ready...set...go

saudi arabia is looking to start a new middle easts arms race and match Iran's nuclear weapons power. This could lead to many other countries becoming involved and starting to build nuclear weapons. I believe this is dangerous because for on ewe don't really know how much nuclear power Iran has and if other middl east countries get a hold of nuclear weapons it could become very dangerous. Countries such as Syria which is the home of ISIS were to have nuclear bombs would be extremely dangerous to the rest of the world and this could lead to other countries threatening each other with nuclear weapons. I believe if countries without any form of government get a hold of nuclear weapons they will have no one to stop them from using them. -MA

You Will Never Guess What ISIS is Using to Plan Attacks and Share Intelligence

Something we use everyday, the Internet, is being taken advantage by ISIS in order to recruit members, share intelligence, and plan real world attacks. The dark web, also known as the deep web, is the secret, underlying part of the Internet which cannot be accessed by a normal search engine or browser. ISIS can remain anonymous over the deep web, allowing members to communicate freely. ISIS used this method to plan the Texas attack this month, where gunman Elton Simpson carried out an attack in Garland. ISIS will continue to use the dark web to continue its rein of terror, and is an enemy that needs to be stopped.  

-JV

The U.S Will Pay a lot of Money for these leaders

Four supposed leaders of IS militants

The U.S. is planning on spending up to $20 million dollars for these militants.  Why must we spend so much on these so called "leaders".  Has the U.S. not yet figured out that once a leader is taken down a new leader will arise?  We cannot simply keep taking the leaders down one by one because there are still leaders that will rise up from the regular militants.  This decision is rash and will not wok forever.  The U.S. needs to find a new strategy and quick for that matter.

source:http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32603203

CW

Obesity an Unacceptable Worldwide Epidemic

Obesity has no limits and will reach far and wide.

All over the world obesity has found its way and unfortunately it has also found its way to 610kg (1345 lbs.) man named Khaled Mohsen Shaeri.  He was removed from his house with a forklift to receive an operation to remove 80kg (176 lbs.) from his stomach after being no longer able to walk.

This is unacceptable because we only have one life to live and some are unable to control themselves but they should still make it an effort to be healthy so they will be able to achieve anything in life.

An example of a man that did turn his life around is Shahzad Ahmed.  He was obese, nearly had diabetes, and had a high cholesterol levels. He was able to turn his life around and ended up biking 2,300 km(1429 mi) across Europe because of motivation from his daughter and his wife.  He is making the difference that everyone needs to make to turn their lives around and stop sitting around and being idle.  We as a country or even as a wold will not make progress if we simply laze around and wait for the results to come to us.  We must go and do things for ourselves and for others.  in the end doing something is better than doing nothing.
-CW
source:http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/26/health/middle-east-obesity-diabetes-epidemic/

ISIS Destroying Cultre

ISIS erasing history, culture in Syria and Iraq

The Mosul Museum before its destruction by ISIS. Source: CBS News

The Islamic State of  Iraq and Syria has began to destroy culture and religion in the Middle East. Their most recent attack was the destruction of the ancient city of Nimrud in northern Iraq last week. This is part of a systematic campaign to destroy historic and archaeological sites. ISIS continues to ruin any ancient site within areas controlled by the group, and will be stopped at nothing to wipe out all ancient culture.

ISIS has began to spark global outrage, and are believed to be selling the ancient artifacts for money on the black market. They have no right to destroy priceless artifacts, or use them to aid in their terror across the Middle East. ISIS has control of nearly 2,000 historical sites, and will destroy them at any time. They have already destroyed several, including the Central Library of Mosul, Mosul Museum, and many others.

ISIS needs to be stopped, and their barbarism continues to show why military forced is needed. They will stop at nothing to remove any sign of life before ISIS came too power, and will kill all other culture and religion.

Source: CBS

JV

ISIS Attacks Yemen

ISIS Claims Responsibility for Yemen Suicide Bombings

A Houthi militant looks at a damaged building caused by the suicide bombings.
Source: Newsweek

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings in Yemen today, which killed at least 126 people and injured hundreds more. The bombings took place in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, and was carried out by two Shiite mosques. The Shittes had been under attack by the Houthi rebels, who took control of the capital in September. ISIS released an official statement stating that they were behind the attacks.

Another terrorist group in the region, AQAP, the Yemen al-Qaeda franchise, has destined themselves from the attack, making no comment. This is the first known attack in Yemen by ISIS, and they might be trying to establish a larger presence in the region. Charlie Winter, a researcher at the anti-radicalism organization, states, "They are trying to stoke tensions as much as possible. ISIS is trying to put itself on the map in Yemen." And while the capital is under firm control by the Houthi, ISIS could be potentially waiting to strike if Yemen falls into chaos.

ISIS will continue its rein of terror and destruction in the Middle East. Where ever there is a power void in the Middle East, ISIS will be there to fill it. They are gaining strength and power each day, and will not go away until they spread their radical culture. ISIS wants to destroy Western culture, and will stop at nothing to do it. They pose a great threat to democracy, and the United States way of life. Eventually, US troops will be needed to neutralize the ISIS threat. Drone strikes are not sufficient enough, and troops on the ground will be required. War is inevitable, and necessary to maintain Western culture, and stop the spread of radical Islam. 

Source: Time

JV

Palestinian Fishermen Under Attack By Israelis

 Even simple fishermen are being attacked by Israelis.(http://www.imemc.org/article/70946)

According to the Palestinian News and Info Agency (WAFA) Israeli Navy boats opened fire on some fishing boats just 4 miles from Gaza's shore.The attack was to harass and chase the ships back to their port  This is however in violation of the ceasefire agreements.

A boat that has been severely damaged due to the shooting of fishermen boats by the Israeli Navy.(http://www.imemc.org/article/70946)

These attacks have happened a number of times and have happened in order to try to stop the Gaza fishermen from fishing.  With the harassment and less fishing occurring the Palestinians are able to catch less fish in order to provide for their families and towns.  

On Saturday, March 7 two Palestinian fishermen were kidnapped and one was shot and killed because of Israeli Navy.
-CW

Ukraine Seeks Weapons From US

Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko came to a weapons show in Abu Dhabi where he called on the US to provide his military with weapons. 

The Ukraine president visited the largest arms show in the middle east because he feels he needs to strengthen Ukraine's defense from other countries. “We [want to] increase the defensive capabilities of the Ukrainian Army only to better defend our territory,” Poroshenko said. He wants to work with the US to receive more arms to better strengthen his military from Russia. The president has been stressing that the arms would only be for military defense and not as weapons to attack other countries with. Ukraine desperately needs weapons as they are currently fighting pro Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. -MA

When Your Country Doesn't Fight, You Fight

When Your Own Country Doesn't Help in the Fight, Do it Yourself

British soldier leaves his own battalion to help in the fight against Isil.

     This British soldier, who remains unnamed, as pictured above has joined the Kurdish fighters in the Middle East in the fight against Isil.  This young lad was stationed in Cyprus before venturing off to go and find some real action and some real ways to actually help in the wars going on all around.  This young soldier decided to go out and try to make a difference because he said that "these guys need our help".  What the soldier sees and wants is change, when he was stationed at Cyprus he didn't feel like he was making the difference he wanted to make.  This soldier was surprised at the organization of the soldiers but was proud of their willingness to help fight to protect their families.  This soldier is following in their footsteps and taking steps to protect others along with his family.

Source: Mising British Soldier Telegraph

ISIS Takes Christians

Via: AP

ISIS abducts at least 70 Christians in Syria 

 The Islamic State militants have reportedly taken at least 70 Assyrian Christians, including women 
and children, from a number of villages in northeastern Syria. Two activist groups said that the number may rise to 90 in the coming days.

The extremists swept through several Syrian villages along the Khabur River near the town of Tal Tamr on Monday morning. The area is inhabited by indigenous Christians whose people date back to the ancient Mesopotamia's. In the assault, 70-100 Christians were taken captive, while over 3,000 others manged to flee ISIS. They are now taking refuge in neighboring cities. 

This comes following the recent release of an ISIS video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians. It is not yet clear what ISIS plans to do with the captives, and they could potentiality be involved in a prisoner swap with Kurdish and Christian militias ISIS is battling in the Middle East. 

ISIS is a different type of threat, who will stop at nothing to spread their culture and power. They do not have basic human decencies, and follow no laws or regulations. The United States has to treat ISIS differently than terrorists group, like Al-Qeada, and stop their gain of power. ISIS will eventually become too big for the US and other countries to ignore, and drone strikes will not be enough. But until then, ISIS will continue its destruction in the Middle East.    

Via: New York Post

JV

Saudi Arabian King Dies

King Abdullah Dies at 90

King Abdullah in 2007.
Via: Dylan Martinez

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia died last Friday at age 90. Coming to throne at old age, the king was known as a cautious reformer, and a close ally with the United States. His successor, Crown Prince Salman, announced in a televised statement that the king died  and he had assumed the throne. Saudi Arabia, the world's largest exporter of oil, is already in a struggle with Iran for regional dominance, and the king's death will certainly add more uncertainty for the country. Abdullah was one of the few tyrants left in the world, and he did not allow basic rights to citizens such as free speech or dissent. But, the king modernized the kingdom, giving women the right to vote, and establishing a Western-style University.  

Saudi Arabia is a top supplier of arms to rebels overthrowing the Syrian government, and is also a leading member of the U.S lead fight against ISIS. Salman, the king's half-brother, pledged to continue Abdullah's policies. President Obama traveled to Saudi Arabia Tuesday, giving his condolences and meeting the new king. Obama is boosting its alliance with the kingdom, and it is clear that Saudi Arabia will be a major ally in the fight against ISIS.  

Via: New York Times

 JV

Oldest Human Skull Found in Middle East

Oldest Human Skull Found in Middle East

Oldest Skull Found in Middle East

          Years and years of painstaking lab research and analysis have proved that this skull is in fact 55,000 years old.  Archaeologists found this skull seven years ago but just recently discovered the age .  The skull was found in a cave that was said to have closed about 30,000 years ago.  Due to the collapse of the cave the skull was able to be protected from conflicts that occurred outside of the cave.  The skull was specifically located in the Manot Cave of Western Galilee.  Then according to  Dr. Omry Barzilai of the antiques authority, the 55,000-year-old skull is "one of the most important discoveries in the study of human evolution."  The archaeologists also said they are working hard to find more and unearth past secrets.

Source:http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Oldest-human-skull-in-Middle-East-found-in-northern-Israel-389324

-CW

  

Pros teeing it up in Dubai

Tiger Woods teeing it off in Dubai

Dubai hosts the biggest and final championship of the European tour season. It consists of the best European tour players such as Rory Mcilroy, Sergio Garcia,  Henrik Stenson, and Justin Rose. First place receives 25 million us dollars out of the 8 million dollar total prize money. This past season Henrik Stenson won the Dubai Championship, but Rory Mcilroy won the season long race to Dubai. He won with all the pints he accumulated by winning and placing in the top 10 of most of the European tour tournaments. More than 55,000 people attended the the championship. Admission is free for all to see. Players such as Tiger Woods have played here in other professional golf tournaments. -MA

Inhumane Punishment for an Arabian Blogger

Inhumane Punishment for an Arabian Blogger

Raif Badaw , the innocent Saudi website creator and  blogger

Raif Badaw of Saudi Arabia is sentenced to 1,000 lashings after founding and creating a blog that was not pleasing to some Arabian clerics.  The blog criticized the clerics and offended many in the clergy.  So to teach him a lesson the country decided on a punishment of 50 lashes at a time until he reaches 1,000 lashings.  Saudi authorities say that he has already went through 50 lashings, but they wait to do the next 50 until he is fully healed.  By doing this they are making this innocent blogger suffer longer and endure more pain to fully teach him a lesson.  

All the people ask for is freedom for this innocent soul.

Many ask for the freedom of this blogger and ask for the suffering that he has to endure to stop at this instant.  It's inhumane for anyone to receive such a punishment and should be thought so as well.  Eight U.S. senators have expressed that if this continues then the broken friendship will continue to be so.  Nobody should have to go through this, so why should he?

Sources:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/01/20/us-senators-urge-saudi-arabia-to-halt-barbaric-flogging-blogger/

www.ibtimes.co.uk

ISIS Reaches a New Low

ISIS Throws Gay Man off Building 

Gay man faced his death due to ISIS. Via Twitter

Members of the Islamic state ISIS threw a man off a building yesterday in the Iraqi town of Mosul. Hundreds gathered around to witness the brutal murder of the man, whose body was left out splatted against the concrete for several hours. This was the latest of ISIS punishments against gay males, or males that are merely suspected of being gay. The Islamic State has repeatedly killed gays by stoning or throwing them off buildings. Gay man are being hunted down and killed like rats in Iraq, due to the fact that they are gay. This reveals the radical thinking in Islam, and how dangerous ISIS could be in the future. ISIS will continue to be a radical and dangerous enemy, and one who is capable of sickening actions. 

Via: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/19/isis-goes-medieval-on-gays.html
JV