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Sunday, November 21, 2010

RT crew arrested in Fort Benning

RT crew arrested in Fort Benning


An RT crew has been detained in the U.S. as they filmed a rally near a military training academy dubbed by critics the 'School of Assassins'. A cameraman and a correspondent have been taken into custody in the state of Georgia, along with a number of activists.


'No To NATO!' Video of anti-Alliance protests in Lisbon

'No To NATO!' Video of anti-Alliance protests in Lisbon


Thousands of people marched through downtown Lisbon in a peaceful anti-NATO protest on Saturday during a summit of the alliance's leaders in the Portuguese capital. The protesters chanted anti-NATO slogans, held banners that read "yes to peace, no to NATO", and banged drums as they passed down the city's main avenue.

NATO: An alternative to UN?

NATO: An alternative to UN?


The US lead NATO mission in Afghanistan is heating up while NATO struggles with the costs and its own existence. NATO, first conceived as a balance to the Soviet Union during the Cold War is looking for relevance in the 21st century. Rick Rozoff, the manager of Stop NATO International argued that NATO no longer has any relevance, and should be stopped, both in Afghanistan and elsewhere. NATO has grown from 12 to 28 members, and is merely serving the purposes of the US and other major Western European powers. Rozoff said, NATO does not promote democracy as many believe, in fact it does the opposite, intervening in the affairs of other nations to secure energy, resources, safety and trade routes for the major western powers; Afghanistan is a prime example of this. And the Afghan war is becoming the model for NATO moving forward in the 21st century. NATO has evolved from a defensive pact between nations to an offensive global entity, one the US touts as an alternative to the UN


US school of assassins

US school of assassins


For 62 years, the School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia, has trained some of the worst human rights abusers in the hemisphere. From Pinochet's soldiers in Chile, D'Aubuisson's death squads in El Salvador, Banzer's minions in Bolivia, Galtieri's operatives in Argentina and Rios Montt's soldiers in Guatemala to the present-day generals responsible for the coup in Honduras and the drug war killings in Colombia, the School of the America has a dark legacy. This weekend, tens of thousands of activists will converge on its gates to demand an end to the torture, the coups and the assassinations. RT's Kaelyn Forde is in Georgia and reports on the fight to close the "School of Assassins".

Afghan war gets tanks as NATO struggles

Afghan war gets tanks as NATO struggles

The US lead NATO mission in Afghanistan is heating up while NATO itself struggles with the costs and its own existence. NATO, first conceived as a balance to the Soviet Union during the Cold War is looking for relevance in the 21st century. Brian Becker, the national director for the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition said, there is no relevance and NATO is merely an arm of US military strategy. He explained the Obama administration now has to twist the arms of European governments to keep them involved in the Afghan war as the political and economic costs increase. Meanwhile, the US has now decided after 10 years to deploy M1 Abrams tanks to combat zones in Afghanistan; a "shock and awe" tactic explained Becker


US foreign policy violates democracy, sovereignty

US foreign policy violates democracy, sovereignty


For 62 years, the School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia, has trained some of the worst human rights abusers in the hemisphere. This weekend, tens of thousands of activists will converge on the gates of Fort Benning to demand an end to the torture, the coups and the assassinations.SOA Watch founder Roy Bourgeois said the School of the Americas is a symbol of US foreign policy and needs to be addressed. He explained that US tax payers are spending billion to train foreign military leaders who return to their home nations and wreak havoc on their populations, including union leaders, the poor, and political advocates. These people are the victims of the School of Americas, victims of US foreign policy. Bourgeois' going is to close down the School of the Americas permanently, because it is an obstacle to democracy and sovereignty in Latin America




Taxpayer billions promote democracy hoax abroad

Taxpayer billions promote democracy hoax abroad


Over the past two decades, the US Agency for International Development has spent more than $9 billion dollars promoting Washington's formula for democracy. The programs are in practice in more than 100 countries. USAID's affiliates, the National Endowment for Democracy, the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute are also engaged in the democracy promotion business. Most of the money that is directed for this effort comes directly from Congress and is distributed by the US State Department


M1 Abrams set to fail in Afghanistan

M1 Abrams set to fail in Afghanistan


At their meeting in Lisbon, NATO has agreed to extend the conflict in Afghanistan into 2014. Latin America based journalist Pepe Escobar from the Asia Times said prolonging the withdrawal deadline to 2014 will change nothing, because efforts have been absolutely useless thus far. Meanwhile, the US has now decided after 10 years to deploy M1 Abrams tanks to combat zones in Afghanistan, a measure that will accomplish nothing with the exception of making the problem an even greater mess. It's merely a media and public opinion operation, he added. Escobar argued NATO is no longer necessary in the 21st century; their meeting thus far has confirmed a plan to protect Europe from non-existent threats. "NATO is now the new UN," he said. "The agenda is global domination. Be afraid, be very afraid."


Inside the dark legacy of US "School of Assassins"

Inside the dark legacy of US "School of Assassins"


For 62 years, the School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia, has trained some of the worst human rights abusers in the hemisphere. From Pinochet's soldiers in Chile, D'Aubuisson's death squads in El Salvador, Banzer's minions in Bolivia, Galtieri's operatives in Argentina and Rios Montt's soldiers in Guatemala to the present-day generals responsible for the coup in Honduras and the drug war killings in Colombia, the School of the America has a dark legacy. Renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, the school has graduated 65,000 soldiers from 18 countries. This weekend, tens of thousands of activists will converge at its gates to demand an end to the militarization and the massacres, the human rights violations and the secrecy... and fight to close the School of the Americas


Obama 'Bunker on Wheels' steals show at NATO Summit

Obama 'Bunker on Wheels' steals show at NATO Summit


It's day one of the NATO summit in Lisbon, Portugal and while most heads of state are riding around in no-emission electric vehicles, Obama's ride has been the talk of the town. The eight-ton diesel-fueled "Beast" of a limousine is seen as symbolic of America's excesses, whether it is giant inefficient cars or the massive US military. At a time when European countries are slashing military budgets and looking to downsize on defense, the US is struggling to convince allies to go along in its military quests. Meanwhile, nuclear cooperation between NATO alliance members is in crisis over US tactical nukes. RT's Lucy Kafanov reports from Lisbon, Portugal on the first part of this year's two day summit


Democracy promotion hoax

Democracy promotion hoax


The US spends billions of dollars promoting its version of democracy all over the world. Robert Naiman, Policy Director at Just Foreign Policy says Washington has been very selective in where and when their democracy should be promoted. And very few Americans really understand where the taxpayers' money goes


Ghailani trial: kiss of death for military tribunals?

Ghailani trial: kiss of death for military tribunals?


Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Ahmed Ghailani was found not guilty on all but one charge by a civilian jury in New York, in a case with ramifications for President Obama's policy toward Guantanamo and civilian trials for terror suspects. Daphne Eviatar from Human Rights First says it would be a disaster if this verdict will stop the administration from bringing cases of other Gitmo detainees to civilian courts


Obama START-ing to scramble

Obama START-ing to scramble


The START treaty would cut Russia and the United States' nuclear arsenals but many are wondering if Republicans are willing to do anything to prevent President Barack Obama from achieving a political victory. President Obama sternly proclaimed ratification of the US-Russia nuclear arms treaty "a national security imperative", saying the Senate must act before Congress goes home for the year


US democracy promotion creates puppets worldwide

US democracy promotion creates puppets worldwide


Washington has spent billions of dollars promoting it's version of democracy all over the world. In part one of this segment, we talked about how the US formula for regime change underwent a makeover following the 1960's through 1980's. A time when the US government openly supported dictators. Now the new method is different. It includes soft money that is transformed into financing, supporting, politically backing and training opposition forces in line with US policy. Through democracy promotion efforts, Washington was able to create key political figures in foreign countries who either became Presidents or major political opponents

US Empire ambition undermines country

US Empire ambition undermines country


Democracy Promotion has been a long standing part of US foreign policy. It is a key component of soft power abroad that is linked to the diplomacy tool used by Washington. Jacob Hornberger the President of The Future of Freedom Foundation believes to reign in Washington's spending abroad; the US must bring our troop's home, close military bases abroad and end the global empire the US has created


NATO loses its clout

NATO loses its clout .


It's the oldest military alliance in modern history. But NATO, formed to defend against the "threat" of the Soviet Union hasn't had a common enemy for decades since the cold war ended. And weakened by a seemingly endless war in Afghanistan, with countries struggling financially and cutting military budgets, it's unclear if NATO members can afford the promise to defend themselves. And many critics question whether they should even try


US using democracy promotion as disguise

US using democracy promotion as disguise


The United States used to send military aid to opposing political regimes in countries it wanted to see overthrown. These days the United States sends a different type of aid, US taxpayer money is paying for "democracy promotion", a way for the US to influence elections in other countries that will help the US agenda abroad. Lawyer and Author Eva Golinger points out there are many organizations in other countries that are open to this funding, when it comes under the disguise of democracy promotion.



START showdown: Republicans vs. Obama administration

START showdown: Republicans vs. Obama administration


Once again it seems that partisan politics might prevent another crucial portion of President Obama's foreign policy agenda from passing. The START treaty would cut Russia and the United States' nuclear arsenals but many are wondering if Republicans are willing to anything to prevent President Obama achieve a political victory. Joseph Cirincione says this battle has just begun, the Obama administration wants this done by the end of year and it appears they will fight for it.



A fair trial? Not in Viktor Bout's case

A fair trial? Not in Viktor Bout's case


Before having presented their evidence to a US court of justice against Viktor Bout, the Prosecution has already labeled the Russian a notorious international arms trafficker. They claim no international or United States law was violated in extraditing Bout, saying he conspired in a fight against the US. RT's Anastasia Churkina reports from New York.



Obama weakening as START ratification looms

Obama weakening as START ratification looms


The START treaty is US President Obama's crown jewel when it comes to his foreign policy objective; however that is in danger due to the GOP holding it up in Congress. If the treaty is not passed before year's end, it will be in major danger of failing once more Republicans join Congress. The Hill columnist Brent Budowsky is optimistic the START treaty will be passed through Congress because many Republicans understand the importance of the treaty


US behind regime changes around the world

US behind regime changes around the world .


As Washington's overt support of brutal dictators became too much for Americans to stomach, it was replaced with a new concept for regime change called democracy promotion. US taxpayer's are bearing the burden, as taxpayer money has been widely used to overthrow governments around the world. Asia Times correspondent Pepe Escobar says in the past two or three months corporate press in Brazil has opposed Dilma Rousseff, Lula de Silva's protégé, indirectly supported by NED and Freedom House


Washington's regime change gets a makeover

Washington's regime change gets a makeover


Back in the day, the US government openly backed dictators who were pro US and pro free market. It was part of the Cold War era where the US trained, financed and supported military dictators and governments that committed heinous crimes against their populations, such as in Chile, Argentina, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Brazil. However, the bloody trail left behind by Washington's henchmen resulted in the US government shifting gears in how it supported or implemented regime change. Today the new method is known as Democracy Promotion


Viktor Bout already convicted by US media

Viktor Bout already convicted by US media


Thailand extradited accused Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout to the US to face terrorism charges, siding with Washington in a tug of war with Moscow over whether to send him to stand trial or let him go home. The media has portrayed him as a villain but is he the monster they are making him out to be? Military defense attorney Eric Montalvo says due to the mainstream media coverage already convicting him, it is hard to believe Viktor Bout will receive a fair trial.



Prosecutors announce charges against Bout -- Raw Footage

Prosecutors announce charges against Bout -- Raw Footage


Check out this raw footage of prosecutors publicly announcing the charges against alleged arms dealer Viktor Bout


Viktor Bout faces US court

Viktor Bout faces US court


Viktor Bout faces an American Court today, meanwhile New York prosecutors are preparing to announce what is next for the alleged arms dealer. Russia claims that Bout's extradition was the result of political pressure on the Thai government and an example of injustice


NY prosecutors silent about Viktor Bout

NY prosecutors silent about Viktor Bout


Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout has been extradited to the United States where he awaits trial for allegedly trafficking arms. However, New York prosecutors have been silent about the details regarding Viktor Bout's case. RT's Marina Portnaya reports on the new developments regarding Viktor Bout's case


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