April, 12, 2018 - Assad blasts Western threats against Damascus
Assad blasts Western threats against Damascus
The Syrian president and the top adviser to Iran’s supreme leader held a meeting in Damascus.
Western countries "are trying to change the course of events in Syria after witnessing its army’s achievements in the fight against terrorists," Syrian President Bashar Assad said Thursday. The president’s office stated that the Syrian leader and Ali Akbar Velayati, top adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, held a meeting in Damascus.
During the meeting, Assad warned that "Western threats aimed at Damascus will destabilize the situation in the region and throughout the world."
He noted that "some Western politicians’ statements about a possible military attack on Syria are based on facts fabricated by their accomplices."
The Iranian envoy talked about "Tehran’s support of Syria and its people during the war on terror."
Earlier, during an interview by the Suria TV channel, Velayati stressed that Syria and Iran "will jointly counteract any provocations and threats coming from the US, Israel and their allies.".
April, 12, 2018 - Syrian MP Rules Out Possibility of US Attack
Syrian MP Rules Out Possibility of US Attack - Tasnim News Agency
A Syrian lawmaker dismissed the possibility of an American military strike on his country, stressing, though, that the Syrian nation will maintain its solidarity even if US President Donald Trump carries out the threat of military action.
In an interview with Tasnim on Thursday, Nashaat al-Atrash slammed the allegations of Syria’s involvement in a recent gas attack on civilians as a “US-fabricated lie.”
The recent military victories that the Syrian army gained in Douma and elsewhere in Eastern Ghouta are the main reason behind Trump’s move to escalate tensions and mount pressure on the Syrian government and nation, he added.
Former US president, Barack Obama, had also threatened to take military action against Syria, but did not carry out his threat, keeping in mind the Syrian nation’s solidarity against American plans, Atrash added.
“I don’t think that Trump would attack Syria,” the MP said, underlining that even if he does, it could not undermine the Syrian nation’s resolve or disrupt the rapport among the people, the army and the government.
The lawmaker finally predicted a “firm response” from Syria’s allies to any military offensive under the pretext of gas attacks in the Arab country.
His comments came amid reports of a looming US military attack on Syria in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons by Damascus, which the Syrian government vehemently denies.
The Syrian army has put its forces on high alert after the US threat.
A number of Washington’s Western allies and even Saudi Arabia have also said they would join a military action against Syria.
The Russian military, which has troops in Syria, said on Monday that its officers had visited the site of the alleged attack and found no evidence to back up reports of poison gas being used.
April, 12, 2018 - Putin, Erdogan note importance of ensuring conditions for OPCW inspectors’ work in Syria
Putin, Erdogan note importance of ensuring conditions for OPCW inspectors’ work in Syria
Russian and Turkish Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan have discussed the situation in Syria over the phone and pointed to the importance of ensuring the necessary conditions for the work of inspectors from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in that country.
"[The two presidents] expressed concern over the current aggravation of the situation in and around Syria amid allegations about the use of chemical weapons in the city of Douma," the Kremlin press service reported. "[They] stressed the importance of ensuring the necessary conditions for the work of the OPCW inspectors travelling to Syria."
The two leaders spoke out in favor of intensifying the Syrian political settlement process based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and the decision made by the Syrian National Dialogue Congress
"[They] agreed to continue bilateral contacts at different levels,"
the Kremlin press service added.
12/04/2018 - Breaking: US Defense Secretary says US doesn’t have proof chlorine, sarin used in Syria
Breaking: US Defense Secretary says US doesn't have proof chlorine, sarin used in Syria
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress on Thursday that the US military does not have evidence that either chlorine or sarin were used in an alleged chemical attack in the Syrian town of Douma, adding that the Pentagon’s only proof that such an incident occurred has come from social media and media reports.
“There have been a number of these attacks. In many cases, you know we don’t have troops, we’re not engaged on the ground there, so I cannot tell you that we had evidence, even though we had a lot of media and social media indicators that either chlorine or sarin were used,” Mattis said, speaking to members of the House Armed Services Committee.
The defense secretary said that he believed that a chemical attack took place, “and we are looking for the actual evidence.”
Warning that he was concerned that a US military strike might lead to an “out of control” escalation in the Syrian war, Mattis said that Washington was “committed to ending that war through the Geneva process through the UN orchestrated effort.”
Mattis promised that the Pentagon would report to Congress if it decided to take action on Syria.
The defense secretary also accused Moscow of complicity in Syria’s alleged retention of a chemical weapons stockpile.
12/04/2018 - US, Russia maintain channels of communication in Syria despite increased tensions
US, Russia maintain channels of communication in Syria despite increased tensions
The U.S. and Russia are still communicating in Syria, despite the recent threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to launch an attack against the Syrian government.
According to Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the U.S. and Russia have maintained channels of communication in Syria, adding that Moscow is committed to decreasing the tensions between the two nations.
On Wednesday, Trump tweeted that the U.S. was going to fire ‘smart’ missiles into Syria, while also warning Russia to “get ready” for their attack.
Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a calmer message, calling on all parties to avoid escalating the conflict in Syria.
Thu Apr 12, 2018 - German Chancellor: Berlin Will Not Join Bombing Campaign in Syria
Farsnews
Chancellor Angela Merkel said a range of measures must be considered to tackle the crisis in Syria, but German forces will not attack the Syrian Army or other government forces.
She also stated that "it is important to show unity on Syria" and warned that it's "obvious" the Syrian government has not destroyed its entire stockpile of chemical weapons, as it agreed to do in 2013, Sputnik reported.
"Germany will not take part in possible military action — I want to make clear again that there are no decisions — but we see, and support this, that everything is being done to send a signal that this use of chemical weapons is not acceptable," Merkel stated on Thursday.
Thu Apr 12, 2018 - PM Rules out Canadian Participation in Military Strikes against Syria
Farsnews
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada's military will not participate in expected strikes against the Syrian government.
Canadian military personnel are already involved in missions in Northern Iraq and Latvia and will be deploying to Mali, the Prime Minister told Radio-Canada.
“We are not looking to be present in Syria,” Trudeau stated, adding that Canada has been involved in delivering humanitarian assistance and working through diplomatic and political channels to resolve the conflict in Syria that has laid waste to cities, left thousands dead and forced citizens to flee to safety in neighbouring countries.
April 10, 2018 - Attacking Syria “Impeachable”
Attacking Syria “Impeachable” | Accuracy.Org
FRANCIS BOYLE, fboyle at illinois.edu
Boyle is professor of international law at the University of Illinois College of Law. He said today:
“Any U.S. attack targeting the Syrian government or its forces would clearly violate both U.S. and international law. When Obama was in a similar position in 2013, his advisor Ben Rhodes [see below] has since commented that they turned back largely because they were afraid of impeachment. That fear is well founded.
While the prospect of impeaching Trump is thrown around frequently for partisan purposes, on this issue, the constitution is clear: Initiating a war or any such attack without authorization is clearly impeachable.
“Last year, at the National Press Club, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr.,
claimed the authority to target the Syrian government stemmed from the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force. Gen. Dunford was
totally incorrect. The AUMF passed after 9/11 has indeed been used to justify the bombing campaign purporting to target ISIS, but it cannot possibly be used to justify targeting the Syrian government.
“Excuses of ‘humanitarian intervention’ have no basis in international law and in these circumstances are transparently hollow. Israel apparently just attacked Syria (illegal) from Lebanese airspace (also illegal). Israel itself just openly admitted that it is killing Palestinian civilian protesters — part of a decades-long brazenly illegal policy. The U.S. representative to the UN, Nikki Haley, prevented even an inquiry by the UN into the matter. There’s no evidence of any humanitarian concern here, simply a search for pretexts to pursue geopolitical goals which may well include
carving up Syria.”
Boyle’s books include
Foundations of World Order (Duke University Press).
In 2017, Ben Rhodes, Obama’s Deputy National Security Advisor, and foreign policy speechwriter, told
Politico that President Obama
feared impeachment if he targeted the Syrian government:
Rhodes: “The only country in the world that was prepared to join us [in attacking the Assad government] was France. And we had no domestic legal basis. We actually had Congress warning us against taking action without congressional authorization, which we interpreted as the president could face impeachment.”
Politico: “Really? Was the prospect of impeachment actually a factor in your conversations?”
Rhodes: “That was a factor. Go back and read the letters from Boehner, letters from the Republican members of Congress. They laid down markers that this would not be constitutional.”
House Speaker
John Boehner wrote to Obama in 2013: “It is essential you address on what basis any use of force would be legally justified and how the justification comports with the exclusive authority of Congressional authorization under Article I of the Constitution.”
April, 11, 2018 - Three Russian journalists wounded in Syria — Russian Defense Ministry
Three Russian journalists wounded in Syria — Russian Defense Ministry
Three Russian journalists have been wounded in Syria when their bus came under fire, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
. A bus carrying Russian journalists has been shelled by unidentified individuals in Syria, three people have sustained wounds, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.
"At about 18:20 Moscow time on April 11, a bus carrying Russian journalists who were returning after filming a report on the situation in Eastern Ghouta was shelled by unidentified individuals with small arms," the ministry said.
The ministry noted that NTV channel's correspondent Alexei Ivlev, cameraman of the Rossiya 1 TV channel Mikhail Vitkin and cameraman of the Zvezda TV channel Vladislav Dodonov had sustained light wounds in their legs.
"All the journalists were promptly provided with the necessary medical assistance by medical specialists from the Russian Reconciliation Center. There is no immediate threat to their lives," the Defense Ministry stressed.
The wounded journalists are being transported to a hospital for the necessary treatment.
April, 10, 2018 - Infographic: How Much US Military Aid Does Israel Receive?
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/...-how-much-us-military-aid-does-israel-receive
The US's unwavering support for Israel in its military ventures comes with a cost.
Billions of dollars have been spent over the years to help provide Israel with a strong defense program and other strategic needs. The US provides more military aid to Israel than to any other ally, according to the Qatari media network Al Jazeera.
Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between the US and Israel began in 1999.
The last 10-year MoU was signed in 2016 under then-US President Barack Obama. It included a record $38bn deal to provide Israel with military assistance over a 10-year period - the largest such agreement ever by the US with an ally.
Israel has ordered more than 30 F-35 fighter jets since 2010, totaling $5bn. The cost of the 17 jets purchased in 2016 is undetermined.
April, 10, 2018 - How much of your life the U.S. has been at war (Infographic)
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http://fromthetrenchesworldreport.c...fe-the-u-s-has-been-at-war/223563#more-223563
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https://i2.wp.com/fromthetrenchesworldreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/thumbnail.png
As you look at this harrowing image, keep in mind that in 1913, two very important changes occurred in America.
First, was the adoption of the income tax. From 1913 onward, all of a person’s earnings **belong to the government first.** The government then decides how much they permit everyone to keep.
Second, the Federal Reserve was created in 1913. If the government wants wars and welfare, it now had a monopolistic central bank that could create money out-of-thin-air to pay for them.
Governments *always* want wars and welfare. We’re now witnessing the extremes of both.