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Friday, April 8, 2022
When the Arc of History Bends Back Toward the Dark Ages | RealClearPolicy
When the Arc of History Bends Back Toward the Dark Ages | RealClearPolicy: The notion that “the arc of history” favors humanity extends across the political spectrum from George W. Bush to Barack Obama. Yet rather than facing the dawn of a progressive future, we
Who Wins, Who Loses Gen. Milley's Long War? - Antiwar.com Original
Who Wins, Who Loses Gen. Milley's Long War? - Antiwar.com Original: Speaking of the seven-week war in Ukraine ignited by Vladimir Putin, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is warning us to expect a - Patrick J. Buchanan for Antiwar.com Original
Double Standards by Ron Estes
Double Standards
By Ron Estes
April 8 2022
Since its creation, Israel has portrayed itself as the United States’ best ally, but it has just proved it does not share American values. Israel has rejected a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's to supply his country with weapons. According to Israeli media, the request came during a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. US officials have told Israel that the US will look favorably on it supplying Ukraine with weapons. Israel, however, is reluctant to damage its relations with Russia given its perceived need to coordinate operations with Russia in Syria. The Israeli position is attracting criticism of the Israeli leadership inside Israel itself and in the US.
Israel also rejected a Ukrainian request to purchase the Israel spyware Pegasus. Pegasus was developed by the Israeli cyber-arms company NSO Group. Pegasus can stealthily enter a smartphone and gain access to everything on it, including its camera and microphone. Israel has sold Pegasus to the US, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Morocco, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Togo, and the United Arab Emirates. It has reportedly been used in 45 countries. Ukraine wants the Pegasus capability to tap telephones in Russia.
The international community has rarely been as united as it is today to apply sanctions against Russia for its invasion and occupation of sovereign Ukrainian territory.
There is, however, one area of the world holding itself apart from the US and the western world initiatives against Russia.There have been no protests in Arab capitals against the Russian attack on Ukraine. Instead, the Arab world considers the US and the western community guilty of double standards for supporting sanctions and international war crimes charges against only Russia for its invasion and occupation of Ukraine. They also cite the US and NATO allies attack on the Iraqi army and driving it from Kuwait, after Iraq had invaded and occupied Kuwait in 1990.
The Arab critics point out, however, that the US, and those same allies, do not hold Israel to the same standards, and have blocked any initiatives to apply sanctions and level war crimes charges against Israel for its invasion and occupation of Palestinian territories, which has lasted 55 years.
There are at present approximately 4.3 million Ukrainian refugees. There are over 7 million Palestinian refugees. Most of the Palestinian refugees are descendants of the Palestinians who fled the 1967 Israeli invasion of the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem. A UN Special Committee listed allegations of the destruction of over 400 Palestinian villages during the Israeli invasion.
In 1948, the UN published the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which defined the rights of every person in the world. Double standards inherently violate the most fundamental human rights, and should not be ignored.
Ron Estes served 25 years as an Operations Officer in the CIA Clandestine Service.
Thursday, April 7, 2022
War crimes investigations begin at home – Mondoweiss
War crimes investigations begin at home – Mondoweiss
“Our” war criminals are given full impunity, as I have personal knowledge of from Guantanamo and in joining an effort for compensation of a child prisoner once held there who had a full panoply of torture techniques used on him. Which, after a long list of tortures done by other CIA/military officers, concluded with those as precedent: “Dismissed, for acting within the scope of their employment.” They were only “following orders” in other words. (A provision which also protects “federal law enforcement” personnel, and of state/local LE personnel in general in most jurisdictions as well, though that is becoming less available, against the wishes of the vast majority of “conservatives.”
WATCH: Zelenksy Blasts Russia at UN for ‘Worst War Crimes’ Since 1945; Russia Blames Ukraine for Massacre – Consortium News
WATCH: Zelenksy Blasts Russia at UN for ‘Worst War Crimes’ Since 1945; Russia Blames Ukraine for Massacre – Consortium News: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a speech to the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday said Russia was guilty of 'heinous" war crimes, while the Russian ambassador vociferously denied the allegations.
The meeting began with an angry statement from the Russian ambassador addressed to the British
Striving to Make Sense of the Ukraine War - Craig Murray
Striving to Make Sense of the Ukraine War - Craig Murray: No matter how hard we try to be dispassionate and logical, our thinking is affected by our own experiences, by the background knowledge we have and by the assumptions they generate. In discussing Ukraine – which arouses understandably high passions – I want to explain to you some of the experiences which affect my own […]
Breaking ranks with EU, Hungary says ready to pay for Russian gas in roubles | Reuters
Breaking ranks with EU, Hungary says ready to pay for Russian gas in roubles | Reuters: Hungary said on Wednesday it was prepared to pay roubles for Russian gas, breaking ranks with the European Union which has sought a united front in opposing Moscow's demand for payment in the currency.
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
How Energy Security is a Driver of Climate Policy | Neutron Bytes
How Energy Security is a Driver of Climate Policy | Neutron Bytes: How Energy Security is a Driver of Climate Policy Q&A with IP3’s Michael Hewitt Bulgaria Faces Energy Choices A Greek New Deal UK Pursuit of Energy Security and Climate Policy Poland Goes Priva…
NATO to target China – Stoltenberg — RT World News
NATO to target China – Stoltenberg — RT World News: NATO says it will expand cooperation with partners in Asia as China poses “systemic challenge” to security and democracy
Pentagon Wants Permanent Military Bases In Eastern Europe To Deter Russia | ZeroHedge
Pentagon Wants Permanent Military Bases In Eastern Europe To Deter Russia | ZeroHedge: ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero
MSM's Bucha Tall Tale - 05.04.2022, Sputnik International
MSM's Bucha Tall Tale - 05.04.2022, Sputnik International: "The Bucha Massacre" has now become the driving force for the propaganda push for even more NATO involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. 05.04.2022, Sputnik International
West ‘shut eyes, ears with blinds,’ unwilling to hear Russia’s points on Bucha — Kremlin - Russian Politics & Diplomacy - TASS
West ‘shut eyes, ears with blinds,’ unwilling to hear Russia’s points on Bucha — Kremlin - Russian Politics & Diplomacy - TASS: "We continue to insist that all accusations against Russia, against Russian military are not merely groundless, but a well-directed show, nothing else but a tragic show," Dmitry Peskov emphasized
Putin, Xi Open To 'Direct Talks' With Zelensky As Pentagon Fails To Confirm Russian Involvement In Bucha Killings | ZeroHedge
Putin, Xi Open To 'Direct Talks' With Zelensky As Pentagon Fails To Confirm Russian Involvement In Bucha Killings | ZeroHedge: ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero
Jesuit college to rename science building after alumnus Dr. Fauci - LifeSite
Jesuit college to rename science building after alumnus Dr. Fauci - LifeSite: Holy Cross tweeted, 'We're proud to announce we will name our integrated science complex for Dr. Anthony Fauci '62, the nation's leading expert on infectious diseases, adviser to eight presidents, and Holy Cross classics major.'
Humanitarian Catastrophe in Somalia: With the World's Attention on Ukraine, Suffering Is Rising Elsewhere - DER SPIEGEL
Humanitarian Catastrophe in Somalia: With the World's Attention on Ukraine, Suffering Is Rising Elsewhere - DER SPIEGEL: Ukraine isn't the only place where children are dying because of the Russian invasion. With all attention on the war there, aid money is drying up in other regions – including in Somalia, which is experiencing a devastating drought.
Zelensky Says Post-War Ukraine Will Be Like Israel, Won't Be 'Liberal, European' - News From Antiwar.com
Zelensky Says Post-War Ukraine Will Be Like Israel, Won't Be 'Liberal, European' - News From Antiwar.com: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that post-war Ukraine will be like a “big Israel” and won’t be “liberal” like Europe. “Ukraine will definitely not be what we wanted it to be from the beginning. It is impossible. Absolutely liberal, European — it will not be like that. It [Ukraine] will definitely come from the … Continue reading "Zelensky Says Post-War Ukraine Will Be Like Israel, Won’t Be ‘Liberal, European’"
Zelenskyy Tells UN to 'Dissolve Yourself' If It Doesn't Punish Russia
Zelenskyy Tells UN to 'Dissolve Yourself' If It Doesn't Punish Russia: Zelenskyy called for a broad "reform of the world's security system" while addressing the Security Council on Tuesday.
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