Geopolitics

Leaked Cable Confirms Israeli-Saudi Coordination To Provoke War

"The classified embassy cable, written in Hebrew, constitutes the first formal evidence proving that the Saudis and Israelis are deliberately coordinating to escalate the situation in the Middle East. As is already well-known, the Saudi and Israeli common cause against perceived Iranian influence and expansion in places like Syria, Lebanon and Iraq of late has led the historic bitter enemies down a pragmatic path of unspoken cooperation as both seem to have placed the break up of the so-called 'Shia crescent' as their primary policy goal in the region."

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James Bovard: Facebook/Russia farce shows lawmaker deviousness, demagoguery

"Many Americans would cheer federal muzzling. Almost half of millennials supported restricting freedom of speech on social media, according to a recent survey. Congressional threats have probably already done long-term damage to corporate spines. It would be naive to expect Facebook, Twitter, or other social media companies to take heroic stands in favor of free speech. But it would be even more naive to expect anything good to result from permitting politicians to decimate freedom in the name of democracy."

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U.S. African Military Activity Is a “Recruiting Tool” for Terror Groups

" U.S. efforts, primarily focused on training allies and proxies, are flawed, often ineffective, and can have destabilizing effects on countries that military operations are meant to strengthen, according to experts. Cast as benign training operations, they can lead to unforeseen consequences and dangerous blowback."

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Saudi Arabia intercepts ballistic missile near capital Riyadh

"The Saudi air force shot down the alleged weapon on Saturday, Al Arabiya reports, adding that no damage has been caused. The missile was allegedly aimed at the King Khalid International Airport. Yemeni Houthi forces have claimed responsibility for the attempted strike, Al Jazeera reported, citing a spokesman for the rebels. A missile with a range of more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) was launched toward Riyadh late Saturday, having flown more than 500 kilometers (300 miles) over the border."

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Purged Saudi prince said Bitcoin would ‘implode’ last week

"'It just doesn't make sense. This thing is not regulated, it's not under control, it's not under the supervision' of any central bank, Alwaleed said in an interview on CNBC's 'Squawk Box.' 'I just don't believe in this bitcoin thing. I think it's just going to implode one day. I think this is Enron in the making,' Alwaleed said."

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Saudi King Purges Billionaire Prince Bin Talal, Dozens Of Others

"Prominent billionaire, member of the royal Saudi family, and one of the biggest shareholders of Citi, News Corp. and Twitter - not to mention frequent CNBC guest - Al-Waleed bin Talal, along with ten senior princes, and some 38 ministers, has been arrested for corruption and money laundering charges on orders from the new anti-corruption committee headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while Royal princes’ private planes have been grounded."

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A U.S. Soldier Died in Niger. What on Earth Are We Doing There?

"If you were surprised to learn the U.S. has nearly a thousand troops in Niger, you’re not alone. Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who serves on the Armed Forces Committee, told NBC he 'had no idea.' Neither did Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s top Democrat. Well, the surprises may keep coming."

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Boycott Israel & you won’t get aid donations, Hurricane Harvey victims told

"The city of Dickinson, Texas, told individuals and businesses on Monday that they are now accepting applications for 'grants from the fund generously donated to the Dickinson Harvey Relief Fund' for storm damage repair. In order to apply for the grant, however, applicants must agree to a number of clauses, one of which is asserting that they do not boycott Israel. The clause stems from a Texas law passed in May, which became effective on September 1, that requires all state contractors to verify in writing that they are not participating in boycotts of Israel."

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Japan’s Abe to push for rearmament, war powers after election win

"Amending the charter’s pacifist Article 9 would be hugely symbolic for Japan. Supporters see it as the foundation of post-war democracy but many conservatives view it as a humiliating imposition after Japan’s defeat in 1945. It would also be a victory for Abe, whose conservative agenda of restoring traditional values, stressing obligations to the state over individual rights and loosening constraints on the military, centers on revising the constitution."

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