Private contractors replacing American troops in both wars

A report says that Iraq and Afghanistan are being left to mercenaries, as the number of private contractors in both countries has risen by over a quarter - all with the approval of the White House. read more

Marriot Blast: Presence of undercover FBI/CIA agents, US Marines suspected

ISLAMABAD: The intelligence agencies probing the Marriott blast suspect the presence of under cover FBI/CIA agents in the hotel a few days before it was reduced to rubble by the most horrific terrorist attack in the capital's history.

The authorities are trying to ascertain the reason for the terrorist attack at the Marriott, Islamabad and whether it has any connection with the stay of American Marines and CIA/FBI agents there.

source: The News

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Battle for the Amazon

Supreme Court case pits exploitation of the Amazon against Indigenous rights in Brazil

On August 27th, the Brazilian Supreme Court will decide a case that could have far reaching effects on the Amazon and the half-million indigenous people who live there. The case questions the legality of a process that created an Indigenous Territory in northern Brazil, and threatens to reverse decades of progress on indigenous and social rights throughout the country.

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Syria to discuss arms with Russia

Since Israel has supplied Georgia with weapons, there is nothing stopping Russia supplying Syria. We will, of course, be told that Georgia is a democratic state whereas Syria is not. Syria is on the infamous ‘axis of evil’. At the essence of the argument is that If America and Israel can supply weapons to Russia’s enemies then Russia can supply to Israel’s enemies.

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Source: Al Jazeera

How Foreign Policy Affects Gas Prices

But how does foreign policy affect gas prices? One important factor is that oil on the world market has been priced in dollars exclusively since 1973. Only two leaders have gone against this arrangement - Saddam Hussein in 2000 and more recently Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with the recently opened Iranian Oil Bourse which trades in non-dollar currencies. But since oil is otherwise exclusively traded in dollars, this means that oil producers have vast amounts of assets held in dollars. Especially since the War on Terror and the PATRIOT Act, many oil-producing nations and banks are concerned the US government may freeze assets based on flimsy pretexts. This fear contributes to dollar weakness, and therefore also high oil prices.

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War in Georgia: The Israeli connection

The Georgians received Israeli weapons and training. The Georgian Defence Minister is an Israeli. What is going on in the Caucasus?

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CIA Agents Executed 1980 Liberia Coup

A former official of the administration of slain President William R. Tolbert has linked agents of the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to the execution of the 1980 coup d'état.

It is widely believed that the 1980 Coup was carried out by 17 non-commissioned officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) of the People's Redemption Council (PRC).

Following the coup, 13 senior government officials of the Tolbert regime were executed by firing squad.

Cllr. Chea Cheapoo who served as Justice Minister under the PRC government told the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Tuesday that it was an American CIA agent that killed President Tolbert.

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