Tag Archives: war

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Government Incompetence: U.S. Navy collides with Japanese oil tanker in Persian Gulf

12 August 2012, on the same day that Japan announced it was sending minesweepers to join the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, a USN destroyer collides with a Japanese oil tanker.

It happened in the middle of the night, near the Hormuz Strait.  The USS Porter is badly damaged and must be repaired.  No injuries were reported. The USN is investigating why the crew of the USS Porter did not see the huge Japanese oil tanker.

There has been no word about damage to the tanker.

Japan had recently allowed the government backing of insurance for Japanese tankers carrying Iranian oil, as a way to get around U.S./European sanctions.  Japan also discussed with Iran the possibility of using Iranian insurance companies.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 08 Aug – 11 Aug. Seven U.S. Marines killed in one day! Cops killing cops. British government facing criminal charges over U.S. “kill list”. USAID now targeted. Battles increasing! Mujahideen weapons coming from Germany & United States!

11 August 2012

In Nimroz Province, an Afghan national cop killed 11 of his fellow policemen.  The provincial governor says the killer cop was recognized as a member of the Mujahideen, and was killed.

In Balkh Province, the principal of a girls’ school was assassinated.  She was shot in her house, her husband, and father in law, found her when they returned from the local Mosque.  Balkh Province is considered one of the more stable Afghan provinces.

The Afghan Defense Ministry says five Afghan soldiers were killed, 16 wounded, in battles with Mujahideen in the provinces of Kunar, Paktiya, Logar, Maidan Wardak and Herat.  Nine Mujahideen were captured.

In the United Kingdom, attorneys have petitioned the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) regarding information given to the United States. That info was used to put together the infamous “kill list”, aka Joint Integrated Prioritized Target List (JIPTL): “Our client’s case suggests that the establishment and maintenance of the ‘killing list’ is not in line with the U.K.’s duties under international humanitarian law.”-Rosa Curling, attorney

10 August 2012

In Helmand Province, three U.S. Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) personnel were shot and killed by an Afghan employee working on the base they were stationed at.  Ignorant media referred to the Marines as Special Forces, which is normally the term used for U.S. Army Green Berets.  The shooter has been arrested.

Also in Helmand, earlier on the same day a local police commander invited four (U.S./British media says it was three) MARSOC personnel to his house to discuss security issues. Instead it was an ambush and the Marines were killed.  The police commander escaped.

Also in Helmand, British officials reported one of their occupying troops was shot and killed while on patrol.

Also in Helmand, six family members were killed, five wounded, after they drove over a mine.

Also in Helmand, ISAF claims to have captured a “leader”.

ISAF also reported: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan today.”

In Ghazni Province, two cops were killed, three wounded, after they drove over a mine.

09 August 2012

In Kunar Province, a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officer was assassinated by suicide bombers.  Three other officials, and a civilian were also killed.  A U.S. State Department official was wounded.

In Laghman Province, an Afghan government soldier shot at occupying forces. He was killed when they returned fire.

In Uruzgan Province, an Australian Digger was wounded during a battle with Mujahideen: “The soldier received a gunshot wound to the lower left leg when the combined force element came under small-arms fire from insurgents.”– Australian defence statement

In Kunruz Province, local officials reported major battles between Afghan government forces and Mujahideen.  They did not give exact numbers but reported many killed and wounded. The battles actually started the day before.

08 August 2012

In Farah Province, three civilians killed, three wounded, after the mini-bus they were in drove over a mine.  Local officials say Mujahideen launched an attack right after the explosion, wounding a policeman.  Police claim they killed three Mujahideen and wounded two others.

ISAF stated: “Three International Security Assistance Force service members died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

ISAF also claims to have captured yet another “leader”, in Helmand Province.

In Maidan Wardak Province, local officials reported major battles.  Mujahideen attacked a security check post on Kabul-Bamiyan highway, as well as a NATO supply convoy.  No word on casualties.

In Kunar Province, suicide bombers attacked occupying NATO troops.  A local hospital official said at least one person was killed, three wounded.  Other reports say that at least three occupying personnel were killed.

A German newspaper, Express, reported that many weapons taken from Mujahideen are made in Germany.  Another report explained that Germany has been sending the Afghan government weapons for their military and police, however, at least 4,500 of those guns have disappeared from Afghan government control.  Not only that, but at least one third of the hundreds of thousands of U.S. weapons shipped to the Afghan government have disappeared!

While ISAF reported an 11% increase in Mujahideen attacks on occupying forces, the United Nations reports an overall 15% decrease in attacks upon civilians. However, the UN says that when looking at specifically attacks on civilians, that are blamed on Mujahideen, there is actually a 53% increase!

 

 

International, Opinion, U.S.

World War 3: Egypt & Israel at war in the Sinai! U.S. increases military aid to Egypt! But who are they fighting?

12 August 2012

Egyptian President, Mohammed Morsi, has “retired” the top two Egyptian military commanders; Chief of Staff Sami Enan and Defense Minister Hussein Tantawi, one week after the 05 August 2012 insurgent attack against Egypt and Israel.

In the latest battles taking place on the Egyptian/Israeli border, Egyptian security forces claim to have killed at least seven insurgents, and captured a cache of weapons including mines and anti-aircraft missiles.

However, one village leader says the claim of killed insurgents is doubtful: “There were no bodies found or transferred to local hospitals.”-Ahmed Sallam, resident of El Arish

The locals say the insurgents are not from the area, although Egyptian officials believe that some of the insurgents are Egyptians and Palestinians.

In another incident, three Egyptian cops were killed, four wounded, when their vehicle flipped over as they were chasing insurgents.

Some people think Bedouins (nomads) are behind the attacks against Egyptian forces.  There have been cases of weapons being brought in from Libya, after the U.S./European led insurgency ended in that country, and ending up in the hands of nomads.

One villager who saw the 05 August 2012 insurgent attack said: “Whoever did this was very well trained.”-Abu Asma, witnessed insurgent attack on Egyptian border post

Egypt is now building up ground forces in the Sinai, specifically mechanized infantry operating YPR 765 armored personnel carriers (APC).  The military action is being called Operation Eagle 2.

An Israeli media source said United Nations Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) troops were attacked, however, MFO officials say no such attack took place.

11 August 2012

Unconfirmed media reports said that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had crossed into Sinai by several hundred meters. This might be connected with the Amnesty International report the day before.

U.S. media reports said that the Obama administration has promised the new Egyptian government increased military assistance, as well as: “…police training, and electronic and aerial surveillance…” The New York Times

10 August 2012

Egyptian military leaders accused three members of Hamas (some reports say five) of training the insurgents who conducted the 05 August attack against Egypt and Israel.

There are reports that Egyptian troops are randomly arresting Bedouins and Palestinians in the Sinai. The police chief of the village El Arish found teenaged Palestinians in his jail. He told reporters he had no authority: “He belongs to the army now.”-Mohamed Suleiman

Other reports say men as old as 72 years have been arbitrarily arrested. Many of the older men arrested had been political prisoners under the U.S. supported Mubarak regime.

Egyptians in the Sinai say the Egyptian army seems to be putting on a show: “We thought they were chasing someone, but their arms [weapons] were directed up and we didn’t see who they were fighting with. We couldn’t find any bodies or signs of battle after they left.”-witness from al Toumah village

Also, Amnesty International released a report saying Israel was using the insurgent activities in the Sinai as an excuse to stop illegal immigration, by sending IDF troops into Egyptian territory to round up what the IDF claims to be “infiltrators”.

Amnesty International says such IDF tactics have been going on for months, and they have swore statements from IDF troops as proof: “…was taken to a briefing given by reservist soldiers who served at the border site before him, who told him of a new procedure to stop ‘infiltrators’ by stationing soldiers hundreds of meters inside Egypt in order to stop them before they arrive at the border.”

08 August 2012

“The problem is that at present neither Israel nor Egypt know enough about who the enemy is, where he is situated, who his handler is and who is paying him.”-Alex Fishman, Yediot Aharonot daily

Egyptian military claimed their helicopters killed 20 insurgents, however, local villagers said that any insurgents in the area had already left by the time the helicopters showed up.

Israel handed over the bodies of those insurgents involved in the 05 August attack. The identities of the attackers are not being made public.

“…Israel is taking advantage of such attacks, using them as justification to push measures that serve the state’s security vision for the border triangle……the perpetrators are serving Israeli interests by undermining Egyptian security and providing Israel with pretexts to justify the way it deals with Palestinians.”-Al-Monitor

06 August 2012 

“The armed forces have been careful in the past months and during the events of the revolution not to shed Egyptian blood…but the group that staged yesterday’s attack is considered by the armed forces as enemies of the nation who must be dealt with by force.”-Egyptian military statement

“Israel and Egypt clearly have a shared interest in maintaining a quiet border. But when talking about the security of Israeli citizens, Israel must and will rely only on itself.”-Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel

“We hope this will be a fitting wake up call for the Egyptians to take things in hand on their side more forcefully.”-Ehud Barak, Israeli Defense Minister

One Israeli media source said the “wake up call” for Egypt was known about by the Israeli government well in advance of the 05 August attack: “Israeli intelligence had information on the planned attack, which allowed the military to have helicopters in the area to strike the vehicle, an Israel Defense Forces spokesman said Monday……Israel had shared the intelligence with Egypt in advance of the attack…”-Jewish Telegraphic Agency

 05 August 2012

Insurgents attacked an Egyptian border post, killing 16 Egyptian soldiers.  The attack came while they were eating dinner. For some reason no guards were posted on that night.  Even though local villagers ran to see what was going on, no military or police forces responded for at least an hour.

The insurgents stole an APC, drove one mile into Israel, where they were blown up by Israeli forces.

An Israeli official blamed the attack on Iran: “Iranian backed terrorists again [?] struck at our Southern border today killing 15 Egyptian guards and attempting to massacre Israeli civilians.”-Michael Oren, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.

My thoughts are that this whole thing is a set up!  The groups behind this (right wing religious nut jobs in the U.S., Israel and Egypt) are trying real hard to push Israel and Egypt into a full blown war.

International

World War 3: Russia heats up new arms race, will expand air force by 1,600 new military aircraft

“We are talking primarily about providing our forces with state-of-the-art modern technology.”-Vladimir Putin, President of Russia

11 August 2012, at the 100th anniversary celebrations for the Russian air force, Vladimir Putin announced that at least 1,600 new military aircraft will be purchased through 2020. That’s in addition to existing air force planes.  Putin also said existing aircraft will be upgraded with the latest technologies.

Russia will spend and estimated $620 to 720 billion USD on expanding and upgrading their air force.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Japan sends navy to Persian Gulf

12 August 2012, two Japanese Self-Defense Force (JSDF) mine sweepers left for military exercises with the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf.

The Uraga and Hachijo will join the USN for mine sweeping operations that begin on 16 September.  20 other navies will take part in the operation.

About 90% of Japan’s petroleum comes from the Persian Gulf area, through the Strait of Hormuz.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? 290 U.S. cities downgraded! Local tax revenues down, again!

“We expect downgrades to continue outpacing upgrades in the second half of 2012 as local governments navigate an increasingly difficult budgeting environment characterized by anemic revenue growth and significant expenditure pressure on wages and post employment benefits.”-Moody’s statement

09 August 2012, Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the largest number of U.S. cities/school districts since 2000.

The latest downgrades mark 14 straight quarters in which municipal bond downgrades exceeded increases!

In another report by Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government, tax revenues collected by local governments are down, for the sixth consecutive quarter!

The latest reports and downgrades only adds ammo to the “tip of the iceberg” bankruptcies filed by local governments.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 04 Aug – 07 Aug. More Afghan government forces attack U.S. led forces! New Zealand expands military mission.Quran burning by Muslim insurgents?

07 August 2012

ISAF says: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

Also: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died when two individuals wearing Afghan National Army uniforms turned their weapons against ISAF service members in eastern Afghanistan.” 

Also: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan today.”

As of 07 August 2012 at least 214 U.S. led occupiers have been killed since January 2012.

In Nuristan Province, people protested Quran burning, but this time it’s Muslim insurgents getting the blame.  A school was burned down, and it had as many as 300 Qurans inside.

In Kabul city, eight people were killed, four wounded, when the bus they were in drove over a mine.

In Logar Province, a suicide bomber tried driving a bomb truck onto a U.S. led a ISAF/NATO base: “A truck loaded with explosives detonated at the coalition forces’ camp in Pule Alam city.”-Ghulam Sakhi Rogh Lewanai, Logar police chief At least three people were killed, dozens wounded, in the explosion.

In Nimroz Province, local government officials say U.S. led occupiers killed four civilians, and wounded two children, in a night time raid.

After being questioned about claims that Pakistan was attacking, and even invading Afghanistan, the Afghan Defense Minister, Abdul Rahim Wardak, resigned.  The Afghan House of Representatives had already fired him, but President Hamid Karzai has final say, and stated that the guy could keep his job.

In Kapisa Province, one French occupation soldier was killed, another wounded, in battle with Mujahideen. French officials say they killed ten Mujahideen.

In Helmand Province, Afghan cops were ambushed, three killed, three wounded.

06 August 2012

ISAF claims to have killed yet another “leader” from Pakistan, using a NATO airstrike.

The Afghan Interior Ministry claims: “The national police backed by army and the NATO led coalition force have killed six Taliban militants and arrested eight others during series of operations in Logar, Ghazni, and Herat provinces. Three militants were also injured over the past 24 hours.”

In Helmand Province 11 cops defected to the Mujahideen. They took their weapons and three motorcycles with them.

In Sar-e Pol Province, a local government official, and his brother, were assassinated in their house.

In Ghor Province, the local security chief, as well a local development boss, were assassinated by suicide bombing.

In Bamiyan Province, occupation troops from New Zealand were attacked.  This is the second time Kiwis have been attacked.  The Mujahideen are targeting the Kiwis because New Zealand had recently expanded their military mission in Bamiyan.

Pakistani officials are now accusing the U.S. puppet government of Afghanistan of being the ones who are secretly supporting Mujahideen.

05 August 2012

In Bamiyan Province, two New Zealand occupying troops were killed. One was killed when an RPG hit the armored vehicle he was in.  The other was killed while he patrolled on foot.

Military leaders of the United Kingdom are asking the British government to keep their troops in Afghanistan past the 2014 pull out date.  An unnamed British military source said: “The plan is for British and U.S. troops to take a back seat role next year but that is not going to happen in reality. The ANA [Afghan National Army] has been able to build capacity but it lacks quality and that’s the worry.”

In Herat Province, three children were killed after a bomb went off in the area they were playing in.

ISAF claims an al Qaeda “leader” was killed in Kunar Province.

04 August 2012

Afghan Interior Ministry and Afghan National Police Forces claim they killed 21 Mujahideen in the past 24 hours in battles in the provinces of Kapisa, Kandahar, Herat and Farah.

The Afghan House of Representatives officially fired the defense and interior ministers over what could be artillery attacks by Pakistan upon Afghanistan.

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Global Economic War: British bank official tells the United States to F Off, literally!!!

“You fucking Americans! Who are you to tell us, the rest of the World, that we’re not going to deal with Iranians?”-attributed to Richard Meddings, finance director of Standard Chartered Group

According to U.S. banking regulators, the above statement was made by the British banking official back in 2006 (under the Bush Jr administration), after being questioned about money laundering!

Now the New York State Department of Financial Services named United Kingdom’s Standard Chartered a “rogue” bank, and threatens to strip its New York banking license.  The reason is that Standard Charter refuses to go along with U.S., and even British, financial sanctions against Iran.

Meanwhile, international commentators are saying this is proof that the United States has lost significant influence over the rest of the World, including their evil ally the British empire!

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: The real reason France is getting out of Afghanistan; retake former colony Syria, French troops now on the Syrian border.

09 August 2012, France has revealed they are sending troops to the border between Jordan and Syria. Syria was a French colony between World War One and World War Two.

Officially the first French troops are medical personnel, supposedly to treat refugees, but other sources say they are to treat wounded rebels: “There will be many wounded who have crossed the Jordanian-Syrian border, those wounded by gunfire who will need surgery.”-Colonel Gerard Dosseh, French military

The Italians have also set up medic facilities along the Jordanian-Syrian border.

Syrian rebels, including those claiming to be with al Qaeda, are reportedly being trained by the infamous U.S. corporation now known as Academi (aka Xe Services, Blackwater USA and Blackwater Worldwide).

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Report shows Romney’s Bain Capital was typical crony capitalism from the very start. Included investors accussed of murdering their fellow countrymen!

“Over the years, these Latin American friends have loyally rolled over investments in succeeding funds, actively participated in Bain Capital’s May investor meetings, and are still today one of the largest investor groups in Bain Capital.”-Harry Strachan, former Bain Capital partner

According to the latest reports, at least 40% of Bain Capital’s initial funding came from investors who were accused by the U.S. government of murdering their own people!  Mitt Romney personally appealed to those investors, who were living in Florida.

Also, many of Bain’s initial investors were corporations registered in Panama. By being registered in Panama they avoided paying taxes, and they were able to hide information, such as the details about how they were making their money.  These corporations are sometimes called “shell companies”, because they really don’t produce a product or service, they’re simply used to hide money from governments.

Regarding the investments from death squad overlords, the U.S. government accused many of the Florida investors of being directly related to El Salvadoran officials, and/or directly funding the brutal civil war and mass killings that took place in the Central American country from 1980 to 1992.

Harry Strachan, a one time partner in Bain Capital, stated that Romney, and others, knew where the money was coming from, and were initially “…terrified of bringing in Central Americans. They were afraid of drug money.” Strachan admits that he convinced Romney to take the money.

The names of at least three investors, accused of funding death squads, have been released by the U.S. Department of State.  Romney has even named several investors, but claims he investigated them for such crimes against humanity. Another investor, Orlando de Sola, is now in an El Salvador prison, convicted of fraud.  Interestingly, he says he did not make any money off his family’s investments into Bain Capital!

Romney is still getting money from many of these same elitist Central American families. In fact they are major supporters in his campaign for President of the United States!

The latest reports connecting Romney to death squads and warlords in Central America, can be found in the Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, Boston Globe, Associated Press and others.