28 October 2013 — Information Clearing House
Playing Hard to Get in the Middle East
By Stephen M. Walt
A balance of power (or if you prefer, balance of threat) approach to the Middle East also highlights the costs of America’s “special relationships” with Israel and Saudi Arabia.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36671.htm
A Welcome Reset:
Why Does Saudi Arabia Insist that the United States Fight its Battles?
By Ron Paul
It is an unhealthy relationship that should come to an end.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36677.htm
War Criminal
Dick Cheney: Military Action Against Iran May be Inevitable
By Ben Wolfgang
Former Vice President Dick Cheney believes that, eventually, America may have to resort to military force.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36675.htm
America’s Most Beloved War Criminals
By Justin Doolittle
Rice, Powell, Albright and Kissinger are all exceptionally skilled at playing the media and the public at large. The blame ultimately rests with anyone who tacitly supports or contributes to this culture of valuing personality over substance.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36676.htm
Please Tell Me, Mr President, Why a US Drone Assassinated my Mother
By Rafiq ur Rehman
Momina Bibi was a 67-year-old grandmother and midwife from Waziristan. Yet President Obama tells us drones target terrorists.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36674.htm
David Cameron Threatens The Guardian
By Ned Simons
David Cameron has indicated the government may try and use “tougher measures” against The Guardian to prevent it from publishing further revelations about the activities of British intelligence agencies.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36672.htm
The Lies That Will Kill America
By Bill Moyers and Michael Winship
The ground is all too fertile for those who will only believe whatever best fits their resentment or particular brand of paranoia.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36673.htm
US Political Dysfunction and Capitalism’s Withdrawal
By Richard Wolff
What we learn about early capitalism when we read Charles Dickens, Emile Zola, Maxim Gorky and Jack London, we see now again in the new centers.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36679.htm
Our Invisible Revolution
By Chris Hedges
No one knows where or when the eruption will take place. No one knows the form it will take. But it is certain now that a popular revolt is coming.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36670.htm
What Recovery?
By Mike Whitney
“4,594,000 Mortgages Going Unpaid in the United States.”
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article36678.htm
35 people killed in “Islamist” raid –
Thirty-five bodies in military uniform have been brought to a morgue in Nigeria’s restive northeast after a coordinated assault by Boko Haram targeting the security forces, a hospital source told AFP Monday.
http://news.yahoo.com/35-bodies-army-uniform-nigeria-morgue-islamist-raid-102228471.html
35 Migrants Die of Thirst in Niger Crossing the Sahara:
Dozens of people traversing the Sahara desert on their way to Europe have died of thirst in Niger, officials say.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24713609
Three Egyptian policemen killed by Mansoura gunmen:
Three Egyptian policemen have been shot dead in an attack on a checkpoint in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, officials have said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24705402
US kills at least two people in Somalia: Residents:
A suspected U.S. drone strike killed at least two alledged Islamist al Shabaab insurgents driving in a car south of the Somali capital Mogadishu, residents said on Monday.
Libya’s oil exports down to trickle as unrest picks up:
Libya’s oil exports have dropped to less than 10 percent of capacity as protests have halted operations at western ports and fields, frustrating government efforts to end a three-month stranglehold on the industry.
Libya gunmen steal $54 mn in bank van attack:
The report said “10 heavily armed men” had made off with the funds, which were destined for the Sirte branch of the Libyan central bank and had been flown to the city from Tripoli.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/libya-gunmen-steal-54-mn-bank-van-attack-183859111.html#s6JO769
19 militants killed during joint Afghan-NATO operations:
According to a statement released by the ministry of interior affairs of Afghanistan, the militants were killed during operations conducted by Afghan and coalition security forces during the past 24 hours.
http://www.khaama.com/19-militants-killed-during-joint-afghan-nato-operations-3018
Girl among 6 killed, wounded in Kabul blast:
A girl of seven-year-old was killed and five soldiers were wounded in the fresh explosion jolted the capital Kabul, an official said Sunday.
http://wakht.af/en/index.php/security-and-crime/5004-girl-among-6-killed-wounded-in-kabul-blast.html
Mullah Omar asks Afghans to boycott presidential elections:
Taliban chief Mullah Mohammad Omar has appealed the Afghanistan locals neither to support nor take part in upcoming Presidential Election scheduled in the country. Abdul Aziz said that Afghanistan being captivated by the outsiders due to influence of few traitors, they are ready to fight for long in order to get freedom from US domination.
http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=221999
15 killed in Bangladesh poll protest:
At least 15 Bangladeshis have been killed and hundreds wounded in all-too familiar political violence, police said on Monday, the second day of a strike led by opposition supporters demanding elections be held under a non-partisan administration.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/28/us-bangladesh-politics-idUSBRE99R0FQ20131028
Consensus grows among UN states for greater transparency on drone civilian deaths:
Key members of the United Nations – including some of Washington’s closest allies – broke with a decade of tradition on Friday when they endorsed calls for greater transparency over drone civilian deaths.
Bush- Blair Legacy Continues As
Blasts kill 55 people across Iraq:
Killings, are running at daily rates not seen in five years and Nuri al-Maliki will ask Obama on Friday to speed up promised deliveries of drones and F-16 jets that he believes can help staunch the long desert border with Syria.
Bombings, ambush of police checkpoint kill 11 in Iraq:
Two bombings and an ambush of a police checkpoint in Iraq killed 11 people in and west of the capital on Monday, said officials.
http://www.startribune.com/world/229564071.html
Iraq oil exports plunge to 19-month low:
The country earned $6.511 billion from the exports, its lowest monthly figure in over a year.
http://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/iraq-oil-exports-plunge-19-092206953.html
Syrian rebels say peace talks must end Assad rule:
A Syrian opposition group fighting to overthrow the regime of Bashar Assad said Monday that peace talks organized by the Obama administration will not happen unless the focus of the talks shifts to ending Assad’s rule and trying him for war crimes.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/10/28/syria-rebels-seek-endgame-talks/3286091/
Syria rebel threats against Geneva-2 talks ‘outrageous’ – Lavrov:
“The threats are directed at those who have the courage to attend the proposed Geneva conference being offered by Russia and the United States with the entire world’s support.”
http://rt.com/news/lavrov-syria-geneva-rebels-845/
Syria Meets Deadline for Submitting Destruction Plan for Chemical Weapons:
Syria submitted a formal declaration of its chemical weapons program and its plans for destroying its arsenal three days ahead of the deadline, the international chemical weapons watchdog said Sunday
Chemical Weapons Inspectors in Syria Miss Deadline:
International inspectors overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile have missed an early deadline in a brutally tight schedule after security concerns prevented them from visiting two sites linked to Damascus’ chemical program.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/syrian-troops-retake-christian-town-jihadis-20700302
Nasrallah blames Syria stalemate on Saudi:
Leader of Lebanese Hezbollah movement accuses Saudi Arabia of blocking political solution to the conflict in Syria.
Lebanon: Army standoff with gunmen in north Lebanon, 3 wounded:
Lebanese troops deployed in a pro-Syrian regime neighborhood early Monday in a fresh attempt to restore calm in the northern city of Tripoli, but three soldiers are wounded in a standoff with anti-Assad gunmen.
Iran Guards ‘kill three rebels’ in Kurdish region:
A top commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said his forces killed three rebels and arrested three others in a western region that borders Iraqi Kurdistan, media reported on Sunday.
Iran Sunni group Jaish al-Adl claims border attack:
A little-known Iranian Sunni group says it carried out the killing of 14 border guards on Friday night.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24690883
Iran says offers ideas to end rift with U.N. nuclear watchdog: –
Iran’s deputy foreign minister said he had made proposals to the U.N. nuclear watchdog chief on Monday after pledging “a new approach” to easing international concerns about indications of illicit atomic bomb research by Tehran.
http://news.yahoo.com/u-n-urges-concrete-progress-iran-nuclear-talks-121904071.html
Germany warns Israel to face UN rights panel: Report:
Germany has warned Israel to attend a periodic UN human rights review on Tuesday or face “severe diplomatic damage”, Haaretz newspaper reported on Sunday.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/84866.aspx
Young British army recruits at higher risk of PTSD and suicide, says report:
Former soldiers criticise MoD recruitment practices, with Britain one of only 19 countries to allow 16-year-olds to join up
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/oct/28/young-british-army-ptsd-suicide-soldiers
NSA ‘monitored 60m Spanish calls in a month’:
The reports say the latest allegations came from documents provided by the fugitive US analyst Edward Snowden. During a meeting with Spanish EU minister, the minister said such practices, if true, were “inappropriate and unacceptable from partners and friendly countries”.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24699733
NSA tracked 46mln Italian phone calls – report :
The alleged monitoring of citizens’ phone calls follows an article in the Italian weekly, L’Espresso, which claimed that US intelligence had monitored Italian telecoms networks, targeting the government and companies as well as suspected terrorists.
http://rt.com/news/nsa-italy-phone-monitoring-854/
NSA Official: Obama Was Informed of Spying on Merkel’s Cellphone, Let It Continue:
New details related to National Security Agency spying on German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cellphone. Her phone was on a list for monitoring since 2002. President Barack Obama was also apparently briefed by NSA director Gen. Keith Alexander on the program in 2010 and did not stop it.
Embassy Espionage: The NSA’s Secret Spy Hub in Berlin:
It’s a prime site, a diplomat’s dream. Is there any better location for an embassy than Berlin’s Pariser Platz? It’s just a few paces from here to the Reichstag. When the American ambassador steps out the door, he looks directly onto the Brandenburg Gate.
Germany should ‘protect’ Snowden, says Greenwald:
“Germans should ask themselves why their government is acting this way and they should ask their government to ultimately protect the basic liberties of Mr Snowden effectively,” Greenwald said.
NSA asked Japan to tap regionwide fiber-optic cables in 2011:
The agency’s overture was apparently aimed at gathering information on China given that Japan is at the heart of optical cables that connect various parts of the region. But Tokyo turned down the proposal, citing legal restrictions and a shortage of personnel, the sources said.
Brazil fires agent seen as US intelligence source:
Brazil fired an intelligence officer last year believed to have disclosed government secrets to a CIA agent, O Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper said Sunday.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/131027/brazil-fires-agent-seen-us-intelligence-source
US on Spying Scandal: ‘Allies Aren’t Always Friends’:
Many commentators in the US see surveillance like the NSA’s alleged tapping of Chancellor Merkel’s phone as a necessary fact of life. The White House is trying to limit the damage — but the snooping will go on.
Woodward: ‘Secret government’ at the root of problems:
Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward said Sunday a huge “secret government” and a government on “automatic pilot” has led to many of the concerns now making headlines.
Conservative group smears Rep. Justin Amash as Marxist ‘fellow traveler’ for opposing NSA spying:
A small conservative group has labelled a libertarian-leaning congressman a Marxist “fellow traveler” for speaking out against the U.S. National Security Agency.
Federal agents’ pre-dawn raid on reporter’s home raises questions:
Audrey Hudson’s husband had just left for work on August 6 when suddenly, her dog began barking. The nationally-known journalist walked over to the curtains and peeked outside to discover her Chesapeake Bay home was surrounded by law enforcement officers wearing full body armor.
American authorities charge UK man with hacking Army, Missile Defense Agency and NASA websites:
A 28-year-old man from Stradishall, England has been charged in the United States with hacking into US government and military computers, stealing sensitive data and causing millions of dollars in damages.
http://rt.com/usa/lauri-love-anonymous-lastresort-853/
Police firing GPS tracking ‘bullets’ at cars during chases: :
Iowa state trooper Tim Sieleman seemed rather mesmerized. He told CBS 12: “If you had told me 16 years ago that I would have had a cannon on the front of my car, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
Tragic toll: 500 US kids killed annually from gunshots, 7,500 injured, research finds:
The number of US children and teenagers who died after sustaining gunshot wounds – mostly from handguns – jumped by nearly 60 percent in a decade, according to new findings.
http://rt.com/usa/us-children-gunshot-wounds-846/
At Least 9,900 People killed From Guns In The U.S. Since The Newtown Shooting: Slate:
This number, says Slate, is a gross underestimate of the actual number of deaths caused by guns in the last 10 months.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/28/gun-deaths-since-newtown_n_4165061.html
Global wealth inequality: top 1% own 41%; top 10% own 86%; bottom half own just 1%:
Just 8.4% of all the 5bn adults in the world own 83.4% of all household wealth (that’s property and financial assets, like stocks, shares and cash in the bank).
The end of the New World Order:
The upheavals of the early 21st century have changed our world. Now, in the aftermath of failed wars and economic disasters, pressure for a social alternative can only grow
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/19/new-world-order
US banks are told to be prepared for 30-day crisis:
The biggest US banks would be required to hold enough easily sold assets to survive a 30-day credit drought under proposed new Federal Reserve liquidity rules.
Jury: Bank of America liable in NY mortgage fraud:
A New York jury has found Bank of America Corp. liable for mortgage fraud.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/oct/28/us-bank-of-america-countrywide/
Why is broadband more expensive in the US?:
Home broadband in the US costs far more than elsewhere. At high speeds, it costs nearly three times as much as in the UK and France, and more than five times as much as in South Korea. Why?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24528383
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 : 3,393
Cost of War in Iraq & Afghanistan
Total Cost of Wars Since 2001
$1,484,328,477,146
The New Dark Age 