veteranstoday--2020-01-07--Perhaps the Middle East is More Stable When the US Stays Away

Foreignpolicy.com https : //foreignpolicy.com/2020/01/06/the-middle-east-is-more-stable-when-the-united-states-stays-away/ It has been a mantra of U.S. foreign policy for a decade or more that , without the United States , the Middle East would descend into chaos .
Or even worse , Iran would resurrect the Persian Empire and swallow the region whole .
Yet when U.S. President Donald Trump opted not to go to war with Iran after a series of Iranian-attributed attacks on Saudi Arabia last year and declared his intentions to pull troops out of the region , it wasn ’ t chaos or conquest that ensued .
Rather , nascent regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the United Arab Emirates—and de-escalation followed .
To be sure , the cards were reshuffled again in January , when Trump ordered the assassination of Qassem Suleimani , one of Iran ’ s most important military figures .
Courtesy of Trump , the region is once more moving toward conflict , and the early signs of diplomatic progress achieved during the preceding months have vanished .
It is thus time for Washington to answer a crucial question that it has long evaded : Has America ’ s military dominance in the Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflicts on their own ?
And in that way , has it been an impediment to stability rather than the guarantor of it ?
Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 , U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaimed a new doctrine : “ An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region , ” he stated , “ will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America , and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cold War , preventing the Soviets—the main outside force Carter was worried about—from gaining control over the energy-rich region had a strategic logic .
But over time , that logic shifted .
In the 1980s , U.S. President Ronald Reagan expanded the doctrine to include threats to the flow of oil originating from inside the region , too .
As the geopolitical context changed still further , subsequent presidents found even more ways to justify America ’ s growing military presence in the Middle East .
What started as a policy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil-rich waters of the Persian Gulf morphed into a policy of asserting American hegemony in the region in order to “ save ” it .
As long as U.S. allies lack the capability or competence to secure the region , the thinking went , Washington would have no choice but to shoulder this responsibility .
U.S. President George W. Bush was explicit about that ; without an increase in U.S. troop levels in Iraq , he claimed , there would be chaos in the region .
He missed the irony , of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the single most destabilizing event in the Middle East of the past decades .
As the scholars Hal Brands , Steven Cook , and Kenneth Pollack wrote endorsing the Carter Doctrine and its continuation , “ the United States established and upheld the basic rules of conduct in the region : the United States would meet efforts to interfere with the free flow of oil by force ; uphold freedom of navigation ; demand that regional powers give up their irredentist claims on other states or face grave consequences ; and prevent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This account is accurate enough ( although the last rule on the list always exempted Israel ) , but the story glosses over how the policy also gave cover to U.S. allies for some fairly destabilizing behaviors of their own .
That ’ s an omission Brands makes in a Bloomberg article , too , where he points to Saudi Arabia ’ s slaughter of the Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi to argue that a “ post-American Middle East will not be stable and peaceful .
It will be even nastier and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the words of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham in 2018 , “ If it weren ’ t for the United States , they ’ d be speaking Farsi in about a week in Saudi Arabia.
” All this without a nod to the fact that , if anything , the United States ’ protection of the Saudi regime has enabled its promotion of terrorism and its destabilizing activities in the region , which have , in turn , prompted further Iranian response .
Assertions about the United States ’ pivotal role in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated , have not been proved true .
Iran , ravaged by sanctions , corruption , and economic mismanagement , is nowhere near establishing hegemony in the region .
Saudi Arabia spends more than five times as much on its military than does Iran ; the entire Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC ) —Saudi Arabia , Kuwait , Qatar , Bahrain , Oman , and the UAE—outspends Iran by a factor of eight .
Meanwhile , whereas Iran has no nuclear weapons yet undergoes more inspections than any other country , Israel has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transparency whatsoever .
Iran may have been adept at taking advantage of U.S. overextension and missteps in the last few decades , but establishing hegemony is a different matter altogether .
Further , the region did not fall into deeper chaos as a result of Trump ’ s earlier refusal to get into a shooting war with Iran after attacks by Iranian proxies against Saudi oil installations in September 2019 .
Critics lamented the president ’ s decision as an abandonment of the Carter Doctrine , calling it a disaster for the GCC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saudi Arabia to seek nuclear weapons .
Instead , recognizing that the U.S. military was no longer at their disposal , Saudi Arabia and the UAE began exercising the diplomatic options that had always been available to them .
For its part , Saudi Arabia stepped up direct talks with Houthi rebels in Yemen as a way to ease tensions with their backer , Iran .
The level of violence on both sides declined as a result , and more than 100 prisoners of war were released .
In November , the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reported an 80 percent reduction in Saudi-led airstrikes , and there were no Yemeni deaths in the previous two weeks .
Riyadh also opted to reduce tensions with Qatar , a former ally that had become a nemesis .
The Saudi government seemingly ordered its notorious Twitter army to tone down the insults against Qatar and its emir , Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani , and some sporting events between the two countries resumed , according to the New York Times .
Saudi officials also claimed that they had quietly reached out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ease tensions .
Tehran , in turn , welcomed the prospective Saudi-Qatari thaw and , according to the New York Times , floated a peace plan based on a mutual Iranian-Saudi pledge of nonaggression .
An even stronger change of heart occurred in Abu Dhabi .
In July , the UAE started withdrawing troops from Yemen .
The same month , it participated in direct talks with Tehran to discuss maritime security .
It even released $ 700 million in funds to Iran in contradiction to the Trump administration ’ s maximum pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been more tactical than strategic .
Saudi Arabia may have reduced tensions with Qatar and the Houthis in order to better situate itself for a confrontation with Tehran down the road or to offset international condemnation of its killing of Khashoggi , human rights abuses at home , and brutal tactics in Yemen .
The UAE , too , may have felt that a tactical reduction of tensions was warranted .
Nevertheless , as the United States appeared poised to back out of the region , its erstwhile allies ’ calculations tilted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply had no choice but to cease some of their recklessness because they could no longer operate under the protection of the United States .
If stability in the Middle East is the United States ’ main goal , Washington should have celebrated rather than bemoaned these developments .
In the wake of the U.S. assassination of Suleimani—which some former U.S. officials have called an act of war—the calculations may change once more .
According to Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi , Suleimani was in Iraq to bring him Tehran ’ s response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to defuse regional tensions , presumably as part of the House of Saud ’ s renewed interest in diplomacy .
The Iraqis , according to him , were mediating between the two rivals , an initiative that has now been thrown into question .
Iran may very well conclude , rightly or wrongly , that Saudi Arabia and the UAE conspired with Washington to assassinate Suleimani and as a result not only end the recent diplomacy but also target Riyadh and Abu Dhabi as part of the revenge for Suleimani ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it seems , in which U.S. activities in the region have brought more turmoil than stability .
To be sure , there is no guarantee that recent diplomatic efforts would have been successful .
A more responsible Riyadh might not have begotten a more responsible Tehran .
But it is noteworthy that diplomacy did not even begin in earnest until Washington clearly demonstrated its unwillingness to entangle itself in a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran .
And by returning to the region in a show of military force , Trump may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies from taking diplomacy seriously .
They may even interpret Suleimani ’ s killing as a license to resume their recklessness—activities like Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ’ s purported kidnapping of the Lebanese prime minister and ordering of the dismemberment of Khashoggi ; Saudi Arabia and the UAE ’ s imposition of a blockade on Qatar ; and the two countries ’ further destabilization of Libya , Syria , Lebanon , Sudan , and Yemen .
As in the past , in other words , it seems as if the Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more likely with the United States than without it .
Trita Parsi is the Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute and author of Losing an Enemy – Obama , Iran and the Triumph of Diplomacy .

Foreignpolicy.com
https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/01/06/the-middle-east-is-more-stable-when-the-united-states-stays-away/
It has been a mantra of U.S. foreign policy for a decade or more that, without the United States, the Middle East would descend into chaos. Or even worse, Iran would resurrect the Persian Empire and swallow the region whole.
Yet when U.S. President Donald Trump opted not to go to war with Iran after a series of Iranian-attributed attacks on Saudi Arabia last year and declared his intentions to pull troops out of the region, it wasn’t chaos or conquest that ensued. Rather, nascent regional diplomacy—particularly among Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—and de-escalation followed. To be sure, the cards were reshuffled again in January, when Trump ordered the assassination of Qassem Suleimani, one of Iran’s most important military figures. Courtesy of Trump, the region is once more moving toward conflict, and the early signs of diplomatic progress achieved during the preceding months have vanished.
It is thus time for Washington to answer a crucial question that it has long evaded: Has America’s military dominance in the Middle East prevented regional actors from peacefully resolving conflicts on their own? And in that way, has it been an impediment to stability rather than the guarantor of it?
Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaimed a new doctrine: “An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region,” he stated, “will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force.” In the context of the Cold War, preventing the Soviets—the main outside force Carter was worried about—from gaining control over the energy-rich region had a strategic logic.
But over time, that logic shifted. In the 1980s, U.S. President Ronald Reagan expanded the doctrine to include threats to the flow of oil originating from inside the region, too. As the geopolitical context changed still further, subsequent presidents found even more ways to justify America’s growing military presence in the Middle East. What started as a policy to prevent others from establishing hegemony over the oil-rich waters of the Persian Gulf morphed into a policy of asserting American hegemony in the region in order to “save” it.
As long as U.S. allies lack the capability or competence to secure the region, the thinking went, Washington would have no choice but to shoulder this responsibility. U.S. President George W. Bush was explicit about that; without an increase in U.S. troop levels in Iraq, he claimed, there would be chaos in the region. He missed the irony, of course, that his invasion of Iraq was the single most destabilizing event in the Middle East of the past decades.
As the scholars Hal Brands, Steven Cook, and Kenneth Pollack wrote endorsing the Carter Doctrine and its continuation, “the United States established and upheld the basic rules of conduct in the region: the United States would meet efforts to interfere with the free flow of oil by force; uphold freedom of navigation; demand that regional powers give up their irredentist claims on other states or face grave consequences; and prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”
This account is accurate enough (although the last rule on the list always exempted Israel), but the story glosses over how the policy also gave cover to U.S. allies for some fairly destabilizing behaviors of their own. That’s an omission Brands makes in a Bloomberg article, too, where he points to Saudi Arabia’s slaughter of the Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi to argue that a “post-American Middle East will not be stable and peaceful. It will be even nastier and more turbulent than it is today.” And in the words of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham in 2018, “If it weren’t for the United States, they’d be speaking Farsi in about a week in Saudi Arabia.”
All this without a nod to the fact that, if anything, the United States’ protection of the Saudi regime has enabled its promotion of terrorism and its destabilizing activities in the region, which have, in turn, prompted further Iranian response.
Assertions about the United States’ pivotal role in the Middle East, no matter how often repeated, have not been proved true. Iran, ravaged by sanctions, corruption, and economic mismanagement, is nowhere near establishing hegemony in the region. Saudi Arabia spends more than five times as much on its military than does Iran; the entire Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the UAE—outspends Iran by a factor of eight. Meanwhile, whereas Iran has no nuclear weapons yet undergoes more inspections than any other country, Israel has a nuclear weapons program with no international transparency whatsoever. Iran may have been adept at taking advantage of U.S. overextension and missteps in the last few decades, but establishing hegemony is a different matter altogether.
Further, the region did not fall into deeper chaos as a result of Trump’s earlier refusal to get into a shooting war with Iran after attacks by Iranian proxies against Saudi oil installations in September 2019. Critics lamented the president’s decision as an abandonment of the Carter Doctrine, calling it a disaster for the GCC and warning that it may even prompt Saudi Arabia to seek nuclear weapons.
Instead, recognizing that the U.S. military was no longer at their disposal, Saudi Arabia and the UAE began exercising the diplomatic options that had always been available to them. For its part, Saudi Arabia stepped up direct talks with Houthi rebels in Yemen as a way to ease tensions with their backer, Iran. The level of violence on both sides declined as a result, and more than 100 prisoners of war were released. In November, the United Nations’ Yemen envoy, Martin Griffiths, reported an 80 percent reduction in Saudi-led airstrikes, and there were no Yemeni deaths in the previous two weeks.
Riyadh also opted to reduce tensions with Qatar, a former ally that had become a nemesis. The Saudi government seemingly ordered its notorious Twitter army to tone down the insults against Qatar and its emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and some sporting events between the two countries resumed, according to the New York Times.
Saudi officials also claimed that they had quietly reached out to Iran via intermediaries seeking ways to ease tensions. Tehran, in turn, welcomed the prospective Saudi-Qatari thaw and, according to the New York Times, floated a peace plan based on a mutual Iranian-Saudi pledge of nonaggression.
An even stronger change of heart occurred in Abu Dhabi. In July, the UAE started withdrawing troops from Yemen. The same month, it participated in direct talks with Tehran to discuss maritime security. It even released $700 million in funds to Iran in contradiction to the Trump administration’s maximum pressure strategy.
Some of these measures may have been more tactical than strategic. Saudi Arabia may have reduced tensions with Qatar and the Houthis in order to better situate itself for a confrontation with Tehran down the road or to offset international condemnation of its killing of Khashoggi, human rights abuses at home, and brutal tactics in Yemen. The UAE, too, may have felt that a tactical reduction of tensions was warranted.
Nevertheless, as the United States appeared poised to back out of the region, its erstwhile allies’ calculations tilted toward diplomacy. The Saudis and Emiratis simply had no choice but to cease some of their recklessness because they could no longer operate under the protection of the United States. If stability in the Middle East is the United States’ main goal, Washington should have celebrated rather than bemoaned these developments.
In the wake of the U.S. assassination of Suleimani—which some former U.S. officials have called an act of war—the calculations may change once more. According to Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, Suleimani was in Iraq to bring him Tehran’s response to a message from Riyadh on how to defuse regional tensions, presumably as part of the House of Saud’s renewed interest in diplomacy. The Iraqis, according to him, were mediating between the two rivals, an initiative that has now been thrown into question.
Iran may very well conclude, rightly or wrongly, that Saudi Arabia and the UAE conspired with Washington to assassinate Suleimani and as a result not only end the recent diplomacy but also target Riyadh and Abu Dhabi as part of the revenge for Suleimani’s death. This is yet one more instance, it seems, in which U.S. activities in the region have brought more turmoil than stability.
To be sure, there is no guarantee that recent diplomatic efforts would have been successful. A more responsible Riyadh might not have begotten a more responsible Tehran. But it is noteworthy that diplomacy did not even begin in earnest until Washington clearly demonstrated its unwillingness to entangle itself in a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. And by returning to the region in a show of military force, Trump may once again disincentivize the United States’ allies from taking diplomacy seriously. They may even interpret Suleimani’s killing as a license to resume their recklessness—activities like Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s purported kidnapping of the Lebanese prime minister and ordering of the dismemberment of Khashoggi; Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s imposition of a blockade on Qatar; and the two countries’ further destabilization of Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, and Yemen.
As in the past, in other words, it seems as if the Middle East’s descent into chaos is more likely with the United States than without it.
Trita Parsi is the Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute and author of Losing an Enemy – Obama, Iran and the Triumph of Diplomacy.


veteranstoday--2020-01-06--NEO – Has Trump set a precedent for killing US personnel?

by Jim W. Dean , VT Editor , …with New Eastern Outlook , Moscow , …and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences , a research institution for the study of the countries and cultures of Asia and North Africa .
[ Editor ’ s note : This NEO went up quickly , as it was of a timely nature .
The story is evolving with new revelations by the hour , not only with Mideast reaction but from around the world .
The Soliemani send off is turning out to be on the scale of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but similar in the ripple effects .
While doing Press TV coverage of the funeral events , I mentioned how this assassination could turn out to be one of the top US foreign policy disasters of all time .
If those in command had their heads screwed on tighter , they might have foreseen the obvious boomerang effect where it would not strengthen the US position in the Mideast , but make it worse .
Iran has been united by this irresponsible act like nothing else could have .
I can already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the leaks are flowing on the veracity of the “ intercept evidence ” that Pompeo carried water for .
No one in Congress has used the “ Congressional investigation ” term , but pressure could build quickly .
Today ’ s evidence revealed that Soleimani had flown to Baghdad for major diplomatic work involving peace negotiations with the Saudis and UAE , part of his portfolio as Iran ’ s military representative to Iraq .
It would put the Democrats in a bind to crank up a new investigation regarding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a US allied country , Iraq .
Pelosi is already busy holding up the impeachment trial in the Senate , as she tries to assure that Trump will not get a spoof trial that will proceed like greased lightning .
Trump has been dismissive of the whole process , refusing to let White House witnesses testify , a tactic which his base seems to support .
He may not even produce any witnesses , playing the martyr like Bibi in Israel , claiming that police , investigators and the courts are involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his China deal signing set for mid January , this Soleimani killing could still be going strong , maybe right into his State of the Union address… Jim W. Dean ] The Soleimani funeral is going on as I type .
I was lined up for some of the Iranian domestic coverage , but the funeral started earlier than planned which bumped me to tomorrow ’ s coverage .
I had been reviewing the updated coverage , waiting for some of the smoke to clear .
Gordon Duff covered for Veterans Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates have been pouring in all day , as a virtual army of journalists have been searching for every scrap to analyze why an American military , who have handled Trump so carefully to keep him from doing something crazy , blew their fairly good record by putting the Soleimani assassination on a list of reprisal options for Trump to choose .
After he choose Soleimani , no one had the cojones to stand up and admit that putting it on the list was a huge mistake .
Why ?
Well first , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we hope that killing him the way they did is not going to set off a wave of American-killing like we have not seen during any of this dispute .
As news flowed in about Iran ’ s response , expected to be measured as it always is , word came from one of its top generals that Iran would only consider attacking US military targets , no civilians .
Then came the report that the US had passed along through the Swiss asking that Iran ’ s retaliation be on a similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We know this was true , as Zarif mentioned during the day that he had gotten a “ silly ” message from the Americans .
Was Soleimani lured to his assassination location ?
The biggest surprise came this evening .
A VT source in Baghdad reported that the killing may have been a staged ambush .
Soleimani was lured to Baghdad with news that Prime Minister Mahdi , who been acting as in emissary between Washington and Tehran , had received an important message for him .
Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the assassination of Soleimani in a completely different light .
He told the Iraqi parliament on Sunday that he “ was supposed to meet Soleimani on the morning of the day he was killed , he came to deliver me a message from Iran responding to the message we delivered from Saudi to Iran.
” Here are some of the notes taken the Washington Post reporter on Mahdi ’ s address to the Iraqi Parliament , for full context : “ Abu Mahdi Al-Mohandus played a major role in controlling the PMU forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ” Iraqi PM said… “ The assassination of Soleimani and Muhandus was a political assassination that can not be accepted ” … “ The United States told us that some of the attacks against PMU headquarters in the recent months were conducted by Israel ” … “ The government refused to give any cover for the protests around the US Embassy in Baghdad and I threatened to leave my position if they don ’ t retreat , which they did ” … “ I received a phone call from Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government efforts and asked Iraq to play the mediator ’ s role between US and Iran ” … “ But at the same time American helicopters and drones were flying without the approval of Iraq , and we refused the request of bringing more soldiers to US embassy and bases ” … “ I was supposed to meet Solemami in the morning the day he was killed , he came to deliver me a message from Iran responding to the message we delivered from Saudi to Iran.
” “ Legally , the ministerial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision which they find on the benefits of Iraq without the approval of the parliament , we agreed in the national security meeting that the benefits of Iraq is the end of forces existence in Iraq ” said PM “ But I want the decision to be agreed by all therefore I put to the parliament two options .
1.ending the existence of these forces immediately and start the immediate arrangements for this ” 2 .
Set a timeline for the departure of these forces ” said Iraqi PM “ I recommend the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US and Iraq .
It ’ s the interests of Iraq and US to Reorganize the relationship between both sides in a way keeps the sovereignty of Iraq ” Iraqi PM said .
The Iraqi parliament voted on a “ decision ” not binding on the government to cancel the Iraqi request from the US in fighting ISIS and to end the existence of the whole foreign troops within a timeline .
If this account is true , Trump , perhaps deliberately , acted to scuttle an effort to reduce tensions between Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the United States was signaling it would not go to war with Iran as Trump did earlier this summer , this compelled Saudi Arabia and the UAE to begin quiet negotiations with Iran to resolve their tension .
As long as the Saudis and the Emiratis felt they could push the US to go to war with Iran , they had no interest in diplomacy with Iran .
The US ’ military protection of these countries removed their motivation to pursue peace .
In the past few months , under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they began careful diplomacy with Tehran .
The US should have welcomed this development .
But the killing of Soleimani may have killed that effort , and once again given Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Emiratis a license to continue reckless destabilization .
Soleimani had diplomatic standing as Iran ’ s military representative to Iraq .
His route from the VIP section of Baghdad airport was readily known , as was his arrival time and the party would have had surveillance on the ground .
Gordon Duff has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ familiar with the location .
Soleimani may have underestimated that the US would attempt to kill his entourage in such a sensitive place as Baghdad , with the US relationship there already under strain .
The consensus around the world is that Trump and Pompeo efforts to tag Soleimani as the big American killer is only being bought in the hardline Iran hating countries like Britain , with Boris Johnson clapping his hands .
This has all happened when the alleged US contractor being killed in Iraq almost two weeks ago remains nameless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone was killed , VT suspects that the US contractor may be a foreign national , hence the name is being withheld to allow the inference that he was a US citizen .
What drew our attention to this was the lack of interest by corporate media to push the Pentagon for a name , which is usually released after next of kin are notified .
What happens now ?
The Iranians have been cool and calm as usual , with no hint or plans for a quick response .
But Iran does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do , including those extremist groups who make it their business to kill civilians .
Will they initiate killing sprees on Americans as a personal revenge of their own ?
Remember the key admission above in Prime Minister Mahdi ’ s note , where the US said the Israelis had done some of the PMU headquarters attacks .
Will that trigger Mahdi looking into whether those attacks , assuming they are drone attacks , are being based out of and in coordination with the Iraqi Kurdish areas , or will he prefer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has on his plate ?
Does it make sense for him to go through all the gyrations to reign in the Americans , but leave the Israelis and their Kurdish friends to continue their drone attacks , destabilizing not only Iraq but the Syrian border and the oil looting in the Deir Ezzor region ?
Will the chickens come home to roost on Americans ?
As the US has shown in Syria with its NATO partners , importing extremist killers to do dirty work for you is a competitive business .
Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killers , but not the organized slaughtering that some of the Western Intel and Israeli terrorist handlers have engaged in like the British White Helmets .
American servicemen are sitting ducks all over the world in quite safe places , where their guard is low where they can be visited like Mr. Soleimani .
This could even be named getting the “ Trump Treatment ” that he has stupidly put his seal of approval on as a fair way of dealing with killers without due process .
What is good for the goose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead civilians left in the wake of the US military incursions are carved in stone , with their purposeful undercounting even pouring salt in the wound .
Single mass graves were uncovered in Raqqa that contained more women , children and elders dead than what the US military claims to have officially killed by accident during the whole Syrian war .
When I was in Syria during my first trip , I learned that over 400,000 Syrians had already been killed , 50,000 military ( equal to the US ’ official KIA in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many of these were directly due to US , NATO country and Rogue Royal Gulf State mass murderers who accepted no responsibility for their slaughter while shining the spotlight on Assad and the Syrian army , when the former were not fit to shine their shoes .
No Syrians perpetrated reprisal attacks against American military families or citizens in towns like Fort Bragg and countless other military base areas with endless soft targets because they are better than that .
It bears noting what they have done to save their country and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions that the US has done with a sneering “ Whadaya going to do about it ?
” And it continues .
Jim W. Dean , managing editor for Veterans Today , producer/host of Heritage TV Atlanta , specially for the online magazine “ New Eastern Outlook ” .

by Jim W. Dean, VT Editor, …with New Eastern Outlook, Moscow, …and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a research institution for the study of the countries and cultures of Asia and North Africa.
[ Editor’s note: This NEO went up quickly, as it was of a timely nature. The story is evolving with new revelations by the hour, not only with Mideast reaction but from around the world. The Soliemani send off is turning out to be on the scale of the JFK tragedy, totally different events, but similar in the ripple effects.
While doing Press TV coverage of the funeral events, I mentioned how this assassination could turn out to be one of the top US foreign policy disasters of all time. If those in command had their heads screwed on tighter, they might have foreseen the obvious boomerang effect where it would not strengthen the US position in the Mideast, but make it worse.
Iran has been united by this irresponsible act like nothing else could have. I can already smell regret in the air from Washington, as the leaks are flowing on the veracity of the “intercept evidence” that Pompeo carried water for.
No one in Congress has used the “Congressional investigation” term, but pressure could build quickly. Today’s evidence revealed that Soleimani had flown to Baghdad for major diplomatic work involving peace negotiations with the Saudis and UAE, part of his portfolio as Iran’s military representative to Iraq.
It would put the Democrats in a bind to crank up a new investigation regarding a politically staged assassination of an Iranian diplomat in a US allied country, Iraq. Pelosi is already busy holding up the impeachment trial in the Senate, as she tries to assure that Trump will not get a spoof trial that will proceed like greased lightning.
Trump has been dismissive of the whole process, refusing to let White House witnesses testify, a tactic which his base seems to support. He may not even produce any witnesses, playing the martyr like Bibi in Israel, claiming that police, investigators and the courts are involved in a coup against him.
Even with his China deal signing set for mid January, this Soleimani killing could still be going strong, maybe right into his State of the Union address… Jim W. Dean ]
– First published … January 06, 2020 –
The Soleimani funeral is going on as I type. I was lined up for some of the Iranian domestic coverage, but the funeral started earlier than planned which bumped me to tomorrow’s coverage. I had been reviewing the updated coverage, waiting for some of the smoke to clear. Gordon Duff covered for VT on the early morning coverage.
News updates have been pouring in all day, as a virtual army of journalists have been searching for every scrap to analyze why an American military, who have handled Trump so carefully to keep him from doing something crazy, blew their fairly good record by putting the Soleimani assassination on a list of reprisal options for Trump to choose.
After he choose Soleimani, no one had the cojones to stand up and admit that putting it on the list was a huge mistake. Why?
Well first, before getting into the legal issues, we hope that killing him the way they did is not going to set off a wave of American-killing like we have not seen during any of this dispute.
As news flowed in about Iran’s response, expected to be measured as it always is, word came from one of its top generals that Iran would only consider attacking US military targets, no civilians.
Then came the report that the US had passed along through the Swiss asking that Iran’s retaliation be on a similar level to what the US had done. We know this was true, as Zarif mentioned during the day that he had gotten a “silly” message from the Americans.
Was Soleimani lured to his assassination location?
The biggest surprise came this evening. A VT source in Baghdad reported that the killing may have been a staged ambush. Soleimani was lured to Baghdad with news that Prime Minister Mahdi, who been acting as in emissary between Washington and Tehran, had received an important message for him.
Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi has made some shocking revelations that put the assassination of Soleimani in a completely different light. He told the Iraqi parliament on Sunday that he “was supposed to meet Soleimani on the morning of the day he was killed, he came to deliver me a message from Iran responding to the message we delivered from Saudi to Iran.”
Here are some of the notes taken the Washington Post reporter on Mahdi’s address to the Iraqi Parliament, for full context:
“Abu Mahdi Al-Mohandus played a major role in controlling the PMU forces and put them under the control of the state” Iraqi PM said…
“The assassination of Soleimani and Muhandus was a political assassination that cannot be accepted”…
“The United States told us that some of the attacks against PMU headquarters in the recent months were conducted by Israel”…
“The government refused to give any cover for the protests around the US Embassy in Baghdad and I threatened to leave my position if they don’t retreat, which they did”…
“I received a phone call from Donald Trump when the embassy protests ended thanking the government efforts and asked Iraq to play the mediator’s role between US and Iran”…
“But at the same time American helicopters and drones were flying without the approval of Iraq, and we refused the request of bringing more soldiers to US embassy and bases”…
“I was supposed to meet Solemami in the morning the day he was killed, he came to deliver me a message from Iran responding to the message we delivered from Saudi to Iran.”
“Legally, the ministerial council for national security can take the decision which they find on the benefits of Iraq without the approval of the parliament, we agreed in the national security meeting that the benefits of Iraq is the end of forces existence in Iraq” said PM
“But I want the decision to be agreed by all therefore I put to the parliament two options. 1.ending the existence of these forces immediately and start the immediate arrangements for this” 2. Set a timeline for the departure of these forces” said Iraqi PM
“I recommend the first option and keep the friendship between US and Iraq. It’s the interests of Iraq and US to Reorganize the relationship between both sides in a way keeps the sovereignty of Iraq” Iraqi PM said.
The Iraqi parliament voted on a “decision” not binding on the government to cancel the Iraqi request from the US in fighting ISIS and to end the existence of the whole foreign troops within a timeline.
If this account is true, Trump, perhaps deliberately, acted to scuttle an effort to reduce tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. It also shows, as the United States was signaling it would not go to war with Iran as Trump did earlier this summer, this compelled Saudi Arabia and the UAE to begin quiet negotiations with Iran to resolve their tension.
As long as the Saudis and the Emiratis felt they could push the US to go to war with Iran, they had no interest in diplomacy with Iran. The US’ military protection of these countries removed their motivation to pursue peace.
In the past few months, under the impression that Trump had opted against war, they began careful diplomacy with Tehran. The US should have welcomed this development. But the killing of Soleimani may have killed that effort, and once again given Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Emiratis a license to continue reckless destabilization.
Soleimani had diplomatic standing as Iran’s military representative to Iraq. His route from the VIP section of Baghdad airport was readily known, as was his arrival time and the party would have had surveillance on the ground.
Gordon Duff has been through the airport many times and is familiar with the location. Soleimani may have underestimated that the US would attempt to kill his entourage in such a sensitive place as Baghdad, with the US relationship there already under strain.
The consensus around the world is that Trump and Pompeo efforts to tag Soleimani as the big American killer is only being bought in the hardline Iran hating countries like Britain, with Boris Johnson clapping his hands.
This has all happened when the alleged US contractor being killed in Iraq almost two weeks ago remains nameless, along with his nationality. If someone was killed, VT suspects that the US contractor may be a foreign national, hence the name is being withheld to allow the inference that he was a US citizen.
What drew our attention to this was the lack of interest by corporate media to push the Pentagon for a name, which is usually released after next of kin are notified.
What happens now?
The Iranians have been cool and calm as usual, with no hint or plans for a quick response. But Iran does not control what Muslims worldwide might want to do, including those extremist groups who make it their business to kill civilians. Will they initiate killing sprees on Americans as a personal revenge of their own?
Remember the key admission above in Prime Minister Mahdi’s note, where the US said the Israelis had done some of the PMU headquarters attacks.
Will that trigger Mahdi looking into whether those attacks, assuming they are drone attacks, are being based out of and in coordination with the Iraqi Kurdish areas, or will he prefer to duck that issue with all that he has on his plate?
Does it make sense for him to go through all the gyrations to reign in the Americans, but leave the Israelis and their Kurdish friends to continue their drone attacks, destabilizing not only Iraq but the Syrian border and the oil looting in the Deir Ezzor region?
Will the chickens come home to roost on Americans?
As the US has shown in Syria with its NATO partners, importing extremist killers to do dirty work for you is a competitive business. Europe has seen its share of hapless lone killers, but not the organized slaughtering that some of the Western Intel and Israeli terrorist handlers have engaged in like the British White Helmets.
American servicemen are sitting ducks all over the world in quite safe places, where their guard is low where they can be visited like Mr. Soleimani. This could even be named getting the “Trump Treatment” that he has stupidly put his seal of approval on as a fair way of dealing with killers without due process. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.
The dead civilians left in the wake of the US military incursions are carved in stone, with their purposeful undercounting even pouring salt in the wound. Single mass graves were uncovered in Raqqa that contained more women, children and elders dead than what the US military claims to have officially killed by accident during the whole Syrian war.
When I was in Syria during my first trip, I learned that over 400,000 Syrians had already been killed, 50,000 military (equal to the US’ official KIA in Vietnam), leaving 350,000 civilians dead.
Many of these were directly due to US, NATO country and Rogue Royal Gulf State mass murderers who accepted no responsibility for their slaughter while shining the spotlight on Assad and the Syrian army, when the former were not fit to shine their shoes.
No Syrians perpetrated reprisal attacks against American military families or citizens in towns like Fort Bragg and countless other military base areas with endless soft targets because they are better than that.
It bears noting what they have done to save their country and what they have not done, certain actions that the US has done with a sneering “Whadaya going to do about it?” And it continues.
Jim W. Dean, managing editor for VT, producer/host of Heritage TV Atlanta, specially for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook”.
Requiem eternam,


veteranstoday--2020-01-06--Nobody Believes Them:  US Promises to Leave Iraq in Shame and Defeat- Official Letter

In a Monday letter to Iraqi military leaders , the US-led coalition in Iraq announced it was preparing to “ move out ” of the country out of respect for Iraqi sovereignty .
Following approval of a non-binding resolution by Iraq ’ s parliament calling for US forces to leave the country , US military commanders announced they were drawing up preparatory plans for their departure .
A Pentagon spokesperson could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the letter to Reuters .
“ We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure , ” the letter says , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the coming days and weeks in preparation for the move , the letter states .
“ In due deference to the sovereignty of the Republic of Iraq , and as requested by the Iraqi Parliament and the Prime Minister , CJTF-OIR [ Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve ] will be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks to prepare for onward movement , ” states the letter , addressed to Iraqi Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir and signed by US Marine Corps Brig .
Gen. William @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request comes on the heels of a January 3 drone strike at Baghdad International Airport in which US forces killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani as well as the leader of Iraq ’ s Popular Mobilization Forces , Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis .
The two commanders helped lead the fight against Daesh in the 2014-17 Iraqi Civil War that saw the terrorist group expelled from the country .
At its height , Daesh controlled significant amounts of northern Iraq , including its third-largest city of Mosul , and was advancing on Baghdad .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , coalition forces are required to take certain measures to ensure that the movement out of Iraq is conducted in a safe and efficient manner , ” the letter continues .
“ During this time , there will be an increase in helicopter travel in and around the International Zone ( IZ ) of Baghdad .
This increased traffic will include CH-47 , UH-60 and AH-64 security escort helicopters .
Coalition forces will take appropriate measures to minimize and mitigate the disturbance to the public .
In addition , we will conduct these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleviate any perception that we may be bringing more Coalition forces into the IZ.
” “ As we begin implementing this next phase of operations , I want to reiterate the value of our friendship and partnership .
We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure.
” The news comes after US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo snubbed the idea of leaving Iraq , where US forces have been stationed since the March 2003 invasion that overthrew Iraqi President Saddam Hussein .
“ We have a very extraordinarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It cost billions of dollars to build .
Long before my time We ’ re not leaving unless they pay us back for it , ” Trump said on Sunday .
“ We will charge them sanctions like they ’ ve never seen before ever .
It ’ ll make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame.
”  “ The prime minister is the acting prime minister , ” Pompeo said on Fox News on Sunday , speaking of Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi .
“ He ’ s under enormous threats from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are pushing back against .
We are confident that the Iraqi people want the United States to continue to be there .
”

Following approval of a non-binding resolution by Iraq’s parliament calling for US forces to leave the country, US military commanders announced they were drawing up preparatory plans for their departure. A Pentagon spokesperson could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the letter to Reuters.
“We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure,” the letter says, according to Reuters. US forces will re-position themselves over the coming days and weeks in preparation for the move, the letter states.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joined FOX News Sunday to discuss breaking news regarding heightened US-Iran tensions in the wake of an attack that killed Soleimani. The Trump administration says he was planning imminent attacks. Secretary Pompeo reacts. #FNS #foxnews pic.twitter.com/zo7nkdtrZ1
“In due deference to the sovereignty of the Republic of Iraq, and as requested by the Iraqi Parliament and the Prime Minister, CJTF-OIR [Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve] will be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks to prepare for onward movement,” states the letter, addressed to Iraqi Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir and signed by US Marine Corps Brig. Gen. William H. Seely III.
The lawmakers’ request comes on the heels of a January 3 drone strike at Baghdad International Airport in which US forces killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani as well as the leader of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The two commanders helped lead the fight against Daesh in the 2014-17 Iraqi Civil War that saw the terrorist group expelled from the country. At its height, Daesh controlled significant amounts of northern Iraq, including its third-largest city of Mosul, and was advancing on Baghdad.
“In order to conduct this task, coalition forces are required to take certain measures to ensure that the movement out of Iraq is conducted in a safe and efficient manner,” the letter continues. “During this time, there will be an increase in helicopter travel in and around the International Zone (IZ) of Baghdad. This increased traffic will include CH-47, UH-60 and AH-64 security escort helicopters. Coalition forces will take appropriate measures to minimize and mitigate the disturbance to the public. In addition, we will conduct these operations during house of darkness to help alleviate any perception that we may be bringing more Coalition forces into the IZ.”
“As we begin implementing this next phase of operations, I want to reiterate the value of our friendship and partnership. We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure.”
Contradictory Statements
The news comes after US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo snubbed the idea of leaving Iraq, where US forces have been stationed since the March 2003 invasion that overthrew Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
“We have a very extraordinarily expensive airbase that’s there. It cost billions of dollars to build. Long before my time We’re not leaving unless they pay us back for it,” Trump said on Sunday. “We will charge them sanctions like they’ve never seen before ever. It’ll make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame.”
“The prime minister is the acting prime minister,” Pompeo said on Fox News on Sunday, speaking of Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi. “He’s under enormous threats from the very Iranian leadership that it is that we are pushing back against. We are confident that the Iraqi people want the United States to continue to be there.”


veteranstoday--2020-01-06--Demonic Explanation: Disservice to Those With Epilepsy

Health Editor ’ s Note : There are many causes for epilepsy which is simply misfiring/malfunction of the neurons ( brain cells ) in the brain .
The brain works by electrical impulses moving to the next neuron and the disorder/disease of epilepsy results from abnormal electrical activity of the brain and is not a specific disease but a group of symptoms that present with over stimulation of the neurons .
Epilepsy is relatively common with about 0.5 % of the population being affected .
Epilepsy is classified as to its origin ( idiopathic-genetic ) or symptoms ( acquired or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as injury to the brain at birth or later , brain tumor , or endocrine disorder .
Seizures may be barely noticeable , maybe experienced with someone pausing when he or she is speaking .
Seizures may be very noticeable as someone can loose control of motor function ( can involuntarily urinate and move limbs in an exaggerated fashion ) , have severe tremors , inability to swallow , become unconscious and be in a very helpless/vulnerable state .
Whatever the cause for seizures , the seizures are due to a physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being cursed by some demon or another person for any actions he or she might have taken .
No one does anything evil to be given epilepsy .
Seizures are not a sign that someone is possessed or going to harm anyone else .
As is the case with many ancient/and not so ancient explanations of scientific data , when you can not see or understand what is really happening , then the unexplainable/that which is not understood , takes on a sign that something awful , which can not be seen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nature of how seizures may manifest and how this appears to an onlooker , someone with seizures were said to be possessed as they did not really have conscious control over his or her movements during the time of the seizure .
This article is just proof of how seizures and demons came to be linked to each other .
While it would appear that the link between seizures and demons was an idea from ancient times , I would think that there are certain people who continue to believe the falsehood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought of in a maleficent light……Carol This Demon , Immortalized in 2,700-Year-Old Assyrian Tablet , Was Thought to Cause Epilepsy A demonic figure with curved horns , a forked tongue , a tail and a reptilian eye has long lurked unobserved on the back of a 2,700-year-old clay tablet housed at Berlin ’ s Vorderasiatisches Museum , a new study published in Le Journal des Médecines Cunéiformes suggests .
University of Copenhagen Assyriologist Troels Pank Arbøll discovered the rare illustration while studying the cuneiform text five years ago .
Researchers have known of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but as Arbøll tells Live Science ’ s Tom Metcalfe , he was the first to notice the creature ’ s damaged outline .
The writing on the tablet suggests its creator viewed the demon as the cause of convulsions and other involuntary movements then called bennu but now understood as epilepsy .
Per the study , the anthropomorphic figure measures around 2.5 inches tall and one inch wide .
Its neck is long , and its body appears to be covered in scales or hair .
Although the majority of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the centuries , its claw-like hands and feet remain partially visible .
Magic and medicine were intertwined in ancient Assyria .
According to a University of Copenhagen statement , the Assyrians believed diseases were caused by gods , demons or witchcraft .
To treat these afflictions , healers turned to…..Read More :

Health Editor’s Note: There are many causes for epilepsy which is simply misfiring/malfunction of the neurons (brain cells) in the brain. The brain works by electrical impulses moving to the next neuron and the disorder/disease of epilepsy results from abnormal electrical activity of the brain and is not a specific disease but a group of symptoms that present with over stimulation of the neurons. Epilepsy is relatively common with about 0.5% of the population being affected.
Epilepsy is classified as to its origin (idiopathic-genetic) or symptoms (acquired or organic) with having a physical cause such as injury to the brain at birth or later, brain tumor, or endocrine disorder. Seizures may be barely noticeable, maybe experienced with someone pausing when he or she is speaking. Seizures may be very noticeable as someone can loose control of motor function (can involuntarily urinate and move limbs in an exaggerated fashion), have severe tremors, inability to swallow, become unconscious and be in a very helpless/vulnerable state.
Whatever the cause for seizures, the seizures are due to a physical reason (s) and not someone being cursed by some demon or another person for any actions he or she might have taken. No one does anything evil to be given epilepsy. Seizures are not a sign that someone is possessed or going to harm anyone else.
As is the case with many ancient/and not so ancient explanations of scientific data, when you cannot see or understand what is really happening, then the unexplainable/that which is not understood, takes on a sign that something awful, which cannot be seen, has caused the process. Because of the nature of how seizures may manifest and how this appears to an onlooker, someone with seizures were said to be possessed as they did not really have conscious control over his or her movements during the time of the seizure. This article is just proof of how seizures and demons came to be linked to each other. While it would appear that the link between seizures and demons was an idea from ancient times, I would think that there are certain people who continue to believe the falsehood that those who have seizures should/will be thought of in a maleficent light……Carol
This Demon, Immortalized in 2,700-Year-Old Assyrian Tablet, Was Thought to Cause Epilepsy By Theresa Machemer/Smithsonianmag.com A demonic figure with curved horns, a forked tongue, a tail and a reptilian eye has long lurked unobserved on the back of a 2,700-year-old clay tablet housed at Berlin’s Vorderasiatisches Museum, a new study published in Le Journal des Médecines Cunéiformes suggests. University of Copenhagen Assyriologist Troels Pank Arbøll discovered the rare illustration while studying the cuneiform text five years ago. Researchers have known of the artifact’s existence for decades, but as Arbøll tells Live Science’s Tom Metcalfe, he was the first to notice the creature’s damaged outline. The writing on the tablet suggests its creator viewed the demon as the cause of convulsions and other involuntary movements then called bennu but now understood as epilepsy. Per the study, the anthropomorphic figure measures around 2.5 inches tall and one inch wide. Its neck is long, and its body appears to be covered in scales or hair. Although the majority of the demon’s torso has been effaced over the centuries, its claw-like hands and feet remain partially visible. Magic and medicine were intertwined in ancient Assyria. According to a University of Copenhagen statement, the Assyrians believed diseases were caused by gods, demons or witchcraft. To treat these afflictions, healers turned to…..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--2020-01-06--Breaking: US Forces in Iraq under “House Arrest,” No Fly Zone Enforced

Iraqi authorities began developing a mechanism for the withdrawal of US troops from the country .
This was announced on @ @ @ @ @ channel..
According to a statement made , the activities of an international coalition led by @ @ @ @ @ will be limited to consultations , training of Iraqi army personnel and arms transfers .
@ @ @ @ @ be withdrawn .
Also , Major General Abdel Kerim Khalaf called stupid American blows inflicted @ @ @ @ @ facilities of the Shiite Kataib Hezbollah group in Iraq and Syria .
In addition , @ @ @ @ @ on the ground and air movement of the forces of the international coalition , since @ @ @ @ @ necessary to inform the General Staff of the Iraqi Armed Forces about its movements and @ @ @ @ @ on Iraqi territory .
Iraqi government restricts ground and air movement of international coalition forces @ @ @ @ @ to move anywhere

Iraqi authorities began developing a mechanism for the withdrawal of US troops from the country. This was announced on the air of Al-Jazeera TV channel..
According to a statement made, the activities of an international coalition led by the United States in Iraq will be limited to consultations, training of Iraqi army personnel and arms transfers. Parts and subunits themselves will be withdrawn. Also, Major General Abdel Kerim Khalaf called stupid American blows inflicted on December 29 at the facilities of the Shiite Kataib Hezbollah group in Iraq and Syria.
In addition, the Iraqi government imposes restrictions on the ground and air movement of the forces of the international coalition, since Washington does not consider it necessary to inform the General Staff of the Iraqi Armed Forces about its movements and operations that are carried out on Iraqi territory.
Iraqi government restricts ground and air movement of international coalition forces and will not allow them to move anywhere


veteranstoday--2020-01-06--Does Venus Have Active Volcanoes?

Does Venus Have Active Volcanoes?

Active Volcanoes May Still Exist on Venus Searing hot , bone dry and cloaked in clouds of acid , Venus is hardly a haven of habitability .
Like Earth , however , Venus may still harbor active volcanoes , suggests a study published last week in Science Advances .
Though this idea has been proposed before , new evidence hints that the lava flows that ripple across the planet ’ s scorched surface may be just a few years old , bolstering the case for recent eruptions .
Researchers have known for decades that Venus ’ surface is mottled with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are dormant or active from a distance is tricky .
Using data collected from the European Space Agency ’ s now-dead orbiter , Venus Express , scientists have found several hints of residual volcanic activity in the planet ’ s atmosphere , including hotspots of searing heat and blips of sulfur dioxide , the gassy calling card of active volcanoes here on Earth .
“ If Venus is indeed active today , it would make a great place to visit to better understand the interiors of planets , ” study author Justin Filiberto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Planetary Institute ’ s Universities Space Research Association , says in a statement .
The spacecraft has also snapped images of young-looking lava flows , full of minerals not yet chemically corrupted ….Read More :

Active Volcanoes May Still Exist on Venus
By Katherine J. Wu/Smithsonianmag.com
Searing hot, bone dry and cloaked in clouds of acid, Venus is hardly a haven of habitability. Like Earth, however, Venus may still harbor active volcanoes, suggests a study published last week in Science Advances. Though this idea has been proposed before, new evidence hints that the lava flows that ripple across the planet’s scorched surface may be just a few years old, bolstering the case for recent eruptions.
Researchers have known for decades that Venus’ surface is mottled with volcanoes, but determining whether those volcanoes are dormant or active from a distance is tricky. Using data collected from the European Space Agency’s now-dead orbiter, Venus Express, scientists have found several hints of residual volcanic activity in the planet’s atmosphere, including hotspots of searing heat and blips of sulfur dioxide, the gassy calling card of active volcanoes here on Earth.
“If Venus is indeed active today, it would make a great place to visit to better understand the interiors of planets,” study author Justin Filiberto, a staff scientist at the Lunar and Planetary Institute’s Universities Space Research Association, says in a statement.
The spacecraft has also snapped images of young-looking lava flows, full of minerals not yet chemically corrupted ….Read More:


veteranstoday--2020-01-06--Measles Turns Out To Be An Ancient Disease

Nowadays , it ’ s hard not to have measles on the mind .
Spurred in part by successful anti-vaccination campaigns , global cases of this viral infection reached their highest point in more than a decade during the first six months of 2019 .
In 2018 , outbreaks killed more than 140,000 people worldwide .
But the scourge of measles isn ’ t just a problem of the present .
This deadly disease has been plaguing human populations for centuries—perhaps even millennia .
In a paper published last week on the preprint server bioRxiv , a team of researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tangoed with human immune systems as early as 345 B.C.
, or 1,500 years earlier than previously estimated .
Though the findings have yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal , they could push the origins of measles further back than ever before , reports Kai Kupferschmidt for Science magazine .
Prior investigations of measles ’ evolutionary roots have been stymied by a lack of genetic data .
Building such family trees means rewinding the clock—a process that typically requires multiple viral genomes , each isolated from different points in time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart .

Century-Old Lungs May Push Origin of Measles Back 1,500 Years
By Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonianmag.com
Nowadays, it’s hard not to have measles on the mind. Spurred in part by successful anti-vaccination campaigns, global cases of this viral infection reached their highest point in more than a decade during the first six months of 2019. In 2018, outbreaks killed more than 140,000 people worldwide.
But the scourge of measles isn’t just a problem of the present. This deadly disease has been plaguing human populations for centuries—perhaps even millennia. In a paper published last week on the preprint server bioRxiv, a team of researchers suggests the measles virus may have first tangoed with human immune systems as early as 345 B.C., or 1,500 years earlier than previously estimated. Though the findings have yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, they could push the origins of measles further back than ever before, reports Kai Kupferschmidt for Science magazine.
Prior investigations of measles’ evolutionary roots have been stymied by a lack of genetic data. Building such family trees means rewinding the clock—a process that typically requires multiple viral genomes, each isolated from different points in time, to estimate when separate lineages first split apart.
Read More:


veteranstoday--2020-01-08--Trump kills, Putin and Assad praise Our Lady for Orthodox Christmas in Damascus

American President Donald Trump spent the Christmas holidays in the sumptuous Mar-y-Lago villa in Palm Beach from where he ordered the Baghdad massacre against General Qassem Soleimani and nine other Iranian and Iraqi victims .
Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrated Orthodox Christmas on Tuesday 7 January by visiting Moscow troops stationed in Damascus in defense of Syria ’ s national sovereignty and then donated an icon of the Madonna to the Greek patriarch after visiting a mosque together with the president Syrian Bashar Al Assad .
In these two frames contemporary history is carved in a pendulum that oscillates between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the truth of the honest man .
In the image that portrays the Shiite Muslim Assad together with the Orthodox Christian Putin and the Maronite Catholic religious before the image of Mary there is the essence of hope for the whole planet .
This is the most powerful weapon of any army : the hope of peace !
In the image of the US billionaire missile-firing tycoon surrounded by his wife top model and many Neo-Con politicians financed by various Zionist strangershere is only the ghostly shadow of arrogance ready to challenge the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , resources underground , territories and finally even the soul of the peoples confused between a killing capitalist liberalism of the individual and communist slavery that denies the very spirit of man and God .
From far away Moscow Putin must come to the Mediterranean to teach Europe , the self-styled Western Christians and the Catholic Church itself the true meaning of Ecumenism .
From bloody Syria Assad must shine in the Middle East , increasingly unstable in Libya and Iraq to show how an Islamic knows how to be devoted to Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Koran but above all because Mother of Christ and true Christians who believe in Her .
While in Tehran Soleimani is buried in front of an oceanic and convulsive crowd ( enough to cause thirty deaths in the crowd ) in Damascus the Orthodox Christmas is celebrated in a choral fraternal embrace that is worth more than a thousand art-built marches for Peace .
Below we report the chronicle of this great day narrated by SANA ( Syrian Arab News Agency ) in the hope that the Italian political idiots and journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few days before the great Christian holiday of Epiphany learn the true meaning of the anniversary of Christmas .
And of this period devoted to peace , love and joy for the birth of Jesus Christ and his “ royal agnition ” by the three magician Kings of the East .
Today as then wiser than those of the West … Damascus – Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Damascus Tuesday on a visit to Syria .
Presidents Bashar al-Assad and Putin held a meeting at the Russian forces ’ assembly location @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listened to a military briefing by the commander of the Russian forces operating in Syria .
President Putin offered congratulations to the Russian forces operating in Syria on occasion of Christmas .
President al-Assad also congratulated the Russian officers and soldiers on occasion of Christmas , expressing the appreciation of himself and the Syrian people for the sacrifices made by the Russian forces alongside their counterpart in the Syrian Arab Army .
Later , Presidents al-Assad and Putin discussed , during two meetings , one of them was a closed meeting , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as plans for eliminating the terrorism which threatens the safety and security of Syrian citizens in Idleb , and developments in the north of Syria and Turkey ’ s actions there , as well as supporting the political track and preparing suitable conditions for it .
The two Presidents affirmed that the main target of the political track is the return of security and stability to all Syrian regions , the achievement of the Syrian people ’ s interests in preserving Syria ’ s unity , independence and safety of its territories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start the reconstruction process .
Accompanied by President al-Assad , President Putin toured Damascus city , visiting the Grand Umayyad Mosque and the shrine of St. John the Baptist located in it , writing an entry in the record of visitors .
President Putin also visited the Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus ( dedicate to Ous Lady of Dormition – ed ) , the oldest church in Damascus and the seat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East , gifting it an icon depicting the Virgin Mary .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace and safety in Syria .
President Putin concluded his visit to Syria as President al-Assad bid Farewell to him at Damascus international

by Fabio Giuseppe Carlo Carisio for VT Italy
American President Donald Trump spent the Christmas holidays in the sumptuous Mar-y-Lago villa in Palm Beach from where he ordered the Baghdad massacre against General Qassem Soleimani and nine other Iranian and Iraqi victims.
read more SOLEIMANI KILLED, BOEING SHOT DOWN, ISIS EXULTED: TRAITORS’ SHADOW INSIDE IRAN’S PASDARAN
Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrated Orthodox Christmas on Tuesday 7 January by visiting Moscow troops stationed in Damascus in defense of Syria’s national sovereignty and then donated an icon of the Madonna to the Greek patriarch after visiting a mosque together with the president Syrian Bashar Al Assad.
In these two frames contemporary history is carved in a pendulum that oscillates between the lie of the fake good and the truth of the honest man.
In the image that portrays the Shiite Muslim Assad together with the Orthodox Christian Putin and the Maronite Catholic religious before the image of Mary there is the essence of hope for the whole planet. This is the most powerful weapon of any army: the hope of peace!
In the image of the US billionaire missile-firing tycoon surrounded by his wife top model and many Neo-Con politicians financed by various Zionist strangershere is only the ghostly shadow of arrogance ready to challenge the whole world to steal oil, gas, resources underground, territories and finally even the soul of the peoples confused between a killing capitalist liberalism of the individual and communist slavery that denies the very spirit of man and God.
From far away Moscow Putin must come to the Mediterranean to teach Europe, the self-styled Western Christians and the Catholic Church itself the true meaning of Ecumenism.
From bloody Syria Assad must shine in the Middle East, increasingly unstable in Libya and Iraq to show how an Islamic knows how to be devoted to Our Lady, not only because mentioned by the Koran but above all because Mother of Christ and true Christians who believe in Her.
While in Tehran Soleimani is buried in front of an oceanic and convulsive crowd (enough to cause thirty deaths in the crowd) in Damascus the Orthodox Christmas is celebrated in a choral fraternal embrace that is worth more than a thousand art-built marches for Peace.
Below we report the chronicle of this great day narrated by SANA (Syrian Arab News Agency) in the hope that the Italian political idiots and journalists who applauded the Trump massacre in Baghdad a few days before the great Christian holiday of Epiphany learn the true meaning of the anniversary of Christmas. And of this period devoted to peace, love and joy for the birth of Jesus Christ and his “royal agnition” by the three magician Kings of the East.
Today as then wiser than those of the West …
Fabio Giuseppe Carlo Carisio
no reproduction withour authorization
ORIGINAL ITALIAN VERSION
SANA’S REPORT ON PUTIN’S VISIT IN DAMASCUS
Damascus – Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Damascus Tuesday on a visit to Syria. Presidents Bashar al-Assad and Putin held a meeting at the Russian forces’ assembly location in Damascus.
Presidents al-Assad and Putin listened to a military briefing by the commander of the Russian forces operating in Syria.
President Putin offered congratulations to the Russian forces operating in Syria on occasion of Christmas.
President al-Assad also congratulated the Russian officers and soldiers on occasion of Christmas, expressing the appreciation of himself and the Syrian people for the sacrifices made by the Russian forces alongside their counterpart in the Syrian Arab Army.
Later, Presidents al-Assad and Putin discussed, during two meetings, one of them was a closed meeting, the recent developments in the region, as well as plans for eliminating the terrorism which threatens the safety and security of Syrian citizens in Idleb, and developments in the north of Syria and Turkey’s actions there, as well as supporting the political track and preparing suitable conditions for it.
The two Presidents affirmed that the main target of the political track is the return of security and stability to all Syrian regions, the achievement of the Syrian people’s interests in preserving Syria’s unity, independence and safety of its territories to push towards a better economic environment to start the reconstruction process.
Accompanied by President al-Assad, President Putin toured Damascus city, visiting the Grand Umayyad Mosque and the shrine of St. John the Baptist located in it, writing an entry in the record of visitors.
President Putin also visited the Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus (dedicate to Ous Lady of Dormition – ed), the oldest church in Damascus and the seat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, gifting it an icon depicting the Virgin Mary. The two presidents lit two candles for prevailing peace and safety in Syria. President Putin concluded his visit to Syria as President al-Assad bid Farewell to him at Damascus international
SANA NEWS
MAIN SOURCES
GOSPA NEWS ALL SYRIAN REPORTS


veteranstoday--2020-01-07--Iran Bombards al Asad Air Base in Iraq….Home of US-ISIS Air Force

Veterans Today hopes no Americans are hurt in this extremely justified retaliatory attack against the cowardly actions of the American military stationed at this base .
30 Iranian guided missiles have so far hit al Asad Air Base in Iraq , home of the United States Air Force and largest base in Iraq .
The US deployed multiple batteries of Patriot Missiles to the base in May in case of such at attack .
As of 6:20PM EST , the US acknowledged that 6 Iranian missiles have hit the base and none , thus far , have been successfully intercepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Iran .
These are either cruise missiles or short range ballistic missiles .
All over the country , ” said a senior US military source stationed in Iraq , reported Fox News ’ Jennifer Griffin .
Multiple missiles have been launched at Iraq from Iran targeting American military facilities , according to a U.S. official .
“ This morning , courageous fighters of the IRGC ’ s Air Force launched a successful operation called Operation Martyr Soleimani , with the code ‘ Oh Zahra ’ by firing tens of ground-to-ground missiles at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. forces , ” the country ’ s state-run news outlet ISNA reported .
A U.S. official confirms to ABC News that ballistic missiles have been fired from inside Iran at multiple U.S. military facilities inside Iraq on Wednesday morning , local time .
The facilities include Erbil in northern Iraq and Al Asad Air Base in western Iraq , the official said .
“ We are aware of the reports of attacks on US facilities in Iraq , ” according to a statement from White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team.
” The attack comes days after the U.S. killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a drone attack in Iraq .

VT hopes no Americans are hurt in this extremely justified retaliatory attack against the cowardly actions of the American military stationed at this base.
Let us know what you think, if Iran is justified in the attack on US forces or not…
The IRGC also warned all US allies in the region that they will be targeted if any aggressive action is undertaken from their territory, putting Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel on notice.
7: PM Eastern Time, 13 ballistic missiles have hit al Asad as Patriot batteries installed in May fail.
30 Iranian guided missiles have so far hit al Asad Air Base in Iraq, home of the United States Air Force and largest base in Iraq. The US deployed multiple batteries of Patriot Missiles to the base in May in case of such an attack. As of 6:20PM EST, the US acknowledged that 6 Iranian missiles have hit the base and none, thus far, have been successfully intercepted. More to come… اولین فیلم از شلیک موشک های سپاه بسوی پایگاه های آمریکا نکته: موشک ها مایل پرتاب هستند pic.twitter.com/mrYQHb82G2 — Hossein Dalirian 🚩 (@HosseinDalirian) January 7, 2020 Confirmed by CNN Under missile attack from Iran. These are either cruise missiles or short range ballistic missiles. All over the country,” said a senior US military source stationed in Iraq, reported Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin. From ABC: Multiple missiles have been launched at Iraq from Iran targeting American military facilities, according to a U.S. official. “This morning, courageous fighters of the IRGC’s Air Force launched a successful operation called Operation Martyr Soleimani, with the code ‘Oh Zahra’ by firing tens of ground-to-ground missiles at the base of the terrorist and invasive U.S. forces,” the country’s state-run news outlet ISNA reported. A U.S. official confirms to ABC News that ballistic missiles have been fired from inside Iran at multiple U.S. military facilities inside Iraq on Wednesday morning, local time. The facilities include Erbil in northern Iraq and Al Asad Air Base in western Iraq, the official said. “We are aware of the reports of attacks on US facilities in Iraq,” according to a statement from White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham. “The President has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team.” Ain al-Asad air base in the western Anbar desert, Iraq, Dec. 29, 2019. Ain al-Asad air base in the western Anbar desert, Iraq, Dec. 29, 2019.Nasser Nasser/AP, FILE MORE: Pompeo defends strike on Iranian general amid scrutiny over security threat The attack comes days after the U.S. killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a drone attack in Iraq.
Gordon Duff posted articles on VT from 2008 to 2022. He is a Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War. A disabled veteran, he worked on veterans and POW issues for decades. Gordon is an accredited diplomat and is generally accepted as one of the top global intelligence specialists. He manages the world’s largest private intelligence organization and regularly consults with governments challenged by security issues. Duff has traveled extensively, is published around the world, and is a regular guest on TV and radio in more than “several” countries. He is also a trained chef, wine enthusiast, avid motorcyclist, and gunsmith specializing in historical weapons and restoration. Business experience and interests are in energy and defense technology. Gordon’s Archives: 2008-2015
Gordon’s Archives: 2016-2022


veteranstoday--2020-01-07--NEO: Iran’s Hero Has Fallen and Now Our World is an even more Dangerous

by Andre Vltchek for Veterans Today and New Eastern Outlook , Moscow They say he came from a humble background , and worked himself up the ranks , becoming , as many believe , the second most powerful man in Iran .
They say he had the chance to become the next Supreme Leader of the country .
Whenever I visit Iran , I am told how much he is loved by his people .
He became the symbol of resistance against the West ; the symbol of the strength and dignity of the nation which was attacked , colonized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And now , Iran ’ s Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani is no more .
And the U.S. Commander-in-Chief , Donald Trump , is proudly claiming responsibility for his demise .
The statement from the Pentagon came promptly , and it was clear : “ At the direction of the president , the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani… This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans .
The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world.
” Almost immediately , RT and others asked me to analyze .
I could not help but define what was done at the airport outside Baghdad , Iraq , as a vulgar and brutal extra-judicial killing .
For the last two months , I have been flying all over the world , writing about ( and filming ) all those horrors that the Empire unleashed against the people with different cultures , living in various parts of the world .
It appears that all boundaries have been crossed .
Washington and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shame , and decency .
They actually never had much of those , but now they have almost none .
Everything appears to be primitive , as in a badly directed mafia film .
If the rulers of the West do not like some country ?
In that case , they simply attack it , starve and destroy it .
As brutal as that .
No U.N. Security Council mediations , no arguments , and no pretending that there should be some legal process .
It has been happening to Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Papua .
It has also been happening to Iran , as well as China and Russia , although those countries have proven to be much tougher to eliminate than Washington ’ s planners originally thought .
The same applies to individuals : people get murdered without a second thought , some quickly , some very slowly and painfully .
Julian Assange is one of them , being slowly tortured to death , in front of the entire world , despite legal and medical experts protesting and demanding his release .
The killing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick and totally unexpected .
The facial expressions of U.S. officials were absolutely shocking : as if mafia bosses were caught in a corner of some filthy den by a bunch of amateur journalists .
Unapologetically , they grinned at the lenses , suggesting : “ So what ?
What are you going to do now ?
Challenge us ?
Us ?
We ’ ll break your legs or something… ” And nobody , absolutely nobody really dares to challenge them !
Not yet .
Not at this moment .
It is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an entire country , or you kill a person , and then you show your piece ; your well-maintained revolver , or two .
You expose your guns and an ugly row of teeth .
You say , or you suggest without pronouncing it : “ You have a wife , and two daughters back home , don ’ t you ?
You don ’ t want anything to happen to them , right ?
” It is on that level , now .
It is not any better than that , don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend yourself – you die ; your family dies .
Or your family members get violated .
Or both .
Do you like it ?
You don ’ t like it ?
You absolutely detested it ?
Who cares !
The Empire has guns .
It is all it has .
The ability to kill and to rape .
It has become dumb , degenerate .
It produces hardly anything of value .
But it has millions of weapons , as well as a monstrous propaganda machine .
Now , seriously : what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation with thousands of years of culture do ?
Can it defend itself ?
Honestly , if you think it can , then say it : how ?
If it retaliates , it could be erased from the face of the earth .
If it doesn ’ t do anything , it will lose face , self-respect , as well as the purpose to continue with its struggle for true independence and its unique form of socialism .
For years and decades , Iran has been a thorn in the eye of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western-injected terrorism in Iraq , Syria , and Lebanon .
Iranian ally in Lebanon , Hezbollah , has been defending the country against Israeli invasions while providing social support to poor and needy citizens .
Iran has been giving jobs and temporary shelter to many Afghan citizens , particularly those from Herat , people who have absolutely nothing left after the horrendous U.S./NATO occupation of the country .
I worked in Afghanistan , and I saw tremendous lines in front of the Iranian consulate in Herat .
Iran has even been deeply involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social housing in Venezuela , Evo ’ s Bolivia , and elsewhere .
And now , recently , it began moving closer and closer to two of Washington ’ s arch enemies : China and Russia .
Therefore , it has been decided in the annals of Washington and the Pentagon : Iran has to be stopped ; destroyed .
At any price .
Meaning , any price would have to be paid by the Iranian citizens .
I am convinced that this madness has to be stopped .
But also , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Iraq , Libya or Afghanistan , someone will be next .
First , most likely , Venezuela , and then Cuba .
But then , perhaps , most likely , Russia or China , or both .
The Empire will not stop by itself .
If not opposed , it will get more and more emboldened .
It is a tremendous mistake to let it literally ‘ get away with a murder ’ .
Today , a brave Iranian General has been murdered .
Washington is smiling provocatively , cynically .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world : “ Stay on your couches in front of television sets .
Be petrified .
Do nothing .
Or else !
” Yes , the world is scared .
There are reasons to be scared .
But the world simply has to act .
These brutal , cowardly acts of degeneracy and fundamentalism/fanaticism committed by the Empire have to be stopped , sooner or later , in the name of our human race .
Otherwise , soon , there will be no humanity left !
[ First published by NEO – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Academy of Sciences , under the same title ] ABOUT THE AUTHOR : Andre Vltchek is a philosopher , novelist , filmmaker and investigative journalist .
He has covered wars and conflicts in dozens of countries .
Five of his latest books are “ China Belt and Road Initiative ” , “ China and Ecological Civilization ” with John B. Cobb , Jr. , “ Revolutionary Optimism , Western Nihilism ” , a revolutionary novel “ Aurora ” and a bestselling work of political non-fiction : “ Exposing Lies Of The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here .
Watch Rwanda Gambit , his groundbreaking documentary about Rwanda and DRCongo and his film/dialogue with Noam Chomsky “ On Western Terrorism ” .
Vltchek presently resides in East Asia and Latin America and continues to work around the world .
He can be reached through his website , his and his Patreon .

by Andre Vltchek for VT and New Eastern Outlook, Moscow
They say he came from a humble background, and worked himself up the ranks, becoming, as many believe, the second most powerful man in Iran. They say he had the chance to become the next Supreme Leader of the country.
Whenever I visit Iran, I am told how much he is loved by his people. He became the symbol of resistance against the West; the symbol of the strength and dignity of the nation which was attacked, colonized and starved by several Western capitals.
And now, Iran’s Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani is no more. And the U.S. Commander-in-Chief, Donald Trump, is proudly claiming responsibility for his demise.
The statement from the Pentagon came promptly, and it was clear:
“At the direction of the president, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani… This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and interests wherever they are around the world.”
Defensive action…
Almost immediately, RT and others asked me to analyze.
I could not help but define what was done at the airport outside Baghdad, Iraq, as a vulgar and brutal extra-judicial killing.
For the last two months, I have been flying all over the world, writing about (and filming) all those horrors that the Empire unleashed against the people with different cultures, living in various parts of the world.
The Middle East, China, Latin America.
It appears that all boundaries have been crossed. Washington and its NATO allies have lost all restraint, shame, and decency. They actually never had much of those, but now they have almost none.
Everything appears to be primitive, as in a badly directed mafia film. If the rulers of the West do not like some country? In that case, they simply attack it, starve and destroy it. As brutal as that. No U.N. Security Council mediations, no arguments, and no pretending that there should be some legal process.
It has been happening to Hong Kong, To Bolivia, Venezuela and West Papua. It has also been happening to Iran, as well as China and Russia, although those countries have proven to be much tougher to eliminate than Washington’s planners originally thought.
The same applies to individuals: people get murdered without a second thought, some quickly, some very slowly and painfully. Julian Assange is one of them, being slowly tortured to death, in front of the entire world, despite legal and medical experts protesting and demanding his release.
The killing of Qasem Soleimani and others in Baghdad was quick and totally unexpected.
The facial expressions of U.S. officials were absolutely shocking: as if mafia bosses were caught in a corner of some filthy den by a bunch of amateur journalists. Unapologetically, they grinned at the lenses, suggesting: “So what? What are you going to do now? Challenge us? Us? We’ll break your legs or something…”
And nobody, absolutely nobody really dares to challenge them! Not yet. Not at this moment.
It is one tested, bulletproof game. You destroy an entire country, or you kill a person, and then you show your piece; your well-maintained revolver, or two. You expose your guns and an ugly row of teeth. You say, or you suggest without pronouncing it: “You have a wife, and two daughters back home, don’t you? You don’t want anything to happen to them, right?”
It is on that level, now. It is not any better than that, don’t you see?
If you defend yourself – you die; your family dies. Or your family members get violated. Or both.
Do you like it? You don’t like it? You absolutely detested it? Who cares! The Empire has guns. It is all it has. The ability to kill and to rape. It has become dumb, degenerate. It produces hardly anything of value. But it has millions of weapons, as well as a monstrous propaganda machine.
Now, seriously: what can Iran do? What can a nation with thousands of years of culture do?
Can it defend itself? Honestly, if you think it can, then say it: how?
If it retaliates, it could be erased from the face of the earth. If it doesn’t do anything, it will lose face, self-respect, as well as the purpose to continue with its struggle for true independence and its unique form of socialism.
For years and decades, Iran has been a thorn in the eye of the West. Its allies have fought against Western-injected terrorism in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. Iranian ally in Lebanon, Hezbollah, has been defending the country against Israeli invasions while providing social support to poor and needy citizens. Iran has been giving jobs and temporary shelter to many Afghan citizens, particularly those from Herat, people who have absolutely nothing left after the horrendous U.S./NATO occupation of the country. I worked in Afghanistan, and I saw tremendous lines in front of the Iranian consulate in Herat. Iran has even been deeply involved in Latin America, helping, building social housing in Venezuela, Evo’s Bolivia, and elsewhere.
And now, recently, it began moving closer and closer to two of Washington’s arch enemies: China and Russia.
Therefore, it has been decided in the annals of Washington and the Pentagon: Iran has to be stopped; destroyed. At any price. Meaning, any price would have to be paid by the Iranian citizens.
I am convinced that this madness has to be stopped.
For Iran’s sake.
But also, because, if Iran is ruined, destroyed like Iraq, Libya or Afghanistan, someone will be next. First, most likely, Venezuela, and then Cuba. But then, perhaps, most likely, Russia or China, or both.
The Empire will not stop by itself.
If not opposed, it will get more and more emboldened.
It is a tremendous mistake to let it literally ‘get away with a murder’.
Today, a brave Iranian General has been murdered. Washington is smiling provocatively, cynically.
It is sending vibes to all corners of the world: “Stay on your couches in front of television sets. Be petrified. Do nothing. Or else!”
Yes, the world is scared. There are reasons to be scared. But the world simply has to act. These brutal, cowardly acts of degeneracy and fundamentalism/fanaticism committed by the Empire have to be stopped, sooner or later, in the name of our human race. Otherwise, soon, there will be no humanity left!
[First published by NEO – New Eastern Outlook – a journal of the Russian Academy of Sciences, under the same title]