Category Archives: Terrorism

by Barry Kelly | February 10, 2015 · 7:32 am

INSIGHTS 188 — GET OUT OF THE IRAQI BOX

If we had a non-ideologue who was also competent in world affairs as a president and a Congress that could forget about itself and get on with passing legislation the nation needs, then the mess in the Middle East would not be so hard to solve.

The problem is that it requires thinking outside the box and that means hitting the reset button on traditional beliefs. For one, policymakers must forget about Iraq being a nation. It never really was. It is just what some Western diplomats called the space between the lines they drew when the Turkmen Empire fell after World War I. There are three very large groups of people in the space labeled Iraq. Sunni tribes, Shiite tribes, and the Kurdish people.

Their customs, language, and religious beliefs are different. For the only time he was ever right, in my estimate, Vice President Joe Biden was right when he suggested during the height of the Iraq war that there were really three different groups in Iraq and each should have their own territory/nation. Of course, his timing was way off. Iraq could have continued as a nation if American forces backed up the Shiite-dominated government, but that was only a temporary fix. Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds are never going to live in the same tent without some power forcing them to do so.

The solution to the ISIS problem is for America to recognize reality. That means paying no attention to the State Department or other so-called bookish Middle Eastern pundits. The Kurds have no use for ISIS. Send them the arms they need, which, despite the Obama talk, we have never done, and the Kurds will fight. They don’t need great numbers of America’s soldiers, just some Special Forces and air support. Kurdistan has been a Kurdish dream for more than 100 years. We aren’t sending them the arms they need and want because Iran wouldn’t like that. Obama wants a deal with Iran so badly, he is willing to let the foes of ISIS be denied the freedom of living under a government of their own people. Turkey also doesn’t want to see us arm the Kurds, but the establishment of Kurdistan would reduce Kurdish attacks on Turkish territory and may bring them around, especially if we really support the anti-Assad forces in Syria.

Many of the Sunni tribes in Iraq would break clear of any support to ISIS, if they were confident the end game would give them their own land and their own national identity. They, too, will fight. They supported our forces by siding with America against al-Qaeda. In simple terms, that takes care of Iraq from Baghdad north with a few adjustments. Different lines on the map.

Remember, there is a past history of lines drawn. This time the lines would coincide with linguistic, ethnicities, and religious beliefs. The Shiites would have the area south of Baghdad where the majority of their people and religious shrines abide. Distribution of oil revenues can be done but it will be a bit sticky and may require a multi-national solution.

Iran won’t like this approach and neither will the Obama administration. Israel would support this approach as long as the United States kept Iran’s ayatollahs from annexing part of current Iraq as Putin has done in Ukraine. The only hurdles standing in the way of such a comprehensive solution is Obama’s infatuation with the Iranians and old world thinking in the State Department and Pentagon. The big upside is that Muslims would be taking care of their radical Islamic extremists with a minimum of American blood and treasure.

Written by the author of the Jack Brandon thriller/suspense novels and “Insights: Transforming America — Is This What We Fought For?” available now as an e-book, in paperback or hardcover on Amazon.com or BN.com. Another analytical book on the transforming process, “Insights: Stepping Stones to Tyranny,” is now published and available in paperback at $9.95 and on nook and kindle at $6.99. Follow the author on Twitter @factsfictions80. “Quiet Justice” a new novel dealing with ISIS in America will be out by early March.

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Filed under Barry Kelly, Conservative views, foreign policy, Intelligence & Politics, ISIS, Israel, Kurds, Obama, oil, political solutions, Putin, Shiite, Sunni, Terrorism

by Barry Kelly | February 8, 2015 · 7:15 am

INSIGHTS 187 — Run to Freedom

As I am getting ready to publish another Jack Brandon action mystery novel, Quiet Justice, I want to call your attention to my last novel, which I believe was my best written story with complex interwoven plots. For some reason beyond me, this novel never got the same attention as the other three. When I started writing fiction, I searched for a plot where I could use my experience as the CIA station chief in Moscow in the early 1970s. Run to Freedom is that story.

Barry Kelly’s fourth novel

Below is a review from someone who has read and commented on all my Brandon action/mysteries.

Run to Freedom, July 12, 2014, by Debbie Merlo

Run to Freedom is the story of John Brandon, grandfather of Peter Brandon, the man on whom the series is centered.

Run to Freedom begins in 1919 with Lieutenant Brandon on a train that’s bound for Siberia.

There follows the story and the struggle of the Brandon family as they try to escape the Soviet Union to find freedom in America …

If I had to choose which book of Barry Kelly’s was my favorite of Justice Beyond Law, Justice Without Mercy, Shades of Justice and Run to Freedom, I’d have to say “all of them.”

Run to Freedom, however, was an amazing read and probably the one I was able to enjoy most.

Run to Freedom was most enjoyable for a couple of reasons: not only was it a clever way to catch readers up to speed then wanting for more, but it connected and completed the story of the Brandon family so well that whether a reader chose to start with Run to Freedom or work their way through the series as I did, it wouldn’t matter.

Kelly is an equal-entertainment author and knows how to keep a reader on the edge and wondering.

For example, from the train wreck in Siberia in 1919 when we first learn of the life of Lieutenant John Brandon, grandfather of Peter, did (his life) end the way or even when we think it did?

That alone is reason (and hope) to believe Kelly considers his fans first and keeps his pen poised to many possibilities.
Reading all four/in order isn’t a requisite either.

With more than enough action and adventure in each, all are able to stand alone as a single story, however, as any avid reader knows, it’s a “more is better mindset” that keeps us in books and turning pages.

Reading the series though, is most definitely recommended as it’s an all-inclusive adventure that delivers what is promised: fast breaking action, suspense and drama.

Kelly’s writing is refreshing, enjoyable and hard to put down.

The biggest challenge for me began as I got started with Justice Beyond Law: I spent a great deal of time wondering (while I read) exactly how ex-CIA agent Kelly was able to take his experiences and turn them into fiction without giving away any government secrets.

Needless to say, I was captivated with questions but not for long: I soon found myself too enthralled to worry.

That Kelly also found a way to use just the right mix of humor was one of those pleasant surprises that, stereo typically speaking, isn’t normally associated (for me anyway) with a person who’s spent his entire career submerged in the serious and secret nature of government operations.

Of course, by the time I made my way to Run to Freedom, I was left longing for more and hoping Kelly has plans to continue intriguing fans with future adventures for the Brandon family.

I’d recommend Run to Freedom — and the other three books by Kelly — to anyone who’s a fan of mystery, intrigue and espionage.

And for anyone who argues they aren’t? Be assured: read just one and that will change.

These four books should be a must have for everyone who enjoys a good read — or several.

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Filed under Action thrillers, Barry Kelly, Books, bouviers, dogs, Intelligence & Politics, Russia, Spy novels, Terrorism

by Barry Kelly | February 6, 2015 · 7:23 am

INSIGHTS 186 — Law Enforcement and War

A new novel I titled “Quiet Justice” is in process to be published in the coming weeks. As my readers know, my stories usually have a message about the dangers of using “law and order” methods to fight a war on terrorism. Below is a passage in “Quiet Justice” from a fictional character:

“This administration, like most, is run by and controlled by lawyers. They all worship at the altar of ‘law and order.’ They are all process people who have been trained and even conditioned to focus on the process. As a result, our entire judicial and legislative branches are focused on the process of law enforcement, almost never on the substance. That’s why people often complain that the system spends more time and resources on those charged with crimes than upon the victims of the crimes. This mindset dominates both political parties.

“A policy of using the structure of ‘law and order’ to combat terrorism is a national suicide pact. We will never have the time and resources to gather evidence against terrorists and their supporters that will stand up to the evidence requirements of our judicial system. The chain of evidence is insane when the crime scene is in a war zone or a place too dangerous to use crime scene protocols. There is also the danger to the law enforcement officers and others trying to accommodate to evidentiary requirements. More planning and risk are caused by rules than by the actual operation to apprehend the terrorists.

“For entirely homegrown terrorists involving American citizens, the rules of ‘law and order’ are appropriate and proper. But when the terrorist is trained abroad, fights against America with a foreign entity, and is captured in a foreign land or caught returning to America to conduct terrorist operations, we need an alternative approach.”

We have a president and a former attorney general who tried to force the incarceration of captured terrorists into the law and order process of American courts. Why? A hard question. I can’t and don’t want to ever be inside their heads. But it seems clear they both have disdain for the military process that has worked for us in past wars. Our military has always been nationalized, as it should be. Both Obama’s and Holder’s (current nominee’s views at unknown at this time.) actions indicated they are for nationalizing everything possible. Maybe this is all about nationalizing the nation’s civil police force. Holder certainly interjects the Justice Department in areas and times where it is inappropriate and contrary to our past heritage.

Whatever the reason, we are losing the war against radical Islamists on all fronts under the philosophy of leading from behind and that Muslims are not responsible for the deluge of terrorism. When will our president recognize he should drop his pro-Islamic posture and carry out his oath of office to protect America?

Mr. President, we are at war with Islamic radicals who are not held in check by the so-called leaders of the Islamic religion. Forget about closing Guantanamo Bay and focus on fighting the real war against Islamic terrorists. You just might look presidential.

Written by the author of the Jack Brandon thriller/mystery novels and “Insights: Transforming America — Is This What We Fought For?” available now as an e-book, in paperback or hardcover on Amazon.com or BN.com. Another analytical book on the transforming process, “Insights: Stepping Stones to Tyranny,” is now published and available in paperback at $9.95 and on nook and kindle at $6.99. Follow the author on Twitter @factsfictions80. “Quiet Justice” will be out by early March.

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Filed under Action thrillers, Barry Kelly, Books, Conservative views, Intelligence & Politics, ISIS, Obama, Terrorism

by Barry Kelly | January 22, 2015 · 7:42 am

INSIGHTS 185 — DANGEROUS DELUSIONS ( A response to the State of the Union)

As President Obama faced the audience for his State of the Union address, did he note that there were 80-plus more Republicans in the seats than there were when he took office? The change was one of historical significance. I don’t think he noticed.

But maybe he just doesn’t care. His attitude varied between confidence and arrogance. It takes real chutzpah to threaten vetoes and more of the same progressive programs when operating from a weakened presidency. He won’t work to solve any of the nation’s problems or issues because that is not what he does nor has he ever. Issues are to be used to destroy the opposition and bring about the progressive transformation of America.

This president believes that the American people are really dumb. Who is a better judge of how the economy is going, a man who isolates himself from reality or everyday people who have to struggle to pay their bills and plan to take care of their families? The administration’s unemployment figures are useful only if you are trying to deceive people. Wages have been stagnant for years. No matter what the progressives preach, wages do not improve until employers are competing among each other for workers. Increasing the minimum wage increases the cost of doing business — it does not create jobs. In fact, employers struggling to save their businesses often lay workers off to pay the mandated higher wages for current workers.

Today there is not much workplace competition for college graduates. Maybe less than 50 percent of recent graduates have been offered jobs commensurate with their new skills. These young, ambitious graduates know the economy is still in trouble. Beside an increase in the minimum wage, Obama’s proposal to help the economy is to create more graduates by offering two free years at a community college. This proposal would actually make sense if done on the state level and produced workers needed in industries located in the state. The last thing American people need is more federal management of their personal and work lives. Let the states work with local business to create curricula that actually help graduates get jobs. This proposal, like all other progressive proposals, has at its core the re-distribution of wealth.

How can he complain about the failure of Congress to pass legislation when the majority leader in the Senate, Harry Reid, with the president’s approval, prevented hundreds of bills from reaching the Senate floor for debate and a subsequent vote? No bill was brought up for a vote unless it was one the president wanted to sign! This is not a secret. Only a president who lives in a different universe than we do could possibly believe Americans do not know the story about Harry Reid and his refusal to allow bills to reach the Senate floor.

A quick look at Obama’s foreign policy statements. He stated our military has stopped the expansion of ISIS. Simply not true. He said Russia is in economic trouble because of America’s quiet diplomacy at work. False. Russia is in trouble because it depends solely on the money from a single export product, oil. When Saudi Arabia opened up their oil pumps to glut the market and drive down the price of oil to damage their competitors, Russia, Iran, ISIS, Venezuela, and America, who cannot afford to sell oil at or below the Saudi price. Russia’s economic problem has nothing to do with anything Obama said or did.

Another delusion is that we are not at war with terrorism by Islamic jihadists. Islam is not a peaceful religion. Extremists can find approval for their actions in the Koran. As long as the millions of Muslims, living in peace with the West, do not check their extremists our commander-in-chief must recognize the predominate role Islam plays in worldwide terrorism. The president touts his success in combating “extremists” in Yemen at the same time U.S. warships are moving toward Yemen’s coastline to evacuate Americans.

Obama’s infatuation with climate change and its link to human activity is simply that, an infatuation with a scheme that would redistribute wealth on a global scene. Does anyone, besides the president, believe China will live up to its promise to reduce carbon emissions 15 years from now?

Even more troubling are his statements that negotiations now underway with Iran have stopped the Iranian drive to develop nuclear weapons. That would be wonderful if there was even a 20 percent chance of that being correct. But it is not. Iran’s leaders believe their national interest as a power in the Middle East and the world depends on them having a nuclear weapons capability. All they need is time and the bumbling negotiating team under Obama/Kerry are giving Iran the time. Obama vows he will veto any standby sanctions on Iran voted by Congress. Believing negotiations can stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons is is a dangerous delusion. A nuclear-capable Iran puts the world at more danger than at any time during the Cold War era. The next two years will be very hard on America and very dangerous to a leaderless world. Do we have to learn again that peace is found in strength not weak compromises and delusional ranting?

(If you’re interested, here is my response to another Obama State of the Union. Click here.)

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Filed under Barry Kelly, complexity, Conservative views, foreign policy, Intelligence & Politics, ISIS, Obama, oil, Saudia Arabia, Terrorism

by Barry Kelly | January 9, 2015 · 8:16 am

INSIGHTS 183 — OBAMA’S WORLD VIEW, FANTASY OR REALITY?

America’s security is threatened by a president, an attorney general, and a Cabinet who do not believe Islam is waging a serious war on the West and American in particular.

The president, whose words and actions have clearly put him on the Islamic side of any issue, will not change his anti-west, anti-Israel position. You do not send the FBI, the courts, the Justice Department, or the Department of Homeland Security to the battlefield. You don’t mirandize terrorist prisoners. Instead you interrogate them and lock them up until reality tells us the war is over.

No president, especially this one, can declare unilaterally that the war is over. The president can withdraw America from the war, as he has done and is doing, but he cannot faithfully follow his oath to protect America by declaring the war is over. His words mean nothing on the actual state of affairs. Actions are the real determinants.

Releasing enemy combatants from Guantanamo Bay, trying enemy combatants in civil courts who, then have the full rights of American citizens is too absurd even for a fiction writer. The very necessary rules of gathering and presenting evidence, the right to confront your accusers, the right to counsel and judgement by your peers are the foundation of the American rule of law. They do not apply to enemy combatants captured by our armed forces in a combat environment.

They should be interrogated for timely and critical intelligence using enhanced methods of interrogation as required. We have done this in every war America has fought. Not this one, where the commander-in-chief won’t even say we are at war, will not acknowledge the enemy are Islamists, and whose rules of engagement further complicate the execution of the war by the very people whose entire lives have been devoted to preparing for and fighting America’s wars.

If you cannot identify your enemy, give enemy combatants the protection of our courts, and run the war out of the White House with people who have never been at war, one thing is certain, you will not win. We are not yet Europe, but moving that way. Prayer rugs may soon be on sale online from white house.fantasy/war.