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

[Voyageur]

Looks like Justin Trudeau is sending some anti-Obamma/US messages as here:

Justin Trudeau Tells Obama That Canada Will Withdraw Jets From Anti-ISIS Coalition

Just sell those F-35 Jets to Turkey and let them get the broken necks I guess.

But a SOTT article outlines his party's basic goals and tactics which are not much different than the other Canadian parties I suppose.

Canadian-Election-2015-Telling-the-truth-costs-political-candidates-their-nomination

It's politics as usual but maybe a few attempts at pulling away from the US agenda by other countries might help or just be window dressing. It is interesting to watch I think.

Indeed goyacobol, perhaps not much difference; meet the new boss etc. As for Obama, it seems he will be closer to him then his predecessor (who was closer to the neo-cons), given a number of pet agendas they share. There will be differences, too, given the history of creating the illusion of differences.

Now just prior to the election, we have Justin acting a lot like Harper (remember Harper not wanting to shake Putin's hand in Australia?). For instance, here is Justin making the same silly, albeit as a statement and not in person, to the world and to Putin himself from afar (October 13, 2015): http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-trudeau-putin-1.3268798

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau says he would tell off Russian President Vladimir Putin "directly to his face" if he becomes prime minister.

Trudeau accuses Putin of being "dangerous" in eastern Europe, "irresponsible and harmful" in the Middle East and "unduly provocative" in the Arctic.

"Canada needs to continue to stand strongly with the international community pushing back against the bully that is Vladimir Putin,"{ } he said during a campaign stop in Toronto.

"If I have the opportunity in the coming months to meet with Vladimir Putin, I will tell him all this directly to his face because we need to ensure that Canada continues to stand strongly for peace and justice in the world."

Trudeau's comments follow a Dutch Safety Board report that says a Russian-made missile downed Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in eastern Ukraine last year, killing all 298 people aboard. [...]

"Peace and Justice", Syria and Ukraine, oh brother - again, meet the new boss... In the last days before Justin's win, he seems to have suddenly made tough-guy overtures to the conservative-right. Also, he suddenly had subtle endorsements from Conrad Black and then MSM backing from La Press in Quebec. It seems to me that in the last week the decision and nod had been made for him to rise to the top job in Ottawa, and also to change the gears against the NDP and the Conservatives to influence the voters, the crowd.

With Justin, will have to wait and see, after all, the control strings are plentiful and long, and they will be testing him at every moment to stay with the message, although he will have some latitudes as signals for those who voted him in, osit.

Interesting times.

 

[Cosmos]

Today Putin held a speech at Valdai conference and later answered questions:

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

I have not watched it yet, but from what I heard so far, it was another exceptional and bold discussion/speech.

This article quotes a juicy part of what Putin had to say on the conference today:

http://observer.com/2015/10/vladimir-putin-says-america-is-lying/

Here is what he said about the US and the Iran "threat":

“Iran’s nuclear problem has been solved. From Iran, there is no threat and there never had been,”

"The only reason that was used by U.S. — to start building the Missile Defense Shield – disappeared. We [Russia] might have expected that a system of MDS development to be halted."

“Some days ago the first tests of USA’s MDS were conducted in Europe. What does that mean? It means that when we were arguing with our American partners we were right. Russia was right from the beginning that the American Missile Defense Shield program was being developed with the goal to destroy strategic balance and to have a way to dictate her power to everyone. They were trying to deceive us, and the whole world, once again. And, to put it simply, we were lied to.”

Holy Moly! You can hardly get any bolder and exact... Looks like Putin is step by step letting out the crux of the matter and tells it quite openly:

The US is deceiving the whole world and lies to the people.

Can't wait to watch the whole thing

Can't hurt to watch it! I've already started and Putin is indeed bolder then ever... Very exact and to the point. The emperor is naked indeed.

Among others he spoke about a conspiracy and that facts are faked and twisted (by some pretty certain partners) in order to prevent objective information to get distributed, which is totally undemocratic.

He also had something to say about the refugee crisis and how nationalism and hatred is spread in many EU countries via the crisis.

I could go on and on... Top notch!

 

[Cosmos]

For those of you that can read german, here a couple of juicy bits of what Putin had to say on the Valdai conference.

Putin: "USA betreibt Doppelspiel im Nahen Osten mit eigenen Terroristen, die sie angeblich bekämpfen wollen":
http://de.sott.net/article/19698-Putin-USA-betreibt-Doppelspiel-im-Nahen-Osten-mit-eigenen-Terroristen-die-sie-angeblich-bekampfen-wollen

Putin: "Fakten werden von bestimmten Partnern gefälscht oder totgeschwiegen, um Verbreitung objektiver Informationen zu verhindern":
http://de.sott.net/article/19697-Putin-Fakten-werden-von-bestimmten-Partnern-gefalscht-oder-totgeschwiegen-um-Verbreitung-objektiver-Informationen-zu-verhindern

Putin: "Globale Zusammenarbeit nur im Rahmen moralischer und rechtlicher Normen!":
http://de.sott.net/article/19696-Putin-Globale-Zusammenarbeit-nur-im-Rahmen-moralischer-und-rechtlicher-Normen

Putin - Nur die Wahrheit zählt: „USA hat die ganze Welt wieder einmal betrogen. Im Klartext lügen sie":
http://de.sott.net/article/19694-Putin-Nur-die-Wahrheit-zahlt-USA-hat-die-ganze-Welt-wieder-einmal-betrogen-Im-Klartext-lugen-sie

 

[Nević Nenad]

English transcription (not the whole yet, but it is in progress):

http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/50548

 

[Oxajil]

English transcription (not the whole yet, but it is in progress):

http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/50548

Thanks! Had to laugh a bit when I read the part about 'democracy moving closer to Russia's borders'

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

President Putin: Now, on the subject of democracy moving closer to our borders. (Laughter). You seem to be an experienced person. Do you imagine we could be opposed to having democracy on our borders? What is it you call democracy here? Are you referring to NATO’s move towards our borders? Is that what you mean by democracy? NATO is a military alliance. We are worried not about democracy on our borders, but about military infrastructure coming ever closer to our borders. How do you expect us to respond in such a case? What are we to think? This is the issue that worries us. [...]

I think that all of this raises legitimate concerns in our eyes, and this is something we certainly need to work on. Despite all the difficulties, we are willing to work together. On the serious issue of missile defence, we have already made past proposals and I say again that we could work together as a threesome – the USA, Russia, and Europe. What would this kind of cooperation entail? It would mean that all three parties agree together on the direction missile threats are coming from, and have equal part in the system’s command and in other secondary matters. But our proposals met with a refusal. It was not we who did not seek cooperation, but others who refused us.

 

[Windmill knight]

Outrage over Holocaust comments intensifies as Netanyahu meets Kerry
Netanyahu got into some hot water with this statement:

“Hitler didn’t want to exterminate the Jews at the time, he wanted to expel the Jews,” said Netanyahu. “And Haj Amin al-Husseini went to Hitler and said: ‘If you expel them, they’ll all come here [to Palestine].’” According to Netanyahu, Hitler then asked: “What should I do with them?” and the mufti replied: “Burn them.”

Meeting with Kerry the article further states:

A senior official travelling with Kerry said the secretary would use the talks in Germany on Thursday to try to change the tone of the public discourse between Israel and the Palestinians and clarify the status of the Temple Mount.

Both Netanyahu and his senior officials say the violence in recent weeks is the result of Palestinian incitement alone – not settlement building or the occupation – an argument that Israeli prime minister appears to have seriously damaged with his own appeal to incendiary rhetoric.

While refusing to directly criticise Netanyahu for his remarks, Kerry’s spokesman, John Kirby, said: “The scholarly evidence does not support [Netanyahu’s] comments.”

Fingers crossed hoping that Bibi will be prosecuted under European law for being a hate-inducing Holocaust revisionist!

Accordingly, Netanyahu added, "Our policy is to prevent these weapons transfers, and to prevent the creation of a terrorist front and attacks on us from the Golan Heights."

Putin chuckled at the notion, saying that the Syrian government has its hands full dealing with rebel forces and ISIS. "We know," he said with a residual smirk, "the Syrian army is in a situation such that it is incapable of opening a new front." However, he added, "I understand your concern and I am very pleased that you have come here to discuss all issues in detail."

Brilliant! As well as:

President Putin: Now, on the subject of democracy moving closer to our borders. (Laughter).

 

[angelburst29]

Exclusive: Syrian army, allies preparing attack in Aleppo area - sources
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/13/us-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-exclusive-idUSKCN0S72U020151013

The Syrian army and allied Iranian and Hezbollah forces are preparing for a ground offensive against insurgents in the Aleppo area backed by Russian air strikes, two senior regional officials familiar with the plans said on Tuesday.

The offensive would expand on a ground attack launched by the same alliance last week that is targeting rebels in Hama province further west. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said thousands of Iranian troops had arrived to take part in the ground offensives in support of President Bashar al-Assad.

A big government offensive in the area near the Turkish border is likely to further anger NATO member Ankara, which has backed insurgents fighting Assad and has already expressed deep concern over Russian air strikes that have targeted them.

Interesting tid-bit surfacing of Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan activities in Aleppo and Idleb provinces ..... like dismantling of industrial facilities and smuggling them to Turkey. Maybe, that's why Putin brought up the subject - why was the U.S. Military blowing up civilian infrastructure and factories and not ISIS targets? (To get rid of evidence - factories were stripped of contents and moved to Turkey?)

Justice Ministry expands tasks of committee following up on theft of industrial facilities
http://sana.sy/en/?p=57223

Damascus, SANA – Justice Minister Najm al-Ahmad issued a decision on Friday on expanding the tasks of the legal committee formed in August to prepare legal action against the terrorist gangs that dismantled industrial facilities in Aleppo and Idleb provinces and smuggled them to Turkey.

The new resolutions stipulates that, in addition to its original tasks of prosecuting any legal or natural persons that contributed to the aforementioned stealing of facilities, the committee is now tasked preparing legal action on the cases related to the dismantling of industrial facilities in the provinces of Deir Ezzor, Raqqa, Hasaka, and Qamishli, and/or the stealing of any materials and equipment imported from facilities within Syria within the same provinces, and transporting them to Turkey.

Terrorist organizations supported by the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan have dismantled dozens of factories in northern Syria, particularly in Aleppo, and smuggled them to Turkey.

 

[angelburst29]

Turkey's Erdogan involvement in the "Sarin Gas" attack at Ghouta, a war crime that killed 1300 civilians.

Hersh Vindicated? Turkish Whistleblowers Corroborate Story on False Flag Sarin Attack in Syria
http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/10/23/hersh-vindicated-turkish-whistleblowers-corroborate-story-on-false-flag-sarin-attack-in-syria/

This is quite the bombshell delivered by two CHP deputies in the Turkish parliament and reported by Today’s Zaman, one of the top dailies in Turkey.

It supports Seymour Hersh’s reporting that the notorious sarin gas attack at Ghouta was a false flag orchestrated by Turkish intelligence in order to cross President Obama’s chemical weapons “red line” and draw the United States into the Syria war to topple Assad.

If so, President Obama deserves credit for “holding the line” against the attack despite the grumbling and incitement of the Syria hawks at home and abroad.

And it also presents the unsavory picture of an al-Qaeda operatives colluding with ISIL in a war crime that killed 1300 civilians.

I find the report credible, taking into full account the fact that the CHP (Erdogan’s center-left Kemalist rivals) and Today’s Zaman (whose editor-in-chief, Bulent Kenes was recently detained on live TV for insulting Erdogan in a tweet) are on the outs with Erdogan.

Considering the furious reaction it can be expected to elicit from Erdogan and the Turkish government, the temerity of CHP and Today’s Zaman in running with this story is a sign of how desperate their struggle against Erdogan has become. Note that the author is shown only as “Columnist: Today’s Zaman”.

I expect the anti-Erodgan forces hope this will be a game changer in terms of U.S.and European support for Erdogan.

It will be very interesting to see if and how the media in the U.S. covers this story. In case it doesn’t acquire enough “legs” to make into US media, I attach the full Zaman piece below:

CHP deputies: Gov’t rejects probe into Turkey’s role in Syrian chemical attack

Two deputies from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) have claimed that the government is against investigating Turkey’s role in sending toxic sarin gas which was used in an attack on civilians in Syria in 2013 and in which over 1,300 Syrians were killed.

CHP deputies Eren Erdem and Ali Şeker held a press conference in İstanbul on Wednesday in which they claimed the investigation into allegations regarding Turkey’s involvement in the procurement of sarin gas which was used in the chemical attack on a civil population and delivered to the terrorist Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to enable the attack was derailed.

Taking the floor first, Erdem stated that the Adana Chief Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into allegations that sarin was sent to Syria from Turkey via several businessmen. An indictment followed regarding the accusations targeting the government.

“The MKE [Turkish Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation] is also an actor that is mentioned in the investigation file. Here is the indictment. All the details about how sarin was procured in Turkey and delivered to the terrorists, along with audio recordings, are inside the file,” Erdem said while waving the file.

Erdem also noted that the prosecutor’s office conducted detailed technical surveillance and found that an al-Qaeda militant, Hayyam Kasap, acquired sarin, adding: “Wiretapped phone conversations reveal the process of procuring the gas at specific addresses as well as the process of procuring the rockets that would fire the capsules containing the toxic gas. However, despite such solid evidence there has been no arrest in the case. Thirteen individuals were arrested during the first stage of the investigation but were later released, refuting government claims that it is fighting terrorism,” Erdem noted.

Over 1,300 people were killed in the sarin gas attack in Ghouta and several other neighborhoods near the Syrian capital of Damascus, with the West quickly blaming the regime of Bashar al-Assad and Russia claiming it was a “false flag” operation aimed at making US military intervention in Syria possible.

Suburbs near Damascus were struck by rockets containing the toxic sarin gas in August 2013.

The purpose of the attack was allegedly to provoke a US military operation in Syria which would topple the Assad regime in line with the political agenda of then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his government.

CHP deputy Şeker spoke after Erdem, pointing out that the government misled the public on the issue by asserting that sarin was provided by Russia. The purpose was to create the perception that, according to Şeker, “Assad killed his people with sarin and that requires a US military intervention in Syria.”

He also underlined that all of the files and evidence from the investigation show a war crime was committed within the borders of the Turkish Republic.

“The investigation clearly indicates that those people who smuggled the chemicals required to procure sarin faced no difficulties, proving that Turkish intelligence was aware of their activities. While these people had to be in prison for their illegal acts, not a single person is in jail. Former prime ministers and the interior minister should be held accountable for their negligence in the incident,” Şeker further commented.

Erdem also added that he will launch a criminal complaint against those responsible, including those who issued a verdict of non-prosecution in the case, those who did not prevent the transfer of chemicals and those who first ordered the arrest of the suspects who were later released.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced in late August that an inquiry had been launched into the gas attacks allegedly perpetuated by both Assad’s Syrian regime and rebel groups fighting in Syria since the civil war erupted in 2011.

However, Erdem is not the only figure who has accused Turkey of possible involvement in the gas attack. Pulitzer Prize winner and journalist, Seymour M. Hersh, argued in an article published in 2014 that MİT was involved with extremist Syrian groups fighting against the Assad regime.

In his article, Hersh said Assad was not behind the attack, as claimed by the US and Europe, but that Turkish-Syrian opposition collaboration was trying to provoke a US intervention in Syria in order to bring down the Assad regime.

 

[Ca.]

EXCLUSIVE: Great Russian TV report: There will be no blitzkrieg in Syria
Published on Oct 23, 2015
Russia Insider
Butt wupping of the (ussa SPONSORED) ISIS islamic terrorists.
The Syrian army is advancing, but it will not be a quick and easy victory for Syria against islamic terrorists.
Source Комсомольская Правда https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSK5...

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

Also
From Sputnik
14:33 23.10.2015
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151023/1028995019/medvedev-assad-visit-moscow.html
President Assad Was Calm and Composed During Visit to Moscow
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has shared his impression of President Assad while on a surprise meeting in Moscow, noting that he was ‘as calm and composed as he had been five years ago.'

“On Tuesday, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria visited Moscow. He held talks with President Vladimir Putin and met with other Russian leaders,” Dmitry Medvedev wrote on his page in Facebook.

The prime minister also shared his impressions of Syria, what it was five years ago, when he visited the country as Russia's president.

“The last time I saw the Syrian President was in Damascus in May 2010. Syria was a tranquil and civilized country then, unlike now. The old part of Damascus, where I could take a walk, looked like a city where people of different nationalities and religions lived together peacefully.”

“I talked with Syrians, who spoke warmly about Russia and its people. I photographed its ancient mosques and churches. It was a modern secular country.”

Everything changed a year later, the prime minister noted with regret.

“Life in Syria became a nightmare in 2011, with war, terror, death and the destruction of holy places and monuments that are part of our global heritage.

corbettreport
(_https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v1h1bUfCVc)
Dec 11, 2011

It's funny to look back at the naysayers' comments on this video in light of the fact that the MSM (belatedly) confirmed this story last year: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/08/west-training-syrian-rebels-jordan And now we know that the US was actually training ISIS members in Jordan as well: http://www.wnd.com/2014/06/officials-u-s-trained-isis-at-secret-base-in-jordan/

Russia has never changed its policy towards Syria, the head of the government stressed.

“Back then we supported the legitimate government, and we are doing this now. Despite the events of the past years, President Bashar al-Assad was as calm and composed during his visit to Moscow as he had been five years ago.”

“Syria is undoubtedly a key issue on the global agenda. Acting in response to a request from the Syrian leadership, Russia has come to its rescue, and we are now fighting terrorism together. But the future of Syria can only be decided by its people. It is up to them, rather than to individual ethnic groups or political forces, to decide on their future and to choose the leader who would take them there. We will help Syrians protect their sovereignty. We believe that peace will return to that ancient land.”

https://youtu.be/NCIUf8eYPqA

 

[Kisito]

_http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/10/14/putins-wild-card-in-syria/

 

[angelburst29]

If Arm Shipments and Ammo Supplies aren't making it through the Battle Lines - improvise!

The Best Way to Defeat Russian Airstrikes: Blow 'Em Up With... Condoms?
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151023/1028969682/isil-condom-bombs.html

Left with little recourse in the face of relentless Russian airstrikes, the self-proclaimed Islamic State terrorist group has apparently resorted to a fairly unique defensive strategy. According to a video that surfaced online on Wednesday, the group has begun launching homemade condom bombs, hoping they’ll somehow veer into a Russian bomber.

While Sputnik cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video, which was originally found on LiveLeak by Russia Insider, it appears to show IS militants creating aerial mines out of condoms, which are then released into the skies over Idlib.

The entire arts-and-crafts project is shown, scored to look like some kind of bizarre extremist music video.

In a desperate move, the contraceptive contraptions are seemingly meant to drift into Russian bombers as they fly overhead. A clever – if fairly ineffective – strategy.

Believe it or not, this isn’t the first time IS has found creative uses for condoms. An e-book allegedly spread through IS twitter accounts back in May. Labeled “How to Survive in the West,” the book made a number of recommendations for what to include in any jihadist survival kit.

Among those items: flexible straws, fishing hooks, wire, surgical blades, and – surprise – condoms. According to Express, the book suggested that latex contraceptives could be used as water-storage containers in a pinch.

Even if this video turns out to be a hoax, it’s still pretty funny. Why IS prefers condoms to simple, run-of-the-mill balloons, is unclear. But if they think a bunch of exploding rubbers are going to scare off the military, they’ve clearly never been to Fleet Week.

 

[angelburst29]

English transcription (not the whole yet, but it is in progress):

http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/50548

Thanks! Had to laugh a bit when I read the part about 'democracy moving closer to Russia's borders'

President Putin: Now, on the subject of democracy moving closer to our borders. (Laughter). You seem to be an experienced person. Do you imagine we could be opposed to having democracy on our borders? What is it you call democracy here? Are you referring to NATO’s move towards our borders? Is that what you mean by democracy? NATO is a military alliance. We are worried not about democracy on our borders, but about military infrastructure coming ever closer to our borders. How do you expect us to respond in such a case? What are we to think? This is the issue that worries us. [...]

NATO just met up with "Murphy's Law" in Portugal.

War game whoops! NATO exercises end with hovercraft, Humvees stuck in sand
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=2a1_1445622378

NATO's biggest war games in 13 years hit a speed bump in Portugal this week, with hovercrafts and Humvees embarrassingly getting
stuck in the sand. The incident happened during a training exercise as journalists watched.

It all began when two hovercrafts were released from the USS Arlington amphibious transport dock. They were unable to make it to shore as planned, and managed to do so only on the second attempt, El Observador newspaper reported.

http://observador.pt/2015/10/20/nato-atascada-pinheiro-da-cruz/

An order was then given to release two Humvees, which also got bogged in the sand. Troops were ordered to assist in freeing the vehicles, but they simply sank deeper. Video footage shows tires spinning as a group of soldiers attempts to release one of the Humvees from the sand.Despite the obvious setback, NATO representatives put on a professional demeanor, implying that the experience was a positive one for the troops involved. US Marine Corps Lt. Col. Eric Hamstry said, as quoted by El Observador, that the Marines did a good job and the exercises became a great opportunity. He added that when cars get bogged in the sand, the Marines
will now know how to get them unstuck.

 

[Aeneas]

NATO just met up with "Murphy's Law" in Portugal.

War game whoops! NATO exercises end with hovercraft, Humvees stuck in sand
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=2a1_1445622378

NATO's biggest war games in 13 years hit a speed bump in Portugal this week, with hovercrafts and Humvees embarrassingly getting
stuck in the sand. The incident happened during a training exercise as journalists watched.

It all began when two hovercrafts were released from the USS Arlington amphibious transport dock. They were unable to make it to shore as planned, and managed to do so only on the second attempt, El Observador newspaper reported.

http://observador.pt/2015/10/20/nato-atascada-pinheiro-da-cruz/

An order was then given to release two Humvees, which also got bogged in the sand. Troops were ordered to assist in freeing the vehicles, but they simply sank deeper. Video footage shows tires spinning as a group of soldiers attempts to release one of the Humvees from the sand.Despite the obvious setback, NATO representatives put on a professional demeanor, implying that the experience was a positive one for the troops involved. US Marine Corps Lt. Col. Eric Hamstry said, as quoted by El Observador, that the Marines did a good job and the exercises became a great opportunity. He added that when cars get bogged in the sand, the Marines
will now know how to get them unstuck.

Talk about opportunity. This could be a great thing for the huge unemployment in Europe and the US. Just imagine the number of new jobs as 'humwee pusher' that will be needed to move the NATO army around.
There can be different units, such as airborne humwee pushers, who can be dropped into conflict areas where more pushers are needed. This has great perspectives for the empire

 

[SeekinTruth]

Talk about opportunity. This could be a great thing for the huge unemployment in Europe and the US. Just imagine the number of new jobs as 'humwee pusher' that will be needed to move the NATO army around.
There can be different units, such as airborne humwee pushers, who can be dropped into conflict areas where more pushers are needed. This has great perspectives for the empire

If they were to hire enough Humvee pushers - as several EU countries have more than 50% unemployed young people - they might also be able to increase the NATO and member countries' military budget they keep harping on about.... :)

 

[Lilou]

With all the desert experience the US Army has had in the Middle East, they should have known that all they had to do was deflat some of the air out of the tires of their HumVees. No need to push.