14 Jan, 2024 17:39

Netanyahu ‘giving Biden the finger’ – Axios

The White House is pushing the Israeli leader to commit to a plan for post-war Gaza, seemingly to no avail

US President Joe Biden is growing frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s constant snubbing of Washington’s requests, Axios reported on Sunday.“Netanyahu has given Biden the finger” repeatedly, one Democratic lawmakertold the news site.

The two have not spoken since December 23, when Biden unsuccessfully attempted to pressure the Israeli PM into releasing tax revenue withheld from the Palestinian Authority (PA). These funds are vital to the functioning of the West Bank’s government and, even though Netanyahu’s own defense ministry has reportedly warned that failure to transfer them to the PA will lead to violence and unrest, Netanyahu has sided with hardliners within his cabinet who oppose the transfer.

“The situation sucks and we are stuck. The president’s patience is running out,” an anonymous US official told Axios. “At every juncture, Netanyahu has given Biden the finger,” Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen added, declaring that theBiden administration is “pleading with the Netanyahu coalition, but getting slapped in the face over and over again.”

Securing the flow of funding to the PA is a key American priority, as the US State Department has called for the authority to replace Hamas in governing Gaza once Israel’s military operation in the enclave ends. However, the premier has been vague when discussing plans for a post-war Gaza, and US officials are “frustrated by Netanyahu’s unwillingness to seriously discuss” the future of the strip, Axios claimed.

Adding to their frustration is his refusal to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the likelihood that Israel will not meet a US-imposed timeline to transition to a “lower intensity phase” of fighting there by mid-January. While White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan urged Netanyahu last month to follow this timeline, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said earlier this month that his forces are prepared for “lengthy fighting,” while Netanyahu declared on Saturday that “we will not stop until we achieve victory.”

During his first trip to Israel after Hamas’ October 7 attack, Biden pledged that “as long as the United States stands,” Israel would be given the weapons it needs “to protect its people.” His administration has made good on that promise, rushing arms and ammunition to West Jerusalem while dismissing allegations that Israel is using them to commit genocide.

However, Biden is up for reelection in November, and his steadfast support for Israel has caused a rift within his own party. Several of his officials have resigned in protest, multiple Democratic lawmakers have condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide,” and pro-Palestinian leftists have disrupted Biden’s speeches and picketed the White House.

Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people. Israeli forces responded by launching airstrikes on Gaza, followed by a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave a month later. The operation is ongoing and has claimed the lives of nearly 24,000 Palestinians, more than two-thirds of whom have been women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

https://www.rt.com/news/590638-biden-netanyahu-dispute-israel/

>>20244322 NBC News Admits 'Deep State' Exists… To Save Us From Trump's Return PN

NBC News Admits 'Deep State' Exists… To Save Us From Trump's Return. 1/2

The last time Donald Trump got within striking distance of the Oval Office in 2016, the Clinton campaign, the Obama administration, and various foreign accomplices invented a hoax accusing the real estate tycoon of being a secret Russian agent, who would use the power of the United States to do Vladimir Putin's bidding (Which begs the question; why wouldn't Putin have just invaded Ukraine when his 'puppet' Trump wouldn't have waged a proxy war?).

And when Donald Trump asked Ukraine about obvious corruption by the Biden family, one of thekey 'deep state' players in his impeachment behind the scenes was none other than Mary McCord- who went from taking down Michael Flynn after the FBI set him up, to helping Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) to peddle a "whistleblower" complaint about Trump's Ukraine call.

McCord is back with a new hoax to peddle, telling NBC News thatthe Deep State is preparing for Trump's return- and is taking action to limit his ability to 'become a dictator' and use the military to those ends.

"We’re already starting to put together a teamto think through the most damaging types of things that he [Trump] might do so that we’re ready to bring lawsuits if we have to," McCord - executive director of the Institution for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown Law - told the outlet.

The quotes from this fine piece of yellow journalism from NBC are simply hilarious…

"Donald Trump is sparking fears among those who understand the inner workings of the Pentagon that he would convert the nonpartisan U.S. military into the muscular arm of his political agenda as he makes comments about dictatorship and devalues the checks and balances that underpin the nation’s two-century-old democracy."

"A circle of appointees independent of Trump’s political operation steered him away from ideas that would have pushed the limits of presidential power in his last term."

"In a new term,many former officialsworry thatTrump would instead surround himself with loyalists unwilling to say no."

"He’s a clear and present danger to our democracy."

"His support is solid. And I don’t think people understand what living in a dictatorship would mean." (oh yes we do, you taught us all about it with Bidan!)

"There are an array of horrors that could result from Donald Trump’s unrestricted use of the Insurrection Act."

"The military is hundreds of thousands of people strong, and ultimately Trump will find people to follow his legal orders no matter what… The Insurrection Act is a legal order, and if he orders it there will be military officers, especially younger men and women, who will follow that legal order."

(Question, why are they announcing this now?)

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/nbc-news-admits-deep-state-exists-save-us-trumps-return

>>20244858

2/2

This one might be the best: "We’re about 30 seconds away from the Armageddon clock when it comes to democracy," said William Cohen, a former Republican senator from Maine and defense secretary in the Clinton administration. "I think that’s how close we’re coming to it when you have a presidential candidate who can be indicted on 91 counts, who can be [found liable for] sexual aggression, who we have seen lies pathologically, who has flouted every rule in the book."

Wow!

Narrative: Trump is going to appoint loyal peons to subvert democracy and declare himself a dictator.

But wait, the deep state cavalry is here!

"Now, bracing for Trump’s potential return, a loose-knit network of public interest groups and lawmakers is quietly devising plans to try to foil any efforts to expand presidential power, which could include pressuring the military to cater to his political needs."

Part of the aim is to identify like-minded organizations and create a coalition to challenge Trump from day one, those taking part in the discussions said. Some participants are combing through policy papers being crafted for a future conservative administration. They’re also watching the interviews that Trump allies are giving to the press for clues to how a Trump sequel would look. (are you kidding they have been planning this for the last 4 years, this is disinformation!)

Other participants include Democracy Forward, an organization that took the Trump administration to court more than 100 times during his administration, and Protect Democracy, an anti-authoritarian group.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., is crafting a bill that would clarify the act and give Congress and the courts some say in its use. Its chances of passage are slim given that Republicans control the House and are largely loyal to Trump.

You tell us what that sounds like…

deep state

noun

a body of people, typically influential members of government agencies or the military, believed to be involved in the secret manipulation or control of government policy.

"We are preparing for litigation and preparing to use every tool in the toolbox that our democracy provides to provide the American people an ability to fight back," according to Skye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward. "We believe this is an existential moment for American democracy and it’s incumbent on everybody to do their part."

Ah yes, another 'existential moment.'

Remember, the first rule of 'Deep State' is you do not talk about 'Deep State'.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/nbc-news-admits-deep-state-exists-save-us-trumps-return

>>20244867

If I never hear the word “Democracy” again, for the rest of my life, I’d be fine with that

>>20244858

So they are basically admitting they are forming an insurrection group against the President. And guess what? Its legal for the President to initiate it! They probably shouldn’t have release the Time magazine article outlining all the illegals things they did to steal the 2020 election! Kek

“The Insurrection Act is a legal order, and if he orders it there will be military officers, especially younger men and women, who will follow that legal order."

The Democrat-To-English Dictionary (2024 Edition)

Authored by Eric Utter via AmericanThinker.com,

In this era of hoaxes, euphemisms, obfuscation, and lies, I once again offer the following as a public service.

Here are more (mostly new!) selections from…

The Democrat-to-English Dictionary

*Ableism: the unfounded and bigoted belief that people who are capable of doing a certain job should be hired over those who are not.

*Baby: non-viable tissue mass.

*California: a Golden State and Land of Milk and Honey with almost perfectly progressive government … that thousands of people flee every year.

*Christian: a radical religionist characterized by intolerance and a fanciful belief in a “Sky Daddy.”

*Democracy: any political system, no matter how authoritarian, that allows Democrats to attain and retain power.

*Democrat: a member of the One True Political Party who has only others’ best interest in mind. Salt of the earth. Honest to a fault.

*Evil: good.

*Far-right extremist: 1) anyone to the right of Mao Zedong. 2) traditional Christian. 3) anyone who loves America.

*Group: a collective body of people sharing certain characteristics. Much more important than individuals, and therefore to be granted more rights.

*Hamas: a misunderstood group that is well-intentioned, but sadly abused by Jews.

*Intersectionality: the interconnected social categorizations that create overlapping systems of discrimination. Also, the only thing that gives an individual any worth.

*Jew: Nazi.

*Knowledge: state-approved information, often given an imprimatur by “science.”

*Law: a system of rules which regulate the actions of anyone opposed to Democrats.Does not apply to Democrats.

*Merit: a pernicious word reflecting the belief that some thoughts and actions are somehow better than others, and that therefore some accomplishments — and even people — are more worthy of respect than others.

*Non-viable tissue mass: any human or other being that does not agree with Democrats and/or threatens their power.

*Ours: as in, “what’s yours is ours.”

*Penis: something that people with penises have. Has no relation to sex or gender.

*Queer: normal, respected, beloved.

*Republican: evildoer.

*Sanctuary City: a place where callous Republicans send undocumented immigrants for no valid reason.

*Taxes: like spending, something we always need more of.

*United States: a place beset with rampant racism, bigotry, misogyny, and classism … that millions of people risk their lives to try to enter each year.

*Vagina: something that people with vaginas have. Has no relation to sex or gender.

*Woman: a man who says he is a woman. (Remember, one must always believe all women, at least the ones with penises.)

*Xenophobe: 1) anyone who puts the welfare of American citizens above that of undocumented aliens. 2) certain Republicans.

*Youngster: likely future Democratic voter. Should be allowed to vote now.

*Zoning: the process of creating voting districts/precincts guaranteed to elect Democrats in perpetuity.

And one from the original Democrat-to-English Dictionary:

*Disinformation: any information that would tend to discredit Democrats’ agenda. (see also, “the truth.”)

"…you keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means…"

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/democrat-english-dictionary-2024-edition

Finnish Politician Räsänen Again Facing Demands For Prosecution Over Quoting Bible

Authored by Jonathan Turley, MONDAY, JAN 15, 2024 -

Senior Finnish politician Päivi Räsänen has been acquitted twice after the Finnish government prosecuted her for quoting the Bible.

Now, however, the Finish Public Prosecutor is seeking to appeal the November 2023 decision supporting her faith and free speech.

Even with the widespread attacks on free speech across Europe,Finland is now a standout for its intolerance and extremism in defining opposing views “hate speech.”

We have previously followed the case and the chilling effort to criminalize religious speech as hate speech. It is equally troubling to see a leading politician subjected to such investigation and prosecution, sending a chilling message to all citizens that their own free speech will not be tolerated in Finland.

Räsänen is a long-standing member of Parliament, former leader of the Finnish Christian Democrats Party, and former national interior minister. She is also a physician and mother of five who is highly critical of homosexuality, which she describes as a “disorder of psychosexual development.”

In 2019, she questioned her church’s sponsorship of an LGBT pride event.

On June 17th of that year, she proceeded to post a statement on Twitter questioning how the sponsorship was compatible with the Bible, linking to a photograph of a biblical passage, Romans 1:24-27, on Instagram. She also posted the text and image on Facebook.

She later said that “[t]he purpose [of] my tweet was in no way to insult sexual minorities. My criticism was aimed at the leadership of the church.”

She was charged under a law concerning “war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

In 2022, the District Court of Helsinki unanimously acquitted Räsänen on the hate speech charges and held that “it is not for the district court to interpret biblical concepts.”

Rather than rethink its attack on free speech, the Finnish government then appealed to the Helsinki Court of Appeal.

The government again lost unanimously.

Now the Public Prosecutor is appealing to the Supreme Courtin what seems more like a blind rage than reasoned lawyering.

It is a glimpse of the slippery slope that awaits this country if our own anti-free speech movement takes hold.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/finnish-politician-rasanen-again-facing-demands-prosecution-over-quoting-bible

CDC Ordered To Disclose Crucial Information From COVID-19 Vaccine Surveillance System

Authored by Zachary Stieber via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),1/2

The top U.S. public health agency must disclose information provided by people who experienced problems following COVID-19 vaccination, a federal court has ruled.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is being ordered to produce 7.8 million free-text entries from V-safe, one of its vaccine surveillance systems.

Data from the system released under court order in 2022 showed that 25 percent of V-safe participants missed school, work, or other normal activities due to post-vaccination issues, and nearly 8 percent of participants reported seeking medical attention, such as hospitalization after receiving a shot. That data, from boxes checked by users, came through an order in a case that started as a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

But the CDC resisted releasing the free-text entries, arguing that many of them include information that should remain private.

“CDC determined that many of these responses contain personally identifiable information, the disclosure of which would publicly link participants to highly sensitive health information,” government lawyers representing the agency said in one brief. “And because it would take tens of thousands of workhours to manually review and redact millions of free-text responses, CDC determined that segregating the non-exempt information within these responses would be unreasonably burdensome and was therefore beyond its FOIA obligations.”

The CDC said it would take one worker 59 years to complete the work if it were ordered. Thegovernment’s arguments were rejected by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, in response to a fresh lawsuit.

“While the burden to produce the requested free-text responses may be heavy, this court does not find that it is unreasonable,” he saidin the new ruling.

The CDC can go through the records and redact personally identifiable information as allowed by FOIA but must do the work and produce the records with the redactions, he added later. Evidence produced in the case indicates that about 93 percent of the records will require no redactions.

The materials will be important for people who experienced problems following vaccination, the judge said.

“Production of the free-text data will permit independent researchers to put the government agencies to their proof by considering all of the available data,” he said. He noted that CDC studies on v-safe data only covered data from the first week or two after vaccination but that the surveys collected data for up to one year after receipt of a shot.

The CDC must produce at least 390,000 free-text entries by Feb. 15.Freedom Coalition of Doctors for Choice, which brought the case in 2023, said the entries would be posted to its website.

The CDC did not respond to a request for comment. The minimum production required by the new order. (DOJ via The Epoch Times)…

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/cdc-ordered-disclose-crucial-information-covid-19-vaccine-surveillance-system

>>20245063

2/2

V-safe is a system run by the CDC. Introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, it features people inputting information through a phone application. Participants are asked to provide basic information such as their name and check boxes that answer various questions, such as whether they missed school or work after vaccination. They can add additional information in a free-text area.

The portion where participants checked boxes did not include many adverse events the CDC thought the COVID-19 vaccines might end up causing, according to previously released documents. Lawyers say the free-text entries will provide crucial details on those health issues and others.

The Informed Consent Action Network, which brought the case that resulted in the disclosure of some of the V-safe data, obtained a free-text entry from a V-safe user that showed her writing, at one point, “Help me!” She said she suffered from a number of symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, and went to the emergency department. Six months later, she wrote, “Still no response from CDC, no help from public health.”

“This ruling,” the network said in a statement, “sends aclear message to our federal agencies: we are not moving on and forgetting about the pandemic or the actions they took.”

Where NATO Defense Expenditure Stands

The concept that NATO countries should spend 2 percent of their GDP on defense was debuted in 2014 and by 2024, members of the military alliance should technically have "moved towards" or beyond this goal.

While the definition as agreed upon during NATO's Wales summit 10 years ago is vague, the 2-percent target has nevertheless been considered a hallmark of NATO's success as well as a point of contention within the organization and in public discourse.

However, as Statista's Katharina Buchholz reports, according to data released as of July 1,the number of NATO countries which have reached or exceeded the spending level was only 11 out of 30 members with armed forces.

The list encompasses the U.S., the UK, Poland, Greece, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as well as new member Finland, showing overall that Eastern European nations have been more attuned to military threats in Europe arising again. While this means that only around a third of members are reaching the 2024 goal, the number was up from nine as of mid-2022.

New additions are Romania and Hungary, where military spending as compared to GDP rose substantially in 2023 opposite 2022.

Despite recent gains,larger and wealthier NATO members stayed behind the goal- often by a large margin.This includes Germany, Canada, Italy and Spain.

Croatia and France, which had previously hit the 2-percent goal, stayed slightly below in 2023. The next closest to hitting the threshold were more of NATO's newer members, Montenegro and North Macedonia at 1.87 percent of GDP in defense spending each, followed by Bulgaria, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

According to its Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, NATO is currently undergoing “the biggest overhaul of collective defense and deterrence since the Cold War” after the organization has emerged as the chief supporter of Ukraine in its defense effort against a Russian invasion.

But even before war on the European continent became a reality again in 2022, tensions had been running high about the state of NATO's military infrastructure as most European nations had adopted a lackluster approach to defense spending in peace times.

U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018 brought the issue to the forefront once more as he criticized a number of NATO member states, especially Germany, for not making enough enough effort to meet the 2-percent-of-GDP spending threshold.

(Now does it make sense why MI6 considers Trump reelection is a danger to them?)

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/where-nato-defense-expenditure-stands

https://www.rt.com/news/590649-trump-political-threat-to-uk/

Top Trump adviser reveals Vivek Ramaswamy’s chances at being VP pick

Diana Glebova.1/2

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Some Donald Trump supporters said Sunday they would support his 2024 presidential rival Vivek Ramaswamyas his veep pick, but Trump’s top adviser all but nixed the notion.

Trump aide Jason Miller told The Post thatvoters could “probably” rule out Ramaswamyas the ex-president’s running mate, given that Trump unleashed his biggest attack on him the previous night. The former president accused Ramaswamy of being “sly,” having “deceitful campaign tricks” and not being MAGA during a blistering attack Saturday on Truth Social.

“Pretty safe to say it won’t be Vivek,” Miller said.

Asked about Trump’s rant against Ramaswamy on Saturday, Ramaswamy’s campaign pointed The Post to their candidate’s later statement on X sayinghe would not “criticize [Trump] in response to this late attack.”The biotech mogul has previously said he is not a “plan B person,” while Trump said in August that Ramaswamy could be a “very good” vice president.

Miller, asked about the possibility of another GOP presidential contender, Nikki Haley, being Trump’s veep choice, said he would let Trump speak about his decision. Haley has refused to officially decline a possible VP slot.

Trump, the GOP race’s clear front-runner, said Wednesday that he has already chosen his No. 2 but added that he has decided not to announce it yet. Rumors have swirled that he is considering choosing Haley, who is a distant second to him — and who he has not publicly ruled out as a possibility.

Among Iowa voters attending Trump’s event in Indianola on Sunday, the day before the state’s GOP caucuses to pick a candidate,many said they would “trust” whoever he put on the ticket.

“I’ll pray about it, and I’ll trust his judgment,” said a woman named Linda, who declined to provide her last name. Dan Heffernan, 64, of Altoona, said, “I have no idea what he’s thinking because he always surprises me.”Heffernan’s wife, Cheryl, 63, said she thinks “he’ll do really good.”

Others mentioned some Republican possible veep candidates they would be excited about, including Ramaswamy, media personality Tucker Carlson, 2016 presidential candidateBen Carson, the Daily Wire’s Candace Owens, and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.

Ramaswamy had a big draw out of the dozens of voters The Post spoke to, given his proximity to Trump’s policies and him being only 38 years old. “He’s young, he’s vibrant,” Paula Smith, 54, of Waukee said of Ramaswamy. “I don’t think there’s any other good choices.”

https://nypost.com/2024/01/14/news/top-trump-adviser-reveals-vivek-ramaswamys-chances-at-being-veep-pick/

>>20245251

2/2

Some Iowa voters said they would like tosee a political outsider, a woman or a minorityas Trump’s vice-presidential pick. “I would like to see Kristi Noem,” said Denise Nelson, 71, of Norwalk. “She is a very stable lady, very stable governor.”

Jesse Stumbaugh, 44, of Des Moines was iffy about who he wants to be Trump’s running mate — but said he is adamant that the pick always be loyal, noting that former Vice President Mike Pence wasn’t loyal to Trump in the end.“I think Trump is loyal to the country and his constituents. So being loyal to Trump is default being loyal to our Constitution,”he said.

Brad Bousted, a Trump caucus volunteer, said he hopes that the VP is not a governor. “If he scoops up all the good governors and sends them to Washington, DC, then that will leave the states a little bit unarmed to defend themselves from the federal government,” Bousted said, noting Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds could be a good pick but that she should stay as governor.

Another Iowa voter said he would be excited aboutHaley as VP, although he doesn’t like to admit it.“I don’t even like saying it, but Nikki Haley. She’s got a lot of votes, so if they can get that in there, I think they could possibly get a lot more votes,” said the Trump supporter, who declined to be named.

Other voters were less keen about Haley, who has drawn backlash from some Trump supporters, including his son, Donald Trump Jr.Jill Rowell, 60, pretended to throw up when asked about the prospect of Haleyon the ticket.

“I would like to see Kari Lake as his VP,” she said, referring to the Senate candidate in Arizona.

Another woman from Des Moines, Gail Kirst, 73, told The Post she would support GOP presidential hopeful and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as Trump’s veep pick — but that the prospect seems unlikely.

She argued that Ramaswamy would be a good selection as well.

https://nypost.com/2024/01/14/news/top-trump-adviser-reveals-vivek-ramaswamys-chances-at-being-veep-pick/

15 Jan, 2024 02:06

Ukrainian army mostly ‘very old men’ – commander

The average age of the soldiers is over 40, a senior military official says

The average age of soldiers in the Ukrainian army is over 40 years old, Aleksey Tarasenko, commander of Kiev's 5th Assault Brigade, has claimed, adding that the military is in dire need of younger recruits.

Speaking to Espresso TV on Sunday, Tarasenko said it is “outlandish and perplexing” to hear that some people doubt the need for another mobilization.

“The military is eagerly awaiting fresh reinforcements because the situation in many units is critical in terms of personnel,” he explained. “Even those who do come often leave much to be desired. Mostly, these are men of a much older age with a multitude of problems that typically arise.”

Themilitary desperately needs “young men”because those who joined the army at the very beginning of the conflictare mostly “gone,” (dead) he said, adding that the average age of the soldiers is over 40.

Tarasenko’s remarks came after the parliament asked the government for additional revisions of a much-debated bill that would lower the maximum draft age from 27 to 25, limit deferrals, and increase penalties for draft dodgers. Critics saythe bill contains provisions that violate the constitution and pave the way for corruption.

Last month, President Vladimir Zelensky revealed that the army had requested the mobilization of between 450,000 and 500,000 people. Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s top general, however, denied that the military asked for a specific number of new fighters.

Nevertheless, the situation prompted the authorities to consider options for replenishing battlefield losses, including the introduction of electronic call-up papers, and to explore the conscription of women.

The governor of Nikolaev Region, Valery Kim, warned at the time that conscripting half a million people “is not enough” and Ukraine needs to enlist at least 2 million.

Ukraine does not reveal its casualty numbers. According to Russia’s estimates, around 400,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed or wounded during the conflict, including 125,000 over the course of Kiev’s failed counteroffensive between early June and late November.

https://www.rt.com/russia/590646-ukraine-army-mostly-old-men/

15 JAN, 08:38

US hindered probe into COVID origin, Pfizer, Moderna harvested profits — Russian military

According to Igor Kirillov, the list of people involved in COVID-19 relief fraud also includes top managers from a number of US contracting organizations, namely Nita Madhav, who was CEO of Metabiota, and Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance

MOSCOW, January 15. /TASS/. A former CIA chief, an ex-secretary of health of the United States and a former White House medical advisorhampered a probe into the origins of the COVID-19, while Pfizer and Moderna harvested profits from substandard vaccines, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the Russian Armed Forces’ Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense (RCBD) Troops, said at a briefing on Monday.

Amongother peoplewho had a hand in spreading the pandemic and capitalized on selling substandard vaccines, he mentionedGina Haspel,who was the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 2018-2021, former US Health SecretaryAlex Azar and Anthony Fauci, US President Joe Biden’s Chief Medical Advisor during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, "the CEOs of Pfizer and Moderna pharmaceutical manufacturers,Albert Bourla and Stephane Bancel, harvested excessive profits from selling dangerous medications," the general added.

According to Kirillov, the list of people involved in COVID-19 relief fraud also includes top managers from a number of US contracting organizations, namelyNita Madhav, who was CEO of Metabiota, and Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance.

The US and Ukrainian officials mentioned at the briefing"are just a few people" involvedin military-biological activities, the Russian general said, adding that more information would be submitted for a military investigation.

https://tass.com/defense/1732473