ICBM Missile Shield Test

https://johnyorks.tumblr.com/post/161282580058/us-says-test-shows-missile-defenses-outpacing

politics is done in the darkness 1/27/17

Politics is done in the Darkness podcast # 6

I've decided to continue my "Politics is Done in the Darkness" podcast/ audio-cast, but as audio only, so not something with an accompanying YouTube video. I will still be making the "My Two Cents" videos, which I think of as specifically for YouTube, and also via blogs and such.

This latest covers topics such as the peace agreement in Syria, the ongoing tragedy of what the west did to Libya, and some open-ended thoughts on the level to which our votes count, or do not count.

Strange Geopolitical Relationships Continue To Unfold

Iran and Turkey call for joint efforts against terrorism Press TV tells us. What? Wait, were they not on opposite sides of the fence regarding the situation in Syria?

As an aside, but still relevant to the point,we are constantly told that Russia and Iran are, more or less, allies of of a sort. But is this true? After all, there were several times it was reported that Russia would sell the s-300 anti-aircraft system to Iran, but then didn't. It has recently been reported that the Russians will now fulfill the contract to provide the s-300 to Iran. Or, depending on which story one is to believe, perhaps they already have.  These things are hard to know with any certainty. The point is, the Russians had been dragging their feet regarding the s-300 sale to Iran for a very long time. Would they do this if they were such great allies?

Does it make sense that at the time Turkey is literally sending artillery shells into Syria, an ally of Iran, and Russia is at odds with Turkey as a result of the Turkish government's decision to down a Russian military plane several weeks ago, that Iran would discuss "joint efforts against terrorism?"

But maybe it does make sense in a way, as both Iran and Turkey, at various times and to various degrees, have had conflict with the Kurds.  After all, the Syrian Kurds are the ones that Turkey is mainly shelling.

But wait, now we see we must put Azerbaijan into the mix. Azerbaijan? It is a tangled web that is weaved as politics make strange bedfellows during the age of declining American power, and the rise of the multi-polar world. Who is on the side of whom?

(*note: This article captures what I tried to convey about the s-300 deal.)

more on plan "b"

This is from the WSWS. So, the question remains, why would the Russians agree to(and even be a party to the initiation of) this ceasefire agreement? On the other hand, perhaps those that say the agreement will be interpreted properly, that is in a way that permits the Russians and Syrians to continue the air campaign (and even ground campaign) against certain specified groups within Syria if those groups insist on continuing the fight, are correct. I would tend to doubt it though.

politics is done in the darkness #5

I hope I'm right about the number. I think this is the 5th audio-cast.

The contradictions of foreign policy in Syria.

Often, while reading about the war in Syria, I start to wonder about the various nations and factions involved. Just who is on whose side anyway? There are too many perceived contradictions, including the obvious ones, but also less obvious, like between the Russians and the Syrian government. Here, within the Syria War Update Blog, is a post that explains what i mean better than I could.

Report on the Munich Agreement

Here is, from Voltairenet, a report from what as far as I can gather is a Russian source on the meaning of the recent peace talks and Munich agreement about Syria between principally, Kerry ans Lavrov

Very true but ominous article on Syria

This article by John Wright from CounterPunch via Information Clearing house gives the past background, and puts the big picture into perspective. However, what will the American and European elite do next regarding Syria? Will we finally accept being a nation among nations in a multi-polar world, or will war be expanded?

Turkey shells Syrian forces positions

Well, this is rather ominous.

A few words from Paul Craig Roberts

This is sort of how I see it too. I generally like Paul Craig Roberts, but don't agree with everything he says. I'm not that enthralled by the idea of buying gold. That won't save us.

Claims of US targeting Syrian base

See, this proves exactly what many people believed from the start. The US is not really interested in  fighting ISIS, but they are interested infighting the Syrian government, and toppling the Assad "regime" (as they call it). Within this video, John Kerry has the nerve to talk about those forces who are "problem children." Who gave the US the right to dictate to the world? Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria....They talk as though the Russians are powerless to stop them. Really? I don't know one way or the other if the Russians can trully change the outcome in Syria. But I don't think the world needs to go down that road.

Turkey War with Russia? - Joaquin

I don't think Russia is going to be as cautious about how it responds as this analysis suggests, but we'll see. I get the sense that the Turkish government sees itself as being more important than NATO thinks it is, but could be wrong. One thing I suspect: A country can't openly shoot down a Russian jet and think that is the end of it.

Russia, US, Syria via Russia Insider

Really good analysis from Russian political talk show.

Paris, France post two

One other note about the coverage and analysis of the meaning of the attacks in France the other day. People are already predicting how the future will unfold based upon this factoid or that, this theory or the other. The truth is nobody yet knows how the future will unfold, or if they do, they don't know what the masses will come to think of this future. I would say that the analysts, critics, and conspiracy theorists are way ahead of the curve this time, but also very pessimistic in their outlook.

It is too soon to tell whether this will mean greater suffering for the people of the Middle-East, not to mention the world. It could mobilize the western countries to double down with a policy of trying to remove Assad from power, while at the same time purportedly taking on ISIS. Or, the Russians might have more to say about that than some of the analysts might believe currently, and the focus could shift towards ISIS alone. Or, if we are very lucky, reason could prevail, and peace could be made. But don't hold out on that last one.

Finally, for tonight at least, nothing is really clear yet about what happened in France, except it was terrible and violent. In other words, we don't know what it means yet, and only time will tell if we ever find a reason that makes sense for not only what happened in France, but also what has happened in Libya, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Ukraine......

The bottom line is really no explanation could be ruled out at this point, based on the history of the 21st century thus far. Let me pose this as a question then: Does it not seem as though some of the people who claim to oppose ISIS have had a little something to do with the rise of ISIS? Just a question. Just wondering. Don't get too upset about it please.

Classic Press Briefing on Russia and NATO

This is classic. I'm told this is from some time ago, but it makes the point clearly. I felt like I was watching a parody of some old 1960s movie, like "Dr. Strangelove" or something. The general (I believe he is a general) was like some stereotype of a fictitious general from some story book. He reminded me of something out of the book, The Little Prince , like when the Little Prince visits the planet where the militaristic leader is plotting out his territory.

Is Russia getting closer to NATO? Unbelievable. And this is how too many of our leaders think. No, the obvious answer is that NATO is getting closer to Russia. 

Media, RT, and Suspicious Minds.

Of course we should be suspicious when we hear one of the main innovators that created Russia Today is suddenly found in his American hotel room no longer among the living.   We know, as the article covers, that many in the American establishment are unhappy with the reporting RT does about them. We also know that many are unhappy with Russia, and Russian war policy in Syria. Odd, since ostensibly the US and Russia share a common enemy in ISIS. Of course, the real goal of US policy in Syria has been to remove Assad from power all along, but I digress....slightly.

So, we sometimes ponder the possibility, as I have titled this blog with belief in this very concept, that politics is something that is done in the darkness. What we get from NPR and the rest is just fragmentary trivia, not anything close to happenings in the vast darkness of the deep state.

So, yes I'm suspicious. I wouldn't put anything past the people who hold real power in this world, and it wouldn't surprise me if someday we learn that our most frightening suspicions about power were true all along. (Article about RT from The Free Thought Project.com)

Why is this congressperson saying things that seem true?

Hmm...Congressperson, Dana Rohrabacher, is saying some odd things for a congressman. He seems to be speaking the truth about Syria and Russia. Why would he do that so openly? Is US policy about to change? Difficult to know, but fascinating nonetheless. If it isn't what the ruling elite want from him, and they perceive this becoming a problem for their policies, then it could become difficult for this congressperson to keep telling so much truth. (note: For any who come across my blog, I am trying to use html code more when posting video - not to mention in general. So, be patient with my mistakes please.)source: Russia Insider YT.

Kerry, Lavrov, and the Turkish Border with Syria.

Here is how Mike Whitney concludes this article from CounterPunch about the prospects for peace in Syria, and the duplicity being exercised by Mr. Kerry and company regarding the war in Syria: "Putin sees terrorism as a direct threat to Russia’s national security. He’s going to do whatever it takes to defeat the enemy and win the war. If that means he’s got to put Russian boots on the ground to get the job done, then that’s what he’ll do."