Monthly Archives: July 2020

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Many Western countries support the idea of backing the YPG/PKK in Syria but Turkish officials reject aiding a terror group to beat another, ISIS/Daesh.

A recent report released by the Turkish National Police Academy warned that countries of origin might face serious security challenges once foreign fighters in Syria return home.

The YPG is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK terror group that has the blood of tens of thousands of Turkish citizens on its hands.

But warnings by Ankara have fallen on deaf ears and the YPG continues to recruit more and more foreign fighters.

The report written by academics Murat Tinas and Ahmet Demirden cautioned the international community against the possible tragic outcomes of the return of these foreign fighters.

Anti-racist demonstrations in the US following the death of an unarmed Black man George Floyd under police custody in the US in May, and related violent incidents could serve as a wake-up call for Western countries as citizens of some of them went to Syria to fight for the YPG, including affiliates of Antifa, a far-left group with sympathizers across the globe.

US President Donald Trump said on May 31 that Antifa would be designated a terror group after he accused it of inciting protesters who fueled violent confrontations between police and demonstrators.

Whether the presidents argument is true or not, there is an overt fact: Affiliates of far-left and right organizations have a presence in the Syrian conflict and they might pose a serious threat to national security systems once they return home with combat experience and traumatic disorders.

The 54-page report -- titled Foreign Terrorist Fighters in PKK/YPG in Syria: Violent Extremism Backfires -- shed light on how foreign fighters recruited by the terror group could cause significant backlash when they return home.

It said Trump's statement might sound like something new to Western audience but Middle East observers are not alien to the possible threat growing out of the return of foreign fighters.

According to the report, the PKK and its affiliates in Syria have recruited many individuals of far-left organizations, including Antifa groups operating in European countries along with the US, Canada and Australia.

"Some Antifa adherents have ideological similarities to the PKK and its offshoots in Syria -- PYD, YPG and YPJ. Since the rise of terrorist organization Daesh [ISIS] in Syria, there have been reports that many far-leftists including Antifa elements joined the YPG as foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs). Especially under the protection of the international coalition assisting the YPG on the pretext of fighting Daesh, these FTFs received significant training and combat experience in the conflict zone," it stated.

When the flow of FTFs was reversed and they became returnees in their home countries, the risk they pose also became more visible.

Regardless of their ideology or the groups they join, they can plan, direct or conduct terrorist attacks, create new terrorist organizations, radicalize and recruit new terrorists, according the report.

Potential to cause mass casualties due to actual combat experience

FTFs gain first-person combat experience and might witness a killing or themselves kill others amid clashes, according to the report.

And they may suffer severe traumatic conditions that pave the way for further radicalization in their cause, constituting a great risk for native countries.

Their numbers, combat experience and the offences that they commit in the war zone all remain mostly unknown; and therefore unmonitored.

In this regard, the potential risk that they pose to their countries of origin upon their return requires considerable attention, the report stated.

"The threat perception related to returnees is very high. Indeed, the involvement of returnees in terrorist attacks in their home countries is interestingly limited in numbers, yet even a small number of returnees have the potential to cause mass casualties because they have actual combat experience," it added.

One might assume the YPG/PKK terror group appeals only to far-leftist militants given the fact its ideology revolves around radical left perspective.

But the report argues that it is far from the truth as the YPG/PKK also recruits militants with far-right ideology by using persecution of Christians and other minorities by the Daesh/ISIS terror group as a pretext.

They utilize different narratives based on their ideologies, for instance, far-left terror groups create anti-fascist narratives whereas far-right groups craft anti-communist narratives, the report noted, adding the two groups could build unexpected allegiances and exploit the same tragic public event to promote their narratives, referring to the death of Floyd as a possible example.

The authors argued the foreign fighters presence in Syria did not just come out of the blue as international media outlets and states glorified the YPG/PKK fight against Daesh/ISIS, while ignoring the fact that its branch in Turkey is an internationally recognized terror organization.

Also, the PKK terror group can freely have a presence on social media and appeal to foreigners for further recruitment while depicting itself as freedom fighters in an attempt to justify their acts of terrorism.

"Another important factor for foreigners in the YPG is the glorification of YPG militancy in international media.

The act of volunteering with the YPG was not only perceived as harmless in international media but also framed as an act of bravery for various political reasons," it added.

The PKK has been prosecuting a terror campaign in Turkey for more than three decades and is responsible for the killing of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

It is designated a terror group by Turkey, the US and EU, however, the global community apparently does not adopt the same attitude toward the YPG which enjoyed support from the international coalition during the Syrian civil war.

The YPG/PKK today controls vast swathes of territories in northern Syria and controls a significant amount of oil fields.

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Antifa, YPG/PKK ties threaten national peace in West - Anadolu Agency

Union soldier reenactors of the 156th Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary impart their historical knowledge on Friday. The Evening Sun

Rumors of potential violence and discord -- flag burning, desecration of statues,counter-protests -- in Gettysburg on July 4 have been rampant on social media in recent weeks.

Here's what we know heading into the holiday weekend:

Left Behind USA was started on June 2, 2020, and created an event calling for a peaceful flag burning to resist police in Gettysburg on July 4.

The page and event were visible to the public throughJune 24.However, onJune 25, a message from Facebook appeared,stating that the content wasn't available and that "the link may have expired, or the page may only be visible to an audience that you aren't in."

The event had called for supporters to show up to the National Cemetery to protest police violence against unarmed black civilians and claimed that the U.S. flag, Confederate flag and Blue Lives Matter flagwould be burned. The post also stated that supporters would be legally armed and offered face-painting for children.

Many who shared the event on Facebook attributed it to Antifa members.

More: Facebook page behind 'flag burning' taken down; no permit for Gettysburg event

More: Gettysburg National Military Park provides free virtual battle tours

18. State of Maryland monument was dedicated in 1994 and depicts two wounded Marylanders, one Union and one Confederate, helping each other on the battlefield. A list the Maryland commands of both armies that fought at Gettysburg is presented on a tablet on the back of the monument. Location: Along Cyclorama Drive directly off of Taneytown Road. 39.816397, -77.232416(Photo: Dan Rainville, The Evening Sun)

A representative from Central PA Antifa denied involvement in the flag burning event.

Its a right wing hoax like last time (in 2017)," the group wrote in an email on July 1. "For whatever reason, they like to stir each other up for no reason. Everyone is looking for a war I guess. Last time, they shot themselves. Hopefully that happens again.

"We are not even remotely involved. Let them give each other COVID. We will be home with our families.

2017: Shippensburg man accidentally shoots himself in leg at Gettysburg National Military Park

2017: Gettysburg National Military Park remains calm despite protests

In response to the flag burning event and the subsequent social media furor around it, Gettysburg Borough Police Chief Robert Glenny Jr. issued the following statement:

We want to assure those we serve that we are taking all precautions at our disposal to maintain the safety of all residents and visitors to the area as well as the protection of property to include businesses, homes, monuments, churches and other historical treasures located in the greater Gettysburg area."

A statement on the Gettysburg National Military Park website indicatesstaff "continue to maintain open and frequent communications with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to stay up-to-date on the latest intelligence."

More recently, a lengthy post on Facebook indicated that Gettysburg police had confirmed an "Antifa plan" for July 4. Police wrote in another Facebook post that this was not true.

"This and similar posts are being analyzed by various intelligence sections in the law enforcement community.We asked that folks remain vigilant. Please contact the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in your area to report any suspicious activity or things you feel are out of place."

More: Trump vows to issue executive order protecting statues, says it would 'reinforce' current law

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Park officials have received twopermit applications for July 4. Both are for groups of five to sixpeople, according to Jason Martz, the public affairs officer forGettysburg National Military Park.

One application is fora table to hand out literature on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The other group will be talking about the history of slavery. Both groups will have space set up in a field on what wasGen. Meade's headquarters on Taneytown Road, south of the National Cemetery.

More: Gettysburg park officials: Confederate monuments here to stay

More: Do Confederate monuments on the Gettysburg battlefield deserve scrutiny?

The National Guard has been activated to guard statues in D.C. and other cities, but Martz was not aware of that happening in Gettysburg this weekend.

Several requests were not answered, asking for comment fromthe White House and Department of Homeland Security.

Destination Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority will host Fourth of July Community Fireworksat 9:20 p.m. July 4at the Gettysburg Area Recreation Park onBreckenridge Street.

Those attending must wear masks and socially distance. Viewing the show is free, but onsite parking will be available for $2 per car.They will also be live-streaming the show on theDestination Gettysburg Facebook page.

Evening Sun photographer Dan Rainville contributed to this report.

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Gettysburg on July 4th: What we know about flag burning protest and Antifa rumors - The Evening Sun

America has always had enemies. In WW II it was Germany and Japan. In the 1950s it was North Korea. Then came the Cold War and the threat of the Soviet Union. Those enemies declared that they were our foes. Today however, our enemies are not overseas looking to invade, they are in our midst attempting to destroy us from within. Two of the main groups are BLM and Antifa. Both state their intentions openly. BLM: We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure ... We are a collective of liberators ... who believe we must move beyond the narrow Nationalism that is all too prevalent in Black communities. One of the co-founders of BLM recently said: We actually do have an ideological frame. Myself and Alicia are particularly trained organizers we are trained Marxists. Likewise, Antifa is a serious threat to our way of life. Antifa is a political movement that aims to achieve their objectives through the use of both nonviolent and violent direct action rather than through policy reform. This may involve property damage, physical violence and harassment ... Members hold anti-authoritarian and anti-capitalist views, subscribing to a range of left-wing ideologies such as Anarchism, Communism, Marxism and Socialism. (Wikipedia)

Scott Crow (former Antifa organizer) says, We go where they (right-wingers) go. We go to cause conflict ... We believe that property destruction does not equate to violence. According to the LA Times, they have engaged in mob violence, attacking a small showing of supporters of President Trump and others they accused, sometimes inaccurately, of being White Supremacists or Nazis. A noble cause (ending racism) is being used as a cover by these groups to destroy our nation. Wake up people!

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Your View: BLM and Antifa are enemies of the US attacking from within - Bristol Herald Courier

Antifa is a fanatical and increasingly violent form of fascism growing on the streets of our country. Civil debate and free speech are out. Power on the streets is in. If that scares you, the fact that our countrys political, corporate and media leaders seem to be OK with this mob violence should scare you even more.

The spark that ignited our current unrest was the brutal murder of George Floyd by police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, all caught on video. President Donald Trump, for all his skills, is unable to effectively lead at a time like this, especially on a sensitive issue like race. His talks have veered from awkward to unhelpful.

The pandemic and the subsequent spike in unemployment have left millions of young Americans with too much time on their hands and too little hope for economic advancement. As for Democrats and the media, they are all too happy to sow chaos in an election year if they think it may lead to Trumps removal. Big companies are, as usual, hoping to stay out of the fire and are willing to pay up to stay in the good graces of the left. And further left groups, like Antifa, are waiting in the wings to cause destruction at any opportunity.

Given all these dynamics at play, peaceful protests over the injustice of George Floyds murder have often turned to violence on our streets. Seattle currently contains an Antifa-run autonomous zone. Mobs are tearing down historic statues and lighting fires in cities across the country with complete impunity. Law enforcement officers the vast majority of whom are good people trying to do a difficult job manning the streets are under attack, and some have even been shot.

From the streets of D.C., Seattle and other cities, our Daily Caller reporters have covered the unrest better than anyone else Im aware of. In return for our reporters bravery on the front lines, not staying behind the police barricades as many other reporters chose to do, they got a firsthand look at what has been happening. They did not go in hoping to defend the protests at all costs, even as they turned violent, as many in the liberal media did. They also did not go in searching for any small example of violence to paint a peaceful protest as a riot as some on the right tried to do.

Our reporters paint a complicated picture. Initially, most protestors were peaceful, and many of them even tried to stop crimes and acts of violence as they began to develop. Our reporters told many of their stories. Often, things would get worse later at night. Burning buildings, looting and attacking police were all commonplace. Our reporters were not afraid to tell these stories as well.

In return for going in bravely and telling the truth, our reporters have been threatened, chased and even attacked. One protestor justified this by saying, You cant record us; its against our code. Not surprisingly, the press freedom groups, normally trigger-happy with any perceived slight against the press corps, remained largely silent as young journalists doing fair reporting were attacked.

The statue toppling started with Confederate monuments. Ive never understood Confederate monuments. Losers dont get to build monuments; winners do. And why build monuments to the greatest effort we have ever had to tear apart this great country? If I feel this way, I find it hard to imagine how Black Americans must feel about these monuments or the Confederate flag.

We have racists in our country. Every country and every race of people include racists. But America in 2020 is not a fundamentally and institutionally racist country. Monuments to Confederate leaders and flying the Confederate flag even still including it within the Mississippi state flag all make it harder to defend this argument. Many of these monuments were erected 100 years after the Civil War as a thumb in the eye to Civil Rights-era reforms. Some of these materials belong in museums for historic purposes, but I do not shed any tears about these statues coming down.

But the toppling hasnt stopped at Confederate monuments. Memorials to Americas Founding Fathers are also being destroyed. Even memorials to our young heroes from World War II the so-called greatest generation, who saved our country from the Nazis, the Imperial Japanese and later the Communists have been defaced and desecrated. Police officers have been killed, some in brutal, point-blank attacks.

Trump seems to be sliding in the polls. His response to the pandemic was uneven. His response to the protests, and later the riots, has been worse. And now, the ultimate irony, the left may be doing Trump the greatest favor of his entire presidency. Americans dont want our monuments shattered. Americans dont want our cities burned. We dont want anarchy. We dont want to defund our police departments. The never-Trump crowd should pay attention. All this may, in the end, lead to a second Trump term. It may even be the only thing that can.

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The Trump campaign and Antifa | Opinion | journal-spectator.com - Wharton Journal Spectator

When the Seattle police were finally allowed to do their job, the delusional criminals that called themselves the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) in Seattle, for all their bluster, folded like a tent. Under U.S. law, no group may establish an autonomous zone, declare itself a separate country or secede from the Union. (We fought the Civil War over that.) The Chazians had no right to trespass on or appropriate private or public property. Jenny Durkan, Seattles flower-child mayor, who called this dangerous, illegal farce a summer of love, ordered the police to stand down in dereliction of her duty for almost a month. Only after shootings that took the life of a 19-year-old Black man over the weekend and a 16-year-old Black boy on Monday, did Durkan wake up to reality and unleash the cops.

Raz Simone, a radical left-wing rapper and would-be Idi Amin, declared himself the Warlord-in-Chief of CHAZtopia, and issued a long list of unconditional demands: The Seattle Police Department and attached court system are beyond reform. We do not request reform, he declared, We demand abolitionThat means 100% of funding, including existing pensions for Seattle police. That was just for starters.

He also demanded a ban on the use of force by police to dislodge CHAZ, the destruction of the prison system, socialized health care and medicine for Seattle, citizenship for illegal immigrants and free college and public housing. (Sounds like he was channeling Bernie Sanders and AOC.) But Simone had no standing to demand anything.

Of course, Seattle was expected to pay for all this since CHAZtopia had no money. And what would Simone have done if his demands werent met? Declare war on Seattle? Burn his 6-square-block domain to the ground along with its inhabitants?

Domestic terrorists such as Simone and Antifa arent receptive to negotiation or reason. Theyre delusional revolutionaries who seek power and social upheaval with no practical replacement. Give them an inch and theyll take a mile. Appeasement of domestic terrorists, vandals and looters only encourages more of that, as weve seen in Seattle.

Regarding Antifa, shorthand for anti-fascist, its very name is a fraud. These are self-declared anarchists with no interest in pluralistic democracy. Antifas alignment with socialists directly contradicts its commitment to anarchy, which is the absence of government, whereas socialism is the embodiment of all-powerful government dominating peoples lives. For Antifa, this is a temporary marriage of convenience. The burgeoning socialist revolution in this country is where the action is, and thats what Antifa wants to exploit. It has no interest in the welfare state; it just revels in violent turmoil. While its credo of brutality is reminiscent of Hitlers Brownshirts and Mussolinis Blackshirts, thats a matter of tactics, not ideology.

Fascism, Nazism and communism are variations of the politics of the left. Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin were cut from the same cloth. In Nazi Germany, Hitler followed Mussolinis fascist model in Italy after World War I. Hitler was a national socialist (hence, the abbreviation Nazi) as compared to Marx and Lenin who were international socialists dedicated to the spread of this ideology worldwide. In the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, that ideology predictably evolved into a totalitarian dictatorship.

Safires Political Dictionary traces the root of the term fascism, to fascio, the Italian word for bundle or group. The McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Modern Economics defines it as A totalitarian, collective system of government in which central control is exercised over all economic, political and social activitiesentirely eliminating individualism and regarding the state as the highest expression of the will of the group...Private ownership of production is maintained, but extreme restrictions are imposed on private economic freedoms. Decisions on production, investment, prices and wages are all subject to arbitrary government control. This is what conservatives want less of in this country and its precisely what the left wants more of.

The intrusiveness and intolerance of fascist governments are essential parts of the vision of progressive Democrats and outright socialists such as Bernie Sanders and his ideological spawn AOC. The ruthless suppression of free speech subjectively deemed politically incorrect by radical left-wing students on college campuses, enforced by feckless college administrators who deny due process to those accused is fascism in action.

Its laughable when callow left-wing students, with scant understanding of the term fascism and its pedigree, hurl it at conservatives, when its their side thats better defined by that label. They wield the term as a meaningless slur, with the intellectual depth of a 4-year old calling another kid a doo-doo head.

Mike Rosen is an American radio personality and political commentator.

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COLUMN: In the zone: CHAZ, Antifa and fascists - Colorado Springs Gazette