Puppet Masters
"Nice to meet you! So, er, can I have more cash please?..."
Comment: Why?
Why do US banksters (and, ultimately, US taxpayers) pay Pakistan so much money?
The decision to cut Pakistan's economic assistance, being disbursed under the Kerry Lugar legislation of 2009, was officially conveyed to Islamabad about three weeks before the planned visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to the United States, sources in the Ministry of Economic Affairs told The Express Tribune.
The aid was being disbursed under the Pakistan Enhanced Partnership Agreement (PEPA) 2010. PEPA, which was going to lapse, was extended by Pakistan last week, aimed at facilitating the disbursements of the remaining $900 million grant, said sources in the ministry.
PEPA was signed in September 2010 to make operational the Kerry Lugar Berman (KLB) Act that was passed by the US Congress in October 2009 to disburse $7.5 billion to Pakistan over a period of 5 years.
Comment: And what are those political priorities?
Trump gets it, yet the cash still flows to that terror-haven...
We really need to talk about Pakistan.
The success of Modi's development initiatives in India are soon going to be applied in Indian-controlled parts of Kashmir. Pakistan cannot compete with that, so people in Pakistani-controlled parts of Kashmir - and in Pakistan itself - are going to be looking to New Dehli for funding, jobs and other opportunities.
On the one hand, Pakistan cannot function without being propped up by the Western alliance (much like zombie state Ukraine). On the other, it has major developmental potential. Its population is 250 million! But this potential can only be realized by acknowledging fundamental realities.
India is developing at break-neck speed. The Kashmir regions will likely soon join it on this trajectory. Millions in Pakistan will begin migrating to India. Pakistan will crumble fast, and not even Chinese investment can save it. War is out of the question because both countries have nukes.
The only way out is reintegration in some form or another with India, and a gradual undoing of the criminal partition of 1947.
© Reuters/Hannah McKay
Anti-Brexit badges are seen on display in London, Britain June 26, 2019.
Anti-Brexit badges are seen on display in London, Britain June 26, 2019.
The Sunday Times revealed that a report prepared by the British government predicts serious supply problems with food, medicine and fuel if the UK leaves the European Union without securing an exit deal with Brussels.
Codenamed 'Operation Yellowhammer,' the UK's plan for a hard Brexit could result in a transportation standstill sparking mayhem, according to the leaked report.
Comment: The thing to keep in mind about anything reported in the media in the UK is that it's all coordinated. There are no 'contradictions' when it comes to British information.
It's all part of one grand effort: to keep Britain in the EU, while convincing sufficient numbers of English voters that they have actually left.
'Leaked' docs like the one above (which is actually being 're-leaked') are intended spread fear that leaving the EU means 'the end of the world'. But fear not, the British establishment is about to 'save' the British people from that calamity...
- More doom and chaos: Leaked govt. papers claims 'hard Brexit' could lead Britain to lose up to 9.5% of GDP
- High stakes poker: Is Boris bluffing on hard Brexit or not?
- Brexit Has Exposed The Rotten Foundations of Britain's Political System
© mia.mk
Defense Ministers Sergey Shoigu • Vladimir Padrino Lopez
Defense Ministers Sergey Shoigu • Vladimir Padrino Lopez
The post-Cold War experience has shown the importance of advanced air defense systems. Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria learned this the hard way. However, Venezuela has another key issue. It has to do with its long stretches of coastline, as well as with the proximity of the US mainland, especially with America being a premier naval power. Unlike the upgrade of the Venezuelan Air Force and Air Defense Forces, this issue was not addressed properly. Until now.
Russia and Venezuela have signed an agreement on mutual warship visits. The document was signed by Defense Ministers Sergey Shoigu and Vladimir Padrino Lopez. At their meeting in Moscow, they discussed cooperation in the field of the defense industry. Outside interference in the situation in Venezuela was also mentioned at the meeting.
© Nord Stream 2
Nord Stream 2
Nord Stream 2
In an article published in Forbes, Anna Mikulska, a fellow at the Centre for Energy Studies at Rice University's Baker Institute, has indicated that the intended US sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project might not only be ineffective at accomplishing the intended purpose, but also damaging to the US.
Mikulska argued that despite hopes in the White House, the sanctions are unlikely to force Western European countries to abandon the project, which, as the pundit believes, will be completed by Russia, even "if for the sheer desire to show its resolve". She further stated that while Central and Eastern European countries would welcome such sanctions, US allies in Western Europe would not.
Comment: See also:
- Sanctions on Nord Stream 2 would turn 'EU energy policy into US plaything' if US legislation passes
- EU Commissioner Oettinger: Nord Stream 2 is 'Unstoppable'
- Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is 70% complete
- Pipeline penalties? Trump may threaten Germany, Russia with sanctions on Nord Stream 2 project
- Majority of Germans support Nord Stream pipeline deal with Russia
- Czech president backs construction of Nord Stream-2 project
- Russia ready to build Nord Stream 3 & provide Europe with as much gas as it needs
© Reuters/Lucas Jackson
Tasiilac, Greenland
Tasiilac, Greenland
On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing "people familiar with the discussion," claimed Trump has repeatedly asked advisers whether Washington can purchase Greenland.
The article claimed the US president "listened with interest when they discussed its abundant resources and geopolitical importance." Two individuals also told the WSJ that Trump even requested White House counsel look into the logistics of the island's acquisition.
As perhaps could be expected, politicians from both Denmark's Conservative People's Party and the liberal Venstre party were not too happy with Trump's alleged desire.
Segment begins around the 2:12 mark.
© National Review
North Korean Military
North Korean Military
Days after North Korea made headlines with fresh missile tests, a delegation from Pyongyang has met with Chinese officials in Beijing. It was headed by a high-ranking military official, Kim Su-gil, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army.
Quoted by the media after the meeting, the Chinese general who spoke to Kim signaled that Chinese-North Korean military ties only look to strengthen further.
"The Chinese People's Liberation Army is ready to work along North Korea to implement the important consensus, which was achieved by the leaders of our nations," Gen. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, said, adopting an official tone.
He also assured his audience that Beijing is "ready to contribute to peace and stability in the region together" with Pyongyang. Kim responded by saying that North Korea is eager to expand military ties and exchange experiences with their large neighbor.
© Afghan Islamic Press via AP
The leader of the Afghan Taliban, Haibatullah Akhundzada
The leader of the Afghan Taliban, Haibatullah Akhundzada
Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada was not in the mosque when the bomb went off but his younger brother, Hafiz Ahmadullah, was among those killed, according to Afghan Islamic Press and Reuters.
"If someone thinks martyring our leaders would stop us from our goal, they're living in a fool's paradise," a senior Taliban figure told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location on August 17. "We are close to our goals," the Taliban leader said, referring to the talks with the United States.
Pakistani police say four people were killed and more than 20 injured in the explosion at the mosque about 25 kilometers outside of Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's restive Balochistan Province. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bomb attack.
© Sputnik/Vladimir Vyatkin
Naryn-kala Citadel museum, part of the Derbent State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve in the city of Derbent, Republic of Dagestan, Russia.
Naryn-kala Citadel museum, part of the Derbent State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve in the city of Derbent, Republic of Dagestan, Russia.
The Iranian ambassador to Russia, Mehdi Sanai, had earlier arrived in Derbent to discuss the development of relations between Iran and Russia's Republic of Dagestan. During the visit, the two sides discussed the question of increasing cargo traffic through Makhachkala Commercial Sea Port, as well as the launch of direct passenger and cargo flights between Makhachkala and Tehran.
Among the issues discussed was a plan to set up a direct ferry service linking the two states, with the head of Dagestan's republic, Vladimir Vasiliev, highly optimistic about the prospect.
"Derbent attracts Iran like a magnet and [the ferry service] will work. [Tehran] is ready to establish sea links with us, and we are ready to cooperate - and everything will work," Vasilyev told journalists at a press briefing on Sunday.
Attorney for Joseph Mifsud confirms he is a western intelligence operative — NOT a Russian operative
© BBC.com
Joseph Mifsud
Joseph Mifsud
Investigative reporter John Solomon from The Hill joined Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures this morning.
The two discussed John Solomon's latest interview with CIA operative Joseph Mifsud's attorneys.
Comment:
- The mystery of #Russiagate turns on the mystery of Joseph Mifsud
- All Russiagate roads lead to London: Evidence emerges of Joseph Mifsud's links to UK intelligence
- Devin Nunes: Joseph Mifsud, the Clinton 'dirt' tipster, has ties to State Department
- The death of Russiagate? Mueller team tied to Mifsud's network, a tangled web
Comment: Webb's series on Epstein's links to crime syndicates: