Wednesday 27th of November 2024
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who needs help when you've got friends?...

philippinesphilippines

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has found himself in a perilous situation, as Islamic State-linked militants continue a siege in the country’s south, while US Special Forces have arrived to lend 'technical support.' What could possibly go wrong?

Just last month, Rodrigo ‘Dirty’ Duterte appeared to be riding high on the tiger of geopolitics with surprising authority. He had just served notice to the United States that, although he considered Donald Trump a“friend,” he would be realigning his foreign policy trajectory towards Russia and China. This punch to American pride came after he had requested more than once that US soldiers stationed in the Philippines pack up their gear and go home.

In other words, failing to understand that the US superpower plays for keeps, Duterte was seeking to terminate US-Philippines relations with an amicable separation, as opposed to a full-blown bitter divorce.

“I have nothing against America, [President Donald] Trump is my friend. But my foreign policy has shifted. I want to deal with China and Russia. Because in the Western world, it’s double talk,” he said, before going into full-blown dirty Duterte mode as he twisted the rubber knife, as it were. “You (the United States) treat me as if I am your colony still? You must be kidding! We are an independent country. I want my country treated with dignity,” he railed.

read more:

https://www.rt.com/op-edge/392669-dirty-duterte-isis-us-special-forces/

 

what's the problem?...

“If you can’t find me after five days, that means [I’m] dead, so you swear in [Vice President Leni] Robredo. What’s your problem? There is a Vice President,” he said.


He also said that during his absence he traveled for two days “incognito” with his close aide to an undisclosed place in Mindanao.


“I traveled like a private citizen to go where I wanted to go,” he told reporters. “I traveled at night because it was sub rosa.”

Mr. Duterte was last seen in public on Sunday, June 11, when he attended ceremonies for Marines killed in a fierce gun battle in Marawi days earlier.


He missed the Independence Day rites the following day, sparking rumors about his health.


“I was really tired. It was not that I snubbed the Independence Day celebration,” he said.


The President spoke in a serious tone when he addressed the troops from the 4th Infantry Division in Butuan’s Barangay Bancasi.



Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/906454/hes-back-after-5-days-duterte-appears-in-public#ixzz4kIunoZtt 
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shooting europe in the foot...

Germany and Austria criticized a US bill proposing new anti-Russian sanctions that target the energy sector. In an interview with Radio Sputnik, Russian economic expert Sergei Pravosudov noted that the new package of sanctions directly threatens the economic interests of European countries.

According to Pravosudov, the US is trying to embroil Europe and Russia in a conflict using any means it can.

"Everyone understands perfectly well that the US does not depend on gas supplies from Russia. Its supplies go to European countries, so the Americans are trying to provoke a spat between Russia and Europe. These additional sanctions could indeed prevent the implementation of major gas projects. There is direct pressure on European companies and European states, and of course, they don't like it. In this case we can only watch [what will happen next]. Everything will depend on internal arrangements between the US and the EU," the expert noted.

In Pravosudov's opinion, the decisive factor is whether the Europeans will dare to block a new package of anti-Russian sanctions.

"Europe is suffering from the sanctions, but the EU authorities continue to support them. For how long they will be able to put pressure on their businesses, stop them from working normally… Everyone understands perfectly well that the situation is becoming out of control. Sanctions are prolonged unanimously, by all EU member states. So far, none of the countries has voted against it, all of them showed solidarity, However, now this is all about expanding sanctions that really hamper the EU. The question is whether they will support a new wave of sanctions or say: ‘No, we will stay with the old sanctions.' This could be the most appropriate option," Pravosudov concluded.

read more:

https://sputniknews.com/business/201706171054729371-us-provoke-eu-russia-spat/