Letterman
Daily Archives: 2. Juli 2015
Elephant Man – `I am not an animal! I am a human being!´
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Looking For Eric – `No!´
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Hamas, Hezbollah said to discuss Israel ceasefire
The meeting will mark Marzouk’s second powwow with the Hezbollah leader in a month.
The two are expected to discuss Hamas’s reported backchannel talks with Israel over a long-term ceasefire.
Saudi Arabia Reluctantly Finds Common Ground With Israel About Iran
(18.Juni) JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia—After launching into a tirade about the malicious designs of their perfidious foe, three Saudi academics and analysts on separate recent occasions began by pronouncing “Israel”—and then, catching their error of habit mid-word, corrected themselves to say “Iran.”
The custodian of Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia has long preached the message of Islamic unity, albeit on its own terms. That…
@NegarMortazavi and it scares the hell out of some regional powers
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Kerry & Zarif in Vienna. This scene was unimaginable two years ago, after 3 decades of US-Iran animosity.
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Kerry Zarif meeting ended
(2.Juli 2015)
Pool at Kerry-Zarif meeting just now asked if a deal is close. Kerry looked over, gave a thumbs up, & said, „See ya later.“
(2.Juli 2015)
Recht auf Vergessen: Schutz vor Google und Facebook
(15.Juni 2015) Die Europäische Union ist ihrem Ziel, die Kleinstaaterei im Internet zu überwinden, einen Schritt nähergekommen
Anti-Terrorkampf: Deutschland will Nigerias Armee unterstützen
(4.November 2012) Deutschland will die nigerianische Armee dabei unterstützen, eine zentrale Fahndungsstelle im Anti-Terrorkampf aufzubauen. Wie die „Financial Times Deutschland“ berichtet, soll ein deutscher Verbindungsmann des Bundeskriminalamts (BKA) in die Hauptstadt Abuja reisen.
US and Israeli pressure on Nigeria to sell out Palestine at U.N. amounted to ‘national security threat’
(29.Mai 2015) You may recall that last December the Security Council considered a resolution to call for an end to the occupation, and that the motion failed because it only got eight yes votes. Nigeria abstained after it had been expected to support the resolution. Now Nigerian Foreign Minister Aminu Wali has apologized to the Palestinian Authority for abstaining. From Middle East Monitor, citing the newspaperAl Quds:
The statement said that Wali has officially apologised to the Palestinian ambassador, citing huge pressure put on his country pushing it to vote against the Palestinian motion. He said that the pressure amounted to a “national security threat”.
The statement does not say who applied the pressure.
Nigeria: Boko Haram – Mossad, CIA to Probe Security Agencies
(5.September 2011) PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan may have set up a probe committee primarily of Israeli and the United States of America (USA)-recommended intelligence officers to examine the entire Nigerian security apparatus.
The joint operation known as MOSSAD and the CIA, led by the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Moshe Ram, is also to oversee the MOSSAD probe of the Nigerian security agencies against the suspected infiltration of sympathisers of Islamic terrorism.
3rd Special Forces Group returns its focus to Africa
As it transitions to Africa, 3rd Group will focus primarily on northern and western Africa, Wilson said. This could include deployments to countries such as Libya, Djibouti, Kenya, Mauritania and Mali.
Terrormiliz in Nigeria – Fast 100 Tote bei Boko-Haram-Attacke: Die Terrormiliz Boko Haram hat wieder im Nordos…
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“Teile und Herrsche”: Attentate auf die Bevölkerungen von Nigeria und Ägypten
(1.Januar 2011) In zwei brutalen Diktaturen, die von den USA und ihren alliierten Staaten wie Deutschland gestützt und finanziert werden, ereignen sich am Neujahrstag obskure Attentate. Die Darstellungen der „Sicherheitsbehörden“ sind absurd, widersprüchlich und wechseln blitzschnell. Die Presse folgt ohne zu fragen. Aus dem Hut gezogen werden wieder einmal die „Islamisten“ und die „Al Kaida“. Betrieben wird nach der alten römischen Strategie „Teile und Herrsche“ die Spaltung der unterdrückten und ausgebeuteten Bevölkerung in sich bekämpfende Christen und Muslime.
Chaos, Krawalle, Spar-Proteste | Droht Griechenland ein Militär-Putsch?
(16.Februar 2012) Doch wie schnell ein Einsatz des Militärs außer Kontrolle geraten und zu einer Machtübernahme der griechischen Generäle führen könnte, belegt die Aussage eines hohen Generals: „Wenn sie mir sagen, ich soll Panzer schicken, um die Banken zu beschützen, dann werde ich sie schicken, aber ich selbst werde drin sitzen und die erste Granate auf die Banken abfeuern!“
The tragedy of Puerto Rico, America’s very own Greece
Puerto Rico, like Greece, is the poor southern cousin of a politically-motivated monetary union which was not designed with such populations in mind. Like Greece, it is burdened with a massive debt it can’t realistically pay back. Like Greece, it is therefore going to default. And like Greece, that default is going to prove extraordinarily painful, in large part because of the constraints being imposed from the north.
EU-Austritts-Volksbegehren: Großer Sieg der unabhängigen Bürgerbewegung
„Österreich einer verbindlichen Volksabstimmung über Austritt aus der EU einen großen Schritt näher!“
Unabhängiger (?) NSA-Sonderbeauftragter: “Werde Aufgabe loyal geg. Auftraggeber erfüllen. Das ist in diesem Fall die Bundesregierung”
#NSAUA
Sonderermittler Kurt Graulich war bei der #BND-Klage 2014 Berichterstatter. #NSAUA
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Der #IS hat im Sinai das ägyptische Militär angegriffen. 120 Menschen starben.
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American Troops Boots on the Ground in Egypt – To Protect Israel? Israel-Sinai Fence Completed
(21.6.2013) The Washington Times reports that 400 U.S. troops will go to Egypt’s Sinai to “curb riots,” and report on “violations” to the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. If Israel’s security is threatened, troops will “engage.”
U.S. deploys 400 troops to assist Sinai peacekeeping force
(25.6.2013) The U.S. soldiers, who came from the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division, were ordered to remain in Sinai for at least nine months. On June 19, the troops underwent riot control exercises at Fort Hood, Texas that included mock firebomb attacks.
Egypt denies plans to deploy US troops in Sinai
(25.11.2012) On Facebook, Armed Forces spokesman Colonel Ahmed Ali said the Armed Forces would never accept the presence of foreign troops or bases on Egyptian soil.
The only foreign forces present in Egypt are the Multinational Force and Observers, comprising elements from 13 countries, working since the Israeli withdrawal from Sinai in 1982 to ensure that both sides comply with the peace agreement, Ali said.
Walker asks no U.S. forces in Sinai
(11.September 1975) New London – Thomas C. „Pete“ Walker of New London, national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, says that under no circumstances should the United States place its military forces in the Sinai.
„The Sinai must never become a Middle East variaton of Southeast Asia,“ Walker said in a statement.
Egyptian source: If ISIS nears Gaza, Sissi may ‚invite‘ IDF to act against it
Egyptian army’s challenge is not only to destroy ISIS’ forces, but to prevent it from establishing strongholds in Sheikh Zuweid and El Arish, which would allow it to conduct a prolonged war of attrition.
The Orwellian logic of Israel’s blockade of Gaza
It goes like this: There is no such blockade, and if you violate it, you will be arrested.
The Flotilla didn’t make it to Gaza, but Israel didn’t win
It’s ironic that Netanyahu insists that there is no blockade while at the same time prohibiting the flotilla from reaching Gaza.
Obama, Renzi talk about Greece, terrorism in call
The leaders „agreed on the importance of all parties working to bring Greece back on the path of reforms and financing that leads to growth and debt sustainability within the eurozone,“ the White House said.
Varoufakis “will resign” if Greeks vote YES, prefers “to cut arm off than deal without Debt Restructuring”
Speaking to Bloomberg TV on Thursday morning, Varoufakis said among others:
* “If a yes vote, I will not be finance minister on Monday night
* I prefer to cut my arm off rather than sign an agreement without debt restructuring
*Syriza is going to be the major force in Greek politics come Monday no matter what happens.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ message
A popular verdict is always so much stronger than the will of a government alone. And I would like to reiterate that democratic choice is a core European tradition. During very important moments in European history, the people have made important decisions through referenda.
This happened in France, and in many other countries, concerning the referendum on the European constitution. This happened in Ireland, where the referendum temporarily voided the Treaty of Lisbon and led to a renegotiation, that resulted in better terms for Ireland. Unfortunately, in Greece’s case, we’ve been subjected to different standards.
Personally, I would have never expected that democratic Europe would not understand the need to give some space and time to a people to sovereignly make a choice about their future.
The prevalence of extreme conservative forces led to the decision to asphyxiate our country’s banks–with the obvious aim of blackmailing not just the government, but each each citizen individually.
It is unacceptable in a Europe of solidarity and mutual respect to have these disgraceful images:
Statement on Cuba: Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Vienna, Austria July 1, 2015
This transition, this moment in history, is taking place because President Obama made a personal, fundamental decision to change a policy that didn’t work and that had been in place not working for far too long. I believe that’s leadership, and I appreciate that leadership. And President Castro felt similarly that it was time for a change. Both leaders agree that concentrating on the issues and possibilities of the future is far more productive than remaining mired in the past. And I would say as we look at the world today with conflicts that we see and even these negotiations taking place here in Vienna, it is important for people to understand that things can change, that leadership can be effective and can make a difference.
Die roten Linien Irans bei den Nuklearverhandlungen
(23.Juni) Ajatollah Khamenei unterstrich: „Im Iran sind alle, die Regierung, das Parlament, die Judikative und die Sicherheits- und Militärorgane und alle anderen Einrichtungen und ich selber, für ein gutes Nuklearabkommen, welches respektvoll, fair und entsprechend dem Wohl und den Interessen Irans verfasst wird. Er fuhr fort: Wir streben zwar die Aufhebung der Sanktionen an, sehen in ihnen aber auch eine Art Gelegenheit, denn sie haben uns veranlasst den Kräften und Kapazitäten im Inland größere Aufmerksamkeit zu widmen
IAEA Director General to visit Iran
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano travels to Tehran today for meetings with President Hassan Rouhani and other senior Iranian officials on Thursday.
Fortschritte bei Verhandlungen zur iranischen Atomfrage
Die Internationale Atomenergiebehörde (IAEA) gab am gleichen Tag bekannt, dass sich ihr Chef Yukiya Amano am Donnerstag in Teheran mit dem iranischen Präsidenten Hassan Rouhani treffen werde.
Atomgespräche: IAEA-Generaldirektor reist in Iran
Verhandlungen gehen in Wien auf Außenminister- und Expertenebene weiter – Medienberichte über Einigung zu Sanktionsmechanismus
Außenminister erneut zu Atomgesprächen in Wien erwartet
Mehrere Chefdiplomaten der 5+1-Gruppe (USA, Russland, China, Großbritannien, Frankreich und Deutschland) werden am Donnerstag am Verhandlungsort in Wien erwartet. Nach Angaben aus iranischen Kreisen könnte es auch zu einer kompletten Runde aller sieben Länder kommen. Bis zum 7. Juli soll ein Abkommen stehen.
Why we recommend a NO in the referendum – in 6 short bullet points
1. Negotiations have stalled because Greece’s creditors (a) refused to reduce our un-payable public debt and (b) insisted that it should be repaid ‘parametrically’ by the weakest members of our society, their children and their grandchildren
2. The IMF, the United States’ government, many other governments around the globe, and most independent economists believe — along with us — that the debt must be restructured.
3. The Eurogroup had previously (November 2012) conceded that the debt ought to be restructured but is refusing to commit to a debt restructure
Beginnings: From the dictatorship of the Colonels to the tyranny of economics
I was born in Athens back in the mists of 1961. Greece was, at the time, struggling to shed the post-civil war veil of totalitarianism. Alas, those hopes were dashed after a brief period of hope and promise. So, by the time I was six, in April of 1967, a military coup d’ etat plunged us all into the depths of a hideous neo-Nazi dictatorship. Those bleak days remain with me. They endowed me with a sense of what it means to be both unfree and, at once, convinced that the possibilities for progress and improvement are endless. The dictatorship collapsed when I was at junior high school. This meant that the enthusiasm and political renaissance that followed the junta’s collapse coincided with my coming of age. It was to prove a significant factor in the way that I resisted conversion to the ways of Anglo-saxon cynicism in the years to come.
The presidency shouldn‘t be about gaining power but giving power back to the people. #StandWithRand in IA
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My take: In the 2015 National Military Strategy, @Martin_Dempsey tells the military war agaisnt extremists will never end #PermanentWar
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America’s Real National Security Budget — A Trillion Dollars a Year
In reality, the United States spends closer to trillion dollars a year on its current and former soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, intel agents and their equipment—and also the paramilitary “homeland security” personnel whose equivalents in many other countries are uniformed troops.
US-Militär befürchtet schleichenden Machtverlust
Die USA hätten es nun mit vielen gleichzeitigen Herausforderungen sowohl von anderen Staaten als auch von „überregionalen Netzwerken unterstaatlicher Gruppen“ zu tun, darunter die Terrormiliz Islamischer Staat (IS). Alle würden die technische Entwicklung etwa durch Soziale Medien und Internetangriffe zu ihrem Vorteil nutzen.
Dempsey Discusses New Military Strategy, ISIL
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today said the new National Military Strategy takes into account increasing disorder in the world and the erosion of America’s comparative advantage.
Iran among states posing ‘serious security concerns,’ says US military
WASHINGTON — America’s new military strategy singles out states like China and Russia as aggressive and threatening to US security interests, while placing states such as Iran and North Korea in a list of opponents who pose “serious security concerns” to America and its allies.
It also warned of growing technological challenges and worsening global instability.
Pentagon Releases New National Military Strategy
The Pentagon has released a new National Military Strategy, the first update to that document since 2011 — one that warns the threat of major war with another nation is „growing.“
The strategy is being updated to reflect the new global security situation, one in which the US is facing near-peer adversaries like Russia and China while simultaneously having to handle diffuse militant groups like the Islamic State.
Lawsuit Filed After Export-Import Bank Official Swears He ‚Accidentally‘ Deleted All Of His Responsive Text Messages
Sure, Freedom of Information laws are great, but they have their downsides. For one thing, they clearly signal to agencies which records are being sought. It‘s unavoidable. To answer a request, an agency needs to know what it‘s looking for. Once the request is out in the open, efforts can begin in earnest to excise information anyone affected doesn‘t want made public.
I‘m not saying anyone did anything wrong, but it very definitely looks like someone did something deliberately wrong.
Freispruch nach 7 Jahren Untersuchungshaft: Ende einer juristischen Farce
Am Freitag, den 22.05.2015 ist Faruk Ereren vom Oberlandesgericht (OLG) Düsseldorf vom Vorwurf des Mordes freigesprochen worden. Faruk sollte – so der Vorwurf – von Deutschland aus 1993 telefonisch einen Anschlag in der Türkei in Auftrag gegeben haben, wofür es aber bis heute keinerlei Beweise gibt. Der einzige Belastungszeuge Genc, der über Dritte von diesem Telefonat gehört haben will, ist während des gesamten Verfahrens nicht vor einem deutschen Gericht erschienen. Nichtsdestotrotz hat sich die deutsche Justiz in diesem Verfahren zu einem willfährigen Handlanger der türkischen Behörden gemacht.
Edathy-Ausschuss: An der SPD bleibt ein Makel kleben
Klar ist nach einem Jahr Ausschuss nur: Irgendwer lügt. Edathys Aussagen vor dem Ausschuss sind in wichtigen Teilen von anderen Zeugen bestätigt worden. Michael Hartmann verweigert inzwischen die Aussage. Und Oppermann? Der sagt nur das Nötigste.
#Oppermann :“Wäre gut gewesen, wenn Michael Hartmann im Untersuchungsausschuss umfassend ausgesagt hätte.“ #Edathy #EdathyUA
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Hartmann erklärt sich in Edathy-Affäre
(11.Juni) Über seinen Anwalt ließ Hartmann dem Ausschuss des Bundestages mitteilen, er könne sich nicht erinnern, wer ihm am 10. Februar 2014 von dem Kinderpornoverdacht gegen seinen Parteikollegen Sebastian Edathy berichtet habe.
@ThomasWalde – Höre, SPD-MdB Hartmann sei in Klinik. Werde „mindestens weitere sechs Wochen“ krank sein. War bis Ende März krankgeschrieben
(31.März)
Michael Hartmann bis 10. März krankgeschrieben. #Edathy
(25.Februar)
„Eventuell hat #SPD-Spitze Michael Hartmann beauftragt“, sagt Grüne Mihalic. #edathy
(18.Juni)