Headlines September 25, 2015

Headlines

• US Elections: Ben Carson- Money Pouring in after Muslim Comments

• Refugee Crisis: Saudi Arabia's Offer to Build 200 Mosques in Germany for Syrian Refugees Branded Cynical

• Russia's Syria Military Build-up is Self-Protection - Kerry

• Chinese Military Could Challenge United States of America

Details

US Elections: Ben Carson- Money Pouring in After Muslim Comments

Ben Carson said Wednesday he's pulling in lots of money amid all the backlash he's received for remarks he made regarding Muslims in politics. The retired neurosurgeon said he raised $1 million within 24 hours following the CNN debate on September 16, and that donations have poured in after remarks he made over the weekend about Islam and the presidency. "The money has been coming in so fast, it's hard to even keep up with it," he said Wednesday morning on Fox News, when asked about whether his comments had affected his donations. "I remember the day of the last debate, within 24 hours we raised $1 million. And it's coming in at least at that rate if not quite a bit faster." Carson said Wednesday that he has continued to receive support since saying that he would not support a Muslim in the White House. During an appearance on "Meet the Press" Sunday, NBC's Chuck Todd asked Carson, "Do you believe that Islam is consistent with the Constitution?" "No, I do not," Carson responded. "I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that." Carson was widely criticized for his comments with one organization even calling him to resign, and he has since shifted his position on the issue in the following days, saying he would support a Muslim president who swore to put the Constitution before religion and disavowed Sharia law. [Source: CNN]

America's hatred of Islam continues unabated. This time secular politicians driven by their bigotry of Islam are openly advocating to marginalise the role of Muslims in America. Carson buoyed by the Republican base is only echoing what his constituents believe, which directly contradicts America's constitution.

Refugee crisis: Saudi Arabia's Offer to Build 200 Mosques in Germany for Syrian Refugees Branded Cynical

Saudi Arabia's offer to build 200 mosques in Germany for the thousands of Syrian refugees that had made their way to the country has been branded "cynical" by German politicians. The offer was made in response to the large numbers of refugees fleeing the crisis in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia reportedly suggesting to build one mosque for every 100 asylum seekers crossing into Germany. But Andrew Scheuer, the general secretary of the CSU party in Bavaria, has hit out against the offer, the Daily Mail reported. "No, it is more than cynical. This is no Muslim Brotherhood. Where is the solidarity in the Arab world?" he asked. His sentiment was echoed by the CSU's Stephan Mayer, who added that Germany does not need a cash donation to build the mosques but "solidarity with the refugees". [Source: The Independent]

Indeed the offer is insulting! Rather than build mosques in the West, Saudi Arabia should open up its tent city after Haj to house the millions of Syrians embarking on dangerous journey to flee the brutal Assad and ISIS. Moreover, the GCC together with Turkey should annex Syria and Iraq put an end to Assad, ISIS and Iran's meddling in Sham.

Russia's Syria Military Build-up is Self-Protection - Kerry

Russia's military build-up in Syria appears to be limited to protecting its own forces in the country, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said. However, Mr Kerry warned that Russia's long-term intentions remained unclear. His comments on Tuesday followed the publication of satellite images that suggested Russia was developing two additional military bases in Syria.

The images show new buildings, surface clearing and tents at a weapons depot and military complex north of Latakia. The latest satellite photos provide even more evidence of Russia's growing military deployment to Syria but very few answers to the question, what is it all for? US Secretary of State John Kerry's characterisation of the Russian posture as intended for self-defence may be an effort to reduce tensions, but again gets us no further as to Moscow's motives. What is clear is that a sizeable air expeditionary force has been sent to the airbase at Latakia, including about 24 ground-attack aircraft and a small number of multi-role fighters. There are attack helicopters too and drones, along with the various additional ground elements needed to defend the base against attack. But the new evidence from IHS Jane's suggests preparations at least two bases for the arrival of a significant number of Russian ground troops. So the questions remain: is this simply a demonstration to bolster Mr Assad? Is it essentially military theatre to emphasise Russia's role in any diplomatic effort? Or are we seeing the preparations for a Russian intervention in the fighting? However, the arrival of the Russian warplanes raised concerns that Moscow was preparing to intervene directly to shore up President Assad, whose forces have suffered a series of defeats to rebel forces and jihadist militants from Islamic State (IS) this year. "For the moment, it is the judgement of our military and experts that the level and type represents basically force protection," Mr Kerry told reporters on Tuesday. But he said that Russia's longer-term intentions remained unclear and called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to support international efforts to end the Syrian conflict. "If [Russia is] there to shore up Assad and to certainly provide Assad with the continued sense he doesn't have to negotiate, then I think it's a problem for Syria, and it's a problem for everybody who wants to bring an end to this conflict, which has gone on for too long," he added. [Source: BBC]

The softening of Kerry's remarks suggests that America is keen for Russia to support Assad's regime and prevent it from capitulation. Has a deal been struck? Time will tell.

Chinese Military Could Challenge United States of America

A new report by global policy think tank RAND Corporation says the US armed forces would face a considerable challenge in a hypothetical conflict with China's army. "Over the past two decades, China's People's Liberation Army has transformed itself from a large but antiquated force into a capable, modern military," the report reads. "Its technology and operation proficiency still lag behind those of the United States, but it has rapidly narrowed the gap." The 430-page report, written by 14 academic scholars, explores 10 areas of operation and lists a "scorecard" for each. Two scenarios were analysed for each operation area, including an invasion of Taiwan and a Spratly Islands campaign, the UPI reported. One of the key findings in the study was China's ambitious expansion of military capabilities since 1996. While the country's forces don't have the same geopolitical influence as the United States, the force would be able to mount a strong defense on its immediate periphery. The US forces do retain an advantage, however the speed by which China was able to improve its own capabilities is significant.

RAND's report recommends US policymakers ensure military planning for potential military operations in the Pacific theatre be as dynamic as possible, with a focus on building sustainable bases and less emphasis on large aircraft carriers. "Western governments and commentators should make it clear to China that aggression would carry immense risks," the authors write. "They should also engage China on issues of strategic stability and escalation." US concerns over China's rapid increase in military capability and activity have been growing. In a statement in May, the US Department of Defense reported Chinese technological advancements had "the potential to reduce core US military technological advantages." [Source: Daily Pakistan]

Numerous reports, since 2008 have warned about the rise of China. However, for China to truly emerge as a major power it must challenge America's hegemony and there is no better place to start then the Asian Pacific. Japan's departure from its pacifist constitution is a signal that America is anticipating such a move.