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European Defense 4 Freedom

by Oui Sat Oct 23rd, 2021 at 12:13:47 PM EST

Now that NATO has succeeded in creating an enemy image of Russia, let"s talk up our defenses for former Warschau Pact states incorporated in the Atlantic Alliance ...

NATO defense ministers talking Russia as relations plummet | DW News |

Alliance defense ministers are to discuss a master plan to defend against a potential Russian attack.

A meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels starting Thursday is discussing dealing with Russia at a time of difficult relations and reviewing what lessons can be learned from the alliance's almost 20-year mission in Afghanistan, which ended in a recent chaotic withdrawal.

Later on Thursday, the ministers said that they had agreed to a confidential strategy to prepare for any simultaneous attack in the Baltic and Black Sea regions.

The news was met with frustration by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said that the alliance had "paved the way" for Ukraine to join, a move Moscow has long been opposed to.

NATO seeking new strategy to protect territory: Stoltenberg

"We are in the midst of a transformation of NATO. Over the last years we have stepped up and refocused on our collective defence to protect our own territory," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the start of a two-day summit.

This new strategy would mean "ensuring we have the right forces in the right place at the right time," he said.

A master plan against potential Russian offensive

The recent showdown over the envoys comes on top of the strains caused by Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea. Russia, for its part, has repeatedly complained about the stationing of NATO forces near its territory.

Although NATO officials have stressed that they do not believe an attack is imminent, the ministers are to discuss a master plan to counter any potential multiple-front Russian offensive. With the strategy, they hope to be ready for any attack in the Baltic and Black Sea regions, whether it involves nuclear arms, cyber warfare or space-based weaponry.

....
Lessons learned from Afghanistan failures

The agenda of the two-day meeting also includes a review of the alliance's mission in Afghanistan, which came to an end in August after the Islamist Taliban retook power after waging a bloody rebellion since being ousted as rulers by a US-led invasion in 2001.

Defending NATO's work in Afghanistan at the start of the meeting, Secretary General Stoltenberg insisted that "Our mission was not in vain, we prevented Afghanistan from being a safe haven for international terrorists, and prevented an attack against any NATO ally over 20 years."

NATO: 'We are not abandoning Afghanistan'

2020 Global Terrorism Index

Increase terror attacks after 9/11 - Infographics Terrorism Expands 1970-2017

Clear facts of US footprint and failed foreign policy through the decades. The Cold War was by comparison an Age of Peace ..

Beyond pale ... seldom seen such rubbish spoken bij a NATO Secretary General ... hogwash ... putting new policy in place after a horrible decade of failures of regime change and nation building?

Libya - Egypt - Syria - Iraq - Yemen - Afghanistan ... over a million deaths, wounded and millions who lost their homes and are displaced or seeking asylum or refuge. Stop NATO aggression and hostilities for the sake of American adventurism and rightwing agenda. Europe needs to fight climate change and cooperate with Russia and China on energy transition.

EU defense ambitions should not 'duplicate' NATO: Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday said the alliance welcomed the increased defense efforts by the European Union.

His remarks came a day after reports of Germany, along with four other EU states, launching an initiative to establish an EU-wide crisis reaction force, inspired by the Afghanistan withdrawal fiasco.

'More capabilities, not new structures'

NATO's cooperation with the EU has already reached "an unprecedented level," Stoltenberg said at a press conference following a meeting with the alliance's defense ministers. 

Rapid Reaction Capability of the European Union: Taking that Last Big Step | Fall 2014 |

When the United States and Israel are done with international Sunni jihadists related terrorism, both nations can focus on domestic terror attacks ...

The Escalating Terrorism Problem in the United States | CSIS - June 2020 |

Previous diary on NATO Alliance ...

Biden Reset of Diplomacy Solely with Allies


Display:
European Defense 4 Freedom | 74 comments (74 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
PM Bennett Visit to Putin in Sochi (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sat Oct 23rd, 2021 at 09:04:47 PM EST
Re: PM Bennett Visit to Putin in Sochi (none / 1)
How PM Bennett spent Shabbat in Sochi | JPost |

After getting stuck in Washington for a Shabbat and spending Shemini Atzeret in New York, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his staff found themselves, on the third occasion in two months, spending some extra time in a foreign locale due to Jewish observance.

This time, it was in Sochi, a Black Sea resort town, where Russian President Vladimir Putin has a vacation home.

The Chabad of Sochi, under the leadership of Rabbi Sholom Lazar, snapped into action to prepare kosher food for the delegation.

At Friday night dinner, Bennett spoke for 10 minutes about that week's Torah portion, an official on his delegation said.

He spoke about "Abraham's tent being open on all four sides, which teachers us the importance of being open, and the willingness to welcome new people."

Bennett also spoke about the historical connection between Russia and the Jewish people, which made spending Shabbat in Sochi special to him.

Housing and Construction Minister Ze'ev Elkin, who accompanied Bennett as a translator, shared stories of his time secretly learning Hebrew in the Soviet Union, when it was illegal to do so, and marveled about being in a delegation with the prime minister, openly observing Shabbat and speaking at dinner in Sochi.

Lazar seemed very excited about the situation, the delegation official recounted, and said he was very happy the meeting with Putin ran over time for two reasons.

First, it gave the Jewish community of Sochi the opportunity to perform the mitzvah - good deed - of preparing Shabbat for the prime minister, and second, because it was a kiddush Hashem, a sanctification of God's name.

Since 1990 Lazar has been Rabbi of the synagogue in Maryina roshcha District of Moscow. In 1992 Lazar became acquainted with Israeli diamantaire Lev Leviev, who introduced him to Russian businessmen Boris Berezovsky and Roman Abramovich. The latter became the major benefactor of the synagogue in Maryina roshcha.



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sat Oct 23rd, 2021 at 09:06:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Bennett Visit to Putin in Sochi (none / 1)
Putin-Bennett talks come amid Russia tensions with West - analysis

Russia's Tass news agency highlighted the talks between Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Russian President Vladimir Putin, illustrating the importance not only of the length of the talks but the overall Russian state news media view of Israel and its role in Moscow's foreign policy.

Russia has been in the news lately, mainly for its competition with the West. It has suspended a diplomatic mission with NATO and there are other concerns on the horizon. For instance, there are questions about Russia using energy policy to strong-arm Europe.



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sat Oct 23rd, 2021 at 09:08:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Democratic Majority 4 Israel A Hate Organization (none / 0)
The 'Democratic Majority for Israel' is a hate organization | Mondoweiss |

I argued in my last article that the hatred coming from the Jewish community is not confronted because it comes in the guise of fighting antisemitism. Ten days ago we saw another example of this hatred that has no name. The target was once again Michigan congresswomen Rashida Tlaib. So, what did Tlaib do this time?

Democratic Majority for Israel alleged that Tlaib "is appearing at an event with a man who literally glorifies suicide bombers who murdered Americans & Israelis at dance clubs, pizza shops, & bus stops. If she fails to condemn those views, she will be complicit. As Joe Biden once said, 'silence is complicity.'"

So, who is Mohammed El-Kurd? As readers of this site know, he has gained an international following because Jewish settlers are trying to take away his family's house in Sheikh Jarrah. He is a hero of nonviolent resistance.

Wikipedia says he has become the face of the protests of Palestinian evictions in East Jerusalem: He has been interviewed on MSNBC, lately became the is the Palestine Correspondent for The Nation, and Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

In a healthy political culture the Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett would have a lot of explaining to do before he got any kind of audience at the White House and the State Department, at both of which Bennett got red-carpet treatment in August.

Here is Bennett welcoming home the extrajudicial murderer Elor Azaria, the soldier who did a short prison term for shooting a prone Palestinian man in the head as he lay arrested and incapacitated on the street in occupied Hebron in 2016.

Hebron shooter gets hero's welcome after serving term | Times of Israel - May 2018 |

....
It should also be taboo to publish former Israeli ambassador to the U.S Michael Oren. Contemplate the Oren tweet below and the logical conclusion by the activist Gary Spedding:



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sat Oct 23rd, 2021 at 10:33:00 PM EST
Re: European Defense 4 Freedom (none / 1)
End occupation, establish a Palestinian state on West Bank and Gaza. End incarceration of Palestinians, specifically children.

Judeo-fascist Itamar Ben Gvir sits in Knesset and the racist thuggish Lehava has not been proscribed as a terrorist group. Maybe Gantz should pay more attention to Israeli terrorists who actually engage in violence.

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Sun Oct 24th, 2021 at 08:45:26 AM EST
Re: European Defense 4 Freedom (none / 1)
From another thread Who Would Jesus Shoot? WWJS

Army tactical morale booster - Made in USA - the land of pilgrims and refugees ... never got along with indigenous people

More crap badges here

Awesomely Bad Military Patches: Shootin' Jesus, Traif Crusaders

Rightwing fascist, Islamophobic and likely anti-Semitic origins ... hail our military boys! F**king murderers from top down.

American "patriots" and the BIG FAIL ... will evaluate, ask Jens!

The Pork Eating Crusader Patch Is A Huge Hit With Troops In Afghanistan | Business Insider - March 2012 |

With tensions at an all time high in Afghanistan following the Koran burnings, the urination video, and the killing of 16 civilians, attention is now falling on a long line of "Infidel" apparel and gear. Exhausted from how they feel they're being perceived, troops have taken to wearing patches and carrying items that label themselves infidels, and offer translation in local dialect.

The word infidel means literally "one without faith" who rejects the central teachings of a major religion, like Islam.

[Also worn by fascists in the Bundeswehr in Kunduz]



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sun Oct 24th, 2021 at 02:33:30 PM EST
Re: European Defense 4 Freedom (none / 1)
More deviants in religion ...



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sun Oct 24th, 2021 at 02:35:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Brain Dead NATO Gets New Mission: Stoltenberg (none / 0)

While the Baltic states, Poland and the United Kingdom are still hyping Russia as an enemy - mostly for domestic reasons - no one in Italy, France or Germany believes that Russia has plans to attack anyone.

The NATO bureaucrats know all this. To stay in business they continue to lash out at Russia. Most recently by sending some Russian diplomats at NATO's headquarter back home without any sane reason. Russia wasn't impressed by the move. It has resolved to from now on ignore NATO ...

Russia plans to cease its diplomatic engagement with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Russian foreign minister said on Monday, in the latest sign of unraveling relations between Moscow and the West.



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Mon Oct 25th, 2021 at 12:59:22 PM EST
Re: Brain Dead NATO Gets New Mission (none / 1)
The pull-out from Iraq and Afghanistan has left a ~$250 billion a year hole in the income statement of the US Military-Industrial Complex.  To fill it they and their allies, pilot fish, and tick birds are trying to create another Cold War with Russia, China, or both.

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre
by ATinNM on Tue Oct 26th, 2021 at 03:01:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Brain Dead NATO Gets New Mission (none / 1)
Great incentive to swipe the nuclear sub contract from Macron's France. Just call it AUKUS.

A double whammy ... that will teach the cheese-eating surrender monkeys ... patriot fries in Bush speak. 😖

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Tue Oct 26th, 2021 at 03:25:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Brain Dead NATO Gets New Mission (4.00 / 2)
are trying to create creating another Cold War
by asdf on Fri Oct 29th, 2021 at 05:30:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Back to the 80s Nuclear Deterrence (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Mon Oct 25th, 2021 at 06:55:44 PM EST
Expansion of NATO In America's Century (none / 0)
Germany Raises No-First-Use Issue at NATO Meeting | Arms Control - 1999 |

Defying outspoken U.S. opposition, the new German coalition government raised the issue of a nuclear no-first-use policy at the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on December 8, while Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy challenged NATO to question its nuclear policy. Berlin indicated, however, that it does not want a break with NATO as the alliance approaches its 50th anniversary and the unveiling of a revised strategic concept in April 1999.

The current strategic concept, adopted in 1991, reaffirmed the long-standing NATO policy that nuclear weapons, and implicitly the threat of their first use, make "the risks of any aggression incalculable and unacceptable" by denying potential aggressors any certainty about the "nature of the Allies' response to military aggression." Most alliance members view the nuclear elements of the strategic concept as untouchable. Yet the new German government, which advocates a nuclear-free world, has voiced concerns that the nuclear powers' failure to take steps toward disarmament or reducing the role of nuclear weapons will reduce the incentive for non-nuclear-weapon states to forgo the nuclear option.

November statements by German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer supporting discussions on no-first-use within NATO surprised the United States, even though an October 20 coalition agreement between Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democrats and Fischer's Green Party called for renouncing the first use of nuclear weapons and lowering their alert status. Washington had been reassured by Schroeder, elected September 27, that his coalition government would pursue "continuity" with the foreign policy of the conservative Christian Democrats of Helmut Kohl, who led Germany for 16 years.



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Mon Oct 25th, 2021 at 06:57:16 PM EST
Re: Expansion of NATO In America's Century (none / 0)
Deterrence Logic and NATO's Nuclear Posture | Strategic Studies Quarterly - 2013 |

A heated dispute might have jeopardized the solidarity of the alliance during discussions to formulate a new strategicconcept. That said, the controversy over NATO's nuclear posture has not been entirely resolved. Despite the tenor of subsequent declarations at the Lisbon and Chicago summits, where leaders reaffirmed that NATO would remain a nuclear alliance, the current deployment of US nuclear bombs in Europe cannot be chalked up as a routine chore for collective defense without second thought.

Both a German-led initiative to remove the weapons and official US acquiescence in the status quo highlight that American B61 warheads remain in Europe under the banner of deterrence. What has not been determined is how the alliance can prepare for a most extreme crisis--one evoking nuclear threats and straining the Article 5 guarantee of mutual defense--if, under close analysis, deterrence logic undermines justification for such weapons as the backbone of NATO's nuclear posture.

Germany's support for nuclear sharing is vital to protect peace and freedom | NATO - May 2020 |

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Mon Oct 25th, 2021 at 07:00:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Expansion of NATO In America's Century (none / 0)
Cold War Rhetoric Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD)

South-East Asia was a war of "survival" and millions of civilians lost their lives ... the age of holocausts beyond the Shoah of European Jews. Mankind has learned very little as once again powerful nations are in a nuclear stand-off as Planet Earth is changing at a great pace not experience in 7,000 years.

"Mutual Deterrence" Speech by Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara

San Francisco, September 18, 1967

In a complex and uncertain world, the gravest problem that an American Secretary of Defense must face is that of planning, preparation and policy against the possibility of thermonuclear war. It is a prospect that most of mankind understandably would prefer not to contemplate. For technology has now circumscribed us all with a horizon of horror that could dwarf any catastrophe that has befallen man in his more than a million years on earth.

Man has lived now for more than twenty years in what we have come to call the Atomic Age. What we sometimes overlook is that every future age of man will be an atomic age, and if man is to have a future at all, it will have to be one overshadowed with the permanent possibility of thermonuclear holocaust. About that fact there is no longer any doubt. Our freedom in this question consists only in facing the matter rationally and realistically and discussing actions to minimize the danger.

No sane citizen, political leader or nation wants thermonuclear war. But merely not wanting it is not enough. We must understand the differences among actions which increase its risks, those which reduce them and those which, while costly, have little influence one way or another. But there is a great difficulty in the way of constructive and profitable debate over the issues, and that is the exceptional complexity of nuclear strategy. Unless these complexities are well understood rational discussion and decision-making are impossible.



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Mon Oct 25th, 2021 at 07:01:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
America's Nuclear Option (none / 0)
The US as nuclear rogue state. Part II of II | by Sirocco - Aug. 2005 |

'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Fri Oct 29th, 2021 at 09:30:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Palestine: IOF Harvest Olive Trees with Bulldozers (none / 1)

Settlers Attack Palestinian Farmers, Burn Vehicle north of Ramallah

Local activist, Awad Abu Samra, told the Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA) that the 20 colonizers broke windows, punctured tires and set fire to one Palestinian-owned vehicle, damaging four vehicles.

One of the illegal settlers sprayed a Palestinian farmer in the face with pepper spray, causing him burns and requiring him to receive medical attention.

Furthermore, 400 illegal colonizers, accompanied by soldiers, invaded Palestinian lands near Wad Rahhal village, south of Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, and installed mobile homes.

West Bank Settler Attacks Two IDF Soldiers With Tear Gas Near Illegal Outpost | Haaretz - Oct. 14, 2021 |

Further reading ...

Collapsing Prospects - Palestinians in Area C, West Bank | Report Erasmus Univ. - 2015 |

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Tue Oct 26th, 2021 at 07:35:15 PM EST
From a neighbour (4.00 / 2)
Naming human rights group as `terrorist'
Sir, - In 2013 I was commissioned by Norwegian People's Aid to undertake a review for one of their partner organisations - the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), a key civil society organisation in Palestine, working in the field of agricultural development, civil society empowerment, and advocacy.

As of last week, the Israeli regime has designated UAWC a terrorist organisation.

In Palestine, farmers and fishermen are at the frontline of the occupation. Extremely vulnerable, they face land grabs, movement restrictions, the separation wall, the cantonisation of communities in the West Bank, water restrictions, destruction of land and crops, house and property demolitions, the blockade of the Gaza Strip, and confiscation of their boats and equipment - to name but a few.

Attacks on Palestinian farmers and fishermen are part of a deliberate and sustained strategy of economic warfare linked to the ongoing colonisation of Palestinian lands.

Since UAWC works strategically for the rights of farmers and fishermen at political levels, both nationally and internationally, and is highly regarded for its work, it is unsurprising that it has been added to a list of "Terror Organisations" by the Israeli regime as a means of politically hobbling it and silencing its voice.

UAWC and the five other organisations placed on this list are thorns in the side of Israel's regime and its daily crimes against the Palestinian people.

Our Government must not play along with this travesty and must intervene to have the designation "Terrorist Organisation" removed with immediate effect. - Yours, etc,

ELAINE BRADLEY,



Index of Frank's Diaries
by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Thu Oct 28th, 2021 at 10:33:30 AM EST
Russia Not As Is, But What We Want It To Be (none / 0)
Calling Russia a Pariah State and Expecting Favors?

Ever since 9/11 the West has increased is military power and has expanded NATO from lies of defense to offense close to the Russian frontier. Harsh sanction have been added from year to year. The soft approach by president Medvedev was seen as weakness and exploited in by Bush and Obama Georgia and Libya. This set the stage for the next confrontation in Syria and ultimately in the Ukraine. Confrontational and aggression will not persuade the sovereign Russian Federation which relies totally of its fossil fuel resources. The West failed to conquer the Caspian Sea

Iraqi Oil - the $250bn gift to Saudi Arabia and Russia | Jerome a Paris - Dec. 24, 2005 |

The absence of a coordinated Energy policy between EU member states has led to an immense failure and dependency on Russian gas imports. Where is the fleet of American LNG tankers coming to Europe's rescue? Ties with Russia were wilfully cut through US influence in NATO and the meek response by Brussels to expand the EU beyond its founding principles. It's time to find means to have rebellious states chilled out by halting benefits. The former Soviet satellite states and occupied nations are divisive elements in the EU as their cause is vengeance on Russia. This is being exploited by the UK and the US as a means to bog down the EU with internal quarrels. It's time for bold leadership or else to return to basics of nations that want to build a strong economic union with a bit of EuropeFirst! If the Visegrád Four (V4) want to move separate from Brussels, so be it.

NATO 4.0 - Atlantic Alliance Relevance by Mission Change

Trump's Revival of anti-EU Sentiment in Warsaw

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Fri Oct 29th, 2021 at 07:44:20 PM EST
Re: Russia Not As Is, But What We Want It To Be (none / 0)
The Guardian editorial is more of the same ... before talking please engage brain.

It can be simultaneously true that Russia is not to blame for European energy vulnerability and that the Kremlin exploits the weakness to make mischief for political and commercial gain.

The diplomatic dimension of the crisis comes about from the interaction of two distinct but related trends. One is Europe's failure over many years to develop the kind of strategic resilience it needs in a world that has moved on from the era of expanding liberalisation and dissolving borders. European energy policy and infrastructure bear the imprint of the epoch, before the 2008 financial crisis, marked by complacency in viewing globalisation on terms dictated by liberal democracies as inevitable and irreversible.

The second trend is Mr Putin's abandonment of even a pretence of being a reliable partner on the global stage. Three decades have now elapsed since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the flame of Russian democracy that briefly flickered is now an ember protected by a brave but endangered opposition. Parliamentary elections last month were rigged to guarantee a majority for the United Russia party that will do Mr Putin's legislative bidding. The fraud was nothing new, but the techniques are becoming more elaborate to work around increasingly agile pro-democracy campaigners. Old Soviet-style repression is becoming more flagrant, as a means of generalised intimidation, to keep the population compliant. Mr Putin does not want momentum to build for any hint of regime change ahead of the next presidential poll in 2024.



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Fri Oct 29th, 2021 at 07:45:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
"agile pro-democracy campaigners" (none / 0)
by Cat on Sat Oct 30th, 2021 at 02:47:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Neoliberalism Replaced by Autocracy (none / 1)
Both European States and Russia have thrown out NGOs seen as undermining the sovereignty and independence of the government. Applying undue pressure will see a firm response from an autocratic state. We have witnessed it in the Middle East after the Arab Spring of 2011 in MENA countries, Turkey, Syria, Israel, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iran.  

The wealthy fossil fuel nations around the global will reap more benefits as customer states run out of options after a failed and timely transition to sustainable energy.

The Netherlands sat on one of the world's largest gas fields and profited for sixty years. Norway created a wealth fund, the Dutch have gone broke on energy and relied on fossil fuel contracts with Russia, until the US intervened. The first commercial energy suppliers have gone bust resulting of a typical contract of €158 change overnight to nearly €400 monthly costs. Free market wisdom of Brussels and The Hague. The energy tax is 50% mind you! Corporations and Mark Rutte financials are the winners.

The European Gas Market by Euan Mearns on Dec 14th, 2007

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Fri Oct 29th, 2021 at 07:47:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Neoliberalism Replaced by Autocracy (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Fri Oct 29th, 2021 at 07:47:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Satellite View of Solar Energy Across Globe (none / 1)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Fri Oct 29th, 2021 at 07:48:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Comrades Hand In Hand (none / 0)
How sweet 💞

Biden admits to Macron the US was 'clumsy' in Aukus submarine deal



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Fri Oct 29th, 2021 at 08:37:05 PM EST
Re: Comrades Hand In Hand (none / 0)
.... and more 😂



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Fri Oct 29th, 2021 at 08:37:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Comrades Hand In Hand (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Fri Oct 29th, 2021 at 08:44:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]
New Age British - non EU (none / 0)
Just magnificent ... a new trend to celebrate Grand Britain?

Morrisons apologises for 'non-EU salt and pepper' chicken label

No, not the AUKUS Morrison 😂

BDS Movement due to apartheid policy: non-occupied territory. Britain is free from EU colonization? Happy Farage days ...

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Wed Nov 3rd, 2021 at 06:59:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: New Age British - non EU (none / 0)
They don't tell you if they were delivered by a lorry with an EU driver.
by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Wed Nov 3rd, 2021 at 07:45:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: European Defense 4 Freedom (4.00 / 2)
A confusing aspect of all of this is to say "xxx is a problem between Russia and Europe." Isn't it actually more like "xxx is a problem between Russia and the EU, or NATO?" Because Russia, at least the part of it where most of the people live, west of the Ural Mountains, is in Europe.
by asdf on Fri Oct 29th, 2021 at 08:37:53 PM EST
Re: European Defense 4 Freedom (none / 0)
Closer ties EU with Russia would be a priority above Erdogan's Turkey, although the latter is key in the Middle East. Obama and HRC chose close friendship with the MB states Egypt, Turkey and Qatar ... above traditional Sunni Arab nations. This backfired in Syria and the JCPOA agreement was torpedoed by the next president. The year 2014 was pivotal for the role of Europe  ... ask Victoria Nuland.

'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Fri Oct 29th, 2021 at 09:08:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: European Defense 4 Freedom (4.00 / 4)
It's actually more like "NATO is the problem between EU and Russia". It's obvious to anyone looking a map of Europe, that if EU wants to feel secure in any way or form, collaboration and entente with Russia has to be in the very core of it.

What we have instead is an aggressive "defense" organization way past it's best before date, whose only legacy is generations of utterly russophobic politicians and military. And a propaganda arm running amok without any control from governments or media.

As a wise person once said (in this forum?) - NATO exists to solve the problem created by founding it.

by pelgus on Fri Oct 29th, 2021 at 09:24:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Putin on NATO threat to Crimea (none / 0)
Putin: Russia must build up defenses in view of NATO moves | ABC News |

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday emphasized the need to strengthen the country's air defenses amid NATO's military activities near Russia's borders.

Speaking during a meeting with military officials and arms makers in the southern Russian city of Sochi, Putin specificially noted the deployment of NATO's U.S.-led missile defense components in Eastern Europe and increasingly frequent missions by NATO ships near Russian waters in the Baltic and Black Seas.

....
Russia has bristled at the deployment of U.S. and other NATO ships near waters it claims as its own as tensions between Moscow and the West have sunk to post-Cold War lows after Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, its support for a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine and other irritants.

Allied Air Forces around the Black Sea set for another week of multinational exercise Castle Forge

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Wed Nov 3rd, 2021 at 12:05:08 PM EST
Baltic States #WeAreNato Counter Russia (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Wed Nov 3rd, 2021 at 12:06:05 PM EST
Re: Baltic States #WeAreNato Counter Russia (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Wed Nov 3rd, 2021 at 12:06:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Baltic States #WeAreNato Counter Russia (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Wed Nov 3rd, 2021 at 12:07:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]
AUKUS and Nuclear Proliferation (none / 1)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Wed Nov 3rd, 2021 at 03:26:02 PM EST
Lacking Diplomacy, Just Chatting (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Wed Nov 3rd, 2021 at 03:28:12 PM EST
Russia Expels Dutch Correspondent Tom Vennink (none / 0)

Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Navalny wins 2021 Sakharov Prize

A reporter with a bias for Western propaganda ...

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Wed Nov 3rd, 2021 at 11:37:33 PM EST
Putin Is A Bandit (none / 0)
Dutch superiority on human rights ...

More Dutch journalism ...

Dutch Fake News, Warmongering, Anti-Russia Propaganda | Feb. 2018 |

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Wed Nov 3rd, 2021 at 11:39:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Dutch FM Ben Knapen (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Wed Nov 3rd, 2021 at 11:40:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Dutch FM Ben Knapen (none / 0)
The statement doesn't mention Assange. Was that an oversight?
by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Thu Nov 4th, 2021 at 10:23:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Dutch FM Ben Knapen (none / 0)
Not likely, the Dutch side with the US administration even more strongly than the UK.

'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Thu Nov 4th, 2021 at 12:51:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Dutch FM Ben Knapen (none / 0)
So are you suggesting that they are not really interested in freedom of the press?
by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Thu Nov 4th, 2021 at 04:25:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Dutch FM Ben Knapen (none / 0)
The Five Eyes are a select group of nations ... The Dutch would easily fit well, certainly qualified as the 6th nation in the espionage and intelligence community. Not only the AngloSaxon community but also a lead role in support for the Mossad, a station on grounds of Schiphol airport, Israeli territory. Cooperation offers protection in return.

'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Thu Nov 4th, 2021 at 06:02:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Dutch FM Ben Knapen (none / 0)
Mossad, Israel and Schiphol Airport Security

'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Fri Nov 5th, 2021 at 08:26:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Dutch FM Ben Knapen (none / 0)
I would not count on getting much in the way of protection as a result of cooperating with the US of A. It would depend entirely on how the situation fits into America's "fight WW2 over again" global strategy.
by asdf on Fri Nov 5th, 2021 at 06:58:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Dutch Qualify for 6th Eyes Intelligence Group (none / 0)
I would not count on getting much in the way of protection as a result of cooperating with the US of A. It would depend entirely on how the situation fits into America's "fight WW2 over again" global strategy.

NSA used GCHQ to spy on Americans ... get around US legislations which forbids this.

The Netherlands offers its Internet and Telecom networks for intelligence services NSA, CIA and Mossad.

Dutch version GCHQ in Burum, Friesland

Frisian surveillance satellites to be relocated abroad

Dutch Intelligence AIVD infiltrated Russian HQ of Cozy Bear hackers .. end of 2014 mind you ... the year of Maidan Revolt, Crimea secession and downing of MH17. Two years before Cozy Bear hacked into DNC servers ... the Dutch (and Americans) were watching the attack.

Service to decrypt messages and provide server access of Mexican drugs lord and involved in capture of Guzman ...

Dutch accuse UK of 'damaging confidence' by disclosing details of EncroChat police collaboration

Court of Rotterdam replaces judges who inadvertently read French state secrets | NL Times - July 25, 2021 |

Joint takeover Dark Web site Hansa

Dutch police detail for the first time how they secretly hijacked Hansa, Europe's most popular dark web market | March 2018 |

Full translation of the Dutch government's statement on encryption | Jan. 2016 |

In Iraq the Dutch learned the hard lesson, if you don't cooperate on intelligence, we don't share ours when an attack on Dutch forces is imminent ... first blood drawn to be war brothers and shut up on crimes committed.

How FBI used Columbian IT whiz kid to bring drug boss 'El Chapo' Guzman to justice

During his interview on Crime World, Feuer will detail how the IT whizz, Christian Rodriguez, was identified and eventually lured into the clutches of the FBI, who managed use him against Guzman.

He describes how Rodriguez helped move Guzman's servers out of Canada and into The Netherlands, where wiretap warrants could be acquired and where secret codes were buried into them to allow law enforcement get access to El Chapo's world.

"One of the special things he had done for Guzman was install a kind of direct dial or speed dial system on the phones so they were all connected.

Dutch servers for Russian Alfa bank played a role in accusation Russian interference and link to Trump campaign team ...

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Fri Nov 5th, 2021 at 08:43:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Dutch Qualify for 6th Eyes Intelligence Group (none / 0)
I know this is European Tribune, so I can understand the viewpoint, but it sure seems like the US--including both recent administrations--is a lot more interested in what is going on in the Far East than in Europe. It seems like we are much more likely to go to war as a result of an invasion of, say, Taiwan, than as a result of an invasion of, say, Crimea.
by asdf on Fri Nov 5th, 2021 at 10:45:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]
US Congress has not declared war (none / 1)
since 1941. Under no circumstance ought that fact be construed as having limited active US military  aggression, "intervention", invasion, "training," blockades and occupation of or explosive "strikes" against regular armed forces, government officials, and so-called noncombatants of foreign nation-states.
by Cat on Sun Nov 7th, 2021 at 02:47:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Dutch Qualify for 6th Eyes Intelligence Group (4.00 / 2)
The 'Let's Do Cold War II' propaganda is being directed against Russia and China.  It appears to me the barrage of Anti-China messaging is gaining more traction.  My guess that is because the People's Republic is obviously becoming richer as the US stagnates and their global power is growing as they invest in large scale infrastructure builds - formerly the preserve of Western banks, finance companies, and major construction firms, e.g., Bechtel.  And there's the 'yellow peril ChiCom slanty-eyed gooks' racism card.  Racism always plays well with White Americans.  

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre
by ATinNM on Mon Nov 8th, 2021 at 04:14:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Border Conflict Poland and Czech Republic (none / 1)
Poland told to halt brown coal mine near border with Czech Republic | EuroNews - May 21, 2021 |

Poland must immediately stop extracting brown coal at a mine on the border with the Czech Republic and Germany, the European Court of Justice has ruled.

In March the Czech Republic filed for an injunction, saying the Turow open-cast lignite mine drains groundwater away from surrounding areas and is harming Czech citizens.

The court's ruling on Friday is a temporary measure pending its final decision on the complaint.

Fear and loathing at Poland's Turow coal mine | DW News - Sept. 28, 2021 |

The European Court of Justice has demanded Warsaw pay a daily fine of €500,000 after it declined to shut down Poland's Turow coal mine. Locals now fear the worst, but are their fears well-founded?

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Tue Nov 9th, 2021 at 08:04:10 PM EST
EU-27 Economy Grows 5% In 2021 (none / 1)

Autumn 2021 Economic Forecast: From recovery to expansion, amid headwinds

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Thu Nov 11th, 2021 at 02:39:04 PM EST
Capitalism and Soaring Inflation ... (none / 0)

The whole development of the economy reminds me of the seventies ...

Inflationary Impact of the Vietnam War

The Cold War Economy
Opportunity Costs, Ideology, and the Politics of Crisis

"Our government has kept us in a perpetual state of fear--kept us in a continuous stampede of patriotic fervor--with the cry of grave national emergency. Always there has been some terrible evil at home or some monstrous foreign power that was going to gobble us up if we did not blindly rally behind it by furnishing the exorbitant funds demanded. Yet, in retrospect, these disasters seem never to have happened, seem never to have been quite real."
--General Douglas MacArthur

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Wed Nov 17th, 2021 at 09:18:16 PM EST
Sportwashing and Corrupt Football Ownerships (none / 0)
Crypto Heavyweight Moshe Hogeg Reportedly Arrested in Israel

FC Barcelona drops deal with Israeli BitCoin Firm

Ownix partners with FC Barcelona, debuting its NFT marketplace with historic club moments

Police say Moshe Hogeg and seven other suspects pocketed tens of millions of shekels in 'systematic' scam.

Beitar Jerusalem owner Hogeg arrested for alleged massive crypto fraud, sex crimes

In May, Moshe Hogeg was one of a group of businesspeople sued by former employees of an Israeli venture capital fund who claim that three of Israel's largest initial blockchain coin offerings of 2017 and 2018 were outright scams. The three ICOs, launched by Sirin Labs, Stx Technologies Limited (Stox) and Leadcoin, collectively raised $250 million from investors around the world.

The plaintiffs claim that none of the three companies ever developed a product as they had promised investors. Instead, the plaintiffs allege, the defendants brazenly appropriated investors' money for their own personal use.

Hogeg has denied the allegations and said the lawsuit is an attempt by disgruntled employees to extort him.

Model says businessman Moshe Hogeg sexually assaulted her, agent silenced her | TOI - Nov. 8, 2021 |  

Related reading ...

Leader of Terror-Murder Cell Follower of Shas and Beitar Jerusalem | Tikun Olam - July 6, 2014 |

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Sat Nov 20th, 2021 at 08:50:11 PM EST
FC Barcelona Urges Boycott Game In Jerusalem (none / 0)
Israeli club calls off match with Barcelona over Jerusalem | AP News - July 15, 2021 |

The owner of Israel's Beitar Jerusalem soccer club said Thursday that he called off a friendly match with international powerhouse Barcelona over its refusal to hold the event in contested Jerusalem.

Israel captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 war, annexed it in a move not recognized internationally, and considers the entire city its capital. The Palestinians seek east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, and the city's status is one of the thorniest issues in the decades-long conflict.

Beitar Jerusalem owner Moshe Hogeg said he was forced to cancel the planned Aug. 4 match "with great sadness" because he refused to give in to what he said was a "political" demand.

"After I received the contract to sign and discovered the unequivocal demand that the game not take place in the capital city, Jerusalem, and several other demands that I didn't like, I slept with a heavy heart, thought a lot and decided that above all else I am a proud Jew and Israeli," Hogeg wrote on Facebook. "I cannot betray Jerusalem."

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion expressed support for the decision, saying teams that intend to "boycott" Jerusalem should be barred from Israel altogether.

Saudi Arabia Spends Billions on `Sportwashing' in Bid for Global Respectability | Haaretz |

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Sat Nov 20th, 2021 at 08:51:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]
BitCoins, Moshe Hogeg and Beitar Jerusalem (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sun Nov 21st, 2021 at 10:41:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Fake Facebook Network Promotes Israeli Cause (none / 0)

Right wing Israeli politician benefits from fake Facebook network which promotes his attacks against Palestinian consulate in Jerusalem.

Related reading ...

Israel/Palestine: Facebook Censors Discussion of Rights Issues | HRW |

How Lies on Social Media Are Inflaming the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict | NY Times |

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Sat Nov 20th, 2021 at 10:27:58 PM EST
Re: European Defense 4 Freedom (none / 0)

Angela Merkel is sworn in as Chancellor of Germany on November 22, 2005

From the diaries ...

Amazing Chancellor Angela Merkel ¶ Takes Germans By Pleasant Surprise | Jan. 16, 2006 |

Hello Angela Merkel | Nov. 27, 2005 |

Her first intervention ...

Merkel warns Cameron over MEP plans | The Guardian - Dec. 15, 2005 |

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Mon Nov 22nd, 2021 at 01:22:40 PM EST
Democracy Under Threat! No Kidding? (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Mon Nov 22nd, 2021 at 10:30:03 PM EST
Re: Democracy Under Threat! No Kidding? (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Mon Nov 22nd, 2021 at 10:31:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Democracy Under Threat! No Kidding? (none / 0)
Leading the Parade America



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Mon Nov 22nd, 2021 at 10:32:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Democracy Under Threat! No Kidding? (none / 0)
US added to list of 'backsliding' democracies for first time | The Guardian |

The US has been added to an annual list of "backsliding" democracies for the first time, the International IDEA thinktank has said, pointing to a "visible deterioration" it said began in 2019.

Globally, more than one in four people live in a backsliding democracy, a proportion that rises to more than two in three with the addition of authoritarian or "hybrid" regimes, according to the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.

I beg to differ ... for America the backsliding has begun in the 1960s ... my choice for Europe hasn't been easy, but I'm quite happy with Europe and quality of life.

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Mon Nov 22nd, 2021 at 10:33:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Democracy Under Threat! No Kidding? (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Mon Nov 22nd, 2021 at 10:34:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Democratic Backsliding in the EU (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Mon Nov 22nd, 2021 at 10:35:28 PM EST
Taliban: Dutch and German Education Aid (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Tue Nov 23rd, 2021 at 05:54:21 PM EST
Re: Taliban: Dutch and German Education Aid (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Tue Nov 23rd, 2021 at 07:13:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]
EP Push Forward Directive Higher Minimum Wages (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Thu Nov 25th, 2021 at 04:32:55 PM EST
Re: EP Push Forward Directive Higher Minimum Wages (none / 0)

Translation:
This is really a milestone for workers, because in Europe there is now support for higher minimum wages! Cleaners, stock fillers, maternity nurses and deliverers: they deserve better! I fight for that!

France ready to pick up the baton on EU minimum wage proposal | EurActiv - May 10, 2021 |

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Thu Nov 25th, 2021 at 04:36:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: EP Push Forward Directive Higher Minimum Wages (none / 0)
Liberal Conservative Party VVD of Rutte Voted No!

Mark Rutte does miss the British alliance with Tory Conservatives - ghost of Margaret Thatcher.

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Thu Nov 25th, 2021 at 04:37:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
FC Bayern and Human Rights in Qatar (none / 0)
Beendigung des Katar-Sponsorings beim FC Bayern - Michael Ott

Unruhe wegen Bayerns Katar-Sponsoring

Der FC Bayern München hat Sponsoring-Verträge mit Qatar Airways abgeschlossen. Dafür muss der Verein ordentlich Kritik einstecken - auch aus den eigenen Reihen.



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sun Nov 28th, 2021 at 09:40:17 PM EST
Re: FC Bayern and Human Rights in Qatar (none / 0)


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Sun Nov 28th, 2021 at 09:41:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: FC Bayern and Human Rights in Qatar (none / 0)

DFB VP Beckenbauer investigated for corruption over 2006 World Cup

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Sun Nov 28th, 2021 at 09:42:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Boy Cable Car Survivor to Live in Italy (none / 0)
Finally a definite judgement in Israel 😌

Eitan Biran: cable car fall survivor must be returned to Italy, Israeli court rules | The Guardian |

Lawyers for Biran-Nirko said the verdict, which upheld a ruling by a lower court in October, marked "the end of an unfortunate episode". The boy must be returned to Italy by 12 December.

Meanwhile, the Peleg family pledged to continue to fight "in every legal way" to have him brought back to Israel.

According to reports in the Italian press, the supreme court said Eitan had lived in Italy most of his life and could not be removed from his "habitual residence".

The High Court said his parents had chosen to settle indefinitely in Italy and that Peleg "did not provide a valid reason why the return to Italy could cause psychological or physical damage to the child".

Italian police issued an international arrest warrant for Peleg after the alleged abduction, and last week his alleged accomplice, Gabriel Abutbul Alon, was arrested in Cyprus.

Eitan Biran to return to Italy by December 12, High Court rules | JPost |

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Mon Nov 29th, 2021 at 07:46:12 PM EST
European Defense 4 Freedom | 74 comments (74 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)


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