Heading towards global war?

 

   By Reginald Johnson

            (Editors note:  As this article was being published, President Trump announced that the war on Iran would be over "soon." This is a bizarre statement. Just the day before, his war secretary Pete Hegseth said the war was "just beginning." On Saturday, Trump said ground troops could be sent to Iran. The administration doesn't seem to know what it is doing. If the war ends soon, that will be a good thing. But I'm very skeptical this will actually happen, because nothing that Trump says can be trusted. Remember this is the same president who ordered bombing attacks against Iran in the middle of what were supposed to be good faith negotiations with Iran over that country's nuclear development program. He did this twice, last year, and then again this year.) 

        As the Iran War ratchets up in intensity, there is fear the war could spark a global conflict with disastrous consequences.

       In the nine days since the United States and Israel launched their unprovoked attack on Iran, the war has already spilled over into many other countries in the region, with Iran hitting US bases and other targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Dubai and Qatar. Israel has moved again into Lebanon, attacking the pro-Iranian group, Hezbollah.

   Missile attacks have also taken place against targets in Turkey and Azerbajan, with Israel blaming Iran. But the Iranians have denied responsibility and claim that Israel conducted "false flag" strikes trying to draw Turkey and Azerbajan into the war.

  In still more developments, Russia reportedly is providing Iran with intelligence on US targets in the region and US President Donald Trump is considering giving arms to the Kurds in Turkey, so they can invade Iran. Trump is also said to be weighing sending US ground troops to fight in Iran.

 Finally, as oil prices skyrocket due to shipping lanes being closed through the Strait of Hormuz, there are concerns about how China will respond to the situation. China gets 60 percent of its oil from Iran, and now that supply may be threatened with the strait closed.

    One of those who's deeply disturbed about the trend of events is Columbia Professor Jeffrey Sachs.

 "We are probably in the early days of World War III," said Sachs, a former UN official and a noted foreign policy critic. "The question is, whether it is contained."

   Speaking on a podcast with Prof. Glenn Diesen, Sachs said he's both concerned about the escalating trend of the war and also the irrational behavior of Trump.

  He described Trump as "mentally unhinged" and a "madman" determined to establish American hegemony around the world, despite the risks.

   Sachs said the world has seen madmen before who were bent on conquest, such as Napoleon and Hitler.

  But, Sachs said, "we've never had a circumstance like this in the nuclear age."

  "I would say the world is in a more dangerous situation than ever before. Period," he said. 

  Despite the gravity of the moment and Trump's reckless policy, Sachs said there are few in Washington, DC willing to call out Trump and demand that the war end before it is too late.

  "We're wondering, where, if any, are the grown-ups in the United States in positions of authority who will speak truthfully about this?" he said in another interview with Danny Haiphong.

    "I don't see almost any. There are a few voices in Congress, (Senator) Rand Paul is one of them, Congressman (Thomas) Massie is another...but there are very few others and this is what is alarming," Sachs said.

  Two other military/foreign policy experts, Ret. Col. Lawrence Wilkerson and former CIA analyst Larry Johnson said in interviews recently that due to economic pressures relating to the price of oil, and Israel's losses in the war, the Iran conflict would probably not last long. Both said that contrary to the glowing reports in the US media about US progress in the war, Israel was being hit hard by Iranian missiles and US bases have been badly damaged, too.

 Another concern for Israel is they are running out of interceptors to block incoming missiles.

Speaking on a podcast with Danny Haiphong, Wilkerson said his biggest worry is that Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu might resort to using a nuclear weapon if Israel is losing badly.

  "I have no doubt he'll use one," Wilkerson said. "That's really the problem."

Connecticut residents protest the US war on Iran

By Reginald Johnson

Recent days have seen protests pop up around Connecticut against the illegal attack by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In Norwalk on Saturday, about 20 people attended a vigil against the war and an anti-war banner was hung over the I-95 bridge at Exit 16.

"We tried to stop this war. We we were unsuccessful. So now we're trying to stop this one as soon as we can," said John Miksad, one of the participants, in an interview with News 12.

Benjamin Wesley, who helped organize the vigil, said "Nobody wants this war but we have to be LOUD with our lawmakers and make it clear to them! The lives of our fellow American servicemen and citizens and Iranian servicemen and civilians hang in the balance."

Wesley said a big focus going forward should be on getting Congress to pass war powers resolutions which will require President Trump to obtain Congressional authorization before launching any further attacks on Iran.

Groups participating in the Norwalk protest were Veterans for Peace, Jewish Voice for Peace, World Beyond War. The Peace Pact and Democratic Socialists of Connecticut.

In New Haven, about 60 people rallied against the war on Sunday outside City Hall.

The ANSWER Coalition and the Party for Socialism and Liberation sponsored the demonstration, according to the New Haven Independent.

Starvation in Gaza? Congress yawns

 

     By Reginald Johnson

                                                  Commentary

  

 It doesn’t appear that members of Congress, including those from Connecticut, are very upset about the desperate conditions in Gaza.

The nation of Israel imposed a blockade on all shipments of humanitarian supplies including food and medicine into Gaza for nearly 3 months, creating starvation conditions. In the last two days Israel decided to lift the blockade, but only partially --- allowing a small number of trucks to come in with food.  UN officials said that while they were pleased that the full blockade had been lifted, what has been delivered represents only a drop in the ocean in terms of need.

Gaza health officials recently reported that there have been dozens of cases of starvation and hundreds if not thousands of young children are being treated for malnutrition in the few hospitals that are left in the territory.

Despite these dire conditions, members of Congress from Connecticut are not saying anything. They are not condemning Israel for the illegal blockade that went on for so long and now has only been partially lifted, and they’ve done nothing to urge President Trump to take action against Israel for this embargo of desperately needed food.

I placed calls to Congressman Jim Himes, who represents the Fourth Congressional District in Connecticut, urging him to make a statement condemning the blockade and calling for urgent action to deliver food. But his office indicated twice now in the last two weeks that he has not made such a statement criticizing Israel. I indicated that I was extremely upset over this and would not vote for him as a result in the future.

 I also called Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s office twice and on one call his office indicated that the senator as well had not made a statement criticizing Israel nor indicated any concern about the desperate situation in Gaza. I don’t know whether this has anything to do with the substantial donations that Blumenthal gets from the Israeli lobby called AIPAC. I hope that there is no connection, but I suspect that there might be.

 When I called Blumenthal’s office on Tuesday there was a three minute hold with nice classical music playing. Nobody picked up. After three minutes. I got disgusted and dropped the call. Last week I called Sen. Chris Murphy’s office. I was met with a taped greeting and no human being to speak with. I left a message stating my concern about Gaza and urged the office to get back to me. That never happened.

It is shameful that these representatives of ours in Congress are not showing more compassion for the people of Gaza and recognize their desperate plight. In addition to facing starvation conditions, thousands of Gazans are being forced to move once again by the Israeli army which has mounted a new offensive in the northern part of the strip. This is really a barbaric situation and it has been condemned by many world leaders, officials in the UN and human rights organizations.

 Unfortunately, most members of Congress are staying quiet. Again, I have to think that the widespread contributions by AIPAC to members of our national legislature have something to do with this. It appears that our elected representatives are putting their political needs ahead of the needs of starving people overseas. How low is that?

 It should be noted as well, that my former profession, the press, has not stood tall in regard to the terrible situation in Gaza. I’m hardly seeing anybody in television news or in the newspapers denouncing Israel for the genocide taking place. There's also little hard news coverage of Israel's brutal bombing or reporting on the famine conditions. And newspapers turn away opinion pieces that criticize Israel. I know this first-hand, since the Connecticut Post failed to run my op-ed calling for an end to the blockade.

  It’s going to be up to regular people on the ground to speak out on the catastrophe going on now in the Middle East --- to condemn Israel, to condemn the Trump administration for failure to stop Israel’s barbaric campaign and to push members of Congress into taking action.

 Only through grassroots pressure will the horror of Gaza be brought to an end.

 

 

 

 

Proud moment for Bridgeport

           

         By Reginald Johnson

                                                     Commentary

          

   This past year has been a blur. So much has been happening with me both on a personal level and also in terms of what I’ve been writing about and working on I really wouldn’t know where to start in terms of a recap.

   But none of this would be very interesting to anybody else so I’m not going give some long recounting. But I just want to say one thing. I can’t be more proud of the fact that officials in my hometown of Bridgeport, Connecticut stood up and were counted on the absolutely awful events that are going on in Palestine.

 A year ago at this time the City Council was debating whether they should pass a resolution urging Congress and the President to push for a cease-fire in the Gaza-Israeli war. Already at that point thousands had died and there were numerous war crimes. It was clear to anybody who was reasonable and looking at the facts objectively that Israel needed to stop their brutal attack and the United States had to stop enabling their campaign.

 There were a number of packed and emotional meetings in the City Council chambers in which pro-Gaza supporters and pro-Israel supporters vented their feelings on the proposed resolution. Some members of the Palestinian community, in particular, gave moving speeches. Things got heated and police at one point intervened to stop a fracas.

 In the end, despite harsh attacks by some from the Israeli side, council members voted overwhelmingly to pass the nonbinding resolution. The moment the resolution passed, the council chambers erupted in cheers and people were hugging and waving Palestinian flags. It was a powerful moment.

 Several weeks later, the council stood strong and rejected an effort to overturn the resolution.

 There were those who said that the resolution was inappropriate for the Council to work on since it didn’t deal specifically with any city issue and was a waste of time. But from my point of view. the vote was one of the best things the city ever did. People were taking a stand on a deep moral issue which in the long run means a lot more than just voting to pass money for a new road or a new school. 

 I was proud of what the City Council and Mayor Ganim (who I’ve been often been critical of over the years) did that night. Thank you.

 Unfortunately, it’s just too bad that now, almost a year after that resolution was passed (resolutions were passed in a number of other cities as well ---  thank you to them) the war drags on and Israel is still carrying out its genocidal campaign, aided and abetted by the United States. Now, 45,000 are dead, and that’s in all likelihood a severe undercount. Thousands are starving from lack of food and Gaza's health care system is collapsing as Israeli forces bomb hospitals.

 There has been no concerted effort by our so-called leaders in Washington, DC. to stop the carnage. This has been one of the most disgraceful performances by members of Congress, in both parties, and by a President, in US history. The cowardice being shown is just beyond words.  An unspeakable horror is continuing and these people sit back and worry about their AIPAC contributions. Disgusting.

 The US could put an end to this war very quickly if it wanted to, and it’s just a shame that hasn’t happened.  Tell Israel to stop the killing and agree to a ceasefire or all aid and support, stops.

 So in the new year we still have a lot more work to do to turn this policy around. But it can be done.  In the spirit of what Bridgeport and other cities have done, let’s keep pushing for a permanent ceasefire.

 That's the least we can do for the people of Palestine.

   

To avert nuclear war, stop sending missiles to Ukraine!

  By Reginald Johnson

                                     Commentary

  URGENT: The situation in Ukraine is quite serious. We all need to take notice and if possible, to take action.

 In recent weeks the war between Ukraine and Russia entered a new and highly-dangerous phase after Ukraine fired US-made ATACMS missiles into Russia and were given assistance in the launch by American personnel.  This attack was made after President Biden, reversing a previous position, gave the greenlight. Russia responded by firing back with a new and more deadly missile at Ukraine.

 At the same time, Russia changed its nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold under which they would make a nuclear response to a missile attack. According to experts like Scott Ritter, a former UN weapons inspector and intelligence official, the ATACMS missiles used by Ukraine MEET THE STANDARD FOR A NUCLEAR RESPONSE under Russia’s new doctrine. This is frightening. Should Ukraine fire these missiles again at Russia, who knows what will happen?

 Many people think that Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, would never go so far as to retaliate with a nuclear weapon. But who can be sure? The fact is, according to Ritter and others, we are closer to a nuclear conflict then we have ever been and that includes the very dangerous Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. We really need to let our voices be heard and say that as clearly as possible we don’t want nuclear war, which would result in the end of life on earth.

  Ritter and others like peace activist Medea Benjamin of Code Pink are making a good suggestion --- that we call our elected representatives in Congress and demand that they pressure President Biden to reverse his decision on allowing the use of ATACMS missiles. At the same time, they ask that we tell our Congress Member to support House Bill 10218, which prohibits the administration from shipping any more ATACMS to Ukraine.

  We need to flood Congress with calls. It can make a difference. The Congressional switchboard is 202-224-3121. Call that number and ask for your congress person and they will switch you in. You can connect with your senators through the same number. While you’re at it, call the White House at 202-456-1111 and say you don’t want nuclear war and the President needs to pursue peace and stop sending missiles.

 Thank you!

 

Bridgeport council stands firm on ceasefire resolution

 

           By Reginald Johnson

 

    BRIDGEPORT, CT --- The City Council voted overwhelmingly this week to keep in place the city’s historic resolution passed in January calling for a permanent ceasefire and military de-escalation in Gaza.

  There has been a major pressure campaign by some Jewish groups and others to overturn the resolution, saying it was unfair to Israel and the City Council had no business taking up international matters.

 But the council was not deterred and the final vote to retain the original resolution was 14-4.

  The statement is non-binding and is aimed at encouraging members of Congress and President Biden into backing a ceasefire in the bloody Gaza conflict, which has taken 32,000 Palestinian lives, a majority of them women and children.

   Another 1.5 million people in Gaza have been displaced and hundreds of thousands face starvation, since the Israeli military is blocking aid trucks from bringing food into the besieged enclave.

 This week, Israeli missile attacks destroyed aid trucks from the World Central Kitchen, killing seven people. Israeli officials said the attacks were a mistake.

  UN and world court officials have stated that there’s evidence a genocide is taking place in Gaza.

 Prior to the vote, Councilman Jorge Cruz said he knew there was suffering on both sides of the Israeli-Gaza conflict.

   “I’m with you,” he said. “But I cannot support rescinding the original resolution.”

   He went on, “I have seen the news and I see the kids with little cups and Tupperware lined up to get food in the Gaza Strip and that makes my heart break. I know the Israelites are suffering on the other side, too, for their loved ones still held in captivity…. So my prayers are that we can find common ground and come together.”

             

The Bridgeport City Council upheld its ceasefire resolution for Gaza, despite a campaign by some Jewish groups to have it rescinded. (Reginald Johnson photo)

      

  Cruz took issue with the fact that after the ceasefire resolution was approved both on the committee level and then by the full council on January 2,  another council member (Scott Burns) decided to offer a new resolution to overturn the document.

  “Never in my all my years on the council have I seen this,” Cruz said. “This was disrespectful and should not have happened.”

  Bridgeport and Windsor are the only municipalities in Connecticut that have passed Gaza ceasefire resolutions. Other cities such as Hamden, New Haven and Hartford are still debating ceasefire proposals.

 Ceasefire resolutions have been passed by 70 other cities and towns around the country.

  U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4, who represents Bridgeport and southwestern Connecticut in Congress, has refused to support a Gaza ceasefire proposal.

  In fact, a majority of the members of Congress do not support a ceasefire and have consistently sided with Israel on the issue of the Gaza war. This is despite recent polling which indicates a majority of the American people favor a ceasefire.

  As this article was being written, President Biden was reported to have asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire.

  But many observers are skeptical as to whether the Israeli leader will take the request seriously, since Biden is not making further US aid to Israel conditional on acceptance of a ceasefire plan.

   Aziz Seyal, vice president of the Bridgeport Islamic Community Center, which spearheaded the effort to get the City Council resolution passed, commented that “the whole world should stand up against them (Israel), but the problem is our leaders are suggesting some things but are still providing the bombs to Israel, so that’s not happening.”

   .

   

 

  

 

 

Jewish leaders ask City Council to rescind Gaza ceasefire resolution

     

       BRIDGEPORT REPORT

 

     By Reginald Johnson

 

   BRIDGEPORT --- Reversing a previous stand, leaders of Bridgeport’s Jewish community have come out against the City Council’s recently passed Gaza cease-fire resolution and are demanding that the resolution be rescinded.

 On January 2 when the resolution calling on Congress to work for a cease-fire in Palestine was passed by the council, Jewish leaders present at that time indicated that they were satisfied with the statement, after language criticizing Israel was removed.

 However, a coalition of Jewish groups and synagogues that came together after that have now issued a statement saying that the City Council had no place taking up an international issue and have asked Mayor Joseph Ganim and the City Council to withdraw the resolution.

 Some leaders are claiming that the resolution is fueling anti-Semitism.

“The resolution you passed has divided our community and promoted anti-Semitic vitriol,” said Carin Sevel, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County, speaking at the City Council’s public forum Monday night, “Hate crimes against Jews are up 400% since October 7… There is too much hate and division in our community and I think you can do better,” she said.

  Deborah Boles president of the Congregation Rodeph Sholom on Park Avenue, said “We learned about the resolution 2023 (ceasefire resolution) the day it was reported on the front page of the Connecticut Post and read that there was Jewish input. We knew nothing about it.”

  Boles maintained that the council appears to been “misled” by the group Jewish Voice for Peace. She said that her research showed that Jewish Voice for Peace is “anti-Israel” and “don’t represent the mainstream Jewish community.”

Pro-Israel supporters attended the City Council meeting to oppose the ceasefire resolution. (Reginald Johnson photo)

  A number of opponents of the resolution showed up at the City Council on Monday to voice their disapproval and wave pro-Israel placards and signs.

  However, a much larger crowd of resolution supporters were on hand, many of them wearing the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh and waving Palestinian flags. A number of speakers from this group stepped forward to thank the city’s legislative body for passing the resolution and urge that the council hold firm in keeping the ceasefire statement in place.

 The Rev. Anthony Bennett, pastor of the Mount Aery Baptist Church in Bridgeport, was one of those.

  “I’m encouraging you to stand your ground in keeping this resolution which calls for an immediate cease-fire, humanitarian aid, and a return of all hostages in exchange for the previously negotiated release of Palestinian political prisoners,” he said.

   The president of the Bridgeport Islamic Community Center, Dr. Khaled Elleithy, said he was proud of the City Council for adopting the cease-fire resolution, making Bridgeport the first city in Connecticut to do so.

  “With the understanding that the City Council has no power to enforce such a resolution or investigate any claims of wrongdoing,  it remains a historic statement by the City Council. It is a call for peace. Just a call for peace. Nevertheless, some cannot digest a call for peace,” he said.

                                      

Palestinian supporters tell the City Council to stand firm against attacks on the Gaza ceasefire resolution. (Reginald Johnson photo) 

  There was no indication Monday that there is any serious move afoot on the council to rescind the resolution. The original vote on the statement was a decisive 13 to 2 in favor. Council Members who voted for the resolution said that while it is true that the city does not typically take up international matters, occasionally there are issues that are so important on a moral level that a statement by the council is in order.

Council Member Maria Pereira, a vociferous critic of the resolution, maintained the body had “zero authority” to take up the matter.

Pereira, who is known as an outspoken elected official who is often blunt in her criticisms of other people, was punished by the council Monday night for reportedly using derogatory language to describe Palestinians and the city police chief.  She was also criticized for gesturing with her middle finger toward a member of the audience at the January 2 meeting.

  The council voted 13 to 1 to hold Pereira in contempt and strip her of her committee assignments. She will still be able to attend council meetings and take part in votes, according to the Connecticut Post.

 Members of the Palestinian community have been outraged by Pereira’s comments and were calling for her resignation or expulsion from the council.

   The cities of New Haven and Windsor in Connecticut are also considering passing cease-fire resolutions. Several other cities around the country have passed the resolutions including Detroit, Michigan, Atlanta, Georgia and Oakland, California. The resolutions are aimed at pressuring Congress and the Biden administration into taking steps to bring about an end to the brutal Israel-Hamas war, which has now taken 30,000 lives and left 2 million people displaced.

  The International Court of Justice recently found that there was evidence that Israel was a committing genocide in Gaza.

 

 

 

   

US playing with fire in Ukraine

 

      By Reginald Johnson

      Commentary

   With Congress and the media egging him on,  President Joe Biden continues to pursue a reckless policy in Ukraine, increasing the chances of a catastrophic war with Russia.

       Following a virtual summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, Biden administration officials indicated that the US will continue to provide lethal and nonlethal aid to Ukraine which is fighting a civil war against Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country.

    The US has given over $400 million in aid to Ukraine this year. Overall, $2.5 billion in aid has been given to Ukraine since 2014 to aid the Ukrainian government in the fighting, which has left 9,000 people dead.

  The American policy of militarily aiding Ukraine, together with statements by the United States and other Western countries that Ukraine should become part of the NATO military alliance, as well as the military activity by the US and NATO near  Russia’s border,  has alarmed Russian officials who believe their nation’s security is being threatened.

  In recent weeks, there have been reports of Russian troops gathering near the border with Ukraine, and there’s been speculation Russia might invade.

  At the summit,  Biden warned Putin not to attack Ukraine as the Russians would pay a “terrible price” --- most likely harsh economic sanctions.  But National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said later that military aid would also continue as the US wanted to ensure Ukraine’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

  Clearly the Russians are on edge over Ukraine and this was made clear by Putin following the summit.

  “The threat to our Western border really grows. We have talked about it repeatedly,” said Putin.  “Just look at how close to Russian borders come NATO’s military infrastructure. We take it more than seriously.”

   The Russian leader added, “Speaking to the United States and its allies, we would insist on reaching certain agreements that prevent any expanding of the NATO to the east and deploying weapon systems threatening us close to Russia.”

The US is giving millions of dollars in arms to the Ukrainian military in their fight against pro-Russian separatists. More than 9,000 people have been killed in the conflict. (Istock photo)

  Unfortunately, except for a few notable exceptions, members of Congress in both parties have been expressing support for the Biden’s aggressive policy, denouncing so-called threatening moves by the Russians and demanding that the US stand tough against Putin.

   Two Republican senators, Roger Wicker of Mississippi and James Inhofe of Oklahoma, suggested that Biden consider not only sending US troops to Ukraine but also making clear to the Russians that a first-use nuclear strike by America is not out of the question.

   Many media outlets as well are demanding an aggressive American policy, with pundits condemning Russia for “aggression” and saying that the US must “hold Russia accountable” and protect Ukraine from a Russian takeover.

  Washington Post columnist Marc Thiessen said Biden was trying to “appease” Putin and was “channeling Neville Chamberlain,” the British leader who gave in to Adolf Hitler when Germany began invading a number of countries in the 1930s.

  The whole debate over Ukraine has taken on a thoroughly irrational tone and people both in the media and in Congress are talking in a very irresponsible way.

  One person who is sounding the alarm about the danger of the Ukraine situation is former congresswoman and presidential candidate, Tulsi Gabbard.

   Gabbard, a Democrat from Hawaii and a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve, told Tucker Carlson of Fox News after the summit that the neo-con interventionists who dragged the US into wars in the recent past are now driving Biden’s Ukraine policy.

   “The same neocons in Washington that dragged our country into regime change wars in places like Iraq, Libya and Syria, they are the same ones pushing us very quickly into this war with Russia and never stating what is their objective, what are we trying to accomplish here and how does this serve this country’s national security interest?  Not a single one of them is pointing this out,” she said.

    Gabbard also condemned the wild comments by Wicker and Inhofe.

  She said of Wicker, “Anyone who would propose or consider what he is saying as an option must be insane, a sociopath or a sadist. Because what he’s saying here is, let’s go and launch a nuclear attack and start a war that would destroy the American people, the country, the world and also the Ukrainians so that we can save Ukraine’s democracy? It is literally insane.”

  But Gabbard noted that “Sen. Wicker is not an outlier. He is the number two Republican on the Armed Services Committee and you’re hearing the same kind of rhetoric coming from Democrats and Republicans in Congress and in the administration.”

   Katrina vanden Heuvel, editorial director and publisher of The Nation magazine, said in an interview on “Democracy Now” that the “one-sided narrative” about Ukraine presented by the media is preventing the American people from knowing the full story.

   “We have a one-sided narrative in this country which is a problem because we haven’t followed the growing mass of NATO troops on Ukraine’s Russia border. This escalation is neither in the United States national interest nor security interest at a time when politics, a political solution and diplomatic solution is the only way forward.”

  Vanden Heuvel said it was important to remember the history of the region and acknowledge that Russia may have reason for being suspicious about Western intentions in Ukraine. She pointed out that a previous pledge made over 30 years ago by former Secretary of State James Baker to Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev after the reunification of Germany that NATO would not bring in countries from the old Soviet bloc, was violated.

   “James Baker promised NATO would not expand ‘1 inch eastward.’ That promise, which is documented in the National Security Archives and in Condi Rice’s book and other materials was violated. I think that is the original sin of what we witnessed today,” she said.

   After Baker’s pledge, NATO absorbed several of the old Iron Curtain countries as members including Poland, Romania and the Baltic nations. Now there is talk about Ukraine entering the alliance..

   “It is hard for Americans to understand that NATO expansion and what it means to Russia having a mass of NATO troops on the border,” she said.

   While there has been a constant flow of stories in the mainstream press reporting “Russian troops massing along the border” with Ukraine in preparation for a possible invasion, there has been almost no coverage of activity by NATO troops near the border nor of US warships entering the Black Sea, which borders Russia. The Russian Navy is based at Sevastopol on the Black Sea. Reports of US and NATO  activity were found only in the military press.

   Obviously, the NATO and US military activity is highly provocative. As Democracy Now co-host Juan Gonzalez noted, the US navy going into the Black Sea  “is tantamount to a Chinese or Russian military ship buildup in the Gulf of Mexico.”

    Vanden Heuvel commented that the “undereporting of US involvement is a missed service and a disservice to the American people because they are getting everyday --- I picked up the papers this morning --- it’s Russian aggression, Russian aggression. There is Russian aggression, but there is US complicity with drones and non-letal weapons.”

  Another key element to the Ukraine story that has not been covered --- in fact it’s been covered up --- is how did Ukraine wind up with a government hostile to Russia and pro-US?  The previous, democratically-elected government, headed by Victor Yanukovych and pro-Russia, was overthrown in a violent coup in 2014. The putsch was aided and abetted by the CIA and the US National Endowment for Democracy.

  The incoming regime, whose members included a number of neo-fascists, subsequently began taking military aid from the US to assist in its fight to quell the rebellion by ethnic Russians in Donbas.

 

   

     

Protestors to Trump: Hands Off Venezuela!

      

 By Reginald Johnson

    

   NEW HAVEN ---- As tensions mount between the United States and Venezuela and a military conflict grows more likely, people rallied around the country last Saturday to  protest President Trump’s threats against the Latin American country.

    One of those rallies took place in New Haven, where about 25 people gathered in chilly temperatures at the corner of Church and Elm streets downtown to protest US policy and demand that their elected representatives stand and be counted.

  Pres. Trump said in response to a question about  possible US military intervention that “all options are on the table” for the United States to achieve its goal of replacing the government of President Nicholas Maduro and install the pro-American Juan Guaido.            .

   Several speakers said that the US needs to keep its hands off Venezuela and respect its sovereignty. They charged that the main reason that the US wants Maduro to step down is because the US wants a more pliable government in Caracas so US corporations can gain control of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.

   “What is the problem with Venezuela?  It’s just that they decided to be independent from the United States and that is the only thing they are guilty of,” said John Lugo, of Unidad Latina en Accion in Connecticut.

 Lugo also said that “The money that is being spent on Venezuela by the US is money that could be used in this country --- we have a homeless crisis, we have a food crisis in the United States and yet we keep invading and destabilizing countries like Venezuela.”

   Jim Pandaru, a Vietnam veteran, said his experience taught him how wrong war is. “Venezuela.  What’s it going to be tomorrow? Iran? …. We have to stop this madness.”

  Henry Lowendorf, co-chair of the Greater New Haven Peace Council, which sponsored the rally, asked people to sign a petition demanding that US Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3,  speak out against Trump’s harrassment of Venezuela  and support and co-sponsor legislation which would block the US from using its military in that country.

  “We are asking her to speak out because she has been silent as most representatives in Congress have been about Trump’s threats to invade  Venezuela; she has been silent about the deadly sanctions against Venezuela; and she has been silent about the coup,” he said.

  Lowendorf also suggested that people who live in other districts in Connecticut get their congress members to support the legislation, which has been introduced  by U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, a Democrat from Rhode Island.

   At the end of the speeches, the group marched over to DeLauro’s office at 59 Elm Street, chanting  “Stop the War on Venezuela!” Stop the War on Venezuela!”

   DeLauro’s office was closed, but the group said they will be back and present the petitions on Monday.

    Lowendorf said he worries that the United States will create some incident to serve as a justification for intervening in Venezuela.

   “They’re trying to provoke something they can use,” he said.

Greenwich Rally against War and Income Inequality

By Reginald Johnson

         

      One of the wealthiest communities in the United States will be the scene this weekend of a rally against income inequality and America’s ongoing wars.

    The “Rally and Teach-in for Peace and Economic Justice” will take place Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm on the Greenwich Common, 290 Greenwich Avenue in the heart of downtown Greenwich.

   According to Nick Mottern, one of the organizers for the event, speakers at the rally will address the destructive consequences of the wide and rapidly expanding gap between rich and poor.

   “We will emphasize what Martin Luther King labeled the 'Triplets of Evil: Racism, Extreme Materialism and Militarism' and the takeover of our democracy by an increasingly insular plutocracy,” said Mottern.

   Representatives of social justice and antiwar organizations will discuss strategies on how to stop US wars, police oppression and how to create income equality, including a call for divestment from the military-industrial complex.

   Mottern said that Greenwich was selected for the protest since a number of its residents have extraordinary economic and political power and as such have the ability to make a difference as to how national resources are spent, whether for war or for peaceful reasons.

   “Greenwich is not only one of the wealthiest communities in the United States but the world.  I’ve read press reports that show there are at least 10 multi-billionaires in Greenwich and their total worth combined is about $35 billion, and six of those people control investment companies that have under their management about $500 billion,” said Mottern, an activist with the peace organization in Westchester County called WESPAC.

   Investment firms and banks have holdings in publicly-funded weapons manufacturers and large health companies which benefit from massive military spending and US involvement in wars.

   Mottern said “we would want these people (leaders of the investment firms) to take leadership in selling stock they own in companies that are making weapons.”
   Mottern drew the connection between stopping wars and economic justice. He said the US wars overseas are "essentially colonial" wars where this country makes sure that foreign lands are open for corporate exploitation. "Economically, these wars, by repressing people overseas and grabbing their resources at cheap prices keep their economy struggling, keep wages low and thereby maintain low wage zones that undercut US workers," Mottern said.  "In addition, dollar for dollar more jobs are created by taxpayer spending on education health and green energy then on military industry."
   Out of the rally and teach-in, Mottern added, “it is hoped that people will go out and form local peace and economic justice groups that will carry forward with the purpose of using economic power to stop war and achieve some kind of economic justice.”

   Speakers at the rally will include some nationally known figures, including Medea Benjamin, of the antiwar organization Code Pink/Divest from the War Machine.  There will also be representatives from Veterans For Peace, Black Lives Matter and the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC).

  The event was organized by Mottern and others in WESPAC and by Orange County Peace and Justice.

  It has been endorsed by a number of groups including Code Pink, Friends of the Congo, the Greater New Haven Peace Council, Knowdrones.com, WESPAC and the Hudson Valley Green party.

    Another theme that will be emphasized at the event is to urge people to put pressure on their members of Congress to curb US involvement in wars.

   Hanging over the event is the announcement by the Trump administration that the United States will likely attack Syria due to charges that the Syrian military recently dropped chemical bombs on a town near Damascus where the government has been fighting Islamic militants. The alleged attack, not yet substantiated, killed dozens of civilians. A number of members of Congress have already expressed support for a retaliatory strike.

   The US has 2000 troops and military personnel in Syria in violation of international law, since the UN never authorized US intervention in that country and Syria had never attacked the United States.

  The American military has been fighting to dismantle the ISIS terrorist group while at the same time covertly aiding rebel groups trying to oust the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad.

   Mottern said people coming to the rally should bring folding chairs.

  (For more information call Taylor Rae Bundy at 929-305-2351 or Nick Mottern at 914-806-6179)