Russia is a British puppet.In Syria, they have the same interests... ...Nobody wants the pipeline Iran-Mediterranean-EU...

Op-Ed Russia's Military Aims Achieved, Putin Switches to Diplomacy   By Paul Craig Roberts Unlike Washington, Russia is able to achieve decisive military results in a short time without Russian casualties. -Continue   ========= Syrian Kurds Risk Their Gains With New Federalization Demands   By Moon Of Alabama To demand federalization now is like opening a can of nasty worms. -Continue   ========= Syria: Things They Just Made Up   By Kit More and more we see the Western, neocon narrative being propped up with utterly baseless statements. -Continue   ========= The Nuclear Near East!   By Thierry Meyssan While the West was applying pressure on Iran to abandon its civilian nuclear programme, the Saudis were buying the atomic bomb from Israel or Pakistan. - Continue   ========= Trump Cancels Republican Presidential Debate To Speak At AIPAC   By Niraj Chokshi "I'm making a very major speech in front of a very important group of people," Trump said. -Continue   ========= WATCH: Clinton Defends Regime Change 'Wouldn't It Have Been Good to Assassinate Hitler?'   By MSNBC Hillary Clinton responded to Chris Mathews challenging her position in favor of removing foreign leaders by invoking Hitler. - Continue   ========= Bernie Sanders Had a Phenomenal Night - Here's Why   By Tom Cahill If Sanders wins the upcoming Western primaries, he could erase Clinton's lead and become the new front-runner for the nomination. -Continue   ========= 'Prime Minister' Lula: The Brazilian Game-changer   By Pepe Escobar Brazilian President Lula is about to spectacularly re-enter the Brazilian government as a Minister, actually a Super-Minister. -Continue   =========

Hard News    =========   Nigeria mosque bombers kill 22: Two suspected female attackers blow themselves up inside and outside a busy mosque in northeastern Maiduguri city.  http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/nigeria-22-killed-mosque-bombings-160316090928691.html Kenya army: 19 extremists killed trying to mount ambush:  Kenya's military says it has killed 19 fighters from the Somali extremist group al-Shabab who were attempting to ambush Somali national troops.  http://www.heraldstandard.com/news/world/africa/kenya-army-extremists-killed-trying-to-mount-ambush/article_d22ff55b-5b02-5971-84a1-b6e31fa99417.html  Is the U.S. Now at War With the Shabab?:  A striking fact about post-9/11 life is that Americans can wake up and discover that they are already at war with yet another Islamist group in yet another part of the world - based not on congressional debate but on an executive branch decision that the group is sufficiently linked to Al Qaeda.  http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/us/politics/is-the-us-now-at-war-with-the-shabab-not-exactly.html  U.S. military restricts travel to West Africa, notes recent attacks:  The Pentagon on Wednesday restricted U.S. service members' travel to five West African countries, citing recent militant attacks in the region, U.S. defense officials said.  http://www.globalpost.com/article/6747248/2016/03/16/us-military-restricts-travel-west-africa-notes-recent-attacks  ISIS landmines kill, injure several Kurdish fighters in Syria's Shaddadi:  At least five Kurdish YPG fighters were killed and 20 more wounded in the explosion of land-mines that had been planted by militants of the ISIS before their departure from Shaddadi city in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province, military sources reported on Tuesday.  http://en.abna24.com/service/middle-east-west-asia/archive/2016/03/16/741473/story.html  ISIS Hangs Bodies Of 4 Syrian Democratic Forces Fighters In Al-Hasakah Governorate: ISIS hung the bodies of the Syrian Democratic Forces fighters in Al-Hasakah's village of Janah after they were killed in clashes against the Sunni militant group  http://www.ibtimes.com/isis-hangs-bodies-4-syrian-democratic-forces-fighters-al-hasakah-governorate-2337289  Kurds want lands they control in Syria to become federation under Damascus - reports:  Kurdish-controlled autonomous areas in northern Syria are expected to declare a federal system. The conference to declare the federation of three Western Kurdistan enclaves will be in Rmelan.  https://www.rt.com/news/335774-kurds-federal-system-syria/  Reports of abuse against Kurds in Turkey must be investigated - Lavrov:  Moscow says it is necessary to investigate reports of massive human rights abuse in south-eastern Turkey against Kurdish nationals, the Russian foreign minister said at a news briefing.  https://www.rt.com/news/335830-lavrov-kurds-abuse-investigation/  President Erdogan wants to change definition of 'terrorist' to include journalists and politicians: Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan has claimed the definition of a terrorist should be changed to include their "supporters" - such as MPs, civil activists and journalists.  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/turkey-s-president-erdogan-wants-definition-of-terrorist-to-include-journalists-as-three-academics-a6933881.html  Daesh lost a fifth of its territory since 2015: IHS Jane's said the militants controlled 73,440 square kilometers of ground as of Monday, an area equivalent to half the size of England.  http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2016/Mar-17/342619-daesh-lost-a-fifth-of-its-territory-since-2015.ashx  9 people killed, wounded in bomb blast in Abu Ghraib District in western Baghdad:  The source said in a statement obtained by IraqiNews.com, "A bomb exploded, at noon today, near a popular market in Abu Ghraib District in western Baghdad, killing two people and wounding seven others,"  http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/9-people-killed-wounded-bomb-blast-abu-ghraib-district-west-baghdad/  Saudi Arabia 'planning Nato-like military alliance of Muslim states':  It is unclear whether the kingdom's longstanding rival Iran will be welcome in the group. Saudi Arabia has proposed a "Nato-like" military alliance of Islamic countries to combat terrorism, it has been reported.  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-proposes-nato-like-military-alliance-of-muslim-states-reports-say-a6933056.html  "Tyranny will fall": Son of executed Saudi dissident al-Nimr shares his incredible story:  EXCLUSIVE: Interview with activist Mohammed al-Nimr, whose father was killed by Saudi Arabia for leading protest  http://www.salon.com/2016/03/15/tyranny_will_fall_son_of_executed_saudi_dissident_al_nimr_shares_his_incredible_story/  Putin tells Rivlin: I'll meet with Netanyahu on security issues: Russian president welcomes Israeli president to Moscow; 'We will never forget the Russian nation and Red Army for defeating the Nazis,' Rivlin tells Putin.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4779413,00.html  How Most Aid to the Palestinians Ends up in Israel's Coffers:  A lack of oversight means aid money is diverted from its intended recipients.  http://www.alternet.org/world/how-most-aid-palestinians-ends-israels-coffers  Major Israel Lobbying Group Under Fire From Jews For Hosting Donald Trump: A growing chorus of Jewish voices are blasting a major Israel lobbying group for inviting Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump to speak at its annual conference, arguing his inflammatory rhetoric and sometimes anti-Semitic supporters are out-of-step with the values of Judaism.  http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/03/16/3761107/aipac-donald-trump/  Revised UC intolerance proposal addresses anti-Zionism:  The University of California revised a proposed policy on intolerance to include "anti-Zionism" and anti-Semitism as forms of discrimination that won't be tolerated on UC's 10 campuses, releasing the long-anticipated draft statement Tuesday to both praise and criticism.  http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/mar/16/revised-uc-intolerance-proposal-addresses-anti/  At least 10 militants killed in army operation in Afghanistan:  At least 10 militants were killed by the Afghan National Army (ANA) during an operation in eastern province of Kunar in Afghanistan. One army personnel was also killed and two injured during the ongoing operation, the official said.  http://www.firstpost.com/world/terror-crackdown-at-least-10-militants-killed-in-army-operation-in-afghanistan-2678274.html  Manhunt continues in Belgium after deadly raid:  Police identify man killed during counterterrorism raid in Brussels and warns of two suspects who are on the run.  http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/manhunt-continues-belgium-deadly-raid-160316152157214.html  EU prepares to scale back resettlement of Syrian refugees:  The EU is preparing to scale back the number of Syrian refugees offered resettlement in Europe, as part of a controversial pact being drawn up with Turkey.  http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/16/eu-cut-number-syrian-refugees-coming-europe  EU-Turkey migrant deal hurdled as Cyprus & others slam Ankara 'blackmail':  A European plan to ease refugee crisis by sending migrants back to Turkey all at once was in serious trouble after Cyprus threatened to derail the deal ahead of Thursday's summit, and some EU countries accused Ankara of 'blackmailing' Brussels.  https://www.rt.com/news/335815-refugee-crisis-eu-summit/  Donetsk Blog: Shelling Intensity Doubles - Conscripts Forced to Front - Ukrainian Mutinies:  The Ukrainian military's attempt at a frontal attack between the capital of the DPR and the second-largest city of Gorlovka in the north has failed. Kiev has therefore doubled the intensity of shelling in order to bring maximum damage to the infrastructure of the Republic.  http://russia-insider.com/en/donetsk-blog-mar-16-shellings-intensity-doubled-rebellion-afu-conscripts-front/ri13377  US State Dept Pledges to Retain Sanctions Until Russia Returns Crimea:  "We will not accept the redrawing of borders by force in the 21st century. Sanctions related to Crimea will remain in place as long as the occupation continues. We again call on Russia to end that occupation and return Crimea to Ukraine,"  http://sputniknews.com/world/20160316/1036366617/us-russia-sanctions-crimea.html  UN report: Denmark is happiest nation in the world:  Few complain about the high taxes as, in return, they benefit from a health system where everybody has free access to a general practitioner and hospitals. Taxes also pay for schools and universities, and students are given monthly grants for up to seven years.  http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/report-denmark-happiest-nation-world-160316210852258.html  Gerry Adams refused entrance to White House St. Patrick's Day reception:  Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams was refused entrance to the White House Irish community St. Patrick's reception last night in a shock occurrence that left Irish American leaders baffled.  http://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/niallodowd/Gerry-Adams-refused-entrance-to-White-House-StPatricks-Day-reception.html? Argentina shoots & sinks Chinese trawler for alleged illegal fishing (VIDEO):  Thirty-two sailors from a Chinese trawler were dramatically rescued off the coast of Argentina after the South American country's coast guard pursued and sank 'Lu Yan Yuan Yu 010' for allegedly fishing illegally.  https://www.rt.com/news/335845-argentina-china-sinking-rescue/  Brazil president names Lula chief of staff:  Dilma Rousseff's decision may help former two-time president avoid possible detention in expanding corruption probe.  http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/brazil-president-names-predecessor-chief-staff-160316154506861.html  Rifle found at El Chapo hideout tied to Fast and Furious: One of the guns that Mexican officials say was found at the hideout of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera has been found to be associated with Fast and Furious, a failed "gun-walking" operation, according to the Justice Department.  http://nypost.com/2016/03/16/rifle-found-at-el-chapo-hideout-tied-to-fast-and-furious/  Foreign governments dump U.S. debt at record rate:  Foreign governments are dumping U.S. debt like never before.\  http://money.cnn.com/2016/03/16/investing/us-debt-dumped-foreign-governments-china/  The Department of Justice Throws Its Weight Behind Ending the Jailing of the Poor for Unpaid Fines:  Today the ACLU challenged the jailing of poor people if they could not pay the entire amount of their outstanding court fines and fees up front, in full, and in cash.  https://www.aclu.org/blog/speak-freely/department-justice-throws-its-weight-behind-ending-jailing-poor-unpaid-fines  Court: Inmate who survived '09 execution can be put to death:  The state can try again to put to death a condemned killer whose 2009 execution was called off after two hours during which he cried in pain while receiving 18 needle sticks, the Ohio Supreme Court said Wednesday.  http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Court-Inmate-who-survived-09-execution-can-be-6893098.php  Obama nominates Garland to high court, challenging GOP:  Obama cast the 63-year-old Garland as "a serious man and an exemplary judge" deserving of a full hearing and a Senate confirmation vote, despite Republican vows to deny him both. Standing in the White House Rose  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3494874/Obama-Ive-decision-Supreme-Court-nominee.html  No hearing for Obama's Supreme Court nominee, McConnell says:  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Wednesday shot down the idea of Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland getting a hearing. McConnell insisted in a floor speech that the vacancy should be filled by the next president.  http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/273230-mcconnell-no-hearing-for-garland  Rubio's Exit Leaves Trump With an Open Path to 1,237 Delegates:  Donald J. Trump's series of victories on Tuesday extended his delegate lead and forced Senator Marco Rubio of Florida out of the presidential race. Mr. Trump's path to winning enough delegates to secure the Republican nomination is not assured, but he is in a strong position.  http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/03/16/upshot/trump-cruz-kasich-republican-delegate-lead.html?_r=0  Top conservatives gather to plot third-party run against Trump:  Three influential leaders of the conservative movement have summoned other top conservatives for a closed-door meeting Thursday in Washington, D.C., to talk about how to stop Donald Trump and, should he become the Republican nominee, how to run a third-party "true conservative" challenger in the fall.  http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/top-conservatives-gather-to-plot-third-party-run-against-trump-220786?lo=ut_a1  Fox News cancels GOP primary debate: Fox News announced Wednesday that the network has canceled the Republican presidential primary debate scheduled for Monday in Salt Lake City, after first Donald Trump and then John Kasich said they would not attend.  http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/03/16/fox-news-cancels-gop-primary-debate.html  Trump Column Appears To Have Plagiarized Chunks Of Carson Op-ed:  Large swaths of text from an op-ed penned by Republican frontrunner Donald Trump appear to be pulled almost word for word from a column written by Ben Carson just days earlier for another U.S. territorial newspaper.  http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/donald-trump-plagarism-carson-op-ed  'What certainly influenced me' to support Iraq war, Clinton says, was Bush's billions of aid to NYC -:  "Part of what certainly influenced me" to support the Iraq war was George Bush pledging billions to rebuild New York after 9/11 a year before her vote, Hillary Clinton said last night  http://mondoweiss.net/2016/03/what-certainly-influenced-me-to-support-iraq-war-clinton-says-was-bushs-billions-of-aid-to-nyc/  Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon Endorses Hillary Clinton for President:  He says he's retracting his endorsement of Donald Trump.  http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-03-14/ku-klux-klan-grand-dragon-will-quigg-endorses-hillary-clinton-for-president?src=usn_tw  Marco Rubio and Hillary Clinton Accepted Prison Lobbyist Donations:  Hillary Clinton and Marco Rubio have benefited from prison lobbyist money. Clinton's campaign has received $133,246 while Rubio's campaign accepted $133,450 from the prison lobby.   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/h-a-goodman/marco-rubio-and-hillary-clinton-accepted_b_9191868.html