2022-02-03: News Headlines

Staff (2022-02-03). Russia & China set to make new declaration — Moscow. rt.com The announcement comes as Moscow and Beijing increase their cooperation in a number of spheres | Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are set to declare the two countries will work shoulder to shoulder on their most important missions, Moscow has announced, as relations with the US and its allies in Europe come under increased strain. | Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov revealed that the text of a major announcement would be on the agenda for the Russian leader's upcoming visit to China. | "A joint statement on international relat…

TASS (2022-02-03). Putin slams attempts to politicize sports as 'fundamentally wrong'. tass.com According to Russian President, "the power and greatness of sports are that it brings people together, gives moments of triumph and pride for the country and delights with fair, just and uncompromising competition"

Staff (2022-02-03). Russia reveals plans in case of cut-off from US dollar. rt.com The Kremlin has urged calm in the face of massive US sanctions | Moscow is prepared for the possibility that harsh US sanctions could restrict its banks' access to dollar transactions, the Kremlin has said, admitting that the potentially unprecedented measures have officials worried. | Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Wednesday that Moscow is well aware of the threat of massive sanctions coming from the American side amid an ongoing row over Ukraine. "Certainly, the Kremlin is concerned, because the sanctions behavior of the US is absolutely unpredictable," he said. | The spokesman wen…

Editor2 (2022-02-03). Cuba's Resumen Latinoamericano Website Silenced Due to Blockade. orinocotribune.com By Graciela Ramírez — Jan 29, 2022 | This January 27, while we were preparing different notes on national and international affairs, our website cubaenresumen.org was silenced. We could not upload any information, we thought at first it was due to a technical problem with the website. | After an hour we began to receive messages via WhatsApp from friends and readers of Cuba en Resumen in Argentina, Brazil, Honduras, Venezuela, Spain, the United States and Italy who were asking what was happening, since they could not access not only what was published in the morning, nor anything on our website. | We immedia…

Staff (2022-02-03). Headlines for February 3, 2022. democracynow.org U.S. to Deploy 3,000 Additional Troops to Eastern Europe Amid Tensions over Ukraine, Witnesses Say U.S. Raid That Killed ISIS Leader in Syria Left Civilians Dead, Pentagon Sends Warship and Planes to UAE; Saudi Arabia and Israel Hold Joint Naval Exercises, Militia Attacks DRC Camp for Displaced People, Killing 60, Pfizer Asks FDA to Approve COVID Vaccine for Young Kids Despite Mixed Clinical Trial Results, Ecuadorian Court Rejects Oil Drilling on Indigenous Lands in Amazon Rainforest, Biden Renominates Former Chevron Lawyer First Tapped by Trump to Become Federal Judge, Senate Forges Ahead with Judicial Confirmat…

TASS (2022-02-03). Kiev asks embassies to quietly ask foreigners to leave Donbass — Donetsk militia's chief. tass.com At the same time, Ukraine introduced new entry restrictions on visits by foreigners who have no "solid reasons" for entering the country…

sputniknews (2022-02-03). Kiev Preparing Offensive, Restricts Exit of Those Liable for Military Service, Donetsk Says. sputniknews.com DONETSK (Sputnik) – The people's militia of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic said on Thursday that Kiev had restricted the exit of citizens liable for military service from Ukraine due to preparations for an offensive in Donbass.

Nikola Mikovic (2022-02-03). Despite the U.S. Hype about an "imminent" Russian invasion of Ukraine, Moscow is not Ready to Risk War. juancole.com Belgrade (Special to Informed Comment) — Russia seems to be giving up on the "ultimatum" it issued to the United States in December. After Washington and its allies said no to Moscow's security demands, the Kremlin started to soften its rhetoric regarding a potential NATO expansion eastward. Western media, however, keep spreading rumors of an …

Staff (2022-02-03). Russian Historian: We Need Both the U.S. & Russia to Deescalate Crisis over Ukraine. democracynow.org Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin continuing to deny accusations of a planned invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration ordered the deployment of 3,000 additional troops to Eastern Europe on Wednesday to supposedly protect Ukraine. Moscow-based historian and political writer Ilya Budraitskis says both Russia and the U.S. are gaining more from the threat of conflict than an actual war, and says Russia has no real strategic gain from a potential invasion.

Staff (2022-02-03). "We Need Peace": War in Ukraine Would Be Humanitarian Catastrophe for Millions in the Region. democracynow.org As tensions grow between Russia and NATO over a potential invasion of Ukraine, up to 2 million people in eastern Ukraine are at risk of massive displacement and violence if the conflict escalates. We speak with the Norwegian Refugee Council's Jan Egeland, who is on the ground in Ukraine and says a war could roll back nearly a decade of humanitarian progress made in the Ukrainian region. "We need reconciliation, we need peace," says Egeland on the messages he is hearing from Ukrainians.

_____ (2022-02-03). The Year of the Tiger Starts with a Sino-Russian Bang. strategic-culture.org The Year of the Black Water Tiger will start, for all practical purposes, with a Beijing bang this Friday, as Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, after a live meeting before the initial ceremony of the Winter Olympics, will issue a joint statement on international relations. | That will represent a crucial move in the Eurasia vs. NATOstan chessboard, as the Anglo-American axis is increasingly bogged down in Desperation Row: after all, "Russian aggression" stubbornly refuses to materialize. | After an interminable wait arguably due to the lack of functionaries properly equipped to write an intelligible lett…

WSWS (2022-02-03). Warmongering against Russia in the name of Auschwitz. wsws.org The more the USA and NATO intensify their war drive against Russia, the more aggressively the ruling class in Germany behaves.

WSWS (2022-02-03). US sends another 3,000 troops to Eastern Europe. wsws.org Along with these latest troop deployments, the Pentagon is sending another six F-15 fighter jets to Estonia, whose border is only about 200 miles from Russia's second major city, St. Petersburg.

News Release (2022-02-03). Coalition to Prevent War with Russia. indybay.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — TUESDAY, FEB. 1, 2022…

Ramzy Baroud, Romana Rubeo (2022-02-03). The Russians Are Coming: Are Beijing and Moscow at the Cusp of a Formal Alliance? dissidentvoice.org It should matter little to the Chinese that American diplomats and a handful of their western allies will not be attending the Beijing Winter Olympics in February. What truly matters is that the Russians are coming. The above is not an arbitrary statement. It is supported with facts. According to a survey conducted by China's Global …

TASS (2022-02-03). Putin calls Russian-Chinese relations "a model of efficiency, responsibility" tass.com The Russian leader stressed that Russia and China are "close neighbors bound by centuries-old traditions of friendship and trust"

Cynthia Papermaster (2022-02-03). Saturday 2/5: No War With Russia; Yes to Diplomacy and Peace. indybay.org Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, MLK Jr. Way @ Allston Way, Berkeley.

sputniknews (2022-02-03). Argentina President: It's Necessary to End Dependence on US, Develop Cooperation With Russia. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Argentina's large external debt rose largely because of the United States, so Buenos Aires needs to get rid of dependence on Washington and open up new opportunities in cooperation with Russia, President Alberto Fernandez said.

ecns.cn (2022-02-03). Full text of Putin's signed article for Xinhua. ecns.cn A signed article by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin titled "Russia and China: A Future-Oriented Strategic Partnership" was published by Xinhua News Agency on Thursday.

_____ (2022-02-03). Situation in Turkey is Putting Erdogan's Abilities to the Test. journal-neo.org In the last few years, Turkey's economy has been caught in a drawn-out recession, largely due to the increasing costs related to the current model of economic growth. And as the economy is deteriorating, so is the political and economic situation in the country, forcing President Erdogan to make choices which are far from popular. …

Anonymous669 (2022-02-03). Breaking: Special Forces Land In Syria's Greater Idlib, Engage Militants In Kill Or Capture Operation. southfront.org File image. | Early on February 3, a suspected US special force landed from several helicopters near the northern Syrian town of Atimah right on the border line with Turkey. | The force came from the direction of Syria's northeastern region, where the US-led coalition maintains a number of bases. | After landing, the force, which was backed by several attack helicopters, combat drones and fighter jet, engaged in fierce clashes with unidentified militants while apparently carrying out a kill or capture operation.

TASS (2022-02-03). Belarusian president says global situation can escalate at any moment. tass.com Among the main triggers of the current state of affairs, Alexander Lukashenko calls systemic destruction of global security and the growing militarization of the European region…

Staff (2022-02-03). Presidente cubano recibe a delegación de europarlamentarios. cubadebate.cu El primer secretario del Comité Central del Partido y presidente de la República, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, recibió este miércoles en el Palacio de la Revolución a los miembros de una delegación integrada por representantes del Grupo de la Izquierda Confederal Unitaria Europea/Izquierda Verde Nórdica, que visitan nuestro país.

WSWS (2022-02-03). US autoworkers support European Ford workers' fight against concessions: "We are all behind you in the United States" wsws.org Ford workers in Europe recently formed a rank-and-file committee to organize against attempts to roll back wages and working conditions.

WSWS (2022-02-03). Maus, graphic novel about the Holocaust, censored by Tennessee school board. wsws.org The McMinn County School Board has removed Maus, by Art Spiegelman, which depicts the experience of the author's family in Poland during the Holocaust, from the 8th grade curriculum, allegedly because of "rough language."

WSWS (2022-02-03). Maus, graphic novel about the Holocaust, censored by Tennessee schoolboard. wsws.org The McMinn County School Board has removed Maus, by Art Spiegelman, which depicts the experience of the author's family in Poland during the Holocaust, from the 8th grade curriculum, allegedly because of "rough language."

John Wojcik (2022-02-02). U.S. raises war danger, sends 3,000 more troops to Europe. peoplesworld.org Many across Europe and here at home breathed a sigh of relief Tuesday upon reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted negotiations to continue despite the U.S.' refusal to meet his country's key demand that NATO not be allowed to advance into Ukraine. Less than 24 hours after that, however, President Joe Biden ratcheted up …

Staff (2022-02-02). VIDEO: Ukraine Crisis Webinar: Peace Activists and Experts Gather. davidswanson.org Here's the video: Speakers include: Katrina vanden Heuvel, editorial director of The Nation magazine, columnist for the Washington Post. Ann Wright, retired U.S. Army colonel, retired diplomat, author, activist. Vladimir Kozin, member of Russian Academy of Military Sciences, speaking from Moscow. Norman Solomon, co-founder and national director of RootsAction.org, author, activist. Moderator: David Swanson, campaign …

Staff (2022-02-02). Headlines for February 2, 2022. democracynow.org Putin Accuses U.S. of Using Ukraine as "Tool" to Contain Russia, Pacific Nations, Incl. Tonga, Report First COVID Cases; South Africa, EU Nations Ease Restrictions, Guinea-Bissau's President Says He Survived Coup Attempt, Security Forces Killed in Attack, Two Babies Die in Freezing Syrian Camps for Displaced People, Major Coalition of States, Cities and Advocacy Groups Backs Mexican Effort to Sue U.S. Gunmakers, Native American Tribes Reach Tentative Settlement with J&J, Drug Distributors over Opioid Epidemic, ABC Suspends Whoopi Goldberg from "The View" After Saying Holocaust Was "Not About Race", Ex-NFL Coach F…

David Swanson (2022-02-02). Why Ukraine Needs the Kellogg-Briand Pact. warisacrime.org By David Swanson, World BEYOND War, February 2, 2022 In 1929, Russia and China proposed to go to war. Governments around the world pointed out that they'd just signed and ratified the Kellogg-Briand Pact banning all war. Russia withdrew. Peace was made. In 2022, the United States and Russia proposed to go to war. Governments …

Eric Zuesse (2022-02-02). Surprise, Surprise……The Washington Post Publishes a Commentary Full of Lies Against Putin. covertactionmagazine.com On January 29th, The Washington Post published an op-ed by the well-known Yale historian Timothy Snyder, titled "Putin's case for invading Ukraine rests on …

_____ (2022-02-02). After Failed Talks, Russia Will Likely Target Persian Gulf. popularresistance.org For some reason, in the aftermath of this month's failed talks among the Russian, American and NATO representatives in Geneva, everybody is talking as though they believe Russia's invasion of Ukraine is imminent. From the officials of the U.S. State Department, Pentagon and NATO to the intelligence agencies and the media, nearly everyone is talking as though they have not the slightest doubt that Russia intends to invade. | However, in a Friday meeting with president Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Biden not to provoke panic, saying that he did not see a greater threat now then during a simila…

Editor (2022-02-02). The Petro-War of Chrystia Freeland: Canada's military support for Ukraine. mronline.org According to the Globe and Mail, the Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, is in charge of the campaign of military support for the Ukraine.

_____ (2022-02-02). America Is Reaping What It Sowed In Ukraine. popularresistance.org So what are Americans to believe about the rising tensions over Ukraine? The United States and Russia both claim their escalations are defensive, responding to threats and escalations by the other side, but the resulting spiral of escalation can only make war more likely. Ukrainian President Zelensky is warning that "panic" by U.S. and Western leaders is already causing economic destabilization in Ukraine. | U.S. allies do not all support the current U.S. policy. Germany is wisely refusing to funnel more weapons into Ukraine, in keeping with its long-standing policy of not sending weapons into conflict zones. Ral…

WSWS (2022-02-02). Boris Johnson pushes anti-Russia war rhetoric in Ukraine amid UK government crisis. wsws.org Demanding Russia "steps back and chooses the path of diplomacy," Johnson made clear that this meant recognising Ukraine's right to decide "which organisations they aspire to join", i.e., NATO.

Margaret Kimberley (2022-02-02). Ukraine and US War Propaganda. orinocotribune.com By Margaret Kimberley — Jan 26, 2022 | The 2014 U.S. sponsored coup against the elected government of Ukraine must be the starting point for any discussion of the current crisis. That crisis has been manufactured by Joe Biden, who was the Obama administration point person in using Ukraine as a means of destabilizing Russia. | The corporate media always carry water for the state, and they are never more dangerous than when the nation is on a war footing. Right now the United States government is sending weapons to Ukraine. One wouldn't know that because of constant references to "lethal aid." The euphemisms a…

Rick Rozoff (2022-02-02). NATO absorbing Ukraine, all of Europe, into cyber warfare network. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com All of Europe excepting Belarus and Russia. See final sentence. (Odd that Ireland isn't included, as it's a member of the Partnership for Peace along with the four nations listed.) === Ukraine seeks closer ties with NATO on cyber defense Ukrainian government officials want closer collaboration with NATO's cyber center of excellence…. Ukraine has found …

_____ (2022-02-02). Ukraine: Another Biden Débâcle? strategic-culture.org Are we past 'peak frenzy'? Quite possibly, but it will subside only slowly. It is too good a diversion from other difficulties. | The sheer size and scope of the western information operations — insisting repeatedly on the imminence of a Russian invasion of Ukraine — has almost dwarfed the western effort mounted in the lead up to the second invasion of Iraq. This latest info-war has been qualitatively different from that earlier episode however, in the way in which supposed intelligence titbits were constantly fed to the press in order to stiffen the narrative spine with a direct sense of being at the…

A Guest Author (2022-02-02). At Russia-Ukraine border NO U.S.-NATO WAR! workers.org An ad-hoc coalition of anti-imperialist organizations located in the United States has published the following call for protests in the following week of U.S. and NATO's aggressive actions directed at Russia, building up to demonstrations and a webinar on Feb. 5: We must act now to stop the war with . . . |

Staff (2022-02-02). Russia & US commit to further talks on security guarantees. rt.com Continued engagement from both sides will allow room for serious discussion, but situation appears to be a stalemate | Washington is willing to continue diplomatic discussions with Russia over mutual security concerns, the US State Department revealed on Tuesday, following a phone call between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. | The discussion comes as tensions between Russia and the West continue to remain high, with Moscow accused of placing over 100,000 troops on the border with Ukraine. The buildup has triggered a response from multiple NATO members, with many se…

Margaret Kimberley (2022-02-02). Ukraine and U.S. war propaganda. mronline.org The corporate media always carry water for the state, and they are never more dangerous than when the nation is on a war footing. Right now the United States government is sending weapons to Ukraine.

Dave DeCamp (2022-02-02). US, Allies Wondering If They Can Count on Germany Against Russia. news.antiwar.com Germany's refusal to arm Ukraine and its trade relationship with Russia continues to irk the US and other NATO allies. Germany's new coalition government has adopted a policy of not sending weapons to potential conflict zones. Berlin has also cited history as a reason not to participate in the military buildup in the region, referring to Nazi war crimes in Eastern Europe and in the Soviet Union. | Germany's reasoning is…

WSWS (2022-02-02). Putin warns US seeks to "drag" Russia "into an armed conflict" wsws.org The statements by Putin underscore the immense dangers of the situation that has been created by the aggressive moves of NATO and above all, US imperialism.

TASS (2022-02-02). US, NATO urge Russia to return to observance of CFE Treaty — El Pais. tass.com Among other things, it implies providing detailed CFE Treaty-required annual data and information…

Rick Rozoff (2022-02-02). 30 NATO members, 37 partners from around the world forge new global strategic doctrine. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com The 67 nations involved include ones on all six populated continents. Why the world stubbornly persists in ignoring the evolution of an ever-expanding international military alliance is beyond my ability to comprehend. ==== NATO engages with partners to help shape the next Strategic Concept 37 participating partners: Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bosnia and …

Staff (2022-02-02). Leaked US & NATO replies to Russia: Here's what you need to know. rt.com It seems the West has rejected Moscow's core demands, but proposed steps to ease tensions | In December, Russia requested that the US and NATO produce definitive written responses to its proposals on assurances addressing security concerns. The letters were sent to Moscow last week. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at the time that the correspondence should stay confidential. However, the two letters were allegedly Wh…

TASS (2022-02-02). NATO proposes to Russia to refrain from conducting anti-satellite tests — El Pais. tass.com In November 2021, the Russian Defense Ministry informed about a test, during which a defunct Russian space satellite had been successfully destroyed…

_____ (2022-02-02). Russia Opens Doors for Iran's Eurasian integration. strategic-culture.org Raisi and Putin's January meeting may have seemed anticlimactic, but Russia is now opening doors for Iran's Eurasian integration | By Yeghia TASHJIAN | On 20 January, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi traveled to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow, with the express purpose of advancing bilateral ties between both countries at the highest level. | Among the talking points of the two leaders were their shared regional and international issues, the Vienna negotiations for Iran's nuclear program, and regional cooperation in Eurasia. | Contrary to expectations and to the positive statements made befor…

WSWS (2022-02-02). International Viewpoint supports war propaganda against Russia. wsws.org Under the misleading title "Time for International Anti-War Solidarity," unnamed "Ukrainian socialists" called on the "international left" to "condemn the imperialist policies of the Russian government."

_____ (2022-02-02). Central Asia becomes a Platform for Cooperation between Russia, India and China. journal-neo.org Central Asia (CA), due to its geostrategic location at the junction of Europe and Asia, its proximity to the leading international actors such as Russia and China, its wealth of natural resources and its yet-to-be fully exploited trade and economic opportunities, has recently attracted increasing interest from international actors. In order to create a stable …

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2022-02-02: News Headlines

_____ (2022-02-02). Central Asia becomes a Platform for Cooperation between Russia, India and China. journal-neo.org Central Asia (CA), due to its geostrategic location at the junction of Europe and Asia, its proximity to the leading international actors such as Russia and China, its wealth of natural resources and its yet-to-be fully exploited trade and economic opportunities, has recently attracted increasing interest from international actors. In order to create a stable …

TASS (2022-02-02). US won't divide China and Russia, Chinese scholar assures. tass.com Up until now, the US has been gathering allies and client states in order to "pounce" on China and Russia, Wan Chengcai said…

David Swanson (2022-02-02). Why Ukraine Needs the Kellogg-Briand Pact. warisacrime.org By David Swanson, World BEYOND War, February 2, 2022 In 1929, Russia and China proposed to go to war. Governments around the world pointed out that they'd just signed and ratified the Kellogg-Briand Pact banning all war. Russia withdrew. Peace was made. In 2022, the United States and Russia proposed to go to war. Governments …

Staff (2022-02-02). VIDEO: Ukraine Crisis Webinar: Peace Activists and Experts Gather. davidswanson.org Here's the video: Speakers include: Katrina vanden Heuvel, editorial director of The Nation magazine, columnist for the Washington Post. Ann Wright, retired U.S. Army colonel, retired diplomat, author, activist. Vladimir Kozin, member of Russian Academy of Military Sciences, speaking from Moscow. Norman Solomon, co-founder and national director of RootsAction.org, author, activist. Moderator: David Swanson, campaign …

Margaret Kimberley (2022-02-02). Ukraine and U.S. war propaganda. mronline.org The corporate media always carry water for the state, and they are never more dangerous than when the nation is on a war footing. Right now the United States government is sending weapons to Ukraine.

Rick Rozoff (2022-02-02). NATO absorbing Ukraine, all of Europe, into cyber warfare network. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com All of Europe excepting Belarus and Russia. See final sentence. (Odd that Ireland isn't included, as it's a member of the Partnership for Peace along with the four nations listed.) === Ukraine seeks closer ties with NATO on cyber defense Ukrainian government officials want closer collaboration with NATO's cyber center of excellence…. Ukraine has found …

_____ (2022-02-02). After Failed Talks, Russia Will Likely Target Persian Gulf. popularresistance.org For some reason, in the aftermath of this month's failed talks among the Russian, American and NATO representatives in Geneva, everybody is talking as though they believe Russia's invasion of Ukraine is imminent. From the officials of the U.S. State Department, Pentagon and NATO to the intelligence agencies and the media, nearly everyone is talking as though they have not the slightest doubt that Russia intends to invade. | However, in a Friday meeting with president Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Biden not to provoke panic, saying that he did not see a greater threat now then during a simila…

Staff (2022-02-02). Headlines for February 2, 2022. democracynow.org Putin Accuses U.S. of Using Ukraine as "Tool" to Contain Russia, Pacific Nations, Incl. Tonga, Report First COVID Cases; South Africa, EU Nations Ease Restrictions, Guinea-Bissau's President Says He Survived Coup Attempt, Security Forces Killed in Attack, Two Babies Die in Freezing Syrian Camps for Displaced People, Major Coalition of States, Cities and Advocacy Groups Backs Mexican Effort to Sue U.S. Gunmakers, Native American Tribes Reach Tentative Settlement with J&J, Drug Distributors over Opioid Epidemic, ABC Suspends Whoopi Goldberg from "The View" After Saying Holocaust Was "Not About Race", Ex-NFL Coach F…

WSWS (2022-02-02). Boris Johnson pushes anti-Russia war rhetoric in Ukraine amid UK government crisis. wsws.org Demanding Russia "steps back and chooses the path of diplomacy," Johnson made clear that this meant recognising Ukraine's right to decide "which organisations they aspire to join", i.e., NATO.

Margaret Kimberley (2022-02-02). Ukraine and US War Propaganda. orinocotribune.com By Margaret Kimberley — Jan 26, 2022 | The 2014 U.S. sponsored coup against the elected government of Ukraine must be the starting point for any discussion of the current crisis. That crisis has been manufactured by Joe Biden, who was the Obama administration point person in using Ukraine as a means of destabilizing Russia. | The corporate media always carry water for the state, and they are never more dangerous than when the nation is on a war footing. Right now the United States government is sending weapons to Ukraine. One wouldn't know that because of constant references to "lethal aid." The euphemisms a…

Editor (2022-02-02). The Petro-War of Chrystia Freeland: Canada's military support for Ukraine. mronline.org According to the Globe and Mail, the Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, is in charge of the campaign of military support for the Ukraine.

Staff (2022-02-02). Russia & US commit to further talks on security guarantees. rt.com Continued engagement from both sides will allow room for serious discussion, but situation appears to be a stalemate | Washington is willing to continue diplomatic discussions with Russia over mutual security concerns, the US State Department revealed on Tuesday, following a phone call between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. | The discussion comes as tensions between Russia and the West continue to remain high, with Moscow accused of placing over 100,000 troops on the border with Ukraine. The buildup has triggered a response from multiple NATO members, with many se…

Dave DeCamp (2022-02-02). US, Allies Wondering If They Can Count on Germany Against Russia. news.antiwar.com Germany's refusal to arm Ukraine and its trade relationship with Russia continues to irk the US and other NATO allies. Germany's new coalition government has adopted a policy of not sending weapons to potential conflict zones. Berlin has also cited history as a reason not to participate in the military buildup in the region, referring to Nazi war crimes in Eastern Europe and in the Soviet Union. | Germany's reasoning is…

_____ (2022-02-02). America Is Reaping What It Sowed In Ukraine. popularresistance.org So what are Americans to believe about the rising tensions over Ukraine? The United States and Russia both claim their escalations are defensive, responding to threats and escalations by the other side, but the resulting spiral of escalation can only make war more likely. Ukrainian President Zelensky is warning that "panic" by U.S. and Western leaders is already causing economic destabilization in Ukraine. | U.S. allies do not all support the current U.S. policy. Germany is wisely refusing to funnel more weapons into Ukraine, in keeping with its long-standing policy of not sending weapons into conflict zones. Ral…

A Guest Author (2022-02-02). At Russia-Ukraine border NO U.S.-NATO WAR! workers.org An ad-hoc coalition of anti-imperialist organizations located in the United States has published the following call for protests in the following week of U.S. and NATO's aggressive actions directed at Russia, building up to demonstrations and a webinar on Feb. 5: We must act now to stop the war with . . . |

_____ (2022-02-02). Ukraine: Another Biden Débâcle? strategic-culture.org Are we past 'peak frenzy'? Quite possibly, but it will subside only slowly. It is too good a diversion from other difficulties. | The sheer size and scope of the western information operations — insisting repeatedly on the imminence of a Russian invasion of Ukraine — has almost dwarfed the western effort mounted in the lead up to the second invasion of Iraq. This latest info-war has been qualitatively different from that earlier episode however, in the way in which supposed intelligence titbits were constantly fed to the press in order to stiffen the narrative spine with a direct sense of being at the…

Staff (2022-02-02). Leaked US & NATO replies to Russia: Here's what you need to know. rt.com It seems the West has rejected Moscow's core demands, but proposed steps to ease tensions | In December, Russia requested that the US and NATO produce definitive written responses to its proposals on assurances addressing security concerns. The letters were sent to Moscow last week. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at the time that the correspondence should stay confidential. However, the two letters were allegedly Wh…

WSWS (2022-02-02). International Viewpoint supports war propaganda against Russia. wsws.org Under the misleading title "Time for International Anti-War Solidarity," unnamed "Ukrainian socialists" called on the "international left" to "condemn the imperialist policies of the Russian government."

TASS (2022-02-02). US, NATO urge Russia to return to observance of CFE Treaty — El Pais. tass.com Among other things, it implies providing detailed CFE Treaty-required annual data and information…

News Release (2022-02-02). Coalition to Prevent War with Russia. indybay.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — TUESDAY, FEB. 1, 2022…

WSWS (2022-02-02). Putin warns US seeks to "drag" Russia "into an armed conflict" wsws.org The statements by Putin underscore the immense dangers of the situation that has been created by the aggressive moves of NATO and above all, US imperialism.

TASS (2022-02-02). NATO proposes to Russia to refrain from conducting anti-satellite tests — El Pais. tass.com In November 2021, the Russian Defense Ministry informed about a test, during which a defunct Russian space satellite had been successfully destroyed…

Norman Solomon (2022-02-02). U.S. to Russia: Do as We Say, Not as We Do. indybay.org Meanwhile, progressives in Congress haven't really spoken up…

Steve Sweeney (2022-02-02). In Turkey, 'journalism is not just a profession, it is a responsibility'. greenleft.org.au Kurdish journalists continue to be killed or jailed simply for reporting the news, reports Steve Sweeney.

Eric A. Gordon (2022-02-02). Europop musical 'Singing Revolution' treats leadup to Estonian independence from Soviets. peoplesworld.org LOS ANGELES — "Lift it up, lift it up: we can sing our country free!" A cast of 20 all-singing, all-dancing performers and a five-piece band brought Singing Revolution: The Musical to the stage here for its world premiere on Sunday, January 30. It's intended as "an inspirational new musical based on historical events" involving …

_____ (2022-02-02). Feb. 3 Webinar: Camila Saab, Wife Of Diplomat/US Political Prisoner. popularresistance.org Alex Saab is a Venezuelan diplomat the US government has illegally seized and imprisoned for what the US considers "violation" of the illegal US economic warfare on Venezuela. He was in fact assisting Venezuela in legally working around the US blockade on his country by finding the means to import food, medicine, and materials for the Venezuelan oil industry. The US is seeking to coerce Alex Saab into disclosing the methods Venezuela uses to circumvent the US-Canadian-European sanctions with the goal of further tightening the economic blockade and suffering on the Venezuelan people. These sanctions are illegal ac…

_____ (2022-02-02). Julian Assange Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize. popularresistance.org Journalist and Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, as the movement calling for his unconditional release and against his extradition to the United States grows louder. Assange was nominated by several individuals, including members of parliament and former peace prize winners, responding to calls from Assange's partner Stella Moris. | On January 29, a nomination was filed by German politicians Martin Sonneborn, a member of the European Parliament (MEP), and Sevim Daƒüdelen, a member of the German Bundestag. | In their letter to the Nobel Committee, they expla…

Staff (2022-02-02). Tomorrow February 3 Webinar: In Conversation with Camila Saab, Wife of Alex Saab & Special Guest, Oscar López Rivera. orinocotribune.com Alex Saab is a Venezuelan diplomat the US government has illegally seized and imprisoned for what the US considers "violation" of the illegal US economic warfare on Venezuela. He was in fact assisting Venezuela in legally working around the US blockade on his country by finding the means to import food, medicine, and materials for the Venezuelan oil industry. The US is seeking to coerce Alex Saab into disclosing the methods Venezuela uses to circumvent the US-Canadian-European sanctions with the goal of further tightening the economic blockade and suffering on the Venezuelan people. These sanctions are illegal ac…

Staff (2022-02-02). Heating costs double in Europe's biggest economy. rt.com Germany's household energy costs saw the greatest rise in 2021 | The cost of heating and electricity in Germany increased by 107% and 41% respectively over the past year, Der Spiegel reported, citing a spokesperson of the Check24 portal, which compares prices for goods and services in the country. | According to data, the average household in Germany had to pay €1,193 for gas and fuel oil in January 2021, with the cost rising to almost €2,472 last month. The main reason for that was the sharp rise in energy prices, the newspaper said, adding that high wholesale gas prices have affected end-user price…

Staff (2022-02-01). Ukrainians Doubt a Russian Invasion Is Imminent as U.S. Peace Groups Urge Biden to Halt Escalation. democracynow.org The United States and Russia sparred on Monday over the crisis in Ukraine at the United Nations Security Council. Meanwhile, U.S. senators are preparing to unveil a bill that would target Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian banks and other entities with sanctions. To discuss the Ukraine crisis, we're joined by the co-founder of CodePink, Medea Benjamin, who says "we need the voice of the American people" to oppose U.S. escalation and also calls on U.S. progressives to vocalize their opposition to fueling a war in Europe. We also speak with Ukrainian sociologist Volodymyr Ishchenko, who says Ukrainian intell…

ecns.cn (2022-02-01). Chinese envoy calls for quiet diplomacy on Ukraine. ecns.cn China's UN ambassador on Monday called for quiet diplomacy instead of megaphone diplomacy on the tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

_____ (2022-02-01). UK and France Push Forward their Tilt to Indo-Pacific. journal-neo.org The term "tilt" that stands for UK's need to double down on the Indo-Pacific region (IPR) in general and China in particular in terms of foreign policy, was first used in late 2020 in a Chatham House research. This research was conducted on the eve of (a long-drawn-out) ending UK's push to leave EU when …

Benjamin Norton (2022-02-01). Ex VP Dick Cheney confirmed US goal is to break up Russia, not just USSR. multipolarista.com Former Vice President and Iraq War architect Dick Cheney wasn't content only breaking up the Soviet Union. Balkanizing Russia (and China) is a bipartisan foreign-policy goal among top US national security state officials.

ecns.cn (2022-02-01). Germany-China trade hits record high in 2021: Destatis. ecns.cn China is expected to remain Germany's most important trading partner in 2021, for the sixth year in a row, as the turnover of trade between the countries reached a record high, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) said on Monday.

ecns.cn (2022-02-01). BiH admires China's preparations for Olympic Games, says President of BiH Olympic Committee. ecns.cn The head of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)'s team has arrived in Beijing and witnessed China's preparations for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games in an orderly manner, which the BiH side deeply admires and feels relieved, said Marijan Kvesic, President of BiH Olympic Committee on Monday.

Staff (2022-02-01). Headlines for February 1, 2022. democracynow.org U.S. and Russia Clash over Ukraine at U.N. Security Council, China Struggles to Stamp Out COVID Outbreaks Ahead of Beijing Winter Olympics, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Tests Positive for Coronavirus, Pfizer Vaccine Could Be Made Available to U.S. Children Under 5 by March, Trump Sought to Seize Voting Machines in Swing States He Lost to Biden, Atlanta-Area Prosecutor Asks FBI for Protection After Trump Urges Followers to Protest, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Accuses Democrats of "Smears" over Nazi Rallies, Amnesty Report Finds Israel Guilty of "The Crime of Apartheid Against Palestinians", Three Israeli O…

Marco Teruggi (2022-02-01). Honduras: Back After 12 Years. orinocotribune.com Xiomara Castro was sworn in as the new president of Honduras, in the capital city, Tegucigalpa, on January 27. Not only is she is the first female president to take office in the Central American nation, but she is also the head of state to receive the most votes in Honduran history. With her mandate unquestioned, she was accompanied by her husband, former president Manuel Zelaya, overthrown in the 2009 coup d'état. | Several leaders and former leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony, such as the vice president of Argentina, Cristina Kirchner (who gave a speech the night before); the King of Spain, Felipe VI; t…

_____ (2022-02-01). Perilous Gulf Widens Between Russia & US At The UN. popularresistance.org Tensions in U.S.-Russia relations soared yet higher on Monday as the two powers voiced polar opposite positions on events surrounding Ukraine and European security at the U.N. Security Council. The U.S. and its allies on the council painted a stark picture of an outlaw Russia threatening to invade Ukraine, while Russia sought to zoom out to the larger picture of Western threats to Russia's security. Russia attempted to have the "provocative proposal" by the U.S. to hold the meeting stopped by calling for a procedural vote on the agenda, arguing that Washington was engaging in "megaphone diplomacy" and wanted to "

_____ (2022-02-01). Perilous Gulf Widens Between Russia And US At The UN. popularresistance.org Tensions in U.S.-Russia relations soared yet higher on Monday as the two powers voiced polar opposite positions on events surrounding Ukraine and European security at the U.N. Security Council. | The U.S. and its allies on the council painted a stark picture of an outlaw Russia threatening to invade Ukraine, while Russia sought to zoom out to the larger picture of Western threats to Russia's security. | Russia attempted to have the "provocative proposal" by the U.S. to hold the meeting stopped by calling for a procedural vote on the agenda, arguing that Washington was engaging in "megaphone diplomacy" and wanted…

_____ (2022-02-01). Weapons Companies Boast Ukraine-Russia Tensions Are Boon For Business. popularresistance.org As the United States weighs more involvement in the growing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, some of the largest weapons companies in the world‚Äâ—‚ÄâRaytheon and Lockheed Martin‚Äâ—‚Äâare openly telling their investors that tensions between the countries are good for business. And General Dynamics, meanwhile, is boasting about the past returns the company has seen as a result of such disputes. | The statements come as the U.S. government escalates arms shipments to Ukraine, among them the Javelin missiles that are a joint venture…

John Wojcik, C.J. Atkins (2022-02-01). U.S. takes stage at United Nations to whip up Cold War hysteria. peoplesworld.org

Staff (2022-02-01). Germany Refuses to Send Arms to Ukraine Despite Pressure from U.S. & NATO. democracynow.org Germany's new coalition government is refusing to send lethal weapons to Ukraine but has offered to send over 5,000 combat helmets to protect Ukrainian soldiers in case of a Russian attack. The move has been ridiculed as the U.S. and other NATO countries continue to send military support to Ukraine. In response, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised his country will stay in tune with European Union and NATO policies toward Russia. To speak more about Germany's stance toward Ukraine, we're joined by German peace activist and executive director of the International Peace Bureau Reiner Braun, who calls on the E…

ecns.cn (2022-02-01). Russia has no plans to invade Ukraine: ambassador. ecns.cn Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Monday that his country has no plans to invade Ukraine.

WSWS (2022-02-01). US wants war in Ukraine, charges Russia at UN debate. wsws.org A debate at the Security Council included the harshest exchanges since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.

Peoples Dispatch (2022-02-01). Russia accuses US and NATO of provoking war in Ukraine. peoplesdispatch.org A UN Security Council meeting was called to discuss the situation in eastern Europe where tensions are rising amid a stand off between NATO and Russia…

Amy Goodman (2022-02-01). Amid US-Russia Escalation, Activists Emphasize NATO Is "Not About Security" truthout.org Image Credit: Vrede vzw | To speak about the key role NATO is playing in the Ukraine crisis, we speak with Ludo De Brabander, spokesperson of the peace organization Vrede vzw in Belgium, where NATO is headquartered. De Brabander says NATO has outlived its purpose, and touches on how activists in NATO countries like Belgium are pushing against narratives in the media that war with Russia is necessary. | Please check back later for full transcript.

Staff (2022-02-01). "It's Not About Security": Belgian Peace Activist Says NATO Has Outlived Its Purpose. democracynow.org To speak about the key role NATO is playing in the Ukraine crisis, we speak with Ludo De Brabander, spokesperson of the peace organization Vrede vzw in Belgium, where NATO is headquartered. De Brabander says NATO has outlived its purpose, and touches on how activists in NATO countries like Belgium are pushing against narratives in the media that war with Russia is necessary.

Peoples Dispatch (2022-02-01). UN Security Council holds session on Ukraine, Poland pledges arms and other stories. peoplesdispatch.org Today we look at the UN Security Council special session on Ukraine, a major oil spill spreading to Ecuador's Amazon region, and more…

_____ (2022-02-01). President JFK's Murder Is Graphic Proof of Entrenched Cold War Ideology and Why Peace Eludes U.S.-Russia Relations. strategic-culture.org Martin Schotz, a respected Massachusetts-based author on the assassination of President Kennedy, explores the systematic basis for Cold War logic. | The Cold War is back with a vengeance. The current impasse between the United States and Russia over the Ukraine crisis is running the risk of an all-out war in Europe, a war that could escalate into nuclear Armageddon. The crisis is wholly manufactured by Washington's geopolitical power calculations — claims made against Russia about planning to invade Ukraine are baseless if not absurd. The impasse reflects an impoverishment of diplomacy and respect for inter…

_____ (2022-02-01). Perilous Gulf Widens Between Russia & U.S. at the UN. strategic-culture.org The seemingly unbridgeable gap between the major powers was on full display at the Security Council as they sparred over Ukraine and Russia's security concerns, reports Joe Lauria. | By Joe LAURIA | Tensions in U.S.-Russia relations soared yet higher on Monday as the two powers voiced polar opposite positions on events surrounding Ukraine and European security at the U.N. Security Council. | The U.S. and its allies on the council painted a stark picture of an outlaw Russia threatening to invade Ukraine, while Russia sought to zoom out to the larger picture of Western threats to Russia's security. | Russia attempt…

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