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Washington’s Two Track Policy to Latin America: Marines to Central America and Diplomats to Cuba
James Petras
Introduction
Everyone, from political pundits in Washington to the Pope in Rome, including most journalists in the mass media and in the alternative press, have focused on the US moves toward ending the economic blockade of Cuba and gradually opening diplomatic relations. Talk is rife of a ‘major shift’ in US policy toward Latin America with the emphasis on diplomacy and reconciliation. Even most progressive writers and journals have ceased writing about US imperialism.
However, there is mounting evidence that Washington’s negotiations with Cuba are merely one part of a two-track policy. There is clearly a major US build-up in Latin America, with increasing reliance on ‘military platforms’, designed to launch direct military interventions in strategic countries.
Bernie Sanders: Populist or Opportunist?
by Stephen Lendman
Compared to Hillary Clinton and array of Republican presidential aspirants looking more like a police lineup, Sanders seems almost saintly. Hold the cheers.
On the one hand, no one challenging money-controlled US politics has a chance to win any top position in government - let alone the presidency. Sander's chance to become president is zero.
On the other, ignore what he and other politicians say. Follow what they do, mainly their voting record on issues mattering most. Give him credit. Sanders is on the right side of many issues - including calling income inequality "the great moral issue of our time."
At the same time, he talks the talk but often doesn't walk the walk. He supported sequestration cuts affecting public education, healthcare and housing, Head Start, disaster relief, federal employee wages and other populist programs.
Reinvented War Criminal Tony Blair Resigns As Middle East Envoy
by Stephen Lendman
When Gordon Brown succeeded him as Labor party leader, he was Britain's most despised and discredited man.
From 1997 - 2007, he supported US-led imperial lawlessness in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere.
He blamed Western wars on religious extremism. He lied saying "based on my experience post-9/11 of how countries whose people were freed from dictatorship have then had democratic aspirations thwarted by religious extremism."
He ignored his decade of criminality. He tried justifying the unjustifiable - bogus US-led so-called humanitarian interventions from the Balkans to Baghdad - raping and pillaging one country after another.
Blair's tenure ended with an approval rating near 20%. Despite a legacy of imperial lawlessness and contempt for democratic values, he was appointed Middle East envoy working on behalf of Quartet members America, Russia, the UN and EU.
Washington Created the Islamic State (ISIS)
by Stephen Lendman
Judicial Watch obtained a declassified 2012 Pentagon intelligence report anticipating ISIS (the Islamic State - IS) emerging from US support for Al Qaeda and other takfiri terrorists.
It predicted what happened, saying "(i)f the situation unravels there is the possibility of establishing a declared or undeclared salafist principality in eastern Syria…and this is exactly what the supporting powers to the opposition want, in order to isolate the Syrian regime, which is considered the strategic depth of the Shia expansion (Iraq and Iran)."
It anticipated "dire consequences" for Iraq - including the fall of Mosul and Ramadi, saying:
An "ideal atmosphere" was created "for AQI (Al Qaeda in Iraq) to return to its old pockets in Mosul and Ramadi."
"ISI (Islamic State of Iraq) could also declare an Islamic state through its union with other terrorist organizations in Iraq and Syria, which will create grave danger in regards to unifying Iraq and the protection of its territory."
Supporting powers include Washington, Turkey, other rogue NATO partners, Gulf states and Israel.
Netanyahu's Sham Settlement Bloc Boundaries Proposal
Vby Stephen Lendman
Reports indicate Netanyahu proposed establishing boundaries on settlement blocs - on the one hand to justify continuing illegal construction on stolen Palestinian land.
On the other, for Israel to annex under any peace agreement. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said the proposal was always Netanyahu's position - so "nobody should be surprised."
"(E)veryone in the Likud knows if there will ever be a partner for peace, it is clear there will be territorial concessions" - code language for grand theft with Palestinians having no say whatever over what's rightfully theirs. Israel already controls over 60% of West Bank land and much of East Jerusalem. Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel called Netanyahu's proposal "dangerous and precedential."
It contradicts government guidelines for Jews to have all Judea and Samaria, he said.
Netanyahu's proposal is little more than a PR stunt. He publicly rejected peace talks as a waste of time. He fundamentally opposes Palestinian statehood. He wants unlimited settlement construction.
Mission Creep in Syria
by Stephen Lendman
Syria is Obama's war. Imported IS and other takfiri terrorists are US proxy foot soldiers.
Assad's government is the target, regime change Washington's longstanding objective. On May 25, AP headlined "Turkey, US to provide air protection to Syrian rebels."
They're not rebels. They terrorists. They're not moderates. They're extremists.
AP said Washington and Ankara "agreed in 'principle' to provide air protection to Syrian rebels being trained and equipped to fight Islamic State militants, once they enter Syrian territory for battle" - according to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Fact: US special forces train, fund, arm and direct IS and other takfiri terrorists in Turkey, Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to continue waging war on Assad's government.
US-Supported Islamic State Terrorists Seize Palmyra
by Stephen Lendman
The ancient Syrian city is a UNESCO World Heritage site - one of the Middle East's most treasured ones.
UNESCO calls it one of "outstanding universal value, (an) oasis in the Syria desert" northeast of Damascus.
"From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of V, standing at the crossroads of several civilizations, married Greco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences."
According to UNESCO director-general Irina Bokova, its ancient ruins "already suffered four years of conflict. It suffered from looting and represents an irreplaceable treasure for the Syrian people an for the world."
She appealed to "all parties" to prevent its destruction. Short of immediate military intervention if Security Council authorized, ancient treasures appear lost.
China's Military Strategy
by Stephen Lendman
On May 26, China's official press agency Xinhua headlined "China rolls out military roadmap of 'active defense' strategy," saying:
An official white paper issued by the State Council Information Office titled "China's Military Strategy" pledged "closer international security cooperation."
It stressed "the principles of defense, self-defense and post-emptive strike." It said China isn't aggressive. It will "counterattack" if attacked. Focus will be placed on "winning informationized local wars." International security cooperation will be stressed "in areas crucially related to overseas interests."
Four "critical security domains" were highlighted - "ocean, outer space, cyberspace and nuclear force."
Hats off to Norbert Lammert
By Khalid Amayreh in Occupied Jerusalem
I feel I must salute the German Bundestag President Norbert Lammert for refusing to meet with Abdul Fattah al Sissi, the head of the bloody ruling junta in Egypt.
El-Sissi is planning to visit Germany in early June, probably to seek further legitimacy for his authoritarian regime.
On Wednesday, Lammert told the broadcaster Deutsche Welle that he didn't know what the head of an elected parliament would talk about with the 'undemocratic' Sisi
In his Wednesday interview with Deutsche Welle, Lammert was quoted as saying that "in light of these circumstances, I don't know what the president of an elected parliament and the president of a country that is regrettably not led democratically have to talk about."Lammert's remarks came following a letter he sent on Tuesday to the Egyptian ambassador in which he said that he has cancelled a meeting with Sisi planned to be held in June, citing human rights abuses, postponement of parliamentary elections, lack of democratic developments and mass death sentences in Egypt.
What Memorial Day Do You Honor?
SARTRE
Many accounts will praise the sacrifices and deeds of those who fought in the American wars. Some versions will emotionally express their thanks and respect, while others will list their heroic actions. There is another viewpoint that seldom gets the attention that it deserves. Simply put, what is the true reason that all this blood was shed and the meaning of continued torment that follows, when the guns are silenced? Some will say, we just need to revere those who served. Others may dare to ask, why and what for?
The most positive decision coming out of the last thirty years has significance that affects all of us. It honors those who served and those who supported each conflict. Not all may agree with this conclusion, but how many have ever thought it through? The draft is now abolished. Involuntary servitude is gone and forced indentured service has now become voluntary. That is a victory that we ALL should celebrate.
Before you tune out and shut your mind, consider a process that is rarely practiced today. Thinking . . . The purpose of the State, and yes this applies to America, as well; is to protect and serve citizens. Did you ever hear these words?
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