(2021-05-25). Biden And Putin To Meet In Geneva In June. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | The summit of the presidents of Russia and the United States will take place in Geneva on June 16. This was announced on May 25 by the Kremlin an the White House press services."In accordance with the agreement reached, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin will hold talks with President of the United States of America Joseph Biden on June 16 in Geneva," the statement says. | This wil…
(2021-05-25). Military Situation In Syria On May 25, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On May 24, Russia reported that Idlib militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 40 times: 20 — in Idlib province, 11 — in Latakia province, 7 — in Hama province, 2 — in Aleppo province | On May 24, Three people were killed by a motorcycle bomb explosion in Jarablus city | On May 24, Russian police conducted a joint military patrol with the Turkish army in the vicinity of the city of Ain al-Arab | The Russian Defense Ministry warns of "
(2021-05-25). Russia Completes Runway Reconstruction At Hmeimim Air Base In Syria With Tu-22M3 Landing. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | At Russia's Hmeimim Airbase in Syria, the reconstruction of the runway was completed. | Following the refurbishing, the air base in Syria is capable of receiving all types of Russian military aircraft, including heavy models, the Ministry of Defense said. | The second runway became longer, and the surface was completely replaced and new lighting and radio equipment was installed."It is the first time that aircraft of this type are based at the Khmeimim airfield. Crews of lon…
(2021-05-25). Intelligence and Ideology: the Exaggeration of the Threat. counterpunch.org The three major military powers (the United States, Russia, and China) systematically and consistently engage in inflation of the threats they face. Each side tends to see the worst motivation and the greatest capabilities in assessing its adversaries in order to justify its own actions. This problem was endemic throughout the Cold War, particularly in the 1980s when President Ronald Reagan used exaggerated and politicized threat assessments to justify the largest peacetime increase in defense spending and to rally American support for the buildup. Ironically, the United States was doing so at the very time that…
(2021-05-24). Dylan at 80: A Sonnet of Appreciation. counterpunch.org Dylan at 80: A Sonnet of Appreciation Been around almost as long the war with Russia, a child of Odessa blues, who spat at Ellsberg,* like Dad did the Tsar, went hunting Woody's career, filled his shoes, got himself condemned by the left and right — became the Wandering Jew, harp and guitar, on a
(2021-05-24). Temporary Technical Agreement On Monitoring At Iranian Nuclear Facilities Prolonged. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran have agreed to extend a temporary technical agreement on monitoring at the Iranian nuclear facilities until June 24, according to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. A three-month monitoring deal between Tehran and the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency As a result of talks hel…
(2021-05-24). Iran's Inspection Deal With Internatoinal Atomic Agency Expired. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The speaker of Iran's parliament said a three-month monitoring deal between Tehran and the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency has expired. | As a result, its access to images from inside some Iranian nuclear sites would cease."From May 22 and with the end of the three-month agreement, the (IAEA) agency will have no access to data collected by cameras inside the nuclear facilities agreed under the agreement," state TV quoted parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf as saying. | The…
(2021-05-24). Russia Developing Two Smaller Hypersonic Missiles For Its Tu-22M3 And Su-34 Bombers. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | Testing of a new small-sized hypersonic missile "Ostrota" that is to be equipped on Russia's bombers should begin next year, Izvestia Aircraft armed with such ammunition will become part of the Russian non-nuclear deterrent force. | The new missiles will help Russia maintain a leading position in this high-tech type of weapon. It is alle…
(2021-05-24). Playing Russian Roulette with Grizzly Matron 399 and the Bears of Yellowstone. counterpunch.org Few if any animals have been more celebrated than 399, the matron grizzly bear of Grand Teton National Park. Each year, families flock to Jackson Hole hoping to catch a glimpse of her shepherding her latest brood — now four irrepressible yearlings. Her grown-up daughter, Grizzly 610, accompanied by two pre-adolescent cubs now as large as she is, generates almost as much excitement. Today, about 10 grizzlies of 399's lineage make their living along Jackson Hole's roads in the company of people.
(2021-05-24). Iran, IAEA agree to extend monitoring deal, give ongoing Vienna talks a chance. peoplesdispatch.org The extension follows the expiry of a three-month agreement signed in February between the Iranian government and the IAEA providing the UN body access to Iranian nuclear sites through photos despite an Iranian law restricting physical inspection…