Andrew Bacevich on Why Retired General and Raytheon Official Lloyd Austin Should Not Head Pentagon
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-12-11
Joe Biden's nominee for defense secretary, retired four-star Army General Lloyd Austin, would make history as the first African American to lead the Pentagon if confirmed by the Senate. But Austin can only be confirmed if he secures a waiver from Congress due to laws designed to preserve the civilian control of the military, and several leading Democratic senators have indicated they would oppose granting a waiver. Andrew Bacevich, president and co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, says he shares those concerns. "The general is not a civilian, and it seems to me if we're serious about ci…
www.democracynow.org/2020/12/11/joe_biden_lloyd_austin_pentagon

Given gaps, inconsistencies, Syria's declarations on chemical weapons programme not considered 'accurate and complete'
news.un.org | 2020-12-11
Outstanding issues related to Syria's initial declaration of its chemical weapons stockpile and programme cannot be considered "accurate and complete", the head of the world body monitoring States' implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention told the Security Council on Friday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/12/1079882

'Serious escalation': Pompeo claims Iran would be closer to nuclear WEAPONS with new uranium enrichment bill
rt.com | 2020-12-11
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned that Iran could be a step closer to obtaining nukes if it enriches uranium at a higher purity and continues to frustrate international efforts to search its nuclear sites. | "A reduction in Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or enrichment to the 20 percent level would constitute a serious escalation that moves Iran closer to the ability to obtain a nuclear weapon," he said in a statement on Friday. | Last week Iranian MPs passed a new law, requiring the country to "produce and store 120kg per year of uranium enriched to 20 percent"
rt.com/news/509441-pompeo-iran-nuclear-weapons/

The think tank industrial complex: Sowing doubt and disinformation
Derek Royden | nationofchange.org | 2020-12-11
Without some kind of regulation, unaccountable think tanks will continue to obscure the truth about the issues they present to the public and offer often financially lucrative revolving doors for politicians and policymakers as they leave government service.
nationofchange.org/2020/12/11/the-think-tank-industrial-complex-sowing-doubt-and-disinformation/

UAE arms deal: Critics turn to Biden as Senate fails to block $23bn sale
Ali Harb | middleeasteye.net | 2020-12-11
UAE arms deal: Critics turn to Biden as Senate fails to block $23bn sale | US Senate narrowly votes against measure to halt enormous arms deal with Abu Dhabi; activists want Biden to cancel or revise sale | Ali Harb | Fri, 12/11/2020 – 00: 13 | Deal includes advanced F-35 jets and killer drones (AFP/File photo) | After the US Senate failed to block an enormous arms deal with the United Arab Emirates, opponents of the sale a…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/uae-arms-deal-critics-turn-biden-senate-fails-block-23bn-sale

OPCW executives praised whistleblower and criticized Syria cover-up, leaks reveal
_____ | strategic-culture.org | 2020-12-10
Documents obtained by The Grayzone show that OPCW executives privately criticized the manipulation of a Syria chemical weapons probe, and supported a dissenting veteran inspector. One official, however, feared helping the "Russian narrative." These private admissions further expose the public whitewash of the Douma cover-up, and undermine the ongoing attacks on the whistleblowers who challenged it.
strategic-culture.org/news/2020/12/10/opcw-executives-praised-whistleblower-and-criticized-syria-cover-up-leaks-reveal/

US Senate fails to block arms sales to UAE despite concerns of misuse and regional arms race
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-12-10
Two resolutions presented to block the sale of F-35 jets and Reaper Drones to UAE were defeated by a simple majority of 49 to 47 and 50 to 46 in the 100-member Senate…
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/12/10/us-senate-fails-to-block-arms-sales-to-uae-despite-concerns-of-misuse-and-regional-arms-race/

Genocidal monarchy set to receive $23 billion in U.S. weapons after Senate resolution fails
Patricia Gorky | liberationnews.org | 2020-12-10
Two resolutions in the Senate to block the sale of $23 billion in advanced fighter jets and drones to the United Arab Emirates failed yesterday in close votes.
liberationnews.org/genocidal-monarchy-set-to-receive-23-billion-in-u-s-weapons-after-senate-resolution-fails/

Australia: Exporting Weapons Is a Clear and Present Danger
Suzanne James | asia-pacificresearch.com | 2020-12-10
asia-pacificresearch.com/australia-exporting-weapons-clear-present-danger/5629560