southfront--2020-12-18--Rocket Attack Hits U.S. Base In Large Oil Field In Northeastern Syria

Late on December 17 , a rocket attack targeted a U.S.-led coalition base in one of northeastern Syria ’ s largest oil fields .
Local sources said several rockets struck the base at the al-Omar oil fields in the late hours of the night .
The rockets landed as a U.S.-led coalition convoy was entering the oil fields .
No casualties or material losses have been reported , thus far .
Following the rocket attack , U.S. forces carried out a combing operation in a graveyard next to the oil fields .
Coalition fighter jets and attack helicopters backed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of responsibility for the attack .
ISIS remains the main suspect .
Its cells are highly-active in southeastern Deir Ezzor .
In the last few years , the terrorist group ’ s cells carried out many attacks on the al-Omar oil fields .
Earlier this year , the U.S.-led coalition expanded its based in the al-Omar oil fields .
The U.S. claims its troops are present in northeastern Syria to “ guard ” oil fields from ISIS .
While this was not the first such attack on an oil facility occupied by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an example of the growing threats to U.S. troops in northeastern Syria .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • After Months Of Speculations , Turkish Forces Launch Attack On Kurdish Forces In Syria ’ s Ain Issa ( Videos , Map )

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Late on December 17, a rocket attack targeted a U.S.-led coalition base in one of northeastern Syria’s largest oil fields.
Local sources said several rockets struck the base at the al-Omar oil fields in the late hours of the night. The rockets landed as a U.S.-led coalition convoy was entering the oil fields. No casualties or material losses have been reported, thus far.
Following the rocket attack, U.S. forces carried out a combing operation in a graveyard next to the oil fields. Coalition fighter jets and attack helicopters backed the operation.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. ISIS remains the main suspect. Its cells are highly-active in southeastern Deir Ezzor. In the last few years, the terrorist group’s cells carried out many attacks on the al-Omar oil fields.
Earlier this year, the U.S.-led coalition expanded its based in the al-Omar oil fields. The U.S. claims its troops are present in northeastern Syria to “guard” oil fields from ISIS.
While this was not the first such attack on an oil facility occupied by the coalition, it is without a doubt an example of the growing threats to U.S. troops in northeastern Syria.
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southfront--2020-12-18--Syrian Arab Army Tactics in the Countryside

The article below was originally published by SouthFront in June 2016 , but it still remains a useful example of the work of the Syrian Arab Army in the real combat environment .
The typical examples of battle footage from the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) and embedded journalists feature urban environments .
This is largely due to the fact that government forces continue to be the primary influence in larger city centers , such as Damascus and Homs .
However , on the vast expanses of the Syrian Desert , rebel strongholds built atop isolated settlements continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two issues working against the SAA forces .
The first issue pertains to the degradation of force strength , while the second is a lack of cover .
Five years of war have taken their toll on the SAA .
By 2013 , Syrian government forces had already lost a quarter of their military equipment .
Nearly 1800 tanks and armored fighting vehicles ( AFVs ) along with trucks and artillery were lost due to destruction or capture .
Between Western coalition-backed weapon deliveries and the amplified wear-and-tear on machinery as time progressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has claimed over half the SAA ’ s original strength .
As a result , the availability of tanks and AFVs is an ever growing hurdle for SAA commanders to overcome .
It is not uncommon to see SAA infantry assaulting rebel-held settlements with only a handful of vehicles to support .
The SAA ’ s order of battle has been heavily segmented and spread out .
Combat divisions ( furaq ) are assigned to single districts ( manatiq ) within a greater governorate .
Beyond serving as a staging area for operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve as an all-in-one solution for training , engineering , supply storage , and housing .
Western media claims that the geographically wide distribution of the SAA is a preventative measure against a coup d ’ etat have a tenuous relationship with the truth .
The availability of modern communication technology within the ranks of the military would conquer the physical distances between divisions if they desired to collude against their own government .
The immediate reason for the widespread and isolated nature of the SAA ’ s order of battle has more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ routes through foreign borders and the sheer number of concurrent fronts .
With nearly 24 different criminal gangs operating across at least as many fronts , the SAA combat divisions have been set up to handle a situation that would give any centralized chain of command attention deficit disorder ( ADD ) .
The commanders that are best suited to assess the feasibility of an assault have been recognized as the division-level leaders who know their local environment well .
SAA divisions have overcome the shortage of support vehicles by heavily improvising .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons , are being constructed on a regular basis by all factions .
In the more recent months of combat , SAA units have been showing an increasing capability to execute assaults with guerilla style tactics .
The shortfall of armor and artillery is heavily subsidized with the addition of technicals armed with machine guns and anti-aircraft guns , such as the twin-barrel 23mm ZU-23-2 .
The government has partnered with local militias to help retake the land they ’ ve been displaced from when troop size had to be supplemented .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which forward advances can be made .
In addition to blocking incoming fire from the front , defilade or the broken line-of-site between the enemy and friendly flanks , is critical for preventing casualties .
The Syrian Desert offers little in terms of geographic features beyond hills and scattered rocks .
Isolated settlements built in desert regions can offer excellent visibility on the surrounding countryside , while offering very little cover for any attacking force .
In the following two operations in the deserts outside Damascus and Deir ez-Zor , respectively , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SAA will be analyzed .
The SAA advances on ISIS near Damascus : The SAA advances on ISIS near Deir Ez-Zor : A staging area for an assault in the Syrian Desert , near Damascus , seen from a LIFE TV drone in the picture above .
Approximately 2000 meters from the T-72 tank ’ s facing , a small settlement stands infested with ISIS .
To some degree , the SAA has supplemented natural cover with prepared positions ; mounds of dirt hastily created at the hands of a brave operator within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a staging area for the assault , but the first position in a string of successive leaps where two or more SAA assault elements make successive advances on an isolated settlement .
Where cover can ’ t be found , speed must be maintained .
In this example , a T-72 and pair of technicals sprint across open ground towards a craggy spur .
Not far beyond , the settlement and final objective .
To the immediate front of the spur , a small roadside barrier hosts a few SAA scouts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two technicals on the road are filled with troops ready to secure a position atop the spur .
The roadside barrier and scouts can be seen in the upper portion of the image above .
The two technicals are disembarking troops for the spur ’ s ridge .
The T-72 provides overwatch for the assaulting troops .
The troops take the ridge atop the spur and gain a commanding view of the settlement .
Once the position is secure , a single 2S1 self-propelled howitzer joins the T-72 to lay down a barrage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the settlement .
It is important to note that the settlement is devoid of all life forms save for jihadists .
ISIS executed all 280 civilians inhabiting the settlement , creating one of many ‘ ghost towns ’ dotting the Syrian Desert .
The T-72 and 2S1 deliver accurate fire against ISIS positions outside the settlement .
In short order , all jihadist forces withdraw to the relative safety of the settlement buildings .
With this action , the second phase of the settlement assault begins with infantry following the preceding artillery barrage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footage of the final assault on the settlement itself from the previous example .
However , there is SAA footage of a final assault on a similar settlement outside of Deir ez-Zor that has already been staged by the government forces .
In the following case , we see SAA forces make their final assault on ISIS positions inside another ‘ ghost ’ settlement .
In the image above , just over the commander ’ s silhouetted shoulder , Objective A houses jihadists armed with assault rifles and grenades .
Objective B is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appears to have prepared positions dug on either side of the building .
Where artillery isn ’ t available , the SAA is forced to improvise .
Instead of suppressing the ISIS criminals with artillery fire , the SAA rake their positions with a ZSU-23-4 The quadruple 23mm anti-aircraft guns fire snarling bursts of explosive shells , shredding the Objective B building where ISIS fighters hide .
SAA troops get in position to assault Objective A , which is visible just beyond the fence on the hill .
A cloud of dust from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the left portion of the screen grab .
With Objective A in the background , a T-72 in the foreground belches fire as it delivers HE rounds to Objective B .
After completing its rounds , the T-72 withdraws and the infantry begin their assault against a wounded and dazed enemy .
Objective B is seen pulverized by 125 mm HE and 23 mm rounds .
SAA soldiers hug the walls of the building as they hurl grenades into the ISIS trenches .
When a break in enemy fire is heard , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threshold of the trench .
Syrian troops at Objective A provide flanking fire against ISIS positions , supporting their comrades at Objective B .
Soon after , troops are seen standing triumphant on the hill waving the Syrian flag in a howling wind .
Although the Syrian army has suffered quantitative losses in the defense of their country , officers in the rank-and-file describe a qualitative increase in their remaining strength .
While equipment can be repaired and replaced , loyalty in the frontline fighters of the SAA can not .
Russian assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as air strikes have helped bolster SAA efforts in the conflict zone .
However , in terms of manpower , the Syrian government continues to rely on a much smaller force of battle-hardened and loyal fighters .
The SAA infantry man that remains in 2016 is an entirely different breed than his counterpart in 2011 , at the outbreak of war .
The tactics described above depict a fighting force that is no stranger to close contact , and capable of employing mobile , guerrilla-style tactics against criminal gangs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of Russia ’ s New Strategic Weapons Systems In Providing Strategic Deterrence

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The article below was originally published by SouthFront in June 2016, but it still remains a useful example of the work of the Syrian Arab Army in the real combat environment.
Written by Brian Betts exclusively for SouthFront
The typical examples of battle footage from the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and embedded journalists feature urban environments. This is largely due to the fact that government forces continue to be the primary influence in larger city centers, such as Damascus and Homs . However, on the vast expanses of the Syrian Desert, rebel strongholds built atop isolated settlements continue to pose a grave challenge. There are two issues working against the SAA forces. The first issue pertains to the degradation of force strength, while the second is a lack of cover.
The Issue of Strength
Five years of war have taken their toll on the SAA. By 2013, Syrian government forces had already lost a quarter of their military equipment. Nearly 1800 tanks and armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) along with trucks and artillery were lost due to destruction or capture . Between Western coalition-backed weapon deliveries and the amplified wear-and-tear on machinery as time progressed, it is now estimated that attrition has claimed over half the SAA’s original strength. As a result, the availability of tanks and AFVs is an ever growing hurdle for SAA commanders to overcome. It is not uncommon to see SAA infantry assaulting rebel-held settlements with only a handful of vehicles to support.
The SAA’s order of battle has been heavily segmented and spread out. Combat divisions (furaq) are assigned to single districts (manatiq) within a greater governorate. Beyond serving as a staging area for operations, division headquarters (quiada al-firqa) serve as an all-in-one solution for training, engineering, supply storage, and housing .
Western media claims that the geographically wide distribution of the SAA is a preventative measure against a coup d’etat have a tenuous relationship with the truth. The availability of modern communication technology within the ranks of the military would conquer the physical distances between divisions if they desired to collude against their own government. The immediate reason for the widespread and isolated nature of the SAA’s order of battle has more to do with the availability of supply routes through foreign borders and the sheer number of concurrent fronts. With nearly 24 different criminal gangs operating across at least as many fronts, the SAA combat divisions have been set up to handle a situation that would give any centralized chain of command attention deficit disorder (ADD). The commanders that are best suited to assess the feasibility of an assault have been recognized as the division-level leaders who know their local environment well.
SAA divisions have overcome the shortage of support vehicles by heavily improvising. Technicals, or civilian vehicles with mounted weapons, are being constructed on a regular basis by all factions. In the more recent months of combat, SAA units have been showing an increasing capability to execute assaults with guerilla style tactics. The shortfall of armor and artillery is heavily subsidized with the addition of technicals armed with machine guns and anti-aircraft guns, such as the twin-barrel 23mm ZU-23-2. The government has partnered with local militias to help retake the land they’ve been displaced from when troop size had to be supplemented.
The Issue of Cover
In combat, cover is the premium towards which forward advances can be made. In addition to blocking incoming fire from the front, defilade or the broken line-of-site between the enemy and friendly flanks, is critical for preventing casualties. The Syrian Desert offers little in terms of geographic features beyond hills and scattered rocks. Isolated settlements built in desert regions can offer excellent visibility on the surrounding countryside, while offering very little cover for any attacking force. In the following two operations in the deserts outside Damascus and Deir ez-Zor, respectively, the “bounding overwatch” tactics of the SAA will be analyzed.
The SAA advances on ISIS near Damascus:
The SAA advances on ISIS near Deir Ez-Zor:
A staging area for an assault in the Syrian Desert, near Damascus, seen from a LIFE TV drone in the picture above. Approximately 2000 meters from the T-72 tank’s facing, a small settlement stands infested with ISIS. To some degree, the SAA has supplemented natural cover with prepared positions; mounds of dirt hastily created at the hands of a brave operator within an armored bulldozer. These positions represent more than a staging area for the assault, but the first position in a string of successive leaps where two or more SAA assault elements make successive advances on an isolated settlement.
Where cover can’t be found, speed must be maintained. In this example, a T-72 and pair of technicals sprint across open ground towards a craggy spur. Not far beyond, the settlement and final objective. To the immediate front of the spur, a small roadside barrier hosts a few SAA scouts coordinating with the assaulting forces. The two technicals on the road are filled with troops ready to secure a position atop the spur.
The roadside barrier and scouts can be seen in the upper portion of the image above. The two technicals are disembarking troops for the spur’s ridge. The T-72 provides overwatch for the assaulting troops.
The troops take the ridge atop the spur and gain a commanding view of the settlement. Once the position is secure, a single 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer joins the T-72 to lay down a barrage of high explosive (HE) on the settlement. It is important to note that the settlement is devoid of all life forms save for jihadists. ISIS executed all 280 civilians inhabiting the settlement, creating one of many ‘ghost towns’ dotting the Syrian Desert.
The T-72 and 2S1 deliver accurate fire against ISIS positions outside the settlement. In short order, all jihadist forces withdraw to the relative safety of the settlement buildings. With this action, the second phase of the settlement assault begins with infantry following the preceding artillery barrage.
Unfortunately, there is no further footage of the final assault on the settlement itself from the previous example. However, there is SAA footage of a final assault on a similar settlement outside of Deir ez-Zor that has already been staged by the government forces. In the following case, we see SAA forces make their final assault on ISIS positions inside another ‘ghost’ settlement. In the image above, just over the commander’s silhouetted shoulder, Objective A houses jihadists armed with assault rifles and grenades. Objective B is further off to the right, and appears to have prepared positions dug on either side of the building.
Where artillery isn’t available, the SAA is forced to improvise. Instead of suppressing the ISIS criminals with artillery fire, the SAA rake their positions with a ZSU-23-4 Shilka. The quadruple 23mm anti-aircraft guns fire snarling bursts of explosive shells, shredding the Objective B building where ISIS fighters hide.
SAA troops get in position to assault Objective A, which is visible just beyond the fence on the hill. A cloud of dust from a 125mm HE round can be seen in the left portion of the screen grab.
With Objective A in the background, a T-72 in the foreground belches fire as it delivers HE rounds to Objective B. After completing its rounds, the T-72 withdraws and the infantry begin their assault against a wounded and dazed enemy.
Objective B is seen pulverized by 125 mm HE and 23 mm Shilka rounds. SAA soldiers hug the walls of the building as they hurl grenades into the ISIS trenches. When a break in enemy fire is heard, the soldiers take turns firing over the threshold of the trench.
Syrian troops at Objective A provide flanking fire against ISIS positions, supporting their comrades at Objective B. Soon after, troops are seen standing triumphant on the hill waving the Syrian flag in a howling wind.
Qualitative Gains
Although the Syrian army has suffered quantitative losses in the defense of their country, officers in the rank-and-file describe a qualitative increase in their remaining strength. While equipment can be repaired and replaced, loyalty in the frontline fighters of the SAA cannot. Russian assistance in terms of T-72B and T-90S tanks, as well as air strikes have helped bolster SAA efforts in the conflict zone. However, in terms of manpower, the Syrian government continues to rely on a much smaller force of battle-hardened and loyal fighters. The SAA infantry man that remains in 2016 is an entirely different breed than his counterpart in 2011, at the outbreak of war. The tactics described above depict a fighting force that is no stranger to close contact, and capable of employing mobile, guerrilla-style tactics against criminal gangs.
Sources
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southfront--2020-12-18--After Months Of Speculations, Turkish Forces Launch Attack On Kurdish Forces In Syria’s Ain Issa (Vi

After Months Of Speculations, Turkish Forces Launch Attack On Kurdish Forces In Syria’s Ain Issa (Videos, Map)

Early on December 18 , the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army ( SNA ) launched an attack on the town of Ain Issa in the northern countryside of Raqqa .
The attack came after weeks of speculations .
Many reports spoke about a Turkish plan to push the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) out of Ain Issa and many other towns on the M4 highway .
SNA militants advanced towards the towns of Mushayrifah and Jableh , which are a no man ’ s land .
Turkish artillery and combat drones provided the militants with fire support .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Ain Issa , Major Youssef Hammoud , a spokesman for the SNA , said the attack was a “ limited military operation.
” SNA sources said the attack was a “ response ” to an infiltration attempt by SDF fighters , claiming that Turkish-backed militants have withdrawn from Mushayrifah and Jableh .
Ain Issa hosts a center of the Russian Military Police .
Several Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) positions are located around the town .
Nevertheless , Russian and Syrian forces are not taking part in the ongoing clashes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Damascus reached a new agreement that allowed the SAA to establish three new “ observation posts ” around Ain Issa .
The agreement came after pressure from Russia , which warned the SDF of a near Turkish attack on the town .
Co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council [ the policies wing of the SDF ] , Amina Omar , alleged on December 18 that Russia is pressuring the SDF into handing Ain Issa over to Damascus .
The ongoing Turkish attack on Ain Issa appears to be limited .
The clashes may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , tensions around the town will remain as long as the SDF is not willing to make any concessions to Turkey , or Russia .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • New Wave Of Russian Airstrikes Hits ISIS Terrorists Following Deadly Attack On Syrian Troops In Raqqa

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Early on December 18, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) launched an attack on the town of Ain Issa in the northern countryside of Raqqa.
The attack came after weeks of speculations. Many reports spoke about a Turkish plan to push the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) out of Ain Issa and many other towns on the M4 highway.
SNA militants advanced towards the towns of Mushayrifah and Jableh, which are a no man’s land. Turkish artillery and combat drones provided the militants with fire support.
While the Hawar News Agency reported heavy clashes near Ain Issa, Major Youssef Hammoud, a spokesman for the SNA, said the attack was a “limited military operation.”
SNA sources said the attack was a “response” to an infiltration attempt by SDF fighters, claiming that Turkish-backed militants have withdrawn from Mushayrifah and Jableh.
Ain Issa hosts a center of the Russian Military Police. Several Syrian Arab Army (SAA) positions are located around the town. Nevertheless, Russian and Syrian forces are not taking part in the ongoing clashes.
Earlier this month, the SDF and Damascus reached a new agreement that allowed the SAA to establish three new “observation posts” around Ain Issa. The agreement came after pressure from Russia, which warned the SDF of a near Turkish attack on the town.
Co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council [the policies wing of the SDF], Amina Omar, alleged on December 18 that Russia is pressuring the SDF into handing Ain Issa over to Damascus.
The ongoing Turkish attack on Ain Issa appears to be limited. The clashes may end in the upcoming few hours. However, tensions around the town will remain as long as the SDF is not willing to make any concessions to Turkey, or Russia.
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southfront--2020-12-18--UK Parliamentarians, the British Press and Julian Assange

The number of figures extolling the merits of Britain ’ s Westminster system and how it supposedly embodies a glorious model of democracy are too numerous to mention .
This is despite exploits by the government of Boris Johnson , marked by the appointment of unelected advisers with enviable , unaccountable powers and a record of assault on Parliament ’ s scrutineering functions .
“ As the government blunders from one disaster to the next , ” wrote a resigned George Monbiot in June , “ there seem to be no effective ways of holding it to account.
” Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account have been regarded with increasing suspicion by Johnson and his coterie .
When the prime minister ’ s chief adviser , Dominic Cummings , was found breaking the very lockdown rules that the government had imposed , a statement from Downing Street was coolly dismissive of the “ stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers.
” With the Britannic press increasingly clipped in holding power to account , it is little wonder that coverage of the most significant , contemporary threat to press freedom remains a small affair , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Julian Assange case , through the good offices of the US Department of Justice , has already laid a few bombs in the bedcovers of the Fourth Estate , but its members continue to suffer an apathetic torpor , indifferent and oblivious to the dangers his extradition trial poses .
A few fire-cracking exceptions abound , among them the consistent Peter Oborne in a slew of publications , the prickly Peter Hitchens of the , and the ferociously reliable Patrick Cockburn in .
All have expressed constructive , detailed outrage at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both sides of the Atlantic .
Organisations such as Media Lens and Bridges for Media Freedom have also done their bit to stir interest in the gravity of the case .
This month Oborne , in a co-authored piece with Millie Cooke for the , urged readers to appreciate that the consequences of Assange ’ s extradition would be “ grim ” for investigative journalism .
“ Any story which depends on obtaining documents from US government sources will become impossibly dangerous .
No British journalists would dare to handle it , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found , looking at various programmes such as BBC News at Ten , “ there was not a single substantive item ( there may have been a passing mention on the first day ) .
” When BBC home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford was asked about why his reporting on the extradition hearing was conspicuously absent , he passed the parcel and gave an insight profound in its shallowness .
“ The case is being covered by our World Affairs unit .
I have been in a few hearings and it is slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news story.
” A flagging attention span , perhaps .
The lamentable coverage of Assange ’ s trial was instructive .
The conservative refused to take of the draught , keeping references to the extradition trial to a minimum .
The pro-extradition outlet , , went one better in ignoring the trial altogether , having already decided in April 2019 that the “ central charge – computer hacking – is an indefensible violation of the law.
” was asleep to it since April last year .
Tetchy Richard Littejohn of the was awake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on being evicted from the Ecuadorean Embassy in London , “ he stank the place to high heaven ” .
When the left-leaning , a forum for periodic Assange bashing , was asked why it did not take an interest in the trial , it responded tartly that it had , in fact , covered the trial and would continue doing so .
“ We are a magazine mostly of essays , long reads and cultural criticism , not a breaking new site or a newspaper .
And we don ’ t publish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the thesis long advanced by Noam Chomksy that the media tycoon dominated stable of hacks are all too happy to play gatekeepers , defending corporate and state interests .
“ The Assange case suggests that this analysis is plausible .
At best , the London media reported Assange dutifully .
At worst , not at all.
” While the British press remains reliably despicable for the most part in dealing with the implications of , UK parliamentarians have had a shot of inspiration .
Leading a pack of seventeen figures , Richard Burgon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has requested Robert Buckland , the Secretary of State for Justice , “ that provision be made to hold an online video discussion between Julian Assange and a cross-party group of UK parliamentarians.
” What stands out in the letter is an acknowledgment of Assange ’ s “ journalistic work with WikiLeaks including information exposing US war atrocities in Afghanistan and Iraq ” for which he risks facing prison “ of up to 175 years ” .
The parliamentarians also note the case ’ s “ important implications for press and publishing freedoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Extradition Treaty including its ban on extradition for political offense and for wider human rights.
” Amnesty International ’ s concerns that “ prosecuting Julian Assange on these charges could have a chilling effect on the right to freedom of expression ” and the views of Nils Melzer , the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture , also feature .
Expressing deep concern “ by the implications of this unprecedented extradition case , ” the parliamentarians are hoping to discuss the matter with Assange prior to the January 4 , 2021 extradition decision .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be welcomed , Buckland is not likely to wish MPs to be airing such views with the publisher .
There is a relationship – namely that of the US-UK alliance – to preserve .
Having previously refused to grant Assange compassionate release from prison for posing a flight risk ( this , even during the pandemic ) , there is a good chance he will be stubborn again .
British injustice , when it chooses to be , can be both implacable and illogical .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com MORE ON THE TOPIC :

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
The number of figures extolling the merits of Britain’s Westminster system and how it supposedly embodies a glorious model of democracy are too numerous to mention. This is despite exploits by the government of Boris Johnson, marked by the appointment of unelected advisers with enviable, unaccountable powers and a record of assault on Parliament’s scrutineering functions. “As the government blunders from one disaster to the next,” wrote a resigned George Monbiot in June, “there seem to be no effective ways of holding it to account.”
Press freedoms supposedly axiomatic in holding government to account have been regarded with increasing suspicion by Johnson and his coterie. When the prime minister’s chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, was found breaking the very lockdown rules that the government had imposed, a statement from Downing Street was coolly dismissive of the “stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers.”
With the Britannic press increasingly clipped in holding power to account, it is little wonder that coverage of the most significant, contemporary threat to press freedom remains a small affair, rarely rising above yellow press murmurings. The Julian Assange case, through the good offices of the US Department of Justice, has already laid a few bombs in the bedcovers of the Fourth Estate, but its members continue to suffer an apathetic torpor, indifferent and oblivious to the dangers his extradition trial poses.
A few fire-cracking exceptions abound, among them the consistent Peter Oborne in a slew of publications, the prickly Peter Hitchens of the Mail on Sunday, and the ferociously reliable Patrick Cockburn in The Independent. All have expressed constructive, detailed outrage at the treatment of Julian Assange by authorities on both sides of the Atlantic. Organisations such as Media Lens and Bridges for Media Freedom have also done their bit to stir interest in the gravity of the case.
This month Oborne, in a co-authored piece with Millie Cooke for the British Journalism Review, urged readers to appreciate that the consequences of Assange’s extradition would be “grim” for investigative journalism. “Any story which depends on obtaining documents from US government sources will become impossibly dangerous. No British journalists would dare to handle it, let alone publish it.”
As Media Lens found, looking at various programmes such as BBC News at Ten, “there was not a single substantive item (there may have been a passing mention on the first day).” When BBC home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford was asked about why his reporting on the extradition hearing was conspicuously absent, he passed the parcel and gave an insight profound in its shallowness. “The case is being covered by our World Affairs unit. I have been in a few hearings and it is slightly repetitive. It will return as a news story.” A flagging attention span, perhaps.
The lamentable coverage of Assange’s trial was instructive. The conservative Spectator refused to take of the draught, keeping references to the extradition trial to a minimum. The pro-extradition outlet, The Economist, went one better in ignoring the trial altogether, having already decided in April 2019 that the “central charge – computer hacking – is an indefensible violation of the law.” The Sunday Telegraph was asleep to it since April last year. Tetchy Richard Littejohn of the Daily Mail was awake to Assange, if only because, on being evicted from the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, “he stank the place to high heaven”.
When the left-leaning New Statesman, a forum for periodic Assange bashing, was asked why it did not take an interest in the trial, it responded tartly that it had, in fact, covered the trial and would continue doing so. “We are a magazine mostly of essays, long reads and cultural criticism, not a breaking new site or a newspaper. And we don’t publish court reports.”
Oborne and Cooke pondered the thesis long advanced by Noam Chomksy that the media tycoon dominated stable of hacks are all too happy to play gatekeepers, defending corporate and state interests. “The Assange case suggests that this analysis is plausible. At best, the London media reported Assange dutifully. At worst, not at all.”
While the British press remains reliably despicable for the most part in dealing with the implications of USA v Assange, UK parliamentarians have had a shot of inspiration. Leading a pack of seventeen figures, Richard Burgon, Labour MP for East Leeds, has requested Robert Buckland, the Secretary of State for Justice, “that provision be made to hold an online video discussion between Julian Assange and a cross-party group of UK parliamentarians.”
What stands out in the letter is an acknowledgment of Assange’s “journalistic work with WikiLeaks including information exposing US war atrocities in Afghanistan and Iraq” for which he risks facing prison “of up to 175 years”. The parliamentarians also note the case’s “important implications for press and publishing freedoms in the UK, for the US-UK Extradition Treaty including its ban on extradition for political offense and for wider human rights.”
Amnesty International’s concerns that “prosecuting Julian Assange on these charges could have a chilling effect on the right to freedom of expression” and the views of Nils Melzer, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, also feature. Expressing deep concern “by the implications of this unprecedented extradition case,” the parliamentarians are hoping to discuss the matter with Assange prior to the January 4, 2021 extradition decision.
While this surge of sentience can only be welcomed, Buckland is not likely to wish MPs to be airing such views with the publisher. There is a relationship – namely that of the US-UK alliance – to preserve. Having previously refused to grant Assange compassionate release from prison for posing a flight risk (this, even during the pandemic), there is a good chance he will be stubborn again. British injustice, when it chooses to be, can be both implacable and illogical.
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--2020-12-18--SouthFront Will Not Survive Without Your Immediate Support!

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southfront--2020-12-18--US Nuclear Weapons Agency Breached As Part Of Massive Cyberattack: Report

The Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration – which maintains the United States ’ nuclear weapons stockpile – was reportedly breached as part of a massive hack which affected at least six federal agencies , according to , citing officials directly familiar with the matter .
On Thursday , DOE and NNSA officials began coordinating notifications about the breach to their congressional oversight bodies .
They found suspicious activity in networks belonging to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ( FERC ) , Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories in New Mexico and Washington , the Office of Secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DOE .
The hackers have been able to do more damage at FERC than at the other agencies , the officials said , but did not elaborate .
– According to the report , federal investigators have been assessing networks in recent days to try and get a handle on exactly what was accessed and/or stolen .
DOE officials still don ’ t know if anything was actually accessed .
The hack was reported over the weekend – and conducted by Russian-backed hackers , according to the – after Texas-based IT infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used across several industries and government applications , was breached earlier in the year .
“ The compromise of SolarWinds ’ Orion Network Management Products poses unacceptable risks to the security of federal networks , ” said US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) acting director , Brandon Wales .
The agency has issued an emergency directive to federal and civilian agencies to review their networks for suspicious activity and to disconnect or power down SolarWinds Orion products immediately , according to .
SolarWinds ’ networking and security products are used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Fortune 500 companies , government agencies , and education institutions .
It also serves several major US telecommunications companies , all five branches of the US Military , and other prominent government organizations such as the Pentagon , State Department , NASA , National Security Agency ( NSA ) , Postal Service , NOAA , Department of Justice , and the Office of the President of the United States .
FireEye , which is tracking the ongoing intrusion campaign under the moniker “ UNC2452 , ” said the supply chain attack takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates in order to distribute a backdoor called SUNBURST .
“ This campaign may have begun as early as Spring 2020 and is currently ongoing , ” FireEye said in a Sunday analysis .
“ Post compromise activity following this supply chain compromise has included lateral movement and data theft .
The campaign is the work of a highly skilled actor and the operation was conducted with significant operational security.
” – Trump will undoubtedly be pressured to sanction Russia , lest he be accused of further Putin puppetry .
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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
The Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration – which maintains the United States’ nuclear weapons stockpile – was reportedly breached as part of a massive hack which affected at least six federal agencies, according to Politico, citing officials directly familiar with the matter.
On Thursday, DOE and NNSA officials began coordinating notifications about the breach to their congressional oversight bodies. They found suspicious activity in networks belonging to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories in New Mexico and Washington, the Office of Secure Transportation and the Richland Field Office of the DOE. The hackers have been able to do more damage at FERC than at the other agencies, the officials said, but did not elaborate. –Politico
According to the report, federal investigators have been assessing networks in recent days to try and get a handle on exactly what was accessed and/or stolen. DOE officials still don’t know if anything was actually accessed.
The hack was reported over the weekend – and conducted by Russian-backed hackers, according to the Washington Post – after Texas-based IT infrastructure provider SolarWinds’ Orion Network Management products used across several industries and government applications, was breached earlier in the year.
“The compromise of SolarWinds’ Orion Network Management Products poses unacceptable risks to the security of federal networks,” said US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) acting director, Brandon Wales. The agency has issued an emergency directive to federal and civilian agencies to review their networks for suspicious activity and to disconnect or power down SolarWinds Orion products immediately, according to TheHackerNews.
SolarWinds’ networking and security products are used by more than 300,000 customers worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and education institutions. It also serves several major US telecommunications companies, all five branches of the US Military, and other prominent government organizations such as the Pentagon, State Department, NASA, National Security Agency (NSA), Postal Service, NOAA, Department of Justice, and the Office of the President of the United States . FireEye, which is tracking the ongoing intrusion campaign under the moniker “UNC2452,” said the supply chain attack takes advantage of trojanized SolarWinds Orion business software updates in order to distribute a backdoor called SUNBURST. “This campaign may have begun as early as Spring 2020 and is currently ongoing,” FireEye said in a Sunday analysis. “Post compromise activity following this supply chain compromise has included lateral movement and data theft. The campaign is the work of a highly skilled actor and the operation was conducted with significant operational security.” –TheHackerNews
Trump will undoubtedly be pressured to sanction Russia, lest he be accused of further Putin puppetry.
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southfront--2020-12-18--The Deep State wins the 2020 Presidential election: USA RIP

Written by The Saker ; Originally appeared at his blog Okay , this time it does look like it ’ s over .
Mitch McConnell congratulated Biden and Harris , thereby signifying the official surrender of the GOP ( which , let ’ s be honest here , never really was ready to fight for Trump ) .
Vladimir Putin also sent his congratulations in the following way : ( official Russian statement ) Congratulations to Joseph R. Biden on winning US presidential election Vladimir Putin sent a message to Joseph R. Biden congratulating him on his victory in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America .
In his message , Vladimir Putin wished the President-elect every success and expressed confidence that Russia and the United States , which bear special responsibility for global security and stability , can , despite their differences , effectively contribute to solving many problems and meeting challenges that the world is facing today .
The President of Russia noted that with this in mind , Russian-American cooperation , based on the principles of equality and mutual respect , would meet the interests of both nations and the entire international community .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for interaction and contacts with you , ” Russia ’ s Head of State stressed .
Russian journos were quick to notice that unlike previous congratulation messages to Obama and Trump , this one did not express any kind of hopes .
I can only agree .
Frankly , the Russians have been sending signals about this for a long time , even Lavrov seems to have flushed the “ collective West ” down to the toilet of Kremlin political priorities : the Russians clearly consider the western leaders as collectively brain dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not help , of course ) .
What comes next will be both dangerous and ugly .
Why ?
Well , for one thing , the election was stolen , even if the SCOTUS has in essence declared that 1 ) those who contested this outcome had no valid reason to complain and 2 ) that the SCOTUS does not care what the US Constitution says .
This total betrayal by seven out of nine SC Justices sealed the fate of the USA .
The rule of law in this country is over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be resistance to what many US Americans will see – correctly – as an illegitimate regime which came to power by criminal means and a 4 year long color revolution .
Third , just as any other political regime , the power of the US Executive branch rests on two fundamental pillars ( just one of them is not enough ) : • The exclusive control of the legal means of violence Not only will there be a large proportion of the population which will be convinced that the election was stolen ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ karma at work : after 4 years of Dems saying “ not my President ” , they themselves will now hear that same mantra for the next four years ) , but I also believe that a lot of folks in law enforcement will feel that the White House is against them ( correctly ) and will refuse to take any risks for that White House .
Remember that even the elite special units of the KGB refused twice ( in 1991 and in 1993 ) to storm the Russian Parliament .
Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ differently and engage in a potential bloodbath on behalf of the two cop-hating clowns in the White House who , we all know , will backstab and betray them ?
Ask yourself : would you obey orders coming out of this White House ?
Fourth , folks – now comes the era of total , unapologetic , and truly stratospheric incompetence .
No , I don ’ t just mean Biden ( even though he is clearly senile ) or Harris ( a call girl who made it into politics “ horizontally ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show which the next Administration appears to shaping up to be ( even Psaki is coming back !
!
! )
.
Last , but not least , these are angry , frustrated , narcissistic and profoundly evil people ( types ) .
Yeah , I know , that also describes the likes of Bolton or Pompeo , but at least these two freaks had comparatively saner folks , like Mattis or even Trump himself , to keep them in check .
That is now over .
The really scary thing is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legacy ziomedia and the Big IT corporations are not just allies of the Deep State and the Dems anymore , but their accomplices .
That is crucial because that means that they are now all linked with a mutual survival pact .
Since the Dems have now total control of the Federal level ( Executive , Legislative , Judiciary and media ) , the resistance will now move “ down ” to the state and local level .
Expect this struggle to get very ugly fast as the highly ideological Dems will now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for blacks , homosexuals and feminists ( that is their vague notion of “ diversity ” ! )
while waging a crusade against the majority of the people of the USA and , especially , the First and Second Amendments ( which , like it or not , were considered as the cornerstones of the Constitution by the Founding Fathers , hence their number 1 and 2 positions ! )
.
And let ’ s not kid ourselves – there are plenty of freaks and idiots in Trump ’ s camp too – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dumb and dangerous things which will only further justify the regime in DC to crack down on all the “ deplorables ” imaginable .
Expect all sorts of false flags , fake terror attacks and , most dangerous of all , carefully groomed “ sacrificial victims ” including , possibly , folks in/near the White House .
Still , it would be wrong and naive to think that all Trump supporters are only Trumptards : there are still A LOT of truly patriotic US Americans who see Trump for what he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but who also understand that what just happens is not the end of the “ Orange Menace ” but the end of the USA as we knew them until now .
In fact , a Hegelian analysis of history would very strongly suggest that any Biden/Harris Administration will face such huge challenges and contradictions that from the day Biden/Harris are officially sworn in on – it will all go downhill from there , and pretty fast .
Millions of US Americans will now have to choose between the oath of office they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will know has ZERO legitimacy .
I don ’ t envy them ( I never took the US citizenship , so I never had to give any oaths ) .
We are about to enter a transition period which will probably last more than a decade , possibly two .
Paradoxically , I am rather optimistic that whatever state ( s ) and regime eventually emerges at the end of this process will be a much better one than any other in this generation ’ s memory , mainly because what will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or several , successor states , but not an empire .
Good riddance !
Finally !
But I do fear the dangers of the transition period we are about to begin : history teaches that these “ transition ” periods can be worse than full scale wars .
I am too young to remember that ( I was 2 days old exactly ) , but a lot of very wise US Americans have told me that the murder of President Kennedy was the first big blow delivered to the United States .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USA were the totally illegal and illegitimate wars of aggression against the Serbian nation and against Iraq .
Though these wars were presented to us as “ victories ” – they were anything but .
Crucially , the utter lawlessness behind these aggressions also ushered in the next blow for the USA , I am speaking of 9/11 of course .
The theft of the 2020 election is , in my opinion , the last and truly mortal blow to this country ( you could say that the “ chicken of illegality ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Notice that the four events listed above all have one thing in common : most people , at least the ones still capable of thought , realize that they were all covered up with lies , lies and more lies .
Of all these lies , the easiest to demonstrate would , of course , be 9/11 , which is paradoxical since in spite of the fact that the 9/11 lies were truly debunked “ beyond reasonable doubt ” by hard , scientific data , they were also completely ignored by ALL the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Giuliani and Trump himself ! )
.
In other words , 9/11 was the “ glue ” which brought together all the US elites , even the pretend-outsiders with “ swamp draining ” pretensions .
Frankly , I am saddened by what I am observing .
I can hardly be called an optimist by nature , but I still held some , residual , hope that judges , especially SC Justices , would refuse to dishonor themselves ( and forever ruin their legacy ) and would at the very least hear the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends had no such illusions and they warned me .
I guess that being a grateful guest in this country ( which has treated me and my family extremely well ) , I can not but wish its people well and hope that , somehow , the good and honest people of this country would prevail .
Now I understand that , just like in Russia in February 1917 , August 1991 and October 1993 , what the US need is a new generation of patriots , not blind flag-waving xenophobic imbeciles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will understand that to love one ’ s country is not enough , you have to be ready to really fight , fight hard , for it .
Of course , the US staple ideology of individualism and its toxic and dogmatic beliefs in the “ virtues ” of capitalism will have to die first .
No worries – in time , they will , that is what inevitably comes next in such collapses ( just like Russians have rejected Marxist ideological dogmas ) .
But now is not the time for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it can take place .
Bottom line : the EU is going down the drain , and so are the USA ( the Empire itself , has been dead for a while , even of many/most people do not realize this yet ) .
Conversely , I would argue that Russia and China have won , not quite the war , but a crucial battle ( think Stalingrad or Kursk ) .
Any attack , economic or military , launched by the collective West against these two countries will fail .
The Dem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Putin personally , while the GOP “ geostrategic experts ” will blame China and Xi personally .
That is why they all are , collectively , losers of the worst possible kind !
Things will only begin to really change when a new generation of US leaders will begin look at themselves and at their own responsibility for the catastrophe which has now happened .
Sadly , right now I can only advise everybody to fill yourself with a lot patience .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Biden Lashes Out At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Annual Press Briefing : The Arms Race , Hypersonic Weapons , Defenses And The New Cold War

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Written by The Saker; Originally appeared at his blog
Okay, this time it does look like it’s over. Mitch McConnell congratulated Biden and Harris, thereby signifying the official surrender of the GOP (which, let’s be honest here, never really was ready to fight for Trump). Vladimir Putin also sent his congratulations in the following way: (official Russian statement)
Congratulations to Joseph R. Biden on winning US presidential election Vladimir Putin sent a message to Joseph R. Biden congratulating him on his victory in the presidential election in the United States of America. December 15, 2020 In his message, Vladimir Putin wished the President-elect every success and expressed confidence that Russia and the United States, which bear special responsibility for global security and stability, can, despite their differences, effectively contribute to solving many problems and meeting challenges that the world is facing today. The President of Russia noted that with this in mind, Russian-American cooperation, based on the principles of equality and mutual respect, would meet the interests of both nations and the entire international community. “For my part, I am ready for interaction and contacts with you,” Russia’s Head of State stressed.
Russian journos were quick to notice that unlike previous congratulation messages to Obama and Trump, this one did not express any kind of hopes. I can only agree. Frankly, the Russians have been sending signals about this for a long time, even Lavrov seems to have flushed the “collective West” down to the toilet of Kremlin political priorities: the Russians clearly consider the western leaders as collectively brain dead (the nonsense around Navalnyi really did not help, of course).
What comes next will be both dangerous and ugly. Why?
Well, for one thing, the election was stolen, even if the SCOTUS has in essence declared that 1) those who contested this outcome had no valid reason to complain and 2) that the SCOTUS does not care what the US Constitution says. This total betrayal by seven out of nine SC Justices sealed the fate of the USA. The rule of law in this country is over, dead.
Second, there will be resistance to what many US Americans will see – correctly – as an illegitimate regime which came to power by criminal means and a 4 year long color revolution.
Third, just as any other political regime, the power of the US Executive branch rests on two fundamental pillars (just one of them is not enough):
A social consensus The exclusive control of the legal means of violence
Not only will there be a large proportion of the population which will be convinced that the election was stolen (what a beautiful, if dangerous, karma at work: after 4 years of Dems saying “not my President”, they themselves will now hear that same mantra for the next four years), but I also believe that a lot of folks in law enforcement will feel that the White House is against them (correctly) and will refuse to take any risks for that White House. Remember that even the elite special units of the KGB refused twice (in 1991 and in 1993) to storm the Russian Parliament. Do you expect their US counterparts to act differently and engage in a potential bloodbath on behalf of the two cop-hating clowns in the White House who, we all know, will backstab and betray them?
Ask yourself: would you obey orders coming out of this White House?
Fourth, folks – now comes the era of total, unapologetic, and truly stratospheric incompetence. No, I don’t just mean Biden (even though he is clearly senile) or Harris (a call girl who made it into politics “horizontally”), but I mean the freak show which the next Administration appears to shaping up to be (even Psaki is coming back!!!).
Last, but not least, these are angry, frustrated, narcissistic and profoundly evil people (Peter Strzok types) . Yeah, I know, that also describes the likes of Bolton or Pompeo, but at least these two freaks had comparatively saner folks, like Mattis or even Trump himself, to keep them in check. That is now over.
The really scary thing is that now that they won, the US legacy ziomedia and the Big IT corporations are not just allies of the Deep State and the Dems anymore, but their accomplices. That is crucial because that means that they are now all linked with a mutual survival pact.
Since the Dems have now total control of the Federal level (Executive, Legislative, Judiciary and media), the resistance will now move “down” to the state and local level. Expect this struggle to get very ugly fast as the highly ideological Dems will now show their (totally fake) love for blacks, homosexuals and feminists (that is their vague notion of “diversity”!) while waging a crusade against the majority of the people of the USA and, especially, the First and Second Amendments (which, like it or not, were considered as the cornerstones of the Constitution by the Founding Fathers, hence their number 1 and 2 positions!).
And let’s not kid ourselves – there are plenty of freaks and idiots in Trump’s camp too – and they will likely do a lot of dumb and dangerous things which will only further justify the regime in DC to crack down on all the “deplorables” imaginable. Expect all sorts of false flags, fake terror attacks and, most dangerous of all, carefully groomed “sacrificial victims” including, possibly, folks in/near the White House.
Still, it would be wrong and naive to think that all Trump supporters are only Trumptards: there are still A LOT of truly patriotic US Americans who see Trump for what he is (a cowardly and spineless narcissist), but who also understand that what just happens is not the end of the “Orange Menace” but the end of the USA as we knew them until now. In fact, a Hegelian analysis of history would very strongly suggest that any Biden/Harris Administration will face such huge challenges and contradictions that from the day Biden/Harris are officially sworn in on – it will all go downhill from there, and pretty fast.
Millions of US Americans will now have to choose between the oath of office they gave and obedience to a regime which they will know has ZERO legitimacy. I don’t envy them (I never took the US citizenship, so I never had to give any oaths).
We are about to enter a transition period which will probably last more than a decade, possibly two. Paradoxically, I am rather optimistic that whatever state(s) and regime eventually emerges at the end of this process will be a much better one than any other in this generation’s memory, mainly because what will emerge at the is either one, or several, successor states, but not an empire. Good riddance! Finally!
But I do fear the dangers of the transition period we are about to begin: history teaches that these “transition” periods can be worse than full scale wars.
I am too young to remember that (I was 2 days old exactly), but a lot of very wise US Americans have told me that the murder of President Kennedy was the first big blow delivered to the United States. I think that the next blow for the USA were the totally illegal and illegitimate wars of aggression against the Serbian nation and against Iraq. Though these wars were presented to us as “victories” – they were anything but. Crucially, the utter lawlessness behind these aggressions also ushered in the next blow for the USA, I am speaking of 9/11 of course. The theft of the 2020 election is, in my opinion, the last and truly mortal blow to this country (you could say that the “chicken of illegality” have come home to roost).
Notice that the four events listed above all have one thing in common: most people, at least the ones still capable of thought, realize that they were all covered up with lies, lies and more lies. Of all these lies, the easiest to demonstrate would, of course, be 9/11, which is paradoxical since in spite of the fact that the 9/11 lies were truly debunked “beyond reasonable doubt” by hard, scientific data, they were also completely ignored by ALL the political elites (including, of course, Giuliani and Trump himself!). In other words, 9/11 was the “glue” which brought together all the US elites, even the pretend-outsiders with “swamp draining” pretensions.
Frankly, I am saddened by what I am observing. I can hardly be called an optimist by nature, but I still held some, residual, hope that judges, especially SC Justices, would refuse to dishonor themselves (and forever ruin their legacy) and would at the very least hear the case on its merits. My wiser friends had no such illusions and they warned me. I guess that being a grateful guest in this country (which has treated me and my family extremely well), I cannot but wish its people well and hope that, somehow, the good and honest people of this country would prevail. Now I understand that, just like in Russia in February 1917, August 1991 and October 1993, what the US need is a new generation of patriots, not blind flag-waving xenophobic imbeciles, but sober-minded and yet idealistic patriots who will understand that to love one’s country is not enough, you have to be ready to really fight, fight hard, for it. Of course, the US staple ideology of individualism and its toxic and dogmatic beliefs in the “virtues” of capitalism will have to die first. No worries – in time, they will, that is what inevitably comes next in such collapses (just like Russians have rejected Marxist ideological dogmas). But now is not the time for this conversation, much more must happen before it can take place.
Bottom line: the EU is going down the drain, and so are the USA (the Empire itself, has been dead for a while, even of many/most people do not realize this yet). Conversely, I would argue that Russia and China have won, not quite the war, but a crucial battle (think Stalingrad or Kursk). Any attack, economic or military, launched by the collective West against these two countries will fail. The Dem “geostrategic experts” will blame Russia and Putin personally, while the GOP “geostrategic experts” will blame China and Xi personally. That is why they all are, collectively, losers of the worst possible kind!
Things will only begin to really change when a new generation of US leaders will begin look at themselves and at their own responsibility for the catastrophe which has now happened.
Sadly, right now I can only advise everybody to fill yourself with a lot patience.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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