Files Seized From Bin Laden's Home When He Was Killed Reveals A Close Relationship With The Taliban Leadership

Bin Laden Files Show al-Qaida And Taliban Leaders In Close Contact -- The Guardian

Blow to Afghan peace hopes as documents reveal Bin Laden, Zawahiri and Omar discussed joint operations against Nato.

Documents found in the house where Osama bin Laden was killed a year ago show a close working relationship between top al-Qaida leaders and Mullah Omar, the overall commander of the Taliban, including frequent discussions of joint operations against Nato forces in Afghanistan, the Afghan government and targets in Pakistan.

The communications show a three-way conversation between Bin Laden, his then deputy Ayman Zawahiri and Omar, who is believed to have been in Pakistan since fleeing Afghanistan after the collapse of his regime in 2001.

Read more ....

My Comment: When I first learned that the Taliban and their leadership were adamant in not giving up Bin Laden to US authorities right after 9/11 .... even when threatened with all-out war .... was a clear sign to me that the Taliban leadership and Al Qaeda had a tight alliance. The fact that this relationship is still continuing should not be a surprise.

Editor's Note

Taking some badly needed R&R today. Regular blogging will return later this evening.

Update 23:30 EST: Everyone needs a day off .... for me that day was today. Regular blogging will return early Monday morning.

Russian Ka-52 Alligator Attack Helicopters

Russian Ka-52 Alligator co-axial side by side two-seat attack attack helicopters at the Russian Air Force air base of Chernihiv.

World News Briefs -- April 29, 2012

Syrian Death Toll Climbs; Ships with Weapons Intercepted -- Voice of America

The Syrian government and opposition activists traded accusations of violence on Saturday, as a handful of U.N. monitors spread out across the country to assess compliance with a fragile cease-fire.

Rights groups say Syrian forces killed at least 10 people during raids in the Damascus area. Activists also say clashes between government and opposition forces erupted in the Latakia region.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

UN Syria observers visit Homs neighborhood. Gunmen hit Syrian army from sea, Moscow slams rebels.

Iran hopes nuclear dispute will be settled at Baghdad meeting.

Iran lawmaker: Fighters in UAE are US-Israeli plot.

Saudi envoy leaves Egypt in dispute over arrest.

Netanyahu may call elections amid military service dispute.

ASIA

Satellite photos show preparations for new North Korea nuclear test.

Supporters of fugitive Chinese dissident face retribution. Analysis: Dissident's case poses diplomatic test for U.S. and China.

Security issues expected to top Obama-Noda meeting.

Kazakhstan warns about 'evil' foreign reporters.

Huge rally raises question on Malaysia poll timing.

Captive British aid worker killed in Pakistan.

Australia: Julia Gillard's government on brink as party has less MPs than Opposition.

AFRICA

South Sudan ready to pull out of disputed Abyei, but accuses North of reneging on truce. South Sudan says to quit border zone, seeks end to clashes.

Witnesses say 15 killed in Nigerian church attack. Nigeria Christian worshipers attacked in northern Kano State.

Kenya grenade attack kills at least 1, injures more than a dozen in Nairobi church.

Eritrea President Isaias Afewerki goes on TV to dispel health rumours.

Mali coup leader rejects Ecowas troop deployment.

EUROPE

Spanish unemployment hits record.

France President Nicolas Sarkozy snaps at Strauss-Kahn.

Large van bomb defused on Northern Ireland border.

Greece tries to crack down on fraud as mayor of Zakynthos faces revolt.

Former prime minister Geir Haarde of Iceland says he did not cause financial chaos.

Pirates Party's rapid rise upsets German landscape.

AMERICAS

Argentina: YPF vows to deliver gas as Repsol cancels deliveries.

Four killed in Colombia rebel attack. French journalist goes missing during fighting with Farc in Colombia.

Trial of 'The Turk', one of the world's top drug lords, threatens to expose Chavez regime's involvement in cocaine trafficking.

Bolivians start second 'long march' against road plan.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

'We're on a path to al Qaeda's destruction,' U.S. counterterorrism adviser says.

US missiles kill 2 in NW Pakistan. Drone strike kills four suspected militants in Pakistan.

Missiles stationed on residential roof for Olympics.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

F1 flotation boosted by £4.4bn ‘guarantee’.

Geithner: U.S. can withstand any Europe stresses.

Exclusive: AAOIFI in wide review of Islamic finance standards.

Iran Responds To U.S. F-22 Deployment Near Their Border

Fighter: A number of F-22s have been deployed to a base in Abu Dhabi

Iran Slams Deployment Of U.S. F-22 Raptors In UAE: Lawmaker -- Xinhuanet

TEHRAN, April 29 (Xinhua) -- A senior Iranian lawmaker slammed the recent deployment of the U.S. F-22 Raptors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the semi-official ISNA news agency reported on Sunday.

The Rapporteur of Iranian Majlis (Parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Kazem Jalali said that stockpiling weapons would threaten stability in the region.

Jalali made the remarks referring to the recent media reports that the U.S. recently deployed its F-22 Raptors at the UAE Al Dafra Air Base.

Read more ....

Update #1: Iran lawmaker: Stealth fighter deployment to UAE is US-Israeli plot to create instability -- Washington Post/AP
Update #2: Iran: F-22s in UAE are US-Israeli Plot -- Arutz Sheva
Update #3: Deploying jets US-Israeli plot to destabilize region: Iran MP -- Press TV

Previous Post: U.S. Deploys F-22 Stealth Fighters Near Iranian Border

My Comment: If the Americans wanted to give a signal to Iran .... deployment of their F-22s near their border is a clear sign. What will be an even bigger signal is publicizing B-2 deployment numbers at Diego Garcia .... which is something that I think will actually be publicized to add even more pressure in the next few weeks.

Iran Preparing To Cut Internet Access To Rest Of World

Iran Planning To Cut Internet Access To Rest Of World -- The Telegraph

Iran is drawing up plans to cut off its internet users from the rest of the world with a so-called Halal or "clean" internet.

Iranians are already used to censors blocking Facebook, Gmail and foreign news sites, and being spied on with surveillance software purchased from Western companies.

But the ambitious plans would go much further, blocking access to foreign-based social media sites and email. Instead, there will be an Iranian version of Facebook and a new email service, to be called Iran Mail. Users will have to register their home address and social security number with police.

Read more ....

My Comment: It's hard to contemplate living in what is essentially a modern religious dictatorship .... but that's the life for all Iranians.

Documentary Explores The Perils For Iraqi Translators Who Helped The U.S.

Film Highlights Perils Faced By Iraqis Who Helped U.S. -- Radio Free Europe

NEW YORK -- There are more than 3,000 names on Kirk Johnson's list -- a list that has brought him incredible joy but which has also taken an emotional toll.

The names are of Iraqis who worked alongside Americans as translators and advisers during the more than eight-year-long Iraq war and who now fear for their lives and their families' safety. Just last week, one was mailed a syringe filled with poison and a note telling him to inject himself before the senders did so themselves.

Read more ....

My Comment: Talk about deserting your friends and allies.