3 June 2013 — Information Clearing House
Who Benefits If The Killing In Syria Goes On?
By Patrick Cockburn
This is a cynical but probably correct explanation for why the US, Britain, France and the Sunni monarchies do not want the war to end.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35163.htm
John McCain and the Desperate Flailing of Syrian Oppositionists’ External Supporters
By Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett
“Did John McCain Provide Material Support for Syrian Terrorists?”
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35161.htm
What is Happening in Istanbul?
By Tarihinde Yayimlandi
To my friends who live outside of Turkey: – I am writing to let you know what is going on in Istanbul for the last five days. I personally have to write this because most of the media sources are shut down by the government.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35162.htm
Birth of a Turkish Spring
Report from Turkey: A Taste of Tahrir at Taksim
By Sungur Savran
The working-class, left forces and the youth of Turkey are coming out of a period of extreme political passivity.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35157.htm
Turkey: Blood In the Streets
By Daniel Jackson
Report Includes Live Video Stream.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35154.htm
How a London Court Repudiated Zionist Abuse of the Anti-Semitism Charge
By Mike Marqusee
Taunting and tainting opponents with the charge of anti-semitism is a long-standing Zionist ploy, familiar to everyone involved in the Israel-Palestine issue.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35164.htm
Iraq Collapse Shows Bankruptcy of Interventionism
“the greatest strategic disaster in American history.”
By Rep. Ron Paul
Now we see radical fighters who once shot at U.S. troops in Iraq have spilled into Syria, where they ironically find their cause supported by the U.S. government! Some of these fighters are even greeted by visiting U.S. senators.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35159.htm
The United States should be in the dock, not Bradley Manning
By Owen Jones
The whistleblower has allowed us to scrutinise the hidden realities of US power.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35158.htm
Hypocrisy Lies at the Heart of the Trial of Bradley Manning
By Gary Younge
It is an outrage that soldiers who killed innocents remain free but the man who exposed them is accused of ‘aiding the enemy’.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35156.htm
‘We Steal Secrets’: State Agitprop
By Chris Hedges
The film at many points is a trashy exercise in tabloid journalism. Gibney panders to popular culture’s taste for cheap pop psychology and obsession with sex, salacious gossip and trivia.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35155.htm
America’s Greatest Affliction:
The Presstitute Media
By Paul Craig Roberts
America is the shining light on the hill, the font of freedom and democracy brought to the world courtesy of the military/security complex out of the barrel of guns and hellfire missiles from drones.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35160.htm
New Report Finds 1 in 6 in U.S. are Going Hungry
Video
As Republicans move to cut billions of dollars in funding for food stamps, a new report finds one in six Americans live in a household that cannot afford adequate food.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35165.htm
More than 130 people killed Sunday in Syria.: Activists say:
The dead: 33 civilians (10 of them children), 35 rebel fighters, 1 al-Nusra suicide bomber, 16 unidentified rebels, 3 non-Syrian rebels, 3 defected officers, 36 regular soldiers.
Syrian missile kills 26 in village near Aleppo: Pro-repel activists say:
A missile hit a village near Syria’s second city of Aleppo overnight, killing 26 people including six women and eight children, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Monday.
Hezbollah slays dozen Syrian rebels in Lebanon ambush: sources:
At least 12 Syrian rebels were killed overnight in east Lebanon in an ambush by Hezbollah, security sources said, adding that one member of the resistance group was also killed, in the first confrontation between the rivals on Lebanese soil.
Syrian rebels and Hezbollah ‘exchange fire in Lebanon’;
A number of people have been killed in an exchange of fire between Syrian rebels and fighters from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, say reports. Lebanese security sources said the clashes took place on Lebanon’s side of the border, near the town of Baalbek.
Renewed Tripoli clashes kill 5, wound dozens:
Five people died and dozens were wounded in the northern city of Tripoli, after a sudden eruption of violence between the rival neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen over the weekend, security sources said Monday.
Suicide car bomb kills 9 officers in Damascus countryside: activists say:
A suicide car bomber detonated his explosive-packed car at a police station in a rebellious suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus Sunday morning, killing at least nine officers
In Syria, Hezbollah forces appear ready to attack rebels in city of Aleppo:
Thousands of Lebanese Hezbollah militants were massed around the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on Sunday, according to rebels and a senior commander in the Lebanese Shiite movement, broadening Hezbollah’s backing of President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and stoking fears of an imminent assault on the city.
Russia: UN declaration on Qusair ceasefire one-sided:
Russia blocked a UN Security Council declaration on the siege of the Syrian town of Qusair over the weekend because it amounted to a demand for a unilateral ceasefire by government forces, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
Gulf states will consider punishing Hezbollah for role in Syria:
Arab Gulf States will consider taking measures against Hezbollah if the Shi’ite Muslim Lebanese movement continues its involvement in Syria’s civil war or interferes in Gulf Arab affairs, the head of their six-member bloc said on Sunday.
Syria claims sarin seizure at rebel hideout as Russia ‘blocks’ UN’s Qusair resolution:
The Syrian Army has seized two containers with poisonous sarin agent in a rebel hideout, SANA said citing sources. Meanwhile, Russia reportedly blocked the UNSC resolution set to slam Damascus’ offensive on the town of Qusair held by opposition forces.
Syrian Opposition Disintegrates, SRGS Withdraws;
The “Syrian Revolution General Commission” announced its withdrawal from the Syrian opposition body of the National Coalition on Monday. It accused the opposition leaders of misusing funds and pursuing personal ambitions.
Battle for Qusair enters third week, civilians remain trapped:
Alzein said medical supplies are running out and doctors treating the wounded most urgently need oxygen to keep the 300 people – mostly women, children and elderly – alive.
FSA head warns of defeat if not given weapons: Video report:
Salim Idris says his rebel fighters in Qusayr are heavily outgunned and overwhelmed by fighters from Hezbollah.
Rebels Post Video of Tank Kill:
An advanced anti-tank missile that the rebels fired easily penetrated the tank’s armor, causing a huge explosion and blowing the turret skyward. The turret appears to be visible falling back to the ground at the 0:41 second mark.
U.S. withholds millions pledged to help Syrian opposition:
The United States is withholding $63 million that it had pledged to the main Syrian opposition organization because the Obama administration is frustrated with the group’s disarray and is searching for more credible partners to support in the rebellion against Syrian President Bashar Assad, knowledgeable officials said Friday.
Syria, Russia discussing delivery of MiG-29M/M2 fighters :
“It would be premature to say when and how many MiG-29M/M2 fighters may be supplied to Syria. There may be six, ten or twelve jets or even 24. If the negotiations settle all technical and financial issues, the first delivery is possible already this year,” the source said.
Russia won’t send S-300 to Syria until 2014: Israeli Defense Minister :
Moshe Ya’alon said Monday that Russia has not yet sent the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system to Syria, and if such a transfer were to occur, it would likely only take place next year.
Russia says U.S. not putting enough pressure on Syria opposition:
The United States is not putting enough pressure on the Syrian opposition to participate in an international peace conference and drop its demand for President Bashar al-Assad’s exit, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday.
U.S. to send Patriot missile battery, fighter jets to Jordan as part of exercise:
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has approved the deployment of a Patriot missile battery and F-16 fighter jet aircraft to Jordan as part of a planned military exercise, but with an understanding that the weapons systems may stay in the country to bolster Jordan’s security as violence from the Syrian civil war spreads.
Iraq: 20 killed in bomb blasts :
Roadside and car blasts left 17 dead across various districts of the capital. The attacks happened in three Shia neighbourhoods and one largely Sunni community. In the northern city of Mosul, a suicide bomber killed three when he blew himself up on a federal police checkpoint.
3 killed, 18 wounded in Iraq’s violence:
Three people were killed and 18 wounded in separate bombings and shootings in central and western Iraq on Monday, the police said, APA reports quoting Xinhua.
Iraq says al Qaeda chemical gas plot uncovered:
Iraq’s defense ministry has said it uncovered an al Qaeda cell that was working to produce poison gas to attack Iraqi forces. The gas was allegedly also for transport abroad to use in Europe and the US.
Iraq warns Israel on using airspace in Iran strike:
Baghdad has warned Israel that it would respond to any attempts by the Jewish state to use Iraqi airspace for a strike against Iran’s controversial nuclear programme, a top Iraqi minister told AFP.
Iran busts Mossad ‘terror’ cell:
IRAN has dismantled a “terror network” backed by Israel’s Mossad intelligence services which planned to disrupt the upcoming presidential election in the Islamic republic, the state broadcaster says.
IAEA head says ‘going around in circles’ with Iran:
Iran says the IAEA’s findings are based on faulty intelligence from foreign spy agencies such as the CIA and Israel’s Mossad – intelligence it complains it has not even been allowed to see.
US government imposes sanctions on Iran’s petrochemical sector:
The US government on Friday imposed sanctions for the first time on Iran’s petrochemical industry as part of its ongoing efforts to intensify pressure on the Iranian economy. The Treasury Department said:
Israel now has 80 nuclear warheads, report says:
Of those warheads, 50 are for medium-range ballistic missiles and 30 are for bombs carried by aircraft, the report said. In addition, “Israel may also have produced non-strategic nuclear weapons, including artillery shells and atomic demolition munitions,”
World nuclear forces, 2013 –
At the start of 2013 eight states-the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan and Israel-possessed approximately 4400 operational nuclear weapons. Nearly 2000 of these are kept in a state of high operational alert. If all nuclear warheads are counted, these states together possess a total of approximately 17 265 nuclear weapons
Mahmoud Abbas appoints new Palestinian PM Rami Hamdallah:
Rami Hamdallah, a British-educated academic and political independent, will take over. He is currently president of al-Najah National University in the West Bank and seen as close to Mr Abbas’ Fatah party.
Israel Treats the Bedouin Like “People in a Box”; –
For thousands of years the Bedouin people have made their home in the desert of what is now Israel. But for almost the last six decades, the Bedouin have been on the move, repeatedly relocated to make room for Israeli settlements.
Al Qaeda affiliate’s grave new warning: Inflicting mass casualties on U.S. a top priority:
The military commander of al Qaeda’s affiliate in Yemen is threatening new attacks against America, saying its people will never be safe until the U.S. government stops “attacking and oppressing” Muslim countries.
Protester killed in Turkey:
A 20-year-old Turkish man died when a taxi drove into a group of demonstrators on an Istanbul highway during an anti-government protest, Turkish doctors’ association TBB said on Monday, the first known death related to the demonstrations.
Turkey police brutality: Cops attack protesters, use gallons of tear gas (PHOTOS):
Photos and video footage of officers clubbing activists and spraying them with irritants at point-blank range are circulating across social media, further inflaming the Turkish riots.
Turk protesters set fire to offices of Erdogan’s AKP:
Turkish protesters clashed with riot police into the early hours of Monday with some setting fire to offices of the ruling AK Party as the fiercest anti-government demonstrations in years entered their fourth day.
Social media and opposition to blame for protests, says Turkish PM:
‘Social media is the worst menace to society,’ says Recep Erdogan after thousands take control of Istanbul’s main square
Turkish union to strike from Tuesday over unrest:
Turkey’s Public Workers Unions Confederation (KESK) said on Monday it would hold a “warning strike” on June 4-5 to protest at a crackdown on anti-government protests over the last four days.
Egypt parliament ruled illegal, but to stay on:
Egypt’s top court ruled on Sunday that parliament’s Muslim Brotherhood-led upper house was illegal but could stay on until elections, dealing the Islamists a moral blow but letting them keep their grip on lawmaking for now.
Seven killed during attack on CAR town;
Armed men claiming to be members of the ruling Seleka movement in the Central African Republic killed seven people and wounded several others in an attack on the central town of Bouca, a military source said on Monday.
10 children among 20 killed in Afghan violence:
A suicide bomber targeting an American patrol outside a busy market in eastern Afghanistan killed 13 people today, including 10 schoolchildren nearby and two international service members, officials said.
Four militants killed in Nangarhar clash:
At least four government armed oppositions were killed in eastern province of Nangarhar registering Monday one of the ongoing week deadliest days, said an official.
Chuck Hagel rebuked by Chinese general over US buildup in Asia:
Confrontation over increased US presence in region comes days ahead of Obama’s meeting with Chinese premier in California
U.S. Fails to Join Allies in Signing UN Global Arms Trade Treaty:
The U.S. won’t join the U.K., France and other major Western allies at the United Nations today to sign the first international treaty regulating the $85 billion a year global arms trade. The absence of the world’s top arms dealer casts a shadow over a decades-long push to stop illegal cross-border shipments of conventional weapons.
Force-feeding Guantanamo hunger strikers ‘abusive’:
The UN and American Medical Association have condemned the force-feeding of 37 detainees on a four-month-old hunger strike at the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay.
Inside Guantanamo: The Tour:
Last week, thanks to the generous support of the Freedom of Press Foundation, I traveled to Guantanamo during the height of a mass hunger strike to tour the detention facility, along with four other members of the media.
Bradley Manning Prosecutors Claim Evidence of Bin Laden Link;
Defense portrays sexually confused client ‘troubled’ by military secrecy
Woolwich murder, the MI6 connection:
Younger brother of Michael Adebolajo ‘was paid thousands to spy in Middle East’; Jeremiah Adebolajo, who uses the name Abul Jaleel, was also asked to help ‘turn’ his brother, Michael, to work for MI5, who were already aware of Michael’s close links to extremist groups.
UK may hold talks with Ecuador on Assange dilemma:
Britain is considering holding talks with Ecuador over the future of Julian Assange, the Foreign Office said today, in the first sign of a possible solution to the year-long diplomatic standoff over the WikiLeaks founder.
Baffling Rise in Suicides Plagues the U.S. Military:
According to some experts, the military may be undercounting the problem because of the way it calculates its suicide rate.
World faces mounting damage from disasters:
Climate change and poor planning are worsening the toll in lives and money that natural disasters wreak worldwide.
Blockupy Battle: Cops teargas anti-austerity activists in Frankfurt:
Scuffles have broken out in the Eurozone’s financial capital, on the second day of anti-austerity protests. Frankfurt is home to the European Central Bank – an institution that, protesters say, is responsible for much of Europe’s current economic predicament
Wealth from economic “recovery” has gone to the richest Americans:
The wealth of the rich has surpassed pre-recession highs, while that of the vast majority has stagnated. In other words, the net impact of the crisis has been an aggregate transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich
http://wsws.org/en/articles/2013/06/03/weal-j03.html
Cost Of War
Number Of Iraqis Slaughtered In US War And Occupation Of Iraq “1,455,590“
Number of U.S. Military Personnel Sacrificed (Officially acknowledged) In America’s War On Iraq: 4,883
Number Of International Occupation Force Troops Slaughtered In Afghanistan : 3,322
Cost of War in Iraq & Afghanistan
Total Cost of Wars Since 2001
$1,444,716,345,424
The New Dark Age 