Downing Reports: Brian M Downing and the world at war
This is an effort to detach Hamas from its ties to Iran. This may initially seem like good news for Israel, but I’ve long noted that Saudi Arabia is a greater threat to Israel than Iran. The Saudis already have considerable influence over Egypt and are trying to gain the same in Sunni region of Iraq and Syria.
Iraq’s chief cleric calls for reform
In the wake of the army’s poor performance, and the failure to deliver electricity and other services, Iraqis are angry and demanding reforms. Add Ayatollah Sistani’s voice to the calls for change. Distant, 85, is the top cleric and has a great deal of respect in Iraq, though he personally eschews direct political action. Iraq is badly in need of reform, but corruption and nepotism and cronyism. are tightly woven into public life.
Arrest made regarding Thailand bombing
Authorities have arrested a man said to be in possession of bomb-making materials. The military has long insisted that there are no ties to international terrorist outfits such as ISIL and al Qaeda. Not sure how they knew this. There is an appreciable Islamist insurgency in the country’s Panang peninsula to the south.