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The war drums are beating again
Joey Ayoub
On the 16th of February, The Telegraph reported that Iran is "strengthening ties with al-Qaeda," according to "intelligence chiefs," in yet another report of Iran's secret ambitions. This is all too familiar for us Arabs. Ten years ago, Brian Whitaker wrote in The Guardian, "One of the oldest tricks in the run-up to a war is to spread terrifying stories of things that the enemy may be about to do. Government officials plant these tales, journalists water them and the public, for the most part, swallows them." This was the method used to justify the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq.
The Sunday Herald reported in 2010, "Hundreds of powerful U.S. 'bunker-buster' bombs are being shipped from California to the British island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean in preparation for a possible attack on Iran." Britain expelled the citizens of Diego Garcia in 1966 so that the United States could build the massive base it uses for attacks in the Central Command area Democracy Now recently reported that "publicly, the British portrayed the establishment of the marine park as a move to save the environment. But a U.S. diplomatic cable dated May 2009, disclosed by WikiLeaks, revealed that a British Foreign Office official had privately told the Americans that the decision to set up a marine protected area would "effectively end the islanders' resettlement claims."
The 1967-war revisited (II)
By Khalid Amayreh
part II The Occupation
As mentioned above, even before 1967, the Israeli army had been carrying out routine incursions into the West Bank, destroying poor people’s homes and killing innocent civilians, very much like what Israel has been doing in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Lebanon.
I still vividly remember how the Israeli army, including tanks and warplanes, attacked the small nearby town of Sammou ’, 25 kilometres south-west of Dura, in November 1966, destroying the town, virtually completely, and killing many civilians. You see the condescending Zionist mentality. They are never interested in genuine peace and coexistence with the peoples of the Middle East, but are only intent on subjugating and tormenting people with brute force. This was as much the case 45 or even 60 years ago as it obviously is now. In the final analysis, a country that builds hundreds of colonies and transfers hundreds of thousands of its citizens to live on land that belongs to another people obviously doesn't have genuine peace at the top of its national agenda.
Insurgents Named Responsible for Syrian Massacres
by Stephen Lendman
A Syrian documentary aired on June 9, and a June 7 report by Germany's leading broadsheet provide more evidence. Both refutes Western and scoundrel media misinformation. More on the latter below.
On May 10, suburban Damascus suicide bombings killed 55 and injured hundreds. The attack happened near Syria's military intelligence complex. Children were killed. So were drivers and others heading for work.
At the time, SANA state media said rescue workers collected "15 bags of limbs and torn-off body parts" from the scene. The blasts also destroyed 105 cars.
Western reports spuriously blamed Assad. He had nothing to do with it, other insurgent massacres, daily attacks, targeted assassinations, and Western-sponsored terrorism.
Palestinian Hunger Strikes Continue
by Stephen Lendman
Over 2,000 Palestinian hunger strikers redefined courage. Their willingness to die for justice was unprecedented.
On May 14, an Egyptian brokered deal was reached. Strike leaders and Israel Prison Service (IPS) officials agreed on terms. They included:
Israel would make specific accusations or release administrative detainees on expiration of their terms.
Solitary confinement would end within 72 hours. All detainees were included.
Family visit bans would end. The punitive Shalit Law would be revoked.
Overall prison conditions would improve.
Stepped Up Media War on Syria
by Stephen Lendman
When America goes to war or plans one, media scoundrels march in lockstep. Journalism is the first casualty. Managed news misinformation substitutes for truth and full disclosure.
Cheerleading propaganda is relentless. Readers and viewers are betrayed. Imperial wars are called liberating ones. Separating fact from fiction is challenging.
Only replacing independent regimes with pro-Western puppet ones matters. Media scoundrels support it. Blood on their hands doesn't deter them. Steady income eases conscience pangs. Soul selling pays well.
So, acting like Al Capone looks good?
By Michael Collins
Somebody released information concerning one of President Barack Obama's methods for fighting terrorism. (Image)
"Mr. Obama has placed himself at the helm of a top secret nominations process to designate terrorists for kill or capture. Secret ‘Kill List’ Proves a Test of Obama’s Principles and Will, New York Times, May 29
Republicans are furious. Sen. John McCain says the White House intentionally leaked the story to make Obama look good.
"Regardless of how politically useful these leaks have been to the administration, they have to stop." John McCain, CBS News, June 6
The Loss of American Democracy
By Timothy V. Gatto
We can evaluate Obama's track record using statistics and apply them to unemployment, GNP, military spending and inflation (or deflation). This is probably how the GOP will try to portray his presidency. It's an effective strategy mainly because many economic indicators were better when he took office then they are today. It's easy to point to statistics and convince people, based on empirical evidence, that this nation was in better shape when George W. Bush was President. In fact, it's so easy to manipulate numbers, that even a brain-dead candidate like Romney could "prove" that things have undoubtedly gone downhill since Obama took office.
There is no doubt that the Republicans will do their level best to keep Obama's track record front and center. I believe that the GOP will consistently present charts and graphs, all the while whining about "free trade and budget deficits". The prime motivator for this is because this is the only thing they have to run on.
David Sanger's War on Iran
by Stephen Lendman
Sanger is New York Times chief Washington correspondent. Previously he held other posts. He's reported on foreign policy, globalization, Asian issues, and nuclear-related ones.
Cooperatively with other Times correspondents, he won two Pulitzer Prizes. Its board might consider retracting them.
After Obama's 2009 inaugural address, his characterization of the new president was dishonest and delusional. He called his new administration "a stark repudiation of the era of George W. Bush and the ideological certainties that surrounded it." His connection to Chicago politics and monied interests reflected otherwise. So did his Illinois and US Senate records. Policies he supported told all. Few took time to check.
Expelling Diplomats: the Downside
Franklin Lamb
Beirut
The Houla massacre has whipped up a new wave of outrage at the claimed brutality of Syria’s government. Syrian envoys were kicked out of some Western capitals, more financial sanctions slapped on the regime in Damascus, and more furious demands are being made for a regime change toppling Bashar al-Assad and more calls for military intervention issued.
The civilized world kicking out Syrian diplomats was to be the thin reed of straw that would certainly break the camel’s back in Damascus’ Presidential Palace.
Israel’s attack on the USS Liberty - The full story
By Alan Hart
On Thursday 8 June 1967, Israeli air and naval forces attacked America’s most advanced spy ship, the U.S.S. Liberty, killing 34 of its crew and wounding 174. The lesson of this cold-blooded, murderous attack was that there is nothing the Zionist state might not do, to its friends as well as its enemies, in order to get its own way.
Forty five years on, thanks to the complicity of the mainstream media, the cover up ordered by President Johnson is still in place.
Two years ago, on New York’s Long Island, I had the pleasure and privilege of being the keynote speaker at the annual dinner of the Liberty Survivors Association. I told them I was aware that if the attack had gone completely according to the plan of the man who ordered it, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Dayan, none of them would have survived.
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