What to expect from Turkey's coming invasion of Syria
Vijay Prashad | mronline.org | 2019-10-09
Erdogan's government is preparing to enter Syria for a major military operation against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is made up largely of Kurdish factions who set up this armed force to defend the mainly Kurdish enclave in northern Syria. | Source…
mronline.org/2019/10/08/what-to-expect-from-turkeys-coming-invasion-of-syria/
Trump's Syria Policy Could Be a Gift to ISIS
Juan Cole | truthdig.com | 2019-10-09
As a result of the turmoil the U.S. and Turkey are causing in the region, 12,000 Islamic State fighters in containment camps could escape.
truthdig.com/articles/trumps-syria-policy-could-let-thousands-of-terrorists-escape/
Turkey Begins Operation Against Kurdish Forces in Syria
telesurenglish.net | 2019-10-09
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday that the Turkish Army and its Syrian rebel allies have launched their military operation into northeastern Syria. | RELATED: | Turkey Pledge to Pursue Military Plans in Syria Despite US Threats | Erdogan said the offensive, dubbed "Operation Peace Spring", would aim to eliminate threats from the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia and the Islamic State militants, and enable the return of Syrian refugees in Turkey after th…
telesurenglish.net/news/Turkey-Begins-Operation-Against-Kurdish-Forces-in-Syria-20191009-0004.html
Urgent UK protests called as Turkey begins 'illegal invasion' of northern Syria
Ed Sykes | thecanary.co | 2019-10-09
Turkey has invaded north-eastern Syria, attacking largely-Kurdish fighters who were key in defeating Daesh (Isis/Isil). | NATO member Turkey targeting "civilian areas" in Syria invasion: | Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the start of the invasion, which followed an announcement on Sunday by Donald Trump that US troops supporting the fight against Daesh would step aside. Erdoğan called the attack 'Operation Peace Spring'.
thecanary.co/global/world-news/2019/10/09/urgent-uk-protests-called-as-turkey-begins-illegal-invasion-of-northern-syria/
Turkey invades Syria to wipe out Kurds after Trump gives green light
Steve Sweeney | peoplesworld.org | 2019-10-09
Kurds are fearing ethnic cleansing today as Turkish forces launch a ground invasion following yesterday's bombing of Kurdish areas in northern Syria. Turkey's aggression comes after U.S. troops withdrew from the region earlier this week. President Donald Trump announced the pullback of U.S. forces suddenly and without warning late on Sunday night. Late Tuesday, Commander …
peoplesworld.org/article/turkey-invades-syria-to-wipe-out-kurds-after-trump-gives-green-light/
Julián Castro Backs Impeachment Effort, Condemns Trump's "Betrayal" of Kurds
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-10-09
| Turkey's government says its troops are prepared for an imminent assault on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, after President Trump ordered U.S. troops to fall back from their positions on the Turkish-Syrian border. Kurdish fighters said they're bracing for a "humanitarian catastrophe." This follows warnings that former Kurdish allies of the U.S. who feel betrayed by President Trump will abandon thousands of prisoners captured during the U.S.-backed war against ISIS over the past two years.
truthout.org/video/julian-castro-backs-impeachment-effort-condemns-trumps-betrayal-of-kurds/
Trump's Withdrawal From Syria: Betrayal of Kurds or End to Endless War?
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-10-09
President Trump's intention to withdraw from Syria was met with outrage on many sides, with people calling it a betrayal of a key ally in the Syrian conflict. Kurdish expert Edmund Ghareeb says there is probably a deal between Trump and Erdogan.
therealnews.com/stories/trump-withdraws-from-syria-betrayal-kurds-endless-war
Erdogan Says Military Invasion of Syria Has Begun as Turkish Jets Bomb the Kurds
Tyler Durden | theantimedia.com | 2019-10-09
Video shows Turkish troops crossing the border, as journalists warn that "a new phase of this bloody regional war could be about to begin."
theantimedia.com/erdogan-says-military-invasion-of-syria-has-begun-as-turkish-jets-bomb-the-kurds/
Trump's Erratic Syria Policy Deserves No Anti-Imperialist's Cheers
Jeet Heer | thenation.com | 2019-10-09
Trump's Erratic Syria Policy Deserves No Anti-Imperialist's Cheers…
thenation.com/article/trump-syria-pompeo/
Video: US Troop Withdrawals? Washington Green-light to Turkish Incursion into Northeastern Syria
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2019-10-09
On October 7, US forces started withdrawing from their positons along the border with Turkey, in northern Syria. The US military had permanent garrisons in Tel Abyad, Tel Musa, Tel Hinzir and Tel Arqam. They were abandoned. | On October …
globalresearch.ca/video-us-green-lights-turkish-incursion-northeastern-syria/5691439
Julián Castro Backs Impeachment Effort & Condemns Trump's "Betrayal" of Kurds in Northern Syria
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-10-09
Turkey's government says its troops are prepared for an imminent assault on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, after President Trump ordered U.S. troops to fall back from their positions on the Turkish-Syrian border. Kurdish fighters said they're bracing for a "humanitarian catastrophe." This follows warnings that former Kurdish allies of the U.S. who feel betrayed by President Trump will abandon thousands of prisoners captured during the U.S.-backed war against ISIS over the past two years. We speak to former housing secretary and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro, who says Trump's move is a…
www.democracynow.org/2019/10/9/2020_presidential_candidate_julian_castro_syria
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/
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/
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
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
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/
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
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/
Impeachment saga: Trump won't send EU envoy to stand before 'totally compromised KANGAROO COURT' but Dems file subpoena
rt.com | 2019-10-08
The Trump administration wouldn't allow Gordon Sondland, a key figure in the Democrats' impeachment drive, to testify before the House's "kangaroo court" — but the committee chairmen leading the efforts have issued a 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 testi…
rt.com/usa/470453-trump-democrats-kangaroo-court/
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
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/
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
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/
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/
Turkey Pledge to Pursue Military Plans in Syria Despite US Threats
telesurenglish.net | 2019-10-08
Turkey announced Tuesday it will carry out its military plans in the north of Syria without paying much attention to the United States menaces, apparently referring to U.S. President Donald Trump's statement to "totally destroy and obliterate" Turkey's economy if the country goes too far. | RELATED: | UN's Guterres Announces Syria Constitutional Committee…
telesurenglish.net/news/Turkey-Pledge-to-Pursue-Military-Plans-in-Syria-Despite-US-Threats-20191008-0028.html
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
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
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
'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
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/
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/
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/
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/
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
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/
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
"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/