Europe

Italy’s Good Intentions and Humanitarian Efforts May Ultimately Harm Europe

By Kyle Herda

Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

ROME, Italy – With all of the turmoil and fighting currently widespread throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa, many citizens have flocked from countries like Libya, Syria, Iraq, South Sudan, and elsewhere. In an effort to help these refugees, Italy has opened up its borders for refugees to enter into Europe, particularly in Southern Italy around Sicily.

Mehdi Nemmouche, the shooter in the Brussels Jewish Museum murders, stands with his ak-47 during the attack. (Photo courtesy of Breitbart)

Italy’s new immigrant policy, dubbed “Mare Nostrum”, or “Our Sea”, came last year after Pope Francis flew to the scene of a sunken migrant vessel off the coast that went down unaided. Pope Francis asked, “Who has wept for the people who were on the boat?” Italy took this as inspiration to help refugees who make it across the Mediterranean Sea. Now, Italy takes in refugees, offers them medical treatment, food, water, and temporary shelter. Further, Italy has decriminalized migrants, and also adopted a de facto “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy where refugees may stay a few nights and then move onwards to other European nations, such as Germany and Sweden, that often grant asylum.

While this initially seems great, and for many it is a wonderful thing, there also comes skepticism. Italy is taking in nearly 1,000 migrants per day, and has already taken in 119,939 migrants since January, far more than the 42,000 from all of 2013. The problem lies in that the nearly 120,000 migrants have entered into Europe with relative ease as far as security checks goes, and now may be moving fairly undetected and unaccounted for throughout Europe. With a particular eye on some of the nations where the refugees are coming from, countries where ISIS is growing and expanding at a scary rate, this creates a serious security concern for Europe.

One of the countries with many emigrants to Italy is Libya, a nation that France calls a ‘terrorist hub’. And while it may be unclear exactly if or how many dangerous migrants may have snuck through already, one thing is clear: there has already been at least six serious attacks planned against member states of the European Union. British Prime Minister David Cameron warned the British people, “be in no doubt about the threat that so-called Islamic State poses to us.” Cameron went on to cite the deadly attack in a Brussels Jewish museum as a successful ISIS attack on European soil.

Even without new ISIS members coming into Europe, there already exists a serious problem throughout Europe as Europeans continue to be recruited into ISIS. Two Austrian girls of 15 and 16 years in age, Samra Kesinovic and Sabina Selimovic, have recently been recruited by ISIS and have already led at least two additional girls, ages 16 and 14, to try and follow to Syria to convert.

It is quite clear that the ISIS problem in Europe is a present problem and very likely to get much worse as ISIS’s presence and influence continues to spread. ISIS is already in Europe and influence is spreading throughout Europe in the form of recruiting, and increasing via immigration through open borders like Italy. While Italy is helping many who are in dire need of help, it must be careful to prevent the same people from coming over who caused the massive flocks to begin with.

For more information, please see:

New York Post – Gun-wielding teen girls from Europe join ISIS – 10 September 2014

RT – France calls for new Libya intervention, calls it ‘terrorist hub’ on Europe’s doorstep – 10 September 2014

The Washington Post – Amid flood of refugees to Europe, Italy opens a back door – 9 September 2014

Breitbart – Prime Minister: Six ISIS Attempted Attempts Against European Nations Already – 9 September 2014

Estonia – Russia’s Next Target?

By Kyle Herda

Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

TALLINN, Estonia – Following a tense week featuring NATO and Russia with Ukraine at the center of it all, it seems that a new player has been dragged into the spotlight: Estonia. Both sides seem to be turning focus towards Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as things in Ukraine have currently settled in a cease-fire that many are still unsure will hold.

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik shakes hands with Eston Kohver, who was arrested by Russia on Friday. (Photo courtesy of The Guardian)

On Friday, the Estonian-Russian border at Luhamaa saw action as Russian soldiers arrested Eston Kohver, an Estonian security officer. Armed men from Russia allegedly crossed the border into Estonia, used smoke bombs and jammed radios in Estonia, and took Kohver at gunpoint with them back into Russia. Kohver has been seen since in Russia being paraded on TV and accused of spying on Russia.

Kohver is a counter-intelligence officer in Kapo, an Estonian agency similar to the FBI in the United States. Until now, Kohver’s job has typically been to keep an eye on smuggling cartels going through the border. Russia’s post-Cold War KGB, now called the Russian Federal Security Service (“FSB”), have claimed that Kohver was arrested in Russian territory with “special equipment for concealed audio recording and documents that bear evidence of an intelligence mission…”

On Wednesday, President Obama traveled to Tallinn to pledge NATO support to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania should they be invaded. Citing Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty, all members must defend any ally that faces a foreign attack. While Ukraine is an ally to NATO, Ukraine is not a full member who shares in this Article 5 protection. Estonia, however, is a NATO member under the protection of Article 5.

Claiming to have been invaded in this capture, however, Estonia remains in a tough position as NATO has not responded militarily and there has yet to be any strong response from its members. Considering that thousands of Russian soldiers and tanks in Ukraine were called an “incursion” rather than an actual invasion, Estonia’s recent incident is likely far from anything NATO would consider an “invasion”.

The current position in Estonia is far from the position that Ukraine is in, but Kohver’s arrest has managed to raise an already-high level of concern in the Baltic region. Latvia, another border-nation of Russia, is also worried about Russia’s recent aggression, and Lithuania has voiced concern as well. Russia’s uses of force this year have yet to be met by NATO or any forces other than Ukraine, and so this may be just another test by Putin to see how far he can get away with.

For more information, please see:

The Guardian – Russia says detained Estonian police officer is a spy – 7 September 2014

The Guardian – Russia parades detained Estonian police officer before TV cameras – 7 September 2014

Time – Russia Is Testing NATO’s Resolve in Eastern Europe – 6 September 2014

International Business Times – Ukraine Crisis: Estonia Intelligence Officer Kidnapped at Gunpoint and Taken to Russia – 5 September 2014

Talks of Peace Begin Between Ukraine and Russia Following a Tense Week

By Kyle Herda

Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

KIEV, Ukraine – Amid all the chaos that has ensued in Eastern Ukraine over the past week, there may finally be a sign of light. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko have reportedly agreed to a cease-fire between the two nations.

A pro-Russian tank flies the flag of ‘New Russia’. (Photo courtesy of NBC).

This reported cease-fire follows a week of high escalation in fighting. Anywhere from 1,000 to 15,000 Russian troops have reportedly entered into Ukraine and stormed the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, bringing along tanks and artillery, prompting Kiev to change their tactic from chasing out pro-Russian rebels in the east to now falling back and attempting to hold off against a Russian incursion.

While Russia continues to deny any sort of invasion, the Kremlin does not deny that Putin told Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, that Russia could take Kiev in two weeks.

The escalated fighting has caused particular concern to NATO, as Baltic nations like Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania are nearby and feeling particularly threatened by a now-militaristic and invasive Russia. To curb their concerns, NATO has taken the step of creating a “readiness force” of several thousand troops that can quickly respond if needed. President Obama further pleads support to the Baltic nations through NATO, stating: “We’ll be here for Estonia. We’ll be here for Latvia. We’ll be here for Lithuania. You lost your independence once before. With NATO, you’ll never lose it again.”

The United States has also scheduled a military exercise for next week to take place in Poland near the Ukrainian border. This exercise will also include military personnel from Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Britain, Canada, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Spain. The United States will also be moving troops and 600 troops to Poland and the Baltic states for further military exercises to take place next month.

Australia and France have also acted out against Russia in response to this week’s invasion. France has halted the sale of a French battleship to Russia, and Australia has halted the sale of uranium to Russia. Australia also opened an Australian embassy in Kiev in support of Ukrainian sovereignty.

The increased pressure on both parties, via Russian incursion on Ukraine and via the rest of the world’s actions in response to Russia’s behavior, seems to have finally reached a breaking point. In the face of all-out warfare, both Ukraine and Russia have allegedly agreed to a cease-fire and to work towards peace. Whether the deal will become permanent or fall apart remains to be seen, but for the moment it appears possible that an end may be in sight for a conflict that has claimed nearly 3,000 lives.

For more information, please see:

RT – US prepares military drill in W. Ukraine for mid-September – 3 September 2014

LA Times – Obama reassures Baltic allies of NATO support amid Ukraine conflict – 3 September 2014

The New York Times – Obama Calls Ukraine a ‘Moment of Testing’ for NATO – 3 September 2014

The Australian – Australia considers aid to Ukraine, opens Kiev embassy – 3 September 2014

The Washington Post – Putin says he and Ukrainian president agree on outlines of a peace deal – 3 September 2014

CBS – Ukraine says it is now battling the Russian military – 2 September 2014

The Guardian – Putin claims Russian forces ‘could conquer Ukraine capital in two weeks’ – 2 September 2014

NBC – Baltic States Fear Putin Amid Escalation in Ukraine – 2 September 2014

The Wall Street Journal – Ukraine Shifts to Defense Against Russian Incursion – 1 September 2014

BBC – Ukraine crisis: Nato chief Rasmussen announces new force – 1 September 2014

Recent Events Reflect a Growing ISIS Influence in Europe

By Kyle Herda

Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

LONDON, England – With the recent beheading video of American journalist James Foley causing major concerns with the Western world, there has been a great effort to find who is responsible for the attack. Likely the biggest hint to go off has been the seeming London accent of the apparent murderer. If true, this further increases the worry over an ISIS presence in Europe.

A member of ISIS carries the Islamic State black flag. (Photo courtesy of Breitbart)

Europe may be a breeding ground of sorts for ISIS to recruit, especially in religiously tolerant and democratic nations such as England. Some European nations have taken a stronger approach against Muslims, like France, Belgium, and parts of Switzerland banning a burqa from being warn in public. England, however, has continued to preach religious freedom, which may have ultimately opened the doors for ISIS to spread their influence under the “free speech” banner.

The Netherlands has attempted to avoid taking a stronger stance on targeting religions like some of their neighbors, but eventually decided to crack down by banning the display of ISIS’s black flag. A growing concern over anti-Semitic protests in the Netherlands has led to a classification of the ISIS flag as banned political paraphernalia, now seen in the same light as a Nazi symbol.

Greece has recently discovered the conversion that occurred to a one-time resident of their country. Shamal Ahmad Tofiq of Kurdistan moved to Athens, and a little while thereafter met new acquaintances at a mosque that radicalized him. Now known as Sina Ahmad, he is fighting for ISIS in Kurdistan, regularly posting graphic images online of horribly disfigured bodies and regularly asking prior contacts to repent their sins and join the fight.

Some British, like Malcolm Rifkind, a former foreign secretary and defense secretary who is chairman of Parliament’s intelligence and security committee, seek a stronger response from England. “[The militants] need to be eliminated, and we should not be squeamish about how we do it,” Mr. Rifkind reported.

The alleged British murderer in the Foley video would be far from the only British member of ISIS. Three British militants who cling together, known as “The Beatles” and known for their brutality, have been handling hostages of ISIS in Syria. Further, there are as many as 400 Britons estimated within ISIS, along with 2,000 estimated Europeans. As these numbers continue to grow, and with what appears to be an easy entry from the Middle East into Europe through Turkey, Europe and the Western world worry over the possibility of a major attack.

For more information, please see:

The New York Times – Britain Rejects Calls at Home to Join Forces With Assad Against Jihadists – 22 August 2014

NBC – Why Is Britain a Breeding Ground for ISIS Terrorists? – 22 August 2014

Fox News – How one Iraqi returned from Europe ready to kill family, friends – 21 August 2014

Breitbart – NETHERLANDS BANS ISIS FLAG AFTER ANTI-SEMITISM SURGE – 3 August 2014

Terror in the Skies Above the Ukraine

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Managing Editor 

KIEV, Ukraine – Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, a civilian airliner, was shot out of the skies above the Ukraine on Thursday as the plane was flying over the disputed regions of eastern Ukraine. The airliner, a Boeing 777, is believed to have been shot down by a surface-to-air Missile, U.S. officials say. 298 lives were lost in the attack. World leaders have called on the Ukraine and Russia to allow an international investigation into the attack. The United Nations Security Council, of which Russia is a permanent member, was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting Friday to discuss attack. The United Nations Security Council called for “full, thorough and independent international investigation” into downing of Malaysian plane above Ukraine.

Pro-Russia rebels stand guard at the crash site of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. the Airliner was shot out of the sky above in Eastern Ukraine on Friday killing the plane’s 298 passengers. (Photo courtesy of CNN International)

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko addressed the nation early Friday, placing blame for the horrific attack on pro-Russian separatists whom he suggested are acting as the puppets of Russian leaders. Charges that the Russian federation and pro-Russian separatists both denied. “War has gone beyond the territory of Ukraine,” Poroshenko said. “Consequences of this war have already reached the whole world.”

Pro-Russian separatists fighting have agreed to allow access to the crash site to investigators international monitors in the region said. However, the Ukrainian government said the rebels were still keeping all but local emergency workers away from the site.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk called for swift, international justice. “This is a crime against humanity. All red lines have been already crossed. This is the deadline,” he said. “We ask our international partners to call an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting and to [do] everything we can to stop this war: a war against Ukraine, a war against Europe, and after these terrorists shot down a Malaysian aircraft, this is the war against the world.”

A pro-Russian rebel leader had reportedly briefly claimed restorability via Twitter for shooting down a jet he claimed was a Ukrainian military aircraft. However, soon after it was established that the downed plane was a civilian airliner the Tweet was reportedly removed.

European Union leaders agreed this earlier week to expand sanctions against individuals and entities in response to Russia role in contributing to conflict in the Ukraine. The details of the sanctions will be decided by the end of the month. The Obama Administration also announced plans to expand U.S. Sanctions against Russia before the attack. The sanctioned would target Russian interests including Energy companies.

The majority of people on board the Malaysian airliner were Dutch citizens. Preliminary reports of the crash. The Dutch prime minister on Thursday ordered that flags fly at half-mast at government buildings across the Netherlands to mourn the 154 Dutch citizens lost in the attack which he says may be the worst air disaster in Dutch history.

The attack also dealt a devastating blow to the International AIDS community. As many as 108 Aides experts, researchers, activists and health workers who were traveling to an International Aids Conference in Australia may have been on board the plane. The Australian reported that up to 108 delegates to the 20th international AIDS congruence in Melbourne Australia, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday, are believed to have been killed on board flight MH17.

“There’s been confirmed a number of senior people who were coming out here who were researchers, who were medical scientists, doctors, people who’ve been to the forefront of dealing with AIDS across the world,” Victoria Premier Denis Napthine told reporters in Melbourne on Friday. “The exact number is not yet known, but there is no doubt it’s a substantial number.”

The International AIDS Society issued a brief statement Thursday night following the attack saying that “a number of colleagues and friends” were on the flight. “At this incredibly sad and sensitive time the IAS stands with our international family and sends condolences to the loved ones of those who have been lost to this tragedy,” the statement said.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that among the dead are international renowned AIDS researcher Joep Lange, of the University of Amsterdam, and World Health Organization spokesman Glenn Thomas. Lange played a critical role in leading local trials of antiretroviral therapies and led research into the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. He served as president of the International AIDS society from 2002-2004, and is a founder and co-editor-in-chief of the journal Antiviral Therapy. Lange’s work played a critical role in bringing treatment for HIV/AIDS to the developing world, saving countless lives. Former United States President and AIDS advocate Bill Clinton who is scheduled to speak at the conference referred to the AIDS workers lost on the flight as “Martyrs for the Cause.”

For more information please see:

BBC News – Accusations Fly As Investigators Seek Answers over MH17 Crash in Ukraine – 18 July 2014

CNN International – Accusations Fly As Investigators Seek Answers over MH17 Crash in Ukraine – 18 July 2014

The Washington Post – Rebels in Eastern Ukraine Pledge Access to Plane Crash Site, but Kiev Cites Restrictions – 18 July 2014

Reuters – Netherlands in Mourning After at Least 154 Dutch Die in Ukraine Crash –17 July 2014