Watchdog: Syria Responsible For 2018 Douma Chlorine Attack
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the world's chemical weapons watchdog, released a report on Friday blaming the Bashar Al Assad-led Syrian Air Force for the alleged April 2018 chlorine attack in the city of Douma.
Investigators allege that at least one helicopter of the Syrian Elite Tiger Forces Unit dropped two cylinders containing toxic chlorine gas on two apartments in a civilian-inhabited area nearly five years ago, killing 43 individuals and affecting dozens more.
They stated there were "reasonable grounds" to reach this conclusion after examining 70 environmental and biomedical samples, 66 witness statements, and other data, including forensic analysis, satellite images, gas dispersion modeling, and trajectory simulations.
Pro-establishment narrative
Nearly five years after the Assad government carried out this atrocity to regain control of the eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus, international investigators have finally assigned blame for it. While a good first step, there's yet a long way to go to hold those responsible accountable for their crimes, as Moscow has blocked efforts to launch an International Criminal Court investigation in Syria.
Establishment-critical narrative
It was predictable that the OPCW would, at some point, blame Syria for the so-called Douma chemical attack after it had engaged in evidence suppression and excluded key investigators in previous reports. Once a technical monitoring body, the organization has been corrupted to serve Western interests against Damascus by validating unfounded allegations.
Nerd narrative
There's a 45% chance that a mainstream American news outlet will report that a rebel group perpetrated the 2013 Ghauta Chemical Attack before August 21, 2033, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Day 341: Russia Claims Control Over 9 Villages in Zaporizhzhia
Russian forces have taken control of nine villages in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, a pro-Russia official in the local administration claimed on Sunday. "The enemy has been driven out of nine villages in exploratory attacks and these villages have been taken under control," Vladimir Rogov said.
The names of the villages were not identified and the claims could not be independently confirmed. However, in its latest assessment, the Institute for the Study of War — a US military think tank — suggested sizeable Russian gains in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Meanwhile, extensive Russian attacks continued to be recorded in Ukrainian-controlled territory of the neighboring Kherson region. Ukrainian officials said three civilians were killed and 11 more were injured in Russian attacks over the past day.
Anti-Russia narrative
Arming Ukraine is crucial to help maintain Ukraine's electricity, heating, and water infrastructure, as well as fend off Russia's systematic missile attacks. The clock is ticking loudly. It's time for Ukraine to arm up to win back its territory. Powerful tanks — both M-1 Abrams and Leopard 2 — and F-16 fighter jets could turn the tide of a war that has threatened to descend into a prolonged stalemate.
Pro-Russia narrative
It is no secret that Ukraine's war effort would have collapsed long back without the West's support. The month-long Western intervention now threatens to escalate the Russia-Ukraine conflict into an all-out direct war between NATO and Russia. The move to arm Ukraine with modern offensive weapons is extremely dangerous and takes the conflict to a new level of confrontation.
Nerd narrative
There is a 2% chance that Ukraine will officially recognize a former Ukrainian territory (Luhansk, Donetsk, or Crimea) as independent before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Officials: Israel Launched Drone Attack on Iranian Facility
According to senior US intelligence officials, Israel's national intelligence agency, Mossad, was responsible for a drone attack on an Iranian military facility in the city of Isfahan on Saturday, which resulted in a large explosion and prompted an investigation by Iranian officials.
Iranian state media released footage showing a flash in the sky and emergency vehicles at the scene. The Islamic Republic said it had intercepted drones that struck a military industry target and claimed there were no casualties or serious damage, but this couldn't be independently verified.
Israel's Channel 12 reported that the site was a weapons production facility for Iran's Shahed-136 drones. The news channel also said the attack drones were launched from an area near the site by “highly-skilled” operators who knew their target well.
Pro-Iran narrative
This cowardly attack was nothing more than an attempt by Israel to stir up insecurity in Iran, all while distracting from its own internal problems and heightening violence with Palestine. Having faced numerous such attacks from Israel in the past, however, Iran was fortunately well prepared to defend itself.
Anti-Iran narrative
Though Iranian media want to pretend that the strike was a failure, a mix of Western intelligence sources and foreign sources have reported that it was a major success against the Islamic Republic. Iran will not be allowed to continually stir terror and violence throughout the region, and Israel will make sure that its influence is kept in check.
Establishment-critical narrative
Though Western media have focused on a failed drone attack against an Iranian defense industrial complex, the Israeli strike only hours later that destroyed an Iranian convoy on the Syrian-Iraqi border loaded with food and medicine was completely ignored. Limited strikes like these will not end the resistance to the US and Israel's imperial exploits in the Middle East.
Nerd narrative
There is a 51% chance that Iran will recognize Israel before 2070, according to the Metaculus Prediction Community.
New Zealand Braces for Flooding from Second Atmospheric River
Residents of New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, are preparing for more heavy rain this week following its worst downpour on record Friday, which left at least four people dead and some 350 in need of emergency accommodation.
Meteorologists have warned of a second "atmospheric river" overnight on Tuesday as rain could amount to 100mm to 200mm (3.9in-7.9in). The Auckland region has received 769% of the average January rainfall and 40% of what the area would normally receive in a full year.
The floodwaters in Auckland prompted the declaration of a state of emergency on Friday. As 279 mm (11 in) of rain fell, the Auckland Airport was forced to postpone flights as the floodwaters swamped portions of the terminal causing travel disruption.
Pro-establishment narrative
New Zealand and its people have already seen the carnage that climate change can bring. In response to the frequency and magnitude of these events, New Zealand has released its first national plan designed to protect against climate-catalyzed events. While there is tremendous work to be done, this plan and its framework are a new beginning and a step in the right direction.
Establishment-critical narrative
While plans are a step in the right direction, New Zealand's decades-old stormwater system is outdated and can't handle the climate of today. It's necessary to make "brick and mortar" investments in bigger drains and larger pipes while also creating a more spongy surface environment to reduce catastrophic flood risk. Global warming puts more water vapor in the air, so real construction-based solutions need to begin now.
Narrative C
It's easy to dismiss any extreme weather event as a consequence of climate change, but in reality, they're usually influenced by a myriad of factors that have nothing to do with it. More research is needed before we can establish any direct causal link between the two.
Report: British Army Spied on Lockdown Critics
The UK Ministry of Defense's (MOD's) 77th Brigade, which works to counter disinformation and other online activity deemed harmful to the UK, was reportedly used during the pandemic to monitor public social media posts criticizing the government's official COVID response.
According to a whistleblower who worked for the brigade during the lockdowns, the unit — whose goal is to deploy "non-lethal engagement... to adapt behaviors of adversaries" — went beyond the scope of foreign enemies and spied on British citizens.
The MOD allegedly compiled dossiers on public figures including former minister David Davis, who questioned the modeling behind death toll predictions, and journalists Peter Hitchens and Toby Young, before passing the information to Downing Street.
Establishment-critical narrative
The speech the military targeted wasn't inaccurate, only inconvenient to the government's authoritarian pandemic plans. The MOD took resources typically used for psychological warfare against foreign enemies and turned them against the British people. Academics, journalists, and politicians who simply questioned the ethics of COVID restrictions were treated like enemy combatants. This is full-on 1984.
Pro-establishment narrative
The claims made in this report are serious, which is why the government will conduct a serious investigation into the matter. That being said, it should be emphasized that the disinformation units discussed here were not in the business of censorship, only providing reliable alternative sources to the claims made on certain public health-related posts.
Pakistan: Mosque Bombing Death Toll Rises to 100
The confirmed death toll from a suicide bombing at a crowded mosque inside a police compound in Peshawar, Pakistan, near the Afghan border, rose to 100 on Tuesday, with at least 225, mostly police officers, wounded.
Monday's blast caused the building's ceiling to collapse, leaving an unknown number of people buried under the rubble. Peshawar's police chief said that the mosque's main hall was nearly at full capacity — around 300 people — at the time of the explosion.
Two officials for the Pakistani Taliban, officially known as Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), released statements claiming the blast was “revenge” for the death of TTP fighter Khalid Khorasani last year. However, spokesman Muhammad Khorasani — without addressing the statements — has denied the TTP's involvement.
Narrative A
In a cruel twist of fate, Pakistan is under threat from a group they once vocally supported in their fight against the US. Afghanistan has failed to take steps against the TTP, and Pakistan is helpless against insurgents launching attacks from their Taliban-controlled neighbor. They have reaped what they've sown with regards to support for rouge terror groups. More innocent civilians are being victimized as a result of this foreign policy blunder.
Narrative B
The situation with Afghanistan, and their support or indifference to attacks originating from their country, is a reality that cannot be wished away. It would be foolish to disengage with Kabul over the security situation, as it's clear that a solution can only come from cooperation between the two nations. Pakistan will continue the fight against insurgents the best it can. While there is disappointment that Afghanistan is not taking measures against militant groups, Pakistan's fight is against the TTP, not Afghanistan.
Trump Kicks Off 2024 Campaign With NH, SC Stops
Former US Pres. Donald Trump on Saturday made the first two appearances of his 2024 presidential campaign – speaking to hundreds of people in New Hampshire and South Carolina.
In New Hampshire, which was the first primary Trump won on the way to the presidency in 2016, the former president addressed party leaders and elected officials at the state’s annual GOP meeting.
In South Carolina, Trump was flanked by Republican Gov. Henry McMaster and US Senator Lindsey Graham at the statehouse, where he told an audience of party leaders that he’s "more angry now" and "more committed now" than ever before.
Democratic narrative
It’s dumbfounding that someone who inspired an insurrection just two years ago is running to return to office and actually garnering any support. However, the fact that Trump’s 2024 campaign has had a low-energy rollout could be a sign that his continued lies about the 2020 election – not to mention the damage those claims did to Republicans in the 2022 midterms – have cost him dearly, and he could be ripe for a challenge from other potential GOP nominees.
Pro-Trump narrative
Trump is as popular and important to the GOP as ever. It would be silly to spend big money on large rallies this early in the race, so instead the former president has posted policy videos on social media and is now slowly beginning to hit the campaign trail. The GOP knows there’s no separating Trump from the policies the party loves, so it’ll get behind him 100% as the campaign rolls along.
Nerd narrative
There's a 35% chance that Trump will win the 2024 US Presidential Election if it is Biden v. Trump, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Report: US Arms Left in Afghanistan Now Surfacing in Kashmir
NBC News reported on Monday that authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir have claimed that militants allegedly trying to annex the region for Pakistan are carrying M4s, M16s, and other US-made arms and ammunition left behind by US and NATO forces during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Most of the weapons recovered are said to be from Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) or Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), both Pakistan-based militant groups that the US designates as terrorist organizations, but Indian officials deny that they could change the balance of power in the 30-year conflict.
This comes as the US-backed Afghan government reportedly possessed more than $7.1B in military equipment — mostly ground vehicles — when it fell to the Taliban in August 2021, with over 316K weapons worth almost $512M, plus ammunition and other accessories, abandoned.
Republican narrative
This is a direct consequence of the Biden admin. allowing the Taliban, a terrorist organization, to get ahold of billions of dollars worth of high-tech military hardware, including aircraft and vehicles. Biden and the rest of the Democrats continue to obfuscate their failings and avoid taking responsibility for their blunders.
Democratic narrative
Though the US was forced to leave behind a sizable amount of equipment, most of it was either rendered inoperable before the end of the withdrawal or is unusable without technical maintenance and spare parts. Plus, the figure of $7B is less than half of the total $18.6B worth of equipment provided to Afghan forces since 2005.
Nerd narrative
There's an 88% chance that Pakistan will recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Utah Bans Gender-Reassignment Health Care for Transgender Youth
Utah's Republican Governor Spencer Cox on Saturday signed a law banning transgender surgeries and hormone treatments for minors who have not yet been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
The GOP-controlled state legislature began considering the bill on Jan. 17, just two days after the government session opened, with Cox signing it one day after it was sent to his desk.
The hotly-debated bill was sponsored by Republican state Sen. Michael Kennedy who argued that gender-affirming procedures "lack sufficient research" and are "radical and dangerous," while fellow GOP state Sen. Daniel Thatcher worried that the measure could potentially ban life-saving care for trans youth.
Left narrative
Cox has ignored the warnings of medical organizations, civil rights activists, and the families of transgender youth. This is a horrifying violation of the rights to privacy and life-saving health care. Claims of protecting vulnerable youth with these laws ring hollow with those who know these children best their parents and doctors.
Right narrative
The science is far from settled on this topic and its consequences. Even the left's own studies show that hormone treatment provides no mental health benefits for boys and very little benefit for girls. Depression and suicide and depression rates are so high among these children because they lack real therapeutic care, and nothing will change until the medical establishment puts the truth over political brownie points and profits.
TikTok CEO to Appear Before US Congress
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will appear before the US Energy and Commerce Committee on March 23. The hearing comes amid concerns among US officials that TikTok shares American users’ data with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The committee’s chair Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) confirmed the testimony on Monday as the House Foreign Affairs Committee plans to vote on a bill that would ban TikTok in the US.
McMorris Rodgers said in a statement that “ByteDance-owned TikTok has knowingly allowed the ability for the Chinese Communist Party to access American user data.” She added that Americans deserve to know TikTok’s impact on their privacy.
Pro-establishment narrative
TikTok is a dangerous platform that is an immense threat to both US national security and everyday privacy. The incredibly popular app is directly tied to the PRC and gives a foreign adversary alarming access to Americans' personal data. Banning TikTok is the only way to prevent China from potentially accessing and abusing Americans' data.
Establishment-critical narrative
Efforts to ban TikTok are unserious performances that are divorced from reality or any recognition of how to protect US consumers. TikTok is one of a handful of extremely large apps that generate an endless supply of US user data, yet TikTok is the only dangerous one because it was created in China. Instead of a publicity stunt, lawmakers should focus on meaningful ways to prevent and regulate the overcollection of data by big tech companies.