After U.S. Attack In Syrian Iran Demonstrates Its Escalation Dominance
Last night the U.S. escalated the situation in Iraq by bombing Iraqi government security forces at the Iraqi-Syrian border station near Abu-Kamal/Al-Qaim. One Iraqi soldier, a Sunni, was killed. Other sources claim that as many as 22 were killed.
The Pentagon spinmasters and their stenographers in the media use Orwellian language to justify the crime. The official press release says:
U.S. Conducts Defensive Precision StrikeFeb. 25, 2021
(Attributable to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby)
“At President Biden’s direction, U.S. military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria. These strikes were authorized in response to recent attacks against American and Coalition personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats to those personnel. Specifically, the strikes destroyed multiple facilities located at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kait’ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kait’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS).
This proportionate military response was conducted together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with Coalition partners. The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq.”
The last attack on U.S. units in Iraq happened on February 15 against a U.S. position in Erbil, Iraq. Some three small rockets were fired by an unknown group of provocateurs.
To call an attack with seven 500 pound bombs on a border station guarded by official Iraqi security forces against ISIS attacks hundreds of miles away from Erbil "defensive" and "in response" is of course ridiculous.
Kataeb Hizbullah al-Iraq (not related to Hizbullah in Lebanon) and KSS are under command of the Iraqi prime minister. They were founded with help from Iran in 2014 to fight against ISIS. Since 2018 they are regular Iraqi forces paid and equipped by the Iraqi government, not by Iran. This attack will escalate the situation in Iraq. More attacks against U.S. and other foreign units there are now assured.
Together with the deliberate steps to make a return to the nuclear deal with Iran more complicate this attack can be seen as a deliberate escalation against the 'resistance axis' of Iran, Syria, Hizbullah in Lebanon and their supporters.
The Biden administration has yet to learn the lesson the Trump learned when he tired to provoke Iran and its allies. It is the resistance that has escalation dominance in the Middle East. It can control the pace of further steps up the escalation ladder. It is willing to step up higher than the U.S. It knows how to use that ability.
Here is proof for that:
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian @manniefabian - 14:34 UTC · 26 Feb 2021An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing in the Gulf of Oman Friday. The crew and vessel were safe. The explosion forced the vessel, reported to be the Helios Ray, to head to the nearest port.
AP has details:
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East on Friday, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.The crew and vessel were safe, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which is run by the British navy. The explosion forced the vessel to head to the nearest port.
The site of the blast, the Gulf of Oman, saw a series of explosions in 2019 that the U.S. Navy blamed on Iran against the backdrop of steeply rising threats between former President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders. Tehran denied the accusations, which came after Trump abandoned Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and reimposed harsh sanctions on the country.
...
Satellite-tracking data from website MarineTraffic.com showed the Helios Ray had been nearly entering the Arabian Sea around 0600 GMT Friday before it suddenly turned around and began heading back toward the Strait of Hormuz. It still listed Singapore as its destination on its tracker.A United Nations ship database identified the vessel’s owners as a Tel Aviv-based firm called Ray Shipping Ltd. Calls to Ray Shipping rang unanswered Friday.
Abraham Ungar, 74, who goes by “Rami,” is the founder of Ray Shipping Ltd., and is known as one of the richest men in Israel.
The dimwits in Biden's National Security Council seem to think that they can push Iran around and press it for "concessions". It is exactly the other way around. Iran and its allied forces can hit well selected targets like the Israeli ship, Saudi oil installation or U.S. bases in the Middle East with precision and at a time that fits their schedule. The U.S. has no ability to prevent such strikes nor can it respond in kind without risking a wider war that it has no chance to win.
Biden can return to the nuclear deal by lifting the sanctions on Iran. Or he can attempt to escalate further to get his additional "concessions". Those efforts will not only be costly for the U.S. and its allies as Iran can and will response in kind but also futile.
It's his choice to make.
Posted by b on February 26, 2021 at 15:57 UTC | Permalink
next page »There is no question, the MIC will always look for war profiteering so that is what will happen. "Biden" is their front corpse and he does everything they want when they pull his strings, and nothing else. A few dead US soldiers will provide the Casus Belli for further escalation. The fact that the US will "lose" does not worry these people, they want to suck the west dry with endless wars.
Posted by: Norwegian | Feb 26 2021 16:21 utc | 2
Forget all the disputed election kerfuffle.
Joe Biden's bombing now allows him to be officially coronated as … America's newest War-Criminal-in-Chief!
It is an unstated job requirement that to be an American ruler, you must wage wars of aggression … sorry, "wars of choice" and perpetrate serial war crimes throughout the planet.
Anything less than overt acts of American aggression and war crimes would be unpresidential; fail to demonstrate USA "resolve"; likely treasonous; and decidedly unmanly.
Meet the new war criminal (Joe Biden).
Same as the old war criminal (Donald Trump).
Posted by: ak74 | Feb 26 2021 16:24 utc | 3
It's his choice to make.
sadly no.
he is truly a meat puppet with no say and perhaps no idea of what is going on.
his refusal to fight...even just a little bit, for the minimum wage increase says everything.
and it really is the only chance to get an increase, the dems will lose the midterm elections transferring the entire congress back to the republicans making it Obama II in every way.
I am not surprised but still just a bit disappointed.
Posted by: dan of steele | Feb 26 2021 16:34 utc | 4
super predictable in a way...for anyone who watches the area (or even just checks the links aggregated by ICH on a semi-daily basis). the MSM has ISIS amnesia but regional news sources have had a LOT of "daesh attack kills ___ iraqi/syrian soldiers" headlines over the past year.
this attack is a possible sign that "ISIS 2.0" is being built up and readied for release on the already shaky governments in lebanon, iraq and syria. those countries were relatively unstable when the intial wave of takfiri vermin started crawling into their borders and lately they've been hit by covid, protests and massive blows to their infrastructure (e.g. lebanon). trump initiating an "Arab NATO" was another warning sign that the "resistance" better get its shit together soon lest it have no shit to get.
Posted by: the pair | Feb 26 2021 16:39 utc | 5
Joe's 'made his bones'.
Meanwhile a strike on Israel's 'ark of cars' will not go unrequainted.
But who to make it? Joey?
Posted by: Kevin Quinn | Feb 26 2021 16:45 utc | 6
My eyes read Katib as "Keith Hizbullah" and I was immediately reminded of "Baghdad Bob."
Posted by: NemesisCalling | Feb 26 2021 16:54 utc | 7
The key question is always, what is "winning?" If ruining Iran is deemed a victory, then a war with Iran most certainly can be won. If "winning" is arbitrarily redefined as conquering Iran or installing a stable government compliant to essential US demands, no. That no is no more significant than the wishes of those who insist this is the only definition of "winning."
Posted by: steven t johnson | Feb 26 2021 16:59 utc | 8
Dan @4
So you really think the votes will be fairly counted at the midterms?
Posted by: Castellio | Feb 26 2021 17:03 utc | 9
Thanks for the posting b
I agree that this is another significant step in running empire to ground through death of a thousand cuts they cannot deflect.....but they will continue to try until ????
The shit show continues until it doesn't and may that be sooner rather than later.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 26 2021 17:06 utc | 10
joe biden is just doing his job as front man for israel, wall st and the military industrial complex... why anyone would think different is beyond me...
Posted by: james | Feb 26 2021 17:08 utc | 11
Between the carrot of high profits, guaranteed sinecures after retirement, and the stick of the Zionist lobby that will destroy your political career, the spineless idiots who disguise themselves as statesmen are marching us into another war. Or may two or three. We also have the USS John McCain playing war games in the South China Sea just before Blinken calls his Chinese counterpart, apparently to lecture him about the benefits of allowing the US to retain hegemony. Meanwhile, the voters in the US have only one other option, a completely bonkers group of nincompoops who will only make matters worse. The Empire needs to collapse, and soon.
the Iraqis should start sniping u.s/international personell again.
that is a moral killer and was quite effective last time as i recall.
Posted by: Per/Norway | Feb 26 2021 17:14 utc | 13
Syria's official response:
Syria condemns in strongest terms US aggression on its sovereignty
Foreign Ministry stated that this blatant aggression is a new chain in the series of repeated attacks by the Israeli occupation forces, the so-called “international coalition,” the Turkish occupation, and the crimes of armed terrorist organizations against the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic under illusive pretexts.
This is an important fact: those attacks objectively benefit ISIS. The USA is literally (militarily) helping terrorists.
There's a method in the madness.
@ vk.... your conclusion goes without saying, but it is probably good to note that as that is the reality and their game plan..
Posted by: james | Feb 26 2021 17:41 utc | 16
It's "complicated", not "complicate".
I only mention this because you write this word in almost all of your posts, yet aren't writing it correctly.
Posted by: Wind Hippo | Feb 26 2021 17:45 utc | 17
Caitlyn Johnstone calls it correctly:
"The U.S. military is an invading force in both Syria and Iraq; it is impossible for its actions in either of those countries to be defensive. It is always necessarily the aggressor."
As happened with Trump, I rather doubt Biden had anything to do with ordering this attack. We shall see the response beyond the attack on the Occupied Palestine vessel soon enough. One thing for certain is the attack puts the Iraqi PM in a very awkward position given his softness towards the Outlaw Empire and NATO.
As for the Outlaw Empire's Terrorist Foreign Legion's base camp at al-Tanf, I'm sure Syria wants to attack it and drive the Empire out but has so far been restrained by Russia.
Then there's the next phase of Iran's avenging Soleimani's murder which has yet to occur. So, lots of irons in the fire, and not just in Syraq.
Time for some more "headaches"? In the Green zone this time perhaps? Or completely demolish a couple of airbases? Tell them it's coming, so that they can flee. No need to feed their bloodlust, is there?
Posted by: foolisholdman | Feb 26 2021 17:59 utc | 19
It's long overdue to stop being Politically Correct, and start calling a spade a spade:
America and its military are like a cockroach infestation.
Once they infect your house (or country), they will not leave willingly.
That is why America still has its military stormtroopers occupying Germany, Japan, or South Korea--several decades after World War 2 and the Korean War ended.
Though America tries to deceive the world and justify its colonial occupation as (snicker) altruistically protecting these nations, it is a nothing more than a propaganda pretext for dominating and controlling these broader regions.
As such, the Americans (and their Anglophone/European crime partners) must be driven out of Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the same way that you drive out a cockroach infestation.
You kill them.
That is the only language these self-styled Western "democracies" understand and respect.
Posted by: ak74 | Feb 26 2021 18:07 utc | 20
Israeli Ship Targeted In Gulf Of Oman Blast As Officials Point Finger At Iran
The 'mystery' blast appears similar to prior limpet mine attacks in the Persian Gulf...
<> <> <> <> <>
US-Israeli propaganda dominance?
!!
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Feb 26 2021 18:11 utc | 21
ISIS has got its' airforce back ? Members are being transferred to Al Tanf by the US. From where they can be released into the Southern Syrian desert.
But there is a possibility that the SAA will take on Idlib first. While they still "can" according to some theories.
***
The tanker that was hit in the gulf of Oman is curious. It is "Israeli flagged", "UK flagged" depending on the reporter. Could also be connected to the Yemeni conflict (Houthis)
Note that there is also oil trouble caused by the local MEK-Mafia in Baluchistan, where a semi-official (Iran turned a blind eye) exportation of fuel had been taking place as a source of local "income". More Mafiosi or exterior MEK thuggery ?
***
Note that the Russians only had "five minutes warning" which doesn't suggest many opportunities for any "reduction of tensions" in the furture. Accidents will probably happen.
Posted by: Stonebird | Feb 26 2021 18:32 utc | 22
his refusal to fight...even just a little bit, for the minimum wage increase says everything.
Dan of Steele # 4 also I agree with Castello @ 9 no vote count in America will ever be
accurate or precise.
[email protected] 4 .. i would suggest the min. wage to Americams is an corporate inspired
USA trojan horse.. Corporate in charge of the USA will get major bailouts and
both <=gifts will increase debt .
Corporate balilouts increase the national debt, while minimum wage increases increase
small business private debt.. Politians @ the usa likes it because it can pay off its
prior nation debt with cheapened money
in money supply.
The Corporate owned USa is up to no good, when they accept bailouts or claim the min.
wage will improve the worker quality of life..
The alternative is to force the corporations to lower their prices by say 10% across the
board.
To retire one dollar of private debt when prices are increasing, the taxpayer must earn
1.65 (at .35% tax rate) but if prices are reduced, and losses to private sector result,
(the taxpayer gets a refund from prior tax payments} or at least gets a deduction for
interest expense without paying more tax forced into being by the offsetting new income
needed to pay the high prices from the corporate sector and the increase wage payments
to the employees.
so forcing the corporations to accept lower prices <=instead of allowing them to raise prices
so high min. wage needs to be increased is good for the corporate world and but it strongly
reduces the quality of life for the little guy. Trouble is there is a time gap and the
little guy does not see the benefit or price reduction instead of wage hikes.for a short time.
@ karlof1 recites the words of CJ "The U.S. military is an invading force in both Syria and Iraq; it is impossible for its actions in either of those countries to be defensive. It is always necessarily the aggressor."
she left out Yemen and forgets the foreign policy goal is making LNG a viable product..
ak74 @20 < no way is America responsible for what you claim.. it might be the USA.. I d/n know about that..
Americans have no say, are not briefed or given access to what the USA does.. so ordinary Americans
can know nothing.
Posted by: snake | Feb 26 2021 18:35 utc | 23
@ 13 Per/Norway’s use of “moral” is easily confused in translation; “morale” is probably meant.
There are no morals to be lost.
English “morale” => moralsk Danish/Norwegian
Norwegian/ Danish “moral“ => morale English
Posted by: suzan | Feb 26 2021 18:41 utc | 24
personally I think "escalation dominance" is an overrated concept, used often to inflate the marketability of analysis products from IR think tanks and associated media.
Iran-US is a situation where for all practical purposes, both sides and the while-world know they are bluffing when it comes to "serious" escalation. They are capable of taking quite violent but fundamentally limited actions to harm each others interests. But this line of action and response is maxed out, and this irrelevant from the point of view of affecting one another's behavior. Both are committed to doing so to the full extent that is safe, which has been the case for a long time, with the brief exception of when JCPOA was alive.
Posted by: ptb | Feb 26 2021 18:57 utc | 25
I posted the following comment on the open thread but it also belongs here:
Sputnik's report on Lavrov presser after meeting with Afghanistan's FM vk linked @3, shows Russia's changed attitude toward the EU also extends to the Outlaw Empire. His "new" information could easily be based on all the Outlaw Empire's past post-WW2 occupational behavior. Furthermore, in his remarks prior to media questions, Lavrov mentioned the likely aims of the Outlaw Empire's Terrorist Foreign Legion known as ISIS:
"We have a common view that ISIS is a serious factor in the deterioration of the situation in Afghanistan. ISIS wants to enhance its influence, including in the northern provinces of Afghanistan, with a view to turning it into a bridgehead for expansion into Central Asia." [My Emphasis]
I trust the transcript will be finished later today and include more info.
In contrast to what we know about Russia's changed attitude toward the EU, we know very little about its new stance aimed at the Outlaw Empire. Lavrov went well beyond repeating the usual lines about the Outlaw Empire's many violations of the UN Charter and charged:
"they are making the decision to never leave Syria, even to the point of destroying this country."
Of course, that was the initial plan for which there's plenty of evidence. But IMO, Russia's change in attitude is related to the mission given to ISIS, which it likely knows of thanks to its intel sources. ISIS is clearly the Outlaw Empire's Terrorist Foreign Legion and are only in Afghanistan because they were airlifted from Syraq. Putin just met with the Kyrgyz president and certainly talked about this menace aimed at the CSTO. An emergency meeting of Russia's Security Council was held today ostensibly to "discuss the situation around the Nagorno Karabakh peace settlement," but also surely including the illegal attack in Syria where only 4 minutes of warning were provided. Much of Putin's talk with the FSB two days ago centered on Terrorism, and we know Russia was directly attacked by the Outlaw Empire though its Terrorist Foreign Legion. IMO, those acts have been forgotten by the Outlaw Empire but not at all by Russia, and IMO they carry lots of weight in Russia's decision making. Nor will Russia have forgotten that Biden was involved up to his neck in organizing ISIS and other Terrorist groups to destroy Syria.
There's more to my assessment than the above; there's also the roots of the conflict to consider that's been ongoing since the mid 1800s and involves the other part of the Outlaw Empire, the UK, for they are the source of the Russophobia that now controls the EU's actions toward Russia as was already known and just reinforced by new revelations. Lavrov's accusation was made in a very public venue and cannot be ignored by the Outlaw Empire, and IMO is exactly the right accusation to make since the initial criminal cabal that launched the war on Syria are back in the saddle.
Well an old, frail, impotent swamp creature got his rocks off with blood on his hands. Though this particular swamp creature, Biden, makes Lady Macbeth look like Shirley Temple. Biden has signed off on more money to murder more people than perhaps anyone in history with his near half century career in spreading freedom and democracy and mass murder throughout the globe. To suggest Biden is 'old world' with a world view that makes dinosaurs post-modern, is a self evident truth that requires no explanation.
Posted by: gottlieb | Feb 26 2021 19:04 utc | 28
@18 karlof1
Certainly inclined to agree with you that Biden was pressured and/or left out of the process.
However, it seems as this is his default position within his role as POTUS anyway.
...
I can easily surmise through deductive reasoning, let alone my own eyes, that there is a fundamental difference between this POTUS and the last: DJT has a nationalist rudder. Biden is clearly rudderless.
Posted by: NemesisCalling | Feb 26 2021 19:10 utc | 29
Early in April 2018 Trump announced his intention to remove all US military from Syria. CentCom held a press conference in response, claiming that US personnel were still needed for the "fight against ISIS". Reuters reported: "The big hurdle, in the U.S. military’s view, is seizing Islamic State-held territory around the Syrian town of Abu Kamal." Obviously the alleged ISIS militants are long-gone, but the attention to that area remains. It does seem to reflect a desire to break up contiguity and control transportation corridors.
Interesting, looking back to that period of time: Trump made his announcement, the Pentagon pushed back against it, shortly thereafter a "chemical weapons attack" blamed on Assad occurred, and the withdrawal concept stalled. A couple of weeks later Trump pulled out of JCPOA. Speculation that some sort of false flag event or atrocity will soon occur is reasonable as it would be consistent with past practice.
Posted by: jayc | Feb 26 2021 19:25 utc | 30
The Tanker (Haaretz photo) or car carrying ship with links to Israel, would make a good False flag.
Enter on scene the Israelis?
Posted by: Stonebird | Feb 26 2021 19:39 utc | 32
Posted by: karlof1 | Feb 26 2021 18:58 utc | 26
You got the main part, northern Afghanistan as a platform plus narcotics trade. Info field is saturated, Zakharova had a briefing today.
Something that gave me a smile, the public polling for a monument in Lyubyanka Square, facing the old KGB building. It started by proponents for old Felix to go back to where he was, a very symbolic return it would have been. But it was not to be a "yes or no" question, a choice was proposed by a historic figure, Aleksandr Nevski, clearly dividing the vote. The poll was tight to start with but slowly Nevski condemned Felix to remain exiled in the not to far away from Lubyanka Square, the open air sculptures museum Muzeon. 300K muscovites voted, a good percentage in a couple of days, and the difference was no bigger than five points, for central Moscow where the beaumonde and liberalniki inhabit it is a surprising tally. End of story? Sabianin, Moscow’s mayor announced, cancelled, the square stays at it is.
Posted by: Paco | Feb 26 2021 19:46 utc | 33
Orwellian language may be close but of course we have "Admiral" kirby as defense spokesman, what can we expect.
Kirby was the useful (maybe useless) idiot at state with obummer admin charade; his "defenses" of the obummer policy frauds inspired hilarity; a AP correspondent, name not recalled, frequently hoisted him on his kabuki theater explanations.
Posted by: Thomas Minnehan | Feb 26 2021 19:53 utc | 34
"The 'mystery' blast appears similar to prior limpet mine attacks in the Persian Gulf..."
There were no limpet mine attacks in the Gulf. The "limpet mine attacks" were false flags done by the US. A US drone was over those ships and fired Hellfire missiles at the ships, putting holes in them. Then we blamed Iranian limpet mines. We also stuck a fake mine on the hulls of one of the ships.
Problem? Limpet mines only work when they are underwater. They won't work if they are placed above the hull.
The mine removed by the Iranian rescue ship was removed in violation of all safety protocol. Apprently they didn't think it was real.
Crewmen aboard the ships said that the "limpet mines" that hit the ships were "flying objects." Mines don't fly. Hellfire missiles do.
There was a US drone right above one ship at the time of the attack. The Iranians fired a missile at this drone right around the time of the attack, probably in response to the missiles shot at the ship.
The damage on the ship doesn't look like limpet mine damage or damage from any other mine, which is always below the hull anyway. The only thing it resembles is a video of damage to a US ship attacked with Hellfire missiles as part of a US training exercise.
Russia commented that a US drone was over one of the ships at the time it was attacked. This is obviously a reference to the US false flag.
Iran denied the attacks.
Later, an apparent limpet mine was found below the hull of an Iraqi cargo ship. No one knows how it got there. It didn't blow up and was removed.
Posted by: Robert Lindsay | Feb 26 2021 19:55 utc | 35
"this attack is a possible sign that "ISIS 2.0" is being built up and readied for release on the already shaky governments in lebanon, iraq and syria."
Western, Israeli, Turkish, Saudi, and UAE intelligence recently met with ISIS leadership and agreed to a plan whereby ISIS would resume attacks against the Syrian government with the support of the above countries. It was written up on Russia Today. Not aware that the US, etc. is involved in supporting ISIS in Iraq lately. ISIS barely has any presence in Lebanon.
Anyone ever notice why ISIS never attacks Israel?!
Posted by: Robert Lindsay | Feb 26 2021 19:59 utc | 36
expanding on @22
"Question: What do you think about last night’s US air strikes on the pro-Iranian formations in eastern Syria near the border with Iraq? Did the Americans inform Moscow about this through military channels? How will this affect the situation in the region and cooperation with the new US administration on Syria?Sergey Lavrov: Our military were notified of this four or five minutes before the strike. Even if we talk about de-conflicting, which is customary in relations between Russian and US military personnel, this kind of notification, when a strike is literally in the process of happening, doesn’t do much.
This concerns the military side of the matter. But in no case should it be considered in isolation from the fact that the United States’ presence in Syria is illegal and breaks every norm of international law, including the UN Security Council resolutions on the Syrian settlement."
https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/4601052
Posted by: powerandpeople | Feb 26 2021 20:00 utc | 37
"And don't forget USA's dire warnings that Iran is harboring al Queda."
Yes, I really do not think there is anything to those rumors, but I am not certain.
"That is a card that will almost certainly be played in the near future. This year is the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks."
Could be. Yes, intelligence agencies and even the Pentagon like to stage attacks on sneaky anniversaries of this or that. That's part of the dirty game they play. Intelligence agencies the world over probably do the same thing. That's the "creepy" almost Occult-like aspect to intelligence agency behavior. It's designed to psych out the opposition and just to be sneaky and devious.
Posted by: Robert Lindsay | Feb 26 2021 20:03 utc | 38
. "So you really think the votes will be fairly counted at the midterms?"
Of course they won't. The Republicans have access to the ESS voting machines and they have been hacking them and stealing elections since 2002. This last time was the worst ever. And not one news agency will report on this
Posted by: Robert Lindsay | Feb 26 2021 20:06 utc | 39
@ powerandpeople | Feb 26 2021 20:00 utc | 37 with the recent Lavrov quote
Thanks for that. I think the next stage in escalation is for Syria to turn on the air defense systems and declare a no-fly zone.
I asked in a previous comment for status of the Syria air defense situation and have seen anything yet. Are there still pockets of uncovered territory?
Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 26 2021 20:09 utc | 40
Robert Lindsay @Feb26 20:03 #38
Yes, I really do not think there is anything to those rumors ...
I'm also suspicious about the claim that a senior al Queda leader was assassinated in Iran.
To clarify: the concern that I'm expressing is that Iran's supposed but nonsensical support for al Queda sets Iran up to be accused of being responsible for a possible false-flag terrorist attack that is attributed to al Queda or a group that claims to be affiliated with al Queda.
!!
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Feb 26 2021 20:11 utc | 41
jackrabbit.. i guess it goes into the question of just how stupid the average american is... are they stupid enough to believe all this bullshit and lies they read regularly in the msm??? i am uncertain on the answer here... this iran support for al qaeda being one more bullshit talking point put out regularly... i liked the joke about the usa being in afganistan to help the women.. that was a pretty good joke too, until i realized some poster at moa actually believed that!
Posted by: james | Feb 26 2021 20:17 utc | 42
Robert Lindsay @Feb26 19:55 #35
There were no limpet mine attacks in the Gulf. The "limpet mine attacks" were false flags done by the US.
I have a similar understanding as you. The "limpet mine attacks" subheading was part of the ZH article that I linked to. I included the subheading only because it referred back to the prior "mysterious" attacks in the Gulf.
!!
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Feb 26 2021 20:17 utc | 43
Good to see you agreed with my point of view expressed in the previous thread.
The US airstrikes have been a failure and counter-productive, attacking effectively Iraqi government forces, and only likely to provoke more attacks on US forces in Iraq.
The Israeli ship was a ro-ro ferry. It is likely to have been delivering weaponry, armoured vehicles, artillery, and maybe even nuclear weapons, to protect the new Israeli embassies in the Gulf. Even though the last port of call is said to have been Dammam. The Israeli embassies have real need of such deliveries, as they are likely to be in a state of virtual siege in the future, only the princes agreeing to the peace, under Trump's pressure.
Posted by: Laguerre | Feb 26 2021 20:18 utc | 44
The president of the CFR fully approves
Richard N. Haass
@RichardHaass
Most important (& welcome) aspects of US retaliatory strike vs Iranian-backed militia in Syria is it signals Iran that 1) US will not shy away from using military force when warranted & 2) Biden admin will not be deterred by its desire to reach agreement on nuclear issue.
The globalists are just letting everyone know they are back in town.
Posted by: Down South | Feb 26 2021 20:19 utc | 45
Paco @33--
Thanks for your reply and report on the Moscowvite vote. TASS has several news snippets about Zakharova's briefing, highlighting the "mired in lies" EU and "morally incapable" USA. France in particular was singled out this week. Patrick Armstrong's essay, "Lab Rats to the Front" dealing with the terrible state of NATO readiness and likely outcome of any conflict with Russia or China would be humorous and evoked memories of The Mouse that Roared. I also read that the Kyrgyz are getting "a shipment of S-300 missile systems and strike drones, which will become Russia’s important contribution to the security of both the Kyrgyz republic and the EAEU and CSTO outer borders." Joint CSTO and SCO anti-Terrorist cooperation continues to broaden and addressed very seriously, with an increase in snap readiness checks and drills occurring in the region. Also recall that Russia has a contingent of troops stationed there, two motorized brigades IIRC. The added air defense provides a hint at Russia's suspicions given Outlaw Empire air mobile operations involving its Terrorist Foreign Legion in Afghanistan.
As usual, media reports get the victims relations all wrong. The troops attacked by the Outlaw Empire are Iraqi, not "Iranian Militia" and directly invites an Iraqi response as b noted. IMO, Russia is having a very hard time telling Syria to be patient about the presence of Outlaw Empire troops--indeed, the entire situation which includes Idlib and the Turkish occupation--so something needs to give.
Joe Biden
@JoeBidenUnited States government official
Trump’s erratic, impulsive actions are the last thing we need as Commander-in-Chief. No president should order a military strike without fully understanding the consequences. We don’t need another war in the Middle East, but Trump’s actions toward Iran only make that more likely.
Posted by: Down South | Feb 26 2021 20:25 utc | 47
By the way, it's Kata'ib Hizbullah (the brigades of the Party of God). The singular is katiba.
Posted by: Laguerre | Feb 26 2021 20:28 utc | 48
Those troops are on the border there to protect against ISIS infiltration from Syria. Abu Kamal was liberated from ISIS by Soleimani a few years ago. There are 1,000 Iraqi Army forces there, PMF, yes, but PMF is just a division of the Iraqi Army. At least one Iraqi soldier was killed, a Sunni (!) member of the PMF. Apparently it's not really true that these are Shia militias in the army. They appear to have Christians, Sunnis, Shia, Yezidis, and Sabeans, although I am not sure in what numbers.
The PMF is pro-Iran but they do not take orders from Iran. They never did. They used to meet with Iran and Iran would offer them options of the types of attacks that Iran will sign off on. Iran probably gives them money and supplies them with weapons, though I do not know how that works now that they are part of the Iraqi Army.
None of the Resistance takes orders from Iran. Not the PMF, nor the Shia militias in Syria, nor Hezbollah, nor the Houthis. As I said, Iran offers them options of attacks they may choose. When they do stage an attack, Iranian advisors may well help. Iranian advisors helped the Houthis plan and carry out the attacks on the Aramco oil field in Saudi Arabia. There are also advisors embedded in the Houthi military forces. Iran sends the Houthi prototypes of Iranian missiles and drones and then the Houthi manufacture their own knock-off versions. They receive a lot of help for this from Hezbollah, who are also in Yemen. Hezbollah has a lot of expertise in rockets, missiles, and drones.
I have no idea who these shadowy Iraqi Shia resistance groups are that are carrying out these mortar attacks on US bases. These are illegal underground organizations and no one seems to know who they are. The Iraqi military is not interested in fighting them or even uncovering them. I am not sure of their relationship to the PMF.
The US says these guerrillas are simply the PMF in disguise, but I am not sure if that is true. The PMF generally claims all of its attacks. I am trying to find out more about these shadowy Shia formations right now, but it is hard to get good information. I'm certain that Iran is funding and supplying them with weapons, though all of Iraq is a giant weapons depot.
Point is that the US has never presented any evidence that the PMF is behind these attacks other than assertions.
Posted by: Robert Lindsay | Feb 26 2021 20:28 utc | 49
james @Feb26 20:17 #42
... are they stupid enough to believe all this bullshit and lies they read regularly in the msm?
Americans are more lazy than stupid. Their laziness makes them ignorant and easily led. They are easy prey for the kayfabe of partisan politics and controlled media.
The old Mad Magazine tagline, What Me Worry?, sums it up perfectly.
The lazyiness is mostly attributed to selfishness. They don't want to "waste time" understanding the world when they can use that time to make themselves happy instead.
Strangely, most Americans pride themselves are being moral and are distrustful of government/lying politicians. Yet they have mostly drunk the Kool-Aid.
!!
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Feb 26 2021 20:32 utc | 50
Elijah J. Magnier
@ejmalrai
·
18h
The 1st direct (sanctions r war declarations) act of war by
@JoeBiden
will shift the round of violence against #US forces to a much higher level. All that the resistance needed and Biden fell into it.
Posted by: Down South | Feb 26 2021 20:33 utc | 51
Of course I could well be wrong here, but I disagree with most everyone's offerings regarding this incident.
My take on it is that the recent attack in Syria is akin to episode of the 'Mother of All Bombs' 2017 stunt that Trump pulled on Afghanistan early in his term: sheer theater macabre.
Right now, Biden has other fish to fry -- specifically, the Covid situation. Put in another way, if Biden isn't perceived as dealing effectively with Covid, his ship is sunk. Thus in ordering the recent attack against Syria, my guess is that Biden was doing nothing more than placating the neocons and their patrons so he could tend to other matters which he and his entourage perceive to be of greater domestic political importance.
I wouldn't expect truly serious belligerence on Biden's part to occur until the curtain is drawn on the Covid melodrama.
Posted by: elephant | Feb 26 2021 20:44 utc | 52
Posted by: Robert Lindsay | Feb 26 2021 20:28 utc | 49
The Iraqi government militias are not multi-confessional. It would be nice if they were. It would solve a lot of problems if they were. But they are resolutely Shi'a. The problem of treating the Sunnis like a defeated people is one of the great sources of instability in Iraq, and why I read every week of a new attack by Da'ish in the region.
Posted by: Laguerre | Feb 26 2021 20:50 utc | 53
Robert Lindsay @35: "Problem? Limpet mines only work when they are underwater. They won't work if they are placed above the hull."
I think you mean "...above the waterline...", but otherwise correct. Furthermore, limpet mines are typically "installed" by divers, and tend to be somewhat heavy. Placing the limpet mine above the waterline involves the diver lifting the heavy device out of the water while the diver treads water... quite the superhuman feat.
"The mine removed by the Iranian rescue ship was removed in violation of all safety protocol. Apprently they didn't think it was real."
The magnets used to attach real limpet mines to ship hulls require hundreds of kg of force to remove. They must be pried away with levers. Again, something of a superhuman feat for one guy. While the video that I saw in which the mine was supposedly removed by Iranian coast guard personnel showed a small boat with too many people on it, it appeared that only one person on that boat has handling the thing that looked like it could be a limpet mine. Much more likely is that the object was just a regular marine magnet (they have built-in levers for detaching them from ship's hulls) being used to tie off the launch to the side of the ship while the ship's crew was rescued.
I am in agreement. There was no limpet mine.
Posted by: William Gruff | Feb 26 2021 20:58 utc | 54
B wrote :
It is the resistance that has escalation dominance in the Middle East. It can control the pace of further steps up the escalation ladder. It is willing to step up higher than the U.S. It knows how to use that ability.
I disagree with this assessment. If the resistance held the advantage of escalation dominance, there wouldn't be any sign of occupation anywhere in the middle east. The mere use of the term "resistance" is in fact an admission of where lies the balance power.
Posted by: robin | Feb 26 2021 20:58 utc | 55
@jackrabbit
"Strangely, most Americans pride themselves are being moral and are distrustful of government/lying politicians. Yet they have mostly drunk the Kool-Aid."
Bravo (as I clap like Orsen Wells)
Posted by: Dogon Priest | Feb 26 2021 21:00 utc | 56
Posted by: elephant | Feb 26 2021 20:44 utc | 52
I too am sure it won't lead to anything too much other other than renewed militia bombardments of US bases in Iraq. It was an uncomprehending mistake, attacking those who are supposed to be allies.
Posted by: Laguerre | Feb 26 2021 21:02 utc | 57
casey @31--
Russia has many options, not all operable. IMO, its main focus is in keeping the Outlaw Empire's Terrorist Foreign Legion out of CSTO & SCO member states and thus out of Russia. Read my reply to Paco @46. I think it very likely Russia will test the Outlaw Empire's newly appointed UN Ambassador at the UNSC with Lavrov's accusation, which will likely be backed by some facts since Russia doesn't make fact-free accusations. I think it worthy to read all of what Lavrov had to say about Russia's dealings with Afghanistan I linked @26. Recall Afghanistan's an SCO member at the observer level. IMO, Russia and SCO nations are doing far more than the Outlaw Empire and NATO in trying to promote Afghan social and civic development. Pakistan's also working with Russia as Khan tries to correct Pakistan's relations with Pashtuns. So, there's a great deal going on. On the ASEAN front, the Outlaw Empire is now targeting Malaysia with its usual crap about democracy and human rights. Now we await news of developments in South America.
Laguerre @Feb26 21:02 #57
... won't lead to anything too much other other than renewed militia bombardments of US bases in Iraq. It was an uncomprehending mistake ...
If renewed militia bombardments and "mysterious attacks on shipping" cause more US and NATO troops to be sent to the region then those that seek such an increased military presence (what could go wrong?) will see this attack as a success.
!!
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Feb 26 2021 21:17 utc | 59
karlof1 @Feb26 21:08 #58
Now we await news of developments in South America.
This is an insightful comment.
Western populations are fed a rotating feast of world problems: Taiwan! Middle-East! Russia! Venezuela! China Virus! ...
!!
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Feb 26 2021 21:23 utc | 60
I bet Joe was surprised when he heard he'd bombed Syria.
Posted by: passerby | Feb 26 2021 21:27 utc | 61
"The last attack on U.S. units in Iraq happened on February 15 against a U.S. position in Erbil, Iraq. Some three small rockets were fired by an unknown group of provocateurs."
Do you think the Erbil attack could've been a false flag op? To create a pretext for the new, still virgin, administration to pop the cherry and "send an unambiguous message"?
Posted by: Mao Cheng Ji | Feb 26 2021 21:30 utc | 62
It's not actually that difficult to understand the situation in Iraq. The present regime is Shi'a, the majority population, and having been treated as a minority in the past, are not ready to share power with the Sunnis today. That's why there are continuing Da'ish revolts in the north today.
The regime depends much on militias for their military activity, like the conquest of the north. Their loyalty and control is limited. That is what is happening here. The US bombs Iraqi militias, thinking they are not dependent on Baghdad, but they are.
Posted by: Laguerre | Feb 26 2021 21:36 utc | 63
Some photos of "blast" internally on israeli Helios Ray; does not appear to be "huge." Also one photo of a shack destroyed by biden's "defensive" bombing.
(In russian,needs machine translation of descriptive phrases)
https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/6586355.html
Posted by: Thomas Minnehan | Feb 26 2021 21:49 utc | 64
[email protected] bookending the patrick lawrence is smoothie's newest post. living on the west coast as do you, i found the map of interest...perhaps old news but suddenly very real. speaking of maps, pepe's post today has a brilliant map. thank you for your links. much appreciated.
Posted by: emersonreturn | Feb 26 2021 21:54 utc | 65
More militia bombardments of US bases is what to expect. Was this a provocation to justify a new US military occupation of Iraq? I find that difficult to believe. once was a disaster.
Posted by: Laguerre | Feb 26 2021 21:55 utc | 66
@Laguerre 63 "The present regime is Shi'a, the majority population, and having been treated as a minority in the past, are not ready to share power with the Sunnis today. That's why there are continuing Da'ish revolts in the north today."
With all due respect, essentializing denominational differences seems like the worst approach to analyzing this sort of things. Any sort of things, really.
Denominational or ethnic differences create the opportunity to divide, but they hardly ever constitute the underlying cause.
Posted by: Mao Cheng Ji | Feb 26 2021 22:25 utc | 67
Posted by: Mao Cheng Ji | Feb 26 2021 22:25 utc | 67
Unfortunately that is the way they view themselves.
Posted by: Laguerre | Feb 26 2021 22:28 utc | 68
ust happened to be watching some Fox and they are carrying the Conservative Political Action Conference and if it weren't already numb, my head would have exploded. I just heard a republican senator tell the believers that the people had to take the country back from the oligarchs and break up big business.
we have come full circle, the democrats made the decision to be more republican so they could get corporate money. the republicans moved farther to the right because they didn't want to be perceived as lefties. The democrats have taken the republican's place completely now so the Trump faction's decision to identify with working people is the logical next step.
what is interesting to me is how easy it is to get these supposed conservatives, who tell you that the business of the government is business, to cheer for some senator who claims to come from rural Missouri working class and grab their pitchforks to go after rich people.
or is this just another episode of the Twilight Zone?
Posted by: dan of steele | Feb 26 2021 22:29 utc | 69
Wind Hippo #17
It's "complicated", not "complicate".I only mention this because you write this word in almost all of your posts, yet aren't writing it correctly.
You might consider the possibility that this is b's uncomplicate way of annoying you.
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Feb 26 2021 22:30 utc | 70
@ 50 jackrabbit... thanks... i don't believe canucks are any different for the record... but most everything when it comes to war and money seem to be run thru the usa- uk for the most part, with poodles in tow... i guess the shit has to get way worse before it ever gets better.. only then will people not keep thinking the usa is some friggin bastion of a shining light on the hill, lol....
Posted by: james | Feb 26 2021 22:36 utc | 71
Posted by: dan of steele | Feb 26 2021 22:29 utc | 69
That is precisely populism, the elite pretending to be for the "people", but actually doing what they always do.
Posted by: Laguerre | Feb 26 2021 22:42 utc | 72
Castellio | Feb 26 2021 17:03 utc | 9
I know what you are implying. We have known about election fraud for a very long time. There was a lot of talk about Diebold and their electronic voting machines when the Shrub was selected. It quietly went away. I suspect there is a tacit agreement between the two parties to leave them in play and whoever is able to steal is given a hat tip and a silent "well done" from the losing party.
my own take on this last mess is that the Republicans thought they had the election sewn up and failed to make sure in a few places where the Dems might have tipped the balance. being the sore losers they are there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Posted by: dan of steele | Feb 26 2021 22:45 utc | 73
B,
couple of questions:
1. You address Biden as someone in command? Do you think he is in command?
2. You have very informative analysis about politics but politics is deeply connected with economics. Why you as far as my reading here goes, have never made this connection in your analysis. Can you write some day and make that connection?
Posted by: RS | Feb 26 2021 22:55 utc | 74
Attacking a vessel of the scale of Helios Ray is a big blow to its journey profitability. These vessels carry immense vehicle volumes from cars to large trucks and plant. The loading/unloading is a detailed materials management exercise and if it misses a port on its multi-port journey it will be delayed at every subsequent port.
This is the Helios Ray - it is immense.
Here is a long boring video of the materials management side but the first few minutes of dialogue is enough to give you the picture. Essentially if the last vehicles on cannot be unloaded in the designed order, then the potential to shuffle the fully loaded vessel's freight is almost zero and delays at subsequent ports escalate costs dramatically.
Interrupting this form of maritime traffic is mighty bad news for the richest man in Israel.
Something as simple as a drone with a firecracker++ could force the turnaround and the entire journey profit could be lost.
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Feb 26 2021 23:00 utc | 75
spudski.. the poodle status is embarrassing, but true... i think at one time some canucks had some backbone, but they have disappeared from the political ranks..
Posted by: james | Feb 26 2021 23:06 utc | 77
dan of steele #69
I just heard a republican senator tell the believers that the people had to take the country back from the oligarchs and break up big business.
Obviously he has read THE EMPIRE OF "The City"
Big thank you to the original poster who led me to this book. Every one should read this at high school and THEN read Howard Zinn. The USA would be a better place for people to care for each other if that were the curriculum.
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Feb 26 2021 23:10 utc | 78
Biden Says US Airstrikes in Syria Are Telling Iran 'You Can't Act With Impunity, Be Careful'
Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia:
Biden Won’t Penalize Saudi Crown Prince Over Khashoggi’s Killing, Fearing Relations Breach
One word: Petrodollar.
Seven 500lbs (not kg) guided bomb is a Fakebombing for Fakenews. Not military useful.
As said Pompeous [LOL] "I hope it just wasn't bombs in the desert. I hope it really went after something that threatened the United States of America. If not, it's useless."
When It's not about military target, probably domestic politics cooking:
“The operation sends a clear message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel.”
And
"President Biden ordered retaliatory strikes against the militias whose attacks in Erbil this month killed one civilian contractor and wounded a U.S. service membre"
And thanks to the great leader:
"The Pentagon offered up larger groups of targets but Mr. Biden approved a less aggressive option,"
WHAOU, what's a better Commander in Chief than Orange Man Bad.
Kabuki....
Posted by: Bernard F. | Feb 26 2021 23:30 utc | 81
Robert Lindsay | Feb 26 2021 20:28 utc | 49
"...nor the Shia militias in Syria, nor Hezbollah..."
who are those Shia militias?
Posted by: tucenz | Feb 26 2021 23:38 utc | 82
uncle tungsten @78--
Grieved posted it, then I did, and so forth. I just finished posting the links to George Vernadsky's multi-volume history of Russia on the open thread.
emersonreturns @65--
Thanks for the tip on Smoothie's latest. Lawrence linked to several in his essay at Strategic-Culture relative to NATO's lack of combat readiness and such.
[email protected], yes, i enjoy patrick lawrence very much. his reporting is reliably clear & steady. in times such as these it's difficult to always remain balanced.
Posted by: emersonreturn | Feb 26 2021 23:52 utc | 84
tucenz | Feb 26 2021 23:38 utc | 82
I believe that there are some Afghan Shia militias fighting in Syria for Assad. They are run by Iran. I'm not sure if any of the Iraqi Shia militias are over there or not.
Posted by: Robert Lindsay | Feb 26 2021 23:57 utc | 85
I just found out who the Iraqi Shia resistance groups who are attacking our bases are. Bottom line: they're not the PMF itself. The PMF is part of the Iraqi government and neither they nor the Iraqi state wants to attack US targets. So attacking those PMF divisions of the Iraqi Army is completely uncalled for. They're not behind the attacks. Furthermore, there are no Iranian militias or even Iranian-backed militias. The militias are gone. They're all just divisions of the Iraqi Army now and they take orders from Baghdad.
They don't take orders from Iran, nor do they receive supplies or funding from Iran. Even back when they were militias, they did not take orders from Iran. None of those groups - Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, PMF, Houthis - take orders from Iran. They meet with Iran and Iran may offer them a list of potential targets, and then the groups get to choose which attacks they want to do. In the case of the Houthis, the Iranians do have advisors embedded in the Houthi Army. They also help the Houthis plan and carry out some of their missile and drone attacks. Iran helped to plan and carry out the Houthi attack on the Aramco facility in Saudi Arabia.
Iran supplies Hezbollah and Hamas and Islamic Jihad with weaponry and probably money. They supply the Houthis with prototypes of missiles and drones that the Houthis then modify to manufacture their own models. Hezbollah helps the Houthis build these missiles and drones because they have a lot of expertise. For the same reason, Hezbollah helps Hamas and Islamic Jihad build missiles, rockets, and mortars in factories deep underground in Gaza. They're so far underground that Israel can't get at them.
Posted by: Robert Lindsay | Feb 27 2021 0:06 utc | 86
The narrative is that the US is being taught a lesson. That Iran is out witting the US. And that the US will be punished for its ignorant and immoral behavior. That is what you are supposed to believe. Unfortanately we have a flaw in our design - we see what we want to see and believe what we prefer to belive.
The US is not a sentient being - it has no morality nor intelligence nor memory. The US is a machine. A poorly designed machine. It destroys things. The owners use this feature for profit. When this machine falters they will find another.
And no the american people do not care. They are animals serving the master that feeds them.
If we would wish to make something better we need to stop pretending that the thing is other than what it is.
Posted by: jared | Feb 27 2021 0:09 utc | 87
"Lavrov: Russia Has Information that US Plans to Stay in Syria Forever, Destroy the Country."
Aside from leaked documents and observed behavior, what other evidence might Russia have to verify its grave assertion, which amounts to Genocide? Is it meant to bee return volley relative to Skripal and Navalny factless assertions, or is it meant to force the Outlaw Empire to actually think about its actions? Or is it something else?
dan of steele #69
"I just heard a republican senator tell the believers that the people had to take the country back from the oligarchs and break up big business."
They were saying the same at the end of the 19th century. The FED was created. It hasnt gone well.
There is this concept that civilization "advances" and maybe it does sometimes. But also it goes in circles a lot. We are doomed to keep reliving our past.
Posted by: jared | Feb 27 2021 0:17 utc | 89
dan of steele | Feb 26 2021 22:45 utc | 73
The Republicans have been using voting machines to steal elections since 2002. Apparently they have access to the software in the ESS machines somehow. And it looks like ESS is in on it. Diebold was in on it in the past. All the voting machine companies are run by radical rightwing Republicans. The plot started with Karl Rove and Jack Abraham's HAVA or Help America Vote Act in 2002.
Our elections haven't been right ever since. This is an operation being run by Karl Rove. Rove is on record as telling a woman that when it is within 3%, we can steal the election, but when it is more than that, we can't because it looks too bad. But in this last election they tried to steal elections where they were 8-10 points down, so I guess they're even chucked that courtesy.
The voting machine companies are in on it too, in particular ESS. They are owned by members of the Bush and Romney families, so it looks like the Bushes and Romneys are in on the election theft. McDonnell at least knows about. Trump stole the election in 2016 with machines. Same with Bush in the 2004 election. I do not think the Republicans have access to the Dominion machines anymore now that they have been sold. That's why Georgia elections are pretty fair.
Look up a book called Red Shift. It documents the whole plot.
No one believes it. People I know have been screaming at the major media and the Democratic Party for years about this but no one will touch it with a 10 foot pole. It's "conspiracy theory." Also these clowns say, "It will cause Americans to lose faith in our democracy."
A lot of those Republican state governments were stolen in the same way. Now they are so gerrymandered that the Democrats can't possibly win.
The "massive poll and exit poll failures" only started in 2002 with the placement of voting machines in our elections. Before that they were on the money. Aggregate polls and exit polls are never off in any fair election. When the results don't match the aggregate polls and exit polls, it's always due to fraud.
The Democrats are insane. They are willing to let the Republicans completely destroy the country and even our democracy so "Americans won't lose faith in our democracy." Idiots!
Posted by: Robert Lindsay | Feb 27 2021 0:18 utc | 90
Laguerre | Feb 26 2021 20:50 utc | 53
The Iraqi government militias are not multi-confessional. It would be nice if they were. It would solve a lot of problems if they were. But they are resolutely Shi'a.
The PMF are part of the Iraqi Army. The first casualty of this bombing was a Sunni member of the PMF. I have a source that is very close to the government in Baghdad. He tells me that the PMF includes Sunni, Shia, Christian, Yezidis, and Sabeans. I am not sure what the percentages of those other groups are though. Perhaps they are majority-Shia.
Posted by: Robert Lindsay | Feb 27 2021 0:22 utc | 91
@ 88 karlof1... i think the russians are just looking at what the usa is doing on the ground... this overview is from sept 11 2018, but gives a good idea / overview..
COMPLETE LIST OF US MILITARY BASES IN SYRIA
Posted by: james | Feb 27 2021 0:30 utc | 92
here is an update to that list from july 29 2019 EXCLUSIVE: NEW US BASES IN SYRIA
Posted by: james | Feb 27 2021 0:33 utc | 93
Grieved and karlof1 #83 Thank you both.
On the illegal USAi war crime of bombing Iraq forces that are currently fighting ISIS:
I just took a peek at a South Front video that reeked of taking the US spin of the attack.
That pro USAi spin might have been just poor reporting but this is a narrated text carefully crafted that unquestioningly reiterates the "Iraq forces directed by Iran" line as applied to the PMU. It reeks of thinly disguised western propaganda. It adds material at the end regarding the JCPOA issue that is really poorly written and that tends to obscure its immediate report but more importantly drives the link to Iran as if this is behind the attacks on US forces.
This junk news presentation is not clear reporting. Message to South Front: Hire an experienced journalist or forget it.
I do not think it accidental and is yet another reason I rarely ever check in at south front. Its vague subject management becomes a not too subtle supporter of the USAi message.
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Feb 27 2021 0:48 utc | 94
There is the interesting fact of the S-300 that did not bark:
The Alt-Media Community rose in unison to condemn this attack but many of its members are suspiciously silent about the S-300s’ no-show despite passionately promoting them over the past few years as the solution to defending the Arab Republic from foreign attacks such as this most recent one...Russia’s reluctance to let the SAA operate the S-300s to defend its partners from American and “Israeli” attacks has resulted in Moscow passively facilitating those strikes against them. Everyone must now make their positions clear about whether they believe that Russia has the right to deny Syria the S-300s “for its own good” to avoid a larger escalation or if Syria should have the sovereign right to decide for itself if and when to use them.
A. Korybko, Biden’s Latest Strike on Syria. The S-300 No-Show. The Russia-Israel De Facto Alliance?
Anyone want to venture an opinion as to why the Russians, despite Lavrov's tougher talk, refust to let the Syrians use the S-300s?
Posted by: john brewster | Feb 27 2021 0:52 utc | 95
uncle tungsten | Feb 27 2021 0:48 utc | 94
That pro USAi spin might have been just poor reporting but this is a narrated text carefully crafted that unquestioningly reiterates the "Iraq forces directed by Iran" line as applied to the PMU.
Yes, the PMU is absolutely not directed by Iran in any way, shape, or form. As far as what their actual relationship is with Iran, I am not entirely sure. They are allied with Iran. Those are pro-Iranian divisions of the Iraqi Army, but they take orders from Baghdad, not Tehran.
Posted by: Robert Lindsay | Feb 27 2021 1:01 utc | 96
I haven't had time to read all the responses to this post, so my apologies if this has already been said...
This reminds of when trump bombed the same Iraqi forces operating in the same Syrian border area and then subsequently killed Souliemani when the Iraqis had the nerve to protest in front of the US Embassy in response to the murder of a foreign Diplomat trying to visit their country.
We will see if Biden has anybody murdered if the Iraqis dare to again show their displeasure.
Posted by: jinn | Feb 27 2021 1:02 utc | 97
Robert Lindsay @ 90 wrote:
The Republicans have been using voting machines to steal elections since 2002. Apparently they have access to the software in the ESS machines somehow. And it looks like ESS is in on it. Diebold was in on it in the past. All the voting machine companies are run by radical rightwing Republicans.
___________________________________________________
Yes but notice how those systems you name are not the voting systems being complained about in the recent kerfuffle about election fraud .
The ones being complained about by trump are quite fraud-proof. The fact that the US system is subject to fraudulent voting systems and yet the systems that are being pointed at by trump are pretty easy to prove as not fraudulent makes it look like the current kerfuffle is a false flag operation designed
to convince voters there is no fraud in the system when, in fact, there really is.
Of course there are those voters who look at the facts and find no fraud in the facts that are presented to them and there are other people who are adverse to looking at facts and they find fraud whether there is any or not.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Democrats are insane. They are willing to let the Republicans completely destroy the country and even our democracy
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Yeah either insane or (which is far more likely) in on the action.
Either way both sets of people are being kept in the dark.
Posted by: jinn | Feb 27 2021 1:24 utc | 98
john brewster @Feb27 0:52 #95
Anyone want to venture an opinion as to why the Russians, despite Lavrov's tougher talk, refust to let the Syrians use the S-300s?
Maybe they have already communicated to US and Israel when S300 would be used? Example: an attack that threatens Syrian government control of the country. To use S300 otherwise might invite a massive response against Syria and Russia would look weak if it stood by as its ally was attacked. A WWIII scenario that is to be avoided.
Note: Syria has other AA that they have previously fired at Israeli warplanes. So they are not defenseless and not unwilling to engage.
!!
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Feb 27 2021 1:34 utc | 99
Biden says he targeted Iranians when he targeted Iraqis.
Too many enigmas, a few for each side. Soon we'll be nearing the end of May and Biden will still be stuck in the mud as Iran's clock runs out. What will he do then?
The comments to this entry are closed.
The last time we heard about Iran's escalation dominance there were a series of mysterious attacks blamed on Iran that culminated in a set-up whereby Iran was apparently meant to down an American P8 (aircraft used for surveillance). But the Iranians downed a drone that was flying with the P8 instead.
Now we have a US attack on infrastructure that (we are told) is meant to "deescalate"... (an Orwellian formulation) ...
... and this: Merchant Vessel Hit By Explosion In Gulf Of Oman, Report Says
<> <> <> <> <>
And don't forget USA's dire warnings that Iran is harboring al Queda. That is a card that will almost certainly be played in the near future. This year is the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks.
!!
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Feb 26 2021 16:21 utc | 1