(2021-12-16). Neocons Bent On Starting Another Disaster In Ukraine. popularresistance.org If anything, Washington's neoconservatives have an unerring instinct for survival. Having brought about multiple disasters in the two decades since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, from the Iraq war to the twin debacles in Libya and Syria, the neocons seem to have perfected the art of failing up. | Harvard University's Stephen Walt once quipped that "Being a Neocon Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry." And in this regard, the story of the Kagan family is instructive. | Robert Kagan, a contributing columnist for The Washington Post, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and author of pseudo-his…
(2021-12-16). Ukraine, Turkey, Azerbaijan form pan-Turkic bloc against Russia in Crimea. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Zelensky invites President of Azerbaijan to host Kyiv-Ankara-Baku summit in Feb During his working visit to Brussels, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, during which they discussed issues of enhancing bilateral cooperation between the countries… It is noted that Zelensky thanked Aliyev for supporting the sovereignty …
(2021-12-16). Health workers hang up their lab coats in protest. peoplesdispatch.org More than 300 health workers in Konjic in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina decided to hang up their lab coats at the entrance of Konjic General Hospital on 15 December, in protest against a financial crisis that the town's health institutions have been struggling with for months on end. Nurses, doctors, and other health workers warned the authorities that this was their last warning before they quit en masse, a move that would cause the collapse of health services in the area. | The protest is the latest in a series of workers' actions since late November this year. Until now, workers have engaged in striking…
(2021-12-16). Video: U.S.-led NATO battle group in Poland. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Video: enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Poland Comprised of units from four Allied nations: Croatia, Romania, the UK and US, NATO's enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup Poland is a key asset….in the [NATO] eastern flank. As part of their mission, Battlegroup Poland is continuously executing training exercises to enhance their readiness and ability to operate as …
(2021-12-16). Greenpeace Demands immediate return of German plastic waste. moderndiplomacy.eu Greenpeace, Basel Action Network (BAN), Zero Waste Europe and other organizations are calling for illegally exported waste to be returned to Germany. On December 2, the environmental groups prevented 37 containers with German plastic waste from being loaded in the port of Piraeus (Greece), and the customs authorities there confiscated the containers. In a letter …
(2021-12-16). Why Cuba Does Not Have an Anti-Vaccine Movement. libya360.wordpress.com Marc Vandepitte, Toon Danhieux Increasingly, large sectors of the European population, and in the US to a lesser extent, openly express their distrust towards their government's policies to combat COVID-19. The reaction of the traditional policy is one of panic and is characterized by paternalism and repression: general obligation to vaccinate and restricting freedom of…
(2021-12-16). Tomgram: Alfred McCoy, On the Most Fundamental of All Human Rights: Survival. warisacrime.org This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Yes, it's far more extreme and happening far faster than anyone imagined possible. From Australia to China, Germany to Greece, Canada to the U.S. and beyond, the planet is already being devastated by climate change. And no, I …
(2021-12-16). China's Economic Diplomacy: Where do Taiwan and Kosovo fit in? moderndiplomacy.eu The attempt to unite Taiwan with the mainland since 1979 when Deng Xiaoping instituted the principle of "one country, two systems" has been ineffective to date. In fact, China is struggling with so-called "own provinces," such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Tibet, to name just a few. Internal conflicts are usually a cause of imbalance power …
(2021-12-16). Afghanistan's Labyrinth of Opportunity. journal-neo.org 
Four months after the withdrawal of the US and NATO troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban (movement is banned in the Russian Federation) attempts to shape the country on their image, despite the lack of recognition. Nevertheless, they have complete freedom from their neighbors to do whatever they want. They do not officially interfere but try …
(2021-12-16). US Congress approves massive $770 billion war budget. wsws.org The strategic orientation of the huge military bill is to prepare for war against Russia, China or both. Coupled with Tuesday's vote to raise the debt ceiling, congressional Democrats have satisfied their two main constituencies: the Pentagon and Wall Street.
(2021-12-16). China-Russia cooperation contributes to world peace, stability. ecns.cn Following the video meeting on Wednesday between the leaders of China and Russia, experts shared their views on China-Russia cooperation, saying that their relations play an important role in sustaining world peace and stability.
(2021-12-16). UN organization confirms hottest Arctic temperature. ecns.cn The World Meteorological Organization has officially recognized a new Arctic temperature record of 38 C in the Russian town of Verkhoyansk, and the agency says it is investigating an unprecedented number of additional extreme weather events that it links to climate change.
(2021-12-16). 89-10: Senate sends record-high $768 billion war budget authorization to White House. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com The Senate vote was 89-10.The House vote was 363-70.It's the highest-ever Pentagon budget in current dollars and the largest since World War II in constant dollars. Russian military spending for 2020 was an estimated $61.7 billion, less than 1/12 of next year's U.S. defense spending. Senate Passes $768 Billion Defense Bill, Sending It to Biden …
(2021-12-15). Putin hails Russia-China ties as paradigm of int'l relations in 21st century. ecns.cn Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia-China relations are a paradigm of international relations in the 21st century.
(2021-12-15). There is no alternative to JCPOA: Russia UN envoy. en.mehrnews.com Emphasizing that there is no alternative to the JCPOA, Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to UN Russia views as dangerous and irresponsible attempts to portray JCPOA on Iran's nuclear program as outdated.
(2021-12-15). Crunch time coming after Biden-Putin meet. asiatimes.com 
Moscow is reiterating its "red lines," seeking long-term legal guarantees against NATO's further advancement to the east and the deployment of weapons on Russia's western borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on December 10, putting on record its expectation that long-term legal guarantees must be given "within a specific timeframe and on the …
(2021-12-15). 37 military offices, wars in Ethiopia, Libya, Western Sahara: Turkey edges Russia out of African arms market. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Armed with drones, Turkey explores African arms sales Armed with battle-tested drones, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been deepening defence ties with African countries ahead of a major gathering of the continent's leaders in Istanbul. The two-day Turkey-Africa partnership summit starting Friday comes fast on the heels of a top-level business forum in October …
(2021-12-15). Headlines for December 15, 2021. democracynow.org U.S. Tops 800,000 COVID Deaths as Officials Around the World Warn of Omicron's Rapid Spread, House Votes to Hold Mark Meadows in Contempt; D.C. Sues Oath Keepers, Proud Boys over Insurrection, Judge Dismisses Trump Attempt to Shield Tax Docs from House; NY Probe into Trump Org. Continues, Another GOP Rep. Attacks Ilhan Omar as House Passes Anti-Islamophobia Bill, Congress Votes to Increase Debt Ceiling by $2.5 Trillion, Averting Default, UAE Suspends Talks with U.S. on $23 Billion Arms Sale, Presidents Putin and Xi Meet Amid Mounting Tensions with U.S., Belarusian Opposition Leader Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison…
(2021-12-15). Ukraine army employs eight years of Donbass war experience for conflict in Crimea. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Ukrainian Army trains to repel tank attacks near occupied Crimea In the southern district, an exercise is underway for anti-tank artillery and engineering units, deployed along the de-facto border with the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. According to the Commander, servicemen participating in the exercise have mastered the relevant skills over …
(2021-12-15). Russia And Israel — A Double Standard In International Condemnation. popularresistance.org Over the past month, in a break from its usual focus on COVID-19, the Western mainstream media has dedicated a sizeable amount of coverage to unverified claims by unnamed US intelligence officials that the Russian Federation is planning an imminent military invasion of its western neighbour Ukraine — under the rule of the successive US-EU friendly governments of Petro Poroshenko and Volodymyr Zelensky since 2014, when the CIA-orchestrated Euromaidan colour revolution toppled the pro-Russian government of Viktor Yanukovych, following his November 2013 decision to suspend an EU trade deal in favour of pursuin…
(2021-12-15). Widespread boycott marks New Caledonia independence referendum. wsws.org The vote to remain part of France, boycotted by pro-independence Kanaks and widely viewed as illegitimate, resolves nothing.
(2021-12-15). Denmark's immigration minister jailed for tearing refugee families apart. peoplesworld.org 
(2021-12-15). Jailing Former Immigration Ministers: Denmark's Inger Stà∏jberg. dissidentvoice.org It's not the sort of thing you encounter regularly. A member of a government cabinet, responsible for arguably one of the country's most important portfolios, found both wanting and culpable for their actions after leaving their post. But this is what former Danish immigration minister Inger Stà∏jberg found when she was convicted for illegally separating …
(2021-12-15). Europe Finally Recognizes Platform Workers Aren't Self-Employed. popularresistance.org Sometimes change comes from the most unlikely of places. The European Commission—the unelected body of technocrats that designs European Union legislation—isn't exactly known as a friend of the worker. EU commissioners and their staff are more likely to be found having coffee with corporate lobbyists than rubbing shoulders with the working class. | Yet, last week, the EU Commission proposed what some are hailing as the most pro-worker reform to come out of the EU in years—a directive to regulate platform work. Often unfairly treated as self-employed, platform workers are now to be considered emp…
(2021-12-15). Venezuela Challenges Illegal Blockade: New OPEC Data Published. orinocotribune.com While President Nicolás Maduro assures that 2022 will be the year for the definitive recovery of Venezuela, reports from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) point in the same direction, showing an increase in oil production despite the illegal US and European economic blockade. | In this way, it is evident how the South American nation has challenged the illegal coercive measures imposed by the United States government and its European lackeys, an economic attack that initially led to a 99% drop in Venezuela's foreign revenue, completely disrupting Venezuela's economy. | This was highlighted…
(2021-12-15). History of World War II: Did Mussolini's Fate Prompt Hitler to Kill Himself? globalresearch.ca First published on October 26, 2018 With Allied armies pushing ever northwards through the "tough old gut" of Italy, and German forces pulling out, Benito Mussolini took a long look at the situation before departing Milan on 25 April …
(2021-12-15). Man In Italy Tries Go Get Vaccine Certificate With Fake Arm, Nurse Notices Pinker Arm Than Face. moguldom.com A 50-year-old Italian man who wanted to get a coronavirus certificate without actually having the jab presented a nurse with a fake arm, according to The New York Times. A nurse in the northern city of Biella discovered the deception when she noticed that the man's arm was pinker than his hands and face because …
(2021-12-15). China, Russia to expedite cooperation on cutting-edge technologies: Xi. ecns.cn Xi Jinping said Wednesday that China and Russia should take the opportunities brought by the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, and expedite industrial cooperation on cutting-edge technologies.
(2021-12-15). Venezuela Receives more than 1.5 Million Sputnik Light Doses from Russia. orinocotribune.com 
On Monday, December 13, Venezuela received another shipment of Sputnik Light vaccine doses from the Russian Federation, which will be used in the Venezuelan government's mass vaccination program against COVID-19. | The new batch consists of more than 1.5 million Sputnik Light doses, which will be used as booster jabs for the elderly population in Venezuela. | The Deputy Minister of Resources, Technology and Regulation, which is under the Ministry of Health, Gerardo Briceño, received the shipment at the Maiquetía international airport. While at the airport, he informed that the supply coming in from Russia will re…
(2021-12-15). Putin-Biden Meeting Promises No Change to US Hypocrisy. journal-neo.org 
This past week saw the electronic meeting of Russia's president Vladimir Putin and United States president Joe Biden. It was billed as a head to head meeting of two of the world's most powerful political figures. In fact, Biden was supported by four of his top aides in foreign affairs. Their precise role was unclear. …
(2021-12-15). Russia anticipates new COVID surge, even as deaths remain at record highs. wsws.org The country continues to experience extremely high daily COVID-19 infections and death, as the spread of the Omicron variant threatens yet another spike.
(2021-12-15). JCPOA members, US hold meeting to discuss talks' acceleration. en.mehrnews.com Russian representative in Vienna talks said that JCPOA participants, without Iran, and the US held a meeting on Tuesday to exchange views on how best to proceed in order to expedite the Vienna talks.
(2021-12-15). U.S. Congress passes $740 billion military bill to confront China and Russia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com From Defense News. Congress passes defense policy bill with budget boost, military justice reforms "It addresses a broad range of pressing issues, from strategic competition with China and Russia, to disruptive technologies like hypersonics, [artificial intelligence], and quantum computing, to modernizing our ships, aircraft, and vehicles," Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., said. …
(2021-12-15). A Drug-addled Parliament Rules the UK. journal-neo.org 
Lately, the more often you read British media material or speeches of politicians of the United Kingdom, the clearer becomes the thought: are they stoned or high on cocaine, commonly called "belted"? Judge for yourself: in January, British journalist Helen Rumbelow of The Times wrote a review of The Great (TV series) about the earlier …