BAMAKO, Mali — The cash filled three suitcases: 5 million euros.More.
The German official charged with delivering this cargo arrived here aboard a nearly empty military plane and was whisked away to a secret meeting with the president of Mali, who had offered Europe a face-saving solution to a vexing problem.
Officially, Germany had budgeted the money as humanitarian aid for the poor, landlocked nation of Mali.
In truth, all sides understood that the cash was bound for an obscure group of Islamic extremists who were holding 32 European hostages, according to six senior diplomats directly involved in the exchange.
The suitcases were loaded onto pickup trucks and driven hundreds of miles north into the Sahara, where the bearded fighters, who would soon become an official arm of Al Qaeda, counted the money on a blanket thrown on the sand. The 2003 episode was a learning experience for both sides. Eleven years later, the handoff in Bamako has become a well-rehearsed ritual, one of dozens of such transactions repeated all over the world.
Kidnapping Europeans for ransom has become a global business for Al Qaeda, bankrolling its operations across the globe.
While European governments deny paying ransoms, an investigation by The New York Times found that Al Qaeda and its direct affiliates have taken in at least $125 million in revenue from kidnappings since 2008, of which $66 million was paid just last year.
In news releases and statements, the United States Treasury Department has cited ransom amounts that, taken together, put the total at around $165 million over the same period.
These payments were made almost exclusively by European governments, who funneled the money through a network of proxies, sometimes masking it as development aid, according to interviews conducted for this article with former hostages, negotiators, diplomats and government officials in 10 countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The inner workings of the kidnapping business were also revealed in thousands of pages of internal Qaeda documents found by this reporter while on assignment for The Associated Press in northern Mali last year.
In its early years, Al Qaeda received most of its money from deep-pocketed donors, but counterterrorism officials now believe the group finances the bulk of its recruitment, training and arms purchases from ransoms paid to free Europeans.
Put more bluntly, Europe has become an inadvertent underwriter of Al Qaeda...
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Ransoming Citizens, Europe Underwrites al-Qaeda Terrorism
At the New York Times, "Paying Ransoms, Europe Bankrolls Qaeda Terror":
Associated Press: 'Members of Congress are falling over one another to show their support for Israel...'
It's not just on Twitter. AP's lede at the article claimed "Members of Congress are falling over one another" to show support for Israel.
At Twitchy, "‘Like the title of a Hamas press release': This is how the AP does ‘objective journalism’."
At Twitchy, "‘Like the title of a Hamas press release': This is how the AP does ‘objective journalism’."
As much of world watches Gaza war in horror, members of Congress fall over each other to support Israel: http://t.co/DepO2etLQS
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 29, 2014
Massive Flooding at UCLA After Water Main Breaks
Sunset Boulevard is shut down in both directions and UCLA's Pauley Pavilion is "threatened."
Water soaks UCLA campus as seen by @GadiNBCLA http://t.co/TR6BHiTMLk pic.twitter.com/2s2mtXir5T
— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) July 30, 2014Flooding on UCLA campus threatens Pauley Pavilion http://t.co/dHqnYexUl5 via @usatoday
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) July 30, 2014#SunsetFlood: 10630 West Sunset Blvd. Water rising. Drivers avoid area #TRAFFICALERT http://t.co/5ldkqHexCI pic.twitter.com/2WpSEl08Yg
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) July 29, 2014#SunsetFlood: UCLA Medical Center not affected by water main break at this time http://t.co/u5lTvejony
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) July 29, 2014PHOTOS: Water main break floods Westwood street and parts of UCLA #SunsetFlood http://t.co/3v8f7MBxWR pic.twitter.com/8qkgrCoCcR
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) July 29, 2014MAP of #SunsetFlood http://t.co/5ldkqHexCI pic.twitter.com/bEt1GZyobH
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) July 29, 2014#SunsetFlood update: fire officials making requests for sand bags to stop significant water flow on #UCLA campus.
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) July 29, 2014#LAFD Captain reports that #DWP officials expect water to progressively decrease within the next two hours in #Westwood.
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) July 30, 2014#UPDATE: Officials say at one point 36,000 gallons of water was flowing per minute from the water main break near #UCLA
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) July 30, 2014Islamic State's Black Flag Waves as Crowds Chant 'Death to the Jews' in Europe (VIDEO)
Coming to America?
From Nadette De Visser, at the Daily Beast, "ISIS’s Black Flags Are Flying in Europe." (Video here.)
And at Atlas Shrugs, "VIDEO: Al Qaeda and Islamic State flags in London’s tunnels."
From Nadette De Visser, at the Daily Beast, "ISIS’s Black Flags Are Flying in Europe." (Video here.)
And at Atlas Shrugs, "VIDEO: Al Qaeda and Islamic State flags in London’s tunnels."
WAR CRIMES VIDEO: Islamic State Killing Fields in Iraq, Jihad-Suicide Martyrdom Operation — GRAPHIC!
ISIS released a new propaganda video, including images of mass slaughter in Iraq.
At Gateway Pundit, "HORROR! NEW VIDEO ~~>>> ISIS Terrorists Slaughter HUNDREDS
OF SHIITES in Iraq."
And London's Daily Mail reports, "The Islamic State Killing Fields: Terror group releases horrifying video showing drive-by shootings, suicide bombings and dozens of other victims rounded up and executed."
More at the Long War Journal, "Analysis: Islamic State advertises war crimes in video commemorating end of Ramadan."
At Gateway Pundit, "HORROR! NEW VIDEO ~~>>> ISIS Terrorists Slaughter HUNDREDS
OF SHIITES in Iraq."
#ISIS posts a video for Eid al-Ftr showing how it massacred dozens of Shiite hours after the fall of #Mosul & Tikrit pic.twitter.com/Jh1N5rjAUo
— Zaid Benjamin (@zaidbenjamin) July 29, 2014
ISIS's latest video: unimaginable barbarism. An ISIS-run state would be a menace to all. http://t.co/U4SF5Yr8B4
— Roland Paris (@rolandparis) July 29, 2014
And London's Daily Mail reports, "The Islamic State Killing Fields: Terror group releases horrifying video showing drive-by shootings, suicide bombings and dozens of other victims rounded up and executed."
More at the Long War Journal, "Analysis: Islamic State advertises war crimes in video commemorating end of Ramadan."
VIDEO: Brazen Illegal Alien Criminals Protest Outside White House with No Fear of Arrest!
And these brazen illegals are boycotting any White House immigration negotiations, demanding that illegal aliens have a seat at the table!
Hey, and Japan could have dictated the terms of its surrender in 1945. Sorry General MacArthur, no U.S. occupation troops in Japan. We'll be good --- we promise!!
Hey, and Japan could have dictated the terms of its surrender in 1945. Sorry General MacArthur, no U.S. occupation troops in Japan. We'll be good --- we promise!!
ILLEGALS PROTEST OUTSIDE OF WHITE HOUSE; NO FEAR OF ARREST http://t.co/KWfzLU9OCL
— DRUDGE REPORT (@DRUDGE_REPORT) July 29, 2014Heh, Reactions to Left-Wing Idiots' Seattle 'Die-In' Against Boeing
Heh, following-up from yesterday, "PHOTOS: Hamas' Useful Idiots Stage 'Die-In' Protest Against Boeing in Seattle."
Pat Houseworth was especially cracking me up:
Pat Houseworth was especially cracking me up:
@AmPowerBlog @vermontaigne It appears that the only way to "Fix Stupid" is with a bullet in these moron's brains....should they have any.
— Pat Houseworth (@prhouseworth) July 28, 2014Gosh that's not Applewhite-culty at all RT @AmPowerBlog Hamas' Useful Idiots Stage 'Die-In' Protest http://t.co/9FVdmHsRA1
— Film Ladd (@FilmLadd) July 28, 2014@AmPowerBlog @RichardDeLaGar4
Too bad the Islamist scum weren't assisted by blowing off their heads
— Gen. Robert E Lee (@Suthen_boy) July 28, 2014Israel Rejects Hamas Cease-Fire Negotiated by Obama's Terror-Enabler John Kerry
From Josh Rogin, at the Daily Beast, "Inside the Kerry-Israel Meltdown":
Kerry on personal attacks from Israel: "I've taken hits before in politics, I'm not worried about that. This is not about me."
— Ali Weinberg (@AliABCNews) July 29, 2014
On Monday, Secretary of State Kerry took to the podium at the State Department to say that he was working with Israel and Hamas to negotiate an extension of their temporary ceasefire.And the fact is, Kerry was pushing the Hamas cease-fire. At Free Beacon, "Israeli Officials, Press Criticize John Kerry’s Ceasefire Proposal: Kerry 'completely capitulating' to Hamas' demands."
“Today, we are continuing to work toward establishing an unconditional humanitarian ceasefire, one that…will stop the fighting, allow desperately needed food and medicine and other supplies into Gaza, and enable Israel to address…the threat posed by tunnel attacks—and to be able to do so without having to resort to combat,” Kerry said.
An hour later, the Israeli military sent a text message to all Palestinians to stay in their homes and resumed strikes inside Gaza.
The resumption of violence was the latest example of just how disconnected Kerry’s whirlwind diplomatic efforts have been from the combatants he’s trying to get to stop fighting. The Israeli government has been particularly vocal in its criticism of Kerry’s peacemaker attempts. But in the Palestinian camps, there has been public discontent, too.
Ever since Kerry left the region Friday for Paris, he has been scrambling to patch together a series of short-term humanitarian ceasefires: first 12 hours, then another 4 hours. He was working on an extension Monday when the two parties decided to move on and resume their fighting. Kerry seemed unaware—or unwilling to admit—that his latest plan for a ceasefire extension was about to be rejected.
20-Year-Old Nick Fagano, Killed by Lightning Bolt at Venice Beach, Was Set to Start at USC
Sometimes your number's just up.
Just a young kid looking to move forward, starting business school at USC after attending community college, and then struck by lighting.
At the Los Angeles Times, "Man killed in lightning strike was about to enter USC."
PREVIOUSLY: "VIDEO: Lightning Strike Kills Man at Venice Beach in Los Angeles."
Just a young kid looking to move forward, starting business school at USC after attending community college, and then struck by lighting.
At the Los Angeles Times, "Man killed in lightning strike was about to enter USC."
PREVIOUSLY: "VIDEO: Lightning Strike Kills Man at Venice Beach in Los Angeles."
Group of Illegal Aliens from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka Caught Entering Texas from Mexico
On Twitter yesterday, WTF!
And see Breitbart.
WHAT THE FUCK! Group of Illegal Aliens from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka Caught Entering Texas from Mexico http://t.co/6olXwDQPQr
— Heidi (@HeidiL_RN) July 29, 2014
And see Breitbart.
Africa's Ebola Virus Only a Plane Ride Away from U.S.A.
At USA Today, "EBOLA VIRUS RAPIDLY SPREADING IN WEST AFRICA."
Ebola, which is spreading wildly in West Africa, is just a plane ride away: http://t.co/jFYYG7oNqQ (Youssouf Bah, AP) pic.twitter.com/Bi5vQFLPac
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) July 29, 2014Naftali Bennett: IDF Operation 'Ripping Hamas Apart'
At Arutz Sheva, "Bennett: IDF Operation Must Bring Hamas 'To Their Knees'":
Economics Minister says war with Gaza terrorists 'ripping Hamas apart' and must go all the way; urges public to support PM's efforts.
Earlier Tuesday Bennett linked Israel's war with Hamas and Islamic jihad to the wider struggle against radical Islam.
“Radical Islam seeks to erase the Jewish state from the face of the earth,” he explained. “They do not seek a strip of land or a Palestinian state. Only our annihilation. [Ayatollah] Khamenei in Iran. Nasrallah in Lebanon. Haniyeh in Gaza. Meshaal in Qatar. All of the jihadist arms that are waiting to see how we respond."
Nick Slams Andi for 'Making Love to Him' on Bachelorette Final Rose (VIDEO)
I never liked Andi after last season's the Bachelor with Juan Pablo. She seems like a bitch to me. But my wife wanted to see this season's finale of the Bachelorette, and it took a dishy turn when Nick called her out for having no-commitment sex.
At Us Magazine, "VIDEO: Bachelorette After the Final Rose Recap: Andi Dorfman's Runner-Up Confronts Her About "Making Love" to Him."
At Us Magazine, "VIDEO: Bachelorette After the Final Rose Recap: Andi Dorfman's Runner-Up Confronts Her About "Making Love" to Him."
shoutout to nick for throwing andi under the bus on after the final rose 👏 #attaboy
— bri dempsey (@bri_not_bree) July 29, 2014Democrat Natalie Tenant Turns Out the Lights at the Obama White House: 'Where do they think their electricity comes from?'
From Chris Cillizza, at the Washington Post, "One of the most anti-Obama ads of the election is being run by a Democrat in West Virginia."
It's not easy being a Democrat in West Virginia these days. President Obama is deeply unpopular in the state -- thanks, at least in part, to his recent push to cut emissions at coal plants. Natalie Tennant, the party's longshot nominee for the state's open Senate seat knows it-- and in her first ad of the campaign she is doing everything she can to make clear she and Obama aren't too friendly...And from Patricia Murphy, a the Daily Beast, "Red State Democrats Ditch Obama":
In West Virginia Senate candidate Natalie Tennant’s latest ad, she hits a switch, plunges the White House into darkness, and promises, “I’ll make sure President Obama gets the message” on the importance of the West Virginia coal industry to the rest to the rest of the country.Ouch.
But what Tennant does not mention is that she is a Democrat running to replace retiring Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a detail probably best left unsaid in a state where President Obama’s latest approval rating was just 25 percent, the second-lowest of any state in the country...
'The Military Occupation of Gaza Can Continue Until the Military Threat Is Over...'
A great commentary from Alan Dershowitz.
And why is Marc Lamont Hill still on TV? God, I don't think I've ever heard him say an intelligent thing. And screw Peter Beinart. He's a freakin' embarrassment to decency. No, to humanity. Sheesh.
And why is Marc Lamont Hill still on TV? God, I don't think I've ever heard him say an intelligent thing. And screw Peter Beinart. He's a freakin' embarrassment to decency. No, to humanity. Sheesh.
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith Apologizes for 'Provocation' Comments (VIDEO)
Truth Revolt reports:
Friday Stephen A. Smith made the grave mistake of attempting to discuss domestic violence as a male on live television, cautioning against coming to conclusions about Ray Rice’s apparent abuse of his then-fiancé, now-wife without full knowledge of the event.And at the Other McCain, "An Ill-Advised Apology":
“In Ray Rice’s case, he probably deserves more than a two-game suspension, which we both acknowledged,” said Smith. “But at the same time, we also have to make sure that we learn as much as we can about elements of provocation. Not that there’s real provocation, but the elements of provocation...”
This is another sad example of the harmful impact of feminism’s totalitarian impulse to suppress dissent. Anyone who has seriously studied domestic violence knows that, in many cases, bad relationships are characterized by toxic emotions on both sides. You’ve got two people with uncontrollable tempers — often drugs or alcohol are involved, and often one or both partners were raised in households where abuse and violence were a problem — and when they get into an argument, the argument turns into a physical fight.Here's the "offending" segment: "Stephen A. Smith to Women: ‘Don’t Do Anything to Provoke’ Men Into Beating You."
Doesn’t anybody watch C*O*P*S? The police show up in response to a domestic disturbance call, and they encounter the scruffy tattooed brute and his foul-mouthed tattooed live-in girlfriend.
Both of them are bad drunk, and the police have to question them separately to try to figure out what actually happened: How did it start? Who hit who? Each partner points the finger of blame at the other, and the police have to sort out the evidence and testimony. Has one or the other partner got a bruise or a busted lip? Does one of them admit doing something that can be considered assault?
Most of the time, it’s the guy who gets handcuffed and put in the back of the patrol car, but as you watch these C*O*P*S episodes — unedited, unstaged — quite often your sympathy for the female victim is tempered by the fact that (a) she had, after all, chosen to move in with this wretched boyfriend, and (b) she’s not exactly a meek and helpless type. She’s drunk, she’s got a Marlboro hanging out of her mouth, and she’s cussing like a sailor. Lowlife women have a habit of gravitating toward lowlife men, and the fact that their relationships are fraught with ugly violence is an unfortunate but predictable reality. It is what it is.
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