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Report: Arrivals by sea in Europe approach 1m mark

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Over 900,000 people reached the continent and 3,563 went missing or drowned trying to make the journey, monitors say.

About 5,000 refugees are reaching Europe each day along the so-called Balkan migrant route [Santi Palacios/AP]

About 5,000 refugees are reaching Europe each day along the so-called Balkan migrant route [Santi Palacios/AP]

by Al Jazeera

More than 900,000 refugees and migrants have arrived in Europe since January 2015, and over 3,000 have drowned or gone missing during the same period, according to the UN and an organisation which monitors the migration flow.

Since January 2015, at least 907,712 refugees and migrants made the journey to Europe, including 878,495 who have arrived by sea, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday.

That means that almost 97 percent arrived by sea.

At least 3,563 people have gone missing or drowned trying to reach Europe, the IOM said.

The UNHCR put the number of arrivals by sea at 886,262, and 3,515 reported missing or dead.

The IOM and UNICEF said that children accounted for 20 percent of those arriving in 2015.

The share is greatest along the Eastern Mediterranean route from Turkey to Greece and through the Western Balkans, where children make up over one-quarter of arrivals.

In October, more than 90 children died on their way to Greece, and in the past week, nine of the 12 deaths on this crossing were children, the IOM said.

Mostly Syrians and Afghans

Along the journey, children are also more at risk of illness and injury, as well as exploitation, separation from family, kidnapping and trafficking.

Greece has seen the largest number of refugees arriving by sea, where at least 738,465 refugees have arrived since January this year.

The majority of those arriving in Europe by sea come from the world’s top 10 refugees-producing countries, the highest being Syria and Afghanistan.

On Wednesday, the EU struck a deal with Turkey in Brussels that aims to limit the flow of refugees into the continent.

The agreement includes providing Turkey with $3.2bn, along with closer ties with the EU in return for handling the refugees from war-torn countries on its territory.

The UNHCR reported in June that the worldwide displacement was at the highest level ever recorded, in which, by the end of 2014, a staggering 59.5 million people were forcibly displaced.

It also said that globally one in every 122 humans is now either a refugee, internally displaced or seeking asylum.

Since 2011, the main reason for such a rise in figures has been the war in Syria, now the world’s single-largest driver of displacement.

Iraq: We don’t need foreign troops to fight ISIL

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Iraqi PM’s comment comes after US defence secretary says extra troops will assist forces in fight against ISIL.

iraq-isis

by Al Jazeera

Iraq has said that any deployment of foreign troops on its soil cannot happen without approval of its government.

The Iraqi prime minister’s comments came in response to the earlier announcement by Ashton Carter, US defence secretary, that the US will deploy “specialised” troops to Iraq to help fight the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.

“We do not need foreign ground combat forces on Iraqi land,” Haider al-Abbadi said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The Iraqi government stresses that any military operation or the deployment of any foreign forces – special or not – in any place in Iraq cannot happen without its approval and coordination and full respect of Iraqi sovereignty.”

Speaking to the House Armed Services Committee, the Pentagon chief had said a “specialised expeditionary targeting force” was being deployed to help Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces.

“In full coordination with the government of Iraq, we’re deploying a specialised expeditionary targeting force to assist Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces and to put even more pressure on ISIL,” Carter said on Tuesday.

“American special operators bring a unique suite of capabilities that make them force multipliers. They will help us garner valuable ground intelligence, further enhance our air campaign and, above all, enable local forces that can regain and then hold territory occupied by ISIL.”

Carter said the special forces would also be able to intervene in Syria, where the US has already announced it is sending about 50 special operations troops.

Al Jazeera’s Rosiland Jordan, reporting from Washington DC, said that the number of additional troops to be sent is still unknown.

“We don’t know yet how many forces are going to be deployed,” she said. “The Iraqi government wants US troops to be helping with the effort and move ISIL off its territory.

“In Syria, the US president has approved a plan to send in special forces, but is doing so without the consent of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and that’s something that has angered Assad since the coalition launched air strikes more than a year ago.”

Carter’s comments come as the British parliament prepares to debate whether the Royal Air Force should start bombing in Syria.

Extra planes could be sent to Cyprus if MPs vote on whether to extend British military intervention against ISIL.

If successfully passed by the MPs on Wednesday, British fighter jets will be allowed to extend their campaign against ISIL fighters in Iraq to neighbouring Syria, where the group has its headquarters in the city of Raqqa.

David Cameron, UK prime minister, called for military intervention in ISIL-held areas of Syria after the group’s attacks in Paris on November 13, which left 130 people dead.

Gujarat local polls: Congress leads in rural areas; BJP ahead in urban

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Gujarat-polls

Ahmedabad: In what could be a setback to the ruling BJP in crucial civic polls in Gujarat, the Congress is leading in district and taluka panchayats even as the saffron party is ahead in corporations and municipalities, as initial counting trends start pouring in from across the state.

The BJP had held almost all the local bodies earlier in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The civic elections have also assumed significance for the ruling party in the backdrop of Patel quota agitation and being the first major political battle for Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.

The Congress has surged ahead in nine district panchayats of the state, while the BJP is leading in four out of the total 31 district panchayats that went to polls.

In the last election, the Congress had only won the Tapi district panchayat.

The BJP, however, is ahead in all the six municipal corporations that went to polls, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar and Vadodara. All the municipal corporations were earlier held by BJP.

The ruling party is also doing reasonably well in the 56 municipalities.

However, in the 230 taluka panchayats, the Congress is doing well at the initial stage, State Election Commission officials said.

In the prestigious Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation polls, the BJP is ahead in more than 50 seats, while the Congress is leading in 15 seats out of total of 192 seats.

However, in a major upset, the Congress is leading its way to win the Rajkot district panchayat, where it is ahead in 22 seats out of total 40, while BJP is ahead in one seat. In the last elections, the BJP had won 26 seats there and the Congress 14 seats.

The voting for six municipal corporations was held on November 26, while that for 31 district panchayats, 230 taluka panchayats and 56 municipalities was held on November 29.

Though the voting for the six municipal corporations was as low as 45 per cent, for other semi-urban and rural bodies it was over 60 per cent.

For the BJP and Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, the polls are being seen as a challenge as they were held after the Patel quota stir and in absence of Narendra Modi.

The Congress is hoping to make a comeback in the state, riding on the Patel quota agitation.

The Patel leaders, who had launched a stir for inclusion under OBC category for reservation, had during the poll campaign told their community members to vote against the BJP, and in favour of the Congress.

(PTI)

‘Visibly’ upset Modi leaves Lok Sabha amid uproar

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Narendra Modi

New Delhi: A visibly upset Prime Minister Narendra Modi left the Lok Sabha on Wednesday as opposition members created a din demanding the sacking of minister V.K. Singh.

After some 40 minutes of uproar, during which Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s repeated requests to the protesting MPs to calm down fell on deaf ears, Modi left the house.

The opposition MPs said they wanted Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh out of the government for making “derogatory comments” against Dalits.

The trouble began soon after the house met for question hour as opposition members assembled near the speaker’s chair shouting slogans against the minister.

“V.K. Singh should resign!” they shouted. Mahajan tried to pacify them on one hand and asked the rest of the house to continue with parliamentary business.

Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptullah looked on from the front rows of the treasury benches.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu also tried to pacify the agitated members, saying the minister had already clarified the issue and there was no point stretching it further.

As the question hour got over amid the din, the speaker again requested the opposition to let the house function but the protesting MPs instead walked out.

(IANS)

Chennai rain fury: Airport shut, Army assisting in rescue operations

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Heavy rain Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Rain-ravaged Chennai was today crawling with air and road traffic severely hit as Army, Navy and NDRF teams stepped up rescue operations in worst-hit localities of the city that is also witnessing power outages.

 

The non-stop torrential rains pounding the city since last night showed some let up in the morning but the inundated streets left commuters stranded.

In view of the water logging, Chennai Airport authorities have shut operations till 6 AM tomorrow. All airlines, including Air India, have cancelled their operations from Chennai airport.

The Airports Authority of India has issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) to all air operators in this regard, an AAI spokesperson said in New Delhi.

The spokesperson said Chennai airport authorities had initially shut operations till this morning but due to incessant rains it has now decided to extend it till 6 AM tomorrow.

Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) is a notice containing information concerning the establishment, condition, or change in any facility, service or procedure, among others, in airspace management.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in view of the situation, the Centre has deployed Army, Navy and NDRF teams in sufficient numbers.

“The Prime Minister has issued a memorandum and we have deployed our Central team there to assess the situation and make a report so that every possible help can also reach there,” Singh said.

Two columns of army’s Garrison Infantry Battalion have been pressed into service in Tambaram and Oorapakkam after the Tamil Nadu government sought military assistance.

The Navy has also been deployed to assist in the operations.

“More army personnel are coming to Chennai from Bengaluru,” a Defence Public Relations official said.

Navy personnel have been deployed in Sadiapet area of Chennai to rescue people marooned in low-lying areas.

The NDRF is airlifting another 15 teams to the rain-battered state. While 10 teams are being airlifted from Bhubaneshwar to Tirupati, another five teams are being lifted from Delhi, NDRF DG O P Singh said.

Each team comprises 40 personnel.

The teams are also carrying 20 inflatable boats along with them for the rescue operations.

NDRF DIG and commanding officer have been stationed in Chennai to take stock of the operations, he said.

Singh said that he is also in constant touch with the Relief Commissioner of Tamil Nadu.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said more forces will be deployed to tackle the situation.

However, “we are facing difficulty in bringing them (forces) there as the airport is also not operating,” he said.

The rains that have virtually broken a 100-year-old record with one day’s rainfall covering a month’s average have flooded areas in Vadapalani, Valasaravakkam and Nandamvakkam as nearby lakes overflowed into the city.

The situation has worsened in suburban areas of Tambaram and Mudichur after the Chembarakam lake overflowed and an unprecedented 26,000 cusecs of water was released flooding the downstream areas. These areas had already suffered heavily during the earlier spells of rains.

A large part of the road near Madhya Kailash temple in the heart of the city in an area that connects the IT corridor has caved in resulting in a huge crater and disrupting traffic.

Even in hitherto unaffected areas, people have complained that water entered their homes and roads flooded with surging waters. Several areas in the city went without power as supply was cut as a safety precaution.

DG MeT Department Laxman Singh Rathore said, “Extremely heavy rainfall has been occurring for sometime and today Tamil Nadu has witnessed 35 cm of rainfall that has created havoc.

“Its intensity, however, will decrease in the next 48 hours and further by 72 hours but it is likely to continue for five-seven days,” he said.

DMK MP Kanimozhi demanded that the Centre should declare it as a national disaster as it is not only Chennai that is affected but also coastal areas of Tamil Nadu.

“The rain is unrelenting and more rains have been predicted in another few more days. I really don’t understand how state government can handle the situation. We need more resources, more help and everything has to be rushed quickly. We need whatever support Centre can give to the state government,” she said.

Meanwhile, Spicejet has cancelled all its flights till tomorrow, while Jet Airways has cancelled all its flights to and from Chennai for today.

Budget carrier IndiGo has announced cancellation of all flights from Chennai.

“Due to heavy rains causing water logging on the Chennai runway all the inbound and outbound flights to and fro Chennai have been cancelled,” Indigo tweeted.

(Agencies)

Be the revolution – A street play

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SIBM

Bengaluru: In the memory of the tragic 26/11 Mumbai attacks that took place seven years back, students of Jzaa – the drama club of Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Bengaluru performed an outstanding street play on the theme “Shaurya” to enlighten the crowd on issues at hand,thereby creating awareness and developing a strong impetus for change.

With a crisp script, catchy phrases, songs and intelligent emphasis on speech, the nukkad-natak created a prevailing effect on viewers and reflected on the sacrifices made by the defense authorities we so easily dismiss as “useless”.

It was a tribute to brave-hearts like Hemant Karkare, Tukaram Gopal Omble, Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Vijay Salaskarand Ashok Kamte who lost their lives fighting terrorism on the day whichwas by far Mumbai’sworst nightmare. These high ranking, extremely proficient police officers lost their lives during the brazen 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks due to lack of proper defence aids (bulletproof jackets, advanced arms and ammunitionsetc.). Poor investment, negligence towards security and respect for policemen were the main focus of the act presented.

With an interesting depiction of crimes, performers illustrated the conventional reaction we righteous change seekers give, hampering the growth rather than being progressive-holding the government responsible, questioning the competency of our crime squads and policemen, and even blaming victims in cases of rape. The performers portrayed how change in society does not merely mean reacting-accusing-rioting-forgetting, playing the age-old blame game on the government for mishandling the affairs. It is to find an alternative that will help mitigate the situation.

Throwing in jingles like “HUM HAI AAJKE YOUTH.. “,” BANDE ME HAI DUM. . . . “,” HO GAI HAI PEER PARVAT..” and widely intense expression, with appropriate loudness in voice and well structured dialogues, the students stormed the floor emphasizing the power of youth to bring about improvement in society.Nothing is more impactful than a clever mixture of entertainment andan attempt to bring about change.

Ranji Trophy: Mumbai score 370/2 on opening day against Gujarat

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Unbeaten tons from young guns Akhil Herwadkar and Suryakumar Yadav helped Mumbai pile up 370 for 2 on day one.

Suryakumar Yadav stroked his way to 103 not out off 159 balls – studded with 3 sixes and 9 fours. (Source: Express Photo by Kevin D’Souza)

Suryakumar Yadav stroked his way to 103 not out off 159 balls – studded with 3 sixes and 9 fours. (Source: Express Photo by Kevin D’Souza)

Mumbai: Mumbai rode on unbeaten centuries from Akhil Herwadkar and Suryakumar Yadav to pile up 370 for 2 on day one of their Group B Ranji Trophy game against Gujarat at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Gujarat’s hopes of securing at least the first innings lead to enhance their hopes of advancing to the quarters took a beating as the hosts, surprisingly asked to bat first by visiting team captain Parthiv Patel, scored at more than four an over to grab the advantage.

Left-handed opener Herwadkar remained unconquered at the end of the day with a patient knock of 143 off 257 balls, inclusive of 16 fours and a six.

He was lucky to be let off twice by wicket keeper and rival captain Patel before he reached 40s.

Yadav, at the other end, stroked his way to 103 not out off 159 balls – studded with 3 sixes and 9 fours.

The third wicket duo, who joined forces at the fall of one-down batsman Shreyas Iyer (75 off 69 balls with 10 fours and a six), had added 196 runs before stumps.

Earlier, put in to bat the home team – already assured of a berth in the last eight – raced to 74 before losing opener Jay Bista, edging left arm R P Singh to ‘keeper Patel, for a breezy knock of 44 that included six hits to the fence.

The ever-aggressive Iyer and Herwadkar then came together to stitch a partnership of 100 runs before the former lost patience and his wicket. In trying to glide Rush Kalaria over the wicket keeper’s head he managed only an edge to Parthiv.

To make things worse, the Gujarat captain let off Herwadkar when on 12, a difficult leg-side catch, and a regulation stumping when the left hander (39) rushed out to the first ball from left- arm spinner Axar Patel and got beaten.

Taking full advantage of these reprieves, Herwadkar reached his half century in 101 balls. He was more aggressive later and reached his second ton of the season in 196 balls.

Yadav, after the fall of Iyer, stroked his way to his half century before tea in 69 balls and then slowed down a bit to complete his hundred in 148 balls.

Brief scores: Mumbai 370 for 2 (A Herwadkar not out 143, J Bista 44, S Iyer 75, S Yadav not out 103)

Rayudu helps Baroda reach 242/5 on Day 1

Ambati Rayudu (70) and Aditya Waghmode (56) cracked twin half-centuries as Baroda reached 242 for 5 in their first innings against Uttar Pradesh on the opening day of a Group B Ranji Trophy match.

Rayudu’s 184-ball unbeaten innings was studded with seven boundaries and a six, while Waghmode hit six fours and a six during his 113 ball stay at the Greater Noida Sports Complex G round here.

At the draw of stumps, Rayudu was at the crease and giving him company was Irfan Pathan (18).

Brief Scores: Baroda 242 for 5 in 83 overs (A Rayudu 70; Praveen Kumar 2/34)

(PTI)

BalaJanaagrah Project by students of Oasis International School

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Oasis International School

Bengaluru: The students of Oasis International School chose to work towards the improvement of Thanisandra Main Road as a part of their Bala Janaagraha Project on – Or Roads, the Tender Sure Way.This road is divided by a median which separates the road into two different wards.One part of the road comes under ward number 6; coperatorMrs.

Mamtha Venkatesh, MLA Krishnabyregowda and Byatarayanapura Constituency. The other part comes under ward number 24; corporator. Mr.P Anand and MLA as Mr. K J George, Sarvagnanagar Constituency.

The problems faced by the residents of this area are:

  • Traffic congestion especially after 5:00 in evening create alot of air pollution and sometimes causes accidents.
  • Footpaths are not properly built; they are too narrow, irregular, uneven and broken all along the road. Many shops have encroached on the footpath.
    There is no parking facility anywhere along this road.
  • Along the part of the road which the students surveyed, two streetlights were broken and two not in working conditions. A major part is lit by hoardings and light from the apartments.
  • The drains overflow due to heavy rains.
  • There is alot of garbage found nearly everywhere.
  • There are no public washrooms, park, etc.
  • The median is not straight at places and has not a single plant.

Actions taken by the students were as follows:

  • The students spoke to the corporators of both the wards who said that they would ensure that the garbage is pick-up regularly and the potholes are filled.
  • The students spoke to the security manager of 4 Star Hotel Howard Johnson who offered to place dustbins and saplings along this road in future when the road is done.
  • They lodged complaints in many websites such as www.ichangemycity., People’s Problems, Deccan Herald, wrote to “Saytrees” who would provide saplings to plant.
  • A cleanliness drive was organized in the presence of the health officer of ward 6 and civil engineer of BBMP.
  • An invited was emailed to Dettol India for their contribution in the cleanliness drive.
  • The students sent water sample to BS Analytical Testing Laboratory to check if the water was safe for drinking. The report said that the water was chemical and physical safe for drinking.
  • They hung pollution catchers by greasing two paper plates to check the dust collecting on them due to traffic movement.
  • A traffic and pedestrian count to verify the amount of traffic flow and people using the footpath was conducted.

Solutions:

  • Immediate results were that intense cleaning took place, manhole and some storm water drains were covered and a few potholes were filled soon after.
  • The students organized a free medical camp at Saraipalya at Umar Farooq Masjid with the help of Islamic Information Centre. There were about 300 people who got their eyes, dental and general check up. Free medicines and toothpastes were distributed. Many people had their blood sugar test done and 13 free cataract surgery were registered.
  • Many people in the locality were made aware of their situation and informed to contact helpline number to lodge complaint regarding civic issues. A tract was allotted as auto stand which eased the people shopping/travelling in this area.

This project by BalaJanaagraha organisation has got not only the students actively involved the local issues but also their parents and neighbours.; and inturn, made the officials alert and reminded them of their duties. This could be a drop in the ocean, never-the-less, it has made a difference in the lives of all these janaagrahis!

Heavy rain disrupts normal life again in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry

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Heavy rain Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Heavy rainfall inundated parts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, and Puducherry on Tuesday, severely affecting daily life. The weather office also forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and neighbouring Puducherry on Wednesday, reported PTI.

A holiday has been declared on Tuesday for educational institutions in these districts as well as in Puducherry. In Chennai, the rain resulted in water-logging in several areas, while flight operations were also hit due to the inclement weather conditions.

Chennai Collector E Sundaravalli said there was a possibility of increasing discharge of excess water from Chembarambakkam lake, a key reservoir which provides drinking water to the city, into Adyar river. With the discharge likely to go up, the collector asked residents living along the banks of Adyar river to move to safer areas.

(Agencies)

‘Huge error’: Former US military chief admits Iraq invasion spawned ISIS

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The U.S. is poised to repeat all the same mistakes in Syria that it made in Iraq after 9/11, says former head of Defense Intelligence Agency

The Islamic State (ISIS) formed in the wake of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, said (Ret.) U.S. General Mike Flynn. (Photo: AP)

The Islamic State (ISIS) formed in the wake of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, said (Ret.) U.S. General Mike Flynn. (Photo: AP)

by Nadia Prupis, Common Dreams

The 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq fueled the creation of the Islamic State (ISIS) today and must serve as a warning against similar rash military intervention in Syria, a former U.S. intelligence chief said in an interview with German media on Sunday.

“When 9/11 occurred, all the emotions took over, and our response was, ‘Where did those bastards come from? Let’s go kill them. Let’s go get them.’ Instead of asking why they attacked us, we asked where they came from,” former U.S. special forces chief Mike Flynn, who also served as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), told Der Spiegel. “Then we strategically marched in the wrong direction.”

In recent weeks, ISIS has claimed responsibility for attacks in Lebanon andParis and the bombing of a Russian airplane over the Sinai peninsula, which together killed hundreds of people. Following the attacks, French President François Hollande vowed a “merciless” response against the group in Syria and Iraq—a statement that prompted comparisons between Hollande and former U.S. President George W. Bush in the wake of 9/11.

Echoing long-held arguments made by other experts, Flynn said Sunday that increased airstrikes and other offensives could be seen as an attempt to “invade or even own Syria,” and that the fight against militant groups like ISIS will only succeed or make progress through collaborative efforts with both Western and Arab nations. “Our message must be that we want to help and that we will leave once the problems have been solved. The Arab nations must be on our side.”

Otherwise, the U.S. is poised to repeat all its past mistakes, he said.

Der Spiegel‘s Matthias Gebauer and Holger Stark noted that in February 2004, the U.S. military “already had [ISIS leader] Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in your hands—he was imprisoned in a military camp, but got cleared later as harmless by a U.S. military commission. How could that fatal mistake happen?”

Flynn replied:

We were too dumb. We didn’t understand who we had there at that moment.

[….] First we went to Afghanistan, where al-Qaida was based. Then we went into Iraq. Instead of asking ourselves why the phenomenon of terror occurred, we were looking for locations. This is a major lesson we must learn in order not to make the same mistakes again.

Asked whether he regretted the Iraq War, Flynn responded simply, “Yes, absolutely.”

“It was a huge error,” Flynn said. “As brutal as Saddam Hussein was, it was a mistake to just eliminate him. The same is true for Moammar Gadhafi and for Libya, which is now a failed state. The historic lesson is that it was a strategic failure to go into Iraq. History will not be and should not be kind with that decision.”

Flynn’s interview with Der Spiegel echoes comments he made to Al Jazeera‘s Mehdi Hasan in August that the U.S. “totally blew it” in preventing the caliphate’s rise “in the very beginning.”

In fact, Flynn said, the U.S. deliberately backed extremist groups within the Syrian rebel movement as far back as 2012, when he was still DIA head. The Obama administration was aware at the time of a recently-declassified DIA memo that predicted the rise of a militant group in eastern Syria. Supporting the insurgency was a “willful decision,” he said.

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