Daily Archives: November 17, 2015

Paul Ryan Calls for Halt to Syrian Refugee Program – The New York Times

November 17, 2015 By in Defense Policy, Foreign Policy, People, Politics Tags: , , , , Leave a comment
Deutsch: Dr. Angela Merkel Bundeskanzlerin der...

Deutsch: Dr. Angela Merkel Bundeskanzlerin der Bundesrepublik Deutschland Vorsitzende der CDU Deutschlands (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The NYT reports that Paul Ryan is calling for a halt to Syrian Refugee Program, as two senators announced a push for a formal authorization of military force against the Islamic State as Congress, moving to respond to the Paris attacks.

Source: Paul Ryan Calls for Halt to Syrian Refugee Program – The New York Times

Conservative opinion in the US will challenge the Obama government to be more assertive against ISIS. Liberals will continue to argue that refugees can be managed with effective security screeing but public opinion is likely to be increasingly skeptical.

Meanwhile, in Europe, there will probably be a hardening against Angela Merkel‘s liberal policies on refugees. Socialist President, Francois Holllande, has already declared war on terrorism, with sweeping emergency powers.

In the coming weeks, it will be interesting to see who is supporting whom, as liberals and conservatives look to be in line with public opinion.

Thoughts?

 

Paris attacks: Where does Isis get its money and arms from? | World | News | The Independent

November 17, 2015 By in Business Administration, Defense Policy, Foreign Policy, People, Politics Tags: , , 1 Comment

Following Putin‘s intervention at the G20 meeting, the UK’s Independent looks at the source of ISIS money and arms. The start point is a series of rhetorical questions posed by Jeremy Corbyn, when asked whether bombing Isis following the Paris terror attacks would make a significant difference to the situation.

Source: Paris attacks: Where does Isis get its money and arms from? | World | News | The Independent

The Independent argues that to a large extent Isis is now funding itself,  through oil sales, kidnap ransoms, smuggling, extortion, taxes, looting, bank robberies.

However, the article highlights that when it was starting out, Isis was ‘seed funded’ by wealthy donors, individuals and charities from across the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait. Given that Putin referred to G20 funding for ISIS, these countries must be feeling pressure.

The money trail gets merky because of trade in oil, gas, arms, and financial services. In particular, one has to wonder who is buying oil from ISIS.

Corbyn is right to challenge these issues.
For a more comprehensive look at ISIS funding reported in the media, open this link.

Thoughts?