(2019-01-26). US intensifies anti-Maduro push as Russia backs Venezuelan ally. aljazeera.com US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to urge UN Security Council to recognise Guaido, a proposal already opposed by Russia.
(2019-01-25). How Washington's Devastating "Economic Blockade" of Venezuela Helped Pave the Way for Coup Attempt. democracynow.org 
Venezuela remains in a state of crisis as opposition forces—with the backing of the United States—attempt to unseat the government of Nicolás Maduro. On Thursday, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said the military continues to stand by Maduro. His remarks came one day after President Trump announced that the U.S. would recognize opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela's new leader. Guaidó, the new head of Venezuela's National Assembly, declared himself president on Wednesday during a large opposition protest. Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the U.S. to r…
(2019-01-25). Watch 14th Vigil for Assange Here at 4PM EST Today. consortiumnews.com As Julian Assange's lawyers filed a petition with the Inter-American Court for Human Rights and WikiLeaks is mentioned in a new Mueller indictment unveiled Friday, join us live for an online discussion starting at 4pm. Tune in at 4 pm…. Read more →
(2019-01-25). War Against Iran Becoming Ever More Likely. commondreams.org Mike Pompeo, Donald Trump, and John Bolton (Photo: State Department via Wikimedia Commons) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/pompeo.jpeg…
(2019-01-25). Pompeo, Hypocrisy and War. counterpunch.org On January 2 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Brazil, and his Department noted that in discussions with Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo they "highlighted the importance of working together to address regional and global challenges, including supporting the people of Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua in restoring their democratic governance and their human rights." Pompeo More
(2019-01-25). The Illegal CIA Operation That Brought Us 9/11. truthdig.com Was it conspiracy or idiocy that led to the failure of U.S. intelligence agencies to detect and prevent the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon headquarters? That's one of the questions at the heart of "The Watchdogs Didn't Bark: The CIA, NSA, and the Crimes of the War on Terror," by John Duffy and Ray Nowosielski. In their careful and thorough investigation of the events leading up to the attacks, the authors uncover a story about the Central Intelligence Agency's neglect, possible criminal activities and a cover-up that may have allowed al-Qaida to carry out its plans uninhibited by g…
(2019-01-25). CodePink's Medea Benjamin Disrupts Pompeo Speech to Denounce U.S. Regime Change Agenda in Venezuela. democracynow.org 
On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pledged to send $20 million to the Venezuelan opposition in the form of humanitarian aid to address the shortages of food and medicine caused in part by harsh U.S. sanctions. Pompeo made the announcement while speaking at the OAS, the Organization of American States. Pompeo's speech was interrupted by CodePink co-founder Medea Benjamin, who held a sign reading, "OAS: Don't Support a Coup in Venezuela."
(2019-01-25). Adviser Behind Coup Against Chavez Now Plots Against Maduro. telesurenglish.net Former U.S. diplomat Elliott Abrams, one of the masterminds behind the 2002 coup attempt against Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, was appointed to lead the U.S. interference in Venezuela, as announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday. | RELATED: | Venezuela's Maduro Urges Dialogue Instead of US-backed Coup | "Elliott will be a true asset to our mission to help the Venezuelan people fully restore democracy and prosperity to their country," Pompeo said in announcing Abrams' appoint…
(2019-01-25). Trump ally Roger Stone charged with lying in Russia investigation. aljazeera.com Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office says Stone was arrested by FBI for tampering with evidence and other crimes.
(2019-01-25). Trump Confidant Roger Stone Is Arrested, Faces Obstruction Charges. truthdig.com WASHINGTON—Shouting "FBI, open the door," authorities arrested Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, before dawn Friday in a criminal case that revealed that senior members of the Trump campaign sought to benefit from the release of hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton. | Stone, a self-proclaimed "dirty trickster," faced a seven-count indictment in the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller. | The indictment provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates in the summer of 2016 were actively seeking the disclosure of emails the U.S. says were…
(2019-01-25). Trump's Ally Roger Stone Arrested as Part of Mueller's Probe. telesurenglish.net Roger Stone, U.S. President Donald Trump's longtime ally and presidential campaign adviser, was arrested Friday, charged with obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements, according to a grand jury indictment made public by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office. | RELATED: | Why Is Venezuela a Key Geopolitical Target for The US? | Stone, who has repeatedly said in interviews that he was likely to be indicted, is scheduled to appear at the federal courthouse in For…
(2019-01-25). Trump a Threat to US, Intelligence Strategy Report Says. globalresearch.ca The new National Intelligence Strategy of the United States (NIS) released its strategy for 2019 Tuesday. The document reveals that 17 intelligence agencies of the U.S. are against President Donald Trump's impulsive behavior on war and peace. | The 36-page report …
(2019-01-25). Supreme Court reinstates Trump's ban on transgender troops. wsws.org The US Supreme Court by judicial fiat has overruled lower court injunctions and reinstated President Trump's ban on transgender personnel in the US military.
(2019-01-25). FBI Agents With 'Tactical Vests and Large Weapons' Arrest Longtime Trump Confidant Roger Stone. commondreams.org Longtime Republican operative Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, was arrested Friday morning by the FBI after being indicted by a federal grand jury on several criminal charges—including witness tampering and obstruction of justice—stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 elections. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/roger_stone_doing_the_nixon.jpg…
(2019-01-25). Confirming US Orchestration, Report Details Pence's Key Phone Call to Venezuelan Opposition Leader. commondreams.org "The U.S. had been planning this coup in Venezuela. It was the Trump administration that told the little-known opposition leader Juan Guaid√≥ to declare himself (unelected) 'president.'" | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/pompeo_0.jpg…
(2019-01-25). Mueller probe: Fully armed FBI agents arrest Trump's ex-adviser Roger Stone in pre-dawn raid. rt.com 
The FBI has arrested Roger Stone, a former campaign adviser to US President Donald Trump, in a surprise early morning raid on his home. Stone has been indicted on charges including obstruction and witness tampering.
(2019-01-25). Stone's lawyer claims no collusion, analysts say Mueller putting the squeeze on Trump associates. rt.com 
Roger Stone will fight criminal charges against him, and "categorically" denies any wrongdoing. Stone's arrest, two analysts told RT, has nothing to do with collusion, and everything to do with taking down Trump. |
(2019-01-25). Roger Stone's indictment offers more proof of no contacts between him and Julian Assange — WikiLeaks. rt.com 
The indictment of Roger Stone, former adviser to Donald Trump, who was arrested by the FBI, has revealed more evidence that Trump's campaign had no "back channel" with WikiLeaks, the whistleblower organization said.
(2019-01-25). Washington escalates coup provocations in Venezuela. wsws.org Secretary of State Pompeo is to speak to the UN Security Council Saturday on Venezuela, a patent propaganda gesture aimed at preparing intervention.
(2019-01-25). Rally to demand the Australian government acts to free Julian Assange! wsws.org The Australian government has the undeniable duty and power to intervene to secure freedom for Julian Assange. The record has demonstrated, however, that it will take such action only if it is compelled to do so by the greatest pressure from below.
(2019-01-25). Antiwar Hero Medea Benjamin Disrupts Pompeo Speech on Venezuela. theantimedia.com 
(CJ Opinion) — Before they launch missiles, they launch narratives. Before they drop bombs, they drop talking points. Before they implement crushing starvation sanctions, they demonize and condemn. Before they invade, they propagandize. Before the killing starts, manipulation paves the way. For this reason, the front line of any antiwar movement is a fight against the establishment …
(2019-01-25). FBI Agents Arrest Longtime Trump Confidant Roger Stone. truthout.org Longtime Republican operative Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, was arrested Friday morning by FBI agents wearing "tactical vests" and carrying "large weapons" at his home in Florida after being indicted by a federal grand jury on seven criminal charges stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 elections. | According to the Associated Press: | Stone is charged in a seven-count indictment with witness tampering, obstruction, and false statements about his interactions rel…
(2019-01-24). Trump A Threat to US, Intelligence Strategy Report Says. telesurenglish.net The new National Intelligence Strategy of the United States (NIS) released its strategy for 2019 Tuesday. The document reveals that 17 intelligence agencies of the U.S. are against President Donald Trump's impulsive behavior on war and peace. | RELATED: | Trump 'Uninvited' from State of Union for US Shutdown, Democrats Float 'Smart Wall' | The 36-page report issued by Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats has targeted Trump's friends in Moscow and his busine…
(2019-01-24). BuzzFeed Throws Hail Mary: Publishes New Trump Tower Moscow Docs. globalresearch.ca After last week's embarrassing debacle in which special counsel Robert Mueller issued a rare statement calling bullshit on BuzzFeed over their Trump Tower Moscow report that Trump ordered his attorney Michael Cohen to lie about the timeline, the beleaguered news …
(2019-01-24). The Coup in Venezuela Must be Resisted. globalresearch.ca Venezuela has elections. Juan Guaido has never even been a Presidential candidate. Despite massive CIA opposition funding and interference over years as Big Oil tries to regain control of the World's largest oil reserves, Nicolas Maduro was democratically re-elected in …
(2019-01-24). Open Letter by Over 70 Scholars and Experts Condemns US-Backed Coup Attempt in Venezuela. commondreams.org "For the sake of the Venezuelan people, the region, and for the principle of national sovereignty, these international actors should instead support negotiations between the Venezuelan government and its opponents." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/pompeo_venezuela_0.png…
(2019-01-24). Everybody Does It: The Messy Truth About Infiltrating Computer Supply Chains. theintercept.com 
The danger of China compromising hardware supply chains is very real, judging from classified intelligence documents, even if a Bloomberg story on the matter is highly disputed.
(2019-01-23). Assange Lawyers File Petition to Get US to Reveal Charges and Stop Ecuador From Extraditing Him. consortiumnews.com Lawyers for the WikiLeaks publisher want the OAS independent body to keep Assange from being sent to a courtroom in the U.S. and to end his isolation. By Joe Lauria Special to Consortium News Julian Assange's lawyers have filed an… Read more →
(2019-01-23). ACLU: Trump's Anti-Trans Ban Has No Military Justification, Is Driven by Animus & Discrimination. democracynow.org 
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court revived President Donald Trump's plan to ban transgender people from serving in the U.S. military. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court lifted two lower court rulings that had blocked the ban from going into effect on constitutional grounds. Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented. A third injunction remains in place for now. We speak to Chase Strangio, staff attorney at the ACLU, which is challenging the Trump administration's ban on servicemembers who are transgender.
(2019-01-23). Laverne Cox: Trump's Military Ban Is Part of Larger, Years-Long Attack on Transgender People. democracynow.org 
The pioneering trans actress and activist Laverne Cox responds to the Supreme Court's revival of President Donald Trump's plan to ban transgender people from serving in the U.S. military. She spoke on Tuesday at the National Day of Racial Healing as part of a conversation moderated by Amy Goodman.
(2019-01-22). SPLC statement on Supreme Court's decision to lift injunctions against Trump's transgender military ban. splcenter.org The U.S. Supreme Court's decision today to temporarily lift injunctions against the Trump administration's ban on open service by transgender Americans is just that: temporary.
(2019-01-22). Amid a Deteriorating Landscape for Abortion Rights, a Critical Victory in New York. aclu.org On Tuesday, New York passed the Reproductive Health Act, finally bringing state law in line with Roe v. Wade. | On the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that secured the right to abortion, the nationwide picture could not look grimmer. That's what makes Tuesday's victory in New York, which protected and expanded abortion rights in the state through the Reproductive Health Act, so important. | Across the country, anti-abortion politicians have been eroding abortion rights in state after state. Since 2011, they have…
(2019-01-19). Brett Kavanaugh is a Threat to Racial Justice and Voting Rights. zcomm.org In light of the proliferation of laws that pose obstacles to voting, the Supreme Court will have the opportunity to further eviscerate the Voting Rights Act…
(2019-01-16). Was that the Onion or Reuters Quoting Mike Pompeo on Venezuela? zcomm.org This Reuters article says "The Maduro regime is illegitimate and the United States will work diligently to restore a real democracy to that country," Pompeo told reporters in Abu Dhabi, where he is on a tour of Middle East countries. " [emphasis added] The Onion might have simply changed "countries" above to "dictatorships" or, Read more…
(2019-01-10). Farewell to bblum6. zcomm.org Bill Blum passed away early last month in Virginia. Many Z Net readers will know his canonical book, Killing Hope: US Military and CIA Interventions Since WWII, or remember his regular newsletter Anti-Empire Report. My first contact with Bill came in 1995 when I wrote him about something he had written on the Cold War. Read more…
(2019-01-09). New Documents Reveal a Covert British Military-Intelligence Smear Machine Meddling In American Politics. grayzoneproject.com The Integrity Initiative has mobilized an international disinformation campaign across Europe. Now, with government and right-wing foundation money, this massive…
(2019-01-07). Venezuelan Ex-Magistrate Flees to Miami, Pledges to 'Collaborate' with US Authorities. venezuelanalysis.com Venezuela's Supreme Court claims Christian Zerpa fled a sexual harassment investigation.
(2019-01-03). US Secretary of State Pompeo Enlists Allies to 'Return Democracy' to Venezuela. venezuelanalysis.com US allies Brazil and Colombia have repeatedly voiced support for regime change efforts.
(2018-12-04). With INF Ultimatum, Trump's Maximalist Approach Strikes Again. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — December 4, 2018 — In response to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's announcement that the U.S. will formally announce its intention to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 60 days if Russia does not come into compliance with the treaty by then, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy […]
(2018-11-29). On Julian Assange and the Political Economy & future of Europe. zcomm.org Interview on the socio-economic transformations taking place within the core of the European Union and how much time is left until it disintegrates…
(2018-11-26). Crucifying Julian Assange. zcomm.org Chris Hedges and Joe Lauria, journalist and editor-in-chief, Consortium, discuss efforts to force #WikiLeaks publisher, #JulianAssange, out of the Ecuador Embassy in London and extradite him to the USA to stand trial.