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We were waiting for the end of the worldWe cannot even begin to fathom the non-stop ripple effects deriving from the 2023 geopolitical earthquake that shook the world: Putin and Xi, in Moscow, de facto signaling the beginning of the end of Pax Americana.
Waiting for the end of the world, waiting for the end of the world
Dear Lord, I sincerely hope You're coming
'Cause You really started something
- Elvis Costello, Waiting for the End of the World, 1977
"We are fueling a proxy war in Ukraine in order to defend freedom, such as the freedom to censor dissenting views on our proxy war in Ukraine" โ Aaron MatรฉHow long do we have to wait before Volodymyr Zelensky opens a disco in Boca Raton? That's one of the questions raised by the secret CIA documents leaked last week, supposedly by a 21-year-old National Guard airman in Massachusetts named Jack Teixeira. Since that's about the lowliest rank in the whole US military, you have to wonder how Jack got his mitts on all that embarrassing info, and what it says about the Pentagon's command structure and its relations with the Intel "Community."
"President Trump is not only willing but also eager to testify before the Attorney General today. He remains resolute in his stance that he has nothing to conceal, and he looks forward to educating the Attorney General about the immense success of his multi-billion dollar company."
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad has completed a breakthrough visit to Saudi Arabia, the first such trip since Riyadh cut diplomatic relations with Damascus in 2012. In a joint press statement issued after the visit Saudi Arabia endorsed Syrian unity and integrity, condemned terrorism, and backed a political solution to the 12-year war.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud had invited his Syrian colleague to Jeddah to discuss "efforts to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis that preserves Syria's unity, security, stability, Arab identity, and territorial integrity while also serving the interests of its brotherly people," according to the statement cited by the state news agencies of both countries.
Prince Faisal and Dr. Mekdad agreed on the need to address humanitarian issues and allow aid "to reach all areas of Syria," establish conditions for the return of refugees and displaced people, and "stabilize the situation in the entire Syrian territories."
The two sides also committed to enhancing security and "combating terrorism in all its forms," and agreed on the need to "support the institutions of the Syrian state to extend its control over its territories to end the presence of armed militias and external interference in the Syrian internal affairs."
Parts of northern Syria are currently under control of Turkish-backed militants, while the area northeast of the Euphrates River is held by US-backed Kurdish militias. Several hundred US troops are also in the country in violation of international law, controlling most of the Syrian oil wells.
The two foreign ministers also discussed steps needed to reach "a comprehensive political settlement of the Syrian crisis," so the country could return to the "Arab fold," their joint statement said.
Damascus and Riyadh have begun the procedures needed to resume air travel and consular services between the two countries, while Syria thanked Saudi Arabia for the humanitarian aid provided after the catastrophic earthquakes in February. Much of the aid to Syria has been impeded by the US-imposed 'Caesar' sanctions against Damascus.
Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Syria in February 2012, joining the US in backing the militants that sought to overthrow President Bashar Assad. With the backing of Russia and Iran, the government in Damascus eventually prevailed over the collection of rebel militias that included terrorists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS).
Rumors that Riyadh was preparing to reverse course began to circulate last month, shortly after China mediated an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to normalize relations. Since then, the kingdom has also launched peace talks to end the eight-year conflict in Yemen.
Comment: Unfortunately, this seems to be the conclusion that Russia and its allies have come to. To preserve themselves and the vision they have for humanity, it is necessary to neuter the rabid West, not through physical annihilation, but by economic and 'soft' military means. Both are being accomplished through the formation of new, independent trade blocs that dispense with the need for the dollar, and the catastrophic drawdown of the West's military inventory through Russian attrition tactics in Ukraine. Brian Berletic's New Atlas channel details the latter in meticulous detail.