Libya’s Ansar al-Shari’a Declares the Islamic Emirate of Benghazi, by Andrew McGregor

Only weeks after Sunni jihadists in Iraq declared the establishment of an Islamic caliphate covering parts of Syria and Iraq, Libya’s Ansar al-Shari’a movement has declared an Islamic emirate in eastern Libya after driving government forces and their allies from the city of Benghazi. The defeat of the strongest pro-government forces in eastern Libya has provided the Islamists with an impressive victory, but Ansar al-Shari’a and its allies are still struggling to obtain the support of Benghazi’s urban population and the powerful tribes dwelling in its hinterland.

James Foley murder: inside the mind of Britain’s jihadis, by Matthew Francis

The chilling video showing the apparent murder of the journalist James Foley by the Islamic State has reinforced the terrible risks involved in the brave and important role that journalists play in reporting from overseas conflicts. In a 2012 interview with the BBC, Foley said: “I’m drawn to the drama of the conflict and trying to expose untold stories.” However, as we know from recent accounts, many other foreigners are also drawn to the conflict in Iraq and Syria and indeed it appears that Foley’s murderer was British.

Το Ισλαμικό Κράτος αλλάζει την πολιτική των ΗΠΑ στη Συρία;

Οι ΗΠΑ μπροστά από μεγάλη αλλαγή πλεύσης στην εξωτερική πολιτική τους. Τόσο ο στρατηγός Μάρτιν Ντέμπσευ αρχηγός των Αμερικανικών Ενόπλων Δυνάμεων, όσο και ο Γενικός Γραμματέας Άμυνας των ΗΠΑ με δηλώσεις τους έκαναν σαφές ότι η Αμερική προετοιμάζεται να χτυπήσει μέσα στη Συρία το Ισλαμικό Κράτος. Χωρίς να κάνουν καμία νύξη όσο αφορά την πολιτική των Ηνωμένων Πολιτειών στο συριακό θέμα, είναι προφανές ότι έστω και σιωπηρά η Αμερική, προσωρινά τουλάχιστον, θα συμμαχήσει με τον Σύρο Πρόεδρο Μπασάρ Αλ Ασαντ εναντίον του Ισλαμικού Κράτους.

British extremists among 'most vicious' in Isis

Jihadism expert says Sunni Muslims from the UK do everything from suicide bombings to executions in Syria and Iraq conflicts

British extremists are among the "most vicious and vociferous fighters" in Islamic State (Isis) ranks in Syria and Iraq, a jihadism expert has said.
Sunni Muslims from the UK are taking part in the conflicts "in every way", according to Shiraz Maher from King's College London's International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation.
That includes acting as suicide bombers and executioners, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday after a video purporting to show a US journalist being beheaded by an Isis fighter with a British accent was placed online.

Tobacco Smuggling in Greece: an Overview, by Ioannis Michaletos

Over the past decade, contraband tobacco sales and facilitation of transnational tobacco smuggling in Greece have flourished, due to a combination of factors. Although not considered as a particularly ‘sexy’ sector of organized crime, compared to narcotics or arms dealing, tobacco smuggling still represents a threat to state security, in that it empowers organized crime rings engaged in multi-level activities, and drains the state coffers of considerable tax revenue.




Originally appeared on Balkanlysis, 11th of August 2014

U.S. Overlooks Global Terror Funding of Prized 'Ally' Qatar, by Ryan Mauro

Proof continues to mount that Qatar supports Hamas, Al-Qaeda affiliates, the Muslim Brotherhood and contributes to the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq. Yet, its prized status as a U.S. “ally” exempts it from being held accountable. The U.S. needs to call a spade a spade and label Qatar as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.

Τζιχαντιστές Δυτικών Βαλκανίων, του Ιωάννη Μιχαλέτου

Οι βασικοί " Μεσαίοι παίχτες"


Οι πρωταρχικοί ενορχηστρωτές της αποστολής Βοσνίων και εν συνεχεία Αλβανών (Από Κόσοβο, ΠΓΔΜ και Αλβανία) προς τη Συρία, ήδη από το θέρος του 2011, ήταν 11 Άραβες που διέμεναν στη Βοσνία και είχαν αρχικά εγκατασταθεί εκεί με τον πόλεμο της Γιουγκοσλαβίας το 1992, ως "Μουτζαχεντίν". Η καταγωγή τους είναι από τη Συρία, Αλγερία και Αίγυπτο.