Jason Ditz

As Sanctions Hit Civilians, South Korea To Send Food & Medicine To North Korea

Mounting UN-imposed sanctions on North Korea are endangering local children and forcing cuts in both health and education.

Jason Ditz
بواسطة Jason Ditz
South Korean workers load packs of rice for North Korea into a Vietnamese ship at Gunsan port in Gunsan, South Korea. (AP/ Lee Jin-man)

In a move no one expected, and which puts them squarely at odds with the US, South Korea yesterday announced the provision of a new $8 million aid package for neighboring North Korea. The provision of humanitarian aid is directly in contrast with US calls for “more pressure.” South Korea’s Unification Ministry says that there is no risk of the

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Report: US Airstrikes Killed 433 Civilians In Raqqa In August

An estimated 20,000 civilians are believed to still be trapped in Raqqa, which is being invaded by US-backed Kurdish forces.

Jason Ditz
بواسطة Jason Ditz
A U.S. soldier stands near Syrian children on a road that links to Raqqa, Syria, Wednesday, July 26, 2017.(AP/Hussein Malla)

A new report from British NGO Airwars estimates that US airstrikes against the ISIS capital city of Raqqa in August killed at least 433 civilians. They reported 5,775 bombs, shells, and missiles dropped in the city in that period. Airwars said that the level of US-led coalition airstrikes against Raqqa is even higher than in the Iraqi city of

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Trump Gives CIA More Autonomy On Drone Strikes

Trump told CIA Director Mike Pompeo and other officials he wants an even more aggressive drone posture from the CIA.

Jason Ditz
بواسطة Jason Ditz
President Donald Trump touches a drone during a tour of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border equipment at their airport hanger at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, in Yuma, Ariz. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Early after taking office, President trump visited CIA headquarters, and among the topics discussed was the global drone war. President Trump came out of the tour, as he has so many tours, “impressed” with what he saw and wanting more of that. In this case, Trump told CIA Director Mike Pompeo and other officials he wants an even more

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US-Backed Militants Block Syrian Forces From Crossing Euphrates River

In trying to forbid Syria’s military from crossing the river, the YPG is effectively trying to claim the entire region for themselves.

Jason Ditz
بواسطة Jason Ditz
A view of the city of Deir ez-Zor, Syria, Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. (AP Photo)

The Euphrates River remains not only a vital lifeline across much of eastern Syria but also an important boundary area, which has become increasingly more important throughout the Syrian War. Early in the war, Turkey warned they would not let any Kurds cross to the west of the Euphrates, and that this amounted to a “red

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US Used German Airbase To Route Weapons To Rebels In Syria

All indications are that the United States never informed the German government of weapons shipments through Germany to Syra, a violation of German law.

Jason Ditz
بواسطة Jason Ditz
US Air Force airmen load cargo of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command for deploying to Turkey at the US Air Base in Ramstein, Germany, Jan. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

New reports on the ongoing US program to arm Syria’s rebels have brought focus on several different operations. Among these is evidence that the US used the Ramstein Air Base in Germany as a route through which to ship the weapons. That’s a big problem, because all indications are that the United States never informed the German government of

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UN Nuclear Watchdog Defends Iran Deal

The head of the U.N. agency monitoring Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal said Monday that Tehran is implementing the agreement.

Jason Ditz
بواسطة Jason Ditz
In this March 6, 2017 file photo, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Yukiya Amano of Japan speaks in Vienna, Austria. .(AP/Ronald Zak)

The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is responsible for verification of the P5+1 nuclear deal with Iran. This means they offer monthly assessments, all of which have affirmed Iran is in total compliance with its requirements under the deal. Monthly reminders of that fact are increasingly seen as insufficient,

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Despite Record Of Human Rights Abuse, US Approves Billions In Arms Sales To Bahrain

Congress held up a similar sale last year over Bahrain’s myriad of human rights abuses.

Jason Ditz
بواسطة Jason Ditz
Bahrain

The US State Department has approved $3.8 billion in weapons sales to the tiny island nation of Bahrain. The Pentagon confirmed the approval and the State Department has notified Congress, who held up a similar sale last year over Bahrain’s many, many human rights problems. The $3.8 billion sale is almost entirely going to Lockheed Martin, who

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