A Brief Intelligence Reality Check | UK and Russia to resume talks over Syria conflict - BBC News: The spokeswoman added: "The prime minister concluded the call by noting that the UK and Russia had worked successfully together on the Iranian nuclear issue and he hoped that in the years ahead, we could find other issues where the UK and Russia ... | Senior NATO Official: “We’ll Probably be at War This Summer... If we're lucky it won't be nuclear.”
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UK and Russia to resume talks over Syria conflict - BBC News
Senior NATO Official: “We’ll Probably be at War This Summer... If we're lucky it won't be nuclear.”by Paul Joseph Watson
Putin stated bluntly that in his view the West would only be content in having a Russia weak, suffering and begging from the West, something clearly the Russian character is not disposed to. Then a short way into his remarks, the Russian President stated for the first time publicly something that Russian intelligence has known for almost two decades but kept silent until now, most probably in hopes of an era of better normalized Russia-US relations...
The report has enormous implications to reveal to the world the long-standing hidden agenda of influential circles in Washington to destroy Russia as a functioning sovereign state, an agenda which includes the neo-nazi coup d’etat in Ukraine and severe financial sanction warfare against Moscow.
What if Putin is Telling the Truth? by F. William Engdahl
Russia weak, suffering and begging from the West.
A Brief Intelligence Reality Check by 20committee
Our right wing is in a flutter over recently declassified and released Pentagon intelligence documents regarding Middle Eastern events in recent years. FoxNews is blaring about failures to miss the rise of the Islamic State and (of course) about Benghazi, in its customary way, but without much context.
Worse is this piece, which has a pronouncedly conspiratorial bent, implying that the Pentagon was somehow in on the rise of the Islamic State — which is precisely what Tehran and Moscow want you to think. The documents in question, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit by Judicial Watch, a right-wing group, can be seen in full here, but the report generating the most heat, if not light, isthis one.
This is an early August 2012 field report to the Defense Intelligence Agency, known in the trade as an Intelligence Information Report or IIR. As it states clearly, this is an “information report, not finally evaluated intelligence.” Its contents are deemed explosive by those seeking explosions. According to outraged observers online, this DIA IIR is “proof” that “the Pentagon” and “the Intelligence Community” knew more about the rise of the Islamic State than they let on. At best, they’re fools; at worst, they’re deceivers who have lied to the American people.
It’s time for a reality check. Having written my share of IIRs, let me explain a few things to you. First off, this report, which is classified SECRET/NOFORN (i.e. it’s far from “highly
classified”) is so heavily redacted that it’s difficult to say much meaningful about it. Who filed this IIR has been taken out, and its distribution list (at least what we can see of it) is the usual alphabet soup of DoD and IC headquarters and agencies. Nothing special here, not one bit.
classified”) is so heavily redacted that it’s difficult to say much meaningful about it. Who filed this IIR has been taken out, and its distribution list (at least what we can see of it) is the usual alphabet soup of DoD and IC headquarters and agencies. Nothing special here, not one bit.
As for the pronouncements in this IIR, which are taken as highly meaningful by the conspiracy-minded, they are routine, the sort of thing found in the thousands of IIRs that DIA generates annually, on a wide range of subjects. Is this the take of a U.S. defense attaché somewhere in the Middle East, and therefore a reflection of his/her personal views only? Is this the rant of someone who claims good access, who may (or may not) have that? Are these the ramblings of a partner security service — in other words, glorified hall gossip — that an attaché felt obliged to report back in that mixture of “FYI” and “CYA” that dominates inside the Beltway? Given the heavy redactions, it’s simply impossible to say.
What we can say with certainty, however, is that this IIR is not the view of “the Defense Intelligence Agency” or “the Pentagon,” much less “the Intelligence Community.” The IC is a sprawling enterprise of seventeen different agencies, some of which don’t play well with each other. Plus, not to put too fine a point on this, DIA isn’t exactly the sharpest tool in the IC shed, being viewed as a bit of an also-ran by CIA and NSA, who are the Big Dogs of American intelligence in terms of mission, budgets, and prestige.
This is but one IIR, whose provenance we know basically nothing about. Don’t read too much into it. There is nothing conspiratorial here to those who understand the IC. Raw intelligence like this is often wide of the mark, and DIA’s reputation here is less than stellar. Has everybody forgotten aboutCURVEBALL so soon?
I am pretty critical of the Obama administration’s policy towards the Islamic State, as I’ve written about many times, and it’s clear that calling them the “JV team” was a stupid mistake. As I’ve reported, there has been robust debate inside the Pentagon and the Intelligence Community for several years about what the Islamic State exactly is, and what should be done about, and it’s safe to say that most of DoD and the IC today are out of step with the White House’s soft-touch approach to its pseudo-war against this virulent and fanatical enemy.
This lone IIR is but a single data point that serious analysts will not get worked up over, as opposed to those who have ideological axes to grind, to say nothing of the tinfoil-hat brigade. After 9/11, the Intelligence Community was exhorted to “connect the dots” better. I would caution all to observe that this is a mere dot, one whose provenance and reliability we do not know.
On a final note, let me add that, while I am in favor of the Pentagon and the Intelligence Community releasing more classified documents to promote greater public understanding — an area where this administration, contrary to its grandiose promises of transparency, has a dismal track record — releasing documents that are so heavily redacted as to be almost incomprehensible does not actually promote understanding of complex issues, rather the contrary.
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BBC News |
UK and Russia to resume talks over Syria conflict
BBC News The spokeswoman added: "The prime minister concluded the call by noting that the UK andRussia had worked successfully together on the Iranian nuclear issue and he hoped that in the years ahead, we could find other issues where the UK and Russia ... Russia faces growing aggression from global arms producers – PutinRT Russia bans 'undesirable' NGOs, sparking international outcryCNN Legally silencing Russia's undesirablesWashington Post euronews -Wall Street Journal -ABC Online all 366 news articles » |
CNN |
In show of muscle, Russia conducts military exercise in country's northwest
CNN Russia has deployed 12,000 troops along with numerous aircraft and weapons in a surprise military exercise in the country's northwest -- a show of strength that may be a response to a long-planned European military exercise led by Norway. The Russian ... Russia begins huge surprise air force drill on same day as Nato starts Arctic ...The Independent Russia begins massive air force exerciseBBC News Russia launches massive air force exercise with 250 aircraftU.S. News & World Report Reuters -Voice of America all 99 news articles » |
Bloomberg View |
Russia Is Using Mobile Crematoriums to Hide Ukraine's Dead
Bloomberg View Russia is so desperate to hide its military involvement in Ukraine that it has brought in mobile crematoriums to destroy the bodies of its war dead, say U.S. lawmakers who traveled to the war-torn country this spring. The U.S. and NATO have long ... |
Putin is going to extreme lengths to hide Russian soldiers who are dying while ...Business Insider
Russia Digs Ditches to Slow Inflow of Arms and Men From UkraineBloomberg
Lysenko: Russia digs ditches on Ukraine border to stop militants from ...Ukraine Today
Newsweek-
Kyiv Post
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Business Insider |
REPORTS: Russia abandons its Mistral warship deal with France
Business Insider French Mistral Carrier For Russia Stephan Mahe/ReutersThe Mistral-class helicopter carrier Vladivostok is seen at the STX Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard site in Saint-Nazaire, September 4, 2014. Russia has given up on its €1.2 billion deal for ... Russia won't be taking Mistral warships from France – officialRT Russia Terminates French Mistral DealRadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty Russia Terminates Mistral Warship Contract, Opts for RefundThe Moscow Times all 14 news articles » |
Business Insider |
Russia just made another agreement with Iran that will raise eyebrows in the West
Business Insider On the flip side, others see Russia's quick pounce on Iran immediately after the nuclear deal as a sign that the Kremlin is afraid that its already isolated position on the global stage will further weaken if Tehran and Washington's relations improve ... Iran declares 'successful' end of negotiations with Russia on S-300 systemYnetnews Russia, Iran talks on S-300 missiles end in 'success'Yahoo News Russia: No date yet for Iran's S-300 air defense missilesThe Daily Star The Times of Israel -RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty all 119 news articles » |
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The Guardian |
UK and Russia to resume Syria talks
The Guardian David Cameron and Vladimir Putin have agreed to resume talks to find a solution to the civil war in Syria. The prime minister and the Russian president spoke on the phone for half an hour on Monday afternoon, with Putin congratulating Cameron on his ... Russia recovery talk premature as sanctions threaten to cripple economyWashington Times UK and Russia to resume talks over Syria conflictBBC News Russia's Putin Signs New Law Against 'Undesirable' NGOsWall Street Journal euronews -RT -Washington Post all 469 news articles » |
The most solemn sentiments of the Memorial Day holiday have long been infused in the work done at Arlington National Cemetery throughout the year.While at War, Female Soldiers Fight to Belongby By BENEDICT CAREY
Even as women distinguish themselves as enlisted soldiers, many struggle with depression and a sense of alienation in an intensely male military world.
Once upon a time, sailors on leave on New York’s streets after months at sea went a little wild — liquor and female companionship were the priorities, with brawls often the unintended result. Now, not so much.
The offensive began Tuesday in the desert areas north and east of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar Province.
Many Iraqi commanders and some American officers say that exercising caution with airstrikes has harmed the coalition’s larger effort to destroy the Islamic State.
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The Archeology of ISIS by By PATRICK CHAPPATTE
Each passing civilization leaves traces of its achievements in the earth.
Dr. Ben Carson won a decisive victory at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in Oklahoma City over the weekend, defeating several other GOP presidential hopefuls.
Supporters of the right to keep and bear arms have won another small victory in the long war to preserve the original intent of the Second Amendment. It's only a preliminary injunction, but U.S. District Judge Frederick Scullin is likely to make his ruling permanent in July.
The dogged insistence of Senate Majority Leader MitchMcConnell (R-Ky.) on renewing the expiring portions of the
PATRIOT Act intact has created a logjam in the Senate that will likely lead to those provisions expiring at midnight on May 31.
Senate passage of Trade Promotion Authority just before the Memorial Day weekend is an example of the legal saying that, while two wrongs don’t make a right, they do make a precedent.
After having drastically accelerated the militarization of local police forces by the federal government, Obama is now having second thoughts about it — or so the administration and the establishment press would have you believe based on widely reported “de-militarization” edicts issued last week. But while the decrees were framed by virtually all of the establishment media as reining in federal programs that provide military gear to law enforcement, the real agenda, as usual, is about empowering Washington, D.C. — in this case, to exert even more control over local police departments across America. Indeed, much of the military gear can still be obtained from the feds, as long as officers are first subjected to more federal “training” programs and police departments submit to new “national policing standards” across the board. The new rules also fit well with the broader agenda of nationalizing law enforcement and other key sectors.
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Islamic State's Gains Spur Worries Of A Splintering IraqTunisian soldier goes on deadly rampage at Tunis base Published on May 25, 2015 Tunisian authorities say "family problems" led to a soldier shooting dead seven people at a military base in Bouchoucha in the capital, Tunis on Monday. The victims reportedly i...
Tunisian soldier goes on deadly rampage at Tunis base Published on May 25, 2015 Tunisian authorities say "family problems" led to a soldier shooting dead seven people at a military base in Bouchoucha in the capital, Tunis...
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Should ISIS' gains lead to more U.S. troops in Iraq?Should ISIS' gains lead to more U.S. troops in Iraq? Monday May 25 th , 2015 at 11:16 AM Home - CBSNews.Com 1 Share Sen. McCain tells "Face the Nation" the Vietnam War was a lesson for limitations of air power that should be heeded in fight against ISIS N...
Should ISIS' gains lead to more U.S. troops in Iraq? Monday May 25th, 2015 at 11:16 AM Home - CBSNews.Com 1 Share Sen. McCain tells "Face the Nation" the Vietnam War was a lesson for limitations of ai...
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A United States district judge has ordered the release of the last major piece of sealed evidence in one of the most important espionage cases of the Cold War. The case led to the execution in 1953 of an American couple, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were convicted of conspiring to spy for the Soviet Union. 
New DEA chief is entirely retreating in the war on marijuana.
What if Putin is Telling the Truth? by F. William Engdahl
Russia weak, suffering and begging from the West.
Extra special police forces known as COBRA will be called in to operate security during the secretive meeting.
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"If we're lucky it won't be nuclear."
The latest round of police-related demands from the White House was unveiled as a supposed response to militarized police in Ferguson.
Air defense missile units taking part in Russian snap combat readiness exercises have been relocated to the Astrakhan Region to take part in the ongoing massive drills.
ISIS Marches On Damascus by Kurt Nimmo
Country may soon be absorbed into the ISIS Wahhabi Caliphate.
Russia's economy is expected to contract 3.8 percent this year.
Noam Chomsky Holds the New York Times to Accountby Paul Craig Roberts
The Times serves full time to protect Washington.
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Traffic stop gone wrong...
Demand for expensive bulletproof home shelters more than doubles.
Incredibly, FBI had a brief crisis of (4th Amendment) conscience.
Newspaper complains about civilians getting in the way of war.
Apple Inc (AAPL), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Drop 1%.
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Both sides of referendum to legalize same-sex marriage surprised by large margin of victory
Protests and arrests follow white patrolman's acquittal for killing of two unarmed black men; another case's outcome could stir unrest all over again
Officer working overtime for the Housing Authority of New Orleans
killed; car apparently rolled for blocks in empty neighborhood after shooting
killed; car apparently rolled for blocks in empty neighborhood after shooting
Also, the entire Anbar province threatens to fall to ISIS after
the U.S. defense secretary says Iraqi troops
show "no will to fight." Your world in 90 seconds
the U.S. defense secretary says Iraqi troops
show "no will to fight." Your world in 90 seconds
A flash flooding emergency overnight in Texas forces new rescues. Also, play turns to panic in Florida, as strong winds toss a bouncy house into the air. All that and all that matters in today's Eye Opener. Your world in 90 seconds.
Series of storms virtually parked over Texas for weeks are not yet done, meteorologists warn, as deadly floodwaters trouble much of state
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Agreement "marks a new way of policing in the city," Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson says
As the United States honored its war dead, among them nearly 4,500 Americans who died in Iraq since 2003, questions continued to swirl Monday about the direction of the campaign against the Islamic State group.
Poland's weekend presidential election has ushered in a socially conservative opposition nationalist who wants closer defense ties to the West but is skeptical of giving Brussels more clout over Warsaw's affairs.
Fighters from Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement together with members of allied Popular Committees have launched an attack against a Saudi military base as Riyadh presses ahead with its air campaign against its impoverished and conflict-ridden neighbor.
Some 12,000 troops, up to 250 warplanes and helicopters are involved in a surprise combat readiness check of the aviation grouping and air defense forces in the Central Military District, the Russian Defense Ministry press service reported on Monday.
Moscow is increasingly confronted with the aggressive resistance of other countries in arms trade, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the Commission for Military and Technical Cooperation on Monday.
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Sweden, Norway and Finland will participate in Europe's largest fighter jet drills, dubbed the Arctic Challenge Exercise 2015 (ACE 2015).
Russia has agreed to deliver 46 MiG-29 air superiority fighters to Egypt and is soon expected to sign a deal worth approximately $2 billion, what might become the largest order since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia's business daily Vedomosti reports, quoting a source close to the aviation industry.
Iraqi government forces aided by Shi'ite militias and Sunni tribal fighters have retaken ground lost a week ago to Islamic State (IS) militants and are continuing to advance toward the western Iraqi city of Ramadi.
This much is clear: a leading pro-Russian separatist commander in eastern Ukraine and several of his associates were killed in a gangland-style hit on May 23. The question is, who carried it out?
The aviation grouping and air defense units of Russia's Central Military District were alerted in a surprise combat readiness check, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Monday.
Russian Defense Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu said that snap Russian combat readiness exercises for aviation groups and anti-air defense troops began in the Central Military District.
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Mere days ago, visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry dismissed media reports that revealed a U.S. plan to send aircraft to challenge China, saying the stories did not reflect any political decision by the U.S. government.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia must create a new generation of weapons and military equipment, train new, highly skilled professionals, strengthened country's position on the global market.
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