Warnings Of Civil War In Russia's Dagestan Region

'Civil War' Among Muslims Shakes Russia's South -- Voice of America

MOSCOW — Three recent attacks that left 30 people dead and 15 wounded have cast a spotlight on the growing religious warfare in Dagestan, Russia's southernmost republic.

First, a border guard serving near Azerbaijan killed seven colleagues before he was shot dead himself. Superior officers said they had tried twice but failed to have him discharged because he was constantly reading about Wahhabism, a conservative form of Islamic fundamentalism.

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Update: Islamic cleric warns of civil war in Russia's Dagestan -- Reuters

My Comment: This is Muslims killing Muslims .... reflecting a growing split among radical and moderate Islamists

How The Kims Have Ruled North Korea For Three Generations

Systematic Tyranny: How The Kim Dynasty Holds The North Korean People In Bondage -- Doug Bandow, Forbes

North Korea has made its third generational power transfer. Although Kim Jong-un, or the Cute Leader—officially known as the “Great Successor”—may not really be in charge, the system remains as tyrannical as ever.

The regime rests on several agencies of repression, explains Ken E. Gause, a director at the research group CNA, in a recent study of how the Kim family and allied elites have been able to exploit the North Korean people for more than six decades. His report, “Coercion, Control, Surveillance, and Punishment: An Examination of the North Korean Police State,” is published by the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea.

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My Comment: A sober and depressing look at how North Korea is ruled.

How One U.S. Navy Captain Used A Creative Way To Provide For His Family If He Died

Stamp Auction

Neil Armstrong Couldn't Afford Life Insurance, So He Used A Creative Way To Provide For His Family If He Died -- Business Insider

After all the danger, glory, and fame it's easy to forget that at the end of the day astronauts are federal employees subject to the same General Schedule (GS) pay scale as everyone from typists to CIA agents.

Unfortunately, a federal salary wasn't enough for Apollo 11 astronauts to purchase life insurance.

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My Comment: A small confession .... as a stamp collector, I would pay $5,000 for such a signed postcard.

Misplaced Outrage On The Latest Account Of The Bin Laden Raid

Former SEAL Writes A Book; Cue Indignation -- Owen West And Bing West, Wall Street Journal

'No Easy Day,' about the bin Laden raid, joins a multimedia tradition.

Tuesday brought the news that "No Easy Day," a firsthand account of the 2011 raid on the Osama bin Laden compound written by a former Navy SEAL and due to be published on Sept. 11, had been discovered already on sale in a bookshop. Its contents are being widely discussed, the publisher has moved up publication to Sept. 4—and the brouhaha over the appropriateness of Matt Bissonnette's writing the book is only going to increase.

Please, spare us the outrage, or at least most of it. The U.S. Special Operations Command has expressed indignation about "No Easy Day," which will be published under the nom de plume Mark Owen, even though Mr. Bissonnette's bid for anonymity has been foiled. If the author violated his classified nondisclosure agreement, he must accept the consequences. Submitting the book for pre-approval would have avoided investigation by the Pentagon, which is currently checking the manuscript.

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My Comment: The Wests are spot on.

More Unrest And Strikes Predicted In South Africa's Vital Mining Industry

South Africa Mine Massacre: Miners Charged with Murdering Themselves -- Time

South Africa state prosecutors investigating the police massacre of 34 striking miners use an apartheid-era law to charge 270 arrested miners with murdering their own colleagues

The decision late Thursday by South Africa‘s state prosecutors to use a notorious apartheid-era law to charge 270 striking miners with the murder of 34 of their colleagues — men who were actually shot dead by the police, as recorded by numerous television crews — marks a bizarre new low in a bloody scandal that threatens to strip the country’s post-apartheid state of what remains of its moral authority.

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Update #1: South African miners charged with murder of colleagues killed by police -- The Guardian
Update #2: S.Africa prosecutors charge miners with murder -- Reuters
Update #3: Miners charged in deaths of 34 killed by police -- AP

My Comment: This will all but guarantee more unrest and strikes in South Africa's mining industry.

China Expresses Worries That Europe's Debt Crisis Is Worsening

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 30, 2012. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Chinese Premier Urges Greece, Spain And Italy To Sort Out Debt Crisis And Admits He Is 'Worried' -- Daily Mail

* Wen Jiabao expressed his alarm at Europe's debt problems after meeting today with German Chancellor Angela Merkel
* 'Frankly speaking, I am worried,' Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said
* Merkel is in Beijing for talks aimed at boosting trade and allaying Chinese fears about Europe's heavy government debts
* China's leaders are increasingly worried about European economies where Chinese companies are expanding

China yesterday sounded the alarm over ‘worrying’ developments in the eurozone and called on debt-ridden countries to put their finances in order.

Speaking after meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Beijing, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao voiced concerns over the future of Greece, Spain and Italy and the effects that the eurozone’s problems are inflicting on the rest of the global economy.

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Update #1: China’s Wen, meeting Merkel, says impact of crisis worsening, calls for action on Europe debt -- Washington Post/AP
Update #2: China's Wen says global crisis worsening -- CBS
Update #3: China’s fears grow over eurozone crisis -- The Telegraph

My Comment: China's concerns are justified .... they know that Europe does not have the political will .... or any support from the public .... to solve this growing catastrophe.

What Iran Sanctions?

Banks Make A Joke Out Of Iran Sanctions -- Jonathan Tobin, Commentary

Those wondering about Iran’s ability to confidently defy the sanctions that the Obama administration has belatedly imposed on the rogue regime have previously pointed to the lax enforcement of the regulations. The Treasury Department has granted over 10,000 exemptions to companies desirous of avoiding the sanctions. The U.S. has also given Iran’s largest oil customers a pass on having to give up purchasing Tehran’s supplies. But it turns out that even those sanctions that are enforced aren’t working and this time the fault can’t be pinned on President Obama’s lack of will.

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My Comment: Aside all the rhetoric and diplomacy .... Jonathan Tobin is right .... from this perspective sanctions have been a failure.

U.S. General Dempsey: I Don't Want To Be 'Complicit' In Iran Strike

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs Martin Dempsey. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Dempsey: I Don't Want To Be 'Complicit' In Iran Strike -- Jerusalem Post/Reuters

Chairman of US Joint Chiefs says strike unlikely to destroy nuclear program; White House says window on Iran diplomacy not open 'indefinitely'; IAEA reports Iran doubled number of centrifuges at underground site.

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs Martin Dempsey said Thursday that he did not want to be "complicit" if Israel chose to strike Iran's nuclear program, positing that a premature attack would dissolve the international pressure on the Islamic Republic, The Guardian reported.

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More News On General Martin Dempsey's Warning To Israel On An Iranian Nuclear Military Strike

Israeli attack on Iran 'would not stop nuclear programme' -- The Guardian
Dempsey: I don't want to be complicit in Israeli strike -- YNet News
‘I don’t want to be complicit’ in an Israeli strike on Iran, says US army chief -- Times of Israel
U.S. to Israel: If You Attack, We Don’t Have Your Back -- Arutz Sheva

My Comment: An very blunt warning from America's top general to Israel. But is the Israeli government listening?

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- August 30, 2012

Refugees from the northern Syrian City of Azaz make the best of their situation at the Bab al-Salama border crossing in Kilis, Turkey. Thousands of internally displaced refugees are now living in this border region unable to cross into Turkey for asylum. Javier Manzano

Amid Squalor And Fear On Turkish Border, Syrians Make Plea For Safe Zone -- Tom Peter, Christian Science Monitor

So many Syrians have shown up along the Turkish border, hoping to cross and enter a refugee camp, that Turkey is calling on the international community to create a safe zone for them inside Syria.

In this camp that has sprung up along the Turkish border, 5,000 Syrians who have fled their country's civil war live under covered vehicle lanes on an unfinished section of the Syrian border, waiting to cross into Turkey or return to their homes. Sleeping out in the open on asphalt and scrounging for clean water, they hope that they will be allowed into Turkey, where they can find a truly safe haven in an established refugee camp.

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Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

Five Reasons Why the Assad Regime Survives -- Tony Karon, Time

Morsy takes on the world -- David Kenner, Foreign Policy

Iraq backing Iran -- Bill Gertz, The Washington Times

Iran's charm offensive at NAM summit thwarted by Syria, nuclear work -- Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor

Non-aligned bust -- Daily Star editorial

Confederacy of Dunces: What the meeting in Tehran says about America's standing in the Middle East. -- Aaron David Miller, Foreign Policy

Iran's Nuclear Quest -- New York Times editorial

Gillard vows to stay the course in Afghanistan -- Dylan Welch, Brisbane Times

What's behind the China - Japan island dispute? -- Donald Kirk, Christian Science Monitor

Everything You Think You Know About China Is Wrong: Are we obsessing about its rise when we should be worried about its fall? -- Minxin Pei, Foreign Policy

Putin's perks -- The Economist

What Awaits Pussy Riot Musicians in Prison -- Natalya Krainova, Moscow Times

We'll all shiver if Germany can't shake economic cold -- David McWilliams, Independent.ie

Latin America's Autocrats Fail Marx's Survival Test -- Fabio Rafael Fiallo, Real Clear World

Why Bother: The New Isolationism: As Americans’ support for Middle East engagement wanes, so does our influence there. -- Victor Davis Hanson, NRO

World News Briefs -- August 30, 2012 (Editor's Note)

France And UK Say All Options Open On Syria -- Al Jazeera

Both nations say options include military-enforced no-fly zone to aid civilians, as UN Security Council holds meeting.

Britain and France have said they are not ruling out any options in Syria, including a military-enforced no-fly zone to protect thousands of civilians fleeing the escalating civil war.

William Hague, Britain's foreign secretary, told a joint news conference in New York with Laurent Fabius, the French foreign minister, that a Turkish proposal for a safe zone would require military intervention.

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MIDDLE EAST

Britain and France say all options on table in Syria including military-enforced safe zone.

'Difficult' demand for refugee camps in Syria vexes UN.

Syrian rebels say shot down Syrian fighter plane. Syria rebels 'destroy five helicopters' in raid. Syrian forces bombed people queuing for bread: HRW.

Morsi criticises Syria at Tehran meeting.

Netanyahu to speak on Iran at U.N. General Assembly.

UN nuke agency: Iran 'significantly' hampers probe.

Cyber spying spreads in Iran after operation blown: Researchers.

Egypt pulls back some Sinai tanks.

Attacks in Iraq kill general and 5 others. Iraq announces 21 people executed in one day.

Iran leader rules out nuclear bomb, will pursue energy.

Jordan Web 'blackout' protest targets alleged censorship.

ASIA

Bo Xilai issue hangs over China's 18th Party Congress. Exclusive: China considers downgrading domestic security tsar in next line-up.

5 Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

Disputed islands may dominate upcoming APEC summit.

Philippines eyeing joint sea patrol with neighbors. Frontier island residents fear another N. Korean attack.

Japan and North Korea to hold first talks in four years.

North Korea may be facing new food crisis: Aid worker.

Another major Japanese earthquake could kill 323,000.

Massive search and rescue effort underway as migrants' boat sinks off Indonesia.

AFRICA

Many civilians massacred in Congo: U.N. officials.

Panel rules Maldives power transfer 'legal'.

Nation’s wealth at stake in Angola’s 2nd election in 20 years.

Chinese firms brave uncertainty in Egypt to gain a foothold in Middle East.

Libya assembly suspends 3 members for alleged Gaddafi links.

Kenya police hit by Mombasa grenade attack.

Islamists attack Libyan school, mosques in challenge to NATO-installed government.

Valerie Amos: World failing on Mali emergency.

South Sudan says will take up to 6 months to resume some oil output.

South African Marikana miners 'face murder charges'.

EUROPE

Spain, France agree EU must be more decisive to protect euro.

German authorities defend Belarus police training.

Georgia says armed raid was in "enemy's" interests.

China's Wen calls for action on Europe debt.

German opposition chief hints he won't challenge Merkel.

Islamic cleric warns of civil war in Russia's Dagestan.

Ukraine minister insists Yulia Tymoshenko broke the law.

Valencia ups bailout request from Spain government.

Moscow's Hotel Metropol sold at auction.

AMERICAS

U.S. Republican platform outlines tough China stance.

Miners' attack on Yanomami Amazon tribe 'kills dozens'.

Isaac's storm surge forces thousands to evacuate, traps others.

Mexico shooting highlights U.S. role in drug war.

200 U.S. Marines join anti-drug effort in Guatemala.

Mexico details massive Gulf oil find.

Judge removed from George Zimmerman's case.

Brazil public sector strike is called off.

Haiti's battle against cholera.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.S. drone strike kills suspected militants: Yemen official.

U.S. confirms killing of Haqqani leader in Pakistan.

Pentagon charges Saudi at Guantánamo with aiding terror in al-Qaida case.

Twitter replaces smuggled video as terrorists’ preferred way to communicate.

Ex-SEAL’s book says Osama bin Laden made no attempt to defend himself in raid.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dark clouds gather over China's once-booming solar industry.

China to buy 50 Airbus planes for $3.5bn.

Feuding Russian tycoons face London court ruling.