southfront--2020-05-25--Venezuela & Iran Won 1st Round Of Tanker Standoff With United States

It appears that Round 1 of the latest confrontation between the US , Venezuela and Iran has concluded with a victory for the allied forces of the Resistance .
While the arrival of the first of five Iranian vessels carrying petroleum to Venezuelan waters , where it was met by an escort provided by the Venezuelan Navy and Air Force , will no doubt be portrayed by many as a humiliation for Trump given his bellicose statements and threats over the last week , the US decision to not intercept the first vessel could also be interpreted as a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least of a return to diplomacy in the future .
The arrival late on Saturday night of the first of the Iranian vessels transporting gasoline to cover a severe fuel shortage in the South American country following several years of unilateral US sanctions is the result of one of many cooperation agreements between both nations that cover various sectors , including energy .
Earlier this month the two countries signed agreements related to tourism and commercial interactions , supplementing previous agreements including for the production of tractors and unarmed drones in Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel shipment , Petunia , Forrest , Faxon and Carnation , are expected to arrive over the next couple of days .
The arrival of Fortune to Venezuela ’ s Exclusive Economic Zone occurred without incident and the boat was met by the Venezuelan navy .
The crew of the Venezuelan escort ship Yekuana thanked the Persian nation for the support it is providing to Venezuela in its fight against the US blockade .
Telesur shared on Twitter the welcoming words , in which it was recalled that both Venezuela and Iran are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unilateral , arbitrary and illegal measures imposed by the United States .
“ In accordance with maritime law , international law , and naval agreements , and as a gesture of friendship , we will accompany you under the protection of our escort to your destination port , ” the official greeting confirmed .
“ Venezuela and Iran continue to be points of reference for revolutionary processes in Latin America and the world .
We are sure that with the cooperation and solidarity of the Iranian people we will advance together to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our sister nations , ” the Venezuelan official added .
In response , the Iranian crew thanked the Venezuelans for their warm welcome and stated : “ Your message is well received for me and my crew… Thank you very much for your support and I hope everything ends safely and calmly.
” The Iranian vessel is heading to the port of the El Palito refinery , located in the municipality of Puerto Cabello , on the shores of Carabobo state .
The Guardian noted in a related report that although Iranian President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would respond to any attempt to intercept the shipment , he also added : The New York Times meanwhile repeated the claims that the fuel shortages in Venezuela are a result of ‘ corruption and mismanagement by the socialist administration ’ rather than the US ’ sanctions and blockade , however if this were the case the sanctions and blockade would hardly be necessary .
The report also states : Such statements take on a surreal quality when compared to Trump ’ s relations with countries such as Saudi Arabia , suggesting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not democracy and the welfare of the Venezuelan people but the US leaderships ’ geopolitical and economic interests .
Meanwhile , the US has taken another major step in its campaign of maximum pressure against Venezuela with the illegal expropriation of Citgo , a major producer and distributor of gasoline in the US .
The Venezuelan government condemned the decision of the District Court of Delaware regarding the forced judicial sale of the shares of the Citgo company , owned by PDVSA ( the Venezuelan State-owned oil company ) , as constituting an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jorge Arreaza released an official statement declaring that the judicial sentence is evidence of a plan by the Trump administration to confiscate the assets of the Venezuelan people and its PDVSA , in this instance using the deputy of the National Assembly , Juan Guaidó , as an accomplice .
Guaidó proclaimed himself president of Venezuela last year during a street protest , a theatrical gesture that received the immediate support of the Trump administration .
Arreaza warned that faced with this act of arbitrariness and modern piracy , those who have investments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the case is indicative of the actions that the US Government is willing to carry out , even in contravention of international and domestic law , to impose their interests on strategic foreign investments .
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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It appears that Round 1 of the latest confrontation between the US, Venezuela and Iran has concluded with a victory for the allied forces of the Resistance. While the arrival of the first of five Iranian vessels carrying petroleum to Venezuelan waters, where it was met by an escort provided by the Venezuelan Navy and Air Force, will no doubt be portrayed by many as a humiliation for Trump given his bellicose statements and threats over the last week, the US decision to not intercept the first vessel could also be interpreted as a small step towards reason, maintaining the possibility at least of a return to diplomacy in the future.
The arrival late on Saturday night of the first of the Iranian vessels transporting gasoline to cover a severe fuel shortage in the South American country following several years of unilateral US sanctions is the result of one of many cooperation agreements between both nations that cover various sectors, including energy. Earlier this month the two countries signed agreements related to tourism and commercial interactions, supplementing previous agreements including for the production of tractors and unarmed drones in Venezuela.
The four other ships completing the fuel shipment, Petunia, Forrest, Faxon and Carnation, are expected to arrive over the next couple of days.
Iranian ?? oil Tankers arrive in #Venezuela ?? #EidMubarak gift from Iran to people of Venezuela pic.twitter.com/lB0QtFX4yM — ??Iraq & Middle East Updates (@IraqLiveUpdate) May 24, 2020
The arrival of Fortune to Venezuela’s Exclusive Economic Zone occurred without incident and the boat was met by the Venezuelan navy. The crew of the Venezuelan escort ship Yekuana thanked the Persian nation for the support it is providing to Venezuela in its fight against the US blockade.
Telesur shared on Twitter the welcoming words, in which it was recalled that both Venezuela and Iran are being affected by the application of coercive, unilateral, arbitrary and illegal measures imposed by the United States.
#ENVIDEO | Desde los cielos de las aguas jurisdiccionales de Venezuela, @madeleintlSUR nos informa minuto a minuto sobre la llegada de los buques iraníes con combustible y aditivos químicos para la producción de gasolina a aguas jurisdiccionales de Venezuela pic.twitter.com/nUZmaatVpq — teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) May 24, 2020
“In accordance with maritime law, international law, and naval agreements, and as a gesture of friendship, we will accompany you under the protection of our escort to your destination port,” the official greeting confirmed. “Venezuela and Iran continue to be points of reference for revolutionary processes in Latin America and the world. We are sure that with the cooperation and solidarity of the Iranian people we will advance together to guarantee the full freedom and happiness of our sister nations,” the Venezuelan official added. In response, the Iranian crew thanked the Venezuelans for their warm welcome and stated: “Your message is well received for me and my crew… Thank you very much for your support and I hope everything ends safely and calmly.”
The Iranian vessel is heading to the port of the El Palito refinery, located in the municipality of Puerto Cabello, on the shores of Carabobo state.
The Guardian noted in a related report that although Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had warned the US Iran would respond to any attempt to intercept the shipment, he also added:
“Iran will never initiate a conflict. We have always the legitimate right to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity and to serve our national interests, and we hope that the Americans will not commit an error.”
La @ArmadaFANB escolta al buque tanquero Fortune procedente de la República Islámica de Irán, una de las cinco embarcaciones cargadas con combustible que son enviadas desde la nación Persa. @NicolasMaduro @vladimirpadrino @CeballosIchaso pic.twitter.com/Z5OirRB8Vc — Armada Bolivariana (@ArmadaFANB) May 24, 2020
The New York Times meanwhile repeated the claims that the fuel shortages in Venezuela are a result of ‘corruption and mismanagement by the socialist administration’ rather than the US’ sanctions and blockade, however if this were the case the sanctions and blockade would hardly be necessary. The report also states:
“Maduro holds on to power with support from Venezuela’s military and his international allies, also including Cuba, Russia, and China. The U.S. says these nations are engaged in “malign activities and meddling” around the world. “We will not abide by their support of the illegitimate and tyrannical regime of Nicolás Maduro,” the Trump administration said in a statement, citing its “maximum pressure” campaign against the socialist leader. “Will continue until Maduro’s hold on Venezuela is over.”
Such statements take on a surreal quality when compared to Trump’s relations with countries such as Saudi Arabia, suggesting the real concern of the US warmongers is not democracy and the welfare of the Venezuelan people but the US leaderships’ geopolitical and economic interests.
Meanwhile, the US has taken another major step in its campaign of maximum pressure against Venezuela with the illegal expropriation of Citgo, a major producer and distributor of gasoline in the US.
The Venezuelan government condemned the decision of the District Court of Delaware regarding the forced judicial sale of the shares of the Citgo company, owned by PDVSA (the Venezuelan State-owned oil company), as constituting an act of modern piracy.
Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza released an official statement declaring that the judicial sentence is evidence of a plan by the Trump administration to confiscate the assets of the Venezuelan people and its PDVSA, in this instance using the deputy of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, as an accomplice. Guaidó proclaimed himself president of Venezuela last year during a street protest, a theatrical gesture that received the immediate support of the Trump administration.
“For such purposes, they have delegated to the deputy Juan Guaidó and his accomplices the establishment of a fraudulent representation of the Republic and PDVSA, which is not only illegal, but is to the detriment of the national interest, for the benefit of interventionist intentions.”
Arreaza warned that faced with this act of arbitrariness and modern piracy, those who have investments in the United States should remain vigilant, as the case is indicative of the actions that the US Government is willing to carry out, even in contravention of international and domestic law, to impose their interests on strategic foreign investments.
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southfront--2020-05-25--Locations Of US Carrier Strike Groups – May 25, 2020

This is the newst update of the ‘ U.S .
Carrier Strike Groups Locations Map ’ exclusive series showing the @ @ @ @ @ Strike Groups .
SouthFront : Analysis & Intelligence tracks locations of U.S. aircraft carriers using @ @ @ @ @ No classified information was used in production of the map .
Click to see the @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC : • Locations Of US Carrier Strike Groups – May 19 , 2020

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This is the newst update of the ‘U.S. Carrier Strike Groups Locations Map’ exclusive series showing the approximate locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups. SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence tracks locations of U.S. aircraft carriers using the available open-source information. No classified information was used in production of the map.
Carrier strike group (CSG) is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is centered on an aircraft carrier and a carrier air wing (CVW) of 65 to 70 aircrafts. It’s composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates. A carrier strike group also, on occasion, includes submarines, attached logistics ships and a supply ship. Carrier strike groups comprise a principal element of U.S. power projection over the world’s oceans.
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southfront--2020-05-25--LNA Says It Shot Down 13 Drones Near Tarhunah In Last Few Days

Isnt it peculiare how the Truds suddenly have a lot of room to manuver , while few backs the Libyan LNA , right , the attacks on the Turds have been silent , erDOGan got what He wanted , and ZATO is backing Him all the way , the reason for that is to not again show their ugly faces regarding Libya when we all know the war was done for the bankers and France ( B .
Levy and N. Zackofshit ) in the lead , again , they are silent , but is giving the Turds their Ok @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and now LNA/Libyans , huh ) and then we have the others , like Egypt , with an Sisy at the helm whom father was an Shin Beit opreative aka Jewish , and we know that erDOGan have traded with the ISISraelis with Oil etc to weapons , witch comes from another Jewish control entety like Bulgaria and Ukraina .
Then we have the Russians , yeah , a large part of the fake Jews are Russians , incl in the IDF , ( its the estern europeans whom is the most racistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expats ) etc , and that Russia by it self thru the Doma is more or less ISISraeli bitches , and to think Putin is somehow an saviour is by now out of the equation , he is just doing what He can to prolong the war against Syrians , since Syria isnt controlled thru an BISs central banking , the sole reason for destroying Libya , because of Gaddafys dreams and attempts to create an African Gold backed Dinar , the same reason for the coup in Mali , an nation wom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the French and ZATO forces incl Norwegians .
Sometimes I wounder how bloody stupid are people this days , huh , Russia threw Syria under the buss , period , and I dont trust them at all regarding Iran , and just take an look at Yemen and Palestina , not an single pip , its an ear shatering silence , and while the kabuki theater of threatening of ww3 is pimped by all parts I dont belive it for an second , just because Russia is not what you think they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they have them selfs confirmed what I initialy had problems with beliving , and the last year have confirmed my suspicion about Putins long term goals , and that is not to help Syria , but to let Truds get their will , because that coreponds with Eretzh ISISrael .
The NWO capital is Jerusalem , and Putin is just an bitch .
I read so much bullshit this days about whys and why nots that I am baffled by that because non of the drivel is manifested in real actions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need , and the war zones , like Yemen ( again , fighting uh… .
al-cieda ) , Libya and Syria is smoke screens , they all are on it , this wars could be solved years ago , but nothing is done , they all wants this wars to continue , because it generates cash and destorys this nations ability to greate their own Gov and control over their own resources , and why isnt Golan done something with , again , just look at whom owns the Genie Oil company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not rocket science and Russia makes shure Syria and Lebanon dont move an finger in that direction , and Lebanon is squiced hard this days from every direction incl by the Russians , witch i dont trust at all this days .
Pity , when LNA could have solved and saved Libya , but cant , because of betrayals .
All this is why the Libyans cant have their nation back , and despite the few settbacks in the fog of war , I stil think LNA will make it , because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not this scums in Tripoli witch is backed by the west and backing the Turds .

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On May 24, a spokesman for the Libyan National Army (LNA) claimed that 13 Turkish combat drones were shot down near the town of Tarhunah in the last few days.
Maj. Gen. Ahmed al-Mesmari denied recent reports claiming that army units are withdrawing from the outskirt of the capital, Tripoli. The spokesman said army is “relocating its troops.”
“The Libyan Armed Forces have made major changes in the past 72 hours,” the spokesman said.
According to Maj. Gen. al-Mesmari, the Libyan Air Force (LAF) is now, once again, restoring sovereignty over large parts of the country.
In the last two days, two of the drones the LNA claimed to shot down turned out to be Chinese-made Wing Loong IIs, a type that’s known to be operated by the UAE, the main backer of the LNA. Some of the other drones were Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2.
Recent reports claimed that the LAF received several Mig-29s fighter jets. On the other side, Turkey reportedly deployed more air-defense systems to support the Government of National Accord (GNA).
The LNA and GNA forces are bracing for a large battle in western Libya, likely around Tarhunah. Both sides don’t appear to be interested in a political settlement right now.
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southfront--2020-05-25--Turkey Reportedly Deployed Air Defense System In Libya’s Misrata (Photos)

The Turkish military has reportedly deployed a MIM-23 Hawk medium-range air defense system in the northern Libyan city of Misrata .
On May 24 , Twitter user Aldin shared satellite images showing what appears to be a Hawk battery in the southwestern part of Misrata ’ s Air Academy .
Turkey is the only ally of the Government of National Accord ( GNA ) that operates systems of this type .
In January , Turkey deployed at least one Hawk system in the Mitiga International Airport , east of the Libyan capital of Tripoli .
The system has not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Defense Command of the Turkish Air Force ( TAF ) has 16 Hawk systems , all were upgraded to the XXI standard .
With the range of up to 45 km , the Hawk system can be lethal for unmanned combat aerial vehicles ( UCAVs ) supporting the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) .
Turkey stepped up its support for the GNA in the last few weeks .
This allowed GNA forces to make gains on the ground .
Meanwhile , the LNA is reportedly reorganizing and arming its troops to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ :

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The Turkish military has reportedly deployed a MIM-23 Hawk medium-range air defense system in the northern Libyan city of Misrata.
On May 24, Twitter user Aldin shared satellite images showing what appears to be a Hawk battery in the southwestern part of Misrata’s Air Academy. Turkey is the only ally of the Government of National Accord (GNA) that operates systems of this type.
Imagery of what is most likely MIM-23 Hawk site based at #Misrata Airport in #Libya pic.twitter.com/hvdiSjQ2lj — Aldin ?? (@aldin_ww) May 24, 2020
In January, Turkey deployed at least one Hawk system in the Mitiga International Airport, east of the Libyan capital of Tripoli. The system has not been seen in action so far.
The Air Defense Command of the Turkish Air Force (TAF) has 16 Hawk systems, all were upgraded to the XXI standard. With the range of up to 45 km, the Hawk system can be lethal for unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) supporting the Libyan National Army (LNA).
Turkey stepped up its support for the GNA in the last few weeks. This allowed GNA forces to make gains on the ground. Meanwhile, the LNA is reportedly reorganizing and arming its troops to strike back.
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southfront--2020-05-25--Horas Al-Din Religious Leader Warns Greater Idlib Jihadists From ‘International Agreements’

Horas al-Din ’ s senior Sharia official , Sami al-Oraydi , has warned of what he accepting “ international agreements ” by militant groups in Syria ’ s Greater Idlib .
In a video message titled “ Makman Al-D ’ a ” [ the source of illness ] , al-Oraydi said Jihadi groups that seek international agreements or follow the promises of political leaders are no different from parties which use the democracy to achieve their goals .
The commander added that Jihadists in Idlib shouldn ’ t make excuses for accepting international agreements calling this a “ scheme.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and depending on the oppressors will not bring any good.
” This statement was likely aimed against Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) , which was approaching Turkey and attempting to hide its links with al-Qaeda .
The group reportedly accepted a deal with Ankara that allowed to open the M4 highway .
In the last few months , tensions between Horas al-Din and HTS grew .
The two groups were involved in several small-scale incidents .
Both Horas al-Din and HTS don ’ t appear to be interested in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dominate Greater Idlib could eventually push it into the confllict with Horas al-Din .
This would further destabilize both terrorist groups .
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Horas al-Din’s senior Sharia official, Sami al-Oraydi, has warned of what he accepting “international agreements” by militant groups in Syria’s Greater Idlib.
In a video message titled “Makman Al-D’a” [the source of illness], al-Oraydi said Jihadi groups that seek international agreements or follow the promises of political leaders are no different from parties which use the democracy to achieve their goals.
“Dealing with infidels in war and peace, positive and negative should be subjected to Sharia standards and the complete obedience to God,” al-Oraydi said in the message that was released on May 24.
The commander added that Jihadists in Idlib shouldn’t make excuses for accepting international agreements calling this a “scheme.” He also warned that “obeying criminals and depending on the oppressors will not bring any good.”
This statement was likely aimed against Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was approaching Turkey and attempting to hide its links with al-Qaeda. The group reportedly accepted a deal with Ankara that allowed to open the M4 highway.
In the last few months, tensions between Horas al-Din and HTS grew. The two groups were involved in several small-scale incidents.
Both Horas al-Din and HTS don’t appear to be interested in a full-on confrontation. However, HTS attempts to dominate Greater Idlib could eventually push it into the confllict with Horas al-Din. This would further destabilize both terrorist groups.
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southfront--2020-05-25--Type 075 Landing Helicopter Dock (Infographics)

The construction speed of their first LHD was mind-boggling .
Soon we ’ re going to see the navalised version @ @ @ @ @ Chinese variant of the UH-60 .
AFAIK , the problem for the Chinese would be @ @ @

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The Type 075 landing helicopter dock is a class of Chinese amphibious assault ships. Currently, two warships are under construction by the Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding company.
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southfront--2020-05-25--SouthFront’s New YouTube Channel

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southfront--2020-05-25--Hezbollah Releases Video Showcasing Training Of Its Special Forces

Should we talk about IDF pilots using civilian airliners as cover as a basic bombing technique then ?
Plus , such stuff happens today , not 25 or 30 years ago .
Anyway , as for Southern Lebanon , as its name indicates… it ’ s Lebanon , not Israel , so IDF had nothing to do here in the first place .
And more generally , beyond that particular theater , the Resistance efforts of a given country against an occupying needs not always act in a honorable way , since the IDF itself rarely ever did in return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many brave french Jews that I respect just as much if not more for their struggle , in the mid-40s did a lot of similar stuff against Hitler ’ s forces in Vichy .
They were treacherous , and double , if not triple spy games such as the one you describe were commonplace , are you going to complain there as well and belittle the French Resistance ’ s glory ?
By the letter of the UN Charter and International Law , any sovereign country and its people have the right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupying forces from their soil , it doesn ’ t speak of specific rules of engagement , that the IDF anyway does not respect whatsoever with its area bombing with weapons of mass destructions banned by the Geneva convention .
As I ’ ve told you several times before IZ , you reap what you sow .
And in Lebanon , you did quite a lot for bad shit before Hezb even existed .
Hezbollah will not draw first blood if you refrain from trying to move the separation line once again or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incursion with commandos as you have the nasty habit of doing every once in a while before the UNIFIL calms you down .

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On May 25, Hezbollah released a video showcasing the training of its special forces.
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southfront--2020-05-25--Kim Jong Un Oversees Meeting To Increase NK’s ‘Nuclear War Deterrence’

Still on his public appearance ‘ return ’ tour after last month ’ s ‘ where ’ s Kim ?
’ false alarm , North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hosted a meeting of top generals on the country ’ s nuclear policy Sunday the first appearance since his May 1st tour of a factory quashed persistent rumors about his health .
State media asserted Pyongyang would continue to bolster its nuclear capabilities undeterred , amid stalled nuclear talks with the White House , at the meeting of the Workers ’ Party of Korea Central Military Commission ( CMC ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at efforts to “ reliably contain the persistent big or small military threats from the hostile forces , ” according to Reuters .
The report emphasized the country would increase its “ nuclear war deterrence ” .
“ Set forth at the meeting were new policies for further increasing the nuclear war deterrence of the country and putting the strategic armed forces on a high alert operation , ” the state media outlet continued .
The state-run outlet noted that officials also took “ crucial measures for considerably increasing the firepower strike ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said to have signed seven related orders : Since denuclearization talks with Washington stalled last fall , the regime has ramped up its short and medium range missile tests , with no less than six launches from the end of February through late March .
The last provocative test included a projectile fired into the sea off the coast of Japan , and was seen as a direct challenge to Washington and its regional allies .

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
Still on his public appearance ‘return’ tour after last month’s ‘where’s Kim?’ false alarm, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hosted a meeting of top generals on the country’s nuclear policy Sunday — the first appearance since his May 1st tour of a factory quashed persistent rumors about his health.
State media asserted Pyongyang would continue to bolster its nuclear capabilities undeterred, amid stalled nuclear talks with the White House, at the meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea Central Military Commission (CMC).
KCNA reported the meeting was aimed at efforts to “reliably contain the persistent big or small military threats from the hostile forces,” according to Reuters. The report emphasized the country would increase its “nuclear war deterrence”.
“Set forth at the meeting were new policies for further increasing the nuclear war deterrence of the country and putting the strategic armed forces on a high alert operation,” the state media outlet continued.
The state-run outlet noted that officials also took “crucial measures for considerably increasing the firepower strike ability of the artillery pieces.”
Kim is said to have signed seven related orders:
The orders concerned “enhancing” the responsibility and roles of major military educational institutions, reorganizing the military command system “to meet the mission and duty of the security institutions” and promoting the military ranks of commanding officers, KCNA said.
Since denuclearization talks with Washington stalled last fall, the regime has ramped up its short and medium range missile tests, with no less than six launches from the end of February through late March.
The last provocative test included a projectile fired into the sea off the coast of Japan, and was seen as a direct challenge to Washington and its regional allies.
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southfront--2020-05-25--Turkey Dives Into Libyan Conflict

Turkey Dives Into Libyan Conflict

Main playlist with id 1941 does not exist !
The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) and Syrian militants supported by the Turkish military have achieved more gains in their battle against the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar .
GNA forces have captured the areas of Asabiah and Mazdah from the LNA and besieged the town of Tarhuna .
On May 23 , pro-Turkish sources even claimed that alleged Russian private military contractors operating on the side of the LNA were withdrawn from Tarhuna to Bani Walid and then were evacuated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GNA claimed that a Russian military contractor was killed in the area of Salah ad-Din .
On top of this , the LNA lost two Chinese-made Wing Loong II combat drones supplied by the UAE which crashed near Bani Walid and Qaryat .
The total number of LNA fighters killed or injured in recent clashes in Libya ’ s northwest , according to pro-GNA sources , is over 100 .
However , clashes that erupted north of Tarhuna early on May 24 demonstrated that LNA forces are not going to surrender the town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of Turkish-backed Syrian militants killed in Libya reportedly reached 311 .
Additionally , the LNA claimed that its forces had shot down 13 Turkish unmanned combat aerial vehicles during the last 3 days .
According to the LNA spokesperson , Maj. Gen. Ahmed al-Mesmari , the army is now relocating its troops and preparing for a push to once again take an upper hand in the battle against Turkish-backed forces .
The LNA also shared a video documenting Turkish actions to supply military equipment and deploy members of Syrian militant groups in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military involvement in the conflict grows on a daily basis .
Just recently , Ankara reportedly deployed a MIM-23 Hawk medium-range air defense system and military specialists in the city of Misrata .
Turkish military actions are a cornerstone of the recent GNA successes on the ground .
At the same time , the very same approach is instigating instability in the region .
Egypt and the UAE , which support the LNA , see the Turkish expansion and the strengthening of the GNA as a direct threat to its vital interests .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ radical militant groups operating under the brand of the GNA reach the Egyptian-Libyan border , they will become a constant source of the terrorist threat in Egypt itself .

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The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and Syrian militants supported by the Turkish military have achieved more gains in their battle against the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
GNA forces have captured the areas of Asabiah and Mazdah from the LNA and besieged the town of Tarhuna. On May 23, pro-Turkish sources even claimed that alleged Russian private military contractors operating on the side of the LNA were withdrawn from Tarhuna to Bani Walid and then were evacuated from the country. arlier, the GNA claimed that a Russian military contractor was killed in the area of Salah ad-Din. On top of this, the LNA lost two Chinese-made Wing Loong II combat drones supplied by the UAE which crashed near Bani Walid and Qaryat. The total number of LNA fighters killed or injured in recent clashes in Libya’s northwest, according to pro-GNA sources, is over 100.
However, clashes that erupted north of Tarhuna early on May 24 demonstrated that LNA forces are not going to surrender the town without a battle. Meanwhile, the number of Turkish-backed Syrian militants killed in Libya reportedly reached 311. Additionally, the LNA claimed that its forces had shot down 13 Turkish unmanned combat aerial vehicles during the last 3 days. According to the LNA spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Ahmed al-Mesmari, the army is now relocating its troops and preparing for a push to once again take an upper hand in the battle against Turkish-backed forces.
The LNA also shared a video documenting Turkish actions to supply military equipment and deploy members of Syrian militant groups in Tripoli. The scale of the Turkish military involvement in the conflict grows on a daily basis. Just recently, Ankara reportedly deployed a MIM-23 Hawk medium-range air defense system and military specialists in the city of Misrata.
Turkish military actions are a cornerstone of the recent GNA successes on the ground. At the same time, the very same approach is instigating instability in the region. Egypt and the UAE, which support the LNA, see the Turkish expansion and the strengthening of the GNA as a direct threat to its vital interests. Cairo is also concerned that, if radical militant groups operating under the brand of the GNA reach the Egyptian-Libyan border, they will become a constant source of the terrorist threat in Egypt itself.
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southfront--2020-05-25--Apocalypse Soon? US Still Scrambling And Surging To Develop New High-Tech Weapons Systems

Amidst the social and economic turmoil and critical shortages of food , medical supplies and other essential goods , the US leadership has not wavered in the slightest from its mission to secure and maintain the holy grail of planetary ‘ full spectrum dominance ’ and control of all possible theatres of war and conflict , which covers all possible physical , geographical , social , psychological , economic and technological dimensions and realms from outer space to the centre of the Earth and beyond .
This dangerous manic obsession poses enormous existential risks not just for the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be ‘ full spectrum dominated ’ if the objective can be realized , but for the people of the United States itself as the basic needs , welfare and immediate security of its citizens are neglected – most of them at least , as no doubt in a worst-case scenario the political , military and financial/ corporate leadership will be safely ensconced in their deep military bases , Armageddon-proof bunkers or spaceships .
This raises the additional question as to who exactly makes up this privileged group of those to be saved : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ( assuming of course he is not killed in the initial conflagration ) , or will the Establishment nobility decide that they would rather not live locked up with him every day for eternity in a concrete cave deep underground .
A Newsweek article from March of this year discusses some possible alternatives , reviewing some of the known elements of the ‘ continuity of government ’ strategy and contingency plans that would provide for the designation of all governance functions and powers in the US .
Apart from the horrifying destructive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the very real risks of accidental or deliberate cataclysms being unleashed , the headlong rush to develop the ‘ perfect weapon ’ – a lot of them – must inevitably incur the risk that extremely complex , dangerous , untested technologies can get out of control as scientists and engineers experiment with their destructive potential and attempt to convert them into deployable weapons systems .
To take just one example , the number and gravity of nuclear accidents , incidents and near misses is disconcerting to say the very least .
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known cases : LINK 1 , LINK 2 , LINK 3 In 2015 USA Today published extensive research relating to the ongoing safety issues in biological laboratories in the US and elsewhere .
The vast scale and inherently secretive , fragmented , compartmentalized nature of R & D programs makes even the most minimally effective forms of rational oversight and control impossible , and the apocalyptic Hollywood scenarios of Artificial Intelligence robots , nuclear , biological or some other type of cataclysmic weapons wreaking havoc seem ever more plausible .
There is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities going on beyond those actually involved in the projects and their military and corporate overseers , not just in terms of the technical details but in terms of the fundamental aspects of objectives , goals and assessing the inherent risks of the programs , whether at the local , national or international level .
The Coronavirus outbreak is a case in point .
Who can say whether it is a natural mutation or a laboratory invention that escaped or was deliberately released ?
Gilad Atzmon has written a thought provoking piece on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s analysis contains many pertinent preliminary points in this respect : “ We have recently heard from frontline medical physicians that the current global health crisis is something they have not been trained to deal with nor do they fully understand the spectrum of symptoms they encounter in hospitals and emergency centres… One would assume that if the virus at the centre of the current epidemic was an unsavoury present from ‘ mother nature ’ we would be able to trace its evolution .
We likely would have seen the gradual appearance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught our medical establishment unprepared .
It doesn ’ t seem this happened .
In the view of many medical practitioners the new disease is in a category of its own .
It is a novelty .
This means that it is possible that the Corona virus wasn ’ t created by nature but by creatures who believe themselves to be greater than nature .
Since we do not know its provenance , we should treat the current epidemic as a potentially criminal act as well as a medical event .
We must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be at the centre of this possible crime of global genocidal proportions .
While medical diagnosis is defined by : • a determination of the nature of the cause of a disease .
• a concise technical description of the cause , nature , and/or manifestations of the symptoms .
Criminal investigations are primarily engaged with the human element .
The criminal investigator seeks to ascertain the methods , motives , and identities of criminals , the identity of victims and may also search for and interrogate witnesses to the crime .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would mean searching for possible offenders : individuals , institutions , or states that may have created the lethal virus as part of a research program or more directly , as an agent of biological warfare .
Law enforcement agencies often allocate dozens of investigators , officers , detectives and agents to untangle a single homicide .
One would expect that following the deaths of tens of thousands around the globe , every police force , government and intelligence agency would join forces in the attempt to identify the possible culprit ( s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
We may be dealing with a negligent or criminal event on a massive scale… A number of scientists have commented that laboratories and research centres have been engaged in the study of corona viruses and experimented with models that resemble the current virus .
Specifically , some have pointed to a North Carolina laboratory that experimented with the viruses extracted from bats in 2015… In 2014 the US National Institute of Health removed its funding of gain-of-function ( GOF ) experiments involving the influenza , SARS , and MERS viruses… Treating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ought to include a visit by the FBI to the office of the National Institute of Health and a careful review of all the files related to American laboratories conducting GOF experiments with Coronavirus .
This investigative procedure must be exercised in every region and country in the world that has engaged in GOF experiments .
As soon as the Corona virus became the new disaster , Dany Shoham , a former Israeli military intelligence officer , was quick to point to China ’ s biowarfare program as a possible originator of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exception of President Trump and his Pompeo character , not many are convinced that Covid-19 is a Chinese Virus ( as Trump refers to it when he wants to annoy progressives ) .
A criminal investigation would have to examine Chinese as well as Russian , British , French , German , etc .
laboratories and their safety records .
It should also verify whether Dany Shoham had any evidence for his assertion regarding China or whether he was attempting to divert attention from another possible suspect in this Corona affair .
Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and WMD facilities must also be subject to thorough scrutiny… ” Several detailed investigative reports by Dilyana Gaytandzhieva provide considerable sources of information and preliminary evidence ( LINK ) , as do numerous reports filed by Veterans Today ( see , e.g.
, LINK 1 , LINK 2 ) .
There are of course many , many others , all of which must be collated and cross-checked , verified or dismissed .
A ‘ crime scene ’ based analysis must consider all possible culprits , to start with all countries that possess knowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology and research , development and production , until and unless it has been demonstrated to everyone ’ s satisfaction that they can be eliminated from the list of suspects .
Any countries that are prepared to make allegations against others ( such as the US and China , which have been exchanging mutual accusations for some time now ) must either disclose their evidence and reasons behind their accusations for independent verification by the world community or shut up .
All formal and documented accusations must be thoroughly and transparently investigated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and highly qualified scientific , medical , forensic and other experts to investigate the characteristics and impacts of the virus in their country as well as contribute to the international investigation .
Their efforts must be subject to thorough peer review as well as full and informed public analysis and debate – the world can not afford more of the ‘ national security ’ , ‘ Security Council veto ’ , ‘ diplomatic immunities and privileges ’ , ‘ commercial confidentiality ’ , ‘ trade secrets ’ , ‘ it ’ s too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bullshit .
In at least some cases , possibly many , a country has established military and scientific bases and research facilities in other countries ; these must of course be included .
The US is undoubtedly the most prolific in this regard , engaging in many secretive bilateral agreements , contracts and partnerships to conduct nobody seems to know what exactly – least of all the citizens of ‘ host countries ’ affected .
The links to the investigative reports above provides a wealth of starting points .
But it is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is most important to include all facilities and activities of the sprawling financial-military-industrial complex involved in related activities .
Some of these corporate-industrial-scientific behemoths are probably the only institutions that are even close to matching the capabilities of ‘ The Pentagon ’ to outsource , offshore and camouflage programs and installations for the research , development and production of materials related to biological weapons .
This would include all of the biochemical , pharmaceutical , etc .
giants , as well as all other major research and development foundations of all types @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The development of international and national lead agencies and fusion centres There are numerous possible contenders for the necessary task of establishing some sort of world-wide ‘ lead agencies ’ or ‘ fusion centres ’ to plan , coordinate and supervise the international investigations , and facilitate cooperation with regional and national-level investigations ( each with their own respective ‘ fusion centre ’ ) .
However , I would suggest that none of the existing institutions is adequate in itself to assume full control over the investigation .
The enormity of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community of nations , it can not be put under the control of some exclusive , self-appointed ‘ international community ’ institution behind multiple screens of exclusion , secrecy and confidentiality .
As just one example , the Biological Weapons Convention does not provide even remotely viable mechanisms or procedures to address such possibilities ( and if a regime such as that of the OPCW existed , how effective could it be in the world of , as is apparent from its hopelessly compromised investigations into the use of chemical weapons in Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maybe the parties to the Biological Weapons Convention can consider this when they next meet in another 4 or 5 years .
The 73rd annual session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva ( the decision-making body of WHO ) urged member States to establish an “ impartial , independent and comprehensive evaluation ” of the World Health Organization ’ s ( WHO ) response to the pandemic as well as the identification of the “ zoonotic ” source of the coronavirus .
The potential parameters and scope of the proposed investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals as possible sources of the virus , excluding all other possible sources , vectors and contributing factors before even beginning ) .
Moreover , according to a report , only 116 of the 194 member States were in favour of the resolution .
Notwithstanding the difficulties and deficiencies of existing international institutions and the broader geopolitical conditions in which they must operate , some of the possible major contenders as contributors and focal points for research and investigation projects include the WHO , some measure pursuant to the Biological Weapons Convention ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ verification , investigation and research capabilities ) , a Security Council and/ or General Assembly resolution or joint investigative mechanism , as well as other relevant UN or international institutions .
The US ’ full spectrum dominance objective has received major setbacks over the last few years as the Russian military in particular , working closely with patriotic industrial and technological sectors , have outperformed the US Department of ‘ Defense ’ and associated sprawling and astronomically expensive US financial-military-industrial complex in many crucial sectors .
( LINK ) Nonetheless , the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined , and are rolling out new research and development initiatives to match and surpass the high tech weapons systems of its rivals , adversaries and ( potential ? )
enemies .
As reported last week , the newly created US Space Force is cutting its teeth with a space flight by the experimental ‘ space plane ’ X-37B , which will in turn launch at least one autonomous military satellite on behalf of the US Air Force Academy and is equipped with modules for the conduct of scientific experiments by NASA and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will probably last for about one and a half to two years .
Another such program is a ‘ Skyborg competition ’ launched by the US Air Force .
The website Flightglobal reports of the program : Another high-priority area is hypersonic vehicles and weapons systems , with the US military and high-tech sectors scrambling to develop a response to Russia ’ s ‘ Avanguard ’ hypersonic glide vehicle .
As far as is known , the US has neither a similar offensive weapon nor the means to defend itself against such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ while the Pentagon has several hypersonic weapons programs in development , Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in August that it will be “ a couple of years ” before the U.S. can deploy a weapon of this caliber.
” ( LINK 1 , LINK 2 ) The most recent Congressional Research Service review on hypersonic systems , completed on 4 March 2020 , had a restrained and prudent tone as it pondered developments and requirements : However , senior military officials , bureaucrats and corporate executives are much more aggressive and extravagant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are similarly bullish about the prospective benefits , market potential and profits of associated R & D , production and deployment ( probably including ongoing operational management and maintenance contracts in most cases ) ( LINK ) , which promises to lock them into a spiralling cycle of lucrative confidential cost-plus contracts for many decades to come .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • SpaceX : Camel ’ s Nose under the Tent of Space Militarization

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Amidst the social and economic turmoil and critical shortages of food, medical supplies and other essential goods, the US leadership has not wavered in the slightest from its mission to secure and maintain the holy grail of planetary ‘full spectrum dominance’ and control of all possible theatres of war and conflict, which covers all possible physical, geographical, social, psychological, economic and technological dimensions and realms from outer space to the centre of the Earth and beyond.
This dangerous manic obsession poses enormous existential risks not just for the rest of the world, which will of course be ‘full spectrum dominated’ if the objective can be realized, but for the people of the United States itself as the basic needs, welfare and immediate security of its citizens are neglected – most of them at least, as no doubt in a worst-case scenario the political, military and financial/ corporate leadership will be safely ensconced in their deep military bases, Armageddon-proof bunkers or spaceships.
This raises the additional question as to who exactly makes up this privileged group of those to be saved: would Trump be ‘in the loop’ (assuming of course he is not killed in the initial conflagration), or will the Establishment nobility decide that they would rather not live locked up with him every day for eternity in a concrete cave deep underground. A Newsweek article from March of this year discusses some possible alternatives, reviewing some of the known elements of the ‘continuity of government’ strategy and contingency plans that would provide for the designation of all governance functions and powers in the US.
“Continuity of government and protection of the presidency began in the Eisenhower administration with the possibility emerging that Washington could be obliterated in an atomic attack. The need to plan for a nuclear decision-maker to survive even a direct attack led to the building of bunkers and a maze of secret procedures and exceptions, many of which are still followed to this day. Congress was also folded in – at least Congressional leadership – to ensure that there would always be a Constitutional successor. And then the Supreme Court was added (along with ‘other important figures’)… All of these plans are the responsibility of U.S. Northern Command (or NORTHCOM), the homeland defense military authority created after 9/11. Air Force General O’Shaughnessy is NORTHCOM’s Colorado Springs-based commander.” (LINK)
Apart from the horrifying destructive potential of existing weapons of mass destruction and the very real risks of accidental or deliberate cataclysms being unleashed, the headlong rush to develop the ‘perfect weapon’ – a lot of them – must inevitably incur the risk that extremely complex, dangerous, untested technologies can get out of control as scientists and engineers experiment with their destructive potential and attempt to convert them into deployable weapons systems.
To take just one example, the number and gravity of nuclear accidents, incidents and near misses is disconcerting to say the very least. Just a small selection of reviews of the known cases: LINK 1, LINK 2, LINK 3
In 2015 USA Today published extensive research relating to the ongoing safety issues in biological laboratories in the US and elsewhere.
“Vials of bioterror bacteria have gone missing. Lab mice infected with deadly viruses have escaped, and wild rodents have been found making nests with research waste. Cattle infected in a university’s vaccine experiments were repeatedly sent to slaughter and their meat sold for human consumption. Gear meant to protect lab workers from lethal viruses such as Ebola and bird flu has failed, repeatedly.” The report revealed that “hundreds of lab mistakes, safety violations and near-miss incidents have occurred in biological laboratories coast to coast in recent years, putting scientists, their colleagues and sometimes even the public at risk.” Safety failures in biological laboratories aren’t just a problem in the US. “A small, deadly outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome in China in 2004 was traced to lab workers at the National Institute of Virology in Beijing. In 2007, an outbreak of foot and mouth disease among cattle in England that required herds to be slaughtered was blamed on leaking drainage pipes at a nearby research complex.”
Accountability and supervision
The vast scale and inherently secretive, fragmented, compartmentalized nature of R&D programs makes even the most minimally effective forms of rational oversight and control impossible, and the apocalyptic Hollywood scenarios of Artificial Intelligence robots, nuclear, biological or some other type of cataclysmic weapons wreaking havoc seem ever more plausible. There is no supervision and accountability for the experiments and activities going on beyond those actually involved in the projects and their military and corporate overseers, not just in terms of the technical details but in terms of the fundamental aspects of objectives, goals and assessing the inherent risks of the programs, whether at the local, national or international level.
The Coronavirus outbreak is a case in point. Who can say whether it is a natural mutation or a laboratory invention that escaped or was deliberately released? Gilad Atzmon has written a thought provoking piece on this. (LINK)
Atzmon’s analysis contains many pertinent preliminary points in this respect:
“We have recently heard from frontline medical physicians that the current global health crisis is something they have not been trained to deal with nor do they fully understand the spectrum of symptoms they encounter in hospitals and emergency centres… One would assume that if the virus at the centre of the current epidemic was an unsavoury present from ‘mother nature’ we would be able to trace its evolution. We likely would have seen the gradual appearance of some of the new symptoms that have caught our medical establishment unprepared. It doesn’t seem this happened. In the view of many medical practitioners the new disease is in a category of its own. It is a novelty. This means that it is possible that the Corona virus wasn’t created by nature but by creatures who believe themselves to be greater than nature. Since we do not know its provenance, we should treat the current epidemic as a potentially criminal act as well as a medical event. We must begin the search for the perpetrators who may be at the centre of this possible crime of global genocidal proportions. While medical diagnosis is defined by: a determination of the nature of the cause of a disease. a concise technical description of the cause, nature, and/or manifestations of the symptoms. Criminal investigations are primarily engaged with the human element. The criminal investigator seeks to ascertain the methods, motives, and identities of criminals, the identity of victims and may also search for and interrogate witnesses to the crime. Treating the Corona virus as a crime would mean searching for possible offenders: individuals, institutions, or states that may have created the lethal virus as part of a research program or more directly, as an agent of biological warfare. Law enforcement agencies often allocate dozens of investigators, officers, detectives and agents to untangle a single homicide. One would expect that following the deaths of tens of thousands around the globe, every police force, government and intelligence agency would join forces in the attempt to identify the possible culprit(s) at the root of the coronavirus crisis. We may be dealing with a negligent or criminal event on a massive scale… A number of scientists have commented that laboratories and research centres have been engaged in the study of corona viruses and experimented with models that resemble the current virus. Specifically, some have pointed to a North Carolina laboratory that experimented with the viruses extracted from bats in 2015… In 2014 the US National Institute of Health removed its funding of gain-of-function (GOF) experiments involving the influenza, SARS, and MERS viruses… Treating the Corona virus outbreak as a crime ought to include a visit by the FBI to the office of the National Institute of Health and a careful review of all the files related to American laboratories conducting GOF experiments with Coronavirus. This investigative procedure must be exercised in every region and country in the world that has engaged in GOF experiments. As soon as the Corona virus became the new disaster, Dany Shoham, a former Israeli military intelligence officer, was quick to point to China’s biowarfare program as a possible originator of the virus. By now, with the exception of President Trump and his Pompeo character, not many are convinced that Covid-19 is a Chinese Virus (as Trump refers to it when he wants to annoy progressives). A criminal investigation would have to examine Chinese as well as Russian, British, French, German, etc. laboratories and their safety records. It should also verify whether Dany Shoham had any evidence for his assertion regarding China or whether he was attempting to divert attention from another possible suspect in this Corona affair. Israel, with its extensive biological warfare laboratories and WMD facilities must also be subject to thorough scrutiny…”
Several detailed investigative reports by Dilyana Gaytandzhieva provide considerable sources of information and preliminary evidence (LINK), as do numerous reports filed by Veterans Today (see, e.g., LINK 1, LINK 2).
There are of course many, many others, all of which must be collated and cross-checked, verified or dismissed.
A ‘crime scene’ based analysis must consider all possible culprits, to start with all countries that possess knowledge and capabilities in all related fields of technology and research, development and production, until and unless it has been demonstrated to everyone’s satisfaction that they can be eliminated from the list of suspects.
Any countries that are prepared to make allegations against others (such as the US and China, which have been exchanging mutual accusations for some time now) must either disclose their evidence and reasons behind their accusations for independent verification by the world community or shut up.
All formal and documented accusations must be thoroughly and transparently investigated, with all countries contributing their most experienced and highly qualified scientific, medical, forensic and other experts to investigate the characteristics and impacts of the virus in their country as well as contribute to the international investigation. Their efforts must be subject to thorough peer review as well as full and informed public analysis and debate – the world cannot afford more of the ‘national security’, ‘Security Council veto’, ‘diplomatic immunities and privileges’, ‘commercial confidentiality’, ‘trade secrets’, ‘it’s too complicated for the plebs to understand’ bullshit.
In at least some cases, possibly many, a country has established military and scientific bases and research facilities in other countries; these must of course be included. The US is undoubtedly the most prolific in this regard, engaging in many secretive bilateral agreements, contracts and partnerships to conduct nobody seems to know what exactly – least of all the citizens of ‘host countries’ affected. The links to the investigative reports above provides a wealth of starting points.
But it is not just Nation-States that must be considered. It is most important to include all facilities and activities of the sprawling financial-military-industrial complex involved in related activities. Some of these corporate-industrial-scientific behemoths are probably the only institutions that are even close to matching the capabilities of ‘The Pentagon’ to outsource, offshore and camouflage programs and installations for the research, development and production of materials related to biological weapons. This would include all of the biochemical, pharmaceutical, etc. giants, as well as all other major research and development foundations of all types involved in activities in potentially related fields.
The development of international and national lead agencies and fusion centres
There are numerous possible contenders for the necessary task of establishing some sort of world-wide ‘lead agencies’ or ‘fusion centres’ to plan, coordinate and supervise the international investigations, and facilitate cooperation with regional and national-level investigations (each with their own respective ‘fusion centre’). However, I would suggest that none of the existing institutions is adequate in itself to assume full control over the investigation. The enormity of the task requires full participation by the world community of nations, it cannot be put under the control of some exclusive, self-appointed ‘international community’ institution behind multiple screens of exclusion, secrecy and confidentiality.
As just one example, the Biological Weapons Convention does not provide even remotely viable mechanisms or procedures to address such possibilities (and if a regime such as that of the OPCW existed, how effective could it be in the world of realpolitik, as is apparent from its hopelessly compromised investigations into the use of chemical weapons in Syria, see, e.g., LINK). Maybe the parties to the Biological Weapons Convention can consider this when they next meet in another 4 or 5 years.
The 73rd annual session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva (the decision-making body of WHO) urged member States to establish an “impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation” of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) response to the pandemic as well as the identification of the “zoonotic” source of the coronavirus. The potential parameters and scope of the proposed investigation are thereby limited (to only consider animals as possible sources of the virus, excluding all other possible sources, vectors and contributing factors before even beginning). Moreover, according to a Reuters report, only 116 of the 194 member States were in favour of the resolution.
Notwithstanding the difficulties and deficiencies of existing international institutions and the broader geopolitical conditions in which they must operate, some of the possible major contenders as contributors and focal points for research and investigation projects include the WHO, some sui generis measure pursuant to the Biological Weapons Convention (which as currently constituted has extremely limited verification, investigation and research capabilities), a Security Council and/ or General Assembly resolution or joint investigative mechanism, as well as other relevant UN or international institutions.
Ongoing US high tech weapons projects
The US’ full spectrum dominance objective has received major setbacks over the last few years as the Russian military in particular, working closely with patriotic industrial and technological sectors, have outperformed the US Department of ‘Defense’ and associated sprawling and astronomically expensive US financial-military-industrial complex in many crucial sectors. (LINK)
Nonetheless, the US political, economic and military leadership remain determined, and are rolling out new research and development initiatives to match and surpass the high tech weapons systems of its rivals, adversaries and (potential?) enemies. As reported last week, the newly created US Space Force is cutting its teeth with a space flight by the experimental ‘space plane’ X-37B, which will in turn launch at least one autonomous military satellite on behalf of the US Air Force Academy and is equipped with modules for the conduct of scientific experiments by NASA and the US Naval Academy. The flight will probably last for about one and a half to two years.
Another such program is a ‘Skyborg competition’ launched by the US Air Force. The website Flightglobal reports of the program:
“The US Air Force (USAF) has launched a competition to design the artificially intelligent software, called Skyborg, that would control its planned fleet of loyal wingman unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). The service intends to grant indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts worth $400 million per awardee to develop the software and related hardware, it says in a request for proposals released on 15 May. The USAF is looking for technical and cost proposals from companies by 15 June 2020 and intends to award multiple contracts… Skyborg would be artificially intelligent software used to control the flight path, weapons and sensors of large numbers of UAVs. Automating flight control, in particular via artificial intelligence, is seen as necessary to allow a single person, perhaps a backseat operator in a fighter, to command multiple UAVs at once. In particular, the USAF wants Skyborg software and hardware to control ‘attritable’ UAVs; aircraft with limited lifespans that are cheap enough to be produced in large numbers and could be affordably lost to combat attrition. Those UAVs could be used as loyal wingman aircraft alongside manned fighters, bombers and support aircraft.
The US Air Force Research Laboratory is leading development of these aircraft through its Low Cost Attritable Strike Demonstration programme. That effort has produced the Kratos Defense & Security Solutions XQ-58A Valkyrie, a UAV that has completed several demonstration flights. Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force also have developed a loyal wingman called the Airpower Teaming System. That UAV’s first flight is expected later this year… (The USAF says) “The Skyborg core will be a best-of-breed combination of industry and government solutions… Low-cost unmanned vehicles are envisioned to augment high-end manned systems through a series of next-generation UAVs that are affordable, effective, quickly designed and produced… There will also be a large need to offer a short development cycle so that variants could rapidly be procured as needed.” The UAVs are to have modular hardware and software payloads that use a common Skyborg autonomy mission system, and enable manned and unmanned teaming. The USAF wants to use the modularity to quickly plug and play software and hardware changes that would be needed to defeat new threats from near-peer militaries, such as China or Russia. Previously, the USAF has said it wanted a Skyborg-controlled UAV reaching early operational capability as soon as 2023…”
Another high-priority area is hypersonic vehicles and weapons systems, with the US military and high-tech sectors scrambling to develop a response to Russia’s ‘Avanguard’ hypersonic glide vehicle. As far as is known, the US has neither a similar offensive weapon nor the means to defend itself against such a weapon. Last year cnbc reported; “while the Pentagon has several hypersonic weapons programs in development, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in August that it will be “a couple of years” before the U.S. can deploy a weapon of this caliber.” (LINK 1, LINK 2)
The most recent Congressional Research Service review on hypersonic systems, completed on 4 March 2020, had a restrained and prudent tone as it pondered developments and requirements:
“The Pentagon’s FY2021 budget request for all hypersonic-related research is $3.2 billion—up from $2.6 billion in the FY2020 request—including $206.8 million for hypersonic defense programs. At present, the Department of Defense (DOD) has not established any programs of record for hypersonic weapons, suggesting that it may not have approved either requirements for the systems or long-term funding plans. Indeed, as Assistant Director for Hypersonics (Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering) Mike White has stated, DOD has not yet made a decision to acquire hypersonic weapons and is instead developing prototypes to assist in the evaluation of potential weapon system concepts and mission sets. As Congress reviews the Pentagon’s plans for U.S. hypersonic weapons programs, it might consider questions about the rationale for hypersonic weapons, their expected costs, and their implications for strategic stability and arms control…” (LINK)
However, senior military officials, bureaucrats and corporate executives are much more aggressive and extravagant in their projections:
“The Pentagon has created a “war room” to ramp up production of hypersonic weapons from a handful of prototypes over the last decade to “hundreds of weapons” in the near future, a senior official said Wednesday. Those weapons will range from huge rocket-powered boost-glide missiles, fired from Army trucks and Navy submarines at more than Mach 10, to more compact and affordable air-breathing cruise missiles, fired from aircraft at a relatively modest Mach 5-plus. “It isn’t an either-or,” said Mark Lewis, modernization director for Pentagon R&D chief Mike Griffin. “It isn’t rocket-boost or air-breathing, we actually want both, because those systems do different things.” Right now, however, US combat units have neither. Inconsistent focus and funding over the years means that “we had a number of programs in the department that were very solid technology development programs, but at the end of those programs, we would have prototypes and we’d have weapons in the single-digit counts,” Lewis said during a webcast with the Air Force Association’s Mitchell Institute. “If you’ve got a program that delivers eight missiles and then stops, well, which of the thousand targets in our target set are we going to use those eight missiles against?” With hypersonics now a top priority for both Undersecretary Griffin and Defense Secretary Mark Esper, the Pentagon is trying to improve that stop-and-go track record with a new “hypersonic acceleration plan” – no pun intended, Lewis said. Griffin likes to compare the effort to the Cold War, when the US had a massive nuclear weapons infrastructure capable of building complex components by the tens of thousands…”
Their corporate counterparts are similarly bullish about the prospective benefits, market potential and profits of associated R&D, production and deployment (probably including ongoing operational management and maintenance contracts in most cases) (LINK), which promises to lock them into a spiralling cycle of lucrative confidential cost-plus contracts for many decades to come.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-05-25--Russian Military Police Secured Reopening Of M4 Highway In Northeastern Syria

Click to see the full-size image On May 25 , the part of the M4 highway between Aleppo and Hasakah @ @ @ @ @ supervision of the Russian Military Police .
A large chunk of the highway in norheastern @ @ @ @ @ under the control of Turkish-backed militant groups .
However , the joint efforts of Syria @ @ @ @ @ to secure the movement in the area .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Russian @ @ @ @ @ In Northeast Syria Within Few Days – Report

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On May 25, the part of the M4 highway between Aleppo and Hasakah cities was reopened under the supervision of the Russian Military Police. A large chunk of the highway in norheastern Syria is near the area under the control of Turkish-backed militant groups. However, the joint efforts of Syria, Turkey and Russia allowed to secure the movement in the area.
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southfront--2020-05-25--Military Situation In Libya On May 25, 2020 (Map Update)

LNA will get bloody lesson that when Russia suggest peace plan then need sign it instead drop .

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Libya:
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southfront--2020-05-25--Greece Accuses Turkey Of Seizing Border Territory, Since Evros Riverbed Changed

On May 13th , Greece accused Turkey of seizing border territory , and allegedly attempted land-leveling activities along the Evros River .
The Turkish Foreign ministry said it would not allow “ fait accompli , ” meaning that whatever has happened is already in the past , and there is no way to change it , but simply accept it .
Ankara has informed Greece that the riverbed “ has significantly changed due to natural and artificial reasons ” since 1926 when the border was established and that technical coordination was needed for a solution .
The Turkish ministry added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks between the two countries ’ technical delegations .
According to the statement , the Turkish side offered Athens such a meeting .
On May 20th , Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said there was a “ dispute ” with Ankara , saying , “ The riverbed has changed.
” Foreign , primarily British , media reported that Turkish forces occupied a piece of land that is usually submerged in water at this time of the year , located on the Greek side of the border .
The Greek foreign ministry dismissed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We stress that no foreign power is on Greek territory , ” the ministry said in a statement , responding to reports in British and other media .
“ The government has proven that it knows how to defend the borders of Greece and Europe and our sovereign rights , ” it added .
“ Turkish soldiers and police special forces now have a solid presence within the Greek territory and have camped in the pocket of Apiary [ Melissokomeio ] at Feres , ” the Daily Mail claimed , citing a Greek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 soldiers reportedly marched onto a floodplain site on the east bank of the River Evros near the town of Feres , ” The Sun also reported .
The area in question is Melissokomeio , near the southern part of the Evros River .
Members of Turkey ’ s police special forces have had a presence in the area in recent weeks , blocking the work of the Hellenic Army ’ s geographical service in view of the expansion of a border fence to the southern section of the Evros River to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when thousands of migrants amassed at the border trying to cross into Greece .
Greece ’ s ministers for Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos and Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias are on May 26th to brief members of Greek Parliament on the situation at the country ’ s northeastern land border with Turkey .
The briefing also comes after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said over the weekend that a new wave of migrants is expected to head to Greece , raising concerns of a repeat of scenes from early March .
In March , thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Greek border after Turkey opened its doors and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attempted to force migrants to leave its territory for Europe , in order to pressure it for support for its activities in Idlib , Syria .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Tensions Between Migrant Groups Lead To Fires In Greek Camp • Migrant Standoff Ramps Up As Greece Locks Down Against COVID-19

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On May 13th, Greece accused Turkey of seizing border territory, and allegedly attempted land-leveling activities along the Evros River.
The Turkish Foreign ministry said it would not allow “fait accompli,” meaning that whatever has happened is already in the past, and there is no way to change it, but simply accept it.
“In spite of our warnings and proposals of cooperation, Greece initiated land-leveling activities on May 13, 2020, and violated our contractual land border. This violation was immediately intercepted by our relevant authorities through the necessary measures,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Ankara has informed Greece that the riverbed “has significantly changed due to natural and artificial reasons” since 1926 when the border was established and that technical coordination was needed for a solution.
The Turkish ministry added that the dispute could be resolved through talks between the two countries’ technical delegations.
According to the statement, the Turkish side offered Athens such a meeting.
“We will by no means allow any fait accompli on our borders,” the ministry warned.
On May 20th, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said there was a “dispute” with Ankara, saying, “The riverbed has changed.”
Foreign, primarily British, media reported that Turkish forces occupied a piece of land that is usually submerged in water at this time of the year, located on the Greek side of the border.
The Greek foreign ministry dismissed the reports as “fake news.”
“We stress that no foreign power is on Greek territory,” the ministry said in a statement, responding to reports in British and other media. “The government has proven that it knows how to defend the borders of Greece and Europe and our sovereign rights,” it added. “Turkish soldiers and police special forces now have a solid presence within the Greek territory and have camped in the pocket of Apiary [Melissokomeio] at Feres,” the Daily Mail claimed, citing a Greek website called Army Voice. “Around 35 soldiers reportedly marched onto a floodplain site on the east bank of the River Evros near the town of Feres,” The Sun also reported.
The area in question is Melissokomeio, near the southern part of the Evros River.
Members of Turkey’s police special forces have had a presence in the area in recent weeks, blocking the work of the Hellenic Army’s geographical service in view of the expansion of a border fence to the southern section of the Evros River to avoid a repeat of the scenes in March when thousands of migrants amassed at the border trying to cross into Greece.
“The government has already demonstrated that it can defend the border of Greece and Europe and our sovereign rights,” the Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Greece’s ministers for Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos and Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias are on May 26th to brief members of Greek Parliament on the situation at the country’s northeastern land border with Turkey.
The briefing also comes after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said over the weekend that a new wave of migrants is expected to head to Greece, raising concerns of a repeat of scenes from early March.
In March, thousands of migrants faced off with riot police at the Greek border after Turkey opened its doors and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attempted to force migrants to leave its territory for Europe, in order to pressure it for support for its activities in Idlib, Syria.
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southfront--2020-05-26--Military Situation In Afghanistan On May 26, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan : • The Kabul government @ @ @ @ @ 900 Taliban prisoners on May 26 ; • According to reports , the Taliban carried @ @ @ @ @ cells in the province of Balkh .
The results of the reported raids remain unclear @ @ @ @ @ and the Taliban have recently decreased the number of operations against each other .
MORE @ @ @ @ @ Military Situation In Afghanistan On May 24 , 2020 ( Map Update )

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Afghanistan:
The Kabul government is planning to release around 900 Taliban prisoners on May 26;
According to reports, the Taliban carried out several raids against ISIS cells in the province of Balkh. The results of the reported raids remain unclear;
Both Kabul forces and the Taliban have recently decreased the number of operations against each other.
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southfront--2020-05-26--Military Situation In Syria On May 26, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • The part of @ @ @ @ @ Tamr and Ayn Issa was reopened for civilian traffic ; • The military commander of @ @ @ @ @ was killed in a strike near al-Bara .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Military @ @ @ @ @ 25 , 2020 ( Map Update )

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
The part of the M4 highway between Tell Tamr and Ayn Issa was reopened for civilian traffic;
ISIS cells set on fire a farmland area near Khass Ujayl;
A landmine explosion reportedly killed a civilan near Mazloum;
The military commander of NLF’s 1st Brigade was killed in a strike near al-Bara.
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southfront--2020-05-26--Kim’s New ‘Nuclear-Capable Submarine’ About To Be Deployed: South Korea

A day after Kim Jong Un oversaw a meeting of his top generals which resolved to continue to advance North Korea ’ s “ nuclear war deterrence ” , South Korea ’ s news service reports that Pyongyang ’ s new ballistic missile-capable submarine is ready to imminently enter service .
“ South Korean intelligence authorities said they have been closely monitoring the North ’ s activities regarding preparations for the launching of a new submarine it first unveiled in July 2019 , ” Yonhap underscores , citing military and intelligence sources .
“ The submarine , believed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrying three SLBMs and to have been under construction at its naval base in Sinpo on its east coast , ” the report continues .
“ It seems almost ready to be deployed , ” a South Korean military source told Yonhap .
“ We are closely watching when the North will hold a launching ceremony.
” Crucially the new submarine has been touted as capable of launching intercontinental ballistic missiles with greater ranges , or submarine-launched ballistic missiles ( SLBMs ) , which would significantly add to Pyongyang ’ s strategic nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year North Korean state media published photos of what was then dubbed Kim ’ s new “ powerful submarine ” – which appeared indeed more massive than anything seen out of the country before .
Pyongyang is currently believed to have a fleet of aging , low-tech submarines numbering at about 70 , but they are considered loud ( and thus can easily be detected ) and most importantly incapable of firing nuclear-armed ballistic missiles .
However , in 2016 the north successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile ( SLBM ) in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s believed that the Sunday meeting of the Workers ’ Party of Korea Central Military Commission ( CMC ) was in preparation of a potential major announcement that the new submarine could be ready to enter service .
Specifically the Sunday meeting chaired by Kim set forth “ new policies for further increasing the nuclear war deterrence of the country and putting the strategic armed forces on a high alert operation , ” according to state media .
The state-run outlet noted that officials also took “ crucial measures for considerably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artillery pieces.
” Seoul officials worry precisely that this could mean the soon roll-out of the new SLBM-capable large submarine .
If not a game-changer altogether , then it would at least provide serious leverage in the north ’ s stalled talks with Washington , which is likely precisely the point .

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
A day after Kim Jong Un oversaw a meeting of his top generals which resolved to continue to advance North Korea’s “nuclear war deterrence”, South Korea’s Yonhap news service reports that Pyongyang’s new ballistic missile-capable submarine is ready to imminently enter service.
“South Korean intelligence authorities said they have been closely monitoring the North’s activities regarding preparations for the launching of a new submarine it first unveiled in July 2019,” Yonhap underscores, citing military and intelligence sources.
“The submarine, believed to be a 3,000-ton one, is capable of carrying three SLBMs and to have been under construction at its naval base in Sinpo on its east coast,” the report continues.
“It seems almost ready to be deployed,” a South Korean military source told Yonhap. “We are closely watching when the North will hold a launching ceremony.”
Crucially the new submarine has been touted as capable of launching intercontinental ballistic missiles with greater ranges, or submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), which would significantly add to Pyongyang’s strategic nuclear launch capabilities.
In July of last year North Korean state media published photos of what was then dubbed Kim’s new “powerful submarine” – which appeared indeed more massive than anything seen out of the country before.
Pyongyang is currently believed to have a fleet of aging, low-tech submarines numbering at about 70, but they are considered loud (and thus can easily be detected) and most importantly incapable of firing nuclear-armed ballistic missiles. However, in 2016 the north successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in a bid to establish faster deterrence capabilities.
It’s believed that the Sunday meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea Central Military Commission (CMC) was in preparation of a potential major announcement that the new submarine could be ready to enter service.
Specifically the Sunday meeting chaired by Kim set forth “new policies for further increasing the nuclear war deterrence of the country and putting the strategic armed forces on a high alert operation,” according to state media.
The state-run outlet noted that officials also took “crucial measures for considerably increasing the firepower strike ability of the artillery pieces.”
Seoul officials worry precisely that this could mean the soon roll-out of the new SLBM-capable large submarine. If not a game-changer altogether, then it would at least provide serious leverage in the north’s stalled talks with Washington, which is likely precisely the point.
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southfront--2020-05-26--Netanyahu Says Annexation Of West Bank To Happen By July 1st In “Historic Opportunity”

On May 25th , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to annex parts of the West Bank in the coming months .
He said that the plan was to do so in by July 1st , and that there were no plans to delay it any further .
Netanyahu said that Israel will not miss what he called a “ historic opportunity ” to extend its sovereignty to Palestinian lands , calling the move one of his newly sworn-in government ’ s top priorities .
“ We have an opportunity that hasn ’ t existed since 1948 to apply sovereignty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomatic step in Judea and Samaria , and we will not let this opportunity pass , ” the PM said , referring to the year Israel was established and using the biblical names for the West Bank .
“ We have a target date in July to apply sovereignty and we will not change it , ” Netanyahu later told the gathered member of Knesset ( Parliament ) , during a part of the meeting that was closed to media , Israeli media reported .
Israel ’ s ambassador to the U.S. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials in recent weeks to back annexation , fearing that the plan could be derailed if Joe Biden wins the presidency in November .
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said last week that the Palestinian Authority considers itself free of all agreements and understandings with both Israel and the U.S. — including on security matters — because of Israel ’ s annexation plans .
On the US side , the White House and the US Department of State said that the deadline provided by Netanyahu isn ’ t “ sacred ” and that annexation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was in the framework of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks .
Still , the move follows US President Donald Trump ’ s “ Deal of the century.
” The deal essentially lets Israel impose sovereignty all the way to Jordan while Palestinians are granted a disjointed and demilitarised entity .
The Palestinian state ’ s capital would be on the outskirts of Jerusalem , the disputed city that would remain fully under Israeli sovereignty .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected Israel ’ s plans and gave his support to Palestinians in a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan .
The EU ’ s foreign policy chief , Josep Borrell , has said annexation would violate international law and vowed to use “ all our diplomatic capacities ” to stop it .
Saudi Arabia , which formally has no relations with Israel , and it ’ s an open secret that Riyadh and Tel ’ Aviv coordinate in many fields , announced its “ rejection of the Israeli measures and plans to annex Palestinian lands.
” The Arab League has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” and both Jordan and Egypt , the only two Arab countries at peace with Israel , have harshly criticized it .
The envoys from the UK , Germany , France , Ireland , the Netherlands , Italy , Spain , Sweden , Belgium , Denmark , Finland and the EU issued a formal objection to the Foreign Ministry against the move .
“ We are very concerned about the clause in the coalition agreement that paves the way for annexing parts of the West Bank .
The annexation of any part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violation of international law , ” the ambassadors said .
“ Such unilateral steps will harm efforts to renew the peace process and will have grave consequences for regional stability and for Israel ’ s standing in the international arena.
” MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Iran Bans Use Of Any Israeli Technology , Announces “ Virtual Embassy ” In Palestine

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On May 25th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to annex parts of the West Bank in the coming months.
He said that the plan was to do so in by July 1st, and that there were no plans to delay it any further.
Netanyahu said that Israel will not miss what he called a “historic opportunity” to extend its sovereignty to Palestinian lands, calling the move one of his newly sworn-in government’s top priorities.
“We have an opportunity that hasn’t existed since 1948 to apply sovereignty in a wise way and as a diplomatic step in Judea and Samaria, and we will not let this opportunity pass,” the PM said, referring to the year Israel was established and using the biblical names for the West Bank. “We have a target date in July to apply sovereignty and we will not change it,” Netanyahu later told the gathered member of Knesset (Parliament), during a part of the meeting that was closed to media, Israeli media reported.
Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., Ron Dermer, has been lobbying American officials in recent weeks to back annexation, fearing that the plan could be derailed if Joe Biden wins the presidency in November.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said last week that the Palestinian Authority considers itself free of all agreements and understandings with both Israel and the U.S. — including on security matters — because of Israel’s annexation plans.
On the US side, the White House and the US Department of State said that the deadline provided by Netanyahu isn’t “sacred” and that annexation would be supported by Washington only if it was in the framework of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.
Still, the move follows US President Donald Trump’s “Deal of the century.”
The deal essentially lets Israel impose sovereignty all the way to Jordan while Palestinians are granted a disjointed and demilitarised entity. The Palestinian state’s capital would be on the outskirts of Jerusalem, the disputed city that would remain fully under Israeli sovereignty.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected Israel’s plans and gave his support to Palestinians in a video statement to U.S. Muslims on Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
“We will not allow the Palestinian lands to be offered to anyone else. I would like to reiterate that Al Quds Al-Sharif, the holy site of three religions and our first kiblah, is a red line for all Muslims in the world,” Erdogan said, referring to Jerusalem by its Arabic name.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has said annexation would violate international law and vowed to use “all our diplomatic capacities” to stop it.
Saudi Arabia, which formally has no relations with Israel, and it’s an open secret that Riyadh and Tel’Aviv coordinate in many fields, announced its “rejection of the Israeli measures and plans to annex Palestinian lands.”
The Arab League has condemned it as a “war crime,” and both Jordan and Egypt, the only two Arab countries at peace with Israel, have harshly criticized it.
The envoys from the UK, Germany, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Finland and the EU issued a formal objection to the Foreign Ministry against the move.
“We are very concerned about the clause in the coalition agreement that paves the way for annexing parts of the West Bank. The annexation of any part of the West Bank constitutes a clear violation of international law,” the ambassadors said. “Such unilateral steps will harm efforts to renew the peace process and will have grave consequences for regional stability and for Israel’s standing in the international arena.”
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southfront--2020-05-26--Military Situation In Yemen On May 26, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen : • Clashes between Ansar @ @ @ @ @ in the northwestern part of Marib ; • Clashes between the STC and Saudi-led forces @ @ @ @ @ MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Military Situation In Yemen On May 25 , 2020 @ @ @ @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen:
Ceasefire violations were reported in al-Hudaydah;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Midi areas 2 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Zaher area 6 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Wadi Jarrah area 3 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Kitaf area 5 times;
Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue in the northwestern part of Marib;
Clashes between the STC and Saudi-led forces continue in Abyan province.
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