(2021-07-03). Nusrat Al-Islam Claimed Responsibility For Attacks In Mali, As France Resumes Its Operation With Local Forces. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The al-Qaeda-linked group Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam Wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for a series of terrorist attacks against foreign military personnel in Mali. | On June 21, several French soldiers and civilians were injured when a suicide bomber attacked a military checkpoint of the French Armed Forces near the village of Gossi. The wounded were evacuated by helicopters to a hospital in Gao. The military base located near Gossi is used by the security forces as a foothold for op…
(2021-07-03). Mark Dankof: U.S. Liberal Democracy Turning Into Totalitarian Regime Reminiscent Of The Soviet Union. southfront.org 
A former U.S. Senate candidate Mark Dankof | Interview with Mark Dankof. Originally published at the "I saw a Russia Today story of June 24th quoting Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, as saying that the United States held up as a 'model of liberal democracy is rapidly turning into a totalitarian regime reminiscent of the former Soviet Union," Mark Dankof…
(2021-07-03). Putin's 'City-Killer': Russia Launches World's Largest Nuclear-Armed Submarine. southfront.org 
Belgorod. Source: Defence View | Originally published by It's being popularly
(2021-07-03). Military Situation In Syria On July 3, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On July 3, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 49 times: 23 — in Idlib province, 13 — in Latakia province, 7 — in Hama province, 6 — in Aleppo province | On July 2, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in Ariha town | On July 2, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in Banin village | On July 2, US forces carried out a military patrol near Malekiyah town | MORE ON…
(2021-07-03). Russian Airstrikes Hit Greater Idlib Following Reports Of Near Chemical Weapons Provocation (Video, Photos). southfront.org 
A Russian Su-24 takes off on a combat mission at Hemeimeem airbase, Syria, on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. IMAGE: AP PHOTO/VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV | On July 3, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) carried out a series of airstrikes on the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib where several terrorist groups are active. | Four airstrikes targeted the village of Sheikh Yousef in the western countryside of Idlib. Several positions of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de-facto ruler of Greater Idlib, a…
(2021-07-03). Nancy Hollander: Alex Saab Must be Released as ECOWAS Ruled ('The Mauritanian' of Venezuela). orinocotribune.com In an interview with journalist Caleb Maupin, the renowned US lawyer and specialist in international criminal law Nancy Hollander was forceful in stating that Alex Saab's case "has implications for any country that is sanctioned, and there are a number of them." For Maduro's government in particular, she added, "it has implications for the US's constant efforts to overthrow it," which is why she considered the arrest of anyone with diplomatic immunity as a "very bad precedent." | Hollander, who is also a consultant specialized in criminal procedures in Europe, stressed that the ruling of the Economic Community of…
(2021-07-03). Moscow out of beds to treat COVID-19 patients as cases spike across the country. wsws.org In the grip of a third wave of infections, Russia's medical facilities are once again on the verge of being overwhelmed by the coronavirus.
(2021-07-03). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Summer travel and people not in your bubble during COVID-19 pandemic. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org "The reason we have the COVID-19 delta variant, the reason we have the delta plus variant is because of unimmunized people who get infected," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. He adds that 99.2% of the recorded COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are in people not vaccinated against the virus. This is why he cautions folks who may be traveling this Fourth of July holiday and…
(2021-07-03). Military Situation In Donetsk People's Republic On July 3, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | 1. UAF in Pesky shelled Mineralnoe with 120-mm artillery, 42 times | 2. UAF in Krasnogorovka shelled Staromikhailovka with grenade launchers | 3. UAF in Vodyanoe shelled Leninskoe with 82-mm and 120-mm artillery | 4. UAF in Starognatovka shelled Belaya Kamenka with 120-mm artillery | 5. UAF in Nevelskoe shelled Staromikhailovka with 120-mm artillery | 6. DPR forces in Donetsk city shelled UAF in Pesky with 82-mm artillery | 7. DPR forces in Donetsk city shelled UA…
(2021-07-03). Something's afoot! Row breaks out after female Ukrainian army cadets forced to march in HIGH HEELS, Kiev pledges to change shoes. rt.com 
Ukraine's army command appears to have put its foot in it this week, with a growing scandal breaking after a brigade of women cadets were told to march in step while wearing high-heeled shoes along with their obligatory khakis. | The Eastern European nation is currently gearing up to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union next month, and the armed forces have already been dipping their toes into preparations. On Thursday, the defense ministry in Kiev published photos of female cadets from a university in the capital drilling for an Independence Day parade. However, along with…
(2021-07-03). European Monotheism is Arab Monotheism — Crusades, Zionism and Saudism are Burdens of the Imperial West. orinocotribune.com
(2021-07-03). Russian-led CSTO says 1,000 Azerbaijani troops entering Armenia is "border incident" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com SeeArmy Chief: 1,000 Azerbaijani soldiers are still in the territory of Armenia impotence — noun, inability to take effective action; helplessness treason — noun, the action of betraying someone or something redundancy — noun, the state of being not or no longer needed or useful Moscow-led alliance views situation in southern Armenia as border incident …
(2021-07-03). Mustafa Kemal Ataturk-2021 war games: preparing for the next war. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com "Mustafa Kemal Ataturk-2021" training held in Baku has ended The last stage of the "Mustafa Kemal Ataturk-2021" Azerbaijan-Turkey joint tactical exercises held in accordance with the Agreement on Military Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkey took place with the participation of high-level observers from both countries.
(2021-07-03). 5 + 3: Turkic superstate in Caucasus, Central Asia under NATO tutelage. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com 5 + 3: Turkic superstate in Caucasus, Central Asia under NATO tutelage The foreign minister of Kyrgyzstan, Ruslan Kazakbaev, was in the capital of Azerbaijan on July 2, where he proposed a strategic partnership between the two nations, both members of NATO's Partnership for Peace military program and of the soon-to-be-expanding Turkic Council. (Russia also …
(2021-07-03). New laws legalize police state operations in Germany. wsws.org The German government has used the final parliamentary sessions of the current legislative period to massively expand the powers of the country's police and intelligence agencies.
(2021-07-03). NATO's war in South Asia: "Single biggest challenge for the Polish Army since World War II" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Polish soldiers return home from Afghanistan During a ceremony at Wroc≈Çaw Airport in the southwest of Poland, Defence Minister Mariusz B≈Çaszczak this week thanked his country's military contingent for its service and told the soldiers that their efforts were appreciated. "You have fulfilled your mission and proved that Polish Army soldiers are ready to support …
(2021-07-03). Conflict with Russia in the Black Sea? zcomm.org The NATO-Ukraine Sea Breeze exercise could ultimately help create the circumstances for real conflict with Russia in the Black Sea…
(2021-07-03). Turkey's invasion of northern Iraq could lead to Kurdish civil war. zcomm.org Attendees of a recent peace delegation responding to Turkey's incursions into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq were detained at Erbil airport…
(2021-07-03). [Editorial] Germany's election: transformation versus more of the same. thelancet.com Angela Merkel's 16-year reign as German chancellor will come to an end this year. This fact is the only certain outcome, among various possible party coalition options, when Germans vote in federal elections on Sept 26. 2021 is a particularly poignant and important year for an election in Germany, with a mixed picture of success in the COVID-19 pandemic, an unfinished history of migration, strong population feelings on climate change and sustainability, and continuing discussion on the role of the EU.
(2021-07-03). Turkey exports Striker armored vehicles for the first time: to Kosovo. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Turkey exports Striker armored vehicle for the first time: to Kosovo According to local new sources Turkey has exported its armored combat vehicle Vuran (Striker) for the first time: to Kosovo. Turkey's Anadolu Agency said the pseudo-government of Kosovo will be the first foreign recipient of the 4×4 multi-purpose armored vehicle. Wikipedia, though, says that …
(2021-07-03). The media's response to Putin's conciliatory essay. indybay.org On the exact 80th anniversary of the German invasion of the Soviet Union, which cost that country nearly 27 million lives, the Russian president himself published an essay in the former flagship of détente whose title already signaled a willingness to reconcile: "Be open, despite the past."
(2021-07-03). Video: Turkey, Azeri annex prepare to liberate more occupied territories. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com The military pilots of the Azerbaijan Air Force, participating in the "Anatolian Eagle — 2021" International Flight-Tactical Exercises held in Konya, Turkey, have successfully accomplished the tasks of the last stage, the Defense Ministry told News.Az.
(2021-07-02). 'Clothing police': Leftist Melenchon denounces Macron for opposing crop tops in French schools, likens him to 'Iranian Ayatollahs'. rt.com 
The leader of a French leftist party has compared President Emmanuel Macron to Iranian ayatollahs or the "clothing police," after Macron disapproved of teenagers wearing crop tops in school. | In an interview with Elle magazine, Macron was asked what he thinks about teenagers sporting the midriff-revealing crop tops outside of or in schools. "I'm all for freedom," the president replied. "But freedom is only valid when there are rules for living in a community." | At home or with friends, it's one thing. At school, I'm a more of a 'proper attire required' kind of person, for both girls and boys. | "I'm not an a…
(2021-07-02). US asks Afghanistan's neighbors to shelter its ex-employees who fear Taliban retaliation after troop pullout – media. rt.com 
Thousands of Afghan citizens eligible for US visas after working for the US government may soon move to a different Central Asian country, where they will presumably be safe from retaliation while their applications are processed. | Afghanistan's neighbors Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as Kazakhstan, may shelter as many as 9,000 Afghans qualified for the so-called Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. It is
(2021-07-02). Fighting rages near New York as government forces battle breakaway militia… but US thanks Ukraine for naming town in its honor. rt.com 
With its decaying industrial landscape and ever-present risk of violence, New York isn't a place many people would choose to live. But this is Eastern Europe, not the Upper East Side, in a newly renamed town on the front line. | On Thursday, Ukrainian MPs voted through proposals to rename the Donbass region village of Novogorodskoye in honor of the East Coast American metropolis. It is located just seven kilometers from the fractious frontier where Kiev's forces are facing off against troops loyal to the self-proclaimed breakaway Donetsk People's Republic. Shelling, drone strikes, and gunfire have been escalat…
(2021-07-02). Fiddler on the sidewalks of New York: What became of Tevye. peoplesworld.org 
BEVERLY HILLS—The last we saw renowned Yiddish writer Sholem Aleichem's touching character Tevye the Milkman, he was exiting the stage escaping an anti-Semitic pogrom in Russia headed for parts unknown. People like him wound up in France, England, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Australia. Many found themselves in New York and other American cities …
(2021-07-02). "Sleep-in" challenges Georgia benefit cuts. workers.org 
Atlanta Unemployed workers pitched tents in front of the Georgia Department of Labor June 24 in downtown Atlanta in preparation for spending the night. The action was intended to symbolize the loss of housing and other necessities of life experienced by untold numbers of workers in the state, where unemployment . . . |
(2021-07-02). Russia To Begin Exporting Orion Attack UAVs In 2022. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Russia will start selling serially-produced attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to foreign buyers starting from 2022, sources in the military-industrial complex and the administration of the Moscow region told RIA Novosti. | This is so that production at Russia's first plant for drone production can start operating fully, under the management of the Kronsdadt group of companies. | As previously reported, Russia has begun promoting Orion drones in a strike version on the international arms…
(2021-07-02). Syrian Authorities, Turkish-Backed Militants Swap Prisoners Under Russian-Brokered Deal (Video, Photos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image. Source: RT. | On July 2, Syrian authorities and Turkish-backed militants swapped prisoners as a part of a deal that was brokered by the Ministry of Defense of Russia and backed by Turkey. | The prisoners swap took place on the Abu al-Zandin crossing which links Turkish-occupied areas in northern Aleppo with areas held by Syrian government forces. The United Nations and the Red Crescent oversaw the deal. | Turkish-backed militants released five soldiers and officers of the Syri…
(2021-07-02). Media Blackout After Key Witness Against Assange Admits Lying. popularresistance.org As we have pointed out since Media Lens began in 2001, a fundamental feature of corporate media is propaganda by omission. Over the past week, a stunning example has highlighted this core property once again. | A major witness in the US case against Julian Assange has just admitted fabricat ≠ing key accusati ≠ons in the indictment against the Wikileaks founder. These dramatic revelations emerged in an extensive article published on 26 June in Stundin, an Icelandic newspaper. The paper interviewed the witness, Sigurdur Ingi Thordarson, a former WikiLeaks volunteer, who admitted that he had made false allegat…
(2021-07-02). Media Blackout After Key Witness Against Assange Admits Lying. popularresistance.org "not one major western media outlet outside of Iceland has reported on this massive and entirely legitimate news story. A search brings up coverage by Icelandic media, by Russian media, and by smaller western outlets like Democracy Now, World Socialist Website, Consortium News, Zero Hedge and some others, but as of this writing this story has been completely ignored by all major outlets who are ostensibly responsible for informing the public in the western world."
(2021-07-02). Belarus seals off border with Ukraine as president warns of repeat of 1941. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Belarus seals off border with Ukraine as president warns of repeat of 1941 The government of Belarus announced today that it is completely closing its border with Ukraine, which for months have been targeting Belarus with accusations of plotting military aggression against it. Ukraine has a population of almost 45 million and a military trained …
(2021-07-02). Letters From Minsk: The Last Dictator. counterpunch.org This is the last in a series about train and bicycle rides from Switzerland to Belarus, in those carefree days before pandemic lockdowns. One day in Minsk, I headed out after a leisurely breakfast—the Hotel Garni had a full buffet and very few guests—and rode to the Museum of Modern Belarusian Statehood in Minsk, which
(2021-07-02). U.S. and U.K. Green New Deals Skirt Around Systemic Transformation. towardfreedom.org Record-breaking heat waves and economic hits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted governments in the United States and the United Kingdom to consider enacting a Green New Deal (GND). But will they curb emissions while upholding the principles of social justice and equity?
(2021-07-02). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Summer travel and people not in your bubble during COVID-19 pandemic. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org "The reason we have the COVID-19 delta variant, the reason we have the delta plus variant is because of unimmunized people who get infected," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. He adds that 99.2% of the recorded COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are in people not vaccinated against the virus. This is why he cautions folks who may be traveling this Fourth of July holiday and…
(2021-07-02). As Russia breaks Covid-19 death record for fourth day, poll reports economic concerns mean most oppose new lockdown as solution. rt.com 
Almost 80% of Russians surveyed are against the introduction of a new lockdown to fight against the country's increasing number of Covid-19 cases, a survey has revealed, with over a half saying it would endanger the economy. | According to the research, conducted by Otkritie Bank, 51% of respondents are against a repeat of the kind of punitive measures seen in 2020 because of the negative consequences for the economy. This is despite rising infection figures. | A further 28% believe there is no epidemiological reason for a lockdown. | The results were reported by news agency RIA Novosti. | New restrictions are…
(2021-07-02). World Health Organization warns of new pandemic wave as cases surge in Europe and US. wsws.org The number of daily new cases of COVID-19 has surged over the past week in the United States, as the government eliminates all remaining restrictions on the spread of the disease even as the dangerous Delta variant becomes prevalent.
(2021-07-02). Central Syria: Chief Of ISIS Oil Smuggling Operations Killed In Recent Russian Airstrikes. southfront.org 
File image. | The chief of ISIS oil smuggling operations has been reportedly killed in a Russian airstrike that hit his hideout in Syria's central region. | Iraqi sources affiliated with the group mourned the terrorist leader who is commonly known as "Sami al-Ajouz" on July 1. It remains unclear if al-Ajouz was killed on the very same day or in an earlier date. | Al-Ajouz was reportedly responsible for ISIS oil smuggling operations in both Iraq and Syria. The terrorists leader is originally…
(2021-07-02). Russia's Black Sea Fleet Carries Out Live Fire Drills, Tests Crimea Defenses Alongside NATO's Sea Breeze Exercise. southfront.org 
On July 1st, Russian warships carried out a live fire training exercise in the Black Sea, as Ukraine and NATO…
(2021-07-02). 'No state cover-up': French government refuses to apologize over Pacific nuclear test radiation levels. rt.com 
France's junior defense minister Genevieve Darrieussecq has denied her country engaged in a "state cover-up" to conceal the extent of the impact of nuclear tests conducted by the country in the Pacific between 1966 and 1996. | Speaking following the conclusion of a two-day roundtable meeting, Darrieussecq declared that "there was no state cover-up," rejecting allegations France sought to conceal the extent of the fallout from the nuclear tests, and ruling out any official apology. | The event had been arranged by France's President Emmanuel Macron to confront the legacy of the 193 nuclear tests at Moruroa and…
(2021-07-02). Cyberhack dispute: Russian diplomats say Moscow not behind attacks on US targets, but is itself constantly bombarded by Americans. rt.com 
One day after the US accused Moscow of being behind cyberattacks on both government bodies and private business, the Russian Embassy in Washington has pointed the finger at the Americans, accusing them of hacking Russian targets. | "We strictly deny the involvement of Russian government agencies in attacks 'on government and private facilities in…
(2021-07-02). Russian court takes bankrupt man's only home to pay off debt for first time in history; he is given small flat as replacement. rt.com 
For the first time in the history of Russia, a court has ruled that a citizen who declared bankruptcy should have his only housing seized and auctioned in order to pay back a debt. The unprecedented decision was upheld on appeal.
(2021-07-02). U.S. Army in Armenia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com U.S. Army construction projects in Armenia improving local emergency response and firefighting capabilities The humanitarian assistance construction is being managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District and funded through the United States European Command, or EUCOM. The work is being done in close coordination with the U.S. Embassy in the Armenian capital …
(2021-07-02). The New Green-Red Zagreb. popularresistance.org In May's local elections, Croatia's green-left platform won the capital's assembly and its mayoralty. The new government has big plans for a clean, democratic city — but the challenges of building it under assault from the right remain.
(2021-07-02). Trains and Population Density: U.S. and Europe. cepr.net There are lots of silly comments that pass for great wisdom in elite circles. Steve Rattner gave us one of my favorites in his NYT column warning President Biden against putting too much money into reviving our system of train travel. Rattner tells us: "America is not Europe, with its dense population centers clustered reasonably …
(2021-07-02). Atlantic Stormwind In The Black Sea. popularresistance.org The large aeronaval maneuver Sea Breeze, officially "co-hosted by the United States and Ukraine" in the Black Sea, began on June 28, 2021. The United States planned and commanded it, US is, therefore, the host in this sea close to Russian territory. | Sea Breeze is taking place from June 28 to July 10. The maneuver is led by the US / African Naval Forces with headquarters in Naples and includes the Sixth Fleet. It includes naval, submarine, amphibious, land, and air warfare exercises. | Since this series of annual maneuvers in the Black Sea began in 1997, the 2021 edition sees the largest number of participants:…
(2021-07-02). Russia Passes Strict Gun Control Regulations. telesurenglish.net Russian President Vladimir Putin signed new regulations on Friday to reinforce gun control in the country. The amendments to the gun law prioritize citizens' health as well as criminal liability for arms trafficking. | RELATED: | The decision comes as part of a gun control review ordered by Putin on May 11, in the aftermath of a shooting in the central Russian city of Kazan, where eight students and a teacher were killed. | At Least Seven Dead In Russ…
(2021-07-02). Russia Working on Updated Concept for Security in the Persian Gulf, Lavrov Says. sputniknews.com Russia first unveiled a 'Security Concept for the Persian Gulf Region' in mid-2019, in the aftermath of a series of dangerous and destabilizing incidents including tanker seizures, sabotage attacks, and the shoot down of a $200 million US spy drone over Iranian airspace – which nearly prompted Washington to launch strikes into Iran.
(2021-07-02). The New Green-Red Zagreb. zcomm.org In May's local elections, Croatia's green-left platform won the capital's assembly and its mayoralty…
(2021-07-02). The New Green-Red Zagreb. popularresistance.org In the local elections held in Croatia on 16 and 30 May 2021, a left-green political platform Zagreb je Na≈°/Mo≈æemo! ('Zagreb is Ours'/'Yes, We Can!') won 23 out of 47 seats in the City Assembly, and its candidate for mayor, Tomislav Toma≈°eviƒá, won a convincing victory, defeating his right-wing opponent with 65% of the votes. | The platform was formed in early 2017 by a group of activists from social movements and NGOs working on issues of public space, the commons, environmental concerns, independent culture, human rights, women's rights, LGBTQ+ initiatives, workers…