#the saudi wall failure in motion

[13thpythagoras]

lol

it's literally going to tip over in the first windstorm or earthquake

engineering 101, if you're building a freestanding wall, and you, uh, actually want it to last longer than a few years, you need to make it curvy like J Lo!!!

#House of Saud are idiots surrounded by yes men #lmao #the saudi wall failure in motion #watch it fail I guaranfuckintee you it's going to sit 98% vacant until it collapses

[criptochecca]

After six months of brutal fighting and the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis, multiple Israeli and western commentators have argued that Hamas is winning the war and making military history in the process.

[…]

Hamas had survived "the IDF onslaught for longer than any war Israel has ever fought," and in "doing so, they have thoroughly dented Israel's much vaunted deterrent status. In brief, and with daunting potential long-term consequences for Israel, the IDF no longer looks invincible."

Hamas has blocked a potential normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which looked inevitable before the war began on 7 October, and put the Palestinian issue "back squarely on the international map" after years of the Palestinian Authority (PA) failing to do so.

A final victory for Hamas, Phillip notes, is the “head-spinning speed of Israel's post-October 7 delegitimization in the eyes of many in the world.”

[…]

Following the withdrawal of the 98th Division from the southern Gaza city, Harel noted that the Israeli army's “two goals were the capture of top Hamas officials in Gaza and the rescue of the Israeli captives currently held by the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza.”

"The public should be told the truth: The enormous death and destruction the IDF is leaving behind in Gaza, alongside quite a few losses on our side, aren't currently bringing us any closer to achieving the war's goals," he concluded.

[…]

"Israel's failure is not based on presenting the goals of the war – which were fully supported by all Western countries. The failure lies entirely in the execution," Eyal wrote, adding that "war is not won just by killing. A complementary political act is needed."

The first failure, according to the report, was "the civilian suffering in Gaza."

"Those who want to overthrow the rule of Hamas in Gaza do not conduct a Roman-style revenge campaign, carry out a protective wall or retaliatory action as if it were the 1950s."

[…]

Eyal also noted that Israel had become isolated in the international community and that even its allies in Washington and Brussels were beginning to turn against it.

"Not only has [Israel] lost support in most of the West, and is very close to an arms embargo from Europe, even among its great ally, the tectonic plates are in motion."

[ebenpink]

World News Briefs -- May 8, 2019 (Evening Edition) http://bit.ly/2H9rujJ

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain May 8, 2019. Mandel Ngan/Pool via REUTERS

Reuters: No time to go 'wobbly': Pompeo scolds Britain over China and Huawei LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Britain on Wednesday it needed to change its attitude towards China and telecoms company Huawei, casting the world’s second largest economy as a threat to the West similar to that once posed by the Soviet Union. Pompeo questioned the attitude of Prime Minister Theresa May’s government towards Beijing and goaded London by saying that the late former British leader Margaret Thatcher, who was known as the Iron Lady, would have taken a much firmer line with China. Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Any Iranian attack against the U.S or allies will be met with force: U.S. Hook. U.S. targets Iran's metals for sanctions, Tehran relaxes nuclear deal compliance. Iran quits parts of critical 2015 nuclear deal. Iran nuclear deal: Tehran urged to honour commitments. White House official promises more Iran sanctions 'very soon'. Syria war: UN alarm at escalation of hostilities in Idlib. Arab residents rally against Kurdish rule in Syria's Deir Az Zor. Yemen war: Civilians struggle to buy food to break their fast. Erdogan defends controversial re-run of Istanbul vote. CIA warns Arab activist of potential threat from Saudi Arabia.

ASIA

North Korea says recent rocket drill was 'regular and self-defensive': KCNA. U.S. will need forces in Afghanistan until no insurgency left: Dunford. Afghanistan: Taliban attacks Counterpart International in Kabul. Seoul doubles down on North Korea engagement with food aid talk. Poll: More than half of South Koreans back Moon Jae-in's North Korea policy. Report: Islamic sites destroyed amid surveillance of Uighurs in China. Thai election: Opposition Pheu Thai Party wins most seats. PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill delays Opposition's no-confidence motion. New Zealand unveils ambitious plan to go carbon neutral by 2050.

AFRICA

South Sudan president says formation of unity government should be delayed a year. South Africa votes in general election. Unemployment, racial tensions at heart of S.Africa polls. Haftar's forces say they shot down a military plane near Tripoli. Libya's UN-backed Sarraj seeks European help to stop Haftar assault. UN investigation into UAE military role in Libya conflict. Sudan’s military council want protesters to back Sharia legal system. Court rules against Zimbabwe opposition leader's appointment. Namibia tribes appeal US court ruling in genocide suit.

EUROPE

UK's May to meet Tory leaders next week to address calls for resignation. Theresa May rebuffs fresh calls to resign. May says working on Brexit agreement with Labour. Brexit failures force Britain to participate in EU elections. UK and Ireland sign deal to guarantee rights of citizens after Brexit. Ukraine says Russia starting 'gas war' with controversial pipeline. 241m Europeans 'may have received Russian-linked disinformation'. WHO: 34,000 infected with measles in Europe. Missing piece of Stonehenge returned after 60 years. Harry and Meghan reveal royal baby's name is Archie.

AMERICAS

U.S. border agents apprehended nearly 100,000 people at southern border in April: data. House panel accuses Barr of contempt as Trump invokes executive privilege. Trump declares executive privilege over Mueller report. US: White House orders ex-counsel McGahn to defy House subpoena. Trump juggles crises in Iran, North Korea, Venezuela. Trump taxes show losses of $1.17 billion over decade: report. Venezuela's top court targets opposition leaders. Guatemala prison shooting kills at least seven inmates. Asia Bibi arrives in Canada after leaving Pakistan. Huawei CFO to seek extradition stay citing Trump comments. Canadian prosecutors drop politically sensitive case against admiral accused of leak.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.S. expects every country to take back foreign fighters: Pompeo. Pakistan bombing kills at least 10 people, police the target outside Lahore shrine. Taliban attack US aid group's office in Kabul. More than 500 foreign IS members convicted in Iraq: court.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall St. falls as investors cautious on trade; Intel slides. US sanctions on Iranian oil risk stoking OPEC tensions. Uber, Lyft drivers strike in cities worldwide ahead of Uber IPO. China ‘puts Europe trade deal on back burner’ to put out US tariff fire. World's alcohol consumption expected to rise 17% in next decade. Hackers steal $41M in bitcoin from world's largest cryptocurrency exchange. from War News Updates http://bit.ly/2VTwz7K via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Blogger

[spicynbachili2]

Pentagon: No more refueling of Saudi aircraft bombing Yemen

Protection Secretary Jim Mattis greets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the Pentagon on March 16, 2017. Mattis’ determination to refuse refueling to Saudi conflict planes is seen as a step in the direction of punishing the dominion for its conflict in Yemen. | Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Photos

Protection

The transfer was hailed by critics of the U.S. position within the civil conflict however they referred to as for halting different help.

By WESLEY MORGAN

11/09/2018 11:04 PM EST

The choice to halt refueling warplanes from Saudi Arabia and its allies bombing rebels in Yemen was hailed Friday by Democrats and different longtime supporters of curbing the Pentagon’s help for what they contemplate an illegal use of American forces that has contributed to a humanitarian catastrophe.

However additionally they referred to as on President Donald Trump and members of Congress to take further steps — together with slicing off arms and ending the sharing of focusing on info — to additional extricate the U.S. army from involvement in Yemen’s civil conflict.

Story Continued Beneath

Late Friday , Secretary of Protection Jim Mattis confirmed the choice in an announcement saying “we help the choice by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after consultations with the U.S. Authorities, to make use of the Coalition’s personal army capabilities to conduct inflight refueling in help of its operations in Yemen.”

The transfer, first reported by the Washington Put up, was hailed as a optimistic step by those that have been urging the Trump administration to chop off the Saudis and its allies within the battle, together with the United Arab Emirates.

“By lastly ending refueling missions for Saudi bombers, the Trump administration is admitting our joint operation in Yemen has been a catastrophe,” mentioned Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat and member of the International Relations Committee.

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Additionally calling the transfer “a serious victory,” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), a vocal advocate of barring U.S. army help to the Saudi-led coalition, mentioned Congress should additionally cross a decision that will “make sure that all U.S. involvement is shut off.”

The Saudi authorities issued its personal assertion insisting it had requested the halt to refueling operations now that it has developed the power to resupply its fighter jets by itself.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the member international locations of the Coalition to Help legitimacy in Yemen, regularly pursue enhancements to army professionalism and self-sufficiency,” the assertion mentioned. “Not too long ago the Kingdom and the Coalition has elevated its functionality to independently conduct inflight refueling in Yemen. Consequently, in session with the USA, the Coalition has requested cessation of inflight refueling help for it is operations in Yemen.”

Since 2015, U.S Air Power aerial tankers have supplied mid-air refueling to a few of the Saudi-led coalition’s strike plane attacking Houthi rebels in Yemen which might be backed by Iran.

A few of these strikes have been blamed for deaths of civilians, together with a extremely publicized bombing of a bus over the summer season.

“The Saudi Arabia-led coalition supporting the internationally acknowledged Yemeni authorities continued to bomb civilian infrastructure and carried out indiscriminate assaults, killing and injuring civilians,” Amnesty Worldwide mentioned in a latest report.

The UN Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights has additionally reported hundreds of civilians have died within the battle and thousands and thousands have been displaced. It has additionally fueled the unfold of cholera and different ailments because of the destruction of what was already a really poor infrastructure.

The Pentagon beforehand maintained that by offering refueling and offering intelligence help it was serving to to make sure the strikes have been extra exact and that civilian deaths have been being saved to a minimal.

Mattis mentioned in August that the U.S. army help was “not unconditional” but in addition insisted that the Saudi army was taking correct precautions and following new procedures after present process American coaching.

“The coaching we’ve got given them we all know has paid off,” Mattis advised reporters. “Now we have had pilots within the air who acknowledge the hazard of a selected mission and declined to drop even after they get the authority. Now we have seen workers procedures that put no-fire areas round areas the place there’s hospitals or colleges.”

Final week Mattis additionally referred to as for a ceasefire to enter impact this month, saying that “the Saudis and the Emiratis are prepared” and blaming the Houthis for the failure of previous negotiations.

Some specialists steered Friday that the Trump administration can also be attempting to move off rising criticism over its cozy relationship with the Saudi monarchy and expectations new Democratic majority within the Home in January may pressure its hand.

The broader U.S.-Saudi relationship has additionally come below extra fireplace for the reason that alleged homicide final month of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside Riyadh’s consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

Critics in Congress have referred to as for the White Home to tug the plug on a $110 billion deal to promote arms to Saudi Arabia.

“It’s being accomplished as a part of the administration’s effort to get forward of congressional motion in opposition to Saudi arms gross sales and different operational help,” mentioned Michael Knights, a fellow on the Washington Institute for Close to East Coverage who has consulted with the Saudi-led coalition in its marketing campaign in Yemen in opposition to each a Houthi insurgency and militant teams affiliated with Al Qaeda.

“It’s clear the administration determined to finish refueling as a result of it noticed the writing on the wall and needed to avoid wasting face earlier than Congress may vote to chop off U.S. help to the coalition,” added Kate Kiszer, director of the progressive overseas coverage advocacy group Win With out Warfare.

The sensible impact of the brand new transfer is more likely to be restricted. America has solely supplied some 10 % of refueling help to the air marketing campaign, in response to Knights.

It may nonetheless cut back civilian casualties, nonetheless.

“Elimination of that help is not going to finish the conflict,” he defined, “nevertheless it may make it tougher for Saudi Arabia to station plane over the Yemeni capital.”

That’s the a part of the nation, he famous, the place the Saudis have undertaken a few of their most questionable strikes, together with in opposition to rebels on the transfer.

The choice was seen by many critics of the U.S. position up to now as a major turning level.

“For years, the USA has offered weapons to Saudi Arabia and provided focusing on and refueling help as American-made bombs have been despatched to kill hundreds of harmless individuals, together with kids,” Murphy mentioned in his assertion. “The U.S. has radicalized total generations as a result of there was an American imprint on each civilian murdered there.”

Extra must be accomplished, he insisted. “Why are we nonetheless serving to the Saudis with focusing on?” he requested. “Why are we nonetheless promoting them the bombs at a reduction?

Kevin Martin, president of Peace Motion, an anti-war group, additionally credited the Trump administration for taking motion however expressed hope it’s going to result in totally extricating the USA from the battle if a peaceable settlement can’t be reached.

“This is a vital step, however it’s not the tip of the wrestle to finish U.S. help for the conflict and to finish the conflict itself,” he mentioned in an announcement.

Like others he referred to as on Congress to play a extra lively position.

“Congress should cross the Yemen conflict powers resolutions to bind the administration to this coverage shift, to finish different types of U.S. help for the conflict, and to reclaim its constitutional authority on the query of conflict,” Martin mentioned. “This conflict was unlawful from the beginning, and it’s time for Congress to face up and say so.”

Protection Priorities, a assume tank funded by the conservative Charles Koch Basis that advocates a much less interventionist overseas coverage, additionally took a swipe at President Barack Obama for supporting the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen within the first place.

“U.S. army help for this battle is one thing President Obama ought to have by no means began,” mentioned Benjamin Friedman, a senior scholar at Protection Priorities. The marketing campaign “is a humanitarian catastrophe that does nothing to advance U.S. safety—if something it undermines it.”

He, too, mentioned the halt to American refueling of Saudi jets ought to solely be the start.

“America ought to finish the opposite types of intelligence and logistical help supplied to the Saudis, together with the arms gross sales aiding their bombing marketing campaign,” Friedman mentioned.

Mattis, in his assertion Friday, reiterated the necessity to discover a diplomatic answer to the battle.

“We’re all targeted on supporting decision of the battle,” he mentioned. “The U.S. and the Coalition are planning to collaborate on increase reputable Yemeni forces to defend the Yemeni individuals, safe their nation’s borders, and contribute to counter Al Qaeda and ISIS efforts in Yemen and the area.”

“The U.S. can even proceed working with the Coalition and Yemen to attenuate civilian casualties and broaden pressing humanitarian efforts all through the nation,” Mattis added, calling on all events to “help the United Nations’ ongoing efforts on this new section in Yemen.”

The Saudi authorities insisted Friday it’s in search of the identical final result, by way of a brand new try to implement UN Safety Council Decision 2216, which was adopted in 2015. That effort to finish the battle peacefully has to this point did not yield outcomes.

“The Coalition Command expresses its hope,” the Saudi assertion mentioned, “that the upcoming UN sponsored negotiations in a 3rd nation will result in a negotiated settlement in accordance to UNSCR 2216 and see an finish to the aggression by the Iranian backed Houthi militias’ in opposition to the Yemeni individuals and international locations within the area.”

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[adhiparora]

The Trump Presidency

Ever since Donald Trump was elected into power in November 2016, it seems as if things have gone downhill in the United States rather quickly. The 45th President of the Unites States has had his fair share of criticism, just with a generous load more.

Trump had always been criticized over his business decisions and ventures, with many calling them brash, irrational, and brazen. His financial condition was also questioned whether he had ties with other governments, specifically the Russian Federation. His unwillingness to reveal his bank details has raised question marks in many pundits, and continues to. Some of them have expressed it, and have faced the brunt of doing so.

Every decision of POTUS has been heavily criticized. The most, however, is his possible ties to Russian Leader Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. Speculation says that Putin had funded Trump’s campaign and had helped meddle in the elections. Regardless whether he had directly intervened or indirectly remains a mystery, and whether he actually had, is yet to be solved. When people try to investigate this, Trump reacts like he has something to hide. He makes bold assertions, starts deviating from topic, and tries to hamper the investigations in any possible way. When ex-FBI director James Comey tried to investigate this, Trump fired Comey. This still remains a highly debated topic as to why was the sudden move there, and was it a sign that Trump had something to hide. Post this, the Department of Justice authorized ex-FBI director Robert Mueller to investigate, and to prevent another Comey from happening, gave him the necessary power to carry out the task without any hiccup in it. Trump has vented about it a lot, but the DoJ has given Mueller the right protection.

Coming to one of Trump’s favorite assertion. “We’re going to build a great wall”. This has had its own fair share of issues. Trump initially said that the wall would cost 2 billion dollars, but by the time of the voting, had raised it till 12. Even that was wrong, as professionals said that the wall would cost a minimum of 25 billion dollars. The motive behind it as well is rather queer. Trump hopes to curb drug smuggling through it from Mexico, but as reports say, the drug cartels in Mexico don’t even use land as a method to smuggle drugs. They prefer aquatic and aerial methods of delivery.

His plans to repeal and replace Obamacare has also been nothing short of a mess. The plan would leave millions without healthcare plans, and there was no alternative being offered to them by Trump. The plan was indeed so bad, that many Republicans only voted against it and made sure that the plan failed. Critics then said that Trump wasn’t fit for the post as he was taking too rash decisions and was expecting that everyone was as rich as him and could afford healthcare. They also asked him that if the people were indeed rich enough, then why would they apply for Obamacare.

How he dealt with the hurricane specifically in Puerto Rico is a sign of just how childish the person in charge of 6,000 nuclear weapons is. Comments like “having fun in Puerto Rico” and “The crowd was loving the fact that I was throwing towels at them” show just how insensitive Trump is while dealing with any sort of disaster that doesn’t concern him. He was throwing towels at the victims. You’re not in the NBA you sadistic heathen! Have some emotions! He thought that power was restored and that torches were no longer needed. Dude, for once, don’t use your pea brain and rely on the stats and facts for once.

Looking at his immigration ban, it is clear that he is either mis-informed about stats, or that he doesn’t care of what the figures say. He implemented a travel ban on 7 nations, namely Syria, North Korea, Iran, Chad, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia under the pretext of “protection of the nation”. Bullshit. Maybe Trump deliberately left out the big fish, Saudi Arabia for the reason that they supply oil, and chose to ignore the fact that nearly all the terrorists that enter the United States are from there. It’s just lucky that the Supreme Court passed a verdict that the ban would not be implemented. Many mayors of cities have sued the Trump Administration for this action, and the largest and most out-spoken of this is the entire state of California.

One of Trump’s more recent failures has been his attempt to handle the growing issue of mass shootings. Despite the numbers, he hasn’t bothered to do anything about it. His words of condolence are not exactly so, and he hasn’t even issued any official statement that will counter the problem. He is calling this as a result of influx of immigrants, while the problem is that there isn’t a control on the amount of guns sold in the States, and licenses to possess weapons are extremely easy to get.

In the end, it all boils down to whether Trump starts taking his job seriously. If he doesn’t then the Senate will pass a motion of no confidence. If Special Counsel Chief Robert Mueller finds something on Trump, which has a very high chance of happening then Trump will be impeached and fired. Until then, there isn’t much we can do except for hope and wait.