Russia Begins Operations in Syria: End Game for the US Empire?

[sToRmR1dR]

Kerry Arrives to Geneva for Talks With UN Special Envoy for Syria
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160501/1038931038/kerry-geneva-syria-talks.html

De Mistura, Kerry Agree to Tighten Controls Over Syria Ceasefire

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160502/1038956589/de-mistura-kerry-syria.html

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura discussed with US State Secretary John Kerry the plan for a much better mechanism for monitoring and controlling a new ceasefire in Syria.

GENEVA (Sputnik) — UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said Monday he had agreed with US State Secretary John Kerry that controls must be tightened over the Syrian ceasefire deal.

The UN envoy met with Kerry in the Swiss city of Geneva earlier in the day to discuss the peace process in the country.

"The mechanism needs a political will, otherwise it will [remain] only a mechanism. And that has actually been discussed today – the [plan] for a much better mechanism for monitoring and controlling a new ceasefire," de Mistura told reporters at a joint press briefing with Kerry.

A ceasefire hammered out by Russia and the United States has been in place in parts of Syria since late February. De Mistura said last week that the truce was holding but barely and urged the two powers to save the peace process.

Last Friday, Moscow and Washington announced they had brokered a new "regime of silence" in Syria that was implemented in the Damascus suburbs for 24 hours and in the northern Latakia province for 72 hours starting at midnight on April 30. The deal was later prolonged for several more days.

Syrian war ‘in many ways out of control’ now: Kerry

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/02/463626/Syrian-war-control-Kerry/

US Secretary of State John Kerry has accused the Syrian Arab Army of deliberately targeting hospitals, adding the five-year-old war is now "in many ways out of control.”

After meeting with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Geneva on Monday, Kerry said the conflict was "in many ways out of control and deeply disturbing to everybody in the world, I hope."

"The attack on this hospital is unconscionable," he said, adding that the government of President Bashar al-Assad deliberately attacked three clinics and a major hospital last week. "And it has to stop."

Washington on Thursday expressed outrage over an airstrike on a hospital in the Syrian city of Aleppo, leveling accusations against Damascus and Moscow, which were flatly dismissed by both as unfounded.

Russia and Syria rejected allegations that their warplanes had targeted the hospital in the northwestern Syrian city, with Moscow suggesting that the US-led coalition was instead responsible for the incident.

Earlier on Monday, the Syrian army said a “regime of calm” around the capital Damascus has been extended for another 48 hours.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Sergei Kuralenko, head of the Russian Center for reconciliation of the opposing sides in Syria, said on Monday that talks were underway on declaring a “regime of calm” in Syria's Aleppo province.

In recent months, the Syrian army, backed by the Russian air power, has been making major gains against Takfiri groups, recapturing several strategic areas from their grip, particularly in the strategic northern province of Aleppo.

Syria’s ongoing offensive against foreign-backed militants in Aleppo is based on a UN Security Council resolution which accepts Syria’s right to fighting terrorists.

A temporary truce agreement engineered by Russia and the United States, which came into force across Syria on February 27, has been holding despite reports of violations by the warring sides.

"What is happening in Aleppo is an outrage. It's a violation of all humanitarian laws. It's a crime," said the Saudi foreign minister after he met Kerry in Geneva on Monday.

"It's a violation of all the understandings that were reached," he added, accusing Damascus and Moscow of violating international peace agreements.

Since March 2011, the United States and its regional allies, in particular Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, have been conducting a proxy war against Syria.

UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura estimates that over 400,000 people have been killed in the conflict, which has furthermore displaced over half of Syria’s pre-war population of about 23 million.

US and Russia have agreed on an additional group to monitor the ceasefire in Syria

http://www.interfax.ru/world/506615

According to John Kerry, the specialists will work around the clock in Geneva

Moscow. May 2. INTERFAX.RU - US Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington and Moscow agreed to place in Geneva, an additional group of experts to monitor the ceasefire in Syria, reports Associated Press.

According to him, the group will be working around the clock.

US Secretary of State also said that discussed several proposals to restore the truce in Syria, but it is no agreement.

"There are a number of proposals which must now get approval from the key players," - said Kerry, adding that later on Monday to discuss the issue on the phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Kerry stressed that there is "actively working" to end the violence in Syria, especially in Aleppo, notes AP.

These statements were made after the meeting with Secretary of State of the United Nations special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura in Geneva.

Earlier Monday, the head of the American foreign minister met in Geneva with the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, Adel Al-Dzhubeyrom.

Ceasefire in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta district extended for another 48 hours

http://tass.ru/en/world/873621

According to head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria Sergei Kuralenko, "talks are in progress on the ceasefire in Aleppo province."

HMEIMIM /Syria/, May 2. /TASS/. The ceasefire the Syrian district of Eastern Ghouta has been extended for extra 48 hours, head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria Sergei Kuralenko said on Monday.

"The ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta district (Damascus suburb) has been extended for another 48 hours - until midnight on May 3 - by the Russian and U.S. sides by agreement with the leadership of the Syrian Arab Republic and the moderate opposition," Kuralenko said.

According to him, "talks are in progress on the ceasefire in Aleppo province."

A 72-hour truce in Latakia and a 24-hour truce in Eastern Ghouta was announced on April 30. On May 1, the ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta was extended for 24 hours.

Russia mulls possibility of demining other Syrian cities after Palmyra — source

http://tass.ru/en/world/873617

"Multiple planning is underway with due account for the possible development of the situation in this or that direction," the military-diplomatic source said

MOSCOW, May 2. /TASS/. The General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces is contemplating the possibility of demining other Syrian cities once the operation in Palmyra is completed, a military-diplomatic source in the Russian capital has told TASS.

"Such a possibility is not ruled out, and the General Staff is working on this issue. Multiple planning is underway with due account for the possible development of the situation in this or that direction," the source said.

He noted though that Russian sappers first need to complete the demining operation in Palmyra. "At least one and a half or two months are needed to complete the operation," he added.

According to the source, it is also necessary to receive a request from the Syrian authorities. "We also need a formal request from the legitimate Syrian government to expand the area of mine clearance in the country," he said.

Russian specialists have been involved in the demining activities in Palmyra since April 2. With this aim in view, a demining unit of the Russian Armed Forces’ International Mine Action Center has been brought to Syria by Russia’s military transport aviation aircraft. As of April 21, the city’s historical center was fully cleared of mines, the area of 234 hectares was cleared of explosive ordnance as well as 23 kilometers of roads and 10 cultural heritage sites. The Russian military began demining Palmyra’s residential area where they are to clear another 560 hectares of mines and ammunition.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Lavrov, Kerry call for observing truce in Syria

http://tass.ru/en/politics/873637

Ministers also took up other pressing international problems like the situation in Azerbaijan's most Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh and developments in the Middle East

MOSCOW, May 2. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday discussed peace settlement and observance of ceasefire in Syria with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the Foreign Ministry in Moscow said.

The conversation took place pending Washington's request.

"Both ministers continued discussing the prospects for settlement and urged the parties to the conflict to observe ceasefire," the ministry said in a report. "Also, they coordinated further steps as co-chairpersons of the Syria International Support Group, including preparations for its yet another meeting."

Lavrov and Kerry also took up other pressing international problems like the situation in Azerbaijan's most Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh and developments in the Middle East.

Ceasefire took effect in Syria on February 27. It does not embrace Jabhat al-Nousra and the Islamic State (Daesh) terrorist groupings.

An interim 'tranquility period' was declared in the suburbs of Damascus and in Latakia Governorate as of 00:00 hours on April 30 following an arrangement made by Russian and U.S. representatives. In Latakia, it was declared for 72 hours and in Damascus, for 24 hours.

Later on, the tranquility period in the suburbs of Damascus was extended for another 24 hours, during which any combat actions and the use of all types of weaponry are strictly forbidden.

Kerry To Negotiate New Ceasefire In Syria - But With His Own Side

http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/05/kerry-to-negotiate-new-ceasefire-in-syria-but-with-his-own-side.html

U.S. Secretary of State is in Geneva today to renegotiate a cessation of hostilities between the Syrian government forces and the foreign supported "rebels" in Syria. But there is something very curious going on with these negotiations. Kerry will neither talk with the Syrian government nor with the Russians. The Russian Foreign Minister is not even expected to come.

No, Kerry is negotiating with the U.S. allies Jordan and Saudi Arabia who support the same "rebels" that are opposed to the Syrian government that the U.S. itself supported all along. He now asks them to separate their proxy forces in Syria from the terrorist organization al-Qaeda/Jabhat al-Nusra.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday he hoped to make progress in talks in Geneva over the next two days toward renewing a cessation of hostilities agreement throughout Syria and resuming peace talks to end the fighting.
"The hope is we can make some progress," Kerry said at the start of a meeting with Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh shortly after arriving in Geneva.
...
The Syrian army announced on Friday a "regime of calm", or lull in fighting, which applied to Damascus and some of its outskirts, and parts of northwestern coastal province Latakia. But it excluded Aleppo.

Kerry made clear that a ceasefire was needed throughout Syria and he hoped to be able to reaffirm the cessation of hostilities after talks in Geneva. He is due to meet Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and De Mistura on Monday.

According to military spokesperson of the U.S. alliance against the Islamic State, Colonel Warren, the "rebel" occupied parts of Aleppo city are under control of al-Qaeda:

It's primarily al-Nusra who holds Aleppo, and of course, al-Nusra is not part of the cessation of hostilities. So it's complicated.
Two UN Security Council Resolution calls on all UN members to "eradicate" al-Qaeda/al-Nusra. ALL UNSC members agreed to Resolution 2254 which:

Reiterates its call in resolution 2249 (2015) for Member States to prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed specifically by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh), Al-Nusra Front (ANF), and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al Qaeda or ISIL [...] and to eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Syria, and notes that the aforementioned ceasefire will not apply to offensive or defensive actions against these individuals, groups, undertakings and entities,...
There is simply no basis for Kerry to beg for a ceasefire for "rebel" held areas of Aleppo city when his own military says that these are in the hands of al-Qaeda which the UNSC calls to eradicate. The Russian's have said that much.

So here is what Kerry is left to do: Beg the U.S. allies to move away their "Free Syrian Army" proxy groups from al-Qaeda so al-Qaeda can be eradicated by the Syrian Army and its allies.

But al-Qaeda is by now an integrated part of those Saudi/Qatar/U.S. paid proxy forces and well accepted by those groups. It gets its weapons and ammunition from the very proxy groups the U.S. now wants to separate from it. Even if the Saudis and Jordanians assert their influence over these groups it is unlikely that the fighters on the ground will follow their directives.

The Russian air force is ready to renew its bombing campaign against all opposition forces in Syria that do not agree to a cessation of hostilities.

No U.S. propaganda campaign can wave away al-Qaeda's presence in Syria nor the UNSC resolutions the U.S. itself agreed to. Either Kerry manages to pressure Saudi Arabia and Jordan to move their proxies away from al-Qaeda or there will be again an all out Russian campaign to eradicate them. It is unlikely that any of those proxies would survive such a campaign.

Kerry is now left to negotiate with U.S allies against al-Qaeda. He now has to argue from the same perspective as the Syrian and Russian government. This is a mess of his own making. How will he escape from it?

 

[angelburst29]

- April 24: Obama comes into the city of Hannover in germany, to discuss with Merkel TTIP and other stuff, while the day before, at least 30.000 people demonstrate in Hannover against TTIP:
https://de.sott.net/article/23556-Obama-und-Merkel-kommen-wegen-TTIP-nach-Hannover-90000-protestieren-auf-der-Strae-dagegen

PS: It is interesting to note that a lot of people in germany feel motivated to demonstrate against TTIP (remember also Berlin recently, with over 250 000 people) on the streets. It is interesting because most of them only feel motivated because they realize that their own "poor standard" of living is at risk, because of it. When it comes down to demonstrations for your own wellbeing and benefit, a lot of germans can gather and are motivated to demonstrate, while on topics of the wellbeing of others, almost nobody shows up. Go figure...

Leaked Docs Reveal TTIP Trade Deal In Jeopardy As "Irreconcilable Differences" Emerge
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-05-01/leaked-docs-reveal-ttip-trade-deal-jeopardy-irreconcilable-differences-emerge

Several weeks ago we learned that not all is well in the ongoing negotiations to impose Obama's landmark Transatlantic Free Trade Agreement, also known as the TTIP, when unexpectedly Europe threatened to impose visas on Americans and Canadians.

As we commented at the time, this latest tension may have been driven "by the fact that the United States hasn’t yet lifted visa requirements for some EU member countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, and Poland. But more likely, this is just a bit of gamesmanship on the part of the EU. The US and European Union are in ongoing negotiation regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, and there appear to be some sticking points that the two sides can’t quite come to an agreement on – namely labor, environmental, and regulatory standards."

As Reuters added, "trade negotiations between Brussels and Washington are at a crucial point since both sides believe their transatlantic agreement, known as TTIP, stands a better chance of passing before President Barack Obama leaves the White House in January."

Now, according to leaked negotiating drafts and internal positions, which were obtained by Greenpeace and seen by the Guardian, it seems the stumbling blocks ahead of the TTIP's implementation are indeed substantial, and potentially deal breaking. As the Guardian reports, talks for a free trade deal between Europe and the US face a serious impasse with "irreconcilable" differences in some areas.

The leaked texts also show that the two sides are at odds "over US demands that would require the EU to break promises it has made on environmental protection."

As Obama said last week during his whirlwind tour of Europe, and especially his visit to Hanover where thousands of Germans were protesting the TTRIP at the same time, he was confident a deal could be reached. "But the leaked negotiating drafts and internal positions, which were obtained by Greenpeace and seen by the Guardian, paint a very different picture."

“Discussions on cosmetics remain very difficult and the scope of common objectives fairly limited,” says one internal note by EU trade negotiators. Because of a European ban on animal testing, “the EU and US approaches remain irreconcilable and EU market access problems will therefore remain,” the note says. Guardian adds that according to the confidential briefing, talks on engineering were also “characterised by continuous reluctance on the part of the US to engage in this sector."

The biggest concern appears to be the hypocritical stance by both sides on environmental protections: while both US and European public officials have railed for the need to safeguard the environment, the note presents a starkly different reality dictated by the corporations that are the key beneficiaries from the TTIP.

Jorgo Riss, the director of Greenpeace EU, said: “These leaked documents give us an unparalleled look at the scope of US demands to lower or circumvent EU protections for environment and public health as part of TTIP. The EU position is very bad, and the US position is terrible. The prospect of a TTIP compromising within that range is an awful one. The way is being cleared for a race to the bottom in environmental, consumer protection and public health standards.”

More details from the Guardian:

US proposals include an obligation on the EU to inform its industries of any planned regulations in advance, and to allow them the same input into EU regulatory processes as European firms. American firms could influence the content of EU laws at several points along the regulatory line, including through a plethora of proposed technical working groups and committees.

US proposals include an obligation on the EU to inform its industries of any planned regulations in advance, and to allow them the same input into EU regulatory processes as European firms. American firms could influence the content of EU laws at several points along the regulatory line, including through a plethora of proposed technical working groups and committees.

“Before the EU could even pass a regulation, it would have to go through a gruelling impact assessment process in which the bloc would have to show interested US parties that no voluntary measures, or less exacting regulatory ones, were possible,” Riss said.

Not surprisingly, environmentalists are concerned by the undue influence afforded to corporations. They say the body has loose rules on corporate influence, allowing employees of companies such as BASF, Nestle and Coca Cola to sit on – and sometimes lead – national delegations. Some 44% of its decisions on pesticides residues have been less stringent than EU ones, with 40% of rough equivalence and 16% being more demanding, according to Greenpeace.

Another cause of concern is genetically modified foods because as the Guardian writes, "GM foods could also find a widening window into Europe, with the US pushing for a working group to adopt a “low level presence initiative”. This would allow the import of cargo containing traces of unauthorised GM strains. The EU currently blocks these because of food safety and cross-pollination concerns." That won't be the case should the TTIP pass.

More importantly, it appears that the EU has not yet accepted the US demands, but they are uncontested in the negotiators’ note, and no counter-proposals have been made in these areas suggesting that far from its official stance, Europe may simply roll over on most US (and corporate) demands. (Article continues.)

 

[angelburst29]

Kerry To Negotiate New Ceasefire In Syria - But With His Own Side
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/05/kerry-to-negotiate-new-ceasefire-in-syria-but-with-his-own-side.html

U.S. Secretary of State is in Geneva today to renegotiate a cessation of hostilities between the Syrian government forces and the foreign supported "rebels" in Syria. But there is something very curious going on with these negotiations. Kerry will neither talk with the Syrian government nor with the Russians. The Russian Foreign Minister is not even expected to come.

No, Kerry is negotiating with the U.S. allies Jordan and Saudi Arabia who support the same "rebels" that are opposed to the Syrian government that the U.S. itself supported all along. He now asks them to separate their proxy forces in Syria from the terrorist organization al-Qaeda/Jabhat al-Nusra.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday he hoped to make progress in talks in Geneva over the next two days toward renewing a cessation of hostilities agreement throughout Syria and resuming peace talks to end the fighting.
"The hope is we can make some progress," Kerry said at the start of a meeting with Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh shortly after arriving in Geneva.
...
The Syrian army announced on Friday a "regime of calm", or lull in fighting, which applied to Damascus and some of its outskirts, and parts of northwestern coastal province Latakia. But it excluded Aleppo.

Kerry made clear that a ceasefire was needed throughout Syria and he hoped to be able to reaffirm the cessation of hostilities after talks in Geneva. He is due to meet Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and De Mistura on Monday.

According to military spokesperson of the U.S. alliance against the Islamic State, Colonel Warren, the "rebel" occupied parts of Aleppo city are under control of al-Qaeda:

t's primarily al-Nusra who holds Aleppo, and of course, al-Nusra is not part of the cessation of hostilities. So it's complicated.

Two UN Security Council Resolution calls on all UN members to "eradicate" al-Qaeda/al-Nusra. ALL UNSC members agreed to Resolution 2254 which:

Reiterates its call in resolution 2249 (2015) for Member States to prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed specifically by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh), Al-Nusra Front (ANF), and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al Qaeda or ISIL [...] and to eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Syria, and notes that the aforementioned ceasefire will not apply to offensive or defensive actions against these individuals, groups, undertakings and entities,...

There is simply no basis for Kerry to beg for a ceasefire for "rebel" held areas of Aleppo city when his own military says that these are in the hands of al-Qaeda which the UNSC calls to eradicate. The Russian's have said that much.

So here is what Kerry is left to do: Beg the U.S. allies to move away their "Free Syrian Army" proxy groups from al-Qaeda so al-Qaeda can be eradicated by the Syrian Army and its allies.

But al-Qaeda is by now an integrated part of those Saudi/Qatar/U.S. paid proxy forces and well accepted by those groups. It gets its weapons and ammunition from the very proxy groups the U.S. now wants to separate from it. Even if the Saudis and Jordanians assert their influence over these groups it is unlikely that the fighters on the ground will follow their directives.

The Russian air force is ready to renew its bombing campaign against all opposition forces in Syria that do not agree to a cessation of hostilities.

No U.S. propaganda campaign can wave away al-Qaeda's presence in Syria nor the UNSC resolutions the U.S. itself agreed to. Either Kerry manages to pressure Saudi Arabia and Jordan to move their proxies away from al-Qaeda or there will be again an all out Russian campaign to eradicate them. It is unlikely that any of those proxies would survive such a campaign.

Kerry is now left to negotiate with U.S allies against al-Qaeda. He now has to argue from the same perspective as the Syrian and Russian government. This is a mess of his own making. How will he escape from it? (Note: Checkmate! Add another point for Putin.)

Russian Defense Ministry suggests US surveillance planes should either keep their distance from Russian borders while performing flights over the Baltic Sea, or at least keep aerial transponders switched on for identification.

‘Stay away from Russian borders or keep transponders on’: Russian MoD on US spy planes in Baltics
https://www.rt.com/news/341495-russian-borders-defense-baltics/

“There are two solutions for the US Air Force [operating in the Baltic Sea]: either do not fly near our borders, or turn on transponders for automatic identification by our radars,” Defense Ministry spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov said in an official statement on Saturday.

The statement comes after a Russian fighter jet intercepted a US surveillance plane, which was spotted in international airspace above the Baltic Sea on Friday with the transponder switched off.

“The RC-135U reconnaissance plane is frequently trying to sneak up to the Russian border with the transponder off. Our anti-aircraft defense has to order our fighters off the ground simply to visually identify the type of aircraft and its ID number,” Konashenkov explained

A Russian Sukhoi Su-27 performed a barrel roll within 25 feet from the US plane, with the Pentagon describing the move as “dangerous” and “unprofessional.”

“We are already starting to get used to insults coming from the Pentagon regarding the alleged “unprofessional” maneuvers when our fighters intercept the US spy planes near Russian borders.

Yet, all flights of Russian aircraft are held in accordance with international regulations on the use of airspace,” Konashenkov states, adding that another reconnaissance aircraft Boeing OC-135B – has landed in Ulan-Ude earlier on Saturday under an international “Treaty on Open Skies,” and “no one raised the fighters to identify it.”

Fifteen days prior to this latest incident, on April 14, another Su-27 fighter jet conducted a barrel roll over another US reconnaissance plane, and between April 11 and 12, the USS Donald Cook ship was flown over by Su-24 fighter jets, with the Pentagon releasing footage.

The deputy head of Russia’s Upper House committee for defense and security Frants Klintsevich commented on the frenzy over the latest incidents in Baltic airspace, saying the fizzbuzz has a clear goal – to put a smokescreen for NATO plans to deploy additional troops in Eastern Europe.

“It is now completely clear why the United States needed a hype around the interception of the US spy plane over the Baltic Sea and the incident with the destroyer Donald Cook. It was to prepare the information space for deploying four additional NATO battalions to the Baltic region […] On the tip from US, the North Atlantic alliance continues its strategy of encircling Russia,” Klintsevich said, as quoted by his press service. He also noted that the turmoil began immediately after the latest Russia-NATO Council meeting, throwing into question the expediency of such gatherings.

During the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, Syrian forces had surprised Israel and were fast approaching the edge of the steep Golan Heights, captured by Israel during the 1967 war. It seemed as if Syrian armor and infantry would retake Golan, then pour down into Israeli Galilee.

REMEMBER THE GOLAN HEIGHTS?
http://ericmargolis.com/2016/04/remember-the-golan-heights/

Soviet recon satellites observed Israel moving its nuclear-armed, 500km-range Jericho missiles out of protective caves and onto their launch pads. At the same time, Israel was seen loading nuclear bombs on their US-supplied F-4 fighter-bombers at Tel Nof airbase.

Believing Israel was about to use nuclear weapons against Syria and Egypt, Moscow put huge pressure on both to rein in their advancing forces. Damascus, already in range of Israeli artillery on Golan, ordered its armored forces on Golan to halt, allowing Israel to mount powerful counter-attacks and retake the strategic heights.

In 1981, Israel formally annexed the 580 sq. mile portion of Golan that it occupied. This illegal annexation was condemned by the United Nations, the United States and Europe’ powers. But Israel held on to Golan and implanted 50,000 there in some 41 subsidized settlements.

The world has pretty much forgotten how close it came to nuclear war in 1973 over Golan. The heights became a primary nuclear trigger point along with Kashmir, Germany’s Fulda Gap, and the DMZ, Korea’s inner border.

Golan recently resurfaced in the news when Israel’s rightwing prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, told Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, that his nation would never return Golan to Syria. In a speech soon after, Netanyahu vowed Israel would hold on to Golan for “all eternity.” He also admitted for the first time that Israel had made “dozens” of cross-border attacks on Syria.

The long basalt plateau is indeed a valuable prize. It extends from snow-capped, 9,200 ft. (2,814 meter
Mt. Hermon in the north to the Sea of Galilee and Yarmouk River in the south. Golan supplies 15% of Israel’s scarce water and may contain gas or petroleum deposits.

Israeli artillery on Golan can hit Syria’s capitol Damascus; Israeli electronic sensors blanket Damascus and cover all Syrian military movement below. Having walked much of the Golan on both Syrian and Israeli-held sides, I can attest to its remarkable military importance and thick defenses.

After the 1967 war, Israel ethnically cleansed Golan, leveling the capital, Kuneitra, with bulldozers and expelled almost all Golan’s 130,000 Druze and Arab inhabitants. Jewish settlers were brought in to replace them. The US shielded Israel from UN action and world-wide protests.

Before 2011, Israel hinted that it would return Golan to Syria as part of a comprehensive peace agreement – provided Damascus ceased supporting Palestinian claims to their lost lands. But once the Syrian civil war conveniently began, there was no more talk of Golan.

In fact, it’s pretty much clear that Israel has been quietly fueling the Syrian conflict by discreet arms and logistics support to so-called “moderate” Syrian rebels and lobbying for the war in Washington and with the US media. Netanyahu has even said – with a straight face – that Israel cannot return Golan, or even negotiate, until calm returns to Syria and Iraq.

Netanyahu is clearly following the grand strategy of the founder of his rightwing Likud Party, Zeev Jabotinsky, a militant Russian Zionist. Jabotinsky asserted that the Arab states were an artificial, fragile mosaic of inimical Arab tribes.

Hit them hard enough, claimed Jabotinsky, and they will shatter into small pieces, leaving Israel master of the Levant (central Arab world). The destruction of Iraq and Syria have confirmed Jabotinsky’s theory.

Accordingly, Israel is delighted to see Syria, a primary foe, lying in ruins as a result of a US, British, French, Turkish and Saudi-instigated civil war. Damascus is in no shape to demand the return of Golan, and the rest of the world does not care.

The destruction of Syria as a unitary state offers the expansionist Likud government many opportunities to extend influence into Syria – as was the case in Lebanon during its bloody 1975-1990 civil war. Or even carve off more Syrian territory “to protect Israel’s security.”

The words of Israel’s founding father, David Ben-Gurion, still resonate: the state of Israel is a work in progress and its borders should not be fixed or even defined. Notably the borders with Syria and Jordan.

 

[angelburst29]

MSF said that several airstrikes have hit warehouses that supplied medical items and fuel to hospital in the Syrian city Aleppo.

Warehouses With Medical Supplies for Aleppo Hospitals Hit With Strikes
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160502/1038973910/aleppo-medical-supplies-hit.html

Several airstrikes have hit warehouses that supplied medical items and fuel to hospital in the Syrian city Aleppo, the US division of the international humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said in a Twitter message on Monday.

Update from Syria: Warehouses with medical supplies for Aleppo hospitals also being hit by airstrikes," MSF stated. "Ambulances, medical items & fuel destroyed."

On April 28, the al-Quds hospital in Aleppo, supported by the charity organization, was attacked with an airstrike, which directly hit the building, killing at least 50 people.

The advocacy group Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the UN Security Council to investigate the incident.

The contingent of around 60 soldiers from Norway will provide training, advice and operational support to local Syrian groups in Jordan that are fighting against Daesh, according to Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg.

Norway to Send 60 Troops to Jordan to Train Syrians Fighting Daesh
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160502/1038968113/norway-syria-troops.html

Norway will send 60 troops to train and advise Syrians fighting against Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) militants inside Syria, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said Monday.

This will be part of a broader international mission under a UNSC resolution that urges all UN member states to strengthen their efforts in the fight against Daesh in Syria and Iraq.

"The contingent of around 60 soldiers will provide training, advice and operational support to local Syrian groups that are fighting against ISIL," the statement by Solberg read.

Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide said the Nordic nation was asked to increase its military contribution to the international coalition against Daesh.

"The fighting itself will be done by others, but we can help by enhancing their combat capabilities," Soreide said.

Norway’s contribution will include special operations forces. The troops will be based in Jordan but Norway says the mission has a mandate to provide support from Syrian territory, although the motion will need parliamentary approval.

Following the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday evening, a brawl broke out between Fox News and Huffington Post reporters at the MSNBC after-show party, ironically held at the US Institute of Peace.

Punches Thrown: Reporters Brawl After White House Correspondents Dinner (Video)
http://sputniknews.com/us/20160502/1038970409/reporters-brawl-whcd-after-party.html

The star-studded event was made more interesting when, at around 1:30 AM, Huffington Post Washington bureau chief Ryan Grim approached Fox News correspondent Jesse Watters and began filming him, mimicking the latter’s style of ambush interviews.

Grim, who was clearly intoxicated, was demanding an apology from an incident six years ago when Watters confronted Amanda Terkel, who now writes for the Huffington Post but was at Think Progress at the time.

Terkel claimed at the time that she had been stalked by Watters, who followed her for at least two hours before confronting her on camera and demanding that she recant statements she had made about Bill O’Reilly.

After being confronted at the party, Watters snatched the phone out of Grim’s hands, and punches were thrown as Grim attempted to take it back.

The duo grappled and threw punches as they tumbled into a couch and knocked over a table. The blows continued for several minutes, until the two were pulled apart by guests including RNC executive director Sean Spicer.

"Jesse should retire from the ambush business if he can't deal with it on the other end," an unapologetic Grim told The Hollywood Reporter regarding the incident.

Watters has not publicly commented on the incident, but is reportedly set to address it on Monday evening’s episode of the O’Reilly Factor.

Russian design and architectural journalist Andrei Zakharchenko ponders the mysterious reason for the creation of the seven sisters, the penultimate projects of the Stalinist Empire style. Why were they really built, and what kinds of urban legends surround them today?

Mysterious Secrets of Stalin's Seven Sister Skyscrapers (Photos)
http://sputniknews.com/art_living/20160502/1038966151/mysteries-moscow-seven-sisters.html

In his piece, published in the independent Russian newspaper Svobodnaya Pressa, the journalist begins by recalling that the official reasons for the buildings' construction are actually pretty boring.

"In the resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 53, dated January 13, 1947, the first paragraph reads, in the dry official language, that the organ has adopted Comrade Stalin's proposal to build eight high-rise buildings within a five year period, five of which are to have 16 floors, two 26 floors, and one 32 floors. The following paragraphs concern the buildings' planned location, and specify that their proportions and silhouettes must be of an original design, and should not be similar to other well-known examples of high rise buildings abroad."

"There are several possible answers to the question as to why Stalin required the construction of such buildings, at a time when the country's economy was still in ruins following the Second World War," Zakharchenko notes.

"According to one version, Stalin did so simply as a nod to gothic architecture, which he liked. According to another, more common version, setting out a construction project of this magnitude, he wanted to 'catch up and overtake America' and to show the world that the soviet Union had not been bled white, but stood firmly on its own two feet."

'Urban Legends' - "But some researchers," the journalist added, "take particular note of the fact that the foundations of all of the buildings were laid not only on the same day, but even at the same hour, on September 7, 1947 at exactly 1 pm, and that all other construction works in the city were halted on that day."

"Perhaps this was done to emphasize the seriousness of the moment, but, according to Moscow astrologer Vladimir Ivantsov, the date of the commencement of the construction of the buildings was hardly accidental. During this period, he says, the arrangement of the celestial bodies imbued the buildings with a special energy and an extraordinary fate."

Furthermore, "linking the number of stations in the Circle Line of the Moscow Metro (12, the same as the number of signs in the zodiac horoscope), and the number of planned high-rise buildings (8, including the never-built Zaryadye Administrative Building off of Red Square), followers of esotericism believe that Stalin wanted to rebuild Moscow to generate cosmic energy on its territory, which is why he insisted that all the buildings were topped by spire antennae. And the energy was intended to be used to prolong the lives of the party elite."

Speaking to the newspaper, Sergei Petunin, organizer of a local historical club, said that "proponents of this legend point to the fact that all the party bosses to ever stand on the podium of the Mausoleum had a long life. For example, [administrative genius] Lazar Kaganovich would live age 98, [foreign minister] Vyacheslav Molotov to age 96, and [military commander] Semyon Budyonny to age 90. After all, the Mausoleum is in the shape of a pyramid, even if it is a little one," Petunin noted.

And, according to Mikhail Lebedev, a design engineer and graduate of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, the Stalinist Seven Sisters were to serve as the 'big pyramids,' oriented toward the location where it was planned to build the never-completed Palace of the Soviets, a gigantic, 495 meter tall building featuring a giant rotating statue of Lenin.

Such a system," Lebedev noted, brings to mind associations with a [giant] rotor fixed in a stationary housing, which fuels rumors that, in place of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the communists planned to build a giant torsion generator."

"According to psychics," Zakharchenko continues, "radar frames near the skyscrapers now behave unpredictably, and, at certain times, the walls of buildings begin vibrating spontaneously." "All of this occurs because the Palace of the Soviets, to which the Seven Sisters aimed to give their accumulated energy, were never built," Stanislav Verzev, a student of the Hamburg School of Astrology, told the newspaper. "It is for this reason that a portion of one of the towers of the Hotel Ukraina collapsed in 2007."

In addition to legends about their purpose, a series of fantastical legends also exists about the grounds on which the Seven Sisters are built. For example, ghost sightings are a common occurrence at the side towers at Moscow State University. "According to students, they often appear in slippers, and are always silent."

Moreover, "one of the most popular legends about university high rise building says that, from time to time, a so-called 'wandering lecture audience' appears. Spread by student word of mouth, the legend goes that the audience appears only to those who are poorly prepared for their exams." After a visit from the spirts, "students successfully pass their tests, but asking them how they were able to do so is pointless, because their memories have been wiped."

"Another ghost, according to legends, can be seen in the high-rise at the Red Gates Administrative Building, this one nicknamed the 'howling laugher'."

The legend goes that this is a low-level official from the Ministry of Transport Machine Building Industry, which was once housed here," says Sergei Derevschikov, literary critic and collector of modern urban folklore. "Falling in love with the wife of a supervisor, he once told her a spicy political anecdote, and the women, having a good laugh, relayed the joke to her husband. Failing to see the humor in the joke, the husband reported the junior official, who was taken to a psychiatric hospital, where he died. Soon, the building's occupants would meet him again, laughing in the walls of the high rise."

Whatever else might be said about the Seven Sisters, and the legends that surround them, there's no doubt that they add grandeur to the Moscow skyline, and remind Muscovites that even as times change, legends, like the buildings themselves, will remain.

 

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Nusra Front Terrorists Launch 60 missiles on Syria's Aleppo

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160503/1038982578/syria-aleppo-nusra-missiles.html

Nusra front militants have launched 60 missiles on Syria's aleppo, killing 9 people and 45 injuring civilians injured.

The Nusra Front terrorist group has launched 60 missiles in an attack on the Syrian city of Aleppo over the past hour, killing nine people, an Aleppo militia source said on Tuesday.

"Nusra Front fighters and their allies have launched 60 missiles on Aleppo in the past hour. Tishreen, Masaken, Al-Sabil and Al-Nil streets have sustained the most damage. Nine civilians have been killed and 45 have been injured," the source told RIA Novosti.

The militants began by firing at Christian areas of the city, the source said, adding that the missiles were launched from the Bani Zeid, Kafr Hamrah and Bustan al-Basha districts.

The Nusra Front, which an extremist organization not included by the Syrian ceasefire agreement and outlawed in many countries, including Russia, has in recent days been increasingly active around Aleppo and in the Latakia province.

Two civilians killed 20 injured in terrorist attacks in Aleppo

http://sana.sy/en/?p=76237

Aleppo, SANA- Two civilians were killed and 20 others were injured on Tuesday in terrorist attacks with rocket shells that targeted al-Neel Street in Aleppo City.

On Monday, four civilians were injured when a mine planted by ISIS terrorists went off in Taban village in Hasaka southern countryside and a number of persons were wounded in another terrorist attack with rocket shells on Ayn al-Kroum village in Hama north-western countryside.

Saudis angered by Hezbollah anti-terror fight: Senior official

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/03/463700/Lebanon-Hezbollah-Saudi-Arabia-Syria/

A senior Hezbollah official says Riyadh’s “anger and failure in the region” is behind its hostile stance against the Lebanese resistance movement, which has been battling Takfiri groups in Syria.

In recent months, Saudi Arabia has cranked up its pressure on Lebanon amid Hezbollah’s gains against Takfiri militants in Syria.

In March, the Arab League and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), both under Riyadh’s influence, decided to classify Hezbollah as a terrorist organization under the Saudi pressure.

“Saudi Arabia and its allies’ anger and failure in the region prompted them to take revenge on the resistance in Lebanon because it has been a staunch supporter of the resistance in Syria,” the deputy head of Hezbollah’s executive council Nabil Qaouk said Monday.

He further said Saudi Arabia and its allies have failed to break the will of Hezbollah, and that no one would be able to defeat the resistance front “no matter what resolutions they adopt.”

Last month, Saudi Arabia suspended a $3-billion package to the Lebanese army and $1 billion in aid to its internal security forces.

Hezbollah slammed Riyad’s move and said it exposes the real face of Saudi Arabia and refutes its claims about fighting terrorism.

Qaouk further stressed his movement’s steadfastness in fulfilling its duties, saying “We will never back down on our duty to protect our people against the Takfiri and Israeli aggression.”

He further said the resistance “is stronger on the battlefield,” and expressed Hezbollah’s determination to score more victories against its enemies.

“Those who are fighting the resistance will only be disappointed over and over again,” he added.

The Hezbollah official also accused Saudi Arabia, Israel and the United States of supporting Daesh in a “clear attempt to topple the regimes” in Iraq and Syria.

Daesh “in those countries is witnessing an inevitable end due to the accomplishments of the Syrian and Iraqi armies and their allies, which will change all equations in the region,” the Hezbollah official said.

UN committee to grill Israel on torture

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/03/463704/Israel-UN-Committee-against-Torture/

The UN Committee Against Torture is to question Israel on its policies with regard to torture.

Israeli authorities are to appear before the panel over Tuesday and Wednesday as part of a routine procedure implemented by the world body as Tel Aviv has signed the 1991 UN Convention Against Torture.

The Jerusalem Post reported that the committee is to raise with the Israeli authorities such issues as the conditions of Palestinian detainees, including minors, the demolition of Palestinian homes, settler violence against Palestinians, and Israeli investigations of torture complaints.

The authorities representing Israel before the panel are likely to argue that the convention’s jurisdiction does not apply to the West Bank as it is under the military control and not the “full control” of the regime.

The committee refuted the Israeli claim in a 2012 report, saying Tel Aviv was to observe the convention in all the areas “subject to the de jure or de facto control” of the regime.

It said the regime “and its personnel have repeatedly entered and established control over the West Bank and Gaza.”

Israel was established in 1948, when it occupied Palestinian land along with expanses of other Arab territories during full-fledged military operations. The occupied lands also include Lebanon’s Shebaa Farms and Syria’s Golan Heights.

In 1967, it occupied the Palestinian territories of the West Bank, including East al-Quds (Jerusalem), and the Gaza Strip. It later annexed the West Bank and East al-Quds in a move never recognized by the international community.

Tel Aviv withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but has been keeping the territory under a crippling siege and regular deadly offensives.

Israel’s “obligation to prevent acts of torture or ill-treatment in any territory under its jurisdiction must be interpreted and applied to protect any person, citizen or non-citizen, without discrimination,” the UN’s 2012 report had said.

Israeli forces routinely abduct Palestinians in the West Bank and put them behind bars based on the so-called administrative detention policy.

Administrative detention is a sort of imprisonment without trial or charge that allows the Tel Aviv regime to incarcerate Palestinians for up to six months. The detention order can be renewed for indefinite periods of time.

Over 7,000 Palestinians are reportedly incarcerated in 17 Israeli prisons and detention camps, many of them without charge or trial.

 

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Nusra Front Terrorists Launch 60 missiles on Syria's Aleppo

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160503/1038982578/syria-aleppo-nusra-missiles.html

Syrian Army fighters reflects a major attack on the city of Aleppo

http://ria.ru/syria/20160503/1425452618.html

Homs (Syria), May 3, -. RIA Novosti, Mikhail Alaeddin Syrian army and militia fighters represent a major terrorist attack "Dzhebhat An-Nusra" (an organization banned in Russia) and their allies in the city of Aleppo, told RIA Novosti source in the militia.

According to the source, the terrorists and their allies are waging an attack on Aleppo from the scientific town. Army and Air Force militia to help the Syrian aircraft, he said.

Before the beginning of the onset of the terrorists were subjected to massive missile attack residential areas of the city, a few shells fell into the Dubbo hospital. Killed more than 20 people.

On the eve of the sources also reported another attack on Aleppo, when gunmen attacked the city from five directions at once, but retreated after aviation operations.

In the Syrian Army say that the attack on Aleppo intensified against the background of negotiations on the distribution of the province of "regime of silence."

The ceasefire in Syria is valid from 27 February, but it does not apply to banned in Russia and some other countries, the group "Islamic State", "Dzhebhat en-Nusra" and other parties recognized by the UN Security Council terrorism.

Information Minister: Saudi and Turkish regimes responsible for bloodshed in Aleppo

http://sana.sy/en/?p=76296

Damascus, SANA – Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi said that Saudi Arabia and Turkey issued instructions to terrorist organizations in Syria to attack civilians and the Syrian Arab Army in Aleppo city, noting that whenever terrorists and their backers fail in one area, they try to escalate the situation in another.

In a phone call with al-Ikhbariya TV on Tuesday, al-Zoubi held the Saudi and Turkish regimes legally, politically, mortally, and criminally responsible for the bloodshed that has been taking place in Aleppo city throughout the past few days, adding that they are also responsible for everything that’s happening in Syria.

He also noted that over 6,000 terrorists entered Syria from Turkey two weeks ago.

The Minister condemned the terrorist attacks on the residential areas in Aleppo, stressing that protecting Aleppo is the duty of all Syrians, adding that the main topic of the Cabinet’s meeting on Tuesday was the situation in Aleppo.

1,000s of Terrorists Arrive in Syria

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950214001453

"Around 6,000 terrorists have crossed the border and entered Syrian territories in recent days," the Arabic-language media outlets quoted al-Zoubi as saying on Tuesday.

Late in April, Syrian Prime Minister Wael Nader al-Halqi also warned that more than 5,000 fresh militants crossed the border into the Northwestern provinces of Aleppo and Idlib from Turkey, stressing that the ceasefire agreement was being violated by certain parties.

"In the end we see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, as well as Western countries such as Great Britain and France have no real desire to move the process of the political settlement in Syria forward,” al-Halqi said.

The Syrian prime minister stressed that it's “just the opposite, they are aiding in the escalation of terrorist activity and arming terrorists. Over the last week, more than 5,000 troops crossed the border with Turkey into the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib.”

As terrorist groups continue to target residential areas in Aleppo city, al-Zoubi stressed that Turkey and Saudi Arabia are responsible for the bloody acts of Takfiri militants against innocent civilians.

"Turkish and Saudi commanders have issued the order for targeting Syrian civilians and army troops in Aleppo," the Syrian information minister said.

Al-Zoubi also criticized the international bodies and countries for keeping mum about the crimes of the Takfiri terrorists in Aleppo, calling it as "suspicious and questionable".

Violence in Syria, and particularly in Aleppo, has intensified in recent days, despite a partial truce.

Almost a dozen civilians were killed and several more wounded in the terrorist groups' rocket attack on a hospital inside Aleppo earlier today.

"The terrorist groups' shelling of the hospital of al-Deet in the Central part of Aleppo city has ended in a large number of civilian casualties," local residents said on Tuesday.

"The number of civilian casualties is on the rise," they further added.

Meanwhile, The Takfiri terrorist groups' rocket units, once again, targeted two neighborhoods and a hospital in Aleppo, inflicting heavy casualties on the civilians, patients and hospital staff.

"At least 11 civilians were killed and many more were wounded in over 65 cases of terrorists' rocket attacks on residential areas along the streets of al-Neel, al-Sabeel, Mocambo and al-Razi hospital," the sources said, adding, "The terrorist groups also detonated a tunnel-bomb near Air Force Intel before launching attacks on the army-controlled Jam'iyat al-Zahra area."

The attacks by terrorists against civilian targets come as Syrian Army forces and their allies are surging in Aleppo to begin a massive operation against the Takfiri militants that are mostly from the Al-Nusra Front - the Al-Qaeda's official branch in Syria - and a number of other allied terrorist groups, including several units of the Free Syria Army (FSA) that has been branded by the US and the West as "moderates".

Britain and France initiated the convening of the UN Security Council on the situation in Aleppo

http://www.interfax.ru/world/506700

Moscow. On May 3. INTERFAX.RU - Joint meeting of the UN on the situation in the Syrian city of Aleppo SB can be convened in the near future, he told the Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations François Delattre.

He called Aleppo, where fighting continued government forces against militants of terrorist groups "martyrdom center of resistance."

The initiators of the UN Security Council to convene a meeting this week were Great Britain and France.

Earlier Tuesday, Syrian state television reported that the militants "Islamic state" ( IG, banned in Russia a terrorist organization ) shelled a hospital in Aleppo , there are victims.

Aleppo - Syria's second city after Damascus, the center of the homonymous province. Part of the city was occupied by the IG terrorists even in 2012. In early 2016, Syrian government troops launched an offensive in the area of ​​Aleppo.

NATO Expands Along Russia's Borders, Has Gall to Call Moscow the Aggressor

http://sputniknews.com/analysis/20160503/1038990250/nato-expansion-russia-buchanan-analysis.html

Paleo-conservative commentator Pat Buchanan slams NATO hawks for working to expand the alliance's presence all along Russia's borders, while calling Russia out as the aggressive power. Instead of touting Putin's belligerence, Buchanan suggests, observers should think about what it would be like to walk a mile in the Russian president's shoes.

On Friday, Buchanan recalls, "a Russian Su-27 did a barrel roll over a US RC-135 over the Baltic, the second time in two weeks. Also in April, the US destroyer Donald Cook, off Russia's Baltic [exclave] of Kaliningrad, was twice buzzed by Russian planes."

"Vladimir Putin's message: Keep your spy planes and ships a respectable distance away from us. Apparently, we have not received it."

In his latest piece for in The National Conservative, the commentator quoted US Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work, who announced late last week that 4,000 NATO troops, including two US battalions, would be moved into Poland and the Baltic countries.

"The Russians have been doing a lot of snap exercises right up against the border with a lot of troops," Work said, adding that this was "extraordinarily provocative behavior."

"But how are Russian troops deploying inside Russia 'provocative', while US troops on Russia's front porch are not?" Buchanan asks. "And before we ride this escalator up to a clash, we had best check our hole card," he adds.

The political reality, the veteran geopolitical analyst notes, is that the majority of citizens of Western European NATO countries, including Germany, Italy and France, are opposed to escalating hostilities with Russia over Eastern Europe. "If it comes to war in the Baltic, our European allies prefer that we Americans fight it."

A Mile in Putin's Shoes

Deciding to conduct a thought experiment, Buchanan suggests that while Russian President Vladimir Putin "may top the enemies list of the Beltway establishment…we should try to see the world from his point of view."

"When Ronald Reagan met with Mikhail Gorbachev in Reykjavik in 1986, Putin was in his mid-30s, and the Soviet Empire stretched from the Elbe to the Bering Strait and from the Arctic to Afghanistan. Russians were all over Africa and had penetrated the Caribbean and Central America. The Soviet Union was a global superpower that had attained strategic parity with the United States."

"Now," the analyst writes, "consider how the world has changed for Putin, and for Russia. By the time he turned 40, the Red Army had begun its Napoleonic retreat from Europe and his country had splintered into 15 nations. By the time he came to power," Russia, the USSR's successor, "had lost one-third of its territory and half its population. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan," among others, "were gone."

"The Black Sea, once a Soviet lake, now had on its north shore a pro-Western Ukraine, on its eastern shore a hostile Georgia, and on its western shore two former Warsaw Pact allies, Bulgaria and Romania, being taken into NATO."

"For Russian warships in Leningrad, the trip out to the Atlantic now meant cruising past the coastline of eight NATO nations: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Great Britain."

Moreover, "despite solemn US assurances given to Gorbachev," Putin saw NATO "incorporate all of Eastern Europe that Russia had vacated, and three former republics of the USSR itself." And now, the Russian leader also "hears a clamor from American hawks to bring three more former Soviet republics – Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine – into a NATO alliance directed against Russia."

In Ukraine, Buchanan continues, "after persuading Kiev to join a Moscow-led economic union, Putin saw Ukraine's pro-Russian government overthrown in a US-backed coup. He has seen US-funded 'color-coded' revolutions try to dump over friendly regimes all across his 'near-abroad'."

Outgoing NATO commander Philip Breedlove recently told the Wall Street Journal that "Russia has not accepted the hand of partnership, but has chosen a path of belligerence."

"But why should Putin see NATO's inexorable eastward march as an extended 'hand of partnership'?" Buchanan counters. If the situation were reversed, and it was Russian spy planes "patrol[ling] off Pensacola, Norfolk and San Diego, how would US F-16 pilots have reacted? If we awoke to find Mexico, Canada, Cuba, and most of South America in a military alliance against us, welcoming Russian bases and troops, would we regard that as [a] 'hand of partnership'?"

Ultimately, the commentator notes, the US is "reaping the understandable rage and resentment of the Russian people over how we exploited Moscow's retreat from empire. Did we not ourselves slap aside the hand of Russian friendship, when proffered, when we chose to embrace our 'unipolar moment', to play the 'great game' of empire and seek 'benevolent global hegemony'? If there is a second Cold War, did Russia really start it?"

A veteran political commentator, columnist and writer, Pat Buchanan is also a former White House Communications Director for the Reagan Administration, and a former Republican and Reform Party presidential candidate.

Japan turns down Merkel's NATO offer for sake of relations with Russia

http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/05/japan-turns-down-merkels-nato-offer-for.html

Translated by J. Arnoldski

_http://politrussia.com/news/yaponiya-otkazalas-voyti-925/

Angela Merkel invited Japan to join NATO during a conversation with the prime minister of the country, Shinzo Abe, during the German chancellor’s visit to Tokyo in March, 2015, Japanese media report.

As the publication “The Japan News” reports, Merkel promised Abe the support of the prime minister of Great Britain, David Cameron, and the president of France, Francois Hollande. The Japanese leader refused the offer and said: “Maybe in the future, but now this would negatively affect our relations with Russia.”

Vladimir Putin and the head of the Japanese government, Shinzo Abe, are expected to meet on May 6th in Sochi. They will discuss the subjects of trade and economic cooperation and the conclusion of a peace treaty regarding the Kuril Islands.

Visa-Free EU Travel for Turkish Citizens More Possible Than Ever

http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160503/1039010519/eu-turkey-visa-free.html

On Wednesday (May 4), the European Commission will reach a decision on whether Turkish citizens should be granted visa-free travel within the EU's Schengen area.

The move — considered extremely likely to go ahead — is essentially in exchange for Turkey's migration deal with the European Union, accepting large numbers of failed asylum seekers upon deportation from neighboring Greece. This, despite Turkey failing to meet a number of conditions set by the EU.

The change in visa regulations will still need to be passed by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, and despite fears that it could lead to a surge in migrant workers throughout Europe, the rules will only apply to tourist visas.

The anticipated visa liberalization will not permit Turkish citizens to work or seek benefits in the EU.

Nevertheless, the proposed changes have been met with skepticism from right-wing political groups, during what is a sensitive time for the European Union.

Anti-EU campaigners in the UK for example, have been critical of the proposals for some time — suggesting that they are open to abuse. The UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader, Nigel Farage said last month: "The EU is negotiating visa free access for all Turks, all 77 million… But the reality is that a lot of people will disappear or when they get to Germany claim their rights of family reunion.

"The real problem isn't people trying to get to Britain illegally; the real problem is that in a few short years all of the people that came will have German passports, Dutch or Belgium passports."

​Human rights organizations have raised concerns over the proposals too, given Turkey's recent record on press freedom, and general freedom of speech under President Erdogan.

Approximately 2000 instances of legal cases have been triggered in response to "insulting the President," including the recent case of German satirist Jan Böhmermann. Turkey ranks at 151 in the Reporters Without Border press freedom index.

Opponents of President Erdogan argue that further integration by the European Union could send the wrong message, effectively endorsing a regressive regime in exchange for the easing of immigration numbers in the rest of the EU.

The granting of visa-free travel to Turkey is part of a wider move by the EU which could see controls eased with the likes of Kosovo, Georgia and Ukraine. Given that those countries are not even candidates for EU membership at the moment, it would undoubtedly be politically difficult to exclude Turkey.

Turkey Visa-Free Deal Has 'Serious Ramifications' on Europe's Security

http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160503/1039011959/eu-turkey-visa-regime.html

UK member of the European Parliament (MEP) Stephen Woolfe said that free-visa regime between the European Union and Turkey will have serious ramifications on the security of Europe.

EDINBURGH (Sputnik) – Granting Turkey free visa travel within the European Union will have "serious ramifications" for the security of Europe, UK member of the European Parliament (MEP) Stephen Woolfe told Sputnik Tuesday.

"This deal will have serious ramifications on the security of the rest of Europe," Woolfe said.

"The EU's own security organization, Frontex, has already said the Schengen zone and the inability to check those traveling through Europe, poses a security risk to Europe and the UK. Turkey, as an EU member state, would be the gateway from the Middle East into Europe with it bordering Syria, Iran and Iraq, countries which have a strong ISIS presence," Woolfe added.

The lawmaker made the comments after media reports emerged earlier indicating that backing for visa-free travel for Turks across the European Union will likely be approved Wednesday. This move will allow Turkey’s 79-million population free movement across the bloc.

The move follows a EU-Turkey deal aimed at stemming the flow of immigrants and refugees from the Middle East entering Europe via Turkey. According to Woolfe, who also serves as the UK Independence Party (UKIP)'s frontbench spokesman on migration and financial affairs, the decision to allow Turks free visa travel to Europe, will become an important issue in public debate ahead of a Brexit referendum, scheduled for June 23.

"Granting Turkey visa free access to the Schengen zone is another step to Turkey's membership of the European Union. As Turkish membership edges closer, this should be a central focus for the UK Brexit debate. Turkey joining the EU will have serious impacts on the United Kingdom, if we vote to remain in June," Woolfe told Sputnik.

The lawmaker also warned that based on official Turkish and UN figures, if admitted to the European Union Turkey would eventually have the largest population of any member state in the European Union.

In mid-March, the European Union and Ankara agreed on a deal under which Turkey pledged to take back all undocumented migrants who arrive in the European Union through its territory in exchange for Syrian refugees accommodated in Turkey, on a one-for-one basis. In return, the 28-member bloc pledged to accelerate the Turkish EU accession bid and introduce a visa-free regime between Turkey and Europe.

Turkey has yet to meet EU requirements on human rights, press freedom and minority treatment before qualifying for the free travel deal.

 

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Norway to Send 60 Troops to Jordan to Train Syrians Fighting Daesh
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160502/1038968113/norway-syria-troops.html

Syria raps Norway militant training in Jordan

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/03/463788/Syria-Jordan-Norway-Erna-Solberg-Ine-Marie-Eriksen-Soreide/

Syria's Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned Norway's plan to dispatch dozens of troops to Jordan to train militants for fighting the Damascus government, saying the move amounts to a flagrant violation of national sovereignty.

The ministry in a statement on Tuesday called the reported deployment of 60 Norwegian troops as “a blatant and unacceptable interference in Syria’s internal affairs and a flagrant violation of its sovereignty,” which came without authorization from the Syrian government.

The decision by the Norwegian government also runs contrary to internationally recognized norms and conventions on combating terrorism which calls for coordination with the governments of the states involved in fighting terrorism, it added.

The statement calls on the international community and the Norwegian public to take a stand against such irresponsible decisions that have resulted in the spread of terrorism in the Mideast region and elsewhere.

"….with terrorism striking in the hearts of European cities while their governments’ continue to practice imbalanced policies regarding the crisis in Syria and regarding the war on terrorism,” it explained.
It also criticizes the US-led Western policy of dividing terrorists into good and bad.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said Monday the Norwegian Parliament will need to be consulted if troops from the Scandinavian country are to operate within Syria.

Defense Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide did not identify which Syrian groups will be trained by the Norwegian soldiers, noting that they have been selected following a “thorough and systematic” selection process.

According to the Norwegian defense chief, the deployment to Jordan comes in line with a request from the US-led coalition purportedly fighting Daesh.

Norway announced the decision after the US said last month that it would send an additional 250 military personnel to Syria, increasing to 300 the number of American forces on the ground in the Arab state.

Reports say 150 US troops have recently entered the Rumeilan airport east of Syria. Damascus has strongly condemned the deployment.

Norway had previously sent 120 soldiers to northern Iraq with the declared aim of train Iraqi government forces as well as Kurdish Peshmerga fighters fighting Daesh militants.

Since September 2014, Washington along with some of its allies has been conducting airstrikes against what are said to be positions of Daesh in Syria without any authorization from the government in Damascus or a UN mandate. The campaign in Syria is an extension of the US-led airstrikes against similar positions in Iraq, which started in August 2014.

The US-led campaign has failed to dislodge the terrorists, who have seized parts of land in Iraq and Syria and are engaged in crimes against humanity in the areas under their control.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura estimates that over 400,000 people have been killed in the conflict, which has furthermore displaced over half of Syria’s pre-war population of about 23 million.

The "Free Syrian Army" Media Efforts Are A British Government Operation

http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/05/the-free-syrian-army-media-efforts-are-a-british-government-operation.html

The U.S. government, via its CIA, has financed the "moderate" anti-Syrian mercenaries fighting against the legitimate Syrian government with at least $1 billion a year. The Wahhabi dictatorships in the Middle East have added their own billions to finance al-Qaeda's efforts against the Syrian people. The U.S. continues to purchase and transport thousands of tons of weapons and ammunition to feed the war against the Syrian people. It also pays the various fighters and opposition groups. The U.S. efforts for regime change in Syria have been running since at least 2006 when the U.S. government started to finance anti-Syrian exile TV stations and held intensive planning talks with various anti-Syrian Islamist elements.

Together with the British government it also runs the current pro-mercenary public relation show to influence the "western" public to support its imperial meddling in Syria.

The Guardian now unveils one of the British government efforts to effectively run the complete "Free Syrian Army" media show:

The British government is waging information warfare in Syria by funding media operations for some rebel fighting groups, ...
...
Contractors hired by the Foreign Office but overseen by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) produce videos, photos, military reports, radio broadcasts, print products and social media posts branded with the logos of fighting groups, and effectively run a press office for opposition fighters.
Materials are circulated in the Arabic broadcast media and posted online with no indication of British government involvement.
...
Through its Conflict and Stability Fund the government is spending £2.4m on private contractors working from Istanbul to deliver “strategic communications and media operations support to the Syrian moderate armed opposition” (MAO).

The contract is part of a broader propaganda effort focused on Syria, with other elements intended to promote “the moderate values of the revolution” ...
...
The documents call for contractors to “select and train a spokesman able to represent all the MAO groups as a single unified voice”, as well as providing media coaching to “influential MAO officials” and running a round-the-clock “MAO central media office” with “media production capacity”. One British source with knowledge of the contracts in action said the government was essentially running a “Free Syrian army press office”.

The British and the U.S. media also run various "civil" groups to further their regime change goals.

The "White Helmets", known for fake "rescue" videos and their strong cooperation with al-Qaeda (vid), are financed with $23 million by the U.S. government through USAID, with £18.7 million by the U.K. Foreign Office and with several millions more from other governments. But are the "White Helmets" not "moderates" who only want to help people? The U.S. government does not seem to believe that. It just banned the head of the "White Helmets" from entering the United States even though it finances his activities.

Many social media accounts like @raqqa_sl, which are promoted in "western" media, also distribute fake pictures and videos as part of these propaganda efforts.

But even when these media manipulation campaigns and fake "moderates" get exposed their operations continues unabated. The Guardian, after publishing the above, will not for one moment reflect on how its own publishing on Syria was influenced by the government financed fakes. It is, just like other mainstream media, an integrated part of the campaign.

No unveiling of the truth about the "western" attack on the Syrian state and its people seems to any effect on the ongoing media operations. On April 20 the U.S. military spokesperson for the anti-Islamic State coalition told some truth about the role of al-Qaeda in the "rebel" occupied eastern Aleppo city:

That said, it's primarily al-Nusra who holds Aleppo, and of course, al-Nusra is not part of the cessation of hostilities.
Only two weeks later the NYT propagandist Anna Barnard has the Chutzpah to claim that al-Qaeda only

has a small presence in Aleppo

Lies get repeated even after they have been debunked again and again. The relentlessness of the propaganda onslaught is effective in suppressing any larger opposition to it.

There is progress in humanitarian access in Syria - Lavrov

http://tass.ru/en/politics/873710

"But it is necessary to do much more", Russian Foreign Minister said after a meeting with the United Nations secretary-general’s special envoy on Syria

MOSCOW, May 3. /TASS/. There is progress in the issue of humanitarian access to blocked regions in Syria, but it is necessary to do much more, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday after a meeting with the United Nations secretary-general’s special envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura.

"We have in detail discussed the tasks facing us in the humanitarian sphere, issues connected with expansion of humanitarian access to various blocked regions of Syria," Lavrov said. "There’s also headway here, but it is clear that much more is needed."

"We realize the necessity to work both with the opposition and with the government of the Syrian Arab Republic, for us to see here more positive changes," the minister underscored.

The conflict in Syria has lasted since March 2011. Earlier in April, the United Nations secretary general’s special envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura said the hostilities in the country have left 400,000 people dead. Later he specified that it was his personal assessment. Up until now, the UN has named the death count of over 250,000 in Syria.

The ceasefire regime took effect in Syria on February 27. Shortly before, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution supporting a cessation of hostilities. The document drafted by Russia and the United States was backed by all 15 Security Council member states.

The ceasefire regime does not cover the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations as well as other groups ruled terrorist by the Security Council.

Russia takes an active part in the Syrian settlement effort. It helps Syria's authorities fight terrorists and has conducted mine clearing work in the ancient city of Palmyra.

Russia’s Aerospace Forces started delivering pinpoint strikes in Syria at facilities of Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, which are banned in Russia, on September 30, 2015, on a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad.

On March 14, 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to start, from March 15, withdrawing the main part of the Russian Aerospace Forces’ group from Syria. Putin said the tasks set before the military "have been fulfilled on the whole." Russian Deputy Defense Minister Nikolai Pankov said strikes on terrorists will continue to be delivered.

UN Chief Says Over 250 Hospitals Attacked During Syrian Conflict

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160503/1039016769/un-syria-hspitals-healthcare.html

Since the beginning of the conflict in Syria, Physicians for Human Rights has documented more than 360 attacks on some 250 medical facilities, more than 730 medical personnel have been killed, according to UN chief Ban Ki-moon.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — More than 250 medical facilities have been attacked in Syria since the start of civil war, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday, referring to data provided by Physicians for Human Rights, a watchdog advocating against persecution of health workers.

Earlier in the day, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution, condemning the attacks on medical and humanitarian personnel in war-torn countries and urging the parties to armed conflicts to provide humanitarian personnel with protection.

"Since the beginning of the conflict [in Syria], Physicians for Human Rights has documented more than 360 attacks on some 250 medical facilities, more than 730 medical personnel have been killed," Ban said.

He added that at the moment almost a half of all medical facilities in Syria were closed or only partially functioning, while millions of Syrians lacked proper healthcare.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the government forces fighting several opposition factions and militant organizations. The crisis has caused a humanitarian disaster making millions of people flee their country and become refugees.

 

[angelburst29]

A long convoy of the ISIL terrorist group's military and logistic vehicles were tracked and targeted by the Syrian fighter jets in an oil-rich region East of Homs, inflicting major damage on the vehicles.

Long Military Column of ISIL Hit Hard in Syrian Air Attacks East of Homs
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950214000232

The Syrian fighter jets, tipped off by the intelligence agents, bombed several times the ISIL convoy near al-Sha'er oilfield and the third oil-pumping station in the Eastern side of the ancient city of Palmyra (Tadmur), which ended in destruction of a number of the column's vehicles, including the machinegun-equipped ones, and the killing and wounding of several terrorists.

In the meantime, the Syrian Army's aircraft targeted the ISIL strongholds near the ancient Assyrian town of Quayratayn, which claimed the lives of at least 12 militants.

Military sources announced on Monday that at least 175 members of the ISIL were killed and many more were wounded in the Syrian Army troops' large-scale offensives in an oil-rich region in the Eastern part of Homs province.

Syria reiterated on Tuesday its demand that the Security Council and the UN Secretary-General condemn the crimes committed by armed terrorist groups, particularly the terrorist attacks on Aleppo city.

Syria: Terrorist organizations and their Saudi and Turkish allies committed crimes against humanity in Aleppo
http://sana.sy/en/?p=76337

In two identical letters sent to the UN Secretary-General and the head of the Security Council, the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said that while local and international efforts are being made to bolster the cessation of hostilities agreement and reach a truce in Aleppo, terrorist organizations under order of its masterminds in Saudi Arabia and Aleppo carried out an extensive attack from several directions on Aleppo city, with the Syrian Arab Army repelling the terrorists and preventing them from seizing areas in the city.

The letters pointed out that terrorists fired large rocket shells at al-Dhabeet Hospital in Aleppo city, destroying it and killing innocent civilians including women and children, and this attack is part of a larger attack that targeted all neighborhoods in the city with indiscriminate shelling, killing and injuring many civilians and damaging homes.

The Ministry asserted that what is being done by terrorist organizations and their Saudi and Turkish allies constitute crimes against humanity, and the UN and the international community must stop them and hold their perpetrators accountable.

The Syrian military helicopters opened heavy fire at the only supply line to the terrorist groups' positions in the Eastern countryside of Aleppo city, and cut off the road for hours.

Syrian Choppers Shell Terrorists' Only Supply Route to Eastern Aleppo
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950214000594

The Syrian choppers targeted the terrorists' vehicles driving on Castello Road, known by the terrorists as the death road, and destroyed several military vehicles of the militants.

The Syrian fighter jets, meantime, hit the communication lines of the ISIL terrorists near the districts of al-Lairamoun and Khalediye and thwarted the ISIL attempts to break through the government forces' lines of defense.

The neighborhoods of al-Aziziyeh, al-Soleimaniyeh, al-Meydan and al-Azimiyeh in the Northern city of Aleppo were also the scene of the army attacks against the terrorists.

In relevant development in the Northern province on Monday, the Syrian and Russian Air Force, in at least eighty joint combat sorties, targeted the positions of al-Nusra Front in the Southern and Central parts of Aleppo province, inflicting major casualties on the terrorists.

The Syrian fighter jets and their Russian counterparts hit al-Nusra positions in the militant-held areas of the neighborhoods of Lairamoun, Bani Zeid, al-Qasr and al-Zahra in Aleppo, which took the lives of tens of the militants.

Concentration centers of al-Nusra Front in al-Zerbeh and al-Eis also came under the massive bombardments of the Syrian and Russian jets, which ended in the killing or injuring of dozens of the terrorists and destruction of the group's military facilities in the region.

The heavy bombardments slowed down the militants' logistic movements.

Syria denounced the statements made on Monday by the Norwegian Prime Minister on her country’s intention to send 60 special forces soldiers to train what she called “Syrian fighters” under the pretext of fighting ISIS.

Syria denounces Norwegian PM’s statements on sending soldiers to train Syrian fighters
http://sana.sy/en/?p=76281

An official source at the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said in a statement to SANA on Tuesday that the Syrian Arab Republic denounces these statements and asserts that any decision that the Norwegian government intends to take in this context contradicts international legitimacy and the Security Council’s resolutions on combating terrorism which call for coordinating with the governments of the states involved in fighting terrorism.

The source said that such a decision constitutes a blatant and unacceptable interference in states’ affairs and a flagrant violation of sovereignty, security and stability, stressing that it cannot be justified by saying that it’s part of combating terrorism since it hasn’t been conducted in cooperation with the Syrian government.

The US government is extending its state of emergency imposed against the actions of the government of Syria.

US Extending National Emergency With Respect to Syrian Government
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160503/1039022889/usa-national-emergency-syria.html

The US government is extending its state of emergency imposed against the actions of the government of Syria, President Barack Obama wrote in a letter to the heads of both chambers of Congress, the White House announced on Tuesday.

"The Syrian regime's actions and policies, including pursuing chemical and biological weapons [and] supporting terrorist organizations… continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security… of the United States," Obama stated.

Obama wrote that he had therefore determined that it was necessary to continue the national emergency declared with respect to this threat as well as to maintain in force the sanctions to address the issue.

"The regime's brutal war on the Syrian people, who have been calling for freedom and a representative government, not only endangers the Syrian people themselves, but could yield greater instability throughout the region," Obama claimed in the letter.

Obama added that the US government condemned the Syrian government, which he referred to as "the Assad regime," and demanded that it end military operations against rebel forces then permit a political transition to a different regime.

Germany is pushing for a European army in the 28-member EU bloc, according to a white paper put forward by the German government. The army is envisaged to have a joint headquarters and shared military plans.

Germany pushes for European army
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/germany-pushes-european-army-1557866?awt_l=O17g9&awt_m=ggeVelwkrGbOvKU&utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=rss

The news may upset the Brexit debate in the UK ahead of the EU referendum vote scheduled for 23 June. The Leave campaign, which has been warning of the further integration with the EU, will now have more ammunition to back its claims.

The Financial Times noted that the white paper is "one of the most significant" for Germany in recent years, given that Berlin has "long paid lip-service" to the formation of a European defence union. It noted that the white paper was to have been released shortly before the 23 June referendum but has probably been delayed to July.

According to the newspaper, the draft white paper outlines steps to "gradually coordinate Europe's patchwork of national militaries" and launch permanent cooperation under common structures among the member states. The initiatives proposed include strengthening cyberwarfare abilities.

Another proposal includes relaxing the post-war restrictions on army operations within Germany — a rather contentious issue. Deployments dealing with violence or threats of violence within Germany have been banned over fears of evoking Nazi-era practices. The draft proposal, according to the FT, seeks to end the ban, noting the "character and dynamic of current and future security-political threats".

"German security policy has relevance — also for beyond our country. Germany is willing to join early, decisively and substantially as a driving force in international debates ... to take responsibility and assume leadership," the white paper said.

The FT says the paper calls for "the use of all possibilities" that are permissible under the EU treaties such as establishing deep cooperation between willing member states, create a joint civil military headquarters for the EU operations, a council of defence ministers and better coordination of the production and sharing of military equipment.

It also noted the role of Nato in a European army. "The more we Europeans are ready to take on a greater share of the common burden and the more our American partner is prepared to go along the road of common decision-making, the further the transatlantic security partnership will develop greater intensity and richer results," the paper adds.

Roderich Kiesewetter, a Bundestag foreign affairs committee member wrote in a recent paper: "The creation of a European army is a long way off, but it is a strategic necessity to implement important steps to pave the way towards it now."

 

[sToRmR1dR]

SOTT is down (Error 520/524) for me!

Russia, US Find Efficient Ceasefire Mechanism for Syria

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160504/1039037366/russia-us-syria-ceasefire.html

The Russian military in Syria and their US colleagues have found an effective mechanism for ceasefire, the head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation said Wednesday.

"The US side is working with the opposition groups, and has managed to convince them of the need to observe the "silent" period," Lt.-Col. Sergei Kuralenko told journalists.

He emphasized that the province of Eastern Guta has seen no skirmishes in recent days.

"Both the American side and the [Syrian] government are carrying out those tasks".

He noted that the Moscow and Washington have elaborated an effective mechanism for observing the ceasefire regime by introducing the "silent" period.

Kuralenko said that the Russian Center is accumulating information on prisoners from both sides, as well as those who have been reported missing.

The Russian Center for Reconciliation also has a direct line with the US analytic group located in Amman and that information is exchanged between Russia and the United States at least once a day.

"Since the founding of the Center on February 27, the level of violence has dropped several times over and gunfire from both sides has dropped eight times," Kuralenko said.

The ceasefire in Syria, worked out by Russia and the United States, took effect on February 27 with terrorist groups not being part of the agreement.

According to his assessments, the situation in Syria is stabilizing, but it remains tense in northern Latakia and Aleppo, as well as in several areas in the Damascus Province.

The reconciliation center's chief said 91 communities have joined the ceasefire agreement.

"The center's specialists meet with different social groups, elders, field commanders, local authorities. We have held 214 talks. Moreover, 52 agreements have been signed with militants who ceased fire and returned to peaceful life."

Russia and the United States brokered a "silent"period on Thursday to be implemented for 24 hours in the Damascus’ suburbs and for 72 hours in the northern Latakia province, starting at midnight on April 30.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

Russian Defense Ministry organizes press tour to Syria for foreign reporters

http://tass.ru/en/world/873725

The journalists will see the work of the Center for Reconciliation in Syria

HMEIMIM /Syria/, May 4. /TASS/. Nearly 100 foreign journalists from 26 countries have arrived in Syria as part of a press tour organized by the Russian Defense Ministry.

"This is the seventh press tour to Syria organized for foreign journalists," Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov told reporters on Wednesday upon arrival at Hmeimim airbase.

He noted that about 400 foreign reporters and approximately the same number of Russian journalists had visited Syria on a mission organized by the Russian Defense Ministry.

According to Konashenkov, on Wednesday the journalists will see the work of the Center for Reconciliation in Syria, "which does great and important work and the accommodation conditions of the Russian military personnel at Hmeimim base."

US Military Arrives at Training Ground in Moldova

http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/05/us-military-arrives-at-training-ground.html

Translated by Ollie Richardson for Fort Russ
3rd May, 2016

http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/3255567

A column of US military equipment that was blocked on the border by representatives of the opposition Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) arrived on the Negresht training range, 40 km North of Chisinau. Here the joint exercise Dragon Pioneer 2016 began, which will be held until 20th May.

As was reported to journalists by the general police inspectorate of Moldova, during the movement of the column from the border with Romania, the police had to intervene to avoid clashes with demonstrators who arrived here headed by a group of deputies from the party of socialists. They chanted "Stop NATO!", "Go home!", "Down with NATO!", "Moldova is a neutral country!" and "No to NATO!". The deputies demanded to see the documents authorizing the US military to be in a neutral Moldova. Supporters of Right-wing parties in Moldova who advocate the country's accession to NATO arrived to help the Americans move to the place of events. They tried to prevent the protests and inspections.

"To prevent collisions, officers from the Fulger (Lightning) police battalion of special purpose intervened, which were specially delivered from Chisinau. After checking the documents, a column of military vehicles followed the US to the place of temporary location at the site of Negresht," said the inspectorate.

The opposition against NATO exercises in neutral Moldova

"We believe military exercises involving US troops on Moldovan territory is a flagrant violation of the constitutional principle of neutrality of Moldova. In this regard, the deputies from the Party of socialists have already initiated a number of procedures. They will continue, and this will be one of the reasons for introducing in May the initiative to dismiss the government," - said the leader of the socialists Igor Dodon, whose party has the largest faction in Parliament, which controls a quarter of the seats.

He added that earlier, Prime Minister of Moldova Pavel Filip held talks with Chairman of the Parliament Andrian Candu, who warned that the socialists will organize protests against the planned Ministry of Defence Victory Day exhibition of US military equipment in the center of Chisinau. As expected, it will feature military vehicles that arrived in the country to participate in joint exercises.

"That can't happen at all, especially on the Holy day of May 9th, when the "Immortal regiment" march will pass in Kishinev. We believe the Ministry of Defence's plans are a provocation and have warned that angry people will throw eggs at American equipment and all responsibility for any undesirable consequences will fall on the government. The Republican leadership has assured us that the final decision to hold this exhibition is still pending. We will do everything to make sure it is not passed," said Igor Dodon.

Organizer of the "Museum of Soviet occupation" showed equipment of NATO in Chisinau

The initiative to hold the exhibition of American technology belongs to the Minister of Defence of Moldova Anatol Șalaru, who is famous for the organization of the "Museum of Soviet occupation" in Chisinau, calls to repeal neutrality and make the country a member of NATO, and the fight against monuments of the Soviet era.

"This is not a military parade and not a military presentation, but a friendly demonstration" - said Șalaru the day before to reporters. On his page on a social network, he wrote that "the soldiers of the US army participating in military exercises will honor the memory of victims of the Second world war." In this case, the target paid attention to the fact that Moldova was liberated from fascism by the Red army, in whose ranks about 300,000 natives of the country fought, among which more than 20 were awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.


Earlier, the "Museum of Soviet occupation" was created under instructions from Șalaru, where he wanted to send the monument to Soviet soldiers established on the territory of Moldova. Then, under his directions, the legendary T-34 tank was removed from one of the pedestals. This aroused the indignation of the Moldovan community, the Russian Foreign Ministry condemned this action, noting that they look especially cynical in the context of the 70th anniversary of the great Victory.

US, Romanian Observers to Fly Over Russia Under Open Skies Treaty

http://sputniknews.com/world/20160504/1039034716/us-romanian-observers-fly-russia-treaty.html

Military experts from the United States and Romania will fly over the territories of Russia and Belarus on a Romanian surveillance aircraft in the framework of the Treaty on Open Skies this week, head of Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center Sergei Ryzhkov said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Open Skies Treaty allows its participants to openly gather information on each other's military forces and activities.

"On May 4-7, in the framework of the international Treaty on Open Skies, a joint mission of Romania and the United States will perform an observation flight over the territory of <…> Belarus and Russia on a Romanian An-30 surveillance aircraft," Ryzhkov said in a statement on Tuesday.

In the course of the observation mission, Russian specialists on board the aircraft will monitor compliance with the agreed parameters of the flight and the use of observation equipment, according to the statement.

The Open Skies Treaty was signed in March 1992 and became one of the major confidence-building measures in Europe after the Cold War. It entered into force on January 1, 2002, and currently has 34 States Parties, including Russia and the majority of the NATO countries.

Moscow ratified the Treaty on Open Skies on May 26, 2001.

NATO prefers to deal with Putin rather than his circle — Breedlove

http://tass.ru/en/world/873715

"We are unsure that we would be in a better place if Mr. Putin was not there. He may be a more reasonable voice in the middle of that group," Top Commander of U.S. and Alliance Forces in Europe said

NEW YORK, May 3. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin is a reasonable politician and a strong leader, so NATO prefers to deal with him rather than his circle, Gen. Philip Breedlove, Top Commander of U.S. and Alliance Forces in Europe, said Tuesday in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

"In my group of advisers… I think the consensus-that I fully agree with-would be somewhere along this line that no, the decision making in Moscow is not about one person, but yes, it is about one person surrounded by a very small group," Breedlove said.

"And we all agree that we will probably be dealing with this one person and some resemblance of that same small group for some time to come in the future… We are unsure that we would be in a better place if Mr. Putin was not there. He may be a more reasonable voice in the middle of that group," he said.

"We have a very strong leader who is surrounded by a small group of people who make the decisions. Most of those decisions are focused on the preservation of the regime. We believe that that group will be with us for some time. Their ability to shape the Russian people’s approach and understanding is pretty firm. And we’re not sure that we might be in a better place if we saw a change," Gen. Breedlove said.

Prior to the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, which took place April 20 in Brussels, the Kremlin stated that there is distrust between the Russian Federation and the alliance, which will be hard to overcome.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Terrorists Plotting Attacks in Moscow Detained by Russian Security Forces

http://sputniknews.com/russia/20160504/1039081661/russia-terrorist-arrest.html

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said Wednesday it had detained a group of people from Central Asia who were planning to carry out terrorist attacks in the Moscow region during the May holidays.

"Following investigative work in the city of Moscow, the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation detained a group of citizens of Central Asian countries who were planning to carry out a series of terrorist attacks in the Moscow region during the May holidays by an order of the leaders of international terrorist organizations active on the territories of Syria and Turkey," the FSB said in a statement.

The detainees gave a confession. The FSS officers also seized large quantities of weapons and explosives.

Fifteen Jabhat al-Nusra militants surrender arms to Syria authorities

http://tass.ru/en/world/873839

The elders of Syria’s Kaukab village, Hama province, and the Syrian authorities have signed an agreement on the return of civilians after the community’s liberation from terrorist groups

KAUKAB /Syria/, May 4. /TASS/. The elders of Syria’s Kaukab village, Hama province, and the Syrian authorities as represented by the reconciliation center have put their signatures to an agreement on the return of civilians after the community’s liberation from terrorist groups, including Jabhat al-Nusra (outlawed in Russia). After that a group of Jabhat al-Nusra militants surrendered their weapons to local authorities.

"We have signed an agreement on the return of civilians to this community. The people wish to work their land and live peaceful lives. As a result of prolonged, scrupulous work we have approached a point where the people can get back to their homes," the spokesman for Russia’s reconciliation center in Hama province, Colonel Sergey Ivanov told the media.

He added that Russia mediated the agreement.

"Both signatories are Syrian," he said.

After the agreement was signed 7.5 tonnes of humanitarian aid delivered from the Russian center for the reconciliation of warring factions at Hmeimim was distributed among local civilians. Each set of foods consists of food (sugar, rice, spaghetti and canned meat and fish, sweets and cookies), drinking water and medicines. Fifteen Jabhat al-Nusra militants agreed to lay down weapons and hand them in to the local authorities.

Kaukab for a long time remained on the engagement line, Ivanov said. There were both militants and government troops. The front line separated it.

"The militants have now been driven way back and the population has returned home," Ivanov said. Of late, the cases of militants ending resistance to Syrian government troops were more frequent. "You’ve been witnesses to one of such events," Ivanov told group of Russian and foreign reporters.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Russia, US Agree to Extend Syria Ceasefire to Aleppo - DoS

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160504/1039083639/syria-ceasefire-aleppo.html

According to the US State Department, the United States and Russia have agreed to extend the 'silent' period to Syria's Aleppo province.

"As part of our urgent efforts to de-escalate violence in Syria and reaffirm the cessation of hostilities nationwide, the United States and Russia concluded arrangements late yesterday to extend this effort to Aleppo province, including Aleppo city and its surrounding areas," the press release stated.

The 'silent' period has come into force at 00:01 local time on Wednesday.

The US sees the decrease of violence in the Aleppo province after the extension of the ceasefire took place, according a US State Department press release.

"Since this went into effect today at 00:01 in Damascus, we have seen an overall decrease in violence in these areas, even though there have been reports of continued fighting in some locations."

The US State Department hopes that all parties involved will observe the ceasefire in Aleppo.

The US is closely coordinating monitoring of the new cessation of hostilities in Aleppo with Russia. "To ensure this continues in a sustainable way, we are coordinating closely with Russia to finalize enhanced monitoring efforts of this renewed cessation."

Washington counts on Moscow to put pressure on Damascus concerning the 'silent' period in the Aleppo province.

The State Department vows to continue efforts to expand cessation of hostilities across Syria.

Russia and the United States brokered a "silent" period on Thursday to be implemented for 24 hours in the Damascus’ suburbs and for 72 hours in the northern Latakia province, starting at midnight on April 30.

Earlier in the day, the head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation said that the Russian military in Syria and their US colleagues have found an effective mechanism for ceasefire.

Russian, Iranian diplomats discuss Syrian settlement, intra-Syrian talks

http://tass.ru/en/world/873853

MOSCOW, May 4. /TASS/. The Syrian conflict settlement and the progress of intra-Syrian negotiations have been discussed by Russian President’s Special Envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported on Wednesday after another round of Russian-Iranian consultations on the Middle East problems.

"During the consultations the sides had a detailed exchange of views on a range of issues of Syria’s political settlement in accordance with Resolution 2254 of the UN Security Council and the decisions of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), including in the context of the task to maintain the ceasefire regime in Syria and ensure inclusiveness of the intra-Syrian negotiating process Geneva, a regular round of which took place on April 13-27 with mediation of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura", the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

According to the ministry, the sides also discussed a number of other topical issues of regional agenda, including the Yemeni settlement problems and the developments in Lebanon, Iraq and in the Palestinian territories.

The conflict in Syria has lasted since March 2011. Earlier in April, Staffan de Mistura said the hostilities in the country have left 400,000 people dead. Later he specified that it was his personal assessment. Up until now, the UN has named the death count of over 250,000 in Syria.

The ceasefire regime took effect in Syria on February 27. Shortly before, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution supporting a cessation of hostilities. The document drafted by Russia and the United States was backed by all 15 Security Council member states. The ceasefire regime does not cover the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations as well as other groups ruled terrorist by the Security Council.

Russia takes an active part in the Syrian settlement effort. It helps Syria's authorities fight terrorists and has conducted mine clearing work in the ancient city of Palmyra.

Russia’s Aerospace Forces started delivering pinpoint strikes in Syria at facilities of Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, which are banned in Russia, on September 30, 2015, on a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad.

On March 14, 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to start, from March 15, withdrawing the main part of the Russian Aerospace Forces’ group from Syria. Putin said the tasks set before the military "have been fulfilled on the whole." Russian Deputy Defense Minister Nikolai Pankov said strikes on terrorists will continue to be delivered.

US seeks to shield Nusra Front from airstrikes: Russia

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/04/463984/Russia-Syria-Lavrov-Kerry-Nusra-Front/

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the United States is attempting to include positions held by al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front terrorists in a regime of calm in the northwestern Aleppo Province during Washington’s talks with Moscow on the issue.

Lavrov made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Russia’s Sputnik news agency published on Wednesday.

"During the negotiations, our US partners actually tried to draw the borders of this ‘zone of silence’ to include a significant number of positions occupied by al-Nusra [Front]. We managed to exclude this as it is absolutely unacceptable," Lavrov said.

Such a move by Washington indicated that “someone wants to use the Americans to stop al-Nusra being targeted by strikes," he added.

Russia and the US recently brokered a “regime of calm” in Latakia Province and Damascus’ suburbs and talks are underway to expand the regime to Aleppo as well.

Syria support group may meet in near future

Elsewhere in his remarks, the top Russian diplomat said the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) is likely to hold a ministerial meeting in the near future.

"It is likely that within the coming weeks, it will be possible to convene a ministerial meeting with one major goal, which is to see who is implementing previous decisions approved by two UN Security Council resolutions and how," Lavrov said.

The ISSG, co-chaired by Moscow and Washington, was formed in November 2015. Composed of a group of countries and international organizations, the ISSG seeks to bring an end to the conflict gripping Syria since March 2011.

Turkey, Saudi incursion into Syria improbable

Meanwhile, the Russian foreign minister stressed that Turkey and Saudi Arabia are unlikely to launch ground operations in Syria in the light of Russian air forces already stationed in the Middle-Eastern country.

Riyadh and Ankara have repeatedly expressed their readiness to dispatch ground troops to Syria.

Russia launched its military campaign against terrorist groups in Syria last September upon a request from the government in Damascus. The air raids have expedited the advances of Syrian forces against militants.

Syria peace talks may resume this month

In another part of his interview, Lavrov noted that Russia thinks Syria peace talks would resume in the Swiss city of Geneva this month.

He, however, emphasized that the conditions have not yet been met for direct negotiations due to the "whims" of the main foreign-backed opposition group, known as the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), and countries such as Turkey.

The latest round of UN-brokered indirect negotiations, which began in Geneva on April 13, were brought to a halt after the HNC walked out of the discussions to protest at what it called the Syrian government’s violation of the ceasefire, which was brokered by Russia and the United States. The truce went into effect late February in Syria.

However, an escalation in missile attacks by foreign-backed militants in recent weeks has left the ceasefire in tatters and torpedoed the peace talks.

Kerry warns Assad of 'repercussions' if transition fails

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/04/463865/Kerry-warns-Syria-Assad-transition/

US Secretary of State John Kerry has warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of the consequences of a new US approach if he does not accept a political transition in the next few months.

“The target date for the transition is 1st of August,” Kerry told reporters at the State Department on Tuesday.

“So we're now coming up to May. So either something happens in these next few months, or they are asking for a very different track,” he added.

The warning came amid a surge in violence in the northern city of Aleppo, putting further strain on a February 27 ceasefire brokered by Russia and the United States.

Kerry said he still hoped negotiations could restore the truce deal to include Aleppo, but warned that there would be repercussions if the Syrian government violated the agreement.

“If Assad does not adhere to this, there will clearly be repercussions, and one of them may be the total destruction of the ceasefire and then go back to war,” he said.

“I don't think Russia wants that. I don't think Assad is going to benefit from that. There may be even other repercussions being discussed. That is for the future.”

The top US diplomat made the comments following a meeting between the UN special envoy for Syria and Russia's foreign minister in Moscow on Tuesday, a day after emergency discussions with Kerry in Geneva.

Kerry said that Washington and Moscow were in the process of working out the details of a more durable ceasefire in Aleppo to prevent the flashpoint city from falling.

“Everybody at the table has said you can't end this as long as Assad continues, because Assad cannot reunite the country. It's that simple,” Kerry said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said a new unilateral ceasefire by the Syrian government could be announced within “the next few hours” for Aleppo. The UN Security Council is set to convene Wednesday to discuss the crisis in the city.

Kerry reiterated that the United States would never accept a transition that included President Assad.

“If Assad's strategy is to somehow think he's going to just carve out Aleppo and carve out a section of the country, I got news for you and for him - this war doesn't end,” he said.

On Tuesday, 19 people were killed by militant rocket fire in government-controlled areas of Aleppo, according to the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. State media said a rocket attack on a hospital killed at least three people and wounded 17 others.

US officials have frequently warned of consequences if Assad refused to step down as part of a broader peace agreement to end the five-year conflict.

Syria has been gripped by a foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura has estimated that over 400,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

Damascus accuses the US and some of its regional allies, in particular Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, of conducting a proxy war against Syria.

 

[Ca.]

Hey, C.A., missed ya, great to see you back!
Looks like the Russians are having a little fun with the American's?

Thanks angelburst29. Sorry for the late response.

It is good to see The Russians responding in kind on occasion to the childish and fetal attempts by USSA of the game of intimidation.

But it will always be a losing situation for the Americans (and any other country), too even think that they pose any threat to the mighty armada of Russia.

I guess it's just a matter of time before the STS capitals wishful thinking, ultimately bring about there own self destruction, just as the C's say.

There shenanigans fool no one.

The White Helmets - al-Qaeda with a face-lift
Uploaded on May 2, 2016
Video courtesy of "handsoffsyriasydney.com"

http://<iframe width="560" height="...PI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[angelburst29]

There shenanigans fool no one.

The White Helmets - al-Qaeda with a face-lift
Uploaded on May 2, 2016
Video courtesy of "handsoffsyriasydney.com"

http://<iframe width="560" height="...PI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thanks for Posting the video, C.A. It's disturbing to watch but in it's essence, it's what's happening to innocent people, in real time.

I don't know if you came across the thread yet but Whitecoast Posted some vital information on the Syrian situation and the White Helmets? And Carl entered a link with more information.

http://cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php/topic,41643.0.html

 

[goyacobol]

“Everybody at the table has said you can't end this as long as Assad continues, because Assad cannot reunite the country. It's that simple,” Kerry said.

Sure, I really believe that...

“If Assad does not adhere to this, there will clearly be repercussions, and one of them may be the total destruction of the ceasefire and then go back to war,” he said.

No, intimidation intended of course...

“If Assad's strategy is to somehow think he's going to just carve out Aleppo and carve out a section of the country, I got news for you and for him - this war doesn't end,” he said.

Just when you thought only congress could declare war, Kerry volunteers.