I just finished watching this and it was very interesting.  The parts that I really clued in on were the activities in the prisons and on the streets of Gaza, and how Hamas has been treating the people.  The use of torture and murder by Hamas, to find and eliminate informants, has really disgusted many in Gaza–to include this son of a Hamas leader. Some call the fighting between Fatah and Hamas and others–the Intrafada, or Palestinian killing Palestinian. It is a problem in Gaza, and because of these power grabs, the Israelis are able to get informants that want to eliminate their competitors.   

   So to follow up on how significant informants have been in this war, and over the years, this is proof positive of their impact.  Check it out, and with the link I provided below, just keep following each part at the end of the video.  It is like six parts, with up to 8 minutes per part.

   Also, Mosab has certainly created a stir within Hamas and throughout the muslim world.  He has numerous death threats against him, and I really feel for the guy.  It took a lot of courage to choose a path that millions of people completely disagree with.  So what made him convert?  The paranoia mixed with torture and murder that Hamas used against the people, and one little idea out of the bible that really struck him. Love thy enemy… It’s hard to imagine that an idea like this could have such an impact, but if this guy came from a highly religious and spiritual family anyways, then that makes sense. -Matt   

—————————————————————— 

Escape from Hamas

Escape from Hamas airs Saturday January 3 at 9 p.m., with repeats at 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. EST, and Sunday January 4 at 9 p.m., with repeats at 12 midnight, 2 a.m., EST.

“As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other world leaders try to broker a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, one former member of the militant Islamic organization said there will never be lasting peace between the two groups.

   Thanks to Matt for sending me this information.  I had no clue the History Channel was doing a series like this.  The one name that popped up for me in the cast, is Cobus.  That dude has been around, and you will find him being mentioned quite a bit in magazines and books. -Head Jundi

——————————————————————

Shadow Force

Series Premiere Friday, November 7 at 10pm/9c

About the Show

Shadow Force showcases the history of unconventional military operations through the eyes of an elite team operating in the modern day and offers one of the first real insights into the high-stakes world of private military operations. The Special Forces soldiers do what governments and aid agencies cannot—from combating piracy in Liberia, to stopping illegal forestation and saving rare mountain gorillas in the Congo, to setting up an alert system to help stop tribal wars in Kenya, to tracking illegal ivory into the black market.

Watch CBS Videos Online

     This was a great little video about a little known subject. How close were we in killing OBL in the early years of the war? According to this interview, it sounds like we were really close. Also, if you want to read the book written by the guy that is being interviewed, check it out here. -Head Jundi

   In this two part video series, I wanted to put this up for anyone that is interested in hearing the latest arguments ‘for’ or ‘against’ the use of private security contractors throughout the world.  Jeremy Schahill is obviously the ‘against’ side of the argument, and David Isenberg is arguing ‘for’.  

    I have read a ton of stuff from David, and he has been very involved with writing about the industry.  With Jeremy, I have skimmed through his book about Blackwater and I have read a couple of his articles.  Both of these men are extremely knowledgeable about the industry, although I have caught several mistakes in Jeremy’s book and had it very subjective feel to it. Either way, it was interesting to hear both men give their side of the issue with Mr. Khan moderating.