US Plans Permanent Occupation of Syrian Territory?
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2019-10-08
International law is clear and unequivocal. No nation may interfere in the internal affairs of others. | No foreign military of proxy force may occupy another country's territory. No nation may attack another state without Security Council authorization — permitted only …
globalresearch.ca/us-plans-permanent-occupation-syrian-territory/5691368
Trump Regime Escalates Economic War on China
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2019-10-08
The US is a declining empire, the more aggressive and widespread its malign activities, the sooner its fall from grace will arrive. Vaunted Pentagon forces failed to defeat Taliban fighters in Afghanistan after 18 years of trying, nor Syrian resistance …
globalresearch.ca/trump-regime-escalates-economic-war-china/5691393
"Your Transaction Has Been Canceled": Lessons in Lebanon's Economy
Robert Fisk | counterpunch.org | 2019-10-08
I sniffed something was wrong in Lebanon when the central bank governor Riad Salame announced to us all that there were plenty of dollars in the system. No shortages. No tightening of the purse strings. I still have the papers with his announcement on page one. Both before, during and after the 1975-1990 civil war,…
counterpunch.org/2019/10/08/your-transaction-has-been-canceled-lessons-in-lebanons-economy/
Can the US Starve Hezbollah of Funds?
Elijah J. Magnier | globalresearch.ca | 2019-10-08
Over the years, researchers have copied and parroted inaccurate declassified US intelligence reports on Hezbollah's sources of income around the world. These documents claim Hezbollah lives off selling smuggled cigarettes and illegally copied CDs or on income generated by selling | …
globalresearch.ca/us-starve-hezbollah-funds/5691230
Hezbollah took over Pentagon? Defense reporters baffled by bizarre glitch on TV screens showing CNN
rt.com | 2019-10-08
Reporters are scratching their heads following an odd tech glitch at the Pentagon, in which the name of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah flashed across TV screens tuned to CNN in the building's press pen. Nobody's sure why. | A number of journalists in the Defense Department press corps took to Twitter with alarm on Monday afternoon to share pictures and videos of the mysterious malfunction, some wondering aloud whether the militant group had successfully infiltrated the Pentagon. During the glitch, an image with the word "Hezbollah" in all-caps at the top and bottom of the screen, with indecipherable tex…
rt.com/news/470408-hezbollah-take-over-pentagon/
State Department Blocks EU Ambassador's Deposition in Impeachment Inquiry
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-10-08
| The State Department directed U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland not to appear Tuesday morning for a scheduled hearing about President Donald Trump's communications with Ukraine. | Sondland, a key figure in the burgeoning scandal at the heart of the Democratic-led impeachment inquiry, had previously agreed to appear voluntarily before the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Oversight committees behind closed-doors. | The decision to block the top diplomat from speaki…
truthout.org/articles/state-department-blocks-eu-ambassadors-deposition-in-impeachment-inquiry/
Is China "Buying Brazil"? Has President Bolsonaro Changed His Aggressive Anti-China Stance?
Paul Antonopoulos | globalresearch.ca | 2019-10-08
In an interview with DW Brasil, former Brazilian ambassador to Beijing, Marcos Caramuru, revealed the great interest Chinese companies have in potential infrastructure work in Brazil. Even with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro showing initial hostility towards China during his …
globalresearch.ca/is-china-buying-brazil-has-president-bolsonaro-changed-his-aggressive-anti-china-actions/5691408
Impeachment saga: Trump won't send EU envoy to stand before 'totally compromised KANGAROO COURT' but Dems say they will subpoena
rt.com | 2019-10-08
The Trump administration wouldn't allow Gordon Sondland, a key figure in the Democrats' impeachment effort, to testify before the House's "kangaroo court" — but the chairmen of the committees leading the efforts plan to subpoena. | Democrat-led committees in the US House, which are in the process of collecting evidence to argue the impeachment case against Donald Trump, wanted to hear the testimony of Gordon Sondland, Washington's ambassador to the EU. His scheduled appearance, however, was blocked by the White House. | I would love to send Ambassador Sondland, a really good man and great American, to te…
rt.com/usa/470453-trump-democrats-kangaroo-court/
Winners and Losers From Trump Throwing Syrian Kurds Under the Bus
Juan Cole | commondreams.org | 2019-10-08
It is difficult to see in what way Russia is benefited by Turkey's incursion into northeast Syria. (Photo: @LevHavryliv/Twitter) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/assad.jpeg …
commondreams.org/views/2019/10/08/winners-and-losers-trump-throwing-syrian-kurds-under-bus?cd-origin=rss
As Turkey Readies for Invasion of Northern Syria, Russia and Iran Object
Middle East Eye | theantimedia.com | 2019-10-08
Turkey has readied its forces for an offensive against Kurdish forces in northern Syria, prompting negative reactions from Iran and Russia.
As Turkey Readies for Invasion of Northern Syria, Russia and Iran Object
UN chief urges 'maximum restraint' following policy shift over northeastern Syria
United Nations | un.org | 2019-10-08
The UN chief on Tuesday expressed "great concern" over recent policy statements made regarding northeastern Syria, following the announcement from the United States at the start of the week, that it would withdraw troops from the area close to the border with Turkey.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/10/1048812
Trump's Syria Pullout Will Destroy the Middle East's Only Woman-Led Democracy
Carne Ross | thenation.com | 2019-10-08
Trump's Syria Pullout Will Destroy the Middle East's Only Woman-Led Democracy…
thenation.com/article/trump-syria-kurds/
Betrayal Is American Foreign Policy
Maj. Danny Sjursen | truthdig.com | 2019-10-08
The Kurds of northern Syria are simply the latest in a long line of Middle Eastern allies the U.S. has abandoned in their time of need.
truthdig.com/articles/betrayal-is-american-foreign-policy/
MPs call for UK to 'stand against' NATO member's invasion of northern Syria
Ed Sykes | thecanary.co | 2019-10-08
NATO's second largest army is currently on the verge of invading northern Syria. And a cross-party group of MPs has called for the UK to "steadfastly…
thecanary.co/trending/2019/10/08/mps-call-for-uk-to-stand-against-nato-members-invasion-of-northern-syria/
Video: Idlib Militants Retreating to Turkish Border
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2019-10-08
On October 5, the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out airstrikes on positions of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham near the town of Ballisa and Agr Hilltop in southern Idlib. The strikes eliminated at least 9 militants and became a logical continuation of …
globalresearch.ca/video-idlib-militants-retreating-turkish-border/5691340
'What Is the Trump Administration Trying to Hide?' Asks Sanders After President Blocks Amb. Gordon Sondland Testimony
Julia Conley, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-10-08
The Trump administration blocked Gordon Sondland, his ambassador to the European Union, from giving a highly-anticipated testimony to three House committees on Tuesday as part of the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump—intensifying speculation that the president is hiding information about his request for foreign intervention in the 2020 presidential election. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-1166060401.png …
commondreams.org/news/2019/10/08/what-trump-administration-trying-hide-asks-sanders-after-president-blocks-amb-gordon?cd-origin=rss
As Democrats Threaten Subpoena for Sondland, Calls Grow for Contempt Order If He Refuses to Comply
Julia Conley, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-10-08
Three House committees on Tuesday announced their intention to subpoena Gordon Sondland, President Donald Trump's ambassador to the European Union, hours after the White House blocked Sondland from testifying. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-11798006421.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2019/10/08/democrats-threaten-subpoena-sondland-calls-grow-contempt-order-if-he-refuses-comply?cd-origin=rss
After US Withdrawal, Turkey Announces Troops Are In Place for Planned Offensive Against Kurds in Syria
Julia Conley, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-10-08
A day after President Donald Trump announced he would withdraw U.S. troops from northeastern Syria, Turkey announced its plans to move ahead with military operations in the country targeting Kurdish forces. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-11746274351.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2019/10/08/after-us-withdrawal-turkey-announces-troops-are-place-planned-offensive-against?cd-origin=rss
Ardent Trump defender Graham calls decision to withdraw from Syria 'DISASTER in the making'
rt.com | 2019-10-07
Senator Lindsey Graham, who is usually one of President Donald Trump's most vocal supporters, has lashed out at his decision to withdraw US troops from northeastern Syria ahead of an imminent incursion by Turkey. | The move, Graham said, will result in a return of the terrorist group Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS), make the Kurds ally with the Syrian government, destroy Turkey's relationship with the US Congress, and leave a stain on US honor, the senator argued. He said he would file a motion in the Senate seeking a reversal of the decision. | * Ensures ISIS comeback. | * Forces Kurds to align with Assad a…
rt.com/usa/470369-graham-blasts-trump-kurds/
The political giving history of Trump's Ukraine diplomats
Karl Evers-Hillstrom and Yue Stella Yu | nationofchange.org | 2019-10-07
A series of text messages between U.S. diplomats released Thursday night reveals an apparent effort to pressure Ukraine into performing an investigation that could prove harmful to President Donald Trump's potential 2020 opponent. | One of the diplomats involved has a lengthy history as a Republican donor, while another performed lobbying work for foreign clients and a major defense company. | In the exchanges, acting ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor asked Gordon Sondland, ambassador to the European Union, if U.S. secur…
nationofchange.org/2019/10/07/the-political-giving-history-of-trumps-ukraine-diplomats/
Turkey's Erdogan to Meet Trump in Washington DC to Discuss Syria
Middle East Eye | theantimedia.com | 2019-10-07
There had been expectations in Turkey of Trump-Erdogan meeting on Syria last month on sidelines of UN General Assembly, but it did not happen.
Turkey's Erdogan to Meet Trump in Washington DC to Discuss Syria
The U.S. Is Now Betraying the Kurds for the Eighth Time
Jon Schwarz | theintercept.com | 2019-10-07
The White House announced Sunday night that the United States is giving Turkey a green light to invade northern Syria, with the U.S. troops there now apparently pulling back to another area of the country. This is the scenario that Syrian Kurds have long feared. It will almost inevitably lead to a Turkish attack on Kurdish militias in Syria — fighters who loyally helped the U.S. destroy the Islamic State, but whom Turkey bogusly claims to be terrorists. | On Monday morning, New York Times columnist Paul Krugman asked why Do…
theintercept.com/2019/10/07/kurds-syria-turkey-trump-betrayal/
US Troops Will Withdraw From Northeast Syria to Avoid Imminent Turkish Invasion
Jason Ditz | theantimedia.com | 2019-10-07
U.S.-backed forces in Syria said they would "not hesitate to turn any unprovoked attack by Turkey into an all-out war."
US Troops Will Withdraw From Northeast Syria to Avoid Imminent Turkish Invasion
Fox News in Disarray as Hosts Struggle to Digest Trump's Betrayal of the Syrian Kurds
Robert Mackey | theintercept.com | 2019-10-07
Donald Trump's late-night decision to abandon the Syrian Kurds who helped the United States destroy the Islamic State caliphate in Syria prompted a rare outburst of dissent on Monday on the president's favorite television program, "Fox and Friends." | The news of Trump's complete reversal of his pledge in June to defend the Kurds from a threatened Turkish invasion of their enclave in northern Syria outraged one of the president's most die-hard boosters, Fox h…
theintercept.com/2019/10/07/fox-news-in-disarray-as-hosts-struggle-to-digest-trumps-betrayal-of-the-syrian-kurds/
Turkish Military Operation in Syria Begins: Jets Filmed Bombing Kurdish Targets
Tyler Durden | theantimedia.com | 2019-10-07
This despite the Pentagon claiming to have effectively shut down Northern Syria airspace to Turkey.
theantimedia.com/turkish-invasion-syria-begins/
"A Shakespearean Act of Betrayal": Trump Agrees to Let Turkey Invade Kurdish-Controlled Syrian Area
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-10-07
U.S. troops have begun withdrawing from northeast Syria as Turkey prepares to invade Kurdish-controlled areas of the country. For years, the Kurds have been close allies to the United States in the fight against ISIS. On Sunday, however, the White House released a statement that surprised many in the region, announcing that Turkey would be "moving forward with its long-planned operation in Northern Syria," following a phone call between President Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "The United States Armed Forces will not support or be involved in that operation, and the United States forces, having…
www.democracynow.org/2019/10/7/syria_us_troops_withdrawal_turkey_invasion
An Open Letter to Science and Global Security
Rick Sterling | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-10-06
Dear Editors at Science and Global Security Science and Global Security (SGS) has been publishing technical articles on arms control and related issues since 1989. I urge you not to succumb to political censorship. Recently it was announced you are withholding publication of an article titled "Computational Forensic Analysis for the Chemical Weapons Attack at …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/10/an-open-letter-to-science-and-global-security/
Friday's Daily Brief: Ebola survivors top 1,000 in DR Congo, star of 'Roma' film named Goodwill Ambassador, clean air treaty enters into force
United Nations | un.org | 2019-10-04
A recap of Friday's stories: Milestone of 1,000 Ebola survivors counted in DR Congo; UN concerned over violent anti-government protests in Iraq and elsewhere; Oscar-nominated star named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador; Parties to Gothenburg Protocol for cleaner air, plan treaty implementation; UN scientific experts advise on elimination of hazardous chemicals.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/10/1048592
Foreign Correspondent: Turkey Plans an Attack on Syrian Kurds
Reese Erlich | progressive.org | 2019-10-03
So far, the scheme isn't working so well.
progressive.org/dispatches/foreign-correspondent-turkey-plans-attack-on-syrian-kurds-erlich-191003/
The White Helmets, Hala Systems and the Grotesque Militarization of "Humanitarianism" in Syria
Vanessa Beeley | mintpressnews.com | 2019-09-30
Syria, August 2019 — reports came in that Russian warplanes had destroyed two terrorist-manned early warning radar posts in the Northern Hama countryside, known as the 20th post and the Eagle post. | According to an article published by South Front, these early warning posts are "tasked with monitoring flights of Russian and Syrian warplanes" and warn armed groups throughout Hama and Idlib of incoming airstrikes on their positions. | South Front informed us that "four militants, inc…
mintpressnews.com/white-helmets-hala-systems-militarization-humanitarianism-syria/262115/