(2020-10-12). Is Syria's Idlib the Next Gaza Strip? counterpunch.org 
"Many relatives of mine were living in camps near the border with Turkey," says Huda Husein, a 25-year-old teacher living in the rebel-held enclave of Idlib in northwest Syria. "But last month they returned home [to the cities and villages] because they prefer dying under an airstrike to dying in the camps." A cousin told her that "we are just fleeing from danger to danger", explaining that the misery of trying to survive in cramped tents was worse than bombardment by Russia and Syrian government forces.
(2020-10-12). The Russia Brokered Armenia-Azerbaijan Ceasefire. globalresearch.ca It was a diplomatic coup for Russia to broker a ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan since it restored Moscow's relevance to the conflict, but for as positive of a development as this was, it's uncertain whether it'll last and will …
(2020-10-12). With Crushing Sanctions on 18 Iranian Banks, Is Trump Trying to Leave a War Behind for Biden? globalresearch.ca As the dying Trump administration, literally on a sickbed, contemplates losing power, its hawks are lashing out at Iran in an attempt to ensure that the 2015 international nuclear deal is dead and buried, and that the US and Iran …
(2020-10-12). The Nuclearization of American Diplomacy. counterpunch.org 
On August 21st, six nuclear-capable B-52H Stratofortress bombers, representing approximately one-seventh of the war-ready U.S. B-52H bomber fleet, flew from their home base in North Dakota to Fairford Air Base in England for several weeks of intensive operations over Europe. Although the actual weapons load of those giant bombers was kept secret, each of them is capable of carrying eight AGM-86B nuclear-armed, air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs) in its bomb bay.
(2020-10-11). Several Observations About The Russian-Brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani Ceasefire. thealtworld.com It was a diplomatic coup for Russia to broker a ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan since it restored Moscow's relevance to the conflict, but for as positive of a development as this was, it's uncertain whether it'll last and will thus serve as a litmus test of exactly how much influence the Eurasian Great Power still holds over its "sphere of influence" in the South Caucasus. | Russia's Diplomatic Coup In The South Caucasus | The world is celebrating the Russian-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani ceasefire which went into effect at noon on Saturday following over 10 hours of negotiations between Foreign Minister…
(2020-10-11). Heavy shelling and civilian casualties dash hopes for Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire. middleeasteye.net 
Heavy shelling and civilian casualties dash hopes for Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire | Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other on Sunday of violating a Russian-brokered ceasefire | Sun, 10/11/2020 – 23: 06 | Nagorno-Karaback, an ethnic Armenian enclave inside Azerbaijan is home to 15,000 people (AFP) | A Russian-brokered ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan failed to hold on Sunday, with…
(2020-10-11). It's Time Nationalize Social Media And Big Tech. counterpunch.org 
On September 1, 2020, I received a direct message (DM) on Twitter from a reporter working with a mainstream outlet requesting comment. After a brief chat on the phone, I was informed that I was unwittingly caught up in a Russian-backed media operation, for a "publication" that had recently offered a writing opportunity. The "outlet"
(2020-10-11). As War Danger Mounts in the Arctic, Peace Hinges on a Revival of the Wallace Doctrine. strategic-culture.org 
According to the Department of Defense's dismally short sighted vision for the Arctic, U.S. strategic interests were best maintained not by cooperation with Arctic partners, by rather by belligerent sabre rattling under the guise of "competition" with nations who have continuously professed a desire to work with the west as allies. | In recent weeks, this belligerence has taken the form of a new forward posture of 150 advanced U.S. fighter jets to be housed at the Eielson Airforce Base in Alaska including a mix of F22 Raptors and F35 Lighting II jets only 600 miles away from the Russia border. Each fighter plane…
(2020-10-11). First reactor of Belarus' controversial Astravets nuclear power plant achieves criticality, Baltic states are outraged by project. rt.com 
The first of two Russian-built reactors at the new Belarusian nuclear power plant, at Astravets, is almost ready to go. Located near the border with Lithuania and Latvia, the Baltic states have fiercely opposed the project. | Along with Estonia, the pair have pledged to stop electricity trade with Minsk when the plant is finally operational. The Astravets nuclear power plant (known in Belarus as BelAes) is a joint project with Russia's state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom. On Sunday, the first chain reaction was launched at one of the VVER-1200 type reactors and sustained at the minimum controlled power le…
(2020-10-11). Iran's envoy reacts to IAEA chief's comments. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 11 (MNA) — Iran's Permanent Envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that considerable centrifugal and quality of nuclear materials have no place in the documents of IAEA.
(2020-10-11). S-300s, S-400s to Be Modified to Use Various Types of Missiles Simultaneously, Report Says. sputniknews.com Russia's air defence troops are equipped with at least 125 battalions of S-300s (about 1,500 launchers total) and 69 battalions of S-400s (552 launchers), with the latter expected to remain the most advanced road-mobile air defence system in Russia's arsenal until the arrival of the S-500 beginning next year.
(2020-10-10). Pelosi & husband invest up to $1 million in CrowdStrike, tech firm that launched Russiagate — report. rt.com 
Newly-filed financial disclosures show House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her husband have invested up to $1 million in CrowdStrike, American cybersecurity technology company and the originator of 'Russian hacking' claims. | Financial disclosures New from me: Financial disclosure forms show that Nancy and P…
(2020-10-10). Explosions reported in Nagorno-Karabakh, Baku accuses Armenia of shelling Azerbaijani town just hours into ceasefire. rt.com 
Azerbaijan and Armenia have accused each other of violating the ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh region late on Saturday. The capital of the self-proclaimed republic, Stepankert, has reportedly come under heavy shelling. | Azerbaijan, for its part, accused Armenia of striking the town of Terter with artillery fire. | RT correspondent Igor Zhdanov said alert sirens were heard in Stepankert, the capital of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, late on Saturday. Several explosions — both in the air and on the ground — were observed in the city, he added. | ‚ö°Ô∏è&sbquo…
(2020-10-10). Belarus govt SAVED runaway candidate Tikhanovskaya by giving her $15,000 before she fled the country, Lukashenko claims. rt.com 
Presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was provided with $15,000 by the Belarusian authorities right before she left the country for Lithuania after the August 9 election, President Alexander Lukashenko said. | Speaking at a government meeting on Friday, Lukashenko revealed that shortly after the election the opposition candidate requested a meeting with the country's Interior Minister Yuri Karayev, asking him to allow her to leave Belarus. | The president had said before that he tasked the country's special services with safeguarding Tikhanovskaya, as she perfectly fit the role of a potential "sacrific…
(2020-10-10). No end in sight? Armenia & Azerbaijan accuse each other of violations, minutes after Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire supposed to begin. rt.com 
A Russia-brokered ceasefire was supposed to end the fighting in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region at noon local time on Saturday, but Armenia and Azerbaijan both quickly reported continued attacks on each other's positions. | Yerevan's Defense Ministry spokesperson Shushan Stepanyan said that Baku launched an offensive into Nagorno-Karabakh five minutes after the ceasefire had supposedly commenced. She later added that Azerbaijani forces were shelling the town of Hadrut. | Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry, in the meantime, reported that "despite the ceasefire agreement" Armenia had launched attacks against sev…
(2020-10-10). Belarus' Lukashenko meets JAILED opposition activists, talks constitutional reform. rt.com 
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has paid an unexpected visit to a detention center in Minsk, meeting incarcerated members of the so-called 'Coordination council of the opposition'. | The unusual move was reported by local media on Saturday, with a short video from the meeting emerging on social media later in the day. | Members of the opposition 'council' were detained over calls to overthrow the government amid the unrest that followed the contested August 9 presidential election. The activists are currently being held at the pre-trial detention center of the Belarus State Security Committee (KGB) i…
(2020-10-10). Eyebrows raised as Lukashenko claims he 'saved' opposition candidate Tikhanovskaya, giving her $15,000 before she left Belarus. rt.com Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has dropped a bombshell by claiming that former Presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was provided with $15,000, by the state, right before she left for exile in Lithuania. | Speaking at a government meeting on Friday, Lukashenko explained that shortly after the election the leading opposition figure requested a meeting with the country's Interior Minister Yuri Karayev, asking him to allow her to leave Belarus. | The President's version of events is different from that put forward by Tikhanovskaya, and her supporters. After the disputed August 9 election, she q…
(2020-10-10). 'Western brand': more than 20 nations possess over 140 'Novichok'-type substances, Russian Foreign Ministry says. rt.com 
The notorious 'Novichok' nerve agent described as Russia's lethal weapon has been first presented to the world by Americans and has since been replicated by 20 of their allies, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. | The structure of a substance that has since been known to the world as 'Novichok' has been first unveiled by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology back in 1998 on the basis of the data provided by the Pentagon, the Russian Ministry said on Saturday, replying to yet another damning statement by the German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. | Over the years, the formula was used by Americans…
(2020-10-10). Russia Will Take Its COVID-19 Vaccine to Another LATAM Country. telesurenglish.net As a measure to counteract Bolivia's sanitary crisis, Sigma laboratory Friday sealed an alliance with Russia to produce and export to other Latin American countries a medicine for patients with COVID-19 and to distribute the new Russian vaccine 'Sputnik V'. | RELATED: | The Bolivian company Sigma Corp. will import the new Russian COVID-19 vaccine, which was announced to the world in August by President Vladimir Putin. | Sigma will also begin to produce in Bolivia the anti…
(2020-10-10). UN chief welcomes Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire. news.un.org UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed agreement on a ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone following talks held in Russia on Friday.
(2020-10-10). Rouhani, Putin discuss Nagorno-Karabakh over phone. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 10 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation on Saturday discussing the latest developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
(2020-10-10). Germany, France to sanction Russia over Navalny's alleged poisoning. wsws.org Nothing published by the OPCW and the imperialist powers on the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny can be taken at face value.
(2020-10-09). Armenia and Russia Are Sending Each Other Strong Signals Through the CSTO. globalresearch.ca OneWorld is publishing the original English-language version of Andrew Korybko's analysis on the titular topic that was first released in Russian at the Moscow-Baku information portal. | *** | Armenia's decision to skip next week's CSTO drills in Belarus and the bloc's …
(2020-10-09). Nukes and North Korea: a New Direction. counterpunch.org 
North Korea's acquisition of nuclear weapons has changed the nuclear balance in Northeast Asia. But it hasn't altered the way politicians and diplomats approach the question of arms control and disarmament in the region. The debate among influencers continues to revolve around two versions of "more of the same." Containment advocates argue that North Korea
(2020-10-09). Danish politicians spoke for FORTY MINUTES with fake 'Svetlana Tikhanovskaya' via video link – 'animal brothels' were discussed. rt.com 
The Danish Parliament has revealed that a supposed online meeting featuring leading Belarusian opposition figure Svetlana Tikhanovskaya actually involved an unknown prankster, who spoke to them about "animal brothels." | In an embarrassing turn of events for Copenhagen, on Tuesday, a group of the country's MPs were taken for a ride for an entire 40 minutes before they realized something was wrong. And that was despite the obvious giveaway that the fake Tikhanovskaya could not appear on camera, citing technical difficulties. | According to local media, reality dawned after over half an hour of questioning, when…
(2020-10-09). 'Imagine': Ex-CIA director Brennan dreams of Navalny becoming president of Russia AND befriending Joe Biden. rt.com 
Apparently ditching all tradecraft, former CIA chief and godfather of Russiagate John Brennan "imagined" Joe Biden in the White House and Alexey Navalny in the Kremlin as part of a (partisan) birthday tribute to John Lennon. | "Imagine prospects for world peace, prosperity, and security if Joe Biden were president of the United States and Alexei Navalny the president of Russia," Brennan "We'll soon be half…
(2020-10-09). Do the Russians love their kitties too? Tourist buys entire train compartment to take pets cats on holiday to the Black Sea coast. rt.com 
Going on holiday, but have no one to take with you? For one indulgent Russian animal lover, that wasn't a problem, as they brought a bunch of furry friends along for the ride, at a cost of at least 12,000 rubles ($155) one-way.
(2020-10-09). 'Imagine': Ex-CIA director Brennan dreams of Navalny becoming president of Russia AND befriending Democrat challenger Joe Biden. rt.com 
Apparently ditching all tradecraft, former CIA chief and godfather of Russiagate John Brennan has "imagined" Joe Biden in the White House and Alexey Navalny in the Kremlin as part of a (partisan) birthday tribute to John Lennon. | "Imagine prospects for world peace, prosperity, and security if Joe Biden were president of the United States and Alexei Navalny the president of Russia," Brennan "We'll soo…
(2020-10-09). "Reimagine and Reset Our World": "COVID-19, The Great Reset" by Klaus Schwab and Thierry Malleret. globalresearch.ca "In Russia we only had two TV channels. Channel One was propaganda. Channel Two consisted of a KGB officer telling you: Turn back at once to Channel One." ~ Yakov Smirnoff | Professor Klaus Schwab founded and runs the World Economic …
(2020-10-09). Nagorno-Karabakh: Armenia and Azerbaijan Agree To a Ceasefire. telesurenglish.net On Friday, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to a temporary ceasefire in the conflict of the bordering Nagorno-Karabakh region. | RELATED: | The ceasefire "will allow the exchange of prisoners of war, other people, and the bodies of the dead according to the criteria of the Committee of the International Red Cross (ICRC)," the official explained. | From Saturday, the hostilities…
(2020-10-09). Russia's Strategic Intervention in Syria Five Years On — An 'Unpardonable Blow' to U.S. Empire. strategic-culture.org Five years ago this month, Russia began conducting fateful military operations in Syria at the request of the government in Damascus. It was a momentous "turning point," as More than salvaging Syria from a nearly decade-long war — vitally important though that was — Russia's pivotal intervention also marked the strategic setback for a Western-b…
(2020-10-09). Russian, Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs hold talks in Moscow. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Oct. 09 (MNA) — A meeting of the Russian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian Foreign Ministers – Sergey Lavrov, Jeyhun Bayramov, and Zohrab Mnatsakanyan – has started in Moscow on Friday.
(2020-10-09). Baku, Yerevan Agree to Ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh After Negotiations in Moscow. sputniknews.com Amid the ongoing conflict in the unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan were invited to Moscow to hold negotiations regarding a ceasefire and exchange of prisoners and the bodies of those killed.
(2020-10-09). New Sanctions Will Further Washington's Goal of Blocking Iran's Importing of Medicine – Academic. sputniknews.com On Thursday, the US State Department announced new economic sanctions targeting 18 Iranian banks, claiming it was further depriving Iran "of funds to carry out its support for terrorist activities and nuclear extortion that threatens the world." However, the real effect will be to deprive Iranians of essential medicines, an expert told Sputnik.
(2020-10-08). Putin invites Azerbaijani & Armenian FMs to FRIDAY talks in Moscow, urges to halt hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. rt.com 
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the top diplomats of Armenia and Azerbaijan were invited to take part in peace talks in Moscow on Friday so that a "humanitarian" ceasefire may be agreed in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh. | Putin
(2020-10-08). Putin invites Azerbaijani & Armenian FMs to FRIDAY talks in Moscow, urges halt to hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. rt.com Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the top diplomats of Armenia and Azerbaijan were invited to take part in peace talks in Moscow on Friday so that a "humanitarian" ceasefire may be agreed in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh. | Putin
(2020-10-08). Putin invites Azerbaijani & Armenian FMs to FRIDAY talks in Moscow, urges halt to ongoing hostilities in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh. rt.com Russian President Vladimir Putin says the top diplomats of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been invited to take part in peace talks in Moscow on Friday so that a "humanitarian" ceasefire may be agreed in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh. | Putin
(2020-10-08). US senators call for sanctions on Turkey over Russian missile system. middleeasteye.net 
US senators call for sanctions on Turkey over Russian missile system | Under US law, sanctions must be imposed against those doing business with Russia's defence industry; Trump administration has yet to follow through | Thu, 10/08/2020 – 18: 27 | Russian military cargo plane carrying S-400 missile defence system from Russia unloads at airbase northwest of Ankara on 27 August 2019 (AFP/File photo) | A Republic…
(2020-10-08). NEO: Will it be Biden and Putin, Making the New World? thealtworld.com 
The current situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan has shown the world the dangers of secret pacts and ancient grudges, as a new "August 1914" moves toward reality. | As early as 2012, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Israel and the Gulf States began arming al Qaeda and ISIS, deploying them against both Syria and Iraq. | Other nations aided as well, not just the US, France and Britain. There was also Georgia, Azerbaijan, Romania and, above all, Ukraine. | We will cover the backstory on this but what is clear is this, the Trump era replacement for NATO, where supposed enemies work in concert seamlessly, presents challenges…
(2020-10-08). Ukraine asks Google & Apple to make Russian social networks unavailable for download, 3 years after they were banned by Kiev. rt.com 
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has asked Google and Apple to ban applications subject to sanctions on Ukrainian territory, including VKontakte (VK), a Russian social network which is the most popular website in Europe. | The two US technology giants run the world's most popular application marketplaces, the Play Store and the App Store respectively. Both companies are often pressured by countries to remove censored apps, and they often comply. In particular, both Apple and Google regularly stop applications from being accessible in China. | The SBU also asked the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to cont…
(2020-10-08). Two Russian journalists & their guide injured in shelling of iconic 19th century cathedral in Nagorno-Karabakh (PHOTOS & VIDEO). rt.com 
Two Russian journalists and their fixer have been injured in the shelling of a historic Armenian Christian church in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. It was the second attack on the Ghazanchetsots cathedral in one day. | Russian military correspondents Yury Kotenok and Levon Arzanov suffered injuries during the Thursday strike on the iconic religious site, located in the town of Shusha, an Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson told Moscow news agency RIA Novosti. He added that the journalists' guide, who is also a Russian citizen, was injured as well. | | © David Ghahramanyan/NKR InfoCenter/PAN Ph…
(2020-10-08). Two Russian journalists & guide injured in shelling of iconic 19th century cathedral in Nagorno-Karabakh (PHOTOS & VIDEO). rt.com Two Russian journalists and their Russian fixer have been injured in the shelling of a historic Armenian church in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, the second attack on the Ghazanchetsots cathedral in one day. | Russian military correspondents Yury Kotenok and Levon Arzanov suffered injuries during a Thursday strike on the cathedral, located in the town of Shusha, the Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson told news agency RIA. He added that the journalists' guide, who is also a Russian citizen, was injured as well. | | © David Ghahramanyan/NKR InfoCenter/PAN Photo/Handout via REUTERS | Kotenok is…
(2020-10-08). 73-year-old Russian Church leader Patriarch Kirill to self-isolate after coming into contact with person infected by coronavirus. rt.com 
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has gone into quarantine after coming into contact with a person infected by Covid-19. Patriarch Kirill is 73 years-old, putting him in an at-risk group, and so must take extra precautions. | Kirill's decision to self-isolate was announced by Vladimir Legoyda, the head of the church's media department, on his Telegram channel. There was no mention of any symptoms. | "His Holiness Patriarch Kirill had contact with a person infected with a coronavirus infection," the message
(2020-10-08). Apple demands that Telegram shut down channels DOXXING Belarusian police officers — CEO Durov says it 'doesn't offer much choice'. rt.com 
Telegram founder Pavel Durov says his widely popular messaging application will have to block three channels, on iOS devices, which have published the personal data of Belarusian police officers, after a request from Apple. | However, the Russian tech innovator promised to keep them accessible on other platforms."Apple is requesting that we shut down three channels," Durov The channels have been publishing the personal data of police off…
(2020-10-08). Siberian investigators dispute claims that Navalny's team transported Novichok-laced water bottle to Berlin. rt.com 
The alleged poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny took a new twist on Thursday, when Russian investigators contradicted assertions that a bottle with traces of Novichok was sent to Germany. | Top Siberian cop Sergey Potapov said that security at Novosibirsk airport did not find any large bottles in the luggage of Navalny's associates when they flew to Tomsk after the activist was taken to hospital. The Moscow protest leader's team previously asserted that they took "everything that could be hypothetically useful [from his Omsk hotel room], and passed it on to doctors in Germany." | Also on rt.c…
(2020-10-08). US slaps new sanctions on Iran as FBI seizes 92 web domains allegedly used by Tehran to wage 'global disinformation campaign'. rt.com 
Washington has announced a new sanctions package against Iran, hitting the country's financial sector and targeting 18 major banks. Tehran has branded the move a "crime against humanity" and an attempt to starve the country out. | The new sanctions were announced by the US Treasury Department on Thursday. The move was made to further "isolate the Iranian economy from the global financial system," which the Treasury claimed is necessary to stop Tehran from advancing its alleged "malign agenda." | "Our sanctions programs will continue until Iran stops its support of terrorist activities and ends its nuclear prog…
(2020-10-08). 'Sputnik V' worthy of Nobel Prize? Two Russian MPs think developers of world's first Covid-19 vaccine should be recognised in 2021. rt.com 
The developers of Russia's pioneering vaccine against coronavirus should be nominated for the 2021 Nobel Prize in Science, according to two Russian politicians. Named Sputnik V, it is the first to be registered in the world. | The creators of the formula, from Moscow's Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, were the first to complete a vaccine against the virus that has devastated the globe, and continues to have a dramatic effect on the world economy. Parliamentarian Leonid Ogul believes the discovery will benefit everyone around the world, and they should therefore be rewarded. | "The invention…
(2020-10-08). Eternal Impunity of Capitalism's Crimes. dissidentvoice.org 
The very idea of War Being a Racket penetrates so deeply into capitalism's flair for murder by a thousand cuts, a thousand miles in a Corvair, a thousand sips from diet Coke, a thousand sucks from Nestle baby formula, a thousand hours on the video screen, a thousand seconds inside the nuclear core, a thousand …
(2020-10-08). Shedding light on the limits of Chinese power. thealtworld.com Academic Lanxin Xiang is no fan of Trump's China policies but also sees where Beijing has miscalculated and overreached | Everything about United States-China relations hinges on the result of the upcoming US presidential election. | A Trump 2.0 administration would essentially turbo-charge its first-term bet on decoupling, aiming to squeeze "malign" China on a multiple hybrid war front, undermine the Chinese trade surplus and co-opt large swaths of Asia while always characterizing China as evil incarnate. | Team Biden, even as it professes no desire to fall into the trap of a new Cold War, judging by the Democra…
(2020-10-08). Turkey backs Azeri offensive on Armenia as Russia, Iran warn of escalation. wsws.org The war between Armenia and Azerbaijan threatens to escalate into a regional war involving Russia, Iran, Turkey and the entire NATO alliance.