US

The Day After S-400: The Turkish-American Relationship Will Get WorseFor the geo political minded. Excerpts from a large, but interesting article.

Without Congress’s approval, he has no legal authority to start a war, no matter what John Bolton seems to think.
Gene HEALY

The more than twenty Democrats who are seeking to become their party’s presidential candidate in 2020 have been more than a little reticent about the foreign policy of the United States. There has been some muttering from the more progressive aspirants regarding the regular and bipartisan presidential abuse of his war powers, together with some demands that the next conflict be approved by a vote of congress as the Constitution demands, but most of the Democrats prefer to keep their heads down on the issue because it is believed to be too complicated for American voters to understand.

As if more evidence was needed to debunk the pathetic narrative that the Russians hacked the DNC computers during the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump confidant Roger Stone, currently on trial for lying during the Mueller inquisition released an important truth to the light of day on May 10th. During a court filing, Stone’s lawyers finally gave a voice for the first time in an official setting to former NSA Technical Director Bill Binney, who has been fighting to have his testimony heard by special prosecutor Robert Mueller for nearly two years to no avail.

   Agreed that this ceasefire is temporary- It looks, from where I'm sitting on the other side of the world, that SAA got done what it needed to do for now. Meanwhile Turkey and Russia negotiate..See the earlier post from today.

I've zero doubt that Syrian intelligence has met with Turkish intelligence. And continues to meet with them. It only makes sense that there is communication.Link

Authored by Adam Dick via The Ron Paul Institute for Peace & Prosperity:

On May 13th, Reuters headlined “Iran insists on ramping up oil sales to stay in nuclear pact” and reported that “EU officials … estimate Iran needs to sell 1.5 million bpd to keep its economy afloat. A drop below 1 million bpd could bring hardship and economic crisis.”

Continuing with coverage of Hama/Idlib. From yesterday: Turkey and Russia Negotiate to Reach a Ceasefire: Idlib/SyriaLink

Very early reports that a cease fire is being negotiated and possibly a truce of sorts is already in place. Yes, I'll be looking for more information and updating as soon as possible!Continuing to follow the situation in Syria:

Syrian Situation Report: Israeli Airstrikes? (Breaking) Hama/Idlib

Link