George Soros Slams Putin For "Heinous Crimes Against Humanity"
SOURCE
While relations between the Kremlin and Oval Office have never been worse in the post-cold war era, a new conflict has been reignited between Vladimir Putin and the man many have accused of being the mastermind behind the European refugee crisis: billionaire George Soros, who is also one of the more prominent supporters of Hillary Clinton.
After Russia previously banned the operation of Soros' Open Society Foundation in Russia last November saying it was a "threat to the foundations of Russia’s Constitutional order and national security", Soros took the opportunity to respond by writing a rare post on his website, in which he condemned Russia's bombing campaign in Syria, accusing President Putin of exploiting the chaos and power void in the White House ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential elections. Relying on an analysis by the NYT, Soros suggested that “Putin calculates that the departing President Obama will be unlikely to intervene in the escalating Syrian conflict and a new American president who might consider a tougher policy will not yet be in office…The next American president will face a new reality and will be forced to accept it."
As the WaPo reported recently, a proposed escalation by various disgruntled members of the Pentagon to dispatch a US military presence in Syria, or launch an air strike campaign against Assad, has so far not gotten much traction with Obama, suggesting that Putin's gambit may be working.
In his statement, the billionaire liberal also said that Russian planes were bombing the civilian population of Aleppo to assist Syrian government forces on the ground. "I appeal to the people of Russia, Europe, and the rest of the world not to stand idly by, but to spread the word and voice their outrage. An outpouring of public opinion could induce President Putin to put an end to his heinous crimes against humanity."
To be sure, this script is familiar and was tried in the summer of 2013 when as a result of a fabricated YouTube video showcasing a "chemical attack" by the Assad regime, there was a full-blown media assault seeking to leigitimize a US intervention in Syria, which almost led to war between Russia and the US in July and August of that year, before John Kerry luckily relented in the last moment and prevented what may have been a world war.
We are now back in the same situation, and we can only hope that like three years ago, war will once again be averted. We can also hope that the unexpected and vocal intervention of billionaires with globalist ambitions does not prove to be the one catalyst that escalates the situation to a point from which there is no return.
Here is Soros' full article slamming Putin:
The world is witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe of historic proportions. It is happening in Syria. It is being perpetrated by the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, in support of his protégé, Bashar al-Assad. Russian planes are bombing the civilian population of Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city, to assist Syrian government forces on the ground. The combined assault has, among other things, put the city’s remaining hospitals out of commission and deprived the population of drinking water.
President Putin is moving aggressively to exploit the four months between now and the January 20 U.S. presidential inauguration, based on a callous political calculation. As the New York Times puts it: “Mr. Putin calculates that the departing President Obama will be unlikely to intervene in the escalating Syrian conflict and a new American president who might consider a tougher policy will not yet be in office…The next American president will face a new reality and will be forced to accept it.” When the facts are fully established, Putin’s bombing of Aleppo will be viewed as among the modern world’s most egregious war crimes.
I appeal to the people of Russia, Europe, and the rest of the world not to stand idly by, but to spread the word and voice their outrage. An outpouring of public opinion could induce President Putin to put an end to his heinous crimes against humanity.
RUSSIA THREATENS TO SHOOT DOWN US JETS
Source: Kurt Nimmo, Blacklisted News Exclusive
In a stark warning to the United States, a spokesman for the Russian defense ministry, Major-General Igor Konashekov, said Russia may shoot down US planes attempting to launch airstrikes in Syria.
“I would recommend our colleagues in Washington to thoroughly consider the possible consequences of the realization of such plans,” Konashenkov said.
Konshenkov noted Russia has deployed advanced S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft missiles to its bases in Syria. He said the range of the missiles “can be a surprise for any unidentified flying objects.”
The defense minister said advance technology employed by the United State would be no match for the Russian missiles. “The illusions of dilettantes about the existence of ‘stealth’ aircraft may encounter a disappointing reality,” he warned.
Military experts say the S-400 SAM, known as the “Triumf” in Russia, is the most capable and lethal long-range air defense missile system on the planet. It has a maximum speed around Mach 12, or close to 20,000 miles per hour, making a “no escape” zone for US aircraft likely, according to the Defense Media Network.
The remarks follow the suspension of talks between the United States and Russia. On Monday the US accused the Russians of colluding with the Syrians in the effort to retake the jihadi occupied city of Aleppo.
Earlier this week it was reported top national security officials in the Obama administration were are considering targeting the government of Bashar al-Assad.
On Wednesday the proposal was bumped up to the Principals Committee, which includes Cabinet-level officials, and it is expected the National Security Council will consider options this weekend.
The discussions follow a Deputies Committee meeting at the White House last week. During the meeting officials from the State Department, the CIA, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff proposed military strikes to force al-Assad to stop his military campaign against jihadi proxies supported by the CIA and the Gulf Emirates.
On Thursday Syria announced it has made significant gains in Aleppo. “An army unit in cooperation with the supporting forces carried out a ‘swift’ operation against the fortified sites of the terrorist organizations in Bustan al-Basha neighborhood in Aleppo city,” state-run SANA news agency reported.
The Washington Post characterized the Syrian effort as a war on civilians in Aleppo where the Syrian army has made recent strides in regaining control.
Specific options considered by the United States are classified.
The Post, however, cited an administration official as saying they would include bombing Syrian air force runways using cruise missiles and other long-range weapons fired from coalition planes and ships. The CIA and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, represented in the Deputies Committee meeting by Vice Chairman Gen. Paul Selva, support a “kinetic” option, the newspaper reported.
The US plan to attack Syrian defense forces and establish a no-fly zone in Syria portends a significant escalation and the prospect of direct combat between the United States and Russia.
“American politicians and media are calling for military action against Russian-Syrian forces, in particular, imposition of a ‘no-fly zone,’ which would almost certainly lead to war with Russia,” writesStephen F. Cohen.
The establishment media is in lockstep with the government in demonizing Russian president Vladimir Putin and calling for an escalation of hostilities.
“The Times and Washington Post, for example, publish articles and editorials, one after the other, declaring Putin to be an ‘outlaw’ and ‘rogue’ leader unfit to be an American partner on any front. In the mainstream, no one proposes or is permitted to propose—any rethinking of US policies that may have contributed to this dire situation,” Cohen adds.
If the National Security Council this weekend green lights a plan to attack the Syrian army directly, we can expect a war with Russia and all the horrific consequences that will undoubtedly entail.
