southfront--2020-06-04--US Imposes More Sanctions Against Venezuela, This Time Punishing Maritime Shipping Companies

The United States extended its unilateral sanctions regime on Venezuela ’ s oil industry on Tuesday , focusing this time on maritime companies who have been assisting the Latin American country in getting its crude oil to market , the U.S. Department of the Treasury said on Tuesday .
Such accusations by US officials seem somewhat surreal given current developments in their own country .
A more plausible explanation is that the US leadership is seeking some way to restore its ego after its humiliation by Venezuela and Iran , who successfully completed a shipment of five tankers of fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil refineries over the last few weeks , with the last of the Iranian vessels arriving to Venezuelan waters on Monday .
The US government did everything possible to prevent the shipments from arriving , and made threats that implied a possible interception of the shipments by force .
The latest measures by the US Treasury target the Panamanian-flagged , the Maltese-flagged , the Bahamian-flagged and the Marshall Islands-flagged .
The owners are Afranav Maritime , Seacomber , Adamant Maritime and Sanibel Shiptrade respectively .
The appears to be chartered by Chevron at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cargo to the Asia Pacific region .
It is listing Ningbao , China , as its destination , based on AIS data from Fleetmon .
Shipping data show the is off Italy ’ s coast , en route from Taranto to Milazzo .
The left the UAE port of Fujairah today and is heading for the Suez Canal .
The is at anchor offshore Malaysia , having travelled there from the Caribbean .
LINK The action enforcing a strict sanctions regime against Caracas followed recent deliveries to Venezuela of gasoline and alkylate from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The US has not been able to exact a similar vengeance for defying its dictates in the case of the Iranian fuel shipments as all of the vessels involved are owned by Iran , which is already subject to as comprehensive a set of sanctions as the US has been able to devise .
In the case of Iran there is not much more that the US could sanction .
“ I wish that it had not gotten there , ” US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said in a podcast interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will happen again , and the world should watch as we do everything we can to make sure that we enforce these sanctions in ways that make sense for the American people.
” Pompeo claimed the US disrupted transit of four additional tankers that loaded Iranian products to transport to Venezuela , but did not offer any proof .
Two of the tankers referenced by Pompeo are the and the The appears to have turned off its transponder in the Mediterranean , based on shipping data .
The changed course near Greece after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signalling a delivery in Asia .
MORE ON THE TOPIC • As Showdown Looms Over Iran ’ s Oil Shipments To Venezuela US Nato Forces Poised For Possible Interception • Venezuela : US Maximum Pressure Continues , More Details Of Failed Mercenary Attack Revealed

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The United States extended its unilateral sanctions regime on Venezuela’s oil industry on Tuesday, focusing this time on maritime companies who have been assisting the Latin American country in getting its crude oil to market, the U.S. Department of the Treasury said on Tuesday.
“The illegitimate Maduro regime has enlisted the help of maritime companies and their vessels to continue the exploitation of Venezuela’s natural resources for the regime’s profit,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said, adding that the US will continue to target anyone to supports Maduro’s regime and contributes “to the suffering of the Venezuelan people.”
Such accusations by US officials seem somewhat surreal given current developments in their own country. A more plausible explanation is that the US leadership is seeking some way to restore its ego after its humiliation by Venezuela and Iran, who successfully completed a shipment of five tankers of fuel and chemical precursors for Venezuela’s oil refineries over the last few weeks, with the last of the Iranian vessels arriving to Venezuelan waters on Monday. The US government did everything possible to prevent the shipments from arriving, and made threats that implied a possible interception of the shipments by force.
The latest measures by the US Treasury target the Panamanian-flagged Athens Voyager, the Maltese-flagged Chios I, the Bahamian-flagged Seahero and the Marshall Islands-flagged Voyager I. The owners are Afranav Maritime, Seacomber, Adamant Maritime and Sanibel Shiptrade respectively.
The Seahero appears to be chartered by Chevron at the moment, carrying a US crude cargo to the Asia Pacific region. It is listing Ningbao, China, as its destination, based on AIS data from Fleetmon. Shipping data show the Chios I is off Italy’s coast, en route from Taranto to Milazzo. The Athens Voyager left the UAE port of Fujairah today and is heading for the Suez Canal. The Voyager I is at anchor offshore Malaysia, having travelled there from the Caribbean. LINK
The action enforcing a strict sanctions regime against Caracas followed recent deliveries to Venezuela of gasoline and alkylate from Iran, another target of US sanctions. The US has not been able to exact a similar vengeance for defying its dictates in the case of the Iranian fuel shipments as all of the vessels involved are owned by Iran, which is already subject to as comprehensive a set of sanctions as the US has been able to devise. In the case of Iran there is not much more that the US could sanction.
“I wish that it had not gotten there,” US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said in a podcast interview yesterday. “We know that this will happen again, and the world should watch as we do everything we can to make sure that we enforce these sanctions in ways that make sense for the American people.”
Pompeo claimed the US disrupted transit of four additional tankers that loaded Iranian products to transport to Venezuela, but did not offer any proof.
Two of the tankers referenced by Pompeo are the Bella and the Bering. The Bella appears to have turned off its transponder in the Mediterranean, based on shipping data. The Bering changed course near Greece after transiting the Suez canal and is now signalling a delivery in Asia.
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southfront--2020-06-04--OPEC+ Prepares To Meet To Discuss Production Levels But Disagreements Remain

The oil war between major oil producers that commended in March of this year when Saudi Arabia began offering unprecedented discounts and flooding the market in an attempt to capture a larger share of the market from other oil producers caused the biggest oil price fall for over 20 years .
It all began on March 8 when Riyadh cut its April pricing for crude sales to Asia by $ 4- $ 6 a barrel and to the U.S. by $ 7 a barrel .
The Kingdom expanded the discount for its flagship Arab Light crude to refiners in northwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it at $ 10.25 a barrel under the Brent benchmark .
In comparison , Russia ’ s Urals crude trades at a discount of about $ 2 a barrel under Brent .
These actions became an attack at the ability of Russia to sell crude in Europe .
The Russian rouble immediately plummeted almost 10 % falling to its lowest level in more than four years .
The formal pretext of this campaign was the inability of the OPEC+ ( a meeting of representatives of member states of the Organization of the Petroleum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extend output limitation agreements .
Although it had a serious impact on strategic rivals and ‘ adversaries ’ of the Saudi ’ s and their principal patron and weapons supplier the US ( particularly Russia , Iran , Venezuela ) , it also seriously affected the revenues and economies of the Saudis themselves as well as all other major producers ( with very serious consequences in Iraq given the country ’ s precarious political , security and economic situation ) .
As oil prices begin to recover from the plunge in prices and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet soon to discuss an extension to existing cuts oil , which were agreed upon in an attempt to push up oil prices from their record lows .
The Saudis now appear to be seeking support from other OPEC + members to keep production levels lower for longer .
Any changes to the existing deal — struck in April as energy demand and prices collapsed because of the coronavirus pandemic – depend in large part on negotiations between Moscow and Riyadh .
Although Russia has indicated it wants to start easing the cuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries have pledged to continue discussions on coordination of oil production rates .
The alliance scheduled its biggest cuts — the largest coordinated supply restrictions in the oil market ’ s history — for May and June , when they figured the worst of the pandemic ’ s effects would be felt .
Prices have rebounded but are still far below desirable levels for many OPEC+ members , and with the global economy only just starting to recover , many members are pushing to maintain the deeper cuts .
According to media reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to modifying the agreement is a disagreement between the Saudis and Russia over the length of a possible extension , though another major problem is ensuring compliance with agreements .
The 23-nation coalition of OPEC and its allies committed to lowering output by 9.7 million barrels a day , or about 10 % of global supply , in May and June .
In addition , Saudi Arabia , Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates made further voluntary cuts of about 1.2 million barrels a day for June , bringing the total OPEC+ curbs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those cuts are meant to be eased to about 7.7 million barrels a day in July , followed by an additional tapering at the start of 2021 .
Nigeria and the state oil company of Abu Dhabi , the United Arab Emirates ’ capital , have already announced plans to increase exports next month .
To ensure OPEC+ responds quickly to developments , meetings of either the entire group or the ministerial committee that oversees the deal made in April could occur as often as every month over the summer .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cartel more flexibility to change its current production limits .
OPEC members usually decide their plans for shipping oil to customers for July in the first week of June , so an earlier meeting would give them more time to react .
MORE ON THE TOPIC • Saudi-Initiated All-Out Oil War Could Lead To Collapse Of Kingdom Itself

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The oil war between major oil producers that commended in March of this year when Saudi Arabia began offering unprecedented discounts and flooding the market in an attempt to capture a larger share of the market from other oil producers caused the biggest oil price fall for over 20 years.
It all began on March 8 when Riyadh cut its April pricing for crude sales to Asia by $4-$6 a barrel and to the U.S. by $7 a barrel. The Kingdom expanded the discount for its flagship Arab Light crude to refiners in northwest Europe by $8 a barrel offering it at $10.25 a barrel under the Brent benchmark.
In comparison, Russia’s Urals crude trades at a discount of about $2 a barrel under Brent. These actions became an attack at the ability of Russia to sell crude in Europe. The Russian rouble immediately plummeted almost 10% falling to its lowest level in more than four years.
The formal pretext of this campaign was the inability of the OPEC+ (a meeting of representatives of member states of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-OPEC members) to extend output limitation agreements. Although it had a serious impact on strategic rivals and ‘adversaries’ of the Saudi’s and their principal patron and weapons supplier the US (particularly Russia, Iran, Venezuela), it also seriously affected the revenues and economies of the Saudis themselves as well as all other major producers (with very serious consequences in Iraq given the country’s precarious political, security and economic situation).
As oil prices begin to recover from the plunge in prices and demand, OPEC + is set to meet soon to discuss an extension to existing cuts oil, which were agreed upon in an attempt to push up oil prices from their record lows.
The Saudis now appear to be seeking support from other OPEC + members to keep production levels lower for longer. Any changes to the existing deal — struck in April as energy demand and prices collapsed because of the coronavirus pandemic – depend in large part on negotiations between Moscow and Riyadh. Although Russia has indicated it wants to start easing the cuts next month as planned, the two countries have pledged to continue discussions on coordination of oil production rates.
The alliance scheduled its biggest cuts — the largest coordinated supply restrictions in the oil market’s history — for May and June, when they figured the worst of the pandemic’s effects would be felt.
Prices have rebounded but are still far below desirable levels for many OPEC+ members, and with the global economy only just starting to recover, many members are pushing to maintain the deeper cuts. According to media reports and official statements, the main impediment to modifying the agreement is a disagreement between the Saudis and Russia over the length of a possible extension, though another major problem is ensuring compliance with agreements.
The 23-nation coalition of OPEC and its allies committed to lowering output by 9.7 million barrels a day, or about 10% of global supply, in May and June. In addition, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates made further voluntary cuts of about 1.2 million barrels a day for June, bringing the total OPEC+ curbs to almost 11 million barrels a day.
Those cuts are meant to be eased to about 7.7 million barrels a day in July, followed by an additional tapering at the start of 2021. Nigeria and the state oil company of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates’ capital, have already announced plans to increase exports next month.
To ensure OPEC+ responds quickly to developments, meetings of either the entire group or the ministerial committee that oversees the deal made in April could occur as often as every month over the summer.
An earlier meeting date would give the oil cartel more flexibility to change its current production limits. OPEC members usually decide their plans for shipping oil to customers for July in the first week of June, so an earlier meeting would give them more time to react.
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southfront--2020-06-04--Chinese Aircraft Carrier Shandong Embarks On First Sea Trials

China ’ s newest aircraft carrier , Type 001A ( Hull 17 ) , is conducting its first sea trials , just two months before it is scheduled to embark on a series of controversial exercises and manoeuvres that will take it into Taiwanese coastal waters for what will presumably be a ‘ mock ’ invasion exercise before proceeding to the Philippines Sea and South China Sea .
departed the Dalian Shipyard on May 25 to test the ship ’ s weapons and equipment , to train crew members and enhance the carrier ’ s ability to conduct missions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for China ’ s Ministry of National Defence , confirmed on Friday during a media briefing .
Footage of , released by the ministry , shows the carrier launching and recovering Shenyang J-15 fighters .
is China ’ s People ’ s Liberation Army Navy ’ s second aircraft carrier , but the first one built domestically .
China ’ s other carrier is , which was initially built by the Soviet Union .
China spent years refitting the carrier before putting it into service in 2012 .
The carrier was reported operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sea , according to an account in The South China Morning Post , which first reported sea trials .
The report also comments that the trials were delayed due to the Covid-19 outbreak .
China started constructing in November 2013 at Dalian Shipbuilding , a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp , according to China ’ s Ministry of National Defence .
has a displacement of at least 49,000 tons and a conventional propulsion system , and can carry 36 J-15 fighter jets , 50 % more than the .
Both are based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ski jump ” -style flight deck for take-offs rather than the flat decks used by much larger U.S. aircraft carriers .
It is powered by a conventional , oil-fuelled steam turbine power plant , compared to the nuclear fuel used by US carriers and submarines , which can generally carry around 60 aircraft or more .
The Shandong ’ s commissioning last year by Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the country ’ s rise as a regional naval power at a time of tensions with the U.S. and others over trade , Taiwan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s first aircraft carrier , the Liaoning , returned to its home port of Qingdao in late April after nearly a month of training on the high seas .
According to military analysts , the warship was joined by at least five escort vessels , and the drills showed its crew had not been affected by the coronavirus pandemic and that it remained combat-ready .
left for sea trials just days after the White House released a report criticizing China ’ s expanding use of economic and military power to coerce nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The report , United States Strategic Approach to the People ’ s Republic of China , was released on May 20 as required by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 .
On Friday , during the briefing confirming sea trials , Ren responded to the White House report ’ s allegations .
“ The current situation in the South China Sea is generally stable .
The United States sent warships and aircraft to the South China Sea to carry out the so-called freedom of navigation operations to conduct close-in reconnaissance against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold targeted military exercises .
These operations are the real drivers for militarization of the South China Sea .
China urges the U.S. side to respect the efforts made by the countries in the region to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and make more positive and constructive efforts , ” Ren said in a briefing released by the ministry .
The was commissioned in December last year and passed through the Taiwan Strait during its maiden voyage , shortly after its commissioning and just weeks before Taiwan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
MORE ON THE TOPIC • Taiwan Becomes New Focal Point In The Escalating US China Standoff

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China’s newest aircraft carrier, Type 001A Shandong (Hull 17), is conducting its first sea trials, just two months before it is scheduled to embark on a series of controversial exercises and manoeuvres that will take it into Taiwanese coastal waters for what will presumably be a ‘mock’ invasion exercise before proceeding to the Philippines Sea and South China Sea.
Shandong departed the Dalian Shipyard on May 25 to test the ship’s weapons and equipment, to train crew members and enhance the carrier’s ability to conduct missions, Senior Col. Ren Guoqiang, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of National Defence, confirmed on Friday during a media briefing.
Footage of Shandong, released by the ministry, shows the carrier launching and recovering Shenyang J-15 fighters. Shandong is China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy’s second aircraft carrier, but the first one built domestically. China’s other carrier is Liaoning, which was initially built by the Soviet Union. China spent years refitting the carrier before putting it into service in 2012.
“The PLA Navy is conducting sea trials and training exercises for aircraft carrier Shandong in accordance with the annual training plan,” Ren said.
The carrier was reported operating in the northern region of the Yellow Sea, according to an account in The South China Morning Post, which first reported Shandong’s sea trials. The report also comments that the trials were delayed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
China started constructing Shandong in November 2013 at Dalian Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp, according to China’s Ministry of National Defence. Shandong has a displacement of at least 49,000 tons and a conventional propulsion system, and can carry 36 J-15 fighter jets, 50% more than the Liaoning.
Both are based on a Soviet design with a ”ski jump”-style flight deck for take-offs rather than the flat decks used by much larger U.S. aircraft carriers. It is powered by a conventional, oil-fuelled steam turbine power plant, compared to the nuclear fuel used by US carriers and submarines, which can generally carry around 60 aircraft or more.
The Shandong’s commissioning last year by Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the country’s rise as a regional naval power at a time of tensions with the U.S. and others over trade, Taiwan and the South China Sea.
China’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, returned to its home port of Qingdao in late April after nearly a month of training on the high seas. According to military analysts, the warship was joined by at least five escort vessels, and the drills showed its crew had not been affected by the coronavirus pandemic and that it remained combat-ready.
Shandong left for sea trials just days after the White House released a report criticizing China’s expanding use of economic and military power to coerce nations to adopt China’s world view. The report, United States Strategic Approach to the People’s Republic of China, was released on May 20 as required by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019.
“Beijing contradicts its rhetoric and flouts its commitments to its neighbours by engaging in provocative and coercive military and paramilitary activities in the Yellow Sea, the East and South China Seas, the Taiwan Strait, and Sino-Indian border areas,” the White House report asserts.
On Friday, during the briefing confirming Shandong’s sea trials, Ren responded to the White House report’s allegations.
“The current situation in the South China Sea is generally stable. The United States sent warships and aircraft to the South China Sea to carry out the so-called freedom of navigation operations to conduct close-in reconnaissance against China’s islands and reefs and hold targeted military exercises. These operations are the real drivers for militarization of the South China Sea. China urges the U.S. side to respect the efforts made by the countries in the region to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and make more positive and constructive efforts,” Ren said in a briefing released by the ministry.
The Shandong was commissioned in December last year and passed through the Taiwan Strait during its maiden voyage, shortly after its commissioning and just weeks before Taiwan’s most recent presidential election held in January.
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southfront--2020-06-04--First US Troops Arrive In Colombia Pursuant To Latest Deployment

As in many places around the world , Colombians seem to be emerging from the state of virus-induced shock and paralysis and are taking a renewed interest in political developments .
One of the topics that has dominated the news in recent days is the abrupt announcement by the US Embassy in Bogota on 28 May of an imminent additional US troop deployment to Colombia ( giving less than a week ’ s notice of their arrival – they were due to arrive on 1 June ) .
At least 50 members of the national Congress from nine political parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duque Márquez on Monday , requesting an explanation from the National Government about the deployment of at least 50 US military personnel to Colombian territory .
According to what has been said by the Ministry Defence , the troops will provide assistance in the fight against drug trafficking .
The second is based on what was stated by the President of the Congress of the Republic , Senator Lidio García , when he asked why the Executive has not asked the Legislature for permission to authorize the transit of foreign troops in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution .
The ‘ military assistance ’ , as it has been called , will take effect from 1 June and , according to the United States Southern Command , it is the first time in history that support of this nature has been provided to an allied country in the Latin American region .
However , several political sectors in the Congress have questioned such assistance , taking into account the recent threats by the United States government against the President of Venezuela , Nicolás Maduro .
It is even said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision to send US troops to Colombia at this moment .
Defence Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said on Monday that there would be a total of 52 soldiers and that they would advise and train the Colombian army in the fight against drug trafficking , without participating in military operations .
The move has sparked a political storm , and Trujillo has been summoned to appear before the Senate to explain why he did not consult Congress .
said 48 troops landed on Monday , while Trujillo gave Tuesday as the arrival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks in a Covid-19 quarantine , the minister said in a television interview .
During their four months in Colombia , some of the troops are due to stay in Bogota , while others will be deployed in regions in the south , north-east and centre that are wracked by violence , corruption , illegal armed groups and organized crime .
In a separate action , opposition Senators Iván Cepeda and Antonio Sanguino announced that they will file a Disciplinary Complaint against the High Commissioner for Peace for violating the Constitution and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Peace Accords .
The senators questioned the foreign policy of Colombian President Iván Duque on Tuesday ( 2 June ) , following the arrival of the first US troops in national territory , as well as the government ’ s hostile position against Cuba , the one of the guarantor nations of the Peace Accords between Colombia and the FARC-EP .
The Opposition Caucus expressed its solidarity with Cuba and condemned the national Executive ’ s hostile attitude against the island notwithstanding its being a guarantor of the Peace Accords .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favour of maintaining the illegal US economic , financial and commercial blockade against the Cuban people .
The parliamentarians also denounced the foreign affairs minister , Claudia Blum , and the High Commissioner for Peace , Miguel Ceballos , for obstructing the implementation of the Peace Accords signed in 2016 .
Finally , both Cepeda and Sanguino will file a Disciplinary Complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation against Ceballos for violating the Magna Carta and failing to comply with the implementation of the Agreements , which are guaranteed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC • After Failed Mercenary Incursion , US to Deploy Special Force Assistance Brigade on Border With Venezuela • As Showdown Looms Over Iran ’ s Oil Shipments to Venezuela , US & Nato Forces Poised For Possible Interception

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As in many places around the world, Colombians seem to be emerging from the state of virus-induced shock and paralysis and are taking a renewed interest in political developments. One of the topics that has dominated the news in recent days is the abrupt announcement by the US Embassy in Bogota on 28 May of an imminent additional US troop deployment to Colombia (giving less than a week’s notice of their arrival – they were due to arrive on 1 June).
At least 50 members of the national Congress from nine political parties sent a letter to Colombian President Iván Duque Márquez on Monday, requesting an explanation from the National Government about the deployment of at least 50 US military personnel to Colombian territory. According to what has been said by the Ministry Defence, the troops will provide assistance in the fight against drug trafficking.
The document sent to the presidency has two specific requests. The first asks the Government “to explain the reasons why public opinion was informed through a press release from the Embassy of the United States of America, about the presence of troops from that country in the national territory and not through a statement from the Colombian government.”
The second is based on what was stated by the President of the Congress of the Republic, Senator Lidio García, when he asked why the Executive has not asked the Legislature for permission to authorize the transit of foreign troops in the territory, as required by the Colombian Constitution.
“Please submit a report to the Congress as soon as possible, explaining in detail the nature, objectives and conditions of the foreign military presence in our country so that it may be submitted for our consideration,” says the letter sent to the Presidency.
The ‘military assistance’, as it has been called, will take effect from 1 June and, according to the United States Southern Command, it is the first time in history that support of this nature has been provided to an allied country in the Latin American region.
“Colombia and the United States have signed cooperation agreements on military matters for several decades (…) at no time will there be transit of foreign troops or participation in military operations. Military operations are carried out exclusively by Colombian troops,” Defence Minister Carlos Trujillo claimed.
However, several political sectors in the Congress have questioned such assistance, taking into account the recent threats by the United States government against the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro. It is even said that this would be the best explaination for the decision to send US troops to Colombia at this moment.
Defence Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said on Monday that there would be a total of 52 soldiers and that they would advise and train the Colombian army in the fight against drug trafficking, without participating in military operations.
The move has sparked a political storm, and Trujillo has been summoned to appear before the Senate to explain why he did not consult Congress.
El Tiempo said 48 troops landed on Monday, while Trujillo gave Tuesday as the arrival date.
The soldiers will first spend two weeks in a Covid-19 quarantine, the minister said in a television interview.
During their four months in Colombia, some of the troops are due to stay in Bogota, while others will be deployed in regions in the south, north-east and centre that are wracked by violence, corruption, illegal armed groups and organized crime.
In a separate action, opposition Senators Iván Cepeda and Antonio Sanguino announced that they will file a Disciplinary Complaint against the High Commissioner for Peace for violating the Constitution and failing to comply with the implementation of the Peace Accords.
The senators questioned the foreign policy of Colombian President Iván Duque on Tuesday (2 June), following the arrival of the first US troops in national territory, as well as the government’s hostile position against Cuba, the one of the guarantor nations of the Peace Accords between Colombia and the FARC-EP.
“Never before has Colombia been as submissive, as subservient to the politics of the United States (USA) as it is today. This government is serving the most unpopular foreign policy in the world, a policy that has been ordered by the most radical and extreme factions of the White House,” Senator Iván Cepeda stated.
The Opposition Caucus expressed its solidarity with Cuba and condemned the national Executive’s hostile attitude against the island notwithstanding its being a guarantor of the Peace Accords. They also rejected Duque’s vote in favour of maintaining the illegal US economic, financial and commercial blockade against the Cuban people.
The parliamentarians also denounced the foreign affairs minister, Claudia Blum, and the High Commissioner for Peace, Miguel Ceballos, for obstructing the implementation of the Peace Accords signed in 2016.
“Cuba is a guarantor of peace in Colombia. The government today is on the side of the most undemocratic and totalitarian forces on the international spectrum. Next to the governments of Trump and Bolsonaro. That shameful position has to stop,” said Cepeda.”
Finally, both Cepeda and Sanguino will file a Disciplinary Complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation against Ceballos for violating the Magna Carta and failing to comply with the implementation of the Agreements, which are guaranteed by international law.
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southfront--2020-06-04--Russian Project 20380 Corvette Transported From Amur Shipyard To Vladivostok Via Floating Transport

Russian Project 20380 Corvette Transported From Amur Shipyard To Vladivostok Via Floating Transport Dock (Photos)

On June 3rd , the transportation of the project 20380 Steregushchiy-class corvette “ Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov ” began from PJSC Amur Shipbuilding Plant on the Amur River to Vladivostok .
It is being carried out by using the Zeya transport floating dock .
It is reported that the transportation via the Zeya floating transport dock was delayed several times due to weather conditions .
On June 3rd , at the end of the working day , the sailing nevertheless took place .
The tugboats of the Khabarovsk river navigation helped to get into the Zeya water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dock will move only during daylight hours .
The act of technical readiness of the ship for the settlement of the crew was signed on May 29th .
All life support systems , the galley , work on the corvette are now complete .
At the delivery base in Vladivostok , the corvette will undergo mooring tests , checks of all systems and weapons .
The official settlement of the team on the corvette is scheduled for June 25th .
The third and fourth project 20380 corvettes are being built at the Amur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 4th , 2015 .
The deadline for the state contract is 2020 .
The laying ceremony for the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy corvette “ Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov ” of project 20380 ( serial number 2103 ) was held at the Shipyard on July 22nd , 2015 .
On September 12th , 2019 , a ceremony was held to withdraw the corvette from the boathouse of the plant to the outfitting and transport and launch the Zeya floating dock , and on October 21st , 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floating dock .
From the previous corvettes of project 20380 , the Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov and Rezkiy ( which is the other project 20380 corvette being built at the Amur Shipyard ) corvettes differ mainly in the installation of the new Zaslon multifunctional radar system with the placement of fixed antennas in a tower-like superstructure , similar to the project 20385 corvettes .
There are also rumors that the Amur Shipyard may receive an order in 2021 to construct 10 more project 20380 corvettes for the Pacific Fleet by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 180 billion rubles ( $ 2.6 billion ) .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Russia ’ s Project 20380 Corvettes To Be Equipped With “ Zaslon ” Radar , To Protect Coastal Cities and Monitor NATO Activity • New Project 20380 Corvette Launched For the Russian Navy • Russia To Accelerate Testing Of Hypersonic Weapons , Start Serial Production Of Sarmat ICBM

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On June 3rd, the transportation of the project 20380 Steregushchiy-class corvette “Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov” began from PJSC Amur Shipbuilding Plant on the Amur River to Vladivostok.
It is being carried out by using the Zeya transport floating dock.
It is reported that the transportation via the Zeya floating transport dock was delayed several times due to weather conditions.
On June 3rd, at the end of the working day, the sailing nevertheless took place.
The tugboats of the Khabarovsk river navigation helped to get into the Zeya water area. In Amur, the floating dock will move only during daylight hours.
The act of technical readiness of the ship for the settlement of the crew was signed on May 29th. All life support systems, the galley, work on the corvette are now complete.
At the delivery base in Vladivostok, the corvette will undergo mooring tests, checks of all systems and weapons. The official settlement of the team on the corvette is scheduled for June 25th.
The third and fourth project 20380 corvettes are being built at the Amur shipyard, and their construction began on June 4th, 2015.
The deadline for the state contract is 2020. The laying ceremony for the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy corvette “Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov” of project 20380 (serial number 2103) was held at the Shipyard on July 22nd, 2015.
On September 12th, 2019, a ceremony was held to withdraw the corvette from the boathouse of the plant to the outfitting and transport and launch the Zeya floating dock, and on October 21st, 2019, the ship was physically launched from the floating dock.
From the previous corvettes of project 20380, the Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov and Rezkiy (which is the other project 20380 corvette being built at the Amur Shipyard) corvettes differ mainly in the installation of the new Zaslon multifunctional radar system with the placement of fixed antennas in a tower-like superstructure, similar to the project 20385 corvettes.
There are also rumors that the Amur Shipyard may receive an order in 2021 to construct 10 more project 20380 corvettes for the Pacific Fleet by 2035. The estimated worth sits at 180 billion rubles ($2.6 billion).
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southfront--2020-06-04--Jim Mattis Denounces Trump, Potentially Spelling Bad Days Ahead For U.S. President

Former US Secretary of Defense and retired four-star Marine Corps General Jim Mattis denounced US President Donald Trump and described him as a threat to the US constitution .
This is the first time Jim Mattis expresses any opinion on Trump following his resignation as Secretary of Defense back in December 2018 in protest of the President ’ s Syria policy .
Mattis accused Trump of dividing the nation , and that ordering the US military to violate the constitutional rights of the American people .
“ I have watched this week ’ s unfolding events , angry and appalled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words ‘ Equal Justice Under Law ’ are carved in the pediment of the United States Supreme Court .
This is precisely what protesters are rightly demanding .
It is a wholesome and unifying demand—one that all of us should be able to get behind .
We must not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers .
The protests are defined by tens of thousands of people of conscience who are insisting that we live up to our values—our values as people and our values as a nation.
” He goes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution.
” Mattis emphasized that what Trump was doing was essentially setting Americans against one another .
“ Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try .
Instead , he tries to divide us , ” Mattis writes .
“ We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort .
We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership .
We can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strengths inherent in our civil society .
This will not be easy , as the past few days have shown , but we owe it to our fellow citizens ; to past generations that bled to defend our promise ; and to our children.
” He also reminded what the US troops were told when they had to arrive on the shores of Normandy to fight against the Nazis .
In a previous interview in 2019 , Mattis said that there would be a period of silence , which he owed , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mattis makes it clear that the president ’ s response to the police killing of George Floyd , and the ensuing protests , triggered this public condemnation .
This is a worrisome sign for Donald Trump , since this shows that an esteemed four-star general , and former commander of the US Marine Corps disagrees with him , this is showing that a large part of the US Armed Forces are likely of the same opinion , and those who were in doubt may have received an impetus from Jim Mattis ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marine Corps commander , four-star General Jim Mattis is the following : I have watched this week ’ s unfolding events , angry and appalled .
The words “ Equal Justice Under Law ” are carved in the pediment of the United States Supreme Court .
This is precisely what protesters are rightly demanding .
It is a wholesome and unifying demand—one that all of us should be able to get behind .
We must not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers .
The protests are defined by tens of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we live up to our values—our values as people and our values as a nation .
When I joined the military , some 50 years ago , I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution .
Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens—much less to provide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander-in-chief , with military leadership standing alongside .
We must reject any thinking of our cities as a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called upon to “ dominate.
” At home , we should use our military only when requested to do so , on very rare occasions , by state governors .
Militarizing our response , as we witnessed in Washington , D.C. , sets up a conflict—a false conflict—between the military and civilian society .
It erodes the moral ground that ensures a trusted bond between men and women in uniform and the society they are sworn to protect , and of which they themselves are a part .
Keeping public order rests with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand their communities and are answerable to them .
James Madison wrote in Federalist 14 that “ America united with a handful of troops , or without a single soldier , exhibits a more forbidding posture to foreign ambition than America disunited , with a hundred thousand veterans ready for combat.
” We do not need to militarize our response to protests .
We need to unite around a common purpose .
And it starts by guaranteeing that all of us are equal before the law .
Instructions given by the military departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reminded soldiers that “ The Nazi slogan for destroying us…was ‘ Divide and Conquer.
’ Our American answer is ‘ In Union there is Strength.
’ ” We must summon that unity to surmount this crisis—confident that we are better than our politics .
Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try .
Instead he tries to divide us .
We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort .
We are witnessing the consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We can unite without him , drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society .
This will not be easy , as the past few days have shown , but we owe it to our fellow citizens ; to past generations that bled to defend our promise ; and to our children .
We can come through this trying time stronger , and with a renewed sense of purpose and respect for one another .
The pandemic has shown us that it is not only our troops who are willing to offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community .
Americans in hospitals , grocery stores , post offices , and elsewhere have put their lives on the line in order to serve their fellow citizens and their country .
We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Square .
We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution .
At the same time , we must remember Lincoln ’ s “ better angels , ” and listen to them , as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new path—which means , in truth , returning to the original path of our founding ideals—will we again be a country admired and respected at home and abroad.
” MORE ON THE TOPIC : • At Least 11 Killed In U.S .
Protests So Far , As Violence Appears To Escalate • Death Toll Grows As Result Of Protests In United States As More And More Cities Are Put Under Curfew • 2020 : The Year The Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Went To “ Check On The Troops ” In D.C @ @

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Former US Secretary of Defense and retired four-star Marine Corps General Jim Mattis denounced US President Donald Trump and described him as a threat to the US constitution.
This is the first time Jim Mattis expresses any opinion on Trump following his resignation as Secretary of Defense back in December 2018 in protest of the President’s Syria policy.
Mattis accused Trump of dividing the nation, and that ordering the US military to violate the constitutional rights of the American people.
“I have watched this week’s unfolding events, angry and appalled,” Mattis writes. “The words ‘Equal Justice Under Law’ are carved in the pediment of the United States Supreme Court. This is precisely what protesters are rightly demanding. It is a wholesome and unifying demand—one that all of us should be able to get behind. We must not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers. The protests are defined by tens of thousands of people of conscience who are insisting that we live up to our values—our values as people and our values as a nation.” He goes on, “We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution.”
Mattis emphasized that what Trump was doing was essentially setting Americans against one another.
“Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us,” Mattis writes. “We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership. We can unite without him, drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society. This will not be easy, as the past few days have shown, but we owe it to our fellow citizens; to past generations that bled to defend our promise; and to our children.”
He also reminded what the US troops were told when they had to arrive on the shores of Normandy to fight against the Nazis.
“Instructions given by the military departments to our troops before the Normandy invasion reminded soldiers that ‘The Nazi slogan for destroying us … was “Divide and Conquer.” Our American answer is “In Union there is Strength.”’ We must summon that unity to surmount this crisis—confident that we are better than our politics.”
In a previous interview in 2019, Mattis said that there would be a period of silence, which he owed, but that it wouldn’t last forever.
Mattis makes it clear that the president’s response to the police killing of George Floyd, and the ensuing protests, triggered this public condemnation.
This is a worrisome sign for Donald Trump, since this shows that an esteemed four-star general, and former commander of the US Marine Corps disagrees with him, this is showing that a large part of the US Armed Forces are likely of the same opinion, and those who were in doubt may have received an impetus from Jim Mattis’ words.
The entire statement by retired Marine Corps commander, four-star General Jim Mattis is the following:
“In Union There Is Strength I have watched this week’s unfolding events, angry and appalled. The words “Equal Justice Under Law” are carved in the pediment of the United States Supreme Court. This is precisely what protesters are rightly demanding. It is a wholesome and unifying demand—one that all of us should be able to get behind. We must not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers. The protests are defined by tens of thousands of people of conscience who are insisting that we live up to our values—our values as people and our values as a nation. When I joined the military, some 50 years ago, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution. Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens—much less to provide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander-in-chief, with military leadership standing alongside. We must reject any thinking of our cities as a “battlespace” that our uniformed military is called upon to “dominate.” At home, we should use our military only when requested to do so, on very rare occasions, by state governors. Militarizing our response, as we witnessed in Washington, D.C., sets up a conflict—a false conflict—between the military and civilian society. It erodes the moral ground that ensures a trusted bond between men and women in uniform and the society they are sworn to protect, and of which they themselves are a part. Keeping public order rests with civilian state and local leaders who best understand their communities and are answerable to them. James Madison wrote in Federalist 14 that “America united with a handful of troops, or without a single soldier, exhibits a more forbidding posture to foreign ambition than America disunited, with a hundred thousand veterans ready for combat.” We do not need to militarize our response to protests. We need to unite around a common purpose. And it starts by guaranteeing that all of us are equal before the law. Instructions given by the military departments to our troops before the Normandy invasion reminded soldiers that “The Nazi slogan for destroying us…was ‘Divide and Conquer.’ Our American answer is ‘In Union there is Strength.’” We must summon that unity to surmount this crisis—confident that we are better than our politics. Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership. We can unite without him, drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society. This will not be easy, as the past few days have shown, but we owe it to our fellow citizens; to past generations that bled to defend our promise; and to our children. We can come through this trying time stronger, and with a renewed sense of purpose and respect for one another. The pandemic has shown us that it is not only our troops who are willing to offer the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of the community. Americans in hospitals, grocery stores, post offices, and elsewhere have put their lives on the line in order to serve their fellow citizens and their country. We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Square. We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution. At the same time, we must remember Lincoln’s “better angels,” and listen to them, as we work to unite. Only by adopting a new path—which means, in truth, returning to the original path of our founding ideals—will we again be a country admired and respected at home and abroad.”
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-06-04--Russia Orders 5 Angara-A5 Heavy Space Launch Vehicles

On June 3rd , the Russian Ministry of Defense ordered four Angara-A5 heavy space launch vehicles , Vedemosti reported .
They were ordered from the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center .
In January 2020 , according to RIA Novosti , it was expected that Roscosmos and the Ministry of Defense would conclude the first contract for the serial supply of Angara-A5 missiles after a test launch was scheduled for 2020 .
The contract is estimated at over 18 billion rubles ( $ 260 million ) , and must be completed before 2024 , according to an unnamed source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the manager of the space industry , the conclusion of this long-term contract will allow them .
Khrunichev did not stop production pending the contracting of the necessary cooperation chain , which could have happened if the conclusion of the contract had been postponed until the launch of the second Angara-A5 from Plesetsk .
The first and , so far , only launch of the “ heavy ” modification of the Angara from Plesetsk took place in 2014 ; currently , the Vostochny Cosmodrome is constructing a second launch pad for launching missiles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the most long-term projects of the Russian space industry , the decision to create this heavy space launch vehicle to replace Proton , typically from Baikonur in Kazakhstan , was made in the early 1990s .
However , real funding for the project began in 2006 .
According to the unnamed source , the decision to prematurely sign the Angara-A5 contract was made as part of the decision to conclude a number of major contracts of the Ministry of Defense in order to support the defense industry in the context of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expected contract for the supply of 76 Su-34 front-line bombers worth over 100 billion rubles ( $ 1.4 billion ) , which was reported by Izvestia .
In addition , a formal signing of the contract and the laying of two universal landing ships to replace the Mistral-class landing ships , which were not delivered due to the embargo by France in 2014 , is expected soon , the Vedomosti source claimed .
It should be recalled that the first and so far the only launch of the Angara-A5 heavy launch vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Plesetsk cosmodrome on December 23rd , 2014 .
Another test launch of the Angara-A5 is scheduled from Plesetsk in the third quarter of 2020 , its delivery was scheduled for March-April 2020 , but so far there is no information regarding the matter – on April 17th , Dmitry Rogozin only announced that this missile was “ going through the final check ” before being sent to Plesetsk .
In addition , by the end of 2020 , another Angara-A5 heavy space launch should be delivered to the Russian Ministry of Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roskosmos contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense for flight design tests of the launch vehicle , according to which it was planned to make 5 Angara-A5 launches before 2021 , although it is obvious that the program is being delayed significantly .
In October 2017 , the acting general director of the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center said that through the Ministry of Defense of Russia there have been orders for the manufacture of 10 Angara-A5 carriers , but it is unclear whether the contracts had been concluded .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed between Roscosmos and Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center for the manufacture of three Angara-A5 launch vehicles , with the manufacture of the first missile by May 2021 , the second by 2024 , and the third by 2025 .
The launch of the first of these three missiles from Vostochny Cosmodrome should be carried out between August and December 2021 .
In January 2020 , Roscosmos and the Russian Ministry of Defense agreed on the appearance and characteristics of the Angara-A5M modified launch vehicle , which is supposed to replace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC : • Russia To Receive 2 Angara Heavy Space Launch Vehicles in 2020 .
What We Know About

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On June 3rd, the Russian Ministry of Defense ordered four Angara-A5 heavy space launch vehicles, Vedemosti reported.
They were ordered from the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center.
In January 2020, according to RIA Novosti, it was expected that Roscosmos and the Ministry of Defense would conclude the first contract for the serial supply of Angara-A5 missiles after a test launch was scheduled for 2020.
The contract is estimated at over 18 billion rubles ($260 million), and must be completed before 2024, according to an unnamed source in the Defense Ministry.
According to the manager of the space industry, the conclusion of this long-term contract will allow them.
Khrunichev did not stop production pending the contracting of the necessary cooperation chain, which could have happened if the conclusion of the contract had been postponed until the launch of the second Angara-A5 from Plesetsk.
The first and, so far, only launch of the “heavy” modification of the Angara from Plesetsk took place in 2014; currently, the Vostochny Cosmodrome is constructing a second launch pad for launching missiles of this type.
The Angara-A5 is one of the most long-term projects of the Russian space industry, the decision to create this heavy space launch vehicle to replace Proton, typically from Baikonur in Kazakhstan, was made in the early 1990s. However, real funding for the project began in 2006.
According to the unnamed source, the decision to prematurely sign the Angara-A5 contract was made as part of the decision to conclude a number of major contracts of the Ministry of Defense in order to support the defense industry in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
These decisions include the expected contract for the supply of 76 Su-34 front-line bombers worth over 100 billion rubles ($1.4 billion), which was reported by Izvestia.
In addition, a formal signing of the contract and the laying of two universal landing ships to replace the Mistral-class landing ships, which were not delivered due to the embargo by France in 2014, is expected soon, the Vedomosti source claimed.
It should be recalled that the first and so far the only launch of the Angara-A5 heavy launch vehicle (sample 1L) took place from the Plesetsk cosmodrome on December 23rd, 2014.
Another test launch of the Angara-A5 is scheduled from Plesetsk in the third quarter of 2020, its delivery was scheduled for March-April 2020, but so far there is no information regarding the matter – on April 17th, Dmitry Rogozin only announced that this missile was “going through the final check” before being sent to Plesetsk. In addition, by the end of 2020, another Angara-A5 heavy space launch should be delivered to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
These missiles are launched under the Roskosmos contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense for flight design tests of the launch vehicle, according to which it was planned to make 5 Angara-A5 launches before 2021, although it is obvious that the program is being delayed significantly.
In October 2017, the acting general director of the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center said that through the Ministry of Defense of Russia there have been orders for the manufacture of 10 Angara-A5 carriers, but it is unclear whether the contracts had been concluded.
In December 2015, a state contract was signed between Roscosmos and Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center for the manufacture of three Angara-A5 launch vehicles, with the manufacture of the first missile by May 2021, the second by 2024, and the third by 2025. The launch of the first of these three missiles from Vostochny Cosmodrome should be carried out between August and December 2021.
In January 2020, Roscosmos and the Russian Ministry of Defense agreed on the appearance and characteristics of the Angara-A5M modified launch vehicle, which is supposed to replace Angara-A5 after 2024.
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southfront--2020-06-04--U.S. To Block Chinese Flights To Its Soil, Because Beijing Isn’t Allowing Enough Incoming Flights

The US Department of Transportation said that as of June 16th it would block Chinese airlines from flying into the US .
This is in response to what the US says is Beijing ’ s policy that has prevented US carriers from service between the two countries .
The Transportation Department said the Chinese government is violating an agreement between the two countries for international travel by preventing United Airlines and Delta Air Lines from resuming the trans-oceanic flights .
Those airlines had asked to resume service on June 1st .
Service was earlier suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its announcement , China ’ s civil aviation regulator issued a notice that would effectively allow US carriers to resume limited services into the country .
The Transportation Department order said “ Chinese aviation authorities have failed to permit US air carriers to ” operate the routes they previously flew .
Since late March , to curb imported Covid-19 cases , the Civil Aviation Administration of China ( CAAC ) had only permitted foreign passenger carriers to operate one weekly flight into China based on their mid-March schedule .
The US was excluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all China flights .
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have wanted to restart daily US-China flights in early June but the CAAC failed to respond to their requests , according to an earlier DOT statement .
In what appears unacceptable to the US , several Chinese passenger airlines have continued to fly between the two countries throughout the pandemic , though their flights are also limited to once a week .
The Chinese civil aviation regulator scrapped the mid-March benchmark but kept the weekly frequency cap for all airlines .
It also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese health regulations , announcing a mechanism to punish airlines whose passengers test positive for Covid-19 upon landing in China .
Those who land those without positive cases on board three weeks in a row will be rewarded with one additional weekly frequency .
The Chinese regulator also suggested that airlines may be able to increase flights to certain countries if risks are deemed low .
The new rules take effect June 8th .
Of course , the US can not comply with that since it doesn ’ t specifically and solely benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 2 million confirmed cases .
US media , however , presented this as a “ war with US on flights ” and that China “ blinked first ” and so on .
This is present in the New York Times , they were joined by Indian NDTV , and others .
Every possible field is currently being turned into a sort of enclosed battlefield between the US and China – where and why COVID-19 started , flights between the countries , the South China Sea , Taiwan , Hong Kong , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , with variable degree of significance , but it is showing of a Cold War-like standoff and power competition that could potentially just be starting off .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • China Moving Towards Ending “ Phase One ” Trade Deal , Is Trade War Back On The Menu ?
• Prospects For China-U .
S. Relations After the Phase 1 Trade Deal

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The US Department of Transportation said that as of June 16th it would block Chinese airlines from flying into the US.
This is in response to what the US says is Beijing’s policy that has prevented US carriers from service between the two countries.
The Transportation Department said the Chinese government is violating an agreement between the two countries for international travel by preventing United Airlines and Delta Air Lines from resuming the trans-oceanic flights. Those airlines had asked to resume service on June 1st.
Service was earlier suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just hours after the Department made its announcement, China’s civil aviation regulator issued a notice that would effectively allow US carriers to resume limited services into the country.
China has failed to permit U.S. carriers to exercise their bilateral rights to conduct passenger air service to China. The Chinese government’s failure to approve their requests is a violation of our Air Transport Agreement. — TransportationGov (@USDOT) June 3, 2020
The Transportation Department order said “Chinese aviation authorities have failed to permit US air carriers to” operate the routes they previously flew.
“The Department will continue to engage our Chinese counterparts so both U.S. and Chinese carriers can fully exercise their bilateral rights,” the department said in a statement. “In the meantime, we will allow Chinese carriers to operate the same number of scheduled passenger flights as the Chinese government allows ours.”
Since late March, to curb imported Covid-19 cases, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) had only permitted foreign passenger carriers to operate one weekly flight into China based on their mid-March schedule.
The US was excluded from this, because its airlines suspended all China flights.
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have wanted to restart daily US-China flights in early June but the CAAC failed to respond to their requests, according to an earlier DOT statement.
In what appears unacceptable to the US, several Chinese passenger airlines have continued to fly between the two countries throughout the pandemic, though their flights are also limited to once a week.
The Chinese civil aviation regulator scrapped the mid-March benchmark but kept the weekly frequency cap for all airlines.
It also requires all carriers to comply with strict Chinese health regulations, announcing a mechanism to punish airlines whose passengers test positive for Covid-19 upon landing in China.
Those who land those without positive cases on board three weeks in a row will be rewarded with one additional weekly frequency.
The Chinese regulator also suggested that airlines may be able to increase flights to certain countries if risks are deemed low. The new rules take effect June 8th.
Of course, the US cannot comply with that since it doesn’t specifically and solely benefit its carriers, especially since with its nearly 2 million confirmed cases.
US media, however, presented this as a “war with US on flights” and that China “blinked first” and so on. This is present in the New York Times, they were joined by Indian NDTV, and others.
Every possible field is currently being turned into a sort of enclosed battlefield between the US and China – where and why COVID-19 started, flights between the countries, the South China Sea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and much more.
They are, of course, with variable degree of significance, but it is showing of a Cold War-like standoff and power competition that could potentially just be starting off.
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southfront--2020-06-04--LORA Precision Strike Missile (Infographics)

And Israel is not a member of MTCR .
So can sell it to whoever they want to .

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The LORA (Long-Range Artillery Weapon System) is an Israel precision strike missile designed to engage strategic targets deep in the enemy’s territory from mobile or maritime platforms.
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southfront--2020-06-04--SH-15 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (Infographics)

Click to see the full-size image The SH15 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer was developed by Chinese Defense Company China North @ @ @ @ @ NORINCO ) on the basis of the AH-2 155 mm/L52 howitzer .
MORE ON THE @ @

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The SH15 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer was developed by Chinese Defense Company China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (NORINCO) on the basis of the AH-2 155 mm/L52 howitzer.
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southfront--2020-06-04--New Israeli Airstrikes Target Sensitive Military Facility In Syria’s Hama (Videos)

Late on June 4 , a series of Israeli airstrikes targeted a sensitive military research facility near the town of Masyaf in the western countryside of Syria ’ s Hama .
A military source told the Syrian Arab News Agency ( SANA ) that the airstrikes were launched from Lebanon ’ s airspace .
Sources in Lebanon confirmed this and shared several videos of Israeli warplanes flying at a low altitude over Kesrouane and Beqaa .
According to the SANA , Syrian air-defense systems intercepted a number of hostile missiles .
Pro-government sources shared videos of some interceptions .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center , was targeted by Israel before .
The facility is reportedly involved in the development and manufacturing of missiles .
An S-300 air-defense system supplied to Syria by Russia is deployed near the facility .
The Israeli airstrikes resulted in serious material losses .
However , the SANA and several other pro-government sources said that there were no casualties .
Israel stepped up its attacks on Syria in the last few months .
Several military sites in southern and central regions were struck .
Israeli sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , most of the targeted positions were of the Syrian military .
By conducting such attacks , Israel hopes to force Iran to pull its forces out from Syria .
This will not likely happen any time soon .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • SDF ’ s Security Forces Clash With Hundreds Of Protesters In Southern Al-Hasakah ( Videos )

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Late on June 4, a series of Israeli airstrikes targeted a sensitive military research facility near the town of Masyaf in the western countryside of Syria’s Hama.
A military source told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that the airstrikes were launched from Lebanon’s airspace. Sources in Lebanon confirmed this and shared several videos of Israeli warplanes flying at a low altitude over Kesrouane and Beqaa.
According to the SANA, Syrian air-defense systems intercepted a number of hostile missiles. Pro-government sources shared videos of some interceptions.
The targeted facility, which is run by the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center, was targeted by Israel before. The facility is reportedly involved in the development and manufacturing of missiles. An S-300 air-defense system supplied to Syria by Russia is deployed near the facility.
#Syria: 1st photo showing the military base destroyed tonight by #Israel|i airstrikes in outskirts of #Masyaf, few km from the S-400 & S-300 air defense systems. pic.twitter.com/vmNNjGM9TV — Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) June 4, 2020
The Israeli airstrikes resulted in serious material losses. However, the SANA and several other pro-government sources said that there were no casualties.
Israel stepped up its attacks on Syria in the last few months. Several military sites in southern and central regions were struck. Israeli sources claim that the airstrikes targeted Iranian forces. However, most of the targeted positions were of the Syrian military.
By conducting such attacks, Israel hopes to force Iran to pull its forces out from Syria. This will not likely happen any time soon.
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southfront--2020-06-04--SDF Security Forces Clash With Hundreds Of Protesters In Southern Al-Hasakah (Videos)

On June 4 , hundreds of civilians took to the street in the town of al-Shaddadi in the southern al-Hasakah @ @ @ @ @ living conditions in the area .
According to Zaman Alwsl , a pro-opposition outlet , @ @ @ @ @ roads inside al-Shaddadi and called on the self-administration in northern and northeast Syria to provide @ @ @ @ @ and electricity .
Furthermore , the protesters stoned the town ’ s civil council building @ @ @ @ @ the oil money ?
” The Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) security body , @ @ @ @ @ protesters .
The Syrian Arab News Agency ( SANA ) claimed that security forces opened @ @ @ @ @ killing one and injuring three others .
These claims are yet to be verified .
@ @ @ @ @ public services .
The prices of electricity and bread increased recently .
The town is @ @ @ @ @ water .
The self-administration appears to be paying less attention to Arab areas in Deir @ @ @ @ @ .
This is leading to tensions between the administration and the locals .

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On June 4, hundreds of civilians took to the street in the town of al-Shaddadi in the southern al-Hasakah countryside to protest against poor living conditions in the area.
According to Zaman Alwsl, a pro-opposition outlet, around 300 protesters blocked all roads inside al-Shaddadi and called on the self-administration in northern and northeast Syria to provide bread, fuel, gas and electricity. Furthermore, the protesters stoned the town’s civil council building and chanted “where is the oil money?”
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) security body, Asayish, clashed with the protesters. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) claimed that security forces opened live fire at the protesters killing one and injuring three others. These claims are yet to be verified.
Al-Shaddadi is reportedly lacking most public services. The prices of electricity and bread increased recently. The town is also suffering from shortage of water.
The self-administration appears to be paying less attention to Arab areas in Deir Ezzor, Raqqa and al-Hasakah. This is leading to tensions between the administration and the locals.
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southfront--2020-06-04--GNA Forces Capture Loads Of Weapons From Libyan Army South Of Tripoli (Videos, Photos)

On June 3 and 4 , forces loyal to the Libyan Government of National Accord ( GNA ) captured loads @ @ @ @ @ National Army ( LNA ) .
The weapons were seized in the Tripoli International Airport @ @ @ @ @ GNA forces , as well as around the town of Tarhunah .
GNA sources released @ @ @ @ @ weapons , which included : • Seven T-55 battle tanks , some of them appear @ @ @ @ @ number of armored vehicles as well as four helicopters , including what appears to be @ @ @ @ @ captured by GNA forces .
GNA forces , which were reinforced with thousands of Syrian @ @ @ @ @ of Tripoli with support from Turkey .
Turkish combat drones are providing close air support @ @ @ @ @ .
The LNA will likely lose other positions south of Tripoli in the next few @ @ @ @ @ reorganize and resupply its troops .
The GNA ’ s next target is likely Tarhunah @ @ @ @ @ International Airport , As Haftar Requests More Tangible Support From Egypt

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On June 3 and 4, forces loyal to the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) captured loads of weapons from the Libyan National Army (LNA).
The weapons were seized in the Tripoli International Airport, which was captured by GNA forces, as well as around the town of Tarhunah.
GNA sources released several videos of the seized weapons, which included:
Seven T-55 battle tanks, some of them appear to be damaged;
A damaged T-62 battle tank;
Several FN-6 man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADs);
Four cartridges of Kornet anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
A number of armored vehicles as well as four helicopters, including what appears to be a Mi-35, were also captured by GNA forces.
#Libya– #GNA captured the airfield west of Fam Molga with at least 3 helicopters (AW190?) and possibly a 4th, Mi-35 (still not confirmed it’s the same location) along with a lot of ammo. Continuing along the road to #Tahuna… pic.twitter.com/8kMuBLWXwO — Oded Berkowitz (@Oded121351) June 4, 2020
GNA forces, which were reinforced with thousands of Syrian militants, are advancing south of Tripoli with support from Turkey. Turkish combat drones are providing close air support as well as valuable intelligence.
The LNA will likely lose other positions south of Tripoli in the next few days if it fails to reorganize and resupply its troops. The GNA’s next target is likely Tarhunah.
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southfront--2020-06-04--Turkish-led Forces Capture Tripoli Airport And Advance Even Further

On June 3 , the Turkish-backed Government of National Accord ( GNA ) announced a military offensive to capture Tripoli Airport from the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) and push the LNA back from the southern suburbs of the city of Tripoli itself .
GNA fighters and members of pro-Turkish Syrian militant groups supported by the Turkish military attacked the airport from the southern and western directions and in the evening of the same day took control of it .
LNA forces showed very little resistance to the advancing Turkish-backed forces and even left behind several pieces of military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our heroic forces have liberated the entire Tripoli International Airport , and our heroic forces are chasing the remnants of Haftar militias , which are fleeing towards Qasr bin Ghashir , ” Col. Mohamad Qununu , a spokesman for the “ Anger Volcano ” operations room declared .
A day earlier , GNA troops ambushed a convoy of LNA forces behind the frontline in southern Tripoli destroying at least 3 vehicles .
This became the first indication that the LNA defense was crumbling .
The coordination between various LNA units was interrupted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ its allies launched an attack on positions of the LNA in Qasr bin Ghashir reaching the western vicinity of the town .
More than a dozen drone strikes targeted the town over the past 24 hours .
Pro-LNA sources claim that these strikes killed a number of civilians .
According to pro-GNA sources , 15 LNA members were killed in the recent clashes .
Pro-LNA sources say that 7 GNA fighters were eliminated .
If Turkish-led forces are able to capture Qasr bin Ghashir , LNA southern positions in Tripoli will collapse fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will remain as the main strongholds of troops loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar .
On June 4 , Haftar arrived in Cairo to meet with representatives of the Egyptian government , one of the two key backers of the LNA , the other one being the UAE .
Nonetheless , unlike Turkey , Egypt and the UAE do not openly employ their militaries to support their allies in the Libyan conflict .
The further expansion of Turkey and the advances of Turkish-led forces deeper into central Libya could force them to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , the Libyan conflict would flare up even further .

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On June 3, the Turkish-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) announced a military offensive to capture Tripoli Airport from the Libyan National Army (LNA) and push the LNA back from the southern suburbs of the city of Tripoli itself.
GNA fighters and members of pro-Turkish Syrian militant groups supported by the Turkish military attacked the airport from the southern and western directions and in the evening of the same day took control of it. LNA forces showed very little resistance to the advancing Turkish-backed forces and even left behind several pieces of military equipment in the airport area.
“Our heroic forces have liberated the entire Tripoli International Airport, and our heroic forces are chasing the remnants of Haftar militias, which are fleeing towards Qasr bin Ghashir,” Col. Mohamad Qununu, a spokesman for the “Anger Volcano” operations room declared.
A day earlier, GNA troops ambushed a convoy of LNA forces behind the frontline in southern Tripoli destroying at least 3 vehicles. This became the first indication that the LNA defense was crumbling. The coordination between various LNA units was interrupted.
On June 4, the GNA and its allies launched an attack on positions of the LNA in Qasr bin Ghashir reaching the western vicinity of the town. More than a dozen drone strikes targeted the town over the past 24 hours. Pro-LNA sources claim that these strikes killed a number of civilians.
According to pro-GNA sources, 15 LNA members were killed in the recent clashes. Pro-LNA sources say that 7 GNA fighters were eliminated.
If Turkish-led forces are able to capture Qasr bin Ghashir, LNA southern positions in Tripoli will collapse fully and only Sidi Salih Airport and Tarhuna will remain as the main strongholds of troops loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
On June 4, Haftar arrived in Cairo to meet with representatives of the Egyptian government, one of the two key backers of the LNA, the other one being the UAE. Nonetheless, unlike Turkey, Egypt and the UAE do not openly employ their militaries to support their allies in the Libyan conflict. The further expansion of Turkey and the advances of Turkish-led forces deeper into central Libya could force them to change their current approach. In such a case, the Libyan conflict would flare up even further.
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southfront--2020-06-04--SDF Launches Large Operation Against ISIS Cells In Al-Hasakah & Deir Ezzor (Video)

The Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) launched on June 4 a large-scale security operation against the remaining ISIS cells in al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor .
The operation , which is being carried out in cooperation with the U.S.-led coalition , will cover a vast area lying between the town of al-Shaddadi in the southern countryside of al-Hasakah and the government-held town of al-Bukamal in the southern Deir Ezzor countryside .
According to the Hawar News Agency ( ANAH ) , 6,000 personnel of the SDF and its security forces are taking part in the operation .
Warplanes of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So far , 17 ISIS members have been apprehended by the SDF .
No major stand-offs or clashes were reported by SDF sources .
In the last few months , the U.S.-led coalition and the SDF neutralized several senior commanders of ISIS in a series of operations in southeast Deir Ezzor .
The SDF ’ s large operation in al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor will likely improve security in northeast Syria .
Nevertheless , the ISIS threat will remain strong .
Many of the terrorist group ’ s cells will lay down until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC : • Turkey Is Preparing To Send Its Syrian Proxies To Yemen – Report

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The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched on June 4 a large-scale security operation against the remaining ISIS cells in al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor.
The operation, which is being carried out in cooperation with the U.S.-led coalition, will cover a vast area lying between the town of al-Shaddadi in the southern countryside of al-Hasakah and the government-held town of al-Bukamal in the southern Deir Ezzor countryside.
According to the Hawar News Agency (ANAH), 6,000 personnel of the SDF and its security forces are taking part in the operation. Warplanes of the U.S.-led coalition are providing air support.
So far, 17 ISIS members have been apprehended by the SDF. No major stand-offs or clashes were reported by SDF sources.
In the last few months, the U.S.-led coalition and the SDF neutralized several senior commanders of ISIS in a series of operations in southeast Deir Ezzor.
The SDF’s large operation in al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor will likely improve security in northeast Syria. Nevertheless, the ISIS threat will remain strong. Many of the terrorist group’s cells will lay down until the operation is over.
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southfront--2020-06-04--Development Of United States’ Reusable Air And Space Vehicle Dream Chaser

Written by Lieutenant Colonel E. Gagarin and Major I. Shipov ; Originally appeared at Foreign Military Review # 3 2019 , translated by AlexD exclusively for SouthFront The American company Dream Chaser ( a division of “ Sierra Nevada Corporation ” ) is proactively developing a reusable aerospace vehicle ( RASV ) Dream Chaser to deliver cargo and crews of up to seven people to the International Space Station ( ISS ) .
It will be launched from Cape Canaveral Space Center ( Florida ) , using an Atlas-5 rocket .
Since January 2017 at the NASA Armstrong Flight Test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prototype of the RASV has been undergoing testing .
In particular , on November 11 , 2017 , a glide was successfully completed after 3.8 km drop from a helicopter and landing on the runway in automatic mode .
The Dream Chaser space plane has chosen the “ carrier fuselage ” scheme with three compartments : one central cargo or habitat and two onboard compartments , which will contain fuel tanks of fuel and oxidizer , as well as one cruise engine .
The airframe is made of composite materials with third-generation ceramic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front edge of the wing and keel , as well as the lower fuselage and wing .
Access to the central compartment of the RASV is through an oval hatch in the tail section with dimensions of approximately 1 m vertically and 0.9 m horizontally .
The frame of the docking mechanism is approximately 1.2 m in diameter .
To control flight in the atmosphere there is one vertical all-round rudder on top of the fuselage and two inclined planes of straight sweep along in the sides ( camber about 37º ) with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the appartus .
In addition , in the rear part of the onboard compartments , two pairs of horizontal aerodynamic flaps are placed above and below , which change the pitch angle of the vehicle in flight or perform aerodynamic braking during the run by fully lifting them .
The chassis is tricycle with a front sliding and rear wheel struts , which can be retracted into the internal compartments of the fuselage .
Landing will be executed as a plane on any runway with a length of at least 2.5 km @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performed not only in gliding mode , but also with the use of main engines , which will allow for active maneuvering and changing the flight speed if necessary .
The plane-like landing of the RASV will also reduce the overload to 1.5 g per cargo returned from the ISS , which is important for the results of some on-going or completed experiments .
It is planned to create transport ( unmanned ) and manned modified space planes , which will differ in appearance , respectively , by the absence and presence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compartment .
The transport RASV roll-up rudders are made collapsible , which will allow placing the space plane under the head fairing of the launch vehicle .
The manned vehicle with the crew is planned to be launched into space without a fairing .
The launch of the RASV modified for transport is supposed to be carried out with a sealed cargo module docked , as well as non-sealed cargo containers attached to it .
The module will be equipped with collapsible solar panels that provide the vehicle with electricity before descent from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed to be placed on the outside of the micro-spacecraft launched into low orbits , which will be undocked as necessary .
When the vehicle returns to Earth , the module will be dumped before entering the atmosphere along with the external containers and unnecessary cargo inside .
Installing a module similar to the cargo module on a manned RASV , but with a set of special equipment and apparatus , will allow conducting reconnaissance of all types and performing other tasks , as well as performing orbital inspections .
In particular , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be used for servicing the Hubble space telescope , as well as monitoring the technical condition and refueling of low-orbit spacecraft .
In early 2016 , the RASV Dream Chaser was selected by NASA management by tender to participate in the second stage of the ISS supply programme CRS2 ( Commercial Resupply Services 2 ) , which will provide for at least six flights of the transport version of the RASV in 2020-2024 .
The first flight of the flying apparatus with cargo is scheduled to take place at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , the commercial development of a reusable vehicle is almost complete , on the basis of which it is planned to create transport and manned modified crafts .
With the help of this vehicle , under contract of the manufacturer and NASA , it is planned to deliver cargo of various purposes and crews to the ISS and bring them down to Earth .
In the future , the possibility of using the Dream Chaser for military purposes for conducting various types of reconnaissance , support or combat operations in and out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other spacecraft in the interests of external technical condition control , surveillance , suppression and destruction is not excluded .
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Written by Lieutenant Colonel E. Gagarin and Major I. Shipov; Originally appeared at Foreign Military Review #3 2019, translated by AlexD exclusively for SouthFront
The American company Dream Chaser (a division of “Sierra Nevada Corporation”) is proactively developing a reusable aerospace vehicle (RASV) Dream Chaser to deliver cargo and crews of up to seven people to the International Space Station (ISS). It will be launched from Cape Canaveral Space Center (Florida), using an Atlas-5 rocket.
Since January 2017 at the NASA Armstrong Flight Test Center (AFB Edwards) a flight prototype of the RASV has been undergoing testing. In particular, on November 11, 2017, a glide was successfully completed after 3.8 km drop from a helicopter and landing on the runway in automatic mode.
The Dream Chaser space plane has chosen the “carrier fuselage” scheme with three compartments: one central cargo or habitat and two onboard compartments, which will contain fuel tanks of fuel and oxidizer, as well as one cruise engine. The airframe is made of composite materials with third-generation ceramic thermal protection of the entire nose, front edge of the wing and keel, as well as the lower fuselage and wing.
Access to the central compartment of the RASV is through an oval hatch in the tail section with dimensions of approximately 1 m vertically and 0.9 m horizontally. The frame of the docking mechanism is approximately 1.2 m in diameter.
To control flight in the atmosphere there is one vertical all-round rudder on top of the fuselage and two inclined planes of straight sweep along in the sides (camber about 37º) with roll control rudders in the tail part of the appartus. In addition, in the rear part of the onboard compartments, two pairs of horizontal aerodynamic flaps are placed above and below, which change the pitch angle of the vehicle in flight or perform aerodynamic braking during the run by fully lifting them. The chassis is tricycle with a front sliding and rear wheel struts, which can be retracted into the internal compartments of the fuselage.
Landing will be executed as a plane on any runway with a length of at least 2.5 km. The approach is supposed to be performed not only in gliding mode, but also with the use of main engines, which will allow for active maneuvering and changing the flight speed if necessary. The plane-like landing of the RASV will also reduce the overload to 1.5 g per cargo returned from the ISS, which is important for the results of some on-going or completed experiments.
It is planned to create transport (unmanned) and manned modified space planes, which will differ in appearance, respectively, by the absence and presence of glazing in the nose of the central compartment. The transport RASV roll-up rudders are made collapsible, which will allow placing the space plane under the head fairing of the launch vehicle. The manned vehicle with the crew is planned to be launched into space without a fairing.
The launch of the RASV modified for transport is supposed to be carried out with a sealed cargo module docked, as well as non-sealed cargo containers attached to it. The module will be equipped with collapsible solar panels that provide the vehicle with electricity before descent from orbit. Furthermore, the module is supposed to be placed on the outside of the micro-spacecraft launched into low orbits, which will be undocked as necessary. When the vehicle returns to Earth, the module will be dumped before entering the atmosphere along with the external containers and unnecessary cargo inside.
Installing a module similar to the cargo module on a manned RASV, but with a set of special equipment and apparatus, will allow conducting reconnaissance of all types and performing other tasks, as well as performing orbital inspections. In particular, the Dream Chaser space plane is planned to be used for servicing the Hubble space telescope, as well as monitoring the technical condition and refueling of low-orbit spacecraft.
In early 2016, the RASV Dream Chaser was selected by NASA management by tender to participate in the second stage of the ISS supply programme CRS2 (Commercial Resupply Services 2), which will provide for at least six flights of the transport version of the RASV in 2020-2024.
The first flight of the flying apparatus with cargo is scheduled to take place at the end of 2020.
Thus, in the United States, the commercial development of a reusable vehicle is almost complete, on the basis of which it is planned to create transport and manned modified crafts. With the help of this vehicle, under contract of the manufacturer and NASA, it is planned to deliver cargo of various purposes and crews to the ISS and bring them down to Earth.
In the future, the possibility of using the Dream Chaser for military purposes for conducting various types of reconnaissance, support or combat operations in and out of space, as well as inspecting other spacecraft in the interests of external technical condition control, surveillance, suppression and destruction is not excluded.
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southfront--2020-06-04--Turkey Is Preparing To Send Its Syrian Proxies To Yemen – Report

Turkey is preparing to send its Syrian proxies to Yemen , the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) reported on June 4 .
Initially , the UK-based monitoring group claimed that Turkish-backed militants will be fighting alongside the Houthis .
However , the group later released a new version of its report saying that the militants will be fighting for large sums of money .
An Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen in 2015 to put an end to a revolution led by the Houthis , who are backed by Iran .
Since then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
If the SOHR ’ s information are accurate , Turkish-backed militants could go to Yemen to fight for the Saudi-led coalition .
Turkey is not a supporter of the coalition .
Nevertheless , some parties within the Saudi-backed Yemeni government are known to be close to Turkey , namely the al-Islah party .
More than 11,000 Turkish-backed Syrian militants are currently fighting for the Government of National Accord in Libya .
The militants are receiving salaries of up to $ 2,000 a month .
Ankara is apparently willing to offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to those who can afford to pay .
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Turkey is preparing to send its Syrian proxies to Yemen, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on June 4.
Initially, the UK-based monitoring group claimed that Turkish-backed militants will be fighting alongside the Houthis. However, the group later released a new version of its report saying that the militants will be fighting for large sums of money.
“Turkish intelligence asked its proxy factions to prepare fighters for deployment in Yemen to fight in return for large financial incentives,” the SOHR said.
An Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen in 2015 to put an end to a revolution led by the Houthis, who are backed by Iran. Since then, a brutal war has devastated most of the country.
If the SOHR’s information are accurate, Turkish-backed militants could go to Yemen to fight for the Saudi-led coalition. Turkey is not a supporter of the coalition. Nevertheless, some parties within the Saudi-backed Yemeni government are known to be close to Turkey, namely the al-Islah party.
More than 11,000 Turkish-backed Syrian militants are currently fighting for the Government of National Accord in Libya. The militants are receiving salaries of up to $2,000 a month. Ankara is apparently willing to offer the special services of its Syrian proxies to those who can afford to pay.
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southfront--2020-06-04--Turkish Military Establishes Four Posts In Syria’s Greater Idlib

On June 4 , the Turkish military established four new “ observation posts ” in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib .
According to several opposition sources , the new posts were established near the towns of Bsanqul , Kafer Shalaya , Urum al-Jawz and Mareian in southern Idlib .
Bsanqul is located north of the M4 highway , which links Lattakia and Aleppo , while three other towns are located south of the highway .
Earlier today , the Russian Military Police and the Turkish military conducted a 15th joint patrol on the M4 highway .
Two improvised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the patrol .
However , there were no casualties .
In the last few days , the Turkish military deployed loads of heavy weapons , including air-defense systems and artillery , in Greater Idlib .
More reinforcements arrived in the Syrian region on June 4 .
Turkey is committed to secure the M4 highway under the March 5 agreement with Russia .
However , this is yet to happen .
A long section of the highway is still blocked by terrorist groups .
By establishing more posts in Greater Idlib , Turkey could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its allies .
Recent reports claim that the army is preparing to launch a large-scale operation to open the M4 .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Jihadists Paradise : HTS & Horas Al-Din Are Heading To New Confrontation In Greater Idlib

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On June 4, the Turkish military established four new “observation posts” in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
According to several opposition sources, the new posts were established near the towns of Bsanqul, Kafer Shalaya, Urum al-Jawz and Mareian in southern Idlib. Bsanqul is located north of the M4 highway, which links Lattakia and Aleppo, while three other towns are located south of the highway.
Earlier today, the Russian Military Police and the Turkish military conducted a 15th joint patrol on the M4 highway. Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) allegedly targeted the patrol. However, there were no casualties.
In the last few days, the Turkish military deployed loads of heavy weapons, including air-defense systems and artillery, in Greater Idlib. More reinforcements arrived in the Syrian region on June 4.
Turkey is committed to secure the M4 highway under the March 5 agreement with Russia. However, this is yet to happen. A long section of the highway is still blocked by terrorist groups.
By establishing more posts in Greater Idlib, Turkey could be trying to intimidate the Syrian military and its allies. Recent reports claim that the army is preparing to launch a large-scale operation to open the M4.
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