(2021-02-04). The Heat: Russia politics. america.cgtn.com 
Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny sentenced to jail in a move criticized by western nations. How will his arrest impact U.S.-Russia relations?>
(2021-02-04). Iranian press review: Health officials reject Russia's Covid-19 vaccine. middleeasteye.net 
Iranian press review: Health officials reject Russia's Covid-19 vaccine | Meanwhile, Tehran hosts Taliban to talk about US-brokered Afghan peace deal, and the Islamic Republic is said to be eying the Caucasus to bypass US sanctions | Thu, 02/04/2021 – 11: 22 | A woman receives an injection during the first trial phase of a locally-made vaccine for Covid-19 in Iran's capital Tehran on 29…
(2021-02-04). We can't give up on a world free from nuclear weapons. greenleft.org.au The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons became international law on January 22 for the 122 states who signed the agreement in July 2017, writes Vijay Prashad.
(2021-02-04). Entry of Russian Sputnik V into Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Feb. 04 (MNA) — The first batch of the Russian V vaccine to immunize against the coronavirus arrived at Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport on Thursday.
(2021-02-04). Putin Explains Why We Need New Economic Policies. popularresistance.org The President of Russia Vladimir Putin has given a great speech to the Davos 2021 online forum organized by the World Economic Forum. As usual it created little echo in the 'western' media. | Putin sees a new danger of large international conflicts. Economic imbalances have caused socio-political problems in many countries which, when externalized, can lead to international conflicts. | To solve this one has to reject the laissez faire doctrines that caused the economic imbalances. The nation states must intervene more in their economies. The people must be seen as the ends, not the means of such economic policy.
(2021-02-04). Why the Biden Administration Has Set Itself Up for Failure on the Iran Nuclear Deal. globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | By laying out unrealistic demands to Iran and engaging in fearmongering …
(2021-02-04). US Dismisses Iran's Offer to Coordinate Return to Nuclear Deal. globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | The US State Department dismissed an idea floated by Iranian Foreign …
(2021-02-03). Biden and Iran. counterpunch.org 
Last week's statements by the Biden appointees made the matter unnecessarily more complicated, sounding more like a continuation of the Trump policy rather than its refutation. In his confirmation hearing, Antony Blinken, Biden's choice for secretary of state, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the new administration believes that Iran needs to resume strict compliance with the nuclear agreement before the US contemplates a return to the JCPOA. In response to the question of lifting the economic sanctions that the previous administration imposed on Iran, Blinken told the committee that "we are a lon…
(2021-02-03). Jeff Bezos to Quit as CEO, But Amazon's "Predatory Business Model" Will Continue Unless Lawmakers Act. democracynow.org 
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has announced he will step down as CEO and move into a new role as executive chairman later this year, giving up the reins after nearly three decades during which he grew Amazon from an online book retailer into a sprawling business empire and became one of the world's richest people in the process. Andy Jassy, the head of the company's cloud computing division, is set to take over the top job, but Bezos will continue to be the largest Amazon shareholder and remain on the board of directors. The news comes as calls continue to mount for lawmakers to break up Amazon and other tech giants.
(2021-02-03). What Explains COVID's East-West Divide? counterpunch.org 
COVID-19 has been ruthless in choosing winners and losers around the world. The obvious "losers" have been those countries led by right-wing nationalists: Brazil, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, and (until recently) the United States. These five countries are responsible for more than half of the world's coronavirus infections and nearly half the deaths. Just
(2021-02-03). Western media smeared Moscow's Covid-19 vaccine efforts but new trial data now has countries queuing for Sputnik V Covid-19 jab. rt.com 
Clinical trial data published in The Lancet medical journal this week shows the Russian-made Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine works for more than nine in 10 people, making it among the most efficacious jabs available. | The formula has been at the center of a fierce information war, with a number of commentators casting aspersions on the evidence that underpinned Russia's decision to urgently register it in August last year. However, it appears that the final word on subject lies with the scientists who published their results on Tuesday. | More than 91 percent of those given the vaccine were estimated to have de…
(2021-02-03). Russian Strike Jet Flies Low Past US Destroyer in the Black Sea. anti-empire.com 
A Russian warplane conducted a low pass near the USS Donald Cook on Sunday in the Black Sea, where the Navy has dispatched three ships for exercises. | The Sukhoi Su-24 fighter-bomber screeched past the U.S. destroyer while it was operating in international waters, the U.S. Navy's 6th Fleet said in a statement. | The Navy said it operates in the Black Sea to reassure allies in the region and "ensure security and stability." | USS Donald Cook is operating alongside the destroyer USS Porter and USNS Laramie, which is refueling the warships during operations. | Refueling at sea is fundamental for the Navy, but doing…
(2021-02-03). The Threat of Nuclear Weapons with Noam Chomsky. theanalysis.news As the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons enters into force on January 22, join the world-renowned intellectual for "The Threat of Nuclear Weapons: Why Canada Should Sign the UN Nuclear Ban Treaty" Presented by the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute.
(2021-02-03). Iran reiterates its commitment to JCPOA, proposes US return to the deal. peoplesdispatch.org Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif, in an interview with CNN, said that talks about nuclear weapons in the western media is baseless speculation aimed at directing public opinion against the country…
(2021-02-03). Italy 'eagerly waiting' for EU to register Sputnik V vaccine, head of group promoting Russian-Italian ties tells RT. rt.com 
Italy is interested in the swift approval of Sputnik V by the EU and may not only purchase but could also produce the Russian vaccine, Antonio Fallico, the head of the Conoscere Eurasia Association, told RT. | "We're eagerly waiting for [the European Medicines Agency] to register [the Russian vaccine against the coronavirus]," Fallico said on Wednesday. Moscow lodged its application with the EU watchdog in late January. | Earlier, Undersecretary of Italy's Health Ministry Sandra Zampa
(2021-02-03). 'Victory': Iran hails UN court decision to hear case against US sanctions. middleeasteye.net 
'Victory': Iran hails UN court decision to hear case against US sanctions | International Court of Justice says it has jurisdiction to take on Iran's case challenging US over Trump-era sanctions | Wed, 02/03/2021 – 16: 36 | Zarif asked European Union to coordinate synchronised return of Washington and Tehran to nuclear deal (AFP) | Iran's foreign minister hailed a decision by the UN's top court on Wednesday th…
(2021-02-03). 'Victory': Iran hails UN court decision to hear case over US sanctions. middleeasteye.net 'Victory': Iran hails UN court decision to hear case over US sanctions | International Court of Justice says it has jurisdiction to take on Iran's case against US over Trump-era sanctions | Wed, 02/03/2021 – 16: 36 | Zarif asked the European Union to coordinate a synchronised return of Washington and Tehran to the nuclear deal (AFP) | Iran's foreign minister hailed a decision by the UN's top court on Wednesday…
(2021-02-03). Time is running out for US to rejoin Iran nuclear deal. thealtworld.com 
As the Biden administration prevaricates, Tehran has issued an ultimatum that could move it closer to a nuclear weapon | US President Joe Biden's political agenda will be monopolised by internal issues for some time, but hotspots around the world will not adjust to his priorities. Given that Biden believes the US should Fortunately, the new president and his advisers seem aware that the best way for…
(2021-02-03). Washington joins crusade against free speech, backs Ukrainian crackdown on opposition media as EU & Zelensky's dad voice concerns. rt.com 
The US has waded into a row over media censorship in Ukraine, backing a ban on opposition TV channels as both the EU and President Volodymyr Zelensky's own father expressed grave concerns over the impact on free speech. | In a statement issued on Twitter Wednesday, the American embassy in Kiev wrote that it "supports efforts yesterday to counter Russia's malign influence." It described the shuttering of broadcasters as "in line with [Ukrainian law], in defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity." | The US supports üá∫üᶠefforts yesterday to counter Ru…
(2021-02-03). Russian journalist Sergey Smirnov jailed for 25 days on charges of inciting people to attend pro-Navalny protests. rt.com 
The editor of Moscow-based news website Mediazona, founded by members of the Pussy Riot punk band, has been handed 25 days behind bars for promoting demonstrations in support of imprisoned opposition figure Alexey Navalny. | On Wednesday, the Tverskoy Court in Moscow read out the sentence for charges relating to repeated violation of a ban on holding mass events. Protests and other unauthorized public gatherings are banned in the capital, and many other Russian regions, under rules aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19. The charges could have carried up to 30 days in prison. | Mediazona claims that Smirnov w…
(2021-02-03). Canadian government designates 'Proud Boys' as terrorist group. rt.com 
Canada has designated the group 'Proud Boys' as a terrorist entity, following a parliamentary resolution blaming the "white supremacist" group of organizing the January 6 riot at the US Capitol. | 'Proud Boys' were among the thirteen groups designated on Wednesday by Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, under the category of "ideologically motivated violent extremism." | No matter their ideological motivation, these groups are "all hateful, intolerant… and dangerous," Blair said. | The Proud Boys were listed alongside Atomwaffen Division, The Base, the "Russian Imperial Movement," five Islamic State (IS, forme…
(2021-02-03). Where is Biden's Foreign Policy Headed? — Phyllis Bennis and Larry Wilkerson. theanalysis.news Biden has appointed many old guard interventionists and new Cold Warriors, but there is some hope for a better Iran policy. Watch out for attempts by Israel to scuttle the nuclear deal. A wide-ranging discussion with Phyllis Bennis and Larry Wilkerson on theAnalysis.news with Paul Jay.
(2021-02-03). The Struggle Inside Senator Mitch McConnell's Brain. commondreams.org Allowing the Trumpian half of his brain to overpower his judgment and vote to acquit Dangerous Donald would spell disaster for the Republican Party (assuming the Democratic Party doesn't go to sleep as it did after Obama's win in 2008). | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/mcconnell_biden_0.jpg …
(2021-02-03). Over 1,400 arrested after Putin critic Navalny jailed in Russia. laprensalatina.com Moscow, Feb 3 (efe-epa).- Russian police have arrested more than 1,400 people from various places during overnight protests to support jailed Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny, a rights monitoring group said on Wednesday. The OVD-Info that keeps track of political persecutions in Russia said the police detained 1,145 protesters from Moscow streets. Nearly 250 were arrested …
(2021-02-03). 'Makes Us All Safer': Biden Admin Announces Five-Year Extension of New START Nuclear Treaty With Russia. commondreams.org "This welcome step is the start of our efforts to pursue effective arms control that lowers the risks of war and helps prevent arms races," said Secretary of State Antony Blinken. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/blinken_2.jpg …
(2021-02-03). Russia: UN rights office 'deeply dismayed' by Navalny sentencing. news.un.org The UN human rights office, OHCHR, expressed dismay on Wednesday over the sentencing of Russian opposition politician and activist Aleksei Navalny, and urged the authorities to release scores of his supporters arrested during rallies protesting his detention.
(2021-02-03). Joe Biden and the Revenge of the Behaviorists (Why Statistical Thinking Can Get You Killed). strategic-culture.org As the spirit of patriotism and belief in scientific and technological progress was slowly suffocated throughout the Cold War, the governing class that Russell represented sunk its talons into civilization ever more deeply. | Ninety years ago, Bertrand Russell wrote a book entitled In it, the philosopher and sometimes imperial grand strategist made the point that society has become far too complex to be left to democratic institutions. In the modern age of advanced warfare, only a scienti…
(2021-02-03). 'It's Just Hard to Understand': Head of US Space Force Complains Not Many Realize Its Purpose. sputniknews.com Ever since former President Trump started talking about it early on during his time in office, the Space Force has gained the attention of many Americans, while lawmakers in both parties see it as integral to ensuring that the military gives space the priority it requires in order to fight China and Russia.
(2021-02-03). Russia Urges New UNSC Members to Objectively View Syrian Chemical Dossier, Envoy to UN Says. sputniknews.com UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – Russia called on the five new UN Security Council member states to objectively treat the Syrian chemical dossier and note the country's readiness to cooperate with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said.
(2021-02-03). U.S. and Russia Extension of Nuclear Weapons Treaty Makes Everyone Safer; What About the Exploding Nuclear Weapons Budget? commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2021-02-03). Biden, Putin extend New START at start of a difficult relationship. laprensalatina.com Washington, Feb 3 (efe-epa).- President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, have agreed to extend the New START nuclear arms treaty for another five years, making what appears to be a good start in a bilateral relationship that, by all accounts, will be a difficult one. "Especially during times of tension, verifiable limits …
(2021-02-03). Biden must inspect America's embrittled reactors. nationofchange.org Biden must act to prevent what would constitute nuclear suicide in the United States.
(2021-02-03). Kurdish Contras Besiege Al-Hasakah—MES EP.92. thealtworld.com The siege imposed by the Kurdish contras known by the name "Syrian Democratic Forces" on the neighborhoods under the control of the Syrian army in the cities of Al-Hasakah and Qamishli continues in light of the escalation of the suffering of the people and the faltering of Russian efforts to find a settlement that ends the siege and restore matters to their previous state. This situation is prompting scores of Syrian residents to walk great distances to bypass the SDF checkpoints especially after one Syrian security officer was killed by the Kurdish Contras in Hasakah city. | To discuss this issue with us from Pe…
(2021-02-03). Russia's Demography Crisis. globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | Russia has demographic crisis. Notwithstanding official efforts to boost birth rates, …
(2021-02-02). China's New Aircraft Carrier Killer Is World's Largest Air-Launched Missile. anti-empire.com 
Navies are racing to develop hypersonic missiles which may change the pace of naval warfare. Russia will deploy the Zircon hypersonic missile aboard warships and submarines. The US Navy has started down the path of the common hypersonic glide body (c-HGB) for its destroyers. Meanwhile China's latest hypersonic weapon is something completely different; it is air launched. | The massive new missile, labelled CH-AS-X-13, is probably the largest air-launched missile in the world. | The missile was first reported by Ankit Panda, the Stanton Senior Fellow at the Nuclear Policy Program, Carnegie Endowment for Internatio…
(2021-02-02). Germany Rejects French Call to Scrap Russia Gas Pipeline Over Navalny. anti-empire.com 
France on Monday urged Germany to scrap a major gas pipeline project with Russia in protest over the detention in Moscow of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, but the plea fell on deaf ears in Berlin. | "We have always said we have the greatest doubts on this project in this context," European Affairs minister Clement Beaune told France Inter radio. | Asked specifically if France wanted Berlin to drop the project, Beaune said: "Indeed, we have already said this." | Nord Stream 2 is a 10 billion euro ($11 billion) pipeline that will run beneath the Baltic Sea and is set to double Russian natural-gas shipments to Ge…
(2021-02-02). Alexey Navalny jailed for over 2.5 years as Moscow Court says he violated terms of suspended sentence in 'Yves Rocher' fraud case. rt.com 
Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny will serve two years and almost eight months in prison after being found guilty of breaking the terms of a suspended sentence, handed down for an embezzlement case in 2014. | On Tuesday, Moscow City Court ruled that Navalny had failed to regularly report to the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN), and his excuse for non-appearance was deemed insufficient. Therefore, the judge decided that the suspended judgment should be converted into a real one. | The anti-corruption activist was originally sentenced in 2014 to three-and-a-half years, but he has already served close t…
(2021-02-02). 'All vaccines welcome': Merkel eyes Russia's Sputnik V jab after 'good data' shows over 91% effectiveness in clinical trial. rt.com 
Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she is open to Germany using Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 jab after a study in The Lancet reported its effectiveness as 91.6 percent against the virus overall and 100 percent against severe cases. | "We have received good data today from the Russian vaccine," Merkel said on Tuesday in a TV interview with public broadcaster ARD after interim analysis of Phase III clinical trial data was published by the esteemed British journal. | "Every vaccine is welcome in the EU, but only after it has been approved by EMA," Merkel said, referring to the European Medical Agency that regulates…
(2021-02-02). 'Really good news': Vaccine expert hails trial results of Russia's coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V published in Lancet. rt.com 
Results of the Phase III clinical study of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus jab should dispel any skepticism and help the global fight against Covid-19, Dr. Hildegunt Ertl from the Wistar Institute for vaccine research told RT. | Trial results, published on Tuesday in the Lancet — the UK's most prestigious medical journal — as a peer-reviewed study, show the vaccine is over 91 percent effective in all age groups, including the elderly most at risk of death from Covid-19, and 100 percent effective in preventing the severe cases of the disease. | "That's really good news," Dr. Ertl told RT from Philadelp…
(2021-02-02). 'All vaccines welcome': Merkel eyes Russia's Sputnik V jab after 'good data' show over 91% effectiveness in clinical trial. rt.com Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she is open to Germany using Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 jab after a study in The Lancet reported its effectiveness as 91.6 percent against the virus overall and 100 percent against severe cases. | "We have received good data today from the Russian vaccine," Merkel said on Tuesday in a TV interview with public broadcaster ARD after interim analysis of Phase III clinical trial data was published by the esteemed British journal. | "Every vaccine is welcome in the EU, but only after it has been approved by EMA," Merkel said, referring to the European Medical Agency that regulates…
(2021-02-02). Moscow slams West's 'foreign interference' as US and EU react to Navalny sentence. rt.com Condemnation poured in from western leaders after a Moscow court sentenced opposition figure Alexey Navalny to nearly three years in prison. The Russian government cautioned the concerned westerners to mind their own business. | "Don't meddle in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. And we recommend that everyone deals with their own problems," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Russian broadcaster RBC on Tuesday. | "Believe me," she added, "there are enough of their own problems in these countries, there are plenty of issues to deal with." | Shortly before Zakharova spoke, the Moscow City…
(2021-02-02). Russia's Sputnik V Is Found to Be 91.6% Effective, Providing Boost for Global Vaccination Effort. democracynow.org 
Russia has been one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, recording about 73,000 deaths and over 3.8 million infections over the past year. Meanwhile, there is widespread skepticism over the domestically developed Sputnik V vaccine, with many Russians reluctant to get the shot. Now a peer-reviewed study published in the respected Lancet medical journal has confirmed the vaccine's 91.6% efficacy, as developers of the shot have long maintained. "That's good news for the developers of the vaccine in Russia. That's good news for Russia writ large, which certainly has plenty of geopolitical ambitions surroundi…
(2021-02-02). Duff on RT: Could SU-25 fighter jet down a Boeing? Former pilots speak out on MH17 claims. thealtworld.com 
Why is the MH17 supposed controversy rearing it ugly head again? Why are the two Russian media giants — RT and Sputnik, both carrying versions of the long discredited Buk missile theory of the attack? RT put that to bed in the article in Appendix A, featuring VT's Gordon Duff, over a year ago. | Now, the current senseless and even idiotic versions being portrayed in the Russian press evidence two things: | 1. That the news agencies are penetrated, not just Abby Martin penetration but that wonderful ability that planted Zionist agents have to direct and misdirect from embedded staff positions. | 2. Israel an…
(2021-02-02). Moscow slams West's 'foreign interference' as US & EU issue statements condemning jail sentence for opposition figure Navalny. rt.com As condemnation poured in from western leaders after a Moscow court sentenced opposition figure Alexey Navalny to nearly three years in prison, the Russian government cautioned the concerned westerners to mind their own business. | "Don't meddle in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. And we recommend that everyone deals with their own problems," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Moscow news outlet RBK on Tuesday. | "Believe me," she added, "there are enough of their own problems in these countries, there are plenty of issues to deal with." | Shortly before Zakharova spoke, Moscow's Simon…
(2021-02-02). 'Lancet driven by science, not politics,' Sputnik V sponsor tells RT as UK journal confirms effectiveness of Russian vaccine. rt.com 
The Russian fund behind Sputnik V has thanked Lancet for putting science ahead of politics after the prestigious British medical journal published peer-reviewed results of clinical trials, showing the jab's 91.6 percent efficacy. | The high effectiveness of Sputnik V is "really a monumental achievement of Russia, but also a monumental achievement for the world because there are only three vaccines now… with efficacy of more than 90 percent," Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which funds the jab, told RT. The other two are the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. | We are thankfu…
(2021-02-02). Alexei Navalny Faces "Kafkaesque" Charges in Russia for Breaking Parole While in Poison-Induced Coma. democracynow.org 
Russian authorities have arrested thousands of people during anti-government protests in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has been held in jail since returning to Russia on January 17 after recovering in Germany from an attempt on his life in August using the nerve agent Novichok. Navalny has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of being behind the poisoning that nearly killed him. While Navalny has emerged as Russia's leading opposition figure and anti-corruption campaigner, his political roots have links to right-wing nationalist and anti-immigrant causes. Joshua Yaffa, Moscow corresp…
(2021-02-02). Band of brothers: The men UFC icon Khabib is bidding to push to the pinnacle of MMA. rt.com 
The curtain may have definitively been brought down on the career of UFC lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov, but that does not mean that the undefeated Russian's time in MMA is over. | UFC boss Dana White has appeared to admit defeat in his persistent efforts to lure Khabib back to the octagon for one final swansong, leaving fans mourning the loss of one of MMA's biggest and brightest stars. | However, Khabib's work is far from done as he aims to ensure that members of his family and inner circle follow the path of 'The Eagle' to the very top of their sport. | Khabib's long-time coach Javier Mendez has al…
(2021-02-02). Forever Wars by Pepe Escobar. thealtworld.com 
Description: | I have the pleasure to welcome you to the third in a series of e-books recovering the Pepe Escobar archives on Asia Times. | The archives track a period of 20 years — starting with the columns and stories published under The Roving Eye sign in the previous Asia Times Online from 2001 all the way to early 2015. | The first e-book tracked the interplay between China, Russia, and the U.S. between 2017-2020. | The second tracked the Islamic Republic of Iran throughout the "axis of evil" era, the Ahmadinejad years, the nuclear deal, and "maximum pressure" im- posed by the Trump administrat…
(2021-02-02). Mexico turns to COVAX and Russia to speed up vaccination plan. laprensalatina.com By Pedro Pablo Cortes Mexico City, Feb 2 (efe-epa).- The Mexican government on Tuesday announced that more than three million doses of Covid-19 vaccine from Russia and the World Health Organization's COVAX platform will arrive in February to speed up the country's ambitious but delayed immunization program. "We're going to have the vaccines, we're going …
(2021-02-02). Iran less than 2 years away from nuke weapons: Israel. yenisafak.com Israel's Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz warned on Tuesday that Iran needs a year or two to acquire a "nuclear weapon".Speaking to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, Steinitz claimed that Iran needs "around half a year" to produce enough uranium for a nuclear weapon."As for nuclear weaponry, the range is around one or two years", he said.Steinitz also credited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former US President Donald Trump for weakening Iran's goal of acquiring nuclear weapons."The withdrawal [of Trump] from the nuclear deal has weakened Iran," he said.Senior Israeli officials, including…