southfront--2020-12-21--Increased UFO Sightings In New York. Is The Galactic Civilization Coming?

The Galactic Empire is coming , and its coming to the United States .
That is , if one would trust the astronomical ( pun intended ) increase in UFO sightings reported in New York in 2020 .
According to the National UFO Reporting Center .
Sightings in 2019 sat at 35 , 12 in 2018 , and for 2020 they ’ ve gone 283 % up , compared to 2018 ’ s numbers – 2020 ’ s sightings number in New York sits at 46 .
Brooklyn is tops in tin-foil hatters , with 12 close encounters .
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Queens with 10 .
Staten Islanders claim just eight — despite the borough ’ s rep for not social distancing .
The Bronx is even more grounded – just 5 , pathetic , really .
As reported by the NYPost , two situations are the most interesting .
In the early hours of July 21st , a citizen of Staten Island stared at an “ oval ” aircraft that “ looked and sounded like a helicopter .
Then , the mysterious flying machine “ sent a surge of heat/radiation through my body !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a man watched 30 objects “ flying in a perfect line , in perfect synchronicity ” that “ looked like a bunch of moving stars.
” Throughout 2020 there were other odd incidents , such as the time when the US Department of Defense released a plethora of alleged UFO sightings videos , back in April .
On December 18th , Obama-era CIA director John Brennan described the declassified Pentagon UFO videos as “ eyebrow-raising ” and has said they should be treated with an open mind .
Among the several recently-declassified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ craft captured on camera by Navy pilots in 2004 .
“ You try to ensure that you have as much data as possible in terms of visuals and also different types of maybe technical collection of sensors that you have at the time , ” the ex-director explained .
“ You really have to approach it with an open mind , but get as much data as possible and get as much expertise as possible brought to bear.
” When he was asked about whether he thought aliens exist and have visited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bit presumptuous and arrogant for us to believe that there ’ s no other form of life anywhere in the entire universe , ” but added that it may not fit the bill of what we necessarily think of as ‘ life ’ .
It is likely that he , too , similarly to Israel ’ s former space security program chief , Haim Eshed , knows about the alien ’ s Galactic Empire , but he is still not allowed to speak about it .
After all , Eshed revealed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US , but it could be that Brennan decided to save that ace up Washington ’ s sleeve .
Brennan joins the ranks of a growing number of senior officials from around the world who have expressed a particular curiosity about the apparent ‘ x-files ’ which were declassified by the Pentagon in recent years .
Eshed , notably , said that the US had a manned , underground base on Mars , but declined to provide any proof .
He added that outgoing US President Donald Trump almost found out the truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federation ” to prevent mass hysteria on a global scale .
Allegedly , they didn ’ t want him to spill the beans .
Ex-CIA Director Brennan may have received the same instructions .
The former Israeli official also said that “ They signed a contract with us to experiment here , ” offering no details about the terms of the alleged interplanetary deal or the nature of the experimentation .
It could be that the Galactic Civilization is preparing for when we are ready , and that is why it is increasingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is doing so in an year where people around the world have undergone great mental strain , due to a pandemic that forced to sit at home for increased periods of time and be alone with their thoughts , whatever they are .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Aliens Exist , They ’ re In Contact With Israel And The U.S. Only : Former Israeli Space Security Chief

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The Galactic Empire is coming, and its coming to the United States.
That is, if one would trust the astronomical (pun intended) increase in UFO sightings reported in New York in 2020.
According to the National UFO Reporting Center.
Sightings in 2019 sat at 35, 12 in 2018, and for 2020 they’ve gone 283% up, compared to 2018’s numbers – 2020’s sightings number in New York sits at 46.
Brooklyn is tops in tin-foil hatters, with 12 close encounters. Not far behind are Manhattan with 11 and Queens with 10. Staten Islanders claim just eight — despite the borough’s rep for not social distancing. The Bronx is even more grounded – just 5, pathetic, really.
As reported by the NYPost, two situations are the most interesting.
In the early hours of July 21st, a citizen of Staten Island stared at an “oval” aircraft that “looked and sounded like a helicopter. Then, the mysterious flying machine “sent a surge of heat/radiation through my body!”
The Islander “honestly thought it was the government putting something into the air with everything going on during these times and I thought I would wake up and find it all over the news or on Instagram.”
In Bronx, on June 8th, a man watched 30 objects “flying in a perfect line, in perfect synchronicity” that “looked like a bunch of moving stars.”
The observer insisted, “I don’t drink, or take any drugs whatsoever. I’m not a UFO conspiracy theorist.”
Throughout 2020 there were other odd incidents, such as the time when the US Department of Defense released a plethora of alleged UFO sightings videos, back in April.
On December 18th, Obama-era CIA director John Brennan described the declassified Pentagon UFO videos as “eyebrow-raising” and has said they should be treated with an open mind.
“I’ve seen some of those videos from Navy pilots, and I must tell you that they are quite eyebrow-raising when you look at them,” Brennan said.
Among the several recently-declassified videos was the so-called ‘tic tac’ craft captured on camera by Navy pilots in 2004.
“You try to ensure that you have as much data as possible in terms of visuals and also different types of maybe technical collection of sensors that you have at the time,” the ex-director explained. “You really have to approach it with an open mind, but get as much data as possible and get as much expertise as possible brought to bear.”
When he was asked about whether he thought aliens exist and have visited Earth, Brennan said it is “a bit presumptuous and arrogant for us to believe that there’s no other form of life anywhere in the entire universe,” but added that it may not fit the bill of what we necessarily think of as ‘life’.
It is likely that he, too, similarly to Israel’s former space security program chief, Haim Eshed, knows about the alien’s Galactic Empire, but he is still not allowed to speak about it.
After all, Eshed revealed that the aliens only spoke to Israel and US, but it could be that Brennan decided to save that ace up Washington’s sleeve.
Brennan joins the ranks of a growing number of senior officials from around the world who have expressed a particular curiosity about the apparent ‘x-files’ which were declassified by the Pentagon in recent years.
“The federal government all these years has covered up [evidence about UFOs],” former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in a recent documentary.
Eshed, notably, said that the US had a manned, underground base on Mars, but declined to provide any proof.
He added that outgoing US President Donald Trump almost found out the truth before he was stopped by “The Federation” to prevent mass hysteria on a global scale. Allegedly, they didn’t want him to spill the beans.
Ex-CIA Director Brennan may have received the same instructions.
“The UFOs asked not to advertise that they are here, [because] humanity is not ready yet,” Eshed told Israel newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, adding that US President Donald Trump “was on the verge of finding out, but the aliens in the Galactic Federation say: wait, let the spirits calm first. They don’t want us to have mass hysteria.” “They want to make us sane and understanding first. They waited until today for humanity to evolve and reach a stage where we will understand what space and spaceships are.”
The former Israeli official also said that “They signed a contract with us to experiment here,” offering no details about the terms of the alleged interplanetary deal or the nature of the experimentation.
Former Israeli space #security chief Haim Eshed has revealed that aliens from a "Galactic Federation" have been in contact with the US and #Israel for years, but humanity isn't ready to know this. Or so he claims. Reporting by @AaronReich https://t.co/pj7VpuqMGl — The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) December 7, 2020
It could be that the Galactic Civilization is preparing for when we are ready, and that is why it is increasingly appearing to New Yorkers, and it is doing so in an year where people around the world have undergone great mental strain, due to a pandemic that forced to sit at home for increased periods of time and be alone with their thoughts, whatever they are.
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southfront--2020-12-21--Russia’s Nuclear Triad “Reached Level Of Guaranteed Security” And Its Defensive Posture In 2020 And

Russia’s Nuclear Triad “Reached Level Of Guaranteed Security” And Its Defensive Posture In 2020 And Beyond

Russia ’ s nuclear triad has reached the level of guaranteed security for the country , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on December 21st .
“ By mid-December 2020 , the share of modern weapons and equipment in the Russian troops is already over 70 percent .
This is within the general-purpose forces .
And in the nuclear forces – 86 percent .
Thus , our army and , most importantly , the nuclear triad reached a level that makes it possible to guarantee the security of Russia , ” Putin said , speaking at an expanded meeting of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the same time , according to him , “ standing still today is absolutely unacceptable.
” At the same time , speaking about the indicators of equipping the army with modern weapons , the president recalled how things were with this earlier .
At the same meeting , The Russian Armed Forces received five modernized Tu-95MS strategic bombers this year , said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu .
He recalled that the lead nuclear submarine of the Borey-A class , Knyaz Vladimir , armed with Bulava ballistic missiles with a modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been accepted into the Navy .
The Russian Navy this year received almost 30 warships and vessels , including two submarines , said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu .
According to him , a motorized rifle division and a coastal missile brigade have been formed within the Navy .
Shoigu said that a modern infrastructure has been created for the Yars and Avangard strategic missile systems .
This year , over 950 buildings and structures have been built in the interests of the Strategic Missile Forces , the minister said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ build a testing ground in the Krasnoyarsk Territory for testing the new Sarmat ICBM ( intercontinental ballistic missile ) , said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu .
According to him , in 2021 , 13 launchers with Yars missiles and Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles are to be put on alert in the Strategic Missile Forces .
He added that it is also planned to complete the construction of infrastructure complexes “ Yars ” and “ Avangard ” in Kozelsk , Yasny , Uzhur , Novosibirsk and Yoshkar-Ola .
This , according to Shoigu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and NATO have increased their military activity near the Russian borders , which required mirrored measures .
According to him , NATO began to systematically conduct trainings simultaneously at the western , southern and eastern borders of Russia .
Russia is buffing up its defenses , and it will also soon have a foothold in the Red Sea , which would allow it to have more wiggle room in a potential wartime scenario .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Pompeo Claims Russia “ Pretty Clearly ” Behind Major Cyberattack On US Agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Nuclear War , But It Really Didn ’ t

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Russia’s nuclear triad has reached the level of guaranteed security for the country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on December 21st.
“By mid-December 2020, the share of modern weapons and equipment in the Russian troops is already over 70 percent. This is within the general-purpose forces. And in the nuclear forces – 86 percent. Thus, our army and, most importantly, the nuclear triad reached a level that makes it possible to guarantee the security of Russia,” Putin said, speaking at an expanded meeting of the board of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
At the same time, according to him, “standing still today is absolutely unacceptable.”
“The rate of change in all critical areas for the armed forces is unusually high. This is not even Formula 1, the rate of change is cosmic,” Putin said.
At the same time, speaking about the indicators of equipping the army with modern weapons, the president recalled how things were with this earlier.
“During the Soviet Union, the general-purpose forces in the Soviet army (share) of modern weapons and equipment at that time was 54%. Strategic nuclear forces sit at 65-70%. In 2000, the level of modern weapons was appointments fell to a critical level of 12%. And for the forces of nuclear deterrence stood at 35%,” Putin said.
At the same meeting, The Russian Armed Forces received five modernized Tu-95MS strategic bombers this year, said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
“The Aviation Strategic Nuclear Forces have been replenished with five modernized Tu-95MS missile carriers,” he said.
He recalled that the lead nuclear submarine of the Borey-A class, Knyaz Vladimir, armed with Bulava ballistic missiles with a modern complex of means of overcoming antimissile defense, has been accepted into the Navy.
The Russian Navy this year received almost 30 warships and vessels, including two submarines, said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
“The Navy received two modern submarines, seven surface ships, 10 combat boats, 10 ships and support boats,” he said. “In terms of the number of coastal missile systems, Bal and Bastion, this year they reached 74% of the need,” the minister added.
According to him, a motorized rifle division and a coastal missile brigade have been formed within the Navy.
“The headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet has been reconstructed with a deep modernization of control systems. In Makhachkala, objects of the military infrastructure of the Caspian Flotilla, including the mooring front, have been commissioned,” Shoigu said.
Shoigu said that a modern infrastructure has been created for the Yars and Avangard strategic missile systems. This year, over 950 buildings and structures have been built in the interests of the Strategic Missile Forces, the minister said.
In 2021, the Russian military will build a testing ground in the Krasnoyarsk Territory for testing the new Sarmat ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile), said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
“In 2021, the Ministry of Defense will have to solve a number of priority tasks … To equip in the area of the settlement of Severo-Yeniseisky (Krasnoyarsk Territory – IF) a test range for flight tests of the Sarmat missile system,” Shoigu said.
According to him, in 2021, 13 launchers with Yars missiles and Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles are to be put on alert in the Strategic Missile Forces.
“Due to the additional funding allocated for the production of these complexes, to reach the level of modernity of strategic nuclear forces of 88.3%,” Shoigu said.
He added that it is also planned to complete the construction of infrastructure complexes “Yars” and “Avangard” in Kozelsk, Yasny, Uzhur, Novosibirsk and Yoshkar-Ola.
This, according to Shoigu is necessary, because the United States and NATO have increased their military activity near the Russian borders, which required mirrored measures.
“In 2020, the geography of challenges for our country has expanded, the role of military force in solving international problems has increased. NATO views Russia as its main threat, and is building up its military potential near our borders,” Shoigu said.
According to him, NATO began to systematically conduct trainings simultaneously at the western, southern and eastern borders of Russia.
“In August-September alone, 55 combat aircraft took part in them, including strategic bombers and 12 ships – carriers of high-precision weapons,” Shoigu said. “We closely followed these and other exercises, took mirror measures,” the minister said.
Russia is buffing up its defenses, and it will also soon have a foothold in the Red Sea, which would allow it to have more wiggle room in a potential wartime scenario.
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southfront--2020-12-21--Yuletide Lockdowns and Cancelling Christmas

The mind changer in Downing Street has struck again .
With UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the helm , changes of direction are compulsive , natural and sudden .
The U-Turn has become the prosaic expectation .
“ Too often it looks like this government licks its finger and sticks it in the air to see which way the wind is blowing , ” Tory MP Charles Walker , deputy chair of the 1922 Committee , lamented in August .
“ This is not a sustainable way to approach the business of governing and government.
” As unsustainable as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated to another round of vigorous U-turning ahead of Christmas by a leader who radiates buffoonery and steady incompetence .
On December 16 , a decision was taken to ease COVID-19 restrictions over the festive period , a view distinctly at odds with a good number in the scientific establishment .
In November , submissions by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) to the government warned that mixing over the Christmas period could well lead to greater spread in the event restrictions were eased .
According to a paper by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Influenza Group on Modelling ( SPI-M-O ) , a relaxation “ over the festive period will result in increased transmission and increased prevalence , potentially by a large amount.
” The group also warned that , “ SARS-Cov-19 has demonstrated high secondary attack rates in households ( with estimates of up to 50 % in one household infected from one infected member ) .
” The analysis also warned that the “ bubble ” policy – one where a certain number of households would be permitted to mix over a set number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still burdened by risk .
“ Allowing households to ‘ bubble ’ ( i.e .
effectively form a single , larger , isolated household ) reduces the risks , but is very susceptible to small numbers of links between bubbles.
” Despite this , Johnson was adamant in his Wednesday press gathering : the festive season would be an exception .
“ I want to be clear we don ’ t want to , as I say , to ban Christmas , to cancel it.
” To do so “ would be frankly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this country.
” This was a pointed reference to opponents sceptical about his epidemiological grasp of the dangers .
Labour leader Keir Starmer had previously pressed him during Parliament Minister ’ s Questions about any existing assessments on the impact “ on infection rates and increased pressure on the NHS ” .
Johnson ’ s response was far from helpful and , given the circumstances , ill conceived .
“ I wish he had the guts to say what he really wants to do , which is to cancel the plans people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think that ’ s what he ’ s driving at , Mr Speaker.
” But even conservative forums such as had to admit that the prime minister was taking an awful gamble : “ that people will suddenly start adhering to government guidance and severely restrict their contact with their families , even though the law does not force them to do so.
” In his December 16 speech , Johnson praised the rollout of the vaccination programme .
With 138,000 recipients of the first dose , he felt there was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will win our long struggle against the virus.
” The reproduction rate of the virus had been brought below 1 .
But Britons had to hold their nerve .
Infections were still rising in parts of the country .
London had moved into Tier 3 restrictions .
An appeal was made to those in the UK “ to think hard and in detail about the days ahead and whether you can do more to protect yourself and others.
” Never tiring of confusing the citizenry , such regulations were to involve limits of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I want to stress that these are maximums , not targets to aim for.
” Think , he pleaded , of having a smaller and shorter Christmas .
On December 19 , the mind changer was again in full flow .
The very idea of holding Christmas was challenged and Johnson found himself doing exactly what he had accused the Labour leader of wishing .
“ I am sorry that the situation has deteriorated since I last spoke to you three days ago.
” The reason given by Johnson in his address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group on New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats ( NERVTAG ) had revealed the emergence of a new variant of the virus .
“ NERVTAG ’ s early analysis suggests the new variant could increase R [ the reproduction number ] by 0.4 or greater .
Although there is considerable uncertainty , it may be up to 70 % more transmissible than the old variant.
” This new variant had been skipping at speed through London , the South East and East of England .
As things stood , it was seemingly not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severity .
This new incarnation was also unlikely to blunt the effect of the vaccines .
But it was clear to Johnson that not taking immediate steps would lead to soaring infections , straining the NHS and causing the deaths of “ many thousands more ” .
The consequence : London , the South East and the East of England were to move into tier 4 .
These have become generally familiar : the necessity of staying at home and working from home ; the closure of non-essential services in retail , indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not permitted to enter or leave Tier 4 areas ; and residents in such designated zones can not stay overnight away from home .
Exemptions apply for exercise , childcare and those who can not work from home .
The corollary of such restrictions was that Britons could not “ continue with Christmas as planned.
” Tier 4 restrictions meant that households were to be self-contained , “ though support bubbles will remain in place for those at risk of loneliness or isolation.
” To add just another sliver of confusion , household @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those in Tier 3 zones .
Not all gloom , Johnson unfurled the metaphorical flag .
“ The UK was the first country in the western world to start using a clinically approved vaccine.
” Nothing , however , could take away from the fact that Johnson had again been outmanoeuvred by facts and circumstance .
In the scathing opinion of , it was a decision taken too late , causing grief to families “ who have been encouraged to look forward to Christmas for weeks by a prime minister who , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attempt to avoid being the bearer of bad news.
” In the meantime , Johnson will have to deal with an increasing number of irate Tory backbenchers keen to recall parliament .
Walker is one them , increasingly suspicious of the government ’ s motives .
“ The Government , in my view , knew on Thursday , possibly even Wednesday , that they were going to pull the plug on Christmas but they waited till Parliament had gone.
” A Johnson tactic , through and through .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cambridge .
He lectures at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com MORE ON THE TOPIC : • UK Isolated From Outside As New , More Infectious , COVID-19 Strain Discovered • Another Victory Of Russian Science : Vector Claimed Successful Trial Of HIV Vaccine

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
The mind changer in Downing Street has struck again. With UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the helm, changes of direction are compulsive, natural and sudden. The U-Turn has become the prosaic expectation. “Too often it looks like this government licks its finger and sticks it in the air to see which way the wind is blowing,” Tory MP Charles Walker, deputy chair of the 1922 Committee, lamented in August. “This is not a sustainable way to approach the business of governing and government.”
As unsustainable as it might be, the UK was treated to another round of vigorous U-turning ahead of Christmas by a leader who radiates buffoonery and steady incompetence. On December 16, a decision was taken to ease COVID-19 restrictions over the festive period, a view distinctly at odds with a good number in the scientific establishment.
In November, submissions by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) to the government warned that mixing over the Christmas period could well lead to greater spread in the event restrictions were eased. According to a paper by the operational subgroup of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M-O), a relaxation “over the festive period will result in increased transmission and increased prevalence, potentially by a large amount.” The group also warned that, “SARS-Cov-19 has demonstrated high secondary attack rates in households (with estimates of up to 50% in one household infected from one infected member).”
The analysis also warned that the “bubble” policy – one where a certain number of households would be permitted to mix over a set number of days over the Christmas period – was still burdened by risk. “Allowing households to ‘bubble’ (i.e. effectively form a single, larger, isolated household) reduces the risks, but is very susceptible to small numbers of links between bubbles.”
Despite this, Johnson was adamant in his Wednesday press gathering: the festive season would be an exception. “I want to be clear we don’t want to, as I say, to ban Christmas, to cancel it.” To do so “would be frankly inhuman and against the instincts of many in this country.” This was a pointed reference to opponents sceptical about his epidemiological grasp of the dangers. Labour leader Keir Starmer had previously pressed him during Parliament Minister’s Questions about any existing assessments on the impact “on infection rates and increased pressure on the NHS”.
Johnson’s response was far from helpful and, given the circumstances, ill conceived. “I wish he had the guts to say what he really wants to do, which is to cancel the plans people have made and to cancel Christmas. I think that’s what he’s driving at, Mr Speaker.” But even conservative forums such as The Spectator had to admit that the prime minister was taking an awful gamble: “that people will suddenly start adhering to government guidance and severely restrict their contact with their families, even though the law does not force them to do so.”
In his December 16 speech, Johnson praised the rollout of the vaccination programme. With 138,000 recipients of the first dose, he felt there was “no doubt we are winning and we will win our long struggle against the virus.” The reproduction rate of the virus had been brought below 1. But Britons had to hold their nerve. Infections were still rising in parts of the country. London had moved into Tier 3 restrictions.
An appeal was made to those in the UK “to think hard and in detail about the days ahead and whether you can do more to protect yourself and others.” Never tiring of confusing the citizenry, such regulations were to involve limits of three households meeting over five days. “I want to stress that these are maximums, not targets to aim for.” Think, he pleaded, of having a smaller and shorter Christmas.
On December 19, the mind changer was again in full flow. The very idea of holding Christmas was challenged and Johnson found himself doing exactly what he had accused the Labour leader of wishing. “I am sorry that the situation has deteriorated since I last spoke to you three days ago.” The reason given by Johnson in his address was ominous. Data from the advisory group on New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats (NERVTAG) had revealed the emergence of a new variant of the virus. “NERVTAG’s early analysis suggests the new variant could increase R [the reproduction number] by 0.4 or greater. Although there is considerable uncertainty, it may be up to 70% more transmissible than the old variant.”
This new variant had been skipping at speed through London, the South East and East of England. As things stood, it was seemingly not more lethal or causing illness of greater severity. This new incarnation was also unlikely to blunt the effect of the vaccines. But it was clear to Johnson that not taking immediate steps would lead to soaring infections, straining the NHS and causing the deaths of “many thousands more”.
The consequence: London, the South East and the East of England were to move into tier 4. These have become generally familiar: the necessity of staying at home and working from home; the closure of non-essential services in retail, indoor gyms and leisure facilities. People are not permitted to enter or leave Tier 4 areas; and residents in such designated zones cannot stay overnight away from home. Exemptions apply for exercise, childcare and those who cannot work from home.
The corollary of such restrictions was that Britons could not “continue with Christmas as planned.” Tier 4 restrictions meant that households were to be self-contained, “though support bubbles will remain in place for those at risk of loneliness or isolation.” To add just another sliver of confusion, household mixing would be confined to Christmas Day for those in Tier 3 zones.
Not all gloom, Johnson unfurled the metaphorical flag. “The UK was the first country in the western world to start using a clinically approved vaccine.” Nothing, however, could take away from the fact that Johnson had again been outmanoeuvred by facts and circumstance.
In the scathing opinion of The Observer, it was a decision taken too late, causing grief to families “who have been encouraged to look forward to Christmas for weeks by a prime minister who, in characteristic form, foolishly over-promised in an attempt to avoid being the bearer of bad news.”
In the meantime, Johnson will have to deal with an increasing number of irate Tory backbenchers keen to recall parliament. Walker is one them, increasingly suspicious of the government’s motives. “The Government, in my view, knew on Thursday, possibly even Wednesday, that they were going to pull the plug on Christmas but they waited till Parliament had gone.” A Johnson tactic, through and through.
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne. Email: bkampmark@gmail.com
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southfront--2020-12-21--Pashinyan Out Of The Basement, But Not Welcome In Nagorno-Karabakh’s Syunik

On December 21st , in a sign of rare bravery , Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan came out of the basement and decided to travel to Syunik .
He was to meet the citizens , show his supporter , and say that the demarcation of borders is not the tragedy that everybody believes it is .
He , regrettably for him , was met by reality .
Early in the morning inhabitants of Syunik got together in order to block the road leading to Syunik and to prevent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan from entering to the territory of the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He , finally arrived , and he immediately blamed former Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan for the demarcation situation .
Prime Minister Pashinyan , speaking with the residents of Syunik , said that border problems arise due to the fact that these borders were recognized back in 2010 by the government and parliament of that time .
That is , according to Pashinyan , now the Armenian forces are retreating to the borders that were accepted in 2010 when Serzh Sargsyan was in power .
If now the demarcation of the borders recognized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then the very recognition of these borders in 2010 is a double betrayal , the prime minister said .
After several cities refused to accept him as wholeheartedly as he believed they would Pashinyan canceled the remainder of his trip .
He canceled his trip to Goris : In one of the key events against him the priest of the Church of St. Grigor in Sisian refused to shake hands with Nikol Pashinyan and asked to leave the temple .
On December 19th , Pashinyan took part in a mourning march for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days of mourning were announced in Armenia , but that didn ’ t stop protests calling for his resignation .
“ The entire nation has been through and is going through a nightmare , ” Pashinyan said in a video message before the march .
“ Sometimes it seems that all of our dreams have been dashed and our optimism destroyed.
” The opposition , labeled the 45-year-old leader a “ traitor ” for agreeing to end the war in November with a Russia-brokered peace deal that saw Armenia cede swaths of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of land controlled by ethnic Armenian forces for more than a quarter of a century has angered Armenians , many of whom have been protesting against Pashinyan for weeks .
Many critics chanted “ Nikol the traitor ” as the prime minister ’ s convoy passed by , while some said he should have stayed away from the cemetery .
The Armenian Minister of Defense Vagharshak Harutyunyan strongly dismissed opinions claiming that the deployment of Russian border guards in the border with Azerbaijan at Syunik province is harming the Armenian sovereignty .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The loss of sovereignty happens when security isn ’ t ensured .
While the actions which strengthen security , strengthen both the state ’ s independence and sovereignty .
Our top priority today is to ensure military security , which brings to the strengthening of our sovereignty and independence , ” Harutyunyan said in an interview with Zinuzh Media .
Russian border guards are deployed in some parts of the eastern border of Armenia in the Syunik province amid ongoing delimitation and demarcation processes between Armenia and Azerbaijan following the Nagorno @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh risk their lives to restore peaceful life .
The military-political situation in the world remains difficult , there are high risks of aggravation in the Caucasus , Africa and the Middle East .
In Nagorno-Karabakh , the construction of a block-modular camp for the accommodation of 250 servicemen of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the village of Stepanakert has been completed .
Currently , the commissioning of the engineering equipment of the camp is being completed .
The complete set of block-modular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an officer ’ s house , a bathhouse , a first-aid post , a dryer , a clothing cleaning room , a leisure room , a headquarters and an office , a storage room , a canteen , a kitchen , a grocery store , sanitary modules , a room for storing weapons , engineering equipment .
The specialists of the International Mine Action Centre of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation continue work on demining the territory .
In total , during the peacekeeping operation in Nagorno-Karabakh , engineering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrain and about 93 kilometers of roads , 423 residential buildings .
More than 8.3 thousand explosive objects were found and neutralized .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Pashinyan Comes Out Of The Basement , Meets With Opposition Protest Demanding His Resignation

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On December 21st, in a sign of rare bravery, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan came out of the basement and decided to travel to Syunik.
He was to meet the citizens, show his supporter, and say that the demarcation of borders is not the tragedy that everybody believes it is.
He, regrettably for him, was met by reality.
Early in the morning inhabitants of Syunik got together in order to block the road leading to Syunik and to prevent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan from entering to the territory of the region. There were clashes with the police.
He, finally arrived, and he immediately blamed former Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan for the demarcation situation.
Prime Minister Pashinyan, speaking with the residents of Syunik, said that border problems arise due to the fact that these borders were recognized back in 2010 by the government and parliament of that time.
That is, according to Pashinyan, now the Armenian forces are retreating to the borders that were accepted in 2010 when Serzh Sargsyan was in power.
If now the demarcation of the borders recognized in 2010 is considered a betrayal, then the very recognition of these borders in 2010 is a double betrayal, the prime minister said.
After several cities refused to accept him as wholeheartedly as he believed they would Pashinyan canceled the remainder of his trip.
He canceled his trip to Goris:
“I made sure that the road to Goris was blocked because the atmosphere in Goris, Kapan, Kajaran, Meghri is the same as in Sisian. We will not use force, especially on a day of mourning. We are returning to Yerevan,” Pashinyan wrote on his Facebook.
In one of the key events against him the priest of the Church of St. Grigor in Sisian refused to shake hands with Nikol Pashinyan and asked to leave the temple. Pashinyan heard the call and left.
On December 19th, Pashinyan took part in a mourning march for those that died in the war. Three days of mourning were announced in Armenia, but that didn’t stop protests calling for his resignation.
“The entire nation has been through and is going through a nightmare,” Pashinyan said in a video message before the march. “Sometimes it seems that all of our dreams have been dashed and our optimism destroyed.”
The opposition, labeled the 45-year-old leader a “traitor” for agreeing to end the war in November with a Russia-brokered peace deal that saw Armenia cede swaths of the Nagorno-Karabakh region to Azerbaijan.
The loss of land controlled by ethnic Armenian forces for more than a quarter of a century has angered Armenians, many of whom have been protesting against Pashinyan for weeks.
Many critics chanted “Nikol the traitor” as the prime minister’s convoy passed by, while some said he should have stayed away from the cemetery.
The Armenian Minister of Defense Vagharshak Harutyunyan strongly dismissed opinions claiming that the deployment of Russian border guards in the border with Azerbaijan at Syunik province is harming the Armenian sovereignty.
He noted that it does the quite opposite.
“The loss of sovereignty happens when security isn’t ensured. While the actions which strengthen security, strengthen both the state’s independence and sovereignty. Our top priority today is to ensure military security, which brings to the strengthening of our sovereignty and independence,” Harutyunyan said in an interview with Zinuzh Media.
Russian border guards are deployed in some parts of the eastern border of Armenia in the Syunik province amid ongoing delimitation and demarcation processes between Armenia and Azerbaijan following the Nagorno Karabakh war.
In his press briefing, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh risk their lives to restore peaceful life.
The military-political situation in the world remains difficult, there are high risks of aggravation in the Caucasus, Africa and the Middle East.
In Nagorno-Karabakh, the construction of a block-modular camp for the accommodation of 250 servicemen of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the village of Stepanakert has been completed.
Currently, the commissioning of the engineering equipment of the camp is being completed.
The complete set of block-modular camp includes residential units, a gym, an officer’s house, a bathhouse, a first-aid post, a dryer, a clothing cleaning room, a leisure room, a headquarters and an office, a storage room, a canteen, a kitchen, a grocery store, sanitary modules, a room for storing weapons, engineering equipment.
The specialists of the International Mine Action Centre of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation continue work on demining the territory.
In total, during the peacekeeping operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, engineering units cleared more than 238 hectares of terrain and about 93 kilometers of roads, 423 residential buildings. More than 8.3 thousand explosive objects were found and neutralized.
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southfront--2020-12-21--Map Update: Military Situation In Nagorno-Karabakh On December 21, 2020

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Nagorno-Karabakh : • On December 20 , 316 displaced persons returned from Yerevan to Stepanakert by buses with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers ; • As of December 21 , more than 42,000 people returned to Karabakh with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers ; • As of December 21 , Russia reported that more than 238 hectares of land and about 93 kilometers of roads were cleared from mines and IEDs and 8300 explosive objects were found and destroyed ; • As of December 20 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 November , according to the State Service of Emergency Situations of Artsakh ; • On December 20 , Russian peacekeepers established a post at the entrance of Davit Bek village ; • On December 21 , 7 more trucks delivering humanitarian aid from Russia arrived in Karabakh , according to the State Service of Emergency Situations of Artsakh ; • On December 21 , Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the south of Armenia amid the ongoing demarcation of the border with Azerbaijan .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • President Of Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Was Destroyed During War

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Nagorno-Karabakh:
On December 20, 316 displaced persons returned from Yerevan to Stepanakert by buses with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers;
As of December 21, more than 42,000 people returned to Karabakh with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers;
As of December 21, Russia reported that more than 238 hectares of land and about 93 kilometers of roads were cleared from mines and IEDs and 8300 explosive objects were found and destroyed;
As of December 20, 1039 bodies retrieved from battle zones since 13 November, according to the State Service of Emergency Situations of Artsakh;
On December 20, Russian peacekeepers established a post at the entrance of Davit Bek village;
On December 21, 7 more trucks delivering humanitarian aid from Russia arrived in Karabakh, according to the State Service of Emergency Situations of Artsakh;
On December 21, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the south of Armenia amid the ongoing demarcation of the border with Azerbaijan.
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southfront--2020-12-21--Japan Approves Ninth Military Budget Increase In A Row For F-35’s, Missiles, Aegis Systems

On December 21st , Japan ’ s government , headed by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga approved a ninth consecutive rise in military spending .
Allegedly with pure defense in mind , the record-high 5.34 trillion yen ( $ 51.7 billion ) is aimed at funding the development of an advanced stealth fighter and longer-range anti-ship missile to counter China ’ s growing military power .
This is a 1.1 % increase from 2020 ’ s budget .
Suga is continuing the military expansion pursued by his predecessor , Shinzo Abe , to give Japan ’ s forces new planes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and potency against potential foes including neighboring China .
China plans to raise its military spending 6.6 % this year , the smallest increase in 30 years , so it ’ s Tokyo ’ s time to “ catch up ” .
Japan is buying longer-range missiles and considering arming and training its military to strike distant land targets in China , North Korea and other parts of Asia .
Tokyo is one of the United States ’ allies , which Washington wishes to pit against China in a potential conflict .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and South Korea could very loosely be considered allies .
A planned jet fighter , the first in three decades , is expected to cost around $ 40 billion and be ready in the 2030s .
The project , led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd with help from Lockheed Martin Corp , gets $ 706 million in the new budget .
Japan will spend $ 323 million to begin development of a long-range anti-ship missile to defend its southwestern Okinawan island chain .
Another big investment is $ 628 million for six Lockheed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vertical-landing ( STOVL ) B variants that will operate off a converted helicopter carrier .
The military will also get $ 912 million to build two compact warships that can operate with fewer sailors than conventional destroyers , easing pressure on a navy struggling to find recruits in an ageing population .
Japan also wants two new warships to carry powerful new US-made Aegis air and ballistic missile defense systems that have much as three times the range of older models .
This replaces the project cancelled in June to construct two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be reminded that the Aegis Ashore and the normal Aegis can be repurposed from a defense system to launch nuclear-ready Tomahawk missiles .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Russia Deploys S-300V4 To Kuril Islands .
Complains That System Covers Half Of Country • U.S. Arms Sales Go Up In Fiscal Year 2020 Despite COVID-19

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On December 21st, Japan’s government, headed by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga approved a ninth consecutive rise in military spending.
Allegedly with pure defense in mind, the record-high 5.34 trillion yen ($51.7 billion) is aimed at funding the development of an advanced stealth fighter and longer-range anti-ship missile to counter China’s growing military power.
This is a 1.1% increase from 2020’s budget.
Suga is continuing the military expansion pursued by his predecessor, Shinzo Abe, to give Japan’s forces new planes, missiles and aircraft carriers with greater range and potency against potential foes including neighboring China.
China plans to raise its military spending 6.6% this year, the smallest increase in 30 years, so it’s Tokyo’s time to “catch up”.
Japan is buying longer-range missiles and considering arming and training its military to strike distant land targets in China, North Korea and other parts of Asia.
Tokyo is one of the United States’ allies, which Washington wishes to pit against China in a potential conflict.
Another one is South Korea, albeit Japan and South Korea could very loosely be considered allies.
A planned jet fighter, the first in three decades, is expected to cost around $40 billion and be ready in the 2030s.
The project, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd with help from Lockheed Martin Corp, gets $706 million in the new budget.
Japan will spend $323 million to begin development of a long-range anti-ship missile to defend its southwestern Okinawan island chain.
Another big investment is $628 million for six Lockheed F-35 stealth fighters, including two short-takeoff and vertical-landing (STOVL) B variants that will operate off a converted helicopter carrier.
The military will also get $912 million to build two compact warships that can operate with fewer sailors than conventional destroyers, easing pressure on a navy struggling to find recruits in an ageing population.
Japan also wants two new warships to carry powerful new US-made Aegis air and ballistic missile defense systems that have much as three times the range of older models.
This replaces the project cancelled in June to construct two ground Aegis Ashore stations.
It should be reminded that the Aegis Ashore and the normal Aegis can be repurposed from a defense system to launch nuclear-ready Tomahawk missiles.
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southfront--2020-12-21--Military Situation In Syria On December 21, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • On December 21 @ @ @ @ @ militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 33 times : 19 – in Idlib @ @ @ @ @ Aleppo province , 13 – in Latakia province , 2 – in Hama province ; @ @ @ @ @ SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces near Kansafra and al-Barah ; • On December @ @ @ @ @ positions of terrorist groups near Kabani ; • On December 20 , 3 people were @ @ @ @ @ in the city of Raas Al-Ain ; • On December 20 , the UN Security @ @ @ @ @ United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights for 6 months ; • On @ @ @ @ @ artillery duels between the Turkish-backed forces and the SDF were reported at Jahbal and Mushayrifah @ @ @ @ @ , a Turkish military convoy contains military vehicles and logistical equipment entered Syria via the @ @ @ @ @ MORE ON THE TOPIC :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
On December 21, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 33 times: 19 – in Idlib province, 4 – in Aleppo province, 13 – in Latakia province, 2 – in Hama province;
On December 21, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces near Kansafra and al-Barah;
On December 20, Russian warplanes struck positions of terrorist groups near Kabani;
On December 20, 3 people were injured by an IED blast in the city of Raas Al-Ain;
On December 20, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights for 6 months;
On December 20, clashes and artillery duels between the Turkish-backed forces and the SDF were reported at Jahbal and Mushayrifah;
On December 20, a Turkish military convoy contains military vehicles and logistical equipment entered Syria via the Kafr Lusin border crossing.
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southfront--2020-12-21--UK Isolated From Outside As New, More Infectious, COVID-19 Strain Discovered

On December 20th , Ireland , Germany , France , Italy , the Netherlands and Belgium , and almost every other European country halted flights from and to the United Kingdom .
There is an European Union meeting for December 21st , where a more uniform response will be agreed upon .
The reason ?
A new strain of COVID-19 was detected in patients in Great Britain .
The new variant has spread quickly in London and south-east England .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on December 19th introduced a new tier four level of restrictions for those areas , scrapping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas period for millions of people .
Research showed that there was no evidence the new variant was more deadly , or would react differently to vaccines , but it was proving to be up to 70 % more transmissible .
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new strain “ was out of control .
We have got to get it under control ” , admitting that this was “ an incredibly difficult end to frankly an awful year ” .
France suspended all travel links , including freight lorries , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on December 20th .
In response to France ’ s ban , Eurotunnel said it would suspend access to its Folkestone terminal from 22:00 GMT for traffic heading to Calais .
People booked to travel on Monday can get a refund .
Trains will still run from Calais to Folkestone .
In Ireland , which has significant passenger traffic with the UK at this time of year , the government announced that flights arriving from England , Wales and Scotland would be banned for 48 hours at least from midnight , and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in Britain , regardless of nationality , should not travel to Ireland , by air or sea ” .
In Germany , an order from the ministry of transport said planes from the UK would not be allowed to land after midnight on December 20th , although cargo would be an exception .
Health Minister Jens Spahn said the UK variant had not yet been detected in Germany .
This strain is not something entirely new .
It was first detected back in September .
In November it made up around a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached nearly two-thirds of cases in mid-December .
Three things are coming together that mean it is attracting attention : • It is rapidly replacing other versions of the virus • It has mutations that affect part of the virus likely to be important • Some of those mutations have already been shown in the lab to increase the ability of the virus to infect cells On December 21st , the UK also recorded 35,928 COVID infections , which is the highest ever since it started recording the number .
The new variant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of quarantine imposed by other countries not seen since the movie 28 Days Later , is called VUI-202012/01 ( the first Variant Under Investigation in December 2020 ) , is thought to have first occurred in mid-September in the country ’ s southeast , in the capital London or the county of Kent .
Thankfully , the virus isn ’ t shown to turn people into ravenous zombies no more than Black Friday does , so that should certainly be a positive in the given situation .
Susan Hopkins of Public Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on December 18th when modelling revealed the full seriousness of the new strain .
The UK submitted its findings to the World Health Organization the same day .
Johnson hoped to allow small-scale festivities for Christmas , but due to this new COVID-19 strain and the lockdown , it is likely that it is largely canceled this year , Santa better wear a mask .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • The 2020 Worldwide Corona Crisis : Destroying Civil Society , Engineered Economic Depression , Global Coup d ’ État and the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The Inequalities of Vaccine Distribution

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On December 20th, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium, and almost every other European country halted flights from and to the United Kingdom.
There is an European Union meeting for December 21st, where a more uniform response will be agreed upon.
The reason? A new strain of COVID-19 was detected in patients in Great Britain.
The new variant has spread quickly in London and south-east England.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on December 19th introduced a new tier four level of restrictions for those areas, scrapping a planned relaxation of rules over the Christmas period for millions of people.
Research showed that there was no evidence the new variant was more deadly, or would react differently to vaccines, but it was proving to be up to 70% more transmissible.
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new strain “was out of control. We have got to get it under control”, admitting that this was “an incredibly difficult end to frankly an awful year”.
France suspended all travel links, including freight lorries, with the UK for 48 hours from midnight on December 20th.
In response to France’s ban, Eurotunnel said it would suspend access to its Folkestone terminal from 22:00 GMT for traffic heading to Calais. People booked to travel on Monday can get a refund. Trains will still run from Calais to Folkestone.
In Ireland, which has significant passenger traffic with the UK at this time of year, the government announced that flights arriving from England, Wales and Scotland would be banned for 48 hours at least from midnight, and “in the interests of public health, people in Britain, regardless of nationality, should not travel to Ireland, by air or sea”.
In Germany, an order from the ministry of transport said planes from the UK would not be allowed to land after midnight on December 20th, although cargo would be an exception. Health Minister Jens Spahn said the UK variant had not yet been detected in Germany.
Belgium, Italy, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Turkey and Switzerland also introduced travel bans.
This strain is not something entirely new. It was first detected back in September.
In November it made up around a quarter of cases in London. This reached nearly two-thirds of cases in mid-December.
Three things are coming together that mean it is attracting attention:
It is rapidly replacing other versions of the virus
It has mutations that affect part of the virus likely to be important
Some of those mutations have already been shown in the lab to increase the ability of the virus to infect cells
On December 21st, the UK also recorded 35,928 COVID infections, which is the highest ever since it started recording the number.
The new variant, which sent the UK into a sort of quarantine imposed by other countries not seen since the movie 28 Days Later, is called VUI-202012/01 (the first Variant Under Investigation in December 2020), is thought to have first occurred in mid-September in the country’s southeast, in the capital London or the county of Kent.
Thankfully, the virus isn’t shown to turn people into ravenous zombies no more than Black Friday does, so that should certainly be a positive in the given situation.
Susan Hopkins of Public Health England said the agency notified the government on December 18th when modelling revealed the full seriousness of the new strain. The UK submitted its findings to the World Health Organization the same day.
Johnson hoped to allow small-scale festivities for Christmas, but due to this new COVID-19 strain and the lockdown, it is likely that it is largely canceled this year, Santa better wear a mask.
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southfront--2020-12-21--No Act Of War But “An Easy Score”: Here’s What We Know & Don’t Know About SolarWinds Hack

National security correspondent and investigative journalist Jordan Schachtel in an epic thread has gone off on the Russia hawks now seizing the moment to blame the Kremlin for the SolarWinds hack and whip up this current round of hysteria .
The cyberattack , said to have been months-long in the making which breached multiple US federal agencies , has posed a “ grave risk ” to the nation including the potential compromise of classified systems which monitor the nation ’ s nuclear arsenal , according to widespread reports .
Some powerful Democratic Senators are already calling it “ an act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demanding that Trump “ do something ” about it , which would likely take the form of more sanctions and ratcheting tensions with Moscow further .
But Trump poured cold water on that scenario yesterday after being briefed on the intelligence related to the hack .
“ Russia , Russia , Russia is the priority chant when anything happens ” the president tweeted Saturday morning , while calling the cyber hack “ far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality ” .
But what do we actually know and how do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians and media for now advancing a convenient narrative but which they can ’ t possibly know at this point .
As we ’ ve pointed out this appears yet more last-ditch Russiagate-style hyperventilating during the final weeks of the Trump presidency .
The below is journalist and national security pundit Jordan Schachtel ’ s analysis of the matter which he calls “ insane and dangerous ” for the way the hack is being prematurely weaponized against the usual boogeyman yet without evidence… When we talk about hacking and attribution , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cyber nations ( USA , China , Russia , & select Euros ) can make it appear as if another country is responsible for select actions .
Attribution is very difficult .
Rapid confidence is a giant red flag .
The process of dissecting a sophisticated cyber attack that was potentially executed by a nation state takes significant time .
Finger pointing by politicians and bureaucrats during this process is not only unwise , it gives off the scent of a political agenda in play .
You should never , ever trust “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bank .
Learn the lessons from the 21st century .
“ The intel ” is not sufficient .
Show your work or shut your mouth .
Even gov ’ t officials who you consider “ good guys ” are sometimes advancing info they received from bad sources .
The timing surrounding the hack and all of the timely U.S.-centric political elements ( NDAA debate , CISA defying POTUS ) , makes me hesitant to conclude this was a definitive work of a foreign regime .
Time will tell , but yelling Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything .
Hacks can have “ the marks ” of a country .
Now you need to figure out if those marks are authentic or a smokescreen .
All of our sophisticated allies + China and probably even Iran can falsify Russian attribution .
Process takes a while to uncover .
Be wary of those who jump to conclusions .
See how insane and dangerous this shit is ?
Remember the names of the people who are saying stuff like this .
It ’ s safe to disregard them as a serious person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of war by Russia on the United States and we should take that seriously , ” Sen. Dick Durbin said days ago .
When we talk about politcs and hacking , recall that we still have no evidence Russia hacked the DNC .
And we know DNC+Podesta lost info due to a very simplistic phishing attack .
However , the court of public opinion has ruled otherwise .
Perhaps that ’ s the goal this time around , too .
Also , I ’ m not terribly convinced that SolarWinds hack was as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ servers required finding out their password was “ solarwinds123.
” Not joking .
Similar to Podesta “ hack ” ( his password was the word password ) , this stuff doesn ’ t need big resources to pull off .
In the cybersecurity world , having such shit infosec measures means your toast .
What they did is the equivalent of living on a busy street with your door unlocked and a million dollars of visible cash in the window .
Was the intrusion wrong ?
Sure .
At the same time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for the hack did not commit some kind of act of war .
They took advantage of an easy score .
SolarWinds network has apparently been easily accessible for YEARS .
These media narratives are bogus on multiple fronts , from attribution to perspective .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Women , Black , LGBT VS Business .
Who Will Win ?
• Multiple Rockets Launched At US Embassy In Baghdad .
US Forces Activate Air Defense ( Videos , Photos )

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
National security correspondent and investigative journalist Jordan Schachtel in an epic thread has gone off on the Russia hawks now seizing the moment to blame the Kremlin for the SolarWinds hack and whip up this current round of “the Russians are coming!” hysteria.
The cyberattack, said to have been months-long in the making which breached multiple US federal agencies, has posed a “grave risk” to the nation including the potential compromise of classified systems which monitor the nation’s nuclear arsenal, according to widespread reports. Some powerful Democratic Senators are already calling it “an act of war” by the Russians while demanding that Trump “do something” about it, which would likely take the form of more sanctions and ratcheting tensions with Moscow further.
But Trump poured cold water on that scenario yesterday after being briefed on the intelligence related to the hack. “Russia, Russia, Russia is the priority chant when anything happens” the president tweeted Saturday morning, while calling the cyber hack “far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality”.
See how insane and dangerous this shit is? Remember the names of the people who are saying stuff like this. It's safe to disregard them as a serious person. https://t.co/ELNieJvlMK — Jordan Schachtel (@JordanSchachtel) December 19, 2020
But what do we actually know and how do we know it? Schachtel blasts the politicians and media for now advancing a convenient narrative but which they can’t possibly know at this point. As we’ve pointed out this appears yet more last-ditch Russiagate-style hyperventilating during the final weeks of the Trump presidency.
The below is journalist and national security pundit Jordan Schachtel’s analysis of the matter which he calls “insane and dangerous” for the way the hack is being prematurely weaponized against the usual boogeyman yet without evidence…
* * *
When we talk about hacking and attribution, it’s important to understand that tier 1 cyber nations (USA, China, Russia, & select Euros) can make it appear as if another country is responsible for select actions. Attribution is very difficult. Rapid confidence is a giant red flag.
The process of dissecting a sophisticated cyber attack that was potentially executed by a nation state takes significant time. Finger pointing by politicians and bureaucrats during this process is not only unwise, it gives off the scent of a political agenda in play.
You should never, ever trust “the intel” and take it to the bank. Learn the lessons from the 21st century. “The intel” is not sufficient. Show your work or shut your mouth. Even gov’t officials who you consider “good guys” are sometimes advancing info they received from bad sources.
The timing surrounding the hack and all of the timely U.S.-centric political elements (NDAA debate, CISA defying POTUS), makes me hesitant to conclude this was a definitive work of a foreign regime. Time will tell, but yelling Russia Russia Russia does not convince me of anything.
Hacks can have “the marks” of a country. Now you need to figure out if those marks are authentic or a smokescreen. All of our sophisticated allies + China and probably even Iran can falsify Russian attribution. Process takes a while to uncover. Be wary of those who jump to conclusions.
See how insane and dangerous this shit is? Remember the names of the people who are saying stuff like this. It’s safe to disregard them as a serious person: “This is virtually a declaration of war by Russia on the United States and we should take that seriously,” Sen. Dick Durbin said days ago.
When we talk about politcs and hacking, recall that we still have no evidence Russia hacked the DNC. And we know DNC+Podesta lost info due to a very simplistic phishing attack. However, the court of public opinion has ruled otherwise. Perhaps that’s the goal this time around, too.
Also, I’m not terribly convinced that SolarWinds hack was as big an op as hyped. Cracking servers required finding out their password was “solarwinds123.” Not joking. Similar to Podesta “hack” (his password was the word password), this stuff doesn’t need big resources to pull off.
Russia is relentlessly trying to invade America’s cyberspace and this latest hack proves they are having at least some success. We must start taking Russia’s ongoing threats to our democracy more seriously. pic.twitter.com/Oh88SNHf3l — Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) December 16, 2020
In the cybersecurity world, having such shit infosec measures means your toast. What they did is the equivalent of living on a busy street with your door unlocked and a million dollars of visible cash in the window. Was the intrusion wrong? Sure. At the same time, it was inevitable.
Whatever actor/s is responsible for the hack did not commit some kind of act of war. They took advantage of an easy score. SolarWinds network has apparently been easily accessible for YEARS. These media narratives are bogus on multiple fronts, from attribution to perspective.
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southfront--2020-12-21--10 Days Until The End Of December

10 Days Until The End Of December

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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.
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southfront--2020-12-21--Women, Black, LGBT VS Business. Who Will Win?

The federal government of Canada has announced the launch of the “ 50-30 challenge ” .
Its stated goal is to advance and recognize diversity , inclusion and economic prosperity across the country .
Through this challenge , the government calls for increasing gender parity and representation of under-represented groups in public and private organizations , and not among the usual employees , but at the level of the boards and senior management .
The goals of the challenge are : – Significant representation ( 30 % ) of all aforementioned marginalised groups into senior management roles .
Apparently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the terms of the new challenge and implement this framework for their staff .
Therefore , within the framework of the new initiative , the government is also going to invest $ 33 million for the development of tools and resources to help participating organizations advance diversity and inclusion in workplaces .
Innovation , Science and Economic Development Canada ( ISED ) will leverage its programs to encourage companies that receive ISED funding to advance diversity and inclusion within their organizations .
To promote the challenge among companies Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the first to announce their participation .
CME is a large trade and industry association – the voice of manufacturing and global business in Canada .
CME is a member-driven association that directly represents more than 2,500 leading companies who account for an estimated 82 % of manufacturing output and 90 % of Canada ’ s exports .
The association seems to be the main promoter of the new challenge among thousands of its partners .
CME , which actively participates in numerous “ initiatives ” , seems to be the mainstay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among Canadian business organizations .
Canada follows in the footsteps of the United States .
In December , local business representatives in California opposed a law that requires every company to have at least two or three minority representatives in the boardrooms .
Previously , California has already passed a law that requires at least one woman to take part in the boardrooms of each company .
In their turn , entrepreneurs claim that the law restricts the freedom of entrepreneurship .
The law are passing despite the fact that California ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world , and need no upgrade in HR .
The US stock exchange NASDAQ has announced that it will not allow companies to enter its platform if at least two representatives of minorities or women are not present on their directorate .
In January , the investment bank Goldman Sachs , one of the largest underwriters of initial public offerings , claimed that would not take companies public in the United States and Europe if they do not have at least one diverse board director .
According to the U.S. House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reform and Consumer Protection Act ( Dodd-Frank Act ) created the Offices of Minority and Women Inclusion ( OMWI ) in part to begin to hold industry accountable for diversity and inclusion .
Despite this explicit authority , the prudential regulators , including the Federal Reserve Board of Governors , Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ( FDIC ) , and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ( OCC ) , issued guidance ( known as the Joint Standards ) that permits banks and other institutions to comply with the OMWIs ’ requests for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the report , since the adoption of the Joint Standards , banks have only marginally participated in requests from the OMWIs .
Further , the little data that is collected is not publicly available .
America ’ s 44 largest bank holding companies and savings and loan holding companies were asked to share their diversity data .
• Banks ’ boards of directors are not diverse ; • Banks ’ senior employees are not diverse ; and , • Banks have limited spending and investments with diverse firms The charts below show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain mainly white and male .
The main reason of the low level of diversity and inclusiveness is the “ lack of candidates with the necessary educational background and experience.
” However , the activists that are supporting the minorities do not stop by pushing pressure on business and find more ways to express themselves .
For example , the Washington Examiner reported that transgender activists in the United States were urging all children to take puberty blockers until they can make an informed decision about their gender .
Apparently , similar initiatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Canada or European countries that blindly follow the US agenda .
Public management , both in state structures and in private firms of various scales , risks of losing competence .
Staff will be selected for chief positions not depending on the candidates ’ professional competencies , their skills , but based on their skin color and sexual preferences .
Representatives of minorities are supported not because the law level of their representation , but because such a framework allows to weaken the leading management structures .
People who are appointed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to subjective criteria most likely will not be able to make independent decisions .
Those who de facto influence the processes are not public .
Modern Western societies are ruled not by those who are constantly shown on the TV screen , not by public figures , but by those who really control the main world capitals and have significant global influence .
Struggle for the rights of minorities in such cases is nothing more but a front for real processes in a perverted neoliberal society .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While The World Is In Crisis

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The federal government of Canada has announced the launch of the “50-30 challenge”. Its stated goal is to advance and recognize diversity, inclusion and economic prosperity across the country. Through this challenge, the government calls for increasing gender parity and representation of under-represented groups in public and private organizations, and not among the usual employees, but at the level of the boards and senior management.
The goals of the challenge are:
– Gender parity (50%) in Canadian boardrooms
– Significant representation (30%) of all aforementioned marginalised groups into senior management roles.
Apparently, not all organizations are eager to accept the terms of the new challenge and implement this framework for their staff. Therefore, within the framework of the new initiative, the government is also going to invest $33 million for the development of tools and resources to help participating organizations advance diversity and inclusion in workplaces. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) will leverage its programs to encourage companies that receive ISED funding to advance diversity and inclusion within their organizations.
To promote the challenge among companies Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is used, which were among the first to announce their participation. CME is a large trade and industry association – the voice of manufacturing and global business in Canada. CME is a member-driven association that directly represents more than 2,500 leading companies who account for an estimated 82% of manufacturing output and 90% of Canada’s exports. The association seems to be the main promoter of the new challenge among thousands of its partners.
“The challenge complements CME’s previous efforts to boost diversity in the manufacturing sector, such as our Women in Manufacturing (WIM) initiative,” says Dennis Darby, president and CEO of CME.
CME, which actively participates in numerous “initiatives”, seems to be the mainstay of the promotion of “challenges” among Canadian business organizations.
Canada follows in the footsteps of the United States.
In December, local business representatives in California opposed a law that requires every company to have at least two or three minority representatives in the boardrooms. Previously, California has already passed a law that requires at least one woman to take part in the boardrooms of each company. In their turn, entrepreneurs claim that the law restricts the freedom of entrepreneurship. The law are passing despite the fact that California’s campaigns are already among the most successful in the world, and need no upgrade in HR.
The US stock exchange NASDAQ has announced that it will not allow companies to enter its platform if at least two representatives of minorities or women are not present on their directorate.
“… the rules would require most Nasdaq-listed companies to have, or explain why they do not have, at least two diverse directors, including one who self-identifies as female and one who self-identifies as either an underrepresented minority1 or LGBTQ+. Foreign companies and smaller reporting companies would have additional flexibility in satisfying this requirement with two female directors.” – the statement by NASDAQ reads.
In January, the investment bank Goldman Sachs, one of the largest underwriters of initial public offerings, claimed that would not take companies public in the United States and Europe if they do not have at least one diverse board director.
According to the U.S. House of Representatives, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) created the Offices of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI) in part to begin to hold industry accountable for diversity and inclusion. Despite this explicit authority, the prudential regulators, including the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), issued guidance (known as the Joint Standards) that permits banks and other institutions to comply with the OMWIs’ requests for diversity and inclusion data voluntarily.
According to the report, since the adoption of the Joint Standards, banks have only marginally participated in requests from the OMWIs. Further, the little data that is collected is not publicly available.
America’s 44 largest bank holding companies and savings and loan holding companies were asked to share their diversity data.
The analysis unveiled that:
Banks’ boards of directors are not diverse;
Banks’ senior employees are not diverse; and,
Banks have limited spending and investments with diverse firms
The charts below show that the major banks of the U.S. remain mainly white and male.
The main reason of the low level of diversity and inclusiveness is the “lack of candidates with the necessary educational background and experience.”
However, the activists that are supporting the minorities do not stop by pushing pressure on business and find more ways to express themselves. For example, the Washington Examiner reported that transgender activists in the United States were urging all children to take puberty blockers until they can make an informed decision about their gender.
Apparently, similar initiatives should be expected in other western countries like Canada or European countries that blindly follow the US agenda.
Public management, both in state structures and in private firms of various scales, risks of losing competence. Staff will be selected for chief positions not depending on the candidates’ professional competencies, their skills, but based on their skin color and sexual preferences.
Representatives of minorities are supported not because the law level of their representation, but because such a framework allows to weaken the leading management structures. People who are appointed to high positions not for merit and according to subjective criteria most likely will not be able to make independent decisions. Those who de facto influence the processes are not public.
Modern Western societies are ruled not by those who are constantly shown on the TV screen, not by public figures, but by those who really control the main world capitals and have significant global influence. Struggle for the rights of minorities in such cases is nothing more but a front for real processes in a perverted neoliberal society.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-12-21--Multiple Rockets Launched At US Embassy In Baghdad. US Forces Activate Air Defense (Videos, Photos)

On December 20 , multiple rockets were launched by unknown gunmen at the Green Zone area in the Iraqi capital @ @ @ @ @ area hosts the US embassy and Iraqi government buildings .
US forces deployed in the @ @ @ @ @ Counter rocket , artillery , and mortar ) systems to intercept the rockets .
Nonetheless @ @ @ @ @ of them fell in the area .
Click to see the full-size image Click to @ @ @ @ @ to see the full-size image Click to see the full-size image MORE ON THE TOPIC @ @ @ @ @ PKK Drone Drops Projectiles On Turkish Targets In Hakkari Province

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On December 20, multiple rockets were launched by unknown gunmen at the Green Zone area in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. The fortified area hosts the US embassy and Iraqi government buildings. US forces deployed in the area activated their C-RAM (Counter rocket, artillery, and mortar) systems to intercept the rockets. Nonetheless, at least a part of them fell in the area.
More footage of U.S. CRAM units intercepting rockets over Baghdad's Green Zone in #Iraq.pic.twitter.com/zS9UvxpjEv — Heshmat Alavi (@HeshmatAlavi) December 20, 2020
Photos from the scene:
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southfront--2020-12-21--Houthis Prove Once Again That Saudi Blockade Does Not Work (Videos, Photos)

On December 19 , the Interior Ministry of the Sanaa-based Yemeni government , which is led by the Houthis [ Ansar Allah ] , presented a locally-made armored vehicle , dubbed “ Bass-1.
” The vehicle was showcased during the inauguration ceremony of the Interior Ministry ’ s Security Manufacturing Unit in Sanaa .
The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior Yemeni officials , including Interior Minister Maj. Gen. Abdul Karim Amir Al-Din Al-Houthi .
The minister said Bass-1 was specially designed to carry out security operations .
Maj. Gen. Rizk al-Joufi , undersecretary of the Interior Ministry for security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vehicle , despite the Saudi-led coalition siege on Yemen .
The siege has been ongoing since the outbreak of the war in 2015 .
The Bass-1 armored vehicle features a modern design with bulletproof glass and firing holes on the doors as well as in the back .
A heavy weapon , like a DShK 12.7 mm machine gun , can be mounted on the vehicle ’ s turret .
The release of the Bass-1 vehicle proves , once again , that the Saudi blockade on Yemen , which is responsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effecting the Houthis ’ military capabilities at all .
The inability of the Saudi-led coalition to impose a full blockade on Yemen is not only problem of the invasion force .
Pro-Saudi forces are on the retreat on the battlefield .
Recently , most intense clashes took place in the province of Marib , where the Houthis are seeking to capture the provincial capital – Marib city .
If this is done , the Saudi-led coalition will lose its last real stronghold in central Yemen .
• On December 19 , Ansar Allah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; • On December 20 , sporadic clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue in the areas of Raghwan and Madghal ; MORE ON THIS TOPIC :

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On December 19, the Interior Ministry of the Sanaa-based Yemeni government, which is led by the Houthis [Ansar Allah], presented a locally-made armored vehicle, dubbed “Ba’as-1.” The vehicle was showcased during the inauguration ceremony of the Interior Ministry’s Security Manufacturing Unit in Sanaa.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior Yemeni officials, including Interior Minister Maj. Gen. Abdul Karim Amir Al-Din Al-Houthi. The minister said Ba’as-1 was specially designed to carry out security operations.
“The Ba’as-1 armored vehicle was manufactured with Yemeni hands and experiences,” the minister said.
Maj. Gen. Rizk al-Joufi, undersecretary of the Interior Ministry for security and police, praised the development of the vehicle, despite the Saudi-led coalition siege on Yemen. The siege has been ongoing since the outbreak of the war in 2015.
The Ba’as-1 armored vehicle features a modern design with bulletproof glass and firing holes on the doors as well as in the back. A heavy weapon, like a DShK 12.7 mm machine gun, can be mounted on the vehicle’s turret.
The release of the Ba’as-1 vehicle proves, once again, that the Saudi blockade on Yemen, which is responsible for the humanitarian crisis there, is not affecting the Houthis’ military capabilities at all.
The inability of the Saudi-led coalition to impose a full blockade on Yemen is not only problem of the invasion force. Pro-Saudi forces are on the retreat on the battlefield. Recently, most intense clashes took place in the province of Marib, where the Houthis are seeking to capture the provincial capital – Marib city. If this is done, the Saudi-led coalition will lose its last real stronghold in central Yemen.
On December 19, Ansar Allah struck the Tadawin camp with several rockets;
On December 20, sporadic clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue in the areas of Raghwan and Madghal;
On December 19, Saudi-led warplanes struck Maheliyah District.
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southfront--2020-12-21--Military Situation In Afghanistan On December 20, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan : • On December 20 @ @ @ @ @ were killed and 6 others were wounded in a car bomb explosion in PD5 of @ @ @ @ @ 20 , an Afghan National Police officer was killed and two others were wounded by @ @ @ @ @ city ; • On December 19 , an IED explosion took place in Qandahar .
@ @ @ @ @ • On December 19 , ISIS took responsibility for the rocket attack on the US-operated @ @ @ @ @ December 19 , clashes between Taliban and Afghan forces were reported near Sheberghan ; • @ @ @ @ @ between Taliban and Afghan forces were reported in Sare Pol .
MORE ON THE TOPIC @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan:
On December 20, at least 9 people were killed and 6 others were wounded in a car bomb explosion in PD5 of Kabul;
On December 20, an Afghan National Police officer was killed and two others were wounded by an IED blast in Jalalabad city;
On December 19, an IED explosion took place in Qandahar. No casualties were reported;
On December 19, ISIS took responsibility for the rocket attack on the US-operated Bagram Airbase;
On December 19, clashes between Taliban and Afghan forces were reported near Sheberghan;
On December 19, clashes between Taliban and Afghan forces were reported in Sare Pol.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-12-21--Turkish Attack On Ain Issa Turns Into Failure

The last few days in Syria was marked by a serious military escalation in the north of the country .
Members of pro-Turkish militant groups , supported by Turkish combat drones and artillery , launched an attack on the town of Ain Issa , controlled by the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) .
The SDF is a Kurdish-dominated armed group that receives financial , weapon and training support from the United States .
Turkey considers the SDF to be a terrorist group due to its links with the Kurdistan Workers ’ Party ( PKK ) .
Tensions between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria are a source of the permanent instability .
The attack on Ain Issa started on December 18 and lasted until the evening of December 20 , but resulted in a total failure .
The only tactical success achieved by pro-Turkish forces took place in the Ain Issa countryside , where they briefly entered the villages of Mushayrifah and Jableh located in a de-facto no man ’ s land .
Nonetheless , even these villages remained a contested area .
As of December 21 , the situation in the countryside of Ain Issa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active offensive operations .
So far , the only impact of the Turkish actions is the increased presence of the Syrian Army and the Russian Military Police in the area .
Abandoned by its main backer in the face of another Turkish attack , the SDF is forced to continue a slow rapprochement with the Damascus government and its Russian allies .
Meanwhile , on the eastern bank of the Euphrates , ISIS cells launched several rockets at the US military facilities in the Omar oil fields .
The rockets allegedly targeted US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when a US supply convoy was entering the area .
The attack triggered a series of security operations by coalition forces along the bank of the Euphrates .
Nonetheless , no details regarding their results are available .
ISIS cells are also active on the western bank of the river .
According to reports , over 100 ISIS terrorists and Syrian soldiers died in clashes in the Homs-Deir Ezzor desert during the past month .
Even if the numbers provided by pro-opposition sources are exaggerated , the high intensity of clashes with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Army and its allies themselves .
Therefore , additionally to the permanent tensions in Greater Idlib , where al-Qaeda-linked terrorists still enjoy the protection of the Turkish military , the terrorist threat has once again became a visible issue in eastern Syria .

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You can read this article in German. LINK
The last few days in Syria was marked by a serious military escalation in the north of the country.
Members of pro-Turkish militant groups, supported by Turkish combat drones and artillery, launched an attack on the town of Ain Issa, controlled by the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF is a Kurdish-dominated armed group that receives financial, weapon and training support from the United States. Turkey considers the SDF to be a terrorist group due to its links with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Tensions between the SDF and Turkish-led forces in northeastern Syria are a source of the permanent instability.
The attack on Ain Issa started on December 18 and lasted until the evening of December 20, but resulted in a total failure. The only tactical success achieved by pro-Turkish forces took place in the Ain Issa countryside, where they briefly entered the villages of Mushayrifah and Jableh located in a de-facto no man’s land. Nonetheless, even these villages remained a contested area.
As of December 21, the situation in the countryside of Ain Issa remains relatively stable and no side conducts active offensive operations. So far, the only impact of the Turkish actions is the increased presence of the Syrian Army and the Russian Military Police in the area. Abandoned by its main backer in the face of another Turkish attack, the SDF is forced to continue a slow rapprochement with the Damascus government and its Russian allies.
Meanwhile, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, ISIS cells launched several rockets at the US military facilities in the Omar oil fields. The rockets allegedly targeted US positions on the evening of December 17, when a US supply convoy was entering the area. The attack triggered a series of security operations by coalition forces along the bank of the Euphrates. Nonetheless, no details regarding their results are available.
ISIS cells are also active on the western bank of the river. According to reports, over 100 ISIS terrorists and Syrian soldiers died in clashes in the Homs-Deir Ezzor desert during the past month. Even if the numbers provided by pro-opposition sources are exaggerated, the high intensity of clashes with terrorists is being reported by the Syrian Army and its allies themselves.
Therefore, additionally to the permanent tensions in Greater Idlib, where al-Qaeda-linked terrorists still enjoy the protection of the Turkish military, the terrorist threat has once again became a visible issue in eastern Syria.
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