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Former CIA Director Brennan lied to Congress about Steele Dossier, IG report reveals


RT
Mon, 09 Dec 2019 21:50 UTC
John Brennan
© Reuters / Kevin Lamarque
John Brennan tesifies before the House Intelligence Committee, 2017
A dossier of salacious anti-Trump gossip was used to pad out the intelligence community report on supposed Russian election interference, and CIA Director John Brennan may have misled Congress about it, a new report reveals.

According to the Justice Department Inspector General's report into the FBI's surveillance of the Trump campaign, the information contained in the now-infamous 'Steele Dossier' was used to inform the Obama administration's Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) on Russia's "Activities and Intentions in Recent US Elections," published several weeks before President Donald Trump assumed office.

A summary of the dossier was included in the assessment, former FBI Director James Comey told the Inspector General's office, because Brennan and a cohort of intelligence personnel felt it "important enough and consistent enough" to warrant entry.

The ICA bolstered the arguments of 'Russiagate' proponents on Capitol Hill, and allowed lawmakers to accuse those critical of its findings of disagreeing with the combined intelligence apparatus of the United States.
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Question

'Diplomacy behind closed doors': Ukrainian peace process can be revived by Paris summit, former Austrian FM tells RT


RT
Mon, 09 Dec 2019 19:24 UTC
paris ukraine russia
© Reuters / Christophe Petit Tesson
The Normandy Four talks in Paris can breathe new life into the stalled Ukrainian peace process but only if the leaders focus on trust and not on quick political gains, former Austrian foreign minister, Karin Kneissl, has said.

The talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky kicked off in Paris on Monday. The four leaders sat down to discuss the longstanding conflict in Ukraine for the first time at that highest level in three years. As the world still awaits the summit's results, Kneissl said she believes that it could be a good opportunity for a new start that would eventually help to lead the peace process out of deadlock.

"You never solve conflicts in a few hours but it is definitely a start of a dialogue and what is definitely needed is the building of confidence," the former minister told RT in Moscow, ahead of the meeting. "This new dynamic can then be used for new decisions."

Comment: It's worth remembering that it is Ukraine - or at least certain actors in Ukraine - that has been consistently violating the Minsk peace agreement: Also check out Russia Insight's short video of the beginning of the meeting:



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Quenelle - Golden

AOC busted for 'victory lap' on Amazon return to NYC after people read fine print

Sister Toldjah
Red State
Mon, 09 Dec 2019 20:42 UTC
AOCAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez
© AP Photo/Nati Harnik
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., campaigns for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on the campus of Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019.
AOC really makes it too easy to mock her political stances and commentary.

Remember back in February when she b*tched so much about an Amazon deal that would have brought 25,000 jobs to New York City that the company ended up backing out of the project altogether?

As she frequently does, AOC patted herself on the back over her key role in getting Amazon to nix the plans, tweeting "Anything is possible: today was the day a group of dedicated, everyday New Yorkers & their neighbors defeated Amazon's corporate greed, its worker exploitation, and the power of the richest man in the world."

Here we are 10 months later, and the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Amazon has agreed to another deal to bring jobs to New York City.

Comment:

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USA

Democrats hate Russia, Republicans hate China: A new divide for America's ruling class

Caleb Maupin
New Eastern Outlook
Mon, 09 Dec 2019 00:00 UTC
Two sides tug
© Unknown
Since the 2016 elections, the Democratic Party has been calling out President Trump for his alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Even after the investigation of Trump for "collusion" has been concluded, new hearings regarding Trump's dealing with Ukraine have been turned into a festival of anti-Russian phrase mongering.

Meanwhile, Trump is waging a trade war with China. The White House Trade Council includes Peter Navarro, an economic flimflam man whose entire career has consisted of blaming China for all of America's woes. While Republicans love "law and order" at home, they seem to line up behind the Hong Kong protesters without question as they light people on fire and attack police officers.

Meanwhile, Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire and former New York City Mayor who recently announced a Presidential run as a centrist Democrat, speaks positively of Xi Jinping. Furthermore, despite it not showing up in his policies, Trump has made positive statements about the Russian President and expressed a desire to improve US-Russia relations.

So, what is going on here? It's actually quite easy to understand. All it takes is an understanding of the Russian and Chinese economies, the US Deep State apparatus, and the different interests among the circles of American power.
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Document

Finally, the FISA report: Here's what you need to know

Chuck Ross
Daily Caller
Sat, 07 Dec 2019 08:56 UTC
Michael Horowitz
© Drew Angerer/Getty Image
DOJ IG Michael Horowitz
The Justice Department's watchdog will release a much-anticipated report Monday scrutinizing the FBI's investigation of the Trump campaign in 2016.

Republicans have eagerly awaited the report, believing it will reveal that the FBI abused the foreign surveillance court process in order to spy on Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Democrats hope the report will show that the FBI had a sound basis to investigate the Trump campaign.

Here's everything you need to know in anticipation of the release of the report.

What's under investigation?

At the heart of the probe is whether the FBI misled the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) regarding information from Christopher Steele, a former British spy who worked in 2016 for the DNC and Clinton campaign.

The FBI relied on information from Steele to assert there was probable cause to believe Carter Page was a working as an agent of Russia. Michael Horowitz, the Justice Department's highly respected inspector general, opened an investigation March 28, 2018, that initially focused on how the FBI handled Steele's information, and whether investigators disclosed everything they knew about the dossier to the FISC.

Horowitz since expanded the investigation to look at whether the FBI had a sound basis to open investigations into four Trump campaign associates in late July 2016. The watchdog also investigated whether the FBI properly handled confidential sources used in the probe.

Comment: We shall soon see what the IG investigation brings to light and to what level turmoil shall ensue following the report. Guaranteed: Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans will be happy.

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Snakes in Suits

Putin meets Zelensky for the first time at Paris summit


RT
Mon, 09 Dec 2019 16:59 UTC
ZelenskyMacronPutin
© Reuters/Thibault Camus
Presidents Zelensky, Macron and Putin, (Chancellor Merkel not shown); beginning the Normandy Four summit, Paris, France
The Russian and Ukrainian presidents have come face-to-face for the very first time on the grounds of the Normandy Four summit in Paris, which focuses on the years-long conflict in eastern Ukraine. The high-profile talks, involving leaders of Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine kicked off in Paris on Monday. It's the first meeting since 2016 of the highest-level representatives of the Normandy Four.

All eyes were set on Putin and Zelensky from the onset, and those watching the footage couldn't help but notice that the recently-elected Ukrainian president became a bit disoriented. At first, Zelensky tried to get into the seat reserved for Putin - only to get helped by Macron into a chair across the table. Then, a live feed showed the Ukrainian leader missing the timing for the group photo, this time getting some help from Putin, who gestured for Zelensky to turn around and face the reporters.

Since arriving in Paris, Putin has talked with Merkel, while Zelensky met Macron. It soon became apparent that the Monday talks would last longer than expected and the schedule was shifted. The much anticipated tête-à-tête meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents is expected to take place after the main talks but before the final press conference.

Comment: The beginning of the Normandy Four summit in Paris, France:




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Arrow Down

Crowd cheers as news host warns: Zelensky will be toppled by protests if he crosses 'red lines' in Paris


RT
Sun, 08 Dec 2019 18:34 UTC
Zelensky and Protesters
© Reuters /Valentyn Ogirenko
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy; People take part in a rally ahead of the so-called "Normandy" format summit, in Kiev.
Pressure is mounting on Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, with the opposition threatening him with civil unrest should he show weakness during the Normandy Four talks with Russian, French and German leaders on Monday.

Thousands attended a rally at the iconic Maidan square in the center of the Ukrainian capital, organized in the run-up to the high-profile meeting by the parties of Petro Poroshenko, whom Zelensky defeated in the spring election, as well as former PM Yulia Tymoshenko and rock star Vyacheslav Vakarchuk. And the speakers on stage didn't mince words.

"Your flight will be not from Paris to Kiev, but from Paris to Rostov[-on-Don]. If it won't be tomorrow then it'll be a bit later," prominent news host Vitaly Gaidukevich warned, addressing the head of state.
Protesters Kiev
© Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko
The mention of the Russian city was in fact a stark reminder to Zelensky that "Maidan democracy" continues to grip Ukraine. The blunt threat meant that the Ukrainian president may endure the fate of ex-leader Viktor Yanukovych, if he doesn't deliver what the opposition wants.

Comment: Zelensky has his 'choice of scripts' for this meeting, given various input, threats and advice. It remains to be seen how he faces the international forces while placating the agitated home crowd. The reality is this one meeting will not right the years of wrongs regarding Ukraine, and diplomacy will only stretch so far. Zelensky has a chance to impress and create a work-out situation. Is he up to the task?

RFE/RL 8/12/2019: Putin, Zelensky meeting hopes to break deadlock on peace process
The presidents of Ukraine and Russia are set to meet in Paris on December 9 for long-awaited talks on resolving the military conflict in eastern Ukraine that has left more than 13,000 people dead since 2014. It will be the first time the heads of Ukraine and Russia have met since 2016 and the first meeting ever between Zelensky and Putin.

Moscow denies direct involvement in the conflict between separatist formations in parts of eastern Ukraine and the Kyiv government. The International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled in November 2016 that the war in eastern Ukraine was "an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation."

The Kremlin wants to maintain as much influence over Kyiv as it can, using the land held by the separatists it supports in the Donbas as a lever. The Ukrainian president must balance the benefits of progress toward peace with the potentially disastrous risk of being seen as surrendering to Moscow.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on December 6 in Rome that Moscow was seeking "to really ensure the security of the people of the Donbas, to guarantee their rights as set forth in the Minsk agreements, and to stop this conflict."

Zelensky, for his part, said earlier this month that the mere fact the talks have restarted was his "first victory" in efforts to end the war. He will push three main ideas in Paris: a further exchange of prisoners, implementing a cease-fire agreement, and the disbanding of "illegal armed formations" in Ukraine.

The Kremlin has said that Putin plans a one-on-one meeting with Zelensky. Kyiv, however, has said only that such an encounter is only under consideration.

Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on December 6 posted online a statement advising Zelensky not to meet directly with Putin. "Do not trust Putin," he recommended. "Never and in nothing." He warned his successor that Putin will use "KGB-style manipulations, flattery, and play on the president's emotions and flaws."


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Che Guevara

Bolivian socialists have chosen exiled Morales as their election campaign chief


RT
Sun, 08 Dec 2019 22:55 UTC
Bolivian supporters of Morales
© Reuters/Agustin Marcarian
Supporters of Bolivia's ousted President Evo Morales hold a placard that reads "Down with the coup in Bolivia" outside the U.S. embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina November 22, 2019.
With Bolivia under the stewardship of an interim government following the coup against former President Evo Morales, the country's socialist party has chosen the exiled leader to run its upcoming election campaign from abroad.

Morales' Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party gathered in the city of Cochabamba this weekend to choose its candidates, in a snap election that has yet to be announced, but has been promised by interim president Jeanine Áñez.


Comment: This is an interesting and unexpected move by the MAS party to designate Morales as its campaign manager. Taping his leadership shows the world how highly Bolivians regard their former president in this unparalleled signal of defiance to outside interference in their affairs and choices.

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Target

Ayatollah Sistani: Enemy plot seeks to create civil strife, bring back dictatorship


Press TV
Fri, 29 Nov 2019 11:25 UTC
Sistani
© Tehran Times
Iraq's Ayatollah Sistani
Iraq's top cleric has warned that enemies of Iraq and affiliated groups in the country are plotting to create internal strife and bring the country back to the "era of dictatorship", an apparent reference to the former rule of Saddam Hussein.

Addressing worshipers during Friday prayers in the holy city of Karbala, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani urged protesters to prevent attacks on people and their property and distance themselves from those committing such acts. A representative of Ayatollah Sistani delivered the top cleric's sermon:
"It is imperative on peaceful demonstrators that they separate their ranks from non-peaceful individuals and cooperate on shunning saboteurs - whoever they are - and not allow them to abuse peaceful protests to damage and attack the property of citizens.

"The enemies and their levers, in order to achieve their malicious goals, plan to spread chaos and plunge the country into internal strife and then return it to dictatorship, so everyone must work together to take away this opportunity from them."

Comment: We can see how this situation is shaping up. Not hard to do when similar examples are currently happening in many targeted countries simultaneously. The Ayatollah has wise advice. If taken, will it be enough to insulate Iraq from both the 'evil within' and the 'evil without'?

Tehran Times, 9/12/2019 Roadmap by religious authority for Iraq's political future
The religious authority has always respected the will of the Iraqi people to determine their political and administrative system through holding referendums on the constitution and regular parliamentary elections.

"No person or group, no side with a particular view, no regional or international actor may seize the will of the Iraqi people and impose its will on them," Ayatollah Sistani said.

Some political parties are seeking to use popular protests in their own favor to achieve their political goals. These parties, influenced by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, are pursuing other goals than pushing for reforms in the country.

The second point is the failure of efforts by some foreign countries to exploit protests in Iraq. Foreign media, especially those affiliated with the U.S., have worked hard in recent days to show that the demonstrators have chanted slogans against the religious authority and even have attacked some of their offices during the protests.

In addition, some Arab media are trying to show that there is a gap between the Iraqi people and the religious authority. But an examination of the position of the religious authority since the beginning of the protests shows that the religious authority urges the government to meet people's demands and calls for peaceful protests by the demonstrators.
See also:

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Arrow Up

More than 100 Democrats send Pompeo a letter in opposition to Trump's settlement policy

Michael Arria
Mondoweiss
Thu, 05 Dec 2019 00:00 UTC
IsraeliSettlement
© Najeh Hashlamoun/APA
Israeli settlement near the Palestinian village of Al Maasarah
Last month, over 100 Democratic House members signed a letter that decried the Trump administration's policy shift on West Bank settlements. The letter was initiated by Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI and was sent to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. On November 18, Pompeo announced that the U.S. government was abandoning a 1978 State Department legal opinion which determined that settlement expansion in the occupied territories were in violation of international law. Just a day after Pompeo's announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu advanced a bill that would annex the Jordan Valley. Levin's letter reads:
"If the U.S. unilaterally abandons international and human rights law, we can only expect a more chaotic and brutal twenty-first century for Americans and our allies, including the Israeli people. Given these serious implications, we strongly urge you to reverse this policy decision immediately."
On Dec 1, Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennet announced that new Israeli settlement would be constructed in Hebron. "Everyday things are getting worse for us, and no one bats an eye," a Palestinian Hebron resident named Mufeed al-Sharabati told Mondoweiss' Yumna Patel, "The American government gave the green light to the Israelis to build settlements without consequence."

Comment: Whether there is a crack in Israel's hold over the US government, a realization finally dawning or just blow-back to all things Trump...it is 'a beginning'.

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