/lopatka-mali-braucht-die-unterstuetzung-der-eu-beim-aufbau-demokratischer-strukturen.html

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

by John Rossomando

IPT News

Boutros Hussein and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Throughout early 2013 the nations of the Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mali have witnessed the usual “ghost warriors,” whereby central states appear illusionary. Of course, the developments throughout early 2013 are following similar paths because of many past assaults against central forces even if certain developments are new. The collapse of Libya after the overthrow of Colonel Gaddafi is still sending shockwaves throughout parts of Africa and the Middle East. Therefore, the “illusion of nation states” is once more rearing its head while in Libya it was a self-made failed state based on the whims of outside forces.

In modern day Mali you currently have multinational forces being led by France which are attacking Islamist forces. Much of the chaos in Mali was instigated by genuine ethnic concerns in the north, the internal political chaos, weakness of central forces and other important factors which enabled many vacuums to take place. Thereby, the failed state of Libya became the” negative icing on the cake.” The Libya angle applies to enormous military hardware being available and the failed state reality whereby ethnic and religious forces entered the failed political landscape of Mali. Therefore, once Islamists got the upper hand against ethnic forces in Mali and decided to consolidate their powerbase further south; then Islamists “crossed a line” that France wasn’t willing to accept. However, given the nature of Islamist tactics in Afghanistan and Somalia, and other parts of the world; then it would appear that the proposed pull-out by France is too soon. After all, multinational forces and the central government still appear weak without France playing a leading role despite the professionalism within elite Chad military units.

Indeed, the role of Chad in Mali and the CAR can’t be underestimated because they have many strings to pull in both nations for very different reasons. Irrespective of the reasons why Chad deployed their 1,800 soldiers in Kidal, it appears that it wasn’t a coincidence because they are on the frontline in northern Mali in the fight against Islamist forces. To the north of Kidal you have the Ifoghas highlands which have become a place to regroup for many Islamists because they couldn’t fight the French led multinational forces head on. Therefore, the armed forces of Chad understood the need to flush out Islamists in this part of Mali however the terrain makes this difficult. Despite this, the Chadian forces showed their tenaciousness when they lost 13 soldiers during intense fighting while killing at least 65 Islamists.

The role of Chad in the CAR remains shrouded in mystery at the moment because in the past this nation became involved in the internal affairs of this country. Recently the capital Bangui in the CAR fell to the rebel Seleka movement therefore now you have international political limbo and confusion on the ground. President Francois Bozize before fleeing the CAR had appealed to France and other nations to help him stem the tide against Seleka. However, France is much more concerned about events in Mali, Syria and Tunisia – likewise, regional powers are involved in many disputes and are concerned about other developments. This notably applies to the DRC, Mali, Somali, Sudan-South Sudan tensions, Somali and other regional issues.

Francois Hollande, the President of France, stated that “If we have a presence, it’s not to protect a regime, it’s to protect our nationals and our interests and in no way to intervene in the internal business of a country, in this case the Central African Republic…Those days are over.”

Obviously, Hollande was uttering language manipulation because France is involving itself in Mali and Syria, to different levels, just like this nation involved itself in Libya. This reality means that Hollande had forewarned Bozize that he was alone when it came to political elites in Paris. Seleka fully understood the situation therefore they pushed on and took the capital of the CAR.

The reported 5,000 Seleka troops faced little stern resistance when they entered Bangui and the rebel leader, Michel Djotodia, is intent on pressing home the advantage of this movement in the CAR. Djotodia stated “I consider it necessary to suspend the November 27, 2004 constitution, to dissolve parliament as well as the government…During this transition period which will lead us to free, credible and transparent elections, I will legislate by decree…We will lead the people of Central African Republic during a three-year transition period, in accordance with the Libreville Accord.”

Bozize, however, is very angry and he is pointing the finger at Chad despite the irony because this nation had helped him in the past. Deutsche Welle reports that “At a summit of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) held in the Chadian capital N’Djamena, regional leaders refused to recognize Michel Djotodia as the new president of the Central African Republic (CAR). Following a coup, in which Djotodia’s rebel Seleka coalition ousted elected president Francois Bozize in late March, the African Union suspended the Central African Republic.”

Rumors are indicating that you had a Chadian role but just like the crisis in the DRC it is very difficult to see through the “heavy forest.” It is clear that mercenaries from many nations were involved in the Seleka advance but the role of covert operatives is still up in the air. Also, you clearly did have mass discontent within the CAR and it is too early to negatively write off the current forces in the capital of this nation.

Chad, like France, is equally distracted by events in Mali therefore this may be the reason for taking a back seat. After all, no nation can afford to become overstretched and clearly the political leadership in Chad needs to focus on many internal and external concerns. Therefore, while a murky role may have been played by Chad it would appear that this was more limited than in the past. In this sense, Bozize is seeking a way out from the reality on the ground and the delicate predicament faced by nations because of so much chaos throughout the region.

In Mali, yet another conflict whereby murky outside forces are involved; some sources have pointed the finger at Qatar. Likewise, the role of Gulf nations in funding Salafi indoctrination, irrespective if through educational facilities, charities and other underhanded means; is a real problem for the Middle East, North Africa and parts of West Africa. France itself is involved in the many ratlines against Syria therefore it is a bit rich for this nation to point the finger solely at Gulf nations. Either the “field is played by honest brokers” or by “opportunists.” In this sense, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and America all apply to being “opportunists”- but in Mali the same forces are at loggerheads.

France 24 reported “The first accusations of Qatari involvement with Tuareg separatists and Islamist groups came in a June 2012 article in respected French weekly the Canard Enchainé.”

“In a piece titled ‘Our friend Qatar is financing Mali’s Islamists,’ the newspaper alleged that the oil-rich Gulf state was financing the separatists.”

“It quoted an unnamed source in French military intelligence saying: “The MNLA [secular Tuareg separatists], al Qaeda-linked Ansar Dine and MUJAO [movement for unity and Jihad in West Africa] have all received cash from Doha.”

The article continued by stating that “A month later Sadou Diallo, the mayor of the north Malian city of Gao [which had fallen to the Islamists] told RTL radio: “The French government knows perfectly well who is supporting these terrorists. Qatar, for example, continues to send so-called aid and food every day to the airports of Gao and Timbuktu.”

Of course, the changing sands can easily witness new events which unfold suddenly and now Hollande faces a political scandal in France. It is too early to say what the consequences of this will be but like Mali you have no quick fix and soon France may have to change its tactic in this country because the current policy seems too short-sighted. After all, in the last few days several Islamists have launched fresh attacks in several parts of northern Mali. Therefore, while the military forces of Chad can be trusted it is clear that past multinational forces have had a very mixed outcome.

In a past article by Modern Tokyo Times related to many events involving France it was stated that “In Tunisia the secular leader Chokri Belaid was recently assassinated and clearly Islamists hope to change the dynamics of Tunisian society. Likewise, sectarian and Islamist forces in Syria desire to crush the rich mosaic of this nation. Therefore, it is high time for France to turn away from the feudal monarchies of the Gulf which are involved in sectarian and Islamist funding. After all, it is pointless for French soldiers to fight alongside various African nations in Mali if their own government is siding with Islamist forces in Syria – or supporting other forces which will weaken Syria and open up the way for Islamization based on sectarianism.”

The only current certainty is that events in the CAR and Mali highlight the role of France and Chad within the regional dynamics of this part of Africa. On the one hand you have international jihadists in northern Mali – and on the other hand you have “ghost warriors” fighting for a mixture of factors, and not solely commercial. However, the one major difference between Mali and the CAR is that in Mali you have “a civilizational war,” whereby indigenous Islam is facing the brutal harshness of Gulf Islam which seeks to replace Sufi Islam and to destroy ancient black African Islamic architecture. Chad is also deeply concerned about this reality and the same applies to Nigeria which is facing a major Islamist insurrection in parts of the country.

http://www.dw.de/questions-remain-over-chads-role-in-car-coup/a-16721426

http://www.france24.com/en/20130121-qatar-mali-france-ansar-dine-mnla-al-qaeda-sunni-islam-doha

http://www.france24.com/en/20130223-northern-mali-clashes-chad-soldiers-islamist-rebels-killed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21555898

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Helmet Joachim Schmidt and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The United States and United Kingdom continue to support feudal monarchies throughout the Gulf region and spreading the power of the Muslim Brotherhood throughout the Levant and North Africa. Not surprisingly, the disunity between Israel and Turkey meant that two regional powers which could help to topple the secular government of Syria was a serious obstacle. Therefore, President Obama during his visit to Israel resembled the underhanded approach of John Kerry whereby more money and patching up regional divisions became the order of the day.

This reality led to major secular forces in Egypt snubbing the new US Secretary of State during his recent visit to this country. Many secular Egyptians are disillusioned by the strings of the Muslim Brotherhood turning this once proud nation into a rubber stamp. At the same time they fear clerical rule whereby the rights of individuals will be crushed and in time the very real possibility that democracy will be swallowed-up by Islamist indoctrination. Despite these genuine fears in Egypt and the ongoing demonstrations, it is clear that just like the crisis in Bahrain, that these realities are being sidelined because America, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and powers in the Gulf, have a different Islamist vision.

France is the one nation which appears to be stuck between past secular thought patterns and jumping on the bandwagon. After all, France is involved in the murky dealings against the secular government of Syria. However, the same France is alarmed by Islamist forces in Algeria, Mali and Tunisia. In the past the nation of France had a more independent foreign policy but the current leader of France, just like the last leader of this nation, is now taking the “Washington road” when it comes to foreign policy in the Middle East. Yet when it comes to Africa then France is mainly following its own independent foreign policy despite the debacle of Libya.

Obama and Kerry are now trying to strangle Syria by creating a new forged unity between Israel and Turkey, while also putting pressure on Iraq to close down any corridors which may be assisting the government of Syria. At the same time, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is to be given further funding and a non-entity American Muslim Brotherhood member is now a major figurehead of the so-called Syrian opposition. The one clear binding factor is the link between the American government, Qatar, Turkey and the Muslim Brotherhood and if this doesn’t wake up Syrians, Egyptians and the international community on the whole – then what will? Similarly, Qatar is increasingly trying to utilize its petrodollars in Gaza in order to put Hamas “in its pocket.”

The Global Muslim Brotherhood Daily Report states that “U.S. media is reporting that Ghassan Hitto, known to have been a leader in several U.S. Muslim Brotherhood/Hamas support organizations, has been elected by the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) as head of an interim government in Syria.”

Further down it states that “In 2002, U.S. media also identified Mr. Hitto as a “friend of the Elashi family” and who appeared to be acting as their spokesperson. In 2009, Ghassan Elashi was sentenced to 65 years in prison for his role in financing Hamas as part of the Holy Land Foundation.”

“In 2002, U.S. media identified Mr. Hitto as the Vice-President of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) Dallas Fort-Worth Chapter (see Note 1). A Hudson Institute report identifies CAIR as part of the U.S. Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas support infrastructure in the U.S.”

“According to the Texas Secretary of State, Mr. Hitto is a director of the Muslim American Society (MAS) Youth Center of Dallas. He has also been listed in the past as the contact person for the Dallas chapter of the MAS. The Hudson Institute report also identifies the MAS as part of the U.S. Muslim Brotherhood and close to the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood.”

Ghassan Hitto falls into the support mechanisms of the Muslim Brotherhood, the CIA, Hamas, Qatar and the last piece in the jigsaw applies to him moving to NATO Turkey. This anti-Syrian alliance alongside France, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom, is involved in a very murky alliance whereby Islamists are in the vanguard of crushing secular powers throughout the Middle East. Iraq is also faced by the duality of Gulf powers and the infringement of its sovereignty by Turkey but other areas are different from the destabilization of Syria. Therefore, Iraq is extremely worried by anti-Syrian forces which are supporting sectarianism, terrorism and sedition against Syria in order to create the downfall of the government of Syria.

Kamal al-Labwani who is a dissident and opposed to the government of Bashar al-Assad is also equally scathing about the Muslim Brotherhood and Qatar control mechanisms within the Syrian National Council.  He states that the fostered “government is controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood and the Qatar government…We will be against this government and will not give it legality. Democracy is from the land and from the people (and) not from a council that is composed by the government of Qatar.”

David Ignatius, Washington Post, comments that “The regional tension splitting the Syrian rebel movement is between Qatar and Turkey, on one side, and Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Emirates on the other. The former group would like to see an Islamist government headed by the Muslim Brotherhood after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. The latter group opposes any expansion of Muslim Brotherhood influence into Syria, fearing that the movement could spread from there to endanger Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E.”

He further states that “Hitto’s appointment was sharply rejected by the Syrian opposition leadership the U.S. has been cultivating. First came the resignation Sunday of Sheikh Moaz al-Khatib, the head of the opposition coalition and seemingly a U.S. favorite when he met in Munich early last month with Vice President Joe Biden. Then Gen. Salim Idriss, who claimed the title of commander of the Free Syrian Army last December, told colleagues that he and his commanders couldn’t support Hitto until a broader array of the opposition had agreed to back him.”

Some nations involved in the alliance against Syria may be worried about the Muslim Brotherhood but this doesn’t mean that Saudi Arabia doesn’t support an Islamist government. Saudi Arabia may be worried about the growing power of the Muslim Brotherhood – or not. Either way, it is abundantly clear that the government based in Riyadh is behind much of the funding which is going to Islamist terrorist groups which have a sectarian angle. The only split within the regional coalition against Syria is that each government favors a different proxy. This in itself is clear evidence that the Syrian government is the only player in Syria which is truly Syrian because all other factions are tainted by their foreign backers which seek a proxy government.

The demise of Mubarak in Egypt was mainly an internal affair despite long-term planning behind the scenes in case this scenario would happen. Likewise, the mass demonstrations in Bahrain and other political developments in other nations have occurred because of the grass roots. However, Libya was about outside meddling which tapped into discontent and then magnified the crisis beyond recognition. Syria was a different ball game because of the Russian Federation, Iran and Hezbollah angle in Lebanon. This meant that Syria was a geopolitical ambition for some nations and for others it was about addressing the Sunni-Shia imbalance after the changed power mechanisms of Iraq. Turkey appears more opportunistic because the “Ottoman” dream lives on within the Erdogan government and the same political leader cares little about dismantling the legacy of secularism.

Robert Ford, the U.S. ambassador to Syria, told the House in America that Ghassan Hitto is “more Texan than Muslim Brotherhood.”  Not only does this highlight the blindness of America to the Muslim Brotherhood but it shows that manipulating the House means little to Robert Ford. After all, if Ghassan Hitto is“more Texan than Muslim Brotherhood” then does this mean that Texans support the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas?

The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT) highlights the role of the American government and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. It is reported by the IPT that “… a Sept. 20, 2011 State Department cable obtained by the IPT reports on a Muslim Brotherhood representative telling the U.S. embassy in Cairo that the “MB (Muslim Brotherhood) was not the extremist organization the West feared.”

“Such assurances have been reflected in comments from Obama administration officials, including the Secretary of State and Director of National Intelligence.”

“In an April 15, 2010 cable, U.S. Ambassador Anne Patterson reported that Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohammed Badie had “reaffirmed the MB was a non-violent” movement.”

“Director of National Intelligence James Clapper similarly described the Muslim Brotherhood in February 2011 as “largely secular” and said that it “eschewed violence.”

The IPT comments that “In the wake of renewed street protests after Morsi’s November (2012) decree seizing extrajudicial power, and amid reports of violence and intimidation during last month’s constitutional vote, Clinton and other Obama administration officials have issued tepid and general statements about nonviolence and protecting the rights of all Egyptians.”

However, for America the main concerns are protecting its political leverages in Egypt and maintaining the accords signed between Egypt and Israel. Therefore, issues related to pluralism, religious freedom and democracy are not high on the agenda just like it is unimportant in the Gulf region. Instead, America is continuing to develop its powerful links with the Muslim Brotherhood and this applies to Egypt and Syria respectively.

Roger Cohen from the New York Times commented that “Perhaps the most radical change in U.S. foreign policy under President Obama has occurred here in Egypt, where the Muslim Brotherhood, long shunned as a collection of dangerous Islamist extremists, is now the de facto object of American support….. Not only that: Ultraconservative Salafist politicians, who make the Brotherhood seem like moderate pragmatists, are now regular visitors to the U.S. Embassy and, on the theory that it is better to have them inside the tent than out, they are able to visit the United States to learn how things work in the land of Jeffersonian democracy.”

In another article published by Modern Tokyo Times it was stated that “…while Islamist Mursi (Morsi) will sit down with Kerry, the main leaders of the National Salvation Front (NSF) have said no based on America’s meddling in the internal affairs of Egypt. This applies to America providing a helping hand to the beleaguered Mursi despite major demonstrations frequently breaking out in this nation. Therefore, with Kerry meeting the nationalist and Islamist Erdogan in Turkey and the Islamist Mursi in Egypt, alongside America maintaining great relations with feudal monarchies in the Gulf; then where does this leave America within the Middle East when it comes to progressive forces?”

The Hamas link between Qatar, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Turkey, and the United States, is further cemented by Ghassan Hitto – after all, why pick a member of the Muslim Brotherhood who resides in Texas? Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh stated over one year ago according to The Independent news group that “I salute all the nations of the Arab Spring and I salute the heroic people of Syria who are striving for freedom, democracy and reform.” He stated this in Cairo outside the al-Azhar mosque whereby the crowd reportedly chanted “We are marching towards Syria, with millions of martyrs…No Hezbollah and no Iran.”

Since this period many Palestinians have gone to Syria in order to kill and links between Qatar and Hamas continue to grow because of petrodollars. At the same time, despite ongoing fears about a future theocracy in Egypt the United States continues to bankroll the Muslim Brotherhood. Therefore, recent developments firmly point to a major link between America and the Muslim Brotherhood within the domestic affairs of Egypt and Syria whereby democracy, religious pluralism and liberty are far from the agenda.

In the meantime Islamist terrorists continue to kill and create havoc in Syria and even murdering people in mosques is being sanctioned by their powerful backers. The latest farce is another meeting being held in the Gulf whereby feudal monarchs are somehow concerned about the rights of people in Syria despite crushing all freedom at home. This is the sad reality of Syria whereby the last major Arabic speaking nation – which is secular and independent – is facing a daily terrorist onslaught by a powerful axis of evil which involves many nations and terrorist organizations.

http://www.investigativeproject.org/3877/opposition-leader-obama-administration-downplayed

http://globalmbreport.org/?p=8046

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/hamas-in-policy-shift-as-it-turns-against-assad-7440487.html

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Helmet Joachim Schmidt and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The blind hatred of Mohammed Merah had no boundaries therefore killing Jewish children in the name of Allah was appropriate for his militant Islamist ideas. This hatred is clearly visible in Syria whereby many beheadings, hangings, training children to kill – and other bestial realities – are all part and parcel of the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA) and various Islamist factions which support the sectarian hatred of al-Qaeda and others. Therefore, it appears strange that President Hollande of France is claiming to be fighting against terrorism because the reality in Syria doesn’t vindicate his comments.

On the contrary, major European nations like France, Germany, Holland, the United Kingdom, and many others, openly admit that nationals from these nations have gone to Syria in order to support sectarianism, terrorism and sedition. If European nations are really serious about the fight against terrorism and sectarian hatred then clearly many new policies are needed. This applies to minimum prison terms of ten to twenty years for any individual who is involved in fighting in a foreign nation. The petrodollars of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations must also be stopped from supporting Islamist indoctrination and from sponsoring educational facilities and charities within the European Union. Likewise, majority Muslim nations like Indonesia should be worried about the role of Gulf nations and other countries which seek to crush Muslim diversity.

Many people are aghast to why nations like Saudi Arabia can openly have a draconian legal system based on Islamic Sharia law which supports killing apostates, preventing women from having equality and other barbaric realities. Other nations have modified Islamic Sharia law in order to meet the demands of modern society and based on the changing make-up of their respective societies. Also, why is it that no non-Muslim places of worship are allowed in Saudi Arabia but this nation can fund Islamic projects throughout the European Union? The same applies to other Gulf nations which outwardly pretend to be modernizing. However, inwardly they are involved in many activities which support hatred towards non-Muslims and minority Muslim groups like the Shia.

Hollande said that France is committed to fighting against international terrorism. He stated on the anniversary of the brutal killings by Mohammed Merah that the fight against terrorism “allows for no easing off, no weakness and no negligence…Democracy is always more powerful than fanaticism.”

However, just like his predecessor supported the destabilization of Libya, it is clear that Hollande also supports the destabilization of Syria. In modern day Libya all Christian missionaries reside in fear, Sufi shrines have been destroyed, Islamist terrorist cells are responsible for many internal and external realities, Christians face discrimination – and clearly you have many ties with what happened in Libya to the current crisis in Mali. Therefore, if this isn’t “negligence” then what is it?

The Russian Federation unlike France and the United Kingdom is consistent in its anti-terrorist policies. This nation supports the international community in the crisis in Mali but in Syria it is abundantly clear that Moscow is against all nations which are enabling terrorist forces to grow and prosper in Syria. Therefore, why is France in league with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and other Gulf nations, in the crisis in Syria if like Hollande states that “Democracy is always more powerful than fanaticism.”

After all, Gulf nations are not democratic and several are openly supporting Islamist terrorist groups alongside sponsoring sectarianism. Like usual, many Islamic charities are involved in both dual policies whereby they support the terrorist call for jihad while hiding behind charity; at the same time they espouse sectarianism and indoctrination. This reality is making Hollande and the political elites in the United Kingdom to either appear “naïve” – or France and the United Kingdom are involved in double-dealing – or these sound bites are only for domestic consumption in order to cover-up their real policies of propping-up the agendas of Gulf states against the Shia.

Prior to the meddling of outside nations against Syria then can any media agency in the world provide pictures of people being beheaded openly in Syria under Bashar al-Assad prior to the crisis? Can international political leaders, the mass media and powerful think tanks provide evidence of religious cleansing during the leadership of Bashar al-Assad prior to outside meddling? Of course they can’t but this doesn’t stop the demonization of the leader of Syria. The fact is that beheadings, hangings, religious cleansing, the burning of Shia mosques – and other brutal realities – have only occurred because of the dark forces which are being supported by several Gulf nations, Turkey and the usual players in France and the United Kingdom. America’s role is complex because you have many covert ties to dark forces but clearly you have many divisions and the most militant Islamist group is blacklisted for being a terrorist group.

The picture painted about the Syrian government doesn’t bare the reality on the ground prior to foreign nations supporting terrorism, sedition and sectarianism. After all, why did over one million refugees from Iraq and other parts of the Middle East flee to Syria before outside nations sponsored the destabilization of this country? Why didn’t Christian minorities in Iraq flee to Saudi Arabia? However, despite this the mass propaganda which is encouraging terrorists to go to Syria continues unabated because the mythical lies have been manipulated in order to crush Syria from within.

Mohammed Merah had no qualms in killing Jewish children and his fellow Islamists in Syria have no qualms in butchering and persecuting religious minorities and anyone deemed to be pro-Syrian government. Sunni Muslim clerics have also been killed by several FSA Islamist factions in Syria. Clearly the main Sunni Muslim clerics in Syria have much to fear from a FSA Islamist victory because all major Sunni Muslim clerics in this country have spoken out against the enemies of Syria – this applies to internal and external enemies.

The government of Bashar al-Assad prior to nations supporting terrorism, sectarianism and sedition against Syria was open to refugees fleeing serious areas of conflict in the Middle East. These refugees were Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims, Christians, and others; at no point did Syria care about religious affiliation. Likewise Bashar al-Assad married a Sunni Muslim who went to a Christian school when she was younger. This reality however is twisted in order to spread the myth that the Syrian government is sectarian because it clearly isn’t. However, religious minorities are fleeing the sectarian reality of various FSA Islamist factions because of barbaric beheadings and other murders.

If Hollande is sincere about “Democracy is always more powerful than fanaticism” then he needs to wake-up to the reality of what happened in Mali and the same applies to the current crisis in Syria. France 24 in relationship to the crisis in Mali reported that “The first accusations of Qatari involvement with Tuareg separatists and Islamist groups came in a June 2012 article in respected French weekly the Canard Enchainé.”

“In a piece titled ‘Our friend Qatar is financing Mali’s Islamists,’ the newspaper alleged that the oil-rich Gulf state was financing the separatists.”

“It quoted an unnamed source in French military intelligence saying: “The MNLA [secular Tuareg separatists], al Qaeda-linked Ansar Dine and MUJAO [movement for unity and Jihad in West Africa] have all received cash from Doha.”

The article further comments that “A month later Sadou Diallo, the mayor of the north Malian city of Gao [which had fallen to the Islamists] told RTL radio: “The French government knows perfectly well who is supporting these terrorists. Qatar, for example, continues to send so-called aid and food every day to the airports of Gao and Timbuktu.”

In another article by Modern Tokyo Times it was stated that “Indeed, France should also look deeply “in the mirror” because it is clear that Qatar and Turkey which are in the anti-Syrian alliance do not want anything to do with France in Mali. Rumors also abound about the underhanded and murky policies of Qatar with regards to Islamist factions and indoctrination in northern Mali. Therefore, the armed forces of Chad, France, Nigeria, Syria, and other nations, are all fighting against various different Islamist factions which seek to impose a brutal reign of terror based on Salafist militancy. This reality should make France turn away from its path against Syria because just like the latest brutal terrorist attack in Damascus, it is clear that Islamist terrorism and sectarian indoctrination is the enemy of the people of Mali and Syria respectively.”

The Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT) comments about the crisis in Nigeria which similarly holds for what is happening in Syria and much closer to home in the streets of major cities in Europe. This applies to nations in the Gulf which are supporting sectarianism and hatred towards moderate branches of Islam and against non-Muslims. After all, in Nigeria, just like in Syria, many Sunni Muslim clerics have either been killed or targeted for abuse and persecution.

IPT reports about Nigeria that “Although Sufi Islam has long been the dominant tradition in Nigeria’s Muslim areas, local moderates struggle to keep up with the funding and support provided by Saudi petrodollars. In a relatively short time, extremism in Nigeria has moved from support of outside terror groups to fundamentalist demands inside of Nigeria, including the ultra-conservative application of Sharia law. This has even led to persecution of the dominant Sufi majority by more radical Islamists, who are pushing for the control of mosques and Islamic organizations.”

Therefore, what is the point in Hollande remembering the brutality of Mohammed Merah when many “Mohammed Merah’s” are entering Syria to kill in the name of jihad based on their blind hatred? Likewise, if France and the United Kingdom, and other nations, are sincere about democracy, religious freedom and female emancipation; then why are they supporting sectarianism and dark forces which seek to impose many restrictions on women in Syria? Also, given the reality of petrodollars from the Gulf supporting many ratlines all over the world – alongside imposing draconian policies on non-Muslims and women – then why are democratic nations ignoring the brutal reality of nations like Saudi Arabia?

http://www.investigativeproject.org/3459/boko-haram-symptom-or-problem

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21822688

http://www.france24.com/en/20130121-qatar-mali-france-ansar-dine-mnla-al-qaeda-sunni-islam-doha

http://www.france24.com/en/20130223-northern-mali-clashes-chad-soldiers-islamist-rebels-killed

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

by John Rossomando

IPT News

Joachim De Villiers and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times 

John Kerry, the new US Secretary of State, is certainly highlighting the façade of America’s strange foreign policy objectives in the Middle East and North Africa. Also, his meeting with Islamists in Egypt, while major moderate opposition figures said “no,” shows you just how far America is going in order to appease feudal monarchs in the Gulf. After all, it isn’t the Muslim Brotherhood which is saying no to meeting Kerry. Instead, it is powerful moderate leaders in Egypt which are disillusioned by America’s pampering of “dark forces” within their nation.

The one binding force between Prime Minister Recep Erdogan in Turkey and President Mursi (Morsi) in Egypt – is that both individuals are prone to making sweeping and derogatory statements. Apart from Erdogan and Mursi being anti-Syrian government, which pleases the American administration; it is clear that moderate forces in both nations fear Erdogan and Mursi respectively. However, prior to Kerry’s trip to Turkey and Egypt it appeared that America had hoped to strengthen the anti-Syrian alliance and to shore up the political and economic system in Egypt. Yet Kerry’s visit is just showing the world how out of touch the Obama administration is when it comes to the Middle East and North Africa.

In the New York Times the writer Roger Cohen stated that “Perhaps the most radical change in U.S. foreign policy under President Obama has occurred here in Egypt, where the Muslim Brotherhood, long shunned as a collection of dangerous Islamist extremists, is now the de facto object of American support….. Not only that: Ultraconservative Salafist politicians, who make the Brotherhood seem like moderate pragmatists, are now regular visitors to the U.S. Embassy and, on the theory that it is better to have them inside the tent than out, they are able to visit the United States to learn how things work in the land of Jeffersonian democracy.”

The above comment appears vindicated because while Islamist Mursi will sit down with Kerry, the main leaders of the National Salvation Front (NSF) have said no based on America’s meddling in the internal affairs of Egypt. This applies to America providing a helping hand to the beleaguered Mursi despite major demonstrations frequently breaking out in this nation. Therefore, with Kerry meeting the nationalist and Islamist Erdogan in Turkey and the Islamist Mursi in Egypt, alongside America maintaining great relations with feudal monarchs in the Gulf; then where does this leave America within the Middle East when it comes to progressive forces?

If we further bring in the northern Cyprus issue and the Palestinian question, then it is more than apparent that vast numbers remain skeptical when words like “democracy,” “freedom” and “liberty” are used by political leaders in Washington. Not surprisingly, this blind policy is leading America towards supporting Gulf nations, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, with their pro-terrorist support of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and other factions in Syria. On top of this, Iraq is increasingly becoming angry by the behavior of Turkey towards the central government based in Baghdad.

El Baradei and Hamdeen Sabahi, both very influential leaders within the NSF in Egypt, made it clear that they were not interested in meeting Kerry in person. Sabahi stated that “I received an invitation and turned it down, and Dr ElBaradei received an invitation and he turned it down… We want to send a message that we reject American pressure.”  This applies to America trying to pressurize the opposition to partake in parliamentary elections in order to help the Islamist Mursi to contain the ongoing political crisis.

France 24 states that “The NSF had demanded guarantees that the election will be transparent as a condition to participate.”

“It has complained of what it sees as US support for Morsi, whom some NSF members backed in last June’s election against ousted leader Hosni Mubarak’s last Prime Minister, Ahmed Shafiq.”

“But they now accuse Morsi of having betrayed the values of the uprising which overthrew Mubarak in early 2011 and having sidelined liberals and Christians since he took power.”

Prior to Kerry being snubbed in Egypt by opposition leaders his visit to Turkey was overshadowed by Erdogan’s outburst which was aimed at Israel. It was bad enough that Kerry had to “paper over the terrorist rat lines” linking America’s estrange and erratic policy towards Syria. However, now he was forced onto the front foot in order to appease America’s pro-Israel lobby and then on the “cringe foot” by stating that Israel and Turkey were essential partners. However, it is clear that you have “no love” between the current leaders of Israel and Turkey despite political leaders in Tel Aviv trying to put on a brave face prior to the latest Erdogan outburst.

Kerry stated about Israel and Turkey that “We want to see them work together in order to be able to go beyond. I believe that’s possible. It is essential that Turkey and Israel find a way to take a step in order to rekindle their historic cooperation.”

The Obama administration in general fully understands that Iraq is also deeply unhappy with Turkey. This applies to the role of Turkey in destabilizing Syria alongside the feudal monarchs of Qatar and Saudi Arabia which are working in tandem with Ankara. Iraq is also deeply troubled by Turkey’s meddling within the body politic of this nation. Therefore, America’s unifying policies in the Middle East are in tatters and are disintegrating. Similarly, it is moderate forces in Egypt which are alarmed by the Obama administration and not the Muslim Brotherhood; what does this tell us?

Also, the bloodshed in Bahrain and Egypt which is internal – unlike in Syria whereby Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and others, are supporting terrorism, sectarianism and sedition against this nation; it is apparent that the state apparatus in Bahrain and Egypt have a free hand. This is all leading to a confused policy which lies outside the scope of Kerry because these issues are ingrained within the areas of national security. Given this reality, then Israel, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are protected at all costs irrespective of the rights and wrongs of issues related to northern Cyprus, the Palestinian question, religious freedom in Saudi Arabia and an array of other factors. Of course, Egypt is also an essential nation therefore the Obama government is bending over backwards to help the Islamist leadership of Mursi despite his behavior being extremely troubling.

Overall, it is clear that America is supporting “a broad church” based on so-called self interests but not only is “America out of step,” but the nations they support are also “out of step” with each other. The only conclusion to come from Kerry’s trip is that you have no unity and that now it is Islamists which welcome Washington in Egypt. After all, important moderate leaders within the NSF refused to meet Kerry in person – because they seek “a real broad church” within the government of Egypt – and not the chains of a “theocracy.” Similarly, it is abundantly clear that Turkey under Erdogan is the most destabilizing factor within the region because only Erdogan could create tensions with Armenia, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Syria.

http://www.france24.com/en/20130302-egyptian-opposition-refuses-meet-with-kerry

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com