Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Wednesday 8 July 2015

The European Union Times



Posted: 07 Jul 2015 10:36 AM PDT


The Ministry of Defense (MoD) is reporting today that this mornings “emergency activation” to immediate combat readiness status of the 102nd Military Base near Gyumri, Armenia (Caucasus region), is directly related to the 4 July “war order” issued by President Putin authorizing the sinking of the US Navy’s guided missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG-78) that just entered into the Black Sea on 5 July.
According to this report, on 4 July, President Putin “communicated directly” with President Barack Obama outlining the “exact parameters” of his “war order” and further expressed the Federations “grave concerns” regarding the United States massive global war games that are currently underway, or due to start this month, that include, in part, Talisman Sabre 2015Jade Helm 15 and Breeze 15.
Of the greatest concern to the Federation regarding these massive US war moves, this report continues, is Breeze 15 that includes 30 ships and around 1,700 personnel from Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey as well as the US belonging to the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) and the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) that began operations in the Black Sea on 3 July.
And heightening these “grave concerns” even more, this report explains, was Greek Prime MinsterAlexis Tsipras stating to President Putin last week that the Greek Navy contingent of NATO’s Breeze 15 war game had been refused permission by his government to participate in it due to that nation’s severe financial crisis, thus leading to fears the Obama regime was planning to use this “exercise” in a coup against that country and its democratically elected leaders.
To the fears that the Obama regime is, in fact, planning a coup against the Greek government, this report notes, were first raised this past March when Obama sent to that nation Victoria Nuland, Assistant US Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs, who in 2014 headed the coup against the democratically government of Ukraine, as well as the “secret” coup d’etat in Georgia too.
As the Guardian News Service states on Nuland’s 17 March mission to Greece on behalf of the bankster-led, and controlled, Obama regime they say she “flew into the capital amid mounting US concerns that the great euro debt crisis has begun to pose a geopolitical threat. Allowed to veer out of control, Greece could end up in the ambit of Russia, financially bereft and without the EU links that keep it bounded to the west. Nato’s south-eastern flank would be immeasurably weakened at a time of mounting global security worries over Islamic fundamentalists in the Middle East.”
Also to be noted, this report warns, Nuland has also “actively subverted” the Greek military structure causing the unprecedented interference seen by that nations former military leaders ahead of this past Sunday’s election wherein US-EU backed banksters were crushed by the citizens of that nation when,to the shock of the EU-US, they voted overwhelmingly against the further destruction of their lives and nation thus angering these Western criminals who want nothing more than to put more billions into their private banking accounts while these people starve.
The WSWS News Service further reported on this unprecedented interference in this election by stating:
“Hours before anti-austerity demonstrators flooded the streets of central Athens on Friday, a number of retired Greek military officers publicly called for a “yes” vote in Sunday’s referendum on the European Union’s demands, defying Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s call for a “no” vote.
The contrast between masses of workers denouncing EU austerity and the pronouncements of prominent military figures could not have been starker. Retired General Fragkoulis Fragkos, a former defense minister and one-time head of the Greek army general staff, called for a “loud yes on Sunday.” In 2011, Fragkos was cashiered by then-Prime Minister George Papandreou amid rumors of a coup.
Clearly referring to Tsipras, Fragkos said that “the moral values and principles that have always defined us Greeks are not under negotiation with any clueless and historically ignorant [politician] who is advancing his own party interest.”
A group of 65 retired high-ranking officers issued a statement citing their “oath to the Fatherland and the Flag” and warning, “By choosing isolation, we place the Fatherland and its future in danger.”
The statement continued: “The strength of our country is the most important thing we have, and this is being put in jeopardy. Our exit from Europe will make our country weaker. We will lose allies that have stood by our side. We will lose the strength we gain from associations and groupings to which we belong historically and culturally.”
These declarations constitute an enormous act of political intimidation.”


But to the greatest “fear/concern” causing President Putin to issue this “war order”, and then directly relay it to President Obama on 4 July, this report explains, is related to the Obama regimes proxy-war being fermented in the Federation’s Caucasus region by CIA-backed Islamic State fighters.
MoD strategic analysts in this report further note that last month when ISIS declared a new governorate called Wilayat Qawqaz in this Federation region it was an “act of war” against the Federation perpetrated by the Obama regime as it has already been proven in fact that this terrorist group receives all of its funding from the CIA through a number of secret Swiss bank accounts.
To the “red lines” outlined in President Putin’s “war order” given to President Obama, this report continues, one of the first “points” dictates that any assault (terrorist attack) upon the Federation by any CIA-directed ISIS fighters will be considered as an attack upon Russia itself ordered by the United States.
And to this “war order” authorizing the sinking of USS Porter in the Black Sea, this report says, President Putin has directed in it that “any and all” American military assests operating within 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of any ISIS attack upon the Caucasus region is to be considered a legitimate target…and which this ship would be within while it operates in the Black Sea.
As to how the Obama regime has responded to this Federation “war order”, this report concludes, it is not fully known…other than to note that within 48 hours of receiving it from President Putin, President Obama “fled to the Pentagon” in a rare visit to meet with his top military leaders about their nations ISIS strategy…or to plot the Greek coup…or just start World War III.
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Posted: 07 Jul 2015 03:02 AM PDT


Is the American century over? Despite a growing economy, world-class university system, innovative society, and the best military in the world it seems the US may lose its global leadership.
Air Force Col. Robert S. Spalding and his co-author Dr. Adam B. Lowther, a Research Professor at the Air Force Research Institute (AFRI), believe that the American pessimism over the country’s gradual decline is unjustified, insisting that “things are not as bad as they seem.”
According to the experts, Washington’s popularity among its NATO allies and partners is growing. The US’ European partners are seeking Washington’s help in countering the “Russian threat,” while in Asia China’s neighbors want the United States “to be a part of the future so that it can play a central role in balancing Chinese power.”
On the other hand, the United States is still indispensable for the containment Islamic State’s growth in the Middle East, the experts deem.
“With a growing economy, world-class university system, innovative society, and the best military in the world, the United States is well placed to lead in the century ahead. It might not be called “the American century,” but the future will be one Americans can be proud of,” Rob Spalding and Adam Lowther asserted.
But what if that’s just wishful thinking?
While Pentagon chief Ashton Carter beat the war drums in Europe, urging the states to raise their defense spending in the face of Russia’s imaginary threat, major German and British energy corporations had signed a number of highly lucrative deals with Moscow. Thus far, they sent a clear signal to their governments that they do not view Russia as a threat and do not consider anti-Russian sanctions a hindrance to further cooperation with Russia, according to American-German economic researcher and historian F. William Engdahl.
On the other hand, in reality NATO member states are not only not increasing their military budgets, but in some cases are actually cutting them, Executive Director of the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity Daniel McAdams highlights. Furthermore, those countries which are “most geographically vulnerable to the claimed Russian aggression,” fail to create interest among citizens in signing up for military service.
A recent survey, carried out by the Pew Research Center indicated clearly that European NATO member states are reluctant to defend their allies against Russia, while public support for NATO is declining in Germany and in the United States itself.
Meanwhile despite obvious frictions between Beijing and its Asian neighbors over disputed territories and maritime routes, most Asian states jumped at the opportunity to join the China-led New Silk Road initiative. Some experts even go so far as to assert that the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road project may facilitate the resolution of the longstanding South China Sea maritime disputes.
On the other hand Beijing’s Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has brought together both China’s friends and “foes.” While the United States offers a military buildup in the region with the potential prospect of creating a direct conflict between the Asian tigers, China is developing its highly profitable project which is expected to bolster the economy of the Asian Pacific and modernize the infrastructure of the region.
Interestingly enough, Rob Spalding and Adam Lowther remained silent about the fact that US’ European allies did not miss the chance to become founding members of the China-led AIIB, leaving Washington in the cold and turning a deaf ear to its vocal displeasure. The China-led financial institutions are viewed by many as a potential substitute for the US-influenced World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Beijing’s initiatives may eventually facilitate the decline of the dollar and remove the US currency from its dominant position.
And that is not all. In the Middle East Washington still cannot boast any substantial progress in countering the ISIL threat, prompting growing discontent among Iraqi policy makers.
“The Iraqi government believes that international efforts to prevent ISIL’s penetration into the country are insufficient. The Iraqi government’s assessments show that the anti-ISIL coalition efforts have not been enough since the terrorists are still infiltrating Iraq and their number has not reduced,” Iraqi Prime Minister spokesman Saad Hadithi underscored in an interview with Iran’s Fars News Agency (FNA) in June 2015.
Remarkably, Rob Spalding and Adam Lowther admitted, that Washington can no longer handle all the challenges alone and needs assistance from its allies. “Not everything is possible through American power alone,” the authors noted, adding that “some regions have the capabilities required to address their own security challenges.”
“Accepting the mantle of leadership being placed on American shoulders, from Tokyo to Berlin, may not always be easy, but the security and prosperity enjoyed over the past seven decades is built upon its willingness to do so,” the experts underscored.
But it seems that not everything is so rosy in the garden as the experts describe.
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Posted: 07 Jul 2015 02:45 AM PDT
The Tupolev Tu-95 Bear strategic bomber remains an important part of Russia’s air power.
The US Air Force reportedly scrambled fighter jets to intercept two pairs of Russian bombers that flew off the coast of California and Alaska on July 4.
The first incident occurred off the coast of Alaska, forcing the Air Force to send two F-22 jets from their base in Alaska to intercept two Tupolev Tu-95 long-range nuclear bombers, Fox News reports, citing US defense officials.
The second incident happened off the central coast of California, where another pair of Tu-95 Bear bombers were intercepted by two F-15 jets.
A defense official said that neither pair of Russian bombers entered US airspace–12 nautical miles off the coast.
Such incidents are not an uncommon occurrence between Russia and the United States.
A US Air Force reconnaissance aircraft encountered with a Russian fighter jet over the Black Sea in May, American military officials said last month.
According to officials, the Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet, flying at high speed, flew alongside the US RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft at the same altitude, and shadowed the plane before leaving the area.
Also in May, the Russian military deployed Su-24 jets to ward off the US Navy destroyer USS Ross in the Black Sea after it was found heading into Russia’s territorial waters, according to several Russian media outlets.
The number of flights by Russian bombers over the US Air Defense Identification Zone doubled last year from their norm, according to data from the North American Aerospace Defense Command, known as NORAD.
Congressional hawks see the moves as a veiled message by Moscow over the conflict in Ukraine.
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Posted: 07 Jul 2015 02:23 AM PDT



As the threat from ISIS extremists grows, the European Union’s head of foreign affairs and security policy Federica Mogherini has caused consternation by asserting that “political Islam” is a firm part of Europe’s future.
Responding to last month’s brutal Islamist terror attacks in Tunisia, Kuwait and France, Mogherini dismissed the idea of a clash of civilizations and shot back at critics of mass immigration.
“Islam belongs in Europe. It holds a place in Europe’s history, in our culture, in our food and – what matters most – in Europe’s present and future,” wrote Mogherini, before adding, “I am not afraid to say that political Islam should be part of the picture. Religion plays a role in politics – not always for good, not always for bad. Religion can be part of the process. What makes the difference is whether the process is democratic or not.”
In promoting “political Islam” as part of the future of Europe, Mogherini is violating the very notion that western democracy is supposed to be based on the fundamental principle of separation of church and state (or mosque and state in this case).
Since the zenith of “political Islam” is Sharia law, the legal system derived from the teachings of Islam, she is also promoting the imposition of a system that represents one of the most repressive forces on the planet, subjugating women and allowing for extra-judicial murder such as stoning and beheading, both of which are practiced in Saudi Arabia, a country which exemplifies “political Islam”.
“She was not referring to the Muslims who divide Europe into “us” and “them” by saying, “We will conquer your Rome,” writes Robert Spencer. “She was referring to those who say that such people should be resisted. For even though she says, “Da’esh is Islam’s worst enemy in today’s world,” she has no plan to distinguish its many, many thousands of adherents among Muslims in Europe from those who reject it. And so she and her ilk are heading Europe toward a future of chaos and bloodshed.”
Mogherini’s comments will do little to dispel concerns that world leaders are hesitant to fully acknowledge the threat posed by ISIS, and the fact the group’s campaign of terror is very much Islamic, for fear of appearing politically incorrect.
Indeed, the current debate about how to stop ISIS is not centered around combating the ideology (lifted straight from the Koran) that motivates ISIS’ thousands of fighters and its millions of supporters, but an obsession with not calling the group “Islamic”.
Last month, British Prime Minister David Cameron insisted that ISIS instead be referred to as “Da’esh” because “Islamic State” was offensive to Muslims.
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Posted: 07 Jul 2015 02:09 AM PDT


Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured Greeks that he will support them in the financial hardships they face after the Greek people overwhelmingly voted “No” to further restricting terms of an international bailout program.
In a phone conversation on Monday, Putin discussed the results of a Sunday referendum with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, voicing his support for the Greek people in “overcoming the difficulties” they face, a statement by the Kremlin press service said.
In a hastily organized referendum on how the Greek government should deal with the rising demands of its international creditors for granting a bailout, more than 61 percent of the people said “No” to the conditions set by the lenders, ostensibly improving the ruling Syriza party’s position in ongoing negotiations with international creditors.
The Kremlin statement said the phone call was initiated from the Greek side in which Putin and Tsipras discussed the outcome of the referendum as well as “several issues of further development of Greek-Russian cooperation.”
However, the statement did not mention any potential assistance in finances from the side of Russia, which Greece dearly needs these days to help its economy.
Since rising to power in January, the euro-skeptic rulers of Greece have repeatedly shown their willingness to get closer to Moscow as the gaps with European creditors have kept widening. Since April, Tsipras has made two visits to Russia where he has finalized a deal on building a gas pipeline worth 2 billion euros (USD 2.2 billion).
Russia itself is entangled in a bitter standoff with the European Union over a crisis in east Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Greece’s economy minister insisted that his country wants to stay in the 19-nation euro currency despite the fact that the “No” vote prevailed in the Sunday referendum.
“We want to stay in the euro. We want a better deal. A more balanced deal,” Giorgos Stathakis said of the ongoing talks with Greece’s international lenders on the continuation of a bailout program, and added staying in the euro was among Syriza’s slogans before the elections earlier in 2014.
Stathakis said, however, that if the creditors want a deal to be reached, they should keep Greek banks afloat. The best-case scenario for the European Central Bank is to grant the banks in Greece a 3 billion euros (USD 3.3 billion) in liquidity assistance.
Tsipras names new finance minister
Also on Monday, Athens named a leading member of Greece’s bailout negotiating team as the new finance minister to replace outgoing Yanis Varoufakis who resigned hours after vote results surfaced.
Reports in the Greek media said that Euclid Tsakalotos is set to be officially confirmed as the new finance minister in the next few hours.
A graduate of Oxford and member of Syriza’s central committee, Tsakalotos is expected to mark a new thaw in the frosty relations between Greece and the creditors.
Varoufakis announced his resignation on Twitter Monday, saying he was told that some members of the eurozone considered him unwelcome at meetings of finance ministers.
Banks remain closed in Greece and restrictions are in place capping the daily amount of money people can withdraw from ATMs across the country. That came when the government tried to impose last week a series of measures to control the flow of capital out of fear that the banks may run dry of cash.
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Posted: 07 Jul 2015 01:37 AM PDT


​After a pair of American robot makers challenged their rivals in Japan to a mega duel involving their mechanical creations, the corresponding team in Japan has responded without hesitation: ‘Bring it on’.
In a video posted on YouTube, Kogoro Kurata, the CEO and founder of Suidobashi Heavy Industry, said his company would be more than willing to battle US-based MegaBots in an epic robot faceoff.
“Yeah, I’ll fight. Absolutely,” Kurata said in the video.

The idea for the battle originated in late June, when MegaBots published a YouTube video calling on Suidobashi to fight its 15-foot tall Mark II robot, which the company called “America’s first fully functional giant piloted robot.” The gasoline-powered robot weighs in at 12,000 pounds and requires two pilots to operate it. It also shoots large paint cannonballs at over 100 miles per hour, has twin gatling guns and moves around via tank treads.
Noting that Suidobashi built its own pilot-operated robot well beforehand known as the Kuratas – named after Kurata himself, the robot has been operational since 2012 – the MegaBots founders suggested what every young 12-year-old wants to see when realizing two giant robots exist in the world.
“Suidobashi, we have a giant robot. You have a giant robot. You know what needs to happen: We challenge you to a duel.”

While Kurata is more than obliged to take on his American challengers, he did tweak his opponents for the way they boasted about some of the Mark II’s features.
“My reaction? Come on guys, make it cooler,” he said. “Just building something huge and sticking guns on it. It’s … super American.”
Instead, Kurata proposed something much more dynamic than just watching two giant hunks of metal stand there and shoot guns at each other. He wants to see the robots fight melee-style, throwing punches and performing other physical maneuvers.
“If we’re gonna win this, I want to punch them and scrap them down to do it,” Kurata said in the video.
The Kuratas isn’t quite as tall as the Mark II, but at 12 feet in height and 9,000 pounds in weight it’s still a remarkable looking machine. Requiring one person to operate, the Kuratas moves around on a set of four wheeled legs, can shoot bottle rockets and features BB gatling guns that are controlled by the pilot’s smile (yes, you read that correctly).
In a separate video, Suidobashi even depicted the Kuratas driving through Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing.

Both the US and Japanese teams will need to make modifications to their robots before any fight, which has been set for about one year from now. There are no other details on a time and place for the potential contest, but Kuratas said he knows how important a victory for Japan would be.
“We can’t let another country win this,” he said. “Giant robots are Japanese culture.”
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