southfront--2020-12-03--Trump Administration Fights Iran In Middle East As Qods Force Expands In U.S. Backyard

The United States and Israel are preparing for even more military action against Iran following the assassination of prominent nuclear scientist , Mohsen Fakhrizadeh , in the countryside of Tehran last week .
The Israeli Defense Forces and the United States have already stepped up coordination mechanisms to react to what Israeli media likes to call ‘ non-motivated aggression ’ by Iran .
The accepted measures reportedly include procedures for joint detection of missile or rocket fire at Israeli or American targets .
Israeli sources claim that Iran will respond to the attack , which took place near Tehran , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of December .
In another sign of the coming escalation , the White House is partially withdrawing staff from the embassy in Baghdad and other diplomatic facilities in Iraq .
Dozens of diplomats and specialists have already left Iraq , according to US media .
It should be noted that on January 3 , 2020 , when a US drone strike assassinated Iranian General Qassem Soleimani at the Baghdad International Airport , US military bases in Iraq became targets of an Iranian ballistic missile strike .
Taking into account the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Axis of Resistance in general towards a symbolic move , Iranian-led forces may opt to align their retaliation moves with the anniversary of the killing of Soleimani .
At the same time , the administration of US President Donald Trump is trying to do whatever possible , as long as Trump in the White House , to rescue Saudi Arabia , the key ally of the US-Israeli bloc , from a total defeat in the Yemeni war .
On December 2 , the State Department approved a possible $ 350 million deal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arabia .
The ‘ technical and advisory ’ assistance mission in the Kingdom under this deal requires the permanent assignment of approximately 330 service members and specialists .
A previous deal of this kind was reached in 2016 but this did not help the Kingdom to deal with its failing military adventure in Yemen .
Instead , the situation only deteriorated and the Houthis are now regularly launching drones and missiles at key Saudi military and infrastructure objects .
Therefore , it is unlikely that the $ 350 million mission would be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this trend .
Another frontline of the restless US efforts against Iran is Venezuela , which Washington calls its own backyard .
According to recent claims by the Pentagon , Iran is now actively sending weapons and deploying personnel of the elite Quds Force to the country .
The year 2020 is slowly coming to its end , but it seems that there is enough time for President Trump to launch a ‘ little victorious war ’ with Iran before leaving the White House .
The only potential problem is the price that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Mr. Trump ’ s goal of gaining new fans in Israel .

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The United States and Israel are preparing for even more military action against Iran following the assassination of prominent nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, in the countryside of Tehran last week.
The Israeli Defense Forces and the United States have already stepped up coordination mechanisms to react to what Israeli media likes to call ‘non-motivated aggression’ by Iran. The accepted measures reportedly include procedures for joint detection of missile or rocket fire at Israeli or American targets. Israeli sources claim that Iran will respond to the attack, which took place near Tehran, most likely in some asymmetrical way, by the end of December.
In another sign of the coming escalation, the White House is partially withdrawing staff from the embassy in Baghdad and other diplomatic facilities in Iraq. Dozens of diplomats and specialists have already left Iraq, according to US media. It should be noted that on January 3, 2020, when a US drone strike assassinated Iranian General Qassem Soleimani at the Baghdad International Airport, US military bases in Iraq became targets of an Iranian ballistic missile strike. Taking into account the tendency of the Iranian leadership and the Axis of Resistance in general towards a symbolic move, Iranian-led forces may opt to align their retaliation moves with the anniversary of the killing of Soleimani.
At the same time, the administration of US President Donald Trump is trying to do whatever possible, as long as Trump in the White House, to rescue Saudi Arabia, the key ally of the US-Israeli bloc, from a total defeat in the Yemeni war.
On December 2, the State Department approved a possible $350 million deal to continue providing security support services to Saudi Arabia. The ‘technical and advisory’ assistance mission in the Kingdom under this deal requires the permanent assignment of approximately 330 service members and specialists. A previous deal of this kind was reached in 2016 but this did not help the Kingdom to deal with its failing military adventure in Yemen. Instead, the situation only deteriorated and the Houthis are now regularly launching drones and missiles at key Saudi military and infrastructure objects. Therefore, it is unlikely that the $350 million mission would be able to advise the Kingdom how to reverse this trend.
Another frontline of the restless US efforts against Iran is Venezuela, which Washington calls its own backyard. According to recent claims by the Pentagon, Iran is now actively sending weapons and deploying personnel of the elite Quds Force to the country. The year 2020 is slowly coming to its end, but it seems that there is enough time for President Trump to launch a ‘little victorious war’ with Iran before leaving the White House. The only potential problem is the price that the US nation would have to pay for Mr. Trump’s goal of gaining new fans in Israel.
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southfront--2020-12-03--Mini Turkey: Azerbaijan Is Forced To Change Date Of ‘Victory Day’ Holliday To Please Big Ottoman Bro

Mini Turkey: Azerbaijan Is Forced To Change Date Of ‘Victory Day’ Holliday To Please Big Ottoman Brother

Azerbaijan has moved its newly-announced “ Victory Day ” that is supposed to mark the victory over Armenian forces in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh to November 8 .
Initially , an executive order by President Ilham Aliyev said the nationwide holiday will be celebrated on November 10 of every year .
In a statement , the Presidential Administration said Victory Day date was moved to November 8 because November 10 is the Day of Remembrance of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , the founder of the Republic of Turkey .
The holiday is meant to celebrate the “ victory ” over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack on the region , which started on September 27 , ended on November 10 with a Russian-brokered peace deal .
The Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan said November 8 was selected as the new Victory Day , because it marks the “ liberation ” of the town of Shusha .
“ The liberation of the city of Shusha , dear to every Azerbaijani , the pearl of Karabakh , after 28 years of occupation on November 8 played a decisive role in the fate of the war , led to the recognition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political and military leadership and the cessation of the hostilities , ” the administration said .
Azerbaijan also established a “ Day of Remembrance ” to commemorate service members and civilians who were killed in Nagorno-Karabakh battle on September 27 of every year .
Turkey played a key role in Azerbaijan ’ s attack on Nagorno-Karabakh by supporting Baku with advanced combat drones and hundreds of Syrian mercenaries .
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to make his first to Azerbaijan after the peace deal on December 9 and 10 .
The Turkish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aliyev .
He will also attend a military parade in Baku to celebrate the “ victory ” in Karabakh .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Final Confession : Azerbaijan Said Nearly 2,800 Soldiers Killed In Nagorno-Karabakh War

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Azerbaijan has moved its newly-announced “Victory Day” that is supposed to mark the victory over Armenian forces in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh to November 8.
Initially, an executive order by President Ilham Aliyev said the nationwide holiday will be celebrated on November 10 of every year.
In a statement, the Presidential Administration said Victory Day date was moved to November 8 because November 10 is the Day of Remembrance of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey.
“Taking into account that the Day of Remembrance of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is celebrated in Turkey on November 10, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a decision to change the date of Victory Day,” the statement, which was released on December 3, reads.
The holiday is meant to celebrate the “victory” over Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Azerbaijani attack on the region, which started on September 27, ended on November 10 with a Russian-brokered peace deal.
The Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan said November 8 was selected as the new Victory Day, because it marks the “liberation” of the town of Shusha.
“The liberation of the city of Shusha, dear to every Azerbaijani, the pearl of Karabakh, after 28 years of occupation on November 8 played a decisive role in the fate of the war, led to the recognition of the defeat of the enemy’s political and military leadership and the cessation of the hostilities,” the administration said.
Azerbaijan also established a “Day of Remembrance” to commemorate service members and civilians who were killed in Nagorno-Karabakh battle on September 27 of every year.
Turkey played a key role in Azerbaijan’s attack on Nagorno-Karabakh by supporting Baku with advanced combat drones and hundreds of Syrian mercenaries.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to make his first to Azerbaijan after the peace deal on December 9 and 10. The Turkish President is expected to meet with President Aliyev. He will also attend a military parade in Baku to celebrate the “victory” in Karabakh.
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southfront--2020-12-03--ISIS Ambush Claimed Lives Of Seven Al-Quds Brigade Fighters In Syria’s Deir Ezzor

Seven members of the pro-government al-Quds Brigade , including a field commander , were killed in an ambush by ISIS in southern Deir Ezzor , according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) .
The ambush took place on December 2 on the road between the town of al-Mayadin and Faydat Ibn Muina , a small oasis located in western Deir Ezzor .
“ Russian jets carried out more than 40 airstrikes today targeting the positions and fortifications of Islamic State members in the Syrian desert within the administrative borders of Homs , Hama , Raqqa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SOHR said in its report .
“ No casualties have been reported so far.
” Last week , the al-Quds Brigade , a Palestinian factions that has been supporting the Damascus government since 2013 and the National Defense Forces kicked off a combing operation in southern and western Deir Ezzor .
This year , ISIS terrorists have launched dozens of attacks on Syrian government forces from their stronghold in the heart of Syria , the Homs desert .
On November 28 , ISIS ambushed a convoy of the Syrian Arab Army in eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed as a result of the attack .
A number of vehicles , including battle tanks , were also destroyed by the terrorists .
Syrian government forces and their allies have so far failed to contain ISIS ’ growing threat in the central region .
A large-scale military operation deep within the Homs desert appears to be needed .
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Seven members of the pro-government al-Quds Brigade, including a field commander, were killed in an ambush by ISIS in southern Deir Ezzor, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
The ambush took place on December 2 on the road between the town of al-Mayadin and Faydat Ibn Muina, a small oasis located in western Deir Ezzor.
“Russian jets carried out more than 40 airstrikes today targeting the positions and fortifications of Islamic State members in the Syrian desert within the administrative borders of Homs, Hama, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor provinces,” the SOHR said in its report. “No casualties have been reported so far.”
Last week, the al-Quds Brigade, a Palestinian factions that has been supporting the Damascus government since 2013 and the National Defense Forces kicked off a combing operation in southern and western Deir Ezzor.
This year, ISIS terrorists have launched dozens of attacks on Syrian government forces from their stronghold in the heart of Syria, the Homs desert.
On November 28, ISIS ambushed a convoy of the Syrian Arab Army in eastern Homs. At least 20 soldiers were killed as a result of the attack. A number of vehicles, including battle tanks, were also destroyed by the terrorists.
Syrian government forces and their allies have so far failed to contain ISIS’ growing threat in the central region. A large-scale military operation deep within the Homs desert appears to be needed.
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southfront--2020-12-04--U.S. Reportedly Withdraws Diplomatic Staff From Iraq, As One Year Of Qassem Soleimani’s Assassinatio

U.S. Reportedly Withdraws Diplomatic Staff From Iraq, As One Year Of Qassem Soleimani’s Assassination Draws Near

Security concerns have forced the US to withdraw some of its staff from its embassy in the Iraq capital Baghdad , AFP reported , citing an unnamed Iraqi official on December 3rd .
A US State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the withdrawal but said the safety of US officials , citizens and facilities in Iraq “ remains our highest priority.
” US Ambassador Matthew Tueller remains in Iraq , the State Department said , and that the embassy continues to operate .
Washington Post cited another unnamed source , familiar with the situation , who said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will continue after the January 3rd anniversary of the assassination of IRGC ’ s commander Major General Qassem Soleimani by a US drone strike .
Reportedly , US and Israeli military officials have stepped up their coordination in preparation for a potential Iranian retaliation to the assassination of its senior nuclear scientist , Mohsen Fakhrizadeh .
Both Israel ’ s army and the US Central Command have reportedly taken measures that include the detection of missile and rocket fire on US and Israeli targets in the Middle East .
On December 2nd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration ordered the scaling down of its presence in Iraq and the Middle East , according to Politico .
US aircraft and heavy bombers were stationed in the Gulf to secure and protect the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and Afghanistan .
Israel has not commented on Fakhrizadeh ’ s killing , an unnamed senior official in the Trump administration told US media that Mossad , Israel ’ s external intelligence agency , was behind the operation .
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , Iran ’ s supreme leader vowed to retaliate .
Former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guard Corps ( IRGC ) Hossein Dehghan said after the killing that “ we will strike as thunder at the killers of this oppressed martyr and will make them regret their action ” .
As mentioned earlier , the anniversary of Major General Qassem Soleimani ’ s killing is nearing , and a retaliation might come .
Furthermore , there are still expectations and reports of a farewell strike ordered by US President Donald Trump to take place , which would prompt an immediate and sharp Iranian response .
MORE ON THE TOPIC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East As Qods Force Expands In U.S. Backyard • The Saker : “ The AngloZionists Are Trying To Provoke A War With “

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Security concerns have forced the US to withdraw some of its staff from its embassy in the Iraq capital Baghdad, AFP reported, citing an unnamed Iraqi official on December 3rd.
A US State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the withdrawal but said the safety of US officials, citizens and facilities in Iraq “remains our highest priority.”
“The State Department continually adjusts its diplomatic presence at Embassies and Consulates throughout the world in line with its mission, the local security environment, the health situation, and even the holidays,” a department official said.
US Ambassador Matthew Tueller remains in Iraq, the State Department said, and that the embassy continues to operate.
Washington Post cited another unnamed source, familiar with the situation, who said that the withdrawal was a temporary “de-risking” that will continue after the January 3rd anniversary of the assassination of IRGC’s commander Major General Qassem Soleimani by a US drone strike.
Reportedly, US and Israeli military officials have stepped up their coordination in preparation for a potential Iranian retaliation to the assassination of its senior nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.
Both Israel’s army and the US Central Command have reportedly taken measures that include the detection of missile and rocket fire on US and Israeli targets in the Middle East.
On December 2nd, US President Donald Trump’s administration ordered the scaling down of its presence in Iraq and the Middle East, according to Politico.
US aircraft and heavy bombers were stationed in the Gulf to secure and protect the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Israel has not commented on Fakhrizadeh’s killing, an unnamed senior official in the Trump administration told US media that Mossad, Israel’s external intelligence agency, was behind the operation.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader vowed to retaliate. Former air force commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Dehghan said after the killing that “we will strike as thunder at the killers of this oppressed martyr and will make them regret their action”.
As mentioned earlier, the anniversary of Major General Qassem Soleimani’s killing is nearing, and a retaliation might come.
Furthermore, there are still expectations and reports of a farewell strike ordered by US President Donald Trump to take place, which would prompt an immediate and sharp Iranian response.
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southfront--2020-12-04--Russian Warplanes Launch Over 100 Strikes As Fighting Between Army And ISIS Rages In Central Syria

Russian warplanes launched over 100 airstrikes on ISIS terrorists in Syria ’ s central region in the last 72 hours , the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) reported on December 4 .
The London-based monitoring group said heavy clashes between ISIS and government forces are taking place in the region , mainly in the Aleppo-Hama-Raqqa triangle .
“ Military operations are underway in different areas in the Syrian desert between regime forces and loyalists on one hand and ISIS on the other , ” the monitoring group said .
“ The violent clashes are mostly concentrated in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsides in Deir Ezzor and Homs deserts.
” According to the SOHR , the central region clashes have , so far , claimed the lives of 19 Syrian service members and at least 22 ISIS terrorists .
ISIS terrorists are launching attacks from their stronghold in the central region , the Homs desert , on a regular basis .
The attacks are targeting government troops in eastern Homs , eastern Hama , southern Aleppo , southern Raqqa and western Deir Ezzor .
A recent ambush in Deir Ezzor by the terrorist group claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field commander of the al-Quds Brigade , a pro-government Palestinian group .
Syrian government forces and their allies are stepping up their operations in the central region .
Nevertheless , ISIS terrorists are not backing down .
The terrorists are allegedly receiving support from U.S.-backed fighters based in the nearby region of al-Tanaf .
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Russian warplanes launched over 100 airstrikes on ISIS terrorists in Syria’s central region in the last 72 hours, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on December 4.
The London-based monitoring group said heavy clashes between ISIS and government forces are taking place in the region, mainly in the Aleppo-Hama-Raqqa triangle.
“Military operations are underway in different areas in the Syrian desert between regime forces and loyalists on one hand and ISIS on the other,” the monitoring group said. “The violent clashes are mostly concentrated in frontlines of Aleppo-Hama-Raqqa triangle, while fighting subsides in Deir Ezzor and Homs deserts.”
According to the SOHR, these clashes have, so far, claimed the lives of 19 Syrian service members and at least 22 ISIS terrorists.
ISIS terrorists have been launching attacks from their stronghold in the central region, the Homs desert, on a regular basis. These attacks target government troops in eastern Homs, eastern Hama, southern Aleppo, southern Raqqa and western Deir Ezzor.
A recent ambush in Deir Ezzor by the terrorist group claimed the lives of six fighters and a field commander of the al-Quds Brigade, a pro-government Palestinian group.
Syrian government forces and their allies have recently stepped up their operations in the central region. Nevertheless, ISIS terrorists are not backing down. ISIS terrorists allegedly receive support from U.S.-backed fighters based in the nearby region of al-Tanaf.
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southfront--2020-12-04--Big Brother Watches Your Back: Latvia Purges ‘Wrong Points Of View’ In Its Media Sphere

In Latvia , journalists who cooperated with the Russian-state operated international media group Rossiya Segodnya were detained .
They even had criminal charges brought up against them .
Latvian media reported that police searched the homes of several journalists working with Russian-language news website Baltnews , which is part of the same media group as Sputnik .
The head of the outlet , Andrejs Starikovs , said that the homes of at least six journalists were searched .
On December 3rd , the State Security Service of Latvia detained and interrogated six people , including the former chief editor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was seized from the authors of the Russian portals Baltnews and Sputnik Latvia , and they were charged with criminal charges .
Local activist Aleskandr Gaponenko said two journalists were detained and later released after questioning .
One of the released journalists , Andrej Yakovlev , wrote on social media that police were questioning him for eight hours and have seized all of his electronic devices .
He said he had previously received a notice that a criminal case was launched against him for violating “ Latvian and international sanctions.
” According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Segodnya is subject to the personal sanctions of the European Union imposed in 2014 on the agency ’ s general director Dmitry Kiselev .
As a result , those who collaborated with MIA are accused of violating EU sanctions law .
One of the detainees – journalist Anna Berezovskaya – noted that the searches in her house took place late in the evening and her blood pressure rose – 176 to 114 , her pulse was 132 beats per minute .
Facebook has blocked the page “ Baltics in Russian ” of Baltnews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belongs to Rossiya Segodnya .
“ The administration of the social network did not name the reason for the blocking , ” reports Baltnews @ baltnews .
It now says the following : “ The page is not available .
The link may not work or the page has been deleted.
” The Russian Foreign Ministry called the actions of the Latvian authorities a violation of freedom of the media .
The ministry stressed that the reference to the violation of the EU sanctions regime is categorically unacceptable and the issue will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rossiya Segodnya said it intended to ask international and European organisations to react “ to actions by the Latvian government against journalists ” which it said violated freedom of speech .
This is a continuation of previous state-sponsored censorship .
In June , Latvia and Lithuania took Russian broadcaster RT off the air , calling its channels “ propaganda ” and citing its ties to Kiselyov .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Ukrainian Parliament To Vote On Allowing SBU To Censor Media , But Stop Investigating Corruption

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In Latvia, journalists who cooperated with the Russian-state operated international media group Rossiya Segodnya were detained.
They even had criminal charges brought up against them.
Latvian media reported that police searched the homes of several journalists working with Russian-language news website Baltnews, which is part of the same media group as Sputnik. The head of the outlet, Andrejs Starikovs, said that the homes of at least six journalists were searched.
On December 3rd, the State Security Service of Latvia detained and interrogated six people, including the former chief editor of Baltnews, Andrei Yakovlev.
Office equipment was seized from the authors of the Russian portals Baltnews and Sputnik Latvia, and they were charged with criminal charges.
Local activist Aleskandr Gaponenko said two journalists were detained and later released after questioning.
One of the released journalists, Andrej Yakovlev, wrote on social media that police were questioning him for eight hours and have seized all of his electronic devices. He said he had previously received a notice that a criminal case was launched against him for violating “Latvian and international sanctions.”
According to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, Rossiya Segodnya is subject to the personal sanctions of the European Union imposed in 2014 on the agency’s general director Dmitry Kiselev.
As a result, those who collaborated with MIA are accused of violating EU sanctions law.
One of the detainees – journalist Anna Berezovskaya – noted that the searches in her house took place late in the evening and her blood pressure rose – 176 to 114, her pulse was 132 beats per minute.
Facebook has blocked the page “Baltics in Russian” of Baltnews, a Russian-speaking Lithuanian news agency that belongs to Rossiya Segodnya.
“The administration of the social network did not name the reason for the blocking,” reports Baltnews @baltnews. It now says the following: “The page is not available. The link may not work or the page has been deleted.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry called the actions of the Latvian authorities a violation of freedom of the media.
The ministry stressed that the reference to the violation of the EU sanctions regime is categorically unacceptable and the issue will be raised at the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting.
“We consider such actions of intimidation against journalists unacceptable”, Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s press secretary, was quoted as saying by Baltnews, another Rossiya Segodnya outlet. “We count on a prompt and tough response from the relevant international organisations”.
Rossiya Segodnya said it intended to ask international and European organisations to react “to actions by the Latvian government against journalists” which it said violated freedom of speech.
This is a continuation of previous state-sponsored censorship. In June, Latvia and Lithuania took Russian broadcaster RT off the air, calling its channels “propaganda” and citing its ties to Kiselyov.
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southfront--2020-12-04--Second Karabakh-War Reshapes Transport Corridors In South Caucasus

The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War not only led to a shift of the military political balance of power in the South Caucasus , but the agreements reached to put an end to it would potentially greatly reshape transport links , and thus freight and passenger flows in the region .
The deployment of Russian peacekeepers to Azerbaijan , the growth of Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation and the decline of the project of the Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic are reactivating several strategic directions that have been inactive for almost 30 years and regional players are now publicly declaring plans regarding the creation of new economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independence , Armenia will have to conduct work on boundary settlement , including the creation of official border crossings .
Until recently , the Azerbaijani-Armenian border in the Karabakh region did not in fact exist and the Armenian government used the area as a kind of buffer zone .
This can not remain unchanged since Azerbaijan has gained districts bordering Armenia .
Just recently , the vague reaction of the Armenian government to Azerbaijani troops entering the Sotk gold mine located just on the border between both states demonstrates the scale of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lachin corridor , which links Armenia with what is left of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic , remains under the control of Russian troops which provide security to civilians moving along it .
However , the situation here is also complex .
Since Azerbaijani forces captured Shusha , the road linking Stepanakert with Lachin partially passes through the zone of control of the Azerbaijani military .
In future , as the reached agreements say , there is a plan for an alternative route that would by-pass Shusha .
The situation with the southern transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic is also curious .
Under the agreed deal , it is supposed to be unlocked under the control of the Border Service of the Russian Federal Security Service .
There is not only an automobile road , but also a railway passes along the border in the south .
This corridor was abandoned as a result of the First Nagorno-Karabkah War .
Gradually , Armenia dismantled its parts of the railway , but Azerbaijan kept them up to Horadiz in the east , and within the Nakhichevan enclave .
In their turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of anarchy in this “ no-man ’ s ” buffer territory , quietly built the Khudaferin hydroelectric power station and flooded about 15 km of the dismantled railway .
The original landscape was seriously changed .
This makes the restoration of the railway much more difficult and a part of it , after the flooding , will likely have to be created in a rock tunnel .
By the way the location of the Khudaferin hydroelectric power station by itself also changed the possible route of any potential railway .
In these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the area would require significant investment and work and on top of this would require a significant amount of time .
Turkey , a traditional Azerbaijani ally , would be happy to take advantage of the unblocking of transport links .
Ankara has a long ago announced plan of construction of a railway to Nakhichevan and this project is being reactivated .
Turkey has a relatively weak railway network in its east and even the capacity of the corridor to Iran is limited by the ferry through the Van lake .
Thus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Nakhichevan would boost not only Azerbaijani-Turkish economic ties and guarantee the ground link between Azerbaijan and Turkey , but would also increase the economic potential of the east of Turkey .
Apologists for the current Armenian government speculate that the defeat in the war and the loss of Karabakh , which is now de facto under the control of the Russians , in fact plays into the hands of the Armenians .
Now , they will allegedly be able to de-escalate their relations with Azerbaijan , enter joint economic projects with it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These versions are from the same group of fairy tales that came up with a Euro-Atlantic rescue rangers team that would be compelled to protect Armenian forces in Karabakh in the event of an Azerbaijani attack because modern Armenia has a very ‘ democratic ’ and ‘ European-oriented ’ government .
As might have been expected , this did not happen .
Dreams about some mysterious European integration , also widely fueled by international funds and the group of traitors sitting in Armenian top offices are also hardly likely to be turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeps its current course , it will have the opportunity to sell off the remaining vestiges of its territories and sovereignty and to turn itself into a kind of outpost for globalists and NATO in the Southern Caucasus .
The only difficulty would be that together with this Armenia would likely have to surrender its south to please one well-known NATO member state led by the Neo-Ottoman-styled President .
In theory , the unblocking of transport corridors should allow to intensify economic life in the South Caucasus and to create new opportunities for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of conflict .
However , in practice , the implementation of these projects would require much time and would face significant difficulties growing from the remaining tensions among the sides involved .

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The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War not only led to a shift of the military political balance of power in the South Caucasus, but the agreements reached to put an end to it would potentially greatly reshape transport links, and thus freight and passenger flows in the region. The deployment of Russian peacekeepers to Azerbaijan, the growth of Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation and the decline of the project of the Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic are reactivating several strategic directions that have been inactive for almost 30 years and regional players are now publicly declaring plans regarding the creation of new economic corridors.
For the first time since independence, Armenia will have to conduct work on boundary settlement, including the creation of official border crossings. Until recently, the Azerbaijani-Armenian border in the Karabakh region did not in fact exist and the Armenian government used the area as a kind of buffer zone. This cannot remain unchanged since Azerbaijan has gained districts bordering Armenia. Just recently, the vague reaction of the Armenian government to Azerbaijani troops entering the Sotk gold mine located just on the border between both states demonstrates the scale of the problem.
At the same time, the Lachin corridor, which links Armenia with what is left of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, remains under the control of Russian troops which provide security to civilians moving along it. However, the situation here is also complex. Since Azerbaijani forces captured Shusha, the road linking Stepanakert with Lachin partially passes through the zone of control of the Azerbaijani military. In future, as the reached agreements say, there is a plan for an alternative route that would by-pass Shusha.
The situation with the southern transport corridor between Azerbaijan and its Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic is also curious. Under the agreed deal, it is supposed to be unlocked under the control of the Border Service of the Russian Federal Security Service. There is not only an automobile road, but also a railway passes along the border in the south. This corridor was abandoned as a result of the First Nagorno-Karabkah War. Gradually, Armenia dismantled its parts of the railway, but Azerbaijan kept them up to Horadiz in the east, and within the Nakhichevan enclave.
In their turn, Iran, taking advantage of the years of anarchy in this “no-man’s” buffer territory, quietly built the Khudaferin hydroelectric power station and flooded about 15 km of the dismantled railway. The original landscape was seriously changed. This makes the restoration of the railway much more difficult and a part of it, after the flooding, will likely have to be created in a rock tunnel. By the way the location of the Khudaferin hydroelectric power station by itself also changed the possible route of any potential railway. In these conditions, the restoration of the railway in the area would require significant investment and work and on top of this would require a significant amount of time.
Turkey, a traditional Azerbaijani ally, would be happy to take advantage of the unblocking of transport links. Ankara has a long ago announced plan of construction of a railway to Nakhichevan and this project is being reactivated. Turkey has a relatively weak railway network in its east and even the capacity of the corridor to Iran is limited by the ferry through the Van lake. Thus, the creation of a railway link to Nakhichevan would boost not only Azerbaijani-Turkish economic ties and guarantee the ground link between Azerbaijan and Turkey, but would also increase the economic potential of the east of Turkey.
Apologists for the current Armenian government speculate that the defeat in the war and the loss of Karabakh, which is now de facto under the control of the Russians, in fact plays into the hands of the Armenians. Now, they will allegedly be able to de-escalate their relations with Azerbaijan, enter joint economic projects with it and even trade with Iran through Nakhichevan. These versions are from the same group of fairy tales that came up with a Euro-Atlantic rescue rangers team that would be compelled to protect Armenian forces in Karabakh in the event of an Azerbaijani attack because modern Armenia has a very ‘democratic’ and ‘European-oriented’ government. As might have been expected, this did not happen. Dreams about some mysterious European integration, also widely fueled by international funds and the group of traitors sitting in Armenian top offices are also hardly likely to be turned into reality. Nonetheless, if Armenia keeps its current course, it will have the opportunity to sell off the remaining vestiges of its territories and sovereignty and to turn itself into a kind of outpost for globalists and NATO in the Southern Caucasus. The only difficulty would be that together with this Armenia would likely have to surrender its south to please one well-known NATO member state led by the Neo-Ottoman-styled President.
In theory, the unblocking of transport corridors should allow to intensify economic life in the South Caucasus and to create new opportunities for the restoration of the region after years of conflict. However, in practice, the implementation of these projects would require much time and would face significant difficulties growing from the remaining tensions among the sides involved.
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southfront--2020-12-04--Armed Clashes Erupt At Russian-Ukrainian Border After Russian Border Guards Intercept Group Of Gunme

Armed Clashes Erupt At Russian-Ukrainian Border After Russian Border Guards Intercept Group Of Gunmen

Russian border guards prevented an attempt of 3 armed men to cross the Russian border from Ukraine , the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) reported on December 4 .
Gunmen opened fire at Russian personnel .
As a result of the armed clash , one of gunmen was eliminated , while two others fled back to Ukraine .
“ In the area of the Border Directorate of the FSB of Russia for the Belgorod and Voronezh regions , on December 4 , a frontier detachment suppressed an attempt to violate the border from Ukraine to the Russian Federation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violators showed armed resistance during the arrest attempt , ” the FSB reported .
The FSB has not yet provided other details of the incident .
However , the intercepted group was likely a sabotage group affiliated with Ukrainian ( and thus Western ) intelligence services .
Over the past years , Ukraine with help from its ‘ ’ democratic partners ” has repeatedly tried to stage terrorist attacks in Russia and there are no indications that these efforts were halted by the Zelensky administration .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As Germany And France Informally Give Up On Normandy Format

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Russian border guards prevented an attempt of 3 armed men to cross the Russian border from Ukraine, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) reported on December 4.
Gunmen opened fire at Russian personnel. As a result of the armed clash, one of gunmen was eliminated, while two others fled back to Ukraine.
“In the area of the Border Directorate of the FSB of Russia for the Belgorod and Voronezh regions, on December 4, a frontier detachment suppressed an attempt to violate the border from Ukraine to the Russian Federation by three armed unknown persons. The violators showed armed resistance during the arrest attempt,” the FSB reported.
The FSB has not yet provided other details of the incident.
However, the intercepted group was likely a sabotage group affiliated with Ukrainian (and thus Western) intelligence services. Over the past years, Ukraine with help from its ‘’democratic partners” has repeatedly tried to stage terrorist attacks in Russia and there are no indications that these efforts were halted by the Zelensky administration.
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southfront--2020-12-04--“This Needs Answers”: CCTV Video Of Georgia Poll Workers Sparks Election Fraud Outrage

Disturbing election night footage has emerged showing Georgia poll workers waiting for observers and news outlets to leave State Farm Arena in Atlanta after calling an end to counting for the night , before pulling out several large suitcases containing ballots from under a table .
The footage , presented by an attorney working with Republicans during a Thursday state Senate hearing , is perhaps the strongest direct evidence of potential fraud , and demands serious inquiry .
In it , a handful of poll workers can clearly be seen staying behind after GOP observers say they were told to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up their belongings , the workers can be seen pulling out the suitcases and opening them at approximately 11 p.m. Of note , earlier in the day , counting was paused for approximately 90 minutes due to what officials blamed on a ‘ water main break ’ – which turned out to be a lie , and was in fact a ‘ slow leak , ’ according to .
Here are two segments of the clip , which we recommend watching on full screen ( as well as watching the full video ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lower-right quadrant at the long table at 10:40 p.m. Second , watch what happens roughly 20 minutes later : And so we ask ; if this isn ’ t election fraud , what is it ?
We ’ re sure Snopes will say they were having a midnight snack , but people have questions .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Trump Administration Fights Iran In Middle East As Qods Force Expands In U.S. Backyard • The War On Terror Is Questionably Over , Is War On Russia Inevitable ?

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
Disturbing election night footage has emerged showing Georgia poll workers waiting for observers and news outlets to leave State Farm Arena in Atlanta after calling an end to counting for the night, before pulling out several large suitcases containing ballots from under a table.
The footage, presented by an attorney working with Republicans during a Thursday state Senate hearing, is perhaps the strongest direct evidence of potential fraud, and demands serious inquiry. In it, a handful of poll workers can clearly be seen staying behind after GOP observers say they were told to clear out. After the media packs up their belongings, the workers can be seen pulling out the suitcases and opening them at approximately 11 p.m.
Of note, earlier in the day, counting was paused for approximately 90 minutes due to what officials blamed on a ‘water main break’ – which turned out to be a lie, and was in fact a ‘slow leak,’ according to news.com.au.
Here are two segments of the clip, which we recommend watching on full screen (as well as watching the full video):
First, watch the media in the lower-right quadrant at the long table at 10:40 p.m.
Second, watch what happens roughly 20 minutes later:
And so we ask; if this isn’t election fraud, what is it? We’re sure Snopes will say they were having a midnight snack, but people have questions.
From today’s hearing at the State Capitol. Not sure why Twitter has labeled this “disputed.” It is video from the surveillance camera at State Farm Arena where Fulton County election workers scanned ballots late into the night after falsely announcing they were shutting down. https://t.co/IhyMnf7BXo — David Shafer (@DavidShafer) December 3, 2020
. Regardless of this #intriguing video, why did the counting continue in the middle of the night after first being paused for giving tired counters a break to get some sleep? Happened in a few states, which then broke for #Biden#ElectionIntegrity @realDonaldTrump — aanpakkuh (@aanpakkuh) December 3, 2020
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southfront--2020-12-04--Russian Peacekeepers Clear Mines, Provide Medical Assistance, As Azerbaijan Continues Celebrating It

Russian Peacekeepers Clear Mines, Provide Medical Assistance, As Azerbaijan Continues Celebrating Its Victory

On December 3rd , Azerbaijan ’ s Ministry of Defense issued a statement , confirming that 2,783 servicemen had died in the war against Armenia between September 27th and November 10th .
Another 1,245 are being treated in hospital .
“ During the Patriotic War , 2,783 servicemen of our Armed Forces died in combat .
Work is underway to identify 103 servicemen among them using DNA analysis .
More than 100 of our servicemen are considered as missing .
Necessary activities are being taken to find them and inform their families .
Currently , 1,245 servicemen are being treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the glorious victory : “ Despite the fact that the Armenian armed forces possessed the most of the strategic high grounds , advantageous combat positions , our valiant and fearless soldiers and officers fighting under the fire strikes of artillery , numerous multiple launch rocket systems , and mortar pieces , as well as in difficult geographical , relief and climatic conditions , managed to defeat Armenia .
The liberation of Shusha city , the crown of Karabakh , is one of the unique military operations in world military history .
Our lands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 years , were liberated from occupation at the cost of the blood and lives of our Shehids ( martyrs ) .
Highly professional development of combat operations plans , the use of high technologies , effective interoperability of various types of troops , absolute air superiority , maneuverability , and other tactical and strategic advantages of our army have significantly reduced our losses in military personnel .
But there is no war without losses.
” The Azerbaijan Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has met with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deployed in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov .
During the meeting , the issues of the fulfillment of the provision of the Joint Statement by the Presidents of Azerbaijan , Russia , and the prime minister of Armenia were also discussed at length .
A video was released , showing at least 7 soldiers of the Azerbaijani armed forces mock and beat an adult Armenian man , a civilian .
“ Kill me , ” the man says in the video , which can be seen below .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the local population in Stepanakert Medical detachment of special purpose ( SMU ) of the Eastern Military District provides assistance to the local population in the capital of Nagorno – Karabakh , Stepanakert .
During the day , Russian military medics received about 40 local residents .
Consultation , examination , and qualified medical care were provided by therapists , surgeons , and other specialized specialists .
Also , in the city hospital in Stepanakert , anesthesiologists-resuscitators assisted their colleagues in working with severe patients in the intensive care unit .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Il-76 military transport aircraft from the airfields of the city of Khabarovsk to the Republic of Yerevan and made a daily 300-kilometer crossing on vehicles as part of a column from Yerevan to Stepanakert .
More than 60 medical specialists , including military surgeons , anesthesiologists , resuscitators , therapists and epidemiologists , arrived in Stepanakert as part of the first division of the Ministry of Health .
On December 4th , Military personnel of the International Mine Action Center of the Russian Defence Ministry continue to work on engineering reconnaissance and mine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh .
During the day , Russian peacekeepers cleared a large area of land on the southern outskirts of the capital of Nagorno – Karabakh , Stepanakert , of explosive objects .
During an engineering survey of the area , 10 cluster munitions were found .
Detected explosive objects , abandoned or non-exploded ammunition are taken to a specially equipped landfill and destroyed .
Ammunition that can not be safely evacuated is destroyed on site with the necessary security measures in place .
In total , engineering units @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hectares of terrain , more than 14 kilometers of roads , and more than 1,120 explosive objects have been found and neutralized .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • OSCE Minks Group Asked Withdrawal Of All Mercenaries From Karabakh • Mini Turkey : Azerbaijan Is Forced To Change Date Of ‘ Victory Day ’ Holliday To Please Big Ottoman Brother

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On December 3rd, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense issued a statement, confirming that 2,783 servicemen had died in the war against Armenia between September 27th and November 10th.
Another 1,245 are being treated in hospital.
“During the Patriotic War, 2,783 servicemen of our Armed Forces died in combat. Work is underway to identify 103 servicemen among them using DNA analysis. More than 100 of our servicemen are considered as missing. Necessary activities are being taken to find them and inform their families. Currently, 1,245 servicemen are being treated in medical institutions.”
It also praised the glorious victory:
“Despite the fact that the Armenian armed forces possessed the most of the strategic high grounds, advantageous combat positions, our valiant and fearless soldiers and officers fighting under the fire strikes of artillery, numerous multiple launch rocket systems, and mortar pieces, as well as in difficult geographical, relief and climatic conditions, managed to defeat Armenia. The liberation of Shusha city, the crown of Karabakh, is one of the unique military operations in world military history. Our lands, which we dreamed of for almost 30 years, were liberated from occupation at the cost of the blood and lives of our Shehids (martyrs). Highly professional development of combat operations plans, the use of high technologies, effective interoperability of various types of troops, absolute air superiority, maneuverability, and other tactical and strategic advantages of our army have significantly reduced our losses in military personnel. But there is no war without losses.”
The Azerbaijan Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has met with the Commander of the Russian peacekeeping forces deployed in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov.
During the meeting, the issues of the fulfillment of the provision of the Joint Statement by the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Russia, and the prime minister of Armenia were also discussed at length.
A video was released, showing at least 7 soldiers of the Azerbaijani armed forces mock and beat an adult Armenian man, a civilian.
“Kill me,” the man says in the video, which can be seen below.
A special medical unit has started providing assistance to the local population in Stepanakert
Medical detachment of special purpose (SMU) of the Eastern Military District provides assistance to the local population in the capital of Nagorno – Karabakh, Stepanakert.
During the day, Russian military medics received about 40 local residents. Consultation, examination, and qualified medical care were provided by therapists, surgeons, and other specialized specialists.
Also, in the city hospital in Stepanakert, anesthesiologists-resuscitators assisted their colleagues in working with severe patients in the intensive care unit.
Earlier, the SMU units were transferred by Il-76 military transport aircraft from the airfields of the city of Khabarovsk to the Republic of Yerevan and made a daily 300-kilometer crossing on vehicles as part of a column from Yerevan to Stepanakert.
More than 60 medical specialists, including military surgeons, anesthesiologists, resuscitators, therapists and epidemiologists, arrived in Stepanakert as part of the first division of the Ministry of Health.
On December 4th, Military personnel of the International Mine Action Center of the Russian Defence Ministry continue to work on engineering reconnaissance and mine clearance in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh.
During the day, Russian peacekeepers cleared a large area of land on the southern outskirts of the capital of Nagorno – Karabakh, Stepanakert, of explosive objects. During an engineering survey of the area, 10 cluster munitions were found.
Detected explosive objects, abandoned or non-exploded ammunition are taken to a specially equipped landfill and destroyed. Ammunition that cannot be safely evacuated is destroyed on site with the necessary security measures in place.
In total, engineering units in Nagorno-Karabakh have cleared more than 45 hectares of terrain, more than 14 kilometers of roads, and more than 1,120 explosive objects have been found and neutralized.
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southfront--2020-12-04--2020 Round 12: Man Named Adolf Hitler Wins Local Election In Namibia

In late November 2020 , a man named Adolf Hitler Uunona was elected councilor of the Ompundja Constituency in Namibia .
He secured nearly 85 % of the votes and won by a landslide .
He , rather disappointingly doesn ’ t seek to dominate the world , however .
According to the Electoral Commission of Namibia , Uunona claimed a seat for the South West Africa People ’ s Organization , also known as the SWAPO party , after racking up 1,196 votes .
Uunona denied having any ideological common ground with the Nazi dictator , telling the German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bild , Uunona said that his father had named him after the Nazi dictator but “ probably didn ’ t understand what Adolf Hitler stood for.
” His wife , he said , calls him Adolf .
In interviews he said that , even as a child , this was simply a name .
In adulthood he understood that this man “ wanted to subjugate the whole world , ” he didn ’ t really want to speak about the Holocaust .
He does not want to change the name ; it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the picture , a few years ago a car was seen in Oshana , the rear window of which was marked with a swastika and the words “ Adolf Hitler ” .
Uunona asserts that the car doesn ’ t belong to him .
Expectedly , Twitter went crazy and the term “ Adolf Hitler ” became trending on December 3rd .
The first name Adolf is not uncommon in the former colony of German South West Africa .
There are streets with the names Bismarckstrasse and Bahnhofstrasse , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German place names such as Lüderitz , Mariental and Helmeringhausen .
In August 2020 , Namibia rejected a German offer of compensation for the slaughter of tens of thousands of Herero and Nama peoples at the hands of German colonial forces between 1904 and 1908 .
An estimated 80,000 people are believed to have been killed by troops , which Germany has since called a “ terrible crime.
” It is also quite interesting how BLM activists will now congratulate a man named Adolf Hitler for winning an election .
There is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Protests Continue , As Trump Allows Power Transition Mechanisms , Will “ Keep Fighting ”

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In late November 2020, a man named Adolf Hitler Uunona was elected councilor of the Ompundja Constituency in Namibia.
RESULTS: Uunona Adolf Hitler of the SWAPO party is the duly elected councilor of the Ompundja Constituency.#NamVotes2020 #NamibiaVotes2020 #EagleFM pic.twitter.com/6ZQqaNctZx — Eagle FM Namibia (@EagleFMNam) November 26, 2020
He secured nearly 85% of the votes and won by a landslide.
He, rather disappointingly doesn’t seek to dominate the world, however.
According to the Electoral Commission of Namibia, Uunona claimed a seat for the South West Africa People’s Organization, also known as the SWAPO party, after racking up 1,196 votes.
Uunona denied having any ideological common ground with the Nazi dictator, telling the German newspaper Bild:
“That I have this name doesn’t mean that I want to subjugate Oshana now — it doesn’t mean that I’m striving for world domination!”
In his interview with Bild, Uunona said that his father had named him after the Nazi dictator but “probably didn’t understand what Adolf Hitler stood for.” His wife, he said, calls him Adolf.
The Regional Council Election Results in Oshana Region. ? ? #NamVotes2020 pic.twitter.com/K7vpTbbiW0 — Electoral Commission of Namibia (@ECN_Namibia) November 27, 2020
In interviews he said that, even as a child, this was simply a name. In adulthood he understood that this man “wanted to subjugate the whole world,” he didn’t really want to speak about the Holocaust.
“It was a completely normal name for me as a child,” Uunona told Bild. “It wasn’t until I was growing up that I realized: This man wanted to subjugate the whole world. I have nothing to do with any of these things.”
He does not want to change the name; it is in all official documents.
In fact, according to the picture, a few years ago a car was seen in Oshana, the rear window of which was marked with a swastika and the words “Adolf Hitler”.
Uunona asserts that the car doesn’t belong to him.
Expectedly, Twitter went crazy and the term “Adolf Hitler” became trending on December 3rd.
“Of course, 2020 would not be complete if Adolf Hitler didn’t win an election with 85% of the vote,” one Twitter user wrote, and others asked: “Is that his real name?”
The first name Adolf is not uncommon in the former colony of German South West Africa. There are streets with the names Bismarckstrasse and Bahnhofstrasse, a German-language newspaper, German radio stations and German place names such as Lüderitz, Mariental and Helmeringhausen.
In August 2020, Namibia rejected a German offer of compensation for the slaughter of tens of thousands of Herero and Nama peoples at the hands of German colonial forces between 1904 and 1908. An estimated 80,000 people are believed to have been killed by troops, which Germany has since called a “terrible crime.”
It is also quite interesting how BLM activists will now congratulate a man named Adolf Hitler for winning an election.
There is also this:
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southfront--2020-12-04--Jab Me If You Can: How Political Endorsements Defeat Vaccinations

Will they ever learn ?
When former US Presidents Barack Obama , George W. Bush and Bill Clinton announced that they would publicly take a vaccine against COVID-19 , National Public Radio seemed impressed .
“ Who better to promote a product than a former president ?
How about three ?
” On SiriusXM ’ s , Obama held up his hand .
“ I promise you that when it ’ s been made for people who are less at risk , I will be taking it .
I may end up taking it on TV or having it filmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I trust this science.
” Clinton did the same , albeit through the medium of spokesman Angel Ureña , who stated on December 3 that he would do so “ based on the priorities determined by public health officials .
He would also “ do it in a public setting if it will help urge all Americans to do the same.
” Bush ’ s chief of staff , Freddy Ford , informed CNN that his boss had been in touch with the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the White House coronavirus response coordinator , letting them “ know that , when the time is right , he wants to do what he can to help encourage his fellow citizens to get vaccinated.
” The vaccines would first “ need to be deemed safe and administered to the priority populations ” .
Once done , Bush would “ get in line for his , and will gladly do so on camera.
” Enlisting politicians and leaders into the role of product promotion , especially in the field of vaccines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , the brand label of the presidential endorsement is hardly glorious .
Those with longer collective memory would remember the efforts of the Ford administration in 1976 to promote a mass vaccination programme against swine flu .
It was nothing short of a calamity : the flu pandemic never eventuated and the vaccine led to cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome .
In December 1976 , President Gerald Ford ’ s vaccination programme was suspended , having reached only 20 % of the population .
“ The danger now , ” concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea of preventive medicine may be discredited.
” Trust of citizens and their political representatives is already at drought stricken levels .
Now , politicians are hoping to convince citizens that being publicly vaccinated in an effort to return to “ COVID normalcy ” will somehow restore confidence long shattered .
The business of capitalism and trade can return .
Travel can resume .
Lockdowns , if they are applied , will be rarer than ever .
In due course , the vaccines in question might well work .
Credibility , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spectacle of former presidents keen to turn vaccine taking into a celluloid spectacle .
While margins of error in public health responses can , on some level , be understood , notably against an evolving contagion , the global mismanagement of the COVID-19 crisis amongst political leaders has left a profound and disturbing impression .
The speed with which such vaccines as Pfizer and Moderna have been developed , not least their astonishingly high levels of effectiveness ( 95 % ) , have done little to provide reassurance .
Governments , notably those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections , are keeling over in desperation to get the vaccines into circulation .
The rapid approval by Britain ’ s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for the emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine brought the sceptics to the fore .
It was enough for Fauci to suggest that the MHRA had been too hasty , though he qualified his statements in a BBC interview so as not to imply any “ sloppiness ” on the part of his British colleagues .
“ I meant that in the US , where there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it would not have been good to rush to approve the vaccine.
” Despite his collegial qualification , Fauci had made a telling point to CBS : the MHRA had simply taken the data provided by Pfizer at face value “ and instead of scrutinising it really , really carefully , they said OK , let ’ s approve it ” .
To this can be added the pull of vaccine opponents , who have become adept at colonising social media and muddying the waters of debate .
In a study analysing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this year , the authors were alarmed .
Lead author on the study and data scientist Neil Johnson , went so far as to express his shock .
124 pro-vaccine pages were found , all sporting a total of 6.9 million followers .
The anti-vaccine pages came to 317 and 4.2 million followers .
The undecided field was the largest : 885 pages with 74.1 million followers .
“ Although smaller in overall size , anti-vaccination clusters manage to become highly entangled with undecided clusters in the main online network , whereas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-vaccination discussants , for the most part , soothed themselves in an echo chamber of reassurance .
Anthropologist Heidi Larson , director of the Vaccine Confidence Project at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , is adamant about the trends .
The anti-vaccination movement “ was winning ” and “ covering a lot more ground with fewer of them.
” A suggestion – sensible enough – is that politicians ought to retreat from the show .
When they drop their oar in , notably on the issue of vaccination matters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is especially so in the American context .
The results of a survey published in October in the was revealing in how poorly political endorsements of vaccines can fare .
As the authors note of a sample of 2,000 participants , “ The probability of choosing a vaccine was lowest when the vaccine was recommended by President Trump ( the baseline category ) , although the probability was not significantly higher when the vaccine was recommended by former Vice President Biden ” .
Sarah Kreps and Douglas L. Kriner suggest a simple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mum , and let the scientists and public-health experts share the facts with the American people.
” Hard to disagree but for the fact that sharing accurate data in a transparent fashion can be compromised by public health agencies that are politicised .
While the full US presidential jab show risk doing a disservice to vaccine promotion , a sadistic streak can also be found in some populations .
In Britain , a poll ( make of that what you will ) in November found that 74 % would take the COVID-19 vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ten were very selective about who should take it first to prove its safety : UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his cabinet colleagues .
Even taking vaccines can constitute a form of pornography .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College , Cambridge .
He lectures at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Covid Offices and the Religion of Remote Work • The Post Covid World , The WEF ’ s Diabolical Project : “ Resetting the Future of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great Reset ” .
A Horrifying Future

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
Will they ever learn? When former US Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton announced that they would publicly take a vaccine against COVID-19, National Public Radio seemed impressed. “Who better to promote a product than a former president? How about three?”
On SiriusXM’s The Joe Madison Show, Obama held up his hand. “I promise you that when it’s been made for people who are less at risk, I will be taking it. I may end up taking it on TV or having it filmed, just so that people show that I trust this science.” Clinton did the same, albeit through the medium of spokesman Angel Ureña, who stated on December 3 that he would do so “based on the priorities determined by public health officials. He would also “do it in a public setting if it will help urge all Americans to do the same.”
Bush’s chief of staff, Freddy Ford, informed CNN that his boss had been in touch with the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr Anthony Fauci and Dr Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, letting them “know that, when the time is right, he wants to do what he can to help encourage his fellow citizens to get vaccinated.” The vaccines would first “need to be deemed safe and administered to the priority populations”. Once done, Bush would “get in line for his, and will gladly do so on camera.”
Enlisting politicians and leaders into the role of product promotion, especially in the field of vaccines, is goggling in its daftness. In the United States, the brand label of the presidential endorsement is hardly glorious. Those with longer collective memory would remember the efforts of the Ford administration in 1976 to promote a mass vaccination programme against swine flu. It was nothing short of a calamity: the flu pandemic never eventuated and the vaccine led to cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome. In December 1976, President Gerald Ford’s vaccination programme was suspended, having reached only 20% of the population. “The danger now,” concluded the New York Times, “is that he whole idea of preventive medicine may be discredited.”
Trust of citizens and their political representatives is already at drought stricken levels. Now, politicians are hoping to convince citizens that being publicly vaccinated in an effort to return to “COVID normalcy” will somehow restore confidence long shattered. The business of capitalism and trade can return. Travel can resume. Lockdowns, if they are applied, will be rarer than ever.
In due course, the vaccines in question might well work. Credibility, however, is hardly going to return before the spectacle of former presidents keen to turn vaccine taking into a celluloid spectacle. While margins of error in public health responses can, on some level, be understood, notably against an evolving contagion, the global mismanagement of the COVID-19 crisis amongst political leaders has left a profound and disturbing impression.
The speed with which such vaccines as Pfizer and Moderna have been developed, not least their astonishingly high levels of effectiveness (95%), have done little to provide reassurance. Governments, notably those from countries facing another vicious surge of infections, are keeling over in desperation to get the vaccines into circulation.
The rapid approval by Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for the emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine brought the sceptics to the fore. It was enough for Fauci to suggest that the MHRA had been too hasty, though he qualified his statements in a BBC interview so as not to imply any “sloppiness” on the part of his British colleagues. “I meant that in the US, where there is a lot of scepticism over vaccines, it would not have been good to rush to approve the vaccine.” Despite his collegial qualification, Fauci had made a telling point to CBS: the MHRA had simply taken the data provided by Pfizer at face value “and instead of scrutinising it really, really carefully, they said OK, let’s approve it”.
To this can be added the pull of vaccine opponents, who have become adept at colonising social media and muddying the waters of debate. In a study analysing Facebook page content on vaccination discussions published in Nature this year, the authors were alarmed. Lead author on the study and data scientist Neil Johnson, went so far as to express his shock. 124 pro-vaccine pages were found, all sporting a total of 6.9 million followers. The anti-vaccine pages came to 317 and 4.2 million followers. The undecided field was the largest: 885 pages with 74.1 million followers. “Although smaller in overall size, anti-vaccination clusters manage to become highly entangled with undecided clusters in the main online network, whereas pro-vaccination clusters are more peripheral.” The pro-vaccination discussants, for the most part, soothed themselves in an echo chamber of reassurance.
Anthropologist Heidi Larson, director of the Vaccine Confidence Project at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, is adamant about the trends. The anti-vaccination movement “was winning” and “covering a lot more ground with fewer of them.”
A suggestion – sensible enough – is that politicians ought to retreat from the show. When they drop their oar in, notably on the issue of vaccination matters, support for taking vaccines can decline. This is especially so in the American context. The results of a survey published in October in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open was revealing in how poorly political endorsements of vaccines can fare. As the authors note of a sample of 2,000 participants, “The probability of choosing a vaccine was lowest when the vaccine was recommended by President Trump (the baseline category), although the probability was not significantly higher when the vaccine was recommended by former Vice President Biden”.
Sarah Kreps and Douglas L. Kriner suggest a simple formula for political representatives: “Keep mum, and let the scientists and public-health experts share the facts with the American people.” Hard to disagree but for the fact that sharing accurate data in a transparent fashion can be compromised by public health agencies that are politicised.
While the full US presidential jab show risk doing a disservice to vaccine promotion, a sadistic streak can also be found in some populations. In Britain, a Daily Mail poll (make of that what you will) in November found that 74% would take the COVID-19 vaccine. Of those surveyed, four in ten were very selective about who should take it first to prove its safety: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his cabinet colleagues. Even taking vaccines can constitute a form of pornography.
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne. Email: bkampmark@gmail.com
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southfront--2020-12-04--China’s Dongfeng-17 Medium-Range Ballistic Missile With Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (Infographics)

The DF-17 along with the DF-ZF , was officially unveiled at the National Day military parade on October 1st 2019 , making this China ’ s first operational hypersonic weapon systems and one of the world ’ s first to be put in full initial operation .
China has invested significant resources in the DF-17 and its other hypersonic weapon programs .
The People ’ s Liberation Army ( PLA ) has reportedly done so to counter adversary missile defenses .
Its aim was also to develop a fast , long-range , high-precision strike capability that “ leaves enemies with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a conventional ballistic reentry vehicle , HGVs ’ higher maneuverability and lower-altitude flight make them harder to track and predict their flight path , challenging legacy ballistic missile defense systems .
China ’ s 10th Research Institute is responsible for developing the DF-17 and other Chinese HGVs .
Also known as the “ Near Space Flight Vehicle Research Institute , ” the organization operates under the China Aerospace Science Industry Corporation ( CASIC ) 1st Academy .
U.S. officials confirmed the DF-17 ’ s existence in 2014 , identifying it as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missile as the DF-ZF – likely an early Chinese designation .
Between January 2014 and November 2017 , China conducted at least nine flight tests of the DF-17 .
Tests took place at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in Shanxi Province .
The DF-17 is solid-fueled , measures around 11 m in length , and weighs around 15,000 kg .
The DF-17 ’ s booster appears to be the same as that used for China ’ s DF-16 ballistic missile .
Its accompanying DF-ZF HGV reportedly reaches speeds of Mach 5-10 ( 1.72-3.43 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. intelligence assessments suggest that the DF-17 possesses a range between 1,800 and 2,500 km.8 Although Chinese commentators have emphasized the DF-17 ’ s conventional mission , the missile may alternatively equip nuclear warheads.9 The DF-17 has demonstrated a high degree of accuracy in testing , with one U.S. government official saying a test warhead “ within meters ” of its intended , stationary target .
U.S. defense officials have also said the DF-ZF HGV performed “ extreme maneuvers ” and “ evasive actions ” in previous test flights .
The tests it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 , 2014 – Failed test , missile broke up soon after launch .
• June 7 , 2015 – Apparent success , U.S. official noted the vehicle took “ extreme maneuvers.
” • August 19 , 2015 – Apparent success , U.S. official noted the vehicle took “ evasive actions.
” • November 1 , 2017 – Flew approx .
1,400 km over 11 minutes , with the HGV flying at a depressed altitude of around 60 km .
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The Dongfeng-17 (DF-17) is a Chinese solid-fueled road-mobile medium-range ballistic missile.
It mounts the DF-ZF Hypersonic Glide Vehicle.
The DF-17 along with the DF-ZF, was officially unveiled at the National Day military parade on October 1st 2019, making this China’s first operational hypersonic weapon systems and one of the world’s first to be put in full initial operation.
China has invested significant resources in the DF-17 and its other hypersonic weapon programs. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has reportedly done so to counter adversary missile defenses.
Its aim was also to develop a fast, long-range, high-precision strike capability that “leaves enemies with little time to react.”
While slower than a conventional ballistic reentry vehicle, HGVs’ higher maneuverability and lower-altitude flight make them harder to track and predict their flight path, challenging legacy ballistic missile defense systems.
China’s 10th Research Institute is responsible for developing the DF-17 and other Chinese HGVs. Also known as the “Near Space Flight Vehicle Research Institute,” the organization operates under the China Aerospace Science Industry Corporation (CASIC) 1st Academy.
U.S. officials confirmed the DF-17’s existence in 2014, identifying it as the Wu-14.
News media later identified the missile as the DF-ZF – likely an early Chinese designation.
Between January 2014 and November 2017, China conducted at least nine flight tests of the DF-17. Tests took place at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in Shanxi Province.
The DF-17 is solid-fueled, measures around 11 m in length, and weighs around 15,000 kg.
The DF-17’s booster appears to be the same as that used for China’s DF-16 ballistic missile. Its accompanying DF-ZF HGV reportedly reaches speeds of Mach 5-10 (1.72-3.43 km/s) in its glide phase.
U.S. intelligence assessments suggest that the DF-17 possesses a range between 1,800 and 2,500 km.8 Although Chinese commentators have emphasized the DF-17’s conventional mission, the missile may alternatively equip nuclear warheads.9
The DF-17 has demonstrated a high degree of accuracy in testing, with one U.S. government official saying a test warhead “within meters” of its intended, stationary target.
U.S. defense officials have also said the DF-ZF HGV performed “extreme maneuvers” and “evasive actions” in previous test flights.
The tests it has carried out include:
January 9, 2014 – First test launch.
August 7, 2014 – Failed test, missile broke up soon after launch.
December 2, 2014 – Successful test.
June 7, 2015 – Apparent success, U.S. official noted the vehicle took “extreme maneuvers.”
August 19, 2015 – Apparent success, U.S. official noted the vehicle took “evasive actions.”
November 23, 2015 – Successful, with the HGV reaching a speed “beyond Mach 5.”
April 22, 2016 – Successful test.
November 1, 2017 – Flew approx. 1,400 km over 11 minutes, with the HGV flying at a depressed altitude of around 60 km.
November 15, 2017 – Employed DF-17 to boost HGV to apogee.
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southfront--2020-12-04--Hezbollah Drone Buzzed Israeli Forces During War-Simulation Exercises In Border Area Near Lebanon

An unmanned aerial vehicle operated by Lebanese Hezbollah managed to cross into Israel ’ s north and monitor the Israeli @ @ @ @ @ Arrow ” , Lebanese media affiliated with Hezbollah reported on December 3 .
The incident @ @ @ @ @ 26 , on the second day of the drills .
The Israeli side promoted the @ @ @ @ @ put to the test a strategy based on network-centered warfare bringing together the capabilities of @ @ @ @ @ and cyber forces to quickly eliminate hostile targets in the event of the conflict in @ @ @ @ @ THE TOPIC : • UAE Condemns “ Heinous ” Killing Of Iran Scientist In Rare @ @ @ @ @ Iranian Nuclear Program Gains Steam Following Assassination Of “ Nuclear Soleimani ” Near Tehran

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An unmanned aerial vehicle operated by Lebanese Hezbollah managed to cross into Israel’s north and monitor the Israeli military drills dubbed “Lethal Arrow”, Lebanese media affiliated with Hezbollah reported on December 3. The incident allegedly took place on November 26, on the second day of the drills.
The Israeli side promoted the drill as an exercise to put to the test a strategy based on network-centered warfare bringing together the capabilities of ground, air, naval and cyber forces to quickly eliminate hostile targets in the event of the conflict in the area.
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southfront--2020-12-04--Turkey Is Reducing Military Presence In Syria: Russian Foreign Ministry

Turkey is reducing its military presence in northern Syria , Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on December 3 .
Zakharova noted that on November 26 , the evacuation of the 4th Turkish observation post was completed .
More details on the current situation in Syria can be found in SouthFront ’ s war report released on November 17 : In October and the first half of November , the war in Syria remained in a relatively calm phase , which was not marked by any active military actions of the sides involved in the conflict .
Nonetheless , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the further development of the situation in the war-torn country .
Despite the collapse of ISIS ’ self-proclaimed Caliphate and repeatedly declared defeat of the group , ISIS cells still remain a major factor of instability in eastern Homs , southern Raqqa , in the countryside of Deir Ezzor and in the areas surrounding the US military garrison in al-Tanf .
ISIS cells regularly conduct attacks on civilian and military convoys moving between Homs and Deir Ezzor as well as on patrols and checkpoints of the Syrian Army in the aforementioned areas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ISIS ambushed a convoy of the al-Qatirji security group , which guards government oil shipments in southern Raqqa .
The incident took place on the Ithriyah-Raqqa road .
5 pro-government fighters were killed .
A day earlier , on November 13 , ISIS blew up an oil tanker guarded by al-Qatirji group with an improvised explosive device .
The al-Qatirji security group is affiliated with the al-Qatirji Company that imports oil from Syria ’ s northeastern region , controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces , to government-controlled areas .
The company and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list .
On November 11 , ISIS cells stormed SAA military positions north of al-Sukhna and blew up a local gas pipeline .
The ISIS news agency Amaq claimed that 11 Syrian soldiers were killed in the attack .
ISIS also has a wide network of cells on the eastern bank of the Euphrates , especially near the Omar oil fields area , but it rarely conducted attacks there in recent months .
Local sources claim that ISIS members use the eastern bank of the Euphrates and border areas close to al-Tanf as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The US military is present in northeastern Syria in much larger numbers than the US President Donald Trump used to think .
This was an open secret since the very start of the implementation of the Trump-declared troop withdrawal .
However , on November 12 , this fact was openly confirmed by James Jeffrey , former Special Representative for Syria Engagement , that said that US officials routinely lied to Trump over the number of troops deployed in Syria .
Currently , US sources admit that up to 1,000 US troops remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military contractors and civilian specialists the real number is most likely closer to 2,000-2,500 .
The south of Syria remains one of the points of instability despite the Russia-backed reconciliation efforts there .
On November 12 , a Tigr vehicle of the Russian Military Police was struck with an improvised explosive device on the road between al-Musayfrah and al-Sahoah in the eastern countryside of Daraa .
The incident took place amid a new round of tensions between pro-government forces and former members of reconciled militant groups in the area .
The Syrian Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relatively moderate part of militant groups there to lay down arms as a part of a wide reconciliation agreement in 2018 .
However , since then , the local reconciliation process has faced several obstacles , including the resistance of a part of the local elites affiliated with militants .
Together with the close proximity to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights , this turns the province into a permanent headache for the Damascus government .
The de-escalation deal in Greater Idlib and the creation of the demilitarized zone in its south is once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to break its ties with the al-Qaeda-like terrorist groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkistan Islamic Party because these groups are the core of the so-called Turkish-backed opposition .
This situation can not be changed without another military operation of the Syrian Army or the Turkish will to finally start working against terrorists in Idlib .
The second scenario seems unlikely as it does not go in the interests of Ankara .
Nonetheless , it seems that Moscow has not abandoned the idea to motivate Turkey for some constructive actions and during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Aerospace Forces conducted a large number of strikes on infrastructure and training camps of Turkish-backed terrorists .
At the same time , Ankara has evacuated its observation posts in Maar Hattat , Morek and Sher Mughar , and started withdrawing forces from Qabtan al-Jabal and Sheikh Aqil .
Most of these positions were surrounded by the Syrian Army during the previous anti-terrorist advances .
This move goes contrary to the loud claims of the Turkish leadership that it will withdraw zero posts , even surrounded ones , from Greater Idlib and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Army to withdraw to positions behind them .
This is a visual demonstration that the airstrike diplomacy efforts of the Russian side has a particular effect .
The war in Syria did not end and a comprehensive diplomatic solution has not yet been found due to the serious contradictions between the sides involved in the standoff .
Nonetheless , the current format of the conflict allowed to put to an end the wide-scale military confrontations on the ground and moved the main agenda towards counter-terrorism efforts , economic and diplomatic questions .
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Turkey is reducing its military presence in northern Syria, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on December 3.
“The implementation of the Russian-Turkish agreements on stabilization of the situation in the de-escalation zone of Idlib continues. The Turkish military is reducing its presence in the territories that have come under the control of Syrian government forces,” she said.
Zakharova noted that on November 26, the evacuation of the 4th Turkish observation post was completed.
“A cessation of hostilities is maintained in most of Syria. At the same time, the situation in the Idlib zone remains tense,” Zakharova said.
More details on the current situation in Syria can be found in SouthFront’s war report released on November 17:
In October and the first half of November, the war in Syria remained in a relatively calm phase, which was not marked by any active military actions of the sides involved in the conflict. Nonetheless, this period demonstrated several trends that would shape the further development of the situation in the war-torn country.
Despite the collapse of ISIS’ self-proclaimed Caliphate and repeatedly declared defeat of the group, ISIS cells still remain a major factor of instability in eastern Homs, southern Raqqa, in the countryside of Deir Ezzor and in the areas surrounding the US military garrison in al-Tanf. ISIS cells regularly conduct attacks on civilian and military convoys moving between Homs and Deir Ezzor as well as on patrols and checkpoints of the Syrian Army in the aforementioned areas.
For example, on November 14, ISIS ambushed a convoy of the al-Qatirji security group, which guards government oil shipments in southern Raqqa. The incident took place on the Ithriyah-Raqqa road. 5 pro-government fighters were killed. A day earlier, on November 13, ISIS blew up an oil tanker guarded by al-Qatirji group with an improvised explosive device. The al-Qatirji security group is affiliated with the al-Qatirji Company that imports oil from Syria’s northeastern region, controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, to government-controlled areas. The company and its owners are on the US sanction list. On November 11, ISIS cells stormed SAA military positions north of al-Sukhna and blew up a local gas pipeline. The ISIS news agency Amaq claimed that 11 Syrian soldiers were killed in the attack.
ISIS also has a wide network of cells on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, especially near the Omar oil fields area, but it rarely conducted attacks there in recent months. Local sources claim that ISIS members use the eastern bank of the Euphrates and border areas close to al-Tanf as rear bases for operations in central Syria.
The US military is present in northeastern Syria in much larger numbers than the US President Donald Trump used to think. This was an open secret since the very start of the implementation of the Trump-declared troop withdrawal. However, on November 12, this fact was openly confirmed by James Jeffrey, former Special Representative for Syria Engagement, that said that US officials routinely lied to Trump over the number of troops deployed in Syria. Currently, US sources admit that up to 1,000 US troops remain in the conflict zone. Together with military contractors and civilian specialists the real number is most likely closer to 2,000-2,500.
The south of Syria remains one of the points of instability despite the Russia-backed reconciliation efforts there. On November 12, a Tigr vehicle of the Russian Military Police was struck with an improvised explosive device on the road between al-Musayfrah and al-Sahoah in the eastern countryside of Daraa. The incident took place amid a new round of tensions between pro-government forces and former members of reconciled militant groups in the area.
The Syrian Army took control of the region and allowed the relatively moderate part of militant groups there to lay down arms as a part of a wide reconciliation agreement in 2018. However, since then, the local reconciliation process has faced several obstacles, including the resistance of a part of the local elites affiliated with militants. Together with the close proximity to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, this turns the province into a permanent headache for the Damascus government.
The de-escalation deal in Greater Idlib and the creation of the demilitarized zone in its south is once again stalled due to the Turkish unwillingness to break its ties with the al-Qaeda-like terrorist groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkistan Islamic Party because these groups are the core of the so-called Turkish-backed opposition. This situation cannot be changed without another military operation of the Syrian Army or the Turkish will to finally start working against terrorists in Idlib. The second scenario seems unlikely as it does not go in the interests of Ankara.
Nonetheless, it seems that Moscow has not abandoned the idea to motivate Turkey for some constructive actions and during the last 2 months, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces conducted a large number of strikes on infrastructure and training camps of Turkish-backed terrorists.
At the same time, Ankara has evacuated its observation posts in Maar Hattat, Morek and Sher Mughar, and started withdrawing forces from Qabtan al-Jabal and Sheikh Aqil. Most of these positions were surrounded by the Syrian Army during the previous anti-terrorist advances. This move goes contrary to the loud claims of the Turkish leadership that it will withdraw zero posts, even surrounded ones, from Greater Idlib and instead of this will force the Syrian Army to withdraw to positions behind them. This is a visual demonstration that the airstrike diplomacy efforts of the Russian side has a particular effect.
The war in Syria did not end and a comprehensive diplomatic solution has not yet been found due to the serious contradictions between the sides involved in the standoff. Nonetheless, the current format of the conflict allowed to put to an end the wide-scale military confrontations on the ground and moved the main agenda towards counter-terrorism efforts, economic and diplomatic questions.
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southfront--2020-12-04--U.S. Claimed To Keep Major Bases In Afghanistan Amid Breakthrough In Government, Taliban Peace Talks

The Afghan Government and the Taliban announced on December 2 that they had agreed on the procedures for the Intra-Afghan peace talks in the Qatari capital , Doha .
The breakthrough was jointly announced by Mohammad Naeem , a spokesman for the Taliban ’ s Qatar office , as well as Nader Nadery , a member of the Afghan Government ’ s negotiation team .
“ The procedures including its preamble of the Intra-Afghan Negotiations have been finalized and from now on , the negotiations will begin on the agenda , ” the spokesmen said on Twitter .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there is a willingness among Afghans to reach a sustainable peace and both sides are committed to continuing their sincere efforts to reach a sustainable peace in Afghanistan.
” The breakthrough announcement was welcomed by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the Government ’ s top peace broker Abdullah Abdullah .
The initial agreement was also praised by neighboring Pakistan , whose Foreign Ministry said the breakthrough is “ another significant step forward.
” This was the first breakthrough since the launch of intra-Afghan talks between the government and the Taliban in Doha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilitated by a U.S. peace agreement with the Taliban , which was reached on February 29 .
The U.S. promised to withdraw all American and NATO troops from Afghanistan .
However , Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , revealed on December 2 that the U.S. would keep two large bases and several satellite bases in the war-torn country .
Reuters quoted Milley as saying that the U.S. will also continue with anti-terrorism operations against ISIS and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan .
Despite the breakthrough , the Intra-Afghan peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Afghan Government and the Taliban will need more time to build trust .
Any change in U.S. withdrawal plans may also hinder the talks .
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The Afghan Government and the Taliban announced on December 2 that they had agreed on the procedures for the Intra-Afghan peace talks in the Qatari capital, Doha.
The breakthrough was jointly announced by Mohammad Naeem, a spokesman for the Taliban’s Qatar office, as well as Nader Nadery, a member of the Afghan Government’s negotiation team.
“The procedures including its preamble of the Intra-Afghan Negotiations have been finalized and from now on, the negotiations will begin on the agenda,” the spokesmen said on Twitter. “The current negotiations of both negotiation teams show that there is a willingness among Afghans to reach a sustainable peace and both sides are committed to continuing their sincere efforts to reach a sustainable peace in Afghanistan.”
The breakthrough announcement was welcomed by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the Government’s top peace broker Abdullah Abdullah.
The initial agreement was also praised by neighboring Pakistan, whose Foreign Ministry said the breakthrough is “another significant step forward.”
This was the first breakthrough since the launch of intra-Afghan talks between the government and the Taliban in Doha on September 12. The talks were facilitated by a U.S. peace agreement with the Taliban, which was reached on February 29.
The U.S. promised to withdraw all American and NATO troops from Afghanistan. However, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, revealed on December 2 that the U.S. would keep two large bases and several satellite bases in the war-torn country.
Reuters quoted Milley as saying that the U.S. will also continue with anti-terrorism operations against ISIS and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
“We went to Afghanistan … to ensure that Afghanistan never again became a platform for terrorists to strike the United States,” Milley said. “We believe that now after 20 years – two decades of consistent effort there – we’ve achieved a modicum of success.”
Despite the breakthrough, the Intra-Afghan peace talks are still facing many challenges. The Afghan Government and the Taliban will need more time to build trust. Any change in U.S. withdrawal plans may also hinder the talks.
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