Paranoia Could Be the Best Weapon Against the Islamic State: First off, David Ignatius at The Washington Post with a piece on the potential for unconventional, psychological operations against ISIS. Among other things, he cites the excellent book Double Cross by Ben Macintyre, as well as the War on the Rocks site, frequently cited in previous Non-State Updates. If we can cause dissension in the ISIS ranks, we can hopefully break up the group into competing factions.
Serbia: Tycoons Questioned Over Assassination Attempt: Next, OCCRP with news of Serbian businessman Miroslav Miskovic’s alleged links to the murder of a former Serbian politician. Although Miskovic has not been arrested, he has been linked with various organized criminals.
Islamic State Supporters Advertise Sinai as Jihadist Destination: From Thomas Joscelyn at The Long War Journal, reports of online propaganda encouraging jihadists abroad to go to the Sinai Peninsula as a part of the ISIS effort. ISIS doesn’t control Sinai yet, but this development represents their desire to expand the “caliphate” into new territories.
Surprise! Joining ISIS Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up to Be: Siobhan O’Grady at Foreign Policy’s Passport blog with commentary on an Indian jihadist’s time with ISIS. Instead of fighting for the cause, he was stuck cleaning toilets for the organization. As it turns out, ISIS isn’t the most egalitarian terrorist group out there. The young radical is now in jail in India.
ISIS Stunt to Mint Own Coins Will Backfire: Money Jihad has a short take on the continued rumors that ISIS is planning on creating its own currency. Although the rumors appear to be false, the concept behind such a currency is economically flawed. It is fascinating in that the Islamic State is trying to become more state-like.
Fighting in Grozny, Chechnya: At the Line of Steel, Caleb Weiss with information on the likely Caucasus Emirate-led attack last night in the capital of the Russian region of Chechnya. Much of the information in this story is still developing, but the video and photos attached to this article are quite interesting.
ISIS’s Brutality Undermines its Interests. That’s Good for Us: Aki Peritz at Overt Action re-ups a piece he and Robin Simcox had in the Washington Post last weekend on the irrational strategy of ISIS. Their beheadings and mass killings have encouraged Western nations to begin attacking them, but if they had not been as provocative, they would be able to fortify their nascent state. Their reliance on brutality for propaganda has brought them far more enemies than allies.
What’s the Plan? The Afghan National Security Forces: Part 3 of a continuing series at War on the Rocks (Part 1 and Part 2) from Jason Cambell on Afghanistan, the health of its institutions, and the overall plan going forward. The Afghan security forces still have a multitude of challenges, especially as ISAF leaves the country. Reform is necessary, but thankfully the new president Ashraf Ghani is committed to addressing the problems.
Peru Seizes $1Bn in Assets from Leader of Massive Crime Ring: From David Gagne at InSight Crime, news that Peruvian officials have seized Rodolfo Orellana’s 17 estates, adding up to nearly 1 billion dollars. Orellana is currently in jail, but his vast assets demonstrate the level of governmental complicity and the sheer scale of his empire. He gained his fortune through illegal real estate trade, but also has connections with organized crime in Colombia, Mexico, and Italy.
Marijuana Dispensaries are Celebrating Black Friday, Too: Lastly, an article that’s a little funnier than those above. From Laura Bradley at Slate’s Moneybox blog, an article posted last week on the Colorado marijuana dispensary industry’s approach to Black Friday. A dispensary employee quoted in the article says the Black Friday sales are just to “spread the holiday cheer and get everybody a little bit high.”
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the weekend.
For comments, thoughts, concerns, criticism, or submissions to D&TB, please comment below, email me at conormlarkin@gmail.com, or follow me on Twitter @ConorMLarkin.
No comments:
Post a Comment