Is Baghdad About To Fall? Fierce Fighting Reported Near Iraqi Capital. ISIS Militants Less Than 2 Miles From Baghdad

ISIS Militants Less Than 2 Miles From Baghdad, Fierce Fighting Reported Near Iraqi Capital -- New York Daily News

The Islamic State group has made gains in Iraq, approaching the country's largest city Monday, as American-led airstrikes have hit the group's strongholds in Syria. The news of the bloodthirsty group's march towards Baghdad comes after President Obama admitted the U.S. underestimated the group — and overestimated the Iraqi Army. ‘He told me he would take off his uniform and run,’ said Canon Andrew White of an Iraqi soldier who is supposed to be protecting him.

The Vicar of Baghdad sent an SOS from the besieged Iraqi capital Monday and warned that the murderous Islamic State militants were breathing down their necks.

“People are very fearful the nation looks as if it has collapsed,” Canon Andrew White, who runs the last Anglican church in Iraq, wrote on his Facebook page. “The usual hectic and crazy streets were this morning almost empty.”

White, who also heads the of the British-based charity Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East, posted before Iraqi forces — backed by airstrikes from the U.S.-led coalition — appeared to stymie the ISIS advance.

But according to White, the Islamic fanatics were less than two miles from the city’s borders and he warned that the Iraqi Army was no match for them.

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Update: Isis 'just one mile from Baghdad' as al-Qaeda fighters join forces against Syria air strikes -- The Independent

My Comment: If this is true .... and no word yet from Washington/Pentagon/the intel community .... Baghdad is about to fall.

Update #2: If the Sunni part of Baghdad falls .... I can only imagine what the U.S. and Western political repercussions will be .... especially in the U.S with Congressional elections only a few weeks away.

Update #3: Iraqi Strikes Halt Jihadi Advance toward Capital: Reports -- Rudaw

The U.S. Intel Community Is Contradicting President Obama's Claim That They 'Underestimated' The Threat From ISIS

Obama Faces Backlash After Blaming Intel Community For Missing ISIS -- FOX News

One wouldn't be surprised if President Obama's Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, woke up Monday morning checking for tire tracks after his boss effectively threw him under the bus for having "underestimated" the threat posed by the Islamic State militant group.

But Obama's remarks in a "60 Minutes" interview drew immediate objections from lawmakers and the intelligence community.

In the interview, Obama was asked how the Islamic State was able to gain so much territory. "Our head of the intelligence community Jim Clapper has acknowledged that I think they underestimated what had been taking place in Syria," the president said.

Clapper previously had admitted that U.S. analysts both underestimated the Islamic State, or ISIS, and "overestimated" the ability of the Iraqi army to fight them.

But sources say Obama nevertheless was looped in on the rise of ISIS for a while.

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Previous Post: President Obama: U.S. Underestimated Threat Of Militants

Update: Obama Throws America's Spies Under The Bus -- Business Insider

My Comment: I suspect that many in the U.S. intelligence community are "steamed" after being criticized by the U.S. President .... and are blowing back. But while the focus is on the White House (what and when were they notified by the U.S. intel community on the threat from the Islamic State) .... the Congress must also be held accountable for not conducting their own oversight duties by asking the "hard-core" questions that everyone expects them to ask. They were also privy to the same intelligence .... but decided to say nothing (as far as we know).

Update #2: 3 Times Obama Administration Was Warned About ISIS Threat -- ABC News

Update #3: The White House is backtracking .... W. House: Obama not blaming intelligence officials -- USA Today

Update #4: Even The Washington Post is piling on .... Obama’s excuse about the Islamic State unravels -- Washington Post

Is President Obama's War Strategy Uniting Islamic Militant Groups Throughout The Middle East?

Islamist Syrian rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra members gesture while posing on a tank on Al-Khazan frontline of Khan Sheikhoun, northern Idlib province.( Reuters / Hamid Khatib)

Alliance From Hell: Al Nusra Fighters In Syria Want To Merge With ISIS – Creating United Army Of Fanatics -- Daily Mail

* Al Qaeda affiliate in Syria under pressure from members to merge with ISIS
* Demand for alliance comes after both groups were hit by U.S.-led air strikes
* But sources say it may not work without weaker Al Nusra merging with ISIS
* Groups share ideology but split during power struggle between 3 leaders

Al Qaeda's affiliate in Syria is facing mounting pressure from its members to form an ultra-alliance with the rival Islamic State to confront a common enemy after U.S.-led air strikes hit both groups this week.

Al Nusra, long one of the most effective forces fighting Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, was weakened this year by battles with Islamic State, an Al Qaeda splinter group that routinely employs ruthless methods such as beheadings and mass executions.

U.S.-led air and missile strikes, which have hit Al Nusra as well as Islamic State bases in Syria, have angered many Al Nusra members who say the West and its allies have joined forces in a 'crusader' campaign against Islam.

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More News On Militant Groups Uniting In The Middle East

Insight - U.S.-led strikes pressure al Qaeda's Syria group to join with Islamic State -- Reuters
Isis reconciles with al-Qaida group as Syria air strikes continue -- The Guardian
ISIS+Al-Nusra Front? Islamists reportedly join forces, new threat against West issued -- RT
Nusra threatens West and Arab nations -- Al Jazeera
Al Nusrah Front leader says Americans and Europeans will pay the 'tax' of war -- Long War Journal
US struggles to blunt Syria rebel anger at strikes -- Stars and Stripes/AP

Unrest In Hong Kong -- News Updates September 29, 2014

Hong Kong Residents Defy Officials’ Call to End Protests -- New York Times

HONG KONG — A wave of protest in Hong Kong extended into the working week on Monday as thousands of residents defied a government call to abandon street blockades across the city, students boycotted classes and the city’s influential bar association added to condemnation of a police crackdown on protesters a day earlier.

The continued public resistance underscored the difficulties that the Hong Kong government faces in defusing widespread anger that erupted on Sunday, after the police used tear gas, pepper spray and batons to break up a three-day sit-in by students and other residents demanding democratic elections in the semiautonomous Chinese territory.

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Unrest In Hong Kong -- News Updates September 29, 2014

Hong Kong protests: Live -- BBC
Hong Kong protesters defy Beijing with calls for democracy -- Reuters
Hong Kong protesters defiant after tear gas chaos -- AFP
'Umbrella Revolution' protests spread in Hong Kong -- AP
Hong Kong: Protesters defiant amid stand-off -- BBC
Fresh Demonstrations Rock Hong Kong as Protest Leader Warns of Backlash -- Time
Protests grow in Hong Kong amid standoff -- Al Jazeera
Hong Kong protests enter fourth night -- BBC
Hong Kong citizens urged to continue protests as police withdraw -- The Guardian
Hong Kong protests: UK 'concerned' about situation -- BBC
US urges restraint against Hong Kong protesters -- AP
Beijing warns against foreign intervention, as Hong Kong protesters block roads -- CSM
China censors images of Hong Kong protests in TV broadcasts to mainland -- The Guardian
China 'censors Hong Kong protest posts on social media' -- BBC
China censors try to blunt Hong Kong protests, don't always succeed -- Reuters
Think China’s Worried About Hong Kong Going Too Far? -- Neil Cavuto, FOX News
Hong Kong: 10 things Xi Jinping might be thinking -- Carrie Gracie, BBC
Hong Kong's Angry Protests: What Now? -- Bruce Einhorn, Bloomberg Businessweek
Is Hong Kong's future as a financial centre threatened? -- Linda Yueh, BBC

Afghanistan To Sign U.S. Security Agreement. U.S. To Keep 10,000 Troops In Afghanistan

Afghanistan To Sign U.S. Security Agreement On Tuesday -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Afghanistan will on Tuesday sign a crucial security agreement allowing the United States to leave a small contingent of troops in the country beyond this year, U.S. officials said.

U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham said on Monday that Afghanistan's new President Ashraf Ghani would send a representative to sign the agreement the next morning at the presidential palace in the capital, Kabul.

Cunningham said he would sign on behalf of the United States and protocol allows Ghani to sign the document only with another head of state.

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More News On Afghanistan To Sign The U.S. - Afghan Security Agreement Tomorrow

Afghanistan’s new government set to sign BSA on Tuesday -- Stars and Stripes
Afghan president to sign deal Tuesday allowing US troops to stay after 2014, officials say -- FOX News
Afghanistan to sign security agreement with US on September 30 -- ITAR-TASS
Afghan president sworn in, paving way for US pact -- AP
US Troops to Stay in Afghanistan under New President -- VOA
U.S. to keep 10,000 troops in Afghanistan -- USA Today
US troops to stay in Afghanistan after historic transfer of power -- L.A. Times

Ashraf Ghani Sworn In As Afghanistan's New President Replacing Hamid Karzai

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Inaugurated After Bitter Campaign -- The Guardian

Ceremony marks first transition of power since Hamid Karzai became president after 2001 US-led invasion

After an exhausting and contentious election process, Ashraf Ghani, a US-educated anthropologist turned reformist politician, has finally been sworn in as president of Afghanistan in the first peaceful transfer of power since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

“I am no better than you,” Ghani told an audience of 1,400 guests, including approximately 200 foreign dignitaries at the Arg, the presidential palace. “If I do something the proper way, support me. If I do something wrong, guide me,” he continued, quoting Abu Bakr, Sunni Islam’s first caliph.

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More News On Ashraf Ghani Being Sworn In As Afghanistan's New President

Ashraf Ghani sworn in as new Afghan president -- BBC
Afghanistan swears in new leader amid dispute, violence -- Reuters
Afghanistan swears in Ghani Ahmadzai as president -- AP
New Afghanistan president sworn in, marking peaceful transfer of power -- FOX News/AP
Ashraf Ghani takes charge as new president of Afghanistan -- Global Post/EFE
Ashraf Ghani sworn in as Afghanistan's President -- CNN
Ashraf Ghani sworn in as Afghan president -- Al Jazeera
New Afghan President Ghani proposes talks with Taliban -- Stars and Stripes
New Afghanistan President Calls for End to War -- VOA
Ashraf Ghani's Struggle -- Sune Engel Rasmussen, Foreign Policy
Profile: Ashraf Ghani -- BBC

World News Briefs -- September 29, 2014

After Night Of Tear Gas, Hong Kong Protesters Dig In -- CNN

Hong Kong (CNN) -- Thousands of pro-democracy protesters remained camped out on major highways in the heart of Hong Kong on Monday, defying government attempts to both coerce and cajole them into giving up their extraordinary demonstration.

The protests have brought widespread disruption to the heart of one of Asia's biggest financial centers, blocking traffic on multilane roads and prompting the suspension of school classes.

A police crackdown on demonstrators on Sunday -- involving tear gas, batons and pepper spray -- resulted in clashes that injured more than 40 people but failed to eject the protesters from their positions among the city's glittering skyscrapers.

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MIDDLE EAST

ISIS threat: Syrian town fears massacre as Obama admits underestimating rise.

U.S.-led airstrikes hit 4 Syrian provinces. Islamic State crisis: Iraq air strikes 'halt IS advance'.

Turkish tanks face ISIL near Syria border.

Turkey tells Obama, Biden ‘no-fly zone must be declared’ in Syria.

Iran will not stop uranium enrichment, Hassan Rouhani says in New York.

Iran-6 power talks turn into mostly Iran-US show.

Saudi Arabia warns Yemen violence could threaten global security. Political conflicts worsening Yemen food security: U.N. agency.

ASIA

Beijing warns against foreign intervention, as Hong Kong protesters block roads.

Ashraf Ghani sworn in as Afghanistan's President.

Taliban launch attack in Afghanistan's Paktia.

U.S. may keep secret prisoners in custody after Afghan war exit.

Cash-poor Afghanistan will delay paying civil servants-finance ministry official.

Australian cabinet to sign off on military action in Iraq within days, Julie Bishop says.

Hundreds arrested after India sectarian riot.

U.S. envoy says North Korea rejects talks on prisoners.

At least 36 feared dead on Japanese volcano, search called off. Japan volcano: Search suspended as toll rises.

AFRICA

Militants in Egypt may be copying Islamic State’s brutal methods.

Libya: Send Us more arms or face wider terrorism threat. Libya pleads for help in battling terror groups.

C. African Republic places great hope on UN force.

Somalis 'feeling safer' in Mogadishu, survey says.

Ble Goude's militants raped and murdered in I. Coast, court hears.

UN mission to combat Ebola opens HQ in Ghana.

The IMF is resisting calls to offer Zimbabwe new loans.

Collision delays Suez Canal traffic: sources.

EUROPE

Ukraine troop withdrawal in doubt after 12 killed. Seven Ukrainian soldiers killed in rebel attack, straining ceasefire.

EU to consider cancelling sanctions against Russia on September 30.

EU postpones free trade zone with Ukraine until January 2016: Press release.

European experts examine mass graves in eastern Ukraine. Donetsk to ask Russia to analyze DNA samples from 400 bodies.

Karadzic 'drove Bosnia war crimes' - UN prosecutors.

Spain challenges Catalonia referendum call. Spain to challenge Catalonia independence poll in constitutional court.

Record 3,072 migrants 'killed crossing Mediterranean in 2014'.

AMERICAS

US House Speaker: Congress should debate authorization against IS.

FAA chief orders review of facilities after Chicago fire.

Brazil's evangelicals gain clout, close to electing first president.

California adopts college sex crime rule.

FBI agents fabricate defendant's identity to catch judge.

White House plans to require federal agencies to provide details about drones.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

ISIS+ Al-Nusra Front? Islamists reportedly join forces, new threat against West issued.

EU countries revoke passports of terrorism suspects.

US killed 2 'Arabs' in first drone strike in South Waziristan in more than a year.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

EU to decry Apple's Irish tax deal.

Pimco moving away from Bill Gross model, CEO says. Bill Gross exit could cost Pimco $400 billion.

The rich get richer: 400 wealthiest Americans now worth $2.3TRILLION as $34billion Mark Zuckerberg cracks Forbes top 10 for the first time.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 29, 2014

An F/A-18C Hornet attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 87 prepares to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the Persian Gulf to conduct strike missions against Islamic State of Iraq (ISIL) targets, Sept. 23, 2014. The George H.W. Bush is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Burck

Analysts: Pace Of Campaign Could Strain U.S. Navy Forces -- Stars and Stripes/Virginia Pilot

(MCT) — Although U.S. airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria are expected to continue for a long time, the volume will level off to a point that they can be sustained without a swell of extra ships or personnel, according to defense officials and analysts.

But the effort still could take a heavy toll on an already taxed U.S. Navy, in the form of longer deployments and greater maintenance strains.

The question of what will be required to pursue American goals in Syria and Iraq is especially significant for Hampton Roads, whose military ships and aircraft - both Navy and Air Force - have played a significant role so far.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 29, 2014

Experts: As Operation Continues, ISR Demand To Grow in Syria -- Defense News

Syria Strikes Raise Questions Over Future of OCO Funding -- Defense News

Report: ISIS war could cost up to $22B per year -- The Hill

Pentagon Working With Congress for More War Funding -- Defense News

Obama: U.S. misjudged the rise of the Islamic State, ability of Iraqi army -- Washington Post

ISIS threat 'a more immediate concern' than Assad, Obama says -- The Hill

Up to 15,000 Syrian Rebels Needed to Retake Eastern Syria - U.S. Military -- NYT/Reuters

John Boehner: U.S. may have ‘no choice’ but to send U.S. ground troops to fight terrorists -- Washington Times

U.S. military limits warplanes used for Islamic State bombings -- Washington Times

US looks for ways to cut off Islamic State’s money flow -- Stars and Stripes/Tribune Washington Bureau

Armed British Warplanes Flying 'Daily' Over Iraq -- Defense News

Week ahead: US aims to beef up anti-ISIS coalition -- The Hill

Iran admits military backing of Iraqis -- Middle East Monitor

Pentagon Dispatches Counterinsurgency Military Experts to Ukraine -- RIA Novosti

Lavrov: Russia Hopes US Will Not Go Outside Scope Of Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty -- RIA Novosti

Russia’s MiG to hold talks with Egypt in October on MiG-35 supplies -- ITAR-TASS

New NATO Chief Stoltenberg Brings Russia Ties To Job -- Defense News/AFP

Despite Signs of Disrepair, Berlin Is Hesitant to Boost Military Spending -- WSJ

Germany's military can't meet Nato commitments -- The Local

Caspian 'Five' Agree Principles of Military Balance in the Region: Statement -- RIA Novosti

Putin: Caspian Countries to Hold Joint Emergency Exercises in 2016 -- RIA Novosti

Libya: Send Us More Arms or Face Wider Terrorism Threat -- NYT

C. African Republic Places Great Hope on UN Force -- New York Times/AP

China sees its military edge coming from space -- New York Post

China Urges Global Crackdown on Extremists' Use of Internet -- NYT

U.S. may keep secret prisoners in custody after Afghan war exit -- Reuters

US, Philippines Launch Military Exercise Near Spratly Islands -- VOA

Meet the Zumwalt: The US Navy's Stealth Destroyer Will Go to Sea Next Spring -- Defense News

Islamic State fight could breathe new life into the A-10 -- Stars and Stripes

Navy Considers Aircraft for Future Carrier Delivery Mission -- DoD Buzz

Navy Tests New Vehicle-Mounted Laser Weapon -- Defense Tech

The FBI and NSA Hate Apple’s Plan to Keep Your iPhone Data Secret -- Time

Exclusive: Inside the NSA’s private cloud -- Network World

Release of CIA report pushed back again -- The Hill

Analysts: Air-Sea Battle concept carries risks in possible conflict with China -- Erik Slavin, Stars and Stripes

Ukraine Ceasefire On The Verge Of Collapse After 12 Killed And 32 Wounded In Renewed Fighting

Ukraine Army Sees Worst Day Since Truce as Battles Flare -- Bloomberg

Ukraine’s army endured its deadliest day since signing a cease-fire with pro-Russian militants 3 1/2 weeks ago, straining efforts to find a lasting settlement to the six-month conflict in the nation’s east.

Nine Ukrainian servicemen were killed in attacks during the last 24 hours, including one incident in which separatists fired at an armored personnel carrier from a tank near the airport of Donetsk, the combat zone’s largest city, according to military spokesman Andriy Lysenko. Twenty-seven soldiers were wounded as troops repelled “two powerful storms” by rebel fighters, while government forces killed 50 militants, he said.

“Despite the cease-fire regime, terrorists and Russian mercenaries keep shelling Ukrainian positions,” Lysenko told reporters today in Kiev, the capital.

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More News On Fresh Fighting In Eastern Ukraine

12 killed in worst east Ukraine shelling in a week -- AP
Seven Ukrainian soldiers killed in rebel attack, straining ceasefire -- Reuters
Ukrainian forces killed in shelling near Donetsk airport -- France 24
Ukraine troop withdrawal in doubt after 12 killed -- Gulf News/AFP
Twenty-one killed in eastern Ukraine as ceasefire falters -- Global Post/Xinhua News Agency
A dozen people killed, including civilians, and 32 people injured as Ukraine is hit by its worst violence for more than a week -- Daily Mail
Deaths reported as violence flares up in eastern Ukraine despite truce -- Deutsche Welle
2 Dead as Rebels Defy E. Ukraine Cease-fire -- VOA
Prisoner swaps on shaky ground in Ukraine as Kiev accused of foul play -- RT

European Intelligence Agencies Were Never Briefed By The U.S. On The Khorasan Group

A fighter from the Islamist Syrian rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra is seen in front of a burning vehicle. Reuters

Europeans Say U.S. Never Briefed Them On Plot By al-Qaida Group -- Kansas.com/McClatchy News

IRBIL, Iraq

European counterterrorism specialists say their American counterparts never mentioned an imminent plot by al-Qaida operatives in Syria to attack Western targets and didn’t brief them on the group that’s supposedly behind the plan, a previously unknown terrorist unit that American officials have dubbed the Khorasan group.

The interviews with the specialists, from two European NATO allies with close intelligence ties to the United States, raise questions about why the United States used its first series of airstrikes on the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, in Syria to also attack eight installations belonging to the Nusra Front, an al-Qaida affiliate that anti-government rebel groups consider an important ally in their fight to topple the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

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Update #1: Khorasan Demystified: Nothing Terrifying about this Group -- IBTimes
Update #2: The Khorasan Group: Anatomy of a Fake Terror Threat to Justify Bombing Syria -- Glenn Greenwald and Murtaza Hussain

My Comment: All of the terrorism experts/websites/pundits that I follow on my news feed never heard of the Khorasan Group until recently .... and now the European Intelligence Agencies are saying the same thing. This is just more evidence that something is not right.