COLLECTIVE MADNESS
“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."
ReplyDeleteThe Turkish government’s demand for a “buffer zone” is of interest to the Europeans. They believe it is for refugees. But it could just as well be to protect the tankers from the Russian bombing raids. It is precisely what makes Corbyn’s demand so important – to hold a through investigation of the ISIS oil pipeline. Such an inquiry must ask the following questions:
1 Who is carting the oil from Mosul to the Turkish border? Who owns those trucks?
2 Who is carting the oil from the Turkish border to Ceyhan? Who owns those trucks?
3 How does ISIS oil go through Ceyhan, a port owned by the Turkish government?
4 Who owns the ships that cart the ISIS oil out of Turkey and to ports afield?
5 What banks handle the transaction between the sale of ISIS oil and the foreign buyers? Should they also be implicated in the smuggling of ISIS oil?
An investigation along these lines is overdue. It is not enough to accept or dismiss the Russian accusations. These should be used as an opportunity to clarity the actual pipelines for ISIS funding. Bombing the Omar fields in Syria – as the UK has done today – might not be sufficient. It might dust over the evidence of much greater complicity in ISIS oil.
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/whos-buying-isis-oil
Deletehttp://www.globes.co.il/en/article.aspx?did=1001084873
DeleteIsrael has become the main buyer for oil from ISIS controlled territory, reports "al-Araby al-Jadeed."
Kurdish and Turkish smugglers are transporting oil from ISIS controlled territory in Syria and Iraq and selling it to Israel, according to several reports in the Arab and Russian media. An estimated 20,000-40,000 barrels of oil are produced daily in ISIS controlled territory generating $1-1.5 million daily profit for the terrorist organization.
The oil is extracted from Dir A-Zur in Syria and two fields in Iraq and transported to the Kurdish city of Zakhu in a triangle of land near the borders of Syria, Iraq and Turkey. Israeli and Turkish mediators come to the city and when prices are agreed, the oil is smuggled to the Turkish city of Silop marked as originating from Kurdish regions of Iraq and sold for $15-18 per barrel (WTI and Brent Crude currently sell for $41 and $45 per barrel) to the Israeli mediator, a man in his 50s with dual Greek-Israeli citizenship known as Dr. Farid. He transports the oil via several Turkish ports and then onto other ports, with Israel among the main destinations.
In August, the "Financial Times" reported that Israel obtained 75% of its oil supplies from Iraqi Kurdistan. More than a third of such exports go through the port of Ceyhan, which the FT describe as a “potential gateway for ISIS-smuggled crude."
RELATED ARTICLES
ISIS
ISIS cell uncovered in northern Israel
oil wells photo: Shutterstock
Kurds supplying most of Israel's oil – FT
“Israel has in one way or another become the main marketer of ISIS oil. Without them, most ISIS-produced oil would have remained going between Iraq, Syria and Turkey. Even the three companies would not receive the oil if they did not have a buyer in Israel,” an industry official told the newspaper "al-Araby al-Jadeed."
"Israel has in one way or another become the main marketer of IS oil. Without them, most ISIS-produced oil would have remained going between Iraq, Syria and Turkey," the industry official added.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 30, 2015
Multiple reports claim that Israel is the top purchaser of smuggled ISIS oil
ReplyDeleteISIS oil is transported to Israel via Turkey, according to reports
Citing multiple sources, the Israeli business press are now reporting that Israel is the main recipient of ISIS oil:
Kurdish and Turkish smugglers are transporting oil from ISIS controlled territory in Syria and Iraq and selling it to Israel, according to several reports in the Arab and Russian media. An estimated 20,000-40,000 barrels of oil are produced daily in ISIS controlled territory generating $1-1.5 million daily profit for the terrorist organization.
The oil is extracted from Dir A-Zur in Syria and two fields in Iraq and transported to the Kurdish city of Zakhu in a triangle of land near the borders of Syria, Iraq and Turkey. Israeli and Turkish mediators come to the city and when prices are agreed, the oil is smuggled to the Turkish city of Silop marked as originating from Kurdish regions of Iraq and sold for $15-18 per barrel (WTI and Brent Crude currently sell for $41 and $45 per barrel) to the Israeli mediator, a man in his 50s with dual Greek-Israeli citizenship known as Dr. Farid. He transports the oil via several Turkish ports and then onto other ports, with Israel among the main destinations.
In August, the “Financial Times” reported that Israel obtained 75% of its oil supplies from Iraqi Kurdistan. More than a third of such exports go through the port of Ceyhan, which the FT describe as a “potential gateway for ISIS-smuggled crude.”
It’s been well-established that Turkey is a major transportation hub for ISIS oil smuggling operations. But where is the oil sent? Someone has to buy it. The answer, apparently, is: Israel.
Al-Araby published an extensive investigation which lays out in detail how oil is transported from ISIS-controlled wells to Israel via Turkey.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/israel-is-the-main-purchaser-of-isis-oil/5493738
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ReplyDeleteDon't expect this to be investigated by the US.
From the beginning, everyone knew that smuggled oil was one of the ways ISIS was financing its operations. There were some early reports of refineries being hit by US bombing but I don't remember much being said in those reports we ave seen posted here over the past 16 months beyond firing positions, vehicles, mortars, staging areas, arms caches, and dirt bridges. Oil convoys? Not so much.
In fact, it wasn't until Russia started taking out oil convoys and accusing Turkey of aiding ISIS that the US seemed to notice anything at all. Why did it take the US 16 months to notice the ISIS convoys? Heck, its not like they are less noticeable than mortar positions or pick-up trucks.
The same applies to Saudi Arabia. Europe, as well as the rest of the world, understands Saudi Arabia's role in promoting radical Islam. The EU is just now starting to call SA out on its actions at least on their efforts to radicalize Muslims. They still, as far as I know, haven't condemned them for providing money and arms to the radicals militants in Syria. I would expect the chances of the US condemning Saudi Arabia are pretty slim.
Every thing about the US operations in Syria/Iraq leaves major questions. What exactly are we doing (or not doing) there? And more importantly why?
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Obama has already explained all this.
DeleteHe didn't want to cause environmental damage.
He was protecting the environment.
beyond firing positions, vehicles, mortars, staging areas, arms caches, and dirt bridges.
DeleteDon't forget 'bed down positions', cratering roads, and exactly three rocket propelled grenades.
General 'rat' Hawkins is on record saying we'd eliminate ISIS by Memorial Day, 2015.
He then fudged it to Labor Day 2015.
It's now nearly Christmas, but he seems to have abandoned the prediction business now.
General Rufus is now on for 'before Obama leaves office'.
We shall see.
Wrong, again, "Draft Dodger" Peterson.
DeleteProvide the actual quote and I will explain the nuance to you.
Every thing about the US operations in Syria/Iraq leaves major questions. What exactly are we doing (or not doing) there? And more importantly why?
ReplyDeleteYou know the answer to this.
The whole thing turned to shit when Obama pulled the troops out too soon.
Obama is trying to quiet the situation somewhat and hand it on to the next President.
So he will not be totally to blame.
He wanted to be known as the guy that ended the Iraq war, not the guy that lost it.
He took the troops out against the specific advice of the Generals.
He is just monkeying until his term ends.
With Russian, French, British and American contributions the situation seems to be at least that ISIS is no longer gaining, except in Libya.
Another major Hillary/Obama fuck up.
That's my analysis.
Your analysis is piss poor.
DeleteMid East and North Africa is all about the oil. ALL about the oil.
ReplyDeleteWhy the f' else would anyone care about the place?
(other than some weird politics having to do with Israel, anyway.)
Wrong.
DeleteThe Shits and the Suns have been at it forever, way before oil.
It's about interpretations of the Koran, and Islamic history, and the infidels, of course.
Always the infidels.
If you have an erring interpretation of the Koran, you too are an infidel in the eyes of the other.
This is all a very serious matter, certainly worth dying in the hundreds of thousands over.
And if you don't agree you should be put to death.
It's a big literary contest.
Whose memes are stronger ?
They are all crazy as hell, by the way, if you haven't figured that out already.
DeleteThe Real Abraham Lincoln
ReplyDeleteActually, I think he was the worse human being to ever sit in that office
Worst, not worse, or even worser.
Europe
ReplyDeleteThe Graying Thieves Who Nearly Got Away With a Record Heist in London
By DAN BILEFSKYDEC. 12, 2015
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The entrance to Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Ltd. in London, where millions of dollars worth of jewels, gold, precious stones and cash were stolen in April. The safe deposit company has since been forced into liquidation. Credit Andrew Testa for The New York Times
LONDON — On Friday nights for three years, they met over pints at the Castle, a pub in Islington, in North London. The four men were getting on in years, but they were not there just to talk about retirement plans or the aches and pains of aging.
Experienced thieves with long criminal records, they had something far more pressing in mind: an audacious, career-topping heist they boasted the world would never forget.
The operation, meticulously plotted — with the help, the police would later find out, of the book “Forensics for Dummies” — was finally set in motion the Thursday before Easter this year, as Brian Reader, the ruddy-faced ringleader whom the others called “the Master,” boarded the No. 96 bus near his home in Dartford, Kent.
Mr. Reader, 76, swiped his free travel pass for seniors and began the 80-minute journey to Hatton Garden, for centuries the center of London’s jewelry trade. By early evening, Mr. Reader reached an inconspicuous, seven-floor building on the handsome, manicured street. A large plaque outside read: Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Ltd.
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A crew of men 60 and older used diamond-tipped drills to bore through the concrete wall of a basement vault at the safe deposit company, prosecutors say. Credit Metropolitan Police, via Associated Press
The rest of his crew was there, dressed as building workers: John Collins, also known as Kenny, 75; Daniel Jones, 60; and Terrence Perkins, 67. Mr. Reader wore a yellow hard hat and a fluorescent jacket with the word “Gas” on the back. His distinctive striped socks were later captured by surveillance cameras.
In a case that prosecutors have called the largest burglary ever in England, the four men have pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal as much as $30 million in gold, jewelry and gems. Prosecutors say they used high-powered, diamond-tipped drills over the long Easter weekend to bore an 18-inch hole through a concrete wall in a basement vault at the safe deposit company and then made off with the loot.
DeleteThose four are now in prison awaiting sentencing, and may face 10 years behind bars. Four other men are standing trial on suspicion of involvement, and have denied the charges.
As details of the burglary have emerged, many have been left wondering how four aging and sometimes bungling robbers managed to break into a high-security vault in the center of London — protected by reinforced concrete, two iron gates and a motion-triggered alarm system — and get away with loot-filled wheeled plastic garbage bins. Had they not violated one of the first laws in the criminal handbook and boasted about the caper, they might never have been caught.
“This offense was to be the largest burglary in English legal history,” the prosecutor Philip Evans told Woolwich Crown Court. “These four ringleaders and organizers of this conspiracy, although senior in years, brought with them a great deal of experience.”
With his lined face, baggy eyes and cunning, Mr. Reader, the gang’s elder statesman, had a notable criminal record.
In 1983, after six armed men in balaclavas stole gold, cash and jewelry from a warehouse at Heathrow Airport in another celebrated heist, prosecutors say Mr. Reader teamed up with a Kent crime boss to help launder around $40 million in gold. He was sentenced in 1986 to nine years in prison for handling stolen bullion. Until recently, he was living in a sprawling house in Dartford with an estimated value of $1.5 million.
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Mr. Perkins was sentenced to 22 years in jail for his involvement in another notorious 1983 robbery in which a hooded gang with sawed-off shotguns stole about $7.5 million in cash from the vaults at the London headquarters of Security Express, a security company.
At Hatton Garden, despite their expertise and the gang’s extensive planning, not everything went according to plan.
On the evening of April 2, Mr. Reader and the rest of the gang were greeted at Hatton Garden Safe Deposit by a red-haired man known as “Basil” who, investigators say, apparently opened the fire escape door and let the others in. The man has never been identified and remains at large.
Several men got out of a white van and unloaded bags, tools and two garbage bins, taking them in on the fire escape and down the stairs, Mr. Evans told the jury. The men communicated by walkie-talkie.
DeletePhoto
Some of the stolen loot was buried under a gravestone at a London cemetery. Credit Andrew Testa for The New York Times
Once inside the building, they disabled the elevator, leaving an “out of order” sign next to it, sent the elevator to the second floor, and shimmied down the elevator shaft to the basement, busting through a metal barrier. They cut a gray telephone cable jutting out of an alarm box, as well as the wires of an electrical box, disabling an iron gate protecting the vault, prosecutors say.
Then they began the long and arduous task of drilling through the vault’s wall, reinforced with concrete — a skill they had perfected by watching clips on YouTube. Shortly after 12:21 a.m. on April 3, Alok Bavishi, whose family owns the safety deposit company, received a call that the intruder alarm had been triggered. He testified that his concerns were initially tempered by the fact that a previous alarm had been triggered by an insect.
Kelvin Stockwell, a longtime security guard at the building, arrived nearly an hour later. After examining the front door and peering through the letter box of the fire escape door, he told the jury he decided that the building was secure and left without going inside.
The police were also notified of the alarm, but no response was deemed necessary. All the while, the thieves were in the basement, breaking into the vault. The police later apologized, saying the “call handling system and procedures for working with the alarm monitoring companies were not followed.”
Even so, the gang’s luck proved short-lived. When they finally breached the wall against which the metal cabinet holding the safe deposit boxes was standing, they were stopped in their tracks because the cabinet was bolted to the ceiling and floor, and they were unable to dislodge it.
They eventually left around 8 a.m., empty-handed. But they were undeterred, returning two days later, on Mr. Perkins’s 67th birthday. The burglary may have gone unnoticed because the security deposit’s neighboring businesses were closed for the Easter weekend. But the ease with which the thieves left and then returned, undetected, has led some to speculate that the crime was an inside job.
On their second attempt, after a trip to the hardware store, the men managed to dislodge the cabinet on the night of April 4, though Mr. Reader was not there to enjoy the moment, having apparently lost his nerve.
The men ransacked 73 safe deposit boxes, quickly filling several bags and two large trash bins with jewels, gold, precious stones and cash. Prosecutors said the men struggled to carry all the loot up the stairs to a fire escape. Mr. Collins, the lookout, was waiting nearby in the van.
At 6:40 a.m., exhausted and out of breath, they sped away. Mr. Jones was later overheard quipping that he would have had to been wheeled out in one of the bins had he not brought his insulin shots.
DeleteAnother two days went by before the theft was finally discovered. Pictures of the gaping holes drilled through the wall were soon splashed in Britain’s papers. Angry safe deposit box owners, some of them uninsured, lashed out at the police and at the safety deposit company for their perceived incompetence.
Mirza Baig, a jewelry dealer, said he had lost everything. “I don’t have a penny’s worth of stones left with me because they were all in the safe deposit — the safest place you can imagine,” he told ITV News.
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The crew planned the robbery over pints at the Castle, a London pub, prosecutors say, and the police later filmed them there. Credit Andrew Testa for The New York Times
For several days, the men reveled in the heist, but the police were closing in. The men had been identified at and near the scene from hours of surveillance footage, and electronic bugs, which had been placed in two of their cars, picked up their boasts, in cockney rhyming slang.
“The biggest cash robbery in history,” Mr. Jones can be heard crowing, lacing his words with expletives, in recordings played in court, “that’s what they are saying.” Mr. Perkins said he wished he had taken a selfie at the vault.
The men continued to meet at the Castle, a traditional pub that serves heaping plates of bangers and mash. The police filmed them with hidden cameras and used lip readers to figure out what they were saying.
After the robbery, they argued over how to split the proceeds and launder the jewels, prosecutors say. Mr. Perkins was overheard saying he planned to melt down some of his gold. “That could be my pension,” he said.
The men stashed some of the gold and jewels in their homes, behind baseboards and kitchen cabinets. On May 19 — 45 days after the burglary — 200 police officers swept in as Mr. Jones and Mr. Collins were transferring some of the jewels to the home of Mr. Perkins’s daughter. The police raided 12 addresses in North London and arrested seven suspects.
At Mr. Reader’s house, the police discovered a diamond tester and a book on the diamond underworld. At the home of Mr. Perkins’s daughter, they found vast quantities of sapphires and diamonds, and a brown leather bag stuffed with Rolex, Breitling and Omega watches. Heat-resistant porcelain pots and tongs used for smelting gold were discovered hidden in a washing machine.
After his arrest, Mr. Jones agreed to show prosecutors where he had hidden one bag of loot, under the gravestone of a family relative.
Mr. Jones wrote to a Sky News reporter from his jail cell, saying that he had notified the police of the stash to “make amends to my loved ones and show I’m trying to change. I no [sic] it seems a bit late in my life, but I’m trying.”
The police subsequently discovered that he had failed to mention a much larger haul from the Hatton Garden burglary at the same cemetery, prosecutors said.
Hatton Safe Deposit has been forced into liquidation, and the building’s new owner said recently he was considering turning the vault into a museum devoted to the heist.
The police have struggled to identify thousands of identical-looking chains and gems that have been recovered. Many millions of pounds worth of the stolen loot still has not been found, prosecutors say, and at least some had probably been melted down, laundered or hidden before the arrests.
Hatton Garden Safe Deposit’s website remains active. “We are currently one of London’s most successful and leading safe deposit company [sic],” it says, promising to “protect important and irreplaceable personal belongings.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/13/world/europe/london-hatton-garden-heist.html?_r=0
:)
DeleteThe kind of crime most people love to read about, and many admire.
No dead bodies, no rape, no kidnapping, no violence.
Stealing from the rich, Robin Hood style, sort of, the kind of things the Democrats do 365/year.
And, they might have gotten away it if only they had kept their damn traps shut in the tavern.
it beats the advertising game, and selling insurance, and farming too !
DeleteQuirk-O once, with some friends from Detroit, took down the Banco da Brazilio in similar fashion, got away with it, and lived the high hog for a full decade on the proceeds.
Delete