(2020-08-18). U.S., fascists set scopes on socialist-leaning Belarus. workers.org 
Chinese President Xi Jingping and Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on his reelection Aug. 9. USSR-era socialist art in Minsk, Belarus, in February 2019. U.S. imperialism and the Western bourgeois media, however, wasted no time in denouncing Lukashenko's victory as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo used . . . |
(2020-08-18). Merkel, Putin discuss Belarus over phone. yenisafak.com German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the recent political crisis in Belarus over the phone, her spokesman said on Tuesday.Steffen Seibert said in a press release that the two leaders discussed the latest situation in Belarus after the presidential elections held in Aug. 9."The chancellor has emphasized that the Belarusian government must refrain from using violence against peaceful demonstrators, release political prisoners immediately and initiate a national dialogue with the opposition and society in order to overcome the crisis," he said.In a separate statement, the Kr…
(2020-08-18). UN sends 20 truckloads of aid to Syria's Idlib. yenisafak.com The trucks carrying supplies entered Idlib province through the Cilvegozu border gate in Turkey's south.The aid will be distributed among residents of Idlib, and nearby rural areas.Syria has been ravaged by civil war since early 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protesters.Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced, according to UN estimates.Idlib falls within a de-escalation zone forged under an agreement between Turkey and Russia.The area has been the subject of multiple cease-fire understandings, which have frequently been violated by the Assad re…
(2020-08-18). The Factory Joins the Square: Putin's Nightmare Unfolds in Belarus. thenation.com The Factory Joins the Square: Putin's Nightmare Unfolds in Belarus…
(2020-08-17). Russian-Belarusian Relations: Back to Being Brothers? Crimea 2.0 Is Unlikely. globalresearch.ca Several recent developments in Russian-Belarusian relations — in particular, Belarus' return of 32 suspected Wagner mercenaries to Russia, Belarusian opposition leader Tsepkalo's departure from Russia, and the two phone calls between Presidents Putin and Lukashenko — hint that bilateral ties …
(2020-08-17). Venezuela: President Maduro Volunteers To Test Russian Vaccine. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro Sunday announced he'll be the first to get vaccinated when the Russian COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, arrives in the country. | RELATED: | He recalled that Russia was the first country in the world to vaccinate its population and volunteered to test the Sputnik V. | "There will be a time when we all get vaccinated and the first to be vaccinated will be me. I'm going to get the vaccine, I…
(2020-08-17). Russia officially produces first batch of COVID-19 vaccine. mronline.org 
"Russia's health workers and teachers will be the first ones to receive the vaccine in the country," Russia's Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said.
(2020-08-17). Lukashenko's offer to change Belarus' constitution likely an attempt to buy time as opposition lacks mechanism to remove him. rt.com 
If Belarus' opposition succeeds in removing Alexander Lukashenko from the presidency, the big question is what happens next? The country lacks institutions for managing the transfer of power, working to the president's advantage. | As protests continued in Belarus on Monday demanding the resignation of Lukashenko, the country's embattled ruler blew hot and cold about his intentions. Speaking to workers at the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MZKT), Lukashenko struck a defiant tone. "We have held the election. There will be no other elections unless you kill me," he declared. | Following this, however, Lukashenko str…
(2020-08-17). Europe still dealing with initial stage of Covid-19 pandemic, real 'second wave' likely to arrive in fall — leading Russian expert. rt.com 
A top Russian expert in virus control says Europe is experiencing the continuation of the initial stage of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the current increase in infections is not a sign of a "second wave" as many experts speculate. | Worryingly, Nikolai Malyshev, the chief infectious diseases specialist in the Moscow Health Ministry, believes there will be a new outbreak, but it will come in the fall, as the daylight hours become fewer and the weather gets colder. | "The rise in respiratory infections, as you and I know, [occurs] yearly at the end of autumn and the beginning of winter," Malyshev explained at a pr…
(2020-08-17). Moscow says increased US military presence in Poland worsens security situation in Europe, warns NATO trying to 'distort reality'. rt.com 
The US increasing its military presence in Poland aggravates the situation near Russia's western borders and facilitates the escalation of tensions, while claims from NATO that the expansion isn't significant aren't credible. | That's according to a statement posted on Monday by the Russian Foreign Ministry which dismisses the NATO argument "as an attempt to distort reality." | "We would like to point out once again that increasing the US military presence in Poland does not solve any security issues, on the contrary, it aggravates the difficult situation near Russia's western borders, facilitating an escalati…
(2020-08-17). US intelligence agencies have another bounty case in Afghanistan, alleging Iran paid the Taliban to attack American forces. rt.com 
It turns out Russia isn't the only country that US intelligence agencies are anonymously accusing of paying bounties to Taliban fighters to attack US troops in Afghanistan. Another bogeyman, Iran, is allegedly to blame this time. | A foreign government
(2020-08-17). Another Russian Covid-19 vaccine on the way? Siberian lab begins 2nd phase of trials just days after registration of Sputnik V. rt.com 
A mere week after Russia registered the world's first coronavirus vaccine, the 'Vector' virology center in Novosibirsk has announced that an entirely different Covid-19 solution is entering the second stage of clinical trials. | As with the US, Russia is not putting all its eggs in one basket when it comes to a potential fix for coronavirus. Anna Popova, the head of the national health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, announced on Monday that volunteers were injected with Vector's experimental vaccine on August 12. Five days later, on August 17, a second group received the shot. | "Clinical trials are being carried o…
(2020-08-17). Ukraine recalls Belarus envoy for consultations 'for first time ever', but it's not about protests. rt.com 
Kiev has recalled its ambassador from Minsk for consultations, for the "first time in history." However, the move appears to be more about Belarus' refusal to hand suspected Russian mercenaries over to Ukraine than the protests. | Ukraine has joined the chorus of Western nations refusing to recognize the results of last week's elections in Belarus, which officially handed a landslide victory to Alexander Lukashenko for his sixth term in office. "Belarussian-Ukraine relations" have been "fundamentally changed" by the developments in Belarus, in which "society has expressed a vote of no confidence in the officia…
(2020-08-17). The Russian Interference Report, Without Laughing. strategic-culture.org 
Craig MURRAY | Now the madding crowd has moved on, I take a mature look at the report by the It calls expressly and repeatedly for the security services to be actively involved in "policing the democratic space" and castigates the security services for their unwillingness to interfere in democratic process. It calls for t…
(2020-08-17). Belarus Kicks Off Large-scale Military Drills Near Poland, Lithuania. globalresearch.ca On August 16, the Belarusian Armed Forces announced large-scale military drills near the country's nuclear plant and in the Grodno region bordering Poland and Lithuania. The drills will take place on August 17-20 and involve rocket and artillery units, air-defense …
(2020-08-17). US Snapback From Humiliation. thealtworld.com American President Donald Trump has darkly warned of something big this week, vowing to apply "snapback" international sanctions on Iran. It would be a drastic move and likely to further isolate Washington in the eyes of the world. | But the real snapback is Washington's fury after the United States was subjected to a humiliating diplomatic defeat at the UN security council last week. | A proposal by the US for the United Nations to extend an arms embargo on Iran was decisively rejected by the security council comprised of five permanent members and 11 non-permanent members. Russia and China voted against the…
(2020-08-17). Rival Belorussian protests take place in Minsk as EU ponders new sanctions. peoplesworld.org …
(2020-08-17). Triggering Snapback Mechanism to create more problems for US. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) — Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov criticized the White House for claiming to trigger the Snapback Mechanism.
(2020-08-17). Trump's War On Arms Control And Disarmament. popularresistance.org Trump's hostile and counterproductive acts have undermined the arms control regime that U.S. presidents have developed over the past seven decades. Every president from Eisenhower to Obama contributed to improving the verification and monitoring of strategic arms; reducing the numbers of strategic weapons; eliminating intermediate-range missiles, and/or trying to avoid accidental confrontation. During the presidential campaign in 2016, ten former nuclear control officers anticipated the worst and organized a letter stating that, if elected, Trump should not be given the nuclear codes. | For the past two years, Tr…
(2020-08-17). The Abyss of Disinformation Gazes Into Its Creators. strategic-culture.org He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. | Friedrich Nietzsche | The other day the U.S. State Department published " Everything you read in the NYT or hear Rachel Maddow say about Russia is true: Putin is a murderer, a thief and a thug, he shot down MH17, poisoned the Skripals, elected…
(2020-08-17). Putin, Erdogan discuss conflicts in Libya, Syria in phone call. yenisafak.com Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the conflicts in Libya and Syria with his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan in a telephone call on Monday, the Kremlin said in a statement.The Kremlin said the call's main focus was on the crisis in Libya, highlighting the need to make real steps towards a sustainable ceasefire.It also said both leaders agreed to step up anti-terrorism efforts in Syria, after reports earlier on Monday of a Turkish-Russian joint patrol being hit by a blast in the Idlib region.
(2020-08-17). Lithuania says Russian military help in Belarus would mean 'an invasion'. yenisafak.com Russian military help in Belarus would constitute "an invasion", Lithuanian foreign affairs minister Linas Linkevicius said on Monday."There are no reasons for military support from Russia, and no legal or other grounds for it. It would constitute an invasion into the country and would destroy the last traces of its independence", Linkevicius told reporters in Vilnius."Russia would risk a lot if it did it, in the face of what is going on in Belarus, in the face of the popular support. It should figure out that an invasion would not be justified, neither legally, nor morally, nor politically", he added.The Kremlin…
(2020-08-16). Belarus to conduct military drills on its western borders amid mass post-election protests. rt.com 
Minsk has said it will conduct large-scale military drills on Belarus' borders with Poland and Lithuania. The exercises, focused particularly on air defense, come amid mass protests following the contested presidential election. | The drills, which are also set to involve artillery and missile troops, will take place in the western region of Grodno from August 17 to 20, the country's Defence Ministry said Sunday. The action will happen near the town of Astravyets — not far from the country's new nuclear power plant, which is being constructed in cooperation with Russia. | Detachments from three air defens…
(2020-08-16). Russia's proposal on UNSC summit with Iran remains on table. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 16 (MNA) — Despite Trump's refusal to support Moscow's proposal for an online conference of leaders of the UNSC states, Germany, and Iran, the Russian deputy foreign minister stressed that the proposal remains on the table.
(2020-08-16). Belarus: Imperialists Run The Same Tired Old Script. popularresistance.org The Western establishment narrative managers always follow the same patterns. Just like they fixated on Hong Kong protests, while ignoring those in US-aligned France or Israel, now they're cheering on protests in Belarus. | Imperialist pundit and Obama administration Cold Warrior Michael McFaul recently tweeted the following: | "Belarusians, inside and outside of the country, have reached out to me this week to ask why the West is so indifferent to their courageous fight for democracy. I can't explain. Can you?" | I am not highlighting this tweet because it is remarkable…
(2020-08-16). COVID Deaths Continue to Surge in Countries Led by Far Right Authoritarians. truthout.org As the globe enters the sixth month since the World Health Organization (WHO) classified COVID-19 as a pandemic, cases and death rates in countries led by far right authoritarians continue to surge. The vast majority of nations have sought out the advice of experts and coordinated internationally to implement safeguards, yet the right-wing nationalist leaders of the U.S., Brazil, India and Russia have intensified the pandemic — creating more death and uncertainty. | Each leader's respons…
(2020-08-16). Putin tells Belarusian leader Lukashenko Russia ready to help militarily if necessary. yenisafak.com Russian President Vladimir Putin told Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in a phone call on Sunday that Moscow stood ready to provide help in accordance with a collective military pact if necessary, the Kremlin said in a statement.The Kremlin said in the same statement that external pressure was being applied to Belarus. It did not say by who.Belarus has been rocked by a week of street protests after protesters accused Lukashenko of rigging a presidential election last Sunday.
(2020-08-15). Maduro Hails Russian COVID-19 Vaccine as Comms Minister Tests Positive. venezuelanalysis.com The South American nation has a 70 percent COVID-19 recovery rate.
(2020-08-15). Show him the money? Putin's income grew by $15k in 2019, rising almost 13%. rt.com 
Russian President Vladimir Putin's declared income grew by 1.1 million rubles ($15,000) in 2019, increasing his yearly net earnings to 9.7 million ($133,000). | The president also declared the ownership of two apartments (though only one is currently in use), three Russian-made vehicles (two GAZ-M21 and a Lada Niva), and a 'Skif' trailer (also made in Russia). | All of Putin's property is located inside the country. In 2015, he famously claimed that he doesn't know his salary, which is considerably lower than the official salary of $400,000 for the president of the US. "They just give it to me, and I put it aw…
(2020-08-15). Popular Viral Video Firm Sues Facebook over Russian Propaganda Label. thealtworld.com 
The company behind In The Now, Soapbox and Waste-Ed is taking on media giant Facebook, who it claims is falsely labeling it as Russian state-controlled propaganda. | MPN— On online media company is suing social media giant Facebook for falsely smearing it as a Russian state-controlled propaganda outlet. Maffick, the owner of In The Now, Soapbox and Waste-Ed, has filed a lawsuit against Facebook in a Northern California district court for defamation, intentional interference and violating section 43(a) of the Lanham Act, unjustly causing them economic and reputational harm, claiming that Facebook's actions re…
(2020-08-15). Open wide, Adolf! Daughter of Kremlin spokesman posts photo of HITLER'S TEETH on Instagram. rt.com 
So Hitler didn't escape to South America to run a bar with Elvis? On Friday, the daughter of the Kremlin press secretary posted a photo of his remains, in storage at the Federal Security Service's (FSB) secret archives in Moscow | On her popular Instagram account, Elizaveta Peskova shared photographs of the dental remains of Adolf Hitler and his wife, Eva Braun. | Peskova, whose father Dmitry Peskov has been the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin since 2012, wrote that her friend and history fan Pierre Malinovsky requested to see the artifact, as not everyone believes that Hitler died in 1945.
(2020-08-15). 'Come on, don't do this': Yahoo slammed for shoddy story accusing RUSSIA of antifa.com prank of Joe Biden. rt.com 
The latest chapter in the conspiracy theory blaming Russia for 'meddling' in US elections accuses Moscow of somehow redirecting the website Antifa.com to Joe Biden's website, thanks to some major internet illiteracy at work. | On Wednesday, Republican activist Matthew Foldi pointed out that typing Antifa.com in one's browser redirected to Biden's campaign page, just as the Democrat candidate and his freshly chosen running mate Kamala Harris were about to do their first joint public appearance. | | üö®ü…
(2020-08-15). 'Nobody wants to marry her': Veteran Russian nationalist Zhirinovsky compares Belarus' Lukashenko to an unwanted bachelorette. rt.com 
Prominent Russian politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky has compared Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to an unwanted girl looking for someone to marry, claiming that he is courting Russia, Poland, the EU, and the US. | Zhirinovsky, the leader of Russia's right-wing LDPR, explained that Lukashenko is in a "difficult situation," like "a girl of marriageable age" who is entirely undesired. | Belarus is currently in a state of turmoil following the presidential election on August 9, which resulted in a landslide victory for Lukashenko. The vote is widely regarded both in Belarus and abroad as being neither free…
(2020-08-15). Navalny's regional organizer arrested as Khabarovsk protests enter sixth week. rt.com 
The Khabarovsk regional coordinator for Moscow protest leader Alexey Navalny has been detained for participating in an unapproved demonstration, as crowds rallied for a sixth weekend in a row. | Alexey Vorsin, a regular fixture at Khabarovsk protests, was Khabarovsk residents have been protesting every day since July 11, after hugely popular regional governor Sergey Furgal was arrested on suspicion of ordering t…
(2020-08-15). The Birth of a Global Nation: What Makes a Modern Rhodes Scholar? dissidentvoice.org 
Clinton, Talbott, Rice In my previous article, I discussed the role of the Brookings Institute's founder Strobe Talbott as an integrated part of the puzzle behind Russia Gate and also his indoctrination as a Rhodes Scholar in Oxford alongside his room mate Bill Clinton in 1966. I addressed the rise of the Rhodes Trust in …
(2020-08-15). "Putin's govt. is depending on IMF and financial institutions to escape the crisis" peoplesdispatch.org Roman Kononenko of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation talks about how the country's establishment has responded to the crisis of capitalism and its response to US imperialism…
(2020-08-15). Russia showed its seriousness on defending intl. law: envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 15 (MNA) — Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali said that Russia's vote against the unprincipled and destructive US resolution shows its determination to uphold international law and oppose unilateralism.
(2020-08-15). Netanyahu Slams UNSC Decision Not to Allow Extension of Arms Embargo on Iran as 'Scandalous'. sputniknews.com On Friday, the United Nations Security Council rejected a draft resolution submitted by the United States to indefinitely extend the arms embargo on Iran, originally envisioned by the Iran nuclear deal ahead of its expiration in October, saying the draft did not obtain the necessary support to be adopted.
(2020-08-15). Trump on Pardoning Edward Snowden: 'I'm Going to Look at It'. sputniknews.com Edward Snowden, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employee who became a whistleblower, revealing the illegal spying practices conducted by US intelligence agencies, has been living in Russia since 2013. He is wanted in the United States on charges of espionage and treason.
(2020-08-15). Russia starts production of 1st coronavirus vaccine. yenisafak.com Russia has started production of its first COVID-19 vaccine, the Health Ministry said on Saturday.Initial batches of the vaccine will be earmarked for immunizing doctors and health workers, before going to the general public.Russia officially registered the world's first coronavirus vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, on Tuesday.The announcement drew skepticism worldwide as Russia plans to continue the third phase of trials along with the vaccine's production and use.However, Alexander Gintsburg, head of the Gamaleya Research Institute, defended the approach, s…
(2020-08-14). Imperialists Run The Same Tired Old Script Day After Fucking Day. thealtworld.com 
Imperialist pundit and Obama administration cold warrior Michael McFaul recently "Belarusians, inside and outside of the country, have reached out to me this week to ask why the West is so indifferent to their courageous fight for democracy. I can't explain. Can you?" | I am not highlighting this tweet because it is remarkable (except for the extremely dubious claim that anyone ever reaches out to Michael McFaul). I am highlighting it because it is completely unremarkable. | New on…
(2020-08-14). Predatory Capitalism and the Nuclear Threat in the Age of Trump. counterpunch.org 
Daniel Falcone: You recently stated that it has never been more urgent that we repudiate nuclearism in all forms. What rationales do proponents of this put forth? Richard Falk: It is important to view with some skepticism the justifications offered by the governments of nuclear weapons states for retaining the weaponry, and to articulate the
(2020-08-14). Russia unveils new firearm 'Poloz', designed specifically for the police. rt.com 
Russian cops will soon have a brand new sidearm. The Central Scientific Research Institute for Precision Machine Engineering has developed a new pistol, designed specifically for Russia's Police and National Guard. | Based on the Army's semi-automatic pistol 'Udav', the new handgun dubbed 'Poloz' is accurate at a range of up to 50 meters, and can operate in temperatures ranging from -50 to +50 degrees celsius. | "This compact model is smaller and lighter than the standard army handgun and can be used as a concealed carry weapon," said Albert Bakov, CEO of the Research Institute. " It is convenient, reliable an…
(2020-08-14). Trump says he HOPES Russian Sputnik V vaccine works, but US will soon roll out one too. rt.com 
President Donald Trump has expressed the hope that the world's first registered Covid-19 vaccine from Russia will work, but he says the US could have its own ready very soon, after a lengthier trial process. | Production of Russia's Covid-19 vaccine has already begun, and 500 million doses are expected to have been made within the next 12 months. The jab, dubbed 'Sputnik V', is supposed to offer protection from the coronavirus for up to two years. | Asked about the rapidly developed vaccine at a Friday press conference, Trump said he hoped the vaccine would be effective, but claimed the US may soon have good n…
(2020-08-14). 'You're being used as cannon fodder': Lukashenko urges people to STAY HOME, blames protests on foreign meddling. rt.com 
President Aleksandr Lukashenko has called upon Belarusian citizens to not "go into the streets" and to avoid protests, blaming foreign agents for stoking the unrest that has gripped the country after the controversial election. | "Don't go out into the streets now! Understand that you and your children are being used as cannon fodder," Lukashenko said Friday, during a meeting with the country's National Security Council. | They've already come here in large numbers from Poland, the Netherlands, Ukraine, from this 'Open Russia' — [Russian opposition figure Alexey] Navalny and so on and so forth. The aggres…
(2020-08-14). FBI lawyer pleads GUILTY to altering email evidence in Trump spying scandal. rt.com 
Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith, an important player in the 'Russiagate' investigation into President Donald Trump, is the first person to plead guilty in US attorney John Durham's probe of what's been dubbed 'Spygate.' | Clinesmith was a member of the FBI General Counsel's Office (GCO) assigned to work on the Crossfire Hurricane probe — the name given to the investigation of claims into Trump's ties with Russia during the 2016 election. His attorney, Justin Shur, told the AP news agency on Friday that Clinesmith intends to plead guilty to one count of making a false statement. | An FBI lawyer pled gul…
(2020-08-14). Belarus hands over 32 'Russian mercenaries' KGB accused of 'planning riots' — ignoring Ukraine's extradition demand. rt.com 
A fortnight after their arrest raised eyebrows, and ignoring Ukrainian attempts to extradite most of them, the authorities in Belarus have released 32 Russian citizens they accused of attempting to undermine state security. | The KGB claimed the men were fighters from the Wagner private military contractor company who arrived in the country to prepare for mass riots. Moscow said the 33 detainees — one is a Belarussian citizen and hasn't been transferred to Russia — were indeed security personnel, but Minsk was only the transit point to their final destination. Russia had closed almost all internation…
(2020-08-14). All Vaccines Are Unsafe. Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available. globalresearch.ca On August 11, Russia registered the first vaccine for use against COVID-19, named Sputnik V. More on this development below. | *** | Toxins in vaccines make them hazardous to human health. | Time and again, they cause diseases they're promoted as protection …
(2020-08-14). Russia to Start the Production of Its COVID-19 Vaccine in Cuba. globalresearch.ca Russia's Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Chief Executive Officer Kiril Dmitriev announced that Cuba could begin producing the COVID-19 vaccine, the Sputnik V, in November. | "Cuba has a large capacity to produce medicines and vaccines with highly qualified staff. We could …
(2020-08-14). Best COVID-19 vaccine 'may not be the first'. imperial.ac.uk In a week in which Russia approved its 'Sputnik V' coronavirus vaccine, a leading Imperial expert sounds a note of caution on the need for data.