Puppet MastersS


Airplane

Flashback Get Osama! Now! Or else...

Pepe Escobar
Asian Times
Thu, 30 Aug 2001 00:00 UTC
Image
American commandos likely to descend on Pakistan's tribal areas may not be too keen on acquiring the supreme fashion accessory of 2001 in the region, the Osama bin Laden T-shirt, boasting such inscriptions as "World Hero" and "The Great Mujahid of Jihad". They're selling briskly in Peshawar's Saddar bazaar for less than US$2 a pop.

The US special forces guys could also take back home a few examples of Osama rappin', available on cassette tapes. They could collect Osama mug shots with lovely psychedelic overtones, and even an Osama video - where the No 1 on the FBI's most wanted list on charges of international terrorism preaches from a mosque and talks to his faithful jihadis in the field. Osama says, "You gotta leave all these places run by 'allies of Jews and Christians' and come to me to do the jihad." He calls for "blood, blood and destruction, destruction" - referring to an array of Muslim victims from Palestine to Chechnya, from Lebanon to Kashmir.

Osama bin Laden - also the No 1 target of the CIA's counter-terrorism center - is now a superstar playing the bad guy in some sort of planetary Hollywood fiction. Yet inside Afghanistan today, where the Saudi Arabian lives in exile, Osama is a minor character. He is ill and always in hiding - usually "somewhere near Kabul". Once in a while he travels incognito to Peshawar. His organization, the Al Qa'Ida, is split, and in tatters. The Taliban owe him a lot for his past deeds towards the movement and in putting them in power in Afghanistan - contributing with a stack of his own personal fortune of millions of dollars. But no longer an asset, he has become a liability.

Comment: Well, well, well. It was common knowledge in Pakistan two weeks before 9/11 that the US government was about to intervene in the region, and under the pretext of 'getting OBL'. We bet that once Musharraf saw those towers go down, he realized he'd in all probability lose power (and maybe his life) if he didn't cooperate with the NeoCons in turning the region in to a complete train-wreck.

Listen to the knowledgeable Pepe Escobar talk on pre- 9/11 US motivations of resource grab in pipelineistan, among many other topics, on SOTT talk radio:

Dissecting Globalistan: Interview with Pepe Escobar

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People

Schizophenic Ukraine: New president Poroshenko talks peace, but was he the biggest domestic financier of the Right Sector rioters?


RT
Mon, 09 Jun 2014 05:55 UTC
Petr Poroshenko
© RT
Ukraine has chosen a new president. How is he going to deal with his country's dire problems? Is it possible to achieve the promised peace when he immediately refuses to compromise? How much latitude does President Petro Poroshenko have in his government at all? Peter Lavelle hosts CrossTalking, with Vladimir Suchan, Daniel Welch and Mark Sleboda.

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People 2

Interview with Marine Le Pen: EU political world indifferent to people dying in eastern Ukraine

Sophie Shevardnadze
SophieCo
Mon, 09 Jun 2014 05:13 UTC
Marine Le Pen on RT
© RT
Elections to the European Parliament have brought groundbreaking changes in the structure of EU's most powerful body: right wing parties along with Eurosceptics, an outsiders just a few years ago, have now taken the political scene. Front Nacional party in France gets the majority - signifying that people want change; the same with other nations. But what now? Is the European change of course inevitable? What will happen to the Union itself? Today, we meet again with our special guest, the leader of the Front Nacional party. Marine Le Pen is on Sophie&Co today.

Follow @SophieCo_RT


Sophie Shevardnadze: Last time we talked you predicted in the EU elections you'd become the number one party in France - and here we are. What's the very first thing you want to do?

Marine Le Pen: The first thing that I will do is constitute a group in the European parliament to be able to prevent any new advances towards European federalism, which I consider to be profoundly anti-democratic. I believe that it goes against the sovereignty of the people and the economic, social, and international interests of France. So, along with our allies, we will now be able to provide a new voice, different from the one which dominates in the European union.

SS: When you look at the bigger picture, the eurosceptics are in the minority in the chamber and they aren't even forming a bloc yet, there was no "global victory". So why all this talk of a political earthquake?

MP: Believe me, we saw the faces of the people here in Brussels who saw us come pouring in, I think they believe that our presence will decidedly change the appearance of the European parliament and, evidently, of the debates that will take place in the parliament.
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Megaphone

Saker rant: A clarification

The Saker
The Vineyard of the Saker
Sun, 08 Jun 2014 19:22 UTC
Poroshenko
© RIA Novosti Pavel Palamerchuk
Okay, predictably some has misunderstood my rant as a change in heart. Others wonder what has changed over the past 24 hours. So let me clarify:

1) No change of heart? No - Putin did the right thing by waiting as long as was possible. I just don't believe that waiting is possible any more. Why not?

2) What has changed? Not just words, but actions by Poroshenko. I, along with many other observers in Russia, had hopes that Poroshenko would use his "clean hands status" to come up with at least a temporary cease-fire followed by negotiations. Heck - even a 48 hour break to "celebrate" his "election" would have been helpful. All that happened was a dramatic increase in violence. Also, Merkel did specifically ask for a meeting with Putin and I had some hopes that the bitch has something useful to say to him. But the EU leaders did, again, show that as soon as Uncle Shmuel shows up they turn into the "great supine protoplasmic invertebrate jellies".

Finally, Poroshenko did more than just spew some garden variety Ukie nonsense. He specifically committed himself to one language, no federation, no negotiations (at least not with those folks who matter) and he topped it all with a completely surreal statement about the Crimea being forever Ukie. Ok, these are not just words, the man cornered himself into a crazy, maximalist position. Some ask what I was expecting and say add that Poroshenko had no other options. Nonsense! He could have said something along these lines:
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Light Saber

Saker rant: Please tell me my worst fears will not come true - that Putin is not another Milosevic!

The Saker
The Vineyard of the Saker
Sun, 08 Jun 2014 19:22 UTC
putin milosevic
Will Putin prove himself true to his ideals? Or will he go the path of Milosevic?
Several Serbian commentators have expressed their concern, if not outright worry, about what is happening right now in Novorossia. I have to admit that I now share that concern. While I am not Serbian myself, some of the longtime readers of that blog know that I have had the opportunity to follow the entire war in Bosnia and Croatia literally minute by minute while working for the UN far away from Yugoslavia, but with daily access to UNPROFOR reports and with the possibility to debrief any UNPROFOR officers including two Force Commanders. For me this war will forever feel 'raw' because that was the event which really opened by eyes to the nature of the so-called "free and democratic West" and which, combined with the war in Chechnia, eventually cost me my career. I will thus readily admit that I might be over-reacting. In fact, my brain tells me one thing, but my gut tells me another and as a result I am feeling a very unpleasant but persistent feeling of alarm.

It all began when I finally listened to the full inauguration speech of Poroshenko. Up to that moment, I had some hopes that while even though this would be difficult, some kind of reasonable beginning of some kind of peace process could be negotiated with the man. I knew that the guy was an unprincipled prostitute, but it was precisely that "quality" which made me cautiously hopeful: better a rational prostitute that a crazed lunatic, right?
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Rose

Russia unexpectedly sets Greenpeace ship 'Arctic Sunrise' free - crew granted amnesty from charges


Common Dreams
Sat, 07 Jun 2014 18:55 UTC
arctic sunrise greenpeace
Arctic Sunrise
Greenpeace reaffirmed its belief that the arrest of the ship was illegal under international law

Russia, in a "surprise move," is releasing Greenpeace's Dutch-flagged Arctic Sunrise ship, seized last year after a protest against Arctic oil drilling, the environmental group said Friday afternoon.

"Russia's investigative committee this morning informed Greenpeace International that it has annulled the arrest of the Arctic Sunrise, which has remained in custody in Murmansk," Greenpeace said in a statement.

Greenpeace reaffirmed its belief that the arrest of the ship was illegal under international law.

Reacting to the news, Greenpeace International Executive Director Kumi Naidoo said:
"Millions of people spoke out against the illegal imprisonment of the Arctic 30, and today the final member of the group is free to come home. Our ship was arrested during an entirely peaceful protest against Arctic drilling in international waters. There was absolutely no justification either for boarding the ship or keeping her for eight months.

"This whole affair was a brazen attempt to intimidate those who believe that drilling for oil in the melting Arctic is reckless and unsafe. After months without proper maintenance our ship will need careful repairs, but like our campaign to protect the Arctic she will emerge better, fitter and stronger from this."
Russian authorities told Greenpeace's lawyers that investigations continued "in order to examine equipment found on board the ship".

Russian military commandos seized the Arctic Sunrise last September and detained 30 Greenpeace activists and journalists after a protest at an offshore oil rig owned by Russian state oil giant Gazprom.

Originally facing a charge of piracy, they were later targeted with less severe 'hooliganism' accusations.
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Health

'Merkun 'Mockracy: ​More than 100 people blown to pieces during yet another bloody day in Iraq


RT
Sat, 07 Jun 2014 18:47 UTC
Image
© AFP Photo / Marwan Ibrahim
Iraq saw one of the bloodiest days Saturday with a string of car bombings killing an estimated total of 60 in Baghdad, while a further 59 died in the country's north. Several fatalities were also reported after militants took students hostage in Ramadi.

In Baghdad, the most severe of the attacks took place in Bayaa, the capital's southwestern neighborhood. There alone 23 people were killed - the majority of whom had been young and engaged in a game of billiards.

Clashes in the northern city of Mosul took lives of 21 police and 38 militants as the fighting spilled over into the second day, an officer and mortuary employee told AFP.

On Saturday, armed militants also took over a university in Ramadi, located in the western province of Anbar, capturing male and female staff and students. The gunmen fought their way through the Anbar University guards, wounding some, and blowing up a bridge.
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War Whore

Arch-idiot Kerry demands Poroshenko prove the impossible: Russia's involvement in Novorossiya events


RIA Novosti
Thu, 05 Jun 2014 18:29 UTC
Poroshenko Kerry
© RIA Novosti / Nikolay LazarenkoThe camera can barely sustain this amount of idiocy: Kerry AND Poroshenko.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Ukrainian President-elect Petro Poroshenko prove that Russia is involved in the independence movement in the eastern regions of Ukraine, according to The New York Times.

During a meeting in Poland on Wednesday, Kerry asked the newly elected president to provide evidence of a connection between Moscow and Ukraine's independence supporters, according to the media outlet.

The politicians also discussed the democratic development of Ukraine. Kerry expressed admiration for the people of Ukraine and congratulated Poroshenko on his victory in the May 25 presidential election.

After talks with Kerry, the president-elect met US President Barack Obama to discuss US help in training Ukrainian military forces, and Ukraine's energy security.

The US secretary of state is due to meet his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Paris on Thursday to discuss Syria and Ukraine.

Washington recently claimed that the US has proof Russia intervened in the conflict, by sending troops and supplying weapons to the independence movements in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed these claims in an interview Wednesday with French broadcasters Europe 1 and TF1. The West does not have reliable evidence of Moscow's involvement in the violent standoff between the Kiev authorities and independence supporters in eastern Ukraine, Putin said.

Comment: If the U.S. had proof, why would they demand Poroshenko provide more? The Americans are blowing a lot of hot air and leaving their stooge in the lurch. It will be interesting to see if Poroshenko gets the message and provides the kind of 'proof' the U.S. desires. By U.S. standards (recall the lead-up to the Iraq war), he won't need much. Just enough 'created reality' (i.e., total fabrication) to prove he's part of the team.

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War Whore

American-approved democracy restored in Egypt: General al-Sissi sworn in as dictator


castanet.net
Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:15 UTC
Image
© AP Photo/MENAIn this image released by Egypt's state news agency MENA, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, left, and outgoing interim President Adly Mansour attend El-Sissi's inaugural ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, June 8, 2014
Egypt's former army chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi was sworn in Sunday as president for a four-year term, assuming the highest office of a deeply polarized nation roiled by deadly unrest and an economic crisis since its Arab Spring uprising in 2011.

El-Sissi's inauguration came less than a year after he ousted the country's first freely elected president, Islamist Mohammed Morsi, following days of mass protests demanding he step down. While praised by many in a wave of nationalist fervour following the July 3 overthrow, el-Sissi's rise to power coincided with the detention of thousands and the killing of hundreds of Morsi supporters.

Now, the retired field marshal faces the daunting tasks of reviving Egypt's stagnant economy, fighting Islamic extremists and cementing his rule after years of turmoil in the Arab world's most populous country.

"The presidency of Egypt is a great honour and a huge responsibility," el-Sissi told local and foreign dignitaries gathered at an opulent Cairo palace hours after his swearing-in ceremony.

Under his rule, he said, Egypt will work for regional security and stability. He also called on Egyptians to build a more stable future after three turbulent years, asking them to work hard so that their rights and freedoms could grow.
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Wolf

Neocon Victoria Nuland to attend inauguration of 'president-elect' Poroshenko in Kiev


Voice of Russia
Fri, 06 Jun 2014 18:11 UTC
Nulnd
© East News/APShe-devil Victoria Nuland.
US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland is expected to arrive in Ukraine for a three-day visit, during which she will attend the inauguration of Ukraine's president-elect, Petr Poroshenko, a Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman told Interfax on Friday.

"Nuland will attend the inauguration of Ukraine's newly elected president. She will visit Odesa over the weekend, and on Monday will hold a series of meetings with representatives of the authorities in Kiev," he said.

The US official is expected to travel to Odessa on Sunday, when she will also visit a local children's summer camp.

US Vice President Joe Biden will head his country's delegation to Poroshenko's inauguration on June 7.

Comment: The inauguration ceremony has come and gone, and it looks like Poroshenko is firmly in the pocket of his U.S. masters. He made this clear when he essentially declared war on eastern Ukraine during his inauguration speech, no doubt after a litany of 'editorial suggestions' from Nuland and her minions...

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