2019-09-23: News Headlines

Mnar Muhawesh (2019-09-23). How Holes in the Burning Saudi Oil Fields Narrative Could Draw the US Into a War With Iran. mintpressnews.com It is inconceivable to the United States that a "rag-tag" force like Yemen's Houthis might, with home-made weapons, outdo the hundred-billion-dollar might and sophistication of the state-of-the-art systems Washington has lavished upon the Saudis.

teleSUR (2019-09-23). Germany, UK, France Blame Iran for Saudi Attack. telesurenglish.net Britain, Germany, and France backed the United States Monday by blaming Iran for the attack on Saudi oil facilities, urging Tehran to agree to new talks on its nuclear and missile programs. | RELATED: | No Intention of Meeting Iran's Rouhani at UN Assembly: Trump | "It is clear to us that Iran bears responsibility for this attack. There is no other plausible explanation. We support ongoing investigations to establish further details," Britain, France, and Germany said in a joint sta…

Staff (2019-09-23). Can Nuclear Power's Deadly Waste Be Contained in a Warming World? truthout.org | | Imagine this scenario: You are driving home from work one evening, and you notice a strange metallic taste in your mouth. That night on the evening news, you hear there's been an accident at the nuclear plant in your community, but that everything is under control. | The next day, the metallic taste is stronger, and you see a rust-colored ring around the bathtub when you drain it. Public announcements continue to say everything is OK. Your eight-month-old daughter has been playing outside much of t…

Gary D. Barnett (2019-09-23). The War That Could Change the World. dissidentvoice.org It is tempting to say that war with Iran is inevitable, and that may certainly be so, but this terrible situation has become a political and media game. A deadly game to be sure, but a game nonetheless. The people who cling to the notion that they have "leaders" to protect them are little more …

Yves Engler (2019-09-23). Canada's Role in US Empire. dissidentvoice.org While France, Germany, Russia and China seek detente, Canada is increasingly part of the US-Saudi Arabia-Israeli axis stoking conflict with Iran. Canada recently seized and sold $30 million worth of Iranian properties in Ottawa and Toronto to compensate individuals in the US who had family members killed in a 2002 Hamas bombing in Israel and …

unitedEditor (2019-09-23). Erdogan & Trump, Iran and Saudi Arabia, Turkish military operations in Northern Iraq. uwidata.com Erdogan — Trump Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation with his American counterpart Donald Trump. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ongoing geopolitical problems. Turkey and the US had previously come to an agreement on the creation of a safe zone in the Syrian north-east along the border with Turkey. Despite recent …

Bob Dreyfuss (2019-09-23). Iran Has Called Washington's Bluff. thenation.com Iran Has Called Washington's Bluff…

Robert Bridge (2019-09-23). The Deep State Is Dragging Trump into War with Iran. globalresearch.ca Should we chalk it up to coincidence theory that just days after Trump gives John Bolton the boot as his National Security Adviser, Iran is blamed for an attack on a Saudi oil facility, forcing Washington to forego any hope …

Omar Ahmed (2019-09-23). Was Iran Really Behind the Attack on Saudi Aramco Facilities? globalresearch.ca On 14 September, state-owned Saudi Aramco's oil processing facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais in the Eastern Province were the target of a sophisticated drone and cruise missile attack. The Houthis of Yemen were quick to claim responsibility for "Operation Deterrent …

teleSUR (2019-09-23). Impeachment Talks Get Louder Over Trump's Ukraine Call. telesurenglish.net President Donald Trump admitted discussing his corruption accusations against Former VP Joe Biden and his son with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the telephone, as many continue to pressure for an impeachment, The New York Times reports. | RELATED | No Intention of Meeting Iran's Rouhani at UN Assembly: Trump | Vice Media outlet said Trump's statements come after days of news and allegations that he applied pressure on the Ukrainian leader to investigate Joe Biden, one o…

Phil Rockstroh (2019-09-23). A Careless Bully at the KFC at the End of Empire. counterpunch.org Will Trump go to war with the Iranians or the homeless? Or both? Trump is a coward. The nation of Iran has the means and the will to fight. Do you recall the will displayed by Iranians when repelling foreign invaders when Iraq attempted to invade Iran as a de facto US proxy force? Conversely, More

Courtenay Barnett (2019-09-23). America Confronts Iran: History of US-Iran Relations and the Rule of Law. globalresearch.ca It is said that maybe Iran was behind a recent attack on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities. | The Iranian Government denies that any attack was launched from Iranian territory. | Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the attack; other accusations …

Staff (2019-09-23). Headlines for September 23, 2019. democracynow.org 4 Million Take to the Streets for Global Climate Strike, Trump Admin Ignored CBP Report Linking Climate Change and Increased Migration, Honduran Woman and 21-Month-Old Son Die While Attempting to Reach U.S., New Deal Would Force Asylum Seekers to Return to El Salvador Despite Obvious Dangers, Calls for Impeachment Grow as Trump Acknowledges Ukraine Phone Call About Bidens, U.S. to Send Troops to Saudi Arabia, Impose Iran Sanctions, as Rouhani Heads to UNGA with Peace Plan, Arab Parties in Israel Back Benny Gantz in Bid to End Netanyahu's Rule, Egyptians Take to Street in Rare Protest Against President Sisi, Gov't…

RT (2019-09-22). NOT 'the last thing millennials will see'! US military apologizes for 'Area 51 raid' meme with B-2 stealth bomber. rt.com A US military unit was forced to apologize to UFO fans and alien enthusiasts for a tweet that suggested the government is ready to use B-2 nuclear-capable bombers to protect the secrets held inside the classified Area 51 facility. | Jumping on the hype train headed for the secretive air force base in Nevada desert, the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) flexed its meme muscles on Friday by tweeting a photo of a B-2 stealth bomber, accompanied by a chilling warning: | The last thing #Millennials will see if they attempt the #area51raid today. | In case anyone wanted to see the tweet in ques…

RT (2019-09-22). Didn't he learn what deterrence is? Cruz insists Iran wants to nuke American cities, puzzles Twitter. rt.com Ted Cruz insists Tehran's dream is to nuke American cities and that the Iran nuclear deal is to blame for the attack on Saudi oil facilities. The argument was mocked for making no sense, but the hawkish senator doubled down. | The Texas legislator, one of the most vocal cheerleaders of Donald Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran, took to the pages of the New York Post on Friday to warn the public of the imminent danger. More international sanctions against Iran may soon be dropped under the 2015 nuclear deal, which means Tehran is drawing closer to obtaining nuclear weapons which "could incinerat…

RT (2019-09-22). Yemeni children considered covering themselves in oil? Lee Camp bashes US reactions to Saudi refinery attacks & Yemen bombings. rt.com Washington and Riyadh were quick to blame Tehran for attacks on Saudi oil facilities. Despite the lack of proof and history of lies told by the accusers, the US media eagerly took their claims at face value, Lee Camp says. | Last weekend's attacks were claimed by the Yemeni Houthi rebels, but the US and Saudi Arabia accused Iran instead, providing the charred remains of supposed Iranian weaponry and vague allegations as proof. | Despite painting Donald Trump as a habitual liar for years, his accusations against Iran appear to be A-OK for the mainstream media, the host of comedy show Redacted Tonight said. The…

Tony Cartalucci (2019-09-22). Firing Bolton: Bait and Switch or Changing Tack? globalresearch.ca News of US National Security Adviser John Bolton's departure was followed by hopeful commentary both within the US and abroad that so too would follow the aggressive foreign policy he advocated — particularly in regards to Iran. | However, …

Aaron Maté (2019-09-22). US troops in Saudi Arabia defend hegemony, not security. thegrayzone.com The Trump administration is sending US troops to Saudi Arabia as it continues to threaten Iran. Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, former…

teleSUR (2019-09-22). No Intention of Meeting Iran's Rouhani at UN Assembly: Trump. telesurenglish.net United States President Donald Trump said Sunday that he has no intention of meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during the United Nations General Assembly after rising tensions between both countries continue due to the attack on Saudi Arabia's oil company last week, which Riyadh attributes to Tehran. | RELATED: | Iran to Present Regional Security Cooperation Plan at UNGA | "Nothing is ruled out, but I have no intention of meeting with Iran," Trump told reporters at the White House be…

Phil Rockstroh (2019-09-21). A Careless Bully at the KFC at the End of Empire. dissidentvoice.org Will Trump go to war with the Iranians or the homeless? Or both? Trump is a coward. The nation of Iran has the means and the will to fight. Do you recall the will displayed by Iranians when repelling foreign invaders when Iraq attempted to invade Iran as a de facto US proxy force? Conversely, …

Jason Ditz (2019-09-20). Pentagon Presents Trump With a Wide Range of Potential Targets to Strike in Iran. theantimedia.com Trump will be joined by national security officials when he is presented with a wide range of military options by the Pentagon.

Aaron Maté (2019-09-20). Instead of threats, Trump can easily defuse Iran crisis he created. thegrayzone.com The Trump administration continues to threaten Iran after blaming it, without evidence, for the recent bombing of Saudi oil facilities….

Jeffrey St. Clair (2019-09-20). Roaming Charges: Pompeo and Circumstance. counterpunch.org + The Saudis want to "fight the Iranians to the last American." — Secretary of Defense Bob Gates, February 2010 + Who needs John Bolton, when you've got Pompeo Maximus declaring the attack on the Abqaiq refineries in Saudi Arabia: "An act of war." + By Pompeo's logic, the death of every Yemeni kid from cholera More

T.J. Coles (2019-09-20). A Taste of Their Own Medicine: the Politicians Who Robbed Iranians and Libyans Fear the Same for Brexit Britain. counterpunch.org As part of then-Prime Minister (PM) Theresa May's supposed preparations for a no-deal Brexit, the government asked different departments of the UK's civil service, including those responsible for food, agriculture, medicine, and chemicals, to come up with impact assessments. The worst-case scenarios (not leaked or released at the time of writing) were codenamed Black Swan. More

Joshua Cho (2019-09-20). Media Omit Context Behind Latest North Korean Missile Tests. fair.org by Joshua Cho | In his 2004 book North Korea: Another Country, historian Bruce Cumings described the irony of corporate media's perpetual narrative of North Korea as an unhinged or devious adversary of the US with hostile nuclear ambitions: Almost always, media discussion of North Korea assumes that Washington is in a position of original innocence, and the North is assiduously trying to obtain and then to use "weapons of mass destruction"—the ubiquitous media trope for the arsenals of American enemies since the Cold War ended. Yet the American record in Northeast Asia since the 1940s is one of consistent us…

unitedEditor (2019-09-19). Challenges and Opportunities toward Iran in the Convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea. uwidata.com Negotiations for the Caspian Sea legal regime began almost immediately after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, but at the beginning of the process there were no negotiations on a single text. Prior to that, Iran and the Soviet Union used this sea commonly, though in practice the Soviet Union, by using its power …

Staff (2019-09-19). Headlines for September 19, 2019. democracynow.org U.S. Secretary of State Blames Iran for "Act of War" Against Saudi Oil Facility, WaPo: Whistleblower Reported "Troubling" Promise from Trump to Foreign Leader, Trump Names Robert O'Brien as Fourth National Security Adviser, U.S.-Backed Forces Kill 30 Afghan Civilians; Taliban Truck Bomb Kills 20, Thousands Fall Ill as Indonesian Fires Spread Toxic Haze, Thousands Lose Power as Hurricane Humberto Lashes Bermuda, Youth Activist Greta Thunberg to U.S. Lawmakers: Listen to Climate Scientists, University of California to Divest from Fossil Fuel Companies, Israeli Election Challenger Gantz Rejects Call to Join Netanyah…

Medea Benjamin (2019-09-18). Will Americans Let Trump Start World War III for Saudi Arabia and Israel? mintpressnews.com If the U.S. military, or Israel or Saudi Arabia, had a viable plan to attack Iran without triggering a wider war, they would have done so long ago.

Mazda Majidi (2019-09-17). Will the U.S. start a war for Saudi Arabia? liberationnews.org We are facing an extremely dangerous situation with a real possibility of the U.S. bombing Iran.

Reese Erlich (2019-09-17). Foreign Correspondent: What Trump's Missteps on Iran Have Wrought. progressive.org The United States has become a high-tech Bluebeard.

Fight Back (2019-09-17). Yemeni forces strike Saudi Arabia; U.S. blames Iran. fightbacknews.org Milwaukee, WI – In the early morning hours of September 14 ten drones carried out an intensive bombing of two of the world's largest oil refineries, both located in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Aramco facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais were decimated, crippling the productive capabilities of the oil manufacturers in the country. The Air Force of the Yemeni Army and Popular Committees have announced that these strikes are a part of what they're calling the 2nd Operation of Balanced Deterrence. | The attacks serve as the latest in an ongoing war of resistance by Yemen that began nearly five years ago. On one side, there a…

unitedEditor (2019-09-17). Why Iran's Khamenei pushes for higher birthrate? uwidata.com Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has again called on compatriots to have more children while calling on authorities to help families increase the population amid crippling economic sanctions, high unemployment and staggering inflation rates. Inspired by the size of the population in China and India, Khamenei urged for advancing Iran's national power by doubling its …

Staff (2019-09-17). Headlines for September 17, 2019. democracynow.org Iran Rejects Talks with U.S. Following Disputed Drone Attacks in Saudi Arabia, Israelis Head to Polls to Decide Netanyahu's Fate, Afghanistan: Blast Near Presidential Rally Kills Dozens Amid Mounting Violence, Massive Blackout Hits Four Central American Nations, 2 Italian Officials Indicted over Migrant Deaths from 2013 Shipwreck, 2019 Was Northern Hemisphere's Hottest Summer on Record, Autoworkers Continue Strike with Support from Dems, Environmental Activists, Manhattan DA Subpoenas Trump Tax Returns, Acting Intelligence Dir. Refused to Turn Over Whistleblower Complaint That Could Involve Trump, House Dems Inve…

Staff (2019-09-16). Saudi Oil Refinery Attack Raises Fears of "Wider Regional War" Involving U.S. & Iran. democracynow.org President Trump is threatening to take military action after several large Saudi Arabian oil facilities were attacked Saturday by drones and cruise missiles. Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack, but numerous reports indicate the attack may have come from Iraq or Iran rather than Yemen. Crude oil prices soared more than 15% after the Aramco-run plants suffered heavy damage. One of the plants struck is the world's biggest petroleum-processing facility. According to one estimate, the attacks decreased Saudi's daily oil output by nearly 6 million barrels. While the United States has been quic…

unitedEditor (2019-09-15). 'I Rule the White House': Will Bolton's ouster help Trump facilitate US-Iran negotiations? uwidata.com Most analysts agree that Donald Trump's main motivation for dismissing his National Security Advisor, John Bolton, was that Bolton had been giving off the impression that he was the real decision-maker in the White House, while the president was merely a talking puppet. Looking at Trump's career, even before coming into office, it is clear …

Ian Gamble (2019-09-02). US conducts ground launch cruise missile test. liberationnews.org On Aug. 18, less than three weeks after scrapping the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, the U.S. launched a ballistic cruise missile from San Nicholas Island, CA.

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 …

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 …

Jon Rainwater (2019-06-20). Striking Iran Now Could Spark a Major War. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — June 20, 2019 — In response to reports that the Trump administration is considering strikes on Iran in response to the downing of a U.S. surveillance drone, Jon Rainwater, Executive Director of Peace Action, released the following statement: "The United States has stumbled into a perilous situation. If, for example, the U.S. …

Peace Action (2019-06-17). Peace Action Endorses Ayanna Pressley for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 17, 2019 — Peace Action, the nation's largest grassroots peace organization, and its affiliate Massachusetts Peace Action, endorsed Ayanna Pressley for Massachusetts' 7th 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 …

Jon Rainwater (2019-06-17). Sending More Troops to the Middle East is Adding Fuel to the Fire. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — June 17, 2019 — In response to the Trump administration's decision to send an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East amidst escalating tensions with Iran, Jon Rainwater, Executive Director of Peace Action, released the following statement: "Rather than pursuing diplomatic off ramps to avert conflict with Iran, the Trump administration is …