angelburst29
The Living Force
US President Barack Obama has warned Russia against its “aggressive” military build-up in northern Europe.
Obama warns Russia against military build-up in N Europe
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/13/465443/US-Russia-Obama
Obama made the remarks on Friday after meeting with Nordic leaders from Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark at the White House.
"We are united in our concern about Russia's growing aggressive military presence and posture in the Baltic-Nordic region,” he said.
Earlier, Obama said the US and Nordic countries agreed on the need for a peaceful European order.
"We believe that our citizens have the right to live in freedom and security, free from terrorism, and a Europe where smaller nations are not bullied by larger nations,” he said.
However, Obama said Washington would be prepared to counter any perceived Russian aggression.
"We will be maintaining ongoing dialogue and seek cooperation with Russia but we also want to make sure that we are prepared and strong and we want to encourage Russia to keep its military activities in full compliance with international obligations," he said.
Meanwhile, Denmark, Norway reportedly agreed to contribute to “enhanced allied forward presence” with the North Atlantic Organization Treaty (NATO).
The United States on Thursday activated a land-based missile system in Romania, despite Russia’s warning against a systematically increasing US-led arms deployment near its borders.
The missiles’ activation marked the penultimate step in the completion of a missile shield, which Washington proposed nearly a decade ago.
Senior American and NATO officials attended the activation ceremony in Deveselu, southern Romania.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly criticized the deployment of the US missile system near his country, and vowed to neutralize any threats against Russia.
"Now that these anti-missile elements have been installed we will be forced to consider putting an end to the threats emerging in relation to Russia's security," Putin said during a meeting with military officials.
He also stressed that Moscow is doing its best to sustain strategic balance of power.
China using ‘coercive tactics’ in South China Sea: Pentagon
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/14/465458/South-China-Sea-Pentagon-Spratly
In its most recent and detailed assessment of China’s island-building program in the disputed waters, the Pentagon said Friday that China has reclaimed more than 3,200 acres of land in the southeastern South China Sea.
The report added that three of the land features in the Spratly Islands now have nearly 3km (10,000ft) of runways and large ports under construction, as part of China’s plan to create man-made islands on the archipelago.
“This would improve China’s ability to detect and challenge activities by rival claimants or third parties, widen the range of capabilities available to China, and reduce the time required to deploy them,” read the report.
“China is using coercive tactics short of armed conflict, such as the use of law enforcement vessels to enforce maritime claims, to advance their interests in ways that are calculated to fall below the threshold of provoking conflict,” it added.
The Pentagon further accused China of reclamation of land in the Paracel Islands, including the Woody Island where China has deployed anti-aircraft missiles.
China claims sovereignty over most of the sea, which serves as a crossing for more than $5 trillion in maritime trade. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam also lay claim to some parts of the sea.
The Pentagon concluded the report by warning that China’s land building was designed to walk right up to – but not cross – “the threshold of provoking the United States, its allies and partners, or others in the Asia-Pacific region into open conflict”.
Aside from challenging China's sovereignty claims politically, the US has on numerous occasions sent warships near Chinese artificial islands in the South China Sea.
The latest instance of such measures occurred on Tuesday, when the USS William P. Lawrence navigated to within 12 nautical miles of a land feature in the sea known as Fiery Cross Reef.
In response, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Washington needs to put an end to its military patrols near the Spratly Islands.
“As the US seeks cooperation with China, it ought to respect China’s core interests and important matters of concern,” the top Chinese diplomat said.
Russia will put end to US missile system threat: Putin
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/13/465414/Russia-Putin-US-shield
"Now that these anti-missile elements have been installed we will be forced to consider putting an end to the threats emerging in relation to Russia's security," Putin said during a meeting with military officials on Friday.
He also stressed that Moscow is doing its best to sustain strategic balance of power.
"Of course, we are doing everything needed from our side so as to provide for the maintenance of this strategic balance of power that is the most reliable guarantee against the appearance of large-scale military conflicts," Putin said.
However, he noted that his country will not be involved in any arms race.
The Russian president also described the US deployment of the missile system as an attempt by Washington to increase its nuclear potential, adding that the complex deployed in Poland near Russia may be easily used for firing short- and mid-range missiles.
He also condemned the deployment as a clear violation of arms treaties signed between Russia and the US, adding that it would escalate international tensions.
Putin also criticized Washington for ignoring Russia's concerns and rejecting Moscow’s calls for cooperation on the issue.
"All our proposals were rejected, we are invited not to jointly work, but to discuss this issue, nothing concrete. Everything is done unilaterally, without taking into account our concerns."
On Thursday, officials from the US and the Western military alliance of NATO declared the missile system based in southern Romania operational. The missiles’ activation marked the penultimate step in the completion of a so-called missile shield, which Washington proposed nearly a decade ago.
The United States will break ground on the final site in Poland on Friday. Upon completion in late 2018, the umbrella would be stretching from Greenland to the Azores region in western Portugal.
US Congress Wants New Federal Agency to Fight Russian, Chinese 'Propaganda'
http://sputniknews.com/us/20160512/1039489483/us-new-information-agency-fight-russia-china.html
The 'Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act', the political news publication explained, would create a new federal agency reporting to the State Department called the Center for Information Analysis and Response.
The center, The Washington Examiner added, "would analyze 'government information warfare' and 'disinformation efforts', and work to 'expose and counter' those operations when they are directed against US national security."
The legislation, a bipartisan effort coauthored by Congressmen Adam Kinzinger and Ted Lieu, claims that Russia and China are "us[ing] disinformation and other propaganda tools" to undermine US initiatives around the globe.
"As Russia continues to spew its disinformation and false narratives, they undermine the United States and its interests in places like Ukraine, while also breeding further instability in these countries," Kinzinger said, introducing the bill to Congress on Wednesday.
For his part, Congressman Lieu added that "from Ukraine to the South China Sea, foreign disinformation campaigns do more than spread anti-Western sentiments – they manipulate public perception to change the facts on the ground, subvert democracy and undermine US interests. In short, they make the world less safe."
Kinzinger emphasized that a new federal agency to fight this threat would give Washington "a unique opportunity to respond to further manipulation by encouraging the free flow of truthful information," which "can prevent conflict and ensure future stability."
If the bill is approved and the agency is created, the Center for Information Analysis and Response will see US 'information officers' dispatched to promote an "independent press" in countries "deemed vulnerable to foreign propaganda and disinformation campaigns." The agency will also be tasked with 'exposing' and countering information operations directed against US interests by creating an alternative narrative.
It's unknown how exactly the new agency will be able to help Washington's global propaganda and counter-propaganda effort. The Broadcasting Board of Governors already receives over $750 million annually for funding of broadcasters including Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and other media across the Middle East and Latin America. (By comparison, the overall budget for the Russian state media group that owns the Sputnik news agency, which broadcasts in 30 languages, amounts to 6 billion rubles, about $92.6 million US.) When taking account of additional contributions from private individuals including George Soros and his Open Democracy Foundations initiatives, it's unclear how much more the State Department can really squeeze out of its anti-Russian and anti-Chinese propaganda machine.
Obama warns Russia against military build-up in N Europe
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/13/465443/US-Russia-Obama
Obama made the remarks on Friday after meeting with Nordic leaders from Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark at the White House.
"We are united in our concern about Russia's growing aggressive military presence and posture in the Baltic-Nordic region,” he said.
Earlier, Obama said the US and Nordic countries agreed on the need for a peaceful European order.
"We believe that our citizens have the right to live in freedom and security, free from terrorism, and a Europe where smaller nations are not bullied by larger nations,” he said.
However, Obama said Washington would be prepared to counter any perceived Russian aggression.
"We will be maintaining ongoing dialogue and seek cooperation with Russia but we also want to make sure that we are prepared and strong and we want to encourage Russia to keep its military activities in full compliance with international obligations," he said.
Meanwhile, Denmark, Norway reportedly agreed to contribute to “enhanced allied forward presence” with the North Atlantic Organization Treaty (NATO).
The United States on Thursday activated a land-based missile system in Romania, despite Russia’s warning against a systematically increasing US-led arms deployment near its borders.
The missiles’ activation marked the penultimate step in the completion of a missile shield, which Washington proposed nearly a decade ago.
Senior American and NATO officials attended the activation ceremony in Deveselu, southern Romania.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly criticized the deployment of the US missile system near his country, and vowed to neutralize any threats against Russia.
"Now that these anti-missile elements have been installed we will be forced to consider putting an end to the threats emerging in relation to Russia's security," Putin said during a meeting with military officials.
He also stressed that Moscow is doing its best to sustain strategic balance of power.
China using ‘coercive tactics’ in South China Sea: Pentagon
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/14/465458/South-China-Sea-Pentagon-Spratly
In its most recent and detailed assessment of China’s island-building program in the disputed waters, the Pentagon said Friday that China has reclaimed more than 3,200 acres of land in the southeastern South China Sea.
The report added that three of the land features in the Spratly Islands now have nearly 3km (10,000ft) of runways and large ports under construction, as part of China’s plan to create man-made islands on the archipelago.
“This would improve China’s ability to detect and challenge activities by rival claimants or third parties, widen the range of capabilities available to China, and reduce the time required to deploy them,” read the report.
“China is using coercive tactics short of armed conflict, such as the use of law enforcement vessels to enforce maritime claims, to advance their interests in ways that are calculated to fall below the threshold of provoking conflict,” it added.
The Pentagon further accused China of reclamation of land in the Paracel Islands, including the Woody Island where China has deployed anti-aircraft missiles.
China claims sovereignty over most of the sea, which serves as a crossing for more than $5 trillion in maritime trade. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam also lay claim to some parts of the sea.
The Pentagon concluded the report by warning that China’s land building was designed to walk right up to – but not cross – “the threshold of provoking the United States, its allies and partners, or others in the Asia-Pacific region into open conflict”.
Aside from challenging China's sovereignty claims politically, the US has on numerous occasions sent warships near Chinese artificial islands in the South China Sea.
The latest instance of such measures occurred on Tuesday, when the USS William P. Lawrence navigated to within 12 nautical miles of a land feature in the sea known as Fiery Cross Reef.
In response, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Washington needs to put an end to its military patrols near the Spratly Islands.
“As the US seeks cooperation with China, it ought to respect China’s core interests and important matters of concern,” the top Chinese diplomat said.
Russia will put end to US missile system threat: Putin
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/05/13/465414/Russia-Putin-US-shield
"Now that these anti-missile elements have been installed we will be forced to consider putting an end to the threats emerging in relation to Russia's security," Putin said during a meeting with military officials on Friday.
He also stressed that Moscow is doing its best to sustain strategic balance of power.
"Of course, we are doing everything needed from our side so as to provide for the maintenance of this strategic balance of power that is the most reliable guarantee against the appearance of large-scale military conflicts," Putin said.
However, he noted that his country will not be involved in any arms race.
The Russian president also described the US deployment of the missile system as an attempt by Washington to increase its nuclear potential, adding that the complex deployed in Poland near Russia may be easily used for firing short- and mid-range missiles.
He also condemned the deployment as a clear violation of arms treaties signed between Russia and the US, adding that it would escalate international tensions.
Putin also criticized Washington for ignoring Russia's concerns and rejecting Moscow’s calls for cooperation on the issue.
"All our proposals were rejected, we are invited not to jointly work, but to discuss this issue, nothing concrete. Everything is done unilaterally, without taking into account our concerns."
On Thursday, officials from the US and the Western military alliance of NATO declared the missile system based in southern Romania operational. The missiles’ activation marked the penultimate step in the completion of a so-called missile shield, which Washington proposed nearly a decade ago.
The United States will break ground on the final site in Poland on Friday. Upon completion in late 2018, the umbrella would be stretching from Greenland to the Azores region in western Portugal.
US Congress Wants New Federal Agency to Fight Russian, Chinese 'Propaganda'
http://sputniknews.com/us/20160512/1039489483/us-new-information-agency-fight-russia-china.html
The 'Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act', the political news publication explained, would create a new federal agency reporting to the State Department called the Center for Information Analysis and Response.
The center, The Washington Examiner added, "would analyze 'government information warfare' and 'disinformation efforts', and work to 'expose and counter' those operations when they are directed against US national security."
The legislation, a bipartisan effort coauthored by Congressmen Adam Kinzinger and Ted Lieu, claims that Russia and China are "us[ing] disinformation and other propaganda tools" to undermine US initiatives around the globe.
"As Russia continues to spew its disinformation and false narratives, they undermine the United States and its interests in places like Ukraine, while also breeding further instability in these countries," Kinzinger said, introducing the bill to Congress on Wednesday.
For his part, Congressman Lieu added that "from Ukraine to the South China Sea, foreign disinformation campaigns do more than spread anti-Western sentiments – they manipulate public perception to change the facts on the ground, subvert democracy and undermine US interests. In short, they make the world less safe."
Kinzinger emphasized that a new federal agency to fight this threat would give Washington "a unique opportunity to respond to further manipulation by encouraging the free flow of truthful information," which "can prevent conflict and ensure future stability."
If the bill is approved and the agency is created, the Center for Information Analysis and Response will see US 'information officers' dispatched to promote an "independent press" in countries "deemed vulnerable to foreign propaganda and disinformation campaigns." The agency will also be tasked with 'exposing' and countering information operations directed against US interests by creating an alternative narrative.
It's unknown how exactly the new agency will be able to help Washington's global propaganda and counter-propaganda effort. The Broadcasting Board of Governors already receives over $750 million annually for funding of broadcasters including Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and other media across the Middle East and Latin America. (By comparison, the overall budget for the Russian state media group that owns the Sputnik news agency, which broadcasts in 30 languages, amounts to 6 billion rubles, about $92.6 million US.) When taking account of additional contributions from private individuals including George Soros and his Open Democracy Foundations initiatives, it's unclear how much more the State Department can really squeeze out of its anti-Russian and anti-Chinese propaganda machine.
