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

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Ghouta is the most important battle for Syria and Russia: What next? _https://ejmagnier.com/2018/03/04/ghouta-is-the-most-important-battle-for-syria-and-russia-what-next/

4. Ending the battle of Al-Ghouta will free tens of thousands of Syrian soldiers so these can go directly to the southern city of Daraa and also liberate the border area with Israel. One of the Syrian Army’s main targets is expected to be the stronghold of “Khaled Bin Al Waleed’s Army” in the Yarmouk basin on the borders with Israel. This is composed of factions previously associated with ISIS (implying identical methods of operation and ideology), repetitively praised by the ISIS official media outlet A’maq and Al-Battar.

Israel supports at least seven Syrian organizations in the Golan region with weapons, equipment, and money, and provides intelligence and unmanned aerial vehicles on their behalf. Not long ago, the Syrian army regained the area of ​​Beit Jinn and got very close to the Golan occupied territory.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has frequently requested Russia to keep the Syrian army at least 60 kilometres away from “his” border as a buffer zone. President Vladimir Putin has refused to respond to Netanyahu’s request because he regards the Golan as an occupied territory that belongs to Syria and does not want to interfere in this Arab-Israeli conflict.

Good article, Goyacobol. Thanks for Posting it. I think, it's a fair general assessment of what's happening now in Ghouta and why?

Israel is protecting it's own interests and using it's proxies (U.S. and paid mercenaries) to do it's bidding. I see Ghouta, as a sort of "Custer's last stand" because once the Syrian Army gains full control, their next move is probably setting sights on the Israeli occupied Golan Heights? Netanyhue's worse nightmare!

The Russian Defense Ministry has responded to the US accusations that Russia allegedly violates the UN Security Council resolution on the ceasefire in Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta.

E Ghouta: Fake 'Hospital Bombing' Claims Came After Pro-US Groups Repelled – MoD
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803051062243972-us-russia-resolution-eastern-ghouta/

False US claims on "hospital bombing" in Ghouta came after Syrian troops repelled pro-US groups, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"Strangely enough, during months of massive attacks by militants, there was not a single condemnatory statement from Washington or its European allies. But when the Syrian authorities repelled the attacks by pro-American groups Washington immediately came up with traditional false accusations of the alleged "bombing of medical facilities" in Eastern Ghouta and with the rumors invented by the loyal propaganda bodies about the alleged use of 'chemical weapons' [by Damascus]," the ministry's statement reads.

According to the ministry, US-controlled armed groups have been attacking the garrison of Syrian government troops in Eastern Ghouta daily since the beginning of 2018 in attempts to change the boundaries of the de-escalation zone.

The defense ministry also stressed that the provisions of the UN Security Council resolution on Syria's Eastern Ghouta are not fulfilled by the US, but not by Russia.

"Before blaming Russia for allegedly violating the provisions of UN Security Council resolution 2401, it would be useful for the White House representative to get acquainted with the content of the document," the Russian ministry said.

The White House on Sunday accused Russia and the Syrian government of violating the ceasefire regime in Damascus' suburb of Eastern Ghouta and ignoring the UN Security Council's resolution 2401 on Syria.

The resolution 2401 was adopted on February 24 and stipulates a one-month ceasefire across Syria to guarantee the safety of humanitarian aid and the medical evacuation of those injured. Russia has repeatedly urges the West to assist in ensuring the truce conditions, despite the fact that the humanitarian pauses in besieged area are being broken by militants in violation of the UNSC's resolution.

The situation in Eastern Ghouta has been tense over the past weeks resulting in ongoing shelling by local militants on Damascus and fire from the Syrian pro-government forces. Damascus says it opens fire in response to shelling from Eastern Ghouta while the western countries are accusing the Syrian government and Russia of being responsible for the escalation of tensions in the area.

The Russian foreign minister on Monday said that Western states are demonstrating a lack of negotiability by their stance on the Syrian crisis, as their actions on the ground are in violation of UNSC Resolution 2401.

Russia Has Evidence West Trying to Save Nusra Front for Regime Change - Lavrov
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russia-evidence-west-trying-save-nusra-front-regime-change-lavrov/

The Russian foreign minister on Monday said that Western states are demonstrating a lack of negotiability by their stance on the Syrian crisis, as their actions on the ground are in violation of UNSC Resolution 2401.

“The major clause of this resolution requires that all — I emphasize, all — the parties to the Syrian conflict agree on a ceasefire in order to provide at least a 30-day pause for delivery of humanitarian aid,” Lavrov said at a press conference in Namibia, adding that Damascus is being pressured to stop its military operation despite it targeting al-Nusra Front militants who are not covered by the truce regime.

He went on to say Russia has mounting evidence that “Western partners, especially the United States, would like to take the heat off al-Nusra Front, which has now changed its name — but this does not mean it has changed its nature — and save it, in case they decide to return to plan ‘B,’ which is to change the regime in Damascus.”

The foreign minister stressed that al-Nusra Front is a terrorist group, adding that Russian and Syrian efforts to battle it are in line with the requirements of the ceasefire regime settled by the UNSC resolution.

Resolution 2401, adopted February 24, urges all parties to the conflict to immediately stop all clashes and adhere to a long-term humanitarian ceasefire for at least 30 days across the entirety of Syrian territory in order to ensure the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid supplies as well as the medical evacuation of injured people.

Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization have fired mortar shells at the humanitarian convoy that was on his way to the Syrian town of Douma in Eastern Ghouta, no casualties are reported, the representative of the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Syrian reconciliation, said late on Monday.

Russian Military: Al Nusra Terrorists Shelled Convoy in Eastern Ghouta
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803061062257171-nusra-terrorists-shelled-umanitarian-convoy/

"At the same time, the illegal armed groups have been detaining the humanitarian convoy for two hours, and then tried to disrupt it. Thus, at 17:00 [15:00 GMT] Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists have fired mortar shells at the humanitarian convoy … There were no casualties among the staff members of the humanitarian mission,” Gen. Maj. Yury Yevtushenko said.

Also, Yevtushenko noted that the militants in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta have intensified the shelling of Damascus and the Muhayam-Al-Wafedin humanitarian corridor.

“Despite the daily ‘humanitarian pauses’ introduced at the initiative of the Russian side within the framework of the UN Security Council’s Resolution 2401, the illegal armed groups in the Eastern Ghouta are gradually enhancing the shelling of Damascus and the Muhayam-Al-Wafedin humanitarian corridor,” Yevtushenko said.

The shelling was carried out from the territory that is controlled by the Jaysh al-Islam militants, the official underlined and noted that a hospital was shelled early on Monday.

"The civilians of Eastern Ghouta are blocked by the terrorists who are using them as human shields," Yevtushenko added.

The humanitarian convoy of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent that delivered aid to the residents of the town of Douma on Monday arrived at the Muhayam-Al-Wafedin checkpoint bringing 13 evacuees from Eastern Ghouta, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

Red Crescent Convoy Returns to Check Point in Eastern Ghouta With 13 Evacuees
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803061062257482-red-crescent-convoy-returns-ghouta-checkpoint/

According to the correspondent, the militants held the convoy for one-and-a-half hours in the "gray zone" between the Muhayam Al-Wafedin checkpoint and Eastern Ghouta. However, as a result of the efforts of the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation, an agreement was reached to allow the convoy to pass.

The center earlier said that the convoy of 45 trucks delivered 247 tonnes of humanitarian aid to residents of Douma.

The Russian center for Syrian reconciliation said earlier in the day that the militants in Eastern Ghouta promised to release the civilians in exchange for humanitarian aid. Dozens of trucks with food, medicine and basic necessities and a mobile hospital lined up at the checkpoint in Muhayam-Al-Wafedin settlement, where the humanitarian corridor toward Eastern Ghouta begins.

Photos Show Anti-terrorist Operations in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta March 6, 2018
http://english.almanar.com.lb/457994

The following photos show the anti-terrorist operations in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta:

 

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Russian transport plane crashes upon landing in Syria, all 32 on board dead 6 Mar, 2018
https://www.rt.com/news/420608-russian-plane-crashed-syria/

A Russian military transport airplane has crashed during landing at Khmeimim Airbase in Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry has said. Six crew members as well as 26 passengers were killed in the crash, it added.

Around 15:00 (Moscow time, 12:00 GMT), a Russian An-26 transport aircraft crashed while coming in for landing at the Khmeimim airbase,” the statement issued by the ministry said. “All those on board died [in the incident],” it added.

The airplane hit the ground some 500 meters from the runway. It did not come under fire before the incident, the Russian military said.


Breaking News - Russian Transport plane crashes in Syria killing 32: Russia defense ministry
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1260276/middle-east

MOSCOW: 32 soldiers killed in Syria when their transport plane crashed. Russia's defense ministry confirmed that the plane crashed at Hmeimeem Air base in western Syria.

It was not clear why the plane crashed but Russian sources are talking of a technical fault. (Developing.)

Russian transport plane crashed in Syria on Tuesday, killing all 32 people on board, Russian news agencies cited the Russian Defense Ministry as saying.

Russian Transport Plane Crashes in Syria Killing All 32 on Board
https://themoscowtimes.com/news/russian-transport-plane-crashes-in-syria-killing-all-32-on-board-60724

The ministry was cited as saying that the plane crashed at Russia's Hmeymim air base in Latakia Province and that initial information suggested the crash may have been caused by a technical fault.

The Ministry was quoted as saying that 26 passengers and six crew members were on board.

 

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The situation in Syria is gradually normalizing, the number of violations is decreasing, however, the situation in Eastern Ghouta remains tense, chief of the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation Maj. Gen. Yury Yevtushenko said Tuesday.

Russian Military Reports Tense Situation in Syria's Eastern Ghouta
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803071062299552-russia-military-reports-ghouta/

Monitoring shows that, in general, the [ceasefire] regime has been observed. Over the past few days there has been a decrease in the number of violations," Yevtushenko said.

"At the same time, with the general stabilization of the situation in the country, the situation in the Eastern Ghouta de-escalation zone remains extremely tense. Radical groups operating in that enclave continue to violate the ceasefire regime. They constantly open fire on the government troops to provoke them to respond," he said.

Yevtushenko said shelling of Damascus, including the Russian embassy, trade mission and the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation, continues from territory controlled by militants.

Over the past 10 days, militants have fired 272 mortar shells and rockets from Eastern Ghouta areas on the residential neighborhoods of the Syrian capital. A total of 13 people were killed, 135 were wounded, including three children," he said.

Yevtushenko said that ten people had been killed and 49 wounded when militants shelled the Tishrin hospital in Syria's Dahiyat Al-Assad on March 5.

So far, the Russian center's chief said, only 17 people have managed to leave Eastern Ghouta through the Muhayam Al-Wafedin humanitarian corridor.

Observers spotted a Russian Navy Tapir-class LST (Tank Landing Ship) crossing through the Dardanelles near the Turkish seaport of Canakkale, en route to Syria on March 6, the Mynet Internet platform reported.

WATCH Fully Loaded Russian Ship Reportedly Heading to Syria
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803071062300425-russian-tank-carrier-syria/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc_nD1f6eBQ (1:02 min.)

The footage showing the journey of the Russian tank carrier through the Mediterranean appeared on YouTube on Tuesday. According to the Turkish online platform, the ship was allegedly carrying military vehicles and artillery to bolster the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in its military operations. Identified specifically as Orsk 148, the vessel was loaded with trucks on desk, the observers reported.

The level of equipment of the Russian Land Forces with modern weapons has tripled in comparison with 2012, Russian Land Forces Commander, Col. Gen. Oleg Salyukov said on Wednesday.

Commander Reveals Level of Equipment of Russian Land Forces With New Weapons
https://sputniknews.com/military/201803071062299159-russia-new-weapons-equipment-level/

"Over the past five years, more than 10,000 units of modern weapons, military and special equipment have been delivered to the military within the framework of the current state armaments program, which allowed to increase the level of equipment with modern weapons three times, compared to 2012, almost to 45% (44.7% from 15%)," Salyukov said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda, the official newspaper of the Russian Defense Ministry.

According to the official, Russia is fulfilling the goal, set by country's President Vladimir Putin to increase the share of modern weapons in the Land Forces.

LIVE: Russia offers militants in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta safe passage out of conflict zone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_MszsZYgXI (12:50 min.)

Streamed live 17 hours ago

Syrian army continuing to make gains against terrorists in eastern Ghouta

Foreign-backed militants use eastern Ghouta to launch rocket attacks on Damascus

Syrian Government forces in control of over 40% of Eastern Ghouta

Syria: SAA recovers strategic zones in Eastern Ghouta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k4-f_dzDdk (2:49 min.)

Published on Mar 1, 2018

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) breached Jaish al-Islam's lines of defence in Hawsh al-Dawahira town in eastern Ghouta on Wednesday, seizing large areas of the opposition-held territory.

Footage filmed after 14:00 local time (12:00 GMT) on Wednesday afternoon shows the SAA taking control over several strategic locations including Hawsh al-Dawahira and the Shifuniya crossroad, as well as several farms from the area.

On Saturday, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously voted for a nationwide 30-day ceasefire. The resolution does not extend to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS; formerly ISIS/ISIL), Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda, and other groups the UNSC deems as "terrorist groups."

The Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (formerly known as al-Nusra Front, banned in Russia) has stopped the attacks on the civilians during the delivery of the humanitarian aid to the Syrian town of Duma in the besieged enclave of Eastern Ghouta, a diplomatic source told Sputnik.

Jabhat Al-Nusra's Attacks Were Stopped During Ceasefire in Syria's Duma - Source
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803071062307831-syria-eastern-ghouta-duma-ceasefire-attacks/

During the humanitarian action, even the attacks on the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists were stopped in order to ensure the full implementation of the ceasefire. However, at 05:00 p.m. local time [15:00 GMT] a mortar attack was carried out in the area of the aid's unloading. There was no aviation over Duma at that moment," the source from the humanitarian task force of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) said.

The source stressed that Russian military had confirmed the humanitarian pause, as requested by the UN staff, to complete the unloading and distribution of humanitarian aid despite a threat to life.

The supply of humanitarian aid to the Syrian town of Duma in Eastern Ghouta by a UN-Syrian Arab Red Crescent convoy was almost jeopardized by the two-hour talks between the convoy members and head of the local military and political councils.

"After the convoy entered Duma, the talks between the convoy staff and leaders of the local military and political councils took place in one of the local mosques, being recorded on video, and the record was later used by the Jaysh al-Islam militants for propaganda purposes. At the same time, due to the two-hour delay, the delivery of humanitarian aid and medicine to civilians was in fact under the threat of disruption," the source said.

The source emphasized that the humanitarian agencies were able to personally verify that militants forcibly kept civilians in the area as a "human shield."

"The residents asked the UN staff and convoy members to facilitate their evacuation from this zone, told that the militants are taking away their aid, forbidding them to leave their homes," he said.

Russian Reaction on Western Countries Statements - Russia considers statements by a number of Western countries regarding the March 5 air strikes in the Syrian city of Duma and accusations against Damascus preventing the passage of humanitarian aid, as playing into the hands of terrorists, a source in the humanitarian task force in Syria said.

"Such statements of the West, cannot be seen as anything but as playing along with terrorists. We are used to such statements from pseudo-humanitarian organizations on the ground but were surprised to hear such unbalanced assessments from the leadership of Western states, including the United States and the European Union, as well as from UN officials. With these statements, they once again demonstrated that they are ready to go to the end in servicing radical groups," the source said.

The source noted that many Western officials while sitting in comfortable offices, were ranting about the specifics of the humanitarian operation in Syria and did not want to notice the actions of the Russian side, which was rendering assistance to humanitarian operations in Syria directly on the ground.

"At the same time, they not only do not want to notice Russia's actions to improve the humanitarian situation in Syria, but also steadfastly turn a blind eye to the situation in Raqqa, completely destroyed by the international coalition, where nothing is done for the demining, and where children die every day. In addition, the West is hypocritically continuing to link the allocation of funds for the reconstruction and restoration of Syria with progress in the political transition, thereby punishing hundreds of thousands of Syrians, including women and children living in the government-controlled territories," the source concluded.

On Monday, for the first time since November 15, the joint UN and Syrian Arab Red Crescent humanitarian convoy entered Duma. After the convoy began unloading, it came under fire. The Russian side blamed it on the Nusra Front (terrorist organization, banned in Russia) militants while a number of Western countries and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini accused Damascus. Mogherini stressed that "the mere presence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Eastern Ghouta cannot justify the continued indiscriminate shelling and bombing of the civilian population and of medical facilities," and noted that a five-hour humanitarian pause was insufficient.

Eastern Ghouta's Humanitarian Corridor - Some militants are considering accepting the offer of the Syrian military to leave Eastern Ghouta together with their families through the humanitarian corridor, Russian center for Syrian reconciliation spokesman Maj. Gen. Vladimir Zolotukhin said Tuesday.

"According to information received by the center for Syrian reconciliation, in connection with the evolving humanitarian situation in the area of Eastern Ghouta, some militants are seriously considering the possibility of leaving the town of Duma with their families through the humanitarian corridor. At the same time, other members of illegal armed groups consider such action as treason,” Zolotukhin told reporters.

On Tuesday, the Syrian military opened the humanitarian corridor in Eastern Ghouta not only for civilians but also for militants, offering them to leave the area together with their families.

Eastern Ghouta was seized by militants in 2012. According to the Syrian Army estimates, there are 10,000-12,000 militants in the region. Despite the recent UN resolution, the fighting has not stopped, even when the humanitarian pause was in place, the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Syrian reconciliation said. As militants constantly target all exits from the enclave, civilians have been unable to leave the area, according to the center.

On February 24, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2401 that urges all conflicting parties to immediately stop all hostilities and adhere to a long-term humanitarian pause across Syria in order to ensure the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, as well as medical evacuation of those injured. The ceasefire does not apply to ongoing military operations against the Daesh or al-Qaeda terrorist groups (both banned in Russia) and their affiliates.

Moreover, Russia proposed an initiative of organizing a five-hour daily humanitarian pause to ensure humanitarian supplies and evacuations from the area. However, militants, operating in Eastern Ghouta continue shelling and prevent the humanitarian operations from being implemented.

The Syrian Army troops launched another night operation in Eastern Ghouta after hours of a daily-based truce ended and managed to inflict a heavy blow on the militants on Tuesday night and early Wednesday.

Terrorists Suffer Heavy Defeat in Syrian Army's Night Attack in Eastern Ghouta
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961216000560

The Syrian Army continued to capture more territories as the battle has entered a sensitive stage after militants were expelled from almost 40% of the Eastern Ghouta region in Damascus countryside.

The army men drove terrorists out of al-Ash'ari farms West of the town of Hawsh al-Ash'ari in their night operation.

Field sources ensured that the town of Hawsh al-Ash'ari itself will be soon freed.

The army troops also seized the farmland area near the militant-held towns of Mesraba and Beit Sawa.

The sources further said that recent advances have enabled the army to liberate three strategic regions in Eastern Ghouta.

The sources added that the Syrian Army will most likely start a new phase of its military operation on Masraba, Beit Sawa and Hawsh Al-Ashari in order to exert maximum tactical pressure on militant groups.

A Mi-8 helicopter crashed in Russia's region of Chechnya, leaving five people dead.

Helicopter Crashes in Russia's Chechnya, Killing Five People - Source
https://sputniknews.com/russia/201803071062309641-helicopter-crash-chechnya/

"According to the preliminary data, a special forces' helicopter crashed, killing at least five people out of nine, being aboard," a source said.

According to the source, the emergency response group hasn't reached the scene of the crash yet.

At the same time, according to a medical source at the Russian Emergencies Ministry, two medical brigades have headed to the crash site.

Earlier in the day, the source said seven were killed but later specified the information.

Thought the authorities haven't commented on the incident yet, the source said that poor weather conditions could have caused the incident.

The Russian military's announcement came just two weeks after remarks by US Air Force top brass that America must prepare to fight and win wars in outer space.

Russia Working on Military Satellite Grouping to Counter US Space Warfare Plans
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961215001589

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu emphasized Tuesday that Russia must deploy a modern orbital constellation of military satellites to support the Army and Navy, Sputnik reported.

"Only with support from space will it be possible for the Armed Forces to reach maximum effectiveness. Therefore, we are paying special attention to this area," Shoigu said, speaking in a conference call with representatives of the rocketry and space industry.

"The Russian President [Vladimir Putin] has repeatedly stressed that our Army and Navy must not only meet the requirements of today, but to be prepared for tomorrow's means of conducting armed struggle.
The solution of this problem doubtlessly depends directly on the availability of a modern orbital constellation of military satellites,"

 

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US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson should start a new round of strategic talks with Russia as soon as possible in the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent announcement of new nuclear weapons, US Senators Bernie Sanders, Dianne Feinstein, Ed Markey and Jeff Merkley said in a letter.

Senators Urge Tillerson to Start Talks With Russia After Putin Nuclear News 09.03.2018
https://sputniknews.com/military/201803091062356671-senators-urge-tillerson-nuclear-talks/

"A US-Russia Strategic Dialogue is more urgent following President Putin’s public address on March 1st when he referred to several new nuclear weapons Russia is reportedly developing including a cruise missile and a nuclear underwater drone, which are not currently limited by the New START treaty, and would be destabilizing if deployed," the letter to Tillerson said on Thursday. "The United States should urgently engage with Russia to avoid miscalculation and reduce the likelihood of conflict."

Recently, Russian president Vladimir Putin unveiled the next generation of nuclear missiles, which are capable of circumventing and overcoming Washington's missile defence measures.

Putin also said that the US military build-up would eventually render Russia's nuclear arsenal pointless unless Moscow acted, noting that Moscow had tried to convince Washington not to violate the anti-missile defense treaty, but all this had been in vain.

Moscow and Washington are not holding talks on the new START treaty at present, and it is premature to talk about further steps in this area, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

No Talks on New START Treaty Between Russia, US Underway - Moscow 07.03.2018
https://sputniknews.com/russia/201803071062324682-russia-us-no-talks-new-start-treaty/

"No talks [on new START treaty] are being held at present. The most urgent task in this area is the settlement of the existing issues in the context of the implementation of the current START treaty," ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

The spokeswoman stressed that the count of strategic nuclear missile launchers allowed under the arms reduction treaty was being manipulated by the US side.

"These issues are related to the unilateral US withdrawal from the treaty's count of some of its strategic offensive weapons that Washington declares 'overhauled,'" Zakharova said.

The treaty expires in 2021. Since the current agreement was developed in less than a year, there is still time and no grounds for hurry, the spokeswoman said.

The first START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), a bilateral agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union on strategic offensive reductions was signed on July 31, 1991, with a duration of 15 years and an extension option and obliged the signatories to limit the number of warheads and delivery vehicles. The agreement remained in force until it expired in December 2009.

Negotiations on a new START Treaty began in May 2009, and the new agreement entered into force on February 5, 2011. Under the treaty, the United States and Russia were to meet the treaty’s limits on strategic arms by February 5, 2018. An aggregate number of weapons on each side was not to exceed 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and heavy bombers, 1550 warheads on the deployed ICBMs, SLBMs and heavy bombers, and 800 launchers.

On the designated date of February 5, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released data that the country possessed 527 deployed ICBMs, SLBMs and heavy bombers with 1,444 warheads and 779 delivery vehicles. In a US State Department press release on February 22, the country had 652 deployed weapons with 1,350 warheads and 800 delivery vehicles.

In the same release, on February 5, the Russian Foreign Ministry claimed the United States had reconfigured a certain number of submarine ballistic missile launchers and heavy bombers and that Russia "could not confirm that these strategic arms have been rendered incapable of employing SLBMs or nuclear armaments for heavy bombers" as specified in the treaty. The Ministry accused the US side of "arbitrarily" renaming launchers to exclude them as unspecified under the agreement.

The United States has not decided yet whether it will extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia, the US deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy said.

Washington Mulling New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty Extension Past 2021 22.02.2018
https://sputniknews.com/us/201802221061885089-usa-mulling-strategic-arms-treaty/

"We say in the NPR [Nuclear Posture Review] that we will live by the treaty. We haven’t made a decision yet," Robert Soofer told RIA Novosti in response to whether the treaty would be extended by another five years.

The nuclear arms reduction treaty was signed by the United States and Russia in 2010 and came into effect the following year. It is due to expire in 2021.

Under the terms of the deal, both nations were to cut by February 5, 2018 the number of deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments, as well as nuclear warheads on them.

The United States has claimed it met the obligations back in August 2017, but Russia has argued that it cannot confirm this.

Earlier, US State Department announced it was looking forward to continuing implementation of the agreement with Russia. The department's spokesperson Heather Nauert noted that according to the recently released US Nuclear Posture Review, arms control “can contribute to U.S. security by helping to manage strategic competition among states.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s criticism of China’s policy in Africa is not exactly appropriate. He also slammed the US for interfering in other countries’ affairs, pursuing neo-imperialist ambitions.

Russia: US Driven by Neo-Imperialist Ambitions in Interfering in Other Countries' Affairs Thu Mar 08, 2018
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961217000710

Lavrov’s statements came on Thursday after he met with Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare, RT reported.

Earlier on Thursday, Tillerson urged African countries to carefully weigh the benefits of Chinese loans at a news conference in the Ethiopian capital during his first diplomatic trip to the continent.

“We are not in any way attempting to keep Chinese dollars from Africa,” he stated.

In the meantime, Lavrov denied the US State Department's claims about absence of US-Russia discussions on his possible meeting with Tillerson.

“I didn’t want to make a comment on this topic, but today the US State Department stated that there have been no discussions of our possible meeting with [Tillerson]. I can say that this is untrue,” he said, speaking at a press conference in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare.

In a major turn of events, US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet in person after Kim told a South Korean envoy he was committed to denuclearization and will hold off on future tests of nuclear weapons.

Trump Agrees to Meet Kim Jong Un, Who is Now 'Committed' to Denuclearization 09.03.2018
https://sputniknews.com/news/201803091062358584-trump-meet-kim/

Addressing reporters Thursday outside the White House, South Korean National Security Adviser Chung Eui Yong announced that Kim is willing to meet Trump "as soon as possible." Trump replied to Kim's invitation by expressing his willingness to meet by May.

"North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests," Chung said. "I told President Trump that at our meeting [in Pyongyang] North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he's committed to denuclearization."

Chung led a group of South Korean officials to Pyongyang earlier this week for historic meetings, including a dinner with Kim Jong Un. At the meeting, the South Koreans hand-delivered a note from South Korean President Moon Jae In. "The South and the North agreed to hold the third summit at … the Panmunjom in late April," Chung said on March 6. Kim and Moon are to meet at that summit.

Chung's group then traveled to Washington on Thursday, where they hand-presented Trump with a letter from Kim.

"President Trump appreciated the briefing, and said he would meet Kim Jong Un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization," the official continued. Chung credited Trump's "maximum pressure policy" in reaching this historic accord: the Trump-Kim meeting will mark the first time the two nations's leaders have ever met, or indeed spoken at all.

​Further, Kim expressed that he understands that the US and its allies must continue military exercises around the Korean Peninsula.

It is not clear where the meeting will take place, but the announcement marks a drastic shift from the nuclear brinksmanship that Trump and Kim engaged in last year, with North Korea conducting a record number of ballistic missiles tests and achieving advances in ICBM technology that would allow Kim to credibly order a nuclear strike on the United States mainland.

Trump's typical approach has been to attack Kim as a “madman who doesn’t mind starving or killing his own people,” even calling him "Little Rocket Man." This makes the agreement to meet and for the Korean Peninsula to denuclearize all the more dramatic.

​Last May, though, Trump announced he would be "honored" to meet the North Korean leader. He has toyed with the idea on his Twitter account as well.

​For its part, Beijing has consistently voiced support for Washington and Pyongyang to engage in productive dialogue.​

US President Donald Trump will accept the offer from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to meet for the first time ever, according to the White House. However, US economic and military pressure on North Korea will remain.

White House Welcomes Denuclearization Commitment, Invitation to Meet Kim Jong Un 09.03.2018
https://sputniknews.com/asia/201803091062358923-white-house-north-korea-meeting/

The time and place for the meeting between the two firebrand leaders has yet to be determined. US leaders have made it clear that they will accept nothing less than the total denuclearization of North Korea to end the ongoing crisis.

President Trump greatly appreciates the nice words of the South Korean delegation and President Moon [Jae In]. He will accept the invitation to meet with Kim Jong Un at a place and time to be determined. We look forward to the denuclearization of North Korea. In the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must remain," said White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders in a statement.

On Thursday, South Korean National Security Adviser Chung Eui Yong announced that Kim is willing to meet with Trump "as soon as possible." Until then, Chung added, Kim is willing to "refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests."

I told President Trump that at our meeting [in Pyongyang] North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he's committed to denuclearization." Chung added that North Korea said they would have "no reason to possess nuclear weapons in in the absence of military threats to the DPRK and guarantees for the security of the North Korean regime."

 

[aragorn]

This latest propaganda stunt with the "Russian spy" Skripal is just soooo lame and predictable, don't you think? I was watching Theresa May uttering the usual anti-Russian nonsense, and it's just crazy talk! How can anyone take this seriously?

It's not hard to guess, that one target is naturally the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia – they want everyone to boycott those games. We already heard some of the MP:s saying this.

Things are just getting crazier, and crazier...wonder how this will all end?

 

[sToRmR1dR]

This latest propaganda stunt with the "Russian spy" Skripal is just soooo lame and predictable, don't you think? I was watching Theresa May uttering the usual anti-Russian nonsense, and it's just crazy talk! How can anyone take this seriously?

It's not hard to guess, that one target is naturally the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia – they want everyone to boycott those games. We already heard some of the MP:s saying this.

Things are just getting crazier, and crazier...wonder how this will all end?

...More crazier... Maybe, and just maybe someone wants try to hide some 'cosmic events'. :)

 

[angelburst29]

At least two civilians have been killed after terrorists stationed in Eastern Ghouta shelled al-Kabbas neighborhood in Damascus, local media reported on Monday, citing a source in Damascus Police Command.

Two Reportedly Killed When E Ghouta Militants Shell Damascus Neighborhood
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803121062438333-eastern-ghouta-shelling/

Earlier in the day, spokesman for the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation Maj. Gen. Vladimir Zolotukhin said that groups of militants in Eastern Ghouta had started an open confrontation after Russia ordered for the Faylak al-Rahman militant group to be separated from Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization (banned in Russia) to further discuss their pullout from the area.

The 14th humanitarian pause started in Eastern Ghouta on Monday at 07:00 GMT. Two humanitarian corridors were opened to withdraw civilians and militants. However, militants operating in the area continued shelling, therefore preventing the humanitarian operation from being carried out.

The situation in the besieged Damascus suburb has been complicated over the past weeks, as local militants continue to shell the area. On February 24, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2401 that urges all conflicting parties to immediately stop all hostilities and adhere to a long-term humanitarian pause across Syria in order to ensure the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, as well as medical evacuation of those injured. Russia also proposed an initiative of organizing a five-hour daily humanitarian pause to ensure humanitarian supplies and evacuations from the area.

The United States presented a new UN draft resolution on Syria on Monday calling for a 30-day cessation of hostilities in the Damascus suburb of East Ghouta less than a month after the previous resolution demanding a ceasefire across all the Syrian territory was unanimously passed by the UN Security Council.

Moscow Exposes Nusra's Chemical Attack as US Warns It's Ready to Act in Syria
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803121062448936-haley-syria-un-resolution-nusra/

"We have drafted a new ceasefire resolution that provides no room for evasion," US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said in reference to Syrian army's operation against terrorists in East Ghouta, who keep launching attacks on Damascus despite the ongoing ceasefire.

is simple, straightforward and binding. It will take effect immediately upon adoption by this Council. It contains no counterterrorism loopholes for Assad, Iran and the Russians to hide behind," she stressed when presenting the resolution, saying that the previous one had "failed."

Russian UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya fired back at the statement by Haley, stressing that Damascus has "every right to try to remove the threat to the safety of its citizens," referring to the terrorists who have entrenched themselves in East Ghouta as a "hotbed of terrorism."

UN Resolution 2401, which was unanimously passed by the Security Council on February 24, called on the parties to the Syrian conflict to stop all hostilities and adhere to a humanitarian pause across Syria in order to ensure the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, as well as medical evacuations for those injured.

Chemical Weapons Use in Eastern Ghouta - Haley also said that Washington will act in Syria regarding the chemical weapons use if the UN Security Council doesn't.

"We also warn any nation that is determined to impose its will through chemical attacks and inhuman suffering, most especially the outlaw Syrian regime, the United States remains prepared to act if we must," Haley said.

Vasily Nebenzya said that Nusra Front* militants used chemical weapons in East Ghouta, injuring 30 civilians.

"This was done in order to prepare the ground for unilateral military actions against sovereign Syria," Nebenzya said in reference to the attempts to put the blame on the Syrian government for the use of chemical weapons in the country.

After the alleged use of chemical weapons in Eastern Ghouta in January, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that Damascus could be using chemical weapons; he also said that Russia is responsible for the victims because of its engagement in Syria.

The Russian Foreign Ministry then said Washington was spreading mass propaganda against Moscow in an attempt to demonize the Syrian government and subsequently topple it, underscoring that the information on the chemical attacks used by the United States was uncorroborated.

Damascus has repeatedly stated that it has given up its chemical weapons stockpiles, which was confirmed by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in 2016.

Tens of civilians, including 26 children, were freed after hours of talks between the government's representative and militants in Eastern Ghouta, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Monday.

Syrian Army Frees 26 Children Kidnapped by Terrorists in Eastern Ghouta
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961221000638

The ministry said that a sum of 52 civilians, including 26 children, were released from the terrorists' custody after hours of talks between the army and militants in Eastern Ghouta.

The ministry further said that talks are underway for the release of tens of kidnapped civilians in return for the safe exit of militants and their family members from Eastern Ghouta. It added that the Syrian army and the country's Red Crescent have dispatched several buses to Harasta to evacuate the freed civilians from Eastern Ghouta via a newly-established safe corridor.

A group of terrorists laid down arms and surrendered to the Syrian Army troops on Sunday amid rapid advances of the pro-government forces in the region.

A group of terrorists handed over their weapons and ammunition to the army men and applied for government amnesty after the army managed to advance in Harasta region.

Harasta has come under the army siege after the pro-government forces' advances on Friday and Saturday nights.

The terrorist groups are reportedly executing civilians they have abducted in Eastern Ghouta as the Syrian army continues march in the Eastern countryside of Damascus city.

Syria: Terrorists Executing Abducted Civilians Massively in Eastern Ghouta
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961221000582

Local sources in Eastern Ghouta said the terrorists open fire at anyone that tries to leave the militant-held regions in Eastern Ghouta via the Jesrin-al-Malihah humanitarian corridor, while they are also conducting field execution to intimidate the public trapped in the region.

"They are also killing those people that they had abducted or jailed," they added.

The sources further said that terrorists are in fear and panic due to the rapid advances of the army, committing severe brutalities against families in the region.

Other sources said that the terrorists might be killing abducted civilians to also claim that the army attacks are claiming the lives of civilians in the region.

The army men have been significantly advancing in the region, dividing the terrorist-held regions in Eastern Ghouta into the three parts of Harasta, Douma and the Southern areas.

Military sources reported on Sunday that the army troops continued to march on the terrorists in the depth of Eastern Ghouta and drove a wedge between the Southern and Northern parts of Eastern Ghouta.

The sources said that the army men deployed in the newly-freed town of Mesraba stormed terrorists' strongholds in the depth of Eastern Ghouta and drove the terrorists out of the strategic Modira settlement.

They went on to say that the army men further reached the Vehicles Management Center in Harasta and managed to divide Eastern Ghouta into two parts.

The army has been significantly advancing against terrorists in Eastern Ghouta in the last two weeks and freed important regions, including Beit Sawa and Mesraba.

The suspected find comes on the heels of the military's discovery of a workshop used by militants to manufacture chemical weapons.

Syrian Army Reportedly Finds Cache of French Weapons in Liberated Eastern Ghouta
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803121062441058-french-weapons-found-in-eastern-ghouta/

Syrian forces involved in a mopping-up operation in recently-freed areas of Eastern Ghouta have come across a large arms depot including weapons made in France, Fars News Agency has reported, citing field sources.

The French-made weapons and ammunition were found during the military's operations to sweep the towns of Modira and Mesraba of militants, the sources said.

The discovery of a cache of French-made weapons comes following a report by the Syrian Army Monday that the military had found a clandestine workshop used for the manufacture chemical weapons in the village of Aftris.

Paris has made no secret of its weapons deliveries to Syrian 'rebels', with illicit deliveries continuing in 2012 despite a European embargo. In a 2015 interview, then-President Francois Hollande admitted that France had delivered the weapons, saying that he was "certain that they would end up in the right hands." France provided the militants with small arms, rocket launchers, and anti-tank missiles. In addition to weapons, France has also provided rebel groups with other forms of support, including cash and military advisors. In 2014, Hollande justified the supply of weapons, saying that France "cannot leave the only Syrians who are preparing a democracy…without weapons."

France has been at the front of the line of Western powers accusing Damascus of using chemical weapons in its struggle against militants in Eastern Ghouta. Last month, French President Emmanuel Macron warned that France "will strike" if reports about the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons against civilians were confirmed.

"On chemical weapons, I set a red line and I reaffirm that red line," Macron said, referring to a telephone conversation he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Syrian government has repeatedly denied using chemical weapons, pointing out that their chemical weapons stocks were destroyed in 2014 as part of a deal brokered by Russia and the U.S.

The Russian center for Syrian reconciliation demanded that the Faylaq al-Rahman militant group in Syria cut ties and separate from the Jabhat Fatal al-Sham terror group as a condition for its withdrawal from the besieged East Ghouta, the center’s spokesman Maj. Gen. Vladimir Zolotukhin said on Sunday.

Russian Military Demands Al-Rahman Legion Group to Cut Ties With Nusra Front
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803111062421199-russian-military-al-rahman-nusra/

"A working meeting between representatives of the center for Syrian reconciliation and leaders of the Faylaq al-Rahman illegal armed formation took place, [the center] demanded to immediately separate from the Jabhat al Nusra* terror organization. The parties discussed issues related to withdrawal of the Jabhat al Nusra formations from Eastern Ghouta to Idlib as well as further destiny of the Faylaq al-Rahman group’s members," Zolotukhin said.

The official pointed out that the situation in Eastern Ghouta remained tense with militants having shelled Damascus from Eastern Ghouta with seven 120-mm shells. No people were killed or injured in the incidents.

"Despite provocations staged by terrorists, the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation, supported by the Syrian government, continues the humanitarian operation in Eastern Ghouta. At 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. [07:00 – 12:00 GMT] the 13th humanitarian pause took place to ensure the work of the humanitarian corridor open for withdrawal of civilians and militants with their families, who are provided with guaranteed security and transport for the whole route [to Idlib]," Zolotukhin said.

The center also held talks with the leadership of a number of settlements in Eastern Ghouta on ensuring civilians’ access to medical care and humanitarian aid.

Near the settlement of Jisreen in the southern part of Eastern Ghouta an additional crossing point continues to operate," the official noted.

Zolotukhin added that the reconciliation center, UN mediators and leaders of the Jaysh al-Islam group held negotiations on withdrawal of the second group of militants from Eastern Ghouta.

Terrorist groups in Eastern Ghouta engaged in fierce clashes after Russia gave an ultimatum to Faylaq al-Rahman to defect the Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board), the spokesman for the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria reported on Monday.

Eastern Ghouta: Heavy Infighting among Terrorists Reported after Russia's Ultimatum to Defect Al-Nusra
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961221001102

Brigadier General Vladimir Zolotokhin reported that a tough street battle is underway among terrorists in Eastern Ghouta.

Zolotokhin further said that the infighting has prevented civilians from leaving the region and has forced them to seek shelter, adding that the clashes started after Faylaq al-Rahman called on the Russian center to assist them to cut off relations with Al-Nusra.

The terrorists are in fear and panic following the rapid advances of the Syrian Army troops in the region and Eastern Ghouta's break up into three separated zones.

Zolotokhin said on Sunday that officers of the Russian center demanded the leaders of the Faylaq al-Rahman group waste no time to separate from the Al-Nusra to ensure withdrawal of that organization’s militants from Eastern Ghouta.

"Officers of the center for reconciliation of the warring parties had a working meeting with the leaders of Faylaq al-Rahman illegal armed groups to demand immediate separation from the outlawed terrorist organization Al-Nusra. The sides discussed issues of withdrawal of Al-Nusra groups from Eastern Ghouta to Idlib and the future of Faylaq al-Rahman members," he said.

According to Zolotokhin, the situation in Eastern Ghouta remains difficult and tense. Over the past day, seven 120mm mines were fired by militants from Eastern Ghouta at Damascus’ residential quarters and its suburbs. No casualties or damages were reported.

"Despite terrorists’ provocations, the Russian center for reconciliation of the warring parties jointly with the Syrian government continue humanitarian operations in Eastern Ghouta. Yet another, the 13th, humanitarian pause was observed from 09:00 a.m. to 14:00 to ensure a humanitarian corridor for civilians and militants with their families leaving the area," he said.

The spokesman also said that officers of the Russian center were holding talks with administration officials of a number of Eastern Ghouta neighborhoods on possible medical and other assistance to civilians, their unimpeded and safe evacuation via the humanitarian corridor near the settlement of al-Wafideen.

"An additional checkpoint is functioning near the settlement of Jesrin in the Southern part of Eastern Ghouta. The checkpoint has a first aid center, a hot meals outlet and offers transport vehicles to take civilians to safer areas," Zolotokhin said.

He further said that officers of the Russian reconciliation center, UN mediators and leaders of Jeish al-Islam terrorist group held talks to agree aspects of the withdrawal of the second group of militants from Eastern Ghouta.

Earlier reports said that the army troops continued their attacks on terrorists' positions after hours of a daily ceasefire ended in Eastern Ghouta on Sunday afternoon and laid siege on the town of Douma, the most important bastion of the terrorists in region.

The army men started attacking terrorists' defense liens from the newly-feed Modira region and advanced in Harasta.

The government troops, then, seized control over a number of buildings near the Vehicles Management Center, the farms near Modira and near the town of Harasta.

The advancing army soldiers met each other in a region between Harasta and Modira and laid siege on the strategic town of Douma, the main and the largest base of terrorists in Eastern Ghouta.

Field sources said that the terrorist-held regions in Eastern Ghouta have now been split up into the three parts of Harasta, Douma and the Southern regions.

The terrorist groups, backed up by the US forces deployed in Southern Syria, are preparing for a large-scale assault on the Syrian Army troops in Dara'a to further provide support for the militants trapped in the Eastern countryside of Damascus city, a media outlet reported on Monday.

Southern Syria: Terrorists Preparing for Large-Scale Attack on Syrian Army with US Back up
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961221000942

The Arabic-language al-Watan daily quoted Khalid al-Faraj, the Commander of Tajamo Towhid al-Ummah affiliated to the US-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA), as saying that the terrorist groups are preparing for an imminent large-scale operation against the Syrian Army troops in Dara'a to further assist their militant comrades that are under heavy attacks by the Syrian army men in Eastern Ghouta.

He further told al-Watan that the terrorists' attack will kick off in the next 48 hours, adding that the offensive will start from two flanks: one by the South Coalition towards the Death Triangle and another one by al-Jeidro Coalition towards Khirbet Qazala and Azra'a.

The terrorists' preparation for the operation came after the US deployed 200 more troops in al-Tanf base at Syria's border with Jordan that is home to the Joint Operation Room of the US and the FSA.

Also, a number of British Army officers have been dispatched to the border between Syrian and Jordan.

Field sources reported on Sunday that the army forwarded a large number of fresh forces and a large volume of military hardware to the Southern province of Dara'a as the terrorist groups were preparing for an imminent operation against the government forces in the region.

The sources said that a large number of fresh soldiers and military equipment were sent to the regions that were under the army's control in Dara'a.

The sources went on to say that most of the army soldiers deployed in the neighborhoods of Shamal al-Khat, al-Sahari, al-Matar, al-Sabil and al-Soqour were put on alert amid the army's preparation for an imminent operation in Dara'a.

The army's move to send more troops to Dara'a came after the Free Syrian Army (FSA) terrorists started plans to storm the army positions in Dara'a to provide back up for their comrades in Eastern Ghouta in Damascus province.

The Syrian army is advancing rapidly against terrorist groups in Eastern Ghouta.

A Russian warship has left the Black Sea for Syrian waters, a media outlet reported on Monday.

Russian Navy Dispatches Large Warship to Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961221001384

The Arabic-language website of RT quoted Turkish news websites as reporting that the Russian Navy Baltic Fleet Ropucha LSTM Minsk 127 left the Black Sea for Syrian waters.

The report further said that the Minks warship is heading towards Tartus port in Syria's waters, reminding that Tartus is a Russia-run technical base in Western Syria.

Large fleets and other ships of the Russian navy have been playing a main role in transferring cargoes to Humeimim air base, Tartus naval base and the Syrian Army.

Another media outlet reported in March that a huge Russian shipment of weapons bound for Syria in the form of one government-contracted sea-lifter and a naval landing ship recently transited the Bosphorus Strait.

Observers from the Bosphorus Strait in Turkey said the transiting of two Russian vessels – one a sea-lifter and the other a navy landing ship – inbound for the Syrian port city of Tartus; both were carrying a wealth new military equipment.

The logistical carrier, identified as the RoRo Altay, was photographed with what sources count as 133 Ural military-grade transport trucks above its hull. No information existed on what army equipment was present within the ship’s actual cargo bay.

The RoRo Altay’s naval accomplice was identified as the Ropucha-class landing ship ‘Alexander Otrakovsky’ whose military cargo is completely hidden inside internal bays and can only be guessed.

All military equipment being delivered would most likely be pressed into service with the Syrian Armed Forces.

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Colonel General Alexander Fomin said NATO’s new priority is creation of the so-called "military Schengen" area in Europe aimed at speeding up troops’ deployment near Russia’s borders.

Russian Defense Official Warns NATO’s New Goal Is to Create ‘Military Schengen’ Zone
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961221000595

"The new priority of NATO’s military-political leadership is improving the logistic and transport infrastructure inside Europe and the creation of the so-called 'military Schengen'," Fomin stated in an interview with the Russian Defense Ministry’s official newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda, TASS reported.

"Its goal is to fast-track to the maximum extent the troops’ deployment towards Russia’s borders," he added.

In various parts of Europe the arsenals of weapons, ammunition and food supplies are being created for a speedy deployment of an additional force grouping, according to the Deputy Minister.

Eight coordination centers for deploying the contingents have been set up in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

 

[angelburst29]

This latest propaganda stunt with the "Russian spy" Skripal is just soooo lame and predictable, don't you think? I was watching Theresa May uttering the usual anti-Russian nonsense, and it's just crazy talk! How can anyone take this seriously?

It's not hard to guess, that one target is naturally the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia – they want everyone to boycott those games. We already heard some of the MP:s saying this.

Things are just getting crazier, and crazier...wonder how this will all end?

...More crazier... Maybe, and just maybe someone wants try to hide some 'cosmic events'. :)

UK claims of Russia's involvement in a poisoning of the former officer of Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia are provocative and aimed at undermining trust in Russia as the organizer of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Russian FM: UK Using Skripal Case to Undermine Soccer World Cup in Russia
https://sputniknews.com/russia/201803131062463361-russia-uk-skripal-world-cup/

"As we expected, the United Kingdom is especially active, being unable to forgive Russia for winning the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup in a fair struggle. The UK media outlets are actively repeating calls for a boycott of the upcoming World Cup. Such proposals come not only from journalists, but also from officials — in particular, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons [Tom] Tugendhat. The pretext is the poisoning of Skripal, an investigation into which has not only been completed yet, but, in fact, has not yet begun," the statement read on Monday.

The ministry added that such "provocations" were complicating the bilateral relations and damaging the world's sports.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday that Russia was "highly likely" responsible for suspected poisoning of Skripal, who reportedly also served as an agent for the UK secret intelligence service MI6. May said that the substance, used in the poisoning of Skripal, was identified as a military-grade nerve agent of the so-called Novichok group developed in Russia. Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called May's remarks a "circus."

Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious last week on a bench at a shopping center in Salisbury. Both of them remain in critical condition and are being treated for suspected exposure to a chemical.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said the Kremlin has no information on what could have caused the apparent attack and noted that Moscow was ready to cooperate with the UK investigation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has pointed out that no facts proving Russian involvement in the incident have been provided.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May said in her address to the lower chamber of parliament on Monday that ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal, who also reportedly served in MI6, and his daughter Yulia were poisoned by Novichok nerve-agent, developed in Russia.

UK Urges Explanations on Alleged Soviet-Developed Nerve Agent 'Newcomer'
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201803131062465560-uk-russia-skripal-poisoning-explanations/

"The Government has concluded that it is highly likely that Russia was responsible for the act against Sergei and Yulia Skripal," May told the Parliament.

The prime minister voiced two versions of the events — "either this was a direct act by the Russian state against our country or the Russian government lost control of its potentially catastrophically damaging nerve agent and allowed it to get into the hands of others."

Now London expects explanations on the issue from Moscow until the end of Tuesday and vowed to deliver a new public statement on Wednesday.

Novichok Nerve Agent

The Novichok (Newcomer) family of military-grade nerve agents was developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 1980s. There are more than 100 formulations in the family. Novichok agents are dispersed as an ultra-fine powder rather than a gas or vapor. They can be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. The result of their impact is involuntary contraction of all muscles, leading to cardiac arrest and asphyxiation.

On March 5, UK police said that a man and a woman were found unconscious on a bench at a shopping center in southern town of Salisbury, adding that both people were "in a critical condition in intensive care" and being treated for suspected exposure to an unknown substance. The man and woman were later confirmed to be Skripal and his daughter.

May said that London’s claims are based on “the positive identification of this chemical agent by world-leading experts at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down.” The laboratory is located 7 kilometers (4 miles) from a place where the Skripal family was poisoned.

The prime minister went on to say that “Russia has previously produced this agent and would still be capable of doing so.”

The head of the UK government added that the foreign secretary had also demanded that Moscow should immediately disclose the details of the program of production of the nerve agent used in the Salisbury incident to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons by the end of Tuesday.

On Wednesday, we will consider in detail the response from the Russian state, should there be no credible response, we will conclude that this action amounts to an unlawful use of force by the Russian state against the United Kingdom," May said.

Labour Urging for Dialogue

Following the UK prime minister's claims on Russia's alleged involvement in the Salisbury incident, UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn urged the government to actively engage with Russia in a "robust" dialogue on all issues that were currently on the agenda, instead of further escalating the tensions.

We need to see both the evidence and a full account from the Russian authority in light of the emerging evidence that the prime minister has just referred to … We need to continue seeking a robust dialogue with Russia on all the issues currently dividing our countries – both domestic and international, rather that simply cutting all of contact and letting the tensions and divisions get worse and potentially even more dangerous," Corbyn said.

Russia's Reaction

Moscow said in response to London’s claims that accusations of having links to suspected poisoning of Skripal are provocative and aimed at undermining trust for Russia as an organizer of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“The conclusion is obvious – it is another informational and political campaign based on provocation,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Russia reminded the United Kingdom of numerous cases of mysterious deaths of the Russian citizens on the UK soil.

"Before making up new stories, let the United Kingdom present the results of other cases — [of former Russian security officer Alexander] Litvinenko, [businessman Boris] Berezovsky, [businessman Alexander] Perepilichny and many others, who died mysteriously on the British territory," the ministry’s spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

The provocative media campaigns against Russia in the light of 2018 World Cup were expected, according to the spokeswoman.

"As we expected, the United Kingdom is especially active, being unable to forgive Russia, that it was our country that won the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup in a fair struggle. The UK media are actively repeating calls for a boycott of the upcoming World Cup. Such proposals come not only from journalists, but also from officials — in particular, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons [Tom] Tugendhat," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry added that such "provocations" were complicating the bilateral relations and damaging world sports.

The claims made by the UK prime minister have been also met with a harsh criticism by Russian senior lawmakers, who highlighted the lack of evidence in the statement.

"It is an absolutely groundless allegation. Let them prove it, let them show some kind of evidence of Russian responsibility, but there will be none," Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council's Committee on International Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov told Sputnik.

The lawmaker added that the provocation could have been carried out by UK security services or similar agencies in third countries in order to accuse Russia of another wrongdoing. Dzhabarov also suggested that this provocation specifically targeted the presidential elections in Russia on March 18.

The same opinion was expressed by another Russian senior lawmaker, Leonid Slutsky, the chairman of the Russian lower house's International Affairs Committee.

“London's position in the investigation into the poisoning of Skripal reflects the latest trends in the West – there is no evidence, but Russia is to blame. This is yet another provocation involving unfounded accusations, which may have different goals and causes — related to both domestic politics [of the United Kingdom] and the conduct of the presidential election campaign in Russia,” Slutsky told reporters.

First Deputy Chairman of the Russian parliament's lower house Committee on Foreign Relations Dmitry Novikov also pointed that the situation could be used in order to sow discord in the Russian society.

“There are several news stories that are used recently to aggravate the situation in Russia… The situation with Skripal… is actively used by London in order to aggravate the situation,” Novikov told Sputnik.

Andrey Klimov, the chairman of the Russian upper house's commission on protection of state sovereignty, noted that Russia would give “adequate and prompt” response to possible expulsion of Russian diplomats from the United Kingdom in respect to the suspected poisoning.

“If the United Kingdom decides to expel Russian diplomats in connection with the Skripal case, Moscow's response will be adequate and prompt. This situation generally resembles a well-thought-out anti-Russian action,” Klimov told Sputnik.

Who is Sergei Skripal?

Former Col. Skripal worked in the Russian military intelligence (GRU) until 2000. He was spotted by the UK intelligence service MI6 in Spain, where he was serving as Russia’s military attache, according to media reports.

Skripal was reportedly recruited by the UK intelligence in 1995, providing valuable information about the Russian intelligence service and the military objects.

After Skripal left GRU, he continued to work for MI6, meeting with the secret service’s agents in Spain. In total, he has received about $100,000 from the UK intelligence for the information, according to media reports.

In 2006, Skripal was sentenced in Russia to 13 years in prison for cooperating with MI6 and transferring names of Russian intelligence agents working undercover in Europe. In 2010, then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree pardoning Skripal, with the latter then moving to the United Kingdom.

The UK Office of Communications (Ofcom) will review possible measures against RT broadcaster in relation to the suspected poisoning of former officer of Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) Sergei Skripal after UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s speech at the Parliament on Wednesday, the regulator said in a statement on Monday.

Ofcom Vows to Review Possible Measures Against RT Over Skripal's Case
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201803131062463887-uk-ofcom-rt-broadcaster-russia/

"The Russian news channel RT broadcasts in the UK under licences issued by Ofcom as the broadcasting regulator … We have heard the Prime Minister’s statement in the House of Commons this afternoon and we await her further statement on Wednesday. We will then consider the implications for RT’s broadcast licences," the statement read.

On Monday, several UK parliament members called on the government to impose restrictive measures on RT, including revocation of its broadcasting license in the country. May did not respond directly to these proposals, but noted that she would discuss the measures against Russia with the Parliament on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, May said that Russia was "highly likely" responsible for suspected poisoning of Skripal, who reportedly also served as an agent for the UK secret intelligence service MI6. May said that the substance, used in the poisoning of Skripal, was identified as a military-grade nerve agent of the so-called Novichok group developed in Russia. Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called May's remarks a "circus show."

The National Security Council (NSC) is scheduled to hold a meeting on the Skripal case on Wednesday, after which May will tell the Parliament about the planned measures against Russia in respect to the case.

Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious last week on a bench at a shopping center in Salisbury. Both of them remain in critical condition and are being treated for suspected exposure to a chemical.

 

[angelburst29]

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson should start a new round of strategic talks with Russia as soon as possible in the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent announcement of new nuclear weapons, US Senators Bernie Sanders, Dianne Feinstein, Ed Markey and Jeff Merkley said in a letter.

Senators Urge Tillerson to Start Talks With Russia After Putin Nuclear News 09.03.2018
https://sputniknews.com/military/201803091062356671-senators-urge-tillerson-nuclear-talks/

"A US-Russia Strategic Dialogue is more urgent following President Putin’s public address on March 1st when he referred to several new nuclear weapons Russia is reportedly developing including a cruise missile and a nuclear underwater drone, which are not currently limited by the New START treaty, and would be destabilizing if deployed," the letter to Tillerson said on Thursday. "The United States should urgently engage with Russia to avoid miscalculation and reduce the likelihood of conflict."

Moscow and Washington are not holding talks on the new START treaty at present, and it is premature to talk about further steps in this area, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

No Talks on New START Treaty Between Russia, US Underway - Moscow 07.03.2018
https://sputniknews.com/russia/201803071062324682-russia-us-no-talks-new-start-treaty/

"No talks [on new START treaty] are being held at present. The most urgent task in this area is the settlement of the existing issues in the context of the implementation of the current START treaty," ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s criticism of China’s policy in Africa is not exactly appropriate. He also slammed the US for interfering in other countries’ affairs, pursuing neo-imperialist ambitions.

Russia: US Driven by Neo-Imperialist Ambitions in Interfering in Other Countries' Affairs Thu Mar 08, 2018
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961217000710

Trump fires Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, to be replaced by CIA Director Mike Pompeo (Video) 03.13.2018
https://www.yahoo.com/gma/trump-replaces-secretary-state-tillerson-cia-director-125003830--abc-news-topstories.html

President Donald Trump has fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, tweeting this morning that he plans to replace him with CIA director Mike Pompeo.

"Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!" Trump wrote on Twitter.

Donald J. Trump
✔ @realDonaldTrump

Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!

8:44 AM - Mar 13, 2018

Trump asked Tillerson to step aside Friday, a senior White House official told ABC News today. Trump wanted to make sure he had a team in place before the recently announced talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the official said.

Trump believes he works well with Pompeo and the decision to replace Tillerson was not based on any single issue, the official said.

Tillerson and Trump have had tumultuous points in their relationship in the past. One of the most public disputes came in July amid reports that Tillerson called the president a "moron."

The former ExxonMobil CSO had cut a trip to Africa short Monday, citing “the demands of work and the need to be in Washington for in-person meetings.”

Tillerson had spent much of his trip to Africa trying to make up for Trump’s derogatory comments in January when he referred to certain African nations as “s---hole” countries.

Tillerson, 65, took over as head of the State Department in February. He is the second official to leave Trump’s Cabinet after former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned in September over his use of private jets that were funded by taxpayer money.

Trump released a lengthy statement praising Pompeo, 54, and his planned successor, Gina Haspel, concluding with two sentences about Tillerson.

"I want to thank Rex Tillerson for his service. A great deal has been accomplished over the last fourteen months, and I wish him and his family well," Trump said in the statement released by the White House.

In his praise of Pompeo, Trump wrote, "I have gotten to know Mike very well over the past 14 months, and I am confident he is the right person for the job at this critical juncture."

Both he and Haspel, 61, require Senate confirmation.

President Donald Trump has fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and will replace him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

President Trump Fires Secretary of State Rex Tillerson
http://time.com/5197201/president-trump-removes-secretary-of-state-rex-tillerson/

Pompeo will be replaced at the CIA by Gina Haspel, who will be the first woman to lead the agency.

In a statement minutes after the announcement, Tillerson – a former Texas oil executive – made it clear that he did not leave voluntarily. He also hinted that he may have been blindsided by the announcement, saying he “did not speak to the President this morning and is unaware of the reason.”

(Comment) Amen! Rex Tillerson has worked against Trump and has complicated political and International relations with Russia, among other things.

 

[Laura]

Yes indeedy, it looks like the Deep State is in control and Trump is their puppet.

From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gina_Haspel

Haspel ran a "black site" CIA prison located in Thailand in 2002. The site was codenamed "Cat's Eye" and held suspected al Qaeda terrorist members Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri and Abu Zubaydah for a time. The Senate Intelligence Committee report on CIA torture specifies that during their detention at the site they were waterboarded and interrogated using no-longer-authorized methods. Declassified CIA cables specify that Zubaydah was waterboarded 83 times in a month, was sleep deprived, kept in a "large box", had his head slammed against a wall, and he lost his left eye. Zubaydah was deemed, by the CIA interrogators, to not be in possession of any useful intelligence (Interrogation of Abu Zubaydah)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interrogation_of_Abu_Zubaydah

Haspel later was the chief of staff to Jose Rodriguez, who headed the CIA's Counterterrorism Center. In his memoir, Rodriguez wrote that Haspel had "drafted a cable" in 2005 ordering the destruction of dozens of videotapes made at the black site in Thailand.

In 2013, John Brennan, then the director of Central Intelligence, named Haspel as acting Deputy Director of the National Clandestine Service, which carries out covert operations around the globe.[14] However, she was denied the position permanently due to criticism about her involvement in the Rendition, Detention and Interrogation program.

Haspel is the recipient of the George H. W. Bush Award for excellence in counterterrorism,

Nunes sez: Gina has worked closely with the House Intelligence Committee and has impressed us with her dedication, forthrightness, and her deep commitment to the Intelligence Community.

On February 8, 2017, several members of the Senate intelligence committee urged Trump to reconsider his appointment of Haspel as Deputy Director.[18] Senator Sheldon Whitehouse quoted colleagues Ron Wyden and Martin Heinrich who were on the committee:

I am especially concerned by reports that this individual was involved in the unauthorized destruction of CIA interrogation videotapes, which documented the CIA's use of torture against two CIA detainees. My colleagues Senators Wyden and Heinrich have stated that classified information details why the newly appointed Deputy Director is 'unsuitable' for the position and have requested that this information be declassified. I join their request.

On February 15, 2017, Spencer Ackerman reported on psychologists Bruce Jessen and James Mitchell, the architects of the enhanced interrogation program that was designed to break Zubaydah and was subsequently used on other detainees at the CIA's secret prisons around the world. Jessen and Mitchell are being sued by Sulaiman Abdulla Salim, Mohamed Ahmed Ben Soud, and Obaid Ullah over torture designed by the psychologists. Jessen and Mitchell are seeking to compel Haspel, and her colleague James Cotsana, to testify on their behalf.

On December 17, 2014, the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) pressed criminal charges against unidentified CIA operatives, after the US Senate Select Committee published its report on torture by US intelligence agencies.

On June 7, 2017, the ECCHR called on the Public Prosecutor General of Germany to issue an arrest warrant against Haspel over claims she oversaw the torture of terrorism suspects. The complaint against her is centered on the case of Saudi national Abu Zubaydah.

 

[Laura]

You know she's dirty if Obama loyalists defend her:

http://freebeacon.com/national-security/fmr-obama-nsc-spokesperson-defends-trump-cia-director-nominee-gina-haspel/

Ned Price, former spokesperson for the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Council under President Barack Obama, on Tuesday defended President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the CIA.

And then begins the apologia:

"Haspel along with President Trump have supported enhanced interrogation or torture. What does that mean?" Velshi asked.

"Well, it's irrelevant now because there are congressional laws, which completely prohibit torture and most of those enhanced interrogation techniques from being used the way they were used during the Bush administration's years," Nance responded. "You have to understand her position. She's a career intelligence officer, but she was also a deputy throughout most of the time. When she was given orders, she had to carry them out. Some other people might have quit … She's a career professional. I think she'll have to answer for some of the things she did during her time, but for the most part, I think the agency is out of that business."

Etc.

 

[angelburst29]

You know she's dirty if Obama loyalists defend her:

http://freebeacon.com/national-security/fmr-obama-nsc-spokesperson-defends-trump-cia-director-nominee-gina-haspel/

Ned Price, former spokesperson for the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Council under President Barack Obama, on Tuesday defended President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the CIA.

And then begins the apologia:

"Haspel along with President Trump have supported enhanced interrogation or torture. What does that mean?" Velshi asked.

"Well, it's irrelevant now because there are congressional laws, which completely prohibit torture and most of those enhanced interrogation techniques from being used the way they were used during the Bush administration's years," Nance responded. "You have to understand her position. She's a career intelligence officer, but she was also a deputy throughout most of the time. When she was given orders, she had to carry them out. Some other people might have quit … She's a career professional. I think she'll have to answer for some of the things she did during her time, but for the most part, I think the agency is out of that business."

Etc.

Former NSA employee and whistleblower Edward Snowden speculated on Twitter that the nominee for CIA director, Gina Haspel, could face arrest if she sets foot in the European Union because she allegedly was involved in a torture program at a secret CIA prison.

Snowden: New CIA Head Might Face Arrest in EU Over Role in Torture Program
https://sputniknews.com/us/201803141062499781-snowden-haspel-torture-program-arrest/

"Interesting: The new CIA Director Haspel, who ‘tortured some folks,' probably can't travel to the EU to meet other spy chiefs without facing arrest due to an @ECCHRBerlin complaint to Germany's federal prosecutor," Snowden tweeted, while providing a link to a European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights' report on a criminal complaint filed against Haspel in 2017.

Edward Snowden
✔ @Snowden

Interesting: The new CIA Director Haspel, who "tortured some folks," probably can't travel to the EU to meet other spy chiefs without facing arrest due to an @ECCHRBerlin complaint to Germany's federal prosecutor. Details: https://www.ecchr.eu/en/our_work/international-crimes-and-accountability/u-s-accountability/germany.html … 9:58 AM - Mar 13, 2018

The ECCHR criminal complaint was filed with Germany's federal public prosecutor on June 6, 2017. It was a follow-up to a complaint first filed in 2014, with previous follow-ups in 2015 and 2016.

In the complaint, ECCHR recalls that Haspel was the superior of the two notorious psychologists, James Mitchell and Bruce Jessen, responsible for developing the torture program used on terror suspects at CIA secret prisons and at the Guantanamo Bay detention center. (Mitchell and Jessen were previously referred to with the Grayson Swigert and Hammond Dunbar.)

According to ECCHR, Haspel herself supervised the torture of Abu Zubaydah, arguably the most famous Gitmo prisoner, who is accused of preparing 9/11 terror attack, but who has never faced criminal court or official charges. In 2002, Zubaydah was held at a secret CIA prison in Thailand known as "Cat's Eye," or "Detention Site Green."

"As head of the prison, Gina Haspel signed several cables (extracts printed in the executive summary of the Senate Intelligence Committee Report) to CIA headquarters concerning the torture of Abu Zubaydah," the complaint reads. "One officially published cable from 15 July 2002 suggests that as Chief of Base, Gina Haspel was the only person with the authority to end the torture of Abu Zubaydah."

"Gina Haspel failed to make use of this power," it reads.

The report also notes that she attempted to destroy all records of torture or other evidence of her involvement in the program, which shows "that she was at all times fully aware of her involvement in the commission of crimes."

The organization calls on German authorities to take "appropriate measures," which include "issuing an arrest warrant" should Haspel travel to Germany or the Schengen Area.

Snowden also questioned whether Haspel represents "the values the US should be promoting," and suggested the CIA start issuing uniforms decorated with "skulls and lightning bolts."

​Haspel was tapped as CIA chief after US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Rex Tillerson would be leaving the office of secretary of state and would be replaced by current CIA Director Mike Pompeo. Both Pompeo and Haspel will have to be confirmed by the US Senate.

 

[angelburst29]

Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Friday the need to distinguish terrorists in Syria from the opposition, urging the United States to fight against terrorists in the besieged enclave of Eastern Ghouta.

Lavrov: US-Led Coalition Should Stop Fencing Off Terrorists in Eastern Ghouta 16.03.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803161062587126-lavrov-coalition-us-eastern-ghouta-syria/

"I hope that the US-led coalition realizes the necessity not to fence off terrorists, as it's happening now in Easter Ghouta, but will fight terrorists groups consistently and on principle," Lavrov said.

The minister stated that the progress achieved at the Astana talks on the Syrian settlement, including due to Russia’s efforts, was not welcomed by those striving to divide the country into small territories under their control.

Those who, in violation of all norms of international law, in violation of resolution 2254, obviously seek to divide Syria, to replace the regime so that the important Middle Eastern country is replaced by small principalities, controlled by external players, certainly do not welcome what we are doing in Astana, we are trying to achieve in Astana,” Lavrov said in a welcoming speech before the talks with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts in Astana.

Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov slammed Friday US threats to strike Syria as "unacceptable."

Russian FM Lavrov Slams US Threats to Strike Syria as 'Unacceptable' 16.03.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803161062587126-lavrov-coalition-us-eastern-ghouta-syria/

"May we remind you that any use of force against Damascus based on far-fetched pretext is unacceptable. US threats of carrying out strikes in Syria, including on Damascus, as it was last April under the pretext of alleged use of chemical weapons, are unacceptable," Lavrov said.

Earlier this week, US Envoy to UN Nikky Haley threatened with Washington's strike against Damascus in case the chemical weapons use in Syria.

Responding to Haley's statement, the Russian General Staff said that Russian armed forces would respond if the lives of Russian servicemen in Syria were threatened, including in the event of a missile strike on Damascus.

Lavrov reiterated Friday the need to distinguish terrorists in Syria from the opposition, urging the United States to fight against terrorists in the besieged enclave of Eastern Ghouta.

I hope that the US-led coalition realizes the necessity not to fence off terrorists, as it's happening now in Easter Ghouta, but will fight terrorist groups consistently and on principle," Lavrov said.

The minister stated that the progress achieved at the Astana talks on the Syrian settlement, including due to Russia’s efforts, was not welcomed by those striving to divide the country into small territories under their control.

The Russian Defense Ministry has organized live broadcasts at checkpoints and humanitarian corridors in Eastern Ghouta and Aleppo, the ministry said on Friday.

Russian MoD Broadcasting Situation at Eastern Ghouta, Aleppo Checkpoints Live 16.03.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803161062588308-russia-ghouta-aleppo-live-footage/

The Russian Center for Syrian reconciliation has organized live broadcasts near checkpoints of humanitarian corridors used for withdrawal of civilians from Eastern Ghouta and Aleppo," the ministry said on its website.

The ministry notes that the broadcast was conducted by means of CCTV cameras installed in the area of Muhayam Al-Wafedin checkpoint in the northern part of Eastern Ghouta and Hammuriya in the southern part, as well as along the route of the humanitarian corridor Tell Sultan-Abu Adh Dhuhur in Aleppo.

On Thursday, Maj. Gen. Yuri Yevtushenko, the head of the Russian Center for Syrian reconciliation, said that a total of 11,640 people had left the besieged Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta since the introduction of daily humanitarian pauses in the area on February 28.

 

[angelburst29]

Respected investigative journalist, Seymour Hersh, has claimed that Hillary Clinton sold nerve gas to Syrian terrorists whilst she was acting as secretary of state.

Seymour Hersh: Hillary Clinton Sold Nerve Gas To Syrian Terrorists To Use Them As an Excuse to Invade Syria
http://www.awdnews.com/index/seymour-hersh-hillary-clinton-sold-nerve-gas-syrian-terrorists-use-excuse-invade-syria/

Back dated 22 November 2017 - Hersh claimed that the Obama Administration falsely blamed the Government of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad for the sarin gas attack, which they were hoping to use as an excuse to invade Syria. Hersh also claims that the Obama administration assisted in approving the transfer of deadly chemical weapons from Lybia to terrorists who were operational in Syria. According to Zero Hedge: “By the terms of the agreement, funding came from Turkey, as well as Saudi Arabia and Qatar; the CIA, with the support of MI6, was responsible for getting arms from Gaddafi’s arsenals into Syria.” However, now, for the first time, Hersh has implicated Hillary Clinton directly in this ‘rat line’.

In an interview with Alternet.org, Hersh was asked about the then-US-Secretary-of-State’s role in the Benghazi Libya US consulate’s operation to collect weapons from Libyan stockpiles and send them through Turkey into Syria for a set-up sarin-gas attack, to be blamed on Assad in order to ‘justify’ the US invading Syria, as the US had invaded Libya to eliminate Gaddafi. Hersh said: “That ambassador who was killed, he was known as a guy, from what I understand, as somebody, who would not get in the way of the CIA.As I wrote, on the day of the mission he was meeting with the CIA base chief and the shipping company. He was certainly involved, aware and witting of everything that was going on. And there’s no way somebody in that sensitive of a position is not talking to the boss, by some channel” Hersh responded by saying that the US tradition in that regard has long been to ignore civilian casualties; i.e., collateral damage of US attacks is okay or even desired (so as to terrorize the population into surrender) – not an ‘issue’, except, perhaps, for the PR people.

The interviewer asked why Obama is so obsessed to replace Assad in Syria, since “The power vacuum that would ensue would open Syria up to all kinds of jihadi groups”; and Hersh replied that not only he, but the Joint Chiefs of Staff, “nobody could figure out why”. He said, “Our policy has always been against him [Assad]. Period”. This has actually been the case not only since the Party that Assad leads, the Ba’ath Party, was the subject of a shelved CIA coup-plot in 1957 to overthrow and replace it; but, actually, the CIA’s first coup had been not just planned but was carried out in 1949 in Syria, overthrowing there a democratically elected leader, in order to enable a pipeline for the Sauds’ oil to become built through Syria into the largest oil market, Europe; and, construction of the pipeline started the following year. But, there were then a succession of Syrian coups (domestic instead of by foreign powers – 1954, 1963, 1966, and, finally, in 1970), concluding in the accession to power of Hafez al-Assad during the 1970 coup. And, the Sauds’ long-planned Trans-Arabia Pipeline has still not been built. The Saudi royal family, who own the world’s largest oil company, Aramco, don’t want to wait any longer.

Obama is the first US President to have seriously tried to carry out their long-desired “regime change” in Syria, so as to enable not only the Sauds’ Trans-Arabian Pipeline to be built, but also to build through Syria the Qatar-Turkey Gas Pipeline that the Thani royal family (friends of the Sauds) who own Qatar want also to be built there. The US is allied with the Saud family (and with their friends, the royal families of Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, and Oman).Russia is allied with the leaders of Syria – as Russia had earlier been allied with Mossadegh in Iran, Arbenz in Guatemala, Allende in Chile, Hussein in Iraq, Gaddafi in Libya, and Yanukovych in Ukraine (all of whom except Syria’s Ba’ath Party, the US has successfully overthrown).

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned of “grave consequences,” and the Russian military is talking retaliation, if the US occupying troops attack Syrian government forces under any alleged reason.

Lavrov says Russia will respond if US attacks Syrian forces – What Next? 16 March 2018
http://www.awdnews.com/index/lavrov-says-russia-will-respond-if-us-attacks-syrian-forces-what-next/

In other words, US strikes would not be consequence-free in Syria anymore. Rather a US strike under any justification would risk a long feared direct war between the US and Russia. That’s a concern long-standing among US officials – and those fired. Even during the 2016 campaign, President Trump made clear he was very aware of the risk of a Syria war leading to a Russia war. Trump will have to manage constant pressure to do more against Syria to avoid steering into such a disastrous conflict. But that’s not the real problem here:

A- Various US officials have been suggesting substantial attacks on the Syrian military are imminent. This talk of attacking Syria has provoked a warning from the Russian Foreign Ministry, and a second warning from top Russian generals. Russia’s military chief of staff warns Russia would retaliate “against the missiles and launchers used” by the US in such a strike.

B- The Russian threat is a game-changer. The US can no longer drum up pretexts for strikes, much less carry out the occasional attacks against Syrian military targets with impunity. Russia will act over and that would be an escalation of a conflict that has so far cost the lives of tens of thousands of people.

C- The same could be said about US officials drumming up attacks on the pretext of non-documented chemical weapons incidents, which they all now have always been carried out by their Qaeda-allied terror proxies, so-called Syrian rebel factions, in Eastern Ghouta and elsewhere, including those near or in the de-escalation zones in Dara’a province.

D- The US is wading deeper into the second phase of its regime-change war, and the strategy is moving from fighting ISIL (if there’s any) to fighting the Syrian government forces, including the downing of Syrian fighter jets. This adds a whole new dynamic to America’s involvement and military skirmishes. It increases the risk of something that would have once been unthinkable: US and Russian planes shooting at each other. After all, Moscow says it will now “target” US-led coalition aircraft flying above Syria. It’s even cutting off contact with the US.

E- US forces on the ground need to have the authority necessary to attack Syrian targets. But at this point the lack of a clear policy on the part of the Trump White House is a major problem. That, paired with the Russian threats, is making an already dangerous situation even riskier. Lavrov’s recent warning just made things much more dangerous. The US must now account for a more antagonistic stance by Syrian and Russia forces.

Like it or not, Russia’s military action threats against US occupying forces are real. There is, however, a way out for Washington, before the warmongering hordes in the Pentagon make a very dangerous conflict much more worrisome:

The allied forces of Iran, Syria, Russia and Hezbollah have defeated the terrorist group of ISIL on all fronts. This means there is no other pretext for war-party Washington to get directly involved in Syria’s war against the remnants of ISIL and other foreign-backed militant groups. Indeed, troop withdrawals would be a major step for the US to take, at a time when it’s even more unclear exactly what the Trump regime is trying to accomplish in Syria.

On the one hand, the history of US-led regime-change campaign makes the United States a particularly inappropriate advocate for freedom and democracy, much less military intervention in post-ISIL Syria. On the other, the US has backed Israel in its illegal occupation and colonization of Southwestern Syria, which Israel invaded in June of 1967.

This kind of history leads to one conclusion only: America’s military occupation is bad news for Syrian people. The best hope for Syria is for American occupiers to withdraw. Their military presence will only escalate the tragic violence and lead to a greater war with Russia. The War Party doesn’t care about democracy in Syria any more than it does about democracy in Bahrain or Saudi Arabia, but is using the “promotion of democracy” as an excuse to divide Syria and overthrow a government that happens to oppose Washington’s hegemonic designs on the region.

The French customs service, in cooperation with its Spanish counterpart, confiscated the property of the current Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s uncle, which amounted to 600 million Euros.

Spain confiscates property of Bashar Al-Assad’s uncle March 15, 2018
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180315-spain-confiscates-property-of-bashar-al-assads-uncle/

Quoting the French newspaper Le Figaro, the Russian news agency Tass reported that around 503 facilities worth 600 million Euros, owned by Rifaat Al-Assad and his relatives in the Spanish city of Marbella, were confiscated.

The agency pointed out that there is also talk about hotels, restaurants and luxury acquisitions.

In April 2017, the Spanish National Judicial Council opened an investigation into the case of money laundering by Rifaat Al-Assad. The Spanish authorities froze the bank accounts of 16 people and 76 institutions associated with the name of Al-Assad’s uncle. It also opened an investigation into his property in Marbella and Puerto Banus towns.

Syrian city at the heart of Spain - Rifaat al-Assad, 80, planned to build a huge housing complex to house Syrians belonging to his sect. He has chosen lands where Spanish spruce and cork trees flourish. These lands occupy one third of Benahavis municipality, located in Malaga province in the southern Andalusia region of Spain. According to the statements of the judge of the Spanish National Court, Rifaat owns some of the most expensive lands in the city that is located on the coasts of Costa del Sol and adjacent to the luxury town of Marbella, which has become a model of extreme luxury, and aspires to build a “Syrian city” with the utmost caution and secrecy.

A decision was made by the Spanish court to seize the properties of Al-Assad, including 16 properties in Marbella and Puerto Banus. In this regard, a Spanish judge revealed that Rifaat Al-Assad had committed himself to continuing the “legal struggle” in this case as he is accused of turning his “real estate machine,” which consists of 3,300 hectares worth 60 million Euros, into a private urban area. The areas controlled by Rifaat Al-Assad have already been registered as areas of public interest, according to the European classification. In addition, the Andalusian government has incorporated these properties within the areas of special protection.

The source of Rifaat Al-Assad’s funds - On the other hand, the Spanish judge confirmed that the main source of Rifaat Al-Assad’s wealth is the money looted from the coffers of the Syrian state provided by his brother Hafez Al-Assad before sending him into exile, and which is estimated at 300 million Euros.

In a similar vein, many people in the Spanish society and those who dealt with him in the business field reported that he was not proficient in negotiating in this area and had his own strategy of non-discipline. In this regard, one of the parties which had negotiated with him in business explained that “it is possible to agree on the first day about a certain price, and he comes the next day to ask you double the amount agreed upon.” These parties also revealed that he followed a relatively austere pattern of consumption in his daily life in Marbella.

In general, a businessman who was surprised by the size of the properties of Rifaat Al-Assad, which includes at least 503 facilities located in Marbella and Puerto Banos, stated that “Rifaat Al-Assad and the businessmen Adnan Khashogg are incomparable, as Rifaat has no friends and I always see him having dinner alone in Puerto Banus, accompanied only by his bodyguard and his driver. The same source added that “the authorities must deal with all the hotel apartments he possesses as individual property.”

In addition to the “amazing real estate machine,” Rifaat Al-Assad owns the Panapola Hotel in Puerto Banus, a 4-Star hotel consisting of 101 apartments and 247 parking spaces. Besides, Al-Assad owns a residential building under the name of Gerry de Albion, in the same sports port in Marbella where he lives.

Moreover, Rifaat Al-Assad owns the parking spaces in Marbella Harbour. Recently, he has sold some of the land for construction in the Milla de Oro area of Marbella, near the Marbella Club Hotel. According to sources familiar with the deal, the sale was made at a price much lower than the prices offered in the market in this area. In addition, Rifaat Al-Assad managed to administer the Beach Club Bar at the Penapola Hotel, the Hollywood Café and other hotel companies based in Puerto Banus, but some of them are now closed due to losses.

Swiss Federal Court has rejected an appeal on an earlier decision by a lower court to freeze the assets of Rami Makhlouf, the cousin of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, a Swiss news website has reported.

Switzerland keeps Syria leader’s family assets frozen
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171101-switzerland-keeps-syria-leaders-family-assets-frozen/

Back dated November 1, 2017 In June 2015, the Federal Administrative Court decided to freeze Makhlouf’s assets. Makhlouf appealed against the ruling.

Switzerland’s highest court confirmed the earlier decision by the Federal Administrative Court in June 2015 rejecting Makhlouf’s appeal.

According to Swissinfo.ca, the Federal Court said that since it had been established with the “highest probability that Makhlouf is close to the Syrian government and that there is a risk of financial support to the Syrian government, it is necessary to prevent sanctions imposed by Switzerland’s trading partners being circumvented on Swiss territory.”

The Federal Administrative Court said in 2015: “The defendant has a personal and direct interest in maintaining the current regime if he wants to keep his status and his way of life.”

Swissinfo.ca reported that this is not the first time that Makhlouf and his family have faced problems in Switzerland.

In 2013, the court refused an entry visa application from his brother Hafez Makhlouf, head of the Syrian secret service.

The news website also confirmed the freeze of assets in Switzerland belonging to Hafez Makhlouf and his father Mohamed Makhlouf.

Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests. Since then, more than 250,000 people have been killed and in excess of ten million displaced, according to the UN.

The assets of Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of Syrian regime leader Bashar Al-Assad, have been frozen, according to The Times. The assets are estimated to be worth millions, according to the report. The news comes amidst rumors of Assad’s death.

UK freezes Rifaat Al-Assad’s assets
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170918-uk-freezes-rifaat-al-assads-assets/

Back dated September 18, 2017 The assets of Rifaat Al-Assad, known as Hama’s butcher for committing crimes against humanity in the city of Hama (central Syria) in 1982, were confiscated in Spain and France in 2013 after having been suspected to be earned from illegal sources.

The Times noted that the freeze came too late to stop the sale of a palace Rifaat al-Assad owned in Surrey.

The newspaper’s report explained that, in a private hearing in May, Lawyers obtained a court order against the 80-year-old Rifaat al-Assad, preventing him from selling another £4.7 million house, that he owns in the area of Mayfair.

The newspaper also pointed out that the court’s decision came too late and failed to stop the sale of another £3.7 million estate in Leatherhead a month before the court’s decision.

He also sold another property he owns in Mayfair at £16 million, while there were ongoing criminal investigations against him in France.

The British Crown Prosecution said it is “not legally permitted” to disclose details about this case.

The newspaper added that it learned that the court order was taken in a private hearing session at Southwark Crown Court, from which attendance the public or journalists were prevented.

The report concludes that the step of freezing al-Assad’s assets in the UK, in addition to 76 bank balances that belong to 16 people related with this issue, came after an investigation that started in France concerning the source of his wealth, which is believed to be more than 300 million sterling pounds.

The French judiciary opened criminal investigations in 2013 on allegations that he earned his fortune from money he has stolen when he worked in the heart of the Syrian regime. Last year, a judge convicted al-Assad of tax evasion and receiving fraudulent money.

In April, the Spanish authorities raided a number of properties in the vicinity of Marbella that are linked to al-Assad. Spanish authorities indicated that Rifaat al-Assad and his family own 503 properties ranging from vacation villas to luxury hotel apartments.

Rifaat al-Assad is the brother of the deceased Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, had previously served as vice president between 1984 and 1998.

His name was linked to committing massacres against civilians in the city of Hama in 1982, in which about 40,000 people were killed when he was commander of the so-called Defence Forces, but he has not yet been convicted of these accusations, in which he denies being involved.

Rifaat al-Assad had lived in exile in Europe, following a failed coup against his brother in the 1980s.

 

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LIVE: Vladimir Putin Congratulates His Election Team With Victory 18.03.2018
https://sputniknews.com/russia/201803181062670110-russia-putin-moscow-team-hq/

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks about his victory at election headquarters, discussing future prospects for the country.

The National People’s Congress (NPC) of China, its parliament, on Saturday reelected incumbent President Xi Jinping for a second term.

Chinese Parliament Re-Elects Xi Jinping as President 17.03.2018
https://sputniknews.com/asia/201803171062623660-china-parliament-xi-jingping-election/

The secret ballot was held at the fifth plenary session of the 13th convocation of the Chinese legislature. It is also expected to reappoint Xi as the chair of China’s Central Military Commission.

The 64-year-old was elected president for five years in March 2013. Earlier this month, the parliament voted to abolish presidential term limits, effectively allowing him to keep power indefinitely.

The Chinese parliament also reappointed President Xi Jinping as the chair of the Central Military Commission.

Meanwhile, the National People’s Congress of China appointed former anti-corruption chief Wang Qishan as the country’s vice president.

The 69-year-old ally of President Xi Jinping, dubbed China’s "anti-corruption czar," headed the powerful Central Commission for Discipline Inspection for five years until last October. He was appointed as China’s number two by secret ballot at the fifth plenary session of this convocation of the Chinese legislature, which also reelected Xi as president.

Earlier this month, the parliament voted to abolish term limits for the president and his deputy, effectively allowing the pair to keep power indefinitely. Until this year, they were not allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms.

Angela Merkel on Wednesday was elected German chancellor by the German Parliament, Bundestag, for the fourth time.

Merkel Sworn In for Fourth Consecutive Term as German Chancellor 14.03.2018
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201803141062511463-germany-merkel-reelected-chancellor/

Angela Merkel, who became the German chancellor for the fourth consecutive time, took oath in the Bundestag on Wednesday.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has already confirmed Merkel in the office after the German parliament re-elected her.

"I swear to devote my efforts to the good of the German people, to multiply its wealth, to protect it from damage, to observe and protect the Basic Law and the laws of the federation, to faithfully perform my duties and observe justice for everyone. May God help me," Merkel said while pronouncing the text of the oath, fixed in the 56th article of the German Basic Law.

As many as 364 of 692 lawmakers took part in the secret voting for Merkel's nomination in the Bundestag on Wednesday morning, with another four ballots declared invalid. The necessary minimum for her re-election was 355 votes of the current total of 709 Bundestag members.

The chancellor is the head of the German government elected by the Bundestag for four years. The chancellor appoints federal ministers and defines the country's political direction. The candidacy of the chancellor is put forward by the German president for consideration by the Bundestag. Then the president approves the chancellor and federal ministers, which are chosen upon the chancellor's recommendations. "Angela Merkel received the necessary majority, she was elected chancellor," President of the Bundestag Wolfgang Schaeuble said.

On Tuesday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier nominated Merkel for re-election as a chancellor after the day before Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Merkel, chairman of the Christian Social Union (CSU) Horst Seehofer and acting co-chair of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) Olaf Scholz signed a coalition agreement and the government was finally formed in Germany.

Earlier in March, German Social-Democrats already voted for coalition with Merkel, which made it clear that Germany will finally get a coalition government.

The formation of the government became possible after Merkel's CDU / CSU alliance and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) have completed the talks and achieved a deal on forming the coalition.

In December 2017, despite the SPD's previous unwillingness to form the Grand Coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling conservative alliance between the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), sides entered coalition talks.

Iranian security forces arrested former vice president of the Republic Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, a close ally of ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, local media reported Saturday.

Iran Security Service Arrests Close Ally of Ex-President Ahmadinejad - Reports
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803181062644272-iran-poiltics-arrest-security-ahmadinejad/

Mashaei was arrested for further investigations after putting on fire the verdict on imprisonment of another Ahmadinejad's ally, Hamid Baghaei, the IRNA agency reported. Mashaei was also charged with propaganda against the country's political elite, and the relevant case was opened against him.

Mashaei was First Vice President of Iran for one week in 2009 until Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered his resignation.He served as Ahmadinejad's Presidential Chief of Staff from 2009 to 2013.

In January, Iranian authorities have arrested former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for allegedly supporting anti-government protests in the country, media reported, citing its sources in Tehran.

The authorities ordered the arrest of Ahmadinejad during his visit to the city of Shiraz, the UK-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper published in London said Saturday, adding that the decision was approved by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. According to the newspaper's sources, Iranian authorities made such a decision because of Ahmadinejad's statements in the city of Bushehr in the south of Iran, which were regarded as "incitement to unrest."

In late December 2017, Ahmadinejad, addressing the Bushehr residents, reportedly slammed incumbent Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his government, accusing them of distancing from the people's problems, "bad governance" and "monopoly on public wealth."

Ahmadinejad was the country's president for two consecutive terms — from 2005 to 2013. In 2009, protests sparked in the country after he was re-elected.