new world order

The Guns of Zagreb

"None of this is exactly shocking, particularly given Croatia’s history in the 1990s of being a conduit for secret arms shipments with American backing. Zagreb’s military took a significant cut of the weapons – funded by Iran and Saudi Arabia – destined for Bosnia’s Muslims during that country’s civil war, which were routed through Pleso airport as well. America’s deep involvement only emerged later, when no one was really interested any longer. Similarly, no one wanted to ask too many questions back in 1995 when mysterious 'black flights' were dropping weapons to Bosnian Muslims, in violation of the UN arms embargo." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Guns of Zagreb

The U.N.’s complicity in international human rights abuses

"Consider these numbers: Hundreds of thousands of people locked in detention centers and subject to violent punishments. Millions imprisoned. Hundreds hanged, shot or beheaded. Tens of thousands killed by government forces and non-state actors. Thousands beaten and abused to extract information, and abused in government or private 'treatment' centers. Millions denied life-saving medicines. The U.N.’s International Narcotics Control Board has refused to condemn torture or 'any atrocity' carried out in the name of drug control, claiming it was not its mandate to do so." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe U.N.’s complicity in international human rights abuses

UN: Human rights abuses increase in Iran in 2012

"Human rights violations in Iran spiralled in 2012, a United Nations monitor said Monday in a report spotlighting abuses including repression of freedom of speech, torture and secret executions. 'There has been an apparent increase in the degree of seriousness of human rights violations in the Islamic Republic of Iran,' Ahmed Shaheed said in his report to the UN Human Rights Council. Shaheed highlighted 'frequent and disconcerting' reports about 'punitive state action' against a number of groups, including the jailing of opposition politicians, journalists and human rights campaigners." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUN: Human rights abuses increase in Iran in 2012

Balkanization of Syrian War

"Today the UK Telegraph is reporting that the United States has facilitated the shipment of some 3,000 tons of weapons left over from the Balkan wars of the 1990s to Syria via Croatia. This radical escalation on the part of the US and UK is in clear violation of the European arms embargo of Syria and similar US administration pledges. And where are these weapons ending up? The US is facilitating the transfer of sophisticated weapons to terrorists who utilize al-Qaeda in Iraq style techniques such as planting roadside bombs. Here are Syria's jihadist fighters showing off their latest gifts courtesy of the United States." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBalkanization of Syrian War

With Italy’s Election, the EU Chasm Grows

"Italians went to the polls and rejected the EU's faux austerity program but former premier Mario Monti doesn't accept the new course and has proposed new elections instead. This has happened before. When Ireland voted against the wishes of the Eurocrats, Ireland was made to vote again. Now perhaps it is Italy's turn. The European experiment was supposed to bring peace to Europe. How ironic if it would be responsible instead for a rise in political intolerance, authoritarianism and even, eventually, renewed nationalism and militarization." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWith Italy’s Election, the EU Chasm Grows

Obama won’t push Middle East peace initiative in Israel trip

"President Barack Obama on Thursday signaled there would be no big Middle East peace initiative on the table when he arrives in Israel later this month for his first visit as US leader. Officials have styled the trip as an effort to reconnect with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom he had a delicate relationship during his first term and to coordinate on key issues like Iran and Syria. 'The President reiterated America’s unshakeable support for Israel and thanked the leaders for role they play in strengthening ties between the two nations,' the official said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama won’t push Middle East peace initiative in Israel trip

Banking group warns there’s too much ‘easy money’ in global economy

"An influential group of leading world banks warned Thursday that central banks are pumping out too much easy money and markets risk becoming dangerously addicted to ultra-low interest rates. The Institute of International Finance, which groups 450 banks, said if central banks continue to flood money into the global economy then any future bid to get it under control could itself destabilize the financial system. 'These conditions — quantitative easing, very low interest rates — cannot last forever, but the risk is that financial markets have become addicted to them,' it warned." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBanking group warns there’s too much ‘easy money’ in global economy

Pepe Escobar: El comandante has left the building

"Compare it with US President Barack Obama - in what sounds like a dormant cut and paste by some White House intern - reaffirming US support for 'the Venezuelan people'. Would that be 'the people' who have been electing and re-electing Chavez non-stop since the late 1990s? Or would that be 'the people' who trade Martinis in Miami demonizing him as an evil communist? El Comandante may have left the building - his body defeated by cancer - but the post-mortem demonization will go on forever. One key reason stands out. Venezuela holds the largest oil reserves in the world." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPepe Escobar: El comandante has left the building

New sanctions against North Korea after threat of pre-emptive nuclear strike

"The resolution expresses 'gravest concern' over the nuclear test and adds three new individuals, a government science academy and trading company to the UN blacklist for a travel ban and assets freeze. The Security Council had also banned exports of luxury goods but this resolution for the first time says that certain jewelery, yachts and luxury and racing cars must be banned. North Korea blasted the United States and South Korea over military exercises which have just started in the South. The North said earlier this week that it would withdraw on Monday from the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew sanctions against North Korea after threat of pre-emptive nuclear strike

New sanctions against North Korea after threat of pre-emptive nuclear strike

"The resolution expresses 'gravest concern' over the nuclear test and adds three new individuals, a government science academy and trading company to the UN blacklist for a travel ban and assets freeze. The Security Council had also banned exports of luxury goods but this resolution for the first time says that certain jewelery, yachts and luxury and racing cars must be banned. North Korea blasted the United States and South Korea over military exercises which have just started in the South. The North said earlier this week that it would withdraw on Monday from the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew sanctions against North Korea after threat of pre-emptive nuclear strike