The US Neocon's New Proxy War in Georgia -  24 articles - Tuesday - [ Day 5 ] =========  ==========

'Poor Little Georgia' – Not! - Bill Kristol and the Menshevik myth of democratic Georgia - posted at AntiWar
Analysis - A quote...."August 13, 2008 -- The commander in chief of America's laptop bombardiers, Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol, can always be counted on to reveal not only the content of the neoconservative party line, but also, in so many words, the impulse that motivates it. In his latest peroration from his perch at the New York Times, the intellectual architect of our disastrous war in Iraq lays out a rationale for yet another catastrophic blunder in the foreign policy realm, this time in the Caucasus:"

WPost and the Great Disconnect - posted at ConsortiumNews
Analysis - A quote....."August 13, 2008 -- On Tuesday, the sub-head for the Washington Post’s lead editorial read, “The West confronts an unfamiliar sight: a nation bent on conquest. --  The nation in question, of course, was Russia and the “conquest” was its border clash with neighboring Georgia over two breakaway provinces that want to join the Russian Federation. -- But an objective person might note that the sight of “a nation bent on conquest” shouldn’t be “unfamiliar” to Western nations unless they don’t look in the mirror. For example, the United States – with its “coalition of the willing” – invaded and conquered Iraq in 2003”

Georgia Tries out the Bush War Doctrine, Loses Badly
Analysis - A quote...."The president of tiny Georgia must have caught a case of his pal Bush's war lust to attack a Russian ally and think he'd win." --There are two basic facts to keep in mind about the smokin' little war in Ossetia:

A Path to Peace in the Caucasus - article posted at ICH
Analysis - A quote...."By Mikhail Gorbachev -- Tuesday, August 12, 2008; Page A13 -- MOSCOW -- The past week's events in South Ossetia are bound to shock and pain anyone. Already, thousands of people have died, tens of thousands have been turned into refugees, and towns and villages lie in ruins. Nothing can justify this loss of life and destruction. It is a warning to all. -- The roots of this tragedy lie in the decision of Georgia's separatist leaders in 1991 to abolish South Ossetian autonomy. This turned out to be a time bomb for Georgia's territorial integrity. Each time successive Georgian leaders tried to impose their will by force -- both in South Ossetia and in Abkhazia, where the issues of autonomy are similar -- it only made the situation worse. New wounds aggravated old injuries."  -- Article from WaPo

Its Oil Again Stupid
Analysis - A quote...."Old timers in Russia are still arguing about whether Michael Gorbachev was the most naive of all Communists politicians, stupid, or just a plain traitor. Gorbachev defenders claim that he was none of those, but he simply and sincerely thought that perestroika, could strengthen the Soviet Union. What he did was destroy the balance of power. That is what Putin meant at his State of the Union speech on April 25, 2005, in which he said that the collapse of the Soviet Union represented the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century." That has proven to be the truth."

Russia & Georgia, US & Hamas, Cheney & Musharraf
A quote...."Tuesday, August 12, 2008 -- Bush's demand that Russia "reverse course" on Georgia and not try to overthrow an elected government is full of special pleading. -- Bush has no standing to ask anyone not to go around invading countries, of course. -- Russian PM Vladimir Putin has already thrown Iraq in Bush's face, saying"

'"Of course, Saddam Hussein ought to have been hanged for destroying several Shiite villages . . . And the incumbent Georgian leaders who razed 10 Ossetian villages at once, who ran over elderly people and children with tanks, who burned civilian alive in their sheds -- these leaders must be taken under protection." -- *Vladimir Putin*

Russian Cameraman: CNN Aired Misleading Footage
Special Note - A quote...."Tuesday, August 12, 2008 -- The Russian cameraman charged that CNN had used his footage of Georgian forces attacking Russian civilians in Tskhinvali, the provincial capital of South Ossetia, but then claimed it showed Russians attacking Georgians in the Georgian town of Gori. "

CNN use footage of Tskhinvali ruins to cover Georgian report - (YouTube - 1 min 39 sec - Added:  August 12, 2008)
Video - Special Note - A quote...."August 12, 2008 -- In one of its news bulletins CNN has shown Russian tanks and ruined buildings which they claimed are in the Georgian town of Gori. Russian cameraman of the Russian TV channel, who did the footage in reality in South Ossetian city of Tskhinvali says CNN aired footage of Tskhinvali district close to former Russian peacekeepers headquarters, nearly all of them were killed by Georgians after the footage was made."

Who's to blame for the Russian Georgian conflict? - (YouTube - 6 min 9 sec - Added:  August 12, 2008)
Must View - Video - A quote...."August 12, 2008 -- Pepe Escobar: Georgia is a strategic client state of the US with close ties to the Bush administration."

Russia Today Website Targeted In Cyber Attacks
A quote...."Tuesday, August 12, 2008 -- Site providing most accurate coverage of Georgia conflict hit by wave of DDoS attacks  -- A major Russian media source that has provided key coverage of the conflict in Georgia has claimed that its website has come under a heavy bombardment of cyber attacks from an IP address registered to the Georgian capital."

Medvedev orders end to military operation - (YouTube - 26 min 05 sec - Added:  August 12, 2008)
Must View - Video - Offers extensive coverage - from the Russian and South Ossetian perspective. - mpg -- A quote...."August 12, 2008 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered an end to the military operation in Georgia. He said the objective - "to compel Georgia to peace" - has been achieved. Medvedev also ordered the Russian military to "eliminate the aggressor" in the event of Georgian forces resuming hostilities."

Lavrov asks Saakashvili to leave power
A quote...."Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:19:13 GMT  -- Russians foreign minister has called on Georgian president to step down, denying however that Moscow seeks to overthrow Saakashvili."

Russia leads bloodless entry into Poti'
A quote...."Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:46:31 GMT   -- The Russian troops have marched into the Black Sea port of Poti in Georgia facing no resistance, says the Georgian Prime Minister."

Abkhazia says Georgian troops pushed out of upper Kodori Gorge
A quote...."21:31 | 12/ 08/ 2008SUKHUMI, August 12 (RIA Novosti) - Abkhazia's operation to force Georgian troops from the upper part of the Kodori Gorge has been completed, the Abkhaz deputy defense minister said on Tuesday."

Top Georgian intelligence officer arrested in Russia
A quote...."16:04 | 12/ 08/ 2008  -- MOSCOW, August 12 (RIA Novosti) - Russian security forces have arrested a top Georgian intelligence officer on charges of collecting data on Russian troops in the North Caucasus and breakaway South Ossetia's president, the FSB said on Tuesday."

Roadmap for Georgian peace drafted in Moscow - (YouTube - 31 min 40 sec - Added:  August 12, 2008)
Video - For the record - mpg - A quote...."August 12, 2008 -- A roadmap to stop all hostilities in Georgia and ensure continued security in the country's breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia has been brokered in Moscow. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gave a joint media briefing to comment."

Key numbers from the Georgia-Russia conflict - link posted at AntiWar
Aug 12, 2008 15:37 EST -- By the numbers. - mpg

GEORGIA:  Israeli Arms Sales Raise New Concerns
A quote...."JERUSALEM, Aug 12 (IPS) - With the eruption of fighting between Russia and Georgia, Israel has found itself in an awkward position as a result of its arms sales to Georgia, caught between its friendly relations with Georgia and its fear that the continued sale of weaponry will spark Russian retribution in the form of increased arms sales to Iran and Syria."

Israel on defensive as military ties draw criticism
A quote...."August 11 2008 03:00 | Last updated: August 11 2008 03:00 -- Israel's military relations with Georgia came under the spotlight yesterday as authorities insisted they had repeatedly turned down requests from Tbilisi to supply advanced offensive weapons,  writes Tobias Buck in Jerusalem ."

Georgian MP lauds IDF military training
A quote...." Aug 11, 2008 23:15 | Updated Aug 12, 2008 3:22 -- Georgian Integration Minister Temur Yakobashvili told The Jerusalem Post Monday he "felt proud as a Jew," thanks to the training Israelis had provided to units in the Georgian military."

Troops from Atlanta will train in Republic of Georgia
A quote...."Published on: 07/14/08 -- A large contingent of Georgia Army National Guard soldiers flew to the Republic of Georgia on Sunday for joint military exercises at a time when tension is brewing in the region."

U.S. Military Instructors Command Hirelings in Georgia
A quote...."Aug. 11, 2008 -- Thousands of mercenaries are fighting for Georgia in this burning conflict with South Ossetia. They are commanded by the U.S. military instructors, RIA Novosti reported with reference to a high-ranked officer of Russia’s military intelligence."

McCain Strategist Lobbyist for Georgia
Full quote...."Wednesday, August 13, 2008 -- McCain's campaign strategist Randy Scheunemann was a lobbyist for Georgia until recently, and remained part of Orion Strategies until May 15. OS had signed a $2 mn. deal to provide "strategic advice" to the Georgian government. -- Bad as it is to have paid lobbyists for foreign powers running presidential campaigns, at least something like that is in the public record. The really bad situation is to have de facto lobbyists for foreign governments (or wannabe governments) influential in presidential campaigns. Think about Ahmad Chalabi."

US military surprised by speed, timing of Russia military action
A quote...."Aug 11 06:24 PM US/Eastern -- The US military was surprised by the timing and swiftness of the Russian military's move into South Ossetia and is still trying to sort out what happened, a US defense official said Monday. -- Russian forces surged into the breakaway region last week after weeks of clashes, threats and warnings between Tblisi and Moscow which culminated August 6 in a two-day Georgian offensive into South Ossetia."

End - The US Neocon's New Proxy War in Georgia - 24 articles - Tuesday - [ Day 5 ] =====  ==========

Three major US naval strike forces due this week in Persian Gulf
War Warning - A quote...."DEBKAfile’s military sources note that the arrival of the three new American flotillas will raise to five the number of US strike forces in Middle East waters – an unprecedented build-up since the crisis erupted over Iran’s nuclear program. -- This vast naval and air strength consists of more than 40 carriers, warships and submarines, some of the last nuclear-armed, opposite the Islamic Republic, a concentration last seen just before the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003." -- For more on this issue see....Possible Order of Battle -- Iran Strike Group - 08-08-08

Pakistan army won't support Musharraf - government - link posted at AntiWar
A quote...."ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Pakistan's ruling coalition said on Tuesday the army would not intervene to support embattled President Pervez Musharraf, whom the government says it will impeach for years of alleged misrule."

Divided Parliament approves new unity Cabinet
A quote...."BEIRUT: Lebanon's new national unity government won a vote of confidence in Parliament on Tuesday following stormy debates among rival lawmakers on the thorny issue of Hizbullah's arms.  "One hundred MPs have given their confidence to the cabinet, five voted against and two abstained," Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced to the assembly, which currently has 127 MPs."

Lebanon confidence vote endorses Hezbollah
A quote...."Confidence vote in Lebanon's national unity cabinet endorses Hezbollah's right to use all options to liberate territories occupied by Israel."

Hizbullah opens war exhibition in Nabatiyeh
A quote...."NABATIEH: Hizbullah invited journalists on Tuesday to tour a new exhibition, "Al-Imad: The Leader of the Two Victories," set up by the party in the southern region of Nabatieh to mark the second anniversary of the summer 2006 war with Israel. The exhibition was dubbed after Imad Mughniyeh, a senior Hizbullah commander who was assassinated in Damascus in February in a killing the party has blamed on Israel. The Jewish state denies involvement."

Can't find WMD in Iraq? Plant it?
Special Note - A quote...."New allegations indicate that American civilian military leadership may have used an off-book quasi-military team to address political issues, placing those concerns above securing peace in the region, RAW STORY has learned."

Why the BBC and FOX Can No Longer be Believed
Must Read - A quote...."Like a cornered dog, the BBC has lashed out at a growing movement of organized critics of Bush 'conspiracy theories' of 911. How credible is this offensive? BBC reporting of 911 is at the very least 'questionable', at worst, 'dishonest'. I suggest that the BBC is trying to save face, having blown almost every opportunity to report honestly with regard to the events of 911."

Proof that Government Spying Is Not For Our Protection
A quote...."

The Anthrax Attacks Attempted Cover-up - Tuesday round-up - 5 articles - [ Day 12 ] ===  ==========

FBI Frame-up of Bruce E. Ivins Made Simple
A quote...."On Wednesday, August 8, 2008, the Department of Justice held a news conference announcing that Bruce E. Ivins, a former anthrax researcher for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), was the sole person responsible for the 2001 anthrax attacks.  Headed by U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Taylor and FBI Assistant Director Joseph Persichini, the presentation was noteworthy for often not answering relevant questions, but instead referring reporters to several dozen court documents they had just been provided."

Dr Irvins-Anthrax-and why I don't believe the FBI
A quote...."The FBI has now after only 7 years and and 2 wars declared the Anthrax case solved. "See that dead scientist? Yea, he's the guy that did it. All by himself. Too bad he's dead huh?" This just caps off what could be one of the most disastrous criminal investigations in U.S. History. And that says a lot when you include 9/11. And you should as they are related, and on some level I think nearly everyone knows this."

Prime Suspect: Dick Cheney and the Domestic Anthrax Terrorist Attacks, Part II
A quote...."Dick Cheney, George W. Bush, and John McCain keep speaking of "victory" in Iraq without defining what that elusive goal might be. That’s because "victory" for them is reduced to the bragging rights of boasting, "I won, you lost."

BUSHED! 2008 08 11 - (YouTube - 2 min 10 sec - Added:  August 11, 2008)
A quote...."Anthrax cover up more and more likely!!!" - One of three items covered by Olbermann in the video. - mpg

Lone killer or a complex cover-up: the story of the 2001 anthrax mailings
A good quote...."

End- The Anthrax Attacks Attempted Cover-up - Tuesday round-up - 5 articles - [ Day 12 ]  ==========

China set to surpass U.S. as top manufacturer
Special Note - A quote...."NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- China is forecast to surpass the United States as the world's leading manufacturer in nominal dollar terms next year, earlier than expected, as the U.S. economy slows down and China's continues to grow at unprecedented rates, according to consulting firm Global Insight."

Bear bet that netted £141m throws fresh suspicion on collapse
Special Note - A quote...."Suspicion over the collapse of Bear Stearns is centring on a massive options trade, less than two weeks before the historic investment bank went under in March, by which a single investor made a profit of more than $270m (£141m) on a bet against the company's share price."

Contractors reap 85 bln dlrs from Iraq war: US report
A quote...."WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US government paid out 85 billion dollars in four years to contractors providing services to various government agencies in support of the Iraq war and reconstruction, a survey showed Tuesday."

Read 'em -- and weep
A quote...."Declines in Chicago area housing prices became steeper in the last 12 months, with many buyers carrying mortgages worth more than the homes they live in, according to research from the online real estate data company Zillow Inc."

The next wave of mortgage defaults
A quote...."NEW YORK - Prime mortgages are starting to default at disturbingly high rates - a development that threatens to slow any potential housing recovery."

Fed Auctions Another $25 Billion To Banks
Full quote...."The Federal Reserve has auctioned another $25 billion in loans to the nation's banks and given them more time to pay the money back in an effort to combat a serious credit squeeze. -- The Fed announced Tuesday that the money would be loaned at a rate of 2.754 percent. In the latest auction, the Fed offered the loans for an extended period of 84 days, rather than the 28-day period for the previous loans."

Countrywide legal troubles growing exponentially
A quote...."Legal problem after legal problem getting piled higher and deeper for Countrywide in the last couple of weeks..."

A pullback in businesses' capital spending bodes ill
A quote...."The parade of capital spending cuts may feed the economy's downturn. Many firms' optimism for 2009 evaporates."

Food prices in the UK soared 13.7% in the last twelve months
A quote...."UK's annual rate of inflation rose to 4.4% in July, its highest level since records began in 1997. The 0.6% rise was also the biggest monthly change since records began and took the figure to more than twice the government's target."

U.S. trade gap falls on record exports
A quote...."WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. trade deficit narrowed by 4.1% to $56.8 billion in June on record exports and a decline in non-oil imports, the Commerce Department estimated Tuesday."

Federal Budget Deficit Hits $102B In July
A quote...."(AP) The federal budget deficit soared in July, pushed higher by economic stimulus payments and $15 billion in outlays to protect depositors at failed banks."


The US Neocon's New Proxy War in Georgia - 19 articles - Monday - [ Day 4 ] =========  ==========

Washington Risks Nuclear War by Miscalculation - Article posted at ICH
Must Read - Analysis - A quote...."11/08/08 - "Market Oracle" --- The dramatic military attack by the military of the Republic of Georgia on South Ossetia in the last days has brought the world one major step closer to the ultimate horror of the Cold War era—a thermonuclear war between Russia and the United States—by miscalculation. What is playing out in the Caucasus is being reported in US media in an alarmingly misleading light, making Moscow appear the lone aggressor. The question is whether George W. Bush and Dick Cheney are encouraging the unstable Georgian President, Mikhail Saakashvili in order to force the next US President to back the NATO military agenda of the Bush Doctrine. This time Washington may have badly misjudged the possibilities, as it did in Iraq , but this time with possible nuclear consequences." -- Article from The Market Oracle

Bush's War in Georgia - Will it be the Flyswatter or the Blunderbuss? - Article posted at ICH
Must Read - Analysis - A quote...."11/08/08 "ICH" -- - Washington's bloody fingerprints are all over the invasion of South Ossetia. Georgia President Mikhail Saakashvili would never dream of launching a massive military attack unless he got explicit orders from his bosses at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. After all, Saakashvili owes his entire political career to American power-brokers and US intelligence agencies. If he disobeyed them, he'd be gone in a fortnight. Besides an operation like this takes months of planning and logistical support; especially if it's perfectly timed to coincide with the beginning of the Olympic games. (another petty neocon touch) That means Pentagon planners must have been working hand in hand with Georgian generals for months in advance. Nothing was left to chance."

Putin Slams U.S., Georgia’s Western Allies
Special Note - A quote...."Posted on Aug 11, 2008 -- The Russian Prime Minister blasted the West for continuing to support President Saakashvili despite Georgia’s attack on South Ossetia, which he said “wiped from the face of the earth ten Osettian villages”. -- “The scale of cynicism is surprising and the skill to present white as black and black [as white]. The trick to present the aggressor as the victim of an aggression and to place the responsibly for the effects on the victims,” Mr Putin said." -- So Putin is finally learning how the "West", specifically the New Roman Empire (NRE) plays the "Great Game".  Well we all have to learn sometime, it took this website editor thirty years and the revelation of 9/11 to figure out how the "system" really works. - mpg

The Real Aggressor - Georgian invasion of South Ossetia sets the stage for a wider war
Analysis - A quote...."August 11, 2008 -- The anti-Russian bias of the Western media is really something to behold: "Russia Invades Georgia," "Russia Attacks Georgia," and variations thereof have been some of the choice headlines reporting events in the Caucasus, but the reality is not only quite different, but the exact opposite. Sometimes this comes out in the third or fourth paragraph of the reportage, in which it is admitted that the Georgians tried to "retake" the "breakaway province" of South Ossetia. The Georgian bombing campaign and the civilian casualties – if they are mentioned at all – are downplayed and presented as subject to dispute."

Marching Through Georgia III: Reality's Rout and Cheney's Viagra
Analysis - A quote..."Monday, 11 August 2008 -- As noted here the other day, I don't think the current crisis in Georgia will spiral into any kind of military confrontation between Russia and the United States. The U.S. government has a long history of egging on other people to slap at Washington's enemies -- then abandoning them when the inevitable slapback occurs. George Bush I's incitement of a Shiite uprising in Iraq in 1991 and his subsquent collusion with Saddam in crushing the rebellion is a prime example. As I said earlier, the American elite's armchair militarists -- like Dick "Other Priorities" Cheney, and George W. "I Quit" Bush -- prefer to slaughter defenseless people in broken-down states, not take on nations with powerful modern militaries."

Russia bids to rid Georgia of its folly
Analysis - A quote...."Aug 12, 2008  -- MOSCOW - One word explains why the United States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union have obliged themselves to sit on their hands, while Russia's defends its citizens, and national interests, in the Caucasus, and liberates Georgians from the folly of their unpopular president, Mikheil Saakashvili. That word is Kosovo."

Saakashvili overplays his hand
Analysis - A quote...."Aug 12, 2008 -- In an effort to prod the West to Tbilisi's side in its rapidly escalating armed conflict with Russia, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is invoking the ghosts of Cold War battles past - Moscow's suppression of the 1956 Hungarian uprising, the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, and the Soviet incursion into Afghanistan in 1979."

South Ossetia: four days under Georgia's attack - (YouTube - 16 min 15 sec - Added:  August 11, 2008)
Special Note - Video - RT-TV - (From the Russian and South Ossetian perspective, the last five minutes consists of previous footage from videos posted below - mpg) -- A quote...."The conflict in South Ossetia has already left more than 1,600 people dead and tens of thousands homeless, and the breakaway republic's capital is in ruins. The attack was a well prepared one. During the last years Georgia broke all records, having increased its military budget by 30 times."

Russia opens new front, drives deeper into Georgia - AP link posted at AntiWar
A quote...."Aug 11 06:27 PM US/Eastern -- ZUGDIDI, Georgia (AP) -  Georgia's president said his country had been sliced in half with the capture of a critical highway crossroads near the central city of Gori, and Russian warplanes launched new air raids across the country, sending people screaming and racing for cover."

Peacekeepers seize army base inside Georgia
A quote...."Peacekeepers seize army base inside Georgia August 11, 2008, 20:30 -- Russian peacekeeping forces have taken control of Georgia’s largest airbase, about 40km from the border with Abkhazia. The Russian Defence Ministry said the troops were taking ‘preventative action’ at the base in the town of Senaki. The Georgian army is pulling in troops to Tbilisi to protect the capital from the advancing Russian forces."

Georgia's Interior Ministry captured
A quote...."Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:37:28 GMT -- Russian forces have taken a Georgian Interior Ministry building in the western city of Zugdidi amid an escalating conflict in the Caucasus region."

Russia says Georgian troops in S.Ossetia surrendering
A quote...."MOSCOW, August 11 (RIA Novosti) - Georgian troops have been surrounded in South Ossetia and are giving themselves up, a senior Russian military official said on Monday."

US sends more arms to Georgia – Israeli media
A quote...."August 11, 2008, 19:41 -- The United States is sending fresh supplies of weapons to Georgia from its base in the Jordanian port of Aqabah. That’s according to the Israeli newspaper – Maariv."

[Israel] "We cut Georgia arms sales months ago" - link posted at AntiWar
A quote...." Aug 10, 2008 23:42 | Updated Aug 11, 2008 13:06 -- Israel has rejected frequent requests for arms from Georgia in the months leading up to the outbreak of hostilities with Russia, and an attempt by Georgia to procure missiles from Israel ended in failure, a defense official told the Jerusalem Post on Sunday."

Putin blames US govt for encouraging aggression - link posted at ICH
A quote...."Moscow, Aug. 11: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Monday flayed the US for encouraging Georgia’s "aggression" as Russia and the Tbilisi government accused each other of launching fresh attacks, amid stepped up EU diplomatic efforts to end the conflict over the disputed territory of South Ossetia."

Getting Georgia's War On
A quote...."August 8, 2008 -- The outbreak of war in Georgia on Friday offers a disturbing and somewhat surreal taste of what to expect from John McCain should he become our nation's Commander in Chief. As the centuries-old ethnic animosities between Georgia and Ossetia boiled over into another armed conflict, drawing in neighboring Russia, McCain issued a stark-raving statement from Des Moines that is disturbingly reminiscent of the language used in the lead-up to NATO's war against Yugoslavia in 1999, a war McCain zealously pushed for:"

American Mercenary Captured By Russians
A quote...."Monday, August 11, 2008 - An American mercenary has been captured by Russian forces along with a number of Georgian soldiers according to a report from the Russian news website Izvestia, providing more evidence that the U.S. and NATO are covertly supporting the Georgian army in a proxy war with Russia. -- According to the report, the mercenary is an African-American who is a NATO instructor and an ordinance specialist. He has now been transferred to the Russian base of Vladikavkaz."

Civilian Genocide, Dead Americans Cost Of U.S.-Russia Proxy War
A quote...."Monday, August 11, 2008 -- The truth behind who is primarily responsible for the bloodshed unfolding in South Ossetia and surrounding areas has been buried by the western corporate media. Georgian forces, with a green light from NATO and the support of American and Ukrainian mercenaries, launched a brutal attack targeting civilians and Russian peacekeepers timed to coincide with the opening of the Beijing Olympics so as to temporarily deflect attention before the inevitable Russian response, by which time the global media machine kicked into high gear to smear Russia as the villains of the entire piece."

McCain’s call to NATO-ize the War in Georgia is Frightening
A quote...."August 11, 2008 -- ....McCain’s brain remains undeterred by reality, a fact that became painfully clear today in Des Moines when he also demanded, “The US should immediately convene an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to call on Russia to reverse course.” -- The problem with McCain’s bold demand about going to the UN is that Russia already tried doing exactly what McCain called for–and got rejected by McCain’s neocon pals in the Bush Administration. Early this morning, Russia convened an emergency session of the UN Security Council, calling on both sides to immediately cease hostilities, return to the negotiating table and renounce the use of force–but the last part about renouncing the use of force is exactly what Georgia’s president Mikhail Saakashvili refuses to do."

End - The US Neocon's New Proxy War in Georgia - 19 articles - Monday - [ Day 4 ] ======  ==========

U.S. Arms Cache Found in Kyrgyzstan
Must Read - Special Note - A quote...."The U.S. embassy in Kyrgyzstan has found itself embroiled in scandal after the country’s interior ministry announced that a hoard of U.S.-made weapons has been found in a house in Bishkek rented by U.S. citizens. The embassy hurriedly stated that the weapons were intended for antiterrorism exercises, but Kyrgyz enforcement agencies have not confirmed that. The news is the talk of Kyrgyzstan. The prosecutor general has begun an investigation. -- Local police found 53 firearms, including large-caliber guns, grenade launchers, machine guns, pistols, sniper’s rifles and more than 15,000 rounds of ammunition of various sizes." -- Also posted at BLN -- For more on this sort of issue see....US Support of Terror

In Case You Missed These Stories
A Consortium News article round-up - mpg -- A quote...."Editor’s Note: Because we've been publishing more stories (a record 75  in July), some readers say they miss some that fly by. So, each month, we'll point out some special stories from the previous month."

New al-Qaeda focus on NATO supplies
A quote...."KARACHI - The Taliban and al-Qaeda have with some success squeezed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO's)supply lines that run through Pakistan into Afghanistan, especially goods in transit in Khyber Agency on the border."

President Musharraf 'unfit' to serve
A quote...."Legislators in Punjab's provincial assembly overwhelmingly voted for a resolution demanding President Pervez Musharraf to step down."

Ouster ball gets rolling in Pakistan
But never here, never here in this country when it comes to Bush.  Sure we have a democracy....sure we do. - mpg -- A quote..."ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The move to impeach unpopular President Pervez Musharraf started slowly Monday, indicating that the ruling coalition may try to force Musharraf to resign, as the former army chief's backers insisted he would fight any impeachment to the finish."

Like a Mirage in the Desert: US Exit From Iraq May Recede Into the Time Horizon
A quote...."This policy may as well be called “conditional withdrawal” because the degree and speed of withdrawal is related directly to “conditions” of progress that are largely dependent on the cooperation of Iraqis and on continuing intrusive military activity by the US. Such conditionality of withdrawal makes this centrist Democratic policy approach much closer than many realize to the Republican position of “staying until victory.” In this case victory is defined as “sustainable stability.” -- To put all this in plain English, the NRE is staying in Iraq....forever. - mpg

Obama Towing the Company Line… Again.
A quote...."After his disgusting display in Israel and in front of the AIPAC conference earlier this year, not to mention his FISA fold and his Off-Shore Oil Drill “compromise” solution, and lest we forget him asking HIS supporters to send money to the defunct Clinton campaign to help them payoff the debts they ran up while distracting the party for 4 additional months and causing a permanent split between us (that will be used latter to explain away why McCain pulled out his “victory”)… after all that… Obama is proving, once again, that he is ready to be the “Spokesman in Chief” for the new Corporate Party of DC."

Mountain of Evidence Marshaled against Musharraf; US Refuses to Back Elected Civilian government
A quote...."Dawn says that the parliament in Pakistan has prepared a mountain of documentation in its push to impeach President Pervez Musharraf. Senate leader Raza Rabbani said that if all the documents they have on Musharraf's misconduct were dumped in the Ravi river (which runs through Lahore), it would cause it to flood. The opposition to Musharraf has firm control of the lower house and can easily impeach him there. The Pakistan Muslim League (Q), which had been supporting him, is stronger in the Senate. But Dawn reports that the PMLQ deputies are abandoning him."

Bolivians back Morales in recall - AP link posted at ICH
A quote...."LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Voters strongly reaffirmed their faith in President Evo Morales on Sunday in a recall referendum that the Bolivian leader devised to try to break a political stalemate in the bitterly divided Andean nation, partial unofficial results showed."

Venezuela Pledges Strengthened Alliance with Bolivia Following Morales Referendum Victory
A quote...."Mérida, August 11, 2008 (venezuelanalysis.com)-- The Venezuelan government congratulated Bolivian President Evo Morales for a successful national referendum Sunday in which Morales’s presidency was ratified by a record 63.1% of the vote. As a show of support, Venezuela, a close ally of the Morales administration, pledged to finance, along with Iran, a cement construction company to help the Bolivian government build housing and economic infrastructure."

CIFA Closes, Pentagon Opens New Spy Shop
A quote...."Back in April, Antifascist Calling reported on the proposed shut-down of the Pentagon's controversial Counterintelligence Field Activity (CIFA) office that illegally spied on the antiwar movement. - That office was officially "disestablished" August 4 by the Department of Defense (DoD). Simultaneously, it "activated" the Defense Counterintelligence and Human Intelligence Center (DCHC) "under the direction of the Defense Intelligence Agency."

Impeachment? Truth and Reconciliation Commission? Never Mind That - Haul George Bush into a Court of Law, Part 1
A quote...."Today we visit Vincent Bugliosi's book, The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder. Tomorrow we visit Vincent Bugliosi himself as he talks about his appearance before the House Judiciary Committee appearance and his book."

The Anthrax Attacks Attempted Cover-up - Monday round-up - 3 articles - [ Day 11 ] ===  ==========

Anthrax Attack Was State-Sponsored Terror (But the State Was America)
A quote...."The chief biological inspector for the U.N. Special Commission from 1994 to 1998 - who describes himself as one of the "four or five people in the whole country" who could make the type of anthrax used in the 2001 attacks - noted [the following] in testimony to Congress....."

Ivins Can Defend Himself in Court and Obtain Justice Against the FBI
A quote...."The FBI says it is "too bad" that it can't present its evidence against Ivins in court, while Ivins' many defenders say that Ivins could have cleared his name in court if he were still alive."

Anthrax News Review
A quote...."For several days I've been trying to find or write a decent "summary" article about this whole anthrax debacle. I give up. The FBI says this, Daschle says that, Ivins' friends say this, his "theripist" says that... Many of us have followed this mess for years now, and as with the events of 9/11, the pile just gets deeper and deeper. As we say in my neck of the woods, "Better git yer hipwaders out for this one 'cause it's gittin deep in here!"

End - The Anthrax Attacks Attempted Cover-up - Monday round-up - 3 articles - [ Day 11 ]  ==========

========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ====

The Next Bubble Is on the Way: Credit Card Debt
A quote...."Let me try a few words out on you: “Charge It,” “Swipe It” and “Priceless.” - You know exactly what I am talking about. We all have credit and debit cards. We all use them, and many of us keep our lives going because of them. - That is, until the bill becomes due." -- Also posted at Alternet

Fastest wholesale inflation expansion in China since 1996
A quote...."China's main measure of wholesale inflation accelerated in July to its fastest since 1996, adding to headaches for the government as it tries to rein in surging consumer prices, according to data reported Monday."

Euro slides beneath 1.50 US dollars as economy weakens
A quote...."The Euro slid beneath the 1.50 US dollar Monday to 1.4966 amid concern over the Euro zone economic outlook and confidence that the European Central Bank won't raise interest rates anytime soon."

[British] House sales drop to lowest level on record
A quote...."Estate agents are selling just one property a week, as figures show the worse drop in sales for 30 years. -- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said the number of properties sold had dropped to its lowest level since records began in 1978."


9/11, Afghanistan, Iraq, Georgia, Iran, and Pakistan; The Vulcan’s Path to The Caspian Sea Basin
Must Read - Data Base Resource - A quote...."One of the first things this administration did was meet with Dick Cheney’s Energy Task Force in early 2001. Those meetings were kept secret and they have refused to disclose who was actually there, and what was discussed. We all know that."

The US Neocon's New Proxy War in Georgia - 16 articles - Sunday - [ Day 3 ] =========  ==========

War in the Caucasus: Towards a Broader Russia-US Military Confrontation?
Analysis - A quote...."During the night of August 7, coinciding with the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, Georgia's president Saakashvili ordered an all-out military attack on Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia."

Did U.S., Israel Provocateur S. Ossetia Conflict? Does the Sun Come Up in the Morning?
Analysis - A quote...."Dead civilians in South Ossetia. But you will not hear much about it on CNN or Faux News. Because they are too busy reporting ad nauseam about the extramarital shenanigans of CFR darling John Edwards. - In order to find out what’s really going on in Georgia, you have to read the international press on the internet. Bush, McCain, and Obama may cast blame on Russia, but reading the international press you get a different perspective." -- Also posted at BLN

Russia's just killing 'TERRORISTS' so what's the big dealio?
Telling It Like It Is - A quote...."Dubya Gump-"Any government that supports, protects or harbours terrorists is complicit in the murder of the innocent and equally guilty of terrorist crimes." -- It gets better if you think about it, all of the "West" under the Caligula from Crawford’s leadership "declared" Kosovo to be an independent state over Russia’s strenuous objections, Russia specifically warned at the time that such a provocative action by the west would be used as a precedent in the Caucasus.  Everybody completely ignored Russia's objections.  Precedents set precedents, actions have reactions….this is one of them, nobody should act surprised. - mpg

Russians Push Past Separatist Area to Assault Central Georgia
A quote...."Published: August 10, 2008 -- TBILISI, Georgia — Russia expanded its attacks on Georgia on Sunday, moving tanks and troops through the separatist enclave of South Ossetia and advancing toward the city of Gori in central Georgia, in its first direct assault on a Georgian city with ground forces during three days of heavy fighting, Georgian officials said."

Russian warships to block Georgia weapons-Interfax
A quote...."MOSCOW, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Russian warships which arrived at the Georgian Black Sea coast on Sunday have been ordered to prevent weapons from reaching the Caucasus state, Interfax news agency quoted a Russian navy source as saying."

U.S. has few options to deter Russia
A quote...."Posted on Sun, Aug. 10, 2008 -- WASHINGTON -- Even as it accuses Russia of using "disproportionate" force in the conflict over Georgia's rebel South Ossetia province, the United States find itself with few diplomatic or military options to deter Moscow's ferocious air and ground assault. -- In fact, most of the key cards, including the power to veto any United Nations, were held by Russia, which appeared to be using the crisis to ram home to the United State and its allies that it will not accept further expansion of NATO. Both Georgia and the former Soviet republic of Ukraine are seeking to join the alliance."

Georgia's gamble
A quote...."Mon., August 11, 2008 -- Israel Time: 01:47 (EST+7) -- In one scenario presented in a 2001 video game, U.S. Special Forces are inserted into the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia to help counter a Russian invasion. This might have been just a game, but it eerily presaged a Russian nationalist government flexing its muscles in the Caucasus in 2008. However, it is highly unlikely that in real life, American, or for that matter any Western troops will be brought in to help the Georgians in stemming the Russian onslaught."

Violence in 2nd Georgian breakaway territory concerns U.N.
A quote...."updated 42 minutes ago - 11:05 PST --  Forces of Abkhazia launched air and artillery strikes on Georgian troops Sunday, intending to drive them out of a small part of Abkhazia that the Georgians controlled, The Associated Press reported. - U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Edmond Mulet said Russian personnel and weapons were part of a military buildup in Abkhazia's capital, Sukhumi. The Georgian government said 4,000 Russian troops have landed in Abkhazia, according to the AP."

We will drive Georgians out of - Abkhazian president - (YouTube - 3 min 44 sec - Added:  August 10, 2008)
Video - RT-TV - (From the Russian and South Ossetian perspective - mpg) - A quote...."August 10, 2008 -- Intense military action was evident in the Kodori Gorge in the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia on Sunday. The upper Kodori gorge is the only part of Abkhazia still controlled by Georgia."

South Ossetia: the third day of military conflict - (YouTube - 5 min 36 sec - Added:  August 10, 2008)
Video - RT-TV - (From the Russian and South Ossetian perspective - mpg) - A quote...."August 10, 2008 -- More than 2,000 people were killed in South Ossetia, most of them civilians -- and more than 30,000 fled the conflict zone seeking refuge in Russia's North Ossetia. But leaving everything behind, they're still desperate to know the fate of their loved ones who remain in Tskhinvali."

Georgia Calls Cease-fire in Battle With Russia - (YouTube - 1 min 40 sec - Added:  August 10, 2008)
Video - AP - A quote...."(Aug. 10) -- Georgia has pulled its embattled troops out of the disputed province of South Ossetia and agreed to a cease-fire, submitting to Russia's far superior firepower."

Russian Tanks Keep on Rolling - (YouTube - 2 min 15 sec - Added:  August 10, 2008)
Video - Reuters - A quote...."August 10, 2008 -- After claiming a defense of South Ossetia, Putin ignores world outrage and commands his military to continue widening the attack on the sovereign nation of Georgia, even after that nation appears to have completely removed its troops from South Ossetia.

South Ossetia crisis in pictures
Photo Gallary - A quote...."Pictures from the escalating conflict between Georgian and Russian forces in the separatist province of South Ossetia" - Some good photos. - mpg

Israel Has $1 Billion Invested in Georgia
A quote...."10 Aug 2008 The Israeli-Georgia connection is estimated to be worth $1 billion, according to a former Georgian ambassador to Israel. The Jewish state and private investors have provided military assistance and advisors to Georgia, where pipelines pump oil destined for Israel. A new pipeline is being built to bypass Russian territory. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Israeli companies in Georgia have begun evacuating their staff and that Israeli tourists are leaving for home." -- Paragraph posted at CLG

Conflict Opens Front in the Media
A quote...."Monday, August 11, 2008 -- Updated at 11 August 2008 0:53 Moscow Time. -- Russian television is flush with footage of misery left by the Georgian assault in the separatist district of South Ossetia, but few, if any, reports mention Russia's bombing of Georgia. - William Dunbar, a correspondent in Georgia for English-language state channel Russia Today, mentioned the bombing in a report Saturday, and he has not gone on air for the station since."

Media Disinformation: BBC distorts the News from the Georgia Region
A quote...."As usual, the BBC is twisting and distorting the news coming out of the Georgia region. We keep being told that around 1500 have been killed in Georgia, the inference being that this has resulted from Russian bombing. - Not so, the casualties are in Ossetia. - While the Ossetians claimed over 1000 dead the BBC neither reported this or any newsreel coming out of Ossetia showing the destruction caused by the Georgian shelling of the breakaway republic." -- Also posted at Uruknet

The US Neocon's New Proxy War in Georgia - 16 articles - Sunday - [ Day 3 ] =========  ==========

Monday, August 11, 2008 - A Juan Cole Round-Up
A quote...." CSM says that one reason Muqtada al-Sadr is pulling back his Mahdi Army is a shortage of volunteers and of arms, and that the public has been identifying Sadrist guerrillas to the US and the Iraqi Army. I wonder. Has al-Maliki managed to interfere with oil smuggling down at Basra enough to affect Sadr's finances? Would explain the shortage of volunteers bit. You also have to wonder if Iran has pulled back funding for the special group cells inside the Mahdi Army, as a quid pro quo for Bush to negotiate seriously with them . ."

Iraq demands 'clear timeline' for US withdrawal
A quote...."Iraq's foreign minister insisted Sunday that any security deal with the United States must contain a "very clear timeline" for the departure of U.S. troops. A suicide bomber struck north of Baghdad, killing at least five people including an American soldier."

Iraqi government poised to yank immunity from Blackwater
A quote...."A withdrawal plan currently being worked out between American and Iraqi negotiators includes the acknowledgment that military security contractors such as Blackwater, whose employees have been accused of recklessness and mass murder during the occupation, would be newly subject to Iraqi law, the Washington Post reported Sunday."

Al-Sadr’s Ace Card
A quote...."The Neocon movement, the White House and John McCain continue with their idiotic delusions of "victory" as if magically one day the people of Iraq will lay down their arms and shower US troops with the flower pedals they so rudely neglected to provide after the fall of Saddam Hussein. That’s as likely to happen as Brett Favre winning the Nobel Peace Prize… or another Super Bowl ring."

Iraq, China ready to revive major oil deal
Special Note - Not if the Neocons have anything to say about it....what do the Iraqis think this is, a free market?? - mpg -- A quote...."BAGHDAD (AFP) — Iraq's oil ministry said Sunday it plans to resurrect a major oil deal with China that fell apart amid crippling United Nations sanctions and the aftermath of the 2003 US-led invasion."

Iraq, Syria to boost trade exchange to $1 billion
A quote...."Iraq and Syria have agreed to expand value of their bilateral trade to $1 billion in 2009. --  Iraqi Trade Minister Abdulfalah Hassan is currently in Damascus for talks with his Syrian counterpart Amer Lutfi on ways to expedite the flow of goods between the countries."

Pakistani Taliban Repel Government Offensive
A quote...."PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Taliban fighters forced Pakistani soldiers to retreat from a militants’ stronghold near the border with Afghanistan over the weekend, after a three-day battle sent civilians fleeing from government airstrikes."

President linked Bhutto’s security to ‘her ties with him’
Special Note - A quote...."ISLAMABAD: The US intelligence agencies taped assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s phone calls, prior to her arrival in Pakistan in October 2007, in a bid to “play under-the-table, cut-throat games more effectively”, a new book has revealed. -- The Way of the World authored by a Pulitzer Prize winning US journalist Ron Suskind, is full of disclosures, with its fair portion about Musharraf-Benazir conversation including Musharraf’s quote “You should understand something, your security is based on the state of our relationship”, The News daily reported here yesterday."

Iran unmoved on nuclear stance in face of sanctions
A quote...." TEHRAN, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Iran will not back down on its nuclear stance despite the threat of tighter sanctions, Iranian media quoted a government spokesman as saying on Sunday. - Britain, France, Germany and the United States are considering imposing sanctions that go beyond existing U.N. measures against Tehran over its nuclear programme, a British diplomat said on Friday."

Hamas and Fatah tug of war
Video - Special Note - A quote...."The fighting between Hamas and Fatah has calmed down for the time being. Deadly clashes between the two rival political factions led Fatah fighters to flee to Israel for protection. One hundred and fifty Fatah fighters were relocated to the West Bank by Israel. In an editorial The Lebanese daily star stated that Hamas and Fatah are a bigger threat to Palestinians than Israel." -- For more on this issue see....US Sponsored Civil Wars - Palestine

Ford told FBI about panel's doubts on JFK murder
A quote...."WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Ford secretly advised the FBI that two of his fellow members on the Warren Commission doubted the FBI's conclusion that John F. Kennedy was shot from the sixth floor of the Texas Book Depository in Dallas, according to newly released records from Ford's FBI files."

The Anthrax Attacks Attempted Cover-up - Sunday round-up - 5 articles - [ Day 10 ] ===  ==========

Anthrax Investigations: Dead Microbiologists Revisted
Special Note - A quote...."What's the average rate at which microbiologists die under mysterious or suspicious circumstances? Bruce Ivins is only the latest of many.  Murders and mysterious “accidents” involving microbiologists, confirmed and reported by mainstream media:  - See list - mpg

ANTHRAX - The Case Still Isn’t Closed
A quote...."Justice Department official Dean Boyd said "there was no mistake in the affidavit" because Matsumoto had been employed by NBC in the past and Ivins told investigators he "believed" he still worked there. Still, the reference is one of a number of seemingly misleading passages, gaps and omissions that are raising questions about just how airtight the government's case against Ivins actually is."

What's the answer to this?
A quote...."A commenter here on Friday noted what appears to be a rather glaring contradiction in the case against Bruce Ivins. In response to criticisms that the FBI's case contains no evidence placing Ivins in New Jersey, where the anthrax letters were sent, The Washington Post published an article -- headlined "New Details Show Anthrax Suspect Away On Key Day" -- which, based on leaks from "government sources briefed on the case," purported to describe evidence about Bruce Ivins' whereabouts on September 17 -- the day the FBI says the first batch of anthrax letters were mailed from a Princeton, New Jersey mailbox. The Post reported:"

Capitol Hill Questions FBI Anthrax Investigation: Where's The Polygraph?
A quote...."Concerns about the FBI's circumstantial case against military microbiologist Bruce Ivins are reaching Capitol Hill. [As well it should - mpg]  Last night, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) sent a three-page letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey and FBI Director Robert Mueller III, asking them to respond to 18 questions about virtually every aspect of the probe."

“Mad Scientist” Ivins, and Other 9/11 Legends
A quote...."As the sun begins to set on the tyrannical Bush/Cheney Administration, a “culprit” for the anthrax attacks has been dropped on us. The government has produced the dead body of “mad scientist” Bruce Ivins, the way a smiling cat produces a mouse carcass."

End - The Anthrax Attacks Attempted Cover-up - Sunday round-up - 5 articles - [ Day 10 ]  ==========

Real income losses for Turkish workers
A quote...."On August 4, the Turkish Statistics Institute (TUIK) announced that in July Turkey’s inflation rate rose to 12.1 percent from 10.6 percent in June. The annual rise in inflation was only 6.9 percent over the same period last year. -- The rise in the prices of energy and food has increased the average inflation rate across the globe. Turkish capitalism, however, is one of the worst performers, with inflation nearly doubling in the space of a year."

Oman's inflation soars to record on food costs
A quote...." DUBAI - Inflation in Oman rose to a record near 14 per cent in June as increasing food prices and a currency peg to the weak US dollar pushed costs in the Gulf state higher for a 14th consecutive month. - Food, beverage and tobacco costs - which account for almost a third of the consumer price index - jumped 23.7 per cent, the Oman Ministry of National Economy said in a monthly report on its web site." --  You see, Oman includes food costs in their inflation figures, we being the clever country we are don't....at least not in the "core rate".  The Fed obviously believes people don't need to eat, or maybe its just that their true motto is "Let them eat core" - mpg

Opec income hits record as oil prices soar
A quote...."Opec nations earned as much in the first half of this year as they did in the whole of 2007 – thanks both to record oil prices and record production – triggering a big increase in its spending."

Argentina to buy 2008/98 bonds to help calm markets
A quote...."The Argentine government announced the purchase of 2008 and 2009 bonds, --plus interest payments in advance-- in an effort to ease markets which have shown great anxiety over the political situation and economic slowdown of Argentina, particularly last week."


Possible Order of Battle -- Iran Strike Group - 08-08-08 - (not yet confirmed) ========== ========== =

Massive US Naval Armada Heads For Iran
Must Read - War Warning - A quote...."Operation Brimstone ended only one week ago. This was the joint US/UK/French naval war games in the Atlantic Ocean preparing for a naval blockade of Iran and the likely resulting war in the Persian Gulf area. The massive war games included a US Navy supercarrier battle group, an US Navy expeditionary carrier battle group, a Royal Navy carrier battle group, a French nuclear hunter-killer submarine plus a large number of US Navy cruisers, destroyers and frigates playing the "enemy force".  -- This is a possible Red War Warning, see below. - mpg

The US Naval forces being assembled include the following:

Carrier Strike Group Nine
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN72) Nimitz-class supercarrier / with its Carrier Air Wing Two
and Destroyer Squadron Nine:
USS Mobile Bay (CG53) - Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser
USS Russell (DDG59) - Arleigh Burke-class destroyer
USS Momsen (DDG92) - Arleigh Burke-class destroyer
USS Shoup (DDG86) - Arleigh Burke-class destroyer
USS Ford (FFG54) - Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate
USS Ingraham (FFG61)  - Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate
USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG60) - Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate
USS Curts (FFG38) - Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate
Plus one or more nuclear hunter-killer submarines

Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group
USS Peleliu (LHA-5) - Tarawa-class amphibious assault carrier
USS Pearl Harbor (LSD52) - Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship
USS Dubuque (LPD8) - Austin-class amphibious transport dock
USS Cape St. George (CG71) - Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser
USS Halsey (DDG97) - Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer
USS Benfold (DDG65) - Arleigh Burke class destroyer

Carrier Strike Group Two
USS Theodore Roosevelt (DVN71) - Nimitz-class supercarrier / with its Carrier Air Wing Eight
and Destroyer Squadron 22
USS Monterey (CG61) - Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser
USS Mason (DDG87) - Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer
USS Nitze (DDG94) - Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer
USS Sullivans (DDG68)  - Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer

USS Springfield (SSN761) - Los Angeles-class hunter-killer attack submarine

IWO ESG ~ Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group
USS Iwo Jima (LHD7) - Wasp-class amphibious assault carrier / with its Amphibious Squadron Four
and with its 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
USS San Antonio (LPD17) - San Antonio amphibious transport dock
USS Vella Gulf (CG72) - Ticonderoga class Aegis guided missile cruiser
USS Ramage (DDG61) - Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer
USS Carter Hall (LSD50) - Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship
USS Roosevelt (DDG80) - Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

USS Hartfore (SSN768) - Los Angeles-class hunter-killer attack submarine

Carrier Strike Group Seven
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN76) - Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier / with its Carrier Air Wing 14
and Destroyer Squadron 7
USS Chancellorsville (CG62) - Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser
USS Howard (DDG83) - Arleigh Burke-class destroyer
USS Gridley (DDG101) - Arleigh Burke-class destroyer
USS Decatur (DDG73) - Arleigh Burke-class destroyer
USS Thach (FFG43) - Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate
USNS Rainier (T-AOE-7) - Supply class of fast combat support ships

Also likely to join the battle armada:

UK Royal Navy HMS Ark Royal Carrier Strike Group with assorted guided missile destroyers and frigates, nuclear hunter-killer submarines and support ships

End - Possible Order of Battle -- Iran Strike Group - 08-08-08 - (not yet confirmed) ====== ==========

The US Neocon's New Proxy War in Georgia - 23 articles - Friday - [ Day 1 ] =========  ==========

Website Editor's note - If the Georgian move into South Ossetia was a deliberate feint engineered by the US military to distract China and Russia from Bush's attack against Iran....than all of these actions should be considered a Red War Warning as well as a WWIII War Alert

Marching Through Georgia: Cold War II Proxy Conflict Turns Hot
Special Note - Analysis - Chris Floyd's round-up on today's action - mpg -- A quote...."Friday, 08 August 2008 -- With the world distracted by the glitz and glam of the Olympic opening ceremonies in Beijing -- where George W. Bush (after some entirely rote criticism) nestled down with his long-time family business partners and fellow crony-capitalist authoritarians in the Chinese leadership -- the new Cold War fuelled by the old Cold Warriors in Washington took a sharp and bitter turn in Georgia."

South Ossetia: The War has Begun!
Analysis - A quote...."The night of August 7, Georgian forces launched an attack on Tskhinvali, which Tbilisi cynically described as an effort to restore the constitutional order. Just hours earlier, Saakashvili declared a ceasefire in the conflict zone, but the move was only a propaganda maneuver disguising the plan for a large-scale offensive. The timing is carefully chosen — the attention worldwide is focused on the opening of the Olympic Games, Russian Prime Minister V. Putin is in Beijing, and Russian President D. Medvedev is on a short vacation."

Did the U.S. Prep Georgia for War with Russia?
A quote...."Georgia and Russia are careening towards war. And the U.S. isn't exactly a detached observer in the fight. The American military has been training and equipping Georgian troops for years."

Evidence of U.S. Military Presence in Georgia
Article List - A quote...."The U.S. and Russia began “military exercises” on either side of the Caucasus mountains last month"

NATO encouraged Georgia – Russian envoy
A quote...."

Georgian army moves to retake South Ossetia
A quote...."By MUSA SADULAYEV – 5 hours ago - 2:15 PST -- DZHAVA, Georgia (AP) — Georgia launched a major military offensive Friday to retake the breakaway province of South Ossetia, prompting Moscow to send tanks into the region in a furious response that threatens to engulf Georgia, a staunch U.S. ally, and Russia in all-out war."

Russia, Georgia troops battle along border
A quote...."MSNBC News Services updated 1 hour, 3 minutes ago - 2:15 PST -- TSKHINVALI, Georgia - Russia sent tanks and reportedly bombed Georgian air bases Friday after Georgia launched a major military offensive Friday to retake the breakaway province of South Ossetia, threatening to ignite a broader conflict."

Russian leader vows to protect compatriots in S.Ossetia
A quote...."MOSCOW, Aug 8 (Reuters) - North American News Service - Aug 08, 2008 06:07 EST -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev vowed on Friday to defend "compatriots" in Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia and promised to punish those responsible for their deaths, Interfax news agency reported."

S.Ossetia says over 1,000 [civilians] dead after Georgian attack
A quote...."MOSCOW, August 8 (RIA Novosti) - 21:45  | 08/ 08/ 2008 -- Over 1,000 civilians have been killed as the result of an attack by Georgia on the capital of its breakaway republic of South Ossetia, the North Ossetian nationalities minister said Friday."

Assault on Tskhinvali: how it was
Video - A quote...."20:15 08/08/2008 -- Literally an hour after President Mikheil Saakashvili called for talks, Georgia began to attack Tskhinvali."

Russian troops near S.Ossetia capital, 10 peacekeepers killed
A quote...."18:34 | 08/ 08/ 2008VLADIKAVKAZ, August 8 (RIA Novosti) -- Russian troops are approaching the capital of breakaway South Ossetia to help peacekeepers amid a spiraling conflict with Georgia, which tried to regain control of the region Friday, a top military spokesman said.

Georgian troops withdraw from South Ossetia
A quote...."MOSCOW, - 2008-08-09 00:24:52  Aug. 8 (Xinhua)-- Georgian troops have begun retreating from the capital of its breakaway region of South Ossetia, information and press committee of the self-proclaimed republic said, the RIA Novosti news agency reported."

Heavy fire on Georgian -- South Ossetian border  - (YouTube - 4 min 4 sec - Added:  August 07, 2008)
Video - A quote...."Georgian military aircraft are reportedly bombing South Ossetian positions. The latest development follows an exchange of heavy fire overnight which is said to have left numerous casualties in Georgia's breakaway republic of South Ossetia, according to the republic's Health Ministry."

Violence Threatens War Between Georgia, Russia - (YouTube - 1 min 19 sec - Added:  August 08, 2008)
Video - A quote...."AP -- Russia sent columns of tanks and reportedly bombed Georgian air bases Friday after Georgia launched a major military offensive Friday to retake the breakaway province of South Ossetia, threatening to ignite a broader conflict. (Aug. 8)"

Russia Defends Its Citizens.
Video - A quote...."Fri, 08 Aug 2008 22:52:42 - Russia defends its citizens in S.Ossetia - Svetlana Korkina, Press TV, Moscow"

South Ossetian bloodshed claims hundreds of lives
Video - A quote...."More than 1,400 people have been killed during Georgia`s attacks on the capital of South Ossetia, according to the region`s authorities. The breakaway republic is calling on the world community to recognise it as an independent state. Meanwhile, Moscow says Russian artillery and tanks have now suppressed the Georgian firing positions around Tskhinvali."

Georgia says Russian tanks mean 'war' in South Ossetia
Contains Video - A quote...."From Times Online August 8, 2008 -- "Russia sent troops and dozens of tanks and armoured vehicles into the breakaway Georgian province of South Ossetia today, vowing to protect its citizens in a move described by Tbilisi's pro-Western Government as an act of war."

Emergency UN Meeting On Georgia
A quote...."10:09pm UK, Friday August 08, 2008 -- Georgia's president says he will declare martial law shortly as the UN Security Council holds an emergency meeting to discuss the worsening crisis in the country."

Putin Says `War Has Started,' Georgia Claims Invasion
A quote...."By: Henry Meyer and Ryan Chilcote on: 08.08.2008 [13:37 ] - Bloomberg - A quote...."Aug. 8 (Bloomberg) — Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said ``war has started in the breakaway region of South Ossetia" while Georgia accused Russia of  "a well-planned invasion" and appealed to world leaders for help". - Russian ``volunteers'' are pouring over the border to help defend South Ossetia from Georgian forces, Putin told U.S. President George W. Bush in Beijing today, according to Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov."

Russia’s Troops to Liberate Tskhinvali
A quote...."posted Aug. 9, 2008 02:20 AM (GMT +0400) Moscow -- The troops of Russia, the units of 38th Army, are liberating South Ossetia’s capital Tskhinvali, LIFE.RU reported. -- The troops of Russia are liberating Tskhinvali, Georgia is retreating, said independent military expert Zaur Alborov, who is in Tskhinvali now. The operation to block South Ossetia’s territory captured by Georgia will be carried out in the nearest hours. The 19th motor rifle division will fight together with the battalion of Russia’s peacekeepers to perform this mission." -- Also posted at WarInIraq

Georgia says to withdraw 1,000 soldiers from Iraq
A quote...."Published: Aug 8, 2008 -- Georgia will withdraw 1,000 soldiers from Iraq to help fight off Russian forces in Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia, the head of Georgia's Security Council, Kakha Lomaia, said on Friday."

Georgian President requests U.S. support in war with Russia
Full quote...."08.08.2008 18:36 GMT+04:00 - /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili stated that Russia started war with Georgia. - "It's in the interests of the United States to extend a helping hand to Georgia. Russia is fighting a war with us in our own territory," Saakashvili said in an interview with CNN. - "Georgia will withdraw its unit from Iraq to give a proper response to Russian aggression," he said, RBC reports. - For his part, Georgia's National Security Council head Alexander Lomaia warned Friday that Moscow and Tbilisi will be in "a state of war" if reports of Russian tanks, military trucks and troops entering South Ossetia prove true."

Georgia Official: Russian Planes Attack Poti Port, Airport and Railway
A quote...."MOSCOW (AFP)--Russian aircraft have attacked the oil port of Poti, as well as an air field and a railway junction, the secretary of Georgia's National Security Council told AFP Saturday. - "Over the past two hours, Russian aviation has carried out flights on economic and civilian infrastructure targets. There has been an attack on the port of Poti and on a railway junction and aerodrome in Senaki," Alexander Lomaia said by phone from Tbilisi."

End - The US Neocon's New Proxy War in Georgia - 23 articles - Friday [ Day 1 ] ======  ==========

US Weighs Stepped-Up Military Forays Into Pakistan
A quote...."WASHINGTON - Top Bush administration officials are pressing the president to direct U.S. troops in Afghanistan to be more aggressive in pursuing militants into Pakistan on foot as part of a proposed radical shift in regional counterterrorism strategy, The Associated Press has learned."

Website Editor's Note - It now appears the Bush administration is getting set to attack the following countries.

Iran
Syria - by Israeli proxy
Lebanon - by Israeli proxy
Pakistan
possibly Russia
possibly China
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ====

'We'll neutralize S-300 if sold to Iran'
A quote...."If Russia goes through with the sale of its most advanced anti-aircraft missile system to Iran, Israel will use an electronic warfare device now under development to neutralize it and as a result present Russia as vulnerable to air infiltrations, a top defense official has told The Jerusalem Post."

Pentagon seeks to double size of Afghan army
A quote...."WASHINGTON (AFP) — US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has endorsed a 17-billion dollar plan to double the size of the Afghan army over five years, the Pentagon said."

The Anthrax Attacks Attempted Cover-up - Friday round-up - 6 articles - [ Day 8 ] ===  ==========

Website Editor's Note - The George Washington Blog has been one of the best goto sites on this issue and has been tracking this entire fiasco since day one.

Ivins Could Not Have Applied High-Tech Coating to the Killer Anthrax
A quote...."As everyone knows, the government initially tried to blame Iraq for the anthrax attack. One of the claims made was that the anthrax contained bentonite clay, which was also used by Iraqi anthrax bioweapons makers to "weaponize" the anthrax by decreasing the tendency of anthrax spores to clump together. (Clumping makes them less deadly since clumping reduces the amount of spores which end up in the target's lungs). -- The government later disclaimed that assertion. However, the FBI now claims that the killer anthrax contained silicon. Silicon can be used as an anti-clumping agent to weaponize anthrax."

16 Labs Had the Killer Anthrax Strain
A quote...."Page 6 of the FBI's search warrant affidavit in the Ivins' investigation states:


The Anthrax Follies and the Bizarro Effect The case against Bruce Ivins is pathetic
A quote...."The release of the FBI's "evidence" against Bruce Ivins, the now-deceased Ft. Detrick scientist targeted by the FBI as the alleged culprit in the 2001 anthrax letters case, demonstrates either (1) the FBI is covering for the real culprits, or (2) what we are witnessing is a dramatic drop in the intelligence of the average FBI official – maybe it's something in the water."

Countdown: Nothing About The FBI’s Anthrax Story Adds Up
Video - A quote...."Keith interviewed investigative journalist Gerald Posner last night, who did a great job of shattering all of the inconsistencies and improbabilities in the FBI’s official case against alleged anthrax killer Bruce Ivins."

Anthrax case against bio-weapons expert 'staggering for lack of evidence'
A quote...."The case against the lone suspect in the 2001 anthrax case, who killed himself last week, has been blasted by his lawyer as based on nothing but "innuendo and a staggering lack of real evidence".

Three key questions still unanswered in anthrax case
A quote...."WASHINGTON — Despite the Justice Department's pronouncement that former Army microbiologist Bruce Ivins unleashed the 2001 anthrax attacks that killed five people, three central questions about the case remain unanswered:"

Anthrax suspect passed 2 polygraphs - Handwriting analysis also failed to tie Ivins to letters
A quote...."Casting further doubt on the FBI's anthrax case, accused government scientist Bruce Ivins passed two polygraph tests and a handwriting analysis comparing samples of his handwriting to writing contained in the anthrax letters, U.S. officials familiar with the investigation say." -- Also posted at AmericanEveryman

End - The Anthrax Attacks Attempted Cover-up - Friday round-up - 6 articles - [ Day 8 ] ===  ========

Tape: Top CIA official confesses order to forge Iraq-9/11 letter came on White House stationery
Special Note - A quote...."In damning transcript, ex-CIA official says Cheney likely ordered letter linking Hussein to 9/11 attacks" -- Also posted at ICH

American Conservative Wants Us to Believe WMD Forgery was Work of Pentagon, not CIA. Should We?
Related article - A quote...."Philip Giraldi wrote on the blog for The American Conservative yesterday that he has an unnamed source who says that Ron Suskind's assertion about the forged WMD document came from Pentagon official Doug Feith and not the CIA. It sort of makes sense when you consider the logic Giraldi uses to back his anonymous source up:"
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ====

Battle lines move from Kashmir to Kabul
A quote...."There is wide acclaim today among Indian strategic analysts and diplomatic editors that New Delhi has scored a major diplomatic victory in Afghanistan and that its "influence" in Kabul has "peaked". This victory has come on the back of Washington's strategic pro-India tilt and, in the period since end-2001 to date, India's earmarking of a staggering US$1.2 billion as assistance for Afghan "reconstruction"."

Blaming Pakistan's Spies For A War Gone Wrong
A quote...."NEW YORK -- The almost forgotten war in Afghanistan, that was supposed to have been won in 2001, has roared back to life with a vengeance. More American soldiers are now dying in Afghanistan than Iraq." -- Also posted at ICH

Al-Qaida: Terror suspect says she was secretly detained and tortured for years by US
A quote...."A Pakistani woman charged with attacking US army officers in Afghanistan last month has told her lawyer that she was in US custody for years, despite claims that she was only arrested last month."

Iran’s UN envoy responds to U.S. propaganda
Transcript - A quote...."Following is the full text of the response of the United Nations representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the allegations made by the representative of the United States against Iran in the Security Council meeting on Iraq on August 6, 2008."

Bolivia's Morales confident of beating recall referendum
A quote...."Bolivia on Friday banned booze, firearms and campaigning ahead of a referendum President Evo Morales called to break a political crisis with rebel governors defying his socialist reforms."

F.B.I. Says It Obtained Reporters’ Phone Records
A quote...."WASHINGTON — The Federal Bureau of Investigation said Friday that it had improperly obtained the phone records of reporters for The New York Times and The Washington Post in the newspapers’ Indonesia bureaus in 2004."

Why TV news in the US is utter rubbish
A quote...."For years it has been a joke that news in the United States is terrible: obsessed with trivia and celebrity; fronted by Botox bimbos; forever interviewing citizens about some artefact of small-town life when a major news story is breaking elsewhere. -- Well, the truth is that it's far, far worse than that." -- Also posted at ICH

Wall Street, Banks, and American Foreign Policy
A quote...."Businessmen or manufacturers can either be genuine free enterprisers or statists; they can either make their way on the free market or seek special government favors and privileges. They choose according to their individual preferences and values. But bankers are inherently inclined toward statism."

PJB: Democracy — A Flickering Star?
A quote...."In his 1937 “Great Contemporaries,” Winston Churchill wrote, “Whatever else may be thought about (Hitler’s) exploits, they are among the most remarkable in the whole history of the world.” -- Actually the US is quite Fascist already, it's not this nation's supposed democratic intentions, or its current lack thereof that bothers most "Americans", what's bothering them right now is a phrase once used in this nation's recent elections...."it's the economy stupid."  Or to put it more cogently, people care more about their pocket book than their freedoms - or - it's better to be a well fed slave than a starving freeman. - mpg
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ====

Cindy Sheehan Makes It On Ballot To Oppose Nancy Pelosi!!
Must Read - Action Alert - A quote...."After weeks of collecting signatures from constituents in San Francisco's 8th Congressional District, Independent candidate Cindy Sheehan has made it onto the November ballot to oppose Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, for Pelosi's heretofore secure Congressional seat.   As Sheehan told me exclusively this afternoon:"

Election Shocker!
A quote...."Biblical scholars in Colorado Springs have uncovered startling evidence that Senator John McCain may be the Antichrist. Their conclusions, while highly controversial, may have a dramatic impact on the 2008 elections, since many Bible-believing Christians have already expressed doubts about McCain's fealty to Christianity." -- Also posted at ICH -- Mr Reficul would say not. - mpg
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ====

The origins of the subprime market
A quote...."In the early 1990s, an analyst approached the head of the currency options desk of a large investment bank and offered an explanation of events by looking into how they originated. The manager answered with a question: “How can I make money off that?” Since the analyst didn’t offer a way to exploit the information, the conversation ended."

Fannie Mae fears for future after posting $2.3bn loss
A quote...."America's largest mortgage finance company, Fannie Mae, slumped to a quarterly loss of $2.3bn (£1.2bn) after the housing market came down "fast and hard" prompting huge liabilities as borrowers defaulted on home loans."

Fannie Mae loss more than triple forecasts
A quote...."Struggling home finance giant Fannie Mae Friday reported a massive second-quarter loss of 2.3 billion dollars, more than three times analysts' estimates, and plans to slash its dividend"

U.S. Productivity Increases 2.2%, Labor Costs Cool (Update2)
A quote...."Aug. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Worker productivity in the U.S. grew in the second quarter as employers cut jobs to weather the jump in raw-material expenses."

IT And Media Cut 13,000 Jobs In July
A quote...."It was the biggest one-month decline in more than year, as publishing houses and tech firms implemented cutbacks driven by declining ad revenues, industry consolidation, and offshoring."

Consumer credit jumps at fastest rate in 7 months
A quote...."WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - U.S. consumers took on $14.3 billion in debt in June, the biggest increase in seven months, the Federal Reserve reported Thursday." -- The "what-me-worry" nation. - mpg

SEC. 3083. INCREASE IN STATUTORY LIMIT ON THE PUBLIC DEBT.Subsection (b) of section 3101 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking out the dollar limitation contained in such subsection and inserting in lieu thereof $10,615,000,000,000.

Some Tentative Laws - Third law of wartime currency expansion *

* Regarding the third law, if there are large amounts of debt greater than the carrying capacity of the economy (deflation) while at the same time there exists large amounts of currency expansion (inflation), the result will invariably be stagflation, and both the direction of interest rates along with the chances for war (the fourth law) will be problematical. - mpg