Thursday 30 June 2011

U.S. Counter-terrorism Strategy to Rely on "Surgical Strikes", Unmanned Drones

By Ken Dilanian

“Al Qaeda seeks to bleed us financially by drawing us into long, costly wars that also inflame anti-American sentiment,” John Brennan, President Obama’s counter-terrorism advisor, said in a speech Wednesday unveiling the new strategy. Continue

Obama's Counterterrorism is Backfiring

By RT

President Obama has unveiled new strategies for American counterterrorism, but to some experts the commander in chief is only making matters worse. Continue

What America Stands for in Libya

By Cynthia McKinney

Targeted assassination is not within the scope of the United Nations Security Council Resolution and targeted assassination is against U.S. law, international law, international humanitarian law, and international human rights law. Targeted assassination is also a crime. Continue

The Business Of America Is War

By Stephen Lendman

America's business is war, pillaging one nation after another for wealth, power, and dominance, while homeland needs go begging. Continue

Washington Okays Attack on Unarmed U.S. Ship

By Stephen Zunes

Perhaps the Obama administration hopes that giving a green light to an Israeli attack on the U.S. ship and other vessels in the flotilla will serve as a warning. Continue

Senator Wants US-Israeli Op Against Flotilla

By Bryant Jordan

A U.S. senator wants U.S. special operations forces to help Israel halt a Gaza-bound international aid flotilla that includes a vessel carrying a number of American veterans, one of whom is a Sailor who served aboard the USS Liberty, the ship that Israel infamously attacked in 1967. Continue

Slave to Israel

By Philip Giraldi

That a US senator goes to Israel to genuflect and kiss the Netanyahu ring is not that surprising. Continue

A Message for Israel and Evangelicals
Genesis Isn’t A Policy Guide

By Walter Rodgers

With a dogmatic loyalty to Israel born out of a literal interpretation of the Bible, is the American Christian Right the new Jewish lobby in US politics? Mixing religion and statecraft isn’t just dangerous and unwise. It’s sacrilegious. Continue

Demystifying 9/11: Israel and the Tactics Of Mistake

By Dr. Alan Sabrosky

“I am also absolutely certain as a strategic analyst that 9/11 itself, from which all else flows, was a classic Mossad-orchestrated operation. But Mossad did not do it alone.” Continue

Priests, Plots … and Hugo Chávez

By Hugh O'Shaughnessy

WikiLeaks cables have revealed that Catholic bishops played a key role in 2002's abortive military coup in Venezuela. Continue

Observations On The Day

By Paul Craig Roberts

The fusion of corporate and government interests in the US today is more complete than in Fascist Italy. Continue

Welcome To The USA
Cops Just Love Those Tasers

By KEVIN KOENINGER

Police "mistook" a mentally handicapped teenager's speech impediment for "disrespect," so they Tasered, pepper-sprayed and beat him and called for backup from "upward of 20 police officers" after the boy rode his bicycle home to ask his mother for help, the boy's mom says. Continue

Humor
Republicans: Trillions Could Be Cut from Budget if We Eliminate Empathy

By Andy Borowitz

“The current budget is bursting at the seams with pet projects that reek of empathy,” Rep. Cantor said. “As a nation, we can no longer afford to spend money on people’s basic survival needs like a bunch of drunken sailors.” Continue

Pakistan: Forty "militants" killed in Mohmand operation: Pakistani troops backed by jets and helicopter gunships have killed 40 militants in a restive tribal area bordering Afghanistan in the past three days, a military commander said Thursday.
About time: Pakistan tells US military to leave ‘drone’ attack base: Pakistan told the United States to leave a remote desert air base reportedly used as a hub for covert CIA drone attacks, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar was quoted by state media as saying Wednesday.
30 soldiers, 10 al-Qaida militants killed in battles in south Yemen: Death toll among Yemeni government forces targeted by two car bombs earlier Wednesday in Zinjibar city of the southern province of Abyan rose to 30, an official of the Interior Ministry told Xinhua.
Yemen air raid kills civilians amid fierce clashes: A Yemeni airstrike killed four civilians and wounded 12 near the militant-held southern city of Zinjibar Wednesday as fighting on the ground left 16 soldiers and at least two militants dead.
Yemen president has asked for transfer of power talks, foreign minister says: Yemen's president, has instructed his deputy to hold talks with political opponents on a deal to transfer power and end the nation's spiraling political crisis, his foreign minister said Wednesday. The opposition, wary after numerous pledges, dismissed the announcement.
US military says 3 American occupation force troops killed in Iraq: A statement issued Thursday says the troops were killed Wednesday but gives no other details, and the names of the dead are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Iraq: Attacks by Government-Backed Thugs Chill Protests: Iraqi authorities should order a prompt and impartial inquiry into the role of state security forces in attacks by pro-government gangs against peaceful demonstrators in Baghdad on June 10, 2011, Human Rights Watch said today
Cost Of Wars In Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan To Reach $3.7 Trillion: Report (VIDEO): Even just paying the interest on the United States' war debt will be a large endeavor, according to the report, at a time when the country is set to exceed its current debt limit of $14.29 trillion. The government has already paid about $185 billion in interest on war spending, and could accrue another $1 trillion -- an amount not included in the $3.7 trillion estimate -- in interest by 2020, according to the report.
Syria: US-backed plan for reform leaves Bashar al-Assad in place: The US is promoting a "roadmap" for political reforms in Syria which would transform the regime of Bashar al-Assad but leave him in place for now – despite demands for his overthrow during the country's bloody three-month uprising.
Syria Pulls Its Armed Forces From Some Contested Cities: The Syrian military and the government’s security forces have largely withdrawn from one of the country’s largest cities as well as other areas, residents and activists said Wednesday
African concern over Libya arms drops: African Union head says guns are falling into wrong hands after France reveals it dropped arms in rebel-held areas.
Russia says arming Libyan rebels violates U.N. vote: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that arming Libyan rebels was a "crude violation" of a U.N. Security Council resolution that imposed a comprehensive arms embargo on Libya from February.
Spain: Libya war may be al-Qaida weapons source: Spain's interior minister says he and EU colleagues are worried that Libyan army weapons are being trafficked and possibly sold to al-Qaida's affiliate in North Africa.
CIA Asset: 'Libyan Opposition is Al-Qaeda': President Obama has revealed a new national strategy for counterterrorism. The focus is al-Qaeda and it's affiliates, as well as Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas on the list of enemies. Susan Lindauer, former CIA asset who covered Libya for nearly 10 years, is speaking to RT on what that exactly means.
War Number Five: US extends drone strikes to Somalia: First drone strike in Somalia reported to have wounded senior al-Shabab militants
The new African land grab: Foreign investors, with the World Bank, are acquiring vast tracks of land in Africa - at the expense of local farmers.
U.S. Senate passes resolution threatening to suspend aid to Palestinians: Resolution 185 calls on Palestinians to halt bid for unilateral recognition at UN, calls on Obama to veto September vote.
Senate unanimously opposes Palestinian push for statehood (AIPAC wants you to know): Yesterday by a unanimous vote the Senate said that the Palestinians should not seek a state in the United Nations. This as the world moves to recognize just such a move. The following note was sent out by AIPAC yesterday.
AIPAC a big Kirk supporter: What cannot be avoided is that the senator appears as a bought person, responsive to AIPAC dollars
A new Palestinian strategy unfolds: Palestinians seem to be making a strategic shift in their mode of confrontation with Israel, from occasional military attacks toward a more nonviolent and political confrontation.
Indictments issued in Hariri death probe: Lebanese media says UN-backed court has charged four Hezbollah members for 2005 killing of former prime minister
Egypt Rejects IMF Conditions: Egypt has cancelled plans to borrow 3 billion dollars from the International Monetary Fund because of conditions that violated the country’s national sovereignty and a public outcry that warned against terms that were blamed for impoverishing many Egyptians.
UK teachers, civil servants strike over pensions: Teachers and civil servants marched through the streets and picketed government buildings across Britain on Thursday in protest at planned pension reforms, launching what could be a long period of labor unrest over austerity measures.
Greek parliament approves austerity programme: Parliament passes second vote on austerity package following overnight clashes that rocked the capital.
Default threat remains despite Greece’s austerity vote: Greece has pulled back from the brink of collapse, but still faces the real threat of an eventual credit default that could easily plunge the euro zone into bedlam.
'Greece's default undeclared by govt.': Referring to the recent austerity measures taken by the Greek government, Raffone said, “The measures that have been adopted are not to avoid the default, the default already took place, but it was not declared.”
Police Brutality In Greece: Video
Stranger than fiction: Cops Just Love Those Tasers: Dayton police "mistook" a mentally handicapped teenager's speech impediment for "disrespect," so they Tasered, pepper-sprayed and beat him and called for backup from "upward of 20 police officers" after the boy rode his bicycle home to ask his mother for help, the boy's mom says.
Policing the Police: The Apps That Let You Spy on the Cops: Something like OpenWatch could help solve a major problem for investigative reporting in an age when newsrooms are shrinking
5 Outrageous Examples of FBI Intimidation and Entrapment: In the 10 years since the Sept. 11th attacks, the FBI has expanded its powers, transforming into a massive domestic spying agency.
Groups Ask: "Please Protect Our Privacy from E-Verify": Citing a variety of privacy concerns, a broad coalition of advocacy groups from across the political spectrum including libertarians, consumer groups and privacy advocates sent letters to both the House and Senate Monday opposing a mandatory E-Verify system.
Small Acts of Resistance: Three stories from Small Acts of Resistance from Burma, Uruguay and the UK.

Tuesday 28 June 2011

“After you Brother!” Qadaffi Stays and Obama Leaves?

By Franklin Lamb

Gaddafi has survived assaults of various types from US Presidents' Ford, Carter, Reagan, George Bush 1, Clinton, George Bush 2, and Obama. Vegas book makers are giving odds he’ll be the leader of Libya’s Fatah Revolution after the voters retire Obama. Continue

Israels Sacred Mantras

By Uri Avnery

The Palestinians are planning something thoroughly obnoxious: they intend to apply to the UN for statehood. Why obnoxious? Continue

“We Are Eager to Get to Gaza”

By Democracy Now!

Exclusive Report from Greece on U.S. Gaza Aid Flotilla. Continue

Paper Terrorists

By Max Keiser

"Greek police beating Greek citizens on behalf of the international banksters" Continue

A World Overwhelmed By Western Hypocrisy

By Paul Craig Roberts

There is nothing left of the American character. Only a people who have lost their soul could tolerate the evil that emanates from Washington. Continue

Faith Based Killings
Idolizing Absolute Power: The Pro-Assassination Crowd

By James Bovard

Boundless groveling to the commander-in-chief is the new trademark of a good American. Anything less is national suicide. Continue

The Painful Collapse of Empire:

By Robert Jensen

How the "American Dream" and American Exceptionalism Wreck Havoc on the World. Continue

How Greed Destroys America

By Robert Parry

Studies show that America’s corporate chieftains are living like kings while the middle class stagnates and shrivels. Yet, the Tea Party and other anti-tax forces remain determined to protect the historically low tax rates of the rich and push the burden of reducing the federal debt onto the rest of society. Continue

Them That’s Not Shall Lose

By Charles M. Blow

Nearly half of all members of Congress are millionaires, and between 2008 and 2009, when most Americans were feeling the brunt of the recession, the personal wealth of members of Congress collectively increased by more than 16 percent. Must be nice. Continue

The Largest Street Gang in America
The Militarization Of The US Police Force

Video

The thugs in uniform now consider themselves to be government agents of a totalitarian regime with limitless authority to enforce the will of the government on all civilian assholes. There are obviously exceptions to that rule, but those would never try to stand in the way of the thugs." Continue

Killing the Old West
Greed and Slaughter on the Western Range

By Marilyn Wargo

If the average citizen did to these horses what the BLM does routinely, they would be arrested and thrown in jail. The animal abuse issues are also growing and many new advocates have taken up this aspect of the crisis. Continue

At least 10 killed in attack on landmark hotel in Afghan capital: At least 10 Afghan civilians were killed when suicide bombers and heavily armed Taliban insurgents attacked a hotel frequented by Westerners in the Afghan capital late on Tuesday, Afghan officials said.
Arrest warrant issued against Afghan banker : "It is a shame that in Afghanistan, once accused of corruption, people can simply go overseas and claim that their life is under threat," Karzai said.
Army kills 9 "al-Qaida" militants in battles in south Yemen: ministry: Yemeni Defense Ministry said Tuesday that its forces have killed nine al-Qaida militants in ongoing battles against the terrorist group in the country's southern province of Abyan.
Yemeni president to address on TV soon: official: "The president is in good health and he will deliver a speech to the nation soon and come back to Yemen within the next few days, " the Deputy Information Minister Abdu al-Janadi briefed a press conference Tuesday.
Memo reveals intelligence chief's bid to fuel fears of Iraqi WMDs: The senior intelligence official responsible for Tony Blair's notorious dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction proposed using the document to mislead the public about the significance of Iraq's banned weapons.
Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798-2010: This report lists hundreds of instances in which the United States has used its armed forces abroad in situations of military conflict or potential conflict or for other than normal peacetime purposes.
Syrian opposition seeks 'peaceful transition': Government critics meeting in Damascus call for democracy while government vows to invite "all factions" to a dialogue.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich meets again with president of Syria: On Monday, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said the U.S. should recall its ambassador to Syria because Assad is not interested in diplomacy.
US Press Demonizing Kucinich: Dennis Kucinich disputes a Syrian state news report that he praised President Assad: But if these Kucinich quotes reported by the Syrian state news agency are accurate, the congressman's reputation as someone who is serious about human rights will sustain serious damage:
U.S. key Senate panel votes to authorize "limited" engagement in Libya: The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday passed a measure that would authorize the Obama administration to conduct "limited" military engagement in Libya.
£20m plan to prop up post-war Libya in bid to avoid mistakes of Iraq: An instruction manual on how to run the country, drawn up by British officials in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, was sent to Libyan opposition leaders on Monday.
Eyewitness Libya: Cynthia McKinney: Video: By a margin of 2-to-1, people in the United States oppose the war in Libya, and there is growing Congressional opposition.
There is no war so bad that it cannot be made worse by the intervention of the ICC : From the luxurious environs of The Hague, cheered on by liberals who get a cheap political thrill from seeing white lawyers stand up to evil Africans
Blackmail : US 'could withdraw funding from UN if Palestine state is recognised': The US could withdraw funding from the United Nations if its members decide to recognise and independent Palestinian state, a close ally of President Barack Obama has warned.
Criminalising Palestinian solidarity: The United States government has criminalised the Palestinian people, and now it is increasingly treating US citizens who stand in solidarity with Palestine as criminals as well - including those courageously putting their lives on the line to break the siege on Gaza.
Manufacturing Consent For Attack On Freedom Flotilla: : Israeli cabinet approves plans to stop freedom flotilla: “We will warn them first, we will explain, we will try to prevent friction, but in the final analysis the flotilla cannot pass through to Gaza. We are therefore calling for the flotilla to be canceled, and are saying that if there is any kind of friction or damage, the responsibility will rest with the participants and the organizers,” Barak said.
Psy Ops: Did Netanyahu's office distribute a fake video against Gaza flotilla?: This is exactly what some American bloggers have been claiming, after probing a video that was uploaded to YouTube on Sunday.
Gaza flotilla ship 'sabotaged by divers': Activists say Swedish ship due to join attempt to break Israel's blockade of Gaza has been damaged in Greek port.
Gaza Freedom Flotilla 2011: How You Can Help: We also ask that Palestine solidarity groups and peace and justice groups spread this message across their membership through listservs, phone calls, and other forms of social media
Roger Waters - "We Shall Overcome" Music Video
Police clash with protesters in Cairo: Tahrir Square, the epicentre of protests that toppled president Hosni Mubarak, was sealed off and authorities cut off electricity in the area. Police continued to fire tear gas into the early hours of the morning and a thick white cloud hung over the square.
Chavez not dead or dying, say allies: Rumours of the impending demise of Hugo Chavez have been greatly exaggerated, his allies said yesterday, insisting that he will be back at work imminently and telling opponents that they should "stop dreaming" of his death.
Chavez Critical? "Regime change flu coming to Latin America" : This comes after a report citing a U.S. intelligence source, saying the staunchly anti-American leader is in a critical condition after undergoing surgery in Cuba
Warnings from the central bankers’ bank - Its annual report gives clear indications that another financial crisis is in the making.
Greek protests turn violent: Thousands of anti-government protesters have been demonstrating in central Athens outside the parliament against the new austerity program.
'Athens police worse than anything we've seen before' : Video - RT talks to financial journalist Demetri Kofinas from Athens.
Would you agree to this? Greek government austerity measures: These are some of the austerity measures planned.
Ailing Greece Tries National Tag Sale: The Greek government has come up with a way to raise some cash: For the taking: several ports, a national post office, two water companies, a nickel miner and smelter, electricity and gas monopolies, a telecommunications operator, shares in a half dozen banks, hundreds of miles of roads
White House anticipates “significant” deal with Republicans to slash social spending: President Obama met Monday with Republican Senator Mitch McConnell and Democratic Senator Harry Reid in an effort to work out a bipartisan plan to cut trillions of dollars in social spending.
US Torturers Win : Abu Ghraib Inmates Lose U.S. High Court Bid to Sue Contractors: The U.S. Supreme Court refused to revive a lawsuit that accused two military contractors of abusing inmates at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, turning away an appeal by 26 onetime prisoners.
Obama Administration Fires ATF Whistleblower: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is being accused of retaliating against an agent who helped publicize the agency’s role in allowing thousands of guns to cross the U.S. border and fall into the hands of Mexican drug gangs.
In Miami, 12 Officers Shoot Haitian over 100 Times: Where Is International Press?: Apparently the murder of this son of a humble Haitian immigrant doesn’t interest anyone, including those holders of power in this city with their persistent traits of racial hate and segregation.
Doctors in U.S. Turning Away Insured Patients on Low Payments, Study Finds: U.S. doctors are turning away an increasing number of patients, including those with private insurance. Patients in Medicare, the U.S. health insurance program for the elderly and disabled, also had a harder time finding a doctor.
Proposed GOP Budget Cuts To Medicaid Could Kill Jobs And Short-Change Seniors: Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) has organized more than 40 Democrats into a bloc committed to opposing cuts to Medicaid. "I can see just a feast of people who have no idea what Medicaid does and who don't care, because Medicaid people don't vote, they don't give money, they don't have lobbyists,"

Monday 27 June 2011

Note Fron Tom
Hi,
A big thank you those those who were kind enough to take time out to email me with good wishes for a speedy recovery.
My condition improves and I will be on a somewhat reduced work schedule for the next 2 weeks or so. I will return for further period in hospital at the end of next month.
I feel great and am happy to be back at work.
Peace and Joy
Tom Feeley

Disgusting, Depraved And Illegal
Petraeus Says Torture an Option for US

By Ken Dilanian

David Petraeus, Barack Obama's choice to be the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency, says the US should consider using special interrogation techniques when a captive is withholding information that is immediately needed to save lives. Continue

Why Petraeus is Wrong (and Stupid) on Torture

Video

Special Comment: By Keith Olbermann. Continue

A “Responsible End” in Afghanistan?

By Lawrence Davidson

While Obama may exit relatively gracefully from Iraq and Afghanistan, there will be no “responsible end” to disastrous foreign adventures. Our lobby driven ”interests” will demand it. Continue

Pakistan’s ‘Media Terrorists’

By Ghani Jafar

T
he electronic media space of Pakistan is becoming their Master’s Voice. A la CNN and Fox News, they have employed half-literate, attractive young females to keep male viewers glued to the screens. Continue

Rumors of US Plans for Libya, Syria Cause Concern

By Nick Amies

Among the rumors circulating of US plans for expanded military operations in Libya and a possible intervention in Syria lie certain truths which are cause for concern - despite the dismissals of analysts. Continue

Cash and Cyberware on the US Offensive

By RT

After the State Department announced its new programs aimed at spreading democracy around the world, some activists say the US is fostering regime change in countries not aligned with American foreign policy goals. Continue

Making the World Safe for Hypocrisy

By Michael Parenti

American intervention may seem "wrongheaded" but, in fact, it is fairly consistent and horribly successful. Continue

Wikileaks: US Embassy Cables :Haiti:
Exposed: U.S. Suppression of Min. Wage and Elite’s Private Army

By Democracy Now!

The Nation magazine and the Haitian weekly, Haïti Liberté, exposes new details on how Fruit of the Loom, Hanes and Levi’s worked with the United States to block an increase in the minimum wage in the hemisphere’s poorest nation. Continue

America's Role in This Greek Tragedy

By Mark Weisbrot

Greece faces unacceptable conditions for a new bailout. If it defaults, the US had better be ready for the economic shock. Continue

Can The Fed Stop Quantitative Easing?

By Paul Craig Roberts

Can the Fed afford to sacrifice recovery, employment, and Obama’s reelection to save the dollar and price stability? Continue

The Death of Newspapers

By Chris Hedges

Those who battle the corporate destruction of the ecosystem and seek to protect the remnants of our civil society must again take to the streets. Continue

The Land of Unlimited Inequality

By Patrick Martin

The exclusion of the overwhelming majority of the American population from political influence reinforces their economic and social exploitation. Continue

US Working and Middle Class:
Solidarity or Competition in the Face of Crisis?

By James Petras

For most Americans, the fight today, to the extent that it exists is defensive – efforts to preserve the last vestiges of independent organization, to defend social security, health programs, affordable public education, pensions. Continue

Welcome To USA
Journalists Arrested for Filming Public Meeting

By RTAmerica

Journalist Pete Tucker and Reason.tv producer Jim Epstein were arrested at a meeting of the D.C. Taxi Commission for taking pictures and recording the event. Continue

US kills 26 people killed in Pakistan: At least 26 people were killed in two U.S. drone strikes launched Monday in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of South Waziristan, reported local Urdu TV channel Geo
Pakistan orders Britain to withdraw military trainers from the country: Pakistan has ordered Britain to withdraw some of its military training teams from the country, the British Embassy said Monday. The demand is likely related to fallout from the covert U.S. raid that "killed" Osama bin Laden last month.
Pakistan attacks Afghanistan on cross border raids: The Pakistani Army on Monday rejected Afghanistan's contention that it had fired hundreds of rockets into the Afghan territory killing many people, while launching a counter-attack blaming Kabul for failing to prevent cross-border raids that had killed 55 Pakistanis.
32 Taliban, four soldiers perish in Afghanistan: Meanwhile, two Spanish occupation force soldiers were killed in Afghanistan, and another three were injured
Taliban shoot down US drone: NATO says Taliban militants have shot down an unmanned aircraft belonging to US-led forces in the troubled northeastern Afghanistan.
What has the war in Afghanistan really achieved?: "The economy is increasingly dominated by a criminal oligarchy of politically connected businessmen".
Afghan central bank chief quits, flees to US: Speaking in the United States, he says he is in danger because of a corruption scandal which brought down the privately owned Kabul Bank.
I agree: US drone strikes in Pakistan, Afghanistan ‘shameful act of terrorism’: Iran: Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei has lashed out at the United States for drone attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan that have allegedly have killed scores of civilians, saying that it has "a black record of terrorist behaviours."
2 U.S. occupation force troops killed in northern Iraq: The U.S. military says two American troops have been killed in northern Iraq while conducting operations.
Mehdi Army claims responsibility for missile attacks on US bases: While it asserted that a number of Iraqi soldiers were killed and wounded in these operations, it vowed to launch further attacks.
Three killed in northern Iraq car bomb blast: Three civilians were killed on Monday in a car bomb blast targeting a police patrol in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, a police source said.
War is a racket: The Costs Of War: $20B In Air Conditioning: The amount the U.S. military spends annually on air conditioning in Iraq and Afghanistan: $20.2 billion. That's more than NASA's budget. It's more than BP has paid so far for damage during the Gulf oil spill.
Three killed in clashes between soldiers, tribesmen in north Yemen: Continuing clashes between the Yemeni republican guards and anti-government armed tribesmen in north outskirts of Sanaa province on Monday left at least three people dead and three others injured, a tribal dignitary said.
Major protests in Yemen as nation awaits president’s address: The president is due to make an official address to the nation within 48 hours. He is expected to speak about the transition of power, Reuters reports. According the British news agency’s source, there are two ways that may happen.
Libya says it intends to persecute NATO in international courts: Libya intends to persecute NATO in international courts for the Western military alliance's attempts to physically eliminate country's leader Muammar Gaddafi and members of his family, the Libyan Justice Ministry said in a statement.
Libya Dismisses International Court Warrants for Gadhafi, 2 Top Aides: Justice Minister Mohammad al-Gamudi said Monday that Libya does not accept the legitimacy of the court.
Patrick Cockburn: Don't believe everything you see and read about Gaddafi: Ever since the Libyan uprising started on 15 February, the foreign media have regurgitated stories of atrocities carried out by Gaddafi's forces. It is now becoming clear that reputable human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have been unable to find evidence for the worst of these.
Zuma: NATO mission is to protect civilians, not assassinate Gaddafi: South African President Jacob Zuma on Sunday severely criticized the NATO mission in Libya and warned against assassinating leader Moamer Gaddafi, dpa reported.
US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier transits through Suez Canal: US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier "USS Enterprise" weighing 93,000 tons passed through the Suez Canal on Friday on its way to the Mediterranean Sea to take part on Nato missions.
USARAF Conducts Deployment Capability Training in Burundi: The team was in Bujumbura to share best practices on deploying personnel and equipment via aircraft, and to enhance force projection capabilities of African militaries
Syrian dissidents allowed to meet in Damascus: - Syria's embattled government allowed about 200 activists and intellectuals, including some it had previously jailed, to hold a conference on democratic reform Monday at a Damascus hotel.
Turkey tells West it might launch offensive against Syria": Turkish officials have told Western countries that Turkey might launch a military operation in Syria's north to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's regime, a Kuwaiti newspaper reported on Monday.
Former CIA officer questions EU motives in Syria: EU and US intervention in Syria is designed to harm Iran and to protect Israel and Lebanese Christians, not Syrian people, according to Robert Baer, a retired CIA officer with experience of the region.
Hillary Clinton Gives Green Light For Israeli Attack On Gaza Flotilla: In comments yesterday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton seemed to lay the ground – indeed almost provide a green light – for an Israeli military attack on the upcoming Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which will include the US Boat to Gaza.
U.S., Israel escalate threats against flotilla, including U.S. citizens: A co-founder of the right-wing blog RedState (and former Bush speechwriter) created a mini-controversy over the weekend when he issued a sociopathic endorsement of Israel's possible shooting of his fellow unarmed citizens on a flotilla currently sailing to Gaza;
Israel backs away from flotilla media threat: Israel's government press office had given warning on Sunday that journalists sailing on the flotilla could be barred from the country for up to a decade and have their equipment confiscated.
Ethiopia to patrol Abyei peace: The United Nations Security Council has passed an American resolution to authorize Ethiopia to station 42 hundred peacekeepers in the disputed oil rich Abyei region on the border between North and South Sudan.
'Eurozone on verge of economic collapse': Billionaire George Soros says Europe's debt crisis has brought the eurozone to the brink of an "economic collapse" and inevitably some of its members will leave the union.
Moody's Warns Of "Severe Greek Bank Cash Shortage" Due To Accelerating Deposit Flight: Today, Moody's issued for the first time a very stark warning that should the rate of attrition in domestic deposits (and to see where these are going merely look at the daily EURCHF chart) persist, or accelerate, the results would be disastrous.
Venezuela Leader Moves To End Health Rumours: Venezuela President Hugo Chavez has moved to end specualtion that he is suffering from a serious illness, having not been seen in public for nearly two weeks
Four Decades of Cruelty and Inhumanity to U.S. Political Prisoners: The nation with the world’s highest incarceration rate and a justice system saturated with racism claims to have no political prisoners. In fact, scores have been held under cruel and unusual conditions for three and four decades.
Welcome to the USA: Elderly woman asked to remove adult diaper during TSA search: A woman has filed a complaint with federal authorities over how her elderly mother was treated at Northwest Florida Regional Airport last weekend.
US Justice? CEO Sentenced to 40 Months in Prison for 3 Billion Fraud: Sean Ragland, 37, a former senior financial analyst at Taylor Bean who also pleaded guilty to the fraud, was sentenced today to three months in prison.
US Justice? Homeless man gets 15 years for stealing $100: A homeless man robbed a Louisiana bank and took a $100 bill. After feeling remorseful, he surrendered to police the next day. The judge sentenced him to 15 years in prison.
Outcry in America as pregnant women who lose babies face murder charges: Rennie Gibbs is accused of murder, but the crime she is alleged to have committed does not sound like an ordinary killing. Yet she faces life in prison in Mississippi over the death of her unborn child.
Feds approve firm that dishes dirt on job applicants: How anything you've EVER said on the internet could be seen by prospective employers
Tampa Bay retiree comes home to find all his belongings gone after bank forecloses on WRONG house: Eighty-two-year-old Benito Santiago Sr returned to Tampa from vacation in 2009, and found his residence padlocked, and his life's possessions gone.
Separate but Unequal Borrowers: A proposed mortgage qualification rule could end home ownership as we know it.
Overworked America: 12 Charts that Will Make Your Blood Boil: In the past 20 years, the US economy has grown nearly 60 percent. Oh, and meanwhile, corporate profits are up 20 percent.

Wednesday 22 June 2011

British, French Agents Undercover in Libya to Get Gaddafi: Report

By ANI

A team of 130 British and French agents are reportedly on a one-million-pound-a-week, do-or-die deep undercover mission in Libya to get Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Continue

Kerry, McCain Come to Obama’s Rescue Over Libya

By Jim Lobe

Two key senators Tuesday unveiled a resolution that would give President Barack Obama the authority to continue operations there for up to one year. Continue

''The West Is Terrified of Arabic Democracies''

By Noam Chomsky

As long as the US controls the hemisphere, or Europe before it, there is no democracy, because it gets crushed. Continue

Imperialism 101

By Michael Parenti

Imperialism has been the most powerful force in world history over the last four or five centuries, carving up whole continents while oppressing indigenous peoples and obliterating entire civilizations. Continue

5 WikiLeaks Revelations
Exposing the Growing Corporatism Dominating American Diplomacy Abroad

By Rania Khalek

One of the most significant scourges paralyzing our democracy is the merger of corporate power with elected and appointed government officials at the highest levels of office.  Continue

More Treachery at the Fed?

By Mike Whitney

Soaring unemployment and slow growth will be the norm for years to come. Continue

European Spring:
The Gradual Demise Of Capitalism

By Gaither Stewart

One can no longer defend capitalism in good faith. Marx was right, over a century and a half ago: capitalism has hung itself in its excess, in its greed for more and more and more. Continue

U.S. Civil Rights Advocates Still Fighting "Race War"

By Pam Johnson

In its 2011 annual report, Human Rights Watch (HRW) documented that, though African Americans comprise a mere 13 percent of the U.S. population, they account for a stunningly disproportionate 35 percent of incarcerated drug offenders in the country. Continue

13 killed in clash‚ bomb in NW Pakistan: Officials say Islamist militants have attacked a police checkpoint in northwest Pakistan, triggering a shootout that left 12 insurgents dead.
Pakistan policeman, five rebels killed: officials: "More than 30 militants launched a two-pronged attack on a police checkpoint and after a gunfight five militants were killed while two policemen were wounded," senior police official Mohammad Ijaz told AFP.
Four Pakistani majors questioned over Islamist links: Their questioning followed the arrest of a brigadier who was serving in military headquarters in the garrison town of Rawalpindi.
Metal Allies: The new face of a faceless global war: drones and the CIA.: In the next decade, our reliance on drones and the spies who support them may increase for a different reason: We're losing friends.
12 Afghan Police Killed or Injured in Taliban Attacks: Authorities said six policemen were killed in an early morning gunfight Wednesday with insurgents in the Qarabagh district 120 kilometers southwest of Kabul.
Five "Militants" Killed in Afghan, Nato Forces Operation in Paktia: Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs said on Wednesday that five "militants" were killed in joint Afghan and foreign forces operation in Paktia province.
US cannot afford war in Afghanistan: I think that the decision on drawing down the troops from Afghanistan is truly not unexpected.
Italy calls for break in Libya fighting: The Italian Foreign Minister has called for an immediate suspension of fighting in Libya to allow humanitarian aid through to the victims.
In US Congress, divisions over Libya: The disagreement casts doubt over the future of America's role in the conflict.
Senate opens door for US troops to fight in Libya: Although the resolution makes no mention of a land operation, this is not ruled out if the US has to defend American Government officials or save NATO servicemen.
Denmark recognises rebel Libyan government: Foreign Minister Lene Espersen announced today that Denmark had formally recognised the National Transitional Council (NTC) as the only legitimate representation of the Libyan rebels while on a visit to Benghazi.
Factbox - International recognition of Libya's rebel movement: A total of 19 states as of June 22 have publicly recognized the NTC as legitimately representing the Libyan people.
Iran slams NATO's "deadly strikes" on Libya: Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs Ali Ahani on Tuesday condemned the deadly strikes by NATO on Libya, saying the attacks are "killing innocent people and destroying the country's economic infrastructure," the English language satellite Press TV reported.
A summit in Tehran trumps the US: A window of opportunity has opened for Tehran to roll back the 10-year ascendancy of the US in the geopolitics of the region. . Tehran is determined not to miss the opportunity.
Syria Foreign Minister Promises Democracy / Amnesty: Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem proposed negotiations with opposition figures today and pledged that the country would "offer an unprecedented example of democracy" within three months.
More sanctions imposed on Syria: EU states reached a political agreement on Wednesday to extend sanctions against Syria EU diplomats said.
Syria Says EU Sanctions Amount to War: Syria says European Union sanctions against it amount to war and is warning that it will not tolerate any foreign interference in its internal affairs.
Syria thanks Russia for stance on mooted UN Security Council resolution: France and Germany said last week they would bring a resolution condemning Syria to a vote at the UN Security Council. Russia has said it may veto the resolution.
Sen. Graham: Military intervention in Syria should be ‘on the table’: “If it made sense to protect the Libyan people against Gadhafi, and it did because they were going to get slaughtered if we hadn’t sent NATO in when he was on the outskirts of Benghazi, the question for the world [is], have we gotten to that point in Syria,” Graham said
Street battles erupt in Yemen's southern city Taiz: Shellings and heavy shootings flared late Tuesday between government forces and opposition-backed armed tribesmen in Yemen's southern province of Taiz, residents and eyewitnesses said.
57 militants escape Yemeni prison through underground tunnel: Dozens of Al Qaeda militants battled their way out of prison Wednesday in the latest sign that Yemen's political upheaval has emboldened them to challenge authorities in the country's nearly lawless south, security officials said.
Sri Lanka 'war crimes' video evidence: The distressing execution video footage, screened by Channel 4 News last week and originating in Sri Lanka, shows a number of incidents of soldiers in uniform shooting in the head people who appear to be unarmed – described as "cold-blooded killing" by an international expert.

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Attacking Libya -- and the Dictionary

By Jonathan Schell

The Obama administration claims that if the adversary cannot fight back, there is no war. Continue

NATO, The Ultimate Transformer

By Pepe Escobar

NATO has just admitted it was "probably" responsible for the humanitarian liberation of nine Libyan civilians, plus 18 injured, via an early morning strike against an apartment building in a densely populated Tripoli neighborhood. Continued

Lapdogging For The US
Libya, Canada's Other Ugly War

By Murray Dobbin

No one refers to this war against Libya as a criminal conspiracy but the term would be perfectly appropriate. Continue

Want Congress to Stop the War in Libya?
Don't Hold Your Breath

By Mark Benjamin

Despite the buzz in the news, Congress is not likely to cut off money for the war in Libya anytime soon. Continue

The Plan to Destabilize Syria

By Thierry Meyssan

the plan to destabilize Syria is not working all that well. It succeeded in persuading public opinion that the country is in the grips of a brutal dictatorship, but it also welded the vast majority of the Syrian population firmly behind its government. Ultimately, the plan could backfire on those who masterminded it, notably Tel Aviv. Continue

Turkey to Take in NATO Ground Forces

By Big News Network

Turkey has agreed that NATO can turn its airbase in Turkey into a base for ground operations into Syria. Continue

Turkish Actions Designed To Trigger NATO Confrontation With Syria?

By Rick Rozoff

“The West wants to put the region under Turkish control like in the Ottoman days. Turkey is a NATO member and embodies a safe kind of Islam for the West, so they have done a deal to give everything to Ankara.” Continue

America: Get Out of Iraq Before It’s Too Late

By Ashour Al-Somary

The model Iraq that the United States wants is one governed and run by a group of moving Zionist puppets who prostrate themselves toward America and worship her just as the puppets who govern the Arab Gulf countries and other Arab countries do. Continue

New National Assembly to Bring Troops Home Now

By NABTHN

Open Letter the Labor and Antiwar Movements. Continue

Everything We're Doing Now Was Planned BEFORE 9/11

By Washington's Blog

We've been told that 9/11 changed everything. Is it true? Let's look at the facts Continue

Surprise! TSA Is Searching Your Car, Subway, Ferry, Bus, AND Plane

By Jen Phillips

Think you could avoid the TSA's body scanners and pat-downs by taking Amtrak? Think again. Even your daily commute isn't safe from TSA screenings. Continue

Be Watchful: U.S. Might Be “Fleecing the Flock”

By Liu Yuhui

When the U.S. resolves its debt problem, it tends to use, to a certain degree, a partial solution called “fleecing of the flock.” Continue

Iceland Declares Independence from International Banks

By Bill Wilson

If the U.S. — or any sovereign for that matter — attempts to restructure their debts, or to force private investors to take a haircut on their own foolish gambles, these international institutions have promised the equivalent of economic war in response.  Continue

100 troops killed in battle for Zinjibar: Battles raged on Tuesday between Yemen's army and suspected Al Qaeda militants for control of the southern city of Zinjibar, a military official said, as the toll of soldiers killed passed the 100 mark.
Airstrikes kill 20 militants in Yemen: The official said airstrikes overnight Monday killed 20 militants in the southern province of Abyan. Two more were killed on Tuesday.
US drone attacks in Yemen ignore Al Qaeda for local militants: Government raids and US drone attacks in Yemen are focusing on Islamic militant targets in Abyan province, ignoring the more dangerous Al Qaeda stronghold of Shabwa province, a senior defence ministry official said yesterday.
Southern Yemen fighting displaces 45,000 people: UN : Fighting between government forces and suspected Al-Qaeda fighters in southern Yemen have displaced 45,000 people, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Tuesday.
Saleh return could spark war: Yemeni tribal chief: The head of Yemen’s most powerful tribal confederation warned Tuesday in a letter to the Saudi king that Yemen could plunge into civil war if President Ali Abdullah Saleh is allowed to return home.
Libya says NATO strike kills 19 civilians: The Libyan government says 19 civilians have been killed in a NATO air strike on the home of one of Muammar Gaddafi's top officials, a day after the Western military alliance admitted killing civilians in a separate attack.
Fresh Libya civilian deaths pile pressure on NATO: "NATO is endangering its credibility; we cannot risk killing civilians," Frattini told reporters before an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg to discuss ways to aid rebels.
Scores of U.S. Strikes in Libya Followed Handoff to NATO: The most recent strike from a piloted United States aircraft was on Saturday, and the most recent strike from an American drone was on Wednesday, the officials said.
Kerry and McCain Introduce Libya Resolution: Senators John Kerry, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and a Democrat, and John McCain, a Republican, announced the introduction of a joint resolution on Tuesday authorizing the limited use of United States Armed Forces in Libya.
Helicopter lost over Libya is new US drone: officials: A drone helicopter that lost radar contact with NATO over Libya is a Fire Scout, an unmanned US chopper, defense officials said Tuesday, revealing the use of the new robotic aircraft in the war.
US Kills 11 People In Pakistan: The death toll of U.S. drone strike launched in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of Kurram Agency on Monday morning has risen to 11, reported local Urdu TV channel Geo.
Northwest Pak: 4 killed, 5 injured in Taliban attack: Taliban fighters attacked the homes of pro-government tribesmen in Mohmand region of northwest Pakistan, killing four persons and injuring five more, officials said today
Afghanistan: Two Killed in Parwan Suicide Attack: A suicide bomber targeted provincial office of Parwan at 11:00 am local time killing the driver of governor and a 14-year-old girl walking by at the time of the incident, Roshan Khalid, spokesman for governor told TOLOnews.
1 NATO occupation force soldier killed in IED blast in S. Afghanistan: A NATO soldier was killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in restive southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, bringing to four the number of casualties of military alliance in the country since Monday morning, Xinhua reported.
US-funded Afghan militias 'beat, rob and kill with impunity' : American-funded Afghan militias raised to protect villages from the Taliban have begun to prey on residents and in some cases are beating, robbing and even killing with impunity it is claimed.
Deaths reported amid rival Syria rallies: Activists say seven people killed as government supporters and opponents clash in three cities.
Assad issues general amnesty after promising reforms: Pardon 2nd of its kind in 3 weeks; thousands turn out for pro-Assad rallies, 3 killed; Red Cross says regime agrees to give access to civilians.
Manufacturing Consent For Attack On Syria: World outrage boils over Syrian crisis: Syrian refugees continue to flee across the Turkish border to escape violence, as world powers amplify their outrage over the Damascus regime's tough crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.
Manufacturing Consent For Attack On Syria: Gunshots, explosions heard from Syria at Turkish border: Gunshots and explosions were heard Tuesday from the Syrian side of Turkey's border with the unrest-hit Arab country, where thousands of fleeing people have massed, an AFP reporter said.
Manufacturing Consent For Attack On Syria: The longer the Assads hang on to power in Syria, the bloodier it will be: President Bashir al-Assad’s speech to the Syrian people yesterday was almost comic
Israel's UN ambassador tells U.S. Jews: Prepare for September vote on Palestinian state: Ron Prosor urges leaders at closed session of the Conference of Presidents of major Jewish American Organizations to use connections to stop upcoming UN vote.
Abbas: Given options, we won’t go to UN: Palestinian president says negotiations deadlocked due to two problems – borders and security – leading to planned September statehood declaration backed by 116 states. 'But if US has another option, we won't go to UN,' he says
Obama tells Jewish donors that U.S.-Israel disagreements are only 'tactical': U.S. President reaffirms his country's bond with Israel is 'unbreakable.'
Oceans on brink of catastrophe: Marine life facing mass extinction 'within one human generation' / State of seas 'much worse than we thought', says global panel of scientists
Greek crisis: EU leaders must act decisively or face disaster, says IMF: IMF chief tells eurozone leaders to agree Greece's bailout or trigger further global crisis as EU ministers delay €12bn lifeline
Britain: the Euro could not last: UK Treasury ministers have confirmed that the coalition government is dealing with potential plans for a Greek bankruptcy after warnings by Jack Straw that the euro could not last.
Paving the Road to a Hungrier, Unhealthier, and Less-Educated Nation: Massive spending cuts will make the future bleaker for millions of Americans.
Why the GOP should nominate Barack Obama in 2012: A modest proposal stemming from the president's apparent rejection of his own party's liberal tradition
US approves $3.4bn Native American settlement: Judge agrees on multi-billion dollar settlement as reparations for stolen resources from Indian tribes.
Mexico's hidden war: Josh Rushing finds out how campesino communities caught in the narco-economy are resisting repression and dispossession.