Condolences to New Zealanders.
We were in Canada this past weekend and talked with some locals. While anecdotal, Canadians were concerned about refugees and how they are changing the culture and finances of Canada. Despite getting aid nationally for 1 yr., (Note: In US, some counties provide aid for just 30 days), most of the refugees' education levels are so low that 1 yr is not enough to get a job. Plus many are disabled. The govt. agreed to take on these additional responsibilities with no budget/money committed to these programs.
Afghanistan's National Security Advisor on the U.S., Pakistan, and More - (Asia Society Youtube Video) "Characterizing it (the war in Afghanistan) as an American war does a disservice to the sacrifices made by Afghans," he said.
Afghan military kills 31 AQIS fighters in Ghazni- Bill Roggio (FDD's Long War Jounral) Despite repeated claims to the contrary, al Qaeda has not been defeated in Afghanistan, and it still continues to operate alongside its ally, the Taliban. Meanwhile, major news sources report the US is negotiating with the Taliban not the Afghan govt.
A Regime Conceals Its Erasure of Indigenous Armenian Culture -Simon Maghakyan and Sarah Hickman (Hyperallergic) Unlike the self-publicized cultural destruction of ISIS, independent Azerbaijan’s covert campaign to re-engineer Nakhichevan’s historical landscape between 1997 and 2006 is little known outside the region.
Monumental loss: Azerbaijan and 'the worst cultural genocide of the 21st century' - Dale Berning Sawa (The Guardian)
Egypt Seeks to Consolidate Truce in Gaza - Kifah Ziboun (Asharq Al-Awsat-UK)
Egypt Opens 105-Mile Hiking Trail in the Red Sea Mountains - Lyndsey Matthews (Afar)
Ongoing Protests in Jordan Threaten to Destabilize the Regime - Z. Harel (MEMRI) The public unrest in Jordan is not dying down, and the frequent protests are threatening to destabilize the country.
Jordan's King Abdullah: Walking a Fine Line between the Bedouin and the Palestinians - Daniel Siryoti (Israel Hayom)
While it's hard to imagine the Palestinian Authority as a partner for peace, Hamas has no trouble with this image. Palestinians: Abbas Stands 'Trial' for Treason - Khaled Abu Toameh (Gatestone Institute) The mock trial in the Gaza Strip of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas may seem like some sort of bizarre comedy act. The "trial," however, is designed to send a signal not only to Abbas, but to any Palestinian who even thinks of making peace with Israel or recognizing its right to exist.
Official PA TV teaches children that Israel will come to an end: "All of Palestine will return to us"- Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik (PMW) Despite insurances from Palestinian Authority leaders that they support a two-state solution and want to live side by side with Israel, the PA continues to teach children that Israel will come to an end.
Muhammad Shtayyeh: Profile of the new Palestinian Prime Minister - Maurice Hirsch, Adv. and Nan Jacques Zilberdik (PMW) Shtayyeh believes that Palestinian terrorists, including terrorists and murderers imprisoned in Israel, are not terrorists but rather freedom fighters
Syria Vows to Attack Israel Unless It Withdraws from the Golan Heights - Hagay Hacohen (Jerusalem Post)
