The Russians Are Coming

In the wake of events in Ukraine, NATO has turned its attention towards countries that border the Russian Federation — and attempted to boost its quick-response capabilities in Europe. In September, the alliance agreed to create a 5,000-strong rapid reaction Spearhead Force, which will be capable of deploying across the continent within 48-hours of a military incursion. In June, VICE News joined several thousand NATO troops in western Poland, for the first deployment test of the "Very High Readiness Joint Task Force."
According to the premise of the exercise, Poland and the Baltics were under threat from the fictional state of “Bothnia” — a master of conventional and hybrid warfare. NATO forces had been ordered to deploy, and quickly, to Poland.
While in Poland, we filmed with non-governmental paramilitary groups, which are training young Polish people to defend their towns and cities in the event of a foreign-backed assault. Participation in paramilitaries has reportedly increased since Russia’s seizure of the Crimean Peninsula. We also traveled north, to visit the border that Poland shares with the heavily armed Russian territory of Kaliningrad. This spring, Poland built six high-tech watchtowers along the 125-mile border.
At the end of our trip, VICE News sat down with NATO’s top diplomat, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He told us that NATO was undertaking “the biggest reinforcement of our collective defense since the end of the Cold War.”
Watch "The Russians Are Coming: Lithuania's Operation Lightning Strike"

VICE News

NATO War on Russia & Western Roots of ISIL

Terror in Central Asia: NATO's Great Game

GlobalResearchTV

Japan to Seek NATO Support Against China

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will write a letter to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to call for closer ties in the face of China’s rising maritime power.

The letter will say that China’s frequent patrols in the disputed Diaoyu Islands and increasing maritime power has intensified the security situation in East Asia, Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Sunday.

In the letter, Abe will also mention that Japan is ready to take a more active role in maintaining stability and prosperity in East Asia, NHK reported.

According to the report, Katsuyuki Kawai, chairman of the Lower House Foreign Affairs Committee of Japan, will arrive at Brussels next Wednesday and bring Abe’s personal letter to NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

This letter, viewed as another move by Japan to enhance its military capability, comes after the nation increased its defense budget for the first time in 11 years last Sunday against the background of the Diaoyu Islands disputes.

Global Research

Nato Afghan strategy in disarray after joint ground operations suspended

The Nato-led military strategy in Afghanistan has been thrown into disarray after joint on-the-ground operations were suspended because of a collapse in trust over the killings of Americans and other Nato soldiers by Afghan government forces.

The move, which came after a surge in the number of "insider attacks" by Afghan government soldiers and police officers, which have killed 51 Nato soldiers in 36 attacks this year, threatens the joint plan to train an effective Afghan army to keep the Taliban at bay after troops start pulling out.

General John Allen, the US and Nato commander in Afghanistan, ordered the suspension of joint combat operations and patrols "until further notice".

The Guardian

NATO and the terrorist network Gladio

In August 1990, Giulio Andreotti, Italian Prime Minister, confirmed that during the Cold War period had existed in Italy and other Western countries, some of them attached to NATO, a clandestine army under the code name Gladio. His revelations led to a major political scandal, not only admit, but because he had denied in 1974, when he was defense minister.
The result of those investigations conducted in Italy between 1974 and 1990 came to light following information concerning the activities of the sinister Gladio, which sometimes appeared as a right-wing terrorist organization, and sometimes the extreme left, as appropriate their purposes. And what are these purposes? Destabilize certain European governments for the benefit of United States and increased their political influence in them.
As information on the organization Gladio were subsequently published, the story was becoming more ominous. Since the beginning of the Cold War, independent agencies franchised by the secret services of Britain and the United States established a vast network of hired murderers, paramilitary groups, terrorist organizations and weapons caches throughout Western Europe.
Read more at Pecan

Anti-NATO Activists Charged With "Providing Material Support for Terrorism"

Well this is a deeply screwed up story, even for someone who reads about police wrongdoing and unjust anti-activist measures all the time. Some anti-NATO protesters in Chicago have been arrested and charged with “possession of incendiary or explosive device, conspiracy to commit terrorism & providing material support for terrorism," in apparent retaliation for being involved with a recent video that shed light on Chicago police intimidation practices.

Firedoglake's Kevin Gosztola wrote a post late last night about how a group of activists were detained, with some of them released on Friday night:

Two of the nine activists arrested in a preemptive raid of an apartment in Bridgeport on the south side of Chicago were finally released Friday night. They joined four activists that were released earlier. Three activists remained in jail without charge.

The activists had been held without charge for close to thirty-six hours and had been disappeared by Chicago police on Wednesday night. They were moved from the Organized Crime Division to Kedzie-Homan in District 4 of Chicago.

Gosztola writes about how the activists, who had been part of a "Fuck the Police" march earlier in the week, were shackled, taunted, called "junkies," and threatened with felony conspiracy charges after the home they were staying in was ransacked by police wielding guns. One activist said the cops "destroyed everything" in the apartment.

More on AlterNet and Mint Press

New French President Hollande Confirms Afghanistan Exit In 2012

After his election to the French presidency on Sunday, Francois Hollande wasted no time in following through on one of his highest-profile campaign pledges.

Hollande's communications director, Manuel Valls, confirmed to the Telegraph on Monday that France will "announce the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan between now and the end of the year." The announcement will take place at the NATO summit being held in Chicago on May 20 and 21.

huffingtonpost.com

Death and Disappearance Still Stalk Libya

People are vanishing in broad daylight in Libya, as the country’s new rulers continue to settle accounts with their opponents. Widespread insecurity means the families of the kidnapped can do no more than hope that their loved ones are still alive.

­Libya’s conflict is over, and the man who stood in the way of Western-style democracy is dead. Yet atrocities against Muammar Gaddafi’s loyalists continue. The images emerging from Libya are disturbing.

Against this distressing background, Russia is demanding a probe into civilian casualties in Libya caused by NATO bombings. That's Moscow’s reaction to a report by human rights groups which claims dozens were killed in air strikes – despite the alliance saying its operation was almost flawless.

rt.com

Nato helicopters 'kill Pakistan checkpoint soldiers'

Pakistani officials have accused Nato helicopters of firing on a military checkpoint near Pakistan's Afghan border, killing at least 14 soldiers. The attack took place in the Pakistani tribal region of Mohmand after Nato helicopters flew over the border from Afghanistan, they said.

Nato said it was aware of "an incident" near the border and that it was investigating. The Pakistani military said it was an "unprovoked and indiscriminate" attack.

More on BBC News

International Criminal Court to investigate NATO conduct in Libya

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor said Wednesday that in addition to his investigation into the war crimes committed by Libya's fallen regime, he is also looking into alleged violations committed by NATO.

"There are allegations of crimes committed by NATO forces, allegations of crimes committed by NTC-related forces ... as well as allegations of additional crimes committed by pro-Gaddafi forces," Luis Moreno-Ocampo said in a speech to the UN Security Council. NATO has denied allegations of deliberately targeting civilians during its seven-month campaign of air strikes against former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces, which the alliance ended on Monday. (Reuters – Ynetnews)

Fear And Loathing On Libya's Roads

Driving from Benghazi to Tripoli is a long way. A very long way. It feels even longer when you are limping on only three decent tyres and a dodgy spare. It has only been possible to drive that journey uninterrupted recently and a Sky News team travelled the route in a single day - from the birthplace of this revolution, past Colonel Gaddafi's last stand in Sirte to the capital.

The 600-mile route snakes along Libya's northern coastline and, barring the scars from Nato bombs which have taken out pro-Gaddafi vehicles, the roads were remarkably smooth - putting some in the UK to shame. It was, however, one of these vicious potholes in the road caused by a bomb dropped from the skies that caused tyre problem number one. Our driver, Hakeem, had successfully slalomed his way through until now but this one near Ras Lanuf caught him out and we hit the hole with an almighty crack which shuddered through the whole vehicle.

Fear And Loathing On Libya's Roads As Sky Correspondent Stuart Ramsay Dodges Nato Bomb Craters

The destruction of Sirte

The Libyan city of Sirte is being systematically destroyed by National Transitional Council "rebel" fighters and NATO fighter planes. The operation stands as a monumental war crime, for which primary responsibility rests with the leading forces behind the military intervention in Libya—US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Sirte has been under siege for weeks. TNC forces have prevented all supplies from entering the city, including food, medicines, and other basic necessities. NATO bombs have rained down, together with a heavy and indiscriminate bombardment by TNC mortars, tank shells, and rockets. Basic infrastructure—including water, electricity, and sewerage systems—has been destroyed as part of the calculated effort to trigger a humanitarian crisis in the city and terrorise its inhabitants into submission.
Every building in Sirte, including apartment blocks, homes, hospitals, schools, and other civilian structures, has either been levelled or severely damaged by the "rebel" forces trying to finally take the city. Militiamen are looting homes, cars, and shops, with truckloads of residents’ stolen possessions now leaving Sirte every day. - uruknet.info

Ruined Sirte becomes a killing ground as Gaddafi loyalists face destruction – The Telegraph

Nato success against Taliban in Afghanistan 'may be exaggerated'

The success of one of Nato's principal tactics against the Taliban – targeted night raids aimed at killing or capturing leaders of the insurgency – may have been exaggerated to make the military campaign in Afghanistan look more effective, according to a report published on Wednesday.

The study shows that for every "leader" killed in the raids, eight other people also died, although the raids were designed to be a precise weapon aimed at decapitating the Taliban on the battlefield by removing their commanders.

The report also notes that in briefings to the US media aggregate claims made for the number of Taliban leaders killed or detained over a given period were sometimes much greater than the numbers recorded in the daily press releases.

The Guardian – See the The Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN) report here

BBC Journalist Killed By U.S. Forces In Afghanistan

NATO has admitted that a U.S. soldier shot a BBC journalist to death in July. The Guardian was the first to report the news that Ahmed Omed Khpulwak was killed by an American. Khpulwak was one of at least 19 people to die during a fight that erupted between the Taliban and American forces after the Taliban attacked an Afghan television station.

NATO said that the death was accidental, and military officials met with his family on Thursday to apologize for the "mistake." Khpulwak had worked as a stringer for the BBC since 2008. He also worked for an Afghan news service.

The official report (pdf) from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said that Khpulwak, 25, had died because of "mistaken identity." He was hiding from the fight when, according to ISAF, a soldier mistook him for a surviving Taliban fighter and took his movements as a sign that he was a suicide bomber.

Khpulwak's brother, Jawid, spoke to the Guardian after NATO's admission. "They thought he was a suicide bomber, but how?" he said. "He spoke English and would have been showing his press card." The BBC reported that Khpulwak sent Jawid two text messages during the attack. The first read: "I am hiding. Death has come." The second read: "pray for me if I die."

Huffington Post – BBC – Press TV – The Guardian

Cynthia McKinney from Tripoli

Nato 'must widen' Libyan targets, says UK military head

The head of the British armed forces has said Nato must intensify its military campaign in Libya by easing the restrictions on bombing targets. General Sir David Richards told the Sunday Telegraph direct attacks should be launched against the infrastructure propping up Colonel Gaddafi's regime. He said it was necessary to prevent the Libyan dictator remaining in power.

The UK and other countries have been bombing Libya under a UN resolution authorising force to protect civilians. The Security Council resolution authorises "all necessary measures" to protect civilians under threat of attack - short of an occupying force.

From BBC News

Nato units left 61 African migrants to die of hunger and thirst

Dozens of African migrants were left to die in the Mediterranean after a number of European and Nato military units apparently ignored their cries for help, the Guardian has learned.

A boat carrying 72 passengers, including several women, young children and political refugees, ran into trouble in late March after leaving Tripoli for the Italian island of Lampedusa. Despite alarms being raised with the Italian coastguard and the boat making contact with a military helicopter and a Nato warship, no rescue effort was attempted.

All but 11 of those on board died from thirst and hunger after their vessel was left to drift in open waters for 16 days. "Every morning we would wake up and find more bodies, which we would leave for 24 hours and then throw overboard," said Abu Kurke, one of only nine survivors. "By the final days, we didn't know ourselves … everyone was either praying, or dying."

International maritime law compels all vessels, including military units, to answer distress calls from nearby boats and to offer help where possible. Refugee rights campaigners have demanded an investigation into the deaths, while the UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency, has called for stricter co-operation among commercial and military vessels in the Mediterranean in an effort to save human lives.

"The Mediterranean cannot become the wild west," said spokeswoman Laura Boldrini. "Those who do not rescue people at sea cannot remain unpunished."

Full article on The Guardian

Nato strike 'kills Gaddafi's youngest son'

Saif al-Arab Gaddafi, the youngest son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and three of his grandchildren have been killed in a NATO air strike, a Libyan government spokesman said.

Gaddafi and his wife were in the Tripoli house of his 29-year-old son, Saif al-Arab Gaddafi, when it was hit by at least one missile fired by a NATO warplane late on Saturday, according to Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim.

"The house of Mr Saif al-Arab Gaddafi was attacked tonight with full power. The leader with his wife was there in the house with other friends and relatives.”

"This was a direct operation to assassinate the leader of this country. This is not permitted by international law. It is not permitted by any moral code or principle. What we have now is the law of the jungle. We think now it is clear to everyone that what is happening in Libya has nothing to do with the protection of civilians."

Al Jazeera

But wait…
Does it has something to do with this:

Saif al-Arab, Gaddafi's youngest son, who was sent by his father to cooperate with Libyan security forces in the massive crackdown on pro-democracy protesters joined forces with the demonstrators in the eastern city of Benghazi on Thursday.

According to the reports, Saif al-Arab, Gaddafi's youngest son, who was sent by his father to cooperate with Libyan security forces in the massive crackdown on pro-democracy protesters joined forces with the demonstrators in the eastern city of Benghazi.

Press TV

US and Britain may arm Libya rebels if Gaddafi clings to power

The US and Britain have raised the prospect of arming Libya's rebels if air strikes fail to force Muammar Gaddafi from power.

At the end of a conference on Libya in London, Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said for the first time that she believed arming rebel groups was legal under UN security council resolution 1973, passed two weeks ago, which also provided the legal justification for air strikes.

The British foreign secretary, William Hague, agreed that the resolution made it legal "to give people aid in order to defend themselves in particular circumstances".

But Clinton admitted the Americans "do not know as much as we would like to" about the interim national council (INC). In Washington, Admiral James Stavridis, Nato's supreme allied commander in Europe, told the Senate that intelligence analysis had revealed "flickers" of al-Qaida or Hezbollah presence inside the movement, and argued it required further study.

Full article on The Guardian