(2022-02-20). Western democracies have mutated into propagandists for war. asiatimes.com 
Marshall McLuhan's prophecy that "the successor to politics will be propaganda" has happened. Raw propaganda is now the rule in Western democracies, especially the US and Britain. On matters of war and peace, ministerial deceit is reported as news. Inconvenient facts are censored, demons are nurtured. The model is corporate spin, the currency of the …
(2022-02-20). Yet again, Israel refuses to cooperate with inquiry on human rights violations. peoplesdispatch.org Israel is continuing its policy of not engaging with international investigations into human rights violations in Palestine. In a letter to the head of the international commission of inquiry, Navi Pillay, Israel's representative to the UN Meirav Eilon Shahar refused to cooperate in the investigations to identify possible violations of human rights, war crimes and reasons for protraction of conflict in historic Palestine. | Accusing Pillay of bias against Israel, Meirav claimed that there is simply no reason to believe that Israel will receive reasonable, equitable and non-discriminatory treatment from the Counci…
(2022-02-20). Houthis Release Intense Combat Footage From Harad Battle (18+). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image. Via the Houthis' Military Media. | On February 20, the Houthis (Ansar Allah) released footage showing recent clashes with Saudi-led coalition proxies in the district of Harad in the northwestern Yemen province of Hajjah. | Saudi-backed forces, led by the Yemen Armed Forces' 5th Military District, have been attempting to push the Houthis out of Harad since the beginning of February. | The footage shows Houthi fighters defending their positions in Harad district center in the face of a large-sca…
(2022-02-20). What Kind of Transit of Power is Expected in Turkmenistan? journal-neo.org 
Following Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow's decision that he will hand over power to a "younger generation", Turkmenistan's transit has become a highly debated topic. Experts note that outside powers such as Turkey, Pakistan and the US, which would like to draw Turkmenistan into their orbit of influence, to the Taliban (a movement banned in Russia), …
(2022-02-20). Russian Warplanes Flew Over US Al-Tanf Base In Southeastern Syria. southfront.org 
File image. | On February 20, two warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) flew over the southeastern Syrian area of al-Tanf where the US-led coalition maintains a large garrison. | The coalition's main proxy group in al-Tanf, the Revolutionary Commando Army (MaT), confirmed that the warplanes were spotted by its fighters. In a propaganda statement, the group claimed that the two warplanes almost collided over al-Tanf. | Around 200 US troops and some 300 MaT fighters are usually present at al…
(2022-02-20). The Terrible Fate Facing the Afghan People. orinocotribune.com By Vijay Prashad — Feb 15, 2022 | On February 8, 2022, UNICEF (the United Nations Children's Fund) Afghanistan
(2022-02-20). Indian PM Modi Calls Upon Youth to Vote in Large Numbers as Third Phase of Assembly Election Begins. sputniknews.com Over 20.16 million voters in Uttar Pradesh state and 20.14 million voters in Punjab will be casting their votes on Sunday in the third phase of the seven-phase Assembly elections in India. The counting of votes in Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Manipur states will take place on 10 March.
(2022-02-20). 'Hijab Isn't a Choice But an Obligation in Islam': Former Bollywood Actress Zaira Wasim on Hijab Row. sputniknews.com Amid the ongoing Hijab controversy in India, an advocate appearing for the Karnataka government at an Indian court on Friday claimed that wearing the Hijab is not an essential religious practice of the Muslim faith and preventing it does not violate the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. This statement has led to a social media uproar.
(2022-02-20). Three Former Rebel Commander Targeted In Syria's Daraa. southfront.org 
File image. | On February 20, two former commanders of the Syrian Free Army (FSA) survived an assassination attempt in the southern Syrian governorate of Daraa. | An improvised explosive device struck a vehicle that was carrying both commanders, Abu Abd al-Rahman al-Masalmah and Abu Jazwan Abu Nabout, as it was passing in the northern part of Daraa city, commonly known as Daraa al-Balad. The explosion damaged the vehicle. However, the two commanders survived with minor injuries. | Both al-Masalmah and Ab…
(2022-02-19). Turkey reiterates support for NATO, backs Ukraine on Crimea. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Daily SabahFebruary 19, 2022 Turkey to continue principled, responsible stance in NATO: Erdogan Turkey will continue its principled and responsible stance within NATO, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the alliance's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday as Ankara celebrates 70 years of membership. Erdogan and Stoltenberg in a phone call discussed the cooperation between Ankara and …
(2022-02-19). Pentagon chief in Poland: "The most dangerous conflict since World War II" antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Quotes from video of joint press conference below. Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak: "The most dangerous conflict since World War II." Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin: "Polish and American soldiers fought and died together in Iraq and Afghanistan." "[Poland] Fourth largest concentration of U.S. forces in Europe." === Radio PolandFebruary 18, 2022 NATO stands united with Ukraine as …
(2022-02-19). CIA veteran calls for US war on China and Russia, threatening nuclear strikes, in elite Foreign Policy magazine. multipolarista.com 
A CIA and Pentagon veteran who helps run NATO's powerful think tank the Atlantic Council, Matthew Kroenig, published an article in elite Foreign Policy magazine calling for US war on both China and Russia, including "threatening nonstrategic nuclear strikes." He has also advocated military attacks on Iran.
(2022-02-19). Military Situation In Syria On February 19, 2022 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On February 19, Russia reported that militants violated the ceasefire regime in Greater Idlib 2 times: 1 — in Idlib province, 1 — in Latakia province; | On February 18, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in al-Barah village; | On February 18, SAA artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in Benin village; | On February 18, YPG artillery shelled positions of Turkish-backed forces in Hazwan village. | MORE ON THE TOPIC: <...
(2022-02-19). Russia Tested Modernized ZALA Lancet Loitering Munitions Against Terrorists In Syria — Report. southfront.org 
Lancet-3, screen grab from Russia-24 report. | Russian forces had used a deeply modernized version of the ZALA Aero Group's Lancet-3 loitering munition against terrorists in Syria, According to the source, the aerodynamic features of the loitering munition were improved by adopting longer X-shaped wings."The new version [of the Lancet-3] has a longer flight duration and range a…
(2022-02-19). Over 1000 people already support #Palestine2022 campaign in France. samidoun.net 
In just a few weeks after its launch, the #Palestine2022 campaign, highlighting Palestine in the French presidential elections, has already received the support of more than 1000 people for its demands and its objectives. The campaign aims to denounce the collaboration of French governments with Israeli apartheid and introduce the subject of the Palestinian cause …
(2022-02-19). The US Owes Afghanistan Reparations, Not Starvation. truthout.org 
During visits to Kabul, Afghanistan, over the past decade, I particularly relished lingering over breakfasts on chilly winter mornings with my young hosts who were on their winter break from school. Seated on the floor, wearing coats and hats and draped with blankets, we'd sip piping hot green tea as we shared fresh, warm wheels of bread purchased from the nearest baker. | But this winter, for desperate millions of Afghans, the bread isn't there. The decades-long U.S. assault on Afghanistan's people has now taken the…
(2022-02-19). Airbus to deliver 600th China-assembled A320 family aircraft in 2022. ecns.cn Airbus plans to deliver the 600th A320 family aircraft assembled at its Asia final assembly line in north China's Tianjin municipality in 2022, according to Airbus China Friday.
(2022-02-19). News on China | No. 87. dissidentvoice.org How a COVID outbreak in Hong Kong is being managed; a shift in Germany's position toward China, as it classifies China as a "systemic rival"; a look at relationships in China; Red Star over China author Edgar Snow passed away 50 years ago.
(2022-02-19). Mainland experts attend meeting on Hong Kong's epidemic prevention, control work. ecns.cn The mainland experts attended a meeting of the epidemiologists task force and received an in-depth introduction to the epidemiological investigations and analyses in Hong Kong.
(2022-02-19). HKSAR gov't strongly objects to European Parliament's unfounded remarks about Hong Kong. ecns.cn China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Friday strongly objected to the unfounded remarks about Hong Kong in the annual report 2021 on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy released by the European Parliament.
(2022-02-19). The Right to Protest in the Stolen Indigenous Territory Called Canada. dissidentvoice.org Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protest anywhere around the world and we are pleased to see moves to deescalation and dialogue. — Justin Trudeau So said Canada's prime minister Trudeau about the farmer protests in India. One assumes that "anywhere" includes Canada. Nonetheless, Trudeau has rejected dialogue with the peaceful …
(2022-02-19). Another meeting of Quad Foreign Ministers. journal-neo.org 
On February 11, Melbourne hosted the fourth meeting of foreign ministers of the countries participating in the Quad, which consists of the United States, Japan, India and Australia. Since the creation of this alliance in 2019, Washington (together with Tokyo and Canberra) attempted, firstly, to expand the scope of activity beyond the framework of an …
(2022-02-19). A Weapon Against Radicalism: Debunking the Myth of the Conservative Black Voter. orinocotribune.com 
By Eugene Puryear — Feb 15, 2022 | Nina Turner's loss, the primary results of Bernie Sanders, India Walton's win—and then loss—the victory of Eric Adams, and the triumph of Cori Bush's sit-in once again ignited the political discussion around the political make-up of the Black electorate. The general trend has been a strengthening of the view that Black voters are "more conservative" and that more progressive Black voters and those they elect are unrepresentative, out-of-step and, as elected officials, actually backed by white middle-class people at the ballot box rather than working-class Blacks…
(2022-02-19). Bella Hadid Condemns Indian State's Hijab Ban: 'It's Not Your Job to Tell Women What They Wear'. sputniknews.com The Indian state of Karnataka issued an order on 5 February making uniforms mandatory at pre-university colleges, thus banning religious clothing. The decision has sparked international furore, with many Islamic nations as well as Nobel laureate Malala Yousufzai, among others, voicing their concerns. India has rejected the criticism.
(2022-02-19). IAEA to report in April on Japan's plan of discharging Fukushima contaminated water. ecns.cn The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Friday it will publish a report in April detailing the findings of its mission to review the Japanese government's plan to release the contaminated radioactive water into the sea from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.
(2022-02-19). AOC Slams NYPD for Bragging About Arrests Over Stolen Diapers, Baby Formula. truthout.org 
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Thursday criticized New York City police officers for boasting about arresting a dozen people over stolen necessities, including diapers, baby formula, and medicine. | In a Wednesday tweet that has since been deleted, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) wrote: "After receiving numerous larceny complaints in the Bronx, officers from the NYPD 44th Precinct recently arrested 12 individuals following an enforcement initiative targeting shoplifters. T…
(2022-02-19). Condenan a dos excomandantes bolivianos por golpe de Estado. telesurtv.net Terceros y Jarjury forman parte de los acusados que fueron imputados junto con la expresidenta de facto, Jeanine Áñez.
(2022-02-19). China Frustrated With Pakistan As Terrorism Threatens To Delay CPEC's Second Phase. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size imageTerrorism continues to plague Pakistan and its economy. | Written by Paul Antonopoulos, independent geopolitical analyst | Despite only one Pakistani athlete participating in the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022, Prime Minister Imran Khan, with an entourage of six ministers, arrived in the Chinese capital just as a series of terror attacks ripped through Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, key provinces in the $60+ billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Following Khan's meeting with Ch…
(2022-02-19). Saturday 2/19: Virtual screening of "Stitching Palestine" indybay.org
(2022-02-19). South Korean logistics workers strike against brutal conditions. wsws.org Package delivery workers are struggling not only against the companies, but are confronted with the complicity of the trade unions in enforcing the demands of big business.
(2022-02-19). US-led Coalition, SDF Held Live-Fire Drills In Northeastern Syria (Videos). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image, source: sdf-press.com | On February 18, the US-led coalition and its proxy, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), held live-fire drills near Abu Khashab road in the northern countryside of Syria's Deir Ezzor. | M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) of the coalition took part in the drills side by side with IAG Guardian and Humvee armored vehicles of the SDF. | In a statement, the SDF said that the drills were held to test new tactics to counter ISIS cells as well as to demonstrate…
(2022-02-19). Taiwan's New Party chairman to attend Beijing 2022 closing ceremony: mainland spokesperson. ecns.cn Wu Cheng-tien, chairman of Taiwan's New Party, will attend the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, a mainland spokesperson said Friday.
(2022-02-19). Turkish health workers intensify protests amid soaring inflation and poor working conditions. peoplesdispatch.org 
The Turkish Medical Association (TMA) and other health workers' organizations organized country-wide industrial actions on February 8. This is part of a wave of workers' uprisings against rising living expenses and soaring inflation…
(2022-02-19). Military Situation In Yemen On February 19, 2022 (Map Update). southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | The Liaison and Coordination Officers' Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 203 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah in the past 24 hours; | On February 18, warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition conducted 2 airstrikes on the Sanaa province; | On February 18, warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition conducted 5 airstrikes on the Midi province; | On February 18, warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition conducted 2 airstrikes on the Khab and Shaaf district; | On February…