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Saudis bankroll Haftar offensive to seize Tripoli


Sputnik
Fri, 12 Apr 2019 21:15 UTC
LNA members
© REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori
LNA members, lead by Kalifa Haftar, to join troops advancing to Tripoli.
Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar received a pledge from Saudi Arabia of tens of millions of dollars to bankroll a military offensive to seize the capital of Tripoli and oust the nation's internationally recognised government, according to a report published by the Wall Street Journal on Friday.

The offer came during a visit to Saudi Arabia that was just one of several meetings Haftar had with foreign dignitaries in the weeks and days before he began the military campaign on April 4, the report said.

While the United States and the European Union have called on Haftar to avoid military conflict, other powers have provided weapons, funds and other support that have aided Haftar's quest to take control of the oil-rich Libya, the report said.

Haftar leads the strongest of multiple armed factions that have carved up much of eastern Libya following a US- and EU-backed Islamist uprising that overthrew and killed long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Haftar is attempting to unify Libya by replacing the internally recognized Government of National Accord, which is based in Tripoli, but exercises little authority beyond the capital, according to published reports.

Comment: See also:

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Star of David

Hama province Syria: Israeli rocket attack leaves three people injured


RT
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 03:37 UTC
Israeli rocket attack
© Global Look Press/Ammar Safarjalani
Syria's air defense missile, responding to a missile strike, is seen in the sky over Damascus, capital of Syria, on Jan. 21, 2019.
Syria has shot down several missiles launched by Israel and targeting the city of Masyaf in northwestern Syria, Syrian state media reported. Three people have been wounded and several buildings destroyed in the attack.

The rockets were launched by Israeli warplanes from Lebanese airspace at about 2.30am on Saturday, SANA reported. In response, Syria activated its air defenses and intercepted several missiles, the agency said. The alleged Israeli raid hit a military post in the city and destroyed several buildings. Three people have been reported wounded.

Lebanese Al-Masdar News reported, citing a military source on the ground, that Israeli rockets damaged a number of sites near the Masyaf National Hospital.

While Israel has not commented on the reported attack, it is presumed that Tel Aviv has made another incursion into Syrian territory to take on alleged Iranian elements there.

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Pirates

'Redefining' moment: 'Only Congress can declare war', prompts Pompeo's claim Iran is connected to al-Qaeda


Sputnik
Thu, 11 Apr 2019 03:04 UTC
trumpAUMF
© ACLU
The lawmakers believe any military action against Tehran must be authorized by Congress. It is unclear whether the Trump administration agrees.

US senators warned State Secretary Mike Pompeo on Wednesday that the White House has no authority to declare war on anyone - including Iran - since, according to the US Constitution, this power belongs to Congress.

Talking to Pompeo during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Wednesday, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) asked Pompeo if the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, issued to allow US troops fight with entities responsible for the 9/11 attacks and their associated forces, included Iran.

Pompeo dodged the question in his trademark manner, addressing the formalities to the lawyers, but claimed he has no doubt that "there's a connection" between the Iranian government and al-Qaeda, the terror group that was responsible for 9/11.

"The factual question with respect to Iran's connections to al-Qaeda is very real. They have hosted al-Qaeda. They have permitted al-Qaeda to transit their country," he said. "There is no doubt there is a connection between the Islamic Republic of Iran and al-Qaeda. Period, full stop," he added.

Comment: Netanyahu has choreographed the Trump administration's end-run around Congress' authority to declare war: Change Iran's designation.

According to RFE/RL, Pompeo threatens more pressure on Iran:
"I can assure the rest of the world that President Trump will continue to ratchet up the pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran so that their behavior will change," Pompeo told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 10.

Meanwhile, Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hizballah group on April 10 floated the prospect of retaliation by Iran and its allies over the U.S. sanctions. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Shi'ite group, said that all options were on the table were Washington to take steps that "threaten our nation."

"There are measures which, if taken by the Americans...who said they will remain without response?" Nasrallah said in a televised speech. Iran and its allies held "many strong cards," he added. Hizballah has long been designated as a terrorist group by the United States.


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Attention

Ukraine's temerity in Black Sea may pull NATO into war with Russia, senators warn


RT
Wed, 10 Apr 2019 23:11 UTC
Russian coastguard
© Sputnik/Russia’s Federal Security Service
Russian coastguard pursues intruding Ukrainian vessel in Kerch Strait, November 25, 2018.
NATO support is encouraging Ukraine's recklessness in relations with Russia, but such provocation could lead to a military conflict in which the US-led alliance itself could become involved, the Russian Federation Council said. Senators released a joint statement dedicated to NATO's 70th anniversary on Tuesday, paying special attention to the latest anti-Russian remarks coming from the organization.

US Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison said last week that a special "package" had been designed within the bloc "to assure that there is a safe passage for Ukrainian vessels" through the Kerch Strait.

The narrow waterway connecting the Black Sea and Azov Sea, which Russia controls, became the venue of an intense standoff last November, when several Ukrainian vessels deliberately violated Russia's maritime border near the Kerch Strait. They were detained by the Russian coast guard, which chased the intruders and fired shots at them.

The Federal Council clarified that "the passage of Ukrainian ships through the Kerch Strait is not a question of balance of power or NATO's presence in the Black Sea region, but solely the Ukrainian side's problem with observing the procedures, which it is well aware of and has successfully fulfilled before.

"The attempts by Kiev to bypass those procedures carry the risk of a military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, in which NATO may also become involved," the statement warned.

Comment: As Russia becomes increasingly essential to the economy and stability of Europe, the US must counter by escalating fear and provoking instances of 'Russian' aggression. Accusations will fly and NATO engagement won't be far behind. What will be Europe's choice?

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Ice Cube

Sans US and Canada, experts praise joint efforts at Arctic Forum


RT
Thu, 11 Apr 2019 11:07 UTC
walrus
© Global Look Press
The Arctic Forum highlighted collaboration between participant countries despite political differences, because Arctic development and preservation is their common goal, experts have told RT. "Arctic is the place where they actually agree, where they have common interests," Lars Kullerud from Arctic University said. "This is an area where everybody gains."

Russia's intention to ratify the Paris Agreement means that "Russia will align with the rest of the countries against US," Kullerud said. "Among Arctic countries the conflict isn't between Russia and other countries, but between all the countries and the United States," Kullerud stressed.

His words were echoed by Tero Vauraste, CEO of Arctia Group, who considers global climate change the "main reason for the good collaboration" on the Arctic. He said the "fact is that within the Arctic there aren't many pressing international issues, but this is the climate issue, which is common for everybody."

Comment: The primary purpose of the 2019 Arctic Forum, "The Arctic. An Ocean of Opportunity", was to "present a system of preferences ensuring economic efficiency of projects in the Arctic zone" and garner international cooperation for development of the region. Climate change was just one topic. For more on this event, go here.

See also:

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Eye 1

Giuliani: Assange could reveal Ukraine was behind Russia collusion 'plot'

Steven Nelson
Washington Examiner
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 09:34 UTC
Giuliani
President Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani, in an exclusive interview with the Washington Examiner, said Julian Assange could expose a "plot" involving Ukraine to falsely accuse Trump of colluding with Russia.

The WikiLeaks publisher was arrested Thursday in London and urged resistance to the "Trump administration" as he was dragged out of Ecuador's embassy to face extradition.

Assange helped elect Trump with 2016 dumps of damaging Democratic emails allegedly hacked by Russia. He was charged with a single count of computer-hacking conspiracy relating to Chelsea Manning's 2010 leaks of military and diplomatic secrets.

Trump distanced himself from the case, but Giuliani said Assange's apprehension - after nearly seven years in the embassy - could benefit the president, who was recently exonerated of criminal collusion with Russia by special counsel Robert Mueller.

Comment: See also:

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Yoda

The US charge against Assange is fraudulent and that's a fact

Caitlin Johnstone
caitlinjohnstone.com
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 18:46 UTC
assange arrest Ruptly
© Ruptly
Julian Assange is dragged from the Ecuadorian embassy by British police
Julian Assange sits in a jail cell today after being betrayed by the Ecuadorian government and his home country of Australia. A British judge named Michael Snow has found the WikiLeaks founder guilty of violating bail conditions, inserting himself into the annals of history by labeling Assange "a narcissist who cannot get beyond his own selfish interest." So that tells you how much of a fair and impartial legal proceeding we can expect to see from the British judicial process on this matter.

But the real reason that Assange has been surrendered by the Ecuadorian government, imprisoned by the British government, and ignored by the Australian government is not directly related to any of those governments, but to that of the United States of America. An unsealed indictment from the Trump administration's District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, accompanied by an extradition request, charges Assange with "conspiracy to commit computer intrusion for agreeing to break a password to a classified U.S. government computer" during Chelsea Manning's 2010 leak of government documents exposing US war crimes.

This charge is premised on a fraudulent and manipulative distortion of reality, and you may be one hundred percent certain of it. Let me explain.
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Star of David

Top House Dems warn Netanyahu against promise to annex West Bank settlements - still pushing dead two-state solution

Allison Deger
Mondoweiss
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 17:51 UTC
Havat Ma’on armed illegal settlers

On March 10 at 11.00 am, more than 30 armed settlers from the illegal Israeli outpost of Havat Ma’on invaded the Palestinian village of At-Tuwani.
Days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged as the clear victor of Israel's elections and will lead the country for a fifth term, a campaign promise he made to annex Israeli settlements in the West Bank is catching ire from House democrats

Taking the unusual step of publicly criticizing Israel and Netanyahu, today Eliot L. Engel, Nita Lowey, Ted Deutch, Brad Schneider, all supporters of the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC, issued a statement cautioning against any "unilateral steps" to declare occupied Palestinian territory part of the state of Israel:
"As strong, life-long supporters of Israel, a U.S.-Israel relationship rooted in our shared values, and the two-state solution, we are greatly concerned by the possibility of Israel taking unilateral steps to annex the West Bank. Every one of Israel's frontiers plays an important role in its security, and Israel's ability to guard itself from threats is non-negotiable. We hope that any security measures are implemented within the context of preserving the eventual possibility of a two-state solution. Two states for two peoples, negotiated directly by the two sides, with mutually agreed upon land swaps, is the best option to achieve a Jewish, democratic, secure Israel living side-by-side with a democratic, de-militarized Palestinian state.

"This will not be easy. Palestinian leadership has been unwilling to accept any reasonable peace proposal or even to negotiate seriously toward a solution. To paraphrase Abba Eban, the Palestinians never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. And instead of negotiating, they have pursued unilateral statehood through the United Nations.

"Our fear is that such unilateral steps-whether from Israelis or Palestinians-would push the parties farther from a final, negotiated settlement."

Comment: The spectacle of AIPAC-supporting politician publicly pushing back against the Lobby is interesting. Why now? However, realists know the two-state solution has been unviable since Ariel Sharon's injunction to the illegal settlers in 1998 to "grab all the hilltops" in the West Bank:
"Everybody has to move; run and grab as many hilltops as they can to enlarge the settlements, because everything we take now will stay ours. Everything we don't grab will go to them." . ~ Ariel Sharon
"Jews should live in and around every Arab population centre... Jews should not leave a single place where they don't live and have freedom of movement." - Ariel Sharon
Nothing of course, about Palestinian freedom of movement.
Sharon recounted standing on a dune near Gaza with cabinet ministers, explaining that along with military measures to control the Strip he wanted "fingers" of settlements separating its cities, chopping the region in four. Another "finger" would thrust through the edge of Sinai, helping create a "Jewish buffer zone between Gaza and Sinai to cut off the flow of weapons" and divide the two regions in case the rest of Sinai was ever returned to Egypt. That legacy disfigured and isolated Gaza, even years after Sharon implemented his policy of unilateral "disengagement" in 2005. He relocated the settlers to other illegal colonies in the West Bank and imposed a hermetic siege on the Strip, the consequences of which remain suffocating and deadly.


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Clock

How the statute of limitations will be hotly disputed in Assange case

Andrew C. McCarthy
National Review
Thu, 11 Apr 2019 18:16 UTC
assange arrest
© Global Look Press / Alberto Pezzali
UK police arresting WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange in London, April 11, 2019
The indictment that the Justice Department filed against Julian Assange in the Eastern District of Virginia charges him with a conspiracy to commit computer fraud. The conspiracy statute is Section 371 of the penal code, and the computer fraud offenses that were the objectives of the conspiracy are parts of Section 1030.

According to the indictment, Assange and Manning (then known as Bradley, now as Chelsea) conspired in 2010. Manning was prosecuted by the armed forces. The Justice Department's indictment against Assange was not returned until 2018 - eight years later.

The five-year statute of limitations that applies to most federal crimes is prescribed for both conspiracy and computer fraud.

So how is the Justice Department able to prosecute Assange on an indictment filed three years after the prescribed limitations period?

It appears that the Justice Department is relying on an exception, in Section 2332b of the penal code, that extends the statute of limitations to eight years for "acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries."

Comment: See also:

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Star of David

Delusional Pompeo assures CNN Netanyahu's vow to annex West Bank won't harm peace plan


Sputnik
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 17:15 UTC
pompeo netanyahu
© AP Photo / Thomas Coex
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he does not believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vows to annex the West Bank will hurt the US-led Mideast peace process.

"I don't, I think that the vision we'll lay out is going to represent a significant change from the model that's been used", Pompeo said on Friday when asked by CNN if he has any concerns that Netanyahu's statement may potentially hurt US efforts to propose a two-state solution.

Earlier on Friday, US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel and Congressmen Ted Deutch, Brad Schneider, and Nita Lowey said in a joint press release that they are concerned Netanyahu's statement could be detrimental to achieving peace in the Middle East.

Comment: It's hard to believe the Trump-Kushner 'peace plan' can be anything but a flop given what has come until this point. Jerusalem, Golan, cutting UN aid... And it's hard to imagine what major concessions from Israel would be required in order for the Palestinians to accept the official annexation of West Bank, for instance. Either way, this plan is going to be spectacular: either spectacularly unexpected, or a spectacular failure.

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