March 24, 2019
President Donald Trump delivers pointed remarks to the White House press pool upon return from Mar-a-lago.
Tag Archives: Political Corruption
President Trump Delivers First Remarks After Principal Conclusion Release From Mueller Report (video)…
March 24, 2019
CTH will break down the important granules within the “Principal Conclusion Letter” to congress in another post; including the obvious evidence of how Robert Mueller’s team have conspired to assist the impeachment agenda. However, in the interim we celebrate the predictably obvious legal finding of ‘no collusion and no obstruction‘.
Here is President Trump responding to the four page summary from AG William Barr.
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Trump – Israel – Putin – Middle East
Armstrong Economics Blog/Middle East
Re-Posted Mar 25, 2019 by Martin Armstrong
The interesting aspect of our war models has been that this cycle turned up in 2014 and we really do not reach the point of a major peak before 2022/2023. Back in 2015, we published a segment on the rising tensions that would emerge in the Middle East – the War Cycle. We warned about the division along the lines of religion in the Middle East which has pitted Saudi Arabia against Iran would become the major issue. As far as Israel was concerned, this would tend to turn up from January 10th, 2019, which is the conclusion of a 51.6-year wave from the 1967 6-Day war. Now the pieces are beginning to line up.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that “it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights” received an enthusiastic welcome in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was boosted in his position in the upcoming April 9th elections. He said he welcomed this “Purim miracle.” His rival Benny Gantz, whose party’s leading lights helped push for American recognition of the Golan’s annexation, said in a statement that Trump was cementing his place in history as a true friend of Israel.
That Netanyahu and Gantz were both delighted no doubt. The annexation of the Golan and the settlements established there enjoy widespread support in Israel. Ever since the Yom Kippur War of 1973, Syria has refrained from any attempt to recover the Golan by force. After 51.6 years, even the Druze residents of the northern Golan had accepted Israeli rule without rebelling. Naturally, Syria slammed Trump’s statement that it was time to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights as “irresponsible” remarking that it confirms “the blind bias of the United States to the Zionist entity.”
Many political analysts are now arguing that Trump’s comments about the Golan Heights could set a dangerous precedent with regard to Russia’s stance on Crimea, even if Trump’s comments are not legally binding. This merely illustrates the bias of these analysts to gloss over great distinctions. Crimea was ALWAYS part of Russia and it was only handed to Ukraine for convenience under the USSR. The people living in Crimea, as in Eastern Ukraine, were ethnic Russians speaking Russian – not Ukrainian. In the case of the Golan Heights, this was effectively the spoils of war. Syria invaded Israel and they lost. So this is sort of like going to a casino betting on a number and when you lose, you expect to get back your original bet. France took territory from Germany as part of the reparations after World War II.
Alsace-Lorraine, German Elsass-Lothringen, is an area comprising the present French départements of Haut-Rhin, Bas-Rhin, and the Moselle. Alsace-Lorraine was the name given to the 5,067 square miles (13,123 square km) of territory that was ceded by France to Germany in 1871 after the Franco-German War. It had been taken by Napoleon previously. This region is ethnic German. Since 2016, the historical territory is now part of the French administrative region of Grand Est. This is no that different from Russia’s claim on Crimea. It was a separate peninsula strategically position between Russia and Ukraine.
As for the Golan Heights, this was effectively lost to Syria since they lost the war which was formally annexed on December 14th, 1981 at the peak of the Economic Confidence Model. This region has not had a historical border one can point to even as in Germany or Crimea. The northwestern region of the Golan down to the northern tip of the Sea of Galilee was part of the British Palestine Mandate in which the establishment of a Jewish national home had been originally promised.
Then in 1923, this region was ceded to the French Mandate in Syria in exchange for land to be ceded to Palestine, including the whole of the Sea of Galilee. Syrians argue this was all part of the Ottoman Empire and that the 1920 British-Franco agreement which had placed part of the Golan under the control of Britain was only temporary. They then claim that the 1923 agreement was never recognized legally by Syria. In turn, Israeli scholars argued that Syria had long lost any claims for the Golan Heights since it only had it under their sovereign control for 21 years beginning in 1946 while the Israeli part of the Golan Heights had been part of Israel for a much longer period of time.
In fact, during the 3rd millennium BC, the Amorites, who were an ancient Semitic-speaking people from southern Mesopotamia from the 21st century BC to the end of the 17th century BC. That culture was the founder of Babylon. The Amorites inhabited the Golan after the fall of Babylon and they were part of the territories that Labaya the Canaanite king of Shechem opted to annex in the 14th century BC as stated in the Amarna Letters sent to Ancient Egypt.
Later, following the Late Bronze Age collapse, this is when we find the Golan was part of the newly formed kingdom of Geshur until it was conquered at the end of the 2nd millennium by the Arameans. The Aramaean city-state Aram Damascus reached over most of Golan to the Sea of Galilee. According to the Bible, the Children of Israel then conquered the Golan from the Amorites during the 3rd century BC.
Today, the area of the Golan Heights held by Israel is around 500 sq. mi. (1,200 sq. km.). There are over 40,000 people living there, nearly 40% are Jewish and the rest Druze and a small Alawite minority. Most people have no clue that the Druze are a distinct religious sect. They are Arabic-speaking citizens of Israel who serve in the Israel Defense Forces. Members of the community have attained top positions in Israeli politics and public service. The region’s strategic importance derives from its location, overlooking the Israeli Galilee region, and from the fact that the Sea of Galilee provides a major source of water for Israel – about one-third of all its water. Religiously, the Druze are separate from the rest of Syria since they are not Shias nor Sunni.
Categories: Middle East
Our Turn? – President Trump’s Declassification Arsenal…
March 24, 2019
The Mueller investigation was cited to President Trump, by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, as a specific reason not to declassify certain documents. Here’s a link to the General Principles of declassification [SEE HERE] Yes, the President can declassify anything; however, there is a process that must be followed.
With the completion of the Mueller investigation, it would appear that President Trump could now declassify the documents as requested by congress on September 6th, 2018. Additionally, after the original declassification request, there were other documents added to the list. Perhaps it is worthwhile remembering what those declassification documents are:
♦ The first item(s) is/are the Carter Page FISA applications (including specifically pages 10-12 and 17-34 and relevant footnotes). This request was modified to include the last 22 pages of the third renewal of the FISA application (dated July 2016).
♦ The second item(s) on the original request are all of the Bruce Ohr 302’s, FBI notes from interviews and debriefing sessions, and other relevant documents associated with the interviews of Bruce Ohr and his internal communications. This request also includes exculpatory evidence that Bruce Ohr may have shared.
♦ The third batch of documents requested by congress was: “all exculpatory evidence regarding Carter Page and others, that were presented to the Gang of Eight, but not presented to the FISA Court.”
♦ The fourth request was for the unredacted “Scope Memo”, authored by Deputy Rosenstein, that authorized the specific investigative direction of Robert Mueller. With the Mueller probe ended, there should be no reason to withhold and redact the authorization document known as the “Scope Memo”.
♦ The fifth item is the originating Electronic Communication or “EC” authored by CIA Director John Brennan to former FBI Director James Comey. The two-page EC is the originating memorandum that outlines the reason why Brennan felt operation “Crossfire Hurricane” should be initiated to investigate the Trump campaign (July 31, 2016).
♦ The sixth item on the original request was for the release of the full and unredacted text messaging and communication between FBI Lawyer Lisa Page and FBI Special Agent Peter Strzok. There are thousands of redactions within the previously released text messages; there are also many that were removed. The request to President Trump was for all redactions to be removed and for all previously withheld communication to be provided.
NOTE: Recently it has been revealed there are also text messages between Lisa Page and former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. I would presume the congressional request would also want those added to their original request for declassification and production.
That’s the original and modified list of documents that Devin Nunes and congress have requested from the executive. However, there’s more documents that are pertinent and would be useful in exposing the seditious conspiracy.
CTH would like to add the declassification of the April 2017 FISC opinion rendered by FISA Court Presiding Justice Rosemary Collyer. This 99-page opinion outlines the 2016 FBI and NSA FISA-702 certification submissions. It’s extremely doubtful that anyone in DC would support declassifying this document; however, there is also no document that would be as revealing to declassify. This document is direct evidence of historic FISA abuse; it would show just how far the fourth amendment has been eroded by the administrative state.
Reminder from 2018:
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Ed Henry Special Report on Mueller Probe With Devin Nunes, David Bosse and Gregg Jarrett…
March 23, 2019
Fox News ran a special report on the Mueller investigation concluding with several key interviews. ♦Devin Nunes discusses the recent revelations around the McCabe text messages, and material he wants to see declassified, along with his intent to submit several criminal referrals. ♦David Bosse discusses the political ramifications of the Mueller probe. ♦Gregg Jarrett discusses the issues within the DOJ and FBI. ♦Alan Dershowitz discusses the FISA court and possible abuse.
The Geographic Caliphate of ISIS is Defeated – All Areas Within Syria and Iraq Liberated…
March 23, 2019
THE UNITED STATES AND OUR GLOBAL PARTNERS HAVE LIBERATED ALL ISIS-CONTROLLED TERRITORY
“American and coalition forces have had one military victory after another over the last two years against ISIS, including the retaking of both Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria. We’ve liberated more than 20,000 square miles of territory.” ~President Donald J. Trump
[White House] LIBERATING ALL ISIS-CONTROLLED TERRITORY: The territory once held by ISIS in Syria and Iraq is now 100 percent liberated.
Upon taking office, President Donald J. Trump empowered our commanders in the field and enabled our allies and partners on the ground to take the fight to ISIS.
The Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, including the United States, Iraqi Security Forces, and partners in the Syrian Democratic Forces, have liberated all of the territory previously held by ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
- The 79-member Coalition to Defeat ISIS is an unprecedented collection of nations and organizations aligned in a common cause to fight the evil of terrorism.
- Thousands of fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces, Iraq Security Forces, and 6 members of the Coalition have sacrificed their lives fighting against ISIS.
- Over the last two years, the United States and our Coalition partners have liberated more than 20,000 square miles of territory previously held by ISIS in Syria.
- Since January 2017, an estimated 5 million people have been freed from ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
- Sixty high-value targets, 100 ISIS officials, and tens of thousands of ISIS fighters have been killed.
- There are more than 1,000 foreign fighters from more than 40 countries in the custody of the Syrian Democratic Forces.
Thanks to the defeat of the “caliphate,” ISIS now lacks a territorial base to launch attacks overseas and recruit foreign fighters.
MOVING FORWARD: The United States has begun the process of withdrawing troops from Syria in a deliberate and coordinated manner, while maintaining a small force there.
- President Trump is realigning our force now that ISIS’s territorial “caliphate” has been defeated.
- The President wants to draw down our presence in a safe, deliberate, and coordinated manner and remains in constant contact with our allies.
- During this process, we will continue to inflict maximum damage on the remnants of ISIS.
- A small contingent of United States Armed Forces will remain in Syria.
ENSURING ISIS NEVER RETURNS: The United States is committed to ensuring the remnants of ISIS are destroyed and that it can never regain its “caliphate.”
- The United Sates is confident that together with the Coalition, we will ensure a lasting defeat of ISIS.
- Understanding the remaining threat from radical Islamist terrorism, the United States will continue to hunt down any remnants of ISIS.
- The United States remains committed to the Coalition and will continue to support its efforts.
- The President has been clear that our allies and partners should step up their contributions to stabilize Syria and help ensure that ISIS cannot return.
White House Announces Curious Dates for Next Face-to-Face U.S-China Trade Discussions…
March 23, 2019
Something slightly delayed next week’s schedule by a few days. Quite possibly the issue with the “Sanctions”, discussed yesterday. However, that said, the next two face-to-face discussions between USTR Lighthizer and Vice Premier Liu He have been scheduled.
Statement from the Press Secretary – At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin will travel to Beijing, China, for principal-level meetings starting on March 28, 2019, to continue negotiations aimed at improving the trade relationship between the United States and China.
The United States principals will be accompanied by Deputy United States Trade Representative Jeffrey Gerrish and other senior officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative and the Department of the Treasury.
The United States looks forward to welcoming a delegation from China led by Vice Premier Liu He for meetings in Washington starting on April 3, 2019. (source)
Typically speaking each round of the negotiations/discussions has been two days.
If the Beijing meeting is March 28, and 29, that’s a very quick turnaround for a Washington DC meeting on April 3rd.
A short window of only five days between Beijing and Washington is unusual.
Farage Interview on the Collapse of Eurozone
Armstrong Economics Blog/European Union
Re-Posted Mar 24, 2019 by Martin Armstrong
Nigel will be speaking at this year’s World Economic Conference in Rome. Click here for details.
President Trump Steps In To Stop Treasury Sanctions Against China During Trade Negotiations…
March 22, 2019
Yesterday the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions against two Chinese shipping firms for violating ongoing sanctions against North Korea [TREASURY HERE].
With USTR Robert Lighthizer and Secretary Mnuchin set to travel this weekend to Beijing for ongoing trade discussion, the sanction timing complicates the dance with the dragon. Subsequently President Trump sends the following tweet:
Slamming China with sanctions (over DPRK dragon activity) while Beijing is showing the Panda mask (during Beijing trade negotiations) is not wise. If the Panda mask drops during trade negotiations to reveal the Dragon face, then ok. However, the majority of the West, driven by a misunderstanding of the China-DPRK relationship, does not know how directly a manipulative Beijing controls Pyongyang.
Taking aggressive sanction action against China could backfire with Beijing ordering those around Chairman Kim to test a missile.
President Trump and USTR Lighthizer know the nuance and subtlety needed in the dance with the dragon. The larger issue of DPRK denuclearization, the bottom-line reason for the North Korea sanctions, will be solved within the U.S.-China trade discussion.
Of course the media, who have no concept of the dance with the dragon/panda; and no concept of Chairman Xi’s control over Chairman Kim; will jump in to say President Trump is only exhibiting short sighted egoism toward a relationship with Chinese Chairman Xi Jinping. President Trump is doing exactly the opposite of being short-sighted; in fact he’s looking at the much larger picture.
The White House puts out a statement: “President Trump likes Chairman Kim and he doesn’t think these sanctions will be necessary.” Again, President Trump is playing to the current Panda mask position of Chairman Xi, and positioning U.S.T.R Lighthizer’s upcoming trip to China without the controversy of recent sanctions looming over the negotiations.
In the dance with the dragon, all action must take place toward the face that is currently visible. Beijing is currently showing the Panda face. The U.S. Team know the Panda mask is just that, a mask. This is one of the nuances in dealing with China.
It would be poor form, and ultimately result in little progress, to approach the Panda mask using dragon hostility. This is not how successful outcomes against the Chinese are reached.
The dragon weapons, in this case brutal sanctions, are saved for when the Panda mask is visibly removed; and/or when the Chinese opponent knows you are aware of their duplicity. Deploy countermeasures too early, and your give an excuse for the Panda to drop the mask.
When dealing with China all negotiations must come from a place where China gains something. From the Chinese position if it does not benefit China; if it does not gain them value; it is not done. If there is nothing positive to gain from negotiations, then no action is taken.
The outcome of negotiating to ‘lose less’ is not a position that China accepts.
President Trump already has the Chinese government controlled economy in a state of worry. That worry keeps companies away from engaging with China. That worry is a negative position for Beijing. The elimination of that worry is a positive outcome. China will negotiate terms if they can gain the value of eliminating economic worry.
Thus, the dance with the dragon.
President Trump Impromptu Presser Departing White House…
Re-Posted from The Conservative Tree House on March 22, 2019 by sundance
Earlier this morning President Trump delivered remarks to the White House press pool as he departed for Mar-a-lago. [Video and Transcript below]
[Transcript] – South Lawn – 9:45 A.M. EDT
Q Mr. President, do you expect the Mueller report to be submitted today?
THE PRESIDENT: I have no idea about the Mueller report.
I’m going to Florida. We have meetings with the five Caribbean leaders. That’ll be at Mar-a-Lago. We have a lot of other meetings set up for this weekend on trade. We have a lot of talks with China. And a lot of things are happening. We’ll be doing it from Florida. And a lot of very important things are happening.
Q You said the Democrats are anti-Israel —
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
Q You said the Democrats are anti-Israel and that they are anti-Jewish. They’re all skipping the AIPAC conference next week, but you’re not going as well.
THE PRESIDENT: The Democrats have very much proven to be anti-Israel. There’s no question about that. And it’s a disgrace. I mean, I don’t know what’s happened to them. But they are totally anti-Israel. Frankly, I think they’re anti-Jewish.
Q (Inaudible) reports that there were 100,000 illegal (inaudible) border (inaudible) —
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, we’re being very, very strong on the border. The number is enormous of people that we’ve captured, people that we’ve apprehended, but we’re going to take care of it. We are being very, very tough at the border.
Q Congressional investigations, Mr. President — are you telling your staff not to comply?
THE PRESIDENT: It’s just a continuation of the same witch hunt. They know it. And behind closed doors, they laugh at it. It’s just a continuation of the same nonsense. Everybody knows.
They ought to go to work, get infrastructure done, and get a lot of other things done instead of wasting everybody’s time.
Q Mr. President, what’s your reaction to the reports that —
THE PRESIDENT: I can’t hear you.
Q What’s your reaction to the reports that Jared Kushner used an encrypted app to communicate with foreign officials?
THE PRESIDENT: I know nothing about it. I’ve never heard that. I’ve never heard about it.
Q Mr. President, if Robert Mueller is presiding over a hoax, do you think Robert Mueller is personally dishonest in this whole thing?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we’re going to see what happens. It’s going to be very interesting. But we’ll see what happens. There was no collusion. There was no obstruction. Everybody knows it. It’s all a big hoax. It’s — I call it the witch hunt. It’s all a big hoax.
So we’ll see what happens. I know that the Attorney General, highly respected, ultimately will make a decision.
Q Mr. President, is there (inaudible) process (inaudible) —
THE PRESIDENT: There won’t be. And if there is, it’ll only play to our advantage.
Centinel2012 