22 August 2013 — Information Clearing House
Egypt is Becoming a Proxy Conflict
By Max Fisher
It’s not an all-out proxy conflict as in Syria, but it’s hard to miss the pattern.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35933.htm
Washington and the Egyptian Tragedy
By Stephen Zunes
The vast majority of Egyptians killed since the coup have been unarmed protesters struck down with American-made weapons by soldiers transported in American-made vehicles provided by the American taxpayer.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35938.htm
Hi, I’m Your New Axis of Evil
By Pepe Escobar
Egypt will remain a banana republic without the bananas and dependent on foreigners to eat.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35937.htm
Egypt Crisis Pushes an Unlikely Axis: Israel-Saudi
By Anshel Pfeffer
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have joined Israel in an informal alliance that is backing Egypt’s de facto military government.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35942.htm
Homeland Security Made in Israel
By Philip Giraldi
Israel has a vested interest in making the terrorist threat appear more real than it actually is and also to present itself as the only reliable partner of the United States in the war against global terror.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35934.htm
How Laura Poitras Helped Snowden Spill His Secrets
By PETER MAASS
Poitras possesses a new skill set that is particularly vital – and far from the journalistic norm – in an era of pervasive government spying: she knows, as well as any computer-security expert, how to protect against surveillance.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35934.htm
Gangster State US/UK
By Paul Craig Roberts
Many members of both governments would have made perfect functionaries in Stalinist Russia or Nazi Germany.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35935.htm
Outsider Manning v American exceptionalism
By Pepe Escobar
Bradley Manning will remain confined in a military prison, while war criminals such as George ‘Dubya’ Bush, Dick ‘Darth Vader’ Cheney and their cohorts remain on the loose.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35935.htm
DOJ Wants Bush, Senior Cabinet Members Exempt From Iraq War Trial
By RT
The United States Department of Justice has requested that former President George W. Bush and the highest figures in his administration receive full exemption from being tried for the Iraq War, which the DoJ says was in line with international law.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35940.htm
‘You Failed to Break the Spirit of Bradley Manning’
An Open Letter to President Obama
By Norman Solomon
Bradley Manning has emerged with his solid humanistic voice not only intact, but actually stronger than ever!
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35944.htm
FBI Granted Power to Delay Citizenship for Muslims
By Karen McVeigh in New York
Covert program set up by George W Bush allows US to profile law-abiding Muslim as ‘national security concerns’, report says.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35939.htm
Not Too Big to Jail: Why Eliot Spitzer Is Wall Street’s Worst Nightmare
By Ellen Brown
Wall Street fraud, corruption and abuse have caused millions of homeowners to lose their homes and have tipped cities toward bankruptcy; and Spitzer is one of the brave few who has exposed and attempted to prosecute those predatory practices.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35932.htm
‘Oligarchic Tendencies’
Study Finds Only the Wealthy Get Represented in the Senate
By Eric W. Dolan
Democrats were not any more responsive to the poor than Republicans.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35943.htm
Iraqi insurgent attacks kill 24:
Insurgent attacks across Iraq, including a suicide bombing targeting a Shiite wedding party, killed at least 24 people Thursday, authorities said.
Syrian eyewitness accounts of alleged chemical weapons attack in Damascus: Victim:
I could see people coming out of their homes but they would fall down – there was foam coming out of their mouths
Syria deaths: powerful asphyxiant in strike was probably sarin, say experts:
Specialists say symptoms observed in footage of victims offer strong evidence that nerve agent was used near Damascus
Syrian govt ready to cooperate with UN experts in chemical attack probe – Moscow:
The Syrian government is ready for “maximum” cooperation with UN experts working to clarify the alleged use of chemical weapons in attacks, Russia’s Foreign Ministry says. The UN has requested access to Damascus suburbs to be granted “without delays”.
U.S. says unable to conclusively determine chemical weapons used in Syria:
“At this time, right now, we are unable to conclusively determine CW (chemical weapons) use,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters. “We are doing everything possible in our power to nail down the facts,” she added.
US says Syrian rebels incapable of chemical attack: Video –
The US says the alleged chemical attack in Syria would be ‘outrageous and flagrant escalation’ by Assad, if the reports are confirmed. With still no evidence of the government’s involvement in the attack, or any confirmation about the number of victims, the pressure on the Syrian government is growing.
In case you missed it:
Toxic Catch: Syria rebels’ chemical lab uncovered near Damascus :
Syrian state TV says the military has found a chemical laboratory which produces poisonous materials in the town of Jobar on the outskirts of Damascus. Sources claim the rebels were planning to stuff shells with the chemicals and use them to attack the capital. RT’s Middle East correspondent Paula Slier reports.
Chemical weapon attack in Syria is obvious: Erdogan:
Speaking in a live Turkish TV programme, Erdogan said no bullets, no blood stain and no gun powder was there, and it was appearent that a chemical weapon attack was staged in the country.
France warns Syria of forceful response over chemical weapon claims:
Calls for UN investigative team to be allowed immediate access to site of attack but French foreign minister rules out ground troops
American, Israeli And Jordanian Troops And CIA Agents Have Entered Syria, Le Figaro Reports;
We have yet to see secondary confirmation of the following breaking news from the second largest French newspaper, Le Figaro, but if accurate, it means the Nobel Peace Prize winning president has just engaged in yet another unsanctioned by Congress war.
Report: Hezbollah supporter among 3 killed in north Lebanon:
Gunmen in Lebanon’s northern city of Tripoli killed at least three people when they opened fire on a supporter of the Lebanese Shi’ite militant group Hezbollah outside his house in the early hours of Thursday, security sources said.
Two Egyptian army soldiers killed in attack in Ismailia:
Two Egyptian army soldiers were killed on Thursday in an attack on a military patrol in the Suez Canal province of Ismailia, security and medical sources told Anadolu Agency.
Egypt PM says country can survive without US military aid:
Egypt’s interim prime minister said it would be a mistake on the part of the US to halt its substantial military aid to Cairo, while indicating in a defiant tone that Egypt would “live with the circumstances” if Washington decided to cease aid.
http://rt.com/news/egypt-defiant-us-aid-cut-761/
Did Amnesty International unwittingly assist the Egyptian military in its bloody crackdown on protesters?:
The Egyptian coup have publicly quoted from its reports as part of their justification for the slaughter of pro-Mohamed Morsi activists
Hosni Mubarak Leaves Prison In Helicopter:
Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak has been released from prison and flown by helicopter to a military hospital. Television pictures showed the 85-year-old leaving Tora prison on the southern outskirts of Cairo and landing minutes later in the nearby suburb of Maadi. He is expected to be placed under house arrest at the hospital on the orders of Egyptian prime minister Hazem el-Beblawi.
Israel warns US: Alienating Egyptian army could risk peace talks:
Israel has urged the US to back the Egyptian military, saying losing Egypt to Islamists could pose a risk the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
Israel accuses ‘global jihad elements’ of rocket attack launched from Lebanon:
Three missiles fired from Hezbollah stronghold raise tensions along the volatile front
Israel Seeking More US Military “Aid”:
Israel is seeking a surge in future US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grants not only to support its growing security requirements, but to offset the impact of increasingly advanced US arms sales to other countries in the volatile region.
Jimmy Carter peace award sparks outrage from pro-Israeli camp:
“I can’t imagine a worse candidate for any kind of a human rights award,” said Harvard law professor and pro-Israel author Allan Dershowitz, to the Washington Free Beacon. “He has more blood on his hands than practically any other president.”
‘Iran would barely retaliate if its nuclear program were attacked’:
Israel doesn’t need a US green light to strike Tehran’s nukes, says Yuval Steinitz; Iran couldn’t cause much damage in response
US Export of Cluster Bombs to Saudi Arabia at Odds with International Ban Treaty;
“We are disappointed with the US decision to export cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia as both countries acknowledge the negative humanitarian impact of these weapons on civilians,”
Somalia: Kenya Killed 20 Al-Shabaab Militiamen:
Kenyan authorities said that their defence forces killed 20 Al-Shabaab militiamen near the border town of Hulugho, Garissa. This is according to MoFA.
http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/news/?id=4350
Nigeria: 13 Killed in Boko Haram Attacks on Borno Towns:
Thirteen persons were feared killed, when suspected Boko Haram members stormed Gwoza and Gamboru/Ngala towns in Borno State, ostensibly on a reprisal attack.
12 reported dead after clashes in Central African Republic capital:
A Red Cross official says at least 12 people are dead following clashes in the capital of volatile Central African Republic.
http://www.startribune.com/world/220528731.html
Insurgents dressed as soldiers kill 4 in Nigeria:
Suspected Islamist extremists dressed as soldiers opened fire on residents of a town in northeastern Nigeria on Wednesday after luring them out of their homes, killing four people, residents said.
Surrounded: How the U.S. Is Encircling China with Military Bases:
The U.S. military is encircling China with a chain of air bases and military ports. The latest link: a small airstrip on the tiny Pacific island of Saipan.
Growing US presence in Australia to include aircraft:
The U.S. is preparing to add aircraft to its military presence in Australia, which will include 2,500 Marines rotating through the northern port of Darwin starting in 2016.
David Miranda wins partial court victory over data seized by police:
Court restricts authorities ‘inspecting, copying or sharing’ data
US doesn’t know what Snowden took, sources say:
Sources said authorities believe the trove of unreleased materials includes details of data collection by U.S. allies, including the U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. These English-speaking allies, known along with the U.S. as the “Five Eyes,” are critical to U.S. intelligence efforts.
Brazilians mull anti-US-spook law:
Businesses selling online to Brazil-based consumers could be forced to store any personal data they collect about those individuals on local servers under proposed new laws under consideration in the country.
Report: NSA spied on Salt Lake City before 2002 Olympics:
It monitored the content of all email and text communications in the Salt Lake City area.
Bradley Manning Announces She Will Live as a Woman:
Manning’s lawyer appeared on the Today show to read an exclusive statement from Manning announcing that he is slated to begin hormone therapy in a push towards gender reassignment, and would like to be referred to as Chelsea Manning by the media at large, and with feminine pronouns
Homeless Couple Now Millionaires After Being Shot 15 Times by LAPD:
Justice has been served in favor of a homeless LA couple. The two were tragically shot by LA sheriff’s deputies more than 15 times. In short, they aren’t homeless anymore…they’re millionaires.
Columbia plan’s to remove homeless people from the city center:
Perhaps the most controversial feature of the plan involves increasing police patrols in a 36-block business district and at the riverfront shelter to direct the homeless there for help. If they refuse, they could be arrested under a range of public nuisance laws that include loitering, public intoxication, public urination, aggressive panhandling or trespassing.
10 Shocking Examples of Police Killing Innocent People in the “War on Drugs”:
Many innocent victims have become collateral damage in our pointless, destructive drug war.
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 : 3,258
Cost of War in Iraq & Afghanistan
Total Cost of Wars Since 2001
$1,466,390,611,004
The New Dark Age 