21stcenturywire--2020-03-03--Super Tuesday Roundup: Rigging for Biden? Other ‘Berning’ Questions

SELFIE POLITICS : Is ex-President Obama working the backchannels to help Biden ?
The much anticipated “ Super Tuesday ” national primary commences today across 14 states as candidates scrap for delegates to take to the Democratic Party convention to be held this summer in Milwaukee .
Shortly after Joe Biden ’ s expected win in South Carolina last weekend , there was a sudden bloodbath of candidate exits from the primary : Tom Steyer , billionaire hedge funder and creator of the “ Need to Impeach ” movement ; Pete Buttigieg , former Mayor of South Bend , Indiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lastly , Amy Klobuchar , sitting U.S .
Senator from Minnesota who had zero chance and zero message – all suspended their campaigns .
Which begs the question : What were they really running for , if to only drop out of the race before the primary election ’ s biggest day ?
The Dems seem intent on propping up Biden , who has already self-destructed dozens if not hundreds of times on the campaign trail .
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been on fire of late , traversing the country and drawing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blacked out by mainstream media – all the while hammering home her overarching campaign message of ‘ foreign policy is domestic policy.
’ Now that Tulsi is in the proverbial ‘ Top 5 ’ ( albeit by attrition ) , will she pull some delegates on Super Tuesday and force the pundits to finally pay attention ?
And then there ’ s the current frontrunner Bernie Sanders .
Are the Democratic Party elites rigging the primary against Bernie , once again , and this time in favor of Biden ?
For commentary on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writer and political commentator , Stephen Lendman : The hugely corrupted US political process is too debauched to fix , ordinary Americans with no say over how they ’ re governed .
Elections when held are political theater .
Back-room deal-making decides things , not voters .
Going to the polls is a waste of time when so-called elections always turn out the same way under one-party rule with two right wings .
In 2016 , Hillary ’ s Dem party takeover robbed Sanders of the nomination as standard bearer he likely would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The process was like holding a world series or super bowl with only one team represented .
Sanders never had a chance and knew it .
Are things now manipulated the same way in the race to be Dem standard bearer in November ?
Based on his voting record , along party lines most often , Sanders assures continuity if elected to the nation ’ s highest office .
Yet he ’ s likely seen not safe enough by Dem party bosses and monied interests backing them .
Despite holding a sizable lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an average of national polls , showing him more popular than rivals for the nation ’ s highest office , things are being manipulated against him to benefit Biden .
Notably ahead of Super Tuesday , Buttigieg and Klobuchar dropped out of the race , their announcements timed to boost Biden ’ s chances in Tuesday voting — one of many ways the US political system is rigged .
Reportedly Obama and other Dem insiders pushed Buttigieg and Klobuchar to drop out and endorse Biden .
On Monday , they appeared separately with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — timed ahead of Tuesday primaries in 14 states , including California and Texas , with 1,357 of 3,979 delegates at stake .
Their sellout to party bosses , likely in return for special favors offered , likely boosts Biden ’ s Super Tuesday chances at Sanders ’ expense .
Key is whether Warren will drop out , endorse him , help his campaign , and make it a three-candidate race .
Late entrant/super-rich Bloomberg will likely stay the course as long as he sees a chance to buy the Dem nomination .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrown at the race is pocket change for a figure worth about $ 55 billion , according to Forbes magazine .
Dem party bosses likely see him as an alternate choice against Sanders if popular support for Biden fades in upcoming primaries .
For now , establishment Dems are publicly endorsing the former vice president — not Obama so far , remaining publicly neutral despite clearly favoring Biden over Sanders .
According to NBC News , “ ( p ) eople close to Obama said the former president has been keeping close tabs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the signal has been sent in the past 36 hours that he sees Biden as the candidate to back , and they don ’ t need Obama to say it publicly or privately.
” Separately , NBC News said sources close to Bloomberg explained that he ’ s “ test ( ing ) the theory ” that Biden won ’ t be nominated .
So he ’ s not bowing out of the race at this time even though aware of long odds against him .
Based on polls so far , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Longstanding establishment figure Biden as US senator and vice president since 1973 reflects virtually everything disturbing about dirty business as usual in Washington .
He never met a US war of aggression against a nonthreatening nation he didn ’ t wholeheartedly endorse .
Hostile to people of color and the nation ’ s poor , he ’ s militantly pro-Wall Street , pro-the military , industrial , security complex , pro Big Oil and Big Pharma .
He supports the humanly destructive war on drugs and US gulag prison system , operating domestically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control and Law Enforcement Act he championed led to the imprisonment of millions of Black and Latino Americans — largely for illicit drug possession and other nonviolent offenses .
He once argued that Roe v. Wade ( a woman ’ s right to choose , to maintain sovereignty over her own body ) “ went too far , ” adding : “ I don ’ t think that a woman has the sole right to say what should happen to her body.
” He backed the notorious Hyde amendment , prohibiting federal funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act .
It notably made federal and private student loan indebtedness non-dischargeable , debt bondage relief through bankruptcy unattainable .
He backed the 1999 Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act , repealing Glass-Steagall .
The 1930s law separated commercial from investment banks and insurers , among other provisions , curbing speculation — unleashed by this deplorable legislation .
He also backed the 2000 Commodities Futures Modernization Act — preventing regulatory oversight of derivatives and leveraging .
It made Wall Street more of a casino , operating on only the house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police state laws — while opposing Net Neutrality .
He never met a tax cut for corporate America and high net-worth households he didn ’ t endorse .
He ’ s militantly hostile to all sovereign independent states on the US target list for regime change .
He supports monied interests exclusively over the public welfare he disdains .
Based on his deplorable political record , he ’ s the worst of all Dem aspirants — a warmaker , not a peacemaker , an anti-progressive , not a man of the people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Hillary clone with a gender difference .
VISIT MY NEW WEB SITE : stephenlendman.org ( Home – Stephen Lendman ) .
Contact at [ email protected ] .
My newest book as editor and contributor is titled “ Flashpoint in Ukraine : How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.
” www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

By
SELFIE POLITICS: Is ex-President Obama working the backchannels to help Biden?
The much anticipated “Super Tuesday” national primary commences today across 14 states as candidates scrap for delegates to take to the Democratic Party convention to be held this summer in Milwaukee.
Shortly after Joe Biden’s expected win in South Carolina last weekend, there was a sudden bloodbath of candidate exits from the primary:
Tom Steyer, billionaire hedge funder and creator of the “Need to Impeach” movement; Pete Buttigieg, former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and McKinsey #WineCave guy; and lastly, Amy Klobuchar, sitting U.S. Senator from Minnesota who had zero chance and zero message – all suspended their campaigns.
Which begs the question: What were they really running for, if to only drop out of the race before the primary election’s biggest day?
The Dems seem intent on propping up Biden, who has already self-destructed dozens if not hundreds of times on the campaign trail.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been on fire of late, traversing the country and drawing good crowds as she continues to be blacked out by mainstream media – all the while hammering home her overarching campaign message of ‘foreign policy is domestic policy.’
Now that Tulsi is in the proverbial ‘Top 5’ (albeit by attrition), will she pull some delegates on Super Tuesday and force the pundits to finally pay attention?
.@TulsiGabbard is on fire 🔥 only active military personnel, only veteran of deployments (2) to Mideast conflict zones, only woman of color & youngest candidate running for president. DNC hates her for resigning as DNC vice chair in 2016, for her integrity & independence. ❤🇺🇸💪 https://t.co/5Scbo5lkFC — Tim Canova (@Tim_Canova) March 3, 2020
And then there’s the current frontrunner Bernie Sanders. Are the Democratic Party elites rigging the primary against Bernie, once again, and this time in favor of Biden?
For commentary on this and more, we turn to writer and political commentator, Stephen Lendman:
Are Dems Rigging Things for Biden?
The hugely corrupted US political process is too debauched to fix, ordinary Americans with no say over how they’re governed.
Elections when held are political theater. Back-room deal-making decides things, not voters.
Going to the polls is a waste of time when so-called elections always turn out the same way under one-party rule with two right wings.
In 2016, Hillary’s Dem party takeover robbed Sanders of the nomination as standard bearer he likely would have won if things were fair.
The process was like holding a world series or super bowl with only one team represented.
Sanders never had a chance and knew it. Are things now manipulated the same way in the race to be Dem standard bearer in November?
Based on his voting record, along party lines most often, Sanders assures continuity if elected to the nation’s highest office.
Yet he’s likely seen not safe enough by Dem party bosses and monied interests backing them.
Despite holding a sizable lead over other Dem aspirants and Trump in an average of national polls, showing him more popular than rivals for the nation’s highest office, things are being manipulated against him to benefit Biden.
Notably ahead of Super Tuesday, Buttigieg and Klobuchar dropped out of the race, their announcements timed to boost Biden’s chances in Tuesday voting — one of many ways the US political system is rigged.
Reportedly Obama and other Dem insiders pushed Buttigieg and Klobuchar to drop out and endorse Biden.
On Monday, they appeared separately with the former vice president to back him — timed ahead of Tuesday primaries in 14 states, including California and Texas, with 1,357 of 3,979 delegates at stake.
Their sellout to party bosses, likely in return for special favors offered, likely boosts Biden’s Super Tuesday chances at Sanders’ expense.
Key is whether Warren will drop out, endorse him, help his campaign, and make it a three-candidate race.
Late entrant/super-rich Bloomberg will likely stay the course as long as he sees a chance to buy the Dem nomination.
A billion here, a billion there thrown at the race is pocket change for a figure worth about $55 billion, according to Forbes magazine.
Dem party bosses likely see him as an alternate choice against Sanders if popular support for Biden fades in upcoming primaries.
For now, establishment Dems are publicly endorsing the former vice president — not Obama so far, remaining publicly neutral despite clearly favoring Biden over Sanders.
According to NBC News, “(p)eople close to Obama said the former president has been keeping close tabs on the race.”
“They said the signal has been sent in the past 36 hours that he sees Biden as the candidate to back, and they don’t need Obama to say it publicly or privately.”
Separately, NBC News said sources close to Bloomberg explained that he’s “test(ing) the theory” that Biden won’t be nominated.
So he’s not bowing out of the race at this time even though aware of long odds against him. Based on polls so far, he may not win a single state.
Longstanding establishment figure Biden as US senator and vice president since 1973 reflects virtually everything disturbing about dirty business as usual in Washington.
He never met a US war of aggression against a nonthreatening nation he didn’t wholeheartedly endorse.
Hostile to people of color and the nation’s poor, he’s militantly pro-Wall Street, pro-the military, industrial, security complex, pro Big Oil and Big Pharma.
He supports the humanly destructive war on drugs and US gulag prison system, operating domestically and abroad.
The 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act he championed led to the imprisonment of millions of Black and Latino Americans — largely for illicit drug possession and other nonviolent offenses.
He once argued that Roe v. Wade (a woman’s right to choose, to maintain sovereignty over her own body) “went too far,” adding:
“I don’t think that a woman has the sole right to say what should happen to her body.”
He backed the notorious Hyde amendment, prohibiting federal funding for abortions.
He supported the anti-consumer 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act.
It notably made federal and private student loan indebtedness non-dischargeable, debt bondage relief through bankruptcy unattainable.
He backed the 1999 Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, repealing Glass-Steagall. The 1930s law separated commercial from investment banks and insurers, among other provisions, curbing speculation — unleashed by this deplorable legislation.
He also backed the 2000 Commodities Futures Modernization Act — preventing regulatory oversight of derivatives and leveraging. It made Wall Street more of a casino, operating on only the house wins rules.
He supported all post-9/11 police state laws — while opposing Net Neutrality.
He never met a tax cut for corporate America and high net-worth households he didn’t endorse.
He’s militantly hostile to all sovereign independent states on the US target list for regime change.
He supports monied interests exclusively over the public welfare he disdains.
Based on his deplorable political record, he’s the worst of all Dem aspirants — a warmaker, not a peacemaker, an anti-progressive, not a man of the people, a shill for powerful interests exclusively, a Hillary clone with a gender difference.
VISIT HIS WEB SITE: stephenlendman.org (Home – Stephen Lendman). Contact at [email protected].
Read his newest book as editor and contributor titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.” www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html
READ MORE 2020 ELECTION NEWS: 21st Century Wire 2020 Election Files
SUPPORT OUR MEDIA PLATFORM – SUBSCRIBE & BECOME A MEMBER @21WIRE.TV


21stcenturywire--2020-03-04--MH17: New Revelations – UKC NEWS SPECIAL EDITION

On July 17 , 2014 , Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine ’ s Donbass region @ @ @ @ @ and 15 crew .
What followed has been a geopolitical battle between the US and @ @ @ @ @ ) on one side , and Russia on the other , which each side asserting @ @ @ @ @ for the disaster .
Following on from last night ’ s press conference with Bonanza @ @ @ @ @ editor Patrick Henningsen had great discussion here with independent investigators and documentary filmmakers Yana Yerlashova @ @ @ @ @ today about what to expect at the upcoming MH17 Trial in The Hague , Netherlands @ @ @ @ @ guilty and who is innocent ?
One thing is certain now : the official narrative @ @ @ @ @

By
On July 17, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine’s Donbass region, killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew. What followed has been a geopolitical battle between the US and NATO bloc (including Ukraine) on one side, and Russia on the other, which each side asserting that the other is responsible for the disaster.
Following on from last night’s press conference with Bonanza Media in London, 21WIRE editor Patrick Henningsen had great discussion here with independent investigators and documentary filmmakers Yana Yerlashova and Max Van Der Werff today about what to expect at the upcoming MH17 Trial in The Hague, Netherlands next week. Who is guilty and who is innocent? One thing is certain now: the official narrative is collapsing. Watch:
.
READ MORE UKRAINE NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Ukraine Files
SUPPORT 21WIREOUR MEDIA PLATFORM – SUBSCRIBE & BECOME A MEMBER @21WIRE.TV


21stcenturywire--2020-03-05--Super Tuesday Exposes An Illusion of Democracy in America

Longstanding establishment figure Biden assured continuity throughout his near-half century in the Senate and as Obama regime vice president .
His domestic and geopolitical agendas are polar opposite change for world peace and governance serving all Americans equitably — notions he opposed throughout his public life .
It ’ s why Dem party bosses want him as standard bearer in November .
The same goes for anti-Trump establishment media .
They ’ re in pro-Biden against Sanders mode , the Vermont senator not considered “ safe ” enough — even though he goes along to get along most often , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With Klobuchar out of the race and Warren close to dropping out , the endorsement given both candidates by the Times will likely shift to Biden over Sanders by its editorial board that ’ s militantly hostile toward Trump for defeating media darling Hillary .
He ’ s criticized largely for winning an election he was supposed to lose , not for his high crimes of war and against humanity , not for serving privileged interests exclusively at the expense of the public welfare — an agenda the Times and other establishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and geopolitical agendas are no different .
Throughout his public life , he ’ s been pro-war , pro-business , anti-progressive , anti-labor , anti-governance serving everyone equitably— anti-what matters most to ordinary Americans .
It ’ s why the Times and most other establishment media will likely back him against Sanders and Trump .
In its latest edition , the Times defied reality , calling Biden “ the change candidate ” for initiatives like “ universal healthcare ” — a notion Republican and Dem policymakers deplore , Biden against it throughout his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the Times .
Biden ’ s Super Tuesday performance had nothing to do with “ a triumph of pragmatism , ” as the self-styled newspaper of record falsely claimed .
It had everything to with the power of manipulation , things rigged for him to win 9 of 14 states , including Texas where Sanders held a 9-point pre-election lead but lost .
Not according to the Times , claiming voters resurrected Biden , not Dem party bosses , reinventing reality , including by claiming : “ ( A ) groundswell among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders nomination would be a Republican dream ( sic ) .
” So-called “ moderates ” from either right wing of the one-party are extremists wrapped in restrained rhetoric to conceal their hardline positions .
Polls show Sanders more likely to defeat Trump than Biden in November .
The Hillary-controlled DNC stole the nomination from Sanders in 2016 , history apparently repeating now , Dem party bosses rigging things for Biden — supported by the Times and other establishment media .
The self-styled newspaper of record lauded Dem dropouts to consolidate support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former vice president “ succeeded in building up good will among both his allies and rivals…on Super Tuesday definitely prov ( ing ) its worth ( sic ) .
” Super Tuesday results proved that people power at the polls is no match against manipulation by party bosses for the candidate of their choice .
Post-Super Tuesday , Washington Post columnists formed a virtual pro-Biden cheering section , featuring remarks like the following : “ Relieved that…Biden had the superest of Tuesdays…relieved because…Sanders would not be a strong general election candidate against President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His presence on the ticket would not only risk Trump ’ s reelection but also the potential loss of the House ( Dem ) majority and the chance for ( Dem ) control of the Senate ( sic ) .
” No evidence supports the above claims .
Polls show Sanders likely strongest among Dems to beat Trump in November .
Here ’ s more from WaPo : Super Tuesday results “ were an endorsement of gradualism over revolution , and pragmatism… ( that ) should scare ” Trump ( sic ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no say over who serves in high office and how they ’ re governed .
“ Joe Biden is back in business , ” another WaPo endorsement of his candidacy headlined , saying : “ Suddenly “ ( he ’ s ) invincible…rolling up ” multiple victories ” — what he never did before in two previous presidential campaigns , a proved loser magically transformed into a winner by the power of election rigging .
Claiming the “ Biden surge was all about Trump ” is malarkey .
It ’ s all about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public ’ s .
According to pro-Biden WaPo rubbish , “ Sanders and…Trump would constitute the most repulsive presidential choice in US history ( sic ) .
” Virtually never do US voters get to choose who ’ ll lead and otherwise serve them in high-level Washington positions .
Voting is a waste of time because elections always turn out the same way — dirty business as usual always winning .
November 2020 won ’ t change a thing .
Democracy in America is pure illusion , the real thing banned from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editor and contributor titled “ Flashpoint in Ukraine : How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III ” at www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html .

By
By Stephen Lendman
Longstanding establishment figure Biden assured continuity throughout his near-half century in the Senate and as Obama regime vice president.
His domestic and geopolitical agendas are polar opposite change for world peace and governance serving all Americans equitably — notions he opposed throughout his public life.
It’s why Dem party bosses want him as standard bearer in November. The same goes for anti-Trump establishment media.
They’re in pro-Biden against Sanders mode, the Vermont senator not considered “safe” enough — even though he goes along to get along most often, his rhetoric and voting record diverging widely.
With Klobuchar out of the race and Warren close to dropping out, the endorsement given both candidates by the Times will likely shift to Biden over Sanders by its editorial board that’s militantly hostile toward Trump for defeating media darling Hillary.
He’s criticized largely for winning an election he was supposed to lose, not for his high crimes of war and against humanity, not for serving privileged interests exclusively at the expense of the public welfare — an agenda the Times and other establishment media support.
Biden’s domestic and geopolitical agendas are no different. Throughout his public life, he’s been pro-war, pro-business, anti-progressive, anti-labor, anti-governance serving everyone equitably— anti-what matters most to ordinary Americans.
It’s why the Times and most other establishment media will likely back him against Sanders and Trump.
In its latest edition, the Times defied reality, calling Biden “the change candidate” for initiatives like “universal healthcare” — a notion Republican and Dem policymakers deplore, Biden against it throughout his political life.
So are establishment media like the Times. Biden’s Super Tuesday performance had nothing to do with “a triumph of pragmatism,” as the self-styled newspaper of record falsely claimed.
It had everything to with the power of manipulation, things rigged for him to win 9 of 14 states, including Texas where Sanders held a 9-point pre-election lead but lost.
Not according to the Times, claiming voters resurrected Biden, not Dem party bosses, reinventing reality, including by claiming:
“(A) groundswell among moderates (were) fearful that a Sanders nomination would be a Republican dream (sic).”
So-called “moderates” from either right wing of the one-party are extremists wrapped in restrained rhetoric to conceal their hardline positions.
Polls show Sanders more likely to defeat Trump than Biden in November.
The Hillary-controlled DNC stole the nomination from Sanders in 2016, history apparently repeating now, Dem party bosses rigging things for Biden — supported by the Times and other establishment media.
The self-styled newspaper of record lauded Dem dropouts to consolidate support for Biden over Sanders, adding:
The former vice president “succeeded in building up good will among both his allies and rivals…on Super Tuesday definitely prov(ing) its worth (sic).”
Super Tuesday results proved that people power at the polls is no match against manipulation by party bosses for the candidate of their choice.
Post-Super Tuesday, Washington Post columnists formed a virtual pro-Biden cheering section, featuring remarks like the following:
“Relieved that…Biden had the superest of Tuesdays…relieved because…Sanders would not be a strong general election candidate against President Trump (sic).”
“His presence on the ticket would not only risk Trump’s reelection but also the potential loss of the House (Dem) majority and the chance for (Dem) control of the Senate (sic).”
No evidence supports the above claims. Polls show Sanders likely strongest among Dems to beat Trump in November.
Here’s more from WaPo: Super Tuesday results “were an endorsement of gradualism over revolution, and pragmatism…(that) should scare” Trump (sic).
Super Tuesday results showed ordinary Americans have no say over who serves in high office and how they’re governed.
“Joe Biden is back in business,” another WaPo endorsement of his candidacy headlined, saying:
“Suddenly “(he’s) invincible…rolling up” multiple victories” — what he never did before in two previous presidential campaigns, a proved loser magically transformed into a winner by the power of election rigging.
Claiming the “Biden surge was all about Trump” is malarkey. It’s all about the choice of party bosses, not the public’s.
According to pro-Biden WaPo rubbish, “Sanders and…Trump would constitute the most repulsive presidential choice in US history (sic).”
Virtually never do US voters get to choose who’ll lead and otherwise serve them in high-level Washington positions.
Voting is a waste of time because elections always turn out the same way — dirty business as usual always winning.
November 2020 won’t change a thing. Democracy in America is pure illusion, the real thing banned from inception.
VISIT HIS WEBSITE: stephenlendman.org (Home – Stephen Lendman). Contact at [email protected].
Read his newest book as editor and contributor titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III” at www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html.
READ MORE 2020 ELECTION NEWS: 21st Century Wire 2020 Election Files
SUPPORT OUR MEDIA PLATFORM – SUBSCRIBE & BECOME A MEMBER @21WIRE.TV


21stcenturywire--2020-03-06--UN, US Team-up to Demonize Russia and Syria

The UN consistently fails to denounce US wars of aggression , time and again blaming victimized nations for its high crimes .
In 2011 , the UN Human Rights Council established the so-called Independent International Commission of Inquiry ( COI ) on the Syrian Arab Republic Headed by pro-Western Paulo Sergio Pinheiro , there ’ s nothing remotely “ independent ” about its falsified reports .
Operating as an imperial tool , time and again it falsely blamed Syria for US-led high crimes against the nation and its people — ignoring Pentagon-led terror-bombing , responsible for vast destruction and tens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why the COI long ago lost credibility .
Its latest report falsely accused Russian and Syrian forces for high crimes committed by US/Turkish supported jihadists in Idlib province , Syria — covering the July 11 , 2019 – January 10 , 2020 period .
Saying “ ( a ) fter nearly nine years , Syrian women , children and men continue to face unprecedented levels of suffering and pain ” failed to lay blame where it belongs — on the US most of all , its imperial partners sharing responsibility for crimes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falsely accused Syrian and Russian forces of “ carry ( ing ) out aerial and ground attacks in southern Idlib that killed and injured scores of civilians and decimated civilian infrastructure , including markets , camps for displaced persons and most notably hospitals ( sic ) , ” adding : “ These include indiscriminate attacks against protected objects and the use of cluster munitions ( sic ) .
” The above accusations are bald-faced Big Lies , the COI up to its old tricks — falsely blaming Syrian forces , greatly aided by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and against humanity committed by the US , NATO , Turkey and Israel .
The COI falsely claimed fighting in Idlib displaced over 900,000 civilians , leaving them homeless .
Russian satellite imagery debunked the Big Lie , showing Syrians liberated from captivity as human shields by US/Turkish supported jihadists welcoming their liberators and heading back to their home areas .
The COI lied claiming Syrian and Russian forces caused “ a humanitarian catastrophe ( in Idlib ) , families…constantly on the run and children are freezing to death ( sic ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ blamed Russian and Syrian forces of “ intentionally terrorizing the population , ” forcing civilians to move , adding : “ We are seeing that picture emerging very clearly…in Idlib ( sic ) .
” At a March 10 Human Rights Council session , Pinheiro ’ s propaganda report will be presented — littered with Big Lies , hard truths about US/NATO/Turkish/Israeli aggression suppressed…

By
By Stephen Lendman
The UN consistently fails to denounce US wars of aggression, time and again blaming victimized nations for its high crimes.
In 2011, the UN Human Rights Council established the so-called Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the Syrian Arab Republic
Headed by pro-Western Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, there’s nothing remotely “independent” about its falsified reports.
Operating as an imperial tool, time and again it falsely blamed Syria for US-led high crimes against the nation and its people — ignoring Pentagon-led terror-bombing, responsible for vast destruction and tens of thousands of Syrian civilian casualties, why the COI long ago lost credibility.
Its latest report falsely accused Russian and Syrian forces for high crimes committed by US/Turkish supported jihadists in Idlib province, Syria — covering the July 11, 2019 – January 10, 2020 period.
Saying “(a)fter nearly nine years, Syrian women, children and men continue to face unprecedented levels of suffering and pain” failed to lay blame where it belongs — on the US most of all, its imperial partners sharing responsibility for crimes of war and against humanity.
The COI falsely accused Syrian and Russian forces of “carry(ing) out aerial and ground attacks in southern Idlib that killed and injured scores of civilians and decimated civilian infrastructure, including markets, camps for displaced persons and most notably hospitals (sic),” adding:
“These include indiscriminate attacks against protected objects and the use of cluster munitions (sic).”
The above accusations are bald-faced Big Lies, the COI up to its old tricks — falsely blaming Syrian forces, greatly aided by Russian airpower, for crimes of war and against humanity committed by the US, NATO, Turkey and Israel.
The COI falsely claimed fighting in Idlib displaced over 900,000 civilians, leaving them homeless.
Russian satellite imagery debunked the Big Lie, showing Syrians liberated from captivity as human shields by US/Turkish supported jihadists welcoming their liberators and heading back to their home areas.
The COI lied claiming Syrian and Russian forces caused “a humanitarian catastrophe (in Idlib), families…constantly on the run and children are freezing to death (sic).”
COI panel member Hanny Megally falsely blamed Russian and Syrian forces of “intentionally terrorizing the population,” forcing civilians to move, adding:
“We are seeing that picture emerging very clearly…in Idlib (sic).”
At a March 10 Human Rights Council session, Pinheiro’s propaganda report will be presented — littered with Big Lies, hard truths about US/NATO/Turkish/Israeli aggression suppressed…
Continue this article at Stephen Lendman’s blog
READ MORE SYRIA NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Syria Files
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21stcenturywire--2020-03-06--Turkey in Syria: Stuck Down a Blind Alley in an Unwinnable War

Fighting in northern Syria has escalated as Syrian forces retake the last remaining bastions of foreign-funded militants and encircle , cut-off , and in some cases catch in the crossfire their Turkish backers .
Turkey had been making some promising steps in the right direction since Washington ’ s disastrous proxy regime-change war in Syria began unraveling – yet it still maintains a problematic position inside Syrian territory , backing what are unequivocally terrorists and obstructing Syria ’ s sovereign right to recover and restore order within its own borders .
The latest and most dangerous manifestation of this untenable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clashes between Turkish forces occupying Syrian territory and Syrian forces themselves moving deeper into the northern Syrian governorate of Idlib .
The BBC in its article , “ Syria war : Turkey will not let Syrian army advance in Idlib , says Erdogan , ” would summarize the Turkish position amid recent hostilities , reporting : Indeed – hostilities in Idlib will undoubtedly drive fleeing militants and their families toward the Syrian-Turkish border and inevitably compound Turkey ’ s already large refugee problem .
Yet this is not Syria ’ s doing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Iranian allies .
It is the doing of malign US foreign policy that Turkey had initially played a key role in facilitating – and at times still appears to be eagerly abetting .
The refugee crisis in Turkey itself was cynically used several times in the past by Ankara and its Western allies at the time for political leverage in demonizing Damascus and to justify more direct Western intervention against Syria .
But pursuing genuine peace was and still is the obvious solution to the refugee crisis – a solution Turkey has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Along with Turkey ’ s most recent attempt to cite the refugee crisis to justify its military presence in Syria is the Western media which is attempting to reuse years of propaganda to vilify Damascus and its allies , hoping to hinder security operations and drag out hostilities further .
Ironically and unfortunately – such attempts to hide behind humanitarian concern , protracting hostilities – will lead only to more loss of life .
Holding up the refugee crisis as an excuse to continue occupying Syrian territory and expand what is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will do little to justify Turkey ’ s current policy regarding Syria .
It will also do little to improve the prospects of what are essentially unachievable objectives for the Turkish government and military – including maintaining its occupation of Syrian territory and its backing of militants operating there .
Turkish Forces Will Leave Syria – One Way or Another Turkish troops will not be able to remain indefinitely in Syria .
Their proxies will eventually be liquidated and the positions of Turkish forces surrounded by Syrian forces .
In many areas of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Additional Turkish troops and supplies fed into losing battles and what is ultimately a lost war will only delay the inevitable undoing of Turkish interests in Syria .
Ankara could – on the other hand – begin aligning its policies with the reality of what is happening in Idlib and expand its cooperation with Russia and Iran regarding the Syrian conflict – incrementally withdrawing support from militant groups , encouraging them to disarm and surrender , and gradually handing over Turkish positions within Syria to the actual military , government , and people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ankara realizes its position in Syria is untenable and is instead using the prospect of a painful and drawn-out conflict resulting from its refusal to withdraw as a bargaining chip to extract concessions from Damascus and its allies .
Recent hostilities might also be an attempt to bluff Damascus in a bid to prevent further Turkish positions from being absorbed by Syria ’ s moving front line in Idlib .
Ultimately – Turkey ’ s decisions in the days , weeks , and months ahead – will further define the nation as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and subordinate role to the West fades and it forges a new position upon the global stage .
The malicious use of its lingering presence in northern Syria – a leftover of its complicity in the US-engineered proxy war that created the current conflict in the first place – would be unfortunate and would reflect poorly on Ankara and negatively impact its future international relations .
It will impact not only its ties with the principal actors in the current Syrian conflict – but also its ties around the globe as nations seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hegemonies and toward nations of good faith .
Turkey faces a juncture where it must decide if it will move forward into the future with its increasing independence from the United States and NATO – but maintain the same style of malign statecraft as its Western allies – or find a constructive role to play among an emerging multipolar world .
Shelling and bombing Syrian forces inside Syrian territory is a poor start .
It sets Turkey down another blind alley in terms of regional policy – making it more difficult for Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any sort of constructive manner in a post-war regional architecture that will certainly favor Damascus and its allies .
It will also complicate trust in the future should Turkey eventually accept this emerging architecture and seek to benefit from or contribute toward it .
Ankara has already come a long way from its initial support for US regime-change since the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011 to helping – even if sometimes reluctantly – end the deadly , protracted fighting in recent years .
Only time will tell if Ankara will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent confrontation in Syria is merely a temporary setback – or if Ankara is determined to cling to its increasingly untenable position in Syria at the cost of a risky conflict it will ultimately lose .
*** Author Tony Cartalucci , Bangkok-based geopolitical researcher , writer and special contributor to 21st Century Wire .
See more of his work at Tony ’ s archive .
Over the last decade , his work has been published on a number of popular news and analysis websites , and also on the online magazine “ New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can follow him on VK here .

By
Tony Cartalucci
21st Century Wire
Fighting in northern Syria has escalated as Syrian forces retake the last remaining bastions of foreign-funded militants and encircle, cut-off, and in some cases catch in the crossfire their Turkish backers.
Turkey had been making some promising steps in the right direction since Washington’s disastrous proxy regime-change war in Syria began unraveling – yet it still maintains a problematic position inside Syrian territory, backing what are unequivocally terrorists and obstructing Syria’s sovereign right to recover and restore order within its own borders.
The latest and most dangerous manifestation of this untenable policy is the increasingly frequent and fierce clashes between Turkish forces occupying Syrian territory and Syrian forces themselves moving deeper into the northern Syrian governorate of Idlib.
The BBC in its article, “Syria war: Turkey will not let Syrian army advance in Idlib, says Erdogan,” would summarize the Turkish position amid recent hostilities, reporting:
Turkey will not let Syria’s government gain more ground in the opposition stronghold of Idlib province, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says.
Mr Erdogan told reporters that Russian-backed pro-government forces were “driving innocent and grieving people in Idlib towards our borders”.
More than half a million civilians have fled their homes since the government launched an offensive in December.
Mr Erdogan’s warning came after eight Turkish military personnel were killed.
Indeed – hostilities in Idlib will undoubtedly drive fleeing militants and their families toward the Syrian-Turkish border and inevitably compound Turkey’s already large refugee problem. Yet this is not Syria’s doing, nor that of Syria’s Russian and Iranian allies. It is the doing of malign US foreign policy that Turkey had initially played a key role in facilitating – and at times still appears to be eagerly abetting.
The refugee crisis in Turkey itself was cynically used several times in the past by Ankara and its Western allies at the time for political leverage in demonizing Damascus and to justify more direct Western intervention against Syria.
But pursuing genuine peace was and still is the obvious solution to the refugee crisis – a solution Turkey has so far refused to fully commit to. Along with Turkey’s most recent attempt to cite the refugee crisis to justify its military presence in Syria is the Western media which is attempting to reuse years of propaganda to vilify Damascus and its allies, hoping to hinder security operations and drag out hostilities further.
Ironically and unfortunately – such attempts to hide behind humanitarian concern, protracting hostilities – will lead only to more loss of life.
Holding up the refugee crisis as an excuse to continue occupying Syrian territory and expand what is now becoming direct Turkish hostilities against Syrian forces will do little to justify Turkey’s current policy regarding Syria. It will also do little to improve the prospects of what are essentially unachievable objectives for the Turkish government and military – including maintaining its occupation of Syrian territory and its backing of militants operating there.
Turkish Forces Will Leave Syria – One Way or Another
Turkish troops will not be able to remain indefinitely in Syria. Their proxies will eventually be liquidated and the positions of Turkish forces surrounded by Syrian forces. In many areas of Idlib this is already the case. Additional Turkish troops and supplies fed into losing battles and what is ultimately a lost war will only delay the inevitable undoing of Turkish interests in Syria.
Ankara could – on the other hand – begin aligning its policies with the reality of what is happening in Idlib and expand its cooperation with Russia and Iran regarding the Syrian conflict – incrementally withdrawing support from militant groups, encouraging them to disarm and surrender, and gradually handing over Turkish positions within Syria to the actual military, government, and people of Syria.
It is likely that Ankara realizes its position in Syria is untenable and is instead using the prospect of a painful and drawn-out conflict resulting from its refusal to withdraw as a bargaining chip to extract concessions from Damascus and its allies. Recent hostilities might also be an attempt to bluff Damascus in a bid to prevent further Turkish positions from being absorbed by Syria’s moving front line in Idlib.
Finding Turkey’s Place Amid Emerging Multipolarism
Ultimately – Turkey’s decisions in the days, weeks, and months ahead – will further define the nation as it is perceived globally as its decades-long ties and subordinate role to the West fades and it forges a new position upon the global stage.
The malicious use of its lingering presence in northern Syria – a leftover of its complicity in the US-engineered proxy war that created the current conflict in the first place – would be unfortunate and would reflect poorly on Ankara and negatively impact its future international relations. It will impact not only its ties with the principal actors in the current Syrian conflict – but also its ties around the globe as nations seek to diversify away from aging and ill-intentioned hegemonies and toward nations of good faith.
Turkey faces a juncture where it must decide if it will move forward into the future with its increasing independence from the United States and NATO – but maintain the same style of malign statecraft as its Western allies – or find a constructive role to play among an emerging multipolar world.
Shelling and bombing Syrian forces inside Syrian territory is a poor start. It sets Turkey down another blind alley in terms of regional policy – making it more difficult for Syria and its allies to accommodate Turkey in any sort of constructive manner in a post-war regional architecture that will certainly favor Damascus and its allies. It will also complicate trust in the future should Turkey eventually accept this emerging architecture and seek to benefit from or contribute toward it.
Ankara has already come a long way from its initial support for US regime-change since the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011 to helping – even if sometimes reluctantly – end the deadly, protracted fighting in recent years. Only time will tell if Ankara will continue in this positive direction – meaning this recent confrontation in Syria is merely a temporary setback – or if Ankara is determined to cling to its increasingly untenable position in Syria at the cost of a risky conflict it will ultimately lose.
***
Author Tony Cartalucci, Bangkok-based geopolitical researcher, writer and special contributor to 21st Century Wire. See more of his work at Tony’s archive. Over the last decade, his work has been published on a number of popular news and analysis websites, and also on the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook”. Also, you can follow him on VK here.
READ MORE SYRIA NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Syria Files
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21stcenturywire--2020-03-07--(VIDEO) ‘Syria by Admissions’ – Exposing the US-led Coalition’s Dirty War on Syria

Watch this brief video presentation posted by Dr. Tim Anderson entitled , “ Syria by Admissions , ” which exposes @ @ @ @ @ dirty war on Syria .
Note the very end of this video where prior to @ @ @ @ @ alleged Douma ‘ chemical weapons ’ incident was already being exposed as a staged event @ @ @ @ @ and even a leading British military official .
Watch :

By
Watch this brief video presentation posted by Dr. Tim Anderson entitled, “Syria by Admissions,” which exposes the US-lead coalition’s dirty war on Syria.
Note the very end of this video where prior to any OPCW whistleblowers, the alleged Douma ‘chemical weapons’ incident was already being exposed as a staged event by multiple independent Syrian witnesses and even a leading British military official. Watch:
.
READ MORE SYRIA NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Syria Files
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21stcenturywire--2020-03-08--SUNDAY WIRE – ON THE ROAD THIS WEEK

SUNDAY WIRE – ON THE ROAD THIS WEEK

The Sunday Wire radio show will not broadcast LIVE due to 21WIRE ’ s road event and travel schedule this @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll be back again next week for our regularly .
scheduled programming .
Today @ @ @ @ @ last week ’ s program EP 317 on the Alternate Current Radio ( ACR ) @ @ @ @ @ UK Time | 12pm EST ( US ) | 9am PST ( US ) .
@ @

By
The Sunday Wire radio show will not broadcast LIVE due to 21WIRE’s road event and travel schedule this week in Europe. We’ll be back again next week for our regularly. scheduled programming.
Today we’ll be re-running last week’s program EP 317 on the Alternate Current Radio (ACR) Live stream starting at 4pm UK Time | 12pm EST (US) | 9am PST (US). Listen:
Download Episode #317
Sunday Wire Radio Show Archives


21stcenturywire--2020-03-09--Roger Waters Talks to Tucker Carlson About Assange

Former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters speaks with FOX host Tucker Carlson about the political and physical persecution of WikiLeaks @ @ @ @ @ hands of the UK and US governments .
Watch :

By
Former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters speaks with FOX host Tucker Carlson about the political and physical persecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at the hands of the UK and US governments. Watch:
.
READ MORE ASSANGE NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Assange/Wikileaks Files
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21stcenturywire--2020-03-10--Flint Resident Slams Biden Campaign Ahead of ‘Big Tuesday’ Primary

As the voters in six more states head to the polls today for the Democrats ’ Presidential Primary , one thing is for sure : you rarely see any mainstream media coverage on the issues that affect local residents of these primary states – only grand media platitudes like ‘ watch white women ’ for Bernie Sanders in Michigan , or , Joe Biden ’ s campaign ‘ resurrection ’ foretells a win in Missouri .
One Flint resident , Melissa Mays , is seen here slamming Biden and one of his high-profile supporters , Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis that has plagued her city since 2014 : According to the media outlet Status Coup , who filmed the interview , Mays “ has been one of the leading Flint residents and activists fighting for justice for forgotten Flint .
Her and her three sons have been made ill from Flint ’ s poisoned water.
” Sanders won the Michigan Democratic Primary in 2016 , defeating Hillary Clinton in an apparent upset at the time .
But he ’ s also getting hit with criticism for his vote against a 2016 resolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are 352 delegates for the taking among the six states ( Michigan , Washington , Missouri , Mississippi , Idaho and North Dakota ) , with Michigan representing the largest stash of delegates at 125 .
We have to ask the question once again : who really is Pete Buttigieg , and what was he actually running for ?
Mayor Pete ’ s latest move after dropping out of the race is to guest host corporate comedian Jimmy Kimmel ’ s late night talk show later this week .
The Sanders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next primary debate format , as the Biden camp proposed a format that would allow their candidate to be seated during the event .
It appears the new format will be implemented by the DNC and CNN .
And speaking of the debates… After winning two delegates on Super Tuesday , Tulsi Gabbard was immediately booted from participating in the next primary debate .
New DNC ‘ rule changes ’ will keep Gabbard off the debate stage in Arizona on March 15th .
The overarching message from the Democrats and their media partners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the establishment , you can just shut up .

By
The Flint River in Flint, Michigan, USA. (Wikimedia Commons)
As the voters in six more states head to the polls today for the Democrats’ Presidential Primary, one thing is for sure: you rarely see any mainstream media coverage on the issues that affect local residents of these primary states – only grand media platitudes like ‘watch white women’ for Bernie Sanders in Michigan, or, Joe Biden’s campaign ‘resurrection’ foretells a win in Missouri.
One Flint resident, Melissa Mays, is seen here slamming Biden and one of his high-profile supporters, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, for not doing enough about the water crisis that has plagued her city since 2014:
As @JoeBiden heads to Flint 2da, leading #FlintWaterCrisis activist @FlintGate doesn’t mince words to Biden & supporter MI Gov @gretchenwhitmer. Politicians’ idea of justice is “for us to shut up and go die quietly” FULL INTERVIEW via @JennElizabethJ: https://t.co/I377CFUOEx pic.twitter.com/sx23SPT37X — Status Coup (@StatusCoup) March 9, 2020
According to the media outlet Status Coup, who filmed the interview, Mays “has been one of the leading Flint residents and activists fighting for justice for forgotten Flint. Her and her three sons have been made ill from Flint’s poisoned water.”
Sanders won the Michigan Democratic Primary in 2016, defeating Hillary Clinton in an apparent upset at the time. But he’s also getting hit with criticism for his vote against a 2016 resolution to fund Flint water infrastructure improvements.
There are 352 delegates for the taking among the six states (Michigan, Washington, Missouri, Mississippi, Idaho and North Dakota), with Michigan representing the largest stash of delegates at 125.
Other 2020 Election News
We have to ask the question once again: who really is Pete Buttigieg, and what was he actually running for? Mayor Pete’s latest move after dropping out of the race is to guest host corporate comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late night talk show later this week.
The Sanders and Biden campaigns have recently clashed over the next primary debate format, as the Biden camp proposed a format that would allow their candidate to be seated during the event. It appears the new format will be implemented by the DNC and CNN. And speaking of the debates…
After winning two delegates on Super Tuesday, Tulsi Gabbard was immediately booted from participating in the next primary debate. New DNC ‘rule changes’ will keep Gabbard off the debate stage in Arizona on March 15th.
The overarching message from the Democrats and their media partners: if you’re speaking out against the establishment, you can just shut up.
READ MORE 2020 ELECTION NEWS: 21st Century Wire 2020 Election Files
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21stcenturywire--2020-03-12--Joint Russia-Saudi Oil Price Move Could Crush a Fragile Fracking Industry in U.S.

As the global markets feel the tremors this week from the coronavirus and the announcement of a major drop in @ @ @ @ @ producers are now having to tighten their belts .
Will they survive the oil global @ @ @ @ @ hype around American “ energy independence ” in recent years , few in mainstream energy @ @ @ @ @ underlying exposure and structural weakness of the unconventional oil and gas industry – which must @ @ @ @ @ unit or barrel in order for producers to turn a profit .
At these present @ @ @ @ @ heading for a collapse .
Economist Richard Wolf explains : “ Fracking is very expensive… @ @ @ @ @ the notion that the price of oil would stay very high , ” Wolff says @ @ @ @ @ the Russians were hurt by the emergence of the American fracking industry ; they ’ @ @ @ @ @ day one because it ’ s a competitor.
” Boom Bust hosts speak with Professor @ @ @ @ @ in US fracking industry .
Watch :

By
As the global markets feel the tremors this week from the coronavirus and the announcement of a major drop in oil prices, some U.S. producers are now having to tighten their belts. Will they survive the oil global glut?
With all the hype around American “energy independence” in recent years, few in mainstream energy circles have dared call-out the underlying exposure and structural weakness of the unconventional oil and gas industry – which must guarantee a certain price per unit or barrel in order for producers to turn a profit. At these present levels, the industry is heading for a collapse. Economist Richard Wolf explains:
“Fracking is very expensive… but everything was premised on the notion that the price of oil would stay very high,” Wolff says. “The Saudis and the Russians were hurt by the emergence of the American fracking industry; they’ve hated that industry from day one because it’s a competitor.”
Boom Bust hosts speak with Professor Wolf about the impending crisis in US fracking industry. Watch:
.
READ MORE FRACKING NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Fracking Files
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21stcenturywire--2020-03-12--Overnight, U.S. Gov’t and Corps Announce Coronavirus Lock-down Measures

This morning Americans woke up to a new socio-economic reality , as the government along with other leading corporate institutions , implemented extreme emergency measures to try and mitigate the spread of the deadly Coronavirus .
“ The European Union failed to take the same precautions ( as the US ) and restrict travel from China and other hotspots .
As a result , a large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded by travelers from Europe.
” “ After consulting with our top government health officials I have decided to take several strong but necessary actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To stop new cases from entering our shores we will be suspending all travel from Europe to our shores for 30 days.
” President Trump arrives after a meeting with Associate Director for Laboratory Science and Safety Steve Monroe , about the coronavirus , at Center for Disease Control and Prevention ( Photo Credit : AP/Alex Brandon ) Major U.S. fears are stemming from an unprecedented call for a state of emergency in Italy , where officials instituted what amounts to a total commercial lockdown of most local economic activity .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economically , eviscerating the bottom lines of numerous airlines , as well as a devastating blow to sectors like tourism and trade , sectors which are already struggling on both sides of the Atlantic .
Saudi Arabia also announced its own travel ban to and from Europe , mirroring U.S. measures .
To date , the U.S. has recorded some 1,300 infections , including 38 deaths , spread across 44 states and the District of Columbia .
Trump ’ s air travel ban also coincided with the announcements of the canceled major public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the temporary closure of an entire professional sports league .
These type of prohibitive measures are known now as “ social distancing.
” Last night , the NCAA college sports authority announced that it would be closing its upcoming national championship games to fans , and instead require university teams to play their televised national basketball tournament games – to empty stadiums .
The National Basketball Association ( NBA ) took the risk assessment a step further by suspending the remainder of the 2019-2020 season until further notice after one of its star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Utah Jazz , tested positive for the coronavirus .
Golbert , a French national , is said to be in care and under observation for worsening of his symptoms .
“ A player on the Utah Jazz has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19 , ” the statement read .
“ The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of [ Wednesday ’ s ] game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena .
At that time , tonight ’ s game was canceled .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Similar measures have been enacted in hard-hit regions like Italy , where Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte decreed a shutdown bars , restaurants , hairdressers and ‘ non-essential ’ businesses except for supermarkets , food sellers and pharmacies .
In the UK , Boris Johnson has announced his action plan for increased ‘ social distancing ’ which will include mandated measures like school closures , limits on public gatherings , home-working , and the highly risky move of scaling back on “ non-urgent ” essential public services including hospital , fire and police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been in the Republic of Ireland , who announced the closure of all schools , colleges and major public facilities following the the death of one elderly woman in Dublin .
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar extended the ban to any that indoor “ mass gatherings ” of more than 100 people , and for outdoor gatherings exceeding more than 500 persons .
As predicted , the stock and money markets have been severely hit , with European stocks down to four-year lows , and with oil prices dropping well below levels considered profitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Dow Jones Industrial average also took a major hit , with panic selling triggering a bear market loss of over 2,000 points at the day ’ s opening .
U.S. market loses were also reflected in similar sharp downturns in both Asian and European markets .
According to Mohamed El-Erian from City insurer Allianz , the global economy has now fallen prey to the “ economics of fear ” .
“ The advanced economies are now likely to feel the full force of economic sudden stops that destroy both supply and demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the UK ’ s Guardian newspaper .
“ The collapse in economic activity risks being amplified by the economics of fear , uncertainty and adverse economic-financial feedback loops.
” “ I believe there is a high probability of global recession.
” Fear and panic is also set to increase among entertainer class and Hollywood elites after the news broke last night that actor om Hanks and his wife had contracted the coronavirus .
“ The news about Tom Hanks will fuel uncertainty , prompting people to disengage more from economic activities , @ @ @ @

By
This morning Americans woke up to a new socio-economic reality, as the government along with other leading corporate institutions, implemented extreme emergency measures to try and mitigate the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
Following the World Health Organization’s official designation yesterday of the COVID-19 crisis as a global pandemic, President Donald Trump declared a halt in air travel between the US and Europe, initially for a period of 30 days. During his address he stated:
“The European Union failed to take the same precautions (as the US) and restrict travel from China and other hotspots. As a result, a large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded by travelers from Europe.”
“After consulting with our top government health officials I have decided to take several strong but necessary actions to protect the health of all Americans. To stop new cases from entering our shores we will be suspending all travel from Europe to our shores for 30 days.”
President Trump arrives after a meeting with Associate Director for Laboratory Science and Safety Steve Monroe, about the coronavirus, at Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Photo Credit: AP/Alex Brandon)
Major U.S. fears are stemming from an unprecedented call for a state of emergency in Italy, where officials instituted what amounts to a total commercial lockdown of most local economic activity.
Department of Homeland Security acting secretary Chad Wolf added that, “President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation, which suspends the entry of most foreign nationals who have been in certain European countries at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the United States.”
No doubt these annoucements will have severe consequences economically, eviscerating the bottom lines of numerous airlines, as well as a devastating blow to sectors like tourism and trade, sectors which are already struggling on both sides of the Atlantic.
Saudi Arabia also announced its own travel ban to and from Europe, mirroring U.S. measures.
To date, the U.S. has recorded some 1,300 infections, including 38 deaths, spread across 44 states and the District of Columbia.
‘Social distancing’
Trump’s air travel ban also coincided with the announcements of the canceled major public gatherings and sporting events, and even the temporary closure of an entire professional sports league. These type of prohibitive measures are known now as “social distancing.”
Last night, the NCAA college sports authority announced that it would be closing its upcoming national championship games to fans, and instead require university teams to play their televised national basketball tournament games – to empty stadiums.
Statement from the NBA pic.twitter.com/VS987rSfre — Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) March 12, 2020
The National Basketball Association (NBA) took the risk assessment a step further by suspending the remainder of the 2019-2020 season until further notice after one of its star players, Rudy Golbert, a Center for the Utah Jazz, tested positive for the coronavirus.
Golbert, a French national, is said to be in care and under observation for worsening of his symptoms.
“A player on the Utah Jazz has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19,” the statement read. “The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of [Wednesday’s] game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. At that time, tonight’s game was canceled. The affected player was not in the arena.”
Similar measures have been enacted in hard-hit regions like Italy, where Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte decreed a shutdown bars, restaurants, hairdressers and ‘non-essential’ businesses except for supermarkets, food sellers and pharmacies.
In the UK, Boris Johnson has announced his action plan for increased ‘social distancing’ which will include mandated measures like school closures, limits on public gatherings, home-working, and the highly risky move of scaling back on “non-urgent” essential public services including hospital, fire and police.
Perhaps the most extreme reaction has been in the Republic of Ireland, who announced the closure of all schools, colleges and major public facilities following the the death of one elderly woman in Dublin. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar extended the ban to any that indoor “mass gatherings” of more than 100 people, and for outdoor gatherings exceeding more than 500 persons.
The Economy of Fear
As predicted, the stock and money markets have been severely hit, with European stocks down to four-year lows, and with oil prices dropping well below levels considered profitable for a limping US shale industry. The Dow Jones Industrial average also took a major hit, with panic selling triggering a bear market loss of over 2,000 points at the day’s opening.
U.S. market loses were also reflected in similar sharp downturns in both Asian and European markets.
According to Mohamed El-Erian from City insurer Allianz, the global economy has now fallen prey to the “economics of fear”.
“The advanced economies are now likely to feel the full force of economic sudden stops that destroy both supply and demand at the same time,” El-Erian told the UK’s Guardian newspaper.
“The collapse in economic activity risks being amplified by the economics of fear, uncertainty and adverse economic-financial feedback loops.”
“I believe there is a high probability of global recession.”
Fear and panic is also set to increase among entertainer class and Hollywood elites after the news broke last night that actor Tom Hanks and his wife had contracted the coronavirus.
“The news about Tom Hanks will fuel uncertainty, prompting people to disengage more from economic activities,” added El-Erian.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE UPDATES.
READ MORE CORONAVIRUS NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Coronavirus Files
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21stcenturywire--2020-03-11--COVID-19 and Total Social Control: ‘This is No Futuristic Scenario’

It ’ s not difficult to see exactly how governments and selected corporations are using the threat of pandemic to lock-down various aspects of society and force the public into accepting various restrictions and medical protocols .
Will the current crisis be used to institute mandatory vaccinations ?
What other new control measures will be implemented ?
William Engdahl NEO Every day world mainstream news reports more people in more countries diagnosed “ positive ” for the coronavirus illness , now called COVID-19 .
As the reported numbers grow , so does widespread nervousness , often in the form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toilet paper , canned goods .
We are told to accept the testing results as science-based .
While it is next to impossible to get a full picture of what is taking place in China , the center of the novel virus storm , there is a process , being fed by mainstream media accounts and genuine panic in populations unclear what the real dangers are , that has alarming implications for the post-pandemic future .
During the last week of January the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) ordered an unprecedented lock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million , Wuhan , in an attempt to contain a public health situation that had clearly gotten out of control .
Never before in the history of modern public health had a government placed an entire city in quarantine by imposing a cordon sanitaire around it .
That lock down was quickly extended to other China cities to the extent that , for the past weeks , a major part of the world ’ s second largest national economy has shut down .
That in turn is impacting the global economy .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first deaths are being reported in countries outside of China , especially in South Korea , Japan , Iran and Italy , the prime question everyone has is how dangerous this virus is .
The fiasco with the US CDC , where the putative tests for the novel virus were shown defective , underscores the fact that the testing for the now-named virus , SARS-CoV-2 , said to cause the disease called COVID-19 , is anything but 100 % reliable .
Despite this , influenced by a steady stream of mainstream media images @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of police cordons around Washington State nursing homes said to house several presumed Coronavirus patients , of pictures of Iranian hospitals filled with body bags , millions of citizens are understandably becoming alarmed and fearful .
Panic buying and threats of scarcity features heavily in a sustained corporate mainstream media campaign of fear ( Image : NEO ) What is being done in city after city and country after country is cancellation of major events where many people come together .
This has included the Venice Carnival , major sports events , trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Major airlines are being financially devastated as people around the world cancel holiday flights , as are cruise ship lines .
China orders burning of cash notes claiming they might be contaminated .
The French Louvre reopens but does not accept cash , only cards , as paper might be contaminated .
WHO warns about paper money contagion risk .
Countries are introducing laws such as in the UK allowing legal detention of citizens who might have a virus .
Growing media promotion in the West of shop shelves bare of everyday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toilet paper is feeding panic buying everywhere .
It is important to have a perspective on the apparent deaths provably due to COVID-19 .
Here facts become very imprecise .
As of March 3 , 2020 according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom , worldwide there were a total of 90,893 cases of COVID-19 , with 3,110 resulting in death .
He then called this a 3.4 % mortality rate , a figure highly disputed by other health experts .
Tedros stated , “ Globally , about 3.4 % of reported COVID-19 cases have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generally kills far fewer than 1 % of those infected.
” The problem is that no one can say precisely what the true death rate is .
That ’ s because globally we have not tested all who might have mild cases of the virus and the accuracy of those tests are anything but 100 % certain .
But a statement about a death rate more than three times that of seasonal flu is a real panic-maker if true .
The reality is very likely a far lower true mortality according to epidemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the cases , ” says Professor John Edmunds of the Centre for the Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine .
“ In fact , we only usually report a small proportion of them .
If there are many more cases in reality , then the case fatality ratio will be lower.
” Edmunds went on to say , “ What you can safely say [ … ] is that if you divide the number of reported deaths by the number of reported cases [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you will almost certainly get the wrong answer.
” The WHO under Tedros seems to be erring on the side of spreading panic .
The WHO and the USA CDC some years ago changed the definition of deaths from seasonal flu to “ deaths of flu or pneumonia.
” The CDC calculates only an approximate flu death count by totaling death certificates processed that list “ pneumonia or influenza ” as the underlying or contributing cause of death .
The CDC estimates 45 Million Flu Cases , and 61,000 what they deftly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US Flu Season .
How many were elderly with pneumonia or other lung diseases is unclear .
Naturally the numbers help spread fear and sell seasonal flu vaccines whose positive effect is anything but proven .
Worldwide , the CDC estimated in a study in 2017 that , “ between 291,000 and 646,000 people worldwide die from seasonal influenza-related respiratory illnesses each year.
” In China alone the estimate for seasonal influenza-associated ( including pneumonia ) deaths was about 300,000 in 2018 .
Note that 3,000 corona-attributed deaths , as tragic as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ normal ” annual deaths from lung-related illnesses in China , and because of the mixed or changing China accounting , it is not clear how many of the 3,000 China deaths are even from seasonal pneumonia .
But owing to dramatic videos , not verifiable , of people allegedly dropping dead on the streets in China , with no proof , or of Wuhan hospitals filled in the corridors with body bags apparently of dead from COVID-19 , much of the world is understandably anxious about this strange exogenous invader .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-meaning health officials and likely opportunism by Western vaccine makers like GlaxoSmithKline or Gilead and others , with alarming speed our world is being transformed in ways just months ago we could not have imagined .
Whatever has occurred inside China at this point it is almost impossible to say owing to conflicting reactions of the Beijing authorities and several changes in ways of counting COVID-19 cases .
The question now is how the relevant authorities in the West will use this crisis .
Here it is useful to go back to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Rockefeller Foundation , one of the world ’ s leading backers of eugenics , and creators of GMO among other things .
The report in question has the bland title , “ Scenarios for the Future of Technology and International Development.
” It was published in May 2010 in cooperation with the Global Business Network of futurologist Peter Schwartz .
The report contains various futurist scenarios developed by Schwartz and company .
One scenario carries the intriguing title , “ LOCK STEP : A world of tighter top-down government control and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and growing citizen pushback.
” Here it gets interesting as in what some term predictive programming .
Then the scenario gets very interesting : A relevant question is whether certain bad actors , and there are some in this world , are opportunistically using the widespread fears around the COVID-19 to advance an agenda of “ lock step ” top down social control , one that would include stark limits on travel , perhaps replacing of cash by “ sanitary ” electronic cash , mandatory vaccination even though the long term side effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the curtailing of personal freedoms such as political protests on the excuse it will allow “ identification of people who refuse to be tested or vaccinated , ” and countless other restrictions .
Much of the Rockefeller 2010 scenario is already evident .
Fear is never a good guide to sound reason .
*** Author F. William Engdahl is strategic risk consultant and lecturer , he holds a degree in politics from Princeton University and is a best-selling author on oil and geopolitics , exclusively for the online magazine “ New Eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published .
He is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization ( CRG ) .

By
It’s not difficult to see exactly how governments and selected corporations are using the threat of a pandemic to lock-down various aspects of society and force the public into accepting various restrictions and medical protocols. Will the current crisis be used to institute mandatory vaccinations? What other new control measures will be implemented?
William Engdahl
NEO
Every day world mainstream news reports more people in more countries diagnosed “positive” for the coronavirus illness, now called COVID-19. As the reported numbers grow, so does widespread nervousness, often in the form of panic shopping for masks, disinfectants, toilet paper, canned goods. We are told to accept the testing results as science-based. While it is next to impossible to get a full picture of what is taking place in China, the center of the novel virus storm, there is a process, being fed by mainstream media accounts and genuine panic in populations unclear what the real dangers are, that has alarming implications for the post-pandemic future.
During the last week of January the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ordered an unprecedented lock down of an entire city of 11 million, Wuhan, in an attempt to contain a public health situation that had clearly gotten out of control. Never before in the history of modern public health had a government placed an entire city in quarantine by imposing a cordon sanitaire around it. That lock down was quickly extended to other China cities to the extent that, for the past weeks, a major part of the world’s second largest national economy has shut down. That in turn is impacting the global economy.
At this point, as cases and the first deaths are being reported in countries outside of China, especially in South Korea, Japan, Iran and Italy, the prime question everyone has is how dangerous this virus is. The fiasco with the US CDC, where the putative tests for the novel virus were shown defective, underscores the fact that the testing for the now-named virus, SARS-CoV-2, said to cause the disease called COVID-19, is anything but 100% reliable. Despite this, influenced by a steady stream of mainstream media images of empty shop shelves in Italy, of police cordons around Washington State nursing homes said to house several presumed Coronavirus patients, of pictures of Iranian hospitals filled with body bags, millions of citizens are understandably becoming alarmed and fearful.
Panic buying and threats of scarcity features heavily in a sustained corporate mainstream media campaign of fear (Image: NEO)
What is being done in city after city and country after country is cancellation of major events where many people come together. This has included the Venice Carnival, major sports events, trade shows in Switzerland and elsewhere being canceled. Major airlines are being financially devastated as people around the world cancel holiday flights, as are cruise ship lines. China orders burning of cash notes claiming they might be contaminated. The French Louvre reopens but does not accept cash, only cards, as paper might be contaminated. WHO warns about paper money contagion risk. Countries are introducing laws such as in the UK allowing legal detention of citizens who might have a virus. Growing media promotion in the West of shop shelves bare of everyday essentials such as rice, pasta, toilet paper is feeding panic buying everywhere.
Questions on Death Rate
It is important to have a perspective on the apparent deaths provably due to COVID-19. Here facts become very imprecise.
As of March 3, 2020 according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom, worldwide there were a total of 90,893 cases of COVID-19, with 3,110 resulting in death. He then called this a 3.4% mortality rate, a figure highly disputed by other health experts. Tedros stated, “Globally, about 3.4% of reported COVID-19 cases have died. By comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1% of those infected.”
The problem is that no one can say precisely what the true death rate is. That’s because globally we have not tested all who might have mild cases of the virus and the accuracy of those tests are anything but 100% certain. But a statement about a death rate more than three times that of seasonal flu is a real panic-maker if true.
The reality is very likely a far lower true mortality according to epidemic experts. “We do not report all the cases,” says Professor John Edmunds of the Centre for the Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. “In fact, we only usually report a small proportion of them. If there are many more cases in reality, then the case fatality ratio will be lower.” Edmunds went on to say, “What you can safely say […] is that if you divide the number of reported deaths by the number of reported cases [to get the case fatality ratio], you will almost certainly get the wrong answer.” The WHO under Tedros seems to be erring on the side of spreading panic.
The WHO and the USA CDC some years ago changed the definition of deaths from seasonal flu to “deaths of flu or pneumonia.” The CDC calculates only an approximate flu death count by totaling death certificates processed that list “pneumonia or influenza” as the underlying or contributing cause of death. The CDC estimates 45 Million Flu Cases, and 61,000 what they deftly call “Flu-Associated” Deaths in 2017-2018 US Flu Season. How many were elderly with pneumonia or other lung diseases is unclear. Naturally the numbers help spread fear and sell seasonal flu vaccines whose positive effect is anything but proven. Worldwide, the CDC estimated in a study in 2017 that, “between 291,000 and 646,000 people worldwide die from seasonal influenza-related respiratory illnesses each year.”
In China alone the estimate for seasonal influenza-associated (including pneumonia) deaths was about 300,000 in 2018. Note that 3,000 corona-attributed deaths, as tragic as it is, is but 1% of the “normal” annual deaths from lung-related illnesses in China, and because of the mixed or changing China accounting, it is not clear how many of the 3,000 China deaths are even from seasonal pneumonia. But owing to dramatic videos, not verifiable, of people allegedly dropping dead on the streets in China, with no proof, or of Wuhan hospitals filled in the corridors with body bags apparently of dead from COVID-19, much of the world is understandably anxious about this strange exogenous invader.
Amid what is clearly confusion among many well-meaning health officials and likely opportunism by Western vaccine makers like GlaxoSmithKline or Gilead and others, with alarming speed our world is being transformed in ways just months ago we could not have imagined.
‘LOCK STEP’
Whatever has occurred inside China at this point it is almost impossible to say owing to conflicting reactions of the Beijing authorities and several changes in ways of counting COVID-19 cases. The question now is how the relevant authorities in the West will use this crisis. Here it is useful to go back to a highly relevant report published a decade ago by the Rockefeller Foundation, one of the world’s leading backers of eugenics, and creators of GMO among other things.
The report in question has the bland title, “Scenarios for the Future of Technology and International Development.” It was published in May 2010 in cooperation with the Global Business Network of futurologist Peter Schwartz. The report contains various futurist scenarios developed by Schwartz and company.
One scenario carries the intriguing title, “LOCK STEP: A world of tighter top-down government control and more authoritarian leadership, with limited innovation and growing citizen pushback.” Here it gets interesting as in what some term predictive programming.
The Schwartz scenario states,
“In 2012, the pandemic that the world had been anticipating for years finally hit. Unlike 2009’s H1N1, this new influenza strain — originating from wild geese — was extremely virulent and deadly. Even the most pandemic-prepared nations were quickly overwhelmed when the virus streaked around the world, infecting nearly 20 percent of the global population and killing 8 million in just seven months…”
He continues,
“The pandemic also had a deadly effect on economies: international mobility of both people and goods screeched to a halt, debilitating industries like tourism and breaking global supply chains. Even locally, normally bustling shops and office buildings sat empty for months, devoid of both employees and customers.” This sounds eerily familiar.
Then the scenario gets very interesting:
“During the pandemic, national leaders around the world flexed their authority and imposed airtight rules and restrictions, from the mandatory wearing of face masks to body-temperature checks at the entries to communal spaces like train stations and supermarkets. Even after the pandemic faded, this more authoritarian control and oversight of citizens and their activities stuck and even intensified. In order to protect themselves from the spread of increasingly global problems — from pandemics and transnational terrorism to environmental crises and rising poverty — leaders around the world took a firmer grip on power.”
A relevant question is whether certain bad actors, and there are some in this world, are opportunistically using the widespread fears around the COVID-19 to advance an agenda of “lock step” top down social control, one that would include stark limits on travel, perhaps replacing of cash by “sanitary” electronic cash, mandatory vaccination even though the long term side effects are not proven safe, unlimited surveillance and the curtailing of personal freedoms such as political protests on the excuse it will allow “identification of people who refuse to be tested or vaccinated,” and countless other restrictions.
Much of the Rockefeller 2010 scenario is already evident. Fear is never a good guide to sound reason.
***
Author F. William Engdahl is strategic risk consultant and lecturer, he holds a degree in politics from Princeton University and is a best-selling author on oil and geopolitics, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook” where this article was originally published. He is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG).
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