MEMRI's methods are simple: take publicly available videos of things like speeches by dictators like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, statements by terrorist spokespeople or even samples of children's programming inciting violence in Egypt. And they translate these statements from Arabic or Farsi into English, with basic context (Name of the speaker, date and location. Just the facts, ma'am).
Myth #2:The Afghan women’s movement wants foreign troops to leave now.
The Truth: While all Afghans likely want foreign troops to leave their country eventually-- like when there is peace-- many activists and civil society organizations are anxious over what will become of them in the absence of an international security presence, as expressed by some of the women quoted here. Since the Taliban target and have murdered many prominent women including politicians, reporters, government workers and women activists, many women expect to be promptly killed should a Taliban government ever return to power. Many Afghans feel that the international community should wind down its...More >>
The following is a message from the President of the Canada-Afghanistan Solidarity Committee, Babur Mawladin, republished from the CASC site in a week when Malalai Joya will begin a tour of Canada.
This week, Malalai Joya will begin her latest speaking tour of Canada. The message of Joya, who has long collaborated with Canada’s anti-war community, is that Canada is part of a foreign occupation which has invaded Afghanistan and which is unwelcome by the Afghan people.
This could not be further from the truth.
As an Afghan-Canadian, I am alarmed that another Afghan is working so hard to spread a view that is not widely held among either those in Afghanistan nor among Afghans living here in Canada. My assertion can easily be verified by referring to the many polls that have been conducted in Afghanistan, including in 2010, by ABC News, the BBC, Gallup and other sources that used large sample sizes, which have consistently showed that a clear majority of Afghans support the presence of the NATO and US soldiers working to bring peace to...More >>
Two French women became minor celebrities over the weekend for a publicity stunt and video they've titled "Niqabitch", in which they've dressed in a sort of half-Niqab, half-hot pants and heels getup.
They had meant to express solidarity with burqa-wearing women in France, noting "We were not looking to attack or degrade the image of Muslim fundamentalists - each to their own - but rather to question politicians who voted for this law that we consider clearly unconstitutional."
These ladies have gotten it backwards. First, their statement about "each to their own" - utterly ignores the publicly stated reason for the "burqa ban" in France. French officials are worried that Islamist husbands were using burqa-clad wives as walking advertisements for militant Islam. That's a legitimate concern. "Each to their own" only works if these women actually do have a choice in the matter.
Indeed, the women are also ignoring the other side of freedom to wear whatever you want. Can anyone imagine a woman dressed like the "Niqabitches" walking around the self-styled centers of Islam, in...More >>
In her book, “The Punishment of Virtue” Sarah Chayes wrote that, “Afghanistan is a place of too many layers to give itself up to the tactics of a rushed conformity. Afghanistan only uncovers itself with intimacy. And intimacy takes time.”
Too few Canadians have attempted to peel back the layers of Afghanistan’s complexities; and have rather, swallowed whole the portrayal we are fed by our mainstream media of a dark, dangerous and backwards country. Or, many have unquestionably accepted the propaganda of the “anti-war” movement, or more often, not noticed what it is that the pacifists fail to mention, not least of which is what will happen when the international community turns its back on Afghanistan and there is more bloodshed, not less.
This situation of manipulation and misinformation has led to the viral spread and ultimate entrenchment of some persistent myths about Afghanistan and Afghans among the Canadian public. It’s hard to know where to start in attempting to debunk these myths, but I rub up most often against those regarding Afghan women. So I’ll start there, posting...More >>
The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for terrorist attacks in Europe. Current information suggests that al-Qa’ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks. European governments have taken action to guard against a terrorist attack and some have spoken publicly about the heightened threat conditions.
Terrorists may elect to use a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests. U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure. Terrorists have targeted and attacked subway and rail systems, as well as aviation and maritime services. U.S. citizens should take every precaution to be aware of their surroundings and to adopt appropriate safety measures to protect themselves when traveling.
We continue to work closely with our European allies on the threat from international terrorism, including al-Qa’ida. Information is routinely shared between the U.S. and...More >>
While the context is explained somewhat later in the Reuters article, the line is certainly misleading. Syria funds and arms Hamas, which can hardly be called support of Palestinians generally, since Hamas thugs are infamous for beating, kneecapping and murdering scores of their fellow "citizens". Syria also provides support for Hezbollah, which is seekeing to destabilize the Lebanese state.
That's sort of like reporting uncritically of the Taliban's "support" for Afghanistan, isn't it?
Hossein Derakhshan, the Iranian-Canadian 'blogfather' who published instructions on how to blog in Farsi - thereby sparking a kind of blogging renaissance in Iran - has, according to reports, been sentenced to 19 1/2 years in jail by an Iranian court. He was convicted of, among other things, insulting Islamic religious figures and ideas, co-operating with hostile countries, promoting counter-revolutionary groups, and spreading propaganda against the ruling establishment.
Derakhshan was confirmed as being in an Iranian jail way back in 2008 after venturing inside the country's borders, and he's rotted in Iran's judicial system since despite the efforts of the Canadian government to secure his release - the problem being that Iran does not recognize dual citizenships. Once they've gotten someone, that person stays gotten.
The Propagandist has talked a little about Derakhshan's case before, and while it is somewhat heartening that he has not been sentenced to death - as it was earlier speculated he might - this is quite obviously a loss for freedom of speech. Iran's descent into the barbarism of petty tyranny...More >>
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Well, not quite yet. But Kim Jong Il's chubby son, Kim Jong Eun seems to be on a fast track to heading up this totalitarian dynasty. The kid really ought to be encouraged to pack on at least another forty pounds or so before he officially takes over. I mean, you want to make a statement, right?
A phrase that has something to do with a stamping boot is on the tip of my tongue.More >>
With 
This is the second in a series on popular myths about Afghanistan. For Myth #1, read 
The following is a message from the President of the 
Two French women became minor celebrities over the weekend for a publicity stunt and video they've titled "
In her book, “The Punishment of Virtue” Sarah Chayes wrote that, “Afghanistan is a place of too many layers to give itself up to the tactics of a rushed conformity. Afghanistan only uncovers itself with intimacy. And intimacy takes time.”
The 
The presenter, naturally enough, was another dictator of another country famous for exporting terror from Beirut to Buenos Aires. 
Hossein Derakhshan, the Iranian-Canadian 'blogfather' who published instructions on how to blog in Farsi - thereby sparking a kind of blogging renaissance in Iran - has, according to reports, been 
The Propagandist is pleased to showcase our most popular political commentary from September. A sincere thanks must go out to our readers, contributors and sponsors. We're getting more traffic, more comments and some generous mentions with hyperlinks from our fellow propagandists all the time. The revolution continues. Check out these links!
