theduran--2020-01-05--Can China’s Long March 4 Revive the Spirit of JFK and Defuse Space Force?

China ’ s successful launch of its Long March 5 Rocket on December 26 was a powerful reminder of humanity ’ s true mission and higher nature as a species of reason and discovery which came at just the right moment as China/US tensions have fallen to new lows in recent months .
For those who may not be aware , the Long March 5 Rocket is part of a multi-phase program which aims to eventually have permanent human colonization on the Moon and also Mars along with other important goals of asteroid and lunar mining which promises to revolutionize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ resource ” actually is .
On a higher level , this plan also brings into question what new forms of fuel can be used to power civilization ( the Moon is replete with millions of tons of the isotope Helium-3 as has been noted by leaders of the Chinese Space Agency which happens to be the perfect fuel for fusion power ) .
Earlier this year , China became the first nation to land a rover on the far side of the moon which happens to also be the side with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unleashed from the Sun as it is much less affected by the electromagnetic field of the earth .
While this program has occurred under the veil of America ’ s 2011 ban on US-China space cooperation , China has continued to offer olive branches to the USA to join in these endeavors .
The Long March 5 lift off from Hainan features four core aims : 1 ) Deploy a telecommunications satellite in earth ’ s orbit to service Silk Road countries ( the 33rd this year-far beyond the quantity deployed by either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Provide the basis for deploying a core module for China ’ s manned space station .
3 ) Prepare for deploying the first lunar lander which will bring samples back to earth later this year .
4 ) Deploying a Mars lander as part of the broader mission of better understanding the origins and nature of life and evolution of solar systems and galaxies .
The importance of this program at this moment of global crisis can not be overstated as the US sits precariously atop an economic time bomb of a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renewed targeting of Russia and China as the primary threats to America with the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 signed into law on December 20 ( ironically the two countries which the US needs as allies if a meltdown of America is to be avoided ) .
Dark Age thinking behind the NDAA was showcased in all of its ugliness by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper who stated that “ both nations ( Russia and China ) are rapidly modernizing their armed forces and expanding their capabilities into the space and cyber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violating the sovereignty of smaller states , but they ’ re also attempting to undermine international laws and norms to advantage themselves at the expense of others.
” Just as American politics is reeling over a fight between “ the two Americas ” ( deep state vs constitutional traditions ) , so too has America ’ s science community been torn apart by a combat between a military industrial cult on the one side and forces representing better patriotic scientific traditions on the other .
Representing those “ better patriotic traditions ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charles Bolden have made headlines calling openly for the lifting of the ban on US-China space cooperation imposed during the Obama Administration while current NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has called for international cooperation on asteroid defense and the Lunar Gateway .
Other positive steps made by the “ sane America ” are featured in President Trump ’ s championing of the Artemis Space Program to put humans back on the Moon permanently by 2024 , designs for a lunar base orbiter and broader Mars missions which include an advanced rover to be launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing soil samples back from the Martian surface in 2028 and a larger mission to land a human on the surface in the 2030s .
While these are incredibly positive dynamics , it is important to take note of the neo con nut jobs who have made every effort to pervert space technology for their own dystopian ends .
Speaking out against the military industrial side of American space policy which the NDAA has unleashed , China ’ s Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Wu Qian said : Col. Wu is referring to Space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Branch of the military .
This remarkably short sighted doctrine which attempts to wrap a wall of terror around the beautiful potential of our species is especially incompetent considering the mutual benefits to all human kind found in space exploration .
Mark Esper demonstrated typically brutish neo con blindness to this opportunity when he said : “ Our reliance on space-based capabilities has grown dramatically and today outer space has evolved into a warfighting domain of its own… maintaining American dominance in that domain is now the mission of the United States Space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategies of military containment exemplified by Esper and other NDAA architects , China ’ s commitment to a re-orientation of humanity ’ s horizons to the stars is a breath of fresh air and forces a sort of “ Sputnik Moment ” to present itself to a sleeping west that has far too long forgotten it ’ s better heritage .
It is too easily forgotten that Russia ’ s successful launching of Sputnik polarized the imaginations of the world and provided a master key which great leaders always knew would serve as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mutual Assured Destruction of the Bi-polar Cold War .
Had Sputnik not happened , then America ’ s own space program would never have gotten the support it needed to become a world leader in the 1960s under the leadership of Kennedy , and the vast array of spin off technologies such as internet , telecommunication satellites , cell phones , GPS , 3D Printing , prosthetics , CT Scans , and Aeroponics would never have occurred .
For those cynics out there who attempt to reduce the value of space exploration to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , they need look no further than President John F. Kennedy ’ s bold call to for space cooperation with the Soviet Union on September 20 , 1963… less than one month before his assassination .
In this speech ( which ideologues like Pence , Bolton and Esper should have listened to before their their neo-con indoctrination began ) , the late President echoes the spirit of win-win cooperation of Xi Jinping by calling for a total ban on the weaponization of space , a finalization of the nuclear test ban treaty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lunar landing .
Since Kennedy ’ s concepts are so important for today ’ s troubled world , I think it ’ s appropriate to end this report with some selections of his speech : “ Today we may have reached a pause in the cold war–but that is not a lasting peace .
A test ban treaty is a milestone–but it is not the millennium .
We have not been released from our obligations–we have been given an opportunity .
And if we fail to make the most of this moment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and understandings into new walls and weapons of hostility–if this pause in the cold war merely leads to its renewal and not to its end–then the indictment of posterity will rightly point its finger at us all .
But if we can stretch this pause into a period of cooperation–if both sides can now gain new confidence and experience in concrete collaborations for peace–if we can now be as bold and farsighted in the control of deadly weapons as we have been in their creation–then surely this first small step can be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
…The fact remains that the United States , as a major nuclear power , does have a special responsibility in the world .
It is , in fact , a threefold responsibility–a responsibility to our own citizens ; a responsibility to the people of the whole world who are affected by our decisions ; and to the next generation of humanity .
We believe the Soviet Union also has these special responsibilities–and that those responsibilities require our two nations to concentrate less on our differences and more on the means of resolving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us have increased our military budgets , our nuclear stockpiles , and our capacity to destroy all life on this hemisphere–human , animal , vegetable–without any corresponding increase in our security .
…Finally , in a field where the United States and the Soviet Union have a special capacity–in the field of space–there is room for new cooperation , for further joint efforts in the regulation and exploration of space .
I include among these possibilities a joint expedition to the moon .
Space offers no problems of sovereignty ; by resolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United Nations have foresworn any claim to territorial rights in outer space or on celestial bodies , and declared that international law and the United Nations Charter will apply .
Why , therefore , should man ’ s first flight to the moon be a matter of national competition ?
Why should the United States and the Soviet Union , in preparing for such expeditions , become involved in immense duplications of research , construction , and expenditure ?
Surely we should explore whether the scientists and astronauts of our two countries–indeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together in the conquest of space , sending someday in this decade to the moon not the representatives of a single nation , but the representatives of all of our countries.
” Matthew Ehret is the Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Patriot Review and has authored 3 volumes of ‘ Untold History of Canada ’ book series .
His works appear regularly on The Duran , Strategic Culture , Sott , Fort Russ , Zero Hedge , Global Times , L.A. Review of Books , LeSaker.fr , Vigile Quebec , South Front and Veterans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Tactical Talk .
In 2019 Matthew co-founded the Montreal-based Rising Tide Foundation .
He can be reached at [ email protected ]

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
China’s successful launch of its Long March 5 Rocket on December 26 was a powerful reminder of humanity’s true mission and higher nature as a species of reason and discovery which came at just the right moment as China/US tensions have fallen to new lows in recent months.
For those who may not be aware, the Long March 5 Rocket is part of a multi-phase program which aims to eventually have permanent human colonization on the Moon and also Mars along with other important goals of asteroid and lunar mining which promises to revolutionize humanity’s concept of what a “resource” actually is. On a higher level, this plan also brings into question what new forms of fuel can be used to power civilization (the Moon is replete with millions of tons of the isotope Helium-3 as has been noted by leaders of the Chinese Space Agency which happens to be the perfect fuel for fusion power). Earlier this year, China became the first nation to land a rover on the far side of the moon which happens to also be the side with the most abundant accumulation of Helium-3 which is unleashed from the Sun as it is much less affected by the electromagnetic field of the earth. While this program has occurred under the veil of America’s 2011 ban on US-China space cooperation, China has continued to offer olive branches to the USA to join in these endeavors.
The Long March 5 lift off from Hainan features four core aims:
1) Deploy a telecommunications satellite in earth’s orbit to service Silk Road countries (the 33rd this year-far beyond the quantity deployed by either the USA or Russia)
2) Provide the basis for deploying a core module for China’s manned space station.
3) Prepare for deploying the first lunar lander which will bring samples back to earth later this year.
4) Deploying a Mars lander as part of the broader mission of better understanding the origins and nature of life and evolution of solar systems and galaxies.
The importance of this program at this moment of global crisis cannot be overstated as the US sits precariously atop an economic time bomb of a $1.5 quadrillion derivatives bubble, and a renewed targeting of Russia and China as the primary threats to America with the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 signed into law on December 20 (ironically the two countries which the US needs as allies if a meltdown of America is to be avoided). Dark Age thinking behind the NDAA was showcased in all of its ugliness by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper who stated that “both nations (Russia and China) are rapidly modernizing their armed forces and expanding their capabilities into the space and cyber domains… Beijing and Moscow are not only violating the sovereignty of smaller states, but they’re also attempting to undermine international laws and norms to advantage themselves at the expense of others.”
Space: A Domain of Peace or War?
Just as American politics is reeling over a fight between “the two Americas” (deep state vs constitutional traditions), so too has America’s science community been torn apart by a combat between a military industrial cult on the one side and forces representing better patriotic scientific traditions on the other.
Representing those “better patriotic traditions”, many former and past NASA administrators including Charles Bolden have made headlines calling openly for the lifting of the ban on US-China space cooperation imposed during the Obama Administration while current NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has called for international cooperation on asteroid defense and the Lunar Gateway. Other positive steps made by the “sane America” are featured in President Trump’s championing of the Artemis Space Program to put humans back on the Moon permanently by 2024, designs for a lunar base orbiter and broader Mars missions which include an advanced rover to be launched in July 2020 as a precursor to bringing soil samples back from the Martian surface in 2028 and a larger mission to land a human on the surface in the 2030s.
While these are incredibly positive dynamics, it is important to take note of the neo con nut jobs who have made every effort to pervert space technology for their own dystopian ends.
Speaking out against the military industrial side of American space policy which the NDAA has unleashed, China’s Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Wu Qian said:
“the US has established a space force and developed strong space operations capabilities which will only intensify militarization and arms race in space and greatly undermine peace, security and global strategic stability”.
Col. Wu is referring to Space Force which was activated as a 6th Branch of the military. This remarkably short sighted doctrine which attempts to wrap a wall of terror around the beautiful potential of our species is especially incompetent considering the mutual benefits to all human kind found in space exploration. Mark Esper demonstrated typically brutish neo con blindness to this opportunity when he said: “Our reliance on space-based capabilities has grown dramatically and today outer space has evolved into a warfighting domain of its own… maintaining American dominance in that domain is now the mission of the United States Space Force.”
Breaking out of Closed System Thinking
In spite of the narrow-minded strategies of military containment exemplified by Esper and other NDAA architects, China’s commitment to a re-orientation of humanity’s horizons to the stars is a breath of fresh air and forces a sort of “Sputnik Moment” to present itself to a sleeping west that has far too long forgotten it’s better heritage. It is too easily forgotten that Russia’s successful launching of Sputnik polarized the imaginations of the world and provided a master key which great leaders always knew would serve as an escape from the unwinnable doctrines of Mutual Assured Destruction of the Bi-polar Cold War. Had Sputnik not happened, then America’s own space program would never have gotten the support it needed to become a world leader in the 1960s under the leadership of Kennedy, and the vast array of spin off technologies such as internet, telecommunication satellites, cell phones, GPS, 3D Printing, prosthetics, CT Scans, and Aeroponics would never have occurred.
For those cynics out there who attempt to reduce the value of space exploration to mere theories of “Cold War competition”, they need look no further than President John F. Kennedy’s bold call to for space cooperation with the Soviet Union on September 20, 1963… less than one month before his assassination.
In this speech (which ideologues like Pence, Bolton and Esper should have listened to before their their neo-con indoctrination began), the late President echoes the spirit of win-win cooperation of Xi Jinping by calling for a total ban on the weaponization of space, a finalization of the nuclear test ban treaty and most importantly US-Soviet cooperation on a lunar landing.
Since Kennedy’s concepts are so important for today’s troubled world, I think it’s appropriate to end this report with some selections of his speech:
“Today we may have reached a pause in the cold war–but that is not a lasting peace. A test ban treaty is a milestone–but it is not the millennium. We have not been released from our obligations–we have been given an opportunity. And if we fail to make the most of this moment and this momentum–if we convert our new-found hopes and understandings into new walls and weapons of hostility–if this pause in the cold war merely leads to its renewal and not to its end–then the indictment of posterity will rightly point its finger at us all. But if we can stretch this pause into a period of cooperation–if both sides can now gain new confidence and experience in concrete collaborations for peace–if we can now be as bold and farsighted in the control of deadly weapons as we have been in their creation–then surely this first small step can be the start of a long and fruitful journey. …The fact remains that the United States, as a major nuclear power, does have a special responsibility in the world. It is, in fact, a threefold responsibility–a responsibility to our own citizens; a responsibility to the people of the whole world who are affected by our decisions; and to the next generation of humanity. We believe the Soviet Union also has these special responsibilities–and that those responsibilities require our two nations to concentrate less on our differences and more on the means of resolving them peacefully. For too long both of us have increased our military budgets, our nuclear stockpiles, and our capacity to destroy all life on this hemisphere–human, animal, vegetable–without any corresponding increase in our security. …Finally, in a field where the United States and the Soviet Union have a special capacity–in the field of space–there is room for new cooperation, for further joint efforts in the regulation and exploration of space. I include among these possibilities a joint expedition to the moon. Space offers no problems of sovereignty; by resolution of this Assembly, the members of the United Nations have foresworn any claim to territorial rights in outer space or on celestial bodies, and declared that international law and the United Nations Charter will apply. Why, therefore, should man’s first flight to the moon be a matter of national competition? Why should the United States and the Soviet Union, in preparing for such expeditions, become involved in immense duplications of research, construction, and expenditure? Surely we should explore whether the scientists and astronauts of our two countries–indeed of all the world–cannot work together in the conquest of space, sending someday in this decade to the moon not the representatives of a single nation, but the representatives of all of our countries.”
From Strategic Culture
Matthew Ehret is the Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Patriot Review and has authored 3 volumes of ‘Untold History of Canada’ book series. His works appear regularly on The Duran, Strategic Culture, Sott, Fort Russ, Zero Hedge, Global Times, L.A. Review of Books, LeSaker.fr, Vigile Quebec, South Front and Veterans Today. He is a correspondent/BRI Expert for Tactical Talk. In 2019 Matthew co-founded the Montreal-based Rising Tide Foundation. He can be reached at matt.ehret@tutamail.com
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theduran--2020-01-04--Strikes in France continue to dog Macron (Video)

The Duran ’ s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss the transport strikes in France , which are seeing no let-up , even during the busy holiday season .
These are the longest strikes in France since the 1980s .
Support Free Speech : Subscribe to The Duran on YouTube – Find us on BitChute .
The Duran Audio Podcast : Follow on Soundcloud – Subscribe on iTunes .
Public transport around France remains limited on Friday as mass transportation strikes reach day 23 – the longest such action since the 1980s .
Philippe Martinez , leader of one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions , struck a defiant note as he visited picketing bus workers at a depot on Friday .
“ It ’ s a strong movement and still supported by public opinion , ” said Martinez , secretary general of the CGT union .
The unlimited strike action began on December 5th as a protest over the French government ’ s plans to reform the country ’ s pension system .
Now on day 23 , the action is longer than the notorious 22-day strike of the winter of 1995 under late president Jacques @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then government into a U-turn .
The longest transport strike in France lasted for 28 days , also over Christmas , in 1986 and early 1987 .
Early in Emmanuel Macron ’ s presidency , SNCF rail workers staged almost three months of rolling strikes , but these were only intermittent actions and on other days the trains ran as normal .
Although some progress was made in talks before Christmas , unions said it was not enough to call off the strikes or declare a Christmas truce .
With talks not scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no immediate end in sight for the conflict .
So here are the services running on Friday , December 27th : On the trains 6 in 10 of the usual high speed TGV services are running and seven in 10 of the normal services on the budget Ouigo routes .
A third of Intercité trains are running and one in five of the suburban Transilien services , while the local TER services are the worst affected , with just four in 10 trains running .
International routes such as the Eurostar are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reduced timetable up to December 31st on its website .
In Paris services on the city ’ s public transport network remain badly disrupted .
On the Metro , only lines 1 and 14 – which are automated – are running as normal .
Lines 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 9 and 10 are running a limited service at rush hour only , while lines 2 and 11 are running a limited morning-rush-hour-only service and line 12 is running a limited service only in the evening .
The tram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines 3a and 3b described as ‘ quasi normal ’ and all other lines running their usual service .
However the RER suburban train – including the RER line B which links Paris to its two airports – remains badly disrupted with limited services running between 6.30am and 7pm .
On the buses , two thirds of the normal services are running .
There are no reported flight disruptions and Eurotunnel ’ s Le Shuttle is running as normal .
If you are driving , traffic on major routes and around cities is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so leave plenty of time .
All the major French rail unions are still striking , but with the strike now going past the three-week mark many SNCF employees – who are not paid during strikes – will be feeling the pinch and their finances and returning to work , meaning that the rail operator can now offer more services than the 10 percent of the normal timetable that was running on the first day of the strike .
The strike rate dipped below 50 percent for the first time on SNCF on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 44 percent of staff are still striking .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss the transport strikes in France, which are seeing no let-up, even during the busy holiday season. These are the longest strikes in France since the 1980s.
Support Free Speech:
Subscribe to The Duran on YouTube – Find us on BitChute.
The Duran Audio Podcast:
Follow on Soundcloud – Subscribe on iTunes.
Via The Local, France…
Public transport around France remains limited on Friday as mass transportation strikes reach day 23 – the longest such action since the 1980s.
Philippe Martinez, leader of one of the France’s more hardline unions, struck a defiant note as he visited picketing bus workers at a depot on Friday.
“It’s a strong movement and still supported by public opinion,” said Martinez, secretary general of the CGT union.
The unlimited strike action began on December 5th as a protest over the French government’s plans to reform the country’s pension system.
Now on day 23, the action is longer than the notorious 22-day strike of the winter of 1995 under late president Jacques Chirac against welfare cutbacks which forced the then government into a U-turn.
The longest transport strike in France lasted for 28 days, also over Christmas, in 1986 and early 1987.
Early in Emmanuel Macron’s presidency, SNCF rail workers staged almost three months of rolling strikes, but these were only intermittent actions and on other days the trains ran as normal.
Although some progress was made in talks before Christmas, unions said it was not enough to call off the strikes or declare a Christmas truce.
With talks not scheduled to restart until January 6th, there is no immediate end in sight for the conflict.
So here are the services running on Friday, December 27th:
On the trains 6 in 10 of the usual high speed TGV services are running and seven in 10 of the normal services on the budget Ouigo routes.
A third of Intercité trains are running and one in five of the suburban Transilien services, while the local TER services are the worst affected, with just four in 10 trains running.
???? CIRCULATION DES TRAINS le 27 décembre ????
???? Retrouvez l’info en temps-réel la veille dès 17h sur l’#AssistantSNCF ???? https://t.co/eiZMVDEquX pic.twitter.com/rzAXz6PPpI — SNCF (@SNCF) December 26, 2019
International routes such as the Eurostar are also affected. Eurostar has already published a reduced timetable up to December 31st on its website.
In Paris services on the city’s public transport network remain badly disrupted.
On the Metro, only lines 1 and 14 – which are automated – are running as normal.
Lines 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are running a limited service at rush hour only, while lines 2 and 11 are running a limited morning-rush-hour-only service and line 12 is running a limited service only in the evening.
Lines 3bis, 5, 6, 7bis and 13 remain closed.
The tram service is almost back to normal with lines 3a and 3b described as ‘quasi normal’ and all other lines running their usual service.
However the RER suburban train – including the RER line B which links Paris to its two airports – remains badly disrupted with limited services running between 6.30am and 7pm.
On the buses, two thirds of the normal services are running.
[Mouvement Social] ⚠ Le trafic sera encore perturbé ce vendredi 27 décembre sur les réseaux #RATP, avec une amélioration notable sur le #RER. Le détail des prévisions est disponible ci-dessous ⬇ et sur https://t.co/7OhMS4j8Sg pic.twitter.com/JaowMlDaTA — Service client RATP (@ClientsRATP) December 26, 2019
There are no reported flight disruptions and Eurotunnel’s Le Shuttle is running as normal.
If you are driving, traffic on major routes and around cities is expected to be heavier than normal, so leave plenty of time.
All the major French rail unions are still striking, but with the strike now going past the three-week mark many SNCF employees – who are not paid during strikes – will be feeling the pinch and their finances and returning to work, meaning that the rail operator can now offer more services than the 10 percent of the normal timetable that was running on the first day of the strike.
The strike rate dipped below 50 percent for the first time on SNCF on Monday, December 23rd and now around 44 percent of staff are still striking.
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theduran--2020-01-04--Trump’s unforced error, advantage neocons (Video)

The Duran ’ s Alex Christoforou discusses the decision to kill the chief of Iran ’ s elite Quds Force , Major General Qassem Soleimani , and PMF deputy commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis by a US drone at Baghdad ’ s airport .
Washington said that Soleimani was targeted in order to deter future attacks by Iran against US military personnel and citizens in Iraq and other places abroad .
Now that the Trump White House has taken this action against an Iran state official , what happens next , in the escalating conflict between the US and Iran , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Free Speech : Subscribe to The Duran on YouTube – Find us on BitChute .
The Duran Audio Podcast : Follow on Soundcloud – Subscribe on iTunes .
“ Trump ’ s own ‘ Wag the Dog ’ : Is Iran hit job a distraction for impeachment lynch mob back home ?
” authored by Robert Bridge , via RT… The partisan situation in Washington DC has created a scenario where Donald Trump may be forced to do anything to hold on to power , even if that means setting the Middle East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alight .
On Friday morning , the world held its breath as news circulated that the US military had carried out a targeted assassination against senior Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani on Iraqi soil .
Soleimani was not killed on the battlefield amid a ‘ glorious hail ’ of gunfire , but was eliminated in a US drone strike as he was traveling in a car to Baghdad International Airport .
In other words , yet another extrajudicial killing carried out by the US judge , jury and executioner in a part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a map .
As to be expected , the Democrats vented their fury at the killing , demanding to know why Trump had failed to seek congressional permission first .
Apparently , Trump ’ s sworn enemies have already forgotten how Barack Obama set that unfortunate precedent back in 2012 when he indiscriminately bombed Libya back to the Stone Age without first consulting lawmakers .
Equally disturbing , however , is that the assassination was ordered by an anti-establishment American leader who had promised on the 2016 campaign trail to withdraw US military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump sympathizers , however , could argue that an awful lot has happened in the last four years .
The pressure of partisan politics is showing Would the United States and Iran be staring down the barrel of mutual mass destruction had Donald Trump not been under constant pressure from the Democrats since entering the White House in 2017 ?
Although it is exceedingly difficult to excuse cold-blooded murder for any reason , the history books hold many examples of desperate men going to desperate lengths in order to maintain their grip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Consider , for example , the sordid story of former US President Bill Clinton , who was also hounded with the threat of impeachment over the Lewinsky affair .
On August 20 , 1998 , just weeks before Congress was set to vote on articles of impeachment against the philandering Democrat , Clinton ordered a cruise-missile attack on a Sudan factory on the grounds it was producing nerve gas for al-Qaeda .
As it turned out , however , the destroyed factory was actually a pharmaceutical plant that employed thousands .
Werner Daum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , estimated that “ several tens of thousands ” of Sudanese civilians died as a result of a medicine shortage caused by that US military strike .
Ironically , the Hollywood film ‘ Wag the Dog , ’ which tells the story of a US president caught in a similar situation as Clinton ’ s , and the lengths he goes to distract public attention from his plight , was released just months before Clinton ordered the attack .
It appears that Donald Trump , no less than Bill Clinton , understands the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which says that public support increases for leaders during periods of international crisis or war .
Not a very comforting thought , considering that the world is littered with weapons of mass destruction .
Presently , the entire globe is being held captive audience by the 2020 showdown , and the ending doesn ’ t look too promising .
In fact , the rivalry may already have cost Qassem Soleimani his life , while exposing the planet to the risk of a global conflagration .
Not the best way to kick off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least .
Clearly , the American empire is experiencing a deep domestic political crisis that not only threatens the security and well-being of millions of Americans ; it threatens the stability of the entire planet .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
The Duran’s Alex Christoforou discusses the decision to kill the chief of Iran’s elite Quds Force, Major General Qassem Soleimani, and PMF deputy commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis by a US drone at Baghdad’s airport.
Washington said that Soleimani was targeted in order to deter future attacks by Iran against US military personnel and citizens in Iraq and other places abroad. Now that the Trump White House has taken this action against an Iran state official, what happens next, in the escalating conflict between the US and Iran, is anyone’s guess.
Support Free Speech:
Subscribe to The Duran on YouTube – Find us on BitChute.
The Duran Audio Podcast:
Follow on Soundcloud – Subscribe on iTunes.
“Trump’s own ‘Wag the Dog’: Is Iran hit job a distraction for impeachment lynch mob back home?” authored by Robert Bridge, via RT…
The partisan situation in Washington DC has created a scenario where Donald Trump may be forced to do anything to hold on to power, even if that means setting the Middle East – and maybe the entire world – alight.
On Friday morning, the world held its breath as news circulated that the US military had carried out a targeted assassination against senior Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani on Iraqi soil.
Soleimani was not killed on the battlefield amid a ‘glorious hail’ of gunfire, but was eliminated in a US drone strike as he was traveling in a car to Baghdad International Airport. In other words, yet another extrajudicial killing carried out by the US judge, jury and executioner in a part of the world few Americans could locate on a map.
As to be expected, the Democrats vented their fury at the killing, demanding to know why Trump had failed to seek congressional permission first. Apparently, Trump’s sworn enemies have already forgotten how Barack Obama set that unfortunate precedent back in 2012 when he indiscriminately bombed Libya back to the Stone Age without first consulting lawmakers.
Equally disturbing, however, is that the assassination was ordered by an anti-establishment American leader who had promised on the 2016 campaign trail to withdraw US military forces from hot spots around the globe. Trump sympathizers, however, could argue that an awful lot has happened in the last four years.
The pressure of partisan politics is showing
Would the United States and Iran be staring down the barrel of mutual mass destruction had Donald Trump not been under constant pressure from the Democrats since entering the White House in 2017?
Although it is exceedingly difficult to excuse cold-blooded murder for any reason, the history books hold many examples of desperate men going to desperate lengths in order to maintain their grip on the gold ring of power.
Consider, for example, the sordid story of former US President Bill Clinton, who was also hounded with the threat of impeachment over the Lewinsky affair.
On August 20, 1998, just weeks before Congress was set to vote on articles of impeachment against the philandering Democrat, Clinton ordered a cruise-missile attack on a Sudan factory on the grounds it was producing nerve gas for al-Qaeda. As it turned out, however, the destroyed factory was actually a pharmaceutical plant that employed thousands.
Werner Daum, the former German ambassador to Sudan, estimated that “several tens of thousands” of Sudanese civilians died as a result of a medicine shortage caused by that US military strike.
Ironically, the Hollywood film ‘Wag the Dog,’ which tells the story of a US president caught in a similar situation as Clinton’s, and the lengths he goes to distract public attention from his plight, was released just months before Clinton ordered the attack.
It appears that Donald Trump, no less than Bill Clinton, understands the ‘rally round the flag’ phenomenon, which says that public support increases for leaders during periods of international crisis or war. Not a very comforting thought, considering that the world is littered with weapons of mass destruction.
Presently, the entire globe is being held captive audience by the 2020 showdown, and the ending doesn’t look too promising. In fact, the rivalry may already have cost Qassem Soleimani his life, while exposing the planet to the risk of a global conflagration. Not the best way to kick off the New Year, to say the least.
Clearly, the American empire is experiencing a deep domestic political crisis that not only threatens the security and well-being of millions of Americans; it threatens the stability of the entire planet.
@Robert_Bridge
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theduran--2020-01-04--The Sex Offenders Register – Public Protection Or Stigmatisation?

On Friday , the tabloid press in the UK had a field day reporting that most convicted sex offenders who had applied to be removed from the official register had been successful .
The headline in the on-line “ Sun ” was “ Fury as three quarters of pervs who apply to be taken off the Sex Offenders Register are allowed by police ” .
One is entitled to ask fury by whom ?
The UK register was brought in with the “ Sexual Offences Act 2003 ” .
It came about as a result of Megan ’ s Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the domestic murder of Sarah Payne .
The seven year old Megan Kanka was murdered July 29 , 1994 ; the act named after her was signed into law by then President Bill Clinton on May 17 , 1996 .
The eight year old Sarah Payne ( pictured above ) was kidnapped July 1 , 2000 ; her body was found later that month .
It has often been said that hard cases make bad law , and the registration of sex offenders is an extreme example of that .
Is it fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a drunken fumble in a bar after misreading the signals as no better than a child murderer and rapist ?
Some seem to think so .
In the United States , people have been registered as sex offenders for urinating in public .
In the UK , the “ socially awkward ” teenager Jamie Griffiths found himself registered as a sex offender for touching a girl ’ s hip .
At one time a girl would have slapped his face for this , but in the # MeToo era , she burst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in court where instead of opting for a Crown Court trial he foolishly or ill-advisedly faced a bench of magistrates .
This has as good as trashed his career before he leaves college .
Of course , it is only right that some people are monitored , and kept away from the young , but when a man has paid his debt to society , that should be the end of the matter .
Former heavyweight champion of the world Mike Tyson is a convicted rapist , yet he is still in demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there one rule for celebrities and another for the great unwashed , or do we need to reconsider the entire business of stigmatising people for perhaps one bad , or even a trivial act ?

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
On Friday, the tabloid press in the UK had a field day reporting that most convicted sex offenders who had applied to be removed from the official register had been successful. The headline in the on-line “Sun” was “Fury as three quarters of pervs who apply to be taken off the Sex Offenders Register are allowed by police”.
One is entitled to ask fury by whom? The UK register was brought in with the “Sexual Offences Act 2003”. It came about as a result of Megan’s Law in the United States and more specifically the domestic murder of Sarah Payne.
The seven year old Megan Kanka was murdered July 29, 1994; the act named after her was signed into law by then President Bill Clinton on May 17, 1996. The eight year old Sarah Payne (pictured above) was kidnapped July 1, 2000; her body was found later that month. It has often been said that hard cases make bad law, and the registration of sex offenders is an extreme example of that. Is it fair to treat a man whose crime may be a drunken fumble in a bar after misreading the signals as no better than a child murderer and rapist? Some seem to think so. In the United States, people have been registered as sex offenders for urinating in public.
In the UK, the “socially awkward” teenager Jamie Griffiths found himself registered as a sex offender for touching a girl’s hip. At one time a girl would have slapped his face for this, but in the #MeToo era, she burst into tears, and Griffiths ended up in court where instead of opting for a Crown Court trial he foolishly or ill-advisedly faced a bench of magistrates. This has as good as trashed his career before he leaves college.
Of course, it is only right that some people are monitored, and kept away from the young, but when a man has paid his debt to society, that should be the end of the matter. Former heavyweight champion of the world Mike Tyson is a convicted rapist, yet he is still in demand as an occasional TV pundit. Is there one rule for celebrities and another for the great unwashed, or do we need to reconsider the entire business of stigmatising people for perhaps one bad, or even a trivial act?
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theduran--2020-01-04--Storm Over Asia: 20 Years Later

Storm Over Asia: 20 Years Later

The U.S. drone strikes which killed Maj. General Suleimani ( Commander of the Revolutionary National Guard and Quds Brigade ) and several leading Iraqi military officials on January 3 has brought America as close to war with Iran as ever before .
If one listens carefully , it is possible to hear neocon ideologues like Bill Kristol , Dick Cheney , John Bolton and other architects of the Project of the New American Century giggle insanely as the war which was meant to happen in 2007 looms ever closer .
With this war threat , a larger confrontation with Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality .
This larger NATO targeting of a Eurasian alliance led by Russia and China has always been the focus of every regime change operation in Bosnia , and across the Middle East .
This strategic danger should not come as a surprise for anyone who has been paying attention to world politics over recent decades and this is why I recommend this astonishing November 1999 EIR video recording delivered by the late American economist and geopolitical analyst Lyndon H. LaRouche which provides a comprehensive overview of our current world dynamic a full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfolded .
I share this little-known video message entitled “ Storm Over Asia ” not to simply showcase the forecasting capabilities of this particular individual , but rather to cause you , the reader , to take pause and consider what method of thinking , and what quality of conceptions were needed then for this American presidential candidate to speak with such certainty of the events which were to unfold over the subsequent 20 years .
It is also worth considering what remedies could have been adopted by leading nation states over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid the chaos the world has undergone and which yet may still be applied before the point of no return is crossed .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
The U.S. drone strikes which killed Maj. General Suleimani (Commander of the Revolutionary National Guard and Quds Brigade) and several leading Iraqi military officials on January 3 has brought America as close to war with Iran as ever before. If one listens carefully, it is possible to hear neocon ideologues like Bill Kristol, Dick Cheney, John Bolton and other architects of the Project of the New American Century giggle insanely as the war which was meant to happen in 2007 looms ever closer. With this war threat, a larger confrontation with Russia and China is also brought closer to reality. This larger NATO targeting of a Eurasian alliance led by Russia and China has always been the focus of every regime change operation in Bosnia, and across the Middle East.
This strategic danger should not come as a surprise for anyone who has been paying attention to world politics over recent decades and this is why I recommend this astonishing November 1999 EIR video recording delivered by the late American economist and geopolitical analyst Lyndon H. LaRouche which provides a comprehensive overview of our current world dynamic a full TWO YEARS before the events of 9/11 unfolded.
I share this little-known video message entitled “Storm Over Asia” not to simply showcase the forecasting capabilities of this particular individual, but rather to cause you, the reader, to take pause and consider what method of thinking, and what quality of conceptions were needed then for this American presidential candidate to speak with such certainty of the events which were to unfold over the subsequent 20 years. It is also worth considering what remedies could have been adopted by leading nation states over the course of those disastrous decades in order to avoid the chaos the world has undergone and which yet may still be applied before the point of no return is crossed.
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theduran--2020-01-03--Soleimani assassination: Trap set for Iran war (Video)

The Duran ’ s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss the United States ’ shocking decision to kill Iran ’ s top general in a drone strike at Baghdad ’ s airport on Friday , triggering warnings of a “ dangerous escalation ” in the region .
The targeted assassination of Genral Qassem Soleimani , the head of Iran ’ s elite Quds Force , is a sinister trap meant to push Iran into retaliation , that would then prompt Trump to escalate the situation into a far larger conflict between the United States and Iran .
Support Free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ YouTube – Find us on BitChute .
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Iran ’ s supreme leader , the Ayatollah Khamenei , warned in a statement that the “ criminals ” responsible for the death of a top Iranian general will face “ severe revenge ” , and that his work fighting on behalf of the Iranian people “ won ’ t be stopped by his martyrdom , ” according to a statement published on Twitter .
The statement was issued in response to Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drone strike ( the attack took place late Thursday evening in the US ) that killed Iran ’ s most revered and respected military commander , General Qasem Suleimani , the leader of the IRGC ’ s Quds Force – a powerful regional player responsible for overseeing Iran ’ s proxy war in Yemen , as well as Iran-backed forces in Iraq , Lebanon and elsewhere .
The statement was published in English by an unverified but widely-cited Twitter account , and though Zero Hedge hasn ’ t personally verified whether the statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as legitimate by many media outlets around the world , including the Washington Post , which cited part of it .
The statement reads as follows : Years of sincere , brave efforts fighting against the devils & villainous in the world & yrs of wishing for martyrdom on the path of God finally took the dear Commander of Islam , Soleimani , to this lofty status .
His blood was shed by the most barbaric of men .
We congratulate Imam Mahdi ( ‘ a.j . )
& Soleimani ’ s pure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this great martyrdom .
He was an eminent example of a person trained in Islam .
He spent all his life in struggling for God .
Martyrdom was the reward for his tireless efforts over the years .
His efforts & path won ’ t be stopped by his martyrdom , by God ’ s Power , rather a # SevereRevenge awaits the criminals who have stained their hands with his & the other martyrs ’ blood last night .
Martyr Soleimani is an Intl figure of Resistance & all such people will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enemies – know that Jihad of Resistance will continue with more motivation & definite victory awaits the fighters on this blessed path .
The loss of our dear General is bitter .
The continuing fight & ultimate victory will be more bitter for the murderers & criminals .
The Iranian nation will honor the memory of the noble Major-General Soleimani & the martyrs with him – particularly the great Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis – & I declare 3 days of mourning across the nation .
I condole & congratulate his family .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly US attack first broke , Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif warned that “ the US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism ” .
He also denounced the strike as an “ act of international terrorism ” by the US , and added that the Quds force is “ THE most effective force fighting Daesh ( ISIS ) , Al Nusrah , Al Qaeda et al ” .
Meanwhile , Iranian defense minister Amir Hatami said that the attack by the “ arrogant U.S. ” would be met with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington Post .
The US Embassy in Baghdad , which was recently the target of a Benghazi-style attack earlier this week that Trump cited as justification for Suleimani ’ s killing , warned any American citizens to leave Iraq immediately , and said it was suspending all public consular activities ( or at least any that hadn ’ t already been suspended in the aftermath of this week ’ s attack ) , the Washington Post reports .
Though President Trump hasn ’ t released a statement beyond tweeting a picture of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esper said the Pentagon had taken “ decisive defensive action ” against Soleimani , whom Esper claimed was “ actively ” in the process of planning attacks on American diplomats .
During these tense times , we think it ’ s important to reflect on the fact that the US and Suleimani weren ’ t always enemies , as Barbara Slavin , the director of the Future of Iran Initiative , reminds us In the aftermath of 9/11 , the Quds force worked ( indirectly ) with US forces in Afghanistan to overthrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the American invasion of Iraq .
Suleimani has been in control of the Quds force since the late 1990s , according to media reports .
To be sure , the general ’ s killing wasn ’ t the first example of President Trump ordering a supposedly “ game-changing ” military strike that could instigate WWIII ( remember , “ experts ” delivered a similar warning after Trump sent 50+ Tomahawk Missiles raining down on Syrian military fixtures back in 2017 , and have repeated it several times since ) , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provocation of the Trump era , and has destroyed what little hope remained of a diplomatic detente .
Though , for Qassem ’ s sake , at least he lived long enough to see the finale of Game of Thrones ( since he was , apparently , a fan… )

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss the United States’ shocking decision to kill Iran’s top general in a drone strike at Baghdad’s airport on Friday, triggering warnings of a “dangerous escalation” in the region.
The targeted assassination of Genral Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, is a sinister trap meant to push Iran into retaliation, that would then prompt Trump to escalate the situation into a far larger conflict between the United States and Iran.
Support Free Speech:
Subscribe to The Duran on YouTube – Find us on BitChute.
The Duran Audio Podcast:
Follow on Soundcloud – Subscribe on iTunes.
Via Zerohedge…
Iran’s supreme leader, the Ayatollah Khamenei, warned in a statement that the “criminals” responsible for the death of a top Iranian general will face “severe revenge”, and that his work fighting on behalf of the Iranian people “won’t be stopped by his martyrdom,” according to a statement published on Twitter.
The statement was issued in response to Friday morning’s “game changing” drone strike (the attack took place late Thursday evening in the US) that killed Iran’s most revered and respected military commander, General Qasem Suleimani, the leader of the IRGC’s Quds Force – a powerful regional player responsible for overseeing Iran’s proxy war in Yemen, as well as Iran-backed forces in Iraq, Lebanon and elsewhere.
The statement was published in English by an unverified but widely-cited Twitter account, and though Zero Hedge hasn’t personally verified whether the statement is genuine, it is being reported as legitimate by many media outlets around the world, including the Washington Post, which cited part of it.
The statement reads as follows:
Dear Iranian Nation! Years of sincere, brave efforts fighting against the devils& villainous in the world & yrs of wishing for martyrdom on the path of God finally took the dear Commander of Islam, Soleimani, to this lofty status. His blood was shed by the most barbaric of men. We congratulate Imam Mahdi (‘a.j.) & Soleimani’s pure soul& condole the Iranian nation on this great martyrdom. He was an eminent example of a person trained in Islam. He spent all his life in struggling for God. Martyrdom was the reward for his tireless efforts over the years. His efforts & path won’t be stopped by his martyrdom, by God’s Power, rather a #SevereRevenge awaits the criminals who have stained their hands with his & the other martyrs’ blood last night. Martyr Soleimani is an Intl figure of Resistance & all such people will seek revenge. All friends – & enemies – know that Jihad of Resistance will continue with more motivation & definite victory awaits the fighters on this blessed path. The loss of our dear General is bitter. The continuing fight & ultimate victory will be more bitter for the murderers & criminals. The Iranian nation will honor the memory of the noble Major-General Soleimani & the martyrs with him – particularly the great Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis – & I declare 3 days of mourning across the nation. I condole & congratulate his family.
In a tweet published shortly after news of the deadly US attack first broke, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif warned that “the US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism”. He also denounced the strike as an “act of international terrorism” by the US, and added that the Quds force is “THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al”.
The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani—THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al—is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism. — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 3, 2020
Meanwhile, Iranian defense minister Amir Hatami said that the attack by the “arrogant U.S.” would be met with a “crushing” response, according to the Washington Post.
The US Embassy in Baghdad, which was recently the target of a Benghazi-style attack earlier this week that Trump cited as justification for Suleimani’s killing, warned any American citizens to leave Iraq immediately, and said it was suspending all public consular activities (or at least any that hadn’t already been suspended in the aftermath of this week’s attack), the Washington Post reports.
Though President Trump hasn’t released a statement beyond tweeting a picture of an American flag, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the Pentagon had taken “decisive defensive action” against Soleimani, whom Esper claimed was “actively” in the process of planning attacks on American diplomats.
“Gen. Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region,” Esper said. “This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.”
During these tense times, we think it’s important to reflect on the fact that the US and Suleimani weren’t always enemies, as Barbara Slavin, the director of the Future of Iran Initiative, reminds us
In the aftermath of 9/11, the Quds force worked (indirectly) with US forces in Afghanistan to overthrow the Taliban. But the relationship soured after the American invasion of Iraq. Suleimani has been in control of the Quds force since the late 1990s, according to media reports.
To be sure, the general’s killing wasn’t the first example of President Trump ordering a supposedly “game-changing” military strike that could instigate WWIII (remember, “experts” delivered a similar warning after Trump sent 50+ Tomahawk Missiles raining down on Syrian military fixtures back in 2017, and have repeated it several times since), but it was without a doubt the most aggressive provocation of the Trump era, and has destroyed what little hope remained of a diplomatic detente.
Though, for Qassem’s sake, at least he lived long enough to see the finale of Game of Thrones (since he was, apparently, a fan…)
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theduran--2020-01-03--From War Drums to Hot War with Iran

From War Drums to Hot War with Iran

On January 2nd the United States assassinated Iran Quds Force General Qasem Soleimani on the US pretext of an anti-terror strike , killing him and his entourage by drone strike at Baghdad International Airport , just subsequent to disembarking from a flight .
As head of the Iranian IRGC elite Quds Force , Soleimani commanded effective operations versus ISIS and assorted Salafi terror groups in Iraq and Syria .
US Pentagon officials claimed the drone strike was authorized under section 10 U.S. Code § 127e , ‘ Support for Special Operations to Combat Terrorism ’ .
According to one source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq was devised some time ago after Iran shot down an RQ-4 Reaper .
But the ‘ justification ’ for Soleimani ’ s political assassination was of course weak , and perhaps considered Imperial overreach too far since the Trump regime had only declared the Quds Force a terror operation by April , 2019 .
With this strike the United States has aligned itself with Israel and Saudi Arabia and their National Policy of State-sponsored political assassination , allowed under any real or imagined circumstance the political will may conjure .
But conflating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and standing as legitimate military commander of an Elite military force of a sovereign nation – with that of a common terrorist , might perhaps be a bit of a stretch , even for the Israeli and Saudi regimes .
Throughout most of its history , the United States prohibited political assassination , considering it a violation of human decency and America ’ s effort to promote itself as a champion of human rights .
The other concern of course was that political assassination might set a precedent whereby US politicians might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Tradecraft sphere .
On December 4 , 1981 , President Ronald Reagan issued Executive Order 12333 where Section 2.11 of the order provides : “ Prohibition on Assassination .
No person employed by or acting on behalf of the United States government shall engage in , or conspire to engage in , assassination.
” Section 2.12 of the same political assassination order prohibits indirect participation in activities prohibited by the order , stating : “ Indirect participation .
No agency of the Intelligence Community shall participate in or request any person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Unfortunately , US intel intellectuals and the Security State believed the order was too restrictive to suit US interests , and George W. Bush overturned the order with a later executive order permitting political assassination , after 911 .
Likewise the Authorization For Military Force broadened the use of lethal force under the US State of Emergency , where the United States has been in an official State of Emergency ( to some extent or another ! )
since 1976 .
Israel too just recently actively reinstated its policy of political assassination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never really lapsed .
Also assassinated in the attack with Soleimani was Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis , an important Iraqi commander – but not of Soleimani ’ s stature , Muhandis having been accused of 1983 human rights abuses in Kuwait – and by all accounts al-Muhandis ’ s entourage was destroyed in the US attack as well .
Iran ’ s response to the killings was of course prompt .
Zarif summed up the US atrocity at Baghdad International Airport : The US ’ act of international terrorism , targeting & assassinating General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ISIS ) , Al Nusrah , Al Qaeda et al—is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation .
The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism .
To somewhat moderate the immediate hysteria , a spokesman for the Iranian Parliament ’ s Committee on National Security released this statement : “ Vengeance for the assassination of General [ Qassem ] Soleimani does not require a regional war and the United States will pay a heavy price for committing this crime.
” The statement is somewhat ambiguous , but hints at lesser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brief statement after the attack and is speaking at length on television ( Lebanon ) ; his written response is succinct and measured .
Iran has promised some response to the United States after three days of mourning , signifying the gravity of the situation — not just for Iran , but also for the rest of the region .
But before considering how Iran may tactically respond , let ’ s consider the US motivation for the Baghdad Airport attack in a larger context .
Long ago the United States learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wars… just do not lose a war to the extent where your adversary may dictate terms on your own turf .
The US idea is to leave a failed state .
Creating the failed state creates the opportunity for exploitation of resources , and geopolitical positioning .
The economic , military , and strategic advantage provided by the failed state is the prerequisite for its destabilization .
Destabilization is accomplished by economic sanction , by financial subversion and regime change , if the target state does not submit to the hegemonic .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working government in the vanquished state and align with it as master-to-vassal is costly and risky… especially when the people of the vassal state are of a different race and culture .
So , the US advocates Neo-colonialism instead of colonial rule where no real moral or humanitarian goal is necessary to pursue .
In such light “ empire ” may not even be considered empire , especially when the real empire is a financial one , only motivated by funds and resources – not in consideration of the welfare of the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq , since 2003 caught between east and west .
And via the US policy of “ maximum pressure ” versus Iran , the failed state of Iraq is caught in the middle .
Perhaps the least understanding of US State failed-state foreign policy is among US-State ’ s very own policy wonks in a run-amok agency , which has no practical or sensible direction and can only gloat about its ability to lie , cheat , and steal .
Against this backdrop — and the toxic US alliance with Israel versus almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continually cajoled for war with Iran since being elected to office .
As examined in my article Target Iran the US march to war with Iran could be predicted and considered inevitable .
Having resisted the call to war with Iran before , the president just acquiesced… even if Iran chooses not to retaliate re the US assassination of its commander in Iraq .
If there is no war , it will be due to Iran ’ s pragmatism in the face of grievous US provocation .
Yes , Trump is a gambling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , and won the game with a royal flush by nabbing the presidency from a weak and perhaps even more dangerous candidate .
( If Clinton had won the presidency odds are high that she would have confronted the Russian leadership in Syria , and appointed Vicky Kagan-Nuland as Secretary of State . )
Even so , Trump ’ s gambit and gamble in Iraq is a massive play .
It is all on the line now .
Syria .
Iraq .
Libya .
Iran .
Israel .
Lebanon .
Gaza and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yemen and Venezuela .
Now the US aggression in Iraq alienates a large portion of Trumps ’ base .
Many voters supported the president because he opposed the war in Iraq , because he expressed his dislike for interventionist wars , and presented himself as a populist leader more inclined to peace than to side with the Beltway ’ s Death Merchants .
If a costly war in Iraq and Iran results , a large segment of the US voting population will be set adrift — more bitter , disenfranchised , and ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran retaliates and a hot war erupts in the Middle East , that ’ s the Black Swan event many analysts expect and have predicted .
As geopolitical analyst Tom Luongo shared , the US move versus Soleimani is “ outside the norm by at least two standard deviations ” .
Even though the US share market is locked down by primary dealer gaming , the rest of the world is not .
Whether central banks will fall in line and support a new US war of aggression in the Middle East is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gold is up .
Bitcoin is up .
And so is oil .
The impact of what may be a Black Swan event casts the shadow of uncertainty for markets , yet another extension of the huge gamble Trump has embarked upon by allowing the US military to assassinate Iran ’ s revered military leader .
So how may Iran respond ?
There is really no reason for the United States to be in al Tanf other than area denial .
The US presence prevents trade between Syria and Iraq .
The situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to al Qaim , another Syria-Iraq border crossing recently bombed by the United States .
Whether al Tanf will be considered vulnerable by Iran and a weak point largely depends on what happens in Iraq and the US influx of troops now underway .
Under Mahdi as caretaker PM , the US war machine saw political weakness in its failed state as an opportunity… hence the militarist opportunity for US aggression versus Iran there .
However , it is possible that Iran could find opportunity in Iraq as well… political opportunity , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can truly leverage that political opportunity .
Some analysts treat Iraq as a monolith in part corrupted by US influence — where for example al Sadr is a known CIA asset .
With Iraq in a shamble now , the impression is that the Occupying power , the United States , has the advantage .
But Iraq is not a monolithic entity .
At this point , and based on the general unrest Iraq has seen , the opportunity for Iran in Iraq is unclear .
Certainly , Iraq did not invite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States invaded and occupied Iraq by false pretenses .
That was seventeen years ago , and the US is still there illegally according to all international law .
Iran attempts to leverage its own advantage through trade ; most of the gas Iraq uses for electricity comes from Iran for example .
Iraq ’ s boots on the ground are by invitation and in cooperation with Iraq – not as an invader even if the western media will have you believe otherwise .
But Iran has been over-zealous in its treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state — but as an equal .
That lack of caution certainly led to this tragic assassination by the United States .
In this author ’ s judgement , Iran will seek political opportunity in Iraq going forward and will not retaliate militarily there .
If Iran does consider military action , the Strait of Hormuz could be the place for it .
With its fast boats and reasonably advanced missile technology , shutting down the Strait is perhaps the only game in town .
In such a shutdown it will be difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and difficult for the United States to engage in direct military action in the Strait of Hormuz .
The US might then respond to the closure by destroying Iran ’ s oil infrastructure , in the perennial US effort to create another failed state .
But the risk of such a confrontation is unlikely to seem worth it to the people of the great nation who invented the game of chess .
As for the other hair-brained scenarios proposed by Neocons/Neoliberals – such as Iran attacking Israel – that scenario is beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engage in a direct military confrontation with Israel only illustrates the out-of-control outrageous lunacy so characteristic and prevalent in the western press .
Likewise , the hysterical notion that Hezbollah will attack Israel from Lebanon ranks in the same lunatic category .
If any such retaliation occurs there will be minor skirmishes or harassment , and nothing like all-out war .
Now , in conjunction with this event , Israel has been experiencing a great deal of unrest for weeks now , before this assassination took place .
The unrest has been relatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons .
The plight of Palestinians in the atmosphere of a first world election season is kept tightly under wraps so western audiences will not be exposed to what ’ s going on there .
In other words , the western media and political class are terrified that the Palestinian issue might become a political issue at election time .
( ie in the United States and Israel . )
In this light , Gaza , being under siege for over a decade now and largely cut-off , may have its own independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summary , it seems unlikely though that Iran as a sovereign state will react militarily to the assassination of its leader .
First and foremost , Iran is a progressive power and not a reactionary one .
The United States and Israel are purely reactionary , where only might makes right and no moral considerations exist .
Iran can take the moral high ground here , biding its time , enhancing existing alliances and angling for new ones .
( For example Pakistan . )
Iran has only to bide its time and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wish to approach the Russian leadership about air defense once again ; Russia rejected its help to Iran at the urging of the US… will that change now ?
The brave new world is apparently here .
It is a world where reality hosts eventually turn deadly , where day is night , war is peace , and love is hate .
Ironically Iran has the opportunity now to prove its desire for peace and can inject some sanity into a west run amok with its desire to assassinate and kill .
Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : the Road to War ” ( Sourcewatch ) editor of “ Bush Administration War Crimes in Iraq ” ( Sourcewatch ) “ Trump ’ s Limited Hangout ” and “ Federal Reserve : Out-sourcing the Monetary System to the Money Trust Oligarchs Since 1913 ” ; Steve is an antiwar activist , a published scholar on the US monetary system , and has appeared as guest contributor to The Duran , Fort Russ News , Herland Report , Lew Rockwell Report , The Ron Paul Institute , and Strategika51 .
Twitter : @ @

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Submitted by Steve Brown…
On January 2nd the United States assassinated Iran Quds Force General Qasem Soleimani on the US pretext of an anti-terror strike, killing him and his entourage by drone strike at Baghdad International Airport, just subsequent to disembarking from a flight. As head of the Iranian IRGC elite Quds Force, Soleimani commanded effective operations versus ISIS and assorted Salafi terror groups in Iraq and Syria.
US Pentagon officials claimed the drone strike was authorized under section 10 U.S. Code § 127e, ‘Support for Special Operations to Combat Terrorism’. According to one source, a plan to assassinate Soleimani in Iraq was devised some time ago after Iran shot down an RQ-4 Reaper. But the ‘justification’ for Soleimani’s political assassination was of course weak, and perhaps considered Imperial overreach too far since the Trump regime had only declared the Quds Force a terror operation by April, 2019 .
With this strike the United States has aligned itself with Israel and Saudi Arabia and their National Policy of State-sponsored political assassination, allowed under any real or imagined circumstance the political will may conjure. But conflating Soleimani’s role — having stature and standing as legitimate military commander of an Elite military force of a sovereign nation – with that of a common terrorist, might perhaps be a bit of a stretch, even for the Israeli and Saudi regimes.
Throughout most of its history, the United States prohibited political assassination, considering it a violation of human decency and America’s effort to promote itself as a champion of human rights. The other concern of course was that political assassination might set a precedent whereby US politicians might be assassinated by return, commonly called Blowback in the Tradecraft sphere.
On December 4, 1981, President Ronald Reagan issued Executive Order 12333 where Section 2.11 of the order provides: “Prohibition on Assassination. No person employed by or acting on behalf of the United States government shall engage in, or conspire to engage in, assassination.” Section 2.12 of the same political assassination order prohibits indirect participation in activities prohibited by the order, stating: “Indirect participation. No agency of the Intelligence Community shall participate in or request any person to undertake activities forbidden by this Order.”
Unfortunately, US intel intellectuals and the Security State believed the order was too restrictive to suit US interests, and George W. Bush overturned the order with a later executive order permitting political assassination, after 911. Likewise the Authorization For Military Force broadened the use of lethal force under the US State of Emergency, where the United States has been in an official State of Emergency (to some extent or another!) since 1976. Israel too just recently actively reinstated its policy of political assassination versus Palestinians, even though that policy never really lapsed.
Also assassinated in the attack with Soleimani was Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an important Iraqi commander – but not of Soleimani’s stature, Muhandis having been accused of 1983 human rights abuses in Kuwait – and by all accounts al-Muhandis’s entourage was destroyed in the US attack as well.
Iran’s response to the killings was of course prompt. Zarif summed up the US atrocity at Baghdad International Airport:
The US’ act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani—THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al—is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.
To somewhat moderate the immediate hysteria, a spokesman for the Iranian Parliament’s Committee on National Security released this statement: “Vengeance for the assassination of General [Qassem] Soleimani does not require a regional war and the United States will pay a heavy price for committing this crime.” The statement is somewhat ambiguous, but hints at lesser rhetoric from Iran. Hassan Nasrallah released a brief statement after the attack and is speaking at length on television (Lebanon); his written response is succinct and measured.
Iran has promised some response to the United States after three days of mourning, signifying the gravity of the situation — not just for Iran, but also for the rest of the region. But before considering how Iran may tactically respond, let’s consider the US motivation for the Baghdad Airport attack in a larger context.
Long ago the United States learned that it is not necessary to win wars… just do not lose a war to the extent where your adversary may dictate terms on your own turf. The US idea is to leave a failed state. Creating the failed state creates the opportunity for exploitation of resources, and geopolitical positioning. The economic, military, and strategic advantage provided by the failed state is the prerequisite for its destabilization. Destabilization is accomplished by economic sanction, by financial subversion and regime change, if the target state does not submit to the hegemonic.
That’s because having to maintain a working government in the vanquished state and align with it as master-to-vassal is costly and risky… especially when the people of the vassal state are of a different race and culture. So, the US advocates Neo-colonialism instead of colonial rule where no real moral or humanitarian goal is necessary to pursue. In such light “empire” may not even be considered empire, especially when the real empire is a financial one, only motivated by funds and resources – not in consideration of the welfare of the people of the vassal state. This is Iraq, since 2003 caught between east and west. And via the US policy of “maximum pressure” versus Iran, the failed state of Iraq is caught in the middle.
Perhaps the least understanding of US State failed-state foreign policy is among US-State’s very own policy wonks in a run-amok agency, which has no practical or sensible direction and can only gloat about its ability to lie, cheat, and steal. Against this backdrop — and the toxic US alliance with Israel versus almost everyone else – the president has been continually cajoled for war with Iran since being elected to office.
As examined in my article Target Iran the US march to war with Iran could be predicted and considered inevitable. Having resisted the call to war with Iran before, the president just acquiesced… even if Iran chooses not to retaliate re the US assassination of its commander in Iraq.
If there is no war, it will be due to Iran’s pragmatism in the face of grievous US provocation.
Yes, Trump is a gambling man. He has gambled all his life, and won the game with a royal flush by nabbing the presidency from a weak and perhaps even more dangerous candidate. (If Clinton had won the presidency odds are high that she would have confronted the Russian leadership in Syria, and appointed Vicky Kagan-Nuland as Secretary of State.) Even so, Trump’s gambit and gamble in Iraq is a massive play. It is all on the line now. Syria. Iraq. Libya. Iran. Israel. Lebanon. Gaza and the Occupied Territories. Not to mention Yemen and Venezuela.
Now the US aggression in Iraq alienates a large portion of Trumps’ base. Many voters supported the president because he opposed the war in Iraq, because he expressed his dislike for interventionist wars, and presented himself as a populist leader more inclined to peace than to side with the Beltway’s Death Merchants. If a costly war in Iraq and Iran results, a large segment of the US voting population will be set adrift — more bitter, disenfranchised, and ‘deplorable’ than ever before.
If Iran retaliates and a hot war erupts in the Middle East, that’s the Black Swan event many analysts expect and have predicted. As geopolitical analyst Tom Luongo shared, the US move versus Soleimani is “outside the norm by at least two standard deviations”.
Even though the US share market is locked down by primary dealer gaming, the rest of the world is not. Whether central banks will fall in line and support a new US war of aggression in the Middle East is one further unknown. For now, gold is up. Bitcoin is up. And so is oil. The impact of what may be a Black Swan event casts the shadow of uncertainty for markets, yet another extension of the huge gamble Trump has embarked upon by allowing the US military to assassinate Iran’s revered military leader. So how may Iran respond?
Al Tanf
There is really no reason for the United States to be in al Tanf other than area denial. The US presence prevents trade between Syria and Iraq. The situation at al Tanf crossing is somewhat analgous to al Qaim, another Syria-Iraq border crossing recently bombed by the United States. Whether al Tanf will be considered vulnerable by Iran and a weak point largely depends on what happens in Iraq and the US influx of troops now underway.
Advantage Iraq?
Under Mahdi as caretaker PM, the US war machine saw political weakness in its failed state as an opportunity… hence the militarist opportunity for US aggression versus Iran there. However, it is possible that Iran could find opportunity in Iraq as well… political opportunity, not military. The question is whether Iran can truly leverage that political opportunity. Some analysts treat Iraq as a monolith in part corrupted by US influence — where for example al Sadr is a known CIA asset. With Iraq in a shamble now, the impression is that the Occupying power, the United States, has the advantage. But Iraq is not a monolithic entity.
At this point, and based on the general unrest Iraq has seen, the opportunity for Iran in Iraq is unclear. Certainly, Iraq did not invite the United States to its sovereign territory – the United States invaded and occupied Iraq by false pretenses. That was seventeen years ago, and the US is still there illegally according to all international law. Iran attempts to leverage its own advantage through trade; most of the gas Iraq uses for electricity comes from Iran for example. Iraq’s boots on the ground are by invitation and in cooperation with Iraq – not as an invader even if the western media will have you believe otherwise.
But Iran has been over-zealous in its treatment of Iraq, not as a vassal state — but as an equal. That lack of caution certainly led to this tragic assassination by the United States. In this author’s judgement, Iran will seek political opportunity in Iraq going forward and will not retaliate militarily there.
Strait of Hormuz
If Iran does consider military action, the Strait of Hormuz could be the place for it. With its fast boats and reasonably advanced missile technology, shutting down the Strait is perhaps the only game in town. In such a shutdown it will be difficult for the US to indiscriminately bomb Tehran, and difficult for the United States to engage in direct military action in the Strait of Hormuz. The US might then respond to the closure by destroying Iran’s oil infrastructure, in the perennial US effort to create another failed state. But the risk of such a confrontation is unlikely to seem worth it to the people of the great nation who invented the game of chess.
As for the other hair-brained scenarios proposed by Neocons/Neoliberals – such as Iran attacking Israel – that scenario is beyond absurd. The idea that Iran will engage in a direct military confrontation with Israel only illustrates the out-of-control outrageous lunacy so characteristic and prevalent in the western press. Likewise, the hysterical notion that Hezbollah will attack Israel from Lebanon ranks in the same lunatic category. If any such retaliation occurs there will be minor skirmishes or harassment, and nothing like all-out war.
Now, in conjunction with this event, Israel has been experiencing a great deal of unrest for weeks now, before this assassination took place. The unrest has been relatively unreported in the west, for political reasons. The plight of Palestinians in the atmosphere of a first world election season is kept tightly under wraps so western audiences will not be exposed to what’s going on there. In other words, the western media and political class are terrified that the Palestinian issue might become a political issue at election time. (ie in the United States and Israel.) In this light, Gaza, being under siege for over a decade now and largely cut-off, may have its own independent ideas on how to respond.
In summary, it seems unlikely though that Iran as a sovereign state will react militarily to the assassination of its leader. First and foremost, Iran is a progressive power and not a reactionary one. The United States and Israel are purely reactionary, where only might makes right and no moral considerations exist.
Iran can take the moral high ground here, biding its time, enhancing existing alliances and angling for new ones. (For example Pakistan.) Iran has only to bide its time and tread carefully. Iran for example may wish to approach the Russian leadership about air defense once again; Russia rejected its help to Iran at the urging of the US… will that change now?
The brave new world is apparently here. It is a world where reality hosts eventually turn deadly, where day is night, war is peace, and love is hate. Ironically Iran has the opportunity now to prove its desire for peace and can inject some sanity into a west run amok with its desire to assassinate and kill.
Steve Brown is the author of “Iraq: the Road to War” (Sourcewatch) editor of “Bush Administration War Crimes in Iraq” (Sourcewatch) “Trump’s Limited Hangout” and “Federal Reserve: Out-sourcing the Monetary System to the Money Trust Oligarchs Since 1913”; Steve is an antiwar activist, a published scholar on the US monetary system, and has appeared as guest contributor to The Duran, Fort Russ News, Herland Report, Lew Rockwell Report, The Ron Paul Institute, and Strategika51. Twitter: @newsypaperz
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theduran--2020-01-03--Dangerous Turkish military escalation in Libya (Video)

The Duran ’ s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss Turkish President Erdogan ’ s announcement to provide military backing for Libya ’ s Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , saying in a speech in Ankara that he will present the Turkish parliament with the motion so that it can vote on the deployment legislation in January .
“ We will present the motion to send troops [ to Libya ] as soon as parliament resumes ” on January 7 .
“ God willing , we will pass it in parliament on January 8-9 and thus respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GNA , ” Erdogan said .
Erdogan ’ s announcement came a month after Turkish and Libyan officials , led by GNA Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj , signed a memorandum of understanding on security and military cooperation .
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None other than US President Donald Trump has stood up against foreign intervention in Libya , warning his NATO ally Turkey that its planned military deployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African country worse .
During the phone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday , “ President Trump pointed out that foreign interference is complicating the situation in Libya , ” the White House said in a statement .
No further details were given , but the call took place just after the Turkish legislature voted 325 to 184 to approve sending troops to the North African country , in order to prop up Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and his Government of National Accord ( GNA ) .
Though the GNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most of the country is actually controlled by a rival government in Tobruk and troops of the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) loyal to General Khalifa Haftar .
The GNA has been reduced to the area around the capital , Tripoli , which the LNA has sought to capture since April 2019 .
Readout of the call given by Erdogan ’ s cabinet merely said the two leaders had “ stressed the importance of diplomacy in resolving regional issues , ” without making it clear whether Washington endorsed Ankara ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s bid to back Tripoli against Tobruk resembles his power play in northern Syria in October , in that it is apparently unilateral and neither coordinated nor cleared with its NATO allies .
One major distinction is that the Syrian incursion was aimed against the legitimate government in Damascus , as well as the US-backed Kurdish militias .
Trump advising against “ foreign interference ” is of course ironic on a whole different scale , given the US assertion of a free hand to intervene anywhere , anytime , against anyone – from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to launching a regime-change operation in Libya itself , back in 2011 .
At the time , NATO bombers provided cover for militants to overthrow the government of Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi and plunge Libya into chaos from which it has yet to recover .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss Turkish President Erdogan’s announcement to provide military backing for Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA), saying in a speech in Ankara that he will present the Turkish parliament with the motion so that it can vote on the deployment legislation in January.
“We will present the motion to send troops [to Libya] as soon as parliament resumes” on January 7. “God willing, we will pass it in parliament on January 8-9 and thus respond to an invitation” from the Tripoli-based GNA,” Erdogan said.
Erdogan’s announcement came a month after Turkish and Libyan officials, led by GNA Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj, signed a memorandum of understanding on security and military cooperation.
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Via RT…
None other than US President Donald Trump has stood up against foreign intervention in Libya, warning his NATO ally Turkey that its planned military deployment could make the situation in the North African country worse.
During the phone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, “President Trump pointed out that foreign interference is complicating the situation in Libya,” the White House said in a statement.
No further details were given, but the call took place just after the Turkish legislature voted 325 to 184 to approve sending troops to the North African country, in order to prop up Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and his Government of National Accord (GNA).
Though the GNA is the internationally recognized government of Libya, most of the country is actually controlled by a rival government in Tobruk and troops of the Libyan National Army (LNA) loyal to General Khalifa Haftar. The GNA has been reduced to the area around the capital, Tripoli, which the LNA has sought to capture since April 2019.
Readout of the call given by Erdogan’s cabinet merely said the two leaders had “stressed the importance of diplomacy in resolving regional issues,” without making it clear whether Washington endorsed Ankara’s decision or opposed it.
Erdogan’s bid to back Tripoli against Tobruk resembles his power play in northern Syria in October, in that it is apparently unilateral and neither coordinated nor cleared with its NATO allies. One major distinction is that the Syrian incursion was aimed against the legitimate government in Damascus, as well as the US-backed Kurdish militias.
Trump advising against “foreign interference” is of course ironic on a whole different scale, given the US assertion of a free hand to intervene anywhere, anytime, against anyone – from illegally keeping troops in Iraq and Syria to launching a regime-change operation in Libya itself, back in 2011. At the time, NATO bombers provided cover for militants to overthrow the government of Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi and plunge Libya into chaos from which it has yet to recover.
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theduran--2020-01-02--Erdogan, Putin and Trump: The Theater of War in Idlib, Syria (Video)

The Duran ’ s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss Turkish President Erdogan ’ s maneuvers in Idlib , Syria and Trump ’ s warning to Syria , Russia and Iran not to kill civilians in Idlib province .
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President Trump on Thursday urged Russia , Syria and Iran not to kill civilians in Syria ’ s Idlib province and said Turkey is “ working hard ” to stop “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria , and Iran are killing , or on their way to killing , thousands of innocent civilians in Idlib Province , ” Trump , who is currently at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach , Fla. , tweeted .
“ Don ’ t do it !
Turkey is working hard to stop this carnage.
” In recent weeks , Syrian and Russian forces have stepped up air strikes against targets in Idlib province , the last major rebel-held area in the region .
A Syrian relief group called the Syrian Response Coordination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilians had fled their homes in northwest Syria amid a bombardment from Syrian government forces there , according to The Associated Press , with many of them fleeing to the Turkish border .
The group said that more than 250 civilians have been killed as a result of the air and ground operations conducted by Syria and its Russian and Iranian allies .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned earlier this week that Turkey could not handle the new wave of refugees coming from Syria .
“ If the violence towards the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number will increase even more .
In that case , Turkey will not carry such a migrant burden on its own , ” Erdoğan said .
Trump sent the tweet Thursday morning amid complaints about his impeachment ; shortly later , he departed for Trump International Golf Club .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss Turkish President Erdogan’s maneuvers in Idlib, Syria and Trump’s warning to Syria, Russia and Iran not to kill civilians in Idlib province.
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Via The Hill…
President Trump on Thursday urged Russia, Syria and Iran not to kill civilians in Syria’s Idlib province and said Turkey is “working hard” to stop “carnage” there.
“Russia, Syria, and Iran are killing, or on their way to killing, thousands of innocent civilians in Idlib Province,” Trump, who is currently at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., tweeted. “Don’t do it! Turkey is working hard to stop this carnage.”
Russia, Syria, and Iran are killing, or on their way to killing, thousands of innocent civilians in Idlib Province. Don’t do it! Turkey is working hard to stop this carnage. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2019
In recent weeks, Syrian and Russian forces have stepped up air strikes against targets in Idlib province, the last major rebel-held area in the region.
A Syrian relief group called the Syrian Response Coordination Group said this week that over 200,000 civilians had fled their homes in northwest Syria amid a bombardment from Syrian government forces there, according to The Associated Press, with many of them fleeing to the Turkish border.
The group said that more than 250 civilians have been killed as a result of the air and ground operations conducted by Syria and its Russian and Iranian allies.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned earlier this week that Turkey could not handle the new wave of refugees coming from Syria.
“If the violence towards the people of Idlib does not stop, this number will increase even more. In that case, Turkey will not carry such a migrant burden on its own,” Erdoğan said.
Trump sent the tweet Thursday morning amid complaints about his impeachment; shortly later, he departed for Trump International Golf Club.
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