White House press secretary Sean Spicer speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 3, 2017. (AP/Evan Vucci)
Marx offered that history repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce. A mere two weeks into the reign of a new administration in Washington, it appears the farce has already commenced.
Over many decades, the U.S. establishment has become practiced at putting out claims that are completely false or that leave out key details to mislead the public, but now come complaints about “fake news,” observes William Blum. By William Blum…Read more →
The Trump administration has veered into dangerous territory with its threats against Iran, a threat to President Trump’s larger vision of a revamped international order, reports ex-British diplomat Alastair Crooke. By Alastair Crooke Donald Trump needs détente with Russia for…Read more →
NATO head Jens Stoltenberg – repositioning for potential dialogue between Russia and the US.
21st Century Wire says…
It’s too early to celebrate any real change in policy, but this week’s latest statement by NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg might be signalling a slight change of tact by NATO, no doubt influenced by the arrival of a new US Administration that appears determined to alter the previous Obama trajectory of antagonisation, provocateuring and permanent war-footing with Russia.
The new Trump administration continues to surprise, with General James Mattis – recently confirmed as Defense Secretary – ordering a review of both the F-35 program, as well as the program for the replacement of Airforce One (the US President’s own transport jet).
The F-35 is supposedly the most expensive program in the US air force’s history. It has also been one of the most protracted and controversial, with many questioning the F-35’s capabilities as an effective combat aircraft.
As Trump’s cabinet picks undergo their respective confirmation hearings, the million dollar question that is probably on everyone’s mind is whether Trump’s picks have broken rank with the President-elect, and want confrontation with Russia…or if they are simply saying they want an aggressive stance towards the Kremlin because that is what congressional war-hawk neocons like McCain and Graham want to hear.
Senator John McCain even went so far as to ask Trump’s pick for secretary of defense James Mattis…
For the first PGG bonus podcast Christoph and I start off by discussing Russia-US relations in the age of Trump. We talk about the warming relations between the two nations and if this will evolve into a meaningful relationship. We explore some of the recent cabinet appointments by Trump and what this might mean for the US and geopolitics in general. Christoph and I talk about how the enemy has shifted away from Russia and to Iran, China, and global jihadist’s.
Exclusive: One of Official Washington’s favorite “group thinks” is to insist that Iran is the “chief sponsor of terrorism,” but the reality is that Saudi Arabia is much guiltier and U.S. officials know it, says Robert Parry. By Robert Parry…Read more →
Some of President-elect Trump’s national security appointees are part of Official Washington’s “we-hate-Iran” group think, raising concerns about another Mideast war, notes ex-CIA analyst Paul R. Pillar. By Paul R. Pillar The direct stakes in whether the Trump administration adheres…Read more →
President-elect Trump’s pick of retired Gen. James “Mad Dog” Mattis to run the Pentagon raises questions about civilian control of the military, especially compared to the precedent of Gen. George Marshall, writes ex-CIA analyst Paul R. Pillar. By Paul R.…Read more →
