Making Repression Our Business
The Pentagon’s Secret Training Missions in the Middle East
By Nick Turse -13 December, 2011 – TomDispatch

As the Arab Spring blossomed and President Obama hesitated about whether to speak out in favor of protesters seeking democratic change in the Greater Middle East, the Pentagon acted decisively. It forged ever deeper ties with some of the most repressive regimes in the region, building up military bases and brokering weapons sales and transfers to despots from Bahrain to Yemen.

As state security forces across the region cracked down on democratic dissent, the Pentagon also repeatedly dispatched American troops on training missions to allied militaries there. During more than 40 such operations with names like Eager Lion and Friendship Two that sometimes lasted for weeks or months at a time, they taught Middle Eastern security forces the finer points of counterinsurgency, small unit tactics, intelligence gathering, and information operations — skills crucial to defeating popular uprisings.

These recurrent joint-training exercises, seldom reported in the media and rarely mentioned outside the military, constitute the core of an elaborate, longstanding system that binds the Pentagon to the militaries of repressive regimes across the Middle East. Although the Pentagon shrouds these exercises in secrecy, refusing to answer basic questions about their scale, scope, or cost, an investigation by TomDispatch reveals the outlines of a region-wide training program whose ambitions are large and wholly at odds with Washington’s professed aims of supporting democratic reforms in the Greater Middle East.

Lions, Marines, and Moroccans — Oh My!

On May 19th, President Obama finally addressed the Arab Spring in earnest. He was unambiguous about standing with the protesters and against repressive governments, asserting that “America’s interests are not hostile to people’s hopes; they’re essential to them.”

Four days earlier, the very demonstrators the president sided with had marched in Temara, Morocco. They were heading for a facility suspected of housing a secret government interrogation facility to press for political reforms. It was then that the kingdom’s security forces attacked.

“I was in a group of about 11 protesters, pursued by police in their cars,” Oussama el-Khlifi, a 23-year-old protester from the capital, Rabat, told Human Rights Watch (HRW). “They forced me to say, ‘Long live the king,’ and they hit me on my shoulder. When I didn’t fall, they clubbed me on the head and I lost consciousness. When I regained consciousness, I found myself at the hospital, with a broken nose and an injured shoulder.”

About a five-hour drive south, another gathering was taking place under far more hospitable circumstances. In the seaside city of Agadir, a ceremony marking a transfer of military command was underway. “We’re here to support… bilateral engagement with one of our most important allies in the region,” said Colonel John Caldwell of the U.S. Marine Corps at a gathering to mark the beginning of the second phase of African Lion, an annual joint-training exercise with Morocco’s armed forces. …more

Obama’s Rogue Agenda
by Stephen Lendman – 28 Decemebr, 2011 – Mostly Water

In 2011, Obama continued the destructive pattern he followed in years one and two. Throughout his tenure, he’s done what supporters thought impossible.

Across the board on domestic and foreign issues, he governed to the right of George Bush. He’s waged multiple imperial wars, plans others, looted the nation’s wealth, wrecked the economy, consigned growing millions to impoverishment without jobs, and institutionalized tyranny to target dissenters challenging political corruption, corporate crooks, or abuse of power lawlessness.

He also promotes regime change in Syria, Iran, Venezuela, Lebanon, and other independent states. In addition, he targets Russia’s military strength and China’s growing economic might. At the same time, he supports ruthless, corrupt tyrants.

Moreover, he authorized indefinitely detaining anyone called a national security threat without charge (including US citizens). He continues Bush’s rendition and torture policies, authorized killing US citizens abroad, (like Anwar Al-Awaki for opposing America’s belligerency), and deployed Special Forces death squads covertly to 120 or more countries.

Notably, he destroyed hard won labor rights, wants education commodified and made another business profit center, and wages war on whistleblowers, dissenters, Muslims, Latino immigrants, and environmental and animal rights activists called terrorists.

Throughout his tenure, he’s governed lawlessly for the monied interests that own him. He hasn’t disappointed at the expense of core constituents and others deserving better.

Year three: Obama’s destructive agenda continued.

Obama’s Anti-Progressive Agenda

In year three, like years one and two, he’s been anti-progressive, hard-right, reactionary, belligerent, and pro-corporate. He’s pursued anti-populist policies favoring wealth and privilege, not social justice when more than ever it’s needed.

In contrast, progressive change demands social reforms benefitting ordinary Americans, citizens having more control over government, establishing comprehensive education and universal healthcare as fundamental rights, curbing excessive corporate power, purging corruption and waste, and ending imperial wars that ravage the world one country at a time or in multiples.

It also advocates supporting organized labor, preventing exploitation of children, workers and minorities, environmental conservation, equity and justice, and other democratic values.

In contrast, Obama supports wealth and power, not populist change. Throughout his tenure, he’s been pro-war, pro-business (with Wall Street atop the pecking order), anti-dissent, anti-democratic, anti-freedom, anti-civil and human rights, anti-environmental sanity, and anti-government of, by and for the people.

After winning the most sweeping non-incumbent victory in over 50 years, he broke every major promise made, imposed austerity when stimulus is needed, escalated imperial wars, and hardened repression to curb popular anger.

James Petras calls him “the perfect incarnation of Melville’s Confidence Man. He catches your eye while he picks your pocket. He gives thanks as he packs you off to war.”

He spurns human need, rule of law principles, other democratic values, and right over wrong. Supporters expecting change in year four or a second term are delusional and misguided. In fact, his worst policies lie ahead. …more

Twitter Ignored Request To Keep Subpoena Under Wraps
December 28 2011 – by: Admin – InfoShop

Twitter appears to have forwarded a subpoena requesting user information to at least one of the owners of the accounts in question, despite a request from the Suffolk Massachusetts District Attorney’s office that the request not be disclosed “to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the ongoing criminal action” regarding the hackitivist group Anonymous and events surrounding the Occupy Boston protest.
Twitter Ignored Request To Keep Subpoena Under Wraps

By Dave Copeland
ReadWriteWeb
December 27, 2011

Twitter appears to have forwarded a subpoena requesting user information to at least one of the owners of the accounts in question, despite a request from the Suffolk Massachusetts District Attorney’s office that the request not be disclosed “to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the ongoing criminal action” regarding the hackitivist group Anonymous and events surrounding the Occupy Boston protest.

“Haha. Boston PD submitted to Twitter for my information. Lololol? For what? Posting info pulled from public domains? #comeatmebro,” said the owner of the Twitter handle @p0isAn0N last week, in a post that included the subpoena. The subpoena also sought user information, including IP addresses for @OccupBoston, Guido Fawkes (there are more than 30 accounts using the name Guido Fawkes on Twitter) and subscriber information for the hash tage #BostonPD. …source

“Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression.” Malcolm X

Syrian Press Review
by Voltaire – 25 December 2011

Al-Qaeda strikes in Damascus

The international media have given wide coverage to the double attack in Damascus (44 dead, 166 injured). These articles are often redundant; only a few have been included in the attached press review.

The use of suicide bombers for this type of operation is traditionally interpreted as the signature of Al Qaeda. However, the Syrian National Council and regional pro-US leaders accused the Assad government of perpetrating these attacks against its own security services.

The international press, which considers the CNS in general and the Muslim Brotherhood in particular (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights) as the only reliable sources, relayed this version without verifying it.

According to the case, the editorialists aim to:
– primarily negate the deployment in Syria of “Al-Qaeda in Libya” elements;
– or to further aggravate the charges against President al-Assad before the International Criminal Court;
– or, finally, to underscore that the Assad administration can no longer guarantee the security of its citizens.

• While French web sites are widely disseminating our information and analysis, Edith Bouvier of Le Figaro, on one hand, confirms Daniel Iriarte’s ABC report – that Libyans have indeed joined the Free Syrian Army – but, on the other hand, seeks both to underestimate their role and to obscure their responsibilities. Accordingly, Abel Hakim Belhaj, historic leader of Al-Qaeda (of which he was third in command) is described as an “ex-jihadist.”

• Canadian newspapers focus on the remarks by Foreign Minister John Baird, announcing new sanctions against Syria. No media points out that Cham Press TV is on the list of the 81 targeted entities and personalities. The West, which pretends to be the custodian of freedom of expression, is bent on censoring the media of its opponents: Al-Manar in the aftermath of the war between Israel and Lebanon, Libyan TV during the Libyan war and Syrian private channel Ad-Dounia immediately following the outbreak of events.

• Reuters points out that the Russian oil company Tatneft is forced to cease its activities in Syria because of international sanctions.

A Haven for Dissent in Bahrain, Where Lattes and Tear Gas Mix

At Costa Coffee, clashes have shown how Bahrain feels threatened by even the most benign dissent.
By ADAM B. ELLICK – December 28, 2011 – NYT

MANAMA, Bahrain — The police cars were lined up across the street, staking out a hub of subversive activity. Their focus was not some underworld hangout, but a coffee shop, Costa Coffee, in a strip mall.

There was tension in the air when, suddenly, the suspects stood up, six women, and what did they do? They smiled and posed for pictures.

The police fired their weapons, tear gas and sound bombs, and the women rushed inside, frightened, a bit, exhilarated, a bit, and very well rehearsed.

“Thank you. Thank you,” the women and dozens of other customers crowding the patio chanted sarcastically as they rushed inside. The cafe’s security guard promptly sealed the doors with tape. The person making the coffee, who had worn a kaffiyeh scarf to protect against the fumes, offered trays of lemon slices and jugs of milk, which ease the burn of tear gas. Some patrons recorded the episode on video, and posted about the event live on Twitter.

And then it was over, just like that. The doors were opened, and in 20 minutes the patio was once again crowded.

“The cake’s just spicy now,” said Fatima Abbas, as she and her two daughters plugged their noses with napkins and continued sharing a slice of blueberry cheesecake. “We’re used to the flavor.” …more

Saddam’s Fighters Participate in Suppressing the Bahraini Revolution

In the past few days, the Bahraini security authorities stepped up the level of violence used against the peaceful demonstrators who are demanding democracy.
27 December, 2011 – ABNA

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) – Several Bahraini villages and regions were subjected to violent suppression at the hands of the security forces that are backed up by the Saudi occupation forces and the mercenaries that are deliberately drowning entire neighborhoods with tear gas and other gaseous substances that are causing dozens of injuries. The daily confrontations have truly turned into street wars that are moving from an area to another.

In a different context, the head of Bahraini Teachers Association, Mahdi Abo Dib, has been suffering from a very weak medical condition in condition after he was prevented access to his diabetes medication after he ran out of it.

The Bahrainis are facing the multinational security forces that have been given American and British expertise. The regime’s forces had closed roads and used helicopters to prevent pro-democracy demonstrators from marching in the name of the martyr Al-Qassab.

The regime is using mercenaries to suppress the demonstrators, and one of the leaders of the Bahraini opposition confirmed that there are more than 15 thousand Saddam Fighters (Members of the Saddam Ba’ath Party in Bahrain) and that the Bahraini authorities have given them places to live in. He also confirmed that the Bahraini authorities have nationalized these groups and recruited them in the army, the police, and the general security forces and gave them active roles in the suppression of the Bahraini people. …source

Saudi Arabia’s Press: The New McCarthyism
By: Mariam Abdallah – 27 Decemebr, 2011 – Al-Akhbar

From cartoons depicting remotely controlled protesters to claims that traditional herb chewing “induces” homosexuality, coverage of dissent in the Saudi Kingdom is becoming increasingly untenable.

An opinion poll on the website of the Saudi foreign ministry reveals that 75 percent of Saudis do not trust the Kingdom’s media. Instead, many resort to the international press to find out the truth about events in their country.

Lately, calls have been issued to boycott some newspapers because of their biased coverage of certain local issues. One of these calls came from residents of Qatif, an area in eastern Saudi Arabia, after al-Yaum newspaper published a cartoon last month by Mahmoud al-Hamthani in which he called peaceful protesters “subversives associated with foreign agendas.”

The cartoon which angered Qatif residents depicted a protester with a transmitter on his head controlled from a distance through a remote control. It clearly accuses protesters in Qatif of sabotage and of being used by foreign actors to implement a foreign agenda.

The provocative drawing came on the heels of the alleged murder of four young men who participated in a peaceful protest in Qatif at the hands of security forces.

As soon as the cartoon was published Qatif residents raised calls for a boycott of the newspaper. They also called for new media to represent their view of events.

As such, social networking sites have become a more effective platform for Saudi citizens because they are uncensored. “That is why online activists have become faster in transmitting the truth and interacting with it than local newspapers that reflect their owners’ views,” tweeted lawyer Walid Abu al-Khair.

Malik Fatil, a journalist working for al-Yaum, resigned in protest after the cartoon was published. “It did not only insult specific individuals, it targeted Qatif in general. The name of the region was clearly mentioned under the cartoon,” he said. “The people expected an apology from the newspaper’s management. When that did not happen, sales in the area dropped after the boycott call.” …more

After Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry: Situation at the Central prison is turning from worse to worst
22 December, 2011 – BCHR

Bahrain Center for Human Rights continues to receive appalling information about the prisoners’ condition at Bahrain Central Prison (Jaw), and infringing the standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners by the United Nations. The following Statement is by a prisoner who has been released recently, these information are added on the previous recent BCHR reports (Report of November 2011) and (Report of August 2011), which indicates the urgent need to open the prison’s doors for the independent commissions to come up with binding recommendations to the Government of Bahrain to halt the deterioration situation of the prisoners. According to BCHR information, the harassment has increased after launching the Independent Commission of Inquiry Report, and despite the announcement of the Red Cross intention to visit the prisons.

The Prisoner’s Statement:

“Reforming and Rehabilitation Department (Jaw prison) is the central prison in Bahrain, where prisoners (criminal and politicians alike) suffer from the most extreme conditions. They are neglected and tortured as revenge especially the prisoners from the Shia Sect. The prisoners have no one to turn to and raise their complaints or grievances, due to the officers’ domination on everything. Moreover, telling their relatives does not make any difference because the situation in the country cannot be resorted to the newspapers or anyone that could bring the offenders to justice.

Bahrain’s weather consists of two main seasons, summer which is flaming hot and a cold winter. In the flaming hot summer, the prisoners feel as if they were standing under the sun without shadows. There are air conditioners in prison, but because these air conditioners are outdated and not repaired, “also as a punishment” the prisoners sleep in hot weather, so hot that they sweat in their clothes and sleeping mattresses until clothes become wet with water. The impact of this is very bad on their health. Water in the baths is very hot and many of them do have any ventilation window, making the bathroom like a sauna. When prisoner enters to path and to clean himself he comes out sweating with no benefit. In addition, lack of movement in a hot closed place cause psychological state of suffocation because of the heat.

On the cold season, where detainees cannot escape from its chilliness, they are not allowed to get warm clothes from their families and the cells are not warm enough to protect them.
Also, personal hygiene items are not allowed. However, room toiletries were allowed to get to the prisoners recently, yet it depends on the guards’ mood to allow it or not.

Furthermore, prisoners are prevented from getting anything related to their religious believes like (Turba Husseiniya “the soil used in the Shiite prayer”) and books; there is a rule that states two books for each prisoner. Yet, the prisoner does not get his books until it gets approved. Even worse, they barred the call to prayer and arranging for Jumaa prayer. And whoever opposed gets beaten or detains in a solitary. …more

Just how dangerous are ‘non-lethal’ weapons?
Fears that tear gas and rubber bullets, widely used in crackdown against protesters, could be cause of deaths in Egypt.
by Mujib Mashal – 23 November, 2011 – AlJazeera

From Egypt, to Athens, to Oakland, police have employed “non-lethal weapons” to break down recent protests and disperse protesters. As crowds have swelled to express discontent, variations of tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, and stun grenades have been fired back at them.

The US defence department describes non-lethal weapons as “primarily employed to immediately incapacitate targeted personnel or materiel, while minimising fatalities, permanent injury to personnel … in the target area or environment. “Non-lethal weapons are intended to have reversible effects on personnel and material.”

Despite this, activists have reported grave injuries as a result of tear gas canisters fired at protesters from close range. Moreover, the non-lethality of the gas is also in doubt, as serious questions are being raised about the causes of recent deaths during this week’s protests in Cairo’s Tahrir square.

Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna, reporting from the Egyptian capital, said: “There have been repeated rounds of tear gas fired here. It is a particularly virulent form, stinging the face to an immense extent. “Many of those who have been killed are said to have died of asphyxiation.

“Medical workers say the conditions of those brought in is serious, many with symptoms they have not seen before from tear gas inhalation.” Speaking to Al Jazeera, Khalid Hamdi, staffing a make-shift clinic in Tahrir square, said: “We’ve seen many faintings and we’d never seen that before.

“About 70 per cent of the injuries are fainting. People are coming in with asthma, convulsions sometimes – this wasn’t often before.”

Amnesty international has also expressed concern about the use of tear gas in the square.

“We have received reports from medical sources saying that some of those who died did so as as a result of suffocation after inhaling tear gas,” Said Haddadi, a spokesman for the rights group, told Al Jazeera.

‘Pain and discomfort’

US government agencies, the departments of state and commmerce in particular, regulate the export of tear gas and other non-lethal weapons by granting export licenses allowing US manufacturers to sell tear gas to foreign buyers.

Two US companies have been identified as major exporters of the devices: Combined Systems Inc and NonLethal Technologies Inc, both based in Pennsylvania.

Peter Felstead, editor of Jane’s Defence Weekly, said countries buying weapons from the UK, at least, are closely vetted and their contracts constantly reviewed.

“If something happens in Saudi Arabia, or Bahrain for example, withdrawing contracts in response to those kind of events would present something of a dilemma. The US and UK strategic alliances with Saudi Arabia in particular are very strong. If there is unrest in Saudi, the question is will the support be withdrawn?”

He said buyers are expected to obtain training packages along with their purchase to make sure the weapons are employed properly. A lack of proper training could be the cause of any fatalities that might result.

“There are times when employing crowd control is absolutely necessary. But if the non-lethal weapons are not employed properly, they could make things worse.

“For example, if you end up forcing a crowd away from security forces to stampede through a narrow gap, you could kill people in the process.”

What exactly is being fired at protesters in Tahrir is unclear. Two forms of tear gas are most commonly used: Chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (also referred to as CS) and Chloroacetophenone (often known as CN). Both gases are irritants that affect the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs, and cause tearing, sneezing and coughing. “The primary effect is shortness of breath, pain, and discomfort,” reads the catalogue of Combined Systems Inc.

Dr Ziad Kazzi, from Grady Health System and assistant director of Georgia Poison Center, said large doses of the gas could be fatal to healthy individuals as well.

“Those with already existing conditions, such as asthma or lung disease, are at higher risk. However, if large doses are inhaled, particularly in enclosed space, it could damage lungs and lead to death, even for healthy people. But it depends on the dosage.”

“Dose determines the poison,” he said, adding that several factors such as concentration, potency of the gas, the amount that is being delivered, the environment that it is being released in, and the personal characteristics of the people receiving it all play a part. He said small doses have not been proven to have lasting effects.
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