ISIS Scatters to the Four Winds... And to Central Asia

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Seventeen-die-in-Islamic-State-attack-on-border-checkpoint-48474.html

This has long been the fear, that in the aftermath of its Syrian defeat and the death of its leader, the surviving elements of ISIS would return to their home countries and bring their violent forms of Salafism with them. Al Qaeda it would seem is on the wane and the more extreme, apocalyptic and (despite its attempted caliphate) even de-centralised forms of Salafi violence represented by ISIS are growing in popularity. The same frustrations that are driving people on to the streets across much of the world are in the Islamic context driving some youth into radicalism.

A Moment of Cultural Examination in Italy

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/business/2019/11/18/only-57-of-italian-mums-work-istat_6095acfc-0148-4de5-8310-b388510a8208.html

The ANSA news service seems to be lamenting the fact that only 57% of Italian mothers work outside the home. If there's something to lament it's that 57% of Italian mothers work outside the home. Ideally the number would be zero.

Frontline's In the Age of AI

I recently watched the PBS Frontline documentary on AI or Artificial Intelligence. I recommend it but with qualification. It was both interesting and disturbing but it was also misleading. There were some interesting discussions to be sure. From the future of jobs to some rather questionable uses in medicine to social media and surveillance, the documentary raises numerous salient questions.

Logic on Fire: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

I had been waiting with some anticipation for a few years to view the Lloyd-Jones film Logic on Fire and after viewing it I must say I was quite disappointed.

Macron, Aachen and the Ghost of de Gaulle

https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/frances-macron-decries-nato-brain-death-ahead-of-anniversary/

Already there are cracks appearing in the 2019 Aachen Treaty which was signed by France and Germany in the former Carolingian capital.

Buying Czech Loyalty: Rewarding the V4

https://thedefensepost.com/2019/11/12/czech-republic-purchase-uh-1y-ah-1z-helicopters-textron/

It is with veritable glee that the American and European publics mark the thirty year anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. And yet military contractors perhaps find a greater reason to rejoice in marking the nearly 29 years since the Warsaw Pact collapsed. After almost three decades it can be safely said that most former Eastern Bloc hardware is becoming obsolete.

Hungary, the UK and the Politics of Huawei

https://www.euractiv.com/section/5g/news/hungarys-emergency-infrastructure-hardware-built-by-huawei/

Washington is not pleased that Budapest is collaborating with Beijing when it comes to its 5G infrastructure. This is part of a larger struggle with China over technology and global 'tech' infrastructure. Despite US machinations and even threats, China continues to make inroads into Europe.

AFR: Blind Guides of the American Evangelical Movement

A couple of weeks ago I was driving about an hour south of where I live and picked up American Family Radio (AFR). As bad as the Family Life Network is, I must say AFR is perhaps worse, or at least more overtly political. Every time I've tuned in, its airwaves propagate Scriptural error and bad politics rooted in the network's bad theology.  

Pompeo's Sacrilege

https://www.christianpost.com/news/pompeo-faces-criticism-for-giving-speech-being-christian-leader.html

Pompeo should fill all Christians with righteous indignation. His statements should fill us with dread.

Mayer's Credibility on the Line

https://consortiumnews.com/2019/10/08/the-new-yorkers-partisan-attempt-to-refute-its-claim-of-partisan-disinformation-on-biden-and-ukraine/

Mayer became a familiar face to me when she appeared on Frontline's series about the Iraq War near the end of the Bush presidency. Since then she's appeared in other Frontline documentaries and I've heard her interviewed on NPR. Though I haven't personally read her pieces in The New Yorker I did read 'Dark Money', her 2017 expose which proved very informative. Overall I've found her to be a pretty solid journalist... pretty much within the Establishment consensus but intelligent and probing.

Training the Satraps

https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2019/10/14/Singapore-air-force-celebrates-10-years-of-training-at-Idaho-air-base/4981571077607/?sl=9

Few realise just how common this sort of this is and what an important role it plays for the US empire.

Hidden behind euphemisms of partnership, friendship and alliance the reality is these nations are beholden to the United States.

Self-Affirmation Confused With the Will of God

https://www.christianpost.com/news/in-n-out-billionaire-lynsi-snyder-on-spiritual-warfare-desire-to-be-plugged-in-to-gods-plan.html

But she's not plugged in to God's plan. This is a case of self-affirmation being confused with the will of God or God's Plan.

We may speak of God's decretive will or Providence in which His will is indeed accomplished regardless of the outcome or means. And yet we live by His Revealed Will which we can point to as a sure guide.

European Drama: Aachen versus Brussels?

https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/france-halts-eu-enlargement/

France has halted the process to enlarge the EU even as Balkan states form what amount to a 'Mini-Schengen' zone of custom free borders.