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essanews.com Egypt ditches American F-16s for Chinese J-10Cs in a major shift Story by ŁMI • 9h J-10 aircraft© Getty Images, Brent Lewin The United States has suffered a reputational defeat. Egypt, which for years has been purchasing American weapons and even launched licensed production of Abrams tanks, no longer wants the F-16. Instead of American planes, it has chosen Chinese Chengdu J-10C aircraft. The F-16 is the backbone of Egypt's air force. The country operates as many as 218 aircraft, including 40 in the old F-16A/B variant. In modernizing its air force, the Egyptian authorities decided to replace the oldest F-16s with a new aircraft type. Cairo also rejected the American proposal to deliver the latest version of the F-16, the F-16V, and the Russian offer to replace the Vipers with MiG-29M2 aircraft. Instead, Egypt chose the Chinese multi-role aircraft Chengdu J-10C. In light of this information, which Cairo and Beijing have not officially confirmed, the recent presentation of Chinese aircraft gains a new context. During the Egypt International Airshow 2024, organized in early September, six Chinese J-10C and a Y-20 Kunpeng transport aircraft flew over the Egyptian pyramids. J-10C aircraft for Egypt Egypt's decision is interpreted as an attempt to become less dependent on the United States. Cairo is diversifying its weapons purchases. A decade ago, it ordered Su-35 and MiG-29M2 aircraft from Russia, but the operation of these machines and Russia's reliability as a supplier of parts was unsatisfactory. Related video: Chinese Air Force performs aerobatics over Giza pyramids (Dailymotion) Subsequently, Egypt ordered 54 French Dassault Rafale aircraft (with an option to order more) and is now replacing part of its F-16 fleet with Chinese aircraft. As noted by Maciej Szopa from Defence 24, one of the factors influencing this decision may be that Israel is likely unaware of the specifics, capabilities, and weaknesses of Chinese aircraft. Pakistan is currently the only foreign user of Chinese J-10 aircraft. The decision is likely political, as the J-10C, although more modern than the old versions of the F-16, is inferior to the new variants of this machine offered to Egypt. Chengdu J-10 aircraft© russian ministry of defence Chengdu J-10 – Chinese multi-role aircraft The Chengdu J-10 is an aircraft designed in China in the 1980s, initially as a fighter aircraft and then, in line with global trends, as a multi-role machine. Its serial production began in 2003, resulting in over 600 units so far. The J-10 has a "canard" aerodynamic layout, is powered by a single engine, and weighs about 43,000 pounds in take-off configuration, of which 12,000 pounds can be dedicated to armament.

Greetings, To begin this, I need to express that I am not a Western leftist, or anyone trying to virtue signal to Muslims about how "open-minded" i am. I believe in God, country, community, family, and honor. I reject the godlessness of modern America, and seek to resemble my ancestors and their faith. I am the descendant of French Huguenot pilgrims that came to America in the early 17th century, American militiamen that fought against the British, and Confederate soldiers that fought against an invading Federal government. I would give my life to fight this godlessness that has taken the West. Now though i consider myself a true patriot, i despise the American government (and mostly all Western governments) that have been the source of our moral decay and separation from God. Since 1861, they have been the only true enemy of Christianity and the freewill of the American people, and now their tyranny has spread throughout the world. I would give my life to fight against this satanic entity without hesitation. I am reaching out to Shias because i see them fighting this same cause, but with remarkable honor. I listen to Ayatollah Khamenei, and Hassan Nasrallah, and their insight and wisdom. The NSA is probably going to have a field day with me after saying this, but i have a great respect for Hezbollah, and the Islamic revolution of Iran. I will not condemn men who are willing to fight and die to protect Christians and innocent civilians against Daesh in Syria and Iraq. No where else in the world can a resistance movement even begin to compare. I cannot deny that i have felt an urge to convert to Shia Islam, but my heart feels empty when i drift from Christ. Even though i know that there is still a great respect for Jesus as a prophet in Islam, my soul cannot abandon Christianity. I am learning more and more about Islam everyday, and gaining more and more respect, but i do have some serious concerns about what is happening with migration and the heinous crimes that are following. Before anyone else, i again condemn these governments for destabilizing these Middle Eastern countries (and i would even go so far as to speculate that these criminals have engineered this to tear apart Europe, making it easier to control). However, this doesn't change the fact that there is now a horrible rape epidemic that is plaguing European women, the terrorist attacks, the migrants assaults, etc. etc., and the fact that in the next hundred years, native Europeans and Christians may be a minority on their own soil. I cannot tolerate this, and it absolutely drives me insane with rage. I want to see Muslims and Christians living together peacefully, but capitulation to Islamic values in Western nations via immigration is invasion, and i believe wholeheartedly European men need to begin to fight back. I know these are not true Muslims, but how else does a Christian fight this invasion without fighting Islamic migration? Of course, there are Muslims who condemn this, but with the undeniable spike in crimes coming from Muslim migrants (especially horrific migrant sex crimes), what is there left to do? To the Muslims reading this, could you ever imagine seeing a Christian-Islamic alliance to fight both the criminal Western governments, the Zionist control of our government, media and their debauchery, but also the criminal migrants assaulting Western women, and disrespecting our nations? There would have to be compromises on both sides, but do you believe there is a possibility for this? And when i say Christians, i don't mean the modern Western Christian. Imagine Christianity could be reformed to where we resemble what we were during the Renaissance up until the 19th century. Men like Jan III Sobieski, and Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. Honorable men who stand against immorality and invasion with great honor, and do so, without fear, and give all credit to God. Even though Islam and Christianity have a horribly brutal and bloody history fighting one another, perhaps i must learn to accept God's will and see this Islamic migration as a potential blessing. The understanding of God and honor has been lost in the West, and with the rise of immoral atheism, we see their replacement. I believe there is great potential for Muslims and Christians to unite and fight against these evils, bringing an end to this horrible violence between our two religions. However, i am not a Muslim, and I do not know if this is possible. To Muslims, if Christians would act as true Christians, do you believe this type of alliance would be possible? I want to end saying i greatly respect true Islam, and I thank you for reading this wall of text, Sincerely, [Name removed by moderator] PS I must convey that though i condemn and despise the actions of the US Federal government and their use of the US military, i will always have a great respect for much of the American military community. Though there is evil among their ranks, many of these men are very honorable. They are men trying to serve their nation, but are horribly abused by the treachery and selfishness of their Generals and government.

Sallam, I work at a big American Company, I am not a cashier, but when needed I do cashier. The main income of this place is grocery, which means people buy a lot of non-halal meat, and very rarely but occasional Alcohol. As a cashier scanning these item, what is the hokum on my part? Does it count as if I am selling it? Does that make the income I make haram? What should I do ( I am seeking a new job, but nothing yet) We did have to sign a contract about this too. Stating "we would complete transaction with alcohol beverages or meat." I for sure don't want to make haram money.

Assalamu aleykum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu, I am intrigued by how much our Shia activist Mehdi Hasan is allowed to say globally on AlJazeera and be a Host! on topics about Hezbollah, Morsi and even Bashar as well as the Sunni/Shia divide and other topics on a channel owned by our opposition. I do not understand how he is allowed to give the Shia view of things LIVE on an American/Israeli/GodKnowsWhat Mainstream Television channel that is even available on American cable TV "Foxtel" ! If anyone could explain I would be greateful, Jazakallah.

Best Regards, Raza Mehkeri American Shia Muslims

Israel and Our(American) Media???? The U.S. media has reported on growing tensions between Israeli women and the ultra-orthodox Haredim over the latter’s demand for sexual segregation of schools, public transport, and public life. But while orthodox Jews spitting on eight-year old girls for being “immodestly dressed” has garnered the headlines, the most serious threats to democratic rights have gone largely unreported, including a host of proposed or enacted laws. Some of these include: *A law that allows Jewish communities to bar Arab families from living among them. Arabs make up about 20 percent of the population. *A law that makes it illegal to advocate an academic, cultural or economic boycott of Israel, including settler communities. *A law that would limit the power of the Supreme Court. *A law that bars any state institutions, including schools and theaters—from commemorating the “Nakba,” or “catastrophe,” the term Palestinians use to describe the loss of their lands in the 1948 war that established Israel. *A law that prohibits Palestinians from living with their Israeli spouses within Israel proper and denies them citizenship. *A law that drops Arabic as an official language. *A law that requires anyone obtaining a driver’s license to swear loyalty to the state. *A law that would limit the number of petitions non-governmental organizations, including peace and human rights groups, could file before the Supreme Court. *A law that forces human rights and peace groups to limit the money they can receive from abroad, and forces them to go through burdensome registration requirements. Tzipi Livni, former foreign secretary and head of the Kadima Party, told the Knesset that Arab states were “trying to become a democracy, while we—with these bills—are headed toward dictatorship.

Are Drones Watching You? Now drones are also being used domestically for non-military purposes, raising significant privacy concerns. For example, this past December, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) purchased its ninth drone. It uses these drones inside the United States to patrol the U.S. borders—which most would argue is within its agency mandate—but it also uses them to aid state and local police for routine law enforcement purposes. In fact, the Los Angeles Times reported in December that CBP used one of its Predators to roust out cattle rustlers in North Dakota State and local police are also using their own drones for routine law enforcement activities from catching drug dealers to finding missing persons. Some within law enforcement have even proposed using drones to record traffic violations. Drones are capable of highly advanced and almost constant surveillance, and they can amass large amounts of data. They carry various types of equipment including live-feed video cameras, infrared cameras, heat sensors, and radar. Some newer drones carry super high resolution “gigapixel” cameras that can “track people and vehicles from altitudes above 20,000 feet[,] . . . [can] monitor up to 65 enemies of the State simultaneously[, and] . . . can see targets from almost 25 miles down range.” Predator drones can eavesdrop on electronic transmissions, and one drone unveiled at DEFCON last year can crack Wi-Fi networks and intercept text messages and cell phone conversations—without the knowledge or help of either the communications provider or the customer. Drones are also designed to carry weapons, and some have suggested that drones carrying weapons such as tasers and bean bag guns could be used domestically. Many drones, by virtue of their design, their size, and how high they can fly, can operate undetected in urban and rural environments, allowing the government to spy on Americans without their knowledge. And even if Americans knew they were being spied on, it’s unclear what laws would protect against this. The Supreme Court has also held that the Fourth Amendment’s protections from unreasonable searches and seizures may not apply when it’s not a human that is doing the searching. None of these cases bodes well for any future review of the privacy implications of drone surveillance.

Scary claims about Iran’s military might have been issuing for years. Back in 2006, Gen. John Abizaid, chief of the U.S. Central Command, announced that Iran has the most powerful military in the Middle East, even though Israel has a large stockpile of nuclear weapons, as many as 200, while Saudi Arabia annually spends almost $60 billion on its military (more than 5 times Iran’s current spending) or “10% of GDP on defence, more than double the proportion spent by America.” Both of those Iranian rivals (Israel and Saudi Arabia), and many others in that region, are recipients of vast amounts of sophisticated military weaponry from the U.S. Here is a list of 11 extremely sophisticated weapons that the U.S. — and it alone in the world — possesses. And then there’s the fact that the U.S. basically has Iran completely encircled, as demonstrated by this graph from Juan Cole’s blog, showing U.S. military bases near Iran: As Cole put it: “Each star is a US base. But just to be clear, Iran is the one that is threatening us.” Indeed: imagine if the blue in that map were the U.S. (rather than Iran), and the large red areas were Mexico and Canada (rather than Iran’s neighbors), and the stars represented Iranian military bases. Then further imagine that Iranian political leaders and media figures routinely told their population that it was the U.S. that was an aggressive, threatening power that had to be stopped: the mocking condemnations of that level of propaganda would be endless. Yet American political officials and commentators feel free to insist, with a straight face, that Iran is an aggressor nation posing a serious threat to the U.S.: such a serious threat, in fact, that war may be necessary to stop it. And there is, tragically, little doubt that if there is an attack on Iran by Israel — with direct U.S. involvement or, more likely, U.S. support and approval — there will be little opposition in either American political party, and even less challenge to the ludicrous claims about the Grave Iranian Threat that will be invoked to justify it. Every voice must be raised at this urgent hour against sanctions and war.

Obama Campaign Video Says U.S.-Israel Bond 'Unbreakable' President Barack Obama’s November presidential campaign is gaining momentum. As well as securing massive donations to the tune of 3 million dollars in the last few days, the first campaign video dealing with Obama's Israel policy was uploaded to the YouTube website on Friday. The film, aimed at U.S Jewish voters, bears the title “Israel and the U.S. – an Unbreakable Bond.” The seven minute video features a number of Israeli officials, including President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, Israel’s Ambassador to Washington Michael Oren, and former head of the Mossad Efraim Halev praising President Obama. Obama and his advisors have been carrying out campaign in which senior U.S. officials, with Obama at their head, appear at every single event or conference of Jewish organizations in America. Just a few weeks ago, Obama spoke at the annual meeting of the U.S. Jewish reform movement, and it looks like he will also address the annual AIPAC conference at the beginning of November. Alan Solow, a former chair of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and one of the organizers of the event told U.S. Jewish Newspaper “the Forward” that the President “emphasized that he is serious about preventing Iranian nuclear armament. He said that he hopes to reach this goal through sanctions, and that the Iranians are aware of the fact that all the options are on the table.” Shame on you Mr President, we elect you to serve our nation and to be loyal to our soil. Is this a christian values or American values? any how, over 6.5 million American Muslims are very disappointed with your foreign policy towards Muslims World. Thank You, Raza Mehkeri (American Muslims)