Podcasts about Somalia

UPCOMING EVENT on November 11th (Veterans Day): If you'd like to attend a Q&A session on November 11th with Combat Story's Ryan Fugit, please fill out this form (https://tinyurl.com/552ewmu5). Today we hear the Combat Story of Wes ‘H' Hennessey, a retired Australian Special Forces Commando and 20 year veteran who deployed on numerous occasions to Afghanistan, Iraq, East Timor, Somalia, to name just a few. He fought for years at the upper echelons of the Australian special operations community and was on joint operations with US-equivalents like DEVGRU in critical missions. He was later recognized with two US Bronze Star Medals, one with Valor, for his efforts, in addition to the coveted Australian Conspicuous Service Medal. Since leaving the military, Wes has gone on to become a sought after brand ambassador, public speaker, and, most importantly, Veteran advocate. He stands out from the crowd with a down to earth, honest, and truth-to-power personality and I hope you enjoy his combat story as much as I did. Find H Online: Instagram @seven.horses.co LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-hennessey-860b1235/ Find Ryan online: Follow on Instagram @combat_stories https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Follow on Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 1:05 - Guest bio for Wes “H” Hennessey 1:55 - Interview begins 3:41- What US State is Queensland like? 6:24 - Aussie Commandos vs SAS 16:32 - Communication once in the elite units 30:14 - The Commando pipeline 32:46 - Kit check was a favorite 38:26 - Can you tell who will make it through selection? 47:28 - The weight of leadership 51:35 - First deployment: Somalia 56:59 - First mission outside the wire 1:03:29 - Left a boy. Returned a man. 1:12:57 - Sent to Kandahar 1:24:04 - Honing the American accent 1:27:56 - Surviving a helicopter crash 1:56:49 - When the near death experiences build up 2:01:06 - Seven Horses Co and H's next mission 2:10:55 - What did you carry into combat with you? 2:11:45 - Would you do it all again? 2:13:07 - Listener comments and shout outs!

South Sudan has suffered the worst floods in decades; we look at how the world's youngest country plans to respond to the global challenge of a changing climate. We find out more about a train attack that's suspended a crucial line connecting Nigeria's capital Abuja to Kaduna. Somalia's President and Prime Minister have made peace after a damaging rift. Plus, why are some elephants losing their tusks?

Muda wa kurudisha nyuma saa ya haki za wanawake umepita, sasa iende mbele- Guterres alieleza Baraza (OVERNIGHT)   Baraza la Usalama la Umoja wa Mataifa leo limekuwa na mjadala wa wazi kuhusu wanawake, amani na usalama ambapo Katibu Mkuu wa Umoja wa Mataifa Antonio Guterres amesema wakati umefika kwa baraza hilo kuonesha kwa vitendo uungaji wake mkono wa harakati za wanawake katika ujenzi na uendelezaji wa amani badala ya kusalia maneno matupu.  Flora Nducha na maelezo zaidi. (Taarifa ya Flora Nducha)   Guterres amehutubia kikao hicho katika makao makuu ya Umoja wa Mataifa jijini New York, Marekani baada ya kutembelea ushoroba mahsusi uliokuwa umepambwa na picha za wanawake walio mstari wa mbele katika kusongesha amani kwenye nchi zao.   Katibu Mkuu amesema ushiriki wa wanawake kama hao unazidi kukumbwa na changamoto kubwa ambako katika baadhi ya nchi kama vile Afghanistan na Mali fursa hiyo imebinywa na kwingineko ushiriki wao hata kule ambako Umoja wa Mataifa unaendeleza shughuli za ulinzi na ujenzi wa amani unakumbwa na changamoto na vitisho.   Amesema kuongeza uwakilishi na uongozi wa wanawake katika shughuli zote za masuala ya amani za Umoja wa Mataifa ni muhimu ili kuimarisha utekelezaji wa majukumu ya umoja huo kwa jamii ambazo zinahudumiwa.   (Sauti ya Antonio Guterres) “Hata hivyo tunahitaji Baraza hili lituunge mkono katika njia tatu- ubia, ulinzi na ushiriki. Mosi ungeni mkono kazi yetu ya kuimarisha ubia wetu na wanawake viongozi na mitandao yao katika jamii ambako Umoja wa Mataifa unafanya kazi ili kusaidia wanawake waleta mabadiliko ya amani na usalama. Wanahitaji kuwa na uwezo wa kushiriki katika michakato ya kina na dhati ya amani na kisiasa”   Katibu Mkuu amesema  kwa ulinzi, “tusaidieni kuwalinda wanawake watetezi wa haki za binadamu na wanaharakati. Mashujaa ambao wameoneshwa katika onesho la picha pale nchi wanatia maisha yao hatarini ili kujenga amnai katika jamii zao. Wanahitaji ulinzi pindi wanapotekeleza kazi hiyo muhimu.”   Akifafanua kuhusu ushiriki wa wanawake katika amani na usalama,  Katibu Mkuu amesema “shirikianeni nasi katika kuendeleza ushiriki wa uwiano sawa na wa dhati wa wanawake katika mazungumzo ya amani, na mifumo ya kisiasa wakati nchi zinakuwa katika kipindi cha mpito cha amani.”     Akimaanisha kuwepo na uwiano sawa wa uwakilishi kati ya wanawake na wanaume kuanzia ngazi ya uchaguzi hadi taasisi za uongozi.   Wajumbe wa Baraza wamekumbushwa ahadi yao waliyoitoa kwa Naibu Katibu Mkuu wa Umoja wa Mataifa Amina J. Mohammed alipohutubia baraza hilo baada ya kurejea Somalia alikoenda kuunga mkono suala la kuwa na asilimia 30 ya wanawake katika chaguzi zijazo ambapo Baraza lilisema litaunga mkono.   “Wakati umefika kubadili maneno yenu ya kuunga mkono kuwa vitendo, na siyo tu kwa Somalia bali pia katika nchi zote ambazo zinajadiliwa kwenye Baraza hili.” Amesema Guterres akitamatisha akisema wanawake katu hawatokubali tena haki zao kurejeshwa nyuma na njia pekee ya kuheshimu wanawake majasiri wajenzi wa amani ni kufungua milango na wao waweze kushiriki kwa dhati.   TAGS: Wanawake, Amani na Usalama  

Do you love the CrossPolitic Daily News Brief? Would you consider becoming a Fight Laugh Feast Club Member? Go to FLF Network dot com and click “join the club.” We are committed to bringing the sword of God's word to everything on this planet. This is what we mean by rowdy Christians. God's word cuts all our folly, slices through all our pride, and confronts all our sin. This is considered very rude and unseemly to all the fleshly elites. And we are not sorry at all. In fact, we plan to do it more. So if you want to help us make the ungodly squirm, become a club member today. Go to FLF Network dot com and click on “join the club.” And we promise not to stop being rowdy. 127 Washington State Patrol employees let go because of vaccine mandate https://www.khq.com/news/127-washington-state-patrol-employees-let-go-because-of-vaccine-mandate/article_829db9fc-30dd-11ec-bb28-4726bc8c3a54.html 25 firefighters file lawsuit against Spokane mayor, fire chief over vaccine mandate https://www.krem.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/firefighters-lawsuit-city-of-spokane/293-5398a3d4-194d-4448-9111-b25420a365a8 But then there is this: Roll Clip: https://www.king5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/reports-wsu-football-coach-nick-rolovich-fired-after-refusing-to-get-covid-19-vaccine/281-e6fde806-5132-4411-a089-c38c2856ab0f Props to Nick Rolovich and his four assistant coaches that followed his lead. The news, along with the president of WAZU, keep pushing the narrative that Coach Nick would not follow the University's requirements. But what actually happened, is that WSU, and probably the Governor for that matter, refused to grant him a religious exemption. That is criminal and I hope he sues, wins, and buys his former Athletic Director a backbone. My friend, Steve Deace, texted me this article, so hold onto your hats: Marine veteran wants to sue Walmart after pharmacist denied him access to ivermectin https://www.theblaze.com/news/marine-veteran-sue-walmart-pharmacist-ivermectin According to the Blaze: “A retired marine from Albert Lea, Minnesota, wants to take Walmart to court after a pharmacist refused to fill his doctor's prescription for ivermectin to treat his case of COVID-19. Bill Salier, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Somalia and a former U.S. Senate candidate, shared his story Monday on the "Steve Deace Show," describing how a local Walmart pharmacist refused to fulfill a doctor's prescription for ivermectin for both him and his wife, who had each come down with COVID-19. Salier, 53, told BlazeTV host Steve Deace that he began feeling sick on Oct. 1, and after testing he was found positive for COVID-19. After his diagnosis, Salier said he attempted to receive monoclonal antibody treatments by applying through the Minnesota Resource Allocation Platform, but his requests went unanswered. "We never so much as heard a word back, not even in acknowledgement that the requests had been put in," Salier said. Failing that, Salier obtained a doctor's prescription for ivermectin… "The prescription was sent in to our local Walmart, here in Albert Lea, Minnesota, and it was refused to be filled by the pharmacist. This pharmacist contacted my wife, telling her that he would not fill it. My wife stated that he did not have the right to stand between our physician's prescription and the patent, he asserted that he did have that right and he refused to do so," Salier said. Salier says he and his wife were left in "limbo" after the pharmacist continued to deny them access to ivermectin, even after their physician called him to discuss the matter. "We were faced with either continuing to suffer and quite possibly ending up in the hospital," he told Deace, explaining that they decided to take a risk and purchased a horse paste version of the drug that is not intended for human consumption and could be dangerous if overdosed. "I was forced with this decision and I was either going to lay there, suffer, and be at life's peril of losing my time with my family, or I was going to eat that horse paste. And down the hatch it went," Salier said. Fortunately, Salier did not overdose and reported to Deace that "within eight hours" he began to feel relief from his COVID-19 symptoms. Now, he says he wants a reckoning with Walmart and the pharmacist who denied him access to ivermectin. "If you ever wanted to find out what it is to punch a Marine in the face and what type of response you're gonna get, well, America, you're about to see the type of response that you get. Because if you take on me and my family, and you stand between our physician and the health care that they have prescribed to me as a life-saving thing — in my opinion that is what it did — then you have got a fight on your hands and I am coming for that fight." Salier is partnering with We the Patriots USA, a nonprofit organization that defends civil liberties, to raise money to file a federal lawsuit against the pharmacist and Walmart.” Mission First Coffee: "Calling all coffee lovers! Mission First Coffee is a company owned and run by friends of ours that offer specialty coffee shipped directly to your doorstep. 10% of every order goes to Paul Washer's HeartCry Missionary Society. With a no-questions-asked, money-back guarantee, you know the coffee is going to be good. Head over to missionfirstcoffee.com to try it out yourself and support missionary work around the world!" Pfizer took hard line in push for profit https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/10/19/secret-vaccine-contracts-with-governments-pfizer-took-hard-line-push-profit-report-says/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1RfM15QG2VKhlQ6eoKuRuV5yVBOScKDlzq2uFOAaL-_1wp6Dkn5kA4ndQ According to the Washington Post: “The coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech has proved a success. First to receive emergency use authorization in the United States, the Pfizer shot has become the world's most popular, with 3.5 billion doses purchased. Sales could double in 2022, according to projections. Analytics firm Airfinity this week predicted Pfizer will sell $54.5 billion worth of coronavirus vaccine next year, almost twice the value of Moderna's sales. In the article I could only find one country and its related pricing: “Brazil signed a $1 billion contract with the drug giant for 100 million doses. “ “Pfizer has formalized 73 deals for its coronavirus vaccine. According to Transparency International, a London-based advocacy group, only five contracts have been formally published by governments, and these with “significant redactions.”” John Piper finally chimes in on the vaccine debate, and the title of his post is: “A Reason to Be Vaccinated: Freedom” https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/a-reason-to-be-vaccinated-freedom He begins the article with: “My aim in this article is to encourage Christians to be vaccinated, if they can do so with a good conscience and judicious medical warrant.” And because I really do like John Piper, I am not going to read the rest of the article to you and further damage the respect I have for him...Ugh. The Biden administration is rolling back its awful bank-account-monitoring proposal but the new plan is pretty bad too https://notthebee.com/article/the-biden-administration-is-rolling-back-its-awful-bank-account-monitoring-proposal-but-the-new-plan-is-pretty-bad-too According to Not the Bee: “We all know that for months now the Biden administration has had grand designs for closely monitoring pretty much every single private bank account in the United States. Well, the backlash to that plan was so strong that Washington Democrats have retreated to an alternative proposal, but frankly that one stinks too:” According to the Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/irs-bank-reporting-democrats-11634658560 “Democrats are trying to salvage the Biden administration's proposal to expand annual bank-account reporting to the Internal Revenue Service, fighting uphill against mounting opposition from the financial-services industry and Republicans. Sens. Ron Wyden (D., Ore.) and Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) will detail an updated version of the tax-compliance plan on Tuesday that will include a $10,000 annual threshold before reports are required, according to prepared remarks from Mr. Wyden. That is an increase from the administration's broader floor, which would include accounts with at least $600 in inflows, outflows or transactions.” Dont we have a right to privacy? Should the number not be $10,000 or $600, but zero, zilch, zip? Portland sets new homicide record, uses traffic barrels to combat drive-by shootings https://www.foxnews.com/us/portland-oregon-sets-new-homicide-record According to Fox News: “The number of homicides in Portland has now surpassed its previous annual record of 66, set in 1987 – and there are still more than two months to go in the calendar year. As of Tuesday, Oregon's largest city has recorded 67 killings so far this year, three-quarters of which have been carried out by firearms, according to the Associated Press. The total number of shootings – around 1,000 – has also left an additional 314 people injured. Nationally, homicides increased by nearly 30% from 2019 to 2020, based on FBI data. However, in Portland, deadly violence is increasing at a faster rate than nearly all major cities, with an 83% increase in homicides in 2020, according to the Associated Press. Portland has seen more homicides in 2021 than some larger cities, including San Francisco, and it's had twice as many slayings as its larger Pacific Northwest neighbor, Seattle. Other hard-hit Western cities include the Albuquerque, New Mexico, metro area, which has about 679,000 residents and has seen a record 97 homicides this year. Portland police have struggled to quell the violence, with the bureau 128 officers below authorized strength. Since August 2020, about 200 officers have left the department. Many, in their exit interviews, cited low morale, lack of support from city officials and burnout from months of racial justice protests, which often ended in plumes of tear gas and confrontation but have largely died down since last summer.” Closing This is Gabriel Rench with Crosspolitic News. Support Rowdy Christian media by joining our club at fightlaughfeast.com, downloading our App, and head to our annual Fight Laugh Feast Events. With your partnership, together we will fight outdated and compromised media, engage news and politics with the gospel, and replace lies and darkness with truth and light. Go to fightlaughfeast.com to take all these actions. Have a great day. Lord bless

Join us for a dive into the power of essential oils in our daily lives. The interest in essential oils is rapidly on the rise according to Google Trends. The trend line is fascinating. Why? What makes essential oils so sought after? They work! Organixx carries a line of organic and pure essential oils. Today we will share the top 3 uses of the top single essential oils in our line.   Lavender Lavender oil is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. We've all heard by now that lavender promotes deeper sleep, but did you know…   There's promising research for breast health too. 2014 Iranian research published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer found that lavender oil kills breast cancer cells but leaves healthy cells unharmed. It's important to note that this study was on cells in a petri dish, not on humans. The researchers concluded that: “L. angustifolia has cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines, and apoptosis is proposed as the possible mechanism of action.”1 Stops the itch and burn of insect bites. Even fire ants! Put a drop of lavender oil on a bee sting, mosquito, or other bug bite to stop pain, itching, and reduce swelling. Reapply as necessary. Lavender oil works really well for this, especially if applied immediately. Use it as a flavor booster. Add a drop of high-quality lavender oil suitable for consumption to brownie batter, chocolate icing, cookie dough, dessert recipes, raw chocolate, or even salad dressings. It's absolutely delicious.   Is Lavender Oil Safe? Using diluted lavender oil topically or in aromatherapy is generally considered safe for most adults but may not be recommended for children. Applying pure lavender oil to your skin (especially open wounds) may also cause irritation, so we recommend infusing it with a carrier oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil. Dissolving it in water also works.   Be careful not to rub lavender oil in your eyes and mucous membranes. If this happens, wash it out immediately. Lavender oil may also cause allergic reactions in people with unusually sensitive skin, so do a spot test before using it. Simply apply a drop of lavender oil to your arm and see if any reaction occurs.   The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) also warns against using lavender oil when taking medications like barbiturates, benzodiazepines and chloral hydrate, as it may increase their sedative effects and cause extreme drowsiness and sleepiness.     Tea Tree (Melaleuca) This versatile oil possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties.   Due to its potent anti-inflammatory benefits, tea tree oil helps to relieve inflammatory skin conditions, especially eczema and psoriasis. Dilute as necessary and apply to affected area two to three times daily. Tea tree oil has long been used as a natural bug repellent by native Australian aboriginal people. Chinese research in 2016 found tea tree to be effective against the cereal weevil, Sitophilus zeamais.3 The cereal weevil is considered to be an extremely destructive pest to stored cereals all over the world. Tea tree also helps to relieve the pain, itching, and inflammation of insect bites. If it's an extra-hot day and your deodorant has failed, apply again, but this time with a drop or two of tea tree oil to help kill bacteria. Tea tree oil's potent antibacterial properties are well proven with dozens of research studies.   Is Tea Tree Oil Safe? The answer is yes, as long as it is applied topically in appropriate doses and NOT swallowed. This oil may irritate your skin, especially if used for the first time. We recommend starting with low concentrations until you figure out your tolerance. Determine if you have an allergy to tea tree oil before using it by doing a skin test — apply a small amount to your inner arm to see if any reaction such as a rash or hives occurs.   The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) recommends avoiding oxidized oil, which has been exposed to air, because it may help trigger allergies more than fresh tea tree oil.  Avoid using undiluted tea tree oil as well and use tea tree oil-infused products instead to reduce your risk of skin irritation.   Lemon The health benefits of lemon oil can be attributed to its stimulating, calming, astringent, detoxifying, antiseptic, disinfectant and antifungal properties. *Important to note: Lemon essential oil can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Lemon oil has a balancing effect on the oil glands of the scalp. Massage a drop or two of lemon oil into your scalp before you go to bed at night. Wash it out in the morning. Done over a period of weeks, you will notice much less oily hair. It will make your pillow smell nice and fresh too! Diffuse lemon oil to help kill airborne bacteria. Research carried out by Dr. Jean Valnet (co-author of the book The Practice of Aromatherapy: A Classic Compendium of Plant Medicines and Their Healing Properties) shows that diffused lemon oil can rapidly kill off the bacteria that causes meningococcal infections, typhoid fever, staph infections, pneumonia, diphtheria, and tuberculosis. Several essential oils are haemostatic, i.e. they help to stop bleeding by speeding up the coagulation of the blood. The most useful of these is oil of Lemon, though Geranium and Rose have similar, though less powerful, effects.   Is Lemon Oil Safe? It is advisable not to use lemon oil without diluting it first, as it can irritate skin. It must be used with a carrier oil for direct application to the skin. Effective carrier oils include coconut oil, olive oil and jojoba oil.   There are findings showing that lemon oil may promote photosensitivity, which increases your sensitivity to the sun and may lead to sunburn and uneven darkening of the skin. We also recommend you avoid applying lemon oil and other citrus oils to your skin when outdoors, as blistering may occur.   People with sensitivities should use essential oils with caution. Reactions can vary from person to person. Some may experience skin reactions, while some may have respiratory problems. Consult your physician first before use. Pregnant women and children should also see a doctor before applying lemon oil.   Peppermint According to a review conducted by the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, peppermint has significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities. It also works as a strong antioxidant, displays anti-tumor actions in lab studies, shows anti-allergenic potential and pain-killing effects, helps to relax the gastrointestinal tract and may be chemopreventive.4   Note: Chemoprevention is the use of a medication, vitamin or supplement to stop cancer from happening. This is most often used for people who have a high risk of developing cancer. The high menthol content of peppermint makes it great for cooling off during hot flashes. At the first sign of a hot flash developing, place a drop at the back of the neck, at the base of the skull, or on the collarbones. Breathe it in. This has an instant cooling and calming effect. Peppermint oil not only relaxes skeletal muscles, it also helps to relax the muscles of the respiratory system. Inhaling the scent of peppermint helps to relieve congestion due to allergies and counteract the effects of pollen. Especially powerful when combined with lavender and lemon to ease seasonal allergies! Peppermint oil is superb for helping to relieve indigestion and heartburn. Put just one drop of peppermint oil into a glass of water and drink. It works much more quickly than peppermint tea due to the concentrated nature of peppermint oil. If it's too strong for you, just dilute it and rub it across the tummy.   Is Peppermint Oil Safe? Peppermint oil is safe in low amounts in most adults, but it can trigger side effects in people with sensitivities. It is important for the following individuals to either avoid using this essential oil or to use it carefully only with the help of a healthcare professional. Pregnant and nursing women — Peppermint oil or other similar products may have emmenagogue and abortifacient effects, so it would be wise not to use peppermint oil without your physician's approval. Infants and children 7 years old and younger — Peppermint oil must not be used undiluted because there isn't enough information regarding its safety for them. Diabetics — Using peppermint oil may raise your risk of low blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia patients — Peppermint can relax the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus, and cause acid to move up to the esophagus. People with gallbladder problems — Peppermint oil may cause gallbladder inflammation; those diagnosed with gallstones should consult a physician before using peppermint oil. People taking antacids — These drugs can cause peppermint oil capsules to break down easily, increasing the risk of heartburn.   Eucalyptus The healing benefits of Eucalyptus Oil can be attributed to its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, and antiseptic qualities, among other valuable properties.   Eucalyptus oil is known to be a vasodilator, meaning it dilates, or opens, blood vessels. In 1994, Austrian researchers discovered that eucalyptol, a phytochemical in eucalyptus oil (also known as 1,8-cineol) improved global blood flow to the brain, after only 20 minutes of inhalation.9 A newer study released in 2016 by Korean researchers found that eucalyptol is also able to pass through the blood-brain barrier. This research also found eucalyptol's high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to be helpful in the management of chronic conditions such as respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and degenerative nerve and brain diseases. Some studies have shown that several different species of eucalyptus may help to reduce blood sugar levels in mice. Also because eucalyptus is such an excellent vasodilator, the entire body benefits from this increase in blood circulation. To help combat poor blood circulation, dilute eucalyptus oil and massage it into the legs, hands, and feet as needed. Eucalyptus oil's anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti-phlegm properties work very quickly to open congested airways. Make a steam inhalation by boiling two cups of water, pour it into a large bowl, then let it cool for five minutes. Add a drop or two of eucalyptus oil. Then create a tent from a small towel draped over your head. Place your face over the bowl and carefully breathe in the vapor until you get some relief. This should only take a couple of minutes. This is great for bronchitis, head colds, chest colds, and asthma.   Is Eucalyptus Oil Safe? Essential oils like eucalyptus oil are generally safe to use, but with specific precautions. Before using it, consult a holistic doctor to see if your condition would allow you to do so, and undergo an allergen patch test to check for possible allergic reactions and lower your risk for developing side effects. In general, adults should not take eucalyptus oil orally except under a doctor's supervision, and this oil mustn't be given to children, especially those under 2 years old.   While eucalyptus oil is generally safe when applied to adult skin, refrain from applying the oil, salve or chest rub on the face or nose of baby because of its potential side effects. Lastly, pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid using the oil as evidence is lacking regarding its safety for these groups of women.     Frankincense – The KING of essential oils! Frankincense essential oil is distilled from the resin of the Boswellia tree that grows in many regions within northern Africa and the Middle East. Oman, Somalia, and Ethiopia are the most prominent suppliers today.   Research shows that the natural plant chemical constituents in frankincense oil stimulate the immune system.2   But it supports so much more… Frankincense is a powerful health support for respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, and bronchitis. It even helps when suffering from laryngitis. Diffuse it into the room where you intend to spend some time. For best results, use an ultrasonic cool mist diffuser. Never heat essential oils because heating them diminishes their therapeutic effects. Whether your skin is dry and mature or oily and blotched with blemishes, frankincense oil has wonderful balancing qualities. It helps to reduce lines and wrinkles by tightening and toning skin, accelerates the healing of blemishes, skin ulcers and wounds, and stimulates cell regeneration. For anti-aging benefits, put several drops into your favorite night time moisturizer. For acne and blemishes, apply it neat directly on the problem area, unless you have very sensitive skin, then dilute. Use frankincense oil to help calm and center the mind, to promote spiritual awareness, and to cultivate a sense of inner peace while meditating. Frankincense contains compounds known as sesquiterpenes which work directly on the limbic system of the brain, the center of memory and emotions. Frankincense is calming, grounding, and centering to the nervous system. Diffuse it into your room, or just inhale directly from the bottle at the start of your meditation.   Is Frankincense Oil Safe? Yes, frankincense oil is generally safe. Just make sure to undergo an allergen patch test before applying frankincense oil topically to see if you have any sensitivity to this oil.   For some groups of people, frankincense oil isn't recommended, since it may trigger adverse reactions. If you're pregnant or nursing, avoid using frankincense oil because it may trigger contractions, prompt menstruation and lead to a miscarriage. As for children, there is very limited information regarding the potential use of this oil for this age group, so if you're a parent or guardian, do not let them use this oil.   How to Dilute Essential Oils Although essential oils can be used neat (undiluted) in many cases, it is best (and more economical) to dilute essential oils before applying them to the body. Add a drop or two of your chosen oil to one-half to one teaspoonful of an organic carrier oil such as coconut, almond, hemp, or jojoba.   If using with children or pets, use even less essential oil because their smaller bodies cannot tolerate an adult dose. It's best to consult a qualified aromatherapist before using essential oils with pets or children.    A Final Word About Quality Always choose high quality, organic essential oil that has been properly distilled so that its phytochemical content is not compromised. Look for bottles labeled 100% pure oil and beware of cheap oils that may be diluted with potentially toxic chemical ingredients.   In addition to the powerful essential oils we touched on today, Organixx carries 6 more beautiful single oils just as powerful and effective to help you maintain optimal health; Orange, Grapefruit, Oregano, Geranium Rose, Rosemary, and Clove. Resources: Organixx Essential Oils - 100% Pure, Organic, Non-GMO 1 Comparative studies of cytotoxic and apoptotic properties of different extracts and the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia on malignant and normal cells. 2 Immunomodulatory activity of biopolymeric fraction BOS 2000 from Boswellia serrata. 3 Insecticidal Activity of Melaleuca alternifolia Essential Oil and RNA-Seq Analysis of Sitophilus zeamais Transcriptome in Response to Oil Fumigation. 4 A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.). National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy – Safety Information 12 Top Essential Oils & 60+ Uses Non-Toxic DIY Essential Oil Mosquito Repellent Tummy Troubles? The Best Essential Oils for Digestive Problems What Are Essential Oils? 21 Facts About Essential Oils You May Not Know

Call it like it is, we live in a very very toxic world. Our ability to detoxify the more than 90,000 chemicals that have been introduced into our existence is certainly less robust than it needs to be. Indeed, new challenges face our ability to detoxify on a daily basis in terms of new products to which we are exposed, and even the water we drink. Today on the program I speak with Dr. Aly Cohen who has written a wonderful book entitled Non-Toxic: Guide to Living Healthy in a Chemical World along with her co-author Frederick S. vom Saal, PhD. Here's more about the authors: Dr. Aly Cohen is a board-certified rheumatologist and integrative medicine specialist, as well as an environmental health expert in Princeton, New Jersey. She has collaborated with the Environmental Working Group, Cancer Schmancer, and other disease-prevention organizations, and is coeditor of the textbook Integrative Environmental Medicine, part of the Oxford University Press Weil Integrative Medicine Library. In 2015, she created TheSmartHuman.com to share environmental health, disease prevention, and wellness information with the public. Dr. Fred vom Saal is a Curators' Distinguished Professor of Biology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. After college he taught biology as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Somalia and after the revolution there, he also taught in Kenya and then Paris before entering graduate school. Dr. vom Saal has published over 240 articles and reviews on his research. He has served on the editorial boards of numerous scientific journals and federal research review panels both in the United States and abroad. I am so delighted to share this very empowering information with all of you today on the program. ==== Dr. Aly Cohen is a board-certified Rheumatologist and Integrative Medicine Specialist, as well as an environmental health expert in Princeton, New Jersey. She has collaborated with the Environmental Working Group, Cancer Schmancer, and other disease-prevention organizations, and is coeditor of the textbook Integrative Environmental Medicine, part of the Oxford University Press Weil Integrative Medicine Library. In 2015, she created TheSmartHuman.com to share environmental health, disease prevention, and wellness information with the public. Dr. Cohen is working to integrate environmental health information into high school curricula nationwide. Her TEDx talk on her mission can be found on YouTube. Dr. Aly Cohen's TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSCeP0hyuTI http://www.TheSmartHuman.com www.AlyCohenMD.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/aly-cohen-md-facr-0b570749/ https://www.facebook.com/TheSmartHuman/ https://twitter.com/thesmarthuman https://www.instagram.com/thesmarthuman/

Kenya and Somalia are having a bit of trouble with their closest neighbours…each other. For years they have disagreed about where their sea border should be drawn. When Somalia wasn't happy with the direction of negotiations, they asked the International Court of Justice to step in. But, despite a decision from the court this week, it doesn't look like the matter will be resolved any time soon. So, can Kenya and Somalia every agree on their sea border? Host: Karnie Sharp (@KarnieSharp) Reporting: Ferdinand Omondi (@FerdyOmondi) #AfricaDaily

On COI #175, Kyle Anzalone breaks down Secretary of State Antony Blinken's meetings with the Israeli and Emirati foreign ministers. In the meeting, Blinken and Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid threatened Iran. Tehran has signaled that it is willing to return to JCPOA talks, and the threats are sure to deter Iran's openness to dialogue. Blinken suggested the US should encourage more deals like the Abraham Accords to create a pact between Israel and Palestine. However, the Abraham Accords were not peace deals, but rather US payoffs to Muslim states to end their objection to Israel's apartheid against the Palestinians.  Kyle discusses Congress considering a bill that transfers legislative war powers to the president. The proposed law would allow the president to determine if the US was to go to war with China over Taiwan. The bill is based on a false understanding of US foreign policy and military strategy.  Kyle updates US intervention in the Horn of Africa. Tigrayan forces in Ethiopia recently claimed the central government opened a new offensive. In response, the US is considering sanctions against Ethiopia. Biden has also invited the head of neighboring Kenya to the White House. President Kenyatta's visit came as the World Court decided on a major territorial dispute with Somalia, with the judges largely ruling in favor of Mogadishu. Odysee Rumble  Donate LBRY Credits bTTEiLoteVdMbLS7YqDVSZyjEY1eMgW7CP Donate Bitcoin 36PP4kT28jjUZcL44dXDonFwrVVDHntsrk Donate Bitcoin Cash Qp6gznu4xm97cj7j9vqepqxcfuctq2exvvqu7aamz6 Patreon Subscribe Star YouTube Facebook  Twitter  MeWe Apple Podcast  Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify iHeart Radio Support Our Sponsor Visit Paloma Verde and use code PEACE for 25% off our CBD

On COI #175, Kyle Anzalone breaks down Secretary of State Antony Blinken's meetings with the Israeli and Emirati foreign ministers. In the meeting, Blinken and Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid threatened Iran. Tehran has signaled that it is willing to return to JCPOA talks, and the threats are sure to deter Iran's openness to dialogue. Blinken suggested the US should encourage more deals like the Abraham Accords to create a pact between Israel and Palestine. However, the Abraham Accords were not peace deals, but rather US payoffs to Muslim states to end their objection to Israel's apartheid against the Palestinians.  Kyle discusses Congress considering a bill that transfers legislative war powers to the president. The proposed law would allow the president to determine if the US was to go to war with China over Taiwan. The bill is based on a false understanding of US foreign policy and military strategy.  Kyle updates US intervention in the Horn of Africa. Tigrayan forces in Ethiopia recently claimed the central government opened a new offensive. In response, the US is considering sanctions against Ethiopia. Biden has also invited the head of neighboring Kenya to the White House. President Kenyatta's visit came as the World Court decided on a major territorial dispute with Somalia, with the judges largely ruling in favor of Mogadishu. Odysee Rumble  Donate LBRY Credits bTTEiLoteVdMbLS7YqDVSZyjEY1eMgW7CP Donate Bitcoin 36PP4kT28jjUZcL44dXDonFwrVVDHntsrk Donate Bitcoin Cash Qp6gznu4xm97cj7j9vqepqxcfuctq2exvvqu7aamz6 Patreon Subscribe Star YouTube Facebook  Twitter  MeWe Apple Podcast  Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify iHeart Radio Support Our Sponsor Visit Paloma Verde and use code PEACE for 25% off our CBD  

Welcome to Push Talks Podcast! We went over our 15 mins of motivational messaging this month due to National Women's Small Business Month! Its worth it!! Join us this week as we welcome Assistant Commission Anisa Hajimumin: Many African diaspora have taken the leap and returned to their homeland to be an advocate for a better change. After being appointed as a minister, Anisa made her way back to Somalia despite the barriers in her position that was typically a male-dominated role. She faced many challenges but did not give up because of her foresight to help the future generations of her homeland. Join me this Friday as I welcome Anisa to share her story and help encourage breaking barriers in political participation and that the sky's the limit for women! To find out more about Push Talks Podcast and your Push Strategist, visit:Push Strategist WebsiteFind Anisa on twitter at @Anisa_Hajimumin Follow Push Talks Podcast for past episodes and follow your Push Strategist Ose Sesay to help you push towards your purpose! InstagramFacebookYouTubeLinkedInPssss...Don't get to take a moment and write us a review on Apple Podcast and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (Push Talks Podcast).Did you miss our Pep Rally in 2020? We are planning stages for late 2021! Sign up for Push Insiders group so you receive all the details on our website!© 2021 Push Strategist LLC. All rights reserved. Music by ℗  2021 Jerne Music Group. All rights reserved

Trainiere dein Hörverstehen mit den Nachrichten der Deutschen Welle von Mittwoch – als Text und als verständlich gesprochene Audio-Datei.US-Repräsentantenhaus erhöht Schuldenlimit Das US-Repräsentantenhaus hat einer Anhebung der Schuldengrenze zugestimmt und damit eine Zahlungsunfähigkeit der größten Volkswirtschaft der Welt vorerst abgewendet. Die Abgeordneten der Demokraten, die hier die Mehrheit haben, stimmten geschlossen für den Vorschlag. Damit wird das Schuldenlimit um 480 Milliarden Dollar (umgerechnet 416 Milliarden Euro) erhöht. Der Senat hatte bereits vergangene Woche für die Anhebung votiert. Bis Anfang Dezember muss sich der Kongress auch auf einen neuen Haushalt einigen, um eine Lähmung der Bundeseinrichtungen, den so genannten "Shutdown", zu vermeiden. USA: Grenzen zu Kanada und Mexiko für Geimpfte bald offen Die USA wollen Anfang November auch ihre Landgrenzen zu Mexiko und Kanada wieder für Reisende öffnen. Voraussetzung ist unter anderem eine nachgewiesene Impfung gegen das Coronavirus, wie ein hochrangiger Mitarbeiter des Weißen Hauses mitteilte. Ende September hatte Washington bereits die Aufhebung der Einreisebeschränkungen für auf dem Luftweg einreisende geimpfte EU-Bürger und Briten angekündigt. Die seit eineinhalb Jahren geltenden Einreiseverbote waren auch in den USA zuletzt zunehmend umstritten. Der damalige Präsident Donald Trump hatte die Beschränkungen im März 2020 wegen der Pandemie verhängt. Chile ruft im Süden Notstand aus Angesichts einer Welle der Gewalt hat die chilenische Regierung im Süden des Landes den Notstand ausgerufen. Präsident Sebastián Piñera erklärte, das Militär werde in den Provinzen Biobío, Arauco, Malleco und Cautín die Polizei unterstützen. Im Süden Chiles hat es in den vergangenen Jahren wiederholt Brandanschläge auf Häuser und Fahrzeuge gegeben. Hinter den Angriffen sollen teilweise radikale Angehörige der Mapuche stecken. Die größte indigene Gruppe des Landes verlangt vom chilenischen Staat mehr Autonomie und die Rückgabe von Gebieten, die sie als angestammten Besitz betrachtet. Somalia obsiegt in See-Grenzstreit mit Kenia In einem jahrelangen Streit mit Kenia hat Somalia vor dem Internationalen Gerichtshof einen Sieg errungen. Die Richter in Den Haag entschieden, dass "keine vereinbarte Seegrenze" zwischen beiden Staaten in Kraft sei. Sie zogen eine Grenze, die Somalia große Teile eines vermutlich rohstoffreichen Gebiets im Indischen Ozean zugesteht. Kenias Präsident Uhuru Kenyatta wies das Urteil "vollumfänglich" zurück. Sein Land werde den Richterspruch nicht anerkennen. Somalia hatte Kenia 2014 vor das UN-Gericht gebracht, nachdem anderweitige Bemühungen um eine Lösung des Streits gescheitert waren. Menschenrechtsbeauftragte appelliert an Iran Die Menschenrechtsbeauftragte der Bundesregierung hat den Iran aufgefordert, die offenbar geplante Hinrichtung eines Verurteilten auszusetzen, der zur Tatzeit minderjährig war. Bärbel Kofler erklärte, falls das Todesurteil an Arman Abdolali vollstreckt würde, wäre dies ein Völkerrechtsbruch. Es gebe zudem "glaubhafte Hinweise", dass ein Geständnis des heute 24-Jährigen unter Folter erzwungen wurde. Auch Amnesty International hatte den Iran zuvor aufgefordert, die geplante Hinrichtung zu stoppen. Abdolali war nach dem Verschwinden seiner Freundin festgenommen und wegen Mordes verurteilt worden. Widerstandskämpfer stirbt mit 101 Jahren Einer der letzten hochdekorierten Widerstandskämpfer gegen die Nazis ist tot. Hubert Germain starb im Alter von 101 Jahren, wie Frankreichs Verteidigungsministerin Florence Parly mitteilte. Dies sei "ein gewichtiger Augenblick in der Geschichte des Landes". Germain wurde in Paris als Sohn eines Offiziers geboren. Er überlebte alle übrigen Träger des von General Charles de Gaulle verliehenen "Ordens der Befreiung". Präsident Emmanuel Macron bezeichnete das Résistance-Mitglied als "Galionsfigur des freien Frankreichs". Im November will Macron an den Trauerfeierlichkeiten teilnehmen.

In this episode i sit down with singer/songwriter A'MAAL NUUX. We discuss her move from Somalia to Toronto, Canada, and the upbringing there, how she began singing, inspirations, hobbies, her new single "Heaven" and new upcoming E.P. "Milly" plus much more... --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/intuitive-minds-podcast/support

International court rules in favour of Somalia in sea border dispute with Kenya; Rich nations discuss how to help Afghanistan - without recognising the Taliban; and a rare Himalayan fungus that could be used to treat cancer

The UN's top court has ruled largely in favour of Somalia in its long-running dispute with Kenya over their maritime border. The leader of the self-proclaimed Renamo Military Junta, Mariano Nhongo, has been killed. And Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare speaks about his experience curating the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition to celebrate art.

The sailors held captive for years, and the man who managed to free them. Somali pirates made millions of dollars hijacking ships and holding their crews hostage, if no ransom was paid though, sailors could spend years languishing in captivity. When retired British Army Colonel John Steed set out to try to free what he called ‘Somalia's forgotten hostages' he had no money and no hostage-negotiation experience, so how did he do it? Colin Freeman, who was himself taken hostage in Somalia, hears the remarkable stories of the sailors and their saviours.

On Today's Episode of the Punch Out: Killer Cop Epidemic, A Political Impasse in Somalia, Indigenous Imprisonment.

This episode features Sagal Ali, the founder and Executive Director of the Somali Arts Foundation (SAF), the first contemporary art institution in Somalia. She also served as the former Deputy Secretary General for Somalia National Commission for UNESCO. She is a champion of culture, arts, free-expression and is a great force for positive social change. She shares some of her brilliance and experience of working and living in Mogadishu/East Africa for the past five years. To connect with Sagal and SAF check out their website: https://www.somaliartsfoundation.org. Enjoy this conversation!

Happy TWOSday to all! From the ashes of the IG black out rises episode 4 of They Want Our Sauce. This week we brought on @joelittlemountain, Emmy award winning journalist at @vicenews; Joe is usually behind the camera, so we were excited to bring him front & center to learn about his life and experience covering civil unrest & conflict from: Brooklyn, to Chile, to Somalia, the list goes on. Joe spoke to us about: the importance of journalism, told us incredible stories about some of the dangers he's faced to make sure situations are documented and stories are told, he also gave us a little insight into his personal life and how he offsets the intensity of his job. Subscribe to the patreon for this, and all full episodes of Season 2. Partial episodes available on Spotify, Apple, Libsyn, Google. Sauce

While held captive for 32 months by Somali pirates, writer and Dylan fan Michael Scott Moore had plenty of opportunity to contemplate lyrics, especially All Along The Watchtower. He was given a Bible during his captivity and discovered, in Isaiah, “the ramparts, the princes, the two horsemen and the wildcat. The whole song clicked! It's about the fall of Babylon! Or Western Capitalism. Or the music business.” His other favourite captivity song was Jokerman (“freedom just around the corner for you”). We delve into the mysterious Infidels album in detail (“is he accusing the audience or himself with that title? I never got the sense that he left himself out of the equation”). Other topics covered: Dick Dale, Charlie McCoy, Bobbie Gentry, surfing in the Gaza Strip and the philosophy of Richard Mitchell. Don't miss our most wide-ranging episode so far. Michael Scott Moore is an award-winning journalist and novelist, author of a comic novel about L.A., Too Much of Nothing, as well as a travel book about surfing, Sweetness and Blood, which was named a best book of 2010 by The Economist. He's been a visiting professor at the Columbia School of the Arts and worked for several years as an editor and writer at Spiegel Online in Berlin. Michael was kidnapped in early 2012 on a reporting trip to Somalia and held hostage. The Desert and the Sea, his memoir about that ordeal, became an international bestseller. Website Trailer Twitter Spotify playlist Listeners: please subscribe and/or leave a review and a rating. Twitter @isitrollingpod Recorded 10th August 2021 This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While held captive for 32 months by Somali pirates, writer and Dylan fan Michael Scott Moore had plenty of opportunity to contemplate lyrics, especially All Along The Watchtower. He was given a Bible during his captivity and discovered, in Isaiah, “the ramparts, the princes, the two horsemen and the wildcat. The whole song clicked! It's about the fall of Babylon! Or Western Capitalism. Or the music business.” His other favourite captivity song was Jokerman (“freedom just around the corner for you”). We delve into the mysterious Infidels album in detail (“is he accusing the audience or himself with that title? I never got the sense that he left himself out of the equation”). Other topics covered: Dick Dale, Charlie McCoy, Bobbie Gentry, surfing in the Gaza Strip and the philosophy of Richard Mitchell. Don't miss our most wide-ranging episode so far. Michael Scott Moore is an award-winning journalist and novelist, author of a comic novel about L.A., Too Much of Nothing, as well as a travel book about surfing, Sweetness and Blood, which was named a best book of 2010 by The Economist. He's been a visiting professor at the Columbia School of the Arts and worked for several years as an editor and writer at Spiegel Online in Berlin. Michael was kidnapped in early 2012 on a reporting trip to Somalia and held hostage. The Desert and the Sea, his memoir about that ordeal, became an international bestseller. Website Trailer Twitter Spotify playlist Listeners: please subscribe and/or leave a review and a rating. Twitter @isitrollingpod Recorded 10th August 2021 This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    On October 3rd 1993, Task Force Ranger set out on a snatch-and-grab mission to arrest two warlords in Mogadishu, Somalia during Operation Gothic Serpent, the American military attempt to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid during the Somali Civil War.   The daytime mission was to take no more than 90 minutes. Rangers would helicopter in and surround the building on all sides while a ground convoy would wait to carry out the prisoners. Little to no fighting was expected.   What followed was 17 hours of fighting, the most violent combat action American Soldiers had seen since Vietnam. 19 American Soldiers were killed, one, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Durant, was captured.   38 years ago, the Battle of Mogadishu shocked the consciousness of the American public. It was, initially, a story of military failure, a spectacular debacle, an international embarrassment.   In the years since, largely due to Mark Bowden's 1999 book “Black Hawk Down” and the 2001 Ridley Scott-produced film adaptation of the same name, the story has become one of valor and courage. The book and film give voice to the roughly 160 men who fought in Mogadishu, to the Rangers, Delta operators, and 10th Mountain Division Soldiers cut-off and surrounded, to those who exposed themselves to grave risk trying to rescue downed American blackhawk crews.   This episode, episode 75 of the 18th Airborne Corps podcast, is part one of two on the Battle of Mogadishu. We've timed these two episodes, 75 and 76, for release on the 38th anniversary of the battle. This a story worth hearing today; it holds great meaning for Army leaders and national security officials.   In this first part, we speak with John Carroll, a historian at Texas A&M University who studies the American response to the Somali Civil War and the role of the Battle of Mogadishu on President Clinton's subsequent foreign policy decision-making. John provides context around the battle, describing what happened and why and how the country responded. We also speak with Matt Eversmann, a retired Army First Sergeant who is immortalized not only in the Mark Bowden book but who is the main character in the film, played by Josh Hartnett.   The 18th Airborne Corps podcast is the official podcast of the US military. We traditionally release new episodes every Tuesday. For episodes 75 and 76 we're releasing on Sunday and Monday in concert with the 38th anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu.   Please subscribe to the 18th Airborne Corps podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify. Please also leave a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, as this helps others find the show.   The 18th Airborne Corps podcast focuses on history, current events, and leadership and is recorded on Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

El debate sobre el indigenismo se ha abierto tras el viaje de la presidenta de la Comunidad de Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, a Nueva York. Marta Casaús, doctora en Ciencias Políticas y Sociología en la Universidad Complutense, nos explica el significado del concepto.Los informativos y las tertulias ya no están abarrotadas de titulares sobre Afganistán. Tras la toma del país por los talibanes el foco mediático se ha alejado. Hablamos con Mónica Bernabé, enviada especial del Diari Ara en Afganistán, sobre la realidad que se vive en suelo afgano.En algunos lugares del mundo, hacer cosas tan sencillas como ir al cine parece imposible. En Somalia se ha podido disfrutar de la primera proyección pública después de 30 años. Nos lo cuenta Pedro Alonso, delegado de la Agencia EFE para África Subsahariana.

Terrorism is the scourge of the era. It is a fearsome symbol conjuring up images of ferocious-looking, bearded men brandishing AK-47s. The media focus on the terrorism of official enemies like Saddam Hussein, bin Laden, and Zarqawi. After they were done away with, new demons appear to justify war and bloat the Pentagon budget. Be afraid of ISIS and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Be afraid of Yemen and Somalia, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Be afraid of all the jihadi groups that have mushroomed all over the Middle East. The notion that the U.S. and its allies engage in terrorism is simply not a topic for discussion. To scrutinize U.S. policy is verboten. The War on Terror goes on and on. Recorded at the University of Colorado.

Brad Thomas spent 20 years in the U.S. Army, first as a Ranger and later as an operator in Delta Force, the Army’s Tier 1 special missions unit. Brad was deployed to Somalia and was on the ground in Mogadishu for the incident which became known as “Black Hawk Down.” Brad would later earn his way […]

Australian Photojournalist Nigel Brennan was kidnapped by Islamic extremists in Somalia and held hostage for 462 days, where his captives were asking for $5m for his release. His tale of survival is worthy of a Hollywood film. This is Nigel's Epic Tale.

China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) study says that Zambia owes China almost twice as much as previously reported. Somalia inaugurates a new state of the art oxygen plant, filling a desperate need at hospitals. And the WHO had a global vaccination target for today... we take a look at which countries in Africa have performed best.

Today we're bringing you a bonus episode on Somalia from Crisis Group's global podcast Hold Your Fire!. Many people in the Somali capital Mogadishu watched with apprehension as the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan. Could Somalia, struggling against its own Islamist insurgency – Al-Shabaab – face a similar fate? In this episode of Hold Your Fire! Richard Atwood and Naz Modirzadeh are joined by Omar Mahmood, Crisis Group's Senior Analyst for Somalia, to discuss the resurgence of Al-Shabaab as political instability wracks the country and the withdrawal of African Union troops potentially looms. They discuss the state of the insurgency, the capability of Somali defence forces, the troubled relationship between the central government and Somalia's regions, and the role of East African and other foreign powers. They also talk about whether there is any hope of a political settlement with Al-Shabaab. For more information, explore Crisis Group's analysis on our Somalia and Horn of Africa pages. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

World News in 7 minutes. Monday 27th September 2021.Transcript at: send7.org/transcripts Today: Germany elections. Iceland elections. Netherlands coronavirus restrictions. Switzerland gay marriage. Afghanistan executions. Koreas talk. Tunisia protests. Somalia. Haiti migrants. Argentina tango world cup...Help us with our testimonials page! send7.org/testimonialsSend your opinion or experience by email to podcast@send7.org or send an audio message at send7.org for us to broadcast. With Stephen Devincenzi and Maya Dil.Listen to Hablemos Español podcast (for Spanish speakers/learners)....https://armandonegrete.com/hablemos-espanol-podcast-learn-spanish/SEND7 (Simple English News Daily in 7 minutes) tells news in intermediate English. Every day, listen to the most important stories in the world in slow, clear English. This easy English news podcast is perfect for English learners, people with English as a second language, and people who want to hear a fast news update from around the world. Learn English through hard topics, but simple grammar. SEND7 covers all news including politics, business, natural events and human rights. For more information visit send7.org/contact

Shugri Said Salh was born in the Somali desert. In 1992, she immigrated to North America after civil war broke out in her home country. She attended nursing school at Pacific Union College and graduated with honors. Although The Last Nomad is her first book , Salh has been storytelling since she could talk. From her grandmother and the nomadic community in which she was raised, she heard stories and learned of their power to entertain, teach, and transform. When she isn't writing or telling stories, she works as an infusion nurse. She lives in Sonoma County with her husband and three children.

And we thought our jobs were tough! This week, we speak to Paul Laurence, a Singaporean who clears unexploded RPGs, landmines and IEDs in war-torn countries for a living. After a long career in the SAF, Paul has worked as a deminer in places such as Afghanistan, South Sudan, Iraq, Somalia and Papau New Guinea. We read about him in an eye-opening feature in Rice Media, and really wanted to know: what does he now think about the stuff we complain about in Singapore?   Find us here! Our #YLB Subreddit for show notes Our YouTube channel to see our FACES!   The Rice Media feature that got us talking! Meet Paul, The Singaporean Who Cleared Taliban Landmines In Afghanistan   Here are our one SHIOK things! Dante Chen vs. Trey Baxter: WWE NXT 2.0, Sept. 21, 2021 This Will NEVER Happen Again || The WORLD RECORD That Will Stand Forever (G.O.A.T Athlete) Paralympics: Tokyo 2020 was 'highly successful Games' for Singapore, says chef de mission

It takes a spine to say, “Being white doesn't make you a white supremacist.” But that's Ayaan Hirsi Ali for you. She has experienced Islamist supremacy and lived to tell others the truth. Her life story is remarkable. Born in Somalia, she lived through indescribable hell, including forced genital mutilation when she was five years old. She later fled to Holland, eventually becoming a member of the Dutch parliament. Now, she serves as the exact cultural commentator we need. Her latest book, Prey: Immigration, Islam, and the Erosion of Women's Rights, reveals the threat that Islam poses to women's rights and Western liberal democracy. The Left has led a concerted campaign against Ms. Hirsi Ali. But these days, that's a badge of honor. On this episode, Glenn and Ms. Hirsi Ali talk about Afghanistan, genital mutilation, and the transgender craze overtaking America's youth. Critical race theory. Woke ideology. And politics. Identity politics has completely destroyed the Left's high moral standing with themselves. Where is their outrage about homophobia and misogyny in Afghanistan? GLAAD is all too happy to focus its activism on bakeries and bathrooms. Meanwhile, LGBTQ people are dying in Afghanistan and it's crickets. As Ms. Hirsi Ali sums it up: “I don't think of politics as a pleasurable activity.”   This Week's Sponsors: AR500 Armor - Plan now for how to protect yourself and your family. Get yourself the body armor we trust from AR500 Armor. Go to AR500ARMOR.com/BECK to see this package, and use code “BECK” for 20% OFF anything else in their entire store.   Built Bar - Go to BUILT.com and use promo code “BECK15” to save 15% off your first order. Use promo code “BECK15” for 15% off at BUILT.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people in the Somali capital Mogadishu watched with apprehension as the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan. Could Somalia, struggling against its own Islamist insurgency -- Al—Shabaab -- face a similar fate? In this episode of Hold Your Fire! Richard Atwood and Naz Modirzadeh are joined by Omar Mahmood, Crisis Group's Senior Analyst for Somalia, to discuss the resurgence of Al—Shabaab as political instability wracks the country and the withdrawal of African Union troops potentially looms. They discuss the state of the insurgency, the capability of Somali defence forces, the troubled relationship between the central government and Somalia's regions, and the role of East African and other foreign powers. They also talk about whether there is any hope of a political settlement with Al—Shabaab. For more information, explore Crisis Group's analysis on our Somalia and Horn of Africa pages. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gunmen from the Somali Islamist group Al-Shabab attacked a shopping centre in Nairobi taking hundreds hostage. The group claimed it was in retaliation for Kenyan military action against them in southern Somalia. The siege lasted four days in September 2013 and more than 60 people were killed, but hundreds more were injured and traumatised. Daniel Ouma was a paramedic on duty at the scene and explains to Rebecca Kesby how his team tried to help people affected. PHOTO: A police officer during a rescue operation at the site of the terrorist attack, Westgate Mall, on September 21, 2013 in Nairobi, Kenya. Gunmen from the extremist group Al-Shabab entered the mall and opened fire at random on shoppers; 68 deaths have been confirmed. (Photo by Jeff Angote/Nation Media/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Over the past few months, China's regulatory crackdowns have impacted almost every corner of Chinese society, with new restrictions targeting everything from entertainment to after-school education to car-share apps and video games. Also, Haitians gathered under the Del Rio International Bridge in south Texas will be allowed to cross the Mexico-US border, but those who make it across often have to scramble for lodging and aid from volunteers. Plus, the National Theater of Somalia in Mogadishu hosted the country's first movie screening in 30 years on Wednesday. The theater opened in 1967, a gift from Mao Zedong, but shut down at the start of Somalia's civil war in 1991.

The term ‘inspirational' can be overused when it comes to describing public figures. But in the case of today's guest, it couldn't be more fitting. Ramla Ali is a professional sportswoman who became the first-ever boxer to compete for Somalia in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Her incredible story is told in her new book Not Without A Fight: Ten Steps To Becoming Your Own Champion, and I'm honoured to hear it from her first hand.Ramla is a former refugee whose family fled from Somalia to Kenya after the civil war. After settling in the UK, she describes a pivotal moment in her teenage years when she was attacked by a group of boys for wearing a hijab. This, together with advice from her GP that she was obese, proved an incentive for Ramla to begin boxing. But it was a secret she kept hidden from her traditional, religious family. We talk about the range of feelings these events gave rise to, sharing our thoughts on the immigrant experience, and on being the subject of parental disapproval as well as pride. And we discuss Ramla's journey to the Olympics and how much the African experience differs to that of Western athletes. Until she found sponsorship, modelling helped to pay Ramla's way in sport. Yet she talks with touching honesty about struggles with confidence, self-esteem and finding her identity as a Somali woman in the public eye. Today, Ramla's confidence comes from the knowledge she has achieved all this against the odds – and that her fight helps women and girls of all backgrounds, races and religions to be seen. She's giving back not just through this platform and as a Unicef Ambassador, but through her Sisters Club, a free boxing club that provides a safe space for women in London to access the sport. Ramla is a true role model and living proof that we can all be our own champions. I really think you are going to enjoy listening.Thanks to our sponsors:https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/livemorehttps://www.blublox.com/livemorehttp://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreShow notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/202Support the podcast: Members get ad-free episodes and exclusive content including my take on the topics most requested by the FBLM community https://drchatterjee.com/membershipFollow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeukDISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

US Central Command's top general Kenneth McKenzie last week had to make one of the most painful mea culpas in the history of the US Government's war on terror. A drone strike intended to save the lives of US soldiers had ended up taking the lives ten innocent Afghan civilians. Seven of them were children. A rare acknowledgment that a tool the Pentagon and CIA have relied on for years to target terrorists was in this instance tragically botched thanks to sketchy intelligence that confused a civilian aide worker with an ISIS suicide bomber. McKenzie came clean, only after reporters on the ground exposed the Pentagon's mistake raising new questions about how many other civilians in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen have also been killed in US drone strikes. And how does this affect the Biden administrations planned use of “over the horizon” drone strikes to prevent Al-Qaeda resurgence in the country we just abandoned? Joe Cirincione joins to discuss the botched strike and where we go from here. GUEST:Joe Cirincione (@Cirincione), Analyst, Author, Distinguished Fellow @QuincyInst, Fmr. President @plough_shares, VP @amprog, Hill rat.HOSTS:Michael Isikoff (@Isikoff), Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo NewsDaniel Klaidman (@dklaidman), Editor in Chief, Yahoo NewsVictoria Bassetti (@VBass), fellow, Brennan Center for Justice (contributing co-host) RESOURCES:The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft - Here.Yahoo News' Dylan Stableford and Chris Wilson's original piece on the bothced drone strike - Here.Dan Klaidman's book Kill or Capture on focusing on drone strikes - Here.Follow us on Twitter: @SkullduggeryPodListen and subscribe to "Skullduggery" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.Email us with feedback, questions or tips: SkullduggeryPod@yahoo.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

RUSH: Well, lots of exciting stuff going on out there today, folks. The latest from this whole controversy over the pope, and words. There are some things that happen that are simply propitious, and this is one of them. The pope utters words, he quotes an old emperor from many centuries ago, and now the Muslim world is going bonkers, rioting, killing a nun in Somalia, shooting her in the back while she was praying. These Muslim extremists, Islamofascists are proving everything that the pope's words indicated. The New York Times had an editorial on Sunday that just totally misses the point, but, boy, is it expressive and illustrative. First off from Reuters, dateline Dubai. “An Iraqi militant group led by al Qaeda vowed a war against the ‘worshippers of the cross' in response to a recent speech by Pope Benedict on Islam that sparked anger across the Muslim world. The statement was made in an Internet statement by the Mujahideen Shura Council, an umbrella group led by Iraq's branch of Al-Qaeda, said, ‘We tell the worshipper of the cross (the Pope) that you and the West will be defeated, as is the case in Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya… We shall break the cross and spill the wine. … God will (help) Muslims to conquer Rome. … God enable us to slit their throats, and make their money and descendants the bounty of the mujahideen.” Yeah, this is a peaceful religion, there's no question about it. The pope simply utters words. But guess who one of the staunchest allies of Al-Qaeda happened to be yesterday? Well, not Jacques Chirac. It was the New York Times. https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2006/09/18/muslims_riot_murder_over_pope_s_words_new_york_times_condemns_the_words2/ Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

It's a good weekend to curl up with a juicy thriller. Author Sid Balman Jr. and his collaborator Samakab Hussein join Angela Davis to discuss their new novel, Murmuration.” It's part two of a trilogy and it takes place in West Texas, Somalia and Minnesota. 

The president of Somalia strips his Prime Minister of his executive powers. We assess what this means for the country which is in the midst of elections. We ask Guinea's main opposition leader if he's ready to be part of a unity government with ousted president Alpha Conde party?. UNICEF freezes all its social media accounts for 18 hours to raise awareness about the fate of children whose education has been disrupted by the pandemic. Ugandans can now use their phones to trade in the stock exchange. What's behind Zimbabwe's success in vaccinating more than twelve per cent of its population?

[2:02] Gayles v. Warden, et al., No. 19-3241 (3d Cir. Sept. 3, 2021)mandatory detention; due process; Joseph hearing; burdens; INA § 242(f)(1) [7:59] Farah v. U.S. Att'y Gen., No. 19-12462 (11th Cir. Sept. 8, 2021)prolonged detention; habeas; INA § 241(a); Akinwale; controlled substance; Minn. Stat. §§ 152.025, 609.222; aggravated felony crime of violence; Matter of Jean; refugee adjustment § 209; “reasoned consideration”; withholding & CAT; Somalia [19:21] Talamantes-Enriquez v. U.S. Att'y Gen., No. 19-15080 (11th Cir. Sept. 9, 2021)aggravated felony; crime of violence; physical force; divisibility; charging document; post-conviction relief; ignoring state court judge actions [26:55] Sasay v. Att'y Gen. U.S., No. 20-1273 (3d Cir. Sept. 10, 2021)CIMT; intent to defraud; divisibility; Matter of Serna; 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a); aiding and abetting  [31:19] Marquez v. Garland, No. 18-3363 (2d Cir. Sept. 7, 2021)crime of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment; Matter of Soram; retroactivity; N.Y. Pen. L. § 260.10(1) [35:55] Diaz-Rodriguez v. Garland, No. 13-73719 (9th Cir. Sept. 10, 2021)crime of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment; unitary concept; criminal negligence; Matter of Soram; Cal. Pen. Code § 273a(a); Chevron ; statutory interpretation; deference to panel  [43:41] Benedicto v. Garland, No. 18-73237 (9th Cir. Sept. 9, 2021)mental illness; mental health; Matter of M-A-M-; Matter of M‑J-K-; due process; qualified representative; termination; CAT; Dominican Republic [48:43] Iraheta-Martinez v. Garland, No. 18-72692 (9th Cir. Sept. 7, 2021)withholding-only; due process; reinstatement; exhaustion; futility; constitutional claims; statutory interpretation; “notwithstanding clause”; MS-13; LGBTQ; gang opposition; El Salvador [55:33] Alam v. Garland, No. 19-72744 (9th Cir. Sept. 8, 2021) (en banc)credibility; “single factor rule”; totality of the circumstances; lie [59:03] Etemadi v. Garland, No. 18-72318 (9th Cir. Sept. 9, 2021)law-of-the-case; credibility; inconsistencies; falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus; error of fact; document authenticity; CAT; affidavits; Christianity; Iran; waiver/exhaustion; changed conditions; frivolous finding*Sponsors and friends of the podcast!Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.www.kktplaw.com/Immigration, serious injury, and business lawyers serving clients in Florida, California, and all over the world for over 40 years.Docketwisewww.docketwise.com/immigration-review"Modern immigration software & case management"DISCLAIMER: Immigration Review® is a podcast made available for educational purposes only. It does not provide specific legal advice. Rather, the Immigration Review® podcast offers general information and insights regarding recent immigration cases from publicly available sources. By accessing and listening to the podcast, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the podcast host. The Immigration Review® podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. MUSIC CREDITS: [see prior episodes]Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/immigrationreview)

A Soviet Tank crew become lost in an Afghan valley and turn on each other as they are hunted by the Mujahideen. Tune in as Chris talks William Mastrosimone, Afghanistan, and tough breaks as the LSCE screens the 1988 cult war film “The Beast.” Join us! Check us out at www.LSCEP.com Subscribe, Like, & Review. Follow Us on Twitter @LsceP & on Instagram @ lsce_podcast Did you know we are on Amazon Music Now? I KNOW! Awesome, right? https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c60fbdef-49de-4256-8d29-c5c0d0a4626d/I-Saw-It-On-Linden-Street Works Cited: Brew, Simon. Kevin Reynolds: The Den of Geek Interview. Den of Geek Website. July 27, 2008. Accessed 9/2/2021 https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/kevin-reynolds-the-den-of-geek-interview/ Canby, Vincent. Reviews: Russians and Afghans. New York Times. Sept 16, 1988. Accessed 9/1/2021 https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/16/movies/reviews-film-russians-and-afghans.html?searchResultPosition=9 Durbin, Dick. Op-Ed: Lessons Learned on the Plains of Afghanistan: Sen. Dick Durbin. USA Today. May 2, 2021. Accessed 9/2/2021 https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/05/02/afghanistan-has-history-being-unbendable-u-s-has-learned-column/7384677002/ Gault, Matthew. “The Playwright, the Warlord and ‘The Beast'.”Medium.com . Dec 15, 2014. Accessed 9/2/2021 https://medium.com/war-is-boring/the-playwright-the-warlord-and-the-beast-ff77421d87b2 Gault, Matthew. “‘The Best' Is the Best Tank Movie You've Never Seen.” Medium.com Nov 21, 2014. Accessed 9/2/21 https://medium.com/war-is-boring/the-beast-is-the-best-tank-movie-youve-never-seen-1c9b0c0d650c Kehr, Dave. “‘The Beast Intrigues with Its Point of View.” Chicago Tribune. December 2, 1988. Accessed 9/1/2021 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-12-02-8802210543-story.html Perlez, Jane. “A Nation Challenge: The Warlords; The Corrupt and Brutal Reclaim Afghan Thrones, Evoking Chaos of Somalia.” The New York Times. November 19th, 2001. Accessed 9/1/2021 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/19/world/nation-challenged-warlords-corrupt-brutal-reclaim-afghan-thrones-evoking-chaos.html --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lsce/message

Bastantes oyentes me han dicho que la principal diferencia entre este podcast y otros de temática similar son nuestros invitados... ¡No puedo estar más de acuerdo! Pero aunque efectivamente todos nuestros invitados aportan muchísimo valor, probablemente mis episodios favoritos son aquellos donde aprendemos lecciones prácticas de marketing digital y negocios online de gente que técnicamente no se dedica al marketing ni a los negocios. El episodio de hoy es uno de ellos. Manu Robledo es Oficial de Infantería de Marina en activo, analista de Inteligencia, y profesor de Inteligencia en el LISA Institute. Ha participado en operaciones en Libia, Somalia, Afganistán, Bosnia Herzegovina, y otros países que por motivos de seguridad no se pueden revelar

What's the appeal of a nomadic existence with no settled place to live? The award-winning film, Nomadland shone a light on the sense of community, support and friendship that exists among people in the United States living in their vehicles and moving from place-to-place. How much do these modern-day nomads have in common with traditional communities around the world? Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two women from Somalia and US about life on the move. Shugri Said Salh was sent to live with her grandmother at the age of six and enjoyed an idyllic childhood living as a nomad in Somalia: herding camels, raising goats, and enjoying nightly stories and songs of her ancestors. She fled her country's brutal civil war living in refugee camps in Kenya before settling in California where she's now a nurse. She's written a book, The Last Nomad, about an almost-forgotten way of life full of beauty, innovation, and tradition as well as danger. Carol Meeks lives part of the year on the road in a converted van. After seeing the unhealthy food some fellow travellers were eating, she started a YouTube channel posting videos about how to cook tasty meals, cheaply on a small camping stove. She called it Glorious Life on Wheels and now interviews solo women living in their vehicles and travelling the US as they try to get by on meagre incomes. Produced by Jane Thurlow

The war in Afghanistan is over. In this episode, we document how and why the Biden administration finally admitted defeat in our 20 year attempt to create a new government in Afghanistan and we take a hard look at the lessons we need to learn. Afghanistan is a country in a far away land, but there are disturbing similarities between the Afghanistan government that just collapsed and our own. We'd be wise not to ignore them. Executive Producer: Rachel Passer Executive Producer: Anonymous  Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via PayPal Support Congressional Dish via Patreon (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank's online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North, Number 4576, Crestview, FL 32536. Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Background Sources Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes CD236: January 6: The Capitol Riot CD218: Minerals are the New Oil CD210: The Afghanistan War CD124: The Costs of For-Profit War How We Got Here Craig Whitlock. The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War. Simon and Schuster, 2021. Patrick Tucker. August 18, 2021. “Trump's Pledge to Exit Afghanistan Was a Ruse, His Final SecDef Says.” Defense One. Eugene Kiely and Robert Farley. August 17, 2021. “Timeline of U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan.” FactCheck.org. Eric Schmitt and Jennifer Steinhauer. July 30, 2021. “Afghan Visa Applicants Arrive in U.S. After Years of Waiting.” The New York Times. Craig Whitlock, Leslie Shapiro and Armand Emamdjomeh. December 9, 2019. “The Afghanistan Papers: A secret history of the war.” The Washington Post. Mark Landler and James Risen. July 25, 2017. “Trump Finds Reason for the U.S. to Remain in Afghanistan: Minerals.” The New York Times. John F. Harris. October 15, 2001. “Bush Rejects Taliban Offer On Bin Laden ” Washington Post. The Evacuation: Those Left Behind William Mauldin. September 2, 2021. “Afghanistan Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Staff Left Behind.” Wall Street Journal. Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Annie Karni. August 29, 2021. “Series of U.S. Actions Left Afghan Allies Frantic, Stranded and Eager to Get Out.” The York Times. Sami Sadat. August 25, 2021. “I Commanded Afghan Troops This Year. We Were Betrayed.” The New York Times. Marjorie Censer. August 18, 2021. “US contractors rush to get former employees out of Afghanistan.” Defense News. Siobhan Hughes. August 18, 2021. “Afghanistan Veterans in Congress Trying to Prevent ‘a Death Warrant' for Helping America.” Wall Street Journal. Alex Sanz and Tammy Webber. August 18, 2021. “US friends try to rescue brother in arms in Afghanistan.” AP News. Seth Moulton. June 04, 2021. "Moulton, Bipartisan Honoring Our Promises Working Group to White House: Evacuate our Afghan Partners.” Contractors in Afghanistan Matt Taibbi. August 18, 2021. “We Failed Afghanistan, Not the Other Way Around.” TK News by Matt Taibbi on Substack. Jack Detsch. August 16, 2021. “Departure of Private Contractors Was a Turning Point in Afghan Military's Collapse.” Foreign Policy. Matt Stoller. July 15, 2021. “‘A Real S*** Show': Soldiers Angrily Speak Out about Being Blocked from Repairing Equipment by Contractors.” BIG by Matt Stoller. Lynzy Billing. May 12, 2021. “The U.S. Is Leaving Afghanistan? Tell That to the Contractors.” New York Magazine. Oren Liebermann. March 29, 2021. “Pentagon could open itself to costly litigation from contractors if US pulls out of Afghanistan this year.” CNN. Lucas Kunce and Elle Ekman. September 15, 2019. “Comment Submitted by Major Lucas Kunce and Captain Elle Ekman.” [Regulations.gov(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulations.gov). Aaron Mehta. Oct 25, 2016. “30 Years: William Perry — Reshaping the Industry.” Defense News. Jared Serbu. August 22, 2016. “DoD now awarding more than half its contract spending without competitive bids.” Federal News Network. 41 U.S. Code § 3307 - Preference for commercial products and commercial services. Money: Lost and Gained David Moore. August 23, 2021. “Lawmakers Benefit From Booming Defense Stocks.” Sludge. Lee Fang. August 20, 2021. “Congressman Seeking to Relaunch Afghan War Made Millions in Defense Contracting.” The Intercept. Anna Massoglia and Julia Forrest. August 20, 2021. “Defense contractors spent big in Afghanistan before the U.S. left and the Taliban took control.” OpenSecrets.org. Stephen Losey. April 16, 2021. “The Bill for the Afghanistan War Is $2.26 Trillion, and Still Rising.” Military.com. Eli Clifton. February 16, 2021. “Weapons Biz Bankrolls Experts Pushing to Keep U.S. Troops in Afghanistan.” Daily Beast. Open Secrets. 2021. Defense: Lobbying, 2021. Open Secrets. 2021. Defense: Money to Congress. Laws S.1790 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 Sponsor: Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) Status: Became Public Law No: 116-92 on December 20, 2019 H.R. 3237: Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 Sponsor: Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) Status: Signed into law, 2021 May 20 House Vote Breakdown Congressional Budget Office Score Law Outline TITLE IV: BILATERAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE GENERAL PROVISIONS EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF THE AFGHAN SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM Sec. 401: Amends the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 to expand eligibility to include Afghans who worked not only for the US Government for more than 1 year but also our allies as an off-base interpreter or if they performed "activities for United States military stationed at International Security Assistance Force (or any successor name for such Force). Increases the number of Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) to Afghan partners by 8,000, for a total of 34,500 allocated since December 19, 2014. Sec. 402: Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of state to jointly waive for 1 year (maximum 2 years with an extension) the requirement that Afghan partners eligible for SIVs get a medical exam before they can receive their visa. The Secretary of Homeland Security has to create a process to make sure Afghan SIV holders get a medical exam within 30 days of entry into the United States. Sec. 403: Allows the surviving spouse or child or employee of the United States Government abroad to be eligible for immigration into the United States if the employee worked for our government for at least 15 years or was killed in the line of duty. It also expands entry permissions for Afghan SIV applicants in addition to those who have already been approved. This is retroactive to June 30, 2021. Policies for Visa Processing: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Policy Manual, Chapter 9: Certain Afghan Nationals U.S Department of State -- Bureau of Consular Affairs. “Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans - Who Were Employed by/on Behalf of the U.S. Government.” Audio Sources Gen. Mark Milley: "There was nothing that I or anyone else saw that indicated a collapse of this army and this government in 11 days." August 18, 2021 General Mark Milley: The time frame of rapid collapse that was widely estimated and ranged from weeks to months, and even years following our departure, there was nothing that I or anyone else saw that indicated a collapse of this army and this government in 11 days. Central Command submitted a variety of plans that were briefed and approved by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of Defense and the President. These plans were coordinated, synchronized and rehearsed to deal with these various scenarios. One of those contingencies is what we are executing right now. As I said before, there's plenty of time to do AARs(After Action Reviews) and key lessons learned and to delve into these questions with great detail. But right now is not that time. Right now, we have to focus on this mission, because we have soldiers at risk. And we also have American citizens and Afghans who supported us for 20 years also at risk. This is personal and we're going to get them out. President Biden on Afghanistan Withdrawal Transcript July 8, 2021 Sound Clips 01:30 President Biden: When I announced our drawdown in April, I said we would be out by September, and we're on track to meet that target. Our military mission in Afghanistan will conclude on August 31. The drawdown is proceeding in a secure and orderly way, prioritizing the safety of our troops as they depart 3:40 President Biden: Together with our NATO allies and partners, we have trained and equipped nearly 300,000 current serving members of the military, the Afghan national security force, and many beyond that are no longer serving. Add to that hundreds of thousands more Afghan national defense and security forces trained over the last two decades. 04:04 President Biden: We provided our Afghan partners with all the tools, let me emphasize, all the tools -- training, equipment -- of any modern military. We provided advanced weaponry, and we're going to continue to provide funding and equipment and we'll ensure they have the capacity to maintain their Air Force. 5:54 President Biden: We're also going to continue to make sure that we take on Afghan nationals who worked side by side with US forces, including interpreters and translators. Since we're no longer going to have military there after this, we're not going to need them and they'll have no jobs. We're [sic] also going to be vital to our efforts. they've been very vital, and so their families are not exposed to danger as well. We've already dramatically accelerated the procedure time for Special Immigrant Visas to bring them to the United States. Since I was inaugurated on January 20, we've already approved 2,500 Special Immigrant Visas to come to the United States. Up to now, fewer than half have exercised the right to do that. Half have gotten on aircraft and come commercial flights and come and other half believe they want to stay, at least thus far. We're working closely with Congress to change the authorization legislation so that we can streamline the process of approving those visas. And those who have stood up for the operation to physically relocate 1000s of Afghans and their families before the US military mission concludes so that, if they choose, they can wait safely outside of Afghanistan, while their US visas are being processed. 8:13 President Biden: For those who have argued that we should stay just six more months, or just one more year, I asked them to consider the lessons of recent history. In 2011, the NATO allies and partners agreed that we would end our combat mission in 2014. In 2014, some argued one more year. So we kept fighting. We kept taking casualties. In 2015, the same, and on and on. Nearly 20 years of experience has shown us that the current security situation only confirms that just one more year of fighting in Afghanistan is not a solution, but a recipe for being there indefinitely. It's up to the Afghans to make the decision about the future of their country. Others are more direct. Their argument is that we should stay with the Afghans and Afghanistan indefinitely. In doing so they point to the fact that we we have not taken losses in this last year. So they claim that the cost of just maintaining the status quo is minimal. 9:19 President Biden: But that ignores the reality, and the facts that already presented on the ground in Afghanistan when I took office. The Taliban is at its strongest militarily since 2001. The number of US forces in Afghanistan had been reduced to a bare minimum. And the United States and the last administration made an agreement that they have to with the Taliban remove all our forces by May 1 of this year. That's what I inherited. That agreement was the reason the Taliban had ceased major attacks against US forces. 9:55 President Biden: If in April, I had instead announced that the United States was going to go back on that agreement, made by the last administration, the United States and allied forces will remain in Afghanistan for the foreseeable future, the Taliban would have again begun to target our forces. The status quo was not an option. Staying would have meant US troops taking casualties, American men and women back in the middle of a civil war, and we would run the risk of having to send more troops back in Afghanistan to defend our remaining troops. Once that agreement with the Taliban had been made, staying with a bare minimum force was no longer possible. 10:34 President Biden: So let me ask those who want us to stay: how many more? How many 1000s more Americans' daughters and sons are you willing to risk? How long would you have them stay? Already we have members of our military whose parents fought in Afghanistan 20 years ago. Would you send their children and their grandchildren as well? Would you send your own son or daughter? After 20 years, a trillion dollars spent training and equipping hundreds of 1000s of Afghan National Security and Defence Forces. 2,448 Americans killed, 20,722 more wounded, and untold 1000s coming home with unseen trauma to their mental health. I will not send another generation of Americans to war in Afghanistan with no reasonable expectation of achieving a different outcome. 11:51 President Biden: Today the terrorist threat has metastasized beyond Afghanistan. So, we are repositioning our resources and adapting our counterterrorism posture to meet the threats where they are now: significantly higher in South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. 12:07 President Biden: But make no mistake, our military and intelligence leaders are confident they have the capabilities to protect the homeland and our interests from any resurgent terrorist challenge emerging or emanating from Afghanistan. We're developing a counterterrorism over-the-horizon capability that will allow us to keep our eyes firmly fixed at any direct threat to the United States in the region and act quickly and decisively if needed. 12:38 President Biden: We also need to focus on shoring up America's core strengths to meet the strategic competition competition with China and other nations that is really going to determine our future. 14:58 Reporter: Is the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan now inevitable? President Biden: No. It is not. Because you have the Afghan troops, 300,000. Well equipped, as well equipped as any army in the world, and an air force against something like 75,000 Taliban. It is not inevitable. 15:45 President Biden: Do I trust the Taliban? No, but I trust the capacity of the Afghan military who is better trained, better equipped, and more competent in terms of conducting war. 18:07 Reporter: Your own intelligence community has assessed that the Afghan government will likely collapse President Biden: That is not true 18:53 President Biden: And I want to make clear what I made clear to Ghani, that we are not going to walk away and not sustain their ability to maintain that force. We are. We're going to also work to make sure we help them in terms of everything from food necessities and other things in the region. But there is not a conclusion that in fact, they cannot defeat the Taliban. I believe the only way there's going to be -- this is now Joe Biden, not the intelligence community -- the only way there's only going to be peace and secure in Afghanistan, is that they work out a modus vivendi with the Taliban, and they make a judgement as to how they can make peace. And the likelihood there's going to be one unified government in Afghanistan, controlling the whole country is highly unlikely. 21:30 Reporter: Mr. President, how serious was the corruption among the Afghanistan government to this mission failing there? President Biden: First of all, the mission hasn't failed yet. 22:00 President Biden: There were going to be negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan national security forces, and the Afghan government that didn't come to fruition. So the question now is where do they go from here? The jury is still out, but the likelihood there's going to be the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely. 23:20 Reporter: Mr. President, "speed is safety," as you just said in your remarks. Are you satisfied with the timeline of relocating Afghan nationals? Is it happening quickly enough to your satisfaction if it may not happen until next month at the end? President Biden: It has already happened, there have already been people, about 1000 people have gotten on aircraft and come to the United States already on commercial aircraft. So as I said, there's over 2500 people, that as from January to now, have have gotten those visas and only half decided that they wanted to leave. The point is that I think the whole process has to be speeded up -- period -- in terms of being able to get these visas. Reporter: Why can't the US evacuate these Afghan translators to the United States to await their visa processing as some immigrants of the southern border have been allowed to? President Biden: Because the law doesn't allow that to happen. And that's why we're asking the Congress to consider changing the law. President Biden Remarks on Afghanistan Strategy Transcript April 14, 2021 Sound Clips 00:38 President Biden: I'm speaking to you today from the Roosevelt -- the Treaty room in the White House -- the same spot where in October of 2001, President George W. Bush informed our nation that the United States military had begun strikes on terrorist training camps in Afghanistan. It was just weeks, just weeks after the terrorist attack on our nation that killed 2,977 innocent souls, that turned Lower Manhattan into a disaster area, destroyed parts of the Pentagon and made hallowed ground in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and sparked an American promise that we would never forget. We went to Afghanistan in 2001, to root out al Qaeda to prevent future terrorist attacks against the United States planned from Afghanistan. Our objective was clear, the cause was just, our NATO allies and partners rallied beside us. And I supported that military action along with the overwhelming majority of the members of Congress. More than seven years later, in 2008 weeks before we swore the oath of office -- President Obama and I were about to swear -- President Obama asked me to travel to Afghanistan and report back on the state of the war in Afghanistan. I flew to Afghanistan to the Kunar Valley, a rugged, mountainous region on the border of Pakistan. What I saw on that trip reinforced my conviction that only the Afghans have the right and responsibility to lead their country. And that more and endless American military force could not create or sustain a durable Afghan Government. I believed that our presence in Afghanistan should be focused on the reason we went in the first place: to ensure Afghanistan would not be used as a base from which to attack our homeland again. We did that, we accomplished that objective. I said, along with others, we would follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell if need be. That's exactly what we did. And we got him. It took us close to 10 years to put President Obama's commitment into form. And that's exactly what happened Osama bin Laden was gone. That was 10 years ago. Think about that. We delivered justice to Bin Laden a decade ago. And we've stayed in Afghanistan for a decade since. Since then, our reasons for remaining in Afghanistan have become increasingly unclear, even as the terrorist threat that we went to fight evolved. Over the past 20 years, the threat has become more dispersed, metastasizing around the globe. Al Shabaab in Somalia, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, on Al Nusra in Syria, ISIS attempting to create a caliphate in Syria and Iraq and establishing affiliates in multiple countries in Africa and Asia. With the terror threat now in many places, keeping 1000s of troops grounded and concentrated in just one country at a cost of billions each year makes little sense to me and our leaders. We cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan, hoping to create ideal conditions for the withdraw and expecting a different result. I'm now the fourth United States President to preside over American troop presence in Afghanistan: two Republicans, two Democrats. I will not pass this responsibility on to a fifth. After consulting closely with our allies and partners, with our military leaders and intelligence personnel, with our diplomats and our development experts, with the Congress and the Vice President, as well as with Mr. Ghani and many others around the world. I concluded that it's time to end America's longest war. It's time for American troops to come home. 5:01 President Biden: When I came to office, I inherited a diplomatic agreement, duly negotiated between the government of the United States and the Taliban, that all US forces would be out of Afghanistan by May 1 2021, just three months after my inauguration. That's what we inherited. That commitment is perhaps not what I would have negotiated myself, but it was an agreement made by the United States government. And that means something. So in keeping with that agreement, and with our national interest, the United States will begin our final withdrawal beginning on May 1 of this year. 8:11 President Biden: You all know that less than 1% of Americans serve in our Armed Forces. The remaining 99%, we owe them. We owe them. They've never backed down from a single mission that we've asked of them. I've witnessed their bravery firsthand during my visits to Afghanistan. They've never wavered in their resolve. They paid a tremendous price on our behalf and they have the thanks of a grateful nation. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) High-Risk List Center for Strategic and International Studies Transcript March 10, 2021 Speaker: John Sopko - Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction Sound Clips 7:40 John Sopko: But right now, that state is under threat. In the wake of the February 2020 withdrawal agreement, all is not well. Compromise appears in short supply on either side. Taliban attacks have actually increased since the agreement was signed. Assassination of prominent officials, activists, journalists, aid workers and others have also increased, including an unsuccessful attack on one of the female members of the peace negotiating team. And the Taliban offensive on Kandahar city last October, as peace negotiations were ongoing, may well have succeeded, were it not for U.S. air support. Peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban have achieved little for Afghanistan so far, and only time will tell as to whether the new Biden administration initiative will bear fruit. And the Afghan people's fears for its own government survival are exacerbated by the knowledge of how dependent their country is on foreign military and financial support. 12:56 John Sopko: Another equally serious threat to Afghanistan's stability has also largely been ignored as we focus on the boots on the ground in Afghanistan. And that is the provision of last year's U.S.-Taliban agreement that stipulates that in addition to the departure of U.S. and coalition troops, or non-diplomatic civilian personnel: private security contractors, trainers, advisors, and supporting service personnel also must leave the country by May 1. Should this come to passSIGAR and many others believe this may be more devastating to the effectiveness of the Afghan security forces than the withdrawal of our remaining troops. Why is that? Because the Afghan government relies heavily on these foreign contractors and trainers to function. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 there are over 18,000 Defense Department contractors in Afghanistan, including 6000 Americans, and 7,000 3rd country nationals, 40% of whom are responsible for logistics, maintenance, or training tasks. Now, it is well known that the Afghan security forces need these contractors to maintain their equipment, manage supply chains, and train their military and police to operate the advanced equipment that we have purchased for them. For example, as of December, the Afghan National Army was completing just under 20% of its own maintenance work orders, well below the goal of 80% that was set and the 51% that they did in 2018. So that's actually going down. The Afghan National Police were just as bad if not worse, undertaking only 12% of their own maintenance work against a target of 35% and less than the 16% that we reported in our 2019 high risk list. Additionally, and more troubling. The Department of Defense does train, advise and assist command air, or commonly called TAC air recently reported that since late 2019, they have reduced their personnel in Afghanistan by 94%, and that the military drawdown now requires near total use of contract support to maintain the Afghan Air fleet. They assess that quote “further drawdown in the associated closure basis will effectively end all in country aviation training contracts in Afghanistan.” Again, why is this significant? Why do we view this as a high risk? Namely because contractors currently provide 100% of the maintenance for the Afghan Air Force, UAE 60 helicopters and CE 130 cargo aircraft and a significant portion of Afghans Light Combat Support aircraft. TAC air this January gave a bleak assessment, namely, that no Afghan airframe can be sustained as combat effective for more than a few months in the absence of contractor support. 17:51 John Sopko: Continued funding for U.S. reconstruction programs aimed at promoting economic development, rule of law, respect for human rights, good governance and security for the Afghan people may be more significant, because it may be the primary lever left for the US and other donors to influence that country. It appears that even the Taliban understand Afghanistan's dire need for foreign assistance. Because, as one of the few commitments that the US had to make last year was, “to seek economic cooperation for reconstruction, with the new post settlement, Afghan Islamic government.” Now how much the donor community wishes to stay involved will of course depend on what that government looks like and how it behaves. Numerous officials, including then Secretary of State Pompeo and Ambassador Halley, have stated that the US will be able to advance its human rights goals, including the rights of women and girls with the Taliban by leveraging or conditioning this much needed financial assistance. But unfortunately, as SIGAR has long reported, even when conditionality involved only dealing with the Afghan government, donors do not have a stellar record of successfully utilizing that conditionality to influence Afghan behavior. 27:19 John Sopko: Today our report suggests the donor community should realize the Afghan government is focused on a single goal, its survival. Afghanistan is more dependent on international support than ever before. It may not be an overstatement that if foreign assistance is withdrawn and peace negotiations fail, Taliban forces could be at the gates of Kabul in short order. Hearing: A PATHWAY FOR PEACE IN AFGHANISTAN: EXAMINING THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE AFGHANISTAN STUDY GROUP House Committee on Oversight and Reform: Subcommittee on National Security February 19, 2021 Testimony was heard from the following Afghanistan Study Group officials: Kelly A. Ayotte, Co-Chair; News Corp Board of Directors since April 2017 BAE Systems Board of Directors since June 2017 Blackstone Board of Directors Boston Properties Board of Directors Caterpillar Board of Directors Board of Advisors at Cirtronics General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. (Retired), Co-Chair Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Obama and Trump presidencies. Lockheed Martin Board of Directors since February 2020 Nancy Lindborg, Co-Chair President and CEO of the David Lucile Packard Foundation Former President and CEO of the US Institute for Peace Former Assistant Administrator for the bureau for democracy conflict and humanitarian assistance at USAID During the mid-Obama years. Sound Clips 3:13 Rep. Stephen Lynch (MA): I'd also like to take a moment to thank the nonpartisan US Institute of Peace for the support and expertise they provided to the study group during the course of its work. 3:23 Rep. Stephen Lynch (MA): In the fiscal year 2020 omnibus bill Congress led by Senator Graham Senator Patrick Leahy and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee of state foreign ops and related programs. They tasked the independent and bipartisan Afghanistan study group to quote, consider the implications of a peace settlement or the failure to reach a settlement on US policy, resources and commitments in Afghanistan. After nearly nine months of review and consultation with current and former US and Afghan government officials, allies and partners and other key stakeholders, the Afghanistan study group issued its final report earlier this month. 15:12 Kelly Ayotte: We recommend that US troops remain beyond may 1. We believe a precipitous withdrawal of US and international troops in May, would be catastrophic for Afghanistan, leading to civil war, and allow the reconstitution of terror groups which threaten the United States within an 18 to 36 month period. 15:41 Kelly Ayotte: Let me be clear, although we recommend that our troops remain beyond may 1, we propose a new approach toward Afghanistan, which aligns our policies, practices and messaging across the United States government to support the Afghan peace process, rather than prosecute a war. Our troops would remain not to fight a forever war, but to guarantee the conditions for a successful peace process and to protect our national security interests to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a haven again, for terrorists who threaten the United States of America. 37:15 General Joseph F. Dunford: Do we need to increase forces if the Taliban don't accept an extension past the first of May, and if they then would re initiate attacks against US forces? and Chairman, we heard exactly what you heard. In the fall. What we were told by commanders on the ground in the department of fence was that 4500 US forces, in addition to the NATO forces that are there was the minimum level to address both the mission as well as protection of our forces in the context of the conditions that existed in the fall in as you've highlighted, those conditions have only gotten worse since the fall so in in our judgment 2500 would not be adequate. Should the Taliban re initiate attacks against the United States Hearing: Examining the Trump Administration's Afghanistan Strategy House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Subcommittee on National Security January 28, 2020 Witness: John Sopko - Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) Sound Clips 48:54 John Sopko: We've almost created a system that forces people in the government to give happy talk success stories because they're over there on very short rotations. They want to show success. The whole system is almost geared to give you, and it goes up the chain of command, all the way to the President sometimes. He gets bad information from people out in the field because somebody on a nine month rotation, he has to show success, and that goes up. 54:24 John Sopko: Maybe incentivize honesty. And one of the proposals I gave at that time,be cause I was asked by the staff to come up with proposals, is put the same requirement on the government that we impose on publicly traded corporations. Publicly traded corporations have to tell the truth. Otherwise the SEC will indict the people involved. They have to report when there's a significant event. So put that onus, call it The Truth in Government Act if you want, that you in the administration are duty bound by statute to alert Congress to significant events that could directly negatively impact a program or process. So incentivize honesty. 1:10:25 John Sopko: Over 70% of the Afghan budget comes from the United States and the donors. If that money ended, I have said before and I will stand by it, then the Afghan government will probably collapse. Wartime Contracting Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs September 21, 2011 Witnesses: Charles Tiefer: Commissioner on the Commission on Wartime Contracting Clark Kent Ervin: Commissioner on the Commission on Wartime Contracting Sound Clips 1:11:30 Charles Tiefer: Our private security in Afghanistan appears to be a major source of payoffs to the Taliban. Our report has the first official statement that it's the second-largest source of money for the Taliban. Sen. Carl Levin: After drugs. Charles Tiefer: After drugs, that's right. 1:25:18 Clark Kent Ervin: It's critical that the government have a choice, and that means that there needs to be at least a small and expandable, organic capacity on the part of these three agencies to perform missions themselves, so the next time there's a contingency, the government has a choice between going with contractors and going in-house and the determination can be made whether it's more effective to do it either way, whether it's cheaper to do it either way. As we said at the inception, right now the government doesn't have an option. Contractors are the default option because they're the only option. President George W. Bush announces U.S. Military Strikes on Afghanistan October 7, 2001 President George W. Bush: Good afternoon. On my orders, the United States military has begun strikes against Al-Qaeda terrorist training camps and military installations of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. These carefully targeted actions are designed to disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations and to attack the military capability of the Taliban regime. More than two weeks ago, I gave Taliban leaders a series of clear and specific demands: close terrorist training camps, hand over leaders of the Al-Qaeda network, and return all foreign nationals including American citizens unjustly detained in your country. None of these demands were met and now the Taliban will pay a price by destroying camps and disrupting communications. We will make it more difficult for the terror network to train new recruits and coordinate their evil plans. ** International Campaign Against Terrorism Senate Foreign Relations Committee October 25, 2001 Witness: Colin Powell: Secretary of State Sound Clip 27:00 Colin Powell: Our work in Afghanistan though, is not just of a military nature. We recognize that when the Al Qaeda organization has been destroyed in Afghanistan, and as we continue to try to destroy it in all the nations in which it exists around the world, and when the Taliban regime has gone to its final reward, we need to put in place a new government in Afghanistan, one that represents all the people of Afghanistan and one that is not dominated by any single powerful neighbor, but instead is dominated by the will of the people of Afghanistan. Executive Producer Recommendations Elect Stephanie Gallardo 2022 Krystal Kyle and Friends. August 21, 2021. “Episode 35 Audio with Matthew Hoh.” Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)

Retired Marine Lt. Colonel Robert Darling joins Tim to tell his story of what it was like in the White House bunker on 9/11, where the vice president and other administration officials gathered intel and made decisions minute by minute. Some of those decisions were not only life and death, but historically, never had to be made before. Robert gives an insider's story on how the nation's leadership responded to the most severe attack on America's homeland since the Civil War.  This episode is part of our special series, "9/11: A Generation Removed." https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shapingopinion/Inside_the_White_House_Bunker_at_20.mp3 As much as has been reported over the years about what happened on September 11th, 2001, outside of some of the leaders involved, you rarely get the chance to hear the story from an insider – someone who was both a participant and a witness to history, in that context. That's what you get when you hear the story of now retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Darling. Bob was a military liaison officer to the President. He was primarily responsible for planning air travel logistics for the President, the Vice President and the First Family. He was a pilot of Marine One, the helicopter that carries the President. He was a combat-hardened former Marine Cobra helicopter pilot. On September 11th, he found himself in direct support to Vice President Dick Cheney, the National Security Advisor, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, and others in the administration and in the nation's leadership apparatus. He was a critical communications link between those in the White House bunker and the chain of command outside of the bunker in national security, at the Pentagon, transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, world leaders and others. When the terrorist attacks happened, the President was in Florida. The vice president was on site in the White House, along with other senior members of the administration. In the years before September 11th, much prepared him for what he'd see, what he'd hear and what he would have to do on that day. But as we find out, everyone who was with him in the White House bunker that day brought with them their own special histories and experiences that uniquely prepared them for the roles each would play, to make decisions that would affect the safety of millions and influence the future of the country they served. Links Robert J. Darling (website) 24 Hours Inside the White House Bunker, by Robert J. Darling (Barnes & Noble) Inside the White House Bunker on 9/11, West Point Center for Oral History About 9/11: A Generation Removed On September 11, 2021, America will mark the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the country that happened on September 11, 2001. In remembrance of the event, the Shaping Opinion podcast will release a series of nine distinct episodes centered on the 9/11 attacks, starting on Friday, September 3rd and culminating on the 20th Anniversary, September 11, 2021.  The series, entitled, “9/11: A Generation Removed,” will feature six new and original episodes for 2021, and three encore episodes, all based on the personal experiences of guests and stories of people who were there in New York, in Washington, D.C., and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. About this Episode's Guest Robert J. Darling Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Darling retired from the United States Marine Corps with just over twenty years of active duty service in October 2007. He flew Cobra attack helicopters in Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the first Gulf War and in Somalia, Africa in support of Operation Restore Hope. In June 1998, he was selected to fly as a presidential pilot with Marine Helicopter Squadron One and in October 2000, he was selected to work for The White House Military Office, Airlift Operations Department. It was in that capacity that, then Major Darling supported the President,

Lamu, once a bustling gateway to the Indian Ocean, has seen its fortunes decline in recent decades, not least because of its position near the border with Somalia, and the threat from militants. But earlier this year a new deep sea port was opened, which, the Kenyan government hopes, will make Lamu a commercial superstar once more. Vivienne Nunis takes a tour of the port with Dolly Okanga from Kenya Ports Authority. We also speak to Famao Shukry about a special kind of sea turtle in the area, and from Atwaa Salim from the Lamu Marine Conservation trust, who explains why the area's mangroves are so significant to the economy and the environment. Picture: Dolly Okanga from the Kenyan Ports Authority. Credit: Vivienne Nunis / BBC

Select interviews from the Dan Bongino Radio Show from the past couple of weeks. Dan interviews Gen. Jerry Boykin, who was involved with the Black Hawk Down incident in Somalia. They discussed the terrible tactics in our pullout of Afghanistan. Dan talks with former Navy Seal Jocko Willink about leaving Americans behind in Afghanistan and the lack of accountability from leadership. Finally Dan talks with Pennsylvania Senate Candidate and former Infantry Captain who served in Afghanistan, about the botched withdrawal from that country and what we can expect to happen in the coming years. 

Air Date 9/4/2021 Today we take a look at the slow motion disaster that is the worldwide refugee crisis. We start with the recent focus on Afghan refugees fleeing their country in the wake of America's 20-year war before expanding the view to American and European policies toward asylum-seekers from around the world. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com  Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) BestOfTheLeft.com/Refer Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy! OUR AFFILIATE LINKS: BestOfTheLeft.com/Descript CHECK OUT OUR FANCY PRODUCTION SOFTWARE! BestOfTheLeft.com/Advertise Sponsor the show! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Advocates Call on Biden Admin to Move Faster on Resettling Afghan Refugees - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-18-21 President Joe Biden has allocated $500 million in new funds for relocating Afghan refugees following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. The U.S. had already vowed to help evacuate over 80,000 Afghan civilians Ch. 2: “This Is What America Looks Like”: Ilhan Omar on Her Refugee Journey from Mogadishu to Minneapolis - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-5-21 We speak with Minnesota Congressmember Ilhan Omar about her memoir “This Is What America Looks Like,” the Biden administration's recent airstrikes in her birth country of Somalia and why the U.S. must remain a country of refuge for people fleeing war Ch. 3: ‘Desperation And Frustration': Rep. Omar Reacts To The Biden Refugee Cap - All In - Air Date 4-19-21 “It's with desperation and frustration that we are speaking out against the Biden administration in their backtracking on this. We do applaud them for changing course, and we just want to make sure they follow through with clear communication.” Ch. 4: Why seeking asylum in America is so difficult - Vox - Air Date 7-12-18 America has led the world in refugee resettlement for 15 years, but asylum cases have pushed political tempers to a tipping point. Ch. 5: Green Thinking: Climate and Refugees - Arts & Ideas - 6-15-21 What role do museums and heritage organisations have to play in the climate emergency? How do we stop cultural and historical landmarks from falling into the sea, or is it time to learn to say goodbye? Ch. 6: This is the worlds deadliest border - Vox - Air Date 5-14-15 Nearly 2,000 migrants have perished in the Mediterranean so far this year. Vox's Dara Lind explains why. Ch. 7: Death toll surges as migrants try to reach Europe - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 11-27-20 There's been a surge in the numbers of people drowning in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean as migrants from Africa try to reach Europe. Activist groups are blaming European Union policies for their deaths. Ch. 8: Understanding the Refugee Crisis in Europe Syria and around the World - vlogbrothers - Air Date 9-18-15 In which John Green discusses the Syrian refugee crisis and the growing number of refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and Eritrea crossing the sea with the help of smugglers to seek refuge in European Union nations. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 9: Red State Refugees - The Documentary Podcast - Air Date 8-25-20 President Trump has dramatically reduced the numbers of refugees arriving in the United States, vowing to protect native-born Americans' interests. But there's a catch - some of the nation's reddest communities may not survive without them. Ch. 10: The Cycles of Trauma for Vietnamese Americans - In The Thick - Air Date 7-23-19 More than forty years after the Vietnam war, Vietnamese refugees are being deported under Trump's immigration policies. VOICEMAILS Ch. 11: New listener - Mike from Texas Ch. 12: Misplaced focus on Manchin - Dan from Greenville, SC FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 13: Final comments on theories of change whether you want them or not MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions) Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Photo: Dr Gino Strada, 2010             In 1988, Gino Strada began to work as a surgeon with the International Committee of the Red Cross in various conflict zones, including Pakistan, Ethiopia, Peru, Afghanistan, Thailand, Djibouti, Somalia and Bosnia.            In 1994, along with his wife and a group of colleagues, Strada founded Emergency, a medical humanitarian organisation based in Milan. Since then, Emergency has treated millions of patients around the world. Strada's first project under the flag of Emergency was based in Rwanda during the Rwandan genocide in 1994, and he followed this up by launching projects in Iraq, Cambodia, Eritrea and Afghanistan.            Strada's main focus throughout his career was to help victims of war, including direct casualties of conflict and also those who, as a result of war, had no access to healthcare leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases. CBS Eyes on the World with John Batchelor CBS Audio Network @Batchelorshow Italy in Afghanistan and in memory of Dr. Gino Strada.  Lorenzo Fiori, Anslado Foundation, Genoa Italy  https://emergencyuk.org/2021/08/gino-strada-1948-2021-the-new-york-times-obituary/ ..  ..  .. Permissions: Gino Strada, 10 Settembre 2010, Mandela Forum, 9° Incontro nazionale di Emergency, Firenze Date | 10 September 2010, 21:38       Source | Gino Strada #3 Author | Matteo Masolini       This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.  You are free: to share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work to remix – to adapt the work Under the following conditions: attribution – You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.

Today's guest on Danger Close is a women's rights activist, free speech advocate and New York Times bestselling author of Infidel, The Caged Virgin, Nomad, Heretic, The Challenge of Dawa, and Prey who is unafraid to tackle some of the world's most pressing issues.  Ayaan was born in Somalia and grew up in Africa and the Middle East before seeking asylum in the Netherlands where she served as a member of the Dutch Parliament. She was working with Theo van Gogh on a film titled SUBMISSION when he was murdered by an Islamic extremist with terrorist ties who took issue with the film's portrayal of Islam. After shooting Van Gogh multiple times he used a butcher knife and sawed into Van Gogh's throat before stabbing a letter into the filmmaker's chest. That letter was addressed to Ayaan Hirsi Ali. She was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2005, one of the Glamour Heroes of 2005, and Reader's Digest's European of the Year. Today, Ayaan continues her fight as a human rights activist as the founder of the AHA Foundation, an organization fighting for the rights of women around the globe. She is a fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, an Adjunct Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, and a Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University Ayaan's latest book, Prey: Immigration, Islam, and the Erosion of Women's Rights is on shelves now. She also hosts The Ayaan Hirsi Ali Podcast. You can follow Ayaan on Twitter @Ayaan and learn more about her work at ayaanhirsiali.com. Presented by SIG Sauer. Featured Gear:  The Vickers Guide Library  This week's “Featured Gear” is brought to you by Schnee's Boots. For 10% off your first pair go to  Schnees.com and be sure to use promo code JACK21.