(Via The Observer) The revelations of the so-called Panama Papers that are roiling the world’s political and financial elites this week include important facts about Team Clinton. This unprecedented trove of documents purloined from a shady Panama law firm that arranged tax havens, and perhaps money laundering, for the globe’s super-rich includes juicy insights into how Russia’s elite hides its ill-gotten wealth.

Almost lost among the many revelations is the fact that Russia’s biggest bank uses The Podesta Group as its lobbyist in Washington, DC. Though hardly a household name, this firm is well known inside the Beltway, not least because its CEO is Tony Podesta, one of the best-connected Democratic machers in the country. (more…)

In the run-up to the 2012 presidential election President Obama was quick to dismiss the growing threat of ISIS as a “junior varsity team”.

However, in 2016 with no reelection needed, a rather stark and somber forecast is delivered by the Department of National Intelligence head, James Clapper.

Prior to delivering testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, James Clapper submitted a summary of intelligence analytics describing the scope of threat. (more…)

Putin may indeed relate to the populist strength exhibited by Donald Trump, and there’s good reason to consider Trump and Putin to be equitable adversaries.  However, any praise from Putin toward Donald Trump is more specifically targeted to further ridicule president Stompy Feet.

In alignment with many Americans, Valdimir Putin also despises radical Islam and views Recep Erdogan (Turkey) as a complete snake.

(Via BBC) […] The Russian president brushed off concerns about Mr Trump’s controversial proposal to ban Muslims from the US.

He said Russia was ready to work with whoever was elected the next president.

(more…)

There is a lot of serious discussion squished into this interview with former Director of Intelligence Michael Flynn.  However, that said, the larger umbrella issue is summarized near the end – President Obama’s ideological willful blindness to the larger threat presented by ISIS.

This interview reminded me of  previously encapsulated question:

If President Obama did not want to see ISIS destroyed, what would he be doing differently?

Amid the latest consequences for Turkey shooting down a Russian fighter jet and murdering the pilot – Russia (Putin) begins imposing economic sanctions against Turkey (Erdogan):

France’s socialist President Hollande was already in political trouble prior to the terror attack in Paris and this has only been exacerbated by recent events.  In order for Hollande to remain connected to, and a viable leader of, the people of France – he must now embrace the reality of a growing nationalist sentiment.  Enter Vladimir Putin….

( Via Fox News ) French President Francois Hollande and Russia’s Vladimir Putin agreed to share intelligence information and cooperate on selecting targets in the fight against the Islamic State group, raising hope for closer ties between Moscow and the U.S.-led anti-IS coalition following the Paris terror attacks.

Putin said that Russia is ready to more broadly coordinate its military action in Syria with the U.S.-led coalition, but he harshly criticized Washington for failing to prevent the downing of a Russian warplane by NATO member Turkey. Hollande said Tuesday’s shoot-down of the Russian jet was a “serious incident, obviously regrettable” that underlined the need for closer coordination between the nations which are fighting the IS.

(more…)

The story of CENTCOM analysts accusing commanders of manipulating intelligence reports on ISIS to appease the White House is a story that has some interest in the mainstream media – but what if it is actually connected to a larger issue?

Washington DC -Allegations are mounting that senior intelligence officials at Central Command not only skewed findings on the ISIS war to please D.C., but tried to hide what they did.

In July, a group of intelligence analysts at the U.S. military’s Central Command accused their bosses of distorting and selectively editing intelligence reports about the fight against ISIS in order to portray that campaign as more successful than it really was. As a result of those complaints, the Pentagon’s inspector general opened an investigation.

Now, the allegations of misconduct have extended to a possible cover-up, with some analysts accusing the senior intelligence officials at CENTCOM, Maj. Gen. Steven Grove and his civilian deputy, Gregory Ryckman, of deleting emails and files from computer systems before the inspector general could examine them, three individuals familiar with the investigation told The Daily Beast.

One U.S. official said the alleged activity could amount to obstruction and interference with the inspector general’s investigation, which began last summer.  (read more)

The presumption within the controversy (as it is generally discussed by the media) is that CENTCOM bosses changed the intel to give the impression of success to please the White House.  But what if that wasn’t the reason?

(more…)

You’d have to be living under a rock not to know that Turkey, via Erdogan, has been supporting, aiding and funding ISIS for the past two years. Erdogan would never shoot down a Russian fighter without President Obama’s prior approval.

(Begin at 06:00 mark) Putin is putting out a public statement that he is fully aware President Obama and President Erdogan support the Islamic State and ISIS.

Oh SNAP This is Interesting –   General Wesley Clark (Retired) Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander is a deep blue Dem/Obama/Clinton supporter. He just went off the Obama range on CNN and admitted Turkey has been supporting ISIS… Interesting.

Details sketchy – However, as previously anticipated this action could easily be seen as Turkish President Recep Erdogan working diligently to keep the ISIS supply lines open.

Remember, Turkey is a NATO member – if they engage in hostile actions with Russia, it could draw in other NATO allies….. Not Good.  The insufferable Erdogan escaping Putin’s wrath by hiding behind the skirt of U.S., France, Germany and U.K

According to media reports (and video here) a Turkish F16 fighter has shot down a Russian made SU24 (also used by Syrian air force). Here’s the media outline from Reuters:

Turkish F-16 fighter jets shot down a war plane of unknown origin on Tuesday after it violated Turkish air space close to the Syrian border and ignored warnings, a Turkish military official told Reuters.

Separately, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s office said he had spoken with the chief of military staff and the foreign minister about developments on the border. The statement did not mention the downed jet. (link)

Excl: 2 pilots ejected from Sukhoi24 along Turkish border N of Latakia after Turkish F16 fires air to air missiles, downing plane. @FoxNews

— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) November 24, 2015

(more…)

Russia leverages the terror-threat-vulnerability of France to take up measures supporting Putin’s strategic goals in Syria… and it works flawlessly.  Meanwhile President Obama is stomping his feet mad that Islam is being attacked and his only ally in support of the Islamic State is BFF Erdogan…

RUSSIA – The United Nations has called the states to fight “a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security” which is Islamic State (IS, ISIS/ISIL, Da’esh). All 15 members of the UN Security Council voted to adopt the French-proposed resolution.

The resolution “calls upon member states that have the capacity to do so to take all necessary measures … on the territory under the control of ISIL … in Syria and Iraq.”

IS “constitutes a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security,” the resolution says.

Russia has repeatedly called for action to cut the terrorists’ financial lifelines, with President Vladimir Putin revealing on Monday that IS is receiving funding from 40 countries. (more…)