Daily Archives: March 9, 2020

2020-03-09: News Headlines

RT (2020-03-09). In Brussels, Erdogan asks NATO for 'assistance' on Syria and migrants. rt.com Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in Brussels, demanding help from NATO with both the conflict on his southern border and the migrants he tried to unleash on the West, now that neither situation is going according to plan. | After meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday, the Turkish leader said he requested "additional assistance" from the alliance, for the "defense" of the Turkish border with Syria and "in connection with the migration challenge." | "We expect concrete support from all our allies to this struggle," Erdogan added, urging the allies to support Turkey "without disc…

Staff (2020-03-09). Turkey Ups the Stakes in Migrant Crisis. truthdig.com BRUSSELS — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pressed the European Union on Monday for more help caring for Syrian refugees after EU officials accused him of "blackmail" for waving migrants through to Europe. | Thousands of migrants have massed at Turkey's land border with EU-member Greece since Erdogan's government made good on a longstanding threat and announced it would no longer prevent migrants from crossing. | EU countries have rallied behind Greece, which is also a member of NATO, and described it as a "shield" protecting Europe's borders with the outside world. | Related Articles:

Stephen Lendman (2020-03-09). No End to Endless War in Syria. globalresearch.ca Obama's war in Syria, now Trump's, continues endlessly. | On or about the Ides of March, US aggression in Syria will enter its 10th year with no prospect for near-term resolution. | Tens of thousands of heavily armed jihadists remain in Idlib …

Stephen Lendman (2020-03-09). Ceasefire in Syria: Dead on Arrival? globalresearch.ca Ceasefire in Syria's Idlib province is more illusion than reality. | At best, principles Putin and Erdogan agreed on last Thursday abated fighting short-term without halting it or preventing a flareup like all previous times when ceasefires were declared throughout years …

Scott Ritter (2020-03-09). New Putin-Erdogan Deal Is Sugar-coating the Turks' Surrender. globalresearch.ca This week's meeting between Presidents Putin and Erdogan in Moscow was cast as preventing a war between Russia and Turkey in Syria. War, however, was never on the horizon. Putin called Erdogan's bluff, and the Turk folded. | Russian President Vladimir …

Arabi Souri (2020-03-09). Cease Fire Rejected. Turkey Doesn't Consider Al Qaeda as a Terrorist Group. Erdogan Sends More Troops into Idlib. globalresearch.ca The latest agreement of ceasefire between the Russian President and the Turkish madman Erdogan explicitly excludes combating terrorists. Erdogan doesn't consider al-Qaeda as a terrorist group, he invested heavily in this organization especially in Syria and

yenisafak (2020-03-09). Greek border guard pours boiling water on asylum seeker. yenisafak.com An asylum seeker claimed on Monday that a Greek border guard poured boiling water on him as he attempted to enter the country.Abdulmuttalib Ulimuhammed, 21, was crossing the land border through Turkey's Edirne province.The Afghan national is getting treatment for burn injuries on his face and legs at a Turkish hospital."May Allah bless Turkish people," he said.Blaming the EU for failing to keep its promises to help asylum seekers, Turkey recently loosened its policy on irregular migration, allowing them to seek entrance into Europe.Turkey currently hosts over 3.7 million Syrians, making it the world's top refugee…

yenisafak (2020-03-09). UAE reports 14 new coronavirus cases, tally reaches 59. yenisafak.com The United Arab Emirates announced 14 new coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing the total number of people diagnosed to 59, state news agency WAM reported.Of the new cases, there were four Emiratis, three Italians, two each from Bangladesh and Nepal, and a Russian, Syrian and Indian diagnosed with the virus, WAM reported, citing the country's Health Ministry.

sputniknews (2020-03-09). European Commission President Tells Turkey to Take Migrants Back From Greek Border. sputniknews.com This comes ahead of Turkish President Erdogan's meeting with EC President Charles Michel in Brussels where they are expected to discuss measures to reduce tensions on Turkey's borders and European support for Syrian refugees in Turkey.

sputniknews (2020-03-09). US Election; Israeli Vote; Syria; Coronavirus. sputniknews.com Join George Galloway on the new home for the Mother of All Talk Shows – this week we talk about US election, Israeli election, Syria, and the spread of coronavirus.

Stephen Lendman (2020-03-08). Trump Regime Blocks UN Security Council Support for Syria Ceasefire Already Breached. globalresearch.ca The US under both right wings of its war party wants endless conflict, instability, and chaos continuing in all its war theaters — peace considered detrimental to its imperial ambitions. | On Friday, the Trump regime blocked a Security Council statement, …

South Front (2020-03-08). Video: Syrian Army Win Battle Against Erdogan Forces in Idlib, but War Is Far from Over. globalresearch.ca The first days of March broke the dreams of the Turkish political and military leadership of a swift victory over the Syrian Armed Forces. Operation Spring Shield failed to achieve the goal officially declared by top Turkish officials — to …

Prof. Tim Anderson (2020-03-08). International Women's Day: Syria says YES to Women, and NO to Wahhabis. globalresearch.ca Image. Prof. Tim Anderson | First published by GR on March 8, 2016 | On International Women's Day — The Syrian Arab Republic — the only genuinely pluralist nation in the region — was the first country in the Middle East and …

Emily Apple (2020-03-08). One tweet shows exactly why Dominic Raab shouldn't be foreign secretary. thecanary.co One country is showing its intent to create chaos in the Middle East. From sparking conflict in the one area in Syria where there was previously peace, to creating a humanitarian crisis in an attempt to bribe Europe to support its war in the region, Turkey is engaged in a dangerous power game that is killing people and putting lives at risk. | But Turkey is a NATO ally. And the UK is desperate for post-Brexit trade partners. So it's perhaps no surprise that foreign secretary Dominic Raab is sucking up to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. And in one tweet, Raab showed dangerous contempt for the thousands of…

Eds. (2020-03-07). Lebanon state prosecutor blocks order to freeze assets of 20 banks. mronline.org Lebanon's state prosecutor suspended an order on Thursday to freeze the assets of 20 local banks, warning it would plunge the country and its financial sector into chaos, according to a copy of the decision seen by Reuters. |

South Front (2020-03-07). Video: Turkish Drones Falling in Idlib. 'Moderate Rebels' Gas Themselves by Mistake. globalresearch.ca Early on March 5, the Israeli Air Force carried out a series of airstrikes on targets in the Syrian provinces of Homs and Quneitra. According to the Syrian military, the attack was conducted from Lebanese airspace at 00: 30 local time. …

Julie Lévesque (2020-03-07). From Afghanistan to Syria: Women's Rights, War Propaganda and the CIA. globalresearch.ca Western heads of state, UN officials, military spokespersons will invariably praise the humanitarian dimension of the October 2001 US-NATO led invasion of Afghanistan, which allegedly was to fight religious fundamentalists, help little girls go to school, liberate women subjected to the yoke of the Taliban.

M. K. Bhadrakumar (2020-03-07). A "win-win" over Afghanistan and Syria. iranian.com Two peace agreements within a week are a bit too much. Hot on the heels of the US-Taliban peace agreement signed in Doha on February 9, Russia and Turkey have signed a peace agreement over the Syrian conflict in Moscow on March 6. On the face of it, the two are unconnected events but they …

Steven Sahiounie (2020-03-06). The New Idlib Ceasefire Forces Turkey-Backed Extremists to Fall Back. mintpressnews.com Putin and Erdogan met in Moscow in a last-ditch effort to strike a deal over the escalating violence in Idlib, Syria. Steven Sahiounie weighs in on who prevailed and what likely comes next.

Stephen Lendman (2020-03-06). Another Farcical Ceasefire in Syria. globalresearch.ca Time and again, ceasefires agreed to on Syria were breached straightaway by US/NATO/Turkish supported terrorists. | Is this time different? Will belligerent Trump and Erdogan regimes turn a page for restoration of peace and stability in Syria? | Will they renounce years …

Staff (2020-03-06). Headlines for March 6, 2020. democracynow.org 3,500 Cruise Ship Passengers Quarantined Off California Coast over Coronavirus Fears, Seattle Area Residents Urged to Work from Home as Coronavirus Spreads Across U.S., World Health Organization's Coronavirus Warning: "This Is Not a Drill", Stocks Tumble as Coronavirus Rattles Global Economy, Sen. Elizabeth Warren Suspends 2020 Presidential Bid, Bernie Sanders Campaign Rally Disrupted by Protester with Nazi Flag, Russia and Turkey Agree to a Ceasefire in Syria's War-Torn Idlib, Israel Accused of Collective Punishment After Demolishing Palestinian Homes, Israeli Opposition Parties Bidding to Unseat Netanyahu After…

James Bovard (2020-03-06). Syria Debacles Epitomize Perpetual Perfidy of U.S. Foreign Policy. counterpunch.org Turkey is ratcheting up its invasion of Syria and trying to drag NATO into Erdogan's personal rehabilitation scheme. Threats and counter-threats are flying as thickly as the bombs and bullets. It remains to be seen whether U.S. policymakers will blunder deeper into this quagmire. Last October, the Washington establishment was aghast when President Trump appeared

Anya Parampil (2020-03-05). Syria war update: Turkey's Erdogan invades Idlib, invokes re-establishment of Ottoman Empire. thegrayzone.com Red Lines host Anya Parampil speaks with Mohammad Marandi, a professor at the University of Tehran. He discusses his recent…

Aaron Maté (2020-03-05). Exclusive: OPCW whistleblowers confront leadership's attacks, cover-up of Douma deception. thegrayzone.com OPCW leadership tried to discredit two veteran officials who challenged a cover-up of its chemical weapons investigation in Douma, Syria. They…

Staff (2020-03-05). Headlines for March 5, 2020. democracynow.org Coronavirus Cases Near 100,000 Worldwide as U.S. Death Toll Reaches 11, President Trump Contradicts WHO's Warning over Coronavirus Death Rate, Billionaire Mike Bloomberg Ends Presidential Bid, Endorses Joe Biden, Bernie Bashes Biden's Billionaire Backers as Healthcare Stocks Surge Post-Super Tuesday, International Criminal Court to Investigate Taliban, Afghan and U.S. Troops for War Crimes, 15 Civilians Killed in Latest Syrian Airstrikes in Idlib, Turkey Accuses Greece of Killing Migrant as Greek Riot Police Fire Tear Gas at Border, EU Ministers Support Greek Crackdown on Asylum Seekers Despite Protests, Federal…

news.un (2020-03-05). Guterres calls for 'immediate and lasting' end to Syria fighting as Turkey and Russia agree ceasefire. news.un.org The UN Secretary-General said on Thursday that he hoped the latest ceasefire agreement between Russia and Turkey to end fighting across Syria's stricken Idlib region, would finally lead to "an immediate and lasting cessation", that would protect civilian lives.

Peter Boyle (2020-03-05). Escalating war in Idlib creates new refugee crisis. greenleft.org.au

Staff (2020-03-04). Headlines for March 4, 2020. democracynow.org Bernie Sanders Wins California as Joe Biden Sweeps the South on Super Tuesday, GOP's Jeff Sessions Faces Runoff in Bid to Reclaim Alabama Senate Seat, Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar Narrowly Beats Progressive Challenger Jessica Cisneros, San Diego Progressive Georgette Gómez to Face Billionaire Heiress Sara Jacobs for CA House Seat, Health Officials Warn Coronavirus Is Far Deadlier Than the Flu, Syrian Forces Recapture Strategic City as Turkey Shoots Down Syrian Warplane, Iranian Security Forces Killed 23 Children During November Protests, At Least 24 Killed as Tornadoes Lash Central Tennessee, Wells Fargo Says It Won'

news.un (2020-03-04). Syria: UN food relief agency 'doing everything we can' to reach Idlib civilians. news.un.org Difficult winter weather conditions, road congestion and military manoeuvres are restricting humanitarian aid delivery to desperate civilians in the Syrian province of Idlib, where a Government operation to weed out extremists has uprooted nearly one million people since December.

Al-Manar (2020-03-02). Iran and Hezbollah warn Turkey: all your forces are in our line of fire. iranian.com The Iranian Advisory Center in Syria, which takes part in the fighting in northern Syria, issued a press release through the news agency U-News in reaction to the recent confrontation between the Syrian army and the Turkish army. It should be noted that the Iranian Advisory Center is made up of the group of Iranian …

Staff (2020-02-28). Doctors Without Borders: Cheap Coronavirus Diagnostic Kits Needed in War-Torn Areas & Refugee Camps. democracynow.org Across the U.S., officials report a severe shortage of test kits for coronavirus. New York officials say they're preparing their own kits, after kits distributed by the Centers for Disease Control failed validation tests. Meanwhile, new cases of coronavirus continue to spring up worldwide, with Nigeria reporting its first case and one of Iran's vice presidents testing positive. We discuss how MSF USA, or Doctors Without Borders USA, is responding to coronavirus, with the organization's executive director, Avril BenoàÆt.

Staff (2020-02-28). Catastrophic Humanitarian Crisis in Idlib as Syrian Troops Advance & Children Freeze to Death. democracynow.org In Syria, 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike by Russia-backed Syrian forces in rebel-held Idlib in a major escalation on Thursday. Turkey has vowed to respond in kind, as U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres calls for an immediate ceasefire, saying "the risk of even greater escalation grows by the hour." Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly spoke by phone on Friday to discuss the crisis, as NATO urged rapid deescalation. The all-out offensive by the Syrian government is the single largest displacement in a nine-year war that has forced 13 million t…

Staff (2020-02-28). Headlines for February 28, 2020. democracynow.org California Monitoring 8,400 People for Coronavirus as Fears of Pandemic Grow, Syrian Airstrike Kills 33 Turkish Soldiers in Idlib, Escalating Tensions, New Justice Department Task Force Seeks to Strip Naturalized Immigrants of Citizenship, Joe Biden's Campaign Walks Back False Claims of Arrest in 1970s South Africa, Democratic Superdelegates Overwhelmingly Oppose Bernie Sanders Campaign, Mike Bloomberg Refuses to Apologize for Spying on Muslims, As NYC Mayor, Mike Bloomberg Called for Cuts to Social Security "Ponzi Scheme", ProPublica: Mike Bloomberg Advised Billionaire Sackler Family on Opioid Crisis, Emails Sho…

Jason Ditz (2020-02-20). Turkey Kills Over 50 Syrian Troops, Russian Warplanes Intervene to Halt Offensive. theantimedia.com Russia called the situation a "worst case scenario."

Middle East Eye (2020-02-07). Russia Says Israel Used Civilian Plane as Human Shield During Syria Strikes. theantimedia.com Russia accused Israel of "making a total mockery of the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians."

Middle East Eye (2020-02-06). Turkey Gives Assad Deadline to Pull Back or Face Military Action. theantimedia.com Turkey has given the Syrian government until the end of this month to withdraw from recently seized territory in Idlib province.

2020-03-09: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

In Brussels, Erdogan asks NATO for 'assistance' on Syria and migrants
rt.com | 2020-03-09
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in Brussels, demanding help from NATO with both the conflict on his southern border and the migrants he tried to unleash on the West, now that neither situation is going according to plan. | After meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday, the Turkish leader said he requested "additional assistance" from the alliance, for the "defense" of the Turkish border with Syria and "in connection with the migration challenge." | "We expect concrete support from all our allies to this struggle," Erdogan added, urging the allies to support Turkey "without disc…
rt.com/news/482682-erdogan-nato-turkey-syria-migrants/

Turkey Ups the Stakes in Migrant Crisis
Staff | truthdig.com | 2020-03-09
BRUSSELS

No End to Endless War in Syria
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-09
Obama's war in Syria, now Trump's, continues endlessly. | On or about the Ides of March, US aggression in Syria will enter its 10th year with no prospect for near-term resolution. | Tens of thousands of heavily armed jihadists remain in Idlib …
globalresearch.ca/no-end-endless-war-syria/5705895

Ceasefire in Syria: Dead on Arrival?
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-09
Ceasefire in Syria's Idlib province is more illusion than reality. | At best, principles Putin and Erdogan agreed on last Thursday abated fighting short-term without halting it or preventing a flareup like all previous times when ceasefires were declared throughout years …
globalresearch.ca/ceasefire-syria-dead-arrival/5705845

Cease Fire Rejected. Turkey Doesn't Consider Al Qaeda as a Terrorist Group. Erdogan Sends More Troops into Idlib
Arabi Souri | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-09
The latest agreement of ceasefire between the Russian President and the Turkish madman Erdogan explicitly excludes combating terrorists. Erdogan doesn't consider al-Qaeda as a terrorist group, he invested heavily in this organization especially in Syria and lately in Libya….
globalresearch.ca/turkish-hts-rejected-ceasefire-erdogan-sends-more-troops-idlib/5705864

New Putin-Erdogan Deal Is Sugar-coating the Turks' Surrender
Scott Ritter | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-09
This week's meeting between Presidents Putin and Erdogan in Moscow was cast as preventing a war between Russia and Turkey in Syria. War, however, was never on the horizon. Putin called Erdogan's bluff, and the Turk folded. | Russian President Vladimir | …
globalresearch.ca/new-putin-erdogan-deal-sugar-coating-turk-surrender/5705852

European Commission President Tells Turkey to Take Migrants Back From Greek Border
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-09
This comes ahead of Turkish President Erdogan's meeting with EC President Charles Michel in Brussels where they are expected to discuss measures to reduce tensions on Turkey's borders and European support for Syrian refugees in Turkey.
sputniknews.com/world/202003091078517680-european-commission-president-tells-turkey-to-take-migrants-back-from-greek-border/

US Election; Israeli Vote; Syria; Coronavirus
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-09
Join George Galloway on the new home for the Mother of All Talk Shows – this week we talk about US election, Israeli election, Syria, and the spread of coronavirus.
sputniknews.com/radio-moats/202003091078517242-us-election-israeli-vote-syria-coronavirus/

Greek border guard pours boiling water on asylum seeker
yenisafak.com | 2020-03-09
An asylum seeker claimed on Monday that a Greek border guard poured boiling water on him as he attempted to enter the country.Abdulmuttalib Ulimuhammed, 21, was crossing the land border through Turkey's Edirne province.The Afghan national is getting treatment for burn injuries on his face and legs at a Turkish hospital."May Allah bless Turkish people," he said.Blaming the EU for failing to keep its promises to help asylum seekers, Turkey recently loosened its policy on irregular migration, allowing them to seek entrance into Europe.Turkey currently hosts over 3.7 million Syrians, making it the world's top refugee…
yenisafak.com/en/world/greek-border-guard-pours-boiling-water-on-asylum-seeker-3513605

UAE reports 14 new coronavirus cases, tally reaches 59
yenisafak.com | 2020-03-09
The United Arab Emirates announced 14 new coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing the total number of people diagnosed to 59, state news agency WAM reported.Of the new cases, there were four Emiratis, three Italians, two each from Bangladesh and Nepal, and a Russian, Syrian and Indian diagnosed with the virus, WAM reported, citing the country's Health Ministry.
yenisafak.com/en/news/uae-reports-14-new-coronavirus-cases-tally-reaches-59-3513615

Trump Regime Blocks UN Security Council Support for Syria Ceasefire Already Breached
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-08
The US under both right wings of its war party wants endless conflict, instability, and chaos continuing in all its war theaters

Video: Syrian Army Win Battle Against Erdogan Forces in Idlib, but War Is Far from Over
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-08
The first days of March broke the dreams of the Turkish political and military leadership of a swift victory over the Syrian Armed Forces. Operation Spring Shield failed to achieve the goal officially declared by top Turkish officials

International Women's Day: Syria says YES to Women, and NO to Wahhabis
Prof. Tim Anderson | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-08
Image. Prof. Tim Anderson | First published by GR on March 8, 2016 | On International Women's Day

One tweet shows exactly why Dominic Raab shouldn't be foreign secretary
Emily Apple | thecanary.co | 2020-03-08
One country is showing its intent to create chaos in the Middle East. From sparking conflict in the one area in Syria where there was previously peace, to creating a humanitarian crisis in an attempt to bribe Europe to support its war in the region, Turkey is engaged in a dangerous power game that is killing people and putting lives at risk. | But Turkey is a NATO ally. And the UK is desperate for post-Brexit trade partners. So it's perhaps no surprise that foreign secretary Dominic Raab is sucking up to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. And in one tweet, Raab showed dangerous contempt for the thousands of…
thecanary.co/opinion/2020/03/08/one-tweet-shows-exactly-why-dominic-raab-shouldnt-be-foreign-secretary/

One tweet shows exactly why Dominic Raab shouldn't be foreign secretary
Emily Apple | thecanary.co | 2020-03-08
One country is showing its intent to create chaos in the Middle East. From sparking conflict in the one area in Syria where there was previously peace, to creating a humanitarian crisis in an attempt to bribe Europe to support its war in the region, Turkey is engaged in a dangerous power game that is killing people and putting lives at risk. | But Turkey is a NATO ally. And the UK is desperate for post-Brexit trade partners. So it's perhaps no surprise that foreign secretary Dominic Raab is sucking up to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. And in one tweet, Raab showed dangerous contempt for the thousands of…
thecanary.co/opinion/2020/03/08/one-tweet-shows-exactly-why-dominic-raab-shouldnt-be-foreign-secretary/

Video: Turkish Drones Falling in Idlib. 'Moderate Rebels' Gas Themselves by Mistake
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-07
Early on March 5, the Israeli Air Force carried out a series of airstrikes on targets in the Syrian provinces of Homs and Quneitra. According to the Syrian military, the attack was conducted from Lebanese airspace at 00: 30 local time. …
globalresearch.ca/video-turkish-drones-falling-idlib-moderate-rebels-gas-themselves-mistake/5705709

From Afghanistan to Syria: Women's Rights, War Propaganda and the CIA
Julie Lévesque | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-07
Western heads of state, UN officials, military spokespersons will invariably praise the humanitarian dimension of the October 2001 US-NATO led invasion of Afghanistan, which allegedly was to fight religious fundamentalists, help little girls go to school, liberate women subjected to the yoke of the Taliban.
globalresearch.ca/from-afghanistan-to-syria-womens-rights-war-propaganda-and-the-cia/5329665

Lebanon state prosecutor blocks order to freeze assets of 20 banks
Eds. | mronline.org | 2020-03-07
Lebanon's state prosecutor suspended an order on Thursday to freeze the assets of 20 local banks, warning it would plunge the country and its financial sector into chaos, according to a copy of the decision seen by Reuters. | Source…
mronline.org/2020/03/07/lebanon-state-prosecutor-blocks-order-to-freeze-assets-of-20-banks/

A "win-win" over Afghanistan and Syria
M. K. Bhadrakumar | iranian.com | 2020-03-07
Two peace agreements within a week are a bit too much. Hot on the heels of the US-Taliban peace agreement signed in Doha on February 9, Russia and Turkey have signed a peace agreement over the Syrian conflict in Moscow on March 6. On the face of it, the two are unconnected events but they …
iranian.com/2020/03/06/a-win-win-over-afghanistan-and-syria/

Another Farcical Ceasefire in Syria
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-06
Time and again, ceasefires agreed to on Syria were breached straightaway by US/NATO/Turkish supported terrorists. | Is this time different? Will belligerent Trump and Erdogan regimes turn a page for restoration of peace and stability in Syria? | Will they renounce years …
globalresearch.ca/another-farcical-ceasefire-in-syria/5705729

The New Idlib Ceasefire Forces Turkey-Backed Extremists to Fall Back
Steven Sahiounie | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-06
Putin and Erdogan met in Moscow in a last-ditch effort to strike a deal over the escalating violence in Idlib, Syria. Steven Sahiounie weighs in on who prevailed and what likely comes next.
mintpressnews.com/russia-turkey-ceasefire-moscow-idlib/265541/

Syria Debacles Epitomize Perpetual Perfidy of U.S. Foreign Policy
James Bovard | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-06
Turkey is ratcheting up its invasion of Syria and trying to drag NATO into Erdogan's personal rehabilitation scheme. Threats and counter-threats are flying as thickly as the bombs and bullets. It remains to be seen whether U.S. policymakers will blunder deeper into this quagmire. Last October, the Washington establishment was aghast when President Trump appeared…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/06/syria-debacles-epitomize-perpetual-perfidy-of-u-s-foreign-policy/

Syria war update: Turkey's Erdogan invades Idlib, invokes re-establishment of Ottoman Empire
Anya Parampil | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-05
Red Lines host Anya Parampil speaks with Mohammad Marandi, a professor at the University of Tehran. He discusses his recent…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/05/syria-war-updateturkeys-erdogan-seeks-to-reestablish-ottoman-empire/

Exclusive: OPCW whistleblowers confront leadership's attacks, cover-up of Douma deception
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-05
OPCW leadership tried to discredit two veteran officials who challenged a cover-up of its chemical weapons investigation in Douma, Syria. They…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/05/opcw-whistleblowers-attacks-cover-up-douma-deception/

Exclusive: OPCW whistleblowers confront leadership's attacks, cover-up of Douma deception
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-05
OPCW leadership tried to discredit two veteran officials who challenged a cover-up of its chemical weapons investigation in Douma, Syria. They…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/05/opcw-whistleblowers-attacks-cover-up-douma-deception/

Guterres calls for 'immediate and lasting' end to Syria fighting as Turkey and Russia agree ceasefire
news.un.org | 2020-03-05
The UN Secretary-General said on Thursday that he hoped the latest ceasefire agreement between Russia and Turkey to end fighting across Syria's stricken Idlib region, would finally lead to "an immediate and lasting cessation", that would protect civilian lives.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/03/1058781

Escalating war in Idlib creates new refugee crisis
Peter Boyle | greenleft.org.au | 2020-03-05
Middle East Refugees & migrants Chris SleeIssue 1256 Syria Northern SyriaMarch 5, 2020A February 27 Russian and Syrian airstrike on a Turkish military convoy in Idlib province

Syria: UN food relief agency 'doing everything we can' to reach Idlib civilians
news.un.org | 2020-03-04
Difficult winter weather conditions, road congestion and military manoeuvres are restricting humanitarian aid delivery to desperate civilians in the Syrian province of Idlib, where a Government operation to weed out extremists has uprooted nearly one million people since December.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/03/1058651

Iran and Hezbollah warn Turkey: all your forces are in our line of fire
Al-Manar | iranian.com | 2020-03-02
The Iranian Advisory Center in Syria, which takes part in the fighting in northern Syria, issued a press release through the news agency U-News in reaction to the recent confrontation between the Syrian army and the Turkish army. It should be noted that the Iranian Advisory Center is made up of the group of Iranian …
iranian.com/2020/03/01/iran-and-hezbollah-warn-turkey-all-your-forces-are-in-our-line-of-fire/

Headlines for February 28, 2020
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-28
California Monitoring 8,400 People for Coronavirus as Fears of Pandemic Grow, Syrian Airstrike Kills 33 Turkish Soldiers in Idlib, Escalating Tensions, New Justice Department Task Force Seeks to Strip Naturalized Immigrants of Citizenship, Joe Biden's Campaign Walks Back False Claims of Arrest in 1970s South Africa, Democratic Superdelegates Overwhelmingly Oppose Bernie Sanders Campaign, Mike Bloomberg Refuses to Apologize for Spying on Muslims, As NYC Mayor, Mike Bloomberg Called for Cuts to Social Security "Ponzi Scheme", ProPublica: Mike Bloomberg Advised Billionaire Sackler Family on Opioid Crisis, Emails Sho…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/28/headlines

Catastrophic Humanitarian Crisis in Idlib as Syrian Troops Advance & Children Freeze to Death
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-28
In Syria, 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike by Russia-backed Syrian forces in rebel-held Idlib in a major escalation on Thursday. Turkey has vowed to respond in kind, as U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres calls for an immediate ceasefire, saying "the risk of even greater escalation grows by the hour." Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly spoke by phone on Friday to discuss the crisis, as NATO urged rapid deescalation. The all-out offensive by the Syrian government is the single largest displacement in a nine-year war that has forced 13 million t…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/28/idlib_syria_assad_turkey_russia

Turkey Kills Over 50 Syrian Troops, Russian Warplanes Intervene to Halt Offensive
Jason Ditz | theantimedia.com | 2020-02-20
Russia called the situation a "worst case scenario."

Turkey Kills Over 50 Syrian Troops, Russian Warplanes Intervene to Halt Offensive

Russia Says Israel Used Civilian Plane as Human Shield During Syria Strikes
Middle East Eye | theantimedia.com | 2020-02-07
Russia accused Israel of "making a total mockery of the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians."

Russia Says Israel Used Civilian Plane as Human Shield During Syria Strikes