Terrorism and the Deaths of Japanese Nationals: Algeria Crisis to Listening to Russia
Jibril Khoury, Takeshi Hasegawa and Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Times
The hostage crisis in Algeria in 2013 led to the deaths of ten Japanese nationals along with many other individuals from different nations. Sadly, it was abundantly clear from the start that the Libya connection would enter the equation. After all, the terrorist infiltration was extremely close to the border of Libya. Also, since the demise of Gaddafi the region is awash with military arms, countless terrorist groups and now mass immigration is flowing easily to Europe from this part of North Africa. Within modern Libya, you now have various different Islamist terrorist organizations and the same applies to many militias that control parts of this nation. Therefore, in 2016, you have a non-functioning state in Libya which is also fertile ground for ISIS (Islamic State – IS) and other terrorist affiliates of al-Qaeda.
Outside Meddling
In 2015 Japan needs to question the so-called allies of this country when it comes to counter-terrorism and geopolitics but not in the realm of economics. After all, Gulf nations and major NATO powers keep on creating more instability throughout the Middle East and North Africa that in turn adds on from past chaos in Afghanistan. This chaos can be seen from Afghanistan and stretching all the way to Mali in West Africa. Pakistan along with Gulf powers, America, and the United Kingdom, all meddled in Afghanistan over 40 years ago. Since then, trillions of dollars have been spent on trying to stabilize and centralize this nation despite supporting Takfiri sectarians and Islamist indoctrination in the 1980s and early 1990s. The policy enacted in Afghanistan was not only a complete abject failure but it also enabled the destabilization of Pakistan to take place (self-induced from the point of Pakistan), the ratlines of September 11 to emerge and for a powerful international jihadist movement to prosper.
Japan in the modern period is now getting drawn into the objectives of Washington. This can be seen by enacting a negative foreign policy towards the government of Syria despite this crisis being distant for Japan. Equally important, it is clear that Japanese nationals that have been brutally murdered in the region have all met this fate based on the destabilization policies of so-called allies of Japan.
It shouldn’t take a terrorist attack involving the deaths of Japanese nationals to wake up the government of Japan. Yes, sadly, it appears that nations often only take note when blowback kills innocent civilians. The United States found this out in such barbaric ways when thousands of innocent civilians were killed on September 11. After all, the terrorist forces of Al Qaeda were connected with the CIA, ISI in Pakistan and the British secret services that first manipulated the Islamist cause in Afghanistan and then replicated this in Bosnia (September 11, Madrid and other terrorist attacks linked to Afghanistan and Bosnia).
Therefore, when Japan announced that the tenth national from this nation was confirmed dead because of the brutal Islamist terrorist hostage crisis in Algeria – then this simply isn’t good enough. The ratlines linking the policies of America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Kingdom – and other nations throughout the Gulf – must be scrutinized for what they created in Libya and are continuing to create in Syria. This reality must also focus on how Mali and Pakistan have been swallowed up by the failed policies of other nations (Pakistan is self-induced unlike Mali). Equally alarming, it is abundantly obvious that the nations that supported meddling in Afghanistan and Iraq, and then against Libya, not only have created failed states that have become breeding grounds for Islamist jihadist groups – but they then start to destabilize new nations, for example, Syria and Yemen are the latest victims. All this is being done while the daily carnage continues in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. It is not only utter madness but it is a policy of “no shame” that is blighting America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and other nations throughout the Gulf.
Russian Federation
The Russian Federation is trying to “contain the fires” being set by the above-named nations because clearly political elites in Moscow fully understand the geopolitical realities and long-term implications of failed NATO and Gulf policies. This applies to mass instability, growing terrorist networks, sectarianism, the enslavement of women, more poverty, failed health care facilities, failed states and other powerful negative forces. Therefore, it is time for political elites in Japan in 2015 to take note of the Russian Federation to a much higher level instead of following Washington and others, that are creating “new dangerous paths.”
President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation stated “Upheaval in Libya, accompanied by the uncontrolled proliferation of arms, contributed to the deterioration of the situation in Mali. Terrorist attacks in Algeria that took away the lives of innocent people – including those from foreign countries – became the consequences of such tragic developments.”
President Vladimir Putin continued by stating that the Russian Federation “feels responsible for maintaining global security and is set to cooperate with its partners in order to address global concerns.”
It is time for the political establishment in Tokyo to look deeply into the events that are happening from Afghanistan to the frontline of Western Africa in Mali. This applies to many areas of instability and how outside nations keep on either rushing in much too early – or they are involved in covert operations based on destabilization. The so-called “Arab Spring” is mainly ushering in the “Islamist winter” and the creation of failed states based on outside meddling is creating mass breeding grounds of Takfiri hate. One only needs to look at the various contradictory policies that are being implemented by outside nations with regards to Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and other nations, that increase serious internal problems. This applies to destructive policies that are being enacted based on self-interests.
The Russian Federation knows about the convulsions of entire areas because the Soviet Union collapsed and alongside this nations became independent in Eastern Europe. Once Vladimir Putin took the helm then gradually the Russian Federation grew in power because centralization and various internal and external policies were enacted. Also, the Russian Federation is uniquely positioned because while the Orthodox Christian faith predominates you also have a sizeable Muslim minority throughout this nation. Indeed, in certain parts of the Russian Federation the Muslim faith is the majority religion. Alongside this is the geographic reality of this nation belonging to the Eurasian home that binds Europe and Asia together. Therefore, political leaders in this nation want to dampen the divisions that currently exist in many parts of the geographic space that overlap with the Russian Federation – alongside traditional power projections in parts of the Middle East, the Balkans, Central Asia, Northeast Asia and Europe.
Japan and Hostage Crisis
The death of ten Japanese nationals in Algeria (2013) by Islamist terrorists is a clear reminder that the government in Tokyo needs to play a more constructive role in international politics. Japan supports the United Nations and other major institutions that are involved in education, alleviating poverty and supporting developing nations. However, it often appears that Japan is tied too closely to America even when this is detrimental internally and externally in the realm of geopolitics. Of course, relations between Japan and America will remain to be the backbone of Japan’s foreign policy and not everything is negative. For example, American forces helped Japan greatly after the brutal 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered a brutal tsunami that killed vast numbers. Also, the region of Northeast Asia is very volatile and given the reality of Article 9 within the Constitution of Japan, then clearly America plays an important role in defending Japan and containing possible dangerous regional situations. Despite this, when it comes to other areas related to the geopolitical ambitions of America, then Japan should judge each situation on its own merit rather than supporting America prior to weighing up all options.
Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State, said “There is no doubt that the Algerian terrorists had weapons from Libya. There is no doubt that the Malian remnants of AQIM have weapons from Libya.” This omission by Hillary Clinton is yet another firm reminder of the blowback that created the current crisis in Afghanistan, Pakistan and turning the clock back further, that enabled September 11 to take place. America is once more confirming that the destabilization of Libya and the tragic events of 2013 in Algeria are all related.
Overall, the government of Japan should ask itself about who were the players in the destabilization of a vast region stretching from Afghanistan to Mali? Was it the Russian Federation – or, in all honesty, was it America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and other nations in the Gulf? Equally important, are Japanese nationals dying because of allies that are meddling into the internal affairs of others – or are Japanese nationals dying and being threatened because of the policies of the Russian Federation?
If Japan comes clean and seeks to protect Japanese nationals, then it is high time to foster closer relations with the Russian Federation and to be fearful of the destabilization policies of so-called friends.
http://rt.com/news/putin-libya-mali-algeria-704/
Kremlin.ru – Photo Image
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