Durham: Five Witnesses Connected To The Clinton Campaign's False Russian Claims Have Refused To Cooperate

Special Counsel John Durham continues to drop bombshells in filings in the prosecution of former Clinton campaign lawyer Michael Sussmann. Just last week, Durham defeated an effort by Sussmann to dismiss the charges. He is now moving to give immunity to a key witness while revealing that the claims made by the Clinton campaign were viewed by the CIA as “not technically plausible” and “user created.” He also revealed that at least five of the former Clinton campaign contractors/researchers have invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to cooperate in fear that they might incriminate themselves in criminal conduct. Finally, Durham offers further details on the involvement of Clinton campaign general counsel Marc Elias and former British spy Christopher Steele in the alleged false claims.

Recently, Durham revealed extremely damaging evidence against Sussmann. However, this is the first full description of the Clinton associates refusing to cooperate under the Fifth Amendment. Durham noted that he gave immunity to an individual identified only as “Research 2.” He then noted that this was made necessary by the refusal to cooperate by key Clinton associates:

“The only witness currently immunized by the government, Researcher-2, was conferred with that status on July 28, 2021 – over a month prior to the defendant’s Indictment in this matter. And the Government immunized Researcher-2 because, among other reasons, at least five other witnesses who conducted work relating to the Russian Bank-1 allegations invoked (or indicated their intent to invoke) their right against self-incrimination. The Government therefore pursued Researcher-2’s immunity in order to uncover otherwise-unavailable facts underlying the opposition research project that Tech Executive-1 and others carried out in advance of the defendant’s meeting with the FBI.”

[Emphasis added]

For his part, Sussmann and the Clinton associates have sought to use attorney-client privilege to keep evidence from Durham.

Durham also detailed how the false Russian collusion claims related to Alfa Bank involved Clinton General Counsel Marc Elias and Christopher Steele. Indeed, the new requested immunized testimony would come from a Tech executive who allegedly can share information on meetings with Elias and Steele.

https://jonathanturley.org/2022/04/17/durham-five-witnesses-connected-to-the-clinton-campaigns-false-russian-claims-have-refused-to-cooperate-under-the-fifth-amendment/

Captured Britons Appear On Russian TV Urging Boris Johnson To Negotiate Ukraine Prisoner Swap

Two British nationals who've recently been captured by Russian forces in the east as they were fighting on the side of the Ukrainian military have appeared on Russian state TV pleading for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to negotiate their release.

Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin, the former having only been captured in Mariupol over the weekend and the latter having surrendered over a week ago - spoke at the prompting of an unidentified man in the footage, and requested that Johnson bring them home in exchange for pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk, who is being held by the Ukrainian side after Zelensky ordered the opposition leader's arrest.

The 48-year-old former British soldier Shaun Pinner while appearing alongside 28-year old Aiden Aslin from Nottinghamshire appeared exhausted and under duress.

They said in the video, according to Reuters:

"We look to exchange myself and Aiden Aslin for Mr Medvedchuk. Obviously I would really appreciate your help in this matter," he said, saying he spoke a little Russian and had been treated well.

The unidentified man was then shown speaking to Aslin, who was sat on a chair wearing a T-shirt bearing the emblem of Ukraine's far-right Azov battalion.

"I think that Boris needs to listen to what Oksana (Medvedchuk's wife) has said," said Aslin, who also looked nervous.

"If Boris Johnson really does care about British citizens like he says he does then he will help."

And more:

"Mr Boris Johnson. Obviously I’m Shaun Pinner."

"A lot’s gone on over the last five or six weeks that I’m not fully aware of. Obviously I understand that Mr Medvedchuk has been detained and we look to exchange myself and Aiden Aslin for Mr Medvedchuk."

"Obviously I would really appreciate your help in this matter and pushing this agenda. Myself I’ve been treated well. Fully understand the situation that I’m in. We’ve been fed, watered, and that’s all I can really say but I beg on my behalf and Aiden Aslin’s behalf for help us in an exchange for Mr Medvedchuk."

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/captured-britons-appear-russian-tv-urging-boris-johnson-negotiate-ukraine-prisoner

UK PM to deny breaking Covid rules – media

Boris Johnson will claim he did not knowingly violate lockdown rules, the British press says

UK PM Boris Johnson plans to brush off the latest development in the Partygate scandal, arguing he had no idea he was breaking lockdown rules when he attended, and allegedly even “instigated,” a going-away party for his communications director, Lee Cain, according to Downing Street sources who spoke to The Times on Monday.

A person close to the PM suggested Johnson would acknowledge “mistakes were made” while telling Conservative MPs there was “always an exemption for work and people were working in close proximity in No. 10 for very long hours.”

Johnson would plead ignorance due to the timing of the party, which took place at 2pm in the afternoon, the source continued, explaining “If you go to something where you’re giving a speech, you’re not partying, so from his point of view, it’s his place of work, going to events in a work capacity, that’s the context in which these events happened.”

The source went on to predict Johnson will attempt to minimize the controversy while “outlin[ing]” his version of events during his first meeting with MPs since paying a fine on Tuesday for breaking lockdown restrictions.

At the time, he said he wanted to “offer a full apology,” though qualified his repentance by insisting he was only present for “less than 10 minutes” and claimed he had no idea it could have been a breach of his administration’s famously harsh lockdown rules.

Now faced with accusations of playing a central role in the going-away party for Cain, Johnson has denied he “instigated” the event and claimed he was not involved “until he arrived.” However, the Sunday Times has reported there are ample photos of the PM mingling and pouring drinks, including for himself, and a source has confirmed Johnson’s behavior to the paper.

Another Downing Street source countered that Johnson would “of course apologize again,” while admitting he would also attempt to shift attention away from the scandal by declaring: “We need to continue to focus on the huge priorities we need to deliver for people.”

https://www.rt.com/news/554094-bojo-deny-breaking-rules-partygate/

British SAS Soldiers are Training Troops on Ukrainian Territory

The British special forces soldiers are training Ukrainians in Kyiv on how to use NLAW anti-tank weapons

Ukrainian commanders told The Times that soldiers from Britain’s Special Air Service (SAS) are training Ukrainian troops in Kyiv on how to use anti-tank weapons provided by London.

According to the accounts of the commanders, the British troops arrived in Kyiv about two weeks ago to begin the training on Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapons, known as NLAWs. The UK started sending NLAWs to Ukraine shortly after Russia invaded on February 24.

The revelation of the SAS training mission is the first report of a NATO member having a military presence in Ukraine since Russia invaded, and it could risk provoking Moscow. In a diplomatic letter to the US last week, Russia warned NATO to stop arming Ukraine, and Russian officials have said US and NATO vehicles transporting weapons inside the country would be considered “legitimate military targets.”

The British Ministry of Defense wouldn’t confirm the training mission, citing its position on not commenting on special operations. Since 2014, the US and its NATO allies had sent troops to Ukraine for training, but they were withdrawn in February before the invasion.

Captain Yuriy Myronenko, one of the Ukrainian commanders who spoke with The Times, said the British training was necessary since new recruits and returning veterans had no experience with the NLAWs. “British officers were here two weeks ago in our unit and they trained us really good,” Myronenko said.

Last week, the US announced an additional $800 million in military aid for Ukraine. Included in the package for the first time are 155mm Howitzers and advanced radar systems that the Pentagon plans to train Ukrainian troops on how to use. But rather than send US troops into Ukraine, the training is expected to happen in a NATO country in Eastern Europe.

https://news.antiwar.com/2022/04/17/british-sas-soldiers-are-training-troops-on-ukrainian-territory/

The Propaganda Campaign Now Complete as Liberals Embrace War, Support “Literal Nazis”

After the attacks on September 11, the United States was worked into a collective rage as millions attempted to understand why or who would carry out such an atrocious attack in America. The war hawks, who’d been waiting for their moment to strike then directed this collective rage toward anonymous brown faces in Afghanistan, using their boogeyman, Osama Bin Laden.

The majority of Americans were seething with the desire for bloodshed as they unquestioningly lapped up the narrative fed to them by their televisions. “USA! USA! USA!” was the rallying cry that would be the beginning of a multi-trillion dollar quagmire in which tens of thousands of US troops would become maimed, psychologically devastated or killed. Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians would die as the weapons manufacturers raked in record profits. For what?

Though most people bought the narrative that “you are either with us, or with the terrorists,” there was a small minority, many of whom were on the Left, who opposed the wars. In the early days of the war, Republican Congressman Ron Paul found more acceptance from liberals over his antiwar views than he did from inside his own party.

Though this minority was small, the antiwar Left was loud and quickly became a force to be reckoned with.

The vocal minority would gain support over the years, helping to foster one of the largest antiwar movements since Vietnam. Their message on non-interventionism and peace was resonating throughout their ranks and bipartisan support was increasing, until one day — Barack Obama happened.

When the Left was presented with Obama — who would end up not only supporting Bush’s wars but escalating and spreading them — they had a choice to make: remain morally consistent and oppose all wars of aggression, or, enter a state of cognitive dissonance and accept the wars now that “their team” was carrying them out.

Unfortunately, this massive movement for peace then began to wane, until suddenly, the antiwar Left, had left.

War would become the policy of the very liberals who once stood against US Imperialism. For 8 years, liberals sat back and watched Obama drop tens of thousands of bombs on poor brown people on the other side of the planet. Not only did they remain silent in the face of this mass murder, they supported it.

The former resistance against US aggression abroad had been successfully redirected inward by media pundits, politicians and blowhards. Through a massive series of propaganda campaigns, the antiwar outrage was converted to woke rage.

Instead of standing against the oppression and murder of innocent people by the the US military Industrial Complex, team woke had a different agenda. They were going to fight the “literal Nazis” who were easily spotted in crowds because of the bright red hats they wore, which read “Make America Great Again.”

https://thefreethoughtproject.com/the-propaganda-campaign-now-complete-as-liberals-embrace-war-support-literal-nazis/

Deleted Web Pages Reveal Dean of National Defense University Visit with Chinese Communist-Run Think Tank.

China’s influence operations have reached the top of the U.S. military, as well as its training organizations.

A deleted newsletter reveals that a Dean from the U.S. National Defense University led a delegation to a Chinese Communist Party think-tank labeled as a “front group for Chinese intelligence collection and overseas spy recruitment” by the FBI, The National Pulse can reveal.

The higher education establishment in Washington, D.C. has operated since 1976.

Details of the 2005 visit were posted to the website of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS), which has been flagged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for its close ties to the Chinese Communist Party’s top spy agency: the Ministry of State Security.

The FBI has described the Chinese Communist Party as dependent upon SASS employees to serve “spotters and assessors” of potential Western spies. Ministry of State Security officers – described by the FBI as keen on “influencing the foreign policy of other countries” – have also “used SASS affiliation as cover identities.”

SASS – which the FBI explicitly labels a “front group for Chinese intelligence collection and overseas spy recruitment” – was a key player in a 2019 criminal case involving a retired Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operative selling classified U.S. defense documents to the Chinese Communist Party.

A May 2005 issue of the think tank’s Overseas Academic Exchange Newsletter reveals that Cynthia Watson – who now serves as the Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs at the National War College of the National Defense University – led a 12-person delegation to Shanghai to visit SASS.

“On May 16, a group of 12 people from the National War College of the National Defense University, headed by Cynthia Watson, visited and discussed the internal and external environment of China’s peaceful rise, the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region, and the democratization of the Middle East,” explained the SASS in its now-deleted newsletter.

Several Chinese Communist Party apparatchiks were in attendance, including SASS Vice President Huang Renwei, Foreign Affairs Office Director Li Yihai, and Deputy Director Wang Jian.

Watson’s visit to SASS could pose a conflict of interest given her influential role at the National War College, which describes its mission as “educat[ing] future leaders of the Armed Forces, Department of State, and other civilian agencies for high-level policy, command and staff responsibilities.”

Watson joined the school’s faculty in August 1992.

Watson has also contributed to the journal China U.S. Focus published by the China United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), one of the Chinese regime’s premier foreign influence groups. During a June 2020 interview, Watson appeared to criticize the Trump administration’s 2017 National Security Strategy, which she described as “China-centric.”

“The one observation that I would make that’s not very popular in this city right now is I think that as you look at the challenges in the international system, you need to recognize that those challenges are not simply because of one regime,” she remarked in reference to the Chinese Communist Party.

“In other words, you need to ask whether the challenge is in fact a nation that sees itself – a people and a nation that see itself – as having a role in the world or is it a regime, and I think all too often we assume that regime change will solve these things, and I think in most cases they don’t,” she continued.

The unearthed ties between the leading U.S. military educator follow The National Pulse reporting how high-ranking personnel in the Biden White House – including the individual overseeing the National Security Agency’s hiring process – have been affiliated with SASS. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point also has ties to Chinese Communist Party influence groups.

https://thenationalpulse.com/2022/04/18/deleted-web-pages-reveal-dean-of-national-defense-university-visit-with-chinese-communist-run-think-tank/