(2021-08-17). Poland retreats from first war since WWII. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com It only took two years from Poland joining NATO in 1999 to deploying troops to Asia for NATO's war in Afghanistan. Polish evacuation planes fly to AfghanistanTwo Polish military evacuation planes are on their way to Afghanistan, a government official said on Tuesday [Prime minister spokesman Micha≈Ç] Dworczyk told reporters that "the situation in Afghanistan …
(2021-08-17). US Treatment Of Afghanistan Should Be A Warning For Ukraine: Kiev MP. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Ukraine needs to forget about the US guarantees in the framework of the Budapest Memorandum, according to Maxim Buzhansky, a member of Kiev's parliament from President Volodymyr Zelensky's party. | Earlier, Afghan media circulated footage showing people falling out of an American transport plane departing from Kabul — presumably, they were Afghans who were trying to escape by clutching to the chassis."I think now that we have seen how" the main allies outside NATO "are thrown out of th…
(2021-08-17). Headlines for August 17, 2021. democracynow.org Biden Defends U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan After Taliban Capture Kabul , Advocates Demand U.S. and Other Nations Open Doors to Afghan Refugees, Tropical Storm Adds to Haiti's Misery Two Days After Massive Earthquake Kills Over 1,400, Immigrant Advocates Denounce Biden Administration for Deporting Haitian Refugees, U.S. Will Recommend COVID Booster Shots After 8 Months, Despite Global Vaccine Inequity, Johnson & Johnson Ships Millions of Vaccine Doses from South Africa to Europe, U.S. Coronavirus Hospitalizations Soar, with Record Infection Levels in Five States, Republican Governors Erect New Barriers to COVI…
(2021-08-17). Azerbaijani troops remain in Afghan capital. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com No threat to lives of Azerbaijani peacekeepers in Kabul — Defense Ministry Despite the tense situation in the region, the 120-man peacekeeping unit of the Azerbaijan Army together with the Turkish troops continues to carry out its duties….
(2021-08-17). The Taliban Takes Kabul as US Deploys More Troops. sputniknews.com On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Jamarl Thomas and Shane Stranahan talk about the takeover of Kabul and greater Afghanistan by the Taliban*, what this means for the official interference of the United States in that country, how European nations are preparing for a Taliban* government, and the upcoming elections in Germany.
(2021-08-17). Europe needs to create humanitarian corridors for Afghan refugees, EU official says. tass.com The EU countries' foreign ministers will hold emergency consultations on the situation in Afghanistan via videoconference on August 17…
(2021-08-17). As Afghanistan falls, what does it mean for the Middle East? juancole.com 
By Tony Walker |- In the 19th century, the phrase "The Great Game" was used to describe competition for power and influence in Afghanistan, and neighbouring central and south Asia territories, between the British and Russian empires. Neither side prevailed in what became known as the "graveyard of empires". Two centuries later, an American superpower …
(2021-08-17). Russia, China can moderate crash landing of 'puppet Afghan government,' expert says. tass.com According to the professor of international law at the University of Illinois, "Russia and China are doing their best to moderate the situation"
(2021-08-17). Military Situation In Syria On August 17, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On August 16, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 23 times: 11 — in Idlib province, 5 — in Latakia province, 4 — in Hama province, 3 — in Aleppo province | On August 16, clashes between SDF and Turkish-backed forces were reported north of Tal Tamar | On August 17, artillery of Turkish-backed forces shelled SDF positions in Dardarah village | On August 16, artillery of Turkish-backed forces shelled SD…
(2021-08-17). 21st century barbarism: Azerbaijan. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com If the description is not unfair to barbarism, which was a product of historical circumstances centuries ago — not a conscious choice in the 21st century. We returned to land of our ancestors by crushing Armenian army, head of Armenian fascism — President Aliyev "They thought that Azerbaijan would not liberate its lands through war. …
(2021-08-17). Talk of third world war no joke: Belarusian president. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Lukashenko: I do not want Belarus to turn into battleground "Do not think that I am exaggerating the situation [with the potential] to unleash some war. My words about a possible World War III were not a joke," the Belarusian leader said. **** "If they decide to encroach on Belarus, then, of course, Russia will …
(2021-08-17). 'We are in nobody's backyard': rejecting geopolitical and historical fatalism. mronline.org 
The catch-phrases "transnational criminal organizations," "humanitarian assistance" and even "disaster relief operations" are worn-out euphemisms for the neo-colonial presence of the U.S. Empire and its European allies in Guyana and throughout the region.
(2021-08-17). Mini space mission launches with Imperial kit on board. imperial.ac.uk The European Space Agency RadCube mission has launched with the aim of testing new technologies for monitoring potentially devastating space weather.
(2021-08-17). 80 Percent of COVID Patients Still Have Antibodies After One Year in Major Swedish Study. sputniknews.com The antibodies appear to provide good protection for both what was previously called the British variant and today is referred to as Alpha and the Delta variant that is now becoming the dominant strain across the globe.
(2021-08-17). The first coins were minted in China, suggests new research. peoplesdispatch.org It has long been thought that coin minting — the process of coin manufacturing which includes the stampings on them — first began in Turkey or Greece. However, this has been challenged by recent findings, which suggest that coin minting may have begun in China. The findings have been published in the journal
(2021-08-17). Scraping the Bottom of the Sea: the Movement to Stop Deep Sea Mining. counterpunch.org On July 29, the two-day Wokisok Shark Calling Festival will begin at Kono village, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea. It's not a new gimmick to capitalize on Shark Week or Sharknado movies—although foreign visitors are welcome. Nor do people stand on the beach and yell, Shark! Instead it's a seasonal rite where fishers paddle out
(2021-08-17). Kosovo redivivus: Ukraine calls for international intervention against Russia over Crimean Tatars. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Zelensky calls on global community to respond to searches and detentions in occupied Crimea President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the international community to properly respond to the searches and detentions of Crimean Tatars in the temporarily occupied Crimea. **** He noted that the global community must respond appropriately to such violations.
(2021-08-17). Serbia warns no repetition of WWII, 1990s will be tolerated. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Vucic: Pressure on Serbia to grow but we will always be with our people Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in Bajina Basta, western Serbia, on Tuesday pressure on Serbia over Kosovo-Metohija and Republika Srpska would grow but that Serbia would always be with its people and help it in every way. **** He noted that …
(2021-08-17). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: It's like a Code Red hospital alert. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org An overwhelming surge of COVID-19 cases is underway in the U.S. The delta variant continues to spread, the lambda variant is showing up, and some people are refusing to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or wear face masks. "My message today is a hospital term and that's Code Red," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "It is Code Red in the U.S. and for the globe regarding…
(2021-08-17). Poland: U.S. Battle Group, NATO cohorts mark armed forces day. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Battle Group Poland strengthens NATO alliance through celebration of Polish Armed Forces Day Battle Group Poland participated in the military vehicles showcase. The U.S. Army contingent brought a Mortar Carrier Vehicle "Stryker," a vehicle equipped with a 120 millimeter mortar, and a Stryker with anti-tank capabilities. Also, the U.S. Army brought Howitzers, a field artillery …
(2021-08-17). Based on war experience of 13 years ago, South Ossetia expresses support for Crimea. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com South Ossetia expressed support for Crimea amid unfolding anti-Crimean and anti-Russian campaign Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Ossetia Dmitry Medoev sent a message to Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea — Permanent Representative of the Republic of Crimea to President of Russia Georgy Muradov on behalf of the …
(2021-08-16). How will U.S. retreat from Afghanistan affect Taiwan (and Ukraine)? antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Today the Global Times of China ran three op-ed pieces on the retreat of the U.S. from Afghanistan's effect on Taiwan. A parallel case could be made with Ukraine. Using Afghanistan as a guide, will US treatment of Taiwan island be any different?Franz GaylThe author is a retired Marine Corps infantry officer who now serves …
(2021-08-16). Saakashvili Claims Afghans Lost Because They Had No Will To Fight "Unlike Georgians" southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Strategic genius former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said that a Taliban victory was expected in Afghanistan after the Americans left. | However, in his opinion this isn't because the Afghan Army were understaffed and underequipped, but rather because the Afghan people had "no will to fight". | The Americans couldn't help Kabul's forces, because they didn't want to really fight and protect their country."Ten years ago I said that as soon as the Americans leave Afghanistan, the fa…
(2021-08-16). Turkish-Backed Militants Seize Relief Organizations' Houses, Impose Illegal Tolls In Syria's Idlib, Aleppo Countrysides. southfront.org 
A family of farmers harvests maize in rural Aleppo in Syria. Source: WFP/Marwa Awad | Written by Khaled Iskef. | Armed groups sponsored by Turkey carry on oppressive practices that exploit citizens by usurping their properties on one pretext or another. | It has come to a point where they have taken over houses built by the Relief Organizations (ROs) to shelter displaced people. At the same time, they imposed tolls on locals in return for allowing them cultivate their own farmland. | Moreover, sources has indi…
(2021-08-16). Notwithstanding Western snubs, Turkey remains faithful NATO ally. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com From an article in today's Anadolu News Agency which bemoans Ankara's NATO allies not sufficiently supporting its invasions of Iraq and Syria to hunt down and murder alleged terrorists — though NATO has surely not done anything to thwart Turkey's numerous wars from North Africa to the South Caucasus and several spots between. Turkey seeks …
(2021-08-16). Military Situation In Syria On August 16, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On August 16, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 23 times: 11 — in Idlib province, 5 — in Latakia province, 4 — in Hama province, 3 — in Aleppo province | On August 15, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in Mariyan | On August 15, clashes between SAA and former rebels were reported in Daraa city | On August 15, Turkish-backed forces arrested two civilians in Afrin and took them…
(2021-08-16). Is the End of the Blockade Against Venezuela Here? orinocotribune.com As the process of dialogue between Venezuelan government delegations and opposition factions advances, support increases for lifting illegal sanctions imposed against Venezuela by the White House and European Union, even within the centers of North American power, the United States Congress. | In support, congresspeople from the Democratic Party, the party to which President Joe Biden belongs, sent a letter formally asking the president of the United States to end unilateral coercive measures against the South American country. | The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Arreaza Montserrat, reported publication of t…
(2021-08-16). France Has Gone to the Extreme with the "Health" Pass. globalresearch.ca
(2021-08-16). Art and Exile in the Third Republic. thenation.com Art and Exile in the Third Republic…
(2021-08-16). Striking train drivers in Germany: "The system has been cut to the bone" wsws.org Train drivers and conductors who paralysed large parts of the German railway system last week spoke to the WSWS about their struggle.
(2021-08-16). Train drivers organize two-day strike in Germany for better pay and benefits. peoplesdispatch.org Train drivers under the leadership of the Union of German Locomotive Drivers (GDL) have demanded a pay rise of 3.2% by 2022 and a one-time COVID-19 allowance of EUR 600 (USD 706)…
(2021-08-16). German federal and state governments escalate policy of mass infection by reopening schools and dismantling public health measures. wsws.org The threat of a renewed wave of mass death in Germany will increase over the coming weeks as millions of students return to school after the summer holidays.
(2021-08-16). Scale of forest fire devastation in Greece threatens to ignite social and political unrest. wsws.org Both climate change and the failure of essential services to respond to its deadly effects are the consequence of the anarchic capitalist mode of production, which views environmental destruction as one of the costs of doing business.
(2021-08-16). Challenge to Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme dismissed by Supreme Court. ukhumanrightsblog.com 
A and B v Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and another [2021] UKSC 27 On appeal from [2018] EWCA Civ 1534 The claimants in the case were victims of human trafficking with unspent convictions in Lithuania. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) provides compensation to victims of crime, apart from where they have unspent criminal convictions …
(2021-08-16). Ukraine Building "Mosquito" Naval Fleet With Allies, Because Russia "Stole" Its Old One. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Russia "stole" Ukraine's Navy, according to MSM Still, with the United States' help it will build a "mosquito" fleet, featuring small, fast, and stealthy short-range patrol and fast attack craft in a sort of arsenal similar to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. | The…
(2021-08-16). Ukraine, Turkey boost defense cooperation. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Against you-know-whom. Not that Russia's Putin, who has been mysteriously inconspicuous for several weeks (as though holed up in a bunker somewhere while his citizens need reassurance about recent events not far from their southern border), would acknowledge it. Ankara and Kiev are plotting to heat things up for Moscow in Crimea and, now with …
(2021-08-16). Was the space race just about reaching the moon first? peoplesdispatch.org We all think the US won the space race as they went to the moon. It seemed like it was a race, and there was ONE WINNER — the US — and it was over with Apollo astronauts landing on the moon. | But what about the rockets that still power all our satellite launches? What about the rocket engines that power these rockets? Are we aware that most rockets that the US today uses to power its military and civilian space programs use Russian engines? | Newsclick's Prabir Purkayastha talks about this fascinating history of humanity's space exploration efforts.
(2021-08-16). Ukraine supplies Saudi special forces armored vehicles to suppress opponents. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Ukrainian military vehicles join Saudi special forces to suppress opponents Saudi Special Forces have brought new military vehicles from Ukraine; for use in incursions and suppression of demonstrations. The Ukrainian company "Practika" on Saturday revealed that it had recently supplied a batch of its military vehicles to the Saudi army. The CEO of the company, …