Ft. Bragg. Whether real or not, still beautiful.
Not The Charlie Brown I came to know.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Can you trust the untrustworthy? Obama thought he could. Probably still does.(See 1 below.)
++++++++++++++
It never hurts to come to your senses but it can often be too late to do much good. (See 2 below.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dick
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1) Iran Caught Shipping Soldiers to Syria on Commercial Flights in Violation of Nuclear Deal
By Adam Kredo
New photographs obtained by congressional leaders show Iran shipping militant soldiers to Syria on commercial airline flights, a move that violates the landmark nuclear agreement and has sparked calls from U.S. lawmakers for a formal investigation by the Trump administration, the ine-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Washington Free Beaconhas learned.
Photographs published by a Washington, D.C., think-tank and provided to Congress show Iran using its flagship commercial carrier, Iran Air, to ferry militants to Syria, where they have joined the fight against U.S. forces in the region.
The new photographic evidence has roiled congressional leaders, who accuse Iran of violating the nuclear deal, which prohibits it from using commercial air carriers for military purposes. These lawmakers are demanding the Trump administration investigate the matter and consider imposing new sanctions on Iran.
The release of these photographs allegedly showing Iran Air's illegal activity comes as top U.S. air carrier manufacturer Boeing moves forward with a multi-billion dollar deal to sell Iran Air a new modern fleet. Many in Congress have opposed the deal due to Iran's longstanding use of commercial aircraft for military purposes, such as transporting weapons and troops to regional hotspots such as Syria and elsewhere. It remains unclear the extent to which the former Obama administration was aware of this activity, which came in part while it was promoting Western airline sales to Tehran.
Iran Air's central role in the illicit transportation of militant forces to Syria could complicate Boeing's efforts to move forward with the sale, which still requires approval from the Trump administration's Treasury Department.
Congressional leaders are now calling for a suspension of all licenses permitting these sales in light of the new evidence, according to a letter obtained by the Free Beacon.
“Iran's use of commercial aircraft for military purposes violates international agreements as well as Iranian commitments under the JCPOA,” or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, according to the delegation of lawmakers pushing for an investigation. “We believe these photos mandate a thorough investigation of these practices and a comprehensive review of Iran's illicit use of commercial aircraft.”
“During this investigation, the United States should suspend current and future licenses for aircraft sales to Iran,” the letter goes on to say.
Those calling for an investigation include Reps. Peter Roskam (R., Ill.), Lee Zeldin (R., N.Y.), Andy Barr (R., Ken.), and David Reichert (R., Wash.).
“Iran Air has engaged in Iran's illicit transport of military goods and personnel to Syria since implementation of the” nuclear deal, the lawmakers write.
The Treasury Department has vowed in the past to consider and investigate any new evidence revealing Iran's illicit use of commercial aircraft. The lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to make good on this promise.
“In light of these assurances to both investigate evidence of Iranian wrongdoing and to re-designate Iranian airlines engaging in sanctionable activity, we strongly urge you to investigate the enclosed photos,” the lawmakers write. “If as a result of your investigation, you find Iran Air guilty of conducting military transports with commercial aircraft, it should be re-designated.”
The new photographs, reportedly taken in 2016 and 2017, show Iranian fighters aboard Iran Air planes on their way to Syria to pick up arms in support of embattled President Bashar al-Assad.
The militants are believed to be affiliated with the Fatemiyoun Brigade, an Afghan Shiite militia, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which first disclosed the photographs to Congress.
“These photos seem to display militiamen sitting on seats clearly labeled with the Iran Air logo,” the lawmakers inform the Treasury Department. “These individuals are not Afghani civilians; they are believed to be members of an Iranian-backed militia, trained and funded by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), actively fighting for the Assad regime in the Syria.”
Iran Air is guilty of “facilitating the ongoing atrocities committed against the Syrian people by the Assad regime and its allies,” the lawmakers write.
The issue has become all the more pressing in light of recent attacks by Iranian-backed militias on U.S. forces operating in Syria.
“We strongly urge you to swiftly investigate and conduct a comprehensive review of Iran Air's role in supporting Iran and the Assad regime militarily, and hold accountable those found guilty of such activity,” the lawmakers write.
Adam Kredo is senior writer for the Washington Free Beacon. Formerly an award-winning political reporter for the Washington Jewish Week, where he frequently broke national news, Kredo’s work has been featured in outlets such as the Jerusalem Post, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, and Politico, among others. He lives in Maryland with his comic books. His Twitter handle is@Kredo0. His email address is kredo@freebeacon.com.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2)
In Policy Turnaround US State Department Refuses to Commit to 'Biased' Two-State Solution
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz
“On that day Hashem made a covenant with Avram, saying, “To your offspring I assign this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.”
Genesis 15:18 (The Israel Bible™)
While a White House delegation meets with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, the US State Department indicated a significant shift away from the anti-Israel two-state solution, admitting that it was “biased”.
In a press conference on Wednesday, State Department’s spokesman Heather Nauert deftly sidestepped questions about a two-state solution which the department has committed to in the past.
When asked, “Why are you so loath to…recommit yourself to the two-state solution?”, Nauert’s answer was surprising.
“The President has made it clear that that is one of his top national security issues – one of his top priorities, I should say more correctly,” Nauert said in response. “We want to work toward a peace that both sides can agree to and that both sides find sustainable. Okay? We believe that both parties should be able to find a workable solution that works for both of them.”
When pressed, Nauert made an unscripted comment, implying that the two-state solution goes counter to Israeli interests.
“We are not going to state what the outcome has to be,” Nauert said. “It has to be workable to both sides, and I think, really, that’s the best view as to not really bias one side over the other, to make sure that they can work through it.”
This statement has practical significance, coming while a White House delegation is in Israel working on Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jason Greenblatt, his special representative for international negotiations, and Dina Powell, a deputy national security adviser, are touring the region this week. They met with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Thursday and are scheduled to meet with PA leadership.
The State Department policy appears to be a reflection of a general policy of the administration. Before meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Kushner said that the president “is very committed to achieving a solution here that will be able to bring prosperity and peace to all people in the area.”
This is consistent with statements made by President Trump in the past. During a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in February, President Trump said in a press conference,“I’m looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I’m very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one.” in marked contrast to the administration of President Barack Obama which insisted that creating additional Palestinian entities within Israeli territory was the only solution to Palestinian hostility.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No comments:
Post a Comment