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Libya: The DC/NATO Agenda and the Next Great War
By Paul Craig Roberts | Apr 7, 2011 | Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East, News & Analysis, US | 10 |
This article was originally published by the Trends Research Institute. It has been republished here with permission from the author.
In the 1930s, the US, Great Britain, and the Netherlands set a course for World War II in the Pacific by conspiring against Japan. The three governments seized Japan's bank accounts in their countries that Japan used to pay for imports and cut Japan off from oil, rubber, tin, iron and other vital materials. Was Pearl Harbor Japan's response?
Now Washington and its NATO puppets are employing the same strategy against China.
Protests in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, and Yemen arose from the people protesting against Washington's tyrannical puppet governments. However, the protests against Gaddafi, who is not a Western puppet, appear to have been organized by the CIA in the eastern part of Libya, where the oil is and where China has substantial energy investments.
Eighty percent of Libya's oil reserves are believed to be in the Sirte Basin in eastern Libya, now controlled by rebels supported by Washington. As seventy percent of Libya's GDP is produced by oil, a successful partitioning of Libya would leave Gaddafi's Tripoli-based regime impoverished.
The People's Daily Online (March 23) reported that China has 50 large-scale projects in Libya. The outbreak of hostilities has halted these projects and resulted in 30,000 Chinese workers being evacuated from Libya. Chinese companies report that they expect to lose hundreds of millions of yuan.
China is relying on Africa, principally Libya, Angola, and Nigeria, for future energy needs. In response to China's economic engagement with Africa, Washington is engaging the continent militarily with the US African Command (AFRICOM) created by President George W. Bush in 2007. Forty-nine African countries agreed to participate with Washington in AFRICOM, but Gaddafi refused, thus creating a second reason for Washington to target Libya for takeover.
A third reason for targeting Libya is that Libya and Syria are the only two countries with Mediterranean sea coasts that are not under the control or influence of Washington. Suggestively, protests also have broken out in Syria. Whatever Syrians might think of their government, after watching Iraq's fate, and now Libya's, it is unlikely that Syrians would set themselves up for US military intervention. Both the CIA and Mossad are known to use social networking sites to foment protests and to spread disinformation. These intelligence services are the likely conspirators that the Syrian and Libyan governments blame for the protests.
Caught off guard by protests in Tunisia and Egypt, Washington realized that protests could be used to remove Gaddafi and Assad. The humanitarian excuse for intervening in Libya is not credible, considering Washington's go-ahead to the Saudi military to crush the protests in Bahrain, the home base for the US Fifth Fleet.
If Washington succeeds in overthrowing the Assad government in Syria, Russia would lose its Mediterranean naval base at the Syrian port of Tartus. Thus, Washington has much to gain if it can use the cloak of popular rebellion to eject both China and Russia from the Mediterranean. Rome's mare nostrum ("our sea") would become Washington's mare nostrum.
"Gaddafi must go," declared Obama. How long before we also hear, "Assad must go?"
The American captive press is at work demonizing both Gaddafi and Assad, an eye doctor who returned to Syria from London to head the government after his father's death.
The hypocrisy passes unremarked when Obama calls Gaddafi and Assad dictators. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the American president has been a Caesar. Based on nothing more than a Justice Department memo, George W. Bush was declared to be above US statutory law, international law, and the power of Congress as long as he was acting in his role as commander-in-chief in the "war on terror."
Caesar Obama has done Bush one step better. Caesar Obama has taken the US to war against Libya without even the pretense of asking Congress for authorization. This is an impeachable offense, but an impotent Congress is unable to protect its power. By accepting the claims of executive authority, Congress has acquiesced to Caesarism. The American people have no more control over their government than do people in countries ruled by dictators.
Washington's quest for world hegemony is driving the world toward World War III. China is no less proud than was Japan in the 1930s and is unlikely to submit to being bullied and governed by what China regards as the decadent West. Russia's resentment to its military encirclement is rising. Washington's hubris can lead to fatal miscalculation.
Tags: China, Libya
Edward on April 7, 2011 at 9:37 am
That America is playing a very dangerous game there can be no doubt. But it is broke and even worse it is up to its neck in debt to China. So it had to come out into open and it is now obvious that it is heading for Russia via Libya, Syria and Iran. So where does that leave China?
I have been wathching China's English language CCTV recently and I expected that like Russia's RT it would be very much against the war in Libya but that is not the case and it seems to be sparing no effort to undermine the Libyan Government as if it could not wait for it to be overthrown.
This would be very strange until you realise that the Americans are not now expected to pay their debts to China in cash so maybe they are paying it in kind with Libyan oil. The only problem with this scenario is where does this leave the EU which is dependent on Libyan oil.
Germany has been against this war all along and now the EU part of Nato has taken over control of the Libyan operation and I gather American ships have left the scene. In the last few days the rebels in the desert have seen Libyan forces take back most of the important oils towns and are now crying that the invasion forces are not doing enough for them.
When you consider that for the EU it would be madness to change the status quo and that they should overthrow the Libyan government to have the oil given to China by Uncle Sam would be the ultimate insult. So it appears that America will have to go further afield if it wants to pay its debts to China in stolen oil.
By the way It has been reported that a ship has now left Libya with 1m barrels of oil. What is the big secret about where it is going? My guess is it is headed for China as part of an American deal already made with China.
HAROON RASHID SIDDIQUI on April 24, 2011 at 8:51 pm
ABOUT 59 YEARS BACK A POET IN PAKISTAN WROTE AN INTERESTING POEM ON WORKING OF " UNO " IN THOSE DAYS. HE SAID "U" OF "UNO"
INDICATES " USA ", THE REST IS "NO" "NO" "NO".
RICHARD COL on April 7, 2011 at 6:45 pm
Mr. Roberts…
if i had one thing to tell the american people would be to quote you.
"The American people have no more control over their government than do people in countries ruled by dictators."
HAROON RASHID SIDDIQUI on April 17, 2011 at 10:19 pm
MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THAT NOT ONLY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DON'T HAVE MUCH CONTROL ON THEIR GOVERNMENET [ EXCEPT JUST BEFORE EVERY ELECTION ], BUT RATHER, THEY DON'T HAVE THE FULL KNOWLEDGE WHAT THEIR GOVERNMENT IS DOING AND WHAT REPERCUTIONS THESE SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS ACTIONS WILL BRING TO THIS COUNTRY WHO WAS ONCE LOVED BY POOR PEOPLE AND POOR COUNTRIES AS THE CHAMPION OF DEMOCRASY, FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE.
IT LOOKS FUNNY TO ME [ BEING A REPUBLICAN, WHO WOTED FOR MR. OBHAMA IN THE LAST ELECTION ] THAT HE IS DOING EXACTLY THE SAME MISTAKE MR. BUSH MADE IN ATTACKING IRAQ, AND MR. OBHAMA HAD CRITISISED EVERY THING MR. BUSH HAD DONE IN IRAQ.
THE NET RESULT OF IRAQ WAR IS AL-QAIEDA GETTING GREAT PUBLICITY, AND INTRUDING IN IRAQ TREMONDESLY, WHICH WAS NOT THE SITUATION IN MR.SADDAM'S DAYS, BECAUSE HE HATED SUPERIORITY OF RELIGEOUS PARTIES.
Ilya from Siberia on April 8, 2011 at 6:42 am
Unbelievable article for US press…
Great respect.
Russian on April 8, 2011 at 6:48 am
Go ahead, Obama! The weaker the EU the closer Germany to Russia. This alliance is the nightmare pf US geopolitics.
XRM on April 8, 2011 at 7:03 am
Удивительно что в тоталитарной америке дали такое написать.
o_O on April 8, 2011 at 5:12 pm
OMG This person can be assasinate in US
And respect from Kazakhstan Observer
HAROON RASHID SIDDIQUI on April 24, 2011 at 4:09 am
Eric on August 3, 2011 at 6:27 pm
The US has 3 problems: Unemployment, energy crisis and debt. Moreover the US has something no country in the world has in such a great amount: Oceans. The solution of all lies in the sea. Offshore wind power, oil from saltwater algea, food from sea farms, oil from deep water drilling, wide resources of precious metals. Especially oil from salt water algea will lead has big labour potential and big money. Moreover the US has the biggest shale gas reserves in the world. By transforming the vehicle fleet to CNG, this will lead to massive labour need. At the same time the US has just to wait, since China will be more and more expensive in near future and that will lead to the same results like in the US.
Finally a world war will lead to extinction of mankind, and the US will not be excluded. There is no day after nuclear war.


The How Weird Street Faire is an experiment in creating peace, and a benefit for the non-profit World Peace Through Technology Organization. For its ninth year, faire is moving to a new location near downtown San Francisco. This year there will be seven city blocks filled with art and celebration, food and vendors from around the world selling unique and creative wares, and non-profit organizations to educate and inspire. And there will be performance artists and thousands of people in colorful costumes dancing in the streets.
The How Weird Street Faire has brought together many different types of people, who have created connections between communities. It has united them all in a common purpose, to celebrate peace. It has shown how individuals and communities can work together for a common goal. It has let people experience the reality of a place where cooperation is favored over competition, where diversity is celebrated, and where people can see that our differences are far fewer than our similarities. The How Weird Street Faire has made learning the foundations of peace as simple as walking down the street.
The How Weird Street Faire has grown from a small gathering outside of the original World Peace Through Technology Organization headquarters in 2000, to over ten thousand people last year. Because the faire had outgrown its home in the residential fringe of San Francisco's SoMa district, it sought a new location on the same street of Howard. The perfect location was found, on Howard Street between First and New Montgomery... in the heart of SoMa. The new location is a short walk to Yerba Buena Gardens and the museum district, as well as the Montgomery BART and several MUNI stops.
This year, the How Weird Street Faire will encompass Howard Street between 1st Street and New Montgomery, 2nd Street between Mission and Howard, and all four blocks of Minna St. and Natoma St. off of 2nd Street. There will be an urban crop circle at the center intersection of Howard and 2nd Streets.
The main entrances are on Howard Street & 1st Street and on Howard Street & New Montgomery (with bike parking). This is two blocks from the Montgomery BART and MUNI stop.
Music stages representing some of the best electronic music in the world will be found throughout the faire. This year will feature nine stages of music, each stage an exercise in peace by collaborations of collectives and artists; including CCC, Tantra, An-ten-nae, Muti Music, Raindance, Koinonea, Cyberset, Sunset, Om Records, Space Cowboys, Groove Garden, Mystic Beat Lounge, Earthdance, Surya Dub, Non Stop Bhangra, Electric Vardo, Yoga Tai Chi Collective, Symbiosis, Opel, Deep End, Opulent Temple, Lowpro Lounge, Supperclub, and more.
The How Weird Street Faire showcases many diverse genres of music, including Live Electronica, Downtempo, Breaks, Trance, House, Techno, Drum & Bass, World Beat, and too many other sub-genres to name. The How Weird Street Faire uses music to bring different kinds of people together and create a common bond. Dancing knows no boundaries or political affiliation. Music, more than any other form of communication, is able to transcend differences between people. It is through music and art that peace is always possible.
The How Weird Street Faire continues to support sustainable actions and education. This year, the faire is maximizing recycling and composting, aiming for zero waste. The faire utilizes many resource-saving and earth-sparing tools and tactics. All food vendor supplies are biodegradable, keeping it simple and compostable, with paper cups, paper plates, and napkins. All of the power for the faire is run on biodiesel, thanks to Green Sector. And there will be environmentally-themed carnival games provided by the Sustainable Living Roadshow. Electronics recycling is available through Green Citizen on 2nd and Howard Street (within the faire site). Green Mary will again be providing a waste diversion and eco-education campaign, featuring information on how you can make your life waste-free. Plus there will be water refill stations to reuse your plastic bottles. Please bike or take public transportation to the faire. Free bike parking provided by the SF Bicycle Coalition.
Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Compost, Recycle in that order.
Although the old location will be missed, there is much excitement surrounding the unprecedented move of a popular street fair to a new location.
"We have established a warm relationship with our new neighbors and local businesses, and we are proud members of the Yerba Buena Alliance neighborhood association. The new location offers many advantages over the original location, including some of the best night time music venues in the city," explains Brad Olsen, Executive Director of the World Peace Through Technology Organization.
Introducing "How Weird At Night" from 6 pm to 2 am!
For the first time this year, the How Weird Street Faire will incorporate a full evening program into the festivities with "How Weird At Night". At 6pm, the faire moves indoors to several prime locations located immediately within the faire site footprint, and one only two blocks away. Stages from the faire will be hosting music and other performances at venues including Club NV, Temple, Supperclub, 111 Minna Gallery, and more. The evening costs only $10 for the first venue, and $5 for each additional venue. The evening venues are 21 and over only. Full details will be posted on this website, including line-ups, schedules, and a map of all the activities.
Come join San Francisco's most unique peace celebration!
The How Weird Street Faire would like to thank all of the individuals and organizations that support us!


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Aquaman 2 Won't Be James Wan's Next Movie
Warner Brothers/DC
By Mike Floorwalker/June 28, 2019 2:01 pm EST
It's not clear what director James Wan will be conjuring up next, but it won't be the sequel to his hit Aquaman.
In a conversation with CinemaBlend, Wan indicated that he had a different project lined up which he'd be taking on before returning to the Worlds of DC to helm Aquaman 2.
Asked if he knew exactly what he'd be directing next, Wan replied with a drawn-out, "I... think... I kinda know." He went on to state that "it won't be Aquaman 2 just yet," before confirming that he does indeed have another movie in the pipeline, one which he's "not ready to share" any details about at the moment.
Since Wan has had his fingers in a ridiculous number of successful franchises, it's tough to even hazard a guess what he might be cooking up. We know that he is serving as an executive producer on the Saw reboot (which is being overseen by comedian Chris Rock, of all people), and he's also filling similar roles on a raft of other projects, including several which are part of his ever-growing Conjuring Universe: The Conjuring 3, The Nun 2, and Crooked Man. He's also involved in the forthcoming Mortal Kombat reboot, the Stephen King adaptation The Tommyknockers, and There's Someone Inside Your House, a fright flick from Creep director Patrick Brice.
But even among those projects which haven't yet slotted directors, it seems unlikely that Wan will be stepping in. He's historically farmed out Conjuring Universe spin-off pictures to other directors, and he's even handed off The Conjuring 3 to Curse of La Llorona helmer Michael Chaves after directing the first two entries himself.
One intriguing possibility: The Trench, the Aquaman spin-off which is on the fast track to production. Even though Arthur Curry's first solo adventure became easily the highest-grossing Worlds of DC film yet with a worldwide take of over $1.1 billion dollars, Warner Brothers has opted to play it cool in following up the flick. Aquaman 2 is slated for release on December 16, 2022 — a pretty long wait for fans of the Atlantean. The Trench may help fill that gap, as it's been reported by no less an authority than producer Peter Safran that it will likely hit screens well before then.
"We always, even from the early concept art days, loved the idea of a Trench movie," Safran said in a sit-down with The Hollywood Reporter late last year "Then, when audiences embraced it in the movie itself the way they did, particularly that ant farm shot where the camera follows the Trench [creatures] following Arthur and Mera down into the deep, we just knew that we had something very special there and we knew what that movie should be. And consequently, I suspect that that's one that will come out significantly before Aquaman 2."
The Trench, which is being scripted by freshman screenwriters Noah Gardner and Aidan Fitzgerald, will reportedly feel a lot more like a horror movie than a superhero flick, which would make it a pretty good fit for Wan — and, as of yet, no director has been announced. If he were eyeing the director's chair, however, it's not exactly clear why Wan would want to keep that information close to the vest.
Something gives us a funny feeling that Wan may be developing yet another franchise, perhaps one based on an established property, and that he's leery of sending said property's fan base into a tizzy before a deal is finalized. As for what that could be, it's anybody's guess — but at least we know that he'll be returning to directing sometime before 2022. We'll keep an eye out for details regarding Wan's mysterious new gig, and fill you in as they become available.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Obama administration has tried to light the fuse that will ignite a new refinance boom for underwater borrowers. But investors' caution threatens to make this secondgo round for the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) another damp squib.
Even though lending was set to begin in December under the new rules, brokers on the ground have heard "pretty much nothing," regarding how the adjusted program will work, said Christopher Aniskovich, broker/owner of Security Financial Mortgage Corp. in Branford. Launched in 2009, HARP was intended to allow the millions of homeowners nationwide whose homes are underwater, or near it, to refinance at today's low rates. Proponents at the time argued it represented one of the best chances to goose the economy – by putting a couple more bucks a month in homeowner's pockets – without causing too much pain or requiring Congress to pass another spending bill.
But so far the effort has fizzled, with few refinancings happening under the program – so few, in fact, that last month the Obama administration prodded Fannie and Freddie into loosening the program's guidelines even further.