southfront--2020-08-31--Prof Michel Chossudovsky: “Covid-Gate, The Political Virus”

The national economies of 193 countries , member states of the United Nations were ordered to close down on March @ @ @ @ @ order came from above , from Wall Street , the World Economic Forum , the @ @ @ @ @ politicians throughout the world have enforced these so-called guidelines with a view to resolving a @ @ @ @ @ of people have lost their jobs , and their lifelong savings .
poverty and despair @ @ @ @ @ the it is V the Virus which is responsible for the wave of bankruptcies and @ @ @ @ @ is that the novel coronavirus provides a pretext and justification to powerful financial interests and @ @ @ @ @ entire World into a spiral of mass unemployment , bankruptcy and extreme poverty .
And @ @ @ @ @ that the US economy must remain in a lockdown to save lives .
What utter @ @ @ @ @ the underlying causality ?
I am sure he has !
He ’ s lying on @ @ @ @ @

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Written by Prof Michel Chossudovsky; Originally appeared at Global Researh
The national economies of 193 countries, member states of the United Nations were ordered to close down on March 11, 2020. The order came from above, from Wall Street, the World Economic Forum, the billionaire foundations. And corrupt politicians throughout the world have enforced these so-called guidelines with a view to resolving a public health crisis.
Millions of people have lost their jobs, and their lifelong savings. In developing countries, poverty and despair prevail. We are told the it is V the Virus which is responsible for the wave of bankruptcies and unemployment.
The unspoken truth is that the novel coronavirus provides a pretext and justification to powerful financial interests and corrupt politicians to precipitate the entire World into a spiral of mass unemployment, bankruptcy and extreme poverty.
And then Joe Biden tells us that the US economy must remain in a lockdown to save lives. What utter nonsense. Has he analysed the underlying causality? I am sure he has! He’s lying on behalf of Big Money.
According to Michel Chossudovsky, politicians have presented the Virus as performing a political decision making role. It’s The Political Virus: They are telling us is that the virus is the sole cause of unemployment, poverty and bankruptcies. According to Joe Biden “Covid is …destroying millions of jobs and small businesses”
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southfront--2020-08-31--Russian FSB Detains Six Individuals Suspected Of Raising Funds To Bankroll ISIS

The Russian security service – FSB detained six suspects who allegedly were collecting money for ISIS militants , it was reported on August 31st .
The special operation took place in Moscow , the Moscow region , Dagestan , the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug .
The UK believes that the cell was in operation from 2016 to June 2017 .
During this time , its members have collected at least half a million rubles , including from persons involved in criminal cases on terrorism .
A case was initiated under the article “ Assistance in terrorist activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the arrests took place , but judging by the fact that the alleged criminals are not yet in the pre-trial detention center .
As FSB director Alexander Bortnikov reported in mid-June , nearly 160 terrorist attacks have been prevented in Russia over the past ten years , 43 in 2019 , and more than 20 in 2020 alone .
A video of the arrest was published .
The FSB issues regular reports of its activities in detaining suspects who are either bankrolling or planning terrorist attacks affiliated with ISIS .
Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Tatarstan a member of the Islamic State organization , who was involved in its financing , as well as recruiting and transporting Russians and CIS citizens to Syria .
As noted by the Nation News portal , the detainee was recruiting by order of the emissaries of an international terrorist organization .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Russian FSB Eliminates Tajik Citizen Planning To Carry Out Terror Attack In Moscow

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The Russian security service – FSB detained six suspects who allegedly were collecting money for ISIS militants, it was reported on August 31st.
The special operation took place in Moscow, the Moscow region, Dagestan, the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug.
“Means of communication” and payment instruments were seized from the detainees. According to the investigation, they are associated with a criminal group whose members have already been convicted of financing militants in Syria.
The UK believes that the cell was in operation from 2016 to June 2017. During this time, its members have collected at least half a million rubles, including from persons involved in criminal cases on terrorism.
A case was initiated under the article “Assistance in terrorist activities”. It is not specified exactly when the arrests took place, but judging by the fact that the alleged criminals are not yet in the pre-trial detention center.
As FSB director Alexander Bortnikov reported in mid-June, nearly 160 terrorist attacks have been prevented in Russia over the past ten years, 43 in 2019, and more than 20 in 2020 alone.
A video of the arrest was published.
The FSB issues regular reports of its activities in detaining suspects who are either bankrolling or planning terrorist attacks affiliated with ISIS.
Earlier, on August 24th, the FSB detained in Tatarstan a member of the Islamic State organization, who was involved in its financing, as well as recruiting and transporting Russians and CIS citizens to Syria. As noted by the Nation News portal, the detainee was recruiting by order of the emissaries of an international terrorist organization.
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southfront--2020-08-31--Locations Of US Carrier Strike Groups – August 31, 2020

This is the newest update of the ‘ U.S .
Carrier Strike Groups Locations Map ’ exclusive series showing the @ @ @ @ @ Strike Groups .
SouthFront : Analysis & Intelligence tracks locations of U.S. aircraft carriers using @ @ @ @ @ No classified information was used in production of the map .
Carrier strike group ( @ @ @ @ @ formation of the United States Navy .
It is centered on an aircraft carrier and @ @ @ @ @ CVW ) of 65 to 70 aircrafts .
It ’ s composed of roughly 7,500 @ @ @ @ @ , at least one cruiser , a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or @ @ @ @ @ group also , on occasion , includes submarines , attached logistics ships and a supply @ @ @ @ @ comprise a principal element of U.S. power projection over the world ’ s oceans .
@ @ @ @ @

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This is the newest update of the ‘U.S. Carrier Strike Groups Locations Map’ exclusive series showing the approximate locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups. SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence tracks locations of U.S. aircraft carriers using the available open-source information. No classified information was used in production of the map.
Carrier strike group (CSG) is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is centered on an aircraft carrier and a carrier air wing (CVW) of 65 to 70 aircrafts. It’s composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates. A carrier strike group also, on occasion, includes submarines, attached logistics ships and a supply ship. Carrier strike groups comprise a principal element of U.S. power projection over the world’s oceans.
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southfront--2020-08-31--China’s New Carrier-Based AWACS Made Its Maiden Flight

On August 29 , 2020 , the first prototype of a Chinese carrier-based AWACS ( Airborne Warning And Control System ) and control aircraft made its maiden flight at the Xi ’ an Aircraft Industrial Corporation airfield .
Reportedly , Chinese AWACS use Active Electronically Scanned Array ( AESA ) technology which is more advanced than the technology used in AWACS built by USA and Russia .
To provide context : The radar in the American E-3C and Russian Beriev A-50U carry out 360-degree azimuth scanning by using older technology of mechanically rotating the antenna .
On the other hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rotating antenna .
The Chinese AWACS aircraft has no rotating antenna .
The scanning in azimuth and elevation is done electronically .
Three flat aerials are mounted in the radome on top of the fuselage in an equilateral triangle .
Each aerial electronically scans 120 degrees , thus covering full 360 degrees in azimuth .
There are little other details available , but the radar can be expected to have a maximum detection range of 400 km .
The new Chinese carrier-based AWACS and control system is intended to be included in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrier – the type 002 , which is being built at a shipyard in Shanghai .
The AWACS Aircraft likely refers to the KJ-600 .
Popular Science reported in July 2017 that China had developed the KJ-600 , a carrier-based early warning and control plane that can help fill a critical gap against the US Navy .
Built by the Xian Aircraft Corporation , the KJ-600 weighs 25-30 tons and is powered by twin-engine FWJ-6C turboprop engines .
The KJ- 600 is based on the experience gained from the earlier JZY-01 technology demonstrator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited engine power , KJ-600 is designed to take off from the aircraft carrier using a catapult only .
The satellite imagery that shows the KJ-600 in the most recent report was identified by Chris Biggers , an expert on the matter .
Military aerospace and maritime expert H. I. Sutton also reviewed the imagery and according to him it shows the KJ-600 .
According to Sutton , the KJ-600 strongly resembles the US-made E-2 Hawkeye , but it obviously has a less potent radar .
“ The layout is remarkably similar to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family of aircraft .
They are both twin turboprop aircraft with high-mounted long straight wings that can fold for carrier storage .
They have a relatively small fuselage just large enough for a crew of 4 to 6 .
The radar is carried in a large rotodome atop the fuselage .
Lastly the tail is split into several smaller vertical stabilizers , like bombers of World War II .
The layout of the two planes is virtually identical , to the point that aircraft recognition may prove a challenge in the future .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that first flew 60 years ago , and is still in service aboard U.S. and French aircraft carriers.
” MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Towards a US-China War ?
The Creation of a Global Totalitarian System , A “ One World Government ” ?
• Chinese Warships Get New Generators To Power Railguns , Electromagnetic Catapults

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On August 29, 2020, the first prototype of a Chinese carrier-based AWACS (Airborne Warning And Control System) and control aircraft made its maiden flight at the Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation airfield.
Reportedly, Chinese AWACS use Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology which is more advanced than the technology used in AWACS built by USA and Russia.
To provide context: The radar in the American E-3C and Russian Beriev A-50U carry out 360-degree azimuth scanning by using older technology of mechanically rotating the antenna. On the other hand, in the KJ-2000 there is no rotating antenna.
The Chinese AWACS aircraft has no rotating antenna. The scanning in azimuth and elevation is done electronically. Three flat aerials are mounted in the radome on top of the fuselage in an equilateral triangle. Each aerial electronically scans 120 degrees, thus covering full 360 degrees in azimuth. There are little other details available, but the radar can be expected to have a maximum detection range of 400 km.
The new Chinese carrier-based AWACS and control system is intended to be included in the air group of the in-construction Chinese aircraft carrier – the type 002, which is being built at a shipyard in Shanghai.
The AWACS Aircraft likely refers to the KJ-600. Popular Science reported in July 2017 that China had developed the KJ-600, a carrier-based early warning and control plane that can help fill a critical gap against the US Navy. Built by the Xian Aircraft Corporation, the KJ-600 weighs 25-30 tons and is powered by twin-engine FWJ-6C turboprop engines.
The KJ- 600 is based on the experience gained from the earlier JZY-01 technology demonstrator. Due to its heavy weight and limited engine power, KJ-600 is designed to take off from the aircraft carrier using a catapult only.
The satellite imagery that shows the KJ-600 in the most recent report was identified by Chris Biggers, an expert on the matter.
Watching China's carrier developments? The KJ-600 has finally broken cover. Check out my latest in Jane's. pic.twitter.com/jJje8AgiPW — Chris Biggers (@CSBiggers) August 28, 2020
Military aerospace and maritime expert H. I. Sutton also reviewed the imagery and according to him it shows the KJ-600.
According to Sutton, the KJ-600 strongly resembles the US-made E-2 Hawkeye, but it obviously has a less potent radar.
“The layout is remarkably similar to the U.S. Navy’s E-2 Hawkeye family of aircraft. They are both twin turboprop aircraft with high-mounted long straight wings that can fold for carrier storage. They have a relatively small fuselage just large enough for a crew of 4 to 6. The radar is carried in a large rotodome atop the fuselage. Lastly the tail is split into several smaller vertical stabilizers, like bombers of World War II. The layout of the two planes is virtually identical, to the point that aircraft recognition may prove a challenge in the future. The Hawkeye is a well proven design that first flew 60 years ago, and is still in service aboard U.S. and French aircraft carriers.”
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southfront--2020-08-31--Lukashenko Continues Cosplaying Apocalypse Now, As New Constitution Is Being Worked On

On August 30th , an aide to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that a new constitution was currently being worked on .
The aide was called for peace , though Lukashenko continued his cosplay of Colonel Kurtz from Apocalypse Now by moving around the Independence Palace in Minsk with an assault rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest .
The photograph below was provided after the President ’ s aide was asked about Lukashenko ’ s whereabouts .
There was no photograph of his son Nikolay Lukashenko , who last week was also given a pistol , an assault rifle and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 years old .
A crowd of protesters that assembled outside the home of the president in the Belarusian capital had the opportunity to talk face to face with one of his aides , Nikolay Latyshenok .
The news they got , however , were that the presidency deems the elections “ far ” and that they were simply working on a new constitution .
There were protests in front of Independence Palace , around Minsk itself and in other cities , with tens of thousands taking to the streets .
A video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of protesters damaging a police vehicle and then a scuffle taking place on the street while they try to escape .
The protesters came close to the cordon of riot policemen standing near Lukashenko ’ s residence in Minsk and chanting slogans .
The security forces did not react , they just stood there and didn ’ t allow anyone in .
Regardless , in just two hours on August 30th , 125 people were arrested for attempting to damage public property or carry out various provocations , the Belarus Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC : • Foreign Media Expelled From Belarus As Propaganda Against Lukashenko Ramps Up

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On August 30th, an aide to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that a new constitution was currently being worked on.
The aide was called for peace, though Lukashenko continued his cosplay of Colonel Kurtz from Apocalypse Now by moving around the Independence Palace in Minsk with an assault rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest.
The photograph below was provided after the President’s aide was asked about Lukashenko’s whereabouts.
There was no photograph of his son Nikolay Lukashenko, who last week was also given a pistol, an assault rifle and a bulletproof vest. He’s 15 years old.
A crowd of protesters that assembled outside the home of the president in the Belarusian capital had the opportunity to talk face to face with one of his aides, Nikolay Latyshenok.
The news they got, however, were that the presidency deems the elections “far” and that they were simply working on a new constitution.
There were protests in front of Independence Palace, around Minsk itself and in other cities, with tens of thousands taking to the streets.
A video was shared on social media showing a group of protesters damaging a police vehicle and then a scuffle taking place on the street while they try to escape.
The protesters came close to the cordon of riot policemen standing near Lukashenko’s residence in Minsk and chanting slogans. The security forces did not react, they just stood there and didn’t allow anyone in.
Regardless, in just two hours on August 30th, 125 people were arrested for attempting to damage public property or carry out various provocations, the Belarus Ministry of Interior Affairs said.
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southfront--2020-08-31--French Senior Military Officer Arrested Over Spying For Russia

On August 30th , French Defense Minister Florence Parly said that a French senior military officer had been arrested under investigation for “ serious security breaches.
” “ What I can confirm is that a senior officer is facing legal proceedings for a security breach , ” Parly said .
“ We have implemented all the necessary safeguards , ” Parly said .
According to Europe 1 radio this referred to French lieutenant colonel based in Italy and stationed with NATO is suspected of having transmitted sensitive documents to the Russian secret services .
The name of the officer is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judicial source confirmed that a senior officer had been indicted on charges involving “ intelligence with a foreign power that undermines the fundamental interests of the nation.
” He is being prosecuted for “ delivering information to a foreign power ” as well as “ collecting information harming the fundamental interests of the nation with a view to delivering them to a foreign power ” and “ compromising the secrecy of national defence ” , the source said .
The military official was arrested by DGSI intelligence service as he was about to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his holidays in France and is being held at a prison in Paris .
Finally , according to yet another unnamed source , the official speaks Russian and was seen in Italy with a man identified as an agent of the GRU , the Russian military intelligence service .
The arrest comes a week after US authorities arrested a former Special Forces officer for sharing his unit ’ s activities with Russian intelligence .
According to prosecutors , the Green Beret serviceman , who had been stationed in Germany and Azerbaijan , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominant in the world and needed to be cut down to size.
” In June , German Chancellor Angela Merkel said a cyberattack on the Bundestag that resulted in sensitive information being siphoned off the network was part of Russia ’ s “ strategy of hybrid warfare including cyber disorientation and fact manipulation.
” MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Russian Diplomat Expelled From Austria , As Diplomatic Tensions Between Moscow And The EU Rise

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On August 30th, French Defense Minister Florence Parly said that a French senior military officer had been arrested under investigation for “serious security breaches.”
“What I can confirm is that a senior officer is facing legal proceedings for a security breach,” Parly said. “We have implemented all the necessary safeguards,” Parly said.
According to Europe 1 radio this referred to French lieutenant colonel based in Italy and stationed with NATO is suspected of having transmitted sensitive documents to the Russian secret services.
The name of the officer is undisclosed.
A Europe 1 radio unnamed judicial source confirmed that a senior officer had been indicted on charges involving “intelligence with a foreign power that undermines the fundamental interests of the nation.”
He is being prosecuted for “delivering information to a foreign power” as well as “collecting information harming the fundamental interests of the nation with a view to delivering them to a foreign power” and “compromising the secrecy of national defence”, the source said.
The military official was arrested by DGSI intelligence service as he was about to leave for Italy at the end of his holidays in France and is being held at a prison in Paris.
Finally, according to yet another unnamed source, the official speaks Russian and was seen in Italy with a man identified as an agent of the GRU, the Russian military intelligence service.
The arrest comes a week after US authorities arrested a former Special Forces officer for sharing his unit’s activities with Russian intelligence.
According to prosecutors, the Green Beret serviceman, who had been stationed in Germany and Azerbaijan, “thought that the United States was too dominant in the world and needed to be cut down to size.”
In June, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said a cyberattack on the Bundestag that resulted in sensitive information being siphoned off the network was part of Russia’s “strategy of hybrid warfare including cyber disorientation and fact manipulation.”
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southfront--2020-08-31--Two US Soldiers Killed In Helicopter Crash Off Californian Coast

Two US soldiers were killed on Thursday and three others were injured in a helicopter crash during routine training off the California coast , officials said on Friday .
A group belonging to the US Army Special Operations Command was conducting training in the vicinity of Coronado , Calif. , when the ‘ aircraft incident ’ occurred , a SOCOM spokesperson said in a statement .
The area has been secured and an investigation into the crash is underway .
More information about the incident will be provided 24-hours after next-of-kin notifications , the spokesperson said .
The helicopter was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and injured are from the Army ’ s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment , The San Diego Union-Tribune reported , citing a Defense Department official .
The 160th SOAR is headquartered out of Fort Campbell , Ky. , and provides rotary wing support to special operations forces .
The official also told The San Diego Union-Tribune that the helicopter crashed Thursday evening on San Clemente Island , which is about 70 miles west of Coronado and San Diego .
The island is also where eight Marines and a sailor with the 15th Marine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amphibious assault vehicle accident as they were returning to their ship after finishing training there .
Their bodies were recovered on August 7 .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • The virus and the US ‘ defense ’ industry • Leader of ultra-right militia predicts end of US and warns of civil war

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Two US soldiers were killed on Thursday and three others were injured in a helicopter crash during routine training off the California coast, officials said on Friday.
A group belonging to the US Army Special Operations Command was conducting training in the vicinity of Coronado, Calif., when the ‘aircraft incident’ occurred, a SOCOM spokesperson said in a statement. The area has been secured and an investigation into the crash is underway.
More information about the incident will be provided 24-hours after next-of-kin notifications, the spokesperson said.
The helicopter was a Black Hawk and the soldiers killed and injured are from the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported, citing a Defense Department official. The 160th SOAR is headquartered out of Fort Campbell, Ky., and provides rotary wing support to special operations forces.
The official also told The San Diego Union-Tribune that the helicopter crashed Thursday evening on San Clemente Island, which is about 70 miles west of Coronado and San Diego.
The island is also where eight Marines and a sailor with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit died June 30 in an amphibious assault vehicle accident as they were returning to their ship after finishing training there. Their bodies were recovered on August 7. LINK
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southfront--2020-08-31--Military Situation In Afghanistan On August 30, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan : • At least 6 @ @ @ @ @ Army soldiers , a National Directorate of Security service member , and a civilian were @ @ @ @ @ a vehicle in Gardiz city ; • Afghanistan National Security Advisor ( NSA ) Hamdullah @ @ @ @ @ government will remain even if international allies leave the country and that an interim government @ @ @ @ @ ; • The Taliban claimed that its forces foiled an attack of government forces in @ @ @ @ @ killing 9 soldiers .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan:
At least 6 people, including 4 National Army soldiers, a National Directorate of Security service member, and a civilian were wounded after a mine hit a vehicle in Gardiz city;
Afghanistan National Security Advisor (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib says the current Afghan government will remain even if international allies leave the country and that an interim government would destroy the current system;
The Taliban claimed that its forces foiled an attack of government forces in the Sherzad district of Nangarhar killing 9 soldiers.
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southfront--2020-08-31--Colombia And US Seek To Intensify Failed ‘War On Drugs’

The governments of Colombia and the United States want to resume aerial fumigation and continue the forced eradication of coca that cost $ 20 billion between 2005 and 2014 without any significant positive results .
Colombia Reports reports that Opposition Senator Ivan Marulanda ( Green Alliance ) published the massive expense sheet of the bilateral counternarcotics program President Ivan Duque and his US counterpart Donald Trump want to restart .
In the response , the government admitted that voluntary crop substitution , which is opposed by both Bogota and Washington DC , is both cheaper and more effective .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a cost of COP23 million/hectare when eradicated manually and COP72 million/hectare when eradicated by aerial spraying .
The amounts were approximately : • Which amounts to a total of COP88 trillion ( $ 22 billion ) in 10 years and COP8.8 trillion ( 2.2 billion ) on average per year Comparing this data with the estimated cost of substitution with the families directly included at a rate of COP40 million ( $ 10.3 thousand ) producing families out of an estimated total of 80,438 direct producer families , this would imply an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousand ) .
Based on the above , it can be said that the cost-benefit ratio of substitution is more reasonable than eradication because the results achieved are expected to be sustainable over time .
Marulanda was already a fierce opponent of the strategy even before finding that the two governments had spent $ 22 billion on a strategy that in the end barely affected coca cultivation .
According to the opposition senator , Bogota and Washington spent more on the ineffective counternarcotics strategy in 10 years than Colombia ’ s government invested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a far more effective counternarcotics strategy , in half a century .
Marulanda is currently co-sponsoring a bill to regulate coca and cocaine instead of indiscriminately criminalizing their production , consumption and other commercial and industrial uses .
Former President Juan Manuel Santos ended aerial fumigation citing health concerns , but also after finding that Bogota and Washington DC had spent $ 22 billion on removing only 17,000 hectares of coca in a decade .
According to diplomatic cables leaked by Wikileaks , Santos had already expressed his doubts about the bilateral counternarcotics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grossman in 2004 , but was told by US Ambassador William Wood the strategy “ is working.
” The US government , which was initially hesitant about the effectiveness and cost of manual eradication was convinced by former president Alvaro Uribe to include the strategy in what was called “ Plan Colombia II , ” which sought and failed to reduce illegal armed groups ’ hold on Colombia by cutting off illegal revenue from cocaine trafficking .
Santos and counternarcotics experts , however , appear to have been running into US officials ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a failure contrary to evidence as early as 2005 .
“ There has been a lot of discussion surrounding the recent release of the U.S. coca and poppy cultivation estimates in Washington , including the estimate that coca hectarage did not change significantly in 2004 in spite of record fumigation levels .
In fact , although it would have been nice if the hectarage numbers had also gone down , last year , and every year for the last four years , the U.S. Colombian effort has had great success.
” Fifteen years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manuel Santos has become one of the main critics of the US-led War on Drugs while both the White House and US Ambassador Philip Goldberg continue to push for the intensification of the costly , but useless counternarcotics strategy that is now also opposed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime , In a related development , Colombia has given the green light for a US Army unit to restart an advisory mission in the country after a majority of senators of the national Congress asserted that its planned activities did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defence minister said on Thursday .
A court ordered the government to suspend the deployment of 53 US military personnel in July after a group of opposition legislators filed legal action , saying all movements of foreign troops in the country must be authorized by the Senate as stipulated by the Colombian Constitution .
After President Ivan Duque submitted information claiming he had ‘ political control ’ over the unit ’ s activities , 69 lawmakers from seven parties signed a letter saying the unit ’ s presence did not constitute a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperation in the fight against drugs .
Colombia faces intense pressure from the United States , a top destination for cocaine , to forcibly eradicate coca crops , the drug ’ s chief ingredient .
Duque has set a target to destroy 130,000 hectares of coca crops this year , up from 100,000 last year , and has signalled that aerial fumigations using the herbicide glyphosate could restart .
Last year cocaine production capacity in Colombia rose 1.5 % to 1,137 metric tons according to the United Nations , even though the size @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level in six years .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Colombia ’ s Supreme Court opens another criminal investigation against former president Alvaro Uribe

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The governments of Colombia and the United States want to resume aerial fumigation and continue the forced eradication of coca that cost $20 billion between 2005 and 2014 without any significant positive results.
Colombia Reports reports that Opposition Senator Ivan Marulanda (Green Alliance) published the massive expense sheet of the bilateral counternarcotics program President Ivan Duque and his US counterpart Donald Trump want to restart.
In the response, the government admitted that voluntary crop substitution, which is opposed by both Bogota and Washington DC, is both cheaper and more effective.
They calculated forced eradication between 2005 and 2014 at a cost of COP23 million/hectare when eradicated manually and COP72 million/hectare when eradicated by aerial spraying. The amounts were approximately:
COP7.9 trillion ($2 billion) in forced eradication COP79.9 trillion ($20 billion) in eradication through aerial fumigation Which amounts to a total of COP88 trillion ($22 billion) in 10 years and COP8.8 trillion (2.2 billion) on average per year
Comparing this data with the estimated cost of substitution with the families directly included at a rate of COP40 million ($10.3 thousand) producing families out of an estimated total of 80,438 direct producer families, this would imply an investment of COP2.9 billion ($748 thousand).
Based on the above, it can be said that the cost-benefit ratio of substitution is more reasonable than eradication because the results achieved are expected to be sustainable over time.
Marulanda was already a fierce opponent of the strategy even before finding that the two governments had spent $22 billion on a strategy that in the end barely affected coca cultivation.
According to the opposition senator, Bogota and Washington spent more on the ineffective counternarcotics strategy in 10 years than Colombia’s government invested in agriculture, which is broadly considered a far more effective counternarcotics strategy, in half a century.
Marulanda is currently co-sponsoring a bill to regulate coca and cocaine instead of indiscriminately criminalizing their production, consumption and other commercial and industrial uses.
Former President Juan Manuel Santos ended aerial fumigation citing health concerns, but also after finding that Bogota and Washington DC had spent $22 billion on removing only 17,000 hectares of coca in a decade.
According to diplomatic cables leaked by Wikileaks, Santos had already expressed his doubts about the bilateral counternarcotics strategy to former Under-Secretary of State Marc Grossman in 2004, but was told by US Ambassador William Wood the strategy “is working.”
The US government, which was initially hesitant about the effectiveness and cost of manual eradication was convinced by former president Alvaro Uribe to include the strategy in what was called “Plan Colombia II,” which sought and failed to reduce illegal armed groups’ hold on Colombia by cutting off illegal revenue from cocaine trafficking.
Santos and counternarcotics experts, however, appear to have been running into US officials’ persistent refusals to admit their strategy was a failure contrary to evidence as early as 2005.
“There has been a lot of discussion surrounding the recent release of the U.S. coca and poppy cultivation estimates in Washington, including the estimate that coca hectarage did not change significantly in 2004 in spite of record fumigation levels. In fact, although it would have been nice if the hectarage numbers had also gone down, last year, and every year for the last four years, the U.S. Colombian effort has had great success.”
Fifteen years and $20 billion later, Juan Manuel Santos has become one of the main critics of the US-led War on Drugs while both the White House and US Ambassador Philip Goldberg continue to push for the intensification of the costly, but useless counternarcotics strategy that is now also opposed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,
In a related development, Colombia has given the green light for a US Army unit to restart an advisory mission in the country after a majority of senators of the national Congress asserted that its planned activities did not constitute deployment of foreign troops, the defence minister said on Thursday.
A court ordered the government to suspend the deployment of 53 US military personnel in July after a group of opposition legislators filed legal action, saying all movements of foreign troops in the country must be authorized by the Senate as stipulated by the Colombian Constitution.
After President Ivan Duque submitted information claiming he had ‘political control’ over the unit’s activities, 69 lawmakers from seven parties signed a letter saying the unit’s presence did not constitute a deployment of foreign troops, but is cooperation in the fight against drugs.
Colombia faces intense pressure from the United States, a top destination for cocaine, to forcibly eradicate coca crops, the drug’s chief ingredient.
Duque has set a target to destroy 130,000 hectares of coca crops this year, up from 100,000 last year, and has signalled that aerial fumigations using the herbicide glyphosate could restart.
Last year cocaine production capacity in Colombia rose 1.5% to 1,137 metric tons according to the United Nations, even though the size of coca crops fell to their lowest level in six years. LINK
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southfront--2020-08-31--Israeli Prime Minister Claims ‘Many’ Arab Nations ‘Lining Up’ To Normalize Relations

Tel Aviv is in talks with ‘ many ’ Arab nations that are ‘ in line ’ to establish relations with Israel , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed in the wake of the UAE ‘ normalizing ’ relations with the Jewish state .
The prime minister did not specify which Arab nations are involved , but he claimed that other Arab and Muslim leaders are lining up to normalize relations .
He further asserted that the UAE ’ s decision to normalize relations with Israel has deprived Palestine of its ‘ veto ’ on peace between the Jewish state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan , has just signed a decree abolishing a 1972 law banning any deals between the Emirates and Israel .
The move is a part of the implementation process of the normalization agreement mediated by the US and signed earlier this month .
The deal was sharply criticized by Palestinian officials as well as by some other nations , such as Turkey , that accused Abu Dhabi of betraying the Palestinian cause in pursuit of its own interests .
On Monday of this week , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UAE will carry a joint US-Israeli delegation led by Kushner and Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat to the Arab state .
An Israeli Defense Ministry delegation is also expected to travel to Abu Dhabi soon .
While many Arab rulers have maintained secret relations and collaboration with Israel for many years in varying degrees of substance and significance , the official normalization of relations with Israel absent a conclusive and comprehensive peace agreement that is acceptable to the Palestinians remained a step too far for most Arab and Muslim countries .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , in the wake of the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates , there have been rumours that several other states could be next to sign an agreement with Israel .
Noting that there are still considerable hurdles to normalizing relations with some states in the Middle East , the report argues that there are others who view the UAE decision as a trial balloon and will adjust their official postures based on how the next weeks and months play out between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it considers are most likely to normalize relations with Israel in the near future .
Bahrain was long thought to be the first country in the Gulf that might normalize relations with Israel .
The small kingdom has often made relatively positive comments about Israel over the years and appeared open to the Trump administration ’ s ‘ Deal of the Century ’ by hosting discussions about the economic aspects of it .
Bahrain has welcomed the UAE deal with Israel , and initial reports indicated it was working on normalizing relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media reports in the Gulf noted that Bahrain was reaching out to Israel .
However , Bahrain faced strong protests in the 2011 Arab Spring and , as such , it appeared wiser for it to let the UAE be the first to move regarding relations with Israel .
Morocco is reported to be one of the states on the short list of opening relations with Israel in the near term .
Morocco has been supportive of the Trump administration ’ s efforts on peace issues .
In February , there were even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US recognizing Morocco ’ s sovereignty over the West Sahara ( presumably as a quid pro quo for supporting the ‘ Deal of the Century ’ ) .
Israel-Morocco ties go back to the 1960s .
King Hassan II played a key role in these warming relations , including working with Egypt ’ s Anwar Sadat before his historic 1977 visit .
Peres visited Morocco in 1986 , and prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and foreign minister Peres met Hassan II in 1993 .
In October 2018 , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Qaboos bin Said .
Oman ’ s minister responsible for foreign affairs , Yusuf bin Alawi , made positive comments about accepting Israel in the region during subsequent discussions in Manama .
In April , the Omanis made similar comments in Jordan at a conference , saying it was important to assure Israel that it was not being threatened .
While Jordan slammed the comments , Oman continued to push forward with relatively positive views on Israel .
Saudi Arabia has appeared to be more open to Israel in recent years .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several processes .
Saudi Arabia has tried to clamp down on the kind of extremism that roiled the kingdom in the 1990s and in the last decade has appeared to share more interests with Israel .
However , Saudi Arabia has preferred to let other Gulf states that it works closely with go first in discussions with Israel .
This includes Oman , the UAE and Bahrain .
Nevertheless , Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has sought close relations with the Trump administration and has also made relatively positive comments on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel .
This is a shift from the old days , when the Palestinian issue was seen as front and centre of everything in the Middle East .
Riyadh was a leader of the Arab initiative to recognize Israel in the 2000s in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank .
This was proposed in 2002 , and Riyadh has thus shown support for opening relations with Israel in this context .
Saudi Arabia doesn ’ t want Turkey to take over the mantle of being the main supporter for the Palestinians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports have indicated that key members of the Trump administration , including Jared Kushner , think normalization is inevitable with the kingdom .
An Israeli blogger reportedly received a friendly reception in Saudi Arabia in February , and Israelis can ostensibly travel to Riyadh , according to Israeli media reports .
While the US and Israel are putting a lot of pressure on the Saudis to normalize relations they remain reluctant to take the final fateful step , presumably concerned about the likely backlash the Saudi monarchy would face from the people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no diplomatic relations will be established until there is a broader peace agreement that includes the Palestinians .
LINK Qatar and Israel had historically warm relations in the 1990s , and it was thought years ago to be the first in line for normalization .
This happened after the Gulf War in 1991 .
There has been an Israeli trade office there since 1996 .
Qatar , Israel and the US formed a kind of tripartite relationship in light of this .
The young emir of Qatar , Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationships across the region .
The 40-year-old leader came to power in 2013 .
Qatar had helped fuel the Arab Spring and used Al Jazeera to fan protests across the region to gain influence .
However , it saw many of these protests fail and regimes defeat Qatar-backed candidates .
More isolated now , Qatar has Turkish troops in Doha after the 2017 crisis with Riyadh .
That means it must rely on Turkey , which , except for Iran , is the most hostile regime in the region to Israel .
Qatar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means whatever feelers Qatar once had for peace , and even attempts to cultivate pro-Israel voices through junkets to Doha , are largely on ice .
Nevertheless , Qatar does have discussions with Israel about Gaza , where it plays a key role .
Some Israelis see Qatar as playing a potential positive influence .
Former defence minister Avigdor Liberman revealed a trip by the head of the Mossad to Qatar in February 2020 .
In 2018 , Liberman met the Qatari foreign minister .
For the moment , it appear thast Qatar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and intrigue rather than a peace partner .
Sudan has also been the subject of numerous reports suggesting that key figures of the new military leadership of the country have been meeting with senior Israeli officials at least since the beginning of the year , but up until now it is also resisting insistent US and Israeli pressure to normalize relations .
It appears that the US is using the additional leverage of offering to remove the sanctions it has long imposed against Sudan .
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Tel Aviv is in talks with ‘many’ Arab nations that are ‘in line’ to establish relations with Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed in the wake of the UAE ‘normalizing’ relations with the Jewish state.
“There are many more unpublicized meetings with Arab and Muslim leaders to normalize relations with the state of Israel,” Netanyahu said at a joint press conference with US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien and Jared Kushner, the White House senior adviser
The prime minister did not specify which Arab nations are involved, but he claimed that other Arab and Muslim leaders are lining up to normalize relations. He further asserted that the UAE’s decision to normalize relations with Israel has deprived Palestine of its ‘veto’ on peace between the Jewish state and the Arab world.
UAE’s president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has just signed a decree abolishing a 1972 law banning any deals between the Emirates and Israel. The move is a part of the implementation process of the normalization agreement mediated by the US and signed earlier this month.
The deal was sharply criticized by Palestinian officials as well as by some other nations, such as Turkey, that accused Abu Dhabi of betraying the Palestinian cause in pursuit of its own interests.
On Monday of this week, the first direct flight between Israel and the UAE will carry a joint US-Israeli delegation led by Kushner and Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat to the Arab state. An Israeli Defense Ministry delegation is also expected to travel to Abu Dhabi soon.
While many Arab rulers have maintained secret relations and collaboration with Israel for many years in varying degrees of substance and significance, the official normalization of relations with Israel absent a conclusive and comprehensive peace agreement that is acceptable to the Palestinians remained a step too far for most Arab and Muslim countries.
A recent report by the Jerusalem Post comments that, in the wake of the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, there have been rumours that several other states could be next to sign an agreement with Israel. Noting that there are still considerable hurdles to normalizing relations with some states in the Middle East, the report argues that there are others who view the UAE decision as a trial balloon and will adjust their official postures based on how the next weeks and months play out between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi.
The report compiles a list of five countries that it considers are most likely to normalize relations with Israel in the near future.
Bahrain
Bahrain was long thought to be the first country in the Gulf that might normalize relations with Israel. The small kingdom has often made relatively positive comments about Israel over the years and appeared open to the Trump administration’s ‘Deal of the Century’ by hosting discussions about the economic aspects of it. Bahrain has welcomed the UAE deal with Israel, and initial reports indicated it was working on normalizing relations after the UAE. Last December, media reports in the Gulf noted that Bahrain was reaching out to Israel.
However, Bahrain faced strong protests in the 2011 Arab Spring and, as such, it appeared wiser for it to let the UAE be the first to move regarding relations with Israel.
Morocco
Morocco is reported to be one of the states on the short list of opening relations with Israel in the near term. Morocco has been supportive of the Trump administration’s efforts on peace issues. In February, there were even rumours at Axios about Israel and the US recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the West Sahara (presumably as a quid pro quo for supporting the ‘Deal of the Century’).
Israel-Morocco ties go back to the 1960s. King Hassan II played a key role in these warming relations, including working with Egypt’s Anwar Sadat before his historic 1977 visit. Peres visited Morocco in 1986, and prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and foreign minister Peres met Hassan II in 1993.
Oman
In October 2018, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a trip to Oman and met with Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Oman’s minister responsible for foreign affairs, Yusuf bin Alawi, made positive comments about accepting Israel in the region during subsequent discussions in Manama. In April, the Omanis made similar comments in Jordan at a conference, saying it was important to assure Israel that it was not being threatened. While Jordan slammed the comments, Oman continued to push forward with relatively positive views on Israel.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has appeared to be more open to Israel in recent years. That has come about as a result of several processes. Saudi Arabia has tried to clamp down on the kind of extremism that roiled the kingdom in the 1990s and in the last decade has appeared to share more interests with Israel.
However, Saudi Arabia has preferred to let other Gulf states that it works closely with go first in discussions with Israel. This includes Oman, the UAE and Bahrain. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has sought close relations with the Trump administration and has also made relatively positive comments on issues relating to the peace process in Israel. This is a shift from the old days, when the Palestinian issue was seen as front and centre of everything in the Middle East.
Riyadh was a leader of the Arab initiative to recognize Israel in the 2000s in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank. This was proposed in 2002, and Riyadh has thus shown support for opening relations with Israel in this context. Saudi Arabia doesn’t want Turkey to take over the mantle of being the main supporter for the Palestinians and thus displace Saudi influence.
Recent reports have indicated that key members of the Trump administration, including Jared Kushner, think normalization is inevitable with the kingdom. An Israeli blogger reportedly received a friendly reception in Saudi Arabia in February, and Israelis can ostensibly travel to Riyadh, according to Israeli media reports.
While the US and Israel are putting a lot of pressure on the Saudis to normalize relations they remain reluctant to take the final fateful step, presumably concerned about the likely backlash the Saudi monarchy would face from the people, and the Saudi foreign minister has stated that no diplomatic relations will be established until there is a broader peace agreement that includes the Palestinians. LINK
Qatar
Qatar and Israel had historically warm relations in the 1990s, and it was thought years ago to be the first in line for normalization. This happened after the Gulf War in 1991. There has been an Israeli trade office there since 1996. Qatar, Israel and the US formed a kind of tripartite relationship in light of this.
The young emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, is key to Qatar’s relationships across the region. The 40-year-old leader came to power in 2013. Qatar had helped fuel the Arab Spring and used Al Jazeera to fan protests across the region to gain influence. However, it saw many of these protests fail and regimes defeat Qatar-backed candidates.
More isolated now, Qatar has Turkish troops in Doha after the 2017 crisis with Riyadh. That means it must rely on Turkey, which, except for Iran, is the most hostile regime in the region to Israel. Qatar is also close to Tehran. This means whatever feelers Qatar once had for peace, and even attempts to cultivate pro-Israel voices through junkets to Doha, are largely on ice.
Nevertheless, Qatar does have discussions with Israel about Gaza, where it plays a key role. Some Israelis see Qatar as playing a potential positive influence. Former defence minister Avigdor Liberman revealed a trip by the head of the Mossad to Qatar in February 2020. In 2018, Liberman met the Qatari foreign minister.
For the moment, it appear thast Qatar prefers to be a centre of meetings and intrigue rather than a peace partner.
Conclusion
Sudan has also been the subject of numerous reports suggesting that key figures of the new military leadership of the country have been meeting with senior Israeli officials at least since the beginning of the year, but up until now it is also resisting insistent US and Israeli pressure to normalize relations. It appears that the US is using the additional leverage of offering to remove the sanctions it has long imposed against Sudan.
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southfront--2020-08-31--In Videos: Syrian Air Defense Activated To Repel Isaeli Strikes On Damascus, Daraa

Late on August 31 , air defense forces of Syria were activated to repel an Israeli missile strikes on the @ @ @ @ @ of Damascus and the southern part of the country .
According to reports , Israeli @ @ @ @ @ forces in the area of Mahajah and Hezbollah positions in the area of Izraa in @ @ @ @ @ Another group of missiles reportedly hit alleged positions of Iranian-backed forces in the area of @ @ @ @ @ .
The missiles were allegedly launched from the area of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights .
@ @ @ @ @ at least 2 people were killed and 7 others were injured in the attack .
@ @ @ @ @ reported .
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Late on August 31, air defense forces of Syria were activated to repel an Israeli missile strike on the countryside of the Syrian capital of Damascus and the southern part of the country.
According to reports, Israeli missiles targeted positions of Iranian-backed forces in the area of Mahajah and Hezbollah positions in the area of Izraa in the province of Daraa. Another group of missiles reportedly hit alleged positions of Iranian-backed forces in the area of Sahnaya in the Damascus countryside.
The missiles were allegedly launched from the area of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. According to Syrian media, at least 2 people were killed and 7 others were injured in the attack. The material damage was also reported.
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southfront--2020-08-31--UAE Intelligence Teams Allegedly Training Kurdish Armed Groups In Syria And Iraq

The United Arab Emirates has allegedly had intelligence agents in northern Syria and Iraq working with YPG/PKK Kurdish militias over the past few years .
Turkey and the UAE are also involved in bitter proxy wars in Libya , with reports over the last few months indicating that Turkey is also seeking to extend their destructive proxy war to Yemen .
Turkish news outlet Anadolu Agency has received information from multiple sources to the effect that after holding secret talks with Kurdish militants affiliated with the ‘ People ’ s Protection Units ’ ( YPG ) in 2017 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas under their control since 2018 .
Their missions include training the YPG militant groups in espionage , counter-espionage , sabotage , targeted assassinations , signals intelligence , information security and operating encrypted communication networks .
According to the information , intelligence teams have been operating in Qamishli , Hasaka and Deir ez-Zor .
LINK The YPG – the backbone of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) – is also receiving US support in an effort to encourage the group to declare autonomy and prevent them from reaching an accord with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seized considerable swathes of land in the northern and eastern parts of Syria from the Takfiri Daesh terror group in 2017 .
Turkey views the YPG as a terrorist organization tied to the Kurdistan Workers ’ Party ( PKK ) , which has been seeking an autonomous Kurdish region in Turkey since 1984 .
The UAE has long been accused of sponsoring the Kurdish-denominated militant groups , which have been operating across Syria since 2011 and in Iraq since the armed insurgency of the PKK against the Turkish government began in the 1980s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unspecified security source at the Kurdish Regional Government ( KRG ) told the London-based al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper that the UAE had provided financial aid to PKK militants in Iraq ’ s northern semi-autonomous region .
There are many other reports of the UAE sending weapons and other assistance to Kurdish groups in northern Iraq .
LINK The proxy war between Turkey and the UAE has intensified and spread to new areas over the last year , the massive influx of weapons , armed fighters and also large numbers of Turkish military forces having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ‘ civil war ’ in Syria and Libya in particular .
In Libya , following the influx of Turkish weapons and fighters late last year and early this year , the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord launched major offensives which definitively ended the siege of Tripoli and pushed the Benghazi-based Libyan National Army back from most of the territory they captured during their offensives last year .
Early in October of 2019 , Turkish armed forces and proxy militant groups launched a massive cross-border invasion of north eastern Syria in an attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas .
Two weeks after the invasion began , Turkey and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding demanding that YPG militants withdraw from a ‘ safe zone ’ declared by Turkey in north eastern Syria .
Turkey has also had substantial ongoing military operations in northern Iraq for many years .
In addition to the participation of UAE , US and other NATO military and intelligence forces , the Saudis have also been heavily involved in the war in Syria for many years .
In 2016 the Saudis sent troops and aircraft to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries were preparing for a possible ground mission in Syria .
Turkey ’ s foreign minister , Mevlut Cavusoglu subsequently confirmed the deployment declaring that it demonstrated a calibrated policy by the two states .
Cavusoglu said that Turkey and Saudi Arabia have “ always emphasised the need for an extensive result-oriented strategy in the fight against the Daesh ( Isis ) terrorist group… .
Turkey and Saudi Arabia may launch an operation from the land.
” A report by The Independent commented at the time : “ But this is less to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that Sunni rebels , backed by Saudis and the Turks , are rapidly losing ground to the forces of Bashar al-Assad , supported by a ferocious Russian air onslaught , Iranian ‘ volunteers ’ and fighters from the Lebanese Hezbollah .
There is added exasperation , from the Turkish point of view , that some of this territory is being taken over by Kurdish forces .
The Saudi defence minister and heir apparent to the throne , Prince Mohammed bin Salman , presented his country ’ s military plans in Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition at the Nato headquarters in Brussels last Thursday .
He did not , according to diplomatic sources , mention sending troops and aircraft to Turkey to the US defence secretary Ash Carter and his fellow Western ministers… The force led by the Saudis , with likely contributions from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain , will , in Syria , find themselves in the same battlespace for the first time as the Iranians and Shia militias.
” LINK Although the Saudi participation in the ‘ civil war ’ in Syria hasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military personnel , late last week it was reported that around twenty Saudi soldiers had arrived at the US military base close to the oilfields in north eastern Syria .
At the end of last year , the Saudis also deployed ‘ dozens ’ of soldiers to Syria ’ s largest oilfield located in the eastern province of Deir Ez-Zor to protect a group of Saudi and Egyptian Aramco experts who arrived in the area the previous week .
According to the Arabic service of the , local sources said that the Saudi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil field travelled aboard helicopters , and that their arrival coincided with the arrival of around 30 trucks carrying drilling and digging machinery .
After announcing that the US was going to pull its remaining troops out of Syria in October last year , President Donald Trump was forced by the Pentagon and others to retract his decision and he subsequently said that some US troops would remain , supposedly to protect Syrian oil fields from ISIS but also to exploit them .
It is understood that the illegal exploitation of Syria ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed between Aramco and the US government , whose armed forces have steadily been increasing their military presence around the oil fields .
LINK The US military remains in control of the oil and gas fields in the Deir Ezzor region , with approximately 500 heavily armed troops in several bases scattered throughout north eastern Syria .
LINK Several days ago , the arrival of another large US military convoy to the northeast of Syria from neighbouring Iraq was reported : The Syrian government , which has not authorised the US military presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US of plundering the country ’ s oil resources and has registered a formal complaint with the UN Security Council , however the latter is powerless to investigate or take any action on the matter given the US veto on all decisions .
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The United Arab Emirates has allegedly had intelligence agents in northern Syria and Iraq working with YPG/PKK Kurdish militias over the past few years. Turkey and the UAE are also involved in bitter proxy wars in Libya, with reports over the last few months indicating that Turkey is also seeking to extend their destructive proxy war to Yemen.
Turkish news outlet Anadolu Agency has received information from multiple sources to the effect that after holding secret talks with Kurdish militants affiliated with the ‘People’s Protection Units’ (YPG) in 2017, the UAE has been sending intelligence teams to areas under their control since 2018.
Their missions include training the YPG militant groups in espionage, counter-espionage, sabotage, targeted assassinations, signals intelligence, information security and operating encrypted communication networks. According to the information, intelligence teams have been operating in Qamishli, Hasaka and Deir ez-Zor. LINK
The YPG – the backbone of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – is also receiving US support in an effort to encourage the group to declare autonomy and prevent them from reaching an accord with the Syrian Government. The Kurdish militants seized considerable swathes of land in the northern and eastern parts of Syria from the Takfiri Daesh terror group in 2017.
Turkey views the YPG as a terrorist organization tied to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been seeking an autonomous Kurdish region in Turkey since 1984.
The UAE has long been accused of sponsoring the Kurdish-denominated militant groups, which have been operating across Syria since 2011 and in Iraq since the armed insurgency of the PKK against the Turkish government began in the 1980s.
In June last year, an unspecified security source at the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) told the London-based al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper that the UAE had provided financial aid to PKK militants in Iraq’s northern semi-autonomous region. There are many other reports of the UAE sending weapons and other assistance to Kurdish groups in northern Iraq. LINK
The proxy war between Turkey and the UAE has intensified and spread to new areas over the last year, the massive influx of weapons, armed fighters and also large numbers of Turkish military forces having a dramatic impact on the course of the ‘civil war’ in Syria and Libya in particular.
In Libya, following the influx of Turkish weapons and fighters late last year and early this year, the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord launched major offensives which definitively ended the siege of Tripoli and pushed the Benghazi-based Libyan National Army back from most of the territory they captured during their offensives last year.
Early in October of 2019, Turkish armed forces and proxy militant groups launched a massive cross-border invasion of north eastern Syria in an attempt to push YPG militants away from border areas.
Two weeks after the invasion began, Turkey and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding demanding that YPG militants withdraw from a ‘safe zone’ declared by Turkey in north eastern Syria. Turkey has also had substantial ongoing military operations in northern Iraq for many years.
In addition to the participation of UAE, US and other NATO military and intelligence forces, the Saudis have also been heavily involved in the war in Syria for many years. In 2016 the Saudis sent troops and aircraft to Turkey, prompting speculation that the two countries were preparing for a possible ground mission in Syria.
Turkey’s foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu subsequently confirmed the deployment declaring that it demonstrated a calibrated policy by the two states. Cavusoglu said that Turkey and Saudi Arabia have “always emphasised the need for an extensive result-oriented strategy in the fight against the Daesh (Isis) terrorist group…. Turkey and Saudi Arabia may launch an operation from the land.”
A report by The Independent commented at the time:
“But this is less to do with Isis and much more with the fact that Sunni rebels, backed by Saudis and the Turks, are rapidly losing ground to the forces of Bashar al-Assad, supported by a ferocious Russian air onslaught, Iranian ‘volunteers’ and fighters from the Lebanese Hezbollah. There is added exasperation, from the Turkish point of view, that some of this territory is being taken over by Kurdish forces. The Saudi defence minister and heir apparent to the throne, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, presented his country’s military plans in Syria to a summit of the US-led anti-Isis coalition at the Nato headquarters in Brussels last Thursday. He did not, according to diplomatic sources, mention sending troops and aircraft to Turkey to the US defence secretary Ash Carter and his fellow Western ministers… The force led by the Saudis, with likely contributions from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, will, in Syria, find themselves in the same battlespace for the first time as the Iranians and Shia militias.” LINK
Although the Saudi participation in the ‘civil war’ in Syria hasn’t generally included the overt deployment of military personnel, late last week it was reported that around twenty Saudi soldiers had arrived at the US military base close to the oilfields in north eastern Syria.
At the end of last year, the Saudis also deployed ‘dozens’ of soldiers to Syria’s largest oilfield located in the eastern province of Deir Ez-Zor to protect a group of Saudi and Egyptian Aramco experts who arrived in the area the previous week. According to the Arabic service of the Anadolu Agency, local sources said that the Saudi soldiers that arrived last year at Al-Omar oil field travelled aboard helicopters, and that their arrival coincided with the arrival of around 30 trucks carrying drilling and digging machinery.
After announcing that the US was going to pull its remaining troops out of Syria in October last year, President Donald Trump was forced by the Pentagon and others to retract his decision and he subsequently said that some US troops would remain, supposedly to protect Syrian oil fields from ISIS but also to exploit them.
It is understood that the illegal exploitation of Syria’s oilfields will be arranged through contracts signed between Aramco and the US government, whose armed forces have steadily been increasing their military presence around the oil fields. LINK
The US military remains in control of the oil and gas fields in the Deir Ezzor region, with approximately 500 heavily armed troops in several bases scattered throughout north eastern Syria. LINK
Several days ago, the arrival of another large US military convoy to the northeast of Syria from neighbouring Iraq was reported:
“SOHR activists have monitored nearly 50 trucks affiliated to the International Coalition crossing into Syria today, via Al-Walid border crossing with Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The trucks, carrying military and logistical supplies, headed to Tal Baydar military base in the north-western countryside of Al-Hasakah. On August 22, Observatory activists monitored a US military convoy crossing into Syria, via Al-Walid border crossing with Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The convoy, comprised several military armoured vehicles and 40 trucks carrying tanks, military and logistical supplies, headed to Al-Shaddadi base and other military bases in Al-Hasakah province.” LINK
The Syrian government, which has not authorised the US military presence within its territory, has repeatedly accused the US of plundering the country’s oil resources and has registered a formal complaint with the UN Security Council, however the latter is powerless to investigate or take any action on the matter given the US veto on all decisions.
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southfront--2020-08-31--Dummy Soldiers And Abandoned Battle Tanks: Israel Prepares For War With Hezbollah

Hikers in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights found at least 5 armed and unguarded Merkava Mk .
IV battle tanks .
The doors of the battle tanks were open with equipment and munitions left completely unguarded inside .
The incident took place amid the growing tensions between Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces in both the Golan Heights area and along the Israeli-Lebanese contact line .
During the past weeks , the Israeli military was actively deploying troops and equipment to reinforce their positions in these areas .
It is highly likely that the abandoned battle tanks were a part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources do not know how to explain this failure , they can easily blame Hezbollah .
Indeed , Israel is already taking steps to do this .
On August 29 , the Lebanese group ’ s Central Media released a video of the incident that took place about a week ago .
The video showed a dummy soldier moving amid a cloud of thick smoke on the Israeli-Lebanese separation line .
Two Merkava IV battle tanks of the IDF were guarding the “ robot soldier.
” The Israeli Defense Forces ( IDF ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an attempt to trick Hezbollah in times of tensions .
On August 26 , IDF aircraft carried out several airstrikes on what it called “ observation posts ” of Hezbollah near the contact line in southern Lebanon .
The IDF said the strikes were a response to a security incident , in which shots were fired at an Israeli force operating near the town of al-Manar .
The incident , which took place at 22:40 on August 25 , resulted in no casualties , according to the IDF ’ s statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for what happens from its territory , ” Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee , a spokesman for the IDF , said , adding : “ We view the incident with extreme seriousness , like every attempt to violate the sovereignty of the State of Israel , and our forces will remain in a state of great readiness to preserve the sovereignty of Israel and the security of the population as needed.
” Thus , the IDF reinforced its threats to carry out strikes on Lebanon in response to any attack or provocation from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sees the possible strikes on “ dummy soldiers ” intentionally put in danger areas on the contact line with Lebanon as one of such attacks .
Lebanese sources claim that the IDF is intentionally seeking a pretext for military actions against Lebanon .
Meanwhile , Secretary-General of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah vowed that Hezbollah will kill an Israeli soldier every time the Israeli military kills one of his group ’ s fighters .
The Lebanese leader made the new threat in a televised speech commemorating the 10th of Muharram , a holy Islamic day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 .
The Hezbollah-Israeli tensions seem to be ready to explode with an open military confrontation at any moment .

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Hikers in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights found at least 5 armed and unguarded Merkava Mk. IV battle tanks.
The doors of the battle tanks were open with equipment and munitions left completely unguarded inside. The incident took place amid the growing tensions between Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces in both the Golan Heights area and along the Israeli-Lebanese contact line.
During the past weeks, the Israeli military was actively deploying troops and equipment to reinforce their positions in these areas. It is highly likely that the abandoned battle tanks were a part of these reinforcements. So, if Israeli sources do not know how to explain this failure, they can easily blame Hezbollah.
Indeed, Israel is already taking steps to do this. On August 29, the Lebanese group’s Central Media released a video of the incident that took place about a week ago. The video showed a dummy soldier moving amid a cloud of thick smoke on the Israeli-Lebanese separation line. Two Merkava IV battle tanks of the IDF were guarding the “robot soldier.” The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) often use such “dummy targets” in an attempt to trick Hezbollah in times of tensions.
On August 26, IDF aircraft carried out several airstrikes on what it called “observation posts” of Hezbollah near the contact line in southern Lebanon. The IDF said the strikes were a response to a security incident, in which shots were fired at an Israeli force operating near the town of al-Manar. The incident, which took place at 22:40 on August 25, resulted in no casualties, according to the IDF’s statement.
“The IDF considers the Lebanese government responsible for what happens from its territory,” Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, a spokesman for the IDF, said, adding: “We view the incident with extreme seriousness, like every attempt to violate the sovereignty of the State of Israel, and our forces will remain in a state of great readiness to preserve the sovereignty of Israel and the security of the population as needed.”
Thus, the IDF reinforced its threats to carry out strikes on Lebanon in response to any attack or provocation from this direction. Apparently, the IDF sees the possible strikes on “dummy soldiers” intentionally put in danger areas on the contact line with Lebanon as one of such attacks. Lebanese sources claim that the IDF is intentionally seeking a pretext for military actions against Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Secretary-General of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah vowed that Hezbollah will kill an Israeli soldier every time the Israeli military kills one of his group’s fighters. The Lebanese leader made the new threat in a televised speech commemorating the 10th of Muharram, a holy Islamic day highly admired by Shiites, on August 30. The Hezbollah-Israeli tensions seem to be ready to explode with an open military confrontation at any moment.
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southfront--2020-08-31--Military Situation In Northwestern Syria On August 31, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in northwestern Syria : • Syrian Arab @ @ @ @ @ shelled Turkish-backed militants ’ positions in the village of Shanan ; • Russian warplanes targeted @ @ @ @ @ the village of Sheikh Bahr ; • Clashes between Turkish-backed militants and the SAA were @ @ @ @ @ • Turkish military deployed troops along the M4 highway and at the entrances to Ariha @ @ @ @ @ :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in northwestern Syria:
Large Turkish military convoy entered Greater Idlib via the Kafr Lusin crossing;
Syrian Arab Army (SAA) artillery shelled Turkish-backed militants’ positions in the village of Shanan;
Russian warplanes targeted Turkish-backed militants’ positions near the village of Sheikh Bahr;
Clashes between Turkish-backed militants and the SAA were reported in Taqad area;
Turkish military deployed troops along the M4 highway and at the entrances to Ariha.
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southfront--2020-08-31--Iran And Russia On Their Way To New Level Of Partnership

The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on the development of global international cooperation .
The bilateral partnership between Russia and Iran , which was hardened by restrictive measures , is returning to its normal course .
Visits of high-ranking officials are resumed .
So , on August 22 , the Iranian Defense Minister , Amir Khatami , arrived in Moscow to hold talks with Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu .
A few days earlier , on August 18 , the head of the Iranian foreign Ministry , Mohammad Javad Zarif , also flew to Russia to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sergey Lavrov .
The Iranian delegations were among the first to arrive in Moscow after the lifting of quarantine restrictions , which underlines the paramount importance of restoring the former level of cooperation between the two sides .
Foremost , Russia and Iran resume cooperation in the military sphere .
The Iranian security Minister held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu , and also visited the VI International Military-Technical Forum “ Army 2020 ” .
Amir Khatami ’ s visit took place before the start of the International Army Games , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the forum , and in which the military forces of Iran participate , among others .
The Defense Minister met with officers and soldiers that were sent to Russia to participate in competitions between military police units in the section known as “ Guards of order ” .
The VI Army international games “ Army-2020 ” include 31 international competitions that are held on the territory of 11 countries : Armenia , Azerbaijan , Belarus , India , Kazakhstan , China , Mongolia , Russia and Uzbekistan , as well as Iran .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were invited to participate .
The military-technical cooperation between Russia and Iran is increasing as a response to US hostile pressure .
A new agreement for the purchase of military weapons to Iran is expected to be signed soon .
Firstly , the Tehran ’ s interest is turned to electronic warfare systems , coastal defense systems and S-400 missile system .
New contracts for the purchase of such military equipment to Iran will certainly cause further concern from Washington establishment .
The priority of expanding strategic cooperation for the two sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif , who flew to Moscow from Ankara , where he discussed with his Turkish counterpart the preparation of an Astana format summit on Syria .
This time , Zarif visited Moscow for the 30th time .
He noted that he had probably broken records for the frequency of visits to Russia among all foreign Ministers .
His previous visit took place on June 16 .
The main purpose of such a soon arrival in Moscow was to hold talks with the Russian Foreign Minister .
However , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zarif managed to hold a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin , to whom he allegedly passed a message from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani , despite the fact that the leaders of the countries had communicated by phone a few days before the meeting .
Details of the conversation between Zarif and Putin were not disclosed .
Meetings of high-level diplomats with the highest level leaders of another country always reflect the special significance and importance of issues on the agenda of international relations .
Among the questions discussed during the talks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were : the military situation in Syria , a common regional agenda , bilateral cooperation , including the implementation of joint projects in the fields of energy , transport and agriculture , as well as already “ traditional ” discussions of the preservation of the Iran nuclear deal .
Numerous negotiations have led to positive results .
Moscow and Tehran agreed to conclude a new cooperation agreement that will replace the Agreement on the basis of relations and principles of cooperation between the Russian Federation and Iran , signed in 2001 for ten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Iranian side expressed its commitment to renew the agreement that should address the current international challenges and threats .
Moscow also agreed to the need to update the basis of bilateral cooperation in order to enhance it .
Both sides will start working together to develop a new document .
The next extension of the agreement from 2001 is planned in 8 months .
Even if the new agreement is not developed until then , its extension is not threatened in any case .
One of the main areas of cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arena is the ongoing struggle to preserve the nuclear deal within the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) .
After withdrawing from the JCPOA two years ago , the US continues its sanctions policy against Iran .
In response to the measures taken by the US , Iran suspended part of its obligations under the JCPOA in two stages .
In the summer of 2019 , Iran announced that it was beginning the process of enriching uranium at a level higher than the 3.67 % required by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , France and Germany , which make part of JCPOA , do not support the US policy .
The European Union expressed regret over Washington ’ s decision to restore sanctions .
For its part , Tehran proclaimed that it would comply with the terms of the nuclear agreement if the European Union compensated for the damage caused by Washington ’ s sanctions .
The EU took several measures to support Iran .
For example , Iran was disconnected from the SWIFT international interbank system in 2018 .
In one year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officially launched a settlement tool with Iran designed to preserve trade and economic relations and prevent European companies from falling under US anti-Iranian sanctions .
The tool for circumventing US sanctions was named INSTEX ( Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges ) .
The European reaction encourages Moscow and Tehran to pursue an active policy aimed at preserving the nuclear deal .
This approach is also supported by China .
Iran and Moscow are working closely on a military solution to the settlement in Syria .
The both sides proclame the importance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which Turkey , Iran and Russia take joint actions to resolve the Syrian crisis .
Moscow and Tehran emphasise the need to continue cooperation , and the importance of strengthening bilateral contacts on this issue .
Today ’ s frequency of high-level contacts between the two sides signals an encreasing partnership between Iran and Russia .
In the current international situation , it is advantageous for both Tehran and Moscow to inter in a new high level of cooperation as soon as possible , given the growing pressure exerted from across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foundations of cooperation between Iran and Russia is resulted from the changing political environment in the region and the degree of involvement of various actors in the regional agenda .
The U.S. is loosing influence and reduces its activity in the region .
Israel ’ s successful foreign policy has led to the normalization of relations with the UAE , which in turn is challenging Saudi Arabia .
France is increasing its presence in the region .
Turkey continues to pursue an active policy .
The configuration of new alliances begins to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these alliances will be very flexible , and there will definitely be more than two of them .
Under these conditions , the partnership between Moscow and Tehran will be beneficial .
Today , Iran is experiencing significant economic problems due to the coronavirus pandemic , and they are likely to worsen in the coming months .
Meanwhile , neither Russia nor Iran can pursue a less active regional policy .
This will create a void that will be quickly filled by other stakeholders in the region .
At the same time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coincide only partially .
This is what determines that they are rather tactical partners then strategic allies .
However , today Russia and Iran are not strategic partners , but tactical ones .
The main factor linking the two sides is political support in the international arena , which is not backed by the necessary level of economic cooperation .
At the same time , interaction in the economic sphere is complicated by the fact that both countries are competitors in the world oil market , as well as potential rivals in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two sides seems very vague , given the completely different approaches to conducting policy in the Middle East .
Russia adheres to a multi-vector policy .
Taking advantage of the fact that the US presence in the region is decreasing , it has the opportunity to strengthen its influence .
Despite growing ambitions to increase its influence in the region , Russia does not have the necessary capacity to secure its own position in the region .
It has no interests in the region other than economic ones , but the investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporations are limited .
At the same time , the number of threats on its Western border continues to grow .
In the Middle East , Russia is not interested in increasing its military presence ; it seeks to create a regional political order that will be based on a balance between the various parties .
Within this framework , Russia does not play the central role , but represents the final pound , which have the power to restore the necessary balance of regional order in accordance with the situation.This forces Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure its position as the main external mediator that leads to varying degrees of cooperation with Iran ’ s rival countries , such as Israel , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , etc .
This should not satisfy Iran , which is striving to establish a leading position in the region .
On the other hand , the emergence of a dominant force as Iran in the Middle East is also unprofitable for Russia .
Moscow and Tehran maintain close cooperation on issues of a global nature , without engaging areas where their interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , differences do not prevent the parties from building a fairly stable partnership .
The main reason for this stability is the need to counter a common rival .
Given the continuing influence of a fairly high level of the United States in the region , as well as on the global stage , bilateral cooperation between Russia and Iran seems to continue to strengthen in the coming years .
In addition , there is a development of trilateral cooperation with the main counterweight of the United States , China .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercises with Russia and China was expressed by the Iranian Defense Minister Amir Khatami during his last visit to Moscow .
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The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on the development of global international cooperation. The bilateral partnership between Russia and Iran, which was hardened by restrictive measures, is returning to its normal course. Visits of high-ranking officials are resumed. So, on August 22, the Iranian Defense Minister, Amir Khatami, arrived in Moscow to hold talks with Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu. A few days earlier, on August 18, the head of the Iranian foreign Ministry, Mohammad Javad Zarif, also flew to Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Iranian delegations were among the first to arrive in Moscow after the lifting of quarantine restrictions, which underlines the paramount importance of restoring the former level of cooperation between the two sides.
Foremost, Russia and Iran resume cooperation in the military sphere. The Iranian security Minister held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu, and also visited the VI International Military-Technical Forum “Army 2020”.
“Cooperation between Iran and Russia on defense and military issues is gaining an accelerated pace every day. A new chapter of cooperation between Iran and Russia in the military-technical sphere is on the way,” said Qasem Jalali, the Iranian Ambassador to Russia.
Amir Khatami’s visit took place before the start of the International Army Games, which started on August 23 in conjunction with the forum, and in which the military forces of Iran participate, among others. The Defense Minister met with officers and soldiers that were sent to Russia to participate in competitions between military police units in the section known as “Guards of order”.
The VI Army international games “Army-2020” include 31 international competitions that are held on the territory of 11 countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, India, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, Russia and Uzbekistan, as well as Iran. 90 countries, including NATO member countries, were invited to participate.
The military-technical cooperation between Russia and Iran is increasing as a response to US hostile pressure. A new agreement for the purchase of military weapons to Iran is expected to be signed soon. Firstly, the Tehran’s interest is turned to electronic warfare systems, coastal defense systems and S-400 missile system. New contracts for the purchase of such military equipment to Iran will certainly cause further concern from Washington establishment.
The priority of expanding strategic cooperation for the two sides is evidenced by the visit of Iranian foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who flew to Moscow from Ankara, where he discussed with his Turkish counterpart the preparation of an Astana format summit on Syria.
This time, Zarif visited Moscow for the 30th time. He noted that he had probably broken records for the frequency of visits to Russia among all foreign Ministers. His previous visit took place on June 16.
The main purpose of such a soon arrival in Moscow was to hold talks with the Russian Foreign Minister. However, in addition to meeting with Sergey Lavrov, Zarif managed to hold a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, to whom he allegedly passed a message from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, despite the fact that the leaders of the countries had communicated by phone a few days before the meeting. Details of the conversation between Zarif and Putin were not disclosed. Meetings of high-level diplomats with the highest level leaders of another country always reflect the special significance and importance of issues on the agenda of international relations.
Among the questions discussed during the talks of the foreign Ministers in Moscow, there were: the military situation in Syria, a common regional agenda, bilateral cooperation, including the implementation of joint projects in the fields of energy, transport and agriculture, as well as already “traditional” discussions of the preservation of the Iran nuclear deal.
Numerous negotiations have led to positive results. Moscow and Tehran agreed to conclude a new cooperation agreement that will replace the Agreement on the basis of relations and principles of cooperation between the Russian Federation and Iran, signed in 2001 for ten years with automatic extension every five years. The Iranian side expressed its commitment to renew the agreement that should address the current international challenges and threats. Moscow also agreed to the need to update the basis of bilateral cooperation in order to enhance it.
“We agreed today that 20 years is a long time, ” Sergey Lavrov said, answering that during this time there have been” serious, deep changes in the international arena”, new threats have appeared — terrorism, different types of organized crime, climate change and viruses.
Both sides will start working together to develop a new document. The next extension of the agreement from 2001 is planned in 8 months. Even if the new agreement is not developed until then, its extension is not threatened in any case.
One of the main areas of cooperation between Iran and Russia in the international arena is the ongoing struggle to preserve the nuclear deal within the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). After withdrawing from the JCPOA two years ago, the US continues its sanctions policy against Iran. In response to the measures taken by the US, Iran suspended part of its obligations under the JCPOA in two stages. In the summer of 2019, Iran announced that it was beginning the process of enriching uranium at a level higher than the 3.67% required by the nuclear deal.
“Touching this package means absolutely destroying resolution 2231 and the JCPOA,” the Iranian foreign Minister said.
Actually, leading European countries, France and Germany, which make part of JCPOA, do not support the US policy. The European Union expressed regret over Washington’s decision to restore sanctions. For its part, Tehran proclaimed that it would comply with the terms of the nuclear agreement if the European Union compensated for the damage caused by Washington’s sanctions. The EU took several measures to support Iran. For example, Iran was disconnected from the SWIFT international interbank system in 2018. In one year, France, Germany, and the UK officially launched a settlement tool with Iran designed to preserve trade and economic relations and prevent European companies from falling under US anti-Iranian sanctions. The tool for circumventing US sanctions was named INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges).
The European reaction encourages Moscow and Tehran to pursue an active policy aimed at preserving the nuclear deal. This approach is also supported by China.
Iran and Moscow are working closely on a military solution to the settlement in Syria. The both sides proclame the importance of maintaining the “Astana format”, in which Turkey, Iran and Russia take joint actions to resolve the Syrian crisis. Moscow and Tehran emphasise the need to continue cooperation, and the importance of strengthening bilateral contacts on this issue.
Today’s frequency of high-level contacts between the two sides signals an encreasing partnership between Iran and Russia. In the current international situation, it is advantageous for both Tehran and Moscow to inter in a new high level of cooperation as soon as possible, given the growing pressure exerted from across the Atlantic ocean.
The сommitment to update the foundations of cooperation between Iran and Russia is resulted from the changing political environment in the region and the degree of involvement of various actors in the regional agenda. The U.S. is loosing influence and reduces its activity in the region. Israel’s successful foreign policy has led to the normalization of relations with the UAE, which in turn is challenging Saudi Arabia. France is increasing its presence in the region. Turkey continues to pursue an active policy. The configuration of new alliances begins to be viewed. In so doing, these alliances will be very flexible, and there will definitely be more than two of them. Under these conditions, the partnership between Moscow and Tehran will be beneficial.
Today, Iran is experiencing significant economic problems due to the coronavirus pandemic, and they are likely to worsen in the coming months. Meanwhile, neither Russia nor Iran can pursue a less active regional policy. This will create a void that will be quickly filled by other stakeholders in the region.
At the same time, the national interests of Russia and Iran coincide only partially. This is what determines that they are rather tactical partners then strategic allies.
However, today Russia and Iran are not strategic partners, but tactical ones. The main factor linking the two sides is political support in the international arena, which is not backed by the necessary level of economic cooperation. At the same time, interaction in the economic sphere is complicated by the fact that both countries are competitors in the world oil market, as well as potential rivals in the gas sector.
The long-term cooperation between the two sides seems very vague, given the completely different approaches to conducting policy in the Middle East. Russia adheres to a multi-vector policy. Taking advantage of the fact that the US presence in the region is decreasing, it has the opportunity to strengthen its influence. Despite growing ambitions to increase its influence in the region, Russia does not have the necessary capacity to secure its own position in the region. It has no interests in the region other than economic ones, but the investment, technological and infrastructure capabilities of Russia-based corporations are limited. At the same time, the number of threats on its Western border continues to grow. In the Middle East, Russia is not interested in increasing its military presence; it seeks to create a regional political order that will be based on a balance between the various parties. Within this framework, Russia does not play the central role, but represents the final pound, which have the power to restore the necessary balance of regional order in accordance with the situation.This forces Moscow to use multilateral cooperation in order to secure its position as the main external mediator that leads to varying degrees of cooperation with Iran’s rival countries, such as Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, etc. This should not satisfy Iran, which is striving to establish a leading position in the region. On the other hand, the emergence of a dominant force as Iran in the Middle East is also unprofitable for Russia.
Moscow and Tehran maintain close cooperation on issues of a global nature, without engaging areas where their interests are not complementary. At the same time, differences do not prevent the parties from building a fairly stable partnership. The main reason for this stability is the need to counter a common rival. Given the continuing influence of a fairly high level of the United States in the region, as well as on the global stage, bilateral cooperation between Russia and Iran seems to continue to strengthen in the coming years. In addition, there is a development of trilateral cooperation with the main counterweight of the United States, China. So, the intention to hold regular joint exercises with Russia and China was expressed by the Iranian Defense Minister Amir Khatami during his last visit to Moscow.
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