Beautiful Gate South Africa’s Post

Choi Jin-young is advocating for his father, Choi Chun-kil, a South Korean missionary sentenced to life in a North Korean prison. As the tenth anniversary of his father's arrest approaches, he expresses uncertainty about his father's fate and the severe conditions he likely endures. Choi Chun-kil is one of at least six South Koreans, mainly Christian missionaries and defectors, who have disappeared in North Korea over the past decade. These missionaries were arrested between 2013 and 2014 for covertly spreading Christianity. They have been accused of espionage and have not seen their families or received consular support since detention. Unlike American detainees, who are often released within a couple of years, North Korea has kept these South Korean prisoners for an extended duration, raising suspicions that their arrests might have been manipulated with fabricated charges. The families of the detainees endure significant emotional distress and uncertainty. Kim Jeong-sam, a brother of another jailed missionary, shares his deep sorrow and longing for connection. Although South Korea's Unification Ministry seeks information about the well-being of the detained, North Korea remains unresponsive, leading to concerns about their treatment. Former prisoners suggest conditions for these missionaries may be better than for typical inmates, yet worries about their health persist. Experts highlight a divergence in North Korea's approach with different countries, showing a more adversarial posture toward South Korea. Critics argue that the South Korean government has not adequately pursued the release of its citizens, possibly reflecting public indifference. The current government under President Yoon Suk Yeol is working to raise awareness about human rights abuses and the situation of detainees, although political instability might hinder these efforts. Ongoing tensions between North and South Korea are complicating diplomatic communications. Advocates argue that it is crucial to sustain dialogue and public recognition to foster hope for the return of detained missionaries during future negotiation opportunities. #AsiaRisk #NorthKorea #Japan Get a full accounting of the security situation in Asia by subscribing to Security Asia. Subscribe now--free of charge--at Substack https://lnkd.in/gPtAUrsX https://lnkd.in/gZQ4rfsz

What is a tyrant ? Sadam? Bush ? Assad ? Blair ? Etc etc ….In fact they all are but from a different prospective , the only ones who is directly effective feels the pain and suffering , in reality our outlook to the world and wanting what others have is a very dangerous prospect that is causing humsnity at large to shrink , in fact some of these tyrants might have caused us problems but for some of us that we are still alive is an achievement. We seem to always miss out on something important , we lack reflection as we race to loot a resident of a tyrant or to express our anger or excitement . In fact the killing committed by Zionist in the last 13 months or so , makes them the masters of tyranny and crime . Did Assad or Sadam or other small players really imposed danger to the humanity at large ? Many would tell you that they were no more than tools in the hands of the masters , the masters who can’t be judged or indicted by any court or organisation, the masters that kills and rule as they wish , the masters that can slave , starve or destroy , either directly or indirectly by using tools like the Bush, the Assad or many more . Maybe it is time to let Zionist have their greater country from the Nile to the Euphrates, because for sure that is the only way that makes them realise that the world is much more human than they believe . By then most humans will either be slaved, dead or maybe reflecting on the true history that their ancestors( us) neglected for a long time . The other option is ‘ keep smiling , life is too short ‘ we hope 🤔

Think critically...

Two of Malik Al-Abdeh's relatives died in Syrian prisons in the 1980s under the brutal rule of Hafez al-Assad. Two more were killed as members of the Free Syrian Army fighting the regime of Bashar al-Assad in the civil war. Malik's family escaped to the UK - but ended up living opposite Assad's father-in-law in west London, when Fawaz Akhras's daughter Asma married the dictator in 2000. "Assad’s kleptocratic family is the epitome of 'the banality of evil'", he writes here - describing how their secret police, the Mukhabarat, oversaw everything and encouraged even neighbours and family members to inform on each other. "I used to wonder what was going through their heads. They can’t have put themselves in the place of someone whose son had disappeared and ended up being tortured to death." Malik is cautiously optimistic but realises there are huge unknowns and challenges ahead. He has travelled to the northern area of Syria which the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has been ruling in recent years. He explains how he is encouraged that people there have had relative freedom of expression and religion for the last four or five years, although there have been restrictions on some social freedoms and all the women he met there were wearing headscarves. "Syrians are wary. People are afraid that we might be replacing one dictator for another, just with a beard," he writes. He believes there are already dangerous indications of a cult of personality emerging around the HTS leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa - previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. "We have to be careful of those early warning signs. He is a general who’s captured power – will he be prepared to share it? He’s never used the words 'democracy' or 'elections'. He’s spoken a lot about institutions, but dictatorships love those too. Is he willing to embrace genuine democracy? Like a lot of people, I have my doubts." It was a pleasure to work on this article with Malik for The i Paper: https://lnkd.in/dpBuAnv4 #Syria #Politics #InternationalRelations #MiddleEast #Democracy

#Syria is witnessing a remarkable chapter in its history-- a pivotal moment in its pursuit of #freedom and #democracy. The recent fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, following the rebels’ capture of Damascus, marks a significant shift in the nation’s trajectory. This development has opened the door to establishing a democratic society, offering hope for a more just and inclusive future. In times like these, it’s essential to engage with accurate, on-the-ground perspectives from #Syrians themselves. I highly recommend following experts like Mohammed Alaa Ghanem, who provides insightful and authentic analysis of Syria’s evolving political landscape. Staying informed through voices directly connected to the Syrian experience ensures a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping the country’s future. Let’s continue to stand in solidarity with the Syrian people, amplify their stories, and support their journey toward a brighter, more democratic future. #HumanRights #MiddleEast

Shafaq News reports former PM Iyad Allawi warns civil war approaching in #Iraq. He's correct. The Hill Most times, I've found his predictions accurate. I predict 2007 levels. iraq body count Despite Prime Minister's Office, Republic of Iraq claiming #PKK arrests for recent arson incidents, two massive fires just occurred in #Nasiriyah and #Diyala. A Minister's home was burned down in #Erbil today. It's my opinion, fires are intentional, but passive resistance by ordinary Iraqis, like slaves, during slavery. ( The Japan Times The Moscow Times RT Middle East Eye) I've warned many times, no avail. United States Department of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkey must reduce its presence, withdraw. #Turkey has increased its activities in Northern Iraq. In 3 weeks, the resistance, fighters from neighboring nations, and foreign elements within Iraq, will commence to expel both, according to reports. ( Defense News The Guardian +972 Magazine United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations The Fraser Institute) It is my prediction, foreign civilians and businesses, will have no immunity also, as prior attacks. (KFC McDonald's Expat Explore Travel Foreign Investment Network USAID) The problem is foreign occupation, and corruption and repression by corrupt leadership. Both also created #ISIS #Daesh. Not Islam. ( Islamic Relief Worldwide Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Rashida Tlaib) The claims of progress in Iraq are in the mainstream media: such as brand new restaraunts and private schools, the tallest hotel in Erbil, a new road to Europe, more. While videos are circulating of residents, South-North Iraq, complaining of absence of water, no jobs, and electricity outages. ( Antiwar.com CODEPINK: Women for Peace The Stimson Center) People are also being thrown in jail for Facebook comments, without due process, and tortured. ( Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF) World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)) Sue Mitchell of BBC News also extradited a human trafficker, Barzan Majeed, though no extradition treaty exists, between Iraq and Belgium. 🤔 I commend Biznis Intel for ceasing its contract at #Baghdad airport. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada have closed in Iraq. Perhaps more. Christiane Hohmann Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Stay safe and let's hope for the best 🙏 The New York Times WION (World Is One News) Daily Mail News Press TV CBS #Iraq #civilwar #corruption #hypocrisy #ISIS #Daesh #kidnappings #ruleoflaw https://lnkd.in/dRhY7yF6

Two stories are currently circulating in Iraq: 1. The U.S. is planning an imminent withdrawal of forces (yes, again). 2. A prison (Al-Sinaa) in Syria has released thousands of #ISIS fighters who are expected to cross into Iraq imminently. Regarding the coalition leaving #Iraq, this is unlikely to happen soon, if at all. Despite the Al-Fatah Alliance repeatedly claiming it is happening and the Iraqi government promoting this narrative to appease their Iranian masters, nothing is set in stone. The most likely scenario is a partial withdrawal, with some forces staying and some leaving, leading to a reduction in numbers. Concerning the “imminent invasion” of ISIS from Syria, a story propagated by militia factions, while there is a prisoner release, #Syrian prisons hold various individuals. These include ISIS members, criminals, civilians caught up in conflict, the wrongly arrested, thousands of women kidnapped and made ISIS brides, many children, the elderly, and the ill. As one can imagine, the conditions in these jails are inhumane, there is little due process, little care, rampant torture, abuse, and death. Amnesty International has driven the recent release of approximately 200 prisoners. Iraqi militias, on the other hand, are trying to blame the U.S. for this release to stir up hysteria, suggesting that the U.S. will allow ISIS to flow into Iraq. They claim: “What is happening is not a coincidence at all. What is happening is the implementation of direct #American orders to release terrorists and Takfiris in Syria and Iraq to implement new plans and operations. Hence, we appeal to the honourable people to take their role and save the blood that was shed in order to put the Takfiris and terrorists in prisons and prevent their release” – Militia news channel. (Note: Takfiri is an Arabic term used by #Muslims to describe other Muslims as apostates, labeling them as infidels.) However, to pacify the population, Salam Abu Masouma, Assistant Commander of the #PMF in #Nineveh, issued a statement asserting that his security forces are capable of addressing any challenges, and that not all individuals released by the Syrian Defense Forces were ISIS members (almost none are). He further stated that in addition to the PMF security forces, the army, border guards, and federal police are prepared to handle any ISIS infiltration attempts. Today, July 24th, the security leadership in Nineveh, including Governor Abdul Qader Dakhil, convened an expanded meeting to address these developments. They agreed on strengthening the defense of western Nineveh regions bordering Syria, intensifying intelligence efforts, redeploying forces to prevent infiltration, and maintaining constant vigilance. Given the recent quantity of ISIS raids, including the arrest of 20 members near #Kirkuk this week, the threat of ISIS certainly exists, but it mainly comes from splinter cells and independent groups operating throughout Iraq. #iraq #geopolitics #mena

The report's allegations of abuse against women in Nigerian military cells are deeply disturbing and demand immediate attention. The fact that these women were fleeing Boko Haram captivity only to face further violence and trauma at the hands of those supposed to protect them is a stark indictment of Nigeria's military and governance structure. The report's findings, based on 126 interviews over 14 years, underscore the systemic nature of this abuse and the culture of impunity that perpetuates it. Nigeria must take concrete steps to address these atrocities, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure justice and support for survivors. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust placed in the military and government to protect citizens. #Nigeria #NigeriaGovt #NigeriaMilitary #JusticeForSurvivors #EndMilitaryImpunity #SupportForSurvivors #NigeriaMustDoBetter https://lnkd.in/dMXndU2z

Excited that African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) published our article on the use of soft approaches in preventing violent extremism . Many thanks ACCORD and congratulations Jescah Otieno “The soft approaches to counter violent extremism also seek to render extremist movements outdated by undermining the foundations upon which these movements are built. One of the reasons is that terrorism ends when there is an unsuccessful generational transition. This means that the organization is unable to entice younger people to join because they do not share the same objectives or beliefs as the older generation” Regina M. Mwendwa and Jescah Otieno Sellah King'oro, IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (ICEPCVE) Martha Njiiri, PhDKoigu Ndegwa Nawiri Dallin Van Leuven GCERF (Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund) iDove - Interfaith Dialogue on Violent Extremism Peacemakers Network Jessica Roland Jutta Martens Countering Violent Extremism #intergenrationalconversations #integenerationaldialogue #integenerationaljustice https://lnkd.in/dNZ49bbv

When someone is radicalized to the point of preparing to attack those outside of his or her religion, what can those around him do to stop him? Multiple times, in the discourse surrounding Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday attack and the radicalization that spread from Zahran and Naufer Moulavi’s NTJ group – there has been an outcry against rehabilitation. But what really is rehabilitation? Many fear the term 'Rehabilitation,' thinking it means ethnic, cultural, or religious cleansing. Others fear that it is a form of brainwashing. But when done right, it is neither of these. Rehabilitation should be spearheaded by the community leaders themselves. And this is what Sri Lanka needs. After the Easter Sunday attack in 2019, there has been 4 separate instances where Sri Lankans have been apprehended, deported, or held responsible for engaging in violent extremist practices. Initially, in the UAE, and then later in New Zealand, the UK, and most recently in Gujarat, India. In other countries and regions, in the immediate aftermath of a terror attack, governments and community leaders come together and work together to ensure non-recurrence and rehabilitate radicalized parties. But, in Sri Lanka’s example, none of this has been taken seriously enough, which is why occasionally cells are disrupted across the world. Watch video here: https://lnkd.in/gCgmcWjW --- I have painstakingly stressed that the scourge of IS is not gone from Sri Lanka even though Zahran and his cohort were dismantled. Zahran was only the symptom of a larger problem of radicalization in the country. Whether we like it or not, the regional problem of radicalization into extremist organizations has come to Sri Lanka as I predicted it would in my book “Sri Lanka’s Easter Attack: Lessons for the International Community”. However, neither the government nor the Muslim community heeded my warnings and today we see another symptom of the same wound. In this series of videos, I go into detail explaining not just this event but also radicalization and the solution. Stay tuned to learn; hopefully, we can help prevent this from happening again. #India #SriLanka #IslamicState #IS #radicalisation #internationalsecurity #rehabilitation #terrorism