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THE 2016 DEMOCRAT PLATFORM'S FOREIGN AND NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS: TERRORISM
August 25, 2016 September 6, 2016 Harry C. Blaney IIILeave a comment
Harry C. Blaney III
This is another text on foreign and national security platform of the Democratic Party with commentary with this post we have covered all but one of the more major issues in the platform. Climate change and environment will be posted shortly.
TEXT OF 2016 DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
We must defeat ISIS, al Qaeda, and their affiliates, and prevent other groups from emerging in their place. Democrats will continue to lead a broad coalition of allies and partners to destroy ISIS' stronghold in Iraq and Syria. We will press those in the region, especially the Gulf countries and local forces on the ground, to carry their weight in prosecuting this fight. We will dismantle the global network of terror, which supplies terrorists with money, arms, and fighters, and stop them from recruiting and inspiring potential radicals. We will improve our intelligence capabilities, with appropriate safeguards here at home, and ensure that the intelligence community and law enforcement is prepared to deal effectively with the threats we face. We will harden our defenses as well as those of our partners against external and homegrown threats. We will secure the homeland, investing more resources to improve mass transit, aviation, infrastructure, and port security. And we will remain a resilient nation, always coming together to stand up to terror.
Democrats will seek an updated Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) that is more precise about our efforts to defeat ISIS and that does not involve large-scale combat deployment of American troops.
As we prosecute the fight against terrorism, Democrats will repudiate vile tactics that would do us harm. We reject Donald Trump's vilification of Muslims. It violates the religious freedom that is the bedrock of our country and feeds into ISIS' nefarious narrative. It also alienates people and countries who are crucial to defeating terrorism; the vast majority of Muslims believe in a future of peace and tolerance. We reject Donald Trump's suggestion that our military should engage in war crimes, like torturing prisoners or murdering civilian family members of suspected terrorists. These tactics run counter to American principles, undermine our moral standing, cost innocent lives, and endanger Americans. We also firmly reject Donald Trump's willingness to mire tens of thousands of our combat troops in another misguided ground war in the Middle East, which would only further embolden ISIS. There is nothing smart or strong about such an approach.
Much of this text on terrorism followers the main elements of the policies and strategy of the present administration. As a general summary of the approach makes much sense and there has been much success in such areas as taking ground from ISIS and in denying money and other resources to ISIS. It has become writ that we expect the states of the region play a more prominent role in the defeat of ISIS.
This today is exemplified by the recent August 24th attack by Turkish forces including planes and tanks against ISIS terrorists along Turkey's Syrian border in the area of the town of Jarablus. What is unsaid is to what degree this will impact our need to have the Kurdish forces that are key to defeating ISIS, taking on Assad, and also their role of actions against terrorists in Iraq. The press reports that American planes are supporting the Turkish advance but Turkish leaders have made clear they will attack Kurdish force if the advance into territory near Turkey. That makes for a very complex situation. The Jarablus town is only 95 kilometers from the key city of Aleppo. It is understood that Turkish backed Syrian rebels are working in cooperation with the Turkish forces.
Aleppo and success in Iraq may become a key indication of the success or failure of the joint American lead coalition strategy of destroying ISIS but it is also a very complex and difficult terrain both in military and political grounds. There are some six groups in Syria involved with different motives and alliances. Within the city are forces against Assad which are besieged by pro-Assad army forces, Hezbollah fighters, Iranian troops, and Iraqi Shia militia and even it is said Russian "contract soldiers." The unknowns are first, the possible Russian response, second, the possibility of a clash between Kurd led forces and others allied with them largely supported by the US coalition, and Turkey's own objective of destroying or limiting the Kurd power in the region near their border.
Syrian Defense Forces (SDF) are also in the fight and are made up of mainly but not solely of Kurd fighters. This mix of anti-Assad groups which have not always compatible goals makes for a high level of uncertainty of the outcome of the current fighting.
In the end, the test of the current American and allied strategy must be a Syria that is secure, a new government of all groups without Assad in control, and where terrorist do not hold large areas. At the moment the Kurdish and other Arab forces against Assad have taken the critical town of Manbij and want to advance further North and West including towards the Jarablus which could create a threat to both Turkey and Syrian rebels made up largely of Kurds if they engage each other and destroy the unity of the moment. Not least is the role North of Aleppo of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) which plays a role in the defeat of ISIS and is backed by the anti-Assad coalition.
At this moment with the contending forces now fully engaged are creating an even more complex military and political situation with anti-Assad forces diminished yet still strong with Russian support. But a danger is some of these other anti-Assad forces might engaged with each other in a fight over territory and control of large areas and create still more instability. At this point American diplomacy will be key and the need for some kind of accommodation between forces is necessary to end the conflict and stabilize the region. The key today today is what will the region look like the day after ISIS is essentially defeated in both Syria and Iraq. It clearly will not stop all terrorism.
It is hard to argue with the platform idea of protecting our homeland and that of our allies against acts of terrorism. Here key specifics are missing.
Not least also in an anti-terrorist effort is the war in Iraq against ISIS which is also may be coming to some kind of unknown of conclusion but the goal of an Iraq that is untied between Sunni and Shia and Kurds and this will not happen just by defeating ISIS. This issue will be examined in another post.
The second part of the platform on terrorism reaffirms that this is not a war on Muslims, that Trump's idea of making unlimited war is wrong, and that the idea of sending large numbers of American troops wold be counterproductive. On these stances I see no problem and are compatible with Obama's perspective and strategy. But the presidential campaign needs to correct some of the false and dangerous assumptions and strategies by Trump that are dangerous to a true "win" over terrorism and for America's leadership on this and other issues.
We welcome your comments!
2016 Elections, 2016 Presidential Candidates, Iraq, ISIL, Kurds, Middle East, Russia, Syria, Syria, Terrorism, Turkey, U.S. Foreign Policy2016 Elections, Democratic Platform, iran, Iraq, Iraq War, ISIS, Middle East, National Security, Obama, President Obama, Russia, Syria, Terrorism, Turkey
TRUMP: EXTREME VETTING AND AN EXTREME CANDIDATE: HIS OWN WORDS!
August 18, 2016 August 18, 2016 Harry C. Blaney IIILeave a comment
TRUMP: EXTREME VETTING AND AN EXTREME CANDIDATE
There is much one can learn from the most recent Trump speech on foreign policy. It is still scary and incredulous that there is no real "there there" with any of Trump's foreign policy perspectives. This is especially true when he is off his text and speaks what is really in his mind at that moment and it leads him to express ideas that are his own unbalanced perceptions of reality and his worst prejudices. Yes they are often crazy and silly and not least dangerous.
The examples of going off tract and into the realm of "extreme" views is exemplified in much of this speech which was billed as a means to show a serious policy side in the foreign affairs sector. Between a few peremptory statements that were written by his so-called foreign affairs "experts" that in large part were often along the lines of our current policies, much of the speech's content would make the world a less secure and more dangerous in a host to areas.
His statement that he would institute what he called "extreme interrogations" of Muslim immigrants and visitors to America. Once again, along with building a massive "wall" between the US and Mexico, and clear bigotry against Muslims and even deceased American Muslim war heroes, he sees only what the people at the NRA and the KKK see and this is perhaps more destructive to American democracy, its internal unity, and yes our security globally than almost any other external challenge we face abroad.
On the question of dealing with ISIS, Trump adopted much from President Barack Obama's approach to fighting the so-called Islamic State. Trump's outrageous perception of "solutions include in his words: "I say that you can defeat ISIS by taking their wealth. Take back the oil. Once you go over and take back that oil they have nothing. You bomb the hell out of them and then you encircle it, and then you go in. And you let Mobil go in, and you let our great oil companies go in." Trump also said the United States should have left troops in Iraq to guard oil facilities while the U.S. took all the oil to pay for the war. All of this is clearly absurd, crude unthought through strategy, and also illegal under international law.
What he has not made clear is whether he would send massive troops into the Middle East conflicts?
One lie was his statement was when he said that he has been right about the Middle East from the start. This is not true, old video and audio clips shown on the
MSNBC's "Morning Joe" showed footage against his claim that "I have been an opponent of the Iraq War from the beginning," as he said in his address at Youngstown State University in Ohio. But The "Morning Joe" video played a clip from Howard Stern's radio show. At that time he asked Trump if he was for invading Iraq, and Trump responded, "Yeah, I guess so." The same is true when Trump also contradicted himself on the troop withdrawal or draw down in Iraq.
He said on August 15th: "I have been just as clear in saying what a catastrophic mistake Hillary Clinton and President Obama made with the reckless way in which they pulled out," But the record shows he supported pulling out of Iraq in 2007, when he said "You know how they get out? They get out," Trump told CNN that year. "Declare victory and leave."
He also prevaricated on Libya. In his speech he said "Libya was stable and President Obama and Hillary Clinton should never have attempted to build a democracy in Libya,"
But he also he advocated for deposing Libyan Prime Minister Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
In February 2011, Trump also said in a video filmed in his office that "Gaddafi in Libya is killing thousands of people. Nobody knows how bad it is. We should go in. We should stop this guy, which would be very easy and very quick."
He has been all over the map on the Middle East and time and time again he has change his position but never admitted it that he was wrong. What this shows is his clear lack of analysis, willing to face hard facts on the ground, and unwilling to accept being wrong. That is dangerous for a president and for our nation's effective leadership in the world.
Trump repeated his previous policy to continue the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and even fill it with new detainees. He hinted at including, possibly some U.S. citizens. This facility is one of the great weapons that terrorists point to of the evil of America and a recruiting tool for ISIS. Trump does not even acknowledge this and seems to think that water boarding, torture, and mass bombing including killing of civilians is the way to conduct an effective policy in the Middle East. Even worse he has hinted at using atomic weapons. The Obama administration is trying to close Guantanamo via sending current detainees abroad, which he did recently with 15 individuals, and more are planned. But the easy and right answer is to send them to American maximum security prisons and bring them under US laws.
His stands on climate change, NATO's unity and that of EU, the Iran deal, trade, and dealing with Russia, and on many other issues are the among the most dangerous for a viable and peaceful world and US national security.
In sum, the time has come, given Trump's own words over time and especially now, for a true deep serious analysis of what Trump might do to American respect and security and indeed just rationality in our vital foreign and national security area.
Some in the media have done this, but in the vast conservative Republican owned mainline media and right wing radio talking heads have done little to challenge Trump's lies and clearly deranged and unnecessary aggressive statements that have frightened our allies and embolden our adversaries. It is a high risk world where idiocy is our greatest danger. Indeed, we need more debate and even more serious examination in the media of the full range of global challenges and of what our own corrosive politics has done to our global position. Time has come for more public questioning and more attention to the implications of Trump's policies if we are to achieve a sane and safe world.
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THE 2016 DEMOCRAT PLATFORM'S FOREIGN AND NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS: MIDDLE EAST
August 11, 2016 Harry C. Blaney IIILeave a comment
In this series, we will be looking at positions taken by the Democratic Party in their 2016 Platform on issues pertaining to national security. Next up is the Middle East. A commentary on the platform issue will be found at its end.
THE PLATFORM:
The Syrian crisis is heartbreaking and dangerous, and its impact is threatening the region, Europe, and beyond. Donald Trump would inflame the conflict by alienating our allies, inexplicably allowing ISIS to expand in Syria, and potentially starting a wider war. This is a reckless approach. Democrats will instead root out ISIS and other terrorist groups and bring together the moderate Syrian opposition, international community, and our regional allies to reach a negotiated political transition that ends Assad's rule. Given the immense scale of human suffering in Syria, it is also imperative that we lead the international community in providing greater humanitarian assistance to the civilian victims of war in Syria and Iraq, especially displaced refugees.
In Afghanistan, we will work with the NATO-led coalition of partners to bolster the democratically-elected government as it assumes a primary role in tackling terrorism, forges a more secure future for the country, and safeguards advances, like securing women's rights. Democrats will continue to push for an Afghan-led peace process and press both Afghanistan and Pakistan to deny terrorists sanctuary on either side of the border. We support President Obama's decision to maintain a limited troop presence in Afghanistan into 2017 and ensure that Afghanistan never again serves as a haven for terrorists to plan and launch attacks on our homeland.
We support the nuclear agreement with Iran because, as it is vigorously enforced and implemented, it verifiably cuts off all of Iran's pathways to a bomb without resorting to war. We reject Donald Trump's view that we should have walked away from a deal that peacefully dismantles Iran's nuclear program. We will continue the work of this administration to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon and will not hesitate to take military action if Iran races towards one.
Democrats will also address the detrimental role Iran plays in the region and will robustly enforce and, if necessary, strengthen non-nuclear sanctions. Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism. It violates the human rights of its population, denies the Holocaust, vows to eliminate Israel, and has its fingerprints on almost every conflict in the Middle East. Democrats will push back against Iran's destabilizing activities including its support for terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, counter Iran's ballistic missile program, bolster the capabilities of our Gulf partners, and ensure that Israel always has the ability to defend itself. Finally, Democrats recognize that the Iranian people seek a brighter future for their country and greater engagement with the international community. We will embrace opportunities for cultural, academic and other exchanges with the Iranian people.
The Middle East is a region in turmoil with no good or easy answers either for nations in the region or for Western governments. The fundamentals of insecurity remain the Sunni-Shia divide and the rise of ISIS and other terrorist groups that thrive on this divide in the Muslim community. There are a lot of issues that are missing in this section of the Democratic platform. Not least is directly the problems of the Gulf Sates like Saudi Arabia and Yemen, as well as a discussion on Libya.
On Syria, the key statement about the country – that the "crisis is heartbreaking and dangerous, and its impact is threatening the region, Europe, and beyond" – is correct. Yet the landscape is so dark and complex that a clear path forward is not only very difficult, it is near impossible without the cooperation of all the major powers in the region. However, this is not currently forthcoming, as Egypt, Turkey, and other players are in internal disarray. Additionally, the Sunni-Shia conflict still badly needs resolution, which seems out of reach without long-term work to heal.
What can and should be done more specifically is deal with the real, major, and dire humanitarian situation. We need now to start to look at a humanitarian space which can at last be effectively enforced by multi-lateral peacekeeping/peace-protecting forces that include Muslim, Western, and other nations, along with needed support with major resources to create a cordon of protection and safety.
Supporting "moderate" forces remains a work in progress that must be reinforced. Yet all of this must, in the end, lead to Assad's removal in order to create lasting peace. Russia must recognize the need to change its strategy and re-assess its interests, and see a crisis that is heartbreaking, dangerous, and one that's impact is threatening the stability of the entire region. Europe, America, Russia, and beyond need to acquiesce to a real compromise that ends with a broad based multi-group governmental coalition based on ensured security of all ethnic groups. Not least, what is needed is a major rebuilding of society – which will need a large amount of funding – for a region that has been decimated by hate and a brutal regime. The United Nations and other international organizations need to be involved.
The Afghanistan section essentially is a reiteration of the Obama Administration's existing strategy, which tries to combine a certain limited US military presence with support for the Afghan government's efforts to do what is necessary to bring security and a measure, at last, of a responsible government to the nation.
Progress, though slow and with many setbacks, have been made against ISIS and other terrorists groups. There is no mention of addressing the major problem of deep corruption that undermines true security and stability and the building of a measure of democracy. Part of the answer must be to restore some common security and economic improvement in the lives of the common citizen. This means Pakistan must act to stop its actions to destabilize Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.
Iraq stands as another battlefield that needs a comprehensive approach – military action alone will not fix the ills we now see in that nation.
Iran remains a work in progress and the Democratic Platform outlines the right path forward because no honest observer can deny that the Iran nuclear agreement is at the heart of ensuring that Iran does not get a nuclear weapons for a very long time. The platform acknowledges that all of the other problems of Iran must be addressed, likely one-by-one, and we need to find some common ground. An aggressive stance is self-defeating for that country, and some are starting to recognize this, but it is a slow process. We need a long-term strategy to nudge Iran towards peace and help it to take a more cooperative stance in the region.
What is clear is that the Democratic platform is by far more realistic, more likely to result in a better outcome, less risk prone, and less likely to make the region even more unstable than much of Donald Trump's own views and those of the GOP that unthinking hostility towards diplomacy and conciliation, raw hostility, and mindless use of military threats and bluster are.
See our 2016 Campaign coverage
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THE 2016 REPUBLICAN PLATFORM'S FOREIGN AND NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS: "CHALLENGES OF A CHANGING MIDDLE EAST"
July 21, 2016 July 21, 2016 Harry C. Blaney IIILeave a comment
In this series, we will be looking at positions taken by the Republican Party in their 2016 Platform on issues pertaining to national security. Next up is the Middle East. A commentary on the platform issue will be found at its end.
The Middle East is more dangerous now than at any time since the Second World War. Whatever their disagreements, presidents of both parties had always prioritized America's national interests, the trust of friendly governments, and the security of Israel. That sound consensus was replaced with impotent grandstanding on the part of the current President and his Secretaries of State. The results have been ruinous for all parties except Islamic terrorists and their Iranian and other sponsors.
We consider the Administration's deal with Iran, to lift international sanctions and make hundreds of billions of dollars available to the Mullahs, a personal agreement between the President and his negotiating partners and non-binding on the next president. Without a two-thirds endorsement by the Senate, it does not have treaty status. Because of it, the defiant and emboldened regime in Tehran continues to sponsor terrorism across the region, develop a nuclear weapon, test-fire ballistic missiles inscribed with "Death to Israel," and abuse the basic human rights of its citizens. A Republican president will not be bound by it. We must retain all options in dealing with a situation that gravely threatens our security, our interests, and the survival of our friends.
Over the last four years we have seen the rise of a murderous fanaticism in the form of ISIS, the so called Islamic State. Its reach now extends far beyond the Middle East to virtually every continent. ISIS has brought ancient butchery into the 21st century. Nations are imploding, erasing long-established borders.
The Obama Administration and its Secretary of State so mishandled the Arab Spring that it destabilized the entire region. The hope some saw in the Arab Spring has transformed into disappointment. The dictator of Syria, Bashar Assad, has murdered hundreds of thousands of his own people and created millions of refugees, and an American president has been unable to rally the world against him. Understandably, our allies fear for their future in a region far more dangerous than it was eight years ago. A Republican administration will restore our nation's credibility. We must stand up for our friends, challenge our foes, and destroy ISIS.
Hezbollah, controlling over 100,000 missiles in Lebanon, must be isolated and Lebanon's independence restored. We will support the transition to a post-Assad Syrian government that is representative of its people, protects the rights of all minorities and religions, respects the territorial integrity of its neighbors, and contributes to peace and stability in the region. The Iraqi people have been on the front lines in the fight against terror. Hundreds of thousands have been killed, and the attacks against them continue, even in Baghdad. Our partnership with them should continue as long as ISIS and others like it survive in the region. We are deeply concerned that, in the face of genocide against them, Christian communities in cities like Gerbil are receiving no financial support from either the U.S. government or the UN to help with displaced persons and urban refugees. Their survival is sustained only by private charities. This must change immediately.
Defeating ISIS means more than pushing back its fighters while abandoning its victims. It must mean aiding those who have suffered the most — and doing so before they starve. It means supporting the long-term survival of indigenous religious and ethnic communities, punishing the perpetrators of crimes against humanity, and conditioning humanitarian and military assistance to governments on their observable commitment to human rights. We continue to support the Kurdish people, whose bravery and cooperation with our forces merit our respect and their autonomy. Many countries in the region have given, and continue to give, substantial assistance to the United States because they understand that our struggle against terrorism is not an ethnic or religious fight. They consider violent extremists to be abusers of their faith, not its champions. We applaud their courage and value their counsel. The U.S. government, together with its global partners, should mobilize its political, economic, and military assets to support the creation of a safe haven in northern Iraq to protect those ethnic and religious minorities continuing of ISIS.
HARRY'S COMMENTARY:
This is the usual criticism without a clear answer and examination of the risks and cost of any alternative policies and actions. Just looking at a few of their statements and positions we see how far away the Republican Party is from the reality is on the ground.
First, we should take the statement that "sound consensus was replaced with impotent grandstanding on the part of the current President and his Secretaries of State. The results have been ruinous for all parties except Islamic terrorists and their Iranian and other sponsors."
As they used to say before we got a GOP presidential candidate that specializes in lying, self-contradiction, and racism, the facts and premises and assumption are all wrong, as they are with the denial of climate change that accompanies the 2016 GOP platform. Let's try a little facts. Obama and Kerry are the farthest apart from "grandstanding" than any president and Secretary I have known in my many decades as diplomat and foreign affairs scholar. The are cautious and not high on doing "stupid things."
They have avoided sending troops into the Middle East to be killed for no good reason after the results of Bush II and the neo-cons that still advocate more "war" without reason. They have sent in non-combat troops and provided training, advice, and resources, and the reality is that those in Iraq have made astonishing progress so far with minimum costs in American blood and resources. This is a war the Iraqi multi-ethic combined forces need to fight. In fact the Obama/Kerry strategy has shown that ISIS can be reduced by just the strategy and approach that Obama has decreed and the military has instituted. In Syria I know of few good options and it is certain that the GOP will not come up with any that won't shed American blood or make the situation worse, as we did in Iraq in 2003. I have no idea what the platform means to create a "safe haven" in Iraq and I am not sure the drafters know either. The idea of a "no fly zone" in Syria has been examined and former Secretary Clinton is said to have supported it in the past, but the military say that it is not feasible. Perhaps this needs to be looked at again with care but not without a full assessment of its feasibility.
As for Iran, the nuclear deal has so far been a sound success regarding its sole aim to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon and its related technology. In the GOP platform is a direct lie in saying that Iran "develop[ed] a nuclear weapon," the word for this factually untrue statement is its boldness and mendacity to scare people. The GOP may wish to take away this victory of American and allied diplomacy just when it achieves our key objective. It would be the height of stupidity and dangerous to the whole region if we renounced the Iran deal and consequently permitted Iran to start immediately building nuclear weapons, especially because of the possibility of others in the region to build their own as a reaction. The word stupid hardly covers this disastrous position.
Regarding the empty rhetorical points and lies about the tragic situation in Syria, which is dangerous, complex, and risky and where America has indeed rallied allies and with them to engage in this murky environment in both diplomacy and assistance to moderate elements against both ISIS and Assad, I see not a single suggestion from Trump and his ilk on how to do better and not with more cost to US lives. Not to mention without even greater civilian deaths and any assurance of a true end point in which that country can return to security, democracy, peace, and the elimination of conflict between the many powers now involved — including Russia and various Shia groups. All the Republicans can offer is a man without any knowledge of foreign affairs and with the least regard to truth and facts on the ground. The danger of these positions and the baseless and wrong views of past and present conditions and risks is a show of deep ignorance and irresponsible stances.
The point on "abandoning" its victims, read civilians and refugees, is a canard. America has contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to support displaced persons and refugees under Obama via the UN system including UNHCR, our aid programs, and NGOs and other relief groups. More than anyone else. The Republican controlled Congress can pass a bill tomorrow to increase aid by billions of dollars, without cutting any assistance to other vulnerable groups or from any other programs, and Obama would sign the bill overnight. This is a plain hypocritical stance that uses the suffering of others for partisan political points and doing nothing to solve the problem. Also the fact is that many places, especially cities, are inaccessible to safely provide assistance due to the military action of Assad and the Russians blocking assistance. How would Trump change that? Secretary Kerry is trying to change this via diplomacy as this is being written.
In short, this GOP platform is filled with misstatements, very bad ideas, platitudes, and little of positive new practical or useful ideas on how to solve the many problems of the Middle East. It show the shallowness of Trump's perspective on a critical issue and even of the Republican Party.
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UK IRAQ INQUIRY REPORT RELEASED, FINDS MAJOR FAILURES IN THE DECISION TO JOIN AND FIGHT THE WAR IN IRAQ
July 7, 2016 July 10, 2016 Harry C. Blaney III2 Comments
By: Harry C. Blaney III
REPORTING FROM LONDON
On July 6th, against the background of the Brexit referendum, the long-awaited report (click here to read) by Sir John Chilcot on the British participation in Iraq War was released after seven years. The Inquiry had approximately 2.6 million words that condemned the British decision to invade and the subsequent conduct of the Iraq War.
The report contained wide-ranging censure of the UK's decision to enter the Iraq War and also the implementation of that war. It focused on former Prime Minister Tony Blair and UK intelligence reports that led to decisions on the planning and the strategy in Iraq that were made with insufficient debate in Britain. Chilcot said it was an intervention that "was made on the basis of flawed intelligence and assessments."
Chilcot and the report concluded that Britain went to war on the basis of unreliable intelligence. He added that planning for war was totally inadequate, concluding that there was insufficient debate on the decision. Chilcot further said that "in March of 2003, there was no imminent threat from the Saddam Hussein regime." The implication was that the military action taken was not justified.
There was much criticism of the UK intelligence agencies, and in time more will likely come out on this in the UK and with implications also for the US intelligence agencies. Some have said the intelligence reports were flimsy and that MI6 in particular has been highly criticized.
The report found that diplomatic options had not been fully explored before the decision was made to go to war. This is a lesson today for both the UK and the US.
The families of the troops that were killed have supported the report and have both questioned how and why all went wrong in the buildup to war and argued for Blair to pay in some way for the cost of his actions. There has been talk about a legal action either domestically or in an international court. From a legal perspective, that is highly unlikely, however. But emotions will remain for a long time. The media has been exceptionally critical of Blair to the point of imbalance and unfairness, which indicates that the issue has created massive anger and bitterness in Britain.
FORMER PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR RESPONSE TO INQUIRY
After the release of the report, former Prime Minister Tony Blair held a two hour press conference (coverage linked above) in which he said he did not regret his decision to invade, which he said was the hardest of his term in office. He said he made the initial decision "in good faith," adding that he "did not have the option to delay in response to the quick decision." He also said he had more sorrow and regret over the decision than others will ever believe.
In a 2002 memo to Bush, Blair said "I will be with you, whatever." But he added, which the UK media did not fully report, that he also wrote that all of the difficulties must be examined. He said it was a good act to get rid of Saddam Hussein, but added that they underestimated the potential for subsequent upheavals. There was also criticism in the report that the UK military and intelligence leaders were under-resourced, arguing that the troops did not have the tools to do their best and do it safely.
Blair said that he "will take full responsibility for any mistakes that were taken." However, he "will not apologize for going to war." Blair also added "the report makes it clear there [were] no lies."
Some of the commentators have noted Blair's efforts to moderate US Policies, which in the end were only partly successful. They noted in particular the effort to go to the UN Security Council to get the authority to go to war, which was stopped by a veto by Russia.
Neither the report nor Blair's statement will put an end to the politics of this emotional issue for many years. It is still unclear if some kind of general agreement on what took place has finally been reached. I doubt that there will be much relief from the bitterness and acrimony that clouds British politics and society.
SOME ADDED THOUGHTS FOR US ALL
The report and the response by Blair will sadly not lay to rest the criticism or the bitter debate in Britain about the Iraq War. It will continue to influence public and governmental attitudes towards going into conflict situations for a very long time.
In America, this report will likely continue the debate (which has never stopped) over the wisdom of the US decision to go to war in Iraq. That was, in my view, an unforgivable act by the George W. Bush administration and one that was based, as we all know now, on lies and false intelligence reports by our own agencies.
Blair's most relevant statement for the world of 2016 was that "we do not have the right strategy to deal with terrorism." That is, as they say, a British understatement. On this Blair is quite right. We all need to re-think our global strategy and it will take a united effort and deep assessment to go forward with new military conflicts. I have argued that we need always to seriously assess the costs before going into conflict situations. Decision makers must consider the consequences of our actions. One clear failure was the poor policies and efforts to deal with the post-conflict need to establish security and ensure a stable government in Iraq. Neither America nor Britain took this problem seriously.
Both the US report (which was critical of many decisions by the Bush administration) and the UK report made it clear that both governments did not understand the high potential costs of their actions. As Chilcot said, the consequences of the war were misjudged. I hope that, in time, these reports and a more historic assessment will compel both nations to make future decisions based on a careful debate on a long-term strategic and moral judgment, as well as look at the facts on the ground. War is always costly and sometimes necessary, but the argument must be made with great care. I hope that we will have more clarity rather than hate and divisions. In the end, we need to make careful decisions that will create a safer world for all.
We welcome you comments!
Britain, Collective Security, Defense, Democracy, Europe, Foreign Policy, Foreign Relations, Iraq, ISIL, ISIS, Islamic State, Middle East, National Security, Role of Multilateral Institutions, Russia, Stability, Terrorism, U.K., UK, UN, War Hawks
THE ORLANDO DEBATE AND BEYOND: MADNESS VERSES RATIONALITY IN A HIGH RISK WORLD
June 16, 2016 June 16, 2016 Harry C. Blaney IIILeave a comment
INTRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS
After the tragedy in Orlando, our political leaders took to the podiums and social media to express their condolences and suggest ways to move forward. Below you will find a compilation of some of the most indicative recent quotes grouped by topic (Muslims in America, Gun Control, and Combating ISIS) with the name of the speaker noted before each quote.
Anyone who reads the words, Tweets, remarks, and speeches of those who aspire to lead our nation, including those found elsewhere on this blog, can only wonder what dichotomous universe we must be living in.
Most recently Donald Trump, as we all know, tried to use the Orlando killings to divide our nation and increase hate of the "Other." Time and time again, he has scapegoated our Muslim citizens and proposed acts that are contrary to our constitution – to which, if president, he would have to swear support. The unforgivable statements by Trump, who has a history of bigotry, of disparaging others, of ethnic and gender discrimination, and of claiming that Obama is not a natural born citizen, now he implies that our President's acts are maybe not those of someone who loves his country.
Trump's accusations against Muslims – singling them out for special observation and banning coming into the country – are all the acts of bigotry and are contrary to American values and clearly illegal. President Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders have all spoken about how this stance is contrary to American law and values.
With his statement below, Trump seems to support the proliferation of guns, tying himself closely to the NRA. It indicates that he has no problem with mass assault rifles, even by eliminating access by those found legally insane or incompetent, or even to potential terrorists on our "No Fly Lists." Now there are reports of pressure on the GOP nominee to moderate that stance, and Trump announced a meeting with the NRA. After the filibuster last night, Congressional leaders said they might consider some kind of ban for those on the "Terrorist Lists" whatever that means. Nothing however on assault rifles.
The final section of quotes addresses Obama's ISIS strategy and includes a point by point refutation by President Obama of Trump and others' unsound views and assumptions that stem from a lack of strategic understanding of the complex national security policy landscape and ignores, above all, the cost in both American and civilian lives and treasure. It also is oblivious of the possibility that the humanitarian costs from any all-out assault on the ground in Syria and Iraq could be greater than we have so far seen. But we and other nations do need to protect the refugees and provide assistance urgently.
MUSLIMS IN AMERICA
TRUMP:
"I want surveillance of certain mosques if that's OK," (Rally in Birmingham, AL, November 21, 2015)
"I think Islam hates us…[the war is against radical Islam, but] it's very hard to define. It's very hard to separate. Because you don't know who's who." (Interview with Anderson Cooper, March 10, 2016)
"Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on" (Press Release, December 7, 2015)
When I am elected, I will suspend immigration from areas of the world when there is a proven history of terrorism against the United States, Europe or our allies, until we understand how to end these threats.
After a full, impartial and long overdue security assessment, we will develop a responsible immigration policy that serves the interests and values of America.
We cannot continue to allow thousands upon thousands of people to pour into our country, many of whom have the same thought process as this savage killer.
Many of the principles of Radical Islam are incompatible with Western values and institutions.
I refuse to allow America to become a place where gay people, Christian people, and Jewish people, are the targets of persecution and intimidation by Radical Islamic preachers of hate and violence. …. It's not just a national security issue. It is a quality of life issue.
We need to tell the truth, also, about how Radical Islam is coming to our shores.
We are importing Radical Islamic Terrorism into the West through a failed immigration system — and through an intelligence community held back by our president….
I want us all to work together, including in partnership with our Muslim communities. But Muslim communities must cooperate with law enforcement and turn in the people who they know are bad – and they do know where they are.
This argument of labels has mostly just been partisan rhetoric, and sadly, we have all become accustomed to that kind of partisanship, even when it involves the fight against these extremist groups.
That kind of yapping has not prevented folks across the government from doing their jobs, from sacrificing and working really hard to protect the American people.
But we are now seeing how dangerous this kind of mind set and this kind of thinking can be. We are starting to see where this kind of rhetoric and loose talk and sloppiness about who exactly we are fighting, where this can lead us.
We now have proposals from the presumptive Republican nominee for president of the United States to bar all Muslims from immigrating into America. And you hear language that singles out immigrants and suggests entire religious communities are complacent in violence.
Where does this stop? The Orlando killer, one of the San Bernardino killers, the Fort Hood killer — they were all U.S. citizens. Are we going to start treating all Muslim-Americans differently? Are we going to start subjecting them to special surveillance? Are we going to start discriminate them, because of their faith?
We heard these suggestions during the course of this campaign. Do Republican officials actually agree with this?
Because that's not the America we want. It does not reflect our Democratic ideals. It won't make us more safe, it will make us less safe, fueling ISIL's notion that the West hates Muslims, making Muslims in this country and around the world feel like, no matter what they do, they're going to be under suspicion and under attack.
It makes Muslim-Americans feel like their government is betraying them. It betrays the very values America stands for.
We have gone through moments in our history before when we acted out of fear, and we came to regret it. We have seen our government mistreat our fellow citizens, and it has been a shameful part of our history.
This is a country founded on basic freedoms, including freedom of religion. We don't have religious tests here. Our founders, our Constitution, our Bill of Rights, are clear about that.
And if we ever abandon those values, we would not only make it a lot easier to radicalize people here and around the world, but we would have betrayed the very things we are trying to protect.
The pluralism and the openness, our rule of law, our civil liberties, the very things that make this country great. The very things that make us exceptional. And then the terrorists would have won and we cannot let that happen. I will not let that happen.
You know, two weeks ago I was at the commencement ceremony of the Air Force Academy and it could not have been more inspiring to see these young people stepping up dedicated to serve and protect this country.
HILLARY CLINTON:
Inflammatory anti-Muslim rhetoric and threatening to ban the families and friends of Muslim Americans as well as millions of Muslim business people and tourists from entering our country hurts the vast majority of Muslims who love freedom and hate terror.
So does saying that we have to start special surveillance on our fellow Americans because of their religion. It's no coincidence that hate crimes against American Muslims and mosques have tripled after Paris and San Bernardino. That's wrong. And it's also dangerous. It plays right into the terrorists' hands.
Still, as I have said before, none of us can close our eyes to the fact that we do face enemies who use their distorted version of Islam to justify slaughtering innocent people. They'd take us all back to the Stone Age if they could, just as they have in parts of Iraq and Syria….
And finally, finally let me remind us all, I remember, I remember how it felt, on the day after 9/11, and I bet many of you do as well. Americans from all walks of life rallied together with a sense of common purpose on September the 12th and in the days and weeks and months that followed. We had each others' backs. I was a senator from New York. There was a Republican president, a Republican governor, and a Republican mayor. We did not attack each other. We worked with each other to protect our country and to rebuild our city .
President Bush went to a Muslim community center just six days after the attacks to send a message of unity and solidarity. To anyone who wanted to take out their anger on our Muslim neighbors and fellow citizens, he said, "That should not, and that will not, stand in America." It is time to get back to the spirit of those days, spirit of 9/12. Let's make sure we keep looking to the best of our country, to the best within each of us. Democratic and Republican presidents have risen to the occasion in the face of tragedy. That is what we are called to do my friends and I am so confident and optimistic that is exactly what we will do.
"The Muslim people did not commit this act. A man named Omar Mateen did. To blame an entire religion for the acts of a single individual is nothing less than bigotry, and that is not what this country is supposed to be about."
"I do not think a Muslim ban is in our country's interest. It's not reflective of our principles not just as a party but as a country. This is a war with radical Islam. It's not a war with Islam. Muslims are our partners. Ultimately, we ought to have the tools where we have a security test, not a religious test, a security test, and we think that's the preferred route to go." (CNN, June 14, 2016)
"If you had some guns in that club the night that this took place, if you had guns on the other side, you wouldn't have had the tragedy that you had. If people in that room had guns with the bullets flying in the opposite direction right at him… right at his head, you wouldn't have had the same tragedy that you ended up having"
"We're getting rid of gun-free zones. OK. We're getting rid of them" (Speech to the NRA, May 20, 2016)
OBAMA :
If we really want to help law enforcement protect Americans from home-grown extremists, the kind of tragedies that occurred at San Bernardino and that now have occurred in Orlando, there is a meaningful way to do that. We have to make it harder for people who want to kill Americans to get their hands on weapons of war that let them kill dozens of innocents.
It is absolutely true, we cannot prevent every tragedy. But we know that consistent with the Second Amendment, there are common sense steps that could reduce gun violence and could reduce the lethality of somebody who intends to do other people harm. We should give ATF the resources they need to enforce the gun laws that we already have.
People with possible ties to terrorism, who are not allowed on a plane should not be allowed to buy a gun. Enough talking about being tough on terrorism. Actually be tough on terrorism and stop making it easy as possible for terrorists to buy assault weapons.
Reinstate the assault weapons ban, make it harder for terrorists to use these weapons to kill us. Otherwise, despite extraordinary efforts across our government, by local law enforcement, by our intelligence agencies, by our military — despite all the sacrifices that folks make, these kinds of events are going to keep on happening. And the weapons are only going to get more powerful.
HILLARY:
Even as we make sure our security officials get the tools they need to prevent attacks, it's essential that we stop terrorists from getting the tools they need to carry out the attack.
And that is especially true when it comes to assault weapons like those used in Orlando and San Bernardino.
I believe weapons of war have no place on our streets and we may have our disagreements about gun safety regulations, but we should all be able to agree on a few essential things.
If the FBI is watching you for a suspected terrorist link, you shouldn't be able to just go buy a gun with no questions asked.
And you shouldn't be able to exploit loopholes and evade criminal background checks by buying online or at a gun show.
And yes, if you're too dangerous to get on a plane, you are too dangerous to buy a gun in America.
Now, I know some will say that assault weapons and background checks are totally separate issues having nothing to do with terrorism. Well, in Orlando and San Bernardino terrorists used assault weapons, the AR-15. And they used it to kill Americans. That was the same assault weapon used to kill those little children in Sandy Hook.
We have to make it harder for people who should not have those weapons of war. And that may not stop every shooting or every terrorist attack, but it will stop some and it will save lives and it will protect our first responders.
And I want you to know, I'm not going to stop fighting for these kinds of provisions.
ON ISIS STRATEGY:
For this topic, we have also included a quote by Roger Cohen, a columnist for The New York Times from his recent column titled "Orlando and Trump's America" (June 13, 2016), to show how Trump's vitriol and shallow analysis has even permeated the media and given solace to those that would be happy to mindlessly put American troops on the ground but do not take into account its cost and risks for possible "blowback."
COHEN: "President Barack Obama described the shooting as "an act of terror and an act of hate." He made clear his disapproval of gun laws. He called for solidarity. He said nothing about ISIS, or the way the Islamic State's hold on territory in Syria and Iraq reinforces the charismatic potency of its ideological appeal, disseminated from that base through the Internet. … He also said this: "To actively do nothing is a decision as well."
"Yes, to have actively done nothing in Syria over more than five years of war — so allowing part of the country to become an ISIS stronghold, contributing to a massive refugee crisis in Europe, acquiescing to slaughter and displacement on a devastating scale, undermining America's word in the world, and granting open season for President Vladimir Putin to strut his stuff — amounts to the greatest foreign policy failure of the Obama administration.
It has made the world far more dangerous. I hope for the best but fear the victory of the politics of anger in America and Europe."
Well I said they don't know much because they're not winning, I tell you this, they're not winning for a different reason. I think Obama is hurting them… From what I hear, it's being run from the White House. It's all being run from the White House. I've spoken to certain generals— I'll keep it quiet, highly respected people. We could knock them out fast. (Via Real Clear Politics, June 5, 2016).
"Somebody hits us within ISIS, you wouldn't fight back with a nuke?" (MSNBC Town Hall, March 30, 2016)
"The other thing with the terrorists is you have to take out their families, when you get these terrorists, you have to take out their families. They care about their lives, don't kid yourself. When they say they don't care about their lives, you have to take out their families" (Fox & Friends, December 2, 2015)
At the outset, I want to reiterate our objective in this fight. Our mission is to destroy ISIL. Since I last updated the American people on our campaign two months ago, we've seen that this continues to be a difficult fight, but we are making significant progress.
Over the past two months, I've authorized a series of steps to ratchet up our fight against ISIL. Additional U.S. personnel, including special forces in Syria to assist local forces battling ISIL there, additional advisers to work more closely with Iraqi security forces and additional assets, including attack helicopters and additional support for local forces in northern Iraq. Our aircraft continue to launch from the U.S.S. Harry Truman, now in the Mediterranean. Our B-52 bombers are hitting ISIL with precision strikes. Targets are being identified and hit even more quickly. So far, 13,000 airstrikes.
This campaign at this stage is firing on all cylinders and as a result, ISIL is under more pressure than ever before. ISIL continues to lose key leaders. This includes Salman Abu Shabib, the senior military leader in Mosul, who plotted external attacks, Shaker Wahib, ISIL's military leader in Iraq's Anbar Province, and Maher al-Bilawi, the top ISIL commander in Fallujah.
So far we have taken out more than 120 top ISIL leaders and commanders. And our message is clear, that if you target American and our allies, you will not be safe. You will never be safe.
ISIL continues to lose ground in Iraq. In the past two months, local forces in Iraq with coalition support have liberated the western town of Rutba and have also pushed up the Euphrates River Valley, liberating the strategic town of Hiit and breaking the ISIL siege of Haditha.
Iraqis forces have surrounded Fallujah and begun to move into the city. Meanwhile in the north, Iraqi forces continue to push up the Tigris River Valley, making gains around and now preparing to tighten the noose around ISIL in Mosul.
ISIL has now lost nearly half of the populated territory that it once controlled in Iraq and it will lose more.
ISIL continues to lose ground in Syria as well. Assisted by our special operations forces, the coalition of local forces is now… tightening around ISIL in Raqqah as well.
In short, our coalition continues to be on offense. ISIL is on defense and it has now been a full year since ISIL has been able to mount a major successful offensive operation on either Syria or Iraq.
As ISIL continues to lose territory, it also continues to lose the money that it is — that is its life blood.
As a result of our strikes against its oil infrastructure and supply lines, we believe that we've cut ISIL's revenue from oil by millions of dollars per month. In destroying the storage sites where they keep their cash, we've deprived ISIL of many millions more.
Thanks with great work of Secretary Lew and many others here today and working with nations and financial institutions around the world, ISIL is now effectively cut off from the international financial system. Cutting off ISIL's money may not be as dramatic as military strikes, but it is critically important and we're seeing the results.
ISIL's cash reserves are down, it has had to cut salaries for its fighters, it's resorting to more extortion of those trapped in its grip. And by ISIL's own admission, some of its own leaders have been caught stealing cash and gold. Once again, ISIL's true nature has been revealed. These are not religious warriors, they are thugs and they are thieves.…
ISIL's ranks are shrinking as well. Their morale is sinking. As one defender — as one defector said, ISIL is not bringing Islam to the world and people need to know that. Thanks to international efforts, the flow of foreign fighters, including from America, to Syria and Iraq has plummeted. In fact, our intelligence community now assesses that the ranks of ISIL fighter has been reduced to the lowest levels in more than two and a half years.
Even as we continue to destroy ISIL militarily, we're addressing larger forces that have allowed these terrorists to gain traction in parts of the world. With regard to Iraq, this means helping Iraqis stabilize liberated communities and promote inclusive governance so ISIL cannot return.
With regard to Syria, it means our continued support for the fragile cessation of hostilities there. The cessation of hostilities has not stopped all or even most of the hardship on the Syrian people, the hardship on civilians. And the Assad regime has been the principal culprit in violating the cessation of hostilities.
ISIL and al-Nusra, which is Al Qaida's affiliate in Syria, also continue to terrorize Syrians. But as fragile and incomplete as the cessation is, it has saved lives and it has allowed the delivery of some life-saving aid to Syrians who are in desperate need. And as difficult as it is, we will continue to push for a political process that can end the civil war and result in a transition away from Assad.
Beyond Syria and Libya — beyond Syria and Iraq, ISIL is also losing ground in Libya. Forces of the Libyan Unity Government are going after ISIL in their stronghold in Sirte and we'll continue to assist the new Libyan government as it works to secure its country.
(Note: Unless otherwise noted all quotes above of President Obama come from his National Security Speech on June 14, 2016 and more recent reaction to Orlando; quotes from Hillary Clinton come from her National Security Speech on June 13, 2016, and all Donald Trump quotes are from his Foreign Policy Speech on June 13, 2016 and other statements as cited.)
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2016 Presidential Candidates, 2016 Strategic Landscape, Defense, Diplomacy, Donald Trump, Foreign Policy, Foreign Relations, Hilary Clinton, Immigration, ISIL, ISIS, Islamic State, Middle East, National Defense, National Security, Obama Administration, President Obama, Syria, Terrorism, U.S. Foreign Policy, US Foreign Policy, White House
POWER IS NOT FOR CHILDREN AND NOT FOR SOME POLITICIANS: THE FLORIDA KILLINGS AND DONALD TRUMP
POWER IS NOT FOR CHILDREN AND NOT FOR SOME POLITICIANS:
THE FLORIDA KILLINGS AND DONALD TRUMP
After a major crisis, the tendency is for people to grasp for short-term reactions. Often, as we saw in the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, a great tragedy can be used for narrow, sectarian, evil, and self-interested purposes to try to increase the hate and hostility between segments of our citizens based on race, religion, ethnic background, and even political views. This is what happened on Sunday after the killing of over 50 people by a man who has been described as mentally mad, had been investigated twice by the FBI, and who pledged allegiance to ISIS in a 911 call during the attack. According to recent reporting, he appears to be a "lone wolf."
In the aftermath of the attack and as the nation mourned, the Presidential candidates took to social media and cable news to express their views. Here are Hillary's, Trump's, and Bernie's statements on the attack. Trump also gave a speech on the issue in Manchester, NH, while Hillary addressed the nation from Cleveland, OH.
From Trump's statement (and his widely-criticized Tweets on the subject) it seems that the American presidential candidate of the Republican Party wants to divide us at a time that calls for compassion. Crises often are a test of the rationality of a leader and his or her character, and in this case Trump utterly failed.
Donald Trump accused the President of incompetence and reiterated his call for a ban on all Muslims coming into the country, implying that this horrendous attack was Obama's fault. President Obama gave a sober and strong address that both rejected such violence and reaffirmed that we should unite and not be divided by such violence.
Trump even tried to cite, falsely, a Pew Poll that he said showed the majority of Muslims favored jihad and hated America (some of the findings are listed below). This irresponsible, incendiary, and outrageous statement filled with hate and unfounded accusations by a presumed presidential candidate of the Republican Party is unprecedented in our history and presents a danger to our nation, both at home and abroad, with just the words alone.
What Trump did not do, which exposes his politicizing purpose, is point out that the automatic assault rifle used was touted by the lobbying of the National Rifle Association as the "gun liberals love to hate" and the gun used in San Bernardino, California; Newtown, Connecticut; and Aurora, Colorado. Trump also gave a sweeping endorsement of the NRA's most extreme stances in the unlimited access to dangerous assault weapons and other guns.
We are already living in a time that needs wisdom and measured judgment to address our most serious challenges and a mad man in charge of our nation is far more dangerous to us than any terrorist.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE FINDINGS OF THE PEW POLL THAT TRUMP CITED:
How do Muslims feel about groups like ISIS?
Recent surveys show that most people in several countries with significant Muslim populations have an unfavorable view of ISIS, including virtually all respondents in Lebanon and 94% in Jordan. Relatively small shares say they see ISIS favorably. In some countries, considerable portions of the population do not offer an opinion about ISIS, including a majority (62%) of Pakistanis.
Favorable views of ISIS are somewhat higher in Nigeria (14%) than most other nations. Among Nigerian Muslims, 20% say they see ISIS favorably (compared with 7% of Nigerian Christians). The Nigerian militant group Boko Haram, which has been conducting a terrorist campaign in the country for years, has sworn allegiance to ISIS.
More generally, Muslims mostly say that suicide bombings and other forms of violence against civilians in the name of Islam are rarely or never justified, including 92% in Indonesia and 91% in Iraq. In the United States, a 2011 survey found that 86% of Muslims say that such tactics are rarely or never justified. An additional 7% say suicide bombings are sometimes justified and just 1% say they are often justified in these circumstances.
In a few countries, a quarter or more of Muslims say that these acts of violence are at least sometimes justified, including 40% in the Palestinian territories, 39% in Afghanistan, 29% in Egypt and 26% in Bangladesh.
In many cases, people in countries with large Muslim populations are as concerned as Western nations about the threat of Islamic extremism, and have become increasingly concerned in recent years. About two-thirds of people in Nigeria (68%) and Lebanon (67%) said earlier this year they are very concerned about Islamic extremism in their country, both up significantly since 2013.
What do American Muslims believe?
Our 2011 survey of Muslim Americans found that roughly half of U.S. Muslims (48%) say their own religious leaders have not done enough to speak out against Islamic extremists.
Living in a religiously pluralistic society, Muslim Americans are more likely than Muslims in many other nations to have many non-Muslim friends. Only about half (48%) of U.S. Muslims say all or most of their close friends are also Muslims, compared with a global median of 95% in the 39 countries we surveyed.
Roughly seven-in-ten U.S. Muslims (69%) say religion is very important in their lives – almost identical to the rate among U.S. Christians. Virtually all (96%) say they believe in God, nearly two-thirds (65%) report praying at least daily and nearly half (47%) say they attend religious services at least weekly. By all of these traditional measures, Muslims in the U.S. are roughly as religious as U.S. Christians, although they are less religious than Muslims in many other nations.
When it comes to political and social views, Muslims are far more likely to identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party (70%) than the Republican Party (11%), and to say they prefer a bigger government providing more services (68%) to a smaller government providing fewer services (21%). As of 2011, U.S. Muslims were somewhat split between those who said homosexuality should be accepted by society (39%) and those who said it should be discouraged (45%), although the former group has grown considerably more accepting of homosexuality since a similar survey was conducted in 2007.
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2016 Presidential Candidates, Defense, Donald Trump, ISIL, ISIS, Islamic State, Middle East, National Defense, National Security, Obama Administration, Refugees, Republicans, Terrorism, US Foreign Policy, White House
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MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr. AND HIS MEANING TODAY FOR OUR INTOLERANCE AND HATE
GOP HILL AND TRUMP ORCHESTRATED "OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE" IN RUSSIAN PROBE?
END OF YEAR ASSESSMENT OF 2017 AND RISKS IN 2018: Calamity or Peace, Stupidity or wisdom?
CONCERN AT HOME & ABROAD THAT AMERICA HAS LOST IT WAY & VALUES.
TRUMP'S ASTONISHING NATIONAL SECURITY RANT: AN EMBARRASSMENT BEYOND BELIEF.
NATIONAL SECURITY STARTS WITH TELLING THE TRUTH AND RECOGNIZING DANGERS
DONALD TRUMP ONCE MORE PROVES HE IS A TOTAL DISASTER FOR OUR NATION.
December 12-18, 2016:
"Alongside our outstanding military work, we have to draw upon the strength of our diplomacy. Terrorists would love to see us walk away from the type of work that builds international coalitions, and ends conflicts, and stops the spread of deadly weapons. It would make life easier for them; it would be a tragic mistake for us. " - President Obama, December 6, 2016
"You know, I'm, like, a smart person. I don't have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years. Could be eight years — but eight years. I don't need that. But I do say, 'If something should change, let us know.'" - President-Elect Donald Trump, in dismissing daily intelligence briefings
"[The African American community] came through, big league. Big league. And frankly if they had any doubt, they didn't vote, and that was almost as good because a lot of people didn't show up, because they felt good about me." - President-Elect Donald Trump in Michigan, December 9, 2016
President Obama in an interview late Monday stressed the importance of daily intelligence briefings after President-elect Donald Trump pushed back against criticism that he receives the briefings only once a week.
"It doesn't matter how smart you are. You have to have the best information possible to make the best decisions possible. [The Intelligence community is] not perfect. But they are full of extraordinarily hardworking, patriotic and knowledgeable experts. And if you're not getting their perspective, their detailed perspective, then you are flying blind." - President Obama, December 12, 2016
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
News Focus Atlanta
Walter Bell photographs and writes about commercial construction and public safety. He is a Forensic and QA/QC Consultant with Bell Flooring Sciences (bellsciences.com) in the flooring and concrete sectors of the commercial construction industry. He has been involved in many high-profile projects partnering with his clients to prevent and solve flooring system and concrete problems.
https://bellsciences.com
Teenage Girl Shot at a Party in Northwest Atlanta According to Police
News Focus Atlanta 8 days ago
Police investigate a report of a teenage girl shot at a party in a NW Atlanta apartment complex in the English Ave neighborhood says APD.(© Walter Bell. All rights reserved.)
Atlanta (News Focus Atlanta) — Atlanta Police officers were dispatched to a person shot call at 370 Northside Dr NW in the English Avenue Neighborhood of Northwest Atlanta, on Jan. 2, 2022, at around 3:00 AM according to an Atlanta Police Department (APD) press release.
The APD media release went on to state that upon arrival, APD officers located a female victim who appeared to have been shot. Initial examination indicated she had been struck in the hand and ear.
Atlanta Fire Rescue Medics stabilized the victim on scene before she was taken to the hospital in stable condition at time of transport.
The preliminary investigation indicates the victim, a teenage female, and a number of other teenagers, were at the location for a party.
It appears the apartment is a short-term rental. While there, a male discharged a firearm and the victim was struck. Investigators are working to determine the details surrounding the incident.
APD had a section of Western Ave NW next to The Point at Westside apartments, cordoned off with crime scene barricade tape for several hours.
At this time, the investigation continues. No further information was available at that time.
APD reminds readers to please keep in mind the above information is preliminary in nature and is subject to change as the investigation progresses and new information comes to light.
The limited information above is from an official APD News & Press Release issued on 01/02/2022 at 11:01 AM. APD is responsible for the content.
Public safety articles are only to inform the public of incidents.
Click the Follow button to see more News Focus Atlanta articles.
It is important to note, as guaranteed by the United States and Georgia Constitutions, suspects are innocent until proven guilty, and there have been times when the innocent have been wrongfully arrested and convicted.
Photographs are copyrighted (© 2022 Walter Bell), and downloads, screenshots, and any reuse is prohibited. NewsBreak article share feature is permitted.
# Atlanta Crime# Atlanta Shooting# Atlanta Police# Atlanta Public Safety# Westside Atlanta
More from News Focus Atlanta
Two deadly shootings on Monday investigated by Police; one involving a vehicle crashed into an apartment building.
Police investigate two shooting deaths in separate incidents on Monday, Jan. 3(© Walter Bell | News Focus Atlanta. All rights reserved.) Northwest Atlanta — Atlanta Police officers responded to 3071 Middleton Rd NW in the Neighborhood Planning Unit - I near the CT Martin Natatorium & Recreation Center in reference to a person shot on Mon., Jan. 3, 2022, at 5:17 PM, according to preliminary information released by the Atlanta Police Department (APD).
Person Shot Downtown Inside the Sheraton Hotel According to Police; Additional Shootings Reported Elsewhere in the City
Police respond to a report of a person shot inside the Sheraton Hotel in Downtown Atlanta says APD.(© Walter Bell. All rights reserved.) Downtown Atlanta (New Focus Atlanta) — Patrol officers responded to a report of a person shot at 165 Courtland St NE, Atlanta on Wed., Dec. 29, 2021, at approximately 8:26 PM, according to preliminary information in an Atlanta Police Department (APD) press release.
Atlantic Station Shooting Involving a GSU Officer Investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)
Atlantic Station shooting involving a GSU officer being investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) in West Midtown, Atlanta.(© Walter Bell. All rights reserved.)
Atlanta, GA 2021-12-10
Surveillance Footage of Murder Suspects Related to 219 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. Released During APD Press Conference
Atlanta Police Homicide Investigators release surveillance footage related to a homicide occurring at 219 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., SW on November 2, 2021. Homicide Suspects Identified by the Atlanta Police Department - Watch Video Below for More.(Atlanta Police Dept.)
Georgia State 2021-12-10
$308.25 million, 40 story, 975 room, 1,225,000 square-foot Ga. World Congress Center hotel under construction in Atlanta
Atlanta, GA (AEC News Focus Atlanta) — New upscale hotel to be connected to the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), the No. 1 convention, sports, and entertainment destination in the world.
Atlanta Police Arrest Oakland Dr. Homicide Suspect on Tuesday
Atlanta Police Homicide Investigators make arrest in the November 30 homicide at 1015 Oakland Drive. Atlanta Police Fugitive Unit Investigators located and arrested suspect Bobby Crawford at a location on Ponce De Leon Avenue, NE on Tuesday, December 7, according to Atlanta PD reports.
Friday Coffee with a Cop and Atlanta Fire Rescue in Midtown, 10am - Noon on Dec. 10
Join Midtown neighbors for Coffee with Atlanta Police Zone 5 Officers and Crime Prevention Inspectors who will be available to answer your questions and address community concerns.


Hotel Grand Victoria Samarinda is located in area / city Samarinda Ulu.
The hotel has a very good location, also near the Temindung Airport (SRI), which is only 1.27 km away.
There are plenty of tourist attractions nearby, such as Mall Lembuswana within 0.25 km, and Samarinda Square within 0.8 km.
Splendid service together with wide range of facilities provided will make you complain for nothing during your stay at Hotel Grand Victoria Samarinda.
Savor your favorite dishes with special cuisines from Hotel Grand Victoria Samarinda exclusively for you.
Hotel Grand Victoria Samarinda is a hotel with great comfort and excellent service according to most hotel's guests.
With all facilities offered, Hotel Grand Victoria Samarinda is the right place to stay.


text:
4 Steps of Aerobic Respiration
How to Make Sodium Citrate Anticoagulant
How to Make Boric Acid
by Allan Robinson Updated September 30, 2017
What Is Polysorbate 60?
How Is Saccharin Produced?
What Are the End Products of Aerobic Respiration?
How to Remove Rust From a Chrome BMX Bike
Boric acid might refer collectively to three specific compounds: orthoboric acid [B(OH)3], metaboric acid (HBO2) and tetraboric acid (H2B4O7). However, the term "boric acid" generally refers specifically to orthoboric acid unless otherwise specified. Orthoboric acid is a solid, white powder at room temperature and is commonly used as an antiseptic, flame retardant and pesticide. It's also used as a reagent for many reactions in organic chemistry and might be synthesized in the laboratory using several different methods.
Add an acid to an aqueous solution of borax (Na2B4O7) to form a salt and boric acid. Borax normally occurs with 10 water molecules attached to it (Na2B4O7.10H2O) in a compound known as a decahydrate. The following equation shows this reaction for hydrochloric acid: Na2B4O7.10H2O + 2HCl -> 2NaCl(aq) + 5H2O + 4B(OH)3.
Cool the solution produced in Step 1. The boric acid will drop out of the solution of salt water as solid, white flakes. Pour the solution through filter paper to obtain the boric acid.
Obtain boric acid through a similar reaction with sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The following equation shows this reaction: Na2B4O7.10H2O + H2SO4 -> Na2SO4(aq) + 5H2O + 4B(OH)3. The boric acid will drop out of the solution as before, which you can then separate by mechanical means.
Prepare boric acid by dissolving various other boron compounds in water. There are a variety of boron compounds that will eventually form boric acid by adding water. The following equation shows a typical reaction with boron nitride that produces ammonia as a byproduct: BN + 3H2O -> B(OH)3 + NH3.
City Collegiate
Allan Robinson has written numerous articles for various health and fitness sites. Robinson also has 15 years of experience as a software engineer and has extensive accreditation in software engineering. He holds a bachelor's degree with majors in biology and mathematics.
Substitutes for Sodium Alginate
How to Mix Protein Shakes Without Clumping
Difference in Ozone & Alkaline Water
How to Add Powdered Fiber to Your Diet


Your dreams of a genuinely relaxing vacation can come true at Casa Velas. Here you will find that picturesque crystal-clear swimming pool, and those magnificent tropical drinks to accompany a glowing sunset. Take advantage of a selection of exclusive hotel deals and packages to enhance your next visit.
You can't spell romance without Puerto Vallarta! Escape to one of the best destinations in Mexico featuring exceptional weather, warm Mexican hospitality, and stunning sunsets to celebrate your romance.
Tee-off in a brand new setting amidst stunning views and the most delicious cuisines alongside your soul mate or friends.
Play endless golf on breathtaking courses in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with the all-inclusive golf package from Casa Velas, a luxury resort edging the Marina Vallarta Golf Club.


Punch beach bag is a popular bag for ladies,white color premium 1/7" thick neoprene add strong hand rope,we can custom your logo brand on outside and printing artwork on entire bag also acceptable.Custom-built neoprene bunch bag are more in line with your actual needs.
Looking for ideal Punch Beach Bag Manufacturer & supplier ? We have a wide selection at great prices to help you get creative. All the White Beach Bag are quality guaranteed. We are China Origin Factory of Neoprene Punch Bag. If you have any question, please feel free to contact us.


Librarianship is an exciting and rewarding career choice that offers variety, diversity, flexibility, and room to grow. In Career Q&A, Susanne Markgren and Tiffany Eatman Allen examine events, transitions, struggles, and advances that encompass and define a librarian's career, answering a range of important questions library professionals face as they move through the various stages of their working lives.
For more than 10 years, Markgren and Allen have collaborated on the popular advice column "Career Q&A with the Library Career People." Here, blending their own best advice with tips and ideas from a number of their savvy peers, they guide current and aspiring information professionals in their pursuit of satisfying careers.


Another impressive benefit of the high vitamin C content found in blackberries is the way that it can help to enhance the health and appearance of our skin. Vitamin C is heavily involved in the production of collagen, which is the most abundant protein found in the human body. Collagen is what gives our skin its strength and elasticity, and it also contributes to its appearance.
Without collagen, our skin is prone to blemishing and developing visible signs of aging. Since vitamin C is an antioxidant, it also helps to prevent the oxidation of the skin which can lead to wrinkles and liver spots.


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Q: Problems with leaderboard using the facebook SDK I am trying to make a leaderboard using the facebook unity sdk(for android devices in my case) I have most of the code down and it works just fine in the editor and on phone.
I can post my score as well as retrieve it in the editor using my access token.
I can also post and retrieve my score on an android where I logged in with my id.(the one to which the app is connected)
But here's the problem:
When I try logging in with another account I can neither post my score nor can I retrieve it.
though I can get the username, profile pic of the account with which I am logged in as No.1 but the score remains 0.
Even the score of my other account isn't visible in the leaderboard.
What I deduced:
As it's mentioned on the Scores API page you require the publish_actions permission to post scores I believe this is what I am missing. But this does not explain why I am unable to see my score posted from my (developer) account.
Is it that during testing with an access token or on a mobile device using the developer or administrator account I can only see my own score using the "AppID/scores?fields=scores"?
void SetScore()
{
        score = //score
        var ScoreData =  new Dictionary<string, string>() {{"score", score.ToString()}};
        FB.API("/me/scores", Facebook.HttpMethod.POST, publishActionCallback, ScoreData);
        Debug.Log ("Score data" + ScoreData);
}

void publishActionCallback(FBResult result){ Debug.Log ("ScoreUpdated!");}

public void friendsScore()
{
    FB.API("/MYAPPID/scores?fields=score",
           Facebook.HttpMethod.GET, CallbackFriendScores);
    //HTTP GET request for the scores
}
CallbackFriendScore(FBResult result){Debug.Log ("response GET: " +result.Text);//the real callback is different but the debug can be used to recreate the same problem}

Note: I am trying to use FB.API("/me/scores", Facebook.HttpMethod.POST, publishActionCallback, ScoreData)
and FB.API("/MYAPPID/scores", Facebook.HttpMethod.GET, CallbackFriendScores) to get the scores.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Many thanks to those fantastic teachers and children who have welcomed me into their Year 6 classes this week.
My goodness, what focus and maturity and fantastic relationships I saw!
I particularly enjoyed a guided reading session this afternoon, where I was able to briefly share a passion about sharks and birds with a very excited student.
I also really enjoyed seeing a pivotal Maths lesson, where students were just on the cusp of grasping subtraction involving lots of zeros. I was disappointed to leave – it was like watching a cliff hanger in a soap – will just need to find a way to go back to find out if they retained it all!!
Very happy to have such committed and conscientious teachers in the team – have a great weekend, all.


The detection of exoplanets orbiting other stars has revolutionized our view of the cosmos. First results suggest that it is teeming with a fascinating diversity of rocky planets, including those in the habitable zone. Even our closest star, Proxima Centauri, harbors a small planet in its habitable zone, Proxima b. With the next generation of telescopes, we will be able to peer into the atmospheres of rocky planets and get a glimpse into other worlds.
Using our own planet and its wide range of biota as a Rosetta stone, I will discuss the possibilities and challenges to explore how we could detect habitability and signs of life on exoplanets over interstellar distances.
Current telescopes are not yet powerful enough to characterize habitable exoplanets, but the next generation of telescopes that is already being built will have the capabilities to characterize close-by habitable worlds. The discussion on what makes a planet a habitat and how to detect signs of life is lively. This talk will show the latest results, the challenges of how to identify and characterize such habitable worlds, and how near-future telescopes will revolutionize the field. For the first time in human history, we have developed the technology to detect potential habitable worlds. Finding thousands of exoplanets has taken the field of comparative planetology beyond the Solar System.


One of the key things that we advise you to do before playing for real money at one of the roulette sites feautured on Online Roulette UK, is to test out the games on a no risk basis.
You can either do that by playing on the free version of the software (all casinos featured on this site allow you to practise for free). OR you can take up one of the many promotional offers such as at Mummy's Gold, who offer free money and an hour to test out their casino (you keep the winnings).
Another neat way of building some systems into the way you play, is to use a roulette tool. There are companies out there that have developed software that allow you to test out roulette systems on the fly, chart the results and generally get behind the numbers of your play.
One such tool we have found is Roulette Xtreme.
Roulette Xtreme claims to allow you to develop and test your own roulette systems before trying them for real. Immediately that puts us more at ease, as ther are no super spammy claims about the key to untold riches, unbreakable systems etc etc.
You can put your paper and pens away and shut down your spreadsheets as this neat bit of software does it all.
You can develop your system and then generate spins automatically to test the results. The software builds up and graphs statistics, saves your spins, and allows you to modify your system, so that you can tweak it bit by bit until you are happy with the risk managment.
Ready to go Systems already created to download and test with your own spins.
Download and save Spielbank Hamburg and Wiesbaden spins from their website.
Import external spins from a text file or Hamburg Spielbank file.
Keeps a record of all your spins and bets placed.
Manual place your own bets to any roulette layout.
Run a wheel bias test using the Chi-Square statistical test.


Our dear friend Master Hari says in his manual that Sunstone Personal Force was channeled and created to help you to strengthen your physical power, maintain your health condition and body stamina. Sunstone Personal Force helps you to release negativities, clear your hidden limitations, so you can achieve your maximum and highest potentials, and manifest true abundance in all areas of your life. Master Hari continues by saying his Sunstone Personal Force may also increase the ability for achievement, and strengthening your will-power and creativity. It will also enhance your self-confidence and allowing you to trust yourself, bringing trust to your abilities and potentials.


Dice vegetables. Rub in 1 tsp of salt to the vegetables and let them sit for 15-20 minutes in a bowl.
After 15 minutes, drain the vegetables (the salt will cause there to be water released from the veggies).
Heat a pan on medium with oil. Make sure oil evenly coats pan.
Then, lay each veggie round on hot oil and pan fry each side for a few minutes until browned.


text:
Sinularia halversoni är en korallart som beskrevs av Verseveldt 1974. Sinularia halversoni ingår i släktet Sinularia och familjen läderkoraller. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Läderkoraller
halversoni

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Is is a good idea to allow older children in the delivery room?
Knowing whether to have your children in the delivery room is a very personal choice that is dependent on the child and the family dynamics. The older sibling's personality will also play an important role in this decision.
In the Sears family, many of the younger siblings were born at home, under the care of a midwife. The other siblings were present and it seemed to be a positive experience. My sister, Hayden, was 3 or 4 when she was able to watch her sister, Erin, be born. It was a special family time, and a completely positive experience.
I would recommend that you should have someone that can take the kids to another room and be with them if things get crazy in the delivery room.


I am an English teacher who's married to an artist. So, despite my best efforts to contain myself, I'm always trying to discover the deeper meaning in my husband's work. He does not enjoy conversations about this. That's part of why he paints. Painting is his talking.
So he paints and I have imaginary conversations with him about his work and his life as an artist. In these imaginary conversations, he says what he really thinks but would never say in real life because he is too nice.
"I'm not sure people think very much about the deeper meaning in paintings," he would say. "If they're serious about a painting, it's probably because it's the right size and it works with their plaid couch."
I am nonplussed. "Well, then, what are all these art museums for?"
"Somebody needs to employ the art history majors."
"Take that Basquait exhibit we saw at the MFA last month -- all his scrawled treatises, formulas, crowns, bones, male members. That's pretty rich stuff. There's got to be something to it."
"Durned if I know. He's dead, so we can't ask him."
"Well . . . you'll be dead one day. We won't be able to ask you then, either."
"In that case, I'm going to ask you some 'what for' questions now. Like, what was the inspiration for Winter Roses?"
"I needed one more painting for the February American Classic Art Auction and I happened to notice those straggly roses blooming over by the fence."
"I see a ton of Christian symbolism in that painting."
He fixes me with a derisively lidded look. "Oh?"
"Yes - the red rose, blooming in obscurity in the dead of winter, throbbing with beauty and life and truth, set against deepening shadows, the thorns just waiting to weave themselves into a crown . . . was any of that in your thinking as you were painting it?"
Since this is an imaginary conversation, I don't feel rebuffed.


text:
Thomas H. Martin Jr. is an American politician and businessperson.

Political career

Maine Senate
Martin served as a Republican State Senator from Maine's 25th District, representing much of Kennebec County, including the population centers of Waterville and Winslow as well as two communities in Somerset County, including Pittsfield. At that time he was a resident of Benton, Maine. He was first elected to the Maine State Senate in 2010 and defeated for re-election in 2012 by Colleen Lachowicz. During his re-election campaign, the Maine Republican Party criticized Lachowicz for comments she made while playing World of Warcraft. After the criticism received national attention, gamers donated $6,300 to two PACs supporting Lachowicz. Overall, $181,000 was spent to oppose Martin's re-election. Lachowicz won her hometown of Waterville by more than 1,900 votes and the district by approximately 900.

Maine House of Representatives

After Leslie Gibson, the sole 2018 candidate for District 57 of the Maine State House withdrew in the wake of a nationwide uproar over his insults of Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivors X González and David Hogg, Martin announced that he would run for the seat, stating that Gibson's remarks did not represent the Maine Republican Party, and that he planned to contact the survivors to commend their courage. Martin said that while he had contemplated a run for office, he had not intended to run for any office in 2018, since he and his wife had newly moved to this area, and had just adopted a child.

Personal life
Martin's private experience is primarily in the field of construction and excavation. He is a graduate of Central Maine Technical College. He now lives in Greene, Maine. In a March 2018 interview, Martin said he and his new wife had moved to Greene "because it proved a good midway point for their respective jobs."

References

External links
Official profile for Maine House of Representatives

Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
Republican Party Maine state senators
People from Benton, Maine
Businesspeople from Maine
Central Maine Community College alumni


Beautiful red sweater shrug, hand knit from a vegan acrylic mohair yarn. It is very soft, not scratchy, and it is lightweight. This adorable little sweater is a great way to keep you warm in the cool summer evenings or to the chill off your back and upper arms warm at work.
I used my favorite vintage lace stitch to knit this sweater and all of the edges are trimmed in a crochet shell pattern. So this shrug uses both knitting and crocheting to make the garment. The sleeves are a bracelet friendly length and are belled at the bottom. The yarn is 100% acrylic.
Care instructions: hand wash in a mild soap and cold water, roll in a towel and lay flat to dry.