Comment: So, if HK is to fully become part of China by 2047 anyway, what the heck is the point of all this posturing about establishing a separate state there??

Obviously, it's not coincidental that protest movements have erupted in Russia and China at the same time: the Empire is pulling out all the stops to thwart their efforts to create an alternative system of world government.

If this is not up and running by the time the Western Order collapses, there's going to be a crisis unlike any the world has ever seen.

Comment: See also:

• US 'color revolution' and its struggles in Hong Kong
• Mass Protests in Hong Kong Over China's 15-Year Rule
• Hong Kong: First signs of terrorism emerge in protests

Comment: See also:

• US considers further blockade of Venezuela - Trump - UPDATE: Venezuela is "prepared for battle" - Maduro
• US blockade prevents 18 million boxes of food reaching Venezuela but commentators still blame Bolivarianism
• Nicaraguan President: 'US has essentially declared war on Venezuela'

Comment: It's apparently headed for Greece next. The Empire is apoplectic!

The US State Department has told the Greek government that if it "provides any assistance to the Iranian oil tanker," the US govt will consider this as "providing material support to a US-designated foreign terrorist organization."

This is presumably based on its designation earlier this year of the IRGC as a 'terrorist organization', which it isn't, of course. But how interesting that after 18 years of the War on Terror, the ideological mask has slipped to the point that everyone can see that it was always really about geopolitics and the 'civilizational mission' to control the whole Earth.

It will be interesting to see what happens when the tanker reaches the eastern Med. Iran has said it will send IRGC Navy boats to escort the tanker to ward off imperial cruisers.

In the meantime, the release of the Adrian Darya was apparently not contingent on Iran releasing the Stena Impero, the British oil tanker seized by the Iranians in the Strait of Hormuz, which remains impounded in southern Iran.

Poor America. In a multipolar world, she just aint able to do what she used to!

Comment: More about this contentious visit from RT 19/8/2019: Sara Netanyahu's row with pilot mars start of Israeli PM's visit Ukraine

The wife of the Israeli prime minister reportedly became enraged at a pilot who took her and her husband to Ukraine this weekend, and may have even taken her annoyance out on their hosts in Kiev.

Sara Netanyahu apparently tried to make her way to the cockpit of the plane, but her own security detail is said to have stopped her. Israel's Channel 12 claimed that she was offended after not hearing the captain of the El Al flight welcome her on board. While she was not allowed into the cockpit to express her anger, she seems to have got some satisfaction later, when the captain welcomed the VIP passengers again, this time referring to Mrs Netanyahu by name.

The prime minister's office described the report as "distorted," but wouldn't deny it in its entirety. "There was a misunderstanding which was immediately clarified and the flight went according to plan. The story about the security guards, as well, is a total lie," a statement from the office said. "It is another attempt to divert attention from the important international visit that the prime minister carried out."

The El Al airline simply said they "were pleased to host the prime minister and Mrs Netanyahu on our flight to Ukraine," without elaborating about what happened during the flight.

Upon arrival in Kiev, the Netanyahus were welcomed by the city mayor and his delegation, which included young women dressed in traditional Ukrainian folk dresses. They offered the guests bread and salt in a gesture of hospitality.

While the prime minister ate his piece of bread, his wife wouldn't take a bite, and seems to have dropped her piece on the ground, according to footage from the airport. Whether this apparent disdain for her Ukrainian hosts should be considered a sign of Sara Netanyahu's irritation at that moment is up for interpretation.

From Sputnik 18/8/2019: Netanyahu promises military operation in Gaza 'if necessary'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Tel Aviv will undertake a massive military campaign in Gaza Strip, if forced to, The Times of Israel reported Sunday. "We will embark on a wide campaign, if necessary," he told reporters before departing for Ukraine. "My objective is to maintain security and quiet, and we are taking all the necessary actions to this end."

He said he is aware of an opinion that upcoming September election considerations hold him back from undertaking military attacks in Gaza, but claimed that this is not true.

"This is not correct," Netanyahu said, according to The Jerusalem Post. "Everyone who knows me knows that my considerations are to the point, genuine, and that I act in full coordination with the security forces with firmness and the necessary consideration."

He asserted that necessary measures will be taken regardless of the political climate. "If it is required, we will embark on a large campaign, with considerations to the elections — with elections or without elections," he said.

His comments come in the wake of a rocket attack originating from Gaza on Saturday night, with one missile landing in the town of Sderot, located near the border with the Gaza Strip. The missile caused damage, but no injuries, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Earlier on Sunday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz dismissed the option of a ground invasion, saying that "what happened yesterday in Sderot will not be left without a response. We are maintaining a policy of not initiating a wide-scale operation but keeping the deterrence."

The position was criticized by the Blue and White party leader and former IDF chief of staff, Benny Gantz, who claimed on Sunday that "the deterrence hasn't been eroded, it's been erased," The Jerusalem Post report says.

Comment: See also:

• Philippines President Duterte warns China to back off disputed island inSouth China Sea
• What's behind Philippine President Duterte's visit to China amid SouthChina Sea tensions
• Duterte claims China threatened war in South China Sea if Philippines drills for oil
• Philippine FM claims Manila will 'go to war' if China 'crosses red lines'

Comment: Every candidate is looking for a magic promise to capture the voting public and outdo his or her opponents. While Sanders may be justified on these issues, the PTB will never let it happen.

Comment: Israel's 'might' and bravado is predicated upon the power and decisions of the US. That it has a strong grasp of how to achieve a confluence of aim and power, through manipulation and subterfuge to move its big brother to action and do its bidding, is evident in the confident rhetoric coming out of Tel Aviv. Will, as Magnier suggests, the US 2020 elections put temporary brakes on fulfilling Israel's aggressive pursuit to eliminate Iran or will blinders and triggers (real or false) set the unthinkable into motion? Iran promises to not sit idly by.

Comment: Keep in mind that the 'need' for these warship escorts was a set-up - a page out of the Israeli handbook on creating blamable action (on Iran) to foster desired reaction (by US). Britain needs US trade deals to support its economy, given its looming break with the EU, so anything the US (Israel) wants it will likely get.