Puppet Masters

Pompeo labels Iran's Qassem Soleimani as 'equivalent' to ISIS leader Baghdadi

Tyler Durden
Zero Hedge
Tue, 09 Apr 2019 18:25 UTC

During remarks early this week in a Fox News interview following Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) being formally designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed that the US will view Iran's elite force just as it does ISIS.

Specifically Pompeo agreed that the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, Maj Gen Qassem Soleimani, is a "terrorist" on the level of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi during a Fox News interview on Monday.

Fox's Bret Baier posed the question to the Secretary of State:

"The head of the IRGC, this man Qasem Soleimani, is by all accounts a bad character and has led all kinds of attacks. But are you saying that he now is equated to, let's say, the head of ISIS, al-Baghdadi, in U.S. policy perspective?"

Responding to whether Suleimani is now "equated" to notorious "caliphate head" Baghdadi, Pompeo affirmed, "Yeah. He is a terrorist."

Comment: See also:

Zarif lambastes US' IRGC 'terrorist' label: Without it, Daesh 'would have held two Arab capitals'

Sputnik
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 03:45 UTC

© AP Photo/Vahid Salemi
Civilians carry coffins of slain Revolutionary Guards, including General Mohsen Ghajarian killed fighting in Syria.

Washington can't salvage its raison d'etre for Middle East intervention - the continued existence of Daesh - by scapegoating Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has been on the front lines of the fight against Daesh since that group was created, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Thursday.

"Losers of our region's War on Terror cannot rescind history. Targeting #IRGC won't revive ISIS and Nusra - their clients and very creations," Zarif tweeted on Thursday. "Game over, ladies and gentlemen: time to face the fact that you've exhausted every wrong choice and scapegoating won't be your panacea."

"When @realdonaldtrump insisted that 'Iran is killing ISIS', exactly who did he think was doing the fighting & making the sacrifice?" the diplomat continued, noting that "ISIS would've held two Arab capitals & fielded a Terrorist Army on Europe's doorstep had #IRGC not fought alongside brave peoples of Iraq & Syria."

Kim Jong-un: US has until end of 2019 to change its 'posture' or NK will boost defenses

RT
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 13:17 UTC

The failed face-to-face talks with President Donald Trump raise doubt whether the US is really committed to improving relations with North Korea, its leader Kim Jong-un said, while promising to beef up the nation's defense.

Pyongyang will give the US till the end of the year to drop "its current calculation method" with regards to bilateral talks and come up with "a correct posture" instead, Kim said, the state-run KCNA news agency reported on Saturday. In that case, North Korea will consider holding a third summit with President Trump sometime in the future, he explained.

Addressing the nation's parliament, Kim said that his talks with US President Donald Trump in February raised "a strong question" whether the country was right in making concessions. The meeting, which was cut short by the White House and ended without an agreement, also cast doubt on the "true willingness" of Washington to improve relations with North Korea.

According to Kim, the problem lied in the "American-style way of dialogue" which amounted to making "unilateral"demands without being ready to "sit face-to-face with us and settle the problem."

As Pyongyang waits for the US to change its stance, it will "keep increasing the defense capabilities," the North Korean leader stressed. He didn't specify what branches of the military will be strengthened and how.

Comment: See also:

Saudis bankroll Haftar offensive to seize Tripoli

Sputnik
Fri, 12 Apr 2019 21:15 UTC

Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar received a pledge from Saudi Arabia of tens of millions of dollars to bankroll a military offensive to seize the capital of Tripoli and oust the nation's internationally recognised government, according to a report published by the Wall Street Journal on Friday.

The offer came during a visit to Saudi Arabia that was just one of several meetings Haftar had with foreign dignitaries in the weeks and days before he began the military campaign on April 4, the report said.

While the United States and the European Union have called on Haftar to avoid military conflict, other powers have provided weapons, funds and other support that have aided Haftar's quest to take control of the oil-rich Libya, the report said.

Haftar leads the strongest of multiple armed factions that have carved up much of eastern Libya following a US- and EU-backed Islamist uprising that overthrew and killed long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Haftar is attempting to unify Libya by replacing the internally recognized Government of National Accord, which is based in Tripoli, but exercises little authority beyond the capital, according to published reports.

Comment: See also:

Hama province Syria: Israeli rocket attack leaves three people injured

RT
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 03:37 UTC

© Global Look Press/Ammar Safarjalani
Syria's air defense missile, responding to a missile strike, is seen in the sky over Damascus, capital of Syria, on Jan. 21, 2019.

Syria has shot down several missiles launched by Israel and targeting the city of Masyaf in northwestern Syria, Syrian state media reported. Three people have been wounded and several buildings destroyed in the attack.

The rockets were launched by Israeli warplanes from Lebanese airspace at about 2.30am on Saturday, SANA reported. In response, Syria activated its air defenses and intercepted several missiles, the agency said. The alleged Israeli raid hit a military post in the city and destroyed several buildings. Three people have been reported wounded.

Lebanese Al-Masdar News reported, citing a military source on the ground, that Israeli rockets damaged a number of sites near the Masyaf National Hospital.

While Israel has not commented on the reported attack, it is presumed that Tel Aviv has made another incursion into Syrian territory to take on alleged Iranian elements there.

'Redefining' moment: 'Only Congress can declare war', prompts Pompeo's claim Iran is connected to al-Qaeda

Sputnik
Thu, 11 Apr 2019 03:04 UTC

The lawmakers believe any military action against Tehran must be authorized by Congress. It is unclear whether the Trump administration agrees.

US senators warned State Secretary Mike Pompeo on Wednesday that the White House has no authority to declare war on anyone - including Iran - since, according to the US Constitution, this power belongs to Congress.

Talking to Pompeo during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Wednesday, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) asked Pompeo if the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, issued to allow US troops fight with entities responsible for the 9/11 attacks and their associated forces, included Iran.

Pompeo dodged the question in his trademark manner, addressing the formalities to the lawyers, but claimed he has no doubt that "there's a connection" between the Iranian government and al-Qaeda, the terror group that was responsible for 9/11.

"The factual question with respect to Iran's connections to al-Qaeda is very real. They have hosted al-Qaeda. They have permitted al-Qaeda to transit their country," he said. "There is no doubt there is a connection between the Islamic Republic of Iran and al-Qaeda. Period, full stop," he added.

Comment: Netanyahu has choreographed the Trump administration's end-run around Congress' authority to declare war: Change Iran's designation.

According to RFE/RL, Pompeo threatens more pressure on Iran:

"I can assure the rest of the world that President Trump will continue to ratchet up the pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran so that their behavior will change," Pompeo told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 10.

Meanwhile, Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hizballah group on April 10 floated the prospect of retaliation by Iran and its allies over the U.S. sanctions. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Shi'ite group, said that all options were on the table were Washington to take steps that "threaten our nation."

"There are measures which, if taken by the Americans...who said they will remain without response?" Nasrallah said in a televised speech. Iran and its allies held "many strong cards," he added. Hizballah has long been designated as a terrorist group by the United States.

Ukraine's temerity in Black Sea may pull NATO into war with Russia, senators warn

RT
Wed, 10 Apr 2019 23:11 UTC

© Sputnik/Russia’s Federal Security Service
Russian coastguard pursues intruding Ukrainian vessel in Kerch Strait, November 25, 2018.

NATO support is encouraging Ukraine's recklessness in relations with Russia, but such provocation could lead to a military conflict in which the US-led alliance itself could become involved, the Russian Federation Council said. Senators released a joint statement dedicated to NATO's 70th anniversary on Tuesday, paying special attention to the latest anti-Russian remarks coming from the organization.

US Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison said last week that a special "package" had been designed within the bloc "to assure that there is a safe passage for Ukrainian vessels" through the Kerch Strait.

The narrow waterway connecting the Black Sea and Azov Sea, which Russia controls, became the venue of an intense standoff last November, when several Ukrainian vessels deliberately violated Russia's maritime border near the Kerch Strait. They were detained by the Russian coast guard, which chased the intruders and fired shots at them.

The Federal Council clarified that "the passage of Ukrainian ships through the Kerch Strait is not a question of balance of power or NATO's presence in the Black Sea region, but solely the Ukrainian side's problem with observing the procedures, which it is well aware of and has successfully fulfilled before.

"The attempts by Kiev to bypass those procedures carry the risk of a military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, in which NATO may also become involved," the statement warned.

Comment: As Russia becomes increasingly essential to the economy and stability of Europe, the US must counter by escalating fear and provoking instances of 'Russian' aggression. Accusations will fly and NATO engagement won't be far behind. What will be Europe's choice?

Sans US and Canada, experts praise joint efforts at Arctic Forum

RT
Thu, 11 Apr 2019 11:07 UTC

The Arctic Forum highlighted collaboration between participant countries despite political differences, because Arctic development and preservation is their common goal, experts have told RT. "Arctic is the place where they actually agree, where they have common interests," Lars Kullerud from Arctic University said. "This is an area where everybody gains."

Russia's intention to ratify the Paris Agreement means that "Russia will align with the rest of the countries against US," Kullerud said. "Among Arctic countries the conflict isn't between Russia and other countries, but between all the countries and the United States," Kullerud stressed.

His words were echoed by Tero Vauraste, CEO of Arctia Group, who considers global climate change the "main reason for the good collaboration" on the Arctic. He said the "fact is that within the Arctic there aren't many pressing international issues, but this is the climate issue, which is common for everybody."

Comment: The primary purpose of the 2019 Arctic Forum, "The Arctic. An Ocean of Opportunity", was to "present a system of preferences ensuring economic efficiency of projects in the Arctic zone" and garner international cooperation for development of the region. Climate change was just one topic. For more on this event, go here.

See also:

Giuliani: Assange could reveal Ukraine was behind Russia collusion 'plot'

Steven Nelson
Washington Examiner
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 09:34 UTC

President Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani, in an exclusive interview with the Washington Examiner, said Julian Assange could expose a "plot" involving Ukraine to falsely accuse Trump of colluding with Russia.

The WikiLeaks publisher was arrested Thursday in London and urged resistance to the "Trump administration" as he was dragged out of Ecuador's embassy to face extradition.

Assange helped elect Trump with 2016 dumps of damaging Democratic emails allegedly hacked by Russia. He was charged with a single count of computer-hacking conspiracy relating to Chelsea Manning's 2010 leaks of military and diplomatic secrets.

Trump distanced himself from the case, but Giuliani said Assange's apprehension - after nearly seven years in the embassy - could benefit the president, who was recently exonerated of criminal collusion with Russia by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Comment: See also:

The US charge against Assange is fraudulent and that's a fact

Caitlin Johnstone
caitlinjohnstone.com
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 18:46 UTC

Julian Assange sits in a jail cell today after being betrayed by the Ecuadorian government and his home country of Australia. A British judge named Michael Snow has found the WikiLeaks founder guilty of violating bail conditions, inserting himself into the annals of history by labeling Assange "a narcissist who cannot get beyond his own selfish interest." So that tells you how much of a fair and impartial legal proceeding we can expect to see from the British judicial process on this matter.

But the real reason that Assange has been surrendered by the Ecuadorian government, imprisoned by the British government, and ignored by the Australian government is not directly related to any of those governments, but to that of the United States of America. An unsealed indictment from the Trump administration's District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, accompanied by an extradition request, charges Assange with "conspiracy to commit computer intrusion for agreeing to break a password to a classified U.S. government computer" during Chelsea Manning's 2010 leak of government documents exposing US war crimes.

This charge is premised on a fraudulent and manipulative distortion of reality, and you may be one hundred percent certain of it. Let me explain.

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Puppet Masters

Pompeo labels Iran's Qassem Soleimani as 'equivalent' to ISIS leader Baghdadi

Zarif lambastes US' IRGC 'terrorist' label: Without it, Daesh 'would have held two Arab capitals'

Kim Jong-un: US has until end of 2019 to change its 'posture' or NK will boost defenses

Saudis bankroll Haftar offensive to seize Tripoli

Hama province Syria: Israeli rocket attack leaves three people injured

'Redefining' moment: 'Only Congress can declare war', prompts Pompeo's claim Iran is connected to al-Qaeda

Ukraine's temerity in Black Sea may pull NATO into war with Russia, senators warn

Sans US and Canada, experts praise joint efforts at Arctic Forum

Giuliani: Assange could reveal Ukraine was behind Russia collusion 'plot'

The US charge against Assange is fraudulent and that's a fact

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