Puppet MastersS


MIB

MI5's chief spook trots out terrorism and Russia threat to beg for Brexit clemency in Germany

Simon Rite
RT
Mon, 14 May 2018 17:26 UTC
MI5 Andrew Parker
© Stefan Rousseau / ReutersDirector General of MI5 Andrew Parker
Andrew Parker's visit to Berlin on Monday is being held up as historic, the first public speech outside Britain by a serving head of MI5. However, rather than a spy, Germany got a politician with a Brexit begging letter.

The basic message was that Russia and Muslim terrorists are coming to get you, and you need Britain to help, so please don't hold Brexit against us. The structure of the speech from Parker to other intelligence agencies was classic political theory. Introduce an enemy (Russians and Islamic terrorists), create fear (the Reds are in your Twitter feed), offer a solution (just be our friend after Brexit).

Some of the initial lessons we learned: Being the head of MI5 does not rely on charisma. Being Britain's chief domestic spy is very much a political position. Spies and politicians are being given the same talking points.

Comment: What? Do regular Tory government officials not have credibility in Europe any more?

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Info

Russian lawmaker blasts US sanction threats against EU firms over Iran ties as blackmail


TASS
Mon, 14 May 2018 19:06 UTC
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
© AP Photo/Alex BrandonUS Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

An MP comments on threats by US administration representatives to impose sanctions against European companies for cooperation with Iran

Threats by US administration representatives to impose sanctions against European companies for cooperation with Iran are nothing more than flagrant and unabashed blackmail, Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Foreign Affairs Leonid Slutsky said on Monday.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused European countries of rejecting the US demand to revise the Iran nuclear deal. He said the United Kingdom, Germany and France had 90 more days to reach an agreement on Iran's nuclear program. Trump's new national security adviser John Bolton did not rule out that sanctions might be slapped on EU firms for cooperating with Tehran.


Comment: Bolton: US could sanction EU companies who trade with Iran

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Magic Wand

National Security Adviser Bolton says Washington not pushing for regime change in Iran


RFE/RL
Sun, 13 May 2018 16:41 UTC
Bolton
© Kevin Lamarque / ReutersUS National Security Adviser, John Bolton
White House national security adviser John Bolton says "regime change" in Iran is not currently part of the administration's policy, despite his past suggestions that the United States should push for a new government in Tehran.

"That's not the policy of the administration. The policy of the administration is to make sure that Iran never gets close to deliverable nuclear weapons," Bolton told ABC television's This Week program on May 13.

On CNN's State of the Union program, Bolton played down his previous remarks, made before he joined the administration.

"I've written and said a lot of things over the years when I was a complete free agent," Bolton told CNN.

Bolton was tapped by President Donald Trump in March to replace H.R. McMaster and is considered a hard-liner on many international matters, including Iran.

He emphasized on CNN that his job now was to advise Trump and that the president would make the policy decisions.

"The circumstances I'm in now is that I'm the national security adviser to the president. I'm not the national security decision-maker. He [Trump] makes the decisions, and the advice I give him is between us," Bolton said.

Comment: Reassuring? Regime change may not be official policy, but policy has a tendency to be unofficial in the U.S. And Bolton isn't necessarily the most reliable or trustworthy source.

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Light Saber

As US quits Iran nuke deal Tehran looks to Russia, China to save the JCPOA


Sputnik
Mon, 14 May 2018 15:55 UTC
Lavrov Zarif iran Russia
© Associated Press / Ebrahim NoroozIranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, right, and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov arrive to their joint press conference in Tehran, Iran
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif to discuss the Iranian nuclear deal after Washington's withdrawal from the multilateral agreement.

Lavrov said at a meeting with the Iranian foreign minister that it is necessary to prevent any new threats to the nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Russia and a number of other countries have legitimate interests in the Iranian nuclear deal and they must be jointly defended, Lavrov said.

"We have planned contacts with all parties to this deal, except for the United States which announced the withdrawal from the agreement, in the coming days," Lavrov said.

Comment: The US has no real interest in Iran's supposed nuke program. They've known for years Iran has abided by the deal. Walking away just give the US the excuse to reinstate the economic pressure on the country, regardless of the effects on other members of the international community. American exceptionalism strikes again.

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Pirates

Prediction of new false-flag chemical attack in US controlled territory in Syria fits escalation plans

Whitney Webb
MPN News
Mon, 14 May 2018 14:55 UTC
US troops Kurds
© Rodi Said/ReutersUS troops chat with Kurdish rebel forces from the (YPG) in the town of Darbasiya next to the Turkish border, Syria April 29, 2017.


If a chemical weapons "attack" comes to pass in the place it has been predicted, it would be the first such provocation blamed on Assad to take place in territory occupied by a foreign power, likely triggering an intensified military response from the U.S.

Though last month's unilateral bombing of Syria by the U.S., U.K. and France came and went, the threat of foreign military intervention targeting the Syrian government remains, particularly given Syria's success in defeating the foreign-funded terrorist proxies that have prolonged the Syrian conflict for seven long years. While Israel seems to have taken it upon itself to militarily intervene in Syria to prevent the Syrian government from continuing to reclaim its lost territory, the other major powers that have long sought the end of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have seemed to step back from intervening in Syria, unless another chemical weapons attack were to take place and be blamed on Assad.

For that reason, a recent article, published in early May by Russian news agency RIA Novosti, should raise concern, as it exposes alleged plans for another gas-attack provocation in Syria. According to the report, preparations for a staged chemical weapons attack began late last month as civilians were relocated to a territory near Jafra oil field in Eastern Syria, where they will participate in a staged filming of a chemical-weapons attack scene. According to South Front, a U.S. military garrison was recently established in this area. The report, based on the testimony of an anonymous member of the Syrian security services, claimed that an attack was being planned by U.S. security services and would employ "prohibited substances" against a group of civilians.

Comment: Another reason for a false-flag to be caried out in territory controlled by the US and the SDF is that they would have complete control over the 'evidence'. The last time they tried this stunt in Douma, journalists eventually reached the place and talked to the locals and realized it had been a hoax. Next time, the US will have the luxury of hand-picking who gets to do the reporting.

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Whistle

Election meddling: West has been attempting to oust Putin from power since 2011


RT
Mon, 14 May 2018 13:10 UTC
Russian Central Election commision
© Kirill Kallinikov / SputnikThe information center of the Russian Central Election Commission, where preliminary results of the Russian presidential election have been announced.
The Russian Commission for State Sovereignty Protection has found that Western nations already sought to oust Vladimir Putin from power in 2011, long before the beginning of the ongoing political crisis.

"People in Washington and other capitals understood very well that in accordance with the Russian Constitution and tradition, the main battle for control over Russia always takes place in the period when the leader of our state is being elected. Moreover, starting at least from 2011, they have put before themselves the concrete task of preventing Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin himself from assuming the presidential post," the head of the commission, Senator Andrey Klimov, was quoted as saying by TASS at a recent session of the State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee.

"This means that attempts to influence the will of the majority of Russian citizens to keep Vladimir Putin the head of the state were made well before the international political crisis of 2014, Donald Trump's election as president of the United States, and making Russia an official enemy of the collective West in a US federal law."

Comment:

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Jet3

Iraqi warplanes bomb Islamic State logistics center in Syria

Mohammed Ebraheem
Iraqi News
Mon, 14 May 2018 14:53 UTC
Iraqi F-16
Iraqi Air Force F-16 in flight.
Iraqi warplanes carried out an airstrike on an Islamic State (IS) command center inside Syria, the Joint Operations Command was quoted as saying Monday.

"Acting on intelligence reports, the Iraqi F-16 warplanes destroyed a building used by the IS group as a command and logistics support center in southern al-Deshisha area in Syria," the command said in a statement.

The air raid was launched upon directives by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, the statement read. No further details were given, but the center said more information about the result of the airstrike will be released later.
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Heart - Black

US holds Jerusalem Embassy opening ceremony while Israel massacres dozens of Palestinian protesters (VIDEO)


Sputnik
Mon, 14 May 2018 14:34 UTC
The front of the US embassy is seen in Tel Aviv, Israel
© Amir Cohen / ReutersThe front of the US embassy is seen in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Up to 700 guests are attending the opening ceremony in Jerusalem, including US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka, his adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. Meanwhile, Palestinian protests against the move that have been ongoing in Gaza and Jerusalem have turned violent with Israeli forces using live fire.

The US has declared its embassy in Jerusalem open during a ceremony that had kicked off on Monday at 4 p.m. local time months after the controversial US decision to relocate the embassy from Tel Aviv in December 2017.

During the ceremony, Israeli representative has hailed US President Donald Trump's move that had sparked mass protests in Muslim states back in December, as well as criticism in a number of states, backing the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.


Comment: Nothing can illustrate better the horror and the hypocrisy that characterize the Israeli oppression of Palestine. Just today, Israel has murdered at least 41 Palestinian protesters and wounded 1,700. But never mind - the cameras are looking the other way, where Jared and Ivanka are exchanging hugs and kisses with Bibi and there's great speeches and live performers. Oh, and did we mention that Israel just won the Eurovision contest? Surely just a coincidence.

More from Sputnik on the nauseating ceremony:
'On God's Side': Israel Praises Trump for Keeping Promise on Embassy Transfer

The United States formally opened its new embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, with high-profile members of Trump's administration and members of his family, but not Trump himself, in attendance for a grand ceremony including 700 guests, including Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The festive ceremony, held amid violent protests by Palestinians which have already claimed nearly 40 lives, including a 14-year-old boy, and wounded hundreds more, 27 critically, included a congratulatory video message from President Trump, who didn't attend the ceremony.

The president called the embassy move a "long time coming," and boasted that the new embassy's opening comes "many, many years ahead of schedule."


Trump 'Kept His Promise'

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin praised Trump for keeping a promise often made by US presidential candidates in the past. "The Israeli people thank you for keeping your word, for your courage, for your determination," he said.

A visibly jubilant Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sat next to Ivanka Trump and presidential adviser Jared Kushner during the ceremony, said that today was a "glorious day."

"Remember this moment. This is history. President Trump, by recognizing history, you have made history," Netanyahu said. "The embassy of the most powerful nation on earth, the United States of America, our greatest ally, today its embassy opened here."

"We are in Jerusalem, and we are here to stay," Netanyahu added, to loud applause. "Thank you president Trump for having the courage to keep your promises."

'US Can Be Trusted'

Trump son-in-law and foreign policy adviser Jared Kushner echoed Rivlin's sentiment regarding Trump, adding that the embassy move was a demonstration of "American leadership."

"By moving our embassy to Jerusalem, we have shown the world once again that the United States can be trusted," Kushner said. Kushner also made reference to the US withdrawal from the Iran deal, which he called "dangerous and once sided."

Monday's ceremony included a dual-language musical performance of Hallelujah and Peace Will Yet Come to Us All, as well as several prayers, including by controversial Southern Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress, who offered a prayer for Trump, and praised God and Jesus. "We thank you every day that you have given us a president who boldly stands on the right side of history, but more importantly on the right side of you oh God when it comes to Israel," he said.


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Bullseye

What are they afraid of? The 'Deep State Mob' targets Nunes

Julie Kelly
American Greatness
Sat, 12 May 2018 12:28 UTC
Devin Nunes
© Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call
In an absurd tweet on Wednesday, Lawfare's executive director suggested that Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) should be replaced as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee:


That wasn't even the most moronic tweet in Susan Hennessey's arsenal. She went on to warn how "the intelligence oversight system is based on trust. Without trust it is irretrievably broken. The [Intelligence Community] and [Department of Justice] don't trust Nunes and he cannot perform his job functions." Get that? The Intelligence Community and the Justice department-which have proven to be as political and devious as a Chicago ward boss - are the white hats and Nunes is the black hat.

That is not ignorance on Hennessey's part: it's calculated deception.

Comment: It seems Nunes is pushing the right buttons to get such a response from the Left (and some of the right). There may be some bombshells down the road now that the FBI and CIA are playing their 'national security' card. The real collusion is that of the Intel agencies working with the Democratic party to subvert whatever shreds of 'democracy' were left. If this scandal ever sees the light of day, it will make Watergate look like a walk in the park.

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Snakes in Suits

Haspel violated the US Constitution & International Law by use of torture - she should be prosecuted

Skip Folden
Disobedient Media
Mon, 14 May 2018 12:04 UTC
Gina Haspel
CIA Director, "Bloody" Gina Haspel
Trump's nominee for CIA Director is Gina Haspel. Haspel was station chief of the Thailand black site, Fall 2003, known for the Unusual, Cruel, Humiliating treatment and Torture of US prisoners. In 2005 she also reportedly ordered the destruction of Thailand interrogation tapes. As station chief she was responsible for the activities of the site, and, therefore, has apparently violated the US Constitution, relevant US Code, and International Law. Accordingly, she is potentially an International War Criminal, and should be prosecuted as such.

Whereas both our misleading media and disingenuous elected only use the word "torture" or phrase "enhanced interrogation," in fact any and all form(s) of unusual, cruel, humiliating OR torture are war crimes, by international law, US Code, US Interrogation manuals and our Constitution, i.e., the Supreme Law of the Land. That makes a farce of any discussion of whether a particular cruel, unusual, or humiliating treatment is "torture." Every single such act is a war crime and US Constitution violation. Note, that in addition to the explicit prohibition of such acts by our Constitution (Amendment VIII), Article VI, item 2, adds, "... and all treaties made ...shall be the supreme law ..."

Haspel, when asked during her Senate Hearing her opinion of the morality of detainee treatment, had the audacity to respond, "...the higher moral standard we have decided to hold ourselves to ..." and "... we should hold ourselves to the moral standard outlined in the army field manual." There is no "higher moral standard" nor any support in our Army Field Manuals for Unusual, Cruel, Humiliating or Torture treatment of US prisoners. Not only is such immoral, but in explicit violation of the relevant US Army Field Manuals to which she refers (1992 or 2006) included in the list below.

Comment: Further reading: Trump's choice of 'Bloody Gina' as CIA chief is disgraceful

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