A Few Links On Syria And Other Issues
Just a few links ...
The White House and State Department are miffed that Syria and Russia are cleaning up their Jihadis in Aleppo city.
There is a false claims evolving in western "news" that the current Aleppo operation led to the breakdown of the ceasefire agreement. Two points on this: 1. The ceasefire did not "break down". It expired after a previously agreed period. Both sides did not agree to a prolongation. 2. The most important ceasefire point was the physical separation of al-Qaida and other U.S. proxy rebels. The U.S. was unable (or unwilling) to fulfill that point.
See: Moscow Makes Public Full Text of Russia-US Deal on Syria
The main priority in Syria, according to the document, is the demarcation of territory controlled by Daesh and al-Nusra Front terrorist groups and territories controlled by Syrian rebels.
After the end of the ceasefire the U.S. and its subaltern allies are flooding Syria with new weapons:
- US-backed rebels now equipped with advanced rocket launchers The BM-21 truck mounted Grad multiple rocket launcher have a range of up to 40 kilometers. At least three new ones have been photographed over the last two days.
- 'Aleppo must not fall': US allies to flood [Aleppo] with anti-aircraft missiles
"The US confirmed the green light to begin sending them to rebels through supply routes still open through Jordan and Turkey," the source said. "Rebels are being told only to target Syrian helicopters, not Russian - but it's not clear they will abide by this."
Both rockets and MANPADs are part of a "Plan-B" the CIA had already developed in May 2015 but which was held back until now. There are likely additional military elements to this plan. On the diplomatic side the U.S. (and its stooges) -obviously unable to act rationally- now imitate defiant children. "If we can't get exactly what we want we will never again talk to you."
- US Threatens to Suspend Engagement With Russia in Syria Over Aleppo Situation
- Unrelated EU Sanctions linked to Ukraine now suddenly get linked to Russia's stipulated official support for the Syrian government: Syria Attacks May Complicate EU Decision on Russia Sanctions
A very major issue for Syria (and one reason why many Syrians flee the country) are U.S. and EU sanctions. Their consequences were so far hardly ever reported. Here is the first major piece in U.S. media about them: U.S. and EU Sanctions Are Punishing Ordinary Syrians and Crippling Aid Work, U.N. Report Reveals
In a 40-page internal assessment commissioned to analyze the humanitarian impact of the sanctions, the U.N. describes the U.S. and EU measures as “some of the most complicated and far-reaching sanctions regimes ever imposed.” Detailing a complex system of “unpredictable and time-consuming” financial restrictions and licensing requirements, the report finds that U.S. sanctions are exceptionally harsh “regarding provision of humanitarian aid.”
...
An internal U.N. email obtained by The Intercept also faults U.S. and EU sanctions for contributing to food shortages and deteriorations in health care.
...
The email went on to cite sanctions as a “principal factor” in the erosion of Syria’s health care system.
The piece also explains that the Syrian and Russian behavior towards insurgent occupied cities is in no way more severe than the usual U.S. procedures:
Meanwhile, in cities controlled by ISIS, the U.S. has employed some of the same tactics it condemns. For example, U.S.-backed ground forces laid siege to Manbij, a city in northern Syria not far from Aleppo that is home to tens of thousands of civilians. U.S. airstrikes pounded the city over the summer, killing up to 125 civilians in a single attack. The U.S. replicated this strategy to drive ISIS out of Kobane, Ramadi, and Fallujah, leaving behind flattened neighborhoods. In Fallujah, residents resorted to eating soup made from grass and 140 people reportedly died from lack of food and medicine during the siege.
To help with the sanctions and other issues China had recently agreed with Syria to provide medical support. But just like Russia, China is now considered a U.S. enemy and the CIA and Pentagon are eager to fight it.
Risky business: Is US supporting anti-Chinese militants in Syria?
With war hawks in US/Turkey/Qatar/Saudi arming and funding anti-Chinese militants in Syria that are planning more attacks on Chinese embassies and interests abroad, coupled with US gunboat diplomacy in the South China Sea, this dangerous “deterring the dragon” combination risks turning into a “provoking the dragon” scenario, and may escalate into a military conflict between two nuclear powers.
(The piece also includes this vignette about the anti-Chinese TIP Uighurs in Syria:
Later videos emerged of US/UK-funded White Helmet members with two captured young Syrian soldiers in Kahn Touman, and taunting “Assad, Russia, Iran and China, are they stronger than god?” The two soldiers were later executed by TIP militants.)
U.S. official: THAAD to be deployed to deter North Korea threats
THAAD is a long range missile defense system. Putting it into South Korea makes no sense if one wants to counter shorter ranged North Korean missiles. The target here is obviously China. This will have consequences.
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A lot of hype is made today about two hospitals in east-Aleppo that were allegedly bombed:
- Two hospitals bombed in eastern Aleppo, Syria
- Two hospitals bombed in rebel-held Aleppo amid government assault
The second piece, in the Washington Post, originally included this sentence:
Neither hospital was seriously damaged and both are expected soon to function again, ...
I pointed that out several times today to "bombing" hypers including to Washington Post writers. Soon after that the piece was "updated" and the sentence changed to:
Both hospitals are expected to be repaired, but they are badly damaged.
Still, according to the piece, only two people were killed in the relevant strikes and three injured. Had the attacks actually targeted the crowded hospitals both would have been destroyed and many more people would be dead. Instead the hospitals seem to have received only collateral damage from strikes on nearby military targets. But pointing that out does not fit the U.S. propaganda line.
Meanwhile the U.S. and its allies continue their daily business of killing people in Syria and elsewhere.
- Afghan official: 13 civilians killed in airstrike on house
- Erdogan’s forces kill nine Syrian civilians near borders in Hasaka countryside
- Suspected US airstrikes hit Somali army base near Galkacyo town,killing at least 10 soldiers according to officials and local media.
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I somewhat agree with this election take by Peter Hitchens:
The world's fixated on Trump. But Hillary could drag us ALL into a catastrophic war
After Monday's TV show with Clinton and Trump CNN had published a poll claiming that Clinton was the winner of the debate by a wide margin. CNN later released (pdf) the poll data. It turns out (page 9) that only white people and only those above 50 years of age responded to the question. The poll was also heavily skewed towards democratic voters. In other words: it was completely fictional and useless besides giving Clinton additional (false) media momentum.
Scott Adams' take: Clinton won the debate last night. And while she was doing it, Trump won the election. He had one thing to accomplish – being less scary – and he did it.
Posted by b on September 28, 2016 at 18:22 UTC | Permalink
next page »thanks b. i'm sending cash in the mail to you later today for your work. i hope the fundraiser is a success and you are able to continue your fine work.
first off - it is a propaganda war as much as it is a war of a continuation of usa foreign policy since a long ways back.. the only difference here is some other major players - russia and china - see how it has to confront the world bully at present. meanwhile the us public has a choice for neo-con hillary, or (maybe) neo-con light - trump - both ready and able to be subservient to the financial and military complex..
meanwhile the usa's use of sanctions, financial and otherwise are another form of ugliness that is brought in when the exceptional nation doesn't get it's immediate way.. it is pretty depressing seeing how quickly the usa has fallen from being a nation that might have had a lot to offer, to be a nation supporting what it does now.
watching the precursor to ww3 here.. i wish i saw it differently, but i don't... next shoe to drop i see around oct 6/7th.. hope the civilian aviation isn't an end casualty of the man-pads..
Posted by: james | Sep 28 2016 18:44 utc | 2
Was the MH17 "verdict" advanced to pile on? The presentation seemed designed to attach the word "Russia" to any headline regarding conclusions. The following from The Guardian will annoy:
"The JIT’s interim report is a vindication for the British-led online investigation team Bellingcat. It correctly identified the field from which the missile was fired."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/28/flight-mh17-shot-down-by-missile-brought-in-from-russia-ukraine-malaysia-airlines
These efforts will further polarize viewpoints and justify more international tension - which is all that NATO can offer the world at this time.
Posted by: jayc | Sep 28 2016 18:45 utc | 3
james @2 Yes they will fall into the wrong hands... from the link "Falling into wrong hands".
"There are long-held concerns that the new weapons could fall into the hands of militants with agendas beyond Syria: Manpad systems are a huge threat to commercial aviation during take-off and landing.
The Los Angeles Times reported in May that caches of anti-tank missiles made their way to hard-line factions in Syria after the CIA gave them to select "moderate" allies.
“It only takes one stray Manpad to sneak into Turkey and that would be a very bad thing,” a US official told the newspaper on condition of anonymity.
Joshi, of Rusi, said: "Gulf states and Turkey understand the serious risks involved in supplying Manpads, in some ways they would bear more of the risk than anyone else to civilian and passenger airlines. I think they should be extremely cautious before proceeding with such moves." And Ben Gurion airport.
Posted by: harrylaw | Sep 28 2016 19:26 utc | 4
jayc | Sep 28, 2016 2:45:38 PM | 3
I suspect they're going to blame the Donetsk/Luhansk armies for this, but that won't stop the United States and others claiming that Russia is responsible because it supports them just as it does for supporting the Syrian government.
By the way, when the United States starts getting all sanctimonious about this, let's not forget Flight 655. By my reckoning, the captain of USS Vincennes was far better informed of the target by radar than the alleged BUK crew in eastern Ukraine was by the radar on their launcher. The United States has never admitted responsibility for the shooting down of Flight 655 though it did express regret at the loss of life and pay just over $200,000 for each of the victims and the captain was given a medal for the tour of duty during which Flight 655 was shot down and the 290 passengers and crew were murdered.
Posted by: Ghostship | Sep 28 2016 19:32 utc | 5
@R3
History Repeating: 'Libyan Scenario' Taking Shape in Syria
There is nothing in common with "Libyan Scenario" in any military-political sense in Syria. Not even close.
Posted by: SmoothieX12 | Sep 28 2016 19:37 utc | 6
The Russians and Iranians might have to teach those GCC satraps that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. A proxy war aimed at their only source of income [with plausible deniability] could collapse the Saudi economy and expand the Russian and Iranian ones. Two birds with one stone. Two idioms in one paragraph
Posted by: harrylaw | Sep 28 2016 19:41 utc | 7
The THAAD deployment to South Korea is now non negotiable and a matter of urgency, as long term plans for the isolation of China - TPP TTIP and the phoney Hague tribunal - have all failed. I believe plans for hot war against Russia and China are very advanced, perhaps too far advanced to be stopped even by a change of US president.
Posted by: Peter AU | Sep 28 2016 19:58 utc | 8
MH17 phoney official investigation receive their talking points from the same source as Bellingcrap and SOHR.
Posted by: Peter AU | Sep 28 2016 20:01 utc | 9
A good article on the Syrian sanctions:
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/break-sieges-economic-siege-syria/
"Break the sieges? What about the economic siege on Syria?
"...That the west predictably ignored these calls is symptomatic of their abject refusal to address the most important truth about the war, which is that the militias waging war on the Syrian state are infinitely more dependent on an external predatory alliance of nations for constant flows of foreign mercenaries, funding, weapons, training, and even direct assistance on the battlefield than they are on any internal discontent with the Syrian government.
Those predatory nations include NATO states such as the United States, Britain, France and Turkey, and their regional allies, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Israel, as well as other governments that fall in the ‘western sphere’ such as Canada and Australia, both of whom have co-signed the objectives of the proxy-war on Syria.
Those who live in these predatory nations, especially so-called ‘westerners’, are ironically encouraged to imagine themselves as the probable saviours of those living under siege IN Syria while being mostly oblivious to the fact that their governments have imposed an economic siege ON Syria.
Lifting the economic siege ON Syria would be a lot easier, but it would require westerners to come to terms with the reality that their governments are the problem, not the solution...."
More proof that there are no moderate terrorists:
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/former-isis-terrorist-dies-fighting-fsa/
"Former ISIS terrorist dies fighting with FSA
Rafe' Al-Salibi, a former ISIS 'emir' from Deir Ezzour, was pronounced dead today in a message released by the media wing of the Islamist 'Jaish al-Tahrir' - one of the FSA groups currently engaged in fighting both the YPG and ISIS in the northern countryside of the Aleppo governorate...
...Al-Masdar reported on the defected ISIS emir's relocation to Turkey earlier this month. The fact that well known ISIS terrorists are being granted safe exit from Syria and into Turkey poses a security risk for Turkey's neighbours, one that is well beyond being a merely theoretical cause for concern now.
But what is perhaps most remarkable about Al-Salibi's case is the fact that he was able to relocate to an FSA group via Turkey without facing any repercussions, and despite his well known affiliation with ISIS.
In other words, Jaish al-Tahrir's statement provides evidence that a known terrorist involved in the command structure of ISIS has been relocated to a militant group backed by the US-led coalition (one that has received TOW missiles from the US in the past)."
Posted by: Dean | Sep 28 2016 20:22 utc | 10
@8, Peter AU.
I believe plans for hot war against Russia and China are very advanced
Yes, they are called contingency planning and have been in place (and are being updated regularly) since WW II. Interestingly, Russia (and China) also have very advanced plans for hot war with US. Especially Russia who is well acquainted with real peer-to-peer war and trains for it.
Posted by: SmoothieX12 | Sep 28 2016 20:28 utc | 11
@9 Peter,
When I read the article it was like I went back in time to the first days after the event. Exactly the same conclusions now as then. What a waste, no justice here. Everyone of their conclusions has been debunked so many times it makes me nauseous.
Posted by: Dean | Sep 28 2016 20:28 utc | 12
They are actually claiming Russian soldiers moved it into the rebel area and launched it at the jet,and then scurried away under cover of darkness.(Graun)wow.
No US satellite evidence was given via Graun.
Computer video though,jeez.Some graphics.
Russian vehemently denies the whole scenario.Why would Russia let this fester for 2 years if they were aware of these alleged facts?They say they have 100 names of said Russian soldiers.???
Definitely US election timed.
And of course tainted,as how the hell did the
Ukraine,a possible perpetrator be on the panel?
Yankee come home.
Posted by: dahoit | Sep 28 2016 20:28 utc | 13
war with china has always been on the back burner. what kind depends on who wins the election. i've noticed that even when he talks "tough", trump seems to prefer economic warfare (tariffs, sanctions, etc.) to the military variety hillary loves so much (having no skin in the game). though he whined about iran and the nuclear "deal" a LOT during the debate (gotta earn that adelson money) his view seemed to be "we shoulda let the sanctions strangle them" whereas hillary goes straight to "obliterate".
as for syria, i'm hoping the russians are thinking "fool me 3 times shame on me" and ignoring any future "ceasefire" ruses from the west. i agree with comment #7 and have for a while; whether it's houthis or the saudi shia that live on top of the oil or some other scenario, proxy war coming back to haunt the saud family would be beautifully poetic.
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160107/1032797495/shia-sunnis-oil-saudis.html
yemen has shown that they, like the israelis, are sooper tuff when they're bombing from the sky but when they send in grounds forces it's a well-deserved slaughter (see also: lebanon 2006).
back to the debate, i find it odd how every side of the spectrum says clinton "won". to me it seemed like a draw and trump's "she has experience but it's BAD experience" line was 100% on target. also: she was overly prepared and rehearsed whereas he was flying by the seat of his pants. it takes guts to go all improv against a robotic talking points generator like hillary so imagine if he actually practiced before the next two debates.
Posted by: the pair | Sep 28 2016 20:34 utc | 14
Hillary had a terrifying cold expression in her eyes when Trump was talking, as if she had hard time concentrating in what he was saying. She looked almost sad like an old lady. Then suddenly she would give an artificial smile of the mouth only and start to giggle like a teenager.
Something is definitly wrong with the brain of this woman, her behavior is unnatural, almost robotic.
Posted by: virgile | Sep 28 2016 20:48 utc | 15
Kerry telephoned Lavrov to get the Aleppo offensive stopped. Looks like it didn't go well for Kerry. Now come the threats.
https://www.rt.com/usa/360992-us-warns-russia-violence/
Unless Russia “stops the violence” in Syria, extremists would “exploit the vacuum” to attack Russian interests and even cities, the US State Department has said.“Extremist groups will continue to exploit the vacuums that are there in Syria to expand their operations, which could include attacks against Russian interests, perhaps even Russian cities. Russia will continue to send people home in body bags, and will continue to lose resources, perhaps even aircraft,” John Kirby, the State Department's spokesperson, told reporters at Wednesday's press briefing.
If the war continues “more Russian lives will be lost, more Russian aircraft will be shot down,” Kirby said.
Early on Wednesday, US Secretary of State John Kerry threatened to end all cooperation between the United States and Russia to stop Syria’s civil war, unless Moscow and Damascus ended the current attack on East Aleppo.
“We are working through steps that we might have to take to begin to suspend our engagement with Russia on Syria. We haven’t taken those steps yet,” said Kirby. “The message to the [Russian] Foreign Minister today was that we are perfectly willing and able to move forward on those steps that would end with the suspension of US-Russia bi-lateral engagement in Syria.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov presented a different version of the call with Secretary Kerry, with the demand that the US live up to its obligation to separate opposition forces from extremist groups.
Posted by: woogs | Sep 28 2016 20:51 utc | 16
The ''rebels'' are many factions some subsidized by Arabia,some by Qatari,or Turkey,Israelis,us,France,British .Anyone has any idea how many factions are in US?... is potus in control of these factions?
Posted by: Nur Adlina | Sep 28 2016 21:33 utc | 17
@16 Given the sheer lack of genuine ISIS attacks in the USA, it makes me virtually certain that ISIS is a CIA operation used to destabilize others and that al Nusra is also on their payroll. As Jimmy Kimmel recently said, it would be harder to believe conspiracy theories if they didn't all seem to come true.
Posted by: P Walker | Sep 28 2016 21:43 utc | 19
US Deep State Threatens Russia: Back Down or We Flood Syria With MANPADs
Posted by: woogs | Sep 28 2016 21:49 utc | 20
Saudi Arabia the major funders of the Syrian head choppers have threatened to divest all their assets, and that the US-Saudi special relationship will be fundamentally over if Congress go ahead with a bill to enable US victims of 9/11 to sue the Saudis in US courts.Congress did and Obama's threatened veto was promptly overturned.
The Saudi threat is like a shopkeeper threatening to with hold payment to a mafia boss. They will learn it is not about the money, it is about successfully challenging the empire. Now that will never be allowed, on the basis that if they allow scumbags like the Saudis not to pay their dues, then others may get 'ideas'.
Posted by: harrylaw | Sep 28 2016 22:01 utc | 21
It's clear that stakes have been raised and the information war is at high gear. I've noticed a change of tone in Masdar News, RT and Sputnik since CoH failed. Same thing with russian officials.
The big propaganda machine (MSM and other lackeys) is running non stop too, denouncing and threatening Syria and Russia.
At the same time, more and more people are really worrying at the perspective of WWIII. Just curious, but out of 10 (0=no chance; 10=inevitable) how do you rate the risk of a global war by the end of 2017? I say 8.
Posted by: Jean | Sep 28 2016 22:03 utc | 22
woogs@20 Late last year John 'the singing canary' McCain was advocating supplying man pads to the head choppers.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Media reported earlier in October that Syrian rebels asked Washington for Stinger missiles to use them against Russia’s military jets.
“Absolutely… Absolutely I would,” McCain said when asked whether he would support the delivery of Stinger missiles to the opposition in Syria. “We certainly did that in Afghanistan. After the Russians invaded Afghanistan, we provided them with surface-to-air capability. It’d be nice to give people that we train and equip and send them to fight the ability to defend themselves. That’s one of the fundamental principles of warfare as I understand it,” McCain said.https://sputniknews.com/us/20151020/1028835944/us-stingers-missiles-syrian-rebels-mccain.html
Posted by: harrylaw | Sep 28 2016 22:18 utc | 23
syria is about to be roided by all sorts of machines.warranty is void
Posted by: franz | Sep 28 2016 22:29 utc | 24
The Joint Investigative Team released its MH-17 report today. The rebels did it with a BUK system brought in from Russia and then quickly taken back across the border.
Anyone surprised at this finding?
Posted by: woogs | Sep 28 2016 22:29 utc | 25
Well, in other news, US Congress voted to override the Obama ban on suing the Saudis for 9/11. Not going well for "Lawrence of Arabia" Kerry.
A question came up, as the Colombian peace treaty with FARC is in the news, regarding the FCPA -- http://bit.ly/2dskm5z (US fruit company paying protection money to UAC) -- so, perhaps spitting into the wind here, but a solid link between US weapons business and terrorists might gain some traction now that the courts are empowered to visit the Saudis with some judicial scrutiny -- given that US corporations are indirectly providing arms to non-state actors who are friends of the criminal sheiks who like to kill civilians with WP and cluster bombs in Yemen.
Just throwing this out. Russians in body bags are not a novelty, Mr. Kirby, if you remember our love for the Afghan Mujahadeen.
Posted by: stumpy | Sep 28 2016 22:36 utc | 26
@4 harrylaw.. "“It only takes one stray Manpad to sneak into Turkey and that would be a very bad thing,” a US official told the newspaper on condition of anonymity." lol.. and these idiots make decisions? how do the man-pads get into syria in the first place?? are they coming in safely via the golan heights or something?
Posted by: james | Sep 28 2016 23:22 utc | 27
@21 It's an empty Saudi threat. What would happen if Saudi Arabia decided to try and sell all their assets? The Economic Stabilization Fund of the US Treasury would simply buy it all. Saudi assets would never really make it to market and the Saudis would have to sell at a discount, which would actually *help* the USA, not hurt it.
Posted by: P Walker | Sep 28 2016 23:41 utc | 28
If you've got the stomach, go to youtube and look for fsa crimes.
Posted by: ruralito | Sep 28 2016 23:54 utc | 29
@22 Jean
All my life I've lived with the threat of nuclear war. Nothing can be done. No point worrying about it. It will happen too fast to react to.
However, everything below that threshold is fair game to ponder. A lot of the people urging Russia into war may end up being really glad that she tries so hard to avoid it. We know, or think we know, that there's an internal struggle of great dimensions within the US right now. Lets hope it's between the hotheads and the realists. Let's hope the realists can prevent nuclear escalation.
Eventually - it seems to me, the amateur theoretician - a piece of US equipment has to be destroyed by an act of Russia or Syria. One assumes a plane would be the likeliest target. But it could be another cluster of special forces embedded somewhere.
The crazies in the US are salivating to kick ass, and have no idea how powerless they are. The trick is going to be to show them this in utter humiliation, and for the Pentagon to say, No, we can't retaliate - "That's a fundamental decision that I'm certainly not about to make."
This will take some finesse. I know one nation capable of such finesse, but it also very much likes to get its ducks in a row, and wait for the perfect situation. I don't know what Russia's going to do about the threatened flood of manpads, for example. I can't judge how much the information war matters versus facts on the ground - outside Syria, I mean, throughout all the world.
I guess we get to watch all this. And every day we wake up alive is another chance to read MoA. The odds of world war can be at whatever they want on a scale of ten except ten :)
Posted by: Grieved | Sep 29 2016 0:13 utc | 30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PegVBHEhbDs Kirby is getting worked up because the US State Department cares!
Posted by: ruralito | Sep 29 2016 0:21 utc | 31
One of the links needs fixing
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-backed-rebels-now-equipped-advanced-rocket-launchers/US-backed%20rebels%20now%20equipped%20with%20advanced%20rocket%20launchers
Has an extra / and link text
Posted by: Joanne Leon | Sep 29 2016 0:31 utc | 32
@25, I'm going to need to understand why the Donbass fighters would smuggle in a very expensive and unwieldy piece of military tech to take out a civilian airliner from a country with no part in the conflict then clandestinely return the launcher. Not to mention how Russia would go along with it.
Posted by: ruralito | Sep 29 2016 0:39 utc | 33
A look at some interesting inter-rival deep state macinations between Americas stage managed servants of capital and their paymasters.
Posted by: Shadow Nine | Sep 29 2016 0:45 utc | 34
Stumpy @ 26, Yep, it's now legal to sue the Saudis for their part in 9-11-- even if it was by US permission. One never knows what add'l info might surface if there were an actual court case. The really surprising thing is that the supposedly secret 28 pages were actually available all along. Here's an interesting inside scoop
by Ryan Dawson, a serious researcher, being interviewed by Joaquin Flores of Fort Russ http://www.ancreport.com/podcast/ancs-joaquin-flores-interviews-ry-28-pages-content-coverage/
Posted by: Penelope | Sep 29 2016 0:54 utc | 35
The coalition of the righteous is going to war with Russia. Our warrior queen and her neocon and RTP friends will attain the glory for which they've lusted all these many years.
Posted by: chuckvw | Sep 29 2016 1:17 utc | 36
The US (aka - private finance owners) has/have known this day would come for some time so it is interesting how they are playing it to the public that is paying attention.
All this BS to precipitate major debt restructuring or forgiveness. And, who owns the debt? The global plutocrats who own finance have insured that the public is saddled with the debt, while they own the hard stuff and the ability to print money.
When is the world going to pay attention to important shit instead of the pearl clutching by the puppets of dying empire? Hopefully soon.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Sep 29 2016 1:27 utc | 37
Apparently the Russians have infiltrated the US Senate.
Posted by: Brodix | Sep 29 2016 1:31 utc | 38
#38 Adrian Brodix
You're telling me the Ashkenazim are Russian? No shit Sherlock??
Posted by: Quadriad | Sep 29 2016 1:35 utc | 39
Penelope @35 and others. Now that the hurdle has been overcome to sue the Saudi's for 9/11, discovery can occur. That means the entire arsenal of the U.S. judiciary system can be employed to shed sunlight on those who perpetrated the tragedy. This includes Americans.
There will be many, many, many more hurdles thrown in front of these souls but something tells me they have the grit to overcome. It would be wise for ALL to support them in their most righteous endeavor.
The meme spewing from the WH is valid. If Syria, for instance, chooses to pass a similar law accusing the U.S., Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Kuwait of intentional/deliberate terrorist acts on their sovereign soil, well, all can be sued for damages. Of course, all must prove their cases, but in that process, discovery is now available.
@ PW 28
The Economic Stabilization Fund of the US Treasury would simply buy it all. Saudi assets would never really make it to market and the Saudis would have to sell at a discount, which would actually *help* the USA, not hurt it.
How is the ESF of the US Treasury funded?
And I suppose they have enough resources to buy Deutsche Bank and its $70 Trillion derivatives book. DB is imploding. Unless DB is rescued its interconnectivity will down Barclays, HSBC, Citi, JPM, GS and a host of other EU banks.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-28/deutsche-denial-tsunami-begins-draghi-not-ecb-fault-imf-solid-base/
Oh, btw that DOJ $14 billion fine against DB accelerates its implosion.
Watch the weekend. It could be 10x Lehman 2008
The USA will be in a wall of hurt because KSA has several options.
They can ask for their gold to be returned which may take 50 years.
But really, KSA need not sell its USTs. An option with immediate result is just make the announcement – “Henceforth, we accept payment only in Euros, Yen, RMB/Yuan, CAD, Sterling and Gold”
Posted by: likklemore | Sep 29 2016 1:42 utc | 41
@38 "Apparently the Russians have infiltrated the US Senate."
Somebody finally noticed. McCain and Graham are plants. Everything they say makes Putin sound sane and rational.
Posted by: dh | Sep 29 2016 1:46 utc | 42
@41 I doubt if the Saudis want to take care of their own gold. It wouldn't be safe in Riyadh. Best to keep hoping the Bank of England and the US Treasury haven't sold it all off already.
Posted by: dh | Sep 29 2016 1:52 utc | 43
The propaganda is running non-stop on public tv, CNN and all other US media. Unprecedented levels of warmongering. Russia and Syria broke the ceasefire and everyone is trying to get them to clean up their act and meet the terms. No mention that the US bombed SAA and killed close to 100. No mention that the US failed to separate their good guys from their bad guys. In other news, Russia just bombed 2 more hospitals and an august body of impartial researchers confirmed that Russia brought a BUK across the border, rebels targeted a passenger plane, and then sent the BUK launcher back. They're not certain whether or not there was specific direction from Moscow to take the plane down (!).
We are on a war footing my friends. Truth never had a chance. The US is truly run by some very evil and supremely powerful forces.
Posted by: RC | Sep 29 2016 2:02 utc | 44
Putin's dick gets sucked here a lot. If Trump gets elected, maybe he'll get you people jobs working for the FSB after he hands our country over to your idol Vladimir.
Posted by: ME_HERE | Sep 29 2016 2:34 utc | 45
i guess some folks patience isn't limitless, lol..
i like this ongoing mantra from the usa demanding an : ''immediate cessation of hostilities''.. does that mean, the usa while providing their moderate headchoppers with weapons, would like them to temporarily hold off using them? hey guys, blow up the aid convoy so we can say that dastardly ruskies, and syrians did it, but other then that - hold off! has the thought occurred to these brilliant folks that not providing weapons might let them realize their demand?? i get it! they're like ME_HERE bozos who like saying stupid shit and nothing more..
Posted by: james | Sep 29 2016 2:47 utc | 46
RC@44:
Yeah, they're throwing everything, including the kitchen sink, at Russia. I don't think there's ever been this kind of rhetoric before. Surely not in my memory.
The SAA, along with its allies, simply must finish the job at Aleppo, rendering any resupply attempts moot. Let them howl, but make Aleppo a fait accompli.
Posted by: woogs | Sep 29 2016 2:52 utc | 47
h and others about the Senate override of the bill to allow suing of SA for 9/11.
It is interesting to note that at this time on Reuters there is absolutely nothing about the story.
Whatever is coming in jolts and spurts is evidently outside of some play books.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Sep 29 2016 3:48 utc | 48
@48 The BBC is talking about it....
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37498033
The families of 911 victims want compensation and no doubt lawyers smell big bucks. 15 of the attackers were Saudis but they still have to prove the Saudi government was behind it.
Posted by: dh | Sep 29 2016 3:58 utc | 49
Dutch, Australian and Ukrainian police announce the end of the tunnel in MH17 investigation; Russian generals announce tunnel vision. John Helmer on MH17 JIT report.
https://www.newcoldwar.org/dutch-australian-ukrainian-police-announce-end-tunnel-mh1
Posted by: John Gilberts | Sep 29 2016 5:23 utc | 50
State Department spokesperson John Kirby shames himself and every American. Something about Saudi 'inefficiency in targeting' as sole cause of airstrikes causing massive civilian carnage in Yemen, which can't be compared with evil Russia in Syria/Aleppo: https://twitter.com/walid970721/status/781270091182800897
One more set of images for the White Helmets 'humanitarian aid workers gone wild' collection
https://z5h64q92x9.net/proxy_u/ru-en.en/colonelcassad.livejournal.com/2983338.html
Posted by: Yonatan | Sep 29 2016 7:51 utc | 52
" Washington’s foreign policy is driven by hysteria and resembles a “reality show” in which nobody cares about facts and resorts to old cliches and attacks on Russia to gain international and domestic political capital, said Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman. "https://www.rt.com/news/361020-us-politics-reality-show/
Posted by: RE3 | Sep 29 2016 7:55 utc | 53
woogs @25
"The Joint Investigative Team released its MH-17 report today. The rebels did it with a BUK system brought in from Russia and then quickly taken back across the border."
The Dutch have developed a new paradigm in efficient air crash investigation. Years of specialist training and careful forensic evaluation of all evidence are so last century. The new method consists of non-specialist workers operating from a sofa in a terraced house in Gouda, using social media and newspaper headlines from immediately after the event to deliver the desired outcome.
The Dutch professionals are truly leading the field in innovative air crash investigation solutions.
Posted by: Yonatan | Sep 29 2016 8:06 utc | 54
"We then called for a session of the UN Security Council in order to strengthen the agreement and of course to see it. However, the session was cancelled a quarter of an hour before it was scheduled to take place. We were not informed why, but gathered from leaks, the veracity of which we have been unable to confirm, that there were issues related to the Palestinians of the diaspora and other issues related to Hamas and Hezbollah in the agreement.”"
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/244841/World/Region/-Vague-US-initiatives-.aspx
Posted by: Mina | Sep 29 2016 8:15 utc | 55
This vindicates what I've been saying (relying info from Meyssan and from VT about "bifurcation") for years:
"A beautiful situation in Syria or how to build a mousetrap, by Cat Motya"
[..]
What we have today is the second statement in the course of a week that the “Commander in Chief” of the US doesn’t have control over the US armed forces.[If the President of the US doesn’t have any control over the its armed forces, the government should simply stop payments of salaries and pensions to the military. It should work both ways. Scott]
Using the UN platform, our guys openly stated that SOMEONE can attack and kill anybody in the world, under the US flag and white mad-house personalized by Obama can do nothing about this. What the Cat was saying for years is now being voiced by Lavrov.
This is a message to someone, that a group of people has control over the US military and uses them as they please. It means that the US is not even a regional power… It means that the US is like Somali ten years ago. We know who are those people who control the US military; which cannot be said about the “schizophrenic” world community, the incurable gang members.
THOSE WHO DON’T UNDERSTAND should start thinking about the consequences of this group of people acting by the name of the nuclear wasteland, and having no legal responsibility for anything.
It was said at the highest international level, and if our president would want to say more, mice will start feeling really bad…
So… watch my paws. We hear the first time ever that Obama is not independent, that he is not allowed to be alone with Putin.
Obama’s administration is not in control of the information, that makes it possible to leak any secret agreements, which we just saw with the humanitarian convoy.
This situation is identical to the situation with Erdogan, when the commander in chief of Turkey had no control over the Turkish air forces. The Turkish air force controlled by the third party almost started the war between Turkey and Russia.
Do you understand what it means? This situation is liable to be repeated only between Russia and the US, when INSTEAD-OF-AMERICAN ARMED FORCES can attack absolutely anyone acting as if the US government.
Who said this first? That’s right, it was Putin’s friend Roldugin. The only reason he said that, it because Putin told him to say this. There is no doubt about it. This sort of things are not being said accidentally. To say this on public he must have a permission from Putin, otherwise you are not a friend, but an enemy.
We all know that Putin is an intelligence officer and that he never says anything accidentally. Putin asked Roldugin to voice this very important statement for the whole world.
Our instead-of-media did everything to make this statement go unnoticed. They even made fun of it, turned it into nonsense, and went all happily putting together their instead-of-reality.
This is important. Roldugin said as following:
You can see that a very important statement coming from the president of Russia and…. silence.—
Now, it’s Lavrov repeating this direct statement that the US milady forces are not controlled by the US government. Was he heard?
Lavrov: Obama supported the cooperation between our countries. Looks like the US military doesn’t listen to their President.
How do you feel to know that all those people operating fighter jets, bombers, submarines, ship, and all kinds of missiles, all these people are not controlled by the US President. Who has control over them???
[..]
London...
Posted by: ProPeace | Sep 29 2016 9:24 utc | 56
Regarding suing Saudi Arabia for 9/11. Last I saw the legislation did not mention Saudi Arabia specifically. Any state can be sued for its part in 9/11. Since the whole Congress is behind the legislation, we can assume Israel thinks if will continue to be covered, despite the overwhelming case against it, as put forward in Zander Fuerza’s Masters of Deception. If a Trump administration allows unfettered access to 9/11 documents under FOIA, as Trump has briefly hinted, the game will be up for Israel. It would be even more fitting if the larger Jewish (non-Westphalian) nation and its quasi-state structures were held to account, with forfeiture of the wealth of the complicit mega-Jews such as Rothschild, Rockefeller (sic) and Soros as well as the various media barons and other officers of Judaic quasi-state structures who played a part.
b
Nice set of photos today at Col. Cassad of a "white helmet" member along with his many jihadi photos - these are in the "We be shot down more planes" post.
Something to add to your White Helmet debunking...
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Joe100 | Sep 29 2016 13:02 utc | 58
@58 saez, 'Masters of Deception: Zionism, 9/11 and the War on Terror Hoax'
I'd certainly like to see a serious study of - a case made for - Israel's involvement in 9/11 but ...
I would first like to point out that the Zionist program of terror, deception and myth-making is outlined in The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion, which states: ...
... I don't think this is gonna be it.
I think that the CIA and Israeli agents may well have teamed together, and that the guys who hijacked the planes and provided the diversionary action may have thought they were working for UbL or for some other Arab-headed organization, but proof I have never seen. Just endlessly provocative circumstances.
A 'real', new investigation would surely expose the fact that it was not the aircraft collisions that brought down the towers, might even be able to unearth 'CIA' - US undercover - involvement, but I imagine the Israelis operated outside the US and in circles that US 'intelligence' is just incapable of penetrating. So that whatever Israeli involvement there was may never be proven.
Posted by: jfl | Sep 29 2016 13:08 utc | 59
@60
Under the heading of 'A few links on ... other issues', I offer Police Killings Won’t Stop. I added the full take on 'Somebody blew up America!' Who, who, who ... whooooo?
Posted by: jfl | Sep 29 2016 13:25 utc | 60
Billions $ dispensed to private security firms (all blessed by the CIA, otherwise they wouldn't be in business.) All these bastards and they can't stop the terra! (b/c they're busy making it).
http://www.securitydegreehub.com/30-most-powerful-private-security-companies-in-the-world/
GK Sierra
Founded in 2007, Washington, D.C.- and Portland-based private military company GK Sierra started out producing secure communication technology for the U.S. government. Two years later, the firm, which is a wing of Genoa-Knowlton, Inc., started offering investigation and intelligence options among its services. At present GK Sierra gathers intelligence for the CIA. As well as having a Tel-Aviv office, the company is said to employ high-ranking Mossad operatives,, which has led to accusations that it is in fact part of the Israeli Intelligence Service – allegations that GK Sierra has emphatically rejected. The company’s specialties include corporate investigation and intelligence, digital forensics, and encryption technology, while it is also purported to have “direct action” operatives on the ground in various countries around the world.
G4S
Currently, G4S employs more than 620,000 people, which makes it the third biggest employer in the private sector globally. In 2012 G4S turned over well over $12 billion. The company offers a range of services*, including the supply of security personnel, monitoring equipment, response units and secure prisoner transportation. G4S also works with governments overseas to deliver security.
*dirty deeds, but they ain't done dirt cheap.
Posted by: fastfreddy | Sep 29 2016 13:34 utc | 61
@virgile | 15
Fully agree. I noticed the same and actually found Trump's sometimes awkward and repetitive moments endearing in that they were sincere. In terms of who was the most 'honest', it was hands down Trump!
Clinton's arrogance and privelege screamed through; she is right and she deserves to be right, that's that, end of, full stop ...
Hateful woman.
Posted by: AtaBrit | Sep 29 2016 13:36 utc | 62
The commenter who said "piling on" wrt the Russians was right. (re: MH-17 and Aleppo attacks) They keep throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks. The odd thing is to see Kirby's comments revealed by Russian sources and the rare time US media covers it is to show the Russian reaction.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-us-inviting-terror-attack-de-facto-support-for-terrorism-syria/
"But Russian media quoted Ryabkov as saying his nation could not 'interpret this as anything else apart from the current U.S. administration’s de facto support for terrorism,' according to the Reuters news agency.
'These thinly disguised invitations to use terrorism as a weapon against Russia show the political depths the current U.S. administration has stooped to in its approach to the Middle East and specifically to Syria,' Ryabkov said."
Russia is more than happy to point out like Paul Simon's lyrics:
"And the Devil would call my name
I'd say 'now who do
Who do you think you're fooling?'"
Posted by: Curtis | Sep 29 2016 13:47 utc | 63
@41 A year ago, someone dumped over a billion dollars of Treasuries in a single three week period and it didn't affect the market. Who bought it? Wasn't private banks and it wasn't central banks. The only one left with the deep pockets was the ESF.
Posted by: P walker | Sep 29 2016 13:54 utc | 64
@41 People keep screaming about Deutche Banks "derivative exposure" will go to zero. It can't, because 95% are currency derivative. For that to go to zero, it would mean a currency on either side goes to zero. That really can't happen. Deutche Bank can go insolvent*, and make life miserable for others, but, yes, DB could be bailed out. Also don't forget why the American dollar and the financial system seems so resilient: they have millions of people in dozens of nations living off it and so have a direct interest in keeping their shit going. That's wh,despite the math and all the doomsaying regarding the US and finance, it just keeps going like a zombie.
* DB is insolvent. Has been since the mid 1990s. One of the ways it keeps going was its ability to loot Eastern Europe, but that's another topic.
Posted by: P walker | Sep 29 2016 14:02 utc | 65
Americans are racists. All 'little brown brothers' whether in the US or any place else in the world should just give whatever it is WE want up. This is a decent summary ...
http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/09/29/you-cant-have-war-without-racism/
I would add that by 'racializing' Russians, we (oh so good and righteous Americans) justify hatred.
Posted by: rg the lg | Sep 29 2016 14:19 utc | 66
@ harrylaw / @ James..
"“It only takes one stray Manpad to sneak into Turkey and that would be a very bad thing,” a US official told the newspaper on condition of anonymity." Lol indeed!
An open threat to one of the US's key allies in the region and an invaluable member of NATO!
Contrast that with RF MoD Zakharov's statement today that as regards Syria, "allied operations with Turkey are possible".
How significant Putin's leverage over Turkey is and how it is or how it will be exercised are the unknowns and they're driving the US mad.
I read an awful article today by Craig Roberts - is that the same Paul that posts here? - and it completely ignored Turkey's role in the conflict and RF's recent pushing Turkey into the fray at the frontline!. Too hard to fathom at the moment, maybe!
Posted by: AtaBrit | Sep 29 2016 14:33 utc | 67
rg the lg | Sep 29, 2016 10:19:23 AM | 67
Yeah, that pretty much works...
Posted by: V. Arnold | Sep 29 2016 14:36 utc | 68
@ Pw 66
I suggest you remain in the cocoon.
Insolvency vs. Liquidity
DB is insolvent you say and could be bailed-out? Busted more like it – at 20x Germany’s GDP.
Today in the Telegraph (UK)
Why is Deutsche bank now the biggest worry in the financial world -even if the DOJ fine of $14 billion were to be reduced to $4 billion "settlement" it would be hard pressed to meet it
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/09/29/why-is-deutsche-bank-now-the-biggest-worry-in-the-financial-worl/
Where is Lehman Brothers, the 157 year old merchant/investment bank? Can't find it. Oh wait!
and
DB, the next Lehman
Oh btw, USD is resilient? For now, as it is being by-passed in global trading
Read up on the history of currencies.
BTW, do share; How is the ESF funded?
Posted by: likklemore | Sep 29 2016 14:44 utc | 69
Kurdishdailynews and ANF are carrying the story of a downed Turkish jet in Kurdish Gare There is, of course, no mention in Turkish news. Anyone know if this is legit or not?
http://www.anfenglish.com/kurdistan/images-of-the-plane-that-crashed-in-guerrilla-zones
Posted by: AtaBrit | Sep 29 2016 14:45 utc | 70
@66 P walker
So what's up with America and the fine? More than anyone else ever got, whatever else they might have did? Same as the EU tax on Apples, right? Or is the USA just fixin' to give Germany the Greek treatment?
Posted by: jfl | Sep 29 2016 14:45 utc | 71
@67
Americans are racists
1. By far not all Americans are "racist". I also encountered very many non-white American racists.
2. Definition of "racism" varies greatly on different sides of political (and ideological) spectrum.
3. There was always "racializing" of Russians and these were Europeans who pioneered this as early as 16th-17th centuries. The set of attitudes towards Russians among Anglo-American elites does contain a racial element but it is more complex than that. I would also dare to say that this element is a derivative one.
Posted by: SmoothieX12 | Sep 29 2016 14:55 utc | 72
@21, 28, 41, 65, 66 et seq - Money.
I agree with #21 that Saudi is an empty threat. The continuing existence of the Kingdom is more easily destroyed than the US economy with their treasuries. The royals still need a place in the west to run to, and they'll be lucky if they even survive, in my not-well-researched opinion.
As to their US holdings, check this Keiser Report with Jim Rickards about what would happen if Saudi tried to dump $750 billion in US Treasuries - the US would simply freeze its account and say NO. It's around minute 20, but the whole piece is good if you want to understand derivatives: Keiser Report: Gold & World’s Debt Problems (Summer Solutions series E940)
~~
ESF - Exchange Stabilization Fund. Conspiracy theory has become conspiracy thesis for everything we thought we knew, so one might as well learn about the dirty money of this world. Zero Hedge has an intro, and points to a series of videos. Worth bookmarking for the weekend:
Presenting The Exchange Stabilization Fund In 5 Parts: Is This The Real "Plunge Protection Team"? [2012]
The ZH piece points to the video series here: *****What I have been afraid to blog about: THE ESF AND ITS HISTORY (Part 1-5)***** [2011]
~~
Even taking things at surface levels, we can simply wait to see how Deutsche Bank shakes out. Odds are at least even that they'll get a reduced fine and keep on going. It may depend on how badly the US wants to hurt Germany's dominance in the EU - again, I haven't researched any of this. But the sky is not falling yet, there are at least two differing schools of thought on this one scenario alone. It's easy enough to wait and see what goes down and what survives. DB may well be gone soon, like Lehman. But it doesn't seem like time for a global collapse just yet.
There's also a Rickards interview where he points out that IMF could issue maybe 100 Trillion SDRs and simply buy up the balance sheets of all the central banks. And the ponzi scheme keeps going for a few more years. It's a school of thought that seems quite realistic to me, not a lot of hidden stuff in here, all very much what we could read in Bloomberg. I thought the interview was in the Keiser video above, but it doesn't seem to be. I think it's very recent, maybe I can try to find it.
Posted by: Grieved | Sep 29 2016 15:14 utc | 73
Just thought I would toss this out there for non-U.S. readers to consider. Our congress overriding the president's veto allowing U.S. citizens to sue Saudi Arabia for 9/11 is basically the end of the war in Syria. Trump/Clinton will still start a war with Iran next year, but Syria is over.
Saudis selling U.S. assets? Drop in the bucket and easily absorbed by the U.S. banking ponzi. U.S. debt can be shuffled around the globe pretty easily. It's still a big place and Saudi Arabia isn't that big. There's probably a bigger threat to U.S. stock markets. Saudi sovereign and private wealth leaving will crash the markets. They have no particular reason to do that right this minute, but as soon as the U.S. markets crash anyway, the Saudis are gone. Even that it inconsequential regarding Syria.
It is quite impossible to understate the rage that current Saudi royalty feel towards passage of the “Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act” (JASTA). That act allows U.S. citizens to sue foreign governments for acts of terrorism committed on U.S. soil. Lawsuits would be heard in U.S. courts, not international ones. If the Saudi government (or Saudi nationals) were found guilty and ordered to pay billions, they would have to by law IN THE U.S.. Now they could always ignore the judgement and refuse to pay, but their assets IN the U.S. would then be subject to seizure to 'pay' the judgement.
Consider that this would hit Saudi royals (and most of all their pride) if they lost lawsuits, didn't pay and the U.S. started grabbing Saudi sovereign assets here in the U.S.. I'll remind you that they store about a bazillion tons of gold here that they stand to lose. Not to mention all the non-U.S.-federal-debt financial instruments like stocks and corporate bonds. Nobody tells the Saudi royals what to do. If their country's assets here were seized to satisfy judgments, they would go insane with rage.
So all the terrorism (including Syria) that Saudi Arabia currently does with it's best buddy, the U.S.A., will soon be coming to an end. Our (the U.S.) State Department and the White House will apologize constantly to the Saudis to smooth things over, but there is no way the Saudis will ever forgive the U.S. for this betrayal. Relations are probably falling apart right now, and when the first lawsuit hits they will not be speaking to us anymore.
This isn't a matter of the Saudis losing money - it's a matter of pride and betrayal.
And this law has now set a precedent for, say Syrian laws allowing Syrian citizens to sue the U.S. in Syrian courts. Don't want to pay? Great - we'll head over to Rmeilan airfield and grab a few Blackhawk helicopters and an Osprey V-22, plus whatever other U.S. assets they can find. You may have noticed that before the U.S. puts it's soldiers anywhere to 'help' a foreign government, they secure a promise from that government not to sue the U.S. or the soldiers for anything. Guess what they were unable to do in Syria? It's nice that the Rojava Kurds gave them this guarantee, but Rmeilan is still Syrian sovereign soil.
Posted by: PavewayIV | Sep 29 2016 15:23 utc | 74
Thank you, b, for including that Scott Adams' link into the post.
Posted by: Steve | Sep 29 2016 15:33 utc | 75
It bugs me that I can't find that Rickards reference to the IMF and SDR. The concept is simple. The International Monetary Fund is the global central bank. It stands ready to issue Special Drawing Rights as a global reserve currency whenever the time is right to do so. SDR is the new global exchange currency. It's based on a basket of currencies, of which the USD will be a strong one, and the Yuan will have now a greater percentage of value than the Yen (roughly 10% versus the Yen's 8% I think).
Rickards has said - and I think it must be wrapped up somewhere in the interview I posted above @74 - that IMF could potentially issue 100 Trillion SDR and make whole all the central banks. In other words, the capacity of the world system for more bullshit is by no means exhausted yet. This is important to know if you're looking for a little more time before world collapse.
To see China's improving hand in the global money game with respect to SDRs, see this report from Dan Collins in another Keiser interview. The reference to 100 Trillion comes up again at around minute 19: Will the dollar live to die another day? It's also a great update on China, including its new supercomputing potential that will render all current encryption useless.
Posted by: Grieved | Sep 29 2016 15:39 utc | 76
The talk of Saudi Arabia (or anyone) dumping Treasuries sounds kind of silly. All That means is they would be moving their $ holdings from their savings account at the Fed to their checking account at the Fed…
…foregoing the interest.
The only way they can 'dump' their dollar assets is to trade them for another currency.
Posted by: paulmeli | Sep 29 2016 15:40 utc | 77
@75, Paveway
Just thought I would toss this out there for non-U.S. readers to consider. Our congress overriding the president's veto allowing U.S. citizens to sue Saudi Arabia for 9/11 is basically the end of the war in Syria. Trump/Clinton will still start a war with Iran next year, but Syria is over.
Nothing prevents Iran from becoming a full member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization and of Collective Security Treaty Organization if push comes to shove. I am sure the procedure can be simplified really fast and Iran will find itself well protected. Russia will make serious power plays in her immediate vicinity and Iran is Russia's Caspian neighbor. Plus, hypothetical war with Iran will be a military catastrophe for the US. Iran IS NOT Arab country in every single respect which matters for serious military confrontation. Azerbaijan and Caspian Sea are excellent and well protected supply roots for Iran's military and guerillas if US will decide to commit military suicide and invade Iran. If, however, the war on Iran will mean, yet again, alpha-strikes from US carriers and air-bases near by, well... I would rather not speculate. But in general--a very very bad idea, to put it mildly.
Posted by: SmoothieX12 | Sep 29 2016 15:44 utc | 78
Mr Obomber does it again!
US accused of killing 22 somalian troops in air strike
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/09/somalia-accused-killing-22-troops-air-strike-160928171913430.html
Posted by: RE3 | Sep 29 2016 15:45 utc | 79
Saudis and their US assets.
April 2016, 750b USD
Let see now. Simple public domain intel gatheriing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/16/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-warns-ofeconomic-fallout-if-congress-passes-9-11-bill.html?_r=0
May 2016, 116b USD
https://www.rt.com/usa/343245-saudi-arabia-116bn-us-debt/
Assuming, yes assuming the veracity of the above numbers, (and they come straight from the horse's mouth) the petrodollar cycle is dead. So what left.
The real fun is not the Saudi lawsuits. It the lawsuits against the US.
Posted by: ThatDamnGood | Sep 29 2016 16:28 utc | 80
MH17
excellent piece by Mercouris, deserves full read
contrary to a comment above, this was NOT a dutch report/investigation
it was Ukraine report
>
>
> The first point to make about the investigation that published these findings on Wednesday is that its instigator is Ukraine.
>
> Ukraine as the country in whose airspace MH17 was shot down has the right to set up an inquiry to look into the facts of the tragedy, and that is what it did. It also
> invited a selected group of other countries to join its inquiry, and that is what happened.
> n other words this is a Ukrainian investigation which certain other countries, namely the Netherlands, Australia and Malaysia – all allies of the US and of Ukraine – were invited to join, and which they agreed to join.
>
> Contrary to some claims, this is not an investigation set up by the Security Council, which merely “recognised” Ukraine’s intention to set it up.
>
> Russia was not invited to join the investigation, and has played no role in it.
> The countries which agreed to join the investigation were required to sign a non-disclosure agreement which gave Ukraine the right to veto publication any findings of the investigation.
> A separate investigation into the tragedy was also carried out by the Dutch Safety Board, which reported last year. This investigation was conducted under the aegis of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
> The Dutch Safety Board investigation said that MH17 was shot down by a BUK missile but failed to identify the precise launch point, and did not name those responsible for launching the missile.
read the whole story here
http://theduran.com/joint-investigation-team-mh17-case-still-open/
Posted by: mauisurfer | Sep 29 2016 16:42 utc | 81
@ mauisurfer #82
Fuck US
Fuck NATO
Fuck Mark Rutte
Posted by: From The Hague | Sep 29 2016 17:15 utc | 82
Mohammed Alloush finds Israel preferable to Assad (Eli Lake warning).....
"There was a time when you could count on hard-core Sunni Islamists in the Middle East to be reliably opposed to the existence of the Jewish state. Organizations ranging from the Muslim Brotherhood to al-Qaeda disagreed on everything from jurisprudence to short-term strategy, but when it came to Israel there was consensus.
The slaughter in Syria is changing that. Take, for example, Jaish al-Islam, a Syrian coalition of rebels whose name translates conveniently to "Army of Islam." Mohammed Alloush, the political leader of the group, Wednesday told me his fighters did not seek war with Israel."
Posted by: dh | Sep 29 2016 17:33 utc | 83
Russia concerned over US' statements on readiness to use nuclear weapons
More:
http://tass.com/politics/903036
Posted by: RE3 | Sep 29 2016 17:42 utc | 84
Aleppo humanitarian catastrophe 'unlike any' in Syria: UN
"The United Nations aid chief warned Thursday that Aleppo faces a humanitarian catastrophe "unlike any" witnessed so far in Syria's brutal five-year war."
US checkmate?
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/aleppo-humanitarian-catastrophe-unlike-syria-un-172154571.html
Posted by: Jack Smith | Sep 29 2016 17:51 utc | 85
Neocon Obama is threatening to attack Syrian troops directly to save his Jihadists in Aleppo. This is likely a stunt but I'd be ready anyway if i were the Russians, Iranians, Chinese or Syrians.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-options-idUSKCN11Y37J
Posted by: Alaric | Sep 29 2016 17:59 utc | 86
Yes its obvious that western media, politicians etc trying to build up a case to attack Syria just like Libya, what the hell is wrong with these war loving sickos?
Posted by: RE3 | Sep 29 2016 18:13 utc | 87
SmoothieX12:
Not all racists?
Well, maybe not 100%, but enough to form the majority ... the outspoken ones, plus those who keep their mouths shut, plus those (like you?) in denial. I offer the following quote:
"The only thing we appear to learn from history is that no one learns anything from history."
I have written to this blog many times about how I live on the other side of the "Since we're white/not heathens" line I have an inkling about the views of my 'fellow' Americans. It has not been pretty since Columbus, and as black lives matters, it is no prettier today.
Denigrating Russians as 'the other' may not be technically racist, but it manifests the same results: only WE (the indispensable exceptional nation) have the right to everything. The world, in this view, belongs to US! Just be different ... and you know the reality of the greed in the DNA of US!
Posted by: rg the lg | Sep 29 2016 19:22 utc | 88
Hot from the presses at Counterpunch:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/09/29/this-just-in-from-rancho-politico/
Posted by: rg the lg | Sep 29 2016 19:26 utc | 89
@Grieved - 76
Rickards article:
http://www.silverbearcafe.com/private/09.16/worldmoney.html
Posted by: AntiSpin | Sep 29 2016 19:45 utc | 90
@ Alaric 86
Hope the Russians have noted it was only 7 weeks ago that Mike Morell, the ex-CIA chief backing Clinton, said:
‘Kill Russians and Iranians, threaten Assad,’ they should pay a big price ---
https://www.rt.com/usa/355291-morrell-kill-russians-clinton/
The top CIA official, who twice served as the acting director of the agency, and worked with Clinton while she was secretary of state, told PBS host Charlie Rose that Iran and Russia should “pay a big price” in Syria – and by that he meant killing them.
= = = = =
Tomorrow Friday, it will be Overtime on the weekend.
Frau Merkel, Mr. Yellen and Herr Draghi to work the keyboards - stop the waterfall -because Just as with Lehman 8 years ago -
Bloomberg via ZH: The Run Begins: Deutsche Bank Hedge Fund Clients Withdraw Excess Cash
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-29/run-begins-deutsche-bank-hedge-fund-clients-cut-collateral-exposure
Deutsche Bank concerns just went to '11' as Bloomberg reports a number of funds that clear derivatives trades with Deutsche Bank AG have withdrawn some excess cash and positions held at the lender, a sign of counterparties’ mounting concerns about doing business with Europe’s largest investment bank.
~ ~ ~
@ Grieved 73,76
I enjoy reading your comments here.
IMF issuing SDRs?
There's also a Rickards interview where he points out that IMF could issue maybe 100 Trillion SDRs and simply buy up the balance sheets of all the central banks. And the [.]
That would be a tad $150 Trillion short. Does the IMF have its own funds or only members’ pledges?
And we are ignoring the $1.6 quadrillion of derivatives?
SDR units?
Bloomberg: September 27, 2016
“SDR isn’t a currency itself, its holders have a claim on the currencies in the basket.”[.]
How important are SDRs?
By value outstanding, not very. There were 204.1 billion SDRs allocated to IMF members as of March, equivalent to around $285 billion, compared with about $11 trillion of global reserves.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-09-27/why-china-s-yuan-is-set-to-join-imf-s-elite-club-quicktake-q-a
Posted by: likklemore | Sep 29 2016 19:52 utc | 91
@88.
Denigrating Russians as 'the other' may not be technically racist, but it manifests the same results: only WE (the indispensable exceptional nation) have the right to everything. The world, in this view, belongs to US! Just be different ... and you know the reality of the greed in the DNA of US!
As I said, Anglo-American racism towards Russians (and among "elites" primarily) is a derivative. Important one but not primary factor, albeit there are number of occasions on which European "representatives" exhibited such attitudes, even comparing Russia to dung and outhouse. But history and geopolitics doesn't speak in platitudes--it speaks in "bottom lines". The bottom lines are several:
1. Russia and Russians are conditioned by continental warfare, Anglo-Americans are not. Just to give you some perspective, Leningrad through its 900 days Siege during WW II lost more people than USA throughout its whole military history combined. If anybody tells you that it doesn't matter--they are full o' shit. It matters a huge deal.
2. Russia produced culture (especially high culture) which is at least on par with the best unified West, or Anglo-American realm, produced.
3. Then look at the history of the 20th century and a lot becomes quite clear, why such hysteria, hatred and desperation--Anglo-American narratives simply do not add up and people love to live in parallel universes.
Reality is a cruel but very healthy thing. American exceptionalism (and there are some exceptional things about US, including many things which I personally hold dear, yes, liberties among others) is not military--there is very little exceptional militarily with the exception of the US Navy's magnificent performance in WW II in Pacific Campaign, but other than that--not much. US is exceptional in her incredibly favorable geographic position, its natural beauty but not in war. But the history of humanity is the history of war and violence, nations are formed through it and it is battlefield where their worth is assessed. US superpowerdom came from the battlefields of WW II and being absolutely insulated from horrors of the war. Sadly, many in US political class attributed that to some properties of US military which was proclaimed best in the world. It is here where sense of measure and proportion completely escaped many in US and laid the foundation for further defeats. Russia, in the same time, is viewed as clear and present danger for a reason of ability to generate alternative civilizational ideas, especially against the background of Anglo-American liberalism collapsing in cultural, economic and military terms. And yes, Russia time after time defeated Western (super)powers. There is a reason one of my favorite books is Correli Barnett's masterpiece "The Collapse Of British Power"--a textbook on how not to use one's power.
Posted by: SmoothieX12 | Sep 29 2016 20:04 utc | 92
virgile @15
"Something is definitly wrong with the brain of this woman, her behavior is unnatural, almost robotic."
During the first five minutes of the debate Trump snorted long and loudly. Several times. My interpretation of this action is that it was a reference to Hillary's youthful Cocaine abuse and a link to her Parkinson's disease.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/12/051214084800.htm
Posted by: ALberto | Sep 29 2016 20:10 utc | 93
Good article in one of the 3 main French news papers
Http://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/monde/2016/09/29/31002-20160929ARTFIG00111-alep-pourquoi-la-tragedie-humanitaire-ne-bouleverse-pas-la-donne-geopolitique.php
Posted by: Mina | Sep 29 2016 20:27 utc | 94
@83 Alloush knows full well that anti-Israel rhetoric stated publicly would undermine the arms flow into Syria. That's why you cannot automatically believe what they say. I would say Alloush is smart enough to know that once Israel (or the West) sees any utility in backing him, he will be stabbed in the back. The West systemically betrays all, including their own populations.
Posted by: P Walker | Sep 29 2016 20:58 utc | 95
@94, Mina.
I don't know, the moment I read the term "indiscriminate bombing"... I read the article, a lot of same old Western media fodder.
Posted by: SmoothieX12 | Sep 29 2016 21:01 utc | 96
The straw that breaks the camel's back will not be the dumping of treasures but by Saudi-Arabia opening up trade in Oil in other currencies in addition to the USD. That will blow up the petro-dollar completely. Combine the two and it will be a disaster for the US economy (and the world economy in general).
Posted by: Norwegian Bob | Sep 29 2016 21:08 utc | 97
Obama's propaganda war,
https://sputniknews.com/russia/20160930/1045850104/rt-sputnik-clapper-report.html
Posted by: tom | Sep 29 2016 21:44 utc | 98
I have been reading MoA for a few weeks and this is my first post here. Very thoughtful and level-headed analysis. The situation is deteriorating and seems bleak...the hysterical US propaganda, dutifully delivered by the mass media, is sounding evermore unhinged and batshit insane, yet most people a) don't care or b) uncritically accept the WH/Pentagon/Langley disinformation as "the truth". Just how deeply the average citizen has been propagandized is becoming clear. Nothing is too outrageous or irrational when it comes from the spokespeople of the dying empire. The west has become a hybrid of Kafka/Orwell/Huxley and a dystopian science fiction novel (with a generous dash of Idiocracy added for extra flavor).
One thing I've noticed on blogs and comment boards that counter the BS being shovelled by the media...a tendency for people to conflate opinions with facts. E.g. comments that go something like "...and this indicates MI6 and the CIA blew up the convoy as it headed towards Aleppo." Hunches, theories and guesses (some reasonable, others not so much) that cannot be proven....and often exist only in the purveyor's mind...are presented as facts. This is not a good thing and it is pervasive in the "alternative information community". I don't understand the mentality behind this. There is a lot we do not know - cannot know - and basically making stuff up and presenting it as fact doesn't change that. The comment section here is not immune, but it's not out of control like on some other sites.
Does anybody else wonder about this?
Posted by: Temporarily Sane | Sep 29 2016 22:04 utc | 99
Temporarily Sane @ 99:
Be assured, you're not the first person here who's wondered about this phenomenon and voiced your thoughts.
The recent coup attempt in Turkey attracted 1,000 (and maybe still counting) different theories as to who was behind it. Unless commentators on that incident were actually in the country before and during the incident, they can't really know who was responsible (and maybe there is deliberate obfuscation and disinformation covering up the trails of the perpetrators) and all they can offer is theory and guesswork based on whatever mental paradigms they use to make sense of the world and everything that happens in it.
All you might be able to do with incidents like these is to keep an open mind, ask yourself who benefits from such incidents and who would have most reason to carry them out, and maybe wait and see what happens after such incidents occur (because the period following the incident, when everyone's defences are down and confusion reigns, is when those who stand to benefit from the chaos caused make their move).
Unfortunately critical reasoning is in short supply in contemporary Western societies which partly accounts for the conflation of opinion with fact. As for the comments sections here at MoA, the blog so far has been fortunate enough not to attract very much trolling for one point of view or another.
Posted by: Jen | Sep 29 2016 22:43 utc | 100
The comments to this entry are closed.
Western MSM , elites lust for blood and war is about to reach boiling point on Syria?
History Repeating: 'Libyan Scenario' Taking Shape in Syria
Read more: https://sputniknews.com/politics/20160928/1045793848/libya-syria-war.html
Posted by: R3 | Sep 28 2016 18:30 utc | 1