#Nairobi Attack May Bolster al-Shabab in Jihadists' Eyes

Here's an excellent report at the Washington Post, "Kenyan officials say Nairobi mall siege is over; attack may bolster al-Shabab in jihadists’ eyes."

And from last night's CBS Evening News:

Iran Rebuffs U.S. Offer to Meet

At the Wall Street Journal, "Iran Applies Brakes to U.S. Mideast Plans: Tehran Decides Against Meeting of President at U.N.":

UNITED NATIONS—President Barack Obama argued the U.S. case before world leaders for resolving the Middle East's deepest conflicts, but pushback from Iran dimmed hopes that had been building for a rapid leap forward.

Iranian President Hasan Rouhani's decision against meeting Mr. Obama—or even exchanging a handshake—at the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday soured what American and European officials had hoped would mark an advancement in efforts to wind down tensions.

Mr. Rouhani followed that rebuff with an address to the U.N. in which he aired his hopes for reconciliation while holding firm on Iran's right to enrich uranium and criticizing some aspects of American foreign policy, including economic sanctions on Tehran.

Mr. Obama's address earlier on Tuesday was framed as an explanation of his approach to the Middle East and how he plans to engage the region for the remainder of his time in office.

"Some may disagree, but I believe that America is exceptional" because of its willingness to get involved in the outside world, he said—a direct rebuke to criticism by Russian leader Vladimir Putin of Mr. Obama's call for action in Syria.

The president posed the Syrian civil war as a test for the world body—urging a Security Council resolution this week demanding the dismantling of Damascus's chemical-weapons arsenal—and called on Russia and Iran to use their influence with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to force a political process to end the conflict.

Some U.S. officials see a potential thaw with Iran as a way to gain leverage in bringing a resolution to the Syrian civil war and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Continue reading.

Also, "Transcript and Video: Obama’s Remarks at United Nations."

Intense Speculation on Whereabouts of British 'White Widow' Samantha Lewthwaite

Authorities and the press still haven't got a clue on the whereabouts of Samantha Lewthwaite, to say nothing of whether she was involved in the Westgate massacre.

Robert Stacy McCain gave us an update this morning, "Terrorist ‘White Widow’ Killed in Kenya?"

We still don't know, actually. It's paroxysms of anticipation at this point.

See the Australian, "Hunt intensifies for 'White Widow' as Kenyan president declares victory against shopping centre terrorists":

A SHOP worker has described how a woman resembling the 'White Widow' sprayed bullets in her direction during the terrorist attack on a Kenyan mall.

The witness says she was cowering under boxes when an AK-37-wielding, pale-skinned woman with long dark hair locked eyes with her.

She then opened fire from a balcony.

The witness, named only as Caroline, told the Daily Mail she managed to escape unharmed as the terrorists advanced through the Westgate shopping centre in Nairobi.

"She was high up but not far from me, close enough that I saw her looking along the floor where I was until she saw me," Caroline said.

"She stopped and aimed at me and then opened fire."

The shop assistant said the woman was wearing a baggy black top and had long black hair.

"I can't remember very much, but I remember she had pale skin," she said.

This witness account is but one of several reporting a white female among terrorists who attacked the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi at the weekend, killing 61 civilians and six security forces. Some 175 were injured in the attack, including 62 who remain in hospital.

She is being linked to Briton Samantha Lewthwaite, an extremist Muslim convert who has been dubbed "The White Widow" by British media.

The timing of the attack has been linked to the trial of a British man on bomb-making charges who is believed to be a friend and associate of Lewthwaite.

Jermaine Grant, of east London, and his wife Warda Breik were arrested when police raided their Mombassa home and allegedly found bomb-making materials.

Both have been charged by anti-terrorism police for possessing explosive materials and conspiring to commit crimes. Both have denied the accusations.

Lots more at the link.

And see the Belfast Telegraph, "White Widow Samantha Lewthwaite could be among dead terrorism suspects who attacked a Nairobi shopping mall in Kenya."

It's still speculation. We won't know for sure until the dead terrorists are identified or the woman's whereabouts are verified.

BONUS: At Telegraph UK, "Kenya attack: White Widow Samantha Lewthwaite was 'a lovely young girl' (VIDEO)."

Ted Cruz Takes to Senate Floor: 'I intend to speak in support of defunding #ObamaCare until I am no longer able to stand...'

Mandy Nagy has the live feed, at Legal Insurrection, "WATCH LIVE: Cruz “filibusters” to #MakeDCListen on defunding ObamaCare."

Plus see all the debate on the floor debate at Memeorandum.

'Lady'

With the exception of one or two below at the playlist, I've previously posted most of these songs from yesterday morning's drive time. Styx is not my favorite, although I confess to listening to "The Grand Illusion" (LP) all the time in high school ("Miss America" is particularly good). (On Facebook here.)

A great drive-time set, in any case, at The Sound L.A.

Today's my long day and I'm going out tonight with my family, so I'm not sure when blogging's going to kick back up. Until then, God bless...

You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet --- B.T.O. 08:18 AM

I Wanna Be Sedated --- Ramones 08:16 AM

Gimme Shelter --- The Rolling Stones 08:10 AM

Maggie May --- Rod Stewart 08:05 AM

Let My Love Open the Door --- Pete Townshend 08:02 AM

Lady '95 --- Styx 07:59 AM

Hold On Loosely --- 38 Special 07:55 AM

Suzie Q --- Creedence Clearwater Revival 07:50 AM

My My Hey Hey --- Neil Young 07:47 AM

With a Little Help From My Friends --- The Beatles 07:39 AM

Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Live) --- Pat Benatar 07:36 AM

The Evil of Global Jihad

From Tom Rogan, at National Review:

Nairobi’s Westgate mall is more than a retail center. It’s a social hub — a space for shared enjoyment and community celebration. It’s also a place for kids. In fact, a children’s event was taking place on Saturday. Then the jihadists turned up and turned it into a death trap. And that’s not all they did this weekend.

Rampaging through a mall.

Attacking a funeral in Iraq.

Blowing up worshipers in a Pakistani church.

This weekend has verified the identity of the global jihadist movement: a death cult that finds spiritual unity in the murder of innocents.

Let’s be clear. Westgate was attacked for two reasons. First, in its public character, the mall offered al-Shabab an opportunity to spread terror across all of Kenyan society. Second, packed with families, Westgate offered the terrorists hundreds of strategic pawns. In its killing sprees, al-Shabab seeks a new regional understanding: that its resolve is supreme above all others. That unless its adversaries yield, more Westgates will follow.

At a basic level, al-Shabab’s strategy is far from original. By definition, terrorism involves the deliberate cultivation of fear as a political tool.

Yet modern Salafi Jihadism takes this dynamic to an unprecedented level. It has the instinctive reflex toward unrestrained brutality. Gratuitous violence guarantees attention. Think about the Iraq war. The image of masked assailants sawing off the heads of bound and terrified prisoners is seared indelibly into our memory.

Of course, this raises a key question: How do the jihadists excuse their atrocities?

In the blend of theocratic absolutism and perverse consequentialism. From the jihadist perspective, their violence is justified in the service of God’s intrinsic will.

Grappling with this notion of ordained will is crucial. It affords us insight into the existential rigidity with which these terrorists regard the world. In short, Salafi Jihadists claim that the price of peace is our non-interference — they hint that our acquiescence will buy us our safety. They’re lying. Theirs is an ideology with a supra-national (and, as they see it, divine) pursuit — a global caliphate of absolute power.

Still more at the link.

And see Robert Spencer, "Jihad in Kenya."And Daniel Greenfield, "In the Name of Islam."

British 'White Widow' Killed as Security Forces Storm #Westgate Mall?

Reports are unconfirmed.

Here's London's Daily Mail, "Has British 'White Widow' been killed in final assault on Kenyan shopping mall? Body of white woman terrorist is found at scene."

But see the Guardian UK, "Kenya siege: UK officials investigate claims Britons were involved in attack."



More, from @ColorMeRed on Twitter, "Belfast Telegraph Front Page Tues Sep 24: Security services hunt down White Widow over Kenya massacre."

Video: Special Forces Storm #Westgate Mall in Nairobi

From KTN Kenya.



PREVIOUSLY: "Reports: Kenyan Forces Secure #Westgate Mall."

Reports: Kenyan Forces Secure #Westgate Mall

It's hard to know what's going on. Up-to-date information is sketchy, and I'm linking this stuff below provisionally. I'll be checking around for more information, especially on the identities of the assailants.

Until then, a number of reports are claiming the siege has come to an end and security forces have the mall under control.

Here's Agence-France Press and Telegraph UK on Twitter:

Kenya troops have #Westgate mall 'under control' after three day bloodbath http://t.co/OyjAG3VrJx via @YahooNews

— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) September 23, 2013

.@interiorKE says Kenyan security forces are now in control of #Westgate mall. Follow here for the latest http://t.co/mK4zNG4vT6

— Telegraph World News (@TelegraphWorld) September 23, 2013

And at the Wall Street Journal, "Kenyan Mall Siege Enters Third Night: Security Forces Mount Assault as Details on Attackers Begin to Emerge":

NAIROBI, Kenya—The standoff at a popular shopping mall here entered its third night on Monday, as sketchy details began to emerge about the assailants, among them a Caucasian-looking woman in a head scarf.

The woman, said a Western security officer briefed on the assault, fired on shoppers with an assault rifle as they fled and dove for cover. Most of the other attackers remain unidentified.

Meanwhile, on Monday afternoon, Kenyan security forces mounted a major assault in an effort to free the more-than-40 people still believed to be inside. Gunfire and explosions erupted as the operation started, accompanied by a black plume of smoke billowing into the air.

Kenyan officials said they had been able to free almost all of the civilians inside, but declined to give a figure.

At least 62 people have been killed in the three-day siege that started on Saturday, after armed assailants rushed into the mall from three entrances and opened fire on those inside.

At least two attackers were killed and 10 people have been arrested in Kenya for questioning in connection with the assault, police said.

The account of female militants jibes with witnesses who said they saw women taking part in the assault.

One man said he saw three women among the assailants that came in and out of the supermarket storeroom in which he was hiding. Interior cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku said Monday that some militants had disguised themselves women, without explaining why.

Meanwhile, Kenya's military, which is taking part in the counterassault on the mall, confirmed that the assailants came from a number of countries, although an official declined to disclose details in a briefing with reporters Monday.

"We have an idea who these people are, and they are clearly a multinational collection from all over the world," said Maj. Gen. Julius Karanja, the chief of general staff for the Kenyan military.

The Somali al-Shabaab militant Islamist group claimed responsibility for the attack but didn't provide details on the assailants.

A list of purported attackers, including Europeans and Americans, appeared to have come from a Twitter account not sanctioned by the group. The list couldn't be independently verified.

The security forces also appeared to be growing to include international participants. Israeli forces joined Kenyan troops pursuing the militants inside the mall on Monday, said witnesses.

The Israeli government declined to comment on their presence and Kenyan officials continued to stress that the rescue was a purely Kenyan operation.

There are a number of Israeli-owned shops in Westgate and the mall itself is at least partially Israeli-owned.

More at that top link.

I'll be updating throughout the night.

Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union Wins Triumphant German Election

Chancellor Merkel was reelected to a third term.

At the New York Times, "Merkel Re-Elected in Show of Strong Support for Party":

BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel scored a stunning personal triumph in Sunday’s national elections in Germany, becoming the only major leader to be re-elected twice since the financial crisis of 2008 and winning strong popular endorsement for her mix of austerity and solidarity in managing troubled Europe.

Although final vote tallies were not expected until Monday, the surprising show of strength for the chancellor and her center-right Christian Democrats — even their own polls had not suggested such a result — might just translate into an absolute majority, according to exit polls by both major German television stations. That is something no German chancellor has achieved since Konrad Adenauer in 1957.

Ms. Merkel, 59 and a physicist raised in Communist East Germany, was unusually buoyant when she appeared before supporters, who chanted “Angie! Angie!” and gave her two whole minutes of applause at party headquarters. She exuberantly thanked voters, campaigners and her husband, the quantum chemist Joachim Sauer. Mr. Sauer, who tends to shun the limelight, stood at the side of the stage, acknowledging the jubilation of her fans.

Later, during a raucous celebration at her party headquarters, Ms. Merkel clapped and sang along with the crowds but reminded them, “Tomorrow, we work.”

For all her success, it is not clear how Ms. Merkel will govern in her third four-year term. Her allies for the past four years, the business-minded Free Democrats, were expected to lose their place in Parliament, missing the 5 percent cutoff. And a narrow majority would be unstable — risking defeat in crucial parliamentary votes needed to pass more aid or credits for troubled economies.

So the most likely course is that Ms. Merkel will enter a grand coalition with the No. 2 party nationally, the center-left Social Democrats.

Continue reading.

Also at Der Spiegel, "Election Triumph: Merkel Victorious But Faces Tough Talks, and "Merkel Country: Trouble Ahead for Triumphant Queen Angela."

More, "Wiped Out: Free Democrats Reel from Election Fiasco," and "Grand Coalition? Social Dems Deflect Talk of Merkel Alliance."

Plus, an analysis at the Economist, "Angela Merkel's bittersweet triumph."

Jihad in Kenya: Photos

At Pamela's, "PHOTOS: JIHAD IN KENYA, DEATH TOLL HITS 68 IN MUSLIM MASSACRE AT WESTGATE MALL."

And at BNI, "UPDATE NAIROBI ISLAMIC TERRORIST MALL ATTACK: 59 dead, 175 wounded, terrorists still holding hostages, Israeli Security Forces arrive to help."



And then see FrontPage Magazine, "UK PM Says Terror Attack Carried Out for Islam has Nothing to do with Islam" (via Blazing Cat Fur).

Boy, that David Cameron. He's a regular riot.

Don't Wave the White Flag of Surrender — Sarah Palin Slams Cannibalistic RINOs on #DefundObamaCare

Sarah Palin's laying down some major support for Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee.

She references her Big Government piece today at the clip, "Sarah Palin: Americans Are Fed Up with #ObamaCare."



And see William Jacobson, "What are the Republican doughboys afraid of?"

Also at Twitchy, "‘See your filthy paw prints, Rove’ Who sent oppo research on Ted Cruz to Chris Wallace?", and "Sarah Palin to Chris Wallace: Expose which GOPers are trying to ‘trash Sen Cruz’."

Carnage and Survival at Westgate Mall, #Nairobi

At at the National Post, "Graphic: Survivor’s Stories from the Nairobi Mall."

Hat Tip: Trending Kenya.

Sunday Cartoons

At Flopping Aces, "Sunday Funnies."



Also at Randy's Roundtable, "Friday Nite Funnies," and Reaganite, "Reaganite's SUNDAY FUNNIES."

CARTOON CREDIT: Legal Insurrection, "Branco Cartoon – Piling On."

Raw Video From #Nairobi Terrorist Attack

At Pamela's, "SHOUTS, SCREAMS... AND THEN A SPRINT FOR THEIR LIVES: RAW VIDEO FOOTAGE SHOWS FULL TERROR OF MOMENT MUSLIM TERRORISTS STRUCK AT KENYA MALL."



Added: Another version of the video with talking head commentary, at KTN Kenya, "Most chilling video of the Westgate attack."

'Well I tried to make it Sunday...'

I should post America more often.

It's been a couple of years now.

I love their music.

Starting Over With Emily Ratajkowski!

Working on my roundup yesterday I couldn't find a decent Rule 5 post over at Dana Pico's, even in the archives. The pictures weren't loading. Turns out his blog was devastated by a malware attack.

But he's back: "Rule 5 Blogging: Starting Over."

And here's Emily to form a one-woman welcoming committee, lol.

(I'm on on Emily jag, in case you haven't noticed.)

The Cult of #ObamaCare

A majority of Americans disapprove of the law, yet according to some Obama cultists, folks like this should be denied health coverage.

Support for Obama has always been cultish, but calling people who disagree on policy grounds "non-believers" is a new low.

At Twitchy, "Unhinged: UCSF fundraiser wishes death on all Obamacare ‘nonbelievers’; Nick Searcy shreds."

here you are, little girl wishing death on those who disagree with your great socialist overlords. @shandlerr pic.twitter.com/jTLWZ0uI57”

— Yes, Nick Searcy! (@yesnicksearcy) September 21, 2013

@dmbatten @UCSF @shandlerr That she uses word "nonbeliever" is ludicrous and creepy. #obamacare is NOT a belief.

— NancyBellicec (@Nancy_Bellicec) September 21, 2013

Truly creepy. But that's the left in action. Creep-tastic 24/7.

#Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw Tunes Up for Playoffs With 4-0 Victory Over Padres

The Dodgers are playing right now at San Diego.

Yesterday's game was a gem, as reported at LAT.

RECAP: @ClaytonKersh22 Ks 10, @YasielPuig and @AJEllis17 HR in 4-0 win over Padres: http://t.co/n0zfl64ntA pic.twitter.com/rCBQhYXw9A

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 22, 2013

Wife of U.S. Diplomat Killed in #Nairobi Terror Attack

Really, this is a major attack, a breakthrough for al-Qaeda in Africa, represented by al-Shabab.

At Fire Andrea Mitchell, "Wife of American diplomat killed in Kenya as death toll rises to 68."

And at London's Daily Mail, "US Embassy worker's wife among 68 dead in Kenya mall massacre: Witnesses report huge explosion as special forces move in to free dozens of hostages held by Muslim terrorists in siege live-blogged on Twitter."

Also at Reuters, "Islamist gunmen hold hostages in Kenya siege, 68 dead."

Previous coverage here.

Added: More at Gateway Pundit, "Nairobi Mall Terror Attack Continues, Americans Injured, Wife of U.S. Diplomat Killed."