veteranstoday--2020-03-21--NEO – Is Afghan “Peace” crumbling already?

by Salman Rafi Sheikh , …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 .
[ Editor ’ s Note : The current new “ peace deal ” was bound to fail as once again there were no direct negotiations with Kabul ’ s Ghani regime that was in no hurry to be run out of the country as soon as possible .
When I heard that the US had committed Ghani to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a theatrical deal .
Such prisoner releases are historically done between the actual parties holding the prisoners , but where the Taliban refuse to talk to Ghani .
What the hell kind of an agreement is that ?
US could be said him killed it by putting that poison pill into it .
So once again we are back to square one with the Taliban attacking rural area Army posts to pick them off one by one , decreasing the part of the country under Kabul ’ s control .
Afghanistan will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direction as the Taliban waits for the Kabul regime to collapse internally with the realization of facing endless war .
As Ho Chi Mhin once said to the US , “ You will kill ten of us for every one of you that we kill , but in the end it is you who will tire of it.
” He was right .
He won , and the Vietnamese people paid a huge price for it .
I fear a version of that scenario will happen with Afghanistan and people will retroactively ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done sooner ?
” … Jim W. Dean ] Jim 's Editor ’ s Notes are solely crowdfunded via PayPal Jim 's work includes research , field trips , Heritage TV Legacy archiving & more .
Thanks for helping .
Click to donate > > Whereas the US-Taliban ‘ truce deal ’ is historic in many ways , the fact that real peace in Afghanistan remains hostage to a lot more complex power dynamics than the US war has become sharply evident ever since the announcement of the deal .
The Ghani administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal about the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners ; the Taliban have already started attacking the Afghan security forces , signalling their intent to continue the fight .
The so-called ‘ deal ’ is not only not taking the war-torn country to ‘ peace ’ , but has proved , as was expected , extremely fragile , threatening Afghanistan ’ s abrupt return to a full-fledged war .
What , amid the prevalent complications , is quite evident is that the “ intra-Afghan ” negotiations , as stipulated in the deal , were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is going to be a major dealbreaker , as the start of these negotiations was linked with the release of Taliban prisoners .
Whereas the ‘ deal ’ stipulates this release , the Ghani administration does not appear to have been taken on board ; hence , Ghani ’ s refusal to start the release process , and thereby refusing to start “ intra-Afghan ” negotiations as well .
Whereas the Ghani administration , dependent as it is on the US for economic and military needs , may not be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is quite evident that even the Taliban may not be willing to talk to Kabul .
It was evident in Doha , on February 29th , when the ‘ deal ’ was signed , when the Taliban ’ s Sher Abbas Stanakzai insisted in an interview that “ today there is no government in Afghanistan ” because “ the elections weren ’ t held in a transparent manner [ and ] public turnout was quite low.
” The Ghani administration , on the other hand , has added yet another caveat by demanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ links ’ with Pakistan .
Whereas it is ironic to see this demand made about a country that has been pivotal to the US-Taliban deal , it does also show the extremely complex political landscape that all political actors need to navigate to get to the ultimate peace deal and settlement .
The Taliban , therefore , would prefer the US to bypass the Ghani administration and demand the release of their fighters .
Whereas the US withdrawal is not dependent upon the start and success of “ intra-Afghan ” negotiations and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political factions , in the absence of any political processes involving the Afghans themselves , other countries ’ demand for a “ responsible ” US withdrawal will strengthen and delay the US withdrawal plan itself .
A delay in the US withdrawal would , as it stands , complicate matters between the US-Taliban as well ; for the Taliban , even as the deal was being signed , were emphatic about the necessity of ultimate US absolute withdrawal from Afghanistan as the key to the resolution of all political matters .
Taliban leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement dated 29 February and posted on the Taleban ’ s website , saying the “ termination of [ the ] occupation of Afghanistan ” enshrined in the agreement with the US was “ a victory.
” Things , however , are being worked out .
Whereas the US President has already intervened by calling up the Taliban leader and assuring him of the release of Taliban prisoners , Washington is yet to find a way to deal with the Ghani administration ’ s fears of the probable establishment of an ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intra-Afghan ” negotiations—something that will end Ghani ’ s regime forever .
The Ghani administration , on the other hand , remains aware of the fact the US is yet to congratulate Ghani on his recent victory in [ the allegedly rigged ] presidential election and has prevailed upon him to defer his swearing-in ceremony , indirectly indicating that the present set up may have to be dispended with for larger US interests .
The larger US interests are not merely linked with Afghanistan .
The US strategy at the moment is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Central Asia Strategy ’ and potentially co-opt the Taliban in the US bid to counter the ever deepening Russian and Chinese influence in the resource rich region of Central Asia .
While the US hasn ’ t officially declared the Taliban as future allies , the futuristic ‘ Central Asia Strategy ’ does have a role for Afghanistan , which will certainly be under the non-exclusive domination of the Taliban in the post-withdrawal scenario , making a Taliban-led Afghanistan a part of the US presence in the region .
While this is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an actual US ally , given Afghanistan ’ s massive reconstruction needs , a future Afghanistan government will be hard pressed to carefully manage its foreign relations , including with the US , to fulfil its economic and financial needs .
But all of this will happen when an internal political settlement first takes place—something that the US will have to do , as it increasingly seems , at the expense of the Ghani regime , which , as I suggested earlier in my piece for South Asian Monitor , is the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Taliban are searching .
Salman Rafi Sheikh , research-analyst of International Relations and Pakistan ’ s foreign and domestic affairs , exclusively for the online magazine “ New Eastern Outlook ” .

DISCLOSURE: Sourced from Russian government funded media
by Salman Rafi Sheikh, …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.
[ Editor’s Note: The current new “peace deal” was bound to fail as once again there were no direct negotiations with Kabul’s Ghani regime that was in no hurry to be run out of the country as soon as possible.
When I heard that the US had committed Ghani to freeing 5000 Taliban PoWs I knew it was a theatrical deal. Such prisoner releases are historically done between the actual parties holding the prisoners, but where the Taliban refuse to talk to Ghani.
What the hell kind of an agreement is that? US could be said him killed it by putting that poison pill into it. So once again we are back to square one with the Taliban attacking rural area Army posts to pick them off one by one, decreasing the part of the country under Kabul’s control.
Afghanistan will continue to drift sideways with no clear direction as the Taliban waits for the Kabul regime to collapse internally with the realization of facing endless war. As Ho Chi Mhin once said to the US, “You will kill ten of us for every one of you that we kill, but in the end it is you who will tire of it.”
He was right. He won, and the Vietnamese people paid a huge price for it. I fear a version of that scenario will happen with Afghanistan and people will retroactively ask “Why couldn’t have been done sooner?”… Jim W. Dean ]
Jim's Editor’s Notes are solely crowdfunded via PayPal
Jim's work includes research, field trips, Heritage TV Legacy archiving & more. Thanks for helping. Click to donate >>
– First published … March 20, 2020 –
Whereas the US-Taliban ‘truce deal’ is historic in many ways, the fact that real peace in Afghanistan remains hostage to a lot more complex power dynamics than the US war has become sharply evident ever since the announcement of the deal.
The Ghani administration has already rejected the part of the deal about the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners; the Taliban have already started attacking the Afghan security forces, signalling their intent to continue the fight. The so-called ‘deal’ is not only not taking the war-torn country to ‘peace’, but has proved, as was expected, extremely fragile, threatening Afghanistan’s abrupt return to a full-fledged war.
What, amid the prevalent complications, is quite evident is that the “intra-Afghan” negotiations, as stipulated in the deal, were not destined to start on March 10. This is going to be a major dealbreaker, as the start of these negotiations was linked with the release of Taliban prisoners.
Whereas the ‘deal’ stipulates this release, the Ghani administration does not appear to have been taken on board; hence, Ghani’s refusal to start the release process, and thereby refusing to start “intra-Afghan” negotiations as well.
Whereas the Ghani administration, dependent as it is on the US for economic and military needs, may not be able to really call the shots; it is quite evident that even the Taliban may not be willing to talk to Kabul. It was evident in Doha, on February 29th, when the ‘deal’ was signed, when the Taliban’s Sher Abbas Stanakzai insisted in an interview that “today there is no government in Afghanistan” because “the elections weren’t held in a transparent manner [and] public turnout was quite low.”
The Ghani administration, on the other hand, has added yet another caveat by demanding from the Taliban to sever their ‘links’ with Pakistan. Whereas it is ironic to see this demand made about a country that has been pivotal to the US-Taliban deal, it does also show the extremely complex political landscape that all political actors need to navigate to get to the ultimate peace deal and settlement.
The Taliban, therefore, would prefer the US to bypass the Ghani administration and demand the release of their fighters.
Whereas the US withdrawal is not dependent upon the start and success of “intra-Afghan” negotiations and a political settlement between Afghanistan’s various political factions, in the absence of any political processes involving the Afghans themselves, other countries’ demand for a “responsible” US withdrawal will strengthen and delay the US withdrawal plan itself.
A delay in the US withdrawal would, as it stands, complicate matters between the US-Taliban as well; for the Taliban, even as the deal was being signed, were emphatic about the necessity of ultimate US absolute withdrawal from Afghanistan as the key to the resolution of all political matters.
Taliban leader Hebatullah Akhunzada also used the term in a statement dated 29 February and posted on the Taleban’s website, saying the “termination of [the] occupation of Afghanistan” enshrined in the agreement with the US was “a victory.”
Things, however, are being worked out.
Whereas the US President has already intervened by calling up the Taliban leader and assuring him of the release of Taliban prisoners, Washington is yet to find a way to deal with the Ghani administration’s fears of the probable establishment of an ‘interim set up’ during the “intra-Afghan” negotiations—something that will end Ghani’s regime forever.
The Ghani administration, on the other hand, remains aware of the fact the US is yet to congratulate Ghani on his recent victory in [the allegedly rigged] presidential election and has prevailed upon him to defer his swearing-in ceremony, indirectly indicating that the present set up may have to be dispended with for larger US interests.
The larger US interests are not merely linked with Afghanistan. The US strategy at the moment is to link Afghanistan with their newly announced ‘Central Asia Strategy’ and potentially co-opt the Taliban in the US bid to counter the ever deepening Russian and Chinese influence in the resource rich region of Central Asia.
While the US hasn’t officially declared the Taliban as future allies, the futuristic ‘Central Asia Strategy’ does have a role for Afghanistan, which will certainly be under the non-exclusive domination of the Taliban in the post-withdrawal scenario, making a Taliban-led Afghanistan a part of the US presence in the region.
While this is not to suggest that the Taliban will become an actual US ally, given Afghanistan’s massive reconstruction needs, a future Afghanistan government will be hard pressed to carefully manage its foreign relations, including with the US, to fulfil its economic and financial needs.
But all of this will happen when an internal political settlement first takes place—something that the US will have to do, as it increasingly seems, at the expense of the Ghani regime, which, as I suggested earlier in my piece for South Asian Monitor, is the biggest threat to the peace that the US and Taliban are searching.
Salman Rafi Sheikh, research-analyst of International Relations and Pakistan’s foreign and domestic affairs, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook”.


veteranstoday--2020-03-21--Michael Collins Piper (Mysteriously deceased): Rudy G: Godfather of the Russian Mob?

Our question is simple , when Roy Cohn , godfather of the New York mobs , died , did Rudy take over as handler for Donald Trump ?
` Crimebusting ’ merely opened door for worse gangsters to set up shop in Big Apple ( 1960-2015 ) died in 2015 , rumors circulated that his death may not have been due to natural causes .
Based upon the evidence we have gathered , murder does not appear to be the cause of death .
( 1960-2015 ) died in 2015 , rumors circulated that his death may not have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evidence we have gathered , murder does not appear to be the cause of death .
When famed alternative and revisionist historian and reporter Michael Collins Piper ( 1960-2015 ) died in 2015 , rumors circulated that his death may not have been due to natural causes .
Based upon the evidence we have gathered , murder does not appear to be the cause of death .
It is not as though some have tried to make the case .
Writing within a week of his death , Gordon Duff , editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively young Piper was probably the victim of murder .
The basic premise for the case for murder is that Piper was an outspoken critic of Israel and Jews who wouldn ’ t keep his mouth shut .
Also , 3 weeks prior to his death , his cabin in Idaho burned down , after which he was living in a budget motel at the time of his death .
The insinuation is that he escaped one assassination attempt , only to succumb to a second.
” Although the facts have been strictly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani as “ America ’ s mayor ” —some 15 years ago , long before Giuliani became a household name , the Washington-based Spotlight newspaper exposed the big secret about Giuliani ’ s vaunted status as a “ crime buster ” during his earlier tenure as U.S. attorney in Manhattan , prior to becoming mayor of the Big Apple .
What Giuliani actually accomplished was to shut down decades-old , home-grown , primarily Italian- American criminal syndicates , setting the stage for foreign- born ( primarily Jewish ) gangsters—mainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel ( Giuliani ’ s favorite foreign nation ) —to take over the operations previously controlled by the Italian groups .
NewYork tabloids entertained their readers with exciting stories about the famed “ Five Families ” of the Mafia as Giuliani and his prosecutors from the U.S. attorney ’ s office in New York launched a showy campaign against alleged Mafia figures , ultimately sending an assortment of high-ranking “ bosses ” off to prison , largely old and graying gentlemen whose day in the sun had long passed .
In the meantime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) were focusing on “ the Mafia , ” Jewish crime groups from Russia and Israel were beginning to flourish in the New York area ( and elsewhere on American soil ) , perfectly positioned to fill the vacuum left by the demise of the old-time Italian syndicates .
The popular daily tabloids in Manhattan—The New York Post and The New York Daily News—which each have a far broader circulation than the mainline NewYork Times—helped make Giuliani a high-profile figure .
They hailed his courtroom combat with the old Italians , often pointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italian- American who was bringing down the bad guys .
But what the tabloids didn ’ t mention was that the Jewish crime bosses were moving into the void .
Critics note that these tabloids may have had a bias in that regard : the Post is owned by Rupert Murdoch , a devout supporter of Israel who is of partial Jewish descent , and the Daily News is owned by Mortimer Zuckerman , another pro-Israel hard-liner and former chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations .
While a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the years that Sam Kislin—a Ukraine-born and now New York-based patron of Israel repeatedly linked to high-ranking figures in the “ Russian ” mob— raised more than $ 2 million for Giuliani ’ s intended ( but aborted ) bid for the Senate in 2000 , the pivotal part that Giuliani played in destroying the Italian mob in New York—thus paving the way for the aggressive take-over of the New York rackets by the non-Russian “ Russians ” —is a sensitive area even many “ alternative ” journalists prefer not to address .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely no question that elements inside the federal law enforcement community in the NewYork area at the time Giuliani was the big man on the scene were deliberately turning their eyes from the burgeoning activity of the “ new ” mobsters on the NewYork scene .
Most of the Jewish criminals arrived in NewYork from the Soviet Union when , in the early 1970s , the Soviet KGB emptied its jails of many of these hard-core criminals and allowed them to come to America in the much-hailed release of Soviet-Jewish “ émigrés.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jewish ( so-called “ Russian ” ) mob was the Brighton Beach area in Brooklyn , where vast numbers settled , establishing their own enclave .
In the early 1990s alone , there were said to have some 300 “ members ” operating there—these numbers being larger than any of the more-publicized Italian- American Mafia “ families ” that Giuliani took to task .
However , Giuliani and the Justice Department “ crime busters ” who set the stage for the “ Russian ” takeover essentially looked the other way .
The late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Red Mafia that one of the leading figures in the syndicate , Shabtai Kalmanovitch , was also an operative for Israel ’ s Mossad .
In addition , Friedman pointed out , other figures in the “ Russian ” syndicate , such as Joseph Kobson , have close political ties with ( indeed strong influence over ) the “ right wing ” Likud political bloc in Israel .
Friedman ’ s indictment of Israel ’ s entwinement—as a nation—with the “ Russian ” mob is telling indeed .
Friedman wrote : “ With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Mafiya has succeeded in turning Israel into its very own ‘ mini-state , ’ in which it operates with virtual impunity .
Although many in international law enforcement believe that Israel is by now so compromised that its future as a nation is imperiled , its government , inexplicably , has done almost nothing to combat the problem.
” Friedman pointed out that U.S. law enforcement—including the FBI—actually did little to impede the growth of the “ Russian ” crime syndicate while it was establishing itself on American soil .
The reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the problem was political : the Russian mob was predominantly Jewish.
” Friedman revealed that as far back as 1992 , an FBI spokesman , Joe Valiquette , admitted that “ The Russian mafia has the lowest priority on the criminal pecking order.
” Concurrently , Patrick Cotter , one of the Justice Department prosecutors who nailed famed Italian- American crime figure John Gotti , frankly admitted to Friedman that “ if we don ’ t begin to address the problem now , we ’ ll be running around asking ourselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got so big and how we can get rid of them.
” Cotter noted that while the FBI had squads targeting what were then the declining Italian-American “ crime families , ” there was no squad targeting the “ Russian ” crime figures .
“ There is your problem , ” he said .
Cotter was saying that “ The Russians started bringing in Israelis.
” Of the Russian-Israeli alliance in the world of NewYork organized crime , Cotter said , “ Their main thing is drugs .
They are very , very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldiers , and they are not afraid of anybody , including the Italians.
” What Cotter failed to say was that the gangsters were—and are—protected by the most powerful political force in the United States today : the Jewish lobby , represented by such groups as the Anti-Defamation League ( ADL ) of B ’ nai B ’ rith , a documented arm of Israel ’ s intelligence service , the Mossad , as well as the American Jewish Congress and the American Jewish Committee .
The mass media , largely controlled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from these elements .

Our question is simple, when Roy Cohn, godfather of the New York mobs, died, did Rudy take over as handler for Donald Trump?
By Michael Collins Piper 2007
“The Strange Death of Michael Collins Piper
When famed alternative and revisionist historian and reporter Michael Collins Piper (1960-2015) died in 2015, rumors circulated that his death may not have been due to natural causes. Based upon the evidence we have gathered, murder does not appear to be the cause of death. It is not as though some have tried to make the case. Writing within a week of his death, Gordon Duff, editor of VT, opined that the relatively young Piper was probably the victim of murder. The basic premise for the case for murder is that Piper was an outspoken critic of Israel and Jews who wouldn’t keep his mouth shut. Also, 3 weeks prior to his death, his cabin in Idaho burned down, after which he was living in a budget motel at the time of his death. The insinuation is that he escaped one assassination attempt, only to succumb to a second.”
Although the facts have been strictly ignored by the mass media— which lionizes Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani as “America’s mayor”—some 15 years ago, long before Giuliani became a household name, the Washington-based Spotlight newspaper exposed the big secret about Giuliani’s vaunted status as a “crime buster” during his earlier tenure as U.S. attorney in Manhattan, prior to becoming mayor of the Big Apple.
What Giuliani actually accomplished was to shut down decades-old, home-grown, primarily Italian- American criminal syndicates, setting the stage for foreign- born (primarily Jewish) gangsters—mainly from Russia but also including many from Israel (Giuliani’s favorite foreign nation)—to take over the operations previously controlled by the Italian groups.
NewYork tabloids entertained their readers with exciting stories about the famed “Five Families” of the Mafia as Giuliani and his prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office in New York launched a showy campaign against alleged Mafia figures, ultimately sending an assortment of high-ranking “bosses” off to prison, largely old and graying gentlemen whose day in the sun had long passed.
In the meantime, while the media (and Giuliani) were focusing on “the Mafia,” Jewish crime groups from Russia and Israel were beginning to flourish in the New York area (and elsewhere on American soil), perfectly positioned to fill the vacuum left by the demise of the old-time Italian syndicates.
The popular daily tabloids in Manhattan—The New York Post and The New York Daily News—which each have a far broader circulation than the mainline NewYork Times—helped make Giuliani a high-profile figure.
They hailed his courtroom combat with the old Italians, often pointing out the irony that it was an Italian- American who was bringing down the bad guys. But what the tabloids didn’t mention was that the Jewish crime bosses were moving into the void.
Critics note that these tabloids may have had a bias in that regard: the Post is owned by Rupert Murdoch, a devout supporter of Israel who is of partial Jewish descent, and the Daily News is owned by Mortimer Zuckerman, another pro-Israel hard-liner and former chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
While a few independent media sources have mentioned over the years that Sam Kislin—a Ukraine-born and now New York-based patron of Israel repeatedly linked to high-ranking figures in the “Russian” mob— raised more than $2 million for Giuliani’s intended (but aborted) bid for the Senate in 2000, the pivotal part that Giuliani played in destroying the Italian mob in New York—thus paving the way for the aggressive take-over of the New York rackets by the non-Russian “Russians” —is a sensitive area even many “alternative” journalists prefer not to address.
And the record shows that there is absolutely no question that elements inside the federal law enforcement community in the NewYork area at the time Giuliani was the big man on the scene were deliberately turning their eyes from the burgeoning activity of the “new” mobsters on the NewYork scene.
Most of the Jewish criminals arrived in NewYork from the Soviet Union when, in the early 1970s, the Soviet KGB emptied its jails of many of these hard-core criminals and allowed them to come to America in the much-hailed release of Soviet-Jewish “émigrés.”
The initial base of operations for the Jewish (so-called “Russian”) mob was the Brighton Beach area in Brooklyn, where vast numbers settled, establishing their own enclave. In the early 1990s alone, there were said to have some 300 “members” operating there—these numbers being larger than any of the more-publicized Italian- American Mafia “families” that Giuliani took to task.
However, Giuliani and the Justice Department “crime busters” who set the stage for the “Russian” takeover essentially looked the other way.
The late Robert I. Friedman wrote in his book Red Mafia that one of the leading figures in the syndicate, Shabtai Kalmanovitch, was also an operative for Israel’s Mossad. In addition, Friedman pointed out, other figures in the “Russian” syndicate, such as Joseph Kobson, have close political ties with (indeed strong influence over) the “right wing” Likud political bloc in Israel.
Friedman’s indictment of Israel’s entwinement—as a nation—with the “Russian” mob is telling indeed. Friedman wrote: “With two decades of unimpeded growth, the Russian Mafiya has succeeded in turning Israel into its very own ‘mini-state,’ in which it operates with virtual impunity. Although many in international law enforcement believe that Israel is by now so compromised that its future as a nation is imperiled, its government, inexplicably, has done almost nothing to combat the problem.”
Friedman pointed out that U.S. law enforcement—including the FBI—actually did little to impede the growth of the “Russian” crime syndicate while it was establishing itself on American soil. The reason, he said: “A large part of the problem was political: the Russian mob was predominantly Jewish.”
Friedman revealed that as far back as 1992, an FBI spokesman, Joe Valiquette, admitted that “The Russian mafia has the lowest priority on the criminal pecking order.” Concurrently, Patrick Cotter, one of the Justice Department prosecutors who nailed famed Italian- American crime figure John Gotti, frankly admitted to Friedman that “if we don’t begin to address the problem now, we’ll be running around asking ourselves how the hell this Russian organized crime got so big and how we can get rid of them.”
Cotter noted that while the FBI had squads targeting what were then the declining Italian-American “crime families,” there was no squad targeting the “Russian” crime figures. “There is your problem,” he said.
Cotter was saying that “The Russians started bringing in Israelis.” Of the Russian-Israeli alliance in the world of NewYork organized crime, Cotter said, “Their main thing is drugs. They are very, very tough. These guys are trained professional soldiers, and they are not afraid of anybody, including the Italians.”
What Cotter failed to say was that the gangsters were—and are—protected by the most powerful political force in the United States today: the Jewish lobby, represented by such groups as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of B’nai B’rith, a documented arm of Israel’s intelligence service, the Mossad, as well as the American Jewish Congress and the American Jewish Committee. The mass media, largely controlled by Zionist interests, has also redirected attention away from these elements.


veteranstoday--2020-03-21--Censored/2018: US Kills Dozens of Georgians (Republic of) with bioweapon disguised as research drug-

Censored/2018: US Kills Dozens of Georgians (Republic of) with bioweapon disguised as research drug-Russian MOD

RT/Moscow : A US-funded biomedical laboratory in Georgia may have conducted bioweapons research under the guise of a drug test , which claimed the lives of at least 73 subjects , the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement .
The question of what really might have taken place at the secretive US-sponsored research facility hosted by Russia ’ s southern neighbor was raised by the Russian military on Thursday after they studied files published online by a former Georgian minister .
The documents record the deaths of 73 people over a short period of time , indicating a test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biological agents with high lethality rate , ” said Igor Kirillov , commander of the Russian military branch responsible for defending troops from radiological , chemical and biological weapons .
Kirillov apparently doubted that the tests , carried out by the Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research near the Georgian capital Tbilisi , involved clinical trials of a drug called Sovaldi , which is meant for the treatment of Hepatitis C. The producer of the drug is Gilead Sciences , a California-based biomedical firm that recruited former US defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in between his two tenures as head of the Pentagon .
“ The documents showed many lethal outcomes among the patients .
Despite the deaths of 24 people in December 2015 alone , the clinical trials were continued in violation of international standards and the wishes of the patients , ” Kirillov claimed .
“ This led to the deaths of 49 more people.
” The large number of deaths stands in stark contrast to the actual documented use of Sovaldi in Russia , where no deaths have been linked to the drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that the US has a long record of unethical testing on human subjects in foreign countries .
The Russian official said the new documents “ allow us to take a fresh look ” at outbreaks of African swine fever in southern Russia in 2007-2018 , which “ spread from the territory of Georgia into the Russian Federation , European nations and China .
The infection strain in the samples collected from animals killed by the disease in those nations was identical to the Georgia-2007 strain.
” The general said the Lugar Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large network of Pentagon-controlled laboratories involved in WMD research , which was established in countries neighboring Russia .
Part of the research is meant to establish infections that would be particularly resistant to vaccination and treatment , and effectively spread in the environment of the places in which the labs are located , he said .
Russia will take “ diplomatic and military action ” in response to a perceived threat from US labs , said Vladimir Shamanov , head of Russian parliament ’ s Defense Committee .
He was commenting on accusations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not simply turn a blind eye to things happening near our southern borders that directly affect our safety , ” he told TASS news agency .
Responding to the allegations , Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon told RIA Novosti that the US did not conduct bioweapons research in Georgia and called the Russian ministry ’ s statements part of “ a Russian disinformation campaign directed against the West.
” The documents relating to the secret lab were published last month by former Georgian minister for state security Igor Giorgadze , who says he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questionable US practices .

RT/Moscow: A US-funded biomedical laboratory in Georgia may have conducted bioweapons research under the guise of a drug test, which claimed the lives of at least 73 subjects, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The question of what really might have taken place at the secretive US-sponsored research facility hosted by Russia’s southern neighbor was raised by the Russian military on Thursday after they studied files published online by a former Georgian minister.
The documents record the deaths of 73 people over a short period of time, indicating a test of “a highly toxic chemical or biological agents with high lethality rate,” said Igor Kirillov, commander of the Russian military branch responsible for defending troops from radiological, chemical and biological weapons.
Kirillov apparently doubted that the tests, carried out by the Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research near the Georgian capital Tbilisi, involved clinical trials of a drug called Sovaldi, which is meant for the treatment of Hepatitis C. The producer of the drug is Gilead Sciences, a California-based biomedical firm that recruited former US defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld as a board member in 1988, in between his two tenures as head of the Pentagon.
“The documents showed many lethal outcomes among the patients. Despite the deaths of 24 people in December 2015 alone, the clinical trials were continued in violation of international standards and the wishes of the patients,” Kirillov claimed. “This led to the deaths of 49 more people.”
The large number of deaths stands in stark contrast to the actual documented use of Sovaldi in Russia, where no deaths have been linked to the drug, the Russian official stressed. Kirillov added that the US has a long record of unethical testing on human subjects in foreign countries.
The Russian official said the new documents “allow us to take a fresh look” at outbreaks of African swine fever in southern Russia in 2007-2018, which “spread from the territory of Georgia into the Russian Federation, European nations and China. The infection strain in the samples collected from animals killed by the disease in those nations was identical to the Georgia-2007 strain.” The general said the Lugar Center in Georgia is simply part of a large network of Pentagon-controlled laboratories involved in WMD research, which was established in countries neighboring Russia. Part of the research is meant to establish infections that would be particularly resistant to vaccination and treatment, and effectively spread in the environment of the places in which the labs are located, he said. US-funded medical facility in Georgia could be a cover for bioweapons lab used for disturbing experiments that banned in US https://t.co/9N3UnbCQ3K — RT (@RT_com) September 16, 2018 Russia will take “diplomatic and military action” in response to a perceived threat from US labs, said Vladimir Shamanov, head of Russian parliament’s Defense Committee. He was commenting on accusations by the Defense Ministry. “We cannot simply turn a blind eye to things happening near our southern borders that directly affect our safety,” he told TASS news agency. Responding to the allegations, Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon told RIA Novosti that the US did not conduct bioweapons research in Georgia and called the Russian ministry’s statements part of “a Russian disinformation campaign directed against the West.” The documents relating to the secret lab were published last month by former Georgian minister for state security Igor Giorgadze, who says he obtained 100,000 pages of data pointing to questionable US practices.


veteranstoday--2020-03-21--Army Corps of Engineers jumps into ICU construction

[ Editor ’ s note : Despite the feature image I used , the Corps is not down for the count .
It looks like the US cavalry is saddled up and ready to go after making the required government stops to get clearance on this project , starting with New York City as the test location .
My concern is that even with a 24 hour day put into refurbishing buildings to create 10,000 ICU units , where is the needed equipment going to come from ?
States who have enough equipment are going to want to keep what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be ready by the predicted virus peak of mid-April seems like a wish for getting the specialized equipment that needs lots of parts to complete when just a couple of tardy suppliers can have you ending up with a lot of partially completed machines , like ventilators .
But that said , despite the mid April peak estimate , we don ’ t know how long it will last , plus there will be staggered infection peaks among all the states .
The silver lining in all of this is that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning that was necessary to be ready before Trump killed the program , part of the NeoCon revenge of wanting to tear town anything Obama had done .
With what we can see using 20/20 hindsight , national reserves of key equipment should have already been in storage , emergency facility locations already scouted and in a database , plus manufacturers of critical equipment holding parts inventories to produce more already paid for by the government .
We will have plenty of time to cover this in detail before election day… Jim W. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Engineers is planning to create more than 10,000 ICU-type hospital rooms in hotels , dormitories and other available buildings in New York City over the next few weeks , its commander said Friday .
The corps is racing against the spread of the coronavirus to turn empty buildings in cities across the United States into high-quality COVID-19 treatment centers before the virus reaches its peak in each metropolis , told reporters .
To achieve this , he said the corps had come up with “ a standard design ” to rapidly convert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We want to use New York as the standard setter , ” Semonite said .
Displaying a pamphlet that he said contained the design , Semonite said the concept has already been presented to White House officials and approved by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency .
“ This is an unbelievably complicated problem , and there ’ s no way we ’ re going to be able to do this with a complicated solution , ” Semonite said .
“ We need something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process : First , a state governor would have to nominate the facilities in a prioritized order and set up any required leases .
Next , the Corps of Engineers would step in , hire contractors “ in an exceptionally short amount of days ” and turn it into “ an ICU-like facility , ” he said .
Key to the modifications would be ensuring that each patient room has negative pressure , so that the virus can not escape the room .
Semonite said most rooms already have a device that allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the room lacks such a device or the device isn ’ t working , one can be installed .
Third , the room has to be equipped with the appropriate medical supplies .
FEMA and HHS have drawn up a list that would be standard for all rooms , according to Semonite .
Nurse stations equipped with wireless technology would be located in the corridors , he said .
Finally , the facility would have to be staffed with medical professionals , a goal that Semonite said was for each state to accomplish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be applied to a convention center , but that such buildings weren ’ t ideal because they didn ’ t allow for quite the same level of care as hotels and dormitories .
Semonite said he had met earlier in the week with New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , who was keen to get the process started .
“ We actually got turned on by the governor and got money from FEMA to go into buildings on Tuesday night , ” Semonite said .
He said Corps of Engineers personnel had investigated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some State University of New York school buildings on Thursday .
“ Today my engineers were walking through 10 other buildings ” in New York , he said , adding that half of those were “ hotel-like ” facilities and others were “ open spaces.
” Speed is of the essence , Semonite stressed .
“ We ’ ve got to do something very , very quick , ” he said .
“ This has to be weeks , it can ’ t be months .
… We need everybody going full bore.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from estimated that their COVID-19 cases would peak in the middle of April , Semonite said .
For that reason , the Corps and its contractors do not have the luxury of taking “ all the time in the world to do it , ” he said .
Rather , they must focus “ the most important things we have to do and come up with a good enough solution.
” The Corps is working with HHS to calculate which “ key cities ” will see their curves “ go exponential , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t do everywhere , so we ’ re really asking the federal government to help prioritize our efforts.
” Choosing which cities the Corps goes to first is , according to Semonite , a function of two variables : when the curve of expected new COVID-19 cases is expected to climb most steeply in that city , and how many hospital beds the city already has .
But for the changes to happen on time , it is imperative that both the hotel industry and the engineering contractors “ step up , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to wait can take the Corps ’ design and apply it themselves , Semonite said .
“ You don ’ t have to wait on the Corps of Engineers.
” But if time is tight , funding is not .
“ Right now , money is not a problem at all , ” he said .

…via Yahoo News
[ Editor’s note: Despite the feature image I used, the Corps is not down for the count. It looks like the US cavalry is saddled up and ready to go after making the required government stops to get clearance on this project, starting with New York City as the test location.
My concern is that even with a 24 hour day put into refurbishing buildings to create 10,000 ICU units, where is the needed equipment going to come from? States who have enough equipment are going to want to keep what they have.
The schedule on this to be ready by the predicted virus peak of mid-April seems like a wish for getting the specialized equipment that needs lots of parts to complete when just a couple of tardy suppliers can have you ending up with a lot of partially completed machines, like ventilators.
But that said, despite the mid April peak estimate, we don’t know how long it will last, plus there will be staggered infection peaks among all the states.
The silver lining in all of this is that we are seeing the kind of pandemic response planning that was necessary to be ready before Trump killed the program, part of the NeoCon revenge of wanting to tear town anything Obama had done.
With what we can see using 20/20 hindsight, national reserves of key equipment should have already been in storage, emergency facility locations already scouted and in a database, plus manufacturers of critical equipment holding parts inventories to produce more already paid for by the government.
We will have plenty of time to cover this in detail before election day… Jim W. Dean ]
– First published … March 21, 2020 –
WASHINGTON — The Army Corps of Engineers is planning to create more than 10,000 ICU-type hospital rooms in hotels, dormitories and other available buildings in New York City over the next few weeks, its commander said Friday.
The corps is racing against the spread of the coronavirus to turn empty buildings in cities across the United States into high-quality COVID-19 treatment centers before the virus reaches its peak in each metropolis, told reporters. To achieve this, he said the corps had come up with “a standard design” to rapidly convert hotels and similar structures into medical facilities.
“We want to use New York as the standard setter,” Semonite said.
Displaying a pamphlet that he said contained the design, Semonite said the concept has already been presented to White House officials and approved by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“This is an unbelievably complicated problem, and there’s no way we’re going to be able to do this with a complicated solution,” Semonite said. “We need something super simple.”
He described a four-phase process: First, a state governor would have to nominate the facilities in a prioritized order and set up any required leases. Next, the Corps of Engineers would step in, hire contractors “in an exceptionally short amount of days” and turn it into “an ICU-like facility,” he said.
Key to the modifications would be ensuring that each patient room has negative pressure, so that the virus cannot escape the room. Semonite said most rooms already have a device that allows them to do that, but if the room lacks such a device or the device isn’t working, one can be installed.
Third, the room has to be equipped with the appropriate medical supplies. FEMA and HHS have drawn up a list that would be standard for all rooms, according to Semonite. Nurse stations equipped with wireless technology would be located in the corridors, he said.
Finally, the facility would have to be staffed with medical professionals, a goal that Semonite said was for each state to accomplish.
He said that the concept could be applied to a convention center, but that such buildings weren’t ideal because they didn’t allow for quite the same level of care as hotels and dormitories.
Semonite said he had met earlier in the week with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was keen to get the process started. “We actually got turned on by the governor and got money from FEMA to go into buildings on Tuesday night,” Semonite said.
He said Corps of Engineers personnel had investigated the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan and some State University of New York school buildings on Thursday. “Today my engineers were walking through 10 other buildings” in New York, he said, adding that half of those were “hotel-like” facilities and others were “open spaces.”
Speed is of the essence, Semonite stressed. “We’ve got to do something very, very quick,” he said. “This has to be weeks, it can’t be months. … We need everybody going full bore.”
Most state governors he had heard from estimated that their COVID-19 cases would peak in the middle of April, Semonite said. For that reason, the Corps and its contractors do not have the luxury of taking “all the time in the world to do it,” he said. Rather, they must focus “the most important things we have to do and come up with a good enough solution.”
The Corps is working with HHS to calculate which “key cities” will see their curves “go exponential,” he said. “We can’t do everywhere, so we’re really asking the federal government to help prioritize our efforts.”
Choosing which cities the Corps goes to first is, according to Semonite, a function of two variables: when the curve of expected new COVID-19 cases is expected to climb most steeply in that city, and how many hospital beds the city already has. But for the changes to happen on time, it is imperative that both the hotel industry and the engineering contractors “step up,” he said.
Those states that don’t want to wait can take the Corps’ design and apply it themselves, Semonite said. “You don’t have to wait on the Corps of Engineers.”
But if time is tight, funding is not. “Right now, money is not a problem at all,” he said.


veteranstoday--2020-03-21--COVID-19 Affecting Long-Term Research

COVID-19 Affecting Long-Term Research

How Scientists Are Keeping Irreplaceable Research Going During the COVID-19 Pandemic Every year for the last half-century , scientists have gone to sea to collect ocean data as part of the Northern Gulf of Alaska Long Term Ecological Research Project .
Now , because of the novel coronavirus , the five-decade-long project faces potential data gaps .
Russell Hopcroft , project leader and oceanography professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks , says the status of three research cruises planned for 2020 is unclear even as the first is scheduled to depart in five weeks .
The research team already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alaskan scientists to reduce the amount of travel involved and drive , rather than fly , to the vessel ’ s launch point in Seward .
If they can continue , all team members will actively monitor their health for 14 days before boarding , self-quarantining and taking their temperatures regularly .
But if the vessel doesn ’ t sail , the project will see gaps in the physical and biological data scientists have been carefully collecting for decades .
“ You hate to miss a data point because you never know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like and whether it ’ s going to be an important year where something odd has happened , ” Hopcroft says .
Hopcroft is one of many researchers scrambling to find ways ….read more :

How Scientists Are Keeping Irreplaceable Research Going During the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Kristen Pope/Smithsonianmag.com
Every year for the last half-century, scientists have gone to sea to collect ocean data as part of the Northern Gulf of Alaska Long Term Ecological Research Project. Now, because of the novel coronavirus, the five-decade-long project faces potential data gaps.
Russell Hopcroft, project leader and oceanography professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, says the status of three research cruises planned for 2020 is unclear even as the first is scheduled to depart in five weeks. The research team already decided to replace non-Alaskan team members with Alaskan scientists to reduce the amount of travel involved and drive, rather than fly, to the vessel’s launch point in Seward.
If they can continue, all team members will actively monitor their health for 14 days before boarding, self-quarantining and taking their temperatures regularly. But if the vessel doesn’t sail, the project will see gaps in the physical and biological data scientists have been carefully collecting for decades. “You hate to miss a data point because you never know what any given year is going to look like and whether it’s going to be an important year where something odd has happened,” Hopcroft says. Hopcroft is one of many researchers scrambling to find ways ….read more:
Carol graduated from Riverside White Cross School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio and received her diploma as a registered nurse. She attended Bowling Green State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Literature. She attended the University of Toledo, College of Nursing, and received a Master’s of Nursing Science Degree as an Educator. She has traveled extensively, is a photographer, and writes on medical issues. Carol has three children RJ, Katherine, and Stephen – one daughter-in-law; Katie – two granddaughters; Isabella Marianna and Zoe Olivia – and one grandson, Alexander Paul. She also shares her life with her husband Gordon Duff, many cats, and two rescues. Carol’s Archives 2009-2013


veteranstoday--2020-03-21--Free: Museums to Visit Online

Free: Museums to Visit Online

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic , museums and cultural institutions across the globe are closing their doors to the public .
But while visitors can no longer roam the halls of these institutions , virtual tools and online experiences mean anyone with an internet connection can browse world-class collections from home .
The Smithsonian Institution , of course , has its own array of virtual tours , experiences and educational resources .
Among the other experiences on offer : Scroll through an extensive trove of 3-D photographs from the Minneapolis Institute of Art , explore online exhibits from the National Women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or admire artistic masterpieces from the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Spain .
Additionally , around 2,500 museums and galleries , including the Uffizi Galleries in Florence and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York , are offering virtual tours and presenting online collections via the Google Arts and Culture portal .
For those in search of armchair travel inspiration , Smithsonian magazine has compiled a list of ten museums that have found new ways to fulfill their critical mission of cultivating creativity and spreading knowledge .
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Ten Museums You Can Virtually Visit
by Nadine Daher/Smithsonianmag.com
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, museums and cultural institutions across the globe are closing their doors to the public. But while visitors can no longer roam the halls of these institutions, virtual tools and online experiences mean anyone with an internet connection can browse world-class collections from home.
Carol graduated from Riverside White Cross School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio and received her diploma as a registered nurse. She attended Bowling Green State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Literature. She attended the University of Toledo, College of Nursing, and received a Master’s of Nursing Science Degree as an Educator. She has traveled extensively, is a photographer, and writes on medical issues. Carol has three children RJ, Katherine, and Stephen – one daughter-in-law; Katie – two granddaughters; Isabella Marianna and Zoe Olivia – and one grandson, Alexander Paul. She also shares her life with her husband Gordon Duff, many cats, and two rescues. Carol’s Archives 2009-2013


veteranstoday--2020-03-21--A Comment on Medical Martial Law Now Facing America

On April 14 , 2020 President Trump announces Congressionally authorized martial law .
“ We must protect the people and use every means at our disposal to combat the coronavirus .
To maintain continuity of government and ‘ national security ’ we must temporarily suspend some of the rights of the people in order speed up the process and guarantee that all people get the help they need .
Therefore during this period we will not allow demonstrations or appeals to due process to interfere with this clear and present danger .
It is a national emergency .
Healthcare workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military and police units will be going door to door administering vaccines for prevention of the spread of the CV .
Those refusing the shots will be transferred to quarantine centers in their regions for observation and isolation until the public at large is vaccinated.
” “ If , in foreign invasion or civil war , the courts are actually closed , and it is impossible to administer criminal justice according to law , then , on the theatre of active military operations , where war really prevails , there is a necessity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority , thus overthrown , to preserve the safety of the army and society ; and as no power is left but the military , it is allowed to govern by martial rule until the laws can have their free course .
As necessity creates the rule , so it limits its duration ; for , if this government is continued after the courts are reinstated , it is a gross usurpation of power .
Martial rule can never exist where the courts are open , and in the proper and unobstructed exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confined to the locality of actual war.
” [ IBID ] “ [ T ] he several states who formed that instrument [ the Constitution ] , being sovereign and independent , have the unquestionable right to judge of its infraction ; and that a nullification , by those [ states ] , of all unauthorized acts….is the rightful remedy.
” Thomas Jefferson , Kentucky Virginia Resolution In the Kentucky Resolution , Thomas Jefferson said : That if those who administer the general government be permitted to transgress the limits fixed by that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the special delegations of power therein contained , annihilation of the state governments , and the erection upon their ruins , of a general consolidated government , will be the inevitable consequence : That the principle and construction contended for by sundry of the state legislatures , that the general government is the exclusive judge of the extent of the powers delegated to it , stop nothing short of despotism ; since the discretion of those who adminster the government , and not the constitution , would be the measure of their powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that instrument , being sovereign and independent , have the unquestionable right to judge of its infraction ; and that a nullification , by those sovereignties , of all unauthorized acts done under colour of that instrument , is the rightful remedy .
Supreme court rulings on states ’ right to nullify laws repugnant to the Constitution : The federal government may not compel the states to enact or administer a federal regulatory program .
The Constitution established a system of dual sovereignty , in which states and federal government exercise concurrent authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to impress the states into service , its power would be enhanced greatly .
States can not be forced to absorb the financial burden of implementation of federal government regulations .
Nor can states be put in a position to be blamed for the failure of federal regulations .
“ Today Americans would be outraged if U.N. troops entered Los Angeles to restore order ; tomorrow they will be grateful .
This is especially true if they were told there was an outside threat from beyond , whether real or promulgated , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then that all peoples of the world will plead with world leaders to deliver them from this evil .
The one thing every man fears is the unknown .
When presented with this scenario , individual rights will be willingly relinquished for the guarantee of their well being granted to them by their world government.
” Henry Kissinger Imagine how bad this can get .
People forced to close their businesses , the US Economy in death spiral ( deliberately ) and banks closing while foreign supplies ( inputs ) are halted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing their borders , will have dire consequences for food availability .
Supermarket hours are now being limited , and large numbers of people in the inner cities typically have less than 3 days of food on hand .
California just told all 40 million people to stay home – this is not going to play well , so how will those who refuse be handled ?
I am not a “ fearmonger ” or someone trying to inculcate fear – that is the job of the alternative media controlled opposition .
Fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and causes the people to look to “ authorities ” for solutions .
I am a reader , thinker , peaceful , and loved the America in which I grew up ; I want that America again .
I have read the plans that have existed for decades that describe this end or one just like it .
Here are just a few of the hundreds of quotes worth contemplating : “ We are on the verge of a global transformation .
All we need is the right major crisis and the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — David Rockefeller speaking at a UN Business Conference , Sept. 14 , 1994 “ We shall have world government whether or not we like it .
The only question is whether world government will be achieved by conquest or consent.
“ — James ( ( ( Paul Warburg ) ) ) – In an address to the U.S. Senate , July 17th , 1950 “ The next 15 years may well be the age of super-terrorism , when they [ the Islamic terrorist ] gain access to weapons of mass destruction and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
.
.
.
Terrorists in the early years of the twenty-first century will reflect the causes that excite passion and move people to violence .
.
.
conflict will increase until a new stasis or ‘ world order ’ is established.
“ — “ The Futurist ” magazine , November , December 1994 issue , in an article titled “ The Future Face of Terrorism ” “ The drive of the Rockefellers and their allies is to create a one-world government combining supercapitalism and Communism under the same tent , all under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Yes I do .
I am convinced there is such a plot , international in scope , generations old in planning , and incredibly evil in intent.
“ — Congressman Larry P. McDonald , 1976 , killed in the Korean Airlines 747 that was shot down by the Soviets “ In the next century , nations , as we know it , will be obsolete .
All states will recognize a single global authority.
“ — Strobe Talbott – Deputy Secretary of State under Bill Clinton .
Time Magazine , July 20th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems limiting good health , they are about creating health problems .
Vaccines have been known to be a health damaging since their first use by Louis Pasteur .
The reader can find endless amounts of information on the detrimental effects of vaccination .
However , vaccination might still be by choice , if the medical establishment never finds the morality to eliminate them , but the medical mafia , including the allopathic medical industry , funded by the pharmaceutical industry , has worked to eliminate choice and push for mandatory vaccinations – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human body .
It is almost certain that during a time of forced medical martial law forced vaccinations will attempted .
Vaccines might be offered at the end of the protracted period of self quarantine and the discomfort and violence that yet may arise , especially if people are forced to forgo their previous ways of living , while access to food , medicine and even entertainment dwindles , increasing trauma and anxiety .
Then , as Kissinger has said , “ The one thing every man fears is the unknown .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be willingly relinquished for the guarantee of their well being granted to them by their world government.
” An Immediate Solution to Forced Vaccination This law can end or seriously limit the ability of the Pharmaceutical Mafia , in concert with a corrupt medical system , to forcibly administer vaccination to the population , while impacting profitability and the sweeping control this industry and its captured May all of you be safe and make it through this act of terrorism* created by the same people who will promise to take care of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ * The Coronavirus Hoax – Former Congressman and Elder Statesman Ron Paul • Italian Government Study : 99 % of their Coronavirus Fatalities Were Already Sick ; Half Diagnosed with 3 or More Diseases THE EMPIRE ’ S NEW VIRUS , FINANCIAL COLLAPSE AND THE GHOST OF VACCINES PAST | JACK MULLEN Bailout Everyone ?
The Fed is Doomed To Fail – Ron Paul

Under the Militia Law, Gov. Hogan can call on the National Guard in troubling times — and as the coronavirus spreads — he has made that call. Responding to emergencies, transporting people and supplies and helping with medical care are just some of the functions of the Maryland National Guard. “There’s no end to this mission at this point in time,” Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard Major General Timothy Gowen said. CBS Baltimore 3/18/2020 “On September 15, 1863, Lincoln imposed Congressionally-authorized martial law. The authorizing act allowed the President to suspend habeas corpus throughout the entire United States. Lincoln imposed the suspension on “prisoners of war, spies, or aiders and abettors of the enemy,” as well as on other classes of people, such as draft dodgers. The President’s proclamation was challenged in ex parte Milligan (71 US 2 [1866]). The Supreme Court ruled that Lincoln’s imposition of martial law (by way of suspension of habeas corpus) was unconstitutional.” Source
Imagine this .. On April 14, 2020 President Trump announces Congressionally authorized martial law. “We must protect the people and use every means at our disposal to combat the coronavirus. To maintain continuity of government and ‘national security’ we must temporarily suspend some of the rights of the people in order speed up the process and guarantee that all people get the help they need. Therefore during this period we will not allow demonstrations or appeals to due process to interfere with this clear and present danger. It is a national emergency. Healthcare workers in cooperation with the National Guard and military and police units will be going door to door administering vaccines for prevention of the spread of the CV. Those refusing the shots will be transferred to quarantine centers in their regions for observation and isolation until the public at large is vaccinated.”
Would this be lawful? Maybe. In the 1866 decision, the Supreme Court said:
“If, in foreign invasion or civil war, the courts are actually closed, and it is impossible to administer criminal justice according to law, then, on the theatre of active military operations, where war really prevails, there is a necessity to furnish a substitute for the civil authority, thus overthrown, to preserve the safety of the army and society; and as no power is left but the military, it is allowed to govern by martial rule until the laws can have their free course. As necessity creates the rule, so it limits its duration; for, if this government is continued after the courts are reinstated, it is a gross usurpation of power. Martial rule can never exist where the courts are open, and in the proper and unobstructed exercise of their jurisdiction. It is also confined to the locality of actual war.” [IBID]
Is the coronavirus a foreign invader? Well, if you wanted to impose martial law, how would you describe it? confront a foreign virus in modern history. I am confident that by counting and continuing to take these tough measures, we will significantly reduce the threat to our citizens, and we will ultimately and expeditiously defeat this virus. President Trump This is the most aggressive and comprehensive effort toin modern history. I am confident that by counting and continuing to take these tough measures, we will significantly reduce the threat to our citizens, and we will ultimately and expeditiously defeat this virus. President Trump [source] Trump Says He Will Use Defense-Act Powers to Boost Coronavirus Medical Supplies
Recourse : 10th Amendment The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. 10th Amendment
States’ Rights “[T]he several states who formed that instrument [the Constitution], being sovereign and independent, have the unquestionable right to judge of its infraction; and that a nullification, by those [states], of all unauthorized acts….is the rightful remedy.” Thomas Jefferson, Kentucky Virginia Resolution In the Kentucky Resolution, Thomas Jefferson said: That if those who administer the general government be permitted to transgress the limits fixed by that compact, by a total disregard to the special delegations of power therein contained, annihilation of the state governments, and the erection upon their ruins, of a general consolidated government, will be the inevitable consequence: That the principle and construction contended for by sundry of the state legislatures, that the general government is the exclusive judge of the extent of the powers delegated to it, stop nothing short of despotism; since the discretion of those who administer the government, and not the constitution, would be the measure of their powers: That the several states who formed that instrument, being sovereign and independent, have the unquestionable right to judge of its infraction; and that a nullification, by those sovereignties, of all unauthorized acts done under colour of that instrument, is the rightful remedy.
Supreme court rulings on states’ right to nullify laws repugnant to the Constitution:
The federal government may not compel the states to enact or administer a federal regulatory program. The Constitution established a system of dual sovereignty, in which states and federal government exercise concurrent authority. If the federal government were able to impress the states into service, its power would be enhanced greatly. States cannot be forced to absorb the financial burden of implementation of federal government regulations. Nor can states be put in a position to be blamed for the failure of federal regulations.
Dissent:
All political power comes from the barrel of a gun. Mao Zedong
Odds of at least 1 state opposing — very good.
Is Forced Vaccination the End Game?
“Today Americans would be outraged if U.N. troops entered Los Angeles to restore order; tomorrow they will be grateful. This is especially true if they were told there was an outside threat from beyond, whether real or promulgated, that threatened our very existence. It is then that all peoples of the world will plead with world leaders to deliver them from this evil. The one thing every man fears is the unknown. When presented with this scenario, individual rights will be willingly relinquished for the guarantee of their well being granted to them by their world government.” Henry Kissinger
Imagine how bad this can get. People forced to close their businesses, the US Economy in death spiral (deliberately) and banks closing while foreign supplies (inputs) are halted. States forcibly closing businesses, and even closing their borders, will have dire consequences for food availability. Supermarket hours are now being limited, and large numbers of people in the inner cities typically have less than 3 days of food on hand. California just told all 40 million people to stay home – this is not going to play well, so how will those who refuse to self quarantine and close shop be handled?
I am not a “fearmonger” or someone trying to inculcate fear – that is the job of the alternative media controlled opposition. Fear paralyzes the mind, temporarily lowers IQ and causes the people to look to “authorities” for solutions. I am a reader, thinker, peaceful, and loved the America in which I grew up; I want that America again. I have read the plans that have existed for decades that describe this end or one just like it. Here are just a few of the hundreds of quotes worth contemplating:
“We are on the verge of a global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis and the nation will accept the New World Order.”
— David Rockefeller speaking at a UN Business Conference, Sept. 14, 1994 “We shall have world government whether or not we like it. The only question is whether world government will be achieved by conquest or consent.”
— James (((Paul Warburg))) – In an address to the U.S. Senate, July 17th, 1950 “The next 15 years may well be the age of super-terrorism, when they [the Islamic terrorist] gain access to weapons of mass destruction and show a new willingness to use them . . . . Terrorists in the early years of the twenty-first century will reflect the causes that excite passion and move people to violence . . . conflict will increase until a new stasis or ‘world order’ is established.”
— “The Futurist” magazine, November,December 1994 issue, in an article titled “The Future Face of Terrorism” “The drive of the Rockefellers and their allies is to create a one-world government combining supercapitalism and Communism under the same tent, all under their control…. Do I mean conspiracy? Yes I do. I am convinced there is such a plot, international in scope, generations old in planning, and incredibly evil in intent.”
— Congressman Larry P. McDonald, 1976, killed in the Korean Airlines 747 that was shot down by the Soviets “In the next century, nations, as we know it, will be obsolete. All states will recognize a single global authority.”
— Strobe Talbott – Deputy Secretary of State under Bill Clinton. Time Magazine, July 20th, 1992
Vaccines and Population Reduction
“The world today has 6.8 billion people… that’s headed up to about 9 billion. Now if we do a really great job on new vaccines, health care, reproductive health services, we could lower that by perhaps 10 or 15 percent.” – Bill Gates
Vaccines are not about the problems limiting good health, they are about creating health problems.
Vaccines have been known to be health damaging since their first use by Louis Pasteur. The reader can find endless amounts of information on the detrimental effects of vaccination. However, vaccination might still be by choice, if the medical establishment never finds the morality to eliminate them, but the medical mafia, including the allopathic medical industry, funded by the pharmaceutical industry, has worked to eliminate choice and push for mandatory vaccinations – an attack (war) on the human body. It is almost certain that during a time of medical martial law forced vaccinations will attempted.
Vaccines might be offered at the end of the protracted period of self quarantine and the discomfort and violence that yet may arise, especially if people are forced to forgo their previous ways of living, while access to food, medicine and even entertainment dwindles, increasing trauma and anxiety. Then, as Kissinger has said, “The one thing every man fears is the unknown. When presented with this scenario, individual rights will be willingly relinquished for the guarantee of their well being granted to them by their world government.”
An Immediate Solution to Forced Vaccination
Most importantly, states must take the initiative and introduce laws mandating freedom of choice into every state assembly in the United States. The following introduced in South Dakota.
“Section 5. That a NEW SECTION be added: 334-22-6.1. Discrimination-Immunization Every person has the inalienable right to bodily integrity, free from any threat or compulsion that the person accepts any medical intervention, including immunization. No person may be discriminated against for refusal to accept an unwanted medical intervention, including immunization.
This law can end or seriously limit the ability of the Pharmaceutical Mafia, in concert with a corrupt medical system, to forcibly administer vaccination to the population, while impacting profitability and the sweeping control this industry and its captured
May all of you be safe and make it through this act of terrorism* created by the same people who will promise to take care of you and make everything safe again.
* The Coronavirus Hoax – Former Congressman and Elder Statesman Ron Paul
Ref:
Italian Government Study: 99% of their Coronavirus Fatalities Were Already Sick; Half Diagnosed with 3 or More Diseases
THE EMPIRE’S NEW VIRUS, FINANCIAL COLLAPSE AND THE GHOST OF VACCINES PAST | JACK MULLEN
Bailout Everyone? The Fed is Doomed To Fail – Ron Paul


veteranstoday--2020-03-21--Hecatomb in Italy: Dead People in the Streets. As Bio-Warfare!

Like the plague of 1630 in Milan described by the Christian writer Alessandro Manzoni in his masterpiece I Promessi Sposi ( The Betrothed ) !
In Italy , unfortunately , dramatic videos of people who died on the street begin to circulate .
As if they had been struck by a fulminating respiratory crisis .
The point of the Civil Protection of March 21 is really a war bulletin : 42,681 sick in Italy , 4,821 more than yesterday , the recovered rise to 6,072 , with a jump of +943 in one day , but the deaths mark another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which 546 in Lombardy alone , bringing the total to 4,825 .
It is obviously early to be sure that the deaths were caused by the CoronaVirus but the footages are reliable because comes from authorative sources and now the pandemic across the country is turning into a cata strophic massacre .
And the bacteriological weapon theory appears increasingly well founded .
Another military column had to bring 70 coffins from Bergamo , the province most hit , to the crematories of other cities .
No funeral , no farewell ritual by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Only one person who dies and is quickly locked up in a wooden crate for eternity .
In these terrible moments , those who believe in God and the Risen Jesus Christ are truly fortunate !
In the face of these disastrous numbers , the prophecy , on wich we wrote the last report below , about the pandemic and the need for an ” international order ” made in 2018 by the former CIA executive and former deputy White House national security consultant during the administration of President Barack Obama and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , today Dem candidate in the 2020 presidential primaries .
The message is clear : only the New World Order can provide security .
Orwell ’ s Animal Farm is becoming a reality in a murderous criminal and world conspiracy .
In the previous reportage all the disturbing indications of a global conspiracy …

by Fabio Giuseppe Carlo Carisio for VT iTaly
The CoronaVirus hecatomb continues in Italy where in the last 24 hours there have been another 683 victims and leading to more than 6 thousand the total of the dead.
For understanding the tragic situation is important highlights that the 4.178 deaths toll in Lombardy region only, where live 10millions persons, overtaked that of China in which Covid-19 killed 3.245 but where live 1.3 billions people.
The situation in Spain is also very serious, where the death toll has risen to The death toll to 3,434, surpassing that of China too.
Among the hypotheses that can explain this great massacre there is the violence of the viral genotype, as a biological or chemical weapon, and the lack of health facilities for a suitable emergency. Only at the weekend will be ready the 200 places of the new hospital built inside Fair City Milan.
Like the plague of 1630 in Milan described by the Christian writer Alessandro Manzoni in his masterpiece I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)! In Italy, unfortunately, dramatic videos of people who died on the street begin to circulate. As if they had been struck by hard respiratory crisis with fulminating cardiological collapse.
It is obviously that we cannot be sure that these deaths were caused by the CoronaVirus but the footages are reliable because comes from authorative sources and now the pandemic across the country is turning into a cata strophic massacre.
As we haven’t certain that all the other 7.503 dead are died for this reason because the autpsies have been made for a few of the dead due to the big number of corpses and the high infection’s danger.
The point of the Civil Protection of March 24 is really a war bulletin: 57.521 sick in Italy, 3..491 more than the day before, the recovered rise to 19.846 with 3.396 in intensive therapy. The healthed people are now 9.362 instead the deaths mark another record: 683 more than yesterday rising the toll to 7.503. Meanwhile the dead people worldwide are over 20 thousand and the infected 450 thousand.
The total cases of the positive at Covid-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic in Italy are now 74.386. So the bacteriological weapon theory appears increasingly well founded.
Another military column had to bring 70 coffins from Bergamo, the province most hit, to the crematories of other cities. No funeral, no farewell ritual by relatives. Too much fear of infection!
Only one person who dies and is quickly locked up in a wooden crate for eternity. In these terrible moments, those who believe in God and the Risen Jesus Christ are truly fortunate!
In the face of these disastrous numbers, the prophecy, on wich we wrote the last report below, about the pandemic and the need for an ”international order” made in 2018 by the former CIA executive and White House National Security former deputy Advisor during the administration of President Barack Obama and his deputy becomes increasingly disturbing Joe Biden, today Dem candidate in the 2020 presidential primaries.
The message is clear: only the New World Order can provide security.
Orwell’s Animal Farm is becoming a reality in a murderous criminal and world conspiracy. In the previous reportage all the disturbing indications of a global conspiracy …
Fabio Giuseppe Carlo Carisio
GOSPA NEWS – CORONA VIRUS INVESTIGATIONS


veteranstoday--2020-03-21--NEO: PMCs-A lifeline that protects US interventionism

By Vladimir Platov and New Eastern Outlook , Moscow If we examine USA ’ s foreign policy , it becomes apparent that the nation has been at war with one nation or another , or even several countries at once , 50 % of the time over the past 50 years .
If we take into account all the US military interventions , then , even according to American media outlets , over the past 25 years , the United States has carried out air strikes against at least one nation per year .
And since its invasion of Panama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , almost constantly , conducting military operations abroad .
Thus , the common man from Iowa or Texas needs to don an army uniform and travel to the distant lands in order to defend “ democratic values ” .
Nothing seems to have changed since The White Man ’ s Burden poem was published .
Many of these men return home in a casket wrapped in stars and stripes .
And politicians who sent them to war need to then explain to American people why they have to sacrifice their sons ’ and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little-understood geopolitical games .
And with each passing year , it is becoming increasingly harder to do so .
Unfortunately , neither the number of military conflicts , initiated by Washington , nor the number of American soldiers dying in these interventions in Afghanistan , Iraq or Syria has reduced over time .
Presidential candidates who give speeches about ending armed confrontations or withdrawing US troops from foreign soil during their election campaigns do not follow through on their promises .
Then , the next presidential election nears and candidates announcing their future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hence , it is not surprising that , recently , President Donald Trump , who had also promised to put an end to military confrontations in Syria , Iraq and Afghanistan earlier and to even withdraw American troops from certain nations , decided to try and “ contribute ” to the resolution of conflicts in the Greater Middle East by replacing traditional US troops with personnel from private military companies ( PMC ) .
After all , operations under a “ foreign flag ” will allow the United States to steer clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal provision of supplies and training of “ opposition ” troops .
In addition , if civilians in Afghanistan , Syria or Iraq are brutally killed by American soldiers , many unnecessary political issues arise , but if former US servicemen on the payroll of PMCs do the same , such problems are mainly “ commercial in nature ” .
In the end , as Afghanistan , Iraq , Libya and other nations started to demand , more and more actively , that the USA and Western nations remove their troops from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) began to replace them with “ independent ” PMC experts , all the while talking about withdrawing their forces in public .
Still , substituting American military units with private military companies is not a new occurrence .
DynCorp , the first US PMC , “ traces its origins from two companies formed in 1946 : California Eastern Airways ( an air freight business ) , and Land-Air Inc. ( an aircraft maintenance company ) ” .
Shortly after it was established , DynCorp signed a contract with the US Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporation to earn the euphemism “ private army ” has been the Blackwater Security Company ( BSC ) .
The name of this US PMC is associated with the most notable precedents involving the use of private security forces , and with the geopolitical reasons why the mercenary trade was reborn in the 21st century .
In 2003 , immediately after invading Iraq , Washington established a transitional government ( the Coalition Provisional Authority , CPA ) there , headed by Paul Bremer , an American “ diplomat ” , who hired Blackwater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and work in Iraq served as the first precedent when a civilian as well as head of the occupying power hired a “ decently-sized army ” for his needs .
After the Cold War had ended , PMCs took part in several armed conflicts in Africa .
Americans from private security firms trained the Croatian Army during the Yugoslav Wars while Israeli private military companies helped prepare Georgian servicemen for armed conflict .
It is not an exaggeration to say that PMCs have become modern equivalents of mercenary units , which began their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first nation states were being established .
As a rule , mercenaries are primarily motivated by hard cash and not by political , ideological or national aspects of a war that they participate in .
Quite frequently , the hired guns are not citizens of nations where armed confrontations take place but this is not always true .
There is another important consideration to be taken into account .
Private military companies are a true symbol of hybridization of modern warfare .
Hybrid conflicts allow a nation to not only hide the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own people but also , if necessary , play “ dumb ” and conceal its involvement in any given confrontation .
Nowadays , the United States , along with a number of other Western countries , is increasingly “ outsourcing ” its military operations .
For instance , during recent peacekeeping missions private military companies , at the behest of Washington , have been treated as entities whose rights are equivalent to regular army units .
It is important to understand that modern PMCs are not anything like the hard-boiled hired guns of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At present , private military companies receive funding from the richest Western corporations ; have close ties with the political establishment of Western nations , and are quite often headed by former high-ranking officials or retired generals .
Western private security firms are entities rigidly controlled by a government that operate in the latter ’ s interests .
This is the main difference between modern PMCs and mercenary units from the Middle Ages .
In theory , the responsibility for a PMC ’ s actions ( as well as any violations committed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has hired this particular firm .
However , as a rule , the responsibility is not clear cut and it is far easier to shirk it than in cases of crimes committed by a “ traditional ” army .
In the nearest future , the number of private military companies will surely only rise world-wide , after all , it is truly advantageous to outsource “ military operations ” .
In fact , at present , the number of security staff from PMCs in Afghanistan and Iraq exceeds that of American servicemen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would most likely find it difficult to estimate the exact number of such mercenaries .

By Vladimir Platov and New Eastern Outlook, Moscow
If we examine USA’s foreign policy, it becomes apparent that the nation has been at war with one nation or another, or even several countries at once, 50% of the time over the past 50 years. If we take into account all the US military interventions, then, even according to American media outlets, over the past 25 years, the United States has carried out air strikes against at least one nation per year. And since its invasion of Panama in 1989, the USA has been, almost constantly, conducting military operations abroad.
Thus, the common man from Iowa or Texas needs to don an army uniform and travel to the distant lands in order to defend “democratic values”. Nothing seems to have changed since The White Man’s Burden poem was published. Many of these men return home in a casket wrapped in stars and stripes. And politicians who sent them to war need to then explain to American people why they have to sacrifice their sons’ and daughters’ lives for the sake of little-understood geopolitical games. And with each passing year, it is becoming increasingly harder to do so.
Unfortunately, neither the number of military conflicts, initiated by Washington, nor the number of American soldiers dying in these interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq or Syria has reduced over time. Presidential candidates who give speeches about ending armed confrontations or withdrawing US troops from foreign soil during their election campaigns do not follow through on their promises. Then, the next presidential election nears and candidates announcing their future plans do actually need to do something.
Hence, it is not surprising that, recently, President Donald Trump, who had also promised to put an end to military confrontations in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan earlier and to even withdraw American troops from certain nations, decided to try and “contribute” to the resolution of conflicts in the Greater Middle East by replacing traditional US troops with personnel from private military companies (PMC). After all, operations under a “foreign flag” will allow the United States to steer clear of direct military and technical cooperation, illegal provision of supplies and training of “opposition” troops. In addition, if civilians in Afghanistan, Syria or Iraq are brutally killed by American soldiers, many unnecessary political issues arise, but if former US servicemen on the payroll of PMCs do the same, such problems are mainly “commercial in nature”. In the end, as Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and other nations started to demand, more and more actively, that the USA and Western nations remove their troops from their territories, Washington (and then London) began to replace them with “independent” PMC experts, all the while talking about withdrawing their forces in public.
Still, substituting American military units with private military companies is not a new occurrence. DynCorp, the first US PMC, “traces its origins from two companies formed in 1946: California Eastern Airways (an air freight business), and Land-Air Inc. (an aircraft maintenance company)”. Shortly after it was established, DynCorp signed a contract with the US Department of Defense. More recently, the key corporation to earn the euphemism “private army” has been the Blackwater Security Company (BSC). The name of this US PMC is associated with the most notable precedents involving the use of private security forces, and with the geopolitical reasons why the mercenary trade was reborn in the 21st century.
In 2003, immediately after invading Iraq, Washington established a transitional government (the Coalition Provisional Authority, CPA) there, headed by Paul Bremer, an American “diplomat”, who hired Blackwater personnel for security purposes. Their contract and work in Iraq served as the first precedent when a civilian as well as head of the occupying power hired a “decently-sized army” for his needs.
After the Cold War had ended, PMCs took part in several armed conflicts in Africa. Americans from private security firms trained the Croatian Army during the Yugoslav Wars while Israeli private military companies helped prepare Georgian servicemen for armed conflict.
It is not an exaggeration to say that PMCs have become modern equivalents of mercenary units, which began their existence a long time ago, when the first nation states were being established. As a rule, mercenaries are primarily motivated by hard cash and not by political, ideological or national aspects of a war that they participate in. Quite frequently, the hired guns are not citizens of nations where armed confrontations take place but this is not always true.
There is another important consideration to be taken into account. Private military companies are a true symbol of hybridization of modern warfare. Hybrid conflicts allow a nation to not only hide the actual numbers of military causalities from its own people but also, if necessary, play “dumb” and conceal its involvement in any given confrontation.
Nowadays, the United States, along with a number of other Western countries, is increasingly “outsourcing” its military operations. For instance, during recent peacekeeping missions private military companies, at the behest of Washington, have been treated as entities whose rights are equivalent to regular army units. It is important to understand that modern PMCs are not anything like the hard-boiled hired guns of the 1970s-1980s in Angola and Mozambique. At present, private military companies receive funding from the richest Western corporations; have close ties with the political establishment of Western nations, and are quite often headed by former high-ranking officials or retired generals. Western private security firms are entities rigidly controlled by a government that operate in the latter’s interests. This is the main difference between modern PMCs and mercenary units from the Middle Ages.
In theory, the responsibility for a PMC’s actions (as well as any violations committed by it) lies with the government that has hired this particular firm. However, as a rule, the responsibility is not clear cut and it is far easier to shirk it than in cases of crimes committed by a “traditional” army.
In the nearest future, the number of private military companies will surely only rise world-wide, after all, it is truly advantageous to outsource “military operations”. In fact, at present, the number of security staff from PMCs in Afghanistan and Iraq exceeds that of American servicemen in these nations. And even the Pentagon would most likely find it difficult to estimate the exact number of such mercenaries.
Vladimir Platov, Middle East expert, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook”.


veteranstoday--2020-03-21--The Ballad of Dunny Roll

The Ballad of Dunny Roll

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About VT - Policies & Disclosures - Comment Policy In fact, intentional disinformation is a disgraceful scourge in media today. So to assuage any possible errant incorrect information posted herein, we strongly encourage you to seek corroboration from other non-VT sources before forming an educated opinion.
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