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Media Prostitutes Defend the Indefensible
by Stephen Lendman
They're propagandists. They masquerade as journalists. They make street whores look respectable by comparison.
A previous article said they're paid to lie, distort, and misinform. They blame imperial victims for horrendous crimes committed against them.
They support powerful monied interests. They cheerlead US imperial aggression. They call ravaging and destroying one country after another humanitarian intervention.
They ignore fundamental rule of law principles. They back wrong over right. They do it unapologetically. When America goes to war or intends to, they march in lockstep.
They beat up relentlessly on Washington's enemies. They bash them mindlessly. They do so irresponsibly.
Russia is in the eye of the storm. Putin is public enemy number one. Thankfully words can't kill. Media scoundrels use them like daggers.
Readers and viewers are carpet bombed with misinformation garbage. It's malicious. It rages nonstop daily. It's no surprise.
Sanctions Wars
by Stephen Lendman
Call it tit for tat. On March 20, Russia responded to Obama's sanctioning Russian and Crimean officials as well as Ukraine's democratically elected President Viktor Yanukovych. More on this below.
At the same time, Obama added insult to injury. His Thursday Executive Order "Block(s) Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Ukraine."Doing so escalates tensions further. He blacklisted 20 Russian officials and businessmen.
Economic sanctions may follow, he warned. Potentially targeted sectors include energy, mining, defense and engineering.
“Jewish Homes Only” and Palestine: Pressured by Washington, the UN Security Council Upholds the Interests of Israel
By Jamal Kanj
FOLLOWING serious cajoling by the US, the European Union and arm twisting by Arab governments, the Palestinians entered what was to be nine months of negotiations with Israel. The Palestinians, who had forgone demands for Israel’s compliance with previous signed agreements before starting new negotiations, were promised that this time Israel would enter into serious discussions to reach a final agreement by April 29.
After stalling for four months, Israel refused to discuss any issues but security arrangements. Negotiations were effectively over late last November when US Secretary of State John Kerry mobilised a large team, led by a former American Israel public affairs committee employee, to resuscitate it.
The looming deadline is around the corner and there is no indication that the two sides are any closer than when they started. In fact, the Israeli prime minister added two fresh conditions this week: No final deal with Palestinians unless they relinquish the rights of refugees, and an additional recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.
An Attack on Iran is Still on the Pentagon’s Drawing Board. Israel Prepares to Launch “The First Strike”
By Prof Michel Chossudovsky
Under the title “Netanyahu orders IDF to prepare for possible strike on Iran during 2014″, Haaretz confirms that a war on Iran is still contemplated and that Israel is actively preparing to launch a first strike, despite talks between the West and Iran concerning Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
The IDF has received orders “to continue readying for a possible independent strike” on Iran. Moreover, a sizable amount of Israeli tax payers money has been earmarked for to this renewed military endeavor: Despite talks between Iran and West, senior officers tell MKs 10b shekels ($2.9b) allocated to IDF to prepare for possible attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon have ordered the army to continue preparing for a possible military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities at a cost of at least 10 billion shekels ($2.89 billion) this year, despite the talks between Iran and the West, according to recent statements by senior military officers.
Crimean False Flag Attack?
by Stephen Lendman
On Tuesday, Simferopol snipers shot and killed a Crimean self-defense member and Ukrainian soldier. Another self-defense member and Ukrainian soldier were wounded.
Gunfire came from a building under construction. It's near a military research center. What happened resembled Euromaidan sniper killings.
Fascist thugs bore full responsibility. Kiev putschists apparently target Crimea. Expect similar incidents to follow. More on what happened below.
On Monday, Putin endorsed Crimean independence. He did so by decree. On Tuesday, he signed the Crimean reunification treaty.
Expect overwhelming State Duma and Federation Council approval. On March 19, Russia's Constitutional Court chairman Valery Zorkin said:
"The Constitutional Court recognizes that the Treaty corresponds to the Russian Constitution."
Crimeans are going home. Washington and rogue EU partners responded as expected.
Heading Toward East/West Confrontation
by Stephen Lendman
It bears repeating what earlier articles stressed. Ukraine's geopolitical crisis is the gravest since WW II.
Washington-backed putschists created a tinder box The entire region and beyond is affected. Inflammatory US/UK/French/German/NATO accusations heighten tensions.
Obama bears full responsibility. Is he spoiling for a fight? Does he want clash of civilizations conflict? Does he plan full-scale intervention against Syria?" Does he intend it as prelude? Perhaps at the same time as battling for Ukraine? Will Crimea become a geopolitical flashpoint? Will it divert attention from his plans for Syria?
Putin Signs Crimean Reunification Treaty
by Stephen Lendman
On Monday, he endorsed Crimean independence. He signed a decree doing so. It recognizes Sevastopol as a city with "special autonomous status" within the Republic of Crimea.
It took effect immediately on signing. It kickstarted the reunification process.
On Tuesday, Putin met with Crimean officials in Moscow. They signed the reunification treaty. Russian upper house Federation Council and lower house State Duma members overwhelmingly support it. Crimeans are going home. Reunification affirms it. They're heading inexorably toward joining Russia.
Doing so is truly historic. It's important. It's similar to when Berlin's Wall fell. Around 92% of Russians support union. More on Tuesday's historic day below.
On Sunday, Crimeans chose overwhelmingly to join Russia. A previous article discussed their historic vote.
Pre and Post-Crimean Independence Treaty Propaganda
by Stephen Lendman
A separate article called March 18 historic. Putin and Russian parliamentarians declared support for Crimea joining the Russian Federation.
So do 92% of Russian citizens. Crimeans are going home. They're legally entitled to do so. It's their fundamental right. Not according to Washington. Media scoundrels march in lockstep.
The New York Times headlined "Putin Recognizes Crimea Secession, Defying the West."
He "signed a decree on Monday formally recognizing Crimea as a 'sovereign and independent state…' "
Doing so "la(id) the groundwork for annexation and defying the United States and Europe just hours after they imposed their first financial sanctions against Moscow since the crisis in Ukraine began."
The Children's Crusade - Obama and Merkel Go After Russia
Much like a team of annoying, spoiled children, President Barack Obama and Chancellor Angela Merkel are having a tantrum as Crimea joins the Russian Federation. Obama and Merkel seem more intent on provoking and humiliating Russia and President Putin than reversing the new realities in Crimea. Image: Adrian Askew
Regrettably, they hold on to their dangerous plan to weaken and isolate Russia, as though they believe that the Communists are still in charge and seeking world domination.
The Obama - Merkel response includes:
- Sanctions so tepid that the stock market went up in celebration of business as usual with Russia;
- Claims by Secretary of State Kerry that Russia is violating international law; and,
- Personal attacks by Merkel and German media figures claiming that Putin is "out of touch with reality."
These actions would be laughable were there not a more sinister history leading up to the current crisis.
The Hypocrisy Is Unbearable: Iraq vs. Crimea, Can You Spot the Difference?
via chycho
Since the hypocrisy of the United States calling for international law to be observed is only lost to the mainstream media, the uber rich, and the bought and paid for of this society with the attention span of a worm, here is a quickie about Iraq vs. Crimea.
I. Iraq Invasion Was Illegal
The war in Iraq did not end when the United States was kicked out, not by a long shot (2). The violence in Iraq is on the rise and for decades to come we will have to deal with what the United States and its allies have unleashed.
It’s anyone’s guess if those responsible for this war of aggression (crime against peace) will ever be held accountable for their crimes, what we do know, however, is that the decision to invade Iraq has transformed the global political landscape because according to the UN charter, the invasion was illegal:
“Kofi Annan, declared explicitly… that the US-led war on Iraq was illegal. Mr Annan said that the invasion was not sanctioned by the UN security council or in accordance with the UN's founding charter. In an interview with the BBC World Service… he was asked outright if the war was illegal. He replied: ‘Yes, if you wish.’
“He then added unequivocally: ‘I have indicated it was not in conformity with the UN charter. From our point of view and from the charter point of view it was illegal.’”
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