Few days after US President Barack Obama decided to lift restrictions on arms supplies to militants in Syria, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in Washington has introduced a so-called Stop Arming Terrorists Act to protect US taxpayers’ dollars from being spent on supporting and arming terrorist groups in the Middle East and worldwide.
RT reports:
Introduced to the House on Thursday by Democrat Tulsi Gabbard from Hawaii, the legislature aims to put an end to the widely-reported US practice of indirectly sponsoring terrorism. In particular, the act seeks to make it illegal for any US government agency to assist extremist groups directly or indirectly in any way shape or form, be it through the sale of weapons, field training, or intelligence assistance.
Furthermore, the act, which is being supported by the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) and the US Peace Council, wants to make it illegal for Washington to provide assistance to any third nation that sponsors terrorists.
The submitters of the legislation argue that any nations or individuals cooperating with Al-Qaeda, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (formerly Al-Nusra Front), or Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), should be barred from US funding.
On the technical side, the legislature calls on the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to compile a list of specific individuals, nation states and terrorist groups which would fall within the terms of the act.
…
“If you or I gave money, weapons or support to Al-Qaeda or ISIS, we would be thrown in jail. Yet the US government has been violating this law for years, quietly supporting allies and partners of Al-Qaeda, ISIL, Jabhat Fateh al Sham and other terrorist groups with money, weapons, and intelligence support, in their fight to overthrow the Syrian government,” Gabbard said.
Gabbard introduces the bill:
Ms. Gabbard also appeared at CNN to answer the questions on her alignment with President-elect Donald Trump (because CNN believes anybody who calls to stop arming terrorists is a Donald Trump supporter or a Putin agent) and to slam the US policy of regime change and support of terrorists in Syria.
Few quotes from the interview:
Jake Tapper: Are you really suggesting that US govt is funding these terrorist groups?
Tulsi Gabbard: Ah, I’m not only suggesting it. This is… this is the reality that we’re living in.
Jake Tapper: Not directly though?
Tulsi Gabbard: Most Americans… if… if you or I were to provide money, uh weapons, or support or whatever, to a group like Alqaeda or IsIs, we would immediately be thrown in jail! However, the US government has been providing money, weapons, intel assistance and other types of support, through the CIA, directly to these groups that are working with and are affilated with al-Qaeda and ISIS!
Jake Tapper: So, you’re saying that the CIA is giving monies to groups in Syria, and those groups are ‘working with’ al-Nusra and ISIS?
Tulsi Gabbard: There are… there’ve been numerous reports, from the New York Times to the Wall Street Journal and other news outlets, who have declared that these ‘rebel groups’ have formed these battlefield alliances with Al-Qaeda… that essentially is Al-Qaeda… groups in charge of every single ‘rebel group’ on the ground, fighting to overthrow the Syrian government.
Meanwhile, Wikileaks released a email of Jake Sullivan (was Deputy Assistant to the U.S. President Barack Obama and National Security Advisor to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden) to Hillary Clinton that clearly shows that Washington clearly supported al-Qaeda in Syria for a long time.
Finally some sense from American politician.But I am afraid that this bill wont pass and wont be signed by the president.After all USA is the biggest sponsor of terrorism around the world.
judging by the level of effort the elite is spending to keep alive Obama’s failed foreign policies, one could surmise that Trump will for real change the course the US took back in 2001. The problem is that as far as the United States are concerned, when it comes to protect world peace and stability, it’s very likely to err on the side of optimism. I can’t deny I was one of those that believed that Obama would leave office in a better world than the one where he took charge.
This is a fading attempt by the globalist/neoconservatives to stay relevant for another month, Trump will end this idiotic policy and will plan to eradicate ISIS held areas in Iraq and Syria, along with the “moderate opposition” Russia and Syria will clean up the moderate opposition in Idlib, then turn east and systematically reclaim Eastern Syria.
The globalist, neocon, neoliberal elements will remain a threat but will hopefully be out of the highest official office in the us but still have a huge corporate influence. Then again w bush campaigned on small government and less intervention and obama campaigned on transparency and ending of tortue, gitmo, etc. Maybe Trump won’t end up betraying those who voted for him like the past two lackies did but it would be a first for that office holder in a long time.
The neocons and globalist are priming CIA and the House Republicans to conclude that Russia affected the outcome of the US election, along with all the fake narrative about Syria and Ukraine. They are trying hard to stir and maintain the anti Russia hysteria that has been prevalent for the last two years. Trump is going to tell them to take a hike, and if they insist with their agenda, there will be consequences.
Even if all the bill does is expose US corruption and lies, it’s a win.
That should be your first female president people of the US!
Exactly! She is so right! So full of common sense!
Tulsi 2020 !
In 4 years time Sanders will be too old, and Elisabeth Warren’s heart doesn’t seem to be in it. Rather than yet another lousy chicken hawk, Gabbard is an “eagle dove”, an Iraqi vet with the rank of Major who wants to end the senseless US military adventurism in the Middle East. She is also trying to reinstate the Glas-Steagall act, the repeal of which by Bill Clinton caused (or at least heavily exacerbated) the 2008 financial crisis.
Tulsi Gabbard for President would make so much sense.
Wikileaks – thank you yet again for above clarification. The Republicans wanted to kill Assange after the Bradley Manning Iraqleaks – crazy old McCain etc – but Wikileaks turned out to be the real opposition in this US politics election cycle, not the GOP who were in chaos – the Wikileaks Podesta email dump blew Hillary clear out of the water!
I instinctively deplored the release of classified information and have no doubt that some individuals were hurt.
However, ripping the mask from the face of our debased government has been a godsend. It was more than Republicans being useless. The press was a lapdog press as well. Wikipedia and the web performed a tremendously valuable service.
“AQ is on our side”? Really? That turned out to mean “We’re on AQ’s side.” ISIS’s side as well, sad to say. That is moral debasement and hats off to Gabbard and co. for putting their finger on that exposed nerve.
Having no plan for a post-Assad Syria other than having it fall to al-Qaida and ISIS, then to ISIS – with the example of Libya fresh in all minds – was moral debasement infinitely greater. And the killing and destruction in Syria have been a great crime that must be laid at the doorstep of The Indispensable Nation. Who the hell does Obama think he is that he can play God with the lives of other people, aiding and abetting scum in the process?
Oh, I forgot. Gillian Turner told Neil Cavuto yesterday that Vladimir Putin had caused a humanitarian crisis in Syria. That’s right. Watch out for Putin!! He did it!
Your instincts (fake news alleging harm by mms) have betrayed you. Classification has been mightily abused during the last few decades. Millions of documents have been classified in order to hide wrong doing and prevent embarassment. There was not a single case of anyone being ‘harmed’ by either Snowden, Manning or Wiki except those committing crimes and abusing their power. Glad you finally figured that out. MSM are poisoning our minds.
Did someone tell you sometime that condescension and presumptuousness are effective persuasive devices?
No doubt officials have relied on the false security of (over)classification to hide what they’re up to. Given the mass of documents published I think you’re stretching it to say that publication caused no harm to agents and allies. All we can say is that neither you nor I know of instances of harm. I consider it unlikely that no one was harmed but events will tell.
The Pentagon disagrees with your assessment that somewhere and somehow someone has been harmed. Surely you’ve noticed everyone and their uncle have been trying mightily to pin crimes on our heroic whistle blowers and criminalize journalism. Considerable time has passed and none have been successful. It’s well known that both Wikileaks and the news outlets that published the information carefully vetted the material before they printed it. Snowden carefully chose the journalists he released material to knowing they would be responsible.
It’s pointless to debate an issue with you Ms. Davidek-Waller if you cannot read.
There is evidence to suggest wikileaks may be a limited hangout. Besides it being the only “whistleblower” site to ever get so much coverage by us corporate media along with other western propagandists, it has also sold files as well as commonly fail to release information until they choose. There are other questionable actions or lack thereof by the group but they do also publish some important information. Not saying don’t research what they choose to release, but don’t blindly accept everything published or mistakenly think they publish all they receive or do it in a timely manner after receipt. Another, less advertised, site is cryptome.org for anyone that likes reading whistleblower sites.
With the Washington Management Change we won’t have Muslim Brotherhood operatives setting our defense priorities for the first time in 15 years. This is why our policies seem backwards. Hopefully this will change to one where the interests of the American people will be a priority.
High fives for tabling this Bill to cease support of Terrorists. The traction will disrupt deep state who can’t create a open Coalition of the Willing nor Some rush to No fly zone. Trump has previous Sanctions bills to face where Empire does the bidding of Israhell vs Iran And Syria. Empire can’t parade down mainstream. …nor give the Juice endless hours on TV MK Ultra the public for war. They screwed up and made War on Terror too obvious. It’s back to the shadows now and create a new pathway to war.
Even money the Jews go batshit crazy over Iran as Hezbollah flags wave in the battle Victory in Syria : )
let’s hope it’ll muzzle the CIA with their ideas of “clandestine influence” that doesn’t need congressional consent. THAT’S gonna be the real piece of work.
https://audioboom.com/posts/5365695-tales-of-the-new-cold-war-the-new-mccarthyism-stephen-f-cohen-nyu-princeton-university-eastwestaccord-com
Great interview … John McCain and Lindsay Graham causing trouble….determined to break up any Detente Trump may attempt with Putin.
Some of John Bachelors interviews have US Thinktanks types on …that are just wacked With perception of Russia and China. One said that Russia today is insecure/nervous like they were after losing the Crimea war.
Usually do not follow these programs…knowing they often have stump for war and Israel. However…it’s important to notice the cycle of pundits from the Thinktanks to gauge Where the deep state is brooding.
she is lovely. Very good person.
At last a moment of sanity. Is Tapper a CIA asset?
Most MSM reporters are CIA assets.
I believe you are correct. Looks like Brian Williams just outed himself.
“…The submitters of the legislation argue that any nations or individuals cooperating with Al-Qaeda, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (formerly Al-Nusra Front), or Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), should be barred from US funding…”
So this basically bars the U.S. from funding Israel. Yeah, like that’s ever going to pass in our Israeli-firster congress. If it does pass, it will only apply to all the other nations on earth – not Israel. It’s also illegal right now for the U.S. to fund any nations with a covert nuclear weapons program – like Israel – yet our treasonous congress continues to fund them in defiance of the laws they themselves passed.
In my view, this is a watershed event. Those of us whom have argued against US foriegn policies, many starting way before I became aware of what was going on, are having an effect on this horrendous behavior by our respective nations. This is not little news. I am watching to see where it goes. A good day to all.