Defying Warning, Iranians’ Anti-hijab Protest Continues For 10th Night: 57 Deaths

Demonstrators burn a scarf at a protest against the Iranian government on Sunday. (David Bates/CBC)

Iranians took to the streets for a 10th consecutive night Sunday, in defiance of a warning from the judiciary, to protest the death of young Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in morality police custody.

Images circulated by IHR showed protesters on the streets of Tehran, shouting “death to the dictator,” purportedly after nightfall on Sunday.

Al-Qaeda Still Potent

A terror group which globalised the concept of Jihad and have existed for more than three decades is not dependent on just one leader for its survival

With the recent killing of Al-Qaeda (AQ) chief Ayman al-Zawahri in Afghan capital Kabul a lot of speculation is happening on the future of this terror outfit.

The UN Launches a High-level Panel on Security in the Sahel

“If nothing is done, the effects of terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime will be felt far beyond the region and the African continent,” Guterres said.

On Saturday, the Independent High-Level Panel on Security and Development in the Sahel was launched during a high-level event on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.

Burkina Faso: Allegedly Jihadist Raid Leaves 50 Casualties

On Monday, Burkina Faso authorities reported at least 50 death resulting from an allegedly jihadist attack.

Lionel Bilgo, Burkina Faso Government spokesperson, announced on Monday that 50 people died from the attack reportedly carried out by jihadists in a village in the north of the country.

Iranian Majles Member And Fmr. Health Minister Masoud Pezeshkian Blames Regime For Mahsa Amini’s Death: Our Behavior Is Making Iranians Hate Islam, We Must Reexamine Our Methods; You Cannot Implement Faith With Force

Iranian Majles member Masoud Pezeshkian, who has previously served as Iran’s Minister of Health, said in a September 19, 2022 show on IRINN TV (Iran) that he is sorry over the recent death of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman who recently died after being beaten and arrested by Iran’s morality police for wearing her hijab “improperly.” He said that Iran’s laws are meant to make people more chaste and modest, but instead the Iranian regime should adopt different methods if its behavior is making Iranians hate Islam. He blamed himself, the Iranian government, the mosques, the religious scholars, and Iran’s broadcasting authority for the current situation in Iran, and he argued that it is impossible to make people religious by force. Amini’s death has sparked widespread protests in Iran (see MEMRI TV Clips No. 9833 and No. 9837).

If Iranians Want Change, They Will Have To Do It On Their Own – The West Will Not Help

“We will fight, we will die, we will take Iran back” and “Mullahs must get lost,” Iranian demonstrators keep chanting.[1] On September 23, in response to the regime’s cutting off mobile Internet, the State Department tried to take some measures to help the protestors, issuing a “General License” that would allow a general category of services and hardware not to be under sanctions.[2] After the announcement, Elon Musk immediately tweeted: “Activating Starlink.”[3]

Op-Ed: Should the U.S. declare Russia a sponsor of terrorism? We need more than a ‘no’ from Biden

“No.” That was President Biden’s response earlier this month when a reporter asked whether the Russian Federation should be added to the Department of State’s “sponsors of terrorism” list. Biden’s terse reply was disappointing, particularly when there is bipartisan support in Congress for adding Russia to the rolls of repressive regimes that have previously been declared terrorist states.

Hezbollah Threats Hinder Israel-Lebanon Sea Border Deal

The leader of Lebanese Hezbollah is threatening to attack an Israeli gas project off the Lebanon-Israel coast if it becomes operational before their sea border is agreed upon.

Hezbollah’s threats demonstrate the ability of the Iran-backed party to influence Lebanon’s national security decisions.

Regarding Tunisia

One of the most interesting intersections in US Foreign Policy currently is the conflicts that are presented when US National Security Interests are in conflict with Human Rights Concerns.

Currently most focus has been on the relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia. There is an effort currently by the Biden Adminstration to have the Kingdom increase its Energy output while criticism over the murder of Mr. Khashoggi and the role of the Kingdom in the Yemeni conflict appear to be clarion calls for Human Rights Activists.

Missiles in the Aegean

Cyprus is in a unique position right now. With one action it could accomplish several tasks in one fell swoop that could distance itself from Russia, potentially end the arms embargo imposed by the United States while upgrading their defensive capabilityes and assist Ukraine at the same time.