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Libya, Bahrain, Iran, Yemen and Other Arab Governments Killing Protesters

George Washington's picture




 

Washington’s Blog

 

Mubarak was not the only brutal dictator in the Arab world.

Government forces are killing protesters in Libya

 

Bahrain


 

(and see this and this).

Iran

 

Yemen

 

and other Arab countries.

Some claim that these protests are actually created by American intelligence forces to destabilize the Arab world

 

 

But trend forecaster Gerald Celente has a very different view of what is unfolding:

It is not solely the Middle East that is destined to experience episodes of violent upheaval. What is transpiring in the Arab world will spread throughout many European states. While the call to arms will be spoken in different tongues, the underlying causes will be the same.

In December 2010 (before Tunisia made the headlines) we issued a Trend Alert titled, “Off With Their Heads!” in which we predicted a “long war between the people and the ruling classes.” We noted that, “Anyone questioning the intensity of the people’s seething anger is either out of touch or in denial.”

It wasn’t Arab anger that led us to that forecast – it was the student and worker revolts spilling into the streets of Europe. The imposition of draconian austerity measures – higher taxes, tuition hikes, lost benefits, curtailed services, public sector job cuts – had young and old raging against a rigged system that paved the way for the privileged and punished the proles.

Though millions marched through the streets of Athens, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, London and Madrid, when the protests ended, the governments were barely shaken, let alone toppled. Unlike the autocratic Arab regimes, where the tight grip of repression could only be broken by violence, in the “democratic” West the illusion of representation and placating government promises mitigated the violence.

 

Both the press and politicians assumed the protests would run their course, people would accept their fate, and, like it or not, suffer the consequences. The protests, however, have not run their course. The economic toll of austerity and unemployment continues to ravage the lower and middle classes. As we wrote in the Winter 2011 Trends Journal, “It will only be a matter of time before a series of final-straw events breaks the public’s back, setting off uncontrollable uprisings, coups (bloodless and/or military), riots and revolts throughout the financially battered world.”

 

 

***

 

 

Already the public is being conditioned to view the Egyptian military as beloved liberators. But in fact they are simply another arm of the autocratic government, no more familiar with democratic ideals than the dictator they replace … who had himself been drawn from the ranks of the military.

The world leaders and world media are not recognizing the Egyptian uprising for what it is: a prelude to a series of civil wars that will lead to regional wars, that will lead to the first “Great War” of the 21st century.

 

 

 

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Fri, 02/18/2011 - 07:32 | 973490 falak pema
falak pema's picture

Well they'll have to learn Aristotle again. Back to square one. The USA will have to learn Jefferson and GW again. So they're not the only ones at square one. We see a reverse domino theory now seemingly playing itself into the Arab world. John Foster and Allan must be squirming in their graves.

 

Fri, 02/18/2011 - 03:37 | 973384 chindit13
chindit13's picture

Clearly the CIA, home to the smartest people on the face of the Earth, is behind all of the unrest in the Middle East.  Yes, it's true...a handful of Ivy League educated GS-Scale ubermensch can herd the hundreds of millions spread across the Arab world and make them dance to whatever tune is on Leon Panettas iPod.  In fact, the CIA is also behind the Wisconsin protests, too, though the ones orchestrating that are on an internship just to see if they have what it takes.  Those guys at HQ sleep less than Tyler Durden, and never leave a stone unturned. 

Sometimes, merely out of boredom, they mess up their own chess board just to see if they can "make it all right" again, kind of like Tiger Woods going to the Masters with Bobby Jones-era clubs and balls.  Egypt is a case in point.  The US has had a staunch ally in the form of Hosni Mubarak for almost thirty years, a man who supported the US' Middle East peace efforts, aided the US in its covert operations against the Soviet occupation in Afghanistan, was the prime Arab World force in the Coalition in the first Gulf War, and has gone so far partnering with the US in the War on Terror that the US outsourced torture to his experts.  It all got too easy, so the boys in Langley tossed a wrench into their own works just to give themselves a challenge and something to do.

Did I mention that folks in the CIA could also, if they so chose, sweep the Oscars ceremony in a few weeks?  I mean, did you see Leon Panetta's performance when Egypt first started to unwind?  Acted as if he didn't have a clue.  Really, Colin Firth is lucky Leon pulled his own name from consideration.

GW, I wonder if you know that one of the favorite words of most Arabs is "mu'amarah"?  It means "conspiracy".  I never heard such bizarre and convoluted theories of the secret machinations of the world until I spent a number of years living in the Middle East.  Still, like in science, mathematics and writing, the Arabs have been eclipsed in the field of conspiracy theory, too.  A lost pride, a lost heritage.

Fri, 02/18/2011 - 00:27 | 973109 Rhodin
Rhodin's picture

Was reading this on AJE:

 

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/02/2011215123229922898.html

Does this seem like a local unit that was shooting people here?   Just wondering.

 

Fri, 02/18/2011 - 00:01 | 973063 Gloppie
Gloppie's picture

It's just begining. It will spread to Europe and to USA.

The major issue being that America is armed to the teeth, privately.

There won't be enough Police, Army and reserve to quell the violence.

Mark my words, on Monday life will be fine and on Friday major cities will be on fire. I don't know what week, but I'm quite certain it'll happen.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 20:08 | 972114 robobbob
robobbob's picture

why does everyone jump in to assume CIA?

there are many who would profit

ask what AFL/CIO affiliated union did Mubarak try to shut down?

Ask what American based leftist protest group did Mubarak prevent from entering Gaza?

What certain "color" revolution backer had a "puppet in waiting" and on the ground in days

What puppet master and teleprompter in chief  sent X$100millions into Gaza that could sure benefit from a more open Egyptian border?

Siraj Fund Management, Massar, and yet another US gov sponsored enterprise:OPIC

http://www.wafa.ps/english/index.php?action=detail&id=15111

http://www.opic.gov/

http://www.siraj.ps/news_view.php?id=1

 

Every society has those who benefit and those who suffer from the ongoing system. Fomenting revolution is about finding a way to apply enough pressure, and an instigating vanguard to set off the masses.

The western imperial empires do not benefit from a rapid and uncontrolled change in the current arrangements. But change does not mean that the person in the street hoping for change is going to be the recipient of the benefits either.

There have always been those in the shadows waiting to not let a crisis go to waste.

The Bernank has just put the entire world into crisis.

and there are a whole lot of groups making sure it doesn't go to waste.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 22:41 | 972649 Shpreken ZeFUBAR
Shpreken ZeFUBAR's picture

+1

just as many will profit, many are responsible. i know it's become great sport to heap our frustrations on The Bernank, but he's a figurehead.  No one who weilds that much power trembles so much when interviewed (yes I'm paraphrasing General Zod).  Compare and contrast Ben on "60 Minutes" with Dark Lord of the Sith Cheney's appearances after 9/11 on "Meet the Press."

This is about Great Game stagecraft.  Peak Oil just brings more players onto the dancefloor at the same time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Game

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 18:35 | 972018 geno-econ
geno-econ's picture

No matter who started outcry in MiddleEast ,seems to be widespread, spontaneous and unlikely to be supressed. Disparity of income distribution ,and more recent scarcity of resources including food is at root of problem after many years of passive obedience. This could spread to other oil rich  nations , such as Kazhakstan, where rulers do not share  revenue proceeds and 'rule for life'.  Yes, could spread to US where benefits of deficits have not been shared equally with dim prospects for future balanced growth.  While US has major military presence in Gulf states ,resources are limited considering already involved in two other gorilla type operations. Its a new world, outside Wall St ,which threatens our fossil fuel  life style as our policymakers are dumbfounded by inherent conflicts in idiology, economics and foriegn policy.  But dont blame Obama, CIA or Hillary. However, Bush II did open up pandorras box and now history will determine whether he is a hero or a fool.  Stay tuned 

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 17:08 | 971628 wee
wee's picture

I do not see evidence that US is involved in the waves of revolution. By supporting proxy despots in middle east, US ensures the security of Israel by checking Arab street. And everyone know US government is controlled by powerful Jewish lobbies.

If free election and democracy come to pass in middle east, the government will be more aligned to the outlook of Arab street. Israel will then face uncertainties.

 

 

 

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 17:05 | 971614 bronzie
bronzie's picture

"Are these (1) spontaneous protests in the Arab world (2) creations of American intelligence services or (3) the start of a world-wide unfolding of unrest?"

GlobalRev baby!

Clif High (halfpasthuman.com) and George Ure (urbansurvival.com) have been talking about it for months

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 16:56 | 971561 Raging Debate
Raging Debate's picture

The United States is the most benevolent empire in the history of the world. But that didn't make us perfect, all empires have similar flaws that emerge, pyramid concentrations of corruption and collapse.

A 4D model of national and global governance (instead of 3D pyramid) means far more representation and decentralized power. That is what mankind has started to put to practice and mankind's progress certainly doesn't go in a straight line.

 This kind of "thought" spans hundreds of years. Corporate Boards with Shareholders, Parliments, Republics of the 18th century were our human minds executing 4D management paradigm. We're at an inflection point, an acceleration of it due to the computer, advanced travel and communications which make it's implementation a complete reality. Mankind wants perpetual stability motion machine. It can only be reached with a 5D paradigm, the circle. I believe we're still at least three hundred years away from that, but just speaking of this management paradigm means our "thoughts" are slowing producing components of this foundation. I am content knowing that after this next decade or two of nastiness, we meaning ALL of us around the world will be completing the 4D paradigm. It will be quite the high time for mankind.

Zero Hedge discusses Central Banking frequently. The symbolic house is discussed which are issues and details too but far more important is the foundation of the structure. Our global strucure has a huge crack in it when the foundation of Central Banking was poured three hundred years ago.

Central Banking is a 4D structure but operates as a 3D model. To complete the model, Democracy must come to the banking system. Who cares about Obama? He answers to Central Banking. If I have no right to vote for current operational management it means our form of democracy has become a facade. Each world war seems to remind the bankers about moral responsibility. Makes sense doesn't it? When your own family dies from war then you wake the hell up. Otherwise it is the other guy's family so who cares?

America 2.0 will be interesting. As an American I can and will not hate any nationalities on earth any longer and must be most cynical why conflicts touted by leadership are important to conduct. True "rogue" nations are becoming a thing of the past.  

The vision of the U.S. empire may have been over ambitious but more benevolent than most may believe. However, whatever benevolence of this vision existing has now turned into nothing but rampant lawlessness. It is common sense. Governement's job is the policeman.

When they become the mafia itself then the people will turn to much more hostile means to restore the opportunity to benefit, taking the law into their own hands. Rebalance toward growth will happen no matter what, it is evolution. The only question becomes how many die both prole and elite for that to happen.

That is because whether you are elite or a prole your genetics still tell you growth and progress must not ever stop. EVER. The current cognitive dissonance between elite and proles on how growth should resume is what gets a large portion of the people killed. The solution is for both generation Boomer and X to bridge the generation gap, level the regulatory playing field and create new investment opportunies for reseeding. Growing saplings with the opportunity to benefit do not become terrorists. Will we make it before world war breaks out? People do call me a dreamer ;) . If nothing else perhaps we will mitigate losses... Those in China, Russia, South America are worth it, just like my American countrymen.     

Last point I want to make is that for the first time in history, mankind is really looking at the mirror at itself. The beauty and cunning of our species and our ugliness of primordial instincts where a small group of leadership can blow apart the lives of every one on earth. I am long mankind's future regardless but hedging for the short term.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 22:53 | 972943 Orly
Orly's picture

I'm with ya!

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 16:42 | 971482 Windemup
Windemup's picture

Are these (1) spontaneous protests in the Arab world (2) creations of American intelligence services or (3) the start of a world-wide unfolding of unrest?

Yes, All of the above.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 16:20 | 971361 topcallingtroll
topcallingtroll's picture

You buggers are way too boring today. George promise us something controversial tomorrow. This is fight club!

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 16:15 | 971340 DOT
DOT's picture

Oh! I know the answer. Call on me, call on me!     A: All of the above.

Do I win something?

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 15:32 | 971179 falak pema
falak pema's picture

The Apaches also wore terrible blinkers which obscured their view of the new invader to their lands... It cost them big...

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 15:13 | 971088 Joe Sixpack
Joe Sixpack's picture

I think Obama was picked for teh presidency for a reason.

 

1. ex-Muslim, at least in background

2. Raised in Indonesia

3. Possible spook background

This may be the fruits of his purpose (i.e., reinvent the Middle East).

 

The more I hear about "spontaneous" uprisings in Egypt and the Middle East, the less I believe it.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 15:47 | 971235 TBT or not TBT
TBT or not TBT's picture

"3. Possible spook background"

Obama is so clearly anti-american, since decades now, that he wouldn't have a prayer of getting a basic security clearance for a sensitive job at any level.  Now he's Commander In Chief entrusted with protecting the Republic against all enemies foreign and domestic?    Ex-spook, he definitely is not.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 15:12 | 971084 topcallingtroll
topcallingtroll's picture

Whew! I was afraid i was going to miss the junkfest! I will start the game with the magic words, israel, iraq, wmd, U.S. military. Let's play!

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 15:01 | 971045 automato
automato's picture

Just look at Wisconsin and you will see that this is the same old Beatles/Bieber style "Monkey See, Monkey Do" copycat protest because it's the cool thing to do. Let's see how long they can keep it up when the blood tally reaches to 4,5, and 6 figures. The "powers that be" know that the protesters can be fooled/shutdown by any number of tactics including the one used in Egypt. Same as it ever was.

 

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:58 | 971032 tempo
tempo's picture

The Boston Globe reports CBS did not report the gang rape of their reporter Lara Lorgan during the "peaceful demonstrations".  The story reports "brutal and sustained sexual assualts (gang rape) in the middle of a public square.   It took 20 Epyptian soldiers to rescue her from the mob of crazed men.     Since the jews "raped their land", Muslim men are reportedly allowed to rape non muslim women.  Lara is not jewish.   The Boston Globe reports a story of a jewish women being gang raped then whipped to death for having sex.   The real story is CBS covering up the Lara Lorgan story to promote the "youth and peace facebook myth".

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 16:02 | 971287 Fearless Rick
Fearless Rick's picture

I was thinking about this Lara Logan thing last night and came to the conclusion that it's a phony story, a false flag event because of a number of factors. First, CBS didn't even report on it until days after the event, and were pretty tight-lipped about it. Then, last night, none other than Sean Hannity, noted protector of women's rights, is all over the story saying, Obama has to make a statement, and how Arab nations treat women badly, blah, blah, blah, all inspired to get the right-wingnuts just a little more anti-=Arab.

If this story were true, it would have been front page stuff with the State Dept. and senators and the president all climbing over each other to get out in front of it.

It's pure bunk, baloney, and more deceit by the MSM. Besides, I watched a ton of coverage from Egypt and nary a mention of Lara Logan or a story by her, and she's usually right up front.

I call Bullshit. Watch how quickly this story fades from view. Nothing to see here, move along. 

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 15:49 | 971241 TBT or not TBT
TBT or not TBT's picture

So no one got a dick in her during the kerfuffle, or no one tried?

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 16:18 | 971347 pvzh
pvzh's picture

Even if somebody was "successful", it is better for her not to acknowledge it publicly.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:47 | 970996 johnQpublic
johnQpublic's picture

diversify

pm porfolio must contain all the physical pm's

like silver

and lead

kefaya motherfuckers

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:48 | 970986 falak pema
falak pema's picture

Hey, sorry to spoil your party. But it was John Foster Dulles and kid brother Allan at CIA who started it all over third world. Then, during the Mossadegh and Bandung conference days, if you were not pro american you were 'red', so ready to be labeled as 'licensed to be killed.' The job was so well done it's been documented by the CIA itself as a legacy of its past glory. Now it's time to get rid of those the US military complex put in place. Don't spit on History, it's being written by the people who are sons of those who were muzzled for forty years. The USA doesn't have the power to stop it...unless they go the whole hog and call it Armageddon to save western civilization. Tall story that. As these Jihadists are all financed since the fifties  by the very Saudis, autocratic plutocrats oil partners to USA, those who put all their money in Wall Street...closed loop of world capitalism. Now those who've exploited this international cabal for fifty years have decided that the US middle class are the new Apache Indians. They've changed sides...and your on their list.

Crazy brave new world!

 

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 22:11 | 972815 Miles Kendig
Miles Kendig's picture

Industrial byproducts of the globalist concept of rolling minimalist conflicts as a means to prevent big ones while maximizing profit potential premised upon making those other folks suffer.  That's why the globalists developed places where they could torture at will rather than attempting to move the ball in their own societies.  Epic fail.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:24 | 970901 midtowng
midtowng's picture

It's not the CIA. That's the story the Arab governments want people to believe. It's also not Iran, or Israel. It's the people themselves.

It's been so long since you saw a legit grassroots uprising that people can't recognize it.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 18:18 | 971959 tonyw
tonyw's picture

Tunisia, Egypt & Libya all had/have very long standing dictators that have enriched themselves and their families at the people's expense - corruption and cronyism and the people have just had enough.

Yes the government's claim the foreigners are causing the problems as its usually easy to identify foreigners.

Bahrain is a bit different with a Shia majority being ruled by a Sunni minority, it has many imported Sunnis (e.g. Pakistan) in the army so they might be more willing to shoot.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:36 | 970955 MrBoompi
MrBoompi's picture

I agree. The last thing the CIA and "the establishment" want is a bunch of Arab countries run by Muslim theocrats.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 15:51 | 971247 Fearless Rick
Fearless Rick's picture

I am also in agreement that the CIA is not involved, for a number of reasons, foremost, that Leon Panetta doesn't have a clue, not does Clapper. Our intelligence apparatus has fallen apart since the inception of DHS. Too many turf wars and no real "business" being done.

The CIA is too busy in Afghanistan, Pakistan and China anyhow. Also, the protests, especially in Bahrain, were very small and loosely organized. Not at all like the "color" revolutions in Lebanon, Ukraine, et. al.

The US is not behind any of this. It's just natural for people, when they get to the end of the rope, to look for somebody to hang with it. Oppression and tyranny always results in public protest and it's coming to Europe and the US in short order, though I give it about 12-18 months before the US goes "balls out."

The banksters and pols have more to steal, in money and elections. We may not make it to the 2012 elections before a global war engulfs everything. Starts in Israel, which, of course, is the worst place to start a war, because it will escalate and spread quickly.

Somehow, I believe that's part of the plan.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 15:42 | 971217 TBT or not TBT
TBT or not TBT's picture

At the top of the CIA these days we have folks getting their info from CNN, and above them a President whose autobiographical writings show him to be anti-occidental and pro-socialist.    Islam when fully applied ends up having lot in common with socialism.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:23 | 970887 curbyourrisk
curbyourrisk's picture

WOW...never had so many videos blocked at work at one time before..  I hate WEBSENSE...

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:13 | 970854 apberusdisvet
apberusdisvet's picture

If Obama was a true Muslim, he would support any activity that might lead to an autocratic Islamic state (Egypt) and not take action against any regime that was already an autocratic state (Iran).  Let's see how it all plays out.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:08 | 970834 bmwm395
bmwm395's picture

We have to take a wait and see attitude, see what develops. If democracy or

some kind of representative government develops. Great for us and them. If not grab

your gun, lock and load we have crossed the line of deparcher.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:06 | 970822 George Washington
George Washington's picture

For the record, I am NOT saying I believe America is behind this.  I am agnostic.  I am simply presenting different views.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 21:14 | 972619 Shpreken ZeFUBAR
Shpreken ZeFUBAR's picture

Good compilation GW.  But to help shed light on this: Iran is not part of nor ever will it be part of the Arab world.  Persians are as different from Arabs as are Indians from Chinese.  You want to call it "Muslim world," or "developing world" that's closer to the mark.  This is way beyond a pan-Arab issue.

I see the point of your article as being more Socratic (the questions...) and not anti-American. Your core point was to question the underlying motives here -- this is more than internal or external political forces.  Both perhaps are at play, plus as we've all chimed in on, economic as well.  Reminds me of the historical influence in the region, with British, American and Russian predominating.

http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/mideast/041600iran-cia-index.html for our sorted history in the region

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Game for a larger perspective (we didn't start this board game, and we won't finish it either.  Dim sum, anyone?)

cheers,

SzF

 

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 22:06 | 972799 Miles Kendig
Miles Kendig's picture

Most definitely not some dim.  Nice

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 19:08 | 972155 Fred C Dobbs
Fred C Dobbs's picture

Exactly right.  You are asking the question because the United States covert government has done it before.  

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:55 | 971023 TBT or not TBT
TBT or not TBT's picture

Egyptians on the other hand, are not agnostic.    90% Islamic and enthusiastic about enforcing it, with large majorities believing in the death penalty for anyone exiting Islam.    We WANT a disciplined military in control of that country and backing strictly secular and secularising regimes over the long haul, a la Turkey under Ataturk.   Democratic elections will result in something worse, both for egyptians and for us.   The former are victims of a psychotic totalitarian sect.   We're doing them a favor preventing them from having a governement made in its image.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:36 | 970957 Snake
Snake's picture

I never thought GW was saying the US was behind arab uprisings.  I do think some of us here decided (why?) it was an "anti US" article.  In fact, to me, the article is very clear = furious class uprisings all over the world.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:07 | 970821 Robert Neville
Robert Neville's picture

It makes me wonder where Obama's heart is. He did everything he could to get Hosni out but he doesn't lift a finger to get rid of Achmedinijad. you are correct that we don't have a clue how all of this will play out. The fact that Egypt is letting Iran go through the canal says a lot.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 14:13 | 970853 gorillaonyourback
gorillaonyourback's picture

your view is very flawed, not being mean but look at the way hillary clinton was talkin about egypt before hosni got tossed, she was saying let the demonstrators protest in peace and work things out and keep hosni in power. now look at how she talks about iran she blatantly calling for the overthrow of iran.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 16:27 | 971390 Robert Neville
Robert Neville's picture

Hillary is not Obama. They live in two different worlds. Hillary will do what it takes to make herself rich and powerful by selling access and state secrets just like her husband. Obama is an ideologue who wants to remake the world in his own image. I doubt they even talk to each other. None of them give a rats ass about anyone but themselves.

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 16:57 | 971571 gorillaonyourback
gorillaonyourback's picture

she the secretary of state,lololololo

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 16:33 | 971441 Amabo Kcarab
Thu, 02/17/2011 - 17:03 | 971597 gorillaonyourback
gorillaonyourback's picture

after seeing that video it only justifies my opinion we neeed a REVOLUTION.  that bitch gets to spew her shit and not get questioned. fascism pure and simple.  fuck republicans fuck democrates we need americans to stand up for the people(sheeple) :(

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 13:57 | 970784 Hannibal
Hannibal's picture

Oh my God,..is the USofA the real axes of evil?

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 13:50 | 970760 SilverFiend
SilverFiend's picture

So the CIA is behind it all yet the CIA director

gets his information regarding the these events

from watching CNN.  Why would the CIA topple

autocratic regimes that are favorable to the U.S.

for a regime that mey or may not be favorable to

U.S. interests?  Oh, that's right,  Obama is not

looking out for U.S. interests is he?  Just like the

author of this post.  The real George Washington

would kick your ass!

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