The chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces has met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.

Major General Mohammad Baqeri met with President Assad on Thursday, congratulating him on the country’s recent achievements in its fight against terrorism and expressing hope that the phenomenon will soon be eliminated from the country.

Assad, for his part, expressed his gratitude to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei as well as the Iranian government and nation for their support for Syria in its campaign against terrorism.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Major General Baqeri left Tehran for Damascus on Tuesday to meet with Syrian officials to discuss ways to boost defensive and military cooperation between Iran and Syria, among other issues.

He has met with his Syrian counterpart, General Ali Abdullah Ayoub, and is planned to sit down with Defense Minister Major General Fahd Jassem al-Freij as well.

Back in May, the top military brass of Iran and Syria held a meeting in Tehran and vowed to boost cooperation between their respective governments.

Iran has been providing military advisory support to Syria in their campaign against terrorism at the request of the government in Damascus.

Baqeri also paid a visit to Turkey in August. He met with the country’s top authorities, including President Erdogan, his Turkish counterpart, General Hulusi Akar, and Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli.

Culled from Presstv

US Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, has accused President Donald Trump of failing to lead the nation and instead sending matters to Congress.

In a tweet on Saturday, Sen. Schumer cited Trump’s handling of the Iran nuclear deal, health care and hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico as examples of his failures in recent weeks. Trump on Friday announced he would not continue to certify the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The US president kicked a decision over to Congress on whether to re-impose sanctions that were lifted as part of the nuclear accord.

Trump threatened to terminate the international accord if Congress and American allies failed to amend the agreement. The day before, Trump said he was cutting off subsidies to health insurance companies for low-income patients in the most dramatic action to weaken the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law.

“If the Democrats were smart, what they’d do is come and negotiate something where people could really get the kind of health care that they deserve,” Trump told reporters.

The White House is simply “asking the legislative branch to do its job,” Marc Short, Trump’s director of legislative affairs, told POLITICO. “We have great confidence in their ability to get things done.”

Analysts say Trump’s actions are meant to erase Obama’s achievements on domestic and foreign policy fronts.

“It’s not just a strategy,” said former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. “What Obama did is illegal and unconstitutional and these are areas that Congress should solve.”

“The president is returning power to the Congress — they should be happy,” he added.

Trump on Thursday also gave notice to Puerto Rico, warning that government assistance could not continue “forever.” He said it was up to Congress to decide how much federal money to appropriate to the island for its recovery.

By putting Congress in charge, experts say, Trump is taking a high-stakes gamble given the inability of the legislative branch to accomplish much in recent years.

Source: Presstv

Democratic Senator Brian Schatz from Hawaii has said US President Donald Trump’s policy of brinkmanship against North Korea could lead the United States toward an accidental war, as tensions rise between Washington and Pyongyang.

Schatz urged Americans in a series of tweets on Sunday night to heed Republican Senator Bob Corker’s comment that Trump could lead the United States toward “World War III.”   “There’s a tendency to wonder about the politics of Corker’s interview. Ignore that, and listen to his warnings about an accidental war,” Schatz stated.

The senator went on to point out why the people should be concerned about the possibility of a war between the US and North Korea. “War on Korean Peninsula could shut down trade to and from Asia for months or years,” Schatz said. “War on the Korean Peninsula would cause millions of lives to be lost,” he added.  “There are nearly 200,000 Americans living in South Korea and Japan.”

Schatz’s tweets came after Corker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in an interview with The New York Times on Sunday that Trump’s measures could put the US “on the path to World War III.”

A former US Senate foreign policy adviser says there’s a “real worry of a war between the United States and North Korea.” The senator complained that the president treats the country like “a reality show” and acts “like he’s doing ‘The Apprentice’ or something.”

Trump meanwhile continues his aggressive rhetoric against the North Korean leadership. On Saturday, he claimed that a diplomatic approach over the past 25 years “hasn’t worked” and that Pyongyang has made “fools of US negotiators.”

“Sorry, but only one thing will work!” Trump said in his tweet. In a speech to the UN General Assembly last month, Trump warned  North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that the United States, if threatened, would “totally destroy” his country of 26 million people.

In response, Kim said Trump will “pay dearly” for threatening to destroy North Korea. He added that Trump is “a rogue and a gangster fond of playing with fire,” who is “unfit to hold the prerogative of supreme command of a country.” Kim described the US president as “mentally deranged” and warning he would “pay dearly” for threatening to destroy his country.

A North Korean parliamentary committee has called recent remarks by US President Donald Trump at the UN a declaration of war against Pyongyang. North Korea has conducted several nuclear tests and missile test-launches in response to US threats against the country.

The North Korean leader ordered the production of more rocket warheads and engines in September, shortly after the United States suggested that its threats of military action and sanctions were having an impact on Pyongyang’s behavior.

Source: Presstv

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi King Salman have held talks behind closed doors in the Russian capital of Moscow, reportedly discussing bilateral and regional issues.

The talks were held on Thursday with the participation of other Russian and Saudi officials. “We have held detailed talks behind closed doors to talk about bilateral relations and the situation in the region,” Putin said after the meeting. “That was a very meaningful, substantive and confidential conversation.”

The Russian president also said he was confident the visit by Salman would give a fresh impetus to the development of bilateral ties with Riyadh. Putin also accepted an invitation by the Saudi king to Saudi Arabia.

Salman and his delegation arrived in the Russian capital for a four-day visit on Wednesday.  The Saudis have reportedly signed more than 15 cooperation agreements — with multi-billion-dollar energy and military contracts — with the Russian side. Moscow has also agreed to sell its advanced S-400 missile defense system to Riyadh.

Putin and Salman also discussed the conflict in Syria, where they support opposing sides. The Saudis have been backing the wide range of militants fighting the elected Syrian government, while Russia backs the legitimate Damascus government.

Saudi Arabia has officially been calling for an ouster of Assad, while Russia says the future of Syria and the political future of Assad should only be determined by the Syrian people.

Nevertheless, Salman claimed that Riyadh favors a political solution to the conflict in Syria, according to a report by TASS.

“A political solution must be achieved that would guarantee security, stability, unity and territorial integrity of Syria,” he was quoted as saying. The two leaders also discussed the oil market and how to stabilize prices.

Culled from Presstv

Over the course of the past year, Cameroon has been experiencing internal turmoil and instability related to grievances pitting an Anglophone minority against a majority Francophone establishment. The Anglophone grievances, initially driven primarily by professionals – lawyers, school teachers, bureaucrats – have increasingly taken hold in a population that’s experienced a three-month Internet shut-down, several general strikes, school boycotts, escalating violence and the imprisonment of journalists and activists over the last 12 months.

During national holiday celebrations this past weekend, protesters were shot dead on the streets of several towns in Anglophone regions by Cameroonian security forces, and excessive violence has been widely reported. Amnesty International estimates that at least 17 protesters were killed. (Death toll now stands at a hundred) Cameroon has been led by the same long-standing president for over 30 years, Paul Biya, who has called for calm and “peaceful dialogue“, but hasn’t yet yielded an inch on the demand for reforms. Meanwhile, some Anglophone Cameroonians have a leader, a flag and a national anthem – and are demanding to secede from Cameroon, to form their own country of Ambazonia.

Deep Historical Roots

On October 1, Cameroonians celebrate Unification Day to mark not only the anniversary of when British Cameroon became independent from the British in 1961, but also their unification with French Cameroon to form a two-state federation, the Federal Republic of Cameroon. Over the years, the two-state solution gave way to a single state, the United Republic of Cameroon, in which the balance of power was centered around the Francophone majority. Over the years, the marginalization of Anglophone Cameroonians has become increasingly entrenched. Whether it be the lack of recognition for English education, services or applicable legal system, over the years the corrosive effects of this marginalization have been slowly eating away at the status quo. The central government operates only in French, and, in the last 35 years of Paul Biya’s rule, there has been no movement signaling interest in protecting, upholding – let alone promoting – minority interests in his country.

From Demands for Reform to Cries for Independence

Lawyers protest in Cameroon – via Africanews

Last year, protesters started taking to the streets to demand greater autonomy and recognition of the English language in institutions, systems and services. The central government responded by cracking down on activists and shutting down the Internet. While gradual progress has been made, with new government initiatives to be more inclusive of Anglophones, the International Crisis Group notes that this progress is seen as “too little too late.” As the crisis continues to fester, a secessionist trend within the broader reform movement has been gaining strength. Their vocal demands have prompted an even stronger crack down – further arrests, military deployment in the region – from the central government, leading up to last weekend’s deadly violence. In this violent political climate, secessionists have been emboldened and gaining in popularity, though the exact extent of popular support for full independence from the rest of Cameroon, under the banner of Ambazonia, is difficult to gauge. A rally for Ambazonia even took place in front of the UN during the General Assembly in September, with similar events in Cameroon where tensions escalated between protesters and security forces.

Local blogger Reuben Abati summarizes the current situation:

“On Sunday, October 1, 2017, Sisiku AyukTabe, Chairman of the Southern Cameroons Governing Council, formally declared the independence of Southern Cameroons or the Federal Republic of Ambazonia: “We, the people of Southern Cameroons are slaves to no one”, he said, “Not now, not ever again! Today we reaffirm autonomy over our heritage and over our territory…It is time to tell Yaounde that enough is enough!” The response from Yaounde has been characteristic. Weeks before the protests and the declaration of independence in Southern Cameroons, soldiers were sent to the region to shoot in the air, prevent rallies, and intimidate the people.” 

Flag of Ambazonia – By Washiucho [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

A Path Forward

While Anglophone Cameroon has legitimate grievances that need to be addressed by the government, a resolution that would include secession or independence for Ambazonia is highly unlikely. Few nations in modern history have accessed fully independent status as a nation, and this only after hard-fought battles that were dearly paid for. The international community long ago established – in law and in practice – that it is preferable for borders to remain stable (The African Union’s own constitution spells out the defense of members’ territorial integrity.) The youngest nation in the world, South Sudan, and its sister nation, Sudan, have never really stopped fighting since South Sudan became independent in 2011. The United Nations – or other regional organizations such as the AU or ECOWAS – are therefore likely to continue to encourage dialogue between the government and representatives from Anglophone Cameroon, without “siding” with secessionist demands.

So far, the international community and media have shown little interest in the situation in Cameroon, though one clear option available would be to begin brokering a dialogue. The table has yet to be even set for any discussions to occur, and the international community has an opportunity to make a difference by creating the conditions for negotiations to begin in earnest. With this approach, the central government can avoid the worst – a full blow rebellion – and Anglophone Cameroonians have an opportunity to have their grievances addressed. A political, negotiated solution is still within reach – for now.

Culled from UN Dispatch

US President Donald Trump has ordered the expulsion of 15 Cuban diplomats from the country, escalating his response to a series of mysterious health “attacks.” A State Department official told reporters on Tuesday that the employees had seven days to leave Havana’s embassy in Washington.

The official said a list of the personnel the US wants out of the country was given to the Cuban embassy, although he added that they were not declared “persona non grata.” “The decision was made due to Cuba’s failure to take appropriate steps to protect our diplomats in accordance with its obligations under the Vienna Convention,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement. “This order will ensure equity in our respective diplomatic operations.”

So far, 22 US embassy staff have fallen ill due to the mysterious sonic attack. Those affected have exhibited physical symptoms including dizziness, headache, fatigue, hearing loss, difficulty sleeping and cognitive issues. According to US officials, the move was in no way a punishment for Havana and that the Trump administration only wanted to ensure both countries have a similar number of diplomats in their capitals.

“We continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba,” Tillerson said, adding the US “will continue to cooperate with Cuba as we pursue the investigation into these attacks.” The decision, however, would further undermine a short-lived thaw between the two sides which was achieved under former US President Barack Obama in 2015 ending a half-century of hostility.

Washington is said to be preparing to send back a large number of Cuban diplomats as a row over alleged “health attacks” intensifies.

In response to the latest move, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said, “MINREX (Foreign Ministry) strongly protests and denounces this unfounded and unacceptable … eminently political decision.” Washington has responded “in a hasty, inappropriate and unthinking manner and without evidence on the alleged facts in which Cuba has no responsibility,” Rodriguez told reporters on Tuesday.

The US State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Cuban government must ensure that the illnesses would not continue before personnel in either embassy could resume their work.

Rodriguez said that their investigation team has not identified “perpetrators, or persons with motivation or means, nor has the presence of suspicious persons.” He also said that Havana is not “familiarized” with equipment that might have caused the attacks and that it immediately tightened the security for US diplomats.

Culled from Presstv

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Ankara no longer needs to join the European Union, but will not unilaterally quit the stalled talks on accession to the 28-nation bloc.

“We will not be the side, which gives up. To tell the truth, we don’t need EU membership anymore,” President Erdogan told the Turkish parliament on Sunday.

He, however, suggested that the bloc still needed Turkey, saying, “If the EU is going to leap forward, there is only one way to do so and it is to grant Turkey membership and start an action of cultural and economic growth.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Turkish president said the EU states had failed to respond to requests to extradite individuals suspected of involvement in the coup attempt in Turkey in 2016, adding, “The EU failed us in a fight against terrorism.”

The 12-year-long accession talks were effectively halted after Turkey began a massive crackdown on the coup suspects. The EU reacted strongly to Ankara’s purging of thousands of people from organizations and institutions over alleged links to the coup attempt.

In recent months, Germany and some other European countries have been involved in diplomatic brawls with Turkey on several issues, including the country’s human rights record.

Germany and Austria have also been outspoken critics of Ankara since the Turkish crackdown began and have said the accession talks must end.

On September 3, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in a TV debate ahead of Germany’s federal elections, agreed with her main rival Social Democrat Martin Schulz that it was “clear that Turkey should not become a member of the European Union,” marking a surprise U-turn from her previous moderate stance.

In November 2016, the European Parliament voted in favor of halting the membership talks with Turkey over Ankara’s heavy-handed crackdown.

EU leaders are expected to discuss the issue of suspension of the accession talks in Brussels later in October.

Turkey has been trying to accede to the EU since the late 1980s and formal accession talks began in 2005. The EU has opened 16 out of the 35 chapters required for Turkey to join the bloc, but only one of them has so far been concluded.

Culled from Presstv

Former Republican Congressman and MSNBC host Joe Scarborough has denounced US President Donald Trump’s verbal assault on the mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, after she begged for help in handling the crisis and devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.

Scarborough, a former Republican lawmaker from Florida, said on Saturday night the president was wrong to attack Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz for “poor leadership” amid hurricane recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, which is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the northeast Caribbean Sea.

“Poor leadership would be hiding at a country club golfing while fellow Americans are suffering and dying,” Scarborough said. “She’s not doing that. You are.” Scarborough also reposted tweets of his fellow “Morning Joe” co-host Mika Brzezinski, saying that Trump is “not fit” to be president.

In a series of early-morning tweets on Saturday, Trump attacked Cruz after she criticized the government in Washington, DC, for its delayed response to the hurricane-ravaged Caribbean island.

“Such poor leadership ability by the Mayor of San Juan, and others in Puerto Rico, who are not able to get their workers to help,” Trump tweeted.

“They want everything to be done for them when it should be a community effort. 10,000 Federal workers now on Island doing a fantastic job,” he added.

Trump’s tweets were apparently in response to criticism from the mayor the day before.

“We are dying, and you are killing us with the inefficiency and the bureaucracy,” Cruz said at a Friday news conference.

“So I am done being polite. I am done being politically correct. I am mad as hell,” she stated. Several Democratic lawmakers on Saturday condemned Trump for targeting the mayor while he was playing golf at his club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

At least 16 people lost their lives in Puerto Rico as of Friday and the death toll was expected to climb as recovery efforts continued.

Culled from Presstv

Expressing “deep concern” over the deteriorating security situation in parts of Cameroon as well as heightened tensions related to planned events this Sunday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called all parties to refrain from acts that could lead to further tensions and violence.

According to a statement attributable to his spokesperson, Mr. Guterres encouraged the Cameroonian authorities to continue their efforts to address the grievances of the Anglophone community.

“He urges the authorities to promote measures of national reconciliation aimed at finding a durable solution to the crisis, including by addressing its root causes,” the statement added.

It also noted that the UN chief supports upholding the unity and territorial integrity of the country and believes that genuine and inclusive dialogue between the Government and the communities in the South-West and North-West regions is the best way to preserve the unity and stability of the country.

The Secretary-General stands ready to support these efforts, including through the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), the statement read.

Source: UN.org

A majority of American voters believe Donald Trump is not “fit to serve as president” of the United States, a new poll shows.

Fifty-one percent of American nationals contacted said they are embarrassed to have Trump serve as president, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday.

Fifty-nine percent of respondents said Trump is not an honest man, 60 percent said he does not have good leadership skills and 61 percent said he does not share their values.

A majority of voters also advised Trump to stop tweeting about every issue.

The poll also showed that Americans are split along racial lines on Trump. Ninety-four percent of black voters said the Republican president is not fit to serve, 60 percent Hispanic voters said the same, while 50 percent white voters said he is fit for the role.

Sixty-two percent of voters disapproved of the way Trump has dealt with race relations, and 60 percent said the controversial president is doing more to divide the country than unite it.

The poll also revealed divisions among men and women. Men are divided 49 percent to 49 percent, while 63 percent of women say Trump is not fit.

The poll was conducted from September 21 to 26 by phone in which 1,412 voters nationwide participated.

Another recent poll found most Americans disapprove of Trump’s leadership and see him as a divisive figure who has not fulfilled his campaign promise to positively change the US government.

More than twice as many Americans – 66 percent vs. 28 percent – said Trump is doing more to divide the country than to unify it, according to an ABC/Washington Post poll published on Sunday.

Trump has been widely criticized for his response to the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, after he said “both sides” were to blame for the violence.

Critics say that Trump’s divisive rhetoric and policies against immigrants and minorities before and after his election have emboldened far-right groups and promoted hate crimes across the country.

Culled from Presstv