(2021-09-03). Russian Airstrikes Hit Militant Stronghold, Rocket Launch Site In Greater Idlib (Video). southfront.org 
An Su-24 taking off from Hmeimim air base in 2015. IMAGE: Russian Ministry of Defense | The Russian Aerospace Forces continue to hammer militants' positions in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib. | Late on September 2, Russian warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes on militants' positions in the outskirts of the town of Kabani in the northern Lattakia countryside. The town is an infamous stronghold of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de-facto ruler of Greater Idlib, and several other ter…
(2021-09-03). Daraa Agreement Collapses, Local Leaders Ask For Complete Evacuation. southfront.org 
File image. | On September 3, the recently-reached The agreement was brokered by Russia only three days ago. Syrian authorities and local leaders in Daraa al-Balad both promised to fully implement the agreement, which was meant to end a long crisis and secure Daraa city. | The…
(2021-09-03). Central Syria: 90 Russian Airstrikes Hit ISIS Cells Within 24 Hours. southfront.org 
File image.4 | Warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) carried out more than 90 airstrikes on ISIS cells in central Syria between September 2 and 3, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. | The airstrikes, which were carried out within 24 hours, targeted fortified hideouts of the terrorist group in the following areas: | The eastern countryside of Homs; | The Hama-Aleppo-Raqqa triangle; | The western countryside of Deir Ezzor; | The western countryside of Raqqa. | The…
(2021-09-03). Poland: NATO's Afghan war "spectacular" training (for conflict with Belarus, Russia). antibellum679354512.wordpress.com FM lauds Poland's Afghanistan mission, Kabul evacuationPolish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau has lauded his country's role in NATO's mission in Afghanistan "Poland was a participant in this allied operation," Rau said, adding: "We persevered in Afghanistan to the very end of our mission as a loyal and valuable ally." **** Looking back at the two-decade …
(2021-09-03). Belarusian FM muses: U.S./NATO Afghan withdrawal may mask plan to destabilize region. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Makei views USA's withdrawal from Afghanistan as possible attempt to create tensions in region Vladimir Makei said: "The matter of the withdrawal of American troops and their allies from Afghanistan requires a thorough analysis. But nobody can rule out that such a hurried flight of American troops is truly connected to some geopolitical desires and …
(2021-09-03). "Rogue Nations" and "Failed States": America Doesn't Know the Difference. counterpunch.org It would be easy to blame Donald Trump for the disarray in the transatlantic alliance, but twenty-five years of American exceptionalism is the real culprit. The aggressive expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the Clinton and Bush administrations over the objections of our West European allies began a period of discontinuity that still exists. Bush deepened the disarray in 2002 with his "axis of evil" speech that set the stage for the invasion of Iraq. Bush and Barack Obama considered Afghanistan the "good war," which brought two full decades of chaos throughout Southwest Asia. President Joe Bide…
(2021-09-03). NATO's 20-year military hardware show: Sweden mulled bombing Afghanistan to promote Gripen warplanes. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Which were used in NATO's war against Libya in 2011. Sweden Allegedly Sought to Bomb Afghanistan as Advertisement for Its Fighter Jets, WikiLeaks Reveals A sensational WikiLeaks disclosure has revealed that Sweden's Armed Forces wanted to use the Afghanistan war to advertise its Saab Gripen fighter jets across the world thanks to combat experience. In …
(2021-09-03). New Turkic empire: from plains of Central Europe to Chinese border. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Turkic Council aims to boost cooperation among Turkic world: Hajiyev The Turkic Council aims to establish a close relationship between press members of Turkic Republics, Azerbaijan's Presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev said, underlining the council's potential to boost cooperation among the Turkic world. **** His statements came during a meeting of 30 journalists from Turkey, Azerbaijan, …
(2021-09-03). Czechia To Beef Up Its Ground Forces With IFVs, And Know-How For Future Development. southfront.org 
Rheinmetall's Lynx IFV. Click to see full-size image | The Czech Ministry of Defense is looking to upgrade its ground forces, and it put forward a tender for 210 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). | As a result, three companies submitted their offers. | They are as follows: | The UK's BAE Systems with their Swedish-made CV90 (Combat Vehicle 90). | The CV90 has a long history, as it has been actively used ever since 1993. The CV90 platform design has continuously evolved in steps from Mk0 to current MkIV with advanc…
(2021-09-03). Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa. wsws.org Third national rail strike over pay at Deutsche Bahn in Germany to last a week; UK rail strikes continue at ScotRail, East Midlands Rail, and Rail Gourmet over pay and conditions; Nigerian resident doctors' pay strike to demand pay arrears up to 19 months enters fifth week…
(2021-09-03). NATO touts EU transatlantic military auxiliaries. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com NATO's Deputy Secretary General stresses the importance of NATO-EU cooperation and complementarity In a panel discussion at the Bled Strategic Forum on Thursday (2 September 2021), NATO's Deputy Secretary General Mircea GeoanƒÉ said that a stronger European Union in defence can make the Alliance stronger, but will not replace it…. At NATO's Brussels Summit on …
(2021-09-03). Desperation Hits: Ukraine Warns Europe Will Be "Solely Dependent" On Russian Pipelines. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The launch of Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will mean Europe will be solely dependent on Moscow-run pipelines as the Ukrainian route for gas delivery to Europe disappears, the head of Ukraine's gas transit operator said. | Russia's Gazprom has almost completed the construction of Nord Stream 2, which can divert transit gas flows still going through Ukraine to Europe, but the company may face difficulties in its authorisation."If Gazprom achieves the launch of No…
(2021-09-03). Germany: Support the struggle of train drivers and conductors! Build independent action committees! wsws.org The strike by train drivers and conductors employed by German Railways (Deutsche Bahn, DB) deserves the solidarity of the entire working population.
(2021-09-03). NATO assigns Polish F-16s to Iceland, Turkish F-16s to Poland. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Polish F-16s Certified Ready for NATO Mission over Iceland NATO's Northern Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) at Uedem, Germany, certified the Polish Air Force F-16 detachment based in Keflavik, Iceland, mission ready to conduct NATO Air Policing of the skies in the High North. This is the first time that Polish fighter aircraft have joined …
(2021-09-03). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Breaking down the booster terminology for COVID-19 vaccines. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org COVID-19 vaccine boosters are being recommended eight months after a person's second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. "A vaccine booster dose is generally an additional dose above and beyond the primary series needed to achieve protective immunity," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "So the dose that was approved this past week would be better classified as an 'additional dose' for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised." Dr….
(2021-09-03). Romania: head of NATO Military Committee lauds Black Sea buildup. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Chair of NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, attends Black Sea and Balkans security forum in Bucharest, Romania Admiral Rob Bauer visited Bucharest, Romania on 3-4 September 2021. He participated in the fifth edition of the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum 2021 and visited the Romanian Ministry of Defence where he was welcomed with …
(2021-09-03). Russia To Build New Cities In Siberia, Starting With 300,000 Population "Sputnik" southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | A new Russian city by the name of Sputnik with a population of 300,000 people should appear 30 kilometers from Vladivostok. | This was stated in a corresponding agreement, signed at the Eastern Economic Forum in which Russian President Vladimir Putin also took part."The creation of a new city Sputnik is planned on the territory of the advanced social and economic development "Nadezhdinskaya". The building area will be 925 hectares. Within the framework of the project, it is planned to bu…
(2021-09-03). Malice in Nulandland: Volodymyr Zelensky, dragon slayer. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com –°ivil society so strong no "dragon" can emerge there — Zelensky An authoritarian regime would be impossible in Ukraine…President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said while speaking with the faculty and experts at Stanford University. Asked whether he is afraid to become a "dragon" after killing one, the head of state said: "As for 'killing a dragon,' I've …
(2021-09-02). Turkey: one of world's three top producers of combat drones. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com World starts acknowledging success of Turkish drones: Erdogan With its unmanned combat aerial vehicle Akƒ±ncƒ±, Turkey has become one of the world's three most advanced countries in combat drone technology, Erdogan said, adding the world speaks about "the success of the armed drones used…in many conflict areas from Syria to Karabakh." **** Noting that Turkey …
(2021-09-02). Senior Syrian Officers Visit Daraa Al-Bald As More Gunmen Join Reconciliation Process (Video, Photos). southfront.org 
File image. | On September 2, a delegation of senior Syrian officers visited the southern part of Daraa city, known as Daraa al-Balad, to inspect the situation and monitor the implementation of the new The delegation, which was accompanied by officers from the Russian Military Police and local leaders from Daraa al-Balad, was led by Major General Hossa…
(2021-09-02). Protest Washington's Economic War on Cuban Revolution. orinocotribune.com 
By Seth Galinsky — Sep 1, 2021 | Car and bike caravans, pickets and rallies to protest Washington's more than 60-year-long economic war on Cuba are planned Aug. 29 in a half dozen U.S. cities as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries. Some will take place the day before. The monthly caravans, which began last year, are helping to win new support to the fight against the U.S. government embargo. | Every U.S. president — Democrat and Republican alike — has sought to punish the Cuban people for overthrowing the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista on Jan. 1, 1959, dismant…
(2021-09-02). Turkey, Qatar to take over Kabul airport: reports. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Turkey most reliable country for Kabul airport mission: Hekmatyar Afghanistan does not have the necessary means to ensure the security of Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport and requires the support of a foreign country in this regard, Afghanistan's former Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar said Tuesday, underlining that Turkey is the best and most reliable candidate …
(2021-09-02). As Afghan war ends, House approves $24bn bump for Pentagon budget. rt.com 
Just after the US military's wasteful Afghanistan mission came to a close, House legislators marked almost $24 billion in extra defense spending supposedly needed to maintain America's competitive edge against Russia and China. | The House Armed Services Committee held a marathon session on Wednesday to markup the spending under the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Lawmakers from both parties joined forces to defy President Joe Biden's intention to keep the Pentagon budget at $715 billion for next year, essentially keeping it at the same level as last year. Instead, an extra $23.9 billion was…
(2021-09-02). U.S. Marine Corps attaché has Georgian medal conferred on him. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Since the "Rose Revolution" occurred in 2003 the U.S. Marine Corps has trained its Georgian legionaries for war in Iraq, Afghanistan and South Ossetia and with Russia in 2008. Brigadier General Irakli Chichinadze awarded Lt. Col. Carl Witt with the Departmental Medal "General Giorgi Kvinitadze" Deputy Commander of the Defense Forces, Brigadier General Irakli Chichinadze …
(2021-09-02). IYSSE (Sri Lanka) to hold online meeting on US debacle in Afghanistan. wsws.org The US invasion of Afghanistan was part of Washington's attempts to strengthen its position against its main rivals—China and Russia—and the European imperialist powers, its supposed allies.
(2021-09-02). Georgia provides NATO with transit hub for Afghanistan. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com As it has for almost twenty years. The phrase "Georgian, Norwegian, Swedish, and other member states of NATO" is not far from the truth. Georgia Provides Transit Hub for Afghanistan Evacuations According to the August 26 statement, military cargo planes of the NATO Military Cargo Transportation Organization are currently stationed at Tbilisi airport, performing daily …
(2021-09-02). EU plans detention camps for Afghan refugees across Central Asia. wsws.org While posturing as concerned for Afghans' human rights, the EU is spending vast sums to keep them from traveling to Europe and instead housing them in prison camps.
(2021-09-02). Fraternal Turkey, Azerbaijan train for new Caucasus war. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azerbaijani, Turkish servicemen begin joint training exercises in Baku The training with the participation of Azerbaijani and Turkish military personnel is aimed at improving the mutual activity of the army units of the two countries, developing skills in making military decisions, and managing units by commanders. The tasks for conducting an underwater attack and underwater …
(2021-09-02). Preventive Defense As The Ultimate Game Changer. southfront.org 
Illustrative Image | Written by Lt. Gen. Clarence E. McKnight Jr. (U.S. Army, Ret.), Dr. David Leffler, Duncan Brown, Dr. Carla Brown and Arlene J. Schar. Originally published on EDITOR'S NOTE: | The article below was published in 2017 in several locations worldwide. Azerbaijan Today is reprinting it in hopes that military leaders in Azerbaijan and elsewhe…
(2021-09-02). Pentagon-occupied Poland prepares for war with Belarus. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Poland declares state of emergency on Belarus border "The situation on the border with Belarus is difficult and dangerous," [President Andrzej] Duda's spokesman, B≈Ça≈ºej Spychalski, told a news conference on Thursday. **** He added that his country was responsible not only for its own borders, but also those of the European Union as a whole. …
(2021-09-02). NATO snipers practice picking off Belarusian, Russian servicemen. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Soldiers With NATO eFP Lithuania Refine Military Basics…. In June, soldiers with NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battle Group Lithuania mastered their marksmanship skills…. The Best Infantry Squad competition was held in Lithuania, near the town of Rukla. The annual tactical competition was organized by the Lithuanian Armed Forces and included live-firing elements. Here, too, …
(2021-09-02). Progressives in Poland ask government to welcome refugees. peoplesdispatch.org Political hostilities between the European Union and Belarus have led to a humanitarian crisis as hundreds of refugees remain stranded at Belarus' borders with Poland, Lithuania and Latvia…
(2021-09-02). Bulgaria: U.S. airmen, aircraft arrive for joint exercise. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Airmen and C-130 aircraft arrive in Bulgaria for Thracian Summer U.S. Air Force Airmen and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, are participating in bilateral training with the Bulgarian air force during Thracian Summer 2021, a flying training deployment and off-station training event in …
(2021-09-02). Baltic: Danish, Portuguese replace Spanish warplanes near Russian border. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Denmark and Portugal Take Over for Spain in NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission The Danish and Portuguese Air Forces are now leading NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission here starting today August 31. "Ladies and gentlemen, to sum up: thank you Lithuania, farewell Spain and welcome Denmark and Portugal," said Air Commodore Adrian Hill, Allied Air …
(2021-09-02). Estonia: NATO team evaluates fifth-generation warplanes near Russian border. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Evaluation Team Confirm Italian and Estonian Baltic Air Policing Capabilities A multinational NATO evaluation team from Allied Air Command conducted a no-notice Tactical Evaluation (TACEVAL) on the Italian Air Force F-35 detachment based in àÑmari Air Base, Estonia on August 25. **** "In future, evaluations such as this will be conducted to ensure that NATO …
(2021-09-02). China criticizes European Parliament's report on relations with Taiwan for violating one-China principle. ecns.cn The Chinese Mission to the European Union on Wednesday criticized an "EU-Taiwan Political Relations and Cooperation" report for seriously violating the one-China principle.
(2021-09-02). Organizing Against Militarism From Israel To Europe. popularresistance.org By the end of 2020, a total of 82.4 million people worldwide had been forcibly displaced from their homes according to the UNHCR. The number of forcibly displaced persons globally has doubled since 1990 and is likely to increase significantly in the coming decades due to a convergence of factors, including armed conflict and other forms of violence, as well as climate breakdown, which will compound pressures to migrate. | Displacement occurs in the context of a capitalist economic system in which profits are made both through the sale of arms that are instrumental in causing conflicts and wars, and through the mi…
(2021-09-02). European Union 'Welcomes' Radical Opposition's Decision to Participate in 21N Regional Elections. orinocotribune.com On Wednesday, September 1, the European Union (EU) welcomed the decision of the radical Venezuelan opposition, united under the group of parties known as G4, to participate in the regional elections of November 21, and reiterated that the European body is studying the possibility of sending an electoral observation mission. However, many Venezuelans see the G4 decision as an order that its leaders received from the US and the European Union. | After the Venezuelan radical opposition coalition announced its position on the upcoming elections, the spokesperson for the European Commission for Foreign Affairs, Peter…
(2021-09-02). Majority of Finnish Parties Support Swastika Ban, Nationalists Disagree Citing Freedom of Speech. sputniknews.com The survey was largely spurred on by a Helsinki District Court ruling that unexpectedly dismissed criminal charges for displaying swastika flags on Independence Day and launched a public debate on the appropriateness of this symbol, given Finland's long and complicated history with the swastika.
(2021-09-02). U.S. leads NATO allies, partners in land forces exercise in Turkey. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Dynamic Front 21 Phase 2 to take place in Turkey U.S. Army Europe and Africa will conduct the second and final phase of Dynamic Front 21 with approximately 600 participants from 3 nations, Sept. 5 — 20, 2021 at Polatli Training Area, Turkey. The live-fire portion of the exercise will take place Sept. 14 — …
(2021-09-02). 20 years of 'war on terror' have caused nearly a million deaths, says report. peoplesdispatch.org The overall estimate of the monetary cost of the war goes beyond USD 8 trillion by the US alone. Its allies, including the UK, Australia, and Germany, would have spent a greater amount collectively…
(2021-09-02). 20 Years of US 'War on Terror' Have Caused Nearly a Million Deaths. libya360.wordpress.com Peoples Dispatch Photo: Wikimedia Commons The overall estimate of the monetary cost of the war goes beyond USD 8 trillion by the US alone. Its allies, including the UK, Australia, and Germany, would have spent a greater amount collectively The US-led war on terror has killed almost a million people and cost USD 8 trillion…
(2021-09-02). Leading contenders in Germany's federal election promote militarism, police, social cuts and the wider spread of COVID-19. wsws.org The policies of the next German government were detailed at a debate among the three leading candidates for chancellor in the September 26 election.
(2021-09-02). We had forgotten that he was mortal: Mikis Theodorakis dies. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Speech of Mikis Theodorakis — Greeks against bombing of Serbia KathimeriniSeptember 2, 2021 Preeminent composer Mikis Theodorakis dies Mikis Theodorakis, a towering figure in Greek music who was instrumental in raising global awareness of Greece's plight during the 1967-74 military dictatorship, died on Thursday at the age of 96. President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said Theodorakis was …
(2021-09-02). Is an expert report prepared for the purposes of an inquest covered by litigation privilege? ukhumanrightsblog.com 
In the matter of an application for Judicial Review by Linda Kercher and Carol Mitchell [2020] NICA 31; [2020] Inquest L.R. 76 A niche question, but an important one for those in the field, particularly as the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal has found that it is not. The case concerns a coroner's decision to seek …
(2021-09-02). Florida Senator Marco Rubio Encourages Tensions Between China And Lithuania. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size imageRubio is effectively behaving as a provocateur against Lithuanian interests. | Written by Paul Antonopoulos, independent geopolitical analyst | U.S. Senator Marco Rubio expressed his support for Lithuania's decision to open representative offices with Taiwan,
(2021-09-02). The Balkan Project Washington Wants to Derail. counterpunch.org As work nears completion in the first phase of an ambitious project in Montenegro to develop a highway that will connect the Adriatic port of Bar with Serbia, Western officials and mainstream media are ramping up attacks on the endeavor. Western commentators are united in condemnation, ranging from fear-mongering over China's role to disparaging the plan's viability. Consistently, they dismiss it as "the highway to nowhere," implying foolishness on the part of Montenegro and presenting it as a cautionary tale on the dangers of doing business with China. The theme fits neatly within the framework of Washington's c…
(2021-09-02). NATO's Eastern Flank: U.S. combat team conducts mortar training in Poland. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Hoplites conduct mortar training at DPTA Soldiers of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, conduct mortar training and evaluation at Bucierz Range, Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, Aug. 26, 2021. The 2-34 is currently deployed on a nine-month rotation to Poland in support of Atlantic Resolve, which is evidence of the strong …
(2021-09-02). Turkish, Polish military aircraft hold anti-Russian drill. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Turkish and Polish Air Forces Conduct Combined Flying Drills MALBORK, Poland — Turkish F-16 fighter aircraft currently conducting NATO's enhanced Air Policing in Malbork, Poland, conducted aerial manoeuvres with a Polish Air Force C-295M Casa transport aircraft on August 26 to fine-tune their skills and honing their capabilities through Allied cooperation. **** Since mid-August four …
(2021-09-02). Activists push issues of peace to forefront in Canadian election. peoplesworld.org 
TORONTO—It is often not at the forefront of voters' minds, but foreign policy is one of the most important issues in the current federal election underway in Canada. From ballooning military spending to the renewed Cold War against Russia and (especially) China to the proliferation of nuclear weapons to the ongoing and escalating imperialist aggressions …