(2020-05-21). Podcast: Aaron Mate Debunks RussiaGate and Discusses How Liberals Came to Love Bush-Era Neocons. mintpressnews.com Investigative journalist Aaron Mate unpacks four years of Russiagate propaganda and how it was the gift that kept on giving for both the Trump administration and the Democratic Party.
(2020-05-21). Foreign Correspondent: Michael Flynn's Forgotten Turkish Connection. progressive.org Before Russiagate, the former national security advisor was an operative for Turkey, tilting foreign policy against the Kurds.
(2020-05-21). Media "tragically vindicated" Trump by overhyping Russiagate. zcomm.org "We were all so much more fascinated by this superficial, melodramatic espionage thriller that has completely destroyed the credibility of the U.S. media."
(2020-05-21). Ukraine's Port Odessa Welcomes First U.S. Crude Oil Cargo. Undermines Russia's Oil and Gas. globalresearch.ca The Ukrainian port Odessa on the Black Sea will receive its first-ever crude oil cargo of WTI Crude from the United States, after the U.S. shipped its first oil to Ukraine just last year as it looks to wean off …
(2020-05-21). Blaming Russia, China, Iran — to profit from Covid-19 vaccine. truepublica.org.uk By Craig Murray: On 5 May, the British security services released to their pet media the claim that Russia, China and Iran were attempting to hack into British research institutes conducting coronavirus research. The BBC reported it. Britain's shameful copy and paste media all, without exception, just copy and pasted the government press release. …
(2020-05-21). A Machiavellian US in the Middle East. counterpunch.org The war in Syria has dropped out of the news, like almost everything else, in a time when the Coronavirus seems to dominate all discourse and reporting. But the regime of Bashar al-Assad continues to strangle its own country. The Russians continue to bomb on his behalf, terrifying civilians and hospitals. The Americans work semi-clandestinely
(2020-05-21). COVID-19 Hits Hard, but Challenges BRICS. globalresearch.ca By and large, the coronavirus pandemic has taken a huge toll on Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) since it was declared late January by the World Health Organization (WHO). It allegedly originated (yet to be proved) from …
(2020-05-21). US prepares anti-Russian war games amid COVID-19 pandemic. wsws.org In a little over two weeks, 6,000 US and Polish troops will simulate ground and airborne attacks about 35 miles from the Russian territory of Kaliningrad.
(2020-05-20). New NYPD press officer co-wrote The Intercept Russiagate story that landed source in prison. thegrayzone.com The Intercept published a story that landed Reality Winner in prison, burning its third source. That article was co-authored by…
(2020-05-20). How Russia is Botching Its Relationship With Syria. counterpunch.org 
What complicates Russia's relationship with Syria, which has sometimes been referred to as a Russian client state, is that two strong-willed, highly self-opinionated leaders are also involved here—Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of Syria Bashar al-Assad. Both enjoy unshakeable clan support and can hold their ground. Assad is by no means a Russian protege, and the interests of the two countries do not always overlap, either.
(2020-05-20). How Russia is botching its alliance with Syria. mronline.org 
Russia's relationships with its client states have never been easy. Of course, managing client states is always a complicated exercise. The Kremlin's cupboard is full of skeletons—Hungary (1956), Czechoslovakia (1968), Cuba (1962), Afghanistan (1980), Ukraine (2014) and so on.
(2020-05-20). The US' "Medical Terrorism" Against Syria Threatens to Make World War C Much Deadlier. globalresearch.ca The Syrian Ambassador to Russia slammed the US' sanctions against his country as a form of medical terrorism that prevents it from importing much-needed "medicines, and medical goods, and other means to combat [COVID-19]", which strongly suggests that America wants …
(2020-05-20). Space Force's blabbermouth-in-chief. nationofchange.org The odds are our commander-in-chief has just given a case of the jitters to the entire defensive—and offensive—apparatus of the nuclear world.
(2020-05-21). Trump Condemned for Ditching Treaty That Has 'Helped Prevent Nuclear War for Nearly Three Decades'. commondreams.org In a move that alarmed nuclear experts, anti-war activists, and policymakers around the world, the U.S. government notified international partners on Thursday that President Donald Trump is withdrawing the country from the Treaty on Open Skies over alleged Russian violations. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-11862935441.jpg …
(2020-05-20). How the British Empire Created and Killed George Orwell. strategic-culture.org The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), happily amplified by the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) in the United States which carries its World News, continues to pump out its regular dreck about the alleged economic chaos in Russia and the imagined miserable state of the Russian people. | It is all lies of course. But amid all their countless fiascoes and failures in every ot…
(2020-05-21). Civil war among 'Russia disinformation' crowd: How RT watchers fell out over not hating RT enough. rt.com 
Though awash with cash, the Western 'Russian disinformation' racket is at the mercy of the political winds. Thus, its gatekeepers need to ensure the officials who manage the money tree don't realise the emperor has no clothes. | You may remember a report last month from British academics revealing how "
(2020-05-21). Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov hospitalised in Moscow with suspected coronavirus – reports. rt.com 
The head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov is reportedly under medical supervision because of suspected Covid-19. Moscow news agency Interfax broke the news on Thursday afternoon, citing a source in health care circles. | Rumours of his evacuation to the Russian capital by private jet had been circulating on anonymous social media channels earlier in the day, and were picked up by several popular news outlets. "Kadyrov is suspected of having coronavirus, he is under the supervision of doctors," Interfax quoted its source as saying. | The news agency emphasised that it does not have official confirmation.
(2020-05-21). US 'KILLS' Russian draft seeking UNSC support for Venezuela amid sanctions & suspected coup attempt. rt.com 
The US has rejected a draft statement condemning terrorism and voicing support for Venezuela's sovereignty at the UN Security Council. The Russian-sponsored draft did not assign blame for the botched incursion. | The short statement was watered down to sound "politically neutral" in hopes it would not face any opposition from the UNSC members, the Russian mission to the United Nations said. | However, despite the text not even mentioning the recent boat incursion that led to the capture of two former US Green Berets, Washington did not give the document any chance, "killing" it "within 9 minutes" from the star…
(2020-05-21). EU court rejects Nord Stream 2's complaint, insists it must share Russian gas pipeline to Europe with competitors. rt.com 
The operator of Nord Stream 2 plans to challenge a ruling by the European Court of Justice that could see Russia's Gazprom losing partial control of the massive gas pipeline project it spent years and billions to develop. | The companies operating the gas links between Russia and Germany, Nord Stream AG and Nord Stream 2 AG, filed the complaint in November last year, seeking a partial annulment of the amendment to European gas transportation rules, known as the EU Gas Directive. | The legislature requires that the rules governing the European gas market must apply to all pipelines to and from third countries,…
(2020-05-21). Top Russian, Turkish diplomats support Libya ceasefire, discuss Syria in phone call. rt.com 
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu backed an immediate ceasefire in Libya during a phone call, Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. | The two diplomats also supported the resumption of the United Nations political process in the North African country, it said. | Lavrov and Cavusoglu spoke a day after the Libyan National Army of eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar said it had pulled back from some Tripoli frontlines amid its year-long offensive aimed at seizing the capital, Reuters reports. | The ministers also discussed Syria and conf…
(2020-05-21). Number of Covid-19 cases surpasses 5 million worldwide — Johns Hopkins University. rt.com 
The number of people worldwide who have tested positive for coronavirus has passed 5 million, according to a tally maintained by Johns Hopkins University. Globally, there have been over 328,000 Covid-19 related deaths. | The widely-cited dashboard said that confirmed cases reached 5,000,038 on Thursday. | Although believed to have started in Wuhan, China, the virus spread westward, with the United States becoming the new epicenter of the health crisis. With more than 1.5 million infections, the US currently has the highest number of confirmed cases. | Russia has the second-highest number of cases, at over 308,…
(2020-05-21). Prison for buying bitcoin? Proposed law could see Russians serving time for using cryptocurrencies. rt.com 
Politicians in Russia have suggested punishment of up to 2 million rubles and seven years in jail for the illegal use of digital assets and currencies. Some say the proposed law amounts to a total ban on cryptocurrencies. | Members of the State Duma, Russia's parliament, are in the process of creating legislation that would introduce criminal liability for using digital financial assets and currencies. | Under the new law, Russians could be penalized for any use of cryptocurrency, from full-blown operations like owning an exchange or mining farm, to smaller transactions, such as buying bitcoin with a Russian b…
(2020-05-21). Russia's newest radar can track 1,000+ fast-moving & HYPERSONIC weapons, and is now available to foreign buyers. rt.com 
Russia once claimed gold in the race for hypersonic dominance after rolling out a range of ultra-fast projectiles. Now it's offering unique radar protecting against weapons of the same kind — even if they come in huge numbers. | Having unbeatable offensive weapons — for example hypersonic missiles — could be a game-changer in the age of modern, fast-paced warfare. But it's equally crucial to have something that shields you from those designed or deployed by an adversary. | And Russia's newest radar station is able to fit the bill, Rosoboronexport, the government agency in charge of arms trade,…
(2020-05-21). Trump says US will withdraw from Open Skies Treaty, blames Russia. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has notified allies he will withdraw from one of the few remaining arms control mechanisms — the Open Skies Treaty — this week, citing alleged Russian 'violations' of the pact. | "Russia did not adhere to the treaty," Trump told reporters on his way to Michigan on Thursday afternoon. He added that the US could return to the treaty, or negotiate a new one with Moscow, without elaborating. | The Open Skies Treaty, which has been in force since 2002, allows for unarmed aerial surveillance flights to be conducted over the territories of its participants. American personnel are…
(2020-05-21). US donates 50 ventilators to Moscow's Pirogov Center. rt.com 
US Ambassador John Sullivan handed 50 ventilators to Moscow's Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center on Thursday. The $5.6 million humanitarian aid donation will eventually include a total of 200 US-produced ventilators to save lives in Russia, the envoy said, adding that the two countries are facing a common threat. | The United States is donating 100 percent of the cost, delivery, and startup supplies for the ventilators being delivered. "The US and Russia have helped each other in times of crisis in the past and will no doubt do so again in the future," Sullivan said. | The remaining 150 ventilators w…
(2020-05-21). Trump to withdraw US from Open Skies Treaty, will inform Russia on Friday — report. rt.com Donald Trump is set to withdraw the United States from one of the few remaining arms control mechanisms — the Open Skies Treaty — this week, senior administration officials have said, according to the New York Times. | The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that Moscow had not yet received any official notification from Washington. | The Open Skies Treaty, which has been in force since 2002, allows for unarmed aerial surveillance flights to be conducted over the territories of its participants. American personnel are on board the Russian flights over the US, while Russian personnel are…
(2020-05-21). Dutch emergency services battle fire at abandoned NUCLEAR PLANT, urge residents to lock windows and doors (VIDEOS). rt.com 
Dozens of firefighters have been deployed to tackle a blaze at a disused nuclear facility in Dodewaard in the Netherlands. Police have asked the public to stay away and lock all doors and windows to avoid exposure to the fumes. | The fire broke out shortly before noon local time on Thursday in Dodewaard, which is roughly 100 km from Amsterdam. Eyewitness video from the scene shows fire crews battling the blaze on the roof. | De brandweer is met veel menskracht aanwezig in
(2020-05-20). Iran, Russia discuss regional issues, bilateral coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 20 (MNA) — Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali held a telephone conversation with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Andrey Rudenko on Wed. on the regional issues and matters of mutual concerns.
(2020-05-20). Zionist regime is a global problem: Foreign Minister Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, May 20 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the Zionist regime is a global problem that threatens the world with its nuclear bombs and Weapons of Mass Destruction [WMDs].
(2020-05-21). Russia Ready to Sell Abroad New Radar Locator Detecting Hypersonic Targets – Defense Exports Agency. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia's state intermediary agency for defence exports, Rosoboronexport (part of Rostec Corporation), said on Thursday it was ready to sell abroad a new radar locator, capable of detecting hypersonic targets.
(2020-05-19). Left Gatekeepers Through the New Left: Monitored Rebellion. dissidentvoice.org 
The Cultural Cold War: The CIA and the World of Arts and Letters by Frances Stonor Saunders Cultural containment meant "ring around the pinkos" Leftist Patron Saints What do the following people have in common: Noam Chomsky, Cornel West, Naomi Klein, Robert Reich, Michael Albert, Howard Zinn, Amy Goodman, Medea Benjamin, Norman Solomon, Chris Hedges, …
(2020-05-19). Tomorrow's Arctic: Theatre of War or Cooperation? The Real Story Behind the Alaska Purchase. strategic-culture.org 
Today, the Arctic has increasingly become identified as a domain of great prosperity and cooperation amongst world civilizations on the one side and a domain of confrontation and war on the other. | In 2007, the Russian government
(2020-05-19). COMEY urged probe into Flynn by misrepresenting Russian contacts, declassified memo shows. rt.com 
Ex-FBI director James Comey pushed to investigate Trump's incoming national security adviser Michael Flynn despite lacking any evidence Flynn had shared classified info with Russian officials, a newly-declassified memo reveals. | It was Comey who told President Barack Obama and other administration officials that "incoming NSA Flynn is speaking frequently with Russian Ambassador Kislyak" in a meeting documented in the January 2017 memo by National Security Advisor Susan Rice, the unredacted first page of which was obtained by CBS on Tuesday. | The FBI director admits he "has no indication thus far that Flynn h…
(2020-05-19). The Soviet Victory over Nazism 75 Years Ago and Covid-19. dissidentvoice.org How could the Great Patriotic War in which the Soviet people (including many members of my own family) lost at least 25 million lives, have anything in common with the latest outbreak of the novel coronavirus? You think this is an absolutely insane question? However, before you dismiss it, think twice. There are similarities how …
(2020-05-19). Turn Out the Lights, Russiagate Is Over. strategic-culture.org The possibility that Trump will not chicken out this time, and rather will challenge the Security State looms large since he felt personally under attack. | Ray McGOVERN | Seldom mentioned among the motives behind the persistent drumming on alleged Russian interference was an over-arching need to help the Security State hide their tracks. | The need for a scapegoat to blame for Hillary Clinton's snatching defeat out of the jaws victory also played a role; as did the need for the Military-Industrial-Congressional-Intelligence-Media-Academia-Think-Tank complex (MICIMATT) to keep front and center in the minds of Ame…
