Op-Ed Articles
Russia, China Mock Divide and Rule
By Pepe Escobar
2015 will be a hair-raising year in myriad aspects.
2015 Will See Decisive Battles
The Empire is Crumbling, That is Why it Needs War
By Andre Vltchek
The Empire is decomposing; it is sick, unsustainable.
U.S. War Against Russia Is Now Against Hungary Too
By Eric Zuesse
Hungary has decided to align itself with Russia against the United States.
Selling 'Peace Groups' on US-Led Wars
By Margaret Sarfehjooy and Coleen Rowley
The U.S. government has made "perception management" of the American people a high priority, feeding them a steady diet of propaganda about foreign crises, even getting "peace groups" to buy into "pro-democracy" wars.
The Christmas Hope:
A To-Do List for a Better World
By John W. Whitehead
America cannot continue to lambast terrorist groups for their contempt for human life and dignity when our own nation violates these same principles time and again.
If Hope Remains Dormant, Freedom Remains Elusive
By ashiftinconsciousness
Look at the things we teach our children: that it's OK to do horrible things - just don't get caught.
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Hard News
Syrian government air strikes kill 37 civilians in Aleppo, says monitor:
Syrian air strikes killed at least 37 civilians, including seven children, in strongholds of the Islamic State jihadist group, a monitoring group said Friday in a new toll.
Syrian rebel groups in Aleppo enter alliance: monitoring group:
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a number of armed groups in Aleppo had agreed to the alliance, including factions from the Islamic Front, which was a merger of rebel groups announced last year.
Syrian peace talks set to take place in Moscow next month:
Peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition could be held in Moscow next month, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Thursday. Related Stories. The talks are set to take place sometime after Jan. 20, ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said at a briefing.
Jordan pilot ejected over Syria after 'technical failure':
Technical failure caused a Jordanian pilot captured by ISIS jihadis in Syria to eject after flying at low altitude, activists told AFP on Friday.
Islamic State Group Governor Killed in Airstrikes:
The strikes come as U.S. and Iraqi forces prepare an offensive to retake the city of Mosul, located about 400 kilometers north of Baghdad.
Iraq, Turkey pledge to fight 'all terrorist organisations' in region:
Iraq and Turkey on Thursday pledged to join forces to fight Islamic State (IS) insurgents who are holding swathes of Iraq and Syria.
As U.S. troops return to Iraq, more private contractors follow:
The U.S. government is preparing to boost the number of private contractors in Iraq as part of President Barack Obama's growing effort to beat back Islamic State militants threatening the Baghdad government, a senior U.S. official said.
Lebanese Army kills 3 gunmen on Syria border:
A source in the town told The Daily Star that a group of gunmen tried to sneak into Lebanon from Syria near an Army checkpoint in Wadi Hmeid on the outskirts of Arsal, prompting troops to open fire.
Saudi Arabia braces for $39bn deficit, to cut wages due to low oil prices:
The Finance Ministry said the government will try to save some money by cutting salaries, wages, and allowances that represent around "50 percent of total budgeted expenditures." But the move could anger Saudi youth, who are already struggling to cover the costs of living in the country.
Saudi terrorism court 'to try women drivers':
The women's cases had reportedly been transferred over comments they had made on social media - rather than for their driving, according to activists.
22 Libya soldiers killed in speedboat attack on oil ports:
Islamists killed at least 22 soldiers on Thursday after a surprise attack in which they used speedboats in a failed bid to seize some of Libya's main oil terminals, officials said.
Gunmen kill 14 Libya soldiers at power plant:
The official Libyan news agency says the military chief of the self-proclaimed government in the capital Tripoli has ordered an investigation into the slaying in Sirte, which is controlled by Islamist militias allied with the Tripoli government.
Somalia: 3 African Union troops killed in al-Shabab attack:
The African Union (AU) force in Somalia says three of its peacekeepers and a civilian contractor have been killed in an attack on its headquarters in the capital, Mogadishu.
Two Egyptian troops killed in Sinai explosion:
An officer and a soldier were killed when an explosive device was detonated near their vehicle during a patrol near the airport of northern Sinai's Arish city, army spokesman Ahmed Samir said on Facebook.
US kills 7 people in Pakistan:
Two suspected US drones fired missiles at alledged militant hideouts in northwest Pakistan on Friday killing at least seven "fighters", Pakistani intelligence officials said.
US kills three civilians in Afghanistan:
Governor of Logar province details 'mistake by the coalition forces'
Game Over Japan: Real Wages Crash Most In 21st Century, Savings Rate Turns Negative:
When about a month ago it was revealed that Japan's shadow economic advisor is none other than Paul Krugman, we said it was only a matter of time before the Japanese economy implodes. Terminally.
China Steps In as World's New Bank:
Beijing's move to bail out Russia, on top of its recent aid for Venezuela and Argentina, signals the death of the post-war Bretton Woods world
China Offers Russia Help With Currency Swap Suggestion:
Two Chinese ministers offered support for Russia as President Vladimir Putin seeks to shore up the ruble without depleting foreign-exchange reserves.
Ruble Rallies 34% After Biggest Russian Intervention In 5 Years:
Since the Russian Ruble troughed at almost 80 RUB/USD, it has rallied an impressive 34% erasing most of the dramatic devaluation of December. However, as The CBR just announced, this 'strength' came at a price.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/
Russia's international reserves fall below $400 billion to 5-year low:
Russia's international reserves fell by $15.7 billion in the week of December 13-19 to $398.9 billion, the Central Bank of Russia reported on Thursday.
MH17 witness passes lie detector test, Ukraine denies jet in crash area: Video -
Russia's Investigative Committee has confirmed the claims by a Ukrainian, who said he witnessed the deployment of a Ukrainian warplane armed with air-to-air missiles on the day the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down.
Ukraine : Key peace talks in Minsk called off:
A key round of peace talks between Ukraine's government and pro-Russian rebels, due to take place in Minsk on Friday, has been called off, Belarusian officials say.
Kiev to Pull Back Heavy Arms in 48 Hours After Complete Ceasefire: Official:
On Thursday, the Ukrainian military said that on December 26 the sides of the Ukrainian conflict would begin the withdrawal of heavy artillery from the separation line to create a 30-km security buffer zone as part of the ceasefire agreement. This withdrawal was brokered during the latest talks held on Wednesday in Minsk.
Ukraine And Pro-Russia Rebels Arrange Big Prisoner Exchange:
Kiev and pro-Russian separatists will exchange hundreds of prisoners soon, an aide to the head of Ukraine's SBU state security service said on Friday, as the military reported a slight increase in rebel attacks.
Ukraine cuts off power supplies to Crimea again - Crimea's energy ministry:
Without warning, Ukraine cut off power supplies to Crimea on Friday for the second time in a row this week, Crimea's Fuel and Energy Minister Sergey Yegorov told TASS.
Russia to take retaliatory measures to NATO's eastward expansion;
Russia would take appropriate retaliatory measures against NATO's possible eastward expansion, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Thursday.
Russia's new military doctrine lists NATO, US as major foreign threats:
The new sections of the doctrine outline the threat Russia sees in NATO's expansion and military buildup and the fact that the alliance is taking upon itself "global functions realized with violation of international law."
'Nuke trains' with up to 30 Yars missiles rolling out from 2018 - Russian defense source:
Similarly to nuclear submarines, such trains are hard to wipe out in a preemptive strike because of their mobility and ability to be disguised as regular freight trains.
Arctic Should Remain Zone Free of Military Activity: NATO Envoy;
There are no direct military risks today in the Arctic and the region should remain a zone with a minimum of military activity, Russia's permanent representative to NATO said.
NSA Reports It May Have Broken Laws With Decade of Spying on U.S. Citizens:
The National Security Agency today released reports on intelligence collection that may have violated the law or U.S. policy over more than a decade, including unauthorized surveillance of Americans' overseas communications.
Being a cop showed me just how racist and violent the police are. There's only one fix.:
The problem is that cops aren't held accountable for their actions, and they know it. These officers violate rights with impunity. They know there's a different criminal justice system for civilians and police.
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