Note: The next US Secretary of State should be one who has a deep knowledge of Russia, willing to engage in friendly talks with Moscow and build a partnership to foster world peace and security. In my opinion Russia is right in Syria, Ukraine and with regard to NATO.

11 NATO states take part in massive ‘Iron Sword’ drills in Lithuania - RT News

New Cold War: US Marines' war games on Norway-Russia border - CNN.com

VIDEO: US Marines in Lithuania - Exercise Iron Sword 16 - YouTube

German president visits NATO command center, reassures eastern members of Berlin's commitments, questions Trump campaign comments - DW.COM

Britain expects Donald Trump to 'stand up' to Russia and not treat it 'as any kind of equal partner’, UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon warns - telegraph.co.uk

Britain to send troops to Poland as NATO deployment against ‘increasing Russian aggressiveness’ - news.com.au

NATO should be acting as a bridge between Baltics & Russia, defuse tension: UK Tory MP - RT UK

France says lifting sanctions on Russia would be counterproductive - Reuters

Italian minister would welcome more openness to Russia from U.S. - Reuters

Peace talks in Minsk end without agreement, both Ukraine and Russia hardened their positions and there was no political agreement on holding local elections in Donbass - Reuters

Russian Senator warns Ukraine against missile-firing exercise in Crimea airspace - TASS

Does NATO need Montenegro? How does this tiny Balkan nation contribute to NATO’s collective security? The short answer is: It doesn’t. - The National Interest

Arms expert Joe Cirincione op-ed: Trump should halt US missile-defense plans in Europe - Defense One

GOP supporters of better Cuba relations warn Trump not to let Russia, China step in. - McClatchy DC

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Russia fully deploys 2 new divisions near Western border - The Washington Post

Russia to deploy S-400 and nuclear-capable Iskander missile systems in Kaliningrad as "countermeasures" to NATO expansion - CBS News

Putin's robo-tank: New weapon is deployed to the Polish border to protect Russia's missile launchers from attack - Daily Mail Online

Moscow offered NATO to hold consultations on military flights over Baltic sea but the bloc refused - Sputnik

NATO drills in Georgia negatively affect regional safety: Russia Foreign Ministry - Sputnik

No sign of NATO giving up myth of 'Russian threat' in policymaking: Envoy - Sputnik

Russian diplomat says spending so much time on Russia-NATO Council agenda is pointless - TASS

Russia, Uzbekistan sign treaty on military-technical cooperation - TASS

Armenia is literally joining forces with Russia - Foreign Policy

Russia eyes supplying military hardware to the Philippines - ABC News

Philippines foreign affairs secretary: Duterte to visit Russia in 2017 - CNN Philippines

Libyan commander Haftar visits Russia to ask for help: 'We hope we will eliminate terrorism with your help in the nearest future' - Reuters

Russian top diplomat Lavrov praises Libyan army for its role in protecting state’s independence - TASS

VIDEO (Russian/Arabic): Lavrov and Libyan Marshal Haftar laud strong bilateral ties - YouTube

Putin orders mobile hospitals to be sent to residents of Aleppo, Syria - RT News

Russia to send 100,000 tons of wheat in humanitarian aid to Syria - THE DAILY STAR

Turkey entered Syria to end al-Assad’s rule: President Erdoğan - hurriyetdailynews.com

Turkish parliament endorse ratification of the Turkish-Russian stream pipeline deal - Sputnik

Turkish premier to visit Russia on December 6-7 - TASS

Are relations between Pakistan and Russia beginning to thaw? - Daily Mail Online

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: Aleppo - Nov 28, 2016

Syrian government drives rebels from northeast Aleppo, part of the area taken over by U.S.-backed Kurdish YPG - Reuters

Syrian forces capture major Aleppo neighborhood in blow to rebels, also reclaim a vital water pumping station - LA Times

Syrian Army & Kurdish YPG wave flags in Aleppo, government forces and Kurds have joint-control in Bustan al-Basha, al-Halek and Ayn al-Tell (PHOTO) - south front.org

MAP: 40% of rebel-held area captured by the Syrian army in Aleppo - Twitter

Fuel reserve in Syria's rebel-held east Aleppo exhausted: civil defense - Reuters

VIDEO: Thousands flee east Aleppo for Kurdish-controlled district on north edge of city - Yahoo News

VIDEO: Syrian rebels fire at civilians fleeing Aleppo's Al-Sakhour district - YouTube

PHOTO: Over 4000 civilians from Eastern Aleppo have arrived to the housing units prepared for them by the Syrian government in Western Aleppo today - Twitter

Russian carrier’s jets move to land base in Syria as Aleppo begins to fall - The Drive

Putin discusses with Russian Security Council Syrian Army’s advance in Aleppo eastern neighborhoods – Al-Manar TV Lebanon

Large build-up of Hezbollah, Iraqi forces in southern Aleppo - almasdarnews.com

Senior pro-Assad Palestinian paramilitary commander killed by rebel forces in Aleppo - almasdarnews.com

Truth and lies: the Twitter battle for Aleppo - Al Bawaba

Assad’s also winning in Damascus, taking several villages and suburbs in the last week alone - The Daily Beast

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White House criticizes the Russians for supporting the Syrian government’s actions in Aleppo, says solutions are ‘frustratingly out of reach’ - freebeacon.com

VIDEO: White House criticizes the Russians for supporting the Syrian government’s actions in Aleppo, says solutions are ‘frustratingly out of reach' - YouTube

Inside Kerry’s race to stop the siege of Aleppo, to strike a deal with Russia in exchange for separating Syrian rebels from Nusra Front - Washington Post

Kerry making ‘unbelievable effort’ to save Syrian rebels from Trump, Russia confirms - RT News

Donald Trump presidency: A Russia reset? Maybe not yet, Officials in Congress and the Pentagon are ready to block any attempt to appease Putin - POLITICO

Qatar says will arm Syrian rebels even if Trump ends U.S. role, hits out at Egypt for siding with Assad - Reuters

Syria denounces Qatar for saying it will continue to back rebels: 'the Qatari regime is one of the sources of extremism, terrorism and takfiri thought' - Reuters

Saudi Arabia tells Egypt to dismiss its foreign minister after he claimed that Saudi Wahhabism is the source of terrorism – Middle East Monitor

Iran may seek naval bases in Yemen or Syria: chief of staff - Reuters

Putin and Rouhani agree to coordinate steps on oil market and interaction for Syria - TASS

France FM deeply concerned about Aleppo, urges 'Friends of Syria' meeting - Mo4ch News

Germany wary of French presidential candidate Fillon's cosy attitude to Russia - digitaljournal.com

4 ISIS fighters killed in first ever direct clashes with Israeli Defense Forces - ibtimes.co.in

Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel won't allow ISIS to open 'a front of terror' on the Golan - Jerusalem Post

ISIS files seized in Syria reveal terror plots against Europe - The Times

Daesh uses ‘chemical gas’ against Syrian rebels: Turkish media - Reuters

Russia looks into possible chains supplying toxic chemical substances to Syrian rebels from third countries - TASS

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: Cuba - Nov 27, 2016

I hope that Trump will reject regime change policies advocated by Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio regarding Cuba. It seems that they have not learned the tragic lessons of history: Iraq, Libya, Syria, etc. Cubans are poor but at least they are alive. The country’s literacy rate is at 100% and life expectancy parallels first world nations. There may be some limited food shortages but not famine. The two senators oppose the thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations which is a most positive legacy of Obama. At stake it is not only the normalization of the relations between US and Cuba opening economic and diplomatic ties with Havana. More important at stake it is the relations between US and Latin America where the left is influential whether it governs in countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, El Salvador and Nicaragua or is the opposition such as in Argentina or Brazil.

Note on the Secretary of State candidates: I hope that Trump will launch a new era in US foreign policy by selecting a Secretary of State that will chart a real new course. In my opinion Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani are not a good fit. Least of all, war-hawks John Bolton and David Petraeus.

Cruz, Rubio want Trump to dial back U.S.-Cuba relations, say Obama's recent ties with the island should be reevaluated - POLITICO

VIDEO: Ted Cruz: U.S. foreign policy -- not just to Cuba -- should no longer be a policy of weakness, but instead using U.S. strength to force and press for change - YouTube

Ted Cruz op-ed: Change can come to Cuba, but only if America prevents Fidel’s successor from playing the same old tricks - National Review

Marco Rubio: Donald Trump's Cuba policy should 'pave the way' for democracy - CNNPolitics.com

VIDEO: Sen. Rubio calls for "democratic opening" in Cuba - YouTube

Rubio Statement: History will remember Fidel Castro as an evil, murderous dictator - U.S. Senator for Florida, Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz slam politicians for praising Fidel Castro, go after Trudeau and Obama - inquisitr.com

Statement by President Obama on the passing of Fidel Castro - whitehouse.gov

U.S. State Dept reaffirms its support for deepening engagement with Cuba - Business Standard News

President-Elect Trump statement on the passing of Fidel Castro - Capitol Hill Cubans

Priebus: Trump will void Cuba deal unless Castro regime moves to concessions - Fox News

VIDEO: Priebus: Trump will void Cuba deal unless Castro regime moves to concessions - YouTube

VIDEO: Sanders on Cuba: "Of Course their economy is terrible," but they have health care and education - RealClearPolitics

Trudeau defends comments on death of Fidel Castro, He referred to him as a 'legendary revolutionary' who made significant improvements to the education and health-care systems - coastreporter.net

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro - Prime Minister of Canada

Cuba embargo must be lifted immediately after death of 'great figure' Fidel Castro, says French president - The Independent

On Fidel's death, Cuba and Puerto Rico, two paths intertwined - NBC News

Cuba's most prominent dissident group called off its weekly protest march for the first time in 13 years to avoid creating tensions: 'We respect the mourning of others' - Reuters

Castro's legacy and the envy of many nations: social care in Cuba, The country's literacy rate is at 100% and life expectancy parallels first world nations - The Guardian

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: Turkey, Egypt and Syria - Nov 25, 2016

Turkey's push for Syrian town al-Bab complicates anti-IS fight, causing frictions with other players in the country's war - AP

Turkish-Kurdish tensions threaten anti-IS campaign in Syria - alaraby.co.uk

Turkey-led forces advance against Kurdish YPG, seize 2 villages near al-Bab - southfront.org

Syrian army & Kurdish YPG launch joint advance to build a buffer zone west of al-Bab preventing the Turkish military's expansion - southfront.org

Turkey's military engages in armed clashes with the Syrian army in Lattakia province and near the strategic town of Al-Bab - theduran.com

Syrian army less than two miles away from al-Bab city seized by Daesh: Al-Mayadeen TV channel - Sputnik

Syria regime set “red line” around Al-Bab: pro-Assad daily - NOW

Turkey plans military base in Syria's north, Kurdish-led forces say - ekurd

US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces destroy three Turkish military vehicles in northern Syria - ARA News

Five Turkish soldiers killed in Syria in 24 hours, bringing to 17 the total number - hurriyetdailynews.com

Turkey blames Syrian government for deadly attack which killed three Turkish soldiers - Middle East Eye

Turkish top general visits troops injured in northern Syria - alaraby.co.uk

Turkey will not march to Aleppo: Turkish PM - hurriyetdailynews.com

Erdogan, Putin discuss Syria as Turkish-backed rebels push to al-Bab - Reuters

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Egypt President Sisi turns its back on Saudi: 'There should be international support for the Libyan, Iraqi and Syrian national armies to ensure security in their countries’ - Morning Star

VIDEO (English Subs): President Sisi says Egypt’s priority is to support Syrian Army against terrorists - YouTube

Al-Sisi sent Egyptian troops, including 18 pilots, to fight in Syria in support of Assad regime: Al-Safir newspaper - Middle East Observer

Egypt, Jordan conclude Aqaba 2016 anti-terrorism military exercises which began early this month in southern Jordan - Ahram Online

Egypt's support to Haftar's army in Libya is a national priority: President al-Sisi - The North Africa Post

Egypt to expand Russian industrial zone in Suez - RT Business

Sisi expresses support for Trump's proposed Muslim registry - alaraby.co.uk

Washington Post editorial: A bad bet on Egypt’s strongman Sisi - The Washington Post

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: Secretary of State Candidate Dana Rohrabacher - Nov 24, 2016

Note: Dana Rohrabacher is my pick among the current Secretary of State Candidates.

Dana Rohrabacher op-ed: Why is America restarting the cold war with Russia? This is belligerent nonsense, a stunning and total failure of vision - National Interest

VIDEO: Rep. Rohrabacher opposes the new cold war on Russia and the 'Ukraine Support Bill', Mar 2014 - YouTube

VIDEO: Congressman Dana Rohrabacher: Russia and the US need to work together to defeat the radical Islamic terrorism, Apr 2015 - YouTube

VIDEO: Congressman Dana Rohrabacher grills U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power on Ukraine, Jun 2015 - YouTube

VIDEO: Rep. Rohrabacher questions administration on TPP trade deal, Jun 2015 - YouTube

VIDEO: Senator Rohrabacher: Assad was never a threat to United States, Feb 2016 - YouTube

VIDEO: Dana Rohrabacher questions Secretary of State John Kerry regarding the genocide of Christians in the Middle East, Feb 2016 - YouTube

VIDEO: Subcommittee Chairman Rohrabacher's opening statements on Turkey’s democratic decline, Jul 2016 - YouTube

VIDEO: Rohrabacher at House Foreign Relations Committee on the Gulen movement and the July coup attempt in Turkey, Oct 2016 - YouTube

VIDEO: Congressman Rohrabacher on basic human rights violations in Turkey, Nov 2016 - YouTube

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: Turkey - Nov 22, 2016

15,000 more public workers are fired in Turkey crackdown - The New York Times

Turkish court starts umbrella trial of U.S.-based cleric Gulen, followers - Reuters

Followers of cleric Gulen still active in Turkish police, armed forces, Erdogan says - Reuters

Turkey seeks detention of 103 university academics in Gulen-related probe - Reuters

Controversy on campus as Erdogan handpicks Turkey rectors - Yahoo7

Turkish students in Britain have scholarships revoked in post-coup crackdown - RT UK

Turkey detains another 2 pro-Kurdish mayors - Fox News

Turkey: Erdoğan rule could extend until 2029 under proposal - The Guardian

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Loud calls in European Parliament for ending membership talks with Turkey - POLITICO

Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on EU-Turkey relations at the plenary session of the European Parliament - EEAS

Turkey blocks European lawmakers from visiting imprisoned MP Kurdish leader Demirtas - EurActiv.com

Erdogan suggests to join Russian/China-led bloc SCO if the EU continues to drag its feet regarding Turkey's membership negotiations - CSMonitor.com

'Russia, China would Like to see Turkey in SCO if it freezes links with NATO' - Sputnik

NATO chief recalls Turkey’s commitment to Article 5 amid calls to join SCO - hurriyetdailynews.com

Erdogan seeks NATO’s support against ‘terrorist' organizations such as the Gulen movement, the PKK and PYD - hurriyetdailynews.com

Erdogan warns NATO against giving asylum to ‘terrorist soldiers’ after dozens of Turkish NATO officers sought asylum in Europe - Mo4ch News

NATO silent on Turkey arrests of journalists and parliament members - Al Bawaba

Turkish President Erdogan: 'I can't say if Israel or Hitler is more barbarous' - The Independent

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Turkey issues arrest warrant for Kurdish leader of key US-backed force fighting ISIL in northern Syria - Al Jazeera

US, Turkey at cross-purposes in Syria as fighting between Turkish-backed rebels and the US-backed Kurdish-dominated SDF is escalating dramatically - VOA

Turkish-backed rebels and Kurds battle over Syria’s Al-Bab – Middle East Monitor

Coalition not backing Turkish move on al-Bab, says US - hurriyetdailynews.com

Turkey, FSA rebels to launch op to retake Syria's Manbij from Kurds: Erdogan - Sputnik

N. Syria: YPG-led forces clash with Turkey-backed rebels around Manbij - kurdistan24.net

YPG threatens Turkey after Turkish jets hit targets in Manbij - Daily Sabah

Syrian Kurdish-led forces receive modern U.S. arms: official - ekurd

Turkey calls on US, allies to reconsider Syria no-fly zone - Fox News

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Note on Tulsi Gabbard's Meeting with Donald Trump

I am delighted that Tulsi Gabbard met with Donald Trump. This is Tulsi Gabbard's statement on Trump meeting. She may be considered for top jobs at the Defense Department, State Department and the United Nations, according to media reports. The U.S. foreign policy needs to be managed by people who is not prone to ill-fated military adventures, do not use U.S. military superpower to satisfy their political ambitions, seek wholeheartedly peaceful solutions of the world conflicts, understand that we live more and more in a multipolar world where U.S. influence may be limited like in Syria, work to build the broadest possible alliances to defeat today’s existential threat: Islamic State, Qaeda and other terrorist groups. I add that people at the Defense Department must be fully independent from defense contractors whose special interests are to sell whatever arms to the nation and the world, meticulously check profiteering and cost overruns on major weapons systems and cut wasteful spending. The defense industry, in any country, is a factor in promoting and fueling military conflicts because it economically thrives in a perpetual state of war. President Dwight Eisenhower famously warned the U.S. about the dangers of the "military–industrial complex" in his 1961 farewell address.

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Obama: I Hope Trump Can Stand up to Russia - Nov 17, 2016

Obama: I hope Trump can stand up to Russia 'where they are deviating from our values and international norms’ - CNBC

VIDEO: Obama urges Trump to ‘stand up' to Russia - YouTube

TRANSCRIPT: Read President Obama’s comments urging Donald Trump to stand up to Russia - TIME

VIDEO: Full press conference by Barack Obama and Angela Merkel following meeting - YouTube

Obama, Angela Merkel issue joint op-ed responding to Donald Trump - CBS News

Op-ed by President Obama and Chancellor Merkel: The future of transatlantic relations - whitehouse.gov

In private meeting, Euro diplomats beseech Trump team to uphold transatlantic pacts - Foreign Policy

NATO general says Trump not serious about abandoning treaty - The Washington Post

Democratic Senator Cardin’s op-ed: The United States needs to hold Russia accountable for its aggression - The Washington Post

Kremlin: Obama team trying to damage ties with Russia - ABC News

Philippines’ Duterte: 'If China and Russia would decide to create a new order, I will be the first to join’ - FT.com

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US condemns Russia and Syria as Aleppo offensive escalates, Moscow claims not bombing Aleppo but al Qaeda in Idlib - CBS News

Russia launches multiple air attacks on militant targets in Syria: defence ministry - Reuters

Long-range bombers from an air base in southern Russia strike Syria for 1st time in a year, US officials say - Fox News

State Dept spokesman dismisses question from Russia Today on Syria, says won’t treat it like other media, later a State Dept official apologized - RT News

VIDEO: State Department spokesman gets into heated exchange over Syria with Russia Today reporter - YouTube

VIDEO: Anti-Russian hysteria pervading political circles: British Conservative Party MP Kawczynski - YouTube

Donald Trump striking a Syria deal with Russia would be ‘most disastrous step possible’, Saudi Arabian prince warns - The Independent

Former head of the Turkish military see Syria hopeful opening in Trump’s outreach to Moscow - Washington Times

Turkey′s NATO officials seek asylum in Germany amid Erdogan crackdown - DW.COM

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: Secretary of Defense Candidate Tom Cotton and Russia - Nov 17, 2016

Senator Tom Cotton: No thaw with Russia until Putin adopts ‘new set of boundaries', the United States is 'ironclad in our support of our NATO allies' - freebeacon.com

VIDEO: Sen. Tom Cotton speaks with David Sanger during Defense One Summit, November 17, 2016 - YouTube

Cotton warns of Russian and Chinese aggressiveness in call for supplemental defense spending - The Weekly Standard

Statement by Senator Cotton on a $26 Billion emergency spending defense supplemental for FY 2017 on the Senate Floor - cotton.senate.gov

VIDEO: Sen. Tom Cotton statement on the Senate floor about his intention to offer a $26 billion emergency spending defense supplemental, November 16, 2016 - YouTube

Focus: Congress, Trump and Russia - Nov 16, 2016

Lawmakers move to restrain President-elect Trump on Russia - The Washington Post

GOP foreign-policy power brokers in Congress could foil Trump on Russia, Syria, and other top security issues - Foreign Policy

Statement by McCain on U.S.-Russia relations: Another ‘reset’ would be complicity in Putin and Assad’s butchery of the Syrian people - mccain.senate.gov

Top Republicans don't know where Trump will be on Ukraine - The Weekly Standard

Top Senate Democrat Cardin challenges Trump on Russia: In interview he lays out a foreign policy platform for the incoming Congress - al-monitor.com

House passes sanctions on anyone who provides the Syrian government with financial, material or technological support - The Washington Post

NSA head: Dem hacks were a conscious effort by Russia - TheHill

Washington Post editorial: The United States is giving Putin the green light for atrocities - The Washington Post

Influential conservative think tank Heritage Foundation says Russia — not ISIS — is greatest threat - Washington Examiner

Heritage Foundation 2017 Index of U.S. Military Strength: scores security threats worldwide, the global operating environment, and U.S. military power - heritage.org

Transatlantic Forum on Russia: Event will be webcast live from this page on Nov 17 - Center for Strategic and International Studies

European leaders, NATO caution Trump on warming relations with Russia - The Washington Post

NATO says Crimea still a concern, day after Trump-Putin call - nation.com.pk

Ex-Nato leaders call for extraordinary meeting with Trump, warn US president-elect against deal with Putin that would cede Crimea - The Guardian

Ukraine President asks Trump to help counter ‘Russian aggression’ - WSJ

Putin pulls Russia out of International Criminal Court day after report on Crimea annexation - Fox News

Two-thirds of Russians want Putin to remain president after 2018: study - RT Russian politics

Le Pen says 'world peace' would gain from a Trump-Putin-Le Pen trio - Reuters

Russian sanctions cost Italy €7bn and up to 200,000 jobs: Italian MP - RT Business

Italian M5S movement ‘against NATO's creeping policy' of nearing Russian border - Sputnik

Philippine President wants to be friends with Trump, Putin - ABC News

Trump-led US could become Syria’s ‘natural ally’ if it fights terrorism: Assad - RT News

Full text of President Bashar al-Assad interview given to RTP TV - Syrian TV

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Note on Russia and the next Secretary of State - Nov 15, 2016

The next Secretary of State should understand the positive role that Russia is playing not only in the crucial existential fight against terrorism (if Islamic State gets chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, they will use them) but also as a force of peace and stability in the world. Russia has a formidable military which has not being engaged in recent past wars therefore not affected by combat fatigue unlike the U.S military. Russia military should not be underestimated and threatened like Rudy Giuliani did in a recent interview: "Russia thinks it's a military competitor, it really isn’t, it's our unwillingness under Obama to even threaten the use of our military that makes Russia so powerful.” John Bolton expressed the same line: "Well, I think relations are very unsatisfactory, largely due to the behavior of Russia...I think he [Trump] is going to be a strong leader, I think that will have two dramatic impacts on Putin. Number one, it'll make him a lot more hesitant to try and extend Russian influence, and two, what may seem paradoxical but what I think is true, it'll make Putin more inclined to cooperate.” Putin will not desist because Ukraine and Syria are Russia’s strategic and security interests. Plus Russia has the backing of China in international conflicts.

Russia has legitimate interests in Ukraine because of their hystorical relationship and economic cooperation and because there is the presence of a sizeable Russian speaking population in Ukraine: according to 2001 census they are 29.3 percent of the total population. In some Eastern regions they are the majority. In Crimea they are 77 percent. This Russian speaking population has close economic, cultural and family ties with Russia. The European Union proposed to Ukraine the Association Agreement without taking into consideration the Russian interests and rejecting trilateral talks between Ukraine, the EU and Russia.

In Syria, Russia is opposing well-armed jihadist groups who threaten the lives of the people, the fabric of the society and its State institutions and impede a political solution leading to democratic elections. Russia has been accused to prop up the Assad government but the ouster of Assad, which has been demanded by the past US administration, would throw the country in a state of chaos with no central authority and with militias holding the real power.

Focus: US, EU and Russia - Nov 14, 2016

Putin, Trump speak by phone, agree to work to improve ties - Fox News

Statement by Trump’s transition team: ‘He is very much looking forward to having strong and enduring relationship with Russia’ - Ace News

Statement by Russia: We agreed to ‘normalise relations and pursue constructive cooperation on the broadest possible range of issues' - President of Russia

High hopes in Russia that Trump will ease trade sanctions - CBS News

Treasury sanctions individuals for activities related to Russia's occupation of Crimea, underscores the U.S.-EU commitment to counter Russia in Ukraine - treasury.gov

US expert says Trump may take ‘softer position’ on Crimea and Ukraine - TASS

Diplomat says impossible to restore full contacts of Russian, US military under Obama - TASS

Mogherini: EU policy toward Russia will not change regardless of U.S. - rferl.org

Trump ignorant of Europe, poses risk to relations: EU's Juncker - Reuters

German defense minister says Trump should be firm with Russia as NATO stood by US after 9/11 - RT News

Trump-Putin alliance sparks diplomatic crisis as British ministers demand assurances from US over Russia - Telegraph

As Trump warms to Putin, Trudeau vows ‘we will not back off’ over Ukraine - VICE News

Moscow clout rises as Bulgaria, Moldova elect pro-Russia leaders - VOA

Estonian PM loses no confidence vote after coalition crumbles, possibly opening up the path for a traditionally pro-Russian party to gain power - Reuters

Russia may sell Iran $10 billion worth of tanks and jets in new arms deal - Telegraph

Russian Air Force hammers west Aleppo ahead of planned Syrian Army offensive - almasdarnews.com

Recession-hit Russia hoping for growth by end-2016 - Business Standard News

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Europeans agree defense plan after campaign swipes by Trump - Reuters

European Council conclusions on implementing the EU global strategy in the area of security and defence (links to full documents) - EU Consilium

EU ministers met informally to talk strategy after Trump′s electoral victory - DW.COM

Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini at the end of the informal dinner of the EU Foreign Ministers - EEAS

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg op-ed: US mustn’t abandon NATO now – nor should its allies go it alone - The Guardian

Europe must spend on defence or face Russian advance, warns ex-Nato chief - The Independent

Jeremy Corbyn says NATO should ‘demilitarise' its border with Putin's Russia - The Huffington Post

Putin aide: Trump could build confidence with NATO slowdown or pullback - AP

Pentagon to NATO: talk to Team Trump - Business Standard News

Obama Says Trump told him he supports U.S. commitment to NATO - Bloomberg Politics

NATO to postpone next Summit until summer over Trump's US election victory - Sputnik

Nearly 300,000 NATO troops put on a higher alert last week over Russian tensions - The Mercury

Britain to deploy batteries of high precision long range missiles on Russian’s border - Daily Mail Online

Russia's new electronic warfare system capable of disrupting NATO communications - Sputnik

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: Turkey - Nov 12, 2016

Note: I strongly disagree with General Flynn opinion on Turkey and Gulen: Under Erdogan, Turkey is not an ally in the fight against ISIS; Gulen is not a 'masked source of terror.'

Erdogan asks U.S. to extradite Gulen without prior judicial due process, says 'was there such a decision-taking process with (Osama) bin Laden?' - laht.com

Lawyers to Trump: Do not to pressure judges in Turkey extradition case of Gulen, 'The extradition process is a serious one...clear about the steps that need to be taken' - POLITICO

Turkish media lights up with Gen. Michael Flynn's call to extradite Gulen - Breitbart

General Flynn op-ed: Turkey is our strongest ally against ISIS, Gulen is a 'masked source of terror and instability' - TheHill

Trump adviser Michael Flynn is lobbying for company with ties to Turkish government - The Daily Caller

Opinion: Setting the record straight on Turkey, Flynn’s op-ed on Turkey and Gulen is 'appalling and alarming' - TheHill

Opinion: Flynn gets Erdogan wrong, whitewashes recent Turkish behavior, fails the logic test, and proposes a policy prescription that would make matters worse - AEI

Egypt's foreign ministry condemns statements by Turkish President Erdogan - allAfrica.com

Greece concerned Trump administration may show favoritism to Turkey - GreekReporter.com

Baghdad proposes Ankara handover of Bashiqa camp to Iraq, rejects Turkey’s proposal to run the camp under the auspices of the coalition forces - hurriyetdailynews.com

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Turkey halts activities of 370 groups as purge widens, More than 110,000 people have been sacked or suspended from their jobs and 37,000 arrested - Reuters

Turkey closes human rights and civil liberties lawyers′ groups as thousands languish in jail in post-coup crackdown - DW.COM

Turkish police arrest pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party advisors amidst ongoing crackdown - ARA News

Turkey arrests head of opposition newspaper - AFP

Turkey seeks long jail terms or life sentences for nine staff of a pro-Kurdish newspaper: state media - Reuters

Report: French journalist detained in Turkey - AP

Turkish dissident journalist Can Dündar granted citizenship of Paris - hurriyetdailynews.com

UN’s arrested Turkish justice denies Gülen links, says he is a Freemason - hurriyetdailynews.com

Turkey complaints pile up at European rights court - hurriyetdailynews.com

Ankara denies torture accusations as prisons fill with dissenters - al-monitor.com

Erdoğan appoints rector for first time to Istanbul’s university, after he was given the authority to directly appoint rectors following the emergency decree - hurriyetdailynews

Erdogan makes veiled threat to unleash 3 million refugees into the EU - Greek Reporter

20,000 Anti-Turkish Govt Protesters Demonstrate in Cologne - ABC News

VIDEO: Clashes break out as thousands rally against Turkey’s Erdogan in Cologne - RT News

Focus: Syria - Nov 10, 2016

Obama directs Pentagon to target Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra Front in Syria, one of the most formidable forces fighting Assad - The Washington Post

US Treasury designates Saudi jihadist cleric, three others in Syria for 'acting for or on behalf of Al Nusrah Front' - The Long War Journal

Lavrov: Double standards created impression West shielded al-Nusra Front - Sputnik

Obama asks for $11.6 billion more in supplemental defense budget to fight Islamic State and sustain high overseas troop levels - oann.com

U.S. says it has killed 119 civilians in Iraq and Syria since 2014 - The New York Times

Trump team warns Obama not to make major moves on foreign policy - POLITICO

Putin applauds Trump win and hails new era of positive ties with US - The Guardian

Euphoric Russian leaders literally cheer Trump's victory by drinking sparkling wine with other party members in Moscow - WUNC

Donald Trump presidency may improve US-Russia ties: Mikheil Gorbachev - The Asian Age

President Assad top adviser: Syria is ready to co-operate with Donald Trump - The Independent

Assad supporters hopes Trump will cut U.S. support to Syrian rebels - NPR

Here's why Trump also won on the streets of Damascus - The Canary

Syrian opposition reaches out to Trump - AFP

Statement: Syrian opposition welcomes Trump election, discuss civilian protection with German FM - etilaf.org

Syrian Kurds hope for recognition of federalism from new US president - ARA News

Opinion: Can Trump’s presidency overturn Hillary’s bloody legacy in Syria? - americanthinker.com

Israel won't let Iran have military bases in Syria, Netanyahu tells Russian PM - The Times of Israel

Israel IDF hits Syria after rocket fire on Golan - JEWSNEWS

Syrian army to Israel: Don't attack us again - israelnationalnews.com

Turkey FM Cavusoglu says Manbij strategically important for Turkey - ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English

Turkish jets not participating in airstrikes in Syria, Security sources say that after the killing of PKK/PYD ‘terrorists' Syrian aircraft started to lock on Turkish jets - Daily Sabah

-----------------------------------------------

UN: Eastern Aleppo faces mass starvation this winter - VOA

Transcript of press stakeout by Mr. Jan Egeland, Special Advisor to the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria - ReliefWeb

Russia says extra ‘humanitarian pause' in Aleppo helps militants, but promises that such halts will continue - ABC News

U.S. slams Moscow plan to strike Aleppo: Russians flying armed sorties from navy carrier Admiral Kutnetsov, massive strikes likely soon - usni.org

VIDEO: Russia begins flights over Syria from Admiral Kuznetsov - breitbart.com

INFOGRAPHIC: Missile capabilities of Russian naval task force for Syria - southfront.org

Russia says its warships drove away Dutch sub shadowing them - VOA

Russian Air Force paralyzes jihadist supply lines to Aleppo - almasdarnews.com

Up to 6,000 militants attempting to enter east Aleppo: Russian FM - almasdarnews.com

Syrian regime makes advances in western Aleppo - THE DAILY STAR

Aleppo: Regime forces take control of 1070 apartments district - ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: Turkey - Nov 9, 2016

Turkish opposition CHP defends pro-democracy declaration on arrest of pro-Kurdish HDP lawmakers, vows to fight ‘fear and darkness’ - hurriyetdailynews.com

President, PM slam Turkish main opposition CHP for criticizing arrests of HDP deputies - hurriyetdailynews.com

Erdogan files criminal complaint against the main opposition CHP for insulting him at a party meeting criticising a relentless crackdown - Middle East Eye

AK Party to finalize constitution proposal this week which outline a full executive presidential system, says PM Yıldırım - Daily Sabah

Turkish President Erdogan: 'I don't care if they call me a dictator...It goes in one ear, out the other' - Breitbart

HDP Co-chair Demirtaş: Kurdish MPs taken hostage to consolidate one-man rule in Turkey, Erdogan's 'empire of fear' will collapse soon - ARA News

HDP Co-chair Demirtaş in solitary confinement since last week, lawyer says - Turkish Minute

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Declaration by the High Representative Mogherini on behalf of the EU: ‘Grave concern' on the latest developments in Turkey - EU Consilium

EU's Mogherini comments on Turkey 'unacceptable': foreign ministry - Reuters

EU rapporteur calls for freezing accession negotiations with Turkey after crackdown on Kurds - ARA News

EU report: Turkey backslides in fundamental rights and rule of law - Turkish Minute

Key findings of the EU 2016 Report on Turkey (full report included) - European Commission

Ankara rebuffs EU’s harsh progress report - hurriyetdailynews.com

Turkish government criticizes EU envoys at HDP meeting - hurriyetdailynews.com

In response to criticism which compared Ankara's post-coup crackdown to acts committed by the Nazis, Erdogan says Europe are ‘real Nazis’ - Middle East Eye

PM Yıldırım blasts Germany for supporting terrorist organizations against Turkey - POLITICS

Erdogan threatens to ‘open the gates’ for refugees in EU dispute - ft.com

Turkey urges Trump to extradite Gulen - Al Arabiya English

Turkey arrests 55 more pilots in post-coup investigations: NTV - Reuters

UN judge under detention in Turkey in aftermath of coup - Fox News

Reporters Without Borders representative on trial in Turkey for ′terror propaganda′ - DW.COM

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Turkey, U.S. backed Syrian Kurds at loggerheads over Raqqa offensive - The Boston Globe

US-led coalition says current SDF operation aimed to isolate Raqqa, Turkey to play role in long-term plan 'for seizing, holding and governing Raqqa' - ARA News

Turkey says Raqqa operation to starts in weeks, stresses Kurdish forces will not enter the town - ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English

Turkey FM says 200 YPG terrorists remain in Manbij, calls on US to fulfill pledge - Daily Sabah

Why Turkey's hostile stance doesn't worry PYD leader - al-monitor.com

US rejects cooperating with Russia or Assad in Raqqa operation - ARA News

Iraq ‘ready for war’ with Turkey over who should control Mosul after Isis – Global Affairs Press

Trump, Turkey's Erdogan discuss boosting ties, fighting terrorism: sources - Reuters

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: The Clinton Foundation - Nov 5, 2016

The Clinton Foundation’s $20 million off-the-books mystery of the Haiti Development Fund, the Post found only one project funded with a small fraction of the start-up cash - New York Post

Export-Import Bank officials negotiated for jobs with Clinton-connected Teneo while agency subsidized Teneo client Dow Chemical - Washington Examiner

ARCHIVE: Hillary Clinton and Ex-Im's biggest ever loan to a joint venture between Dow Chemical and Saudi Aramco appear intimately connected - National Review

ARCHIVE: Ex-Im beneficiaries are heavy Clinton Foundation donors - The Daily Caller

ARCHIVE : Emails reveal Clintons’ ‘sleazy’ and intricate relationship with Dow Chemical which faced a political firestorm in India - The Daily Caller

ARCHIVE: Did Foundation donor Dow Chemical seek Hillary “favor" to settle $9 billion lawsuit with Kuwait? - Zero Hedge

ARCHIVE: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arranged private meeting with donor Dow Chemical CEO - Breitbart

ARCHIVE: Huma Abedin granted access to Hillary based on Clinton Global Initiative donor status - The Daily Caller

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: The Hillary Clinton's FBI Investigation - Nov 3, 2016

Senator Grassley asks DOJ inspector general to investigate Loretta Lynch, Peter Kadzik and Andrew McCabe in Clinton email probe - CNS

Grassley’s letter requesting the inspector general to explore whether DOJ and FBI officials compromised the public trust in Clinton probe - grassley.senate.gov

The FBI is Trumpland: Sources say highly unfavorable view of Hillary Clinton intensified after Comey’s decision not to recommend an indictment - Guardian

Obama, leading Dems raise concerns about FBI's Comey, Sen. Schumer: 'I do not have confidence in him any longer.' - MSNBC

Justice Department appears to excuse Peter Kadzik's ‘heads up' to Clinton presidential campaign - Breitbart

ACLJ files lawsuit over AG Lynch’s secret meeting with Bill Clinton, will hold Obama’s Justice Department accountable - American Center for Law and Justice

ACLJ complain demanding all DOJ records pertaining to the meeting of AG Lynch with Bill Clinton - media.aclj.org

US official: FBI finds non duplicate emails related to Clinton's State Department tenure on the laptop belonging to the estranged husband of Huma Abedin - CBS News

State Department, FBI are missing communications between Hillary Clinton and White House during Benghazi attack - Breitbart

Perjury? Clinton also swore she turned over all State Department emails, Her lawyer seemed uncertain - townhall.com

Sources: 99 percent chance foreign intel agencies breached Clinton server - Fox News

POLL: To many Americans news about Clinton equals “emails", “FBI," “investigation," and "scandal" - Gallup

POLL: Most voters agree with timing of FBI’s announcement of Clinton probe’s reopening - Rasmussen Report

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Secret recordings fueled FBI feud in Clinton Foundation probe, Agents thought they had enough material to merit aggressively pursuing investigation - WSJ

WH deflects questions on FBI-DOJ feuding over Clinton Foundation probe - Washington Examiner

'Clinton Cash' author: FBI is not ‘going rogue' based just on my book (VIDEO) - Fox News Insider

VIDEO: Fox news anchor Bret Baier retracts claim of 'likely' indictment in Clinton Foundation case - Fox News

WikiLeaks: Clintons sell political favors to Clinton Foundation donors - Observer

How Is DOJ feud over Clinton Foundation scandal just a Fox News/Wall Street Journal story? - newsbusters.org

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Hillary Clinton campaign chair Podesta asked lobbyist where to “stick the knife in” Bernie Sanders, Wikileaks email shows - Salon.com

WikiLeaks: Clinton camp rigging primaries as early as 2014 - Observer

Assange: WikiLeaks did not receive Clinton emails from Russian govt - RT News

POLL: Voters think media more likely than Russian hackers to tamper with election - Washington Examiner

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: The Hillary Clinton's FBI Investigation - Nov 2, 2016

Huma Abedin new focus of Clinton email Investigation - freebeacon.com

Huma Abedin often handled classified data on computer she shared with Anthony Weiner - Washington Times

Perjury? Huma Abedin swore to turn over all devices containing State Department emails - townhall.com

As the new Abedin emails are scoured by the FBI, the process ‘could be done literally in a couple of hours or a day or two' - CBS News

FBI warned Huma Abedin that that her Yahoo email account might have been compromised, 14 individuals did not have security clearance to handle classified information - New York Post

Flashback: Huma Abedin got three paychecks from State Dept., the Foundation, and Clinton-affiliated consulting firm - townhall.com

Center for Security Policy President Gaffney on the Huma Abedin-Muslim Brotherhood connection - Breibart

VIDEO: Hacktivist group Anonymous release video about Huma Abedin - YouTube

Clinton's aide Huma Abedin attacked by Hindu group in the US for her Pakistani and Saudi background - Business Standard News

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FBI's Clinton Foundation investigation now 'a very high priority,' sources say - Fox News

The FBI’s failed pursuit of a few laptops in NYC during the Clinton Foundation investigation exemplifies just how deep Hillary’s ties go - The Daily Caller

Turmoil in the FBI over the Clinton investigation, This account is based on interviews with more than a dozen officials close to the matter - CNN

DOJ Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik gave Clinton camp 'heads up' about testimony - Fox News

Feds knew about, helped secure Clinton's server In 2011 - The Daily Caller

VIDEO: Former FBI Asst. Director: Original Clinton probe ‘not a real investigation' - Fox News

Hacked Emails show Clinton campaign communicated with State - ABC News

McCaul: If elected, Hillary Clinton could be impeached - POLITICO

POLLS: Independents leaning toward Trump in polls after FBI furor erupts - McClatchy DC

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: Hillary Clinton Emails - Nov 1, 2016

New State Department documents reveal more Clinton-Abedin email exchanges of classified information on unsecure server - Judicial Watch

Pagliano emails detail attempts to hack Clinton unsecure email server 10 times in two days in 2010, U.S. Secret Service informed of hacking attempts - Judicial Watch

Clinton aide left classified info behind on 2010 China trip - Fox News

FBI never asked Clinton aides for all their devices, Republicans insist the agency gave too much deference to the former secretary and her team - POLITICO

Emails show Justice Department's Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik overseeing Clinton probe has close ties to Podesta - Washington Examiner

DOJ Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik involved with Huma Abedin email probe donated to Hillary - Washington Free Beacon

Podesta paid $7,000 a month by top Clinton campaign donor - POLITICO

Contrary to what has been said by some publications, when Podesta wrote ‘dump all those emails’ meant to release them to the public - The Washington Post

How FIVE separate FBI cases are probing virtually every one of Clinton's inner circle - Daily Mail Online

Analysis: The Clinton e-mails are critical to the Clinton Foundation investigation - National Review

FBI dump suggests Marc Rich won Bill Clinton pardon with cash to the Democratic party and the Clinton Foundation - LifeZette

Clinton camp questions FBI release of Marc Rich pardon files - POLITICO

WikiLeaks: Sheikh agreed to pay Bill Clinton $2 million per trip to Ethiopia - LifeZette

Wikileaks: Turkey's Erdogan was attempting to buy favor with Clinton campaign - freebeacon.com

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: FBI Investigation of Hillary Clinton - Oct 31, 2016

Senator Grassley hints at DOJ coverup in letter asking Comey for more info on Clinton investigation - talkingpointsmemo.com

Grassley wants to know if Justice Dept. blocked Clinton Foundation probe - Washington Examiner

Letter of Senator Grassley to Comey on the Clinton investigation - judiciary.senate.gov

F.B.I. begins review of Clinton aide’s emails - The New York Times

Donald Trump warns of a 'constitutional crisis' if Hillary Clinton wins - LA Times

Blockbuster WSJ report on internal FBI conflict over investigating Clinton emails and foundation - americanthinker.com

FBI agents pressed Justice unsuccessfully for probe of Clinton Foundation - The Washington Post

$675K leads to government watchdog’s recusal calls for FBI's No 2 McCabe in Clinton case - The Daily Caller

Press release: CoA Institute calls on FBI official McCabe to recuse himself from Clinton email investigation - Cause of Action Institute

Clinton Foundation got $28 million for favors to Morocco - The Daily Caller

Millions from Sweden, Morocco pouring into Clinton Foundation alarmed campaign manager: Wikileaks emails - National Post

Wikileaks emails show Clinton strategy to conceal foreign government donations, including Australia's - Michael Smith News

ARCHIVE: Wikileaks: Cheryl Mills directed Clinton Foundation while State Dept. chief of staff - National Legal & Policy Center

ARCHIVE: 'Bill Clinton Inc.': Wikileaks email details how top aides helped make ex-president rich - Fox News

ARCHIVE: WikiLeaks emails reveal Bill Clinton's $1M 'birthday' present from Qatar for foundation - Washington Times

ARCHIVE: Hillary ‘went to bat’ for Chevron: The Clinton Foundation’s donors lobbied Hillary’s State Dept to open Burma to American businesses. They got what they wanted. - The Daily Beast

ARCHIVE: How Hillary Clinton’s State Department fought for Ghana’s oil on behalf of donor Exxon - ghanastar.com

ARCHIVE: The Clinton Foundation left a toxic legacy in Colombia, critics say - Fusion

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: FBI Director James Comey - Oct 30, 2016

Hillary Clinton campaign turns up pressure on FBI Director James Comey about the email investigation - Time

Harry Reid accuses Comey of possibly breaking the law, makes ‘explosive' claim about Trump-Russia connection in fiery letter - Business Insider

Harry Reid's letter to FBI Director Comey about the Clinton email investigation - reid.senate.gov

In a letter sent to Comey and Lynch, Senate Democrats want an update on the Clinton email investigation no later than Monday - Huffington Post

Letter by Senate Democrats Leahy, Feinstein, Carper and Cardin to Comey and Lynch requesting information on the Clinton investigation - Huffington Post

VIDEO: Hillary Clinton campaign releases defiant video against James Comey, FBI over email review - us.blastingnews.com

Clinton campaign asks ex-prosecutors to criticize FBI Director James Comey - The Daily Beast

Republican attorney files complaint against James Comey for latest disclosures on Clinton email probe - people.com

In op-ed, former Dem and GOP deputy attorney generals say 'Comey is damaging democracy' - NBC News

FBI Director James Comey begins briefing Congressional leaders on email review - ABC News

GOP House Judiciary Chair Goodlatte: Comey asked to release as much as he could - newsmax.com

FBI obtains warrant to examine Clinton emails: U.S. media - Reuters

DOJ objected to FBI disclosure of new steps in Clinton probe, sources say - ABC News

Comey internal memo to FBI staffers says election, timing required disclosure of renewed probe - Fox News

FBI moved to disclose the re-opening of the Clinton investigation because it feared the information would leak otherwise, law enforcement officials say - CNNPolitics.com

'Controversy’ among FBI and DOJ officials over not indicting Clinton drove Comey's decision to re-open the investigation: Goodlatte - Washington Examiner

Why Comey jumped at chance to reopen Clinton email investigation: Resignation letters piling up from disaffected FBI agents, his wife urging him - Daily Mail

FBI in internal feud over Clinton Foundation probe - WSJ

Former assistant director: FBI has an investigation ongoing into Clinton Foundation - The Daily Caller

Judicial Watch sues for FBI records of Loretta Lynch, Bill Clinton tarmac meeting - BizPac Review

POLL: Trump behind 1 percent, Clinton hurt by FBI bombshell - Washington Examiner

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: The Iraqi Shiite Militias and the Mosul offensive

A spokesman for the Iraqi Shiite militias said thousands of fighters "started operations this morning to clean up the hotbeds of Daesh (Islamic State) in the western parts of Mosul”. Accordong to Reuters, “their goal is to cut off any option of retreat by Islamic State insurgents into neighboring Syria or any reinforcement for their defense of Mosul." Iraqi Shiite militias are backed by Iran, but first of all they are Iraqi patriots strongly dedicated to fight Islamic State. Their contribution is essential to win this battle. They will weaken Islamic State and help the Iraqi army and the U.S. troops who are suppporting this operation (5,000 U.S. troops are deployed in Iraq.)

Amnesty International has reported that Iraqi Shiite militias in previous campaigns have committed "serious human rights violations, including war crimes" against Sunni civilians. The Iraq government says that violations were limited and were investigated, denies that they were widespread and systematic. It is up to the Iraq government and army to make sure that in the Mosul offensive the Shiite militias’ conduct complies with the international humanitarian law which seeks to protect civilians who are not participating in hostilities and regulate the means of warfare available to combatants. But the fact is that in Iraq the Shiites have been the victims of the Sunni Islamic State terrorism. Recently there has been a spike in violence perpetrated by the Islamic State against the Iraqi Shiites with frequent bombings on streets, markets, mosques, army and police stations. According to a July statement of a senior Baghdad police officer, there are around six to ten explosions every day.

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Focus: Turkey's President Erdogan - Oct 27, 2016

Obama, Erdoğan discuss fight against ISIL in Iraq, Syria - hurriyetdailynews.com

Statement: President Erdoğan and U.S. President Obama discuss anti-DAESH fight - Presidency of the Republic of Turkey

Erdogan says Turkey will target Syrian towns of Manbij and Raqqa, demands role in Mosul offensive - The Washington Post

Erdogan speech: 'Turkey will definitely take part in any development in Iraq and Syria’ - Presidency of the Republic of Turkey

Turkey rejects US plan for Raqqa offensive involving Kurds, Erdogan tells Obama to exclude the ‘terrorist’ PYD and YPG - Military.com

Turkish minister says US must 'keep its word' on Manbij - aa.com

Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces accuse Turkey-backed rebels of ethnic cleansing, call for investigation - ARA News

Erdogan says Turkey would not allow a PKK presence in the Iraqi region of Sinjar: 'We will go on this campaign...and now in Kirkuk, Mosul, Tal Afar and Sinjar' - Worldbulletin News

Turkish and Saudi weapons supplied to ISIS found in Mosul, says Shia leader - Iraqi News

Turkish, US, French defence ministers discuss anti-Daesh fight, military sources say they agreed on basic principles - trend.az

Turkey’s new maps are reclaiming the Ottoman Empire - Foreign Policy

Land ownership certificates around Mosul and Kirkuk could provide the basis for future legal challenges by Turkey: Archive Department head - middleeastmonitor.com

Assad allies bomb Turkish-backed FSA, warn that attempts to move on Aleppo would be a breach of 'red lines' - Middle East Eye

Turkey’s military operations in Syria targets Manbij not Aleppo: President Erdoğan - hurriyetdailynews.com

Iran, Russia, Syrian FMs to meet in Moscow - hurriyetdailynews.com

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Erdoğan pursues his plan for even greater power, Seizing on post-coup popularity ramps up the rhetoric to boost a presidential referendum – POLITICO

Turkey ramps up pressure on U.S. to extradite 'murderer' Gulen, Justice Minister met his U.S. counterpart Loretta Lynch - POLITICO

Turkish Justice Minister: Fethullah Gulen is our Osama bin Laden - ABC News

Human Rights Watch report accuses Turkish police of torture - VOA

Turkey replaces most province police chiefs, shake-up continues - Reuters

Turkey detains dozens of air force pilots in coup probe - hurriyetdailynews.com

Violence flares in Turkey's tense southeast after mayors' arrest - Reuters

Turkey cuts Internet for 6M people in 11 Kurdish cities to ‘prevent protests’ - The Daily Dot

Turkey launches probe into Kurdish leader after speech - Middle East Eye

Journalist on trial in Turkey for alleged pro-PKK tweets - ABC News

Interview: U.S. judge says Turkey's judiciary ‘taken over' by Erdogan - rferl.org

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

Brief note about Trump adviser General Michael Flynn's article about the Middle East

I strongly disagree with the opinions of Trump adviser General Michael Flynn in his article about the Middle East. I hope that, if Trump becomes President, will reject his advices. A few excerpts from the above mentioned article:

"Today, the Shiite Crescent is a real threat, not only to our Sunni allies, especially Egypt and Jordan, but also presents a direct threat to the national security of the United States.”

"a government [Iraq] that is influenced and controlled by Iran, the number one state sponsor of radical Islamic terrorism.”

"There is no difference between the ideology of ISIS and the Iranian regime, except ISIS is Sunni and Iran is Shiite. They both have goals of establishing an Islamic global caliphate using military force."

This is my take: The real enemy in the Middle East and elsewhere (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Nigeria, Somalia, etc) is not Iran, but Sunni terrorism (Islamic State and other groups) sponsored primarily by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar. The President of Iran Hassan Rouhani is a moderate reformist open to dialogue with United States. It is in the interest of United States to engage and talk with him and avert a return of the anti-American hardliners at the helm of the Iran government.

To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)

bartolo's blog

Focus: Aleppo - Dec 8, 2016

Focus: The Pentagon - Dec 6, 2016

Focus: Libya - Dec 5, 2016

Focus: Aleppo - Dec 4, 2016

Focus: Trump's Carrier Deal - Dec 2, 2016

Focus: Iran - Nov 30, 2016

Focus: Russia - Nov 29, 2016

Focus: Aleppo - Nov 28, 2016

Focus: Cuba - Nov 27, 2016

Focus: Turkey, Egypt and Syria - Nov 25, 2016

Focus: Secretary of State Candidate Dana Rohrabacher - Nov 24, 2016

Focus: Turkey - Nov 22, 2016

Note on Tulsi Gabbard's Meeting with Donald Trump

Obama: I Hope Trump Can Stand up to Russia - Nov 17, 2016

Focus: Secretary of Defense Candidate Tom Cotton and Russia - Nov 17, 2016

Focus: Congress, Trump and Russia - Nov 16, 2016

Note on Russia and the next Secretary of State - Nov 15, 2016

Focus: US, EU and Russia - Nov 14, 2016

Focus: Turkey - Nov 12, 2016

Focus: Syria - Nov 10, 2016

Focus: Turkey - Nov 9, 2016

Focus: The Clinton Foundation - Nov 5, 2016

Focus: The Hillary Clinton's FBI Investigation - Nov 3, 2016

Focus: The Hillary Clinton's FBI Investigation - Nov 2, 2016

Focus: Hillary Clinton Emails - Nov 1, 2016

Focus: FBI Investigation of Hillary Clinton - Oct 31, 2016

Focus: FBI Director James Comey - Oct 30, 2016

Focus: The Iraqi Shiite Militias and the Mosul offensive

Focus: Turkey's President Erdogan - Oct 27, 2016

Brief note about Trump adviser General Michael Flynn's article about the Middle East

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