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

[sToRmR1dR]

America’s Outrageous Ultimatum: Syria as the Libya of the Levant

http://journal-neo.org/2016/05/07/america-s-outrageous-ultimatum-syria-as-the-libya-of-the-levant/

How the United States presumes to possess the authority to determine the fate of a sovereign nation thousands of miles from its own shores in the Middle East is never explained by US Secretary of State John Kerry when he recently announced a new ultimatum leveled at Damascus. Nor is it explained why Syria should capitulate to US demands to begin a political transition that has demonstrably left other nations across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) divided, destroyed, and safe-havens for state-sponsored terrorism years after “successful” US-backed regime change has been achieved – Libya most notably.

Yet despite all of this, according to the Associate Press (AP) in their article, “Kerry warns Assad to start transition by Aug. 1 or else,” the United States fully expects Damascus to concede to a “political transition” engineered by Washington, leaving the nation in the hands of verified terrorists linked directly to the political and militant forces currently laying waste to Libya and those nations that put them into power.

The article reports:

Secretary of State John Kerry warned Syria’s government and its backers in Moscow and Tehran on Tuesday that they face an August deadline for starting a political transition to move President Bashar Assad out, or they risk the consequences of a new U.S. approach toward ending the 5-year-old civil war.

AP would also claim:

…it’s unlikely that the Obama administration, so long opposed to an active American combat role in Syria, would significantly boost its presence beyond the 300 special forces it has authorized thus far in the heart of a U.S. presidential election season. More feasible might be U.S. allies like Saudi Arabia giving the rebels new weapons to fight Assad, such as portable surface-to-air missiles.

Again, the US is making demands of “Syria’s government and its backers in Moscow” while it is openly allied with Saudi Arabia who is admittedly backing US State Department-listed foreign terrorist organizations including the Al Nusra Front – quite literally Al Qaeda in Syria and Iraq.

This point has inconveniently surfaced even across the West’s own media, including the Independent in an article titled, “Turkey and Saudi Arabia alarm the West by backing Islamist extremists the Americans had bombed in Syria.” In it states that:

Turkey and Saudi Arabia are actively supporting a hardline coalition of Islamist rebels against Bashar al-Assad’s regime that includes al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, in a move that has alarmed Western governments.

The two countries are focusing their backing for the Syrian rebels on the combined Jaish al-Fatah, or the Army of Conquest, a command structure for jihadist groups in Syria that includes Jabhat al-Nusra, an extremist rival to Isis which shares many of its aspirations for a fundamentalist caliphate.

Despite superficial attempts to portray Al Nusra at “arms length” from Saudi Arabia, and thus from Saudi Arabia’s closest and most valuable ally, Washington, the inseparable nature of those the US and Saudi Arabia are supporting and those they claim not to support is documented fact.

America Essentially Demands Syria’s Surrender to Al Qaeda​

Considering the verified nature of the so-called “opposition” in Syria and the verifiable nature of what US foreign policy has done to Libya – leaving it to this day in the hands of state-sponsored terrorist organizations including the notorious “Islamic State” or ISIS – what the US is essentially demanding of Syria and its allies is capitulation to Al Qaeda.

It is a surreal full-circle US foreign policy has made, from first creating Al Qaeda in the late 1980’s jointly with Saudi Arabia and elements within the Pakistani government, then claiming to have been struck egregiously by the terrorist organization on September 11, 2001 triggering over a decade of very profitable war, before finally arriving in Libya and Syria beginning in 2011 where once again US politicians found themselves standing shoulder-to-shoulder with literal commanders of Al Qaeda and its affiliates, waging proxies wars against their collective enemies.

Indeed, US Senator John McCain would find himself in a Libya utterly devastated by NATO at the end of 2011, shaking hands with the commander of US State Department-listed foreign terrorist organization, the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) – literally Al Qaeda in Libya. The LIFG commander, Abdelhakim Belhadj, had at one point been arrested by the US before being handed over to the Libyan government and imprisoned for his terrorism.

Syria’s Clear Course of Action​

Syria is undoubtedly being overrun by heavily armed and extremely dangerous terrorists backed by foreign powers. These are terrorists that have proven already in Libya, that upon coming to power, they will first carry out genocide against their ethnic and political enemies, then transform Syria into a devastated wasteland and springboard for terrorism and proxy war elsewhere in the region – likely Iran and then southern Russia.Syria’s only clear course of action is to resist and defeat these terrorist factions and restore order within the nation’s boundaries. It must do this by interdicting terrorists and their supplies along the Turkish-Syrian border in the north, and the Jordanian-Syrian border in the south. It is abundantly clear that the terrorists operating within Syria cannot sustain their fighting capacity without significant and constant logistical support from their foreign sponsors beyond Syria’s borders. This fact alone, undermines the legitimacy of the so-called “uprising” and “civil war” in Syria that upon closer examination is clearly a proxy invasion.

The US’s Clear Course of Action​

The US itself, in its own military manuals (MCWP 3-35.3) regarding combat operations, states in reference to defeating terrorism that:

In countering this threat, [it should be determined] whether it is internally or externally directed terrorism. Terrorism rooted externally must be severed from its roots. Against internal terrorism, [attempts should be made] to penetrate the infrastructure and destroy the leadership of the terrorist groups.

The US has already boasted of having struck hard at the leadership of various terrorist groups in Syria it claims to be at war with, yet these groups appear unfazed. This is precisely because the terrorism is being direct externally, from Turkey and Jordan where the US itself has based its forces for its ongoing Syrian operations. The clear and obvious course of action for the US is to identify the “roots” of this externally directed terrorism and “sever” them.

However, the US refuses to do this. Instead, even as it continues its feigned war against terrorism in Syria, it is doubling down on support for its proxies, including Turkey, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, who in turn, are harboring, arming, funding, training, and directly supporting the very terrorist groups the US claims to be fighting.

US Secretary of State John Kerry threatens a “new approach” by the US in Syria, if Syria does not capitulate to what is essentially the end of its existence as a functioning nation-state. The “new approach” is likely simply the continuation of existing plans to incrementally invade and occupy Syrian territory, particularly in the east through the infiltration of Iraq-based Kurds operating under US proxy Masoud Barzani, as well as to trigger a cross-border incident north of Aleppo by using their ISIS proxies to attack Turkish targets – reminisced of staged attacks Ankara had planned earlier during the war to justify the invasion and occupation of northern Syria.

Warning the world of the “success” America’s previous “political transitions” have wrought in Libya or Iraq, and raising awareness of the current nature of US-Saudi support for Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups in Syria today, is essential in undermining the legitimacy and authority upon which the US is attempting to base its demands directed at Damascus. The demands are illegitimate and the authority they are made with constitutes not principles nor rule of law, but naked and unjust aggression that must be resisted today lest it succeed and set a precedent for further acts of injustice against other nations tomorrow.

 

[goyacobol]

sToRmR1dR,

It is a surreal full-circle US foreign policy has made, from first creating Al Qaeda in the late 1980’s jointly with Saudi Arabia and elements within the Pakistani government, then claiming to have been struck egregiously by the terrorist organization on September 11, 2001 triggering over a decade of very profitable war, before finally arriving in Libya and Syria beginning in 2011 where once again US politicians found themselves standing shoulder-to-shoulder with literal commanders of Al Qaeda and its affiliates, waging proxies wars against their collective enemies.

It is very encouraging to me that at least many of these news sources are echoing the thoughts of many of us here on the forum.

Simple Definition of surreal

: very strange or unusual : having the quality of a dream

I think the word expresses the reaction of "normal" people/humans to describe what psychopathy looks like up close.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

sToRmR1dR,

It is a surreal full-circle US foreign policy has made, from first creating Al Qaeda in the late 1980’s jointly with Saudi Arabia and elements within the Pakistani government, then claiming to have been struck egregiously by the terrorist organization on September 11, 2001 triggering over a decade of very profitable war, before finally arriving in Libya and Syria beginning in 2011 where once again US politicians found themselves standing shoulder-to-shoulder with literal commanders of Al Qaeda and its affiliates, waging proxies wars against their collective enemies.

It is very encouraging to me that at least many of these news sources are echoing the thoughts of many of us here on the forum.

Simple Definition of surreal

: very strange or unusual : having the quality of a dream

I think the word expresses the reaction of "normal" people/humans to describe what psychopathy looks like up close.

Thanks for pointing out goyacobol!

 

[angelburst29]

There seems to be an under current between NATO and the European Union in a power struggle? While Russia is trying to fortify it's Borders, due to U.S. and NATO forces militarizing the opposite side, and helping Syria regain it's territory, the EU has been in the background, maneuvering it's own army/navy, in the form of "Federalization" - to counter "any Russian aggression or interference"?

There are several reports of an EU armed forces being set up "by stealth" with the merger of the German and Dutch armies and navies. The Czech Republic has also started talks to have its army become part of the Germany’s army. Britain and France, the two main military powers in the EU bloc, have been wary of giving a bigger military role to the EU, fearing it could undermine NATO.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/662472/EU-federal-europe-European-army-merging-German-Dutch-forces

Apr 20, 2016 - The plan is for the two countries to create a nucleus of an EU armed forces to fulfill the long term goal spelt out by German defense minister last year of having an EU army.

Ukip defense spokesman Mike Hookem is to ask the Commission what role it has played in talks to bring the new German/ Dutch force together as a nucleus for an EU military.

He pointed out that the developments are part of the centralization by stealth going on in the EU which Britain will be dragged into if it votes to remain in the EU.

He warned that the move is aimed at beginning a merger without going through the council of ministers and other EU bodies and then creating an EU military by stealth by adding other countries.

And it has also emerged that the Czech Republic has also started talks to have its army become part of the Germany’s army.

Last month the Dutch 43rd Mechanized Brigade came under German command as part of its German 1st Armoured Division.

This followed the Dutch 11th Airmobile Brigade coming under German command in 2015

As things stand the Dutch Army has been reduced to its 13th Mechanized Brigade along with special forces, support and headquarters staff but there are plans to merge these with the German Army too.

In addition the sea battalion of the German Navy will be gradually into the Royal Dutch Navy by 2018 and the two countries are sharing Holland’s largest ship, the Karel Doorman.

The acceleration of the merger of the German and Dutch military follows talks last year when the German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leye declared that the long term aim is to create an EU army.

She said: “The European Army is our long-term goal, but first we have to strengthen the European Defense Union.’

She added: “To achieve this, some nations with concrete military cooperation must come to the fore - and the Germans and the Dutch are doing this.”

Mr Hookem MEP said that the Germans and Dutch are “creating an EU army by stealth”.

He went on: "The EU was supposed to be about corralling Germany military dominance in Europe.

That aspiration has clearly died and just as Germany now politically dominates the EU, this latest move with the “Dutch army shows that
in time Germany wants to expand and control as much as it can militarily.

The EU is moving towards a common defense and foreign policy regime with an EU army as the goal. While Britain remains in the EU, we cannot escape being part of this dangerous setup. "

Ukip also noted that the reason to create an EU army “by the backdoor” is because other countries in Europe have opposed the move, most notably Denmark where voters rejected the Maastricht Treaty in the 1990s because of a clause to create an EU Military.

However, if an EU armed forces becomes “a fait accompli” it would be difficult for the UK and other countries to resist joining it.

The European Union needs its own army to face up to Russia and other threats, as well as to restore the bloc’s standing around the world, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told a German newspaper yesterday (8 March 2015).

Juncker: NATO is not enough, EU needs an army
http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/juncker-nato-is-not-enough-eu-needs-an-army/

‎Mar‎ ‎09‎, ‎2015 - Arguing that NATO was not enough because not all members of the transatlantic defense alliance are in the EU, Juncker said a common EU army would send important signals to the world.

“A joint EU army would show the world that there would never again be a war between EU countries,” Juncker told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. “Such an army would also help us to form common foreign and security policies and allow Europe to take on responsibility in the world.”

Juncker said a common EU army could serve as a deterrent and would have been useful during the Ukraine crisis.

“With its own army, Europe could react more credibly to the threat to peace in a member state or in a neighboring state,” he said.

“One wouldn’t have a European army to deploy it immediately. But a common European army would convey a clear message to Russia that we are serious about defending our European values.”

EU leaders have said they want to boost the common security policy by improving rapid response capabilities.

But Britain, along with France, the two main military powers in the bloc, has been wary of giving a bigger military role to the EU, fearing it could undermine NATO.

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen welcomed Juncker’s proposal. “Our future as Europeans will at some point be with a European army,” she told German radio.

Background on the Treaties:

The Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) replaces the former European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). The Treaty of Lisbon introduces this name change by dedicating a new section in the founding treaties to this policy. The Treaty of Lisbon emphasizes the importance and specific nature of the CSDP, which still forms an integral part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

The Treaty of Lisbon introduces for the first time a mutual defense clause, specifically binding EU Member States. If a member state is the victim of an armed attack on its territory, it can rely on the aid and assistance of the other member states, which are obliged to help.

Two restrictions moderate this clause:
•the mutual defense clause does not affect the security and defense policy of certain Member States, specifically those which are traditionally neutral;
•the mutual defense clause does not affect the commitments made under the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

There is still no European expenditure or European defense budget. The crisis in public spending induced cuts in national defense budgets. And as in the preceding Treaties, the CSDP remains a fundamentally intergovernmental issue.

The challenges created by shrinking defense budgets are aggravated by the fragmentation which leads to unnecessary duplication of capabilities, organizations and expenditures. Studies on the added value of EU spending show that by integrating European land forces, EU countries would be able to save substantial resources.

 

[Cosmos]

Yes there seems to be a power struggle going on in the west, on all sorts of fronts. I guess most, if not all, of those competing powers in the west are so greedy, that they will shot themself royally in the foot again.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Russia, US demand from Damascus, opposition to cease attacks on civilians

http://tass.ru/en/politics/874639

"The Russian Federation will work with the Syrian authorities to minimize aviation operations over areas that are predominantly inhabited by civilians," a joint statement of Russia and the U.S. says

MOSCOW, May 9. /TASS/. Russia and the United States demand from Damascus and the opposition to cease attacks on the civilian population, a joint statement of Russia and the United States says.

"The co-chairs re-affirm our commitment to the nationwide CoH that went into effect on February 27 across Syria, and have decided to pursue the … measures to reinvigorate it," the statement says.

"Recognizing challenges related to the CoH in certain areas the co-chairs have re-emphasized the terms of the COH with field commanders on all sides, especially in Aleppo, Eastern Ghouta, and Latakia, where we are determined to improve and sustain the CoH. We are using our influence with the CoH parties on the ground to press them to abide by the COH, refrain from disproportionate responses to provocations and demonstrate restraint," it reads.

"We demand that parties cease any indiscriminate attacks on civilians, including civilian infrastructure and medical facilities," the statement says. "Where attacks leading to significant civilian casualties are reported to have occurred, the co-chairs are committed to undertaking, within existing channels of interaction in Geneva, the region, and capitals, a joint assessment and to sharing the results with the members of the ISSG Ceasefire Task Force and, through the UN Special Envoy for Syria, to the UN Security Council."

"The Russian Federation will work with the Syrian authorities to minimize aviation operations over areas that are predominantly inhabited by civilians or parties to the cessation," it said.

The ceasefire has been effective in Syria since February 27, 2016. It does not apply to the groups Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra (both outlawed in Russia), and also to other groups declared as terrorist by the UN Security Council. Russia’s aviation grouping has been delivering air strikes against the Islamic State terrorist organization in Syria since September 30, 2015 at the request of Syria’s President Bashar Assad. Since 2014, the US-led coalition has also been delivering air strikes against militants in Syria and Iraq.

Resume the intra-Syrian talks

MOSCOW, May 9. /TASS/. Russia and the United States call to resume the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva on the basis of UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura’s proposal suggested on April 27, the statement says.

"The Russian Federation and United States are determined to redouble efforts to reach a political settlement of the Syrian conflict consistent with UNSCR 2254 through the intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva under UN auspices. We concur that these talks should be resumed on the basis of the Special Envoy’s mediator’s summary of April 27, in particular the annex addressing the fundamental issues for a viable transition, and the section on the commonalities on the political transition," the statement says.

Along with this, the sides urged members of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and other members of the international community "to promote and support a political settlement in Syria through the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 2254 and 2268, the 2016 Munich and 2015 Vienna Statements of the ISSG, and the 2012 Geneva Communique."

"In this regard, the co-chairs strongly support efforts to end violence and bloodshed, counter the threat of terrorism, and ensure the implementation of international humanitarian law," the joint statement reads.

Prevent the support of terrorism

Russia and the United States urge all the nations to prevent any support to terrorists in Syria, the statement says.

"The co-chairs are urging all states to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2253 (December 17, 2015) by preventing any material or financial support to ISIL, the al Nusra Front, as well as any other groups designated as terrorist organizations by the United Nations Security Council, and to prevent attempts by such groups to cross the Syrian border," the statement reads.

"To that end, the United States is committed to intensifying its support and assistance to regional allies to help them prevent the flow of fighters, weapons, or financial support to terrorist organizations across their borders," it says.

"In order to maintain the effectiveness of the CoH, the co-chairs are committed to undertaking efforts to develop a shared understanding of the threat posed, and territory controlled, by ISIL and the Nusra Front, and to consider ways to deal decisively against the threat posed by ISIL and the Nusra Front to Syria and international security," the statement says.

Humanitarian aid

Moscow and Washington have urged the United Nations to expand the area in need in Syria and deliver humanitarian aid to the cities of Nubul, Zahra and Hasakeh.

Also, Darayya has been listed as one of Syria's cities where Russia and the United States are committed to deliver humanitarian aid to, says a joint statement of Russia and the U.S.

"In order to urgently deliver humanitarian aid, the Russian Federation and the United States of America are committed to pressing the parties to ensure continuous delivery of assistance to Douma, East Harasta, Arbeen, Zamalka, Darayya, Zabadin, Fouah, Kafrayah, Madaya, Zabadani, Mouadhimiyeh, Yarmouk, Ein Terma, Hammura, Jisrein, Saqba, and Kafr Batna by land, and that it continues as long as humanitarian needs persist," the statement said.

"We also recommend that the UN consider other locations that may meet the criteria for priority designations, including Nubul, Zahra, and Hasakeh," it reads. "Humanitarian access, including by medical personnel, to these most urgent areas must be a first step toward full, sustained, and unimpeded access throughout the country. As called for in UNSCR 2258, border crossings that are necessary for humanitarian relief should remain open."

Earlier, putting forward their conditions for the return to talks in Geneva, representatives of the High Negotiations Committee (a Saudi-backed Syrian opposition force) paid special attention to deliveries of humanitarian aid to Darayya. The city is controlled by terrorists fighting against the Syrian governmental army. According to the UN information, civilians in need of humanitarian aid still reside there.

Also, Russia and the U.S. reaffirmed the need for sustained deliveries to locations considered by the UN as hard-to-be-reach, such as al Waer, Talbisseh, al Rastan, and Afrin.

Humanitarian aid to the Syrians will include a full package of medical and other items and food, says a joint statement.

"Humanitarian aid will be delivered based on need, with the full package of food, medical, and non-food items as decided by the UN authorized for delivery by all sides. The provision of mobile health services and evacuation of urgent medical cases should be facilitated by all sides," the statement says. "The co-chairs reaffirm that all parties must allow immediate and sustained humanitarian access to reach all people in need, throughout Syria, particularly in all besieged and hard-to-reach areas, in accordance with UNSCR 2254."

The parties to the conflict in Syria have repeatedly accused each other that surgical equipment and medicines had been removed from humanitarian convoys. However, they could have been used for treating participants of armed clashes. Also, dual-use items, for instance detergents, were also taken out from the humanitarian convoys. Thus, the High Negotiations Committee, an opposition force formed in Riyadh, referred to these facts justifying its decision to suspend the talks in Geneva.

Parties to Syrian Conflict Go to Moscow for a Solution, Not to Washington

http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160509/1039320797/syria-solution-russia.html

Thanks to its skillful diplomacy, Russia has taken leading positions in providing a solution to the Syrian crisis; Moscow has outmatched Washington both militarily and diplomatically to such an extent that even Washington’s allies now come to Moscow to “probe Putin’s intentions” rather than listening to the State Department, according to Le Figaro.

Russia's military operation in Syria has changed the course of war in the country enabling President Assad to ease the grip over Damascus, says an article in the French daily.

And the liberation of Palmyra came as a climax to this “efficient and well-coordinated ground-aerial campaign.”

Russia has outperformed Washington both militarily and domestically to such an extent that major participants to the conflict now come to Moscow to “probe Putin’s intentions” and pass their messages to him.

The author cites as an example the recent trip of Qatar’s Foreign Minister to Sochi to meet with Russia’s President and Foreign Minister in what was described as a bid to “unite efforts” to secure a ceasefire in the Syrian city of Aleppo.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said he was conveying a message from the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, when he met with Vladimir Putin and Sergei Lavrov in the Black Sea resort.

Russia’s current position enables it to dictate its own terms for the further peaceful agreement on Syria, the article further reads.

It cites as an example the three-day extension of the ceasefire between the Syrian government forces and rebel groups in Aleppo, in northern Syria.

It was first announced Friday night in Moscow, the newspaper notes.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the extension was made at Moscow's initiative and would also apply to the coastal province of Latakia. The cease-fire will last 72 hours, from May 7 until 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday (Damascus time), 21:01GMT Monday.

The United States then agreed with Russia to extend a cessation of hostilities agreement.

The newspaper however concedes that regardless of the channels the warring parties use, it will be no easy feat to reach a final diplomatic solution to the conflict.

 

[angelburst29]

Syrians Burn American Flag, Protest against Illegal Presence of US Soldiers
http://www.globalresearch.ca/syrians-burn-us-flag-protest-against-illegal-presence-of-us-soldiers/5524217

People of Hasakah, who were angry with the arrival of 250 US soldiers to the Kurdish-controlled town of Rumeilan without Syrian government’s mandate, condemned “the US imperialism” and the “illegal presence” of US troops in the Hasakah province, -based Ara News reported.

State-run SANA news agency cited Hasakah Governor Mohamad Zaal al-Ali as saying:

“The stand of Hasakah people is a confirmation that the existence of such [American] troops in Rumelan means a conspiracy against Syrian people, who refuse to let those who supported terrorism against their country to have their troops on Syrian soil,” reported.

A similar rally had earlier been held on Wednesday as local residents called for American Troops expulsion from their country.


“We are categorically against the impermissible and flagrant violation of our country’s sovereignty. We will not allow American boots on our soil. We are also against any plans for a division or federalization of Syria,” Al-Hasakah Governor Mohammad Zaal told on Wednesday.

On April 28, US President Barack Obama announced that Washington would “deploy up to 250 additional US personnel in Syria including Special Forces.” They are reportedly expected to train the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Painting the US move as “blatant act of aggression that constitutes a dangerous intervention and a gross violation of the Syrian sovereignty”, the Syrian Foreign Ministry stressed that “This intervention is rejected and illegitimate, and it happened without the Syrian government’s approval.”

The US administration, however, argues that their move is not illegal and the US does not need the Syrian government’s approval.

Repeating unconfirmed accusations against Bashar Assad’s government, the spokesperson of the US State Department said late in April “We didn’t seek the Syrian Government’s approval before making this decision, and I find it the height of irony to call this a blatant act of aggression when they continue to gas and barrel bomb their own people and are reportedly now bombing a hospital in Aleppo.”

The first time Obama broke his 2013 promise of no “American boots on the ground in Syria” was when he sent 50 US special operations forces to Syria last year, claiming the move as a “counterterrorism” measure and not a step closer to a ground invasion.

Since Obama has broken his promise involving ground troops in Syria, we can expect the same about-face in Libya.“There’s no plan for ground troops in Libya,” Obama said at a press conference in London during his European tour last week. He added: “I don’t think that’s necessary. I don’t think it would be welcomed by this new government. It would send the wrong signal.” One can imagine it’s only a matter of time before that statement is proven false.

Last week also Obama called for more troops and gunships into Iraq. The deployment was confirmed days later during a surprise visit to Iraq by US Defense Secretary Ash Carter who said 217 additional troops are set to arrive in the Arab state.

The US-led coalition has been carrying out alleged airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria since mid-2014.However, the US involvement in Syria began without the approval of the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad.

NATO military vehicles with American flags that were put on display in a central square of Chisinau, Moldova’s capital, had to withdraw before Monday’s V-Day march and retreat outside the town after the show-off sparked fierce opposition from the locals.

V-Day provocation? US-NATO hardware forced out of Moldova’s capital after public outrage
https://www.rt.com/news/342315-moldova-nato-military-vday-protest/?utm_source=browser&utm_medium=aplication_chrome&utm_campaign=chrome

The exhibition of US military equipment on the city’s Great National Assembly Square on Sunday was presented as part of the V-Day celebrations, but instead provoked hundreds of protesters to take to the streets in outrage.

Activists opposing NATO’s presence in the country waved banners that read “Go home, “We don’t need NATO,” and “Moldova is a neutral state.”

Protesters also reportedly handed out St. George ribbons, a symbol of victory in post-Soviet states, to the American soldiers before the exhibition, which saw about two dozen infantry, engineering vehicles and military trucks being showcased to the public. However, soon after the protests began, the exhibition was rolled up, and the US troops returned to their stationing site in Negresti, some 20 kilometers outside Chisinau.

The American-NATO troops were supposed to join the V-Day march on May 9 to celebrate the victory over the Nazis and commemorate those fallen in the WWII. Following the ensuing controversy, however, the contingent was allowed only to hold the ill-fated military exhibition ahead of the event.

Igor Dodon, head of the Moldovan Socialist party, branded the invitation of NATO troops to take part in V-Day festivities as a “provocation geared to spoil the Victory celebrations,” TASS reported.

“NATO servicemen have committed another symbolic act of mockery over Orthodox believers, having once again demonstrated their occupational intentions,” he added, according to Sputnik.

Dodon had slammed the exercises earlier as a “military occupation” and called the display of American troops on V-Day a “slap in the face of Constitution, which stipulates neutrality.”

The activists lashed out at the government for what they believe was an attempt to drag Moldova into some kind of a military confrontation, demanding that the government adhere to its neutral status.

“Moldova is a peaceful and neutral state. We take part in no military blocs and don’t want war. We saw what happened in Yugoslavia, Libya, Syria. If you don’t go before tomorrow, there will be thousands of us here,” stressed Vlad Batrîncea, a Moldovan MP from the Party of Socialists, as cited by TASS.

Vladimir Putin said Russia is all for creating a non-aligned system of international security to counter global terror. The president, speaking at the V-Day parade in Moscow, called on all nations to learn the lessons of WWII.

Putin calls for non-aligned international security system in face of global terror threat
https://www.rt.com/news/342347-putin-terrorism-global-threat/

“Today our civilization has faced brutality and violence – terrorism has become a global threat,” the Russian president said, addressing the crowds on Moscow’s Red Square ahead of a parade dedicated to the 71st anniversary of victory in WWII. “We must defeat this evil, and Russia is open to join forces with all countries and is ready to work on the creation of a modern, non-aligned system of international security.”

According to the Russian leader, the lessons of the World War II showed that “double standards” and “short-sighted indulgence to those who are nurturing new criminal plans” are unacceptable.


Parade Marking 71st Anniversary of WWII Victory in Moscow (VIDEO)
http://sputniknews.com/russia/20160509/1039287269/2016-victory-parade-moscow-live.html

As Russia celebrates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany 71 years ago, Radio Sputnik’s Loud & Clear talks with historian Peter Kuznick about the West’s habit of downplaying the USSR’s role in World War II and the United States’ part in sparking the Cold War that followed.

Victory Day: Western Narrative of World War II 'Falsifies History'
http://sputniknews.com/us/20160509/1039337063/loud-clear-victory-day.html

"The Americans and the Soviet have such different memories of World War II," Kuznich, a professor at American University, told Loud & Clear’s Brian Becker. "Americans see it in the triumphalist sense. The Good War, the victory against fascism. But the American sacrifice was relatively minimal compared to the Soviet sacrifice."

"The Soviets lost 27 million people in World War II. Everybody was affected. All families lost people and they all suffered immensely during the war."

Victory Day is much more widely celebrated in Russia than in the United States, notably because the USSR played the key role in defeating the Nazis, contrary to popular beliefs in the West.

"One of the big myths about World War II is that the United States won the war in Europe," Kuznich says. "The United States contributed to the Soviet victory…but it was the Soviets who did most of the fighting.

"Not only do we have different narratives, we have different chronologies for the war. The Russian war starts in 1941, [while] the American war starts really in June of 1944, three years later, [when] the Americans land at Normandy, push through the German forces, march to Berlin, and win the war."

"If you ask American students, that’s the understanding they have of the war,” he adds. “It’s part of this narrative about World War II that is so fundamentally mistaken that it really falsifies history."

After the war, the US and USSR stated their intention to work together with Britain, France and China to maintain global peace. But this alliance was quickly eroded.

"One of the tragedies is that the post-war alliance that [President Franklin] Roosevelt and Vice President Henry Wallace had envisioned was destroyed," Kuznich says.

While the European war theater ended on May 9, the Pacific war theater continued for a few more months, resulting in the controversial use of nuclear weapons against Japan in Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

It was not only unnecessary from a military standpoint, but the American leaders knew it was militarily unnecessary, and the Soviet leaders also knew it was militarily unnecessary," he says.

"In fact, the Soviets knew better than anybody…how unnecessary the dropping of the atomic bomb was. And that’s because the Japanese had adopted a strategy of trying to get the Soviets, who were neutral, to intervene on Japan’s behalf to get better surrender terms from the United States."

Given that Washington was aware of Japan’s imminent surrender, the use of atomic weapons – killing hundreds of thousands of civilians – may have had a purpose other than the oft-repeated aim of ending the war.

"If it was not to defeat the Japanese, who were we sending the message to? And it was clear to a lot of Americans, and it was certainly clear to the Soviet leaders in the Kremlin, that they were the actual target of the bomb, even more so than the Japanese."

The United States was saying, according to Kuznick, that "'this is what’s going to happen to you, Stalin and company, if you mess with America’s plans in Europe or in the Middle East or in Asia.' It was a clear warning."

The use of nuclear weapons at the end of the war launched a nuclear arms race and, essentially, sparked the subsequent Cold War.

"At this point, he [Soviet leader Joseph Stalin] realized that the Cold War had taken a quantum leap forward in terms of US aggression and US ruthlessness. The Soviets believed at that point that the Americans were so ruthless in terms of trying to achieve their purposes that nothing would constrain them."

An employee at CENTCOM’s Joint Intelligence office says she was reassigned, supposedly for cursing at work, after speaking out about cherry-picked ISIS war intel.

She Spoke Up About Cooked ISIS Intel. They Booted Her—for Cursing
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/05/09/she-spoke-up-about-cooked-isis-intel-they-booted-her-for-cursing.html

TAMPA, Florida — She worked on and off for five years identifying targets for the U.S. military’s Central Command.

And then, when, some believe, she spoke up about cherry-picked intelligence in the ISIS war, she was drummed out of her job—allegedly for cursing twice in the span of the year.

Those were just some of the surreal allegations thrown around last week in a Tampa law office conference room turned into a quasi-courtroom.

Had the case not involved the third-highest ranking person at the Defense Intelligence Agency, a two-star general, a military judge, and hours of testimony—all at a cost of thousands of dollars—it would have been hard to take seriously. Even with those high-ranking officials, at times it was hard not to do a double-take about what was happening.

After all, if cursing were really a fireable offense in the military, every soldier, sailor, Marine, and Defense Department civilian would have to be sent home.

The case suggested that, at CENTCOM, there are two wars being waged: one against ISIS and a separate internal fight between whistleblowers and commanders.

This all came to the fore during a rare public hearing last Wednesday before the government appeals board, brought by a subordinate of Gregory Ryckman, the top-ranking civilian at CENTCOM’s Joint Intelligence office, known as the J2.

The woman at the center of the case makes a now-familiar allegation: that the same military officials who cherry-picked information about the ISIS war and downplayed the terror group’s rising threat also selectively picked information about her. The Pentagon inspector general now is investigating whether CENTCOM officials, including Ryckman, watered down assessments on the rising jihadist threat to comport with the White House.

The woman at the center of the controversy in this case, Carolyn Stewart, is a small person with a big voice. The Army veteran seemingly is demure at first glance, with shoulder-length light brown hair. But as soon as she speaks, it is clear she is not afraid to say exactly what she thinks.

She repeatedly prodded her lawyer throughout the day-long hearing about which questions to ask, which evidence to present, and which details to point out in her favor.

The hearing was a window into how allegations of toxic work environments, faulty reports, and bad leadership consumed the office tasked with leading CENTCOM’s intelligence gathering. At issue during the hours-long hearing was whether Stewart cursed at CENTCOM, and if she did curse, whether that created a hostile work environment.

“I went to other action officers to avoid Ms. Stewart,” one witness explained to the judge, in support of the decision to reassign her.

The hearing, held through a teleconference connecting DIA lawyers in Washington with a judge in Atlanta and the complainant in Tampa, had all the markings of a proper trial. Someone wore a robe and lawyers yelled out objections.

[...] In the midst of the war against ISIS, the highest-ranking general in charge of intelligence gathering sat for hours waiting in a Tampa law office to testify for all of 15 minutes. The Defense Intelligence Agency chief of staff, the third-highest ranking member of that office, testified for hours over why she decided that a few curses could not be tolerated in an office that helped determine which suspected ISIS members should be targeted for death from above.

The Pentagon’s inspector general already is investigating a claim by J2 analysts, who are separate from those who conduct targeting, that they were pressured to tone down their analysis of a rising jihadist threat in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 50 analysts have made such allegations, and the IG’s findings are expected any time.

Ryckman forwarded the complaint to the Defense Intelligence Agency two months after Stewart had filed a complaint against Ryckman. In between, CENTCOM’s Chief of Staff ordered an Army investigation known as a 15-6 into workplace behavior in the targeting office. Stewart’s lawyer alleged that Ryckman altered the 15-6 to take out comments from some of the 100-plus employees who are part of targeting that were complimentary of Stewart.

The DIA chief of staff, Suzanne White, concluded that while Stewart’s behavior didn’t create a hostile work environment, it was “unbecoming.” Stewart was suspended for 15 days. White later found that Stewart had lost the confidence of her bosses and therefore needed to be reassigned to Charlottesville, Virginia, where a DIA office focuses on cyber warfare.

Stewart is appealing that decision to the United States Merit System Protection Board, a quasi-judicial agency in which federal employees suspended more than 14 days can appeal their cases.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Obama is part of psychopathic global agenda: Analyst

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/10/464833/Obama-wicked-global-agenda

“Improved race relations” in the United States under President Barack Obama is a “distraction from the progression of the global psychopathic agenda,” according to an American writer and researcher who is based in Washington, DC.

During his commencement speech at Howard University in Washington on Saturday, Obama said that, “race relations are better” since he graduated from the university in 1983, but noted “the country is still suffering from inequality and racism.”

The United States is in “a better place today,” Obama added, citing his historic election as “one indicator of how attitudes have changed.”

“While it appears that the United States as a society is becoming more tolerant and more equal with less obstacles for minorities, the society as a whole is on a slippery slope when it comes to basic human rights like privacy and freedom of speech,” Walt Peretto told Press TV on Monday.

“The 9/11 false flag attacks and other events since 2000s, like the wars in the Middle East, mass migrations into Europe from Syria due to the supporting of violent mercenaries and drone strikes has turned much of the Middle East into chaos,” the analyst stated.

“Here at home police brutality has been rampant under Obama's watch. This certainly does not help race relations. We still have a stop and frisk policy in New York and numerous other problems that effect most people across the board which is part of a larger agenda that wants to transform the United States and the world into a greatly depopulated planet with a single global government.”

What psychopathic elites want

“Obama is part of this agenda and he is merely one link in this chain that will eventually reach a New World Order unless we all realize that the impetus behind this global agenda is a ruling class that are largely bred to be devoid of empathy, guilt, and remorse,” Peretto said.

“This way they are not impeded by these normal human emotions as they carry out their 'family businesses' in international finance, intelligence agencies, and politics,” he added.

“These clinically psychopathic elites are behind the funding and promotion of politicians like Barack Obama, David Cameron in the UK, Angela Merkel in Germany, etc. The elites want their own puppets in these positions to constantly make promises to the masses that they have little intention of keeping,” the commentator noted.

Obama took office in January of 2009 as the first African-American president, but he has encountered strain of opposition that often appears to be racially driven.

Compared to white people, African Americans are treated more unfairly; they are being incarcerated more frequently and earn less, opinion polls show.

Several US cities, including Ferguson, Missouri, Baltimore and Maryland have been the scene of massive protests over the killing of young black men at the hands of white police officers.

‘Even Clinton is mostly a distraction’

Peretto said Hillary Clinton is likely to become “the first woman president of the United States. It's wonderful that we have broken the tradition of the stodgy old white male as president but this is mostly a distraction so we don't see the agenda moving along behind the podiums.”

“They are hell-bent on transforming the human race into a docile and very manageable support class for a few elites who will never be totally satiated short of total world domination,” he argued.

“This goes beyond money -- these people have more money than anyone could spend in 40 lifetimes. Eventually the concept of money may run its course as new systems of domination and control will take its place,” he opined.

“In the short term we must not be fooled into thinking that our society is progressing in the right direction because the concept of the presidency is including minorities and women. This is great at some level but it is mostly a distraction from the progression of the global psychopathic agenda,” the researcher said in his concluding remarks.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Syria Reconciliation Center confirms extension of ceasefire in Aleppo

http://tass.ru/en/world/874704

According to the head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the warring sides in Syria, the ceasefire regime in the city area has "significantly reduced tensions and ceasefire violations"

HMEIMIM (Syria), May 10. /TASS/. The ceasefire regime in the Syrian city of Aleppo has been extended for 48 hours from 00:01 am on May 10 by agreement with the leadership of the Syrian Arab Republic and the moderate opposition, as well as the Russian and American sides, head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the warring sides in Syria Lieutenant General Sergey Kuralenko said on Tuesday.

The SANA news agency earlier reported the ceasefire regime extension in Aleppo with reference to the Syrian Armed Forces’ Command. Hostilities were ceased in Aleppo last Thursday. The ceasefire has previously been extended for 72 hours.

"By agreement with the leadership of the Syrian Arab Republic and the moderate opposition, with the Russian and American sides, the ceasefire regime in Aleppo has been extended for another 48 hours starting 00:01 am, May 10, 2016," Kuralenko said.

Kuralenko added that the ceasefire regime in the city area has "significantly reduced tensions and cut the total number of ceasefire violations" in the country.

Aleppo, Syria’s biggest city, has been split into two parts since 2012. Its western part, which gives shelter to most of its residents and is home to Syrian Christians, is controlled by the Syrian government army whereas its eastern part is controlled by about twenty armed groups.

The situation in the city deteriorated last week as a result of continuous bombardments by armed groups. According to the Al-Hayat newspaper, more than 140 civilians (including 19 children) have been killed and more than 700 have been wounded in shelling.

The ceasefire has been effective in Syria since February 27, 2016. It does not apply to the groups Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, and also to other groups declared as terrorist by the UN Security Council. Russia’s aviation grouping has been delivering airstrikes against the Islamic State terrorist organization in Syria since September 30, 2015 at the request of Syria’s President Bashar Assad. Since 2014, the US-led coalition has also been delivering air strikes against militants in Syria and Iraq.

The Russian Defense Ministry declared the establishment of the reconciliation center on February 23. It is headquartered at the Khmeimim airbase, Latakia province. The center was set up in line with agreements reached by Russia and the United States to facilitate the negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition and to organize humanitarian deliveries. 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.

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.

Putin: Operation in Syria revealed some problems that need to be analyzed, fixed

http://tass.ru/en/defense/874745

The president however praised the effectiveness and quality of Russian weapons demonstrated during the military operation in Syria

SOCHI, May 10. /TASS/. Effectiveness and quality of Russian weapons were clearly demonstrated during the military operation in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday at a meeting with military commanders and defense industry officials.

"Effectiveness and high quality of Russian weapons were clearly demonstrated in Syria as well. Aerospace Defense Forces and the Navy showed it in the best way," Putin told a session with military commanders and defense industry officials.

The Russian leader however pointed out that the operation in Syria revealed some problems, and all of them have to be thoroughly analyzed and eliminated.

"The operation in Syria has revealed some problems and shortcomings as well," the president said. "A very thorough investigation needs to be carried out on each of them, I mean professional investigation and the most thorough analysis."

Putin noted that further steps should be taken to address the identified problems. "This will make it possible to adjust the future line of developing and upgrading military equipment," he said.

Russian Armed Forces to be 50% reequipped this year

Putin noted that the re-equipment level of the Russian Army and Navy will reach 50% by late 2016.

"Note that considerable changes for the better have occurred in the Armed Forces in recent years: the quality and intensity of combat training have improved, materiel support has become better, and the level of supply of modern samples of weapons and equipment has reached 47.2%," Putin said. "If I’m not mistaken, it was around 30% somewhere three years ago. I hope that we’ll reach the level of 50% by the end of this year," he said.

According to Putin, it is the seventh series of meetings with the leadership of the Defense Ministry and the defense industry complex. According to him, it will focus on the development of the national Armed Forces and the defense industry sector, as well as the results of the use of the Aerospace Forces and Navy during the operation in Syria. According to the president, this format is justified.

"We discuss in detail all that is happening at this point in time, what has been done in the previous few months and set tasks for the near future", the head of state added. According to him, at this point the participants in these meetings have formulated more than 200 orders, more than 150 of which have been fulfilled, and the fulfilment of the remaining ones continues within the established deadlines.

"We certainly need to keep this tempo", Putin said. He said it is necessary to consistently move forward, adding that the major work is ahead to supply the Army and Navy with new equipment and weapons. According to the president, it is necessary to bring the serviceability status of the existing armaments up to 92%.

Putin: 30,000 targets hit during Russia's military operation in Syria

http://tass.ru/en/defense/874750

The Russian president said that 115 cruise air-and sea-based missiles were fired from surface ships, submarines, as well as from strategic aviation and strategic missile carriers

SOCHI, May 10. /TASS/. The Russian air task force’s coordinated efforts have helped achieve drastic changes in Syria, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with commanders and heads of the defense sector on Tuesday.

"Long-range bombers performed 178 sorties and the strikes from the air and the sea against the infrastructural facilities of the IS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations were accurate, powerful and effective," the president said.

"Precisely these factors helped achieve drastic changes in the struggle against militants," Putin said.

According to the president, since the beginning of the air operation in Syria Russian planes have flown more than 10,000 sorties and hit 30,000 targets.

"Since the start of the operation directed at facilities of international terrorists on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, Russian Aerospace Defense Forces made over 10,000 sorties, delivered many airstrikes at the territory, hit over 30,000 targets, over 200 facilities on extracting and processing oil," the president noted.

The Russian president said that 115 cruise air-and sea-based missiles were fired from surface ships, submarines, as well as from strategic aviation and strategic missile carriers

A lot to be done in Syria

The president has also stressed that the current situation in Syria is complicated and necessary conditions must be formed for the political settlement in the war-torn country.

"We do understand that the situation there [in Syria] is complicated and a lot is still to be done for the Syrian army but the most important is to form conditions for the political settlement in the country," Putin said.

The Russian president said he hoped that a mechanism of such settlement, worked out jointly with Russian partners, including the United States, would result in constructive changes in Syria.

Putin highly evaluated the role of the Syrian military in the fight against militants across the country.

According to him, the Syrian army with the support of the Russian air task force liberated from militants over 500 residential settlements, including "Palmyra - the jewel of the world culture and civilization."

The Russian air task force’s operation in Syria, however, elicited some problems, which must be subjected to a thorough analysis and eventually corrected, according to Putin.

"The operation in Syria has elicited some problems and shortcomings as well," the president said. "A very thorough investigation needs to be carried out on each of them, I mean professional investigation and the most thorough analysis."

Larijani: Terrorists exploit cessation of hostilities agreement to commit crimes and get more weapons from countries supporting them

http://sana.sy/en/?p=76874

Tehran, SANA – Speaker of Iran’s Shura Council (Parliament) Ali Larijani condemned the terrorist crimes perpetrated against the Syrian people, particularly in Aleppo, pointing out that terrorists exploit the agreement of cessation of hostilities to commit crimes and get more weapons from the countries supporting them.

In a speech before the Council Tuesday, Larijani said that sending weapons to the terrorist organizations in Syria by some western countries, particularly the USA, while at the same time they talk about confronting terrorism of Jabhat al-Nusra and ISIS, is considered reprehensible.

He added that these weapons would definitely be used by the terrorists against these sides supporting them.

Iran air defense takes delivery of S-300: Minister

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/10/464874/Iran-S300-Russia-Dehqan

Iran’s defense minister says the country’s air defense has now been equipped with the Russian S-300 missile defense system.

Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan made the remarks on Tuesday, observing the country’s defense achievements at Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base.

“The strategic S-300 system has been provided to the air defense sector,” he said.

Last month, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said Tehran and Moscow had begun implementing a contract on the delivery of the Russian defense systems to the Islamic Republic.

Russia committed to delivering the systems to Iran under a USD 800-million deal in 2007 but refused to do so, citing UN sanctions against Iran over the country's nuclear program.

Following Moscow’s refusal to deliver the systems, Iran filed a complaint against the relevant Russian arms manufacturer with the International Court of Arbitration in Geneva.

In April 2015, President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban, following which Russia signed a new contract to supply Iran with the systems by the end of that year.

In his Tuesday remarks, the Iranian defense chief also said the country was in the final stages of manufacturing an indigenous long-range air defense system known as “Bavar (Belief) 373.”

“The system, which can be used to confront ballistic and cruise missiles, drones, and warplanes, will be manufactured and put on the production line this year,” Dehqan said.

He added that the system can simultaneously engage several targets.

The Islamic Republic maintains that its military might poses no threat to other countries, stating that its defense doctrine is merely based on deterrence.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Militants "Dzhebhat en-Nusra" in Syria continued shelling of Aleppo

http://www.interfax.ru/world/507698

Moscow. on 11 May. INTERFAX.RU - The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that militants banned in the Russian terrorist group "Dzhebhat en-Nusra" continued attempts to disrupt the "quiet mode" in Syria.

"The groups of the international terrorist organization" Dzhabhat en-Nusra "continue fighting, aimed at disrupting the" Regime of silence "- said in a bulletin of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria.

"During the day, in the province of Aleppo from the village Muhein-Handrat mortars three times shelled town Handrat double of multiple launch rocket systems terrorists shelled neighborhoods of Sheikh Maksoud, Meydan and the airport of Al-Nayrab. Among the soldiers and civilians are killed and wounded ", - reported in the Defense Ministry.

They added that in the northern parts of the province of Latakia terrorists were mortar fire on the positions of government troops near the village Ikko.

Earlier, Syria's authorities have decided to extend the ceasefire in Aleppo until the end of the environment on 11 May.

One civilian killed in terrorist sniper shootings in Aleppo

http://sana.sy/en/?p=76944

Aleppo, SANA – The terrorist organizations breached the truce in Aleppo again on Tuesday by their snipers opening fire on houses and public and private facilities in the city.

A source at Aleppo Police Command told SANA that the sniper shootings, which took place Tuesday evening, targeted al-Ramousa roundabout from the direction of the adjacent al-Ameriyeh neighborhood, killing a person who works as a driver for the Cleanliness Directorate while he was on duty in the area.

Earlier on Monday, the terrorist groups breached the truce in Aleppo by firing rocket shells on houses and public and private facilities in Suleiman al-Halabi neighborhood, causing material damage only.

Syrian Air Force targets Jund Al-Aqsa strongholds in southern Idlib

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-air-force-targets-jund-al-aqsa-strongholds-southern-idlib/

The Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) launched a plethora of airstrikes over the southern countryside of Idlib on Tuesday, targeting Jund Al-Aqsa’s (Syrian Al-Qaeda group) defenses around the villages of Sukeek and Taman’ah.

According to a military source at the Hama Military Airport, several squadrons from the Syrian Air Force struck Sukeek and Taman’ah, killing a large number of Jund Al-Aqsa militants while also destroying at least 5 pick-up trucks mounted with anti-aircraft machine guns.

Sukeek and Taman’ah are located along the Hama border; this area has recently become a hotbed for military activity after local tribes threatened Jund Al-Aqsa’s presence inside several Idlib villages.

Russian jets bomb ISIS neighbourhood in Raqqa overnight

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-jets-bomb-isis-neighbourhood-raqqa-overnight/

Exactly one hour ago, five Russian airstrikes struck the al-Moroor district of Raqqa city, the self-proclaimed capital of the Islamic State.

This neighbourhood lies at the very heart ar-Raqqah and is known to house the families of ISIS members, thus making it an Islamic State stronghold.

No details were given on the goals of the air raid.

Last week, a similar night air raid was conducted by the Russian Air Force https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-warplanes-pound-isis-huge-air-raid-raqqa-city/.

Unlike other cities, Raqqa did not witness widespread anti-government demonstrations at the beginning of the conflict in 2011.

Jihadist forces captured the city during the spring of 2013; nevertheless, many residents are said to spy on behalf of the Syrian Government.

This in turn notifies the Syrian/Russian Air Forces about ISIS movements inside the city, thereby paving the way for airstrikes on Islamic State insurgents.

Foreign Ministry: Russia to continue efforts to stop violence, bloodshed in Syria

http://tass.ru/en/politics/874859

Moscow hopes specific steps will soon be made to determine the coordinates of territories controlled by the IS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations, Foreign Ministry spokesperson says

MOSCOW, May 10. /TASS/. Russia will continue its efforts geared to put an end to bloodshed and violence in Syria and to counteract the terrorism threat, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in comment posted on the ministry’s website on Tuesday.

"On May 9, Russia and the United States issued a statement on Syria where they, as co-chair of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), reiterate their commitment to the regime of cessation of hostilities and outline measures to maintain its efficiency," she noted. "We proceed from the fact that it is to be an explicit signal to all the parties that there are no alternatives to political settlement in Syria."

"On our part, we will continue efforts geared to stop violence and put an end to bloodshed in Syria, to counteract the terrorism threat," Zakharova stressed. "We hail the American partners’ readiness to act in the same way as they have reiterated it in the statement."

Russia hopes for immediate positioning of territories controlled by Islamic State

Moscow hopes specific steps will soon be made to determine the coordinates of territories controlled by the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova went on to say.

"We are paying special attention to the fact that the text of the statement underscores adherence of American partners to prevention of transportation of militants and weapons across the Syrian border and financial aid to terrorist organizations," she said.

"We hope that soon, with account for recently agreed measures to coordinate the actions of Russian and American militaries, specific steps will be made to determine the coordinates of territories controlled by ISIL and Jabhat al-Nusra," Zakharova said.

The conflict in Syria has lasted since March 2011. In April 2016, 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, 2016. 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 (IS) 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.

Syrian Militants in Hama Join Ceasefire – Russian Military

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160511/1039408179/syrian-militants-hama-ceasefire.html

According to Russian center for Syrian reconciliation, a militant group in control of the Syrian village Samrah has laid down arms and signed up to a truce with the Syrian government.

SAMRAH (Sputnik) – A militant group in control of the Syrian village Samrah has laid down arms and signed up to a truce with the Syrian government, the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation said Wednesday.

"A lot of work was done to make this happen. The elders in the Samrah village and members of the Syrian government signed a truce there," Russia’s Col. Sergei Ivanov, of the Hmeimim-based reconciliation center, told reporters.

The Russia-mediated ceasefire deal was also inked by the governor of the Hama province and its security chief, who urged villagers to return to their peaceful ways.

A broader ceasefire has been in place in parts of Syria since late February. A new truce was hammered out on April 29 for Damascus and the northern Latakia province and extended to the northern Aleppo province in May.

 

[happyliza]

Very refreshing to hear!
http://insider.foxnews.com/2014/05/04/judge-jeanine-obama-you-have-defrauded-american-people


Judge Jeanine to Obama: 'You Have Defrauded the American People'
As seen on Justice With Judge Jeanine

Below is a transcript of Judge Jeanine Pirro's opening statement on President Barack Obama and Benghazi.

This is the biggest cover up since Watergate, a story no one wants to talk about.

He didn't protect your sons so he could protect his presidency and the wannabe future presidency of his then-Secretary of State.

He didn't protect your sons, choosing instead to protect the feelings of those in the Muslim world.

This week, Ben Rhodes' White House email is the Benghazi smoking gun.

Susan Rice was prepped to say the so-called protests were rooted in an Internet video so as not to show a broader failure of policy.

We have impeached a president for lying about sex with an intern. A president resigned in the face of certain impeachment for covering up a burglary. Why wouldn't we impeach this president for not protecting and defending Americans in the bloodbath known as Benghazi?

Fact: an ambassador is sent to an insecure facility that doesn't comply with minimum standards in a designated danger zone. The CIA warns of numerous al Qaeda training camps in Benghazi. Our ambassador sends repeated emails and cables for more security.

Fact: it was the anniversary of 9/11.

Whistle blower Greg Hicks calls Washington to advise that Ambassador Stevens said that he and the Benghazi consulate were under attack. General Carter Ham tells Washington that our consulate is under siege and our ambassador may be a hostage.

Fact: everyone in Washington knew what was going on based on the drones, the satellites, the audio, the real-time phone calls. They attacked with heavy artillery and rocket propelled grenades.

Fact: it was a tight presidential race, Barack Obama campaigning as a war hero - a real commander-in chief, claiming al Qaeda was on its heels. Obama loses all credibility if the nation thinks al Qaeda destroyed our consulate and killed four Americans. So the conspiracy about a grotesque video begins.

Former CIA Director Mike Morell removes the word "Islamists" in describing "extremists." He takes out references to the previous CIA warnings of an al Qaeda attack.

Fact: the joint chiefs and defense secretary say troops couldn't get there in time to save our men on the ground.

The fiction begins. It wasn't al Qaeda, it was an anti-Muslim American-made video. Before our eyes, the terrorists become the victims, and the American victims become irrelevant. The president repeats the fiction on "The View," on "David Letterman," at the U.N.

Mr. President, you even take an ad out to apologize to the Muslim world. In fact - to add insult to injury - you condemn anyone who says something negative about Islam.

Mr. President, it's not about them, it's about us! You represent us! You're supposed to protect us! And instead of condemning the terrorists, you criticize free speech.

I don't even think you believe in the First Amendment!

And you're certainly not a man of your word. May 2014, and you still haven't brought anyone to justice!

And the absurdity of your claim that spontaneous demonstrators actually brought rocket propelled grenades to protest a video is belied by your own words yesterday!

Here we are, 20 months later, and it takes a judge's order to release the emails that you wouldn't produce to an equal branch of government there specifically to check and balance your office.

And tonight in an exclusive Justice interview, we find out that even those documents may have been tampered with!

It appears that the conspiracy was so vast, the intent to obstruct the truth so uniform, that documents were withheld.

The cover-up is classic. And the sad part is no one - including you - will tell us if you issued cross border authority to protect and defend Americans.

Mr. President, it's called an abrogation of duty. You have not taken your oath to honestly and faithfully execute the duties of your office. As commander-in-chief, you have not protected us.

This dereliction of duty as commander-in-chief demands your impeachment.

Your cover-up was for political advantage. The promotion thereafter of virtually everyone involved in your conspiracy and the stonewalling of Congress, the denying of access to key witnesses all add up to a classic cover-up.

What's that? You were elected? There is no contract with someone who thinks that the American people are nothing more than pawns in an all consuming power play to change who we are as a nation.

You swore to protect and defend the American people but instead you left Americans to die, not lifting a finger to help them.

Mr. President, we don't want to believe that our president would let Americans die. But the arrogance, the failure to act, the lies, the cover-up make it clear that you have defrauded the American people. Mr. President, you have violated your constitutional oath. You have not faithfully executed the office of the president.

Judge Jeanine on the Truth and Consequences of the Benghazi Conspiracy

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Lavrov arrives in Berlin to take part in Normandy Four meeting

http://tass.ru/en/politics/874913

The participants in the meeting will "continue a substantive dialogue on all aspects of the intra-Ukrainian settlement, especially with regard to the obligations under the Minsk Package of Measures

BERLIN, May 11. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Berlin to take part in a meeting of the foreign ministers of the "Normandy Four" (Russia, Germany, Ukraine, France).

The ministers will discuss later in the day the settlement in the Donbass region on the basis of the Minsk agreements. They are expected to pay special attention to the security situation and the organization of local elections.

The peaceful settlement has again come to a halt of late. The ceasefire regime in Donbass has become "more fragile," and the number of violations and casualties has increased, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.The Minsk peace deal implementation has been also affected by the political crisis in Ukraine that had paralyzed power bodies in the country for two months and ended only in mid-April.

Ahead of the meeting, Moscow called the situation with the Minsk-2 implementation "deplorable." But the Kremlin said "the Normandy process is now the main basis for searching how to resolve the crisis in Ukraine."

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday at the meeting in Berlin "the sides will continue a substantive dialogue on all aspects of the Ukrainian internal settlement, particularly as regards the obligations under the Minsk Package of Measures of February 12, 2015 on the settlement of the key issues through Kiev’s direct dialogue with Donbass."

These are primarily the issues of local elections, granting to the region of a special status formalized in legislation, amnesty and the implementation of a real constitutional reform, the diplomat said.

On Tuesday, Berlin hosted the meeting of the Normandy Four (Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine) deputy foreign ministers to prepare the ministerial meeting.

In comments on its outcome, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin told TASS that the Kiev authorities are still either unable or unwilling to take steps towards the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Local elections in Donbass are one of the key points of political settlement in eastern Ukraine. Under the Minsk agreements, the polls were to be held back in 2015, along with a constitutional reform to grant a special status to certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

However, these elections have been postponed more than once due to Kiev’s reluctance to meet its commitments, in particular to grant amnesty to all participants in the events in Donbass, to pass laws on the special status and on elections.

Late last year the leaders of the Normandy Four countries set a new timeframe for elections - the first half of 2016. Ukraine still refuses to discuss preparations for the elections explaining this by a low security level in the region.

Lavrov, Steinmeier discussing Ukrainian settlement

http://tass.ru/en/politics/874927

The meeting takes place ahead of Wednesday's meeting of the foreign ministers of the Normandy Four (Russia, Germany, France, Ukraine)

BERLIN, May 11. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is meeting with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier ahead of Wednesday’s meeting of the foreign ministers of the Normandy Four (Russia, Germany, France, Ukraine).

The talks are being held in Borsig suburban villa.

The parties are due to discuss the Ukrainian settlement, in particular, the implementation of the Minsk agreements, compliance with the ceasefire, local elections, amnesty, Constitutional reforms and prisoner exchanges.

Ahead of the meeting, Moscow called the situation with the Minsk-2 implementation "deplorable." But the Kremlin said "the Normandy process is now the main basis for searching how to resolve the crisis in Ukraine."

On Tuesday, Berlin hosted the meeting of the Normandy Four (Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine) deputy foreign ministers to prepare the ministerial meeting.

In comments on its outcome, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin told TASS that the Kiev authorities are still either unable or unwilling to take steps towards the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Local elections in Donbass are one of the key points of political settlement in eastern Ukraine. Under the Minsk agreements, the polls were to be held back in 2015, along with a constitutional reform to grant a special status to certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

However, these elections have been postponed more than once due to Kiev’s reluctance to meet its commitments, in particular to grant amnesty to all participants in the events in Donbass, to pass laws on the special status and on elections.

Late last year the leaders of the Normandy Four countries set a new timeframe for elections - the first half of 2016. Ukraine still refuses to discuss preparations for the elections explaining this by a low security level in the region.

No Breakthrough at Normandy Quartet Meeting on Ukraine - Steinmeier

http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160511/1039439820/germany-steinmeier-ukraine.html

German Foreign Minister said that there was no breakthrough on issues of political settlement in eastern Ukraine during Wednesday talks of Normandy Quartet foreign ministers in Berlin.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – There was no breakthrough on issues of political settlement in eastern Ukraine during Wednesday talks of Normandy Quartet foreign ministers in Berlin, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.

"The political settlement process is moving with a lot of difficulties. There were no breakthroughs today," Steinmeier said following the meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin.

According to Steinmeier, local elections in Donbas remain a key stumbling point in negotiations.

Lavrov: Normandy Four prepare concrete security proposals for Ukraine Contact Group

http://tass.ru/en/world/874978

According to the Russian minister, security at Donbass elections can be ensured without introducing an additional armed mission

BERLIN, May 11. /TASS/. The Normandy Four foreign ministers have prepared concrete security proposals for the Contact Group on settlement in east Ukraine, Russia's top diplomat Sergey Lavrov said after the meeting with his counterparts from Ukraine, Germany and France. In particular, they agree that the Joint Center for Control and Coordination in Ukraine (JCCC) should join the work.

"We have an entire package of agreements concerning the provision of security, the observation of the ceasefire regime; weapons’ withdrawal and ways of increasing control over how these weapons is being stored at depots so that it does not disappear from there. We asked the Contact Group in the first place to tackle all those issues because, let me remind you, one of the Normandy format functions is to exercise control over how the Contact Group is discussing and resolving the tasks assigned by the Minsk agreements," the Russian foreign minister said.

Along with this, Lavrov said that "all members of the Normandy Four format advocate implementation of the Minsk agreements."

According to the Russian minister, security at Donbass elections can be ensured without introducing an additional armed mission. The diplomat pointed out that Germany and France agreed with Russia that elections in Donbass should not be delayed due to security issues.

"Ukraine wants some kind of a militarized mission, says without it there will be no free campaigning before elections," Lavrov said. "However, I think this is an artificial campaign. [Local election] may be held without any militarized structure," he added.

The foreign minister confirmed that observes from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will be invited to monitor Donbass elections. "This is a part of the Minsk Agreements. It was also confirmed by both Donetsk and Lugansk. It is the most important thing now to directly coordinate all issues connected with elections in the Contact Group and its political subgroup," he said.

"We [Russia] is not a party in the conflict. Thorough the Normandy process, through the Minsk Contact Group, we are trying to help Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk to search for an agreement because that is precisely what the Minsk accords demand," Lavrov noted.

He expressed regret that Ukraine does not yet want to enter direct dialogue. "Our Ukrainian colleagues are trying to take many issues out of the framework of the Contact Group while it is the only structure where Ukrainian leadership is represented along with Donetsk and Lugansk. This is where they should negotiate," the foreign minister said.

"Our ideas about elections and constitutional reform, amnesty, special status of Donbass are our contribution to the process that should continue directly between the sides in the conflict," Lavrov concluded.

"We also filed a requested for [Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo] Klimkin, asking the Ukrainian side not to avoid prescribed commitments," Lavrov said. "On our side, we will exert our influence on Donetsk and Lugansk so that they will be responsible for the undertaken commitments."

"So my conclusion is the Ukrainian side periodically steps forward with new pretexts in order to delay implementation of agreements on coordination of the entire package of political aspects of settlement," he said.

According to Lavrov, there's no move ahead in respect to political issues in Donbass.

The diplomat also said that the date of Donbass elections depends on resolution of political issues in the Contact Group.

Political settlement impossible without holding amnesty

Lavrov stressed that no political settlement in Ukraine is possible without ensuring national reconciliation through amnesty.

"It is impossible to hold election and settle the conflict without ensuring national reconciliation through amnesty," Lavrov said. "In accordance with the Minsk Agreements, all these problems should be resolved in direct dialogue between Kiev and Donbass - Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk," he added.

"All these aspects - the elections, the status, the constitutional reform and amnesty are interconnected," the minister said. "We are convinced that it will be practically impossible to hold elections until this package is agreed and approved, and it should be approved by the Verkhovna Rada, of course," Lavrov said.

Economic issues in Donbass remain unsolved

The foreign ministers of the Normandy Four have also agreed the economic issues in Ukraine’s south-eastern Donbass region remain unsolved.

"We touched upon the issue of economic blockade of Donbass, the unsettled issues of social payments, pensions, allowances, the unsolved problem of provision of banking services in these areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions," Lavrov said.

No joint statement planned

A spokesperson for German Foreign Ministry told reporters on Wednesday that there would be no joint statement after the meeting of the Normandy Four foreign ministers in Berlin.

"No joint statement is planned," the spokesperson said.

The meeting of the Normandy Four (Russia, Germany, France, Ukraine) at the level of foreign ministers has just finished in Berlin. The meeting started at around 1pm Moscow time and continued for three hours.

 

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Victory Day will remain symbol of heroism of peoples that saved world from Nazism — Putin
http://novorossia.today/victory-day-will-remain-symbol-of-heroism-of-peoples-that-saved-world-from-nazism-putin/

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and citizens of Georgia and Ukraine with the 71st anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Kremlin press service said on Sunday.

Putin stressed that the Victory Day is a sacred celebration that will forever remain the symbol of heroism and unity of peoples that defended their lands in bloody battles and liberated the world from Nazism.

The Russian president that history should not be allowed to be rewritten and tragic mistakes of the past should not be repeated. “Our common duty is to carefully preserve the memory about those who died in the Great Patriotic War and to care about veterans in every possible way,” he noted.

The Russian leader expressed hope that friendship and brotherhood tested in the common struggle will continue to serve as a basis for further strengthening of inter-state relations, facilitate development of integrational processes on the Eurasian continent.

Putin conveyed sincerest gratitude to veterans and home front workers, wished them good health and longevity.

Toshihiko Ueno, a Russia expert at Sophia University in Tokyo has given Sputnik three reasons to hail the outcome of the recent visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Three Reasons to Cheer the Outcome of Japanese PM’s Visit to Russia
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160511/1039446682/abe-russia-visit.html

The first reason is that it provides a clear indication that the mutual relationship between Japan and Russia has returned to its pre-Ukrainian crisis level.

Toshihiko Ueno points to the agreement to hold the next round of Russian-Japanese negotiations on the peaceful treaty between the two in June as an important indicator.

In addition, he says, the two leaders discussed the cooperation of the two states in the UN Security Council and joint efforts in the fight against terrorism as well as the possible renewal of ties between the Defense and Foreign Ministries of the two countries which were halted back in 2013.

Secondly, the expert notes that President Putin and Prime Minister Abe agreed upon a new approach to the signing of a peace treaty. The Japanese Foreign Ministry, he said, made a statement that Tokyo will adhere to a “global perspective” and follow the principle of holding negotiations from a future-oriented standpoint.

Ueno said that he is absolutely sure that Russia will follow the same principles and in the long run the new approach will bear fruit.

And thirdly, during the meeting in Sochi Prime Minister Abe called for the need to hold negotiations in a “quiet atmosphere,” avoiding any remarks or actions that could hurt the feeling of both countries.

The expert suggested that the core of the new approach of Japan’s diplomacy is based on avoiding making accusations against other nations based on its previous mistakes, and instead trying to find solutions acceptable to all sides and the pursuance of a future-oriented foreign policy.

And while many Russian experts are also optimistic about the results of the meeting, Chinese analysts provide different evaluations of the visit.

Chinese news agency Xinhua described the visit as just “a diplomatic maneuver generating no progress on the four disputed pacific islands.”

You only live twice, that’s the phrse used to describe the covert US program titled The Kill List. The top secret list includes selected individual targets who are to be assassinated; the targets often die in drone strikes in foreign countries. The process also involves no judicial oversight.

You Only Die Six Times: 'Poor' US Drone Strikes Hit Targets More Than Once
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160511/1039442926/us-drone-strikes-reprieve.html

However, what's alarming about the deaths is that many appear to have died twice and in over 1,000 cases, innocent people were killed in failed attempts to kill just 41 men whose names appeared on the Kill List.

The Kill List is no ordinary list, it includes the names of individuals targeted by the US Government and selected for assassination. It sounds like something out of a James Bond movie, however in these scenarios there is no stunt double to take the hit for you. Actual people are killed via covert drone operations conducted by the US government and signed off by the President.

What is alarming is that this process is not governed by any judicial review, however even more surprising is that the individuals targeted for assassination appear to have died not once but twice.

This has raised the question that if the selected individual targeted for assassination was not killed in the first attempt, who filled their body bag? An investigation by Reprieve has revealed that 1,147 people have been killed in failed attempts by the US to kill 41 men in Pakistan and Yemen.

For example, 17 men in Yemen were reported killed or targeted multiple times. Missile strikes on these men killed 273 other people and accounted for almost half of all confirmed civilian casualties and 100 per cent of all recorded child deaths.

Each of the 17 men were killed over three times according to official US, Yemen and Pakistani documents, whilst further evidence suggests that at least three of these men are still alive. For example, Qassim al-Raimi, was reported to have been killed over six times, with one of the last reports documenting his death in 2012. However, it appears this suspect is still alive and according to recent reports is a key terrorist recruiter.

In all of these reported killings of terrorist suspects, someone else filled their body bags before they did. Reprieve has listed the several case studies; one was that of eight-year-old, Noor Syed.

On February 14, 2009, a covert drone operation led by the US fired two missiles at a car and three compounds in the Makeen, South Waziristan region. The intended target of the attack was Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Pakistani Taliban. However the strike missed Mehsud and hit the eight-year-old instead.

Noor's grandfather was distraught, and in an interview after the child's funeral said:

"How can the US invade our homes while we are sleeping, and target our children?"

Reprieve lists several other cases of "mistaken identity."

Our data suggests that the US fell far short of meeting the first criterion in most strikes. This raises questions about whether it is even possible to meet the second. If the US intelligence is so poor that it is repeatedly missing its target, how can it know whether those killed are civilians?" Reprieve stated in the report.

In a recent investigation into the US drone operation, it has been revealed that they carried out 486 drone strikes in Pakistan and Yemen combined. Overall 4,400 people have been killed in these attacks and the vast majority remain unnamed.

It's not just the US that is under fire for their drone activity, the UK also will face questions if they cannot clarify their targeted drone attacks. The joint committee for Human Rights published a report on May 10, 2016, on the UK's drone killing operations.

The report was launched after the killing of suspect terrorist and British national Reyaad Khan. The committee said that British drone pilots and intelligence officers could face murder charges, if the targeted killing policy is not clarified by the UK government.

Pentagon officials fear Russian and Chinese attacks in space. This was reported by the Washington Post, who cited representatives of the US Department of Defense. According to the US, Russia and China have the technology to destroy objects in space, including US satellites.

US looking for an excuse for the militarization of space
http://katehon.com/agenda/us-looking-excuse-militarization-space

Pretext for increased expenditure This is not the first statement of its kind from the Americans. On May 6th, 2016, the head of the Space Command of the US Air Force published a new Commanders Strategic Intent, which also highlighted the dangers allegedly posed by Russia (it was illustrated with a photo of a Russian soldier in Crimea and an ISIS terrorist). The aim of the publication in the Washington Post is to justify an increase in military spending in the space field. In 2016, funding for the Pentagon's space program increased by $5 billion, and in 2017, the Pentagon plans to spend even more.

Aggression in space The American strategy for the militarization of space, which is most often associated with the Strategic Defense Initiative of President Reagan, continued after the end of the Cold War. Yet in 2010, President Barack Obama signed the National Space Policy. Among its priorities is the right to self-defense in outer space. The purpose of this process is to maintain US global military dominance by achieving strategic superiority in outer space.

US vs Russia's peace initiatives Russia has consistently opposed the militarization of outer space. The UN General Assembly adopted the "International cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space" resolution. However, the US refused to sign the relevant documents, initiating a new arms race in space.

NATO military vehicles that were exhibited in Chisinau’s central square on Sunday have set off for their deployment place at the Negresti firing range on the backdrop of opposition protests, a TASS correspondent reported from the site.

NATO military vehicles leave central Chisinau on backdrop of opposition protests
http://novorossia.today/nato-military-vehicles-leave-central-chisinau-on-backdrop-of-opposition-protests/

Before leaving central Chisinau the U.S. servicemen were given St. George ribbons from opposition parties and movements that organized a picket against their presence in neutral Moldova. Protesters were holding slogans reading “Moldova is a Neutral State,” “We don’t Need NATO,” “Stop NATO Bases.”

“Moldova is a peaceful and neutral state. We take part in no military blocs and don’t want war. We saw what happened in Yugoslavia, Libya, Syria. If you don’t go before tomorrow, there will be thousands of us here,” Vlad Bartincea, a member of the Moldovan parliament with the opposition Party of Socialists, said.

Russia might politically activate its fellow Russians living abroad as a counter-measure, should Finland join NATO, a recent report published by the alliance indicates. Although Finland remains non-aligned so far, this sharp warning has prompted Russia's neighbor to tighten its legislation with regards to dual citizenship.

There Can Be Only One: Finland to Ban Dual Nationals From Civil Careers
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160511/1039433971/finland-dual-nationality-russia.html

Finland is currently pondering legislative restrictions in order to limit the dual-citizens' access to civil service careers. This measure is expected to hit Russians hardest, as there are about 60, 000 Russians living in Finland, and one third of them are dual nationals, Finnish national broadcaster Yle reported.

The debate about the risks invoked by dual citizenship was initially sparked two years ago under the pretext of avoiding international disputes. At present, however, the tightening of the screws is largely blamed on Russia's reunification with Crimea, as Moscow had previously vowed to safeguard the interests of its citizens beyond the country's borders.

For now, Finland accepts dual citizenship unreservedly, as foreign passport holders are not required to notify the authorities. However, a task group founded by President Sauli Niinistö last year concluded that there were a "substantial" and constantly growing number of people with dual citizenship.

At present, Finland has some 74,000 state officials, and nearly 30,000 of these jobs have a Finnish citizenship prerequisite. These posts include top jobs such as that of the Chancellor of Justice or Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Additionally, security-related posts in the country's police, army and border control have been reserved for citizens of Finland.

The new law will spell out what positions require a thorough security check before a person with dual nationality may be accepted. Common approaches regarding when one's foreign background should disallow a career in public service due to a lack of confidence will also be devised.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Syrian troops further advance against militants near Damascus

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/11/465096/Syria-army-Damascus-Eastern-Ghouta-Daesh

The Syrian army has managed to retake control of several areas in Eastern Ghouta near the capital, Damascus, from Takfiri militants.

According to the so-called Syrian observatory for human rights, the Syrian forces purged several areas in Housh al-Admal and Zabdin in Eastern Ghouta of militants on Wednesday.

The report also said that the army clashed with foreign-backed militants in the town of Darayya in western Ghouta, and inflicted losses on them.

Meanwhile, the Britain-based observatory also said that the Syrian troops have launched operations against the Daesh Takfiri terrorists in the eastern countryside of Homs.

The battles between Daesh and the Syrian army are still ongoing near al-Mohr oil field and the al-Taifour military airport, according to the report.

The Syrian air force also bombed Daesh positions in the Shaer oil field and al- Sukhnah town in the eastern countryside of Homs.

There were no immediate reports of casualties among the ranks of militants.

Syrian sources also said an unspecified number of terrorists from al-Nusra Front terrorist group were killed and injured by the army’s snipers in the vicinity of al-Waer neighborhood in Homs city.

Meanwhile, Syrian warplanes bombed militants’ positions in Hamidiyah neighborhood in Dayr al-Zawr city as well as the villages of Ayash and al-Kharitah in the western countryside of Dayr al-Zawr.

The report added that dozens of terrorists were also injured in the clashes.

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

Updated-ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists killed, more vehicles destroyed in army operations

http://sana.sy/en/?p=76950

Provinces, SANA- Army and Armed Forces units and the Syrian Air Force continued targeting ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terror organizations across the country, killing a number of terrorists and destroying their vehicles.

Homs

The Syrian Air Force destroyed a number of vehicles for ISIS terrorists in the eastern countryside of Homs province.

A military source told SANA that the Air Force carried out a series of sorties targeting gatherings of ISIS terrorists in the vicinity of the main station at al-Shaer oil field and near al-Muhr oil field as well as to the east of Palmyra city and Jazal village.

The terrorist suffered heavy losses in the air strikes, with their armored vehicles getting destroyed, some of them equipped with heavy machine guns.

Hama/Idleb

Army units, backed by the Air Force, targeted Jabhat al-Nusra positions in the villages of Um Hartein, Atshan and Skeik in Hama countryside and in al-Tamanaa in Idleb countryside, killing 30 terrorists and destroying five vehicles, two of which equipped with machineguns.

Daraa

An army unit destroyed on Wednesday 4 vehicles and a mortar launcher for Jabhat al-Nusra and other terrorist groups affiliated to it in Daraa al-Balad district in Daraa city, according to a military source.

The source told SANA that, based on precise information, the army unit targeted gatherings and positions of terrorists from the so-called “Tawheed al-Janoub Brigade” and Jabhat al-Nusra in al-Arbaeen neighborhood in the district.

“Tawheed al- Janoub Brigade” is an armed group affiliated to Jabhat al-Nusra that targets civilians in residential neighborhoods in Daraa.

A number of terrorists were killed in the operations, including Ahmad Quteifan, a field leader within “Tawheed al- Janoub Brigade”, the source confirmed, adding that a center for Jabhat al-Nusra, 3 vehicles equipped with machine guns, a tractor and a mortar launcher were destroyed.

Syria: ISIL Declares State of Emergency in Raqqa

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950222001317

"As soon as the Russian envoy in the UN announced preparation of the Syrian Army and its popular allies to launch large-scale operations to liberate Raqqa and end ISIL siege of Deir Ezzur, the ISIL terrorists started covering their military vehicles and equipment in order not to be identified in case of any airstrike," the sources said.

"The ISIL, meantime, has relocated scores of its forces and has transferred them to new hideouts without any flag of the group," they added.

"The ISIL has built several underground hideouts for such days and has divided the hideouts between the Syrian and non-Syrian commanders," the sources went on to say.

"The underground hideouts are equipped with the depots of foodstuff, weapons and ammunition and enjoy drinking water and electricity," the sources said, adding, "The city of Raqqa enjoys radar and alarming systems to inform the group's members to move to the underground hideouts in the time of air attacks."

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Spokesman Tajir Kobani announced earlier today that commanders of the SDF-affiliated groups in Northern Syria have, in a secret meeting, coordinated the process of a joint final operation for liberating Raqqa from the ISIL terrorists.

"Our troops with their heavy weapons have been gathered near Kobani in Northern Syrian," the spokesman said, adding, "We will begin our operation from three directions simultaneously."

"The SDF will make a push for the city from the recently liberated Tishrin dam Northwest of Raqqa, and from two more directions of Tal Abyadh and Hasaka Northeast of Raqqa," Kobani went on to say.

The SDF that is comprised of mainly Kurdish fighters as well as a few hundred Syrian Arab dissident forces have received trainings from the US and have been provided with scanty US-coalition air support in their battles in Raqqa province in Northeastern Syria; but in Northern and Northwestern battlefronts, they have been operating alongside the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) and received the Russian air backup in their Aleppo wars that started with the conquest of Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates early in February.

EXCLUSIVE: 8 Saudi Terrorists Killed in Khan Touman

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950222001318

At least 8 Saudi terrorists were killed in the Syrian army attack on their vehicle in Khan Touman.

Meantime, two DshK-equipped military pick-ups of the terrorists were destroyed in Syrian army's offensive.

Terrorists' military positions in Khan Touman are still under the Syrian air force's heavy bombardments.

The terrorists were members of Al-Nusra Front and al-Hezb al-Islami Turkistani terrorist groups.

On Tuesday, the Syrian army's Bombers carried out over 90 combat sorties over the terrorist groups' strongholds in Khan Touman battlefield in the Southern part of Aleppo province, inflicting a heavy death toll on the militants.

"At least 100 terrorists have been killed and many more have been wounded in the Syrian fighter jets' strikes in Khan Touman battlefield," the sources said, adding, "Jeish al-Fatah's casualties have reached to 500 in the recent days."

Military sources announced on Monday that at least 400 terrorists were killed or wounded in the pro-government forces' offensives in the Southern part of Aleppo province in the last days.

"The entire anti-terrorism movements and offensives of the Syrian army and its allies are based on military logic and are not based on any emotional decisions, that is why the government forces are carrying out their operations in Khan Touman battlefield step by step," the sources told FNA, adding, "The most important matter is that the Syrian military forces have been capable of changing their positions in Khan Touman from defensive to offensive."

"The Syrian soldiers have prevented Jeish al-Fatah, al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham from moving towards al-Zarbeh and the neighborhoods of Rashedeen 4 and 5 from the Western and Northeastern sides of Khan Touman," they added.

"At least three tanks and several vehicles of the terrorist groups have been destroyed in the past two-three days and the Takfiri terrorists' centers in Kahn Touman, al-Zarbeh, Damascus-Aleppo highway, al-Eis and Rashedeen 4 have been heavily bombed by the Russian and Syrian fighter jets," the sources went on to say.

"In the meantime, the Syrian army's artillery, missile and mortar units have been pounding the terrorists' position in Khan Touman battlefield to weaken the defensive abilities of the militants and pave the group for safer and easier ground operation," they added.

"The Syrian army tracked and targeted a US-made TOW anti-tank missiles launching-pad near Khan Touman, which ended in the destruction of the site and the killing of the entire militants in the site," the source said.

The Al-Nusra and units of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) claim to have taken back Khan Touman, but government forces say they are still in charge of key centers and blocks in the town.

The Syrian army alongside the National Defense Forces and Hezbollah fighters regained full control over the town of Khan Touman in December. Ever since then the city has fallen back to the terrorists twice, with the second time being this weekend.

Following an unsuccessful truce that was repeatedly violated by the terrorist groups, the Al-Nusra Front - the Syria arm of the Al-Qaeda terrorist group - could relocate some 20,000 terrorists to Northern Aleppo via Turkey's soil to launch a large-scale attack on pro-government positions in several key cities in Aleppo province, including Khan Touman in the Southwest.

 

[angelburst29]

Firefighters in Moscow are battling a fire that has broken out at the Central House of Cinema.

Fire Breaks Out at Famed Central House of Cinema in Moscow
http://sputniknews.com/russia/20160511/1039465099/house-of-cinema-fire.html

The famed landmark is located in city center. Fire and rescue crews are on the scene. No casualties have been reported at this time.

The fire is reportedly in an administrative building at 13 Vasilevsky Street. DETAILS TO FOLLOW



Russian Serviceman Killed in Combat Mission in Syria's Homs
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160511/1039462288/syria-homs-russia-combat.html

Identified as Anton Yerygin, the serviceman died of heavy injuries sustained during an insurgent attack in the Syrian province of Homs.

Yerygin was reportedly on duty, escorting Russia's Hmeymim reconciliation center vehicles, when the convoy was shelled by terrorists earlier this week. The soldier was rushed to a Russian military hospital.

"The soldier had been transported to a hospital where Russian mlitary doctors fought for his life for two days, but failed to save him," a spokesman for Hmeymim base said on Wednesday. DETAILS TO FOLLOW

Media and military experts have engaged in a discussion of the US military concept of a Prompt Global Strike (PGS), a system that would enable Washington to deliver precision-guided non-nuclear airstrikes anywhere in the world in less than an hour. Defense analyst Konstantin Sivkov discusses the idea, and Russia's inevitable response.

With 4,000 US Cruise Missiles Pointed at Russia, How Will Moscow Respond?
http://sputniknews.com/military/20160511/1039463356/prompt-global-strike-analysis-russian-response.html

In his analysis, published by the independent online newspaper Svobodnaya Pressa, Sivkov begins by recalling that the general media and expert appraisal of the concept is that it would be a danger to the entire world, if ever implemented.

"Generalizing the appraisals of the Prompt Global Strike program, it emerges that this is an extremely dangerous idea that would become a deadly threat for almost all nations. At the core of this idea is the assertion that precision conventional weapons can be comparable in their destructive power to nuclear weapons. Accordingly, their massed use against Washington's foes could bring them to their knees."

"But is this really the case?" Sivkov asks. "What is behind the concept of the Prompt Global Strike, and is it really possible to bomb an enemy into capitulation? How serious a threat is this concept with regard to its possible use against Russia?"

At its core, the doctor of military sciences recalls, the concept "involves the creation of a complete combat system, and apart from the strike component also requires subsystems including reconnaissance and surveillance, command and communications posts, as well as jamming systems."

"The weapons used under this concept would include land- and sea-based ballistic missiles, as well as sea- and air-launched hypersonic long-range cruise missiles. In the long term, space-based platforms can also be used to launch attacks."

Sivkov notes that ballistic missiles are currently the most likely candidate to meet the requirements laid out by the concept of the Prompt Global Strike. "They provide for the high-precision destruction of targets (with a CEP accuracy of 100-150 meters), a short delivery time (no more than 30-40 minutes), and high speed of the warhead in the target area, allowing them to destroy objects buried deep underground. Their large throw-weight (up to 3.5 tons) allows for the use of various types of warheads."

"However, there are a number of issues that make the use of conventionally-equipped ballistic missiles problematic."

To begin with, the analyst recalls, "the Russian missile surveillance system (and that of China, in the near future), may classify the group launch of such missiles (and the guaranteed destruction of a single object will require at least 2-3 such missiles) as a nuclear attack, leading to a retaliatory nuclear strike."

"Secondly, the START treaties limit the total number of deployed ballistic missiles, and make no distinction between nuclear and conventionally equipped weapons. In other words, equipping ground and sea-based ballistic missiles with conventional warheads can only be done through a corresponding reduction in the number of deployed nuclear missiles."

Therefore, another important component of the Prompt Global Strike initiative is the Boeing X-51A, a prospective missile expected to be capable of hypersonic flight at a speed of 6,500-7,500 km/h.

"However," Sivkov notes, "tests of this system have not yet yielded the expected results. And while the X-51A program has not been closed, it can only be expected to appear in the medium term, and to be adopted into service in sufficient quantities only in the long term."

"Therefore, the US military is not expected to receive any fundamentally new weapons systems giving the Prompt Global Strike initiative any operationally significant effect in the medium and even long term perspective."

In this connection, the analyst says, "the US may in the medium term rely for the most part on sea- and air-launched cruise missiles, such as the Tomahawk, based on strategic, tactical and carrier aviation. The US Navy's existing sea launched cruise missiles (SLCMs) have a range of up to 1,600 km, using 340-450 kg warheads with an accuracy of between 5-10 meters. These weapons can be launched from all modern vessels and submarines at the US's disposal."

12 such SLCMs can be placed on each of the 23 serving Los Angeles-class attack submarines. The same number can be launched from the Seawolf-class and Virginia-class subs (3 units and 9 units, respectively). "Under the program to convert Ohio-class submarines into carriers of Tomahawk missiles, each of the 4 subs were expected to carry 154 SLCMs. However, that program was closed."

61 of the US's new Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, and its 22 Ticonderoga-class cruisers are equipped with vertical launching systems, the Arleigh Burke-class featuring the 96-cell Mark 41 VLS, and the Ticonderoga a 122-cell system.

Therefore, Sivkov notes, the US surface fleet can theoretically carry a total of 4,000 surface-ship launched cruise missiles, plus another 1,000 onboard its submarines.

"However, realistically speaking, given the need to use part of the surface fleet for other purposes, and accounting for operational readiness, ships and submarines of the US Navy can actually deploy no more than 2,500-3,000 SLCMs" at any one time.

"In addition to the Navy, US long-range strategic bombers are also equipped with long-range cruise missiles. At present, the US Air Force is equipped with about 130 strategic bombers, capable of deploying a total of about 1,200 air launched cruise missiles (ALCMs). Thus, in total, all [US] carriers of cruise missiles are able to launch a total of 3,700-4,200 missiles."

Moreover, "in addition to missiles, between 2,500-3,000 tactical and carrier-based aircraft capable of striking targets at a depth of up to 600 km from the border can also be used in a first strike."

"This," Sivkov notes, "is quite an impressive force, and absent an effective response, is capable of destroying (knocking out) 1,000 important sites of the opponent in the potential first strike."

However, the analyst notes, this capability does really conform to the concept of the Prompt Global Strike, for several reasons.

"Firstly, such a strike would not, in fact, be 'prompt', since the preparations for such a large-scale attack would require a great deal of time – 2 months or more. At this time, the US would need to implement the strategic deployment of its air and naval forces in the area of the combat mission, to create the necessary inventories, and to conduct reconnaissance on the objects subject to attack. In other words, this would no longer be the kind of air attack proposed by the Prompt Global Strike concept, but an ordinary missile-based strike."

"Second, if the impact of such an attack could really be devastating on small (or even medium-sized) countries, it will not fully deprive them of the opportunity to resist…Therefore, in the continuation of warfare, the US would, in one way or another, have to switch to the use of traditional means of warfare. In other words, the strike's use makes sense only if it is part of a fairly large-scale military operation in coordination with the other branches of the armed forces, and this, again, means that it will not be 'prompt', nor global, but an ordinary missile strike as part of the first wave of an offensive."

Russian experts, Sivkov says, "point to the serious threat such an attack poses to the Russian nuclear forces, the destruction of which would allow the US to move on to nuclear blackmail against our country, and the rest of the world. It is in this point that they see the main essence [and danger] of the Prompt Global Strike initiative."

"Indeed," the expert notes, "if Russia takes a passive position and does not adequately respond to the aggressor, the resulting blow could result in the destruction of 80-90% of our nuclear arsenal. However, taking account of actual conditions, it is clear that such a blow against Russia is extremely unlikely."

For starters, "the US can decide on such a blow against Russia only in the case of a sharp aggravation of relations between our two countries." This scenario, he suggests, may occur if forces come to power in one or the other country ready for open conflict. So long as the existing elites, particularly in Russia, remain capable of reaching compromise, "the US will not have any desire for such grand adventurism."

"Secondly, such a strike would be preceded by a sufficiently long period [of buildup], long enough for retaliation to occur. In this case the success of the operation would be called into question."

"Thirdly, the duration of such a strike would last for several hours (according to computer simulations – 4-6 hours). This means that after the first 20-30 minutes, when the Russian leadership realizes the scale of the aggression (even if the aggressor achieves complete operational surprise), a decision on a retaliatory nuclear strike can be made, while most nuclear forces are still in existence. That is, a massed US conventional strike would mean provoking a retaliatory nuclear strike."

At the same time, Sivkov warns, "a completely different picture emerges if we are talking about strikes on certain critical facilities in order to achieve a localized goal with a relatively limited number of weapons. In this case long-term preparations would not be required. The blow can be made by combat-ready forces immediately after receiving the order."

"Such a strike can be sudden, not only operationally or strategically, but also tactically, because the flight to the target by a limited number of cruise missiles can be performed at low or extremely low altitudes, outside the observation of land-based observation systems."

Again however, "the speed, surprise, and 'global' nature of the strike (up to 60 minutes according to the Prompt Global Strike concept) can be achieved only if US naval and air force groups are present in the area. This means that when it comes to the prompt response [to any rapidly emerging threats], the US is presently capable of employing only very limited forces – a few dozen long-range cruise missiles."

"These forces can damage or destroy 1-2 large or medium-sized facilities, or 2-3 objects of military or state administration, or 1-2 field objects, such as militant training camps, or 1-2 research centers."

"In other words," Sivkov notes, today and in the medium term, the concept of the Prompt Global Strike will only be capable of defeating local threats, such as the elimination of an individual political leader, the destruction of the leadership of an organization which has been labelled to be terrorist, or the deprivation of individual states' capacity to implement programs considered a threat to US national security," etc.

Ultimately, the analyst notes, "we can assert that in the current situation and in the medium term perspective, the concept of the Prompt Global Strike makes sense only in solving problems of an exclusively local character, against objects on the territory of states which cannot respond to the aggressor, and which have no security guarantees from a third, sufficiently powerful state."