Declassified: UK Knew NATO Expansion 'Would Provoke' Russia War

 

On April 15th, Declassified UK published a bombshell investigation exposing how in the mid-1990s, senior British political and military officials were well-aware NATO expansion into Central and Eastern Europe “would provoke [the] Russians,” and likely trigger all-out war. Hitherto unreported Ministry of Defence files reveal London knew Moscow’s “sensitivities” over a “hostile military alliance” enlarging up to its borders were profound, and based on very “real” concerns. Yet, NATO’s dangerous crusade to absorb Central and Eastern Europe continued apace, ultimately producing the Ukraine proxy conflict.

Since the so-called Special Military Operation’s February 2022 eruption, British officials have relentlessly reiterated the mantra the proxy war was “unprovoked”. However, a declassified March 1995 Foreign Office memo noted “there was a widespread psychological and intellectual perception in Moscow that NATO was a real threat.” In May that year, then-Prime Minister John Major succinctly articulated Russian anxieties to his Irish counterpart John Bruton, as a “fundamental fear…of encirclement.” Concerns about EU membership were comparatively muted:

“For the Russians, NATO had a much more threatening symbolism and political resonance…The Baltics were particularly difficult, with extreme sensitivity for Russia. It would be very hard to have a NATO border directly against Russia.”

Still, in 1997 NATO invited Czechia, Hungary, and Poland to join, which they did two years later. In 2004, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania simultaneously joined the military alliance. So too did ex-Warsaw Pact members Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and former Yugoslav republic Slovenia. Declassified UK shows how back in August 1996, British Defence Intelligence prepared a NATO enlargement study specifically forecasting that these countries joining could trigger war, and an alliance military operation launched via Article 5 of the NATO treaty in response.  (more...)

Declassified: UK Knew NATO Expansion 'Would Provoke' Russia War

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NATO expansion ‘would provoke Russians’, UK understood

By hosting a global weapons bank, Carney is setting up Canada for war profiteering

 

Organizer Rachel Small explains how NATO-aligned bank will make Canada’s economy reliant on endless war

Canada has won its bid to host a new NATO-aligned bank that will fuel a weapons-building frenzy.

Organizer Rachel Small explains how the bank fits into Mark Carney’s militarization agenda and would further tie Canada’s economy to war profiteering.

Poland Is Now The Last Country Standing In The Way Of A Federalized Europe

 

Its conservative president is totally against this project and can veto related legislation tabled by the liberal prime minister since the latter’s ruling coalition doesn’t have the two-thirds majority to overrule him, thus enabling Poland to play the role that Hungary did prior to Orban’s downfall.

Politico earlier reported that “European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen waited less than a day after Hungary voted Viktor Orbán out of office to call for the EU to get more power over national governments to force through foreign policy decisions.” In particular, she wants qualified majority voting on foreign policy matters whereby at least 55% of member states vote in favor and they represent at least 65% of the EU’s population, which hasn’t yet happened in order to safeguard state sovereignty.

Spanish journalist and analyst Javier Villamor published a piece at The European Conservative that same day about how “Hungary’s Fall Clears Path for a More Centralized EU”. In brief, “The removal of Brussels’ most persistent opponent is set to accelerate plans to curb national vetoes, expand EU borrowing, and tighten control over member states.” The combined effect would amount to furthering the plan to federalize Europe in alignment with what the EU elites have wanted for some time already.

Von der Leyen’s plan in summer 2024 to “build a veritable union of defense” as well as Germany’s “two-speed Europe” proposal earlier this year and the proposal to fast-track Ukraine’s EU membership are all complementary means to this end that’ll now be easier to implement after Orban’s downfall. If progress is made on any of what was mentioned thus far, then states will lose even more sovereignty than they already have, and this could have disastrous implications for their national identity and social cohesion.  (more...)

Poland Is Now The Last Country Standing In The Way Of A Federalized Europe

Israeli narrative questioned after massive Beit Shemesh blast

 

Israeli media voices skepticism after massive explosion near occupied al-Quds was described as a “pre-planned test."

A massive explosion that rocked the Beit Shemesh area near occupied al-Quds on Saturday night has triggered growing skepticism inside the Israeli occupation amid questions surrounding the official explanation of the incident and the secrecy surrounding it.

The blast, which produced a huge fireball visible across wide areas and was heard by settlers in multiple locations, prompted confusion and concern after no prior warnings or immediate official clarifications were issued.

Shortly after the incident, the Israeli security company Tomer claimed the explosion was part of a “pre-planned and successful test” conducted under the supervision of the security establishment.

However, several Israeli journalists and military correspondents openly questioned the official account, pointing to the scale of the explosion, its timing, and the lack of visible emergency preparations.  (more...)

Israeli narrative questioned after massive Beit Shemesh blast

Eurovision controversy grows as Bulgaria wins amid an Israeli boycott

 

Bulgaria has won the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with the dance track “Bangaranga” performed by Dana.

Israel finished second in a competition overshadowed by controversy over its participation during the war on Gaza. Five countries — Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland and Slovenia — boycotted this year’s contest in protest.

Demonstrators also marched through the streets of Vienna accusing Eurovision organizers of giving Israel a platform despite allegations of war crimes in Gaza.

Questions have also resurfaced over voting practices after Israel’s online campaigns encouraging supporters to vote multiple times for its act. Organizers had previously changed voting rules following similar accusations last year.

Despite political tensions and calls for disruption, the final went ahead without major incidents inside the arena.

US tech firm Cisco has deep ties with Israeli military, leaked documents show

 

Leaked documents have revealed the US tech firm Cisco Systems’ deep relationship with the Israeli regime in its continuous wars in West Asia, which the United States backs.

The papers leaked by Drop Site News on Friday reveal that Cisco has a deep illegal relationship with the Israeli regime and supported Tel Aviv forces in their atrocities against the people of Palestine, and beyond.

The Silicon Valley-based company, which produces hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, and other high-technology services used in networking, cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, provided support and infrastructure to Israel in its genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and also ran unlawful operations in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The leaked papers provided to Drop Site by whistleblowers show Cisco’s deep and growing collaboration with the Israeli military and intelligence communities for its genocide in Gaza and continued regional wars.

The San Jose-based networking giant, with a market capitalization in excess of $270 billion and annual revenue of $56.7 billion in 2025, manufactures the routers, switches, firewalls, and communications platforms that run the internet’s infrastructure, as well as many of its worldwide corporate, government, and military networks.  (more...)

US tech firm Cisco has deep ties with Israeli military, leaked documents show

Pezeshkian hails Pope’s ‘moral stance’ against US-Israeli war on Iran

 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed gratitude for Pope Leo’s “moral stance” against the US-Israeli aggression against Iran, while urging the international community to adopt a realistic and fair approach to counter the “illegal demands and adventurous, dangerous policies” of the United States.

In a message addressed to the leader of the world’s Catholics, Pezeshkian stated that the “destructive approach” of the United States and Israel, along with their “illegitimate attacks,” are not directed solely against Iran.

He argued that they are an assault on the rule of law at the global level, international law, human values, and the teachings of divine religions, adding that the costs of this dangerous approach will inevitably be borne by the entire international community.

The criminal US-Israeli aggression against Iran began on February 28 with airstrikes that assassinated senior Iranian officials and commanders, including Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Iranian Armed Forces responded by launching daily missile and drone operations targeting locations in the Israeli-occupied territories as well as US military bases and assets across the region.

The president emphasized that Iran has consistently proven its commitment to diplomacy and peaceful solutions for resolving issues, including with the US government.  (more...)

Pezeshkian hails Pope’s ‘moral stance’ against US-Israeli war on Iran