The Yemen raid was a tragedy, and not by accident. Mistakes were made during the conception, planning, decision making and execution of the mission. Trump was ill-advised and, I guess, deeply regrets to have approved the mission. Civilians, including children, were killed and an American soldier died. It was also costly because multiple units were deployed; Harrier jets, Apache helicopter gunships and drones were involved, and a a $70 million MV-22 Osprey destroyed. The fact that an estimated 14 Al Qaeda members were killed does not make a difference.

The core question is: Do this kind of raids prove effective in defeating Al Qaeda in Yemen? The International Crisis Group says no: "The raid ignores the local political context, to the detriment of an effective counter-terrorism strategy. The tribesmen targeted had links to AQAP/AAS, yet many, if not most of them, were motivated less by AQAP’s international agenda, including targeting the West, and more by a local power struggle." Through the use of social policies Al Qaeda in Yemen has embedded with local tribes who are armed, well-organized and able to collect intelligence and detect drone activities. The US commando found itself surrounded and shot by all sides, to extricate itself called aerial support which, according to the Pentagon, triggered civilian casualties. Raids are perceived by the locals as an unwanted foreign military interference and "the high number of civilian casualties ... are deeply inflammatory and breed anti-American resentment across the Yemeni political spectrum that works to the advantage of AQAP,”

An effective strategy to defeat Al Qaeda in Yemen must address the internal civil war which created a power vacuum. US should stop siding with the Saudi who are conducting an indiscriminate bombing campaign destroying residential areas, hospitals and crowded places. US should act as a neutral peacemaker promoting a negotiated political settlement of the dispute between the Hadi government and the Huthi/Saleh alliance. It is worth to revisit the "Kerry plan” which called for the formation of a national unity government and offered security guarantees to both parties. The conflict will not be resolved by a military victory. It’s the art of diplomacy.

In audio recording Al Qaeda leader in Yemen labels Donald Trump a ‘fool’, says US raids failed - Reuters

AUDIO (Arabic): New message from leader of Al Qaeda‘s Yemen branch in response to the US raid - jihadology.net

Al Qaeda’s propaganda arm releases a statement condemning the recent American counterterrorism operation in Yemen - Long War Journal

Text of the Al Qaeda statement on the US raid - Long War Journal

Al Qaeda urges followers to hit back at U.S. following Yemen raid, Militants launch attacks on government-held territory - WSJ

A deadly U.S. raid in Yemen reveals strength of al-Qaeda affiliate - The Washington Post

Locals recount what happened the night the U.S. commando raid - LA Times

Deadly U.S. raid may bolster Yemen's al Qaeda: International Crisis Group - Reuters

Military strikes are no simple answer to al-Qaeda’s rise in Yemen - International Crisis Group

REPORT: Yemen’s al-Qaeda: Expanding the base - International Crisis Group

Saudi failures spurred Al Qaeda in Yemen to sharpen its battle tactics - warisboring.com

Yemen Al-Qaeda flays ‘deviant’ Daesh rivals - Arab News

REPORT: Fighting the Long War: The Evolution of al-Qa`ida in the Arabian Peninsula - Combating Terrorism Center at West Point

ARCHIVE: Al Qaeda winning hearts and minds over ISIS in Yemen with social services - ibtimes.com

ARCHIVE: Al-Qaeda still making big money from Yemen oil - Breibart

ARCHIVE: AQAP in Southern Yemen: Learning, adapting and growing - Jamestown

ARCHIVE: Obama administration's $1 billion arms deal aids Saudi brutality in Yemen, lawmakers say - Washington Times

ARCHIVE: Attack may push U.S. to reconsider support of Saudi Arabia-led air war in Yemen - LA Times

ARCHIVE: America should quit Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen: The senseless killing must stop - Forbes

Focus: The Yemen Raid - Feb 3, 2017

'Almost everything went wrong': Inside the Navy SEAL raid in Yemen targeting al Qaeda - NBC News

SEALs knew ‘they were screwed from beginning' In Yemen raid, went into battle anyway - The Daily Caller

SEAL Team 6 raid in Yemen raises questions, The first is: What was the rush to mount the raid? - CNN.com

How Donald Trump's first military action went from the Obama White House to deadly raid - CNNPolitics.com

What happened behind the scenes before the Yemen raid? We can’t be sure, but it was not a normal vetting process - Slate

The Yemen raid—What was normal and abnormal about the process with lessons for the future - Just Security

Trump’s first counterterrorism operations and the prior interagency review process - Just Security

Raid in Yemen: Risky from the start and costly in the end - NYTimes.com

VIDEO: What went wrong in the deadly raid on al-Qaida in Yemen? Interview with Sanger of The New York Times and Atwood, director of International Crisis Group - PBS NewsHour

A timeline of events on how the controversial Navy SEAL raid on Yemen was planned and carried out - The Washington Post

House Dem wants briefing on Yemen raid - POLITICO

VIDEO: Former Obama official says: Spicer SEAL raid story 'B.S.', Obama administration did not approved the Jan. 28 raid on al Qaeda in Yemen - WSJ

US defends release of 10-year-old video seized in Yemen raid - ABC News

Al Qaida takes three Yemen towns days after US raid - GulfNews.com

Yemen is the first battleground in Trump’s confrontation with Iran - Foreign Policy

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

Focus: Russia and Ukraine - Feb 2, 2017

Putin says the Ukrainian authorities triggered the current surge of tensions in Donbass - TASS

VIDEO: Putin says Ukraine escalated conflict in Donbass - RT News

Ukrainian paramilitary supported by army attacked rebels in East: Peskov, citing Kremlin data - RT News

Foreign Ministry statement on the rapidly deteriorating situation in Donbass - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Russia UN ambassador Churkin: Kiev trying to find military solution to Donbass conflict - Sputnik

VIDEO: Statement of Russia UN Ambassador Churkin: Violations of the Minsk agreement by Ukraine - YouTube

Recordings of surveillance cameras clearly indicate that clashes were triggered by fire from positions held by the Kiev government troops, Russia's UN ambassador says - TASS

Ukrainian army concentrated troops near Avdiivka for offensive: Separatists - Sputnik

Ukrainian Defense Ministry admits it conducts offensive operations in Donbass, refrains from commenting on the question about the pullback of heavy weapons - TASS

Russia diplomat says OSCE monitors turn blind eye on Ukrainian tanks in Donbass - TASS

VIDEO: BBC reporter films Kiev tanks in residential area on E. Ukraine frontline - RT News

Why Avdiivka is the most vulnerable spot for the Russian-separatist army in Ukraine, The new Ukrainian army positions allow to take the main road under fire control - Euromaidan Press

POLL: Only 14% of Ukrainians trust Poroshenko, 9% the government and 5% the parliament - TASS

POLL (Results): Trust to Ukraine Social Institutions - Kiev International Institute of Sociology

Kiev should give up on the Donbass, As conflict rages again, Ukraine needs to understand that winning the war would be more trouble than it's worth - Foreign Policy

Anxious Ukraine risks escalation in ‘creeping offensive', observers say the Ukrainians appear to be trying to create new facts on the ground - rferl.org

Is Ukraine sabotaging Trump's detente with Russia? It’s hard to see what Putin gains from new fighting, on the other hand Poroshenko has everything to gain - Huffington Post

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US administration flirts with softer stance on Russia's conduct in Ukraine - Military.com

State Dept statement on cease-fire violations in Eastern Ukraine - state.gov

US Ambassador Nikki Haley condemns Russia's 'aggressive actions' in Ukraine - AFP

McCain to Trump: Send weapons to Ukraine - TheHill

EU's Tusk says fighting must stop in Ukraine, points to 'Russia's aggression' - rferl.org

Chief Monitor of the OSCE Mission to Ukraine Ambassador Apakan calls for immediate cessation of violence in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area - OSCE

NATO Scraps Ukraine meeting fearing escalation with Russia - themoscowtimes.com

Ukraine's president, Petro Poroshenko, to call for referendum on joining NATO - UPI.com

Berlin authorities suspect that Poroshenko bears responsibility for the deteriorating situation in the east of Ukraine, German Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper wrote - Sputnik

Hungary’s prime minister Orban meets Putin, urges the European Union to repair relations with the Kremlin and lift sanctions - irishtimes.com

POLL: Putin has better reputation in Hungary than Merkel or Trump, survey finds - Hungary Today

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

Focus: Donald Trump and Trade - Feb 1, 2017

NAFTA negotiation may start in May after 90 days consultation with businesses: Mexico - Yahoo7 Finance

Mexico says it will negotiate NAFTA changes but won't accept import quotas or new tariff barriers - Fox News

Mexico's Pena Nieto, Canada's Trudeau spoke Monday: Mexico govt - Reuters

Mexico turning its focus on trade with the rest of the world, from Latin America to Europe and Asia: Foreign Affairs Secretary - mexiconewsdaily.com

EU, Mexico pick up trade talk pace as Trump touts tariffs - TheStreet

Mexico seeks to bolster ties with China, attract investment - CCTV News

China-Mexico tie-up to invest $200 mln in Mexican auto plant - Reuters

Trump backlash turns Mexicans against NAFTA - Bloomberg

VIDEO: Why Mexicans think NAFTA should be scrapped entirely - Bloomberg

'Viva Mexico!': Trump wall awakens Mexican patriotism - Yahoo News

Gloom descends on Monterrey, Mexico’s NAFTA capital - WSJ

POLL: Over two-thirds of Mexicans agree with Peña Nieto’s decision to cancel visit with Trump - The Huffington Post

Report: In a 'humiliating' and 'threatening’ tone during a phone call, Trump lambasted Mexico's president and threatened to use military force against the drug trade - Yahoo Finance

U.S., Mexican officials meet in Mexico, discuss security: sources - Reuters

Mexico may halt fight against drugs on US border: former foreign affairs sec - RT America

US State Dept to hire security companies to protect U.S. personnel working at the embassy in Mexico City - TMZ

Fear of Trump move drives remittances to Mexico to record, The increase brings 2016 transfers to $27 billion - Bloomberg

Mexico will send $50 Million to help victims of Trump's deportation agenda - Konbini

Think tank Center for American Progress: Trump's 'vilification' of Mexico will harm US - TheHill

REPORT: Preserving and Strengthening the U.S.-Mexico Relationship – Center for American Progress

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Trump, trade adviser signal displeasure with U.S. 'strong dollar' policy, say Germany, Japan and China engaged in devaluing their currencies - Reuters

Merkel pushes back at Trump team’s accusations on German trade - Bloomberg

Merkel's spokesman says Germany says it's working at troubled Trump ties - Reuters

German foreign minister heads to Washington amid growing U.S. critiques - Yahoo Finance

German economy minister: Trump′s protectionism a threat to Germany′s economy - DW.COM

Germany's Martin Schulz calls Trump 'un-American' and warns against lifting Russia sanctions - The Independent

Trump protectionism will hurt Germany badly: BDI industry body - Reuters

BMW says will stick to investment plans for Mexico despite Trump threats - Reuters

EU chair Tusk labels Trump a 'threat' as Europeans debate U.S. ties - Reuters

Japan policymakers reject Trump devaluation claims - Reuters

Japan PM: Car trade imbalance not Japan’s fault - The News Wheel

Auto trade key in Abe-Trump talks - The Japan News

Japan eyes U.S. job, investment initiative ahead of Abe-Trump summit - Reuters

With NAFTA under threat, Japanese automakers in Mexico wary of Trump's trade stance - The Japan Times

Report: 3.4 million jobs lost to China - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

REPORT: Growth in U.S.–China trade deficit between 2001 and 2015 cost 3.4 million jobs: Here’s how to rebalance trade and rebuild American manufacturing - Economic Policy Institute

Quebec wants a seat at NAFTA negotiating table - Montreal Gazette

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

Focus: The House GOP border tax plan - Jan 29, 2017

Note: The Trump's tariff on Mexican imports should not be confused with the GOP border adjustment tax. While the first aims to save American jobs, the second will hurt the consumers by considerably hiking prices on most, if not all, goods.

Koch Network ready for a fight on the House GOP border adjustment tax - National Review

Letter to the House tax-writing committee on the border adjusted tax - Americans for Prosperity

Koch political network to spend $300M to $400M over 2 years to influence public policy - Fortune.com

Corporate America split over radical Republican import tax plan - FT.com

Exporters forming coalition to support House GOP border tax - TheHill

Small businesses uneasy over border-adjustment tax plan, owners say they may have to raise prices and lay off workers but exporters expect to benefit - WSJ

New border tax proposed by GOP could hike prices on cars, clothes, electronics, gas and more - USA TODAY

Here's how Under Armour can be impacted by the proposed ‘border adjustment tax' - forbes.com

Boeing may have negative tax bill under GOP tax reform, Treasury might write checks to the company - IBD

Border tax ideas roil oil markets, favor Gulf Coast refiners - Reuters

Chevron's CEO, echoing Trump, calls GOP border tax 'complicated' - NBC

GOP border tax may hurt more than Mexico as Asia exports at risk. Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Korea may be hurt the most - Bloomberg,

Steve Forbes hits GOP border tax in WSJ ad - newsmax.com

Steve Forbes' letter to Congressional Republicans on the border adjustment tax - TPA

Steve Forbes' letter to President Trump: Don't let Congressional Republicans wreck your tax plan - forbes.com

U.S. House tax chief: lower tax rates vulnerable without border adjustment - Business Insider

An analysis of the House GOP tax plan - Tax Policy Center

Opinion: Let's bury the idea of a border adjustment tax - IBD

Opinion: Trump right to question GOP tax plan - TheHill

GOP border adjusted taxes and Trump's ‘big border tax' are not the same: Here are four reasons why - forbes.com

Text of the House GOP tax plan: Better way forward on tax reform - House Ways and Means Committee

President Trump announces Manufacturing Jobs Initiative - whitehouse.gov

Dana exec tapped for President’s jobs council - The Blade

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

Focus: NAFTA - Jan 24, 2017

Pressured by Trump, Mexico ready to discuss NAFTA rules of origins in U.S. talks - Reuters

Mexico President demands North America stay free-trade zone, announces 10 objectives in talks with U.S. - Bloomberg

VIDEO (Spanish): Las 10 claves de Peña Nieto para negociar con Trump - Univision

Economy minister: Mexico may leave NAFTA if renegotiation unfavorable, 'It's impossible to sell it here at home if there aren't clear benefits for Mexico' - Reuters

Economy minister: Mexico set to 'mirror' policy on any U.S. trade tax change, 'If there is any action that punishes imports to the North American market' - Reuters

Mexico warns US it will not conduct negotiations unless Trump abandons plans to make it pay for border wall construction - Sott.net

Interview with Economy minister Guajardo: Sin beneficios claros ‘no tiene sentido quedarnos’ en el TLC (VIDEO, Spanish)- Televisa News

Interview (Spanish): Habrá “medidas espejo” contra Trump, dice la Secretaría de Economía Guajardo - El Universal

RADIO (Spanish): Todo listo para reunión con el equipo de Donald Trump: Guajardo interview - YouTube

Mexico’s potential weapons if Trump declares war on NAFTA - The New York Times

Trudeau braces for Trump NAFTA gambit with oil-patch huddle - Bloomberg

Trump aide reassures Canada on trade talks, isolating Mexico - Bloomberg

Canada not the focus of Trump's NAFTA talk, Canada ambassador says - CBC News

Canada to Mexico on NAFTA: you might be on your own - Reuters

Trump-friendly lawmaker: Forget NAFTA, let’s do one-on-one deal with Canada (a country that is not Mexico) - Financial Post

NAFTA: GOP leaders fire warning shot to Trump - CNNPolitics.com

President Trump can levy tariffs without Congress - CNN

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Trump meets labor unions leaders: 'We're going to stop the ridiculous trade deals' - LifeZette

AFL-CIO praises President Trump’s move to withdraw from TPP, renegotiate NAFTA - Breibart

Machinists Union ‘heartened' by announcement that the U.S. is withdrawing from the TPP and is seeking to reopen NAFTA - Business Wire

United Steelworkers USW commends Trump decision to withdraw from the TPP; anticipates further action - Yahoo News

Teamsters: Withdrawal from TPP and renegotiating NAFTA the right choice for U.S. trade policy - Teamsters

With new NAFTA terms, Trump wants ‘yuge' min.-wage hike in Mexico - IBD

REPORT: Looking for Local Labor Market Effects of NAFTA - Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press Journals

REPORT: NAFTA and the Gender Wage Gap - University of Michigan

How a Trump tariff could sideswipe US auto industry - AP

Reopening NAFTA could revive debate over what makes a car 'American' - Fox Business

Latest data on automobile manufacturing and trade with Mexico - FXS

The Center for Automotive Research report says Trump trade policies will kill 31,000 car jobs 'If the U.S. were to enact a 35 percent tariff on light vehicles imported from Mexico' - Yahoo Finance

REPORT: NAFTA trade benefits to the automotive industry and potential consequences of withdrawal from the agreement - Center for Automotive Research

Trump move on TPP and NAFTA dismays agricultural groups - agrinews-pubs.com

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

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 gives priorites on economy and trade, Trump seeks 4% annual GDP growth and 25 million jobs over 10 years - Bloomberg

White House website: Trade deals working for all Americans - whitehouse.gov

Republican senator's bill aims to reel in Trump's trade power, will require him to go through Congress to use tariffs or quit NAFTA - CNN

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

China is preparing to retaliate against Donald Trump’s tough trade stance, warns American Chamber of Commerce - Financial Post

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

Europe expresses concern, hope on Trump’s approach to trade, Officials warn that promises to restrict international trade would be damaging if enacted - WSJ

Merkel vows compromise with U.S. on trade, military spending - Reuters

U.S. under Trump must abide by trade deals: German Finance Minister - Reuters

Donald Trump plans new deal for Britain as Theresa May becomes first foreign leader to meet new president since inauguration - Telegraph

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

The world should be wary of stumbling into trade wars that would destroy jobs, World Trade Organization Director-General says at 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

Obscene: Just eight men own half the world's wealth, reveals Oxfam report at Davos - Business Standard News

Davos elite fret about inequality over vintage wine and canapés - The New York Times

Editorial: An odd moment for Davos - The New York Times

I saw enough at Davos to convince me that the global elite isn't interested in ending inequality - The Independent

Davos man has no clothes - Foreign Policy

At Davos Chinese billionaire Jack Ma says the US wasted trillions on warfare instead of investing in infrastructure - cnbc.com

Pharma CEOs, blasted by Donald Trump for 'getting away with murder' on drug prices, put a brave face in Davos - Reuters

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 .)

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.

Islamic State surrounds government held military airport in Deir ez-Zor, cutting off food supplies for the civilians - The Guardian

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

Syrian helicopters land in Deir Ezzor for first time since ISIS offensive, bringing in fresh reinforcements and carrying away injured soldiers - almasdarnews.com

Unprecedented Russian airstrikes as ISIS threatens to take Deir ez-Zor. Encircled Syrian city hangs by a thread - russia-insider.com

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

Russian media: US gave ISIS escape route from Mosul to Syria; now civilians are paying the price in Deir ez-Zor - RT Op-Edge

U.S. increasing airdrops of supplies to Kurdish-Arab Syrian Democratic Forces battling ISIS in Syria - militarytimes.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

Gabbard takes secret trip to Syria, in December she introduced legislation to stop the administration from “directly or indirectly” arming terrorists including ISIS and al Qaeda - POLITICO

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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

Russians will arm Libyan general Haftar in challenge to West, according to his aides - The Times & The Sunday Times

Libyan army commander Haftar signs $2 billion arms deal with Russia despite UN sanctions, according to Libya Express - defenseworld.net

RAI TV reports that Haftar signed an agreement whereby Russia would build two military bases near Tobruk and Benghazi - Al Jazeera

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

Head of UN Special Mission to Libya Kobler meets Egypt's army chief of staff for the 2nd. time in a month - Middle East Observer

'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

Armed groups rival of Libya's UN-backed government tries to seize ministry buildings in Tripoli - Reuters

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

NOC to sue Petroleum Facilities Guards for blocking key Al-Zawiya gas pipeline, Al-Feel oilfield at Attorney General's office - The Libya Observer

Eastern NOC claims oil deals with Russia, China independently of the Tripoli-based organisation - Libya Business News

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 .)

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.

Trump offers to Russia an end to sanctions for nuclear arms cut: 'I think nuclear weapons should be way down and reduced very substantially' - Reuters

Trump: 'NATO is very important to me' but it is obsolete because designed many years ago, countries aren’t paying and it didn’t deal with terrorism - Washington Examiner

Donald Trump avoids saying who he trusts more — Vladimir Putin or Angela Merkel, 'I start off trusting both — but let’s see how long that lasts' - Independent

Kremlin says judgement on Trump’s remarks about sanctions only possible after inauguration - TASS

Senator: Russia won’t trade security for lifting of sanctions, 'one of the main obstacles is the implementation of the US global missile defense plans' - RT

Kremlin agrees with Trump that NATO is 'vestige of past', according to the spokesman 'confrontation is the systemic goal of NATO' - 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

German official says McCain told him he did not expect Trump to reverse the deployment of 4,000 U.S. troops to Poland. - AOL News

Don't add Montenegro to ‘obsolete' NATO: Senate shouldn't sacrifice U.S. security for Balkan mouse - Forbes

Army minister accuses Corbyn of siding with Russia against Nato after the Labour leader said 'I want to see a de-escalation, ultimately a de-militarisation...between both sides' - The Guardian

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

Russian media: US Marines land in Norway, signaling departure from post-WW2 commitment to Russia - RT News

With about a third of its territory located north of the Arctic Circle, Russia is interested in developing projects in the region - Sputnik

Russia, Norway to sign final pact on disputed Arctic shelf exploration in April - Sputnik

Foreign Ministry in Oslo confirms possible political participation at Putin’s Arctic conference in Arkhangelsk in March - The Independent Barents Observer

Russia expands its presence in the Arctic, in the past two years it has opened six military bases - Russia Beyond The Headlines

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

Experts from Russia and North America identify possible trends for the future of Arctic affairs and bilateral U.S.-Russian relations in the region - Russia Direct

International cooperation robust in the Arctic - Global Trade Magazine

Strategic thinking in the Russian Arctic: When threats become opportunities (1) - Red (Team) Analysis

Strategic Thinking in the Russian Arctic: When threats become opportunities (2) - Red (Team) Analysis

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

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

The Trump dossier is fake — and here are the reasons why. 'A sad state of affairs where an anonymous report, full of bizarre statements, captures the attention of the world media' - Forbes

Spy fiction or malware? A closer look at a ‘dodgy’ Russia dossier on Trump – World Tribune

Credibility of Donald Trump 'dirty dossier' is undermined by basic errors, claims former British spy - Daily Mail Online

VIDEO: Former UK Security Minister raises doubts over Trump dossier - Daily Mail Online

Michael Cohen, an attorney for the president-elect, denies allegations contained in a dossier published by BuzzFeed News: 'It Is fake news meant to malign Mr. Trump' - The Atlantic

Russian tech expert named in Trump report says US intelligence never contacted him about the accusations, which he says are false - McClatchy DC

Russians named in Trump dossier dismiss claims, They were incredulous over allegations of ties to Kremlin-led efforts to interfere with U.S. elections - WSJ

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

Alleged Trump dossier author Christopher Steele met the FBI to discuss the background to the file he had compiled - The Telegraph

Democrats accuse FBI director of stonewalling on Trump-Russia ties, as more call for him to step down - The Washington Post

US intel sources warn Israel against sharing secrets with Trump administration, fear will be leaked to Russia—and from Russia to its close ally Iran - Ynetnews News

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 .)

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

VIDEO: US State Dept spokesman: Syrian Kurds a force on the ground and must be in peace talk ‘at some point’ - YouTube

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

Turkish foreign minister Cavusoglu op-ed: Turkey deserves better from the United States - The Washington Post

Turkey's war on Syrian Kurds under scrutiny, The Turkish Army announces the death of 291 YPG fighters during military operations in northern Syria - ARA

Kurdish PYD ready to table proposals for Constitution referendum talks in Astana peace talks - Sputnik

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF): We are not PKK - Rudaw

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) statement confirming that it has no affiliation or ties to PKK - U.S. Central Command on Twitter

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

Syrian Kurdish-led forces seize historic castle from Islamic State less than 20 miles from Raqqa - ekurd

I Fought ISIS with the Kurds in Syria. This is what it was like - The Tower

4-year-old among 3 child soldiers in new Isis video showing execution of alleged Kurdish YPG spies in Syria - ibtimes.co.uk

Syrian women speak of ISIS atrocities in Manbij - ARA News

US special forces raid ISIS stronghold in Deir el-Ezor near Raqqa, reportedly killing dozen - CBS 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

VIDEO: Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson at confirmation hearing: 'Syrian Kurds... have been our greatest allies’ in the fight against ISIS - YouTube

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

Assad says Syria not putting conditions on peace talks, asked if that included his position as president Assad said ‘yes' but any new constitution must be put to a referendum - CBC

Assad willing to grant amnesty to armed groups, adding that 'this is the maximum that one can offer' - almasdarnews.com

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

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Focus: The Pentagon - Jan 10, 2017

F-35 needs rigorous Trump team review, Pentagon tester says citing its 'well-documented deficiencies in critical combat capabilities’ - Bloomberg

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 most expensive F-35 variant has hit another major snag that could take years to fix, due to its nose gear during catapult-assisted takeoffs - SFGate

The Navy's F-35 may need a new landing gear - popularmechanics.com

Recent F-35 fire unrelated to previous problems: General - Defensetech

Cancel plans to purchase additional F-35 joint strike fighters and instead purchase F-16s and F/A-18s - Congressional Budget Office

Trump should cancel the failed F-35 fighter jet program, it 'showcases all that is wrong about our military's vendor-dominated, crony-capitalist procurement system’ - National Review

Blog: It's past time to kill the F-35, Stairway Press has just published a book about it - AmericanThinker

Could Trump really replace the F-35 with a Super Hornet? - popularmechanics.com

'One our adversaries should fear': US Air Force General Pleus describes how the F-35 is above and beyond the competition - Business Insider

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

F-35 pilot: The common conception of dogfighting is way off, and the F-35 can excel at it - Business Insider

U.S. Air Force pilot: F-35 could beat Russia's stealth PAK-FA or China's J-31 in a fight - The National Interest Blog

This is how the F-35 is being tested against Russian and Chinese air defenses - wearethemighty.com

The F-35 Stealth Fighter has a super gun that can fire an insane 3,300 round per minute - The National Interest Blog

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

Restoring America’s defenses: A Memo to the President-elect by Director of Central Intelligence (nominee) Pompeo and Director of National Intelligence (nominee) Coates - American Spectator

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Focus: Russia - Jan 8, 2017

McCain, Graham call for greater sanctions against Russia, say Trump in conflict with congressional Republicans if he doesn't get tougher on Putin - USAToday

McCain, Graham still have questions about Tillerson - POLITICO

Senator Menendez raises concerns on secretary of state nominee Tillerson over Russia, says he remains open to his nomination - dailyprogress.com

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: McConnell predicts Trump's hope of better U.S.-Russia relationship will be 'will be dashed pretty quickly' - YouTube

House Intel Chair Nunes and committee's ranking Democrat Schiff: US friendship with Russia may not be possible - newsmax.com

VIDEO: Devin Nunes full Interview on 'Fox News Sunday' - YouTube

Pentagon chief Carter: We shouldn't 'limit ourselves' in response to Russia, 'I don’t think it should be a military, or purely military response' - TheHill

Pentagon chief Carter: Russian efforts in fight against ISIS 'virtually zero' - TheHill

VIDEO: Ash Carter interview On NBC's 'Meet The Press' - YouTube

Obama worried some citizens have more confidence in Vladimir Putin than fellow Democrats, says 'Putin is not on our team' - Orlando Sentinel

VIDEO: Obama on ABC’s 'This Week’ says he didn't underestimate Putin but did misjudged Russia’s ability to tamper in the American electoral process YouTube

Reince Priebus says Trump accepts Russia is to blame for election-season hacking - slate.com

VIDEO: Incoming White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus says President elect Donald Trump accepts that Russia were behind the election hacking campaign - YouTube

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

US senators McCain and Graham praise frontline Ukrainian marines in the Donetsk region, slam Putin – POLITICO

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

John McCain reaffirms U.S. security guarantee against Russia during visit to Georgia - Democracy & Freedom Watch

VIDEO: U.S. Senator McCain visits Georgia's breakaway region frontier on the border to South Ossetia - rferl.org

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Focus: NATO and Russia - Jan 6, 2016

Hundreds of U.S. tanks, trucks and other military equipment arrive in Germany to be deployed in eastern Europe as part of a NATO buildup - Reuters

Fort Carson: About 4,400 soldiers in the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team deploys to Europe for Operation Atlantic Resolve - TheDenverChannel.com

VIDEO: US military shipment arrives in Germany, ahead of NATO exercises - YouTube

New nuclear-armed subs get Pentagon OK before Obama leaves White House, a potential $126 billion project that the Navy calls its top priority - Bloomberg

NATO and Russia in game of cat and mouse in Baltic skies - AFP

NATO: Russian aircraft intercepted 110 times above Baltic in 2016 - newsweek.com

Germany continues augmenting Baltic air policing - NATO HQ Aircom

US sends elite commandos to reassure Baltic states while NATO beefs up defenses - Daily Mail Online

This is how NATO members are preparing for a possible Russian aggression in Baltic Sea - ibtimes.com

Defense minister: Turkey ‘can end US use of (Incirlik) base if interests hurt’, row between Ankara and Washington over relations with the Syrian Kurdish party PYD - hurriyetdailynews.com

Turkey Defense Ministry report reveals İncirlik Air Base links to putschist F-16 pilots - Daily Sabah

ISIS jihadist admits: 'We want to attack Incirlik airbase' - pjmedia.com

In Turkey, US hand is seen provoking nearly every crisis - The Boston Globe

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Senators finalizing new Russia sanctions for next week, in response to hacking as well as ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Syria - TheHill

AUDIO: Senator Cardin details bill on Russian sanctions - WBAL Radio 1090 AM

Key Senate Republicans hesitant about Russia sanctions - Washington Examiner

Kerry: 'Very dangerous' for Trump to reverse sanctions on Russia - TheHill

Report: Anti-Russian sanctions annihilated 400,000 jobs in Europe - Fort Russ

Russia begins withdrawal from Syria, The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier naval group will be the first to leave the conflict area: official - TheHill

New satellite evidence of Russian Iskander M Missile deployment in Syria - Defense Update

Duterte hopes Russia will become Philippines' ally and protector - Reuters

Philippines’ Duterte open to Russian navy joint drill - newsweek.com

VIDEO: Duterte tours Russian warship: Come to Philippines more often - YouTube

Russian warship visit to Philippines part of broader pivot to Asia: analyst - ABS-CBN News

Russia's economy may be weak but its military is on a spending spree - afr.com

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Focus: Russian Hacking - Jan 2, 2017

According to both private cybersecurity firms and US intelligence agencies, there is no doubt that Russian group "Fancy Bear" (also known as Sofacy, APT 28, Sednit, Tsar Team or other names) hacked the Democratic party. Is Fancy Bear an agent of the Russian military intelligence service? I believe it is. Fancy Bear is well known by the cybersecurity experts and has been studied in the past at length. Since 2007, targets of Fancy Bear’s hacking have been Georgia and the Caucasus, Eastern European governments and militaries, Ukraine, US, Germany, UK, NATO, OSCE, Soros, etc. Lately it hacked the World Anti-Doping Agency in response to the WADA's recommendation to ban all Russian athletes from the Olympic games in Brazil. While China hacking conducts intellectual property theft, cybersecurity firm FireEye found that Fancy Bear 'has been targeting privileged information related to governments, militaries and security organizations that would likely benefit the Russian government.’ Another cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike states that Fancy Bear’s profile "closely mirrors the strategic interests of the Russian government."

During the years Fancy Bear’ hacking activity has grown in size, sophistication and scope. FireEye reports that Fancy Bear has continuously evolved its malware "using flexible and lasting platforms indicative of plans for long-term use and sophisticated coding practices;" it also uses obfuscation techniques to hide or disguise the code's true purpose and to prevent it from being detected. CrowdStrike has shown that Fancy Bear has the ability to run multiple and extensive intrusion operations concurrently; while it was hacking US political organizations was at the same time involved targeting European military organizations. CrowdStrike on Fancy Bear and another Russian hacking group "Cozy Bear": "Their tradecraft is superb, operational security second to none and the extensive usage of 'living-off-the-land' techniques enables them to easily bypass many security solutions they encounter. In particular, we identified advanced methods consistent with nation-state level capabilities including deliberate targeting and 'access management' tradecraft — both groups were constantly going back into the environment to change out their implants, modify persistent methods, move to new Command & Control channels and perform other tasks to try to stay ahead of being detected." This is not lone wolf or kiddie stuff. This level of activity requires a complex structure that only the Russian government can provide. The New York Times reports that Russian officials recruit programmers "placing prominent ads on social media sites, offering jobs to college students and professional coders.” Fancy Bear developers use the Russian language and operate during business hours consistent with the time zone of Russia’s major cities.

Also Cozy Bear was involved in the hacking of the Democratic party. Recently, after the American presidential elections, it attacked several Russia-focused think tanks in Washington DC who advise the US government. Crowdstrike said Cozy Bear has also been in the past behind attacks against the White House, State Department and Joint Chiefs of Staff. For convenience, here I only focus on Fancy Bear. Enclosed is publicly available documentation. Additional classified material may be in the hand of the US intelligence agencies.

In September 2015 Obama signed an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping in which both countries agreed not to hack the other’s private sector firms. After that there was a dramatic drop in Chinese state-sponsored hacking; around 90 percent of the cyber attacks disappeared in 2016. CrowdStrikes calls those Chinese hacking statistics "the biggest accomplishment we’ve had in the cyber domain in the last 30 years." Hopefully Trump will be able to do the same with Putin cutting down the Russian hacking. To this end, opening a friendly dialogue and establishing cooperation with Moscow will certainly help. Russians feel threatened by the West and their fears are the root causes of their cyberspionage surge.

REPORT: Bears in the Midst: Intrusion into the Democratic National Committee - CrowdStrike

Findings from analysis of DNC intrusion malware - Threat Geek

Russian-linked group leaks US lawmakers’ phone numbers, emails - Nextgov.com

ThreatConnect follows Guccifer 2.0 to Russian VPN Service - ThreatConnect

Faketivists: Fancy Bears in disguise - ThreatConnect Blog

How hackers broke into John Podesta and Colin Powell’s Gmail accounts - Motherboard

Threat Group-4127 (Fancy Bear) targets Google accounts - SecureWorks

Russian hackers of DNC said to nab secrets from top NATO general, Soros - Bloomberg

Can a BEAR fit down a rabbit hole? Nexus between attacks against US State Election Boards and spearphishing campaign against Turkish, Ukrainian governments - ThreatConnect

Fancy Bears possibly involved in the hacking of OSCE which is monitoring a ceasefire between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists - softpedia.com

Fancy Bear tracks Ukraine troop movements via trojanized app - Infosecurity Magazine

Fancy Bear hack of Ukrainian artillery fighters shows future of war - Motherboard

REPORT: Danger Close: Fancy Bear Tracking of Ukrainian Field Artillery Units - CrowdStrike

Russian 'Fancy Bear' hackers targeted BBC election broadcasts and government departments - Daily Mail Online

Experts: Same Russians hacked World Anti-Doping Agency, Democrats - NBC News

REPORT: ThreatConnect Identifies FANCY BEAR World Anti-Doping Agency Breach - ThreatConnect

Fancy Bear hackers use a new Mac Trojan against aerospace industry – Cyber Defense Magazine

Fancy Bear goes all out to beat Adobe, MSFT zero-day patches - Ars Technica

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FBI-DHS report provides insight into Russian malicious cyber activity - eweek.com

REPORT: GRIZZLY STEPPE – Russian Malicious Cyber Activity - us-cert.gov

Critiques of the DHS/FBI’s GRIZZLY STEPPE Report – Robert M. Lee

Meet Fancy Bear, the Russian group hacking the US election - BuzzFeed News

All signs point to Russia being behind the DNC hack - Motherboard

Russian government likely to be behind APT 28 (Fancy Bear): Bitdefender - scmagazineuk.com

REPORT: APT28 (Fancy Bear) Under the Scope: A Journey into Exfiltrating Intelligence and Government Information - bitdefender.com

APT28: A Window into Russia's cyber espionage operations? APT28 is most likely sponsored by the Russian government based on numerous factors - FireEye Inc

How Russia recruited elite hackers for its cyberwar - The New York Times

Obama curbed Chinese hacking, but Russia wont be so easy - WIRED

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Focus: Syria - Dec 29, 2016

Syrian government and rebels sign cease-fire deal, says Russia - LA Times

VIDEO (English subs): Putin: Syria ceasefire agreement reached, readiness to start peace talks - YouTube

TRANSCRIPT: Shoigu and Lavrov brief Putin on agreements between the Syrian government and the opposition on a ceasefire and peace talks - Kremlin

Russia to cut military presence in Syria: Putin - TASS

Syria ceasefire deal — the draft text - TRT World

List of armed formations, which joined the ceasefire in the Syrian Arab Republic on December 30, 2016 - Russia Ministry of Defence

POLL: Putin’s approval rating hits 2016 record-high of nearly 87 percent - TASS

Lavrov hopes Trump administration will join efforts on Syria peace talks - TASS

Lavrov says Egypt could join Syria talks in Astana, while Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Iraq could join them at subsequent stages - TASS

Two parallel talks on Syria settlement might be held in Astana - Sputnik

Press release regarding the announcement of country-wide ceasefire between the warring parties in Syria - Rep. of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Assad believes agreements on Syria lay grounds for stabilization 'for first time ever’ - TASS

Syrian foreign minister sees 'real chance' for political settlement - Reuters

Press Release: Syrian Coalition calls for full implementation of the Russian-Turkish ceasefire agreement - etilaf.org

FSA says Syria ceasefire agreed, reveals details - orient-news.net

Syrian rebel group Ahrar al-Sham says has 'reservations' about Syria agreement, and was not among the groups that had signed it - Reuters

"Nor did Nour al-Din Zinki sign the agreement” - Sami on Twitter

Turkey says Lebanon's Hezbollah should leave Syria - The Times of Israel

"Hezbollah says fighters from the party will remain in #Syria indefinitely, despite Turkey's demands that the group withdraw” - Zeina Khodr on Twitter

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US State Dept 'welcomes' Syria cease-fire, sees it as 'a positive development' - Washington Examiner

Graham fears Syria truce a ‘capitulation’ to Russia, Iran - TheHill

"#Putin declares ceasefire in #Syria to make way for talks. Make a desert, call it peace - John McCain on Twitter

US supplies weapons to YPG terrorists in Syria, period, Turkey FM says - Daily Sabah

Erdogan to US: 'We are your NATO ally. How on earth can you support terrorist organizations and not us?' - aa.com

The truth regarding misinformation in Turkish media concerning United States and Coalition operations against ISIL in Syria - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Turkey

ISIS 'war committee' member killed in coalition airstrike, US official tweets that Kurdish-Arab SDF have so far cleared 1,900 square kilometres in their campaign to isolate Raqqa - Rudaw

Kurdish PYD says not invited to join Syrian ceasefire deal - Sputnik

Syrian Kurdish groups, allies say approve blueprint for federal system - Reuters

Syrian Kurdistan drops Rojava (Western Kurdistan) word in its draft constitution - Rudaw

Kurds and Damascus meet over the status of the Kurdish-administrated entities in the north of the country - Rudaw

Syrian Democratic Front (not to be confused with the Kurdish-Arab Syrian Democratic Forces) unites internal opposition groups - Sputnik

"Of 111,000 displaced fr east Aleppo, 74,951 or 2/3 went to Gov-controlled areas, & 36,086 to reb areas” - Joshua Landis on Twitter

MAP: "As a ceasefire is announced, @ReutersGraphics maps estimated Syrian civil war fatalities - Reuters Top News on Twitter

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Focus: Russia and Syria - Dec 27, 2016

FM spokesperson: US defense bill 'directly threatens' security of Russian military in Syria, delivering more weapons to rebels including portable anti-aircraft missiles - RT

U.S. says not providing portable anti-aircraft missiles to Syrian rebels - Reuters

Russia: US defense bill to create problems for the Trump administration, 'as well as to force it to adopt an anti-Russia policy' - TheHill

Russia Foreign Ministry: Washington seeks to disrupt nuclear parity with Moscow - TASS

Comment by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on new US National Defence Authorisation Act - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Boris Johnson called 'undiplomatic and unprofessional' by Russia over Syria comments - Mirror Online

Moscow would welcome Henry Kissinger’s expertise in Russia-US relations: Kremlin - RT News

American officials: US, Russian militaries sharing more information on Syria, with both sides trading information in real time and even outlining some of their strategic objectives - AP

John McCain op-ed: We have a stake in Syria, yet we have done nothing - Chicago Tribune

McCain: NATO key to stopping 'Russian misbehavior' - TheHill

Obama administration is close to announcing measures to punish Russia for election interference - The Washington Post

Intelligence agencies sued for records on Russian election interference - TheHill

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Russia says will boost cooperation with Turkey, Iran on Syria: Interfax - Reuters

Kazakh leader says ready to host Russia, Iran, Turkey for Syria talks - rferl.org

Turkey says Saudis, Qatar should attend Syria peace talks - Bloomberg

Erdogan accuses West of 'supporting all the terror groups -- the YPG, PYD but also including Daesh (IS)', breaking promises in Syria - AFP

U.S. calls 'ludicrous' Turkey's claims coalition supported terrorists in Syria - Reuters

Putin orders expansion of Russia’s naval base in Tartus, Syria - Countercurrents

Iran considers letting Russia use its Hamadan base - Al Arabiya English

Russian troops in Aleppo report finding mass graves with tortured and mutilated bodies - AP

First photos of Russian military police in Syria's Aleppo - southfront.org

Iran says could send military advisors to Syria's Aleppo if needed: RIA - Reuters

Massive battle brewing in western Palmyra as Syrian Army mobilizes 7000 soldiers to fight ISIS - almasdarnews.com

Unknown special forces eliminate leaders of militant groups in Syria - southfront.org

Saudi Arabian king launches fundraising campaign for Syria, donates millions - ibtimes.com

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Focus: Turkey and Syria - Dec 26, 2016

All-out Turkey offensive to liberate al-Bab nears end as focus turns toward next target Manbij - Daily Sabah

US led int'l coalition refusing air support in al-Bab anti-Daesh op. unacceptable, Turkey spox Kalın says - Daily Sabah

Turkey moves tanks and guns to Syria border, eyes Raqqa if Trump agrees to block Kurdish forces from participating - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Erdogan says 'Turkey will never allow the formation of a new [Kurdish] state in northern Syria’, wants role in Raqqa ‘because Turkey is a global power' - Breibart

President Tayyip Erdoğan to ask Donald Trump to impose no-fly zone over Syria - The Independent

Qatar, Turkey hold talks on Syria crisis - gulf-times.com

Turkish military, Free Syrian Army shell Kurdish villages on Afrin canton situated between al-Bab and Manbij - Sputnik

Kurdish YPG reports ongoing attacks by Turkish army near Kobanê with heavy weapons - ANF

Kurdish YPG militia says to leave Manbij, it finished training local security units in Manbij which it captured from Islamic State - Kurdpress News Aganecy

U.S. does not support connecting Kurdish cantons in Syrian Kurdistan: Ambassador to Ankara - ekurd

Russia met 24 Syrian Kurdish parties: Russian general - Kurdpress News Aganecy

US backed Kurdish-Arab Syrian Democratic Forces 5km from strategic Tabqa dam west of Raqqa - Rudaw

Kurdish-Arab Syrian Democratic Forces say make gains in Raqqa province, have liberated 97 villages from ISIS in the past 10 days - VOA

Kurdish female fighters playing key role in battle for Raqqa - ARA News

US-Led coalition bracing for bombing raids against Daesh in Syria's Raqqa, 'We will be stepping up the training for Syrian Democratic Forces’ - Sputnik

ISIS jihadists burn four men to death on charges of supporting Kurdish forces - ARA News

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Focus: Russia - Dec 23, 2016

Putin says he wants no nuclear arms race, seeks to improve armaments piercing NATO missile defenses deployed near Russia borders - New York Times

Putin: Systems overcoming anti-missile defense more effective than missile shield itself - TASS

VIDEO: Putin says Russia's nukes can pierce any defense system - YouTube

Putin ‘gives signal' to Trump about consequences of US exit from ABM Treaty that barred the parties from deploying anti-ballistic missile systems - Sputnik

Defense Ministry reveals Russian army's plans for upcoming year - TASS

Russia Defense Minister: Instead of uniting against terrorism, NATO declares Russia main threat and increases its military potential near our borders’ - TASS

TRANSCRIPT: Expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board • President of Russia

Russian forces receive 139 new aircraft, 4 missile regiments reequipped: Shoigu - Sputnik

Two Russian army formations rearmed with Iskander tactical missiles in 2016 - TASS

Four new Russian missile forces with Yars intercontinental ballistic missile systems on combat duty: Minister - Sputnik

Russia to float out 2 nuclear submarines in 2017 - TASS

Russian Black Sea fleet to receive 3 Submarines, 2 Frigates in 2017: Commander - Sputnik

Russian Navy to receive 2 new Arctic bases: Northern Fleet Commander - Sputnik

Russian MoD to receive advanced electronic warfare system in 2017: UIMC - Sputnik

Russian scientists working on new hypersonic aircraft to break through missile defense systems: RIA Nostosti - Sputnik

Production of the hypersonic missile is expected to be launched in 2017 - Sputnik

US Air Force report: Hypersonic missiles From China, Russia pose growing danger - freebeacon.com

Russian Army to get weapons to fight mini-drone swarms in two years - TASS

Russian defense contractor to start working on 3rd generation doomsday planes, expected to be used in case of a nuclear war if ground command centers were destroyed - TASS

Russia tested over 160 new weapons in Syrian operation: defense minister - RT News

Snap combat drills demonstrate rapid development capabilities of Russian Army: Putin - Sputnik

Serbia to receive 6 fighter jets, 30 tanks, 30 combat vehicles From Russia - Sputnik

Russian defense minister proposes holding joint drills with Serbia annually - TASS

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Putin says will gladly visit US if Trump invites him, agrees with Trump Russia-US relations ‘worse than ever' - TASS

Putin sees no big news in Trump’s statements on bolstering US nuclear potential - TASS

Trump: I got a 'very nice letter' from Putin about improving relations - CNBC

Putin’s letter to Trump - Google Drive

Putin says Western sanctions hampering cooperation on counter-terrorism - Reuters

US Commerce Dept adds 23 Russian entities to sanctions list - Sputnik

Putin sees hope for economy in wage growth, easing recession - Bloomberg

Labor productivity in Russia’s defense industry ‘rockets’: Putin - Sputnik

POLL: Over 60% of Russians trust President Putin - Sputnik

VIDEO: Putin holds annual Q&A marathon, (Starts at 11:20 min) - YouTube

TRANSCRIPT: Vladimir Putin’s annual news conference • President of Russia

Did Putin get Botox plastic surgery? He looks younger - Mediaite

Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike finds evidence that Russian military unit was behind DNC hack, links DNC malware to one in an app used by the Ukrainian army - Washington Post

Interview with CrowdStrike chief on the new evidence of Russian role in DNC hack - PBS NewsHour

Report: Use of Fancy Bear Android Malware in Tracking of Ukrainian Field Artillery Units - Crowdstrike

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Focus: Russia - Dec 21, 2016

Russia, Iran, Turkey say ready to broker Syria deal, adopt the ‘Moscow Declaration' which set out the principles - Reuters

Moscow Declaration: Joint statement by Iran, Russia and Turkey on agreed steps to revitalize the political process to end the Syrian conflict - Russian Foreign Ministry

Russian, Iranian and Turkish FMs hold joint press conference on Syria - Sputnik

VIDEO (English): Russian, Iranian and Turkish FM's full joint press conference after meeting on Syria - YouTube

Telephone conversation between Putin and Egypt President el-Sisi, The two discussed the situation in the Middle East, including settlement of the crises in Syria and Libya - President of Russia

U.S. plays down absence from Moscow talks on Syria, says not 'sidelined' - Reuters

Russia-Iran-Turkey statement useful for resumption of Syria talks in Geneva: UN - Sputnik

Syrian opposition delegation’s chief negotiator Alloush: ‘Moscow Declaration’ is a crime; must get ready for post-Aleppo battles - Al Arabiya

John Bolton on the US exclusion from the Russia-Turkey-Iran talks on Syria: 'We’ve got to strengthen ties, if we can, with all of the Gulf nations, the six oil producing monarchies' - Hugh Hewitt Show

Iranian security chief says Iran, Russia share military base In Syria – World Tribune

Hezbollah fighting in Syria with U.S. weapons supplied to Lebanese army, IDF says - Haaretz.com

Former Nusra Front claims responsibility for Russian Ambassador's assassination - Sputnik

Ambassador shooting: Russia pushes back on Turkey's Gulenist claim - CNN.com

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U.S. sanctions more companies, people over Russia actions in Ukraine - Reuters

Statement: Treasury sanctions individuals and entities in connection with Russia's occupation of Crimea and the conflict in Ukraine - treasury.gov

US State Department hopes Trump would see wisdom in keeping sanctions on Russia - Sputnik

VIDEO: State Dept says new sanctions were prompted by the Russian annexation of Crimea and support for militias in eastern Ukraine - NYTimes.com

EU decision on extending anti-Russia sanctions takes effect - Sputnik

Moscow to take adequate measures over US expansion of anti-Russian sanctions - TASS

Kremlin calls US-Russian ties 'frozen on practically all levels', unsure about Trump - AP

State Department rejects Russia's claim that dialogue has ended - Washington Examiner

POLL: Most economists say U.S. to ease sanctions over next 12 months - Bloomberg

Report: Russians regularly shelled Eastern Ukraine in 2014 - ABC News

U.S.-supplied drones disappoint Ukraine at the front lines, proven ineffective against jamming and hacking by Russia and the separatists - Reuters

Sources: Russia tests anti-satellite weapon - CNNPolitics.com

Russia missing from Trump’s top defense priorities, according to DoD memo - Foreign Policy

Text of DoD memo on Trump’s top defense priorities - Foreign Policy

Senate Dems plan proxy war against Trump with Tillerson confirmation - newsmax.com

POLL: Only one-third of Americans say Russia influenced 2016 election - POLITICO

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

Focus: The Pentagon - Dec 20, 2016

McCain slams $13B in Pentagon spending in latest waste report - TheHill

REPORT: America’s Most Wasted - mccain.senate.gov

General fires back at Trump: F-35 ‘not out of control’ (just needs another half billion to finish flight testing) - Defense One

F-35 chief: Loose bracket sparked fire on Marine Corps plane - defensenews.com

F-35's $400K helmet still blinds pilots on night flights - DoD Buzz

The F-35: What’s left to fix? - Aviation Week

Expert: Military becomes overly dependent on expensive weapons systems at the expense of lower-cost, perhaps more effective alternative, F-35 costs $40,000 per hour to fly - Bloomberg

F-16 designer: Applauds Trump, says each F-35 ‘harms American air power’ - Sputnik

VIDEO: F-35 pilot interview; Why did F35 lost to F16 - YouTube

Despite problems, F-35’s first test pilot still believes in the stealth fighter - Fresno Bee

Northrop's new combat drone could outclass Boeing F/A-18, Lockheed F-35 -- The Motley Fool

Unilateral negotiations still in play for F-35 contract with Lockheed Martin - flightglobal.com

Lockheed Martin wins contract for F-35 logistics - Pacific Coast Business Times

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Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James: F-35s likely heading to Europe in Summer 2017 to help NATO deter Russian aggression - Breaking Defense

The F-35 gets a big win as Israel scores $38 Billion in US military aid - The Fiscal Times

Is the F-35 deal a dud for Israel? - israelrising.com

New photos of Russian T-50 stealth fighter: Sputnik says 'the T-50 have superior maneuverability compared to the F-35, travels at a 30% higher speed with a range over 2,000 miles farther’ - CNN

US senior defense analyst says the Russia new stealth fighter T-50 'will lose every engagement' against U.S. F-35 and F-22 stealth fighters - daytondailynews.com

F-35 meet Russia’s stealth fighter T-50 - JewishPress.com

America’s F-35 fighter jet vs China’s J-20: A comparison - Business Insider

China’s J-20 ‘stealth’ fighter is inferior to the US F-35, lets slip Chinese expert - Chinatopix

Special battle of stealth fighters: F-35 vs China J-31 & Russia T-50 - Scout

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

Focus: Russia and NATO - Dec 19, 2016

NATO and Russia talk at the Council meeting, but remain divided on Ukraine - Reuters

Statement by the NATO Secretary General following a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council - NATO

VIDEO: NATO Secretary General statement following NATO-Russia Council - YouTube

Ahead of talks US ambassador to NATO Lute accuses Russia of being 'a source of instability and uncertainty’ - RT

VIDEO: US ambassador to NATO Lute accuses Russia of becoming 'a source of instability and uncertainty' - YouTube

4000 American elite troops arrive to Eastern Europe in January, the biggest deployment in the past 20 years and will cost some USD 3.4 billion - Romania Insider

U.S. army returns 1,600 tanks to Europe as NATO eyes assertive Russia, a Dutch installation to house this 'strategically prepositioned critical war stock’ (VIDEO) - NBC

British Government extends military training for Ukrainian troops 'in face of a more belligerent Russia' - The Independent

European defense budgets climb as NATO countries step up spending - NBC

Stoltenberg: NATO is considering strengthening its presence in the Black Sea - UAWire

Romania boosts NATO role as Black Sea tension rises - irishtimes.com

Lavrov: Kyiv's initiative of patrolling Black Sea jointly with NATO provocative - KyivPost

Russia will respond if NATO establishes military group in Black Sea: Foreign Ministry - Sputnik

Russia to 'expand mobile nuclear missile patrols' near European borders to respond to Nato 'threats' in 2017 - The Independent

Serbia to get Russian fighter jets to counter NATO threat - ABC News

Kremlin hails Kissinger for Putin comments stating the Russian President was an effective advocate for his nation's interest - US News

VIDEO: Henry Kissinger on Russia hacking & Putin - CBS News

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UN approves sending monitors to Aleppo as evacuations resume - ABC News

Security Council Resolution 2328: Demanding immediate, unhindered access for observation of monitoring civilian evacuations from Aleppo - ReliefWeb

Russia, Iran and Turkey to hold Syria talks in Moscow on Tuesday - Reuters

Putin tells Rouhani he wants Syria conflict resolved soon: Kremlin - Reuters

Gunman kills Russian ambassador to Turkey, shouts 'God is great' - usatoday.com

VIDEO: Footage of Russian ambassador assassinated in Turkey - YouTube

Putin calls ambassador murder provocation aimed at derailing Syria negotiations - Sputnik

VIDEO: Putin comments on ambassador assassination in Ankara - YouTube

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

Focus: The European Union - Dec 15, 2016

Note: I am a believer in the European Union. I think that it is an historical development, a political experiment to be replicated regionally in other parts of the world. Nowadays it is suffering difficulties like any emerging reality but it will ultimately succeed. As the 2016 has been a crisis year for the EU, the 2017 may set a relaunch of the initiative with new elections and changes looming.

EU agrees to extend Russia sanctions until mid-2017 over the turmoil in Ukraine - Reuters

EU fatigue over Russia sanctions shows as Putin reset looms - Bloomberg

Why the EU sanctions against Russia won’t last - Sputnik

Medvedev says EU food embargo remains in response to anti-Russian sanctions - RT Business

Federica Mogherini, top EU diplomat, says bloc is prepared for Trump - WSJ

EU foreign policy chief Mogherini speaks on Trump, Russia, Iran deal, Syria - WSJ

Kremlin: Russia not interested in ‘friendship’ with EU against U.S., In WSJ interview foreign policy chief Mogherini said the EU could 'line up with Russia’ to counter some policies of Trump - TASS

Ukraine will not join EU, Dutch are promised: Association deal not conferring to Ukraine candidate status, guarantees for military or financial assistance, or a right for its citizens work within EU - The Guardian

European Council conclusions on Ukraine, 15 December 2016 - EU Consilium

European Parliament votes for mechanism suspending visa-free travels for third countries, brings Georgia and Ukraine closer to visa-free EU travel - rferl.org

Visa-free regime for Ukraine? 'Another kind of danger Europe will have to face': The inflow of Ukrainian migrants to Europe will be a serious challenge to the European labor market - Sputnik

Kiev continues policy of economic and cultural detachment of Donbass from Ukraine: Russian envoy - TASS