southfront--2020-12-23--Trump Pardons Blackwater’s Four “American Heroes” Behind 2007’s Nusoor Square Massacre

On December 22nd , US President Donald Trump , who is in his final weeks in office , issued a wave of Presidential Pardons .
Among many individuals , he notably pardoned the following 4 , as seen on the photographs from left to right : The statement of their pardons describes them as heroic veterans , who served the country for years , and their pardoning is widely supported by the public .
“ Mr .
Slatten , Mr. Slough , Mr. Liberty , and Mr. Heard have a long history of service to the Nation .
Mr. Slatten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attacks of September 11 , 2001 , and served two tours in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division .
Mr. Slough served in the United States Army and deployed to Iraq with his National Guard unit .
Mr. Liberty served in the United States Marine Corps and protected United States Embassies abroad .
Mr. Heard served in the United States Marine Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
” Okay , but enough teasing , who are these 4 people ?
This is the White House version of events , described in the release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq in 2007 as security contractors responsible for securing the safety of United States personnel .
When the convoy attempted to establish a blockade outside the “ Green Zone , ” the situation turned violent , which resulted in the unfortunate deaths and injuries of Iraqi civilians .
Initial charges against the men were dismissed , but they were eventually tried and convicted on charges ranging from first degree murder to voluntary manslaughter .
On appeal , the D.C .
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that additional evidence should have been presented at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prosecutors recently disclosed—more than 10 years after the incident—that the lead Iraqi investigator , who prosecutors relied heavily on to verify that there were no insurgent victims and to collect evidence , may have had ties to insurgent groups himself.
” If one hasn ’ t realized what this refers to : these 4 men are the Blackwater guards ( from Erik Prince ’ s PMC ) who killed 17 people in Baghdad ’ s Green Zone in 2007 .
They were on trial back in 2014 , and it saw approximately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against them .
Prosecutors accused the men of illegally unleashing “ powerful sniper fire , machine guns and grenade launchers on innocent men , women and children.
” According to prosecutors , the four were among seven Blackwater employees who opened fire in the Nusoor Square traffic circle in Baghdad , killing 17 people .
An FBI investigation found 14 of the deaths unjustified , according to rules of engagement for private security contractors in Iraq , two children were killed in the incident , two boys ages 11 and 9 .
Slatten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Blackwater said its convoy came under attack , and defense attorneys said in court that witness accounts were fabricated .
But witnesses testified that the contractors opened fire without provocation .
The White House said their pardons were supported by a number of members of Congress along with Pete Hegseth , the conservative Fox News host .
As mentioned above , Blackwater , which is since defunct , was founded by Erik Prince , the brother of Trump ’ s education secretary , Betsy DeVos .
The White House said that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Appeals ruled that additional evidence should have been presented at Slatten ’ s trial .
Further , the release added , prosecutors recently disclosed that the lead Iraqi investigator involved may have been tied to insurgent groups .
In 2018 , Slatten was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison for opening fire first in the Nisour Square massacre .
The other guards initially were sentenced to 30 years in prison but the sentences were halved by a judge in September of 2019 .
6 years of a sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 will now be free man , and be treated as the “ veteran American heroes ” that they allegedly are .
It is likely that Trump has resigned to the reality that the election is now lost , he will not be president in 2021 , and wants to clear as many of his alleged allies as he can .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • The U.S. And Ukraine Refuse To Condemn Nazism In The United Nations

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On December 22nd, US President Donald Trump, who is in his final weeks in office, issued a wave of Presidential Pardons.
Among many individuals, he notably pardoned the following 4, as seen on the photographs from left to right:
Dustin Heard; Evan Liberty; Nicholas Slatten; Paul Slough.
The statement of their pardons describes them as heroic veterans, who served the country for years, and their pardoning is widely supported by the public.
“Mr. Slatten, Mr. Slough, Mr. Liberty, and Mr. Heard have a long history of service to the Nation. Mr. Slatten was inspired to serve his country after the attacks of September 11, 2001, and served two tours in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division. Mr. Slough served in the United States Army and deployed to Iraq with his National Guard unit. Mr. Liberty served in the United States Marine Corps and protected United States Embassies abroad. Mr. Heard served in the United States Marine Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom.”
Okay, but enough teasing, who are these 4 people?
This is the White House version of events, described in the release:
“These veterans were working in Iraq in 2007 as security contractors responsible for securing the safety of United States personnel. When the convoy attempted to establish a blockade outside the “Green Zone,” the situation turned violent, which resulted in the unfortunate deaths and injuries of Iraqi civilians. Initial charges against the men were dismissed, but they were eventually tried and convicted on charges ranging from first degree murder to voluntary manslaughter. On appeal, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that additional evidence should have been presented at Mr. Slatten’s trial. Further, prosecutors recently disclosed—more than 10 years after the incident—that the lead Iraqi investigator, who prosecutors relied heavily on to verify that there were no insurgent victims and to collect evidence, may have had ties to insurgent groups himself.”
If one hasn’t realized what this refers to: these 4 men are the Blackwater guards (from Erik Prince’s PMC) who killed 17 people in Baghdad’s Green Zone in 2007.
They were on trial back in 2014, and it saw approximately 30 witnesses travel from Iraq to testify against them.
Prosecutors accused the men of illegally unleashing “powerful sniper fire, machine guns and grenade launchers on innocent men, women and children.”
According to prosecutors, the four were among seven Blackwater employees who opened fire in the Nusoor Square traffic circle in Baghdad, killing 17 people.
An FBI investigation found 14 of the deaths unjustified, according to rules of engagement for private security contractors in Iraq, two children were killed in the incident, two boys ages 11 and 9.
Slatten was accused of firing the first shots.
Blackwater said its convoy came under attack, and defense attorneys said in court that witness accounts were fabricated.
But witnesses testified that the contractors opened fire without provocation.
The White House said their pardons were supported by a number of members of Congress along with Pete Hegseth, the conservative Fox News host.
As mentioned above, Blackwater, which is since defunct, was founded by Erik Prince, the brother of Trump’s education secretary, Betsy DeVos.
The White House said that, on appeal, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that additional evidence should have been presented at Slatten’s trial. Further, the release added, prosecutors recently disclosed that the lead Iraqi investigator involved may have been tied to insurgent groups.
In 2018, Slatten was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison for opening fire first in the Nisour Square massacre. The other guards initially were sentenced to 30 years in prison but the sentences were halved by a judge in September of 2019.
6 years of a sentence was enough, however, and the 4 will now be free man, and be treated as the “veteran American heroes” that they allegedly are.
It is likely that Trump has resigned to the reality that the election is now lost, he will not be president in 2021, and wants to clear as many of his alleged allies as he can.
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southfront--2020-12-23--U.S. Announces That Ukraine Will Dismantle All Huawei Equipment From Government Buildings

What are friends for ?
If one has no ready answer , then humor this suggestion : Of course , when your democracy is in danger , or you ’ re about to making a mistake , they will use their authority over you to force you into a decision that you may not want to make .
That is a sign of true friendship and care .
That is why , US Deputy Secretary of State Keith Krach announced that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry plans to dismantle all the equipment of the Chinese company Huawei installed in departmental buildings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t the US deputy Secretary of State speak on behalf of another country .
Keith Krach also recalled that recently the Ukrainian authorities refused to cooperate with Huawei in the project of creating a “ smart city ” , preferring the American Cisco .
According to him , Ukraine has also expressed interest in the “ Clean Network ” initiative , whose members refuse to use the services of Chinese telecommunications companies in the development of 5G networks for information security .
Recall that in the summer of 2020 in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a threat to national security .
This was explained by the fact that since Chinese companies are subject to Chinese law , the American side does not rule out that they may be obliged to cooperate with the intelligence services of their country .
In 2019 the Chinese Huawei estimated the damage from US sanctions at $ 30 billion .
It is interesting to find out if whether Ukraine really played any role into the decision-making process , or the order to do so was given from above .
It appears that Krach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the Ukrainian Prime Minister simply stood there and nodded in submission .
In return for all of this support , and one-size-fits-all democracy that ’ s essentially being dropped from above , Ukraine is expressing its unending ( and illogical ) support to a US ally – Great Britain .
Despite the actions of all European countries , Ukraine decided not to cancel any flights to the UK , despite the new , more infectious strain of COVID-19 being discovered there .
The minister noted that Ukraine will monitor the situation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision if necessary .
It is , however , refreshing to see how much one ’ s friends care for him , and it ’ s also showing how little democratic elections make a difference when the decision-making mechanisms aren ’ t even present in the country , but rather decisions are “ imported ” from abroad .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • The “ Rare ” Crimes Of Kiev ’ s Forces In Eastern Ukraine • The U.S. And Ukraine Refuse To Condemn Nazism In The United Nations

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What are friends for?
If one has no ready answer, then humor this suggestion:
Of course, when your democracy is in danger, or you’re about to making a mistake, they will use their authority over you to force you into a decision that you may not want to make.
That is a sign of true friendship and care.
That is why, US Deputy Secretary of State Keith Krach announced that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry plans to dismantle all the equipment of the Chinese company Huawei installed in departmental buildings.
After all, why wouldn’t the US deputy Secretary of State speak on behalf of another country.
“The Foreign Ministry has decided to remove all Huawei equipment from its buildings, and several other government agencies will follow suit,” Krach said following a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal.
Keith Krach also recalled that recently the Ukrainian authorities refused to cooperate with Huawei in the project of creating a “smart city”, preferring the American Cisco.
According to him, Ukraine has also expressed interest in the “Clean Network” initiative, whose members refuse to use the services of Chinese telecommunications companies in the development of 5G networks for information security.
Recall that in the summer of 2020 in the United States, Huawei and ZTE were recognized as a threat to national security.
This was explained by the fact that since Chinese companies are subject to Chinese law, the American side does not rule out that they may be obliged to cooperate with the intelligence services of their country.
In 2019 the Chinese Huawei estimated the damage from US sanctions at $ 30 billion.
It is interesting to find out if whether Ukraine really played any role into the decision-making process, or the order to do so was given from above. It appears that Krach simply said what Ukraine would do, while the Ukrainian Prime Minister simply stood there and nodded in submission.
In return for all of this support, and one-size-fits-all democracy that’s essentially being dropped from above, Ukraine is expressing its unending (and illogical) support to a US ally – Great Britain.
Despite the actions of all European countries, Ukraine decided not to cancel any flights to the UK, despite the new, more infectious strain of COVID-19 being discovered there.
“We have a visa regime with the UK which limits the number of passengers traveling between our countries. Currently, flights are performed mainly for Ukrainians studying abroad to return home for the Christmas holidays,” Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Vladyslav Kryklii posted on Telegram.
The minister noted that Ukraine will monitor the situation with COVID-19 in the UK and change this decision if necessary.
It is, however, refreshing to see how much one’s friends care for him, and it’s also showing how little democratic elections make a difference when the decision-making mechanisms aren’t even present in the country, but rather decisions are “imported” from abroad.
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southfront--2020-12-23--Germany Protests “Unjustified Tit-For-Tat Sanctions” By Russia Over The Navalny Fiasco

Germany was targeted with “ unjustified tit-for-tat sanctions ” by Russia in response to sanctions imposed by the EU due to Alexey Navalny ’ s alleged poisoning .
This was reported by AFP , citing an unnamed German foreign ministry source .
The charge d ’ affaires at the German embassy in Moscow , Beate Grzeski , was summoned to the Russian foreign ministry and informed that “ countermeasures in the form of travel bans against German state institutions have been ordered ” , the source said .
“ While this past pattern of Russian countermeasures is known , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government unjustified , ” the source added .
The Navalny affair “ is not a bilateral case , ” the German official said , but rather “ remains a case of international dimensions due to the violation of international law with the use of chemical nerve agents ” .
“ We continue to call on Russia to clarify the use of a chemical weapon on Russian territory against a Russian citizen , ” the source said .
“ Russia has shown no willingness to do so.
” The Russian foreign ministry said earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of representatives of EU member states and institutions who will be denied entry to Russia ” in response to “ confrontational ” sanctions imposed by the bloc in October .
The counter sanctions were announced after Moscow summoned senior diplomats from Germany , France and Sweden , the three countries where labs alleged that Navalny was poisoned with Novichok .
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that it was expanding its list of retaliatory sanctions , TASS reported , on December 22nd .
The Foreign Ministry dismissed as “ categorically unacceptable ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the EU ’ s leading member-states ) against a number of Russians on the pretext of their alleged involvement in the Navalny case .
“ The countries that initiated this measure presented no evidence either to the Russian authorities , in defiance of repeated requests dispatched to them , or to their own partners in the EU .
Under the veil of secrecy the EU Council adopted a hasty confrontational political decision running counter to the international legal prerogatives of the UN Security Council and the Helsinki principles of non-intervention in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diligent compliance with obligations assumed under international law .
The concrete names were selected arbitrarily to match the EU Council ’ s decision in question , ” the Foreign Ministry said .
“ In connection with the aforesaid and in accordance with the principle of retaliation a decision has been made to expand the list of EU countries ’ representatives who are prohibited from entering Russia .
The persons on the list are responsible for stepping up anti-Russian sanction activity in the European Union , ” the Foreign Ministry stated .
The chiefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missions were handed the corresponding verbal notes .
Such a note was dispatched to the office of the EU mission in Moscow , too .
Interestingly , Germany maintains the version that Novichok was discovered on a water bottle that Alexey Navalny had with him .
They still aren ’ t on board with the conclusions of the Bellingcat “ investigative website ” and Alexey Navalny himself , who allegedly managed to fool an FSB agent into revealing the operation over the phone .
According to the newest scenario , his underwear was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also failed to kill him .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Russia ’ s FSB Allegedly Tried To Poison A Second Time , Or Maybe The GRU Did , Who Knows , Really ?

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You can read this article in German. LINK
Germany was targeted with “unjustified tit-for-tat sanctions” by Russia in response to sanctions imposed by the EU due to Alexey Navalny’s alleged poisoning.
This was reported by AFP, citing an unnamed German foreign ministry source.
The charge d’affaires at the German embassy in Moscow, Beate Grzeski, was summoned to the Russian foreign ministry and informed that “countermeasures in the form of travel bans against German state institutions have been ordered”, the source said.
“While this past pattern of Russian countermeasures is known, they remain in the view of the German government unjustified,” the source added. The Navalny affair “is not a bilateral case,” the German official said, but rather “remains a case of international dimensions due to the violation of international law with the use of chemical nerve agents”. “We continue to call on Russia to clarify the use of a chemical weapon on Russian territory against a Russian citizen,” the source said. “Russia has shown no willingness to do so.”
The Russian foreign ministry said earlier it had “decided to expand the list of representatives of EU member states and institutions who will be denied entry to Russia” in response to “confrontational” sanctions imposed by the bloc in October.
The counter sanctions were announced after Moscow summoned senior diplomats from Germany, France and Sweden, the three countries where labs alleged that Navalny was poisoned with Novichok.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that it was expanding its list of retaliatory sanctions, TASS reported, on December 22nd.
The Foreign Ministry dismissed as “categorically unacceptable” the introduction of illegal restrictive measures (initiated by the EU’s leading member-states) against a number of Russians on the pretext of their alleged involvement in the Navalny case.
“The countries that initiated this measure presented no evidence either to the Russian authorities, in defiance of repeated requests dispatched to them, or to their own partners in the EU. Under the veil of secrecy the EU Council adopted a hasty confrontational political decision running counter to the international legal prerogatives of the UN Security Council and the Helsinki principles of non-intervention in the internal affairs, cooperation among states and diligent compliance with obligations assumed under international law. The concrete names were selected arbitrarily to match the EU Council’s decision in question,” the Foreign Ministry said. “In connection with the aforesaid and in accordance with the principle of retaliation a decision has been made to expand the list of EU countries’ representatives who are prohibited from entering Russia. The persons on the list are responsible for stepping up anti-Russian sanction activity in the European Union,” the Foreign Ministry stated.
The chiefs of German, French and Swedish diplomatic missions were handed the corresponding verbal notes. Such a note was dispatched to the office of the EU mission in Moscow, too.
“We confirm that unfriendly steps by Western countries will continue to entail an adequate response,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Interestingly, Germany maintains the version that Novichok was discovered on a water bottle that Alexey Navalny had with him.
They still aren’t on board with the conclusions of the Bellingcat “investigative website” and Alexey Navalny himself, who allegedly managed to fool an FSB agent into revealing the operation over the phone.
According to the newest scenario, his underwear was actually laced with Novichok, but that also failed to kill him.
Why would FSB poison a marginal opposition figure, botch it so that he survives, & then get easily caught? Easier ways to kill someone if they want to. Perhaps it’s a Mafia-esque warning shot to people like Navalny they accuse of working w/ Western intel. Thuggish, but plausible. — Aaron Maté (@aaronjmate) December 21, 2020
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southfront--2020-12-23--Map Update: Military Situation In Nagorno-Karabakh On December 23, 2020

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Nagorno-Karabakh : • As of December @ @ @ @ @ more than 260 hectares of land and about 100 kilometers of roads were cleared from @ @ @ @ @ explosive objects were found and destroyed ; • As of December 23 , 1061 bodies @ @ @ @ @ battle zone , according to the State Service of Emergency Situations of Artsakh ; • @ @ @ @ @ peacekeepers ensured the return home for over 42,000 displaced persons , according to the Defense @ @ @ @ @ December 23 , the number of killed or missing Armenian fighters as a result of @ @ @ @ @ 3300 , according to Sputnik Armenia .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Tents In @ @ @ @ @ As More Videos Of Alleged Azerbaijan Brutality Surface

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You can read this article in German. LINK
A brief overview of the recent developments in Nagorno-Karabakh:
As of December 23, Russia reported that more than 260 hectares of land and about 100 kilometers of roads were cleared from mines and IEDs and 8600 explosive objects were found and destroyed;
As of December 23, 1061 bodies have been retrieved from the battle zone, according to the State Service of Emergency Situations of Artsakh;
Since November 14, Russian peacekeepers ensured the return home for over 42,000 displaced persons, according to the Defense Mnistry;
As of December 23, the number of killed or missing Armenian fighters as a result of the Karabakh conflict is over 3300, according to Sputnik Armenia.
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southfront--2020-12-23--Crew Of Russian Tu-95MS Strategic Bomber Successfully Control Drones During Flight

During recent exercises , the crew of a Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber practiced in-flight guidance of an unmanned aerial vehicle from the cockpit .
This was reported by TASS , citing an unnamed source .
He clarified that for these tests , a combatant Tu-95MS was involved , retrofitted with special equipment to control the drone .
According to the source , such interaction in the future may find application for additional reconnaissance of the location of moving targets when the strategic bomber is already in the air .
It is also possible to use the drone as a decoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air defense forces from the aircraft itself .
The anonymous source did not specify which drone was involved in the tests .
He also did not confirm whether such tests were carried out with the Hunter heavy shock stealth drone , but did not rule out the possibility of such tests in the future .
Every year on December 23 , the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation celebrate a memorable date – the Day of Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Air Force .
It was introduced in 1999 by order of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Force ) Anatoly Kornukov .
Long-range aviation of the Air Force is part of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation and is a strategic reserve of the Supreme High Command and one of three ( along with the Strategic Missile Forces and Strategic Naval Forces ) components of Russia ’ s Strategic Nuclear Forces .
On August 12 of this year , in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper , Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces , Lieutenant General Sergei Dronov , said that the Russian Defense Ministry plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability to control drones in the future .
Russia ’ s Okhotnik heavy attack drone developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau performed its debut flight on August 3 , 2019 .
The flight lasted over 20 minutes under an operator ’ s control .
On September 27 , 2019 , the Okhotnik performed a flight together with a Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet .
The drone maneuvered in the air in the automated mode at an altitude of around 1,600 meters and its flight lasted over 30 minutes .
The Okhotnik features stealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it lacks the tail ) and has a take-off weight of 20 tonnes .
The drone has a jet engine and is capable of developing a speed of around 1,000 km/h .
According to the data of Russia ’ s Defense Ministry , the drone has anti-radar coating and is outfitted with equipment for electro-optical , radar and other types of reconnaissance .
Additionally , on December 22nd , Russian and Chinese bombers flew a joint patrol mission over the Western Pacific .
The Russian military said that a pair of its Tu-95 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flew over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea .
The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the joint mission was intended to “ develop and deepen the comprehensive Russia-China partnership , further increase the level of cooperation between the two militaries , expand their ability for joint action and strengthen strategic stability.
” The ministry added that the patrol flight “ wasn ’ t directed against any third countries.
” Earlier , in October , Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the idea of a future Russia-China military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — a signal of deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing amid growing tensions in their relations with the United States .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Russia ’ s Nuclear Triad “ Reached Level Of Guaranteed Security ” And Its Defensive Posture In 2020 And Beyond

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During recent exercises, the crew of a Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber practiced in-flight guidance of an unmanned aerial vehicle from the cockpit.
This was reported by TASS, citing an unnamed source.
“Recently, flight tests were carried out, during which the interaction of the Tu-95MS with the drone was worked out, that is, the drone was controlled from the aircraft,” the source said.
He clarified that for these tests, a combatant Tu-95MS was involved, retrofitted with special equipment to control the drone.
According to the source, such interaction in the future may find application for additional reconnaissance of the location of moving targets when the strategic bomber is already in the air. It is also possible to use the drone as a decoy air target to divert enemy aircraft and air defense forces from the aircraft itself.
The anonymous source did not specify which drone was involved in the tests. He also did not confirm whether such tests were carried out with the Hunter heavy shock stealth drone, but did not rule out the possibility of such tests in the future.
“The main thing is to work out the interaction, and it doesn’t matter what the machines will be,” he stressed.
Every year on December 23, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation celebrate a memorable date – the Day of Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Air Force.
It was introduced in 1999 by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force (Air Force) Anatoly Kornukov.
Long-range aviation of the Air Force is part of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation and is a strategic reserve of the Supreme High Command and one of three (along with the Strategic Missile Forces and Strategic Naval Forces) components of Russia’s Strategic Nuclear Forces.
On August 12 of this year, in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, Lieutenant General Sergei Dronov, said that the Russian Defense Ministry plans to provide crews of combat aircraft with the ability to control drones in the future.
Russia’s Okhotnik heavy attack drone developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau performed its debut flight on August 3, 2019.
The flight lasted over 20 minutes under an operator’s control. On September 27, 2019, the Okhotnik performed a flight together with a Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet. The drone maneuvered in the air in the automated mode at an altitude of around 1,600 meters and its flight lasted over 30 minutes.
The Okhotnik features stealth technology and the flying wing design (it lacks the tail) and has a take-off weight of 20 tonnes. The drone has a jet engine and is capable of developing a speed of around 1,000 km/h.
According to the data of Russia’s Defense Ministry, the drone has anti-radar coating and is outfitted with equipment for electro-optical, radar and other types of reconnaissance.
Additionally, on December 22nd, Russian and Chinese bombers flew a joint patrol mission over the Western Pacific.
The Russian military said that a pair of its Tu-95 strategic bombers and four Chinese H-6K bombers flew over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea.
The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the joint mission was intended to “develop and deepen the comprehensive Russia-China partnership, further increase the level of cooperation between the two militaries, expand their ability for joint action and strengthen strategic stability.”
The ministry added that the patrol flight “wasn’t directed against any third countries.”
Earlier, in October, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the idea of a future Russia-China military alliance can’t be ruled out — a signal of deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing amid growing tensions in their relations with the United States.
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southfront--2020-12-23--Tents In Front Of Armenian Parliament, As More Videos Of Alleged Azerbaijan Brutality Surface

As of December 23rd , the Investigative Committee of Armenia has launched as many as 1358 criminal cases into crimes committed by the servicemen of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia and the Defense Army of Artsakh ( Nagorno-Karabakh ) against the order of military service , as well as on cases of avoiding mobilization during the hostilities in Artsakh .
So far , charges have been brought against 425 people , including under articles on evasion of military service , training or mobilization , failure to comply with an order , desertion and refusal to perform military service duties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Investigative Committee revealed .
In addition , 25 others have been involved as defendants , they are placed on a wanted list , and will be arrested when discovered .
This is yet another of the scapegoats that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government are attempting to shift the blame on for failing entirely in the war against Azerbaijan .
Meanwhile , in front of the Parliament building in Yerevan , there is a sit-in protest , with tents .
Police of Armenia have urged the participants of the opposition rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the capital Yerevan for other purposes not provided by law without the permission of the competent bodies , including the pitching of tents , the police said this in a statement .
On Azerbaijan ’ s side , a video was released purportedly showing an Azerbaijani soldier “ using an Armenian prisoner of war for target practice.
” Separately , another video was released of Azerbaijani soldiers celebrating their victory by driving around a car and ruining it .
The European Court of Human Rights ( ECHR ) has demanded Azerbaijan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 28 .
“ On 18 December , immediately after the meeting of the Representative of the Republic of Armenia before the ECtHR Yeghishe Kirakosyan with the relatives of 62 servicemen captured in Khtsaberd , which took place in Gyumri , another request for indication of interim measure against Azerbaijan on behalf of 53 servicemen was prepared and lodged by the Office of the Representative to ECtHR , along with supporting evidentiary materials .
Important to note , that attorneys have already submitted interim measure request for 9 servicemen out of 63 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the request submitted by the Government of the Republic of Armenia , requesting the Government of Azerbaijan to provide information on prisoners of war , their medical documents , and information on the terms of their exchange by 28 December ” .
The Russian peacekeepers are continuing their efforts in Nagorno-Karabakh .
The specialists of the International Mine Action Centre of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation continue work on demining the territory .
Engineering units of the Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh complete demining of the northern outskirts of Stepanakert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation in Nagorno-Karabakh , engineering units cleared more than 260 hectares of terrain and about 100 kilometers of roads , 434 residential buildings .
More than 8,6 thousand explosive objects were found and neutralized .
In the course of demining and clearing the territory of explosive objects in Nagorno-Karabakh , Russian peacekeepers use modern robotic systems that allow them to maintain a high rate of demining in mountainous terrain and deteriorating weather .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh in detail and confirmed their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various aspects of the peaceful settlement .
The Russian President underscored that the situation in the region stabilizes itself , and the November 9 agreements , achieved by the presidents of Russia , Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia – are generally being complied with .
The sides noted a successful work of the Russian peacekeepers , who ensure the ceasefire and the safety of civilians under the request of Baku and Yerevan .
The sides confirmed mutual readiness for further coordination on various aspects of the settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh , within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This was announced by the Kremlin ’ s press service .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Back To Facebook : Pashinyan Returns To His Basement Managing The Country Despite Protests

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As of December 23rd, the Investigative Committee of Armenia has launched as many as 1358 criminal cases into crimes committed by the servicemen of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia and the Defense Army of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) against the order of military service, as well as on cases of avoiding mobilization during the hostilities in Artsakh.
So far, charges have been brought against 425 people, including under articles on evasion of military service, training or mobilization, failure to comply with an order, desertion and refusal to perform military service duties.
117 servicemen have been arrested; the Investigative Committee revealed. In addition, 25 others have been involved as defendants, they are placed on a wanted list, and will be arrested when discovered.
This is yet another of the scapegoats that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government are attempting to shift the blame on for failing entirely in the war against Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, in front of the Parliament building in Yerevan, there is a sit-in protest, with tents.
Police of Armenia have urged the participants of the opposition rally to refrain from using the Republic Square in the capital Yerevan for other purposes not provided by law without the permission of the competent bodies, including the pitching of tents, the police said this in a statement.
On Azerbaijan’s side, a video was released purportedly showing an Azerbaijani soldier “using an Armenian prisoner of war for target practice.”
Separately, another video was released of Azerbaijani soldiers celebrating their victory by driving around a car and ruining it.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has demanded Azerbaijan to provide information on prisoners of war by December 28.
“On 18 December, immediately after the meeting of the Representative of the Republic of Armenia before the ECtHR Yeghishe Kirakosyan with the relatives of 62 servicemen captured in Khtsaberd, which took place in Gyumri, another request for indication of interim measure against Azerbaijan on behalf of 53 servicemen was prepared and lodged by the Office of the Representative to ECtHR, along with supporting evidentiary materials. Important to note, that attorneys have already submitted interim measure request for 9 servicemen out of 63. On December 21, the ECHR granted the request submitted by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, requesting the Government of Azerbaijan to provide information on prisoners of war, their medical documents, and information on the terms of their exchange by 28 December”.
The Russian peacekeepers are continuing their efforts in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The specialists of the International Mine Action Centre of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation continue work on demining the territory. Engineering units of the Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh complete demining of the northern outskirts of Stepanakert.
In total, during the peacekeeping operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, engineering units cleared more than 260 hectares of terrain and about 100 kilometers of roads, 434 residential buildings. More than 8,6 thousand explosive objects were found and neutralized.
In the course of demining and clearing the territory of explosive objects in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian peacekeepers use modern robotic systems that allow them to maintain a high rate of demining in mountainous terrain and deteriorating weather.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh in detail and confirmed their mutual readiness to continue the coordination on various aspects of the peaceful settlement.
The Russian President underscored that the situation in the region stabilizes itself, and the November 9 agreements, achieved by the presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia – are generally being complied with.
The sides noted a successful work of the Russian peacekeepers, who ensure the ceasefire and the safety of civilians under the request of Baku and Yerevan. The sides confirmed mutual readiness for further coordination on various aspects of the settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh, within the OSCE Minsk Group in particular. This was announced by the Kremlin’s press service.
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southfront--2020-12-23--Military Situation In Syria On December 23, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • More than 2 @ @ @ @ @ the places of their pre-war residence with help from the Russian and Syrian inter-departmental coordination @ @ @ @ @ Minister announced on December 21 ; • Since May 25 , the Russian Military Police @ @ @ @ @ and over 66,000 people via the M4 highway , according to Russian Defense Minister ; @ @ @ @ @ Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched an arrest campaign in the town of Maarat Misrin .
The @ @ @ @ @ were calling for its expulsion and the reconciliation with the Syrian government ; • On @ @ @ @ @ between Russian and Turkish officials reportedly took placea in the village of Sharakrak , near @ @ @ @ @ On December 22 , the SDF carried out a security operation in the town of @ @ @ @ @ reportedly killed .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
More than 2 million Syrians have returned to the places of their pre-war residence with help from the Russian and Syrian inter-departmental coordination headquarters, the Russian Defense Minister announced on December 21;
Since May 25, the Russian Military Police have escorted about 35,000 vehicles and over 66,000 people via the M4 highway, according to Russian Defense Minister;
On December 22, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched an arrest campaign in the town of Maarat Misrin. The group arrested several people who were calling for its expulsion and the reconciliation with the Syrian government;
On December 22, a meeting between Russian and Turkish officials reportedly took placea in the village of Sharakrak, near the Ain Issa;
On December 22, the SDF carried out a security operation in the town of Shuhai. One person was reportedly killed.
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southfront--2020-12-23--Rebels In CAR Capture 4th Largest City, As Russia Reveals Details Of Its Military Presence

The closer the presidential elections loom in the Central African Republic ( CAR ) , the more instability seems to appear all throughout it .
On December 22nd , rebels in the country seized Bambari , the country ’ s fourth-largest city , as clashes broke out on a key highway in the west of the country five days before nationwide elections .
The attacks came after the government accused former president Francois Bozize of seeking to mount a coup with armed groups ahead of upcoming elections .
At CAR ’ s request , Russia and Rwanda have sent military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bambari is located 380 kilometres ( 240 miles ) northeast of the capital Bangui .
The attack on the city triggered a two-hour gunfight with CAR troops and the United Nations ’ peacekeeping force MINUSCA , sources in NGOs and the UN said .
The unnamed sources said the rebels were led by an armed group called the Unity for Peace in Central Africa ( UPC ) , one of the militias contesting the government in the runup to the December 27 polls .
A convoy of commercial trucks travelling under MINUSCA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Central African armed forces , an AFP journalist saw .
On December 22nd , Russia said it had dispatched 300 military instructors to the CAR at Bangui ’ s request “ to train the military personnel of the national army ” under an existing cooperation agreement .
It had previously deployed 175 military instructors to the CAR , according to official figures .
Rwanda has also sent “ several hundred men ” under a bilateral agreement , the CAR government said .
The deployment was confirmed by Rwandan President Paul Kagame , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers .
The International Criminal Court ’ s chief prosecutor , Fatou Bensouda , called for “ calm and restraint ” ahead of the elections .
Private security guards employed by Russian companies already provide protection for President Faustin-Archange Touadéra and are involved in the training of local armed forces .
The opposition has called for the December 27 vote to be cancelled until “ peace and security ” are restored .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Russian PMCs Spotted In Central African Republic As Rebels Launch Offensive On The Capital ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Are Coming : Agreement With Sudan For Logistics Naval Base Officially Published Online

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The closer the presidential elections loom in the Central African Republic (CAR), the more instability seems to appear all throughout it.
On December 22nd, rebels in the country seized Bambari, the country’s fourth-largest city, as clashes broke out on a key highway in the west of the country five days before nationwide elections.
The attacks came after the government accused former president Francois Bozize of seeking to mount a coup with armed groups ahead of upcoming elections.
At CAR’s request, Russia and Rwanda have sent military personnel to ensure some semblance of order.
“The town is under the control of armed groups,” Bambari Mayor Abel Matchipata said, while a senior government official confirmed “they are in the town, we are waiting for reinforcements, which are on their way.”
Bambari is located 380 kilometres (240 miles) northeast of the capital Bangui.
The attack on the city triggered a two-hour gunfight with CAR troops and the United Nations’ peacekeeping force MINUSCA, sources in NGOs and the UN said.
“There has been no violence towards local people, but they have ransacked the police station, the gendarmerie and people’s houses,” Matchipata said.
The unnamed sources said the rebels were led by an armed group called the Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC), one of the militias contesting the government in the runup to the December 27 polls.
A convoy of commercial trucks travelling under MINUSCA escort was blocked on the route by the Central African armed forces, an AFP journalist saw.
On December 22nd, Russia said it had dispatched 300 military instructors to the CAR at Bangui’s request “to train the military personnel of the national army” under an existing cooperation agreement.
It had previously deployed 175 military instructors to the CAR, according to official figures.
Rwanda has also sent “several hundred men” under a bilateral agreement, the CAR government said.
The deployment was confirmed by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, although he did not give details on numbers.
The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, called for “calm and restraint” ahead of the elections.
“Anyone who commits, orders, incites, encourages or contributes, in any other way, to the commission of crimes” would be liable for prosecution either by Bangui courts or by the ICC, Bensouda warned.
Private security guards employed by Russian companies already provide protection for President Faustin-Archange Touadéra and are involved in the training of local armed forces.
The opposition has called for the December 27 vote to be cancelled until “peace and security” are restored.
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southfront--2020-12-23--The Gold Comes Off: A COVID-19 Outbreak In Sydney

Australia has various advantages as an island continent .
It is monumental and only accessible in the most impractical ways .
It is discouragingly far and almost impossible to invade without a huge investment of personnel and material .
The decision to place convicts on the island by the British was audaciously cruel and illogical , setting a precedent for future decisions by Australian governments to send undesirables to distant , inaccessible outposts , at cost .
But distance has not spared the country from the COVID-19 pandemic .
Assisted by human error and misjudgement , quarantine defences were breached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be .
In Victoria , it proved most costly , leading to community transmission in a deadly second wave with a single-day peak of 725 cases in August .
In the largest state in the country , New South Wales , pride was taken at developing a contact tracing system to deal with arrivals from outside Australia .
Withering judgment , notably by the Morrison federal government , was cast on hapless Victoria .
New South Wales received gushing praise .
Praising NSW was silly in its unequivocal confidence .
Viruses care little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ gold ” standard of NSW containment proved to be gilded .
Hit the gilding , and you realise it might be gold leaf .
It came in the form of that will be known in the epidemiological sagas as the Avalon outbreak .
Confirmed cases were found this month at the Avalon RSL and the Avalon Bowling Club in Sydney ’ s Northern Beaches .
Genomic testing suggests that the strain in the Northern Beaches cluster is a variant of the virus currently circulating in the United States .
According to epidemiologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how this particular international strain found its way into the community .
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has also confirmed that , “ health experts have yet to identify how the cluster was transmitted into the community or how it started in Avalon.
” The event that seeded the virus remains inscrutable .
Politics being what it is , criticism of the Berejiklian government , having the same political stripes of the federal government , was always going to be muted .
The federal government made sure their Liberal counterparts at the state level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any errors .
This , despite the public health stumbles regarding the , a cruise ship with 2,650 passengers who were allowed to disembark when it docked in Sydney on March 19 .
That decision proved critical : 900 infections resulted , along with 28 deaths .
The Report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Ruby Princess did not mince words : “ In light of all the information the ( NSW Health ) Expert Panel had , the decision to assess the risk as ‘ low risk ’ – meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; – is as inexplicable as it is unjustifiable.
” The inquiry also had words on “ the directive to allow passengers to onward travel interstate and internationally after disembarkation on March 19 ” .
The move “ did not appropriately contemplate or comply with the terms of the Public Health Order that came into effect on March 17.
” Berejiklian found herself apologising “ unreservedly to anybody who is continuing to suffer , or has suffered unimaginable loss because of mistakes that were made within our health agencies.
” Lessons had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ circumstances should and will never happen again in New South Wales.
” Abundant criticism has instead been directed at the Labor government of Dan Andrews for quarantine breaches in Victoria that led to a second surge .
When strict curfew and lockdown regulations were imposed on Melbourne , the federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg wished for their lifting .
“ More than 1,000 jobs are being lost every day on this premier ’ s watch , ” he spluttered in October .
“ The bloody-mindedness is unforgivable .
The stubbornness is unforgivable.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being incautiously proud , assuming that its tracing system is without peer .
In the hyperbolic assertion of Berejiklian , “ We do have , I believe , one of the best if not the best contract tracing team on the planet.
” A tedious Morrison continues to toot the claim that “ NSW is the gold standard , ” having handled the pandemic in exemplary fashion where others “ faltered ” .
Refusing to adopt the dramatic , and at times draconian policy of the Andrews lockdown formula , especially given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is gambling on prowess and precision .
Premier Berejiklian , for instance , has urged people not to use public transport without wearing a mask or frequent a supermarket or place of worship without one .
“ It would just be crazy ” not to do so .
A more localised containment approach has been adopted , with a focus on the Northern Beaches area .
Residents leaving their home face fines of $ 1100 unless undertaken for approved reasons .
The area has now been divided for the Christmas period into two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all its self-praise , the government has done much to stifle discussion on flaws in its own quarantine policy , not least its approach to handling the isolation of flight crews .
A degree of latitude has been permitted to airline staff to self-isolate in hotels of their own choice .
Only now has this approach changed , with thirteen crewmembers of an LATAM Chile flight from South American fined $ 1,000 for leaving their hotel to attend various city venues .
The airlines , for the most part , feel that quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state government .
The Australian airline Qantas , for instance , would prefer exemptions for their crew to remain while they manage their own quarantine arrangements .
What could go wrong ?
Whatever happens in terms of managing the Sydney outbreak does not detract from the distinct inconspicuousness , if not absence , of the prime minister .
From the start of the pandemic , Morrison has made the states and territories the chief custodians of public health defence .
His biosecurity eye has been stubbornly closed .
As has been pointed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this has been nothing short of a grand abdication of responsibility .
“ Early in the pandemic at the first meeting of Scott Morrison ’ s national cabinet – the rolling summit of the state and territory leaders – according to a source close to the meeting , the states were shocked when the Prime Minister came to the meeting with no quarantine plan.
” It took the promptings of Premier Andrews , backed by other state and territory leaders , to create a state-funded hotel quarantine scheme .
In its interim report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morrison government ’ s approach to the coronavirus found that it “ did not have adequate plans in place either before , or during the pandemic .
Not only did it fail to heed warnings prior to COVID-19 about the National Medical Stockpile of personal protective equipment , there were inadequacies in its approach to pandemic planning exercises.
” Specific sectors also suffered , as there was no developed “ COVID-19 plan for the [ aged care ] sector , which was unprepared and ill-equipped to protect the safety of residents when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions will gather , and remain unanswered .
Sounding a touch stringent , but nonetheless relevant , Magda Szubanski suggested that “ the only thing preventing this country from having a normal , healthy , prosperous life ” was permitting the continued arrival of overseas travellers .
In a remark , she asks the nagging question : “ surely the issue is – why do we not have a coherent , tough , effective FEDERAL quarantine approach to international travellers ?
God knows we can manage with asylum seekers ?
” Certainly something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Andrews will always be saddled with the errors , misjudgements and desperately poor decisions of the initial quarantine arrangements , his critics were unwise to assume the throne of judgment .
Eventually , the riverbanks would break elsewhere .
Other states would have to face a viral surge , their defences and containment measures bypassed and mocked .
As with all absolute measures to seal off a community , breaches will take place and exceptions made .
In all of this , Morrison remains silent on matters that remain within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there have been no announcements about revising quarantine exemptions for returning diplomats , aircrew or the specially chosen ones .
The prospects for another seeding event remain ; the gold has come off the standard .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College , Cambridge .
He lectures at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com MORE ON THE TOPIC : • UK Isolated From Outside As New , More Infectious , COVID-19 Strain Discovered

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
Australia has various advantages as an island continent. It is monumental and only accessible in the most impractical ways. It is discouragingly far and almost impossible to invade without a huge investment of personnel and material. The decision to place convicts on the island by the British was audaciously cruel and illogical, setting a precedent for future decisions by Australian governments to send undesirables to distant, inaccessible outposts, at cost.
But distance has not spared the country from the COVID-19 pandemic. Assisted by human error and misjudgement, quarantine defences were breached as they will no doubt continue to be. In Victoria, it proved most costly, leading to community transmission in a deadly second wave with a single-day peak of 725 cases in August. In the largest state in the country, New South Wales, pride was taken at developing a contact tracing system to deal with arrivals from outside Australia. Withering judgment, notably by the Morrison federal government, was cast on hapless Victoria. New South Wales received gushing praise.
Praising NSW was silly in its unequivocal confidence. Viruses care little for reputations. In time, the “gold” standard of NSW containment proved to be gilded. Hit the gilding, and you realise it might be gold leaf.
It came in the form of that will be known in the epidemiological sagas as the Avalon outbreak. Confirmed cases were found this month at the Avalon RSL and the Avalon Bowling Club in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Genomic testing suggests that the strain in the Northern Beaches cluster is a variant of the virus currently circulating in the United States. According to epidemiologist Catherine Bennett, no one quite knows how this particular international strain found its way into the community. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has also confirmed that, “health experts have yet to identify how the cluster was transmitted into the community or how it started in Avalon.” The event that seeded the virus remains inscrutable.
Politics being what it is, criticism of the Berejiklian government, having the same political stripes of the federal government, was always going to be muted. The federal government made sure their Liberal counterparts at the state level would not be chastised and sprayed for any errors. This, despite the public health stumbles regarding the Ruby Princess, a cruise ship with 2,650 passengers who were allowed to disembark when it docked in Sydney on March 19.
That decision proved critical: 900 infections resulted, along with 28 deaths. The Report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Ruby Princess did not mince words: “In light of all the information the (NSW Health) Expert Panel had, the decision to assess the risk as ‘low risk’ – meaning, in effect, ‘do nothing; – is as inexplicable as it is unjustifiable.” The inquiry also had words on “the directive to allow passengers to onward travel interstate and internationally after disembarkation on March 19”. The move “did not appropriately contemplate or comply with the terms of the Public Health Order that came into effect on March 17.”
Berejiklian found herself apologising “unreservedly to anybody who is continuing to suffer, or has suffered unimaginable loss because of mistakes that were made within our health agencies.” Lessons had been learnt, she declared, and such “circumstances should and will never happen again in New South Wales.”
Abundant criticism has instead been directed at the Labor government of Dan Andrews for quarantine breaches in Victoria that led to a second surge. When strict curfew and lockdown regulations were imposed on Melbourne, the federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg wished for their lifting. “More than 1,000 jobs are being lost every day on this premier’s watch,” he spluttered in October. “The bloody-mindedness is unforgivable. The stubbornness is unforgivable.”
Even now, the NSW state government is being incautiously proud, assuming that its tracing system is without peer. In the hyperbolic assertion of Berejiklian, “We do have, I believe, one of the best if not the best contract tracing team on the planet.” A tedious Morrison continues to toot the claim that “NSW is the gold standard,” having handled the pandemic in exemplary fashion where others “faltered”.
Refusing to adopt the dramatic, and at times draconian policy of the Andrews lockdown formula, especially given the Christmas period, the Berejeklian government is gambling on prowess and precision. Premier Berejiklian, for instance, has urged people not to use public transport without wearing a mask or frequent a supermarket or place of worship without one. “It would just be crazy” not to do so.
A more localised containment approach has been adopted, with a focus on the Northern Beaches area. Residents leaving their home face fines of $1100 unless undertaken for approved reasons. The area has now been divided for the Christmas period into two zones with slightly different regulations.
For all its self-praise, the government has done much to stifle discussion on flaws in its own quarantine policy, not least its approach to handling the isolation of flight crews. A degree of latitude has been permitted to airline staff to self-isolate in hotels of their own choice. Only now has this approach changed, with thirteen crewmembers of an LATAM Chile flight from South American fined $1,000 for leaving their hotel to attend various city venues. The airlines, for the most part, feel that quarantine conditions are not the province of the state government. The Australian airline Qantas, for instance, would prefer exemptions for their crew to remain while they manage their own quarantine arrangements. What could go wrong?
Whatever happens in terms of managing the Sydney outbreak does not detract from the distinct inconspicuousness, if not absence, of the prime minister. From the start of the pandemic, Morrison has made the states and territories the chief custodians of public health defence. His biosecurity eye has been stubbornly closed.
As has been pointed out by the veteran journalist Paul Bongiorno, this has been nothing short of a grand abdication of responsibility. “Early in the pandemic at the first meeting of Scott Morrison’s national cabinet – the rolling summit of the state and territory leaders – according to a source close to the meeting, the states were shocked when the Prime Minister came to the meeting with no quarantine plan.” It took the promptings of Premier Andrews, backed by other state and territory leaders, to create a state-funded hotel quarantine scheme.
In its interim report, the Australian Senate inquiry into the Morrison government’s approach to the coronavirus found that it “did not have adequate plans in place either before, or during the pandemic. Not only did it fail to heed warnings prior to COVID-19 about the National Medical Stockpile of personal protective equipment, there were inadequacies in its approach to pandemic planning exercises.” Specific sectors also suffered, as there was no developed “COVID-19 plan for the [aged care] sector, which was unprepared and ill-equipped to protect the safety of residents when the pandemic hit.”
With such outbreaks, questions will gather, and remain unanswered. Sounding a touch stringent, but nonetheless relevant, Magda Szubanski suggested that “the only thing preventing this country from having a normal, healthy, prosperous life” was permitting the continued arrival of overseas travellers. In a remark, she asks the nagging question: “surely the issue is – why do we not have a coherent, tough, effective FEDERAL quarantine approach to international travellers? God knows we can manage with asylum seekers?” Certainly something for the prime minister to chew over.
While Andrews will always be saddled with the errors, misjudgements and desperately poor decisions of the initial quarantine arrangements, his critics were unwise to assume the throne of judgment. Eventually, the riverbanks would break elsewhere. Other states would have to face a viral surge, their defences and containment measures bypassed and mocked. As with all absolute measures to seal off a community, breaches will take place and exceptions made.
In all of this, Morrison remains silent on matters that remain within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth. To date, there have been no announcements about revising quarantine exemptions for returning diplomats, aircrew or the specially chosen ones. The prospects for another seeding event remain; the gold has come off the standard.
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne. Email: bkampmark@gmail.com
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southfront--2020-12-23--Israeli Submarine ‘Openly’ Crosses Suez Canal Toward Persian Gulf As Iran Tensions Soar

Israeli media is widely reporting early this week than an Israeli submarine in an unprecedented move has openly traversed the Suez Canal en route to the Persian Gulf as a show of force “ message ” to Iran .
On Tuesday detailed that “ An IDF Navy submarine crossed the Suez Canal last week as a direct message to Iran , Kan News reported Monday evening.
” The report said further , “ Arab intelligence officials reportedly confirmed to Kan News that the Israeli submarine crossed the canal toward Iran visibly above water , in an act meant as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ali Khamenei.
” Egyptian authorities gave approval for the provocative Suez crossing , and the submarine also later passed through the Red Sea without incident .
While the Israeli Defense Forces ( IDF ) said it never comments on such military operational maneuvers , despite the traversing being done essentially out in the open , the submarine appears headed toward the Persian Gulf , which would constitute a huge threat and significant escalation from Tehran ’ s perspective .
“ According to Arab intelligence that confirmed the reports , the submarine passed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward the Persian Gulf , in what they believe was meant as a direct threat to Iran , ” report continued .
Both Israel and the United States seem to be coordinating a message of deterrence to the Islamic Republic , given also on Monday the US Navy announced publicly that its nuclear submarine USS Georgia is currently transiting the Strait of Hormuz , the vital Gulf narrow waterway where Iran ’ s IRGC frequently patrols Israeli submarine route as presented in the initial Kan News report : Iran ’ s leaders have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are poised to take revenge against those responsible for the assassination of top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh outside Tehran on November 27 .
It was later revealed that a satellite-controlled machine-gun with “ artificial intelligence ” was used in the attack , which Iran has blamed on Israel , likely with US intelligence assistance .
The region is also on edge as it ’ s less than two weeks until the first anniversary of the US assassination by drone of IRGC Quds Force chief Gen. Qassem Soleimani at Baghdad airport on Jan. 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces in the region , especially stationed on Iran , remain on high alert .
The US Navy also late last week engaged in joint war drills with Gulf allies in the area ( the Arabian Gulf is a reference to the Persian Gulf ) : It remains unclear whether the Israeli submarine will actually enter ( or perhaps has already ) entered the Persian Gulf alongside the US allied submarine .
If so , Israel certainly won ’ t advertise it at that point , or disclose the underwater vessel ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hostile enough act to respond , potentially setting off a chain of escalation leading to all out war .
Crucially all of this build-up in tension also comes as President-Elect Joe Biden has vowed to restore US participation in the 2015 nuclear deal ( JCPOA ) .
Iran has said if the US comes back with no additional conditions or any attempt to renegotiate , Tehran will return to the deal “ within an hour ” .
President Trump has meanwhile strongly signaled he intends to derail any such future Biden efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being done through ratcheted up sanctions on the Islamic Republic .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • US Navy Deploys Nuclear Submarine To Persian Gulf Amid Heightened Tensions With Iran • U.S .
Adds Chinese , Russian Companies To MEU “ Alternative Sanctions ” List , Pushing Them Closer Together

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
Israeli media is widely reporting early this week than an Israeli submarine in an unprecedented move has openly traversed the Suez Canal en route to the Persian Gulf as a show of force “message” to Iran.
On Tuesday The Jerusalem Post detailed that “An IDF Navy submarine crossed the Suez Canal last week as a direct message to Iran, Kan News reported Monday evening.” The report said further, “Arab intelligence officials reportedly confirmed to Kan News that the Israeli submarine crossed the canal toward Iran visibly above water, in an act meant as a message to Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.”
Israel will not allow the threats of Iran to intimidate our country. This IDF Naval submarine crossing the Suez Canal with Egyptian clearance sends a clear and direct message to the Ayatollah and Iran. We will beat you back.https://t.co/crTbmcxvOF — Benjamin Anthony (@BenAnthony1948) December 21, 2020
Egyptian authorities gave approval for the provocative Suez crossing, and the submarine also later passed through the Red Sea without incident.
While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it never comments on such military operational maneuvers, despite the traversing being done essentially out in the open, the submarine appears headed toward the Persian Gulf, which would constitute a huge threat and significant escalation from Tehran’s perspective.
“According to Arab intelligence that confirmed the reports, the submarine passed the Red Sea and was making its way toward the Persian Gulf, in what they believe was meant as a direct threat to Iran,” The Jerusalem Post report continued.
הצוללת הישראלית בדרך לאיראן – חשיפת כאן חדשות | גורמי מודיעין ערביים: צוללת של חיל הים חצתה את תעלת סואץ באופן גלוי ובאישור מצרי, לכיוון המפרץ הפרסי. הגורמים העריכו שישראל ניסתה להעביר מסר לטהראן. מצה"ל נמסר שהם לא מתייחסים לפרסומים מסוג זה @kaisos1987 #חדשותהערב pic.twitter.com/T67OG9QrMw — כאן חדשות (@kann_news) December 21, 2020
Both Israel and the United States seem to be coordinating a message of deterrence to the Islamic Republic, given also on Monday the US Navy announced publicly that its nuclear submarine USS Georgia is currently transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the vital Gulf narrow waterway where Iran’s IRGC frequently patrols
Israeli submarine route as presented in the initial Kan News report:
Iran’s leaders have of late issued repeat threats saying they are poised to take revenge against those responsible for the assassination of top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh outside Tehran on November 27.
It was later revealed that a satellite-controlled machine-gun with “artificial intelligence” was used in the attack, which Iran has blamed on Israel, likely with US intelligence assistance.
The region is also on edge as it’s less than two weeks until the first anniversary of the US assassination by drone of IRGC Quds Force chief Gen. Qassem Soleimani at Baghdad airport on Jan. 3, 2020. For this reason US forces in the region, especially stationed on Iran, remain on high alert.
The US Navy also late last week engaged in joint war drills with Gulf allies in the area (the Arabian Gulf is a reference to the Persian Gulf):
It remains unclear whether the Israeli submarine will actually enter (or perhaps has already) entered the Persian Gulf alongside the US allied submarine.
“We will continue to enhance the abilities of our combined, joint force to decisively defend against maritime security threats.” Saudi, U.S. Forces Conduct Joint Aviation Integration Exercise in Arabian Gulf. FULL STORY➡ https://t.co/QcJw2K1Qpc pic.twitter.com/jEZ2uj8yvt — U.S. Navy (@USNavy) December 21, 2020
If so, Israel certainly won’t advertise it at that point, or disclose the underwater vessel’s whereabouts. The IRGC would consider it a hostile enough act to respond, potentially setting off a chain of escalation leading to all out war.
Crucially all of this build-up in tension also comes as President-Elect Joe Biden has vowed to restore US participation in the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA).
Iran has said if the US comes back with no additional conditions or any attempt to renegotiate, Tehran will return to the deal “within an hour”. President Trump has meanwhile strongly signaled he intends to derail any such future Biden efforts to restore the deal. Currently this is being done through ratcheted up sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
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southfront--2020-12-23--Last Days To Keep SouthFront Alive In 2021

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southfront--2020-12-23--La Armada De Los Estados Unidos Despliega Un Submarino Nuclear En El Golfo Pérsico En Medio De Mayor

La Armada De Los Estados Unidos Despliega Un Submarino Nuclear En El Golfo Pérsico En Medio De Mayores Tensiones Con Irán

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El submarino nuclear USS Georgia de clase Ohio junto con los cruceros equipados con misiles teledirigidos USS Port Royal y USS Philippine Sea transitaron por el Estrecho de Ormuz e ingresaron al Golfo Pérsico, según dió a conocer el 21 de diciembre la Armada de los Estados Unidos. El submarino USS Georgia es capaz de transportar hasta 154 misiles crucero Tomahawk de ataque terrestre . El submarino también puede ser configurado para alojar hasta 66 integrantes de fuerzas de operaciones especiales. Si el liderazgo estadounidense toma una decisión de esta naturaleza, el submarino podrá desplegar grupos de saboteadores para atacar objetivos en la costa iraní o a barcos iraníes.
El aumento de la presencia militar estadounidense en el Golfo se produce en medio de tensiones con Irán las que alcanzaron nuevos niveles tras el reciente asesinato de un importante científico nuclear iraní cerca de Teherán. Este 20 de diciembre, fueron disparados ocho cohetes contra la Embajada de Estados Unidos ubicada en la fortificada Zona Verde de Bagdad. El ataque provocó daños en edificios y automóviles en la zona cercana a la embajada. Para repeler el ataque, el ejército estadounidense empleó el sistema de defensa aérea C-RAM, el que fue desplegado en Irak a principios del 2020 junto con misiles tierra-aire Patriot.
Como era de esperarse, el secretario de Estado Mike Pompeo culpó del ataque a las fuerzas respaldadas por Irán. Los principales medios y las “fuentes anónimas” regularmente citadas por éstos expresan “preocupación” de que Irán pueda utilizar el aniversario del asesinato del general Qasem Soleimani para llevar a cabo un ataque simbólico contra intereses estadounidenses en la región. Cualquier ataque de este tipo o incluso la “posibilidad” de tal ataque podría ser utilizado por la administración Trump como pretexto para una nueva ronda de acciones activas contra Irán.
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southfront--2020-12-23--Secret Uranium Bargain: Russia’s Reparations For Losing The Cold War

On February 18 , 1993 , the governments of the Russian Federation and the United States signed the “ Agreement Concerning the Disposition of Highly-Enriched Uranium Extracted from Nuclear Weapons ” .
Under this document , Russia undertook to supply the U.S. with not less than 500 tons of its weapon-grade uranium that would be used as fuel in U.S. nuclear power plants .
The agreement was extended over the 20-years period , and the program was successfully completed in 2013 .
In its turn , the U.S. was obliged to pay about $ 11 billion .
With the blessing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was signed by Albert Gore and Viktor Chernomyrdin .
The agreement was concluded two years after the signing of the START I that contemplated almost 50 % reduction in the number of nuclear warheads and carriers .
It raised a necessity to recycle the excessive quantity of weapon-grade uranium from the thousands of nuclear warheads .
Referring to desperate state of the Russian economy and the need to assure that there would be no risk that Soviet nuclear weapon falls into wrong hands , American scientist Thomas Neff proposed to dilute excessive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( HEU ) into low-enriched uranium ( LEU ) and send it to the U.S. nuclear power plants .
In order to provide additional employment in Russian former defense enterprises and to keep the isotopic composition of the material in secret , it was decided that HEU would be diluted in Russian factories , and the U.S. would get the right to control the process .
As well as , the Russian side could ensure that this uranium is not used for the U.S. military purposes .
So-called “ Megatons to Megawatts Program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal .
It could be so , if Russia had not assured a half of the U.S. nuclear power plants ’ needs for 20 years almost for free .
The “ mutually beneficial deal ” turned out to be Russian reparations for losing the Cold war .
The documents that were declassified in the U.S. in 1996 unveiled that , after spending $ 3.9 trillion on nuclear weapons since 1945 , the Americans were able to produce only 550 tons of weapons-grade uranium .
It equals the quantity of nuclear fuel that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the Atlantic Ocean .
The uranium was sold not for trillions dollars in line with what the US spent , but for $ 11.5 billion .
According to various estimates of nuclear scientists , the cost of Russian uranium was much higher and could amount to $ 8-12 trillion .
That is , Americans paid only 0.15 % of the real value .
The bargain was cloaked in utmost secrecy .
The agreement was not ratified .
Despite the numerous demands to ratify it according to the law , as the agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Russian Ministry of Defense , whose missiles were gutted in the most shameless way , had no idea on the final destination of uranium transfer .
According to Rodionov ’ s claims , in total , there were four agreements , but the texts of documents No .
1 and No .
3 were missing .
They have never been found .
Many prominent Russian scientists and politicians were involved in solving the mystery of the secret agreements , some of them paid for their curiosity with their lives .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agreement was Lev Maksimov , acting Director of the secret Novosibirsk Institute of physical problems of metallurgy and special engineering , who tried to raise a stink hoping to push Kremlin to invalidate the agreement .
However , his efforts led to the opposite results , all scientific developments that the Institute was engaged in were confiscated by “ unidentified persons ” , and researchers were expelled .
Since then , Maximov has been persecuted and threatened , he survived several assassination attacks .
He addressed to the Chairman of the State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who started to investigate the implementation of the agreement .
In November 1996 , Rokhlin wrote a letter to Yeltsin asking about the deal , but received no response .
L. Rokhlin was assassinated in his datcha in 1998 .
According to some reports , after the murder of L. Rokhlin , Deputy Chairman of the State Duma ’ s Defense Committee Yuri Shchekochikhin , has been actively searching for the “ missing ” texts of the agreements No .
1 and No .
3 .
He was allegedly poisoned in 2003 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duma Deputy Viktor Ilyukhin tried to unveil the deal .
The death of Ilyukhin and the resignation of Skuratov are attributed to their excessive activity in the investigation of the Grand Uranium Bargain .
Skuratov resigned in 2000 .
The formal reason for his resignation that was spread by mass media was a video in which Skuratov allegedly had sex with two young women .
In fact , the video did not produce the desired effect , many even envied that the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation at his age could please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1990s , rape and pedophilia were wide spread in Russia , so Skuratov ’ s decent personal life , as he had never been suspected of cheating on his wife , did not make a desired splash .
According to trusted sources , the video was rigged .
The scandal was initiated by a circle of people whose interests were prevented by Skuratov ’ s actions against the realization of pro-American agenda on the territory of Russia .
The Prosecutor General worked in several such directions , one of which was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thanks to Rokhlin , other deputies joined investigation process , including Ivan Nikitchuk , doctor of technical science , nuclear physicist , who worked for almost 30 years at the secret Arzamas-16 facility .
They checked the information received from Maximov and agreed that it was true .
There were less and less doubts that a crime has been committed against Russian national interests .
In 1997 after the inspection , closed and then open trials were held in the State Duma .
The participants developed appropriate recommendations , and sent requests to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Security Council with a demand to give the Parliament appropriate explanations .
In 1998 , the anti-Corruption Commission of the State Duma made a number of requests concerning the reliability of the sale of weapons-grade uranium .
The government and the Prosecutor General ’ s office replied that there was no such agreement , as well as the sale of uranuim .
Later , the deal , which was deliberately hidden , became public .
Now , the code of the agreement , its approximate content , and conditions are known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States is characterized by the following figures : it has been providing half of the country ’ s nuclear power plant needs for nuclear fuel for almost 20 years and generating up to 10 % of the total electricity produced in the United States annually .
However , according to the report released by the National nuclear safety administration ( NNSA ) the US uranium industry has fallen into decline during the years of abundance of Russian uranium and the significant cash injection was necessary to revive it .
Russia completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin , in 2013 .
The total income from the implementation of the Grand Uranium Bargain was about $ 17 billion .
The Russian budget received $ 13 billion .
The Russian economy has suffered extensive damage .
In reference to oil , from 1991 to 2013 the cost of a barrel increased from $ 40 to $ 120 .
Assuming an average value of $ 50 , Russia ’ s revenue could be $ 750 billion , without taking into account the indirect costs of “ subsidies ” to the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , spending no money on the use of its own resources .
The weapons-grade uranium sent to the United States could be used as fuel for Russian domestic nuclear power plants or sold to other countries at a market price .
For example , already in 2012 , Techsnabexport entered the Middle Eastern market by signing a long-term contract with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation ( UAE ) for the supply of Russian uranium from weapons reserves for the Baraka nuclear power plant .
The delivery of a batch of enriched uranium from Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 2012 confirmed the feasibility and prospects of using new transport corridors for the supply of uranium products to various world regions .
The Grand Uranium Bargain was conceived as a de facto implementation of the START-2 Treaty , which has never been ratified .
In 1997 , more than 400 tons of weapons-grade uranium were extracted from Russian nuclear warheads that equals to more than 25 thousand dismantled nuclear warheads .
Thus , bypassing the ratification of the START-2 Treaty , the deal makers ensured the fulfillment of the main strategic tasks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accelerate Russian unilateral nuclear disarmament .
The reason that prompted the Russian government to sign the Grand Uranium Bargain in 1993 remains unclear .
Probably , Yeltsin gave way on the sale in order to convince the U.S. to turn a blind eye to the bombing of the Supreme Russian Soviet that claimed lives of 124 persons .
This was a bidding — the United States received nuclear fuel for non-interference .
It wasn ’ t a commercial decision , but a political one .
In Russia , the Grand Uranium Bargain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ century ” .
The betrayal of the country national interests has not been properly investigated yet .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • US Navy Deploys Nuclear Submarine To Persian Gulf Amid Heightened Tensions With Iran • Food Price Crisis In Russia : Putin Gives Ultimatum For Solution • Russia ’ s Nuclear Triad “ Reached Level Of Guaranteed Security ” And Its Defensive Posture In 2020 And Beyond

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You can read this article in German. LINK
On February 18, 1993, the governments of the Russian Federation and the United States signed the “Agreement Concerning the Disposition of Highly-Enriched Uranium Extracted from Nuclear Weapons”. Under this document, Russia undertook to supply the U.S. with not less than 500 tons of its weapon-grade uranium that would be used as fuel in U.S. nuclear power plants. The agreement was extended over the 20-years period, and the program was successfully completed in 2013. In its turn, the U.S. was obliged to pay about $11 billion. With the blessing of Yeltsin and Clinton, the deal was signed by Albert Gore and Viktor Chernomyrdin.
The agreement was concluded two years after the signing of the START I that contemplated almost 50% reduction in the number of nuclear warheads and carriers. It raised a necessity to recycle the excessive quantity of weapon-grade uranium from the thousands of nuclear warheads. Referring to desperate state of the Russian economy and the need to assure that there would be no risk that Soviet nuclear weapon falls into wrong hands, American scientist Thomas Neff proposed to dilute excessive for national security purposes Russian high-enriched weapon-grade uranium (HEU) into low-enriched uranium (LEU) and send it to the U.S. nuclear power plants. In order to provide additional employment in Russian former defense enterprises and to keep the isotopic composition of the material in secret, it was decided that HEU would be diluted in Russian factories, and the U.S. would get the right to control the process. As well as, the Russian side could ensure that this uranium is not used for the U.S. military purposes.
So-called “Megatons to Megawatts Program” was presented as a mutually beneficial deal. It could be so, if Russia had not assured a half of the U.S. nuclear power plants’ needs for 20 years almost for free. The “mutually beneficial deal” turned out to be Russian reparations for losing the Cold war.
The documents that were declassified in the U.S. in 1996 unveiled that, after spending $ 3.9 trillion on nuclear weapons since 1945, the Americans were able to produce only 550 tons of weapons-grade uranium. It equals the quantity of nuclear fuel that was sent by Victor Chernomyrdin and Boris Yeltsin across the Atlantic Ocean. The uranium was sold not for trillions dollars in line with what the US spent, but for $ 11.5 billion. According to various estimates of nuclear scientists, the cost of Russian uranium was much higher and could amount to $8-12 trillion. That is, Americans paid only 0.15% of the real value.
The bargain was cloaked in utmost secrecy. The agreement was not ratified. Despite the numerous demands to ratify it according to the law, as the agreement affected national security. Even the directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense, whose missiles were gutted in the most shameless way, had no idea on the final destination of uranium transfer.
Army General Igor Rodionov once admitted: “How was it possible that being the Minister of Defense I knew nothing about the Uranium Bargain between Russia and the United States. There are still the questions: Who exactly, in what composition and how did they implement these agreements?”
According to Rodionov’s claims, in total, there were four agreements, but the texts of documents No. 1 and No. 3 were missing. They have never been found.
“And for some reason, neither the Russian FSB, nor the Security Council, nor the Ministry of Defense can help us, the deputies of the State Duma. I personally addressed three letters to President Putin in May 2004, January and March 2005. Putin didn’t answer me. I wanted to explain to the President of the country that probably we are dealing with high treason of paramount importance.”
Many prominent Russian scientists and politicians were involved in solving the mystery of the secret agreements, some of them paid for their curiosity with their lives. The first to see the criminal nature of the agreement was Lev Maksimov, acting Director of the secret Novosibirsk Institute of physical problems of metallurgy and special engineering, who tried to raise a stink hoping to push Kremlin to invalidate the agreement.
However, his efforts led to the opposite results, all scientific developments that the Institute was engaged in were confiscated by “unidentified persons”, and researchers were expelled. Since then, Maximov has been persecuted and threatened, he survived several assassination attacks.
He addressed to the Chairman of the State Duma’s Defense Committee Lev Rokhlin, who started to investigate the implementation of the agreement. In November 1996, Rokhlin wrote a letter to Yeltsin asking about the deal, but received no response. L. Rokhlin was assassinated in his datcha in 1998.
A day before the murder, Rokhlin gave an interview to Express-Gazeta, saying: “I have enough documents to claim that some officials from the presidential administration work for foreign intelligence. I am very close to releasing these documents…”
According to some reports, after the murder of L. Rokhlin, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma’s Defense Committee Yuri Shchekochikhin, has been actively searching for the “missing” texts of the agreements No. 1 and No. 3. He was allegedly poisoned in 2003.
Prosecutor General Yuri Skuratov and State Duma Deputy Viktor Ilyukhin tried to unveil the deal. The death of Ilyukhin and the resignation of Skuratov are attributed to their excessive activity in the investigation of the Grand Uranium Bargain.
Skuratov resigned in 2000. The formal reason for his resignation that was spread by mass media was a video in which Skuratov allegedly had sex with two young women. In fact, the video did not produce the desired effect, many even envied that the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation at his age could please young women. In addition, in the 1990s, rape and pedophilia were wide spread in Russia, so Skuratov’s decent personal life, as he had never been suspected of cheating on his wife, did not make a desired splash. According to trusted sources, the video was rigged. The scandal was initiated by a circle of people whose interests were prevented by Skuratov’s actions against the realization of pro-American agenda on the territory of Russia. The Prosecutor General worked in several such directions, one of which was the investigation of the Grand Uranium Bargain.
Thanks to Rokhlin, other deputies joined investigation process, including Ivan Nikitchuk, doctor of technical science, nuclear physicist, who worked for almost 30 years at the secret Arzamas-16 facility. They checked the information received from Maximov and agreed that it was true. There were less and less doubts that a crime has been committed against Russian national interests.
In 1997 after the inspection, closed and then open trials were held in the State Duma. The participants developed appropriate recommendations, and sent requests to President Yeltsin, the Prosecutor General, and the Security Council with a demand to give the Parliament appropriate explanations. In 1998, the anti-Corruption Commission of the State Duma made a number of requests concerning the reliability of the sale of weapons-grade uranium. The government and the Prosecutor General’s office replied that there was no such agreement, as well as the sale of uranuim.
Later, the deal, which was deliberately hidden, became public. Now, the code of the agreement, its approximate content, and conditions are known.
The significance of this deal for the United States is characterized by the following figures: it has been providing half of the country’s nuclear power plant needs for nuclear fuel for almost 20 years and generating up to 10% of the total electricity produced in the United States annually. However, according to the report released by the National nuclear safety administration (NNSA) the US uranium industry has fallen into decline during the years of abundance of Russian uranium and the significant cash injection was necessary to revive it.
Russia completed its part of the Uranium deal under Putin, in 2013. The total income from the implementation of the Grand Uranium Bargain was about $17 billion. The Russian budget received $13 billion.
The Russian economy has suffered extensive damage. In reference to oil, from 1991 to 2013 the cost of a barrel increased from $40 to $120. Assuming an average value of $ 50, Russia’s revenue could be $ 750 billion, without taking into account the indirect costs of “subsidies” to the United States, which used Russian uranium for decades, spending no money on the use of its own resources.
The weapons-grade uranium sent to the United States could be used as fuel for Russian domestic nuclear power plants or sold to other countries at a market price. For example, already in 2012, Techsnabexport entered the Middle Eastern market by signing a long-term contract with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (UAE) for the supply of Russian uranium from weapons reserves for the Baraka nuclear power plant. The delivery of a batch of enriched uranium from Russia to Japan via the Vostochny Port in October 2012 confirmed the feasibility and prospects of using new transport corridors for the supply of uranium products to various world regions.
The Grand Uranium Bargain was conceived as a de facto implementation of the START-2 Treaty, which has never been ratified. In 1997, more than 400 tons of weapons-grade uranium were extracted from Russian nuclear warheads that equals to more than 25 thousand dismantled nuclear warheads. Thus, bypassing the ratification of the START-2 Treaty, the deal makers ensured the fulfillment of the main strategic tasks of the US and NATO leadership – to accelerate Russian unilateral nuclear disarmament.
The reason that prompted the Russian government to sign the Grand Uranium Bargain in 1993 remains unclear.
Probably, Yeltsin gave way on the sale in order to convince the U.S. to turn a blind eye to the bombing of the Supreme Russian Soviet that claimed lives of 124 persons. This was a bidding — the United States received nuclear fuel for non-interference. It wasn’t a commercial decision, but a political one.
In Russia, the Grand Uranium Bargain was called the “Scam of the century”. The betrayal of the country national interests has not been properly investigated yet.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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