Does Barack Obama know the name of Asia Bibi? Do Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, or Ron Paul? They ought to. Her case is emblematic of all that is wrong with Pakistan, which, despite its double game with jihadists and abuse of religious minorities, continues to be a major beneficiary of U.S. aid. Behavior […]
Christian Association of Nigeria: “We have decided to work out means to defend ourselves against these senseless killings”
Boko Haram is trying to spark a civil war. The central and local governments’ inability or unwillingness to engage the group and protect Christians has left a vacuum of security. If they are attempting to defuse the situation or keep the remaining peace by not responding to Boko Haram, those governments are instead allowing a […]
Kenya says it thwarted al-Shabaab/al-Qaeda attacks on Christmas and New Year’s
The worst thing Somalia’s al-Shabaab can threaten Kenya with is to turn Kenya into Somalia. Jihad causes poverty. “Kenya forces say they thwarted holiday terror plot,” by Tom Odula for the Associated Press, January 7: NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) “” Kenyan authorities said Saturday that they had thwarted attempted attacks by an al-Qaida-linked Somali militant group […]
Egypt: Islamic parties claim 62% in latest round of voting
Civil rights and liberties? Women’s rights? Freedom of conscience and speech? The rights of non-Muslims and ex-Muslims? Transparency, accountability, and limitations on power in government? The eradication of female genital mutilation? Where all of these and other issues are concerned, a democracy is only as good as the values that inform its participants. “Egypt Islamists […]
Libya welcomes Sudan’s Bashir, wanted by International Criminal Court for genocide
Many reports from the time of the fall of Gadhafi’s regime described terrible brutality by Libya’s revolutionaries against black Africans, as Bashir has heaped abuse on Darfur and the now-independent South Sudan. The great irony is that Bashir, who considers himself an Arab, would be described as a black man in any town in the […]
Nigeria: Jihad against beauty parlors, as gunmen shout “Allahu Akbar”
The intrepid, manly mujahedin, keeping the world safe from beauty parlors as well as so many churches. On the other hand, the jihadists don’t seem to do as well when they have to fight like men. “13 killed in attacks in northeast Nigeria,” by Jon Gambrell for the Associated Press, January 7: MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) […]
Pakistan’s Musharraf suggests establishing ties with Israel, says Israel is “not going to go away”
Among the conspiracy-minded in Pakistan, this will officially make him “one of them.” After all, “O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah […]
Iran begins Internet crackdown, prepares to launch “halal” Internet
All the better to monitor its citizens against thoughtcrime: “the residents of Iran must give their name along with their father’s name, telephone number, address and national ID to log in to access internet.” The “Government Knows Best” mentality meets “Allah knows best.” “Iran Begins Internet Crackdown, Preps Countrywide ‘Halal’ Intranet,” by Ravi Mandalia for […]
Taliban wants U.S. to release prisoners to Qatar; Karzai wants them in Afghanistan
The Taliban wants them sent to Qatar so they are not detained in Afghanistan. Of course, they’ll all just take up shuffleboard wherever they’re released. No security issues there. The U.S. has “agreed in principle” to release high-ranking Taliban prisoners from Guantánamo Bay in what has appeared so far to be an exchange of concrete […]
Sudan: Islamic leader and Bashir rival threatens “Arab Spring” revolution
Like the other Arab Spring revolutions, the choices available to the populace would sound like the “Spam” diner sketch from Monty Python: Sharia, Sharia, elections and Sharia; new constitution, Sharia, and Sharia, and so on. “Sudan will soon see revolution: Islamist leader Turabi,” from Reuters, January 6: KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Opposition leader Hassan al-Turabi said […]