Trump administration has refused to respond after learning Russia offered bounties for killing US troops: report

 June 26, 2020 By Bob Brigham


President Donald Trump has refused to authorize any response after being briefed that Russia was offering bounties for the killing of U.S. troops, according to a bombshell new report in The New York Times.

“American intelligence officials have concluded that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing coalition forces in Afghanistan — including targeting American troops — amid the peace talks to end the long-running war there,” the newspaper reported, citing “officials briefed on the matter.”

“The United States concluded months ago that the Russian unit, which has been linked to assassination attempts and other covert operations in Europe intended to destabilize the West or take revenge on turncoats, had covertly offered rewards for successful attacks last year,” The Times explained. “Islamist militants, or armed criminal elements closely associated with them, are believed to have collected some bounty money, the officials said. Twenty Americans were killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2019, but it was not clear which killings were under suspicion.”

Trump was offered options to respond, but has taken no action.

“The intelligence finding was briefed to President Trump, and the White House’s National Security Council discussed the problem at an interagency meeting in late March, the officials said. Officials developed a menu of potential options — starting with making a diplomatic complaint to Moscow and a demand that it stop, along with an escalating series of sanctions and other possible responses, but the White House has yet to authorize any step, the officials said,” the newspaper explained. “Any involvement with the Taliban that resulted in the deaths of American troops would also be a huge escalation of Russia’s so-called hybrid war against the United States, a strategy of destabilizing adversaries through a combination of such tactics as cyberattacks, the spread of fake news and covert and deniable military operations.”

Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s press secretary, said the United States had not raised the issue.

“If someone makes them, we’ll respond,” Peskov said of the accusation.

American troops were reportedly not the only ones to be targeted.

“The officials familiar with the intelligence did not explain the White House delay in deciding how to respond to the intelligence about Russia,” the newspaper reported. “They said the intelligence has been treated as a closely held secret, but the administration expanded briefings about it this week — including sharing information about it with the British government, whose forces are among those said to have been targeted.”

EXCLUSIVE: A Russian spy unit secretly offered bounties to militants in Afghanistan for killing American troops, U.S. intelligence officials found. Trump and White House have known for months, but not authorized any response.
w/ @EricSchmittNYT @mschwirtzhttps://t.co/o5NKTRDE8h
— Charlie Savage (@charlie_savage) June 26, 2020


Trump is owned by Putin’: President accused of ‘literal treason’ after bombshell NYT report on Russian assassination unit


June 26, 2020 Bob Brigham


President Donald Trump was harshly criticized on Friday after a bombshell New York Times report on Russia offering bounties for the killing of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

“American intelligence officials have concluded that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing coalition forces in Afghanistan — including targeting American troops — amid the peace talks to end the long-running war there,” the newspaper reported,” the newspaper reported.

“The intelligence finding was briefed to President Trump, and the White House’s National Security Council discussed the problem at an interagency meeting in late March, the officials said. Officials developed a menu of potential options — starting with making a diplomatic complaint to Moscow and a demand that it stop, along with an escalating series of sanctions and other possible responses, but the White House has yet to authorize any step, the officials said,” the newspaper explained. “Any involvement with the Taliban that resulted in the deaths of American troops would also be a huge escalation of Russia’s so-called hybrid war against the United States, a strategy of destabilizing adversaries through a combination of such tactics as cyberattacks, the spread of fake news and covert and deniable military operations.

Here’s some of what people were saying about the scandal:


This the same group, Unit 29155 of Russia’s military intelligence agency, implicated in the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Britain and a coup attempt in Montenegro. It has never been publicly accused of involvement in attacks on Western soldiers
— Michael Schwirtz (@mschwirtz) June 26, 2020


"Article I, Section 29, of the State Constitution is similar to Article III, Section 3 of the United States Constitution, limiting the legal definition of "treason" to levying war against the State or giving "aid and comfort" to the enemies of the State."
— Contented Independent (@ContentedIndie) June 26, 2020

WHO GAVE THE STAND DOWN ORDER https://t.co/ZX6usoAQL5
— David Waldman-1, of Yorktown LLC™ (@KagroX) June 26, 2020

Trump is owned by Putin completely and a fucking traitor. https://t.co/wC5G6UhA4S
— Todd Poirier (@todd_poirier) June 26, 2020

Why isn't Trump trying to stop Russia from trying to kill U.S. soldiers? https://t.co/PCm6hTzjQI
— Eric Geller (@ericgeller) June 26, 2020

There's a word for giving aid and comfort to our nation's enemies during wartime. What was it again? Can't put my finger on it… https://t.co/Y9tLBA0pUy
— Patrick S. Tomlinson (@stealthygeek) June 26, 202

This will erode Trump's support with military and veteran families. https://t.co/pY8pOP2I47
— Cheri Jacobus (@CheriJacobus) June 26, 2020

Shocking. And Trump continues to call Putin his friend — his one consistent foreign policy position over the last 4 years. "Russia Secretly Offered Afghan Militants Bounties to Kill U.S. Troops, Intelligence Says" https://t.co/8TtutSctUq
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) June 26, 2020

Donald Trump’s partners in treason plotted the killing of American troops in Afghanistan. How proud Republican voters must again be of their choices. | NYT: Russia Secretly Offered Afghan Militants Bounties to Kill Troops, U.S. Intelligence Says https://t.co/DTexGdyjcs
— Mikko Alanne (@MikkoAlanne) June 26, 2020

In other words, Russia declared war on the United States and NATO.
r maybe was never at peace at any time in the last century. https://t.co/vFiu9zME4g
— Eric Garland (@ericgarland) June 26, 2020

While Trump was cozying up to Putin, Russia was paying the Taliban to kill American troops in Afghanistan https://t.co/dbKjPHLpgh
— Laura Bassett (@LEBassett) June 26, 2020

My god, the cynical deviousness of covertly paying mujahideen in Afghanistan to attack and kill your great power rivals as their military occupation unravels. Where could the Russians have even come up with *that* https://t.co/FHRoyDKpem
— Adam Weinstein (@AdamWeinstein) June 26, 2020

American soldiers dying so that Putin won’t show Donald’s pee tape.#TrumpsAmerica https://t.co/qcUZ9RS1N0
— “Tom the Dancing Bug” comic strip (@RubenBolling) June 26, 2020

‘Sickening’: Trump slammed by Dem lawmaker for staying silent while Russians pay bounty for US troop deaths

June 27, 2020 By Matthew Chapman


On Saturday, Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) tore into President Donald Trump over the new report that Russia has been offering bounties to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan — and Trump continued to publicly seek favors for Russia during that time.

“It is chilling. It is sickening. And it’s shocking, but maybe it shouldn’t be,” said Dean. “This is how rotten to the core this president is. He doesn’t seem to have any compassion or understanding. He doesn’t seem to really love this country. He doesn’t seem to really understand our Constitution. He certainly curries favor with our enemies and disrespects and disregards our allies and our friends.”

Watch below

Joe Scarborough rains hell on #MoscowMitch over silence on Trump/Russia bombshell report

 June 27, 2020 By Bob Brigham

MSNBC anchor Joe Scarborough blasted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for silence in the wake of a bombshell New York Times report.

The newspaper on Friday reported that Russia was offering bounties for the killing of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The report said President Donald Trump had been briefed on options for response but had not authorized any action.

After the story broke, Scarborough asked which Republicans would speak out against Trump’s conduct.

Russians are paying Islamic radicals to kill American troops in Afghanistan. Donald Trump has known about Putin targeting Americans for months and has refused to even condemn Russia diplomatically. What Republican senator will speak out against this shocking dereliction of duty?” Scarborough asked on Friday.

After silence from Republicans, Scarborough pressed the topic, referring to McConnell as “Moscow Mitch.”

“What will #MoscowMitch say about Russians putting bounties on American troops’ heads and Donald Trump saying nothing about it?” he asked. “Is #MoscowMitch as beholden to Putin as the compromised commander in chief?”

He also asked the question about four Republican senators facing tough reelection battles in 2020: Susan Collins (R-ME), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Martha McSally (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

Scarborough then added Marco Rubio (R-FL), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Steve Daines (R-MT) to the conversation.

Here are Scarborough’s Twitter comments:

Russians are paying Islamic radicals to kill American troops in Afghanistan. Donald Trump has known about Putin targeting Americans for months and has refused to even condemn Russia diplomatically. What Republican senator will speak out against this shocking dereliction of duty? pic.twitter.com/q1GMU7bQb4
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) June 27, 2020

What will #MoscowMitch say about Russians putting bounties on American troops’ heads and Donald Trump saying nothing about it?
Is #MoscowMitch as beholden to Putin as the compromised commander in chief? What about @SenSusanCollins? @CoryGardner? @MarthaMcSally? @LindseyGrahamSC? pic.twitter.com/SSoaz2K8q4
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) June 27, 2020


Trump checklist:

Protect Confederate Statues
Protect US Troops
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) June 27, 2020
cc: @marcorubio @LindseyGrahamSC @SenSusanCollins @CoryGardner @SenMcSallyAZ @senthomtillis@SteveDaines https://t.co/jWbert5v5F
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) June 27, 2020


March 2020- Trump learns Russia is paying Islamic militants to kill Americans.
May 8, 2020- Trump says: “We have this great friendship. And, by the way, getting along with Russia is a great thing, getting along with Putin and Russia is a great thing.” https://t.co/b0Qy0SnCMB
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) June 27, 2020

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/2020/06/russia-offered-afghans-bounty-to-kill-u.html

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com2020/06/a-dereliction-of-duty-bombshell-nyt.html


https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/2020/06/trump-administration-has-refused-/to.html

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/2020/06/biden-slams-trump-over-reported.html

A dereliction of duty: Bombshell NYT report reveals the Trump-Russia story is far from over

By Terry H. Schwadron, DCReport @ RawStory - Commentary
on June 27, 2020

The news late yesterday was chilling: Russians have been paying Taliban militants to kill Americans in Afghanistan even as peace talks with the Taliban were under way, intelligence sources told The New York Times.

And Donald Trump has known about this intelligence since the beginning of March and has done nothing about it.

Actually, the more you roll this disclosure over in your mind, the worse it gets.

Protecting U.S. troops is Job One for any president, but particularly this one who insists on its primacy. And he isn’t doing his job to protect our sons and daughters in the field.

This alone should be an impeachable offense

But it says more, much more about Trump’s turn away from real world problems that affect the rest of us, from pandemic to income inequality to racism. Thanks to coronavirus and joblessness, the disclosure wasn’t even considered the most important news of the day.

The Times said U.S intelligence has evidence that a Russian military spy unit has been paying Islamic militants linked to the Taliban to target Americans and other coalition troops. Just why Russia is doing this remains murky: Perhaps Russia wanted to break up peace talks with violence against Americans, perhaps it was in retaliation for a U.S. attack in Syria that unintentionally killed Russian soldiers.

Whatever it was or is, no one knows how many of the 20 Americans killed last year in Afghanistan were targeted this way. It’s a different picture than Trump appearing with U.S. troops for a celebratory photo.

What we do know is that U.S. troops were attacked and we did nothing about it.

Military Rift with TrumpThe disclosure emerged as The United States was finally telling British allies about it this week. Does that mean that the United States officially was withholding these developments from allies – another abridgment of presidential duty or at least moral responsibility?

Is this not an escalation of anti-American, anti-allied interests at a time when we’re talking about pulling troops from Europe?

That normally closed-mouth U.S. defense and intelligence folks would discuss this with these reporters who cover these areas seems a direct reflection of the growing rift with Trump over national security policy-making. According to The Times, military officials offered a range of anti-Russia alternatives in March, and Trump has sat on them.For the United States apparently to do nothing at all is stunning all by itself.

We’ve seen the White House interfere with the military hierarchy over assignment and promotion of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who spoke out after Trump’s impeachable blackmail attempts of the Ukraine president. We’ve seen Trump moving to manipulate military justice courts in the cases involving former SEAL Edward Gallagher and the Navy captain who tried to help a virused crew.

We’ve seen the generals increasingly willing to split publicly with Trump, and Trump, in turn, insulting and belittling people like James Mattis, the former secretary of defense, John Kelly Jr., the former chief of staff and others. Only Trump himself knows the answers on foreign policy.

Except on issues involving Russia, and once again, we find ourselves scratching the head wondering whether Trump is not acting here— even issuing some formal knock-it-off message to the Kremlin out of some long, never-fully-disclosed loyalty to the Kremlin.

With the extraordinary Trump administration effort this week to overturn criminal charges against the twice-admitted liar Michael T. Flynn, unsubstantiated “treason” calls against former President Barack Obama, we find ourselves still steeped in the Trump-Russia question.

Where’s the Tough?Quite to the contrary of Trump’s self-proclaimed toughness on Russia, we are hearing of Trump’s maneuvering to get Russian leader Vladimir Putin back into the Group of Eight meetings. There is no more talk of sanctions against Russia–only acquiescence to Russian control of Syria, an acceptance of ending Russia nuclear weapons treaties, a proposed withdrawal of American troops from Europe and constant diminution of NATO. Russia is still in the Ukraine, Russia is still supporting Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, Russia is still reportedly active in seeking to disrupt U.S. elections.

Where is the Trump toughness?

Yes, we’ve had a pandemic, an economic tsunami and seen widespread protests for social justice. But Trump has found time for anti-immigration moves and an attack on the U.S. health system along with personal promotion, campaign rallies and golf.

You think he could spend a few minutes on protecting Americans in uniform?

We’re seeing that the need to declare Afghanistan over, when it is not, in time for the Trump re-election campaign apparently outweighs the lives of our troops.

So long as you are there, do your job, Donald Trump.




Ambassador McFaul reveals damning flaw in the White House denial over Trump’s latest Russia scandal

Published on June 27, 2020By Bob Brigham


Former Obama administration Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul offered his analysis on Saturday after the White House finally responded to the bombshell New York Times report that Russia had put bounties on U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan.

“The White House denied President Trump had been briefed on U.S. intelligence that reportedly determined Russia offered secret bounties to kill U.S. troops,” the Washington Examiner reported Saturday. “Kayleigh McEnany, the White House press secretary, issued a statement soon after presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden castigated Trump for reportedly taking no retaliatory action.”

“The United States receives thousands of intelligence reports a day, and they are subject to strict scrutiny. While the White House does not routinely comment on alleged intelligence or internal deliberations, the CIA director, national security adviser, and the chief of staff can all confirm that neither the president nor the vice president were briefed on the alleged Russian bounty intelligence,” McEnany claimed in a statement.



NN analyst and Russia expert Bianna Golodryga, who was born in the USSR, was perplexed by the statement.

“Why on earth would the [White House] wait 24 hours to respond with this given how damning the story is?” she wondered.

Ambassador McFaul, who also worked for the National Security Council, had his own question.

“And, if true, why on earth was the president not briefed on his intelligence?” McFaul asked.

The scandal has blown up since the NYT report, which The Washington Post confirmed. On Saturday, “Traitor Trump” and “TRE45ON” trended nationwide on Twitter.



And, if true, why on earth was the president not briefed on his intelligence? https://t.co/za4cLNvJkJ
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) June 27, 2020

I am really outraged by Trump's indifference to Putin paying Taliban terrorists to kill American soldiers. I can't imagine my anger if one of my sons were deployed in Afghanistan right now. https://t.co/wOIfZpXt6f
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) June 27, 2020

Im not a lawyer. But I hope the American people will be as outraged as I am over Trump's complacency. After he knew about these Putin-ordered contracts to kill US soldiers, Trump invited Putin to the G-7! What… the… hell ! https://t.co/M0NL9Pr5os
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) June 27, 2020



Marine in Congress chokes up apologizing to troops for Trump: ‘I’m so sorry this man is your president’

June 27, 2020 By Bob Brigham



Rep. Ruben Gallego choked up on Saturday while apologizing to members of the U.S. military during an appearance on MSNBC.

Gallego was interviewed by MSNBC’s Lindsey Reiser about the blockbuster New York Times story that Russia was offering bounties for the killing of U.S. troops — with President Donald Trump doing nothing in response.

“You’re a veteran, what’s your reaction to this?” Reiser asked the Marine veteran.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Gallego replied.

“I remember being a young guy in Iraq, sometimes feeling abandoned by my government. And right now, there’s a young man or woman in Afghanistan that’s reading this and what are they feeling?” he wondered. “Their own president is hanging them out to dry for some reason, some obsession for Putin.”

“I want to apologize to all of our members of the military, I’m so sorry this man is your president,” Gallego said. “This is not how it should be.”

Watch:

#TraitorTrump and ‘TRE45ON’ trend nationwide as outrage grows: ‘The biggest scandal Trump has faced’
June 27, 2020 By Bob Brigham

President Donald Trump was greeted with outrage on Twitter after returning to the White House from a day of golfing.

The hashtags #TraitorTrump, #TrumpTreason and #TraitorInChief all trended nationwide on Twitter on Saturday. The phrase “TRE45ON” also trended, with the letters “a” and “s” replaced by the number 45, as Trump is America’s forty-fifth president.

Here’s some of the commentary on the bombshell New York Times report that Russia put bounties on US troops in Afghanistan — and Trump did nothing in response:

Everyone in this picture is a patriot, with one exception. @realDonaldTrump apparently knew Putin paid bounties to militants to kill US troops & POTUS did nothing. Actually, it was worse than nothing. Trump last month invited Putin to the G7 summit. Traitorous behavior by Trump. pic.twitter.com/bIaQPvh8Jz

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) June 27, 2020

Wow. @realDonaldTrump put his relationship to Putin ahead of the lives of American soldiers. So he’s not only an incompetent, ignorant, misogynistic, sociopathic, lying racist, he flat out committed treason. https://t.co/Bt8coTxHmD
— Ken Olin (@kenolin1) June 27, 2020


Two days ago, Trump laid a wreath at a memorial to American war dead while doing nothing about Russia paying insurgents to kill Americans.
His presidency is a disgrace to anyone who has ever served this country. #TraitorTrump pic.twitter.com/ULAFedDFH9
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@HoarseWisperer) June 27, 2020

Trump could literally go on Fox News, reveal top secret locations of Navy Seals on camera which leads to the Russians killing them and Republicans would still support Trump.#Traitors #TraitorTrump
— Jack (@jackresists) June 27, 2020


Raise your hand if you committed treason by allowing Russia to place a bounty on American troops.#TraitorTrump pic.twitter.com/zfRZkZUp36
— AKA Donald J. Trump (@AKADonaldTrump) June 27, 2020

Trump will try to distract the Russia and #TraitorTrump story by tomorrow or Monday. We will fall for it but I hope people don't forget this man sold out the lives of US soldiers.
— Wajahat "Wears a Mask Because of a Pandemic" Ali (@WajahatAli) June 27, 2020

In this photo, #TraitorTrump salutes a West Point cadet ***knowing that he might send this young man off to die in Afghanistan with the help of his good friend Putin*** (whom he believes over anything US intelligence says). https://t.co/eWIGwvJDXM
— Grant Stern (@grantstern) June 27, 2020

NOTE TO AMERICA'S TROOPS:
Donald only protects troops who are made of metal or stone — and fought for the other side. #TraitorTrump https://t.co/Z58SrAbtcC
— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) June 27, 2020

While Trump was committing treason he was defending statues of traitors. #TraitorTrump
— Tim Hannan (@TimHannan) June 27, 2020

Trump is a traitor. He is not worth the blood my son left in Afghanistan. #TraitorTrump I have a shirt with a bullet hole I’d like to show all his defenders. I don’t have a big accountbut if any of you do, please retweet.
— Maria Lamping (@maria_lamping) June 27, 2020


The president is a traitor. Who will stand up for our troops? Who will stand up for America? https://t.co/GOa1n5Denn
— Bob Driehaus (@BobDriehaus) June 27, 2020


A white supremacist, a sex offender, and a traitor walk into a bar. The bartender says "What'll it be, President Trump?"#TraitorTrump
— Middle Age Riot (@middleageriot) June 27, 2020

I'm no historical expert on Presidents James Buchanan and Andrew Johnson, generally regarded as the worst before Trump came along, but I'm pretty sure neither was compromised by a hostile foreign power. #TRE45ON
— Zach Wolfe (@zachwolfelaw) June 27, 2020

#TRE45ON The U.S. Commander in Chief learned that Putin put a BOUNTY on American troops and then gave Putin the highest honor possible by inviting him to be his personal guest at the G-7 https://t.co/qP1jsIiaX9

— Venture Capital (@kelly2277) June 27, 2020

Another example of how this man is destroying our country!! To his supporters… Look beyond your politics. Do you want to blindly stand with this man after he is willing to betray the men and women who sacrifice for all of us!!#TRE45ON #TraitorTrump
https://t.co/jz2QsDKE1R
— Jason Lewis (@JasonLewis) June 27, 2020

Keep it going. #TRE45ON pic.twitter.com/Jc7BrgfgEd
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) June 27, 2020

The perfect hashtag for Trump’s legacy: #TRE45ON
— Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) June 27, 2020


#TRE45ON pic.twitter.com/GOhtRKLX3R
— Ken Olin (@kenolin1) June 27, 2020


"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort."
Article III, Section 3
US Constitution
FACT: Trump both adhered to our enemies (Russia and Afghan rebels) and gave aid to them.
— Dr. Jack Brown (@DrGJackBrown) June 27, 2020

Donald Trump committed treason.
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) June 27, 2020

Trump knew for 3 months that Russia was trying to kill US troops in Afghanistan and he said nothing.
He literally acted faster to save the statues of Confederate traitors than American lives. #TraitorTrump https://t.co/ncI33RWU5I
— David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) June 27, 2020

Last November, Trump used the returning caskets of servicemen killed in Aghanistan as props for a photo op.
This year, he did nothing as Russia paid to have their fellow soldiers killed. #TraitorTrump pic.twitter.com/LEIzQt67ce
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@HoarseWisperer) June 27, 2020

That Russia paid the Taliban to kill US soldiers – then, after CIA told Trump, he *did nothing* but try to reward Russia by bringing them into the G7 – is the biggest story in decades. It doesnt matter what Putin has on Trump. He's a traitor. He deserves prison, not reelection.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) June 27, 2020

Donald Trump is a Russian asset. pic.twitter.com/tyrwCjb6Y9
— MeidasTouch.com (@MeidasTouch) June 27, 2020


#ThisIsMyAmerica This servicemember has the heart of a younger generation that knows #BlackLivesMatter as much as white lives do! So many young people hurt to see what #TraitorTrump has done to America. We need young voters to #VoteBiden
Wait for it…pic.twitter.com/3Blcn0Guws
— Truth Matters (@TruthsOverTrump) June 27, 2020

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/2020/06/russia-offered-afghans-bounty-to-kill-u.html

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com2020/06/a-dereliction-of-duty-bombshell-nyt.html


https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/2020/06/trump-administration-has-refused-/to.html

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/2020/06/biden-slams-trump-over-reported.html

Russia Offered Afghans Bounty to Kill U.S. Troops, Officials SayCharlie Savage, Eric Schmitt and Michael Schwirtz,The New York Times•June 27, 2020



Russia Offered Afghans Bounty to Take Down U.S. Troops, Officials Say

A Russian military intelligence unit offered rewards to Taliban-linked militants for killing coalition forces, officials say.

WASHINGTON — American intelligence officials have concluded that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing coalition forces in Afghanistan — including targeting American troops — amid the peace talks to end the long-running war there, according to officials briefed on the matter.

The United States concluded months ago that the Russian unit, which has been linked to assassination attempts and other covert operations in Europe intended to destabilize the West or take revenge on turncoats, had covertly offered rewards for successful attacks last year.

Islamist militants, or armed criminal elements closely associated with them, are believed to have collected some bounty money, the officials said. Twenty Americans were killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2019, but it was not clear which killings were under suspicion.

The intelligence finding was briefed to President Donald Trump, and the White House’s National Security Council discussed the problem at an interagency meeting in late March, the officials said. Officials developed a menu of potential options — starting with making a diplomatic complaint to Moscow and a demand that it stop, along with an escalating series of sanctions and other possible responses, but the White House has yet to authorize any step, the officials said.

An operation to incentivize the killing of American and other NATO troops would be a significant and provocative escalation of what American and Afghan officials have said is Russian support for the Taliban, and it would be the first time the Russian spy unit was known to have orchestrated attacks on Western troops.

Any involvement with the Taliban that resulted in the deaths of American troops would also be a huge escalation of Russia’s so-called hybrid war against the United States, a strategy of destabilizing adversaries through a combination of such tactics as cyberattacks, the spread of fake news, and covert and deniable military operations.

American troops at Camp Shorabak in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 26, 2019. (Jim Huylebroek/The New York Times)

The Kremlin had not been made aware of the accusations, said Dmitry Peskov, press secretary for President Vladimir Putin of Russia. “If someone makes them, we’ll respond,” Peskov said.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, denied that the insurgents have “any such relations with any intelligence agency” and called the report an attempt to defame them.

“These kinds of deals with the Russian intelligence agency are baseless — our target killings and assassinations were ongoing in years before, and we did it on our own resources,” he said. “That changed after our deal with the Americans, and their lives are secure and we don’t attack them.”

Spokespeople at the National Security Council, the Pentagon, the State Department and the CIA declined to comment.

The officials familiar with the intelligence did not explain the White House delay in deciding how to respond to the intelligence about Russia.

While some of his closest advisers, like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have counseled more hawkish policies toward Russia, Trump has adopted an accommodating stance toward Moscow.

At a summit in Helsinki in 2018, Trump strongly suggested that he believed Putin’s denial that the Kremlin interfered in the 2016 presidential election, despite broad agreement within the U.S. intelligence establishment that it did. Trump criticized a bill imposing sanctions on Russia when he signed it into law after Congress passed it by veto-proof majorities. And he has repeatedly made statements that undermined the NATO alliance as a bulwark against Russian aggression in Europe.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the delicate intelligence and internal deliberations. They said the intelligence has been treated as a closely held secret, but the administration expanded briefings about it this week — including sharing information about it with the British government, whose forces are among those said to have been targeted.

The intelligence assessment is said to be based at least in part on interrogations of captured Afghan militants and criminals. The officials did not describe the mechanics of the Russian operation, such as how targets were picked or how money changed hands. It is also not clear whether Russian operatives had deployed inside Afghanistan or met with their Taliban counterparts elsewhere.

The revelations came into focus inside the Trump administration at a delicate and distracted time. Although officials collected the intelligence earlier in the year, the interagency meeting at the White House took place as the coronavirus pandemic was becoming a crisis and parts of the country were shutting down.

Moreover, as Trump seeks reelection in November, he wants to strike a peace deal with the Taliban to end the Afghanistan War.

Both American and Afghan officials have previously accused Russia of providing small arms and other support to the Taliban that amounts to destabilizing activity, although Russian government officials have dismissed such claims as “idle gossip” and baseless.

“We share some interests with Russia in Afghanistan, and clearly they’re acting to undermine our interests as well,” Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr., commander of American forces in Afghanistan at the time, said in a 2018 interview with the BBC.

Though coalition troops suffered a spate of combat casualties last summer and early fall, only a few have since been killed. Four Americans were killed in combat in early 2020, but the Taliban have not attacked U.S. positions since a February agreement.

American troops have also sharply reduced their movement outside of military bases because of the coronavirus, reducing their exposure to attack.

While officials were said to be confident about the intelligence that Russian operatives offered and paid bounties to Afghan militants for killing Americans, they have greater uncertainty about how high in the Russian government the covert operation was authorized and what its aim may be.

Some officials have theorized that the Russians may be seeking revenge on NATO forces for a 2018 battle in Syria in which the U.S. military killed several hundred pro-Syrian forces, including numerous Russian mercenaries, as they advanced on an American outpost. Officials have also suggested that the Russians may have been trying to derail peace talks to keep the United States bogged down in Afghanistan. But the motivation remains murky.

The officials briefed on the matter said the government had assessed the operation to be the handiwork of Unit 29155, an arm of Russia’s military intelligence agency, known widely as the GRU. The unit is linked to the March 2018 nerve agent poisoning in Salisbury, England, of Sergei Skripal, a former GRU officer who had worked for British intelligence and then defected, and his daughter.

Western intelligence officials say the unit, which has operated for more than a decade, has been charged by the Kremlin with carrying out a campaign to destabilize the West through subversion, sabotage and assassination. In addition to the 2018 poisoning, the unit was behind an attempted coup in Montenegro in 2016 and the poisoning of an arms manufacturer in Bulgaria a year earlier.

American intelligence officials say the GRU was at the center of Moscow’s covert efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. In the months before that election, American officials say, two GRU cyberunits, known as 26165 and 74455, hacked into Democratic Party servers, and then used WikiLeaks to publish embarrassing internal communications.

In part because those efforts were aimed at helping tilt the election in Trump’s favor, Trump’s handling of issues related to Russia and Putin has come under particular scrutiny. The special counsel investigation found that the Trump campaign welcomed Russia’s intervention and expected to benefit from it, but found insufficient evidence to establish that his associates had engaged in any criminal conspiracy with Moscow.

Operations involving Unit 29155 tend to be much more violent than those involving the cyberunits. Its officers are often decorated military veterans with years of service, in some cases dating to the Soviet Union’s failed war in Afghanistan in the 1980s. Never before has the unit been accused of orchestrating attacks on Western soldiers, but officials briefed on its operations say it has been active in Afghanistan for many years.

Though Russia declared the Taliban a terrorist organization in 2003, relations between them have been warming in recent years. Taliban officials have traveled to Moscow for peace talks with other prominent Afghans, including the former president, Hamid Karzai. The talks have excluded representatives from the current Afghan government as well as anyone from the United States and at times have seemed to work at crosscurrents with U.S. efforts to bring an end to the conflict.

The disclosure comes at a time when Trump has said he would invite Putin to an expanded meeting of the Group of Seven nations, but tensions between U.S. and Russian militaries are running high.In several recent episodes, in international territory and airspace from off the coast of Alaska to the Black and Mediterranean seas, combat planes from each country has scrambled to intercept military aircraft from the other.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
© 2020 The New York Times Company

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/2020/06/russia-offered-afghans-bounty-to-kill-u.html

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com2020/06/a-dereliction-of-duty-bombshell-nyt.html


https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/2020/06/trump-administration-has-refused-/to.html

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/2020/06/biden-slams-trump-over-reported.html

Seawater seeping into decaying oil tanker off Yemen coast

ECO DISASTER

WAR! WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?!

PROFIT AND POLLUTION

MAGGIE MICHAEL, Associated Press•June 26, 2020

Houthis Floating Bomb
This satellite image provided by Manar Technologies taken June 17, 2020, shows the FSO Safer tanker moored off Ras Issa port, in Yemen. Houthi rebels are blocking the United Nations from inspecting the abandoned oil tanker loaded with more than one million barrels of crude oil. UN officials and experts fear the tanker could explode or leak, causing massive environmental damage to Red Sea marine life. (Maxar Technologies via AP)

This image provided by I.R. Consilium taken in 2019, shows the external piping system of the FSO Safer and the hose failure that led to a spill, moored off Ras Issa port, Yemen. Houthi rebels are blocking the United Nations from inspecting the abandoned oil tanker loaded with more than one million barrels of crude oil. UN officials and experts fear the tanker could explode or leak, causing massive environmental damage to Red Sea marine life. (I.R. Consilium via AP)

This image provided by I.R. Consilium taken in 2019, shows the deck of the FSO Safer, indicating the lack of basic maintenance for several years, leading to incidental smaller spills, moored off Ras Issa port, Yemen. Houthi rebels are blocking the United Nations from inspecting the abandoned oil tanker loaded with more than one million barrels of crude oil. UN officials and experts fear the tanker could explode or leak, causing massive environmental damage to Red Sea marine life. (I.R. Consilium via AP)

CAIRO (AP) — The United Nations said an abandoned oil tanker moored off the coast of Yemen loaded with more than 1 million barrels of crude oil is at risk of rupture or exploding, causing massive environmental damage to Red Sea marine life, desalination factories and international shipping routes.

Meanwhile, Houthi rebels who control the area where the ship is moored have denied U.N. inspectors access to the vessel. Internal documents obtained by The Associated Press shows that seawater has entered the engine compartment of the tanker, which hasn't been maintained for over five years, causing damage to the pipelines and increasing the risk of sinking. Rust has covered parts of the tanker and the inert gas that prevents the tanks from gathering inflammable gases, has leaked out. Experts say maintenance is no longer possible because the damage to the ship is irreversible.

For years, the U.N. has been trying to send inspectors to assess the damage aboard the vessel known as the FSO Safer and look for ways to secure the tanker by unloading the oil and pulling the ship to safety.

But one European diplomat, a Yemeni government official and the tanker’s company owner said that Houthi rebels have resisted. The diplomat said the rebels are treating the vessel as a “deterrent like having a nuclear weapon.” All three individuals spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the subject with a reporter.

“They do say that openly to the U.N., ‘We like to have this as something to hold against the international community if attacked,'" the diplomat said. “Houthis are definitely responsible for failure of the U.N. to look at the ship.”

Money is also an issue, the diplomat said, adding that the Houthis initially were demanding millions of dollars in return for the oil stored in the tanker. The U.N. is trying to reach an arrangement where money could be used to pay workers and employees at Yemen's Red Sea ports, the diplomat added.


This image provided by I.R. Consilium taken in 2019, shows the internal piping system inside the FSO Safer, moored off Ras Issa port, Yemen. Houthi rebels are blocking the United Nations from inspecting the abandoned oil tanker loaded with more than one million barrels of crude oil. Internal documents obtained by the AP showed that seawater has entered the engine compartment of the tanker, which has been left without maintenance for over five years, causing damage to the pipelines and increasing the risk of sinking. Rust has covered parts of the tanker and the inert gas that prevents the tanks from gathering inflammable gases, has leaked out. (I.R. Consilium via AP)


This image taken in 2019, shows the corrosion on the control piping system inside the FSO Safer tanker, moored off Ras Issa port, Yemen. Houthi rebels are blocking the United Nations from inspecting the abandoned oil tanker loaded with more than one million barrels of crude oil. Internal documents obtained by the AP showed that seawater has entered the engine compartment of the tanker, which has been left without maintenance for over five years, causing damage to the pipelines and increasing the risk of sinking. Rust has covered parts of the tanker and the inert gas that prevents the tanks from gathering inflammable gases, has leaked out. (I.R. Consilium via AP)

This image provided by I.R. Consilium taken in 2019, shows the extent of the corrosion in the boiler system inside the FSO Safer tanker, moored off Ras Issa port, Yemen. Houthi rebels are blocking the United Nations from inspecting the abandoned oil tanker loaded with more than one million barrels of crude oil. Internal documents obtained by the AP showed that seawater has entered the engine compartment of the tanker, which has been left without maintenance for over five years, causing damage to the pipelines and increasing the risk of sinking. Rust has covered parts of the tanker and the inert gas that prevents the tanks from gathering inflammable gases, has leaked out. (I.R. Consilium via AP)

Some experts, however, criticize both the Houthis and the U.N. for failing to fully understand the magnitude of the crisis with the abandoned ship.

Ian Ralby, founder of I.R. Consilium, who specializes in maritime and resource security, told the AP that U.N.’s efforts to send a team to assess the ship is “futile.” What the vessel needs is a salvage team, he said.

“It’s real shame that they wasted so much money and time in this futile operation,” said Ralby. “If you are taking these years to get a simple team to assess, we will not have a second chance to salvage,” he added.

Ralby, who has written extensively about the tanker, told the AP that amid declining oil prices the cost spent on cleaning up the environmental damage from an explosion or leakage will be much more than the millions worth of oil on the ship.

But the Houthis have refused to back down from their demands.

Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the rebel group's leader, blamed the U.S. and Saudis for not letting the rebels sell the oil, saying in a June 18 Twitter post that any “disastrous consequences ... God forbid,” that could result from the collapse of the vessel will be the responsibility of these two countries.

The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels are in control of the western Red Sea ports, including Ras Issa, 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from where the FSO Safer tanker has been moored since the 1980s. They are at war with the internationally recognized government, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition and the United States. President Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi is in exile in Saudi Arabia and his government in disarray.

The floating tanker is a Japanese-made vessel built in the 1970s and sold to the Yemeni government in 1980s to store for export up to 3 million barrels pumped from oil fields in Marib, a province in eastern Yemen. The ship is 360 meters (1,181 feet) long with 34 storage tanks.

A senior official at the state-owned oil company in charge of the tanker, said because of a shrinking operational budget, which used to be around 20 million dollars a year before the war, the company could no longer afford to purchase fuel needed to run the boilers on the ship. The boilers are needed to power generators that, among other things, keep an inert gas that prevents explosions flowing. The tanker needs 11,000 tons of the fuel, which cost about 8 million dollars each year.

“After the stoppage of the boilers the strong majority of the equipment and the machines of the tanker stopped because they all depend on steam power,” the company official said. That includes the machines that power the ventilation system, which reduces humidity and prevents corrosion, he said.

Since 2015, annual maintenance on the ship has come to a complete halt and most crew members, except for 10 people, were pulled off the vessel after the Saudi-led coalition imposed a land, sea, and air embargo before waging an extensive air campaign to dislodge the Houthi rebels from areas they seized including the capital, Sanaa.

The civil war in Yemen has caused massive destruction in most of the areas under Houthis control. Because of the proximity of the tanker to the contested Hodeida port, fears have grown that a stray shell or bullet could hit the tanker causing massive explosion or oil leak into the Red Sea.

Hodeida was at the center of Yemen’s civil war in 2018 when coalition forces made major advances to take over the vital port, which is considered the life-line of most of northern Yemen, where most of Yemenis live and where the Houthis enjoy full control. A U.N.-brokered peace deal put an end to the offensive but failed to achieve peace or loosen Houthis’ grip over the ports.

Over the past two years, the Yemeni government in exile, the U.N., and western diplomats have been sounding the alarm and putting pressure on Houthis to secure the tanker. The rebels initially agreed to let inspectors examine the tanker but later backtracked.

Top Houthi leaders often expressed cynicism toward the international community warnings.

“The life of the shrimps is more precious than the life of Yemeni citizen to the U.S. and its allies. Is this because they care about their naval ships or the Israeli presence in the Red Sea?” wrote Mohammed Ali al-Houthi in a May 25 Twitter post. “Why is Safer more dangerous than the siege and the assault of the American, British, Saudi, Emirati and their allies on the people?” he added in reference to the US-backed, Saudi-led coalition targeting the rebels in Yemen.

Yahia Sharaf Eddin, the deputy head of Yemen Red Sea Ports Corporation, defended the Houthis rebels and told the AP that the group had instructed port authorities to assist U.N. inspectors. He said it was the Saudi-led coalition that refused to give the U.N. a green light to board the decaying tanker.

The more delays in reaching a solution to the vessel, the more dangers it poses, Sharaf Eddin said.

A recent internal government memo obtained by the AP shows that earlier this month a diving team was dispatched by the state-run oil company that owns the tanker to seal holes in the ship that have allowed seawater to leak into the engine room.

The divers were able to make repairs, but it remain unclear if the work will hold, according to the July 13 report.

“We believe that the plugs/seals that were installed to prevent the entry of seawater into the engine room space will not withstand/hold long,” the report read.

An earlier letter dated Oct. 2019 sent by the Yemeni minister of oil — who is affiliated with the Saudi-backed government — to the prime minister, and seen by the AP, found other problems with the tanker.

“Rust has covered some parts of the tanker along with equipment, fire distinguishing system stopped working, and what is more dangerous is that the gas which was covering the oil inside the tanks has leaked out. It was used to protect the tankers from exploding,” the letter read.

The oil minister’s letter recommended three different approaches to deal with the tanker: make repairs, pump the oil to another ship, or to pull the tanker away and safely unload it in another port.

The minister wrote that because of the “collapsing condition” of the vessel, the best solution is to pull it away to another port.

“We are notifying you about this dangerous situation to do your best and to get Yemen and the region out from such environmental dangers,” he wrote.

The letter came months after the U.N.’s projects arm, known as UNOPS, put out a tender to hire an international agency to inspect the vessel after an initial agreement with Houthis.

The U.N. hired a team of experts and had them standing by in Djibouti. The AP obtained a copy of the tender letter and documents showing the experts’ proposed inspection program and a list of equipment needed, including gas detector and oil sampling kits.

But the Houthis backed out of the agreement before the repair crew could be sent to Yemen.

Mark Lowcock, the U.N. humanitarian chief, told the U.N. Security Council last year that the U.N. assessment team was ready to be deployed but “the necessary permits remain pending with the Ansar Allah authorities” in reference to Houthis.

“I would just like to note that this is additionally frustrating when one recalls that the same authorities wrote to the United Nations early last year requesting assistance with the tanker and promising to facilitate our work,” he added.

Sharaf Eddin, the Yemeni ports official, accused the U.N of siding with the Saudi-coalition and misleading the public by blaming Houthis for the delays.

“This is the same U.N. which is exploiting Yemen tragedy to collect donations then spend it on its own employees,” he said, echoing Houthis’ widely held anti-U.N. sentiment. He added that the coalition in 2017 refused to give access to a fuel vessel to head to the Safer tanker to run the power generators. “What is Houthis’ interest in preventing a disaster? Any spark could cause massive explosion,” he acknowledged.

He provided letters sent by Houthi-appointed government officials last summer, including one from the foreign minister, approving the visit by the U.N. But the European diplomat said the Houthis revoked their initial approval and put new conditions on U.N. activities.

The U.N. has repeatedly warned that delays in taking action to fix the FSO Safer could lead to a man-made environmental disaster in the Red Sea four times greater than the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

The Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989 was one of the largest oil spills in U.S. history. The tanker spewed nearly 300,000 barrels of thick, toxic crude oil into Alaska’s pristine Prince William Sound. Scores of herring, sea otters and birds were soaked in oil, and hundreds of miles of shoreline polluted. The spill destroyed the livelihoods of hundreds of commercial fishermen in the area.

The senior official at the state-owned company in charge of the tanker issued an appeal for help to the international community saying that a similar oil spill off the coast of Yemen could accelerate Yemen’s worsening humanitarian disaster.

“The disaster could happen at any second,” he said, “Rescue Yemen from a terrible, imminent disaster that will add to Yemen’s burdens for tens of years and deprive thousands from their source of living, and kill marine life in the Red Sea.”

https://tinyurl.com/yd8drnxc

What it's like to have sex in space


Picture: NASA via Getty Image

If it’s true what they say, we’ll all be making trips to the moon and Mars soon enough.
After all, one international programme to put people on Mars has already begun selecting and training people for a launch in 2031.

But if we’re spending that much time in space (it will take an estimated 21 months to get to Mars) we’re going to need to know how to have out-of-this-world sex.

Literally.



Well, there’s a few things to overcome, and not just the dilemma of where to find condoms on a planet with no shops.

First of all, Earth’s atmosphere protects us from most radiation, but that isn’t the case in space – and unfortunately our features and organs most sensitive to radiation are the ones crucial to sex.

When there’s the issue of microgravity – that thing that makes astronauts float around in their spaceships. But it also makes them lose muscle mass, and for female astronauts, it can stop their ovulation.

Not very conducive if you're trying to re-populate the earth after Donald Trump fires one too many missiles.

This video from Fivethirtyeight explains that while no humans are known to have had sex in space, there are some creatures who have managed it, but it's unclear how successful it's been.

And there’s a mountain of research that hasn’t been done yet, so a lot of the effects of space on our sexual abilities are unknown, but as the video explains, it seems to address a core question:

Do we need this planet to survive?

Here’s how we can help the Covid-19 recovery, tackle the climate crisis and fight disillusionment with our democracy

As we take stock of what we have learnt during this crisis, we must leverage this to change the way we do things – including the way parliament works

Caroline Lucas @CarolineLucas
There was a striking opinion poll back in April when people had experienced the first weeks of lockdown. What did they want when the coronavirus crisis was over? Only nine per cent said they wanted life to go back to “normal”.

So we know what people don’t want. The challenge now is to find out what they do want.

As many have acknowledged, this is a pivotal moment where we can address two global crises – coronavirus and the climate emergency, which may have disappeared from the front pages but has not gone away. If anyone needed reminding of how dangerous the climate crisis is, land surface temperatures of up to 45C have been recorded in the Arctic this week, something that is truly terrifying.

We can use the need to restart our economy in the wake of Covid-19 in a way which also addresses the climate crisis. But I believe there is a third priority too.
We’ve learnt in the past four months that real change can happen fast, in both government and the public, where there is a shared necessity and a common will. As we take stock of what we have learnt during this crisis, we must leverage this to change the way we do things – including the way parliament works.

Read more

Green recovery ‘only option’ to return to economic prosperity

The disillusionment with our democracy is profound. Too often, people feel they just don’t count and nor do their views. They have no control over key areas of their lives, and politics is something that is done to them, not with them.

This isn’t healthy for our democracy and it will stop us successfully tackling the climate crisis, when time to take effective action is rapidly running out. Effective action could not be more urgent. This is the last decade where we have a serious chance of avoiding the worst of climate change. If we bungle it and throw away the opportunity to do things differently now, we will have squandered what is probably our last chance to get off this dangerous path.

If we are to transform our society and our economy in the way that’s needed to protect and restore nature and our climate while improving people’s lives and life chances, people need to know they are being heard and that they have a stake in the future of this country. More than that, addressing the challenges we face needs all of us.

That is why the Reset inquiry from the parliamentary group on the Green New Deal that I co-chair with the Labour MP Clive Lewis, isn’t just about producing proposals on how to re-emerge from coronavirus in a way that’s fairer, greener and more sustainable. It is about a whole new approach to change that treats citizens as partners in the process.
It involves surveys, opinion polls, online workshops where people can explore and develop proposals in key areas, or write to us with their ideas. We’ll hold virtual evidence sessions where we will hear from a wide range of voices, including those whose expertise comes from their own lived experiences.

But we want to go further than just consultation. If we are to fundamentally change our society, as we must, we need to actively engage with people from the start, using their experiences and expertise in the process of deciding what steps to take next. And we need to give them a meaningful stake in, as well as control of, the changes that happen, rejuvenating democracy in the process.

The UK’s citizens’ assembly on climate, which began meeting in January, starts to show what’s possible when you do that. A hundred and eight citizens, of all ages, races, backgrounds and views, have been meeting to discuss how the UK can meet its mandated target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Their interim report, on how to rebuild the economy post-coronavirus, was published this week.

Jacob Rees-Mogg suggests weather to blame for high coronavirus death rate

What was noticeable was not only the level of engagement, but how closely their recommendations were echoed in the progress report of the government’s own advisers, the Committee on Climate Change, two days later. If people are given the time to discuss complex issues, and presented with evidence, they can come up with solutions to the most intractable problems and feel ownership of those decisions.

We need that engagement and understanding if we are to successfully tackle the climate emergency, and tackle the corrosive levels of inequality that blight our country. So before we return to clogged streets, crowded shops and polluted air we want people to tell us now about the changes they are looking for as part of an open dialogue about the future of our country, and in particular how we might use this once in a generation opportunity to make it fairer and greener.

We want to start the process of putting power back into communities, creating the connections and structures that will underpin lasting change.

The public response to coronavirus has shown that people can not only be trusted to take the right actions for the sake of their own safety and others, we are also capable of extraordinary levels of innovation, kindness and generosity. Reset presents an opportunity for our voices and our actions to matter. Working together, we’ll make sure the government listens.

Caroline Lucas is the Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion

US anthem wrapped up in racist history and should be replaced with John Lennon's 'Imagine', say activists
MISAPPROPRIATION, JOHN LENNON WAS A BRIT AND ACCORDING TO THE FBI AN ENEMY ALIEN

IMAGINE IS INTERNATIONALIST, 

IT BELONGS TO HUMANITY
NOT SOME IMAGINED NATION by Sirena Bergman in news

Getty

A number of American cultural institutions have been called out for the racist stereotypes they promote.

From The Simpsons to Aunt Jemima syrup, it seems brands and entities are taking notice, and changing things up to become more inclusive and promote the anti-racism message that the resurgence in the Black Lives Matter movement has shed a light on.

But perhaps the most engrained of all such institutions getting a new reckoning is the national anthem.

"The Star-Spangled Banner" has been at the centre of the struggle against racism for some years, most notably when Black NFL player Colin began to take the knee during the singing of the anthem before football games back in 2016.

At the time he drew widespread criticism from white people – including President Trump, who suggested in a tweet that he should be fired.

But now it seems people are reconsidering.

Last week, protesters in San Francisco toppled a statue of the song's composer, Francis Scott Key.

Key, who died in 1843, was slave owner who made some horrifyingly racist claims, saying that African Americans were an "inferior race of people, which all experience proves to be the greatest evil that afflicts a community".

Activist and author Kevin Powell says that it's time to address the racist history of the anthem that Americans grow up singing.

For example, the original version contained the lines: "No refuge could save the hireling and slave/From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave/And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave/O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave."

Powell makes the point that: "How are you criticising a rap song for being violent, but when we get to kindergarten, we are literally teaching children violence through song? I said, ‘I can't participate anymore.’ So I stopped a long time ago.’”

Historian Daniel E Walker agrees, and suggests it should be replaced with John Lennon's "Imagine".

He told Yahoo Entertainment:

I do side with the people who say that we should rethink this as the national anthem, because this is about the deep-seated legacy of slavery and white supremacy in America, where we do things over and over and over again that are a slap in the face of people of colour and women.

He added that "Imagine" is "the most beautiful, unifying, all-people, all-backgrounds-together kind of song you could have”.

On Twitter, people suggested their own alternatives:

But not everyone is into the idea.

Predictably, there were those who refused to accept that there is a real problem with having a song written by a racist as as national anthem.

Lots of people said that racist or not, the current anthem is really not a great song and could do with a refresh.

While this really does miss the point, it's also hard to argue with.

https://www.indy100.com/article/us-national-anthem-racism-slavery-john-lennon-imagine-9589121

Racism in the entertainment industry: 'The Simpsons' will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters

Sophia Ankel

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon in The Simpsons. FOX

"The Simpsons" will no longer have white actors voicing non-white characters, according to a statement released by producers on Friday.

The move comes five months after white actor Hank Azaria said he would step down from voicing Indian-American character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon on the hit show.

The announcement comes amid a wider consideration of systemic racism in the media and entertainment industry.

The producers of "The Simpsons" said on Friday that they would stop using white actors to play non-white characters amid a broader discussion about systemic racism in the media and entertainment industry.

"Moving forward, 'The Simpsons' will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters," the statement said.

The statement did not elaborate further but comes five months after white actor Hank Azaria said he would step down from voicing Indian-American character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon after heavy criticism.

It is unclear whether Apu or any other characters would remain on the series.

Other non-white characters in "The Simpsons" who are voiced by white actors include Homer Simpson's best friend, Carl Carlson, who is also played by Azaria, and the Simpson family doctor, Dr. Hibbert, voiced by Harry Shearer.

Shearer also voiced Sanjay Nahasapeemapetilon, Apu's brother.

"The Simpsons", which is broadcast by Fox Network and made its series debut in 1989, has faced years of criticism for reinforcing racist stereotypes.

The show's announcement comes amid a wider consideration of systemic racism in media and entertainment, following country-wide demonstrations over the killing of George Floyd and other Black Americans at the hands of police.

Actor Mike Henry, who is white, wrote in a tweet that he would no longer play the role of "Family Guy"'s Cleveland Brown, a black character who has been part of the series since 1999.

"It's been an honor to play Cleveland on 'Family Guy' for 20 years," Henry wrote. "I love this character, but persons of color should play characters of color. Therefore, I will be stepping down from the role."

Other white actors, including Jenny Slate and Kristen Bell, said that they would stop playing non-white characters on animated shows.

Bell, who played a mixed-race character called Molly in the "Central Park" series created by Apple TV+, said in a statement that the casting had undermined "the specificity of the mixed-race and Black American experience."

Slate, who voiced Missy on Netflix's show "Big Mouth" also stepped down, writing in a statement that she was "engaging in an act of erasure of Black people" by playing the role, according to the New York Times.

Azaria stepped down from voicing Apu earlier this year after the documentary "The Problem with Apu" was released. Comedian Haru Kondabolu argued the character was problematic because he helped drive the stereotype of South Asians.

Every single NWSL player kneeled during the national anthem at the first professional contact sports game to return in the US since the coronavirus pandemic began

NWSL players kneeled during the national anthem while wearing "Black Lives Matter" shirts. Jose Argueta/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Every National Women's Soccer League player starting in the first professional American team sports game Saturday kneeled during the playing of the national anthem.

Players from both teams — the NC Courage and Portland Thorns — wore Black Lives Matter shirts during warm-ups.

The players then took the field and once again kneeled for a moment of silence for victims of police brutality while wearing black armbands in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Thorns and the Courage issued a joint statement before kickoff to explain the players' decision to kneel during the anthem

Professional sports are back in America, but they return to a country that is considerably different than it was before.

The death of George Floyd at the hands of former Minneapolis police officers ignited a conversation about police brutality and race relations across America. And, as often is the case, the public discourse has infiltrated the sports world.

So when the National Women's Soccer League became the first American professional contact sports league to return since the coronavirus pandemic began with the kickoff of the 2020 Challenge Cup on Saturday, the players capitalized on their elevated platform to make a unified statement.

Every player for the Portland Thorns and reigning champion North Carolina Courage kneeled during the national anthem before the first game in the tournament. Players on both teams wore black shirts with "BLACK LIVES MATTER" printed in block letters on the front while warming up and while the national anthem played.

—CBS Sports (@CBSSports) June 27, 2020


—NWSL (@NWSL) June 27, 2020
—NC Courage (@TheNCCourage) June 27, 2020
—Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) June 27, 2020



Shortly thereafter, the starters took the field and once again kneeled for a moment of silence in honor of victims of police brutality. Substitutes also kneeled on the sidelines.
—Alex Vejar (@AlexVReporting) June 27, 2020



Every player donned a black arm band in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

NWSL players wear arm bands in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. CBS/NWSL

When they arrived at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah, the Portland players wore black shirts that said "Educate. Elevate. Engage." in red, yellow, and green.
—Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) June 27, 2020


The Thorns and the Courage issued a joint statement prior to kickoff to explain the players' decision to kneel during the anthem:


"We took a knee today to protest racial injustice, police brutality, and systemic racism against Black people and people of color in America," the statement read. "We love our country and we have taken this opportunity to hold it to a higher standard."

"It is our duty to demand that the liberties and freedoms this nation was founded upon are extended to everyone," the players added.
—Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) June 27, 2020


Read more:
Here's your viewing guide for the NWSL — the first American professional contact sports league to return since the coronavirus pandemic began
US Women's National Team and international stars who will participate in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup
An entire team in the top women's soccer league dropped out of their return to action after 6 players tested positive for coronavirus following trip to local bar
14 professional athletes who have already said they will kneel during the national anthem