A Crazy Ending to August

Generally speaking the month of August is seen as being tranquil. This is the month when most Europeans go on vacation, The US Congress is in recess as well. Therefore we get the impression that people are taking their final break over a summer.

How Terrorist Leaders, Backed by Iran, Exploit Palestinians

“Iran stands by the Palestinian people and their resistance.” — Ali Akbar Velayati, senior Iranian official, to leaders of the Palestinian terror groups, almayadeen.net. August 22, 2023.

“The victories that have been achieved are the result of the support of friendly peoples, especially Iran.” — Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, thanking senior Iranian official Velayati for Iran’s support for the terror attacks against Israel, almayadeen.net, August 22, 2023.

Thierry Breton : Un néo-fascisme néolibéral, pourquoi pas ?

Avec la fin du gaullisme politique porté en terre par les successeurs du Général, avec la disparition d’un PCF outil puissant de la classe ouvrière, avec la trahison du Parti socialiste fourrier du néolibéralisme, la France a emprunté le toboggan du déclin la conduisant à la sortie de l’Histoire. Pour faire bon poids le même Parti socialiste a offert à nos oligarques un président de la République conforme à leurs vœux, incapable politique, corrompu et soucieux de leurs intérêts.

Combien gagnent les mercenaires étrangers en Ukraine?

Ces derniers temps, Kiev a intensifié le travail d’enrôlement de mercenaires étrangers sur fond d’échec de sa contre-offensive, selon la Défense russe. Combien les mercenaires touchent-ils par mois ? Est-ce un montant cohérent à leurs attentes ? Deux experts militaires US ont fourni des détails à Sputnik.

Clashes in Northeast Syria between army, pro-Turkey fighters kill more than 20

Clashes in Kurdish-held northeast Syria between the army and Turkey-backed armed factions killed 23 people on Sunday after pro-Ankara rebels attempted to infiltrate the area, a war monitor said.

The violence comes amid days of separate clashes in Kurdish-held parts of neighbouring Deir Ezzor province after US-backed, Kurdish-led fighters detained the head of a local military body there.

Caliphs of the Shadows: The Islamic State’s Leaders Post-Mawla

Abstract: This article explores what is known regarding the Islamic State’s leaders since the killing of the group’s second caliph Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi (conventionally dubbed “al-Mawla” for shorthand) in February 2022. In contrast with the group’s first caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the organization has publicized little information on his successors, who have released no audio messages of their own. Despite the fact that the group’s caliphs are now very much ‘men of the shadows,’ there is little evidence pointing to the prospect of the group’s fragmentation in Iraq, Syria, or elsewhere around the world, with the group’s affiliates seemingly willing to accept successor caliphs about whom little or nothing is publicly known.

Calibrated Counterterrorism: Actively Suppressing International Terrorism

Abstract: Terrorism may no longer be at the top of most Americans’ minds, but the U.S. counterterrorism (CT) community remains dedicated to protecting the United States, our people, and our allies from terrorist violence. To succeed in this still-critical mission, our CT practitioners will need to retain the agility, expertise, and tools to detect, warn of, and disrupt global terrorist threats as terrorist tactics and tradecraft evolve. Our CT architecture will need to remain nimble enough to quickly identify new threats and overcome enduring challenges that might allow space for terrorists to advance attacks.

La troisième guerre mondiale approche

La guerre en Ukraine connaît-elle ses dernières convulsions avant que l’armée ukrainienne ne soit anéantie par la puissance de feu russe ? Le parti d’opposition à la guerre en Ukraine aux États-Unis, désormais incarné par Tucker Carlson et son nouveau copain Victor Orban de Hongrie, les Trumpistes et certains médias alternatifs, Scott Ritter etc. tous chantent la fin de la guerre en Ukraine est là, les Ukrainiens portent un toast, les Russes ne peuvent pas être vaincus. Les Ukrainiens n’ont même pas traversé la «zone de déformation», ils n’ont même pas atteint la première ligne de défense russe, etc.

How One of the Deadliest Years for Migrants Will Impact European Politics

  • This year has marked both a sharp increase in migrants attempting to reach Europe, as well as one of the deadliest on record, with thousands dying in the Mediterranean from overcrowded boats capsizing or sinking.
  • War and conflict, food insecurity, political and economic instability, and poverty – all of which are exacerbated by climate change – are among the primary drivers leading migrants to attempt the perilous journey to Europe.
  • Tighter border restrictions and diminished regular pathways have increased the demand – and profits – for smugglers and human traffickers, generating millions of euros a year for organized criminal networks, according to the European Coast Guard and Border Agency.
  • The increase in migrant arrivals via the Mediterranean route has recentered and amplified a fixture of European politics, providing considerable leverage for renewed autocracies like Tunisia and bolstering far-right narratives and policies.

After the Death of Prigozhin, What is the Future of the Wagner Group?

  • Just yesterday, Russian authorities officially confirmed the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the infamous leader of the Wagner Group, who was killed in a plane crash over Russia last week, along with several other high-ranking leaders of the mercenary group.
  • Prigozhin was killed two months to the day of the coup, and amidst a flurry of other activity related to Russia’s military posture and force structure.
  • The next Wagner leader will likely be far less visible, less abrasive, and more under the radar compared with Prigozhin, whose torrent of abuse aimed at high-ranking Russian military officials was taking its toll within the Kremlin.
  • The future of Wagner seems to be in Africa, where its expeditionary operations and focus on providing muscle in exchange for access to resources is a much better fit for its expertise.