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Iran Nuclear Talks: Mixed Reports
by Stephen Lendman
Indications are sticking points remain, including Washington upping the bar multiple times to include new issues - violating the letter and spirit of Lausanne preliminary agreement terms, the way US negotiators and top officials do business.
At the same time, Iranian officials remain optimistic. Iran's nuclear chief believes a deal can be consummated.
Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) head Ali Akbar Salehi said there's "a high chance for agreement" despite Washington making unreasonable demands.
Tehran's parliamentary Second Vice Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar thinks it can be in a few days - provided "the US-led powers (Britain, France and Germany) give up their excessive demands."
"We are still insisting on our (legitimate) stances, but if the other side means to block the talks through its excessive demands, then that would be a different story…We want a deal that stands the test of time."
Psychologists Aiding CIA Torture
by Stephen Lendman
Doctors were accused earlier of involvement in torture by:
● monitoring and participating directly in torture procedures;
● instructing interrogators to continue, adjust, or stop certain ones;
● informing detainees that medical treatment depended on their cooperation;
● performing medical checks before and after each transfer; and
● treating the effects of torture as well as ailments and injuries during incarceration
US Bullying Iran to Capitulate in Nuclear Talks
by Stephen Lendman
Iran nuclear talks continue without resolution - whether possible looks tenuous at best. US bullying bears full responsibility.
America doesn't negotiate. It demands - at the same time blaming others for its do what we say or else position.
"(W)e are not going to sit at the negotiating table forever," John Kerry blustered on Thursday. "If tough decisions don't get made, we are absolutely prepared to call an end to this process" - code language saying resolution depends on Iran's capitulation to outrageous, unacceptable US demands. On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif accused Western P5+1 countries (mainly America) of "shift(ing) positions and (making) excessive demands."
Entrapping Greece in Debt
by Stephen Lendman
My book "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity" discusses entrapping Greece in unrepayable debt.
It's a good time to review some of its content after Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' public betrayal followed by overwhelming rubber-stamp parliamentary approval (250 - 32). Tsipras isn't Greece's only traitor. He has lots of co-conspirators from SYRIZA and other parties.
Eurozone finance ministers will consider his proposal on Saturday followed by leaders from all EU countries doing the same thing on Sunday. Reports indicate a positive response coming. Meanwhile, banks remain closed. Despite capital controls in effect, their reserves are nearly exhausted. Without emergency liquidity assistance (perhaps by Monday the latest), they'll be forced to cease operations and declare bankruptcy.
“Guerrilla Warfare Against a Hegemonic Power”: The Challenge and Promise of Greece
by Ellen Brown
Banks create money when they make loans. Greece could restore the liquidity desperately needed by its banks and its economy by nationalizing the banks and issuing digital loans backed by government guarantees to its ailing businesses. Greece could provide an inspiring model of sustainable prosperity for the world. But it is being strangled by a hegemonic power in a financial war that is being waged against us all.
On July 4, 2015, one day before the national vote on the austerity demands of Greece’s creditors, it was rumored in the Financial Times that Greek banks were preparing to “bail in” (or confiscate) depositor funds to replace the liquidity choked off by the European Central Bank.
Jordan must nip terror in the bud
By Khalid Amayreh in occupied Palestine
I am not particularly infatuated with the Jordanian regime. And interfering in the internal affairs of Jordan is none of my concerns. However, no Palestinian, or Jordanian or Arab for that matter can be indifferent to the stability and security of Jordan.
Last week, it was reported that the Jordanian security apparatus arrested an Iraqi citizen who had in his possession a large amount of explosives. The suspect reportedly confessed to have been working for the Iranian regime or one of its numerous external tentacles. I don’t have all the details pertaining to the arrest. However, the mere apprehension of the suspect and the discovery of the explosives hidden at a village north of Amman is more than sufficient to raise the sound alarm in every Jordanian home.
The noose is tightening around Syria’s Palestinians
Franklin Lamb
Yarmouk camp, Damascus
Several credible reports this week from Palestinian refugees in Syria and Europe, the latter among those who by various means managed to escape the Syrian conflict with their lives, illustrate the increasing pressure and dangers Palestinians are facing here just trying to survive. And the chances of survival are not likely to improve anything soon.
Three serious cases over the past few days were reported to the Beirut-Washington DC based Sabra-Shatila Scholarship Program (sssp-lb.org) which since the beginning of this year has been able to modestly assist a number of Palestinians from Syria obtain visas and refuge in Europe. Providing some cash, sometimes intervention with the Kafkaesque problems they face at the Syria-Lebanon Masnaa border crossing and often contacting Lebanese General Security regarding those agencies seemingly ever changing requirements and unannounced restrictions. Problems for arrivals from Syria trying to reach European embassies in Lebanon have recently been compounded as the government imposes yet more strict measures for their entry and forward movement to Europe. SSSP has been able to provide some housing in South Beirut while Palestinians from Syria wait to receive their visas-usually a six day process- and then provides transportation to Beirut airport as the Palestinians seek a new life in Europe, pending return to their own country, Palestine.
A reflection on Pope Francis’ clarion call to #sharetheplanet
Adam Parsons
The Catholic Church has embraced a radical position on sharing the world’s resources, one that we would all do well to heed and ponder. But the real significance of Laudato Si’ is its powerful message on the centrality of ending poverty for healing the wider crises of climate change and environmental degradation.
Since the long-awaited papal encyclical ‘on care for our common home’ was published on the 18th June, progressives and campaigners of all types have enthusiastically hailed Pope Francis’ latest teaching – and for good reason. The diverse causes championed in this compelling 180-page treatise could fill an activist’s manifesto, on everything from agroecology to degrowth economics, fossil fuel divestment and global monetary reform. Many progressive writers have remarked upon the Pope’s extraordinary critique of neoliberal capitalism, and his paradigm-shifting vision of human progress beyond consumption-driven economic growth. Not only has the Catholic Church now officially embraced the environmental crisis as the most pressing issue of our time, but it has also called for a dramatic overhaul of the global economy in order to put people and the planet before transnational corporate interests.
Pope Francis in Ecuador
by Stephen Lendman
Since early June, disruptive/at times violent US-orchestrated protests on the pretext of announced higher inheritance and capital gains taxes largely affecting Ecuador's wealthy (about 2% of its population) aim to replace President Rafael Correa with fascist leadership exclusively serving monied interests.
They paused during Pope Francis' visit - now resumed on Saturday following his departure. The Pontiff rhetorically expressed support for Ecuadorean social progress, saying:
"(M)y best wishes for the achievement of your mission, that you achieve what you want for the good of your people…(Y)ou may always count on the commitment and collaboration of the church. For serving Ecuador's people, who have risen with dignity."
Sellout in Athens
by Stephen Lendman
Popular Greek sentiment on Troika imposed austerity is clear and unequivocal. Last Sunday's referendum left no doubt. Voters overwhelmingly said "OXI" - "NO."
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras ignored them - despite pledging no more austerity, calling the referendum, publicly urging Greeks to vote "no," and by implication indicating he'd support the will of the people.
It bears repeating what other articles stressed. He's like all the rest - promising one thing, delivering another, betraying his supporters disgracefully for his own political interests. It's up to millions of long-suffering Greeks to decide what's next - accept more austerity harshness or refuse by committed, sustained mass activism for new governance serving all citizens equitably and fairly, not just its privileged few.
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