"Well, it seems like the pissing contest between NATO and Russia has begun." - NATO Gets Faster At Responses Amid Russia's Nuclear War Threats | » French military intelligence rules out ‘Russian invasion plans’ for Ukraine — RT News



M.N.: This interesting term: "pissing contest" needs some further exploration and description, mostly for my own self-educational purposes. It might be somewhat enlightening psychologically, but it seems to me that there is much more in this emerging conflict than the psychology alone. 

pissing contest, or pissing match, is a game in which participants compete to see who can urinate the highest, the farthest, or the most accurately.[1] Although the practice is often associated with adolescent boys, women have been known to play the game, and there are literary depictions of adults competing in it. Since the 1940s the term has been used as a slang idiomatic phrase describing contests that are "futile or purposeless", especially if waged in a "conspicuously aggressive manner".[2] As a metaphor it is used figuratively to characterise ego-driven battling in a pejorative or facetious manner that is often considered vulgar.[3] The image of two people urinating on each other has also been offered as a source of the phrase.[4] 

In the animal kingdom

Pissing contests are not unique to humans. Trevor Corson's The Secret Life of Lobsters describes a pissing match between lobsters:[12]
The American lobster urinates not from some posterior region of its body, but directly out the front of its face. Two bladders inside the head hold copious amounts of urine, which the lobster squirts through a pair of muscular nozzles beneath its antennae. These powerful streams mix with the gill outflow and are carried some five feet ahead of the lobster in its plume ... What the researchers discovered during the ensuing fights was that dueling lobsters accompanied their most punishing blows during combat by intense squirts of piss at the opponent's face. What was more, in scenes akin to a showdown at the OK Corral, the winner of the physical combat almost always turned out to be the lobster that had urinated first. And well after the fight was over, the winner kept pissing. By contrast, the loser shuts off his urine valves immediately.
Dog from Medical Detection Dogs

The two female dogs sniffed urine samples from 900 men, 360 with prostate cancer and 540 without. Both animals were right in well over 90% of cases.
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Abraham Lincoln, left and Richard Nixon

Were Lincoln and Nixon gay? The ‘history’ book that is dividing America

Award-winning author and gay-rights activist Larry Kramer’s new book aims to counter the exclusion of homosexuality from history
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An Air Force major general has been formally reprimanded and removed from his job for telling a group of officers that talking to Congress in a bid to block retirement of the A-10 Warthog amounted to 'treason,' the Air Force said on Friday.
An investigation of remarks by Major General James Post III, who was the vice commander of Air Combat Command, found that his words to some 300 airmen at Nellis Air Force Base on Jan. 10 may have had a 'chilling effect' on some of them, convincing them not to speak with lawmakers.
Representative Mac Thornberry, chairman of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, said the Air Force action against Post was 'important and correct.'
'Members of Congress must be able to receive unfiltered facts and opinions from service members...,' he said in a statement. 
'Attempts to prevent or restrict that communication cannot be allowed.'
The incident added fuel to a controversy over efforts to retire the low-flying, tank-killer aircraft, which is highly regarded by ground troops for its ability to provide close air support.
The plane has strong supporters among members of Congress who have so far successfully blocked efforts to retire it.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3034506/Air-Force-Major-General-fired-saying-retiring-10-plane-budgeting-reasons-amounts-treason.html#ixzz3X0tIvBPe
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

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Gay and in the military: Zachary Werth (left) and Dustin Hiersekorn (right), who were both discharged in 2010, are one of the couple's that appear in Gays in the Military, a stunning photo essay by Vincent Cianni documenting the stories of homosexual soldiers

A New York-based photographer spent three years traveling the country photographing and interviewing gay serviceman to share their stories of suppression, sadness and silence. Vincent Cianni, 63, said he embarked on the project, Gays in the Military, to better understand why homosexuals would enlist in the military to begin with; voluntarily signing up for a system that did, and in many ways still does, oppress them. Pieced together, Cianni's photos show commonalities between the subjects despite their different journeys, from a 92-year-old WW2 veteran to young soldiers who recently returned from Afghanistan. Many were discharged because of their sexuality, others were raped, assaulted and bullied, causing ongoing psychological damage.

Serving with PRIDE: 
From a 92-year-old WWII veteran to soldiers in Afghanistan - the men and women who fought wars AND prejudice
Photo essay book, Gays in the Military, released by New York photographer Vincent Cianni
Individual stories tell the history of homosexuals in the military
Many were discharged because of their sexuality and suffer ongoing psychological damage
Rape, assault and bullying remain prevalent
Being gay was considered a criminal offense in the U.S. military until 1993 

By JOEL CHRISTIE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 09:30 EST, 11 April 2015 | UPDATED: 10:08 EST, 11 April 2015

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3034869/Gay-military-92-year-old-WWII-veteran-returning-Afghanistan-soldiers-men-women-fight-wars-prejudice.html#ixzz3X0wdIGE1 
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Russian Fighter Jet Forced U.S. Plane To Change Course

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Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on April 11 the U.S. aircraft, an RC-135, was approaching the Russian border with its transponder switched off before it was intercepted by a Russian Su-27 fighter jet.

Emerging Russian Ideology Constrains and Ultimately Threatens Putin, Stanovaya Says

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Paul Goble


            Staunton, April 11 – “The further ideology spreads through the country, the weaker the institution of political leadership becomes,” according to Tatyana Stanovaya, who argues that “first the leader becomes dependent on ideological positions, then the personality factor dissolves and finally it becomes unimportant for  the system who stands at the head.”


            Consequently, the senior analyst at the Moscow Center for Political Technologies argues, the ideologization of Russian politics over the last two years, something Vladimir Putin has promoted, is becoming “the main threat to his political future and the future of the country” (carnegie.ru/2015/04/07/ru-59679/i5vv).


            There is no state ideology in Russia, she notes; but “the new trend in Russian politics” has been “the ideologization of state power,” the rise of “an unofficial ideology” which undermines the basis of personal leadership because “the conservative wave” it pushes can be carried out by any “faceless continuer” of that program.


            Put in lapidary terms, “first the leader creates an ideology and then the ideology creates leaders,” Stanovaya argues.  The exact moment when that happens typically passes unnoticed, but it constitutes a serious change in the nature of the political system, especially with regard to its top leader.


            “A year ago, before Ukraine, Putin could allow himself to be associated with the term ‘real liberal.’ Today, this would be already strange and brave; tomorrow, it would be dangerous” as “the liberals are a fifth column, traitors, and a cowardly intelligentsia which has sold out” to the West.  The Russian president couldn’t afford to be identified as among their number.


            That raises the critical question, Stanovaya argues: “Does Putin understand that the conservative wave raised in 2012 sooner or later will swallow up its parents?  For the evolution of the regime is creating the illusion of things being fully under control.”


            Over the past decade, she continues, “the Russian regime has almost not changed in institutional terms, but on the other hand, it has changed in a principle way in terms of its content.” And that in turn is the result of “the presence in today’s Russia of a quasi-state ideology.”


            This ideology is being formed “in several directions. First, it has created “’an ideal past’ which serves as the basis for and justification of the current political line.” That past including the positive image of Stalin has been massaged and distorted with the sharp corners smoothed out and promoted by the regime and the media under its control.


            Second, this ideology has defined what values are important. “Traditional values and conservatism in a more general form, state patriotism (but not patriotism as such which on the whole is a sign of a healthy nation), Russian nationalism, anti-Westernism, the strengthening of the philosophical basis of Russian Slavophiles, anti-liberalism, and also Orthodoxy.”


            As such, it is “a defensive ideology which arose as a reaction to the crisis in relations between Russia and the West,” but “step by step it has begun to live its own life” and is fulfilling not just foreign policy functions but becoming “an independent factor in the domestic political life of the country, regulating social and legal spheres.”


            But this ideology has not yet acquired “the third and main element,” Stanovaya says. It has not provided “a vision of the future of Russia” requiring mass mobilization and explaining why limitations are needed.  “They have taught us whom to fight against,” she continues; “but they still haven’t explained very well our goals.”


            “From an institutional point of view,” she says, “the unofficial ideology also is very quickly being formed.” There isn’t a single party monopoly, but there has formed “an ideological consensus among the systemic parties. Moreover, “the party of power has acquired its own ideology.”


            “Earlier United Russia never was a center where political decisions were taken,” she writes. Instead, it was given directives from above “and not the reverse. That meant it did not have the privilege of having its own ideology and had to try to “precisely follow the directives coming from the Kremlin.”


            But now it has an ideology and is acting on it, as the various legislative proposals coming from the ranks of United Russia deputies in the Duma show.  The party as a result “has been transformed into a powerful bearer of a defensive ideology, that is, of an ideology directed at the defense of the current powers from any competition or encroachments from outside.”


            The ideology has already created a system of “us” versus “them,” with “us,” the insiders, permitted things than the “them” are not. And the situation here is “not in the form of political participation but in the nature of the participant. The activity of any uncontrolled elements is viewed as a threat and limited or forbidden.”


            Until 2012, Stanovaya says, “conservatism was a form of political existence of the active pro-Putin minority which became the mainstream in 2012 as a reaction to the threat from the liberals.” It was reinforced by “the return of Crimea.” 


            Today, she continues, “there is no official state ideology,” but its approximation does in a situation when “professors are removed for anti-patriotic positions, arrested for contacts with foreigners, persecuted for the incorrect treatment of historical events” and when theater directors are removed for a performance conservatives don’t like.


            The institution of “moral condemnation” thus has appeared and taken on “the force of law” governing the actions of individuals and groups, Stanovaya argues.  It is “based on fear before the authorities,” but it works and is extended by many independently of what the top leader wants in any particular case.


            Only one question remains: “where is the boundary between the political ideology of the authorities and a state official ideology?” The second would need to be enshrined in law as communism was in the Soviet constitution. As improbable as it may seem, “Russia is moving in that direction.”


            That has many consequences, but among the most important is the way such an ideology reduces the freedom of action of a leader and the significance of any one leader to those who accept its tenets. For them, anyone who agrees with the ideology can thus serve at least potentially as a leader.


            “Vladimir Putin as the key factor of the stability of the regime is step by step losing control over processes which have begun to take on a life of their own. Initiatives from below have flourished, and the extent of their flowering … is growing in geometrical progression … That is a tsunami which as it gains strength at some point will become stronger than the leader.”


           
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Источник: двум российским самолетам запретили приземлиться в Йемене - РИА Новости

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РИА Новости



Источник: двум российским самолетам запретили приземлиться в Йемене
РИА Новости
По данным источника в международном аэропорту столицы страны Саны, российские самолеты были вынуждены вернуться в Каир. Ранее представитель российского посольства в Сане сообщил РИА Новости, что эвакуация на российском самолете граждан из столицы Йемена ...
Двум российским самолетам не разрешили приземлиться в ЙеменеКоммерсантъ
Силы коалиции запретили двум российским самолетам приземлиться в ЙеменеLenta.ru
Коалиция арабских стран запретила российским самолетам посадку в ЙеменеВести.Ru
Ведомости -НТВ.ru -Российская Газета
Все похожие статьи: 58 »

Russia clamps down on ‘distortions’ of classical plays

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MOSCOW — As Russia’s relations with the world soured over the last year, performing artists here have learned a harsh lesson: Use your stage, canvas or microphone to criticize the country or its president too freely and you run the risk of being shut down.Read full article >>






Reuters Iraq bureau chief threatened, denounced over story

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LONDON (Reuters) - The Baghdad bureau chief for Reuters has left Iraq after he was threatened on Facebook and denounced by a Shi'ite paramilitary group's satellite news channel in reaction to a Reuters report last week that detailed lynching and looting in the city of Tikrit.
  

French military intelligence rules out ‘Russian invasion plans’ for Ukraine — RT News

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Published time: April 11, 2015 13:02
A Ukrainian serviceman rides on a self-propelled howitzer near Artemivsk (Reuters/Gleb Garanich)
A Ukrainian serviceman rides on a self-propelled howitzer near Artemivsk (Reuters/Gleb Garanich)
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France’s intelligence chief has questioned NATO’s claims of Russia preparing to attack Ukraine as their agents failed to spot any activities signaling this - either before or after the crisis began.
A statement by the chief of France’s military intelligence, General Christophe Gomart, was publishedon the National Assembly’s website.
“NATO announced that the Russians were about to invade Ukraine. But, according to French intelligence, there is nothing to corroborate this hypothesis – we determined that the Russians were deploying neither command posts nor logistical facilities, including field hospitals, needed for a military incursion,” General Gomart told a parliamentary hearing.
NATO’s top brass has been incanting mantras about a “Russian invasion” ever since the crisis in Ukraine began a year ago. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, as well as his predecessor Anders Fogh Rasmussen, have lashed at Russia on numerous occasions, claiming that the Russian military is present on the ground in Ukraine, but failing to provide evidence supporting these claims.
“Our conclusion eventually proved correct because even if some Russian soldiers had indeed been seen on the Ukrainian side of the border, it was just a ploy, meant to bring pressure to bear on President Poroshenko, rather than an attempt to invade Ukraine,” General Gomart said.
The French intelligence chief’s remarks came in the context of France’s role in NATO. Gomart noted that at the moment the alliance is dominated by US intelligence, while France’s intelligence is taken not taken into consideration so much.
“France will not be fooled. France has its own sources of information and we are aware what the explanation for the crisis in Ukraine is,” Philippe Migault, expert on Ukraine from the University of International and Strategic Relations, told Sputnik news agency after Gomart’s remarks were published.
Russian MPs hailed Gomart’s comments, dubbing them “a cold shower” amidst “anti-Russian hysteria in the West.”
Frants Klintsevich, of the United Russia party, said the report showed US intelligence has been working to fulfill a political order.
Meanwhile, on Friday five Northern European states, non-NATO Finland and Sweden included, signed a declaration on the expansion of military cooperation to counter “Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
Since Finland and Sweden intend to interact with NATO on a matching contribution basis, which might indicate a desire to join the alliance, Moscow will view this declaration as an act of aggression, Norwegian defense analyst Janne Haaland Matlary warned.
“Finland and Sweden have also decided to keep their exercises to NATO standards, which implies a step on the way toward NATO. Today, there are no political grounds for them to join NATO, public opinion is not frightened enough, and referendums will be required. But what is happening now still looks like a preparation for membership,” Matlary told Aftenposten newspaper on Friday.
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NATO Gets Faster At Responses Amid Russia's Nuclear War Threats

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Well, it seems like the pissing contest between NATO and Russia has begun. Just a few days ago, Russia threatened to start nuclear war against the United States and its allies, and now the Alliance is further annoying the Kremlin.
Russia Nuclear Weapons
First, it was NATO’s voting to provide lethal aid to Kyiv’s government to fight off those pesky pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine, then it was conducting military drills along the Russian border, and now – it’s the test of a new “Very High Readiness Joint Task Force,” which will train Czech, Dutch and German forces to be ready for deployment within 48 hours.
The goal of the task force is to be able to deploy forces within 48 hours “as NATO reevaluates the risks,” Maj. Gen. Jiri Baloun said Thursday, hinting at the challenges and threats coming from Russia. Before that, NATO could deploy its forces between 10 and 80 days.
150 soldiers from the Czech army’s 43rd airborne battalion, 900 German and 200 Dutch soldiers have been receiving military training and will be deployed for further training to Poland in June.
As part of the drills, the troops arrived at their bases with all the weapons, military equipment, vehicles, food and water they would need if the order to deploy abroad is given.

NATO’s Response Force is being increased to 30,000 troops

Additionally, NATO’s website reports that “headquarters personnel from Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Norway, Slovenia, Poland and Portugal tested their responses to NATO alert orders.” We see only one Baltic state in the list – Lithuania. What about Estonia? Or Latvia, where Russians make up around a third of the population?
Approximately 25,000 NATO troops are set to receive the same military training in Italy, Spain and Portugal in October and November of this year. Furthermore, NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force is set to increase the number of its soldiers in the upcoming months.
“NATO military planners have been working tirelessly to enhance NATO’s Response Force and implement the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, and today our progress is manifested in the rapid deployments we see happening in locations across the Alliance,” said General Philip Breedlove, Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
“These measures are defensive, but are a clear indication that our Alliance has the capability and will to respond to emerging security challenges on our southern and eastern flanks,” he added.
In total, the “Very High Readiness Joint Task Force” will include about 5,000 troops, while the Spearhead Force, which is part of NATO’s Response Force, is being increased up to 30,000 troops.
Okay, now Russia must have responded to NATO’s endeavors like that: “Oh, look. Isn’t it cute? They are able to deploy their troops within 48 hours, while we’ve already invaded a European country.”
Russia

Russia: We’ll push for removal of all foreign military specialists from Ukraine

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister has recently promised that the Kremlin will “push for removal of all foreign military specialists and illegal paramilitary groups from Ukrainian territory”, asreported by Russia Today. The comments come as the United States has recently confirmed its plans to send about 300 instructors to assist Ukrainian troops in training
Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin told the Russian newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta: “We know that hundreds of US and NATO servicemen are planning to come to Ukraine to train the National Guard. The training camps are being set up not only in western Ukraine, but also in other parts of the country. This is a dangerous process. We would push for all foreign and illegal military units to be removed from Ukraine.”
Last month, Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren announced to the media that about 290 servicemen of the 173 Airborne Brigade were set to be sent in western Ukraine in late April to assist the Ukrainian National Guard in training.
On Wednesday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk promised to sign certain agreements with NATO for their military as well as technical cooperation, which would allow Ukraine to get deeper into NATO’s Partnership for Peace program.

NATO might respond with military force

Russia has recently made threats to use its nuclear force against the West if NATO moves more forces into the Baltic states or if attempts are made to return Crimea to Ukraine.
ValueWalk asked for a military expert’s opinion, and here’s what he said: “It sure seems like Russia is testing the West, particularly the United States. It also seems like Russia is okay with the fact that World War 3 can be easily started any day. I mean, could we possibly imagine some country threatening other countries – not just one country! – to use its nuclear force without getting a robust and cohesive response, like, one and a half years ago?” Evgeni Solovyov, a retired Russian Army General and a Military Strategies and Technologies expert, asked.
Furthermore, he believes that in case Russia pulls something similar to what it did in Ukraine – annexing Crimea and supplying weapons to pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine (Donetsk and Luhansk) – NATO might respond with military force.
In his opinion, what NATO has done about it so far is “just not enough.”
“Yes, they supplied some military equipment to the Baltics, so what? Do you want to compare the number of that military equipment to what Russia currently has? But that’s the thing – nobody knows the exact numbers of what Russia has in terms of its military capacity. It’s a mystery,” he said.
The notes seen by The Times at the meeting between the US and Russia’s military and intelligence experts revealed that Vladimir Putin will view any attempt from NATO’s side to return Crimea to Ukraine or to increase its presence in the Baltics as declaration of war and threatened a “spectrum of responses from nuclear to non-military” to retain his control in the region.
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Yemeni militiamen say captured two Iranian officers in Aden

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ADEN (Reuters) - Local militiamen in the Yemeni city of Aden said they captured two Iranian military officers advising Houthi rebels during fighting on Friday evening.

Tehran has denied providing military support for Houthi fighters, whose advances have drawn air strikes by a regional coalition led by Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic's main rival for influence in the Gulf.

If confirmed, the presence of two Iranian officers, who the local militiamen said were from an elite unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, would further worsen relations between Tehran and Riyadh who are vying for dominance in the region.

Three sources in the southern port city's anti-Houthi militias said the Iranians, identified as a colonel and a captain, were seized in two separate districts that have been rocked by heavy gun battles.

"The initial investigation revealed that they are from the Quds Force and are working as advisors to the Houthi militia," one of the sources told Reuters.

"They have been put in a safe place and we will turn them over to (the Saudi-led coalition) Decisive Storm to deal with them."

Saudi-led air strikes, entering their third week, hit Houthi and military targets throughout the country on Saturday, pounding government buildings and a presidential palace used by the group's leaders in the Red Sea port city of Hodaida.

Ground combat between armed factions battered southern Yemen, killing around 20 Houthi fighters and two rival militiamen, residents and militia fighters said.

Bolstered by the air raids, local armed groups have been resisting the southward advance of the northern-based Shi'ite Muslim Houthis.

Residents said southern fighters ambushed a convoy of Houthis and allied forces loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh in a tribal area about 100 km (60 miles) north of the militia's base in Aden, killing 15 of the northerners.

Inside the port city, Houthi forces and local militiamen battled with rocket-propelled grenades and machineguns. Five Houthis and two local fighters died, residents said.

Locals said Houthi forces were shelling civilian areas and trying to push into the Tawahi district, one of the only areas where they have no presence and home to a presidential palace and the city's military port.

While the Houthis deny getting help from Shi'ite Iran and say their armed campaign is designed to stamp out corruption and Sunni al Qaeda militants, Saudi Arabia and its allies describe them as an Iranian-backed threat to regional security.

The United Nations says the conflict, in which the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa in northern Yemen in September, has killed 600 people, wounded 2,200 and displaced 100,000 others.

(Reporting by Mohammed Mukhashaf; Writing by Noah Browning; Editing by Michael Georgy andRobin Pomeroy)
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Graveyard of emperors: Putin should heed the fates of Russia’s leaders

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“Whom do we plan to invade?” Nikita Khrushchev asked during his inspection of a Moscow military base in Sep. 1964. “Nobody,” the Soviet leader, and my great-grandfather, said, answering his own question. He stared disapprovingly at the rows of tanks and rocket launchers.
“These are costly weapons, while people are losing their pants,” he grumbled. A few years prior, he had appointed a new KGB minister, Vladimir Semichastny. Semichastny was a civilian—a first in Soviet history.
The following month, Khrushchev lost his own pants. He was forced into retirement, essentially for an attempt, however imperfect and impulsive, to decentralize the communist monolith. The army generals and the KGB (civilian Semichastny quickly turned into a secret policeman) didn’t want to relinquish influence over the military industrial-complex, which kept a firm grip on Russian politics for centuries.
After Joseph Stalin’s death in 1953, Khrushchev thought the unquestioned rule of the security forces was gone for good, but he underestimated how strong a chokehold the isolationist tradition has on Russia. Mikhail Gorbachev, another reformer who, through perestroika, wanted to move Russia towards a less militant future, had Soviet hardliners turn on him in 1991. Even if, at the time, the coup failed to revive conservative communism, Gorbachev—accused of being a Western stooge—still lost his post as a result.
Learning from the fates of his predecessors, Vladimir Putin, a retired KGB operative, knows who to side with in order to stay in power, and whom to fight with to keep his strongman-image alive. Hence Putin’s continuous, and rather mercurial, escalation of the Ukraine crisis—he insists on peaceful solutions, yet his military assists the anti-Kyiv rebels in eastern Ukraine.
Russia, of course, denies the engagement, instead accusing the West of stirring protests in Kyiv last year. Crippling economic sanctions imposed on Russia as a result of Putin’s annexation of Crimea aren’t seen as punishment for flouting international law. They are seen as a Western plot to undermine the Russian state.
Putin is resolute that “such tricks do not work with Russia, have never worked before, and will not work in the future.” Adding fuel to a blazing fire, his security chief, Nikolai Patrushev, morbidly asserted the revival of Nazism in Ukraine last month—with “the full connivance of Europe and even incitement from the United States.” Conveniently conflating Westernism with the 1940s Nazi invasion, Russia has been escalating not just the conflict in eastern Ukraine, but also its clandestine operationsand military exercises abroad.
We should remember, however, that in 1998, Putin—by then a KGB retiree—became a new chairman of the FSB (the KGB’s Russian successor), but didn’t reinstate his formal rank. Thus, he became a civilian-in-charge—the first time since Semichastny’s appointment. Moreover, a presidential contender in 2000, he insisted that NATO was not Russia’s enemy.
Yet just a few years into his presidency, he chose not the road that Khrushchev and Gorbachev had contemplated—of political cooperation, economic prosperity and military cutbacks—but the mindset of most Russian leaders: animosity, militancy and isolation. And this is where our friend Vladimir should tread lightly. There is a precedent for the fantastic failure of overconfident Russian leaders he would be wise to learn from.
Russia, a geographical oxymoron—neither Europe nor Asia, though it stretches from Germany to Japan—has defined itself for centuries as distinctive, self-sufficient, and eternally of the “spirit” that sets it apart from Europe. Protecting this kind of uniqueness, Russians think, requires constant and often aggressive vigilance, which harks back to the Middle Ages when Russia began to emerge as a unified Moscow-centric state.
The historical hero of today’s Kremlin, Putin’s 16th century doppelganger Ivan the Terrible, has been recently rebranded as a caring father of the nation. He is now celebrated for conquering surrounding lands while brutally prosecuting opponents in the name of patriotism and national security. In an overt reference to Putin’s own rule, Ivan is lauded for craftily overcoming threats to Russian sovereignty from the west (Poles and Lithuanians), the east (Mongols), and the south (Crimean Tatars).
 What Putin shortsightedly forgets is that dictators’ exits from power are rarely peaceful. The more oppressive the rule, the more dramatic the demise. Fast forward a few centuries, during which even the Westernizers Peter the Great and his granddaughter-in-law Catherine, also the Great, ruled ruthlessly and with suspicion of anyone with alternate views. This, of course, was the way of all monarchs—but while other countries drove toward enlightenment over the years, rejecting (for the most part) outright dictatorship and bellicose rhetoric, and welcoming cooperation, Russia’s state of animosity grew unchecked.
Communist Stalin was weary of outside threats, belligerent against what he considered an imperialist goal to keep Russia down. And while that was partially the case during the Cold War, Putin’s stand against the “menacing” West is overly histrionic. Stalin was more brutal and deadly in his tactics, yet his goal was to better the future for humanity. By contrast, Putin’s “actions with respect to Ukraine … seek[s] to ensure the survival of autocratic rule by restoring militarism and a fortress mentality in Russia,” as Lilia Shevtsova writes for The American Interest.
What Putin shortsightedly forgets is that dictators’ exits from power are rarely peaceful. The more oppressive the rule, the more dramatic the demise.
Ivan the Terrible, who tired his subjects with an increasingly oppressive 50-year governance, instituted policies of political centralization. According to some historical sources, he was eliminated to give way to another czarist dynasty, that of Boris Godunov.
Then there was the 18th-century death of Paul I, the meek son of Catherine. His reign, like Putin’s, began as non-expansionist—even to his mother Paul didn’t seem to be, as the Russians say, “imperial material.” Yet he quickly turned aggressive in order to prove to France and Britain that Russia’s own great-power ambitions couldn’t be overlooked. Paul even planned to take over India in order to curtail Britain’s influence. For this unpredictable foreign policy as well as for his haphazard sacking of courtiers, Paul’s own officers killed him with a gold snuffbox.
Stalin fought against international imperialism, looking for enemies in all corners of society, and employed security services to create foes out of regular folks. By 1953, he became so paranoid in his hunt for adversaries that he had a stroke—though it’s unclear whether this contributed to his death shortly thereafter. There are persistent rumors that his entourage couldn’t wait for him to leave power, and facilitated a speedier demise.
 February’s murder of the opposition leader Boris Nemtsov has revealed secret frictions in the bastion of Putinism. Following Stalin’s death, his dreaded secret-police chief, Lavrenty Beria, who operated the Soviet machinery of repression, was executed by the arbitrary system of justice that he helped create. Providing no proof, the Kremlin functionaries, Khrushchev included, accused him of being a Western spy.
Beria’s bloody fall—death by firing squad—should be a warning to Putin. In his 15 years in power, he has strengthened the security forces, intimidated and jailed opponents, and muzzled the media and courts; now his own methods may be turned against him.
February’s murder of the opposition leader Boris Nemtsov has revealed secret frictions in the bastion of Putinism. Moscow was awash with speculation as to who might have done the shooting in stunning proximity to the red-brick walls of the Kremlin.
One theory suggests that it was the handiwork of Putin’s protégé, Chechnya’s autocratic president, Ramzan Kadyrov. Feeling, perhaps, that the current power is weakening, the assassination was Kadyrov’s salvo to any Kremlin occupant: if he doesn’t pay attention to Chechen interests, Moscow will face more discord.
To make matters worse, after Nemtsov’s shocking murder, the Russian leader mysteriously disappeared for 10 days, only furthering rumors that his days were numbered. And although Putin reappeared as suddenly as he vanished, and with a joke no less, the jittery mood and endless theories of his demise have exposed Russia’s readiness for a palace coup.
After all, besides Kadyrov, there are hardliners like Patrushev who have been unhappy with what they see as the president’s lenient response to the West—taking just Crimea is a far cry from marching onwards to “fascist” Kyiv.
Then there are the Sergei Ivanov types. Ivanov, himself a KGB man and a chief of the presidential administration, must be weary of the Western rebukes and Putin’s increasingly irregular behavior. Ivanov is no Gorbachev, but sanctions allegedly don’t sit well with him. Believing in Russia’s might, as he does, is one thing; being unable to travel abroad to show off this might is another.
Putin’s plan to stay in power for yet another six-year presidential term, ending in 2024, will only increase the possibility of rising tensions between these and other combative camps—let alone the inevitability of public discontent, when people do lose their pants as a result of sanctions-driven economic collapse.
Therefore, a word of caution to the president: The non-violent model of Khrushchev and Gorbachev’s ousting might be the one to follow, not to reject.
You can follow Nina on Twitter at . We welcome your comments at ideas@qz.com.
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Russia unveils absurd clothing line inspired by the annexation of Crimea

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When Russian soldiers annexed Crimea last year, they first showed up in unmarked uniforms.
But lately, the Russian government has become more forthright, with President Putin saying that he was surprised by the ease with which his army took control of the peninsula. Now, the Russian defense ministry, teaming up with designer Leonid Alexeev, has unveiled a new clothing line called "Army of Russia" which is inspired by the "Crimean spring," according to an article by the New East network published in the British Guardian.
"I do not sew army uniforms, but I can help make the army attractive to people. This is my personal form of patriotism," designer Alexeev told the Russian version of Time Out magazine.
"We have developed a line of clothing designed for people who just want to dress well... Any designer wants to do something important in life, not only for themselves but also for their country. I wanted to build a system which would make high-quality and beautiful things that can serve as promotion for the army,” Alexeev went on to say.
At the end of March, some of the male models were photographed wearing black boots, thick coats and balaclava helmets.

(Maxim Shipenkov/EPA)
Neither designer Alexeev nor state officials seem to make a secret of the fact that the Russian defense ministry was involved in creating the clothing line.
According to the Calvert Journal, the general director of military supply shop Voentorg acknowledged that the "Crimean Spring" had inspired the menswear and that the products were supposed to help people “lead an active lifestyle and share military values — patriotism, camaraderie and mobility.”

(Maxim Shipenkov/EPA)
Commenting on the photos, design and fashion expert Hazel Clark, who teaches at the New School in New York City, told The Washington Post: "This is a gratuitous political referencing for commercial purposes."
"It capitalizes on the recent trends towards military and camouflage styles, while ostensibly promoting national identity and patriotism. It is less disturbing for its symbolic referencing than for its very overt attempt at a market share," Clark said.

(Maxim Shipenkov/EPA)

(Maxim Shipenkov/EPA)

(Maxim Shipenkov/EPA)

(Maxim Shipenkov/EPA)

(Vasily Maximov/AFP via Getty Images)
Some of the clothes feature the word "polite," which could be another reference to the annexation of Crimea. According to the Irish Times, Crimean officials use the slogan “Politeness is a power that can open any door," alongside photos of Putin.
The Russian soldiers who allegedly showed up in unmarked uniforms and took over the peninsula were furthermore nicknamed as "polite people" by some, according to the Irish newspaper.

(Vasily Maximov/AFP via Getty Images)

(Vasily Maximov/AFP via Getty Images)

Rick Noack writes about foreign affairs. He is an Arthur F. Burns Fellow at The Washington Post.
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White House hacking reports highlight digital cold war between US, Russia (+video)

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Reports this week about Russian involvement in computer intrusions at the US State Department and White House bring fresh attention to growing tensions between the two nations on cybersecurity matters.
US officials have so far refused to confirm or deny reports claiming that Russian hackers were behind sophisticated attacks on unclassified networks at the White House and State Department last October. A few reports suggest that the hackers were acting on the instructions of the Russian government and that the attacks were likely retaliation for US and European Union sanctions against Russia over its actions in Ukraine.
An aide to Russian President Putin this week brushed aside recent allegations of hacking, insisting that blaming everything on Russia has become a sport for some when it comes to cybercrime.
But beneath the surface there are real tensions between the two countries that could quickly escalate, say experts. US frustration with what it views as Russia’s laissez-faire attitude toward criminal hackers has pushed American law enforcement to direct action in recent years, arresting and extraditing Russian nationals wanted for some of the biggest criminal cyberattacks in recent years. 
State sponsored Russian cybergroups are the greatest threat to US assets on the Internet, says Tom Kellermann, chief cybersecurity officer at security firm Trend Micro. Mr. Kellermann, who was a member of a task force that presented security recommendations to President Obama before his first term, says a cold war with Russia is burgeoning in cyberspace.
“[The Russians] are colonizing our most sensitive government, financial, and energy sector systems, for the purposes of reconnaissance and as a preparatory move in case tensions with NATO take a turn for the worse,” he says.
Most of the US indictments against alleged Russian hackers have been in connection with financial crimes. But security analysts say Russia’s digital capabilities in cyberspace extend well beyond the financially motivated attacks that tend to draw the most attention.
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If Russian hackers wanted to attack targets in the US, they could do it, says Tom Chapman, director of the cyberoperations group at the security firm EdgeWave, and a retired Navy intelligence officer. “Russian government hackers are some of the best in the world,” he says. “They realize the power of cybercapabilities and they are willing to use it.”
American law enforcement agencies have been stymied in their efforts to go after cybercriminals in Russia largely due to the lack of cooperation from Moscow, say experts. So their best option has been to issue indictments and wait for their targets to make mistakes such as travelling to countries that either have extradition treaties with the US or good relations with Washington. 
Some time in the next few weeks, for instance, Russian national Vadim Polyakov will be extradited to the US to face charges that he and five others hacked into 1,600 accounts at StubHub, the online ticket vendor owned by eBay, and used credit cards associated with those accounts to purchase and sell tickets to major events in New York. Prosecutors alleged the scheme caused more than $1 million in losses to StubHub.
Mr. Polyakov was seized by Spanish law enforcement outside his hotel in Salou, Spain, last July while he was vacationing there, says his New York-based criminal attorney Arkady Bukh. Spanish authorities agreed to extradite him to the US earlier this year at the American government’s request and over the Russian government’s protests.
Russia has called the pending extradition an illegal and extraterritorial application of US laws to a Russian national. In comments to Russian news agency TASS, Moscow has accused the US of ignoring a 1999 mutual legal assistance treaty and warned that Polyakov could face “ politicized justice and be subject to physical pressure” in the US.
The Russian Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.
The Polyakov case is a familiar theme, Mr. Bukh says. Polyakov is one of several Russian nationals that the US has managed to nab in similar circumstances in recent years to the increasing fury of the Russian government.
Last July, Russian lawmaker Valery Seleznyov accused the US government of kidnapping his son Roman Seleznyov after authorities in the Maldives arrested the younger Seleznyov at the Malé International Airport at the US government’s request.
Secret Service agents hustled Mr. Seleznyov to a private plane just as he was about to board a flight to Moscow, says Bukh. They flew Seleznyov to Guam, detained him there for several days, and then extradited him to Seattle where he faces charges related to his involvement in a hacking group that stole credit card numbers from US retail systems.
Another example is Vladimir Drinkman, a Russian national accused of participating in a cybercrime group that stole data on 160 million credit and debit cards by breaking into systems at the Nasdaq exchange, 7-Eleven Inc., the Carrefour City supermarket chain, Dow Jones, and JetBlue Airways Corp.
Mr. Drinkman and his alleged partner in crime, Dmitry Smilyanets, were arrested at the behest of US authorities in 2012 while vacationing in the Netherlands. Mr. Smilyanets was extradited to the US in 2012. Drinkman was extradited earlier this year and is set to face trial in a New Jersey federal court later this month in the biggest cybertheft case in US history. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
As with the other arrests, Russian authorities have labeled the extraditions of Drinkman and Smilyanets as illegal and warned that Russian nationals face “prejudgement” in US courts.
Because of the threat posed to American interests in cyberspace, US law enforcement has been serious about going after East European and Russian gangs, says Thomas Brown, a senior managing director at the forensic and litigation consulting practice at FTI Consulting.
“US law enforcement is fairly aggressive when it comes to cybercrime,” says Mr. Brown, also former chief of the cybercrime unit at the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. “Being able to arrest people no matter where they are has a powerful deterrent effect.”
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Russian Fighter Jet Nearly Collides with U.S. Spy Jet Over Europe

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Su-27 intercept / European Leadership Network
Su-27 intercept / European Leadership Network
BY: Bill Gertz 
A Russia Su-27 jet fighter flew dangerously close and nearly collided with a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft this week in the latest aerial provocation by Moscow, defense officials revealed to theWashington Free Beacon.
The Su-27 conducted the close-in intercept of an RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft in international airspace over the Baltic Sea on Tuesday, said officials. The incident prompted a diplomatic protest.
“On the morning of April 7th, a U.S. RC-135U flying a routine route in international airspace was intercepted by a Russian Su-27 Flanker in an unsafe and unprofessional manner,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen M. Lainez.
“The United States is raising this incident with Russia in the appropriate diplomatic and official channels,” she said in a statement.
A defense official said the Russian fighter jet flew within 20 feet of the unarmed reconnaissance jet in what the official called a “reckless” encounter that endangered the lives of the RC-135 crew.
No details were available regarding the mission of the RC-135, which was in a position to monitor Russian military activities in western Russia and Kaliningrad.
The RC-135 is a militarized and upgraded Boeing 707 jetliner that can be configured for several types of intelligence gathering, including photo, nuclear monitoring, and electronic spying.
The RC-135U variant involved in Tuesday’s near collision is code-named Combat Sent and conducts technical intelligence gathering on enemy electronic signals and radar emitters.
The monitoring comes amid new worries that Russia is deploying new short-range Iskander nuclear capable missiles in Kaliningrad and Russian-occupied Crimea in the Ukraine.
A second defense official said there have been no recent Russian aerial provocations near U.S. coasts. But Moscow is expected to ramp up its training operations flights around this time of year.
“That means we’re probably due for [aerial encounters] soon,” the official said.
The most recent similar encounter took place March 24 when two Su-27s, along with two nuclear capable Tu-22 Backfire bombers, conducted flights over the Baltic. The Russian jets were flying without signal beacon transponders that permit air traffic controllers to monitor their flight paths. They were intercepted by Swedish jets.
It could not be learned if U.S. or NATO jets were sent to escort the RC-135 over the Baltic Sea.
The threatening aerial encounter followed a series of provocative Russian military aircraft encounters, mainly involving the dispatch of nuclear-capable Tu-95 Bear bombers near U.S. and European coasts.
Flights of Russian strategic aircraft near U.S. and allied airspace have sharply increased as part of a campaign of nuclear saber rattling by Moscow.
Adm. William Gortney, commander of the U.S. Northern Command, expressed his military concerns about the increase in Russian military flights and provocations during a briefing with reporters the same day of the RC-135 incident over the Baltic.
“The Russians have developed a far more capable military than the quantitative, very large military that the Soviet Union had,” Gortney said, adding that Moscow has adopted a new strategic doctrine that is being demonstrated by the provocations.
“At the same time, they are messaging us,” he told reporters at the Pentagon. “They’re messaging us that they’re a global power—we do the same sort of thing—with their long-range aviation.”
Gortney said the numbers of incidents have gone up but he did not have the percentages.
“And so we watch very carefully what they’re doing,” he said. The Russians need to adhere to “international standards that are required by all airplanes that are out there,” he said, “and everybody is flying in a professional manner on their side and our side as we watch very closely.”
Eric Edelman, former undersecretary of defense for policy, said the latest incident appears to be part of a pattern of activities by Russia that began around 2007 when Russian President Vladimir Putin began protesting U.S. missile defenses in Europe. The provocative activities have taken place in both the skies and on the sea, Edelman said.
The Russians are engaged in what Edelman said is “station identification”—signaling that they remain a relevant nuclear weapons power.
“It’s part of a pattern now of very, very provocative activities, both in the air and on the sea,” Edelman said in an interview.
The Russians are signaling that “we’re still here, we’re still an important military power, your nuclear peer, and they are seeking to intimidate the Balts, Swedes, and Finns,” he said. The Baltic states are Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
report by the European Leadership Network, “Dangerous Brinksmanship: Close Military Encounters Between Russia and the West in 2014,” states that last year NATO aircraft conducted more than 100intercepts of Russian aircraft, three times the number of intercepts in 2013. A total of 11 encounters were described as being of a serious and “more aggressive or unusually provocative nature, bringing a higher level risk of escalation.”
“These include harassment of reconnaissance planes, close overflights over warships, and Russian ‘mock bombing raid’ missions,” the report said, noting that the intensity and gravity of the incidents coincided with the Russian annexation of Crimea.
“These events add up to a highly disturbing picture of violations of national airspace, emergency scrambles, narrowly avoided mid-air collisions, close encounters at sea, simulated attack runs, and other dangerous actions happening on a regular basis over a very wide geographical area.”
The report said the Russians appear to be testing NATO and European defenses, as well as using the provocative actions to contribute to an information warfare campaign.
The Russian provocations “serve as a demonstration of Russia’s capability to effectively use force for intimidation and coercion, particularly against its immediate neighbors,” the report said.
Brian McKeon, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, said in Senate testimony in February that Russian nuclear actions are a significant problem.
“Russia’s recent behavior currently poses one of our most pressing and evolving strategic challenges—challenges felt across the strategic forces mission space,” McKeon said.
“We are confronted with Russia’s occupation of Crimea, continuing Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine, Russia’s increasingly aggressive nuclear posturing and threats, including the prospect of nuclear weapons in Crimea, and its violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.”
Adm. Cecil Haney, commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, stated in testimony to the Senate in February that Russian aerial provocations were part of a number of “troubling actions” by Moscow
Until recently, military spokesmen have sought to play down the Russian aerial provocations, frequently dismissing intrusions into U.S. and Canadian air defense identification zones as not a threat.
“It’s ‘station identification’ and a former of intimidation, and it’s dangerous,” said Edelman, a former ambassador to Finland. “Some time something bad is going to happen, particularly against the backdrop of what’s going on in the Ukraine, and it could lead to inadvertent escalation and confrontation. It’s very dangerous.”
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Germany Prepares Itself Against Russian Aggression with 100 Additional Tanks | News

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Fabrizio Bensch / ReutersA Marder armoured infantry vehicle drives past German Bundeswehr armed forces soldiers during the NATO drill at the barracks in Marienberg April 10, 2015
Germany plans to procure more than 100 additional Leopard 2 tanks, a government spokesman said Friday, as it seeks to ensure its troops are ready for action in response to concerns over recent Russian assertiveness.
The decision to restock its military comes as NATO tries to hasten the response time of its rapid reaction force following Russia's annexation of Crimea last year and conflict in Ukraine.
"The ministry has decided to raise the upper limit for the future to 328," a defense ministry spokesman told a regular government news conference on Friday, confirming a report by German magazine Spiegel.
Just before the end of the Cold War, in the 1980s, the then West Germany had more than 3,500 tanks. Now, seventy years after World War Two, it has just 225. As a result soldiers have to share tanks and heavy equipment across different units.
Given NATO's new goals on flexibility and rapid reaction time, Germany has to ensure that it can deploy troops with the correct equipment to the right place in a short period of time, the spokesman said.
"This can only succeed if the equipment does not need to be first moved around through the country," he said.

Greece and Russia: The Myths and the Reality | Opinion

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The trip of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to Moscow has provoked strong reactions from certain circles in Europe and the United States. Due to its Orthodox heritage, Greece is seen as a country that is ready to participate in a Samuel Huntington-style "Clash of Civilizations" between the West and Russia.
But in the era of modernity, religious affinity rarely dictates foreign policy choices. In fact, Western media rhetoric about "Orthodox ties" constitutes a form of neo-Orientalism that goes against the logic of international relations.
How can religion play a role in the formulation of Greek foreign policy toward Russia when Tsipras and some of his key ministers are self-declared atheists? Not to mention that church attendance is very low in Greece.
This is like saying that Britain and the Netherlands have enjoyed close trade and energy relations because they have large Protestant populations, or that the United States with its large Catholic population has reached out to post-communist Poland for reasons of religious affinity.
Many Western analysts do not realize that division is more common than unity in the Orthodox world. After all, Orthodox Ukrainians are now fighting against Orthodox Russians who fought against Orthodox Georgians in the recent past.
Moreover, despite rumors to the contrary, Greek and Russian interests have rarely converged during the last 200 years. Among other things, there is a long history of antagonism between the Greek-speaking Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Moscow Patriarchate for the spiritual leadership of the world's Orthodox Christians.
Besides, Greek political elites viewed with great suspicion the Slavophile tendencies of Russian/Soviet foreign policy in the Balkans because Bulgaria was for decades Greece's main geopolitical competitor. As non-Slavs, most Greeks feel closer to the people of neighboring Mediterranean nations, like Italy.
Having said all that, Russia and Greece do share common interests and goals. The large Russian-speaking Greek community that resides in the former Soviet Union acts as a bridge between the two countries in a fashion similar to that of Russian Jews in Israel.
Both Athens and Moscow have diplomatically supported the internationally recognized government of the Republic of Cyprus and have called for a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus issue, but for different reasons.
Greece has traditionally played the role of protector for the island's large Greek population, while Russia has felt obliged as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to defend international law.
Finally, potential benefits deriving from the export of Russian gas to European markets via Greece has been perceived by both countries as crucial to their economic prosperity.
While it is true that the Tsipras government has indicated a willingness to improve relations with Moscow, it will be very difficult for Athens to distance itself now from the European Union and NATO.
The country is fully integrated into the Western community of nations. The Greek state has maintained its pro-Western orientation since its establishment in 1830. It is probably the most important pillar of Greek foreign policy.
Militarily speaking, Greece cannot move closer to Russia because its NATO membership imposes certain limitations. Strong relations with the United States only mean that Greek diplomacy has to take into account American interests in the region.
On the other hand, the Kremlin has always preferred to deal with individual European counties rather than the EU as a whole for obvious reasons. The Kremlin welcomes the new Greek government's aspiration to develop a more autonomous foreign policy, at a time of increased tensions between Moscow and Europe.
So what does the Tsipras government want from Russia? It's simple. It seeks an improved relationship with Moscow that would bring investments and cheap energy to the ruined Greek economy. It also wants Moscow to lift its sanctions against Greek agricultural producers.
In addition, Athens is probably playing the "Russia card" in order to improve its bargaining position in the current negotiations with the EU-IMF troika.
However, economics cannot explain everything. Greece is a small and relatively resourceless country with a rich heritage that is a blessing as much as a curse. It creates a sense of cultural overconfidence that constantly gets in the way of formulating realistic policy responses.
Simultaneously, Greece has suffered from identity insecurity due to its perceived cultural uniqueness. Entering the euro zone was meant to reaffirm Greece's European identity, not to reaffirm its exceptionality! As a result, the economic crisis is changing perceptions of the EU among Greek citizens.
To make matters worse, the increasingly crypto-racist language of some European politicians and media against ordinary Greeks is traumatizing the society. It is perceived by most Greeks as a national humiliation. And history shows that emotions such as collective pride can influence the course of a country's foreign policy.
At this time of uncertainty, therefore, Greece is counting its friends and allies. Russia can certainly be one of them on the basis of mutual interest. But not due to their shared Orthodox heritage.
Russia is perceived as a friendlier country because it has avoided pointing fingers and antagonizing Greek society.
Tsipras and his new government cannot ignore citizens' demand for more respect. With certain European politicians and media launching a smear campaign against Greece and its citizens, who can blame them?
Emmanuel Karagiannis is a senior lecturer at King's College London.
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Greece and Russia: Desperate times

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IT HAS been five years since a Greek prime minister last visited Moscow in search of a handout. On that occasion, Dmitry Medvedev, then Russia’s president, bluntly told George Papandreou to go to the International Monetary Fund for help (which he did). Before setting out from Athens on April 8th, Alexis Tsipras swore that he would not be asking Vladimir Putin, the current president, for cash, even though his country’s finances are in a more parlous state now than they were in 2010.
In the end, the two leaders’ meeting produced little beyond a warm atmosphere and pledges to “restart and revive” relations. Mr Tsipras welcomed a proposed Russian gas pipeline across Greece’s territory and criticised European Union sanctions, as he has before. Mr Putin pledged (not entirely credibly) to refrain from using relations with Greece to divide the EU.
To observers in Athens, Mr Tsipras’s trip to Moscow was the most striking example to date of the gesture politics that the Greek government, led by the far-left Syriza party, has used to keep its approval ratings high as unemployment edges back up, banks freeze lending and Greece slips back into recession. It came as both Greeks and Russians were celebrating Holy Week ahead of Orthodox Easter, a moment when religious and cultural affinities resonate. They will be officially strengthened in 2016 with a year-long cycle of festivities promoted by Russian and Greek cultural organisations.
For Mr Putin, rapprochement with Greece is mostly about gas. “Nothing has really changed since the mid-2000s,” says a former Greek energy minister, recalling the Russian leader’s pledge to turn Greece into a natural-gas hub if it signed up to the South Stream pipeline project then being touted by Russia’s state-owned energy giant, Gazprom. That pipeline would have shipped gas across the Black Sea and through the Balkans to central Europe. South Stream was abandoned last year following EU pressure on Bulgaria. Now Greece has an opportunity to join Turkish Stream, its successor, which would cross western Turkey before passing through Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and Hungary.
Russian state-owned transport companies want to acquire the Greek state railway and the northern port of Thessaloniki as a package deal. But their proposal was rejected by Taiped, the Greek agency for privatising state assets, during the previous administration. Chinese firms are also interested. Cosco, a Chinese shipping giant, already controls a container terminal at Piraeus, Greece’s largest port, and is transporting goods from it by special train to central Europe.
Mr Tsipras’s trip may soothe his party’s hard-left faction, which includes former Communist Party members who are critical of new bail-out talks with the EU and the IMF. But his government’s priority is to reach a deal with creditors to unlock €7.2 billion ($7.8 billion) of loans and avoid default. Greece managed to scrape together its €458m repayment to the IMF on April 9th, but another €950m comes due in May. For the second month in a row the finance ministry is scrambling for cash to pay pensions and salaries. It is raiding unspent EU funds, to the dismay of Greek firms working on motorway projects they fear could soon be stalled. Amid the funding crunch, Mr Tsipras’s dreams of Russian investment will quickly fade.

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11/04/15 11:36 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . The trip of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to Moscow has provoked strong reactions from certain circles in Europe and the United States. Due to its Orthodox heritage, G...
» Greece and Russia: Desperate times
11/04/15 11:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . IT HAS been five years since a Greek prime minister last visited Moscow in search of a handout. On that occasion, Dmitry Medvedev, then Russia’s president, bluntly told George Papandreou to go to the In...
» Behind the Death of Dr. Fredric Brandt, Cosmetic Dermatologist to the Stars
11/04/15 11:31 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . When Madonna was living in London, stuck in the midst of a disintegrating marriage and in need of a man who could still make her feel beautiful, it was Dr. Fredric Brandt who jetted across the Atlantic to che...
» Handshake for Obama and Raúl Castro of Cuba
11/04/15 11:28 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . PANAMA CITY, Panama — President Obama and President Raúl Castro of Cuba shook hands here on Friday night, and American officials said they would hold discussions on Saturday during a gathering of r...
» Engaging With Latin America - NYTimes.com
11/04/15 11:27 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . As President Obama arrived in Panama for the Summit of the Americas this weekend, attendees were raptly watching how his encounter with President Raúl Castro of Cuba would be choreographed and whether a ...
» The Night Wolves and the new Russian nationalism - Late Night Live
11/04/15 11:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Image: Vladimir Putin (L), then Russia's Prime Minister, with Alexander Zaldostanov (L), nicknamed 'the Surgeon', the leader of the group of Russian bikers called the Night Wolves, at their camp near Sevastop...
» 2,602,2582,602,2582015-04-10#Сурков
11/04/15 06:15 from Mike Nova - Google+
2,602,258 2,602,258 2015-04-10 #Сурков Russians honor slain opposition figure 40 days on - Reuters | The Chechen Link to Russian Activist's Death - STRATFOR | Сурков, спецслужбы и гибель Немцова | Илья Пономарев: От меня требовали дать п...
» Сурков, спецслужбы и гибель Немцова
11/04/15 00:45 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Радио Свобода. У головные дела против инноват ...
» The Chechen Link to Russian Activist's Death - STRATFOR
11/04/15 00:25 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from vladislav surkov - Google News. STRATFOR AsiaOne The Chechen Link to Russian Activist's Death STRATFOR In addition, Kadyrov's only other ally in the Kremlin, Putin's adviser advisor Vladislav Surkov , left...
» Rise of the Political Technologists: "Nothing Is True and Everything Is ... - Huffington Post UK
11/04/15 00:23 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from vladislav surkov - Google News. Rise James Snell :Rise of the Political Technologists: "Nothing Is True and Everything Is ... Huffington Post UK The postmodern media landscape, in which everything is simpl...
» Что стало со «Сколково». РБК выяснил, чего удалось добиться инновационному центру за пять лет - Meduza
11/04/15 00:23 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Meduza Что стало со «Сколково». РБК выяснил, чего удалось добиться инновационному центру за пять лет Meduza Фонд нанимал архитекторов с мировым именем. Правда, ни один из ни...
» У руля - Lenta.ru
11/04/15 00:23 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Lenta.ru У руля Lenta.ru Описывая стилистику команды Володина, политолог напоминает, что Владислав Сурков предпочитал людей, «умеющих красиво излагать, претендующих на интел...
» Could Kadyrov Replace Putin? - The Moscow Times
11/04/15 00:22 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from vladislav surkov - Google News. The Moscow Times Could Kadyrov Replace Putin? The Moscow Times Kadyrov may be guided by Vladislav Surkov , Putin's former political dramaturge-in-chief, but he has precious ...
» В России фактически обанкротилось Сколково - "Русский Еврей"
11/04/15 00:22 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. "Русский Еврей" В России фактически обанкротилось Сколково "Русский Еврей" В декабре 2014 года с поста главы попечительского совета Сколтеха ушел Владислав Сурков . «Невозмо...
» Расследование РБК: что случилось со «Сколково» - Новости Вологодской области
11/04/15 00:21 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Новости Вологодской области Расследование РБК: что случилось со «Сколково» Новости Вологодской области Но осенью 2012 года их раскритиковал Владислав Сурков , назвавший здан...
» Was Surkov Behind The LifeNews Raid? - RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
11/04/15 00:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from vladislav surkov - Google News. RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty Was Surkov Behind The LifeNews Raid? RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty And significantly -- and this is where it gets really interesting -- he is wid...
» Кто сливает вчерашнего «героя ополчения» Игоря Стрелкова? - Луганский Радар
11/04/15 00:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from владислав юрьевич сурков - Google News. Луганский Радар Кто сливает вчерашнего «героя ополчения» Игоря Стрелкова? Луганский Радар ... свидетельствует о том, что эта травля не была стихийной волной негодова...
» Пресса России: Решительный Путин - Корреспондент.net
11/04/15 00:17 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Корреспондент.net Пресса России: Решительный Путин Корреспондент.net "Я думаю, что они копают под Суркова", – предположил депутат. "Независимая" напомина...
» Илья Пономарев: От меня требовали дать показания на Суркова
11/04/15 00:09 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Депутата Илью Пономарева могут ли&...
» Сурков, спецслужбы и гибель Немцова - Радио Свобода
11/04/15 00:00 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Радио Свобода Сурков , спецслужбы и гибель Немцова Радио Свобода Уголовные дела против инноваторов из созданного Дмитрием Медведевым и Владиславом Сурковым научного центра "...
» Владислав Сурков поздравил президента Южной Осетии с днем рождения - ИА "ОСинформ"
11/04/15 00:00 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Зеркало недели ИА "ОСинформ" Владислав Сурков поздравил президента Южной Осетии с днем рождения ИА "ОСинформ" Помощник президента РФ Владислав Сурков в своем поздравлении по...
» Из "Сколково" уезжают ученые - СЕГОДНЯ
10/04/15 23:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. СЕГОДНЯ Из "Сколково" уезжают ученые СЕГОДНЯ ... клеток, голландский онколог Антон Бернс. В ближайшее время в Университет Южной Каролины вернется директор Центра к...
» A Chechen Dragon Splits Moscow - The Moscow Times
10/04/15 23:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from vladislav surkov - Google News. The Moscow Times A Chechen Dragon Splits Moscow The Moscow Times He took a call from Kremlin spin doctor Vladislav Surkov . He mocked and threatened Politkovskaya until she ...
» Kadyrov's Menace Casts a Shadow Over Moscow - The Moscow Times
10/04/15 23:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from vladislav surkov - Google News. The Moscow Times Kadyrov's Menace Casts a Shadow Over Moscow The Moscow Times He took a call from Kremlin spin doctor Vladislav Surkov . He mocked and threatened Politkovska...
» Putin Ensuring Authoritarian Governance With An Orderly Political Succession ... - Eurasia Review
10/04/15 23:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from vladislav surkov - Google News. Eurasia Review Putin Ensuring Authoritarian Governance With An Orderly Political Succession ... Eurasia Review Alongside Medvedev, Vladislav Surkov (1964-), Vasily G Yakemen...
» СК заподозрил депутата Вороненкова в крупном мошенничестве - Славянка Инфо
10/04/15 23:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. СК заподозрил депутата Вороненкова в крупном мошенничестве Славянка Инфо Торжественный ужин, на котором присутствовали в том числе спикер Госдумы Сергей Нарышкин, певец Нико...
» Шалтай-Сливай: Полный обзор слива переписки чиновников администрации президента РФ - Украина криминальная
10/04/15 23:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Шалтай-Сливай: Полный обзор слива переписки чиновников администрации президента РФ Украина криминальная Про другую известную «башню», помощника президента Владислава Суркова...
» Who the Hell Keeps Leaking Kremlin Correspondence? - Global Voices Online
10/04/15 23:53 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from vladislav surkov - Google News. Global Voices Online Who the Hell Keeps Leaking Kremlin Correspondence? Global Voices Online The older generation still remembers a time when political experts debated the c...
» Год хаоса и независимости - Газета.Ru
10/04/15 23:52 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Газета.Ru Год хаоса и независимости Газета.Ru К первым относилась команда помощника президента Сергея Глазьева, ко вторым – другого помощника Владислава Суркова . «Политичес...
» СБУ расскажет о роли Суркова в событиях на Майдане - BBC Russian
10/04/15 23:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Цензор.Нет (Сатира) FaceNews.ua СБУ расскажет о роли Суркова в событиях на Майдане BBC Russian В феврале этого года президент Украины Петр Порошенко заявил, что бойцы спецпо...
» Duma Deputy Ponomaryov: 'I Do Not Intend To Become A Political Emigre' - RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
10/04/15 23:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from vladislav surkov - Google News. RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty Duma Deputy Ponomaryov: 'I Do Not Intend To Become A Political Emigre' RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty On one side, there is the FSB, the GRU, and ...
» Помощник президента РФ Владислав Сурков поздравил президента РЮО Леонида Тибилова с Днем Конституции - Государственный комитет по информации и печати РЮО
10/04/15 23:50 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Государственный комитет по информации и печати РЮО Помощник президента РФ Владислав Сурков поздравил президента РЮО Леонида Тибилова с Днем Конституции Государственный комит...
» Шокин: приказ стрелять по Майдану отдал Янукович - NEWSru.ua
10/04/15 23:50 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. РБК Украина Шокин: приказ стрелять по Майдану отдал Янукович NEWSru.ua "Мы тут справку подготовили, я процитирую: "В феврале 2015-го года глава СБУ заявил, что сов...
» Шокин: СБУ докажет, что Сурков курировал работу снайперов на Майдане - Диалог.UA - Всегда два мнения
10/04/15 23:49 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Диалог.UA - Всегда два мнения Шокин: СБУ докажет, что Сурков курировал работу снайперов на Майдане Диалог.UA - Всегда два мнения Напомним, что 20 февраля 2015 во время церем...
» В обнуленном мире - Радио Свобода
10/04/15 23:49 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Радио Свобода В обнуленном мире Радио Свобода Яркий британский документалист Адам Кертис высказывает в своем недавнем фильме "Озеро горечи", показанном по Би-би-си в конце я...
» СБУ не смогла представить доказательств причастности Суркова к событиям на Майдане - Взгляд
10/04/15 23:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Взгляд СБУ не смогла представить доказательств причастности Суркова к событиям на Майдане Взгляд СБУ не предоставила генпрокуратуре Украины ни одного подтверждения тому, что...
» Генпрокуратура не в курсе причастности Суркова к расстрелам Майдана - Обозреватель
10/04/15 23:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Обозреватель Генпрокуратура не в курсе причастности Суркова к расстрелам Майдана Обозреватель На данный момент Служба безопасности Украины не подтвердила информацию, озвучен...
» Генпрокурор Украины: СБУ не доказала причастность Суркова к расстрелам Майдана - Московский комсомолец
10/04/15 23:47 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Владислав Сурков - Google News. Обозреватель Генпрокурор Украины: СБУ не доказала причастность Суркова к расстрелам Майдана Московский комсомолец Ранее глава СБУ Валентин Наливайченко заявил, что ведомство...
» Националистическое движение "Русские" оказалось под угрозой закрытия - Интерфакс
10/04/15 23:43 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Русский национализм - Google News. Националистическое движение " Русские " оказалось под угрозой закрытия Интерфакс Как сообщалось ранее, в конце марта обыски прошли сразу у четверых заявителей с...
» Russians honor slain opposition figure 40 days on - Reuters
10/04/15 23:42 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Рамзан Кадыров - Google News. Reuters Russians honor slain opposition figure 40 days on Reuters The main suspect, Zaur Dadaev, served with Chechen police troops who answer to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov ...
» Gideon's Spies | Gordon Thomas
10/04/15 23:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . “Literally impossible to put down.”— The New York Times “A fascinating look at a spy organization that has remained off-limits to most journalists. A first-rate nonfiction account.R...
» CIA Director Discusses ISIS, Iranian Nuclear Negotiations - Harvard Crimson
10/04/15 22:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from cia - Google News. Haaretz CIA Director Discusses ISIS, Iranian Nuclear Negotiations Harvard Crimson CIA Director John O. Brennan discusses policies in the Middle East at the Institute of Politics on Tuesd...
» CIA Director Says Iran's Economic Peril Helped Drive Nuclear Deal - New York Times
10/04/15 22:50 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from cia - Google News. New York Times CIA Director Says Iran's Economic Peril Helped Drive Nuclear Deal New York Times CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The director of the Central Intelligence Agency has provided the first ...
» CIA Director Says the War on Terror May Never End - Defense One
10/04/15 22:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from cia - Google News. Defense One CIA Director Says the War on Terror May Never End Defense One Last night, Director of Central Intelligence John Brennan participated in a question-and-answer session at Harva...
» Особое мнение : Глеб Павловский
10/04/15 22:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Горячие интервью (звук) | Эхо Москвы. Гости: Глеб Павловский Ведущие: Ольга Журавлева Прямая линия с президентом - это как «Интерстеллар». Можно посмотреть, можно не посмотреть... Download audio: http://cd...
» Националистическое движение "Русские" может закрыться
10/04/15 22:36 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Информационное агентство Росбалт. Росбалт, 11/04/2015 01:43 МОСКВА, 11 апреля. Дk...
» Хакеры завладели личными данными клиентов Lufthansa
10/04/15 22:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Информационное агентство Росбалт. Хакеры получили доступ к личным данным участников программы накопления миль авиакомпании Lufthansa. Как сообщает Spiegel, хакеры осуществили взлом произошел с помощью так ...
» Ariel Cohen: Putin's chilling message to the West - Kyiv Post
10/04/15 22:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Putin - Google News. Kyiv Post Ariel Cohen: Putin's chilling message to the West Kyiv Post Vladimir Putin's 10-day disappearance shortly after the murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov and his triu...
» Putin’s Chilling Message to the West
10/04/15 22:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from New Atlanticist. April 7, 2015 Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the audience during a concert in Moscow March 18 to mark the first anniversary of Russia's annexation Crimea from Ukraine. (Reuters...
» ФСБ видит в «Исламском государстве» угрозу для России - Газета.Ru
10/04/15 22:28 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Спецслужбы видят реальную угрозу &...
» Порошенко урегулировал деятельность разведки Украины
10/04/15 22:16 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Новости Украины 24 часа в сутки : ЛІГАБізнесІнформ. Закон будет способствов ...
» Holder warns DOJ staff members against soliciting prostitutes
10/04/15 21:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The Current - Breaking USA News. Mar. four, 2015: U.S. Attorney Common Eric Holder addresses reporters in Washington. (Reuters) Attorney Standard Eric Holder despatched a memo to staff members of the Depar...
» Russia's Next Target - Wall Street Journal
10/04/15 20:35 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. Wall Street Journal Russia's Next Target Wall Street Journal Russian forces on Thursday conducted a drill near Moldova, the small, Kremlin-menaced nation wedged between Ukraine and Ro...
» Украинская прокуратура расследует исчезновение документов по делам против Юлии Тимошенко - Коммерсантъ
10/04/15 20:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. Комсомольская правда Украинская прокуратура расследует исчезновение документов по делам против Юлии Тимошенко Коммерсантъ Генеральная прокуратура Украины проводит служебное расслед...
» Киев не намерен снимать экономическую блокаду Донбасса и переводить пенсии населению - Московский комсомолец
10/04/15 20:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. Московский комсомолец Киев не намерен снимать экономическую блокаду Донбасса и переводить пенсии населению Московский комсомолец Официальный представитель МИД Украины Евгений Переб...
» Что несет Украине карьерный взлет Дмитрия Яроша?
10/04/15 20:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Недавнее назначение лидера украи&#...
» Ярош и Порошенко: кто кому служит? - ИА REGNUM
10/04/15 20:31 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. BBC Russian Ярош и Порошенко: кто кому служит? ИА REGNUM Казалось бы — еще недавно лидер «Правого сектора» был в команде Коломойского, грозил президенту Порошенко и начальнику Генш...
» Рогозин назвал Турчинова дебилом - Газета.Ru
10/04/15 20:30 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. Комсомольская Правда в Украине Рогозин назвал Турчинова дебилом Газета.Ru Вице-премьер России Дмитрий Рогозин прокомментировал в своем твиттере заявление секретарь СНБО Украины Але...
» Poland’s warning to Europe: Russia’s aggression in Ukraine changes everything | Natalie Nougayrede
10/04/15 20:30 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia | The Guardian. Five years after the Smolensk plane crash, Warsaw has grown impatient with taking a diplomatic backseat The train was trundling through the Warsaw suburbs towards the north-west. It ...
» Poland's warning to Europe: Russia's aggression in Ukraine changes everything - The Guardian
10/04/15 20:29 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. The Guardian Poland's warning to Europe: Russia's aggression in Ukraine changes everything The Guardian Russia's aggression against neighbouring Ukraine has changed almost everything....
» To Counter NATO in Baltic, Moscow Ready to Use Nuclear Weapons, Regnum Writer Says
10/04/15 20:29 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Window on Eurasia -- New Series. Paul Goble               Staunton, April 10 – Faced with superior NATO forces in the larger Baltic Sea region an...
» Путин созвал Совбез из-за Украины и Йемена - УНИАН
10/04/15 20:28 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. УНИАН Путин созвал Совбез из-за Украины и Йемена УНИАН Президент РФ Владимир Владимир Путин провёл оперативное совещание с постоянными членами российского Совета безопасности по Ук...
» Russia May Soon Have ‘More Blocked Websites than Working Ones,’ Legal Expert Says
10/04/15 20:28 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Window on Eurasia -- New Series. Paul Goble               Staunton, April 10 – It is a measure of how Moscow has tightened the screws on the medi...
» One Person Killed in Fire at Rosneft Oil Refinery
10/04/15 20:27 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The Moscow Times Top Stories. A fire broke out at the Angarsk refinery of Russia's biggest oil firm Rosneft in east Siberia on Friday, killing one worker, Rosneft said.
» ФСБ: в рядах боевиков ИГ насчитывается около 1,7 тысячи граждан России - РИА Новости
10/04/15 20:27 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. РИА Новости ФСБ: в рядах боевиков ИГ насчитывается около 1,7 тысячи граждан России РИА Новости Заместитель директора ФСБ генерал армии Сергей Смирнов заявил, что также в настоящее ...
» Pope Francis accused of blocking appointment of French ambassador to Vatican 'because he is gay'
10/04/15 20:26 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from - Europe RSS Feed. Liberal Catholics’ hopes for a more progressive Church under Pope Francis have taken another knock with claims that the Pontiff has refused to accept France’s new choice of Ambassador to...
» СБУ сообщает о задержании уже 40 человек в Одесском регионе - РИА Новости
10/04/15 20:26 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. РИА Новости СБУ сообщает о задержании уже 40 человек в Одесском регионе РИА Новости Пресс-секретарь Службы безопасности Украины Елена Гитлянская сообщила, что "в целом СБУ зад...
» Порошенко пообещал защитить украинцев в Приднестровье, если их обидят - Комсомольская правда
10/04/15 20:24 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. Комсомольская правда Порошенко пообещал защитить украинцев в Приднестровье, если их обидят Комсомольская правда Президент Украины Петр Порошенко за свое недолгое правление пообещал...
» Ford takes control of Russia joint venture - Reuters
10/04/15 20:24 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. Reuters Ford takes control of Russia joint venture Reuters Ford's equity stake in Ford-Sollers, which is responsible for local production, sales and imports of Ford cars in Russia , r...
» Russian National Culture Matters But Less than Many Think, Pain Says
10/04/15 20:22 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Window on Eurasia -- New Series. Paul Goble               Staunton, April 10 – Russian national culture is not the determinant of the country’s d...
» «Вы не цитируете Путина. Вы цитируете какой-то идиотизм» - Коммерсантъ
10/04/15 20:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. Коммерсантъ «Вы не цитируете Путина. Вы цитируете какой-то идиотизм» Коммерсантъ Президент Украины Петр Порошенко прокомментировал появившуюся в начале недели информацию в СМИ о то...
» New Laws on Archives and Names Show Ukraine ‘Increasingly Diverging’ from Russia, Scholar Says
10/04/15 20:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Window on Eurasia -- New Series. Paul Goble               Staunton, April 10 – “The mental gap between Ukraine and Russia is growing, and the tra...
» Майкл Макфол: Путин не заинтересован в разрешении украинского конфликта
10/04/15 20:18 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by Голос Америки. Майкл Макфол: Путин не заинтересован в разрешении украинского конфликта Бывший посол США в России считает взаимодействие с Кремлем бесполезным на данном этапе Originally published...
» Russia's Middle Class Reluctant to Blame Putin for Economic Downturn
10/04/15 20:17 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The Moscow Times Top Stories. It was when her nine-year-old son said he wanted to be ill to keep her home that Yekaterina Chatskaya knew the cuts at her Moscow clinic had gone too far and she was working t...
» Whoa. The Russian ruble is having a 'miracle' surge - CNNMoney
10/04/15 20:17 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. CNNMoney Whoa. The Russian ruble is having a 'miracle' surge CNNMoney The ruble collapsed last year as the Russian economy started showing serious cracks. Russia was hit hard by the d...
» After 'Interns' Star Came Out in Russia, a Mix of Fury and Shrugs - New York Times
10/04/15 20:16 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. New York Times After 'Interns' Star Came Out in Russia , a Mix of Fury and Shrugs New York Times MOSCOW — In February, Odin Biron, an American actor who plays a naïve American son of ...
» Analysts: Iran Deal Offers Chance to Rehabilitate Foreign Relations
10/04/15 20:15 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. The tentative framework over Iran’s nuclear program agreed to this month is in renewed doubt over the timing of when Western sanctions should be lifted. But many analysts say the progress...
» Линия разграничения в Донбассе остается линией огня - Вести.Ru
10/04/15 20:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from В мире – Новости Google. Вести.Ru Линия разграничения в Донбассе остается линией огня Вести.Ru В поселок Спартак, расположенный в пригороде Донецка, прибыли наблюдатели ОБСЕ. Минувшей ночью украинские войс...
» Катынь и Смоленск
10/04/15 20:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by Радио Свобода. Катынь и Смоленск Что значат д...
» Iran-China Alliance Not Considered Threat to Nuclear Talks
10/04/15 20:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. The U.S. State Department says it does not believe Iran’s alliance with a new multi-billion dollar China-led development bank will destabilize the ongoing Iran nuclear talks.   Iran is on...
» Senate nears veto-proof tally on Iran bill
10/04/15 20:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Washington (CNN) Senate backers of a bill the White House fears could dismantle a potential nuclear deal with Iran are closing in on a veto-proof threshold of support. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee i...
» Venezuela's president sees opportunity for better U.S. ties
10/04/15 20:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday said he saw an opportunity to improve strained ties with the United States, softening his stance toward U.S. Preside...
» Ambassador: US handed Cambodia to `butcher' 40 years ago
10/04/15 20:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top Headlines At 6:13 p.m. EDT. PARIS (AP) -- Twelve helicopters, bristling with guns and U.S. Marines, breached the morning horizon and began a daring descent toward Cambodia's besieged capital. Reside...
» Ahead of World War II Anniversary, Questions Linger Over Stance of Japan's ... - New York Times
10/04/15 20:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from world - Google News. New York Times Ahead of World War II Anniversary, Questions Linger Over Stance of Japan's ... New York Times PELELIU ISLAND, Palau — Visiting the remote Western Pacific site of one of ...
» Probe ordered into deputies' beating of fleeing horseman - TheNewsTribune.com
10/04/15 20:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. Probe ordered into deputies' beating of fleeing horseman TheNewsTribune.com HESPERIA, Calif. — A Southern California sheriff on Thursday ordered an immediate investigation after ...
» Bernice Tannenbaum, Who Fought U.N. Resolution on Zionism, Dies at 101
10/04/15 20:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. Ms. Tannenbaum, a former president of Hadassah, persuaded President Ronald Reagan and the United States Senate to condemn a United Nations resolution equating Zionism with racism.
» Nordic Nations Agree On Defense Cooperation Against Russia
10/04/15 20:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Five Nordic nations have agreed to work more closely on defense after declaring Russia the "biggest challenge to European security."
» Smolensk Plane Crash Remembered On Fifth Anniversary
10/04/15 20:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Commemorations are planned in Warsaw on April 10 to mark the fifth five year anniversary of the plane crash that killed Poland's president and other senior officials.
» Obama to Meet Raul Castro at Panama Summit
10/04/15 20:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by VOA News. Obama to Meet Raul Castro at Panama Summit President Barack Obama is taking part in a two-day summit in Panama City, where he is expected to encounter Cuban President Raul Castro. It w...
» Top US, Cuba diplomats hold highest-level meeting in decades
10/04/15 20:01 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from AP Top Headlines At 6:13 p.m. EDT. WASHINGTON (AP) -- The top U.S. and Cuban diplomats have met in Panama in the highest-level meeting between the two governments in more than half a century....
» Top U.S., Cuba Diplomats Hold Highest-Level Meeting in Decades
10/04/15 20:01 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from TIME. (WASHINGTON) — The top U.S. and Cuban diplomats have met in Panama in the highest-level meeting between the two governments in more than half a century. The U.S. State Department says Secretary...
» The Daily Vertical: The Kremlin's Maidanphobia
10/04/15 19:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. The Daily Vertical is a video primer for Russia-watchers that appears Monday through Friday. Viewers can suggest topics via Twitter @PowerVertical or on the Power Vertica...
» Venezuela
10/04/15 19:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Uploads by AFP news agency. Venezuela Former Latin American leaders called Thursday for "free and fair" elections in Venezuela and the release of "political prisoners," in pointed criticism of the governme...
» U.S. military convoy comes under attack by suicide bomber with explosives
10/04/15 19:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World: World News, International News, Foreign Reporting - The Washington Post. KABUL – A U.S. military convoy in eastern Afghanistan came under attack Friday when a suicide bomber detonated a car filled w...
» Syrian Peace Talks in Moscow End in Disarray - ABC News
10/04/15 19:58 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World - Google News. Sacramento Bee Kansas City Star Syrian Peace Talks in Moscow End in Disarray ABC News Talks between the Syrian government and the opposition ended in acrimony Friday with the parties f...
» Blackstone and Wells Fargo to Buy GE Capital's Real Estate Assets - MarketWatch
10/04/15 19:58 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. Blackstone and Wells Fargo to Buy GE Capital's Real Estate Assets MarketWatch NEW YORK & SAN FRANCISCO, Apr 10, 2015 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Blackstone BX, -0.03% and Wells Fargo ...
» Stallone Thanks UK Piracy Police After Arrest
10/04/15 19:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News - Breaking international news and headlines | Sky News. A British man is being questioned on suspicion of leaking films online, including Expendables 3 which cost the studio millions.
» How a sunken ship explains the U.S. military alliance with South Korea
10/04/15 19:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World: World News, International News, Foreign Reporting - The Washington Post. SEOUL — Defense Secretary Ashton Carter honored slain South Korean sailors Friday in a visit to the wreckage of a naval vesse...
» No Breakthrough at Russia-Mediated Syrian Peace Talks
10/04/15 19:33 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Members of the Syrian government and some opposition groups ended concluded talks Friday in Russia with no signs of progress on how to end the four-year civil war. It was the second round...
» Ukrainian Tycoon Kolomoyskiy 'Invited' To Talk To Prosecutors
10/04/15 19:33 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Ukraine's prosecutor-general says he has "invited" powerful oligarch Ihor Kolomoyskiy to answer questions regarding the attempted murder of a lawyer a decade ago.
» Ukraine Military, Rebels Accuse Each Other of Increased Attacks
10/04/15 19:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Ukraine's military and pro-Russian rebels accused each other on Friday of intensifying attacks in separatist eastern territories despite a two-month-old cease-fire deal. The conflict has ...
» Man jailed for branding girlfriend while she slept
10/04/15 19:32 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Network Front | The Guardian. Spanish judge sentences Antonio Ricardo Lema Sanjurjo to three years in prison for causing first- and second-degree burns burning victim as she slept A man in northern Spain h...
» Vatican suspected of rejecting gay French ambassador
10/04/15 19:31 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Network Front | The Guardian. Vatican has not responded to nomination of Laurent Stéfanini, a senior diplomat described as an exemplary candidate in the Italian press The Vatican has been dragging its feet...
» WorldViews: Cubans love the pope and the Catholic Church, but they’re just not that into religion
10/04/15 19:30 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World: World News, International News, Foreign Reporting - The Washington Post. Religion in Cuba is complicated, and a new survey on the island offers a rare snapshot of religious identity in a Communist n...
» Tsarnaev conviction undermines argument from McCain, Graham - MSNBC
10/04/15 19:30 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. MSNBC Tsarnaev conviction undermines argument from McCain, Graham MSNBC A jury this week convicted Dzhokhar Tsarnaev for his role in the Boston Marathon, nearly two years to the ...
» Obama Administration Launches Cuba Charm Offensive
10/04/15 19:29 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. A photo of the former adversaries shows U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry shaking hands with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, slight smiles playing across their faces. The image o...
» China rejects Obama's criticism in islands dispute - USA TODAY
10/04/15 19:29 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. USA TODAY China rejects Obama's criticism in islands dispute USA TODAY BEIJING — The Chinese government on Friday dismissed criticism from President Obama, who said Beijing is pu...
» Will A Nuclear Deal Bring The U.S. And Iran Together?
10/04/15 19:25 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. A nuclear deal would remove some long-standing barriers between Iran and the United States, but don't expect the walls to come tumbling down.
» Russia says move to cap its NATO mission has Cold War echoes
10/04/15 19:25 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. MOSCOW (Reuters) - A move by NATO to cap the size of Russia's diplomatic mission at the alliance's Brussels headquarters has echoes of the Cold War, RIA news agency quoted Russian Fore...
» Ex-Blackwater guards seek new trial just days before sentencing for Iraq deaths
10/04/15 19:24 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Reuters: World News. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Four American former Blackwater guards, convicted in connection with the killings of 14 unarmed Iraqis in 2007, have asked a U.S. judge for a new trial just days...
» GE dismantles GE Capital; plans $90B to investors - USA TODAY
10/04/15 19:22 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. USA TODAY GE dismantles GE Capital; plans $90B to investors USA TODAY General Electric (GE) said today it is selling its GE Capital banking business, in the latest attempt to sim...
» Czech President Won't Attend Moscow Parade
10/04/15 19:22 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. The Czech president reversed a decision to attend a military parade in Moscow next month after coming under heavy pressure, including from his own government, amid tensions between Rus...
» Podcast: Putin Flexes His Missiles
10/04/15 19:22 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Is Russia's nuclear posturing just bluster? The geopolitical equivalent of Vladimir Putin's fondness for being photographed shirtless? Or does it point to something darker?
» Iran Would Extend Deal Talks Past Deadline
10/04/15 19:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. Iran will extend talks for a final nuclear deal with world powers beyond a June 30 deadline if the extension is required to satisfy red lines drawn this week by supreme leader Ayatolla...
» Russia Complains About NATO Reducing Delegation
10/04/15 19:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksei Meshkov said April 10 NATO's decision to reduce the number of Russian representatives at the alliance "smacks of a Cold War spirit"
» Obama Nears Decision on Cuba’s Status on Terror List
10/04/15 19:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from NYT > World. President Obama may remove Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. The White House also said it had not ruled out a meeting between Mr. Obama and the Cuban president at a gather...
» Obama foreign policy doctrine takes shape
10/04/15 19:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World News. US president banks on President banks on policy of engagement with erstwhile enemies Iran and Cuba
» Argentine court orders arrest of Justin Bieber over assault claim - Reuters
10/04/15 19:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World - Google News. Reuters Argentine court orders arrest of Justin Bieber over assault claim Reuters BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - An Argentine judge ordered the arrest of pop star Justin Bieber if he sets fo...
» Meet the Pro-Russian ‘Partisans’ Waging a Bombing Campaign in Ukraine
10/04/15 19:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from TIME. Soon after midnight on April 1, a separatist group calling itself the Kharkov Partisans issued another one of its video warnings to the Ukrainian government. It claimed that within the next 48 hours ...
» Can Iran Nuclear Deal Survive Many Hurdles Ahead?
10/04/15 19:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. U.S. and Iranian negotiators are working to transform a recent interim deal to limit Tehran’s nuclear ambitions into a final agreement. But analysts say there are obstacles to a final acc...
» U.S. Defense Chief Talks Tough on North Korea
10/04/15 19:01 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter struck a harsh tone on North Korea Friday, and said the U.S. would deploy its best equipment to the region.
» WorldViews: The U.S. and Cuba will soon agree to reopen their embassies. Here’s what happens next.
10/04/15 19:01 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World: World News, International News, Foreign Reporting - The Washington Post. President Obama and Cuba's Raul Castro are expected to meet Saturday on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas, and the ...
» Israeli forces reportedly kill Palestinian in riot
10/04/15 19:00 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from CNN.com - World. A 27-year-old Palestinian man was shot and killed Friday, allegedly by Israeli forces, during a riot that grew out of a West Bank funeral procession for his cousin, with whom he is now exp...
» Obama, Raúl Castro Speak Before Summit
10/04/15 18:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WSJ.com: World News. President Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro spoke on the phone ahead of their arrival in Panama for a summit of leaders from the Americas.
» Islamic State launches deadly assault in Anbar province
10/04/15 18:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World: World News, International News, Foreign Reporting - The Washington Post. BAGHDAD — Islamic State militants launched a devastating assault on Iraqi government forces in the provincial capital of Anba...
» Islamic State launches deadly assault in Anbar province - Washington Post
10/04/15 18:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from World - Google News. AsiaOne Islamic State launches deadly assault in Anbar province Washington Post BAGHDAD — Islamic State militants launched a devastating assault on Iraqi government forces in the provi...
» Argentine Judge Orders Arrest Warrant for Justin Bieber - New York Times
10/04/15 18:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. Argentine Judge Orders Arrest Warrant for Justin Bieber New York Times BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — An Argentine judge has issued an arrest warrant for Justin Bieber on Friday, sayi...
» Justice Department warns employees against frequenting prostitutes - Washington Post
10/04/15 18:55 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. Justice Department warns employees against frequenting prostitutes Washington Post The Justice Department is sending a memo to all of its employees Friday warning them that solic...
» S&P Lowers Ukraine's Credit Rating
10/04/15 18:55 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. The Standard & Poors rating agency has downgraded Ukraine's credit rating to CC, a notch lower than the previous CCC- level, and says the outlook is negative.
» Secret Service Officer Arrested for Destruction of Property - TIME
10/04/15 18:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. TIME Secret Service Officer Arrested for Destruction of Property TIME A secret service officer has been arrested in Washington, D.C. and charged with destruction of property. The...
» US Man Charged with Plotting Suicide Attack on Army Base
10/04/15 18:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. A Topeka, Kansas man has been charged in federal court with attempting to detonate a car bomb at a military base as part of a plot to support Islamic State, the U.S. Department of Justice...
» Obamas paid $93362 in federal taxes, return shows - USA TODAY
10/04/15 18:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Top Stories - Google News. USA TODAY Obamas paid $93362 in federal taxes, return shows USA TODAY WASHINGTON — President Obama and his wife paid $93,362 in federal taxes last year on a combined income of $4...
» Former US Ambassador: Putin Has Not Interest in Resolving Ukraine Conflict
10/04/15 18:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul tells VOA that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no interest in resolving the conflict in Ukraine because it serves his interest. McFaul...
» China Infrastructure Bank - World Bank Rival or Partner?
10/04/15 18:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. Iran has just joined 34 other countries to become the newest member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The new development bank, launched late last year by the People’s Republic...
» Kerry to Brief US Congress on Iran Nuclear Deal
10/04/15 18:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Voice of America. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will brief a skeptical Congress next week on a framework nuclear deal with Iran. President Barack Obama's deputy national security advisor, Ben Rhodes, ...
» Russian Ruble Touches Four-Month High
10/04/15 18:50 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. The Russian ruble rose in trading on April 10, reaching a high point for 2015.
» Same Surveillance State, Different War — The Atlantic
10/04/15 18:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Master Feed : The Atlantic. How government justification for mass surveillance during the war on drugs turned into rationalization for spying on citizens in the war on terror It's been a long 22 months sin...
» US Government Makes Baltimore Police Keep Surveillance With Hailstorm Device Secret: Report
10/04/15 18:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . (Newser) – Baltimore police are under orders from the US government to withhold information about secretive cellphone surveillance technology from the public and even the courts, and are encouraged to s...
» Data on police shootings limited
10/04/15 18:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Topics Officer-Involved Shootings Yesterday at 4:29 PM By Ben Poston Los Angeles Times NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Since 1985, police in North Charleston, S.C., have recorded four "justifiable homicid...
» The FBI Busts Up Another Of Its Own Terrorist Plots And Politicians Rush To Blame The First Amendment
10/04/15 18:18 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Submitted by Mike Krieger via Liberty Blitzkrieg blog, Like other recent sensational “terror plots,” however, the criminal complaint unsealed yesterday demonstrates the key role of an undercover l...
» Baltimore Police Using Technology Secretly To Tap Into Thousands Of Cell Phones « CBS Baltimore
10/04/15 18:16 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from CBS Baltimore. BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Accessing your data. Baltimore City police have been using technology to tap into thousands of cell phones. Alex DeMetrick reports the secret deal with the FBI even k...
» Tells the Facts, Names the Names
10/04/15 18:15 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from CounterPunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names. “I predict that we will see a whole new wave of UAVs emerging with payloads more unusual than tasers, dart guns and paintball guns.” — Guy ...
» ISIS-Inspired Kansas Man Accused of Plotting Another Ft. Hood-Type Attack
10/04/15 18:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: U.S.. A 20-year-old Kansas man allegedly joined the U.S. Army last year so he could launch an ISIS-inspired attack on American soldiers like the deadly strike on Ft. Hood, Texas, in 2009, federal...
» Florida prison system under fire amid allegations of abuse, fatal shower scalding
10/04/15 18:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . The exterior of Florida State Prison near Starke, Florida.  (Reuters) Florida's state-run prison system is being hammered with allegations that guards abused and even killed inmates -- including one inci...
» San Diego’s homegrown FBI hacking hit
10/04/15 18:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . # Mobile phone and computer snooping by police, long a staple in the war against crime, got a boost here 15 years ago with the opening of the nation's first FBI-run regional computer forensics laboratory. # "...
» As encryption spreads, U.S. worries about access to data for investigations
10/04/15 17:58 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . National Security Agency Director Adm. Michael Rogers takes questions at the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association's Cybersecurity Technology Summit on April 2. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Image...
» FBI Warns of Fake Govt Sites, ISIS Defacements — Krebs on Security
10/04/15 17:55 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Krebs on Security. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning that individuals sympathetic to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shams (ISIS) are mass-defacing Websites using known vulnerabilities ...
» Baltimore Police used secret technology to track cellphones in thousands of cases
10/04/15 17:53 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Baltimore Police used secret technology to track cellphones in thousands of cases - Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Police Department has used an invasive and controversial cellphone tracking device thousands...
» World coalition attacks botnet infecting 12,000
10/04/15 17:50 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . A graphic representation of the dangers posed by botnets, stealth robotic computer networks that place malicious hardware on the computers of unsuspecting users. (Photo: Europol European Cybercrime Centre) An...
» 2015-04-10#Immigration
10/04/15 17:49 from Mike Nova - Google+
2015-04-10 #Immigration Immigration Activists Hide Material Training Exec. Amnesty ‘Navigators’ In ‘Path To Power’ Immigration Activists Hide Material Training Exec. Amnesty ‘Navigators’ In ‘Path To Power’ Friday April 10 th , 2015  at  ...
» Federal Data on Police Shootings Limited | Officer.com
10/04/15 17:29 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story .
» FBI, international cybercrime task force beat botnet
10/04/15 17:28 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . A new group of international cybercrime fighters claimed one of its first kills Thursday, pulling the plug on malicious servers that hijacked at least 12,000 machines, most of them in the United States. The e...
» A Former Black Panther-Turned-FBI Informant Brings a Camera Crew to Work
10/04/15 17:27 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Colorlines. Saeed Torres is a Harlem-born former Black Panther and self-described “revolutionary” who, while imprisoned in the early ’90s, began spying on his Muslim community for the FBI...
» FBI agreement requires police to hide surveillance use from the courts | Politics
10/04/15 17:27 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Police agreements with the Federal Bureau of Investigation ask officers to hide the capabilities of high-tech surveillance equipment from the courts and the public, according to records obtained by the ACLU. ...
» Fake FBI agent swindled man out of his home: lawsuit
10/04/15 17:25 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from | Fake FBI agent swindled man out of his home: lawsuitNew York Post. Shady Brooklyn real-estate workers conned a Flatbush man out of his home after one posed as a FBI agent and threatened to arrest him unl...
» Defense says FBI probe of accused officers was flawed
10/04/15 17:24 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Philly.com News. Jeremy Roebuck, Inquirer Staff Writer Last updated: Friday, April 10, 2015, 1:09 AM Posted: Thursday, April 9, 2015, 8:58 PM After seven days of testimony alleging that an elite Philadelph...
» The Boston Bombing: Was Tamerlan Tsarnaev an FBI Informant? | Global Research
10/04/15 17:23 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Global Research. Originally published by  Who What Why by Lara Turner We asked each member of our Boston Marathon Bombing reporting team to share their personal experience or perspective on one a...
» FBI: Man Plotted Suicide Bomb Attack at Kansas Military Base
10/04/15 17:21 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: U.S.. A 20-year-old man accused of planning a suicide attack at Fort Riley was arrested Friday while trying to arm what he thought was a 1,000-pound bomb near the Kansas military base as part of ...
» The CIA gets a makeover
10/04/15 17:00 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from David Ignatius: Most Recent Articles and Archives. Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Brennan speaks at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York last month. (Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters) CIA...
» No time for passivity in Ukraine
10/04/15 16:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Ukrainian servicemen during a training session near the eastern city of Mariupol, Ukraine on April 1. (Roman Pilipey/European Pressphoto Agency) By Editorial Board April 9 at 7:51 PM WHILE WESTERN attention i...
» Puerto Ricans who can’t speak English qualify as disabled for Social Security
10/04/15 16:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Hundreds of Puerto Rico’s residents qualified for federal disability benefits in recent years because they lacked fluency in English, according to government auditors. The Social Security Admi...
» The Iran deal: Anatomy of a disaster
10/04/15 16:55 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Charles Krauthammer: Most Recent Articles and Archives. President Obama speaks at the White House about the Iranian nuclear talks. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/ASSOCIATED PRESS) “ Negotiations . ....
» Obama, Castro to hold bilateral meeting Saturday
10/04/15 16:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . President Obama walks across the Miraflores locks during his tour of the Panama Canal in Panama City on April 10. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) PANAMA CITY — President Obama and Cuban President Raú...
» Yemen’s War Leaves Aden Crumbling and Starving
10/04/15 16:37 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . ADEN, Yemen — Rooftop snipers have emptied the streets of this dusty seaside city and swelled its hospitals and morgues. Weeks of fighting between armed groups have left nearly 200 people dead and the c...
» Czech President to Skip Controversial Moscow Victory Day Parade | News
10/04/15 16:35 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . David W Cerny / Reuters Czech Republic's President Milos Zeman (L) welcomes a group of Ukrainian Czech repatriates at Prague's Ruzyne Airport March 15, 2015. The Czech government has granted residence permits...
» Russian Ruble Falls Sharply as Incredible Rebound Falters | Business
10/04/15 16:31 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Vedomosti Russian ruble and U.S. dollar banknotes are seen on a table at a bank in Moscow. The Russian ruble fell sharply Friday afternoon, having surged to fresh 2015 highs in the morning, after the Central ...
» ‪Russian Capital Flight Slows Sharply in First Quarter‬ | Business
10/04/15 16:30 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . A Gordeyev / Vedomosti Capital flight from Russia has slowed sharply. ‪Net capital outflow from Russia was $32.6 billion in the first quarter of the year, down from $72.9 billion in&...
» Russia held military exercise in Transnistria
10/04/15 16:23 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Military & Defense. Russia held a military exercise in an internationally unrecognized pro-Russian separatist region of Moldova on April 9, the Wall Street Journal reports citing Russian news agencies....
» White House hacking reports highlight digital cold war between US, Russia
10/04/15 16:22 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Christian Science Monitor | World. Reports this week about Russian involvement in computer intrusions at the US State Department and White House bring fresh attention to growing tensions between the t...
» Russia’s Next Target - WSJ
10/04/15 16:21 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Russian forces on Thursday conducted a drill near Moldova, the small, Kremlin-menaced nation wedged between Ukraine and Romania. According to Russian news agencies, 400 Russian troops participated in exercise...
» Russia's ruble: From down-and-out to darling
10/04/15 16:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . <a target="_blank" href="https://adclick.g.doubleclick.net/pcs/click?xai=AKAOjstGg14MzTsWe_NwkSQrsLW6foHudNwv15uaQ43sOPLhAckiRPBlXSKdQR-p_LSrds6x3JVfB1oOeV0iEsQlLOmXic1TiiJcWZjEuMa7hi2b...
» Immigration Activists Hide Material Training Exec. Amnesty ‘Navigators’ In ‘Path To Power’
10/04/15 16:12 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Comments on: Immigration Activists Hide Material Training Exec. Amnesty ‘Navigators’ In ‘Path To Power’. Following Breitbart News’ report about the training immigration activists planned to help ille...
» Hatton Garden gem heist: Police knew about alarm but didn't attend
10/04/15 15:58 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from News | Mail Online. Thieves made off with up to £200million-worth of jewels after bold break-in An alarm went off around the time the heist is thought to have started Police admit they were told of al...
» Larry Kramer’s Novel ‘The American People’ Adds a Gay Dimension to History
10/04/15 15:57 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Fourteen years ago, the playwright and activist Larry Kramer was preparing to die. His liver was failing, and the prognosis was grave. He summoned an old friend, Will Schwalbe, editor in chief of Hyperion Boo...
» Review: Judith Miller’s ‘The Story: A Reporter’s Journey’
10/04/15 15:56 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Continue reading the main story In late 2002 and through 2003, Judith Miller, an investigative reporter at The New York Times, wrote a series of articles about the presumed presence of chemical and biological...
» Review: ‘One of Us,’ by Asne Seierstad, on Anders Breivik’s Rampage in Norway
10/04/15 15:56 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . The nonfiction horror story told in “One of Us: The Story of Anders Breivik and the Massacre in Norway” moves slowly, inexorably and with tremendous authority. It’s a sober book that smells ...
» NATO Caps Size of Russia’s Mission After Internal Reports of Espionage
10/04/15 15:55 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . WASHINGTON — For a year after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization cut back its cooperation with Russia as punishment for the country’s incursions into Ukraine , Russia’s NATO mission has ...
» Russian Nuclear Submarine Catches Fire During Repairs
10/04/15 15:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . MOSCOW — A Russian nuclear submarine caught fire while undergoing repairs in a dry dock outside the city of Arkhangelsk and smoke billowed from it through the day on Tuesday. But emergency officials tol...
» With Details of Iran Deal Still in Flux, White House Opens Sales Effort
10/04/15 15:52 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . WASHINGTON — President Obama has compared the preliminary accord on limiting Iran’s nuclear program to signing a contract to buy a house, emphasizing that the deal is not done until it closes. But...
» China Is Said to Use Powerful New Weapon to Censor Internet
10/04/15 15:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . SAN FRANCISCO — Late last month, China began flooding American websites with a barrage of Internet traffic in an apparent effort to take out services that allow China’s Internet users to view webs...
» For Mentally Ill Inmates, a Cycle of Jail and Hospitals
10/04/15 15:50 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . It was not a particularly violent crime that sent Michael Megginson to Rikers Island . He was arrested for stealing a cellphone. But in jail, Mr. Megginson, who is 25 and has been in and out of psychiatric ho...
» 9-Year-Old Girl Pregnant After Being Raped By Islamic State Group Militants
10/04/15 13:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from International Business Times. A 9-year-old girl from a minority group in Iraq is pregnant after being raped by at least 10 different men with the Islamic State group, news reports said. She was seen by aid...
» 2,596,2122,596,2122015-04-10#MassGrave
10/04/15 13:47 from Mike Nova - Google+
2,596,212 2,596,212 2015-04-10 #MassGrave Hundreds of bodies found in mass grave (raw) Hundreds of bodies found in mass grave (raw) Friday April 10 th , 2015  at  11:59 AM 1 Share Hundreds of bodies found in mass grave (raw) Forensic tea...
» The Iran Nuclear Deal Is Good–for the Mullahs - Washington Wire
10/04/15 13:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Washington Wire. By Aaron David Miller Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran on April 9.  Agence France-Presse/Getty Images The agreement over Iran’s nuclear program wil...
» Opinion: Contradictions in Obama's Doctrine
10/04/15 13:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ASHARQ AL-AWSAT. I tried to ignore US President Barack Obama’s interview with the New York Times because I was sure it would be part of his propaganda campaign for the framework nuclear deal with Ira...
» US liberal groups push congressional Democrats on Iran nuclear bills - Middle East
10/04/15 13:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . US progressive groups rallied on Thursday to persuade Democratic senators not to support a bill giving Congress a vote on a nuclear deal with Iran, echoing the White House's insistence that the measure could ...
» White House Takes Shot At Netanyahu On Twitter Using Iran Bomb Diagram « CBS DC
10/04/15 13:19 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from CBS DC. Latest News WASHINGTON (CBS DC/AP) — The White House Twitter account took a shot at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, tweeting a cartoon bomb graphic nearly identical to...
» Obama’s doctrine and legacy | New York Amsterdam News: The new Black view
10/04/15 13:18 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Amsterdam News stories. Special to the AmNews If President Barack Obama’s intention is to forge a legacy, one mainly based on his foreign policy, he has made several decisive steps toward that goal. ...
» The White House's Netanyahu-trolling cartoon is pretty misleading
10/04/15 13:16 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Vox - All. The White House tweeted out a cartoon on Wednesday afternoon, defending the Iran nuclear framework agreement, that was unmistakably designed to mock Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It...
» When Debating Iran's Nuclear Program, Sort Fact from Fiction | Scott Ritter
10/04/15 13:15 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The Huffington Post | Full News Feed. American policy makers have made it a point, expressed consistently over time, to emphasize that intelligence estimates do not, in and of themselves, constitute policy...
» Poll Finds Most Americans Don't Trust Iran on Nuclear Deal - NBC News.com
10/04/15 13:15 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Poll Finds Most Americans Don't Trust Iran on Nuclear Deal collapse story Most Americans don't trust that Iran will abide by an eventual agreement to curtail its nuclear program and not develop an atomic weap...
» More than 100,000 fake Turkish passports given to ISIL
10/04/15 13:10 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ( ISIL ) militants were given more than 100,000 fake Turkish passports in order to travel to Turkey and then enter Syria to join ISIL, a daily reported on Thursday. Accord...
» Obama Telephones Corker to Discuss Iran Nuke Agreement
10/04/15 13:10 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from ABC News: Politics. The White House says President Barack Obama and Sen. Bob Corker have discussed the tentative agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program. Corker, a Tennessee Republican and the Senate For...
» Should the U.S. guarantee safety in the Mideast?
10/04/15 13:09 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Should the U.S. guarantee safety in the Mideast? - Los Angeles Times. To the editor: Professor Steven L. Spiegel's idea of the U.S. entering into formal defense treaties with Israel, Saudi Arabia and other...
» Could the Corker-Menendez bill kill an Iran deal? A top Dem supporter pushes back.
10/04/15 13:09 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Virginia Senator Tim Kaine is among the most prominent Democratic supporters of the Corker-Menendez bill on Iran. He may be one of the most important players in determining whether it passes and what it ultim...
» White House swipes at Netanyahu with tweet of Iran bomb diagram
10/04/15 13:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Now Playing Amb. Gillerman: WH 'deteriorating' relationship with Israel The White House took an apparent swipe at Benjamin Netanyahu on Twitter Wednesday, posting a diagram similar to one used by the Israeli ...
» The Arab Reaction to the Iran Deal
10/04/15 13:07 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from From the Potomac to the Euphrates. Saudi King Salman attends the opening meeting of the Arab Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh (Stringer/Courtesy Reuters). My research associate, Amr Leheta, wrote this terrific po...
» Chertoff: Iran Deal Worthless Without the Right Enforcement Mechanisms | TIME
10/04/15 13:06 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Michael Chertoff was secretary of Homeland Security from 2005 to 2009. He is now executive chairman of The Chertoff Group, a global security and risk-management advisory firm. How will we enforce Iranian comp...
» 5 reasons Iran nuke deal fails: Column
10/04/15 13:05 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Kicking the nuclear can down the road while praying Iran changes doesn't offer much hope. A handout picture made available by the official website of the Iranian Supreme Leader shows the Supreme Leader, Ayato...
» Nuke deal 'fact sheets' vary between US, Iran, others
10/04/15 13:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Officials and pundits have repeatedly emphasized that the devil is in the details for an Iran nuclear deal, but there may also be demons in the basics. Key disagreements about what's been decided have emerged...
» A Struggle to Secure Iraq’s Shared Past, and Perhaps Its Future
10/04/15 13:02 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . BAGHDAD — Looted and shuttered after American troops seized Baghdad a dozen years ago, the National Museum of Iraq has officially reopened its doors — a response to Islamic State thugs’ taki...
» Differences Emerge in U.S., Iran Interpretations of Nuclear Deal
10/04/15 13:01 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from U.S. News - News. By: Shahir Shahidsaless, Contributor for Al-Monitor Al-Monitor After eight days and nights of intense negotiations, on April 2 Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Federica M...
» Hundreds of bodies found in mass grave (raw)
10/04/15 12:59 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Hundreds of bodies found in mass grave (raw) Forensic teams examined and worked to remove hundreds of bodies found in a mass grave in Tikrit, Iraq. The victims are believed to be hundreds of soldiers killed b...
» Why is ISIS destroying Iraq’s cultural heritage? | Opinion , Commentary
10/04/15 12:58 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The Daily Star >> Opinion. In recent months ISIS has taken to destroying priceless architecture and antiquities in northern Iraq. Since declaring a “caliphate” in June 2014 ISIS has targe...
» U.S. official: No timetable on Mosul invasion
10/04/15 12:56 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Story highlights U.S. official said in February that Iraqi troops could go into Mosul in April or May Officials say now that there's no timetable, an invasion could come sooner or later They note that recaptu...
» ISIS launches English radio
10/04/15 12:22 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . DM London ISIS has launched English-language radio news bulletins on its Iraqi broadcast service - complete with information on the latest suicide bombings and ‘martyrdom operations’. The extremis...
» US to Tehran: Hands off Yemen
10/04/15 12:21 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . ADEN: Washington warned Thursday it would not “stand by” while Iran supports rebels in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition hit anti-government targets at the start of a third week of bombings. In t...
» The Saudi concert | The Jakarta Post
10/04/15 12:20 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . The war within a religion in the Afro-Arab world is set to intensify if Pakistan responds positively to Saudi Arabia’s appeal and joins the military offensive against the Shia militants in Yemen. While ...
» Tensions Between Iran and Saudi Arabia Deepen Over Conflict in Yemen
10/04/15 12:18 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . CAIRO — Tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia deepened on Thursday as Iranian leaders lashed out with rare vehemence against the continuing Saudi air campaign in Yemen , even hurling personal insults a...
» Obama’s Mindless Spin on Iran
10/04/15 12:18 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The latest from The Weekly Standard by Jay Cost. Widget tooltip If one were to deny Barack Obama the use of straw-man attacks, misrepresentation of facts, accusations that opponents are operating in bad fa...
» It Begins: The Shaping and Selling of Obama's Legacy
10/04/15 12:16 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from RealClearPolitics - Articles. Perhaps it’s the field of potential and actual candidates who claim to want his job, or thoughts of a presidential library where two terms of Barack Obama history will g...
» Yazidi sex slaves 'gang-raped in public' by Isis fighters, harrowing accounts reveal - Middle East - World
10/04/15 12:15 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Hundreds of women and children were abducted from the town of Sinjar, in northern Iraq, and held hostage by Isis for over eight months. Some were sold to fighters as sex slaves or given as ‘prizes’...
» ISIS kills 52 men in Iraq
10/04/15 12:14 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The Guardian Nigeria. ISIS killed 52 men, the majority Iraqi police officers,  at the al Qaim border crossing with Syria this week, according to Sohaib al Rawi, governor of Iraq’s Anbar province...
» The war against Islamic State (2): Mosul beckons
10/04/15 12:13 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Planting the Iraqi flag in Tikrit. But too many fight only for their sect IN A barren military camp near Mosul in Iraq, 500 balaclava-clad men train for urban warfare under the watchful eye of their leader, a...
» Iran is not cooperating with the deal
10/04/15 12:12 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from American Thinker. Like some of you, I had my doubts about all this talk of a deal with Iran.  First, I get very nervous when they cheer in the streets of Iran but worry in Israel.  Sorry, but I'd...
» Yazidi women 'gang-raped in public' by Isis fighters, harrowing accounts reveal
10/04/15 12:11 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Gulf News, News in Gulf, Latest Middle East News, Daily News | World News - Times of India. Yazidi women released by Isis this week were gang-raped in public by fighters and tortured by their captors, acco...
» ISIS: the mad, bloody residue of the war on terror
10/04/15 12:10 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Spiked. Key to the emergence of ISIS, in Cockburn’s telling, has been the civil war in Syria, a conflict that was rapidly transformed from a popular uprising against the brutal, economically struggli...
» JK Alternative Viewpoint » Blog Archive » The history of the Islamic State:rise of this Sunni terrorist group-STANLY JOHNY
10/04/15 12:08 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from JK Alternative Viewpoint. The veteran journalist Patrick Cockburn’s latest book traces the history of the Islamic State and identifies the reasons for the rise of this Sunni terrorist group. By STANL...
» Sweden to Join U.S.-Led Coalition Against ISIS
10/04/15 12:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Comments on: Sweden to Join U.S.-Led Coalition Against ISIS. by AFP 10 Apr 2015 0 (AFP) Sweden will send up to 120 troops to northern Iraq to train Iraqi and Kurdish fighters as part of the U.S.-led coalit...
» 10 doctors ‘shot dead’ after refusing to treat ISIS militants
10/04/15 12:04 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from | 10 doctors ‘shot dead’ after refusing to treat ISIS militantsNew York Post. Ten doctors who refused to treat wounded Islamic State militants faced a familiar punishment meted out by the terror group R...
» Who Is to Blame for the Rise of ISIS — Bush or Obama?
10/04/15 11:52 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Christianpost.com > Church & Ministries. March 19, 2015 | 3:49 pm (Photo: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque) U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism in Wash...
» Obama Realigns American Foreign Policy
10/04/15 11:51 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from American Thinker. Foreign policy pundits are not quite sure about the Obama administration’s Middle East strategy. It appears that the administration is either playing a balance-of-power game in the ...
» Why Obama chose the Iran talks to take one of his presidency’s biggest risks
10/04/15 11:48 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . A handout picture released by the White House on April 1, 2015 shows President Obama and Vice President Biden, with the national security team, participating in a secure video teleconference from the Situatio...
» Rand Paul: Kurds would fight ISIS 'like hell' if promised a country
10/04/15 11:46 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) says he supports creating a new nation for the Kurds in exchange for their help fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). “I think they would fight like hell if we prom...
» U.S. Advisers May Be Working With Terrorist-Labeled PKK to Fight ISIS - The Daily Beast
10/04/15 11:44 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . The U.S. relationship is informal amid a tangled roster of Kurdish warriors, but the PKK troops are too good to ignore. MATARA, Iraq — On the volatile front lines facing the so-called Islamic State outs...
» China’s March Westward and the ISIS Challenge
10/04/15 11:41 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from International Policy Digest. By Aurangzeb Qureshi for Global Risk Insights In recent years, China is slowly returning to its former glory as the “Middle Kingdom” as it was once was during the 6...
» National View: InsideSources — Cyber security and the importance of investing and innovating - Opinion - southcoasttoday.com
10/04/15 11:39 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.    Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service  |  Local Media Group Publications Original content available for n...
» Normalization and a De-facto Alliance Between Washington and Tehran | Raghida Dergham
10/04/15 11:35 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from WorldPost Blog on The Huffington Post. Within one week, this is what Tehran sowed and reaped: The Islamic Republic of Iran celebrated the opening of a new historical chapter with the United States and the ...
» ISIS 'demand $30m ransom for Assyrian hostages'
10/04/15 11:29 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story . Reuters Displaced Assyrians, who fled from the villages around Tel Tamr, gather outside an Assyrian Church in al-Hasaka city. More than 250 Assyrian hostages held by Islamic State could be released in return ...
» Russian warns of ISIS' influence in Russia | News , World
10/04/15 11:28 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from The Daily Star >> News. MOSCOW: A senior Russian intelligence official has warned of the potential influence of ISIS inside Russia. Gen. Sergei Smirnov, deputy chief of the FSB intelligence agency, w...
» US bombs ISIS in Saddam Hussein's hometown after Iran-backed offensive stalled
10/04/15 11:26 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Military & Defense Contributors. REUTERS/Stringer A military vehicle, belonging to Shi'ite fighters known as Hashid Shaabi, burns after being hit by Islamic State militants, during clashes in northern ...
» 2015-04-07#Playlist
10/04/15 11:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Mike Nova - Google+. 2015-04-07 #Playlist Recent Posts Review 2,578,7562,578,7562015-04-04#Playlist Tuesday April 7 th , 2015  at  11:55 PM Mike Nova - Google+ 1 Share 2,578,756 2,578,756 2015-04-04 #Playl...
» 2,594,4272,594,4272015-04-08 #Germanwings
10/04/15 11:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Mike Nova - Google+. 2,594,427 2,594,427 2015-04-08 #Germanwings "If authorities know what might have driven Mr. Lubitz, they have not made it public." - The Mind of Those Who Kill, and Kill Themselves - N...
» 2,600,1462,600,1462015-04-08 #Putin
10/04/15 11:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Mike Nova - Google+. 2,600,146 2,600,146 2015-04-08 #Putin #Tsipras #Greece Putin Meets With Alexis Tsipras of Greece, Raising Eyebrows in Europe - New York Times Putin Meets With Alexis Tsipras of Greece,...
» 2015-04-09"One Love" - but no singing "Kumbaya" Doctrine or Obama in Jamaica:
10/04/15 11:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Mike Nova - Google+. 2015-04-09 "One Love" - but no singing "Kumbaya" Doctrine or Obama in Jamaica: "Push it, push it some more..." Bob Marley - One Love Uploaded on Apr 20, 2010 One love, One heart Let's ...
» 2015-04-09#Obama
10/04/15 11:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Mike Nova - Google+. 2015-04-09 #Obama #Iran In Search of Obama Doctrine - My definition: Speak softly with your foreign opponents and smash the heads of your domestic ones with the Big Stick (e.g. as in M...
» 2015-04-08#Germanwings
10/04/15 11:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Mike Nova - Google+. 2015-04-08 #Germanwings "If authorities know what might have driven Mr. Lubitz, they have not made it public." - The Mind of Those Who Kill, and Kill Themselves - NYT "If authorities k...
» 2,600,1482,600,1482015-04-09#FoxNews
10/04/15 11:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Mike Nova - Google+. 2,600,148 2,600,148 2015-04-09 #FoxNews Cyber jihadists could target US TV stations, experts warn - Fox News | » Russian Defense Ministry Says No Cuts In Budget, Personnel 09/04/15 23:...
» 2,606,4152,606,4152015-04-09#Putin
10/04/15 11:03 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Mike Nova - Google+. 2,606,415 2,606,415 2015-04-09 #Putin #Ukraine New Russian Attack on Ukraine Likely as a Frozen Conflict Threatens Putin’s Goals and Interests, Felgengauer Says - by Paul Goble New Rus...
» US military commander: Russian military 'far more capable' than Soviet Union's - Fox News
10/04/15 02:34 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks
mikenova shared this story from Russia - Google News. Fox News US military commander: Russian military 'far more capable' than Soviet Union's Fox News A top U.S. military commander warned that Russia's modern military is now “far more ca...

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