February 17, 2015

Obama Destroyed Libya

By Ted Rall

What he did to Libya is as bad as what Bush did to Iraq and Afghanistan. Continue

‘Islamic State’ Mystery:
The Anti-history of a Historic Phenomenon

By Ramzy Baroud

Thanks to IS’ despicable act of burning the pilot, Jordan is no longer polarised about their country’s war in Syria. Egypt is following the same path of intervention, thanks to the butchering of the Egyptian workers. Continue

Why Can’t Media Describe Chapel Hill Murders As Terrorism?

By Rania Khalek

Deah Barakat’s sister, Suzanne, revealed that police had yet to interview her family members, adding that it was “insulting, insensitive and outrageous” to blame the triple homicide on a parking dispute, especially since “on the day of the murders, the parking spot that was ‘disputed’ had no car in it.” Continue

10 Hours of Walking in Paris as a Jew

Video

What's the real agenda behind the rash of recent 'walking while' YouTube videos causing contrived offense and outrage? Continue

No Time for Games in Europe: Greek Finance Minister

By YANIS VAROUFAKIS

We are also determined not to be treated as a debt colony that should suffer what it must. Continue

By The People, For The People?

By Peter Radford

We here in America could do worse than listen to Yanis Varoufakis on the notions of what a representative government is supposed to do. Notably represent. Continue

Russian Researchers Expose Breakthrough U.S. Spying Program

By Joseph Menn

The U.S. National Security Agency has figured out how to hide spying software deep within hard drives made by Western Digital, Seagate, Toshiba and other top manufacturers, giving the agency the means to eavesdrop on the majority of the world's computers. Continue

In Whose America?
Machine Guns, MRAPs, Surveillance, Drones, Permanent War, and a Permanent Election Campaign

By Tom Engelhardt

Washington helps lay the groundwork for a new more extreme century in which, from sovereignty to privacy, boundaries are there to be broken. Continue

Extinct—Extincter—Extinctest

By Dmitry Orlov

The USA is best characterized as a decomposing corpse of a nation lorded over by a tiny clique of oligarchs who control the herd by wielding Orwellian methods of mind control. Continue

The True History of the Origins of Police
Protecting and Serving the Masters of Society

By Sam Mitriani

The police were not created to protect and serve the population. Continue

Iraq: isis Militants 'burn 45 people to death' in Al-Baghdadi: Colonel Qasim al-Obeidi told BBC News that he believed some of those killed were members of the security forces, as details on the victims and why they were targeted remains unclear.

27 ISIL Terrorists Killed in Baghdad: Report: The Iraqi troops gained the upper hand over the ISIL in Northern Baghdad, and managed to liberate the areas of al-Hawra, al-Buhairat and Tal-Tasa from the control of the terrorist group.

7 ISIL members killed in eastern Tikrit: “The operation resulted in killing 7 terrorists affiliated to the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant and seizing missile launcher platform prepared to launch missiles against Speicher Camp.”

Hizbollah is fighting ISIL in Iraq, Nasrallah reveals: “We may not have spoken about Iraq before, but we have a limited presence because of the sensitive phase that Iraq is going through,” Mr Nasrallah said in reference to ongoing clashes between Iraqi troops, several militias and Kurdish forces against ISIL.

Obama To Allow "Moderate" Syrian Rebels Call In B-1B Bombers For Air Support: The White House has decided to provide pickup trucks equipped with mounted machine guns and radios for calling in U.S. airstrikes to some moderate Syrian rebels aided by American B-1B bombers!

Syria troops capture villages near Aleppo in surprise attack: Syrian government forces backed by Lebanese Hezbollah fighters captured several villages near Aleppo in heavy fighting Tuesday that left more than 100 dead on both sides, bringing them closer to their goal of besieging rebel-held neighborhoods in the country's largest city, activists said.

Islamic State wants ground troops battle needed to fulfill apocalyptic prophecy: The Islamic State group is hoping that continued chaos in Iraq and Syria will bring forth non-Muslim ground troops needed to fulfill an apocalyptic prophecy. A recent issue of the terror group’s magazine Dabiq told the Islamic State group to prepare for the “the Great Battle” to occur at the Syrian city that shares the publication’s name.

UN says Syria willing to suspend Aleppo air strikes for six weeks: The United Nations Syria mediator told the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday that the Syrian government was willing to suspend its aerial bombardment of the northern city of Aleppo to allow a local ceasefire to be piloted, diplomats said.

Yemen colonel, bodyguard gunned down: Suspected Al-Qaeda gunmen killed a senior police officer and his bodyguard on Tuesday in Yemen’s southeastern province of Hadramawt, a stronghold of the extremist network, a security official said.

Report: Netanyahu may have leaked US secrets to hurt Iran negotiations: US officials believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized his government to release secret details of the US nuclear negotiations with Iran to the Israeli press, according to Washington Post columnist David Ignatius.

Israeli auditor criticizes Netanyahu over use of state funds: A report by Israel's state auditor found on Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had improperly used state funds for his family, firing up center-left opponents before a parliamentary election next month.

UK Protestors Shut Down Israeli-Owned Drone Manufacturer: Pro-Palestinian activists have shut down an Israeli-owned arms factory in the UK, protesting against the company’s manufacturing of drones, which demonstrators say were used by Israeli forces in last year’s military offensive in Gaza.

Afghan, Pakistan Taliban kill 28 in attacks on provincial police HQs: Four suicide attackers stormed a provincial police headquarters in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, killing 22 police in an attack claimed by the Taliban.

26 killed as blasts, gunfight shake Nigeria's Biu: Multiple bombings and a gun battle involving suspected Boko Haram militants have reportedly left 26 people dead in the town of Biu in Nigeria's northeastern Borno State on Tuesday, witnesses said.

7 Civilians killed as Egypt launches air strikes in Libya: At least seven civilians killed in northeast Libya as Cairo vows to "punish" ISIL for beheading 21 Egyptian Christians. Omar al-Hassi, the head of Libya's legally installed government in Tripoli, called the Egyptian raids "terrorism" and denounced them as a "sinful aggression".

Libya: More Egyptians being kidnapped: There are reports that at least 35 Egyptians have been kidnapped in what appears to be a round-up at various locations in areas controlled by Ansar Al-Sharia and IS.

Tripoli-backed fighters sent to Sirte to confront ISIL: Libya's "legally" installed government has sent fighters to confront the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the northern city of Sirte. The Tripoli-based government deployed Misrata's 166 battalion, backed by rebels, to tackle ISIL in Sirte.

ISIS parade their fleet of brand new 'police cars' in front of cheering children: The video shows fleet of Toyota pickup trucks carrying Islamic State flags. Men, women and children cheer as the cars drive through city of Benghazi

Unknown aircraft attacks Libyan airport: An unknown warplane attacked a civilian airport in Al-Zantan city which is controlled by the Tobruk-based interim government on Tuesday midday.

Italy to Weigh Military Action in Libya If Diplomacy Fails: Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti has said Rome could contribute 5,000 troops to lead such a military mission

Libyans 'would unite' against foreign force: The Libyan people would unite against a ground operation in their country, as is being promoted by Italy and supported by Malta, Tripoli’s government representative in Malta said yesterday.tion in Libya If Diplomacy Fails: Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti has said Rome could contribute 5,000 troops to lead such a military mission

Libya's chaos is Obama's shame: Obama’s illegal, ill-considered, and immoral drive-by war in Libya ought to be a permanent stain on his presidency. The recent video of masked ISIS killers beheading 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya deserves to be the emblem of this president’s rash foreign policy

ISIL releases audio of negotiations over pilot's fate: Salafi scholar Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi reportedly negotiated with ISIL in attempt to secure release of Jordanian pilot.

Ukrainian General Staff Confirms Debaltsevo Force Collapse: The acting spokesperson for the Ukrainian General Staff Vladislav Seleznev confirmed this information during a live interview on the TV channel 112, saying that DPR units were assaulting the UAF base-camp at Debaltsevo, and that the headquarters for all UAF forces there has been destroyed.

Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers trapped as Debaltseve pocket closes: Ukraine's defense ministry said on Feb. 17 that separatists had seized part of the strategic town of Debaltseve from government troops and that street fighting was taking place between the two sides despite the cease-fire deal.

Donetsk republic defense minister says Debaltsevo to be soon under full control of militia: The city of Debaltsevo in the Donetsk Region will soon, maybe even today, be under control of the militias of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), DPR Defense Minister Vladimir Kononov said Tuesday, TASS reported.

Ukrainian soldiers captured as defeat looms in Debaltseve: A group of Ukrainian servicemen have been taken prisoner by "Kremlin-backed" militants in the besieged city of Debaltseve in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's Defense Ministry said on Feb. 17.

'Concrete steps' agreed to allow monitors in Ukraine: Leaders of Russia, Germany and Ukraine agree on letting OSCE observers monitor shaky truce in eastern Ukraine.

The power of propaganda: Americans Increasingly See Russia as Threat, Top U.S. Enemy: Russia now edges out North Korea as the country Americans consider the United States' greatest enemy.

Global Scandal: New Report Suggests NSA Has Hidden Software In Hard Drives, Globally : In a report published Monday at the Kaspersky Security Analyst Summit, researchers stopped just short of saying Equation Group was the NSA — elsewhere Reuters has already named the association.

Criminally insane irresponsibility led to modern ‘hacker’s paradise’: The US government has been irresponsible about cyber security for the past 25 years, essentially allowing the NSA to create a ‘hackers paradise’ through numerous infantile backdoors they planted, former US intelligence officer Robert Steele told RT.

Time to act after the killing of three US Muslims: The context of the killings, the murder itself and the media and official responses to the horrific event is a testimony to everything that went wrong since the United States unleashed its drawn-out “war on terror”, with its undeclared, but sometimes declared enemy, namely Islam and Muslims.

Fears of measles crossing southern border into U.S. are unfounded: Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras all have measles immunization programs comparable to the United States, making them unlikely sources of the outbreak.

Federal judge stalls Obama's executive action on immigration : The White House promised an appeal Tuesday after a federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration and gave a coalition of 26 states time to pursue a lawsuit aiming to permanently stop the orders.

Why Is No One Talking About the GOP’s Plan to Send Millions of Disabled Americans Into Poverty?: Despite their virtues, many conservative Republicans have an unfortunate habit of picking on the weak and disadvantaged, slandering the people least able to fight back.

February 16, 2015

Ukraine - The Ceasefire Stalemates

By Moon Of Alabama

Kiev security forces open fire on DPR, LPR republics’ positions - Basurin: DPR head Zakharchenko calls urgent meeting on fact of Ukrainian army violation of ceasefire agreement. Continue

Talking to Isis Could Lead to Peace

By Robert Fisk

Won’t talking to the bad guys be more effective in bringing peace than refusing to communicate until they’re disarmed or destroyed? Continue

Hailed as a Model for Successful Intervention, Libya Proves to be the Exact Opposite

By Glenn Greenwald

What we see here is what we’ve seen over and over: the west’s wars creating and empowering an endless supply of enemies, which in turn justify endless war by the west. Continue

Libya..The World Is Broken

Video

The artist taxi driver. Continue

Support Venezuela

By John Pilger and Michael Albert

Asserting US dominance is their undisguised game and, as the events in Ukraine demonstrate, they are prepared to risk a nuclear war with Russia. These people should be the common enemy of all sane human beings. Continue

Sanctions Should Be Imposed on the U.S.

By Andre Vltchek

Is the monstrous fascist and market-fundamentalist system going to get away with absolutely everything? Continue

It's The Little Lies That Torpedo The News Stars
As Brian Williams has found to his cost last week

By Patrick Cockburn

Embellishment and bravado are often punished more harshly than the untruths that cause wars. Continue

“Please Don’t Feed the Cannibals!”

By Butler Shaffer

The quantum change in how human life is valued is rather evident. Continue

‘Pornography Is What the End of the World Looks Like’

By Chris Hedges

There are few people on the left who grasp the immense danger of allowing pornography to replace intimacy, sex and love. Continue

Islamic State Arrests 250 Iraqi Soldiers: The Islamic State (IS) militants have attacked the Iraqi army in the sub-district of Ozem, north of Baghdad and captured 250 Iraqi soldiers in the area. “During the IS attack on the Iraqi army frontline near Ozem Dam, they seized 250 Iraqi soldiers equipped with weapons and ammunition,” said Iraqi army officer Mohammed Wisam to BasNews.

ISIL militants kidnap 30 tribesmen in western Iraq: Chairman of al-Baghdadi city council, Malallah al-Obeidi, said the Takfiri militants kidnapped 30 members of al-Ubaid tribe after they overran the village of al-Mashhad on the outskirts of the city of Khan al-Baghdadi, situated about 180 kilometers (110 miles) northwest of the capital, Baghdad,

Pro-Iran militias’ success in Iraq could undermine U.S.; With an estimated 100,000 to 120,000 armed men, the militias are rapidly eclipsing the depleted and demoralized Iraqi army, whose fighting strength has dwindled to about 48,000 troops since the government forces were routed in the northern city of Mosul last summer, according to U.S. and Iraqi officials.

ISIS Top Commanders Related To Al-Baghdadi Captured; Western Fighters Join Christian Militia Against ISIS

35 IS militants killed in clashes with Syria Kurds: activists: At least 35 Islamic State (IS) militants have been killed in clashes with Syria's main Kurdish armed group in the town of Ayn al-Arab, a monitoring group said on Monday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Four killed in south Yemen clashes: medics: Four people were killed when pro-president paramilitaries in Yemen's main southern city of Aden seized the state broadcaster from police allegedly controlled by Shia Huthi militiamen, medics said on Monday

Fearing leaks, U.S. 'limiting' information it shares with Israel on Iran nuke talks: The Americans fear Netanyahu will make use of the information given to Israel for his own political needs, and will try to undermine the talks between Iran and the big powers.

Israeli election chief puts curbs on Netanyahu's speech to U.S. Congress: The head of Israel's election commission acted on Monday to limit any pre-election boost Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may get from a March 3 speech to the U.S. Congress in which he will warn of the threat from Iran's nuclear program.

Egyptian airstrikes kill 64 IS militants in Libya: Libyan army spokesperson: Egyptian airstrikes killed 64 Islamic State (IS) militants, including three of their leaders, in Libya's coastal cities of Derna and Sirte, Libyan army spokesperson Major Mohamed Hegazy told Ahram Arabic news website on Monday afternoon.

Fajr Libya calls on Egyptians to exit Libya within 48 hours: In the aftermath of Egyptian airstrikes against IS group militants in Libya, another Islamist militia advises Egyptians workers to leave the country to avoid revenge attacks

Britain should consider putting troops on ground in Libya, ex MI6 chief says: Sir John Sawers said that Libya has descended into "growing chaos" since Britain joined the US and its allies in bringing down Col Muammar Gaddafi's government.

Italy to bolster Libyan military presence, says specialist: Italy intends to bolster its military presence in southern Libya, amid fears that Islamic State (IS) militants in the country may launch airstrikes against Italy, the research head of the IAI Institute of National Affairs Security & Defence Programme, Alessandro Marrone, told AGI on Monday.:

20 Shabaab militants killed in airstrike on S. Somalia: Around 20 Al-Shabaab militants were killed on Monday in an airstrike carried out near the southern Somali town of Merca, a local official has said.

4 soldiers killed in suspected Boko Haram attack in northern Cameroon: At least four Cameroonian soldiers were killed and 10 others were injured in an attack by suspected Nigerian Islamic sect Boko Haram on Monday in Cameroon's Far-North Region, a military source who declined to be named told Xinhua over phone, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Kiev security forces open fire on DPR, LPR republics’ positions - Basurin: DPR head Zakharchenko calls urgent meeting on fact of Ukrainian army violation of ceasefire agreement.

Kiev, rebels accuse each other of breaching ceasefire, heavy artillery withdrawal in doubt: Ukrainian troops and rebels in the country’s east have been blaming each other for sporadic ceasefire violations. Both sides say they only respond to attacks launched by adversary forces and question the possibility of heavy artillery withdrawal.

Rebels offer corridor for Ukraine troops out of key town: Pro-Russian rebels said on Monday they would open a safe corridor for Pro-western Ukrainian troops out of the encircled town of Debaltseve in east Ukraine on condition they surrender the territory, an offer the Kiev military promptly rejected.

Poland kicks off unprecedented military spending spree: Looking east to the bloody conflict gripping Ukraine, NATO-member Poland has kicked off an unprecedented military spending spree worth billions to overhaul its forces as Warsaw believes peace in Europe is no longer a given.

Denmark charges two as Europe on edge after fresh attacks: Two men were charged in Copenhagen on Monday with helping the gunman who killed two people in twin weekend attacks that have stoked renewed fears of Islamist and anti-Semitic violence in Europe.

Danish Jews reject PM’s call to move to Israel: “We’re very grateful for Netanyahu’s concern but having said that, we are Danish — we’re Danish Jews but we’re Danish — and it won’t be terror that makes us go to Israel,” said a spokesman for the Jewish Community in Denmark, Jeppe Juhl.

Greece 'rejects EU bailout offer' as 'absurd': Talks between Greece and European finance ministers have collapsed early after Greece rejected the EU's opening bailout offer as 'absurd'. It is not yet clear whether there will be further talks.

NSA Braced for New Leaks: The leaks are expected to be published in the near future by a news outlet that was not further identified by the officials familiar with details of the compromise. The NSA is aware of the news outlet’s forthcoming disclosures and is taking steps to try and minimize any damage they will cause.

3 Colombian soldiers killed by bomb: Three soldiers are killed in north-eastern Colombia in an attack blamed by the army on the country's second-largest rebel force, the ELN.

February 15, 2015

'Minsk II' - What About Foreign Troops in Ukraine?

By Daniel McAdams

Would it not be a violation of "Minsk II" ceasefire agreement for the US to go through with sending 600 troops into Ukraine? Continue

Michael Hudson: Has the IMF Annexed Ukraine?

Video & Transcript

Michael Hudson makes clear that the loan to Ukraine is wildly out of line with IMF rules, making it painfully obvious that this “rescue” is all about propping up the government so it can continue to wage war rather than economic development. Continue

CIA Torture Program Was “Dick Cheney’s Baby” – John Kiriakou

Video By RT

“Hypocritical” is how CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou describes his arrest and imprisonment for exposing the spy agency’s use of torture while those who actually committed the heinous acts go unpunished. Continue

Cometh the Censor

By Fred Reed

I see with no surprise that Washington is stepping up its campaign to censor the internet. It had to come, and will succeed. It will put paid forever to America’s flirtation with freedom. Continue

Parking Space Terrorism:
Time For Action After Killing Of Three US Muslims

By Ramzy Baroud

Chapel Hill police claimed that the “ongoing dispute over parking may have led to a triple shooting”. The media embraced the statement with little questioning. Continue

The World of Our Grandchildren

By Noam Chomsky

Noam Chomsky discusses ISIS, Israel, climate change, and the kind of world future generations may inherit. Continue

Planetary Suicide

By Joel S. Hirschhorn

Unless a large majority of people take responsibility for contributing to planetary suicide the worst scenarios are likely to come true. Continue

The Unadulterated Truth
George Carlin on "The American Dream"

3 Minute Video

he politicians are put there to give you the idea that you have freedom of choice. You don't. You have no choice! You have OWNERS! They OWN YOU. Continue

78 ISIL militants, 8 civilians killed in Iraq: At least 78 militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, and eight Baghdadi civilians were killed and 23 other people were injured in separate clashes in Baghdad and Anbar provinces in western Iraq on Saturday, according to Iraqi army sources

Isis video shows 17 captured Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in cages being paraded through town : Isis has paraded captured Kurdish soldiers in cages through screaming crowds in what some fear is a prequel to them being burned alive.

Yazidi mass graves: 'Those who did this are not human': As Kurdish forces reclaim Yazidi towns from ISIL, newly discovered mass graves are revealing the scope of devastation.

Houthis refuse to cede power as UN Council votes: Shia militiamen who seized power in Yemen vowed to defy “threats” as the UN Security Council prepared to adopt a resolution on Sunday calling on them to step aside or face consequences.

Tribesman: Iraqi army in Anbar may 'collapse': Sheikh Naim al-Gaoud, a Sunni Muslim leader of the Albu Nimr tribe, called for more U.S. intervention -- including ground troops, arming tribes directly or at least pressuring the Iraqi government to give the tribes more firepower.

Iraqi army, militia repel Islamic State attack on dam north of Baghdad: sources: Fighters from the ultra-radical Islamist group attacked pro-government forces deployed around the dam on the Euphrates River near the town of al-Udhaim, about 90 km (60 miles) north of Baghdad, in the early morning.

15 militants killed in Pakistan: Fifteen militants were killed Sunday as security forces repelled a militant attack in Pakistan, the media said on Sunday.

Myanmar troops recover bodies of rebels: State media says bodies of 13 rebels killed in fighting with government troops found near the Chinese border.

Libya: Isis post video allegedly showing mass beheading of Coptic Christian hostages: A video released by militants in Libya claiming loyalty to the Islamic State (Isis) group purports to show the mass beheading of Coptic Christian hostages.

Sisi says Egypt will avenge IS beheadings of 21 Egyptians in Libya: Sisi warned Cairo would choose the "necessary means and timing to avenge the criminal killings". He was speaking on national television hours after Islamic State released a video purportedly showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya.

Female suicide bomber kills ten in Nigeria's Damaturu: An angry mob prevented emergency workers from evacuating the remains of the bomber. "They gathered the pieces [body parts] and set them on fire," he said.

Both sides say Ukraine truce largely in force: Government forces and pro-Russia fighters accuse each other of some violations, but say ceasefire is generally holding.

Copenhagen shootings: One killed at freedom of speech event, another at Jewish temple: Suspect was 'known to authorities'

Copenhagen Shooting Suspect Was Danish-Born 22-Year-Old Known To Police; - The gunman believed to have attacked a Copenhagen synagogue and a free speech event on Saturday was a Danish-born 22-year-old known to police because of past violence, gang-related activities and possession of weapons, police said in a statement on Sunday.

Copenhagen attacks: Jewish group calls for 24/7 protection: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decried the attack and said his government plans to encourage a "massive immigration" of Jews from Europe.

Netanyahu urges Jews to move to Israel after Copenhagen attacks: "Israel is your home. We are preparing and calling for the absorption of mass immigration from Europe," Netanyahu said in a statement, repeating a similar call made after attacks by Islamic extremists in Paris last month that killed 17 people, including four Jews.

In case you missed it: 1950–51 Baghdad bombings encourage Iraqi Jews to immigrate to Israel: Historians who assign responsibility for the bombings to an Israeli or Iraqi Zionist underground movement suggest the motive was to encourage Iraqi Jews to immigrate to Israel

In case you missed it; "A Strategy for Israel in the Nineteen Eighties" : The plan operates on two essential premises. To survive, Israel must 1) become an imperial regional power, and 2) must effect the division of the whole area into small states by the dissolution of all

Iceland convicts bad bankers and says other nations can act: Iceland's Supreme Court has upheld convictions of market manipulation for four former executives of the failed Kaupthing bank in a landmark case that the country's special prosecutor said showed it was possible to crack down on fraudulent bankers.

Thousands rally against austerity across Greece ahead of Monday's Eurozone meeting: On Monday, a gathering of Eurozone finance ministers will consider Greece's proposal for short-term "bridge financing" without the onerous terms previously imposed on the country, until a longer-term solution to Greece's crushing debt is found.

Bankia, Four Former Executives Ordered To Deposit $912 million: Spain’s National Court on Friday ordered Bankia SA and four former executives of the bailed-out lender to deposit €800 million ($912 million) to guard against potential payments to investors who lost money after buying shares in the bank’s initial public offering.

Portugal Cut Addiction Rates in Half by Connecting Drug Users With Communities Instead of Jailing Them: Fifteen years ago, the Portuguese had one of the worst drug problems in Europe. So they decriminalized drugs, took money out of prisons, put it into holistic rehabilitation, and found that human connection is the antidote to addiction.

Russia's Cooperation With Latin America to Counterbalance NATO Expansion: During his recent Latin American tour Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu signed a number of important agreements strengthening military collaboration between Russia and Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua.

'Almost All' Opposition Leaders Knew About Venezuelan Coup Plot: Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro added that a U.S. Embassy advisor drafted the script that the coup plotters read in video they planned to air.

Palestinian Authority labels Chapel Hill murders 'terrorism': The Palestinian Authority has condemned the "heinous murder" of three American Muslims of Palestinian origin who were shot dead this week in what it described as an act of "terrorism".

Houston Muslim School Burned Down In What Investigators Say Is Likely An Arson Attack: The arson attack was the third incident of Islamaphobic violence this week.

Hundreds protest cops killing Latino worker in Washington: Around 1,000 people took part in a peaceful protest to denounce the recent fatal police shooting of a Mexican-born 35 year-old American in a town of Pasco, Washington State.

Video released showing Alabama police paralyzing elderly Indian grandfather; officer arrested: The video was just released of an elderly grandfather being slammed to the ground so hard by an Alabama police officer that it severed his vertebra and paralyzed the man. As you will see in the video, the police then attempt to force the man to walk and believe he's resisting arrest when his legs won't work—not knowing that they broke his neck.

February 15, 2015

The Putin-Did-It Conspiracy Theory

By Robert Parry

Anyone who dares point out the real history of the crisis is immediately shouted down with the anti-intellectual riposte: “Putin apologist!” — just as in 2002-2003, when anyone who doubted the certainty about Iraq’s WMD was a “Saddam apologist.” Continue

The Untold Story of the Maidan Massacre

By Gabriel Gatehouse

But how did the shooting begin? Protest organisers have always denied any involvement - but one man told the BBC a different story. Continue

Putin Wins a Second Match

By Eric Margolis

Has Russia’s Vladimir Putin pulled Barack Obama’s chestnuts out of the fire for a second time? Continue

Evidence Reveals Canada, UK Involvement in Venezuela Coup Plot

By Telesur

Evidence presented on Venezuelan TV showed a video of the coup plotters, as well as the 10-year U.S. visa granted to one of the accused. Continue

The War on Venezuela’s Democracy: A Thwarted Coup Attempt

By Peter Koenig

This is a typical case of neoliberal Washington paid thugs and mercenaries false-flagging ‘undesired’ governments into chaos, for ‘regime change’ - and then being taken over by the US. Continue

The Ultimate Enemy of ISIS

By Patrick J. Buchanan

ISIS is out to dethrone these perceived royal puppets of a detested America and to reclaim rightful custody of Mecca and Medina. Continue

Obama Plays Hardball with Israel?

By Mark H. Gaffney

The just-declassified report shows up Netanyahu for what he is, a liar. Continue

The Real Problem Of 'Getting To Yes' With Iran

By Gareth Porter

The idea that Iranian agreement to US negotiating demands is being held back by “politics” is a familiar theme in US public pronouncements on these negotiations. Continue

The Real Ruler of Israel
Sheldon Adelson, Israel’s Casino King

By Uri Avnery

Besides his casinos, he owns the US Republican party and, lately, both Houses of the US Congress. Continue

Terror Bombing
Hellstorm - The Dresden Holocaust

Video Documentary

More people died in the fire bombing of Dresden on February 13th to 14th, 1945 than in the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined. Continue

Science, Mind, and Limits of Understanding

By Noam Chomsky

Honesty should lead us to concede, I think, that we understand little more today about these matters than the Spanish physician-philosopher Juan Huarte did 500 years ago. Continue

Why I’m Not Breaking Up with America This Valentine’s Day

By John W. Whitehead

“I love America and I hate it. I’m torn between the two. " Continue

Clashes between Shi'ite Houthis and Sunnis in Yemen kills 26 : Tens of thousands of Yemenis demonstrated in several cities on Saturday against the rule of the Shi'ite Muslim Houthi movement as clashes between Houthis and Sunnis in a southern mountainous region kills 26

Tribal leader, 7 others killed in Baghdad: Unidentified gunmen attacked a two-car convoy carrying Sheikh Qassem Sweidan Al Janabi and his nephew, lawmaker Zeid Al Janabi, late on Friday, officials and security sources said.

Iraq's Sunni blocs halt parliament activities after sheikh's killing: Iraq's two main parliamentary lists including Sunni lawmakers suspended their activities on Saturday in protest at the killing of a prominent Sunni tribal leader and the kidnapping of a Sunni member of parliament the night before.

Clashes Continue in Iraq Near Base of U.S. Troops: Iraqi soldiers and militants of the Islamic State group clashed again over the weekend in a western Iraqi town that has changed hands several times in skirmishes near a military base where American troops are training Iraqi soldiers.

U.S. helicopter gunships support Iraqi ground forces against ISIS: The U.S. military Friday deployed attack helicopters against an ISIS assault on the strategic Ayn al-Assad Air Base about 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of al-Baghdadi, sources said.

100 killed in week of clashes in south Syria — monitor; The army, backed by fighters from Lebanon's powerful Shiite group Hezbollah, began an offensive at the beginning of the week in Daraa, the province bordering Israel that was the cradle of the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

Israeli war crimes: AP report finds high civilian death toll during Gaza war: The youngest to die was a 4-day-old girl, the oldest a 92-year-old man. They were among at least 844 Palestinians killed as a result of airstrikes on homes during Israel's summer war with the Islamic militant group, Hamas.

60% of Gaza Victims of Israel Strikes Were Women, Children or Elderly, Study Finds: AP Says Just 11% of Those Killed Were Militants

Israel warns anew of action against Iran: Intelligence Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz warned Thursday that Israel could act unilaterally against Iran over its nuclear drive, saying Tehran has failed to make concessions in talks with world powers.

Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei sent Obama secret letter: WSJ: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has responded to overtures from U.S. President Barack Obama amid nuclear talks by sending him a secret letter, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

Libyan parliament confirms murder of 21 kidnapped Coptic Egyptians: Libyan parliament confirmed Saturday the death of 21 kidnapped Egyptian Coptic Christian workers in Libya following photos released by an English publication affiliated with the ‘Islamic State’, called Dabeq, claiming their execution.

IS gunmen warn militias in Libya's Sirte to leave by Sunday: Gunmen loyal to the Islamic State (IS) group have warned Libyan local militias to leave the western city of Sirte by Sunday, local media reported on Saturday. The fighters also attacked Bahi and Dahra oil fields near the city, Libya Herald said.

Rome advises Italians to leave Libya: -Italy's foreign ministry on Friday advised against travelling to Libya and suggested that its nationals already should leave, adding that it stands ready to participate in any UN intervention in the country.

Prime Minister glad over Italy’s intention to intervene in Libya: Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has welcomed an announcement by Italy yesterday evening. Italy announced that it would be ready to join a UN-led force to battle "an active terrorist threat" after recent advances by a faction in Libya that has sworn loyalty to the Islamic State.

ISIL sprouts limbs across Middle East: The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant is expanding beyond its base in Syria and Iraq to establish militant affiliates in Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt and Libya, U.S. intelligence officials assert, raising the prospect of a new global war on terror.

GRAPHIC VIDEO: Amvid shows attack on Shi'ite mosque in Pakistan that killed 19

US escalating ‘secret war’ in Afghanistan: US Special Forces soldiers and their Afghan allies have undertaken an increasing number of night raids targeting Taliban and al Qaeda militants, despite Washington formally declaring an end to combat operations late last year, according to a published report.

Engineering Consent For continued occupation of Afghanistan: Pentagon acknowledges ISIS spread to Afghanistan amid US troop drawdown: “The expansion of ISIL into the region is of great concern,” said Pentagon spokesman Marine Corps Maj. Bradlee Avots in an email, using the administration’s preferred acronym for ISIS.

Cease-fire period begins in Ukraine: In a live midnight broadcast, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko issued the order for the country's armed forces to hold their fire.

E. Ukraine leaders order ceasefire, voice amendments to constitution: The eastern Ukrainian militias have stopped all military action in accordance with the Minsk peace deal. They will suppress any provocations that may be organized by Kiev forces, said Aleksandr Zakharchenko, head of Donetsk People’s Republic.

Kiev Betrayed 5,000 Soldiers Encircled in Debaltseve - Donetsk Leader: – The forces of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) will cease fire everywhere except for inner regions of the self-proclaimed republic, any attempts of Kiev soldiers to break out the encirclement at the town of Debaltseve will be stopped, the DPR head said Saturday.

Martial law to be imposed across Ukraine unless peace is established – Poroshenko: I stress once again: in this case martial law will be imposed not only on Donetsk and Luhansk but also on the entire country," Poroshenko said

Propaganda? U.S. alleges Russian fighting in Ukraine hours ahead of cease-fire: The Obama administration on Saturday released satellite images that it said showed that the Russian army had joined rebels to mount a full-scale assault on surrounded government troops in eastern Ukraine, hours before a cease-fire set to take effect at midnight.

Propaganda? Russia shrugs off US envoy’s ‘evidence’ of Russian troops in Ukraine: The Russian Ministry of Defense has branded new claims by the US ambassador to Ukraine as “crystal ball gazing.” The ambassador tweeted pictures of what he said were Russian armed forces in Debaltsevo, eastern Ukraine.

Busted Kiev MPs try to fool US senator with ‘proof’ of Russian tanks in Ukraine: Video

Financial Times Finally Prints the Unvarnished Truth: Kiev Is the Violent Aggressor in East Ukraine: Although this article tries to make the people of Donetsk appear gullible and indoctrinated, it does make one incredible admission: Kiev is waging a vicious war against its own people—something that East Ukrainians will never forget, and probably never forgive.

Ron Paul: Ukraine Coup Planned By Nato And EU: Our government has no more credibility in telling us the truth about the facts that require us to expand our military presence in this region than Brian Williams.

Nuclear Specter Returns: 'Threat of War Is Higher than in the Cold War': The Ukraine crisis has dramatically worsened relations between NATO and Russia. With cooperation on nuclear security now suspended and the lack of a "red telephone," experts at the Munich Security Conference warn any escalation in tensions could grow deadly.

The Politics of IMF Lending and Ukraine: The IMF is a bank that supports both the world’s system of states and the hegemonic role of the United States in that system.

Ukraine Agrees To Monsanto Land Grab For $17 Billion IMF Loan: The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) is helping biotech run the latest war in Ukraine. Make no mistake that what is happening in the Ukraine now is deeply tied to the interests of Monsanto, Dow, Bayer, and other big players in the poison food game.

Deadly Shooting At Copenhagen Free Speech Event; At least one gunman opened fire Saturday on a Copenhagen cafe, killing one man in what authorities called a likely terror attack during a free speech event organized by an artist who had caricatured the Prophet Muhammad.

Dresden was a civilian town with no military significance. Why did we burn its people?: If there was no good strategic reason for it, then not even the passage of time can make it right

Google Chrome’s New Feature: Spying On You for Google; Welcome to the Internet of Things: Where the electronics you bring into your house are now smart enough to outsmart you, and keep tabs on everything you do… potentially for the highest bidder.

New Details Emerge in Venezuela Following Failed Coup Attempt: Fresh evidence links Venezuelan opposition leaders to the failed coup attack.

Latin American Parliament Denounces Coup Attempt in Venezuela: The Latin American Parliament issued a statement on Saturday rejecting the failed coup attempt against the Venezuelan government and also criticized the hostile policies of the United States directed toward the South American nation.

Argentina Wins British Victory in Vulture Funds Battle: Argentina won another victory in its ongoing “vulture funds” battle Friday when a British judge supported the unblocking of the country's debt repayment, weakening the position of the vultures who have been desperate to collect from the Argentine state.

In public relations exercise: Mexico Slams US Police Shooting: Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto condemned Friday the police shooting of an unarmed Mexican-born man in Washington state.

Civilian deaths by police are 30,000% more likely to occur in the US than the UK: America has one of the most militarized and aggressive police forces on the planet.

Palestinians denounce 'terrorist' Chapel Hill murders: The Palestinian Authority condemned Saturday the "heinous murder" of three American Muslims of Palestinian origin who were shot dead this week in what it described as an act of "terrorism".

Freed Al-Jazeera journalist: Why can’t Canada get me home? : Mohamed Fahmy, Al-Jazeera’s Canadian-Egyptian television bureau chief freed on bail by an Egyptian judge on Thursday, last night angrily attacked Canada for mistakes which he said have left him trapped in Egypt and alleged “epic negligence” on the part of his television employer.

Canada: Marches across the country for missing, murdered aboriginal women: Residents across the country are participating in marches to call for justice for Canada's missing and murdered aboriginal women.

Hundreds of South Carolina Inmates Sent to Solitary Confinement Over Facebook: In the South Carolina prison system, accessing Facebook is an offense on par with murder, rape, rioting, escape and hostage-taking.

These 5 Corporations Are Quietly Making Billions Off Incarceration: The Corrections Corporation of America and The GEO Group. Between them, these two firms pulled in about $3.3 billion last year running scores of private prisons and immigration detention centers.

Arkansas: The Worst Place to Rent in America: Video - It is the only state in the US where tenants are treated as criminals for paying rent late and landlords are not required by law to maintain their properties.

February 13, 2015

====

Washington Wastes No Time to Sabotage Minsk

By Finian Cunningham

The Americans are playing a dirty game in which there are no rules. Continue

Minsk-2: The Useless Agreement Which Everybody Wanted

By The Saker

What is going on here? Has everybody just gone crazy?

US Helped Israel With H-bomb - 1980s Report Declassified

By RT

US government agreed to release a 1987 Defense Department report detailing US assistance to Israel in its development of a hydrogen bomb, which skirted international standards. Continue

The Real Ruler of Israel
Sheldon Adelson, Israel’s Casino King

By Uri Avnery

Besides his casinos, he owns the US Republican party and, lately, both Houses of the US Congress. Continue

Why Muslim Lives Don't Matter

By Nadia El-Zein Tonova And Nadia El-Zein Tonova

If the victims were white and non-Muslims, and the culprit Muslim, would mainstream media outlets be so slow to respond and report? Continue

Brian Williams Helped Pave the Way to War

By Sheldon Richman

Williams and the others did Bush’s bidding in manufacturing public support for the illegal and morally outrageous invasion and occupation that would wreck Iraq. Continue

U.S. Drops to 49th in World Press Freedom Ranking:

By Glenn Greenwald

The countries immediately ahead of the U.S. are Malta, Niger, Burkino Faso, El Salvador, Tonga, Chile and Botswana. Continue

Let Us No Longer Keep Silent About Torture!

By Hans Christof von Sponeck

National and multi-national institutions have so far  not been ready to support  a case against the powerful  USA. Continue

In Case You Missed It
'The War on Democracy': John Pilger'

Video

"The film tells a universal story," says Pilger, "analysing and revealing, through vivid testimony, the story of great power behind its venerable myths. It allows us to understand the true nature of the so-called war on terror". Continue

ISIS Seizes Al-Baghdadi, Town Just Miles Away From Baghdad, With Only A US Marine Base In Its Path: Friday morning, eight would-be suicide bombers were able to infiltrate the base but did not manage to get close to U.S. troops before being killed by Iraqi security forces, according to CBS News.

Iraqi army repels attack on base hosting U.S. Marines: officials: Iraqi security forces on Friday repelled an attack by Islamic State insurgents against an air base in Anbar province where U.S. Marines are training Iraqi troops, Iraqi and U.S. military officials said.

UN envoy: Assad is 'part of the solution': This is the first such acknowledgement by the UN, though analysts have been speculating for months that the body could soften its stance

Syrian townspeople insist US airstrike killed civilians : "That night you could hear the screams and wailing of women in the town when they heard al Saraya was bombed," said Abu Hussein, who lived near the government center and passed it daily on his way to pray at the local mosque. "They knew their sons and relatives were in the building."

Syrian rebels call on Israel to bomb Hezbollah-Iran-Syria positions: Israeli Druse in touch with Rebels tells ‘Post’: The Syrian opposition asked for me to relay a message to the Israeli Prime Minister that Israel should give Hezbollah and Iran another hard hit.

Iran commander Suleimani says IS 'nearing end': An influential Iranian general who has reportedly been near the front line against the Islamic State group was quoted Thursday saying the jihadists are "nearing the end of their lives".

Obama's war request runs into a brick wall: President Obama’s request that Congress authorize military action against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was met with skepticism from both parties on Wednesday, raising questions about Capitol Hill’s ability to pass a war measure.

4,000 combat troops head to Kuwait, will become region’s largest U.S. ground force: The 3rd Brigade Combat Team’s deployment ceremony comes just two days after President Obama sent his authorization for use of military force (AUMF) to members of Congress.

US Must Allow Military to Execute Missions Unconstrained - Ex-DIA Chief: US military commanders should be given ample authority to conduct the war against the Islamic State and not be constrained by provisions added to the new authorization for use of military force (AUMF), former Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Director Michael Flynn told US Congress on Friday.

Fact or fiction? Poll: Most back ground troops in ISIS fight: Two-thirds of Americans want the U.S. to put some boots on the ground to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, and a majority wants Congress to authorize President Obama’s plan for military action, according to a new NBC News/Maris poll released Friday.

What do Public Opinion Polls on President’s AUMF Proposal Really Say?: A potentially surprising discrepancy between Republicans and Democrats: Only 52% of Republicans said they support the authorization request while 60% of Democrats support it.

Italy, Germany close Yemen embassies as Al-Qaeda seizes army base: As Washington tries to enroll Shia rebels to combat terrorism, Islamic extremists are busy seizing military hardware.

Iran: Rouhani challenges Iran deal detractors: Rouhani said that only “Iran’s enemies” are opposed to a nuclear and that “it’s only the Zionists who are putting all of their efforts to oppose a nuclear deal. But today the world has found out about their betrayal, especially after the crimes they committed in Gaza.”

Netanyahu pulled out of deal for demilitarized Palestine, shared Jerusalem, in 2011: Peres — acting with Netanyahu’s support — was set to finalize framework with Abbas when PM changed his mind, sources say; PMO denies account

7 killed as blast hits market in northeast Nigeria: At least seven people have been killed by a female suicide bomber who blew herself up at a crowded market in northeast Nigeria, according to witnesses and officials.

Boko Haram militants launch first fatal attack in Chad: Boko Haram fighters have carried out their first known fatal attack in Chad, killing several people including a local chief, according to residents and security forces.

Police captain killed by Cairo bomb claimed by militants: Militants claimed responsibility for a Friday roadside bomb that killed an Egyptian police captain and wounded eight others in Cairo’s area of Ain Shams, Agence France-Presse reported.

New leak alleges that Egypt's Sisi 'stole' from Gulf donors: New recordings, allegedly leaked from Sisi’s office, were aired Thursday night by Mekameleen, a satellite channel known for its support for former president Mohammed Morsi, who was overthrown by the army in July 2013 following mass protests.

South Africa MPs scuffle during presidential address; South Africa's parliament descended into chaos as opposition members of parliament were removed by force after disrupting President Jacob Zuma's annual address, an unprecedented sign of discontent at his administration.

Ukraine says 11 troops killed and 40 wounded: Associated Press reporters Friday observed intense shelling along the highway north of the town, which remains the only land link between Debaltseve and the remainder of government-controlled territory.

10 civilians killed in E. Ukraine shelling after Minsk agreement: At least 10 civilians, including three children, have been killed in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in eastern Ukraine in the 24 hours since the “Normandy 4” leaders reached a peace deal in Minsk and announced the ceasefire that begins Sunday.

Victims of Western-supported Kiev junta - 3 siblings taking a bath before bedtime: Video report: - Warning - "At first glance I saw the whole body of Nastia. I took Kirill in my arms. The emergency worker dragged me away, thought, I wouldn't be able to handle it. I could handle it. Only my wife was taken to the hospital with a nervous breakdown. I was holding myself together. This is barbaric."

Ukraine ultranationalist leader rejects Minsk peace deal, vows 'to continue war': Ukraine’s Right Sector leader Dmitry Yarosh said his radical movement rejects the Minsk peace deal and that their paramilitary units in eastern Ukraine will continue “active fighting" according to their "own plans."

Ukrainian Delegation Gave Misleading Photos To US Senator’s Office: A delegation consisting of Ukrainian members of parliament, a paramilitary leader, and one Georgetown professor gave a senator’s office photos purportedly of the Russian military invading Ukraine that were later debunked.

BBC airs Maidan fighter admitting he fired on police before Kiev massacre: Nearly a year after the massacre on Kiev's Maidan left over 50 dead, the BBC has aired footage of an opposition fighter who says he fired at police in the early morning that day, bringing into question the popular narrative that riot police fired first.

World Bank to loan Ukraine 2 billion USD, adding to existing IMF package : Video report:

Watch: Ukraine MPs in fierce fist fight outside parliament: The MPs involved were Yegor Sobolev, of the centre-right Samopomochi party, and Vadim Ivchenko, from the Fatherland party, also centre-right, according to Reuters.

Germany marks 70th anniversary of Dresden firebombing: An estimated 25,000 civilians killed by the British and American attack, which created a firestorm that left 33 sq km (12 sq miles) of the city in ruins.

ECB Gives Emergency Loans to Greece: As European leaders meet in Brussels regarding Greece’s debt, the European Central Bank’s grants a US$5.7 billion emergency loan to Athens.

Taliban storm Pakistan Shiite mosque, killing at least 20: Heavily armed militants stormed a Shiite mosque in Pakistan Friday, killing at least 20 people in an attack claimed by the Taliban as revenge for the execution of one of their cadres.

Venezuela Officials Say Ex-General, 13 Others in Coup Plot: President Nicolas Maduro announced Thursday night that a retired air force general had been arrested and 13 other people are implicated in a plot to overthrow the South American country's 15 year-old socialist revolution.

U.S. rejects claims by Venezuelan leader: "It is the government of the United States that is behind the plans of destabilization and coups against Venezuela. I have come here to denounce it. ... We have dismantled a coup attempt against democracy, against the stability of our homeland," Maduro said in a televised address Thursday.

Argentine leader formally accused of bombing cover-up: New prosecutor re-opens probe into allegations of President Cristina Kirchner shielding Iran over Jewish centre blast.

Erdogan urges US leaders to condemn Chapel Hill shooting: Erdogan, delivering a speech at Mexico's Matias Romero Institute on on Thursday called on President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry to condemn the murder publicly.

Evidence may point to arson in fire at Islamic center in Houston: After fire tears through a building at the Quba Islamic Institute in southeast Houston, investigators have determined that the fire was not accidental after finding evidence of an incendiary device.

U.S. Drops to 49th in World Press Freedom Ranking: The countries immediately ahead of the U.S. are Malta, Niger, Burkino Faso, El Salvador, Tonga, Chile and Botswana.

February 12, 2015

Minsk-2: The Useless Agreement Which Everybody Wanted

By The Saker

What is going on here? Has everybody just gone crazy? Continue

Ceasefire May Spare Poroshenko From Knives Out in Kiev

By Finian Cunningham

The war is not going well at all, as the body count among Kiev forces testifies. Continue

War is Peace in Ukraine

By Margaret Kimberley

Putin is guilty of an unforgivable sin in the eyes of NATO. He defends his country’s sovereignty in the face of western demands. Continue

The Minsk "Agreement"

By Alexander Mercouris

Its success or failure ultimately depends on whether the Europeans are going to insist on the Junta fulfilling its obligations. Continue

The Minsk Peace Deal: Farce Or Sellout?

By Paul Craig Roberts

How can there be peace when Washington has made policy decisions to escalate the conflict and to use the conflict as a proxy war between the US and Russia? Continue

Minsk Agreement On Ukraine Crisis: Text In Full

Text In Full

Translation of the full text agreed upon by the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany, and signed by pro-Russian separatists, on Thursday. Continue

“The future of Syria is a horrible thing to contemplate,”
Obama Asks Congress to Authorize War That’s Already Started

By Cora Currier

The draft’s actual language is vague, allowing for ground troops in what Obama described as “limited circumstances,” like special operations and rescue missions. Continue

5 Reasons Congress Should Reject Obama’s ISIS War

By Peter Certo

The Obama administration wants a rubber stamp on its unwise, unlimited, and unauthorized new war in the Middle East. It shouldn't get it. Continue

Did Obama Just Declare War On Syria?

By Eric Draitser

Is there any doubt as to the illegality of what President Obama is proposing? Continue

Barbarians Are Made, Not Born

By Vijay Prashad

Can deliverance be really found in the violence that forged it? Continue

Saudi’s New King Of Terror

By Nafeez Ahmed

Ongoing efforts by Western leaders to cozy-up with King Salman, despite the extensive evidence of militant financing by he and other senior members of the royal family, raise urgent questions about how serious our governments really are about fighting terror. Continue

We Want You To (Bleep) Off And Leave The Middle East Alone
An Egyptian Satirist in America - Bassem Youssef

Video

Egyptian political satirist Bassem Youssef suggests ways in which to improve the conditions in the Middle East. Continue

The U.S. Media and the 13-Year-Old Yemeni Boy Burned to Death Last Month by a U.S. Drone

By Glenn Greenwald

The U.S. media just got done deluging the American public with mournful stories about the Jordanian soldier, Moaz al-Kasasbeh, making him a household name. Continue

The Sociology of Dead Children

By Robert Koehler

This is our world and it feels, increasingly, like a cul-de-sac without empathy. Continue

Unremitting Pain

By George Monbiot

The US government, it seems, couldn’t care less if it causes a humanitarian catastrophe in one of the world’s poorest nations. Continue

Our House of Cards

By Paul Craig Roberts and Dave Kranzler

The payroll jobs reports no longer make any logical or statistical sense. Continue

Iraq: Clashes between government forces and militants kill at least 31 people: Heavy clashes erupted in three areas outside the city of Tikrit, which is controlled by the Islamic State extremist group, killing 12 security forces, Shiite militiamen and civilians, and wounding 37 others, a police official said. He added that three suicide truck bombers attacked security forces during the fighting.

Iraqi Yazidis take revenge as IS atrocities unearthed: Some members of Iraq’s Yazidi minority are turning on their Arab neighbours, staging deadly reprisals against Sunni villagers they believe collaborated in atrocities inflicted by Islamic State on their community.

Syrian opposition calls for world to help against Assad amid rising death toll near Damascus: A Syrian opposition leader called Thursday on world leaders to take "immediate action" to end government attacks on rebel-held suburbs of Damascus, amid reports that some 150 people have been killed in government airstrikes in the past 10 days.

Horrific ISIS video shows prisoner killed with shotgun in Syria: The horrific video is released almost ten days after the terror group released a gruesome video showing the execution of a captured Jordanian pilot who was burned alive.

20,000 foreign fighters flock to Syria, Iraq: Foreign fighters are streaming into Syria and Iraq in unprecedented numbers to join the Islamic State or other extremist groups, including at least 3,400 from Western nations among 20,000 from around the world, U.S. intelligence officials say in an updated estimate of a top terrorism concern.

Isis war to extend far beyond Iraq and Syria under Obama's proposed plan: Barack Obama’s proposed framework for the US-led war against the Islamic State will not restrict the battlefield to Iraq and Syria, multiple congressional sources said on Tuesday, placing the US into a second simultaneous global war that will outlast his presidency.

Obama aide: ISIS war powers language ‘intentionally’ vague; Press secretary Josh Earnest said some of the language in the bill submitted to Congress on Wednesday was not specifically defined "because we believe it's important that there aren't overly burdensome constraints that are placed on the commander in chief."

Obama says special forces could target Islamic State leaders: President Barack Obama said he would not flinch from sending US special forces to kill Islamic State leaders, as he called for Congress to authorize military operations that stop short of a full-scale invasion.

White House war sales pitch runs into flak on Hill: Senate Democrats want tougher restrictions on ground troops, while some Republicans want fewer.

Syrian, Hezbollah troops advancing towards Israeli occupied Golan: Counteroffensive by Assad regime hopes to regain control of area bordering Israel which was lost last year to rebels, Nusra Front.

UN Security Council adopts resolution stifling ISIS, Nusra Front cash flows: The 15-nation council unanimously adopted a Russian-drafted resolution, which is legally binding and gives the council authority to enforce decisions with economic sanctions. It does not authorize using military force.

UN warns Yemen 'collapsing' as Qaeda seizes army camp: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned Thursday that Yemen was falling apart and called for action to avert chaos, as Al-Qaeda fighters overran an army camp and seized heavy weaponry.

Yemen: US Marines Forced to Destroy Weapons, U.S. Embassy Evacuated, Al Qaeda Seizes Military Base : The Marine Security Force left the American embassy in Yemen for the movement to the airfield as part of the "ordered departure" with only personal weapons. All crew served weapons were destroyed at the embassy prior to movement.

Official: No operational USMC weapons left behind in Yemen embassy evacuation: Officials with the Sanaa airport told the Associated Press earlier today that Houthi rebels seized more than 25 official U.S. vehicles in the wake of the hasty departure of embassy staff, some with personal weapons left inside.

Saudi Arabia 'engineered' oil crisis: Dallas Fed chief: Saudi Arabia is largely responsible for the dramatic fall in oil and gas prices in recent months, a U.S. government official said. Richard Fisher, the head of the Dallas Federal Reserve, said "the Saudis have engineered" the oil crisis. He was speaking Wednesday at the Economic Club of New York.

Report: More than half of Congress' Jewish Democrats plan to attend Netanyahu speech: More than half the 27 Jewish Democrats in the U.S. Congress plan to attend the March 3 address to Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a Washington website reports.

Over 90% of Netanyahu's Campaign Contributions Come From the U.S. (Video): A lot of questions around how the Israeli PM gets so much overseas cash.

US Kills 9 People In Afghanistan: At least nine suspected militants were killed and scores of others injured on Wednesday in a drone strike in the Nazyan area of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.

Twelve Peshawar school attackers arrested, 9 killed - military: Pakistan military's spokesperson on Thursday said that there were 27 terrorists involved in Peshawar school massacre in total, out of which 12 had been arrested, nine killed, whereas six were still being hunted down.

Australia asylum: Detention 'harms children and violates law': Australia's policy of detaining the children of asylum seekers causes them harm and violates international human rights law, a report says.

Somali troops in deadly clashes with Sufi fighters: At least 16 people killed and 14 others wounded in fighting sparked by disagreements over regional government.

At Least Seven Killed by Suicide Blast in Crowded Nigerian Market: At least seven people were killed and 20 injured after a female suicide bomber blew herself Thursday in a crowded market in the town of Biu, in northeast Nigeria, media reports.

Niger forces killed 260 Boko Haram militants since February 6: spokesman: Security forces in Niger have killed 260 Boko Haram militants since the group began cross-border attacks on Niger's southeastern Diffa region on Feb. 6, a spokesman for the armed forces said on Thursday.

Files Open New Window on $182-Million Halliburton Bribery Scandal in Nigeria: British lawyer facilitated bribes through secret Swiss HSBC accounts in his name and names of family members; revelations may place Nigerian government under pressure

Egypt court grants bail to Al Jazeera journalists: Trial of Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, who had been detained for 411 days in Cairo jail, to resume on February 23.

Libya: Report: CIA Was Running Arms in Benghazi: According to the report, 35 CIA operatives were working in Benghazi when the attack took place. They were allegedly in an “annex near the consulate [working] on a project to supply missiles from Libyan armories to Syrian rebels.”

Migrants drowned in Mediterranean 'could have been saved': The drowning of more than 300 migrants in the Mediterranean Sea this week could have been prevented with better EU lifesaving provisions, experts say.

5 Killed in Shelling of Ukraine Rebel Stronghold Donetsk: Five people were killed in mortar attacks on the Ukrainian rebel-controlled city of Donetsk today as peace talks were due to be held in Minsk.

Ukraine peace deal: Ceasefire starting February 15, removal of heavy weapons: “I believe we agreed on a big deal. We agreed to a ceasefire starting at 00:00 on February 15,” Russian President Vladimir Putin told the media after the talks were finished.

The Minsk ceasefire deal, point by point: The deal was signed by the so-called “contact group,” which includes the leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, a representative of the OSCE, Ukraine’s former President Viktor Kuchma and the Russian ambassador to Ukraine. Here is the breakdown of the deal:

IMF: Ukraine to get $40 billion bailout: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and embattled Ukraine have reached an initial deal on a new financial rescue package worth $17.5 billion, a potential "turning point" for Kyiv, IMF chief Christine Lagarde confirmed on Thursday. The IMF's contribution is part of a total of $40 billion Ukraine is set to receive from the international community.

Manufacturing Consent For US Intervention : Ukraine Crisis Prompts New Domino Theory: If Russia’s aggression isn’t stopped in Ukraine, Moscow will be emboldened to bring other independent former Soviet republics under its thumb using the pretext of protecting Russian-speaking minorities in those countries.

US army to start training Ukrainian troops, commander says: U.S. Army Europe Commander Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges said a battalion of U.S. soldiers would train three battalions of Ukrainians from the Interior Ministry at the Yavariv training center in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.

Obama: 'We have to twist arms when countries don't do what we need them to': President Barack Obama has said the reality of “American leadership” at times entails “twisting the arms” of states which “don’t do what we need them to do,” and that the US relied on its military strength and other leverage to achieve its goals.

ECB raises pressure on Greece as Tsipras meets EU peers: The European Central Bank raised the pressure on Greece to extend an international bailout deal on Thursday, as new leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told EU leaders austerity was killing his economy and an alternative had to be found.
 

UK: Fracking to be allowed beneath national parks despite ban pledge: Ministers accused of watering down commitment to ban controversial shale gas exploration in protected areas

British Politicians Express Solidarity with Venezuela: The distinguished figures signed a statement opposing anti-democratic oppostion violence and U.S sanctions against Venezuela.

Latin America Stands Firm with Venezuela against US Sanctions: CELAC, which brings together all 33 Latin America and Caribbean nations and is, in many ways, an alternative to the U.S.-dominated Organization of American States, expressed its “strong repudiation of the application of unilateral coercive measures that are contrary to international law.”

Dominican Republic lynching raises fears of humanitarian crisis: Young man, apparently of Haitian descent, found hanged from a tree in a Santiago park as anti-Haitian sentiment appears to be on the rise

Brazilians hoard water, prepare for possible drastic rationing: SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilians are hoarding water in their apartments, drilling homemade wells and taking other emergency measures to prepare for forced rationing that appears likely and could leave taps dry for up to five days a week because of a drought

3 Muslims gunned down in N. Carolina: A 46-year-old man identified by police as Craig Stephen Hicks turned himself in late Tuesday night. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of three counts of first degree murder. Police have yet to comment on what might have compelled Hicks to carry out the attack, though there has been some speculation on social media it was a hate crime.

Obama’s silence on Chapel Hill murders already speaks volumes: On Wednesday, at the White House press briefing, President Obama’s spokesperson was asked about the administration’s reaction to the Chapel Hill shootings. “There’s no specific reaction from the White House,” Obama spokesperson Josh Earnest replied.

Details Of Assassination Plot On Occupy Movement Leaders Withheld From Public At FBI’s Behest: The FBI was right to withhold records about an alleged murder plot targeting the leaders of Occupy Houston, to protect its informants, a federal judge ruled.

Retail sales plunge in January: Retail sales in January were a big miss. In December, retail sales disappointed, falling 0.9% over the prior month as sales at gasoline stations declined 6.5% amid the huge decline in the price of oil.

 February 12, 2015

Moscow’s Problem: Dealing with Imbeciles and Vassals

By Finian Cunningham

The scary thing about American imbeciles is that they don’t have an inkling that they might be brainwashed. Continue

Is Peace or War at Hand?

By Paul Craig Roberts

By trying to be part of the West, Russia made a strategic error that endangered the independence of Russia. Continue

Wretched US Journalism on Ukraine

By Robert Parry

I cannot recall any previous situation in which the U.S. media has been more biased – across the board – than on Ukraine. Continue

How & Why Fake News Stories Are Created: Naomi Wolf

Video

"We have entered a time in which we need to be very skeptical about the news stream" Continue

Smedley Butler and the Racket That Is War

By Sheldon Richman

Butler expressed his outrage at how members of the armed forces are essentially tricked into going to war — at a pitiful wage. Continue

Unauthorized Government Killing by Drones, Bombs, or Other Means Is Still Murder

By Ivan Eland

Obama's killing of at least four Americans was murder -- but so is killing people of other nationalities. Continue

BBC Exclusive Interview With President Bashar al-Assad

Video

Mr Assad denied that his forces had dropped barrel bombs indiscriminately on rebel-held areas. Continue

The Syrian Government Counterattack In The South

By Moon Of Alabama

For Reuters Syria now has - again - a "government", and not a "regime" as Reuters had labeled the Syrian government for a quite a while. That is an important change. Continue

Guardian Editor’s Hypocrisy on Anti-semitism

By Jonathan Cook

I have been a critic of Jonathan Freedland before, but he – and the BBC – sank to a new low last week on the BBC’s Question Time. Continue

Joe Scarborough’s Unhinged Israel Rant
“You Don’t Understand What Jews Are Going Through”

By Joanna Rothkopf

“Morning Joe,” host Joe Scarborough scolded Democrats for their criticism of the prime minister, arguing that Netanyahu is a “spokesperson for Jews worldwide.” Continue

How Dare Netanyahu Speak in the Name of America's Jews?

By Bradley Burston

The prime minister relates to American Jews like a house-pet dog, trainable, capable of being useful, manageable, tamed to violate its undesirable inbred instincts. Continue

Clinton Foundation Received Up To $81m From Clients of Controversial HSBC Bank

By Paul Lewis in New York and James Ball in London

Leaked files from HSBC’s Swiss banking division reveal the identities of seven donors to the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation with accounts in Geneva. Continue

Thirty Nine people killed, 37 wounded in Iraq: 30 ISIL militants were allegedly killed when U.S.-led international coalition’s air forces targeted an ISIL convoy near al-Sultan Abdullah village in the northern province of Ninawah, a Peshmerga source said.

Last US Islamic State hostage killed: Ms Mueller's death was determined after her family was contacted privately by her IS captors over the weekend, with US intelligence then confirming the details of the message.

UAE resumes air strikes against ISIS militants: Official: The United Arab Emirates resumed air strikes on Tuesday against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group which it had suspended after the militants captured a Jordanian pilot in December, the military said.

Jordan Moves 'Thousands' of Troops to Iraq Border: Jordanian Sources: Jordan has deployed "thousands" of troops at its border with Iraq as it ramps up a campaign against ISIS militants who set a pilot ablaze, two Jordanian government officials told NBC News on Tuesday.

US closes Yemen embassy and orders ambassador to leave: White House says its ambassador in Sanaa will leave the country by Wednesday as its orders the closure of its embassy.

Pentagon: Yemen political unrest impacting US military: The Pentagon acknowledged that Yemen's political unrest was impacting its "counter-terrorism" capabilities but said it was still training some Yemeni forces and could still carry out operations inside the countr. We continue to have the capability – unilaterally if need be – of conducting counter-terrorism operations inside Yemen."

Houthi leader insists group will seek powersharing in Yemen: In his first interview since the Yemeni government collapsed, the leader of the Houthi militants in control of Sanaa, the capital, depicted his movement as eager to share power with its rivals and to reach out to the country’s traditional allies, including the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Israelis Cry Foul on U.S. Cash Influencing Their Election: In a Tel Aviv storefront, 84-year-old volunteer Zelda Harris is working the phones for the V15 group trying to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. U.S. billionaire S. Daniel Abraham, founder of Slim-Fast Foods Co., is helping to fund the effort.

Pro-Israel appeal to US patriotism fails to halt “historic” California divestment vote: The campaign for divestment from companies that assist and profit from Israeli violations of Palestinian human rights took a big step forward in California this weekend.

Surprise: Ashkenazi Jews Are Genetically European: The origin of the Ashkenazi Jews, who come most recently from Europe, has largely been shrouded in mystery. But a new study suggests that at least their maternal lineage may derive largely from Europe.

In case you missed it: The Invention of Israel With Shlomo Sand: Shlomo Sand: Challenging Notions of a Jewish People: Israeli Professor Shlomo Sand talks up the ideas of his book, The Invention of the Jewish People, challenging the underlying logic of the State of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish People.

We Killed Over 300 Boko Haram Fighters, Says Niger Defence Minister: “The Boko Haram fighters are gradually running away from border areas into hinterland where they cannot succeed. I can also tell you that very soon, we will cut short their movement and links with villages they get foods and other essentials.

Libyan National Army recapture key stronghold in Benghazi: Libyan troops loyal to Gen. Khalifa Haftar recaptured a strategic army stronghold in the eastern city of Benghazi on Monday, according to military officials, as the battle for control of the city continues.

Five blasts in Egypt's Alexandria wound 10-interior ministry: Suspected Islamist militants bombed three police stations in Egypt's second city Alexandria on Tuesday, wounding 10 people, and also targeted two other locations, an interior ministry official said.

Russia and Egypt to establish 'free trade zone' and build nuclear reactor: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has hailed the economic and security relationship between Egypt and Russia, and announced the establishment of a “free trade zone” between Egypt and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

Ukraine crisis: At least 20 killed as fighting intensifies ahead of peace summit: Intense fighting in Ukraine, including a rocket strike on Kiev's military headquarters in the east, has killed at least 20 people on the eve of a four-way peace summit.

Ukraine Crisis: Ceasefire Agreed Upon, Russian Source Says: A ceasefire was agreed upon late Tuesday night by Russian and Ukrainian officials and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe -- collectively known as the Trilateral Contact Group -- along with pro-Russian separatists, according to a Russian source

Britain 'reserves right' to arm Ukraine: minister: Britain reserves the right to arm Ukraine and will not allow the Ukrainian army to collapse, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told parliament on Tuesday.

If Germany holds firm on EU deal, Greece can look to US, Russia, China: "What we want is a deal. But if there is no deal - hopefully (there will be) - and if we see that Germany remains rigid and wants to blow apart Europe, then we have the obligation to go to Plan B. Plan B is to get funding from another source," Kammenos told Greek television

Russia Expects to Ratify BRICS Bank Deal by March: The establishment of the development bank, aimed at providing funds for infrastructure projects, has been slow in coming with prolonged disagreement over funding and management of the institution.

15 militants killed in clashes in SW Pakistan: Gov officials: At least fifteen militants belonging to an outlawed organization and a paramilitary personnel were killed on Tuesday in a gun battle in southwestern Balochistan province of Pakistan, said officials.

Two Taliban Insurgents Killed in Afghan Special Forces Operation: At least two Taliban insurgents were killed and another arrested in an Afghan Special Forces operation in western Herat province on Monday night, local officials said.

Anti-corruption party routs BJP in Delhi: Indian anti-corruption campaigner Arvind Kejriwal's party wins a landslide in Delhi's state elections, in a huge setback for PM Narendra Modi.

'Truth always has a way of coming out' - CIA torture whistleblower John Kiriakou: Video - The man who first lifted the lid on the CIA's torture programme - John Kiriakou - has been released from prison. He spent 2,5 years in prison - for passing classified information to journalists

The Guardian Hires Chelsea Manning: The Guardian‘s U.S. editor-in-chief Katharine Viner announced the news on Twitter, adding that Manning will write about “war, gender, freedom of information.

FBI monitored and critiqued African American writers for decades: Newly declassified documents from the FBI reveal how the US federal agency under J Edgar Hoover monitored the activities of dozens of prominent African American writers for decades, devoting thousands of pages to detailing their activities and critiquing their work.

February 09, 2015

Why Arming Kiev Is a Really, Really Bad Idea

By Stephen M. Walt

Washington pundits are jumping on a proposal to send weapons to Ukraine. Here's why they all need to take a deep breath. Continue

The More The West Sees The Ukraine Crisis As Another Cold War The Worse It Will Get

By Mary Dejevsky

The talk – especially coming out of the US – is increasingly disturbing. Continue

WPost Is Lost in Neocon Fantasyland

By Paul R. Pillar

The neocons now control the editorial pages of the New York Times and the Washington Post, a dangerous development for the American people and the world. Continue

The Terror We Give Is the Terror We Get

By Chris Hedges

Both ISIS and the West revel in brutality that feeds the fever for war. The line that separates us from our enemies is technological, not moral. We are those we fight. Continue

Burying Vietnam, Launching Perpetual War
How Thanking the Veteran Meant Ignoring What Happened

By Christian Appy

From the Vietnam War, the Pentagon and its apologists learned fundamental lessons about how to burnish, bend, and bury the truth. The results have been devastating. Continue

Mending ‘Axis of Resistance’: Hamas Goes Back To Square One

By Ramzy Baroud

The Islamic Resistance Movement is once again facing difficult choices, and it seems to be choosing a cautious return to its old camp of Iran and Hezbollah. The manoeuvre this time is particularly risky. Continue

A Truth Most Jews Don’t Want To Know About Anti-Semitism

By Alan Hart

“Some politicians around the world deny that what is happening in Europe is anti-Semitism." Continue

Freed CIA Whistleblower John Kiriakou Says
"I Would Do It All Again" to Expose Torture

Video

John Kiriakou became the first CIA official to publicly confirm and detail the Bush administration’s use of waterboarding. Continue

Who Owns Stephen Harper?

By Linda McQuaig

More than $2 million was donated to the Prime Minister's two leadership bids, but the identities of his major backers have never been publicly disclosed. Continue

5 Facts That Show Half of USA Lives In Poverty

By Paul Buchheit

The media celebrates "economic growth," while new data shows most Americans are barely surviving. Continue

The Lie We Live

Must Watch Short Video

Exposing the truth about our corrupt world and what humanity has become. Continue

Iraq: Joint forces kill 24 ISIS elements in Anbar: The fighters of al-Obaid and Albu Mahal clans supported by the international coalition killed 17 elements of ISIS and arrested another 11 in a security process targeted strongholds of the organization in Horan Valley, which is about 35 km from al -Baghdadi sub-district in Anbar

Iraq: Suicide attack, bombing kill at least 22 in Baghdad: Attacks in Baghdad killed at least 22 people and wounded dozens on Monday, just days after the government lifted a nighttime curfew that had been in place in the Iraqi capital for over a decade.

Iraq to launch major ground offensive against IS group: “There will be a major counter offensive on the ground in Iraq,” John Allen, the chief envoy for the international coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group, said in an interview with Jordan’s official Petra news agency.

US to establish military base in Erbil: The U.S. is to establish a military base in the Kurdish regional government region to provide logistical assistance to warplanes targeting Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) positions, Kurdish officials have said, APA reports quoting Anadolu Agency.

‘Execution of Saddam Hussein wasn’t about justice, but about US profits ‘: The way the execution of Saddam Hussein was carried out, in a way that was meant to foment sectarian violence

15 killed in Syria airstrikes: As many as 15 people were killed and dozens wounded Monday in government airstrikes on a rebel-held area east of the capital Damascus, a monitoring group reported.

Former Syrian Rebel Group Allies with Assad to Fight Islamists near Damascus: Former rebel militiamen who have switched sides and joined Syria’s pro-government forces are engaged in a fierce battle against Islamist insurgents near Damascus, sources said on Sunday.

Syria rejects foreign ground troops to fight ISIS: Syria will not allow foreign ground troops on its territory to fight the Islamic State group, Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said on Monday, according to Agence France-Presse.

IS hostage John Cantlie appears in new video from Syria's Aleppo: The Islamic State (IS) group on Monday circulated a video featuring John Cantlie, their British journalist hostage, touring the Syrian city of Aleppo and interviewing IS fighters.

2,000 UK troops, RAF spy plane bound for Jordan to combat ISIS: “We will shortly be in a position to deploy as many as 2,000 troops mainly in a training capacity,” one source said. “Though a proportion will be ready for force protection purposes if that decision is taken.”

Pro-Israel lobby threteans Democrats who plan to skip Netanyahu speech: Benjamin Netanyahu’s well-funded Jewish conservative backers say they may use their funds to draw attention in the districts and states of any Democratic lawmaker who is not at the US Capitol to listen to Netanyahu on March 3.

Vicar faces social media ban over Facebook post linking 9/11 to Israel: A Church of England vicar has been banned from using social media after he posted a link to an internet article blaming Israel for the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. The Rev Stephen Sizer used Facebook to promote the article entitled “9/11 Israel did it” and reportedly wrote: “Is this antisemitic?

Afghanistan drone strike 'kills IS commander Abdul Rauf': Tribal elders in northern Helmand say a car carrying up to six people was destroyed while crossing the desert.

5 killed by bomb in Niger town after army repels Boko Haram: At least five people were killed when a bomber struck a market in the town of Diffa in southeastern Niger on Sunday, after the army repelled an attack by Nigerian militant group Boko Haram on the border settlement.

At least two killed in militant attack in Somalia : At least two people were killed when Somali militants al Shabaab attacked the house of a senior police official in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, police said on Sunday.

Somalia lawmaker shot dead in Mogadishu: Shooting is the latest in a string of assassinations of politicians in the war-torn country.

Boko Haram 'kidnaps bus passengers': Suspected militants from Nigerian group Boko Haram hijack a bus in Cameroon and kidnap at least 20 people, residents say.

25 migrants found dead off Italy's Lampedusa: A total of 25 migrants were found dead by the Italian coastal guard onboard a packed ship off Lampedusa island, between Libya and Sicily, local media said on Monday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Kiev forces cause explosion at chemical factory in Donetsk: A powerful explosion has occurred at a chemical factory in the city of Donetsk in southeastern Ukraine as a result of artillery shelling by Kiev forces, Ukrainian officials have informed on their social network accounts, APA reports citing Ukrainian media.

Obama 'may supply arms to Ukraine': President Barack Obama says the US is considering sending lethal arms to Ukraine if diplomacy fails to end the crisis, lambasting "Russian aggression". Mrs Merkel met the US president in Washington on Monday to update him on German-Franco plans to restart peace talks.

Kremlin: Don't Issue Ultimatums To Putin: Vladimir Putin will not be spoken to in the language of ultimatums, a Russian radio station has quoted the Kremlin as saying. Reports suggest German Chancellor Angela Merkel had given him until Wednesday to agree a peace plan over Ukraine or face new sanctions.

Russia's Putin says will not wage war on anyone: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday Russia did not plan to wage war on anyone although a world order where one leader tells others what they can do would not suit Moscow.

American military expert to Ukraine: "Donbass is lost, you have no army, you will get no weapons!": The Ukrainian army is unfit for combat, it has no coordination with the volunteer battalions - they do not fight as a unified force. It has many structural problems, that weapons will not solve, even if we sent our best tanks, and put rockets and grenade launchers on top of them.

EU agrees to widen Ukraine sanctions but waits on implementation: EU foreignf ministers approved on Monday putting visa bans and asset freezes on more Ukrainian separatists and Russians but will wait until Feb. 16 to implement the measures to give peace efforts more time, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.

Russia's Newest Military Base In Europe Will Be Just 40km From NATO Facilities In Cyprus: "We want to avoid further deterioration in relations between Russia and Europe," explained Cyprus' President Nicos Anastasiades upon reportedly signing an agreement to offer Russia military facilities on its soil

Cyprus denies 'Russia deal on military bases': "There is no question of Russian air or naval military bases on the soil of Cyprus," said Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides. Russian government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta said Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades would make the offer on an official visit to Moscow on 25 February.

Payback time? Greek PM seeks reparations over Nazi occupation & war-time loan: Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, referring to Nazi Germany’s four-year occupation of Greece and a forced war-time loan during World War II that saddled the Greek economy in huge debt, wants Berlin to pay reparations.

Germany rejects Greek claim for World War Two reparations: Germany said on Monday there was "zero" chance of it paying World War Two reparations to Athens, following a renewed demand from Greece's new leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

France: Marseille Police Attacked By Gunmen Carrying Kalashnikovs; Attacks Reportedly Linked To Drug Gangs

HSBC files show how Swiss bank helped clients dodge taxes and hide millions: Data in massive cache of leaked secret bank account files lift lid on questionable practices at subsidiary of one of world’s biggest financial institutions

Your Samsung SmartTV Is Spying on You, Basically: You may be loving your new Internet-connected television and its convenient voice-command feature—but did you know it’s recording everything you say and sending it to a third party?

Cops Shoot Unarmed Man in Bed: Theoharis didn’t have any weapons, but both the Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Corrections ruled the shooting justified and in compliance with policy.

Alan Greenspan: "I'm afraid (the US is) going to run into some form of political crisis": Audio: Mark Mardell speaks to Alan Greenspan, former chairman of the Federal Reserve

February 08, 2015

Europe Fractures: France Pivots To Putin,
Cyprus Offers Moscow Military Base, Germany-US Splinter On Ukraine

By Tyler Durden

German Foreign Minister Steinmeier slammed Washington's strategy for being "not just risky but counterproductive." Continue

Europe Wary of US ‘All Options’ Threat to Russia

By Finian Cunningham

Europeans seem to be waking up to the fact that they stand to lose far more than Washington if the latter’s agenda for escalating violence continues. Continue

The Islamic State Is In Retreat

By Moon Of Alabama

In the last two days the Islamic State gave up some 15 villages in Al-Qamishli district in eastern Syria. Continue

Isis in Iraq:
Britain Has No Plan For Tackling The Militants, And No Idea Who's In Charge

By Patrick Cockburn

A Commons report revealed last week that our involvement there is beyond parody. Continue

A Tangled Thread
The Nisman Murder and the AMIA Terror Bombing

By Gareth Porter

Nisman’s was so convinced of Iran’s guilt that he was ready to see almost any fact as supporting evidence, even when there was an obvious reason for doubting its relevance. Continue

Truth? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Truth

By Paul Craig Roberts

Pay attention. The likelihood is that you are being conditioned for narrowing the dimensions of your freedom. Continue

Spy Drone Can See What You are Wearing From 17,500 Feet

Video

"It is important for the public to know that some of these capabilities exist," Continue

When Silencing Dissent Isn’t News

By Robert Parry

The image of police brutally shielding the mighty from a citizen’s question remains troubling. Continue

Bridesburg, Philadelphia
Postcard from the End of America:

By Linh Dinh

Though many Americans fancy themselves independent thinkers, most are merely slavish adherents of some cartoon version of a political philosophy they haven’t bothered to research. Continue

Economics Compacted

By Fred Reed

This column contains everything there is to know about economics. Hereafter it will be possible to shut down university deprtments and stop talking about Keynes and the Asutrian School, to the great relief of mankind. Continue

Fact or fiction? ISIL lost 7,000 militants: Jordan army: The Jordanian army said Sunday that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has lost 7,000 militants and a fifth of its fighting capabilities. "The terrorist ISIL lost 20 percent of its fighting capability since the international coalition began its air campaign six months ago," head of the Royal Jordanian Air Force Mansour al-Jabour told a press conferenc

New militia battles Islamist rebels near Damascus: Former rebel militiamen who have switched sides and joined Syria's government forces are engaged in a fierce battle against Islamist insurgents near Damascus, an activist group said Sunday.

Syrian army will continue fighting to restore all of Syria: minister: Syria's Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi stressed Sunday that the Syrian army will continue fighting untill all of Syria has been restored and remains united. Al-Zoubi's remarks came during a seminar held Sunday in the Ministry of Information, during which he added that the war on Syria aims to split it.

Iraq PM orders probe into killing of 2 civilians at security facility: Iraq’s prime minister ordered an investigation on Saturday into the killing of two civilians at the main security office in western Al Anbar province, where the army and Shiite and Sunni volunteers are fighting Daesh insurgents.

Engineering Consent For US Boots On The Ground In Iraq: ISIS defenses in Mosul could be trigger for U.S. ground troop recommendation: The U.S. military is trying to gather as much intelligence as it can about ISIS defenses in Mosul to make a key decision about whether it's necessary to recommend American ground troops accompany Iraqi forces on the looming fight to retake Iraq's second largest city.

Chilcot report will be 'devastating' says No 10 : and Blair's secret letters to Bush to be revealed in full

Yemen talks to resume as Houthi coup denounced: UN envoy says all political parties will attend talks on Monday, as Arab League brands the Houthi takeover a "coup."

Iran: Kerry, Zarif meet for surprise nuclear talks: US secretary of state, Iranian FM huddle on the sidelines of Munich conference for second time during stay

Netanyahu vows to scuttle world powers’ Iran deal: Prime minister says he will lead international efforts against imminent ‘bad and dangerous’ nuclear agreement.

Iran FM: Now’s the time for a nuclear deal: Israeli warnings of ‘hypothetical Iranian threat’ a ‘smokescreen’ to hide atrocities against Palestinians, says Zarif

Ethnic cleansing: Israel’s ultimate strategy toward the Palestinians: News Analysis - In a farewell speech, outgoing UN Special Coordinator for the so-called “Middle East peace process” Robert Serry has warned the apartheid state of Israel that continued settlement building in the West Bank was killing any remaining chances for the two-state solution.

Hundreds of rabbis from around the world call on Israel to halt demolition of Palestinian homes: Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR) has submitted an open letter to the Israeli Prime Minister claiming his stance is not in line with “international law and Jewish tradition”.

Arab minority is invisible to Israeli Jews, president says: Not one of Israel’s top 47 companies employs Arabs in mid-level managerial posts or higher, finds study presented to Rivlin

At least 22 dead in clashes at football game in Cairo: Dozens more injured in fighting between police and supporters of Zamalek football club at stadium in Egypt's capital.

Will latest audio leaks hurt Egypt's Sisi?: President allegedly demands money from and makes offensive remarks about some Gulf nations in leaked audio tapes.

10 killed as heavy fighting renews in Libya's second-largest city: The toll is likely to be significantly higher. Witnesses said corpses could be seen on the streets of central Benghazi Saturday as screams and ambulance sirens rang out.

Fire bomb attacks leave many dead in Bangladesh: Two firebomb attacks in two days kill at least nine people, bringing the death toll 76 since unrest began last month.

50,000 casualties in Ukraine: German intel says ‘official figures not credible’: The German intelligence service estimates the real losses in the Ukrainian civil war at 50,000 dead (civilians and servicemen), which is nearly 10 times higher than reported by the Kiev authorities, German media report.

Europe, US split over tackling Ukraine: Merkel says arming Kiev will worsen conflict | US accuses Berlin of turning back on ally

Europe on the brink of war: “Unfortunately, war with Russia is conceivable,” former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung at the Munich Security Conference.

Ukraine arrests journalist after call to dodge draft: Kiev. Ukraine's security service arrested a journalist on treason charges Sunday after he posted a video online urging people to dodge the country's new military draft, his wife and officials said, AFP reported.

Greece needs bridge loan, not bailout - PM Tsipras: Greece cannot service its huge debt and will seek a bridge loan rather than an extension of its bailout, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has said.

Greek FinMin Warns "Euro Will Collapse If Greece Exits", Says Italy Is Next: "if Greece is forced out of the euro zone, other countries will inevitably follow and the currency bloc will collapse, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said on Sunday

Greece: Greenspan predicts exit from euro inevitable: Greece wants to re-negotiate its bailout, but Mr Greenspan said "I don't think it will be resolved without Greece leaving the eurozone".

Greek Government Officials Will Use Public Transport: Members of the government will now have to use their personal car or public transport, and when traveling abroad, they will fly tourist class only.

Non Aligned Movement Backs Venezuela against U.S. Sanctions: The group of 120 nations issued a statement denouncing the sanctions as an intervention into Venezuelan affairs.

Gallup CEO: I May “Suddenly Disappear” For Telling Truth About Obama Unemployment Rate (Video)

February 07, 2015

The First Lie about Moscow Meeting

By Pepe Escobar

John Kerry, as usual, is already lying through his teeth about their trip to the Kremlin. Continue

Listening to Lavrov in Munich

By The Saker

I have to say that I personally don't recall anything quite like what happened today in Munich. Continue

Nuclear War and Clashing Ukraine Narratives

By Robert Parry

America and Russia have two nearly opposite narratives on Ukraine, which is more an indictment of the U.S. news media which feigns objectivity but disseminates what amounts to propaganda. These divergent narratives are driving the world toward a possible nuclear crisis. Continue

Ten Reasons Why We Should Celebrate the Inevitable Nuclear Holocaust

By Vladimir Golstein

Our leaders are eager to escalate a conflict that could very easily spiral out of control. So why not embrace the inevitable? Continue

The New York Times does what it’s told:
What the media’s not telling you about our next likely foreign intervention

By Patrick L. Smith

Drumbeat to arm Ukraine forces gets louder. Even Brookings and Times "liberals" are on board. That means danger. Continue

Were the Saudis Behind 9/11?

By Eric Margolis

Too many senior US officials and legislators have been on the Saudi payroll. Continue

Terrorists or “Freedom Fighters”? Recruited by the CIA

By Professor John Ryan

The barbarous phenomenon we recently witnessed in France has roots that go back to at least 1979 when the mujahedeen made their appearance in Afghanistan. Continue

What The CIA Didn’t Want Americans To Know

By Hadas Gold

Agency brass tried to spike a story implicating the CIA in the killing of a top Hezbollah terrorist. Newsweek complied. The Post didn’t. Continue

Iraq’s Children: Ever Expendable
From Madeleine Albright to “Save the Children”

By Felicity Arbuthnot

Blair enjoined in destroying the “Cradle of Civilization”, outdoing the Mongol Hordes in their 1258 destruction of Baghdad. Continue

Media Influnce On Public Opinion
Ethos Time to Unslave Humanity: Woody Harrelson

Video

Ethos lifts the lid on a Pandora’s box of systemic issues that guarantee failure in almost every aspect of our lives. Continue

In Case You Missed It
Let Your Life Be a Friction to Stop the Machine

This Is A Must Watch Video

A brief and crucial history of the United States. Continue

Bombs kill 37 in Iraq's capital: Ahead of Baghdad ending a decade-old nightly curfew, bombs exploded across the Iraqi capital Saturday, killing at least 37 people in a stark warning of the dangers still ahead in this country torn by the Islamic State group.

UAE deploys F-16 jet squadron to Jordan to fight ISIL: State news agency says fighter planes will support Jordan's military against "the brutal terrorist organisation".

RT speaks with family member of 12-year-old Yemeni boy murdered by US : Video - Although family members of Mohammed Saleh Qayed Taeiman call him a normal sixth grader who was eager to have fun, the US military in January unleashed a deadly drone strike that killed the “al-Qaeda militant”

Thousands protest against Houthi coup in Yemen: Protesters gather in Sanaa and Taiz as Houthis announce formation of "security commission" after takeover of parliament.

Yemen Houthis 'open' to partnerships: Yemen's Houthi rebels offer an 'extended hand' to other political factions after their takeover of Yemen opponents call a coup.

Bomb attack targets car of Hamas official in Gaza: A makeshift bomb has reportedly destroyed a vehicle belonging to an official of the Hamas resistance movement in a Palestinian refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.

UN and Arab League urgently appeal to Gaza donors: Leaders express 'deep concern' over donor failure to honor commitments to Gaza reconstruction.

Abbas forms committee to oversee ICC cases: Former chief negotiator Saeb Erekat to lead new body, charged with gathering documents for war crimes allegations against Israel

Herzog: Netanyahu must cancel his speech to US Congress: Labor leader warns PM ‘throwing Israel’s security under the bus'; Jewish Republicans threaten to ‘shame’ politicians who boycott address

Biden to Snub Netanyahu, Skip Speech: US official says vice president will be ‘traveling abroad'; 40 Democrats also expected to skip March 3 address on Iran

Egypt: 151 militants killed in army raids in North Sinai: At least 151 militants were killed in army raids during the past three days in different parts in Egypt's North Sinai region, official sources said.

3 police officers killed in south Egypt clashes: Clashes between Egyptian security forces and gunmen in the southern city of Minya have left three police officers dead and two others injured

Kenya MP shot dead in Nairobi: George Muchai was killed along with two bodyguards and his driver in an early-morning shooting.

Rape of Libya continues: Libya could go bankrupt, warns West: War-torn Libya faces the prospect of bankruptcy, due to the dual problem of falling global oil prices and declining production in the country, the US and five European countries warned on Saturday.

Nigeria postpones presidential vote over security: The electoral commission in Nigeria has postponed the 14 February presidential election by six weeks over concerns about the security situation.

Leaks allege Egypt's Sisi 'despised' and colluded with Gulf rulers: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi privately "despises" Arab Gulf rulers, despite their substantial financial aid to Egypt, and in contrast to his public statements of lavish praise towards the oil-rich states, a number of leaked audio recordings allege.

Ukraine: 12 killed as Kiev says rebels massing forces: Debaltseve -- mid-way between rebel centres Donetsk and Lugansk -- has been the focus of fierce fighting for over a week as insurgent fighters try to encircle government troops holding the strategic railway hub.

Ukrainian army, rebels declare humanitarian truce in frontline town: The ceasefire, beginning at 8:00 am local time (0600 GMT), will last nine hours to enable the evacuation of civilians from the combat area, said Vitaly Kiva, deputy head of the Interior Ministry department in Donetsk region.

Pro-Russians Open Corridor to Evacuate Civilians from Debaltsevo: Pro-Russian separatists in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) announced on Friday the opening of a humanitarian corridor to evacuate civilians trapped in the eastern Ukrainian city of Debaltsevo, where intense fighting has been taking place for two weeks.-

Really? Poroshenko presents 'proof of Russian involvement' in Ukraine war at Munich Security Conference: While addressing the Munich security conference, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko held up five red Russian passports and one military ID he claimed had been discovered on Ukrainian territory, citing them as the “best evidence” of Russian troop presence in Ukraine

Biden to Putin: 'Don't Tells Us, Show Us': "Too many times, President Putin has promised peace and delivered tanks and troops and weapons. So we will continue to provide Ukraine with security assistance, not to encourage war, but to allow Ukraine to defend itself," Biden said.

In case you missed it: Vice President Joe Biden's son joins Ukraine gas company: Burisma, a private oil and gas company in Ukraine, announced this week that it has appointed Hunter Biden, the youngest son of US Vice President Joe Biden, to its board of directors.

NATO Buildup Near Russian Borders Undermines Security - Lavrov: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated after meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that NATO's course on strengthening its military potential and expanding its military presence in eastern Europe provokes confrontation and undermines the whole system of Euro-Atlantic security.

Lavrov: US escalated Ukraine crisis at every stage & blamed Russia: “Russia is set to promote the peace process in Ukraine.We consistently stand against further warring, we advocate withdrawal of heavy weapons and initiating direct talks between Kiev and the militia in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions,” Russia’s Foreign Minister stressed.

Lavrov: Russia set to promote peace process in Ukraine (Video Full Speech) At every stage of the Ukrainian crisis Washington has been taking steps that “only promoted further aggravation of the situation,” Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said at the Munich Security Conference

Hollande calls Ukraine peace bid ‘one of last chances’ to avoid war: Speaking on France 2 television on Saturday, Hollande said the plan under negotiation would see a 50- to 70-kilometre (31- to 44-mile) demilitarised zone established. He also called for "rather strong" autonomy in parts of east Ukraine.

Ukraine’s currency just collapsed 50 percent in two days: Ukraine, to use a technical term, is broke. That's what you call a country whose currency has lost half its value in just two days.

George Galloway accuses BBC over Question Time 'set-up': “Any antisemitic attack of any kind is utterly despicable but there are at least ten times the number of attacks on mosques. Mr Freedland claimed there had been 1,000 attacks on Jews but there have actually been 84.

The Campaign of Demonisation Against George Galloway Constitutes Incitement: The latest edition of BBC Question Time from Finchley in north London was a low point for the flagship show. The treatment meted out to Respect MP George Galloway was a disgrace, made more so by the fact his car was attacked as he was leaving the venue, despite a police presence outside.

Seven insurgents killed in raids: At least seven armed Taliban fighters were killed in different crackdowns within past 24 hours.

Bomb attacks kill several in Bangladesh: At least nine killed by opposition activists attacking a bus and a truck in Dakha and Barisal district, officials say.

Australia: Authorities at Odds Over Secret Police Operation that Bugged Officers and Journalists: Australian police bugged journalists, each other, and allegedly even their own commissioner in an operation that has remained secret for 15 years.

150 People Reported Disappeared in Piedras Negras, Mexico: Over 150 people have been reported disappeared in the small city of Piedras Negras in the northern border Mexican state of Coahuila in the last 18 months, of which at least 60 have been attributed to elite police forces, according to a lawyer overseeing the cases.

Venezuela : State seizes supermarket chain: The Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, has ordered the takeover of a private supermarket chain by the state food agency.. This week, soldiers and government workers were sent to branches of a large supermarket and pharmacy chain to supervise sales.

Brazil Cities Cancel Carnival Because of Drought: Brazil's worsening drought has been linked to both climate change and deforestation which have limited rainfall, say experts.

Ecuador becomes the first country to roll out its own digital cash: Once the government flips the switch, the South American nation of 16 million will host the first-ever state-run electronic payment system.

U.S. Surgeon General Acknowledges Medical Benefits Of Cannabis: U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy — the nation’s head public health official — acknowledged this week that cannabis can be helpful for certain medical conditions. This is huge since — despite stacks of research and countless user anecdotes showing the medical benefits of cannabis use — the U.S. government still lists it as a Schedule I drug

Shock Video Shows Cops Run Down Man with Cruiser, Severely Beat Him, Charge Him with Assault: Two Philly cops have been charged with the assault of a man after surveillance footage revealed the officers lied about the incident. The laundry list of charges that Officers Kevin Robinson and Sean McKnight are facing is lengthy:

Only 44 Percent Of U.S. Adults Are Employed For 30 Or More Hours Per Week: Jim Clifton, the Chairman and CEO of Gallup, says that the percentage of Americans that are employed full-time has been hovering near record lows since the end of the last recession. But most Americans don’t realize this because the official unemployment numbers are extremely misleading

February 06, 2015

Extremely Dangerous Situation In Debaltsevo

By The Saker

This is the PERFECT opportunity for the kind of false flag massacres NATO and the US are so good at. Continue

The Fallujah Option for East Ukraine

By Mike Whitney

America has paid nothing for decimating vast swathes of the planet and killing more than a million people. Why would they stop now? Continue

Merkel Fears Devastating Defeat Of The Ukrainian Army

By German Economic News

To avert fiasco, Merkel must now discuss a truce with [Russian President] Vladimir Putin. This war could end well for the rebels. Continue

Brutality’s Never Far Away
The Fiery Cage and the Lynching Tree

By Bill Moyers

“This is the barbeque we had last night. My picture is to the left with a cross over it. Your son, Joe.” Continue

A Line in the Sand’ in Fight to Release Thousands of Prisoner Abuse Photos

By Cora Currier

Judge Alvin Hellerstein appeared skeptical of the government’s argument, which asserted that the threat of the Islamic State and Al Qaeda exploiting the images for propaganda should override the public’s right to see any of the photos. Continue

In Case You Missed It
Who Are The Powers Behind The Islamic State?

Video

Investigative journalist Nafeez Ahmed gives specific examples of how Saudi, Qatari, and American interests have supported the group formerly known as ISIS, and what the global community can do now to reign them in. Continue

How Obama is Making the World More Dangerous

By Shamus Cooke

You’re not paranoid if you think the world feels more unstable — it is. Continue

Worse Than Fascism?

By Paul Street

The contemporary U.S. model is some ways worse than classic or real historical fascism in advancing tyrannical imperial and state-capitalist goals. Continue

The Shame of US Journalism Is the Destruction of Iraq, Not Fake Helicopter Stories

By Christian Christensen

The news that NBC’s Brian Williams was not, in fact, on a helicopter in 2003 that came under fire from an Iraqi Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) should come as a surprise to no one. Continue

The Cowardly and Despicable American Presstitutes

By Paul Craig Roberts

A democracy without an honest media cannot exist. In America democracy is a facade behind which operates every evil inclination of mankind. Continue

The Campaign of Demonisation Against George Galloway Constitutes Incitement

By John Wight

‘Je Suis George Galloway’. It is hard to argue with that sentiment after the attempted political and public lynching of the Respect MP on Question Time. Continue

Miko Peled Debunking Jewish Myths
When Everything You Know Is Not True

Must Watch - Video

"If Anybody here, came hoping to hear a balanced presentation, then they are going to be sorely disappointed. I say this, because a lot of the things that you are about to hear to night are difficult to hear." Continue

Another Economic Crash is Coming. How Did This Happen?

Video

David Cameron says a second financial crash is imminent. If he's right, it's because the government bailed out the wrong industry. Continue

There Is Only One Way Out
Open Letter to Mr. Tsipras, PM of Greece

By Peter Koenig

There is only one way out for Greece, Mr. Tsipras: You take the first step; you exit the Eurozone at your own initiative, return to your solid currency the drachma, and start anew. Continue

Syrian air strikes kill 82 after rebel rocket attack: pro-rebel monitor says: (Reuters) - Syrian air force strikes killed 82 people in an opposition district outside Damascus following rocket attacks by rebels that hit the government-controlled center of the capital, monitoring group claimed on Friday.

65 villages in Kobani freed from ISIL control: The Iraqi and Syrian Kurdish peshmerga forces and People’s Protection Units, or YPG, backed by Free Syrian Army, claim it has wrestled control of 65 villages in Kobani’s countryside from ISIL since Jan. 26 in northern Syria, according to a YPG source.

Iraqi army claims it killed 70 ISIL militants in Baiji operation: Iraqi army soldiers, backed by volunteer forces, have reportedly launched a major operation against ISIL terrorists in the strategic northern city of Baiji, killing tens of militants.

Obama to seek approval for more force against ISIS: President Barack Obama will ask Congress for new authority to use force against Islamic State fighters next week, congressional aides said on Thursday.

ISIS claims US hostage killed in Jordanian airstrike: The Islamic State group released a statement on Friday saying a female American hostage held by the group was killed in a Jordanian airstrike in Raqqa, Syria. The claim was made through a media account linked to the group.

Jordan releases leading al Qaeda mentor: security source: There was no immediate announcement of the reason for his release two days after the al Qaeda offshoot Islamic State issued a video showing a captive Jordanian pilot being burned alive.

Pilot's brutal killing divides Jordanians over ISIL war: On Tuesday night as mourners gathered in the capital , protesters clashed over Jordan's role in what they say is an increasingly costly war.

CIA carried out terrorist bombing in Syria’s capital — Why are they claiming it now?: News Analysis - It was an outrageous action in the capital of a sovereign state. By all definitions, a state-sponsored car bombing in the capital city of another nation is defined as terrorism.

Yemen's Houthis dissolve parliament, take over power: Yemen's dominant Houthi movement Friday dissolved parliament and said a new interim assembly would be formed, a move that could ease a power struggle that forced the president to step down last month.

US deeply concerned by Houthi takeover in Yemen: (Will continue to murder people in Yemen) : "We are deeply concerned with this unilateral step," said White House Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz - Despite the takeover, Schultz indicated that US "counterterror" operations in Yemen remain uninterrupted.

U.N. ready to take 'further steps' if Yemen talks not resumed: The 15-nation council also called for the immediate release of Yemen's president, prime minister and cabinet from house arrest.

Turkish FM pulls out of Munich forum to avoid Israelis: Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Friday said he will not attend the Munich Security Conference, citing the presence of Israeli representatives at the event.

Dems lining up to skip Netanyahu: A growing number of top Democrats plan to skip next month's Capitol Hill speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

More than 100 Boko Haram fighters killed after first attack on Niger: Boko Haram launched its first major attack in Niger on Friday, triggering a forceful response from regional troops who claimed to have killed more than a hundred of the Islamists.

Egypt kills 27 alleged militants in the Sinai: Military air strikes killed 27 Islamic militants in Egypt's Northern Sinai Friday in one of the biggest security operations in the region in months, security sources said.

Car bomber kills two, wounds around 20 in Libya's Benghazi: medics: - A jeep filled with explosives killed two people and wounded around 20 on Friday in Benghazi, Libya's second biggest city that is a front line in the country's bloody civil conflict, medics and military officials said.

Heavy fighting reported in Libya's Benghazi: Pro-government forces backed by General Haftar suffer casualties as they push to take port district from rival group

Daesh/ISIS, growing in Libya, warns diplomat: “Daesh is growing in Libya, exponentially. Daesh is committing atrocities every day,” Nayed said in an interview with AFP. “It’s not possible to fight Daesh in Iraq and Syria without also addressing the Libyan component.”

South Kordofan civilians killed in Sudan army shelling: Residents, especially children, pay heavy toll as Sudan's army attempts to bomb Nuba rebel group into submission.

US partly to blame for Ukraine’s use of cluster bombs – McCain: “I think that if we had provided them with the weapons they need, they wouldn’t have felt they had to use cluster bombs. So, it’s partially our fault,” McCain said.

Putin meets Merkel, Hollande behind closed doors in Moscow: The French weekly also suggested that the EU leaders are meeting Putin “to get ahead of the Americans, who are trying to impose their solution to the problem on Westerners: a transfer of weapons to Ukraine.”

Sending weapons to Ukraine would escalate violence – UK Defence Secretary: British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said on Friday that supplying weapons to Ukraine, an option under consideration in Washington, would escalate the ongoing conflict.

European defence ministers oppose sending weapons to Ukraine: European defence ministers spoke out on Thursday against sending weapons to the Ukrainian army, pointing to a potential transatlantic split if Washington decides to supply arms.

Hagel concerned about possible split in NATO: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday he is worried about a potential division within NATO as countries in the north want to focus on the growing threat from Russia, while other alliance members in the south are more worried about the influx of foreign fighters from northern Africa.

Putin Invites New Greek Prime Minister to Moscow: According to Putin's assistant Yuri Ushakov, both leaders discussed by telephone international issues like the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the situation with the South Stream, an abandoned pipeline project to transport natural gas of Russia to Europe through the Black Sea.

Greece won't accept any deal concerning existing bailout at Eurogroup: Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis will not accept any deal at next week's Eurogroup meeting that keeps the current international bailout programme in place, a Greek government official said on Friday.

World heading for financial crisis worse than in 2008 — China’s Dagong rating agency head: A setback in the growth model focused on credit-based consumption may become a source of a new crisis

Australian Prime Minister Faces Party Coup: The beleaguered prime minister could soon become the second Australian leader to be deposed by his own party in five years.

Mexican Social Activist Found Dead in 'Political Crime': Alejandro Gustavo Salgado, an activist with the Popular Revolutionary Front (FPR), was found dead Wednesday only hours after being reported missing. The president of the FPR has declared his death a “political crime.” The FPR is the grassroots wing of the Communist Party of Mexico (Marxist-Leninist).

Who are the Guantánamo 'recidivists'?: Fear of Gitmo prisoners returning to 'terror' activities after release unfounded, says top defense official; Closing Guantánamo Bay prison is in the national interest of the United States, and fears of recidivism among prisoners released from the detention center are unfounded, a top defense official said today at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

UK court says spies' Internet surveillance was unlawful: Landmark British court ruling says mass surveillance of UK residents gathered by NSA contravened EU human rights norms.

Two Philly cops charged with brutality; video shows man being struck, beaten: Video -"This type of behavior has absolutely no place in our city, and I will prosecute these two officers to the fullest extent of the law," Williams said.

Female Genital Mutilation Affects Three Times More People In The US Than Previously Thought : Campaigners call for action to deal with ‘state of emergency’ as figures show more than 500,000 US women are living with or at risk from consequences

February 05, 2015

Burning Victims to Death: Still a Common Practice

By Glenn Greenwald

Unlike ISIS, the U.S. usually (though not always) tries to suppress (rather than gleefully publish) evidence showing the victims of its violence. Continue

NATO is Already at War in Ukraine… and it is Losing

By Finian Cunningham

NATO is losing its war in Ukraine and needs to send more military fuel in order to salvage the mounting losses. Continue

No Doubt: US Taxpayers Will be Robbed to Arm Poroshenko

By Ron Paul

Let the instigators of the war put their own “boots on the ground." Continue

Al-Qaeda, Saudi Arabia and Israel

By Robert Parry

 America’s neocons might have some explaining to do about why they have carried water not just for the Israelis but for Israel’s de facto allies in Saudi Arabia. Continue

Conundrum – Syriza, Democracy And The Death Of A Saudi Tyrant

ByMedia Lens Editor

Coverage of the death of Saudi Arabian dictator King Abdullah on January 23 fits the usual pattern. Continue

War and Perpetual Adolescence

By Robert C. Koehler

"War, backed by a diet of fear, is the backdrop against which the young have grown to adulthood. It’s the background noise of their world.” Continue

The Lone-Wolf Terror Trap

By Matthew Harwood

Why the Cure Will Be Worse Than the Disease. Continue
 

Sami Al-Arian, Professor Who Defeated Controversial Terrorism Charges, is Deported from U.S.

By Murtaza Hussain and Glenn Greenwald

“I came to the United States for freedom, but four decades later, I am leaving to gain my freedom.” Continue

Ignoring America’s True Greatness

By Bruce Fein

The greatness of America has been lost because our culture has come to love wealth, domination, and a risk-free existence more than liberty and justice. Continue

No Escape

By Dmitry Orlov

Quite a few of those currently inhabiting the belly of the decrepit and senile beast of western industrial civilization are experiencing an extreme sense of unease about what the future is likely to bring. Continue

Boko Haram kills 90 civilians and wounds 500 in Cameroon attacks: Some 800 Islamic extremists attacking the town of Fotokol “burned churches, mosques and villages and slaughtered youth who resisted joining them to fight Cameroonian forces”, the information minister, Issa Tchiroma Bakari, said on Thursday.

13 Chad troops killed in Boko Haram counter-attack: "After finishing the count in Fotokol, we... found 13 Chadian soldiers killed," the minister, Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo'o, said Thursday.

Libya: 7 killed in heavy fighting as army pushes to take port: Clashes erupted in the centre of Libya's main eastern city Benghazi on Thursday as pro-government forces pushed to take the port district from Islamist militants, and seven soldiers were killed, witnesses and military officials said.

The World Looks Away as Ebola Surges: Ebola is spreading again, but the world isn't interested. As international interest in Ebola wanes, the virus has again spiked in West Africa, according to figures released by the World Health Organization (WHO) Wednesday.

Jordan carries out air strikes in Iraq, killing 55 IS militants: The Jordanian air force carried out air strikes against Islamic State targets in Mosul, killing 55 including a top IS commander known as the "Prince of Nineveh," Iraqi media reported Wednesday.

Jordan's pledge to fight militants on the ground is coup for US and its allies : King Abdullah told members of the US Congress that Jordan would be stepping up air strikes against Isis. “The only problem we are going to have,” he declared, “is running out of fuel and bullets.” US officials were forced to admit that the United Arab Emirates, a crucial ally, had dropped out of the mission.

Obama to seek additional $1B in financial aid for Jordan: Obama said he will seek $1 billion in loan guarantees for Jordan, using the full faith and credit of the United States to help make it easier for Jordan to borrow money. The new guarantee would be on top of a $1.25 billion loan guarantee Congress approved last year, the first one ever for Jordan.

Kurds and ISIL battle over Kirkuk: Desperate for a victory, ISIL sets its eyes on Kirkuk threatening the core of Kurdish heartland.

Baghdad's decade-old curfew to be lifted: Curfew imposed on Iraqi capital 10 years ago to end beginning Saturday, state media reports.

Dozens killed in heavy Damascus fighting: Heavy fighting in and around the Syrian capital Damascus has killed at least 40 people and wounded many more, state media and observers say.

8 killed in clashes in southern Yemen: Five soldiers and three militants were killed on Thursday evening in clashes between the Yemeni army and a group of militants in the southern port city of Aden, said a military official, APA reports quoting Xinhua

Palestinians to become ICC member from April 1, UN confirms: Palestine will join the International Criminal Court on April 1, announced UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday. The Palestinians will be able to sue Israel for war crimes, a move the Israeli administration has consistently opposed for decades.

18 Taliban killed as Afghan troops fight insurgents near Pak border; At least 18 militants were killed in a gun battle in a mountainous district of Afghanistan near Pakistan, police said on Thursday, in the latest fighting in the region since a Taliban massacre of school children in the nearby city of Peshawar late last year.

Police in southern India rescue hundreds of child workers: Hundreds of children, forced to work in "inhuman conditions", have been rescued from factories in southern India. At least 350 children were removed during raids on leather tanning and plastic workshops in Hyderabad, over a 10-day period.

19 civilians and troops killed in Ukraine in 24 hours: Fourteen civilians and five government soldiers have been killed in fighting in east Ukraine over the past 24 hours, government and rebel officials said Thursday.

Rebels claim control of another Ukrainian town: Vuhlehirsk is not far from Debaltseve, a larger town the government in Kyiv is attempting to keep in the hands of Ukrainian forces. Rebels have been advancing on the area, which is considered a key railway hub.

US tilts toward arming Ukraine: The Obama administration is tilting toward sending arms to Ukraine to help it fight Russian-backed rebels as three Cabinet-level officials head to Europe for consultations with Ukrainian officials and NATO allies in Brussels, Kiev and Munich.

US arms supplies to Ukraine threaten Russia's secutiry — Foreign Ministry: "We are very seriously concerned by these plans. Taking into account the revanchist plans of the "party of war" in Kiev, this could not only escalate the conflict in the south-east, but also threaten the security of Russia, the territory of which has been shelled several times from the Ukrainian side," the diplomat said.

30,000 troops, 6 rapid units: NATO increases military power in Eastern Europe: The NATO Response Force in Europe might increase to 30,000 troops from the current 13,000, said the alliance’s secretary general ahead of a defense ministers meeting in Brussels. Most of the RDF troops are set to be stationed near to Russia’s borders.

NATO Chief Admits Russia Poses No Threat to Baltic States, Eastern Europe: Jens Stoltenberg sees no immediate threat posed by Russia to the Baltic States, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania. He said as much when fielding media questions on the sidelines of Thursday’s meeting in Brussels of the defense ministers of the 28 NATO countries.

Merkel, Hollande, Putin to discuss end to Ukraine's civil war at Moscow talks: The French president and the German chancellor are set to visit Moscow on Friday after a trip to Kiev, in order to find a peaceful solution to the escalating violence in Ukraine, the Kremlin has confirmed.

Putin Says Russia Needs $3 Billion Used to Bail Out Ukraine; Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine should repay a $3 billion loan because Russia needs the money for the government’s plan to fight an economic crisis.

Ukrainiane: Welcome to the most corrupt nation in Europe: While the conflict with Russia heats up in the east, life for most Ukrainians is marred by corruption so endemic that even hospitals appear to be infected. Can anyone clean the country up?

Greek Defense Chief Accuses Germany of Taking Over EU, NATO: The Greek defense minister scolded Germany for alleged blackmail and attempts to seize the reins of the European Union and NATO. Earlier, Germany's defense chief accused Athens of compromising its position by moving closer to Russia.

End 'gross indignity', Greek FM Varoufakis tells Germany: Yanis Varoufakis said "too much time, hopes, lives" had been wasted by Greece's forced austerity programme. He was speaking after talks with his German counterpart, Wolfgang Schaeuble, who said a reduction of Greece's debt was off the agenda.

UK Spent More Money 'Guarding' Assange than in Iraq War Probe: A WikiLeaks spokesperson pointed out the cost of the controversial police operation has now exceeded the budget of the country’s Iraq War inquiry. The inquiry was established in 2009 to critique the U.K.'s role in the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. The broad public inquiry is expected to have a final cost of roughly £10 million.

Clashes leave 9 dead near Mexican border cities: The U.S. Consulate in Matamoros on Wednesday warned that gun battles between Mexican government forces and gunmen on roads between that border city and Reynosa were likely to continue. The death toll from fighting in the area stood at nine.

No Refuge: Children at the border: A humanitarian crisis is unfolding along the US border with Mexico. Rising gang violence in Mexico and Central America is pushing thousands of migrant children to flee their homes and seek refuge by attempting to cross the US border.

This man is a hero: CIA Torture Whistleblower Released From Prison, Subject to House Arrest: Ex-CIA officer John Kiriakou revealed in 2007 that the CIA used waterboarding during the interrogation of al-Qaeda suspects. In February 2013, he was sentenced until August 2015.

NBC'S Brian Williams admits on air to lying: The nation’s top-rated news anchor apologized on the air Wednesday evening for fabricating a story of personal heroics, claiming to have been aboard a helicopter in Iraq in 2003 when it was hit by enemy fire.

Some Other Tall Tales Brian Williams Might Want to Apologize For: As long as he's in a confessional mood, Williams might as well admit that he didn't see "a lot of people shooting at people to make dead bodies," nor would people have killed him for his car if he hadn't been surrounded by feds–none of which appeared in his original reporting

Gallup CEO: Number of Full-Time Jobs as Percent of Population Is Lowest It’s Ever Been (Video): Gallup CEO and Chairman Jim Clifton doubled-down on his comments earlier in the week on the misleading Obama unemployment rate.

February 04, 2014

Genghis Khan-style Cruelty of Isis

By Robert Fisk

The tens of thousands of Sunni Muslims who had demanded the pilot be freed now know what their fellow Muslims in Syria and Iraq had in mind for him. Continue

Putin Prefers a Bad Peace

By Israel Shamir

The West presents Putin as a bloodthirsty warmonger with grand imperial ambitions. The reality is that Putin wants a stable, federalized Ukraine—anything else would be too costly for Russia. Continue

Editor Of Major Newspaper Says He Planted Stories For CIA

By Ralph Lopez

Ulfkotte said the aim of much of the deception was to drive nations toward war. Continue

‘Saudi Princes Planned To Down Air Force One With Missile’:

By RT and Agencies

The meeting discussing the plan to down Air Force One allegedly took place at the kingdom’s embassy in Washington DC. Continue

HRW Claims US 'Most Powerful Proponent of Human Rights'?

By Joe Emersberger

HRW tries its best to put a positive spin on the legacy of an amazingly repulsive U.S. ally. Continue

The Sociopath as Hero

By Paul Edwards

“the Global War on Terror” has imbued them with the same hateful, furious, kneejerk, Nazi-style “patriotism” that Kyle embodied. Continue

American Sniper Has Warped Americans' Fragile Little Minds

Video

How does modern propaganda work? How effective is it? Adam blows these issues wide open with an incredible series of man on the street interviews. Continue

Putting the Terror Threat In Perspective

By Washingtons Blog

There Are Far Fewer Terror Attacks Now Than In the 1970s. Continue

Harper’s Anti-terror Legislation Threatens Rights Of All Canadians

By Peter Ewart

Even clicking on a particular site, could result in a person being put under scrutiny. Continue

Israel Has Neutralized The PA: Hanan Ashrawi

David Hearst Interviews Hanan Ashrawi

You cannot just label everybody a prostitute and an anti-Semite if you dare to criticize Israel. Continue

Alberto Nisman’s Death and AMIA: Who Cares About the Truth?

By Ezequiel Adamovsky

Although he is portrayed as a man who died looking for the truth, Nisman was far from being a justice hero. Continue

My Post Cyberpunk Indentured Servitude

By Barrett Brown

Journalist Barrett Brown looks back in anger at the government’s trumped up charges against him as he starts a 63 month prison sentence. Continue

How Reality TV Is Teaching Us to Accept the American Police State

By John W. Whitehead

When that painful reality sinks in, it will hit with the force of a SWAT team crashing through your door, a taser being aimed at your stomach, and a gun pointed at your head. Continue

Chad kills 'more than 200' in Nigeria: Chad's army says it has killed more than 200 militant Islamists and lost nine men during a battle to recapture a key town in north-eastern Nigeria.

70 civilians, six troops ‘killed in Boko Haram rampage in Cameroon’; Boko Haram fighters killed nearly 70 civilians and six soldiers in an onslaught on the Cameroonian border town of Fotokol on Wednesday, a Cameroonian security source told AFP.

At least 21 killed in machete attack in northeast Congo: At least 21 people were killed overnight in the town of Mayangose in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo by machete-wielding assailants, a civil society leader said on Wednesday.

16 Libyan troops killed near Islamist hub, oil terminal: Clashes between Islamist fighters and Libyan soldiers erupt around eastern Islamist stronghold of Derna, close to a key oil terminal.

Gunmen Kill 12 in Raid on Remote Libyan Oilfield: Gunmen killed 12 people, including two Filipino and two Ghanaian nationals, after storming a remote Libyan oilfield, a Libyan official said Wednesday.

U.S. kills alleged, senior Shabaab leader in Somalia: government: A U.S. missile strike launched in Somalia last week killed Islamist group al Shabaab's mastermind behind attacks at home and abroad, the Somali government said on Wednesday.

Egypt court: 230 sentenced to life in prison: They sentence was handed down by Jugde Mohammed Nagy Shehata, the same judge who jailed the Al Jazeera journalists and sentenced 183 suspected Islamists to death on Monday.

Syria Kurds advance, face 'no resistance' near Kobani: activists; Syrian Kurdish forces made fresh advances Wednesday near the flashpoint town of Kobani, bringing the number of villages they have recaptured from ISIS to 50, activists said.

Oops They Did it Again: ‘Moderate’ Syrian Rebels Join Jihadists: The Harakat Hazzm group had been on the receiving end of Washington’s largesse due to its status as a “non-jihadist” faction fighting to overthrow Assad. It was created last year and had ties to the US-created Free Syrian Army.

Brutal killing shows Islamic State suffering setbacks; The sick way Islamic State terrorists burned Jordanian pilot Lt. Moaz Kasasbeh alive should not be misunderstood: It means the organization has suffered defeats in battle and is letting out its frustration in brutal and vicious acts that go beyond even its past depravities.

Jordan, shaken by ISIS killing, executes 2 inmates: Following the pilot's death, Jordan launched what it said would be a tough campaign against ISIS. Jordan executed Sajida al-Rishawi and Ziad al-Karbouly, two Iraqis linked to Al-Qaeda. Another official said they were executed by hanging. Authorities said the pair would be buried later in Jordan.

Jordan pilot was killed one month ago: State TV: It said the captured airman had been killed by the group on Jan 3, before the militants offered to spare his life and free a Japanese journalist in return for the release of a female would-be suicide bomber on death row in Jordan.

Father of murdered Jordan pilot demands revenge: Safi al-Kassasbeh says Jordan's execution of two al-Qaeda-linked prisoners is not sufficient to avenge his son's death.

UAE halted Isis air attacks after pilot capture: The United Arab Emirates has suspended its air attacks against the Islamic State in Syria since the capture of a Jordanian pilot who was burned alive by the jihadi group, it has emerged.

Yemen suicide bomber kills 5: Security officials say a suicide car bomber has targeted a military base in central Yemen, killing at least five troops.

Pentagon loses track of weaponry sent to Yemen in recent years: Chaos in the functionally leaderless country has seen Houthi rebels reportedly take control of Yemeni military’s arms depots and bases

Who Are the Billionaires Attacking Obama’s Iran Diplomacy?: Former AIPAC spokesman Josh Block has turned the pro-Israel advocacy group into one of the shrillest opponents of diplomacy with Iran. But, according to documents obtained by The Nation, two of the groups’ billionaire underwriters may have their own anti-Obama impetuses.

UN: In 2014, Israel demolished 1,177 Palestinians’ homes in the occupied West Bank: Israel destroyed 590 Palestinian buildings in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 2014, displacing 1,177 people, according to a new study by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Ex-Mossad boss: Fear-mongering Netanyahu is antithesis of Churchill: He’s leading Israel to a third intifada, and his calling Iran’s nuclear drive an existential threat is a ‘terrible mistake’