veteranstoday--2020-02-17--Censored: The Report, Ein Al-Assad, an unending nightmare for the US (what you weren’t allowed to kn

Censored: The Report, Ein Al-Assad, an unending nightmare for the US (what you weren’t allowed to know)

TEHRAN ( FNA ) - Washington is still trying to control information about the size and the scope of the damages and casualties incurred on the US army at Ein Al-Assad Airbase in Southwestern Iraq after Iran ’ s missile strike last month that came in retaliation for the assassination of IRGC Qods Force Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani .
Lieutenant Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps ( IRGC ) Brigadier General Ali Fadavi underlined on Saturday that the Americans ’ lies will be disclosed soon , and said , “ All aspects of Iran ’ s military attack against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be exposed by the Americans during their partisan plays and we have much information about Iran ’ s attack on Ein al-Assad , but we prefer the Americans to admit the damages of Iran ’ s attack on the airbase.
” Media reports have said that US President Donald Trump has not yet allowed any official to release information about the heavy casualties and damages of the operations and threatened them with heavy punishment , if they leak any information .
But the IRGC ’ s missile strike against Ein al-Assad in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic of Iran ’ s harsh revenge from the US for the assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani .
The development is still one of the top headlines of the world media after 40 days due to the American officials ’ lies about the number of the dead and wounded soldiers in the attack ; the US officials still continue to increase the number of casualties every week .
The big operations codenamed ‘ Martyr Qassem Soleimani ’ against Ein al-Assad – which was conducted at 01:20am ( local time ) of January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle carrying General Soleimani came under attack on January 3 and and just a few hours before his funeral ceremony – left 120 American soldiers dead and over 200 others wounded .
Confusion of the US military and security bodies and media The US National Security Council immediately held a meeting to investigate the catastrophic blow and approved a secret bill based on which the US government declared war emergency situation , stressing that any information about Ein al-Assad missile strike should remain confidential and leaking any information about the attack before coordination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stern violation of national security ; yet Newsweek had already released a report and put the number of casualties at 270 before receiving the urgent notice .
The editor-in-chief of Newsweek for world news service corrected the news minutes after receiving the notice without any explanation and deleted the number of casualties from the Newsweek website but the original text of the report is still available on the internet and its print screens have been saved by readers .
Also , the approval delayed US President Donald Trump ’ s TV speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Iranian missile strikes against the US base have taken no toll from either the US or Iraqi armies due to the US army ’ s deterrent measures , precaution and redeployment of forces in different places .
Some minutes after Trump ’ s remarks , the aviation websites reported flight of a Boeing cargo plane , C17 , from Baghdad airport to Ramstein Air Base in Germany for treatment missions at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center .
The plane is also equipped with numerous fridges to carry dead bodies .
Capabilities of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Europe The Landstuhl Regional Medical Center ( LRMC ) is an overseas military hospital operated by the United States Army .
LRMC is the largest US military hospital outside the continental United States .
It is near Landstuhl , Germany , and is the nearest treatment center for wounded soldiers coming from Iraq and Afghanistan .
In addition , it serves military stationed throughout Europe and Africa , as well as their family members .
The medical center also serves as a stop-over ( evacuated via the nearby Ramstein Air Base ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before being flown to the United States .
What was the cause of the large number of US casualties in Ein al-Assad ?
The IRGC ’ s missile strikes on Ein al-Assad were conducted in two stages with an interval of 30 to 40 minutes .
In the first stage , 9 ballistic missiles were fired .
The US army was on alert in anticipation of Iran ’ s reprisal attack for the assassination of General Soleimani , and most US troops had been transferred to shelters , but given the high destructive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of them were killed in the shelters .
After nearly half an hour when no missiles were fired , the American commanders assumed that the operations had ended and ordered evacuation to rush to aid the wounded ; and it was then when more missiles landed at the base , killing and wounding scores more .
After the attack , Trump claimed on his twitter page that “ All is well !
Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq .
Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world , by far !
I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.
” Later in a televised address he repeated the same remarks while he was confused and frustrated .
One week after the attack , Trump , his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the US military spokespersons and commanders all claimed that the American soldiers in Ein al-Assad are sound and safe .
But the Pentagon was forced to first admit casualties followed by gradually increasing the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traumatic brain injuries , although US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper only spoke of headache among the American soldiers deployed at the base .
The US soldiers ’ “ traumatic brain injury ” was first revealed by a Kuwaiti newspaper that also revealed transfer of a number of severely injured US troops to a hospital in the Arab country .
The Pentagon increased the number several times to 16 , 34 and 64 from 11 and finally , on February 11 , the Pentagon confirmed traumatic brain injury of 109 military men in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise to 200 in coming weeks , specially considering that the Pentagon has said 109 is not the final number of the wounded .
Some reports said that a number of US democrat senators are aware of the number of casualties but they have decided to disclose it on the threshold of the presidential election .
Reports on Ein al-Assad attack said nearly 4 helicopters , two cargo planes and the watchtower of the base ’ s military airport were destroyed .
But the US officials never allowed the reporters and photographers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watchtower , command center and radar center .
They confined reporters ’ visit to the site to a several-hundred-meter area of the base to show some burnt tents , a big hole in the runway and a devastated building .
They declared other parts of the base as forbidden zone .
Meantime , reports said when the IRGC carried out missile attacks against Ein al-Assad , 8 US-made drones were flying but their contacts with the control center at the base were cut due to the IRGC ’ s jamming operations and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The US forces immediately started search operations to find the 8 drones but they found the debris of 3 aircraft and they still lack any information about the fate of 5 other drones .
US bases and Israeli army on high alert for 40 days Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution and Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei several hours after the IRGC ’ s missile attack against the US army positions in Ein al-Assad said that “ Iran slapped American on the face last night .
Military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What is important is ending the corrupting presence of America in the region ” .
After his remarks , high-ranking IRGC commanders and resistance groups ’ leaders , including Hezbollah , stressed that operations against Ein al-Assad was only the first step of more extensive and crushing operations in the future and the US and the Zionist regime will be forced to leave the Muslim world and the West Asia region .
These repeated threats have both lowered the US forces ’ morale , given the long time they have been kept on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept in the dark with regard to the true number of the Ein Al-Assad casualties , as they are waiting for a bigger operation against another US base ; they know an attack is in the offing , but they don ’ t know when and where and that ’ s wearing off their threshold of tolerance .
Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Major General Hossein Salami , who addressed a ceremony to commemorate General Soleimani 40 days after his martyrdom , said General Soleimani has been replicated and the resistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The US was slapped in the face , but the strong and final slap will continue to come until the last US soldier retreats from the Muslim lands , and this reality is close , ” he said .
Now , the Muslim world is waiting for repeated , confusing and destructive operations by the resistance forces across the region and the world .


veteranstoday--2020-02-17--WaPo: Giuliani, Weaponizing Ukrainian Corruption and Shaking Down the World

The impeachment trial of President Trump divided America and captivated the world .
At the center of it all was Rudolph W. Giuliani , the president ’ s old friend from New York .
Operating as Trump ’ s personal lawyer , Giuliani wove a complex web of misinformation involving Ukrainian tycoons and prosecutors , diplomats and hustlers , laying the groundwork for just the third impeachment trial in U.S. history .
Along with his associates Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman , Giuliani worked to get rid of Marie Yovanovitch , the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine at the time and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also pushed for Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son , just as the former vice president announced he was challenging Trump in 2020 .
As Giuliani waged his shadow pressure campaign , the Trump administration withheld millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine and denied its new president an urgently sought White House meeting .
“ The President ’ s Shadow ” is a feature documentary from The Washington Post that traces Giuliani ’ s evolution from one of America ’ s most beloved figures to one of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his work in Ukraine almost brought down the president .
Read more : https : //wapo.st/3866HIO .
[ Editor ’ s Note : Despite all of the political critics of Trump , none of them will go near the “ mobbed up ” flavor of the Trump regime , the layers of it that even a rookie counter-intel guy could spot after a couple of years on the job .
Media has touched on it , especially in New York where everybody knows about the Trump family legacy and Donald ’ s long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who handled City Hall payoffs for him , and labor issues with the Italian mob-controlled construction unions .
None of the Democratic candidates have even taken it on when it is really his most vulnerable flanks .
And because of that failure , Trump is mobbing up government even more , with the Republicans tickled pink they might be able to rig everything forever and run the US as the plantation they always viewed it .
We have published tons of this stuff , never been challenged on any of it , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in media or politics wanting to know more .
Now with Barr as AG , we see what some would consider a template for mobbing up the Justice Department , and the travesty going on in the Roger Stone sentencing intervention now .
At least we have a stream of prosecutors resigning .
I pray this is the tipping point , but I fear not… Jim Dean ] by Gordon Duff , VT Sr. Editor with New Eastern Outlook , Moscow and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the countries and cultures of Asia and North Africa .
Those who accept the policies of the Trump administration , cancellation of the JCPOA with Iran , seizing oil fields in Syria , endless sanctions on the nation after nation , Europe blackmailed , endless threats emanating almost hourly from Trump ’ s iPhone as “ national policy ” or even criminally deranged is simply not paying attention .
There is a method , and it isn ’ t the madness it appears to be .
Trump and the company have remade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in a way Americans are quite familiar with .
We call it “ organized crime.
” Currently , representatives of American political leaders are operating in over 60 nations .
These aren ’ t diplomats , though some actually are , technically at least , most are simply “ business agents , ” often with long criminal histories .
They sell “ the friendship ” of the United States in return for anything of value and the buyers , nations terrified of the United States , are ready to sign anything , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Godfather : Michael : Well when Johnny was first starting out , he was signed to this contract with a big-band leader .
And as his career got better and better he wanted to get out of it .
Now , Johnny is my father ’ s godson .
My father went to see the bandleader and offered him $ 10,000 to let Johnny go , but the bandleader said no .
So the next day , my father went to see the bandleader again , only this time with Luca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bandleader signed the release , with a certified check of $ 1,000 .
Kay : How did he do that ?
Michael : My father made him an offer he couldn ’ t refuse .
Kay : What was that ?
Michael : Luca Brasi held a gun to his head , and my father assured him that either his brains or his signature would be on the contract .
Today , Luca Brasi has been superseded by a drone assassination or , just perhaps , a color revolution at the hands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you read is almost common knowledge .
Despite broad censorship , it is relatively commonly known that Jared Kushner ’ s shaky personal finances received a generous bailout from Saudi Arabia , real estate loans but also broad partnerships for his father in law also , including Saudi Arabia ’ s first official brothel .
There is also the glaring issue of Netanyahu ’ s corruption , of which only the most minor areas are subject to his current criminal indictment in Israel .
In truth , Netanyahu has made billions , receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Germany , and other nations , but going much further as well .
Netanyahu , while prime minister of Israel , has been co-employed by the Adelson casino operations group , making presentations on their behalf tied to trades for stolen American intelligence and technology .
The list of political leaders in the Middle East profiting from ISIS and al Qaeda would be frightening but it began much earlier .
The vital Baku-Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline that services 30 % of the world ’ s oil reserves and passes through a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before ISIS existed .
ISIS simply took over operations from the American occupiers of Iraq , or , more likely , “ partnered with , ” adding new players to existing pirate operations that included Exxon and BP in what Iraq estimates as $ 1 trillion in stolen assets .
There are stories that are told , in part at least , told then buried , pushed out of sight and considered unimportant as an endless flow of wild conspiracy theories fabricated by “ official sources ” dominates the fake information flow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ banking , oil , defense or even in relatively innocent NGOs , though few exist today that are not turned subverted or controlled by intelligence agencies , without stumbling over ham-handed resource looting around the world .
In recent days , moves against Nigeria by Trump have been directly tied to oil deals where hefty commissions are demanded by American politicians , in some cases up to 3 % of gross sale , based on Platts Marketscan prices .
In Sudan , for instance , many members of the current government still face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Moreover , Sudan is still “ terror listed ” and is being financially choked by American sanctions .
Most recently , representatives , albeit “ private ” of the White House demanded and received $ 350 million in diamonds from that poverty-stricken nation , in trade for “ efforts ” on behalf of leaders facing prosecution seeking US intervention .
In fact , the original division of that nation , the separation of South Sudan , was predicated on negotiations between Washington , Khartoum and the UAE over “ delisting ” then-President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I acted as the intermediary in those negotiations and continue to consult with the Khartoum government .
Similar shakedowns are going on in Malaysia , Indonesia , Sri Lanka , Ethiopia , Egypt , Libya , Algeria , Morocco , and the list can go on forever .
When it gets to the Western Hemisphere , into Central and South America , Smedley Butler ’ s words again serve us well .
Nothing done today is without historical context .
Excerpt from a speech delivered in 1933 , by Major General Smedley Butler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racket .
A racket is best described , I believe , as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people .
Only a small inside group knows what it is about .
It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses .
I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else .
If a nation comes over here to fight , then we ’ ll fight .
The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and goes overseas to get 100 percent .
Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag .
I wouldn ’ t go to war again as I have done to protect some lousy investment of the bankers .
There are only two things we should fight for .
One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights .
War for any other reason is simply a racket .
There isn ’ t a trick in the racketeering bag that the military gang is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finger men ” to point out enemies , its “ muscle men ” to destroy enemies , its “ brain men ” to plan war preparations , and a “ Big Boss ” Super-Nationalistic-Capitalism .
It may seem odd for me , a military man to adopt such a comparison .
Truthfulness compels me to .
I spent thirty- three years and four months in active military service as a member of this country ’ s most agile military force , the Marine Corps .
I served in all commissioned ranks from Second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period , I spent most of my time being a high-class-muscle-man for Big Business , for Wall Street and for the Bankers .
In short , I was a racketeer , a gangster for capitalism .
I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time .
Now I am sure of it .
Like all the members of the military profession , I never had a thought of my own until I left the service .
My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of higher-ups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the military service .
I helped make Mexico , especially Tampico , safe for American oil interests in 1914 .
I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in .
I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefits of Wall Street .
The record of racketeering is long .
I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers in 1909-1912 ( where have I heard that name before ? )
.
I brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sugar interests in 1916 .
In China , I helped to see to it that Standard Oil went its way unmolested .
During those years , I had , as the boys in the back room would say , a swell racket .
Looking back on it , I feel that I could have given Al Capone a few hints .
The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts .
I operated on three continents .
As close as we come to Butler in recent times is General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO , made the following statement : “ About ten days after 9/11 , I went through the Pentagon and I saw Secretary Rumsfeld and Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz .
I went downstairs just to say hello to some of the people on the Joint Staff who used to work for me , and one of the generals called me in .
He said , ‘ Sir , you ’ ve got to come in and talk to me a second.
’ I said , ‘ Well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , ‘ No , no.
” He says , ‘ We ’ ve made the decision we ’ re going to war with Iraq.
’ This was on or about the 20th of September .
I said , ‘ We ’ re going to war with Iraq ?
Why ?
” He said , ‘ I don ’ t know.
’ He said , ‘ I guess they don ’ t know what else to do.
’ So I said , ‘ Well , did they find some information connecting Saddam to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No , no.
” He says , ‘ There ’ s nothing new that way .
They just made the decision to go to war with Iraq.
’ He said , ‘ I guess it ’ s like we don ’ t know what to do about terrorists , but we ’ ve got a good military and we can take down governments.
” And he said , ‘ I guess if the only tool you have is a hammer , every problem has to look like a nail.
’ So I came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , and by that time we were bombing in Afghanistan .
I said , ‘ Are we still going to war with Iraq ?
’ And he said , ‘ Oh , it ’ s worse than that.
’ He reached over on his desk .
He picked up a piece of paper .
And he said , “ I just got this down from upstairs ’ — meaning the Secretary of Defense ’ s office — ‘ today.
’ And he said , ‘ This is a memo that describes how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven countries in five years , starting with Iraq , and then Syria , Lebanon , Libya , Somalia , Sudan and , finishing off , Iran.
’ I said , ‘ Is it classified ?
’ He said , ‘ Yes , sir.
” I said , ‘ Well , don ’ t show it to me.
’ And I saw him a year or so ago , and I said , “ You remember that ?
” He said , ‘ Sir , I didn ’ t show you that memo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to you !
’ ” It isn ’ t just the United States or Israel , running “ shakedown ” or “ protection rackets ” like Meyer Lansky ’ s Murder Incorporated or Al Capone ’ s Chicago based operations from the 1920s .
It isn ’ t just the United States , but it is mostly the United States .
A small army of “ hungry travelers , ” representing the private interests of the White House , Pentagon , and Congress , fully backed by the CIA and the militarized social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have put thousands of paid rioters ( and the snipers to kill them ) on the streets time and time again , in nation after nation .
The weapons , terror lists , sanctions , advanced arms to unfriendly neighbors or , now at the top of the list , crushing the value of a national currency as we have seen in Lebanon , Syria , Iran but also in Pakistan .
A longer list ?
Venezuela , Argentina , Turkey , Brazil , India , and the Philippines , but the vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapse the currency , apply sanctions , begin orchestrated social media warfare and then send in the clowns , the bagmen for Washington .
The long and short of it ?
There is no more American foreign policy , only power and influence , money laundering , bank accounts in the Cayman Islands and a nation whose political and even military leaders are tired of working for gangsters .
They have decided to be the gangsters .

The impeachment trial of President Trump divided America and captivated the world. At the center of it all was Rudolph W. Giuliani, the president’s old friend from New York.
Operating as Trump’s personal lawyer, Giuliani wove a complex web of misinformation involving Ukrainian tycoons and prosecutors, diplomats and hustlers, laying the groundwork for just the third impeachment trial in U.S. history.
Along with his associates Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, Giuliani worked to get rid of Marie Yovanovitch, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine at the time and a champion of the anti-corruption movement. He also pushed for Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son, just as the former vice president announced he was challenging Trump in 2020.
As Giuliani waged his shadow pressure campaign, the Trump administration withheld millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine and denied its new president an urgently sought White House meeting.
“The President’s Shadow” is a feature documentary from The Washington Post that traces Giuliani’s evolution from one of America’s most beloved figures to one of its most controversial, and it shows how his work in Ukraine almost brought down the president.
Read Full Story at Washington Post
[ Editor’s Note: Despite all of the political critics of Trump, none of them will go near the “mobbed up” flavor of the Trump regime, the layers of it that even a rookie counter-intel guy could spot after a couple of years on the job.
Media has touched on it, especially in New York where everybody knows about the Trump family legacy and Donald’s long time relationship with mob attorney Roy Cohn who handled City Hall payoffs for him, and labor issues with the Italian mob-controlled construction unions.
None of the Democratic candidates have even taken it on when it is really his most vulnerable flanks. And because of that failure, Trump is mobbing up government even more, with the Republicans tickled pink they might be able to rig everything forever and run the US as the plantation they always viewed it.
We have published tons of this stuff, never been challenged on any of it, and almost never get a call from anyone in media or politics wanting to know more.
Now with Barr as AG, we see what some would consider a template for mobbing up the Justice Department, and the travesty going on in the Roger Stone sentencing intervention now. At least we have a stream of prosecutors resigning. I pray this is the tipping point, but I fear not… Jim Dean]
First published … February 12, 2020
by Gordon Duff, VT Sr. Editor with New Eastern Outlook, Moscow and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a research institution for the study of the countries and cultures of Asia and North Africa.
“Mobbed up” American Policy, The Global Shakedown
Those who accept the policies of the Trump administration, cancellation of the JCPOA with Iran, seizing oil fields in Syria, endless sanctions on the nation after nation, Europe blackmailed, endless threats emanating almost hourly from Trump’s iPhone as “national policy” or even criminally deranged is simply not paying attention.
There is a method, and it isn’t the madness it appears to be. Trump and the company have remade the “business environment of the world” in a way Americans are quite familiar with. We call it “organized crime.”
Currently, representatives of American political leaders are operating in over 60 nations. These aren’t diplomats, though some actually are, technically at least, most are simply “business agents,” often with long criminal histories.
They sell “the friendship” of the United States in return for anything of value and the buyers, nations terrified of the United States, are ready to sign anything, give up anything. From the film, The Godfather:
Michael: Well when Johnny was first starting out, he was signed to this contract with a big-band leader. And as his career got better and better he wanted to get out of it. Now, Johnny is my father’s godson. My father went to see the bandleader and offered him $10,000 to let Johnny go, but the bandleader said no. So the next day, my father went to see the bandleader again, only this time with Luca Brasi. Within an hour, the bandleader signed the release, with a certified check of $1,000.
Kay: How did he do that?
Michael: My father made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Kay: What was that?
Michael: Luca Brasi held a gun to his head, and my father assured him that either his brains or his signature would be on the contract.
Today, Luca Brasi has been superseded by a drone assassination or, just perhaps, a color revolution at the hands of Google and Facebook.
Some of what you read is almost common knowledge. Despite broad censorship, it is relatively commonly known that Jared Kushner’s shaky personal finances received a generous bailout from Saudi Arabia, real estate loans but also broad partnerships for his father in law also, including Saudi Arabia’s first official brothel.
There is also the glaring issue of Netanyahu’s corruption, of which only the most minor areas are subject to his current criminal indictment in Israel. In truth, Netanyahu has made billions, receiving kickbacks for military contracts from the US, Germany, and other nations, but going much further as well.
Netanyahu, while prime minister of Israel, has been co-employed by the Adelson casino operations group, making presentations on their behalf tied to trades for stolen American intelligence and technology.
The list of political leaders in the Middle East profiting from ISIS and al Qaeda would be frightening but it began much earlier. The vital Baku-Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline that services 30% of the world’s oil reserves and passes through a number of nations began pumping stolen oil a decade before ISIS existed.
ISIS simply took over operations from the American occupiers of Iraq, or, more likely, “partnered with,” adding new players to existing pirate operations that included Exxon and BP in what Iraq estimates as $1 trillion in stolen assets.
There are stories that are told, in part at least, told then buried, pushed out of sight and considered unimportant as an endless flow of wild conspiracy theories fabricated by “official sources” dominates the fake information flow.
It is impossible for someone working in banking, oil, defense or even in relatively innocent NGOs, though few exist today that are not turned subverted or controlled by intelligence agencies, without stumbling over ham-handed resource looting around the world.
In recent days, moves against Nigeria by Trump have been directly tied to oil deals where hefty commissions are demanded by American politicians, in some cases up to 3% of gross sale, based on Platts Marketscan prices.
In Sudan, for instance, many members of the current government still face international criminal charges tied to Darfur atrocities. Moreover, Sudan is still “terror listed” and is being financially choked by American sanctions.
Most recently, representatives, albeit “private” of the White House demanded and received $350 million in diamonds from that poverty-stricken nation, in trade for “efforts” on behalf of leaders facing prosecution seeking US intervention.
In fact, the original division of that nation, the separation of South Sudan, was predicated on negotiations between Washington, Khartoum and the UAE over “delisting” then-President Omar al-Bashir as a war criminal. I acted as the intermediary in those negotiations and continue to consult with the Khartoum government.
Similar shakedowns are going on in Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and the list can go on forever. When it gets to the Western Hemisphere, into Central and South America, Smedley Butler’s words again serve us well. Nothing done today is without historical context.
Excerpt from a speech delivered in 1933, by Major General Smedley Butler, USMC.
War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.
I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we’ll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag.
I wouldn’t go to war again as I have done to protect some lousy investment of the bankers. There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights. War for any other reason is simply a racket.
There isn’t a trick in the racketeering bag that the military gang is blind to. It has its “finger men” to point out enemies, its “muscle men” to destroy enemies, its “brain men” to plan war preparations, and a “Big Boss” Super-Nationalistic-Capitalism.
It may seem odd for me, a military man to adopt such a comparison. Truthfulness compels me to. I spent thirty- three years and four months in active military service as a member of this country’s most agile military force, the Marine Corps. I served in all commissioned ranks from Second Lieutenant to Major-General. And during that period, I spent most of my time being a high-class-muscle-man for Big Business, for Wall Street and for the Bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism.
I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it. Like all the members of the military profession, I never had a thought of my own until I left the service. My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service.
I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefits of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long. I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers in 1909-1912 (where have I heard that name before?). I brought light to the Dominican Republic for American sugar interests in 1916. In China, I helped to see to it that Standard Oil went its way unmolested.
During those years, I had, as the boys in the back room would say, a swell racket. Looking back on it, I feel that I could have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.
As close as we come to Butler in recent times is General Wesley Clark. In 2007, Clark, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, made the following statement:
“About ten days after 9/11, I went through the Pentagon and I saw Secretary Rumsfeld and Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz. I went downstairs just to say hello to some of the people on the Joint Staff who used to work for me, and one of the generals called me in. He said, ‘Sir, you’ve got to come in and talk to me a second.’ I said, ‘Well, you’re too busy.’ He said, ‘No, no.” He says, ‘We’ve made the decision we’re going to war with Iraq.’ This was on or about the 20th of September. I said, ‘We’re going to war with Iraq? Why?” He said, ‘I don’t know.’
He said, ‘I guess they don’t know what else to do.’ So I said, ‘Well, did they find some information connecting Saddam to al-Qaeda?” He said, ‘No, no.” He says, ‘There’s nothing new that way. They just made the decision to go to war with Iraq.’ He said, ‘I guess it’s like we don’t know what to do about terrorists, but we’ve got a good military and we can take down governments.” And he said, ‘I guess if the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem has to look like a nail.’
So I came back to see him a few weeks later, and by that time we were bombing in Afghanistan. I said, ‘Are we still going to war with Iraq?’ And he said, ‘Oh, it’s worse than that.’ He reached over on his desk. He picked up a piece of paper. And he said, “I just got this down from upstairs’ — meaning the Secretary of Defense’s office — ‘today.’
And he said, ‘This is a memo that describes how we’re going to take out seven countries in five years, starting with Iraq, and then Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and, finishing off, Iran.’ I said, ‘Is it classified?’ He said, ‘Yes, sir.” I said, ‘Well, don’t show it to me.’ And I saw him a year or so ago, and I said, “You remember that?” He said, ‘Sir, I didn’t show you that memo! I didn’t show it to you!’”
Conclusion
It isn’t just the United States or Israel, running “shakedown” or “protection rackets” like Meyer Lansky’s Murder Incorporated or Al Capone’s Chicago based operations from the 1920s. It isn’t just the United States, but it is mostly the United States.
A small army of “hungry travelers,” representing the private interests of the White House, Pentagon, and Congress, fully backed by the CIA and the militarized social media and internet giants that can and have put thousands of paid rioters (and the snipers to kill them) on the streets time and time again, in nation after nation.
The weapons, terror lists, sanctions, advanced arms to unfriendly neighbors or, now at the top of the list, crushing the value of a national currency as we have seen in Lebanon, Syria, Iran but also in Pakistan.
A longer list? Venezuela, Argentina, Turkey, Brazil, India, and the Philippines, but the vulnerable nations include any with significant debt, collapse the currency, apply sanctions, begin orchestrated social media warfare and then send in the clowns, the bagmen for Washington.
The long and short of it? There is no more American foreign policy, only power and influence, money laundering, bank accounts in the Cayman Islands and a nation whose political and even military leaders are tired of working for gangsters.
They have decided to be the gangsters.


veteranstoday--2020-02-17--NEO – Armageddon, Determinism and Rage

NEO – Armageddon, Determinism and Rage

by Gordon Duff , VT Sr. Editor , …with New Eastern Outlook , Moscow , …and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences , a research institution for the study of the countries and cultures of Asia and North Africa .
Analysts apply theories to interpret events , to forecast , to influence and even to warn .
Behind this is determinism , the theory that all events are inexorable , the result of causations independent of human foible .
Determinists rule our century , we bask in their hubris and ignorance .
When their theories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fake data is turned to , and the descent into catastrophe , though inexorable to the rational , disappears at the determinists ’ other theory , that of denialism .
As we move into February 2020 , the tensions , the hate , the anger can be felt around the world .
To most , if not all sentient mammals , the idea of governments and institutions as primary actors is at an end .
Banditry , hypocrisy and hedonism rule .
The denialists in Washington are tasked with prolonging the fall of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the death throes and call them “ trends.
” Rationalists , if they existed , would offer a different view .
They might well postulate that the criminally insane have taken over the asylum and all the rest of us can do is buckle up and enjoy the ride .
We will take a few examples , but the real issue is controlling rage .
After all , we are only as civilized and abiding as our reptile brains allow , shielded and encased in a structure of laws , of religions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in institutions but drowns us all in rage .
Syria provides several examples .
Days ago , residential neighborhoods in Damascus came under missile attack by Israel .
VT ’ s offices there were nearly hit .
There are no military facilities nearby .
The attack , against one of the best air defense systems in the world , was perpetrated by launching missiles that followed a Russian civilian passenger jet into Damascus airport with 172 onboard .
This isn ’ t the first time this has been done .
From the BBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia has said Syria shot down one of its military planes – but laid the blame for the deaths of the 15 personnel on board with Israel .
The defence ministry said Israeli jets put the Il-20 plane into the path of Syrian air defence systems on Monday after failing to give Moscow enough warning of a strike on Syrian targets .
The Il-20 disappeared off the radar at about 23:00 local time ( 20:00 GMT ) .
The Israel Defence Force ( IDF ) has expressed “ sorrow ” over the deaths.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no imaginary Iranians living in this Damascus working class neighborhood , destroyed shops and residences , facts unreported in the Western press .
From RT : “ The A320 was landed “ at the closest alternative airfield , ” the ministry stated .
It also said the surprise attack took place around 2am local time , with four Israeli F-16s firing at least eight air-to-surface missiles from outside of Syrian airspace .
Tel Aviv is perfectly aware of civilian flight routes and air activity around Damascus , day and night , and such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not care less about possible civilian casualties , Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said.
” Russia has had great patience with Israel for a very long time and the language used by is a distinct change from the past .
Israel , of course , hides behind the power of the United States , acting with impunity and demonstrating unrestrained gangsterism and bullying , pure schoolyard behavior until someone steps in .
With American policy set by former CIA director Michael Pompeo , a dismal figure at best , both toadying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Russia .
Israel is begging for a retaliatory strike from Russia that would lead to a very high risk of war .
As happens almost daily for those who watch international events , why is it always left to Russia to be diplomatic and sensible when confronted with hubris and brutality that escalates almost hourly ?
We then move to the OPCW investigation released on February 7 , 2020 of the chemical weapons-White Helmets issue in Syria .
As most would know , if the western press weren ’ t totally censored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies ” have attacked Syria and sanctioned Syria and Russia based , initially , on Facebook posts by al-Qaeda , and later by an OPCW “ study.
” That “ study , ” based on conjecture , fake testimony and a skewed forensics process , was “ ratted out , ” a delightful American term , by whistleblowers .
A pattern of documents revealed a conspiracy by the OPCW to fake an investigation against Syria and Russia .
Then , of course , we have the Russian investigation , made possible after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged attacks from occupation by terrorists .
Witnesses came forward , those included in faked gas attack films , citing White Helmet collusion with Western intelligence agencies and their al Qaeda allies to stage false flag chemical attacks .
It was also revealed in this investigation , which took alleged victims , the medical personnel that supposedly treated them and 40 members of the White Helmets organization that staged the fake attacks to The Hague to testify before the ICC .
Still , despite the overwhelming deluge of facts to the contrary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality itself , stating that no whistleblower could be trusted , even if the documentation they supplied proving their allegations was genuine .
In the process , the OPCW has now pushed a nuclear superpower into a corner , essentially bullying the “ toughest kid on the block ” and believing their will be no consequences .
What is of course “ out there ” is a declaration that the OPCW , the White Helmets and those that aid them , as not just supporters of terrorism but is guilty of material aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , opens their membership up for retribution , using the legal basis established by the United States .
If Russia were to make the kind of “ collateral damage ” mistakes that the US made in Pakistan alone , 30,000 innocent civilians might die “ acceptably , ” using figures supplied by both military experts and Prime Minister Imran Khan .
America is like a child that pushes its parents , breaking windows , killing the family dog , burning down a neighbor ’ s home and expecting no consequences .
Truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has developed in the post-war era , has fostered exactly this mind set , seen by a rationalist as “ free will ” skewed by a touch of schizophrenia .
Bolstering the determinists is the dissolution of institutions and the “ new think ” irrelevance of moral relativism .
Behind moral relativism is the concept of justice and retribution .
In Washington , no one yet believes the dance will end .
When it does end , one thing is clear , no one will be left to explain it all to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , all be dead .
Gordon Duff is a Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War that has worked on veterans and POW issues for decades and consulted with governments challenged by security issues .
He ’ s a senior editor and chairman of the board of Veterans Today , especially for the online magazine “ New Eastern Outlook .
”

by Gordon Duff, VT Sr. Editor, with New Eastern Outlook, Moscow, and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a research institution for the study of the countries and cultures of Asia and North Africa.
Analysts apply theories to interpret events, to forecast, to influence and even to warn. Behind this is determinism, the theory that all events are inexorable, the result of causations independent of human foible.
Determinists rule our century, we bask in their hubris and ignorance. When their theories fail, a new algorithm applied to fake data is turned to, and the descent into catastrophe, though inexorable to the rational, disappears at the determinists’ other theory, that of denialism.
As we move into February 2020, the tensions, the hate, the anger can be felt around the world. To most, if not all sentient mammals, the idea of governments and institutions as primary actors is at an end. Banditry, hypocrisy and hedonism rule.
The denialists in Washington are tasked with prolonging the fall of the American empire. The determinists view the death throes and call them “trends.”
Rationalists, if they existed, would offer a different view. They might well postulate that the criminally insane have taken over the asylum and all the rest of us can do is buckle up and enjoy the ride.
We will take a few examples, but the real issue is controlling rage. After all, we are only as civilized and abiding as our reptile brains allow, shielded and encased in a structure of laws, of religions, of a narrative that speaks of trust in institutions but drowns us all in rage.
Syria provides several examples. Days ago, residential neighborhoods in Damascus came under missile attack by Israel. VT’s offices there were nearly hit. There are no military facilities nearby. The attack, against one of the best air defense systems in the world, was perpetrated by launching missiles that followed a Russian civilian passenger jet into Damascus airport with 172 onboard.
This isn’t the first time this has been done. From the BBC, September 18, 2018:
“Russia has said Syria shot down one of its military planes – but laid the blame for the deaths of the 15 personnel on board with Israel.
The defense ministry said Israeli jets put the Il-20 plane into the path of Syrian air defense systems on Monday after failing to give Moscow enough warning of a strike on Syrian targets.
The Il-20 disappeared off the radar at about 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT). The Israel Defence Force (IDF) has expressed “sorrow” over the deaths.”
The most recent Israeli attack, no imaginary Iranians living in this Damascus working-class neighborhood, destroyed shops, and residences, facts unreported in the Western press. From RT:
“The A320 was landed “at the closest alternative airfield,” the ministry stated. It also said the surprise attack took place around 2am local time, with four Israeli F-16s firing at least eight air-to-surface missiles from outside of Syrian airspace.
Tel Aviv is perfectly aware of civilian flight routes and air activity around Damascus, day and night, and such reckless missions prove that Israeli strategists could not care less about possible civilian casualties, Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said.”
Russia has had great patience with Israel for a very long time and the language used by is a distinct change from the past. Israel, of course, hides behind the power of the United States, acting with impunity and demonstrating unrestrained gangsterism and bullying, pure schoolyard behavior until someone steps in.
With American policy set by former CIA director Michael Pompeo, a dismal figure at best, both toadying and haughty, all that is left is Russia. Israel is begging for a retaliatory strike from Russia that would lead to a very high risk of war.
As happens almost daily for those who watch international events, why is it always left to Russia to be diplomatic and sensible when confronted with hubris and brutality that escalates almost hourly?
We then move to the OPCW investigation released on February 7, 2020, of the chemical weapons-White Helmets issue in Syria. As most would know, if the western press weren’t totally censored, the US and the “coalition allies” have attacked Syria and sanctioned Syria and Russia based, initially, on Facebook posts by al-Qaeda, and later by an OPCW “study.”
That “study,” based on conjecture, fake testimony, and a skewed forensics process, was “ratted out,” a delightful American term, by whistleblowers.
A pattern of documents revealed a conspiracy by the OPCW to fake an investigation against Syria and Russia.
Then, of course, we have the Russian investigation, made possible after the Syrian Arab Army freed areas of the alleged attacks from occupation by terrorists. Witnesses came forward, those included in faked gas attack films, citing White Helmet collusion with Western intelligence agencies and their al Qaeda allies to stage false flag chemical attacks.
It was also revealed in this investigation, which took alleged victims, the medical personnel that supposedly treated them and 40 members of the White Helmets organization that staged the fake attacks to The Hague to testify before the ICC.
Still, despite the overwhelming deluge of facts to the contrary, the OPCW has now chosen to betray reality itself, stating that no whistleblower could be trusted, even if the documentation they supplied proving their allegations were genuine.
In the process, the OPCW has now pushed a nuclear superpower into a corner, essentially bullying the “toughest kid on the block” and believing there will be no consequences.
What is of course “out there” is a declaration that the OPCW, the White Helmets and those that aid them, as not just supporters of terrorism but are guilty of material aid to terrorist groups.
That, of course, opens their membership up for retribution, using the legal basis established by the United States. If Russia were to make the kind of “collateral damage” mistakes that the US made in Pakistan alone, 30,000 innocent civilians might die “acceptably,” using figures supplied by both military experts and Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Conclusion
America is like a child that pushes its parents, breaking windows, killing the family dog, burning down a neighbor’s home and expecting no consequences.
Truth is, the world order, as it has developed in the post-war era, has fostered exactly this mindset, seen by a rationalist as “free will” skewed by a touch of schizophrenia. Bolstering the determinists is the dissolution of institutions and the “new think” irrelevance of moral relativism.
Behind moral relativism is the concept of justice and retribution. In Washington, no one yet believes the dance will end. When it does end, one thing is clear, no one will be left to explain it all to the determinists, who will, of course, all be dead.
© Gordon Duff, First published February 17, 2020


veteranstoday--2020-02-17--Take Digital Time Trips Through Ancient Athens

These 3-D Models Offer a Digital Glimpse Into 3,000 Years of Athens ’ History The Golden Age of Athens is long over .
But thanks to photographer-animator Dimitris Tsalkanis , you can still stroll through the ancient city during its most prosperous time—at least in digital form .
A native of Greece ’ s ( modern ) capital , Tsalkanis has spent the past 13 years recreating the long-gone chapters of Athens ’ history with 3-D modeling software , reports Sarah Rose Sharp for Hyperallergic .
The product , an aptly-named website called Ancient Athens 3D , is an immersive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s monuments and landmarks through seven periods that date as far back as 1200 B.C.
, during the Mycenaean era , up through the early modern period , during the 19th century A.D .
In crafting the site , which first launched in 2008 , Tsalkanis let waves of architecture guide the delineations of his seven featured eras , whose start and end dates overlap with—but don ’ t perfectly match—those in textbooks , according to the Greek City Times .
Selecting one of the periods from the site ’ s menu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brief history lesson and links to individual monuments , rendered with each era ’ s architectural additions .
The website takes a bit of an open-source approach , adding tweaks or updates every time new data on Athens ’ ancient archaeology ….read more :

by Katherine J. Wu/Smithsonianmag.com
The Golden Age of Athens is long over. But thanks to photographer-animator Dimitris Tsalkanis, you can still stroll through the ancient city during its most prosperous time—at least in digital form.
A native of Greece’s (modern) capital, Tsalkanis has spent the past 13 years recreating the long-gone chapters of Athens’ history with 3-D modeling software, reports Sarah Rose Sharp for Hyperallergic. The product, an aptly-named website called Ancient Athens 3D, is an immersive experience unto itself, featuring the city’s monuments and landmarks through seven periods that date as far back as 1200 B.C., during the Mycenaean era, up through the early modern period, during the 19th century A.D.
In crafting the site, which first launched in 2008, Tsalkanis let waves of architecture guide the delineations of his seven featured eras, whose start and end dates overlap with—but don’t perfectly match—those in textbooks, according to the Greek City Times. Selecting one of the periods from the site’s menu takes the user to a page with a brief history lesson and links to individual monuments, rendered with each era’s architectural additions.
The website takes a bit of an open-source approach, adding tweaks or updates every time new data on Athens’ ancient archaeology


veteranstoday--2020-02-17--Rosneft tells Putin its new Arctic project will be the biggest in Global Oil

The Barents Observer : Two close companions with decades-long cooperation on Tuesday sat down for a talk in the Kremlin and it was the Arctic that was on top of their agenda .
Igor Sechin has worked with Vladimir Putin since the 1990s and is considered among the most powerful and influential men in the country .
This time , it was the Vostok Oil project that was the key issue of discussion .
Igor Sechin and his state-owned oil company Rosneft intends to develop large oil reserves on the wide-stretched tundra lands of northern Ural and export it through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It will be the biggest project in modern-day global oil industry , Sechin underlined to Putin .
According to the Rosneft leader , the Vostok Oil will include the development of 15 new industry towns , two airports , a seaport , about 800 km of new pipelines , 3500 km of new electricity lines and 2000 MW of electric power capacity .
It will require 100,000 new jobs and lead to a 2 percent annual hike in national GDP , he explains .
The project is based on the development of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three in the Vankor area .
The new pipelines and the projected seaport terminal will enable the partners to export an estimated 25 million tons oil per year through the Northern Sea Route .
The pipeline will also be projected to carry oil from Payakha , the fields located along the Yenisey River .
By year 2030 , a total of 100 million tons of oil can be exported through the pipeline and the new seaport in Taymyr .
A fleet of top ice-class Arc7 tankers are to be built for the project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil company leader has the support he needs from the Kremlin .
New Russian legislation paves the way for massive investments in the company ’ s new Arctic project , as well as several more giant petroleum investments in the region .
Rosneft and other oil developers will get large tax cuts that are to cover project development costs .
The legislation that in January was hammered through government includes measures that are to trigger the development of nine new huge Arctic hydrocarbon projects with investments a high as 14.7 trillion rubles ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the biggest of the projected new projects .
On the backdrop of the new projects lies the Kremlin ’ s desire for a hike in shipments on the Northern Sea Route ( NSR ) .
Vladimir Putin in May 2018 made the Arctic shipping route a national priority and requested a total of 80 million tons of annual shipments on the route by year 2024 .
According to Igor Sechin , it is the President ’ s stress on the NSR that lies behind the development of the Vostok Oil .
« @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been requested to provide for shipping volumes on the Northern Sea Route and as part of our fulfillment of this task our company is along with partners working on developing a new oil and gas province in our country ’ s north , in the Taymyr Peninsula , » Sechin said .
The resource basis of the province is about five billion tons of oil , he made clear .
More than 10 trillion rubles ( €144 billion ) will have to be invested in the area , and 2 trillion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has over the last years worked actively with Indian partners and that country ’ s Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan last month confirmed that Indian companies will take part in the Vostok Oil .
In addition to Indian partners , also western companies will take part , Igor Sechin told Vladimir Putin .
« There are a number of other western investors and we expect this to become a big , a huge international project.
» « We count on the support from your side in this project , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin appears full of praise for Sechin ’ s new initiative .
« Igor Ivanovich , the project is indeed very big , and of course very perspective .
It includes the boost of national GDP and increase of shipments on the Northern Sea Route , and of course a strengthening of Russia ’ s positions in the Arctic.
» A the same time , he expresses a certain reservation .
« I wish you the best of luck , [ but ] make sure that you account for everything in the correct @ @ @

Two close companions with decades-long cooperation on Tuesday sat down for a talk in the Kremlin and it was the Arctic that was on top of their agenda. Igor Sechin has worked with Vladimir Putin since the 1990s and is considered among the most powerful and influential men in the country.
This time, it was the Vostok Oil project that was the key issue of discussion.
Tundra oil
Igor Sechin and his state-owned oil company Rosneft intends to develop large oil reserves on the wide-stretched tundra lands of northern Ural and export it through a projected seaport in the Taymyr Peninsula.
It will be the biggest project in the modern-day global oil industry, Sechin underlined to Putin.
According to the Rosneft leader, Vostok Oil will include the development of 15 new industry towns, two airports, a seaport, about 800 km of new pipelines, 3500 km of new electricity lines and 2000 MW of electric power capacity.
It will require 100,000 new jobs and lead to a 2 percent annual hike in national GDP, he explains.
To Arctic coast
The project is based on the development of several oil fields, including at least three in the Vankor area. The new pipelines and the projected seaport terminal will enable the partners to export an estimated 25 million tons of oil per year through the Northern Sea Route.
The pipeline will also be projected to carry oil from Payakha, the fields located along the Yenisey River. By the year 2030, a total of 100 million tons of oil can be exported through the pipeline and the new seaport in Taymyr. A fleet of top ice-class Arc7 tankers are to be built for the project, Sechin has previously explained.
Massive tax cuts
The oil company leader has the support he needs from the Kremlin. New Russian legislation paves the way for massive investments in the company’s new Arctic project, as well as several more giant petroleum investments in the region.
Rosneft and other oil developers will get large tax cuts that are to cover project development costs.
The legislation that in January was hammered through government includes measures that are to trigger the development of nine new huge Arctic hydrocarbon projects with investments a high as 14.7 trillion rubles (€210 billion). Vostok Oil is the biggest of the projected new projects.
Northern Sea Route
On the backdrop of the new projects lies the Kremlin’s desire for a hike in shipments on the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Vladimir Putin in May 2018 made the Arctic shipping route a national priority and requested a total of 80 million tons of annual shipments on the route by the year 2024.
According to Igor Sechin, it is the President’s stress on the NSR that lies behind the development of Vostok Oil.
Vladimir Vladimirovich […], we have been requested to provide for shipping volumes on the Northern Sea Route and as part of our fulfillment of this task our company is along with partners working on developing a new oil and gas province in our country’s north, in the Taymyr Peninsula, Sechin said.
The resource basis of the province is about five billion tons of oil, he made clear.
Indian buyers
More than 10 trillion rubles (€144 billion) will have to be invested in the area, and 2 trillion in the first project development phase.
Rosneft has over the last years worked actively with Indian partners and that country’s Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan last month confirmed that Indian companies will take part in the Vostok Oil.
In addition to Indian partners, also western companies will take part, Igor Sechin told Vladimir Putin.
There are a number of other western investors and we expect this to become a big, huge international project.
Support from President
We count on the support from your side in this project,» Sechin underlined to the President.
Putin appears full of praise for Sechin’s new initiative.
Igor Ivanovich, the project is indeed very big, and of course very perspective. It includes the boost of national GDP and increase of shipments on the Northern Sea Route, and of course strengthening of Russia’s positions in the Arctic.
A the same time, he expresses a certain reservation.
I wish you the best of luck, [but] make sure that you account for everything in the correct manner.
Source: The Barents Observer


veteranstoday--2020-02-17--BBC: IDF Catfished by Hamas

BBC: IDF Catfished by Hamas

There is a a real story behind this .
First of all , the dozens are hundreds , as many as 3000 .
Secondly , the net if now flooded with fake stories from the troll rooms of Haifa that this was a secret IDF plot to discover the most stupid of their own military .
Well , they caught a bunch .
No surprise there .
BBC : Dozens of Israeli soldiers have had their smartphones hacked by the Hamas militant group posing as women seeking attention , Israel ’ s military says .
A spokesman said the soldiers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lured into downloading an app without knowing it could access their handsets .
He said there was no “ significant breach of information ” before the scam was foiled .
Hamas , which controls Gaza , and Israel view each other as mortal enemies .
It is the third such attempt in recent years by Hamas to infiltrate Israeli soldiers ’ phones , but was the most sophisticated yet , according to Lt Col Jonathan Conricus .
“ We see that they ’ re of course learning and upping their game , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hackers had masqueraded as young women with imperfect Hebrew , claiming to be immigrants or to have visual or hearing impairments , in order to appear convincing .
After striking up friendships , the “ women ” would send links which they said would enable them to exchange photos , but which in reality caused the soldiers to download malware – programmes that can attack smartphones or computer devices .
Once the link was opened , the programme would install a virus which would give the hacker access to the phone ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contacts .
It could also remotely manipulate the phone , using it to take photos and recordings without the owner ’ s knowledge .
Col Conricus said the Israel Defense Forces ( IDF ) had uncovered the plot several months ago but had let it continue under surveillance until they shut it down .
The IDF has previously warned soldiers about the need for vigilance when using smartphones and issued guidelines to try to prevent hacking attempts .

Introduction
There is a real story behind this. First of all, the dozens are hundreds, as many as 3000. Secondly, the net if now flooded with fake stories from the troll rooms of Haifa that this was a secret IDF plot to discover the most stupid of their own military.
Well, they caught a bunch. No surprise there.
BBC: Dozens of Israeli soldiers have had their smartphones hacked by the Hamas militant group posing as women seeking attention, Israel’s military says.
A spokesman said the soldiers were sent fake photos of young females and lured into downloading an app without knowing it could access their handsets.
He said there was no “significant breach of information” before the scam was foiled.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, and Israel view each other as mortal enemies.
It is the third such attempt in recent years by Hamas to infiltrate Israeli soldiers’ phones, but was the most sophisticated yet, according to Lt Col Jonathan Conricus.
“We see that they’re of course learning and upping their game,” he said.
Col Conricus said the hackers had masqueraded as young women with imperfect Hebrew, claiming to be immigrants or to have visual or hearing impairments, in order to appear convincing.
After striking up friendships, the “women” would send links which they said would enable them to exchange photos, but which in reality caused the soldiers to download malware – programs that can attack smartphones or computer devices.
Once the link was opened, the program would install a virus that would give the hacker access to the phone’s data, including location, pictures, and contacts.
It could also remotely manipulate the phone, using it to take photos and recordings without the owner’s knowledge.
Col Conricus said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had uncovered the plot several months ago but had let it continue under surveillance until they shut it down.
The IDF has previously warned soldiers about the need for vigilance when using smartphones and issued guidelines to try to prevent hacking attempts.
Did you take your loyalty OATH to Israel yet?
Over 20 U.S. States now have laws that require a LOYALTY OATH to the country of Israel.
On Feb. 10, Abby Martin filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging a Georgia law requiring all independent contractors to sign a pro-Israel pledge, promising to not participate or advocate the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israeli crimes. Abby is working with two renowned civil rights organizations, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF).


veteranstoday--2020-02-17--Photo Study: Syria Today, Underground Bases and Tunnel Complexes

Aleppo , SANA – Syrian Arab Army units began wide-scale combing operations in the areas liberated from terrorism in Aleppo ’ s western and southwestern countryside , uncovering tunnels , trenches , and and fortified bases for terrorists in Dahret Abdrabu and the western ring road in the western countryside .
SANA ’ s reporter accompanying army units during the combing operations said engineering units are dismantling the IEDs and landmines left behind by terrorists , finding tunnels , trenches , and underground bases that terrorists had dug beneath buildings after they displaced locals from their homes .
The tunnels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by terrorists .
Syrian Arab Army units on Monday expanded their operations against terrorists in Aleppo ’ s western countryside , liberating three villages .
SANA ’ s reporter in Aleppo said army units continued to pursue fleeing terrorists in Aleppo ’ s western and northwestern countryside , establishing control over the villages of Basarton , Hoor , and Enjara in the western countryside .
The reporter said advancing units targeted terrorists ’ positions in the western and northwestern countryside with artillery and rocket barrages , inflicting losses upon them and destroying their @ @

Army uncovers tunnels and underground bases while combing areas west of Aleppo
Aleppo, SANA – Syrian Arab Army units began wide-scale combing operations in the areas liberated from terrorism in Aleppo’s western and southwestern countryside, uncovering tunnels, trenches, and fortified bases for terrorists in Dahret Abdrabu and the western ring road in the western countryside.
SANA’s reporter accompanying army units during the combing operations said engineering units are dismantling the IEDs and landmines left behind by terrorists, finding tunnels, trenches, and underground bases that terrorists had dug beneath buildings after they displaced locals from their homes.
The tunnels also contained weapons and ammo left behind by terrorists. Syrian Arab Army units on Monday expanded their operations against terrorists in Aleppo’s western countryside, liberating three villages.
SANA’s reporter in Aleppo said army units continued to pursue fleeing terrorists in Aleppo’s western and northwestern countryside, establishing control over the villages of Basarton, Hoor, and Enjara in the western countryside. The reporter said advancing units targeted terrorists’ positions in the western and northwestern countryside with artillery and rocket barrages, inflicting losses upon them and destroying their fortifications. SANA’s camera accompanies Syrian Arab Army units in Hreitan town in Aleppo’s northwestern countryside – PHOTOS


veteranstoday--2020-02-17--Turkey’s Side: Idlib Front, Iran’s weakening foreign operation capacity

Following the Arab spring , the historical competition between Iran and Turkey has gained momentum .
While Turkey is supporting grassroots movements in the region within the framework of stable peace and democratization vision , Iran is making use of the lack of authority by reorganizing proxy powers similar to Hezbollah , utilizing differences between sects , thus creating its own faithful Shiite militia forces .
In this process , the two countries have different visions for the Middle East and created more tension in relations .
Turkey ’ s vision of regional development and integration is pitched against Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The most important grounds for this conflict has become Syria .
In terms of the Syrian civil war , Iran has stood against Turkey from the very beginning and placed more than 80 Shiite militias in Syria .
Not once reacting to Israel ’ s hundreds of air attacks in the south of the country , Tehran was aggressively against Turkey-backed Syrian National Army on the northern front .
Ignoring Ankara ’ s concerns in the fight against terrorism during Operation Peace Spring , Tehran is now setting its Shiite militias in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is actively endeavoring to prevent a humanitarian crisis .
Following Russia ’ s support for Turkey after the July 15 coup attempt , Ankara and Moscow have been in a process of convergence policy .
The two countries have embraced the “ win-win ” approach rather than zero-sum competition in Syria .
Instead of conflict , they have now decided to cooperate .
Not having played a role in Ankara-Moscow convergence policies specifically about the issue of Syria , Tehran had to include itself in this process later on .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Russia ’ s and especially Iran ’ s aims in Syria have started to conflict with Turkey ’ s national interests .
Upon attacks in Idlib , this conflict is now for the plain eye to see .
While at this point Russia shows from time to time that it is open for negotiations if necessary and Assad is not irreplaceable , Iran equates Assad ’ s survival to its own now .
After neutralizing Gen , Qasem Soleimani , who was the creator of the Middle East vision and commander in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the field , it was estimated that Iran would face a downfall in its activity in Syria and Iraq .
The situation of a Quds Force without Soleimani in Syria brought a lot of anxiety to Damascus and Tehran .
In this framework , upon not being able to coordinate operations in Syria and its own forces in the field , Tehran requested for Lebanon Hezbollah to come forward to compensate for Soleimani ’ s absence .
When it comes to Iraq operations of Quds Force , the killing of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that of Soleimani , has left Iran so weak that it had to play its hand by putting forward Muqtada Sadr .
That his plans of “ one million people demonstration ” not meeting his expectations , Iranian Shiite young people ’ s strong opposition and his failure to create his authority over other militia forces have revealed the inadequacy of Sadr .
Not finding what it expected with Sadr , Iran requested Lebanon Hezbollah in Iraq to meet Hashd al-Shaabi directly , just as it did in Syria .
According to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shaikh Mohammad al Kawtharani met with militia leaders “ to unite them after the death of their strong leaders and the power gap created by that ” and “ to coordinate their political activities.
” It was estimated that the Quds Force would increase its activities in Afghanistan due to the lack of coordination they experienced in Syria and Iraq .
The new commander Ismail Qaani , appointed to the force after Soleimani , has spent most of its military career in Afghanistan and Iran ’ s eastern hinterland .
Upon losing its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quds Force was expected to put a power play in Afghanistan , of which Qaani was previously responsible , but this did not happen .
By cooperating with the U.S. against the Taliban in some instances during the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan , Tehran had made a new move and started defining the Taliban as “ Afghan mujahideen.
” However , it is observed that the Taliban does not have the same motivation against Iran .
Although Tehran tried to sabotage the U.S.-Taliban peace negotiations , there was still some progress as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ cooperation with Iran ” card to gain concessions in its negotiations with the U.S .
In the next 40 days following Soleimani ’ s death , Moscow and Damasus ’ charge on Idlib created an important grounds for the Quds Force to put on a power show against Iran , who had now lost its previous efficiency in nearly all positions .
There was a situation of mutual need among Tehran , Moscow and Damascus .
Providing the Damascus regime immediate air support , Russia is aware of the fact that regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against opposition forces in Idlib and only if Iran ’ s highly-motivated Shiite militias take the leading front will they have a chance to succeed .
Russian attempts to move forward to Idlib have failed in the past two years and their aims were not met .
Regime forces capturing Khan Shaykhun in August 2019 was only possible following the new agreement between Russia and Iran , dispatching Iran-backed militias to the region .
Although Iran moves within the sphere enabled by Moscow in Idlib , Russia ’ s aims do not correlate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the northern fronts .
Having the Syrian airfield security under control , Russia leaves Iran alone in the field in the face of air attacks frequently carried out by Israel on the Syria-Iraq border .
Allowing Israel ’ s attacks in a very subtle manner , Russia did not allow Iran to place air defense systems in the region to block Iraq and Lebanon militias and Revolutionary Guard personnel from being targeted by Israel jets .
Lastly , although demonstrating its power under the protective umbrella of Russia on the Idlib front , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is remarkable .
According to voice recordings published by the U.K. daily Telegraph , Iran ’ s supply and maintenance support for Fatimiyyun brigades , consisting of Afghan Shiites in the region , is now insufficient .
According to stories shared by Shiite militias on social media , 12 Shiite militias , most of whom are of Pakistani origin , were killed in Khan Tuman region Feb 4 .
According to statements by the militia , recently there are “ surprising mistakes and inadequacy ” in the coordination of forces in the field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , the most important problem as of now is war engineering units to “ remain inactive in creating defense fortification ” in the occupied zones .
This situation provides hints about the coordination problems of the Quds Force .
Although Tehran endeavors to put a power play on the stage in the short run , that Quds Force has weakened in terms of command and coordination will render it difficult for Iran to continue its active influence in Syria .
[ Hadi Khodabandeh Loui is a researcher in IRAM ( Iran Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Iran ’ s defense strategies and Gulf security ] *Opinions expressed in this article are the author ’ s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu Agency .
Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System ( HAS ) , and in summarized form .

by Hadi Khodabandeh Loui, Anadalu Agency
ISTANBUL: Following the Arab spring, the historical competition between Iran and Turkey has gained momentum.
While Turkey is supporting grassroots movements in the region within the framework of stable peace and democratization vision, Iran is making use of the lack of authority by reorganizing proxy powers similar to Hezbollah, utilizing differences between sects, thus creating its own faithful Shiite militia forces.
In this process, the two countries have different visions for the Middle East and created more tension in relations.
Turkey’s vision of regional development and integration is pitched against Iran’s regional strategy prioritizing geopolitical wins. The most important grounds for this conflict has become Syria.
In terms of the Syrian civil war, Iran has stood against Turkey from the very beginning and placed more than 80 Shiite militias in Syria. Not once reacting to Israel’s hundreds of air attacks in the south of the country, Tehran was aggressively against Turkey-backed Syrian National Army on the northern front.
Ignoring Ankara’s concerns in the fight against terrorism during Operation Peace Spring, Tehran is now setting its Shiite militias in the field in motion against Turkey, who is actively endeavoring to prevent a humanitarian crisis.
Following Russia’s support for Turkey after the July 15 coup attempt, Ankara and Moscow have been in a process of convergence policy.
The two countries have embraced the “win-win” approach rather than zero-sum competition in Syria. Instead of conflict, they have now decided to cooperate.
Not having played a role in Ankara-Moscow convergence policies specifically about the issue of Syria, Tehran had to include itself in this process later on. However, despite of all these efforts for collaboration, Russia’s and especially Iran’s aims in Syria have started to conflict with Turkey’s national interests. Upon attacks in Idlib, this conflict is now for the plain eye to see. While at this point Russia shows from time to time that it is open for negotiations if necessary and Assad is not irreplaceable, Iran equates Assad’s survival to its own now.
After neutralizing Gen, Qasem Soleimani, who was the creator of the Middle East vision and commander in full power in realizing these strategies in the field, it was estimated that Iran would face a downfall in its activity in Syria and Iraq.
The situation of a Quds Force without Soleimani in Syria brought a lot of anxiety to Damascus and Tehran. In this framework, upon not being able to coordinate operations in Syria and its own forces in the field, Tehran requested for Lebanon Hezbollah to come forward to compensate for Soleimani’s absence.
When it comes to Iraq operations of Quds Force, the killing of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, which had a heavier impact than that of Soleimani, has left Iran so weak that it had to play its hand by putting forward Muqtada Sadr.
That his plans of “one million people demonstration” not meeting his expectations, Iranian Shiite young people’s strong opposition and his failure to create his authority over other militia forces have revealed the inadequacy of Sadr. Not finding what it expected with Sadr, Iran requested Lebanon Hezbollah in Iraq to meet Hashd al-Shaabi directly, just as it did in Syria.
According to a Reuters report published Tuesday, Hezbollah official Shaikh Mohammad al Kawtharani met with militia leaders “to unite them after the death of their strong leaders and the power gap created by that” and “to coordinate their political activities.”
It was estimated that the Quds Force would increase its activities in Afghanistan due to the lack of coordination they experienced in Syria and Iraq.
The new commander Ismail Qaani, appointed to the force after Soleimani, has spent most of its military career in Afghanistan and Iran’s eastern hinterland. Upon losing its power on the western front, the Quds Force was expected to put a power play in Afghanistan, of which Qaani was previously responsible, but this did not happen.
By cooperating with the U.S. against the Taliban in some instances during the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan, Tehran had made a new move and started defining the Taliban as “Afghan mujahideen.” However, it is observed that the Taliban does not have the same motivation against Iran. Although Tehran tried to sabotage the U.S.-Taliban peace negotiations, there was still some progress as a result. The Taliban only played its “cooperation with Iran” card to gain concessions in its negotiations with the U.S.
In the next 40 days following Soleimani’s death, Moscow and Damasus’ charge on Idlib created an important grounds for the Quds Force to put on a power show against Iran, who had now lost its previous efficiency in nearly all positions. There was a situation of mutual need among Tehran, Moscow and Damascus.
Providing the Damascus regime immediate air support, Russia is aware of the fact that regime forces will not be able to succeed against opposition forces in Idlib and only if Iran’s highly-motivated Shiite militias take the leading front will they have a chance to succeed.
Russian attempts to move forward to Idlib have failed in the past two years and their aims were not met. Regime forces capturing Khan Shaykhun in August 2019 was only possible following the new agreement between Russia and Iran, dispatching Iran-backed militias to the region.
Although Iran moves within the sphere enabled by Moscow in Idlib, Russia’s aims do not correlate with Iran’s priorities outside of the northern fronts. Having the Syrian airfield security under control, Russia leaves Iran alone in the field in the face of air attacks frequently carried out by Israel on the Syria-Iraq border.
Allowing Israel’s attacks in a very subtle manner, Russia did not allow Iran to place air defense systems in the region to block Iraq and Lebanon militias and Revolutionary Guard personnel from being targeted by Israel jets.
Lastly, although demonstrating its power under the protective umbrella of Russia on the Idlib front, Iran’s coordination in the field is remarkable.
According to voice recordings published by the U.K. Daily Telegraph, Iran’s supply and maintenance support for Fatimiyyun brigades, consisting of Afghan Shiites in the region, is now insufficient. According to stories shared by Shiite militias on social media, 12 Shiite militias, most of whom are of Pakistani origin, were killed in Khan Tuman region Feb 4. According to statements by the militia, recently there are “surprising mistakes and inadequacy” in the coordination of forces in the field and supply deliveries. Again with their words, the most important problem as of now is war engineering units to “remain inactive in creating defense fortification” in the occupied zones. This situation provides hints about the coordination problems of the Quds Force.
Although Tehran endeavors to put a power play on the stage in the short run, that Quds Force has weakened in terms of command and coordination will render it difficult for Iran to continue its active influence in Syria.
About Author: Hadi Khodabandeh Loui is a researcher in IRAM (Iran Research Center), focusing on Shiite geopolitics, Iran’s defense strategies, and Gulf security
Translated by Firdevs Bulut
Opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu Agency.
Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form.
Source: Anadalu Agency