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World War 3, Asian Front: Afghan Pakistan Iran War continues to escalate! More proof no 2014 pullout! U.S. taxes stolen!

12 May 2013/02 Rajab 1434/22 Ordibehest 1391/03 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

In Kandahar Province, Arghandab District, reports that two civilians killed by U.S. personnel in pre-dawn home invasion.  Four people kidnapped.

In Logar Province, four of eight Turkish engineers captured by Mujahideen last month, were released.

In Helmand Province, the district attorney for Marjah District was assassinated.  He drove over a landmine planted just for him.  Also Denmark’s Prime Minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, made an unannounced visit to Danish troops in Helmand.  She said Denmark will remain after the supposed 2014 pullout, spending taxpayer money: “Denmark will be involved in Afghanistan also after 2014, but we will focus on civilian and development efforts.”

The United States has once again thrown its support behind the artificial border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.  All Afghan leaders have stated they will not accept the British empire imposed Durand Line border.  Most of western Pakistan actually belongs to Afghanistan. The evil Red Coats arbitrarily drew the line in 1893, to separate India from Afghanistan.  It was later used, by the British, to create the new country of Pakistan.

In Kunar Province, Asadbad city, one child was killed and several people wounded by an artillery attack from Pakistan.

The Missouri U.S.A., Army National Guard’s 1138th Engineer Company returned home from Afghanistan.

11 May 2013/01 Rajab 1434/21 Ordibehest 1391/02 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

In Nuristan Province, a National Directorate of Security (NDS) agent was assassinated.  Local cops say a bomb exploded as he left his house to go to work.

In Kunar Province, 30 Pakistani artillery rounds reportedly hit Shegal District, wounding one child. Also, 35 Pakistani artillery rounds reportedly hit Sarkano District wounding four people.

In Kandahar province, the police chief of Panjwai District blames Pakistan for ongoing violence in his district: “The only enemies we have are from Pakistan. There are many groups that work under the ISI of Pakistan. And some of our Afghans are there, being trained by Pakistan, who sends them here……..the past 4 years Pakistan has been trying to bring Afghanistan under its control.”-Lieutenant Colonel Sultan Mohammad

The Afghan Senate is demanding that the United States military kick the Pakistani army out of Goshta district of eastern Nangarhar province.

In Faryab Province, seven Afghan National Police (ANP), including their boss, and one civilian were wounded after they drove past a motorcycle bomb that was remote detonated.

In Farah Province, 300 Afghan migrant workers were entering Iran illegally.  Iranian border guards open fired and allegedly killed ten people, according to Afghan sources: “As soon as they touched Iranian soil the Iranian border police opened fire.”-Abdul Rahman Zhwandai, governor of Farah Province

Currently there are 1 million Afghans living in Iran, legally.  There is an estimated 1.4 million Afghans illegally in Iran, and Iranians are getting tired of the seeming daily flood of Afghans fleeing the supposedly U.S. liberated and stabilized country of Afghanistan.  In 2012 Iranian border cops allegedly killed 23 Afghans trying to enter Iran illegally.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is pledging more of Germany’s tax money to Afghanistan.  It’s part of a post-2014 military pact, however Merkel claims the tax money will be issued only if certain ‘democratic’ goals are met.

The World Bank gives Afghanistan even more money.  A $55 million USD grant for vocational education.

According to industry group Professional Overseas Contractors, the 2014 pullout might see U.S. military personnel leave, but they will be replaced with thousands of contracted security forces (mercenaries).  The effective result will be continued U.S. military presence: “It’s a de facto army, a de facto military presence there. They are a de facto logistic and supply chain. We’re going to be relying on contractors across the board. They will be doing all of the things that go into nation building.”-Malou Innocent, Cato Institute

It was also revealed that U.S. taxpayers are spending hundreds of billions of dollars every year on government contractors.

10 May 2013/29 Jumada t-Tania 1434/20 Ordibehest 1391/01 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

In Kapisa Province, Tagab District, a suicide car bomber killed three people and wounded four others when he blew up his vehicle near a police checkpoint.

In Laghman Province, reports of a major battle between Afghan government forces and Mujahideen, that raged for three hours.  Dozens killed and wounded on both sides.

In Nangarhar Province, Achin District, at least 11 de-miners (people who remove landmines) and their purpose built armored vehicles were captured by Mujahideen.

In Kunduz Province, Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel made an unannounced visit to German troops.  She hinted at the deployment of more German troops: “…we have achieved a great deal. But there are still places, where there is no security at all. We need to deploy German soldiers…”

A Mujahideen group says the U.S. does not plan on leaving Afghanistan.  The group says Afghans will never compromise on their independence, and will not recognize any agreement made by the puppet government and the United States: “Afghans want an independent Afghanistan. We will never make any deal on our independence.”-Zabiullah Mujahed

About four dozen U.S. Air Force Reserve airmen, from the 459th Air Refueling Wing, deployed to Afghanistan.  One Reservist said it was his 6th deployment!

The director of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) says the Obama administration is trying to silence SIGAR’s investigations into U.S. corruption in Afghanistan: “Over the last 10 months, I have been criticized by some bureaucrats for not pre-clearing my press releases with them, for not letting them edit the titles of my audits, for talking too much to Congress, for talking too much to the press.…basically, for not being a ‘team player’ and undermining ‘our country’s mission in Afghanistan.’”-John Sopko

09 May 2013/28 Jumada t-Tania 1434/19 Ordibehest 1391/30 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

Afghan President Hamid Karzai revealed that the United States will maintain at least nine military bases in Afghanistan, for at least ten years after the supposed 2014 pullout!

U.S. government investigators have discovered that $50 million tax dollars have been stolen!  The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) says the money was put in Afghan banks.  SIGAR officials blame both the U.S. and Afghan governments.

World War 3, Asian Front: U.S. led NATO investigates itself! Russia blames U.S. for opium! Afghan Pakistan War escalates! School poisonings False Flag?

08 May 2013/27 Jumada t-Tania 1434/18 Ordibehest 1391/29 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

U.S. led ISAF/NATO investigates its own personnel for misconduct during operations in Zabul Province at the end of April.  U.S. officials gave no further details. Apparently it’s the result of an internal ISAF/NATO complaint.

In Farah Province, Karwangah area at Bala Bolok District, Mujahideen ambushed Afghan National Army (ANA) and Police forces (ANP). Five government personnel killed, four wounded, and three vehicles damaged.

In Kandahar Province, Maiwand District, Afghans protested night time home invasions.  Fighting broke out between civilians and police.  At least eight people killed, 18 wounded, several arrested.

In Helmand Province, Baghranian area in Nahr-e-Saraj District, three civilians were killed and five wounded when they drove over a landmine.

In Kabul City, Human Rights Watch is accusing the government of arbitrarily detaining and torturing peaceful protestors: “The arrest and brutal beating of peaceful protesters seems aimed at sending a message to all Afghans not to publicly criticize the government.”-Brad Adams, HRW

Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the U.S. led ISAF/NATO mission in Afghanistan: “There are all grounds to believe that we may face an escalation of the situation in Afghanistan in the short term. The foreign military contingent, whose backbone is American forces, has not achieved a breakthrough in the fight against terrorist and radical groups as yet. On the contrary, their [Mujahideen] activity has been particularly increasing lately…”

Putin also said it’s suspicious that illegal drug production is gaining momentum under the eye’s of the United States: “….a drastic increase in drug production in the territory of Afghanistan and the creation of stable drug trafficking routes to other countries….”

Reports that New Zealand has completed shipping metric tons of military supplies back to Kiwi Land.  It took 35 C-130 Hercules 16 flights to fly home 100 truck loads worth of NZDF equipment.  But not everything was brought home, Kiwi taxpayers unknowingly made a big donation to Afghanistan:  “When we arrived in Bamiyan we had to account for ten years’ worth of equipment and supplies. We identified what needed to be brought back to New Zealand, and items that could be gifted to the local community such as some vehicles, furniture, medical consumables and cleaning stores.”-Lieutenant Colonel Richard Weston, Royal New Zealand Air Force

The U.S. state of Georgia Army National Guard (GNG) announced they will bring livestock and seeds on their deployment to Afghanistan. It’s part of the GNG’s mission to help farmers in Afghanistan.  It will be the third time the GNG has deployed their Agribusiness Development Team, with the help of the University of Georgia.

07 May 2013/26 Jumada t-Tania 1434/17 Ordibehest 1391/28 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

Summer offensive Operation Khalid bin Waleed continues with Mujahideen attacking bases, ambushing convoys, several dozens killed and wounded, in the provinces of Farah, Laghman, Kapisa, Badakhshan, Jowzjan, Helmand, Kandahar, Maiden Wardak, Herat, Uruzgan, Zabul, Nimroz, Logar, Baghlan, Parwan, Kunar, Kunduz, Ghazni and Paktia.

Reports of school girls being poisoned are turning out to be false.  The overwhelming number of recent cases have resulted in no evidence of poisoning, but seem to be mass hysteria. The Afghan Education Minister, Ghulam Farooq Wardak, is threatening legal action if the games continue: “From now on, if I find anyone saying ‘I’m poisoned’ and the poisoning is not proved by the hospital, I will punish the student, I will punish the teacher, I will punish the head teacher and I will punish the school director!”

The World Bank gives Afghanistan more money! $100 million USD grant for the Afghanistan System Enhancement for Health Action in Transition (SEHAT) Program.

The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed that 2,201 U.S. personnel have died in Afghanistan, so far.

06 May 2013/25 Jumada t-Tania 1434/16 Ordibehest 1391/27 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

In Nangarhar Province, Goshta District, Pakistani and Afghan personnel attacked each other, again.  Afghan officials say the Pakistani troops started the fight, using artillery and tanks.

In Ghor Province, Mujahideen captured or destroyed as many as 13 government checkpoints, killing dozens and capturing weapons and ammo.

In Paktika Province, Barmal District, reports that U.S./NATO personnel abandoned a base.

In Helmand Province, Khanishan  District, reports that U.S./NATO personnel abandoned a base.

Mujahideen report major offensive as part of their Summer Operation Khalid bin Waleed.  Bases attacked, convoys ambushed, several dozens killed and wounded, in the provinces of Helmand, Kandahar, Maiden Wardak, Herat, Uruzgan, Zabul, Nimroz, Logar, Baghlan, Parwan, Kunar, Ghazni, Paktia, Khost and Ghor.

The U.S. Marine Corps is blaming a manufacturing defect in the driver seat of a LAV (Light Armored Vehicle) for the death of a Marine back in September 2011.  The investigation revealed that the hydraulically controlled seat suddenly rose during an after operation inspection, causing the seat back to crush the Marine’s throat.  For some odd reason the USMC didn’t release the results of the investigation until today, even though the investigation was concluded just one month after the incident.

05 May 2013/24 Jumada t-Tania 1434/15 Ordibehest 1391/26 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

In Farah Province, Korghan village in Khak-e-Safid District, four civilians killed and five wounded when they drove over a landmine.

President Hamid Karzai says the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) must continue its undocumented payments to the Afghan government: “I discussed the issue with head of the CIA in my office this morning and urged him not to cut the funds due to recent media reports since we need the funds to continue, and head of the CIA has assured that the funds will not be halted.”

World War 3, West Asian Front: Israel invades Gaza!

08 May 2013 (13:34 UTC-07 Tango)/27 Jumada t-Tania 1434/18 Ordibehest 1391/29 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

Reports that IDF has invaded the town of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip.  Palestinian reports say tanks and armored bulldozers have begun moving from a staging area 300 meters inside Gaza Strip.  Witnesses claim four Merkavas began firing in all directions as two bulldozers began tearing up farmland, forcing the farmers to flee.  They also claim the IDF is attacking fishing boats (which they say happens on a daily basis).

This comes a day after Islamic Jihad said they had intelligence saying Israel was about to invade Gaza Strip: “The Zionist enemy is getting ready for a major military operation on Gaza. We expect an escalation in the coming days but we are not sitting idle. Our military wing has been training for another war and it will not be a cakewalk for Zionists when they come to confront our fighters.”-Khader Habib, Islamic Jihad

And that followed another report on 05 May, that cited an Israeli website called Walla, which said Israeli leaders have called for a Operation Pillar of Defense II against Gaza Strip.

On 02 May, it was reported that IDF was massing tanks and armored bulldozers east of Beit Hanoun.  The Palestinian report said the IDF had set up a staging area 300 meters inside Gaza Strip.  Other reports say an IDF Apache fired on a farm to the east of Beit Lahiya Agriculture School.

World War 3, West Asian Front: Israel crosses Red Line, kidnaps Grand Mufti, raids Al Aqsa, Jordan expels Israeli diplomats!

08 May 2013 (12:32 UTC-07 Tango)/27 Jumada t-Tania 1434/18 Ordibehest 1391/29 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

“These Israeli actions violate international law and obstruct peace efforts. As occupying force, Israel is responsible for preventing such provocations!”-Hussein Majali, Interior Minister of Jordan

On 07 May Israel Defense Forces (IDF) backed up by hundreds of illegal zionist settlers crossed the Red Line of the official protector of Al Quds, Jordan, and invaded the Al Aqsa Mosque in Al Quds (Jerusalem).  Palestinians then began rioting against the zionists!  16 Palestinians were kidnapped by the IDF in the West Bank.

Today the IDF conducted a home invasion and crossed another Red Line; they  kidnapped the Grand Mufti of Al Quds, Mohammed Hussein!

Also today, the Jordanian King has summoned the Israeli ambassador after the 150 member Jordanian Parliament voted unanimously to expel Israeli diplomats over the assault on Al Aqsa and the kidnapping of the Grand Mufti.

 

 

World War 3, West Asian Front: BBC report of explosions in Iran false?

08 May 2013 (12:04 UTC-07 Tango)/27 Jumada t-Tania 1434/18 Ordibehest 1391/29 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

According to Azerbaijani news media reports, the three explosions reported by a BBC Persian journalist were not airstrikes, but controlled demolitions.

“Those were the planned explosions of destroying old ammunition. This is natural, and all of the explosions were carried out in Shahriar of Shahriar County of Tehran Province, safely.”-Ali Abdullahi, Iran’s deputy interior minister

Capitalist Commodity Markets to blame for Pocatello’s Hoku Polysilicon near abandonment!

08 May 2013 (09:49 UTC-07 Tango)/27 Jumada t-Tania 1434/18 Ordibehest 1391/29 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

The massive, and expensive (to local tax payers), Hoku Materials polysilicon factory sits idle and unfinished in Pocatello, Idaho.

Red Neck right wingers like to point the finger at President Obama, saying ‘I told you so’ concerning ‘clean energy’ projects, but the reason for the demise of many solar power companies is actually the capitalist commodity market system and government interference.

Polysilicon prices have crashed and burned since construction started on the 50 American football fields long factory.  It just isn’t worth it to produce the stuff used in solar power panels.  In 2008 polysilicon was worth $400 per kilogram, it’s now crashed to a paltry $20.50!

Hoku Materials ghost town factory, Pocatello, Idaho. 50 football fields long at a cost of at least $400 million.

Hoku Materials ghost town factory, Pocatello, Idaho. 50 football fields long at a cost of at least $400 million.

The ‘experts’ got everything wrong.  They thought the high petroleum prices would drive societies into the arms of clean energy companies, but the problem is that so many clean energy companies started production that soon there was a glut of polysilicon on the market, even before the construction of Pocatello Hoku plant was close to being finished.

Then add to that the trade wars between China, the U.S. and European Union.  Eventually, the Obama administration jacked up tariffs so high on Chinese polysilicon companies that it wasn’t worth it to do business in the U.S.  By then Hoku Corporation (the parent of Hoku Materials) had become Chinese owned, due to financial problems (including Hoku Materials not being able to pay its construction contractor, JH Kelly, or pay its Idaho utility bills, so many times that both threatened to seize the property).

By the middle of 2012 the unfinished $400 million USD Pocatello polysilicon factory was moth balled, staffing reduced to just 30 people, with rumors of liquidation in bankruptcy court.  By the end of 2012, the Chinese company that bought into Hoku (Tianwei) was getting blasted in the Chinese media for buying a pig in a poke.  According to former Hoku Corporation CEO, Scott Paul, Tianwei invested “….more than $129 million of its own capital in Hoku, and they have provided for another $244 million in debt financing from banks in China.”

Now back to the ‘experts’.  In February 2013, ‘experts’ predicted that polysilicon prices had bottomed out.  They were wrong!  Prices had hit $21 per kilogram, and polysilicon producers said there was no reason to produce anymore until the price went up over $25.

In March 2013, British media reported that prices had crashed 50% compared to the same time last year.

In April 2013, another report said that polysilicon prices could continue to crash because of the anti-free market tariffs imposed by the major players; China, South Korea, European Union and United States.  And, the ‘experts’ again said prices had bottomed out.  The average price at the end of April 2013 was $20.50.

So where does that leave Hoku Corporation’s Hoku Materials factory in Pocatello?  Optimistic officials with the Bannock Development Corporation (a County level organization that worked hard to bring Hoku to Pocatello, including huge local tax breaks) think that anytime now Hoku will start production: “It’s a wait and see thing, depending on the market……Basically, [Hoku Corp.] needs to fire up the plant when it’s ready to go.”-John Regetz, Bannock Development

Sounds like the local development folks aren’t communicating with Hoku.  The latest statement from the company indicates that bankruptcy and liquidation is the only option being considered: “….exploration of potential restructuring at Hoku Materials and Hoku Corporation is ongoing, with no formal update at this time.”-Hoku Corporation statement

“Restructuring” is code for bankruptcy/liquidation.  So no Mister Regetz, it sounds like Hoku is not planning to “fire up the plant”.

Green/clean energy just doesn’t make big enough profits for the crony capitalist system.  Another case in point is the recent announcement by BP (British Petroleum) that it will abandon it’s wind power operations near Idaho Falls, Idaho, as well as its wind and solar projects across the United States.

Also, don’t forget the artificial reduction in demand created by all those government tariffs.

The answer is that clean energy projects need to be run like a non-profit co-op, but the problem is that crony capitalists don’t like that and will do everything they can to prevent that from happening (’cause contrary to their propaganda, they do not like competition, especially if it’s from a non-profit).

More on the demise of Hoku Materials:

Hoku deregisters with SEC

Hoku downward spiral

Hoku restructuring

Hoku to be finished off

U.S. tariffs nail in the coffin for Hoku

Good & bad news for Hoku

Hoku better get its rear in gear

Hoku beggars China

Hoku going under

Hoku begs

More trouble for Hoku

Hoku starts operations(?)

Hoku ended before it starts

Investigation puts the brakes on Hoku

Hoku ongoing delays

Hoku turning to China

World War 3, West Asian Front: Israel bans civilian traffic in Golan! All access to internet cut off in Syria?

08 May 2013 (21:56 UTC-07 Tango 07 May 2013)/27 Jumada t-Tania 1434/18 Ordibehest 1391/29 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

Israeli Defense Force announced a travel ban in the occupied Golan Heights.  The ban affects civilian travel on the northern border road and the Heights eastern road.

It appears the ban is indefinite, until further notice.

The UN Interim Force In Lebanon has declared the IDF intrusion into Lebanese airspace (on their way to bomb Syria) a violation of international law: “UNIFIL says that in the course of the past week it has observed a higher number of Israeli air violations over Lebanese air space…..compel Israel to halt its violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty by air, sea and land, and carry out all its obligations in accordance with Resolution 1701.”-Martin Nesirky, United Nations

It appears all internet service has been cut off in Syria, according to Google’s Transparency Report.  I tried to access some Syrian sites and got a “server not found”, or “forbidden” message, but other sites still came up.

 

World War 3, West Asian Front: Israeli airstrike on Iran?

07 May 2013 (14:43 UTC-07 Tango)/26 Jumada t-Tania 1434/17 Ordibehest 1391/28 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

The Jerusalem Post reporting explosions west of Tehran, Iran.  They say a BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) Persian channel reporter posted a tweat saying three explosions took place at a missile testing center in Iran.

I wasn’t able to confirm on the BBC Persian site.

IsraelDefense is saying the explosions hit the Shahriar district of the City of Karaj, which is northwest of Tehran.

World War 3, West Asian Front: Syria selects Israeli targets, green light for Palestinian uprising!

06 May 2013 (21:32 UTC-07 Tango 05 May 2013)/25 Jumada t-Tania 1434/16 Ordibehest 1391/27 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

The Syrian missiles are ready to hit specific targets in case of any new breaches.”-Syrian media

Leaders of Syria announced they have selected Israeli targets for vengeance attacks.  All Syrian military personnel have been green lighted to repel any future Israeli attack, without waiting for orders from higher up.  Palestinians are being encouraged to mobilize to join the holy fight against the unholy U.S. backed Israel!

World War 3, West Asian Front: UN says U.S. backed insurgents used Chemical Weapons!

06 May 2013 (20:56 UTC-07 Tango 05 May 2013)/25 Jumada t-Tania 1434/16 Ordibehest 1391/27 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

“Our investigators have been in neighboring countries interviewing victims, doctors and field hospitals and, according to their report of last week which I have seen, there are strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof of the use of sarin gas, from the way the victims were treated. This was use on the part of the opposition, the rebels, not by the government authorities.-Carla Del Ponte, UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria