southfront--2020-05-20--Palestinian President Terminates Agreements With Israel, US

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has announced that the Palestinian Authority is terminating all agreements with Israel and the United States in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’ s recent reaffirmations of his intention to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.f The Palestinian president emphasized that the move was in reaction to Israel ’ s plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank and the Jordan Valley , also envisaged in US President Donald Trump ’ s so-called Deal of the Century unveiled earlier this year .
The US president officially unveiled his scheme , the so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the White House with Netanyahu at his side , while Palestinian representatives were not invited .
Nevertheless , Abbas said the PA remained committed to the two-state solution , that he planned to seek recognition of statehood in a number of international agreements and conventions , and called on the international community to impose sanctions on Israel and to recognize the State of Palestine .
He also added that the Palestine would continue to pursue the Israeli government before international authorities and courts , referring specifically to the International Criminal Court which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crimes investigation into Israeli and Palestinian actions in the Gaza Strip , east Jerusalem and the West Bank .
Earlier in the day , Germany and the Palestinian Authority released a joint statement expressing ‘ grave concern ’ over Israel ’ s declared intention to proceed with the annexation plan .
The language used in the announcement is reminiscent of a public letter by fifty former European foreign ministers and other senior statesmen published in the Guardian in February , in which they stated in part : “ As Europeans dedicated to promoting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we express our deep concern about President Trump ’ s Middle East plan , titled Peace to Prosperity .
The plan contradicts internationally agreed parameters for the Middle East peace process , relevant UN resolutions , including security council resolution 2334 , and the most fundamental principles of international law .
Instead of promoting peace , it risks fuelling the conflict – at the expense of Israeli and Palestinian civilians alike , and with grave implications for Jordan and the wider region .
It has been met with widespread opposition in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States .
The plan allows for annexation of large and vital parts of the occupied Palestinian territory and legitimises and encourages illegal Israeli settlement activity .
It recognises only one side ’ s claims to Jerusalem and offers no just solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees .
It projects a future Palestinian “ state ” without control and sovereignty over its fragmented territory .
The map featured in the plan proposes Palestinian enclaves under permanent Israeli military control , which evoke chilling associations with South Africa ’ s bantustans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a viable two-state solution , nor to any other legitimate solution to the conflict .
The plan envisages a formalisation of the current reality in the occupied Palestinian territory , in which two peoples are living side by side without equal rights .
Such an outcome has characteristics similar to apartheid – a term we don ’ t use lightly .
The international community , particularly the European Union , must prevent such a scenario from unfolding , in order to preserve the dignity and rights of the Palestinians , the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules-based order… ” A report in the Jerusalem Post noted that former vice president and probable Democrat nominee Joe Biden said on Tuesday that he opposes Israeli plans to annex settlements in the West Bank .
During a conversation with Jewish donors , Biden declared that both the Israelis and the Palestinians should take steps that promote the two-state solution , and avoid unilateral measures .
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has announced that the Palestinian Authority is terminating all agreements with Israel and the United States in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent reaffirmations of his intention to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.f
“The Palestine Liberation Organization and the state of Palestine are absolved, as of today, of all the agreements and understandings with the American and Israeli governments and of all the commitments based on these understandings and agreements, including the security ones,” Abbas said in the statement on Tuesday.
The Palestinian president emphasized that the move was in reaction to Israel’s plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank and the Jordan Valley, also envisaged in US President Donald Trump’s so-called Deal of the Century unveiled earlier this year.
Abbas further stated:
“We place full responsibility on the US administration for the occupation of the Palestinian people, and consider it a key partner in Israel’s actions and decisions against the rights of the Palestinian people.”
The US president officially unveiled his scheme, the so-called deal of the century, in January at the White House with Netanyahu at his side, while Palestinian representatives were not invited.
Nevertheless, Abbas said the PA remained committed to the two-state solution, that he planned to seek recognition of statehood in a number of international agreements and conventions, and called on the international community to impose sanctions on Israel and to recognize the State of Palestine. He also added that the Palestine would continue to pursue the Israeli government before international authorities and courts, referring specifically to the International Criminal Court which announced its intention to open a war crimes investigation into Israeli and Palestinian actions in the Gaza Strip, east Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Earlier in the day, Germany and the Palestinian Authority released a joint statement expressing ‘grave concern’ over Israel’s declared intention to proceed with the annexation plan.
The language used in the announcement is reminiscent of a public letter by fifty former European foreign ministers and other senior statesmen published in the Guardian in February, in which they stated in part:
“As Europeans dedicated to promoting international law, peace and security worldwide, we express our deep concern about President Trump’s Middle East plan, titled Peace to Prosperity. The plan contradicts internationally agreed parameters for the Middle East peace process, relevant UN resolutions, including security council resolution 2334, and the most fundamental principles of international law. Instead of promoting peace, it risks fuelling the conflict – at the expense of Israeli and Palestinian civilians alike, and with grave implications for Jordan and the wider region. It has been met with widespread opposition in the region, in Europe, and in the United States. The plan allows for annexation of large and vital parts of the occupied Palestinian territory and legitimises and encourages illegal Israeli settlement activity. It recognises only one side’s claims to Jerusalem and offers no just solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees. It projects a future Palestinian “state” without control and sovereignty over its fragmented territory. The map featured in the plan proposes Palestinian enclaves under permanent Israeli military control, which evoke chilling associations with South Africa’s bantustans. Peace to Prosperity is not a roadmap to a viable two-state solution, nor to any other legitimate solution to the conflict. The plan envisages a formalisation of the current reality in the occupied Palestinian territory, in which two peoples are living side by side without equal rights. Such an outcome has characteristics similar to apartheid – a term we don’t use lightly. The international community, particularly the European Union, must prevent such a scenario from unfolding, in order to preserve the dignity and rights of the Palestinians, the future of Israeli democracy and the wider international rules-based order…”
A report in the Jerusalem Post noted that former vice president and probable Democrat nominee Joe Biden said on Tuesday that he opposes Israeli plans to annex settlements in the West Bank.
During a conversation with Jewish donors, Biden declared that both the Israelis and the Palestinians should take steps that promote the two-state solution, and avoid unilateral measures.
“I think we also have to make it clear that I do not support annexation,” he said, adding that “The Palestinians need to end incitement in the West Bank and rocket attacks in Gaza.”
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southfront--2020-05-20--Pakistan: Seven Soldiers Killed In Two Separate Attacks In Baluchistan

Seven soldiers have been martyred in two separate terror attacks in Balochistan , the Inter-Services Public Relations ( ISPR ) said on Tuesday .
The province hosts a major deep-water port in the town of Gwadar , a pivotal part of the $ 60bn China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ( CPEC ) project .
According to the ISPR statement , terrorists targeted a vehicle of the Frontier Corps ( FC ) in Mach using improvised explosive devices ( IEDs ) , claiming the lives of six Pakistan Army soldiers .
Their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb while returning to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pir Ghaib area , about 55km ( 34 miles ) southeast of the provincial capital Quetta , late on Monday .
In a separate incident at Kech , another soldier , Sipahi Imdad Ali was martyred in an exchange of fire with militants .
Almost 2 weeks ago five Frontier Corps ( FC ) soldiers and one officer were martyred after their vehicle was targeted with an improvised explosive device ( IED ) near the Pakistan-Iran border .
In a tweet , the Inter-Services Public Relations ( ISPR ) said the security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — 14 kilometres from the Pakistan-Iran border — to “ check possible routes used by terrorists in the mountainous terrain of Makran ” .
That attack was claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army ( BLA ) , an armed group calling for independence for the ethnic Baloch areas of the province .
As yet no one has claimed responsibility for the latest attack .
Also , just over a week ago a statement claiming to be from the Baluchistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for an armed attack against a hotel in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statemen t added : “ Expect more attacks China and Pakistan.
” A Pakistani military official said that the gunmen had killed a security guard at the hotel entrance .
The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad said that two other security agents had been wounded .
The hotel , the Zaver Pearl Continental in the city of Gwadar in Baluchistan Province , is frequently used by top government officials and Chinese workers employed on a port project in the area .
In claiming responsibility for the attack , the separatist group said that four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it was linked to the presence of Chinese and other foreign investors at the hotel Overall , there was a slight increase in casualties caused by militant attacks in Pakistan in April compared to the previous month .
Militants appear to be trying to get back some territory in North Waziristan tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where 90 per cent of casualties in violent incidents during the month of April occurred .
A slight increase is also observed in activities of Pakistani security forces against militants .
An Islamabad-based think tank , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( PICSS ) , recorded a total of nine militant attacks during April in which 18 people died — 10 security personnel and eight militants — while six security forces personnel got injured .
Tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ( erstwhile Fata ) witnessed the highest number of violent militant activities , where six out of total nine attacks took place .
No militant activity was recorded in Punjab , Gilgit-Baltistan , Azad Jammu and Kashmir , and other parts of Pakistan .
Meanwhile , Pakistani security forces carried out a total of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Balochistan , Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , erstwhile Fata , and Sindh .
Pakistani forces arrested 12 suspects involved in different terror and anti-state activities , including eight from Sindh and four from KP .
Four members of Al Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent were also arrested in Karachi .
An assistant sub-inspector of police was arrested for his alleged ties with Indian intelligence agency RAW ( Research and Analysis Wing ) .
During an information-based raid on Karachi University , security forces recovered weapons , ammunition , computers , anti-state literature , maps , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • In Video : F-16 Jet Crashed , Pilot Died During Rehearsals For Airshow And Military Parade In Pakistan

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Seven soldiers have been martyred in two separate terror attacks in Balochistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday.
The province hosts a major deep-water port in the town of Gwadar, a pivotal part of the $60bn China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
According to the ISPR statement, terrorists targeted a vehicle of the Frontier Corps (FC) in Mach using improvised explosive devices (IEDs), claiming the lives of six Pakistan Army soldiers. Their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb while returning to its base camp after routine patrolling duty in the Pir Ghaib area, about 55km (34 miles) southeast of the provincial capital Quetta, late on Monday.
In a separate incident at Kech, another soldier, Sipahi Imdad Ali was martyred in an exchange of fire with militants.
Almost 2 weeks ago five Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers and one officer were martyred after their vehicle was targeted with an improvised explosive device (IED) near the Pakistan-Iran border.
In a tweet, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the security personnel were returning from patrolling in Buleda — 14 kilometres from the Pakistan-Iran border — to “check possible routes used by terrorists in the mountainous terrain of Makran”. That attack was claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), an armed group calling for independence for the ethnic Baloch areas of the province. As yet no one has claimed responsibility for the latest attack.
Also, just over a week ago a statement claiming to be from the Baluchistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for an armed attack against a hotel in the city of Gwadar in Baluchistan province. The statemen t added: “Expect more attacks China and Pakistan.”
A Pakistani military official said that the gunmen had killed a security guard at the hotel entrance. The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad said that two other security agents had been wounded.
The hotel, the Zaver Pearl Continental in the city of Gwadar in Baluchistan Province, is frequently used by top government officials and Chinese workers employed on a port project in the area.
In claiming responsibility for the attack, the separatist group said that four gunmen had carried out the assault and that it was linked to the presence of Chinese and other foreign investors at the hotel
Overall, there was a slight increase in casualties caused by militant attacks in Pakistan in April compared to the previous month.
Militants appear to be trying to get back some territory in North Waziristan tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where 90 per cent of casualties in violent incidents during the month of April occurred.
A slight increase is also observed in activities of Pakistani security forces against militants. An Islamabad-based think tank, Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), recorded a total of nine militant attacks during April in which 18 people died — 10 security personnel and eight militants — while six security forces personnel got injured. Tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (erstwhile Fata) witnessed the highest number of violent militant activities, where six out of total nine attacks took place.
No militant activity was recorded in Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and other parts of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistani security forces carried out a total of 16 actions against militants in areas of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, erstwhile Fata, and Sindh. Pakistani forces arrested 12 suspects involved in different terror and anti-state activities, including eight from Sindh and four from KP. Four members of Al Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent were also arrested in Karachi.
An assistant sub-inspector of police was arrested for his alleged ties with Indian intelligence agency RAW (Research and Analysis Wing). During an information-based raid on Karachi University, security forces recovered weapons, ammunition, computers, anti-state literature, maps, and checkboxes.
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southfront--2020-05-20--Syrian Army Uncovers Dozens Of Guided Missiles, Landmines In Southern Syria (Video, Photos)

The Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) uncovered several weapons caches during recent search operations in the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Arab News Agency ( SANA ) reported on May 19 .
The seized weapons included @ @ @ @ @ arms , as well as : • Several rounds for the Czechoslovakian-made RPG-75 anti-tank weapon @ @ @ @ @ dozens of landmines near the town of Saida al-Hanout in the al-Quneitra countryside .
Most @ @ @ @ @ U.S.-made M15s .
Most of these weapons were supplied by the U.S. and its allies @ @ @ @ @ secret operation to equip rebel groups in Syria .
The operation , codenamed “ Timber @ @ @ @ @ former U.S. President Barack Obama in 2013 .
President Donald Trump halted the operation when @ @ @ @ @ MORE ON THIS TOPIC :

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The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) uncovered several weapons caches during recent search operations in the country’s southern region, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on May 19.
The seized weapons included loads of ammunition and light arms, as well as:
29 Bulgarian-made 9K111 Fagot/AT-4 Spigot anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs);
6 U.S.-made TOW ATGMs;
A Bulgarian-made Konkurs ATGM;
Several Soviet-made RPG-22 and RPG-27 anti-tank rocket-propelled grenades;
Several rounds for the Czechoslovakian-made RPG-75 anti-tank weapon;
The SAA also uncovered dozens of landmines near the town of Saida al-Hanout in the al-Quneitra countryside. Most of the seized landmines were U.S.-made M15s.
Most of these weapons were supplied by the U.S. and its allies as a part of a secret operation to equip rebel groups in Syria. The operation, codenamed “Timber Sycamore” was authorized by former U.S. President Barack Obama in 2013. President Donald Trump halted the operation when he came to power.
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southfront--2020-05-21--Military Situation In Yemen On May 21, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen : • Ansar Allah launched @ @ @ @ @ al-jin camps north of Marib .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Military Situation In @ @ @ @ @ 2020 ( Map Update )

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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 Khab and Shaaf areas 6 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Hazm area 2 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Qaniya area 7 times;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck the Qatabah area 3 times;
Ansar Allah launched missiles on Tadawin and Sahn al-jin camps north of Marib.
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southfront--2020-05-21--U.S. Strategic Approach Against China

U.S. Strategic Approach Against China

On May 20th , 2020 , in accordance with the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act , the Trump administration delivered a report , “ U.S .
Strategic Approach to the People ’ s Republic of China ” to members of the US Congress .
The entire report is available online on the White House website .
[ pdf ] The report itself begins on a rather negative note , that after 40 years of attempts to deepen engagement which would in turn lead to economic and political opening in the People ’ s Republic of China , no such thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , China has failed in emerging as “ a constructive and responsible global stakeholder , with a more open society.
” “ More than 40 years later , it has become evident that this approach underestimated the will of the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) to constrain the scope of economic and political reform in China .
Over the past two decades , reforms have slowed , stalled , or reversed .
The PRC ’ s rapid economic development and increased engagement with the world did not lead to convergence with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States had hoped .
The CCP has chosen instead to exploit the free and open rules-based order and attempt to reshape the international system in its favor .
Beijing openly acknowledges that it seeks to transform the international order to align with CCP interests and ideology .
The CCP ’ s expanding use of economic , political , and military power to compel acquiescence from nation states harms vital American interests and undermines the sovereignty and dignity of countries and individuals around the world.
” The US strategy is such that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a specific end-goal for China being achieved , but rather to realize Washington ’ s own interests , through the four pillars set out in the 2017 National Security Strategy : • Protect the American people , homeland , and way of life ; The report does not attempt to detail the comprehensive range of actions and policy initiatives the Administration is carrying out across the globe as part of our strategic competition .
Rather , this report focuses on the implementation of the NSS as it applies most directly to China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that China poses to the US interests : • Economic challenges : Beijing ’ s poor record of following through on economic reform commitments and its extensive use of state-driven protectionist policies and practices harm United States companies and workers , distort global markets , violate international norms , and pollute the environment .
When the PRC acceded to the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) in 2001 , Beijing agreed to embrace the WTO ’ s open market-oriented approach and embed these principles in its trading system and institutions .
WTO members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of economic reform and transform itself into a market-oriented economy and trade regime .
• Challenges of US values : The CCP promotes globally a value proposition that challenges the bedrock American belief in the unalienable right of every person to life , liberty , and the pursuit of happiness .
Under the current generation of leadership , the CCP has accelerated its efforts to portray its governance system as functioning better than those of what it refers to as “ developed , western countries.
” Beijing is clear that it sees itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the West .
In 2013 , General Secretary Xi called on the CCP to prepare for a “ long-term period of cooperation and conflict ” between two competing systems and declared that “ capitalism is bound to die out and socialism is bound to win.
” In addition , it alleges that the Chinese government often forces its nationals to carry out malign activities that go against the US and other Western states ’ values ; • Security Challenges : As China has grown in strength , so has the willingness and capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coercion in its attempts to eliminate perceived threats to its interests and advance its strategic objectives globally .
Beijing ’ s actions belie Chinese leaders ’ proclamations that they oppose the threat or use of force , do not intervene in other countries ’ internal affairs , or are committed to resolving disputes through peaceful dialogue .
Beijing contradicts its rhetoric and flouts its commitments to its neighbors by engaging in provocative and coercive military and paramilitary activities in the Yellow Sea , the East and South China Seas , the Taiwan Strait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to tackle these challenges , the US needs to undertake a specific approach , according to the National Security Strategy it has to “ rethink the policies of the past two decades – policies based on the assumption that engagement with rivals and their inclusion in international institutions and global commerce would turn them into benign actors and trustworthy partners .
For the most part , this premise turned out to be false .
Rival actors use propaganda and other means to try to discredit democracy .
They advance anti-Western views and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ourselves , our allies , and our partners.
” The United States rejects CCP attempts at false equivalency between rule-of-law and rule-by-law ; between counterterrorism and oppression ; between representative governance and autocracy ; and between market-based competition and state-directed mercantilism .
The United States will continue to challenge Beijing ’ s propaganda and false narratives that distort the truth and attempt to demean American values and ideals .
Essentially , everything will be implemented in four directions : • Protect the American People , the Homeland , and the American Way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and almost entirely focused on forwarding US ’ interests at any cost , and takes into account only that , allied interests are unmentioned .
It advertises joint projects with other countries such as Australia and Japan , only so far as they allow it to keep the leading position in them and set out the course .
The conclusion of the report is the following : “ The Administration ’ s approach to the PRC reflects a fundamental reevaluation of how the United States understands and responds to the leaders of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second largest national economy .
The United States recognizes the long-term strategic competition between our two systems .
Through a whole-of-government approach and guided by a return to principled realism , as articulated by the NSS , the United States Government will continue to protect American interests and advance American influence .
At the same time , we remain open to constructive , results-oriented engagement and cooperation from China where our interests align .
We continue to engage with PRC leaders in a respectful yet clear-eyed manner , challenging Beijing to uphold its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Military Experts Urge China To Expand Nuclear Arsenal As “ Deterrence ” Against US • China Purchases More Venezuelan Oil In Push For Geopolitical Influence

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On May 20th, 2020, in accordance with the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, the Trump administration delivered a report, “U.S. Strategic Approach to the People’s Republic of China” to members of the US Congress.
The entire report is available online on the White House website. [pdf]
The report itself begins on a rather negative note, that after 40 years of attempts to deepen engagement which would in turn lead to economic and political opening in the People’s Republic of China, no such thing has happened.
According to the report, China has failed in emerging as “a constructive and responsible global stakeholder, with a more open society.”
“More than 40 years later, it has become evident that this approach underestimated the will of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to constrain the scope of economic and political reform in China. Over the past two decades, reforms have slowed, stalled, or reversed. The PRC’s rapid economic development and increased engagement with the world did not lead to convergence with the citizen-centric, free and open order as the United States had hoped. The CCP has chosen instead to exploit the free and open rules-based order and attempt to reshape the international system in its favor. Beijing openly acknowledges that it seeks to transform the international order to align with CCP interests and ideology. The CCP’s expanding use of economic, political, and military power to compel acquiescence from nation states harms vital American interests and undermines the sovereignty and dignity of countries and individuals around the world.”
The US strategy is such that it doesn’t aim to stop a specific end-goal for China being achieved, but rather to realize Washington’s own interests, through the four pillars set out in the 2017 National Security Strategy:
Protect the American people, homeland, and way of life; Promote American prosperity; Preserve peace through strength; Advance American influence.
The report does not attempt to detail the comprehensive range of actions and policy initiatives the Administration is carrying out across the globe as part of our strategic competition. Rather, this report focuses on the implementation of the NSS as it applies most directly to China.
The reports sets out 3 key challenges that China poses to the US interests:
Economic challenges: Beijing’s poor record of following through on economic reform commitments and its extensive use of state-driven protectionist policies and practices harm United States companies and workers, distort global markets, violate international norms, and pollute the environment. When the PRC acceded to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, Beijing agreed to embrace the WTO’s open market-oriented approach and embed these principles in its trading system and institutions. WTO members expected China to continue on its path of economic reform and transform itself into a market-oriented economy and trade regime. Challenges of US values: The CCP promotes globally a value proposition that challenges the bedrock American belief in the unalienable right of every person to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Under the current generation of leadership, the CCP has accelerated its efforts to portray its governance system as functioning better than those of what it refers to as “developed, western countries.” Beijing is clear that it sees itself as engaged in an ideological competition with the West. In 2013, General Secretary Xi called on the CCP to prepare for a “long-term period of cooperation and conflict” between two competing systems and declared that “capitalism is bound to die out and socialism is bound to win.” In addition, it alleges that the Chinese government often forces its nationals to carry out malign activities that go against the US and other Western states’ values; Security Challenges: As China has grown in strength, so has the willingness and capacity of the CCP to employ intimidation and coercion in its attempts to eliminate perceived threats to its interests and advance its strategic objectives globally. Beijing’s actions belie Chinese leaders’ proclamations that they oppose the threat or use of force, do not intervene in other countries’ internal affairs, or are committed to resolving disputes through peaceful dialogue. Beijing contradicts its rhetoric and flouts its commitments to its neighbors by engaging in provocative and coercive military and paramilitary activities in the Yellow Sea, the East and South China Seas, the Taiwan Strait, and Sino-Indian border areas.
In order to tackle these challenges, the US needs to undertake a specific approach, according to the National Security Strategy it has to “rethink the policies of the past two decades – policies based on the assumption that engagement with rivals and their inclusion in international institutions and global commerce would turn them into benign actors and trustworthy partners. For the most part, this premise turned out to be false. Rival actors use propaganda and other means to try to discredit democracy. They advance anti-Western views and spread false information to create divisions among ourselves, our allies, and our partners.”
The United States rejects CCP attempts at false equivalency between rule-of-law and rule-by-law; between counterterrorism and oppression; between representative governance and autocracy; and between market-based competition and state-directed mercantilism. The United States will continue to challenge Beijing’s propaganda and false narratives that distort the truth and attempt to demean American values and ideals.
Essentially, everything will be implemented in four directions:
Protect the American People, the Homeland, and the American Way of Life; Promote American Prosperity; Preserve Peace Through Strength; Advance American Influence.
These are very self-explanatory, and almost entirely focused on forwarding US’ interests at any cost, and takes into account only that, allied interests are unmentioned. It advertises joint projects with other countries such as Australia and Japan, only so far as they allow it to keep the leading position in them and set out the course.
The conclusion of the report is the following:
“The Administration’s approach to the PRC reflects a fundamental reevaluation of how the United States understands and responds to the leaders of the world’s most populous country and second largest national economy. The United States recognizes the long-term strategic competition between our two systems. Through a whole-of-government approach and guided by a return to principled realism, as articulated by the NSS, the United States Government will continue to protect American interests and advance American influence. At the same time, we remain open to constructive, results-oriented engagement and cooperation from China where our interests align. We continue to engage with PRC leaders in a respectful yet clear-eyed manner, challenging Beijing to uphold its commitments.”
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southfront--2020-05-21--Trump Extends Emergency Executive Order Allowing To Use Force To Secure US Oil Buisiness In Iraq

On May 20th , US President Donald Trump signed a decree to extend the National Emergency with Respect to the Stabilization of Iraq .
This is a continuation of an executive order issued by former US President George W. Bush back on May 22nd , 2003 .
It establishes a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by obstacles to the orderly reconstruction of Iraq , the restoration and maintenance of peace and security in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrative , and economic institutions in Iraq .
The obstacles ( namely ISIS terrorists , and Iranian influence ) to the reconstruction of Iraq and “ the restoration and maintenance of peace and security in the country , and the development of political , administrative , and economic institutions in Iraq ” still pose a threat to the national security and foreign policy of the US , according to the decree .
As a result , the national emergency is being extended by 1 year .
In 2003 , the goal of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection for the interests of American companies operating in the oil sector of the Iraqi economy .
17 years later , this hasn ’ t changed , the “ national emergency ” occupation continues and is unlikely to end , since Iran shares a border with Iraq and is sure to have a justifiable amount of influence to perpetuate the protection of US companies exploiting Iraq ’ s oil resources indefinitely .
And as if to reinforce that threat , a rocket landed in Baghdad ’ s green zone , not too far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit an empty house and there were no injuries nor casualties .
The rocket was launched from an eastern district of Baghdad , according to the statement , and was the first to land in the high-security zone in weeks .
The blast could be heard across Baghdad and triggered security sirens at the US embassy compound , security forces told AFP news agency .
There was no immediate claim of responsibility .
The United States blames a series of rocket attacks near or on bases hosting its troops this year on Iran-aligned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed them .
The US hopes to reset the relationship with Iraq since Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi took the helm earlier this month , with bilateral talks planned for June .
The negotiations are expected to set a framework for the presence of US troops , which deployed to Iraq in 2014 to lead a coalition fighting back the ISIL ( ISIS ) group .
On May 17th , Iran ’ s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the US “ will not be staying either in Iraq or Syria and must withdraw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Secret U.S.-Iran Deal Paved The Way For New Iraqi PM – Report • US Threatens Strikes On 122 Targets Within Iraq Unless Tension Subsides

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On May 20th, US President Donald Trump signed a decree to extend the National Emergency with Respect to the Stabilization of Iraq.
This is a continuation of an executive order issued by former US President George W. Bush back on May 22nd, 2003.
It establishes a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by obstacles to the orderly reconstruction of Iraq, the restoration and maintenance of peace and security in the country, and the development of political, administrative, and economic institutions in Iraq.
The obstacles (namely ISIS terrorists, and Iranian influence) to the reconstruction of Iraq and “the restoration and maintenance of peace and security in the country, and the development of political, administrative, and economic institutions in Iraq” still pose a threat to the national security and foreign policy of the US, according to the decree.
As a result, the national emergency is being extended by 1 year.
In 2003, the goal of the state of emergency was to provide legal protection for the interests of American companies operating in the oil sector of the Iraqi economy.
17 years later, this hasn’t changed, the “national emergency” occupation continues and is unlikely to end, since Iran shares a border with Iraq and is sure to have a justifiable amount of influence to perpetuate the protection of US companies exploiting Iraq’s oil resources indefinitely.
And as if to reinforce that threat, a rocket landed in Baghdad’s green zone, not too far from the US embassy.
The rocket hit an empty house and there were no injuries nor casualties.
The rocket was launched from an eastern district of Baghdad, according to the statement, and was the first to land in the high-security zone in weeks.
The blast could be heard across Baghdad and triggered security sirens at the US embassy compound, security forces told AFP news agency. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
The United States blames a series of rocket attacks near or on bases hosting its troops this year on Iran-aligned groups, although those groups have not claimed them.
The US hopes to reset the relationship with Iraq since Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi took the helm earlier this month, with bilateral talks planned for June.
The negotiations are expected to set a framework for the presence of US troops, which deployed to Iraq in 2014 to lead a coalition fighting back the ISIL (ISIS) group.
On May 17th, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the US “will not be staying either in Iraq or Syria and must withdraw and will certainly be expelled”.
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southfront--2020-05-21--Two Al-Shabaab Militants Killed In U.S. Drone Strike

On May 17th , two al-Shabaab members were killed in a US drone strike in Somalia .
The operation was carried out jointly with Somali Forces and with the permission of the Somali Federal government .
“ The U.S. support to our Somali partners is and will remain strong , ” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Gayler , director of operations , U.S. Africa Command .
“ U.S .
Africa Command affords our partners over-watch and added precision capabilities , ” said Col. Christopher Karns , director of public affairs , U.S. Africa Command .
“ This enemy has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Somalis and the group presents a threat to the Somali people , the U.S. , and interests abroad.
” On the same day , a Somali governor and three bodyguards were killed in a suicide attack claimed by the al-Shabaab group in the regional capital Galkayo , Somaliland .
The attacker rammed a scooter taxi into a car carrying Ahmed Muse Nur , the governor of the north-central Mudug province , and his security detail before detonating an explosive device , official Muse Ahmed told AFP .
In late March , the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was killed in similar circumstances .
Less than a month earlier , AFRICOM released a quarterly civilian casualty assessment report .
From February 1st , 2019 , to March 31st , 2020 , U.S. Africa Command conducted 91 airstrikes against Violent Extremist Organizations in Somalia and Libya .
During this period , U.S. Africa Command received 70 allegations about 27 separate possible civilian casualty incidents with approximately 90 alleged civilian casualties .
As of March 31st , 2020 , 20 alleged incidents are closed , and seven incidents are still under review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that stemmed from this period has been substantiated by the command .
The only admission of guilt is for one incident : U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend , commander , U.S. Africa Command commented on it .
“ While we follow very precise and rigorous standards , in instances where we fail to meet our expectations , we will admit the mistake .
Regrettably two civilians were killed and three others injured in a February 2019 airstrike .
We have the highest respect for our Somali friends and we are deeply sorry this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and injuries occurred due to the effects of U.S. munitions or secondary explosions caused by explosives stored by al-Shabaab at the location of the strike .
The February 23rd , 2019 , airstrike was designed to degrade the al-Shabaab terrorist group and the command ’ s assessment is that two terrorists , the intended targets , were also killed as a result of this airstrike .
The first substantiated instance of civilian casualties by the command occurred on April 1 , 2018 , when two civilians were regrettably and unintentionally killed during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buur , Somalia , as previously released .
Meaning that out of all the allegations , US AFRICOM admits that it was responsible for the deaths of two civilians , and rejects most other allegations ( since some are still in review ) .
The most recent allegation is from March 28th , 2020 .
An online media source claimed two ( 2 ) civilians were killed as a result of a U.S. airstrike in the vicinity of Buulo Fulaay , Somalia , on March 27 , 2020 .
Amnesty International said AFRICOM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports on civilian casualty allegations is a welcome step towards transparency .
Amnesty International ’ s Deputy Regional Director for Eastern Africa , Seif Magango , added that the US must follow up with “ accountability and reparation for victims and their families ” .
Al-Shabaab , an al-Qaeda affiliate , was driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 and lost most of its strongholds , but still controls vast swathes of the countryside .
Its militants have vowed to overthrow the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu and have carried out numerous attacks in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Kenyan Civilian Aircraft Accidentally Shot Down By Ethiopian Forces Over Somalia

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On May 17th, two al-Shabaab members were killed in a US drone strike in Somalia.
The operation was carried out jointly with Somali Forces and with the permission of the Somali Federal government.
“The U.S. support to our Somali partners is and will remain strong,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Gayler, director of operations, U.S. Africa Command. “U.S. Africa Command affords our partners over-watch and added precision capabilities,” said Col. Christopher Karns, director of public affairs, U.S. Africa Command. “This enemy has no regard for the lives of innocent Somalis and the group presents a threat to the Somali people, the U.S., and interests abroad.”
On the same day, a Somali governor and three bodyguards were killed in a suicide attack claimed by the al-Shabaab group in the regional capital Galkayo, Somaliland.
The attacker rammed a scooter taxi into a car carrying Ahmed Muse Nur, the governor of the north-central Mudug province, and his security detail before detonating an explosive device, official Muse Ahmed told AFP.
In late March, the governor of Puntland, a neighboring semi-autonomous province, was killed in similar circumstances.
Less than a month earlier, AFRICOM released a quarterly civilian casualty assessment report.
From February 1st, 2019, to March 31st, 2020, U.S. Africa Command conducted 91 airstrikes against Violent Extremist Organizations in Somalia and Libya.
During this period, U.S. Africa Command received 70 allegations about 27 separate possible civilian casualty incidents with approximately 90 alleged civilian casualties.
As of March 31st, 2020, 20 alleged incidents are closed, and seven incidents are still under review. One of the 20 closed allegations that stemmed from this period has been substantiated by the command.
The only admission of guilt is for one incident:
“Regarding the February 23, 2019 strike, we assess that it is likely that two civilians were regrettably and unintentionally killed and three were injured as a result of the airstrike that also killed two al-Shabaab terrorists who were the intended targets.”
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command commented on it.
“While we follow very precise and rigorous standards, in instances where we fail to meet our expectations, we will admit the mistake. Regrettably two civilians were killed and three others injured in a February 2019 airstrike. We have the highest respect for our Somali friends and we are deeply sorry this occurred.”
It is assessed the deaths and injuries occurred due to the effects of U.S. munitions or secondary explosions caused by explosives stored by al-Shabaab at the location of the strike.
The February 23rd, 2019, airstrike was designed to degrade the al-Shabaab terrorist group and the command’s assessment is that two terrorists, the intended targets, were also killed as a result of this airstrike.
The first substantiated instance of civilian casualties by the command occurred on April 1, 2018, when two civilians were regrettably and unintentionally killed during a U.S. airstrike in the vicinity of El Buur, Somalia, as previously released.
Meaning that out of all the allegations, US AFRICOM admits that it was responsible for the deaths of two civilians, and rejects most other allegations (since some are still in review).
The most recent allegation is from March 28th, 2020. An online media source claimed two (2) civilians were killed as a result of a U.S. airstrike in the vicinity of Buulo Fulaay, Somalia, on March 27, 2020.
Amnesty International said AFRICOM’s move to publish quarterly assessment reports on civilian casualty allegations is a welcome step towards transparency.
Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Eastern Africa, Seif Magango, added that the US must follow up with “accountability and reparation for victims and their families”.
Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, was driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 and lost most of its strongholds, but still controls vast swathes of the countryside.
Its militants have vowed to overthrow the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu and have carried out numerous attacks in the capital.
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southfront--2020-05-21--Russia Must Focus On Genetic Technology And Others To Preserve Its “Distinct Civilization”: Vladimir

Russia Must Focus On Genetic Technology And Others To Preserve Its “Distinct Civilization”: Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is a “ distinct civilization ” in an interview that aired on May 17th .
Despite the interview being aired just now , it took place back in September 2019 , however it is still quite adequate .
Putin told state television that “ it would be impossible to secure the future of our civilization ” without artificial intelligence , genetics and unmanned vehicles , as well as hypersonic weapons .
“ Russia is not just a country , it ’ s really a separate civilization .
If we want to preserve this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology and its future development , ” Putin said .
“ These new technologies have appeared and they will change the world , they ’ re already changing it , ” he added .
Russia should watch other countries ’ innovations , Putin said , “ but never forget that we have a solid base of our own.
” The interview was published two days after Putin chaired a meeting on developing genetic technology in Russia .
Taking part in the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova , Presidential Aide Andrei Fursenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Valery Falkov , Director of Kurchatov Institute National Research Centre Alexander Blagov , Director of the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology Alexander Makarov , Director General of Vektor State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology Rinat Maksyutov , Director General of Biocad biotechnology company Dmitry Morozov , and Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin .
The meeting was organized to review progress on the project that was launched in April 2019 .
“ To begin this discussion , I would like to note that it took us several years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex , large-scale project .
We reinforced the existing research schools and created new ones , including with input from our compatriots at leading research centres and universities .
It is important that more and more young , promising scientists work on genetic research .
We dedicated significant resources to developing this sphere and to life science in general , including human resources , as well as financial and institutional assets.
” Under the project three world-scale genome centers are being established .
In that direction , Rosneft chief Igor Sechin asked Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes .
During the videoconference , Putin compared Russia ’ s genetic technology program to “ nuclear and space exploration projects of the 20th century.
” Putin decreed in 2019 that all Russians are to be assigned “ genetic passports ” by 2025 under the national chemical and biological security strategy .
Scientists said at the time that these “ genetic passports ” could refer to either genetic markers used to identify individuals or a detailed list of individual health risks and traits .
This is necessary , as Putin outlined at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in improving people ’ s lives and ensuring a cleaner environment and countering diseases .
“ I believe that Russia must have an entire range of studies on the prevention and treatment of serious diseases , increasing life expectancy , improving the environment , cleaning our soil , water and air , as well as using biofuels .
In other words , we are talking about a whole range of sectors , from medicine and agriculture to manufacturing and energy , where genetic technologies offer colossal opportunities.
” He concluded that genetic technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be properly supervised .
“ There is another important matter .
We all understand the power of genetic technology .
For this reason , we need to build a system for supervising its use .
Working together with those involved in the programme , we need to balance the freedom of research , technological development and interests of the people with the imperative to protect their interests and comply with ethical norms .
I am asking you to proceed from this premise.
” MORE ON THE TOPIC : • White House : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Future Talks To Avoid Arms Race

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is a “distinct civilization” in an interview that aired on May 17th.

Despite the interview being aired just now, it took place back in September 2019, however it is still quite adequate.
Putin told state television that “it would be impossible to secure the future of our civilization” without artificial intelligence, genetics and unmanned vehicles, as well as hypersonic weapons.
“Russia is not just a country, it’s really a separate civilization. If we want to preserve this civilization, we should focus on high-level technology and its future development,” Putin said. “These new technologies have appeared and they will change the world, they’re already changing it,” he added.
Russia should watch other countries’ innovations, Putin said, “but never forget that we have a solid base of our own.”
“Without basic science, research schools and engineers, we would never have had the modern types of high-tech weapons that no other country in the world has, at least as of yet.”
The interview was published two days after Putin chaired a meeting on developing genetic technology in Russia.
Taking part in the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, Presidential Aide Andrei Fursenko, Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, Director of Kurchatov Institute National Research Centre Alexander Blagov, Director of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology Alexander Makarov, Director General of Vektor State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology Rinat Maksyutov, Director General of Biocad biotechnology company Dmitry Morozov, and Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin.
The meeting was organized to review progress on the project that was launched in April 2019.
“To begin this discussion, I would like to note that it took us several years of consistent efforts before we could launch this complex, large-scale project. We reinforced the existing research schools and created new ones, including with input from our compatriots at leading research centres and universities. It is important that more and more young, promising scientists work on genetic research. We dedicated significant resources to developing this sphere and to life science in general, including human resources, as well as financial and institutional assets.”
Under the project three world-scale genome centers are being established.
Rosneft is the Russian state’s main technological partner.
In that direction, Rosneft chief Igor Sechin asked Putin to exempt investments into genetic technology from taxes.
“This decision would encourage greater support for investment in the Russian genetics industry,” Igor Sechin told Putin.
During the videoconference, Putin compared Russia’s genetic technology program to “nuclear and space exploration projects of the 20th century.”
Putin decreed in 2019 that all Russians are to be assigned “genetic passports” by 2025 under the national chemical and biological security strategy.
Scientists said at the time that these “genetic passports” could refer to either genetic markers used to identify individuals or a detailed list of individual health risks and traits.
This is necessary, as Putin outlined at the May 15th meeting because it would assist in improving people’s lives and ensuring a cleaner environment and countering diseases.
“I believe that Russia must have an entire range of studies on the prevention and treatment of serious diseases, increasing life expectancy, improving the environment, cleaning our soil, water and air, as well as using biofuels. In other words, we are talking about a whole range of sectors, from medicine and agriculture to manufacturing and energy, where genetic technologies offer colossal opportunities.”
He concluded that genetic technology was promising, but however it needs to be properly supervised.
“There is another important matter. We all understand the power of genetic technology. For this reason, we need to build a system for supervising its use. Working together with those involved in the programme, we need to balance the freedom of research, technological development and interests of the people with the imperative to protect their interests and comply with ethical norms. I am asking you to proceed from this premise.”
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southfront--2020-05-21--Haftar’s Force Announce Beginning Of “Largest Aerial Campaign In Libyan History”

On May 21st , Libyan National Army ( LNA ) air force chief Saqr al-Jaroushi announced the beginning of the “ largest aerial campaign in Libyan history.
” “ You are about to see the largest aerial campaign in Libyan history in the coming hours , ” al-Jaroushi said .
“ All Turkish positions and interests in all cities are legitimate targets for our airforce jets and we call on civilians to stay away from them.
” The Government of National Accord ’ s ( GNA ) interior minister Fathi Bashagha said the GNA had received information that at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had flown into the east from the Russian-controlled Hmeimim Air Base in Syria , escorted by two SU-35 Russian airforce jets .
On May 19th , the top UN envoy for Libya Stephanie Williams reports alarming military escalation in the country .
Meanwhile , the GNA ’ s forces are moving eastward towards Tarhuna , and there ’ s heavy clashes , as well as intense shelling and airstrike activity on them by Haftar ’ s LNA .
The GNA is attempting to enter al-Asabiah town on its way to Tarhuna , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al-Watiya was captured .
Heavy airstrike and shelling activity is being observed from both sides , however , the LNA ’ s “ largest ever campaign ” is yet to begin .
In support of the LNA , Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al Sisi affirmed that Egypt ’ s stance regarding the situation in Libya which includes reaching a political solution , preserving the country ’ s sovereignty , security and territorial integrity .
During the African Union Contact Group on Libya videoconferencing meeting , Sisi said that Libya ’ s stability is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security , adding that Egypt has not and will not tolerate terrorist groups and those who support them .
According to presidency spokesperson Bassam Radi , Sisi stressed that Egypt supports the free will of the Libyan people and their choices , along with the complete refusal for any external interference in the Libyan internal affairs .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • At Least 9 Pantsir S1 Destroyed In Turkish Drone Strikes Within A Week : Reports

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On May 21st, Libyan National Army (LNA) air force chief Saqr al-Jaroushi announced the beginning of the “largest aerial campaign in Libyan history.”
“You are about to see the largest aerial campaign in Libyan history in the coming hours,” al-Jaroushi said. “All Turkish positions and interests in all cities are legitimate targets for our airforce jets and we call on civilians to stay away from them.”
The Government of National Accord’s (GNA) interior minister Fathi Bashagha said the GNA had received information that at least six MiG 29s and two Sukhoi 24s had flown into the east from the Russian-controlled Hmeimim Air Base in Syria, escorted by two SU-35 Russian airforce jets.
On May 19th, the top UN envoy for Libya Stephanie Williams reports alarming military escalation in the country.
Meanwhile, the GNA’s forces are moving eastward towards Tarhuna, and there’s heavy clashes, as well as intense shelling and airstrike activity on them by Haftar’s LNA.
الله أكبر ولله الحمد الطيران الحربي التابع للقيادة العامة يقصف تجمعات لخوارج قوة السراج الذين حاولو الدخول لمدينة #الأصابعة ومقتل العشرات منهم #ليبيا — سالم الشرقاوي (@agly1988) May 20, 2020
The GNA is attempting to enter al-Asabiah town on its way to Tarhuna, as the focus is turning towards it after al-Watiya was captured.
Heavy airstrike and shelling activity is being observed from both sides, however, the LNA’s “largest ever campaign” is yet to begin.
In support of the LNA, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al Sisi affirmed that Egypt’s stance regarding the situation in Libya which includes reaching a political solution, preserving the country’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
During the African Union Contact Group on Libya videoconferencing meeting, Sisi said that Libya’s stability is one of the determinants of the Egyptian national security, adding that Egypt has not and will not tolerate terrorist groups and those who support them.
According to presidency spokesperson Bassam Radi, Sisi stressed that Egypt supports the free will of the Libyan people and their choices, along with the complete refusal for any external interference in the Libyan internal affairs.
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southfront--2020-05-21--At Least 9 Pantsir S1 Destroyed In Turkish Drone Strikes Within A Week: Reports

In recent weeks , and even months , Government of National Accord ( GNA ) and Turkish-affiliated media have reported that several Russian-made Pantsir S1s have been destroyed while being operated by Haftar ’ s Libyan National Army .
However , the most notable incident is the one that was captured when the GNA took control of al-Watiya Airbase from the LNA .
The same system was reportedly neutralized by a Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drone just days earlier , but it turned out that the report was false , since the Pantsir S1 is clearly intact .
It appears to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that purportedly hit a jeep next to it .
However , photographs were released , purportedly showing a Pantsir S1 destroyed in the debris in al-Watiya , and it would appear that one was captured and one was destroyed there .
There ’ s been several Pantsir S1 systems that have reportedly arrived in Libya over the last two years , and most likely from the United Arab Emirates , according to an UNSC report .
The first was seen in June 2018 and they have been visible in photos shared on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the model supplied to the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) , which is mounted on the German built Man-SX 45 eight-wheeled truck .
This vehicle is unique to the UAE supplied systems .
Since May 17th , the Pantsir S1s have been in the spotlight , being struck and destroyed left and right .
On the same day the one was captured , another one was reportedly destroyed in Sirte , which is east of Tripoli .
There ’ s a video accompanying the report .
Furthermore , the GNA said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tarhuna .
As such , the tally sits at 6 ( and one captured ) .
On May 20th , another two systems were reportedly destroyed – one in Tarhuna and one in al-Waska .
And according to reports one of the systems was even active at the time .
This brings the total to 8 destroyed , and one captured , Pantsir S1 systems .
Most recently , another video was released , which supposedly hadn ’ t been shown before and it purportedly provided evidence that 2 more systems were destroyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the video they ’ re sitting idly with their radars on , but then they start moving and get struck by a drone .
Finally , one was destroyed in Suk el-Ahad .
In total , if the video that hadn ’ t been shown before provides evidence of additional systems that were destroyed the tally sits at 11 .
If not , then the total of systems reportedly destroyed by Turkish drone strikes is 9 , and 1 system was captured .
However , Clash Report , which provides a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an overview video .
According to it , since April 2019 , when Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar ’ s forces began their operation to cleanse the country from terrorists , the GNA has destroyed 15 Pantsir S1 .
Meaning that , if the count is accurate – 10 were destroyed within a week , and then for a little over a year , 5 were destroyed in total .
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In recent weeks, and even months, Government of National Accord (GNA) and Turkish-affiliated media have reported that several Russian-made Pantsir S1s have been destroyed while being operated by Haftar’s Libyan National Army.
However, the most notable incident is the one that was captured when the GNA took control of al-Watiya Airbase from the LNA.
#Libya– another photo of the Pantsir S-1/SA-22 Greyhound (and the manual in Arabic) that was inside the al-Watiyah Airbase when it was captured by the #GNA from the #LNA pic.twitter.com/XaUtLYcX6E — Oded Berkowitz (@Oded121351) May 18, 2020
The same system was reportedly neutralized by a Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drone just days earlier, but it turned out that the report was false, since the Pantsir S1 is clearly intact. It appears to have been slightly damaged in the strike, that purportedly hit a jeep next to it.
And footage from a Turkish TB2 UCAV with the data unblurred showing an air strike that happened today on a target in an aircraft hangar at the al-Watiyah Airbase. 34/https://t.co/Qs0IkIHlKy — Rob Lee (@RALee85) May 17, 2020
However, photographs were released, purportedly showing a Pantsir S1 destroyed in the debris in al-Watiya, and it would appear that one was captured and one was destroyed there.
There’s been several Pantsir S1 systems that have reportedly arrived in Libya over the last two years, and most likely from the United Arab Emirates, according to an UNSC report.
The first was seen in June 2018 and they have been visible in photos shared on LNA-associated social media accounts. Critically these are the model supplied to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is mounted on the German built Man-SX 45 eight-wheeled truck. This vehicle is unique to the UAE supplied systems.
Since May 17th, the Pantsir S1s have been in the spotlight, being struck and destroyed left and right.
On the same day the one was captured, another one was reportedly destroyed in Sirte, which is east of Tripoli. There’s a video accompanying the report.
The #GNA forces had conducted a successful aerial attack to South #Sirte and destroyed a Russian made #Pantsir air defence system. pic.twitter.com/ruLbGHiDl3 — Clash Report (@clashreport) May 18, 2020
Furthermore, the GNA said that three more Pantsirs were destroyed in Tarhuna.
“Our forces managed to destroy four Pantsir-type air defense systems on Wednesday, including three in Tarhuna,” Mohamed Qanunu, a spokesman for the government-led Operation Volcano of Rage, said in a statement.
As such, the tally sits at 6 (and one captured).
On May 20th, another two systems were reportedly destroyed – one in Tarhuna and one in al-Waska. And according to reports one of the systems was even active at the time.
The #GNA Air Force has destroyed 2 Russian made Pantsir S-1 (SA-22) air defence system supplied by the UAE in Tarhuna and al-Waska. During the operation one of the systems was active. pic.twitter.com/yrE6s6C2Ww — Clash Report (@clashreport) May 20, 2020
This brings the total to 8 destroyed, and one captured, Pantsir S1 systems.
Most recently, another video was released, which supposedly hadn’t been shown before and it purportedly provided evidence that 2 more systems were destroyed in an airstrike. At the start of the video they’re sitting idly with their radars on, but then they start moving and get struck by a drone.
Pretty sure the footage of these 2 Pantsir-S1 hasn’t been shown before. 68/ pic.twitter.com/LGfKRtmflD — Rob Lee (@RALee85) May 20, 2020
Finally, one was destroyed in Suk el-Ahad.
The GNA forces had destroyed a Russian made Pantsir S-1 (SA-22) supplied by the UAE to Haftar in Suk el-Ahad. pic.twitter.com/E7lSDvCRY1 — Clash Report (@clashreport) May 20, 2020
In total, if the video that hadn’t been shown before provides evidence of additional systems that were destroyed the tally sits at 11. If not, then the total of systems reportedly destroyed by Turkish drone strikes is 9, and 1 system was captured.
However, Clash Report, which provides a very pro-Turkish and pro-GNA view of things published an overview video.
According to it, since April 2019, when Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s forces began their operation to cleanse the country from terrorists, the GNA has destroyed 15 Pantsir S1.
Meaning that, if the count is accurate – 10 were destroyed within a week, and then for a little over a year, 5 were destroyed in total.
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southfront--2020-05-21--Harbin Z-19 Reconnaissance And Attack Helicopter (Infographics)

You had to do it , didn ’ t you ?
With that level of “ sophistication ” , I @ @ @ @ @ get whipped by Corona-Chan too… and I ’ m sure I wouldn ’ t do @ @ @ @ @ 3 months !
Bad example !
Now I have to stare at this one to @ @ @ @

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The Harbin Z-19 (also known as WZ-19) is a reconnaissance and attack helicopter developed by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation for the Chinese armed forces. The Z-19 is based on the combat variant of the Harbin Z-9 helicopter. In own turn, the Z-9 is a licence built version of the Eurocopter Dauphin.
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southfront--2020-05-21--In Video: Syrian Army Troops Intercept U.S. Forces Convoy In Northern Al-Hasakah

On May 20 , Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) troops intercepted a convoy of U.S. forces near the town @ @ @ @ @ northern al-Hasakah countryside .
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency ( SANA ) , @ @ @ @ @ on the entrance of Umm al-Khair prevented the convoy from entering the town .
U.S. @ @ @ @ @ retreat .
U.S. forces faced several several similar incidents in northern al-Hasakah over the last @ @ @ @ @ cases pro-government civilians or SAA personnel were responsible .
However , on May 2 Russian @ @ @ @ @ convoy east of the border city of al-Qamishli .
These incidents have limited the movement @ @ @ @ @ al-Hasakah .
In response , the Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) began to arrest @ @ @ @ @ forces from entering their towns .
The U.S. influence in northeast Syria is now being @ @ @ @ @ Damascus government .
Washington , which abandoned its allies last year by allowing Turkey to @ @ @ @ @ desperately trying to solidify its military presence there .
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On May 20, Syrian Arab Army (SAA) troops intercepted a convoy of U.S. forces near the town of Tell Tamr in the northern al-Hasakah countryside.
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), service members manning a checkpoint on the entrance of Umm al-Khair prevented the convoy from entering the town. U.S. forces were eventually forced to retreat.
U.S. forces faced several several similar incidents in northern al-Hasakah over the last few months. In most cases pro-government civilians or SAA personnel were responsible. However, on May 2 Russian forces directly intercepted a U.S. convoy east of the border city of al-Qamishli.
These incidents have limited the movement of U.S. forces in northern al-Hasakah. In response, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) began to arrest locals trying to prevent U.S. forces from entering their towns.
The U.S. influence in northeast Syria is now being challenged by Russia and the Damascus government. Washington, which abandoned its allies last year by allowing Turkey to invade the region, is desperately trying to solidify its military presence there.
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southfront--2020-05-21--Iraqi Intelligence Says It Arrested Al-Baghdadi’s Top Aide (Photos)

Late on May 20 , the Iraqi National Intelligence Service ( INIS ) announced that it has arrested Abdu al-Nasir Qurdash , a prominent commander of ISIS .
The INIS provided no information whatsoever on the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Qurdash .
Nevertheless , the intelligence service claimed that he was a “ candidate ” to succeed ISIS ’ eliminated leader Abu Baker al-Baghdadi .
Photos of Qurdash in captivity were shared .
The Iraqi statement is highly questionable .
Amir Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Mawli al-Salbi , known as “ Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi , ” was already appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was killed in a U.S. operation in northwest Syria in October of 2019 .
Iraqi sources casted more doubts on the INIS ’ claims by revealing that Qurdash was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) during the battle of al-Baghuz in southeast Deir Ezzor in early 2019 .
Qurdash , who ’ s known by nom de guerre “ Hajji Abdu al-Nasir , ” was reportedly the top aide of al-Baghdadi as well as the second man in ISIS .
According to the sources , the SDF handed over Qurdash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to Iraqi authorities .
All of this happened before the killing of al-Baghdadi .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Secret U.S.-Iran Deal Paved The Way For New Iraqi PM – Report

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Late on May 20, the Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) announced that it has arrested Abdu al-Nasir Qurdash, a prominent commander of ISIS.
The INIS provided no information whatsoever on the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Qurdash. Nevertheless, the intelligence service claimed that he was a “candidate” to succeed ISIS’ eliminated leader Abu Baker al-Baghdadi. Photos of Qurdash in captivity were shared.
:: جهاز المخابرات الوطني يعلن إلقاء القبض على عبد الناصر قرداش خليفة البغدادي pic.twitter.com/FlbSslHt3w — Hamuodi | حمودي (@hr_633) May 20, 2020
The Iraqi statement is highly questionable. Amir Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Mawli al-Salbi, known as “Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi,” was already appointed as a successor to al-Baghdadi, who was killed in a U.S. operation in northwest Syria in October of 2019.
Iraqi sources casted more doubts on the INIS’ claims by revealing that Qurdash was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) during the battle of al-Baghuz in southeast Deir Ezzor in early 2019.
Qurdash, who’s known by nom de guerre “Hajji Abdu al-Nasir,” was reportedly the top aide of al-Baghdadi as well as the second man in ISIS.
According to the sources, the SDF handed over Qurdash, like many other Iraqi ISIS members, to Iraqi authorities. All of this happened before the killing of al-Baghdadi.
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southfront--2020-05-21--Russian Foreign Ministry Finally Reacted To Censorship On YouTube And Facebook

On May 20 , the Russian Foreign Ministry released an official statement on the censorship of four Russian-language media organizations – “ Krim 24 ” ( Crimea 24 ) , “ Anna News ” , “ News Front ” and “ Riafan ” – on YouTube .
The YouTube channels of “ Krim 24 ” ( Crimea 24 ) , “ Anna News ” , “ News Front ” were blocked on May 19 , while the channel of “ Riafan ” was blocked on April 17 .
“ “ Krim 24 ” TV channel is one of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is a part of Crimea ’ s largest media holding “ Television and Radio Company “ Krim ” that unites five television channels , three radio stations , an information portal and two Internet sites .
The team of “ Krim 24 ” TV channel traditionally covers the most relevant major news topics in this Russian region .
As a result of the deletion of the Krim 24 account on the Youtube platform , about 30 thousand subscribers lost access to videos that had tens of millions of views .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clearly far-fetched pretext of “ violating hosting rules.
” The fact that Youtube did not provide any convincing facts explaining its actions , as well as the fact that the appeal of the channel ’ s team still remains unanswered , is unacceptable , ” the foreign ministry said in its statement .
The foreign ministry emphasized that it considers “ the actions of video hosting as another act of discrimination against Russian-language media resources by US-controlled Internet platforms that systematically resort to arbitrary censorship of content in Russian.
” The Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Facebook deleted more than 500 pages related to Russia , including materials from the Sputnik news agency .
SouthFront can not but express solidarity with the indignation of the Russian Foreign Ministry .
Over the past years , SouthFront has repeatedly become a target of informational attacks , censorship and theft of content .
At the same time , SouthFront recalls that our YouTube channel with over 152,000 subscribers , 1,900 uploaded videos and approximately 60 million views was terminated on May 1 .
SouthFront immediately made an appeal of this decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support to various organizations .
We also sent emails to the Russian Foreign Ministry and a number of Russian mainstream media organizations .
SouthFront emails and requests were expectedly ignored .
The reason is simple .
SouthFront has no relations with the Russian government system .
Russian official bodies and mainstream media do have no influence on the editorial policy of SouthFront : Analysis & Intelligence .
Therefore , they have no motive to provide SouthFront with any kind of support or informational assistance .
On top of this , SouthFront critically covers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has never pushed propaganda in the interests of Russia or any state .
In any case , we are glad to see that Russian media organizations that were censored on YouTube and Facebook got support from Russian official bodies .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • A Close Look At Efforts Of Pro-NATO Propaganda Units Behind the Scenes Of SouthFront Censorship

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On May 20, the Russian Foreign Ministry released an official statement on the censorship of four Russian-language media organizations – “Krim 24” (Crimea 24), “Anna News”, “News Front” and “Riafan” – on YouTube.
The YouTube channels of “Krim 24” (Crimea 24), “Anna News”, “News Front” were blocked on May 19, while the channel of “Riafan” was blocked on April 17.
““Krim 24” TV channel is one of the most popular sources of information on the peninsula. It is a part of Crimea’s largest media holding “Television and Radio Company “Krim” that unites five television channels, three radio stations, an information portal and two Internet sites. The team of “Krim 24” TV channel traditionally covers the most relevant major news topics in this Russian region. As a result of the deletion of the Krim 24 account on the Youtube platform, about 30 thousand subscribers lost access to videos that had tens of millions of views. The US platform has taken restrictive measures under the clearly far-fetched pretext of “violating hosting rules.”
The fact that Youtube did not provide any convincing facts explaining its actions, as well as the fact that the appeal of the channel’s team still remains unanswered, is unacceptable,” the foreign ministry said in its statement.
The foreign ministry emphasized that it considers “the actions of video hosting as another act of discrimination against Russian-language media resources by US-controlled Internet platforms that systematically resort to arbitrary censorship of content in Russian.”
The Russian side also recalled that in January 2019, Facebook deleted more than 500 pages related to Russia, including materials from the Sputnik news agency.
“These are just some examples of US Internet censorship of Russian information portals,” it said.
SouthFront cannot but express solidarity with the indignation of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Over the past years, SouthFront has repeatedly become a target of informational attacks, censorship and theft of content.
At the same time, SouthFront recalls that our YouTube channel with over 152,000 subscribers, 1,900 uploaded videos and approximately 60 million views was terminated on May 1.
SouthFront immediately made an appeal of this decision on YouTube and sent requests of informational support to various organizations. We also sent emails to the Russian Foreign Ministry and a number of Russian mainstream media organizations. SouthFront emails and requests were expectedly ignored.
The reason is simple. SouthFront has no relations with the Russian government system. Russian official bodies and mainstream media do have no influence on the editorial policy of SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence. Therefore, they have no motive to provide SouthFront with any kind of support or informational assistance. On top of this, SouthFront critically covers the situation and political tendencies in Russia and has never pushed propaganda in the interests of Russia or any state.
In any case, we are glad to see that Russian media organizations that were censored on YouTube and Facebook got support from Russian official bodies.
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Arctic In Flames

Of all the theaters of militarized international rivalry in the early 21st century , the Arctic promises to be the most complex and unpredictable .
In terms of domain , military operations there would be conducted on land , in the air , on the sea surface , but also in the depths of the Arctic Ocean under ice cover .
The geographic remoteness and climactic harshness of the climate and terrain mean any conflict there would be fought the gaze of international media or citizen reporters .
Next to the Antarctic , the Arctic is one of the few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yet been apportioned among the major and minor powers .
And the stakes for all the players are quite high .
Military presence in the Arctic and extension of one ’ s national sovereignty over it promises to yield the interested states and alliances with several sets of benefits .
The first and most obvious is the access to copious natural resources , starting with hydrocarbons , lurking under the still relatively unexplored continental shelf there .
The second one is the surveillance and/or control over maritime shipping routes whose importance will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Thirdly , the Arctic does include some militarily very valuable real estate , in the form of great many islands and archipelagoes that may be used for advanced military outposts and bases .
In all three cases , the United States is acting as the spoiler , unhappy with the current state of affairs .
It aims to extend its control over natural resources in the region , establish permanent presence in other countries ’ exclusive economic zones ( EEZ ) through the use of the so-called “ freedom of navigation operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to encircle Russia with ballistic missile defense ( BMD ) sites and platforms .
In view of the urgent and evident US preparations to be able to fight and prevail in a war against a nuclear adversary , by defeating the adversary ’ s nuclear arsenal through the combination of precision non-nuclear strikes ( including by the broad range of hypersonic missiles currently under development ) and BMD systems , it would appear that third benefit is of the greatest importance to the United States , though certainly not the only one .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ US Navy BMD-capable AEGIS destroyers into the Barents Sea , the first such mission since the end of the Cold War over two decades ago , shows the interest United States has in projecting BMD capabilities into regions north of Russia ’ s coastline , where they might be able to effect boost-phase interceptions of Russian ballistic missiles that would be launched in retaliatory strikes against the United States .
US operational planning for the Arctic in all likelihood resembles that for South China Sea , with only a few corrections for climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theaters of war is that the decisive fighting would be in the air or at or under the sea , culminating in comparatively small amphibious operations and battles for relatively small and/or isolated islands .
Once one side prevails in the air and at sea , the outcome of these land battles would be all but foreordained .
As the experience of World War 2 “ island-hopping ” campaigns in the Pacific shows , no isolated island fortress can survive for very long once it is isolated from own air and naval support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US eventually fell , and did not require masses of troops to overcome their resistance thanks to overwhelming naval and aerial firepower US forces brought to bear .
Campaigns in the Arctic would follow a similar course , with US naval task forces pushing into the teeth of Russia ’ s submarines , land-based missile batteries , and land-based fighter and bomber squadrons .
The recently announced plans to revamp the US Marine Corps that include doing away with its tank battalions and much of field artillery , while adding land-based anti-ship missile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggest USMC is being tailored for such small-scale island-hopping operations in the Arctic , South China Sea , and other such theaters of war , to the detriment of its ability to conduct counter-insurgency or large-scale high-intensity combat operations .
The small size of forces used by both sides also means a premium will be placed on the element of surprise , since a small garrison on a remote Arctic island garrison could be overcome relatively quickly , in the manner similar to which the original Argentinian invasion of the Falklands succeeded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no real fighting took place .
The remoteness of these islands , the small size of the military forces , and the practically non-existent potential for collateral damage due to absence of large civilian populations also mean that the use of low-yield nuclear weapons , against both land facilities and naval forces at sea , is far easier to contemplate than in any conflict in Europe or Asia .
The remoteness of this theater of operations also means nuclear strikes would have a lower risk of strategic escalation , as long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enemy mainland .
At the outset , however , the dominant weapon systems would be intermediate-range ballistic and cruise missiles , launched from land-based launchers as well as aerial and naval platforms .
The US withdrawal from the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty means the US Army will have a large number of ground-launched missiles with ranges exceeding 500km in service , such as the Precision Strike Missile .
The US Marine Corps is planning to organize Littoral Regiments whose armament will include Naval Strike Missiles on unmanned truck-based launchers , and which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South China Sea but also elsewhere .
Moreover , US Navy and US Air Force plan to introduce hypersonic missiles into their arsenals by the end of the decade as well .
The current US procurement plans mean that by 2030 the United States could expect to concentrate overwhelming intermediate-range missile firepower in any given single theater of operations , be it the Persian Gulf , the Pacific Rim , or the Arctic .
NATO vs. Russia or US vs the World ?
At the same time the United States will have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own camp .
United States covetous eye has been cast not only on those areas of the Arctic within Russia ’ s continental shelf , but also Canada ’ s Northwest Passage and even Denmark ’ s Greenland .
The US intent to procure a small fleet of icebreakers is intended to enable “ Freedom of Navigation Operations ” in what Canada views its territorial waters , and Donald Trump actually may have revealed a state secret when he spoke of the United States buying Greenland from Denmark and setting up a Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America ’ s weakness for all the world to sea and the Europeans discovering an urgent need for unity and cooperation , United States might yet discover a unified European Union to be a formidable opponent when it comes to protecting its own interests .
The United State is slowly but steadily losing the geo-economic race in the Arctic with Russia and China .
In the situation when there is no chance to push forward own successful projects , Washington has opted the strategy of undermining efforts of other states .
The fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Route is the source of the especial concern of the US strategists .
Therefore , the US diplomatic activity and the so-called “ freedom of navigation operations ” are now mostly focused on undermining and limiting the freedom of navigation in the way that would allow to contain the Chinese-Russian cooperation in the region .
If Washington can not catch-up Moscow and Beijing in the field , it will do all what it can to at least slow down the progress of their joint projects .
MORE ON THE TOPIC :

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Written by J.Hawk exclusively for SouthFront
Of all the theaters of militarized international rivalry in the early 21st century, the Arctic promises to be the most complex and unpredictable. In terms of domain, military operations there would be conducted on land, in the air, on the sea surface, but also in the depths of the Arctic Ocean under ice cover. The geographic remoteness and climactic harshness of the climate and terrain mean any conflict there would be fought the gaze of international media or citizen reporters. Next to the Antarctic, the Arctic is one of the few areas of the global commons that has not yet been apportioned among the major and minor powers. And the stakes for all the players are quite high.
The Stakes
Military presence in the Arctic and extension of one’s national sovereignty over it promises to yield the interested states and alliances with several sets of benefits. The first and most obvious is the access to copious natural resources, starting with hydrocarbons, lurking under the still relatively unexplored continental shelf there. The second one is the surveillance and/or control over maritime shipping routes whose importance will only increase as polar ice cover retreats. Thirdly, the Arctic does include some militarily very valuable real estate, in the form of great many islands and archipelagoes that may be used for advanced military outposts and bases.
In all three cases, the United States is acting as the spoiler, unhappy with the current state of affairs. It aims to extend its control over natural resources in the region, establish permanent presence in other countries’ exclusive economic zones (EEZ) through the use of the so-called “freedom of navigation operations” (FONOPs), and continue to encircle Russia with ballistic missile defense (BMD) sites and platforms.
In view of the urgent and evident US preparations to be able to fight and prevail in a war against a nuclear adversary, by defeating the adversary’s nuclear arsenal through the combination of precision non-nuclear strikes (including by the broad range of hypersonic missiles currently under development) and BMD systems, it would appear that third benefit is of the greatest importance to the United States, though certainly not the only one. The recent sortie by a force of US Navy BMD-capable AEGIS destroyers into the Barents Sea, the first such mission since the end of the Cold War over two decades ago, shows the interest United States has in projecting BMD capabilities into regions north of Russia’s coastline, where they might be able to effect boost-phase interceptions of Russian ballistic missiles that would be launched in retaliatory strikes against the United States.
Island-Hopping with Nukes
US operational planning for the Arctic in all likelihood resembles that for South China Sea, with only a few corrections for climate. The key similarity of both potential theaters of war is that the decisive fighting would be in the air or at or under the sea, culminating in comparatively small amphibious operations and battles for relatively small and/or isolated islands. Once one side prevails in the air and at sea, the outcome of these land battles would be all but foreordained. As the experience of World War 2 “island-hopping” campaigns in the Pacific shows, no isolated island fortress can survive for very long once it is isolated from own air and naval support. Every Japanese outpost targeted by the US eventually fell, and did not require masses of troops to overcome their resistance thanks to overwhelming naval and aerial firepower US forces brought to bear. Campaigns in the Arctic would follow a similar course, with US naval task forces pushing into the teeth of Russia’s submarines, land-based missile batteries, and land-based fighter and bomber squadrons. The recently announced plans to revamp the US Marine Corps that include doing away with its tank battalions and much of field artillery, while adding land-based anti-ship missile capabilities for the first time ever, suggest USMC is being tailored for such small-scale island-hopping operations in the Arctic, South China Sea, and other such theaters of war, to the detriment of its ability to conduct counter-insurgency or large-scale high-intensity combat operations.
The small size of forces used by both sides also means a premium will be placed on the element of surprise, since a small garrison on a remote Arctic island garrison could be overcome relatively quickly, in the manner similar to which the original Argentinian invasion of the Falklands succeeded in routing the Royal Marine garrison so quickly that no real fighting took place.
The remoteness of these islands, the small size of the military forces, and the practically non-existent potential for collateral damage due to absence of large civilian populations also mean that the use of low-yield nuclear weapons, against both land facilities and naval forces at sea, is far easier to contemplate than in any conflict in Europe or Asia. The remoteness of this theater of operations also means nuclear strikes would have a lower risk of strategic escalation, as long as all the nuclear adversaries refrained from targeting enemy mainland.
At the outset, however, the dominant weapon systems would be intermediate-range ballistic and cruise missiles, launched from land-based launchers as well as aerial and naval platforms. The US withdrawal from the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty means the US Army will have a large number of ground-launched missiles with ranges exceeding 500km in service, such as the Precision Strike Missile. The US Marine Corps is planning to organize Littoral Regiments whose armament will include Naval Strike Missiles on unmanned truck-based launchers, and which are intended for such island campaigns in the South China Sea but also elsewhere. Moreover, US Navy and US Air Force plan to introduce hypersonic missiles into their arsenals by the end of the decade as well. The current US procurement plans mean that by 2030 the United States could expect to concentrate overwhelming intermediate-range missile firepower in any given single theater of operations, be it the Persian Gulf, the Pacific Rim, or the Arctic.
NATO vs. Russia or US vs the World?
At the same time the United States will have to solve the problem of disunity within its own camp. United States covetous eye has been cast not only on those areas of the Arctic within Russia’s continental shelf, but also Canada’s Northwest Passage and even Denmark’s Greenland. The US intent to procure a small fleet of icebreakers is intended to enable “Freedom of Navigation Operations” in what Canada views its territorial waters, and Donald Trump actually may have revealed a state secret when he spoke of the United States buying Greenland from Denmark and setting up a Trump Tower there. With the COVID-19 revealing America’s weakness for all the world to sea and the Europeans discovering an urgent need for unity and cooperation, United States might yet discover a unified European Union to be a formidable opponent when it comes to protecting its own interests.
The United State is slowly but steadily losing the geo-economic race in the Arctic with Russia and China. In the situation when there is no chance to push forward own successful projects, Washington has opted the strategy of undermining efforts of other states. The fast development of Russia’s Northern Sea Route is the source of the especial concern of the US strategists. Therefore, the US diplomatic activity and the so-called “freedom of navigation operations” are now mostly focused on undermining and limiting the freedom of navigation in the way that would allow to contain the Chinese-Russian cooperation in the region. If Washington cannot catch-up Moscow and Beijing in the field, it will do all what it can to at least slow down the progress of their joint projects.
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southfront--2020-05-21--Large Batch Of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham ‘Special Forces’ Completes Training (Photos)

Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ) announced on May 18 that the “ largest batch ever ” of its special forces , dubbed the “ Red Bands , ” has completed its training .
The terrorist group held a graduation ceremony for the new special forces personnel , who were trained to carry out raids , Inghimasi [ suicide ] attacks and sabotage operations .
The ceremony was attended by the group ’ s top military leader .
Furthermore , HTS announced on March 20 that some of its regular units have completed a “ military enhancement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released photos of the training course , which involved live fire drills .
One of the photos shows the terrorists training with a Turkish-supplied M113 armored personnel carrier ( APC ) .
It is no secret that HTS has been taking advantage of the new ceasefire in Greater Idlib , brokered by Russia and Turkey on March 5 , to rebuild its military capabilities .
Last March , HTS launched a large recruitment campaign to revive its depleted special forces and Inghimasi force .
The group also stepped up the training of new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new brigades .
This military buildup is a sign that HTS is not willing to respect the March 5 agreement .
In fact , the terrorist group is clearly preparing for a new military confrontation with the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) and its allies .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC :

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Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) announced on May 18 that the “largest batch ever” of its special forces, dubbed the “Red Bands,” has completed its training.
The terrorist group held a graduation ceremony for the new special forces personnel, who were trained to carry out raids, Inghimasi [suicide] attacks and sabotage operations. The ceremony was attended by the group’s top military leader.
Furthermore, HTS announced on March 20 that some of its regular units have completed a “military enhancement” training course.
The terrorist group released photos of the training course, which involved live fire drills. One of the photos shows the terrorists training with a Turkish-supplied M113 armored personnel carrier (APC).
It is no secret that HTS has been taking advantage of the new ceasefire in Greater Idlib, brokered by Russia and Turkey on March 5, to rebuild its military capabilities.
Last March, HTS launched a large recruitment campaign to revive its depleted special forces and Inghimasi force. The group also stepped up the training of new recruits and expanded its forces with three new brigades.
This military buildup is a sign that HTS is not willing to respect the March 5 agreement. In fact, the terrorist group is clearly preparing for a new military confrontation with the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies.
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