The present problems of Iraq are 100% down to our murderous invasion and occupation. The idea that further western bombing will make things better is so deluded as to beggar belief.
I was surprised to find during my Burnes research that the imperialist powers of Britain and Russia were explicitly exploiting Sunni and Shia divisions to further their conquests of Islamic lands as early as the 1830’s. This has been the major tool of the neo-con Middle Eastern gameplan for some time, spreading disunity and crippling war throughout the Middle East, with the hope that this will benefit the interests of Israel.
The peculiar result has been that in general the West is very actively supporting Sunni armies and miscellaneous forces, but in Iraq is supporting the Shia. ISIS – which is heavily backed by the Saudis, who hate al-Maliki – brings this paradox into sharp relief. The current US and UK strategy is to persuade Saudi Arabia to get ISIS to reconcentrate their efforts against Assad, on the understanding they will be allowed to keep the Sunni areas of Iraq (the old neo-con plan of dividing Iraq is firmly back on the agenda).
The BBC News this morning said that ISIS would not be capable of using the billions of dollars of sophisticated western armaments they have captured. I think you will find the Saudis remedy that one quite quickly. It is quite possible we will see some token airstrikes to kill civilians in Mosul, in order to appease Obama’s domestic backers who are never happy if Americans aren’t killing enough people, but only after agreement has been reached with the Saudis that no serious harm will be done – except to the ordinary people neither Obama, the Saudis or al-Maliki care in the least about.
Oh, yes, RD, freedom of speech. All the main TV programmes and press outlets are so free that they do not cover important stories like RD’s fascists in Kiev attack on the Russian Embassy a day and a half ago.
nsnbc.me/2014/06/15/attack-on-russian-embassy-hot-tempers-and-diplomatic-deep-freeze/
Also reported on Russia Today, unsurprisingly. Keep reading the comics RD and you will think these nationalists are superheroes zooming in to rescue mankind.
I’ll try that link again.
http://nsnbc.me/2014/06/15/attack-on-russian-embassy-hot-tempers-and-diplomatic-deep-freeze/
@John. Good article on “The man who knew too much”. I’m sure if he was at liberty he’d have plenty to say about current developments.
“Oh, yes, RD, freedom of speech. All the main TV programmes and press outlets are so free that they do not cover important stories like RD’s fascists in Kiev attack on the Russian Embassy a day and a half ago.”
It’s on the BBC website, and ITV, Reuters, Haaretz, Nypost…
Fred not been shown on the news at all anywhere in UK. And even if it was this, which has been going on for a fortnight, has not – all the killing of civilians and children (20).
http://professorsblogg.com/2014/06/03/what-responsibility-does-sweden-have-in-the-massacres-of-civilians-perpetrated-by-ukraine-junta/
Mary. 1 21pm
Re the term “militant”
This term is known to cause some confusion, so let me clarify.
From the State Department’s new “Freedom Dictionary”
p. 109,
“ mil•i•tant (ˈmɪl ɪ tənt)
adj.
1. dead from US / Nato bombs.
2. living anywhere where future US / Nato munitions are detonated.
n.
3. any foreign person killed or dismemered by US / Nato munitions / sanctions.
4. any person engaged in being killed or terrorised by US / Nato or any convenient proxy mercenaries or jihadis. “
“I’m sure if he was at liberty he’d have plenty to say about current developments.”
Quite right Peacemaker. It is worse than what is disclosed in my article but I am not free to say in what way at the moment. But keep reading News Junkie Post, Global Research, NSNBC, Huffingdon Post and other alternative media. MSM is full of shit, like John Simpson tonight supporting Tony Blair’s view on the US having to take action again in Iraq. God, what a mess they have made of the planet!
Sorry, Peacewisher, for calling you Peacemaker.
Phil has a point.
Another perspective:
”From my point of view – one of an ex-military analyst – I would say that I am extremely unimpressed by the junta’s performance so far.
The junta’s death squads have used all the means at their disposal to try to terrorize the people of Novorossia: they began with baseball bats, then knives, then guns, they assault-rifles, then machine guns, then heavy machine guns, then mortars, then heavy mortars, then regular artillery, then multiple rocket launchers, then attack helicopters, then attack aircraft, then cluster munitions, now even white phosphorus. And what did they achieve in military terms:
1) they are more or less holding an airport and one hill near Slaviansk/Kramatorsk
2) they have taken Krasnyi Liman (and committed a massacre in its hospital)
3) they apparently have 1000 or so men surrounded in the Lugansk airport
That’s it. They could not even take Slaviansk! This is with force ratios anywhere between 5:1 to 100:1, with heavy firepower, armor and total air supremacy. Sub-pathetic, really…
And, in the process, they have lost hundreds of soldiers who defected to the other side – often with weapons – they have gotten a huge number of their own conscripts killed, one group of senior “Alpha” officers was caught and several paratrooper recon units were made prisoner (the latest one yesterday). In Lugansk Ukie forces appear surrounded and the latest shooting down of an Il-76 by the NDF air defense forces was part of a desperate attempt of the junta to free these forces or, at least, to resupply them. In fact, there are all the signs of a desperate movement by land of Ukrainian armor and infantry to break through these units some of which, according to unconfirmed reports, have already switched sides.
As for the Novorossian Defense Forces (NDF), they now clearly have a solid air-defense network up and running, they seem to have plenty of weapons (even though they still lack some specific types) and most, but not all, of these weapons are truly trophy weapons taken from the Ukies (such as the 3 T-64 tanks recently shown in the news). The initial trickle of volunteers has slowly but steadily become larger (including volunteers from Russia proper) and the NDF is now clearly enjoying some fancy systems which could have only have been provided by Russia (electronic warfare, advanced anti-air systems, etc.). Yes, there are lots of Ukie tanks around Luganks, but as late as this morning a senior NDF officer in the area has said that “we can hold them for at least several months”. Finally, and for the very first time, there are signs that the NDF are mounting offensive operations.
I am basing all of the above on admittedly partial information, but to me all the signs are clear and point to one and only one reality: the Ukie offensive is going absolutely nowhere and unless Uncle Sam comes up with a dramatic way of changing the face of the battle, Novorossia will probably withstand the Ukie assault without over Russian intervention.
(TEMPORARY) CONCLUSION:
So far, I see the strategic-level scorecard for the AnlgoZionist as a complete failure. As for the tactical-level scorecard, it is probably too early to call, but I would say that it looks like the Empire is headed for a complete defeat. Of course, these are temporary conclusions and I don’t want to sound like Dubya with his notorious “Mission accomplished”. But I think that for all of us who get sick in their stomachs each time we hear of the latest Ukie atrocity it is important to keep in mind that so far the neo-Nazis and their AngloZionist masters are losing and that there is no reason to suspect that this trend will somehow reverse itself in the foreseeable future.”
From http://vineyardsaker.blogspot.ie/
Rumour has it that they (or at least some of them) are mercenaries paid for by beneficiaries of Saudi oil. Makes sense… wasn’t that also allegedly true of some of the rebels in Syria?
No-one agreed with Blair this morning… even Marr looked sceptical. Good old John Simpson! If I remember right he did the last of the softening up before “Shock and Awe”. Late 2002… 80% against war with Iraq. Just before invasion… down below 50%.
@Sofia. The empire is never defeated! Even in Vietnam they allowed the enemy to get an honourable draw, in order to get one of their men the Nobel Peace Prize. Ironically, Dr. H is belatedly talking sense. Pity the neocons aren’t listening. Hopefully EU will listen to him.
@John: not only you… second time today. Was Henry Kissinger really a peacemaker, or just making the best of a big bloody mess in South East Asia?
Peacewisher,
Here is my answer to your question:-
Was Henry Kissinger really a peacemaker, or just making the best of a big bloody mess in South East Asia?
Alfred Nobel and the Real Prize – Peace
“I accept this award today with an abiding faith in America and an audacious faith in the future of mankind. I refuse to accept despair as the final response to the ambiguities of history. I refuse to accept the idea that the “isness” of man’s present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal “oughtness” that forever confronts him. I refuse to accept the idea that man is mere flotsom and jetsom in the river of life, unable to influence the unfolding events which surround him. I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.”
(Martin Luther King – acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize – December 10, 1964)
As the inventor of dynamite, who amassed a fortune, Alfred Nobel thought that the destructive power of his invention would serve to bring an end to all wars. The modern day equivalent of Nobel’s thinking would be the concept of nuclear deterrence. Destructive power so overwhelming should make war inconceivable.
A French newspaper had misread Nobel’s brother’s death as that of Alfred. It published a less that admiring obituary terming Alfred Nobel, the “ merchant of death.” To avoid the posthumous reputation indicated by the premature announcement of his death, Nobel took the course of establishing via his will the Nobel Prize.
The purpose of the prize and the idea of peace
Alfred Nobel’s will bequeathed the prize:-
“…to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”
Two men – two concepts and the idea of peace
If Martin Luther King as a humane, albeit flawed ( as we all are) recipient of the Nobel Prize can be deemed a martyr for peace, no more significant contrast with a fellow Nobel laureate can be found than in the personage of Henry Alfred Kissinger.
Kissinger along with the Chief North Vietnamese negotiator Lu Duc Tho received and shared a Nobel Peace Prize. How, I ask myself, could Kissinger ever have qualified for a peace prize.
Kissinger’s misdeeds over his career as National Security Adviser and Secretary of State read like a chronicle of red-blooded horrors for the scale of human destruction consequent upon his actions:-
◦Prolonging by four years from 1968 to 1972 the end of the Vietnam War.
◦Participation in the illegal and secret bombings of Laos and Cambodia.
◦Direct involvement in the destabilization of Angola.
◦As head of the Presidential Committee on Central America giving succor to death squads.
◦Supporting torture and repression under the reign of the Shah of Iran.
◦Giving military, diplomatic and political support to the racist regime in South Africa.
◦Directly assisting the murderous General Pinochet and undermining the democratically elected leader of Chile, Salvador Allende.
Tortures, wars of aggression, crimes against humanity, international terrorism, have all witnessed condemnation in the international community. If one gives support to and actively participates in acts that are manifestly illegal and inhumane does that make such an individual culpable? As Pinochet can accurately be termed a murderous dictator and torturer, and the House of Lords case in England permitting his extradition did not acknowledge Pinochet’s sovereign immunity, is Kissinger not one who remains manifestly accountable?
Among the humane expressions of concerns by this recipient of the Peace Prize, can be listed:-
“ I don’t see why we need to stand by and watch a country go communist due to the irresponsibility of its people” ( translated: let us destroy Chile because we do not like the result of the democratic election – so let them be killed to be brought into line).
“ Why should we flagellate ourselves for what Cambodians did to each other”
Consider for a moment what the US with Kissinger’s direct participation did:-
President Johnson had halted the bombing in Vietnam, and Kissinger’s direct involvement ensured political deception and a false promise to the North Vietnamese, so as to facilitate, a hiatus and election of the Republican President, Richard Nixon. Four more totally unnecessary years of war continued in a war the America had already lost by 1968 and the figures of war deaths during the subsequent four years are:-
South Vietnamese – 86,101
Enemy – 475, 609
Americans – 31, 205
These are truncated numbers of deaths, deliberated limited to the four extra unnecessary years that the Vietnam War was escalated and made to last. What greater case for an indictment against Kissinger if the entire spectrum of his misdeeds were included. Add to this the facts of the secret and illegal bombings in Cambodia and Laos, and consider the accuracy of B-52s raining bombs from a great height on the Cambodians and Laotians, delivering to them with deadly ( even if not precise and accurately targeted “shock and awe”) what was callously termed “ breakfast”, “lunch”, “snack”, “dinner” and “dessert” as codenames for the bombing sorties. Add to these crimes some Agent Orange and chemical spraying of defoliants and pesticides and then apply some napalm and then inflict same on the people. Kissinger had a hand in all of this, knew and understood the levels of human carnage, was involved in the concealment from the press and Congress, and engaged in illegality at the highest levels in Washington. Putting it mildly, while 2,044,000 tons of bombs were, by Pentagon estimates, used during the entire Second World War, the US dropped 4,500,000 tons of explosives during the Vietnam War. For what we might well ask ourselves – for what?
China, the world’s most populous Communist country during the post- Vietnam era became a most favoured trading partner of the US. Vietnam was a poor peasant society, and what then was the war really about – Vietnam a threat to American national security? – was the war ever at all necessary?
Fortunately, however, Dr. Henry Kissinger as America’s undeniably most astute global analyst saw good cause in perpetrating and prolonging war in Vietnam, bombings in Laos and Cambodia, with quite intelligent geo-strategic sense in deploying deadly force against civilian populations. To his everlasting credit and distinction he has been duly awarded the “Peace Prize” for his tremendous humanitarian efforts.
Conclusion
If we do not at times reflect on history, we are doomed to repeat it.
Let the bombing of Iran begin and long live the necessary war in Iraq until the WMDs are found.
Without that audacious faith in the future of mankind, we might very well be left with only proof of the stupidities that forever confront man.
Recommended readings
“A Testament of hope: The essential writings and speeches of Martin Luther King Jr.” – J.M. Washington ( Editor)
“Sideshow – Kissinger, Nixon and the Destruction of Cambodia” – William Shawcross
“The Trial of Henry Kissinger” – Christopher Hitchens
A factional title: “George Walker Bush – the Nobel Prize – for bringing peace and stability to the Middle East” – Author: Henry Alfred Kissinger
Thanks for the detailed reply, Courtney. I had no idea he was an enabler for Pinochet. I suppose they kept the war going to keep the arms manufacturers in business (American jobs for American workers… ?)
Capitalism and the war machine… what a great way to make money.
US to work with Iran to solve the Iraq problem.
http://rt.com/news/166088-us-iran-talks-iraq/
Does that mean they’ve snubbed Blair, or are taking on his ideas? His speech yesterday was so confusing, the only thing I got for certain was the need to “bomb Syria”.
As the old sourpuss Gore Vidal so sagely intoned after Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize:
The award committe had revealed themsleves as ” master ironists of Northern Europe”
Indeed.
Reuven Rivlin: Israel’s new ‘Righteous Zionist’ President
http://rehmat1.com/2014/06/16/reuven-rivlin-israels-new-righteous-zionist-president/
‘As part of the operation, Israeli soldiers conducted house-to-house searches in a refugee camp on the outskirts of Ramallah on Sunday night.
Medical officials said Ahmad Arafat died after being shot in the chest during clashes that followed the searches.
They said it was unclear whether the Israelis had been trying to arrest the young man.’
Someone earlier asked why the ISIS mob were covering their faces. Well it seems the IDF do it too if you look at the photos and the video in this report. Look at them.
Palestinian killed as Israel expands search for youths
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27863465
~~~
RIP Ahmad Arafat. It was your fate to be born into a Palestinian refugee camp in an Occupied land.
This melancholy song sung by Judith Durham who had a beautiful voice fits in with my mood and thoughts this morning.
Sadness at the endless killing and hurt.
The Carnival is Over
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4ZipKdI1sY
The outcome here should be interesting. Perhaps Petro himself will cough up.
LATEST:Russian gas giant Gazprom reaffirms 07:00 BST deadline for Ukraine debt payment after EU-brokered talks fail
Ukraine crisis: Kiev faces halt to gas supply
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27862849
Mary
you are always welcome to the islands…stand by ….
i said before… NOT on Here
The Fog Machine of War
by CHELSEA MANNING
June 14, 2014
FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — WHEN I chose to disclose classified information in 2010, I did so out of a love for my country and a sense of duty to others. I’m now serving a sentence of 35 years in prison for these unauthorized disclosures. I understand that my actions violated the law.
However, the concerns that motivated me have not been resolved. As Iraq erupts in civil war and America again contemplates intervention, that unfinished business should give new urgency to the question of how the United States military controlled the media coverage of its long involvement there and in Afghanistan. I believe that the current limits on press freedom and excessive government secrecy make it impossible for Americans to grasp fully what is happening in the wars we finance.
If you were following the news during the March 2010 elections in Iraq, you might remember that the American press was flooded with stories declaring the elections a success, complete with upbeat anecdotes and photographs of Iraqi women proudly displaying their ink-stained fingers. The subtext was that United States military operations had succeeded in creating a stable and democratic Iraq.
Those of us stationed there were acutely aware of a more complicated reality.
/..
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/opinion/sunday/chelsea-manning-the-us-militarys-campaign-against-media-freedom.html
What a brave person. Imagine looking ahead to 35 years in prison at her young age. Inhuman and inhumane. So much for the land of the free.
Thanks very much Brian. One day…who knows.
Nice one Courtney on Henry Kissinger. I read somewhere in the eighties that one of Kissinger’s school friends said of him: “His sincerity is a millimetre thick” though I guess he spelt it millimeter.
Mary, when Russia has previously cut off gas to Ukraine, the Ukrainians just siphoned it off. What would you expect of a government that does not pay its gas debt, that wages war on its own people, that overthrows a legitimate government? No wise investor would risk capital in a country that cannot do honest business and economically it is doomed to failure. The US will help it of course by supplying military aid for killing its own people but that will only further impoverish a bankrupt parliament of thuggery.
However this shady government will have lots of support from “you know who” on Craig’s blog.
“However this shady government will have lots of support from “you know who” on Craig’s blog”
_________________________
Well, Mr Goss, whether people on this blog support or don’t support the democratic govt of Ukraine is completely unimportant.
What does matter is whether the Ukrainian people as a whole (ie, with the exception of some dubious facists in the pay of Russia/local oligarchs in the east) supports the legitimate Kiev govt and President.
Ir is beyond doubt that it does.
Just as it is beyond doubt, Habby, who are the trolls on this site…
“Well, Mr Goss, whether people on this blog support or don’t support the democratic govt of Ukraine is completely unimportant.”
That’s nonsense. It is very important for getting the real news out. I was happy to give Poroshenko the benefit of the doubt when he was first elected because of his pledge to visit Eastern Ukraine and negotiate with their legitimately elected government. It took twenty four hours for me to change my mind. He did not visit Eastern Ukraine, and had no intention of doing so, but visited upon it sophisticated weaponry. Residents there will hate him, quite rightly, for evermore. His government cannot last.
I wonder if Tony’s gone to Burma?
http://www.burmapartnership.org/2014/05/tony-blairs-secret-involvement-with-burmas-government/
Getting a pattern here. Blair’s getting some sort of income (probably a cut of international aid) for ‘advising’ some very dodgy regimes on ‘governance’. Any further details? No.
We are currently carrying out governance work on a short-term basis, supporting the government to build delivery mechanisms to help deliver their long-term strategic goals.” This description in the letter was so general as to be meaningless*.
Burma Campaign UK has repeatedly asked for further clarification, regarding what kind of governance work is being undertaken, and what delivery mechanism and what long-term strategic goals Tony Blair is helping the military-backed government in Burma with. We have received no response.
* I beg to differ. It is so meaningless as to be a model of executive bollocks.
Mary i have just made a pledge to ya… Samruai Keep