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The So-Called Intelligence So-Called Community's Dumb Isolated View of the Future
Thank you to Tom Engelhardt for pointing out that the people who couldn't predict the end of the Soviet Union, the crimes of 9-11, the decency of numerous whistleblowers, the election of Donald Trump, the likelihood that utilities in Vermont would point out that they had not been hacked by Russians, or -- I'm willing to bet -- the timing of rush hour in Northern Virginia, have just predicted the shape of the future of everything. Of course they've gotten it all ridiculously wrong, but they have revealed things about themselves rather than about the world in the process.
Many of us would list climate chaos and nuclear war as the big dangers to avoid. The "community" of U.S. spies lists: "the Arab Spring, the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, and the global rise of populist, anti-establishment politics" as examples of dangers the future holds. These people may be paid billions of dollars by us primarily to keep secrets, but they don't keep their contempt for democracy secret very well.
They do admit to the obvious: "For better and worse, the emerging global landscape is drawing to a close an era of American dominance following the Cold War." But they don't actually mean that this might be for the better. They interpret it as a catastrophic victory for barbarians. Here's their very next sentence: "So, too, perhaps is the rules-based international order that emerged after World War II." Dethroning the United States does not, of course, guarantee anarchy. It could mean more respect for rules than before. But belief in the inevitability of anarchy might help make it more likely as it motivates U.S. behaviors. That's why these "intelligence" people are not just useless but dangerous.
Tomgram: Engelhardt, A Living Nightmare of Intelligence Groupthink
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.
The Future by Committee
The Collective "Wisdom" of the U.S. Intelligence Community
By Tom Engelhardt
Why Impeach Donald Trump
By David Swanson, FireDonaldTrump.org
What are the grounds for impeachment?
They will likely be piling up rapidly. President Trump did use Day 1 to advise the CIA that the United States should have stolen all of Iraq's oil. But here is a place to start. We already have a president who is violating two clauses in the U.S. Constitution, one forbidding any gifts or benefits from foreign governments, the other forbidding the same from the U.S. government or any U.S. state. This is the result of Donald Trump refusing to separate himself from major business interests as past presidents have done. Those interests will also inevitably involve Trump in violating the STOCK Act which forbids the use of non-public government information to make a private profit.
Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution states: "The President ... shall not receive ... any other emolument from the United States, or any of them." This means that the President cannot receive personal financial gains from the United States government or from the governments of any of the 50 states while he is president. This restriction is absolute and cannot be waived by Congress. Trump is already in violation of it and will be more so with every law, rule, regulation, enforcement, or lack thereof that his subordinates, Congress, or any agency of the federal government enacts to the benefit of Trump's businesses and possessions.
For example, Trump's lease of the Old Post Office Building violates an explicit clause in the General Services Administration lease contract which states: "No ... elected official of the Government of the United States ... shall be admitted to any share or part of this Lease, or to any benefit that may arise therefrom." The GSA's failure to enforce that contract is an unconstitutional benefit to Trump.
Focus: Donald Trump and Trade - Jan 21, 2017
Trump trade strategy starts with quitting Asia pact TPP, renegotiating NAFTA: White House - Reuters
White House website: Trade deals working for all Americans - whitehouse.gov
How Trump's trade advisers are planning to shake up China - forbes.com
Trump team: We don't want a trade war with China, just better deals - cnbc.com
Trump team backs call for crackdown on China over semiconductors - ft.com
China says can resolve trade disputes with new U.S. government - Reuters
U.S.-trained official may shape China’s response to Trump on trade - The New York Times
Asian media decry isolationist Trump, fear economic, diplomatic turmoil - Reuters
North Asia will be hit the hardest from Trump’s trade barriers: Goldman Sachs - cnbc.com
What's at stake for U.S. in a trade war with China - CNN
Apple, GM, Boeing are China's top hostages in a Trump trade war - IBD
Chinese paper says Boeing, US agriculture at risk in Trump trade war - VOA
Trump to receive Mexican president on January 31: White House - AFP
Mexico announces high-level meetings with Trump team - TheHill
Mexico says it is willing to negotiate with Trump, including border wall - BNN
How Trump could change U.S. auto manufacturing, by renegotiating or quitting NAFTA - CBS News
America's original NAFTA negotiator says Trump can improve deal - Chicago Tribune
Merkel vows compromise with U.S. on trade, military spending - Reuters
U.S. under Trump must abide by trade deals: German Finance Minister - Reuters
Boris Johnson warns Donald Trump deal must 'work for UK' - Daily Mail Online
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Davos’ elite fear Trump presidency might usher in end of globalization and free trade - AP
Chinese leader warns against trade wars in dig at Trump at Davos - France 24
'Don't damage trade', emerging market leaders tell Trump from Davos - Reuters
Trump fear and loathing in Davos – POLITICO
Davos elites see an ‘abyss’: The populist surge upending the status quo - The New York Times
Davos elite seeks fixes to defend the system from populists - Bloomberg
Davos elite fret about inequality over vintage wine and canapés - The New York Times
Editorial: An odd moment for Davos - The New York Times
Davos man has no clothes - Foreign Policy
George Soros calls Donald Trump a 'would-be dictator' who 'is going to fail' - cnbc.com
VIDEO: Davos interview with Lawrence Summers on the risks of Trump - Bloomberg
Davos elites are increasingly stressed about robots taking your job - Fortune.com
Society is 'on a collision course' with driverless cars, Davos leaders warned - Daily Mail Online
The Global Risks Report 2017 - World Economic Forum, Davos
To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)
A Big Cahuna of a Lacuna
Obama Admits Gap in Russian ‘Hack’ Case
The hole in the U.S. intelligence community’s “high confidence” about Russia “hacking” Democratic emails has always been who gave the material to WikiLeaks, as President Obama recently admitted.
By Ray McGovern
Time’s running out: As his Last Act in Office, President Obama Should Right a Terrible Wrong and Free Leonard Peltier
By Dave Lindorff
Tomgram: William deBuys, How to Hijack an Election
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.
Focus: Islamic State - Jan 18, 2017
Note: The Islamic State has launched an offensive against the besieged Syrian government held areas in Deir Ezzor. The situation is very critical with looming mass killings and starvation. Could this be a test of a new U.S.-Russia military cooperation in the fight against terrorism? Deir Ezzor is strategically important: it is a major Islamic State supply route from Syria to Iraq and it is closed to key oilfields.
Fears of mass killings as IS advances in Syria's on government-held areas of Deir Ezzor - AFP
Syrian soldiers battle in last stand against ISIS at Deir Ezzor - Lima Charlie News
High-ranking Syrian general arrives in Deir Ezzor - almasdarnews.com
VIDEO: War reports from Deir ez-Zor - YouTube
PHOTOS: ISIS Attacks Syrian army at power plant near Deir ez-Zor - Heavy.com
U.S. officials say sizable Arab force identified for Raqqa campaign - WSJ
Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces repel aggressive ISIS attack west of Raqqa - Rudaw
Syrian Kurdish PYD to open representative office in Washington - Kurdpress News Aganecy
Syrian Kurds make precondition for talking with Assad government - kurdpress.com
U.S. carries out strikes near Syria's al-Bab after Turkish criticism - Reuters
Russia says teams up with Turkey for first time to bomb ISIS militants in al Bab - Reuters
Islamist Syrian rebel group says it won't attend peace talks in Kazakhstan - Reuters
Pentagon readies more aggressive ISIS proposals for Trump - CNNPolitics.com
Nation’s top general says he has ISIS war options ready for Trump - Foreign Policy
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Iraq has retaken east Mosul from Isis, says army general - The Guardian
Iraqi forces preparing to capture west Mosul, say it will be easier - UPI.com
Iraqi forces say IS destroyed historic Tomb of Jonah in Mosul - VOA
VIDEO: The ruined shrine of Prophet Jonah in Mosul - kurdistan24.net
How the U.S. military sees the anti-ISIS fight, A dispatch from Iraq - The Atlantic
Islamic State lost almost a quarter of its territory in 2016, IHS Markit says - Yahoo News
To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)
Focus: Libya - Jan 17, 2017
Russia turns to Libya with show of support for eastern commander Haftar - Reuters
Libyan army commander Haftar signs $2 billion arms deal with Russia despite UN sanctions, according to Libya Express - defenseworld.net
Moscow is preparing to send military experts to train forces loyal to Haftar, according to Radio France International - alaraby.co.uk
VIDEO: Libyan Commander Haftar visits Russian aircraft carrier for anti-terrorism briefing - YouTube
Russia, Egypt pushing for Haftar-Sarraj Libya meeting in Cairo - alaraby.co.uk
Beida (Tobruk) government accuses Italy of violating Libyan sovereignty, 'An Italian military vessel loaded with soldiers and ammunition has entered Libyan territorial waters' - libyaherald.com
LNA rejects Italian offer of humanitarian aid for east until it removes all the troops from Libya - libyaherald.com
British Ambassador to Libya arrives in Tobruk to meet HoR Speaker - Libyan Express
Algeria continues Libya peace efforts with visit of pro-LNA HoR group - libyaherald.com
In interview UN envoy Kobler highlights 2017 decisive for Lybian stability - China.org.cn
'Meeting with Kobler, a waste of time’: Haftar - The North Africa Post
Obama gives Trump renewed Libya emergency powers - libyaherald.com
TSG IntelBrief: The Trump administration and the prospects for Libya - The Soufan Group
Libya turns into an arena for conflict between Russia and the West - Middle East Monitor
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Libya forces loyal to Haftar retake Benghazi district from jihadists - AFP
Libyan National Army faces snipers and IEDs as its squeezes Ganfouda enclave - libyaherald.com
New LNA air strikes on Derna Islamists after Hafter appoints another new head of operations - libyaherald.com
PHOTOS: Images show the Libyan National Army's fight against jihadists - Daily Mail Online
Erik Prince’s mercenaries bomb Libya flying aircrafts of UAE who supports the Tobruk government - warisboring.com
Nephew of Muslim Brotherhood’s Ali Salabi killed in Benghazi fighting against the Libyan National Army - libyaherald.com
Areas of western Tripoli blocked for the third day as a local militia continues to try to force the release of their commander - libyaherald.com
Libya oil output rebounds to about 700,000 barrels a day with power returning at fields - Bloomberg
Libya ramps up oil production, threatening OPEC plans - WSJ
Amid tensions PC/GNA demands Central Bank of Libya to release agreed 2017 first quarter budget - libyaherald.com
To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)
The house with the built-in backdoor: The Whattsapp Scandal
By Alfredo Lopez
Talk Nation Radio: Antonia Juhasz on Tillerson, Trump, and Oil
https://soundcloud.com/davidcnswanson/talk-nation-radio-antonia-juhasz-on-tillerson-trump-and-oil
Antonia Juhasz is an energy analyst, author, and investigative reporter. She recently wrote a profile of Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for In These Times magazine. We discuss Tillerson and the oil spill he floated in on. See also:
http://www.antoniajuhasz.net
Total run time: 29:00
Host: David Swanson.
Producer: David Swanson.
Music by Duke Ellington.
Download from LetsTryDemocracy or Archive.
Pacifica stations can also download from Audioport.
Syndicated by Pacifica Network.
Please encourage your local radio stations to carry this program every week!
Please embed the SoundCloud audio on your own website!
Past Talk Nation Radio shows are all available free and complete at
http://TalkNationRadio.org
Tomgram: Michael Klare, Twenty-First-Century Armageddons
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.
Obama's Last Chance to Face Down Our Spies
A Demand for Russian ‘Hacking’ Proof
More than 20 U.S. intelligence, military and diplomatic veterans are calling on President Obama to release the evidence backing up allegations that Russia aided the Trump campaign – or admit that the proof is lacking.
MEMORANDUM FOR: President Barack Obama
FROM: Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS)
SUBJECT: A Key Issue That Still Needs to be Resolved
Focus: Russia - Jan 16, 2017
Note: Kudos to Trump for his farsighted peaceful proposal to lift anti-Russian sanctions in exchange for nuclear arms reductions. Another common ground for cooperation could be the Arctic region.
Kremlin says judgement on Trump’s remarks about sanctions only possible after inauguration - TASS
Hollande on Trump's NATO remarks: Europe needs no policy advice from abroad - Sputnik
Merkel to Trump: Europe's destiny is ‘in our own hands' - VOA
Inside Ike Eisenhower’s farewell warning: The military industrial complex - The Daily Beast
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Hundreds of U.S. Marines land in Norway, irking Russia - Reuters
US Marine force in Norway to eye Arctic and beyond - Stripes
Russia, Norway to sign final pact on disputed Arctic shelf exploration in April - Sputnik
Russia's nuclear-powered ice-breaker in the race to control the Arctic - Daily Mail Online
Russia deploys Arctic radar array on Wrangel Island - RT News
Russian Arctic ports have best year ever - The Independent Barents Observer
Siberian scientists to study Arctic 'anchor points' for development of Northern Sea Route - TASS
REPORT: Russia’s Arctic Obsession - Financial Times
US Navy Arctic drones: Ice melting too fast as competition with Russia intensifies - Scout
International cooperation robust in the Arctic - Global Trade Magazine
To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)
A Peace Agenda for the New Administration
The looming advent of the Trump administration in Washington threatens to worsen an already deeply troubling international situation. Bitter wars are raging, tens of millions of refugees have taken flight, relations among the great powers are deteriorating, and a new nuclear arms race is underway. Resources that could be used to fight unemployment, poverty, and climate change are being lavished on the military might of nations around the world―$1.7 trillion in 2015 alone. The United States accounts for 36 percent of that global total.
Given this grim reality, let us consider an alternative agenda for the new administration―an agenda for peace.
Focus: The Trump Dossier - Jan 13, 2017
Note: Why the intelligence community included a two page summary of the ‘Trump dossier’ in the presidential and congressional briefing? The Trump dossier is unsubstantiated, contains falsities, outlandish claims, inaccuracies and typos. Veteran intelligence officials call it a complete fraud which 'violated basic standards for intelligence reporting.’ A disinformation analyst at the US Navy’s call it a forgery. Media critics call it dodgy. In a statement intelligence chief James Clapper wrote that ‘the IC has not made any judgment that the information in this document is reliable, and we did not rely upon it in any way for our conclusions. However, part of our obligation is to ensure that policymakers are provided with the fullest possible picture of any matters that might affect national security.’ Does this pile of garbage really affect national security? The Telegraph reports that the alleged author of the Trump dossier Christopher Steele had contact with the FBI in July 2017 to discuss the content of it. The intelligence agencies had ample time to verify the veracity of the dossier, make an analysis and reach final conclusions. Why they did not make an investigation if they felt that the dossier was worth of it. By enclosing the summary of the dossier in the presidential briefing the intelligence community publicized it and validated it even if they had not reached any judgement about it. The New York Times states that 'putting the summary in a report that went to multiple people in Congress and the executive branch made it very likely that it would be leaked.’ Below are analyses of the Trump dossier published in the media.
Intel vets say Trump ‘dossier' is a ‘complete fraud' - The Daily Caller
‘Forgery!’ Donald Trump spy file is ‘bogus,’ security expert claims - radaronline.com
Spy fiction or malware? A closer look at a ‘dodgy’ Russia dossier on Trump – World Tribune
VIDEO: Former UK Security Minister raises doubts over Trump dossier - Daily Mail Online
UK spy ‘gathered' Trump intel without going to Russia - The Daily Caller
Theresa May says Trump dossier author has not worked for Britain for years - Reuters
Chris Steele’s friends describe a 007 figure but MI6 call him ‘an idiot’ - Support
Spy agencies around the world are digging into Trump’s Moscow ties - BuzzFeed News
REPORT: Full text of the Trump dossier - BuzzFeed News
To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)
Tomgram: Rajan Menon, The Iranian Connection in the Age of Trump
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.
[Note for TomDispatch Readers: There will be no post for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The next TD post will be Tuesday, January 17th. Tom]
Imagine the Confirmation Hearing for Secretary of Peace
The idea has been floated and endlessly reintroduced in legislation since the founding of the United States of creating a Department of Peace. These efforts even resulted in 1986 in the creation of the USI”P” — the U.S. Institute of “Peace” which this week held events with Lindsey Graham, Tom Cotton, Madeleine Albright, Chuck Hagel, William Perry, Stephen Hadley, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Susan Rice, John Kerry, and Michael Flynn, and which in 2015 rejected proposals from the peace movement to have anything to do with advocating for peace. So the push to create a Department of Peace rolls on, generally ignoring the existence of the USI”P.”
I try to imagine what a senate confirmation hearing would look like for a nominee for Secretary of Peace. I picture the nominee being rolled in by his attendants and the questioning beginning something like this:
Focus: Syria - Jan 11, 2017
US State Dept: Syrian Kurds a force on the ground and must be in peace talk ‘at some point’ - Rudaw
No room for ‘terrorist’ Kurdish YPG at Syria talks, says Turkish deputy PM - hurriyetdailynews.com
Turkey expects US solidarity on terrorist YPG, FETO: FM - aa.com
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF): We are not PKK - Rudaw
Interview with Kurdish PYD leader Salih Muslim - ekurd
Two Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fronts meet northwest of Raqqa, continue push for city - Rudaw
ISIS counter-attacks against US-backed YPG forces near Raqqa - southfront.org
Kurds arrest ISIS supporters northeast Syria - ARA News
I Fought ISIS with the Kurds in Syria. This is what it was like - The Tower
Syrian women speak of ISIS atrocities in Manbij - ARA News
French Security Council calls liberation of Syria's Raqqa national priority - Sputnik
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Tillerson: US must prioritize defeating Daesh (ISIS) in Syria before dealing with Assad - Sputnik
French presidential hopeful Fillon considers dialogue with Assad to resolve Syria crisis - Sputnik
Iraq PM Al-Abadi sends message to Assad about the war on terrorism - AWD News
Improved U.S.-Russia ties positive for Syria, Assad says - Bloomberg
Assad welcomes French presidential candidate Fillon’s views on Syria - France 24
VIDEO: Bashar al-Assad answers French media questions - YouTube
TRANSCRIPT: Bashar al-Assad answers French media questions - Syrian Arab News Agency
To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)
Focus: The Pentagon - Jan 10, 2017
DOT&E FY2016 Annual Report: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter - DOT&E
F-35 delayed — again — despite CEO's promise to Trump - Washington Examiner
Letter of Sen. McCain to Lockheed Martin CEO on the new F-35 delay - mccain.senate.gov
The Navy's F-35 may need a new landing gear - popularmechanics.com
Recent F-35 fire unrelated to previous problems: General - Defensetech
Could Trump really replace the F-35 with a Super Hornet? - popularmechanics.com
Super Hornet ‘not interchangable' with F-35, says US Air Force Secretary - defensenews.com
F-35 pilot: 'Preposterous' to think an F-18 could do the the F-35's job - Business Insider
This is how the F-35 is being tested against Russian and Chinese air defenses - wearethemighty.com
Marine Corps deploys first F-35 squadron to Japan: 'A true force multiplier' - Washington Times
Marine Corps F-35B integrates with NIFC-CA - Intercepts cruise missile target - Scout
Lockheed Martin's F-35: The U.S. Navy's secret missile defense system? - The National Interest Blog
America's military has a big problem: It's dead broke - The National Interest
Appeals court rules no transparency on Pentagon's top contractors - yahoo.com
To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)
Tomgram: Rebecca Gordon, The Best Defense
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.
Democratic hysteria: Liberal Democrats Claiming a Russian Hack of the Election and Putin Control Over Trump are the New ‘Birthe
By Dave Lindorff
Talk Nation Radio: Millions Lose Their Minds Over Russia
https://soundcloud.com/davidcnswanson/talk-nation-radio-millions-lose-their-minds-over-russia
This week on Talk Nation Radio: millions of Americans lose their everloving minds over unproven accusations against Russia, the ACLU and CAIR publish claim that war on Iraq has been to protect the U.S. Bill of Rights, and a torture report gets buried.
Total run time: 29:00
Host: David Swanson.
Producer: David Swanson.
Music by Duke Ellington.
Download from LetsTryDemocracy or Archive.
Pacifica stations can also download from Audioport.
Syndicated by Pacifica Network.
Please encourage your local radio stations to carry this program every week!
Please embed the SoundCloud audio on your own website!
Past Talk Nation Radio shows are all available free and complete at
http://TalkNationRadio.org
Tomgram: Andrew Bacevich, How We Got Here
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week,
Focus: Russia - Jan 8, 2017
McCain, Graham still have questions about Tillerson - POLITICO
VIDEO: Full Interview: Lindsey Graham and John McCain On NBC's 'Meet The Press' - YouTube
McConnell: Trump's Russia hopes will quickly be dashed - Washington Examiner
VIDEO: Devin Nunes full Interview on 'Fox News Sunday' - YouTube
Pentagon chief Carter: Russian efforts in fight against ISIS 'virtually zero' - TheHill
VIDEO: Ash Carter interview On NBC's 'Meet The Press' - YouTube
Reince Priebus says Trump accepts Russia is to blame for election-season hacking - slate.com
Daniel Ellsberg hopes Trump, Putin can avoid doomsday scenario - San Francisco Chronicle
Russia election hack update: WikiLeaks will respond to CIA report Monday - ibtimes.com
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Note: Senators McCain, Graham and Klobuchar trip to Ukraine, the Baltics states and Georgia during the New Year 2017 holidays.
U.S. Senators vow no 'Faustian bargain' with Russia, pledge to target Putin ‘harder' - rferl.org
VIDEO: Interview with senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Aimee Klobuchar - YouTube
VIDEO: Sen. McCain in Donetsk region, Ukraine: Putin, we will defeat you in 2017 - YouTube
VIDEO: Poroshenko gives John McCain and US senators tour of Donetsk frontline on NYE - YouTube
VIDEO: Poroshenko awards Orders of Ukraine to US Senators McCain and Graham - YouTube
McCain calls for permanent US troops in Baltics - AFP
VIDEO: Senator McCain wants permanent US military presence in the Baltics - YouTube
US Senator McCain meets Lithuanian Prime Minister, reaffirms NATO support - Sputnik
To contact Bartolo email peaceloverblog[at]yahoo[dot]com (replacing [at] with @, [dot] with .)
