The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant Megathread

[KRonn]

The Taliban did the same in Afghanistan, destroying ancient antique statues and treasures. So no surprise to see ISIS doing it but still so sad to see these ancient historical treasures being destroyed. They don't want any reminders of the other cultures, people, ideas or the civilized world.

[CountDeMoney]

Certainly not their most appalling act but ugh.

Yeah, actually it is.  Killing people is one thing, but destroying the history of human civilization is something entirely different.

Can't speak to the video itself as like with all their other videos, I ain't watching.

Just like we've seen before, from the Taliban to Timbuktu, it's heartbreaking.

[Valmy]

Certainly not their most appalling act but ugh.

Yeah, actually it is.  Killing people is one thing, but destroying the history of human civilization is something entirely different.

I am just glad Slargos is not around to see you say this.

[CountDeMoney]

I am just glad Slargos is not around to see you say this.

Meh, I beat Slargos with a copy of Deities & Demigods, 1st Ed.

[dps]

Relax.  He's just an angry young man.

He's just an excitable boy.

[mongers]

I presume most of you have seen this, apparently Jihadi John as been identified as this 'Londoner':

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31637090

'Jihadi John' named as Mohammed Emwazi from London

The masked Islamic State militant known as "Jihadi John", who has been pictured in the videos of the beheadings of Western hostages, has been named.

He is Mohammed Emwazi, a Kuwaiti-born British man in his mid-20s from west London, who was previously known to British security services.

British police declined to comment, citing ongoing investigations.

Emwazi first appeared in a video last August, when he apparently killed the US journalist James Foley.

He was later thought to have been pictured in the videos of the beheadings of US journalist Steven Sotloff, British aid worker David Haines, British taxi driver Alan Henning, and American aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig, also known as Pete
.....

There may be a bit of a media storm brewing over this given that a extremism research group have been popping up explaining how this guy was 'driven' into the arms of IS/extremism by the attentions of the British security services. 

[Ed Anger]

I was laughing at the CAGE faggits. specifically the bald whiner.

[mongers]

I was laughing at the CAGE faggits. specifically the bald whiner.

Yeah that guy was just terrible, no idea of the context within which he was making those comments; "a beautiful young man".   

[grumbler]

Relax.  He's just an angry young man.

He's just an excitable boy.

Only when Johnny strikes up the band.

[Razgovory]

I haven't been following this thread.

Did Raz find a quote of Barack Hussein Obama saying Mohammed without saying PBUH?

Yes, but you never said that you would admit you were wrong and become a Democrat if I proved you lied.

[Valmy]

Wait are they claiming the British security services were observing a completely blameless wonderful young man who, in response to being observed, went to Syria and joined ISIS?  Or did the British send him over as a spy or something and he went turncoat?

[Ed Anger]

Blameless young man

[Sheilbh]

There may be a bit of a media storm brewing over this given that a extremism research group have been popping up explaining how this guy was 'driven' into the arms of IS/extremism by the attentions of the British security services. 

I hope the media will be a bit less credulous about CAGE and Begg. I doubt it though

Wait are they claiming the British security services were observing a completely blameless wonderful young man who, in response to being observed, went to Syria and joined ISIS?  Or did the British send him over as a spy or something and he went turncoat?

The former. Glad to hear that British intelligence did apparently try to turn him at least.

[CountDeMoney]

Glad to hear that British intelligence did apparently try to turn him at least.

Or they just put it out there that they tried, to portray him to ISIL as a questionable asset.

[Malthus]

Wait are they claiming the British security services were observing a completely blameless wonderful young man who, in response to being observed, went to Syria and joined ISIS?  Or did the British send him over as a spy or something and he went turncoat?

"How dare they suspect me of being a terrorist! For that insult, I must cut off heads!"