The MoA Week In Review And Open Thread 2018-21
A short MoA week as I was 'under the weather' and mentally too deficient to write something sensible.
- Apr 24 - Syria-Iraq - U.S. Coddles ISIS - Others Plan For The Final Fight
- Apr 27 - A Most Hopeful Korean Summit With Little Chance Of Final Success
The New York Times is miffed that the talks between the two Koreas make war less possible:
The talk of peace is likely to weaken the two levers that Mr. Trump used to pressure Mr. Kim to come to the bargaining table. A resumption of regular diplomatic exchanges between the two Koreas, analysts said, will inevitably erode the crippling economic sanctions against the North, while Mr. Trump will find it hard to threaten military action against a country that is extending an olive branch.
We do not get D-Notices and will continue to tackle this issue.
- Apr 29 - Syria Sitrep - Turkey's War In Idleb
Use as open thread ...
Posted by b on April 29, 2018 at 17:50 UTC | Permalink
next page »After a gruelling and fun-filled Saturday, I'm carrying on my version of the traditional Sunday morning ritual of reading the weekend newspaper.
Including my "letter to the editor," this post.
Thanks b for this forum and a shout out to my fellow posters.
I perused the back pages recently and rightly comment that we, this community of knowledge, are a pretty good bunch.
Seize the day!
Posted by: jonku | Apr 29 2018 18:41 utc | 2
@2 jonku.. thanks.. this is a great site and you are an important part of it!
Posted by: james | Apr 29 2018 18:52 utc | 3
Back atcha James, you are a constant noodle.
Hope to hear you play one of these days.
Still steel,
Posted by: jonku | Apr 29 2018 18:56 utc | 4
While negotiating a new NAFTA in Washington, this was captured:
'Pompeo' and 'NATO' on Freeland's hand.
https://twitter.com/vsancho/status/989608654948233217
Here's why...
Pompeo: Many Allies Hopeful Ukraine Will Take Actions Necessary To Become Aspirant To Join NATO
"There was discussion today about Ukraine, Ukraine's potential entry to be a NATO partner..."
Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 29 2018 19:05 utc | 5
@ 5: As for me, I wish a pox on all those who believe the further encirclement of Russia, through expansion of NATO, is a good idea..
Posted by: ben | Apr 29 2018 19:20 utc | 6
"Russia's got a point: The U.S. broke a NATO promise"
Full article:http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-shifrinson-russia-us-nato-deal--20160530-snap-story.html
Posted by: ben | Apr 29 2018 19:23 utc | 7
@5 John Gilberts. Fucking Freeland. Ukraine 1ster. Nazi collaboration heritage. Position of power. Bad optics and bad news all around. Hope Canadians wake up........doubt they will.
Posted by: Tannenhouser | Apr 29 2018 20:03 utc | 8
Feel better quickly b, you are an international treasure and a blessing to us all:)
Posted by: frances | Apr 29 2018 20:22 utc | 9
The preamble to the big war : soften the perceived enemy with sanctions , which are an act of war .
Visiting Israhell ( the big beneficiary of all these f*ck ups and the real TAIL wagging the goyim US dog) , Saudi Arabia(the partner in crime through wahhabi ideology , which is the terrorists' ideology and the main supporter of the petro-f*cking-dollar) and Jordan , for position near Syria , and where US troops are located and terrorists trained ; because TURKEY , which was vital through Incirlik base ,is OUT and joined the Resistance.
The opening act for wars will be the Jerusalem moving of US embassy and the US unilateral withdrawal from Iran deal.
EU , a vassal, may do the same with the Iran deal( see the poodle Macron recent visit and Merkel's visit );UK ,France and Germany seem to be coerced into supporting this. Italy,Greece,Austria,Spain ,Sweden oppose it.
The rest of the world takes notes , seeing how worthy is a treaty/contract with America and EU vassal.
It is obvious that the recent Syrian attack was only the first act. That's why the Russians moved an insane amount of weapons in Syria.
I expect something bad in May . A new 911 ? to be blamed on Iran (+/- Russia and Syria? )
Posted by: veritas semper vincit | Apr 29 2018 20:52 utc | 10
This was about Pompeo visiting Israel,Saudi Arabia and Jordan .
Posted by: veritas semper vincit | Apr 29 2018 20:53 utc | 11
Meanwhile in Yalta, well under the radar of even alt media, we have the 4th Yalta International Economic Forum being attended by 71 nations representing a goodly portion of the genuine International Community. Neil Clark provides this as his closing sentence:
"How ironic that for all the highfalutin talk about ‘freedom’ and ‘democracy,’ Westerners now have to go to Russia to speak their minds freely."
Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 29 2018 20:59 utc | 12
What are your thoughts about the incident with the Austrian UN soldiers at the golan heigths?
https://www.falter.at/falter/video/nsRx2CRrk_s/falter-massaker-am-golan/PLDEF9F823EE37271C
Th falter journal suspects the Austrians have not warned the Syrien police due to an instruction of the UN.
Posted by: Haiduk | Apr 29 2018 21:11 utc | 13
@Tannenhouser | Apr 29, 2018 4:03:59 PM | 8
Whether we do or not is questionable. What is clear is that there are a lot of Galician Ukrainians(aka, children of Nazi collaborators) out west and the Liberals needed them to get elected.
Posted by: Bakerpete | Apr 29 2018 21:16 utc | 14
@14Bakerpete. I thought that Harper had the Galacian vote locked up.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/stephen-harper-awarded-one-of-ukraines-top-honours/article31562043/
Not sure they needed them to get elected as, .
The Liberals had 'Won' before the west even finished counting votes.
https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/landslide-victory-in-atlantic-canada-as-liberals-win-every-riding-1.2617481
The Liberals are surely making good on Conservative 'promises'
Either way both play for the same team wearing different Jersey's, just like most 'Democracies', with the NDP providing the token no difference party.
Posted by: Tannenhouser | Apr 29 2018 21:51 utc | 15
RT is reporting rocket strikes in Hama and Eleppo according to state TV
Posted by: Tannenhouser | Apr 29 2018 22:02 utc | 16
Where are the anti-missile defences?
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201804301064020753-syria-hama-explosion-fire/
Posted by: Lavrenty | Apr 29 2018 22:16 utc | 18
It is an strike by Israel, as always...
Casually, Elijah Magnier was treating just this topic before going to bed...
Posted by: From the resistance | Apr 29 2018 22:56 utc | 19
Re:@19
In the current circumstance, the lesson doesn't seem to have started yet.
Posted by: Perimetr | Apr 29 2018 23:54 utc | 23
Breaking: Israel hits three positions of the Syrian Army in Hama and Aleppo. 40 people reportedly killed.
.........................
Many people told you that Russia is becoming a joke. If Israel can bomb Syrian Gov at will then why not the US too? Or others?
This is becoming a big embarrassment for Russia. So now anyone can bomb the Syrian Gov? Still no S-300 for Syria? For 7 years? Why is Russia there?
Posted by: Observer | Apr 29 2018 23:55 utc | 24
This attack took place with Pompeo visiting Israel where he stated: “The United States is with Israel in this fight.” So its game on. And a big FU to Putin and his warnings.
F*cking psychopaths are merrily leading the world down the garden path towards WW3.
For some detail see:
Massive Fireballs Light Up Syrian Sky After Israeli Strike; "Dozens" Of Iranian Soldiers Reportedly Killed
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-04-29/massive-fireballs-light-syrian-sky-after-israeli-strike-iranian-soliders-reportedly
Posted by: pantaraxia | Apr 30 2018 0:17 utc | 25
Israel needs to get its last shots in before may 12 when trump is expected to pull out of the Iran nuke deal and before Russia beefs up Syrian air defenses. Iran will likely be a bit more aggressive at that point as will the SAA.
Israel and the neocons vastly overestimate their strength. Israel would get crushed by Iran, Syria and Hezbollah. The mighty he-Jetws are nothing sans air superiority. S-300 together with an intergrated air defense system could pretty much ground the IAF. Really the He-Jews are toast against a viable fighting force as they are used to killering lightly or unarmed palestians with armor and planes.
The chosen people are clearly seeking to suck the US into fighting their war, regardless of who dies and regardless of the potential for a US - Russian clash. Enough already.
Posted by: Alaric | Apr 30 2018 0:36 utc | 26
Trump's choice of former Assistant UN Secretary of the 4PM Tea Service Bolton is brilliant. It leaves Trump free to focus on flying in 1,175,000 H-visa chain-migrating foreign national scabs, at $30,000 a pop to his human-trafficking Russian Mafiya buddies, that Trump Casinos provide money-laundering services for, while NSA Bolton provides a screen by playing PRNK whaffenpoof riffs with our lockstep megaphone Sinclair-owned media. Trump Uber Alles! (drops the microphone) APPLAUD!!
Posted by: Chipnik | Apr 30 2018 0:36 utc | 27
Pompeo gave Kim the old Dick Cheny option:
"You can either accept our carpet of gold (for giving the Pentagon a massive +15% budget hike, greatest in US history, using that old pittard "PRNK HAS THE BOMB!"), or we will visit on you a carpet of bombs!",
...which the Pentagon now has an unlimited budget for, tactical and nuclear, to wage its 8 foreign-nation wars of occupation, ...not counting Obama's AfriCom.
Naturally, Kim being an hereditary Pol Potesque despot businessman, he accepted the offer of a State dinner in Seoul, although he was greatly embarassed by having to touch a symbolic shovel. Despots don't do manual labor, any more than Hassidic Jews sit next to a woman.
Posted by: Chipnik | Apr 30 2018 0:46 utc | 28
11
The whole riff with appointing outsider Tillerson was to retire the State Old Guard and to decimate the ranks of its deputies, so that Trump could fire Tillerson, pardon Libby, and appoint Pompeo as State. Pompeo is now both State and CIA in one demagogue, one who is both a Zionist sychophant, and believes he can win a ground war in Asia. Trump's Work or Starve welfare cuts, AKA 'structural adjustments', like those Argentina, Greece and Ukraine, are panned in the fawning Sinclair-owned media. WANING!
Posted by: Chipnik | Apr 30 2018 0:57 utc | 29
@ 28 Chipnik
Another opinion was posited here recently.
Recall it is Mike Pompeo who has been responsible for the effort to stop CIA support for ISIS, on directions from Donald J. Trump and the Pentagon faction which essentially controls the White House.Mike Pompeo was President of Sentry International, an oilfield equipment company and close partner of Koch Industries. Also recall the recent meeting between the heads of the FSB and SVR, Alexander Bortnikov and Sergey Naryshkin, received by Pompeo, then director of the CIA, and Dan Coats, director of National Intelligence.
Alexander Bortnikov and Sergey Naryshkin Secretly Received in the United States
http://www.voltairenet.org/article199603.html
In hindsight this meeting appears to have been a strategy session conducted by extremely important high level individuals from Russia with their 'partners' in the United States.
The meeting occurred immediately before the firing of Rex Tillerson, an agent of the UK-Rothchild 'Octopus,' which effectively controls Exxon-Mobil (the Rockefellers sold their interest several years ago) of which Tillerson was formerly head. Tillerson, who once ran the foreign policies of multiple countries dominated by Exxon-Mobil including Qatar, was said to have been caught red-handed by the NSA under James Kelly, of assisting the UK conspiracy to launch a chemical false flag attack in Eastern Ghouta, the discovery of which led to Tillerson's unceremonious dismissal by Donald Trump via Twitter, a truly unprecedented way to fire a US Secretary of State.
@4 jonku - thanks.. i will share some video when i get it up online..
@5 john gilberts.. i appreciate the updates on canada.. thanks.. freeland has her apartment in kiev to look after, when she is not regularly bad mouthing russia from a position of political power in canada.. it is quite depressing just how low canada has sunk in terms of representatives.. i guess if she is good enough for george soros she is supposed to be good enough for us canucks.. that couldn't be further from the truth.. trudeau light is a hopeless politician..
as for the ukee vote in canada.. the liberals and conservatives can both screw off... pathetic parties thru and thru.. we need something other then more of the same..
Posted by: james | Apr 30 2018 2:13 utc | 31
@13 Haiduk... that looks like an interesting story.. is the video also from 2012? it is in the wrong language for me to understand what is being discussed, or what happened...
Posted by: james | Apr 30 2018 2:21 utc | 32
@Chipnik 28
Pompeo is now both State and CIA in one demagogue,
Yes, CIA and State are cojoined. One good example was at Benghazi, a CIA merc outpost dedicated to exporting weapons to Syria via Turkey. Chris Stevens from State was there early on assignment playing CIA working against Gaddafi, and then later as ambassador doing much of the same he bought the farm doing CIA stuff for State. Hillary took the fall for that, but Benghazi was CIA all the way.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Apr 30 2018 3:02 utc | 33
32
I worked with diplomats in Afghanistan when Hillary Grifters Karzai with $5B diverted from State humanitarian funds, then flew to Kabul 4 times after Karzais looted $3.5B of that, to cover the loss with $3.5B she diverted from 'the money plan's, the same place Kerry-John diverted $5B to the Isreali Junta in Kiev from.
I got to read the cables between State and Karzai. They wrote his sleeves for him. He played the game, then 'an anonymous donor's paid off Hillary's $35M campaign debt from 2008.
Hillary never 'took a fall' for anything. She got sloppy in Benghazi after her $8.5B grift-fest in Kabul.
Posted by: Chipnik | Apr 30 2018 3:16 utc | 34
At this point Russia has to be considered complicit in these ongoing bomb and missile attacks on Syria.
Posted by: paul | Apr 30 2018 3:40 utc | 35
@34 You never miss a beat heh? Tell me, how much does it pay to hang around a blog, wait for the right time and make your sortie? Is it by the hour, word or like click bait? Everytime someone bites your effing efforts are rewarded and you get a bonus or maybe a dose of gelato? Hmm?
Posted by: Lozion | Apr 30 2018 3:58 utc | 36
@31 james
Yes, the video is from 2012. Here is a summary of what is being said by the Austrian UN soldiers:
"The Austrian soldiers are clearly heard discussing whether to warn the officers, but then letting them pass."
https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/04/27/world/europe/ap-eu-austria-un-peacekeepers.html
Posted by: Haiduk | Apr 30 2018 5:34 utc | 37
karlof1 "Westerners now have to go to Russia to speak their minds freely"
Russia is, what the US makes itself out to be.
US had the fake Rocky
Russia has the real deal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PtJQUwyCBE
Not withstanding the video link, my feelings are that as far as freedoms? whatever, the current Russia has, what US proclaims to be but is not.
Posted by: Peter AU 1 | Apr 30 2018 5:53 utc | 38
Fedor Emelianenko - Russian orthodox christian ambassador to the US.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GyIfjX8vfg
Posted by: Peter AU 1 | Apr 30 2018 6:21 utc | 39
If folks want to know why I am so anti private finance and against the religious folks that stay silent in support of our current form of social organization then read the following link
Move Over Chernobyl, Fukushima is Now Officially the Worst Nuclear Disaster in History
While we play these stupid mythological based war games in the ME our planet is being poisoned.
The take away quote
"
In Chernobyl, 30 years after its explosions and fire, what the Wall St. Journal last year called “the $2.45 billion shelter implementation plan” was finally completed in November 2016. A huge metal cover was moved into place over the wreckage of the reactor and its crumbling, hastily erected cement tomb. The giant new cover is 350 feet high, and engineers say it should last 100 years — far short of the 250,000-year radiation hazard underneath.
The first cover was going to work for a century too, but by 1996 was riddled with cracks and in danger of collapsing. Designers went to work then engineering a cover-for-the-cover, and after 20 years of work, the smoking radioactive waste monstrosity of Chernobyl has a new “tin chapeau.” But with extreme weather, tornadoes, earth tremors, corrosion and radiation-induced embrittlement it could need replacing about 2,500 times.
"
Notice that the above is about Chernobyl that was "under control with a few years and yet 7 or so after Fukushima there is nothing like the Chernobyl cover yet to be proposed for Fukushima which is also going into the ocean.
This is the result of anti-humanistic risk management by private finance instead of by governments that at least supposedly can be held accountable. Making decisions for thousands of future generations having to now manage our nuclear waste is now quite clearly potentially suicidal and should be criminal behavior........but, but, but what about NK, Syria, the Ukraine, etc., etc., etc.
When Fukushima happened in 2011 I predicted that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics would not be held there. Even though it is only 2 years away, I still stand by my prediction......
Back to sleep now folks, move along, nothing to see here......
Posted by: psychohistorian | Apr 30 2018 7:07 utc | 40
A massive explosion occurred at a Syrian Army military base in Hama, allegedly after it was hit by a missile strike.
Another explosion has been heard near Aleppo. According to local TV station Surya, the explosions occurred at 10:30 PM local time. https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201804301064021000-hama-missile-strike-video/
The Issue of S300 for Syria was discussed with his Generals it seems he is reluctant will these alleged Israeli Strikes change his mind?
This was discussed by Putin with General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on April 20. The Russian military, they told the President, want the go-ahead to deploy S-300 missile batteries to cover Syrian and Iranian forces against US and Israeli attack from the air. They believe Israeli threats to attack the S-300 batteries as soon as they are operational are a bluff which Russia must call if Russia’s positions in Syria, and Iran itself, are not to come under subsequent attack from the American-Israeli combination. Testing the threat in Syria, they argue, is the less threatening, less costly option than encouraging the Americans and Israelis to prepare their offensive against Iran. Putin won’t agree.
To respond to Putin’s reluctance, the General Staff and the Defence Ministry have devised a step short of the S-300, but with potentially enough defensive power to intercept or deter American and Israeli air attacks. This is the deployment of more Russian electronic warfare systems with the capacity to jam the surveillance, targeting, fire control and command signals on which the attackers rely. It is the Samson Haircut option – deprive the giant of control of his firepower, blind him.
http://johnhelmer.net/the-samson-haircut-option-one-step-before-russia-opens-fire-on-american-israeli-forces/#more-19116
Posted by: Harry Law | Apr 30 2018 7:14 utc | 41
The 2012 golan heights video with english subtitles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32hamzFVmH0
plus an article from sputnik
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201804291064017129-austria-syria-un-golan-heights/
Posted by: Haiduk | Apr 30 2018 8:05 utc | 43
Putin must realize Syria is going to come under attack much more frequently, John McCain always made the point that Russia will do nothing, its time for Putin to prove McCain wrong. In the last attack on Syria only 50% of missiles got through Syria's defences, what will happen when an emboldened West fire 1000 cruise missiles, then if 50% get through Syria will be severely weakened. The US/Israel do not, and will not abide by International Law, there is only one thing they understand and as every bully understands, unless the Russians stand up to the US/Israel it would be best for everybody if they just packed their bags and returned to Russia and prepare for the inevitable siege of Russia by the 'West'.
Posted by: Harry Law | Apr 30 2018 8:35 utc | 44
So Israel attack again, and no one cares in the west/media/governments, what the hell is going on?
This will destablize europe with more refugees, and strengthen ISIS and jihadist takeover.
As for Russia, they need to stop being dictated by what Israel/US/ wants, they look incredibly pathetic.
Will Russia Let Israel Dictate Syrian Survival, the S300 Issue
https://www.veteranstoday.com/2018/04/24/will-russia-let-israel-dictate-syrian-survival-the-s300-issue/
Soon Assad will be bombed by Israel if Syria is not protected with defensive weapons.
Posted by: Anonymous_1 | Apr 30 2018 8:52 utc | 45
Putin is no coward and no fool. It is hard not to suspect that his desire to see the World Cup be a success (not just financially, but in exposing Western regular people to Russia) is still a real constraint on Putin, and I think the iFUKUS group is beginning to feel that they have a window of opportunity here, too, and are trying to make the most of it. That said, I imagine under the RF plan at least some S300s have made it to Syria, even if not officially "delivered" to the SAA yet, and more will continue to arrive, such that upon the close of the World Cup the delivery can be made overnight.
However, there will have to be a limit for Putin's ability to restrain the more hawkish in his camp, such that the Israelis in particular may jack around and manage to accelerate the official deployment and inevitable escalation that will come. But of course open war is what they want, the fools.
Posted by: J Swift | Apr 30 2018 10:30 utc | 46
What a disgusting guy this is,
Saudi crown prince says Palestinians should accept peace deal or 'shut up' after meeting with jewish leaders,
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/04/30/560121/israel-palestine-salman-saudi
Posted by: Anonymous_1 | Apr 30 2018 11:13 utc | 47
@ 12 karlof1 | Apr 29, 2018 4:59:23 PM
@ 38 Peter AU 1 | Apr 30, 2018 1:53:10 AM
IIRC a Chinese sage proposed: Take great care about who you choose to have as an enemy - you become like them.
Certainly looks like USSR/Russia drew the long straw on that one.
Those enemies the U.S. chose: Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini, all authoritarian autocracies are faithfully reflected in the current regimes in Washington, London, Paris and Tel Aviv, a.k.a. actual axis of evil. No mirror will now reflect either a republic or a democracy in any of those named capitals - they, like Dracula, do not exist for a mirror to reflect.
Posted by: Formerly T-Bear | Apr 30 2018 12:23 utc | 48
Formerly T-Bear | Apr 30, 2018 8:23:15 AM | 48
What an excellent observation, and comment.
Posted by: V | Apr 30 2018 12:28 utc | 49
@31 James. Trudeau lite? More like Harper light. His Pappy at least had cahones.
@48 Formery T-Bear. Well that's good then right as Russia seems pretty good, like Karlof1 said at 12. Yes?
Posted by: Tannenhouser | Apr 30 2018 12:48 utc | 50
Putin blocking the delivery of S-300 in Syria against the demands of the Russian Military
This was discussed by Putin with General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on April 20. The Russian military, they told the President, want the go-ahead to deploy S-300 missile batteries to cover Syrian and Iranian forces against US and Israeli attack from the air. They believe Israeli threats to attack the S-300 batteries as soon as they are operational are a bluff which Russia must call if Russia’s positions in Syria, and Iran itself, are not to come under subsequent attack from the American-Israeli combination. Testing the threat in Syria, they argue, is the less threatening, less costly option than encouraging the Americans and Israelis to prepare their
offensive against Iran. Putin won’t agree.
To respond to Putin’s reluctance, the General Staff and the Defence Ministry have devised a step short of the S-300, but with potentially enough defensive power to intercept or deter American and Israeli air attacks. This is the deployment of more Russian electronic warfare systems with the capacity to jam the surveillance, targeting, fire control and command signals on which the attackers rely. It is the Samson Haircut option – deprive the giant of control of his firepower, blind him.
Silently, Putin has decided to protect Deripaska; not to call the US attack on Rusal an act of war; and to test the Americans with an offer of a limited armistice. International bankers close to Russian business believe it is a Russian illusion that an armistice with the US can be anything but temporary; pursuing it is a miscalculation of US intentions, the sources add. They warn that new attacks will come.
Putin Reportedly “Ready For Deep Concessions”, Seeks Deal With Trump
He understands Russia can’t compete with the West economically and he doesn’t plan to go to war with the West.
Kremlin has ordered officials to curb their anti-U.S. rhetoric.
Putin’s decision explains why lawmakers Monday suddenly pulled a draft law that would’ve imposed sweeping counter-sanctions on U.S. companies, two of the people said.
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-04-18/putin-reportedly-ready-deep-concessions-seeks-deal-trump
Russian Senators to soften sanctions against US
RBC: Russian senators to water down Moscow’s response to US sanctions. Two Federation Council members told the newspaper that the final version of the amendments to the ‘anti-sanctions’ bill initiated by State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and leaders of all parliamentary factions, will be “quite mild.”
http://tass.com/pressreview/1001647
Russia not to take action against US diplomatic property - diplomat
More:
http://tass.com/politics/1002504
Posted by: Passer by | Apr 30 2018 12:49 utc | 51
Passer by | 51
I think its a self-delusion by the Westerners, Putin isnt THAT stupid to think ANY concession short of surrender would change anything. Rather it would harm both Russia and its allies, and Putin knows it. HUGE shipment of weapons after symbolic attack speaks for itself.
As for Israel, Russia has very good relationships with Israel, and ALWAYS looked the other way when they bombed Syria or Lebanon, nothing changed in this regard. Its much like a delicate dance US does with Turkey and Kurds.
As for S-300, Russia is very reluctant to give those to Syria (and previously Iran), what to speak of S-400. Again its because Russia looks whats best for them, not Syria/Iran, its just geopolitics, nothing personal. Therefore Iran is very wisely developing their own SAMs, as they cant rely on Russia or anyone else. For Syria they have to be satisfied what they get and take the hits from Israel.
Posted by: Harry | Apr 30 2018 13:02 utc | 52
To add to previous post. Even if someone thinks that Putin could make a deal with Trump by making deep concessions, Trump simply wont be able to deliver on his end. US would pocket the concessions and ramp up new anti-Russian campaign. Anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional, hence no deep concessions from Russia, forget it.
Posted by: Harry | Apr 30 2018 13:11 utc | 53
Tip of the Day:
The Art of The Deal. The "artfulness" is in the con. Any party to an agreement with iFUKUS should surely know by now that a deal is not worth the paper it's printed on.
Before you turn around to go home, the death squads, the bombs or the sanctions are en route.
Posted by: fastfreddy | Apr 30 2018 13:46 utc | 54
40
I have a business associate who was an arms merchant and still does international expediting of arms related issues. So when he got a line on the ship breaking contract for Russia's nuclear navy, I put him in touch with a German businrss associate for the giant wire saw that would slice the submarines radioactive reactor rooms into manageable pieces.
Later I asked him where in the world did they dispose of thatbhighly radioactive metal. He laughed and said my German associate put him in touch with a German smelter and it was made into German razor blades, lol.
Later all the smelters put radiation detectors on their incoming scrap lines. This was all under the media radar. That pimple on your chin might not be a pimple!
Posted by: Chipnik | Apr 30 2018 14:02 utc | 55
got to share this excellent piece on Nikki Haley from Sputnik directly following yesterday's announcement she's at 63% popularity in the US--
from a Russian POV on Haley's "other countries better get in line BS"
Welkome, Komrad Haley!
https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201804301064029830-haley-us-un-foreign-policy-analysis/
Posted by: Sid2 | Apr 30 2018 14:14 utc | 56
The US has (again) quit its military operations in Iraq as reported here.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Apr 30 2018 14:26 utc | 57
Harry@52 I think this is what you mean. Iran is to make the home produced Bavar 373 anti aircraft system operational by March 2018 It is to be hoped Hezbollah and Syria receive these systems ASAP. This system is an improved version of the Russian S300.
"Iran began to design the Bavar-373 system after Russia suspended delivery in 2010 of at least five S-300s under a 2007 contract. The first images of the system were released by the Iranian presidency in August 2016.The system uses up to three different missiles to hit targets at various altitudes. Iran’s defense minister Hossein Dehghan said in 2016 that it is designed to intercept ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft and drones. “We did not intend to make an Iranian version of the S-300 – we wanted to build an Iranian system, and we built it,” Dehghan said.According to Janes, Bavar-373 is “clearly a unique Iranian system that appears to reflect extensive investment in its ability to develop phased array radars.” It is now in mass production, the Russian S300 when deployed in Syria has the range to take out Israeli jets taking off from Israeli airfields. If the Russians don't oblige, the Iranians will.
Posted by: Harry Law | Apr 30 2018 14:33 utc | 58
I would be surprised if the FUKUS politicos and military/spy establishment knew that the Zionists running Israel would be pulling off this latest attack, much like the UK had no idea the Skripal "poisoning" was going to happen. Nuttyyahoo's IDF took new-boy Pompus-ahole's statements to mean "anything goes". Bombing installations in Syria will not get a direct response from Russia UNTIL the the Zionists or FUKUS kills Russian soldiers. Not Russian mercenaries or independent citizens fighting with Syrian/Iranian forces, but actual Russian troops/pilots.
Putin knows the Syrians will not be capable, at least initially, of using the S-300s without direct guidance from the Russian military. So any S-300s installed would have Russians present, but under less cover than they get from the S-400s at the bases. Putin will have to call up Nuttyyahoo, Trumpty Dumbdy and Pompus-ahole and tell them to back off unless the they want to see Israeli jets shot down, even if they are flying over Lebanon.
So far Nuttyyahoo and FUKUS has been careful not to kill any Russian military personnel, as that is THE red line for Putin and the Russian people. Turkey got away with it because there were rogue elements in the Turk military that assumed the ouster of Erdogan would happen.
The possibility exists that Putin may not bother giving the Syrians S-300s, and may simply place more Russian S-400 installations all around Syria, like the ones now covering the existing Russian airfields etc. there. If Nuttyyahoo and his IDF idiots think they can take on the Russian military, fine, their funeral. I doubt the US would be stupid enough to attack Russian-manned installations directly and start WW3 as a face-saving measure for Nuttyyahoo.
So how is Nutyyahoo's corruption case going? And the blatant murder of unarmed Palestinians approaching the wall... not playing well even in the US/EU MSM. Nutty's AIPAC MSM can't work miracles, so going badly on both counts. Nutty has to attack Iranians in Syria and keep the US politicos/public focused on the Iran nuke deal to distract domestic/int'l attention from all that. And Trumpty Dumbdy can expect things to get Stormy again with Cosby getting convicted... so letting Nutty bomb Iranians in Syria seems like a good distraction...
Posted by: A P | Apr 30 2018 14:38 utc | 59
@ Don Bacon: So the US is "leaving" Iraq again... just in time for the CIA's "terrorist" bombings to uptick in Afghanistan, creating yet another "humanitarian intervention" excuse there. Just rearranging the military deck chairs, but unfortunately innocent people die wherever the US "brings democracy".
Posted by: A P | Apr 30 2018 14:44 utc | 60
So Putin has no need to place S-300s or more S-400s with Russian personnel if the Iranians are going to deploy Bavar-373s. Well played...
But it would still be a better deterrent if the Russian installations were placed to make Trumpty's and Nutty's psychos think twice.
Posted by: A P | Apr 30 2018 14:48 utc | 61
BIG NEWS:
Israel is apparently starting a psyop. desinfo. campaign against Iran today, netanyahu will deliver a televised message later today to "expose" Iran.
The sick regime in Israel urgently want war and it seems like they doing everything to get US but also states like France, UK to bomb Iran just weeks after they urged to bomb Syria.
Posted by: Anonymous_1 | Apr 30 2018 14:54 utc | 62
Well, comments here suggest Putin is blocking S-300 for Syria against his military's advice, and ZH are reporting that TV announcements are scheduled in Israel with airspace closures etc. Looks like Nato pawns+ in position and Nut-job is going to light the ME fuse. With Korea somewhat contained, Iran is on the menu. Oil to $100/b and the market all over the place. Just in time to spoil VP's football party.
Posted by: imo | Apr 30 2018 14:56 utc | 63
@Tannenhouser, re: 50# 'His Pappy at least had cahones'. Unfortunately, Ottawa brownosing Washington is a family and national tradition it seems...
Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 30 2018 14:59 utc | 64
@64 John Gilberts. Thanks hadn't heard that before..not surprised tho. I guess what I meant was Pappy at least stood up for himself (regardless as to if you agree with his stance) he did take a stand. Not like his son who chooses to muckrake with grade schoolers over nouns, or pass himself off as something other than the corporate twat he is. He say's Uhhh so much I think it's Uhhcult programing, let alone take the guy seriously. The election in Ontario will be telling...imo JT can't save the gains in the Atlantic and the complete failure Cathleen was/is. Maybe we will see collusion between the Blues and Red's again like we did during Harpers reign, with the red side fielding not votable for (Ignatieffe,Dion) candidates at the federal level.
Time will tell. Thanks again for the Nixon tape.
Posted by: Tannenhouser | Apr 30 2018 15:18 utc | 65
@ John Gilberts | Apr 30, 2018 10:59:28 AM | 64
Canada is a colony, and there is no big difference if it was colony of UK, or US - just one letter!
Posted by: ex-SA | Apr 30 2018 15:32 utc | 66
@ Fec 30
I've wondered how much those efforts to defund ISIS were instigated by Tulsi Gabbard's efforts with the Stop Funding Terrorists Act. She drew attention to some of what's really going on. I only wish the White Helmets received further attention. It's not supposed to be legal for the US government to propagandize its own people.
Posted by: Curtis | Apr 30 2018 15:35 utc | 67
How is it that Israel's "Iron Dome" Missile defense is ineffective, but Russia's is evidently fantastic?
And...while it is very good to be able to explode a missile in the sky before it reaches civilians, isn't it also good to eliminate the launch equipment on site from whence it came?
Posted by: fastfreddy | Apr 30 2018 15:40 utc | 68
@37 Haiduk.. i guess that was one of the reasons austria decided to stop it's un peacekeeping activity in the golan heights.. it will be interesting to see who is held accountable for this and i am curious why it is coming out now and not earlier? is that all based on the video your shared? i take it that was only released very recently? i see now your link @43.. thanks.. that looks like an international scandal for austria.. i suppose the western msm will not report it because it is only syrian policemen being openly murdered with the approval of the bluehelmets.. wow..
@40 psychohistorian.. thanks.. i see that happening too, but am at a loss for how to move forward here.. talking about it is helpful to a point..
@44 harry law... i think putin and russia understand all that.. i think they are waiting to pull the plug on all this, but they are still waiting..
@50 Tannenhouser.. i call him trudeau light, but you are right - that is unfair to his pappy who was someeone i admired and did have balls... when it comes to addressing power and bullshit, justin is nowhere to be seen..
@58 harry law.. interesting. thanks.
@59 a p.. good post... that is sorta how i see it.. i wanted to reply to harry but didn't.. putin is waiting but the waiting is not based on ignorance of the dynamics at play..
@64 john gilberts.. senior trudeau never cowtowed to the usa.. that is how i saw it anyway..
Posted by: james | Apr 30 2018 15:43 utc | 69
67
Perfectly and openly legal since 2013
www.businessinsider.com/ndaa-legalizes-propaganda-2012-5
Posted by: fastfreddy | Apr 30 2018 15:45 utc | 70
NuttyYahoo loves to push the buttons of the world to draw attention to the world's tail that wags the dog. I haven't heard much about the corruption investigation lately. Either he knows he's beaten it or wants to don the war president hat to divert attention.
Posted by: Curtis | Apr 30 2018 15:47 utc | 71
What Clark highlighted in his article I linked to is the fact that there are numerous voices in the actual multitude of the genuine International Community who take the opportunity to express themselves at the 4 annual economic conferences hosted by Russia that are muted at the West's confabs or their words fall on deaf ears. However, Russia and China are both listening then respond constructively in the Win-Win manner they are becoming known for--a manner 100% opposite of what those nations get told by IMF and World Bank. As more and more nations drop the dollar for use in bilateral trade, what's The Outlaw US Empire going to do--it cannot bomb all of them and expect change in policy; those days are over.
The world looks on at the innovations and technological marvels produced by Russia and China at the now 7 or 8 annual Trade Fairs hosted by each nation--not counting arms shows, of which there're several--where it's hard to miss the "How can we help you" sales line that doesn't include being told how to run your government as done via IMF, etc. Here's an excellent example of that innovation and technological prowess, and recall the recent mention of miniaturized nuclear reactors powering weapon systems as you watch--you may be anti-nuclear power, but you must ask yourself where's the German, Japanese or American version that's commercially competitive. Where's the USA's 300+mph transcontinental MagLev train? Experimental model? In how many years will China's hi-tech trade shows overshadow those of Silicon Valley's? Whatever became of Yankee Ingenuity? It seems Dilbert offers an ongoing post-mortem of reasons why.
Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 30 2018 16:01 utc | 72
@Harry Law 58
Iran began to design the Bavar-373 system . . . in 2010 . . .The first images of the system were released by the Iranian presidency in August 2016. . .Iran is to make the home produced Bavar 373 anti aircraft system operational by March 2018
That's nice.
from 2012
Iran Reports ‘Progress’ on Indigenous S-300 Missile
Iran’s Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi has announced progress in the development and manufacture of an indigenous version of the advanced Russian S-300 air defense missile system, the Fars news agency reported on Tuesday. "The production of an alternative missile system is underway,” he said, adding that the work “has yielded good results.” Iranian military officials earlier said the missile system, called Bavar (Belief) 373, is even more powerful and more advanced than the Russian S-300. . .here
from 2014
Tehran has showcased an indigenous long-range air defense system, the Bavar-373 missile, developed as an alternative to the Russian S-300 after Moscow canceled its contract. "Bavar-373 has fired a first successful shot," the commander of the Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base, Brigadier General Farzad Esmayeeli, told Iranian state TV on Friday. According to Iranian security officials, the new system is better than the Russian S-300, as it is able to track over 100 targets, just like the Russian system but with a higher targeting capability. "We believe that 'Bavar' and '3rd of Khordad' missile shields are better than some other long-range missile defense systems of the country," ol-Anbia added, Fars news reports. . .here>
from 2015
Iran plans fielding Bavar 373 air & missile defense system this year
. . . Iranian officials have also announced that Bavar-373 could be deployed operationally this year, reflecting an accelerated development and testing process, since the system’s interceptor, Sayyad-3 missile was tested on its first launch only in August 2014. ... .here
Posted by: Don Bacon | Apr 30 2018 16:06 utc | 73
Apparently they were bombs and not missiles in that Israeli attack. Several sites reporting this with images and detail. I suppose that would mean shooting down a plane, if it could be detected.
Stepping back for a broader view, although people died, this seems like just one incident out of the whole Syria theater. Israel sees a chance to destroy some Iranian materiel and takes it. I don't think Israel is holding many other cards in this theater. SAA still making progress on other fronts. The net gain is still with Syria every day - and Iran, for that matter.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the revenge for this one tasted cold, down the road. Lots of activities happening right now. Iran with the JCPOA deal and the potential rift between EU and US. May parade in Moscow. World Cup coming up. Hard to say exactly what face-offs are occurring now and through the next few months. It's a good time to stay calm and not overreact.
As for Putin calming down the anti-US energy, I'm glad to see it. I like it when Russia goes quiet, she is far more deadly at these times. But also, after March 1, it's very clear that Russia has bested the US in an extremely powerful way, and made a huge gain in the big game. She can afford to let the US pull a few stunts. They're all signs of weakness - the anger of the wounded loser, throwing down his cards, flinging his money on the table, and stomping away rudely and loudly. And the very best thing to do is to let him go. No need to engage in confrontation. Let him go and lick his wounds alone.
Posted by: Grieved | Apr 30 2018 16:08 utc | 74
@56 sid... fun link... i like how they unfolded that take on nikki haley and the usa..thanks..
Posted by: james | Apr 30 2018 16:37 utc | 75
@Grieved 74
Apparently they were bombs and not missiles in that Israeli attack.
Do you have a source for that? There's an important difference.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Apr 30 2018 16:49 utc | 76
On what appears to be a geopolitical Monday, Garrie has published 3 excellent short essays on the following topics: Why Korea won't become another Libya; A new dynamic for the upcoming Malaysia elections; and An update on Russo-Turkic relations. All are thought provoking in their own way and of importance to the evolving geopolitical chessboard. I wonder where and when the Outlaw US Empire's defunct aircraft carriers will be scraped.
Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 30 2018 17:06 utc | 78
@fastfreddy 68
How is it that Israel's "Iron Dome" Missile defense is ineffective, but Russia's is evidently fantastic?
It depends upon the commentator, but an important reality is that Iron Dome is a million dollars per missile while ballistic and cruise missiles are much cheaper, so Iran and Hezbollah have tens of thousands of them. Also hitting one moving object with another is always a challenge.
If missiles are unleashed in a barrage, then Israel has to decide whether to focus on defense of cities or of military facilities and in any case Iron Dome would probably be overwhelmed by shear numbers. There are many other variables, such as electronic warfare, jamming signals. It's not an affair a country should gamble on.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Apr 30 2018 17:08 utc | 79
@hopehely 77
Thank you -- it was a GBU-39 glide bomb not a pure gravity bomb (got to get into the new realities).
The GBU-39 has a range of over 60 nmi (wiki) so it might have been released even off the coast, with a path to Hama of ~40 nmi. Since it wasn't intercepted it wouldn't be surprising to see more of them prior to May 12.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Apr 30 2018 17:31 utc | 80
From ZH tweets-
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcDATz_X4AEBBxb.jpg
Dodgy dossier 2.0 has landed or is it 3.0?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcDBp-6W0AA6pkH.jpg
Posted by: TJ | Apr 30 2018 17:33 utc | 81
@ karlof1 72
re: innovation
The Pentagon Is Losing the Innovation Battle. Here's How to Turn It Around
The United States military is losing the innovation battle. This is not hyperbole. Ellen Lord, defense undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment, made this point last December. In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, she said, “The current pace at which we develop advanced capability is being eclipsed by those nations that pose the greatest threat to our security, seriously eroding our measure of overmatch.”
The Pentagon began to respond to this challenge in 2015, following the game plan of the intelligence community and planting a stake in Silicon Valley. After all, the thinking went, Silicon Valley has by far the world’s largest concentration of tech firms supported by private equity and venture investors; and the military would close the innovation gap by sitting at the same table as the investors funding future global-technology giants. DIUx later opened outposts in Boston and Austin.
But if the U.S. military wants to maintain its technological edge against potential adversaries, the armed forces must do better to reach beyond Silicon Valley, which is only a very small slice of the innovation pie.
Of today’s 5,000 fastest-growing companies in the United States, just 6.5 percent have received venture backing, according to Inc. magazine. Less than one percent — 37 — of these fast-growing firms are based in Silicon Valley, far fewer than, for example, the 110 companies based in Phoenix and the 187 in Dallas. . .here
Posted by: Don Bacon | Apr 30 2018 17:49 utc | 82
breaking news from duffleblog--
Kim Jong-un defects to South Korea
. . .“He is a normal man like you or me, but who has had terrible crimes committed against him,” said Kim’s doctor. “At first, he would wake up screaming. He was terrified that he had just dreamed the defection, and that that he’d have to go be the grand marshal of a parade or go watch a missile launch.” “I tied a Republic of Korea flag to the end of his bed so he would wake up, see it, and know right away, ‘No, I’m safe now.’”
Posted by: Don Bacon | Apr 30 2018 17:59 utc | 83
Not all MoA heard of Treka Zn. Treka a comedian like Jimmy Dore in Stateside CA. Two recent Treka postings in Youtube and one past videos must see....... enjoy.
OANN Pearson Sharp interviews Treka in Syria after US strike
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cruaAIZBCwg
The Chemical attack in Duma, Syria by Treka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH0g0Kx2dLE
The "Assad Must Go Curse" by Treka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipuP53NF6D0
Posted by: OJS | Apr 30 2018 18:13 utc | 84
Bhadrakumar's got a
great new column on the now hot prospects for a Russia-DPRK-South Korea pipeline. But I love this paragraph too, which perfectly displays both the U.S. position in the world (against economic development, for austerity and war) and how Trump can be played in ways Hillary probably couldn't have been:
"The fly in the ointment is going to be the United States. Simply put, RDR may fuel regional integration, which can hurt US interests. It remains to be seen how the US can stop the RDR except by undermining the dynamics of the Korean reconciliation. But Moon is a leftist politician and taps into the deep yearning for Korean reconciliation among the South Korean people. Moon is tactful and is making it look as if Donald Trump’s 'maximum pressure' approach is working, while in reality pushing his normalization plans vis-à-vis North Korea."
Posted by: fairleft | May 1 2018 1:31 utc | 85
Bhadrakumar has a great new column on the now hot prospects for a Russia-DPRK-South Korea pipeline. But I love this paragraph too, which perfectly displays both the U.S. position in the world (against economic development, for austerity and war) and how Trump can be played in ways Hillary probably couldn't have been:
"The fly in the ointment is going to be the United States. Simply put, RDR may fuel regional integration, which can hurt US interests. It remains to be seen how the US can stop the RDR except by undermining the dynamics of the Korean reconciliation. But Moon is a leftist politician and taps into the deep yearning for Korean reconciliation among the South Korean people. Moon is tactful and is making it look as if Donald Trump’s 'maximum pressure' approach is working, while in reality pushing his normalization plans vis-à-vis North Korea."
Posted by: fairleft | May 1 2018 1:38 utc | 86
on that international workers' day, BFMTV displayed "french protesters attack police with... slogans". You read it right
https://i.imgur.com/Y3ex3PL.png
french BFMTV is like the most toxic cocktail ever produced , the dumbness of Fox News + the political submission of The Guardian + the ugliness of WaPo all in one, even novichok can't compete :D
Posted by: chiplays | May 1 2018 14:01 utc | 87
Excellent article by Alistair Crooke on China:
The Biggest Player in the History of the WorldPosted by: BM | May 1 2018 17:52 utc | 88
The Metropolitan Police is yet to find suspects in the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia despite the conflicting media reports, UK National Security Adviser Mark Sedwill said.
No further questions here, Your Honor!
Posted by: Scotch Bingeington | May 1 2018 21:51 utc | 89
Date alchemy and a warning
I’ve noted that the Skripal attack was probably meant to coincide with a false-flag meant to save East Ghouta that would’ve been planned to occur much sooner than the hastily-arranged, and largely botched, Douma false-flag. I believe the intensity of the R+6 attack on East Ghouta was unexpected so that R+6 captured places where the false-flag would be carried out before the operation was staged. I actually found a news report that supports this theory: RT: Terrorist capabilities laid bare in an Eastern Ghouta chemical lab
The Skripal attack was on March 4th and this lab was captured on or about March 12. The Douma false flag didn’t happen until April 7!
<> <> <> <> <>
At the end of every year The Economist previews what is coming for the year ahead. They print a special cover for this edition, which has gotten noticed for being mystical and playing on occult themes. This is a link to Vigilant Citizen’s analysis of The Economist cover for “The World in 2015”.
The dates(?) 11.3 and 11.5 are prominent. It’s not certain if these are dates but there have been notable attacks on 9/11 (NYC), and 7/11 (London). The Orlando nightclub shooting was the night of 6/11 but since the shooting occurred after midnight it is listed as having occurred on the 12th. Assuming that these are dates, it becomes interesting that the official US embassy move has been rushed to May 12 (I read that actually completing the move was expected to take much longer).
And, read in conjunction with the US move, the capture of a lab in East Ghouta on or about March 12 becomes more interesting. There would’ve been fighting near the lab on March 11 which could’ve interfered with any plans for a false flag on that day.
Furthermore, with recent events and these “target dates” in mind, could it be that a false flag event is planned the day before the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem?
Now, I recognize that the date connection is tenuous to any rational person but there does seem to be a certain preference for the 11th.
Posted by: Jackrabbit | May 2 2018 5:05 utc | 90
An Open Thread with Syria and North Korea as its launch pad seems as good a place as any to suggest a way of outmaneuvering the West's corrupt, bribed politicians (and the greedy psychopaths who "own" them) and putting The People back in charge of Democracy. It would also take the power to declare war out of the hands of politicians and place it firmly in the hands of the people.
If it sounds fanciful, don't fret because Switzerland has been running its Democracy this way for many decades. The thing which makes Swiss Democracy uniquely and genuinely Democratic is a law known as Federal popular initiative.
Here's an appetiser and a link to Wikipedia:
Federal popular initiative
The federal popular initiative is an instrument of direct democracy in Switzerland. It allows citizens to propose changes to the Swiss Federal Constitution. A votation will be organised for every proposition of modification that collected 100,000 valid signatures in 18 months.
The most frequent themes tackled by initiatives are: healthcare, taxes, welfare, drug policy, public transport, immigration, asylum, education... There are only two kinds of restrictions on the content:
1. Formal criteria (the initiative should deal with one topic at a time, etc.)
2. The initiative should not infringe on the core of the human rights, known as jus cogens.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_initiative_(Switzerland)
The Swiss say it costs circa $150million to conduct a votation / referendum which sounds a lot unless one compares it to the amount of cash politicians pocket in bribes, and the amount of damage these toads do to the civilian economy by starving schools, hospitals and other basic infrastructure of funds to pay for 2nd rate NATO war toys.
It's time to tell pollies to stop mocking DEMOCRACY (and us).
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | May 2 2018 16:49 utc | 91
The Swiss can also have legislation they don't like repealed in a process similar to that set out in the Popular Initiative.
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | May 2 2018 16:56 utc | 92
Canada's Ukrainian Lobby: 'Don't Give Putin His Berlin Moment' - by Paul Grod*
http://twitter.com/ipolitics.ca/status/991708990244556800
"...The free world must send a strong message to Putin that the threat to international peace posed by Russia will be met with a strong response. Removing the World Cup from Russia would be an important signal that Russia must change its behavior..."
*Grod is also VP of the World Ukrainian Congress
Posted by: John Gilberts | May 2 2018 20:18 utc | 93
@john.. meanwhile canada has given ukraine it's berlin moment.. it is ongoing, lol... i wish canucks would stop supporting local groups like this ukraine congress... if they love ukraine so much - go back their... maybe they can stay at freelands apt. in kiev...
Posted by: james | May 2 2018 20:43 utc | 94
@ james, The Canucklheads don't pay much attention to anything outside of hockey and Tim Hortons I'm afraid. They let the zios, ukies and Atlantic Council run their foreign affairs. With Freeland it's all in one. PS the Kiev apartment isn't declared as an asset even though everybody knows. That's how they roll up here, alas.
Posted by: John Gilberts | May 2 2018 21:33 utc | 95
Helmer's latest is a most distressing read...
Vice President For Capitulation - Putin Decides What Job To Give Kudrin
http://johnhelmer.net/vice-president-for-capitulation-putin-decides-what-job-to-give-kudrin/
"President Vladimir Putin is considering whether to appoint a vice president for negotiating an end to sanctions with the US and the European Union (EU) and an about turn in Russia's foreign and defense policy.
Alexi Kudrin's idea is that he would become this de facto vice president, the dominant policymaker of the government after Putin, and his likely successor. It is an arrangement for which Kudrin claims to have the backing of the US and the EU.
Kudrin would also draw o, n the support of the Russian oligarchs inside and outside the country. The Kudrin scheme is being opposed as capitulation by the leadership of Russia's defence, military and security forces..."
Posted by: John Gilberts | May 3 2018 13:37 utc | 97
@97 john.. i just read that and was going to share it.. it is a fascinating read.. russian politics is complicated.. not sure what is going on their, other then to think some kind of double game is being played in order to move forward here...
Posted by: james | May 3 2018 17:24 utc | 98
for anyone interested john helmer has two sites - .net and .org... here is the link to the .org article john shares above..
http://johnhelmer.org/?p=17717
Posted by: james | May 3 2018 17:25 utc | 99
I find it interesting that the leader of China is being so outspoken at the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth.....and so little Western media coverage.
Marx's theory still shines with truth: Xi
Do you want to know why China is going to blow past the West?
China enhances financial support for small businesses
Posted by: psychohistorian | May 4 2018 6:36 utc | 100
The comments to this entry are closed.
We see a lot of media focus on Nicaragua and Venezuela. Why not Colombia?
1.) Killing of human rights leaders in Colombia more than doubles: study;
2.) HRW urges urgent investigation against Uribe, increased protection of witnesses;
3.) Southwest Colombia marches against state neglect and drug violence;
4.) Colombia: the country where a million farming families have less land than a cow.
Posted by: Maracatu | Apr 29 2018 18:28 utc | 1