southfront--2020-12-15--Curse Of Saudis: Tanker Explosions And Other Unfortunate Events

A series of unfortunate events linked to the Saudi invasion in Yemen continues to pursue the Kingdom .
On December 14 , an explosion hit the Singapore-flagged BW Rhine , a chemical tanker hauling gasoline , off the Saudi port city of Jeddah , which is also known as the distribution center for oil giant SaudiAramco .
The BW Group said that the explosion erupted after the Singapore-flagged BW Rhine was hit by “ an external source ” , but all 22 sailors on board received no injures .
Later , Saudi media claimed that the explosion was caused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ device .
At the time of the attack , the ship was carrying more than 60,000 metric tons of gasoline from the Aramco refinery at Yanbu .
This is not the first attack in the Red Sea waters attributed to the Houthis .
About three weeks ago , on November 25 , a Greek-managed oil tanker was damaged in a WBIED attack on the Saudi petroleum terminal located near Jeddah .
A few days earlier , on November 23 , the Houthis struck the Jeddah distribution station with a Quds-2 cruise missile .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the key areas of global maritime transportation of energy resources , come amid the increase in tensions between Iran and the US-Israeli bloc .
On November 27 , the top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated in an apparent US-Israeli plot outside of Tehran .
This move contributed to the growth of tensions and Iran , expecting even more attacks before President Trump leaves office , even reinforced its defenses on the coast of the Persian Gulf .
The Iranian leadership also promised to avenge the assassination .
The increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies in the region is likely a part of this asymmetric response .
On December 14 , Israeli media also reported a large-scale cyberattack on 40 Israeli firms working in the financial , technology and logistics sectors .
On December 13 , a “ sophisticated hacking group backed by a foreign government ” allegedly committed a cyber attack and stole information from the U.S. Treasury Department and a U.S. agency responsible for deciding policy reguarding the internet and telecommunications , according to reports in mainstream media .
US “ anonymous sources ” expectedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more candidates .
In the coming weeks tensions will likely continue to grow in the Greater Middle East , as the United States and Israel are working to secure their recent diplomatic breakthroughs and are taking active steps to entrench the legacy of the 4 years of the Trump presidency .

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A series of unfortunate events linked to the Saudi invasion in Yemen continues to pursue the Kingdom.
On December 14, an explosion hit the Singapore-flagged BW Rhine, a chemical tanker hauling gasoline, off the Saudi port city of Jeddah, which is also known as the distribution center for oil giant SaudiAramco. The BW Group said that the explosion erupted after the Singapore-flagged BW Rhine was hit by “an external source”, but all 22 sailors on board received no injures. Later, Saudi media claimed that the explosion was caused by an attack with a water-born improvised explosive device. At the time of the attack, the ship was carrying more than 60,000 metric tons of gasoline from the Aramco refinery at Yanbu.
This is not the first attack in the Red Sea waters attributed to the Houthis. About three weeks ago, on November 25, a Greek-managed oil tanker was damaged in a WBIED attack on the Saudi petroleum terminal located near Jeddah. A few days earlier, on November 23, the Houthis struck the Jeddah distribution station with a Quds-2 cruise missile.
The developments in the Red Sea, one of the key areas of global maritime transportation of energy resources, come amid the increase in tensions between Iran and the US-Israeli bloc.
On November 27, the top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated in an apparent US-Israeli plot outside of Tehran. This move contributed to the growth of tensions and Iran, expecting even more attacks before President Trump leaves office, even reinforced its defenses on the coast of the Persian Gulf. The Iranian leadership also promised to avenge the assassination. The increase of attacks on US-Israeli interests and their allies in the region is likely a part of this asymmetric response.
On December 14, Israeli media also reported a large-scale cyberattack on 40 Israeli firms working in the financial, technology and logistics sectors. On December 13, a “sophisticated hacking group backed by a foreign government” allegedly committed a cyber attack and stole information from the U.S. Treasury Department and a U.S. agency responsible for deciding policy reguarding the internet and telecommunications, according to reports in mainstream media. US “anonymous sources” expectedly accused the Russians, but there are more candidates.
In the coming weeks tensions will likely continue to grow in the Greater Middle East, as the United States and Israel are working to secure their recent diplomatic breakthroughs and are taking active steps to entrench the legacy of the 4 years of the Trump presidency.
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southfront--2020-12-16--Syrian Mercenaries Allegedly Withdrew From Karabakh

Syrian mercenaries have withdrawn from the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh , where they fought for Azerbaijan in a heated battle , the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) reported on December 15 .
Syrian mercenaries were sent to Nagorno-Karabakh by Turkey , which backed Azerbaijan ’ s attack on Armenian forces in the region .
The attack , which started on September 27 , came to an end on November 9 with a Russian-brokered peace deal .
According to the SOHR , the last batch of Syrian mercenaries returned to Syria from Nagorno-Karabakh a few days ago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior to the final withdrawal .
“ The number of mercenaries transferred to Azerbaijan by the Turkish government , has reached 2,580 fighters , of whom 514 were killed and others were captured , ” the monitoring group ’ s report reads .
“ Meanwhile , the fate of 240 fighters remains unknown to date , while the rest returned to Syria as their mission ended and the Azerbaijani government refused to maintain them in Azerbaijan.
” Syrian mercenaries were promised a monthly salary of up to $ 2000 .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payment of $ 1,000 to 3,500 only .
For most of the battle , Syrian mercenaries were deployed on Nagorno-Karabakh ’ s hottest frontlines , where they were used as “ cannon fodder ” by Azerbaijani forces .
Turkey planned to settle the mercenaries and their families in Nagorno-Karabakh to establish a lasting influence in the region .
However , Azerbaijan rejected this plan and insisted that all mercenaries should return to Syria .
The withdrawal of Syrian mercenaries , many of who are reportedly radicals , will help stabilize Nagorno-Karabakh and facilitate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THIS TOPIC :

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Syrian mercenaries have withdrawn from the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, where they fought for Azerbaijan in a heated battle, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on December 15.
Syrian mercenaries were sent to Nagorno-Karabakh by Turkey, which backed Azerbaijan’s attack on Armenian forces in the region. The attack, which started on September 27, came to an end on November 9 with a Russian-brokered peace deal.
According to the SOHR, the last batch of Syrian mercenaries returned to Syria from Nagorno-Karabakh a few days ago. Around 800 were still in the region prior to the final withdrawal.
“The number of mercenaries transferred to Azerbaijan by the Turkish government, has reached 2,580 fighters, of whom 514 were killed and others were captured,” the monitoring group’s report reads. “Meanwhile, the fate of 240 fighters remains unknown to date, while the rest returned to Syria as their mission ended and the Azerbaijani government refused to maintain them in Azerbaijan.”
Every of Syrian mercenaries was promised a monthly salary of up to $2000. However, the SOHR said the mercenaries received a total payment of $1,000 to 3,500 only.
For most of the battle, Syrian mercenaries were deployed on Nagorno-Karabakh’s hottest frontlines, where they were used as “cannon fodder” by Azerbaijani forces.
Turkey planned to settle the mercenaries and their families in Nagorno-Karabakh to establish a lasting influence in the region. However, Azerbaijan rejected this plan and insisted that all mercenaries should return to Syria.
The withdrawal of Syrian mercenaries, many of who are reportedly radicals, will help stabilize Nagorno-Karabakh and facilitate the return of refugees.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-12-16--In Video: Russia Equips Its Strategic Forces In Orenburg With Avangard Hypersonic Missile Systems

Russia continues the rearmament of its strategic forces with the Avangard hypersonic missile system in the Orenburg region .
On December 16 , the Russian Defense Ministry released a video showing how its newest intercontinental ballistic missile with the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle was installed in a silo launcher .
The development of a future ICBM with a brand-new payload type in the form of a gliding vehicle was the real technological breakthrough .
The testing of Avangard has been successfully concluded .
According to available information , Avangard can reach the top speed of Mach 20 and is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The warhead can fly in dense layers of the atmosphere over intercontinental distances , while performing evasive dog-legs both horizontally ( up to several thousand kilometers ) and vertically .
Specialists assess that the Avangard has not only an aerodynamic control system but also a propulsion system to be able to perform such maneuvers .
In spite of flying in a plasma cloud , the warhead can receive signals from its command center .
It used to be an impossible task , since plasma blocks radio waves .
Another challenge that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insulation .
It can not be ruled out that the Avangard uses new generation high-temperature ceramic composites that use silicon carbide , capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 2,000 C. By mid-March it was announced that the first Avangard carriers would become the UR-100N UTTKh ( SS-19 Stiletto ) ICBMs that will most likely become part of the RS-24 Yars strategic missile system .
About 30 of these missiles were delivered from Ukraine in the early ‘ 00s to cover natural gas debts .
After the Soviet break-up , they were stored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it too will carry Avangard warheads .
The Russian MOD already signed a contract for serial delivery of Avangards , and they will enter line service in the near future .

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Russia continues the rearmament of its strategic forces with the Avangard hypersonic missile system in the Orenburg region. On December 16, the Russian Defense Ministry released a video showing how its newest intercontinental ballistic missile with the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle was installed in a silo launcher.
Russia Revealed Look Of Avangard Hypersonic Missile System (Video):
The Avangard Hypersonic Glide Vehicle:
The development of a future ICBM with a brand-new payload type in the form of a gliding vehicle was the real technological breakthrough. The testing of Avangard has been successfully concluded. According to available information, Avangard can reach the top speed of Mach 20 and is one of the possible payload options for Sarmat.
The warhead can fly in dense layers of the atmosphere over intercontinental distances, while performing evasive dog-legs both horizontally (up to several thousand kilometers) and vertically. Specialists assess that the Avangard has not only an aerodynamic control system but also a propulsion system to be able to perform such maneuvers.
In spite of flying in a plasma cloud, the warhead can receive signals from its command center. It used to be an impossible task, since plasma blocks radio waves. Another challenge that was successfully overcome was the problem of heat insulation. It cannot be ruled out that the Avangard uses new generation high-temperature ceramic composites that use silicon carbide, capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 2,000 C. By mid-March it was announced that the first Avangard carriers would become the UR-100N UTTKh (SS-19 Stiletto) ICBMs that will most likely become part of the RS-24 Yars strategic missile system. About 30 of these missiles were delivered from Ukraine in the early ‘00s to cover natural gas debts. After the Soviet break-up, they were stored un-fueled. Once Sarmat is adopted, it too will carry Avangard warheads. The Russian MOD already signed a contract for serial delivery of Avangards, and they will enter line service in the near future.


southfront--2020-12-16--Map Update: Military Situation In Nagorno-Karabakh On December 16, 2020

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Nagorno-Karabakh : • On December 16 , 60 Armenian militia members were reportedly captured by Azerbaijani troops near Khtsaberd , according to Armenian sources ; • On December 15 , 44 prisoners of war were handed over to Armenia by Azerbaijan .
12 Azerbaijani prisoners of war were also handed over to Azerbaijan ; • As of December 16 , Russia reported that more than 175 hectares of land and about 49 kilometers of roads were cleared from mines and IEDs and 5000 explosive objects were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 16 , Russian military doctors provided medical assistance to 529 citizens , including 63 children ; • On December 15 , 647 displaced persons returned from Yerevan to Stepanakert by buses with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers ; • As of December 16 , a total of 40,003 people have returned to Karabakh with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Identities Of Men Beheaded By Azerbaijan Soldiers Revealed , Political Crisis Deepens In Yerevan • Azerbaijan And Turkey Plan To Agree On Gas Deliveries To Nakhchivan @ @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Nagorno-Karabakh:
On December 16, 60 Armenian militia members were reportedly captured by Azerbaijani troops near Khtsaberd, according to Armenian sources;
On December 15, 44 prisoners of war were handed over to Armenia by Azerbaijan. 12 Azerbaijani prisoners of war were also handed over to Azerbaijan;
As of December 16, Russia reported that more than 175 hectares of land and about 49 kilometers of roads were cleared from mines and IEDs and 5000 explosive objects were found and destroyed;
As of December 16, Russian military doctors provided medical assistance to 529 citizens, including 63 children;
On December 15, 647 displaced persons returned from Yerevan to Stepanakert by buses with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers;
As of December 16, a total of 40,003 people have returned to Karabakh with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-12-16--Israel Wants To Deploy Joint Missile Systems With ‘Arab Allies’ To Persian Gulf

Israel is now promoting the idea of the cooperation in the field of missile defense with the Gulf monarchies that @ @ @ @ @ about Iran .
“ Things can be done , maybe in the future , ” @ @ @ @ @ heads the Israeli Missile Defence Organisation that is part of the Defence Ministry , said @ @ @ @ @ of the systems might be offered to Israel ’ s new partners in the Gulf @ @ @ @ @ systems there .
“ From an engineering point of view , of course there is @ @ @ @ @ That information can be shared , like sensors that can be deployed in both countries @ @ @ @ @ enemies .
”

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Israel is now promoting the idea of the cooperation in the field of missile defense with the Gulf monarchies that share its ‘concerns’ about Iran.
“Things can be done, maybe in the future,” Moshe Patel, who heads the Israeli Missile Defence Organisation that is part of the Defence Ministry, said, when asked whether any of the systems might be offered to Israel’s new partners in the Gulf, or synchronised with comparable systems there.
“From an engineering point of view, of course there is a lot of advantage. That information can be shared, like sensors that can be deployed in both countries because we have the same enemies.”


southfront--2020-12-16--Military Situation In Syria On December 16, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • On December 16 @ @ @ @ @ the al-Sumaria area in Damascus causing material damage .
No casualties were reported ; • @ @ @ @ @ Syrian Army and Russian forces operation against ISIS cells continued in the central desert ; @ @ @ @ @ Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 34 times : @ @ @ @ @ , 4 – in Aleppo province , 15 – in Latakia province , 2 – @ @ @ @ @ On December 16 , Iraq ’ s Kurdistan Democratic Party ( KDP ) allegedly thwarted @ @ @ @ @ Protection Units ( YPG ) infiltration near the Sihela area ; • On December 15 @ @ @ @ @ shelled positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) north of Ain Issa ; @ @ @ @ @ Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in the Arhab @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
On December 16, an IED exploded in the al-Sumaria area in Damascus causing material damage. No casualties were reported;
On December 16, the Syrian Army and Russian forces operation against ISIS cells continued in the central desert;
On December 16, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 34 times: 16 – in Idlib province, 4 – in Aleppo province, 15 – in Latakia province, 2 – in Hama province;
On December 16, Iraq’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) allegedly thwarted an Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) infiltration near the Sihela area;
On December 15, artillery of Turkish-backed forces shelled positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) north of Ain Issa;
On December 15, Syrian Arab Army (SAA) artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in the Arhab area.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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Biden’s Pyrrhic Victory

As predicted , the election turned out to be considerably closer than most pundits and polls predicted .
In spite of polling that suggested Biden leading Trump by a margin of 5 % -15 % , in actuality the popular vote margin of victory turned out to be more in the vicinity of modest 3 % , a remarkably lackluster showing on the part of a veteran political operative like Biden running against an incumbent whose tenure in office was characterized by a mishandled pandemic and a crashing economy .
Granted , much of the blame for that ought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governors , and their legislatures .
No institution of US governance is coming out of this crisis with an enhanced but , to quote Harry Truman , “ the buck stops ” in the Oval Office .
The weak margin of victory is nevertheless solid enough to survive legal challenges from Team Trump , which moreover lacks serious heavyweight operatives at the helm .
The 2000 election hinged on the outcome in a single state—Florida—which in turn hinged on a recount in a single county .
That was not an insurmountable challenge to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-time Bush family retainer , and it was likewise not overly unpalatable to the courts .
This time , however , the situation is far more complex .
It is no longer a matter of mis-counted ballots .
In order to give victory to Trump , the courts would have to in effect invalidate tens of thousands of ballots in several states , on the grounds that they were counted as valid votes in violation of existing laws and regulations .
Barring an extreme case of malfeasance by election officials in several states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrated , it is unlikely in the extreme the US court system will be willing to set a precedent that in the long term could fatally undermine the entire US system of elections .
Having said that , even senior GOP officials are happy to go along with the argument that Trump was robbed of victory through electoral fraud , in the form of abuse of mail-in ballots .
There is literally no political penalty to pay for that , and moreover casting lasting doubt on the legitimacy of Biden ’ s victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Democrats casting doubt on the legitimacy of Trump ’ s victory through the RussiaGate scandal .
One has to wonder whether Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s echoing of Trump ’ s allegations of voter fraud were at least in part motivated by him having to put up with being commonly referred to as “ Moscow Mitch ” on social media .
Spending the next four years investigating Biden family finances , and particularly Hunter Biden ’ s business dealings in Ukraine , China , and other regions whose politicians have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s good graces , is vastly preferable to four more years of RussiaGate .
Nevertheless , the GOP machine will hardly much expend political capital on behalf of Donald Trump , in support of his quest to emerge as the winner of the 2020 election .
While Trump proved to be a remarkably effective party base motivator , far better at the task than literally any GOP politician of note , he nevertheless poses a long-term threat to the stability of the two-party system .
Worse , Trump ’ s victory in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major losses in US Congress , governorships , and state legislature in 2022 and 2024 , with Trump himself being almost inevitably followed into the White House by a Democrat in 2024 , and possibly a very leftist Democrat at that .
That is a scenario that neither party wants to see , but to the GOP it would represent a close brush with death .
With Biden and Harris in the White House , both of them relatively unpopular politicians in their own right lacking even the fake charisma of Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly from losing the White House .
Even now it looks like a Pyrrhic victory for Biden , whose party will not retake the US Senate barring the unlikely victory in both of Georgia ’ s runoff races that will take place in January—by which time Biden ’ s gradual walking away from campaign promises and shifting ever further to the right will have demoralized the base of the Democratic Party—and will have actually suffered losses in the House of Representatives .
Biden ’ s victory also has not translated into any gains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of having the Democrats control all three branches of the Federal government by 2024 and at the same time enjoy expanded influence in State governments , it appears rather likely the GOP will return to that level of political dominance in only four short years .
Sacrificing Trump is a price well worth paying for it .
While it is too early to say who will be the GOP ’ s champion in the 2024 presidential elections , Donald Trump created an original blueprint for running an effective presidential campaign championing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong element of insular nationalism , as opposed to the aggressive nationalism of globalization that the Democrats embrace .
Almost regardless of who the Republican nominee is , they will run a modified version of Trump ’ s campaign , and they will do so with a high likelihood of success .
Biden ’ s own likely legacy as a one-term president will be the product of the combination of pandemic and associated economic crisis , and the Obama Alumni Association that will be running his administration .
One should not forget Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US Senate by running a “ law and order ” campaign in 1972 , the year of Richard Nixon ’ s spectacular re-election landslide that resulted from his application of the so-called “ Southern Strategy ” of exploiting the backlash to civil rights among the White population of not only the Southern states .
Over the decades , Biden himself rode that backlash to successive re-elections to US Senate by running campaigns with only thinly disguised racist themes .
That record all but vanished from public memory as soon as Biden was chosen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fact that Biden , an architect of many crime bills whose effect has been to disproportionately incarcerate Blacks , chose someone like Kamala Harris who enthusiastically applied the provisions of Biden ’ s crime bills , indicates Biden has not moved past his 1972 persona .
While paying lip service to “ Black Lives Matter ” and other slogans of the day , Biden ’ s campaign worked really hard to attract suburban White GOP voters and made hardly an effort to woo the growing Hispanic constituency .
Biden also has no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Police , Green New Deal , Medicare for All , that are sacrosanct to the most enthusiastic left wing of the Democratic Party .
It is already evident that the individuals Biden is appointing to his transition team and vetting for administration positions , including the just-announced Chief of Staff Ronald Klain , represent a return to the discredited policies of the Democratic Leadership Council .
Likewise when it comes to foreign policy , we are likely to see all manner of retreads from the Obama Administration and a continuation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden has already made it clear there will be no reduction in defense spending , no withdrawal from “ US leadership ” , and a return to an emphasis on “ human rights ” which collectively suggest redoubled regime change efforts around the globe .
There is even talk of Hillary Clinton becoming the US Ambassador to the United Nations , where she would presumably continue to ply her brand of American Exceptionalism .
All in all , Biden ’ s ascent to the presidency feels like the post-Napoleonic Bourbon Restoration .
Alas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing and forgot nothing ” , everything points to the Democrats making a very similar mistake for which they , and the country , will pay for dearly .

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Written and produced by SF Team: J.Hawk, Daniel Deiss, Edwin Watson
You can read this article in German. LINK
As predicted, the election turned out to be considerably closer than most pundits and polls predicted. In spite of polling that suggested Biden leading Trump by a margin of 5%-15%, in actuality the popular vote margin of victory turned out to be more in the vicinity of modest 3%, a remarkably lackluster showing on the part of a veteran political operative like Biden running against an incumbent whose tenure in office was characterized by a mishandled pandemic and a crashing economy. Granted, much of the blame for that ought to be shouldered by the Congress, state governors, and their legislatures. No institution of US governance is coming out of this crisis with an enhanced but, to quote Harry Truman, “the buck stops” in the Oval Office.
The weak margin of victory is nevertheless solid enough to survive legal challenges from Team Trump, which moreover lacks serious heavyweight operatives at the helm. The 2000 election hinged on the outcome in a single state—Florida—which in turn hinged on a recount in a single county. That was not an insurmountable challenge to the likes of James Baker, a long-time Bush family retainer, and it was likewise not overly unpalatable to the courts. This time, however, the situation is far more complex. It is no longer a matter of mis-counted ballots. In order to give victory to Trump, the courts would have to in effect invalidate tens of thousands of ballots in several states, on the grounds that they were counted as valid votes in violation of existing laws and regulations. Barring an extreme case of malfeasance by election officials in several states, something that is yet to be demonstrated, it is unlikely in the extreme the US court system will be willing to set a precedent that in the long term could fatally undermine the entire US system of elections.
Having said that, even senior GOP officials are happy to go along with the argument that Trump was robbed of victory through electoral fraud, in the form of abuse of mail-in ballots. There is literally no political penalty to pay for that, and moreover casting lasting doubt on the legitimacy of Biden’s victory represents payback for the last four years of Democrats casting doubt on the legitimacy of Trump’s victory through the RussiaGate scandal. One has to wonder whether Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s echoing of Trump’s allegations of voter fraud were at least in part motivated by him having to put up with being commonly referred to as “Moscow Mitch” on social media. Spending the next four years investigating Biden family finances, and particularly Hunter Biden’s business dealings in Ukraine, China, and other regions whose politicians have an interest in being in Joe Biden’s good graces, is vastly preferable to four more years of RussiaGate.
Nevertheless, the GOP machine will hardly much expend political capital on behalf of Donald Trump, in support of his quest to emerge as the winner of the 2020 election. While Trump proved to be a remarkably effective party base motivator, far better at the task than literally any GOP politician of note, he nevertheless poses a long-term threat to the stability of the two-party system. Worse, Trump’s victory in 2020 would have doomed the GOP to major losses in US Congress, governorships, and state legislature in 2022 and 2024, with Trump himself being almost inevitably followed into the White House by a Democrat in 2024, and possibly a very leftist Democrat at that. That is a scenario that neither party wants to see, but to the GOP it would represent a close brush with death.
With Biden and Harris in the White House, both of them relatively unpopular politicians in their own right lacking even the fake charisma of Barack Obama, GOP is likely to rebound very quickly from losing the White House. Even now it looks like a Pyrrhic victory for Biden, whose party will not retake the US Senate barring the unlikely victory in both of Georgia’s runoff races that will take place in January—by which time Biden’s gradual walking away from campaign promises and shifting ever further to the right will have demoralized the base of the Democratic Party—and will have actually suffered losses in the House of Representatives. Biden’s victory also has not translated into any gains at all in state races. So instead of having the Democrats control all three branches of the Federal government by 2024 and at the same time enjoy expanded influence in State governments, it appears rather likely the GOP will return to that level of political dominance in only four short years. Sacrificing Trump is a price well worth paying for it. While it is too early to say who will be the GOP’s champion in the 2024 presidential elections, Donald Trump created an original blueprint for running an effective presidential campaign championing a conservative version of national greatness with a strong element of insular nationalism, as opposed to the aggressive nationalism of globalization that the Democrats embrace. Almost regardless of who the Republican nominee is, they will run a modified version of Trump’s campaign, and they will do so with a high likelihood of success.
Biden’s own likely legacy as a one-term president will be the product of the combination of pandemic and associated economic crisis, and the Obama Alumni Association that will be running his administration. One should not forget Joe Biden won his first election to the US Senate by running a “law and order” campaign in 1972, the year of Richard Nixon’s spectacular re-election landslide that resulted from his application of the so-called “Southern Strategy” of exploiting the backlash to civil rights among the White population of not only the Southern states. Over the decades, Biden himself rode that backlash to successive re-elections to US Senate by running campaigns with only thinly disguised racist themes. That record all but vanished from public memory as soon as Biden was chosen as Obama’s running mate. The fact that Biden, an architect of many crime bills whose effect has been to disproportionately incarcerate Blacks, chose someone like Kamala Harris who enthusiastically applied the provisions of Biden’s crime bills, indicates Biden has not moved past his 1972 persona. While paying lip service to “Black Lives Matter” and other slogans of the day, Biden’s campaign worked really hard to attract suburban White GOP voters and made hardly an effort to woo the growing Hispanic constituency. Biden also has no use for such hot-button issues as Defund the Police, Green New Deal, Medicare for All, that are sacrosanct to the most enthusiastic left wing of the Democratic Party. It is already evident that the individuals Biden is appointing to his transition team and vetting for administration positions, including the just-announced Chief of Staff Ronald Klain, represent a return to the discredited policies of the Democratic Leadership Council.
Likewise when it comes to foreign policy, we are likely to see all manner of retreads from the Obama Administration and a continuation of the aggressive foreign policy from those years. Biden has already made it clear there will be no reduction in defense spending, no withdrawal from “US leadership”, and a return to an emphasis on “human rights” which collectively suggest redoubled regime change efforts around the globe. There is even talk of Hillary Clinton becoming the US Ambassador to the United Nations, where she would presumably continue to ply her brand of American Exceptionalism. All in all, Biden’s ascent to the presidency feels like the post-Napoleonic Bourbon Restoration. Alas, just as the Bourbons “learned nothing and forgot nothing”, everything points to the Democrats making a very similar mistake for which they, and the country, will pay for dearly.
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southfront--2020-12-16--SouthFront Will Not Survive Without Your Immediate Support!

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southfront--2020-12-16--US Navy’s New Shipbuilding Plan Wants To “Achieve Maritime Supremacy” Amid Rising China

The Trump administration recently announced a new long-term shipbuilding plan that will boost the Navy ’ s fleet as it confronts a rising China in the South China Sea .
According to Bloomberg , citing a senior admin official , the Navy ’ s shipbuilding budget for fiscal 2022 would increase by 33 % to $ 27 billion over this fiscal year .
By 2023 , it would increase to $ 28.5 billion , reaching $ 38.5 billion in fiscal 2026 .
The ambitious plan to rebuild the Navy after decades of cuts to shipbuilding comes as the fleet has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger than it was nearly a century ago .
Trump has prioritized expanding the fleet of 275 ships to 355 vessels within a decade .
The plan is part of a 30-year shipbuilding program that will expand the fleet to 500 by 2045 .
“ Since taking office , President Trump has promised to increase the size of our naval fleet to 355 battleships , re-establish the United States as the global power at sea to continue to secure our country while making it more prosperous , ” Office of Management and Budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Vought continued : “ Our updated 30-year shipbuilding plan is a credible , affordable road map for achieving maritime supremacy—all while tightening our belts—and sending a strong message to our adversaries like China.
” The shipbuilding plan also includes a list of 48 vessels set to be decommissioned or placed out of service during the fiscal years 2022 through 2026 .
Planned retirements include the “ first Nimitz-class aircraft carrier , the first two Ohio-class guided-missile submarines , and the first Victorious-class ocean surveillance ship , ” said Seapower Magazine , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 Los Angeles-class attack submarines ” will be retired as well .
Here ’ s the full list of retirements between 2022-2026 : • Six Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers will be placed in reserve : San Jacinto ( CG 56 ) , Hue City ( CG 66 ) , Anzio ( CG 68 ) Vella Gulf ( CG 72 ) and Port Royal ( CG 73 ) .
• One Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship will be placed in reserve : Whidbey Island ( LSD 41 ) .
• Two Los Angeles-class attack submarines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 719 ) and Oklahoma City ( SSN 723 ) .
• One Powhatan-class fleet ocean tug will be disposed : Apache ( T-ATF 172 ) .
• Two Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers will be placed in reserve : Bunker Hill ( CG 52 ) and Mobile Bay ( CG 53 ) .
• Four Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships will be placed in reserve : Germantown ( LSD 42 ) , Gunston Hall ( LSD 44 ) , and Ashland ( LSD 48 ) .
• One Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LSD 50 ) .
• Two Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oilers will be disposed : John Lenthall ( T-AO 189 ) .
• One Powhatan-class fleet ocean tug will be disposed : Catawba ( T-ATF 168 ) .
• One Safeguard-class rescue and salvage ship will be disposed : Grasp ( T-ARS 51 ) • Two Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers will be placed in reserve : Antietam ( CG 54 ) and Shiloh ( CG 67 ) .
• One Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship will be placed in reserve : Rushmore ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferry-class dock landing ships will be placed in reserve : Harpers Ferry ( LSD 49 ) and Pearl Harbor ( LSD 52 ) .
• Four Los Angeles-class attack submarines will be recycled : Chicago ( SSN 721 ) , Key West ( SSN 722 ) San Juan ( SSN 751 ) and Topeka ( SSN 754 ) .
• Four Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships will be disposed : Sentry ( MCM 3 ) , Devastator ( MCM 6 ) , Gladiator ( MCM 11 ) and Dextrous ( MCM 13 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be disposed : Salvor ( T-ARS 52 ) .
• One Nimitz-class aircraft carrier will be recycled : Nimitz ( CVN 68 ) .
• One Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship will be placed in reserve : Oak Hill ( LSD 51 ) .
• Two Los Angeles-class attack submarines will be recycled : Helena ( SSN 725 ) and Pasadena ( SSN 752 ) .
• One Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler will be disposed : Joshua Humphreys ( T-AO 188 ) • One Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser will be placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
• One Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship will be placed in reserve : Comstock ( LSD 45 ) .
• Two Ohio-class guided-missile submarines will be recycled : Ohio ( SSGN 726 ) and Florida ( SSGN 728 ) .
• Three Los Angeles-class attack submarines will be recycled : Newport News ( SSN 750 ) , Scranton ( SSN 756 ) and Alexandria ( SSN 757 ) .
• One Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler will be disposed : Pecos ( T-AO 197 ) .
So what is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US preparing for a naval and air clash with China in the South China Sea , or somewhere in the Pacific ?
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Curse Of Saudis : Tanker Explosions And Other Unfortunate Events • Iran Gears Up To Repel US Strikes Expected Before Trump Leaves White House

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
The Trump administration recently announced a new long-term shipbuilding plan that will boost the Navy’s fleet as it confronts a rising China in the South China Sea.
According to Bloomberg, citing a senior admin official, the Navy’s shipbuilding budget for fiscal 2022 would increase by 33% to $27 billion over this fiscal year. By 2023, it would increase to $28.5 billion, reaching $38.5 billion in fiscal 2026.
The ambitious plan to rebuild the Navy after decades of cuts to shipbuilding comes as the fleet has been stripped down to a size barely larger than it was nearly a century ago.
Trump has prioritized expanding the fleet of 275 ships to 355 vessels within a decade. The plan is part of a 30-year shipbuilding program that will expand the fleet to 500 by 2045.
“Since taking office, President Trump has promised to increase the size of our naval fleet to 355 battleships, re-establish the United States as the global power at sea to continue to secure our country while making it more prosperous,” Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought said in a statement.
Vought continued: “Our updated 30-year shipbuilding plan is a credible, affordable road map for achieving maritime supremacy—all while tightening our belts—and sending a strong message to our adversaries like China.”
The shipbuilding plan also includes a list of 48 vessels set to be decommissioned or placed out of service during the fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
Planned retirements include the “first Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, the first two Ohio-class guided-missile submarines, and the first Victorious-class ocean surveillance ship,” said Seapower Magazine, adding that “11 Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers and 11 Los Angeles-class attack submarines” will be retired as well.
Here’s the full list of retirements between 2022-2026:
In 2022:
Six Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers will be placed in reserve: San Jacinto (CG 56), Hue City (CG 66), Anzio (CG 68) Vella Gulf (CG 72) and Port Royal (CG 73).
One Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship will be placed in reserve: Whidbey Island (LSD 41).
Two Los Angeles-class attack submarines will be recycled: Providence (SSN 719) and Oklahoma City (SSN 723).
One Powhatan-class fleet ocean tug will be disposed: Apache (T-ATF 172).
In 2023:
Two Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers will be placed in reserve: Bunker Hill (CG 52) and Mobile Bay (CG 53).
Four Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships will be placed in reserve: Germantown (LSD 42), Gunston Hall (LSD 44), and Ashland (LSD 48).
One Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship will be placed in reserve: Carter Hall (LSD 50).
Two Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oilers will be disposed: John Lenthall (T-AO 189).
One Powhatan-class fleet ocean tug will be disposed: Catawba (T-ATF 168).
One Safeguard-class rescue and salvage ship will be disposed: Grasp (T-ARS 51)
In 2024:
Two Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers will be placed in reserve: Antietam (CG 54) and Shiloh (CG 67).
One Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship will be placed in reserve: Rushmore (LSD 47).
Two Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ships will be placed in reserve: Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and Pearl Harbor (LSD 52).
Four Los Angeles-class attack submarines will be recycled: Chicago (SSN 721), Key West (SSN 722) San Juan (SSN 751) and Topeka (SSN 754).
Four Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships will be disposed: Sentry (MCM 3), Devastator (MCM 6), Gladiator (MCM 11) and Dextrous (MCM 13).
One Safeguard-class rescue and salvage ship will be disposed: Salvor (T-ARS 52).
In 2025:
One Nimitz-class aircraft carrier will be recycled: Nimitz (CVN 68).
One Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship will be placed in reserve: Oak Hill (LSD 51).
Two Los Angeles-class attack submarines will be recycled: Helena (SSN 725) and Pasadena (SSN 752).
One Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler will be disposed: Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188)
In 2026:
One Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser will be placed in reserve: Chancellorsville (CG 62).
One Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship will be placed in reserve: Comstock (LSD 45).
Two Ohio-class guided-missile submarines will be recycled: Ohio (SSGN 726) and Florida (SSGN 728).
Three Los Angeles-class attack submarines will be recycled: Newport News (SSN 750), Scranton (SSN 756) and Alexandria (SSN 757).
One Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler will be disposed: Pecos (T-AO 197).
One Victorious-class ocean surveillance ship: Victorious (T-AGOS 19).
So what is the Navy’s strategy here? Is the US preparing for a naval and air clash with China in the South China Sea, or somewhere in the Pacific?
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southfront--2020-12-16--Queen Elizabeth-Class Aircraft Carrier (Infographics)

Click to see the full-size image The Queen Elizabeth is the class of two aircraft carriers , which are currently @ @ @ @ @ Kingdom ’ s Royal Navy .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Make Way For @ @ @ @ @ s Third-Gen T-14 Main Battle Tank Enters Serial Production

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The Queen Elizabeth is the class of two aircraft carriers, which are currently in service with the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy.
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southfront--2020-12-16--In Video: Russian Warlanes Pound ISIS Targets In Syria’s Homs Province

Over the past weeks , the Russian Aerospace Forces have resumed intense airstrikes on ISIS targets in the central Syrian desert .
New Wave Of Russian Airstrikes Hit ISIS Terrorists In Central Syria As Death Toll From Clashes Reaches 22 ( December 13 , 2020 ) : Heavy clashes between Syrian government forces and ISIS terrorists are still ongoing in the country ’ s central region , according to several sources .
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) said the clashes have been taking place in the Aleppo-Hama-Raqqa triangle , north of the Homs desert .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in central Syria .
Warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces provide government forces with a close air support .
On December 12 and 13 , Russian warplanes carried out more than 70 airstrikes on ISIS terrorists and their hideouts .
According to the SOHR , government troops and Russian airstrikes have so far killed 15 terrorists .
Seven Syrian soldiers also lost their lives in the clashes .
The SOHR documented the death of 601 ISIS terrorists in the central region since March of 2019 .
At the same period , 1064 pro-government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanese or Palestinians ] , were killed .
ISIS terrorists stepped up their attacks on government force this year in what appears to be an attempt to expand their influence n the central region .
Government forces conduct operations around the Homs desert on a regular basis .
However , the ISIS threat in the central region continues to grow .
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Over the past weeks, the Russian Aerospace Forces have resumed intense airstrikes on ISIS targets in the central Syrian desert.
New Wave Of Russian Airstrikes Hit ISIS Terrorists In Central Syria As Death Toll From Clashes Reaches 22 (December 13, 2020):
Heavy clashes between Syrian government forces and ISIS terrorists are still ongoing in the country’s central region, according to several sources.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the clashes have been taking place in the Aleppo-Hama-Raqqa triangle, north of the Homs desert. The region is ISIS’ main stronghold in central Syria.
Warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces provide government forces with a close air support. On December 12 and 13, Russian warplanes carried out more than 70 airstrikes on ISIS terrorists and their hideouts.
According to the SOHR, government troops and Russian airstrikes have so far killed 15 terrorists. Seven Syrian soldiers also lost their lives in the clashes.
“The death toll is expected to rise further as there are several combatants injured, some seriously. There are also unconfirmed reports of more casualties,” the monitoring group’s report reads.
The SOHR documented the death of 601 ISIS terrorists in the central region since March of 2019. At the same period, 1064 pro-government fighters, including foreigners [Iranian, Lebanese or Palestinians], were killed.
ISIS terrorists stepped up their attacks on government force this year in what appears to be an attempt to expand their influence n the central region.
Government forces conduct operations around the Homs desert on a regular basis. However, the ISIS threat in the central region continues to grow.
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southfront--2020-12-16--Russia’s FSB Allegedly Tried To Poison Navalny A Second Time, Or Maybe The GRU Did, Who Knows, Reall

Russia’s FSB Allegedly Tried To Poison Navalny A Second Time, Or Maybe The GRU Did, Who Knows, Really?

The comedy series with the alleged ‘ novichok poisoning ’ ( spoiler : NO ) of neo-liberal , pro-Western Russian ‘ opposition figure ’ Alexey Navalny just got the second season .
So , here you go : The Times claimed that Russia allegedly attempted to assassinate opposition figure Alexey Navalny a second time , again with Novichok , after the first alleged attempt failed .
However , the extremely deadly nerve agent that the entire world fears is apparently incredibly ineffective , or Navalny was , somehow , inoculated to it .
Allegedly , he was given an “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped the alleged second batch of poison .
The Times alleged that Russian security forces may have influenced the doctor who treated Navalny in Omsk .
Of course , that ’ s why he later announced that “ Putin ’ s greatest critic ” was probably suffering from a metabolic disorder rather than poisoning .
So-called unnamed German security sources believe that the would-be assassins used this opportunity to carry out a second attack with the deadly nerve agent .
So far , according to MSM and various Western officials , Russia has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter Yulia Skripal , and has twice tried to poison Alexey Navalny .
So far , all three alleged attempts by Russian GRU agents failed .
This was according to The Times ’ version .
Then comes “ investigative website ” Bellingcat ’ s version , which was created in conjunction with CNN .
Apparently , not only did Russia allegedly try to poison Navalny on August 20th , and then try again shortly after that , but they also allegedly tried in July 2020 , but also failed .
It happened when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on vacation in Kaliningrad , Russia ’ s exclave between Latvia and Poland .
Navalny told CNN that she described a sense of sudden exhaustion and disorientation .
Yulia recovered and the exact cause of her illness was not determined .
Experts told CNN that such symptoms are consistent with a low dosage of poisoning .
And looking back , Navalny believes the symptoms were “ absolutely the same ” as those he would suffer weeks later .
It all just made sense now , despite these same experts cited by CNN haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Furthermore , Maria Pevchikh , somebody who was largely unknown prior to August 20th , turns out is a campaign manager of sorts for Navalny , and she was widely and well known .
According to the investigation , furthermore , Navalny had not one team of five or six people targeting him , but actually two teams .
Essentially , the claim is that not 6 , but 12 FSB agents wanted to poison and kill Alexey Navalny , and they all failed .
And yes – this version claims the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On December 14th , CNN visited the home of Oleg Tayakin , who is allegedly a member of an elite team in the FSB and who monitored allegedly the toxins team ’ s communications while Navalny was in Siberia .
When asked whether he was involved with the unit , he abruptly closed the door without comment .
At least if Pevchikh denies it , that ’ s enough proof anybody needs .
On December 11th , Russian President Vladimir Putin told Russia ’ s Human Rights Council that , while it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation every time someone nearly died , he had asked prosecutors to look into the Navalny case .
Russian analysts were looking at the materials available to them , Putin said , but were being blocked elsewhere .
If any of this holds water , this is quite pitiful in view of the activities of the Russian security service or the military intelligence .
Be it the GRU or FSB , they both failed , more than once to eliminate a citizen of Russia , while he was in the country .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managed to assassinate an Iranian official , via drone strike , while he was in a country that was neither the US , nor Iran .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Kremlin Alleges Is “ Working With CIA ” After Bombshell Charge : ‘ Putin Poisoned Me !
’

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The comedy series with the alleged ‘novichok poisoning’ (spoiler: NO) of neo-liberal, pro-Western Russian ‘opposition figure’ Alexey Navalny just got the second season.
So, here you go: The Times claimed that Russia allegedly attempted to assassinate opposition figure Alexey Navalny a second time, again with Novichok, after the first alleged attempt failed.
“The lethal nerve agent is said to have been used again with the hopes that he would die before he arrived in Berlin for medical treatment after the Kremlin gave into pressure from around the world to let him travel.”
However, the extremely deadly nerve agent that the entire world fears is apparently incredibly ineffective, or Navalny was, somehow, inoculated to it.
Allegedly, he was given an “antidote” that saved his life and stopped the alleged second batch of poison.
“That atropine saved his life,” former commander of the British army’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment, Hamish de Bretton-Gordon told The Times.
The Times alleged that Russian security forces may have influenced the doctor who treated Navalny in Omsk.
Of course, that’s why he later announced that “Putin’s greatest critic” was probably suffering from a metabolic disorder rather than poisoning.
So-called unnamed German security sources believe that the would-be assassins used this opportunity to carry out a second attack with the deadly nerve agent.
“This was with a view to him being dead by the time he arrived in Berlin,” the newspaper quoted one source as saying.
So far, according to MSM and various Western officials, Russia has attempted to poison Sergey Skripal and his daughter Yulia Skripal, and has twice tried to poison Alexey Navalny. So far, all three alleged attempts by Russian GRU agents failed.
This was according to The Times’ version.
Then comes “investigative website” Bellingcat’s version, which was created in conjunction with CNN.
“A Bellingcat investigation with CNN has identified at least six members of a Russian intelligence team that specializes in toxins and nerve agents. Phone and flight records show that for years, the team’s operatives surveilled Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. Navalny was poisoned during a trip to Tomsk in August.”
Apparently, not only did Russia allegedly try to poison Navalny on August 20th, and then try again shortly after that, but they also allegedly tried in July 2020, but also failed.
It happened when Alexey Navalny and his wife Yulia were on vacation in Kaliningrad, Russia’s exclave between Latvia and Poland.
On July 6th, Yulia fell ill after returning home.
Navalny told CNN that she described a sense of sudden exhaustion and disorientation. Yulia recovered and the exact cause of her illness was not determined.
Experts told CNN that such symptoms are consistent with a low dosage of poisoning. And looking back, Navalny believes the symptoms were “absolutely the same” as those he would suffer weeks later.
“I couldn’t connect these dots. Now I realize how bad she was, what it was, the kind of terrible, terrible feeling she experienced at this time.”
It all just made sense now, despite these same experts cited by CNN haven’t even been mentioned by name.
Furthermore, Maria Pevchikh, somebody who was largely unknown prior to August 20th, turns out is a campaign manager of sorts for Navalny, and she was widely and well known.
According to the investigation, furthermore, Navalny had not one team of five or six people targeting him, but actually two teams.
Essentially, the claim is that not 6, but 12 FSB agents wanted to poison and kill Alexey Navalny, and they all failed.
And yes – this version claims the FSB did it, not the GRU.
On December 14th, CNN visited the home of Oleg Tayakin, who is allegedly a member of an elite team in the FSB and who monitored allegedly the toxins team’s communications while Navalny was in Siberia.
When asked whether he was involved with the unit, he abruptly closed the door without comment.
“Russian officials and media have advanced dozens of scenarios to explain Navalny’s poisoning, suggesting it might have been done on the plane that took him to Germany. One of the favorite theories of state media is that Pevchikh was responsible, working for British intelligence in an effort to smear the Russian government. Pevchikh has dismissed the allegation.”
At least if Pevchikh denies it, that’s enough proof anybody needs.
On December 11th, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Russia’s Human Rights Council that, while it was not necessary to open a criminal investigation every time someone nearly died, he had asked prosecutors to look into the Navalny case.
Russian analysts were looking at the materials available to them, Putin said, but were being blocked elsewhere.
“Our specialists are ready to travel abroad — to France, Germany, and the Netherlands — to see specialists who claim that poisonous warfare agents have been found there,” Putin said. “Nobody invites us. We invited them to us. They don’t come to us.”
If any of this holds water, this is quite pitiful in view of the activities of the Russian security service or the military intelligence. Be it the GRU or FSB, they both failed, more than once to eliminate a citizen of Russia, while he was in the country.
At the same time, the United States managed to assassinate an Iranian official, via drone strike, while he was in a country that was neither the US, nor Iran.
Puzzling, really.
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southfront--2020-12-16--Ukraine To Produce Warships And UAVs Under Turkish Supervision

On December 15th , Ukrainian Defense Minister Andrii Taran signed agreements with Turkish companies on technology transfer and production of corvettes for the Ukrainian Navy and combat UAVs for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine .
The signing took place during the visit of the Turkish delegation headed by the President of the Defense Industries of the Republic of Turkey Ismail Demir .
According to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine , these are primarily projects designed to radically strengthen the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian Navy to enhance security in the Black and Azov Sea regions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreements within the framework of the intergovernmental agreement and noted that the cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey in the field of defense is of a strategic nature .
According to Taran , these agreements are the first foreign economic agreements on military goods concluded by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense .
In October the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andrii Taran and the President of the Turkish Defense Industries Ismail Demir signed a Memorandum outlining their intentions to launch and implement joint projects to build warships , unmanned aerial vehicles and all types @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan concluded a framework military agreement .
The document was signed by Turkey ’ s National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and the Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran .
The contract will expand bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the military sector .
Around then , Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky boasted that many countries were assisting Ukraine in its preparations for war by boosting its military capabilities .
This statement was made after Zelensky visited Ankara .
Vadim Nozdriya , General Manager of Ukrspetseskport , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firms , said they are interested in the joint production of Bayraktar TB2 UAVs in Ukraine and plan to buy 48 co-production platforms .
In September , Antonov CEO Oleksandr Los stated that the company is committed to cooperating with the Turkish aerospace industry for the production of AN-178 aircraft .
Zelenskiy said , “ As for the Antonov plane… We are absolutely satisfied with the attention shown to this initiative.
” Turkey is running out of options for partners for its drone fleet , as well as other aircraft and helicopters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production of turbines and aircraft engines , and Ukraine has some success in the field .
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On December 15th, Ukrainian Defense Minister Andrii Taran signed agreements with Turkish companies on technology transfer and production of corvettes for the Ukrainian Navy and combat UAVs for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The signing took place during the visit of the Turkish delegation headed by the President of the Defense Industries of the Republic of Turkey Ismail Demir.
According to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, these are primarily projects designed to radically strengthen the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian Navy to enhance security in the Black and Azov Sea regions.
The parties discussed the implementation of the agreements within the framework of the intergovernmental agreement and noted that the cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey in the field of defense is of a strategic nature.
According to Taran, these agreements are the first foreign economic agreements on military goods concluded by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
In October the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andrii Taran and the President of the Turkish Defense Industries Ismail Demir signed a Memorandum outlining their intentions to launch and implement joint projects to build warships, unmanned aerial vehicles and all types of turbines.
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan concluded a framework military agreement. The document was signed by Turkey’s National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and the Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran. The contract will expand bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the military sector.
Around then, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky boasted that many countries were assisting Ukraine in its preparations for war by boosting its military capabilities.
“The US Congress has approved $250m in military aid to Ukraine. We have signed a 1 billion 250 million Pound agreement with the United Kingdom to strengthen the Ukrainian Navy. We’re going to get the Island-class patrol ships. Together with Turkey, we will develop air defence systems by producing corvette, engines and military drones,” Zelenskiy said.
This statement was made after Zelensky visited Ankara.
“We are buying drones from Turkey. Ukraine, on the other hand, produces engines for drones. Therefore, it will not be very difficult for us to start a joint venture,” Ukrainian President Zelenskiy said.
Vadim Nozdriya, General Manager of Ukrspetseskport, one of the country’s state-state-state firms, said they are interested in the joint production of Bayraktar TB2 UAVs in Ukraine and plan to buy 48 co-production platforms.
In September, Antonov CEO Oleksandr Los stated that the company is committed to cooperating with the Turkish aerospace industry for the production of AN-178 aircraft. Zelenskiy said, “As for the Antonov plane… We are absolutely satisfied with the attention shown to this initiative.”
Turkey is running out of options for partners for its drone fleet, as well as other aircraft and helicopters, it appears to be struggling in the production of turbines and aircraft engines, and Ukraine has some success in the field.
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southfront--2020-12-16--Identities Of Men Beheaded By Azerbaijan Soldiers Revealed, Political Crisis Deepens In Yerevan

On December 15th , the two elderly men who were beheaded by Azerbaijani soldiers in videos that were widely shared across social media were identified as two Armenian civilians .
The ethnic Armenian men were non-combatants , people in their respective villages said .
Both were beheaded by men in the uniforms of the Azerbaijani armed forces .
The Guardian interviewed villagers on the matter .
In videos posted online on 22 November and 3 December , men in uniforms consistent with those of the Azerbaijani military hold down and decapitate a man using a knife .
One then places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One victim was Genadi Petrosyan , 69 , who had moved to the village of Madatashen in the late 1980s from the city of Sumgait , in Azerbaijan .
Genadi Petrosyan , who lived alone , resisted leaving the village as Azerbaijani forces closed in .
When a neighbour tried to drive him away , he got out of the car and walked home .
Artak Beglaryan , the Artsakh ombudsman , said Petrosyan had been identified by combing 35 missing persons reports for the region and then contacting acquaintances , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was identified as Yuri Asryan , a reclusive 82-year-old who had refused to leave the village on October 20th as Azerbaijani forces approached .
Azerbaijan ’ s general prosecutor last month publicly launched an investigation into war crimes by both Baku and Yerevan .
On December 14th it made its first arrests , detaining two Azerbaijani soldiers for defiling the bodies of dead Armenian troops and two for destroying graves .
It has not publicly opened any criminal cases into beheadings .
There are hundreds more videos of abuses online .
Sahakyan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of captive Armenian soldiers and civilians in the European court of human rights , including 35 that included video evidence .
Separately , the political crisis in Armenia is deepening .
The opposition , represented by 17 parties , announced that it would start disobedience actions again if Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not resign .
The goal is to celebrate the New Year , having achieved the resignation of Pashinyan .
Former Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan also made a statement on the matter : “ The Republic of Armenia and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis – moral , psychological , political , economic , social , value .
It is difficult to imagine a deeper crisis .
What else should there be ?
I think that the government , under whose rule this crisis arose , while remaining in power , will severely limit the country ’ s development opportunities , opportunities to use national potential and opportunities .
Taking into account , on the one hand , the backward and aggressive policy of Azerbaijan aimed at consolidating its success , and on the other hand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this crisis every day damages us , only us .
This defining moment is the strongest test for the government to show whether they are able to rise above narrow political interests , show high consciousness , give the country peace , political forces – to rethink their past and form a vision for the future , and the people – to form a new government .
I hope that the Prime Minister will find the courage to decide to leave for the good of the future of our country.
” Separately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue , since Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar issued a warning to Armenia to not undertake any aggressive actions or there would be new war with Yerevan , and this time with the official participation of Turkey .
A list was also published , revealing the identities of 88 militants that Turkey deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh to fight on behalf of Azerbaijan .
It is said that they were promised $ 2,000 a month salary .
The first prisoner exchange took place as part of the peace deal .
Tigran Avinyan , Armenia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 44 captives had been returned to the country from Azerbaijan .
Meanwhile , 12 captives were handed over to Azerbaijan , the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed .
The exchange was facilitated by Russian peacekeepers that have been deployed to the region under the deal , which was brokered by Moscow .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Azerbaijan And Turkey Plan To Agree On Gas Deliveries To Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

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On December 15th, the two elderly men who were beheaded by Azerbaijani soldiers in videos that were widely shared across social media were identified as two Armenian civilians.
The ethnic Armenian men were non-combatants, people in their respective villages said. Both were beheaded by men in the uniforms of the Azerbaijani armed forces.
The Guardian interviewed villagers on the matter.
In videos posted online on 22 November and 3 December, men in uniforms consistent with those of the Azerbaijani military hold down and decapitate a man using a knife. One then places the severed head on a dead animal.
“This is how we get revenge – by cutting off heads,” a voice said off camera.
One victim was Genadi Petrosyan, 69, who had moved to the village of Madatashen in the late 1980s from the city of Sumgait, in Azerbaijan.
Genadi Petrosyan, who lived alone, resisted leaving the village as Azerbaijani forces closed in. When a neighbour tried to drive him away, he got out of the car and walked home.
Artak Beglaryan, the Artsakh ombudsman, said Petrosyan had been identified by combing 35 missing persons reports for the region and then contacting acquaintances, who confirmed his identity.
The second victim was identified as Yuri Asryan, a reclusive 82-year-old who had refused to leave the village on October 20th as Azerbaijani forces approached.
Azerbaijan’s general prosecutor last month publicly launched an investigation into war crimes by both Baku and Yerevan.
On December 14th it made its first arrests, detaining two Azerbaijani soldiers for defiling the bodies of dead Armenian troops and two for destroying graves. It has not publicly opened any criminal cases into beheadings.
There are hundreds more videos of abuses online. Sahakyan said she and a colleague were pursuing 75 cases of captive Armenian soldiers and civilians in the European court of human rights, including 35 that included video evidence.
Separately, the political crisis in Armenia is deepening.
The opposition, represented by 17 parties, announced that it would start disobedience actions again if Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not resign. The goal is to celebrate the New Year, having achieved the resignation of Pashinyan.
Former Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan also made a statement on the matter:
“The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh are in a deep crisis – moral, psychological, political, economic, social, value. It is difficult to imagine a deeper crisis. What else should there be? I think that the government, under whose rule this crisis arose, while remaining in power, will severely limit the country’s development opportunities, opportunities to use national potential and opportunities. Taking into account, on the one hand, the backward and aggressive policy of Azerbaijan aimed at consolidating its success, and on the other hand, the challenges facing Armenia, the continuation of this crisis every day damages us, only us. This defining moment is the strongest test for the government to show whether they are able to rise above narrow political interests, show high consciousness, give the country peace, political forces – to rethink their past and form a vision for the future, and the people – to form a new government. I hope that the Prime Minister will find the courage to decide to leave for the good of the future of our country.”
Separately, the escalations in Nagorno-Karabakh are likely to continue, since Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar issued a warning to Armenia to not undertake any aggressive actions or there would be new war with Yerevan, and this time with the official participation of Turkey.
“If the agreements on Karabakh are violated, we can immediately switch to the military option (solution of the issue). We have already assumed responsibility for the security of the liberated territories of Azerbaijan,” Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said.
A list was also published, revealing the identities of 88 militants that Turkey deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh to fight on behalf of Azerbaijan.
It is said that they were promised $2,000 a month salary.
The first prisoner exchange took place as part of the peace deal.
Tigran Avinyan, Armenia’s deputy prime minister, announced that 44 captives had been returned to the country from Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, 12 captives were handed over to Azerbaijan, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed.
The exchange was facilitated by Russian peacekeepers that have been deployed to the region under the deal, which was brokered by Moscow.
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southfront--2020-12-16--Curse Of Saudis: Tanker Explosions And Other Unfortunate Events


southfront--2020-12-16--Map Update: Israeli Strikes On Syria In 2020

Click to see the full-size image The tensions between the US-Israeli bloc and Iranian-led forces in the Greater Middle East @ @ @ @ @ takes into account what has been happening in Syria in 2020 .
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The tensions between the US-Israeli bloc and Iranian-led forces in the Greater Middle East are especially clear if one takes into account what has been happening in Syria in 2020.
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southfront--2020-12-16--Turquía Y Azerbaiyán Reclaman Ereván Y Sueñan Con Capturar Todo El Cáucaso

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southfront--2020-12-16--Happy 2020 : The Richest Count Profit While The World Is In Crisis

The 2020 is nearing its end .
The pandemic of SARS COV-2 and the containment measures that have been adopted in most countries have led to an escalation of the economic crisis .
However , while most people are trying to calculate the losses , the size of the world ’ s largest capitals has increased by 20 % over the past year according to Forbes .
According to Forbes ’ estimations the 2,200-plus billionaires in the world have collectively gotten $ 1.9 trillion richer in 2020 .
The calculations based on stock prices from December 11 revealed that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trillion , which is 20 % more than the one on December 31 , 2019 .
The wealth of more than 600 American billionaires is $ 4 trillion , it increased on $ 560 billion since the beginning of the year .
The fortune of Tesla co-founder Elon Musk showed the largest capital growth by $ 110 billion and put him on the third line of the ranking of the richest people in the world .
The growth of Musk ’ s fortune was provided by stocks of Tesla Motors , which rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sharp increase in the capital of the ten richest people in the United States took place the day after the presidential election .
Their combined wealth increased by more than $ 33 billion .
The most significant growth was shown by the assets of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos , his fortune increased by $ 10.5 billion .
He remains the richest man in the world thanks to the pandemic and people forced to go shopping online .
Among the others beneficiaries , there are Facebook founder Mark Zukerberg , whose capital is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Page ( $ 77 billion ) and the founder of the Indian holding company Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani ( $ 74.1 billion ) .
Louis Vuitton and Dior Bernard Arnault earned only $ 3.6 billion .
Bill Gates ’ fortune increased by $ 668 million .
Chinese billionaires as a group became the richest this year in dollar terms .
The main reason for the growth of the billion-dollar fortunes was the growth in the stock markets throughout this year .
The S & P 500 index is up 13 % this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the coronavirus spread , the NASDAQ is up 38 % .
Thus , the main beneficiary of all the crises that took place in 2020 was the global oligarchy .
In the context of limited and merged markets , the enrichment of a minority means the impoverishment of a large part of the world ’ s population .
Today this fact is confirmed by UN data on the food crisis in Africa and Asia .
According to the WFP , the number of people in hunger has increased from 80 million to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which means that we are going to face the worst humanitarian crisis in the last half century .
It can be assumed that for Africa and Third World countries , the minimum amount that can ensure food security for one person is $ 50 per month .
Thus , it turns out that the capital that the richest people received during the year could provide more than 3 billion people in hunger with the minimum nutrition during the year , which is about 40 % of the world ’ s population .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ system ?
Perhaps the error is that the real financial and economic parameters of the system have nothing to do with what we see on computer screens .
A hundred dollars on your screen are far from a hundred dollars in your pocket , and even more far from a hundred kilograms of flour in your cellar .
This is what the leading economists of the so-called First Western world are trying to explain .
On the other hand , the error may lay in the fact that the crises in 2020 were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least managed and aimed strengthening of the totalitarian power of the global financial backstage actors .
Today ’ s liberalism and democracy , spread by westernization , are de facto ineffective .
In reality , liberalism should pass along the rift between the poverty and global elites , and not along the LGBT movement or the black minority in the United States .
Inefficiency in solving global problems only exposes the essence of deep perversion of the modern system promoted by the collective West .
What democracy or social justice may we talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass somewhere between the wallet and the “ a $ $ ” of the common Western bureaucrat .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Who Benefit From Terror In Europe , US Political Chaos And Regional Wars ?
• Food Price Crisis In Russia : Putin Gives Ultimatum For Solution

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The 2020 is nearing its end. The pandemic of SARS COV-2 and the containment measures that have been adopted in most countries have led to an escalation of the economic crisis. However, while most people are trying to calculate the losses, the size of the world’s largest capitals has increased by 20% over the past year according to Forbes.
According to Forbes’ estimations the 2,200-plus billionaires in the world have collectively gotten $1.9 trillion richer in 2020. The calculations based on stock prices from December 11 revealed that their combined wealth was estimated at $11.4 trillion, which is 20% more than the one on December 31, 2019.
The wealth of more than 600 American billionaires is $4 trillion, it increased on $560 billion since the beginning of the year.
The fortune of Tesla co-founder Elon Musk showed the largest capital growth by $110 billion and put him on the third line of the ranking of the richest people in the world. The growth of Musk’s fortune was provided by stocks of Tesla Motors, which rose by 630%.
In 2020, a sharp increase in the capital of the ten richest people in the United States took place the day after the presidential election. Their combined wealth increased by more than $33 billion. The most significant growth was shown by the assets of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, his fortune increased by $10.5 billion. He remains the richest man in the world thanks to the pandemic and people forced to go shopping online.
Among the others beneficiaries, there are Facebook founder Mark Zukerberg, whose capital is $105.5 billion, Google co-founder Larry Page ($77 billion) and the founder of the Indian holding company Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani ($74.1 billion). Louis Vuitton and Dior Bernard Arnault earned only $3.6 billion. Bill Gates’ fortune increased by $668 million.
Chinese billionaires as a group became the richest this year in dollar terms.
“The CSI 300 Index, which tracks 300 of China’s leading companies, is up 19% this year—helping Chinese billionaires add a total of $750 billion to their aggregate net worths in 2020. Altogether, the 400 Chinese billionaires are worth $2 trillion. That doesn’t include the 67 Hong Kong billionaires, whose fortunes rose a collective $60 billion, to an aggregate of $380 billion”. – Forbes report said.
The main reason for the growth of the billion-dollar fortunes was the growth in the stock markets throughout this year. The S&P 500 index is up 13% this year, despite the crash in March due to the coronavirus spread, the NASDAQ is up 38%.
Thus, the main beneficiary of all the crises that took place in 2020 was the global oligarchy. In the context of limited and merged markets, the enrichment of a minority means the impoverishment of a large part of the world’s population. Today this fact is confirmed by UN data on the food crisis in Africa and Asia.
At a special session of the UN General Assembly, Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) David Beazley said that next year would be marked by a humanitarian catastrophe caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the WFP, the number of people in hunger has increased from 80 million to 135 million over the past four years, which means that we are going to face the worst humanitarian crisis in the last half century.
It can be assumed that for Africa and Third World countries, the minimum amount that can ensure food security for one person is $ 50 per month. Thus, it turns out that the capital that the richest people received during the year could provide more than 3 billion people in hunger with the minimum nutrition during the year, which is about 40% of the world’s population.
What is going on with the global system? Perhaps the error is that the real financial and economic parameters of the system have nothing to do with what we see on computer screens. A hundred dollars on your screen are far from a hundred dollars in your pocket, and even more far from a hundred kilograms of flour in your cellar. This is what the leading economists of the so-called First Western world are trying to explain.
On the other hand, the error may lay in the fact that the crises in 2020 were, if not staged, but at least managed and aimed strengthening of the totalitarian power of the global financial backstage actors.
Today’s liberalism and democracy, spread by westernization, are de facto ineffective. In reality, liberalism should pass along the rift between the poverty and global elites, and not along the LGBT movement or the black minority in the United States. Inefficiency in solving global problems only exposes the essence of deep perversion of the modern system promoted by the collective West.
What democracy or social justice may we talk about today? Only about those that pass somewhere between the wallet and the “a$$” of the common Western bureaucrat.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-12-16--Greece Increases Defense Spending By 57% Amid On-Going Tensions With Turkey

On December 16th , Greek parliament approved the 2021 state budget , which includes a massive increase in defense expenditures .
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the government aims to increase spending on military capacity by 57 % compared to that of 2019 .
Greece ’ s defense budget is projected to reach around 5.5 billion euros ( US $ 6.6 billion ) .
This actually isn ’ t 50 % more , but actually more than doubles 2019 ’ s spending .
This year ’ s economic contraction is expected to reach 10.5 % , according to a government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget .
Despite that defense spending is at an all-time high , mostly because of tensions with Turkey .
Despite the hardship , Greece will purchase 18 French Rafale fighter jets , for which it will pay 1.5 billion euros in 2021 from a total of 2.5 billion euros .
“ Within a few days , the deal on the acquisition of eighteen Rafale type jets from France will be signed here in Athens , ” PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis told members of parliament .
“ Never before has such a complex and important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and efficiently , ” he said .
He also said the Greek government wishes to acquire new frigates , helicopters , and drones , upgrade its F-16 fleet and recruit an additional 15,000 personnel to its ranks .
Specifically , Greece also wants to buy four new frigates as well as ammunition and other accessories .
The deal with France should be approved in the days following December 16th , and French Defense Minister Florence Parly will sign the contract in Athens during her visit in the week starting on December 21st .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ early 2021 , while the first six planes — which have been previously used — will arrive in Greece by July , Defense Ministry officials said .
In 2019 , Greece spent 2.3 % of gross domestic product on defense , placing it third behind the United States and Bulgaria in terms of proportion of the economy .
Greece has always had high military spending compared to other NATO members , even during the financial crash in 2007 .
The government ’ s decision to increase defense spending , of course , wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition politician Alexis Tsipras had the following to say : Commenting on the government ’ s plan for the military budget , Tsipras said “ we are not voting against the spending increase .
But we do not give you a blank check , without consultation , without a plan and strategy.
” Turkey hasn ’ t commented on the increase in spending , but both countries are also allied NATO members .
Regardless , the key reason for the massive increase is the tensions between Athens and Ankara , mostly caused due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eastern Mediterranean Sea .
Turkey also flooded the Greek border with illegal migrants , and even had its armed forces attempt to break down a border fence and shot tear gas , and more , in an attempt to pressure the European Union in a softer stance towards its activities in Syria ’ s Idlib .
France , who ’ s selling warplanes to Greece , also strongly opposes Turkey ’ s intervention in Libya against Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar ’ s Libyan National Army ( LNA ) .
MORE ON THE TOPIC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , As Trump Administration Expected To Do The Same

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On December 16th, Greek parliament approved the 2021 state budget, which includes a massive increase in defense expenditures.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the government aims to increase spending on military capacity by 57% compared to that of 2019.
Greece’s defense budget is projected to reach around 5.5 billion euros (US$6.6 billion). This actually isn’t 50% more, but actually more than doubles 2019’s spending.
This year’s economic contraction is expected to reach 10.5%, according to a government projection in the country’s 2021 budget.
Despite that defense spending is at an all-time high, mostly because of tensions with Turkey.
Despite the hardship, Greece will purchase 18 French Rafale fighter jets, for which it will pay 1.5 billion euros in 2021 from a total of 2.5 billion euros.
“Within a few days, the deal on the acquisition of eighteen Rafale type jets from France will be signed here in Athens,” PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis told members of parliament. “Never before has such a complex and important military program been carried out so quickly and efficiently,” he said.
He also said the Greek government wishes to acquire new frigates, helicopters, and drones, upgrade its F-16 fleet and recruit an additional 15,000 personnel to its ranks.
Specifically, Greece also wants to buy four new frigates as well as ammunition and other accessories.
The deal with France should be approved in the days following December 16th, and French Defense Minister Florence Parly will sign the contract in Athens during her visit in the week starting on December 21st.
Pilots will begin training in France in early 2021, while the first six planes — which have been previously used — will arrive in Greece by July, Defense Ministry officials said.
In 2019, Greece spent 2.3% of gross domestic product on defense, placing it third behind the United States and Bulgaria in terms of proportion of the economy.
Greece has always had high military spending compared to other NATO members, even during the financial crash in 2007.
The government’s decision to increase defense spending, of course, wasn’t hailed by everybody, as opposition politician Alexis Tsipras had the following to say:
“If there is one word that describes the draft state budget for 2021 and the government’s management of all critical issues, it is ‘failure,’” he said.
Commenting on the government’s plan for the military budget, Tsipras said “we are not voting against the spending increase. But we do not give you a blank check, without consultation, without a plan and strategy.”
Turkey hasn’t commented on the increase in spending, but both countries are also allied NATO members. Regardless, the key reason for the massive increase is the tensions between Athens and Ankara, mostly caused due to Turkey’s actions in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Turkey also flooded the Greek border with illegal migrants, and even had its armed forces attempt to break down a border fence and shot tear gas, and more, in an attempt to pressure the European Union in a softer stance towards its activities in Syria’s Idlib.
France, who’s selling warplanes to Greece, also strongly opposes Turkey’s intervention in Libya against Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA).
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southfront--2020-12-16--In Video: Turkey’s Domestic Air-Defense System Passed Final Acceptance Test

Turkey ’ s domestically-developed HİSAR A + air-defense system has successfully passed its final acceptance test , the Defence Industries Secretariat ( SSB ) announced on December 16 .
The HİSAR A + is an upgraded copy of the HİSAR A short-range system which was developed by ASELSAN and ROKETSAN .
HİSAR A has a range of 15 km only .
The new version reportedly has an increased range and altitude .
SSB also released footage of the successful test showing how HISAR A + located , pursued and hit the target with high-precision .
The missile was guided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approaching the target , the missile activated its terminal guidance seeker .
The HİSAR A + air-defense systems were designed to engage a variety of aerial threats , including aircraft , ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones .
Turkey has been developing domestic air-defense systems , HİSAR A , O and U , since 2007 .
After a series of delays and setbacks , the development program is finally bearing fruit .
“ The most recent test was delayed for a few months .
An embargo was imposed on a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What happened then ?
We made the indigenous part in a short time and integrated it into our missile and we reached the result , ” SSB quoted President Recep Erdogan as saying .
The successful test of HİSAR A + comes at a time when Turkey has been hit with U.S. sanctions for acquiring Russian-made S-400 long-range air-defense system .
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Turkey’s domestically-developed HİSAR A + air-defense system has successfully passed its final acceptance test, the Defence Industries Secretariat (SSB) announced on December 16.
The HİSAR A + is an upgraded copy of the HİSAR A short-range system which was developed by ASELSAN and ROKETSAN. HİSAR A has a range of 15 km only. The new version reportedly has an increased range and altitude.
“The high-speed target aircraft was successfully hit at long range with the warhead developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE. HİSAR A + is ready now. We did the final acceptance test of -A + before entering the inventory,” SSB said on Twitter.
SSB also released footage of the successful test showing how HISAR A + located, pursued and hit the target with high-precision. The missile was guided to the target using radar data. After approaching the target, the missile activated its terminal guidance seeker.
The HİSAR A + air-defense systems were designed to engage a variety of aerial threats, including aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones.
Turkey has been developing domestic air-defense systems, HİSAR A, O and U, since 2007. After a series of delays and setbacks, the development program is finally bearing fruit.
“The most recent test was delayed for a few months. An embargo was imposed on a part that was normally supplied from abroad. What happened then? We made the indigenous part in a short time and integrated it into our missile and we reached the result,” SSB quoted President Recep Erdogan as saying.
The successful test of HİSAR A + comes at a time when Turkey has been hit with U.S. sanctions for acquiring Russian-made S-400 long-range air-defense system.
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