.@MTomasky So, I see you're not retracting. Doubling-down like an idiot. Figures.
— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 4, 2014
Lolz. RT @lamblock Yo @AmPowerBlog, any truth to rumor if one googles "butthurt" @MTomasky latest #Bergdahl blabber is top result?
— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 4, 2014
Was getting ready for work this morning when I heard @chucktodd use the term "swift boat" in regards to White House reaction. #JawDropped
— Kimberly C (@conkc2) June 4, 2014
It would be one thing if fellow soldiers who served with Bergdahl had conflicting stories. They don't. So now they must be discredited.
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) June 4, 2014
@CuffyMeh I didn't make it up
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) June 4, 2014CASABLANCA—A decade ago, the U.S. released three hardened Moroccan militants from Guantanamo and turned them over to the Moroccan government on the assumption they wouldn't return to the battlefield.Continue reading.
They wound up leading one of the most violent Islamist groups fighting in Syria's civil war.
Their story serves as a cautionary tale days after President Barack Obama released five high-level Taliban figures from the same detention center in a swap for an American soldier held in Afghanistan for nearly five years.
By January 2014, about 29% of 614 detainees released from the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba had returned to violence, according to the Director of National Intelligence.
Like the three Moroccans, the five Afghans went free with a friendly government's consent to monitor them. As part of the deal that released U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the Qatari government agreed to keep the five ex-detainees in the Gulf emirate for at least a year to prevent them from returning to violence.
The Moroccans, who once trained at the same Afghan camp where the Sept. 11 hijackers trained, set up their radical militant group in Syria in August 2013. Like other al Qaeda sympathizers, they saw their battle as a jihad, or holy war, to replace the Syrian state with an Islamic emirate ruled by their strict interpretation of religious law.
Their group, Harakat Sham al Islam, was at the forefront of the first significant massacre of religious minorities in August 2013 in Latakia province, which Human Rights Watch deemed a "crime against humanity."
Along with other al Qaeda-linked groups, Harakat Sham helped turn what began in 2011 as a largely secular and peaceful uprising against autocratic President Bashar al-Assad into a sectarian war.
For Ibrahim bin Shakran, Ahmed Mizouz and Mohammed Alami, their years in U.S. detention were a badge of honor. Other Islamist extremists said they admired them as symbols of a time when al Qaeda was at its strongest in Afghanistan and the struggle to restore that power in Syria today.
Mr. Mizouz is still fighting with Harakat Sham. But the group said Mr. Alami died in August 2013 and on April 1, it announced that Mr. Shakran too had died, both killed fighting Syrian forces in Latakia. The province is a stronghold of Mr. Assad's minority Alawite sect, which dominates the regime. Groups such as Harakat Sham, made up of hard-line Sunni Muslim jihadists, consider Alawites heretics.
When Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas chose to scuttle peace talks with Israel this spring by deciding to conclude a pact with Hamas rather than the Jewish state, he was taking a calculated risk. In embracing his Islamist rivals, Abbas sought to unify the two leading Palestinian factions not to make peace more possible but to make it impossible. Since Palestinian public opinion–indeed the entire political culture of his people–regards any pact that would recognize the legitimacy of a Jewish state as a betrayal of their national identity, bringing Hamas back into the PA fold illustrated that he would not take the sort of risks that peacemaking required.Keep reading.
But given the PA’s almost complete dependency on the United States and Europe for the aid that keeps its corrupt apparatus operating, there was a genuine risk that the unity pact would generate a cutoff of assistance that could topple his kleptocracy. U.S. law mandated such a rupture of relations, as did the officially stated policy of the Obama administration that rightly regards Hamas as a terrorist group, not a legitimate political player. But there was a chance that Washington would accept a Palestinian deception in which technocrats would be appointed to rule in the name of the Fatah-Hamas coalition in order to pretend that the terrorists were not in charge.
In the weeks since the unity pact was concluded it wasn’t clear which way the U.S. would jump on the question of keeping the money flowing to Abbas, though at times Secretary of State John Kerry made appropriate noises at the PA leader about the danger of going into business with Hamas. But today’s press briefing at the State Department removed any doubt about President Obama’s intentions. When asked to react to today’s announcement of a new Fatah-Hamas government in Ramallah, spokesperson Jen Psaki said that the U.S. would accept the Palestinian trick. As the Times of Israel reports...
On Sunday, Senator Claire McCaskill gave a full-throated defense of the president's decision to release five Taliban commanders from the Guantanamo prison in exchange for Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. "We saved this man's life. The commander-in-chief acted within his constitutional authority, which he should have done," McCaskill, a Democrat from Missouri, told Fox News host Chris Wallace. "I'm very proud that we have no POWs left in Afghanistan and the president should be proud of it also."More.
But following multiple reports that Bergdahl deserted his post and soldiers died searching for him, McCaskill will no longer say she still supports the deal she was "very proud" of just 48 hours ago. "I'm not going to comment until I look at the brief," an annoyed McCaskill told THE WEEKLY STANDARD. "I'm not going to comment until I look at the brief," she repeated, referring to a classified briefing senators will receive tomorrow.
McCaskill was not alone in her reluctance to support the deal. More than a dozen Democratic senators questioned by TWS Tuesday afternoon declined to defend it. "I just don't know enough about it. I really don't," said Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate.
"It's very disturbing," said Joe Manchin of West Virginia. "Everything you hear. I'm going to reserve judgment until after we have a secured briefing tomorrow."
"You know, I think, um, let me hold off on that," said Bernie Sanders of Vermont. "All I've heard is what I've read in the press," said Vermont's senior senator Pat Leahy.
"I don't have enough information at this point in time," said Jon Tester of Montana. "I do think getting our boys back home, that's a good quality. I do have some issues about whether [Bergdahl] deserted or not."
WASHINGTON — Sometime after midnight on June 30, 2009, Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl left behind a note in his tent saying he had become disillusioned with the Army, did not support the American mission in Afghanistan and was leaving to start a new life.Click through for the full NYT report.
He slipped off the remote military outpost in Paktika Province on the border with Pakistan and took with him a soft backpack, water, knives, a notebook and writing materials, but left behind his body armor and weapons — startling, given the hostile environment around his outpost.
That account, provided by a former senior military officer briefed on the investigation into the private’s disappearance, is part of a more complicated picture emerging of the capture of a soldier whose five years as a Taliban prisoner influenced high-level diplomatic negotiations, brought in foreign governments, and ended with him whisked away on a helicopter by American commandos.
And just after 2:00 minutes at the clip, from the president's press conference today in Warsaw:Obama uses a host of emphatics (e.g., Period!, Let me be clear!, Make no mistake about it!) precisely because he seeks to accomplish in speech what he cannot do in fact.
Sgt. Bergdahl's dad said "bismillah al-Rahman” in the Rose Garden - here's what it means: http://t.co/le7UdmbKqU pic.twitter.com/rBl74bZv43
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) June 3, 2014Been supporting my @MiamiHEAT ALL day on the beach today.... #GoHeat!!! #KickAss!! pic.twitter.com/EiNp772suC
— Michelle Lewin (@Michelle_Lewin) May 27, 2014Oh damn "@MADmagazine: Barack Obama’s Unfortunate New Movie
http://t.co/4KwEdmjXao pic.twitter.com/uHVFJ7cY6I”
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) June 3, 2014WASHINGTON—Congressional criticism escalated Tuesday against the Obama administration's exchange of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a prisoner of war in Afghanistan, for five Taliban detainees, with leaders in both parties questioning why the administration didn't inform Congress of the plan.More.
House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) and Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) faulted President Barack Obama for not consulting with Congress about the exchange. Mr. Bergdahl was handed over to the U.S. on Saturday as part of a secret deal between the U.S. and Taliban leaders, brokered by Qatar.
"There certainly was time to pick up the phone and call and say, 'I know you all had concerns about this, we consulted in the past, we want you to know we have renewed these negotiations,'" Ms. Feinstein said. "I strongly believe we should've been consulted, that the law should've been followed and I very much regret that was not the case."
Ms. Feinstein, who was briefed along with other intelligence panel members Tuesday afternoon, said she hasn't heard evidence that Sgt. Bergdahl was in immediate medical danger to make it necessary to act without first consulting Congress.
Mr. Boehner, in a written statement said, "The administration has invited serious questions into how this exchange went down and the calculations the White House and relevant agencies made in moving forward without consulting Congress."
"While we all rejoice for Sgt. Bergdahl and his family, it is important that we get clarity in the days and weeks ahead about not only how this exchange came about, but what steps the president has taken to guarantee this exchange is not a signal that it is open season on our fellow citizens, both military and civilian personnel serving our country abroad so faithfully," Mr. Boehner said. "One of their greatest protections—knowing that the U.S. does not negotiate with terrorists—has been compromised."
OAKLAND, Calif. — It started as a well-intentioned attempt by the United States Postal Service here to rid its trucks of bird droppings: A tree trimmer was hired to prune the lush ficus trees that grow next to the post office’s parking lot, not far from City Hall. But in the course of the job, five baby black-crowned night herons fell from their nests and were injured.More.
At first there were reports that the birds had been fed into a wood chipper — not true — and from there the story took on a life of its own. Residents and city officials called for avian justice. Bird lovers from France, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Ukraine and even New Jersey signed an online petition with the headline “Oakland Chainsaw Massacre” that called on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to press charges against the perpetrators.
They have gotten their wish and more: The tree trimmer, Ernesto Pulido, 26, is staring at a possible federal charge of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.
“I’m not a gangster,” said a contrite Mr. Pulido, who has visited the bird shelter where the victims are recuperating and voluntarily paid $2,500 for their medical care. “I’m just a guy who’s making a living day to day.”
Since the incident in early May, Mr. Pulido has moved his pregnant wife and young daughter to another house, he said, because he was receiving threats. He added that he loved animals and was raised in Mexico with more animals than people.
But in Oakland, a city that has been rapidly gentrifying, concern for the birds runs very high — higher, some people complain, than concern for the city’s large homeless population. Downtown Oakland has long been known for its high crime rate and gritty urban feel, despite the recent arrival of young people and food lovers, whose presence has prompted some people to call the city “the new Brooklyn.”
Wendy Jackson, executive director of the East Oakland Community Project, which provides housing for the homeless, said that when people help baby birds, “it feels pure to them.” Their attitude toward homeless adults is less charitable: “They think those adults should be able to pull themselves up by their bootstraps,” she said. “Often, that is not possible.”
King Juan Carlos of Spain announced Monday that he would abdicate in favor of his son, sparking fierce public debate over whether the country should allow the crown's passing to another generation or abolish the monarchy.More.
Tens of thousands of Spaniards streamed into town squares in more than 60 cities across the country, just hours after the king's surprise announcement on national television. Demonstrators chanted, "No to monarchy! Yes to democracy!" and demanded an immediate referendum on whether Spain should remain a constitutional monarchy or become a republic after Juan Carlos, who has been king for 39 years, steps down.
"It is unthinkable that in the 21st century we are still talking about blood rights," said Cayo Lara, the leader of Spain's United Left coalition. "We are not subjects, we are citizens."
Though the king's role is largely ceremonial, many Spaniards credit Juan Carlos with shepherding the country from the military dictatorship of Francisco Franco to democracy in the 1970s.
But the 76-year-old monarch has been ailing in health as well as popularity. Juan Carlos drew public outrage two years ago when he went elephant hunting in Africa while his country was mired in recession. His daughter Infanta Cristina is being investigated on suspicion of tax fraud and corruption. The royal lifestyle has not sat well, especially with Spanish unemployment at 25%.
"The long, deep economic recession we are enduring has left serious scars in the social fabric," Juan Carlos acknowledged in a recorded five-minute video address Monday. "A younger generation with new energy has the determination to transform the country.... My son, Felipe, inheritor of the crown, is the embodiment of stability."
"I want the best for Spain, to which I have dedicated my whole life," the king said.
No Spanish monarch has handed power to his or her offspring since the 19th century. Courts would need to approve Crown Prince Felipe, 46, as his father's successor. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, a pro-monarchy conservative, said he planned to hold an emergency Cabinet meeting Tuesday to begin enacting legal and constitutional mechanisms to allow for the change.
Juan Carlos, who was born in Italy in 1938 and raised in Portugal, was plucked from exile and personally groomed by Franco to be his fascist successor. But when Franco died in 1975, Juan Carlos ushered in democracy instead. Then, in 1981, he endeared himself to Spaniards by putting down an attempted coup by paramilitary police who opened fire inside parliament. He is credited with keeping the nation's then-fledgling democracy alive.
"Franco gave the king extraordinary powers, before there was even a constitution, but Juan Carlos used that power to create a democracy instead," said Bieito Rubido, editor of Spain's monarchist ABC newspaper. "And then he intervened to stop that coup, insisting again on democracy. So Spaniards credit him with the peace and progress we've seen since then."
