Germany - Reportedly Funding Israel Nuclear Program for Over Half Century

Germany Reportedly Funding Israel Nuclear Program for Over Half Century  Since 1960 ꕤ COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Brief Summary Video In contravention of German constitution & in contravention of non-proliferation treaty to which Germany is signatory, Germany is subsidising Israeli nuclear program and has done so for over half a century, commencing 1960. Germany denies role in creation of nuclear Israel, just as Berlin denies knowledge of nuclear missiles deployed on German-built submarines, delivered to Israel. Germany's subsidy of Israel nuclear program has escalated under Angela Merkel.  Each time Israel attacks Gaza and the West Bank, German and American weapon are used. Cold War German gains, with Israel then sharing Soviet weapons evaluations with Germany, while Israel is currently sharing active military experience with Germany. Mordechai Vanunu Israeli whistleblower imprisoned 18 years 11 years solitary confinement Vanunu "The human spirit is free.  You cannot destroy the human spirit." source https://youtu.be/xYKOq3XoGIM ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT Having read the (below) article about non-Jew killing laws in Israel's Haaretz newspaper, shortly before watching the above video, I'm now expecting Israel to nuke us all some day -- especially, knowing Israel practices the doctrine of pre-emptive attack.  It's probably not going to happen any time soon, but it could happen. As I understand, Benjamin Netanyahu gave his support to Rabbi Yaakov Yosef, who provided a letter of approval and expanded on various laws, including the following: “The King’s Torah − Laws of Killing Non-Jews.”  http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/netanyahu-and-the-goyim.premium-1.517024?v=0277EA796259F0A6E4341F73F3B96753 It's hard not to feel somewhat offended reading an article about special laws for killing non-Jews, after having read not so long ago that a revered rabbi (former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel (1973-1983) -- and spiritual leader of the ultra-orthodox Shas Party -- Ovadia Yosef) considered non-Jews 'donkeys' in the service of the Jewish people.  Not sure what to make of this overall.  Perhaps comments of that rabbi were taken out of context?  The rabbi was talking about the rest day or holy day, I think.  Even so,  it's hard not to conclude that being a non-Jew is unfavourable and would be a significant disadvantage, where there is considerable emphasis placed on who's in and who's out.  As I understand, Israel started off as secular Zionist endeavour, as the early Zionists were atheists, and were cool with state-sharing with the existing communities, but the religious faction of Zionism took over and  things moved along a different path.  Some commentators advocate for a mixed Jewish Arab state as a solution to ongoing conflict and lack of resolution, but I'm of the opinion that they must be nuts thinking that this could possibly work or that Israel would survive as a Jewish state in those circumstances. Anyway, Jewish law (which is pretty much rabbinical law, as I understand) covers everything and is very extensive;  so that's probably why they've got a law on killing non-Jews -- as in, that's why it would have arisen. Haaretz referred to it as a blanket racist killing law (or something like that ... too lazy to check exact wording) and Haaretz pointed out that this isn't even paralleled in Islamic laws (although the Islamics have OK'd suicide attacks). Not sure how killing of non-Jews rabbinical laws fit into what I assume are still secular laws of the state of Israel (save for the family law arena).   Anyway, it's something to think about ... or not.  It's not like we're vulnerable to an Israeli attack.  But if we were, we can expect the Israelis to be merciless, is what I get out of this. PS ... it is rather odd subsidising a nukes program of those that follow doctrine of pre-emptive attack. Pre-emptive War Israel incorporates preemptive war in its strategic doctrine due to its lack of strategic depth. The Six-Day War, which began when Israel launched a successful attack on Egypt on June 5, 1967, has been widely described as a preemptive war and is, according to the United States State Department, "perhaps the most cited example [of preemption]". [...] One academic has claimed that Israel's attack was not permissible under the Caroline test, arguing that there was no overwhelming threat to Israel's survival. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preemptive_war ꕤ

SAUDI ARABIA - OIL, GAS, PETROLEUM - GOOD OVERVIEW

Benefits, burdens of Saudi oil and gas First Posted: 3:15 am - August 9th, 2015 - 666 Views By Wolf D. Fuhrig Since 1938, the 30 million inhabitants of the Arabian peninsula have richly benefited from their second-largest underground petroleum deposits and their fourth-largest gas reserves in the world. At present, these holdings rank second only to the United States, which also is the most important buyer of Saudi oil. After six years of exploration, the Saudis began to produce and export their oil in 1944. When Saudi Aramco grew into the biggest private petroleum producer, the government promptly nationalized the company. By the year 2000, 12.3 percent of all oil produced worldwide came from Saudi Arabia, according to official data. At present, the country’s oil reserves are estimated to amount to 262.7 billion barrels. Available data give the Saudis eighth place worldwide in refining capacity. That enables them to produce heating oil, gasoline, kerosene and diesel, mostly for countries without refineries. The Saudis have been a reliable supplier of oil for the Western world, except during the Yom Kippur War between Israel and Egypt in 1973 and the Islamic revolution in Iran. During the Second Gulf War in 1991, they exported all of their production to fill Iraq’s and Kuwait’s capacity and thus stabilize the market.  [Iran Revolution: 1979] Until 2006, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia produced 9 million barrels daily when worldwide the annual total was 3,942 billion tons. By 2007, however, the Soviet Union bypassed the Saudis’ daily output. Some experts theorize that they intentionally curtailed their production to increase the price of oil. Recently, dealers in the United States asked the Saudis to raise their production quotas. At a conference in 2008, Saudi King Abdullah urged oil producers and consumers to cooperate more in order to avoid what he called “damaging speculation.” His country remains the industry’s leader with 16 per cent of the world’s petroleum output and 49 known oil and 16 gas fields. Since 2002, over 90 percent of the Saudis’ production has come from only seven giant fields, of which six have pumped over 300,000 barrels daily. Recently it appeared that the productivity of those seven fields has been declining. In 2006 Aramco announced that all of the Saudis’ oil fields have reached a “phase of stagnation” and that the rate of production was going to decline by 8 percent annually. This estimate has since been confirmed by the American investment banker and oil expert Matthew Simmons. At present, oil and gold are going through a selling panic due to the strong dollar and China’s economic slowdown. The pending nuclear agreement between the United States and Iran may soon bring millions of more gallons of oil into world markets. In the meantime, new technologies, especially horizontal drilling, have created an oil glut in the United States. If President Obama succeeds with his proposal for severe restrictions on carbon emissions, that also could lower American coal and oil production. Saudi petroleum minister Ali al-Naimi explained his veto of increases in OPEC’s output last year that it was “crooked logic” for low cost producers to sacrifice market share in support of crude oil prices. Saudi commentators looking for motives beyond maintaining market share have given three strategic reasons: King Salman’s accession to the Saudi throne on Jan. 23; the growing geopolitical unrest surrounding Saudi Arabia; and the accelerating progress of North American shale operators. The Saudis claim that they can produce as much as 12 million barrels a day. The CIA lists the kingdom as the second largest source of proven crude oil reserves after Venezuela. Ironically, Saudi Arabia is currently a net importer of gasoline and diesel. It also continues to burn a large amount of crude oil to produce electricity. At present, Saudi Arabia still remains the largest exporter of petroleum based on its possession of 18 percent of the world’s proven reserves. Its oil and gas sector comprises about 50 percent of its gross domestic product and about 85 percent of its exports. Wolf D. Fuhrig of Jacksonville holds a doctorate in public law and government from Columbia University in New York City. http://myjournalcourier.com/news/84500/benefits-burdens-of-saudi-oil-and-gas --------------------- COMMENT How much they burn up producing electricity explains their desire to set up nuclear power stations. Iranian oil coming onto the market can't be too good for the Russians right now? I don't really understand the concept of 'maintaining market share' and its relationship with slowing production.   They're increasing the price by slowing the production?  Yes, a veto of increasing production.  Means the price is up because it's scarce ... but I've forgotten how this impacts on Russian oil.   Also, I thought prices were DOWN and that this wasn't good for the Russians, who are under sanctions pressure etc.  Don't know.  I've obviously missed something somewhere.  Might have to think about it some other time.  lol Just some trivia, I'll probably never remember. *Good Article

ISRAEL - IRAN: Benjamin Netanyahu Speech to US Congress 2015

Benjamin Netanyahu Speech to Congress 2015 [FULL] | Today on 3/3/15 | New York Times  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRf1cdw4IAY Blogger Rough Summary  [opening portion abridged]: Senate suck up to Netanyahu big time Lots of applause. Truman to Obama support airing. Appreciates Obama. Applause. Applause.  Applause. Applause.  Applause. Applause.  Applause. Applause.  Applause. Applause.  Applause. Applause.  Staged? Senate waaaaay more receptive & supportive of Netanyahu than were the crowd at AIPAC. US Senators representing corporations, military manufacture, various lobby groups, probably clapping for war. Purim Haman Esther - right to defend against enemies / plot foiled / our ppl were saved Today, another attempt by Persian potentate to destroy Israel. Ayatollah Tweet - During Israeli 'Operation Protective Edge' in Gaza.  [  My warped idea of:  Persia vs Israel through the ages - Image source: tumblr  ] Mentions Hezbollah. 1979 Iran hijacked by zealots. New constitution. Ideological mission of jihad. Founder Khomeini extorted followers to export. [ Iran is the new #BlamePutin -  ie #BlameIran ] Every drama in Middle East is sponsored by: Iran, according to Netanyahu Global terror network, he claims Do not believe  'Iran's aggression' left unchecked / gobbling up the nations. Iran's march of conquest, subjugation & terror. Probably should have made that clearer: I, personally, find this unbelievable (rather than instruction not to believe). Congress applauds like crazy b/c Netanyahu is painting Iran as responsible for evil around the world. Dumb. Ideology of Iran 'regime' deeply rooted in Islam / always enemy to America / Iran & Isis competing for crown of militant Islam Both want to impose: first region & then entire world. Just can't agree between themselves who will take that crown. Mentions Islam medieval creed (?) or similar. Do not share [values] Intercontinental ballistic missiles & bombs scaremongering. To defeat ISIS but let Iran get nuclear weapons is to win battle but lose war. We can't let that happen. Congress applause. Iran still refuses to come clean about military & nuclear program. Iran caught TWICE operating secret nuke facilities. Uh-oh. Facilities, that inspectors didn't even know existed. Right now, Iran could be hiding nuke facilities we don't know about. As IAEA inspection authority said 2013: If no undeclared nuke facilities in Iran, it will be first time in 20 yrs it doesn't Iran has proven time and again, that it cannot be trusted. That is why the first major concession = source of major concern. Major concession: leaves Iran with a vast nuclear infrastructure & relies on inspectors to prevent a break-out. Major concession: creates a danger that Iran could get to the bomb by violating the deal. Major concession creates a second, even greater, danger: that Iran could get to bomb by keeping the deal. Danger in concession: virtually all of Iran restrictions would automatically expire in about a decade. Decade may seem a long time in political life, but it is the blink of an eye in the life of a nation. We all have responsibility to consider what will happen when Iran's nuclear capabilities are virtually unrestricted. When Iran's nuclear capabilities are unrestricted, Iran would have capacity to build a huge nuclear capacity: many nuke bombs Iran supreme leader says Iran plans to have 190,000 centrifuges - 10x what Iran has today - enriching uranium. With this massive capacity, Iran could make the fuel for an entire nuclear arsenal in a matter of weeks, once it decides. John Kerry confirmed last week, Iran could legitimately possess massive centrifuge capacity when deal (restriction) expires. Foremost sponsor of global terrorism could be weeks away from having enough enriched uranium for an entire arsenal nukes .. Iran intercontinental ballistic missiles program is not part of the deal. Iran refuses to even put on negotiation table. Iran intercontinental ballistic missiles prog = Iran has means to deliver nuke arsenal to far reaching corners world, incl US Deal has 2 major concessions: 1)     Leaving Iran w vast nuclear prog 2)     Lifting restrictions on prog, in about a decade = BAD Deal does not block Iran path to nuclear bomb; it paves Iran path to bomb. So why would anyone make this deal? Deal: >b/c hope Iran will change for better in coming years? >or believe alternative to this deal is worse? NETANYAHU disagrees. Netanyahu does not believe Iran radical regime will change for better after this deal. Regime in power for 36 yrs Voracious appetite for aggression grows with each passing year Deal would only whet Iran appetite Would Iran be less aggressive when sanctions are removed & its economy is stronger? If Iran gobbling up 4 countries now, while under sanctions, how many more countries will Iran devour when sanctions lifted? VIDEO – NETANYAHU Speech to Congress -  [10:33]  Four countries ‘gobbled up’ reference: 1)     Lebanon 2)     Syria 3)     Iraq 4)     Yemen *Gaza *Golan Heights Iran aim: 2nd choke point oil supply. If sanctions lifted: Would Iran fund less terrorism when it has mountains of cash with which to fund more terrorism? Why should Iran's radical regime change for better, when can enjoy best of both worlds: >aggression abroad >prosperity at home Iran's neighbours know Iran will become even more aggressive / more terrorism when its economy is unshackled & path to bomb. Many of these neighbours say they will respond by racing to get nuclear weapons of their own. Deal will change ME for worse. Deal supposed to prevent nuclear proliferation, would instead spark a nuclear arms race in the most dangerous part of planet. Deal would not be a farewell to arms; it would be a farewell to arms control & ME would be criss-crossed by nuke tripwires. ME is a region where small skirmishes can trigger big wars. Deal would turn it into nuclear tinderbox. Deal with Iran deferring prob. down the road only creating sit'n where a much more dangerous Iran will have to be faced. A Middle East littered with nuclear bombs = potential nuclear nightmare. Solution: Insist that restrictions will not be lifted as long as Iran continues its aggression in region & the world. Before lifting restrictions, world should demand Iran do 3 things: 1. Stop aggression against neighbours in ME. ... 2. Stop supporting terrorism around the world. 3. Stop threatening to annihilate Israel, one & only Jewish state. If world powers won't insist Iran change behaviour before deal is signed, at least insist Iran change before deal *expires*. If Iran changes behaviour, restrictions would be lifted If Iran does not change behaviour, restrictions should not be lifted. If Iran wants to be treated like a normal country, let it act like a normal country. [cue: standing applause] Deal argument: >no alternative to deal >Iran nuclear knowhow cannot be erased >prog so advanced & best is delay inevitable NETANYAHU: Nuclear knowhow without nuclear INFRASTRUCTURE = no nuclear weapons can be made. Iran's nuclear prog can be rolled back well beyond current proposal: >insisting on better deal >keeping up pressure Keeping up pressure [would be effective b/c]: very vulnerable regime, esp. given recent collapse in price of oil. If Iran threatens to walk from table (this often happens in Persian bazaar), call their bluff. They'll be back b/c need deal. By maintaining pressure on Iran (& those who do business w Iran), you have the power to make them need [deal] even more. We've been told for over year that no deal is better than a bad deal. This is a bad deal. Very bad deal. Better off without. NOW we are being told only alternative to this bad deal is war. That's just not true. Alternative to deal: = much better deal. A better deal that does not leave Iran w a vast nuclear infrastructure in such a short break-out time. Better deal = keeping restrictions on Iran's nuclear program in place until Iran's aggression ends. Better deal = won't give Iran easy path to bomb. No country has a greater stake than Israel in a good deal that peacefully removes this threat. However difficult, second option would prevent nuclear-armed Iran, nuke armed ME & horrific consequences of both. Capping off, better deal option: = security of Israel = security of Middle East = peace of world, that we all desire "My friends, standing up to Iran is not easy. Standing up to dark & murderous regimes never is." NETANYAHU With us today is holocaust survivor & Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel [Seated w Sarah Netanyahu] [Applause] [ Elie Wiesel ] NETANYAHU: Elie, your life & work inspired us to give meaning to the words: never again. NETANYAHU: Wish could promise, Elie, that lessons of history been learned. Urge leaders of world not to repeat mistakes of past. Mistakes: >sacrifice future for the present >ignoring aggression in hopes of gaining illusory peace Netanyahu - days when Jewish ppl remain passive in face of genocidal enemies: those days are over. NETANYAHU: We are no longer scattered among the nations powerless to defend ourselves. We've restored our sovereignty & ancient home NETANYAHU: Soldiers who defend our home have boundless courage. NETANYAHU: For the first time in 100 generations, we, the Jewish ppl, can defend ourselves. [Applause somewhat less enthusiastic on the 'we can defend ourselves' section of Netanyahu speech (it seems to me)] NETANYAHU: As PM of Israel can promise you one more thing: even if Israel has to stand alone, Israel will stand. [Enthusiastic Senate applause to: I know that America stands with Israel ... etc] NETANYAHU: You stand with Israel b/c you know that the story of Israel is not only story of the Jewish ppl but of the human spirit that refuses again & again to succumb to history's horrors. NETANYAHU: Facing me, overlooking this august chamber, is image of Moses. Moses led our ppl from slavery to gates of promised land. NETANYAHU: Before the ppl of Israel entered the land of Israel, Moses gave message that has steeled our resolve for 1,000s yrs NETANYAHU: I leave you with [Moses] message today: Be strong & resolute; neither fear no dread them. NETANYAHU: May Israel & America always stand together, strong & resolute ... may god bless state of Israel & may god bless USA. Lots of applause. NETANYAHU waving. Thanking. Prolonged applause. Walking chamber. Handshaking. Applause continues. Cuts out. NOTE: Netanyahu says Iran gobbling countries, incl. Iraq. BUT Iran is FIGHTING vs ISIS in Iraq Tikrit — Iraq Shiite & Iraq Sunni alliance, mission overseen by Iran military official - http://on.rt.com/q4wvx5   COMMENT The Ayatollah tweet referred to in the speech would be in relation to the then Israel bombing of Gaza (Operation Protective Edge 2014), concerning children that were killed by the Israeli military.  The reference to al Aqsa Mosque (third holiest mosque in Islam) would be in reference to whatever dispute had then been central between the Israelis and Muslims regarding the mosque. It appears the mosque is at the centre of a 'Judaise' dispute (and other disputes) that have arisen out of the reclamation of the ancient Jewish homeland, after the passage of over 2,000 years of occupation and heritage attaching to yet another Levant people (Palestinians), who were under the rule of various empires (including Ottomans and the British), so it is a very unusual set of problems that give rise to ongoing animosities in Israel, Palestine and the region beyond. Initially, I was sceptical.  But as the speech progressed, I was just about convinced of terrorism, the collapse of civilisation, medieval atrocities and a nuclear Armageddon coming our way.  Now I'm not that sure, although the medieval atrocities bogeyman is still scary. The ace up Netanyahu's sleeve would have to be the secret nuclear development facilities, as that just doesn't sound right.  So who can argue with that? What's interesting is that Pakistan (another Islamic state), which seems far more scary and chaotic than Iran, has nuclear arms.   Yet this development wasn't prevented by the Anglo-American side. Israel is lobbying for continued sanctions and restrictions on Iran because Israel ostensibly sees Iran as an existential threat.  However, from what I've read, the prospect of a nuclear armed Iran is also a threat to Israel's hegemony in the region, so this is worth bearing in mind. While there is much emphasis on common values, this is just persuasive window dressing.  Shared strategic interests play a far greater role in the Middle East than do extraneous cosmetic considerations, such as human rights issues.  We know that because Saudi Arabia isn't all that different to Iran in respect of human rights issues, yet Saudi Arabia isn't singled out as a threat to the world. On the other hand, while Saudi Arabia is said to be funding militants in the region and funding Islamisation beyond the region, the Saudis aren't seeking to develop a nuclear capacity.  Or are they? It would appear that Saudi Arabia is also gearing up to produce nuclear energy: Saudi Arabia plans to construct 16 nuclear power reactors over the next 20 years at a cost of more than $80 billion, with the first reactor on line in 2022. Nobody's complaining about Saudi Arabia's plans, so what's the issue with Iran? The secret development sites came to mind, but then it occurred to me that maybe Iran was forced to engage in secret development because of the sanctions imposed on Iran.  So Iran's secrecy may not be as suspicious as it seems. Between the nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors around the globe, you'd think that everybody would be looking at winding back to zero nuclear arms and zero nuclear energy rather than developing more of the same. Is Netanyahu's war-like speech just bluff to put pressure on the Iran negotiations?  Is it a performance to justify imposition of sanctions on Iran?  Or is it a declaration of Israeli and US intentions?

CANADA / UAE NUKE DEAL

CANADA / UAE NUKE DEAL Ottawa ends UAE spat with nuclear deal CAMPBELL CLARK OTTAWA — The Globe and Mail Published Tuesday, Sep. 18 2012, 6:13 PM EDT Last updated Tuesday, Sep. 18 2012, 9:40 PM EDT The Harper government has sealed the end of its spat with the United Arab Emirates with an agreement to sell the Gulf country nuclear technology. Relations between Canada and the UAE blew up into a tense dispute two years ago when Ottawa refused to provide more landing rights for Emirati airlines, and the Persian Gulf nation responded by abruptly booting Canada out of the staging base used for troops and equipment in transit to Afghanistan. But it was all smiles on Parliament Hill Tuesday, when Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and his Emirati counterpart, Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, announced a new nuclear deal, spoke of each other as friends and declared relations healed. Or almost healed: The UAE cut the hefty fees for the visas Canadians have required to travel there since the spat, but didn’t drop the visa requirements completely. The deal that marks the end of the spat is a nuclear co-operation agreement, which opens the door for Canadian firms to sell nuclear technology and material, such as uranium, to the UAE. “It also represents the trust between our two countries,” Mr. Al Nahyan said. The Emirates, a major oil exporter, are installing four 1,400-megawatt, South Korean-designed nuclear reactors to supply electricity to the country, and are seeking to expand the list of potential suppliers to its nuclear industry. Mr. Al Nahyan pointed to his country as a “model” for the region in its use of nuclear power – contrasting his country’s plans to build civilian reactors with international suspicions that Iran is using its nuclear industry to develop weapons. “It’s unfortunate that other countries – and here, obviously I’m talking about Iran – do not look at the bigger picture when it comes to civil nuclear programs,” he said. Between Canada and the UAE, the deal marked a step in Mr. Baird’s lengthy efforts to repair ties – that he played a part in straining. It was Mr. Baird, as transport minister, who lobbied the cabinet to refuse the UAE’s demand for more flights to Canada for their Emirates and Etihad airlines; he argued it would undercut Air Canada and Canadian jobs. The UAE responded by booting Canada out of the staging base, Camp Mirage, used for Afghanistan operations – and even refusing to allow Defence Minister Peter MacKay to fly over its airspace. The dispute also created a rift at the cabinet table with Mr. MacKay, who argued Ottawa should make concessions to the UAE on landing rights because of defence co-operation with the UAE. On Tuesday, Mr. MacKay arrived to shake hands with Mr. Al Nahyan after the two foreign ministers held their news conference in the foyer of the House of Commons. Mr. Baird told reporters that the two countries “obviously had a difficult point in our relationship,” but that he and Mr. Al Nahyan have sought to repair ties. The two men have met several times, and this was Mr. Al Nahyan’s second trip to Ottawa in a year. He credited his “friend,” Mr. Baird, with improving the relationship. [LOL.  Baird sounds like such a suck job.] But some of the the effects of the spat still linger. When asked about landing rights for Emirati airlines, Mr. Al Nahyan said that is “still important” but that improvement in the overall relationship will help the two countries get through it. He said his country will reduce the visa fees Canadians now pay to go to the UAE – $1,000 for a six-month, multiple-entry visa, and $250 for a 30-day visa. An aide said those fees will be reduced by a third. But the UAE didn’t drop the visa requirement, and Mr. Al Nahyan appeared to suggest the UAE is waiting for Canada to make other concessions before the visa requirements are dropped. “I hope that’s only one step toward relaxing the visa regime between our two countries,” he said. SOURCE http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-ends-uae-spat-with-nuclear-deal/article4552179/ COMMENT Hilarious.  Fell out 2010. Iran gets a bashing, of course.  But that's standard. So Canada's passion for the Middle East isn't just about arms sales; it's about nukes as well.

Around the World

AROUND THE WORLD Sea Piracy Presumed #Indonesia pirates rob #Vietnam vessel - 1/3 cargo (of 5k tonnes of oil & goods) release crew - http://tinyurl.com/nn29wna >> Hijacking is 12th in South China Sea since APRIL !!! Piracy costs shipping est. $8bn per annum. ---------------------------------------------------------- US Banking Piracy NY banking regulator still screwing BNP Paribas >dollar clearing ban in energy trade fin. for 2015 (+ $9 bil fine) http://tinyurl.com/m4nhoxw >Cannot operate energy trade div. w/out clearance >asks JPMorgan, BAML & Citi clearance help > unlikely b/c risks. No comment. >> If other banks agree to do clearing for them ... hey, they can CHARGE extortionate risk rates ... lol .. win/win USA - 2 main payment systems foreign trade in dollars  - CHIPS (owned by 23 comm.banks, overseen Central Bank + Fed) & FedWire (Fed Reserve) ---------------------------------------------------------- Immigration UNHCR- 330,700 ppl sought refugee status during the first 6mths 2014 - http://tinyurl.com/odnavxl  - Syria, Iraq, Afghan + Eritrea >> 2/3 claims in Germany, USA, France, Sweden, Turkey + Italy >> Germany rec'd largest no. of claims @ 65,700 ---------------------------------------------------------- Nuclear - South Africa #SouthAfrica + #Russia nuclear co-op agreement - merits questioned - http://www.iol.co.za/news/disquiet-over-nuclear-deal-with-russia-1.1756743 … ---------------------------------------------------------- Russia Nuclear - Turkey, Finland, Jordan + Hungary >> #Russia's Rosatom also has agreements to build nuclear power stations in Turkey, Finland, Jordan + Hungary ---------------------------------------------------------- Arms Smuggling Arms-smuggling #Taiwan duo snared in FBI sting plead guilty > high-grade military technology to mainland #China - http://tinyurl.com/kewve29 ----------------------------------------------------------  Ted Belman Article - Middle East #Libya >> US has gone from being a world power to dealing w/ ISIS. And you know who has facilitated that ... http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/15710 … >> #Obama undermined: Qaddafi, Mubarak & Assad & worked in concert w/ Qatar, Turkey & the Muslim Brotherhood. [inn] >> Arab Spring >> US democracy-building campaigns played a bigger role in fomenting protests than known /US NGO training + $ It is the job of the CIA to stir up rebellion in countries the US govt want to make unstable (or unseat the govt in power) [src Ted Belman] #Syria - plan for deposing Assad started when Bush Jr. admin decided 2 align with Sunni states to challenge Iran’s hegemony>[src Ted Belman] #Iraq most insurgent violence directed at American military has come from Sunni forces, & not from Shiites. http://tinyurl.com/p2rlotq  / belman US >> most profound—& unintended—strategic consequence of #Iraq war is the empowerment of Iran. >>> [Ted Belman] >> Saudis shared this concern >joined with US to reduce Iranian influence in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. [Ted Belman] ---------------------------------------------------------- US Gets Cosy with Malaysia #USA - #Malaysia - immigration hand-holding - investors, tourists and students - 4 profit - http://tinyurl.com/p4pkcdn  - US Visa Waiver Programme #USA - #Malaysia - CIA hand-holding >> Dr Ahmad Zahid met Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director John Brennan - http://tinyurl.com/p4pkcdn  #Malaysia - Dr Ahmad Zahid - Home Affairs min - crack down opposition leaders & dissents - sedition laws 2 suppress opposition – wikipedia #Malaysia /Dr Ahmad Zahid>NY Pol Dept chief Charles V. Campisi on collaboration b/w Malaysia police & dept. "on enhancing police integrity" ---------------------------------------------------------- India-US Relations #India - PM Modi denied US visa until now b/c 2002 Gujarat riots (Hindu vs Muslim) - Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party - Modi party /saudigaz. #India - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - most likely spied on by CIA - b/c 'concerns' re 'extremist' elements >> http://tinyurl.com/mfq7cbt  #India - now US wants to cosy up to India for profit & strategic reasons .. tradit. India avoids Big Bloc commitments / Piss off, USA ..lol ---------------------------------------------------------- UK Role Undermining Syria #Syria - Free Syrian Army (FSA), umbrella group of ‘moderate’ opposition fighters .. receiving training Jordan - CIA-funded sec. Contractors #UK - involved training FSA in Jordan - http://tinyurl.com/p2jk5tm  - Pentagon drawing up plans 4 training bases or. countries, FSA + Peshmerga #UK - no parliamentary approval required/ FSA training /free to act over borders also - citing 'humanitarian' + hostages scenario [guardian] --------------------------------------------------------- US Warfare Middle East #USA drone attacks in Yemen, Somalia + Pakistan are carried by CIA or, in Yemen + Somalia, by military's Joint Special Operations Command. Bombing in #Iraq + #Syria not being held to the near-certainty standard that no civilians will be killed or injured, http://tinyurl.com/p7847ta  #Iraq + #Syria, US Air Force & Navy using cruise missiles & conventional guided bombs to destroy buildings and other infrastructure/DailyStar >> Allies, including Britain, France & Arab countries, are also using conventional bombs" [dailystar] Human rights groups said 2 dozen civilians killed by US & allied bombings in #Iraq & #Syria. [dailystar] Civilian casualties #Iraq + #Syria >US says inter'l law no 'near certainty' - not deemed "action outside areas of active hostilities" - {DS} Obama: "Conventional airpower or missiles are far less precise than drones" but using "conventional military air campaign" ---------------------------------------------------------- US Plans for Afghanistan #USA - Brookings Institution - takes in retired CIA - who presumably provide 'benign expert' advice along with Brookings - ref ArabNews #USA - CFR + Brookings lobbying US presence #Afghanistan for building & institutionalizing a national Afghan army - http://tinyurl.com/q69y646 ---------------------------------------------------------- Iran - Anti-Zionist Conference   #Iran #Teheran “New Hori­zon Con­fer­ence” 3-day conference for anti-Zionists / dubbed anti-semites by ADL / http://tinyurl.com/pn4l962 ---------------------------------------------------------- US Throwing Weight Around Threatens Zimbabwe Sanctions (re $3 billion Russia mine deal)  #Zimbabwe US threatening sanctions against Zimbabwe over their #Russia US$3billion platinum mine deal / [allafrica] "It (Zimbabwe) should not proceed or else we are under sanctions." --- http://allafrica.com/stories/201410040017.html … ---------------------------------------------------------- People's Voice Article Lavrov Counters Irresponsible Western Policies   The evil that is US imperialism >>> the Lies, the Hypocrisy & drive for Unchallenged World Domination >>> http://tinyurl.com/lfa5yeo  Lavrov Counters Irresponsible Western Policies - http://tinyurl.com/lfa5yeo  - West's lies .. enlist popular support for imperial lawlessness UN envoy Samantha Power calls genocidal imperial interventions stunning successes / destroying one country after another No nation deplores peace more than America. None cause more harm to more people. None more mass destruction. Washington's killing machine gets wholehearted support. Americans are systematically lied to. Everything .. is suppressed. Big Lies reflect long-standing US tradition. They launch wars. They're weapons of mass deception. http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/Voices.php/2014/10/03/lavrov-counters-irresponsible-western-po ---------------------------------------------------------- UK Govt Lobbying to Ditch European Court Human Rights #UK ditching European Court of Human Rights in Britain (ECHR) proposal - http://tinyurl.com/qgpnb4h  - former Att-Gen unimpressed #UK Dave & his buddy Chris Grayling's Bill of Rights looks a joke: http://tinyurl.com/kdwysry  > Check out the limitations > #UKpolitics ... Rights & *Responsibilities* / limitations / caveats / triviality test / change definition / limit on reach / >>> Philip Hammond, Theresa May & David Cameron are onboard with this. ---------------------------------------------------------- Greenland Govt Shake-up Protests force #Greenland premier (Aleqa Hammond, Siumut Party) out of office >> misuse $20k (repaid) -- http://tinyurl.com/qbduslp On 1 Oct x4 govt ministers resigned -- shaking coalition govt formed March 2013 - ELECTION new govt = Nov. 28   ---------------------------------------------------------- European anti ISIL Campaigners Europeans involved in US ISIL campaign: France, Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium & Britain [PressTV] >> Let me guess, assets in Middle East? ---------------------------------------------------------  Another Cost of EU Membership Countries getting ripped off by #EU membership: UK , Czech Republic, Germany, Latvia & Netherlands - http://tinyurl.com/kfoucps  - money overseas --------------------------------------------------------- Kenya - President Uhuru Kenyatta - International Criminal Court Hearing Internat. Criminal Crt hearing, Hague Wed. - President Uhuru Kenyatta - http://tinyurl.com/plt6fce  / #Kenya - cannot accomm. Attendees --------------------------------------------------------- Taiwan #Taiwan - bids to enter US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) & Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) / [wantchinatimes] ---------------------------------------------------------- Russia Gas | Fracking | Environment    #Baltic - Estonia, Finland, Latvia & Lithuania get 100% of their natural gas from #Russia - [townhall] > Czech Republic (57%), Poland (59%), Ukraine (60%), Hungary (80%), Slovakia (84%) & Bulgaria (89%) - [ibid] >> #Russia 60% of its exports are oil + natural gas [ibid] - Hey, here's part of REAL AGENDA: they could import more natural gas from the US & other countries besides Russia" !! LOL > "Europe needs to allow fracking. Right now" ... says mouthpiece of US NGO lobbying group, posing as benign experts 'Benign' NGO mouthpiece proposes EU needs to devise incentives 4 landowners & residents / stake in #fracking rape of Europe >> Congress & #Obama "should also fast-track US natural gas exports to Europe" - 'benign' NGO lobby mouthpiece says. #EU nations ban #fracking >> #Poland & #UK are sell-outs who have embraced destruction of environment for profit Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT) lobby for destruction of environment for profit / http://tinyurl.com/o8lwcl4  -- http://tinyurl.com/nsl8q3d  --------------------------------------------------- Ambassador - New Appointment - Russia / Hungary #Russia's Vladimir Sergeyev is new ambassador to #Hungary - new guy has lots of experience. Soros NGOs Many most powerful NGOs are connected to network of American billionaire George Soros / last year he spent $1 bil on civil assocs. [HunTod] --------------------------------------------------- Turkey Rivalry with Egypt #Egypt - President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi - UN GA - PR coup / has finally emerged from the cold / http://tinyurl.com/krran2d  /al-arabiya article -- BUT .. #Turkey boycotted his speech + Pres Recip Tayyip Erdogan condemned the #UN for “legitimizing” Sisi !! --------------------------------------------------- G.U.A.M Protocol (US Puppets) GUAM -organization for colluding against Russians, HQ Kiev, another US strategy in region .. adopted protocol in NY / http://tinyurl.com/ohns2xs GUAM Members: Georgia Ukraine Azerbaijan Moldova   /   Observers: Turkey Latvia --------------------------------------------------- Ben Gurion on Israel / Palestine David Ben Gurion >>"If I were an Arab leader, I would never make terms with Israel ... we have ... stolen their country...” [Gulf News] >> Checked. It's a real quote. Said to Nahum Goldmann, President of World Jewish Congress. -------------------------------------------------- US Imperialism - Norman Pollock Article #Putin KGB -VERSUS- #Obama's personally authorized drone assassinations, air-strikes, world-encircling military bases, CIA ops & NSA spying #Obama is more capitalist than patriotic ... he favours JPMorgan Chase, Boeing, banking firms & corporations / http://tinyurl.com/na4tbwd  Naked US capitalism = massive surveillance, hostile climate re labour, vast wealth-disparity, foreign war, intervention for global hegemony. US capitalism = aggressive-expansive system of global annexation Crony capitalism in both #Russia & the West, yet West criticises the same ideological framework that holds true for US & Russia / fm Pollack #USA - Crony capitalism is SYSTEMIC ... advancing the wide cleavage in US wealth distribution / http://tinyurl.com/na4tbwd  / Pollack #Obama serves as a shill for US business abroad, esp. in the Far East --- Norman Pollack --- http://tinyurl.com/na4tbwd   Sanctions on #Russia = to contain, isolate & weaken Russia ... as US desperately strives to return to unilateral pre-eminence / Pollack  Wow, I really liked the Norman Pollack article ... got a bit lost on types of socialism & nearly gave up ... but it was a great read.   --------------------------------------------------- ICSID - Corporations Violate National Sovereignty International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) - means for trans-national corporations to violate sovereignty - http://tinyurl.com/oocrsng >>HQ Washington - receives its funding from the World Bank - Case studies involve lawsuits against governments by corps /wikipedia --------------------------------------------------- COMMENT Random information that I looked at.  Links are available for follow-up. It was all very interesting at the time.   Doubt I'll remember all this information.  But even if I remember some of it, it helps form a larger picture. The buzz is in eventually linking bits of information together to make more sense of the whole.