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New kingmaker: Iraq's anti-American, nationalistic cleric is big parliamentary winner


RT
Mon, 21 May 2018 03:25 UTC
Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr
© Alaa al-Marjani / ReutersIraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr
A Shia cleric with strong anti-American views is poised to become kingmaker in Iraq. Muqtada al-Sadr's coalition emerged victorious in parliamentary elections, signaling a resurgence in Iraqi nationalism, analysts told RT.

Al-Sadr's Sairoon Alliance capitalized on widespread anger over foreign influence and unchecked corruption in Iraq, securing a surprise victory over Iran-backed Shia militia chief Hadi al-Amiri's Fatah (Conquest) Coalition, and US-backed Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's Nasr (Victory) Coalition.

Anti-America (and corruption) crusader?

The prominent Shia cleric is an outspoken critic of US military presence in Iraq, even leading two revolts against American-led forces after their 2003 invasion. At the same time, al-Sadr is also opposed to Iranian influence in Iraq. His ability to appeal to Iraqis' sense of nationalism seems to be the main driving force behind his coalition's unexpected parliamentary victory.

Comment: Given the outcome, Iran, the US and the Kurds are all losers.

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Jet3

Marines get new information warfare leader, Maj. Gen. Lori Reynolds

Mark Pomerleau
C4ISRNET
Mon, 21 May 2018 18:38 UTC
Maj. Gen. Lori Reynolds
© Daniel Woolfolk/StaffMaj. Gen. Lori Reynolds, speaking above at the 16th Annual C4ISRNET conference May 3, 2017, has been nominated to serve as the next deputy commandant for information.
Maj. Gen. Lori Reynolds has been nominated for a third star and to serve as the recently established deputy commandant for information, according to a May 18 announcement from the Department of Defense.

Reynolds, who currently heads Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command, will succeed Lt. Gen. Daniel O'Donohue, who is moving to the joint staff. The Defense Department has not yet announced a replacement for Reynolds at Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command.

The Marines established this new position, the deputy commandant for information, in summer 2017 to better compete in a 21st century world, aligning all information-related capability under a single entity. This includes cyber, signals intelligence and electronic warfare, among others.
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Gear

Flashback Iran would not be a problem without Reagan's treason

The Daily Take Team, The Tom Hartmann Program
Truthout
Wed, 06 Nov 2013 18:30 UTC
Ronald Reagan 1989
Ronald Reagan in 1989
As news of a US-Iranian nuclear deal spread like wildfire this weekend, the mainstream media began to ask its usual set of questions. Is the deal for real? Can we trust the Iranians? Are the mullahs just using a temporary break in sanctions to buy enough time to build a bomb?

Ever since the Second Bush administration labeled Iran part of the "Axis of Evil," the media has portrayed the Iranian government as a scheming theocracy, so the discussion of the "two-faced Persians" isn't all that surprising.

But aside from being wildly racist, this portrayal is also wildly inaccurate. That's because the biggest threat to an American-Iranian accord comes from President Obama's enemies at home - Congressional Republicans - not from the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Already Republican leaders in the Senate are calling for more sanctions against Iran. Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday that doing so is the only way to ensure a long-term deal between the U.S. and Iran.

The call for sanctions also has support in the House. Kevin McCarthy of California says that he backs any Senate plan to tighten restrictions on Iran's economy.
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Binoculars

Obama's FBI was spying on Trump campaign, so what did he know and when?

Matt Vespa
Townhall
Fri, 18 May 2018 14:15 UTC
Obama
Katie wrote about it this morning. It's confirmed, folks. The FBI had a spy embedded with the Trump campaign. She added the bureau did not have enough evidence to launch a criminal investigation, so they executed a counterintelligence probe instead in July of 2016. The code name was "crossfire hurricane." This was the investigation signed off by FBI agent Peter Strzok. Sztrok was a top counterintelligence agent before being transferred to human resources after his extramarital affair with bureau lawyer Lisa Page was made public and the two's texts, which numbered in the tens of thousands, were riddled with anti-Trump and pro-Hillary sentiments. Once then-FBI Director James Comey was fired by President Trump in May of 2017, Robert Mueller took over the investigation. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein oversees him.

Comment: See also:

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Light Sabers

'Nine bridges': South Korea looks to boost economic ties with Russia


RT
Mon, 21 May 2018 20:19 UTC
Seoul
© Lee Jae-Won / Reuters
Seoul is seeking to significantly ramp up business with Moscow, according to recent talks between the foreign ministers of the two countries.

South Korea wants to speed up the building of the so-called "nine bridges" meaning gas, railways, the Northern Sea Route, shipbuilding, job creation, fishing and other types of cooperation.

The initiative was first proposed by President Moon Jae-in during the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia. During the meeting of foreign ministry officials, the countries also agreed to look at building trilateral economic ties with North Korea.


Comment: Russia to work on trilateral projects with North and South Korea


Comment: See also: N. Korea confirms that it supports economic ties with Russia & South Korea

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Eye 1

The Deep State: A much bigger reality than you think

Derek Hunter
Town Hall
Sun, 20 May 2018 17:47 UTC
Obama
I used to be a doubter who would cringe, just a little, at any mention of "the deep state." I admit it, it all seemed a little far-fetched to me that there was this cabal of careerists conspiring from within the government to harm President Donald Trump when I first heard it. I never doubted there were individuals doing it, but a wide net of conspirators seemed like something out of a bad movie more than anything that could actually happen in the United States. I was wrong, very wrong, the deep state is real. But there is much more than just this small group of powerful people working toward a common goal, there is an entire infrastructure created by the left not only to destroy Trump, but to indoctrinate unsuspecting Americans into their agenda.

As the curtain is pulled back on the Obama administration's unprecedented efforts to spy on the Trump campaign, there is a good possibility many of the perpetrators could face criminal charges, or at least should. But it's important to understand that liberals didn't just create this out of the blue in 2016, it's the culmination of everything they've worked toward for decades.

Comment: Donald Trump may have threatened the liberal agenda - but historically, the Deep State has gone much further than that, controlling both sides of the political spectrum and all presidents, with perhaps the exception of JFK. It should also be noted that, at least in terms of foreign policy, Trump is faithfully following the agenda of the Deep State, whether he realizes it or not.

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Yoda

'Who are you to decide for Iran and the world?' Rouhani rejects Pompeo's Iran demands


RT
Mon, 21 May 2018 20:07 UTC
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
© Danish Siddiqui / ReutersIranian President Hassan Rouhani
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has rejected demands made of Tehran by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, vowing to continue "our path," insisting that the era when the US could "decide for the world" is over.

The US government has regressed 15 years, back to "Bush Jr.'s era" and is once again trying to dictate its will on the entire world, Rouhani said as he rejected Washington's Monday ultimatum.

"Who are you to decide for Iran and the world? The world today does not accept America to decide for the world, as countries are independent ... that era is over ... We will continue our path with the support of our nation," Rouhani said, as quoted by ILNA news agency.

Comment: See also: 'Strongest sanctions in history': State Secretary Pompeo issues 12 demands to Iran, vows 'unprecedented pressure'

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Info

Email referring to 'collusion' sheds light on Cambridge prof's interactions with Trump aide

Chuck Ross
The Daily Caller
Sun, 20 May 2018 21:14 UTC
stefan halper
Stefan Halper
Last July, Cambridge professor Stefan Halper contacted Carter Page with something resembling support for the Trump campaign aide, who has faced allegations that he is a Russian agent and a conduit for collusion between the Kremlin and the campaign.

"It seems attention has shifted a bit from the 'collusion' investigation to the 'contretempts' [sic] within the White House," Halper wrote in a July 28, 2017 email to Page.

"I must assume this gives you some relief," he continued, signing off with "be in touch when you have the time. Would be great to catch up."

Comment: See also:

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Light Sabers

SOTT Focus: Saudi Arabia and Western Allies Continue War on Poverty-Stricken Yemen; Yemen Fights Back

Bahar Azizi
Sott.net
Mon, 21 May 2018 19:53 UTC
yemen protest march 2018
© ReutersYemenis attend a protest to mark the third anniversary of the Saudi-led war on Yemen, in Sana'a, Yemen on March 26th, 2018
March 26th this year marked the third anniversary of the US/UK/Saudi war on Yemen. So far, the Saudis and their allies have been unable to win the war. The resistance from the Yemeni people and army to the aggression of Saudi Arabia and its US and UK allies, has been remarkably strong.

Comment: See also:

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Cowboy Hat

'Strongest sanctions in history': State Secretary Pompeo issues 12 demands to Iran, vows 'unprecedented pressure'


RT
Mon, 21 May 2018 18:42 UTC
Iranian flag
© Raheb Homavandi / Reuters
Tehran will struggle to "keep its economy alive" if it does not comply with a list of 12 US demands, including Iranian withdrawal from Syria, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed on Monday.

Speaking at the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing Washington think tank, Pompeo laid out a list of 12 "basic requirements"for Iran. The demands call on Iran to withdraw from Syria, "release all US citizens," end support for Houthi rebels in Yemen, stop "enrichment" of uranium, and promise never to process plutonium. Iran must also allow "unqualified access to all nuclear sites throughout the country," Pompeo said.

He promised that the US would impose the "strongest sanctions in history" if Iran failed to comply with these demands.


Comment: See also:

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