Putin Alone at G8

Putin Alone at G8

by Stephen Lendman

On June 17, G8 leaders began two days of talks in Northern Ireland. Seven nations want escalated war on Syria. Putin's alone. He's an outlier for peaceful conflict resolution.

Obama's hands are bloodrenched. He bears full responsibility for ravaging Syria. It's been ongoing since early 2011. It was planned many years earlier. 

On Monday, Obama lied saying:

"We're not taking sides in a religious war. Really, what we're trying to do is take sides against extremists of all sorts and in favor of people who are in favor of moderation, tolerance, representative government, and over the long-term, stability and prosperity for the people of Syria."

"We share an interest in reducing the violence, securing chemical weapons and ensuring that they are neither used nor are they subject to proliferation."

"We want to try to resolve the issue through political means if possible, so we will instruct our teams to continue to work on the potential of a Geneva follow-up."

Since conflict began, America's been arming, training, funding and directing death squad fighters in Syria. They're imported from dozens of regional and other countries.

According to Mossad-connected DEBKA file (DF):

"NATO and a number of European governments, most significantly the UK, have started airlifting heavy weapons to the Syrian rebels poised in Aleppo to fend off a major Syrian army offensive."

On June 17, "first shipments" arrived. They were airlifted to Turkey and Jordan. They include "anti-air and tank missiles as well as recoilless 120 mm cannons mounted on jeeps."

They're heading for insurgents in southern Syria and Aleppo. More weapons arrived Tuesday.

According to DF,  "27 aircraft landings were counted in the last few days." Expect more to follow.

Obama's in Northern Ireland talking peace. He does so duplicitously. He prioritizes war. He bears full responsibility for raging conflict. He's doing it in multiple theaters. He's escalating it in Syria. 

America's on a precipitous slippery slope. Obama's heading it for full-blown tyranny. He leads a nation in decline. It began long before his presidency. He's escalating what others began. He's menacing humanity in the process.

According to Immanuel Wallerstein, Syria's a "no win for the West."

"Whatever the United States and western European states do (will) have dire negative consequences for them. This is a perfect lose-lose situation for the dominant forces in the world."

"The war is already spreading and could get totally out of control. It is not at all impossible that the interveners win out, and the whole of the Middle East finds itself in one gigantic, uncontrollable, endless war."

"The key phrase is 'out of control.' " America and complicit partners can't succeed. Escalated conflict is a lose-lose for the West and regional nations.

Gideon Rachman is Financial Times chief foreign affairs commentator. On June 17, he headlined "The west's dominance of the Middle East is ending," saying:

"Those calling for deeper US involvement in the Syrian conflict are living in the past." America's military is still the world's mightiest. It's influence is ebbing.

It ravages and destroys countries easily. It's inept at nation-building. Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya explain best. Puppet regimes are hated. Daily violence persists. US dominance is resisted.

People want their sovereignty respected. "The era of direct colonialism in the Middle East ended decades ago," said Rachman. 

"The era of informal empire is now coming to a close."

The late Chalmers Johnson perhaps explained best. "We have met the enemy and he is us," he said. He quoted Pogo saying so. America's policies have been arrogant and misguided for decades. It's too late for scattered reforms.

Hegemonic overreach is too deep-seated. America's plagued by the same dynamic that doomed past empires. It's unwilling to change. It's headed for isolation, bankruptcy and tyranny.

It's permanently at war despite no enemies. It's secretive, lawless, duplicitous and unaccountable. It's totally out-of-control. It's republic hangs by a thread. It makes more enemies than friends.

Paul Craig Roberts calls Washington "insane." It's "double-speak is now obvious to the world." Obama threatens possible WW III. Doing so "means the end of life on earth."

Russia and China know if Syria falls, Iran's next. If puppet leaders replace the Islamic Republic's independent government, Moscow and Beijing are Washington's next targets.

Roberts believes both countries are preparing for an eventual showdown. The prospect should terrify everyone.

"Washington’s crazed, demented drive for world hegemony is bringing unsuspecting Americans up against two countries with hydrogen bombs whose combined population is five times the US population. In such a conflict everyone dies."

Obama's heading America for more war. He's doing so unconscionably. He's doing it based on lies. He blames Assad for US-sponsored crimes. He's done it since conflict began.

Putin's alone among G8 leaders. He wants him stopped. He and Obama met privately for two hours. They're deeply divided on Syria. London's Telegraph highlighted their differences.

On June 17, it headlined "G8: Barak Obama and Vladimir Putin grim-faced on Syria disagreements," saying:

Their views are polar opposite. "In a photo-op after talks there was no sign of the chumminess that characterised meetings between Obama and Medvedev, who once went for lunch at a burger joint outside Washington."

Relations are increasingly frosty. Brave face pretense can't conceal it. Obama demands Assad must go. Putin insists Syrians alone must decide who'll lead them.

He wants escalated conflict stopped. Obama prioritizes it. Libya 2.0 looms.

On June 18, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) headlined "President al-Assad gives interview to the German Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper."

Syria's "dealing with a form of guerrilla warfare," he said. Government forces are prevailing. They're doing so decisively.

"We are confident that we can successfully fight terrorism in Syria, but the bigger issue is the ensuing damage and its cost." 

"The crisis has already had a heavy toll but our biggest challenges will come once the crisis is over."

"(F)oreign interference" bears full responsibility for ongoing conflict.

"Nobody can know what the Middle East will look like should there be an attempt to re-draw the map of the region." 

"However, most likely that map will be one of multiple wars, which would transcend the Middle East spanning the Atlantic to the Pacific, which nobody can stop."

It's happening now, he said. Ahead he expects much worse. We're "witness(ing) the domino effect of widespread extremism, chaos and fragmentation."

America, Britain and France want regional "puppets and dummies to do their bidding and serve their interests without question." 

"We have consistently rejected this. We will always be independent and free."

Escalating conflict will backfire. Heavier weapons sent terrorists assure blowback. "Europe’s back garden will become a hub for terrorism and chaos, which leads to deprivation and poverty." 

"Europe will pay the price and forfeit an important market. (T)errorism will not stop here. It will spread to your countries." 

"It will export itself through illegal immigration or through the same terrorists who returned to their original countries after being indoctrinated and trained more potently."

Allegations of Syrian chemical weapons use are "ludicrous," Assad said. Where's the proof, he stressed?

"Had they obtained a single strand of evidence that we had used chemical weapons, do you not think they would have made a song and dance about it to the whole world?" 

"Then where is the chain of custody that led them to a such result?"

"The terrorist groups used chemical weapons in Aleppo. Subsequently we sent an official letter to the United Nations requesting a formal investigation into the incident." 

"Britain and France blocked this investigation because it would have proven the chemical attacks were carried out by terrorist groups and hence provided conclusive evidence that they (Britain and France) were lying." 

"We invited them to investigate the incident, but instead they wanted the inspectors to have unconditional access to locations across Syria, parallel to what inspectors did in Iraq and delved into other unrelated issues."

"We are a sovereign state. We have an army and all matters considered classified will never be accessible neither to the UN, nor Britain, nor France." 

"They will only be allowed access to investigate the incident that occurred in Aleppo."

Chemical weapons allegations reflect "an extension of the continuous American and Western fabrication of the actual situation in Syria." 

"Its sole aim is to justify their policies to their public opinion and use the claim as a pretext for more military intervention and bloodshed in Syria."

Assad wants conflict resolved diplomatically. He's eager for legitimate dialogue to do so. He won't negotiate with terrorists. No one should! Doing so assures greater conflict, not less.

He calls legitimate opposition parties ones against terrorism. Their aims are political, not belligerent. He rejects foreign interference. 

He wants Syria's sovereignty respected. He wants Syrians alone to choose who'll lead them. International law supports him.

In 2014, his term ends. "When the country is in a crisis, the president is expected to shoulder the burden of responsibility and resolve the situation, not abandon his duties and leave."

He calls doing so "treason." Syria's "biggest challenge is extremism," he says. He's committed to defeating it. Polls show Syrians overwhelmingly support him. 

They do so for good reason. The alternative is Western domination. It assures protracted violence and instability. It'll replicate conditions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Palestine. 

Syrians want peace and stability. Achieving them requires routing death squad invaders. It means thwarting imperial Washington. 

It menaces humanity wherever it shows up. Imagine if Syria was its Waterloo. If that's not worth fighting for, what is?

Note: Summit leaders ended two days of talks. Their final communique stressed holding peace talks as soon as possible.

No mention of Assad was made. Putin won't endorse his stepping down. Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov explained. He did so separately, saying:

"This would be not just unacceptable for the Russian side, but we are convinced that it would be utterly wrong, harmful, and would completely upset the political balance."

The final communique text  can be read in full.

A Final Comment

Dam Press' June 17 Arabic language article was translated into English. It's important reading.

Ahead of meeting G8 leaders, Putin visited David Cameron in London. He delivered a message. It's meant for America, Britain, France, and other anti-Assad belligerents.

It's unambiguous. Russian S-300 missiles in Syria will target Washington's Patriot installations if used against Assad.

More advanced S-400s may be delivered. They're by far the most advanced air defense system. They exceed anything America or other Western countries have. They're extremely effective. So are S-300s.

Moscow will also supply Assad with state-of-the-art 24-Barrell rocket launchers. They're considered the most advanced artillery weapon of its kind. They able to destroy threatening targets on Syria's borders.

He may send other sophisticated weapons. He opposes arming insurgents. He deplores sending them heavier weapons. He's against Obama's planned escalation. He's drawn his own red line. He won't tolerate crossing it.

Russia's a powerful adversary. It's nuclear arsenal matches America's. It's weapons are very sophisticated. It has regional interests vital to protect.

It's concerned about Washington's longstanding intentions. If Syria, Iran, and other independent countries become US vassal states, targeting Russia and China follow. 

Assad wants Syria's sovereignty respected. Iran's President-Elect Hassan Rohani demands the same. Both leaders have every right to do so. They prioritize independence and freedom. So do Moscow and Beijing. It remains to be seen what follows.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour 

High Level Opposition to Escalating Syria's Conflict

High Level Opposition to Escalating Syria's Conflict

by Stephen Lendman

Dozens of responsible world leaders oppose Washington's war on Syria. They do so for good reason. They want peaceful conflict resolution. They're against greater escalation. Few say so publicly.

On May 15, the UN General Assembly adopted an anti-Assad resolution. It's non-binding. It was Arab League-led. Washington co-sponsored it. It followed four others since 2011.

It passed 107 - 12. Over 70 nations refused support. They endorse peace, not war. They oppose greater foreign intervention. Russia called the measure "counterproductive and irresponsible."

Assad expressed views many other leaders share. Few air them publicly. He warned about longterm regional destabilization, saying:

"If the unrest in Syria leads to the partitioning of the country, or if the terrorist forces take control….the situation will inevitably spill over into neighboring countries and create a domino effect throughout the Middle East and beyond."

Most Americans oppose greater intervention. Most polls consistently say so. Pew Research shows overwhelming Arab street unease. At issue is Syrian violence spreading cross-borders.

High-level Pentagon officials express concerns. Greater Syrian intervention's much more daunting than Libya. Last March, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Martin Dempsey said "We can do anything" if asked.

At the same time, he repeatedly opposed greater US involvement. He's against escalated conflict. Endgame consequences worry him most. Before acting, "we have to be prepared for what comes next," he warns.

Attacking Syria won't be easy, he added. Russian-supplied air defenses are formidable. They're located close to major population centers. 

Syrian opposition is splintered. Many insurgents are known terrorists. Hezbollah supports Syria. So does Iran. Russia may intervene supportively.

"Whether the military effect would produce the kind of outcome I think that not only members of Congress but all of us would desire - which is an end to the violence, some kind of political reconciliation among the parties, and a stable Syria - that's the reason I've been cautious about the application of the military instrument of power.... It's not clear to me that it would produce that outcome," he said.

On June 17, Al Manar headlined "Russia: We Won't Allow Imposing a no-Fly Zone in Syria," saying:

Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Ocahevch said:

"We will not permit such scenarios, and these maneuvers on a fly-zone and humanitarian passages in Syria are caused by the lack of respect for the International Law."

"We have seen how they imposed no-fly zones in Libya, so we will not allow repeating the same scenarios in Syria."

"The Syrian crisis cannot be settled by double stances - refusing the military track on one hand and arming the militants on the other."

A same day Al Manar article headlined "Putin: Russia Arming Legitimate Gov't in Syria, West Arming Organ-Eaters," saying:

"You will not deny that one does not really need to support the people who not only kill their enemies, but open up their bodies, eat their intestines in front of the public and cameras." 

"Are these the people you want to support? Is it them who you want to supply with weapons? Then this probably has little relation to humanitarian values that have been preached in Europe for hundreds of years."

He unequivocal on Russian policy. He wants conflict ended. He wants it diplomatically resolved. He wants Syrians alone to decide who'll govern them. Let them defeat foreign "extremists," he stresses.

On June 17, Lebanon's Daily Star quoted Assad saying:

"If the Europeans deliver weapons, the backyard of Europe will become terrorist and Europe will pay the price for it."

At issue is exporting "terrorism" to Europe. "Terrorists will gain experience in combat and return with extremist ideologies," he warned.

On June 16, London's Telegraph headlined "Boris Johnson: Don't arm the Syria maniacs," saying:

London's mayor warned David Cameron. Don't use Syria for "political point-scoring or muscle-flexing." Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg echoed similar sentiments.

So did former army head Lord Dannatt and Archbishop of York John Sentamu. Johnson urged "total ceasefire….This is the moment (to) end….the madness."

Cameron faces growing internal opposition. Associates warn he faces a no-confidence defeat.

Clegg insists Britain won't arm insurgents. "We’ve taken no decision to provide lethal assistance, so we clearly don't think it is the right thing to do now, otherwise we would have decided to do it," he said.

Tory MP Julian Lewis spoke for others saying arming insurgents would be "suicidal." Cameron will "struggle" to get parliamentary approval.

Shadow foreign minister Douglas Alexander said MPs from all parties express unease. 

"For months Labour has called on the government to answer basic questions about their approach, such as how the prime minister would ensure that weapons supplied did not fall into the wrong hands, and how this step would help to de-escalate the conflict rather than prolong it."

Unnamed US defense officials warn that creating safe or protected areas inside Syria involve enormous complexities. 

Thousands of US ground forces may be needed to enforce them. Deploying them involves invasion and occupation. A protracted quagmire may follow.

No-fly zone imposition is just as daunting. Justifiable Syrian responses will follow.

On June 14, Foreign Policy's Gordon Lubold headlined "Why the Pentagon really, really doesn't want to get involved in Syria," saying:

"Top Pentagon brass have been ambivalent in the extreme about getting involved in the Syrian crisis since it began more than two years ago." 

"And now, even as the Obama administration signals its intention to provide direct military aid to opponents of the Syrian regime, there remains deep skepticism across the military that it will work."

Escalating conflict entails enormous risks. Success is unlikely. "(T)op brass is extremely reluctant to commit assets."

According to an unnamed senior Pentagon commander:

"There is no way to ensure" that arming insurgents won't make matters worse. Supplying heavier weapons, no-fly zone protection and safe areas sound good on paper.

Reality suggests otherwise. Failure's more likely than success. Former head of US European Operation Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe General Philip Breedlove sees "no military value in no-fly zone imposition inside northern Syria. 

Northern and Southern Watch over Iraq was operationally exhausting and expensive.

Military intervention entails unintended consequences. Afghanistan and Iraq are protracted quagmires. Libya's a cauldron of violence.

Syria could be worse. Cross-border fallout could be disastrous. Escalated conflict affects Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, and perhaps other regional countries.

On June 14, Politico headlined "DOD brass has long urged caution on Syria," saying:

Obama's planned greater involvement reflects what Pentagon brass warned against for months. At issue is another protracted quagmire.

"In hearings, speeches and interviews, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey have been deeply skeptical every time they've been asked about potential US involvement in Syria."

Unintended consequences worry planners most. They've seen it all before. They're loathe to repeat past mistakes. National security/military strategist Micah Zenko said:

"I’ve never spoken to anyone at the (military) O-5 level or above who thinks intervening in Syria is a good idea." 

Hagel warned that military intervention "could embroil the United States in a significant, lengthy, and uncertain military commitment." 

It could have "the unintended consequence of bringing the United States into a broader regional conflict or proxy war."

"You better be damn sure, as sure as you can be, before you get into something, because once you're into it, there isn’t any backing out, whether it's a no-fly zone, safe zone, protect these - whatever it is."

"Once you’re in, you can't unwind it. You can't just say, 'Well, it's not going as well as I thought it would go, so we're going to get out.' "

Dempsey said supplying insurgents heavier weapons won't make a difference. "Not in my military judgment," he stressed. Don't expect Syria to take escalation lightly, he added.

"I have to assume, as the military member with responsibility for these kind of activities, that the potential adversary isn't just going to sit back and allow us to impose our will on them, that they could in fact take exception….and act outside of their borders with long-range rockets and missiles and artillery and even asymmetrical threats."

In other words, be careful what you wish for. Best laid plans often fail. US military history reflects failure. Quagmires more than victories result.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour 

Lawless NSA Global Spying

Lawless NSA Global Spying

by Stephen Lendman

NSA is one of 16 known US spy agencies. Perhaps others operate secretly. Black budgets conceal what's spent. Amounts are enormous. They're unconscionable. 

Used responsibly, they'd relieve hunger, shelter the homeless, heal the sick, and educate young people hungry for knowledge.

Out-of-control, unregulated, unmonitored practices operate lawlessly. Enormous harm results. Rogue states operate that way. 

On June 1, 1952, Harry Truman authorized NSA. On October 24, revised National Security Council Intelligence Directive (NSCID) 9 followed. On November 4, 1952, NSA was established.

In 1957, its existence was briefly mentioned in the US Government Organization Manual. It called NSA:

"a separately organized agency within the Department of Defense under the direction, authority, and control of the Secretary of Defense…for the performance of highly specialized technical functions in support of the intelligence activities of the United States."

It's headquartered at Fort Meade, MD. It's operations are highly classified. General Keith Alexander heads them. Spies "R" Us, defines them. 

On December 4, 1981, Executive Order 12333, explained NSA/Central Security Service (CSS) responsibilities and purposes. Head of operations is charged with:

• "Collect(ing, including through clandestine means), process, analyze, produce, and disseminate signals intelligence information and data for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes to support national and departmental missions;

• Acting(ing) as the National Manager for National Security Systems as established in law and policy, and in this capacity be responsible to the Secretary of Defense and to the Director, National Intelligence; (and)

• Prescrib(ing) security regulations covering operating practices, including the transmission, handling, and distribution of signals intelligence and communications security material within and among the elements under control of the Director of the National Security Agency, and exercise the necessary supervisory control to ensure compliance with the regulations."

On July 31, 2008, EO 12333 was amended to:

• "Align (it) with the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004;

• Implement additional recommendations of the 9/11 and WMD Commissions; (and)

• Further integrate the Intelligence Community and clarify and strengthen the role of DNI as the head of the Community; Maintain or strengthen privacy and civil liberties protections."

By law, NSA’s mission is limited to monitoring, collecting and analyzing foreign communications. Its dual missions include: 

• the Signals Intelligence Directorate (SID). It relates to foreign intelligence gathering, and 

• the Information Assurance Directorate (IAD). It protects US information systems.

Rule of law principles are systematically spurned. It's more true now than ever. It's far worse than most people imagine. Anything goes reflects policy. NSA's a power unto itself. It does whatever it wants covertly.

It spies globally. Big Brother is real. NSA reflects it writ large. Virtually everyone can be watched everywhere all the time. It's done with technological ease. No one's safe anywhere any time. There's no place to hide.

NSA calls its mission "cryptology that encompasses both Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Information Assurance (IA) products and services, and enables Computer Network Operations (CNO) in order to gain a decision advantage for the Nation and our allies under all circumstances."

Spies "R" Us explains it better. Telecom, Internet and thousands of  other corporations cooperate. They're complicit as willing partners. They're involved extrajudicially. They operate secretly. They're unapologetic.

In the 1950s and 60s, NSA spied on all US incoming and outgoing telegrams. In the 1970s, an independent Church Committee investigation discovered clandestine operations for the first time. 

Change was demanded. Lawless spying is intolerable. Decades earlier practices pale compared to what now goes on. Subverting fundamental law constitutes tyranny. Today it exists writ large.

America never was democratic. It's not now. It's secretive, ruthless, and unprincipled. It's hegemonically out-of-control abroad. 

It's domestic policies reflect police state lawlessness. Fundamental international, constitutional and US statute laws don't matter. Diktat power rules. Presidents, Congress and federal courts are complicit.

According to Representative Loretta Sanchez (D. CA), what's been publicly revealed reflects "the tip of the iceberg." She was "astounded" about information disclosed privately. 

She "can't speak to what" she now knows. It's vital others explain what everyone has a right to know. Sunshine is our first line of defense. Constructive change depends on how it's used. 

NSA does more than spy. It lawlessly hacks computer and telecommunication networks. It does so globally. It focuses heavily on strategically important countries.

Mathhew Aid's a US intelligence expert. On June 10, his Foreign Policy Article headlined "Inside the NSA's Ultra-Secret China Hacking Group."

It "actively engage(s) in cyber-espionage." It does so covertly and lawlessly. Rogue states operate that way. America's by far the worst.

Obama officials point fingers the wrong way. They accuse China of active cyber-espionage against America. Beijing hit back publicly. Senior Chinese officials accused Washington of hypocrisy.

Beijing's top Internet official, Huang Chengquing, said China has "mountains of data" revealing widespread US hacking. It's designed to steal government secrets.

According to Aid, NSA's Office of Tailored Access Operations (TAO) "successfully penetrated Chinese computer and telecommunications systems for almost 15 years, generating some of the best and most reliable intelligence information about what is going on inside the People's Republic of China."

Most NSA employees and officials know little or nothing about TAO. "(E)xtraordinary sensitivity" of its operations keeps them secret. Only those needing to know have full access. 

Special security clearances are required "to gain access to the unit's work spaces inside the NSA operations complex," said Aid. 

"The door leading to its ultramodern operations center is protected by armed guards, an imposing steel door that can only be entered by entering the correct six-digit code into a keypad, and a retinal scanner to ensure that only those individuals specially cleared for access get through the door."

TAO's mission involves "collect(ing) intelligence information on foreign targets by surreptitiously hacking into their computers and telecommunications systems, cracking passwords, compromising the computer security systems protecting the targeted computer, stealing the data stored on computer hard drives, and then copying all the messages and data traffic passing within the targeted email and text-messaging systems." 

"The technical term of art used by NSA to describe these operations is computer network exploitation (CNE)."

Last October, Obama authorized selecting overseas targets for cyber-attacks. He did so by secret presidential directive. He's playing with fire.

His Offensive Cyber Effects Operations (OCEO) claims to "offer unique and unconventional capabilities to advance US national objectives around the world with little or no warning to the adversary or target and with potential effects ranging from subtle to severely damaging."

Washington will "identify potential targets of national importance where OCEO can offer a favorable balance of effectiveness and risk as compared with other instruments of national power."

It suggests operating domestically the same way. Keith Alexander heads US Cyber Command (Cybercom). He's authorized to conduct these attacks.

TAO personnel are responsible for developing information needed to destroy, damage, or otherwise compromise targeted sites.

According to Aid, TAO "is the now the largest and arguably the most important component of the NSA's huge Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) Directorate…."

"(O)ver 1,000 military and civilian computer hackers, intelligence analysts, targeting specialists, computer hardware and software designers, and electrical engineers."

Their job is identifying computer systems and supporting telecommunications networks for attack.

TAO is "an industry unto itself." It's a virtual "wunderkind" of US intelligence. "They go places, get things (and do what) nobody else in the IC (intelligence community) can."

It keeps growing in size and scope. It's a global monster. It's exponentially expanding. It's so huge and menacing it's no longer possible to hide.

China's acutely aware of its activities. President Xi Jinping knows the threat. So do Russia, Iran, and leaders of other countries. 

They're reacting defensively and offensively. Two sides can play this game. Cyber-attacks constitute war by other means. Fallout can be disastrous.

America's an out-of-control menace. It's lawless, unprincipled, uncompromising, and unrelenting. It threatens freedom and world peace. According to Wired.com, a recent Pentagon report recommended nuclear war in response to cyberattacking America.

Former New York Times executive editor Bill Keller now write Times op-eds. He does so irresponsibly. He supports Big Brother lawlessness. Perhaps he has something to hide. He's been on the wrong side of issues for years. He disgraces his profession doing so.

On June 16, he headlined "Living with the Surveillance State." Spying is good, he suggests. Sacrificing privacy and other freedoms are small prices to pay.

Preventing terror attacks matter most. No threats exist. Claiming otherwise doesn't wash. Keller didn't explain.

"The danger," he says, "is not surveillance per se." He claims most people "decided….that life on the grid entails a certain amount of intrusion."

He arrogantly believes "most people" share his view. We're "adjusting to life in a surveillance state," he says. 

Big Brother writ large reflects police state lawlessness. No one understanding the stakes is comfortable.

Real danger, says Keller, exists without "rigorous, independent regulation and vigilant oversight to keep potential abuses of power from becoming a real menace to our freedom."

He's more out of touch than he admits. Democracy's more illusion than reality. So-called checks and balances. They eroded long ago. They're nonexistent. 

Diktat power runs America. Congress and federal courts are complicit. Tyranny's the law of the land. Police state statutes eroded most freedoms. Anyone can be targeted for any reason or none at all. 

Thousands of political prisoners rot in America's gulag. It's the world's largest by far. Permanent war is longstanding policy. So is torture, neoliberal harshness, out-of-control corruption, and whatever monied interests say goes. 

America's social contract is being destroyed. It's happening in plain sight. Thirdworldizing America is policy. A race to the bottom reflects it. Reality for most people is nightmarish. Today's young generation has no future.

Inequality is institutionalized. Wealth, power and privilege alone matter. Popular needs go begging. Mass surveillance reflects what Chomsky calls "keeping the rabble in line."

Media scoundrels like Keller don't explain. "I don't think we're on a slippery slope to a police state," he claims. Perhaps he didn't notice one already exists.

Times columnist Tom Friedman's no better. His articles reflect hack journalism. He's unprincipled and wrongheaded. He supported Bush's Iraq war. 

He's unconcerned about imperial aggression. He suggests America's "designated enemies" border on insanity. He's silent on Israel's worst crimes.

He supports Big Brother lawlessness. He did so in his article headlined "Blowing a Whistle."

"Yes, I worry about potential government abuse of privacy from a program designed to prevent another 9/11 - abuse that, so far, does not appear to have happened. But I worry about another 9/11."

Fact check

Gross privacy abuses exist. Free expression is compromised. Dissent is an endangered species. 9/11 is the Big Lie of our time. It was state-sponsored terrorism. It was a false flag. Overwhelming evidence proves it.

Friedman claims America's an "open society." He's paid to lie. He and other media scoundrels substitute managed news misinformation for truth and full disclosure.

Snowden's no "heroic whistle-blower," he says. Big Brother's protecting us, he believes. Sacrificing freedom for alleged security's worth it, he claims. He's unaware of any abuses. 

He's more out of touch than Keller. America's freedom rests in peace. It lies in history's dustbin. Police state lawlessness replaced it. Blowing that whistle matters most.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour 

Syria and Iran: In America's Crosshairs

Syria and Iran: In America's Crosshairs

by Stephen Lendman

Obama's on a fast track toward tyranny. He's heading for greater intervention against Syria. Ravaging the country entirely is planned. At issue is establishing another pro-Western vassal state.

Mass killing and destruction don't matter. Imperial priorities come first. Longstanding plans pre-date 9/11. Former French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas doesn't know the half of it. 

If he does, he didn't say. He told French parliamentary channel (La Chaine parlementaire) viewers:

"I’m going to tell you something. I was in England two years before the violence in Syria on other business. I met with top British officials, who confessed to me that they were preparing something in Syria."

"This was in Britain, not in America. Britain was organizing an invasion of rebels into Syria. They even asked me, although I was no longer minister for foreign affairs, if I would like to participate."

Israel has a dog in this fight, said Dumas. Long ago, an unnamed Israeli prime minister told him that Tel Aviv would "destroy" any regional country opposing its interests.

America, Israel, Britain, France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and other complicit partners are waging proxy war on Syria. They're doing so lawlessly. 

They're heading toward greater intervention. Genocide may follow. Many thousands already died. Hundreds of thousands more may do so. Countless others will be injured. Millions will be displaced. 

Syria will be laid waste. Another independent state will be destroyed. Doing so is prelude for greater planned regional conflict. Cairo offered support.

Egypt's Morsi backs no-fly zone lawlessness. He "materially and (im)morally" supports mass killing and destruction. Egypt, "its leadership and its army will not abandon the Syrian people until (they) achieve (their) rights and dignity," he claimed.

His lips moved. Washington's words were spoken. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) responded. An unnamed government source said he cut "off all ties with Syria yesterday (by) join(ing) the Israel-US-led band of conspiring and instigating against it."

He acted "irresponsibl(y)." His call for greater foreign intervention constitutes "a violation of the region and a transgression against its sovereignty and the sanctity of its lands in service of the goals of Israel and the US and their tools in the region."

"Egypt is too great to be handed over to some Arab officials who…are preparing to undermine what is left of this nation's unity and dignity."

Egypt under Morsi and dominant generals, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, and other complicit regional states are reliable US stooges. They govern lawlessly out-of-control.

They conspire against their own people. They risk embroiling the entire Middle East in war. A humanitarian crisis already exists. It's not just inside Syria. It affects other regional countries. Far greater trouble looms. 

Most ominous is permanent war, escalated mass killing and destruction, and redrawing the entire region to suit Washington and Israeli interests. 

Obama bears full responsibility. He's totally out-of-control. He threatens world peace. He's waging war on humanity. He marked other countries for destruction. Iran's his next target.

Hassan Rohani's election doesn't matter. Hardline US policies persist. Regime change remains unchanged. On June 16, Wall Street Journal editors headlined "An Iranian Unicorn," saying:

The search for a 'moderate' Iranian leader has beguiled every American President since the revolution of 1979. No such creature has ever been found."

This type comment reflects US extremism. Moderate, hardline or shades of gray in between don't matter. Bending to Washington's will alone counts. Journal editors didn't explain.

They repeated a longstanding canard. Iran's 2009 election was "stole(n)." Ahmadinejad won decisively. He bested his main opponent convincingly. He did so nearly two-to-one. Results confirmed pre-election polls. Media scoundrels didn't explain then. They don't now.

"Expect Rohani to go along (with more nuclear) talks, but mainly to ease Western sanctions and buy more….time," said Journal editors. Their comments reflect official Washington policy.

On June 16, the Journal's front page headlined "West to Press Iran on Nukes," saying:

Obama and European allies "intend to aggressively push to resume negotiation with Tehran on its nuclear program by August to test (Rohani's) positions, US and European diplomats say."

According to White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough:

"I think the question for us now is, if (Ronahi) is interested in, as he has said in his campaign events, mending Iran's relations with the rest of the world, there's an opportunity to do that."

"If he lives up to his obligations under the UN Security Council resolution to come clean on this illicit nuclear program, he will find a partner in us, and there will be an opportunity for that."

Fact check

Iran's nuclear program is the world's most intensively observed. Few, if any countries, would tolerate its type intrusiveness. America and Israel tolerate none. 

IAEA-installed cameras monitor Iran's activities round-the-clock. Regular inspections are held. No irregularities are found. 

Tehran scrupulously observes NPT provisions. Washington violates them egregiously. Israel's an undeclared nuclear power. It refuses to sign NPT.

Annual US intelligence assessments say Iran's nuclear program is peaceful. No evidence suggests otherwise. Claiming otherwise is red herring cover. It reflects longstanding regime change plans. 

Washington's policy remains hardline. It's belligerent. It's uncompromising. It's the American way. Independent governments aren't tolerated. Client state subservience is demanded. Go along or else is policy.

Rohani wants peace and reconciliation. He pledged "constructive interaction with the world." He'll be sorely tested. Washington and Israel won't give him a moment's peace.

His best efforts will be scorned. He'll be criticized like past leaders. Obama and Netanyahu spurn compromise. Israel wants a regional rival eliminated. 

Washington wants unchallenged control. It wants Iranian resources. It's the oil stupid. It's also gas. Iran ranks fourth after Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Canada in proved world oil reserves. It's second to Russia in gas resources.

They're prizes America long sought. Controlling them remains policy. Rohani's leadership changes nothing. He knows what he's up against. His best efforts won't matter.

Washington, other dominant EU countries and Israel demand subservience. Rohani won't surrender Iran's sovereignty. He's not about to roll over unconscionably. 

Iranians didn't elect him to do so. Conciliation's red line won't be crossed. On Sunday, he was clear and unequivocal, saying:

"There is a new opportunity in the international sphere for those (countries) who respect people's rule and freedom of speech to speak to Iran in a respectable and accepting tone. They will hear back a positive answer."

Iran has no friends in Washington or Tel Aviv. Expect Rohani's conciliatory outreach to be spurned. It's longstanding US policy. It's been that way since 1979. Expect no change going forward.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour 

Corporate America Loves Jason Furman

Corporate America Loves Jason Furman

by Stephen Lendman

Key Obama officials comprise a virtual rogues gallery of scoundrels. On June 10, he nominated Jason Furman to replace Alan Krueger. He'll serve as White House Council of Economic Advisors chairman.

He was Clinton's Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy at the National Economic Council. He began advising Obama in 2008. 

Since January 2009, he's been Obama's National Economic Council deputy director. His nomination requires congressional approval. More on him below.

Krueger's returning to Princeton. He's Professor of Economics and Public Affairs. He compromised his integrity in Washington. Prior to becoming CEA head, he was Obama's Assistant Treasury Secretary for Economic Policy.

He and other Obama economic officials hail economic recovery. They do so duplicitously. They've done so throughout protracted Main Street Depression conditions. They willfully turned a blind eye. 

They endorse corporate friendly policies. They spurn popular ones. Real unemployment's 23%. Monthly jobs reports are phony. Fantasy best describes them.

Good jobs are vanishing in plain sight. Low pay mostly service employment replaces them. Thirdworldizing America is policy. A race to the bottom continues. Krueger substituted dissembling for truth and full disclosure. It's part of the package he accepted.

Perhaps his Princeton students fare no better. They'd be wise to make better choices. He's returning for the fall semester. Obama called him "the driving force behind many of the economic policies that I have proposed that will grow our economy and create middle class jobs."

Obama's done more to wreck America's economy than any US president in history. As key Treasury official and CEA head, Krueger helped craft some of his worst policies.

Furman promises worse, not better. He's pro-corporate, neoliberal, anti-labor, and anti-populist writ large. He's Wall Street's man in Washington. He's one of many likeminded scoundrels infesting the capital.

United Steelworkers official Marco Trbovich called him "an unalloyed cheerleader for the trade policies that have been very destructive to manufacturing jobs in this country." His nomination raises "serious concerns."

Lori Wallach directs Public Citizen's global trade watch. Furman's nomination is "jarring," she said. He's "a liability, given his anti-worker writings and statements about Wal-Mart, fair trade, and other middle class issues."

Furman's a former Council of Economic Advisers staff economist. He worked as a senior World Bank economic adviser. He served on Clinton's National Economic Council as explained above.  

He directed Brookings' Hamilton Project. It affirms policies most Americans deplore. It's ideologically neoliberal, corporatist, soulless, anti-populist and extremist. It exceeds what some Republicans support. 

Former Clinton Treasury Secretary/Goldman Sachs chairman/Citigroup head Robert Rubin founded it. He remains actively involved. Former Clinton Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott heads it.

Its agenda is brazenly corporate. It spurns popular interests. It feigns concern for reducing inequality. It's policies prioritize increasing it. 

It supports government of, by and for privileged elites alone. It wants America's social contract destroyed. It wants everyone on their own sink or swim. 

It favors thirdworldizing America for profit. It prefers workers as serfs with no rights. It's high-minded rhetoric pretends otherwise. It's thinly veiled duplicity doesn't wash.

Furman's an uber-Wal-Mart booster. He calls the company a "progressive success story." "Always low prices" come on the backs of sweatshop near-slave labor. 

Workers toil globally under hazardous, unhealthy, abusive conditions. Fear and intimidation targets anyone speaking out, organizing, or attempting to unionize. Predatory retail policies drive small competitors out of business.

Furman's paper titled "Wal-Mart: A Progressive Success Story" cheerleads the company. It does so deceitfully for whatever benefits he derives.

"By acting in the interests of its shareholders, Wal-Mart has innovated and expanded competition, resulting in huge benefits for the American middle class and even proportionately larger benefits for moderate-income Americans," he claims.

"Wal-Mart has blazed a path that numerous other retailers are now following, many of them vigorously competing with Wal-Mart."

"Today, Wal-Mart is the largest private employer in the country, the largest grocery store in the country, and the third largest pharmacy." 

"Eight in ten Americans shop at Wal-Mart. There is little dispute that Wal-Mart's price reductions have benefited the 120 million American workers employed outside of the retail sector."

In 1962, Sam Walton founded Wal-Mart. It went public in 1972. American prosperity began declining.

Since the mid-1970s, real wages haven't kept pace with inflation. Benefits steadily eroded. High-paying jobs disappeared. 

Improved technology forces wage earners to work harder for less. "Free" markets work only for entrenched interests. They control them for benefits they derive. 

Class struggle between haves and have-nots rages. Wealth extremes are unprecedented. A race to the bottom defines America. Destructive economic policies assure rolling crises following speculative booms and jobless recoveries. It's the new normal. 

Wal-Mart's part of America's grand theft culture. Corrupt politicians and officials like Furman support its worst policies. Ordinary people are hostages to unprincipled exploitation. Benefits gained come at the expense of low wage/poor benefit/no future jobs.

Furman endorses what demands condemnation. He manipulates facts doing so. He ignores vital ones too important to conceal. He fronts for power. He scorns popular needs. 

He disgraces ethical, moral and legal standards. He'll advance in Obama's administration. He'll serve Wall Street and other corporate favorites. He'll do so exclusively. He'll remain unapologetic like before. Scoundrels never say they're sorry.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour 

Progressive Radio News Hour Guests for June 21, 22, and 23, 2013

Progressive Radio News Hour Guests for June 21, 22, and 23, 2013

Friday, June 21 at 10AM US Central time: Rick Rozoff

Rozoff's an activist, anti-war supporter, and editor of the web site Stop NATO.

It "document(s) and oppose(s) global militarist trends and an expanding theater of war that began" by balkanizing Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

It expanded to South Asia. It now ravages the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. It's expanding globally. It menaces humanity.

Major world and national issues will be discussed.

Saturday, June 22 at noon US Central time: Stjepan Mestrovic

Mestrovic is Professor of Sociology at Texas A&M University.

His books include "The Good Soldier on Trial: A Sociological Study of Misconduct by the US Military Pertaining to Operation Iron Triangle, Iraq." 

It deals with the conviction of Pfc. Corey Clagett for killing two unarmed Iraqis and trying to kill a third. Mestrovic testified on his behalf at his clemency hearing.

Targeting Bradley Manning and other major issues will be discussed.

Sunday, June 23 at noon US Central time: James Fetzer

Fetzer is the distinguished Department of Philosophy McKnight University Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

He's a prolific author of numerous articles and over 29 books in the philosophy of science and on the theoretical foundations of computer science, artificial intelligence and cognitive science.

He's also the founder of Scholars for 9/11 truth. It's a non-partisan association of faculty, students, and scholars, dedicated to exposing official lies, removing the shroud of deceit, and revealing truths behind 9/11.

Major world and national issues will be discussed.

Hassan Rohani: Iran's President-Elect

Hassan Rohani: Iran's President-Elect

by Stephen Lendman

It's official. Iran's Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar announced it. Rohani won 50.7% of 36.7 million votes cast.

Six candidates competed. Principlist Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf finished second. He received one-third of Rohani's total. 

Rohani won decisively. He'll serve four years. He's limited to two terms. He's head of state. On October 24, 1979, Iranians adopted their Constitution. They did so democratically by national referendum. 

On December 3, it took effect. On July 28, 1989, it was amended. It's called a "hybrid (of) theocratic and democratic elements."

Articles One and Two vest sovereign power in God. Article Six "mandates popular elections for president and parliament (the Majlis). Chapter Eight includes Supreme Leader and Guardian Council powers.

Chapter Nine, Section One explains presidential powers and responsibilities.

He's Iran's highest elected official. He's responsible "for implementing the Constitution and acting as the head of the executive, except in matters directly concerned with (the office of) the Leadership."

Qualifications for president include "Iranian origin; Iranian nationality; administrative capacity and resourcefulness; a good past-record; trustworthiness and piety; convinced belief in the fundamental principles of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the official religion of the country."

Elections "must take place no later than one month before the end of the term of the outgoing President."

Presidents are "responsible to the people, the Leader and the Islamic Consultative Assembly." 

Presidential duties include "authority to sign treaties, protocols, contracts, and agreements concluded by the Iranian government with other governments, as well as agreements pertaining to international organizations, after obtaining the approval of the Islamic Consultative Assembly."

They're "responsible for national planning and budget and state employment affairs and may entrust the administration of these to others."

"In case of death, dismissal, resignation, absence, or illness lasting longer than two months of the President, or when his term in office has ended and a new president has not been elected due to some impediments, or similar other circumstances, his first deputy shall assume, with the approval of the Leader, the powers and functions of the President."

"The Council, consisting of the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, head of the judicial power, and the first deputy of the President, is obliged to arrange for a new President to be elected within a maximum period of fifty days." 

"In case of death of the first deputy to the President, or other matters which prevent him to perform his duties, or when the President does not have a first deputy, the Leader shall appoint another person in his place." 

June 14 was Iran's 11th presidential election. On August 3, Rohani will be inaugurated. He's Iran's seventh president. He faces enormous challenges. More on him below.

US policy remains unchanged. Regime change is prioritized.

Washington demands subservience. Independent governments aren't tolerated. Rohani's election won't change things. 

A White House statement stopped short of congratulating him. It's disrespectful and unprincipled. It reflects longstanding anti-Iranian policy. It's typically American, saying:

"We have seen the announcement by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran that Hojjatoleslam Doctor Hassan Rouhani has been declared the winner of Iran’s presidential election." 

"We respect the vote of the Iranian people and congratulate them for their participation in the political process, and their courage in making their voices heard."  

"Yesterday’s election took place against the backdrop of a lack of transparency, censorship of the media, Internet, and text messages, and an intimidating security environment that limited freedom of expression and assembly."  

"However, despite these government obstacles and limitations, the Iranian people were determined to act to shape their future."

"It is our hope that the Iranian government will heed the will of the Iranian people and make responsible choices that create a better future for all Iranians." 

"The United States remains ready to engage the Iranian government directly in order to reach a diplomatic solution that will fully address the international community’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear program."

Fact check

Obama failed to congratulate Rohani. Doing so directly is called for. No personalized public statement was issued. No congratulatory phone call was made. No suggestion of normalizing relations was offered. Business as usual persists.

Iranian elections are open, free and fair. They shame America's sham process. Iranians choose winners and losers. Their choice is respected. Monied interests have no say.

Iranian media report information people need to know. They do so responsibly. America's media serve corporate and imperial interests. Managed news misinformation substitutes for truth and full disclosure.

So-called US "responsible choices" mean bowing to Washington's will. Iranians overwhelmingly reject doing so. They want their sovereignty respected. They deserve that much and more. 

Washington demands subservience. It's the American way. It threatens world peace. It menaces humanity. Rohani faces enormous challenges. US policy won't change. It's lawless, unprincipled and unrelenting.

Israel's no different. It menaces world peace. It reacted as expected. Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said:

"The President elect in Iran had been shortlisted by the Ayatollah Khamenei, who has disqualified and removed candidates who did not conform to his extremist views."

"After the elections, Iran will continue to be judged by its actions, in the nuclear sphere as well as on the issue of terror." 

"Iran must abide by the demands of the international community to stop its nuclear program and cease the dissemination of terror throughout the world."

Netanyahu was typically hardline and unprincipled. He urged Western leaders to maintain relentless pressure, saying:

"We won’t fool ourselves, (and) the international community shouldn't be tempted into wishful thinking and weaken the pressure on Iran regarding their nuclear program."

"The greater the pressure on Iran the greater the chances of stopping the Iranian nuclear program, which remains the greatest threat to world peace."

"Iran will be tested by its deeds: If it continues with its nuclear program it must be stopped by any means possible."

His message leaves no ambiguity. State terrorism is official Israeli policy. Its electoral process mocks legitimacy. Voters have little choice. Ideological extremists run things. Rhetoric alone separates candidates. Policies are hardline. 

Hypocrisy substitutes for democracy. Israeli Arabs are enfranchised in name only. They may seek office and serve if elected. They have no policymaking authority. They're little more than potted plants.

Israel's government is its most extremist ever. Dominant parties support belligerence, war on humanity, occupation ruthlessness, settlement expansions, and neoliberal harshness. Palestinians and Arab citizens suffer most.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei congratulated Iranians. He thanked them for voting en masse. Turnout was 72.7%. 

Long queues kept polls open for five extra hours. It was done to accommodate everyone wishing to vote. America shows no such respect. Its electoral process mocks legitimacy.

Iranians vote freely. Their will's respected. Their message reflects resistance to "hundreds of political, economic and security ploys" meant to undermine public trust in government and the Islamic system, Khamenei said.

"The real winner of (Friday's) election is the great Iranian nation which…prudently and tactfully confronted the war of nerves launched by the lackeys of (global) hegemony."

Khamenei called the election a "political epic."

"The elected president is the president of the entire nation. Everyone must help and sincerely cooperate with the president and his colleagues in the government to accomplish the great causes, which they are responsible to realize."

Defeated candidates sent Rohani congratulatory messages. They did so respectfully.

Rohani represents the Supreme Leader in the Supreme National Security Council. He's an Expediency Council and Assembly of Experts member. He's President of the Expediency Council's Center for Strategic Research. 

At campaign rallies, he pledged to seek "constructive interaction with the world….We won't let the past eight years be continued," he said.

With clear reference to Washington and complicit Western allies, he added:

"They brought sanctions for the country. Yet they are proud of it. I'll pursue a policy of reconciliation and peace. We will also reconcile with the world."

He campaigned on a platform of unlocking solutions for Iran. He stressed his "government of deliberation and hope."

As a teenager, he pursued religious studies. He was outspoken against Mohammad Shah Pahlavi repression. He studied law at Tehran University. He completed graduate work at Glasgow University.

Throughout his political and diplomatic career, he's held numerous high-level positions. In 1980, he won election to parliament. He served five terms for 20 years. He did so in various capacities. He was Speaker during his last two terms.

In terms one and two, he was a member of and then headed Iran's Supreme Defense Council. He was a High Council for Supporting War member. From 1986 - 1988, he led its Executive Committee.

From 1983 - 1985, he was deputy commander of war. From 1985 - 1988, he served as Khatam-ol-Anbiya Operation Center commander.

From 1986 - 1991, he was Iran Air Defense Force commander. From 1988 - 1991, he served as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

At war's end, he was awarded the second-grade Fath (Victory) Medal. He also received the Nasr Medal.

In terms four and five, he was Foreign Policy Committee chairman. From 1989 - 2005, he was Supreme National Security Council first secretary. Throughout most of the period, he was a national security presidential advisor.

From 1991 to today, he's been an Expediency Council member. He heads its Political, Defense and Security Committee. In 2000, he was elected Semnan Province Assembly of Experts representative. 

From 2006 to today, he served in the same capacity for Tehran Province. He heads the Assembly of Experts Political and Social Committee. He's a Presiding Board member. 

From 2006 - 2008, he headed the Secretariat of the Assembly's Tehran office. From 2003 - 2005, he was Iran's chief nuclear negotiator. 

Besides political positions, he's been involved in scientific activities. From 1995 - 1999, he was a Tehran University and North Region board of trustees member. Since 1991, he headed the Center for Strategic Research.

He's managing editor of three scientific and research quarterlies. They include Rahbord (Strategy), Foreign Relations, and the Iranian Review of Foreign Affairs.

Rohani combines diplomacy, politics and scholarship. He's known as the "Diplomat Sheikh." He's written many books, articles and research papers. They're published in Farsi, Arabic and English.

They include "Islamic Revolution: Roots and Challenges," "National Security and Economic System of Iran," "National Security and Nuclear Diplomacy," "National Security and Foreign Policy," "National Security and Environment," as well as several volumes of personal memoirs and Islamic political thought.

Rohani urges peace and reconciliation. He promised "government of hope and prudence". He pledged "constructive interaction with the world." He wants a "civil rights charter" enacted. 

Iranians celebrated his victory. His main challenges lie in Washington and Tel Aviv. Pressure will remain unrelenting. It remains to be seen what follows.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour