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news media, can explosions ever do anything than rock something?
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Jun 28, 2012 19:29
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Baronjutter posted:news media, can explosions ever do anything than rock something? It's like how politicians always "slam" each other.
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Jun 28, 2012 20:08
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Nenonen posted:Annan's new plan for Syria is an interim government that would include members from both the regime and opposition but excluding "people whose participation would jeopardize cooperation". This is assumed to mean none other than Bashar al-Assad. He could have a role in the new government. He could be the first person the new government puts on trial for crimes against humanity. 
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Jun 28, 2012 23:07
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Some huge news from Damascus, the FSA have managed to captured a Major General And Brigadier General in the suburbs of Damascus, one of whom works for the notorious Palestine Intelligence Branch, and another for central command. I've put together a blog post with the video and screen caps of their IDs, and it seems pretty certain it's who the FSA claims they are. It's pretty incredible these two high ranking figures can be captured in the suburbs of Damascus. I'm also going to guess it wasn't pure luck they managed to capture them, possibly means they had inside help... Brown Moses fucked around with this message at 23:56 on Jun 28, 2012 |
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Jun 28, 2012 23:48
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Brown Moses posted:It's pretty incredible these two high ranking figures can be captured in the suburbs of Damascus. It'd be hilarious if Damascus fell and/or Assad was captured/killed before Saturday. Not that that's going to happen, but this really does beg the question of how loyal the security forces in greater Damascus are. Are there any recent good quality photos or videos of Bashar? I wonder if the stress has aged him yet.
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Jun 28, 2012 23:56
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It would be pretty funny if those two generals were just going about their day when some guys in ski masks just clocked them and dragged them into a van. Not very conventional warfare.
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Jun 29, 2012 00:19
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Brown Moses posted:Some huge news from Damascus, the FSA have managed to captured a Major General And Brigadier General in the suburbs of Damascus, one of whom works for the notorious Palestine Intelligence Branch, and another for central command. I've put together a blog post with the video and screen caps of their IDs, and it seems pretty certain it's who the FSA claims they are. It's pretty incredible these two high ranking figures can be captured in the suburbs of Damascus. Not sure if it's the same for others, but the map on your page isn't loading; clicking the larger map link brings it up on google though.
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Jun 29, 2012 01:00
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Cao Ni Ma posted:It would be pretty funny if those two generals were just going about their day when some guys in ski masks just clocked them and dragged them into a van. Not very conventional warfare. Chances are probably pretty good that (or something similar) is what happened.
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Jun 29, 2012 01:31
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Vernii posted:Chances are probably pretty good that (or something similar) is what happened. Seriously. The idea is that you disable or otherwise silence the target, shove them into a vehicle, and finish rendering them harmless (to whatever degree) on the way to the POW camp (née shed). It's not super-common in guerrilla conflicts because it's a bad idea.
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Jun 29, 2012 01:44
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Totally Reasonable posted:Seriously. The idea is that you disable or otherwise silence the target, shove them into a vehicle, and finish rendering them harmless (to whatever degree) on the way to the POW camp (née shed). It's not super-common in guerrilla conflicts because it's a bad idea. Why would it be a bad idea?
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Jun 29, 2012 03:17
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My guess is that 'disappearing' people is kind of what the bad guys are expected to do, and doesn't reflect well on the people doing it.
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Jun 29, 2012 03:33
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Scaramouche posted:My guess is that 'disappearing' people is kind of what the bad guys are expected to do, and doesn't reflect well on the people doing it. That sounds right, but I can't think of examples where disappearing military leaders was seen as a bad move. Is the attitude the same about doing so to military as it is for activists and political opponents?
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Jun 29, 2012 03:45
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Military leaders are pretty much always more valuable alive than dead. Either as a source of intel or bargaining chip, let alone convincing one to switch sides which might be feasible in a situation like this where Assad might be/is losing.
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Jun 29, 2012 06:20
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Evil Fluffy posted:Military leaders are pretty much always more valuable alive than dead. Either as a source of intel or bargaining chip, let alone convincing one to switch sides which might be feasible in a situation like this where Assad might be/is losing. Your first two examples are good, but accepting a defector is one thing. It's quite another to tell a POW he can join your side and somehow trust him farther than you can throw him. At these guys rank, the kidnappings are more of a psychological victory and another jab at the heart of Assad's Army. They'll miss these guys. Plus it shows everyone of every rank that they aren't safe just because they aren't in Homs or Idlib. Might encourage more defections. It might have been Brown Moses who posted it, but supposedly 50% of the FSA's weaponry is bought from the regime. Assuming they'd be willing to bargain for the prisoners, it could be a big reward for the FSA.
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Jun 29, 2012 06:56
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Brown Moses/Xanadu what happened to your old avatars?
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Jun 29, 2012 07:09
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drunk ozma.
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Jun 29, 2012 07:11
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Reuters has an interesting article about the upcoming Libyan election, Democracy a learning process as Libya set to vote. It'll be very interesting to see what happens in 8 days time, and what the new assembly looks like. It has to be said that requiring there to be a minimum number of female seats in the assembly is a very postive move, and hopefully will be kept on for the general election that follows. It also seems unlikely any one group will dominate the new assembly, and hopefully that'll be a net positive.
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Jun 29, 2012 09:21
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Speaking of Libyaquote:Libyan deported after PC Fletcher murder wants UK asylum That'll go down like a lead balloon with the new Libyan government if it's accepted.
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Jun 29, 2012 09:26
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This somewhat graphic video shows a dead Syrian army soldiers splayed out by the FSA with a boot forced into his mouth  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3rUUdDc8q8 According to an activist I spoke to about this it apparently might have something to do with the Assad loyalist chants about feeding anti-Assad loyalists the boot.
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Jun 29, 2012 09:36
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I'm loving the latest Guardian live blog updatequote:Our favourite reader, Brown Moses, has been going through video purporting to show two senior military commanders captured by the Free Syrian Army. It's been reported in Mali that the Tuareg rebels who joined an al Qaeda alinged group after leaving Libya have now been stabbed in the back and forced out of the areas they helped their new allies capture. quote:The armed Islamist group Ansar Dine have forced Tuareg rebels to leave the northwestern Mali town of Timbuktu and its outskirts as tension between the armed factions continue to rise.
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Jun 29, 2012 09:55
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Brown Moses posted:Just put together another post, The Holy See And Senior Catholic Church Members Criticise Pro-Assad Clergy, all about lying nuns and fake bishops. I had a read of this and then had a look at this article containing this quote: quote:According to the Swiss newspaper Le Courrier, Agnès-Mariam was “comfortable among [Assad’s] security services,” and she told their reporter it was hoped he could “dismantle the propaganda of Western media.” And linking to this article in Le Courrier. The quote rather underplays the allegations, statements and inferences made by the article against Sister Agnès-Mariam. It's a description by two Swiss reporters of the their trip to Syria with Gilles Jacquier and his wife during which Gilles was killed. Sister Agnès-Mariam was the person who coordinated the trip and was the person who provided them with their Visas and was one of the people liaising with the Syrian Ministry of Information during their trip. She initially promised them free rein but then first insisted they had a specific translator with them at all times and also insisted that their movements be green-lit by the Information Ministry. She also orchestrated the trip to Homs during which Gilles was killed and had apparently threatened him with expulsion should he refuse to come along with the group. [edit] I found a translation online and it's all right. It's essentially accurate but some of the sections are moved around: http://www.ufppc.org/us-a-world-new...-operation.html The main bit about the nun is titled "WHAT GAME IS THE NUN AGNÈS-MARIAM PLAYING?". Munin fucked around with this message at 11:24 on Jun 29, 2012 |
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Jun 29, 2012 11:07
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That's great, I'm thinking of doing an article on her, the title might be "Sister Agnès-Mariam De La Croix - Crazy Name, Crazy Person". Another person I've talk to on Twitter has also become very interested in her past activities as well, and as a lot of it's in French it's helpful to have assistance. First I have about 40 videos of weapons in Syria I need to catalogue for a new post. I'm thinking of creating a Google map with icons for different weapons to show where they are in use. I don't suppose anyone knows where I can find icons to represent stuff like AA guns, truck mounted heavy machine guns, and recoilless rifles, etc? Brown Moses fucked around with this message at 11:40 on Jun 29, 2012 |
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Jun 29, 2012 11:34
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The NATO APP-6A system is the closest thing I can think of, but that might not be as specific as you want. e. I really appreciate your threads, by the way, Brown Moses. You're the best.
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Jun 29, 2012 11:50
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Thanks, I checked out the symbols, looking for something a bit more pictorial, so stuff can be recognised right away. Look at the videos I think I'd need something to represent - Truck mounted guns - Heavy machine guns - AA guns - Recoilless rifles - Groups of FSA soldiers - Captured BMPs - Captured Tanks - FSA military operations - DIY weapons It's not too important, just thought it would be a good way of showing what weapons are in use where in Syria. Even from my last blog post there's loads more videos of AA guns, trucked mounted heavy machine guns, and captured BMPs and tanks. Hopefully I'll be able to complete the new post for the weekend.
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Jun 29, 2012 13:12
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Actually, this is goony as poo poo, but have you considered cannibalising art assets from computer games like Hearts of Iron or Company of Heroes or something? I recall those having pretty decently designed symbols for at least some of those things.
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Jun 29, 2012 13:42
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I was thinking of doing that, might dig through some screenshots and see which are the best. If I start the map off I can just keep adding to it as time goes on, build up a visual representation of FSA equipment across Syria.
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Jun 29, 2012 13:45
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Brown Moses posted:Thanks, I checked out the symbols, looking for something a bit more pictorial, so stuff can be recognised right away. Look at the videos I think I'd need something to represent Try this. http://www.jhu.edu/rotc/Basic_Army_Knowledge/Military_Symbols.htm I would feel a little cautious about the value of something mapping out FSA equipment though.
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Jun 29, 2012 14:14
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I think farraday has a point, although I can see the value in giving a sense of size, firepower, and territorial control of the FSA. I think it's still a mystery how large and effective they are. In Lybia, there was an abundance of visual media resources showing the rebel's footprint. I know I would be interested in seeing a visual representation on the Syrian Rebel forces, but like I said, I can see why it could be of concern.
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Jun 29, 2012 15:58
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It's more to collect date to understand the level of equipment different regions have, and their improving abilities. I know, for example, only two brigade have B-10 recoilless rifles at the moment according to activists I've spoken to. So, if I were to come across a video of a B-10 somewhere else then I know to examine it more closely to confirm the location if possible, and if I can confirm the location it'll support the conclusion another region has acquired B-10's.
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Jun 29, 2012 16:08
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Brown Moses posted:It's more to collect date to understand the level of equipment different regions have, and their improving abilities. I know, for example, only two brigade have B-10 recoilless rifles at the moment according to activists I've spoken to. So, if I were to come across a video of a B-10 somewhere else then I know to examine it more closely to confirm the location if possible, and if I can confirm the location it'll support the conclusion another region has acquired B-10's. This is getting towards the kind of stuff the military and intelligence agencies do. If well put together summarised and presented it would be a crowdsourced assessment of rebel general locations and capabilites for the Syrian regime. That said I would presume that they have better first hand information sources then a bunch of people on the internet who are thousands of kilometers away.
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Jun 29, 2012 16:13
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Yeah, I'm not sure if I would use the actual NATO reporting symbols quite yet. I'd recommend cannibalizing stuff from strategy games. There's a new game, Wargame: European Escalation, that a few guys on the forum have. It has pretty much every Cold War unit imaginable. Beyond that maybe take a look at World in Conflict, but most everything from there should already be in European Escalation. http://wargame-ee.com/index.php?rub=database-home
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Jun 29, 2012 16:39
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Munin posted:This is getting towards the kind of stuff the military and intelligence agencies do. If well put together summarised and presented it would be a crowdsourced assessment of rebel general locations and capabilites for the Syrian regime. That said I would presume that they have better first hand information sources then a bunch of people on the internet who are thousands of kilometers away. I would not presume that. You're right about the intelligence/capabilities gathering, but better first hand knowledge may be very limited given the fragmented nature of the rebelling groups themselves. The proclivity for the Arab Spring rebel groups to communicate through and show off on the internet is probably be one of the more important aspects of official intelligence gathering, and one which it would be entirely possible to duplicate. The first hand sources you mention are likely to be the same sources providing information for free on the internet. Without going into the level of detail of available weaponry, you could probably make a pretty accurate map of the militarization of various areas in Syria based on the weaponry displayed/revealed in publicly accessible audio/visual documentation. A sort of spectrum of light to heavy weaponry and noting a difference between civilian vehicles mounting weapons and military vehicles would provide a good graphical understanding of the military environment without going into specifics of, for example, identifying which two regions had access to B-10 recoil-less rifles.
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Jun 29, 2012 16:46
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Syrian opposition says Thursday was the deadliest day so far for civilians, particularly in Douma.National Public Radio posted:"Syrian opposition groups that track casualties reported on Friday that the previous day was the deadliest so far this year, and possibly in the entire Syrian uprising, with as many as 190 civilians killed in a 24-hour period," The New York Times is reporting. Emphasis my own. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/06/29/155973535/syrian-opposition-says-190-civilians-killed-in-deadliest-day-so-far Sivias fucked around with this message at 16:57 on Jun 29, 2012 |
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Jun 29, 2012 16:54
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Brown Moses posted:First I have about 40 videos of weapons in Syria I need to catalogue for a new post. I'm thinking of creating a Google map with icons for different weapons to show where they are in use. I don't suppose anyone knows where I can find icons to represent stuff like AA guns, truck mounted heavy machine guns, and recoilless rifles, etc? Google imaging: "vector gun silhouette" seems to pick up a bunch of stuff that would look good and still be clear. You'll want to refine the terms a bit to find stuff like pintle turrets and vehicles, but it's all there. Many of them will be watermarked from stock image sites, but it's really easy to fix that with black and white vector graphics. 
Kaal fucked around with this message at 17:03 on Jun 29, 2012 |
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Jun 29, 2012 16:59
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Morsi is speaking live at Tahrir. Streaming on AQE. Probably more reasons to watch than just to see if he gets assassinated. http://www.aljazeera.com/watch_now/ Morsi showing off his lack of a bullet proof vest, his security guards look nervous. I have to say it's really a lot more fun watching a major speech in a country that doesn't have a long calcified political tradition. farraday fucked around with this message at 17:12 on Jun 29, 2012 |
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Jun 29, 2012 17:05
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"Torture is bad and has bad results." More progressive than US politicians! 
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Jun 29, 2012 17:21
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Munin posted:"Torture is bad and has bad results." He's just making the "Muslim Bortherhood: Soft on Terror" ads write themselves with that line. This section on freedom of foreign relations, peaceful but willing and able to fight back, not very veiled references to Israel.
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Jun 29, 2012 17:26
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Morsi suddenly and magically become a hugely charismatic and theatrical public speaker. By all accounts that is a really incredible and effective speech. It's like the school librarian suddenly turning into van halen. wow. He even did the presidential oath right there!
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Jun 29, 2012 18:00
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What's with his Abd al Rahman callout?
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Jun 29, 2012 20:36
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....what about that thing about Omar Abdel-Rahman as well?
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Jun 29, 2012 23:29
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