The Bulletin Board:(Please SCROLL DOWN this page to find the article titled on this post in LARGE CAPITAL LETTERS. Thank you.)
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
WORLD-WDE PRAYER REQUESTS:
UPDATE: "Second US Doctor Sick with Ebola; Crisis 'Out of Control'" - CBNNews.com, Sept. 02, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/healthscience/2014/September/A-Losing-Battle-Ebola-Going-to-Get-Worse-CDC-Says/ "Another American doctor in Liberia has tested positive for the Ebola virus, according to the international Christian mission organization, SIM. SIM leaders report the American doctor was treating obstetrics patients at the organization's ELWA Hospital in Monrovia and not treating Ebola patients..."The epidemic is going faster than we are," he warned. 'We need to scale up our response. We can hope for new tools and maybe they'll come, but we can't count on them.' So far, the West African outbreak has killed more than 1,500 people in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria."
Of course, let's CONTINUE PRAYING FOR AN END TO THE EBOLA CRISIS IN WEST AFRICA AND THE HEALING OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED.
PRAY FOR THE CRISIS HAPPENING NOW IN IRAQ (see post #907) Pray that allied forces will be able to drive the group ISIS back (see post #964)
LATEST:"Christians in the Middle East Arm Themselves As Genocide Comes to Their Front Door" - Katie Pavlich | Sep 05, 2014;
http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2014/09/05/christians-in-the-middle-east-arm-themselves-as-violence-rages-around-them-n1887849" Earlier this week the BBC and Al Jazeera both reported on armed Iraqi citizen volunteers who helped government forces fight off ISIS in Amerli. Today, the AP is out with a story about Christians in the Middle East who are arming themselves, carrying weapons with them during daily tasks and heading to the hills at night to defend their communities as violence continues to rage around them. Genocide is at their front door and they're doing everything they can to stop it from coming in... So far, the terror army ISIS has slaughtered and tortured thousands of Christians in Iraq and Syria."
URGENT: Emergency Relief For Iraqi Believers Facing Genocide! - August 30, 2014- Liberty Counsel Action is partnering with RUN Ministries to deliver emergency food, water and shelter to Iraqi Christians and Yazidis who have fled their homes and are facing genocide. More than 146,000 people are now threatened by genocide from radical ISIS forces.RUN Ministries has a solid network of believers throughout the Middle East who are willing to risk life and limb to get relief through the ISIS lines of defense. The cost of getting the needed aid to them is $8 per person per day. This includes tents, blankets, food, and water for the first 3 weeks. TO DONATE (as I have), PLEASE GO TO: http://www.grassrootsaction.com/201181/offer.asp?Ref_ID=27781&CID=201181&RID=42814607
"Not Everyone Happy with Religious Ambassador Pick," Caitlin Burke,July 29, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/July/Obama-Taps-Rabbi-for-Religious-Freedom-Ambassador/ "..An estimated 76 percent of the world's population live in countries where religious freedom is restricted. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States must take a strong stand against those violations. "Around the world repressive governments and extremists groups have been crystal clear about what they stand against, so we have to be equally clear about what we must stand for," Kerry said. "We stand for greater freedom, for greater tolerance, greater respect, for rights of freedom of expression and freedom of conscience," he said A key development in the 2013 report is the large number of displaced members of religious communities, including entire Christian communities in Syria and Iraq that have been forced to flee their homes because of persecution."
SIGN A PETITION TO THE UN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS :" The church in Syria has shone brightly for 2,000 years. But today violence and persecution threatens its survival. Thanks to an incredible response, Open Doors is helping 8,000 families in Syria survive each month. We believe the signatures and prayers of 500,000 people will encourage the UN to act and protect the rights and lives of all Syrians, especially the vulnerable Christian community." Go to: http://lp.opendoorsusa.org/emails/nov-13-action/save-syria.html?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button&utm_campaign=november
LATEST SAHEED NEWS! May 22 - "Pastor Saeed Forcibly Returned to Prison after Beating" - By Caitlin Burke,CBN News, May 22, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/May/Pastor-Saeed-Beaten-Sent-Back-to-Iran-Prison/ "Saeed Abedini, a U.S. pastor imprisoned for his faith, was severely beaten at an Iranian hospital before being returned to the brutal Rajai Shahr prison. His Iranian family claims the transfer was unexpected and the reason is unclear. But one of the guards involved in the transfer suggested recent Iranian nuclear talks could be a motive, the family said...""
We need to continue to pray for Pastor Saeed - that his health will improve and that he will be re-united with his wife and two young children who live in the United States. We also remain hopeful that in addition to getting the medical care he so desperately needs, that Iranian officials display the kind of humanitarian treatment that often accompanies the start of the Iranian New Year which began on March 21st. This is the time of year when the Iranian government frequently offers clemency to prisoners of conscience. [If you have not yet, please sign the petition for his clemency- http://beheardproject.com/saeed#sign]
*For the people of Ukrainen [esp. for the church 'to be THE church'] as they wait to see if the Russian troops will advance.
*About President Obama and to use wisdom in crafting our foreign policy, and wisdom for his advisers.
Continue to Pray for EGYPT - Continue to pray for the tense situation in Egypt and especially for the Christian believers who are being targeted with violence by Muslim Brotherhood members.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Q&A: What More Troops in Iraq Means for Defeating ISIS" - James Phillips/ Melissa Quinn / September 10, 2014 / http://dailysignal.com/2014/09/10/qa-troops-iraq-means-defeating-isis/?utm_source=heritagefoundation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=morningbell&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonvK3PZKXonjHpfsX56eguXa%2B3lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4DTsNiI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFQrLBMa1ozrgOWxU%3D
Children run as a sandstorm hits a refugee camp for those who fled the ISIS threat in Mosul, Iraq. (Photo: Martin Alan Smith/Pacific Press/Newscom)
Despite repeated U.S. airstrikes ordered by President Obama to blunt the advance of the Islamic State, the brutal terrorist group — also known as ISIS — continues to slaughter civilians in Iraq and Syria and to vow to inflict the same on the United States.
Last week, the president ordered more than 350 troops to Iraq to toughen security at the U.S. Embassy, bringing the total number of American armed forces to over 1,000. According to the White House, the troops are not there to engage in combat. After telling reporters Aug. 28 that he didn’t yet have a strategy for combating the Islamic State at its bases in Syria, Obama plans to address the nation tonight to detail a blueprint to “degrade and ultimately destroy” the terrorist army.
Ahead of the president’s speech, James Phillips, a veteran expert in Middle Eastern affairs at The Heritage Foundation, agreed to answer questions about what the president’s decision to deploy more troops means — and what American strategy against ISIS should look like.
The Daily Signal: President Obama already withdrew our troops from Iraq. Why send more back?
Phillips: The Obama administration unwisely withdrew all U.S. troops from Iraq at the end of 2011, while minimizing the risks entailed in that move. The comeback of the al-Qaeda offshoot called the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, exposed the wishful thinking behind that flawed decision. President Obama has belatedly ordered some U.S. troops back to Iraq to help protect the U.S. Embassy and diplomatic personnel, gather intelligence on the situation, identify targets for airstrikes and help alleviate a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Q: Will U.S. military personnel be involved in combat? If not, why?
A: U.S. troops potentially could be involved in combat if they are attacked by ISIS or other hostile groups, but the administration has ruled out deploying combat troops on the ground inside Iraq. U.S. personnel deployed so far technically have been assigned as advisers and intelligence-gathering personnel.The troops most likely to see combat are Army special operations forces assigned to units of the Iraqi army and Kurdish militia forces who act as spotters to help direct U.S. airstrikes. U.S. warplanes and armed drones already have been involved in launching airstrikes, which will be the principal military operations conducted by U.S. forces in Iraq. The air campaign is likely to escalate in intensity very shortly, along with possible cruise missile strikes launched by U.S. naval forces in the Persian Gulf and eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Q: The White House says the troops will protect our diplomatic facilities and personnel. Isn’t there already diplomatic security? Why add more?
A: The administration prudently is beefing up security for diplomatic personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and elsewhere, after being caught off-guard by the rapid advance of the ISIS offensive. ISIS also has a long-established covert presence in Baghdad and other cities where they have conducted an intensifying terrorist campaign using car bombs, suicide bombers and commando attacks. The White House belatedly has realized that President Obama’s glib dismissal of ISIS as a “J.V. [junior varsity] team” of terrorists back in January was a huge mistake.
Q: How should U.S. troops stationed at embassies and bases respond to mounting attacks in areas near them? Are they allowed to engage in combat?
A: The troops are allowed to take action to defend themselves and other U.S. personnel from attack, but in general will try to avoid ground combat. The U.S. should mount most of its military efforts from the air, not the ground.
Q: Do you think this is the first step toward putting combat boots on the ground again in Iraq to combat the Islamic State?
A: I think the Obama administration wants to avoid putting U.S. combat troops on the ground. But it is likely that at least some of the special operations forces already deployed in Iraq will be drawn into the fighting if the Iraqi units they are advising are attacked.
Q: Given recent developments in Iraq and the beheadings of two American journalists, what should President Obama’s strategy be in combating ISIS?
A: The president needs to recognize that his strategy of “leading from behind” has yielded disastrous results that have left U.S. interests behind, not only in Iraq, but in Libya and Syria as well. He must develop a coherent political, military and diplomatic strategy in close cooperation with the Iraqi government, the Kurdistan regional government and other allies to destroy ISIS.
This should entail major U.S. airstrikes on ISIS leadership, military bases and fighters that are closely coordinated with Iraqi military forces on the ground; intensive intelligence and law enforcement cooperation to reduce the flow of foreign fighters joining ISIS in Iraq and Syria; political efforts by the Iraqi government to reach out to moderate Sunni political and tribal leaders to siphon away Sunni Arab support for ISIS; international efforts to cut the flow of smuggled oil and gasoline, as well as private donations that help fund ISIS.
Q: President Obama said the administration’s goal is to “shrink” the Islamic State to a “manageable problem.” Meanwhile, Vice President Joe Biden said the U.S. would chase ISIS to “the gates of Hell.” Is the administration presenting a clear mission?
A: The administration unfortunately has sent mixed messages that have confused and discouraged U.S. allies as well as potential allies inside Iraq. President Obama has an opportunity to clearly articulate U.S. policy in his speech tonight.
Let’s hope that he finally has developed a strategy for a crisis that has been brewing at least since January.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
James Phillips is the senior research fellow for Middle Eastern affairs at the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation. He has written extensively on Middle Eastern issues and international terrorism since 1978. Read his research.
For more of James Phillips’ insight and analysis on ISIS and Iraq:
"The Obama Administration’s Wake-up Call in Iraq" - http://dailysignal.com/2014/07/01/obama-administrations-wake-call-iraq/
"Q&A: What You Need to Know About ISIS in Iraq" - http://dailysignal.com/2014/06/14/qa-need-know-isis-iraq/
"The Iraq Meltdown: What Next?" - http://dailysignal.com/2014/06/13/iraq-meltdown-next/
"To Defeat al-Qaeda in Iraq, Stronger Cooperation Needed" - http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2014/06/to-defeat-al-qaeda-in-iraq-stronger-counterterrorism-cooperation-needed
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
WORLD-WDE PRAYER REQUESTS:
UPDATE: "Second US Doctor Sick with Ebola; Crisis 'Out of Control'" - CBNNews.com, Sept. 02, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/healthscience/2014/September/A-Losing-Battle-Ebola-Going-to-Get-Worse-CDC-Says/ "Another American doctor in Liberia has tested positive for the Ebola virus, according to the international Christian mission organization, SIM. SIM leaders report the American doctor was treating obstetrics patients at the organization's ELWA Hospital in Monrovia and not treating Ebola patients..."The epidemic is going faster than we are," he warned. 'We need to scale up our response. We can hope for new tools and maybe they'll come, but we can't count on them.' So far, the West African outbreak has killed more than 1,500 people in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria."
Of course, let's CONTINUE PRAYING FOR AN END TO THE EBOLA CRISIS IN WEST AFRICA AND THE HEALING OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED.
PRAY FOR THE CRISIS HAPPENING NOW IN IRAQ (see post #907) Pray that allied forces will be able to drive the group ISIS back (see post #964)
LATEST:"Christians in the Middle East Arm Themselves As Genocide Comes to Their Front Door" - Katie Pavlich | Sep 05, 2014;
http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2014/09/05/christians-in-the-middle-east-arm-themselves-as-violence-rages-around-them-n1887849" Earlier this week the BBC and Al Jazeera both reported on armed Iraqi citizen volunteers who helped government forces fight off ISIS in Amerli. Today, the AP is out with a story about Christians in the Middle East who are arming themselves, carrying weapons with them during daily tasks and heading to the hills at night to defend their communities as violence continues to rage around them. Genocide is at their front door and they're doing everything they can to stop it from coming in... So far, the terror army ISIS has slaughtered and tortured thousands of Christians in Iraq and Syria."
URGENT: Emergency Relief For Iraqi Believers Facing Genocide! - August 30, 2014- Liberty Counsel Action is partnering with RUN Ministries to deliver emergency food, water and shelter to Iraqi Christians and Yazidis who have fled their homes and are facing genocide. More than 146,000 people are now threatened by genocide from radical ISIS forces.RUN Ministries has a solid network of believers throughout the Middle East who are willing to risk life and limb to get relief through the ISIS lines of defense. The cost of getting the needed aid to them is $8 per person per day. This includes tents, blankets, food, and water for the first 3 weeks. TO DONATE (as I have), PLEASE GO TO: http://www.grassrootsaction.com/201181/offer.asp?Ref_ID=27781&CID=201181&RID=42814607
"Not Everyone Happy with Religious Ambassador Pick," Caitlin Burke,July 29, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/July/Obama-Taps-Rabbi-for-Religious-Freedom-Ambassador/ "..An estimated 76 percent of the world's population live in countries where religious freedom is restricted. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States must take a strong stand against those violations. "Around the world repressive governments and extremists groups have been crystal clear about what they stand against, so we have to be equally clear about what we must stand for," Kerry said. "We stand for greater freedom, for greater tolerance, greater respect, for rights of freedom of expression and freedom of conscience," he said A key development in the 2013 report is the large number of displaced members of religious communities, including entire Christian communities in Syria and Iraq that have been forced to flee their homes because of persecution."
SIGN A PETITION TO THE UN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS :" The church in Syria has shone brightly for 2,000 years. But today violence and persecution threatens its survival. Thanks to an incredible response, Open Doors is helping 8,000 families in Syria survive each month. We believe the signatures and prayers of 500,000 people will encourage the UN to act and protect the rights and lives of all Syrians, especially the vulnerable Christian community." Go to: http://lp.opendoorsusa.org/emails/nov-13-action/save-syria.html?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button&utm_campaign=november
LATEST SAHEED NEWS! May 22 - "Pastor Saeed Forcibly Returned to Prison after Beating" - By Caitlin Burke,CBN News, May 22, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/May/Pastor-Saeed-Beaten-Sent-Back-to-Iran-Prison/ "Saeed Abedini, a U.S. pastor imprisoned for his faith, was severely beaten at an Iranian hospital before being returned to the brutal Rajai Shahr prison. His Iranian family claims the transfer was unexpected and the reason is unclear. But one of the guards involved in the transfer suggested recent Iranian nuclear talks could be a motive, the family said...""
We need to continue to pray for Pastor Saeed - that his health will improve and that he will be re-united with his wife and two young children who live in the United States. We also remain hopeful that in addition to getting the medical care he so desperately needs, that Iranian officials display the kind of humanitarian treatment that often accompanies the start of the Iranian New Year which began on March 21st. This is the time of year when the Iranian government frequently offers clemency to prisoners of conscience. [If you have not yet, please sign the petition for his clemency- http://beheardproject.com/saeed#sign]
PRAY ALSO : - For comfort and peace for Saeed’s wife and children here in the U.S.\
- For a strong witness and testimony from Pastor Abedini in the prison where God has placed him
- For Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ
- For leadership from the White House and State Department in defending the freedoms of Abedini and other Americans
- GO TO SaveSaeed.org to sign a petition over 600,000 others asking for his immediate release
/PRAYER ALERT- UKRAINE: As the Lord leads, please pray:
*For God to suppress President Putin’s ambitions to "restore" the Soviet empire.*For the people of Ukrainen [esp. for the church 'to be THE church'] as they wait to see if the Russian troops will advance.
*About President Obama and to use wisdom in crafting our foreign policy, and wisdom for his advisers.
Continue to Pray for EGYPT - Continue to pray for the tense situation in Egypt and especially for the Christian believers who are being targeted with violence by Muslim Brotherhood members.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Q&A: What More Troops in Iraq Means for Defeating ISIS" - James Phillips/ Melissa Quinn / September 10, 2014 / http://dailysignal.com/2014/09/10/qa-troops-iraq-means-defeating-isis/?utm_source=heritagefoundation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=morningbell&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonvK3PZKXonjHpfsX56eguXa%2B3lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4DTsNiI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFQrLBMa1ozrgOWxU%3D
Children run as a sandstorm hits a refugee camp for those who fled the ISIS threat in Mosul, Iraq. (Photo: Martin Alan Smith/Pacific Press/Newscom)
Despite repeated U.S. airstrikes ordered by President Obama to blunt the advance of the Islamic State, the brutal terrorist group — also known as ISIS — continues to slaughter civilians in Iraq and Syria and to vow to inflict the same on the United States.
Last week, the president ordered more than 350 troops to Iraq to toughen security at the U.S. Embassy, bringing the total number of American armed forces to over 1,000. According to the White House, the troops are not there to engage in combat. After telling reporters Aug. 28 that he didn’t yet have a strategy for combating the Islamic State at its bases in Syria, Obama plans to address the nation tonight to detail a blueprint to “degrade and ultimately destroy” the terrorist army.
Ahead of the president’s speech, James Phillips, a veteran expert in Middle Eastern affairs at The Heritage Foundation, agreed to answer questions about what the president’s decision to deploy more troops means — and what American strategy against ISIS should look like.
The Daily Signal: President Obama already withdrew our troops from Iraq. Why send more back?
Phillips: The Obama administration unwisely withdrew all U.S. troops from Iraq at the end of 2011, while minimizing the risks entailed in that move. The comeback of the al-Qaeda offshoot called the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, exposed the wishful thinking behind that flawed decision. President Obama has belatedly ordered some U.S. troops back to Iraq to help protect the U.S. Embassy and diplomatic personnel, gather intelligence on the situation, identify targets for airstrikes and help alleviate a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Q: Will U.S. military personnel be involved in combat? If not, why?
A: U.S. troops potentially could be involved in combat if they are attacked by ISIS or other hostile groups, but the administration has ruled out deploying combat troops on the ground inside Iraq. U.S. personnel deployed so far technically have been assigned as advisers and intelligence-gathering personnel.The troops most likely to see combat are Army special operations forces assigned to units of the Iraqi army and Kurdish militia forces who act as spotters to help direct U.S. airstrikes. U.S. warplanes and armed drones already have been involved in launching airstrikes, which will be the principal military operations conducted by U.S. forces in Iraq. The air campaign is likely to escalate in intensity very shortly, along with possible cruise missile strikes launched by U.S. naval forces in the Persian Gulf and eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Q: The White House says the troops will protect our diplomatic facilities and personnel. Isn’t there already diplomatic security? Why add more?
A: The administration prudently is beefing up security for diplomatic personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and elsewhere, after being caught off-guard by the rapid advance of the ISIS offensive. ISIS also has a long-established covert presence in Baghdad and other cities where they have conducted an intensifying terrorist campaign using car bombs, suicide bombers and commando attacks. The White House belatedly has realized that President Obama’s glib dismissal of ISIS as a “J.V. [junior varsity] team” of terrorists back in January was a huge mistake.
Q: How should U.S. troops stationed at embassies and bases respond to mounting attacks in areas near them? Are they allowed to engage in combat?
A: The troops are allowed to take action to defend themselves and other U.S. personnel from attack, but in general will try to avoid ground combat. The U.S. should mount most of its military efforts from the air, not the ground.
Q: Do you think this is the first step toward putting combat boots on the ground again in Iraq to combat the Islamic State?
A: I think the Obama administration wants to avoid putting U.S. combat troops on the ground. But it is likely that at least some of the special operations forces already deployed in Iraq will be drawn into the fighting if the Iraqi units they are advising are attacked.
Q: Given recent developments in Iraq and the beheadings of two American journalists, what should President Obama’s strategy be in combating ISIS?
A: The president needs to recognize that his strategy of “leading from behind” has yielded disastrous results that have left U.S. interests behind, not only in Iraq, but in Libya and Syria as well. He must develop a coherent political, military and diplomatic strategy in close cooperation with the Iraqi government, the Kurdistan regional government and other allies to destroy ISIS.
This should entail major U.S. airstrikes on ISIS leadership, military bases and fighters that are closely coordinated with Iraqi military forces on the ground; intensive intelligence and law enforcement cooperation to reduce the flow of foreign fighters joining ISIS in Iraq and Syria; political efforts by the Iraqi government to reach out to moderate Sunni political and tribal leaders to siphon away Sunni Arab support for ISIS; international efforts to cut the flow of smuggled oil and gasoline, as well as private donations that help fund ISIS.
Q: President Obama said the administration’s goal is to “shrink” the Islamic State to a “manageable problem.” Meanwhile, Vice President Joe Biden said the U.S. would chase ISIS to “the gates of Hell.” Is the administration presenting a clear mission?
A: The administration unfortunately has sent mixed messages that have confused and discouraged U.S. allies as well as potential allies inside Iraq. President Obama has an opportunity to clearly articulate U.S. policy in his speech tonight.
Let’s hope that he finally has developed a strategy for a crisis that has been brewing at least since January.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
James Phillips is the senior research fellow for Middle Eastern affairs at the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation. He has written extensively on Middle Eastern issues and international terrorism since 1978. Read his research.
For more of James Phillips’ insight and analysis on ISIS and Iraq:
"The Obama Administration’s Wake-up Call in Iraq" - http://dailysignal.com/2014/07/01/obama-administrations-wake-call-iraq/
"Q&A: What You Need to Know About ISIS in Iraq" - http://dailysignal.com/2014/06/14/qa-need-know-isis-iraq/
"The Iraq Meltdown: What Next?" - http://dailysignal.com/2014/06/13/iraq-meltdown-next/
"To Defeat al-Qaeda in Iraq, Stronger Cooperation Needed" - http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2014/06/to-defeat-al-qaeda-in-iraq-stronger-counterterrorism-cooperation-needed
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