text:
A History of Targeted Killing and Capture in the Secret War on Terror
Josh Hughes
Targeted killing and capture of terrorists, and terrorist suspects has become a significant part of the United States' 'Global War on Terror'. Such actions are often carried out in secret, mostly by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and The Pentagons' Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). This programme has become a global operation, but is focussed on the Middle-East, and East Africa.
In terms of the War on Terror, a targeted killing, or capture, is that where a convicted, or suspected terrorist is singled out, and subject to a strike by an armed unmanned aerial vehicle (or drone), or being raided by Special Operations Forces. Raids are predominately aimed at capturing the target alive, but may result in lethal action if the target fights back.
Some high-profile actions under to programme have become known to the public. For example, the killings of Abu Musab al-Zaqawi of Al-Qaeda in Iraq in 2006, Anwar al-Awlaki of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in 2011, and Osama Bin Laden, leader of the overall Al-Qaeda network, also in 2011.
Whilst targeted killing may grab headlines, capturing targets is always preferable. A captured target can be interrogated, potentially gaining further intelligence from them, as happened with Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the 'mastermind of 9/11', who was captured in Rawalpindi, Pakistan in 2003.
Why Targeted Killing and Capture?
As terrorist organisations can blend into the civilian population in their areas of operation, a traditional military invasion of an area would not remove the terrorist threat, it would just remain hidden. Therefore, actions such as targeted killing, and capture allow terrorists freedom of movement just wide enough for intelligence to be gained from their actions, and for strikes to be initiated against them.
The composition of terrorist organisations makes it difficult for them to be soundly beaten. They operate as networks, and not traditional top-down hierarchies, therefore if one node in the network is removed, members can still communicate with each. This is because communication routes can work around removed nodes, by contacting other members to pass on messages. Thus, terror attacks can still be planned and carried out even when important individuals have been killed, or captured.
Therefore, entire networks must be targeted in order to prevent attacks. In order to defeat a whole network, members of terror organisations must be targeted in rapid succession in order that terrorists are removed faster than the organisation can replace them, leading to the collapse of the network. This results in the organisation being degraded to the point where it is no longer able to engage in attacks due to a lack of operatives.
Personality and Signature Strikes
Selected targets are divided into two groups, those subject to 'personality strikes', and those who will receive 'signature strikes'. A personality strike targets well-known terrorist 'personalities', often a leader or high-ranking members of terrorist organisations, such as Ahmed Abdi Godane, the former leader of Al-Shabaab, killed in Somalia in 2014.
However, some 'personalities' may be given the chance to live, if they stop their terrorist actions, reconcile, and begin political engagement. This happened during the 'Sunni Awakening' of the Iraq war, terrorists and militia leaders who did not reconcile, and continued to engage in violence where placed onto 'kill lists' and subject to personality strikes.
Signature strikes, are more controversial. They target those exhibiting 'signature terrorist patterns of life'. These may be middle, or low-ranking members of terrorist groups, or 'lone wolves'. Behaviours such as attending terrorist training camps, being in contact with known terrorists, creating or accessing a weapons cache, or packing a vehicle with explosives would be seen as signature terrorist patterns of life. Individuals expressing such patterns of life may be subject to a signature strike.
These strikes are seen as controversial, as the terrorists are not convicted of any crime, they remain suspected terrorists. Due to a lack of judicial process, targeted killings can be seen as extrajudicial executions, or assassinations. However, the US and some of its allies view the War on Terror as a global armed conflict subject to International Humanitarian Law (the Law of Armed Conflict). As such, civilians who engage in terrorism are 'directly participating in hostilities', and are legitimate targets, without the need for a trial.
Kill Lists
The individuals placed onto target, or kill list are first identified by US government agencies, and narrowed down by the US National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC). The Pentagon, JSOC, the CIA, and the 21 other US intelligence agencies all provide intelligence to the NCTC, and indicate potential targets where appropriate. The NCTC takes all this and generates a list of names based on White House-determined criteria, for example 'those posing an imminent threat to the US homeland, diplomats, service personnel, or citizens abroad.'
This list is then given to the National Security Council Deputies Committee, chaired by the White House Counterterrorism adviser, currently Lisa Monaco, and includes deputy directors from intelligence agencies and military Chiefs. The Deputies committee creates a short-list, which is then either signed off by the President, or is further discussed at a full National Security Council meeting, chaired by the President himself. As yet, President Obama has apparently never refused to sign off a kill list.
JSOC is a collection of 'Tier 1' counterterrorist teams from the US Army and US Navy, i.e. Delta Force, and DEVGRU (SEAL Team 6). JSOC can also draw upon firepower from 'Tier 2' units, such as other SEAL teams, Green Berets, and Army Rangers. It was created in the aftermath of the failed rescue of US Embassy personnel from the Iranian Hostage Crisis, Operation Eagle Claw. As such, it is deployed on covert operations, and officially answers only to the US Secretary of Defence, and the US President.
In terms of the targeted killing/capture programme, it is focussed on 'snatch squads', but also has access to drones, and missiles. In addition, JSOC has its' own intelligence and support units, allowing it to operate without the need for large-scale conventional military deployments.
JSOC, then lead by General Stanley McChrystal, was a major part of successfully defeating the Islamist insurgency of the Iraq War. Whilst regular troops engaged in 'hearts and minds' operations, and conventional engagements and patrolling, JSOC took militants off the streets and rescued hostages by raiding properties, and removing or killing militants.
Using its own analysts, JSOC would sift intelligence to find militant targets, including data from the US National Security Agency's' (NSA), 'Real Time Regional Gateway' software, which gathered, stored, processed, and analysed all electronic communications in Iraq following the 'surge' of 2007. Militants of interest would be targeted, and have their homes raided by JSOC teams. They would be captured and interrogated, and their houses searched. Intelligence gained from interrogations and searches would be fed back into the intelligence system to generate more targets for raiding, which would then produce more intelligence for raids. This procedure would keep on going until terrorist organisations were degraded.
The process grew exponentially, during August 2004 there were 18 raids, in August 2006, there were 300 raids, with teams often carrying out multiple raids each night. Managed from McChrystals' headquarters known as the 'Death Star', the operation came to be seen as 'industrial counterterrorism.' This resulted in a massive reduction in militant violence, in 2004 there were 150 car bombings in Baghdad per month. By 2008, this was reduced to 2 bombings.
McChrystals' strategy is reminiscent of that employed by the French in Algiers, and the Phoenix Program in Vietnam, with the aim to take militants off the streets faster than they can be recruited. This reduces the number of trained militants, and puts terror organisations into the position where they do not have enough members to operate, and therefore cannot carry out attacks any longer.
Although a US command, allied units have operated alongside JSOC. During the Iraq War, the UK Special Boat Service (SBS), and Special Air Service (SAS), along with their own 'Tier 2' units from the UK Special Forces Support Group (comprised of platoons from 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment, and F company, 3 Commando Brigade) targeted both ex-Baathists, and jihadists. As Task Force Black (later Task Force Knight) in Baghdad, and Task Force Spartan in Basra, they made a significant contribution to the degradation of terrorist groups in Iraq.
Becoming a Global Operation
After a successful campaign in Iraq, McChrystal was sent back to Washington, and later ran the War in Afghanistan. He was replaced by Vice Admiral William McRaven, a SEAL commander who literally 'wrote the book' on special operations as the thesis for his masters degree. JSOC expanded into the 'hot' battlefield of Afghanistan, and also into Somalia, Algeria, the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, Mali, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Colombia, Peru, and European, Central Asian, and Persian Gulf countries. With coordination from permanent JSOC bases in North Carolina, and Djibouti, and temporary bases across the globe, JSOC could operate anywhere.
JSOC expanded into the 'hot' battlefield of Afghanistan, and also into Somalia, Algeria, the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, Mali, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Colombia, Peru, and European, Central Asian, and Persian Gulf countries. With coordination from permanent JSOC bases in North Carolina, and Djibouti, and temporary bases across the globe, JSOC could operate anywhere.
Depending on the arrangements for deploying US forces into a country, JSOC would ask states to either target terrorists on their behalf, carry out operations jointly, or consent to allowing JSOC to operate within their territory. However, where States were uncooperative, or there was a risk of the State betraying the mission, JSOC is prepared to act without territorial consent. Most notably, Operation Neptune Spear, the raid against Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where the US did not inform the Pakistani authorities beforehand.
As seems to permeate all military actions of at least the last 20 years, there was involvement of a Private Military Contractor in JSOC operations. Blackwater (later Xe Services, and now under new management as Academi) had an ex-special forces contingent called Blackwater SELECT. Originally brought in to train less-experienced operators, who due to the importance and fast tempo of operations, could not be trained in the usual manner. Contractors often did the job they were supposed to be training others for.
However, much of this work was intelligence analysis, and logistics, rather than kinetic operations.
CIA Drone Programme
After declaring 'war on Bin Laden' in 1998, CIA director George Tenet initiated the CIA drone programme in 2000. Originally for intelligence gathering, and reconnaissance only, CIA Counterterrorism Centre director Cofer Black lobbied for MQ-1 Predator drones to be armed in the hunt for Bin Laden. This authorisation was given on 4th September 2001.
The drone programme was put on hold during the invasion of Afghanistan. However, it was resurrected under the control of the CIA Special Activities Division (SAD) in 2003-2004. The SAD is the CIA's paramilitary arm. It often recruits ex-JSOC operators, who may engage in spying in dangerous environments, and as forward air controllers for drone strikes. Until 2014, the SAD ran the CIA drone programme in Pakistan, hunting militants in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
The drone programme in Pakistan is a wholly US operation. No other country has direct involvement, however intelligence passed to the US from other countries is likely to inform on individuals engaged in terrorism, and where they may be found. This intelligence sharing is likely to come through the Five-, Nine-, and Fourteen-Eyes intelligence alliances.
Drone strikes in Pakistan began in 2004, and at its peak used around 30 MQ-1 Predator drones. However, their intensity has slowed drastically, and the campaign may be in its final stages. Until 2014, the programme was under the complete control of the CIA SAD. As with all CIA activities, the programme was covert, and completely deniable until discussed by President Obama in 2012.
The programme is now under control of the US Air Force. This results in more co-operation with Pakistan, and slightly more openness about strikes. The change in policy is due partly to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, but also due to the Pakistani 'Threat Matrix' evaluations. A study by the Pakistani military which determined that Pakistan is threatened more by militants, than it is by India; it should therefore cooperate with the US in creating a strong Afghanistan by removing militants, rather than preparing for an Indian invasion.
The vast majority of drone strikes occur in the FATA. These are used as safe havens by militants fighting the Afghan security forces, and the NATO mission Resolute Support, formerly ISAF. The strikes target members of the Taliban, Tehrik-i-Taliban (Pakistani Taliban), Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (Movement for the Enforcement of Islamic Law), Haqqani Network, al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Islam, Islamic Movement for Uzbekistan, and other Mujahedeen fighters.
Whilst number on strikes and deaths cannot be verified, as the CIA does not release such data. The New America Foundation, and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism have both released studies on numbers of drone deaths. The New America Foundation estimates that there were 369 strikes 2004-2013, resulting in 2,851 deaths. 2,291 were deemed to be militants, 286 civilians, and 274 of unknown status. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, however estimates that there were 401 strikes between 2004 and January 2014. Causing 2,383-3,858 deaths, 416-957 of which are deemed to be civilians. The numbers of civilian casualties are disputed by the US, who claim that all targets are legitimate, and anyone associated with them must be aware of, and complicit in terrorist activities, and by extension are legitimate targets themselves.
Drone strikes in Yemen
Whilst the CIA drone programme in Pakistan is the most publicly debated, it is not the only drone programme ran by the US. JSOC runs its' own drones in Yemen and Somalia, as part of their role in the wider targeted kill-capture programme.
Drone strikes have taken place in Yemen since 2002. Although, they along with other US counterterrorism actions in Yemen are currently on hold due to the emerging civil conflict.
The first ever drone death occurred in Yemen on the 3rd November 2002, when Abu Ali al-Harithi was killed. Al-Harithi was an al-Qaeda commander, suspected of bombing the USS Cole.
The former President of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Salah exploited the funding and assistance offered by the US to engage in counterterrorism. Salah used the funding and US-trained troops to target political opponents, and anyone he determined was a terrorist.
The US actions were focussed on al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Their most famous target in Yemen was Anwar al-Awlaki, sometimes referred to as the 'Bin Laden of the Internet'. Al-Awlaki had not engaged in terrorism himself, but gave significant inspiration and encouragement to terrorists. He had been in contact with Nidal Malik Hassan, the 'Fort Hood Shooter', and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Christmas Day 'Underwear Bomber'.
Such contacts, and his violent rhetoric led him to become a dangerous inspiration and facilitator for terrorists acting against the US. The threat he posed through his followers resulted in him becoming a target, despite never engaging in violence himself. Al-Awlaki was killed on the 30th September 2011.
Two weeks later, on the 14th October 2011, al-Awlaki's 16 year old son, Abdulrahman was also killed in a drone strike. Although Jeremy Scahill claim this was 'paying for the sins of his father', the strike was intended to kill Ibrahim al-Banna, and AQAP leader.
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism estimates between 2002 and 31st October 2014, there were between 67 and 79 confirmed drone strikes in Yemen, killing 347-503 individuals, 64-83 of them being civilians. However, there may also be an additional 101-120 drone strikes, causing 345-553 deaths, including 26-68 civilians. Due to the nature of the terrain in Yemen, and the fact that these are covert operations, numbers are inherently difficult to collate, as is evidence in these estimations.
Drone Strikes in Somalia
As in Yemen, strikes in Somalia are led by JSOC out of their permanent headquarters at Camp Lemonier, in Djibouti. Strikes in Somalia began in 2002, and have targeted groups such as: al-Itihaad al-Islamiya, Islamic Courts Union, al-Shabaab, Hizbul Islam (and associated groups), al-Qaeda, and Somalia pirates.
Like Yemen, JSOCs' campaign in Somalia also involved raids by JSOC operators against terrorists. However, it also involved a CIA operation to fund Somali warlords who had been fighting against each other for years to engage the Islamist militias. This not only allowed the CIA to outsource the fight against terrorism in Somalia, but also gave them additional locations for extraordinarily rendered individuals to be interrogated.
Due to the lack of government, and regular journalism in Somalia, data on drone strikes and deaths are even more difficult to acquire. However, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism again has estimates, although only between 2007 and 31st October 2014. It estimates there were 6-9 drone strikes, killing 16-30 people, including 1 possible civilian. This is in conjunction with 8-11 other covert operations, killing 40-141 individuals, 7-47 of whom may have been civilians.
How do they decide who to strike?
Information and intelligence on potential, and suspected terrorists was kept on databases which were informed by multiple US intelligence agencies. Domestic threats were listed on a database called the 'Main Core', with external threats kept on a separate database. Prior to 2010, the CIA, JSOC, and the NCTC would each have their own target lists for personality strikes, with the personalities determined from the information contained on the databases. When authorised by the President, the agencies would go after their targets; the CIA with drones, JSOC in whichever way was most appropriate, and the NCTC would request either the CIA, or JSOC, to go after their targets, depending on where they were in the world.
However, since 2010, the 'Disposition Matrix' has come into place. This was created by John O. Brennan, current CIA director, during his time as Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Adviser. It is a much streamlined version of the kill/capture authorisation process, which by-passes review by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
When someone listed on a target list is found, the matrix gives options for how to deal with them, depending on which country they are in. It also gives information on what will be needed to kill or capture the individual. Such as what authorisations are needed, what legal tests must be fulfilled, and where the target (or their body) will be transported to afterwards. This process removes the possibility of a known terrorist coming out of hiding, and then disappearing whilst arguments over how to deal with them take place in Washington. It also avoids problems of what to do with a terrorist once they have been captured, as many of the decisions have already been made.
For example, if suspect is in an allied country, e.g. Saudi Arabia, the matrix gives information on how to share that intelligence, and request their arrest and extradition. If the suspect is in a country where JSOC operates, e.g. Somalia, the matrix gives information on which team is in the vicinity, and what naval vessel the suspect can be held on between capture and transfer to US court. If the suspect is in an area where capture is infeasible, e.g. FATA Pakistan, the matrix gives information on how to initiate the process of targeted killing.
At present, targeted killing is ongoing, and will likely continue for many years. In Somalia operations are likely to continue, and may increase in tempo following recent actions by al-Shabab, such as the Westgate Shopping Mall, and Garissa University attacks.
In Pakistan, the pace of strikes has slowed, due to lower numbers of terrorists being present in the FATA. This is due to a number of reasons, militants moving into Afghanistan to fight the Afghan security forces following the partial NATO withdrawal, more co-operation between the US and Pakistan, and Pakistan themselves targeting militants, as a result of the Threat Matrix.
In Afghanistan, targeted killing has been going on for some time, under the banner of the 'Joint Prioritised Effects Lists' or JPEL. This is a list of potential targets, prioritised in order of importance, which NATO wishes to kill, capture, or gain intelligence from. NATO allows Afghan government officials, and governors to see the list, in order that some information will leak out, and the individuals named on the list will either change their behaviour, or be subject to an operation against them; in a similar, but less explicit fashion to the 'Sunni Awakening.'
Currently, US counterterror operations are on hold in Yemen, due to the ongoing conflict between the Iranian-backed Houthi militia, and Saudi Arabia.
In terms of targeted killing/capture operations against Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria, few details have emerged. However, a JSOC team did target Abu Sayyaf, an IS leader inside Syria. Sayyaf died after engaging the JSOC team, who also captured his wife, and a Yazidi slave girl. However, the SAS have reportedly been involved in unconventional warfare against IS, using helicopters and quad bikes to penetrate deep into the desert, and sniping IS fighters from afar. Whether targeted killing/capture against other IS affiliates outside Iraq and Syria is happening is currently unknown, as no news has emerged of such operations.
In terms of the future of targeted killing/capture, IS linked groups are likely to displace al-Qaeda affiliates as the primary Islamist terror organisation, and so IS leaders are more likely to be targeted as a consequence of this.
Due to the rise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), computers are likely to be used in evaluating and analysing intelligence reports of potential targets, in order to find 'signature patterns of terrorist activities', and those worthy of personality strikes.
Also with AI, the expected used of Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS) in conflicts will likely impact targeted killing. They are likely to be able to launch and travel quicker than current drones, meaning that the tempo of strikes could increase. Some believe that computer-controlled weapon release will result in higher accuracy, reducing collateral damage, and doing less damage to the 'hearts and minds' of the local population. However, other commentators believe AWS could be less accurate, leading to more problems.
The potential for computerised intelligence analysis, along with AWS, could lead to strikes potentially being carried out with little human oversight. However, this is very unlikely, as many military thinkers are aware to the dangers of this approach.
In conclusion, the targeted killing/capture programme developed by the US has gone from a small-scale targeting of Osama Bin Laden, and other high-ranking al-Qaeda operatives, to targeting any Islamist extremist who threatens the peace, stability, and security of the US, and its allies. It expanded from a small CIA operation, and now involves aspects of the whole US intelligence community, and the US military, along with the input of many allies. From the first targeted killing in the War on Terror, Abu Ali al-Harithi in 2002, kill/capture has become one of the primary tools of US counterterrorism on a worldwide scale.
Since the creation of the disposition matrix, the ability of the US to strike targets has become more streamlined, as legal tests, and required authorisations are already laid out. This removes the need for lengthy consultations with lawyers, or review by extraneous levels of bureaucracy, which were present before.
The kill/capture programme is likely to continue into the future, particularly following the rise of IS. The impact of increasingly powerful technologies, such as AI, and AWS, means that more processes required to find and strikes a targets could be given over to machines. This is likely to increase the potential tempo at which strikes could occur, but it is unlikely that a totally computerised targeted killing programme could ever emerge.
Additional Protocols I and II to the Geneva Conventions, 1977
Beauchamp, 'The drone war may be over in Pakistan' Vox, May 29 2014 < http://www.vox.com/2014/5/29/5761634/has-america-stopped-killing-pakistanis-with-drones >
Bureau of Investigative Journalism, 'Get the data: Drone Wars' < https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/category/projects/drones/drones-graphs/ >
Elite UK Forces, 'SAS Quad Bike Raiders Hit IS' November 24 2014 < http://www.eliteukforces.info/uk-military-news/24112014-sas-iraq-combat.php >
Hastings, 'The Operators', (Weidenfield & Nicholson, 2013)
Hastings, 'The Rise of the Killer Drones: How America Goes to War in Secret' Rolling Stone, April 16 2012 < http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-rise-of-the-killer-drones-how-america-goes-to-war-in-secret-20120416>
ITV, 'The Kill List' Broadcast: 11th February 2015
Lucklove and D. Blair, 'US special forces kill 'senior Isil leader' Abu Sayyaf in rare Syria raid' The Telegraph, May 16 2015 < http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11610217/US-special-forces-kill-Isil-leader-in-rare-raid-inside-Syria.html >
Mazzetti, et al. 'SEAL Team 6: A Secret History of Quiet Killings and Blurred Lines' New York Times, 6 June 2015 < http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/world/asia/the-secret-history-of-seal-team-6.html?referrer=&_r=1 >
Miller, 'CIA-Blackwater assassination contact points to larger connections' Los Angeles Times, August 21 2009 < http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/21/nation/na-cia-blackwater21 >
Miller, 'Plan for hunting terrorists signals U.S. intends to keep adding names to kill lists' The Washington Post, October 23 2012 < http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/plan-for-hunting-terrorists-signals-us-intends-to-keep-adding-names-to-kill-lists/2012/10/23/4789b2ae-18b3-11e2-a55c-39408fbe6a4b_story.html >
Scahill, 'Dirty Wars' (London: Serpent's Tail, 2013)
Schachtman, 'Obama finally talks drone war, but it's almost impossible to believe him' Wired, June 9 2012 < http://www.wired.com/2012/09/obama-drone/ >
Spiegel Staff, 'Obama's Lists: A Dubious History of Targeted Killings in Afghanistan', Der Spiegel, December 28 2014 < http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/secret-docs-reveal-dubious-details-of-targeted-killings-in-afghanistan-a-1010358.html >
Urban, 'Task Force Black' (Great Britain: Little Brown, 2010)
Walsh, 'Osama bin Laden mission agreed in secret 10 years ago by US and Pakistan' The Guardian, 9 May 2011
Previous Post	Army 2020 Alternative, The Brigade Combat Team
Next Post	Hard Sums Ahead for SPEAR Cap 3
Peter Feeney
My questions here are not about SF dusting up ISIS targets engaged in armed acts. It is ALL about the rules of engagement since those are the things shoved down Cpl X's throat when he takes action.
Strictly for my education – under what law is this drone work done? How does such action relate to the Geneva Convention; or habeas corpus; or …. any law of armed conflict?
Is it carried out under some mandate from the UN? And, if not …. Anyone?
What of Westfalian norms – No assassination of leaders? Does it set precedent?
Does it mean that Today Yemen, Tomorrow a very bad person in Northern Ireland?
And if the answer is "Don't be naïve", does that mean that COP platoon, 3rd Foot and Mouth can strike at will the targets THEY think are threats to the security of (Pick a country)?
It is all about the legitimacy.
Targeted killing is merely an inadequate substitute for what needs to be done which is less discriminate mass killing with a higher tolerance for collateral damage.
The history of targeted killing on the GWOT has been of increased radicalisation and perpetual replacement of one nutty islamist leader with another even more nutty one. In reality we need to kill as many Islamists as we can until they realise they need to think like us or die meaninglessly.
@peter Freeney
From the Geneva Convention IV
"◾The Conventions apply to a signatory nation even if the opposing nation is not a signatory, but only if the opposing nation "accepts and applies the provisions" of the Conventions
Putting pilots in a cage and setting fire to the ( alive) on the internet , taking slaves etc kind of rules ISIL from the 'accepting' part. So gloves off . As for NI what makes you think the British didn't eliminate individuals?
Reply to Peter Feeney
This may well be a report on US views but distinct UK position and challenges are well summarised in http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/research/policycommission/remote-warfare/final-report-october-2014.pdf
I also don't agree on your assessment why US have slowed strikes in PAK and ceased in Yemen http://www.longwarjournal.org/yemen-strikes there have been 37 strikes versus AQAP in yemen in 2015
Engineer Tom
The US have been targeting leaders for decades, the Libyan strikes in the eighties targeted Gaddafi, and they targeted Saddam in the Gulf war.
secundius
Reply to monkey
@ monkey.
The problem with the Geneva Convention is, it's not a "One Stop" Party Sign-All Convention. It's a "Piece-Meal" Convention, you Sign with what your willing to Live With or Not-To Live With. Example: The UK is a 1957 ratified Parties to GC I-IV and Parts I-III, Signatory and the USA is a 1955 ratified Parties to GC I-1V and Part III, Signatory…
@secundius
That's , right we have signed up to our appetite and others theirs , that varies from 100% to 0% , the groups we are targeting are at the 0% end , executing legitimate uniformed prisoners of war by horrendous means after terrible levels of torture but expect us to abide these international agreement's. Hence the outcry over Guantanamo Bay or extraordinary rendition of individuals caught in combat zones and armed by civil rights lawyers. They have a job to do , be it the combatants or the lawyers and so do the government forces arrayed against them. There is a limit. Many injured Taliban with wounds beyond their own abilities to treat were abandoned it dropped outside FOB or even a half klick outside Camp Bastions gates expecting and received full medical help. Guess what would happen if we tried the same?
JoshGHughes
@peter Freeney In terms of the law this is governed by, it's up for debate, and hasn't really been settled. The US claims it is in a global armed conflict against al-Qaeda, and Islamists who threaten US security, and so make their decisions based on the Law of Armed Conflict; there's no problem about targeting an individual specifically in a conflict, the attempted assassination of Rommel is probably the most famous example.
A lot of academics think an armed conflict must be geographically limited, and so LoAC cannot apply to a global conflict. In this case, International Human Rights Law applies in the same way it would do for a police Armed Response Unit, meaning that any lethal force must be both proportionate and necessary. Infringing on the Right to Life, or Right to Liberty, is proportionate when done to save life, and necessary when there is no other feasible way to resolve the situation. I've written about the legality of JSOC raids in more detail here, the legality of drone strikes is quite similar: https://www.academia.edu/7837117/Legality_of_counterterrorism_raids_by_Special_Forces_in_International_Law_with_reference_to_actions_by_Joint_Special_Operations_Command
There is no mandate from anyone. It is purely US-led, although the states where targeted killings are carried out have mostly consented to US actions on their soil. In terms of international norms, the breaching of sovereignty as an act of self-defence when a foreign government is unwilling, or unable to deal with terrorists in its territory has been accepted for a while. Norms on assassination really only apply to head of government and State, not non-State Actors. There are claims that targeted killing of a fashion did occur in Northern Ireland targeting known IRA members, BBC Panorama made a great documentary on the Military Reaction Force a couple of years ago, which is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV_E_t1gxNk
@Monkey No matter who a signatory State is fighting, they are always bound by the Geneva Conventions in armed conflict. So there would never be any 'gloves off', as it were. Even if the military is acting outside of an armed conflict, they are still bound by their obligations under International Human Rights Law, which apply extra-territorially. Technically, Human Rights law also applies during armed conflicts, but is superseded by the Law of Armed Conflict in most cases, as it is more specialised to conflicts.
@tweckyspat Thank you for the report, it's very interesting. As to Yemen, Long War Journal gives data showing 7 strikes, and 37 AQAP casualties, not 37 strikes. However, I take your point that actions may still be ongoing in Yemen. Although US forces, including their SF teams were evacuated from Yemen during the Houthi advance on Aden, operations could be being launched from Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, only about 250km away from Aden.
Obsvr
The key to counter-terrorism is HUMINT. You have to identify potential sources in or around the terrorist organisation and recruit them.
This means people on the ground and able to operate reasonably covertly. Once you have the sources and know who the terrorists are and what they were up to everything becomes much easier.
If you can't do this then organisations like SRR become essential (although its reasonable to assume that they can also recruit and handle HUMINT sources), and the risks to them can get fairly high.
The US seems limited to 'technical means', this is third rate at best because there's plenty of sensible measures that competent terrorists can take to minimise their detection and attack risks. Regularly knocking off leadership elements is useful but it is unlikely to result in overall success. You also risk being on the negative end of natural selection – real talent starts to get to the top of the terrorist organisation and survive.
Thanks for the summary explanation and after the 'success' in the Yemen to eliminate a senior AQAP and AQ replacement leader the media have once again returned to the fray.
'Targeted killing and capture' of 'high value targets' (HVT) is a tactic, it is NOT a strategy for the USA or the UK. Killing or 'degrading' the ability of HVT to plan etc in essence is a disruptive tactic.
On present form it has some successes, although the Yemen is not one – for very complex reasons. It appears that the capability and will of the violent jihadists remains, indeed is often cited as enhancing the standing of the jihadists amongst those who live locally. Alongside the disruption what is there? To counter the ideological message they preach and circulate online? Not very much.
Can we 'kill or capture' our way out of this problem or threat? No.
Readers may like to see two commentary pieces. From The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/16/what-death-of-a-jihadi-leader-mean-for-western-war-militants and from the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/17/world/middleeast/al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-yemen-nasser-al-wuhayshi-killed.html?
I do wonder is 'kill or capture' used as it is a hi-tech option that enables disruption, alongside a dose of revenge, which to date has few known 'friendly fire' casualties and those targeted have no voice that impacts the domestic audience.
Israel, as the a recent RUSI Journal article, pointed has used the option for many years, plus in support of short wars in Lebanaon and Gaza. Has Israeli security been improved in the long-term?
It may also be useful here to distinguish between the 'tactic' of Targeted Killing/ Decapitation/Assassinations and the armed UAV/RPAS means. As indicated by others you don't need RPAS to carry out targeted killings which can be undertaken by SF, covert Mossad teams, even poisoned umbrellas, or other precision strike munitions whether delivered from aircraft , land units or ships. The challenge of course is understanding whether any such tactic is effective in the short and longer terms. If anyone has good insights how to assess this I am sure the US, UK, NATO and others would be grateful for them !! It is often mentioned – and seems natural – that such strikes generate 'blowback' but very very difficult to provide compelling evidence this is the case.
The interesting question is whether the availability of armed RPAS to major players like the US makes such tactics more attractive and reduces entry barriers to "do something". Would the US have put SF or CIA hit teams on the ground in Yemen ? It is after all using manned aircraft v Daesh/ISIL although this is more of a concventional campaign v ground forces I guess. I really don't know the answers.
Say after me 'Technology does not win wars, people do'. It applies in spades to counter-terrorism. You have to have the right people in the right place. This can be high risk, and it is not a notable US strength.
IS will only be defeated (or reduced to a hardcore covert rump) by combined arms manoeuvre warfare. Its all terribly simple really, but the pollies goaded on by assorted ignorant dickheads think that 'high tech' is the solution. They're 'slow learners' (a polite expression).
Obsvr – curtailing their thuggish territorial grab by use of concerted military means may well work. The problem is that they have wrapped their power-play in a zealous crusade shaped skin. Abject defeat for those that have gone to play soldiers in the sand will be used by the string-pullers as a rallying call for the wavering faithful to take up arms wherever they may be. Bump off the central army and watch terrorist acts erupt all over the globe. Their ultimate defeat is reliant upon the string-pullers propagandists and self-proclaimed leaders being seen by those of a devout Sunni nature as soulless thugs taking the name of God in vain. Should that happen, IS would shrivel and die without a trace.
The Jihad thing is something that really only appeals to a minority. IS have not entirely endeared themselves to the mass of their co-religionists, who would almost certainly be happy to return to the familiar.
Re my earlier post on HUMINT, today I read a book review on Grey's 'The New Spymasters', it seems this book reflects my thinking (HUMINT is the key and the US is pisspoor at it).
@tweckyspat I'm not aware of any studies on the impact of targeted killing/capture on AQ/IS groups. However, I have found one on the efficacy of Israeli assassinations of Palestinian militants, which concluded that the death of leaders did not affect the overall level of violence in an insurgency. Militant actions dissuaded by a leaders death were equalled out by those incited by the killing. But, they found that targeted killing did give the political benefit of showing that the government was doing something about terrorism. Also, the elimination of a particularly lethal militant, such as a skilled bomb-maker, or tactician, may reduce the amount of deaths inflicted by the group – in essence, terrorists will still launch attacks, even if they can't kill as many people as before.
I would guess this shows a link-up with Obsvrs' comments, that it is HUMINT that really turns around violent insurgent situations.


text:
The global alternative investment space now sits at more than $9 trillion in global assets, and we're just getting started. Roughly 40% of RIAs are using alternative investments. With the RIA space expanding and alternative investment demand rising among investors – a surge in data, news, and opinion will continue. This channel cuts through the noise to give you the most important actionable insight.
Artificial Intelligence: Ex-Goldman CIO Makes Leap to Healthcare
Marty Chavez walked away from Goldman Sachs in late 2019. Now, he's sitting on the board of artificial intelligence startup Paige. The New York-based firm uses AI to detect, diagnose, and improve the treatment of cancer.
More Stories on Alternative Investments
Marty Chavez walked away from Goldman Sachs in late 2019. Now, he's sitting on the board of artificial intelligence startup Paige. The New York-based firm uses AI to detect, diagnose,…
Hedge Funds: Alleged Theft of Citadel's $100 Million Trading Strategy
Citadel Securities sues GSA for allegedly acquiring the highly confidential strategy from its employee through improper means. Citadel's ABC strategy, which it uses to generate "many millions of dollars each…
Alternative Investments: This ETF Copycats Top Hedge Funds and Undercuts Their Fees
Launched in December, the iM DBi Hedge Strategy ETF (DBEH) is an actively-managed ETF. Its objective: to match or outperform the largest Global Equity Long/Short hedge funds from the HFR…
Alternative Investments: A Bidding War For Voya Financial May Happen This Year
Voya Financial may become a possible takeover target in the coming months, according to the Financial Times. The report indicates that the former ING Group insurance unit and retirement plan…
Alternative Investments: Lazard Asset Management Launches High-Conviction Strategy Fund
Lazard Asset Management has made yet another splash in thematic investing. The firm has launched a new fund employing a high-conviction global equity strategy. The company announced the strategy behind…
Hedge Fund Westbeck Capital Management: Time to Bet on Canadian Energy
Westbeck Capital Management is turning its attention to beaten-down Canadian energy companies. The energy hedge fund believes that these firms will have stronger cash flows in the year ahead compared…
Hedge Funds: Bain to Raise Up To $7 Billion For New Long-Only, Public Equities Fund
Bain to Raise Up To $7 Billion For New Long-Only, Public Equities Fund. Alternatives investments specialist Bain Capital will be less 'alternative' soon after its proposed fundraise. The new fund…
Garry Kasparov on Artificial Intelligence: It Won't Destroy Mankind
Garry Kasparov, the great chess grandmaster, said that AI won't destroy, let alone replace, mankind. His comments came over the weekend in an interview with Gerry Baker of Fox Business.
Venture Capital: What the IPO Market Needs Now – To Wake Up
Casper Sleep, the online mattress retailer, has filed for its initial public offering. According to an SEC filing, the company has planned an offering at $100 million. Morgan Stanley, Jeffries…
Alternative Investments: Sen. Ron Wyden Dismisses Ethos' Response to .org Domain Sale
The protest over the sudden and non-transparent sale of the .org domain to an obscure private equity firm for $1.35 billion has three Democratic Senators embroiled in it. Last month,…

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
CONGRESSMAN BISHOP LEADS LETTER TO GSA URGING THE AGENCY TO PROTECT JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) led 25 other Members of Congress in a letter to Administrator Emily Murphy of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) urging her to take into consideration any potential negative impacts to the AbilityOne Program as GSA considers reforms to federal acquisition regulations. The AbilityOne Program supports employment opportunities for more than 45,000 Americans living with blindness or other disabilities.
The Members of Congress wrote in the letter:
"We applaud GSA for highlighting the AbilityOne Program as one of the "Unique Government requirements that advance key national interests…" in its March 2018 Implementation Plan. We strongly concur with that statement and support the AbilityOne Program and the opportunities it affords people who are blind or significantly disabled to secure quality employment and enhance their opportunities for personal and economic independence."
They continued:
"As GSA moves forward with the next two phases of its work to implement Sec. 846, we strongly urge the agency to fully assess any possible impacts regarding the use of commercial e-Commerce portals on the AbilityOne Program and the SKILCRAFT and AbilityOne products it currently sells to federal customers."
The AbilityOne Program offers employment options and a path forward to personal and economic independence for more than 45,000 Americans, including over 3,000 veterans, who live with blindness or other significant disabilities. It is the largest source of employment for people living with disabilities, and provides goods and services for the federal government at over 1,000 locations.
Additional background on the AbilityOne Program can be found here.
A scan of the letter can be found here. The full letter text can also be found below:
Dear Administrator Murphy:
We write today regarding the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)'s work to implement Sec. 846 of the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (Procurement Through Commercial E-Commerce Portals), and the importance of protecting the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act and federal agency purchasing of products through the AbilityOne Program.
The AbilityOne Program provides employment opportunities for over 45,000 Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities. The JWOD Act mandates that federal government entities obtain any products or services included on the AbilityOne Program Procurement List (PL) from a nonprofit agency employing persons who are blind or have other significant disabilities as long as that product or service is available within the normal period required by that government entity.
We support the use of commercial e-Commerce portals in order to streamline federal government acquisition, and believe this can be achieved while also strengthening socioeconomic programs such as AbilityOne that support the federal marketplace.
The federal government can modernize its purchasing practices while still fully complying with the JWOD Act, ensuring continued employment for tens of thousands of Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities.
We thank you, again, for GSA's support for the AbilityOne Program.
Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.
Rep. Alma S. Adams, Ph.D.
Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán
Rep. Susan W. Brooks
Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D.
Rep. André Carson
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II
Rep. Barbara Comstock
Rep. Val Demings
Rep. Mike Doyle
Rep. Brian Higgins
Rep. Will Hurd
Rep. Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr.
Rep. Luke Messer
Rep. Gwen Moore
Rep. David E. Price
Rep. Jamie Raskin
Rep. David P. Roe, M.D.
Rep. Pete Sessions
Rep. Lamar Smith
Rep. Claudia Tenney
Rep. Mike Thompson
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson
Rep. Fred Upton
Rep. Filemon Vela
Rep. David Young
Our Communities, Family Values, Our Livelihoods, Jobs and the Economy, Economy


text:
Facebook says it will ban sales of the Amazon rainforest after an investigation found plots of land were illegally sold on the platform
Sarah Jackson
Oct 9, 2021, 02:31 IST
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
A BBC investigation found parts of the Amazon rainforest were being sold on Facebook Marketplace.
Eight months later, Facebook will ban sales of land in ecological conservation areas on Marketplace.
Facebook is changing its commerce policies to try to curb an illegal practice that was brought to light in a documentary eight months ago.
In February, the BBC investigation "Our World: Selling the Amazon" uncovered that people were illegally selling plots of Brazil's Amazon rainforest on Facebook Marketplace. Now, Facebook is "announcing measures to curb attempts to sell land in ecological conservation areas within the Amazon rainforest on Facebook Marketplace," the company said in a blog post on Friday.
Facebook's commerce policy on prohibited content -- specifically relating to land, animals, and animal products -- now bans listings of "land or real estate of any type in ecological conservation areas." The company says the change applies to its commerce products across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
"We will now review listings on Facebook Marketplace against an international organization's authoritative database of protected areas to identify listings that may violate this new policy," the company said in the blog post. "Protected areas are crucial for conserving habitats and ecosystems and are critical to tackling the global nature crisis. Based on specific criteria, Facebook will seek to identify and block new listings in such areas."
The BBC's investigation found that many of the plots being sold on Facebook Marketplace were part of protected areas, such as lands for indigenous communities, as well as national forests. The sales transpired as the Amazon rainforest continues to suffer massive deforestation, including, as the BBC reports, at the hands of those buying and selling its land online.
Facebook's policy change comes at the end of a rough week for the company. On Monday, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger went dark for several hours. The massive outage abruptly severed lines of communication between families and friends around the world and brought business to a screeching halt for many online entrepreneurs. The next day, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen testified before Congress that the company puts profits over safety through the use of controversial business practices that sow "more division, more harm, more lies, more threats, and more combat."
Next StoryThis is the $40 speaker-silencing gadget people are using to shut down China's crowds of dancing grandmas
This is the $40 speaker-silencing gadget people are using to shut down China's crowds of dancing grandmas
Elon Musk said Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory now makes more cars than its Fremont, California, plant
10 things in tech you need to know today


The sculpture at entrance of the Rameswaram Krishna Pranami Magal Ashram is spectacular. It is actually a Charity Trust maintained by private organization and it has a Krishna Temple and an art gallery inside it specially for visitors, pilgrims and tourists. Idols of Radha and Krishna are inside this temple.
The art gallery audio, video sessions inside this temple (they charge Rs.10 per head to enter here). The Tale of Krishna and Avatars of Vishnu were depicted here.
There is an electric moving statues inside the Ashram. This place Have a Electronic Gallery about Lord Krishna life stories through moving Robotics.
Where is Krishna Pranami Magal Ashram located?
How can I reach Krishna Pranami Magal Ashram?
By means of Government Buses Towards Bus stand (Bus frequency: One bus for every 10 minutes).


text:
Babes in Bagdad is a 1952 American comedy film directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and starring Paulette Goddard and Gypsy Rose Lee.

Plot
Arabian Nights princess Kyra goes on strike demanding equal rights for women, to the frustration of caliph Hassan. Supported by the caliph's godson, Ezar, Kyra enables the caliph to see the error of his polygamous ways, and he eventually settles down with his favourite wife, Zohara.

Cast
Paulette Goddard as Kyra
Gypsy Rose Lee as Zohara
Richard Ney as Ezar
John Boles as Hassan
Thomas Gallagher as Sharkhan
Sebastian Cabot as Sinbad
MacDonald Parke as Caliph
Christopher Lee as Slave dealer (Lee has no dialogue and is essentially an extra)

Critical reception
Allmovie wrote, "even the staunchest auteurist defenders of director Edgar G. Ulmer are hard-pressed to justify his participation in this relentlessly silly effort."

References

External links

1952 films
1952 comedy films
American comedy films
United Artists films
Films directed by Edgar G. Ulmer
1950s English-language films
1950s American films
English-language comedy films

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


This relaxed style belt fastens with a wraparound knot that allows you to adjust the size to fit you easily. You can also knot it in a variety of ways to customise your look.
It is intricately handwoven with red leather on the outside, and lined with cotton inside . It has yellow gold end caps and comes with its own unique code which connects you to the artisan who handcrafted it for you. Handmade in Bali.
It is intricately handwoven with red leather on the outside, and lined with cotton inside.


text:
MDAC launches project focusing on monitoring the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
1 April 2010. Today MDAC launched a one-year initiative in which it will seek to provide guidance to governments and NGOs on the effective implementation of Article 33 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the provision which focuses on domestic implementation of the Convention.
Through a grant by the UK Government Strategic Programme Fund, MDAC will develop practical guidelines and checklists to assist governments and NGOs on the obligations of States Parties to the CRPD under Article 33, apply the guidelines in order to determine whether and how countries within Europe are meeting their Article 33 obligations, and produce a summary report for the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to assist the Committee in holding States Parties to account.
Along with the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture, the CRPD is the only international human rights treaty to include a specific provision on the role and structure of national implementation and monitoring mechanisms, and it does so in Article 33. Ensuring the domestic implementation of international human rights standards has long been a challenge to the UN system of international human rights promotion and protection. Ensuring the domestication of the CRPD presents a particular concern given the vulnerability and political marginalisation that persons with disabilities across the world experience. Article 33(1) of the CRPD offers a means of ensuring policy coherence and coordination across Government through the designation of focal point(s).
Article 33(2) fosters national implementation through the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism. Furthermore, by explicitly requiring States Parties to involve civil society organisations, including persons with disabilities, in monitoring the implementation of the Convention, Article 33(3) aims to ensure that the unprecedented involvement of civil society in the negotiations of the Convention is sustained in monitoring its implementation.
Launching the project, MDAC's Executive Director Oliver Lewis said: "National Human Rights Structures will play a key role to ensure that this Convention is implemented, and we hope that MDAC's project will contribute to this process".
MDAC will seek input from organisations during the project's lifespan and make information available on its website. For additional information please contact Kathryn Vandever, Policy and Advocacy Officer: mdac@mdac.org.
advocacy, legal capacity, community living, inclusive education, access to justice, ill-treatment, research, poltical participation


text:
@interface data_mTests : SenTestCase

@end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Hatschekia girelli is een eenoogkreeftjessoort uit de familie van de Hatschekiidae. De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1990 door Jones J.B. & Cabral.

Hatschekiidae


This page is for Non Members.
As a Non Member, the result of your search only provides the name, a member search provides other information as well.
The Harrisonburg - Rockingham Historical Society has a continuing program of documenting a number of historical documents into searchable databases. Many thousands of hours have been spent by dedicated volunteers transcribing data of genealogical interest. The results provide a digital catalog of various sources such as birth, death and marriage records, over 300 cemeteries, indexes of Family History books, obituaries, etc. This data is updated when a significant number of additional names have been input.
At the time this was written, there were approximately half a million names in the overall index. When a name is located in the index, one can see what the source document is. Within the source document database (at the library), the location of the personal information is found. For example, if a name is listed as being in a cemetery, a computer search will result in the details of the tombstone location. This list does not include all the HRHS resources but it does provide a fast means of finding those that have been recorded.
This search page will determine if a name exists in the HRHS computer. You must contact or visit HRHS to obtain details. The Historical Society provides this information to help find your ancestors.
To improve the opportunity to find a name, the program searches for all names that start with the letters entered.
For instance "P" will return all names starting with P. Each search is limited to 10,000 names.
"Paul" will return names such as Paul, Paulus, Paulser, Pauly and so on.
As a part of the HRHS digitization program, countless volunteer hours of data entry are resulting in a database that provides an overall index of names for our members and patrons.


Accord Power Conversion Pvt Ltd.
Accord Power Conversion Pvt. Ltd.
Accord, a strong relation with quality products and on-time services. Company is set up with international manufacturing standards and its products are designed to meet International Quality Standards, as well as Indian adverse power conditions.
Customer Service is our main Product. It is the customer service which keep us in the business for long. To provide good quality service, Good Quality Product is a pre-requirement.
© Copyrights ACCORD 2017. All rights reserved.


Four former New Jersey governors are supporting a campaign to stop the proposed new natural gas line through the Pinelands and the Assistant Executive Director of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance Dr. Jaclyn Rhoads told NJTV News Managing Editor Mike Schneider that the proposal does not meet the regulations of the Pinelands Commission.
She said that typically, those proposing projects get all of the other permits and clearances they need and come to the Pinelands Commission for approval last. Rhoads said this is because this attempts to force the Pinelands to vote with the agencies but the Pinelands Commission has a special role to play and they are the only ones that make sure that the Pinelands' integrity remains intact.
There are problems with the proposal, Rhoades said, which include no sufficient review of the impact it will have on endangered species, some reports requested for review were blanked out and flood gates to other projects might come through that may violate regulations that have been in place for 30 years.
"I think the Pinelands Commission right now is at a critical juncture. We are going to say this does not abide by our rules, there are other choices. Don't use the Pinelands as the cheapest route to get to the plant," Rhoads said.
Rhoads said the Pinelands Commission is responsible for protecting the Pinelands, and it is not within their jurisdiction to evaluate whether or not the plant needs to be in operation. But she said that South Jersey Gas has other options that would not affect the Pinelands.
"I don't see trading the integrity of the Pinelands and its rules for a power plant that has other options as a viable choice and I think that's what the Pinelands Commission is there for," Rhoads said.


RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: PRNewswire: Paris Gallery, the leading luxury retailer in the region, opened its new opulent store in Al Hamra Mall. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage and presence of Mr. Yaqoub Al Sharif Al Hashemi, Sara Group Executive Director and other chief guests including senior officials and diplomats led by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Faisal bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, French Ambassador François Gouyette, Doctor Rosela Rosi, the deputy Ambassador and the Italian Trade supplement in Al Riyadh, accompanied by the director of public relations at the Italian Embassy, and the Charge Affaires of the UAE Embassy Ahmad Al Tanayji and an elite of businessmen and society.
Paris Gallery has been catering to the unique needs of customers in KSA with distinctive merchandise and superior customer service. The launch of the new outlet reinforces the retailer's strategic expansion plans in the region. Located in Al Hamra Mall in Riyadh, the store spreads over 1000 square meters of luxurious retail space and houses a vast array of international luxury brands in watches, perfumes, cosmetics, eyewear, accessories and leather goods. The retailer's eye-catching retail concepts, impeccable service standards and traditional Arabic hospitality a practice sees it stand out as an unequivocal shopping and gifting destination in the Middle East.
"We are glad to announce the opening of another store in KSA. With Paris Gallery's solid reputation and expertise in luxury retail and customer service, we will deliver the unique, experience to the visitors of Al Hamra Mall. We look forward to accelerated growth through our on-going focus on luxury and service," said Mr. Yaqoub Al Sharif Al Hashemi.
Paris Gallery is known for its quality products, luxurious in-store ambiance, well-trained staff and its signature Arabic hospitality. In KSA, Paris Gallery has more than 14 luxury specialty stores located in prime retail areas across the kingdom, each outlet offering a premium assortment of over 650 international brands.


Uncomplicated and also basic to make use of,Quick Shortcut Makerwithout the need to leap with hoops or anything like that.
Makes it good and easy to rapidly access contacts, lots up other tasks or just launch apps with a better icon.
Permits individuals the alternative to pick their very own certain symbol or to produce their very own of kinds with the use of the forms choices.
Offers players great deals of options as well as selections to take control the manner in which they intend to.
Doesn't have an option to develop faster ways that load up details websites or anything like that.
Might just interest those that are seeking more customization choices as opposed to performance options.
All-in-all, App Shortcut Maker definitely has a lot on offer and also it's the type of point that will interest users that intend to make the most out of their house screens and such.
Being able to pick from your personal images along with produce your own symbols making use of the shapes offered is excellent, and it will absolutely make Android extra flexible and also personalized for a lot of customers. It's actually inexpensive to unlock ads for also, which is one more fantastic function, too.
This is the quickest apps that aid you create or browse for your application that you've installed. Especially those application that failed to develop a faster way right after the installment or application that you accidentally delete the faster way. These application is probably your solution.
- Added Arabic as well as italian translations.
- Adjusted to AndroidPhone7 style.
- Taken care of a pest that the faster way for Google Play could not be opened up.
- Included feature to ask you to price this app.
Just adhere to the guideline as necessary to avoid damages in your device.


The Bredesen ReCODE Protocol™ is designed to address many of the underlying causes of cognitive and overall health issues. My coaching helps you figure out how to tweak your food, movement, sleep, relaxation, brain-stimulating activities, toxin reduction, and/or stress management practices to heal your brain, body, mind, and spirit. I help you stay connected to your internal motivation, surmount obstacles to progress, and provide numerous resources to make it easier for you to integrate diet and lifestyle changes into what's often a busy schedule and limited budget. Explore how I can support you using the webpage links below.
*Lab testing and medical evaluation to generate a ReCODE Report™ is needed to uncover underlying issues at play for your particular condition. If you already experience cognitive impairment, I encourage you to additionally seek help from an Bredesen-trained doctor.


text:
Evaluating the Instability of a Space Arc Frame
by Bridget Cunningham
Space frames have been used as the foundation for the construction of many modern buildings, from the Louvre in France to Globen in Sweden. When designing space frames, we need to asses the risk of instability.
A Design Element in Modern Building Construction
With its notable display of historical artwork, the Louvre has become a central landmark in Paris, France. As the Louvre grew in popularity — eventually ranking as one of the world's most visited museums — it became evident that the building's original entrance could no longer handle the large number of guests admitted on a daily basis. The need for an entrance with a greater capacity prompted the construction of the Louvre Pyramid within the museum's courtyard in 1989. This structure now serves as the main entrance to the building, descending visitors into a spacious lobby and then moving them up to the museum level.
The Louvre Pyramid. ("Courtyard of the Louvre Museum, with the Pyramid" by Alvesgaspar — Own work. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons).
In comparison to the Louvre's classical architecture, the pyramid was based on a more modern design approach — the space frame. A space frame is a truss-like structure composed of interlocking struts that form a geometric pattern. Requiring few interior supports, these structures offer a lightweight and elegant solution in structural engineering. Additionally, due to their inherent rigidity, space frames are able to span large areas while maintaining a strong resistance.
The Louvre pyramid is just one example of a building based on a space frame design. Many other structures, such as the Eden Project in England and Globen in Sweden, have also used a space frame as the basis for their construction. With its common application in modern buildings, it is important to study how loads affect the stability of such structures.
Applying Loads to Space Frames
In the new COMSOL Multiphysics version 5.0 model, Instability of a Space Arc Frame, we set up and analyze a space frame. In this benchmark model, the frame undergoes concentrated loading at various points, with a small lateral load implemented to break the structure's symmetry. The description of the space frame and the applied loads are based on the example from "A Mixed Co-rotational 3D Beam Element for Arbitrarily Large Rotations" by Z.X. Li and L. Vu-Quoc.
A schematic depicting the space frame's geometry.
As a constraint, all of the frame's base points are pinned. Vertical concentrated loads P are applied to the top four corners of the space frame. Meanwhile, lateral loads of 0.001*P are applied to the frame's two front corners. These lateral loads are designed to perturb the frame's symmetry to implement a controlled instability. The figure below shows the final state of the deformed frame.
Deformed space frame.
Next, we can evaluate the relationship between the compressive load and the horizontal displacement on point A of the frame. Comparing the reference data with the simulation results, the plot below illustrates a strong agreement between the two findings.
A plot relating load parameter P and displacement v. Here, the simulation results are compared with the reference data.
Furthermore, this plot highlights an instability occurring at a parameter value of around 8.0, even though a deviation from linearity can be seen much earlier. In practice, an imperfect structure's critical load is often far lower than that of the ideal structure, as was discussed in this previous blog post.
Download the model: Instability of a Space Arc Frame
Structural Mechanics & Thermal Stress
By providing your email address, you consent to receive emails from COMSOL AB and its affiliates about the COMSOL Blog, and agree that COMSOL may process your information according to its Privacy Policy. This consent may be withdrawn.
Modeling Fluid-Structure Interaction in Multibody Mechanisms
Using Simulation to Study Ultrasound Focusing for Clinical Applications
Modeling a Transient Contact Problem with Stick-Slip Friction Transition
EXPLORE COMSOL BLOG
Batteries & Fuel Cells
Chemical Reaction Engineering
Corrosion Processes
COMSOL Now
AC/DC & Electromagnetics
Particle Tracing
Piezoelectric Devices
Ray Optics
RF & Microwave Engineering
Heat Transfer & Phase Change
Subsurface Flow
Cluster & Cloud Computing
COMSOL Server
Equation-Based Modeling
Installation & License Management
Optimization & Inverse Methods
Parameters, Variables, & Functions
Results & Visualization
Studies & Solvers
CAD Import & LiveLink for CAD Products
LiveLink for Excel
LiveLink for MATLAB
Acoustics & Vibrations
MEMS & Nanotechnology
Today in Science
Composite Materials Module
Electromagnetic Device series
Featured Scientists
Gear Modeling series
Hybrid Modeling series
Metal Processing Module
Modeling Irregular Shapes
Multiscale Modeling in High-Frequency Electromagnetics
Optimization Module
Physics of Sports
Rotordynamics Module
Solver series
Structural Materials series
Technical Content
User Perspectives
Wave Electromagnetics
Weak Form


It's difficult to look at the quirky illustrations or GIFs created by up-and-coming local creative Kobie Nieuwoudt without at least a slight smile climbing across your lips. Not just technically talented, the graphic design graduate is equally gifted at making people giggle and at capturing the quirks of human nature (particularly local cultural idiosyncrasies) in a lighthearted way. It's this ability that won her the position of runner-up in The Foschini Group's Gift Card Design Competition when she was in her second year of study at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and it's this ability that recently got her named one of Design Indaba's 2016 Emerging Creatives. But even though she's in the spotlight now more than ever before, drawing up magic is something she's always been doing.
'The earliest memory I have of drawing is of me lying in the back of my mother's Jetta and sketching while she drove (I drew a family portrait, including the fantasy cat I wanted at the time),' Kobie explains.
Because Kobie struggles to express herself physically (I'm like a baby wildebeest when it comes to dancing,' she says), she uses her GIFS to capture her constraints by trying to create the most expressive, entertaining animations out of the least amount of frames.
What she loved about drawing back then, and what she still loves about it now, is its potential to provide solace and focus and to allow her complete freedom in her own private space. Similarly, she found over time that illustrating taught her, a self-professed over-thinker, how to just let go and trust the process – 'the illustrations I'm most fond of always happen by chance,' she says.
Aside from miniaturist Lorraine Loots and ceramicist Mervyn Gers, Kobie names David Bowie as one of her greatest inspirations. 'The ability he had to reinvent himself encourages me to not be afraid to be different, to be open to change and to constantly evolve my style as time goes on,' she explains.
Of course, she also loves using her work to make people laugh, and she does this by embracing the offbeat and making her drawings and the little phrases that come along with them relatable, so that viewers can laugh at themselves through her work too.
Today, Kobie has spread the joy by applying her creations to standard pillows, cushions, continental pillows and a line of mugs, and she's always on the lookout for new ways to display her drawings on functional objects. Although she says her vision for the future shifts constantly, she hopes to one day manage her own business and have the capacity to employ others, collaborate with fellow South African artists and showcase her work on an international scale – after all, the rest of the world needs a giggle too. To see more of Kobies illustrations visit kobanieuwoudt.co.za.


Floral prints tend to catch my eye no matter what the season and this fall is no exception! Fall florals usually contain those gorgeous dark fall colors like burgundy and go well with fall accessories like boots and hats. With so many fall floral printed dresses out there, I picked this one because I loved the added choker and I can't deny that the price point was pretty good too! I ended up wearing this this to attend RewardStyle's "School Night" here in San Diego! It was good to reunite with local bloggers and meet new ones from the OC!
And how gorgeous is this "Opal 3-Stone Ring" from local San Diego designer Erin Fader?! I love that it's elegant and versatile!


Emily and Meritt shared the pieces they turn to again and again when they need a lazy (but stylish) Sunday afternoon at home. From socks that are as adorable as they are comfy to to-die-for bath oils and scented candles, their picks will have you ready to close the blinds, slip into a robe, and indulge in some serious "me" time.
"There's nothing we find more indulgent than treating yourself to a cosy Sunday at home," the stylists tell us. "From decadent bubble bath to cosy socks, here is our guide to doing absolutely nothing."
Keep scrolling to see Emily and Meritt's picks for a perfectly cosy Sunday afternoon!
Enjoy your caffeine in style with this gold, art deco–ish take on a classic french press.
Trust us. Just trust us.
This ultra-feminine robe is a nice alternative to the terry variety, and who says you can't look cute in loungewear?!
Valley of the Dolls is a classic book that every girl should read, and if you are too busy to crack open a novel, it just looks darling on your bookshelf.
This candle is pleasing not only to the eye but to the nose, as well. The brass container is sure to add a little bit of glamour to any table!
We love a good bubble bath, and the pretty bottle doubles as bathroom décor.
You have committed to a shoeless day, so keep yourself warm with the whimsy of a fun print like on these Goodnight Moon socks!
Go fish! These gold cards are a clever way to jazz up a game of solitaire!
How do YOU unwind on Sunday afternoon? Tell us in the comments below!


Partnerships for Opportunity Development Association (PODA) collaborates on projects in Africa, primarily Uganda. PODA partners with local organizations with a goal to provide resources that allow their projects to become and remain sustainable. These resources include start-up funding, materials, training and specific expertise.
PODA has collaborated on building a vocational secondary school, starting a dairy goat breeding program, creating community beekeeping, developing adult education programs, providing a support network for street children, improving financial sustainability of local performance groups, and implementing sustainable cooking workshops and home gardening initiatives.
PODA is a volunteer run organization that receives support from its local community, like-minded organizations and a large network of family and friends. PODA volunteers fundraise, travel to Africa to work on projects, and offer support in project review and development.
PODA is a not-for-profit organization registered as a society in the Province of British Columbia since 2009. The roots of PODA began in 2005 when the founders, Peter & Natalie Hunt, first went to Uganda. We are based in Victoria, BC but we connect and share our story with people throughout the world.


Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2011 Aug;41(1):81-9. doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2010.09.004. Epub 2010 Dec 17.
Comparison of anti-TNF treatment initiation in rheumatoid arthritis databases demonstrates wide country variability in patient parameters at initiation of anti-TNF therapy.
Pease C1, Pope JE, Truong D, Bombardier C, Widdifield J, Thorne JC, Paul Haraoui B, Psaradellis E, Sampalis J, Bonner A.
Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
Characteristics of Canadian RA patients started on anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment were compared with 12 other countries.
Data from the Optimization of HUMIRA trial (OH) were compared with Canadian real world studies [Ontario Biologics Research Initiative (OBRI) and the Real-Life Evaluation of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Canadians Receiving HUMIRA (REACH)], and to data from American, Australian, British, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, and Swedish RA databases. Patient characteristics and temporal trends at initiation of anti-TNF therapy were compared between countries.
Baseline Disease Activity Scores (DAS28) varied from 5.3 to 6.6. Lower disease severity was noted in databases from countries with less restrictive anti-TNF coverage: Dutch [based on previous disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) use, DAS28, swollen joint count (SJC), tender joint count (TJC), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Danish (previous DMARD use, DAS28), Norwegian (DAS28, SJC, TJC, visual analog scale (VAS) of global health), and Swedish (DAS28, SJC, TJC, HAQ-DI)]. RA databases showed lower disease scores than did OH (P < 0.05). The US databases also showed lower disease severity (CORRONA: previous DMARD use, SJC, TJC; National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases: HAQ, P < 0.001). The UK and Czech Republic had restrictive coverage and higher mean baseline DAS28 than OH (P < 0.001). Baseline DAS28 in the registries with published data lowered over time (British, Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish) but less for the British (P < 0.001).
These results confirm that regional variation exists between the 13 countries analyzed in the initiation of treatment with anti-TNF agents among RA patients and suggest that in some cases this variation may be increasing. In some countries the mean baseline disease severity declined over time and regional reimbursement policies and differences in physician preferences may be influencing initiation of anti-TNF therapy in RA.


text:
Home Globalisation
Muthu Konar| | March 21, 2013 March 27, 2013 | Articles| 0
The globalization is one of the most important developments in the world economy. The world economy is increasingly globalizing by the growing integration of national economies through trade and investments flow and the multinational firms. In simple words, globalization is nothing but a rule in which any country can carry out their trading activities with any countries all over the world or the expansion of economic activities or business across the political boundaries of countries.
Globalization not only helps in developing the trading activities but also help in improving the lives of people in many ways such as follows:-
Peaceful Relations–
Most of the countries have resorted to trade relations with each other in order to boost or improve their economy, leaving behind any bitter past experiences if any. Nations now try to raise capital and fortify their stand in international trade, rather than hosting a war. Thus, globalization has induced international peace and security in a huge way.
Free trade is a policy in which a country does not have to levy taxes, duties, subsidies or quota on the import/export of goods or services from other countries. There are countries that have resolved to free trade in specific regions. This allows consumers to buy goods and services, comparatively at a lower cost.
The opportunities for new markets has increased noticeably. Numerous companies have started investing in different countries and luring customers for their brands. These ever-expanding markets have helped countries to raise capital in terms of foreign domestic investments, thus improving the economy of the country.
Good for Developing Nations–
It is claimed that globalization increases the economic prosperity of developing nations. Developed countries invest in such countries with an aim of capturing new markets, which helps them improve their infrastructure and technologies to international levels. A lot of capital is invested in such projects, which in turn proves fruitful to the economy of the developing nation as well.
The competition among different companies finds place at an international level. It becomes important for the companies to focus on quality goods and services, in order to have a strong foothold in the market. The consumer is benefited in the process, and gets quality products at cheaper rates. He/she also gets the opportunity to select his goods from a large variety available in the market.
Globalization has helped in bringing about integrity and social understanding everywhere. The dream for a global village becomes realistic after looking at the impact of globalization. It has helped in removing some barriers that had kept the world divided on various grounds. There has been propagation of democratic ideas among countries. Cross-cultural contacts grow and cultural diffusion takes place, which helps in minimizing differences, and promotes companionship.
one of the most advantageous factors of globalization is that it fosters the generation of employment. This happens due to the emergence of new companies and new markets, where lots of skilled and unskilled labor is required. Immigration between countries also increases, providing better opportunities for people all round the world. By providing employment, globalization helps in increasing the standard of living of the people, and reduces poverty.
Knowingly or unknowingly, we are all under the impact of globalization, and more importantly, it has helped in bringing international peace and justice to humankind.
Muthu Konar
a proud BMSite from V.k.krishna menon college, bhandup (E).
Latest posts by Muthu Konar (see all)
Is MNCs Superior to Indian Companies? - April 11, 2013
IS MBA must to be a manager? - April 9, 2013
Reasons for why not to smoke. - April 8, 2013
Top 5 Problems BMS Students Face While Giving Power Point Presentations (PPTs)
Rhea Shetty| | January 26, 2015 January 26, 2015 | Articles, Life @ BMS, BMS, powerpoint, Presentations, problems| 0
Top 5 Problems BMS Students Face While Giving Power Point Presentations (PPTs) Projects are an integral part of a...
Mumbai University's Students Council Elections on 15th January 2014
BMS Team| | January 11, 2014 January 11, 2014 | Articles| 0
Mumbai University to held Students Council Elections on 15th January 2014. Bombay High Court has declined to stay elections...
XAT Expected Cutoff 2014
XLRI has two programs, the HRM and the BM program. The HRM program typically has a lower cutoff than...
Movie Masala: The Legend of Hercules
Ami Pandya| | January 8, 2014 January 8, 2014 | Articles| 0
All the information you need before you book your tickets for the latest releases this weekend! The Legend...
10 Amazing Surprising Facts About Katrina Kaif You Didn't Know
BMS Team| | April 30, 2014 April 30, 2014 | Articles| 0
Did you know Katrina Kaif who is highly criticised for her acting talent and inability to speak Hindi is...
5 Amazing Facts Of Nunavut Cultural Traditions You Probably Never Knew
BMS Team| | May 15, 2014 May 15, 2014 | Articles| 0
1) Nunavut people use "Umiaq" which means "woman's boat" for transportation. These are large boats with more...
Marriage – A Sacrament
BMS Team| | September 30, 2014 September 30, 2014 | Articles| 0
MARRIAGE is when two people unite in love and faith. It is not a compromise or a formality. It...
68th Indian Independence Day HD Greetings, Images, Wallpapers – 15 August 2014
BMS Team| | August 12, 2014 May 24, 2015 | Articles, Notes| 1
Haq Milta Nahi Liya Jaata Hai,Aazadi Milti Nahi Cheeni Jaati Hai,Naman Unn Desh Premiyon Ko,Jo Desh Ki Aazadi Ki...
Felicitation of Pruthvi Adani, SGM TYBMS Sem 5 Topper 2013TYBMS Exam Questions will be mailed half hour before the exams to the exam centres?
uinucuhige on Parineeti Chopra HD Wallpapers, Images For Pinterest
omeiviyepamo on Parineeti Chopra HD Wallpapers, Images For Pinterest


Happy Easter! It will be here before you know it. If you are a procrastinator then this post is for you! Here are some last minute Easy Easter Craft Ideas for you. They are all bunny-themed (cute, right?) They are also my personal faves. I hope you like them too!
How cute is this "Bunny Bar?"
If you can sew, I think you should sew this!
Is this the cutest Easter table setting you have ever seen, or is it just me?
Cute and delish! What more could a girl want?
What a fun use of cute paper straws! Am I right?
Confession: I'm slightly obsessed with fancy napkin folding.
Cute + easy = OK, you talked me into it.
Feeling ambitious? This is just adorable!