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Iran's 35th Islamic Revolution Anniversary
by Stephen Lendman
February 11 marks the 35th anniversary of Iran's 1979 revolution. A generation of repressive Reza Shah Pahlavi rule ended. More on this below.
In 1953, Theodore Roosevelt's grandson Kermit engineered the CIA's first coup against a sitting government. Iran's democratically elected Mohammad Mosaddegh was ousted.
Reza Shah Pahlavi replaced him. He became Washington's man in Tehran. A generation of severe repression followed.
Savak (National Intelligence and Security Organization) brutality reflected it. Crimes against humanity were horrific. Anyone considered threatening state authority was arrested, disappeared and eliminated.
A Faux “Humanitarian Pause” in Homs?
By Franklin Lamb
As two delegations, one representing the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, led by Bashar Assad, and the other claiming to represent the popular opposition which is seeking its overthrow, arrived in Switzerland this morning to continue with Round Two of Geneva II, there is uncertainty over the agenda and whether to extend this weekend’s 36 hour “Humanitarian pause” to allow aid into the Old City of Homs. Such a deal, which could come at any time, would bolster confidence ahead of the Round Two of the peace talks.
Some observers, including this one, predict that the ceasefire will in fact be extended as a result of a meeting on 2/10/14 being held between Syrian government officials here in Homs and UN representatives that will likely result in more civilians being allowed out of the old city later today or tomorrow.
But it is not certain. And meanwhile, on 2/10/14, the meager amounts of aid trickling into Yamouk Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus was stopped due to yet another breach of a “humanitarian pause” that was agreed upon last week.
It’s Not the Economy Stupid, It’s Your Stupid Foreign Policy: How to Get Rid of Our Oligarchs
via chycho
Isn’t what’s going on in the Ukraine, this attempt at regime change, which is unfortunately on the verge of turning into a full blown proxy-civil war (2) threatening to bring about the Balkanization of the region, the same game that has been played out in countless other countries for the better part of the last century?
I. 1953 Regime Change in Iran
It was the 1953 CIA instigated coup of the democratically elected government of Iran that really began the regime changing endeavors of the Western superpowers.
The first attempt of a Middle Eastern country to free themselves of Western control of their resources occurred with Iran in 1951 when the democratically elected president, Dr. Mohammed Mosaddeq, nationalizated Iran's oil industry. Unfortunately, however, Western powers would not stand idly by while Iranians took control of their own resources, which is why in 1953 the CIA, following instructions from Britain, organized a coup against Dr. Mosaddeq and overthrew the government.
THE REAL ILLNESS PLAGUING U.S. HEALTHCARE: INEQUALITY
By Chris White
Nearly every week a new facet of the Affordable Care Act comes to light to support the conservative go-to homily: good intentions lead to bad policy. It was a nice idea to give freeloaders the chance to be treated for illnesses they had no chance to avoid (because, you know, genetics), but it’s time to sidle up to the grown-ups table.
The latest element of this cumbersome, overly-complicated bill to stir controversy shows how a profit-driven healthcare system has a pernicious effect on the old-time American religion of upward economic mobility and equality of opportunity. The lens of real estate and finance gives us an interesting look at how our healthcare system is part and parcel of an edifice that enables the rich to get richer and, well, you know.
UN Report Unfairly Bashes Syria
by Stephen Lendman
Throughout many months of conflict, anti-Syrian propaganda proliferated. It continues without end. Misinformation is part of Washington's regime change strategy.
UN officials are involved. On January 27, a new report circulated. It's titled "Report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic."
It's maliciously one-sided. It doesn't surprise. Ban Ki-moon is a subservient US imperial tool. Blaming Syria for US-sponsored death squad crimes is standard practice.
The UN reports discusses "unspeakable" horrors. It falsely calls Syria's conflict "civil." There's nothing civil about it.
Syria was invaded. Assad responsibly defends his country's sovereignty. He's going all out to protect Syrians from death squad atrocities. He's wrongfully blamed for their crimes.
Unconstitutional Protect Academic Freedom Act
by Stephen Lendman
On February 6, Rep. Peter Roskam's (R. IL) press release headlined "Roskam, Lipinski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Academic Freedom by Preventing Academic Boycott of Israel."
On February 6, HR 4009 was introduced. It was referred to committee. No further action so far was taken.
It's an outrageous anti-academic freedom measure. It's unconstitutional. It targets the American Studies Association (ASA).
It's the nation's oldest and largest organization involved in the interdisciplinary study of US culture and history.
Its members represent numerous academic fields. They include academics, researchers, librarians, as well as public officials and administrators.
Last December, they acted responsibly. They overwhelmingly endorsed an academic boycott of Israel.
Iranophobia
by Stephen Lendman
Beating up on Iran is longstanding US policy. It's a prime target of choice. Washington deplores independent governments.
It wants pro-Western ones replacing them. It doesn't care if they're democratic, despotic or anything in between. Subservience to Washington alone matters.
AIPAC wants Iran isolated. So do congressional hawks. Most House and Senate members oppose rapprochement.
It's hard knowing where Obama stands. His credibility is sorely lacking. He says one thing. He does another.
Is his interim nuclear agreement sincere? Does he favor ending 34 years of hostility? Does he want rapprochement? Or is what's ongoing more duplicity? The fullness of time will tell.
ADL Honors George Bush
by Stephen Lendman
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is one of 52 Conference of Major American Jewish Organization (CPMAJO) Zionist groups.
It mocks legitimacy. It supports wrong over right. It disseminates Israeli propaganda. It promotes Jewish exceptionalism.
It smears Israeli critics. It outrageously calls them anti-Semites.
It's racist. It's demagogic. It's Islamophobic. Its hate-mongering is notorious. Its entire history is deplorable.
Bush is an unindicted war criminal. He represents the worst of America's dark side. He's pure evil writ large. More on his true legacy below.
On February 7, ADL gave him its highest honor. It's called the America's Democratic Legacy Award. It cited "his inspirational leadership in promoting democratic values worldwide."
Cold War Politics in Sochi
by Stephen Lendman
On February 6, the XXII Olympic Winter Games began. A geopolitically tense atmosphere prevails.
Security is extremely tight. It's prioritized for good reason. Terrorist attacks are possible. Don't discount potential Washington shenanigans.
Perhaps raining on Putin's parade is planned. Obama may want him embarrassed. False flags are a longstanding US tradition. Will Sochi be Washington's next target? The fullness of time will tell.
It's a virtual armed camp. Measures in place are unprecedented. Around $2 billion was spent on security.
Ahead of February 6, around 23,000 personnel assured proper measures were in place as planned.
Washington's Dirty Game
by Stephen Lendman
Washington can't hide its dark side. It's too ugly to conceal. Its been exposed numerous times.
Here we go again. Assistant Secretary of State for European and European Affairs Victoria Nuland was caught red-handed. More on this below.
She's hardcore neocon. She's a career foreign service officer. She's worked with Democrat and Republican administrations.
Early in her career, she covered Russian internal politics at Washington's Moscow embassy.
She served on the Soviet Desk in Washington. She worked in the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. She served in Guangzhou, China.
She was Deputy to the Ambassador-at-Large for the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union. She directed a task force on Russia, its neighbors and an expanding NATO.
She was Clinton's Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott's chief of staff. She was Deputy Permanent Representative to NATO.
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