[Rantburg University translation] “When we have to communicate to people on the ground to make them understand why we need submarines, for example, if…Can we take a risk of people going into the sea where the river by the sea is full of sharks? We can’t do that. Number one…The submarine he can provide a deterrence. For us to have the submarine…people, they globally understand that the South African Navy, or SA, SA, SAFrican in general…they know. They know their road. They know exactly why they do it.” Uh thank you, uh thank you Commander Bezuidenhout for that inspiring glimpse from the deep.
[Bellingcat] This report, MH17: Potential Suspects and Witnesses from the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, presents information regarding the Russian brigade that we believe provided, and possibly operated, the Buk-M1 missile launcher that downed Malaysian Airlines Flight 17. In this post, we will summarize the role of the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade and “Buk 3×2” in the downing of MH17 before providing a summary of the report. At the bottom of this post, an index is provided of Bellingcat’s previously published major research projects on the MH17 disaster.
#1
"On 13 October 2015, the Dutch Safety Board (DSB) released a final report on their investigation into the incident, concluding that the airliner was downed by a Buk surface-to-air 9M38-series missile with 9N314M warhead launched from Eastern Ukraine."
As far as which unit did the deed and who ordered it ....
Posted by: Sven the pelter ||
02/24/2016 15:18 Comments ||
Top||
[Wash Examiner] The controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal between the U.S. and 11 other nations could spark a new wave of U.S. auto and auto parts makers fleeing to Mexico, a leading Democratic trade expert in the House is warning.
According to Michigan Rep. Sander Levin, the result would be that Americans eventually may be forced to buy "TPP cars or trucks," assembled in Mexico and largely made of foreign parts.
Levin, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, came out in opposition to the deal last week. He said it includes no demands that Mexico let workers unionize or that it increase automaker wages above the $8-an-hour average.
#2
My wife just ranted on Trump winning Nevada. She is very concerned that a) he's a dangerous looney-tune and b) his nomination would insure that Shrillary or Bern would win.
I'm sorta in agreement with her on him but I have a hard time believing that all his bombast and blather are real. Additionally I think that even if they are he will be reined in by the system to a less destructive level.
IMHO Bern or Shrill will destroy the country forever.
#3
Yeah, a choice between an egotistical bombastic pro-American crony capitalist and a anti-American socialists/progressive/marxist. Real hard choice there boys.
BTW, you might have noticed that the Trunks in Congress just said no hearing on the O's court nominee. Do you really think that would have happened if Jeb was in the position Mr.Trump is now in?
As for Iraq. A lot of Americans having seen the waste of lives and resources squandered by the incompetent ruling class probably feel the same way. Either win it and hold it or 'why the hell did we do it in the first place?'.
In October 2002, President Bush asked for the consent of Congress — unlike the Clinton resort to force in the Balkans and the later Obama bombing in Libya, both by executive action — before using arms to reify existing American policy. Both the Senate (with a majority of Democrats voting in favor) and the House overwhelmingly approved 23 writs calling for Saddam’s forced removal.
#5
Yeah, I know the technical reasons for the execution. It's the 'return on investment' that sucked. To paraphrase Animal House, "you f****d up, you trusted us."
#6
Trump was asked to clarify his declaration that Bush lied about Iraqi WMD. His response; "I don't know if he lied or not. He could have lied. Maybe he did. Maybe he didn't. I guess you'd have to ask him."
There's your answer. Trump is a weasel and the media doesn't challenge him. Moreover, Trump can say or do damn near anything and the Trumpbots will still support him. Bottom line, his challengers have been advised blow it off as just another foolish Trump comment.
#7
And how did Bush help his cause by not going after those who lied about 'no WMD'? The O administration demonstrated how to deal with an 'uppity' party organ (and they were on his side). Pull credentials, call them out (and their owners), sic the alphabet soup departments on them, et al. By allowing it to be repeated time and again and not forcibly challenging it, he and his administration allowed it to be sold. Problem with being a nice guy.
#8
Why doesn't Rubio face considerable heat regarding amnesty?
Trump would destroy either Sanders or Shrillary. Neither of them think fast enough on their feet to hold up in an election cycle if their opponent is Trump.
But if Trump bothers you, then Cruz is your answer, not Rubio. Rubio is just more of the same shit we've despised all along, with policies that promote the establishment rather than the people.
#10
The way turnout at the primaries (Republican turnout setting records, Democrat turnout way down) it looks the Republicans are going to destroy the Democrats no matter who is the Republican rep. Its a matter of how much.
If Trump is elected at least we'll see the Congress (both parties) doing their job and balancing the executive branch with every fiber of their being.
If Trump is elected I imagine both parties will feverishly study the Constitution and determining what the executive branch can and can't do.
#12
I don't think the history of junior senators going to the White House is good. Rubio is Bush lite. I like Cruz's positions but he's a bit abrasive and that CanadianCuban thing is worrisome. Sorry.
But remember that schlong comment? Trump knew what he was doing. He set a trap for the Beest and she walked right into it. He wants you to think he's a buffoon but he's manipulating the media like nobody else knows how.
#15
Well, Senior Executive Service serves at his discretion. Bush made the fundamental mistake not to purge the lot and paid a long and painful price for Clintonistas in the ranks. Those SES's can shut down bonuses, assignments, reassignments, consolidate offices, and report to Congress what they think the funding level for the Departments should be (Ah, poor babies, we've been cut like DoD). Yep, you can influence the lower ranks if you're ruthless enough and I think we have someone who can be.
#16
The republicans in both Congress and the executive branch have failed to take on the bloated federal bureaucracy. Hint: why are conservative voters angry? Nothing changes.
In the words of Ronald Reagan, "I am from the government and I am here to help."
Chilling words indeed.
Posted by: Sven the pelter ||
02/24/2016 16:28 Comments ||
Top||
#17
It is possible that an outsider is required to clear out the bureaucratic stables.
Hank: Do you actually believe the crap that comes out of your mouth?
Earl: I'm not really sure until I'm finished talkin'.
I have almost convinced myself that Trump would make a good president; almost.
Posted by: Sven the pelter ||
02/24/2016 16:44 Comments ||
Top||
#19
It is increasingly clear that Rubio has been promised some role in the next administration in exchange for staying in the race. He has no path to victory. His only role is to prevent Cruz from overtaking Trump.
#20
To answer VDH's question -- because they are too busy getting their asses kicked on issues that matter to American's today.
No point in investing more blood and treasure into sunk costs: the Iraqis have made their bed and Obama has shit in it.
Posted by: regular joe ||
02/24/2016 16:50 Comments ||
Top||
#21
Perhaps not now, R-Joe, but are we supposed to believe he's gonna fight Iran effectively if he keeps regurgitating the propaganda used by the pro-Iranian side in the US (and by the Iranians abroad?)
#23
I hope so Snowy. Do you think he'd cut as bad a deal with Iran as Obozo? Oh hell no.
Posted by: regular joe ||
02/24/2016 19:09 Comments ||
Top||
#24
Trump is a dead man walking - the liberal press has a ton of dirt and smear ready for him, they are simply waiting until the general to blow him out of the water as the dishonest authoritarian con-man that he is. That way Hitlery or Bern-in win by default. Trumpanzee voters are being conned and are remarkably dim to not recognize it.
Posted by: Large de Medici5592 ||
02/24/2016 23:24 Comments ||
Top||
#25
Well, yes they all have dirt. You think his followers don't expect a scorched earth campaign to be wages by the 'establishment'? I expect Mr. Trump to play the game right back. He's demonstrated he won't pull punches. Meanwhile, go ahead, demonize those who are tired of that establishment and their anger. Welcome to 1860.
[Dhaka Tribune] A three-day heavy gunbattle in Kashmire that ended Monday claimed nine lives including three turbans, indicating a recent upsurge of Lion of Islam activities in the disputed region backed by radicalised holy warriors.
The attack began when gunnies shot at a bus carrying police reservists near Srinagar, Kashmire's summer capital, before breaking into a training institute. Three Indian army commandos, two coppers, a civilian and three gunnies have been killed in the fighting.
On February 20, gunnies attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in the Pampore area of Jammu & Kashmire (J&K) in which two personnel were killed and 13 others sustained serious injuries.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
02/24/2016 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[7 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistain Proxies
#1
efforts with Pakistain at different levels have been paused for one reason or other
That's why. Not enough visibility.
Can't get cease-fire reparation aid without fire.
[NATION.PK] With another string of bombings that killed over 150 and injured an estimated 180 on Sunday, it seems that the international community is getting more deluded by the day about the situation in Syria. Where is the conditional ceasefire in Syria so close to fulfillment? John F. I was in Vietnam, you know Kerry Former Senator-for-Life from Massachussetts, self-defined war hero, speaker of French, owner of a lucky hat, conqueror of Cambodia, and current Secretary of State... stated that the provisional agreement between Russia and the US was nearly done, and yet he seems to have forgotten one of the most major elements in this entire conflict; The Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... Once more IS grabbed credit for this horrific attack in Homs and Damascus, targeting Shias in response to the government's move towards recapturing Aleppo, assisted by Russian air strikes. Not even a single faction in this fight is seemingly considering laying down arms, if only to provide access to humanitarian aid, and yet somehow claims are being made that fighting will be stopped soon. Bashar Al Assad had just asked for refugees to come back, claiming that their lives were not in as much danger as when they fled. The Syrian government's apathetic behaviour towards its own people is abominable, but statements from Assad clearly imply that the government has absolutely no handle on the situation.
With a total of 34 soldiers killed in two separate bombing incidents in The Sick Man of Europe Turkey ...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire.... , Erdogan's government also looks to be stepping its bid to supply rebels opposed to the Kurds, in addition to shelling Kurdish territory along its southern border. Turkey is one of the architects of this new ceasefire too as is Moscow, which has consistently conducted an aerial campaign. Both are getting increasingly hostile by the day, and this flare-up will only lead to more conflict in Syria. Iran still supports Assad, Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... and Western powers continue to oppose him which makes the possibility of a long-term solution minute unless there is a drastic change in the strategic policy of all interested parties.
The only possible way a cessation in hostilities can be achieved is if the powers first stop conducting strikes and the supply of arms to their favourite faction in Syria. Let humanitarian aid pass, and then come to an agreement over what is to be done. If the world powers will continue to pit their chosen rebel group against another, the fighting will continue unabated. There is too much money being spent on arms to supply militias, and unless this changes, people will keep dying by the hundreds.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/24/2016 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[6 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Syria
#1
I opened this item, expecting to read about Chicago.
Islamic area of the world = bloodbath, by default.
For those who closely follow events in Israel and the rest of the Middle East, it is hard to imagine that there are people and organizations with no knowledge of the loathsome Max Blumenthal and his twisted obsession with demonizing Israel and lionizing Palestinian Arab terrorists.
One might be inclined to give slack to a writer-focused non-profit organization that wanted to hold an event on the difficulties of reporting from a war zone, to assume that Blumenthal, who recently published a book about the 2014 Gaza War, might be a sensible choice. His book, The 51 Day War: Ruin and Resistance in Gaza, sounds exactly like what Brendan de Caires, PEN Canada’s programs director, said they were seeking. But it turns out that Blumenthal’s claim to have seen the Gaza war first hand is overblown, while any belief in his objectivity as a reporter is wildly misplaced.
Not there for the war, and not an objective reporter — why is this man giving a talk on war reporting? A little digging reveals that PEN could not pull together the topic it preferred and then may not have done its own homework carefully enough. Let’s hope, anyway.
Continued on Page 49
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
