southfront--2020-09-07--U.S. And NATO Increasingly Training For Strikes On Russian Territory: Russian Defense Minister

In recent months and years , NATO , and specifically the US , have not only boosted their surveillance activities along Russia ’ s borders , but are also increasingly training for potential strikes on Russian soil , Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said .
Shoigu spoke in an interview , aired on Russian TV on September 6th .
He said that a sharp increase in foreign surveillance and training flights testing the country ’ s borders and air defenses had been observed .
In August , such activities increased by some 30 percent compared to August 2019 .
Moreover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been actively training to conduct air strikes , routinely performing mock missile launches on targets within the country , Shoigu claimed .
Over the last several weeks leading up to September 6th , there were several incidents when Russian fighter jets had to be lifted to intercept US and NATO aircraft encroaching near the borders .
On September 4th , most notably , 3 B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers flew over Ukraine ’ s airspace , and along the borders of Crimea , as well as the Donetsk and Luhansk People ’ s Republics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighter jets and warned away from the border .
Another incident involving US strategic bombers occurred late in August , when a B-52H was intercepted by a Russian Su-27 fighter jet over the Baltic Sea .
In that situation , Denmark claimed that the Russian plane violated the country ’ s borders while chasing the US plane .
Moscow denied the accusations .
On September 4th , Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that a meeting of the heads of defense departments of the SCO , CIS and CSTO countries was the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international participation have not yet been held .
The minister expressed confidence that international military cooperation will intensify after this meeting , and the results of the meeting “ will become a solid basis for deepening interaction between defense departments.
” He also thanked his colleagues from the SCO , CIS and CSTO for the participation of the crews in the Victory Parade , which took place on June 24 in Moscow , and also noted the high level of their preparation .
Shoigu stressed that the place where the meeting is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – was also not chosen by chance .
Here , according to him , history and modernity are closely intertwined .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • U.S .
Carries Out “ Historical ” B-25H Bomber Flight In Ukrainian Airspace Along Crimea And Eastern Ukraine • Ukraine ’ s Puzzling Enthusiasm In Inviting U.S.-Led Nuclear War On Its Territory

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In recent months and years, NATO, and specifically the US, have not only boosted their surveillance activities along Russia’s borders, but are also increasingly training for potential strikes on Russian soil, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
Shoigu spoke in an interview, aired on Russian TV on September 6th.
He said that a sharp increase in foreign surveillance and training flights testing the country’s borders and air defenses had been observed.
In August, such activities increased by some 30 percent compared to August 2019.
Moreover, the bloc’s aircraft have been actively training to conduct air strikes, routinely performing mock missile launches on targets within the country, Shoigu claimed.
“The most alarming is that if earlier – even though not that frequently – there were mainly reconnaissance aircraft, they’ve now begun regular training flights with large numbers of planes, during which the mock missile strikes are conducted.”
Over the last several weeks leading up to September 6th, there were several incidents when Russian fighter jets had to be lifted to intercept US and NATO aircraft encroaching near the borders.
On September 4th, most notably, 3 B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers flew over Ukraine’s airspace, and along the borders of Crimea, as well as the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics.
The bombers were intercepted by eight fighter jets and warned away from the border.
Another incident involving US strategic bombers occurred late in August, when a B-52H was intercepted by a Russian Su-27 fighter jet over the Baltic Sea.
In that situation, Denmark claimed that the Russian plane violated the country’s borders while chasing the US plane. Moscow denied the accusations.
On September 4th, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that a meeting of the heads of defense departments of the SCO, CIS and CSTO countries was the first in history, such large-scale events with international participation have not yet been held.
“Today’s meeting is the first meeting of this level in the history of our international contacts,” Shoigu said in his opening remarks.
The minister expressed confidence that international military cooperation will intensify after this meeting, and the results of the meeting “will become a solid basis for deepening interaction between defense departments.”
He also thanked his colleagues from the SCO, CIS and CSTO for the participation of the crews in the Victory Parade, which took place on June 24 in Moscow, and also noted the high level of their preparation.
Shoigu stressed that the place where the meeting is being held – the Patriot Park in Kubinka – was also not chosen by chance. Here, according to him, history and modernity are closely intertwined.
“The line of defense of Moscow passed here, where the Soviet troops stopped the enemy and achieved the first major successes at the front. From here began the movement of our troops to the West and the liberation of people from fascism,” the minister said.
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southfront--2020-09-07--Turkish Soldier Killed In Militant Attack In Idlib

On September 7th , the Turkish Ministry of National Defense reported that a soldier injured as a result of an armed attack by terrorists died as a result of his wounds in Idlib , Syria .
In a written statement made by the Ministry of Defense Press and Public Relations Consultancy , it was stated that a soldier injured as a result of an armed attack by terrorists was transferred to the hospital , but despite all the interventions , died .
“ We would like to express our condolences and peace to our beloved martyr who lost his life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep pain and sadness , to his grieving family , to the Turkish Armed Forces and to our noble nation.
” National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar also issued a condolence message for the killed Infantry Expert Corporal Serdar Aslan .
Akar , in his message said : The body of the 28-year-old soldier was returned to Turkey , so that he could be buried by his relatives and friends .
He was married and had a 3-year-old child .
It should be reminded that Idlib is mostly filled with Turkish-affiliated terrorists , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on any official armed forces personnel , including their allegedly allied Turkish troops .
This is a result of Turkey ’ s policy in Idlib of allowing militants to do as they please , and they evidently do exactly as they please .
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On September 7th, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense reported that a soldier injured as a result of an armed attack by terrorists died as a result of his wounds in Idlib, Syria.
In a written statement made by the Ministry of Defense Press and Public Relations Consultancy, it was stated that a soldier injured as a result of an armed attack by terrorists was transferred to the hospital, but despite all the interventions, died.
The statement expressed condolences.
“We would like to express our condolences and peace to our beloved martyr who lost his life in this incident that drowned us in deep pain and sadness, to his grieving family, to the Turkish Armed Forces and to our noble nation.”
National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar also issued a condolence message for the killed Infantry Expert Corporal Serdar Aslan.
Akar, in his message said:
“On behalf of myself and the members of the Ministry of National Defense, I wish mercy from Allah, my condolences and peace to his grieving family and our noble nation.”
The body of the 28-year-old soldier was returned to Turkey, so that he could be buried by his relatives and friends. He was married and had a 3-year-old child.
It should be reminded that Idlib is mostly filled with Turkish-affiliated terrorists, who, despite that, continue frequent attacks on any official armed forces personnel, including their allegedly allied Turkish troops.
This is a result of Turkey’s policy in Idlib of allowing militants to do as they please, and they evidently do exactly as they please.
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southfront--2020-09-07--Two French Soldiers Killed During Anti-Terrorist Operation In Mali

On September 5th , Two French soldiers were killed in a military operation in Mali ’ s northeastern Kidal region , the the Élysée Palace announced .
An armed vehicle was hit by an improved explosive device ( IED ) , as a result of which two soldiers died and one was injured .
French President Emmanuel Macron expresses his “ deep respect ” for the soldiers ’ “ sacrifice ” and sends his “ sincere condolences to their families and loved ones ” , the presidential office said .
In its statement announcing the death of the two French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reiterated France ’ s calls for a swift transition of power to civilian rule in Mali .
A month and a half earlier , on July 22nd , another French soldier , from the army ’ s First Parachute Hussar Regiment was killed in combat in Mali .
Earlier on September 5th , Mali ’ s military junta began talks with opposition groups to keep its promise to hand power back to civilians , after mounting pressure from neighbouring countries since the coup in August .
The Sahel is plagued with terrorists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries in the region , so far , Mali appears to be the one suffering the most .
France started its military operations in the country in 2013 , after Mali asked it to help regain territory seized by Islamist extremists who had hijacked a Touareg rebellion in the country ’ s northern desert regions the previous year .
The French military succeeded in this initial task – but the jihadist insurgency has since spread throughout Mali and across the border to Niger and Burkina Faso .
Currently , the French operation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries are having little to no effect in cleansing the area of terrorists , or stopping their continued attacks .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Military Junta In Mali Promises “ Stability ” As President Gives Up Power

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On September 5th, two French soldiers were killed in a military operation in Mali’s northeastern Kidal region, the Élysée Palace announced.
An armed vehicle was hit by an improved explosive device (IED), as a result of which two soldiers died and one was injured.
[#CEMA] "Je m'incline devant la mémoire du 1CL Arnaud VOLPE et du BC1 S. T. dont j'apprends avec émotion la mort au combat, ce jour, au Mali. J'apporte tout mon soutien à leur famille, à leur camarade blessé et leurs frères d'armes." Général Lecointre pic.twitter.com/CJSC2EUi3T — État-Major Armées (@EtatMajorFR) September 5, 2020
French President Emmanuel Macron expresses his “deep respect” for the soldiers’ “sacrifice” and sends his “sincere condolences to their families and loved ones”, the presidential office said.
In its statement announcing the death of the two French soldiers, the president’s office reiterated France’s calls for a swift transition of power to civilian rule in Mali.
A month and a half earlier, on July 22nd, another French soldier, from the army’s First Parachute Hussar Regiment was killed in combat in Mali.
Earlier on September 5th, Mali’s military junta began talks with opposition groups to keep its promise to hand power back to civilians, after mounting pressure from neighbouring countries since the coup in August.
The Sahel is plagued with terrorists, who carry out frequent attacks in the countries in the region, so far, Mali appears to be the one suffering the most.
France started its military operations in the country in 2013, after Mali asked it to help regain territory seized by Islamist extremists who had hijacked a Touareg rebellion in the country’s northern desert regions the previous year.
The French military succeeded in this initial task – but the jihadist insurgency has since spread throughout Mali and across the border to Niger and Burkina Faso.
Currently, the French operation, together with the operations of the surrounding countries are having little to no effect in cleansing the area of terrorists, or stopping their continued attacks.
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southfront--2020-09-07--Recent ISIS Attacks In Mozambique – September 6, 2020 (Map Update)

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Mozambique:
French gas & oil company Total signed a security deal with the Mozambican government to help with logistic assistance to confront the insurgency in gas region of Cabo Delgado;
ISIS branch in Central Africa claimed that its forces had repelled an attempt to capture the town of Mosemboa da Praia in the Cabo Delgado region, having killed and wounded 20 Tanzanian soldiers;
Besides the Mozambican soldiers, the Tanzanian Armed Forces reportedly participated in the operation.
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southfront--2020-09-07--Another Rocket Strike Hit Military Section Of Baghdad Airport

Late on September 6 , another rocket strike targeted Baghdad International Airport in the vicinity of the country ’ s capital .
According to UAE-based al-Arabiya TV , three rockets were launched at the airport .
The rockets landed in the military section , which is known to be hosting troops of the U.S.-led coalition .
The Iraqi Security Media Cell confirmed the new rocket strike on Baghdad International Airport without providing any further details .
In the last few months , several rocket strikes have targeted Baghdad International Airport .
Most of the strikes were launched at the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any serious losses .
The most recent strike , which took place a few days ago , targeted the headquarters of British security service company G4S .
The company is responsible for the security of Baghdad International Airport .
Sabereen News , a Telegram channel close to Shiite armed groups in Iraq , claimed that the new strike had also targeted the headquarters of G4S .
Four vehicles of the company were allegedly destroyed .
Iraqi Shiite armed groups affiliated with Iran are reportedly behind these rocket strikes , or at least some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vowed to expel U.S. forces from the country after the assassination of Quds Force Commander Maj. Gen. Qassim Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis , Deputy-Commander of the Popular Mobilization Units , earlier this year .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Iranian Resistance Axis Strikes Back .
Convoys With US Equipment Blowing Up In Iraq

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Late on September 6, another rocket strike targeted Baghdad International Airport in the vicinity of the country’s capital.
According to UAE-based al-Arabiya TV, three rockets were launched at the airport. The rockets landed in the military section, which is known to be hosting troops of the U.S.-led coalition.
The Iraqi Security Media Cell confirmed the new rocket strike on Baghdad International Airport without providing any further details.
In the last few months, several rocket strikes have targeted Baghdad International Airport. Most of the strikes were launched at the military section and didn’t result in any serious losses.
The most recent strike, which took place a few days ago, targeted the headquarters of British security service company G4S. The company is responsible for the security of Baghdad International Airport.
Sabereen News, a Telegram channel close to Shiite armed groups in Iraq, claimed that the new strike had also targeted the headquarters of G4S. Four vehicles of the company were allegedly destroyed.
Iraqi Shiite armed groups affiliated with Iran are reportedly behind these rocket strikes, or at least some of them. Many of these group vowed to expel U.S. forces from the country after the assassination of Quds Force Commander Maj. Gen. Qassim Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Deputy-Commander of the Popular Mobilization Units, earlier this year.
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southfront--2020-09-07--High Level Russian Government Delegation Landed In Syria’s Damascus

On September 6 , a high level delegation of the Russian Federal Government headed by Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov arrived in the Syrian capital , Damascus .
The delegation received an official reception at Damascus International Airport by Ayman Susan , Syria ’ s Deputy Foreign Minister , and a group of the country ’ s senior diplomats .
According to the Syria News TV , Maria Zakharova , Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia , and Special Presidential envoy , Mikhail Bogdanov , were among the delegation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , SANA , revealed that the Russian delegation would hold talks with the Syrian government on economical , technical and scientific issues .
Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov is expected to arrive in Damascus tomorrow .
The visit will be his first to the war-torn country in the last eight years .
Lavrov will meet senior Syrian officials , likely including President Bashar al-Assad .
Syria , which is facing a serious economic crisis , increasing pressure by the West and a COVID-19 pandemic , is counting on its allies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Syrian Army Is Conducting Large Combing Operation In Central Region With Russian Support – Report

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On September 6, a high level delegation of the Russian Federal Government headed by Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov arrived in the Syrian capital, Damascus.
The delegation received an official reception at Damascus International Airport by Ayman Susan, Syria’s Deputy Foreign Minister, and a group of the country’s senior diplomats.
According to the Syria News TV, Maria Zakharova, Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, and Special Presidential envoy, Mikhail Bogdanov, were among the delegation’s members.
The Syrian Arab News Agency, SANA, revealed that the Russian delegation would hold talks with the Syrian government on economical, technical and scientific issues.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov is expected to arrive in Damascus tomorrow. The visit will be his first to the war-torn country in the last eight years. Lavrov will meet senior Syrian officials, likely including President Bashar al-Assad.
Syria, which is facing a serious economic crisis, increasing pressure by the West and a COVID-19 pandemic, is counting on its allies, headed by Russia, for help.
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southfront--2020-09-07--Poland Takes Centre Stage In ‘New Cold War’ Strategy

The decision of the Trump administration announced on 15 August that it is deploying another 1,000 troops to Poland pursuant to a new defence cooperation agreement signed on the anniversary of the victory of Poland in the Polish-Soviet war of 1920 reflects the US intention to locate a string of strategic offensive and defensive military infrastructure along Russia ’ s western border , from Norway in the far north to the Black Sea countries in the south .
The establishment and steady expansion of major military bases and logistics and operations hubs located along Russia ’ s western border is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strike exercises and drills involving bombers and submarines operating alone or jointly with other NATO countries or non-NATO partners such as Ukraine .
In an analysis of the broader geopolitical context of the move , Covert Action Magazine notes that the 1,000 military personnel to be deployed to Poland will be added to the 4,500 that were previously deployed by President Barack Obama following the 2014 Western-backed coup d ’ état in Ukraine and the Russian reunification with Crimea .
As part of the defence cooperation agreement , Poland has agreed to host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s V Corps headquarters , which the Polish foreign minister called “ the most important U.S. command centre on NATO ’ s eastern flank.
” The most recent events are a part of the strategic shift of successive US administrations moving the core military installations and activities of NATO from Paris and Bonn – what Donald Rumsfeld referred to as ‘ old Europe ’ – to the East , in accordance with a broader plan to forge alliances with and gain military control over as many of the countries of the former Soviet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eastern Europe as well as in Central Asia .
Both the Obama and Trump administrations have poured weapons into Eastern Europe , accompanied by the establishment of forward-deployed US troops and military installations and integrated with ongoing programs of military training and military exercises .
The shift of US military hardware and activities eastwards is part of an attempt to resurrect the Intermarium—a geopolitical concept originating in the post-World War I era that envisages an alliance of countries reaching from the Baltic Sea over the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany and Russia .
The term Intermarium was used by former United States Army Europe ( USAREUR ) commander General Ben Hodges to describe the US strategy for Central and Eastern Europe , before being revived on a much broader scale by the ruling Polish Party of Law and Justice as well as by Ukrainian far-right movements in the wake of the 2014 coup in Ukraine .
In 2019 , the US Army began rotational deployment of an armoured brigade combat team to Poland while the Pentagon prepositioned equipment for an MQ-9 Reaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Poland signed a $ 4.75 billion deal to purchase US Patriot missile defence systems from Raytheon , the largest arms procurement deal in Polish history .
At the signing ceremony , Polish President Andrzej Duda stated that the historic moment was “ Poland ’ s introduction into a whole new world of state-of-the art technology , modern weaponry and defensive means.
” Russia responded to the Patriot deal by upgrading its own nuclear arsenal and shifting strategic assets westwards , including the deployment of Iskander short-range nuclear capable missiles in Kaliningrad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Lithuania .
One of the features of the first Cold War was the US alliance with conservative and extreme right-wing factions , including those with Nazi collaborationist ties .
The new Cold War , unfortunately , is shaping up to be little different , as the US is again forming alliances with far right governments and political factions in the region against Russia .
Polish President Andrzej Duda is a leader of the right-wing Law and Justice Party , which has been criticized for tightening government control over the media and promoting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Duda has also been accused of promoting a right-wing revisionism surrounding World War II .
In 2018 , Duda signed a law playing down the Polish role in the Nazi Holocaust , banning people from accusing Poland of Holocaust atrocities committed by the Nazis and from referring to concentration camps as ‘ Polish death camps ’ .
The Duda administration has made a point of glorifying Polish resistance to the Nazis , but has underplayed Polish crimes like at Jedwabne in July 1941 , where Poles rounded up and killed their Jewish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atrocity committed on July 10 , 1941 , during the German occupation of Poland in World War II .
Described as a massacre or a pogrom by postwar historians , it resulted in the death of at least 340 Polish Jews of all ages , locked in a barn which was later set on fire .
A group of 23 Polish males was involved , after being summoned in Jedwabne by a German paramilitary group known as the Ordnungspolizei .
Duda has also promoted stringent anti-communism campaign whose supporters have demolished numerous Soviet-era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Nazi collaborators are presented as ‘ patriots ’ and ‘ heroes ’ .
Duda in fact signed a law banning all references to communism .
Given this position , it is no surprise that Poland has been active in the movement to oust Alexander Lukashenko following contested elections in Belarus .
Polish and Western media have been strongly promoting and supporting pro-Western opposition figures , hoping to capitalize on the political and social turmoil in the country to install a pro-West , anti-Russia transition regime .
Nexta Live , an online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests in Belarus , operates out of Poland .
A Polish Special Forces unit that specializes in psychological operations has been involved in coordinating what some analysts are referring to as the ‘ Belomaidan protests ’ in Bydgoszez , whose supporters endorsed the Intermarium , or alliance of Eastern European countries against Russia .
When the BBC interviewed a photo-journalist who had been arrested by Lukashenko ’ s police , he happened to be a Pole with a neo-Nazi background .
The bottom line is that the US military alliance with Poland is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right-wing regime which is also seeking to encourage and intensify hostile attitudes and actions against Russia .
LINK To the far north , Norway has also been increasingly incorporated into the string of geostrategic military infrastructure and operations stretching along Russia ’ s western frontier since around 2016 , serving as an operational base for much more frequent visits by US strategic nuclear submarines , substantially increasing the number of US troops and hardware stationed there , and participating much more actively in US-led NATO war games .
To the south , Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in NATO aerial and naval war games around the Black Sea as well as opening its airspace to US/ NATO long-range strategic bombers in joint military drills together with most of the other Black Sea nations , some of which also host US missile defence installations .
The US has operated an Aegis Ashore missile interception system in Romania since 2016 .
LINK To the extent that US-led NATO forces continue their concentration on Russia ’ s borders , the NATO countries can expect Russia to deploy more of its forces in positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European countries perceived as threats , and the US can expect more large-scale Russian military exercises and manoeuvres involving strategic strike forces close to Alaska such as those that were held last month .
Given the corresponding US military encirclement of China , China may be encouraged to participate in such military activities in the future .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • US strategic bombers trained for strikes on Russia • US plan to establish Asia-Pacific NATO-type formal alliance against China

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The decision of the Trump administration announced on 15 August that it is deploying another 1,000 troops to Poland pursuant to a new defence cooperation agreement signed on the anniversary of the victory of Poland in the Polish-Soviet war of 1920 reflects the US intention to locate a string of strategic offensive and defensive military infrastructure along Russia’s western border, from Norway in the far north to the Black Sea countries in the south.
The establishment and steady expansion of major military bases and logistics and operations hubs located along Russia’s western border is accompanies by an increase in strategic long-range strike exercises and drills involving bombers and submarines operating alone or jointly with other NATO countries or non-NATO partners such as Ukraine.
In an analysis of the broader geopolitical context of the move, Covert Action Magazine notes that the 1,000 military personnel to be deployed to Poland will be added to the 4,500 that were previously deployed by President Barack Obama following the 2014 Western-backed coup d’état in Ukraine and the Russian reunification with Crimea.
As part of the defence cooperation agreement, Poland has agreed to host forward elements of the U.S. Army’s V Corps headquarters, which the Polish foreign minister called “the most important U.S. command centre on NATO’s eastern flank.”
The most recent events are a part of the strategic shift of successive US administrations moving the core military installations and activities of NATO from Paris and Bonn – what Donald Rumsfeld referred to as ‘old Europe’ – to the East, in accordance with a broader plan to forge alliances with and gain military control over as many of the countries of the former Soviet Union as possible, in Central and Eastern Europe as well as in Central Asia.
Both the Obama and Trump administrations have poured weapons into Eastern Europe, accompanied by the establishment of forward-deployed US troops and military installations and integrated with ongoing programs of military training and military exercises.
The shift of US military hardware and activities eastwards is part of an attempt to resurrect the Intermarium—a geopolitical concept originating in the post-World War I era that envisages an alliance of countries reaching from the Baltic Sea over the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea that would serve as an alternative power bloc between Germany and Russia.
The term Intermarium was used by former United States Army Europe (USAREUR) commander General Ben Hodges to describe the US strategy for Central and Eastern Europe, before being revived on a much broader scale by the ruling Polish Party of Law and Justice as well as by Ukrainian far-right movements in the wake of the 2014 coup in Ukraine.
In 2019, the US Army began rotational deployment of an armoured brigade combat team to Poland while the Pentagon prepositioned equipment for an MQ-9 Reaper drone squadron there.
In March 2018, Poland signed a $4.75 billion deal to purchase US Patriot missile defence systems from Raytheon, the largest arms procurement deal in Polish history.
At the signing ceremony, Polish President Andrzej Duda stated that the historic moment was “Poland’s introduction into a whole new world of state-of-the art technology, modern weaponry and defensive means.”
Russia responded to the Patriot deal by upgrading its own nuclear arsenal and shifting strategic assets westwards, including the deployment of Iskander short-range nuclear capable missiles in Kaliningrad, a 5,800-square-mile Russian exclave wedged between Poland and Lithuania.
One of the features of the first Cold War was the US alliance with conservative and extreme right-wing factions, including those with Nazi collaborationist ties. The new Cold War, unfortunately, is shaping up to be little different, as the US is again forming alliances with far right governments and political factions in the region against Russia.
Polish President Andrzej Duda is a leader of the right-wing Law and Justice Party, which has been criticized for tightening government control over the media and promoting the repression of political opponents and critics.
Duda has also been accused of promoting a right-wing revisionism surrounding World War II. In 2018, Duda signed a law playing down the Polish role in the Nazi Holocaust, banning people from accusing Poland of Holocaust atrocities committed by the Nazis and from referring to concentration camps as ‘Polish death camps’.
The Duda administration has made a point of glorifying Polish resistance to the Nazis, but has underplayed Polish crimes like at Jedwabne in July 1941, where Poles rounded up and killed their Jewish neighbours.
The Jedwabne pogrom was an atrocity committed on July 10, 1941, during the German occupation of Poland in World War II. Described as a massacre or a pogrom by postwar historians, it resulted in the death of at least 340 Polish Jews of all ages, locked in a barn which was later set on fire. A group of 23 Polish males was involved, after being summoned in Jedwabne by a German paramilitary group known as the Ordnungspolizei.
Duda has also promoted stringent anti-communism campaign whose supporters have demolished numerous Soviet-era monuments dedicated to the heroic Red Army, while Nazi collaborators are presented as ‘patriots’ and ‘heroes’. Duda in fact signed a law banning all references to communism.
Given this position, it is no surprise that Poland has been active in the movement to oust Alexander Lukashenko following contested elections in Belarus. Polish and Western media have been strongly promoting and supporting pro-Western opposition figures, hoping to capitalize on the political and social turmoil in the country to install a pro-West, anti-Russia transition regime. Nexta Live, an online television station presenting minute-by-minute updates on the protests in Belarus, operates out of Poland.
A Polish Special Forces unit that specializes in psychological operations has been involved in coordinating what some analysts are referring to as the ‘Belomaidan protests’ in Bydgoszez, whose supporters endorsed the Intermarium, or alliance of Eastern European countries against Russia.
When the BBC interviewed a photo-journalist who had been arrested by Lukashenko’s police, he happened to be a Pole with a neo-Nazi background.
The bottom line is that the US military alliance with Poland is helping to prop up an increasingly authoritarian right-wing regime which is also seeking to encourage and intensify hostile attitudes and actions against Russia. LINK
To the far north, Norway has also been increasingly incorporated into the string of geostrategic military infrastructure and operations stretching along Russia’s western frontier since around 2016, serving as an operational base for much more frequent visits by US strategic nuclear submarines, substantially increasing the number of US troops and hardware stationed there, and participating much more actively in US-led NATO war games.
To the south, Ukraine has also substantially increased its active participation in NATO aerial and naval war games around the Black Sea as well as opening its airspace to US/ NATO long-range strategic bombers in joint military drills together with most of the other Black Sea nations, some of which also host US missile defence installations. The US has operated an Aegis Ashore missile interception system in Romania since 2016. LINK
To the extent that US-led NATO forces continue their concentration on Russia’s borders, the NATO countries can expect Russia to deploy more of its forces in positions where they can launch rapid attacks against European countries perceived as threats, and the US can expect more large-scale Russian military exercises and manoeuvres involving strategic strike forces close to Alaska such as those that were held last month. Given the corresponding US military encirclement of China, China may be encouraged to participate in such military activities in the future.
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southfront--2020-09-07--Su-35S Multirole Fighter Aircraft (Infographics)

Click to see the full-size image The Su-35S is a single-seat , twin-engine , supermaneuverable aircraft , designed by the @ @ @ @ @ by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant .
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The Su-35S is a single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable aircraft, designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and built by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant.
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southfront--2020-09-07--Turkish Military Strikes Syrian Army, Suffers First Casualties Since March

Syrian-Turkish tensions have ramped up in the region of Greater Idlib over the past few days .
On September 5 , heavy clashes between Syrian troops and Turkish-backed militants broke out near the town of Fleifel and Saraqib in southeastern Idlib , near the town of al-Enkawi in northwestern Hama and Kafr Taal in western Aleppo .
According to pro-militant sources , at least 5 Syrian Army troops were killed in injured in the confrontation .
They claim that it is the Damascus government that violated the ceasefire triggering the confrontation .
At the same time , Syrian sources say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armed Forces conducted several artillery strikes on Syrian Army positions near the town of Saraqib .
A day later , on September 6 , the Turkish military once again shelled Syrian troops near Saraqib , and near Kafr Nabl .
The impact of the strikes remain unclear .
Nonetheless , pro-government sources did not report any casualties .
In response to the attack , Syrian forces launched a series of strikes on positions of the Turkish-backed terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham near the towns Fatterah , Sufuhon , Kafar Aweed and Kinsafra in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de-escalation zone .
Meanwhile , unidentified gunmen attacked a checkpoint of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham near the town of Kafar Takharim reportedly killing and injuring several terrorists .
After the attack , Hayat Tahrir al-Sham security forces arrested five militants of a small local armed faction called the Hananu Brigade .
The terrorist group suspected that these fighters were behind the attack , but this turned out to be untrue .
The detained militants were released within a few hours .
The real identity of the attackers remains unclear .
On September 7 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkish soldier had died from wounds received in an attack in southern Idlib .
The attack by unidentified militants took place near Ariha .
Syrian troops refrain from striking positions of the Turkish military , likely trying to avoid further escalation and demonstrate that the ceasefire regime still exists at least formally .
Nevertheless , the current situation , when Turkish forces attack the Syrian Army with impunity under the cover of the ceasefire , can not last long and will likely inevitably lead to an escalation if the Erdogan regime does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forces have intensified strikes on identified ISIS targets in the central Syrian desert , according to reports by pro-militant sources .
Despite the recently concluded operation of the Syrian Army and the Russian military in the desert that allegedly resulted in the elimination of over 300 ISIS members , ISIS continues its attacks .
The most recent attacks took place in western Deir Ezzor , south of Mayadin , in the area between the town of Hamimah and the T3 station and near Itriyah .
Therefore , Russia , Syria and Iran continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 5 , the Syrian Military Intelligence Directorate , the National Defense Forces and the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps detained 5 ISIS members wearing Iranian military uniforms and driving a vehicle with pro-Iranian slogans in Mayadin .
On September 7 , local sources revealed that the Syrian Army with support of the Russian Aerospace Forces has launched a new security operation covering eastern Homs , eastern Hama , southern Aleppo and southern Raqqa .
According to reports , up to 25 ISIS terrorists were already neutralized in these areas .
Some sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to neutralize the ISIS threat in the Homs-Deir Ezzor desert before the start of any new open confrontation with Turkey .
If the new Turkish-Syrian conflict starts before this , ISIS terrorists will become an even more serious security problem for government forces .

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Syrian-Turkish tensions have ramped up in the region of Greater Idlib over the past few days.
On September 5, heavy clashes between Syrian troops and Turkish-backed militants broke out near the town of Fleifel and Saraqib in southeastern Idlib, near the town of al-Enkawi in northwestern Hama and Kafr Taal in western Aleppo. According to pro-militant sources, at least 5 Syrian Army troops were killed in injured in the confrontation. They claim that it is the Damascus government that violated the ceasefire triggering the confrontation. At the same time, Syrian sources say that the clashes started after the Turkish Armed Forces conducted several artillery strikes on Syrian Army positions near the town of Saraqib.
A day later, on September 6, the Turkish military once again shelled Syrian troops near Saraqib, and near Kafr Nabl. The impact of the strikes remain unclear. Nonetheless, pro-government sources did not report any casualties. In response to the attack, Syrian forces launched a series of strikes on positions of the Turkish-backed terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham near the towns Fatterah, Sufuhon, Kafar Aweed and Kinsafra in the southern part of the so-called Idlib de-escalation zone.
Meanwhile, unidentified gunmen attacked a checkpoint of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham near the town of Kafar Takharim reportedly killing and injuring several terrorists. After the attack, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham security forces arrested five militants of a small local armed faction called the Hananu Brigade. The terrorist group suspected that these fighters were behind the attack, but this turned out to be untrue. The detained militants were released within a few hours. The real identity of the attackers remains unclear.
On September 7, the Turkish Defense Ministry said that a Turkish soldier had died from wounds received in an attack in southern Idlib. The attack by unidentified militants took place near Ariha. Syrian troops refrain from striking positions of the Turkish military, likely trying to avoid further escalation and demonstrate that the ceasefire regime still exists at least formally.
Nevertheless, the current situation, when Turkish forces attack the Syrian Army with impunity under the cover of the ceasefire, cannot last long and will likely inevitably lead to an escalation if the Erdogan regime does not change its behavior.
The Russian Aerospace Forces have intensified strikes on identified ISIS targets in the central Syrian desert, according to reports by pro-militant sources. Despite the recently concluded operation of the Syrian Army and the Russian military in the desert that allegedly resulted in the elimination of over 300 ISIS members, ISIS continues its attacks. The most recent attacks took place in western Deir Ezzor, south of Mayadin, in the area between the town of Hamimah and the T3 station and near Itriyah. Therefore, Russia, Syria and Iran continue their joint effort against ISIS.
On September 5, the Syrian Military Intelligence Directorate, the National Defense Forces and the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps detained 5 ISIS members wearing Iranian military uniforms and driving a vehicle with pro-Iranian slogans in Mayadin.
On September 7, local sources revealed that the Syrian Army with support of the Russian Aerospace Forces has launched a new security operation covering eastern Homs, eastern Hama, southern Aleppo and southern Raqqa. According to reports, up to 25 ISIS terrorists were already neutralized in these areas.
Some sources claim that the Damascus government is eager to neutralize the ISIS threat in the Homs-Deir Ezzor desert before the start of any new open confrontation with Turkey. If the new Turkish-Syrian conflict starts before this, ISIS terrorists will become an even more serious security problem for government forces.
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southfront--2020-09-07--Military Situation In Iraq On September 7, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq : • ISIS attacked Iraqi @ @ @ @ @ Ruz area in Diyalah province ; • 3 rockets landed on the military section of @ @ @ @ @ According to the Turkish Ministry of Defense , 16 Kurdish militia members were neutralized within @ @ @ @ @ and Iraq ; • The Popular Mobilization Units ( PMU ) repelled an ISIS attack @ @ @ @ @ area .
1 soldier was reportedly killed .
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A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq:
ISIS attacked Iraqi Army positions in the Balad Ruz area in Diyalah province;
3 rockets landed on the military section of Baghdad International Airport;
According to the Turkish Ministry of Defense, 16 Kurdish militia members were neutralized within 24 hours in northern Syria and Iraq;
The Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) repelled an ISIS attack north of Khanaqin in Qulawi area. 1 soldier was reportedly killed.
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southfront--2020-09-07--Turkey Demolished Greek Orthodox Church Known As “Hagia Sophia of Bursa”

On September 2 , Turkish authorities demolished a historic Greek Orthodox church in the region of Bursa , north-western Turkey .
The Georgios Greek Orthodox Church was known as the “ Hagia Sophia ” of Bursa .
It was destroyed amid the pretext that it supposedly poses a safety hazard .
This happened seven years after the regional Directorate General of Pious Foundations took over the building from Bursa ’ s Nilüfer municipality and spent about two million Turkish lira to restore the building , according to reports from the news website The report says that the building was referred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to its use as both a church and a mosque in the past .
Actions of the Turkish government go amid the silence from the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople , Bartholomew I .
The political games of the Ecumenical Patriarch not only led to the decrease of the popularity and influence of the Ecumenical Patriarchate , but also undermined positions of the Orthodox Curch in the region in general .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • The Political And Religious Games Of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew • Outgoing Gov ’ t Attacking Churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Serbian Church Believes • European Churches Attempt To “ Get With The Times ” To Stop Losing Believers • The New Status Of Constantinople ’ s Hagia Sophia

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On September 2, Turkish authorities demolished a historic Greek Orthodox church in the region of Bursa, north-western Turkey.
The Georgios Greek Orthodox Church was known as the “Hagia Sophia” of Bursa. It was destroyed amid the pretext that it supposedly poses a safety hazard. This happened seven years after the regional Directorate General of Pious Foundations took over the building from Bursa’s Nilüfer municipality and spent about two million Turkish lira to restore the building, according to reports from the news website Duvar.
The report says that the building was referred to as the Hagia Sophia of Bursa due to its use as both a church and a mosque in the past.
Actions of the Turkish government go amid the silence from the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I. The political games of the Ecumenical Patriarch not only led to the decrease of the popularity and influence of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, but also undermined positions of the Orthodox Curch in the region in general.
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southfront--2020-09-07--Pledged What? Serbian President Reacts To News That His Country Will Move Embassy To Jerusale

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo ’ s Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti met with US President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss normalizing their economic relations , two decades after a devastating conflict between them ended with a NATO bombing campaign against Serbia .
In a move that seemed to catch the Serbian president by surprise , Trump announced that as part of the agreement Serbia will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem next July .
Israel and Kosovo will establish diplomatic relations with each other , while Serbia will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks in Washington .
In a related development , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’ s press office announced the country ’ s recognition of Kosovo late last week , making Israel the 98th UN member state to recognize the former Serbian province .
Kosovo , in turn , will recognize Israel , becoming one of only a handful of Muslim-majority countries to do so .
Last month , Trump mediated a deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates that saw the UAE drop its decades-long boycott against Israel in exchange for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settlements in the Palestinian West Bank .
LINK Aleksandar Vucic ’ s reaction when Donald Trump declared that Belgrade will move its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem next July made some people wonder if the announcement was a surprise to the Serbian leader .
Vucic visited Washington this week to sign a US-brokered deal with Avdullah Hoti , prime minister of the breakaway Serbian region of Kosovo .
Kosovo ’ s autonomous legislature declared independence from Serbia in 2008 in a move that split the international community .
Among the permanent members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United Kingdom and the US recognize the majority-Muslim region ’ s independence , while China and Russia do not .
The agreement was touted as a great diplomatic success for Washington .
Among other things , Kosovo , a Muslim-majority entity , agreed to recognize Israel while Serbia agreed to move its embassy to Jerusalem .
Trump twittered later in the day : The Serbian president ’ s reaction to the announcement , however , made some commenters wonder whether he knew the details of the document that he had signed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Serbian government , Vucic looked sideways at his host , then flicked through the pages of the agreement apparently searching for the part where he had promised to move the Serbian embassy in Israel to Jerusalem .
Adding to the confusion , Trump mistakenly confused the identity of his two guests and called Hoti the “ president of Kosovo.
” The Trump administration first announced plans to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and move its embassy accordingly in 2017 .
The US and Israel have been trying hard to induce or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever since .
Among the small number of countries that are following the move are Guatemala , Honduras and Malawi .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Modern Iraq as battleground of geopolitical standoff in Middle East

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Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo’s Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti met with US President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss normalizing their economic relations, two decades after a devastating conflict between them ended with a NATO bombing campaign against Serbia. In a move that seemed to catch the Serbian president by surprise, Trump announced that as part of the agreement Serbia will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem next July.
Israel and Kosovo will establish diplomatic relations with each other, while Serbia will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Both moves were announced during US-backed talks in Washington. In a related development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s press office announced the country’s recognition of Kosovo late last week, making Israel the 98th UN member state to recognize the former Serbian province. Kosovo, in turn, will recognize Israel, becoming one of only a handful of Muslim-majority countries to do so.
Last month, Trump mediated a deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates that saw the UAE drop its decades-long boycott against Israel in exchange for a halt on the construction of Israeli settlements in the Palestinian West Bank. LINK
Aleksandar Vucic’s reaction when Donald Trump declared that Belgrade will move its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem next July made some people wonder if the announcement was a surprise to the Serbian leader.
Vucic visited Washington this week to sign a US-brokered deal with Avdullah Hoti, prime minister of the breakaway Serbian region of Kosovo.
Kosovo’s autonomous legislature declared independence from Serbia in 2008 in a move that split the international community. Among the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, France, the United Kingdom and the US recognize the majority-Muslim region’s independence, while China and Russia do not.
The agreement was touted as a great diplomatic success for Washington. Among other things, Kosovo, a Muslim-majority entity, agreed to recognize Israel while Serbia agreed to move its embassy to Jerusalem. Trump twittered later in the day:
“Another great day for peace with Middle East – Muslim-majority Kosovo and Israel have agreed to normalize ties and establish diplomatic relations. Well-done! More Islamic and Arab nations will follow soon!”
The Serbian president’s reaction to the announcement, however, made some commenters wonder whether he knew the details of the document that he had signed. As Trump praised the pledge made by the Serbian government, Vucic looked sideways at his host, then flicked through the pages of the agreement apparently searching for the part where he had promised to move the Serbian embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
Footage that certainly makes it appear that Vucic did not realize he had agreed to moving the Serbian embassy to Jerusalem — or at least not by July, Trump states. Comedy of errors. pic.twitter.com/0QlzmYM3GY — Jasmin Mujanović (@JasminMuj) September 5, 2020
Adding to the confusion, Trump mistakenly confused the identity of his two guests and called Hoti the “president of Kosovo.”
The Trump administration first announced plans to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and move its embassy accordingly in 2017. The US and Israel have been trying hard to induce or pressure other countries to do the same ever since. Among the small number of countries that are following the move are Guatemala, Honduras and Malawi. LINK
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southfront--2020-09-07--Turkish-backed Militants Shelled Syrian Army Troops Near Maarat al-Numan (Map Update)

On September 7 , members of the Turkish-backed terrorist group , Hayat Tahrir al-Sham , shelled positions of the Syrian @ @ @ @ @ Maarat al-Numan in southern Idlib .
In respnse , the Syrian Army struck several terrorist @ @ @ @ @ .
The September 7 strike followed a series of incident between Turkish-led forces and the @ @ @ @ @ during the past few days .
Apparently , Turkish proxies and their masters in Ankara @ @ @ @ @ Turkish policy of support to terrorist groups reguarly leads to casualties among Turkish forces themselves @ @ @ @ @ , the Turkish military revealed that its soldier died from wounds received in southern Idlib @ @ @ @ @ , unknown gunment shelled Turkish forces near the town of Ariha wounding two soldiers .
@ @ @ @ @ MORE ON THE TOPIC :

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On September 7, members of the Turkish-backed terrorist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, shelled positions of the Syrian Army near the city of Maarat al-Numan in southern Idlib. In respnse, the Syrian Army struck several terrorist positions near the contact line.
The September 7 strike followed a series of incident between Turkish-led forces and the Syrian Army in the area during the past few days. Apparently, Turkish proxies and their masters in Ankara are not happy that the Turkish policy of support to terrorist groups reguarly leads to casualties among Turkish forces themselves.
A few hours ago, the Turkish military revealed that its soldier died from wounds received in southern Idlib recently. On September 6, unknown gunment shelled Turkish forces near the town of Ariha wounding two soldiers. One of them died.
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southfront--2020-09-07--Iranian Officials Claim They Have Identified Perpetrators Of Natanz Sabotage Attack

A spokesman for the Iran ’ s Atomic Energy Organization of Iran ( AEOI ) has stated that the country ’ s security forces have identified the perpetrators of an act of sabotage at Natanz nuclear facility in central Iran in July .
The agency ’ s spokesman announced that while the details of the act of sabotage are still being investigated , the security forces have identified the material authors of the operation .
“ It is for the security organizations to painstakingly investigate [ the incident ] and they are expected to give their final view in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as far as we know , they have detected the agents [ who committed the act of sabotage ] as well as the motive , methods and manner of the sabotage , ” Behrouz Kamalvandi said on Sunday .
Shortly after the incident SNSC Spokesman Keyvan Khosravi said experts from different sectors started investigating “ different hypotheses ” about the Natanz incident immediately after its occurrence , and have determined its main cause .
Iran ’ s Supreme National Security Council ( SNSC ) said later that the “ main cause ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be announced at an appropriate time .
In the latest official comments on the incident , Kamalvindi stated that the saboteurs sought to disrupt the uranium enrichment process at the Natanz facility , but claimed that they were not successful in this respect , repeating earlier claims that the act of sabotage caused no casualties and failed to stop enrichment work at the facility .
The AEOI has decided to build another shed at the nuclear facility to replace the damaged structure .
The AEOI spokesman likened the current conditions facing the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ saying , “ We might suffer a loss in this scene , but it only makes us more motivated for defence and work.
” Elsewhere in his remarks , Kamalvandi said the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) is under heavy political pressure and its Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has also confirmed this , but that he promised to act in a professional way .
The IAEA ’ s chief visited Tehran on August 24 and 25 where he met with senior Iranian officials , which led to the issuance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperation and building more confidence .
The AEOI spokesman said of the visit and agreements reached : “ The Islamic Republic of Iran has nothing to conceal .
So , it allowed the IAEA to have access to demanded sites , because further prolongation of this issue and not giving the agency the permission [ to visit those sites ] would have only benefited the US.
” At the end of the two-day trip by the IAEA chief , Iran and the UN agency issued a joint statement on agreements and the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After intensive bilateral consultations , Iran and the IAEA reached an agreement on the resolution of the safeguards implementation issues specified by the IAEA , in good faith .
In this regard , Iran is voluntarily providing the IAEA with access to the two locations specified by the IAEA and facilitating the IAEA verification activities to resolve these issues .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • US on again off again partial troop withdrawal from Iraq on again • Iraq as battleground of geopolitical standoff in Middle East

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A spokesman for the Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has stated that the country’s security forces have identified the perpetrators of an act of sabotage at Natanz nuclear facility in central Iran in July.
The agency’s spokesman announced that while the details of the act of sabotage are still being investigated, the security forces have identified the material authors of the operation.
“It is for the security organizations to painstakingly investigate [the incident] and they are expected to give their final view in this regard. Their investigations are underway and as far as we know, they have detected the agents [who committed the act of sabotage] as well as the motive, methods and manner of the sabotage,” Behrouz Kamalvandi said on Sunday.
Shortly after the incident SNSC Spokesman Keyvan Khosravi said experts from different sectors started investigating “different hypotheses” about the Natanz incident immediately after its occurrence, and have determined its main cause.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) said later that the “main cause” of the incident had been determined and would be announced at an appropriate time.
In the latest official comments on the incident, Kamalvindi stated that the saboteurs sought to disrupt the uranium enrichment process at the Natanz facility, but claimed that they were not successful in this respect, repeating earlier claims that the act of sabotage caused no casualties and failed to stop enrichment work at the facility. The AEOI has decided to build another shed at the nuclear facility to replace the damaged structure. The AEOI spokesman likened the current conditions facing the country to a ‘scene of war,’ saying, “We might suffer a loss in this scene, but it only makes us more motivated for defence and work.”
Elsewhere in his remarks, Kamalvandi said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is under heavy political pressure and its Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has also confirmed this, but that he promised to act in a professional way.
The IAEA’s chief visited Tehran on August 24 and 25 where he met with senior Iranian officials, which led to the issuance of a joint statement aimed at strengthening cooperation and building more confidence.
The AEOI spokesman said of the visit and agreements reached: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has nothing to conceal. So, it allowed the IAEA to have access to demanded sites, because further prolongation of this issue and not giving the agency the permission [to visit those sites] would have only benefited the US.”
At the end of the two-day trip by the IAEA chief, Iran and the UN agency issued a joint statement on agreements and the results of high-level talks between the two sides.
After intensive bilateral consultations, Iran and the IAEA reached an agreement on the resolution of the safeguards implementation issues specified by the IAEA, in good faith. In this regard, Iran is voluntarily providing the IAEA with access to the two locations specified by the IAEA and facilitating the IAEA verification activities to resolve these issues. LINK
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southfront--2020-09-07--Vaccine Nationalism, Big Promises and Warped Speed

From sneering dismissiveness of the coronavirus as nothing more than a common cold to a grand promise to find a vaccine , President Donald Trump is all promises .
“ We remain on track to deliver a vaccine before the end of the year and maybe even before November 1st , ” he told a White House news conference on September 4 .
“ We think we can probably have it sometime during the month of October.
” Operation Warp Speed , he tried convincing the press corps , was doing what it was required to do .
He had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ great guy ” .
He was expecting “ the results of its trial very , very shortly – next month – but very shortly.
” To Pfizer ’ s efforts could be added those of Johnson & Johnson ( “ also doing very well ” ) and Moderna .
“ We have some really great companies .
They ’ re all doing very well.
” Even within go-it-alone USA , mistrust reigns on when a working vaccine will be ready .
An election is in the offing , and any proximity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miraculous discoveries will be seen as smelly .
Democratic Vice Presidential hopeful Kamala Harris , beating the electoral drum , sees some votes in telling citizenry of the republic that Trump can not be trusted about anything to do with the vaccine .
He will put the toes of public officials against the fire ; he will marginalise and sack critics .
“ If past is prologue , ” she told CNN ’ s State of the Union , “ they will not , they ’ ll be muzzled , they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to suggest that no country , or corporation , should be entirely trusted in this endeavour .
The process of finding a vaccine is so intermingled with promises of a speedy discoveries and rapid manufacture , it has left even the most ardent vaccinators worried .
The scientists have been told to work miracles in the laboratory ; pharmaceutical giants are being told to be generous , yet continue to sign agreements with governments that will enable them to charge handsomely when the time comes .
As Adam Kamradt-Scott , a student of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ commercial-in-confidence agreements are usually signed in secret , often with different prices being charged to different governments depending on whether they are the first customer or 30th and their ability to pay.
” The number of candidate vaccines is growing : some 160 at the moment , 31 or so having entered human clinical trials .
Negotiating barriers are being treated as minor obstacles to be danced around with lithe finesse .
The urgency is such that even Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken of one of his daughters taking “ part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ V vaccine .
The World Health Organization has been attempting to quash any ideas of needless haste , stressing the values of thoroughness and safety .
Chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan is trying to be resolute in that regard .
“ No vaccine is going to be mass-deployed until regulators are confident , governments are confident , and the WHO is confident it has met the minimum standards of safety.
” All vaccine candidates would , she claims , have to “ go through the Phase III trials.
” The Director-General of the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also preaching against the temptations of vaccine nationalism .
“ Vaccine nationalism will prolong the pandemic.
” He has urged countries to join the COVAX global vaccine allocation plan , and announced on Friday that 78 high-income states had put their names to a collective now numbering 170 .
Run by the WHO and the Gavi vaccine alliance , the object is the equitable distribution of vaccination shots , when the time comes .
There is much trumpeting about the merits of COVAX , much of it from the collective itself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berkley , is calling the collaboration unique , the 170 countries comprising 70 percent of the globe ’ s population .
It “ has the world ’ s largest and most diverse portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines , and as such represents the world ’ s best hope of bringing the acute phase of this pandemic to a swift end.
” Joining the group will mean that “ both self-financing countries and funded countries will gain access to this portfolio of vaccines , as and when they prove to be both safe and effective.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to limit the sharper effects of vaccine nationalism , though they are by no means assured of success .
The Open COVID Pledge , comprising a number “ of scientists , lawyers , entrepreneurs and individuals working to promote the removal of obstacles involving intellectual property in the fight against COVID-19 ” is one such enterprise .
Creative Commons has been given the task of steering the pledge through such difficult waters .
“ We believe this initiative , ” claims the OCP , “ will have a profound impact beyond the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such matters .
The COVAX effort has not done away with the problems of vaccine bilateralism , which remain pressing .
Paul Hudson , CEO of Sanofi , sees the US “ right to the largest pre-order ” of the first vaccine as manifest destiny .
Adar Poonawalla , chief executive of the Serum Institute of India , which by volume is the largest maker of vaccines , is also clear that “ the vaccine , at least initially , would have to go to our countrymen before it goes abroad.
” Countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are looking out for their own .
The outcome , as things , stand , promises to be traditional in geopolitics and health .
Old divisions and inequalities will be reasserted with marked savagery .
The rich and affluent will get first dibs and first jabs ; the impoverished will have to wait their turn .
And the virus will continue to do its work .
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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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
From sneering dismissiveness of the coronavirus as nothing more than a common cold to a grand promise to find a vaccine, President Donald Trump is all promises. “We remain on track to deliver a vaccine before the end of the year and maybe even before November 1st,” he told a White House news conference on September 4. “We think we can probably have it sometime during the month of October.”
Operation Warp Speed, he tried convincing the press corps, was doing what it was required to do. He had spoken to the head of Pfizer – “great guy”. He was expecting “the results of its trial very, very shortly – next month – but very shortly.” To Pfizer’s efforts could be added those of Johnson & Johnson (“also doing very well”) and Moderna. “We have some really great companies. They’re all doing very well.”
Even within go-it-alone USA, mistrust reigns on when a working vaccine will be ready. An election is in the offing, and any proximity to the date of November in terms of miraculous discoveries will be seen as smelly. Democratic Vice Presidential hopeful Kamala Harris, beating the electoral drum, sees some votes in telling citizenry of the republic that Trump cannot be trusted about anything to do with the vaccine. He will put the toes of public officials against the fire; he will marginalise and sack critics. “If past is prologue,” she told CNN’s State of the Union, “they will not, they’ll be muzzled, they’ll be sidelined.”
There is also much to suggest that no country, or corporation, should be entirely trusted in this endeavour. The process of finding a vaccine is so intermingled with promises of a speedy discoveries and rapid manufacture, it has left even the most ardent vaccinators worried. The scientists have been told to work miracles in the laboratory; pharmaceutical giants are being told to be generous, yet continue to sign agreements with governments that will enable them to charge handsomely when the time comes. As Adam Kamradt-Scott, a student of global health security relevantly notes, such “commercial-in-confidence agreements are usually signed in secret, often with different prices being charged to different governments depending on whether they are the first customer or 30th and their ability to pay.”
The number of candidate vaccines is growing: some 160 at the moment, 31 or so having entered human clinical trials. Negotiating barriers are being treated as minor obstacles to be danced around with lithe finesse. The urgency is such that even Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken of one of his daughters taking “part in the experiment” of the Sputnik V vaccine.
The World Health Organization has been attempting to quash any ideas of needless haste, stressing the values of thoroughness and safety. Chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan is trying to be resolute in that regard. “No vaccine is going to be mass-deployed until regulators are confident, governments are confident, and the WHO is confident it has met the minimum standards of safety.” All vaccine candidates would, she claims, have to “go through the Phase III trials.”
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is also preaching against the temptations of vaccine nationalism. “Vaccine nationalism will prolong the pandemic.” He has urged countries to join the COVAX global vaccine allocation plan, and announced on Friday that 78 high-income states had put their names to a collective now numbering 170. Run by the WHO and the Gavi vaccine alliance, the object is the equitable distribution of vaccination shots, when the time comes.
There is much trumpeting about the merits of COVAX, much of it from the collective itself. The Gavi vaccine alliance CEO, Seth Berkley, is calling the collaboration unique, the 170 countries comprising 70 percent of the globe’s population. It “has the world’s largest and most diverse portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines, and as such represents the world’s best hope of bringing the acute phase of this pandemic to a swift end.” Joining the group will mean that “both self-financing countries and funded countries will gain access to this portfolio of vaccines, as and when they prove to be both safe and effective.”
There are a few efforts seeking to limit the sharper effects of vaccine nationalism, though they are by no means assured of success. The Open COVID Pledge, comprising a number “of scientists, lawyers, entrepreneurs and individuals working to promote the removal of obstacles involving intellectual property in the fight against COVID-19” is one such enterprise. Creative Commons has been given the task of steering the pledge through such difficult waters. “We believe this initiative,” claims the OCP, “will have a profound impact beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.” Good to be optimistic in such matters.
The COVAX effort has not done away with the problems of vaccine bilateralism, which remain pressing. Paul Hudson, CEO of Sanofi, sees the US “right to the largest pre-order” of the first vaccine as manifest destiny. Adar Poonawalla, chief executive of the Serum Institute of India, which by volume is the largest maker of vaccines, is also clear that “the vaccine, at least initially, would have to go to our countrymen before it goes abroad.” Countries who have the cash and the means are looking out for their own.
The outcome, as things, stand, promises to be traditional in geopolitics and health. Old divisions and inequalities will be reasserted with marked savagery. The rich and affluent will get first dibs and first jabs; the impoverished will have to wait their turn. And the virus will continue to do its work.
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--2020-09-08--SouthFront’s Fight For Existence

SouthFront’s Fight For Existence

The year of 2020 has been marked by a number of negative tendencies and crises .
This includes the global economic crisis , the COVID-19 outbreak , the increase of chances of a US-Iranian war in the Middle East and further .
These developments are accompanied by the increasing censorship against independent media organizations and activists .
Euro-Atlantic structures have been contributing extensive efforts to silence independent points of view .
SouthFront is one of the targets of this campaign .
The pressure faced by our team is unprecedented .
Despite this , our team is not going to surrender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survived in the previous months and even was able to keep most of its coverage ( including text analyses , exclusive videos , maps and infographics ) .
Nonetheless , the situation remains critical .
Since September 1 , we ’ ve collected 333 USD .
This is about 6.6 % of the monthly budget needed to continue SouthFront work and further .
Unlike propaganda structures funded by the Euro-Atlantic establishment , SouthFront operates thanks to the audience ’ s donations .
We will not be able to survive without your help .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bitcoin and other options .
This systems accepts all types of cards , PayPal , Amazon Payments , bitcoin ( FAQ is under the main text , in P.S . )
You can subscribe for a monthly donation of $ 15 ( or any another amount ) OR make one time donation by clicking buttons below

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DEAR FRIENDS,
The year of 2020 has been marked by a number of negative tendencies and crises. This includes the global economic crisis, the COVID-19 outbreak, the increase of chances of a US-Iranian war in the Middle East and further.
These developments are accompanied by the increasing censorship against independent media organizations and activists. Euro-Atlantic structures have been contributing extensive efforts to silence independent points of view. SouthFront is one of the targets of this campaign. The pressure faced by our team is unprecedented.
Despite this, our team is not going to surrender. Thanks to your support, SouthFront survived in the previous months and even was able to keep most of its coverage (including text analyses, exclusive videos, maps and infographics). Nonetheless, the situation remains critical.
Since September 1, we’ve collected 333 USD. This is about 6.6% of the monthly budget needed to continue SouthFront work and further.
Unlike propaganda structures funded by the Euro-Atlantic establishment, SouthFront operates thanks to the audience’s donations. We will not be able to survive without your help.
SUPPORT SOUTHFRONT WORK:
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Account: southfront@list.ru
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SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence Team
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southfront--2020-09-08--UN Blames ‘Male-Dominated World’ For Failure Of COVID-19 Hysteria

The United Nations bureaucracy has finally found whom to blame for the failure of the COVID-19 hysteria .
Now we @ @ @ @ @ patriarchy ” and a “ male-dominated world ” are guilty .
Such a reaction of @ @ @ @ @ is not a surprise as the developments around the world demonstrate that at least some @ @ @ @ @ have rejected the neo-liberal-imposed agenda of wide-scale unconditional restrictions and surveillance under the pretext of @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 issue should not be underestimated , the initial wide-scale push to politicize it @ @ @ @ @ of the neo-liberal agenda has nothing with the real care about people ’ s health @ @ @ @ @ it seems that particular forces are very unhappy with the recent developments .
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The United Nations bureaucracy has finally found whom to blame for the failure of the COVID-19 hysteria. Now we know that “millennia of patriarchy” and a “male-dominated world” are guilty.
The #COVID19 pandemic is demonstrating what we all know: millennia of patriarchy have resulted in a male-dominated world with a male-dominated culture which damages everyone – women, men, girls & boys. — @antonioguterres https://t.co/ppSUGLr2Wx pic.twitter.com/krT6HkQil6 — United Nations (@UN) September 6, 2020
Such a reaction of the United Nations in Twitter is not a surprise as the developments around the world demonstrate that at least some conservative governments around the world have rejected the neo-liberal-imposed agenda of wide-scale unconditional restrictions and surveillance under the pretext of the COVID-19 outbreak.
While the COVID-19 issue should not be underestimated, the initial wide-scale push to politicize it and exploit in the interests of the neo-liberal agenda has nothing with the real care about people’s health and security. Therefore, it seems that particular forces are very unhappy with the recent developments.
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southfront--2020-09-08--The Navalny Case: Merkel vs. German Deep State

The short answer is we don ’ t know .
Open-source information is contradictory in the extreme .
However , both the course of events and Russian expert opinions make the allegation that Navalny was poisoned with a nerve agent Russian doctors , including world-renowned toxicologists who have ran analyses on Navalny ’ s biological samples , are adamant there were no signs of poisoning , and instead hypothesized he has suffered from a rare metabolic disorder .
Chemical weapons specialists are similarly incredulous that Navalny supposedly transferred traces of the nerve agent to a water bottle in his possession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but managed not to poison anyone on that flight , in spite of throwing up in the airplane bathroom and having to be manhandled by passengers and crew after losing consciousness .
Nor was the Omsk hospital staff affected—evaluations performed afterwards showed no presence of toxic substances consistent with nerve agents .
The absence of nerve agent in Navalny while in Russia is also indirectly confirmed by the Russian government ’ s willingness , even eagerness , to have him fly to Germany in order to not have his potential death on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been given had nerve agent poisoning been detected in Russia or , worse , Russian leadership actually ordered Navalny killed by poison , which is an extremely unlikely proposition for a wide range of reasons .
Moreover , had that order been given , Navalny would have died in the Omsk hospital that actually saved his life—a fact that is hardly consistent with the Putin-ordered assassination theory .
Poisoning Navalny , then saving his life and allowing him to go to a NATO country with traces of the poison still in his body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international scandal , simply flies in the face of logic and common sense .
The German version is of course the one Western media portrayed as unalloyed truth .
Navalny was poisoned with a “ novichok family ” nerve agent , with traces of it found in Navalny ’ s skin and blood samples , and the aforementioned water bottle that remained in the possession of Navalny ’ s relatives ( who likewise suffered no ill effects from handling it ) .
However , according to German news reports , it took several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moreover , in contrast to Russian doctors and specialists who spoke on the record , German experts and physicians are entirely anonymous .
No German toxicologists have yet come forward and put their reputations on the line .
Apart from anonymous press releases , the only Germans to have voiced the allegation of Navalny poisoning are politicians , including Angela Merkel and her Foreign Minister Heiko Maas .
To make matters worse , the Bundeswehr biochemical warfare lab that delivered the diagnosis refuses to release a detailed report on how it analyzed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All in all , in the absence of evidence and given the lack of transparency of the German investigation , combined with the unwillingness to provide Russia with any official documents on the matter , suggests the German version is the less credible of the two by far .
What might account for this disparity ?
Considering the state of affairs described above , it would appear that Angela Merkel was set up , with the main question here being , by whom ?
Even though from the perspective of “ cui bono @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it does not appear “ highly likely ” it was the reason German labs may have found byproducts of a nerve agent in Navalny ’ s system .
One can also rule out a British or US intelligence operation in the Russian Federation .
US agents would have risked capture , and entrusting Navalny ’ s entourage with such a mission would be a recipe for disaster .
Moreover , were Navalny poisoned in Russia by US or British agents , signs of poisoning would have been quickly detected , and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Russia .
It appears more “ highly likely ” that Angela Merkel ’ s own government factions played a really nasty trick on her , by opportunistically using Navalny ’ s illness in order to exert pressure on Merkel and force her to scuttle North Stream 2 which is , after all , one of her signature projects .
This would not only fatally weaken her politically , but also force a reorientation of Germany ’ s foreign policy toward a higher state of confrontation with both Russia and China , incidentally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also domestic economic policy to the United States .
Angela Merkel ’ s relatively measured approach to Russia is not due to her being some sort of a Russophile .
There is no evidence suggesting such a set of beliefs .
She is , however , a German nationalist who is aggressively pursuing the goal of expanding Germany ’ s power through the domination of the EU , and extensive economic contacts with Eurasia .
These policies naturally made her enemies in both Europe and the United States .
But her luster as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , making the maintenance of the ruling coalition an ever more difficult task .
While her position as Chancellor is still secure , Merkel was not able to avoid being surrounded by ministers who do not share her worldview , and instead have an Atlanticist orientation .
The two German politicians who are prime candidates for this betrayal of Merkel are Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer ( or AKK ) , the current Defense Minister and chairwoman of CDU who ousted Merkel from that post in 2018 , and Heiko Maas , the Foreign Minister .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Stream 2 in the past , have espoused hard-line anti-Russia and pro-US views to the point of advocating the dispatch of German warships to the South China Sea , and who moreover control the relevant entities in the investigation of the Navalny “ poisoning ” .
Maas , for his part , has been speaking in terms of ultimatums leveled at Russia , demanding that it explain how Navalny was poisoned with Novichok in Russia and prove its innocence , a task that he surely knows is impossible to fulfill .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as the Navalny saga unfolded , Maas and AKK worked behind the scenes to have Navalny flown to Germany as soon as possible , with a German intelligence agent introducing a tiny dose of cholinesterase inhibitors , possibly Novichok-related ones , upon his arrival in Germany .
When Charite apparently refused to play ball and limited itself to an inconclusive “ cholinesterase inhibitor ” funding , the matter was promptly handed over to AKK ’ s Bundeswehr lab where the desired result was duly produced .
Since Germany is refusing to release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or to have Navalny re-examined by Russian or international doctors and compare the results of German and Russian analyses ( with Merkel tellingly unable to compel her institutions to actually participate in an effort that would almost certainly exonerate Russia ) , one can now predict that Russia will fail to “ convince ” AKK and Maas of its innocence , with the outcome being termination of North Stream 2 , “ coronation ” of AKK as the next Chancellor of Germany , and a crackdown on political parties like AfD and Die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the official narrative .
Indeed , with the German military and intelligence services playing an active “ behind the scenes ” role in German politics , one can not even rule out a “ Reichstag fire ” style scenario .
Lessons Learned and Crises to Come The Russian government clearly miscalculated in allowing Navalny to go to Germany , expecting that Angela Merkel still had sufficient political pull to override her hawkish entourage and force a transparent investigation that would reveal the nature of Navalny ’ s illness .
The more appropriate course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navalny in Omsk and invite German doctors to perform analyses of Navalny ’ s blood samples right there in Omsk , where there was no danger of chain-of-custody violation by third parties determined to plant evidence pointing at Npvichok .
But what is even more worrisome is that Western intelligence services , apparently after being burned by the inept staging of the Douma false flag , have found an almost surefire way to stage “ Novichok ” false flags .
From now on literally every loss of consciousness by a prominent figure can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as long as there is a compliant NATO biochemical warfare laboratory willing to deliver the required diagnosis , without ever having to reveal how it reached that conclusion .
We should expect this tactic will be used many times in the future .
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Written by J.Hawk exclusively for SouthFront
What happened to Navalny?
The short answer is we don’t know. Open-source information is contradictory in the extreme. However, both the course of events and Russian expert opinions make the allegation that Navalny was poisoned with a nerve agent Russian doctors, including world-renowned toxicologists who have ran analyses on Navalny’s biological samples, are adamant there were no signs of poisoning, and instead hypothesized he has suffered from a rare metabolic disorder. Chemical weapons specialists are similarly incredulous that Navalny supposedly transferred traces of the nerve agent to a water bottle in his possession (as alleged by German politicians) but managed not to poison anyone on that flight, in spite of throwing up in the airplane bathroom and having to be manhandled by passengers and crew after losing consciousness. Nor was the Omsk hospital staff affected—evaluations performed afterwards showed no presence of toxic substances consistent with nerve agents. The absence of nerve agent in Navalny while in Russia is also indirectly confirmed by the Russian government’s willingness, even eagerness, to have him fly to Germany in order to not have his potential death on their hands. That permission would have never been given had nerve agent poisoning been detected in Russia or, worse, Russian leadership actually ordered Navalny killed by poison, which is an extremely unlikely proposition for a wide range of reasons. Moreover, had that order been given, Navalny would have died in the Omsk hospital that actually saved his life—a fact that is hardly consistent with the Putin-ordered assassination theory. Poisoning Navalny, then saving his life and allowing him to go to a NATO country with traces of the poison still in his body, in order to enjoy the inevitable international scandal, simply flies in the face of logic and common sense.
The German version is of course the one Western media portrayed as unalloyed truth. Navalny was poisoned with a “novichok family” nerve agent, with traces of it found in Navalny’s skin and blood samples, and the aforementioned water bottle that remained in the possession of Navalny’s relatives (who likewise suffered no ill effects from handling it). However, according to German news reports, it took several days to isolate the tocsin, and moreover, in contrast to Russian doctors and specialists who spoke on the record, German experts and physicians are entirely anonymous. No German toxicologists have yet come forward and put their reputations on the line. Apart from anonymous press releases, the only Germans to have voiced the allegation of Navalny poisoning are politicians, including Angela Merkel and her Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. To make matters worse, the Bundeswehr biochemical warfare lab that delivered the diagnosis refuses to release a detailed report on how it analyzed the samples, citing “secrecy”.
All in all, in the absence of evidence and given the lack of transparency of the German investigation, combined with the unwillingness to provide Russia with any official documents on the matter, suggests the German version is the less credible of the two by far. What might account for this disparity?
Der Merkelbunker
Considering the state of affairs described above, it would appear that Angela Merkel was set up, with the main question here being, by whom? Even though from the perspective of “cui bono” United States is the obvious suspect, it does not appear “highly likely” it was the reason German labs may have found byproducts of a nerve agent in Navalny’s system. One can also rule out a British or US intelligence operation in the Russian Federation. US agents would have risked capture, and entrusting Navalny’s entourage with such a mission would be a recipe for disaster. Moreover, were Navalny poisoned in Russia by US or British agents, signs of poisoning would have been quickly detected, and an investigation launched against the most likely suspects in Russia.
It appears more “highly likely” that Angela Merkel’s own government factions played a really nasty trick on her, by opportunistically using Navalny’s illness in order to exert pressure on Merkel and force her to scuttle North Stream 2 which is, after all, one of her signature projects. This would not only fatally weaken her politically, but also force a reorientation of Germany’s foreign policy toward a higher state of confrontation with both Russia and China, incidentally fully subordinating its not only foreign but also domestic economic policy to the United States. Angela Merkel’s relatively measured approach to Russia is not due to her being some sort of a Russophile. There is no evidence suggesting such a set of beliefs. She is, however, a German nationalist who is aggressively pursuing the goal of expanding Germany’s power through the domination of the EU, and extensive economic contacts with Eurasia. These policies naturally made her enemies in both Europe and the United States.
But her luster as a leader has worn down over time, making the maintenance of the ruling coalition an ever more difficult task. While her position as Chancellor is still secure, Merkel was not able to avoid being surrounded by ministers who do not share her worldview, and instead have an Atlanticist orientation. The two German politicians who are prime candidates for this betrayal of Merkel are Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (or AKK), the current Defense Minister and chairwoman of CDU who ousted Merkel from that post in 2018, and Heiko Maas, the Foreign Minister. Both of them have been critical of North Stream 2 in the past, have espoused hard-line anti-Russia and pro-US views to the point of advocating the dispatch of German warships to the South China Sea, and who moreover control the relevant entities in the investigation of the Navalny “poisoning”. Maas, for his part, has been speaking in terms of ultimatums leveled at Russia, demanding that it explain how Navalny was poisoned with Novichok in Russia and prove its innocence, a task that he surely knows is impossible to fulfill. It is not difficult to imagine that as soon as the Navalny saga unfolded, Maas and AKK worked behind the scenes to have Navalny flown to Germany as soon as possible, with a German intelligence agent introducing a tiny dose of cholinesterase inhibitors, possibly Novichok-related ones, upon his arrival in Germany. When Charite apparently refused to play ball and limited itself to an inconclusive “cholinesterase inhibitor” funding, the matter was promptly handed over to AKK’s Bundeswehr lab where the desired result was duly produced.
Since Germany is refusing to release the results of Bundeswehr’s testing or to have Navalny re-examined by Russian or international doctors and compare the results of German and Russian analyses (with Merkel tellingly unable to compel her institutions to actually participate in an effort that would almost certainly exonerate Russia), one can now predict that Russia will fail to “convince” AKK and Maas of its innocence, with the outcome being termination of North Stream 2, “coronation” of AKK as the next Chancellor of Germany, and a crackdown on political parties like AfD and Die Linke who have been vocal in questioning the official narrative. Indeed, with the German military and intelligence services playing an active “behind the scenes” role in German politics, one cannot even rule out a “Reichstag fire” style scenario.
Lessons Learned and Crises to Come
The Russian government clearly miscalculated in allowing Navalny to go to Germany, expecting that Angela Merkel still had sufficient political pull to override her hawkish entourage and force a transparent investigation that would reveal the nature of Navalny’s illness. The more appropriate course of action would have been to keep Navalny in Omsk and invite German doctors to perform analyses of Navalny’s blood samples right there in Omsk, where there was no danger of chain-of-custody violation by third parties determined to plant evidence pointing at Npvichok.
But what is even more worrisome is that Western intelligence services, apparently after being burned by the inept staging of the Douma false flag, have found an almost surefire way to stage “Novichok” false flags. From now on literally every loss of consciousness by a prominent figure can be transformed into an international scandal, as long as there is a compliant NATO biochemical warfare laboratory willing to deliver the required diagnosis, without ever having to reveal how it reached that conclusion. We should expect this tactic will be used many times in the future.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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