Devs May 3 >Damas ISIS pocket split, SAA link up from east and west axes, full control of cemetery, stadium, Bilal al-Habashi Mosque >SAA reportedly liberated all farmlands in the west of al-Aswad >Breakthrough in Hajar al-Aswad started with SAA in the east securing Younis Hospital and nearby communication center >Rebels in north Homs hand over weapons ahead of mass evacuation >N Homs; Tigers set to deploy on rebels in Al-Ghanto, Deir Fool, and ‘Ayn Hussein that refused govt deal >Douma; Syrian sappers defused 1,200 mines, 1.5 tons of explosive material, 4,000 IEDs >Idlib; Rebel infighting continues, 4 killed from Faylaq al-Sham when vehicle hit IED, car bomb kills 10 in al-Dana >Su-30 crashes off of coast of Latakia, believed to have struck birds >Anbar, Iraq; ISIS launches attack on Al-Hashd al-Shaabi unit near Albu Faraj, claim they killed 22 and wounded 10 >Lavrov; US is training militants near Jordanian border at al-Tanf despite ceasefire de-escalation zones >Lavrov calls on Israel to provide data on Iran’s nuclear program to IAEA if it has any
= NGO’s and hybrid warfare: youtu.be/ro1byfe5vUM = >WikiLeaks: Turkish oil minister links to Isis oil trade - wikileaks.org/berats-box/article Top aide to Hillary Clinton: :Al-Qaeda is on our side in Syria - wikileaks.org/clinton-emails/emailid/23225
>‘You’re only supposed to buy NATO-compatible weapons’ – State Dept to Turkey over Russian S-400 deal
Being a NATO member apparently means you can only buy arms and military hardware that the US-led bloc approves. At least, that’s what the State Department said in its latest warning to Ankara over an S-400 air-defense system deal. The new warning came on Thursday from US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert, who said that Washington has “serious concerns about Turkey’s potential acquisition” of the S-400 anti-aircraft systems.
>“Under NATO and under the NATO agreement, which of course, Turkey is a NATO member, you’re only supposed to buy, they are only supposed to buy, weapons and other materiel that are interoperable with other NATO partners. We don’t see that as being interoperable,” the State Department spokeswoman said during a press briefing.
The hotly discussed Turkey-Russia deal may signal closer relations between both nations, as well as a growing rift between Ankara and its NATO allies, mainly the US. Washington has repeatedly relayed its “concerns” to Turkish officials regarding the S-400 potential purchase. On one occasion, US Defense Secretary James Mattis noted that S-400s are “not going to be interoperable with NATO systems.”
Earlier in April, Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell warned that Ankara’s decision to buy Russia’s advanced complexes exposes Turkey to possible US sanctions and may bar it from getting F-35 jets. “Ankara claims to have agreed to purchase the Russian S-400 missile system, which could potentially lead to sanctions” under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), he said. The document was signed back in August 2017 and is mostly aimed at hindering Russian arms exports.
>Al Qaeda richer than Islamic State, but US views Iran as bigger threat than terrorists – Moscow
The revenues that Al-Qaeda receives are now more than a dozen times higher than that of Islamic State, but the US still considers Iran and Hezbollah to be greater threats than terrorists, a Russian Foreign Ministry official said. The income of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS), which once held vast parts of Iraq and Syria, dropped to $3 million per month, Dmitry Feoktistov, deputy director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department on New Challenges and Threats told RIA Novosti.
Feoktistov stressed that such a drop followed the cutting of the group’s channels of financing, mostly thanks to the efforts of the Russian Air Force, by blocking the terrorists’ trade of hydrocarbons.
In the meantime, the revenues of Al-Qaeda currently exceed those of IS. The notorious faction’s total income from its cells across the globe “is estimated at $20-40 million,” according to Feoktistov.
However, Washington seems to have forgotten about the dangers coming from both Al-Qaeda and Islamic State, the official stressed, adding that the US “is only interested in Hezbollah and Iran.”
“Americans have recently stopped calling Islamic State the main threat. They don’t deny that IS is a threat when asked, but they try to put this issue on the back-burner,” he said.
The diplomat noted that the US still maintains contacts with Russia on efforts to cut the terror groups’ lines of funding. “Countering terrorist financing is surprisingly an area where our dialogue has never been interrupted,” Feoktistov said.
>Which NATO members are engaged in ‘Novichok’-type substance research? Moscow asks bloc
Following the Czech president’s remarks about his country producing a nerve agent of the so-called Novichok family, Russia expects a response from NATO providing a full list of bloc members engaged in similar research. The scandal involving the poisoning of Russian ex-double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury in March was taken to the next level after Czech President Milos Zeman admitted on Thursday that his country had previously produced a nerve agent similar to the one Britain claims was used against Skripals.
Speaking at a news briefing on Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stressed that Moscow expects a response from other countries “which also had and have the capability to produce Novichok.”
>“And what about NATO? Didn’t the alliance know that a year ago Novichok was synthesized on the territory of the Czech Republic? Do you believe that?” she asked, adding that Moscow would like an official response from the bloc, naming other NATO members “engaged in similar research.”
>430 injured as IDF targets Great March of Return protesters – Palestinian Health Ministry
Palestinian protesters have gathered along the Gaza-Israel border for the sixth successive week. Friday’s demonstration seeks to highlight the high rates of unemployment in the Gaza Strip. At least 431 protesters have been injured so far, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Of those, 70 sustained wounds from Israeli live fire. Thirtysix children and three journalists are among the injured.
A spokesperson for the ministry said two ambulances were targeted by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) during the unemployment demonstrations. Some 40 percent of Gaza’s residents remain jobless.
>The IDF has issued a statement on Twitter, claiming more than 7,000 Palestinians have been “rioting” along the Gaza border. “Rioters hurled an explosive device at IDF troops who are responding with riot dispersal means & fire in accordance with the rules of engagement,” the forces said.
This thing looks like it would be comfy to ride during the apocalypse
Connor Gray
>Wife of Islamic State recruiter convicted for failing to stand in court
The wife of an Islamic State group recruiter has become the first person convicted under a law criminalising the refusal to stand for a judge in Australia.
Moutia Elzahed, 50, raised a finger to the sky to perform the IS salute outside of a Sydney court after the proceedings.
She was found guilty of nine charges of disrespectful behaviour during previous court hearings she was involved in. She will be sentenced on June 15.
Elzahed, dressed in a black niqab, gown and gloves, sat with her arms folded in the Downing Centre Local Court after magistrate Carolyn Huntsman delivered the landmark decision.
CCTV showed Elzahed failed to rise in court nine times, with each offence carrying a maximum jail term of 14 days and a A$1,100 (£610) fine.
Elzahed said she only stood for Allah, but Ms Huntsman found no evidence she had acted on a genuine religious belief.
>‘You’re only supposed to buy NATO-compatible weapons’ capitalism is good and all until you get undercut by the competition then you switch to communism
Levi Williams
"Macron: Trump pulling out of Iran deal 'could mean war'"
>The French leader tells Der Spiegel that President Trump's threats to abandon the Obama-era deal aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear weapons program could open "Pandora's box," leading the U.S. and European allies toward armed conflict.
>"That would mean opening Pandora's box, it could mean war," Macron said. "I don't believe that Donald Trump wants war."
>Macron made a strong push for the U.S. to remain in the deal during his visit last month to the White House, but told reporters afterward that he thought Trump would decide to exit the deal.
>“My view — I don’t know what your president will decide — is that he will get rid of this deal on his own, for domestic reasons,” Macron said.
>Such a move "can work in the short term but it’s very insane in the medium to long term,” he added.
>capitalism is good and all until you get undercut by the competition then you switch to communism True! They do the same with chink phones. US tries to push huawei out of US
Actually it has to do with communication and standardization of equipment during a large-scale war. If there were a war with Russia, the Russian-bought Turkish equipment would in theory be misidentified.
Mason Powell
>Why It’s A Bad Idea To Abandon The White Helmets In Syria
It is hard to imagine that the purpose of this cut-off is purely economical. In the context of playing any role at all in Syria, $200 million doesn’t buy you much influence, but it at least signals an interest in humanitarian assistance and a possible role in any future reconstruction, at least in areas not currently under regime control.
A Trump administration’s decision to abandon this minimal humanitarian role signals a broader strategic abandonment of Syria to the Russia/Iran axis. One wonders beyond that what Turkey’s role will be in northern Syria in the eventuality of a complete US withdrawal from Kurdish areas.
>It is hard to imagine that the purpose of this cut-off is purely economical. In the context of playing any role at all in Syria, $200 million doesn’t buy you much influence, but it at least signals an interest in humanitarian assistance and a possible role in any future reconstruction, at least in areas not currently under regime control. >A Trump administration’s decision to abandon this minimal humanitarian role signals a broader strategic abandonment of Syria to the Russia/Iran axis. One wonders beyond that what Turkey’s role will be in northern Syria in the eventuality of a complete US withdrawal from Kurdish areas.
sure i know about it but USA doesn't produce anything that matches the S400 and thus get angry at turk that don't spend their shekels to the MIC otherwise poland would have caught flak too for having ruski planes
Two young people from the Swiss town of Winterthur have been charged in connection with going to fight in Syria with Islamic State.
A Zurich canton juvenile judge charged the two on Thursday with breaking the federal law that bans membership of the Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS) jihadist groups.
The two went to join IS in Syria in 2014 and were arrested on their return to Switzerland when they were aged 16 and 17. A judicial investigation was opened in December 2015.
Both of the accused are now over 18 but they will be tried for crimes committed before they reached the age of majority, the Zurich juvenile judge said on Friday.
The case has now been sent to the Winterthur juvenile court. Procedures are to take place behind closed doors as part of protection measures. No further details were given about the charges or the sentence requested.
Either way Russia shouldnt sell this valuable system to Turkshits, one of the biggest allies of USA and Israel. They hate Russia and will betray them. I hope Russians are doing it just for the keks and to make problems between Turkshits and americans
Dominic Thomas
U.S. Navy announces that nearly seven years after it was disbanded, Second Fleet will be re-established, which will be responsible for the northern Atlantic Ocean and east coast. It comes against the backdrop of a resurgent Russia and heightened tensions with Moscow.
>4,376 terrorists 'neutralized' in Turkey’s Afrin op
At least 4,376 terrorists have been "neutralized" since the launch of Operation Olive Branch in Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday.
"Number of terrorists that were neutralized in Afrin was 4,376. In northern Iraq 379, while 297 in [Turkey's] Cudi, Gabar and Tendurek," Erdogan said during the opening ceremony of Istanbul's historic Spice Bazaar after restoration works.
Hey can the Aussiebro who made the last map make one for Yemen, Libya, and Afghanistan please?
Thomas Rivera
What a waste of fucking time and money.
Russia = Predominantly White + Orthodox Christian
America = Christian founded country, lots of whites
US + RUSSIA = God Mode
Why do all the fucking kiked hate this idea so much, why is Israel so terrified at the idea of the US and Russia becoming great allies and opening up trade?
Any sweden bros around? Is it true that your gov build special ghettos for rapefugees far away from cities and this is why they are called no-go zones?
>why is Israel so terrified at the idea of the US and Russia becoming great allies and opening up trade? this is only a fraction of what your greatest ally do to christians living in their territory no wonder they're allied with ISIS
>mutt delusions America is ignorant good goy mutts weaponised for kike purposes
Xavier Hernandez
That feeling when you realize the reason no one is responding, is because most the ppl in the thread are CIA or government paid shills, and what I posted goes against their narrative.
How well do those oriental fashion roofs hold up to snow?
Samuel Cook
Developments for next bread have been completed
Devs May 4 >SAA and Palestininan allies claim they are close to liberating Hajar al-Aswad >SAA discover sizeable ISIS weapons cache in Hajar al-Aswad from liberated areas >RuAf resume airstrikes near Turkish border, targeting areas held by the Turkestan Islamic Party in Jisr Al-Shughour District >Harry Truman strike group begins air ops from the Med against ISIS targets in Syria >OPCW announces their investigation in Douma is complete, results may take 3 to 4 weeks to come in >Dara’a; SyAf begins airstrikes in Tal Al-Harrah for 1st time in months ahead of upcoming op >Egyptian FM; Egypt has no plans to send troops to Syria >N Homs; Rebels hand over 2 tanks and 2 BMPs to the SAA, a shortage of buses has delayed rebel evac until Monday >US State Dept; Support for the White Helmets is “under active review”, have not sent group funds for several weeks >Hariri slams Nasrallah, says his political party rescued Lebanon from ISIS and that Hezbollah is funding extremism >RF MoD Shoigu discusses Middle East security with Libyan commander Haftar in video conference call
>The United States Should Seize on Iran’s Currency Crisis
An anti-regime alliance of rich and poor could be the key to ending clerical rule.
Over the first three months of 2018, Iran’s currency collapsed into total free fall, with the dollar gaining 37 percent against the rial — accelerated in part by John Bolton’s appointment as U.S. President Donald Trump’s national security advisor. Iran started the year with widespread protests across the country, fueled by low-income Iranians’ economic grievances. These protests cast a shadow of doubt over the regime’s stability and put a downward pressure on the rial.
Tehran spent February and March fighting its currency depreciation and flight of capital without much success due to the increasing probability of the United States leaving the nuclear deal. On April 9, Bolton’s first day on the job, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani rolled out a series of draconian steps to halt the crisis. (rferl.org/a/iran-looks-to-unify-exchange-rates-to-halt-currency-fall/29156130.html)
Even more shocking, the Central Bank of Iran prohibited Iranians from keeping more than 10,000 euro at any given time. Any amount held in excess had to be immediately sold back to the government — at a loss — or put into government-owned bank accounts with the knowledge that the regime could freeze or access the funds at any time. Additionally, Rouhani declared that Iranians could buy only 1,000 euro, once per year, before traveling to another country.
These decrees are not only signs of a regime in severe crisis. They are direct assaults on the livelihoods and lifestyles of Rouhani’s last remaining supporters: Iran’s upper-middle class. The measures target those looking to protect their wealth by hedging against the rial and those looking to have enough money to travel abroad.
CONT
Cooper Price
An anti-regime alliance of rich and poor could be the key to ending Iran’s clerical rule. The Trump administration should aggressively pursue policies that widen the gap between Iran’s government and its people, strengthening the pro-democracy movement along the way.
>One way to quickly exacerbate the regime’s currency crisis is to restore the congressionally enacted sanctions on the central bank. That law, which is currently suspended as part of the 2015 nuclear agreement, did more than just prohibit financial transactions with the central bank and force importers of Iranian oil to significantly reduce their purchases. It also put all the bank’s foreign-held accounts on lockdown, denying the regime the ability to freely access or transfer its foreign exchange reserves.
With the foreign currency market shut down by Rouhani, the regime has two options right now: back all imports with cheap foreign currency by depleting its foreign exchange reserves, or face a shortage of goods and certain social instability. The government is likely to choose the first option, and if it loses all access to foreign-held reserves at the same time, the mullahs will soon face a balance of payments crisis that could bring down the regime.
>Trump has already threatened to bring back sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran by May 12 if U.S. and European negotiators can’t agree on a way to fix the nuclear deal.
India Pale Ale Made with a Muntons IPA Bitter kit. This beer was crafted in July, 2014, in the countryside of France, by 4 friends. This IPA Bitter is the first beer crafted by this brewery.
