southfront--2020-08-21--The Saker: “Will Belarus Become the Next Banderastan?”

Written by The Saker ; Originally appeared at The Unz Review The situation in Belarus is evolving very rapidly , and not for the better , to say the least .
A lot has been going on , but here is a summary of what are the most crucial developments in my opinion : • Last Sunday was a major success for the Belarusian opposition : huge crowds took to the streets of several Belarusian cities and , in most cases , the demonstrations were peaceful .
• Belarus now has its own “ Juan Guaido ” in the person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualification ” to lead the opposition is that is that her husband is in jail .
Tikhanovskaia has already declared herself the “ national leader ” of Belarus .
• The Belarusian opposition formed a coordinating committee which is staffed by well-known and long-time rabid russophobes .
• The program of the opposition ( they call it “ Reanimation package of reforms for Belarus ” ) is simple : new “ fair ” elections followed by the following goals : Belarus must withdrawn from all the collective agreements she has with Russia ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , etc. )
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Instead , the national goal ought to be , what else , to join NATO and the EU .
All the Russian military forces in Belarus must be expelled .
The Belarusian language must be reimposed , Ukie-style , on the Belarusian society ( including , apparently , the military – good luck with that ! )
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Russian organizations will be banned in Belarus , and Russian TV channels forbidden .
The border with Russia must be closed .
Next , a new , independent “ Belarusian Orthodox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Belarusian economy will “ reformed ” – meaning that whatever can be sold will be sold , then the country will be deindustrialized ( like the Ukraine or the Baltic states ) .
• At this point , it is pretty clear that the Western-controlled “ opposition ” has successfully taken over the control of what initially was a legitimate local popular opposition .
This mechanism ( the hijacking of a truly popular and legitimate opposition by western controlled agents of influence ) is exactly what happened in the Ukraine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( I would eve argue that this is what is happening to the USA right now ) .
Some Belarusian ambassadors ( Slovakia , Switzerland , Sweden ) have now sided with the opposition just like what happened with Venezuela , Syria and other countries .
To be honest , there are more similarities between the recent events in Venezuela and what is now taking place in Belarus , it ’ s not just Tikhanovskaia as the Belarusian Guaido .
For example , Lukashenko made at least , if not more , crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hell to pay for it .
Now let ’ s look at Lukashenko ’ s actions : • Now Lukashenko is fuming against the West again , to the degree that he actually moved the most capable Belarusian military unit ( the 103rd Special Mobile Guards Airborne Brigade from Vitebsk ) to the western border , and the rest of the military forces have been put on high alert .
Lukashenko explained that by saying that there is a real risk of western military intervention ( which is utter nonsense , NATO does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , which is present in Belarus , and survive ) .
• Lukashenko and at least two of his ministers did go out to talk to the protesters , which is a courageous act which should not be overlooked ( as in : Lukashenko , for all his very real faults , is no Ianukovich , and neither are many of his ministers ) .
The meetings did not go well , especially for the two ministers who both clearly lack the undeniable personal charisma of Lukashenko .
• Lukashenko has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarusian special forces against some demonstrations .
He gave no further details , but that admission is interesting as it shows two things : a ) since special forces had to be used , it means that other police forces were either unable or unwilling to control the situation and b ) elite Belarusian forces are still backing Lukashenko • Lukashenko has also called Putin several times and he is now declaring that the current threat is not only a threat to Belarus , but also a threat to Russia .
Clearly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Lukashenko has publicly declared “ unless you remove me there will be no other elections ” adding that the opposition would have to kill him before it will get to destroy Belarus ( again – the dude is no Ianukovich ) .
Now let ’ s also note what Lukashenko has NOT done : • He has not fired his ministers of foreign affairs and the head of the Belarusian KGB ( according to a pro opposition Telegram channel the Minister of Foreign Affairs did resign , but Lukashenko has rejected his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many rumors about Belarus inundating Telegram right now ) • He has NOT declared that his so-called “ multi-vector policy ” ( i.e .
courting the West ) was a mistake or that it has now been changed or abandoned .
Clearly , and in spite of the overwhelming evidence to the contrary , Lukashenko still hopes that he can somehow sit between the two chairs of submission to the Empire or reunification with Russia .
• He has not apologized to Putin and/or Russia for all the false accusations he was hurling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Paradoxically , following the numerous cases of wanton violence which the Belarusian cops used initially , now the streets are almost entirely free from any police forces .
On one hand this is good , the violence used initially did A LOT of damage to the government and it got people very angry .
Furthermore , the amount of violence by the opposition did dramatically decrease too , which is also good .
But the problem is that there are now very clearly special organized groups , not necessarily formed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seize power illegally and by violence .
It is vital that the Belarusian KGB now locate and arrest these people .
My fear is that the Belarusian KGB has been infiltrated by pro-western elements who will be hard to neutralize .
Now let ’ s look at what the “ collective West ” has done : • The West has clearly taken a consolidated , common , position towards this crisis .
The West does not recognize the outcome of the elections and the West has now thrown its full weight behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders have called Putin , apparently to demand that Russia not intervene in Belarus .
Putin apparently told them that what is taking place is Belarus is none of their business , thank you .
• It is now clear that the West will accept nothing short of what we could call a “ Ukronazi outcome ” and that the Empire will use all its resources to try to seize control of Belarus .
Next , let ’ s look at what Belarus ’ neighbors are doing : • Very predictably , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restore something which is know by the evocative ( to some.. ) concept of “ ” in Polish and which roughly translates as “ Polish Commonwealth ” ( see here for a quick primer ) .
In this context , it is very important to understand that modern Poland is an ideological heir to the infamous Józef Piłsudski ( here for details ) .
This means that Poland ’ s ultimate goal is to break up Russia , restore the Polish Commonwealth , and become a willing prostitute to the western power , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as easy for the current Polish pseudo-patriots to prostitute their nation to the USA as it was for Piłsudski to prostitute himself before Hitler ) .
If some of you bump into the concepts of “ Prometheism ” or “ Intermarium ” then click on these words for more details .
It is hardly surprising that the nation Winston Churchill called the “ the hyena of Europe ” would pounce on Belarus : the Poles always , always , attack when either think that a ) there is some big guy behind them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weak .
I fully expect the Pope to publicly “ pray for peace in Belarus ” and express his “ distress ” at the violence .
Truly – this has been the same gang for almost 1000 years ( see here and here ) and they are still at it .
There is really nothing new under the sun… • The clueless Balts also want to join the for a very simple reasons : they are terrified that the West will eventually dump them and they know that by themselves they will never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Poles like to hide behind the USA , the Balts like to hide behind Poland .
Finally , these countries probably realize that even Belarus alone could prevail militarily over them , nevermind Russia , so the figure that united and protected by Uncle Shmuel they will seize Russia like they seized the Ukraine and finally ( ! )
become the ( collective ? )
“ Prometheus ” they think they are , but which history never allowed them to become .
• As for the EU gerontocrats , they are just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : try to impersonate some kind of ( moral ? )
“ authority ” which gets to decide which elections are fair , which are not , which regimes get to beat up demonstrators ( Macron anybody ? )
and which ones must immediately yield to the demands of a carefully controlled “ opposition ” .
It is especially touching to see Merkel who clearly does not realize the utter contempt the Russians feel for her and for what she stands for .
Lastly , let ’ s look at what Putin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Xi have both recognized the outcome of the elections .
Frankly , I don ’ t know of any halfway serious source which would dispute the fact that Lukashenko beat Tikhanovskaia by a wide margin .
Yes , I also seriously doubt the frankly silly 80 % vs 10 % figures , but I doubt those who say that Lukashenko lost even more .
Neither Putin nor Xi will “ unrecongnize ” these elections .
Which means that neither Putin nor Xi will ever accept the western narrative about what happened or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s reaction to Lukashenko ’ s phone calls appears to be a special kind of “ restrained goodwill ” or “ polite benevolence ” .
Clearly , nobody in Russia has forgotten what just happened and I notice a very clear trend on Russian talkshows , news reports and articles : while most Russians sincerely see Belarusians as fellow Russian brothers , the level of frustration and even disgust with Lukashenko is hard not to notice , and it is only growing .
Even very pro-Kremlin commentators are losing their cool with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no less angry at what Lukashenko is not doing ) , I think of Igor Korotchenko , the head of the Public Council under the Ministry of defense of the Russian Federation , a typical Kremlin-insider , who has now declared that the Belarusian Foreign Minister is a “ foreign agent of influence ” ( which I don ’ t doubt ) and that Russia ought to demand that he be fired .
I can only agree with him .
• Crucially , in the official summary transcript of the telephone conversation between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the integration between Russia and Belarus must continue .
Here is how the Kremlin put it : “ The Russian side reaffirmed its readiness to render the necessary assistance to resolve the challenges facing Belarus based on the principles of the Treaty on the Creation of a Union State , as well as through the Collective Security Treaty Organization , if necessary “ .
In other words , Putin is laying down the legal framework under which Russia might intervene in some manner , especially if such an intervention is officially requested by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is really taking place , I will also do that in the form of a bullet-point list : • There is no doubt that many Belarusians are fed up with Lukashenko • There is no doubt that many Belarusians still support Lukashenko ( if only as a guarantor against a Ukraine-like collapse ) .
• There is no doubt that the legitimate Belarusian opposition was quickly and effortlessly co-opted by western and , let ’ s call them “ Promethean ” , special services .
• Lukashenko was so sure of himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , to talk and plead with his own people .
He entered this election cocky sure of himself , only to find out that what is immediate entourage of yes-man ( they stand when they report to him ) either was lying or was clueless .
• Next , it is also clear that Lukashenko was sure that between his KGB and the Belarusian riot police , he could easily clear the streets .
And while this seemed to work for 24 hours , the last couple of days are proof that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets and/or is clueless as to what to do next .
Furthermore , while you can use riot police to disperse demonstrators , you can not use this riot police to force anybody to work : there are many consistent reports of strikes in major Belarusian plans and corporation .
How will Lukashenko force these people to work ?
He can not .
In fact , he specifically said so when he declared that strikes will destroy Belarus .
There are now even reports that the company Belaruskalii , one of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potassium fertilizer ) has now stopped working ( this just in : the workers of Belaruskallii have agreed to resume work ) .
• , Lukashenko began calling Putin and he even said “ ” during a public meeting .
Right now I know of no respectable analyst in Russia who would believe that Putin owes Lukashenko anything .
• The blame for what just happened can not be placed solely on Lukashenko ’ s infinite arrogance , the infiltration of the Belarusian KGB or on Ukronazi provocations : it is possible that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this instance , in spite of the fact that what happened was easy to predict ( and many did predict this ) .
Had it not been for the superb work of the FSB , it is quite possible that by now some Russian citizens would be sitting in Ukronazi jails .
The Russian Foreign Ministry also appears to have been caught off guard .
I don ’ t necessarily feel that “ heads should roll ” at the SVR/GRU , but at the very least there ought to be a full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught the Kremlin off-guard and some “ organizational conclusions ” ought to be drawn .
By the way , there is also the possibility that the SVR/GRU and Ministry of Foreign Affairs *did* provide timely and substantive ( actionable ) warnings .
In this case , the problem is with the heads of these services , the Russian government and the President .
It is sometimes said that the process of intelligence involves three phases referred to as the “ three As ” : acquisition ( data collection ) , analysis ( data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convincing the political decision makers ) .
I do , obviously , not know at what level this failure happened , but I see it as a clear sign of a major problem .
Now lets look at the core of the “ Russian problem in Belarus ” : it is simple , really : Belarusians are Russians , even more so than the Ukrainians .
Not only that , but judging from the footage from Belarus ( on all changes and from all sources ) , while the ( supposed ) “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” are all rabid russophobes , the vast majority of those who protested against Lukashenko are not .
The problem here is that it is impossible to get truly reliable numbers .
Official Belarusian polls are a joke , but “ opposition ” polls , or western run polls , are probably even MORE unreliable .
Then there is the fact that Minsk is somewhat of a special case amongst Belarusian cities .
Furthermore , there is a difference between urban and rural Belarus .
And , finally , the opposition itself is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somebody is asked whether he supports Lukashenko or not , there are many possible reasons why somebody might reply “ no ” ( heck , many Russians in Russia do not support Lukashenko either ) .
So we have to accept that until some kind of normalcy return to Belarus and truly free elections are held , nobody will know for sure what percentage of Belarusian think about this crisis or Lukashenko .
Then there is the fact that , just as in Syria or the Ukraine , the initial protest were legitimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valid reasons to protest and in terms of being truly local , not controlled from abroad .
But then , just as in Syria and in the Ukraine , these protests were infiltrated and co-opted by foreign agents .
Ideally , Russia would want to support the original/real demonstrators as much as possible within reason and counter-act the infiltrated subversives .
But how can the Russian separate them unless they themselves make it happen ?
One idea circulated here and there is that Russia should intervene very openly , in the context of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , even more so , under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty Organization .
Putin did mention this organization already , so this is definitely an option for Russia .
But would that be a good option ?
To be honest , I am not even sure that there are ANY good options left for Russia .
I mentioned several times that I personally came to conclusion that the only possibly way for the Belarusian people to remain free is to join Russia .
I still think that .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is even really possible right now , if only because the only interlocutor of Moscow in Belarus appears to be losing control of his own government and because there is no easy way to make progress on this issue while Belarus is at the very real risk of complete collapse .
The root cause of it all ?
It is often said that the Ukrainian leaders since 1991 were terrible , and that is true : every one of them seemed to be acting in some kind of toxic freak show .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ feared the cops and the KGB a lot more than the did in the Ukraine .
But that does not necessarily mean that Belarus was less corrupt .
All this means , is that in Belarus the government did a great job running a semi-feudal system of protection which only guaranteed that only officials and their “ business partners ” got to make good money .
And this is not a Belarus or Ukrainian problem only .
The exact same thing took place in Russia in the 90s .
It is not even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class problem , in the Marxist sense of the word .
We need to remember that the CPSU and its was a fantastically corrupt organization , not necessarily at the member level , but as a whole .
I would summarize the “ integrity ” of these people as so : • First they betrayed Stalin and the ideals of Marxism-Leninism ( Khrushchev years ) • Then they betrayed their own USSR and CPSU ( Brezhnev & Gorbachev years ) • Then they disguised themselves as patriots ( or even nationalists , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
• Next , they deeply penetrated the West to seek protection , hide their real revenues and obtain the right to rule .
• Next , they sucked their countries dry of all their wealth while their personal worth skyrocketed .
• Finally , they all volunteered to prostitute themselves and their people before the West .
These guys have no more morals than am amoeba and they are as ruthless as any psychopath .
They used to prostitute themselves before their Party bosses , and now they do the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the question : how could Russia remove this ruling class without a ) major bloodshed and b ) making it look like what Russia is really doing is trying to save Lukashenko ?
What Russia really needs now is for the West to do something as terminally stupid as when the US tried to overthrow Erdogan .
But that would only be sufficient to bring Lukashenko to heel and get rid of some of the most dangerous elements in his entourage .
The bigger problem is how could Russia help the Belarusian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Belarusian regime makes no sense and does not work .
Been there , done that .
Using military force is possible ( I don ’ t expect anybody in the Belarusian military , at least key commanders and units , to object to this ) .
But that is very tricky and outright politically dangerous .
It might also not be correctly understood by Belarusians and by many Russians too .
The first conclusion I personally am coming to is that Russia must not do anything which could be credibly construed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no “ saving ” .
Belarus does .
Second , while in military terms securing Belarus would not be a problem for the Russian military , in political terms it would be a major crisis as the West would , no doubt , pounce on that to not only impose more sanctions ( that is not really a problem ) but also to create a New Cold War in which mentally sane and patriotic Europeans would be “ shouted down ” by hysterical mantras about “ the Russians are coming !
the Russians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also concerned about the recent military moves by Belarus .
To forward deploy high readiness forces near the Polish border is a very bad idea : considering the historical record the Russians should *never* assume that any Polish leader won ’ t do something fantastically stupid which will end up as fantastically tragic .
I don ’ t believe for one second that NATO has plans to invade Belarus .
If anything , Lukashenko and Russia ought to leave what is called a “ tripwire force ” in the West while preparing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NO need to go and provoke the Poles , the Balts or anybody else in NATO .
If given a choice , Putin would probably want for Lukashenko and the so-called ‘ opposition ’ to go ( this reminds me of the Argentinian “ ” or the Lebanese both of which can be roughly translated as “ they all have to go ” and “ all means all ” – including both Tikhanovskaia AND Lukashenko .
At the time of writing this ( Aug. 19th ) it appears that Lukashenko will now have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ Putin ’ s bloody Mordor ” .
Truly , he really has no option other than to choose Moscow , but that does not at all mean that Moscow thinks that there is anything salvageable from Lukashenko ’ s regime .
His latest “ zag !
” back to being a “ Russian brother ” is way too little and way too late .
And if his foreign minister and his head of KGB are still in the next government , all this talk will also become irrelevant and meaningless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain in power he has only one option – beg for Putin ’ s mercy , not publicly , of course , be most emphatically and as sincerely as he can pretend to be .
Then he needs to purge his government from every single name Putin ( or the Russian special services ) will hand to him .
Yes , that means that he has to truly and really relinquish control .
As for Putin , he needs to address both the Russian and the Belarusian people to explain whatever decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet again , a situation where Putin ’ s biggest weapon might be his very high popular support ( not only in Russia , but also , by all accounts , in Belarus ) .
Right now it appears that the West seriously fears a Russian intervention : they probably ( correctly ) realize how easy it would be for Russia and how there is absolutely nothing anybody , including NATO or , even less so , the EU could do about it .
Trump personally has much bigger fish to fry and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But his narcissistic Secretary of State probably feels like he can turn Belarus into another US-run Banderastan .
So what can happen next ?
I think that it is crucial that Russia reach out to the non-US-controlled opposition in Belarus , publicly , and try to establish some kind of dialog .
Russia also has to publicly warn the people of Belarus that if they allow the current US-controlled “ opposition leaders ” to come to power , Belarus will collapse just like the Ukraine did .
This might be the strongest argument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : as bad as Lukashenko was , if he is overthrown in some kind of Maidan-like coup , then Belarus will become the next Banderastan .
This will be a major headache for Russia , but Russia can easily survive this .
Belarus can not .
But simply keeping Lukashenko in power is no solution either : whether he did or did not win the latest elections is not even the real issue anymore – the real issue is that he did lose his credibility with pretty much everybody involved .
For this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Next , some kind of government of national unity which would include the main political forces in Belarus except the ones controlled by the West should probably be formed .
Finally , whoever is in power in Minsk needs to set a course on a full reintegration of Belarus into Russia .
That remains the only viable long-term solution for the people of Belarus .

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Written by The Saker; Originally appeared at The Unz Review
The situation in Belarus is evolving very rapidly, and not for the better, to say the least. A lot has been going on, but here is a summary of what are the most crucial developments in my opinion:
Last Sunday was a major success for the Belarusian opposition: huge crowds took to the streets of several Belarusian cities and, in most cases, the demonstrations were peaceful.
Belarus now has its own “Juan Guaido” in the person of Svetlana Tikhanovskaia – whose only “qualification” to lead the opposition is that is that her husband is in jail. Tikhanovskaia has already declared herself the “national leader” of Belarus.
The Belarusian opposition formed a coordinating committee which is staffed by well-known and long-time rabid russophobes.
The program of the opposition (they call it “Reanimation package of reforms for Belarus”) is simple: new “fair” elections followed by the following goals: Belarus must withdrawn from all the collective agreements she has with Russia (including the union state, the SCO, etc.). Instead, the national goal ought to be, what else, to join NATO and the EU. All the Russian military forces in Belarus must be expelled. The Belarusian language must be reimposed, Ukie-style, on the Belarusian society (including, apparently, the military – good luck with that!). Russian organizations will be banned in Belarus, and Russian TV channels forbidden. The border with Russia must be closed. Next, a new, independent “Belarusian Orthodox Church” must be created. Finally, the Belarusian economy will “reformed” – meaning that whatever can be sold will be sold, then the country will be deindustrialized (like the Ukraine or the Baltic states).
At this point, it is pretty clear that the Western-controlled “opposition” has successfully taken over the control of what initially was a legitimate local popular opposition. This mechanism (the hijacking of a truly popular and legitimate opposition by western controlled agents of influence) is exactly what happened in the Ukraine, in Syria and in many other places (I would eve argue that this is what is happening to the USA right now). Some Belarusian ambassadors (Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden) have now sided with the opposition just like what happened with Venezuela, Syria and other countries.
To be honest, there are more similarities between the recent events in Venezuela and what is now taking place in Belarus, it’s not just Tikhanovskaia as the Belarusian Guaido. For example, Lukashenko made at least, if not more, crucial mistakes than Maduro and now there is hell to pay for it.
Now let’s look at Lukashenko’s actions:
Now Lukashenko is fuming against the West again, to the degree that he actually moved the most capable Belarusian military unit (the 103rd Special Mobile Guards Airborne Brigade from Vitebsk) to the western border, and the rest of the military forces have been put on high alert. Lukashenko explained that by saying that there is a real risk of western military intervention (which is utter nonsense, NATO does not have what it takes to attack Russia, which is present in Belarus, and survive).
Lukashenko and at least two of his ministers did go out to talk to the protesters, which is a courageous act which should not be overlooked (as in: Lukashenko, for all his very real faults, is no Ianukovich, and neither are many of his ministers). The meetings did not go well, especially for the two ministers who both clearly lack the undeniable personal charisma of Lukashenko.
Lukashenko has also publicly admitted that he has to engage Belarusian special forces against some demonstrations. He gave no further details, but that admission is interesting as it shows two things: a) since special forces had to be used, it means that other police forces were either unable or unwilling to control the situation and b) elite Belarusian forces are still backing Lukashenko
Lukashenko has also called Putin several times and he is now declaring that the current threat is not only a threat to Belarus, but also a threat to Russia. Clearly, Lukashenko is begging for Russian help.
Lukashenko has publicly declared “unless you remove me there will be no other elections” adding that the opposition would have to kill him before it will get to destroy Belarus (again – the dude is no Ianukovich).
Now let’s also note what Lukashenko has NOT done:
He has not fired his ministers of foreign affairs and the head of the Belarusian KGB (according to a pro opposition Telegram channel the Minister of Foreign Affairs did resign, but Lukashenko has rejected his resignation; this is one of the many rumors about Belarus inundating Telegram right now)
He has NOT declared that his so-called “multi-vector policy” (i.e. courting the West) was a mistake or that it has now been changed or abandoned. Clearly, and in spite of the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Lukashenko still hopes that he can somehow sit between the two chairs of submission to the Empire or reunification with Russia.
He has not apologized to Putin and/or Russia for all the false accusations he was hurling at them just a few days ago.
Paradoxically, following the numerous cases of wanton violence which the Belarusian cops used initially, now the streets are almost entirely free from any police forces. On one hand this is good, the violence used initially did A LOT of damage to the government and it got people very angry. Furthermore, the amount of violence by the opposition did dramatically decrease too, which is also good. But the problem is that there are now very clearly special organized groups, not necessarily formed by locals, who are now trying to seize power illegally and by violence. It is vital that the Belarusian KGB now locate and arrest these people. My fear is that the Belarusian KGB has been infiltrated by pro-western elements who will be hard to neutralize.
Now let’s look at what the “collective West” has done:
The West has clearly taken a consolidated, common, position towards this crisis. The West does not recognize the outcome of the elections and the West has now thrown its full weight behind the so-called “opposition”.
Western leaders have called Putin, apparently to demand that Russia not intervene in Belarus. Putin apparently told them that what is taking place is Belarus is none of their business, thank you.
It is now clear that the West will accept nothing short of what we could call a “Ukronazi outcome” and that the Empire will use all its resources short of military action to try to seize control of Belarus.
Next, let’s look at what Belarus’ neighbors are doing:
Very predictably, the Poles are clearly thinking that they will restore something which is know by the evocative (to some..) concept of “Rzeczpospolita” in Polish and which roughly translates as “Polish Commonwealth” (see here for a quick primer). In this context, it is very important to understand that modern Poland is an ideological heir to the infamous Józef Piłsudski (here for details). This means that Poland’s ultimate goal is to break up Russia, restore the Polish Commonwealth, and become a willing prostitute to the western power, especially the USA (it is just as easy for the current Polish pseudo-patriots to prostitute their nation to the USA as it was for Piłsudski to prostitute himself before Hitler). If some of you bump into the concepts of “Prometheism” or “Intermarium” then click on these words for more details. It is hardly surprising that the nation Winston Churchill called the “the hyena of Europe” would pounce on Belarus: the Poles always, always, attack when either think that a) there is some big guy behind them and b) that their victim is weak. I fully expect the Pope to publicly “pray for peace in Belarus” and express his “distress” at the violence. Truly – this has been the same gang for almost 1000 years (see here and here) and they are still at it. There is really nothing new under the sun…
The clueless Balts also want to join the Rzeczpospolita for a very simple reasons: they are terrified that the West will eventually dump them and they know that by themselves they will never achieve anything. So as much as the Poles like to hide behind the USA, the Balts like to hide behind Poland. Finally, these countries probably realize that even Belarus alone could prevail militarily over them, nevermind Russia, so the figure that united and protected by Uncle Shmuel they will seize Russia like they seized the Ukraine and finally (!) become the (collective?) “Prometheus” they think they are, but which history never allowed them to become.
As for the EU gerontocrats, they are just doing what they know how to do: try to impersonate some kind of (moral?) “authority” which gets to decide which elections are fair, which are not, which regimes get to beat up demonstrators (Macron anybody?) and which ones must immediately yield to the demands of a carefully controlled “opposition”. It is especially touching to see Merkel who clearly does not realize the utter contempt the Russians feel for her and for what she stands for.
Lastly, let’s look at what Putin and other Russians are saying:
Putin and Xi have both recognized the outcome of the elections. Frankly, I don’t know of any halfway serious source which would dispute the fact that Lukashenko beat Tikhanovskaia by a wide margin. Yes, I also seriously doubt the frankly silly 80% vs 10% figures, but I doubt those who say that Lukashenko lost even more. Neither Putin nor Xi will “unrecongnize” these elections. Which means that neither Putin nor Xi will ever accept the western narrative about what happened or what is happening now.
Putin’s reaction to Lukashenko’s phone calls appears to be a special kind of “restrained goodwill” or “polite benevolence”. Clearly, nobody in Russia has forgotten what just happened and I notice a very clear trend on Russian talkshows, news reports and articles: while most Russians sincerely see Belarusians as fellow Russian brothers, the level of frustration and even disgust with Lukashenko is hard not to notice, and it is only growing. Even very pro-Kremlin commentators are losing their cool with what Lukashenko is doing (they are no less angry at what Lukashenko is not doing), I think of Igor Korotchenko, the head of the Public Council under the Ministry of defense of the Russian Federation, a typical Kremlin-insider, who has now declared that the Belarusian Foreign Minister is a “foreign agent of influence” (which I don’t doubt) and that Russia ought to demand that he be fired. I can only agree with him.
Crucially, in the official summary transcript of the telephone conversation between Lukashenko and Putin the latter repeated that the integration between Russia and Belarus must continue. Here is how the Kremlin put it: “The Russian side reaffirmed its readiness to render the necessary assistance to resolve the challenges facing Belarus based on the principles of the Treaty on the Creation of a Union State, as well as through the Collective Security Treaty Organization, if necessary“. In other words, Putin is laying down the legal framework under which Russia might intervene in some manner, especially if such an intervention is officially requested by Minsk.
Now let’s summarize what is really taking place, I will also do that in the form of a bullet-point list:
There is no doubt that many Belarusians are fed up with Lukashenko
There is no doubt that many Belarusians still support Lukashenko (if only as a guarantor against a Ukraine-like collapse).
There is no doubt that the legitimate Belarusian opposition was quickly and effortlessly co-opted by western and, let’s call them “Promethean”, special services.
Lukashenko was so sure of himself, that he never bothered to really campaign, to talk and plead with his own people. He entered this election cocky sure of himself, only to find out that what is immediate entourage of yes-man (they stand when they report to him) either was lying or was clueless.
Next, it is also clear that Lukashenko was sure that between his KGB and the Belarusian riot police, he could easily clear the streets. And while this seemed to work for 24 hours, the last couple of days are proof that the regime has lost control of the streets and/or is clueless as to what to do next. Furthermore, while you can use riot police to disperse demonstrators, you cannot use this riot police to force anybody to work: there are many consistent reports of strikes in major Belarusian plans and corporation. How will Lukashenko force these people to work? He cannot. In fact, he specifically said so when he declared that strikes will destroy Belarus. There are now even reports that the company Belaruskalii, one of the most profitable companies in Belarus (it produces potassium fertilizer) has now stopped working (this just in: the workers of Belaruskallii have agreed to resume work).
In extremis, Lukashenko began calling Putin and he even said “we, Russians” during a public meeting. Right now I know of no respectable analyst in Russia who would believe that Putin owes Lukashenko anything.
The blame for what just happened cannot be placed solely on Lukashenko’s infinite arrogance, the infiltration of the Belarusian KGB or on Ukronazi provocations: it is possible that the SVR and GRU dropped the ball in this instance, in spite of the fact that what happened was easy to predict (and many did predict this). Had it not been for the superb work of the FSB, it is quite possible that by now some Russian citizens would be sitting in Ukronazi jails. The Russian Foreign Ministry also appears to have been caught off guard. I don’t necessarily feel that “heads should roll” at the SVR/GRU, but at the very least there ought to be a full internal investigation on why this crisis apparently caught the Kremlin off-guard and some “organizational conclusions” ought to be drawn. By the way, there is also the possibility that the SVR/GRU and Ministry of Foreign Affairs *did* provide timely and substantive (actionable) warnings. In this case, the problem is with the heads of these services, the Russian government and the President. It is sometimes said that the process of intelligence involves three phases referred to as the “three As”: acquisition (data collection), analysis (data management and interpretation) and acceptance (convincing the political decision makers). I do, obviously, not know at what level this failure happened, but I see it as a clear sign of a major problem.
Now lets look at the core of the “Russian problem in Belarus”: it is simple, really: Belarusians are Russians, even more so than the Ukrainians. Not only that, but judging from the footage from Belarus (on all changes and from all sources), while the (supposed) “leaders” of the so-called “opposition” are all rabid russophobes, the vast majority of those who protested against Lukashenko are not.
The problem here is that it is impossible to get truly reliable numbers. Official Belarusian polls are a joke, but “opposition” polls, or western run polls, are probably even MORE unreliable. Then there is the fact that Minsk is somewhat of a special case amongst Belarusian cities. Furthermore, there is a difference between urban and rural Belarus. And, finally, the opposition itself is not monolithic at all, and when somebody is asked whether he supports Lukashenko or not, there are many possible reasons why somebody might reply “no” (heck, many Russians in Russia do not support Lukashenko either). So we have to accept that until some kind of normalcy return to Belarus and truly free elections are held, nobody will know for sure what percentage of Belarusian think about this crisis or Lukashenko.
Then there is the fact that, just as in Syria or the Ukraine, the initial protest were legitimate, both in terms of having many valid reasons to protest and in terms of being truly local, not controlled from abroad. But then, just as in Syria and in the Ukraine, these protests were infiltrated and co-opted by foreign agents. Ideally, Russia would want to support the original/real demonstrators as much as possible within reason and counter-act the infiltrated subversives. But how can the Russian separate them unless they themselves make it happen?
One idea circulated here and there is that Russia should intervene very openly, in the context of the Union State between Russia and Belarus and, even more so, under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Putin did mention this organization already, so this is definitely an option for Russia. But would that be a good option?
To be honest, I am not even sure that there are ANY good options left for Russia. I mentioned several times that I personally came to conclusion that the only possibly way for the Belarusian people to remain free is to join Russia. I still think that. However, I am not at all sure that this is even really possible right now, if only because the only interlocutor of Moscow in Belarus appears to be losing control of his own government and because there is no easy way to make progress on this issue while Belarus is at the very real risk of complete collapse.
The root cause of it all?
Corruption. As always.
It is often said that the Ukrainian leaders since 1991 were terrible, and that is true: every one of them seemed to be acting in some kind of toxic freak show. And yes, in Belarus, people feared the cops and the KGB a lot more than the did in the Ukraine. But that does not necessarily mean that Belarus was less corrupt. All this means, is that in Belarus the government did a great job running a semi-feudal system of protection which only guaranteed that only officials and their “business partners” got to make good money.
And this is not a Belarus or Ukrainian problem only. The exact same thing took place in Russia in the 90s. It is not even a personality problem, it is a class problem, in the Marxist sense of the word.
We need to remember that the CPSU and its Nomenklatura was a fantastically corrupt organization, not necessarily at the member level, but as a whole. I would summarize the “integrity” of these people as so:
First they betrayed Stalin and the ideals of Marxism-Leninism (Khrushchev years)
Then they betrayed their own USSR and CPSU (Brezhnev & Gorbachev years)
Then they disguised themselves as patriots (or even nationalists, like that hardcore communist ideologue Kravchuk did!).
Next, they deeply penetrated the West to seek protection, hide their real revenues and obtain the right to rule.
Next, they sucked their countries dry of all their wealth while their personal worth skyrocketed.
Finally, they all volunteered to prostitute themselves and their people before the West.
These guys have no more morals than am amoeba and they are as ruthless as any psychopath. They used to prostitute themselves before their Party bosses, and now they do the same to their AngloZionist ones.
So here is the question: how could Russia remove this ruling class without a) major bloodshed and b) making it look like what Russia is really doing is trying to save Lukashenko?
What Russia really needs now is for the West to do something as terminally stupid as when the US tried to overthrow Erdogan. But that would only be sufficient to bring Lukashenko to heel and get rid of some of the most dangerous elements in his entourage. The bigger problem is how could Russia help the Belarusian people?
Just tossing more money at the Belarusian regime makes no sense and does not work. Been there, done that.
Using military force is possible (I don’t expect anybody in the Belarusian military, at least key commanders and units, to object to this). But that is very tricky and outright politically dangerous. It might also not be correctly understood by Belarusians and by many Russians too.
The first conclusion I personally am coming to is that Russia must not do anything which could be credibly construed as “saving Lukashenko”. Lukashenko needs no “saving”. Belarus does.
Second, while in military terms securing Belarus would not be a problem for the Russian military, in political terms it would be a major crisis as the West would, no doubt, pounce on that to not only impose more sanctions (that is not really a problem) but also to create a New Cold War in which mentally sane and patriotic Europeans would be “shouted down” by hysterical mantras about “the Russians are coming! the Russians are coming!”.
I am also concerned about the recent military moves by Belarus. To forward deploy high readiness forces near the Polish border is a very bad idea: considering the historical record the Russians should *never* assume that any Polish leader won’t do something fantastically stupid which will end up as fantastically tragic. I don’t believe for one second that NATO has plans to invade Belarus. If anything, Lukashenko and Russia ought to leave what is called a “tripwire force” in the West while preparing their strategic defenses in depth. There is NO need to go and provoke the Poles, the Balts or anybody else in NATO.
If given a choice, Putin would probably want for both Lukashenko and the so-called ‘opposition’ to go (this reminds me of the Argentinian “que se vayan todos” or the Lebanese كلهم يعني كلهم both of which can be roughly translated as “they all have to go”and “all means all” – including both Tikhanovskaia AND Lukashenko.
At the time of writing this (Aug. 19th) it appears that Lukashenko will now have to chose between the “civilized West” and “Putin’s bloody Mordor”. Truly, he really has no option other than to choose Moscow, but that does not at all mean that Moscow thinks that there is anything salvageable from Lukashenko’s regime. His latest “zag!” back to being a “Russian brother” is way too little and way too late. And if his foreign minister and his head of KGB are still in the next government, all this talk will also become irrelevant and meaningless.
Simply put: if Lukashenko wants to remain in power he has only one option – beg for Putin’s mercy, not publicly, of course, be most emphatically and as sincerely as he can pretend to be. Then he needs to purge his government from every single name Putin (or the Russian special services) will hand to him. Yes, that means that he has to truly and really relinquish control. As for Putin, he needs to address both the Russian and the Belarusian people to explain whatever decision he comes to. This is, yet again, a situation where Putin’s biggest weapon might be his very high popular support (not only in Russia, but also, by all accounts, in Belarus).
Right now it appears that the West seriously fears a Russian intervention: they probably (correctly) realize how easy it would be for Russia and how there is absolutely nothing anybody, including NATO or, even less so, the EU could do about it. Trump personally has much bigger fish to fry and I doubt if he cares much. But his narcissistic Secretary of State probably feels like he can turn Belarus into another US-run Banderastan.
So what can happen next?
I think that it is crucial that Russia reach out to the non-US-controlled opposition in Belarus, publicly, and try to establish some kind of dialog. Russia also has to publicly warn the people of Belarus that if they allow the current US-controlled “opposition leaders” to come to power, Belarus will collapse just like the Ukraine did.
This might be the strongest argument Russia could repeat over and over again: as bad as Lukashenko was, if he is overthrown in some kind of Maidan-like coup, then Belarus will become the next Banderastan. This will be a major headache for Russia, but Russia can easily survive this. Belarus cannot.
But simply keeping Lukashenko in power is no solution either: whether he did or did not win the latest elections is not even the real issue anymore – the real issue is that he did lose his credibility with pretty much everybody involved. For this reason alone – Lukashenko has to go. Next, some kind of government of national unity which would include the main political forces in Belarus except the ones controlled by the West should probably be formed. Finally, whoever is in power in Minsk needs to set a course on a full reintegration of Belarus into Russia. That remains the only viable long-term solution for the people of Belarus.
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southfront--2020-08-21--Growing Resistance To Attemtps To Destroy Canonic Orthodox Church In Montenegro

Attempts of Euro-Atlantic structures to destroy the canonic Orthodox Christianity in Europe through the promotion of the neo-liberal agenda and creation of pseudo-church structures supporting have triggered an expected resistance of local conservative societies .
Maritime Cross Procession Held In Defense Of Church In Montenegro ( orthochristian.com ) : While the Orthodox faithful in Montenegro held cross processions twice a week for several months at the beginning of the year in defense of the rights of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro , they have been limited for several months now due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Nevertheless , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their support for their Church and its sacred sites and treasures , against the background of the law passed in December that essentially grants the state the right to confiscate Serbian Orthodox Church properties .
Thus , on August 15 , a maritime cross procession was held in Montenegro , reports Pravoslavie.ru .
The procession involved more than 70 boats of various types , which at one point formed into the shape of a cross , and was attended by former mayor and current candidate for mayor of Budva , Bato Tsarevich .
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Attempts of Euro-Atlantic structures to destroy the canonic Orthodox Christianity in Europe through the promotion of the neo-liberal agenda and creation of pseudo-church structures supporting have triggered an expected resistance of local conservative societies.
Maritime Cross Procession Held In Defense Of Church In Montenegro (orthochristian.com):
While the Orthodox faithful in Montenegro held cross processions twice a week for several months at the beginning of the year in defense of the rights of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro, they have been limited for several months now due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Nevertheless, the faithful take every opportunity to express their support for their Church and its sacred sites and treasures, against the background of the law passed in December that essentially grants the state the right to confiscate Serbian Orthodox Church properties.
Thus, on August 15, a maritime cross procession was held in Montenegro, reports Pravoslavie.ru.
The procession involved more than 70 boats of various types, which at one point formed into the shape of a cross, and was attended by former mayor and current candidate for mayor of Budva, Bato Tsarevich.
Watch a video from the procession:
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southfront--2020-08-21--In Photos: Turkish Frigate Damaged After Collision With Greek Warship In Eastern Mediterranean

Photos show the damage caused to Turkish frigate Kemal Reis after the collision with a Greek warship in the eastern @ @ @ @ @ According to Greek sources , the Kemal Reis tried to ram the Greek frigate Limnos @ @ @ @ @ avoided the attack , while the Turkish frigate received some damage .
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Photos show the damage caused to Turkish frigate Kemal Reis after the collision with a Greek warship in the eastern Mediterranean on August 12. According to Greek sources, the Kemal Reis tried to ram the Greek frigate Limnos. The Greek warship reportedly avoided the attack, while the Turkish frigate received some damage.
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southfront--2020-08-21--Polaris MRZR 2 Off-Road Vehicle (Infographics)

ignore the russkies… you can go down these areas that you can not with larger trucks..probably limited to special forces @ @ @ @ @ let me guess soldiers will use auotonomous robots with these..sure you have to improve the @ @ @ @ @

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The MRZR-D2 is the latest twin-seat turbo-diesel version in the series of MRZR off-road vehicles developed by Polaris Government & Defense.
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southfront--2020-08-21--U.S. Combat Drones Resume Operations Over Syria’s Greater Idlib Despite Recent Accident

U.S. combat drones have resumed operations over the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib , which is controlled by several terrorist groups .
A General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned combat aerial vehicle was photographed flying over the region on August 20 .
Opposition activities spotted several other U.S. combat drones flying over different parts of the region on the same day as well as on August 21 .
The MQ-9 appeared to be armed with two AGM-114 Hellfire-type missiles .
The drone was also equipped with two large pods , likely for communication or intelligence gathering .
On August 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Idlib after colliding midair in a mysterious accident .
Syrian sources claimed that Turkish air-defense fire was behind the accident .
However , this is yet to be proven .
U.S. combat drones carried out a series of strikes on prominent terrorist commanders in Greater Idlib over the last few months .
The most recent strike , which took place on August 13 , claimed the life of Abu Yahya al-Uzbeki , an infamous military trainer who worked for several terrorist groups in Greater Idlib .
U.S. combat drones often carry out its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ version of the Hellfire missile known as the AGM-114R9X “ Ninja Bomb.
” This version has a kinetic warhead consisting of pop-out blades meant to reduce collateral damage .
In the last few years , Greater Idlib became a safe haven for terrorist groups in the Middle East .
ISIS leader , Abu Baker al-Baghdadi , was killed in a U.S. raid on the region earlier this year .
Turkey which maintains a large force in the region is turning a blind eye .
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U.S. combat drones have resumed operations over the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib, which is controlled by several terrorist groups.
A General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned combat aerial vehicle was photographed flying over the region on August 20. Opposition activities spotted several other U.S. combat drones flying over different parts of the region on the same day as well as on August 21.
The MQ-9 appeared to be armed with two AGM-114 Hellfire-type missiles. The drone was also equipped with two large pods, likely for communication or intelligence gathering.
The MQ-9 Reaper was again spotted in Idlib province after a recent incident with #Turkish air defenses. The loss of one drone is probably not a reason for the #UnitedStates to halt its operations against militants.#Syria pic.twitter.com/i6kSPY00SD — Sukhoi Su-57 Felon ???? (@I30mki) August 21, 2020
On August 18, two MQ-9 drones crashed in Greater Idlib after colliding midair in a mysterious accident. Syrian sources claimed that Turkish air-defense fire was behind the accident. However, this is yet to be proven.
U.S. combat drones carried out a series of strikes on prominent terrorist commanders in Greater Idlib over the last few months.
The most recent strike, which took place on August 13, claimed the life of Abu Yahya al-Uzbeki, an infamous military trainer who worked for several terrorist groups in Greater Idlib.
U.S. combat drones often carry out its strikes on Greater Idlib with an advanced version of the Hellfire missile known as the AGM-114R9X “Ninja Bomb.” This version has a kinetic warhead consisting of pop-out blades meant to reduce collateral damage.
In the last few years, Greater Idlib became a safe haven for terrorist groups in the Middle East. ISIS leader, Abu Baker al-Baghdadi, was killed in a U.S. raid on the region earlier this year. Turkey which maintains a large force in the region is turning a blind eye.
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southfront--2020-08-21--Fighting Back Against Globalists

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southfront--2020-08-21--New Attack Targeted Iraqi Contractors Working For U.S. Forces Near Baghdad (Video)

On August 21 , a new attack targeted an Iraqi company providing services for the U.S.-led coalition south of the capital , Baghdad .
As a result of the attack , the vehicle was completely destroyed and the driver , whose identity is yet to be revealed , was killed .
Sabereen News in Telegram contradicted the statement of the Security Media Cell .
The channel , that is close to Shiite armed groups , claimed that an entire supply convoy of the U.S.-led coalition was attacked with IEDs and gunfire .
According to Sabreen News ’ claims , three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. military were killed in the attack .
Last week , a similar attack targeted a convoy carrying supplies for the U.S.-led coalition on the highway between Dhi Qar and Basrah in southern Iraq .
Iraqi Shiite groups affiliated with Iran ’ s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are reportedly behind these attacks .
Shiite groups promised to expel U.S. forces from Iraq after the assassination of Quds Force Commander Maj. Gen. Qassim Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis , Deputy-Commander of the Popular Mobilization Units , earlier this year .
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On August 21, a new attack targeted an Iraqi company providing services for the U.S.-led coalition south of the capital, Baghdad.
“An improvised explosive device (IED) struck a vehicle of a company working with the U.S.-led coalition in Aweerij, south of the capital, Baghdad,” the Iraqi Security Media Cell said in an official statement.
As a result of the attack, the vehicle was completely destroyed and the driver, whose identity is yet to be revealed, was killed.
Sabereen News in Telegram contradicted the statement of the Security Media Cell. The channel, that is close to Shiite armed groups, claimed that an entire supply convoy of the U.S.-led coalition was attacked with IEDs and gunfire.
According to Sabreen News’ claims, three Fijian private military contractors working for the U.S. military were killed in the attack.
Last week, a similar attack targeted a convoy carrying supplies for the U.S.-led coalition on the highway between Dhi Qar and Basrah in southern Iraq.
Iraqi Shiite groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are reportedly behind these attacks. Shiite groups promised to expel U.S. forces from Iraq after the assassination of Quds Force Commander Maj. Gen. Qassim Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Deputy-Commander of the Popular Mobilization Units, earlier this year.
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southfront--2020-08-21--Former Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham Militant Assassinated In Syria’s Daraa

On August 21 , a former al-Qaeda militant was assassinated by unidentified gunmen in the southern Syrian city of Daraa .
The militant , “ Omar Nasser al-Qiztam al-Msalamah , ” was reportedly passing in the al-Sad road in Daraa city when he was shot dead by the gunmen , who also stole his motorcycle before fleeing the scene .
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , al-Masalamah was former fighter of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) .
The terrorist group is currently ruling the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daraa in 2018 .
However , al-Masalamah was one of the few who opted to stay and join the reconciliation process .
Al-Masalamah ’ s affiliation with HTS indicates that he may have been assassinated by the Syrian intelligence , that is keeping tabs on radicals in the southern region .
Earlier this week , the intelligence was accused of assassinating of a former rebel commander in al-Quneitra .
The accusations against the Syrian intelligence are still without any solid evidence .
Meanwhile , other sides , like ISIS , are known to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al-Quneitra .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Video Shows Moment Of IED Explosion That Killed Russian Major-General In Deir Ezzor

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On August 21, a former al-Qaeda militant was assassinated by unidentified gunmen in the southern Syrian city of Daraa.
The militant, “Omar Nasser al-Qiztam al-Msalamah,” was reportedly passing in the al-Sad road in Daraa city when he was shot dead by the gunmen, who also stole his motorcycle before fleeing the scene.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, al-Masalamah was former fighter of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The terrorist group is currently ruling the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
Most of HTS’ militants were departed from Daraa in 2018. However, al-Masalamah was one of the few who opted to stay and join the reconciliation process.
Al-Masalamah’s affiliation with HTS indicates that he may have been assassinated by the Syrian intelligence, that is keeping tabs on radicals in the southern region. Earlier this week, the intelligence was accused of assassinating of a former rebel commander in al-Quneitra.
The accusations against the Syrian intelligence are still without any solid evidence. Meanwhile, other sides, like ISIS, are known to be carrying out attacks in Daraa and al-Quneitra.
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southfront--2020-08-21--Daily Newsletter And SouthFront Videos On TikTok

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southfront--2020-08-21--Houthis Released Video Documenting Recent Operation Against ISIS, Al-Qaeda In Central Yemen (18+)

The Houthis ’ media wing has released a video documenting the group ’ s recent operation against ISIS and al-Qaeda terrorists in the central Yemeni province of al-Bayda ’ .
Brig .
Gen. Yahya Sari , a spokesman for the group , presented the video via teleconference on August 21 .
The spokesman also shared new details about the operation .
During the operation , which lasted for two weeks , the Houthis killed , captured or injured around 250 terrorists of ISIS and al-Qaeda .
The group ’ s fighters also destroyed fourteen positions and military camps of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district of Wald Rabi ’ .
According to Brig .
Gen. Sari , the terrorists were supporting Saudi-led coalition operations in al-Bayda .
The terrorists also received support from the coalition .
“ We found complete information and evidence confirming that these elements had carried out various operations during the past years in more than one Yemeni region , ” the spokesman said , adding : “ We also obtained evidence confirming that the Takfiris [ terrorists ] were coordinating with other elements in Arab and foreign states.
” The video released by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the terrorists with close air support during their battle with the Houthis in Wald Rabi ’ .
The video shows close combat between Houthi fighters and the terrorists as well as loads of weapons and equipment which were seized by the Yemeni group .
Brig .
Gen. Sari said the operation was launched after extensive intelligence work .
The operation was carried out in cooperation with local tribes from Wald Rabi ’ as well as tribes from the nearby district of al-Qurashiyah .
The operation dealt a major blow to ISIS and al-Qaeda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorist groups have been solidifying their influence in the central province since the outbreak of the war in 2015 .
The Saudi-led coalition rarely took action against them .
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4.9 ( 13 votes) Houthis Released Video Documenting Recent Operation Against ISIS, Al-Qaeda In Central Yemen (18+) 4.9230769230769 out of 5 based on 13 ratings. 13 user reviews.
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The Houthis’ media wing has released a video documenting the group’s recent operation against ISIS and al-Qaeda terrorists in the central Yemeni province of al-Bayda’. Brig. Gen. Yahya Sari, a spokesman for the group, presented the video via teleconference on August 21. The spokesman also shared new details of the operation.
During the operation, which lasted for two weeks, the Houthis killed, captured or injured around 250 terrorists of ISIS and al-Qaeda. The group’s fighters also destroyed fourteen positions and military camps of the terrorists, liberating 1,000 km2 of the district of Wald Rabi’.
“Among those killed there were five commanders of ISIS, including the group’s leader [in Wald Rabi’] as well as the security and financial officials,” Brig. Gen. Sari said.
According to Brig. Gen. Sari, the terrorists were supporting Saudi-led coalition operations in al-Bayda. The terrorists also received support from the coalition.
“We found complete information and evidence confirming that these elements had carried out various operations during the past years in more than one Yemeni region,” the spokesman said, adding: “We also obtained evidence confirming that the Takfiris [terrorists] were coordinating with other elements in Arab and foreign states.”
The video released by the Houthis confirms that coalition warplanes provided the terrorists with close air support during their battle with the Houthis in Wald Rabi’. The video shows close combat between Houthi fighters and the terrorists as well as loads of weapons and equipment which were seized by the Yemeni group.
Brig. Gen. Sari said the operation was launched after extensive intelligence work. The operation was carried out in cooperation with local tribes from Wald Rabi’ as well as tribes from the nearby district of al-Qurashiyah.
The operation dealt a major blow to ISIS and al-Qaeda remnants in al-Bayda’. The two terrorist groups have been solidifying their influence in the central province since the outbreak of the war in 2015. The Saudi-led coalition rarely took action against them.
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southfront--2020-08-21--Erdogan Announced The Discovery Of Major Gas Reserve In The Black Sea

Turkey ’ s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on August 21 the discovery of a major gas reserve in the Black Sea .
Speaking from the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul , Erdogan said the reserve , which includes 320 billion cubic meters of natural gas , was discovered by Turkish drill ship Fatih in the Tuna-1 field in the Black Sea on July 20 .
Fatih , named after Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II , is one of three drill ships operated by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation ( TPAO ) .
The gas reserve will be called ” Sakarya ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas needs for the previous 20 years .
Erdogan promised that the discovered gas would be put in public use by 2023 .
A day earlier , Turkish sources had said Ankara might need seven to ten years and up to $ 3 billion to start production in the Tuna-1 field .
The discovery of a major gas reserve could not be more relevant .
Its main gas supplier , Russia ’ s Gazprom , has set a high price of $ 228 per thousand cubic meters , while it receives only $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the reason for Turkey ’ s gradual transition to cheaper alternatives , primarily pipeline gas from Azerbaijan .
The opening of a new field allows Ankara to significantly increase its own reserves , while Turkey becomes a key hub for gas from the Eastern and Mediterranean fields to Europe .
Besides Turkish drilling in the Black Sea , the TPAO ’ s activities continue in Eastern Mediterranean .
Ankara ’ s unilateral activities resulted in a serious crisis with Greece , Egypt and most recently with France .
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Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on August 21 the discovery of a major gas reserve in the Black Sea.
Speaking from the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Erdogan said the reserve, which includes 320 billion cubic meters of natural gas, was discovered by Turkish drill ship Fatih in the Tuna-1 field in the Black Sea on July 20. Fatih, named after Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, is one of three drill ships operated by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO).
“Turkey has made the biggest natural gas discovery in the Black Sea,” the Anadolu Agency quoted Erdogan as saying.
The gas reserve will be called ”Sakarya”. It can allegedly meet Turkey’s gas needs for the previous 20 years.
Erdogan promised that the discovered gas would be put in public use by 2023. A day earlier, Turkish sources had said Ankara might need seven to ten years and up to $3 billion to start production in the Tuna-1 field.
The discovery of a major gas reserve could not be more relevant. Its main gas supplier, Russia’s Gazprom, has set a high price of $ 228 per thousand cubic meters, while it receives only $ 82 for exports to Europe. This was the reason for Turkey’s gradual transition to cheaper alternatives, primarily pipeline gas from Azerbaijan. The opening of a new field allows Ankara to significantly increase its own reserves, while Turkey becomes a key hub for gas from the Eastern and Mediterranean fields to Europe.
Besides Turkish drilling in the Black Sea, the TPAO’s activities continue in Eastern Mediterranean. Ankara’s unilateral activities resulted in a serious crisis with Greece, Egypt and most recently with France.
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southfront--2020-08-21--Tripoli-Based Government of National Accord Announced Nationwide Ceasefire In Libya

The Libyan Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , which is based in Tripoli , announced on August 21 a nationwide ceasefire .
A heated conflict between the GNA and the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) jeopardized the political process in the war-torn country over the last two years .
The GNA received support from Turkey and Qatar , while Egypt , the UAE and Russia backed the army .
The GNA also called for the establishment of a demilitarized zone between al-Jufra and Sirte in central Libya as well as for an agreement to preserve oil income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier , the House of Representatives ( HoR ) , allied with the LNA , called for a ceasefire in the country .
The HoR also suggested that any new Presidential Council should be based in Sirte , wich would be placed under the control of the joint police force .
Both the GNA and the HoR stressed in their statements that the political settlement should be based on the outcome of the Berlin Conference .
The ceasefire announcement was welcomed by several countries , including France , Egypt and the U.S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guard , General Naji al-Maghrabi , announced on Wednesday that the blockade on oil production in the country imposed by LNA Commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar had been lifted after over seven months .
By order of LNA Khalifa Haftar , the oil terminals and deposits will resume operation after months of closure .
Libya will export only oil accumulated in port terminals .
The decision was seen as a sign of a close political agreement with the GNA .
The new ceasefire is further evidence that an agreement between the GNA and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially from Egypt , played a key role in pushing the two sides away from a long military conflict .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Protests Against GNA In Libya , As Egypt And LNA Reject Demilitarized Sirte And Al-Jufra

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The Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), which is based in Tripoli, announced on August 21 a nationwide ceasefire.
A heated conflict between the GNA and the Libyan National Army (LNA) jeopardized the political process in the war-torn country over the last two years. The GNA received support from Turkey and Qatar, while Egypt, the UAE and Russia backed the army.
“The head of the Presidential Council of the GNA [Fayez al-Sarraj] has issued instructions to all military forces to immediately cease fire and all combat operations in all Libyan territories”, the government said in its official statement.
The GNA also called for the establishment of a demilitarized zone between al-Jufra and Sirte in central Libya as well as for an agreement to preserve oil income until a full political settlement is reached.
Earlier, the House of Representatives (HoR), allied with the LNA, called for a ceasefire in the country. The HoR also suggested that any new Presidential Council should be based in Sirte, wich would be placed under the control of the joint police force.
Both the GNA and the HoR stressed in their statements that the political settlement should be based on the outcome of the Berlin Conference.
The ceasefire announcement was welcomed by several countries, including France, Egypt and the U.S.
The head of the Petroleum Facilities Guard, General Naji al-Maghrabi, announced on Wednesday that the blockade on oil production in the country imposed by LNA Commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar had been lifted after over seven months. By order of LNA Khalifa Haftar, the oil terminals and deposits will resume operation after months of closure. Libya will export only oil accumulated in port terminals. The decision was seen as a sign of a close political agreement with the GNA.
The new ceasefire is further evidence that an agreement between the GNA and the LNA is close. International pressure, especially from Egypt, played a key role in pushing the two sides away from a long military conflict.
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southfront--2020-08-22--Foreign Jihadists In Greater Idlib Threaten HTS’ Security Forces In New Statement

Foreign jihadists in Syria ’ s Greater Idlib released a statement on August 22 , threatening the security forces of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) .
The terrorist group is in full control of the region .
In the statement , the jihadist accused HTS leader , Abu Mohamad al-Julani , of “ betraying ” and “ selling ” them , vowing to attack the checkpoints of his security forces .
“ We inform you that you are targets for us as long as you help the oppressor against the oppressed … This is a warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this disgraceful work , ” the statement reads .
The jihadists also called on HTS to release Horas al-Din commander Abu Omar Manhaj , who was after the recent battle between the group and the Fa Ithbatu Operations Room , as well as American journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem and British aid worker Tauqir Sharif Sharif was allegedly arrested for “ mismanaging ” relief funds and supporting some projects that “ incited division ” in Greater Idlib .
Abdu Kareem was arrested for promoting Sharif ’ s cause .
Both men were by HTS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HTS was recently accused by activists in Greater Idlib of pressuring foreign jihadists in order to appease the West , mainly the U.S .
The new statement by foreign jihadists highlights these accusations , which appear to be close to reality .
None of HTS fighters or commanders were killed or injured the recent U.S. drone strikes on Greater Idlib .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • None U.S .
Combat Drones Resume Operations Over Syria ’ s Greater Idlib Despite Recent Accident

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Foreign jihadists in Syria’s Greater Idlib released a statement on August 22, threatening the security forces of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which fully controls the region.
In the statement, the jihadists accused HTS leader, Abu Mohamad al-Julani, of “betraying” and “selling” them, vowing to attack the checkpoints of his security forces.
“We inform you that you are targets for us as long as you help the oppressor against the oppressed … This is a warning and a threat for you to leave this disgraceful work,” the statement reads.
The jihadists also called on HTS to release Horas al-Din commander Abu Omar Manhaj, who was arrested after the recent battle between the group and the Fa Ithbatu Operations Room, as well as American journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem and British aid worker Tauqir Sharif.
Sharif was allegedly arrested for “mismanaging” relief funds and supporting some projects that “incited division” in Greater Idlib. Abdu Kareem was arrested for promoting Sharif’s cause. Both men were arrested by HTS’ security forces earlier this month.
HTS was recently accused by activists in Greater Idlib of pressuring foreign jihadists in order to appease the West, mainly the U.S.
The new statement by foreign jihadists highlights these accusations, which appear to be close to reality. None of HTS fighters or commanders were killed or injured in the recent U.S. drone strikes on Greater Idlib.
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southfront--2020-08-22--Military Situation In Libya On August 22, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Libya : • Protest and sporadic @ @ @ @ @ town of Zawiyah ; • A Turkish C130 military cargo plane with Turkish soldiers on @ @ @ @ @ Watiyah Air Base ; • Libya ’ s Parliament president , Aguila Saleh and GNA @ @ @ @ @ an immediate ceasefire , establishment of a demilitarized zone between al-Jufra and Sirte , as @ @ @ @ @ parliamentary elections in March 2021 , making the city of Sirte a temporary seat for @ @ @ @ @ an agreement to preserve oil income until a full political settlement is reached .
MORE @ @ @ @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Libya:
Protest and sporadic gunfire were reported in the town of Zawiyah;
A Turkish C130 military cargo plane with Turkish soldiers on board reportedly landed at Al Watiyah Air Base;
Libya’s Parliament president, Aguila Saleh and GNA leader Fayez Sarraj called for an immediate ceasefire, establishment of a demilitarized zone between al-Jufra and Sirte, as well as for presidential and parliamentary elections in March 2021, making the city of Sirte a temporary seat for a new presidential council and an agreement to preserve oil income until a full political settlement is reached.
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southfront--2020-08-22--Security Forces Apprehended ISIS Coordinator In Kurdistan

Security forces in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region had apprehended a dangerous terrorist running a sleeper cell of ISIS in a raid near the region ’ s capital , Erbil , the U.S.-led coalition announced late on August 21 .
According to Col. Caggins , the terrorist was responsible for coordinating the movement of ISIS terrorists , money and weapons through the Kurdistan Region .
“ The sleeper cell that was caught in Erbil was talking to other ISIS managers – ISIS mid-level leaders – and arranging for fighters to move through Kurdistan into other regions in Iraq and Syria .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe houses and giving those fighters instructions , ” the spokesman explained to Rudaw .
The spokesman told the Kurdish network that the coalition can ’ t reveal any addition information now because it is used by the intelligence to develop additional raids .
Kurdistan is considered among Iraq ’ s safest region .
Nevertheless , ISIS terrorists maintain a small presence there .
This poses a serious security threat .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • None New Attack Targeted Iraqi Contractors Working For U.S .
Forces Near Baghdad ( Video )

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Security forces in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region had apprehended a dangerous terrorist running a sleeper cell of ISIS in a raid near the region’s capital, Erbil, the U.S.-led coalition announced late on August 21.
“Acting on a warrant, on Aug. 20, elite Kurdish Counter-Terrorism Director troops captured ISIS sleeper cell terrorists in Erbil,” Col. Myles B. Caggins III, a spokesman for the coalition, revealed in a Tweet.
According to Col. Caggins, the terrorist was responsible for coordinating the movement of ISIS terrorists, money and weapons through the Kurdistan Region.
“The sleeper cell that was caught in Erbil was talking to other ISIS managers – ISIS mid-level leaders – and arranging for fighters to move through Kurdistan into other regions in Iraq and Syria. This involves moving money, talking to safe houses and giving those fighters instructions,” the spokesman explained to Rudaw.
The spokesman told the Kurdish network that the coalition can’t reveal any addition information now because it is used by the intelligence to develop additional raids.
Kurdistan is considered among Iraq’s safest region. Nevertheless, ISIS terrorists maintain a small presence there. This poses a serious security threat.
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southfront--2020-08-22--Echo Chamber Politics: The “All About Trump” Democratic National Convention

It was hard to stomach .
The usual suspects , the usual scripts tatty from overuse .
The 2020 Democratic National Convention was a prolonged display of avoidance , evasion and theatrical amnesia .
There were moments of formality masquerading as promise : Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez nominating Senator Bernie Sanders for presidential candidate .
But it was not to be .
The decision had long been made in advance : the Democrats wanted Joe Biden , and so did Ocasio-Cortez .
“ If you were confused no worries !
” she tweeted .
“ Convention rules require roll call & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegate threshold.
” She had been asked to second the nomination for Sanders .
Few previous conventions could have been so heavily fussed with a non-attendee .
The only thing that mattered was President Donald J. Trump .
It was , in fact , the most devotional display of rage to an absent figure imaginable .
There was little in the way of substantive promise for change ; there was everything in the way of seeking restoration instead of resolution , the Democratic Bourbon Return that will do nothing to deal with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hillary Clinton got into the grievance register , playing her slightly deranged they-took-it-from me look despite claiming an initial readiness to owe Trump “ an open mind and the chance to lead.
” There had been little improvement from 2016 , no contemplative licking of wounds , merely platitudes that the Biden-Harris combination would see the rainbow of togetherness break over disturbed US skies .
Crucial to her was voting , and voting en masse .
“ Remember : Joe and Kamala can still win 3 million more votes and still lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Me .
We need numbers so overwhelming Trump can ’ t sneak or steal is way to victory.
” That ’ s the Clinton we have all come to know .
Barack Obama , delivering his address from Philadelphia , took the teacher ’ s tone to a pupil who had ceased to pay attention in class .
“ I did hope , for the sake of our country , that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously ; that he might come to feel the weight of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democracy that had been placed in his care.
” This entrustment had led to catastrophe : 170,000 Americans dead , millions of jobs lost , a reputation tarnished “ and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.
” Trump had deployed the US military as “ political props ” against peaceful protesters ; attacked the press as the enemy .
For his part , Obama mourning the flaying of the Constitution and democracy can only go so far .
His administration had an appetite for prosecutions against whistleblowers – or at the very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sidestepped Congress in 2011 in ordering unilateral air-strikes on Libya ’ s Muammar Gaddafi .
He was responsible for the dubious practice of murderous drone strikes , even against US nationals .
In December , 2016 , Conor Friedersdorf , in teasing out the implications of Obama ’ s lethal drone policy , argued that he had “ set dangerous precedents ” .
He had excluded the policy from the courts ; he had affirmed the primacy of the state in such matters and cratered much foreign real estate on the way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Donald Trump will be inaugurated into an office that presumes the authority to secretly order the extrajudicial killings of American citizens.
” As was the chosen formula for the Convention , what mattered about Biden was not being Trump .
Biden the empathiser , the decent , the believer in all , as opposed to Trump , supposedly none of those .
“ When he talks with someone who ’ s lost his job , ” reflected Obama , “ Joe remembers the night his father sat him down to say he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thick on vision or policy and certainly not reflective on his own role in bringing Trump to power in the first place .
Kamala Harris served up the prosecutorial brief on accepting the nomination for Vice President .
It was cut and dried for the chorus and the converts .
Her multi-ethnic background got an airing .
There was mention of structural racism .
There was an odd suggestion that coronavirus , despite lacking eyes , “ knows exactly how we see each other – and how we treat each other.
” There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to convince any swaying voters .
“ I know a predator when I see one.
” Debra J. Saunders of the was polite in her assessment : Harris was doing her job as her campaign wanted it done .
“ But the campaign is clueless .
And the usually sharp Harris seemed so as well.
” Again , the Clinton trap : surely , the choice for candidate is obvious , is it not ?
Only a lunatic would vote for the other fella .
Biden ’ s speech tried to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room , but it proved impossible .
Trump remained a satanic centrepiece , as he had for the entire convention .
“ If this president is re-elected we know what will happen.
” Biden tried focusing on personality , not ideas , apart from promising a “ national strategy ” against the coronavirus .
Emotion , not thought , mattered .
He knew loss .
“ I know that deep black hole that opens up in your chest … I know how mean and cruel and unfair life can be sometimes.
” To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incumbent , however , remained the lingering spectre at the gloomy feast .
“ The current President has cloaked America in darkness for much too long .
Too much anger .
Too much fear .
Too much division.
” Remove the cloak , he implored .
“ I will be an ally of the light , not of the darkness .
It ’ s time for us , for We the People , to come together.
” The Democratic National Convention left the republic as it started .
The US remains bitterly divided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desperation sundering .
Trump ’ s counter was as predictable as it was obtuse , suggesting that the chaotic ruined republic would not heal under a Biden presidency .
The Democrats “ spent four straight days attacking America as racist and a horrible country that must be redeemed.
” The incumbent is the president of lawless disorder , and he is staking a claim that the only recipe to lingering illness is to take another dose of poison .
Biden ’ s preference is for a different , distracting potion : drink it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Humpty Dumpty together again .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College , Cambridge .
He lectures at RMIT University , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
It was hard to stomach. The usual suspects, the usual scripts tatty from overuse. The 2020 Democratic National Convention was a prolonged display of avoidance, evasion and theatrical amnesia. There were moments of formality masquerading as promise: Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez nominating Senator Bernie Sanders for presidential candidate. But it was not to be. The decision had long been made in advance: the Democrats wanted Joe Biden, and so did Ocasio-Cortez. “If you were confused no worries!” she tweeted. “Convention rules require roll call & nominations for every candidate that passes the delegate threshold.” She had been asked to second the nomination for Sanders.
Few previous conventions could have been so heavily fussed with a non-attendee. The only thing that mattered was President Donald J. Trump. It was, in fact, the most devotional display of rage to an absent figure imaginable. There was little in the way of substantive promise for change; there was everything in the way of seeking restoration instead of resolution, the Democratic Bourbon Return that will do nothing to deal with the trauma patient that is the US Republic.
Hillary Clinton got into the grievance register, playing her slightly deranged they-took-it-from me look despite claiming an initial readiness to owe Trump “an open mind and the chance to lead.” There had been little improvement from 2016, no contemplative licking of wounds, merely platitudes that the Biden-Harris combination would see the rainbow of togetherness break over disturbed US skies. Crucial to her was voting, and voting en masse. “Remember: Joe and Kamala can still win 3 million more votes and still lose. Take. It. From. Me. We need numbers so overwhelming Trump can’t sneak or steal is way to victory.” That’s the Clinton we have all come to know.
Barack Obama, delivering his address from Philadelphia, took the teacher’s tone to a pupil who had ceased to pay attention in class. “I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously; that he might come to feel the weight of the office and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care.”
This entrustment had led to catastrophe: 170,000 Americans dead, millions of jobs lost, a reputation tarnished “and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.” Trump had deployed the US military as “political props” against peaceful protesters; attacked the press as the enemy. For his part, Obama mourning the flaying of the Constitution and democracy can only go so far. His administration had an appetite for prosecutions against whistleblowers – or at the very least for not stopping them. He sidestepped Congress in 2011 in ordering unilateral air-strikes on Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi. He was responsible for the dubious practice of murderous drone strikes, even against US nationals.
In December, 2016, Conor Friedersdorf, in teasing out the implications of Obama’s lethal drone policy, argued that he had “set dangerous precedents”. He had excluded the policy from the courts; he had affirmed the primacy of the state in such matters and cratered much foreign real estate on the way. “Thanks to Obama’s actions, Donald Trump will be inaugurated into an office that presumes the authority to secretly order the extrajudicial killings of American citizens.”
As was the chosen formula for the Convention, what mattered about Biden was not being Trump. Biden the empathiser, the decent, the believer in all, as opposed to Trump, supposedly none of those. “When he talks with someone who’s lost his job,” reflected Obama, “Joe remembers the night his father sat him down to say he’d lost his.” Not exactly thick on vision or policy and certainly not reflective on his own role in bringing Trump to power in the first place.
Kamala Harris served up the prosecutorial brief on accepting the nomination for Vice President. It was cut and dried for the chorus and the converts. Her multi-ethnic background got an airing. There was mention of structural racism. There was an odd suggestion that coronavirus, despite lacking eyes, “knows exactly how we see each other – and how we treat each other.” There was no intention, let alone effort, to convince any swaying voters. “I know a predator when I see one.” Debra J. Saunders of the Las Vegas Review-Journal was polite in her assessment: Harris was doing her job as her campaign wanted it done. “But the campaign is clueless. And the usually sharp Harris seemed so as well.” Again, the Clinton trap: surely, the choice for candidate is obvious, is it not? Only a lunatic would vote for the other fella.
Biden’s speech tried to avoid the mammoth elephant in the convention zoom room, but it proved impossible. Trump remained a satanic centrepiece, as he had for the entire convention. “If this president is re-elected we know what will happen.” Biden tried focusing on personality, not ideas, apart from promising a “national strategy” against the coronavirus. Emotion, not thought, mattered. He knew loss. “I know that deep black hole that opens up in your chest … I know how mean and cruel and unfair life can be sometimes.” To cope, you find purpose.
The incumbent, however, remained the lingering spectre at the gloomy feast. “The current President has cloaked America in darkness for much too long. Too much anger. Too much fear. Too much division.” Remove the cloak, he implored. “I will be an ally of the light, not of the darkness. It’s time for us, for We the People, to come together.”
The Democratic National Convention left the republic as it started. The US remains bitterly divided, its fault lines of rage and desperation sundering. Trump’s counter was as predictable as it was obtuse, suggesting that the chaotic ruined republic would not heal under a Biden presidency. The Democrats “spent four straight days attacking America as racist and a horrible country that must be redeemed.” The incumbent is the president of lawless disorder, and he is staking a claim that the only recipe to lingering illness is to take another dose of poison. Biden’s preference is for a different, distracting potion: drink it, forget and hope that someone puts Humpty Dumpty together again.
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--2020-08-22--Military Situation In Syria On August 22, 2020 (Map Update)

east syria…somethings will never change..russian-hyenas are still waiting Usa to leave…meanwhile russkies started producing drones gelios.. ( blueprint from israel @ @ @ @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
Syrian Arab Army (SAA) artillery shelled Turkish-backed militants’ positions in the villages of Fatirah and Barah;
Military convoy of the SAA’s 5th Corps arrived in the city of Deir Ezzor;
Turkey has been cutting off water supply to Hasakah for three weeks. Syrian government agencies are taking measures to provide water to the population;
The Russian Ministry of Defense called on Turkey to stop the criminal activities of its militants in Syria, as their clashes lead to civilian deaths;
On August 21, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a series of airstrikes on ISIS hideouts in the deserts of Homs and al-Suwayda.
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