(2022-02-18). Putin to take part in nuclear war drills. rt.com 
The strategic weapons exercises are scheduled to take place on Saturday | Russian President Vladimir Putin will take direct command of scheduled ballistic missile training on Saturday, which will see the country's military test its nuclear capabilities, Moscow has confirmed. | Officials released a statement on Friday, writing, "on February 19, under the supervision of the supreme commander-in-chief of the Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, a planned exercise of the forces of strategic deterrence will take place, during which ballistic and cruise missiles will be launched." | The statement goes…
(2022-02-18). A Call for Peace: Russian & U.S. Women Push for Diplomacy, Not Military Action, to Resolve Crisis. democracynow.org 
U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov have agreed to meet next week as tension remains high over Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia has announced plans to stage massive drills on Saturday of its nuclear forces, including multiple practice missile launches. We speak with Russian journalist Nadezhda Azhgikhina, one of a group of two dozen independent Russian and American women who released an open letter this week calling for peace. The letter reads, "We are united in the belief that diplomacy, dialogue, engagement and exchange are urgently needed to end the current crisis an…
(2022-02-18). Iran ready to help resolve crisis in Ukraine peacefully. en.mehrnews.com Referring to the crisis in the relations between Ukraine and Russia, the Iranian Foreign Minister said that Iran is ready to provide any necessary assistance and take any necessary action to resolve the crisis peacefully.
(2022-02-18). Khamenei: Iran Wants Nuclear Energy, Not Nuclear Arms. news.antiwar.com Its far from the first time he's said so, but Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, said Thursday that Iranian leadership has been saying this for years, but factions hostile to Iran in the region, notably Israel, continue to push the myth of Iran seeking nuclear arms, and have been doing it so much that the reality of Iran's intentions…
(2022-02-18). Report: Draft Iran Nuclear Deal Outlines Mutual Steps for Return. news.antiwar.com On Thursday, Citing unnamed diplomats, the report said the first phase of the draft deal includes the release of Western prisoners in Iran.
(2022-02-18). Over 160 House Republicans Threaten to Sabotage Iran Deal. news.antiwar.com Over 160 House Republicans sent a letter to President Biden threatening to do everything they can to sabotage an agreement with Iran if it is not approved by Congress. Iran is seeking guarantees that the next president won't withdraw from the nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA. But since the JCPOA is not a treaty, …
(2022-02-18). Iran rejects report on deal in Vienna talks. en.mehrnews.com Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh rejected fake news carried by certain western media about the ongoing JCPOA negotiations in Vienna.
(2022-02-18). Foes of a new Nuclear Agreement Demonize Tehran, but what is Iranian Society really Like Today? juancole.com Eau Claire, Wi. (Special to Informed Comment) — The nature and the parameters of power relations in the state-society relations in Iran since the 1978-79 revolution have radically changed. The revolution ended the twenty-five-hundred-year-old monarchical rule in Iran and gave rise to a Shi'a 'ulema-dominated rule. The demise of the old Pahlavi regime saw the …
(2022-02-18). Nuclear watchdog will get Fukushima water checked. rt.com 
Scientists in Austria and Monaco are to verify if samples from Japan's nuclear facility are safe | Some 50 liters of treated water used to cool down the Fukushima melted nuclear reactors will be sent for analysis to "independent" laboratories in Austria and Monaco, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a
(2022-02-17). US, NATO double down on war threats against Russia over Ukraine. wsws.org Even as Moscow released videos of its tanks leaving Crimea and Belarus after military exercises there, NATO said it would reinforce its troops and nuclear forces in Europe.
(2022-02-17). Conflict with Russia is Raising your Gasoline Bill; an Electric Car is the Answer. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — Reporters pressed White House spokesperson Jen Psaki on Wednesday about the likelihood that any Russian military engagement in Ukraine will raise petroleum prices further. Ensuing US sanctions on Russia would keep some of its petroleum off the market, as has already happened to Iran, at a time when demand is …
(2022-02-17). US gives no response to Russia's proposal to return nuclear weapons to its soil — MFA. tass.com As the Russian Foreign Ministry also pointed out, the issues of non-strategic nuclear weapons cannot be discussed without resolving the issue of not deploying them in NATO's non-nuclear member states…
(2022-02-17). Islamic Revolution emerged victorious via people presence. en.mehrnews.com The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the Islamic Revolution of Iran emerged victorious through the presence of the people and not guns and political measures.
(2022-02-17). Chapeando: Odiadores del estado cubano y nostálgicos de Batista, øal mismo tiempo? (+ Podcast). cubadebate.cu Los mensajes dirigidos a desacreditar al gobierno, sus acciones y estructuras, a presentarlo como incapaz, inoperante, sin un solo argumento y arropados por la aparente impunidad de las redes sociales, coinciden en el tiempo con una visible campaña de exaltación de la figura y la "obra" de un tirano de manual como Fulgencio Batista. Escuche el análisis en Chapeando.
(2022-02-17). Israel Attacks Syrian Army Base Near Damascus. news.antiwar.com On Wednesday night, Speculatively, Israeli media are saying Iranian troops might sometimes use that base. Israel, as usual, isn't commenting on why they're attacking Syria, however. | Indications are that the base sustained damage, and some damage was done in the town of Zakiya. There have been no reports of any casualties. | Interestingly, there was no…
(2022-02-17). Front pages of Iran's English dailies on February 17. en.mehrnews.com Here are the front pages of Iran's English language dailies on Thursday, February 17.
(2022-02-17). Argentina expands nuclear energy with China's help. america.cgtn.com 
Argentina will be expanding its nuclear power sector after reaching an agreement this month with the China National Nuclear Corporation to build a new plant using China's Hualong One technology.
(2022-02-17). Report: Biden to Ask for Over $770 Billion Military Budget for 2023. news.antiwar.com According to a report from Reuters, Sources told Reuters that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the White House's Office of Management and Budget have agreed to a proposed military budget of higher than $770 billion. | Two of the sources said about $773 billion would go to the Pentagon. Additional funds needed for the Energy Department's nuclear weapons program and other areas…