Daily Archives: January 13, 2020

2020-01-13: News Headlines

RT (2020-01-13). 'I wish I was inside that plane': Iran's IRGC chief expresses sorrow over downing of Ukrainian jet. rt.com The top commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Major General Hossein Salami, expressed his deepest condolences, saying he had never felt more ashamed in his life than after the Ukrainian passenger jet tragedy. | Debriefing a session of Iran's parliament on Sunday, Salami stated that the IRGC has no other purpose or wish "but to be torn into pieces for the sake of the security, welfare and peace of [the Iranian] people." | I swear on the life of my children… I wish I were inside that plane and fell down and burned along with those loved ones instead of witnessing this tragic incident. | Also…

RT (2020-01-13). US imposes sanctions on 7 Venezuelans, Treasury Department says. rt.com The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on seven Venezuelans, the US Treasury Department said. The move is Washington's latest action to ramp up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government. | The US special envoy for Venezuela said on January 6 that Washington was looking at imposing additional sanctions on Caracas. Elliott Abrams made the statement at the US State Department a day after troops blocked Venezuelan opposition legislators, including their leader Juan Guaido, from entering parliament, Reuters said. | Washington imposed sanctions on the Venezuelan state company PDVSA in early 2019 in a…

Surangya (2020-01-13). Israel continues to grab Palestinian land for building illegal settlements. peoplesdispatch.org In Qalqilya in the northern West Bank, Israeli security forces on Monday violently attacked a peaceful Palestinian protest march against the forceful seizure of land by Israel for the purpose of construction of illegal Jewish settlement near Qalqilya city.

Jim Mitulski (2020-01-13). Sunset Peace Vigil in Foster City. indybay.org In front of Foster City City Hall (610 Foster City Blvd)…

teleSUR (2020-01-13). Desperate Juan Guaido Vows Again to Plunder teleSUR's Signal. telesurenglish.net The self-proclaimed 'president' of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, is struggling to stay relevant these days after several failed coup attempts to overthrow the legitimate government of the Bolivarian Republic. | RELATED: | Juan Guaido Wants to Silence teleSUR by Taking Over TV Signal | Guaido, in a new set of Tweets, doubled down on his vow to take over teleSUR's signal, claiming that he was "evaluating the relevant legal and institutional options." | "After evaluating the relevant le…

RT (2020-01-13). Good progress made in Libya ceasefire talks in Moscow although not all sides signed the deal – Lavrov. rt.com Negotiations in Moscow helped to achieve some progress in the Libyan peace process, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. However, not all parties signed the document. | The Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) have agreed upon some ceasefire details, but they are still working on a document elaborating some concrete aspects of the ceasefire deal. | Some warring parties signed the agreement immediately, but General Khalifa Haftar, the LNA commander, requested until Tuesday morning to study the document. | The talks in Moscow, which involved the leaders of…

RT (2020-01-13). Moscow talks offer chance for peace in Libya's post NATO-intervention bloody civil war. rt.com Peace talks in Moscow bringing together the leaders of Libya's warring parties were a serious step forward in attempts to put an end to a brutal civil war sparked by NATO's disastrous 2011 military intervention. | Fayez al-Sarraj, who heads the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli and Khalifa Haftar, who commands the rival Libyan National Army (LNA) forces, spent six hours in closed-door discussions mediated by Russia and Turkey. The meeting came as a bit of a surprise as Haftar previously snubbed the ceasefire suggested by Moscow and Ankara. | By Monday evening Moscow time, a draft agreeme…

RT (2020-01-13). Libya ceasefire talks in Moscow: Good progress made although not all sides signed the deal, Lavrov says. rt.com Negotiations in Moscow helped to achieve some progress in the Libyan peace process, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. However, not all parties signed the document. | The Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) have agreed upon some ceasefire details, but they are still working on a document to elaborate upon some aspects of the ceasefire deal. | Some warring parties signed the agreement immediately, but General Khalifa Haftar, the LNA commander, wanted to wait until Tuesday morning to have more time to study the document. | The talks in Moscow, which i…

RT (2020-01-13). Military conflict with Iran would impact entire world, Japan's Abe warns. rt.com Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has warned that military confrontation with Iran will impact global peace and stability. | The comments came at the start of Abe's five-day Gulf tour as he hopes to ease tensions spiked by the US killing of a top Iranian general. The PM called "on all relevant countries to engage in diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions," AFP said. | Tokyo has decided to send a destroyer for intelligence activities along with two P-3C patrol aircraft to the Middle East. However Japan will not join a US-led coalition in the region. | The prime minister's tour includes visits to Saudi Arabia, t…

RT (2020-01-13). 'A month or 2 ago nobody thought it could happen': Moscow hosts talks between Libya's rival parties in hopes of ending civil war. rt.com Russia enjoys a unique position as the most-trusted and impartial player in the Libyan peace process, which helped the country bring together the two chief civil war rivals for talks in Moscow. | The years-long chaos in Libya "didn't give much room for optimism," so "a month or two ago no one had thought that the leaders of the two main warring factions would arrive in Moscow and sit down to negotiate," President of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vitaly Naumkin, told RT. | The talks in Moscow are a serious [diplomatic] breakthrough for Russia in Libya… They have solidif…

Ben Norton (2020-01-13). Under US pressure, social media companies censor critical content and suspend Venezuelan, Iranian, and Syrian accounts. thegrayzone.com As the US escalates its hybrid wars, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are suspending accounts and censoring content that conflicts with…

teleSUR (2020-01-13). Evo Morales Urges Bolivia to Restore Rule of Law. telesurenglish.net Bolivia's democratically elected President Evo Morales, who is now an asylum seeker in Argentina after the coup d'etat against him, urged the South American nation to restore the rule of law in his country in order to achieve "peace, reconciliation and unity." | RELATED: | Bolivia: Senate Approves Constitutional Guarantee Law | Morales tweeted on Monday that the treatment of government officials from his administration, including former Interior Minister Carlos Romero, by the de facto reg…

Stephen Lendman (2020-01-13). What the World Needs Now Is Sustained Anti-War Activism for Peace in Our Time. globalresearch.ca It's vitally needed in the US nationwide, in other Western countries and elsewhere. | It's needed in large numbers, staying the course longterm, reviving the Vietnam era anti-war spirit in America. | January 9 was "No War With Iran Day of Action," …

Toby Blomé (2020-01-13). No Iran War — Golden Gate Bridge Peace Walk. indybay.org Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco | 11: 45 am: Gather on the SF side of the eastern walkway of the Golden Gate Bridge. Parking available on southeast and southwest corners, just remember to take the last exit on hwy 101, northbound, as you approach the bridge, or, southbound, take the first exit after you leave the bridge. Arrive very early for best parking, or carpool. Public transportation below. | Noon: Walk begins on the eastern walkway from the southeast/S.F. side. Short, silent vigil in the middle with signs. Then return to the SF side bridge plaza for our rally. All welcome to speak. | 1: 00 pm: Rally on SF…

teleSUR (2020-01-13). Cuban President Condemns Guaido's Threats Against teleSUR. telesurenglish.net Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez strongly rejected on Monday the threats by Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido to take over teleSUR's television signal. | RELATED: | 'Venezuela Won't Allow US Meddling in Elections' Arreaza Warns | 'We strongly reject threats against the voice and image of the peoples who fight and resist the imperialist…

yenisafak (2020-01-13). EU hails Libya cease-fire as 'first fundamental step'. yenisafak.com The European Union's foreign policy chief and the head of bloc's parliament Monday welcomed the cease-fire in Libya."The announcement of a ceasefire in Libya provides an important opportunity to resume dialogue for a political solution to the crisis. It is now to the parties to fully implement it," said Josep Borell, high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy, on Twitter."The EU is ready to help Berlin process and efforts of UN. All Libyans deserve peace and prosperity," he added.Separately, David Sassoli, the president of the European Parliament, welcomed the decision in a written stat…

Juan Cole (2020-01-12). All the Times the US allied with Gen. Soleimani against Common Enemies. zcomm.org The prime minister of Iraq says he invited Soleimani to Baghdad for peace negotiations with Saudi Arabia and then Trump just suddenly blew his guest away. Soleimani came openly on a commercial flight and went through passport control with his diplomatic passport…

Skye Wheeler (2020-01-12). UN Peacekeeping Has a Sexual Abuse Problem. commondreams.org A Haitian woman was selling charcoal on the empty edges of her small town when a white, uniformed United Nations peacekeeper offered her a lift in his marked vehicle.

Global Research News (2020-01-12). Selected Articles: Iran Admits Accidentally Shooting Down Ukrainian Passenger Jet. globalresearch.ca A future without independent media leaves us with an upside down reality where according to the corporate media "NATO deserves a Nobel Peace Prize", and where "nuclear weapons and wars make us safer" | . | . | | | If, like us, this is …

Dimitri Lascaris (2020-01-12). Invoking the United Nations' Historic "Uniting for Peace" Resolution 377 Before Trump Embroils Us in War with Iran. globalresearch.ca In the early hours of January 3, 2020, the United States military assassinated Iran's most powerful military commander, General Qasem Soleimani. | Soleimani's killing, accomplished by means of a drone strike in Baghdad, was done without the authorization of the Iraqi …

teleSUR (2020-01-12). Juan Guaido Wants to Silence teleSUR by Taking Over TV Signal. telesurenglish.net The self-proclaimed 'president' of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, announced on Saturday that he has plans to take over teleSUR's television signal in an attempt to silence the channel. | RELATED: | US Seeks to Affect Cuba's Revenue by Banning Charter Flights | "In the next few days we keep moving forward: tomorrow we announce the steps to recover the teleSUR signal in the continent, and be aware of where and when we are going to hold the session of the @AsambleaVE to open all together th…

Lucas Koerner (2020-01-11). For Western Press, the Only Coup in Venezuela Is Against Guaidó. commondreams.org The international corporate media have entered crisis mode following the replacement of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as head of the country's National Assembly.

Brent Patterson (2020-01-11). Canada, the RCMP, and Human Rights Obligations to the Wet'suwet'en Nation. commondreams.org The impartiality of state institutions and international human rights obligations towards Indigenous land defenders are crucial elements in making space for peace.

RT (2020-01-10). 'Love will prevail': Spiritual guru Marianne Williamson drops out of 2020 election race. rt.com Self-help author and activist Marianne Williamson has dropped out of the race to be the next US president, after running a longshot campaign advocating an "agenda for peace" and a "spiritual awakening" for America. | In a statement posted to her website on Friday, Williamson said she had run for president to "forge another direction" for the country and to bring topics to the agenda which otherwise would not be discussed. | The 67-year-old self-help guru and proponent of a more "mindful politics" was polling at a…

Tom Coburg (2020-01-10). Ex-UK ambassador to Tehran backs Corbyn's assessment of the murder of Iranian general. thecanary.co This article was updated at 18: 05 on 10 January. It previously stated that Boris Johnson did not respond to Jeremy Corbyn's request for a Privy Council briefing. However, Johnson refused the request. | A former UK ambassador to Tehran has confirmed that Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was in Iraq as part of a peace mission to Saudi Arabia, with the full agreement of the Iraqi government, when he was assassinated by a US drone strike on the orders of president Donald Trump. | Richard Dalton added that the decision to assa…

Susan Price (2020-01-10). US peace activists, leftists oppose Iran war. greenleft.org.au anti-war Susan PriceIssue 1248 United States US wars US aggression against Iran peace movementJanuary 10, 2020Former vetera…

pip.hinman (2020-01-10). Venezuela: Guaido installs parallel parliament, US threatens more sanctions. greenleft.org.au Venezuela Ricardo VazIssue 1248 Venezuela Juan Guaido US Vice President Mike PenceJanuary 10, 2020Opposition leader Juan Guaido installed a "parallel" parliament in Caracas on January 7. | The…

Lucas Koerner (2020-01-10). For Western Press, the Only Coup in Venezuela Is Against Guaidó. fair.org The Washington Post ( 1/5/20) described Venezuelan lawmakers voting against someone other than Washington's chosen candidate to head the assembly as "sedition within the opposition." | The international corporate media have entered crisis mode following the replacement of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as head of the country's National Assembly. | In headline after headline, Venezue…

Leonardo Flores (2020-01-09). This might be the final episode of Juan Guaidó's surreal Venezuela regime-change reality show. thegrayzone.com The farcical scene of Juan Guaido attempting to break into Venezuela's National Assembly as its members voted him out was…

Staff (2020-01-09). Andrew Bacevich: The U.S. Needs to Abandon "Militarized Approach" to Middle East and Build Peace. democracynow.org We continue our conversation with Andrew Bacevich, president and co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. He is a retired colonel, Vietnam War veteran and author of, most recently, of "The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered Its Cold War Victory." Bacevich says the crisis with Iran, sparked by President Trump's assassination of top general Qassem Soleimani, is just the latest in a long series of ill-advised American actions in the Middle East. "The only conceivable way for us to begin to extricate ourselves from this terrible mess in the region … is to abandon this militarized approac…

Liberation Staff (2020-01-09). Peace activists in South say 'No war on Iran'. liberationnews.org Reports from North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Kentucky.

Mark Gruenberg, John Wojcik (2020-01-09). In the streets and in Congress, Americans stand up for peace. peoplesworld.org WASHINGTON—Insisting that the nation will not be forced into yet another war, progressive lawmakers here yesterday and today—and the American people demonstrating from coast to coast today—are bringing into the open an anti-war majority in the U.S. Declaring Congress needs to take its constitutional responsibility for war and peace back from "an irrational administration," the …

Fight Back (2020-01-09). Stand with the people of Iran and Iraq against the U.S. wars of aggression! fightbacknews.org Fight Back News Service is circulating the following Jan. 8 statement from the International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS) US Chapter. | The cowardly assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani on Iraqi soil, the deployment of more US troops to the Southwest Asia and North Africa region (SWANA), and the belligerent threats of the Trump administration, reveal to the world what billions of people already know: The United States is the greatest purveyor of violence in the world, the single largest threat to the peace and security of Southwest Asia and North Africa, and a rogue state with no regard for int…

Ricardo Vaz (2020-01-08). Venezuela: Guaido Installs Parallel Parliament After Washington Threatens More Sanctions. venezuelanalysis.com The Trump administration is reportedly mulling sanctions against opposition deputies who voted against Guaido.

Jon Rainwater (2020-01-08). In the ongoing crisis, Congress must rein in Trump's war powers. peaceaction.org As we feared, President Trump's reckless assassination of Iran's Gen. Soleimani resulted in escalation — direct Iranian missile attacks on two military bases in Iraq. It's painful to watch more violence in a country that has already suffered far too much from endless war. All parties in the US/Iran conflict must cease military action and …

Staff (2020-01-08). Headlines for January 8, 2020. democracynow.org Iran Strikes 2 Iraqi Bases in Retaliation for Soleimani's Assassination, McConnell Says He Has Enough Votes to Open Impeachment Trial Without Witnesses, Trump Declares Emergency for Puerto Rico Following Earthquake, Spain Poised to Form First Progressive Coalition Government Since 1930s, Argentina Deals Blow to Legitimacy of Venezuela's U.S.-Backed Opposition, Indian Workers & Students Launch Strike to Protest Privatization, Wet'suwet'en Nation Issues Eviction Notice to Workers of Pipeline Company in Canada, Planned Parenthood Attacked with Incendiary Device in Delaware, NYT: More Than 20 Shootings at After Schoo…

Fight Back (2020-01-08). Juan Guaidó, the political joke of Venezuela. fightbacknews.org Chicago, IL – Juan Guaidó is not that smart of a politician. He never seems to care much about strategy, or coalition building, or putting forward a serious political platform. The only political talent Guaidó seems to have is in front of the cameras. He knows how to put on a good show for the audience he wants to please. | | While that could be seen throughout the past year, as Guaidó and his allies bumbled their way through one of the worst coup attempts in recent memory, it is the best way to understand what has happened in Venezuela these past few days. | | On Sunday, January 5, Guaidó's support amo…

Staff (2020-01-07). Will Soleimani's Assassination Set Back Iraq's October Revolution? therealnews.com Soleimani's killing could open a path for peace if cooler heads prevail, argues professor of Middle East politics Sabah Alnasseri.

news.un (2020-01-07). UN chief monitoring Venezuela developments 'with concern'. news.un.org The latest twist in Venezuela's ongoing political crisis "make urgently needed dialogue even more difficult to achieve", the UN Secretary-General has said.

Staff (2020-01-07). Headlines for January 7, 2020. democracynow.org John Bolton Willing to Testify in Senate Impeachment Trial, Confusion in Pentagon & Trump Administration over U.S. Policy on Iran, Julián Castro Endorses Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Can Now Deport Mexican Asylum Seekers to Guatemala, Wildfires Rage in Australia; India Suffered Hottest Decade on Record, Harvey Weinstein Charged with Rape in Los Angeles County, Mexico: 60,000 People Disappeared Since U.S.-Backed Drug War Began, Bolivia Sets May 3 Date for New Election, After Morales's Ouster, Confusion over Leader of National Assembly Reigns in Venezuela, Earthquake Knocks Out Power Across Puerto Rico, Men Sue Boy Scout…

Liberation Staff (2020-01-06). Hundreds of protesters for peace come out in Pacific Northwest Jan. 4. liberationnews.org Reports from Seattle, Spokane, Kennewick and Boise…

Max Blumenthal (2020-01-06). Iraqi PM reveals Soleimani was on peace mission when assassinated, exploding Trump's lie of 'imminent attacks'. thegrayzone.com The Trump administration claimed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was planning "imminent attacks" on US interests when it assassinated him. That…

Paul Dobson (2020-01-06). Venezuelan Government and Opposition Fraction Announce Release of 14 'Political Prisoners'. venezuelanalysis.com The National Roundtable for Peaceful Dialogue also offered its backing to the new National Assembly president, Luis Parra.

Staff (2020-01-06). How Soleimani's Assassination Violates International Law and Puts Peace Further Out of Reach. therealnews.com Phyllis Bennis says Congress must stop Trump from taking the U.S. to war without any justification or provocation.

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2020-01-05). Venezuela: Guaido Replaced as Parliament Head in Disputed Vote. venezuelanalysis.com Pro-Guaido opposition lawmakers have rejected the vote, forming a parallel parliament with US and international right-wing support.

ANSWER (2020-01-01). Sat. Jan. 4 National Day of Action U.S. Troops Out of Iraq! liberationnews.org Initiators for this call include the ANSWER Coalition, CODEPINK, Popular Resistance, World Beyond War and many other anti-war and peace organizations.

Ricardo Vaz (2019-12-23). Venezuela Repels 'Terrorist' Attack on Military Bases, 1 Soldier Dead. venezuelanalysis.com The assailants stormed several military installations before being engaged by the Venezuelan army.

Joe Emersberger (2019-12-20). Notes on a private TV newscast in Bolivia. The contrast with Venezuela is clear as day. zcomm.org In August, I took detailed notes a news broadcast on one of Venezuela's largest TV networks. I summarized these notes in an interview I did with the Real News Network making the point that Venezuela's private media (which reaches 60-90% of households) is remarkably free — most especially when you consider the US is openly Read more…

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2019-12-18). Venezuela: Guaido Introduces Remote Voting in Bid to Secure Reelection. venezuelanalysis.com The opposition leader has been under fire amid recent scandals.

Joe Emersberger (2019-12-16). Francisco Rodriguez answers some questions I asked about Venezuela. zcomm.org Venezuelan economist Francisco Rodriguez, formerly of Torino Economics, answered a few questions of mine about his country. He was the economic adviser to Henri Falcon, the second place finisher in the May 2018 presidential election. His updated estimate for 2019 is that Venezuela's real GDP will contract by 25% . That's horrific, but less severe Read more…

2020-01-13: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

Sunset Peace Vigil in Foster City
Jim Mitulski | indybay.org | 2020-01-13
In front of Foster City City Hall (610 Foster City Blvd)…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/01/11/18829654.php

Evo Morales Urges Bolivia to Restore Rule of Law
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-13
Bolivia's democratically elected President Evo Morales, who is now an asylum seeker in Argentina after the coup d'etat against him, urged the South American nation to restore the rule of law in his country in order to achieve "peace, reconciliation and unity." | RELATED: | Bolivia: Senate Approves Constitutional Guarantee Law | Morales tweeted on Monday that the treatment of government officials from his administration, including former Interior Minister Carlos Romero, by the de facto reg…
telesurenglish.net/news/Evo-Morales-Urges-Bolivia-to-Restore-Rule-of-Law-20200113-0005.html

Israel continues to grab Palestinian land for building illegal settlements
Surangya | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-01-13
In Qalqilya in the northern West Bank, Israeli security forces on Monday violently attacked a peaceful Palestinian protest march against the forceful seizure of land by Israel for the purpose of construction of illegal Jewish settlement near Qalqilya city.
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/01/13/israel-continues-to-grab-palestinian-land-for-building-illegal-settlements/

'I wish I was inside that plane': Iran's IRGC chief expresses sorrow over downing of Ukrainian jet
rt.com | 2020-01-13
The top commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Major General Hossein Salami, expressed his deepest condolences, saying he had never felt more ashamed in his life than after the Ukrainian passenger jet tragedy. | Debriefing a session of Iran's parliament on Sunday, Salami stated that the IRGC has no other purpose or wish "but to be torn into pieces for the sake of the security, welfare and peace of [the Iranian] people." | I swear on the life of my children… I wish I were inside that plane and fell down and burned along with those loved ones instead of witnessing this tragic incident. | Also…
rt.com/news/478089-irgc-chief-plane-downing-guilt/

The West Is Run by Barbarians
Peter Koenig | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-13
Shouldn't there come the moment when the majority of UN member states

Desperate Juan Guaido Vows Again to Plunder teleSUR's Signal
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-13
The self-proclaimed 'president' of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, is struggling to stay relevant these days after several failed coup attempts to overthrow the legitimate government of the Bolivarian Republic. | RELATED: | Juan Guaido Wants to Silence teleSUR by Taking Over TV Signal | Guaido, in a new set of Tweets, doubled down on his vow to take over teleSUR's signal, claiming that he was "evaluating the relevant legal and institutional options." | "After evaluating the relevant le…
telesurenglish.net/news/Desperate-Juan-Guaido-Vows-Again-to-Plunder-teleSURs-Signal-20200113-0001.html

US imposes sanctions on 7 Venezuelans, Treasury Department says
rt.com | 2020-01-13
The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on seven Venezuelans, the US Treasury Department said. The move is Washington's latest action to ramp up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government. | The US special envoy for Venezuela said on January 6 that Washington was looking at imposing additional sanctions on Caracas. Elliott Abrams made the statement at the US State Department a day after troops blocked Venezuelan opposition legislators, including their leader Juan Guaido, from entering parliament, Reuters said. | Washington imposed sanctions on the Venezuelan state company PDVSA in early 2019 in a…
rt.com/newsline/478152-us-sanctions-venezuelans-treasury/

Under US pressure, social media companies censor critical content and suspend Venezuelan, Iranian, and Syrian accounts
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2020-01-13
As the US escalates its hybrid wars, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are suspending accounts and censoring content that conflicts with…
thegrayzone.com/2020/01/12/us-pressure-social-media-censoring-suspending-venezuela-iran-syria/

'A month or 2 ago nobody thought it could happen': Moscow hosts talks between Libya's rival parties in hopes of ending civil war
rt.com | 2020-01-13
Russia enjoys a unique position as the most-trusted and impartial player in the Libyan peace process, which helped the country bring together the two chief civil war rivals for talks in Moscow. | The years-long chaos in Libya "didn't give much room for optimism," so "a month or two ago no one had thought that the leaders of the two main warring factions would arrive in Moscow and sit down to negotiate," President of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vitaly Naumkin, told RT. | The talks in Moscow are a serious [diplomatic] breakthrough for Russia in Libya… They have solidif…
rt.com/news/478140-libya-moscow-talks-haftar/

Good progress made in Libya ceasefire talks in Moscow although not all sides signed the deal – Lavrov
rt.com | 2020-01-13
Negotiations in Moscow helped to achieve some progress in the Libyan peace process, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. However, not all parties signed the document. | The Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) have agreed upon some ceasefire details, but they are still working on a document elaborating some concrete aspects of the ceasefire deal. | Some warring parties signed the agreement immediately, but General Khalifa Haftar, the LNA commander, requested until Tuesday morning to study the document. | The talks in Moscow, which involved the leaders of…
rt.com/news/478151-lavrov-progress-ceasefire-talks/

Military conflict with Iran would impact entire world, Japan's Abe warns
rt.com | 2020-01-13
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has warned that military confrontation with Iran will impact global peace and stability. | The comments came at the start of Abe's five-day Gulf tour as he hopes to ease tensions spiked by the US killing of a top Iranian general. The PM called "on all relevant countries to engage in diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions," AFP said. | Tokyo has decided to send a destroyer for intelligence activities along with two P-3C patrol aircraft to the Middle East. However Japan will not join a US-led coalition in the region. | The prime minister's tour includes visits to Saudi Arabia, t…
rt.com/newsline/478101-conflict-iran-impact-abe/

What the World Needs Now Is Sustained Anti-War Activism for Peace in Our Time
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-13
It's vitally needed in the US nationwide, in other Western countries and elsewhere. | It's needed in large numbers, staying the course longterm, reviving the Vietnam era anti-war spirit in America. | January 9 was "No War With Iran Day of Action," …
globalresearch.ca/world-needs-sustained-anti-war-activism-peace/5700449

Libya ceasefire talks in Moscow: Good progress made although not all sides signed the deal, Lavrov says
rt.com | 2020-01-13
Negotiations in Moscow helped to achieve some progress in the Libyan peace process, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. However, not all parties signed the document. | The Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) have agreed upon some ceasefire details, but they are still working on a document to elaborate upon some aspects of the ceasefire deal. | Some warring parties signed the agreement immediately, but General Khalifa Haftar, the LNA commander, wanted to wait until Tuesday morning to have more time to study the document. | The talks in Moscow, which i…
rt.com/news/478151-lavrov-progress-ceasefire-talks/

Moscow talks offer chance for peace in Libya's post NATO-intervention bloody civil war
rt.com | 2020-01-13
Peace talks in Moscow bringing together the leaders of Libya's warring parties were a serious step forward in attempts to put an end to a brutal civil war sparked by NATO's disastrous 2011 military intervention. | Fayez al-Sarraj, who heads the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli and Khalifa Haftar, who commands the rival Libyan National Army (LNA) forces, spent six hours in closed-door discussions mediated by Russia and Turkey. The meeting came as a bit of a surprise as Haftar previously snubbed the ceasefire suggested by Moscow and Ankara. | By Monday evening Moscow time, a draft agreeme…
rt.com/news/478165-libya-moscow-talks-peace/

Cuban President Condemns Guaido's Threats Against teleSUR
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-13
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez strongly rejected on Monday the threats by Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido to take over teleSUR's television signal. | RELATED: | 'Venezuela Won't Allow US Meddling in Elections' Arreaza Warns | 'We strongly reject threats against the voice and image of the peoples who fight and resist the imperialist…
telesurenglish.net/news/Cuban-President-Condemns-Guaidos-Threats-Against-teleSUR-20200113-0010.html

EU hails Libya cease-fire as 'first fundamental step'
yenisafak.com | 2020-01-13
The European Union's foreign policy chief and the head of bloc's parliament Monday welcomed the cease-fire in Libya."The announcement of a ceasefire in Libya provides an important opportunity to resume dialogue for a political solution to the crisis. It is now to the parties to fully implement it," said Josep Borell, high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy, on Twitter."The EU is ready to help Berlin process and efforts of UN. All Libyans deserve peace and prosperity," he added.Separately, David Sassoli, the president of the European Parliament, welcomed the decision in a written stat…
yenisafak.com/en/world/eu-hails-libya-cease-fire-as-first-fundamental-step-3509545

All the Times the US allied with Gen. Soleimani against Common Enemies
Juan Cole | zcomm.org | 2020-01-12
The prime minister of Iraq says he invited Soleimani to Baghdad for peace negotiations with Saudi Arabia and then Trump just suddenly blew his guest away. Soleimani came openly on a commercial flight and went through passport control with his diplomatic passport…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/all-the-times-the-us-allied-with-gen-soleimani-against-common-enemies/

UN Peacekeeping Has a Sexual Abuse Problem
Skye Wheeler | commondreams.org | 2020-01-12
A Haitian woman was selling charcoal on the empty edges of her small town when a white, uniformed United Nations peacekeeper offered her a lift in his marked vehicle.
commondreams.org/views/2020/01/12/un-peacekeeping-has-sexual-abuse-problem?cd-origin=rss

Invoking the United Nations' Historic "Uniting for Peace" Resolution 377 Before Trump Embroils Us in War with Iran
Dimitri Lascaris | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-12
In the early hours of January 3, 2020, the United States military assassinated Iran's most powerful military commander, General Qasem Soleimani. | Soleimani's killing, accomplished by means of a drone strike in Baghdad, was done without the authorization of the Iraqi …
globalresearch.ca/invoke-u-n-uniting-peace-resolution-before-trump-embroils-us-war-iran/5700327

Selected Articles: Iran Admits Accidentally Shooting Down Ukrainian Passenger Jet
Global Research News | globalresearch.ca | 2020-01-12
A future without independent media leaves us with an upside down reality where according to the corporate media "NATO deserves a Nobel Peace Prize", and where "nuclear weapons and wars make us safer" | . | . | | | If, like us, this is …
globalresearch.ca/selected-articles-iran-admits-accidentally-shooting-down-ukrainian-passenger-jet/5700338

Juan Guaido Wants to Silence teleSUR by Taking Over TV Signal
telesurenglish.net | 2020-01-12
The self-proclaimed 'president' of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, announced on Saturday that he has plans to take over teleSUR's television signal in an attempt to silence the channel. | RELATED: | US Seeks to Affect Cuba's Revenue by Banning Charter Flights | "In the next few days we keep moving forward: tomorrow we announce the steps to recover the teleSUR signal in the continent, and be aware of where and when we are going to hold the session of the @AsambleaVE to open all together th…
telesurenglish.net/news/Juan-Guaido-Wants-to-Silence-teleSUR-by-Taking-Over-TV-Signal-20200112-0001.html

For Western Press, the Only Coup in Venezuela Is Against Guaidó
Lucas Koerner | commondreams.org | 2020-01-11
The international corporate media have entered crisis mode following the replacement of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as head of the country's National Assembly.
commondreams.org/views/2020/01/11/western-press-only-coup-venezuela-against-guaido?cd-origin=rss

Canada, the RCMP, and Human Rights Obligations to the Wet'suwet'en Nation
Brent Patterson | commondreams.org | 2020-01-11
The impartiality of state institutions and international human rights obligations towards Indigenous land defenders are crucial elements in making space for peace.
commondreams.org/views/2020/01/11/canada-rcmp-and-human-rights-obligations-wetsuweten-nation?cd-origin=rss

'Love will prevail': Spiritual guru Marianne Williamson drops out of 2020 election race
rt.com | 2020-01-10
Self-help author and activist Marianne Williamson has dropped out of the race to be the next US president, after running a longshot campaign advocating an "agenda for peace" and a "spiritual awakening" for America. | In a statement posted to her website on Friday, Williamson said she had run for president to "forge another direction" for the country and to bring topics to the agenda which otherwise would not be discussed. | The 67-year-old self-help guru and proponent of a more "mindful politics" was polling at a…
rt.com/usa/477973-marianne-williamson-drops-out-democrats/

Ex-UK ambassador to Tehran backs Corbyn's assessment of the murder of Iranian general
Tom Coburg | thecanary.co | 2020-01-10
This article was updated at 18: 05 on 10 January. It previously stated that Boris Johnson did not respond to Jeremy Corbyn's request for a Privy Council briefing. However, Johnson refused the request. | A former UK ambassador to Tehran has confirmed that Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was in Iraq as part of a peace mission to Saudi Arabia, with the full agreement of the Iraqi government, when he was assassinated by a US drone strike on the orders of president Donald Trump. | Richard Dalton added that the decision to assa…
thecanary.co/trending/2020/01/10/ex-uk-ambassador-to-tehran-backs-corbyns-assessment-of-the-murder-of-iranian-general/

For Western Press, the Only Coup in Venezuela Is Against Guaidó
Lucas Koerner | fair.org | 2020-01-10
The Washington Post ( 1/5/20) described Venezuelan lawmakers voting against someone other than Washington's chosen candidate to head the assembly as "sedition within the opposition." | The international corporate media have entered crisis mode following the replacement of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as head of the country's National Assembly. | In headline after headline, Venezue…
fair.org/home/for-western-press-the-only-coup-in-venezuela-is-against-guaido/

US peace activists, leftists oppose Iran war
Susan Price | greenleft.org.au | 2020-01-10
anti-war Susan PriceIssue 1248 United States US wars US aggression against Iran peace movementJanuary 10, 2020Former vetera…
greenleft.org.au/content/us-peace-activists-leftists-oppose-iran-war

Venezuela: Guaido installs parallel parliament, US threatens more sanctions
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2020-01-10
Venezuela Ricardo VazIssue 1248 Venezuela Juan Guaido US Vice President Mike PenceJanuary 10, 2020Opposition leader Juan Guaido installed a "parallel" parliament in Caracas on January 7. | The…
greenleft.org.au/content/venezuela-guaido-installs-parallel-parliament-us-threatens-more-sanctions

This might be the final episode of Juan Guaidó's surreal Venezuela regime-change reality show
Leonardo Flores | thegrayzone.com | 2020-01-09
The farcical scene of Juan Guaido attempting to break into Venezuela's National Assembly as its members voted him out was…
thegrayzone.com/2020/01/08/final-episode-juan-guaido-surreal-regime-change-reality-show/

Peace activists in South say 'No war on Iran'
Liberation Staff | liberationnews.org | 2020-01-09
Reports from North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Kentucky.
liberationnews.org/peace-activists-in-south-say-no-war-on-iran/

Andrew Bacevich: The U.S. Needs to Abandon "Militarized Approach" to Middle East and Build Peace
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-01-09
We continue our conversation with Andrew Bacevich, president and co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. He is a retired colonel, Vietnam War veteran and author of, most recently, of "The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered Its Cold War Victory." Bacevich says the crisis with Iran, sparked by President Trump's assassination of top general Qassem Soleimani, is just the latest in a long series of ill-advised American actions in the Middle East. "The only conceivable way for us to begin to extricate ourselves from this terrible mess in the region … is to abandon this militarized approac…
www.democracynow.org/2020/1/9/andrew_bacevich_trump_iran

In the streets and in Congress, Americans stand up for peace
Mark Gruenberg, John Wojcik | peoplesworld.org | 2020-01-09
WASHINGTON–Insisting that the nation will not be forced into yet another war, progressive lawmakers here yesterday and today–and the American people demonstrating from coast to coast today–are bringing into the open an anti-war majority in the U.S. Declaring Congress needs to take its constitutional responsibility for war and peace back from "an irrational administration," the …
peoplesworld.org/article/in-the-streets-and-in-congress-americans-stand-up-for-peace/

Stand with the people of Iran and Iraq against the U.S. wars of aggression!
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-01-09
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following Jan. 8 statement from the International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS) US Chapter. | The cowardly assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani on Iraqi soil, the deployment of more US troops to the Southwest Asia and North Africa region (SWANA), and the belligerent threats of the Trump administration, reveal to the world what billions of people already know: The United States is the greatest purveyor of violence in the world, the single largest threat to the peace and security of Southwest Asia and North Africa, and a rogue state with no regard for int…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/1/9/stand-people-iran-and-iraq-against-us-wars-aggression

Venezuela: Guaido Installs Parallel Parliament After Washington Threatens More Sanctions
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-01-08
The Trump administration is reportedly mulling sanctions against opposition deputies who voted against Guaido.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14759

In the ongoing crisis, Congress must rein in Trump's war powers
Jon Rainwater | peaceaction.org | 2020-01-08
As we feared, President Trump's reckless assassination of Iran's Gen. Soleimani resulted in escalation

Juan Guaidó, the political joke of Venezuela
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-01-08
Chicago, IL – Juan Guaidó is not that smart of a politician. He never seems to care much about strategy, or coalition building, or putting forward a serious political platform. The only political talent Guaidó seems to have is in front of the cameras. He knows how to put on a good show for the audience he wants to please. | | While that could be seen throughout the past year, as Guaidó and his allies bumbled their way through one of the worst coup attempts in recent memory, it is the best way to understand what has happened in Venezuela these past few days. | | On Sunday, January 5, Guaidó's support amo…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/1/8/juan-guaid-political-joke-venezuela

Will Soleimani's Assassination Set Back Iraq's October Revolution?
Staff | therealnews.com | 2020-01-07
Soleimani's killing could open a path for peace if cooler heads prevail, argues professor of Middle East politics Sabah Alnasseri.
therealnews.com/stories/soleimani-assassination-iraq-october-revolution

UN chief monitoring Venezuela developments 'with concern'
news.un.org | 2020-01-07
The latest twist in Venezuela's ongoing political crisis "make urgently needed dialogue even more difficult to achieve", the UN Secretary-General has said.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/01/1054881

Iraqi PM reveals Soleimani was on peace mission when assassinated, exploding Trump's lie of 'imminent attacks'
Max Blumenthal | thegrayzone.com | 2020-01-06
The Trump administration claimed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was planning "imminent attacks" on US interests when it assassinated him. That…
thegrayzone.com/2020/01/06/soleimani-peace-mission-assassinated-trump-lie-imminent-attacks/

Hundreds of protesters for peace come out in Pacific Northwest Jan. 4
Liberation Staff | liberationnews.org | 2020-01-06
Reports from Seattle, Spokane, Kennewick and Boise…
liberationnews.org/hundreds-of-protesters-for-peace-come-out-in-pacific-northwest-jan-4/

Venezuelan Government and Opposition Fraction Announce Release of 14 'Political Prisoners'
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-01-06
The National Roundtable for Peaceful Dialogue also offered its backing to the new National Assembly president, Luis Parra.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14757

How Soleimani's Assassination Violates International Law and Puts Peace Further Out of Reach
Staff | therealnews.com | 2020-01-06
Phyllis Bennis says Congress must stop Trump from taking the U.S. to war without any justification or provocation.
therealnews.com/stories/soleimani-assassination-violates-international-law

Venezuela: Guaido Replaced as Parliament Head in Disputed Vote
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2020-01-05
Pro-Guaido opposition lawmakers have rejected the vote, forming a parallel parliament with US and international right-wing support.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14755

Sat. Jan. 4 National Day of Action U.S. Troops Out of Iraq!
ANSWER | liberationnews.org | 2020-01-01
Initiators for this call include the ANSWER Coalition, CODEPINK, Popular Resistance, World Beyond War and many other anti-war and peace organizations.
liberationnews.org/sat-jan-4-national-day-of-action-u-s-troops-out-of-iraq/

Venezuela Repels 'Terrorist' Attack on Military Bases, 1 Soldier Dead
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-23
The assailants stormed several military installations before being engaged by the Venezuelan army.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14752

Notes on a private TV newscast in Bolivia. The contrast with Venezuela is clear as day
Joe Emersberger | zcomm.org | 2019-12-20
In August, I took detailed notes a news broadcast on one of Venezuela's largest TV networks. I summarized these notes in an interview I did with the Real News Network making the point that Venezuela's private media (which reaches 60-90% of households) is remarkably free

Venezuela: Guaido Introduces Remote Voting in Bid to Secure Reelection
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-18
The opposition leader has been under fire amid recent scandals.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14749

Francisco Rodriguez answers some questions I asked about Venezuela
Joe Emersberger | zcomm.org | 2019-12-16
Venezuelan economist Francisco Rodriguez, formerly of Torino Economics, answered a few questions of mine about his country. He was the economic adviser to Henri Falcon, the second place finisher in the May 2018 presidential election. His updated estimate for 2019 is that Venezuela's real GDP will contract by 25% . That's horrific, but less severe Read…
zcomm.org/zblogs/francisco-rodriguez-answers-some-questions-i-asked-him-about-venezuela/

ALBA Summit: Venezuela Promises to Relaunch PetroCaribe in 2020
Paul Dobson | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-12-16
Heads of state also pledged to bolster various regional social programs including the Miracle Mission and Latin American Medical Schools.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14745