Puppet MastersS


Arrow Up

Syria: The break for the border

Pepe Escobar
RT.com
Sat, 19 Dec 2015 16:59 UTC
Soldiers
© Sertac Kayar/Reuters
Who is the supreme profiteer of the Russia-Turkey drama? No question: it's the Empire of Chaos. A desperate Ankara increasingly depends on NATO's embrace.

In the crucial Pipelineistan arena, the Turkish Stream project has been suspended (but not canceled). Eurasia integration - the key 21st century project for both China and Russia - is severely hampered.

Meanwhile, what passes for the Obama administration's "strategy" is more slippery than a Japanese eel. US Think Tank land interprets it as an "effort" to "de-conflict the battlefield" even as the main NATO planks acting in Syria (US, UK, France, Germany, plus Turkey) gear up for an alleged "large offensive" against Islamic State (ISIS). "Alleged" because the whole op involves prime shadow play. And "de-conflict" could rather mean "re-conflict."

It's no wonder President Putin interpreted Sultan Erdogan's downing of the Russian Su-24 as supremely illogical. Reasons, of course, include the Russian Air Force's pounding of the Turkmen - Ankara's fifth column in northern Syria. And the relentless Russian assault on the stolen Syrian oil racket, which involves collusion between some pretty prominent Turkish figures and ISIS.

It gets even more illogical when we look at the crucial energy sphere. Ankara depends at a rate of 27 percent on oil, and 35 percent on natural gas. Last year, Turkey bought 55 percent of its natural gas from Russia, and 18 percent from Iran.

Because of its manifold infrastructure problems, Iran simply won't be a strong competitor to Gazprom for supplying natural gas to Turkey - and Europe - anytime soon. Assuming it will be restarted in the future, Turkish Stream would be a very good deal for both Turkey and central and southern Europe.
Read More...
Gold Coins

$430 fortune? Denmark defends plans to seize migrants' cash & jewelry


RT
Sat, 19 Dec 2015 13:01 UTC
refugee crises
Denmark has defended its plans to strip refugees of their valuables, including cash and jewelry, and to make them pay for their stay in asylum centers. Authorities say the rules apply for all people in Denmark, whether residents or refugees.

"I can see that some foreign media are pouring scorn over [the fact] that we in the future may withdraw asylum seekers' valuables and demand that they should pay for their stay in asylum centers themselves," Integration Minister Inger Stojberg wrote on her Facebook page.

She insisted that Denmark has rules that apply to everyone, "no matter whether you have lived in Denmark throughout your life, or if you just arrived here."

"There is no reason for criticism, since if Danes have valuables that cost over 10,000 kroner ($1,450) they are required to sell them before they can apply for unemployment benefit."

Earlier in December, the Danish government presented a bill that included a number of different issues on asylum policy, including one on seizing valuable assets.

"The bill ... provides the Danish authorities with the power to search clothes and luggage of asylum seekers - and other migrants without a permit to stay in Denmark - with a view to find assets which may cover the expenses mentioned above," says the text of the proposal.

The new rule will only apply"to cash above approximately 3,000 kroner ($436) and tangible assets of a considerable value."

Comment: Right out of the Nazi Germany playbook indeed.

Read More...
Chess

French Republican MP interview with RT: 'It's either Assad or chaos (ISIS)'


RT
Sat, 19 Dec 2015 19:36 UTC
Thierry Mariani
© Maxim Zmeyev/ReutersTheirry Mariani
The dilemma is quite simple when it comes to dealing with the Syrian crisis - either the international community works with President Bashar Assad, or Islamic State militants take over, believes a member of the French lawmakers' delegation that has just returned from Syria.

"Whatever the regime of Bashar Assad is, this regime protects minorities and it is close enough to the West. I saw about 20 women deputies, as well as opposition leaders, who said, "It's either Assad or chaos," The Republicans party MP and former transport minister Thierry Mariani told RT.

"When I hear some caution in the West on this issue, I say: 'The dilemma is simple: either Assad or ISIS.'" According to the lawmaker, Assad is in a difficult situation now, he is "under siege," but he has gained "some hope" after the Russian special operation in Syria was launched. Mariani added that every time "we wanted to create something new, it ended in chaos."

"We see what happened in Iraq and Libya. Let's first try to win the war against the terrorists, instead of looking for a miracle man and destabilizing the situation [in Syria]. In this war, the Syrian army is an ally, and I think the presence of Assad is necessary for at least the transition period."

Speaking on the effective methods to battle Islamic State terrorists, Mariani noted that we should follow Russia's proposal - "to create a unified coalition under the auspices of the UN."

"Then we really will be effective. But when there are three coalitions [US, Saudi and Russian]- there is practically no coordination and, thus, risks of various incidents," Mariani added. The problem of these coalitions is that all of them have "completely different goals," according to the lawmaker.

Comment: For more on Thierry Mariani:

Read More...
Dollars

U.S. senate majority leader buries provisions in budget bill to further 'dark money'


RT
Sun, 20 Dec 2015 01:06 UTC
Dark money
© prwatch.org
The Senate's majority leader buried provisions in the massive US$1.1 trillion end-of-the-year spending bill that will prevent watchdogs from investigating political spending of companies and imposing regulations on 'dark money' groups.

The new bill prevents the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from implementing any "order regarding the disclosure of political contributions, contributions to tax exempt organizations or dues paid to trade associations," the bill says.

The IRS have also been targeted in the bill, and are now unable to issue a rule in 2016 regarding the level of nonprofit organizations political activity. Advocates for financial reform argue that the current system allows American elections to be bought by 'dark money' and 'anonymous' donors.

'Dark money' refers to the funds given to nonprofit organizations that can receive unlimited donations from corporations, individuals and unions, and spend their funds to influence elections, but are not required to disclose their donors.

McConnell has been a continuous advocate of unlimited secret campaign spending in Washington, often citing free speech as the reason.

The senior Kentucky senator's own campaign has benefited from US$23 million of 'dark money' from independent groups like the National Rifle Association and the Nation Federation of Independent Business.

"Spending by organizations that do not disclose their donors has increased from less than US$5.2 million in 2006 to well over US$300 million in the 2012 presidential cycle and more than US$174 million in the 2014 midterms," according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Comment: Candidate purchasing anew!

Ex-IRS Director on dark-money groups: "Investigate them and prosecute them"

Read More...
Video

Putin in new documentary: 'We easily work with Assad, U.S. & others as we don't change our position'


RT
Sat, 19 Dec 2015 17:38 UTC
Putin documentary
© Alexander Kryazhev/Sputnik
Russia easily works both with Syrian government and the US as well as with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries because it does not change its stance, President Vladimir Putin said in a forthcoming documentary about the emerging world order.

The upcoming documentary is to focus on "the new world order, where the world is heading, what awaits us all and in what future our children will find themselves in," Vladimir Soloviev, Russian journalist, TV presenter and the author of the film told Rossiya 1 TV channel.

The crew was filming the documentary for several months, visiting many countries for dozens of interviews. Serbian film director Emir Kusturica, former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn, former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange are all to appear on the screen. But, according to Soloviev, it is the interviews with Putin that are "a crucially important" part of the documentary.

"The interests of the European countries lie in joining their efforts both in economy, in politics and in the fight against terrorism. [They lie] in joining the efforts with Russia," Putin said in one such interview. Rossiya 24 TV channel showed a preview on Saturday."We are not going to stick out our bottom lip over the sanctions. We are waiting. Waiting for everyone," Russian president added.


"Speaking about the Syrian crisis, we easily work both with President Assad and the US... as well as with our friends from Saudi Arabia and other Arab states. Why? We... do not change our position," Putin also said.

Comment: See also:

Read More...
Snakes in Suits

Insanity: Europe and Turkey close airspace to Russian bombers fighting Daesh


Sputnik
Sat, 19 Dec 2015 23:02 UTC
Russian TU-160 bomber
Europe and Turkey closed airspace for Russian Long-Range Aviation planes carrying out airstrikes on Daesh positions in Syria, forcing Russian pilots to reroute, Deputy Commander Maj. Gen. Anatoly Konovalov said Saturday.

According to Konovalov, Russian pilots had to leave for Syria from Russia's northernmost Olenegorsk military airport in order to bypass Europe and then cross the Mediterranean Sea toward Syria.

"There were certain issues that excluded the possibility of performing the tasks by other means. Europe would not allow us, Turkey would not allow us," Konovalov said.

He added that even in such conditions, Russia's Long-Range Aviation proved its capability to perform the assigned tasks.

Russia has been conducting airstrikes on positions of IS, a group outlawed in many countries including Russia, in Syria since late September at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Comment: So Europe with the recent Paris terror attacks is refusing to allow Russia the airspace to defeat those terrorists?

Read More...
Airplane

US B-52 bomber 'accidentally' ventures within 12 miles of China's man-made islands in South China Sea - prompting a complaint from Beijing


Daily Mail, UK
Sat, 19 Dec 2015 20:11 UTC
bomber plane
© GettyThe Pentagon is looking into China's complaint that a US B-52 military bomber plane (file photo) flew within 12 nautical miles of the contested South China Sea islands, which Beijing claims is part of its territory
China has once again complained a US military flight flew near the South China Sea artificial islands that the country claims is part of its territory.

The Pentagon said on Friday it was looking into the complaint and added that the US regularly conducts training missions with B-52 bomber planes throughout the region.

Navy Commander Bill Urban, a Pentagon spokesman, said there had been no plan to fly a B-52 within 12 nautical miles of any of the three artificial islands.


Read More...
Snakes in Suits

Pentagon claims US strike that killed Iraqi soldiers could be 'mistake' by both sides


RT
Sat, 19 Dec 2015 19:32 UTC
US strike in Iraq
© RT
An airstrike by a US warplane that killed Iraqi soldiers could have resulted from "a mistake that involved both sides," the Pentagon chief said, according to AP.

"[Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi] and I agreed that this was an event that we both regretted and that there would be an investigation of it, but that these kinds of things happen when you're fighting side by side," US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said on Saturday.

The US said they are conducting an investigation into the incident, which was the first confirmed case of friendly fire since the US-led coalition started a bombing campaign against the terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq.

Comment: This just shows the lack of coordination the US fails to provide making one wonder just what is the US plans in the Middle East.

Read More...
SOTT Logo Radio

SOTT Focus: The Truth Perspective: A look back at this year's events and trends


Sott.net
Sat, 19 Dec 2015 19:00 UTC
Global events 2015
Broadcasting from deep in the heart of the American Empire, join your host Elan Martin, and fellow Sott.net editors, as they discuss everything from current events and the latest machinations and manipulations of the global elite to history, science, and religion, and how it all fits together.

Globally significant events came fast and furious in 2015 as we witnessed the world enter a near free-fall state towards chaos. While the power centers within the US have been revealing themselves to be as insane as we all feared, those who yearn for truth, decency, and humanity have been provided with some relief in seeing the Russian President Vladimir Putin be a force for good. Join us as we discuss some of the major events of the year and the impact they have had in shaping our present and our future.

The Truth Perspective is brought to you by the SOTT Radio Network and SOTT.net, your one-stop source for independent, unbiased, alternative news and commentary on world events.

Live every Saturday from 2-4pm EST / 11am-1pm PST / 8-10pm CET.

Running Time: 00:21:00

Download: MP3

Read More...
Bomb

ISIS stole sarin gas from Libya stores & has already used it, Gaddafi's cousin tells RT


RT
Sat, 19 Dec 2015 18:40 UTC
Hazmat Suit
© AFP
Islamic State militants have managed to steal chemical weapons from underground storage facilities in Libya that were not properly guarded and the gas has already been used, a cousin of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi told RT Arabic in an exclusive interview.

"ISIS has managed to find some of the secret underground storage facilities, still holding chemical weapons, hidden in the desert. Unfortunately, they weren't properly guarded," said Ahmed Gaddafi Al-Dam, a cousin of Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader who was killed in 2011.

Al-Dam, the stolen gas was then trafficked to the northern part of the country and sold.

"There are two known cases of this chemical agent being stolen. I know this from my sources in Tripoli. In the first case, seven drums of sarin were stolen, and in the second, I think it was five."

Comment: A related story: Sarin materials brought via Turkey & mixed in Syrian ISIS camps - Turkish MP to RT

Read More...