By Brandon Cottrell 
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States – Amid concerns that the allies of the Syrian government could possibly strike American targets, the U.S. State Department ordered that all nonessential diplomats and their families leave Lebanon.  The State Department also suggested that diplomats at the American Consulate in southern Turkey leave the area.

Additionally, the State Department issued travel warnings, urging Americans to avoid Pakistan, Turkey, and Lebanon.  These warnings and orders come less than a month after the U.S. closed nineteen embassies and consulates across Africa and the Middle East for a week because of terror threats.

Earlier this week, the State Department also issued a warning that urged Americans to avoid Iraq, as terrorist activity and violence “are at levels unseen since 2008.”  Consequentially, there is a high risk that Americans in Iraq could be kidnapped or subject to terrorist violence.  It has also been reported that the United States intercepted a message sent from Iran to militants in Iraq with instructions to attack U.S. interests in Baghdad if the U.S. launches a strike in Syria.

Though the State Department stated that the warnings were issued only “because of current safety and security concerns,” most believe that the warning reflects a growing concern that Syrian allies will either carry out or support terrorist attacks on the United States.

Hezbollah, a Syrian ally and Iranian supported group, is based in Lebanon and maintains a strong presence in Beirut.  Not only has Hezbollah sent fighters into Syria, but they are also involved in sporadic violence in many areas of Lebanon.

Acknowledging the threat Hezbollah creates, the US Embassy Beirut issued the following statement, “The potential in Lebanon for a spontaneous upsurge in violence remains.  Lebanese government authorities are not able to guarantee protection for citizens or visitors . . . should violence erupt suddenly. Access [out of Lebanon] can be interrupted with little or no warning [and] public demonstrations occur frequently with little warning and have the potential to become violent.”

As if on cue, shortly after the State Department issued its warnings and orders, 150 protestors gathered near the U.S. Embassy Beirut.  The protestors carried signs that read “No to War” and painted their hands red to symbolize blood.  With police in riot gear standing guard the protest remained peaceful.

Secretary of State John Kerry has since left for Europe, where he will confer with leaders from France, Britain and the Arab League to discuss current Middle East issues.

 

For further information, please see:

ABC – US Orders Diplomats Out Of Lebanon – 6 September 2013

CNBC – US Orders Nonessential Diplomats Out Of Lebanon – 6 September 2013

KY3 – U.S. Tightens Embassy Security In Lebanon And Turkey, Warns Americans – 6 September 2013

New York Times – U.S. Orders Nonessential Diplomats to Leave Lebanon – 6 September 2013

by Michael Yoakum
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States – President Obama stated Wednesday that the “red line” drawn against Syria came not from him but from international treaties and Congressional action. The President added that in deciding whether to intervene in Syria, the credibility of Congress and the international community is on the line.

The President’s statements came hours after news that the Senate Foreign Intelligence Committee completed a draft of a bill that would authorize limited military force against Syria for 90 days.

The proposed legislation would ban the deployment of US troops in Syria except in the event of rescue missions.  Additionally, the White House would be required to send Congress a plan for diplomatic solutions within 30 of the start of military operations.

President Obama’s call for authorization of force by Congress has split the GOP membership of whether to support such a resolution.

Two top House Republicans, Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, pledged Tuesday to endorse the President’s call for military intervention.

The Washington Post reported that a hearing to mark up the resolution was delayed by news that Sen. John McCain opposed the draft.  Sen. McCain is one of the leading GOP voices on issues of national security.

Amidst this news, President Obama was asked Wednesday what he would do if Congress refuses to authorize the use of military force. The President responded “I believe that Congress will approve it.”

Russian Prime Minister Vladamir Putin warned the US and its allies against unilateral action in Syria. Putin said that acting without authorization from the UN Security Council “can only be interpreted as an aggression.”

Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is expected by analysts to oppose any resolution for UN intervention in Syria. However, the Prime Minister said Wednesday that Russia has not ruled out supporting a UN Security Council resolution authorizing force.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Russia’s President Putin warns US over Syria action – 4 September 2013

CNN – Obama: Red line on Syria is the world’s, not his – 4 September 2013

NBC News – Russia’s Putin warns US against ‘aggression’ in Syria without UN approval – 4 September 2013

The Washington Post – Officials press lawmakers to approve Syria strike; Obama invokes Congress’s credibility – 4 September 2013

USA Today – Obama: Congress, world credibility on the line with Syria – 4 September 2013

By Brandon Cottrell
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

MEXICO CITY, Mexico  – Over the weekend Mexican authorities arrested two members of competing drug cartels.  Mario Nunez, member of the Sinaola drug cartel, was arrested on Friday for the murders of 350 people in 2011.  Alberto Carrillo, member of the Juarez drug cartel, was arrested today for drug trafficking, murder, and money laundering.  Neither Nunez nor Carrillo resisted arrest.

Carrillo’s Juarez drug cartel is considered by many as one of the most powerful and violent cartels in Mexico.  As of late, however, the Juarez cartel has lost some of its drug routes to Nunez’s Sinaola cartel.  The rivalry between the cartels has contributed to the drug war in northern Mexico, where large fields of marijuana and heroin-producing poppies are located.  The drug war there has left thousands of people dead over the past few years and minimal arrests have been made in those murders.

Eduardo Sanchez, a federal security spokesman, said that “Nunez played a key role in the wave of violence that has plagued northern [Mexico] . . . and is likely responsible for the murder of more than 350 people found in 23 clandestine graves.”  Authorities believe that Nunez also hired hitmen to carry out some of the killings, which included mutilations and decapitations of the victims.

Nunez, who could face up to 40 years in prison in Mexico, is also wanted in the United States on drug trafficking charges.  It is not clear, however, if the United States will send an extradition request for him.

Over the past six years, over seventy-thousand people have died as a result of drug-related violence in Mexico, with many of the victims being civilians.  However, Carrillo’s arrest marks the third high-profile drug cartel arrest this year as authorities have intensified their campaign against the cartels.

Additionally, with Nunez’s arrest Mexican authorities have captured 63 of Mexico’s 122 most wanted and dangerous criminals.  Many of those arrests can be attributed to President Pena Nieto’s promise to tame the cartels and restore order.  However, nearly half of the Mexicans questioned in a recent poll believe that drug violence has worsened since Nieto took office in December and an another third believe that Mexico is less safe as a result of Nieto’s strategies.

 

For more information, please see:

BBC – Juarez Cartel Boss Alberto Carrillo Caught in Mexico – 2 September 2013

Daily Mail – Drug Cartel Leader Nicknamed ‘Ugly Betty’ is Captured in Latest Round of High Profile Arrests by Mexican Police – 2 September 2013

Fox News – Mexico Captures Suspected Leader Of Juarez Drug Cartel – 2 September 2013

Global Post – Mexico Detains Cartel Operator Mario Nunez Meza Tied to 350 Murders – 30 August 2013

International Business Times – Mexican Drug Lord Mario Nunez Arrested for 350 Murders – 30 August 2013

by Michael Yoakum
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States – President Obama announced plans on Saturday to delay military action against Syria, opting to ask Congress to authorize strikes against Syrian chemical weapon depots.  This announcement came days after the United States accused the Assad regime of using sarin gas to kill 1400 of its own civilians.

After laying out evidence that Bashar al-Assad’s forces were responsible for the August 21 attack in Damascus, President Obama explained that a strike against Syria’s chemical weapons depots, while important, is not time sensitive.  President Obama then surprised his advisers on the President’s National Security Council by asking for Congressional approval to make limited strikes to Syrian military targets.

The President explained that he believes a military response is necessary to demonstrate the consequences of ignoring international treaties banning the use of chemical weapons.  He noted that any military action in Syria would not involve “boots on the ground” or a prolonged occupation.

Reactions to President Obama’s decision were mixed.  Secretary of State John Kerry praised the President’s willingness to consult the People’s Representatives, calling his decision “courageous.”  While appearing on “Fox News Sunday” Kerry warned that the President would not wait for Congressional approval if there was evidence of further chemical weapon attacks.

President Obama stated that members of both parties in Congress have agreed to schedule a debate and vote as soon as Congress comes back into session September 9. Some members of Congress praise the President for seeking their authorization for military force.

Presidents are not required to seek Congressional approval for limited military interventions under the War Powers Act.

Political analysts speculate that shifting the decision to Congress allows the President to walk back statements he made to Assad last year. President Obama told Assad last year that the use of chemical weapons would be the “red line” by which the United States would be forced to intervene.

For more information, please see:

The Washington Post – Obama says U.S. will take military action against Syria, pending Congress’s approval – 31 August 2013

CBS News – Obama seeks Syria strike with Congress’ approval – 31 August 2013

The New York Times – Kerry Casts Obama’s Syria Decision as ‘Courageous’ – 1 September 2013

USA Today – Obama surprised staff with decision on Syria – 1 September 2013

CNN – ‘War-weary’ Obama says Syria chemical attack requires response – 30 August 2013

By Brandon Cottrell 
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States – Robert King, the U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights issues, is expected to arrive in North Korea today and will ask for release of Kenneth Bae.  King’s trip is the first public trip to North Korea by a U.S. official in over two years.

The North Koreans imprisoned Bae, a 45-year-old American citizen and Christian missionary, last November for planning an operation against Kim Jong Un’s regime through religious activities.  Specifically, the North Koreans charged Bae with setting up bases in China for the purpose of toppling Kim’s regime, encouraging North Korean citizens to bring down the government and spreading false propaganda.  The North Korean government also claims that Bae used his tourism business to form groups that could overthrow the government.

North Korea does allow religious freedom, but such religious freedom yields to “total loyalty to the Kim dynasty,” which has ruled for three generations.  Bae’s family believes that it was not Bae’s religious beliefs that got him in trouble, rather his sympathy toward North Korean orphans.

Online posts, however, which have since been taken down, showed Bae describing himself and a party of people that he took to North Korea as “warriors for Christ.”  Bae had also talked of bringing three hundred people into North Korea to emulate the biblical destruction of the walls of Jericho.

Bae was sentenced in May to fifteen years of hard labor.  Although he has only served ten months of his sentence, Bae has already spent more time in North Korean custody than any other American.  Additionally, Bae’s health has deteriorated and he is spending time in a hospital.  It is reported that he is suffering from leg and back pain.  Bae has also lost more than fifty pounds, has kidney stones, dizziness and loss of vision.  Prior to his arrest, Bae suffered from diabetes and an enlarged heart.

The White House hopes that the government of North Korea will “grant special clemency to Mr. Bae immediately and allow him to return home with Ambassador [Robert] King.”  While King’s visit may improve political relations with North Korea, the U.S. State Department stated that the immediate release of Bae is the sole purpose of the envoy.

Since 2009, six Americans have been detained by North Korea.  Former U.S. Presidents Clinton and Carter have both successfully negotiated the release of American detainees.  Hopes are also high that Bae will be released, as several years ago King led a U.S. delegation, which resulted in the release of an American who had been detained by the North Koreans for several months.

UPDATE: As of 11:20am EDT North Korea has rescinded its invitation for the U.S. envoy to visit North Korea and try to secure the release of Bae.

 

For further information, please see:

BBC – US Envoy due in North Korea to Seek Prisoner Release – 30 August 2013

CNN – N. Korea Rescinds Invitation to U.S. Envoy over American Prisoner – 30 August 2013

CNN – U.S. Envoy set to Travel to North Korea to try to free Kenneth Bae – 30 August 2013

Times of India – US Envoy on Mission to Free American in North Korea – 30 August 2013

MSNBC – US Envoy Seeks Prisoner Release in North Korea – 29 August 2013