Puppet MastersS


Biohazard

Lavrov: Russia is worried about US bio-laboratories in Kazakhstan

Michael Rivero
What really Happened
Wed, 20 Jun 2018 07:57 UTC
Sergei Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, at a meeting with CSTO Foreign Ministers in Almaty, announced Russia's desire to gain access to reference laboratories that were opened with US financial support in Armenia and Kazakhstan

The words of Lavrov quoted the publication Kommersant: "Our special services and scientists are tense with the appearance of these laboratories, they do not rule out that this can somehow later be used against us, they do not put them in Western Europe."

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with other interested Russian departments (including security forces) seeks to avert the threat of the world's use of biological weapons. In some areas there is a positive trend. Thus, Moscow and Yerevan are discussing the possibility of signing an agreement on cooperation in the field of biological research, which will open access for Russian specialists to the US laboratories in Armenia.

Comment: The Russians are worried for good reason: Pentagon Biological Weapons Program Never Ended: US Bio-labs Around The World

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Attention

US military fires come under attack from 'unknown' forces in al-Tanf


RT
Fri, 22 Jun 2018 23:02 UTC
us military
© Aboud Hamam / Reuters
Unknown forces have attacked the Al-Tanf base housing US military advisers in a rebel-held area of Syria near its border with Iraq, the US-led coalition has said. The coalition forces returned fire and suffered no casualties.

"Maghawir al-Thowra fighters and coalition advisers within the deconfliction zone near Al-Tanf were engaged by an unidentified hostile force located just outside the deconfliction zone in the early evening June 21," the coalition spokesperson told Sputnik news agency in an email.

The statement added that officials were "engaged with Russian counterparts on the deconfliction line to ensure no miscalculations."

The skirmish was acknowledged by the US forces amid media reports of the Syrian troops "encircling" the Al-Tanf base after securing large chunks of the Badia desert region along the Iraqi border. The base near the Al-Tanf border crossing was established by the US-led coalition to train and support anti-government militias, purportedly to fight Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) terrorists. The major IS-held areas, however, have long been cut off from Al-Tanf by Syrian government troops, and remaining terrorists have largely been cleared from the area.

Comment: According to the Pentagon, the fighting took place outside the "deconfliction zone", and SOHR says 8 Syrian soldiers were killed in the attack. As Moon of Alabama writes:
There is some footage of a desert chase with "technicals" that is supposed to be from these clashes. They took place in al-Halba, 70 kilometers northwest of al-Tanf and only 50 kilometers from Palmyra.

The U.S. sent "rebels" it trains at al-Tanf outside its self declared 55 kilometers deconfliction zone around Tanf to attack Syrian government forces. It supported them by air strikes. U.S. special forces are said to have taken part. This is likely the case as only U.S. special forces can call in such airstrikes.

It seems obvious that the U.S. is using ISIS, U.S. trained "Maghawhir al-Thawra" rebels, and its air power in another attempt to cut the land route between Syria and Iraq. It wants to use the upcoming Syrian campaign against al-Qaeda and ISIS in the southwest around Daraa to make a new move in the east.
The Syrian Army is reportedly moving to block al-Tanf from 3 directions. This comes as the SAA prepares to retake Daraa:
With the direct participation of the officers of the Russian Center for the reconciliation of the warring parties, negotiations continue with the units of the Free Syrian Army to renounce armed resistance and settle their status. Thus, the commanders of the two FSA units Abu-Qusayr and Omar es-Suweidi, stationed at the border of the provinces of Essaouira and Dara, decided to transfer their settlements to government troops.

There was information that against the backdrop of progress in the negotiation process in the southern zone of de-escalation, the Syrian command decided to redirect the units of the "Tiger Forces" Brig. Gen. Suheil Hasan to sweep of desert area to the north-east of the city of Essaouira, where loose ISIS units remain.

In recent weeks, there have been skirmishes with terrorists, but this did not lead to full-scale fighting, contrary to reports from several media and bloggers.
Sputnik reports that the Omari Brigades have switched their allegiances in favor of the government:
"On June 22, after talks between the representatives of the Russian reconciliation center and the Syrian authorities with the militants of the Free Syrian Army in the Southern zone of de-escalation, the leader of the Tajammu al-Wiyat al-Omari [Omari Brigades] announced that his group is siding with the Syrian government," the center said in a statement.

According to the statement, the Omari Brigades leader also stressed that his group will fight against militants from Nusra Front and Daesh together with the Syrian army in the south of the country.

"By Friday evening, the first units of the Syrian army entered the settlements of Dama and Ashiyah in the Southern zone of de-escalation," the document said.
South Front reports:


What is the Russians' response?


Translation: fat chance, America.

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Dollars

Michael Bloomberg wants to paint the House blue: Tosses $80M to midterm elections


RT
Thu, 21 Jun 2018 16:02 UTC
Michael Bloomberg
© Yuri Gripas/ReutersFormer New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg
Former mayor of New York City and billionaire media mogul Michael Bloomberg is throwing at least $80 million behind Democrat House candidates in November's midterm elections. His goal: turn the House blue.

Bloomberg is the seventh-richest person in the US. He has traditionally donated to candidates from both parties, often favoring moderate Republicans. In 2016, however, he endorsed Hillary Clinton, and has aligned himself more closely with Democrats since President Trump's election.

Calling House Republicans "feckless" for their failure to stand up to the Trump administration, Bloomberg said in a statement: "I've never much liked political parties, [but] this fall, I'm going to support Democrats in their efforts to win control of the House."

Bloomberg leans left on several key issues for Democrats: gun control, immigration, and the environment. It is likely that he will focus his spending on races in moderate suburban districts, where Trump is already unpopular. His strategy will likely avoid rural, conservative districts, where his anti-gun, East-coast Democrat message would fall on deaf ears.

Democrats need 23 seats in November to retake the House. And as the owner of Bloomberg Media Group, the billionaire and philanthropist has a well-oiled communications machine ready to spread his message.

Comment: When a political party leadership has acted as despicably as the Democrats in 2016, instead of examining the thinking and actions, making decisive changes and rectifications -- just throw gobs of money at it to do all over again. What does this say about justice, accountability and US voters?

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Footprints

Pressure is on: Iran may exit nuclear deal in coming weeks if...


RT
Fri, 22 Jun 2018 08:49 UTC
JCPOA
© My Future America/KJN
The Iran nuclear deal is in "intensive care" and it's possible that Tehran will have to withdraw from the pact if an agreement cannot be reached with its European signatories, the country's deputy FM Abbas Araghchi has warned.

Iran wants to preserve the deal but adjustments need to be made as a result of Washington's decision to withdraw from the landmark accord, Abbas Araghchi said in an interview to Euronews. The deal has "lost its balance" due to the US withdrawal, he added, so "if Europeans, and other remaining participants of the JCPOA are interested in Iran remaining in the deal, they should compensate [for] the absence of the US, and the re-imposition of US sanctions."

Tehran has repeatedly stated that it wants to salvage the deal, but has expressed frustration over European proposals for preserving the accord. Ali Akbar Salehi, chief of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI), said on Tuesday that Europe's proposals to save the deal after the US withdrawal were not acceptable to Tehran. "If it continues like this, all sides will lose," Salehi said.

The European Union is considering a range of options to help breathe life into the faltering deal. Federica Mogherini, the European Union's chief diplomat, said in May that the bloc was considering deepening Europe's economic ties with Iran, shielding banking transactions with Tehran, and maintaining Iranian oil and gas purchases - as well as using EU finance to boost investment in the Middle East country. Like Araghchi, she likened the nuclear deal to "a relative in intensive care."

Comment: With the US exit, the onus is on the other members of the JCPOA to make a deal, keep it alive, support Iran, avoid war. By Trump forcing the issue, others are having to step up - broad-basing leadership, decision-making and responsibility.

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USA

Despite peace talks, Trump continues sanctions against N. Korea for another year


RT
Fri, 22 Jun 2018 15:45 UTC
Kim Trump
© Jonathan Ernst/ReutersOn track to peace.

Comment: Negotiations and dialog between the US and North Korea are expected to take many months, possibly a year or more to conclude. It would be pre-emptive to assume a result is assured that hasn't been determined, approved, nor demonstratively shown effective. Trump is being careful and prudent. Criticism at this point is unrealistic.

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Arrow Up

Making its 'mark': Germany reaps €3 billion from Greece's financial crisis


RT
Fri, 22 Jun 2018 11:00 UTC
EU/Greece flag guy
© Reuters/Yannis Behrakis
The eurozone has finally agreed to get Greece out of the European assistance program with the country to get its fifth and last tranche of €15 billion in August. The step brings an end to the 10-year debt crisis in the country.
"Greek debt is sustainable going forward," Eurogroup President Mario Centeno told journalists. "This is it, we have managed to deliver a soft landing of this long and difficult adjustment. There will be no follow-up program in Greece."
The agreement grants Greece a 10-year extension to repay €96.9 billion worth of loans covering roughly half of Europe's financial aid to Athens since 2010. The deal also defers interest payments and amortizations for another 10 years, until 2033.

Greece will also receive an additional €15 billion on repayment of some more-expensive IMF loans, as well as to create a cash buffer so that it could meet financing needs in the next two years.

The deals sealed as part of the financial aid to Greece over the past eight years will give Germany, the EU's biggest economy, some €2.9 billion. The profit emerged from interest rates through purchases of Greek government bonds under the Securities Markets Program (SMP) of the European Central Bank (ECB).

Comment: A long haul for Greece, a profitable haul for the EU.

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Telephone

Phone call: Putin, Poroshenko discuss Donbass settlement, prisoner exchange


RT
Thu, 21 Jun 2018 01:33 UTC
Putin Phone
© Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik
The Russian president expressed concern over reports of new civilian casualties in Donbass during a telephone call with his Ukrainian counterpart. He also stated that the Minsk Accords were the only way to a peaceful settlement.

The Kremlin press service revealed details of the conversation between Vladimir Putin and Petro Poroshenko to reporters on Thursday, emphasizing that the contact had been initiated by the Ukrainian side.

The two leaders discussed a number of issues relating to the Donbass settlement with reference to the June consultations between representatives of the 'Normandy Four' - Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany - which negotiated, passed and control the implementation of the peace plan known as the Minsk Accords.

The Russian president expressed concern over the security situation in the Donbass region, and reports of new casualties caused by frequent artillery raids by the Ukrainian military.
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Family

Trump orders agencies to reunite separated families, Melania visits US-Mexico border


RT
Thu, 21 Jun 2018 16:36 UTC
Kids and signs
© Patrick Fallon/Reuters
Donald Trump is directing agencies to reunite immigrant families separated at the US-Mexico border, he said during a meeting with his cabinet at the White House.

The US president also added that his wife, Melania Trump, has traveled to McAllen, Texas to visit a border detention facility where children are being held, Reuters reported.

It comes after Trump announced that his wife, as well as daughter Ivanka Trump, were big factors in his decision to reverse his family separation policy.

"Ivanka feels very strongly, my wife feels very strongly about it, I feel very strongly about it. I think anybody with a heart would feel very strongly about it. We don't like to see families separated," Trump said on Wednesday.

A Justice Department spokeswoman has confirmed that the zero-tolerance policy on illegal immigration will continue, and that no changes will be made to the current prosecution process. That came after the Washington Post cited an unnamed official as saying that prosecutions of parents who cross into the US illegally would be suspended until Immigration and Customs Enforcement could "accelerate resource capacity to allow us to maintain custody."

Comment: A turn for the better. See also: Melania Trump's surprise visit to border facility

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Attention

Washington quits UNHRC but it is not 'bias against Israel'

Robert Bridge
RT
Thu, 21 Jun 2018 15:51 UTC
Nikki Haley
© WSAU.comNikki Haley: US withdraws from the UNHRC
This week, the US took the unprecedented step of announcing its withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council - a day after America's worsening migrant crisis fell on the radar of the global body. Partisan politics may be to blame.

The Trump administration has a tough message for the global community. To quote John Bolton, US national security adviser: "We don't need advice from the UN... on how to govern ourselves."

In yet another sign of the Trump administration's ongoing alienation from the rest of the world - aside from its newfound relations with the communist state of North Korea - it was announced on Tuesday that Washington is formally withdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, basking in the afterglow of American exceptionalism and self-righteousness, said the US "will not take lectures from hypocritical bodies and institutions, as America...selflessly gives its blood and treasure to help the defenseless."

Comment: Hope the door slapped them on the way out. This kerfuffle was all about and likely dictated by Israel. Trump just reversed the separation of children from parents order (an Obama policy), and it would be unlikely the UN would have moved on this scenario had it remained. Point in case: the UN hasn't lifted a finger for the children shot down in cold blood by the IDF in the recent massacres, nor has it moved to end the horrible apartheid victimization of the Palestinians. Maybe without Haley and crew hounding it about Israeli rights and privileges, it will stand a slim chance of actually becoming functional.

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Snakes in Suits

NATO chief Stoltenberg pleads for unity, Tory MoDs alarm 'Russia is preparing for war'


RT
Thu, 21 Jun 2018 15:39 UTC
Jens Stoltenberg
© Simon Dawson/Global Look PressNATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
Ahead of next month's NATO meeting, Jens Stoltenberg used Thursday's London speech to appeal for unity despite disagreements. Meanwhile, Tory ministers warned "Russia is preparing for war" amid a funding row with Downing Street.

Speaking at Lancaster House ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May at No.10, the Secretary-General Stoltenberg said the bond between Europe and the United States would survive tensions and disagreements over issues such as trade and the Iran nuclear deal.
"Our bond is strong but some are doubting the strength of that bond. And yes we see differences between the United States and other allies over issues such as trade, climate and the Iran nuclear deal. It is not written in stone that the transatlantic bond will survive forever but I believe we will preserve it," he added.
Stoltenberg's plea for unity comes ahead of a summit of the 29-member alliance, expected to take place in Brussels on July 11 or 13, either side of US President Donald Trump's visit to the UK.

The summit is said to be one of the most fraught in the organization's history with US President Donald Trump at loggerheads with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on a slew of issues, chief amongst them his demands that European allies spend more on defense.

Currently, only five NATO members are spending the 2 percent minimum of GDP on defense as demanded by the US president, with the UK among them.

Comment: Can't get members to pay their 2% military budget fees if there isn't the threat of a looming war on the near horizon, now can ya? And then there is the care and feeding of the MIC with state-of-the-art armament sales. Fear is a lovely (and lucrative) task master.

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