Russian military update: "Do the Crime, Do the Time – in the Russian Army. Russian judges may soon have the option to send those convicted of crimes to serve their “sentences” as soldiers in the Russian military, a reflection of both the high cost of prisons and the shortages of young men in the draft pool" - A Baker’s Dozen of Neglected Russian Stories – No. 7 by paul goble (noreply@blogger.com) | Грани.Ру: Преступникам предложат выбирать между тюрьмой и армией
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M.N.: This confirms my impressions mentioned in a post of 10.2.15:
6. Do the Crime, Do the Time – in the Russian Army. Russian judges may soon have the option to send those convicted of crimes to serve their “sentences” as soldiers in the Russian military, a reflection of both the high cost of prisons and the shortages of young men in the draft pool (grani.ru/Society/Law/m.245158.html).
6. Do the Crime, Do the Time – in the Russian Army. Russian judges may soon have the option to send those convicted of crimes to serve their “sentences” as soldiers in the Russian military, a reflection of both the high cost of prisons and the shortages of young men in the draft pool (grani.ru/Society/Law/m.245158.html).
- A Baker’s Dozen of Neglected Russian Stories – No. 7 by paul goble (noreply@blogger.com)
- Грани.Ру: Преступникам предложат выбирать между тюрьмой и армией
- West talks, Putin bombs (the U.S. trained fighters and allegedly, civilians) and continues his "special operations". "What has gone wrong?"
Грани.Ру: Преступникам предложат выбирать между тюрьмой и армией
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Россиянам, совершившим ненасильственные преступления небольшой и средней тяжести, будет предложено пойти в армию в качестве альтернативы уголовному наказанию. Как пишут"Известия", проект изменений в Уголовный кодекс и в Федеральный закон "О воинской обязанности и военной службе" готовит член комитета Госдумы по конституционному законодательству и государственному строительству, жириновец Алексей Диденко.
Проект подразумевает, что альтернатива тюремному сроку может быть предложена мужчинам в возрасте от 18 до 45 лет, совершившим преступление впервые, а срок службы в армии будет равен сроку их лишения свободы. Новая норма не будет распространяться на лиц, совершивших насильственные, тяжкие и особо тяжкие преступления.
По мнению Диденко, нововведение позволит более гуманно подходить к вопросу перевоспитания граждан, а также поможет решить вопрос с переполненностью колоний и тюрем.
В весеннюю кампанию в России на военную службу призвали более 150 тысяч человек. В феврале 2014 года министр обороны Сергей Шойгу пообещал, что к 2020 году военный призыв в России сократится вдвое. Такие планы он объяснил намерением к тому же сроку увеличить число контрактников в российской армии до 499,2 тысячи человек.
Россиянам, совершившим ненасильственные преступления небольшой и средней тяжести, будет предложено пойти в армию в качестве альтернативы уголовному наказанию. Как пишут"Известия", проект изменений в Уголовный кодекс и в Федеральный закон "О воинской обязанности и военной службе" готовит член комитета Госдумы по конституционному законодательству и государственному строительству, жириновец Алексей Диденко.
Проект подразумевает, что альтернатива тюремному сроку может быть предложена мужчинам в возрасте от 18 до 45 лет, совершившим преступление впервые, а срок службы в армии будет равен сроку их лишения свободы. Новая норма не будет распространяться на лиц, совершивших насильственные, тяжкие и особо тяжкие преступления.
По мнению Диденко, нововведение позволит более гуманно подходить к вопросу перевоспитания граждан, а также поможет решить вопрос с переполненностью колоний и тюрем.
В весеннюю кампанию в России на военную службу призвали более 150 тысяч человек. В феврале 2014 года министр обороны Сергей Шойгу пообещал, что к 2020 году военный призыв в России сократится вдвое. Такие планы он объяснил намерением к тому же сроку увеличить число контрактников в российской армии до 499,2 тысячи человек.
Krauthammer: Prez watches as Iran, Russia march - Boston Herald
Tehran Times
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Krauthammer: Prez watches as Iran, Russia march
Boston Herald
WASHINGTON — Guess who just popped up in the Kremlin? Bashar al-Assad, Syrian dictator and destroyer, now Vladimir Putin's newest pet. After four years holed up in Damascus, Assad was summoned to Russia to bend a knee to Putin, show the world ...
Krauthammer: Iran marches, Russia rules, Obama watchesThe Southern
Larijani calls Russian action in Syria timely, prudentTehran Times
Saudi says difficult to see role for Iran in Syria peacemaking | ReutersReuters
all 122 news articles »
Tehran Times |
Krauthammer: Prez watches as Iran, Russia march
Boston Herald WASHINGTON — Guess who just popped up in the Kremlin? Bashar al-Assad, Syrian dictator and destroyer, now Vladimir Putin's newest pet. After four years holed up in Damascus, Assad was summoned to Russia to bend a knee to Putin, show the world ... Krauthammer: Iran marches, Russia rules, Obama watchesThe Southern Larijani calls Russian action in Syria timely, prudentTehran Times Saudi says difficult to see role for Iran in Syria peacemaking | ReutersReuters all 122 news articles » |
Russia/Syria: Possibly Unlawful Russian Air Strikes - Human Rights Watch
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Russia/Syria: Possibly Unlawful Russian Air Strikes
Human Rights Watch
(New York) – At least two air strikes in northern Homs on October 15, 2015, that local residents believed to be Russian, apparently violated the laws of war. The air strikes killed a total of 59 civilians, residents said, including 33 children and a ...
and more »
Russia/Syria: Possibly Unlawful Russian Air Strikes
Human Rights Watch (New York) – At least two air strikes in northern Homs on October 15, 2015, that local residents believed to be Russian, apparently violated the laws of war. The air strikes killed a total of 59 civilians, residents said, including 33 children and a ... and more » |
Russia says wants Syria elections, ready to help Free Syrian Army - Reuters
Reuters
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Russia says wants Syria elections, ready to help Free Syrian Army
Reuters
In comments which mark a shift in Russia's position, he also said that Russia's airforce, which has been bombing Islamist militants in Syria since Sept. 30, would be ready to help Western-backed Free Syrian Army rebels, if it knew where they were.
New Russian military might on full display in SyriaWashington Post
US and Russia discuss prospect of talks between Syrian leaders and oppositionThe Guardian
Russia Ready to Cooperate With US Over Syria, Says LavrovWall Street Journal
Business Insider -Newsweek
all 789 news articles »
Reuters |
Russia says wants Syria elections, ready to help Free Syrian Army
Reuters In comments which mark a shift in Russia's position, he also said that Russia's airforce, which has been bombing Islamist militants in Syria since Sept. 30, would be ready to help Western-backed Free Syrian Army rebels, if it knew where they were. New Russian military might on full display in SyriaWashington Post US and Russia discuss prospect of talks between Syrian leaders and oppositionThe Guardian Russia Ready to Cooperate With US Over Syria, Says LavrovWall Street Journal Business Insider -Newsweek all 789 news articles » |
Russia Special Forces kill ISIS-linked militant in Dagestan - Al-Arabiya
Al-Arabiya
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Russia Special Forces kill ISIS-linked militant in Dagestan
Al-Arabiya
The Russian delegation's meeting with Assad in Damascus caps a week of intense diplomacy which also saw President Vladimir Putin host Assad at the Kremlin for a surprise summit on Tuesday, the Syrian leader's first known foreign trip since the outbreak ...
Russia says kills Islamic State-linked militant in DagestanReuters UK
all 17 news articles »
Al-Arabiya |
Russia Special Forces kill ISIS-linked militant in Dagestan
Al-Arabiya The Russian delegation's meeting with Assad in Damascus caps a week of intense diplomacy which also saw President Vladimir Putin host Assad at the Kremlin for a surprise summit on Tuesday, the Syrian leader's first known foreign trip since the outbreak ... Russia says kills Islamic State-linked militant in DagestanReuters UK all 17 news articles » |
Лукашенко назвал неправильным критику лауреатов Нобелевской премии своей страны - Интерфакс
Интерфакс
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Лукашенко назвал неправильным критику лауреатов Нобелевской премии своей страны
Интерфакс
Москва. 25 октября. INTERFAX.RU - Президент Белоруссии Александр Лукашенко подверг критике лауреатов Нобелевской премии, которые неблагоприятно отзываются о своей родине, передает пресс-служба белорусского лидера. "Скажу опять же о наших отдельных "творцах", ...
Лукашенко возмутила Алексиевич, которая вылила «ушаты грязи» на него, Белоруссию и ПутинаБлокнот Воронеж
Все похожие статьи: 45 »
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Интерфакс |
Лукашенко назвал неправильным критику лауреатов Нобелевской премии своей страны
Интерфакс Москва. 25 октября. INTERFAX.RU - Президент Белоруссии Александр Лукашенко подверг критике лауреатов Нобелевской премии, которые неблагоприятно отзываются о своей родине, передает пресс-служба белорусского лидера. "Скажу опять же о наших отдельных "творцах", ... Лукашенко возмутила Алексиевич, которая вылила «ушаты грязи» на него, Белоруссию и ПутинаБлокнот Воронеж Все похожие статьи: 45 » |
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Lessons in popularity from Russia's Putin - Deutsche Welle
Deutsche Welle
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Lessons in popularity from Russia's Putin
Deutsche Welle
According to a poll by Russia's government owned by publically funded VTsIOM research center, Putin's popularity is now almost 90 percent. Yes, you read that right - almost NINETY percent. "Vladimir Putin's approval rating has set a new record at 89.9 ...
Deutsche Welle |
Lessons in popularity from Russia's Putin
Deutsche Welle According to a poll by Russia's government owned by publically funded VTsIOM research center, Putin's popularity is now almost 90 percent. Yes, you read that right - almost NINETY percent. "Vladimir Putin's approval rating has set a new record at 89.9 ... |
Ватикан подтвердил запрет на однополые браки - Православие и мир
Православие и мир
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Ватикан подтвердил запрет на однополые браки
Православие и мир
Синод епископов Римско-католической церкви в субботу, 24 октября, в своем итоговом документе подтвердил запрет однополых браков. Как сообщает РИА Новости, в заключительном докладе, одобренном вчера в Ватикане, говорится также о «нулевой терпимости» к педофилии и о ...
Митрополит: Синод епископов - эффективный инструмент познания семьиРИА Новости
12:34 Ватикан запретил однополые браки. Теперь в Европе осталось только запретить ВатиканUra.ru
Римско-католическая церковь подтвердила запрет на однополые бракиРБК
Московский комсомолец -Коммерсантъ
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Православие и мир |
Ватикан подтвердил запрет на однополые браки
Православие и мир Синод епископов Римско-католической церкви в субботу, 24 октября, в своем итоговом документе подтвердил запрет однополых браков. Как сообщает РИА Новости, в заключительном докладе, одобренном вчера в Ватикане, говорится также о «нулевой терпимости» к педофилии и о ... Митрополит: Синод епископов - эффективный инструмент познания семьиРИА Новости 12:34 Ватикан запретил однополые браки. Теперь в Европе осталось только запретить ВатиканUra.ru Римско-католическая церковь подтвердила запрет на однополые бракиРБК Московский комсомолец -Коммерсантъ Все похожие статьи: 75 » |
Президент Сирии назвал Россию ключевым партнером - РИА Новости
РИА Новости
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Президент Сирии назвал Россию ключевым партнером
РИА Новости
Президент Сирии Башар Асад заявил, что Россия играет решающую политическую роль для сирийцев, сообщил депутат ГД от КПРФ Сергей Гаврилов по итогам встречи с президентом САР. Президент Сирии Башар Асад. Архивное фото. © РИА Новости. Алексей Дружинин | Купить ...
Асад заявил о готовности к досрочным выборамРоссийская Газета
Башар Асад: победа над террористами разрешит кризис в СирииКоммерсантъ
В Сирии прошла встреча российских парламентариев с президентом АсадомBBC Russian
Радио Свобода-Комсомольская правда-NEWSru.com
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РИА Новости |
Президент Сирии назвал Россию ключевым партнером
РИА Новости Президент Сирии Башар Асад заявил, что Россия играет решающую политическую роль для сирийцев, сообщил депутат ГД от КПРФ Сергей Гаврилов по итогам встречи с президентом САР. Президент Сирии Башар Асад. Архивное фото. © РИА Новости. Алексей Дружинин | Купить ... Асад заявил о готовности к досрочным выборамРоссийская Газета Башар Асад: победа над террористами разрешит кризис в СирииКоммерсантъ В Сирии прошла встреча российских парламентариев с президентом АсадомBBC Russian Радио Свобода-Комсомольская правда-NEWSru.com Все похожие статьи: 368 » |
Russia's Military Is A Lethal Threat To The US… Or Not? - ValueWalk
ValueWalk
![]()
Russia's Military Is A Lethal Threat To The US… Or Not?
ValueWalk
In particular, Russia experiences severe difficulties with its unprofessional and undertrained manpower and outdated military hardware. As for its manpower difficulties, Russia's problem lies in conscription. More than half of Russia's military ...
and more »
ValueWalk |
Russia's Military Is A Lethal Threat To The US… Or Not?
ValueWalk In particular, Russia experiences severe difficulties with its unprofessional and undertrained manpower and outdated military hardware. As for its manpower difficulties, Russia's problem lies in conscription. More than half of Russia's military ... and more » |
ФСБ задержала российское судно, капитан которого насильно удерживал экипаж - Коммерсантъ
Российская Газета
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ФСБ задержала российское судно, капитан которого насильно удерживал экипаж
Коммерсантъ
В исключительной экономической зоне Норвегии задержано российское рыболовное судно «Камчатка», сообщил глава мурманского следственного отдела на транспорте СКР Вячеслав Казин. «Пограничное управление ФСБ России по западному арктическому району выделило судно и ...
В Норвегии после погони задержали российское рыболовное судноРоссийская Газета
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РБК -Московский комсомолец -ИА REGNUM
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Российская Газета |
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Коммерсантъ В исключительной экономической зоне Норвегии задержано российское рыболовное судно «Камчатка», сообщил глава мурманского следственного отдела на транспорте СКР Вячеслав Казин. «Пограничное управление ФСБ России по западному арктическому району выделило судно и ... В Норвегии после погони задержали российское рыболовное судноРоссийская Газета В Норвегии задержали российское судно с насильно удерживаемым экипажемКомсомольская правда В Норвегии задержано российское судно с насильно удерживаемым экипажемГазета.Ru РБК -Московский комсомолец -ИА REGNUM Все похожие статьи: 57 » |
Syria's Assad 'Ready To Hold Elections'
A Russian lawmaker says Syria's President Bashar al-Assad is ready to hold parliamentary and presidential elections.
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A Russian lawmaker says Syria's President Bashar al-Assad is ready to hold parliamentary and presidential elections.
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A Baker’s Dozen of Neglected Russian Stories – No. 7by paul goble (noreply@blogger.com)
Paul Goble
Staunton, October 25 -- The flood of news stories from a country as large, diverse and often strange as the Russian Federation often appears to be is far too large for anyone to keep up with. But there needs to be a way to mark those which can’t be discussed in detail but which are too indicative of broader developments to ignore.
Consequently, Windows on Eurasia will present a selection of 13 of these other and typically neglected stories at the end of each week or as in this case at the beginning of the next. This is the seventh such weekly compilation. It is only suggestive and far from complete, but perhaps one or more of these stories will prove of broader interest.
1. Everything Putin Needs to Know, He Learned in Leningrad’s Mean Streets. Vladimir Putin says that when he was growing up, he learned in the streets of his native city, Leningrad, that “if a fight is inevitable, strike first.” Avoiding a fight altogether is something many others learn when they grow up, but not the Kremlin leader (echo.msk.ru/blog/day_video/1645224-echo/).
2. Another BRICS Out of the Wall. Putin didn’t get the support he expected from CIS countries on Syria and Ukraine; now, he isn’t getting it within the much-ballyhooed BRICS grouping of countries either: Brazil has denounced Russia for its actions in Syria (regnum.ru/news/polit/1996289.html).
3. Russia Anything But Welcoming to Refugees. Even as Russian officials give improving lectures to Europe about refugees, their own country has extended permanent refugee status to only 816 people (fergananews.com/articles/8741). Emblematic of Moscow’s real as opposed declared approach is the case of a Syrian family which has been living in Sheremetyevo Airport for a month (novayagazeta.ru/society/70384.html).
4. Russians Stop Naming Their Children ‘Crimea’ and Its Variants. At least since early Bolshevik times, Russians have named their children after what they see as significant leaders, events or even places. After Moscow illegally annexed Crimea, many Russians named their children “Crimea” or some variant thereof. Now, Moscow officials say, such names are going out of fashion (newizv.ru/lenta/2015-10-16/229076-samymi-populjarnymi-imenami-detej-moskvichej-ostajutsja-sofja-i-aleksandr.html).
5. Russia’s Special Services to Promote ‘Positive Values.’ Russia’s special services are being tasked to promote “positive values” among Russians perhaps using their soon-to-be-acquired right to use the torture of prisoners as one of their methods (rbc.ru/politics/22/10/2015/56276c8d9a79478028ed21a9)/
6. Do the Crime, Do the Time – in the Russian Army. Russian judges may soon have the option to send those convicted of crimes to serve their “sentences” as soldiers in the Russian military, a reflection of both the high cost of prisons and the shortages of young men in the draft pool (grani.ru/Society/Law/m.245158.html).
7. Another Step Back toward Soviet Times – FSB to Review Scholarly Papers Before Publication. In Soviet time, a special department in Russia’s higher educational institutions, one staffed by KGB officers, reviewed all academic papers prior to publication lest there be a leak of state secrets. Now, restoring that tradition, officers from the FSB will do the same (echo.msk.ru/news/1644162-echo.html).
8. Moscow Statue Sold for Scrap. In the 1990s, thieves regularly stole copper wires and sold them for scrap; now, they have a new target – unguarded monuments. In Moscow, thieves took a statue to a Soviet-era actor and sold it for scrap (meduza.io/news/2015/10/17/pamyatnik-evgeniyu-leonovu-nashli-raspilennym).
9. Dacha Chief Symbol of Private Property for Russians. A new study has concluded that for Russians, the dacha is the chief symbol of private property and continues to play a defining role in how Russians view the new phenomenon of private ownership (opec.ru/1883382.html).
10. Graduates from Regions Won’t Go Home Again. Students who leave their home regions for university study elsewhere are unlikely to return, a pattern that puts many regions in an ever more difficult position as far as development is concerned (newizv.ru/society/2015-10-20/229217-nevozvrashency.html).
11. Punishing Russians Who Vote Incorrectly. Those Russians who live in districts which cast a disproportionate share of their ballots for opposition figures are likely to suffer as a result, possibly seeing their parks and clubs closed by the victors (kasparov.ru/material.php?id=5620B7A216C12).
12. Special Caskets for Special Russians. Not content with living better in this life than their poorer compatriots, Russia’s super rich and those who aspire to be part of it are now ordering special caskets and cemetery monuments so that their wealth will in that sense at least live after them (echo.msk.ru/blog/varlamov_i/1642870-echo/).
13. In Nizhny Tagil, Putinstrasse Leads Past a Cemetery. In the Sverdlovsk oblast city of Nizhny Tagil, a new street has appeared – Putinstrasse – which leads from the railroad station past the local cemetery (echo.msk.ru/blog/echomsk/1645046-echo/).
Read the whole story
· · · ·
Paul Goble
Staunton, October 25 -- The flood of news stories from a country as large, diverse and often strange as the Russian Federation often appears to be is far too large for anyone to keep up with. But there needs to be a way to mark those which can’t be discussed in detail but which are too indicative of broader developments to ignore.
Consequently, Windows on Eurasia will present a selection of 13 of these other and typically neglected stories at the end of each week or as in this case at the beginning of the next. This is the seventh such weekly compilation. It is only suggestive and far from complete, but perhaps one or more of these stories will prove of broader interest.
1. Everything Putin Needs to Know, He Learned in Leningrad’s Mean Streets. Vladimir Putin says that when he was growing up, he learned in the streets of his native city, Leningrad, that “if a fight is inevitable, strike first.” Avoiding a fight altogether is something many others learn when they grow up, but not the Kremlin leader (echo.msk.ru/blog/day_video/1645224-echo/).
2. Another BRICS Out of the Wall. Putin didn’t get the support he expected from CIS countries on Syria and Ukraine; now, he isn’t getting it within the much-ballyhooed BRICS grouping of countries either: Brazil has denounced Russia for its actions in Syria (regnum.ru/news/polit/1996289.html).
3. Russia Anything But Welcoming to Refugees. Even as Russian officials give improving lectures to Europe about refugees, their own country has extended permanent refugee status to only 816 people (fergananews.com/articles/8741). Emblematic of Moscow’s real as opposed declared approach is the case of a Syrian family which has been living in Sheremetyevo Airport for a month (novayagazeta.ru/society/70384.html).
4. Russians Stop Naming Their Children ‘Crimea’ and Its Variants. At least since early Bolshevik times, Russians have named their children after what they see as significant leaders, events or even places. After Moscow illegally annexed Crimea, many Russians named their children “Crimea” or some variant thereof. Now, Moscow officials say, such names are going out of fashion (newizv.ru/lenta/2015-10-16/229076-samymi-populjarnymi-imenami-detej-moskvichej-ostajutsja-sofja-i-aleksandr.html).
5. Russia’s Special Services to Promote ‘Positive Values.’ Russia’s special services are being tasked to promote “positive values” among Russians perhaps using their soon-to-be-acquired right to use the torture of prisoners as one of their methods (rbc.ru/politics/22/10/2015/56276c8d9a79478028ed21a9)/
6. Do the Crime, Do the Time – in the Russian Army. Russian judges may soon have the option to send those convicted of crimes to serve their “sentences” as soldiers in the Russian military, a reflection of both the high cost of prisons and the shortages of young men in the draft pool (grani.ru/Society/Law/m.245158.html).
7. Another Step Back toward Soviet Times – FSB to Review Scholarly Papers Before Publication. In Soviet time, a special department in Russia’s higher educational institutions, one staffed by KGB officers, reviewed all academic papers prior to publication lest there be a leak of state secrets. Now, restoring that tradition, officers from the FSB will do the same (echo.msk.ru/news/1644162-echo.html).
8. Moscow Statue Sold for Scrap. In the 1990s, thieves regularly stole copper wires and sold them for scrap; now, they have a new target – unguarded monuments. In Moscow, thieves took a statue to a Soviet-era actor and sold it for scrap (meduza.io/news/2015/10/17/pamyatnik-evgeniyu-leonovu-nashli-raspilennym).
9. Dacha Chief Symbol of Private Property for Russians. A new study has concluded that for Russians, the dacha is the chief symbol of private property and continues to play a defining role in how Russians view the new phenomenon of private ownership (opec.ru/1883382.html).
10. Graduates from Regions Won’t Go Home Again. Students who leave their home regions for university study elsewhere are unlikely to return, a pattern that puts many regions in an ever more difficult position as far as development is concerned (newizv.ru/society/2015-10-20/229217-nevozvrashency.html).
11. Punishing Russians Who Vote Incorrectly. Those Russians who live in districts which cast a disproportionate share of their ballots for opposition figures are likely to suffer as a result, possibly seeing their parks and clubs closed by the victors (kasparov.ru/material.php?id=5620B7A216C12).
12. Special Caskets for Special Russians. Not content with living better in this life than their poorer compatriots, Russia’s super rich and those who aspire to be part of it are now ordering special caskets and cemetery monuments so that their wealth will in that sense at least live after them (echo.msk.ru/blog/varlamov_i/1642870-echo/).
13. In Nizhny Tagil, Putinstrasse Leads Past a Cemetery. In the Sverdlovsk oblast city of Nizhny Tagil, a new street has appeared – Putinstrasse – which leads from the railroad station past the local cemetery (echo.msk.ru/blog/echomsk/1645046-echo/).
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Assad: Ridding Syria of Terrorists Would Lead to Political Solution by webdesk@voanews.com (VOA News)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reiterated his focus on eliminating the threat of terrorists in his country, saying Sunday that would lead to the political solution that Syrians seek to the crisis they have endured for more than four and a half years. Assad met with a group of Russian lawmakers and other officials in Damascus, and the state-run SANA news agency said the president stressed that taking out terrorist groups would preserve Syria's sovereignty and its territorial integrity. One member of the Russian delegation, lawmaker Alexander Yushchenko, relayed that Assad said he was prepared to take part in a new presidential election, as well as holding a vote for parliament, if that is what the Syrian people want. In power Assad is serving his third term as president after he was elected for another seven years last year. That vote was held only in areas controlled by the government and was boycotted by the opposition. Assad won 89 percent of the vote. Since then, Islamic State militants seized large areas in eastern Syria, including the group's de facto capital in Raqqa. About 30 percent of the more than 240,000 people who have been killed in the Syrian conflict have died since the vote, while the United Nations registered another 1.3 million refugees who fled the country.More than 4 million have fled since the civil war began. Russian Foreign Minister said Saturday that Russia wanted Syria to prepare for elections and indicated that his government would take firm action, if necessary, to move that process forward. Speaking on Russian state television (Rossiya 1), Lavrov said the Kremlin was intensifying its drive “to convert its increased clout with Damascus into a political settlement.” He did not, however, give specific details about how there could be a transition from years of civil war in Syria to a political settlement. "External players cannot decide anything for the Syrians. We must force them to come up with a plan for their country where the interests of every religious, ethnic and political group will be well protected," Lavrov said. "They need to prepare for both parliamentary and presidential elections." He also criticized U.S. policy on Syria and denied Western charges that Russia's airstrikes in Syria have indiscriminately targeted anti-Assad rebels backed by the Western coalition as well as Islamic State extremists. 'Patriotic opposition' Lavrov said Russia's air force would be ready to help units of the "patriotic opposition" in Syria – specifically the Free Syrian Army, rebels supported by the United States – if it knew their whereabouts. He contended that the U.S. and its allies have refused to provide information about the rebel units' locations, or to "coordinate" their anti-terrorist campaign against Islamic State extremists with Russia's military. Reacting to Lavrov’s statement, Free Syrian Army rebel fighters said that Russia must stop bombing them, before talking about helping them. Western-backed Syrian rebels rejected Moscow’s idea of elections, which they suspect as a strategy for keeping Assad in power. Lavrov also spoke by telephone Saturday with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. A Russian Foreign Ministry statement said the diplomats exchanged views "on the need to utilize the potential of other countries in the region to advance the political process." The U.S. State Department added that Kerry and Lavrov discussed potential future multilateral meetings and their shared push for ways to "achieve a political transition." Kerry later met with Saudi King Salman for talks that included the need for Syria to "transition away from Assad" and a pledge by the United States and Saudi Arabia to support moderate opposition groups while pursuing a political resolution. Some material for this report came from AFP and Reuters.
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· · ·
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reiterated his focus on eliminating the threat of terrorists in his country, saying Sunday that would lead to the political solution that Syrians seek to the crisis they have endured for more than four and a half years. Assad met with a group of Russian lawmakers and other officials in Damascus, and the state-run SANA news agency said the president stressed that taking out terrorist groups would preserve Syria's sovereignty and its territorial integrity. One member of the Russian delegation, lawmaker Alexander Yushchenko, relayed that Assad said he was prepared to take part in a new presidential election, as well as holding a vote for parliament, if that is what the Syrian people want. In power Assad is serving his third term as president after he was elected for another seven years last year. That vote was held only in areas controlled by the government and was boycotted by the opposition. Assad won 89 percent of the vote. Since then, Islamic State militants seized large areas in eastern Syria, including the group's de facto capital in Raqqa. About 30 percent of the more than 240,000 people who have been killed in the Syrian conflict have died since the vote, while the United Nations registered another 1.3 million refugees who fled the country.More than 4 million have fled since the civil war began. Russian Foreign Minister said Saturday that Russia wanted Syria to prepare for elections and indicated that his government would take firm action, if necessary, to move that process forward. Speaking on Russian state television (Rossiya 1), Lavrov said the Kremlin was intensifying its drive “to convert its increased clout with Damascus into a political settlement.” He did not, however, give specific details about how there could be a transition from years of civil war in Syria to a political settlement. "External players cannot decide anything for the Syrians. We must force them to come up with a plan for their country where the interests of every religious, ethnic and political group will be well protected," Lavrov said. "They need to prepare for both parliamentary and presidential elections." He also criticized U.S. policy on Syria and denied Western charges that Russia's airstrikes in Syria have indiscriminately targeted anti-Assad rebels backed by the Western coalition as well as Islamic State extremists. 'Patriotic opposition' Lavrov said Russia's air force would be ready to help units of the "patriotic opposition" in Syria – specifically the Free Syrian Army, rebels supported by the United States – if it knew their whereabouts. He contended that the U.S. and its allies have refused to provide information about the rebel units' locations, or to "coordinate" their anti-terrorist campaign against Islamic State extremists with Russia's military. Reacting to Lavrov’s statement, Free Syrian Army rebel fighters said that Russia must stop bombing them, before talking about helping them. Western-backed Syrian rebels rejected Moscow’s idea of elections, which they suspect as a strategy for keeping Assad in power. Lavrov also spoke by telephone Saturday with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. A Russian Foreign Ministry statement said the diplomats exchanged views "on the need to utilize the potential of other countries in the region to advance the political process." The U.S. State Department added that Kerry and Lavrov discussed potential future multilateral meetings and their shared push for ways to "achieve a political transition." Kerry later met with Saudi King Salman for talks that included the need for Syria to "transition away from Assad" and a pledge by the United States and Saudi Arabia to support moderate opposition groups while pursuing a political resolution. Some material for this report came from AFP and Reuters.
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Suspect in Thai Royal Defamation Case Dies in Jailby webdesk@voanews.com (Reuters)
A policeman who was under investigation as part of a high profile royal insult probe has died in custody after he hanged himself in his cell, Thailand's justice minister on Sunday. Police Major Prakrom Warunprapa had been jailed by a court on Wednesday along with two other people as part of a probe into a group of people who allegedly falsely claimed ties to the monarchy for personal benefit. The other two people charged are Suriyan Sujaritpalawong, a well-known fortune teller, and his assistant, Jirawong Wattanathewasilp. Prakrom hanged himself in his cell on Friday and was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital, said Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya. "It would appear that the suspect hung himself. The jailed person was found dead in his cell and authorities tried to revive him," Paiboon told Reuters. "Right now we are doing the autopsy. Whatever the result we will have to accept it because this is a high profile case of huge public interest." Lese-majeste law Thailand has the world's harshest lese-majeste law, which makes it a crime to defame, insult or threaten the king, queen, and heir to the throne or regent. Under Article 112 of the criminal code, anyone convicted of insulting the monarchy faces up to 15 years in jail for each offence. The investigation comes at a time of heightened anxiety over the health of 87-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is convalescing at a Bangkok hospital after being treated by doctors for “water on the brain.” His frail health has added to the political uncertainty surrounding Thailand since a 2014 coup. Nervousness over the succession has formed the backdrop to a decade of political crisis in the country. The investigation also comes at a time when the military government is cracking down on perceived royal defamation. There have been numerous prosecutions since the coup. Critics of the law say it is often used to pursue opponents of the country's military and royalist elite.
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· ·
A policeman who was under investigation as part of a high profile royal insult probe has died in custody after he hanged himself in his cell, Thailand's justice minister on Sunday. Police Major Prakrom Warunprapa had been jailed by a court on Wednesday along with two other people as part of a probe into a group of people who allegedly falsely claimed ties to the monarchy for personal benefit. The other two people charged are Suriyan Sujaritpalawong, a well-known fortune teller, and his assistant, Jirawong Wattanathewasilp. Prakrom hanged himself in his cell on Friday and was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital, said Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya. "It would appear that the suspect hung himself. The jailed person was found dead in his cell and authorities tried to revive him," Paiboon told Reuters. "Right now we are doing the autopsy. Whatever the result we will have to accept it because this is a high profile case of huge public interest." Lese-majeste law Thailand has the world's harshest lese-majeste law, which makes it a crime to defame, insult or threaten the king, queen, and heir to the throne or regent. Under Article 112 of the criminal code, anyone convicted of insulting the monarchy faces up to 15 years in jail for each offence. The investigation comes at a time of heightened anxiety over the health of 87-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is convalescing at a Bangkok hospital after being treated by doctors for “water on the brain.” His frail health has added to the political uncertainty surrounding Thailand since a 2014 coup. Nervousness over the succession has formed the backdrop to a decade of political crisis in the country. The investigation also comes at a time when the military government is cracking down on perceived royal defamation. There have been numerous prosecutions since the coup. Critics of the law say it is often used to pursue opponents of the country's military and royalist elite.
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Russia back to fishing in troubled waters in Latin America, Costa Rica expert ... - The Tico Times
The Tico Times
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Russia back to fishing in troubled waters in Latin America, Costa Rica expert ...
The Tico Times
Speaking before House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere at a hearing convened to discuss Russia's engagement in the region, Urcuyo said that Russia has made inroads in the hemisphere by providing military assistance and material aid to such ...
The Tico Times |
Russia back to fishing in troubled waters in Latin America, Costa Rica expert ...
The Tico Times Speaking before House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere at a hearing convened to discuss Russia's engagement in the region, Urcuyo said that Russia has made inroads in the hemisphere by providing military assistance and material aid to such ... |
'Spy in a bag' case: Gareth Williams was blackmailed with 'staged photos in ... - The Independent
The Independent
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'Spy in a bag' case: Gareth Williams was blackmailed with 'staged photos in ...
The Independent
A former KGB major says he believes Gareth Williams was murdered by Russian hit men as the MI6 spy refused to become a double agent, even after they blackmailed him by taking compromising, staged photographs. The former major and intelligence ...
'Spy in bag' Gareth Williams was 'murdered by Russian hitmen after sexual ...Telegraph.co.uk
Former Russian major claims KGB was trying to recruit Gareth WilliamsDaily Mail
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The Independent |
'Spy in a bag' case: Gareth Williams was blackmailed with 'staged photos in ...
The Independent A former KGB major says he believes Gareth Williams was murdered by Russian hit men as the MI6 spy refused to become a double agent, even after they blackmailed him by taking compromising, staged photographs. The former major and intelligence ... 'Spy in bag' Gareth Williams was 'murdered by Russian hitmen after sexual ...Telegraph.co.uk Former Russian major claims KGB was trying to recruit Gareth WilliamsDaily Mail all 3 news articles » |
Anticipating an Increased U.S. Ground Combat Role against ISIL Based on "Self-Defense" by Robert Chesney
What, precisely, is the role of U.S. ground forces in the conflict with ISIL? In a post earlier this week, I described how the "train and assist" mission permits the presence of U.S. personnel on site when allies go into combat, and how this in turn can lead to direct involvement in those fights. Yesterday, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter provided more insight on this point during a press conference:
Q: You just said that you expect there'll be more raids like this in the future. So, could you please explain how more raids fits with no combat troops?
SEC. CARTER: Well, I say we'll...do more raids. Remember...the raid that took down Abu Sayyaf, we have this capability. It is a great American strength. It doesn't represent us assuming a combat role. It represents a continuation of our advise and assist mission. And I said right from the beginning, David, and we mean this -- when we find opportunities to do things that will effectively prosecute the campaign, we're going to do that. And this is an example of a case where we could do something we alone had the capability to do, and I'm absolutely prepared to do that. So raids...is one of those categories. And I suspect that we'll have further opportunities in the future, and we would want to avail ourselves of them. Jim?
Q: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Can you clarify the rules of engagement then? Because it's...my understanding that the special operations commander on the ground made a decision, when the Kurdish partners came under overwhelming fire, to come to their defense. Entered a...walled compound in the middle of the fire fight. They can do it in self-defense, they can do it when their partners come under fire, as well? If so, how is that not combat? I just wonder if you think the president, the administration's being misleading when he says that U.S. forces are not in combat.
SEC. CARTER: ...[L]et me tell you...what happened in this particular event. ... But everything I know about this incident was that as the compound was being stormed, the plan was not for the U.S. advise and assist and accompanying forces to enter the compound or be involved in the fire fight. However, when a fire fight ensued, this American did what I'm very proud that Americans do in that situation. He ran to the sound of the guns, and he stood up, and...all the indications are it was his actions and that of one of his teammates that protected those who were involved in breaching the compound and made the...the mission successful. So that was an inherent risk that we ask people to assume. Again, it wasn't part of the plan, but it was something that he did. And I'm immensely proud that he did that.
[O]bviously we're very saddened that he...lost his life. But -- you know, nobody should be in any illusions, Jim, that Americans are (sic: not) at risk. Americans are flying combat missions, thousands of combat missions, over Syria and Iraqi territory. There are Americans involved in training and advising Iraqi security forces around the country. We do not have combat formations there the way we had once upon a time in Iraq, or the way we have had in years past in Afghanistan. But we do have people who are in harm's way, and who evidently have shown a willingness to put themselves in harm's way in order to have mission success. And I think that's very commendable.
...Q: Follow up.... Because the administration has taken great pains, the president in various permutations, to say it's not ground combat, it's not a major combat role. I mean, just as you said, it's not the same size as it was during, certainly, the Iraq invasion and occupation. But if you're saying there are going to be more missions like this and if commanders will be commended for making decisions to go into the breach, right, and go into the battle --
SEC. CARTER: They will be -- then they will be in harm's way. There's no question about it. And I don't want anybody to be under any illusions about that.
A Wall Street Journal piece added this characterization, apparently based on statements from unidentified officials (the italics in the last sentence are mine):
U.S. forces are allowed to defend themselves and to shoot when Iraqi forces come under fire. U.S. officials say this provision has long existed, but didn't come into play until this week's raid.
"We can fire in support of our coalition partners," said one military official.
This provision will become critical as Mr. Carter authorizes more such operations in coming weeks and months, U.S. officials said.
It seems, then, that the status quo with respect to the U.S. ground role is as follows:
(1) U.S. ground forces do have something akin to a direct ground combat role in the specific sense that they are permitted to use force (under the veil of self-defense of themselves or of their coalition partners once they come under fire) when present on-site to "assist" Kurdish or Iraqi allies in a combat engagement;
(2) U.S. ground forces also have a direct ground combat role in the sense that they may carry out solo raids from time to time (as in the Abu Sayyaf example); and
(3) U.S. ground forces do not have a ground combat role otherwise (and in particular, we do not have "combat formations" engaging in more-conventional or persistent operations).
The issue to watch going forward, then, is whether we will see an increased operational tempo of raids that emphasize Kurdish (or Iraqi) personnel but also feature not just U.S. air support but also U.S. personnel directly engaged in the fighting under color of the self-defense rationale. If so, will the AUMF issue regains momentum? I doubt that it will, at least so long as the increased U.S. ground combat role grows slowly.
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What, precisely, is the role of U.S. ground forces in the conflict with ISIL? In a post earlier this week, I described how the "train and assist" mission permits the presence of U.S. personnel on site when allies go into combat, and how this in turn can lead to direct involvement in those fights. Yesterday, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter provided more insight on this point during a press conference:
Q: You just said that you expect there'll be more raids like this in the future. So, could you please explain how more raids fits with no combat troops?SEC. CARTER: Well, I say we'll...do more raids. Remember...the raid that took down Abu Sayyaf, we have this capability. It is a great American strength. It doesn't represent us assuming a combat role. It represents a continuation of our advise and assist mission. And I said right from the beginning, David, and we mean this -- when we find opportunities to do things that will effectively prosecute the campaign, we're going to do that. And this is an example of a case where we could do something we alone had the capability to do, and I'm absolutely prepared to do that. So raids...is one of those categories. And I suspect that we'll have further opportunities in the future, and we would want to avail ourselves of them. Jim?Q: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Can you clarify the rules of engagement then? Because it's...my understanding that the special operations commander on the ground made a decision, when the Kurdish partners came under overwhelming fire, to come to their defense. Entered a...walled compound in the middle of the fire fight. They can do it in self-defense, they can do it when their partners come under fire, as well? If so, how is that not combat? I just wonder if you think the president, the administration's being misleading when he says that U.S. forces are not in combat.SEC. CARTER: ...[L]et me tell you...what happened in this particular event. ... But everything I know about this incident was that as the compound was being stormed, the plan was not for the U.S. advise and assist and accompanying forces to enter the compound or be involved in the fire fight. However, when a fire fight ensued, this American did what I'm very proud that Americans do in that situation. He ran to the sound of the guns, and he stood up, and...all the indications are it was his actions and that of one of his teammates that protected those who were involved in breaching the compound and made the...the mission successful. So that was an inherent risk that we ask people to assume. Again, it wasn't part of the plan, but it was something that he did. And I'm immensely proud that he did that.[O]bviously we're very saddened that he...lost his life. But -- you know, nobody should be in any illusions, Jim, that Americans are (sic: not) at risk. Americans are flying combat missions, thousands of combat missions, over Syria and Iraqi territory. There are Americans involved in training and advising Iraqi security forces around the country. We do not have combat formations there the way we had once upon a time in Iraq, or the way we have had in years past in Afghanistan. But we do have people who are in harm's way, and who evidently have shown a willingness to put themselves in harm's way in order to have mission success. And I think that's very commendable....Q: Follow up.... Because the administration has taken great pains, the president in various permutations, to say it's not ground combat, it's not a major combat role. I mean, just as you said, it's not the same size as it was during, certainly, the Iraq invasion and occupation. But if you're saying there are going to be more missions like this and if commanders will be commended for making decisions to go into the breach, right, and go into the battle --SEC. CARTER: They will be -- then they will be in harm's way. There's no question about it. And I don't want anybody to be under any illusions about that.
A Wall Street Journal piece added this characterization, apparently based on statements from unidentified officials (the italics in the last sentence are mine):
U.S. forces are allowed to defend themselves and to shoot when Iraqi forces come under fire. U.S. officials say this provision has long existed, but didn't come into play until this week's raid."We can fire in support of our coalition partners," said one military official.This provision will become critical as Mr. Carter authorizes more such operations in coming weeks and months, U.S. officials said.
It seems, then, that the status quo with respect to the U.S. ground role is as follows:
(1) U.S. ground forces do have something akin to a direct ground combat role in the specific sense that they are permitted to use force (under the veil of self-defense of themselves or of their coalition partners once they come under fire) when present on-site to "assist" Kurdish or Iraqi allies in a combat engagement;
(2) U.S. ground forces also have a direct ground combat role in the sense that they may carry out solo raids from time to time (as in the Abu Sayyaf example); and
(3) U.S. ground forces do not have a ground combat role otherwise (and in particular, we do not have "combat formations" engaging in more-conventional or persistent operations).
The issue to watch going forward, then, is whether we will see an increased operational tempo of raids that emphasize Kurdish (or Iraqi) personnel but also feature not just U.S. air support but also U.S. personnel directly engaged in the fighting under color of the self-defense rationale. If so, will the AUMF issue regains momentum? I doubt that it will, at least so long as the increased U.S. ground combat role grows slowly.
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Identifying victims of French bus crash to take weeks
PUISSEGUIN, France (Reuters) - French investigators at the scene of a crash involving a truck and a coach carrying elderly day-trippers that killed at least 43 people said on Saturday that identifying the victims of France's worst road accident in decades could take weeks.
PUISSEGUIN, France (Reuters) - French investigators at the scene of a crash involving a truck and a coach carrying elderly day-trippers that killed at least 43 people said on Saturday that identifying the victims of France's worst road accident in decades could take weeks.
Russia strikes Daesh positions across Syria to contain terrorists
The Russian precise airstrikes on Daesh (ISIL) positions in Syria are conducted simultaneously in various regions of Syria in order to contain terrorists, a senior Russian defense ministry official announced.
The Russian precise airstrikes on Daesh (ISIL) positions in Syria are conducted simultaneously in various regions of Syria in order to contain terrorists, a senior Russian defense ministry official announced.
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