(2021-09-10). The Bloody US Withdrawal From Afghanistan and the Persecution of Julian Assange: an Interview With John Pilger. counterpunch.org John Pilger is an Emmy Award winning investigative journalist and filmmaker. His compelling documentaries have won major recognition in the U.S. and Europe and around the world. He is the recipient of the Royal Television Society's Best Documentary and many other awards. The British Film Institute includes his 1970 film Year Zero, the Silent Death of
(2021-09-10). Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa. wsws.org Danish nurses walk out again over imposed pay deal after ten-week strike in defiance of government and union; ScotRail strikes continue and expand in Scotland as engineer vote to walk out; Nigerian doctors strike enters week six, but union tells doctors in Lagos state to return to work as other health workers threaten walk out…
(2021-09-10). "Unprecedented demand" for Turkish combat drones after use in Iraq, Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, Syria. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Unprecedented demand pours in for Turkey's combat drone The Bayraktar TB2 armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been seeing unprecedented demand from around the world following its deployment in military operations, according to a senior executive at the drone magnate Baykar. **** "Since our Bayraktar TB2 UAV participated in the Idlib Operation (Operation Spring Shield), …
(2021-09-10). Russian Sources Identified Service Member Killed In Syria, Shared Photos From Attack Scene. southfront.org 
Lieutenant Colonel Alexei Schneider. Source: t.me/milinfolive | The Russian service member who was killed in central Syria on September 9 has been identified by Russian sources as 45-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Alexei Schneider. | According to a
(2021-09-10). NATO Battlegroup: Latvian, Albanian defense chiefs discuss Belarus, Russia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Pabriks thanks Albania for its contribution in strengthening Latvia's defense Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks (For Development) has thanked Albania for its significant contribution to strengthening Latvia's defense by participating in the NATO Battlegroup in Latvia…. …Pabriks met with Albanian Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi to discuss security issues in the Western Balkans and NATO …
(2021-09-10). U.S. embassy, Pentagon, EU, NATO: Azerbaijan to knock Russia, Iran out of European, Asian energy markets. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Advanced regional energy security symposium wraps up The Closing ceremony of the Advanced Regional Energy Security Symposium 2021 — Caucasus was held on September 10 by the Center of Excellence in EU Studies at ADA University in partnership with the NATO Energy Security Center of Excellence, the Naval Postgraduate School, BP Azerbaijan, and State Oil …
(2021-09-10). Turkic Council: Turco-Azerbaijani war created "new investment environment in liberated territories" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Turkey says meeting of Turkic Council in Baku — big step for mutual investments The holding of the 10th meeting of the ministers of economy of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking States (Turkic Council) in Baku is an important step for mutual investments, the Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry told TurkicWorld…. **** "The Baku …
(2021-09-10). Turkish, Azerbaijani combat aircraft practice destroying "hypothetical enemy's air defense systems" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azerbaijani-Turkish fighter jets perform operational flights Azerbaijani and Turkish fighter jets have performed operational flights as part of the TurAz Falcon — 2021…. The exercises were aimed at improving interoperability and communication in joint operations between the fighter jets of the two countries…. Along with the destruction of a hypothetical enemy's air defence systems and …
(2021-09-10). With eye on Belarus: Poland, France, Germany hold Weimar Triangle talks. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Polish, German, French FMs to hold Weimar Triangle talks The meeting, marking 30 years since the trilateral cooperation platform was established, is set to be held at the invitation of German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. Topics up for discussion include "the most up-to-date international issues," according to officials. **** The previous Weimar Triangle summit took …
(2021-09-10). Ukrainian president: full-scale war with Russia (and Belarus) is likely. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Zelensky admits possibility of full-scale war with Russia, but this would be tragic mistake for Moscow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that the possibility of a full-scale war with Russia is likely. "If there is a powerful escalation on the part of Russia, this is the most terrible thing that could be. Unfortunately, there is …
(2021-09-10). Belarus And Russia Hold Large-Scale Drills, As Putin And Lukashenko Agree On Integration. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The "Zapad-2021" (West-2021) joint strategic exercise between Russia and Belarus began simultaneously at 14 military training grounds, the Russian Defense Ministry said. | The maneuvers are carried out at nine Russian training grounds — Kirilovsky, Strugi Krasnykh, Mulino, Pogonovo, Khmelevka, Pravdinsky, Dobrovolsky, Dorogobuzh and Volsky; | As well as at five Belarusian ones — Obuz-Lesnovsky, Brestsky, Chepelevo, Domanovsky and Ruzhansky. | The exercises t…
(2021-09-10). Black Sea: U.S., NATO ally Bulgaria complete airdrop exercise. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Allies Bulgaria and USA Practice Airdrop Drills Bulgarian and American service members participated in the air exercise Thracian Summer 2021, August 17 — September 7. The exercise allowed both Allies to test their interoperability and demonstrate their capability. **** This exercise saw forces operating from prepared to temporary landing sites within Bulgaria….Simultaneously Bulgarian surface based …
(2021-09-10). Estonia calls up largest number of reservists in thirty years. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Record number of reservists to join Estonian army training in 2022: Defense forces The Estonian army will summon almost 8,300 reservists, the biggest number since 1991, for training next year, the national defence forces officials said on Wednesday. "8,295 reservists will be called for the training next year. It is about the biggest planned number …
(2021-09-10). NATO deploys British main battle tanks to Estonia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Video near bottom of page. British Army Challenger tanks arrive in Paldiski port Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks (MBT) from the British Army's Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) arrived in Paldiski port Thursday, ETV news show 'Aktuaalne kaamera' (AK) reports. Commander of the U.K.-led NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup Col. Dai Bevan told AK that …
(2021-09-10). Identifying China, Russia as threats, Finland reserves NATO option. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Government proposes 500 new jobs for Finnish Defence Forces The report describes Finland's defence environment as being "tense and difficult to predict." It emphasises the growing strategic importance of Finland's neighbouring Arctic areas and the perception of Northern European defence as a whole. The report furthermore points to intensified competition between the great powers affecting …
(2021-09-10). Nord Stream 2 has finally been completed, Russia's Gazprom announces, despite US efforts to block major European gas pipeline. rt.com 
The final sections of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline have now been welded into place, Moscow's state energy giant Gazprom has revealed, bringing construction of the underwater link between Russia and Germany to an end. | In a statement issued on Friday, Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Saint Petersburg-based energy giant, said that "at 8.45am this morning Moscow time, work on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has been completed." | Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov revealed that the laying of pipes under the Baltic Sea would be "completed in a few days and (it) will begin working." Blo…
(2021-09-10). Zelensky: Ukraine needs NATO, NATO (and EU) need Ukraine. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Zelensky: Without Ukraine, NATO will be losing and EU — weakening President Volodymyr Zelensky believes Ukraine is ready for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and that without Ukraine, NATO will be losing, while the European Union will be weakening. **** "We say we think NATO needs us, we think that without Ukraine, there …
(2021-09-10). Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Construction Fully Completed. sputniknews.com The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a joint venture between Russia's Gazprom and five European partners, aims to carry Russian natural gas to Germany across the Baltic Sea.
(2021-09-10). A Short History of U.S. Bombing of Civilian Facilities. zcomm.org What's unusual about the Kunduz hospital bombing is not that it happened but that it happened to a prominent European organization. In recent times, the U.S. military has bombed a number of civilian facilities…
(2021-09-10). Finland to offer NATO 300,000-man army on Russia's border. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Finland's new defense report spells out strategy for coming decade The government of Finland on Thursday approved and published a report on the strategic development of the country's defense capability in the next ten years. **** According to the report, the country's war-time defense forces count 280,000 people. A reform will divide the war-time forces …
(2021-09-10). Johnson government announces "pushback" policy in stepping up of anti-immigration agenda. wsws.org Home Secretary Priti Patel has rewritten Britain's interpretation of international maritime law to allow Border Force vessels to redirect migrant boats away from UK waters back towards France.
(2021-09-10). Germany's Left party intensifies campaign for government coalition with Social Democrats and Greens. wsws.org The Left Party, which has been looking for a government alliance with the SPD and the Greens since the beginning of the federal election campaign, is aggressively promoting a red-red-green alliance.
(2021-09-10). Nord Stream 2 Completed, Expected To Begin Operation In October. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On September 10th, energy giant Gazprom announced that construction of the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was completed."Chairman of the Management Committee Alexei Miller said that this morning at 8.45 Moscow time (05: 45 GMT) construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was fully completed," Gazprom wrote on messaging app Telegram. | Earlier it was reported that it is planned to start operation by the end of the year. | The pipeline was laid from Russia to Germany along the botto…
(2021-09-10). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: COVID-19 modeling shows 100,000 people in the U.S. could die over the next 3 months. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org U.S. hospitalizations for patients with COVID-19 have risen almost 500% over the past two months, according to news reports. Also, the number of ICU beds in the South is dwindling. "We have over 101,000 Americans in the hospital with COVID-19," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "Many of them fighting for their lives in ICUs and on ventilators. We are having over 160,000 new cases and just below 1,000…
(2021-09-10). Russia not to accept any change in JCPOA: Lavrov. en.mehrnews.com Addressing his Iranian counterpart, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow, like Tehran, does not accept any change in the JCPOA and demands full implementation of the agreement.
(2021-09-10). Russia To Export Modernized Air-Launched Bunker Buster Cruise Missile To Foreign Customer. southfront.org 
File image. | Russia will supply the first production batch of the advanced Kh-59MKM air-launched bunker buster cruise missile to its first foreign customer before the end of the year, a Russian military-diplomatic source told RIA Novosti on September 9. | "The first serial batch of the newest air-to-ground missiles Kh-59MKM will be delivered to a foreign customer by the end of this year. Final tests are underway. The missiles have unique characteristics in terms of their ability to penetrate the protection of various milit…
(2021-09-09). Defense collaboration chief priority of U.S.-Ukrainian strategic partnership: FM. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Kuleba: We intend to work to ensure United States further supports strengthening of Ukrainian defense capability Based on the results of the visit of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to the United States, four key areas have been identified, in which work will now be performed not only in order to successfully implement the agreements …
(2021-09-09). Update On Strikes And Walkouts. popularresistance.org Earlier this week in Savannah, Georgia, 54 of the 200 bus drivers in the Savannah-Chatham's school district went on a wildcat "sick out" strike over pay and other issues. | Workers said they were upset with their low pay and with the district who maintains that bus drivers must keep allowing students who don't wear masks on buses — a rule that bus drivers contend with. | The wildcat action wasn't sanctioned officially by the bus drivers' union, the Teamsters. So, the union then formally sanctioned its shop steward, Kendrick Banks for participating in the unsanctioned, possibly illegal, action and removed hi…
(2021-09-09). Russian Soldier Killed In Roadside Bomb Explosion In Syria's Homs. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On September 9, a Russian serviceman was killed in a roadside bomb explosion in the Syria's Homs governorate. The explosion hit a convoy of the the Russian military police when it was checking the route for a humanitarian convoy."The Russian military police were reconnoitering a path of a humanitarian convoy in Syria's Homs province on September 9 when there was a roadside bomb explosion," the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported. | The soldier who was in the armored…
(2021-09-09). Turkey issues new condemnation of Syria. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Turkey 'concerned' over regime attacks on besieged Daraa Turkey on Sept. 8 expressed "concern" over the latest reports of Assad regime forces escalating attacks on the Daraa al-Balad neighborhood in southwestern Syria. "We are closely monitoring the developments in Daraa with concern," Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgiàß said in a written statement. **** Syria has …
(2021-09-09). Five Of Turkey's Largest Proxies In Syria Unify In New Coalition (Photos). southfront.org 
The official banner of the Syrian Front for Liberation. | On September 9, five of Turkey's largest proxy groups in Syria unified in a new coalition dubbed the Syrian Front for Liberation (SFL). | The groups, the Mu'tasim Division, the Hamzah Division, the Suleyman Shah Division, the 20th Division and the Northern Hawks Brigade, announced the formation of the SFL in a ceremony attended by their top leaders. | Click to see f…
(2021-09-09). Russian, Syrian Helicopter Pilots Held First Joint Exercise (Video). southfront.org 
Illustrative image. | Helicopter pilots from the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) and the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) had held their first-ever joint exercise in the Syrian desert, Chief of Aviation of the Russian forces in Syria Andrei Yermakov told reporters on September 7. | The exercise, which took place near the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria, involved Mi-8 transport helicopters and Ka-52 attack helicopters from the VKS. The Syrian side used Mi-24 attack helicopters. The drills simulated combat conditions. | "T…
(2021-09-09). Military Situation In Syria On September 9, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On September 9, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 23 times: 10 — in Idlib province, 8 — in Latakia province, 1 — in Hama province, 4 — in Aleppo province | On September 9, Russian warplanes attacked ISIS hideouts near Rasafah | On September 8, artillery of Turkish-backed forces shelled SAA positions in Saraqib city | On September 8, artillery of Turkish-backed forces shelled YPG positions near Mi…
(2021-09-09). New Opportunities For Progressives in an Evolving Middle East? counterpunch.org The American withdrawal from military intervention in Afghanistan continues a broader American as well as European disengagement from the Middle East. Greater US energy independence and a shift on the part of Europe to Russian oil, fatigue among Americans over their "endless wars" in the region, and a perceived need to "pivot" to the challenge
(2021-09-09). Turkish defense chief: we will continue to assist Azerbaijan in conquering the Caucasus. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Translation: United by blood, soil and faith we will mutually exterminate the infidel enemy. Turkey to continue to support fraternal Azerbaijan — Turkish defense minister Azerbaijan liberated its lands (Karabakh and 7 surrounding districts) from the Armenian occupation following the 44-day Armenia-Azerbaijan second Karabakh war, Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar said, Trend reports …
(2021-09-09). Poland rallies NATO, EU partners against Belarus. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Visegrad Four: The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Three Seas Initiative members: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Polish president honoured by Hungary Duda has already met with his Hungarian counterpart 12 times, either bilaterally or as part of the regional Visegrad Group, which also …
(2021-09-09). Eastern Europe, Balkans: NATO integrates air, ground special ops for "hard to predict conventional conflicts" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Multinational Special Aviation Programme Hosts DV Day Senior Special Operations Commanders gathered at the Multinational Special Aviation Programme Training Centre to discuss future training programmes for special operations aviation, followed by a capabilities demonstration in Zadar, Croatia, on Wednesday. **** Maj. Gen. Ivica Olujiƒá, Croatian Director of General Staff…emphasis[ed] the importance of the Multinational Special …
(2021-09-09). US Supplanted by China as EU's Primary Trading Partner. orinocotribune.com China overtook the United States as the leading trading partner of the European Union (EU) in the second quarter of 2021, according to data published this Wednesday, September 8 by the EU statistical office Eurostat. | Between the first quarter of 2019 and the second of 2021, the percentage of imports from China to the EU increased by four points. | In the case of Switzerland, the share of imports grew in the same period by 0.7 percentage points, while there was a 3.4% fall in imports from the United Kingdom, followed by those from Russia, which suffered a decrease of 1.1%, and those from the United States, with…
(2021-09-09). Atlantic to eastern flank: NATO's "biggest adaptation since the Cold War era" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com JSECS Road to Full Readiness Reaches Its Final Milestone As a result of its biggest adaptation since the Cold War era, NATO celebrated the foundation of a new full operational Headquarters in Ulm on September 8, 2021. The Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Tod D. Wolters, declared the Joint Support and Enabling Command's full readiness …
(2021-09-09). Address the Global Public Health Crisis: Ban Glyphosate Now! counterpunch.org Environmentalist and campaigner Dr Rosemary Mason recently wrote an open letter to the head of the Pesticides Unit at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Jose Tarazona. (Since this article was written, Jose Tarazona has stepped down from his position and the letter has been forwarded to his successors, Manuela Tiramani and Benedicte Vagenede.) Mason
(2021-09-09). Rwanda's Military Is the French Proxy on African Soil. zcomm.org Rwanda entered Mozambique in July, followed by SADC forces, which included South African troops. France got what it wanted: Its energy giant can now recoup its investment.
(2021-09-09). NATO completes conference on air and space power. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Conference Highlights NATO Air, Space Power From Sept. 7-9 the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) hosted their annual Conference convening the NATO Airpower community at Essen, Germany. The presentations and discussions were focused on the topic of Delivering NATO Air and Space Power at the speed of relevance. **** "The annual JAPCC conference provides …
(2021-09-09). Violent Clashes Over New Patriarch, Church Matters In Montenegro. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On September 5th, riot police in Cetinje, Montenegro fired tear gas on protesters on and dismantled barricades erected the day before. | Citizens organized an effort (now failed) to block the inauguration of the new head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in their country. At least 20 people were injured and none died in the clashes. | Montenegro's state TV RTCG showed footage of Serbian Patriarch Porfirie and Bishop Joanikije arriving by helicopter at the monastery. | The two were su…
(2021-09-09). Portugal 2021 Avante! Festival. peoplesworld.org 
AMORA, Portugal — Cerca de 40.000 asistentes habituales al festival llegaron a Amora, un pequeño suburbio en las afueras de la capital de Portugal, Lisboa, el fin de semana pasado para el 45 ∫ Avante. Festival: un espectáculo cultural, musical y político que es un punto culminante del verano aquí. El evento lleva el nombre y …
(2021-09-09). Ain't no party like a Communist Party: Portugal's Avante! Festival. peoplesworld.org 
AMORA, Portugal——Close to 40,000 regular festival goers descended upon Amora, small suburb outside of Portugal's capital Lisbon, this past weekend for the 45th Avante! Festival—a cultural, musical, and political extravaganza that is a highlight of summer here. The event is named for and sponsored by the newspaper of the Portuguese Communist Party—Avante! (or Onward! in …
(2021-09-09). Crimea: West plays Tatar card in "liberating the peninsula" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Kuleba slams Russia for going after innocent people over Crimea Platform disruption failure "There can be no other interpretations than to acknowledge that these raids and arrests are part of Russia's revenge for Ukraine's successful holding of the Crimea Platform summit….[T]hey are forcing innocent Crimean Tatars to pay the price, throwing them behind bars and …
(2021-09-09). Lavrov Says Greater Idlib Agreement Was Not Fulfilled By Turkey As More Airstrikes Hit The Region (Videos, Photos). southfront.org 
On September 9, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a series of airstrikes on militants' positions in the…
(2021-09-09). Russia's Northern Fleet Holds Drills In The Arctic To Exercise Protecting Northern Sea Route. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On September 9th, the Russian Northern Fleet began large-scale exercises in the Arctic zone with the participation of 8,000 servicemen, about 800 pieces of equipment and approximately 50 warships. | As part of the maneuvers, the defense of the Northern Sea Route will be worked out, the press service of the fleet told reporters. | "Up to 8 thousand servicemen, about 800 units of military and special equipment, including about 40 tanks, 460 armored combat vehicles, up to 24…
(2021-09-09). COVID-19 Here to Stay, Vaccine-Driven Herd Immunity Unlikely, Say Swedish Professors. sputniknews.com Virology professors from Sweden's leading universities have concluded that SARS-CoV-2 cannot be eradicated and will remain as a recurring seasonal virus, urging people to "learn to live with it". On the bright side, despite immunity being short-lived, the virus is likely to lose some of its potency over time.
(2021-09-09). Turkey: head of NATO Military Committee inspects bases, lays wreath at Atatàºrk's gravesite. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Chair of the NATO Military Committee visits Turkey On the 6th and 7th September 2021, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer was in Turkey, where he met the Minister of Defence, Mr Hulusi Akar and the Chief of Defence, General Ya≈üar Gàºler. The Admiral visited NATO Allied Land Command, as well …