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Discussion area for 16 March Beyond Labels.

The Sudan has seen Religious, Ethnic and other rifts that have drawn the attention of the world – albeit not with recent broad attention. Are we attentive to this part of the world? Should we be, and how so?

Some links follow (lots to read)  but feel free to provide is you have some of your own for reading. Tried to capture those from diverse sources.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudan

http://www.sudan.net

http://www.hrw.org/africa/sudan

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/su.html

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/07/23/a-history-of-violence-4

I have posted a Brief Presentation as discussed on Monday to: www.manorhousestudio.com under the INTERNET page.

The ability and reliance on Internet connectivity can be a plus for business, personal use and educational purposes, but can it be a threat to the same? How about the military and government agencies?

When we broke this week the subject was recommended for discussion during next week’s meeting, and we’ll focus there – especially considering recent revelations on Internet over the last few days. Will attempt to post relevant material in the next couple of days.

Snowden, Clinton, Hacking, Philanthropy, etc. (just a couple of references. 

1. http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/edward-snowden-wants-to-return-us-115697.html#ixzz3TPSe2800

2. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/03/us/politics/hillary-clintons-use-of-private-email-at-state-department-raises-flags.html?_r=0 

3. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/12/18/sony-hack-timeline-interview-north-korea/20601645/ 

4. http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/bulletins/2013/2013-03.html

5. http://www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/gwens-appearance/ford-foundation-netgain-conference-internet-philanthropy-and-progress

This article from the Daily Mail shows ISIS’ expanded influence.

A follow-up in the Atlantic, on why it’s hard to stop ISIS’ propaganda.

Half of ISIS propaganda is based on the good works ISIS does in the territories that they govern. But there’s a vulnerability, as described  below.

The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) said in a report that the Islamist group’s need for large amounts of money to govern areas it has conquered meant it was uncertain how long it could finance its current level of activity.

“In order to maintain its financial management and expenditures in areas where it operates, (Islamic State) must be able to seize additional territory in order to exploit resources,” it said.

The task force, which is made up of government officials from around the world who are combating money laundering, noted that the group had generated large amounts of money by appropriating oil fields and from criminal activity such as theft and extortion.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/isis-must-expand-its-territory-in-order-to-survive-2015-2#ixzz3TFStVmII