21stcenturywire--2020-01-28--US Dropped More Bombs on Afghanistan in 2019 Than Any Time in Last Decade

American warplanes dropped more bombs on Afghanistan in 2019 than at any other time in at least a decade , @ @ @ @ @ Force .
In 2019 alone , the US dropped 7,423 separate munitions on targets in @ @ @ @ @ has been fighting several militant groups since it invaded the country following the September 11 @ @ @ @ @ figure was published by US Air Forces Central Command and represents a dramatic surge in @ @ @ @ @ the peak of President Barack Obama ’ s ‘ surge ’ in 2009 , when @ @ @ @ @ Since President Donald Trump was elected in 2016 the US has ramped up bombing runs @ @ @ @ @ House removed earlier restrictions that provided greater oversight over air raids aimed at preventing civilian @ @ @ @ @ The UN and rights groups have said the increase in airstrikes across the country by @ @ @ @ @ resulted in a major upswing in civilian casualties .

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American warplanes dropped more bombs on Afghanistan in 2019 than at any other time in at least a decade, according to the US Air Force. In 2019 alone, the US dropped 7,423 separate munitions on targets in Afghanistan, where the US has been fighting several militant groups since it invaded the country following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The figure was published by US Air Forces Central Command and represents a dramatic surge in bombings in Afghanistan compared to the peak of President Barack Obama’s ‘surge’ in 2009, when 4,147 bombs were dropped.
Since President Donald Trump was elected in 2016 the US has ramped up bombing runs over Afghanistan as the White House removed earlier restrictions that provided greater oversight over air raids aimed at preventing civilian casualties, AFP said.
The UN and rights groups have said the increase in airstrikes across the country by US and Afghan forces have resulted in a major upswing in civilian casualties.
SOURCE: AFP News Agency
READ MORE AFGHANISTAN NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Afghanistan Files
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21stcenturywire--2020-01-29--MOATS: OPCW Douma Leaks and Why Julian Assange Extradition Will Affect Everyone

This week , 21WIRE editor Patrick Henningsen appeared on # MOATS television and radio show with host George Galloway , @ @ @ @ @ from last week – the presentation of the OPCW Douma Leaks at the UK House @ @ @ @ @ extradition case of Julian Assange at Westminster Courts in London .
Both stories feature governments @ @ @ @ @ crimes .
History does indeed repeat itself .
Watch :

By
This week, 21WIRE editor Patrick Henningsen appeared on #MOATS television and radio show with host George Galloway, to discuss two important stories from last week – the presentation of the OPCW Douma Leaks at the UK House of Commons, and the extradition case of Julian Assange at Westminster Courts in London. Both stories feature governments lying to cover-up real war crimes. History does indeed repeat itself. Watch:
.
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21stcenturywire--2020-01-29--Explained: How Adam Schiff’s Russia-bashing is Damaging US Interests

In the final analysis , ‘ facts don ’ t care about your feelings , ’ or so they say @ @ @ @ @ UkraineGate , the facts have been largely discarded in favour of a prescribed foreign policy @ @ @ @ @ s custom-made to drive forward a New Cold War for the 21st century .
Pushback @ @ @ @ @ Stephen F. Cohen , professor emeritus of Russian studies at New York University and Princeton @ @ @ @ @ of US-Russia relations , and the New Cold War doctrine laid out by chief Democratic @ @ @ @ @ who claims that the US is arming Ukraine “ so that we can fight Russia @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have to fight Russia here.
” Despite its complete lack of any factual @ @ @ @ @ new ‘ Red Scare ‘ is not going away .
Watch :

By
In the final analysis, ‘facts don’t care about your feelings,’ or so they say. In the case of UkraineGate, the facts have been largely discarded in favour of a prescribed foreign policy narrative, one that’s custom-made to drive forward a New Cold War for the 21st century.
Pushback host Aaron Maté and guest Stephen F. Cohen, professor emeritus of Russian studies at New York University and Princeton University, discuss the future of US-Russia relations, and the New Cold War doctrine laid out by chief Democratic Impeachment prosecutor Adam Schiff, who claims that the US is arming Ukraine “so that we can fight Russia over there so we don’t have to fight Russia here.” Despite its complete lack of any factual grounding, America’s new ‘Red Scare‘ is not going away. Watch:
.
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21stcenturywire--2020-01-29--Coronavirus: Number of Cases Surpasses SARS, China Holds 60k ‘Under Observation’

Chinese workers manufacture protective face masks , as stocks run low amid the outbreak of coronavirus2020 ( PHOTO : EPA-EFE ) • US , UK warn citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to China • President Xi said China is taking the “ devil virus ” very seriously and will contain it • Governors and mayors across US bracing for viral outbreaks • Reports that China has refused US offer of assistance , and that Beijing is withholding data from CDC Update ( 1915ET ) : It ’ s only 8:15 am in Beijing and health officials have already confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Province .
That brings the toll to 6,049 , including 263 cases deemed “ severe.
” The death toll has climbed to 132 , according to SCMP .
Those who have been closely comparing this outbreak with the 2003 SARS outbreak may notice that the coronavirus has achieved an important milestone .
Barely a week into global response to the outbreak , the number of confirmed cases has already passed the number of SARS cases reported during the entire monthslong ordeal .
SARS infected 5,327 people in mainland China in nine months and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organisation ( WHO ) .
Another 60k people are said to be under observation across China , with 20k in Hubei alone .
Zhong Nanshan , a respiratory diseases expert who spoke with the SCMP on Tuesday , the outbreak hasn ’ t yet reached its peak , though he thinks the number of new cases will plateau within the next ten days .
Back in the US , the Trump Administration is denying reports that it ’ s considering a total ban on passenger travel between the US and China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has already surpassed SARS – and is on track to achieve some of the more dire projections shared by epidemiologists – shake the market ’ s confidence ?
Or will a few soothing words from Jerome Powell save the day ?
Update ( 1824ET ) : Adding additional pressure to American airlines , CNBC just reported that the White House warned airline executives that it ’ s considering suspending all flights between China and the US .
This comes on the heels of United Airlines , the US carrier with the most exposure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozen daily flights to Hong Kong and the mainland , said it was cancelling dozens of flights .
The Chicago-based airline said it has experienced a “ significant decline in demand for travel to China.
” Administration officials warned that this could impact flights into and out of China .
Several countries , including the US , have been expanding airport screenings for possible virus-carrying travelers .
But a complete shutdown of passenger plane traffic would be even more draconian than Hong Kong ’ s strict border controls implemented Tuesday .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overplayed its hand , more videos depicting violent clashes between Chinese citizens and police have surfaced on social media .
Update ( 1750ET ) : Reuters just reported that Thailand has confirmed another six cases of the coronavirus , bringing the total to 14 .
All six are under observation in a hospital .
Five of the six are members of the same CHinese family who traveled from Hubei provine to Thailand for the LNY holiday together .
No .
6 is also a Chinese tourist .
Update ( 1710ET ) : Minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , state-controlled TV station CCTV reported 25 new deaths in Hubei , and another 840 new confirmed cases ( and this time only 315 were in Wuhan ) .
Of the dead , 19 died in Wuhan , 2 in Xiaogan , and 1 each in Jingmen , Ezhou , Huanggang , and Tianmen .
Per CCTV , 3349 patients have been hospitalized in the province .
More than 20,000 are still under medical observation .
When we look back on the coronavirus outbreak , Tuesday might be the day people remember as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
more than 1,000 new cases were confirmed today .
And today , the death toll jumped above 100 for the first time , and possibly featured the first death from the virus outside China .
American officials confirmed that the first flight evacuating about 240 diplomats and other Americans from Wuhan took off without a hitch .
There are still roughly 800 Americans in Wuhan , and more flights are expected – though some have elected to stay behind with family .
Tuesday is also the day that officials confirmed , without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading from human to human outside of China .
We imagine we ’ ll get another dump of confirmed cases out of China around midnight , or around midday in Asia .
In the meantime , we leave you with another disturbing video taken in a Wuhan hospital : this time , an angry patient can be seen destroying a room with a chair… See more running updates at Zero Hedge

By
Chinese workers manufacture protective face masks, as stocks run low amid the outbreak of coronavirus2020 (PHOTO: EPA-EFE)
Zero Hedge
Summary:
Japan, Germany confirm human-to-human transmission
US, UK warn citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to China
6,049 cases confirmed; 131 deaths
President Xi said China is taking the “devil virus” very seriously and will contain it
Governors and mayors across US bracing for viral outbreaks
Reports that China has refused US offer of assistance, and that Beijing is withholding data from CDC
Thailand reports 6 new cases, bringing total number to 14
* * *
Update (1915ET): It’s only 8:15 am in Beijing and health officials have already confirmed more than 840 new cases in Hubei Province.
That brings the toll to 6,049, including 263 cases deemed “severe.” The death toll has climbed to 132, according to SCMP.
Those who have been closely comparing this outbreak with the 2003 SARS outbreak may notice that the coronavirus has achieved an important milestone. Barely a week into global response to the outbreak, the number of confirmed cases has already passed the number of SARS cases reported during the entire monthslong ordeal.
SARS infected 5,327 people in mainland China in nine months and killed 349 people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Another 60k people are said to be under observation across China, with 20k in Hubei alone.
Zhong Nanshan, a respiratory diseases expert who spoke with the SCMP on Tuesday, said the outbreak hasn’t yet reached its peak, though he thinks the number of new cases will plateau within the next ten days.
Back in the US, the Trump Administration is denying reports that it’s considering a total ban on passenger travel between the US and China.
Will the fact that the coronavirus has already surpassed SARS – and is on track to achieve some of the more dire projections shared by epidemiologists – shake the market’s confidence?
Or will a few soothing words from Jerome Powell save the day?
* * *
Update (1824ET): Adding additional pressure to American airlines, CNBC just reported that the White House warned airline executives that it’s considering suspending all flights between China and the US.
This comes on the heels of United Airlines, the US carrier with the most exposure to China, which has about a dozen daily flights to Hong Kong and the mainland, said it was cancelling dozens of flights. The Chicago-based airline said it has experienced a “significant decline in demand for travel to China.”
Administration officials warned that this could impact flights into and out of China.
Several countries, including the US, have been expanding airport screenings for possible virus-carrying travelers. But a complete shutdown of passenger plane traffic would be even more draconian than Hong Kong’s strict border controls implemented Tuesday.
In a sign that the Communist Party may have overplayed its hand, more videos depicting violent clashes between Chinese citizens and police have surfaced on social media.
https://twitter.com/ReporteYa/status/1222267146958450690?s=20
Update (1750ET): Reuters just reported that Thailand has confirmed another six cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total to 14. All six are under observation in a hospital. Five of the six are members of the same Chinese family who traveled from Hubei province to Thailand for the LNY holiday together.
No. 6 is also a Chinese tourist.
* * *
Update (1710ET): Minutes ago, as dawn nears in China, state-controlled TV station CCTV reported 25 new deaths in Hubei, and another 840 new confirmed cases (and this time only 315 were in Wuhan). Of the dead, 19 died in Wuhan, 2 in Xiaogan, and 1 each in Jingmen, Ezhou, Huanggang, and Tianmen.
Per CCTV, 3349 patients have been hospitalized in the province. More than 20,000 are still under medical observation.
When we look back on the coronavirus outbreak, Tuesday might be the day people remember as the jumping off point for the pandemic as more than 1,000 new cases were confirmed today. And today, the death toll jumped above 100 for the first time, and possibly featured the first death from the virus outside China.
police-civilian conflict in somewhere in Fujian! Due to the spread of pneumonia in Wuhan, cities, districts and counties in Fujian Province have also started to block traffic in their areas from #coronavirus #coronaphobia #CoronavirusOutbreak #WuhanVirus # pic.twitter.com/J5n3FnfnUk — Harry Chen PhD (@IsChinar) January 28, 2020
American officials confirmed that the first flight evacuating about 240 diplomats and other Americans from Wuhan took off without a hitch. There are still roughly 800 Americans in Wuhan, and more flights are expected – though some have elected to stay behind with family. Tuesday is also the day that officials confirmed, without a doubt, that the virus is spreading from human to human outside of China. We imagine we’ll get another dump of confirmed cases out of China around midnight, or around midday in Asia.
In the meantime, we leave you with another disturbing video taken in a Wuhan hospital: this time, an angry patient can be seen destroying a room with a chair…
See more running updates at Zero Hedge
READ MORE CHINA NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire China Files
SUPPORT OUR INDEPENDENT MEDIA PLATFORM – BECOME A MEMBER @21WIRE.TV


21stcenturywire--2020-02-05--Apex Desperation: US Policy vs Iran – The Latest in Long Line of Failures

In Washington ’ s losing battle to maintain hegemony in the Middle East at the expense of the actual people and nations that exist there – it has resorted to high-level assassinations , unilateral strikes against targets within sovereign nations against the expressed will of the governments presiding over them , all while exposing what appears to be growing American military , political , and economic impotence .
In sharp contrast , nations like Russia and China have made gains as Washington ’ s flagging fortunes create a power vacuum in the region .
Rather than replacing the US as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are extending their multipolar concept into the Middle East – assisting nations in rebuilding themselves after years of US-engineered and led conflict , warding off additional conflict the US is attempting to use to reassert itself in the region , and allowing nations to stand on their own and pursue their own interests independently of the traditional spheres of power established during the age of empires .
US Think Tanks Out of Ideas Corporate-funded US policy think tank – the Brookings Institution – and one of its senior fellows Daniel Byman – recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deterrence restored with Iran ?
, ” in which several good points are made – but many more revealing aspects of America ’ s increasingly sick and out of touch foreign policy are exposed particularly in regards to Iran .
Byman ’ s writings are important to consider since Byman signed his name alongside several other prominent Brookings fellows upon the institution ’ s 2009 paper , “ Which Path to Persia ?
Options for a New American Strategy Toward Iran ” ( PDF ) , in which the groundwork for everything that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy toward Iran was laid out in great detail .
The 2009 paper included US plans to undermine Iranian political and social stability through targeting its economy and funding opposition groups and protests – which the US subsequently did .
It included plans to fund and arm militants to carry out violence aimed at coercing or overthrowing the Iranian government – which the US also did .
It also included plans to covertly provoke war with Iran to serve as a pretext for US-led regime change – which the US is clearly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still is that the paper also included plans to lure Iran into a peace deal specifically for the US to make claims Tehran failed to honor it and to serve as a pretext for war .
It is interesting because not only did the subsequent “ Iran Nuclear Deal ” fulfill the paper ’ s requirements , the machination unfolded over the terms of two US presidents – Barrack Obama and Donald Trump – serving as a reminder that special interests drive US foreign policy , not America ’ s elected leaders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests transcend US presidential administrations rather than find themselves subjected to them .
Byman ’ s recent article – one might expect – would be full of revisions and fresh ideas regarding US foreign policy in the Middle East and policy regarding Iran – considering the plans laid out in the 2009 paper have dramatically failed .
Instead it is filled with tired narratives including unfounded accusations that Iran seeks nuclear weapons or is funding “ terrorism ” across the region rather than reacting to real US-sponsored terrorism in the form of Al @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamic State in Iraq and Syria ( ISIS ) .
It is now common knowledge that these terrorist organizations have been openly armed and backed by the US and its allies in their failed bid to overthrow the government of Syria , pressure the government of Iraq , and defeat Houthi fighters in Yemen .
Other tired narratives laid out by Byman include feigning knowledge of Israel ’ s role as a US proxy and that Israeli aggression is used as an intermediary for Washington ’ s regional designs .
If US policymakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least their explanations to unwitting audiences they are attempting to sell policy to are this detached – the policies they are attempting to sell will be entirely unsustainable .
The growing public backlash and increasing lack of cooperation from opposing nations , neutral states , and even long-time US allies is testament to this .
Byman ’ s article attempts to argue that recent US aggression was aimed at restoring “ deterrence.
” Since the US is in the Middle East , oceans and continents away from its own shores , occupying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accept perpetually hosting US troops and suffer US interference , the term “ deterrence ” is entirely inappropriate .
The recent US aggression was meant instead as an attempt to reassert US primacy in the region by beating back Iranian gains toward uprooting it .
But US aggression at this level doesn ’ t signal strength or resolve – it signals recklessness and desperation – recklessness and desperation Tehran most certainly has taken note of .
Byman does make important admissions .
At one point he admits ( emphasis added ) : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – time is on Iran ’ s side .
It is a nation that resides in the Middle East , neighbors Iraq , is in close proximity to Yemen , Syria , and Lebanon , possesses extensive historical , cultural , religious , economic , and military ties across the region , and seeks self-preservation alongside its allies – all factors that are likely to survive even the most extreme forms of aggression and interference by Washington .
Washington on the other hand indeed faces growing discontent at home , limits placed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology possessed by nations it is targeting and the reality of a global economy in transformation .
The US is still capable of inflicting immense damage against Iran and its allies in the region .
Iran – while noting US recklessness and desperation – will continue to pursue a policy of patient persistence .
Iran ’ s strategy is augmented by support from Russia and China who are likewise patiently waiting out the terminal decline of America ’ s unipolar world order .
Continuing a policy that is entirely unsustainable is a mixture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others serving US special interests within the halls of America ’ s corporate-funded policy think tanks are unable to openly discuss the need to pivot away from policies predicated on global hegemony and toward the more sustainable multipolar policies pursued by nations like Russia and China now displacing American power and influence around the globle .
But because of this , US policymakers will continue to sell increasingly unattractive narratives a growing number of people both in policy circles and even in the general public will turn away from .
Like any enterprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attracted many investors and shareholders .
And like any enterprise – when times change and the business model used to sustain that enterprise is no longer viable , significant reforms must be made or investors and shareholders should begin to divest and look elsewhere for better fortunes .
Considering US policy toward Iran and many other nations appears hopelessly mired and increasingly desperate with no signs of legitimate reforms in the works , investors and shareholders most certainly should begin divesting and looking elsewhere .
Only time will tell what will take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign policy , but what is certain is that US foreign policy in its current form is in terminal decline .
Its designs toward Iran in particular will complicate the lives of and inflict suffering upon the Iranian people , but the designs laid out in 2009 by US policymakers and pursued ever since have failed to reap the desired results .
Little the US can do now can change this .
Apex desperation is often followed by calamitous defeat and decline .
An example of this in US history was clearly demonstrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Very rarely do individuals , enterprises , or nations that reach the desperation US foreign policy versus Iran has reached make their way successfully through it – and nothing being said , written , or done in Washington suggests that the US will fare any differently this time .
*** 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also on the online magazine “ New Eastern Outlook ” .
Also , you can follow him on VK here .

By
Tony Cartalucci
21st Century Wire
In Washington’s losing battle to maintain hegemony in the Middle East at the expense of the actual people and nations that exist there – it has resorted to high-level assassinations, unilateral strikes against targets within sovereign nations against the expressed will of the governments presiding over them, all while exposing what appears to be growing American military, political, and economic impotence.
In sharp contrast, nations like Russia and China have made gains as Washington’s flagging fortunes create a power vacuum in the region. Rather than replacing the US as regional hegemons themselves – Moscow and Beijing are extending their multipolar concept into the Middle East – assisting nations in rebuilding themselves after years of US-engineered and led conflict, warding off additional conflict the US is attempting to use to reassert itself in the region, and allowing nations to stand on their own and pursue their own interests independently of the traditional spheres of power established during the age of empires.
US Think Tanks Out of Ideas
Corporate-funded US policy think tank – the Brookings Institution – and one of its senior fellows Daniel Byman – recently published an article titled, “Is deterrence restored with Iran?,” in which several good points are made – but many more revealing aspects of America’s increasingly sick and out of touch foreign policy are exposed particularly in regards to Iran.
Byman’s writings are important to consider since Byman signed his name alongside several other prominent Brookings fellows upon the institution’s 2009 paper, “Which Path to Persia? Options for a New American Strategy Toward Iran” (PDF), in which the groundwork for everything that unfolded before and since 2009 regarding US policy toward Iran was laid out in great detail.
The 2009 paper included US plans to undermine Iranian political and social stability through targeting its economy and funding opposition groups and protests – which the US subsequently did. It included plans to fund and arm militants to carry out violence aimed at coercing or overthrowing the Iranian government – which the US also did. It also included plans to covertly provoke war with Iran to serve as a pretext for US-led regime change – which the US is clearly and repeatedly attempting to do.
More interesting still is that the paper also included plans to lure Iran into a peace deal specifically for the US to make claims Tehran failed to honor it and to serve as a pretext for war. It is interesting because not only did the subsequent “Iran Nuclear Deal” fulfill the paper’s requirements, the machination unfolded over the terms of two US presidents – Barrack Obama and Donald Trump – serving as a reminder that special interests drive US foreign policy, not America’s elected leaders, and that the agendas of these special interests transcend US presidential administrations rather than find themselves subjected to them.
Byman’s recent article – one might expect – would be full of revisions and fresh ideas regarding US foreign policy in the Middle East and policy regarding Iran – considering the plans laid out in the 2009 paper have dramatically failed.
Instead it is filled with tired narratives including unfounded accusations that Iran seeks nuclear weapons or is funding “terrorism” across the region rather than reacting to real US-sponsored terrorism in the form of Al Qaeda, its affiliates and the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
It is now common knowledge that these terrorist organizations have been openly armed and backed by the US and its allies in their failed bid to overthrow the government of Syria, pressure the government of Iraq, and defeat Houthi fighters in Yemen.
Other tired narratives laid out by Byman include feigning knowledge of Israel’s role as a US proxy and that Israeli aggression is used as an intermediary for Washington’s regional designs.
If US policymakers are this detached from reality – or at least their explanations to unwitting audiences they are attempting to sell policy to are this detached – the policies they are attempting to sell will be entirely unsustainable. The growing public backlash and increasing lack of cooperation from opposing nations, neutral states, and even long-time US allies is testament to this.
Time is on Iran’s Side
Byman’s article attempts to argue that recent US aggression was aimed at restoring “deterrence.” Since the US is in the Middle East, oceans and continents away from its own shores, occupying nations surrounding Iran illegally, coercing others to accept perpetually hosting US troops and suffer US interference, the term “deterrence” is entirely inappropriate.
The recent US aggression was meant instead as an attempt to reassert US primacy in the region by beating back Iranian gains toward uprooting it. But US aggression at this level doesn’t signal strength or resolve – it signals recklessness and desperation – recklessness and desperation Tehran most certainly has taken note of.
Byman does make important admissions. At one point he admits (emphasis added):
Resolve may also favor the Iranians. Even ignoring President Trump’s vacillations on the use of force in the Middle East and on whether or not to negotiate with Iran, Americans are increasingly weary of deploying troops in the Middle East and skeptical of war with Iran. Iran, for its part, sees a friendly regime in Iraq as a vital interest and otherwise is playing a long game in the Middle East. Even more important, the United States has threatened the Iranian regime’s survival, its ultimate vital interest.
And indeed, this is entirely true – time is on Iran’s side. It is a nation that resides in the Middle East, neighbors Iraq, is in close proximity to Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon, possesses extensive historical, cultural, religious, economic, and military ties across the region, and seeks self-preservation alongside its allies – all factors that are likely to survive even the most extreme forms of aggression and interference by Washington.
Washington on the other hand indeed faces growing discontent at home, limits placed on its military adventurism by both improved military technology possessed by nations it is targeting and the reality of a global economy in transformation.
The US is still capable of inflicting immense damage against Iran and its allies in the region. Iran – while noting US recklessness and desperation – will continue to pursue a policy of patient persistence. Iran’s strategy is augmented by support from Russia and China who are likewise patiently waiting out the terminal decline of America’s unipolar world order.
Apex Desperation
Continuing a policy that is entirely unsustainable is a mixture of desperation and delusion. Byman and others serving US special interests within the halls of America’s corporate-funded policy think tanks are unable to openly discuss the need to pivot away from policies predicated on global hegemony and toward the more sustainable multipolar policies pursued by nations like Russia and China now displacing American power and influence around the globle.
But because of this, US policymakers will continue to sell increasingly unattractive narratives a growing number of people both in policy circles and even in the general public will turn away from.
Like any enterprise – US hegemony has over the decades attracted many investors and shareholders. And like any enterprise – when times change and the business model used to sustain that enterprise is no longer viable, significant reforms must be made or investors and shareholders should begin to divest and look elsewhere for better fortunes. Considering US policy toward Iran and many other nations appears hopelessly mired and increasingly desperate with no signs of legitimate reforms in the works, investors and shareholders most certainly should begin divesting and looking elsewhere.
Only time will tell what will take the place of the current interests driving US foreign policy, but what is certain is that US foreign policy in its current form is in terminal decline. Its designs toward Iran in particular will complicate the lives of and inflict suffering upon the Iranian people, but the designs laid out in 2009 by US policymakers and pursued ever since have failed to reap the desired results. Little the US can do now can change this.
Apex desperation is often followed by calamitous defeat and decline. An example of this in US history was clearly demonstrated throughout the Vietnam War until its conclusion. Very rarely do individuals, enterprises, or nations that reach the desperation US foreign policy versus Iran has reached make their way successfully through it – and nothing being said, written, or done in Washington suggests that the US will fare any differently this time.
***
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 IRAN NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Iran Files
SUPPORT OUR INDEPENDENT MEDIA PLATFORM – BECOME A MEMBER @21WIRE.TV


21stcenturywire--2020-02-05--Biden Self-Destructs in Iowa, Party Civil War – A Preview of Things to Come

He was meant to be the the party ’ s Great White Hope .
From the onset , it never really added up though .
Now everyone can see why .
This week , the Democrats ’ election primaries descended into chaos , as election workers were unable to provide any election results after the polls closed their opening primary contest at the Iowa Caucuses .
This was supposedly due to a ‘ technical glitch ‘ in the highly suspicious digital voting App that was meant to tally results from the state ’ s 1,700 precincts .
The more people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people behind it , the more they might feel that this was no coincidence .
You can start with the fact of who won the actual popular vote in the state .
Hint : it wasn ’ t the choice of party elites .
By now you have figured out that Democratic Party establishment have been backing a few select centerist candidates , led by 77 year-old former Vice President Joe Biden , long hailed as a “ top tier candidate ” and a “ front-runner , ” only this time he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up and mic in hand , stalwart Biden only managed to hobble in at 4th , or 5th place – in a state that was meant to favor older establishment and centerist Democrats .
Now he ’ s out of the top tier and trailing behind progressive leader Bernie Sanders , and conservative democrats Pete Buttigieg and Elizabeth Warren , and neck and neck with another marginal centerist , Amy Klobuchar .
As a result of this abysmal performance , Joe won ’ t be taking many delegates from Iowa to the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bodes well for the next 49 states he ’ ll be running in .
After a devastating defeat in 2016 , Democrats aren ’ t keen to waste their vote on anyone who garners the label unelectable .
Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff ’ s epic impeachment train wreck haven ’ t done him any favors either .
The ramshackle proceedings seemed to create additional obstacles for Biden who now is unable to shake-off allegations of corruption and nepotism .
When it ’ s all said and done , smart historians will look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it actually was : an ornate partisan distraction engineered to conceal the Democrats ’ own rank political and financial corruption and foreign policy failures which were allowed to fester under 8 years of Barack Obama .
SEE ALSO : Hunting for Hunter : Evidence on Biden , Burisma Ukraine Bond Scandal , Tied to U.S. Firm When Today Show reporter Savannah Guthrie challenged Biden on Sunday about his son Hunter ’ s dubious oil and gas enterprise in Ukraine , an embattled Biden immediately became defensive , lashing out at the reporter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what she was talking about.
’ This embarrassing media moment really signaled the death knell of the Biden 2020 campaign .
Biden tried desperately to tout his electability bona fides by claiming he was the only Democratic candidate with “ broad support , ” but polls numbers do not reflect the imaginary world he and his party ’ s elite wing are attempting to project on the consciousness of the American public .
.
Despite going to great efforts to market himself as ‘ middle class , ’ he embodies everything that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elites ; shamelessly accepting big corporate contributions , letting lobbyists run your legislative platform , including allowing credit card firms to bankroll your political existence while simultaneously supporting dodgy legislation which made average Americans sink further into personal debt .
Not to mention gifting his family with unearned fortunes from side deals landed by virtue of his own lofty status within Washington DC hierarchy .
None of this seems to bother Joe though .
Hence , the aggregate image of Joe Biden which the American people are forming is not good – that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the front to intimate reporters and voters , and who is deeply corrupt .
How party elites ever thought that a fatally flawed character like Biden would resonate with the American people is really beyond belief .
Biden has frequently lost his temper when questioned about his son Hunter Biden ’ s lucrative board position with Burisma in Ukraine .
Still , it will be interesting to see how the party and media try to resurrect Biden after this , or if they just cut their losses and let him go .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of touch party luminaries are with life on the ground in America .
Again , they ’ re making the very same mistake they made in 2016 when they shunned the popular party base in favor of a hand-picked , pre-anointed establishment centerist .
Any voter who can read knew that all polling beforehand showed Bernie with a commanding lead in Iowa .
Then suddenly , the Des Moines poll gets memory-holed , and entire state-wide voting system ‘ crashes ’ ?
Really ?
Watching all of this unfold in a space of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the DNC shenanigans in 2016 , should lead any reasonable political analyst to conclude the Democratic Party might be the most corrupt political organization in the world , and that it would hardly bat an eyelid before trying to cheat or deceive its own voters .
Political commentator Nathan Robinson summed-up just how bad Iowa has been for the Democratic Party , as he explains : If you ’ re a Sanders supporter , you have reason to be suspicious .
We had already seen the Des Moines Register suppress the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll on the eve of the election , after a complaint from Buttigieg .
And with 0 % of caucus results in , Buttigieg declared himself “ victorious ” , praising the “ incredible result ” and saying Iowa had “ shocked the nation ” .
The only thing that had shocked the nation at this point was Iowa ’ s total inability to perform the relatively simple task of counting people ’ s votes .
But Buttigieg , good McKinseyite that he is , was getting a head start on deploying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party ’ s elite wing will do whatever it takes to undermine and ultimately railroad any potential anti-Establishment or populist candidate threatening to erect a big tent on its palatial corporate .
Thus , all manner of dirty tricks are fair game for these Machiavellians .
Iowa was just the opening act .
Get ready for the wildest , ill-mannered and most cut-throat political cannonball run in American history .
By the end of it , the party will have all but devoured itself , and in hardly any condition to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House .
If they lose , they will only have themselves to blame , again ( and not the Russians ) .
*** Author Patrick Henningsen is an American writer and global affairs analyst and founder of independent news and analysis site 21st Century Wire , and is host of the SUNDAY WIRE weekly radio show broadcast globally over the Alternate Current Radio Network ( ACR ) .
He has written for a number of international publications and has done extensive on-the-ground reporting in the Middle East including work in Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

By
Patrick Henningsen
21st Century Wire
He was meant to be the the party’s Great White Hope. From the onset, it never really added up though. Now everyone can see why.
This week, the Democrats’ election primaries descended into chaos, as election workers were unable to provide any election results after the polls closed their opening primary contest at the Iowa Caucuses. This was supposedly due to a ‘technical glitch‘ in the highly suspicious digital voting App that was meant to tally results from the state’s 1,700 precincts. The more people learn about this mysterious App and the people behind it, the more they might feel that this was no coincidence. You can start with the fact of who won the actual popular vote in the state. Hint: it wasn’t the choice of party elites.
By now you have figured out that the Democratic Party establishment have been backing a few select centrist candidates, led by 77 year-old former Vice President Joe Biden, long hailed as a “top-tier candidate” and a “front-runner,” only this time he was a near no-show.
With sleeves rolled up and mic in hand, stalwart Biden only managed to hobble in at 4th, or 5th place – in a state that was meant to favor older establishment and centrist Democrats. Now he’s out of the top-tier and trailing behind progressive leader Bernie Sanders, and conservative democrats Pete Buttigieg and Elizabeth Warren, and neck and neck with another marginal centrist, Amy Klobuchar. As a result of this abysmal performance, Joe won’t be taking many delegates from Iowa to the party convention in July.
None of this bodes well for the next 49 states he’ll be running in. After a devastating defeat in 2016, Democrats aren’t keen to waste their vote on anyone who garners the label unelectable.
Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff’s epic impeachment train wreck hasn’t done him any favors either. The ramshackle proceedings seemed to create additional obstacles for Biden who now is unable to shake-off allegations of corruption and nepotism. When it’s all said and done, smart historians will look back on the impeachment circus for what it actually was: an ornate partisan distraction engineered to conceal the Democrats’ own rank political and financial corruption and foreign policy failures which were allowed to fester under 8 years of Barack Obama.
SEE ALSO: Hunting for Hunter: Evidence on Biden, Burisma Ukraine Bond Scandal, Tied to U.S. Firm
When Today Show reporter Savannah Guthrie challenged Biden on Sunday about his son Hunter’s dubious oil and gas enterprise in Ukraine, an embattled Biden immediately became defensive, lashing out at the reporter and claiming that she ‘didn’t know what she was talking about.’ This embarrassing media moment really signaled the death knell of the Biden 2020 campaign. Biden tried desperately to tout his electability bona fides by claiming he was the only Democratic candidate with “broad support,” but poll numbers do not reflect the imaginary world he and his party’s elite wing are attempting to project on the consciousness of the American public.
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Despite going to great efforts to market himself as ‘middle class,’ he embodies everything that Americans have learned to hate about DC elites; shamelessly accepting big corporate contributions, letting lobbyists run your legislative platform, including allowing credit card firms to bankroll your political existence while simultaneously supporting dodgy legislation which made average Americans sink further into personal debt. Not to mention gifting his family with unearned fortunes from side deals landed by virtue of his own lofty status within Washington DC hierarchy. None of this seems to bother Joe though.
Hence, the aggregate image of Joe Biden which the American people are forming is not good – that of an ill-tempered aging plutocrat who has the front to intimate reporters and voters, and who is deeply corrupt. How party elites ever thought that a fatally flawed character like Biden would resonate with the American people is really beyond belief.
Biden has frequently lost his temper when questioned about his son Hunter Biden’s lucrative board position with Burisma in Ukraine.
Still, it will be interesting to see how the party and media try to resurrect Biden after this, or if they just cut their losses and let him go. But it really does show just how out of touch party luminaries are with life on the ground in America. Again, they’re making the very same mistake they made in 2016 when they shunned the popular party base in favor of a hand-picked, pre-anointed establishment centrist. Any voter who can read knew that all polling beforehand showed Bernie with a commanding lead in Iowa. Then suddenly, the Des Moines poll gets memory-holed, and entire state-wide voting system ‘crashes’? Really?
Watching all of this unfold in a space of 48 hours, and taking into account all of the DNC shenanigans in 2016, should lead any reasonable political analyst to conclude the Democratic Party might be the most corrupt political organization in the world, and that it would hardly bat an eyelid before trying to cheat or deceive its own voters. Political commentator Nathan Robinson summed-up just how bad Iowa has been for the Democratic Party, as he explains:
If you’re a Sanders supporter, you have reason to be suspicious. We had already seen the Des Moines Register suppress the results of its “gold standard” poll on the eve of the election, after a complaint from Buttigieg. And with 0% of caucus results in, Buttigieg declared himself “victorious”, praising the “incredible result” and saying Iowa had “shocked the nation”. The only thing that had shocked the nation at this point was Iowa’s total inability to perform the relatively simple task of counting people’s votes. But Buttigieg, good McKinseyite that he is, was getting a head start on deploying the PR spin.
Make no mistake: the party’s elite wing will do whatever it takes to undermine and ultimately railroad any potential anti-Establishment or populist candidate threatening to erect a big tent on its palatial corporate. Thus, all manner of dirty tricks are fair game for these Machiavellians.
Iowa was just the opening act. Get ready for the wildest, ill-mannered and most cut-throat political cannonball run in American history. By the end of it, the party will have all but devoured itself, and in hardly any condition to make an aggressive run against the incumbent in the White House.
If they lose, they will only have themselves to blame, again (and not the Russians).
***
Author Patrick Henningsen is an American writer and global affairs analyst and founder of independent news and analysis site 21st Century Wire, and is host of the SUNDAY WIRE weekly radio show broadcast globally over the Alternate Current Radio Network (ACR). He has written for a number of international publications and has done extensive on-the-ground reporting in the Middle East including work in Syria and Iraq. See his archive here.
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21stcenturywire--2020-02-07--VIDEO: ‘The Last White Helmet of Idlib’

VIDEO: ‘The Last White Helmet of Idlib’

If you are viewing the situation in Syria through a western lens , then you might be looking at the world upside down and backwards .
Such is the degree of distortion by the west , as narrative managers in politics , media , and NGOs work overtime to try and convince a clueless western public that the terrorists occupying the de facto Islamic State of Idlib – are really just democracy-loving ‘ freedom fighters.
’ “ To demonstrate solidarity with the Idlib peace activists , US diplomats , including Mike Pompeo and Kelly Craft , should wear white helmets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefings and events related to the conflict in Syria .
Mr. Pompeo himself could visit the city of freedom , Idlib , where he could take the opportunity to drink a cup of tea with leaders of all these groups and organizations which the State Department supports so fiercely .
For sure , members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham will be glad to hear Pompeo ’ s explanations for the nebulosity of the US approach towards them .
It is a bit unclear why the US officially recognizes them as terrorists , when its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watch :

By
If you are viewing the situation in Syria through a western lens, then you might be looking at the world upside down and backwards. Such is the degree of distortion by the west, as narrative managers in politics, media, and NGOs work overtime to try and convince a clueless western public that the terrorists occupying the de facto Islamic State of Idlib – are really just democracy-loving ‘freedom fighters.’
South Front says…
“To demonstrate solidarity with the Idlib peace activists, US diplomats, including Mike Pompeo and Kelly Craft, should wear white helmets and carry little black flags during all briefings and events related to the conflict in Syria. Mr. Pompeo himself could visit the city of freedom, Idlib, where he could take the opportunity to drink a cup of tea with leaders of all these groups and organizations which the State Department supports so fiercely. For sure, members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham will be glad to hear Pompeo’s explanations for the nebulosity of the US approach towards them. It is a bit unclear why the US officially recognizes them as terrorists, when its diplomacy is aimed at supporting them.” Watch:
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21stcenturywire--2020-02-07--EXPLAINED: Trump & Kushner’s ‘Deal of the Century’ for Palestine-Israel

In this video , we look at ‘ Trump & Sons ’ supposed landmark ‘ Deal of the Century ’ @ @ @ @ @ On closer inspection it ’ s already an unmitigated political disaster for the White House @ @ @ @ @ for Tel Aviv either .
For the Palestinians and their supporters around the world , @ @ @ @ @ .

By
In this video, we look at ‘Trump & Sons’ supposed landmark ‘Deal of the Century’ for Israel and Palestine. On closer inspection it’s already an unmitigated political disaster for the White House, and not much better for Tel Aviv either. For the Palestinians and their supporters around the world, it’s completely unacceptable.
21WIRE editor Patrick Henningsen joins UK Column’s Mike Robinson to deconstruct Washington’s latest failed endeavor. Watch:
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21stcenturywire--2020-02-07--UKC News: Trump Acquitted, Bernie Takes Iowa (Finally), Dem’s Dodgy App, Phony Iraq Intel

The impeachment circus came to an abrupt end this week as the US Senate voted to acquit President Trump of @ @ @ @ @ under a 4 year-long partisan RussiaGate hoax .
The Democrats ’ woes did not end @ @ @ @ @ the Iowa Caucus Primary contest descended into chaos after the party ’ s dodgy digital @ @ @ @ @ votes , opening a back door for centerist , Pete Buttigieg , to come from @ @ @ @ @ Sanders .
Also , it turns out that the US had the wrong intelligence over @ @ @ @ @ on an Iraqi base which started the chain of events which nearly brought Washington and @ @ @ @ @ where Iraqis demanded US troops to leave their country .
All this more .
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@ @ @ @ @ HERE

By
The impeachment circus came to an abrupt end this week as the US Senate voted to acquit President Trump of charges, drawing a line under a 4 year-long partisan RussiaGate hoax. The Democrats’ woes did not end there this week, as the Iowa Caucus Primary contest descended into chaos after the party’s dodgy digital election app failed to record votes, opening a back door for centerist, Pete Buttigieg, to come from behind and challenge front-runner Bernie Sanders. Also, it turns out that the US had the wrong intelligence over the December 27th rocket attack on an Iraqi base which started the chain of events which nearly brought Washington and Iran to war, and where Iraqis demanded US troops to leave their country. All this more.
Co-hosts Mike Robinson and Patrick Henningsen cover this week’s top stories internationally. Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdplVVrHOi8
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SEE MORE UK COLUMN EPISODES HERE
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21stcenturywire--2020-02-09--U.S. Lied About ‘Intelligence’ Which Blamed Iraqi PMUs for Attack on US Base, Leading to War with Ir

U.S. Lied About ‘Intelligence’ Which Blamed Iraqi PMUs for Attack on US Base, Leading to War with Iran

Back on December 27 , 2019 , the Trump Administration claimed it had ‘ intelligence ’ that the attack on @ @ @ @ @ base in Iraq which killed a US contractor – was carried out by supposed “ @ @ @ @ @ reality , these would have been Iraqi PMUs ) on the orders of Iranian general @ @ @ @ @ time Iraqi authorities said it was likely an ISIS cell , but the US ignored @ @ @ @ @ have irrefutable intelligence that Iran was responsible , and proceeded to launch a US attack @ @ @ @ @ Iraqi PMU facilities – triggering a chain of events that drew the region dangerously close @ @ @ @ @ the US and Iran .
Once again , history repeats itself .
UKC News co-hosts @ @ @ @ @ discuss the implications of this latest development .
Watch :

By
Back on December 27, 2019, the Trump Administration claimed it had ‘intelligence’ that the attack on its “K1” joint base in Iraq which killed a US contractor – was carried out by supposed “Iranian militias” (in reality, these would have been Iraqi PMUs) on the orders of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. At the time Iraqi authorities said it was likely an ISIS cell, but the US ignored them, instead claiming to have irrefutable intelligence that Iran was responsible, and proceeded to launch a US attack two days later hitting multiple Iraqi PMU facilities – triggering a chain of events that drew the region dangerously close to a full-scale war between the US and Iran. Once again, history repeats itself.
UKC News co-hosts Mike Robinson and Patrick Henningsen discuss the implications of this latest development. Watch:
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21stcenturywire--2020-02-09--Episode #314 – ‘Welcome to the Granite State’ with guests Daniel Spaulding and Basil Valentine

Episode # 314 of SUNDAY WIRE SHOW resumes on February 9 , 2020 with host Patrick Henningsen , broadcasting LIVE on the Alternate Current Radio Network ( ACR ) … 5pm-8pm UK Time | 12pm-3pm ET ( US ) | 9am-12pm PT ( US ) This week the SUNDAY WIRE broadcasts LIVE on ACR with host Patrick Henningsen covering the top stories in the US , Europe and internationally .
This week we ’ ll lift the lid on the Beltway Swamp ’ s wicked road show , otherwise known as the US Presidential Primaries , as campaigns ’ predatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elites are busy behind the scenes attempting the fix the outcomes of their own electoral contents .
Later in the first hour , we ’ ll go on the ground to the first proper Primary content in the state of New Hampshire , with ACR political commentator Daniel Spaulding , to break down and analyze who is trending and who is not – and what to expect on polling day .
In the final segment of overdrive , we ’ ll talk with SUNDAY WIRE Roving Correspondent for Culture & Sport , Basil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debacle , as well as the recent meeting with John Shipton , father of Julian Assange , as well as the increasingly dull UK Labour leadership content as the party threatens to disappear for a decade down one of Tony Blair ’ s ready-made centerist rabbit holes .
All this and much more .
Enjoy the show… AND ALSO BECOME A TEAM MEMBER @ 21WIRE.TV *NOTE : THIS EPISODE MAY CONTAIN STRONG LANGUAGE AND MATURE THEMES*

By
Episode #314 of SUNDAY WIRE SHOW resumes on February 9, 2020 with host Patrick Henningsen, broadcasting LIVE on the Alternate Current Radio Network (ACR)…
LISTEN LIVE ON THIS PAGE – START TIMES:
5pm-8pm UK Time | 12pm-3pm ET (US) | 9am-12pm PT (US)
This week the SUNDAY WIRE broadcasts LIVE on ACR with host Patrick Henningsen covering the top stories in the US, Europe and internationally. This week we’ll lift the lid on the Beltway Swamp’s wicked road show, otherwise known as the US Presidential Primaries, as campaigns’ predatory instincts kick-in, meanwhile the Democratic Party elites are busy behind the scenes attempting the fix the outcomes of their own electoral contents. Later in the first hour, we’ll go on the ground to the first proper Primary content in the state of New Hampshire, with ACR political commentator Daniel Spaulding, to break down and analyze who is trending and who is not – and what to expect on polling day. In the final segment of overdrive, we’ll talk with SUNDAY WIRE Roving Correspondent for Culture & Sport, Basil Valentine, to discuss the Iowa Caucus debacle, as well as the recent meeting with John Shipton, father of Julian Assange, as well as the increasingly dull UK Labour leadership content as the party threatens to disappear for a decade down one of Tony Blair’s ready-made centerist rabbit holes. All this and much more. Enjoy the show…
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*NOTE: THIS EPISODE MAY CONTAIN STRONG LANGUAGE AND MATURE THEMES*
Download Episode #314
Sunday Wire Radio Show Archives


21stcenturywire--2020-02-09--BERNIE vs BUTTIGIEG: Iowa Caucus Disaster Reveals Democrats’ Elite Digital Mafia

The Democrats really had a rough week .
Trump ’ s impeachment acquittal rocked Capitol Hill , but the real @ @ @ @ @ came during the Iowa Caucuses primary contest – which quickly descended into electoral chaos after @ @ @ @ @ digital election App failed to record votes – part of a series of incidents which @ @ @ @ @ come from behind to challenge front-runner Bernie Sanders .
But the story didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ behind this chaos is a group of billionaire elites and their digital mafia – determined @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 Election .

By
The Democrats really had a rough week. Trump’s impeachment acquittal rocked Capitol Hill, but the real blow to the Democratic Establishment came during the Iowa Caucuses primary contest – which quickly descended into electoral chaos after the party’s dodgy digital election App failed to record votes – part of a series of incidents which allowed centrist Pete Buttigieg to come from behind to challenge front-runner Bernie Sanders. But the story didn’t stop there: lurking quietly behind this chaos is a group of billionaire elites and their digital mafia – determined to game the outcome of the 2020 Election.
21WIRE editor Patrick Henningsen joins UK Column’s Mike Robinson to deconstruct Washington’s latest crisis of ‘democracy.’ Watch:
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21stcenturywire--2020-02-09--Revealed: Buttigieg’s Role in Cover-up of Racially-Motivated Purge of South Bend Black Police Chief

In a Democratic Party dominated by issues of racism and identity politics , this story has the potential to thwart Mayor Pete ’ s Cinderella story .
Ever since Pete Buttigieg announced his candidate to become US President , he has been plagued with talk of being unpopular with black voters in America .
Not surprisingly , very few mainstream outlets were keen to offer any deep analysis as to what happened with this story .
More often than not , America ’ s corporate media remains largely out of touch with the actual feelings and concerns of the ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead to patronize them and project onto them those views and issues which the ruling Democratic Party establishment feel suit them best .
Had the media actually bothered to dig deeper on Buttigieg , they would have found a scandal seemingly hidden in plain sight – a story which has been marinating in African-American circles for a while now : a tale of institutional racism within the government of South Bend , Indiana , presided over by an inexperienced young Mayor completely beholden to his ‘ donors.
’ A familiar theme , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic Party ’ s presidential primary begins to heat up in New Hampshire , the story still weighs down Buttigieg ’ s mercurial rise some .
He is already performing worse with black voters against Trump than any other candidate , with some 4 in 10 black voters saying that they would either not vote or vote for someone else if Buttigieg were the Democratic Party ’ s nominee .
Legal documents related to Pete Buttigieg ’ s ousting of South Bend ’ s first black police chief describe a plan by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buttigieg ’ s campaign donors to get him to remove the chief , Darryl Boykins , once Buttigieg became mayor .
“ It is going to be a fun time when all white people are in charge , ” one officer is quoted as saying in the documents , which describe secret police recordings .
The previously undisclosed documents shed new light on the most controversial chapter of Buttigieg ’ s South Bend political career .
The documents describe a plan to use two Buttigieg donors — including his campaign chairman — to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Bend Police Department ( SBPD ) .
Both donors deny having such discussions with Buttigieg .
Buttigieg campaign National Press Secretary Chris Meagher asked to see the documents , saying , “ You ’ re more than willing to report rumors you are unable to prove , so it ’ d be nice to see some of this , ” but provided no further comment .
The secret recordings of South Bend police phone lines have been a source of intrigue and controversy since their existence was revealed in March 2012 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayoralty .
Speculation about the recordings and Buttigieg ’ s refusal to release them has dogged him into his presidential campaign , while their contents have remained largely a mystery .
Buttigieg has said as recently as this year that he wants to know what was said on the recordings , but that he is not sure he can legally even ask the city employee who listened to them to describe what she heard .
But the documents show that Buttigieg ’ s lawyers secretly did just that in 2013…

By
In a Democratic Party dominated by issues of racism and identity politics, this story has the potential to thwart Mayor Pete’s Cinderella story.
Ever since Pete Buttigieg announced As a candidate to become US President, he has been plagued with talk of being unpopular with black voters in America.
Not surprisingly, very few mainstream outlets were keen to offer any deep analysis as to what happened with this story. More often than not, America’s corporate media remains largely out of touch with the actual feelings and concerns of the ‘black community’ in America, preferring instead to patronize them and project onto them those views and issues which the ruling Democratic Party establishment feel suit them best. Had the media actually bothered to dig deeper on Buttigieg, they would have found a scandal seemingly hidden in plain sight – a story which has been marinating in African-American circles for a while now: a tale of institutional racism within the government of South Bend, Indiana, presided over by an inexperienced young Mayor completely beholden to his ‘donors.’ A familiar theme, so far as corruption stories go.
As the Democratic Party’s presidential primary begins to heat up in New Hampshire, the story still weighs down Buttigieg’s mercurial rise some. He is already performing worse with black voters against Trump than any other candidate, with some 4 in 10 black voters saying that they would either not vote or vote for someone else if Buttigieg were the Democratic Party’s nominee.
TYT reports…
Legal documents related to Pete Buttigieg’s ousting of South Bend’s first black police chief describe a plan by white police officers in 2011 to use Buttigieg’s campaign donors to get him to remove the chief, Darryl Boykins, once Buttigieg became mayor.
“It is going to be a fun time when all white people are in charge,” one officer is quoted as saying in the documents, which describe secret police recordings. The previously undisclosed documents shed new light on the most controversial chapter of Buttigieg’s South Bend political career.
The documents describe a plan to use two Buttigieg donors — including his campaign chairman — to lobby Buttigieg on personnel changes at the South Bend Police Department (SBPD). Both donors deny having such discussions with Buttigieg.
Buttigieg campaign National Press Secretary Chris Meagher asked to see the documents, saying, “You’re more than willing to report rumors you are unable to prove, so it’d be nice to see some of this,” but provided no further comment.
The secret recordings of South Bend police phone lines have been a source of intrigue and controversy since their existence was revealed in March 2012, at the dawn of Buttigieg’s mayoralty. Speculation about the recordings and Buttigieg’s refusal to release them has dogged him into his presidential campaign, while their contents have remained largely a mystery.
Buttigieg has said as recently as this year that he wants to know what was said on the recordings, but that he is not sure he can legally even ask the city employee who listened to them to describe what she heard. But the documents show that Buttigieg’s lawyers secretly did just that in 2013…
Continue this story at TYT
READ MORE 2020 ELECTION NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire 2020 Files
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21stcenturywire--2020-02-08--Coronavirus Death Toll in China Reaches 724, with over 34,000 Cases Worldwide

As of Friday , there are now an additional 3,000 new cases of the Coronavirus in China , confirmed by officials in the country ’ s Hubei province .
This brings the total number affected by the disease to just over 34,000 , including some 724 fatalities .
On Friday , an additional 81 deaths reported in Hubei – the heaviest daily death toll yet .
In addition to China , there are 25 other countries with active cases .
In response to the health crisis , Beijing is now implementing stringent quarantine measures and travel restrictions spanning across numerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of millions of Chinese citizens .
In reaction to this latest news , the Trump Administration has announced it will now commit $ 100 million towards the World Health Organization and China , and for other infected countries ’ operations .
The UK Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed at least 3 Coronavirus cases nationally .
Patients are undergoing close monitoring in a special care unit of the NHS .
NOTE : GlobalData ’ s latest Coronavirus Influencers dashboard is now live on the website Pharmaceutical Technology , where readers can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Coronavirus epidemic .

As of Friday, there are now an additional 3,000 new cases of the Coronavirus in China, confirmed by officials in the country’s Hubei province. This brings the total number affected by the disease to just over 34,000, including some 724 fatalities.
On Friday, an additional 81 deaths reported in Hubei – the heaviest daily death toll yet.
In addition to China, there are 25 other countries with active cases.
In response to the health crisis, Beijing is now implementing stringent quarantine measures and travel restrictions spanning across numerous cities in a province populated by tens of millions of Chinese citizens.
US reaction
In reaction to this latest news, the Trump Administration has announced it will now commit $100 million towards the World Health Organization and China, and for other infected countries’ operations.
New UK case
The UK Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed at least 3 Coronavirus cases nationally. Patients are undergoing close monitoring in a special care unit of the NHS.
NOTE: Here are LIVE updates of Coronavirus cases by country where readers can track latest developments globally related to the Coronavirus epidemic.
READ MORE CHINA NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire China Files
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21stcenturywire--2020-02-08--Election 2020: Ron Paul’s interview with Tulsi Gabbard

Can the left , right and center build successful coalitions ?
Some think it ’ s possible .
US Rep. @ @ @ @ @ Tulsi Gabbard ( D-HI ) joins Ron Paul ’ s Liberty Report to discuss the @ @ @ @ @ message among New Hampshire voters .
But why is the corporate media and even her @ @ @ @ @ to make sure that her voice is not heard ?
How did she come to @ @ @ @ @ , after enlisting in the military early in the 2000 ’ s ?
Watch :

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Can the left, right and center build successful coalitions? Some think it’s possible.
US Rep. and Democratic Party presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) joins Ron Paul’s Liberty Report to discuss the real resonance of her anti-war message among New Hampshire voters. But why is the corporate media and even her own party doing its best to make sure that her voice is not heard? How did she come to turn against US foreign interventionism, after enlisting in the military early in the 2000’s? Watch:
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21stcenturywire--2020-02-08--Duterte: ‘US-Philippines Military Collaboration Agreement is Toast’

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has announced his intention to terminate his country ’ s ‘ visiting forces agreement ’ with the United States .
Duterte is said to be threatening to end the 1999 agreement after the US government cancelled a visitor ’ s visa for Philippino Senator Ronald Dela Rosa , a former national police chief , and close political ally of Duterte – supposedly over ‘ human rights abuses.
’ This is likely to set the scene for further geopolitical dramas between Manila and Washington , and in the shadow of China .
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which provides legal immunity to US military drills , in retaliation for the US canceling the visa of a political ally and fellow drug-warrior .
“ The president said he is terminating the VFA , ” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told ABS-CBN News on Friday .
“ I asked for clarification and he said he is not changing his decision.
” The agreement provides legal immunity for US soldiers conducting military exercises in the Philippines .
Enraged by the US decision to cancel the visa of former police chief and Senator Roland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given Washington a month to fix its ‘ mistake , ’ refusing to back down even as other members of his government urged him to reconsider .
“ I ’ m warning you… if you won ’ t do the correction on this , I will terminate the… Visiting Forces Agreement , ” Duterte said last month , daring the US to call his bluff…

By
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has announced his intention to terminate his country’s ‘visiting forces agreement’ with the United States.
Duterte is said to be threatening to end the 1999 agreement after the US government cancelled a visitor’s visa for Philippino Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, a former national police chief, and close political ally of Duterte – supposedly over ‘human rights abuses.’
This is likely to set the scene for further geopolitical dramas between Manila and Washington, and in the shadow of China.
RT International reports…
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is “terminating” the Visiting Forces Agreement, which provides legal immunity to US military drills, in retaliation for the US canceling the visa of a political ally and fellow drug-warrior.
“The president said he is terminating the VFA,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told ABS-CBN News on Friday. “I asked for clarification and he said he is not changing his decision.” The agreement provides legal immunity for US soldiers conducting military exercises in the Philippines.
Enraged by the US decision to cancel the visa of former police chief and Senator Roland dela Rosa last month, Duterte had given Washington a month to fix its ‘mistake,’ refusing to back down even as other members of his government urged him to reconsider.
“I’m warning you… if you won’t do the correction on this, I will terminate the… Visiting Forces Agreement,” Duterte said last month, daring the US to call his bluff…
Continue this story at RT International
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21stcenturywire--2020-02-10--Irish Elections: Republicans Sinn Féin in Surprise Win, Edging Out Centre-Right Parties

The recent Irish elections have sent shock waves through the country , and also to Great Britain .
With more than three-quarters of seats filled , results are showing a historic performance for the left-wing , republican party , Sinn Féin .
In a tight three-way race , ruling party Fine Gael , led by Prime Minister Leo Varadkar , was edged out – although no one party secured enough seats to win outright majority .
Election results for first preference selections were as follows : Mary Lou McDonald ( image above ) , President of Sinn Féin , described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something of a revolution in the ballot box.
” She told RTÉ ’ s Morning Ireland show on Monday that , “ The frustration people have felt for a long time with the two-party system , whereby Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil handed the baton of power between each other – that ’ s now over.
” Pundits have noted how this latest surge by Sinn Féin has finally broken the duopoly of the country ’ s two party system , suddenly transformed into a three party system .
Sinn Féin increased its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 in this election .
Sinn Féin is vowing to play a central role in the formation of a new government , ideally with other left-wing parties and others like the Green Party , although it has said it will be in talks with center-right stalwarts Fianna Fail and Fine Gael .
McDonald told RTE : Shock results in the south have drawn criticism north of the border though , with DUP MP Sammy Wilson remarking that , “ People down south will soon catch on , Sinn Féin are a good party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sorts of promises which bears no resemblance to reality , but they are a pretty useless party of government as we have learned over a number of years at Stormont.
” In the Shadow of Brexit Naturally , this latest result in Dublin will trigger the debate for Irish unification – an issue already fermenting from Brexit and Boris Johnson ’ s still lingering customs and border issues with technocrats in Brussels .
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson , also from Northern Ireland ’ s DUP party , insists that , “ Three-quarters of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fein and we shouldn ’ t lose sight of that.
” A Sinn Féin party spokesperson immediately responded saying that , “ Jeffrey Donaldson needs to read the latest in a series of polls which shows that more than 57 % of people in the south support a referendum on Irish unity within five years .
”

By
The recent Irish elections have sent shock waves through the country, and also to Great Britain. With more than three-quarters of seats filled, results are showing a historic performance for the left-wing, republican party, Sinn Féin.
In a tight three-way race, ruling party Fine Gael, led by Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, was edged out – although no one party secured enough seats to win outright majority.
Election results for first preference selections were as follows:
Sinn Féin 24.5%
Fianna Fáil 22%
Fine Gael 21%
Mary Lou McDonald (image above), President of Sinn Féin, described the party’s surprise as “something of a revolution in the ballot box.”
She told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland show on Monday that, “The frustration people have felt for a long time with the two-party system, whereby Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil handed the baton of power between each other – that’s now over.”
Pundits have noted how this latest surge by Sinn Féin has finally broken the duopoly of the country’s two party system, suddenly transformed into a three party system.
Sinn Féin increased its seats from 23 in 2016, to 40 in this election.
Sinn Féin is vowing to play a central role in the formation of a new government, ideally with other left-wing parties and others like the Green Party, although it has said it will be in talks with center-right stalwarts Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. McDonald told RTE:
“My first job of work… is to establish with other parties whether or not there are the numbers, whether there is the political will, to deliver a new government without Fianna Fail or Fine Gael.”
Shock results in the south have drawn criticism north of the border though, with DUP MP Sammy Wilson remarking that, “People down south will soon catch on, Sinn Féin are a good party of opposition where they can make all sorts of promises which bears no resemblance to reality, but they are a pretty useless party of government as we have learned over a number of years at Stormont.”
In the Shadow of Brexit
Naturally, this latest result in Dublin will trigger the debate for Irish unification – an issue already fermenting from Brexit and Boris Johnson’s still lingering customs and border issues with technocrats in Brussels.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, also from Northern Ireland’s DUP party, insists that, “Three-quarters of people in Ireland have not voted for Sinn Fein and we shouldn’t lose sight of that.”
A Sinn Féin party spokesperson immediately responded saying that, “Jeffrey Donaldson needs to read the latest in a series of polls which shows that more than 57% of people in the south support a referendum on Irish unity within five years.”
Interesting times ahead for Ireland.
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21stcenturywire--2020-02-10--Why Are Democrats Denying a Voice to Their Strongest Candidate?

KEENE , N.H. – Don ’ t tell the Democrats , but they are ignoring their best candidate for president .
That candidate is Tulsi Gabbard .
She is the congresswoman from Hawaii who would have the best chance of picking up the votes of independents and even some Republicans in November .
But at the moment she is being ostracized by party leaders .
And you will even lose the chance to try some macadamia toffee .
Gabbard ’ s people handed out samples of that rare treat made from a nut grown in her native Hawaii .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her telling the tale of how she first made friends after getting elected to the house in 2012 .
Gabbard described how she had her mother back in the islands prepare 435 packages of the toffee so she could give one to each member of the House of Representatives .
Her goal was to make friends on the other side of the aisle and do something about “ the hyper-partisanship that is tearing us apart.
” It worked .
“ I started to hear from senior ranking Republicans , ” Gabbard said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if I cold-called them they wouldn ’ t return my call.
” After getting the toffee , she said , “ They called to thank me.
” Who wouldn ’ t ?
The stuff is addictive .
And Gabbard is not your average , boring congress member .
She is an Iraq War vet who surfs and snowboards and has a charm about her that comes , I suspect , from having grown up on a small island packed with people .
If you don ’ t get along with your neighbors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cross a hundred miles or so of ocean to find some new ones .
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard speaks with New Hampshire voters ahead of the 2020 Democratic primary .
The contrast with the current president would work in her favor – even down to the music each plays at rallies .
Trump likes to play a lot of really loud Rolling Stones music at his rallies .
Meanwhile at this small rally in the Keene State College student center , Gabbard warmed the audience up with the music of Jack Johnson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shore who plays some of the most melodious music out there .
Not only that , but Gabbard rejects a lot of the extremism that has flourished in the Democratic Party in the Trump era .
In an answer to a question from the audience on the student debt issue , she dismissed the idea of canceling all that debt .
Instead she wants to regulate the often loan-shark-level interest rates and end the current ban on declaring bankruptcy on student debt .
Her idea , an eminently sensible one , is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cautious about lending out the money if they know the student in question won ’ t be able to pay it back .
On health care , she rejected Medicare-for-all in favor of a system that “ guarantees quality health care for everyone while allowing you to have a private plan.
” She also got in a shot at “ the pay-to-play culture in Washington ” in which Big Pharma and lobbyists rig the system to overcharge Americans .
That ’ s not far from Trump ’ s own rhetoric on prescription prices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ column on his Wildwood rally , Trump pushed the importation of cheaper prescription drugs from Canada and blasted the “ rich middlemen ” who have opposed such reforms .
Gabbard also sounds a lot like Trump when it comes to ending what both have termed “ regime-change wars.
” That ’ s gotten her in trouble with her fellow Democrats , she told me when I spoke with her after the rally .
“ Unfortunately , when it comes to war in Washington there is one party and it is the party of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my brothers and sisters in uniforms who pay the price , ” said Gabbard , who worked with a medical unit in Iraq .
That ’ s not the kind of rhetoric that wins friends among Democrats .
Hillary Clinton termed her a “ Russian asset.
” At one debate , former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg accused Gabbard of being “ like Donald Trump ” in her antiwar rhetoric .
Guilty as charged .
Trump has assailed “ foolish wars ” and also proclaimed that “ great nations do not fight endless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opposite this fall then I for one can ’ t wait to hear it .
And in another shot at the leaders of her own party , Gabbard voted “ present ” on the Trump impeachment , making her one of only three House Democrats who failed to vote in favor of it .
That impeachment effort succeeded only in energizing the Republican base .
I suspect in the long term it will be seen as a debacle for the Democrats .
In short term , however , the Democratic base is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gabbard in the debates .
Even though she ’ s been polling in the same range as rich-guy candidates Tom Steyer and Andrew Yang , they made the cut for the final New Hampshire debate Friday .
But she didn ’ t .
And you ’ ll lose out on the macadamia toffee as well .
BELOW -WATCH AT THE 2:54 MARK AS PETE BUTTIGIEG COMPARES TULSI GABBARD TO DONALD TRUMP FOR DESIRING PEACE TALKS :

By
Paul Mulshine
Star Ledger
KEENE, N.H. – Don’t tell the Democrats, but they are ignoring their best candidate for president.
That candidate is Tulsi Gabbard. She is the congresswoman from Hawaii who would have the best chance of picking up the votes of independents and even some Republicans in November. But at the moment she is being ostracized by party leaders.
Well, it’s your loss.
And you will even lose the chance to try some macadamia toffee.
Gabbard’s people handed out samples of that rare treat made from a nut grown in her native Hawaii. The toffee accompanied a speech that began with her telling the tale of how she first made friends after getting elected to the house in 2012.
Gabbard described how she had her mother back in the islands prepare 435 packages of the toffee so she could give one to each member of the House of Representatives. Her goal was to make friends on the other side of the aisle and do something about “the hyper-partisanship that is tearing us apart.” It worked.
“I started to hear from senior ranking Republicans,” Gabbard said. “Powerful people, but also probably if I cold-called them they wouldn’t return my call.”
After getting the toffee, she said, “They called to thank me.”
Who wouldn’t? The stuff is addictive.
And Gabbard is not your average, boring congress member. She is an Iraq War vet who surfs and snowboards and has a charm about her that comes, I suspect, from having grown up on a small island packed with people. If you don’t get along with your neighbors in Hawaii, then you’ve got to cross a hundred miles or so of ocean to find some new ones.
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard speaks with New Hampshire voters ahead of the 2020 Democratic primary.
The contrast with the current president would work in her favor – even down to the music each plays at rallies.
Trump likes to play a lot of really loud Rolling Stones music at his rallies.
Meanwhile at this small rally in the Keene State College student center, Gabbard warmed the audience up with the music of Jack Johnson, a surfer from Oahu’s North Shore who plays some of the most melodious music out there.
Not only that, but Gabbard rejects a lot of the extremism that has flourished in the Democratic Party in the Trump era. In an answer to a question from the audience on the student debt issue, she dismissed the idea of canceling all that debt. Instead she wants to regulate the often loan-shark-level interest rates and end the current ban on declaring bankruptcy on student debt.
Her idea, an eminently sensible one, is that the banks will be a lot more cautious about lending out the money if they know the student in question won’t be able to pay it back.
On health care, she rejected Medicare-for-all in favor of a system that “guarantees quality health care for everyone while allowing you to have a private plan.” She also got in a shot at “the pay-to-play culture in Washington” in which Big Pharma and lobbyists rig the system to overcharge Americans.
That’s not far from Trump’s own rhetoric on prescription prices. As I noted in a recent column on his Wildwood rally, Trump pushed the importation of cheaper prescription drugs from Canada and blasted the “rich middlemen” who have opposed such reforms.
Gabbard also sounds a lot like Trump when it comes to ending what both have termed “regime-change wars.” That’s gotten her in trouble with her fellow Democrats, she told me when I spoke with her after the rally.
“Unfortunately, when it comes to war in Washington there is one party and it is the party of the warmongers who dishonor the service of my brothers and sisters in uniforms who pay the price,” said Gabbard, who worked with a medical unit in Iraq.
That’s not the kind of rhetoric that wins friends among Democrats. Hillary Clinton termed her a “Russian asset.” At one debate, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg accused Gabbard of being “like Donald Trump” in her antiwar rhetoric.
Guilty as charged. Trump has assailed “foolish wars” and also proclaimed that “great nations do not fight endless wars.”
If Buttigieg wants to argue the opposite this fall then I for one can’t wait to hear it.
And in another shot at the leaders of her own party, Gabbard voted “present” on the Trump impeachment, making her one of only three House Democrats who failed to vote in favor of it.
That impeachment effort succeeded only in energizing the Republican base. I suspect in the long term it will be seen as a debacle for the Democrats.
In short term, however, the Democratic base is being denied the chance to hear from Gabbard in the debates. Even though she’s been polling in the same range as rich-guy candidates Tom Steyer and Andrew Yang, they made the cut for the final New Hampshire debate Friday. But she didn’t.
It’s your loss, Democrats.
And you’ll lose out on the macadamia toffee as well.
BELOW -WATCH AT THE 2:54 MARK AS PETE BUTTIGIEG COMPARES TULSI GABBARD TO DONALD TRUMP FOR DESIRING PEACE TALKS:
.
READ MORE 2020 ELECTION NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire 2020 Files
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21stcenturywire--2020-02-10--Ann Wright: ‘Instead of Attacking WikiLeaks, Fix What It Exposed’

Author Ann Wright is a 29-year veteran who retired as a U.S. Army Reserve colonel and who later served as a U.S. diplomat in nine countries and deputy ambassador in four U.S. embassies .
She is a member of the Advisory Board for the Bradley Manning Support Network .
Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates was right when he suggested that the WikiLeaks revelations were “ embarrassing ” and “ awkward.
” But his assessment — and that of so many other government officials — stems from the magnitude of what he left unsaid .
These revelations are not merely embarrassing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions and policies that are an abuse of power and that violate international human-rights standards to which we as Americans are committed .
For instance , through the information coming from WikiLeaks documents , the public is now aware of “ FRAGO 242 ” — an official order not to report evidence of prisoner abuse by Iraqi security forces .
This policy violates the United Nations Convention Against Torture , which was ratified by Congress in 1994 .
The treaty explicitly requires allegations of cruel or inhuman treatment to be investigated and brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , WikiLeaks has released cables that show government officials helped conceal the heinous execution of family members of suspected combatants in Iraq .
The site of the murders , which included the execution-style slaying of two children and three infants , was obliterated by a subsequent coalition airstrike .
Taken as a whole , the material shows a pattern of concealing abuse by both U.S. and coalition forces .
The information revealed by WikiLeaks is thus a critically important tool for those who seek to uphold basic human-rights standards and the professional conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also bring our system of classification into question .
Although Pfc .
Bradley Manning has not yet been brought to trial , President Barack Obama has publicly declared that the former U.S. Army intelligence analyst “ broke the law ” by allegedly sending this restricted information to WikiLeaks .
Many civilians — and a surprising number of military personnel — are unaware that this system of classification is not grounded in any law passed by Congress .
In fact , the entire edifice that allows the use of classification rests solely on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renewed and modified by various presidents .
The ability to restrict information from the public is essentially an unchecked assertion of executive power .
However , according to Obama ’ s policy for classification of government documents ( Executive Order 13526 ) , there are several situations under which government information must never be classified .
The government can not use classification procedures “ to conceal violations of law , inefficiency , or administrative error ; prevent embarrassment to a person , organization , or agency … or prevent or delay the release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the interest of the national security.
” Administration officials have not provided any evidence that these WikiLeaks revelations have harmed our national security .
They have , however , acknowledged that some of the material is personally , and professionally , embarrassing .
But they continue to act as if evidence of illegal or otherwise unethical behavior simply does not exist .
If online conversations attributed to Manning are accurate , it appears that his self-described “ turning point ” came when his own commanding officer refused to acknowledge clear evidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these conversations , Manning says he was told to investigate 15 Iraqi academics who had been brought in for questioning by Iraqi security forces , for the crime of supposedly printing “ anti-Iraqi literature.
” After running the printed material through a translator , Manning realized that it was actually an article titled “ Where Did the Money Go ?
” which sought to expose corruption within Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ’ s Cabinet .
Manning ’ s commanding officer is said to have told Manning to “ shut up ” and find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detainees .
The message was clear : He could not rely on the chain of command to address evidence of wrongdoing .
This incident would be consistent with other revelations that have since emerged from the WikiLeaks embassy cables .
Several diplomatic cables express concern about al-Maliki ’ s politicization of his security forces , using them to abuse political opponents .
In July , the Red Cross and a group of Iraqi parliamentarians asked for an investigation into an alleged torture facility being run by one of al-Maliki ’ s elite units @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That same month , the Special Inspector General for Iraqi Reconstruction issued a report that noted more than $ 17 billion in funds that have gone missing .
The pattern of ignoring or otherwise concealing clear evidence of abuse has become so familiar that , to many , it now seems normal .
But pretending that problems don ’ t exist won ’ t make them go away .
A recent report from the Council of Europe , which convenes the European Commission on Human Rights , stated that the current “ deficit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence institutions leaves no choice but for the public to rely on whistle-blowers to hold governments accountable .
Instead of punishing and silencing alleged whistle-blowers like Manning for revealing uncomfortable truths , we should honor their courage to stand up for what ’ s right .
That ’ s all we should ask any American to do .

Author Ann Wright is a 29-year veteran who retired as a U.S. Army Reserve colonel and who later served as a U.S. diplomat in nine countries and deputy ambassador in four U.S. embassies. She is a member of the Advisory Board for the Bradley Manning Support Network.
Ann Wright
Stars & Stripes
Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates was right when he suggested that the WikiLeaks revelations were “embarrassing” and “awkward.” But his assessment — and that of so many other government officials — stems from the magnitude of what he left unsaid.
These revelations are not merely embarrassing. They also contain evidence of government actions and policies that are an abuse of power and that violate international human-rights standards to which we as Americans are committed.
For instance, through the information coming from WikiLeaks documents, the public is now aware of “FRAGO 242” — an official order not to report evidence of prisoner abuse by Iraqi security forces. This policy violates the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which was ratified by Congress in 1994. The treaty explicitly requires allegations of cruel or inhuman treatment to be investigated and brought to a halt.
In recent days, WikiLeaks has released cables that show government officials helped conceal the heinous execution of family members of suspected combatants in Iraq. The site of the murders, which included the execution-style slaying of two children and three infants, was obliterated by a subsequent coalition airstrike.
Taken as a whole, the material shows a pattern of concealing abuse by both U.S. and coalition forces. The information revealed by WikiLeaks is thus a critically important tool for those who seek to uphold basic human-rights standards and the professional conduct of U.S. military forces.
These revelations also bring our system of classification into question. Although Pfc. Bradley Manning has not yet been brought to trial, President Barack Obama has publicly declared that the former U.S. Army intelligence analyst “broke the law” by allegedly sending this restricted information to WikiLeaks.
Many civilians — and a surprising number of military personnel — are unaware that this system of classification is not grounded in any law passed by Congress. In fact, the entire edifice that allows the use of classification rests solely on the basis of executive orders that have been renewed and modified by various presidents. The ability to restrict information from the public is essentially an unchecked assertion of executive power.
However, according to Obama’s policy for classification of government documents (Executive Order 13526), there are several situations under which government information must never be classified. The government cannot use classification procedures “to conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative error; prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or agency … or prevent or delay the release of information that does not require protection in the interest of the national security.”
Administration officials have not provided any evidence that these WikiLeaks revelations have harmed our national security. They have, however, acknowledged that some of the material is personally, and professionally, embarrassing.
But they continue to act as if evidence of illegal or otherwise unethical behavior simply does not exist.
If online conversations attributed to Manning are accurate, it appears that his self-described “turning point” came when his own commanding officer refused to acknowledge clear evidence of an abuse of power. According to these conversations, Manning says he was told to investigate 15 Iraqi academics who had been brought in for questioning by Iraqi security forces, for the crime of supposedly printing “anti-Iraqi literature.”
After running the printed material through a translator, Manning realized that it was actually an article titled “Where Did the Money Go?” which sought to expose corruption within Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s Cabinet. Manning’s commanding officer is said to have told Manning to “shut up” and find out how he could bring in more detainees. The message was clear: He could not rely on the chain of command to address evidence of wrongdoing.
This incident would be consistent with other revelations that have since emerged from the WikiLeaks embassy cables. Several diplomatic cables express concern about al-Maliki’s politicization of his security forces, using them to abuse political opponents.
In July, the Red Cross and a group of Iraqi parliamentarians asked for an investigation into an alleged torture facility being run by one of al-Maliki’s elite units in Baghdad’s Green Zone. That same month, the Special Inspector General for Iraqi Reconstruction issued a report that noted more than $17 billion in funds that have gone missing.
The pattern of ignoring or otherwise concealing clear evidence of abuse has become so familiar that, to many, it now seems normal. But pretending that problems don’t exist won’t make them go away.
A recent report from the Council of Europe, which convenes the European Commission on Human Rights, stated that the current “deficit of transparency” among Western security and intelligence institutions leaves no choice but for the public to rely on whistle-blowers to hold governments accountable.
Instead of punishing and silencing alleged whistle-blowers like Manning for revealing uncomfortable truths, we should honor their courage to stand up for what’s right.
That’s all we should ask any American to do.
***
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