World Politics

[Robert5091]

Re:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/30/huge-protests-in-brazil-as-far-right-presidential-hopeful-jair-bolsonaro-returns-home

So this guy basically threatens with a military coup if he's not elected. Crazy times we live in.

Bolsonaro enjoys widespread support among police and the military. His vice-presidential candidate, Gen Hamilton Mourão, unnerved Brazilians recently when he said in a situation of “anarchy”, a president could declare an “auto-coup”. Both men praise the military dictatorship that ran Brazil from 1964-1985, torturing and executing opponents.

The 1964 coup in Brazil was another black spot on the US's reputation - JFK & LBJ thought Brazil was going to go like Cuba -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Brazilian_coup_d'état

 

[Robert5091]

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018...stern-Iraq-near-Syria-border-Kurdish-official

The US military is reportedly building a new base in Iraq’s western province of Anbar as part of attempts to perpetuate its occupation of the conflict-ridden Arab country indefinitely, regardless of all opposition from religious figures and people from all walks of life.

Khalil Serfan, an official from the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces, told the Arabic service of Russia’s Sputnik news agency that the base is being constructed in the vicinity of al-Qa'im town, located nearly 400 kilometers northwest of the capital Baghdad.

Serfan noted that the construction of such a military site in such a strategically important region is in line with US bids to assert its military presence there.

In August, the US-led coalition purportedly fighting the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group stated that American forces will remain in Iraq as long as there is a need for them. The announcement runs contrary to Pentagon’s earlier pledges that US troops will withdraw from Iraq once the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group is defeated.

Back in July, it seems the same thing was reported - from Jul 14, 2018 https://en.muraselon.com/2018/07/us-to-open-new-military-bases-in-iraq-kuwait-reports/

The Erbil-based BasNews reported on Friday that the US is planning to inaugurate its third military base in Iraq, near the town of al-Qa’im in western Anbar Province bordering Syria.

The report quoted a source from Anbar Province as saying that the new American facility will join the already operating US airbases in Iraq, namely Ain al-Assad in Anbar and Habbaniya, both in Anbar.

The same news report includes

Separately on Friday, Kuwait’s al-Rai newspaper reported that the US will soon open a major military air hub near the country’s international airport.

Citing a statement from the US command in Kuwait, the Kuwaiti daily said the facility is intended to serve as a strategic military logistics supply point and the largest aerial port of debarkation in the Middle East.

The facility, the statement said, is further meant to fill the gap until the opening of West Al-Mubarak Airbase in Kuwait in 2023.

“Once finished, the total functional space at ‘Cargo City’ will feature an area of nearly 33,000 square meters,” said Captain Sean Murphy, a civil engineering flight officer in charge of the $32 million project.

 

[Jagartrott]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/05/string-of-own-goals-by-russian-gru-spies-reveals-new-trend-of-sloppiness

 

[python]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-india-missiles/russia-signs-s-400-missile-deal-with-india-ifax-idUSKCN1MF10T?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Reuters%2FworldNews+%28Reuters+World+News%29

in a major fork you uncle, and just 6 days after furious america imposed heavy sanctions on china, india just signed a 5 bil contract for procuring the very s-400 system - exactly the same system china bought and was sanctioned for and...dont forget turkey, a nato member bought it too ignoring any us threats. clearly the system is so good, that it worries pentagon if they chase around the world trying to stop it....

....as in the un gen assembly last week, obviously indians are laughing at donald and his land of ...self-serving laws.

 

[python]

...i was flipping channels this morning and stumbled on a macron face giving a major speech in ....armenia...at a francophonie summit besides the lil napoleon's pompous utterances and the hollow content, i thought wtf armenia has to do with french-speaking ? they said 82 states are in attendance.

perhaps i need to read up, but the entire affair sounds like a poor imitation of the british commonwealth. whatever.

 

[King Boonen]

You can read/remember some Voltaire and Rousseau to get a feel for the history of France-Armenia relations. They have been on good terms for a very long time, since the establishment of Cilicia, a Christian haven on the Islamic frontier during the Crusades and continued communication with the Franks. France has long been a supporter of Armenia in modern times too, condemning the Armenian Genocide. Many Armenians have contributed greatly to France and French culture.

 

[python]

interesting indeed.

just recalled a new armenian p-m visiting france last week for a departed and famous french-armenian national. the name alludes me now...also just recalled the staunch french support of the armenian genocide cause. also, the consistent support for the mid east armenians....

still, less than 1% speak french. nor can i recall a french mediation in the azeri-armenian conflict. now that i think of it, the armenian communities are scattered across the world, and likely have had various degrees of influence locally.

btw, if memory serves, the russian f-m lavrov is of armenian liniage.

 

[King Boonen]

France is a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

You can read/remember some Voltaire and Rousseau to get a feel for the history of France-Armenia relations. They have been on good terms for a very long time, since the establishment of Cilicia, a Christian haven on the Islamic frontier during the Crusades and continued communication with the Franks. France has long been a supporter of Armenia in modern times too, condemning the Armenian Genocide. Many Armenians have contributed greatly to France and French culture.

The Armenian Genocide is a matter of controversy all over the world it seems even in Sydney Australia when a memorial was erected which many in the Turkish community didn't want built. It was built and duly defaced by morons but is still standing.

 

[Brullnux]

Bolsonaro look a like a genuine fascist - pro-violence, anti-democracy and everything. I know that recently th4 workers party have been courrpt and all Rousseff's tenure was a disaster, but surely this will just worsen every problem? There tends to be an economic pattern with far right governments...

 

[Jagartrott]

It would also be a disaster for the Amazon forest.
How bad have the others f***ed up to make this guy the frontrunner.

 

[python]

has anyone met a german speaker who upon a pleasure to meet a german would answer...'i am a bavarian' ? i did many times...

That aging experience may be less crisp now that i am analyzing the just ended bavarian elections. the results are a big deal not just for bavaria and germany but the europeans in general.

many left and right media headlines screamed of the 'right-wing revolution'. but in bavaria, perhaps the most conservative land in europe, the bigggest gainerss were........... the Greens. The ultra right (AfD), as in most of germany, gained too, but nowhere near the level to suggest a 'revolution'.

when the bavarians switch left from the establishment party ruling almost continuously since the ww2, the rest of europe needs to take a note.

i am now a little less worried about germany. the hesse elections in 2 weeks are predicted to further damage merkel and her conservatives.

upon a 2nd thought, the ultra right running for the 1st time and gaining 10% is worrisome too.

 

[King Boonen]

Re: Re:

You can read/remember some Voltaire and Rousseau to get a feel for the history of France-Armenia relations. They have been on good terms for a very long time, since the establishment of Cilicia, a Christian haven on the Islamic frontier during the Crusades and continued communication with the Franks. France has long been a supporter of Armenia in modern times too, condemning the Armenian Genocide. Many Armenians have contributed greatly to France and French culture.

The Armenian Genocide is a matter of controversy all over the world it seems even in Sydney Australia when a memorial was erected which many in the Turkish community didn't want built. It was built and duly defaced by morons but is still standing.

I don't think it's really controversial, many countries have avoided official recognition due to pressure from Turkey, but only about 3 actively deny it happened.

The word genocide was coined for what happened to the Armenians, among others, by Raphael Lemkin.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

has anyone met a german speaker who upon a pleasure to meet a german would answer...'i am a bavarian' ? i did many times...

That aging experience may be less crisp now that i am analyzing the just ended bavarian elections. the results are a big deal not just for bavaria and germany but the europeans in general.

many left and right media headlines screamed of the 'right-wing revolution'. but in bavaria, perhaps the most conservative land in europe, the bigggest gainerss were........... the Greens. The ultra right (AfD), as in most of germany, gained too, but nowhere near the level to suggest a 'revolution'.

when the bavarians switch left from the establishment party ruling almost continuously since the ww2, the rest of europe needs to take a note.

i am now a little less worried about germany. the hesse elections in 2 weeks are predicted to further damage merkel and her conservatives.

upon a 2nd thought, the ultra right running for the 1st time and gaining 10% is worrisome too.

I wonder how much longer Merkel can last but Putin will be happy to see her go as she seems to be the most vocal opposition when it comes to Russia, and the UK of course. Although the Russian chances of seeing the sanctions lifted seem much more remote now mainly due to more recent events.

 

[python]

Re: Re:

has anyone met a german speaker who upon a pleasure to meet a german would answer...'i am a bavarian' ? i did many times...

That aging experience may be less crisp now that i am analyzing the just ended bavarian elections. the results are a big deal not just for bavaria and germany but the europeans in general.

many left and right media headlines screamed of the 'right-wing revolution'. but in bavaria, perhaps the most conservative land in europe, the bigggest gainerss were........... the Greens. The ultra right (AfD), as in most of germany, gained too, but nowhere near the level to suggest a 'revolution'.

when the bavarians switch left from the establishment party ruling almost continuously since the ww2, the rest of europe needs to take a note.

i am now a little less worried about germany. the hesse elections in 2 weeks are predicted to further damage merkel and her conservatives.

upon a 2nd thought, the ultra right running for the 1st time and gaining 10% is worrisome too.

I wonder how much longer Merkel can last but Putin will be happy to see her go as she seems to be the most vocal opposition when it comes to Russia, and the UK of course. Although the Russian chances of seeing the sanctions lifted seem much more remote now mainly due to more recent events.

regarding merkel continuing heading the govt, we should find out soon. perhaps in 2 weeks. her coalition is shaky. if after the hesse elections her party and her 3 coalition partners shed more seats, it may be the beginning of her end...she is also facing her party convention in some days, where her party leadership may be further eroded, but i dont expect her to lose...

all in all, as weakened as she may come out, i dont see the pragmatic germans having a better alternative yet as unpopular as her immigration policy has become...the political landscape is very fractured and no mainstream party is willing to see the ultra right AfD in the govt.

re. her anti-russia politics, it is also not that simple. indeed, she's been a consistent defender of the the eu sanctions, including being attentive to the uk additional skripal sanctions. BUT she also listens carefully to german business which predominantly wants to trade and continue buying their natural gas. the best example of her (and german business) tenacity in protecting their relations with russia is the Nordstream 2 construction. not just poland, ukraine, denmark etc had vigorously objected the pipeline construction, but the us via the mouth of their prezz, had directly threatened all sorts of sanctions against germany...to no effect !

they are steadfastly defending this business venture with russia b/c:
1. they never had russia-derived troubles with delivery. even during the soviet state
2. they DID have ukraine-routed troubles with transportation. thus a direct pipeline via the baltic bypassing ukraine is their final goal.
3. unlike yankee ardz-leaking poland, they dont want the us lng which is 30% more expansive. only business-stupid or politically obsessed would voluntarily pay 30% more..it would automatically be passed to all prices., thus making german export oriented economy much less competitive.

we can say a lot about the geman mentality, habits or extremism, but stupid they are NOT. hence frau merkel is walking that very line with the resolve many underestimate in this remarkable lady complete free of the trump theatrics.

 

[Robert5091]

Seems like Khashoggi was getting warnings about his writing -
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...looking-over-his-shoulder?srnd=premium-europe

Two years ago, as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was being praised by global bankers, investors and U.S. officials after unveiling his blueprint for an economic transformation, Khashoggi was already agitated. While the rest of the world saw “MbS” as a reformer shifting his glacial nation into the 21st century, Khashoggi looked beyond the carefully crafted image.

“We have a one-man rule, taking decisions that he issues at night without conferring with anyone -- this has never happened before in Saudi Arabia,” Khashoggi said over a fish lunch at a restaurant in Jeddah in November 2016. “People are in the dark,” he added, his words of warning juxtaposed by the tranquil turquoise waters of the Red Sea.
...
At the lunch in Jeddah in 2016, Khashoggi spoke about why he was nervous that day.

He was being “advised” to be “smart, to be careful, to remain silent,” he said, what he took as a warning to behave. He was soon banned from writing his weekly column in Al-Hayat, a London-based Saudi paper, and from posting on social media. For someone like Khashoggi, one of the kingdom’s most prominent journalists, it was tantamount to being in jail.

 

[python]

..if you are following the death of the saudi journo in turkey closely, tune in to TRT word in the next 15 minutes....erdogan will deliver live the latest investigative findings.

according the turkish TV narrative, it appears that the CIA chief personally flew to turkey yesterday to hush up the investigation and to put brakes on the turkish revealing some evidence. we'll hear from erdogan in few minutes if she has succeeded.

i am intrigued now. if this is about the saudi investment in the us, it would appear a major co-conspiracy by the trump admin. according to the TRT commentary, the european govts are strongly opposing the us attempts to hush up the killing.

 

[Robert5091]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...d406d9-9f36-49fc-a187-a9a495b70a62_story.html
Yep if the CIA director Gina Haspel gets told to get to Turkey, then things are bad. Wonder if she's staying at Trump Towers.

 

[python]

erdogan is still live talking on the trt world about the killing...the impressions i got is that turkey is determined to get to the bottom and lift any and all evidence, including if the cover-up has/is taking place. the speech was literally destructive of the saudi official line

he raised very specific and hard questions,...like

where is the body ?
why the 15 officials who arrived in ankara on the day of the killing also departed soon ?
who planned the killing ?

etc

it is a daring challenge to the saudi rulers and the us (if the cia chief flew to hush it up).

the next trump tweet will be interesting after he gets up this morn :lol:

 

[Robert5091]

the next trump tweet will be interesting after he gets up this morn :lol:

Something along the lines of they're all great guys and don't believe the fake news.

 

[Robert5091]

Very bizarre photo op - "sorry I killed your father!"
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/...ations-1226671498?wpisrc=nl_todayworld&wpmm=1

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and his son, Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman, received the family of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the royal court on Tuesday, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported.

Photos released by SPA show Khashoggi’s son, Salah, and one of his relatives, Sahl Ahmed Khashoggi, shaking hands with the king and also with the crown prince.

The role of the 33-year-old, often referred to as MbS, in the murder of Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October is under heavy scrutiny.

A Saudi human rights activist and close friend of the late Khashoggi, Yehia Assiri, dismissed the visit as “a serious assault on the family” of the murdered journalist, particularly as authorities continue to bar them from travelling.

“Jamal told me that his wife was forced to divorce him after she was banned indefinitely from travel,” Assiri said, speaking to Middle East Eye from London. He also told Assiri that Saudi authorities barred his entire family from travel in an attempt to pressure him to return.

“In addition to admitting responsibility for the crime, Saudi authorities must immediately allow the Khashoggi family to travel, if they are genuinely keen on uncovering the truth,” he said.

Assiri said the visit most likely took place under pressure on the family to “cover up the crime”.

The meeting was held at the Yamama Palace in the capital Riyadh on Tuesday, hours after a highly-anticipated speech by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in which he confirmed many of the details of unofficial reports of Khashoggi's murder by 15 Saudi officials in a pre-planned operation.

 

[movingtarget]

Any sanctions by Trump will be a slap on the wrist or maybe a pat, slap might be overdoing it .........he has made it clear he won't be risking deals and jobs for the USA and he is ramping up the rhetoric about the so called South American invasion. I'm sure he wants the Saudi business papered over quickly. Erdogan is getting obvious political leverage and almost seems to be enjoying himself !

 

[python]

Re:

Any sanctions by Trump will be a slap on the wrist or maybe a pat, slap might be overdoing it .........he has made it clear he won't be risking deals and jobs for the USA and he is ramping up the rhetoric about the so called South American invasion. I'm sure he wants the Saudi business papered over quickly. Erdogan is getting obvious political leverage and almost seems to be enjoying himself !

i am frankly a little surprised by both trump and erdogan reactions wrt to the saudi journo death...

trump is talking his head like a teenager changing his position almost hourly...the last i read, he now suspects the crown prince in a plot, but not the king. it is a waste of time to try to gauge or predict the us position by this addle. yet, a direct trump pointing at the de facto saudi ruler, may indicate a more serious eventual reaction, particularly now that democrats in congress are readying a sanction bill...whatever they do, trump will try to protect this medieval regime as all presidents before him did. he talks military contracts, but as i said before, it is more about the israeli lobby goal of supporting the anti-iran coalition.

regarding erdogan, while i always felt he's not to be trusted, his actions in the case of the saudi journo killing look like a skillful diplomacy.

otoh, he keeps the saudis on their toes by digging into the case and revealing some chilling details, on the other, only some details became official and confirmed, while the more gruesome ones are constantly leaked as to indicate to the us and the saudis, 'turkey has uncovered something you 2 would prefer to be kept secret'

what could that be? my speculation is the cia role in propping and defending the regime thus facilitating the political assassinations. why would erdogan play this game ? i speculate he keeps both the saud and the the us by the balls to ot 1 hand, reduce the us sanctions and on the other to keep the saudis investing in the turkish economy...if it makes any sense ?

which means i speculate we will NEVER learn the complete truth about the journo assassination, IF the us (read - trump) decide that erdogan is hanging on to an info too sensitive to reveal. hence, the emergency travel of the cia head to turkey becomes easier to explain....

 

[movingtarget]

Erdogan the pretender

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/26/erdogan-journalists-killing-jamal-khashoggi--turkey

 

[Robert5091]

Seems like ISIS are not done for yet.
http://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/syria/271020182

ISIS militants killed 68 members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Hajin, eastern Syria overnight on Friday, a war monitor reported Saturday. It initially reported 41 killed.

“The death toll has increased due to the discovery of new victims on the front line and the existence of 100 wounded,” Rami Abdel Rahman, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights chief, told AFP.

Sean Ryan, spokesman for the US-led coalition, told AFP “at this time, numbers cannot be confirmed as both sides are taking casualties as this difficult fight... continues”.