Daily Archives: February 29, 2020

2020-02-29: News Headlines

Staff (2020-02-29). U.S., Taliban Set to Sign Afghanistan Peace Deal. truthdig.com The pact sets the stage for U.S. troop withdrawal more than 18 years after George W. Bush ordered bombing in response to the 9/11 attacks.

news.un (2020-02-28). US Israel-Palestinian peace plan a 'mockery', upends long-standing consensus — International Conference hears. news.un.org The United States' announcement of a new vision for ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, touted as the "Deal of the Century", is a "mockery", the Prime Minister of Malaysia told an international conference in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

Prof. Marjorie Cohn (2020-02-28). If Venezuelan Embassy Protectors Are Retried, Jury Should Hear About US Crimes. globalresearch.ca On February 28, federal prosecutors will announce whether they plan to retry four people who spent 37 days in the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C.,

Global Research News (2020-02-28). Selected Articles: Assad's Victory in Syria War? 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 a …

Reza Marashi (2020-02-28). Pandemics, Politics, and Peace — Episode 11. iranian.com Episode Description: This week, Reza breaks down Trump's dangerous response to the Corona Virus, why it's bananas for the DC establishment to criticize Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren's call to drawdown US troops in the Middle East, and how Iran nuclear deal opponents have boxed themselves in. Sune Engel Rasmussen, Correspondent for The Wall Street …

Staff (2020-02-27). "Dead Bodies Everywhere": Hindu Nationalist Violence Rocks Delhi as Trump Visits Modi in India. democracynow.org In India, the death toll from anti-Muslim violence in Delhi has risen to at least 34, with police accused of turning a blind eye to assaults on Muslims committed by Hindu nationalist mobs. The violence began Sunday, when groups of Hindus attacked peaceful sit-ins of Muslims protesting against Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new citizenship law, which widely restricts Muslim immigration to India. Modi said nothing as the violence continued for days, instead hosting President Donald Trump on a two-day state visit in which Trump heaped praise on the Indian prime minister. We speak with Neha Dixit, i…

IMEMC & Agencies (2020-02-27). UN Official Concerned Over Israel's Settlement Expansion Plans. imemc.org United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, Wednesday, voiced his concern over Israeli settlement announcements, saying the E1 plan (E1 is the area between Ma'ale Adumim colony and occupied Jerusalem) if implemented, would sever the West Bank in half. "I am very concerned about Israel's …

Pepe Escobar (2020-02-27). Afghanistan 'peace deal' is not real without Iran. iranian.com Nearly two decades after the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan post-9/11, and after an interminable war costing over $ 2 trillion, there's hardly anything "historic" about a possible peace deal that may be signed in Doha this coming Saturday between Washington and the Taliban. We should start by stressing three points. 1- The Taliban wanted …

news.un (2020-02-26). From the Field: Women push for peace. news.un.org The "strength, leadership and invaluable contributions in peacekeeping settings" made by women across the world is being highlighted by the United Nations as part of the organization's ongoing commitment to building global peace.

news.un (2020-02-25). One in three Venezuelans not getting enough to eat, UN study finds. news.un.org Hyperinflation in Venezuela means that roughly one-third of the population — more than nine million people — do not get enough to eat and are in need of assistance, according to estimates published on Tuesday by the World Food Programme (WFP).

Paul Kawika Martin (2020-02-13). Peace Action: Senate Reclaims War Powers to Thwart Iran War. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — February 13, 2020 — In response to the Senate passing the bipartisan bill — S.J.Res.68 — that would thwart President Trump from going to war with Iran and end any current hostilities, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "It's about time …

Strategic Culture (2020-02-08). US Deploys 'Mini-Nukes' in Deplorable Threat to World Peace. theantimedia.com These so-called "mini-nukes" represent—despite the diminutive-sounding name—an increased risk of nuclear war.

Venezuela Analysis (2020-02-06). Embassy Protection Collective: "We Are Not the Ones Who Violated the Law" theantimedia.com In this exclusive interview, VA talks to the activists who defended the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC ahead of their trial.

CounterSpin (2020-01-31). Omar Baddar on Israel/Palestine 'Peace' Plan, Rainey Reitman on Greenwald Persecution. fair.org MP3 Link This week on CounterSpin: It is strange to think that you could create a plan to shape the relationship between two entities, in consultation with one but not the other, and then not just declare it, yourself, a "win-win," but also say to the unconsulted party, "You better take it, or else." Yet …

Jon Rainwater (2020-01-31). House Votes to Rein in Trump's Iran War Powers While Ending Endless Wars. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — January 30, 2020 — In response to two high-profile war powers votes on the House floor today, Peace Action released the following statement: "Our nation's endless wars are on autopilot, with Trump fitfully grabbing the steering wheel until his attention wanders somewhere else. Today's votes are a step toward Congress reclaiming its …

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 …

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

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

Jon Rainwater (2019-11-07). Take Action — Some actual, SANE legislation. peaceaction.org Trump has plans to spend nearly $2 TRILLION over the next 30 years on unneeded and unnecessary nuclear weapons and delivery systems. This makes no sense. This is insane. That's nearly $100 million wasted every day for thirty years on weapons we are supposed to be getting rid of. To put that amount in perspective, …

Jon Rainwater (2019-09-25). Take Action to Avoid War with Iran. peaceaction.org photo credit Dear Groundswell Readers, We have to keep pushing Congress this week if we want to avoid war with Iran. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said recently that the U.K. might join a U.S.-led military effort in the Gulf. When other nations step up to join the "coalition of the willing" it's often a bad sign. …

Paul Kawika Martin (2019-07-18). Diplomacy Instead of a Disaster in Iran. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — July 18, 2019 — In response to reports of the U.S. shooting down an Iranian drone, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "Because of the Trump administration's policy of maximum provocation towards Iran, America stands on the precipice of another blunderous …

Peace Action (2019-07-11). Peace Action Endorses 'the Squad' — Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pressley and Tlaib for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — July 11, 2019 — Peace Action, the nation's largest grassroots peace organization, has endorsed four progressive champions for the House of Representatives in the 2020 election, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for New York's 14th district, Rep. Ilhan Omar for Minnesota's 5th district, Rep. Ayanna Pressley for Massachusetts' 7th district, and Rep. Rashida Tlaib …

Paul Kawika Martin (2019-06-28). Most Senators Oppose War with Iran Without Congressional Approval. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — June 28, 2019 — In response to the Senate voting 50-40 in favor of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to block funding for military action against Iran without congressional approval, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "Because …

Peace Action (2019-06-25). Peace Action Endorses Ilhan Omar for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 25, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Ilhan Omar for Congress in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary …

Peace Action (2019-06-24). Peace Action Endorses Kara Eastman for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 24, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Kara Eastman for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary …

2020-02-29: Social Media Postees

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

U.S., Taliban Set to Sign Afghanistan Peace Deal
Staff | truthdig.com | 2020-02-29
The pact sets the stage for U.S. troop withdrawal more than 18 years after George W. Bush ordered bombing in response to the 9/11 attacks.
truthdig.com/articles/u-s-taliban-set-to-peace-deal-in-afghanistan/

Free the Freeway 9
Curt Wechsler | indybay.org | 2020-02-29
RefuseFascism.org defendants face three years in jail for peaceful political protest in the face of LAPD & prosecutorial harassment. We demand charges be dropped.
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/27/18831107.php

A Difficult Peace
Sean Reynolds | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-28
Nearly a thousand of us were gathered in Chicago beneath the alarming edifice of Chicago's "Trump Tower." Iran's General Qassem Soleimani had been brutally murdered the day before in Iraq, with several of his associates; and the welcome surprise of Iran's relatively measured response was yet a few days off. A region-wide conflagration seemed just …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/a-difficult-peace/

If Venezuelan Embassy Protectors Are Retried, Jury Should Hear About US Crimes
Prof. Marjorie Cohn | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-28
On February 28, federal prosecutors will announce whether they plan to retry four people who spent 37 days in the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C., in the spring of 2019 to protect it from an illegal invasion by the U.S. …
globalresearch.ca/venezuelan-embassy-protectors-retried-jury-should-hear-about-us-crimes/5705034

Guyana Goes to the Polls Hoping to End Its Political Crisis
telesurenglish.net | 2020-02-28
Guyana's oil boom will influence the results of the March 2 elections, which are called to end the long period of political instability and stagnation that the South American country has been experiencing since 2018. | RELATED: | Venezuela: US Comments on Guyana Affair are Interventionist | The Guyanese people have been waiting for this day since their president David Granger received a motion of no confidence against him, which was validated by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ…
telesurenglish.net/news/guyana-goes-to-the-polls-to-end-political-crisis-20200228-0005.html

Witnessing the hell that a migrant can face
Vijay Prashad | mronline.org | 2020-02-28
The Saudi-UAE war on Yemen has been going on for five years. Despite recent peace talks leading to an improvement in aid distribution, the violence has escalated in certain key districts of Yemen over the past two weeks. Since January, 35,000 Yemenis have been displaced from their homes, an indicator of the dangerous situation in […] | Source…
mronline.org/2020/02/28/witnessing-the-hell-that-a-migrant-can-face/

Selected Articles: Assad's Victory in Syria War?
Global Research News | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-28
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 a …
globalresearch.ca/selected-articles-are-we-seeing-assad-victory-syria-war/5704994

"Dead Bodies Everywhere": Hindu Nationalist Violence Rocks Delhi as Trump Visits Modi in India
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-27
In India, the death toll from anti-Muslim violence in Delhi has risen to at least 34, with police accused of turning a blind eye to assaults on Muslims committed by Hindu nationalist mobs. The violence began Sunday, when groups of Hindus attacked peaceful sit-ins of Muslims protesting against Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new citizenship law, which widely restricts Muslim immigration to India. Modi said nothing as the violence continued for days, instead hosting President Donald Trump on a two-day state visit in which Trump heaped praise on the Indian prime minister. We speak with Neha Dixit, i…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/27/india_antimuslim_violence_modi_trump

UN Official Concerned Over Israel's Settlement Expansion Plans
IMEMC & Agencies | imemc.org | 2020-02-27
United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, Wednesday, voiced his concern over Israeli settlement announcements, saying the E1 plan (E1 is the area between Ma'ale Adumim colony and occupied Jerusalem) if implemented, would sever the West Bank in half. "I am very concerned about Israel's …
imemc.org/article/un-official-concerned-over-israels-settlement-expansion-plans/

Afghanistan 'peace deal' is not real without Iran
Pepe Escobar | iranian.com | 2020-02-27
Nearly two decades after the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan post-9/11, and after an interminable war costing over $ 2 trillion, there's hardly anything "historic" about a possible peace deal that may be signed in Doha this coming Saturday between Washington and the Taliban. We should start by stressing three points. 1- The Taliban wanted …
iranian.com/2020/02/27/afghanistan-peace-deal-is-not-real-without-iran/

From the Field: Women push for peace
news.un.org | 2020-02-26
The "strength, leadership and invaluable contributions in peacekeeping settings" made by women across the world is being highlighted by the United Nations as part of the organization's ongoing commitment to building global peace.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/02/1058181

One in three Venezuelans not getting enough to eat, UN study finds
news.un.org | 2020-02-25
Hyperinflation in Venezuela means that roughly one-third of the population

Peace Action: Senate Reclaims War Powers to Thwart Iran War
Paul Kawika Martin | peaceaction.org | 2020-02-13
Washington, D.C.

US Deploys 'Mini-Nukes' in Deplorable Threat to World Peace
Strategic Culture | theantimedia.com | 2020-02-08
These so-called "mini-nukes" represent–despite the diminutive-sounding name–an increased risk of nuclear war.

US Deploys ‘Mini-Nukes’ in Deplorable Threat to World Peace

Embassy Protection Collective: "We Are Not the Ones Who Violated the Law"
Venezuela Analysis | theantimedia.com | 2020-02-06
In this exclusive interview, VA talks to the activists who defended the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC ahead of their trial.

Embassy Protection Collective: "We Are Not the Ones Who Violated the Law"

Omar Baddar on Israel/Palestine 'Peace' Plan, Rainey Reitman on Greenwald Persecution
CounterSpin | fair.org | 2020-01-31
MP3 Link This week on CounterSpin: It is strange to think that you could create a plan to shape the relationship between two entities, in consultation with one but not the other, and then not just declare it, yourself, a "win-win," but also say to the unconsulted party, "You better take it, or else." Yet …
fair.org/home/omar-baddar-on-israel-palestine-peace-plan-rainey-reitman-on-greenwald-persecution/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=omar-baddar-on-israel-palestine-peace-plan-rainey-reitman-on-greenwald-persecution

House Votes to Rein in Trump's Iran War Powers While Ending Endless Wars
Jon Rainwater | peaceaction.org | 2020-01-31
Washington, D.C.