The Islamic State Wants To Conquer Mecca

William Young, Newsweek: ISIS Aims to Occupy Mecca



WNU Editor: In the past year the Islamic State's message to fellow Sunni Muslims has been very clear .... it is they (and they alone) who have the divine mandate to rule the Islamic world. This in turn has attracted thousands of Jihadists who are willing to die for this cause .... resulting in a fanaticism that has propelled the Middle East into a religious sectarian war of the likes that has not been seen for centuries. Will they succeed .... I have my doubts .....but their eyes are on Mecca and Jerusalem .... and this is their ultimate goal .... the conquest and occupation of these two great cities.

France's Hollande defends freedom of speech after anti-Hebdo clashes abroad

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande said on Saturday that anti-Charlie Hebdo protesters in other countries do not understand France's attachment to freedom of speech.

Why Invading North Korea Is Crazy

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says nuclear weapons are the "life" of his nation. (KCNA)

Harry J. Kazianis, The Week -- Why invading North Korea would be insane



My Comment: Is deposing a tyrant and the system that put him there worth one million .... two million .... maybe three million lives .... that is what probably will happen if the "nightmare scenario" unfolds. But even if the U.S. should decide that this is the best course of action to take .... I doubt that South Korea and China will ever sign-off on it.

Afghan Cabinet nominee wanted by Interpol for tax evasion

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's nominee for agriculture minister in his new Cabinet is on an Interpol wanted list for tax evasion in Estonia, a fact Ghani's spokesman said was unknown to his office at the time of his nomination.

Indian spy's role alleged in Sri Lankan president's election defeat

COLOMBO/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Sri Lanka expelled the Colombo station chief of India's spy agency in the run-up to this month's presidential election, political and intelligence sources said, accusing him of helping the opposition oust President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Suspect in shooting of two Canadian police found dead

TORONTO (Reuters) - The suspect in the shootings of two Canadian police officers in an Alberta casino on Saturday was found dead after being tracked to an unoccupied home, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.

Brazil, Netherlands recall Indonesia ambassadors after executions

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Brazil and the Netherlands recalled their ambassadors in Indonesia after the Southeast Asian nation ignored their pleas for clemency and executed six prisoners for drug offences on Sunday, the first executions under President Joko Widodo.

Huge crowds converge for pope Mass in Manila park

MANILA (Reuters) - Huge crowds converged on a Manila park on Sunday to see Pope Francis wrap up his Asian trip with an outdoor Mass expected to draw one of the largest crowds in Philippine history.

Are Americans Uncomfortable With Soldiers Who Served As Snipers?

Chris Mark, NRO: Smearing Snipers: What Many Americans Don’t Get about Our Warrior Elite



We should be proud of men like Chris Kyle, not skittish or ashamed.



WNU Editor: The above video is on Taya Kyle and "American Sniper". Interestingly .... in Russia .... the men who have served as snipers are revered .... something that even Hollywood realized a few years back .



Update: Maybe the culture is changing .... ‘American Sniper’ Makes Eastwood’s Friday With $30.5M, Can It Hit $80M By Monday? – Saturday Update (Hollywood Deadline).



Update #2: Saw the movie .... not an easy movie to sit through .... some parts are ____ .... but I would definitely recommend seeing it. Kudos to Bradley Cooper who took the part, Clint Eastwood to make sure the project happened, and a special thanks to Taya Kyle who gave the permission to have it done.

These Are The Weapons That The Pentagon Should Retire ASAP

Photo: A Minuteman-III missile in its silo. Wikipedia



Dave Majumdar, National Interest: 4 U.S. Weapons of War That Need to Be Retired Now



America's military sports some of the finest weapons imaginable. However, there are a few exceptions...



WNU Editor: No argument from me on these four .... I would add a few more but I will be spending a good part of my day listing them.

Pope to conclude Asian trip with huge outdoor Mass in Manila

MANILA (Reuters) - Pope Francis wraps up his Asian trip on Sunday with an outdoor Mass expected to draw one of the largest crowds in Philippine history.