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ISIS in the Philippines
Stephen Lendman
In response to violence instigated by ISIS in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao, imposed military rule, and threatened to extend it nationwide to defeat the threat.
What’s going on? Why did ISIS begin operating in the Philippines? Weeks after taking office in mid-2016, Duterte blasted Western imperial Middle East policies, saying the Obama administration and Britain “destroyed the (region)…forc(ing) their way into Iraq and kill(ing) Saddam.”
“Look at Iraq now. Look what happened to Libya. Look what happened to Syria.” He blasted former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for failing to act responsibly against what’s gone on for years - on the phony pretext of humanitarian intervention and democracy building.
{Financial Times} Notes the Financial Crash Looming
Executive Intelligence Review
May 31, 2017 (EIRNS) -- The London {Financial Times} on May 30 followed its Frankfurt-based competitor {Handelsblatt} of three weeks earlier, in publishing articles by bank researchers noting that a 2008-like debt crash may be near, triggered by an unrepayable U.S. corporate bubble. The article, by author Dombisa Moyo and financial editor Gillian Tett, is headlined "Global debt woes are building to a tidal wave." But it places most of the weight of danger on debt bubbles in the United States.
"U.S. companies have added $7.8tn [trillion] of debt since 2010 and their ability to cover interest payments is at its weakest since 2008," the authors note -- not getting into principal repayments. Both corporate and consumer debt have reached levels beyond those of 2008 not only in the United States, but also in the UK.
More Sanctions on North Korea and Russia
Stephen Lendman
Earlier ones on both countries achieved nothing. They’re hostile measures in lieu of responsibly engaging all countries diplomatically - an option Washington opposes in dealing with independent governments, ones it doesn’t control.
America has been hostile toward North Korea since post-WWII partitioning in 1945, Truman’s aggression the clearest example, followed by isolation from the West and multiple rounds of sanctions.
On Friday, Security Council members imposed new sanctions on Pyongyang, retaliating against its ballistic missile tests - development of these (and nuclear) weapons solely for defense, not offense, deterrents against possible US aggression.
50th Anniversary of Israel’s Infamous USS Liberty Attack
Stephen Lendman
On June 8, during Israel’s preemptive Six-Day War, an act of aggression, not self-defense against regional Arab states, the IDF did the unthinkable.
It provocatively attacked its main ally, striking the USS Liberty intelligence gathering ship, in international waters about 25.5 nautical miles northwest of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula in international waters.
The incident took 34 US lives, another 171 wounded, the vessel severely damaged, lucky to stay afloat.
It was deployed to monitor belligerents’ communications in response to Israeli aggression on Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Iraq - not the other way around.
Boycott U.S. Firms Till Trump Signs to 195-Nation Paris Climate Agreement
Eric Zuesse
U.S. President Donald Trump announced, on Thursday, June 1st, that “We’re getting out” of the global agreement on limiting the amount of greenhouse gases pouring into the Earth’s atmosphere. Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama, had described the agreement (which he had signed), by saying of it: “I believe the Paris agreement can be a turning point for our planet. It’s the biggest single step the world has ever taken toward combating global climate change.” Trump doesn’t place a high priority on the issue, and he says that to adhere to the agreement would hurt America’s economy, which he obviously cares about much more than he does about the planet’s climate.
According to the vast majority of climate-scientists, there will be no way to avoid this planet’s climate-burnout unless the promises of the Paris Climate Agreement are kept. It therefore needs the support of the world’s second-biggest national emitter of greenhouse gases; it needs U.S. President Trump's support. The world’s biggest emitter, China, is unwavering in its commitment to the agreement. So too is virtually the entire planet — except the U.S.
Organic Food Benefits Human Health
Stephen Lendman
A Science and Technology Options Assessment (STOA) report published in December 2016 suggests what organic food consumers have known all along.
A diet consisting of these foods contributes to human health. Studies of their use show a lower risk of childhood allergies.
Adult consumers are less likely to be overweight. At the same time, it’s hard separating organic food consumption from other lifestyle practices contributing to or harming human health. According to the STOA report, “consumers who regularly buy or consume organic food have healthier dietary patterns, such as a higher consumption of fruit, vegetables and wholegrain products and a lower consumption of meat, compared to other consumers.”
“These dietary patterns are associated with various health benefits, which include a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.”
US Threatens Force Against Syria’s Military
Stephen Lendman
It appears just a matter of time before Washington terror-bombs Syrian forces, claiming they threaten US troops on the ground - operating illegally.
So do US-led coalition warplanes - terror-bombing vital infrastructure and government sites on the phony pretext of combating ISIS America created and supports.
Sergey Lavrov expressed concern about US threats, saying not only were they made, but force is already ongoing along the Syrian border with Iraq and Jordan, escalating conflict, not taking steps to responsibly end it.
Trump to Roll Back Obama’s Cuba Policy
Stephen Lendman
Obama’s policy was dubious when announced. His so-called “new course on Cuba” concealed dirty business as usual, strategy and tactics changing, not Washington’s objective to return the country to US vassal state status.
Embargo, limited US travel and other restrictions remain in place. So does longstanding hostility toward Cuban sovereign independence.
Normalized relations aren’t possible without ending over half a century of lawless embargo. It can be done by executive order, congressional authorization not needed. Obama abstained instead of acting responsibly.
Oligarchs Succeed! Only the People Suffer!
James Petras
Introduction
On a scale not seen since the ‘great’ world depression of the 1930’s, the US political system is experiencing sharp political attacks, divisions and power grabs. Executive firings, congressional investigations, demands for impeachment, witch hunts, threats of imprisonment for ‘contempt of Congress’ and naked power struggles have shredded the façade of political unity and consensus among competing powerful US oligarchs.
For the first time in US history, the incumbent elected president struggles on a daily basis to wield state power. The opposition-controlled state (National Public Radio) and corporate organs of mass propaganda are pitted against the presidential regime. Factions of the military elite and business oligarchy face off in the domestic and international arena. The oligarchs debate and insult each other. They falsify charges, plot and deceive. Their political acolytes, who witness these momentous conflicts, are mute, dumb and blind to the real interests at stake.
Putin Straight Talk
Stephen Lendman
Differences between Putin and US presidents are stark. He’s overwhelmingly popular in Russia for good reason.
On the right side of major issues, he’s believable, candid and straightforward, saying what he means and meaning what he says - polar opposite serial lying and demagogic doubletalk from US leaders, con men serving monied and imperial interests exclusively.
Interviewed in France by Le Figaro, Putin commented as follows:
He accepted French President Macron’s invitation to meet at the Elysee Palace, coming with “expectations. If there are no expectations, it is pointless to hold meetings of this kind,” he explained.
“I certainly had expectations this time” - despite knowing France is a close US ally, a NATO member, hostile to Russian interests.
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