southfront--2020-09-30--Has Pandora’s Box Been Opened In Trans-Caucasia?

As of September 27th , the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a reality , over the Nagorno-Karabakh region .
Both sides are reporting heavy casualties suffered by the other , with large offensives frequently taking place and being repelled .
It is a war , it is not a small-scale clash , as the casualties reportedly number in the thousands , something that ’ s not been seen in years on battlefields such as Syria , Iraq , Afghanistan .
Meanwhile , all other issues in the region aren ’ t simply sitting on standby , naturally – they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re using the chance of the chaos between Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue moves to forward whatever agenda they follow .
Turkey is in the center of it , as it is in the center of the Mediterranean Sea crisis , and in Northeastern Syria , Idlib , Kurdistan , as well as in Libya .
Its activities are playing into the hands of the bigger players such as the US , NATO as a whole , the EU and so on .
More deteriorating situations are likely expected , as many seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been set by Azerbaijan and Armenia .
This is the case with Georgia , with the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia .
Both regions have Russian forces stationed there , to protect them from the desires of the Georgian leadership to cleanse the region from the unwanted elements of the population .
Ever since 2008 , when the Saakashvili government attempted and failed to realize its plans due to Russia ’ s intervention , the conflicts have been frozen .
And , surely enough , using the chaos , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia to withdraw all of its forces from the region .
Stoltenberg said they have discussed “ close cooperation between Georgia and NATO on the Black Sea security.
” Stoltenberg also welcomed Georgia ’ s reforms in modernizing its army and strengthening democracy .
It is no secret what would happen if Russia withdrew , the Georgian military would move in , carry out the initially-planned purge , and then democracy would have been instated in the region .
The situation in Belarus is also developing , preparations are being made for another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are to meet with opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanovskaya and they ’ ve officially said that Lukashenko is not recognized as the legitimate president .
As such sanctions , increased protest intensity and other “ liberal ” and “ democratic ” activities should be expected , especially since the headlines are full of Armenia-Azerbaijan headlines , the narrative can be pushed forward with little to no attention given to it .
CIA and Pentagon instructors are implicated in preparing protests in Belarus , head of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on September 29th .
The United States is using dirty methods to whip up tensions in Belarus , the foreign intelligence chief stated .
The United States is interfering with the religious situation in Belarus and is seeking to drag Catholic communities into anti-government protests , Sergei Naryshkin believes .
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service has obtained information that a large-scale provocation is currently being plotted in Belarus , the head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service revealed .
Elections in Moldova are drawing near .
They are to take place on November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling Moldovan Socialist Party are relatively pro-Russian .
The stage has been set ever mid-July , when the vice-president of the main opposition Action and Solidarity Party , PAS , Sergiu Litvinenco said that the current leadership was preparing to commit fraud in presidential elections due in November by modifying the electoral code .
Ruling Socialist deputies rejected all the major amendments to a draft bill coming from the opposition parties and civil society .
The modifications mean that observers , including international ones , will no longer be able to monitor the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have access to either the names or number of voters , potentially fuelling speculation that dead people could be left on the electoral roll in order to inflate the number of ballots cast .
As such , even if these actions aren ’ t directly applied and observers can monitor the election roll , an accusation of cheating is still expected .
If Dodon finds himself elected , with whatever majority , it is expected that a popular opposition would arise , with the known characteristics of a color revolution .
The US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had an online meeting on with the Central Electoral Commission to discuss the proposals , the organisation of polling stations abroad , the work of observers and the process of registering candidates for the presidential race .
Finally , Ukraine – it is clear that a political situation is currently impossible in Eastern Ukraine , due to the actions of Kiev .
There is no political will , but the radical elements in the population also heavily oppose any such resolution .
Provocations of various kind of frequent , and the plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more are underway .
It is likely that even more severe provocations are carried out while everybody is focused on the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh .
Up until recently , there were a few smaller-scale issues such as what was transpiring in Belarus , the sizzling conflict in Eastern Ukraine , and the standstill in Georgia .
A war between two countries in the region , in which neither has the capability for a crushing blow , such as how Russia won the war against Georgia in 5 days means that the possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volatile situations is possible .
And not only is it possible , but it is also planned , with various contingencies in place to move the agenda forward .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Armenia And Azerbaijan Both Claim Heavy Losses For The Enemy , Baku Claims Armenian S-300 Destroyed

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As of September 27th, the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a reality, over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Both sides are reporting heavy casualties suffered by the other, with large offensives frequently taking place and being repelled.
It is a war, it is not a small-scale clash, as the casualties reportedly number in the thousands, something that’s not been seen in years on battlefields such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, all other issues in the region aren’t simply sitting on standby, naturally – they’re developing.
And they’re using the chance of the chaos between Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue moves to forward whatever agenda they follow.
Turkey is in the center of it, as it is in the center of the Mediterranean Sea crisis, and in Northeastern Syria, Idlib, Kurdistan, as well as in Libya.
Its activities are playing into the hands of the bigger players such as the US, NATO as a whole, the EU and so on. More deteriorating situations are likely expected, as many seek to take advantage of the smoke-screen that’s been set by Azerbaijan and Armenia.
This is the case with Georgia, with the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Both regions have Russian forces stationed there, to protect them from the desires of the Georgian leadership to cleanse the region from the unwanted elements of the population.
Ever since 2008, when the Saakashvili government attempted and failed to realize its plans due to Russia’s intervention, the conflicts have been frozen.
And, surely enough, using the chaos, NATO on September 29th, called on Russia to withdraw all of its forces from the region.
“We call on Russia to end its recognition of the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and to withdraw its forces,” said Jens Stoltenberg at a news conference with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia. “NATO supports Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders,” he added.
Stoltenberg said they have discussed “close cooperation between Georgia and NATO on the Black Sea security.”
“Earlier this year, allies agreed to strengthen our partnership, even further. This includes sharing more air traffic radar data, working jointly to address hybrid threats, as well as doing joint exercises in the Black Sea region,” he added.
Stoltenberg also welcomed Georgia’s reforms in modernizing its army and strengthening democracy.
“I encourage you to continue making full use of all the opportunities for coming closer to NATO, and to prepare for membership.”
It is no secret what would happen if Russia withdrew, the Georgian military would move in, carry out the initially-planned purge, and then democracy would have been instated in the region.
The situation in Belarus is also developing, preparations are being made for another push on President Alexander Lukashenko.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are to meet with opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanovskaya and they’ve officially said that Lukashenko is not recognized as the legitimate president.
As such sanctions, increased protest intensity and other “liberal” and “democratic” activities should be expected, especially since the headlines are full of Armenia-Azerbaijan headlines, the narrative can be pushed forward with little to no attention given to it.
CIA and Pentagon instructors are implicated in preparing protests in Belarus, head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin said on September 29th.
“’Fighters for renewed Belarus are trained in Poland, Georgia, Ukraine and the Baltic states with participation of instructors from the CIA and the Pentagon as well as US non-governmental organizations affiliated with the [US] Department of State,” he noted.
The United States is using dirty methods to whip up tensions in Belarus, the foreign intelligence chief stated.
“The US is using the dirtiest methods for rocking the boat in Belarus. When cooperating with the Belarusian opposition, the Americans are shifting the focus on boosting the activity of its strong-arm members among radical nationalists. The Department of State has launched an effort on engaging extremist elements in protests.”
The United States is interfering with the religious situation in Belarus and is seeking to drag Catholic communities into anti-government protests, Sergei Naryshkin believes.
“According to available information, the United States is blatantly interfering with the religious situation in Belarus, seeking to set Orthodox and Catholic Christians against each other. Trying to drag Vatican, so far demonstrating restraint, into the Belarusian developments, the Americans are seeking to involve Catholic clergy in anti-government protests,” he said, adding that the US is calling on Catholic clergy to come up with criticism of the Belarusian authorities and use religious events, including prayers, cross processions, etc., to spread opposition propaganda among worshipers.
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service has obtained information that a large-scale provocation is currently being plotted in Belarus, the head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service revealed.
“According to the data at hand, extremist opponents of the current Belarusian authorities hiding abroad are concocting a plan of a large-scale provocation, which would involve an arrest, injury or even murder of one of the reputable members of the Catholic church,” Naryshkin noted. “The aim is to inflame anti-government sentiments among Catholics and incite them to take a more active part in street protests,” he said.
Elections in Moldova are drawing near. They are to take place on November 1st.
President Igor Dodon and his ruling Moldovan Socialist Party are relatively pro-Russian.
The stage has been set ever mid-July, when the vice-president of the main opposition Action and Solidarity Party, PAS, Sergiu Litvinenco said that the current leadership was preparing to commit fraud in presidential elections due in November by modifying the electoral code.
Ruling Socialist deputies rejected all the major amendments to a draft bill coming from the opposition parties and civil society.
“Tonight [on Wednesday] at 00:14 am, an email was sent with a document of 129 pages called ‘Synthesis of amendments’ with draft amendments to the electoral code. Apart from a few proposals that also come from the Socialists, all the rest [of the amendments] are noted ‘not accepted’,” Litvinenco said.
The modifications mean that observers, including international ones, will no longer be able to monitor the national electoral roll; they will not have access to either the names or number of voters, potentially fuelling speculation that dead people could be left on the electoral roll in order to inflate the number of ballots cast.
As such, even if these actions aren’t directly applied and observers can monitor the election roll, an accusation of cheating is still expected.
If Dodon finds himself elected, with whatever majority, it is expected that a popular opposition would arise, with the known characteristics of a color revolution.
The US Ambassador to Moldova, Dereck Hogan, had an online meeting on with the Central Electoral Commission to discuss the proposals, the organisation of polling stations abroad, the work of observers and the process of registering candidates for the presidential race.
“Dodon knows he will lose the presidential election, that people don’t want him anymore, and that is why he started coming up with actions to steal people’s votes,” PAS leader Maia Sandu, the pro-European possible rival to Dodon in the presidential race, told TV8. “The PSRM wants amendments to the electoral code to obstruct free and fair elections,” she added.
Finally, Ukraine – it is clear that a political situation is currently impossible in Eastern Ukraine, due to the actions of Kiev.
There is no political will, but the radical elements in the population also heavily oppose any such resolution.
Provocations of various kind of frequent, and the plans to stop the water supply to the republics and more are underway.
It is likely that even more severe provocations are carried out while everybody is focused on the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Up until recently, there were a few smaller-scale issues such as what was transpiring in Belarus, the sizzling conflict in Eastern Ukraine, and the standstill in Georgia.
A war between two countries in the region, in which neither has the capability for a crushing blow, such as how Russia won the war against Georgia in 5 days means that the possibility for further escalations of all of these volatile situations is possible.
And not only is it possible, but it is also planned, with various contingencies in place to move the agenda forward.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-09-30--Armenia And Azerbaijan Both Claim Heavy Losses For The Enemy, Baku Claims Armenian S-300 Destroyed

On September 29th , and continuing into 30th , the fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan continued , with a plethora of reports and footage from both sides .
Notably , Armenian media circulated a video showing Azerbaijani UAVs flying over Armenian villages and the Armenian air defense systems taking down .
There were also photographs of downed drones .
In an official statement , the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan said that its forces had destroyed a Russian-made S-300 operated by Armenia .
Earlier , the ministry stated that the Armenian S-300 , which covered the airspace of Yerevan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards Nagorno-Karabakh .
The press secretary of the Armenian Defense Ministry Shushan Stepanyan said that two drones of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces were shot down over Stepanakert at night .
The official statement of the Azerbaijan side is that from September 27th , until the morning of September 3rd , it has : • Killed and wounded up to 2,300 Armenian soldiers ; • Destroyed or disabled up to 130 battle tanks and other armored vehicles ; • It has destroyed or disabled more than 200 artillery and anti-aircraft missile systems ; • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also destroyed ; On the Armenian side , reports are that they are having limited success in withholding the enemy ’ s advance .
The Ministry of Defense of Armenia published some video footage about the losses in the ranks of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces for the last day .
Armenia also announced the losses it had reportedly caused to Azerbaijan : According to Armenian media , the Azerbaijani wounded are brought to this hospital in the center of Baku without interruptions , constant signals with flashing lights .
3-4 long motorcades of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from all parts of the country are making their way to the doors of both buildings of the hospital .
No one is allowed inside and nothing is announced .
Lists of the dead and wounded are not issued .
People simply do not talk about the fate of relatives .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Turkey ’ s “ Syrian National Army ” Confirms Deployment Of Its Members In Azerbaijan

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On September 29th, and continuing into 30th, the fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan continued, with a plethora of reports and footage from both sides.
Notably, Armenian media circulated a video showing Azerbaijani UAVs flying over Armenian villages and the Armenian air defense systems taking down.
There were also photographs of downed drones.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan said that its forces had destroyed a Russian-made S-300 operated by Armenia.
“Yesterday [September 29th], during the fighting on the territory of Shushakend, Khojaly region, the enemy’s S-300 anti-aircraft missile system was disabled,” a statement read.
Earlier, the ministry stated that the Armenian S-300, which covered the airspace of Yerevan, were removed from combat duty and sent towards Nagorno-Karabakh.
The press secretary of the Armenian Defense Ministry Shushan Stepanyan said that two drones of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces were shot down over Stepanakert at night.
The official statement of the Azerbaijan side is that from September 27th, until the morning of September 3rd, it has:
Killed and wounded up to 2,300 Armenian soldiers;
Destroyed or disabled up to 130 battle tanks and other armored vehicles;
It has destroyed or disabled more than 200 artillery and anti-aircraft missile systems;
At least 25 air defense systems were also destroyed;
6 command posts;
5 weapons and ammunition depots;
50 anti-tank weapons;
55 units of motor vehicles;
On the Armenian side, reports are that they are having limited success in withholding the enemy’s advance.
“At these minutes, artillery firefight is under way along the entire length of the front. That night, in the sky over Stepanakert, two enemy UAVs were hit. – Press Secretary of the Armenian Ministry of Defense Shushan Stepanyan.
The Ministry of Defense of Armenia published some video footage about the losses in the ranks of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces for the last day.
Armenia also announced the losses it had reportedly caused to Azerbaijan:
790 soldiers killed;
1,900 wounded;
7 helicopters destroyed;
1 warplane destroyed;
137 battle tanks and armored vehicles;
72 UAVs.
According to Armenian media, the Azerbaijani wounded are brought to this hospital in the center of Baku without interruptions, constant signals with flashing lights. 3-4 long motorcades of ambulances every hour.
Relatives of soldiers from all parts of the country are making their way to the doors of both buildings of the hospital. No one is allowed inside and nothing is announced. Lists of the dead and wounded are not issued. People simply do not talk about the fate of relatives.
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southfront--2020-09-30--Boeing Completed First Conversion Of F-16 Fighter Jet Into QF-16 Aerial Target Drone

On July 31st , 2020 , Boeing announced that it had completed the first full conversion of a F-16 fighter jet into a QF-16 aerial target drone .
The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group ( AMARG ) located at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson teamed with Boeing under a public-private partnership to create a second modification line to supplement ongoing QF-16 work at Boeing ’ s Cecil Field site in Jacksonville , Florida .
“ The delivery of this first AMARG modified QF-16 aerial target drone is a testimony of the cooperative , synergistic relationship we had hoped for when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Col. Jennifer Barnard , Commander of the 309th AMARG .
“ Though the installation of the drone conversion package is a relatively new venture for us , our hope is to leverage cost efficiencies and proficiencies benefiting both partners.
” Conversion of the F-16 A/C aircraft to the unmanned QF-16 configuration requires modification of the airframe and installation of major components .
The QF-16 performs both autonomous maneuvers through autopilot and controlled maneuvers through ground stations .
“ The partnership between Boeing and AMARG is crucial to expediting capability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Boeing QF-16 programme manager .
“ It ’ s an example of great teamwork , and completing this first jet is just the beginning as we have more deliveries planned this year and well into next year.
” The F-16 entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 1980 , and over the past forty years has served in various conflicts around the globe .
The Air Force purchased the F-16 over the course of at least two decades , and some planes are older than others .
The oldest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” at Davis Monthan Air Force Base , Arizona .
There , the heat and dry air keep old planes in good condition while the services figure out what to do with them .
In 2010 , the Air Force began converting F-16s to QF-16s ( Q standing for drone ) .
According to Wired , this year 32 of the drones were pulled from Davis Monthan and modified using a Boeing-designed Drone Peculiar Equipment kit .
The F-16 is relatively easy to transform into a drone because , instead of older aircraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ F-16 was a fly-by-wire aircraft in which onboard computers translate the pilot ’ s commands into action .
The kit allows the drone to take off and land , and perform fairly complicated aerial maneuvers .
Typically the drones don ’ t land , however , because they ’ re shot down .
The QF-16s are used as target practice by manned fighters launching air-to-air missiles .
The Air Force ’ s “ Skyborg ” AI software , meant to act as an R2-D2 to a pilot in a manned airplane or a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aircraft , could also be adapted to the QF-16 , turning it into a weapon-carrying wingman for a F-22 or F-35 fighter .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Taiwan And US Sign Agreement For Purchase Of 90 F-16 Aircraft • U.S. Air Force F-16 Jet Crashed While On Training , Pilot Pronounced Dead • U.S. 64th Aggressor Squadron Repaints Its F-16s To Resemble Russian Su-57s

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On July 31st, 2020, Boeing announced that it had completed the first full conversion of a F-16 fighter jet into a QF-16 aerial target drone.
The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) located at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson teamed with Boeing under a public-private partnership to create a second modification line to supplement ongoing QF-16 work at Boeing’s Cecil Field site in Jacksonville, Florida.
“The delivery of this first AMARG modified QF-16 aerial target drone is a testimony of the cooperative, synergistic relationship we had hoped for when we created the private-public partnership with Boeing,” said Col. Jennifer Barnard, Commander of the 309th AMARG. “Though the installation of the drone conversion package is a relatively new venture for us, our hope is to leverage cost efficiencies and proficiencies benefiting both partners.”
Conversion of the F-16 A/C aircraft to the unmanned QF-16 configuration requires modification of the airframe and installation of major components. The QF-16 performs both autonomous maneuvers through autopilot and controlled maneuvers through ground stations.
“The partnership between Boeing and AMARG is crucial to expediting capability to the warfighters,” said Craig DeMeester, Boeing QF-16 programme manager. “It’s an example of great teamwork, and completing this first jet is just the beginning as we have more deliveries planned this year and well into next year.”
Learn more about how we partner with the @USAirForce to help pilots train with #QF16. Release: https://t.co/LNV01Jy2Yj pic.twitter.com/irTkjEuBKb — Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) July 31, 2020
The F-16 entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 1980, and over the past forty years has served in various conflicts around the globe. The Air Force purchased the F-16 over the course of at least two decades, and some planes are older than others.
The oldest of the planes end up at “The Boneyard” at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. There, the heat and dry air keep old planes in good condition while the services figure out what to do with them.
In 2010, the Air Force began converting F-16s to QF-16s (Q standing for drone). According to Wired, this year 32 of the drones were pulled from Davis Monthan and modified using a Boeing-designed Drone Peculiar Equipment kit.
The F-16 is relatively easy to transform into a drone because, instead of older aircraft such as the F-4 Phantom, the F-16 was a fly-by-wire aircraft in which onboard computers translate the pilot’s commands into action.
The kit allows the drone to take off and land, and perform fairly complicated aerial maneuvers. Typically the drones don’t land, however, because they’re shot down. The QF-16s are used as target practice by manned fighters launching air-to-air missiles.
The Air Force’s “Skyborg” AI software, meant to act as an R2-D2 to a pilot in a manned airplane or a computer wingman in a separate, unmanned aircraft, could also be adapted to the QF-16, turning it into a weapon-carrying wingman for a F-22 or F-35 fighter.
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southfront--2020-09-30--Sanctions Busters II: Another Iranian Fuel Shipment Arriving To Venezuela

The first vessel of an Iranian flotilla of three ships bringing fuel supplies to Venezuela has entered the country ’ s territorial waters yesterday , demonstrating both nations ’ continued determination to thwart US efforts to isolate and blockade the governments in Tehran and Caracas .
The Iranian tanker Forest entered Venezuela ’ s territorial waters early on Monday , according to tanker-tracker data collected by Bloomberg .
Its destination is said to be El Palito port where a refinery is located .
It ’ s the first of three Iranian vessels bringing hundreds of thousands of barrels of fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punitive sanctions and an economic blockade by the US , national oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA is suffering from severe shortages of parts and materials and has been unable to supply the country with gasoline .
While the US sanctions have restricted PDVSA ’ s ability to import fuel from international markets , they have also prompted the development of closer strategic ties between Iran and Venezuela .
Almost all other international oil and shipping companies are now avoiding Venezuela for fear of the punitive – and illegal – measures adopted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Yahya Rahim-Safavi , a military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , said Iran had received gold bullion from Venezuela by plane as payment for gasoline shipments , the Mehr news agency reported .
The two other tankers , the Fortune and Faxon , are due to arrive to Venezuela over the next few days .
This is the second major gasoline shipment to Venezuela since the end of May , when a flotilla of five vessels brought nearly 1.5 million barrels of Iranian gasoline and fuel additives , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s foreign ministry has said any attempt by the US to intercept the shipments will be met with “ a swift and decisive response.
” In August , the US seized the cargoes of four vessels carrying 1.1 million barrels of Iranian gasoline ostensibly headed for Venezuela .
The move was described as the US government ’ s “ largest-ever seizure of fuel shipments from Iran ” by the Department of Justice , which claimed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was responsible for the shipment .
PDVSA and Venezuela ’ s information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the shipments .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • As Showdown Looms Over Iran ’ s Oil Shipments To Venezuela US Nato Forces Poised For Possible Interception • Iranian drone makes a pass at USS Nimitz somewhere in the Persian Gulf • More axis of resistance sanctions busting Iranian fuel shipments keep arriving to Venezuela

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The first vessel of an Iranian flotilla of three ships bringing fuel supplies to Venezuela has entered the country’s territorial waters yesterday, demonstrating both nations’ continued determination to thwart US efforts to isolate and blockade the governments in Tehran and Caracas.
The Iranian tanker Forest entered Venezuela’s territorial waters early on Monday, according to tanker-tracker data collected by Bloomberg. Its destination is said to be El Palito port where a refinery is located. It’s the first of three Iranian vessels bringing hundreds of thousands of barrels of fuel to Venezuela.
Following years of unilateral punitive sanctions and an economic blockade by the US, national oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA is suffering from severe shortages of parts and materials and has been unable to supply the country with gasoline.
While the US sanctions have restricted PDVSA’s ability to import fuel from international markets, they have also prompted the development of closer strategic ties between Iran and Venezuela. Almost all other international oil and shipping companies are now avoiding Venezuela for fear of the punitive – and illegal – measures adopted by the US government.
On Sunday, General Yahya Rahim-Safavi, a military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran had received gold bullion from Venezuela by plane as payment for gasoline shipments, the Mehr news agency reported.
The two other tankers, the Fortune and Faxon, are due to arrive to Venezuela over the next few days. This is the second major gasoline shipment to Venezuela since the end of May, when a flotilla of five vessels brought nearly 1.5 million barrels of Iranian gasoline and fuel additives, as well as parts for local refineries.
Iran’s foreign ministry has said any attempt by the US to intercept the shipments will be met with “a swift and decisive response.”
In August, the US seized the cargoes of four vessels carrying 1.1 million barrels of Iranian gasoline ostensibly headed for Venezuela. The move was described as the US government’s “largest-ever seizure of fuel shipments from Iran” by the Department of Justice, which claimed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was responsible for the shipment.
PDVSA and Venezuela’s information ministry declined to comment to the media on the shipments. LINK
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southfront--2020-09-30--Pentagon Hastily Awards $13 Billion Contract For ICBMs To Northrop Grumman

A recent analysis by Defense One notes that the announcement by the US Air Force that it will award Northrop Grumman $ 13.3 billion to develop a new intercontinental ballistic missile raises more questions than it answers .
First and foremost : what ’ s the rush ?
The move greatly complicates the ability of the next administration to revise the Pentagon ’ s $ 2 trillion nuclear modernization plan in light of other demands both within and beyond the military budget .
The author of the report argues that it appears that strategic concerns aren ’ t the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formally as the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent , or GBSD .
The establishment of the nuclear triad of sea- and land-based strategic missiles and long-range nuclear bombers had a lot to do with inter-service rivalry within the US armed forces and the competition for funding , rather than being based on a careful calculation of how best to protect the United States from nuclear attack .
The financial and bureaucratic imperatives that gave us the ICBM continue to this day , as evidenced by the highly effective self-promotion campaigns of contractors such as Northrop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases by the Senate ICBM Coalition , a group of senators from states that host ICBM bases or are involved in major development programs for the missiles .
Acting together , this coalition of special interest lobby groups has defeated most efforts to consider the costs and consequences of building new ICBMs , including a proposed amendment to this year ’ s National Defense Authorization Act , sponsored by Representative Ro Khanna ( a member of the Democrats from California ) , that would have cut $ 1 billion from the GBSD program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 crisis .
The clout of the ICBM lobby is underpinned by the fact that contractors involved with the program have given $ 4.1 million to key members of Congress since 2012 , and that together Northrop Grumman and its major subcontractors , including Bechtel , Lockheed Martin , and General Dynamics , employ over 500 lobbyists , nearly one for every member of Congress .
While obviously not all of these lobbyists work on the ICBM issue , the number of people permanently employed by these companies to promote their interests on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political power .
The process through which the new ICBM development contract was awarded raises additional questions .
In the lead up to the Pentagon awarding the ICBM development contract , there were two competitors , Boeing and Northrop Grumman .
But in June 2019 , Boeing pulled out , claiming that the terms of the contract were unfairly tilted in favour of Northrop Grumman .
A key complaint was Northrop Grumman ’ s acquisition of Orbital ATK , the main US producer of solid rocket motors used in ICBMs .
Before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Boeing team that was bidding to develop the new missile .
Another problem posed by the sole-source award of the ICBM development contract is that the already astronomical costs of the program could rise still further because of the Pentagon ’ s limited bargaining power in negotiating the contract .
The problem could be exacerbated if Northrop Grumman ’ s missile fails to perform as advertised .
At a minimum , Congress needs to investigate the terms of the contract in detail to make sure the company is held accountable for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to develop the new system .
More importantly , Congress and the next administration should reconsider whether a new ICBM is needed at all .
Consistent with this perspective , a June 2020 report by the Union of Concerned Scientists argued that rather than building a new ICBM at an estimated cost of $ 85 billion to $ 150 billion , the current generation of ICBMs should be taken off hair-trigger alert and refurbished , as the first of a series of steps towards eliminating land-based nuclear missiles altogether .
MORE ON THE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still scrambling and surging to develop new high tech weapons systems • US on again off again partial troop withdrawal from Iraq on again

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A recent analysis by Defense One notes that the announcement by the US Air Force that it will award Northrop Grumman $13.3 billion to develop a new intercontinental ballistic missile raises more questions than it answers. First and foremost: what’s the rush? The move greatly complicates the ability of the next administration to revise the Pentagon’s $2 trillion nuclear modernization plan in light of other demands both within and beyond the military budget.
The author of the report argues that it appears that strategic concerns aren’t the only drivers of the new program, known formally as the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent, or GBSD. The establishment of the nuclear triad of sea- and land-based strategic missiles and long-range nuclear bombers had a lot to do with inter-service rivalry within the US armed forces and the competition for funding, rather than being based on a careful calculation of how best to protect the United States from nuclear attack.
The financial and bureaucratic imperatives that gave us the ICBM continue to this day, as evidenced by the highly effective self-promotion campaigns of contractors such as Northrop Grumman and Aerojet, joined in many cases by the Senate ICBM Coalition, a group of senators from states that host ICBM bases or are involved in major development programs for the missiles.
Acting together, this coalition of special interest lobby groups has defeated most efforts to consider the costs and consequences of building new ICBMs, including a proposed amendment to this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, sponsored by Representative Ro Khanna (a member of the Democrats from California), that would have cut $1 billion from the GBSD program and applied the funding to addressing the COVID-19 crisis.
The clout of the ICBM lobby is underpinned by the fact that contractors involved with the program have given $4.1 million to key members of Congress since 2012, and that together Northrop Grumman and its major subcontractors, including Bechtel, Lockheed Martin, and General Dynamics, employ over 500 lobbyists, nearly one for every member of Congress. While obviously not all of these lobbyists work on the ICBM issue, the number of people permanently employed by these companies to promote their interests on Capitol Hill reflects the extent of their political power.
The process through which the new ICBM development contract was awarded raises additional questions. In the lead up to the Pentagon awarding the ICBM development contract, there were two competitors, Boeing and Northrop Grumman. But in June 2019, Boeing pulled out, claiming that the terms of the contract were unfairly tilted in favour of Northrop Grumman. A key complaint was Northrop Grumman’s acquisition of Orbital ATK, the main US producer of solid rocket motors used in ICBMs. Before the acquisition, Orbital ATK had been part of the Boeing team that was bidding to develop the new missile.
Another problem posed by the sole-source award of the ICBM development contract is that the already astronomical costs of the program could rise still further because of the Pentagon’s limited bargaining power in negotiating the contract. The problem could be exacerbated if Northrop Grumman’s missile fails to perform as advertised.
At a minimum, Congress needs to investigate the terms of the contract in detail to make sure the company is held accountable for efficiently spending the billions it is receiving to develop the new system. More importantly, Congress and the next administration should reconsider whether a new ICBM is needed at all.
Former Defense Secretary William Perry hit the nail on the head when he said, “The highest probability of starting a nuclear war is a mistaken launch caused by a false alarm and a rushed decision to launch nuclear-armed ICBMs. Instead of spending billions of dollars on new nuclear missiles we don’t need, we must focus on preventing accidental nuclear war.”
Consistent with this perspective, a June 2020 report by the Union of Concerned Scientists argued that rather than building a new ICBM at an estimated cost of $85 billion to $150 billion, the current generation of ICBMs should be taken off hair-trigger alert and refurbished, as the first of a series of steps towards eliminating land-based nuclear missiles altogether.
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southfront--2020-09-30--Israel Releases Report About Hezbollah’s Alleged Missile Factory In Beirut Residential Area

In his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah of maintaining a ‘ secret arms depot ’ in a residential neighbourhood of Beirut , warning it could cause another tragic explosion in the Lebanese capital .
During the speech , Netanyahu showed maps purportedly showing the missile depot ’ s location next to a gas station and residential housing .
He also showed what he said was a picture of the entrance to the depot .
Early last month , a warehouse filled with nearly 3,000 tons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s port , killing nearly 200 people , wounding thousands and causing widespread destruction in the capital .
The ammonium nitrate had been stored there for several years .
The cause of the blast is still being investigated .
Promoting the normalization deals with the UAE and Bahrain , Netanyahu then went on to once again rail against his arch enemy Iran , saying Israel and the Arab states would “ not only stand together in advancing peace , we stand together in confronting the greatest enemy of peace in the Middle East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet again , that Iran would have “ enough enriched uranium in a few months for two nuclear bombs.
” Netanyahu praised Trump ’ s decision to withdraw from the JCPOA nuclear deal and called on the world to follow the US in applying ‘ snap back ’ sanctions .
Netanyahu also claimed that another weapons depot had exploded just a few days ago in the southern Lebanese village of Ain Qana , near the port city of Sidon .
It is not clear what caused that explosion , which sent smoke billowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any casualties .
Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of storing weapons and maintaining military outposts in civilian areas , especially in the southern suburbs of Beirut and southern Lebanon , both strongholds of support for the Iran-backed militant group .
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah denied Netanyahu ’ s allegations , insisting the group does not store missiles in civilian facilities .
“ Whoever wants to go can go now .
If Hezbollah is storing missiles in this facility then there is not enough time to remove them , ” Nasrallah said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the port or near gas facilities .
We know where to store missiles.
” “ We will allow media outlets to enter the facility so that the world knows that Netanyahu is lying , ” he added .
LINK After Netanyahu ’ s address , the Israeli military released detailed maps showing the site that the prime minister had referenced as well as two other alleged missile depots it said were located under residential apartment blocks .
The information compiled by the IDF claims to expose “ three Hezbollah Precision Guided Missile ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbourhoods in the heart of the Lebanese capital , Beirut.
” The three locations identified are all either in or in close proximity to civilian buildings : • An underground PGM manufacturing site in the Laylaki neighbourhood : the site is underneath a seven-story residential building , home to over 70 families , and is near a medical centreand a churchapproximately 130 metres from the site .
• An underground PGM manufacturing site located in the Chouaifet neighbourhood : the site is underneath a five-story residential building , home to approximately 50 families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approximately 90 metres north of it .
• A PGM manufacturing site in the industrial area of the Jnah neighbourhood : the site is nearby two gas companies , one immediately adjacent and one 50 meters away , and a gas station , which is a few dozen metres away .
The Israeli military goes on to allege that “ these PGM manufacturing sites , deliberately placed in the heart of populated areas in Beirut , put the lives of Lebanese civilians at risk .
The disaster which occurred in the Beirut Port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showcase the extent to which the lives , the security , and the property of Lebanese civilians are at risk .
Hezbollah ’ s strategy to hide weapons and operate from civilian neighbourhoods stems from its intentions to draw the IDF to target these civilian areas in times of escalation .
If Hezbollah were to target Israeli civilians from these sites , the IDF would have no choice but to react—potentially placing Lebanese civilians in harm ’ s way—causing international outrage toward the IDF.
” The Israeli military accused Hezbollah of using the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not only by placing PGM manufacturing sites in civilian neighbourhoods , but also by placing weapon warehouses in civilian areas across Lebanon .
Two videos were also produced to elaborate upon the allegations .
An Arabic spokesperson for the Israeli Army also released a video in Arabic describing what Israel claims to be Hezbollah ’ s Precision Guided Missle ( PGM ) manufacturing sites in Beirut .
The statement by the Israeli military concludes : MORE ON THE TOPIC :

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In his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah of maintaining a ‘secret arms depot’ in a residential neighbourhood of Beirut, warning it could cause another tragic explosion in the Lebanese capital.
During the speech, Netanyahu showed maps purportedly showing the missile depot’s location next to a gas station and residential housing. He also showed what he said was a picture of the entrance to the depot.
“Here’s where the next explosion will take place, right here,” he said.
Addressing the Lebanese people, he said: “You’ve got to act now, you’ve got to protest this, because if this thing explodes, it’s another tragedy. … You should tell them, ‘Tear these depots down.’”
Early last month, a warehouse filled with nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in Beirut’s port, killing nearly 200 people, wounding thousands and causing widespread destruction in the capital. The ammonium nitrate had been stored there for several years. The cause of the blast is still being investigated.
Promoting the normalization deals with the UAE and Bahrain, Netanyahu then went on to once again rail against his arch enemy Iran, saying Israel and the Arab states would “not only stand together in advancing peace, we stand together in confronting the greatest enemy of peace in the Middle East — Iran.”
Netanyahu also claimed, yet again, that Iran would have “enough enriched uranium in a few months for two nuclear bombs.”
Netanyahu praised Trump’s decision to withdraw from the JCPOA nuclear deal and called on the world to follow the US in applying ‘snap back’ sanctions.
He told the people of Lebanon that “Israel means you no harm, but Iran does,” and that “Iran and Hezbollah have deliberately put you and your families in grave danger.”
Finally, Netanyahu said “both Arabs and Israelis are urging tough action on Iran, and when Arabs and Israelis agree, other should pay attention.”
Netanyahu also claimed that another weapons depot had exploded just a few days ago in the southern Lebanese village of Ain Qana, near the port city of Sidon. It is not clear what caused that explosion, which sent smoke billowing into the sky but did not cause any casualties.
Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of storing weapons and maintaining military outposts in civilian areas, especially in the southern suburbs of Beirut and southern Lebanon, both strongholds of support for the Iran-backed militant group.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah denied Netanyahu’s allegations, insisting the group does not store missiles in civilian facilities. “Whoever wants to go can go now. If Hezbollah is storing missiles in this facility then there is not enough time to remove them,” Nasrallah said. “We don’t store missiles at the port or near gas facilities. We know where to store missiles.” “We will allow media outlets to enter the facility so that the world knows that Netanyahu is lying,” he added. LINK
After Netanyahu’s address, the Israeli military released detailed maps showing the site that the prime minister had referenced as well as two other alleged missile depots it said were located under residential apartment blocks.
The information compiled by the IDF claims to expose “three Hezbollah Precision Guided Missile (PGM) manufacturing sites located in civilian neighbourhoods in the heart of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.”
The three locations identified are all either in or in close proximity to civilian buildings:
An underground PGM manufacturing site in the Laylaki neighbourhood: the site is underneath a seven-story residential building, home to over 70 families, and is near a medical centreand a churchapproximately 130 metres from the site.
An underground PGM manufacturing site located in the Chouaifet neighbourhood: the site is underneath a five-story residential building, home to approximately 50 families, and is nearby a mosque, approximately 90 metres north of it.
A PGM manufacturing site in the industrial area of the Jnah neighbourhood: the site is nearby two gas companies, one immediately adjacent and one 50 meters away, and a gas station, which is a few dozen metres away.
The Israeli military goes on to allege that “these PGM manufacturing sites, deliberately placed in the heart of populated areas in Beirut, put the lives of Lebanese civilians at risk. The disaster which occurred in the Beirut Port last August and the explosions in September showcase the extent to which the lives, the security, and the property of Lebanese civilians are at risk. Hezbollah’s strategy to hide weapons and operate from civilian neighbourhoods stems from its intentions to draw the IDF to target these civilian areas in times of escalation. If Hezbollah were to target Israeli civilians from these sites, the IDF would have no choice but to react—potentially placing Lebanese civilians in harm’s way—causing international outrage toward the IDF.”
The Israeli military accused Hezbollah of using the civilian population as ‘human shields’, not only by placing PGM manufacturing sites in civilian neighbourhoods, but also by placing weapon warehouses in civilian areas across Lebanon. Two videos were also produced to elaborate upon the allegations.
An Arabic spokesperson for the Israeli Army also released a video in Arabic describing what Israel claims to be Hezbollah’s Precision Guided Missle (PGM) manufacturing sites in Beirut.
#عاجل كشف النقاب عن ثلاثة مواقع لانتاج مواد تستخدم في مشروع الصواريخ الدقيقة الذي يديره #حزب_الله في مناطق سكنية لبنانية مكتظة وبالقرب من اماكن يقصدها المواطنون دومًا.لبنان إلى أين؟ الجواب بات واضحًا ليبقى السؤال الأهم أين الدولة اللبنانية المؤتمنة على صيانة سيادتها وحماية شعبها؟ pic.twitter.com/MHt2Tmkreb — افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) September 29, 2020
The statement by the Israeli military concludes:
The State of Israel and the IDF have reported these sites numerous times, both to the UN and to additional diplomatic networks, as well as through various media channels. In its decision to expose these three sites in Beirut, the IDF hopes to call the Lebanese government out again, with the support of the international community, to intervene in the matter. The IDF hopes to help Lebanese civilians protect themselves from the risks caused by the entrenchment of the Iranian-proxy Hezbollah in their country. The IDF will continue to extensively operate against these threats through various methods and tools to protect both Israeli and Lebanese civilians.
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southfront--2020-09-30--Armenia Claims 790 Azerbaijani Soldiers Killed, 137 Equipment Pieces Destroyed As Azerbaijan Pounds

Armenia Claims 790 Azerbaijani Soldiers Killed, 137 Equipment Pieces Destroyed As Azerbaijan Pounds Armenian Positions In Karabakh

On September 29 evening , the Armenian Ministry of Defense announced that since the morning of September 27 , about 790 Azerbaijani servicemen have been killed and 1,900 people have been injured in the conflict erupted in the Nagorno-Karabakh region .
The Armenian military also claimed that its forces destroyed 137 units military equipment , including battle tanks , 72 drones , 7 helicopters and a military plane .
The Armenian side claims that its forces had eliminated a column with ammunition of Azerbaijani forces : The Armenian media also reports not only the dramatic increase of a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijani advance , but also the unity among the prominent veterans .
Armenain media released photos showing the meeting in a relative proximity to the frontline of prominent officers and generals , including Seyran Ohanyan , Vitaly Balasanyan , Arshavir Garamyan , Samvel Bababyan , Levon Mnatsakanyan , Kamo Ogadzhanyan , Artur Aghabekyan , Samvel Karapetyan and Movses Hakobyan .
While this move was likely aimed at boosting the morale of the Armenian side , it also showcases the difficulty of the current situation .
The pro-US government of Armenia created a situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelming force of Azerbaijan supported by Turkey .
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that its artillery strikes pounded positions of the 1st battalion of the 5th Motorized Rifle Regiment near Gasangaya in the Tartar area and the 1st battalion of 6th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Armed Forces of Armenia in the Talysh area .
Azerbaijan claims that the Armenian military suffered heavy losses , and has been facing difficulties in finding equipment for organizing the evacuation of the dead and wounded .
The work of Azerbaijani combat drones .
The Azerbaijani side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drones but also Israeli Harpy loitering munitions : Meanwhile , the Turkish leadership continued making loud statements vowing to support Azerbaijan in the war with Armenia .
As of now , the only factor that stops Turkey from directly assisting the Azerbaijani advance on the Nagorno-Karabakh Region is that this move may trigger a military response from Russia that will have to react to any direct threat to Armenian sovereignty .
This threat will appear inevitably if Turkey joins the war openly .
On the other hand , Iran is reportedly deploying additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic .
Azerbaijani sources already accused that Russia uses Iranian territory to supply Armenia with weapons and equipment .
Nonetheless , this is just a propaganda .
What is more likely is that regional actors are just preparing for a possible expansion of the conflict into a big regional war .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Azerbaijani-Armenian War : Turkish F-16s Enter The Game .
Armenia Threatens To Use Iskander Missiles

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On September 29 evening, the Armenian Ministry of Defense announced that since the morning of September 27, about 790 Azerbaijani servicemen have been killed and 1,900 people have been injured in the conflict erupted in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The Armenian military also claimed that its forces destroyed 137 units military equipment, including battle tanks, 72 drones, 7 helicopters and a military plane.
The Armenian side claims that its forces had eliminated a column with ammunition of Azerbaijani forces:
The Armenian media also reports not only the dramatic increase of a number of volunteers that moving to fight back the Azerbaijani advance, but also the unity among the prominent veterans. Armenain media released photos showing the meeting in a relative proximity to the frontline of prominent officers and generals, including Seyran Ohanyan, Vitaly Balasanyan, Arshavir Garamyan, Samvel Bababyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, Kamo Ogadzhanyan, Artur Aghabekyan, Samvel Karapetyan and Movses Hakobyan.
While this move was likely aimed at boosting the morale of the Armenian side, it also showcases the difficulty of the current situation. The pro-US government of Armenia created a situation in which Armenia has been facing an overwhelming force of Azerbaijan supported by Turkey.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that its artillery strikes pounded positions of the 1st battalion of the 5th Motorized Rifle Regiment near Gasangaya in the Tartar area and the 1st battalion of 6th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Armed Forces of Armenia in the Talysh area. Azerbaijan claims that the Armenian military suffered heavy losses, and has been facing difficulties in finding equipment for organizing the evacuation of the dead and wounded.
The work of Azerbaijani combat drones. The Azerbaijani side uses not only Turkish Bayraktar TB2 combat drones but also Israeli Harpy loitering munitions:
Meanwhile, the Turkish leadership continued making loud statements vowing to support Azerbaijan in the war with Armenia. As of now, the only factor that stops Turkey from directly assisting the Azerbaijani advance on the Nagorno-Karabakh Region is that this move may trigger a military response from Russia that will have to react to any direct threat to Armenian sovereignty. This threat will appear inevitably if Turkey joins the war openly.
On the other hand, Iran is reportedly deploying additional troops and equipment to the border area with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Azerbaijani sources already accused that Russia uses Iranian territory to supply Armenia with weapons and equipment. Nonetheless, this is just a propaganda. What is more likely is that regional actors are just preparing for a possible expansion of the conflict into a big regional war.
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southfront--2020-09-30--CIA Trains Radicals, Prepare Major Provocation In Belarus

Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin warned that the United States has been taking active steps to destabilize the situation in Belarus .
According to the released statement , instructors from the United States use “ the most unscrupulous methods ” on the territory of the republic to destabilize the situation .
These are US “ specialists ” from the CIA , the Pentagon and the State Department .
Sergei Naryshkin added that Belarusian extremists are being trained in Poland , Georgia , Ukraine and the Baltic states with the participation of instructors from the Central Intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US State Department of non-governmental organizations .
The United States is also interfering in the religious situation in Belarus , seeking to create tensions between the Orthodox and Catholics communities .
“ According to available data , the United States is also unceremoniously interfering in the religious situation in Belarus , seeking to create a conflict between representatives of the Orthodox and Catholic branches of Christianity , ” he said .
“ Trying to involve the Vatican , which is showing restraint in the Belarusian events , the Americans are working to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in anti-government protests.
” The Foreign Intelligence Head noted that the US seeks to motivate the Roman Catholic Church to openly criticize the Belarusian government and use religious events , including sermons , prayers , religious processions , to conduct “ opposition political propaganda among believers.
” MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Azerbaijani-Armenian War : Turkish F-16s Enter The Game .
Armenia Threatens To Use Iskander Missiles

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Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin warned that the United States has been taking active steps to destabilize the situation in Belarus.
According to the released statement, instructors from the United States use “the most unscrupulous methods” on the territory of the republic to destabilize the situation. These are US “specialists” from the CIA, the Pentagon and the State Department.
Sergei Naryshkin added that Belarusian extremists are being trained in Poland, Georgia, Ukraine and the Baltic states with the participation of instructors from the Central Intelligence Agency and the Pentagon, affiliated with the US State Department of non-governmental organizations.
The United States is also interfering in the religious situation in Belarus, seeking to create tensions between the Orthodox and Catholics communities.
“According to available data, the United States is also unceremoniously interfering in the religious situation in Belarus, seeking to create a conflict between representatives of the Orthodox and Catholic branches of Christianity,” he said. “Trying to involve the Vatican, which is showing restraint in the Belarusian events, the Americans are working to more actively involve Catholic priests in participating in anti-government protests.”
The Foreign Intelligence Head noted that the US seeks to motivate the Roman Catholic Church to openly criticize the Belarusian government and use religious events, including sermons, prayers, religious processions, to conduct “opposition political propaganda among believers.”
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