(2021-12-27). 18 Yemeni Soldiers Killed in Maarib in Fight Against Houthis. news.antiwar.com Fighting on Sunday raged inn the area just south of Maarib, with pro-Saudi forces reporting No figures were offered for the Houthi side, though the pro-Saudi side did claim "many Houthis killed in the battle by airstrikes." The Houthis reported 16 airstrikes hit the area. | Heavy airstrikes killing scores of Houthis are a near daily occurrence in Maarib. This has become the last ditch strategy to keep…
(2021-12-27). Russia in the Eastern Mediterranean: The Art of Balancing. moderndiplomacy.eu Strictly speaking, Russia is not an Eastern Mediterranean country. It does not have direct access to the Mediterranean Sea; its most important strategic and economic interests belong to other parts of the world, such as the North Atlantic or East Asia. However, for a long time Russia has been trying to make its presence in …
(2021-12-27). The Neo-NAM: From Vision to Reality. moderndiplomacy.eu The latest Putin-Modi Summit was a global geostrategic game-changer unlocking the potential for the two great powers to jointly assemble a new Non-Aligned Movement ("Neo-NAM"). Their meeting came against the backdrop of both countries recalibrating their respective "balancing" acts. Russia has been engaged in high-level diplomacy with the U.S. while India defied America's CAATSA sanctions …
(2021-12-27). Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1931-2021) on Apartheid, War, Palestine, Guantánamo, Climate Crisis & More. democracynow.org 
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the South African anti-apartheid icon, has died at the age of 90. In 1984 Desmond Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work fighting to end white minority rule in South Africa. After the fall of apartheid, Archbishop Tutu chaired the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where he pushed for restorative justice. He was a leading voice for human rights and peace around the world. He opposed the Iraq War and condemned the Israeli occupation in Palestine, comparing it to apartheid South Africa. We reair two interviews Archbishop Tutu did on Democracy Now!, as well as two speech…
(2021-12-27). Headlines for December 27, 2021. democracynow.org U.S. Coronavirus Cases Skyrocket as Omicron Spreads at Unprecedented Pace, China Orders Lockdown for 13 Million in Xi'an; Pope Francis Calls for Universal Access to Vaccines, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Who Battled Apartheid and Championed Human Rights, Dies at 90, Israel Plans to Double Population of Illegal Settlements in Occupied Golan Heights, Burmese Military Accused of Massacring Dozens of Civilians , Iraqi Kurds Hold Funerals for Family Members Who Drowned Crossing English Channel , Dams Burst After Torrential Rains in Brazil; U.S. Records Record High December Temperatures, Sarah Weddington, Who Successfully…
(2021-12-27). Desmond Tutu (1931-2021) Speaks on Apartheid, Palestine, Climate Crisis and More. truthout.org 
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the South African anti-apartheid icon, has died at the age of 90. In 1984 Desmond Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work fighting to end white minority rule in South Africa. After the fall of apartheid, Archbishop Tutu chaired the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where he pushed for restorative justice. He was a leading voice for human rights and peace around the world. He opposed the Iraq War and condemned the Israeli occupation in Palestine, comp…
(2021-12-27). Palestinians pay tribute to Desmond Tutu. electronicintifada.net South African liberation icon strongly endorsed Israel boycott.
(2021-12-27). Finding What is in Common: The "Hamsa Aleichem" dialogue group for Israeli and Palestinian students. juancole.com 
( Traveling Twins) — At Hebrew University, I am participating in a "Hamsa Aleichem" dialogue group for Israeli and Palestinian students. Organized by the campus Hillel and Sadarah/Kidma program (a head-start program designed for East Jerusalem high school graduates seeking higher education), this dialogue initiative has already given me some new insights. The Palestianin students, …
(2021-12-27). JOURNALISTS FROM US, RUSSIA, AND YEMEN TAKE TOP HONORS AT RT'S INTERNATIONAL AWARDS FOR WAR JOURNALISTS. rt.com 
MOSCOW, DECEMBER 27, 2021 — The jury of the Khaled Alkhateb International Memorial Awards 2021, an annual competition that recognizes top-class journalism from conflict zones, has announced its winners. They are war correspondents and journalists from Russia, the US, and Yemen. The awards were established in honor of RT Arabic freelancer Khaled Alkhateb, who died on July 30, 2017 while reporting from the front lines in Syria. |
(2021-12-27). Turkey's Economic Difficulties and the Fate of Erdogan. journal-neo.org 
Turkey's economy is in freefall: the lira is falling, inflation is rising, and food prices are spiraling. The government has resorted to disinformation, lies, and conspiracy theories to deflect blame from itself and shift it to others. But the lower living standards of the common people and the country's future is unlikely to end the …
(2021-12-26). Poking the Russian Bear: US-NATO Aggression and Russia's Red Line. globalresearch.ca Following the Taliban's victory over US-NATO forces in Afghanistan, Washington is walking into another death trap, but this time on Russia's borders with the neighboring Ukraine. So now, Washington's non-partisan bureaucrats and the Military-Industrial Complex are calling for ways to …
(2021-12-26). 2021 Proves Deadliest For Palestinians Since 2014. popularresistance.org The latest string of killings by Israeli forces follows the same predictable pattern of Israeli state violence against Palestinians, but with one significant distinction. Israel's violence is intensifying, as 2021 is proving to be the deadliest for Palestinians since 2014.
(2021-12-26). Israeli State Violence Intensifying As 2021 Proves Deadliest For Palestinians Since 2014. popularresistance.org The latest string of killings by Israeli forces follows the same predictable pattern of Israeli state violence against Palestinians, but with one significant distinction. Israel's violence is intensifying, as 2021 is proving to be the deadliest for Palestinians since 2014.
(2021-12-26). China Will Overtake the US In the Course of the Next Ten Years: Max Parry. globalresearch.ca The US is faced with a long list of hot-spots and tensions. Beginning with the situation in Iraq, where the Parliament has asked the US troops to leave. However, the …
(2021-12-26). Desmond Tutu, Fierce Opponent of South African and Israeli Apartheid, Dies at 90. truthout.org 
Leaving behind a legacy of fighting for oppressed people in South Africa and around the world, Archbishop Desmond Tutu died Sunday at age 90 in Cape Town, South Africa. The cause was reportedly cancer. | Advocates for human rights, health equity, economic justice, and nonviolence honored Tutu, who helped lead the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which was formed afterwards. | The Elders, the independent group of global leaders working for j…
(2021-12-26). Russian Warplanes Pound Militant Positions In Greater Idlib For Second Day In Row (Video, Photos). southfront.org 
A Russian Su-24 strike aircraft in the sky over the Khmeimim airbase in Syria. Photo: Dmitriy Vinogradov / RIA Novosti | On December 26, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a series of airstrikes on the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib where several terrorist groups are based. | The airstrikes targeted several positions of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de-facto ruler of Greater Idlib, and its allies in the outskirts of the town of Darat Izza in the we…
(2021-12-26). Military Situation In Yemen On December 26, 2032 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The Liaison and Coordination Officers' Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 264 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah in the past 24 hours; | On December 25, warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition conducted 3 airstrikes on the Sarwah district; | On December 25, warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition conducted 20 airstrikes on the Wadi district; | On December 25, warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition conducted 3 airstrikes on the Muqbanah district; | On December 25, wa…
(2021-12-26). Military Situation In Afghanistan On December 26, 2021 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On December 25, artillery fire exchange between the Taliban and the Pakistani Army was reported in the Sarkani district of Kunar province; | On December 25, Taliban's chief of army staff Qari Fasihuddin Fetrat visited Kunar province following reports of border clashes between the Taliban and Pakistani forces; | On December 25, Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan met with Kazakhstan Trade Minister Bakhyt Su…
(2021-12-26). Mongolia is Among Russia's Key Partners in Asia. journal-neo.org 
Russia and Mongolia are close neighbors, and their immediate geographic proximity has determined the mutual geopolitical pull of Russia and Mongolia, an objective contributing to political, military, trade and economics, cultural, and other bilateral ties. Russian-Mongolian relations, characterized by traditional good-neighborliness, are comprehensive, oriented to further development in the spirit of strategic partnership, based on …
(2021-12-26). Puyallup Tribe And Community Organizations Challenge Decision Allowing Tacoma LNG Facility. popularresistance.org Today, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and several community organizations filed an appeal with Pierce County Superior Court challenging a November decision by the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB). Despite misleading and inaccurate information used to evaluate the project, PCHB determined the Puget Sound Energy's (PSE) air permits, issued by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) and given to the Tacoma Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) facility, were adequate.
(2021-12-26). Russia-India: From Rethink to Adjust to Upgrade. moderndiplomacy.eu Russian-Indian relations are traditionally good. The chemistry between the leaders is excellent, and members of the public are well disposed toward each other. Economic ties have long been stalling, however, and mutual suspicions have recently been creeping in over India's relations with America, and Russia's with China. To make the good relationship truly great, Moscow …
(2021-12-26). CO2 Emissions Per Capita Across G20 Countries. strategic-culture.org 
This infographic shows per capita CO2 emissions across the G20 countries. Even as China and India are major emitters in absolute figures, they lag behind such countries as Australia and Canada in per capita terms. | (Click on the image to enlarge)…
(2021-12-26). The Politics of Intolerance and Discrimination: Aliraan Kepercayaan of Indonesia. moderndiplomacy.eu Authors: Harsh Mahaseth and Aadira Menon* Indonesia, a 30,000-island archipelago with 300 ethnic groups, is a mainly Muslim country with a long history of religious diversity. The earliest major world religions to arrive in Indonesia were Hinduism and Buddhism, followed by Islam and Christianity. The identity of the "others" is unknown; however, they may be …
(2021-12-26). President Nicolas Maduro: "We Will Not Abandon Palestine" libya360.wordpress.com Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro said in an interview for Al Mayadeen, that the Venezuelan people resisted fierce attacks launched by US imperialism and its allies, and discusses relations with some countries, including Iran and Syria. In an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro noted that 2021 was the first year in which…
(2021-12-26). NATO continues training proxy army in Iraq. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Iraq, NATO discuss support for Iraqi forces, regional stability A senior Iraqi government official and head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) mission in Iraq discussed on Sunday NATO's support for Iraqi forces…. Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji and head of NATO's Mission in Iraq Michael Anker Lollesgaard "discussed ways to enhance…NATO's support …
(2021-12-26). 2021: A banner year for sports support of Palestine. liberationnews.org 
Sporting boycotts were instrumental in undermining the legitimacy of the South African apartheid regime. Time will tell their impact in bringing down Israeli apartheid.
(2021-12-26). Syria: Israel approves plan to double settlers in occupied Golan Heights. middleeasteye.net 
Syria: Israel approves plan to double settlers in occupied Golan Heights | New plan aims to build 7,300 settler homes in the region over a five-year period | Sun, 12/26/2021 – 16: 22 | Israeli soldiers of the Nahal Brigade take part in a drill near the settlement of Kidmat Tsvi in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights, on 27 October 2021 (AFP)
| Israel's government on Sunday approved a $31…
(2021-12-26). Anti-apartheid icon Archbishop Tutu dies. Here is what he said about Israel-Palestine. middleeasteye.net 
Anti-apartheid icon Archbishop Tutu dies. Here is what he said about Israel-Palestine | The South African Nobel peace laureate has passed away at the age of 90 | Sun, 12/26/2021 – 10: 08 | "What's being done to the Palestinians at checkpoints, for us, it's the kind of thing we experienced in South Africa," Archbishop Desmond Tutu said in 2013 (AFP/file photo) | South Africa's anti-apartheid icon Archbishop Des…
(2021-12-26). A great read from Mao Zedong on his birthday. fightbacknews.org To mark the 128th anniversary of the birth of Chinese revolutionary Mao Zedong on December 26, 2021, Fight Back News Service is circulating his famous 1939 article "In memory of Norman Bethune." | Comrade Norman Bethune, a member of the Communist Party of Canada, was around fifty when he was sent by the Communist Parties of Canada and the United States to China; he made light of travelling thousands of miles to help us in our War of Resistance Against Japan. He arrived in Yenan in the spring of last year, went to work in the Wutai Mountains, and to our great sorrow died a martyr at his post. What kind of spirit i…
(2021-12-26). Religious Tourism in Pakistan: The Case of Sikhism & Buddhism. moderndiplomacy.eu Religious tourism plays an important role in reviving the country's economic activity through promoting religious-based tourism. Realizing the economic and political importance of this sector, the Government has taken ample measures to support this industry. Hence, with Government support and improved law and order situation, religious-based tourism in Pakistan is flourishing and attracting different communities. …
(2021-12-26). FRSO greetings to Communist Party of the Philippines on 53rd anniversary. fightbacknews.org From: Freedom Road Socialist Organization | To: Communist Party of the Philippines | Dear Comrades, | The leadership and members of Freedom Road Socialist Organization send our warm and militant greetings to the Communist Party of the Philippines on the occasion of the of your 53rd anniversary and we wish the CPP every success in developing the people's democratic revolution. | Working and oppressed people around the world, including here in the U.S., take inspiration from heroic struggle of the people of the Philippines and the great advances made by the CPP. Your party has grown from a relatively small organiza…
(2021-12-26). Syria Criticizes Guterres Report for Ignoring Unilateral US Sanctions. orinocotribune.com Damascus has called the report by Guterres "subjective" and "unrealistic", according to al-Watan. | On Monday, Syria criticized UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' report on the humanitarian situation in Syria because it ignored the disastrous effects of unilateral and illegal sanctions imposed on Syria by the United States and the European Union, which have caused suffering for the Syrian people. Syria considered the report's conclusion on the necessity of cross-border action as "subjective" and unrealistic". Syria reiterated its position of rejecting the mechanism of cross-border action as a flagrant violati…
(2021-12-26). Syrian Army Uncovers Anti-Aircraft Missiles Left Behind By ISIS In Deir Ezzor City (Photos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image. | The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has uncovered a workshop in the ruins of Abu Abid district in Deir Ezzor city where ISIS terrorists stored, maintained and attempted to develop anti-aircraft missiles and other weapon systems. | The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency shared photos from the workshop, which was abandoned by ISIS terrorists many years ago, on December 26. | Inside the workshop, ISIS terrorists stored a number of Soviet-made MAN…
(2021-12-26). Russian Aerospace Forces Conducted New Aerial Exercise Over Northeastern Syria (Video, Photos). southfront.org 
A-50 aircraft. IMAGE: Marina Lystseva/TASS | On December 25, the Russian Aerospace Forces conducted an aerial exercise over northern Syria from al-Qamishli Airport. | According to Syrian and Russian news sources, at least 20 Russian warplanes took part in the aerial exercise. The warplanes included four Su-34 fighter bombers, six Su-35 fighter jets, six Mi-8 helicopters and four Ka-52 attack helicopters. | pic.twitter.com/kdr0CZegQj | — ZOKA (@200_zoka) (2021-12-26). Nine Killed Or Wounded In Turkish Drone Strike On Syria's Kobane (Video). southfront.org 
File image. | On December 25, two Syrians were killed and seven others were wounded when a Turkish combat drone targeted a house located to the east of the town of Kobane in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo. | Kobane is a well-known stronghold of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which controls most of Syria's northeastern region. | According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the victims of the Turkish drone strike were all members of the Kurdish Democratic Union Par…
(2021-12-26). Operation Desert Dawn: Houthis Make Major Gains In Al-Jawf. southfront.org 
Brigadier General Yahya Sari, spokesman of the Yemeni Armed Forces. Source: almasirah.net.ye | On December 26, the Houthis (Ansar Allah) announced that their fighters captured some 1,200 square kilometers of the northern Yemen province of al-Jawf from Saudi-backed forces during a recent large-scale operation. | In a statement, Brig. Gen. Yahya Sari, a spokesman for the group, said that the strategic area of al-Yatemah and its surroundings were captured in the course of the operation that was cod…