Military
Sunday 24 January 2021
-
“Pompeo’s allegations come although all the US’ previous such accusations, including those made by former president George W. Bush’s administration — during which al-Qaida’s 9/11 attacks against the US took place — have been discredited.”
Key al-Qaida leaders, supporters and several members of Osama bin Laden’s family took refuge in Iran, and some stayed there for years. -
“…Mr. Pompeo is so out of touch with this reality by ignoring basic facts, making an issue out of ideology, and sensationalizing security threats in the Arctic.”
Beijing’s push into the Arctic is not simply about enhanced international cooperation. -
"I don't believe illegal casinos are operating in Bangkok, but if the doctor knows about it, he can inform the authorities."
Health authorities say illicit gambling dens are a primary source of COVID-19 spread in Thailand. -
“Meanwhile, while sanctioning the Assad regime, the U.S. continued its massive financial support for the YPG terrorists in 2020.”
The U.S. supported the Kurdish YPG's fight against ISIS terrorists. Washington distinguishes between Syria-based YPG, and the PKK that operates in Turkey -
“Apart from five employees ... there aren’t any other Russian military personnel here.”
Russian foreign ministry confirmed 300-strong troop deployment to CAR a day after its top officials denied an enlarged military presence. -
"Journalists are diligently helping the army command to hush up the scandal. None of them accuses the base commanders or the country's leadership, [none of them] generalizes, demands immediate jailing, no one shouts that it’s high time to abolish this terrible contract army, in which 'our children are dying.'”
A rash of homicides at Fort Hood has been widely covered by the media, including the military specialist press, as were resulting disciplinary actions. -
“It is not appropriate for you to present the Egyptian state, and everything it does for its people and the stability of the region, as an oppressive regime.”
On December 2, 17 global rights groups accused the Egyptian government of “brutal” repression. Earlier, the U.N. criticized Egypt for silencing dissent. -
“… Indian troops crossed the border and launched provocative attacks against Chinese personnel.”
Although China says Indian troops instigated the bloody Himalayan border clash on June 15 , a U.S. commission reports that China may have “planned” the incident. -
"It’s hard to say what Ms. Sandu meant when she pointed to the need to withdraw Russian peacekeepers, but it will hardly help resolve the issue and we will hardly be able to accept this kind of irresponsible demand.”
Source: TASS, December 1, 2020The U.N. has said Russian troops in Transnistria aren’t peacekeepers and should leave Moldovan territory. -
“The issue is, I quote, Belarusian land belonging to Poland. That is already declared openly.”
Dogged by protests since his disputed re-election last summer, the Belarus autocrat is shifting blame to outsiders. -
"Recognizing the important role of the United States and its capability to solve regional issues, Syria and Russia have offered the US side to use the Damascus platform ... The answer was no and there was unfounded criticism of those who are really contributing to returning Syrian citizens back home.”
The U.S. has little on-the-ground presence in Syria now, and many Syrian refugees fear returning to Assad regime-controlled territory. -
“Within 15 minutes of the weapons being deployed, those occupying the hilltops all began to vomit. They couldn’t stand up, so they fled.”
A Beijing-based academic has claimed without evidence that Chinese soldiers drove away Indian troops in the Himalayas using a microwave weapon.