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Iran War Weekly - April 21, 2013
Iran War Weekly
April 21, 2013
Hello All -- Following on the failure of the talks in Kazakhstan about Iran’s nuclear program, the United States and its allies renewed their non-diplomatic offensive against Iran this week. Secretary of Defense Hagel was in the Middle East, most especially in Israel, to push a $10 billion program introducing more advanced offensive weapons into the Israel, Saudi, and UAE arsenals. Like the trips of President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry made two weeks earlier, Hagel’s mission is both to reassure Israel and other regional allies that the United States still considers “all options on the table,” while at the same time pressuring Israel to defer military action against Iran and to give sanctions and negotiations more time.
May 2013 Appearances/Protests of War Criminals
Here is the list of appearances/Protests of War Criminals for May, 2013. If any of these war criminals are in your area, please plan something around their appearance. We will be happy to help you get things started. You may access posters and leaflets on our website - http://warcriminalswatch.org/index.php/downloadable-materials/173-posters-a-leaflets
Iran War Weekly - April 11, 2013
Iran War Weekly
April 11, 2013
Hello All – As expected, last week’s negotiations in Kazakhstan between the P5+1 and Iran about the latter’s nuclear program ended in failure. While leaders of the two sides have agreed to keep talking, no next meeting has been scheduled, and it is unlikely that there will be one until the conclusion of Iran’s presidential election, which will take place in June.
America and Israel: Imperial Partners in Crime (Part II)
America and Israel: Imperial Partners in Crime (Part II)
by Stephen Lendman
In late January, Lebanese military sources reported multiple Israeli violations of Lebanon's airspace. One or more targets on the Syrian-Lebanese border were struck.
Around the same time, Israeli warplanes attacked a military research center in Jamraya. It's about 10 miles from the Lebanese border. Early Sunday morning, Israel struck it again.
Google Recognizes Palestinian Statehood
Google Recognizes Palestinian Statehood
by Stephen Lendman
On May 1, Google recognized Palestine. It did so on its homepage. Earlier it referred to "The Palestinian Territories." More on that below.
On January 4, Abbas' presidential decree acknowledged the State of Palestine. It followed gaining UN nonmember observer status.
Reuters: U.N. Investigators Say Syrian Rebels, Not Syrian Regime, Used Chemical Weapons
So, wait. It wasn't the Syrian regime, but rather the Syrian rebels who used sarin nerve gas recently? That's the story being reported tonight by Reuters, from actually named sources among U.N. investigators. But will anybody notice? Or, with Israeli airstrikes already under way, and the neo-cons already demanding another new war, is the news too little, too late...again?
The week before last, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, reading from a letter sent by the White House to Congress, announced that the Administration believes that the Syrian government recently used chemical weapons against its own people. If true, it would be a move which President Obama had previously described as a "red line" and a "game changer" in the Administration's policy on the two-year old civil war still raging in that country.
Some Don't Pay Their War Taxes
This past Saturday morning felt like mid-winter in Asheville, North Carolina, but was actually some weeks past tax day, and dozens of people were gathered in front of a federal building to say something about what federal income taxes are used for -- something much more unusual than one would expect.
Posters carried messages including: "War steals from the poor" and "Defund Militerrorism." This in itself was not so unusual. Opponents of war often use tax season to inform their friends and neighbors that roughly half of income tax dollars go to war preparation. We could have the educations and health and happiness that other nations have if we didn't waste our money on the military, we say. We'd have more and better jobs, and jobs we could feel better about, we tell people.
If only our taxes weren't put to such bad ends.
But the people gathered from across the country in Asheville on Saturday were in town for a meeting of the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee. They had gathered on Saturday morning to announce the awarding of grants of thousands of dollars to a long list of great humanitarian causes -- all the things we wish our taxes were going to. For these people, this is in fact what their taxes are going to. Many of them have put the dollars they owe in taxes into one of a number of funds set up for this purpose. They can take their money back if they choose, but meanwhile the interest it earns goes to worthy causes of their choosing in the form of these grants announced in something more like a celebration than the usual tax-day lamentation that war opponents are all familiar with.
Following the announcements in front of the federal building, the small crowd stretched out in a long single-file line walking through Asheville, posters held high, making a tour of locations in the lives of the homeless and destitute, locations in need of the money that went to buy the bombs Israel was just then dropping on Syria.
Syria News May 6
Why did Israel bomb Syria? - EA WorldView
Analysis: Israel may be ready for more active military role in Syria - NBC World News
Profile: Syria's top-secret Jamraya research centre - BBC News
A Look at the Missile Reportedly Targeted in Syria by Israel- ABC News
Lawmakers: Israeli strikes show Syrian air-defense vulnerability - The Hill's Global Affairs
Hezbollah’s Al Manar TV: Israeli jet shot down over Damascus - Ya Libnan
U.N. voices 'grave concern' at reports of Israel strikes in Syria - Yahoo! News
Lebanon condemns Israel's use of airspace to strike Syria - THE DAILY STAR
Iran calls for stand against Israel after Syria attack - Yahoo! News
Iraqi Shiite leader urges Syria to strike back at Israel - The Times of Israel
Egypt, Arab League condemn Israeli "attacks" in Syria - NOW
Opposition Syrian National Coalition Condemns Israeli Attacks - Naharnet
FSA: Our Operations Not Related to Israeli Attacks — Naharnet
VIDEO: Syrian Government Statement in Response to Israeli Airstrikes in Damascus - YouTube
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Relatives of hostages protest outside Turkish base - THE DAILY STAR
Lebanon wants Turkey, Qatar to help release hostages in Syria (VIDEO) - PressTV
FSA brigade pledges to fight Hezbollah's Qusayr advances - Alarabiya.net
VIDEO: Syrian army gains control of strategic Qusayr suburban areas - YouTube
House intelligence chair: Hezbollah funding Syrian troops - MSNBC
Iran ready to "train" Syria army, commander says - NOW
Muslim Brotherhood opens direct link to rebels in Damascus - The National
To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com
America and Israel: Imperial Partners in Crime
America and Israel: Imperial Partners in Crime
by Stephen Lendman
Longstanding ties remain firm. Both nations are imperial partners. Naked aggression is official policy. Regime change in Syria is planned. Daily events head inexorably toward full-scale intervention.
Honduras: State-Sponsored Death Squad Terror
Honduras: State-Sponsored Death Squad Terror
by Stephen Lendman
Adrienne Pine is American University Professor or Anthropology. She's worked in Honduras. She's written about state-sponsored violence.
Syria News May 5
Obama Does Not Foresee U.S. Boots On The Ground In Syria - ABC News
VIDEO: Obama: No U.S. Ground Troops in Syria - YouTube
Iraqi Shia fighters warm up to fight in Syria - Hassan Hassan
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VIDEO: Explosions heard on Sunday in Damascus - Al Jazeera Blogs
Hezbollah official says won’t let U.S., Israel gain control of Syria - THE DAILY STAR
More Weapons Trafficking to Syria Militants? - Syria Report
FSA Leader: We Won't Share U.S. Arms With Extremists (AUDIO) - NPR
FSA investigates residents’ claims of chemical weapons’ use in Qusayr - Alarabiya.net
Syria’s Christians Fear Collapse of the State - Al-Monitor
The Syrian Army Tightens Grip over Jabhat al-Nusra Strongholds in Ghouta - islamicinvitationturkey
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2 YPG Kurdish fighters killed in clashes with FSA in Til Temir, 15 abducted in Efrin - ANF
PYD View On Tel Temir clashes with FSA - Transnational Middle-East Observer
VIDEO: FSA enroute to attack Afrin and liberate it from its Kurdish inhabitants - YouTube
To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com
Protecting Humanity from US Drones
by Debra Sweet The April month of protest against US drone warfare and surveillance ended very strongly in Syracuse Sunday with a protest of hundreds of us at Hancock Air Force Base, where drones — unmanned aerial vehicles — are piloted over Pakistan, Afghanistan, and perhaps Yemen, Somalia and other countries. Picture the starkness of the political clash.

The President Runs A Concentration Camp
by Debra Sweet President Obama seems to fear that the hunger strike of the Guantanamo prisoners endangers the United States' reputation. He doesn't want them to die. So we learned today when he was questioned by a reporter. See Obama's remarks, and pertinent commentary from Kevin Gosztola: Obama’s Deluded Remarks Ignore His Role in Keeping Prisoners at Guantanamo.
Ducking the Full Costs of War: The Ongoing Scandal Called the Veterans Administration
By Dave Lindorff
My mother died last Thursday at the age of 89. Her death, fortunately coming peacefully after she suffered a stroke during her sleep, followed a long mental decline caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
US-Style Free Trade in Good Hands with Michael Froman
US-Style Free Trade in Good Hands with Michael Froman
by Stephen Lendman
On May 2, Obama named Froman his new US trade representative. He's a former Harvard law school classmate. He's currently a key adviser. More on him below.
Andy P. Hart: Suicide or Murder?
Andy P. Hart: Suicide or Murder?
by Stephen Lendman
On May 1, Truthout's Jason Leopold reported Hart's "apparent suicide." He represented a number of Guantanamo prisoners. More on that below.
Syria News May 4
Brzezinski Joins Lugar Warning Against U.S. Role in Syria - Bloomberg
VIDEO: Brzezinski : If we become chief protagonist in Syria, we are going to be stuck - YouTube
Syrian Air Defenses Pose Formidable Challenge - TIME.com
Saudis Try to Quell Syria-Bound Jihad - WSJ.com
Moscow Ready to Talk to Free Syrian Army – Minister - RIA Novosti
Hezbollah Leader Defends Involvement in Syria - Al-Monitor
Syrian Internal Opposition Leader Notes 'Militarizing' of Political Approach - Al-Monitor
VIDEO: The stories of graphic videos in Syria by Anastasia Popova - LiveLeak.com
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World Press Freedom day: journalists being deliberately targeted in Syria - Telegraph
Evidence of 'executions' as Assad's forces launch offensives in Syria's west - Al Bawaba
Christian Refugees in Syria Forced Back to Iraq by War - Rudaw
Al-Qaeda sets up Sharia courts in Aleppo city - The Times
New Addition to the Syrian Islamic Front - Syria Comment
Clash between Two Terrorist Groups in Duma - SANA
Kurds building bridge to link Iraqi Kurdistan with Syrian Kurdistan - ekurd
Kurdish National Movement for Peaceful Change: Kurds in Syria Will Remain Syrians - SANA
VIDEO: Syrian rebels killed Turkish policeman - Local people reaction - LiveLeak.com
To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com
US Hatched Terror Plots
US Hatched Terror Plots
by Stephen Lendman
Terrorists "R" us. Washington bears full responsibility. Numerous schemes are planned. Some are alleged and foiled. Others involve violent plots. Media scoundrels convict innocent people in the court of public opinion.
False Flag Chemical Attack on Syria
False Flag Chemical Attack on Syria
by Stephen Lendman
It doesn't surprise. On April 27, WikiLeaks Supporters Forum headlined "Syria False Flag Chemical Weapons - Obama sets up America for invasion," saying:
Only 10% support military involvement in Syria

The citizens of this country are in no mood to see U.S. military involvement in Syria. Of course, it has already begun. Consultation, secret assistance, and money given for “communications” (which allows other money for weapons) all contribute to the military effort. For months, Hillary Clinton demanded that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad leave the country. He hasn’t cooperated. What does the toughest guy on the block do when you won’t cooperate?
Hostility Toward a Nation: What is the Source?
Two recent, but seemingly unrelated, news articles are worth reviewing more carefully, to see a common thread.
The first concerns remarks made by special rapporteur with the UN Human Rights Council, Richard Falk. Following the horrific bombing at the Boston Marathon, Mr. Falk said this: “…the United States has been fortunate not to experience worse blowbacks, and these may yet happen, especially if there is no disposition to rethink U.S. relations to others in the world, starting with the Middle East.”
Syria News May 3
Assad forces on the offensive from Damascus to Mediterranean - Yahoo!7
Syrian Forces Strike Rebels in Wide-Ranging Assaults - NYTimes.com
Syrian forces tighten noose on Homs rebels - Yahoo!7
Fractured Syrian rebels scramble for cash as private sponsors dwindle - The Washington Post
For Some Syrian Rebels, It’s a Battle of the Brands - WSJ
The Free Syrian Army is being taken over by groups of jihadist thugs - The Spectator
VIDEO: FSA allegedly attacks Turkish border security - YouTube
Kidnappers say will release Lebanese Shiite pilgrims in exchange of 6000 female prisoners - NOW
Charbel: Release of Lebanese Shiite hostages in hands of Turkey, Qatar - THE DAILY STAR
Shia Muslims flee Damascus as death squads kill religious leaders in street - NZ Herald News
VIDEO: Syrian rebels destroy tomb of Prophets companion - LiveLeak.com
Dispute Flares between Nusra Front and Other Militant Group in Aleppo - almanar.com
VIDEO: Syrian rebel-held Raqqa under attack - Yahoo! News
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POLL: In Middle East, public rejects arming Syrian rebels - CSMonitor.com
Even With U.S. Guns, Syria's Rebels Still Might Lose - Wired.com
U.S. delivers first non-lethal aid shipment to Free Syrian Army - The Cable
Syria chemical weapons evidence 'too degraded' for proof - guardian.co.uk
Syrian Rebels Face Hurdles Proving Chemical-Attack Claims - WSJ.com
Erdoğan: Assad forces used chemical weapons, not opposition - TODAYSZAMAN
Where Are Syria’s Chemical Weapons? - The Daily Beast
Al Arabiya Exclusive: Syria's peace envoy Brahimi to resign end of May - Alarabiya.net English
To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com
First Inside Account of 4/13 US attack on Guantanamo Hunger Strikers
by Debra Sweet. From Reprieve, UK: Tear gas and shotguns – Guantanamo detainee gives first inside account of raid. Younous Chekkouri, a detainee who has been cleared for release but remains held in Guantanamo, has given the first inside account of the raid carried out by prison authorities on Saturday 13 April.
Radicalize For Peace
Radicalize for Peace
The official storyline on the Boston Marathon bombing paints a picture of Tamerlan Tsarnaeva being "radicalized".
The official storyline also ignores the fact that neither Tamerlan's all black backpack nor his brother Dzhokar's mostly white backpack resemble the blown up backpack which was black with a white rectangle on the top (probably a logo). The official storyline also refuses to ask or answer any questions whatsoever about the presence of at least 7 individuals near the bombing site dressed as Craft International mercenaries. At least two of these individuals are wearing black backpacks and at least one of these black backpacks has a white rectangle on the top similar to the one on the backpack that held one of the bombs. This has all been documented by independent journalist David Lindorff at ThisCantBeHappening.net
http://www.thiscantbehappening.net/node/1718
A War Criminal’s Final Chapter: The George W. Bush “Lie-Bury”
"Accountability For The Past, Democracy For The Future."
Communications Giants in Good Hands with Tom Wheeler
Communications Giants in Good Hands with Tom Wheeler
by Stephen Lendman
Obama's expected to pick Tom Wheeler as new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman. More on him below.
Tiptoeing Toward War on Syria
Tiptoeing Toward War on Syria
by Stephen Lendman
Events in Syria resemble the run-up to Obama's Libya war. Victims are called aggressors. Pretexts are created for intervention.
Syria News May 2
Obama hasn’t made decision on arming Syrian rebels, W.H. says - WashingtonExaminer.com
Text of the Idriss letter to Obama - scribd.com
Too risky to fund Syrian rebels, Canada says - Money Jihad | Combating terrorist financing
VIDEO: FSA chief Salim Idriss Take A Trip To Syria - Brown Moses Blog
Russian Navy ships ready to evacuate Russians from Syria - Russia & India Report
Russian plane wasn’t targeted in Syrian airspace – state news agency - RT News
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Kidnapped Syrian bishop in need of medicine - Catholic News Agency (CNA)
Syria's other war: Intra-rebel skirmishes - NOW
As Fighting Rages in Damascus, Kurds Flee Their Neighborhoods - Rudaw
Syria’s Opposition Hopes to Win the War by Selling Oil - Yahoo! News
VIDEO: Syrian Rebels Eye EU Oil Trade - YouTube
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VIDEO: Lebanese Sheikh al-Assir filmed fighting in Syria - LiveLeak.com
Director of Syrian Refugees Office in Tripoli Says Escaped Assassination Attempt - Naharnet
VIDEO: Syrian rebels burn Palestinian flag in Aleppo - YouTube
To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com
Talk Nation Radio: Here Comes Corporate Nationhood
And you thought corporate personhood was bad enough! Lacey Kohlmoos, Senior Field Organizer, Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, tells us that the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) will create corporate nationhood by empowering corporations to sue and overrule real nations, as well as incentivizing the offshoring of jobs, hurting food safety, damaging environmental protections, enriching drug companies at the expense of human health, banning some generic drugs, further deregulating banks, forbidding the breaking up of too-big-to-fail financial firms, and creating SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) despite its failure in Congress as a result of strong public opposition.
Total run time: 29:00
Host: David Swanson.
Producer: David Swanson.
Music by Duke Ellington.
Download or get embed code from Archive or AudioPort or LetsTryDemocracy.
Syndicated by Pacifica Network.
Please encourage your local radio stations to carry this program every week!
Past Talk Nation Radio shows are all available free and complete at
http://davidswanson.org/talknationradio
TSA’s John Pistole shovels the sh*t yet again
If you’re of a literary bent, you may already know the following statement. It was famously said by writer Mary McCarthy of fellow writer Lillian Hellman:
“Every word she writes is a lie, including ‘and’ and ‘the’.”
Read the rest at TSA News.








