Last Night: Trump WH 'Cryptic' Chemical Weapon Press Release

[goldenequity]

credit to Cpud for posting...
=========


http://i.imgur.com/7joue1v.jpg

Defense, military, and intelligence officials who were “caught off guard by the White House statement.”
One responded, “I don’t know what the [White House] statement is.”


Taken at face value, this suggests the Trump administration received intelligence pointing to a possible chemical-weapons attack,
being considered by Syria’s Assad government, and the statement was intended to serve as a warning.

The trouble is, it’s become increasingly difficult to take what Team Trump says at face value.
BuzzFeed reported last night, for example, that several Pentagon sources didn’t know what the White House was referring to,
and one U.S. Central Command official said he/she had “no idea” what Spicer’s statement was about.
The same report said statements like these are usually “coordinated across the national security agencies and departments before they are released,”
but this one was not.

NBC News had a similar report, citing defense, military, and intelligence officials who were “caught off guard by the White House statement.”
One responded, “I don’t know what the [White House] statement is.”

Often these kinds of statements are accompanied by some kind of press briefing,
in which supporting information is presented to reporters, but there was no such effort last night.

At least so far this morning, Donald Trump published a variety of tweets, nearly all of which promoted Fox News,
and none of which referenced his White House’s warning to Syria about chemical weapons.

I should note that it’s entirely possible that last night’s statement from Sean Spicer was legitimate and based on real information.
Given what we currently know, it’s also possible that we should be skeptical of the White House’s claims.

HERE (http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/white-houses-syria-threat-raises-awkward-questions-about-credibility)

==========

Trump's disdain for diplomacy is making the world more dangerous (http://archive.is/e7PsU)

The US president’s preference for public bellicosity and instant military action has potential to cause a lot of damage

==========

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDVEsG6VoAACLLX.jpg

=======


http://i.imgur.com/7joue1v.jpg

After Hersch's exposee together w/ Charrob's posts on the Sarin 'event' (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?509711-Where-s-the-Proof-Trump-Withholds-Syria-Sarin-Evidence)...
this is the WH 'doubling-down' on a lie thoroughly exposed..
COMPOUNDED by the 'other' lie concerning 'why we're there' in the first place...
together with a blatant threat tossed in for good measure.
Truly a 'memorable memo'. MAGA.

==========


879528793135878145
https://twitter.com/nikkihaley/status/879528793135878145

[goldenequity]

Anybody following the last 60 days of the swiftly accruing Assad/SAA territorial gains on the ground
KNOW
there (again) would be absolutely no reason for NEEDING any chemical weapon attack.

Conversely,
Israel AGAIN (4th time in as many days) struck Syrian government forces today in Quinetra/Golan
to assist Al Qaeda proxies
and
During these same 60 days...
the US has LOST/LOSING 'control' of BOTH the Syria/Iraq and Syria/Jordan borders.

There has never been a more 'convenient' and CRUCIAL time to stage a FF event while pretending to be the 'savior'.

[goldenequity]

A third Russian military base in Syria to fortify/support advancing Syrian gains


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ9kza9vMeY&feature=youtu.be

Non-stop clashes all over the frontlines in Deir Ezzor as ISIS tries to storm Army positions (https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/non-stop-clashes-frontlines-deir-ezzor-isis-tries-storm-army-positions/)




The Syrian army 98 km from the city of Deir al - Zour


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1GQqTdSzW8&feature=youtu.be




SAA response to the attack by Israeli proxies on its positions in the city of Baath


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7zA-j0ld9Y&feature=youtu.be

[goldenequity]

US threats to Syria’s legitimate government unacceptable – Kremlin (https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-threats-syrias-legitimate-government-unacceptable-kremlin/)


https://cdn.almasdarnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/peskov-620x330.jpg

(RT) Russia has slammed Washington’s threats against the Syrian government
following a recent White House statement alleging that President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces are preparing to use chemical weapons.

“I am not aware of any information or threat of using chemical weapons,” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Tuesday.

Earlier, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer issued a statement claiming the US “has identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians.”

“We heard about this statement. We don’t know what it’s based on. And, of course, we strongly disagree with the wording ‘another attack,’ because, as you know, despite all the demands of the Russian side, there was no independent international investigation of the previous tragedy with the use of chemical weapons. We do not believe it is possible to rest the responsibility on the Syrian armed forces,” Peskov said.

The Kremlin spokesman also warned of potential provocations by terrorists.

“You know that cases of the use of toxic chemical agents by militants of Islamic state [IS, formerly ISIS/SIL] and other criminal groups have been established on multiple occasions. There certainly is the potential danger of such provocations recurring,” Peskov stated.

Any threats against the Syrian government are “unacceptable,” according to Peskov, who reiterated the call for an investigation into the attack in Idlib.

“Without carrying out an investigation it is impossible, illegitimate and absolutely wrong, in regards to achieving the final goals on Syrian reconcilement, to put the blame on Assad. Of course, we consider unacceptable any such threats to the legitimate government of the Syrian Arab Republic,” the spokesman said, adding that Moscow considers any use of toxic chemical agents inappropriate.

Syria has denied White House allegations of preparing to use chemical weapons, saying they “foreshadowed a ‘diplomatic battle’” in the UN, according to AP, citing the minister for national reconciliation, Ali Haidar.

============

As a footnote...
Al Masdar News service was down all day yesterday having a server attack that crashed their site. :mad:
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/category/syria/

.... and about 2 weeks ago Youtube shut down their channel...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2cOggXWYaxqXr4ELJ47zmQ/videos

[jllundqu]

I hope this all comes to light and is exposed some day soon. I also hope Russia shoots down a couple US Jets illegally flying over Syria. I also hope I find a dozen bricks of gold buried in the back 40. Ain't none of that ever going to happen though.

[goldenequity]

US has seen chemical weapons activity at Syrian airbase: Pentagon (https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-seen-chemical-weapons-activity-syrian-airbase-pentagon/)


BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:55 P.M.) – The U.S. regime has recently seen chemical weapons activity at the Shay’rat Airbase in the Homs Governorate, the Pentagon claimed, as reported by Matt Lee of the Associated Press.

This latest claim by the Pentagon comes just hours after the U.S. State Department issued a warning to the Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad, about carrying out a chemical weapons attack.

No further details were released.

The Shay’rat Airbase was the military installation the U.S. attacked in early April after the Trump regime accused the Syrian government of carrying out a chemical weapons attack on the city of Khan Sheikhoun in southern Idlib.

======

Oh Ok then... Assad is using the exact same base for 'new' chemical weapons preparations. :rolleyes:

=====

http://www.haaretz.com/us-news/1.798122
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/pentagon-us-chemical-weapons-activity-syrian-air-base-48301122
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pentagon-says-us-has-seen-chemical-weapons-activity-at-syrian-air-base-used-in-past-chemical-attack/2017/06/27/1ecc2094-5b3f-11e7-aa69-3964a7d55207_story.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/syria-chemical-weapons-pentagon-attack-bashar-al-assad-base-regime-us-donald-trump-a7810636.html
http://www.wcvb.com/article/white-house-says-it-has-found-potential-evidence-syria-may-be-preparing-chemical-attack/10226204
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pentagon-alleges-evidence-of-chemical-weapons-in-syria-warns-against-an-attack-1.4179207

[jllundqu]

US has seen chemical weapons activity at Syrian airbase: Pentagon (https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-seen-chemical-weapons-activity-syrian-airbase-pentagon/)


BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:55 P.M.) – The U.S. regime has recently seen chemical weapons activity at the Shay’rat Airbase in the Homs Governorate, the Pentagon claimed, as reported by Matt Lee of the Associated Press.

This latest claim by the Pentagon comes just hours after the U.S. State Department issued a warning to the Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad, about carrying out a chemical weapons attack.

No further details were released.

The Shay’rat Airbase was the military installation the U.S. attacked in early April after the Trump regime accused the Syrian government of carrying out a chemical weapons attack on the city of Khan Sheikhoun in southern Idlib.

======

Oh Ok then... Assad is using the exact same base for 'new' chemical weapons preparations. :rolleyes:

This doesn't even pretend to pass the smell test. Complete bullshit. Assad is a very smart man. Putin is even smarter. No way they would risk giving the west the 'moral high ground' in this fight.

[shakey1]

This doesn't even pretend to pass the smell test. Complete bull$#@!. Assad is a very smart man. Putin is even smarter. No way they would risk giving the west the 'moral high ground' in this fight.

Yeah, but that's the narrative they're gonna use I imagine.

[goldenequity]

Here's their chance:
Rand Paul, Tulsi Gabbard, Matt Lee and a team of Chem Weapon sniffers need to hop on a plane right now.
Assad and Lavrov can meet them at the Shay’rat Airbase.
Right now. DO IT.

nvr mind... it would be political suicide.. i know, i know.

[bunklocoempire]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDDJeM5R4PM

[Dr.3D]

Just how does one 'see chemical weapon activity?' It's not like they glow in the dark or something. I suspect Trump is hoping somebody will use chemical weapons.

[Todd]

Forgive the source but Hersh should be listened to.
https://www.counterpunch.org/2017/06/27/hershs-new-syria-revelations-buried-from-view/

[jllundqu]

Forgive the source but Hersh should be listened to.
https://www.counterpunch.org/2017/06/27/hershs-new-syria-revelations-buried-from-view/


“The issue is, what if there’s another false-flag sarin attack credited to hated Syria? Trump has upped the ante and painted himself into a corner with his decision to bomb. And do not think these guys [Islamist groups] are not planning the next faked attack. Trump will have no choice but to bomb again, and harder. He’s incapable of saying he made a mistake.”

Buckle up folks! This one's gonna be yuuuuuge.

[jllundqu]

I find this end piece to be the clincher:


So let us set aside for a moment the specifics of what happened on April 4 and concentrate instead on what Hersh’s critics must concede if they are to argue that Assad used sarin gas against the people of Khan Sheikhoun.

1. That Assad is so crazed and self-destructive – or at the very least so totally incapable of controlling his senior commanders, who must themselves be crazed and self-destructive – that he has on several occasions ordered the use of chemical weapons against civilians. And he has chosen to do it at the worst possible moments for his own and his regime’s survival, and when such attacks were entirely unnecessary.

2. That Putin is equally deranged and so willing to risk an end-of-times conflagration with the US that he has on more than one occasion either sanctioned or turned a blind eye to the use of sarin by Assad’s regime. And he has done nothing to penalise Assad afterwards, when things went wrong.

3. That Hersh has decided to jettison all the investigatory skills he has amassed over many decades as a journalist to accept at face value any unsubstantiated rumours his long-established contacts in the security services have thrown his way. And he has done so without regard to the damage that will do to his reputation and his journalistic legacy.

4. That a significant number of US intelligence officials, those Hersh has known and worked with over a long period of time, have decided recently to spin an elaborate web of lies no one wants to print, either in the hope of damaging Hersh in some collective act of revenge against him, or in the hope of permanently discrediting their own intelligence services.

[goldenequity]

UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon: "Britain is “absolutely” ready to support retaliation by US President Donald Trump against Bashar Assad in Syria."

The US claimed on Monday that Assad was “potentially” preparing a deadly chemical weapons attack on rebel forces, and threatened to hit back with new bombing raids.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3romujusQY

You don't KNOW how much I'd like to take this guy and put him in Idlib w/ his 'buddies'. :mad:

[Swordsmyth]

The real target of Donald Trump's threats towards Syria is not Bashar al-Assad, but Iran
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/chemical-attacks-syria-trump-white-house-iran-russia-mattis-kushner-bannon-a7810631.html

[nikcers]

The real target of Donald Trump's threats towards Syria is not Bashar al-Assad, but Iran


http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/chemical-attacks-syria-trump-white-house-iran-russia-mattis-kushner-bannon-a7810631.html

That would make sense in the sense that we were targeting Qatar when we said we would no longer sell the UAE weapons because the UAE have control over Qatar. If Trump wanted to target Iran he would go after Russia and call for a meeting.

[CPUd]

That would make sense in the sense that we were targeting Qatar when we said we would no longer sell the UAE weapons because the UAE have control over Qatar. If Trump wanted to target Iran he would go after Russia and call for a meeting.

Yeah, but are we to assume the Commander-in-Chief knows there is a big fucking CENTCOM base in Qatar?

[nikcers]

Yeah, but are we to assume the Commander-in-Chief knows there is a big $#@!ing CENTCOM base in Qatar?
He doesn't care because Iran is trading with Qatar, and Trump wants regime change in Iran and to do that they want to make the Iranian people suffer economically.

[Swordsmyth]

Yeah, but are we to assume the Commander-in-Chief knows there is a big $#@!ing CENTCOM base in Qatar?

The perfect beach head.

[nikcers]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDVEsG6VoAACLLX.jpg


That’s not–you know, I just don’t consider that going to war in the classic sense of coming to Congress and asking for a declaration of war and training troops and sending people abroad and putting young Americans in harm’s way. That’s not what the president is asking for here.” -John Kerry


“If the United States of America doesn’t do this, Senator, is it more or less likely that Assad does it again? You want to answer that question?”
When Paul said the answer was “unknown,” Kerry shot back “Senator, it is not unknown. If the United States of America doesn’t hold him accountable on this, with our allies and friends, it is a guarantee Assad will do it again–a guarantee–and I urge you to go to the classified briefing and learn that.”

[Todd]

Hersh article:

https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article165905578/Trump-s-Red-Line.html

[goldenequity]

Laughable propaganda: Mattis claims Syria heeded U.S. warning – by not launching chemical attack that existed only in Mattis' mind (https://www.sott.net/article/354944-Laughable-propaganda-Mattis-claims-Syria-heeded-US-warning-by-not-launching-chemical-attack-that-existed-only-in-Mattis-mind)


https://www.sott.net/image/s20/404170/large/59535a1ec46188ad6b8b4570.jpg

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis claimed Wednesday that the Syrian government backed down
after the White House said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces were preparing for another possible chemical attack.

"They didn't do it," Mattis said.

Speaking to reporters aboard a flight to Brussels, the retired four star general gave few details to support the assertion
that the Syrian military stepped back from plans for a possible chemical strike.

"I think that Assad's chemical program goes far beyond one airfield," Mattis said.

==========

Mattis accuses Putin of international ‘mischief’ (http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2017/06/28/526799/US-Russia-Trump-Mattis-Putin-NATO)

US Defense Secretary James Mattis has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of committing “mischief” outside Russian borders, claiming that Moscow is challenging the post-World War II US-led international order.

The Pentagon chief, who is on a visit to Germany, made the remarks before a group of students who had attended a ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Marshall Plan to rebuild a ravaged Europe after World War II.

Mattis said Putin’s actions undermined the "secure and peaceful" order that was established after the devastating WWII.

The Russian people's "leader making mischief beyond Russian borders will not restore their fortunes or rekindle their hope,"

[goldenequity]

(near Jordan/Syria border... south of Damascus)
RusSyrianWariors
Daraa: Militants preparing provocation— chemical attack against civilians in order to provoke US invasion of Syria. RU MOD notified Pentagon

[goldenequity]

moved

[goldenequity]

moved

[goldenequity]

moved

[Dark_Horse_Rider]

just coincidence that media reporting Trumps approval rating rising on same day ?