(2021-09-26). 'US didn't want to face the truth that it's no longer the global hegemon,' Russian spy chief tells RT after Afghanistan debacle. rt.com 
The US failed in Afghanistan because it miscalculated its own abilities and wanted to install its social model in a foreign land, the head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Sergey Naryshkin, has told RT. | "What happened in Afghanistan with the rushed withdrawal and fleeing of the puppet government is a consequence of America's destructive policies, as it tried to impose its social development model on Afghanistan," Naryshkin said in an interview with Oksana Boyko on Worlds Apart. | The spy chief said the blame for how the situation unfolded should be shared by the whole US intelligence community…
(2021-09-26). On anniversary of Karabakh war, Turkey and Azerbaijan hold combat exercise near Armenian border. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azerbaijan continues exercises with combat shooting jointly with Turkey in Nakhchivan Azerbaijani-Turkish "Indestructible Brotherhood — 2021" joint tactical exercises with combat shooting continue in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan…. According to the exercise scenario, joint operations planning activities are carried out within the military decision-making process….
(2021-09-26). Turkey hails Nagorno-Karabakh war as genesis of Brotherhood axis. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Azerbaijani lands were liberated from occupation thanks to the strength of the army and the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev — Turkish Ambassador It is very important to talk about the 44-day war….National leader Heydar Aliyev bequeathed to liberate Karabakh, and thanks to the strength of the Azerbaijani army under the leadership of the Supreme …
(2021-09-26). Matthew Bryza hails Nagorno-Karabakh campaign as prototype for all future wars. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Excerpts from an article in the Azerbaijani press follow comments. Matthew Bryza's career in Eurasia has an illustrative trajectory. He served in the U.S. diplomatic corps in Poland in 1989-1991 during the final years of the Solidarno≈õƒá movement and the nation's departure from the Warsaw Pact and gravitation toward NATO. He is currently a senior …
(2021-09-26). Pan-Turkic bloc sets its sights on Afghanistan. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Story follows below. The Turkic Council consists of two NATO member states, including the military bloc's second-largest power, and four members of NATO's Partnership for Peace transitional program. Kyrgyzstan hosted U.S. and NATO transit bases and Uzbekistan a German military base for NATO's war in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is where the Turkic Council and the Turkey-Azerbaijan-Pakistan-Qatar …
(2021-09-26). Russian PMCs In Mali: Another Bone Of Contention Between Paris And Moscow. southfront.org 
Illustrative Image | One of the important topics for discussion on the UN General Assembly was the situation in Mali, where local authorities were left alone with the terrorist threat after France's decision to end Operation Barkhan and withdraw its troops. | The Malian authorities have turned to Russia, one of Paris ' main competitors in Africa. | On September 25th, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that Mali had addressed one of the Russian private military companies to assist in the fight against terrorism, noting that the Russian government has nothing to do with this issue."They appealed to a…
(2021-09-26). Video: NATO's War on Yugoslavia, Kosovo, "Hotbed of Crime". Amb. James Bissett, Prof. Michel Chossudovsky. globalresearch.ca …
(2021-09-26). The Murky Politics of Film Noir. counterpunch.org 
Special counsel Robert Mueller's 2019 Report On The Investigation Into Russian Interference In The 2016 Presidential Election probed crimes and misdemeanors at the highest levels of the Trump campaign and U.S. government. In what could be called The Other Muller Report, author Eddie Muller takes readers and cinefiles on a deep dive into a Hollywood crime genre full of hard-boiled gumshoes, femme fatales, crooked cops, hoods, corrupt politicians and businessmen, where GOP dirty trickster Roger Stone would feel right at home. But unlike the former FBI Director's Muller Report, Eddie Muller's Dark City, The Lost…
(2021-09-26). Russian Foreign Ministry mouthpiece addresses the shadow, ignores the substance. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Her comments are accurate as far as they go, but absent in them is the other Brussels-based bloc that is far more of a threat to the world — and surely to Russia — than the EU. That in fact is the senior partner in an arrangement in which the EU is the junior one. …
(2021-09-26). Russia Has 'Thoughtful Optimism' on Possibility of Restoring Iran Nuclear Deal – Lavrov. sputniknews.com UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – Russia hopes that all the original participants in the Iran nuclear deal will return to compliance with the agreement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
(2021-09-26). In Video: Turkish-Backed Syrian Militants Destroy Empty Building In Response To Deadly Russian Airstrikes. southfront.org 
Illustrative image. | The Syrian Front for Liberation (SFL) has responded to the The Turkish-backed front claimed that the building, which is located to the south of Afrin, was a joint headquarters of the S…
(2021-09-26). Turkish-Backed Militants Fired At Russian Helicopters Conducting Patrol Over Northeastern Syria. southfront.org 
FILE PHOTO: Russian MI-24 attack helicopter over the Hmeimim air base in Syria © Dmitriy Vinogradov / Sputnik | On September 26 afternoon, Turkish-backed militants in northeastern Syria opened fire at two Russian military helicopters which were conducting a patrol over the region. | According to the Hawar News Agency, which is affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the incident took place near the town of Tell Tamr in the northern countryside of al-Hasakah. The helicopters returned fire then retreated to SDF-he…
(2021-09-26). Military Situation In Syria On September 26, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On September 25, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 26 times: 11 — in Idlib province, 2 — in Latakia province, 2 — in Hama province, 1 — in Aleppo province | On September 26, Russian warplanes attacked positions of Turkish-backed forces in al-Barah area | On September 26, Russian warplanes attacked positions of Turkish-backed forces in Kansafra area | On September 26, Russian warplanes attacked p…
(2021-09-26). 24 Syrian Militants Killed Or Wounded In New Wave Of Russian Airstrikes On Turkish-Occupied Afrin (Photos, Video). southfront.org 
On September 26, a new wave of Russian airstrikes targeted the Turkish-occupied area of Afrin in Syria's northern region. Three…
(2021-09-26). More Than 3,200 Gunmen Have Joined Russian-Sponsored Reconciliation Process In Syria's Daraa — Report. southfront.org 
Syrian troops deploying in the al-Yarmouk valley in western Daraa on September 25. Click to see full-size image. | More than 3,200 gunmen have so far joined the Russian-sponsored reconciliation process in the southern Syrian governorate of Daraa, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on September 25. | According to the London-based monitoring group, the number includes 1,100 gunmen from Daraa al-Balad, the southern part of Daraa city, and 2,100 others from the western countryside of the governorate. | The gunmen,…
(2021-09-26). U.S. B-52H Bomber Intercepted Near Russian Border (Photos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The Russian Ministry of Defense published photos of the US Air Force aircraft, which approached the border of the Russian Federation. | A strategic bomber B-52H of the US Air Force approached the border of the Russian Federation in the Pacific Ocean on September 26th. | The U.S. aircraft was detected by the Russian air defense forces in the Far Eastern Military District."Violations of the state border of the Russian Federation, as well as dangerous approaches of aircraft in the air were avoided," the statement by the Russian Defence Mistry said. | According to the Ministry, the U.S.
(2021-09-26). Military Situation In Donetsk People's Republic On September 26, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | 1. UAF in Verhnetoretskoe shelled DPR positions in Mikhailovka with 120-mm artillery | 2. UAF in Verhnetoretskoe shelled DPR positions in Verhnetoretskoe with 82-mm artillery | 3. UAF in Verhnetoretskoe shelled DPR positions in Panteleymonovka with 122-mm artillery | 4. UAF in Vodyane shelled DPR positions in Sakhanka with grenade launchers | 5. DPR forces in Verhnetoretskoe shelled UAF positions in Verhnetoretskoe with 120-mm artillery | 6. DPR forces in Al…
(2021-09-25). Sweden forges military bloc against Russia with NATO neighbors Denmark, Norway. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Sweden, like Finland now a NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner, supplied combat troops for NATO's war in Afghanistan and warplanes for NATO's war against Libya. Sweden to deepen military ties with Norway, Denmark, Swedish TV reports Sweden will sign a defence cooperation agreement with Norway and Denmark this week to counter a deteriorating security situation in …
(2021-09-25). [Editorial] COVID-19: learning as an interdependent world. thelancet.com There were some grounds for hope that the COVID-19 pandemic would be under control by now. Huge scientific advances have been made in our understanding of COVID-19, as well as its countermeasures. Countries have had 18 months to understand which policies work, and to develop strategies accordingly. Yet the pandemic is at a dangerous and shifting stage. Almost 10‚Äà000 deaths are reported globally every day. National responses to COVID-19 range from the complete lifting of restrictions in Denmark, to new state-wide lockdowns in Australia, and a growing political and public health crisis in the US…
(2021-09-25). Lavrov says EU foreign policy head told him to STAY OUT of 'our' Africa, as he denies Moscow's role in mercenaries invited to Mali. rt.com 
With the terrorist-fighting government of Mali in talks with a private Russian military firm, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told Russia's FM Sergey Lavrov to bluntly stay out of Africa, allegedly calling it "our place." | The modern EU bureaucracy may seem light years away from the rapacious colonial powers of olden Europe, but geopolitics seemingly still reigns in Brussels, with the fight this time over influence in the troubled West African nation of Mali. With Mali's military-ruled government struggling to quell a wave of jihadism, and France on the cusp of withdrawing its forces from the region, th…
(2021-09-25). NATO countries ponder alliance without Washington. asiatimes.com 
US President Joe Biden's downgrading of NATO's strategic importance, as shown by his casual diplomatic disregard of Europe in making foreign policy decisions related to it, has left some in the alliance to think of going it alone. The problem is there no easy decoupling from US domination of NATO nor even a smaller parallel …
(2021-09-25). Is It Really Possible For The UK To Become A Member Of The USMCA? southfront.org 
Illustrative ImageLondon seems to be seeking a deal to replace the European market. | Written by Lucas Leiroz, research fellow in international law at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. | In the contemporary world order, it is practically impossible for any country to maintain a status of economic power without participating in broad free trade zones, ensuring a strong market in a specific regional space. While being part of the European Union, the UK participated in the local market and enjoyed free trade with other member countries. However, after Brexit, London has been looking for alternatives to fill…
(2021-09-25). FM: Britain, Turkey arming Ukraine for war with Russia with EU, NATO backing. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Kuleba on Zelensky's meetings in New York: Ukraine strengthening partnership with powerful players Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has emphasized the importance of bilateral talks held by President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York with the leaders of Britain and Turkey, as well as with the European Commission president and the NATO secretary general. "An important …
(2021-09-25). The US, UK, Australia (AUKUS) Alliance against France. globalresearch.ca
(2021-09-25). Turkey delivers first combat drones to Morocco for conflict with Western Sahara, Algeria. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Originally from Agence France-Presse. Bayraktar TB2 combat drones have been used by Turkey in Iraq, Syria, Nagorno-Karabakh and Libya and by its Black Sea military ally Ukraine in its war in the Donbass. Morocco gets 1st batch of Turkish armed drones Morocco took delivery earlier this month of Turkish combat drones….[The delivery] comes as tensions …
(2021-09-25). French Service Member Killed In Mali During Clashes With Militants. southfront.org 
File image. | On September 24, the Ministry of the Armed Forces of France announced that a French service member had been killed by militants in Mali. | The fallen service member was identified as Corporal Maxime Blasco from the 7th Battalion of Chasseurs Alpins, the French Army's elite mountain infantry force. | In a statement, the Ministry of Armed Forces said that Balsco was a part of a unit deployed to a forested area near Mali's border with Burkina Faso on a mission to track down a suspected militan…
(2021-09-25). Germany: Three Main Candidates Run To Succeed Merkel on Sunday. telesurenglish.net Germany's election campaign concluded on Friday ahead of parliamentary elections to be held on Sept. 26 when three main candidates will seek to replace Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has been in office for almost 16 years. | RELATED: | On Sunday, some 60 million voters are called to the polls to elect the new Parliament and thus also a new government for the next four years. | Armin Laschet representing the conservative party currently in power, Olaf Sch…
(2021-09-25). The international significance of Germany's federal election and the campaign of the Socialist Equality Party. wsws.org The contradictions of world capitalism, which the German ruling class tried to resolve in the 20th century by means of war and fascism, are violently reemerging.
(2021-09-25). 'Tear Down the Walls! Free Them All!'. workers.org 
The following are excerpts given at a Sept. 19 "Shut Down Fayette" rally in front of Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pa. Molly Maguire My great-great-grandfather, Michael Kelly, was born in Schuylkill County. His parents were from Ireland. He was the first in my family to be born in this . . . |
(2021-09-25). Italy arrests ex-Catalan regional Premier Puigdemont for extradition to Spain. wsws.org Carles Puigdemont was released shortly after his arrest, executed by Spanish and Italian police agencies apparently without the knowledge of the Italian government.
(2021-09-25). Venezuelan Government and Opposition Resume Mexico Talks Today — 3rd Round. orinocotribune.com 
The objective of the dialogues is to reach agreements that would return Venezuela's extremist opposition to the democratic process, and the lifting of economic sanctions. | The delegations from the Venezuelan government and the opposition meet again this Friday, September 24 for the third round of dialogues in the Mexican capital, with the mediation of the Norway, know as the Mexico Talks. | The head of the government delegation, Jorge Rodríguez, declared that this new round of discussions will focus on Venezuela's request for the return of the assets stolen from the South American country and held in bank accoun…
(2021-09-25). Military Situation In Syria On September 25, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On September 25, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 26 times: 11 — in Idlib province, 2 — in Latakia province, 2 — in Hama province, 1 — in Aleppo province | On September 25, Russian warplanes attacked positions of Turkish-backed forces in Ain Sheib area | On September 25, Russian warplanes attacked positions of Turkish-backed forces in Duwayr Akrad area | On September 25, artillery of Turkish-ba…
(2021-09-25). Biden's National Security Adviser May Be Guilty of Perjury Over Clinton Campaign's Russiagate Plot. sputniknews.com Last week, Michael Sussmann, a former attorney in a law firm that represented Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, was indicted for allegedly lying to the FBI in 2016 about the capacity in which he was providing allegations of cyber links between Russia's Alfa Bank and former US President Donald Trump's Trump Organisation.
(2021-09-25). Top U.S. envoy in Ukraine: "We have made this clear that further aggression from Russia will have costs and consequences" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Further aggression from Russia will have costs and consequences — Kvien The United States will continue to work to hold Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine, according to U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Kristina Kvien. **** "As Ukraine works towards Euro-Atlantic integration, we must remain clear-eyed about the challenges Ukraine faces, both from within and from …
(2021-09-25). Russian Aerospace Forces Target Militants In Turkish-Occupied Afrin, Step Up Airstrikes On Greater Idlib (Videos, 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 September 25, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) carried out at least five airstrikes on the Turkish-occupied northern Syrian area of Afrin. | The airstrikes targeted positions of the al-Shamiya Front located near the town of Bosoufane in the southern part of Afrin. Several militants of the Turkish-backed group were reportedly killed or wounded as a result of the airstri…
(2021-09-25). Syrian Army Enters Former ISIS Stronghold In Western Daraa (Video, Photos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image. | On September 25, several units of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) accompanied by a force from the Russian Military Police entered the al-Yarmouk valley in the western countryside of Daraa. | The deployment is a part of a | Under the agreement, the towns of…
(2021-09-25). "Vigil": The BBC's Submarine Drama Is the Anti-Russian Propaganda Machine in Action. globalresearch.ca
(2021-09-25). Video: US-led Coalition Denies Responsibility for Drone Strikes against Syria. globalresearch.ca
(2021-09-25). U.S. is Ukraine's strategic ally in "countering Russian aggression," to provide $300 million more in military aid. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Ukraine, U.S. to strengthen defense cooperation — Kvien "President Zelensky and President Biden met recently at the White House….Both President Biden and President Zelensky are committed to Ukraine's Western orientation and full Euro-Atlantic integration," [U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Kristina] Kvien said. She said that the United States and Ukraine were going to work together using tools …
(2021-09-25). Putin Is Unlikely To Trust Erdogan Despite Western Pressure Mounting On Turkey. southfront.org 
Illustrative ImageTurkey now needs Russia as it struggles to juggle multiple geopolitical-military fronts | Written Paul Antonopoulos, independent geopolitical analyst | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that unlike his relationships with George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump, which "worked well," he has "not gotten off to a good start" with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden since his arrival in the White House on January 20. Erdogan also vented that the source of his frustration with Washington was the removal of Turkey from the F-35 fighter project two years ago after purchasing the R…
(2021-09-25). U.S. recruits NATO allies, partners for showdown with Russia in the Arctic. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com As U.S. shifts Arctic strategy to counter Russia, allies offer valuable info The Arctic has received relatively little military attention since the Cold War, but U.S. strategy is shifting toward a renewed focus on the region, reflecting increasing Russian military activity there. Recent Arctic strategies by the Army, Air Force and Navy emphasize ways of …
(2021-09-25). Ukrainian troops storm beach in Sea of Azov during NATO drills. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Among the fifteen nations participating in the U.S.-led war games are Turkey, Pakistan and Jordan. Ukrainian troops land on Azov Sea coast in NATO drillsThe Joint Efforts 2021 military drills kicked off in Ukraine on September 22 Ukrainian marines landed on the coast of the Sea of Azov in the Joint Efforts 2021 drills involving …