The Joe Biden administration has agreed to ease sanctions on Venezuela, offering to scale back penalties if the government commits to a meeting with opposition leaders. Despite the rare diplomatic outreach, one US official said the economic war launched by President Donald Trump would continue regardless.
The Washington Post
5/6/22 John Kiriakou on the War on Alternative Media
Download Episode. Scott is joined by CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou to discuss the recent uptick in deplatforming efforts against alternative media sites like Consortium News and MintPress News. They discuss the hold that the Intelligence Community has over establishment national security “journalists.” The example of Ken Dilanian comes up, the journalist who reported on the CIA, but who sent every draft to the CIA for approval before even sending it to his own editor. Meanwhile, alternative websites like The Grayzone, Consortium News, MintPress News and Antiwar.com get no access and...
Biden Speaks with German Leader Scholz Amid Kiev-Berlin Tensions
The United States and Germany will reject all Russian territorial claims in Ukraine, leaders from both countries said during a recent phone call, as relations between Berlin and Kiev plumb new depths over alleged close ties between the German president and his Russian counterpart.
Biden Approves $713 Million in Weapons For Ukraine, Hopes War Will Leave Russia Weakened
On Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin became the highest-ranking US officials to visit Ukraine since Russia invaded on February 24. During meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the officials promised more support for a war the White House hopes will weaken Moscow. While in Kiev, Blinken informed Zelensky the White House authorized over $700 million in assistance to finance weapon sales and approved a sale of $165 million in “non-standard ammunition” for Ukraine. A State Department press release explained the $700 million in...
4/22/22 William Arkin on Russia’s Failures in Ukraine
Download Episode. William Arkin joined Scott on yesterday's Antiwar Radio show to discuss the war in Ukraine. Arkin has spent the last two months following the war closely to try and get an accurate read on what’s happening on the ground. He shares his findings and latest analysis with Scott. Arkin believes that Russia’s military failures have exposed them as a paper tiger, invalidating all the money and resources that have been poured into NATO over the decades. At the same time, the absence of diplomacy and the apparent U.S. intentions to turn this conflict into a prolonged proxy war...
For Some in NATO, War in Ukraine Is Preferable to Quick Peace Deal
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine grinds on and the two sides continue negotiations, the Washington Post reports that some NATO states prefer Ukrainians continue “fighting and dying” over “a peace that comes too early,” rejecting any outcome that could be sold as a “victory” for Moscow.
News Roundup 3/25/2022
US News Rep. Fortenberry was found guilty on three counts of lying to the FBI. [Link] The US is seeking the extradition of John Joël Joseph from Jamacia. Joseph is accused by the US of having a role in the assassination of Haiti’s president last summer. [Link] Russia Italy says it will view Russian demands for Rubles as payments as a violation of contract. [Link] Japan announced new sanctions on over 100 Russian individuals and businesses. [Link] Biden says NATO will respond to chemical weapons use in Ukraine. [Link] The UK plans to deploy 6,000 “defensive missiles” to Ukraine. [Link]...
Slovakia Floats Dangerous Scheme to Arm Ukraine & Revamp Own Air Defenses
NATO member Slovakia has offered to transfer an air defense system to Ukraine so long as the US backfills its arsenal with new interceptors.
Western Neo-Nazis Respond to Azov’s Call to Arms
White nationalist and neo-Nazi militants are flocking to Ukraine to help repel a Russian invasion following a plea for foreign volunteers from President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a report in the Washington Post. Thousands of fighters have already arrived, many said to hold a “shared vision for an ultranationalist ethno-state.” Many of those hoping to join the fight in Ukraine are being recruited by the Mariupol-based Azov Battalion and other ethnic-supremacist factions, who’ve used their social media presence to bolster their ranks with foreign nationals. “[Azov’s] official...
Foreign Fighters Arrive in Ukraine to Repel Russian Invasion
At least 16,000 foreign nationals have volunteered to join an “international legion” created to resist Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed, after Kiev lifted visa requirements for anyone willing to fight. “Every friend of Ukraine who wants to join Ukraine in defending the country, please come over,” Zelensky pleaded at a recent press conference, adding “We will give you weapons.” Though the president offered no details on the international fighting force, including the origin of the volunteers, the request comes as Kiev appears to grow more desperate for...