Central American Countries Are Helping Middle Easterners Illegally Enter the United States

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Golfito, Costa Rica — It was here in March 2017, at the main aluminum structure of a government migrant camp, that federal Costa Rican police arrested Ibrahim Qoordheen of Somalia as a suspected al Shabaab terrorist operative on his way to the U.S. southern border.

Qoordheen had been smuggled from Zambia to Brazil, passed through Panama, and was making his way north through Costa Rica when the Americans had him arrested here, 20 miles inside Costa Rica, according to an American intelligence official with knowledge of the case who spoke on condition of anonymity. The Golfito camp, with a capacity of 250, was set up as a two-day rest station for South America-exiting migrants whom the governments of Panama and Costa Rica register and help move through northward to Nicaragua. . .

Luckily, the Somali stayed long enough for an American intelligence analyst working with the name he had provided in Panama to unscramble it and match it to a pre-existing intelligence file that identified him as intertwined with an al Shabaab cell and smuggling network in Zambia, the U.S. intelligence official said.

A Costa Rican immigration service official whose jurisdiction includes the Golfito camp disclosed that at least several other U.S.-bound suspected terrorists also were pulled from this camp since Qoordheen’s March 2017 arrest, likewise based on significant derogatory U.S. counterterrorism intelligence. The Costa Rican official declined to provide specifics of the intelligence beyond that it involved terrorism, offering only that: “Most are good, but some are bad.”

The American public was never told that Qoordheen and other suspected terrorists were pulled off U.S.-bound migrant routes in distant Costa Rica and Panama because such information is usually classified or not disclosable, in line with standard practice to protect ongoing investigations and operations. (Read more from “Central American Countries Are Helping Middle Easterners Illegally Enter the United States” HERE)

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New: Emerging Information on U.S. ‘Spy’ Detained in Russia

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As I previously reported here at Townhall, a United States citizen who has now been identified as Paul Whelan, has been detained by the Russian Federal Security Service and said to be caught “during an espionage operation.”

His twin brother is now speaking up on background regarding his brother’s trip, who was a former U.S. Marine. David asserted in many TV interviews early Wednesday that his brother was in Russia to attend a wedding. David Whelan has also shared that this family was told by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow that they have not been able to speak to Paul since his arrest.

Paul’s brother claims he was a frequent traveler to Moscow and the last time anyone heard from him was around 5 p.m. when he failed to show up that evening for the wedding.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said the United States intends to learn more about the charges and will demand his immediate return “if the detention is not appropriate.”

Pompeo continues in part stating that the U.S. has “made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges and come to understand what it is he’s been accused of and if the detention is not appropriate we will demand his immediate return.” (Read more from “New: Emerging Information on U.S. ‘Spy’ Detained in Russia” HERE)

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Mexican President’s Immigration Plan Could Be Game Changer

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By Fox News. In a bid to reduce migration to the U.S. and attract investment, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has proposed the creation of economic “free zones” along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Tax Incentive Decree for the Northern Border Region, which Lopez Obrador announced Saturday, would create a free zone that would stretch from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Coast and be more than 15 miles wide, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Inside the zone, income taxes would be reduced by a third and Value Added Taxes on imported goods would be slashed in half, the minimum wage would increase 100 percent, and fuel prices would equal U.S. prices, the report said.

“It’s going to be the biggest free zone in the world,” Lopez Obrador said. “It is very important to project for winning investment, creating jobs and taking advantage of the economic strength of the United States.”

Lopez Obrador, a self-styled left-wing populist, took office Dec. 1 with the promise to help the country’s poor, noting that the nation’s minimum wage had lost 70 percent of its purchasing power in recent decades after devaluations and economic crises. (Read more from “Mexican President’s Immigration Plan Could Be Game Changer” HERE)

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US, Mexico Seek to Stem Migration From Central America by Funding Development in Region

By USA Today. The United States and Mexico will be cooperating closely to convince thousands of potential Central American migrants to not risk the perilous journey to the U.S. border by investing money into some of the region’s poorest areas.

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said up to $10.6 billion in existing U.S. funding would fund “institutional reform” and “good government” initiatives in Central America, along with regional development in southern Mexico – where new Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has promised to pull the region out of poverty through projects ranging from railways to refineries to planting thousands of hectares of trees.

Cross-border cabinet meetings would be convened, Ebrard said, and private sector participation would be included in the plan.

“Both countries recognize the strong links between economic growth in southern Mexico and successfully promoting prosperity, good government and security in Central America,” Ebrard told reporters.

“We’re committed to promoting strong regional economic growth, better-paying jobs and better opportunities for all our citizens.” (Read more from “US, Mexico Seek to Stem Migration From Central America by Funding Development in Region” HERE)

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Kim Jong Un Says He’s Open to Reunion With Trump, but There’s a Catch

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Tuesday that he is prepared to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at any time, but warned that he would pursue an alternative course if Washington kept up sanctions on Pyongyang.

In his closely watched New Year’s address, Kim said he was ready to pursue an outcome that would be “welcomed by the international community.” However, he said the North will be forced to take a different path if the United States “continues to break its promises and misjudges our patience by unilaterally demanding certain things and pushes ahead with sanctions and pressure.”

Kim also said the U.S. should continue its halt to joint military exercises with South Korea and not deploy strategic military assets to the South. He also made a nationalistic call urging for stronger inter-Korean cooperation and said the North is ready to resume operations at a jointly run factory park in the North Korean border town of Kaesong and restart South Korean tours to the North’s Diamond Mountain resort. Neither of those is possible for South Korea unless sanctions are removed.

Nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang have stalled for months as they struggle with the sequencing of North Korea’s disarmament and the removal of U.S.-led sanctions against the North. Some analysts say North Korea has been trying to drive a wedge between Washington and Seoul while putting the larger burden of action on the United States. Pyongyang over the past months has accused Washington of failing to take corresponding measures following the North’s unilateral dismantlement of a nuclear testing ground and suspension of nuclear and long-range missile tests.

North Korea also has bristled at U.S. demands to provide a detailed account of nuclear and missile facilities that would be inspected and dismantled under a potential deal. (Read more from “Kim Jong Un Says He’s Open to Reunion With Trump, but There’s a Catch” HERE)

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Palestinian Sells House to Jews. Palestinians Sentence Him to Life in Prison.

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On Monday, a Palestinian-American, a U.S. citizen who had been arrested in October for selling a house in the Old City of Jerusalem to a Jewish Israeli organization, was sentenced to life in prison by a Palestinian court in Ramallah.

According to The Forward, the man’s arrest came after he was summoned to Ramallah. The Forward wrote, “Issam Aqel responded to a PA summons to appear in Ramallah where he was called in to ‘sign paperwork.’ But once he appeared, Aqel wasn’t allowed to leave. According to people who have been in touch with him, he was tortured.” As The Jerusalem Post notes, “As a resident of east Jerusalem, he holds an Israeli ID card that gives him immunity against being arrested or prosecuted in a PA court.”

The Jerusalem Post stated: “Akel was accused of acting as a broker in the sale of a house jointly owned by the Alami and Halabi families in the Muslim Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem. Palestinians claimed that the house was sold for $500,000 to Ateret Kohanim, a Jewish organization that has been purchasing Arab-owned properties in east Jerusalem for several years.” The PA’s official news agency Wafa asserted Akel was convicted of “selling a house to the enemy in Jerusalem.”

According to Yifa Segal, an attorney specializing in International Law and Human Rights Law and the Executive Director of the International Legal Forum, her organization contacted the U.S. Embassy, prompting U.S. ambassador David Friedman to contact the Palestinian Authority (PA) and ask for Aqel’s release. Back in November, Friedman had tweeted, “Aqel’s incarceration is antithetical to the values of the US & to all who advocate the cause of peaceful coexistence. We demand his immediate release.”

But the PA dismissed Friedman’s request, although Aqel was permitted to telephone his wife and an American official was permitted to visit him. Both his wife and the official confirmed Aqel had been tortured, according to The Forward. (Read more from “Palestinian Sells House to Jews. Palestinians Sentence Him to Life in Prison.” HERE)

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Russia Claims It Has Arrested a U.S. Citizen. This Is His Charge.

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By The Blaze. The Russian FSB State Security agency claims that it has arrested a United States citizen named Paul Whelan who was “caught spying” in Moscow.

According to BBC, the U.S. Department of State confirmed that Moscow notified them of the alleged arrest, but did not confirm the arrest or the man’s name.

According to Reuters, the man was allegedly arrested on December 28th, but neither the United States nor Russia have commented on the nature of his alleged spying activity. The State Department has requested consular access to see the American citizen. A spokesperson told Reuters, “We have requested this access and expect Russian authorities to provide it.”

Russian authorities indicated that they had opened a criminal case against the alleged spy, which could carry penalties of 10 to 20 years in prison. (Read more from “Russia Claims It Has Arrested a U.S. Citizen. This Is His Charge.” HERE)

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Russian Security Agency Arrests ‘US Spy’ in Moscow

By BBC. Russia’s FSB state security agency says it has arrested a US citizen “caught spying” in Moscow.

It named him as Paul Whelan, saying he was arrested in Moscow on 28 December and charged with “espionage”.

The US state department says it has requested consular access for the man held in Moscow, Reuters news agency reports. The US has not confirmed his name, but says it has been officially notified about the arrest.

If found guilty, he faces between 10 and 20 years in jail, Russia’s Tass news agency reports.

Spying accusations have been a persistent feature of Russia’s relations with the US and UK this year. (Read more from “Russian Security Agency Arrests ‘US Spy’ in Moscow” HERE)

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ISIS Video Warns ‘Flames of War Will Burn’ U.S.

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By PJ Media. An ISIS-linked group declared that “the flames of war” will “come to America” following U.S. withdrawal from Syria in the same way that ISIS’ power was ignited by President Obama deciding to pull U.S. forces from Iraq.

The eight-minute video, “It’s Still Burning,” was released online by al-Asawirti Media, which has produced films in support of ISIS since the caliphate was declared in 2014. . .

“We tell the Americans, the protectors of the Jews and the Crusader protector, whether you withdrew or not our victory is in our continuation,” a narrator says over footage of ISIS battlefield scenes. “Even if you withdraw, you will return soon. If you cannot turn back, we will invade you from everywhere and you will hear our footsteps on the ground. The fighting has just begun and we are confident of victory from Allah.” ISIS won’t stop, the narrator vows, until jihadists can “pray in Rome.” . . .

The video directly threatens the United States, depicting the country ringed in fire and warning, “Remember: It’s only a matter of time before the flames of war burn you.”

“The Flames of War” were a pair of key propaganda films released by official ISIS media, beginning with the first video in September 2014. Just over a year ago, ISIS released “Flames of War II: Until the Final Hour,” narrated by an American-accented jihadist who has voiced other ISIS productions. (Read more from “ISIS Video Warns ‘Flames of War Will Burn’ U.S.” HERE)

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Iraqis Fear Defeated Islamic State Could Make a Comeback

By NBC News. A little more than a year after Baghdad declared victory over the Islamic State group, many of its former supporters still walk the streets freely and Iraqis fear the militants might attempt a comeback.

President Donald Trump made a surprise visit to Iraq Wednesday amid criticism of his decision to withdraw American troops from neighboring Syria, a move which prompted the resignations of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Brett McGurk, the U.S. special envoy for the coalition to defeat ISIS.

Trump said that he had no plans to remove U.S. troops from Iraq but warned “the United States cannot continue to be the policeman of the world.”

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo previously assured Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi that the U.S. is still committed to supporting the fight against ISIS in the country.

But the White House has also ordered the Pentagon to draw up plans for a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, officials told NBC News last week. (Read more from “Iraqis Fear Defeated Islamic State Could Make a Comeback” HERE)

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VIDEO: Did the Saudi Consulate Help Suspect in Fatal Hit-And-Run Escape the U.S.?

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Abdulrahman Sameer Noorah, a Saudi national who was in the U.S. on a student visa attending Portland Community College, was under house arrest in June 2017 after being charged in the hit-and-run death of 15-year-old high school sophomore Fallon Smart. But just nine days prior to his trial and despite wearing a U.S. Marshals Service GPS ankle monitor, Noorah vanished. . .

Local news outlets are reporting that the Saudi consulate may have aided in his escape by providing transportation and a false passport.

Fallon was killed in August 2016 while crossing the street at a crosswalk when Noorah drove around cars ahead of him that were stopped to let the girl cross. He was driving 55 to 60 mph in a 25 mph zone when he struck her with his gold Lexus and then drove off. Her head hit and cracked the windshield. . .

Instead, Noorah was picked up by a black GMC Yukon XL. The vehicle then traveled to a local sand and gravel business, where his GPS ankle bracelet was cut off and later found by authorities. . .

Shawn Overstreet, the Portland prosecutor trying the case, told the Washington Post that the Saudi consulate may have provided a fake passport under a different name to allow Noorah to leave the country. He may have left on a private flight, where tracking of passengers is less regulated. (Read more from “Did the Saudi Consulate Help Suspect in Fatal Hit-And-Run Escape the U.S.?” HERE)

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Obama’s Syria Ambassador Has a Surprising Response to Trump’s Decision

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U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to begin pulling American troops from Syria was met with criticism and outcry from pundits and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, but former Ambassador to Syria Robert S. Ford called the move “essentially correct.”

Critics of Trump’s decision announced on Dec. 19 by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, are calling it a “huge Obama-like mistake,” win for America’s enemies and betrayal of our allies.

But Ford, who served as U.S. ambassador to Syria under President Barack Obama from 2011-2014, debunked the reasons for critique and added that the president needs to develop a national security team that can better relay and implement his foreign policy objectives.

“[T]he president should view the hullabaloo that erupted after he announced the Syrian pullout as an opportunity to take a number of steps to make the most of his essentially correct, but widely unpopular, move,” Ford wrote Thursday in The Washington Post.

Ford pointed out that many opponents fear the pullout will lend a victory to Russia, Iran and Syria, but the former ambassador called this fear “absurd,” noting that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime already controls roughly two-thirds of Syria. The regions that the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) control are largely deserts and drought-prone oil fields with low-value crude. (Read more from “Obama’s Syria Ambassador Has a Surprising Response to Trump’s Decision” HERE)

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WORLD FIRST: American Man Treks Across Antarctica in Just 54 Days

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On November 3, American endurance athlete Colin O’Brady began his trek across Antarctica, unaided by a sail, and carrying with him approximately “400 lbs of food and equipment” in a pull-sleigh, reports CBS.

932 miles and 54 days later, O’Brady became the first person in history to make the journey across the ice-covered southern continent without assistance. . .

As CBS This Morning noted, this achievement is even more incredible due to the fact that O’Brady’s legs were severely burned in a fire just a decade ago.

O’Brady has been an athlete for most of his life, and following his injury, he’s continued to flourish, even breaking the “speed record in 2016 for the Explorers Grand Slam — a mission in which climbers summit the tallest peak on each continent and reach the North and South Poles,” reports Business Insider.

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Day 56: HUMAN CONTACT. There he is! Captain Louis Rudd arrived at the finish line this afternoon. I’ve been waiting here to greet him – the only other person on the planet to have completed this crossing. It is amazing to see him and be the first to congratulate him in person! Not to mention it’s quite refreshing to see and speak to another human being after the long, quiet walk the last two months. We certainly have a lifelong bond now having both completed this epic journey. Quoting Lou, “It’s a miracle that we both cracked this in the same year, after many people failing over the years to complete this crossing.” Agreed, Lou! I’m reminded of when Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute mile and in quick succession many others followed – proving that what was once thought to be impossible can become attainable when people believe in their minds that it can be done. Lou, well done my friend and major congratulations! Lou has now spent more than 200 days on the ice on 3 expeditions and is one of the most experienced Antarctica expeditioners. It’s an honor to know you, and it will be great fun debriefing all of our experiences over the coming days as we make our way out of Antarctica together. #TheImpossibleFirst #BePossible

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Day 54: FINISH LINE!!! I did it! The Impossible First ✅. 32 hours and 30 minutes after leaving my last camp early Christmas morning, I covered the remaining ~80 miles in one continuous “Antarctica Ultramarathon” push to the finish line. The wooden post in the background of this picture marks the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf, where Antarctica’s land mass ends and the sea ice begins. As I pulled my sled over this invisible line, I accomplished my goal: to become the first person in history to traverse the continent of Antarctica coast to coast solo, unsupported and unaided. While the last 32 hours were some of the most challenging hours of my life, they have quite honestly been some of the best moments I have ever experienced. I was locked in a deep flow state the entire time, equally focused on the end goal, while allowing my mind to recount the profound lessons of this journey. I’m delirious writing this as I haven’t slept yet. There is so much to process and integrate and there will be many more posts to acknowledge the incredible group of people who supported this project. But for now, I want to simply recognize my #1 who I, of course, called immediately upon finishing. I burst into tears making this call. I was never alone out there. @jennabesaw you walked every step with me and guided me with your courage and strength. WE DID IT!! We turned our dream into reality and proved that The Impossible First is indeed possible. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela. #TheImpossibleFirst #BePossible

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