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Ex-NSA Director, US Intelligence Veterans Write Open Letter To Merkel To Avoid All-Out Ukraine War
Alarmed at the anti-Russian hysteria sweeping Washington, and the specter of a new Cold War, U.S. intelligence veterans one of whom is none other than William Binney, the former senior NSA crypto-mathematician who back in March 2012 blew the whistle on the NSA's spying programs more than a year before Edward Snowden, took the unusual step of sending the following memo dated August 30 to German Chancellor Merkel challenging the reliability of Ukrainian and U.S. media claims about a Russian "invasion."
Via AntiWar and ConsortiumNews, highlights ours
MEMORANDUM FOR: Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
FROM: Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS)
SUBJECT: Ukraine and NATO
We the undersigned are longtime veterans of U.S. intelligence. We take the unusual step of writing this open letter to you to ensure that you have an opportunity to be briefed on our views prior to the NATO summit on September 4-5.
You need to know, for example, that accusations of a major Russian "invasion" of Ukraine appear not to be supported by reliable intelligence. Rather, the "intelligence" seems to be of the same dubious, politically "fixed" kind used 12 years ago to "justify" the U.S.-led attack on Iraq. We saw no credible evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq then; we see no credible evidence of a Russian invasion now. Twelve years ago, former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, mindful of the flimsiness of the evidence on Iraqi WMD, refused to join in the attack on Iraq. In our view, you should be appropriately suspicions of charges made by the US State Department and NATO officials alleging a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
President Barack Obama tried yesterday to cool the rhetoric of his own senior diplomats and the corporate media, when he publicly described recent activity in the Ukraine, as "a continuation of what’s been taking place for months now … it’s not really a shift."
Obama, however, has only tenuous control over the policymakers in his administration – who, sadly, lack much sense of history, know little of war, and substitute anti-Russian invective for a policy. One year ago, hawkish State Department officials and their friends in the media very nearly got Mr. Obama to launch a major attack on Syria based, once again, on "intelligence" that was dubious, at best.
Largely because of the growing prominence of, and apparent reliance on, intelligence we believe to be spurious, we think the possibility of hostilities escalating beyond the borders of Ukraine has increased significantly over the past several days. More important, we believe that this likelihood can be avoided, depending on the degree of judicious skepticism you and other European leaders bring to the NATO summit next week.
Experience With Untruth
Hopefully, your advisers have reminded you of NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen’s checkered record for credibility. It appears to us that Rasmussen’s speeches continue to be drafted by Washington. This was abundantly clear on the day before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq when, as Danish Prime Minister, he told his Parliament: "Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. This is not something we just believe. We know."
Photos can be worth a thousand words; they can also deceive. We have considerable experience collecting, analyzing, and reporting on all kinds of satellite and other imagery, as well as other kinds of intelligence. Suffice it to say that the images released by NATO on August 28 provide a very flimsy basis on which to charge Russia with invading Ukraine. Sadly, they bear a strong resemblance to the images shown by Colin Powell at the UN on February 5, 2003 that, likewise, proved nothing.
That same day, we warned President Bush that our former colleague analysts were "increasingly distressed at the politicization of intelligence" and told him flatly, "Powell’s presentation does not come close" to justifying war. We urged Mr. Bush to "widen the discussion … beyond the circle of those advisers clearly bent on a war for which we see no compelling reason and from which we believe the unintended consequences are likely to be catastrophic."
Consider Iraq today. Worse than catastrophic. Although President Vladimir Putin has until now showed considerable reserve on the conflict in the Ukraine, it behooves us to remember that Russia, too, can "shock and awe." In our view, if there is the slightest chance of that kind of thing eventually happening to Europe because of Ukraine, sober-minded leaders need to think this through very carefully.
If the photos that NATO and the US have released represent the best available "proof" of an invasion from Russia, our suspicions increase that a major effort is under way to fortify arguments for the NATO summit to approve actions that Russia is sure to regard as provocative. Caveat emptor is an expression with which you are no doubt familiar. Suffice it to add that one should be very cautious regarding what Mr. Rasmussen, or even Secretary of State John Kerry, are peddling.
We trust that your advisers have kept you informed regarding the crisis in Ukraine from the beginning of 2014, and how the possibility that Ukraine would become a member of NATO is anathema to the Kremlin. According to a February 1, 2008 cable (published by WikiLeaks) from the US embassy in Moscow to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, US Ambassador William Burns was called in by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who explained Russia’s strong opposition to NATO membership for Ukraine.
Lavrov warned pointedly of "fears that the issue could potentially split the country in two, leading to violence or even, some claim, civil war, which would force Russia to decide whether to intervene." Burns gave his cable the unusual title, "NYET MEANS NYET: RUSSIA’S NATO ENLARGEMENT REDLINES," and sent it off to Washington with IMMEDIATE precedence. Two months later, at their summit in Bucharest NATO leaders issued a formal declaration that "Georgia and Ukraine will be in NATO."
Just yesterday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk used his Facebook page to claim that, with the approval of Parliament that he has requested, the path to NATO membership is open. Yatsenyuk, of course, was Washington’s favorite pick to become prime minister after the February 22 coup d’etat in Kiev. "Yats is the guy," said Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland a few weeks before the coup, in an intercepted telephone conversation with US Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt. You may recall that this is the same conversation in which Nuland said, "Fuck the EU."
Timing of the Russian "Invasion"
The conventional wisdom promoted by Kiev just a few weeks ago was that Ukrainian forces had the upper hand in fighting the anti-coup federalists in southeastern Ukraine, in what was largely portrayed as a mop-up operation. But that picture of the offensive originated almost solely from official government sources in Kiev. There were very few reports coming from the ground in southeastern Ukraine. There was one, however, quoting Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, that raised doubt about the reliability of the government’s portrayal.
According to the "press service of the President of Ukraine" on August 18, Poroshenko called for a "regrouping of Ukrainian military units involved in the operation of power in the East of the country. … Today we need to do the rearrangement of forces that will defend our territory and continued army offensives," said Poroshenko, adding, "we need to consider a new military operation in the new circumstances."
If the "new circumstances" meant successful advances by Ukrainian government forces, why would it be necessary to "regroup," to "rearrange" the forces? At about this time, sources on the ground began to report a string of successful attacks by the anti-coup federalists against government forces. According to these sources, it was the government army that was starting to take heavy casualties and lose ground, largely because of ineptitude and poor leadership.
Ten days later, as they became encircled and/or retreated, a ready-made excuse for this was to be found in the "Russian invasion." That is precisely when the fuzzy photos were released by NATO and reporters like the New York Times’ Michael Gordon were set loose to spread the word that "the Russians are coming." (Michael Gordon was one of the most egregious propagandists promoting the war on Iraq.)
No Invasion – But Plenty Other Russian Support
The anti-coup federalists in southeastern Ukraine enjoy considerable local support, partly as a result of government artillery strikes on major population centers. And we believe that Russian support probably has been pouring across the border and includes, significantly, excellent battlefield intelligence. But it is far from clear that this support includes tanks and artillery at this point – mostly because the federalists have been better led and surprisingly successful in pinning down government forces.
At the same time, we have little doubt that, if and when the federalists need them, the Russian tanks will come.
This is precisely why the situation demands a concerted effort for a ceasefire, which you know Kiev has so far been delaying. What is to be done at this point? In our view, Poroshenko and Yatsenyuk need to be told flat-out that membership in NATO is not in the cards – and that NATO has no intention of waging a proxy war with Russia – and especially not in support of the ragtag army of Ukraine. Other members of NATO need to be told the same thing.
For the Steering Group, Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity
- William Binney, former Technical Director, World Geopolitical & Military Analysis, NSA; co-founder, SIGINT Automation Research Center (ret.)
- David MacMichael, National Intelligence Council (ret.)
- Ray McGovern, former US Army infantry/intelligence officer & CIA analyst (ret.)
- Elizabeth Murray, Deputy National Intelligence Officer for Middle East (ret.)
- Todd E. Pierce, MAJ, US Army Judge Advocate (Ret.)
- Coleen Rowley, Division Counsel & Special Agent, FBI (ret.)
- Ann Wright, Col., US Army (ret.); Foreign Service Officer (resigned)
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Having lived in Russia for 2 years there are a lot of Russians who would see Russia taking over Ukraine as restoring the glory of the old Soviet Union. And after Finland, Sweden will be next.... I wouldn't join NATO because you can't trust other countries, but I'd make sure that you are prepared and watched who is coming into your country. Things that the USA isn't doing because they are asleep at the wheel.
What do you mean with "after Finland, Sweden is next"? I don't see anything that supports that. Why would Russia want Finland or Sweden? I am sure Russia remembers the incredible losses they took when they attacked Finland during the 2'nd World war. And what would be the purpose of taking Sweden? A heavily armed country bigger than Germany without any real natural resources. No significant part of our population is russian (or former russian) like in Estonia, Lathvia and Lithuania or Ukraine. I doubt any country is hugely interested in trying to attack Sweden.
So are you okay if they just take Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and maybe Poland? Would that be reasonable? As long as they don't have designs on Sweden, right?
I meant if they "re-take" those areas. It's not like there's any history, right?
What evidence are there to support any Russian expansion whatsoever? I haven't seen Russia attacking any other country. The reason I mentioned Estonia and other countries was that I pointed out they have a large Russian population unlike Sweden which make them more difficult to control during a conflict. I don't think I wrote that it is OK to re-take them. I guess you have "read between the lines".
No, you write like a pacifist with the idea of "It's not our problem."
Where did this idea come from, too that anyone who speaks Russian is somehow a potential part of Russia? Does Britain claim any right to everyone who speaks English? Since there was a USSR it is natural there will be Russian speakers most everywhere in the old empire. Everyone in China speaks Mandarin because of Mao. The world speaks English because of Britain and commerce. Russia does not own all Russian speakers nor would I assume they all loved the Motherland ever since 1918.
Afghanistan. Crimea.
I never said that Russia could claim anything. I said that it looks like Russia IS NOT claiming or re-claiming any other countries. Contrary to that, there are people in those old Russian-controlled countries who would like to be part of Russia again.
(The Soviet-Afghan war ended 25 years ago.)
Sweden needs to stay out of NATO. Remember the Thirty Years War !
It is hard for me to remember things that happened 400 years ago. And I am pretty sure Nato had nothing to do with them...or Russia. But I agree we should stay out of Nato!
I agree with you on the Russians. The only reason why I voted you down is that our speculation of what the US is up to varies.
The US doesn't want any more energy. The Chinese AMERICANS and wannabe Vis holders haven't been able to get the EB-5 Visa incentives with investments to expand beyong real estate and construction. They want the option to invest in AMERICAN oil research and exploration.
The U.S. want to CONTROL the energy so they can hoard it with artificial "demand" hikes or artificial "shortages" to gouge customers- this is the exact opposite of "supply side" economics and why the ugly boomer infested political class hates the Reagan Administration.
Ask yourself why the politicrats didn't whine to OPEC including Indonesia about fracking?
The artificial demand is how they're stealing from people in need of shelter, apartments, housing, classes at SMCC, etc.
Patently stupid. Economically illiterat. Historically inaccurate. Perfect leftist reasoning.
Thank you FreedomGuy! Your intelligent arguments are very convincing!
Not worth the time, this time.
I agree with you that the control of energy is important to the US. However, the only reason that the US doesn't want more energy is that they rely on other countries for production. The US currently have a 15% energy import, but adding the energy used to produce everything imported to the US, it would be much higher. In the event of a weak dollar, the US would have to start producing again and export or trade with other countries. This is when they need more energy.
the smoke and mirrors crowd is out in full force lamenting the sad state of ZH articles and posters.
it is so nice to hear that they have the best interests of all of us in mind.
some can't contribute anymore than their condolences.
others spin a logic that even they can't reasonably follow
living with a lie and in a lie 24 hrs a day - zombies
LMAO
What would you prefer?
Who cares whether Binney is GS-14 or not, Obama is the ONLY elected member of The Executive and he is clearly not accountable or in control so much for the US Imperial Constitution
Unfortunately, the people running things these days care nothing for the truth. Because the truth does not help them personally to stay in office or enrich themselves. They are interested only in a "good story" which will keep them in power, or, send the money flowing in their direction. If this good story is found out to be a lie, that does not worry them, they know they can just make a new good story, to cover their tracks. They know they can get people to believe anything.
War Over! S&P record high 2008 & rising DAX up 100 Gold & Silver plunge
Germany will not wreck its economy to maintain the US dollar shell game.
Putin said he was going to reveal the truth of the 911 attacks.
Snowden's final bombshell.
Woring with Germany to disclose the story.
Filing charges soon.
Honest Americans, bravo !
Too little, too late?
You are easily duped.
I admire "heretics" who were spear carriers of "status quo" and had the courage to step out of line, when the fog around their previous beliefs dissipated.
Like Snowden. It takes a strong man to step out of Caesar's Praetorian guard.
Did Snowden also dupe us?
Putin regime trolls lies that people in east Ukraine like for example Mariupol, are against their country, want to be "libirated" by pro-Russian military forces, want new state Novorosia, etc. That's all lies.
Here is some example:
http://youtu.be/twbtLU9YUzw
http://youtu.be/RbIVD8lWw2E
http://youtu.be/euvJ9qiiX3s
http://youtu.be/XaebgSdZqMQ
I'm not aware that Putin has any trolls. Maybe/Maybe not.
What I am aware of is that YOU are a troll. After seeing the relentless numbers of pro-war comments you post on ZH - and probably other forums - I have no doubt about that.
As for your latest troll, I have not seen anybody on ZH claim that everybody in East Ukie wants to leave Ukie to join Russia. Not even Putin has made that claim. They appear to want federation status with substantial autonomy from Kiev and the Russian language fully recognised etc etc.
The important point you ignore is that it is their right to self-determination, not that of the fascist Poroshenko or his puppet-masters in Washington, Brussels or Westminster. Get it??
So, what is your point in trying to post lies and disingenuous garbage to paint a false picture of what people in East Ukie want??
Have A Nice Day.
Trolls don't have a point. They're trolls.
does zh believe that a troll is anybody who doesn't think that the jews are behind every calamity and conspiracy?
1. TO be against Putin regime that occupied and annexed Crimea and now invades east Ukraine - doesn't mean person is "pro-war"
2. In videos I posted you can see that people in east Ukraine like one I shown people are singing Ukraine anthem, showing Ukraine flag, building trench to prepare against Russian invasion. Does that looks like they want to separete from Ukraine?
3. Poroshenko was elected by Ukranian citizens in democratic elections. Not like in some "referendum fraud" where in open streets people put as many possible papers and no-one controls that process because as Stalin said: "It's not important how people vote, it's important how votes are counted." In no state it's possible to gather around in some neibourhood with some people from there and some from foreign countries and make "referendum" (as I described) and name it as "self-determination".
4. Where is "self-determination" in Russia? Putin is president Medvedev is prime minister than Medvedev is president and Putin ir prime-minister than Putin is president Medvedev is prime minister... what a show... that's not democracy at all. That is fiction.
By what you have wrote I can say that you are a troll. Thanks for admiting it your self.
My condolences to the people of Latvia for having to endure this retarded, delusional polack living among them.
"...TO be against Putin regime that occupied and annexed Crimea and now invades east Ukraine"
Putin didn't annexe Crimea. The people voted overwhelmingly to rejoin Russia.
Putin invaded East Ukraine?? Was that last Thursday? Or was it Tuesday? Please tell me the date it happened. Surely we would have been shown Kms of video footage and photos of columns of Russian tanks, APCs, artillery and soldiers invading. No? How about the air cover needed?
I strongly suggest you read this: http://cluborlov.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/how-can-you-tell-whether-russia-...
Soon after the Marathon bombing in the USA, on the 25th day of April, the US National Security Agency has been sanctioned by a secret order by the foreign intelligence court related to Verizon Communication, a mobile phone provider with 98.9 million wireless customers. The order stated to record every communication has been broadcasted over the channel of Verizon Communication for 3 month period. The urge to use sign language to communicate well otherwise you might leave in record of intelligence and you sure don’t want that. Prism Program has frozen the free right to say and to do things on our own. To get protection we have disclosed our privacy, that’s how its gone work. A VPN Like purevpn is left as the only spot to captivate, what has left on the internet?
Imagine how America's international and internal standing could be if it was run by these kinds of people. Instead of the shitshow you are currently, bafflingly, tolerating at the moment.
You did all notice that your president is a useless gay nigger, right?
These kinds of people created precisely the Constitutional decimation that US citizens are sinking in.
Besides the gay-a-day priority in the USA, the other is war. War is stimulus and a bailout for the elite.
Nothing matters but the banks, paid for by the blood of other people's children - poor patriots only that is.
He's useless to us, not tptb.
....with the intelligence of a piece of burnt toast.
This man, of unknown origin, a deviant pervert, a drug-addicted psychopath has control of nuclear weapons.
Obama will surpass Lee Harvey Oswald as being the dumbest patsy in US history.
What's this "will" shit? DId you see his economic team lead by Summers, Geithner and Fools Inc?
Zero's fate was sealed on the first day of office.
Putin is just trying to make profit jerking the markets when he says/does stuff.
Hey Barry, you might want to reconsider pink-slipping officers.
When governments spy on their people and government propaganda programs intersect it is very dangerous and the potential of abuse is huge. This leads down a road towards less freedom and is paved with the bones of all those who have failed to be outraged by governments slowly removing their liberties This leaves all of us open to both blackmail or abuse by those in power for what they claim is a greater good as they determine just what that might be.
Never overestimate the sophistication and ability of our government to clarify exactly what is happening anywhere and at any time. The recent score of scandals plaguing Washington makes it clear that more fact-free confusion and speculation the fuel of propaganda-based reporting system is in no shortage. More on this subject in the article below.
http://brucewilds.blogspot.com/2014/07/when-propaganda-and-surveillance....
The National Defense Authorization Act allows the U.S. government to use propanganda against us.
well done people, well done.
ouch, aint that a kick in the ass....I'm starting to realy dislike Obama
Bath House Barry and his owners need to be removed from Power immediately through some form of legal means.
There has been a Coup d'Etat in Washington by the Obama puppet Regime.
Unless there is direct action to suppress the machinations of this cadre, there will be a War. It will not be restricted to Ukraine. It may affect CONUS.
These people are all but utterly out of control. They will not hesitate to sacrifice millions of Americans in a nuclear exchange.
Let me be blunt, IMO, if the Congress fails to act, then there will be many dead politicians if the nukes go off.
We The People know Congress has no concern for America. Perhaps you have concern for your own pitiful corrupt lives.
Not feeling very cheerful this morning, are we?
Try some decaf.
No, I'm fine.
I do not live in a place which will get nuked.
This is just another piece of propaganda.
The reporting in this article? Propaganda?
Yes, go look up VIPS...
USA intelligence is a Fascist racket.
Everyone is a terrorist and the Constitution is a load of choad to these so-called "professionals"
Like it or not, these "reformed" intelligence heads created precisely the abortion of due process and rule of law they portend to support in this letter. I suppose no one saw that coming too - these ass clowns are cowards for not controlling it through the "W" thrown presidency. "W" monetized the oval office with corruption and Obama is no different. That genie doesn't go back into the bottle.
Washington DC is a Fascist-entrenched joke. Believe absolutely nothing except power being taken back by the States.
After Nuland's remark about screwing EU, really surprised group of ex-intelligence officers did not insist "DUMP NULAND". Therefore invite all Zerhedge contributators and commentors to end their posts with----DUMP NULAND, DUMP NULAND DUMP NULAND. There,now I feel better!
Truth telling is verboten!
FU Canada. Just had to throw that in.
Putin hacks the NATO meetings Power point address with an audio of Reggie slipping Obama the salami.
Meeting over.
Putin wins again.
Ukraine is within Russia's sphere of influence...US/NATO has been very aggressive in taking over the former Eastern Europe Warsaw Pact nations
"US/NATO has been very aggressive in taking over the former Eastern Europe Warsaw Pact nations"
No, NATO did not take anything. All eastern-europea countries wanted to join NATO and that's a very good thing. You know what? East-european countries were under russian influence for more than 50 years and no one wants that back. Including ukrainians. Please understand: no one wants russians back, pure and simple.
You can downvote me as much as you want and you can fill gigabytes of cheap RT-propaganda, nobody believes anything coming from that area.
sure, is West fault to be so tollerant with putin's actions. But that wont last.
Those Eastern nations were under Nazi Occupation for 4 years and failed to liberate themselves. The USSR put Jewish Communists in charge after they occupied and kept troops garrisoned until 1990 to preseve a buffer against further Western invasions.
They left peacefully and returned home. Clinton broke the pledge and let Poland et al dictate terms just as they now want all agreements with Russia from 1997 violated and NATO to position invasion forces where the Wehrmacht sited them in 1941-42.
Poles from Western Poland fought in the Wehrmacht, many captured at Falaise in 1944. The ones who fought with the British had been Stalin's prisoners from Eastern Poland turned over in 1941 to the British through Iran.
The US is not bound by scraps of paper, it is a hegemon and must live in a state of Total War. Clearly there will be fewer US cities in coming years and more radioactivity in certain states because nuclear war seems inevitable and I don't think it will be in Europe - mainly USA and UK I should have thought
Nuclear war does not work that way.
If someone gets nuked, everyone gets nuked.
Care package for VIPS...
Thanks for the "letter" guys. Hope you're all sleeping better at night after you read this one...
Bill you can only say you are sorry for what you did at the "Fort" so many times untill it falls on deaf ears!
THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THIS ANALYSIS IS it proposes no way to halt the resumption of the grand, millenia-established European tradition of borders changing by force.
The question for Europe is whether risking a nuclear war to extend the absence of that tradition is worth it.
It is an open question whether it is worth it to the US. An ordered Europe - even in financial distress - could be a useful ally when the Rothschild-Rockefeller banking-fiat-currency order as it currently exists, collapses. Is having Europe politically secure worth the risk of Armageddon? I don't know, but I think not.
The US needs an 'American Spring' event to lessen the Government's parasitical draining of national resources - preferably via peaceful political awakening, and facing of realities.
If the millenia-old European Tradition of constant warfare and shifting borders resumes after its short absence since WWII, then this will drain Europe's resources - including Russia's, at the same time that the US is dramatically weakened due to long term fiscal irresponsibility.
All of this plays into China's hands.
Read the last paragraph again.
It's pretty clear in case you missed it.
I didn't miss the last paragraph.
Perhaps you missed the implications?
If the analysts do not doubt that Russian tanks will come rolling in when the Separatists need them, then that equates to the changing of a border by military force.
It is a mistake to view such an event as isolated.
There are innumerable entities in Europe who can make claims on territory similar to Putin's "Novaya Rossiya" assertions.
Putin's success is a greenlight to them. It is waiving heroin before the nose of a recovering addict.
While some are preoccupied with echoes of Hitler and Suddetenland, the important thing to remember is that at the close of WWII these types of claims and subsequent annexations, had been the RULE rather than the EXCEPTION in Europe for the entirety of recorded history.
National Leaders - and leading coalitions - are universally composed of ambitious people. When they see there is a good chance at fulfilling their ambitions through military force, they will attempt it.
The lamb that lies on the table is the so-called 'PAX AMERICANA" enforced by NATO (or someone else). This is why Putin's METHOD of pursuing his aims are dangerous. If Putin is successful in Southern Ukraine, it will be the end of PAX AMERICANA. NATO may labor on afterward for years - or even decades. But it will be already be dead in any realistic functional sense, because subsequent challenges to the European peace will INEVITABLY come from within the alliance.
So, on one hand you have a resumption of permanent warfare in Europe, as was the case for the last 2500 years before WWII.
On the other hand you have the risk of Armageddon.
Ironically, BOTH OUTCOMES will result in a comparative recession of Russia's power on the world stage, and Europe's power generally.
That is why I highlighted that this all plays into China's hands.
When did Euro borders stop changing?? In the 80s there was Yugoslavia, then the USSR fell and many borders changed, Ukraine, Belorussia became independent. You could say the same for all of Eastern Europe. Then there was Kosovo, carved out of Serbia. Chekoslovakia broke up. Russia's border with Georgia just changed not to long ago. When was this mythical period of no border changes you refer to?
Thought of another one Cyprus broke into Greek and Turkish sections.
This Euro-borders can't change has become an MSM talking point to justify the 'sanctity' of Ukraine's borders, but its like most things MSM, a false narrative.
The fact that borders change is not important.
The WAY THAT THEY change is important.
Yugoslavia disintegrated in the 1990's, not the 1980. In the 1980's you could still buy a Ford 'Yugo'.
No one marched an Army into Ukraine, or BeloRussia to make them independent, nor to the rest of Eastern Europe.
Czechoslavakia was always held together by duct tape and convenience. It was one nation rather than two only as a result of the Armistices at the end of the World Wars. The division of Czechoslavakia into the Czechs and the Slav's was the resumption of their traditional relationships, and was done peacefully.
The difference between doing things voluntarily, and at gun point is the biggest difference of motivation in the whole of human experience.
The ENDS do not justify the MEANS. Because of causation, ENDS and MEANS are part of a contiguous whole.
Why do you leave out Kosovo?
At this very time my comment is posted,
top headlines at Yahoo are:
Putin Threatens Nuclear War Over Ukraine
US Jets Hit ISIL
US Strike in Somalia
No mention of experts warning.
Apparently the MSM & ZH disagree as to what is most newsworthy
Tragically 12 years ago Merkel, as leader of the opposition, was fully on board with the US invasion of Iraq, she even apologised personally to Bush for the German position under Schroeders SPD and Green coalition at the time.
http://www.welt.de/print-welt/article411719/Schroeder-Doesnt-Speak-for-A...
An embarrassing episode her party, the CDU, have since tried to bury.
Unfortunately,
the letter had to be addressed to Merkel as the best hope for reason,however unlikely.
By bypassing Obama, they implicitly recognize, though they soft-pedaled it in the letter,
that Obama is supportive of those "hawkish" officials and also is one of those
"who, sadly, lack much sense of history, know little of war, and substitute anti-Russian
invective for a policy."
(Cameron? Hollande? What a gaggle of lunatics)
US games in Europe against Russia has simply made Putin and his national agenda stronger and more heavily supported domestically. It has increase his and his agenda's power. So even if Putin is replaced, not much would change, and in fact may be more aggressive in its response to US meddling.
These stupid sanctions against Russia from an ecnomically weaker Europe and US against a ecnomically stronger Russia and a Russia with a strong military ability....will only serve to make Russia strategically stronger in the longer term as it builds stronger relationships with others and builds systems to replace those which the US continually abuses to try and game play Russia. The US is like some nasty virus that Russia is building immunity from.
US is also shitting in its nest in Europe as those countries can no longer bear the ecnomic cost of US egomanic geopolitical games.
It seems odd to me that nobody in the West is using the shooting down of an international airliner as propaganda.
Seagulls.
Case closed.
I just heard it on an NPR story this morning. One of the talking head "experts" brought up MH17 as a reason why Putin is evil.
and the nefarious aid convoy "invasion"
this is kind of a big deal. these guys are warning her because the guys inside can't. this is like a mutiny. it is a big deal.
But these are FORMER intel officials, so they can't possibly have accurate intel...or even sound judgement. A little global war with Russia would be good for everyone - especially in growing our central banker run military / industrial / communications matrix. And it won't take long anyway - just like Rumsfeld made clear before Iraq: "Five days or five months, but it certainly isn't going to last longer." (Donald Rumsfeld, 11/15/2002).
besnook: this is kind of a big deal. these guys are warning her because the guys inside can't. this is like a mutiny. it is a big deal.
Binney's story is very interesting too. Fedgov tried 8 ways to Sunday to hammer him and he covered his ass legally.
I didn't see any tribeman surnames on that list...oh wait they must have gotten purged by Nuland & Co.
The evidence is pretty slim re the whole Russian 'invasion' and seems to be mostly coming from some dubious sources. Hell we can spy on anyone in the world with our NSA satellites and take a photo of a ball point pen from 5000 miles yet we can get definitive data on Russian tanks & weaponry in Ukraine? And still no release of the black box and air traffic control recordings? Come on who's kidding who here? When will the press start asking questions??
Beautiful day in Kiev!! :)
http://liveuamap.com/
Add this new column to the thread since it is warning essentailly of the same thing from a historical perspective.
http://buchanan.org/blog/behind-sinking-lusitania-6935
The question posed: If America did not permit England to being us into WWI ,would there ever have been a WWII with Hitler?