Headlines

• Russia Warns West It May Change its Stance on Iran
• British Army Hails Afghanistan Withdrawal as 'Historic Moment'
• Pakistan: King of Bahrain Vows to Enhance Military Cooperation at JSHQ

Details

Russia Warns West It May Change its Stance on Iran

Russia may revise its stance in the Iranian nuclear talks amid tensions with the West over Ukraine, a senior diplomat warned Wednesday. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, according to the Interfax news agency, that Russia didn't want to use the Iranian nuclear talks to "raise the stakes," but may have to do so in response to the actions by the United States and the European Union. The statement is the most serious threat of retaliation by Moscow after the U.S. and the EU announced sanctions against Russia over its annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region. Ryabkov, who is Russia's envoy to the Iranian talks, said that Russia considers the "reunification" with Crimea as far more important than the developments surrounding the Iranian nuclear program. Russia has cooperated with the United States and other Western nations in the Iranian talks, but Ryabkov warned that its attitude may now change. "We wouldn't like to use these talks as an element of the game of raising the stakes taking into account the sentiments in some European capitals, Brussels and Washington," Ryabkov was quoted as saying by Interfax. "But if they force us into that, we will take retaliatory measures here as well. The historic importance of what happened in the last weeks and days regarding the restoration of historical justice and reunification of Crimea with Russia is incomparable to what we are dealing with in the Iranian issue." [Source: Time Magazine]

It is great shame to see the Muslim countries used as pawns amongst great powers, as they compete with each other to protect their interests and stake their claim on different parts of the Muslim world. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said,

‏«‏يُوشِكُ الأُمَمُ أَنْ تَدَاعَى عَلَيْكُمْ كَمَا تَدَاعَى الأَكَلَةُ إِلَى قَصْعَتِهَا‏»‏.‏ فَقَالَ قَائِلٌ: وَمِنْ قِلَّةٍ نَحْنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ؟ قَالَ: ‏«‏بَلْ أَنْتُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ كَثِيرٌ وَلَكِنَّكُمْ غُثَاءٌ كَغُثَاءِ السَّيْلِ وَلَيَنْزِعَنَّ اللَّهُ مِنْ صُدُورِ عَدُوِّكُمُ الْمَهَابَةَ مِنْكُمْ وَلَيَقْذِفَنَّ اللَّهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمُ الْوَهَنَ‏» فَقَالَ قَائِلٌ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا الْوَهَنُ؟ قَالَ: «‏حُبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَكَرَاهِيَةُ الْمَوْتِ‏»‏‏

"The nations are about to call each other and set upon you, just as diners set upon food." It was said: "Will it be because of our small number that day?" He said: "Rather, on that day you will be many, but you will be like foam, like the foam on the river. And Allah will remove the fear of you from the hearts of your enemies and will throw wahn (weakness) into your hearts." Someone said: "O Messenger of Allah! What is wahn?" He said: "Love of the world and the hatred for death."

British Army Hails Afghanistan Withdrawal as 'Historic Moment'

British forces are due to end their combat role at the end of the year but there has been a gradual withdrawal over the last six months, largely free from publicity. Soldiers serving in Helmand spoke of nostalgia, sentimentality and also relief. Helmand will not be missed by many of those who served there. The British death toll in Afghanistan stands at 448 since the first casualty in 2002. Asked if the deaths had been worth it, the head of British forces in Helmand, Brigadier James Woodham, said: "It's always a difficult question to ask when there has been a human cost here in central Helmand. I guess ultimately history will judge the worth of what we've been doing at our government's request." Almost all the British bases in Helmand have either been dismantled or handed over to Afghan forces. Woodham described the handover as "a historic moment" in the British campaign in Afghanistan. The British handed over to the Afghans Lashkar Gah, which opened in 2006 and was the former headquarters of British military forces in Afghanistan, and the patrol base Lashkar Gah Durai. It has dismantled its main operating base, Price. British forces were deployed to Helmand in 2006. It is one of the major poppy-growing regions of Afghanistan, and has a strong Taliban presence. The deployment remains controversial, with questions raised about the force being seriously under-strength and without adequate equipment. With reinforcements, the British force in Helmand rose to 9,500. All that is left of British forces in Helmand is the main headquarters at Camp Bastion and nearby, its last frontline base, Sterga 2. British forces have been largely removed from combat duties throughout Afghanistan, taking a secondary role in support of Afghan forces. About 50% of British equipment has already been removed from Afghanistan as the force is gradually reduced ahead of the December deadline. The dismantling of Price was led by Captain David Goodman of the Aldershot-based Royal Logistics Corps, overseeing the transport of equipment by road and helicopter. Speaking before the closure of the base, Goodman said: "On the last day, when everything is loaded, when the last vehicles are about to go and the last helicopters are about to go out and we leave this place, it will be quite a nice feeling. I'm not going to miss this place." [Source: The Guardian]

One by one the crusader forces are leaving Afghanistan humiliated and defeated. The present generation of British forces should have learnt their lesson from their grandfathers who were expelled from Afghanistan in a similar fashion in the 19th century. As for the historic moment it is the Muslims of the region who are on the cusp of victory and not the crusaders. Soon with the permission of Allah (swt) the glorious caliphate will return to permanently protect these lands from the filthy occupation of the crusader forces.

Pakistan: King of Bahrain Vows to Enhance Military Cooperation at JSHQ

King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa of Bahrain along with his delegation made an unprecedented visit to the Joint Services Headquarters (JSHQ) in Rawalpindi, said a press release issued by ISPR Wednesday night. The king is on a three-day official visit to Pakistan, leading a 21-member delegation which includes his top defence and internal security chiefs. Upon his arrival, King Hamad was received by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt were also present on the occasion. The ISPR press release said that both sides discussed "brotherly relations between the two countries and vowed to further enhance military cooperation." "Paying rich tributes to Pakistan's Military for its valour and sacrifices in defence of the motherland, His Majesty particularly praised professionalism, quality of training and commitment of Pakistan's Armed Forces," it added. King Hamad was also presented a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of tri-services. Pakistan has been looking at the visit as an opportunity for expanding trade and promoting investment links but Bahrain appears more interested in bolstering defence relationship. A Bahraini official said that in his talks with Pakistani leaders the king would touch upon current "regional and international developments as well as issues of mutual interest." It is routine for Pakistani services chiefs to pay courtesy calls on foreign heads of state and government while visiting Islamabad, but a trip by a foreign leader to the JSHQ is exceptional. A source told Dawn that the king was expected to discuss reinforcement of defence cooperation between the two countries during his visit to the JSHQ. Pakistan had in 2011 helped Bahrain quell an uprising against the monarchy by sending security personnel recruited through military's welfare wings - Fauji Foundation and Bahria Foundation. Moreover, Pakistan had previously aided Bahrain in setting up its naval forces and 18 per cent of the Gulf state's air force comprises Pakistani personnel. It is estimated that over 10,000 Pakistanis are serving in security services of Bahrain. The Bahrain government had in the past expressed interest in procuring defence equipment from Pakistan. [Source: Dawn]

So under the pretext of brotherly relations both Bahrain and Pakistan are exploring ways to improve the Bahrain's security situation by committing more Pakistani security personnel to shed further Muslim blood in Bahrain. The visit also exposes the priorities of the Pakistani army; aid America first and foremost and then protect the status quo of the Gulf Countries from rebellion and revolts. As for the Muslims of Pakistan, the Pakistani army has abandoned them to American drones or is busy killing them to please America.