Foreign Relations senators demand Iran briefing

Senators on the Foreign Relations Committee called Wednesday for an immediate briefing after the State Department announced it is pulling diplomatic personnel from Iraq amid tensions with Iran.

“There are only two reasons for ordering their departure: we have credible intelligence that our people are at risk, or in preparation for military action in Iran,” the committee’s top Democrat, Sen. Bob Menendez (N.J.), said a the top of an hearing on arms control agreements. “The Trump administration has not provided any information to this committee on the intelligence behind their decisions or what they plan to do in Iraq or Iran, and I have repeatedly reminded the administration of its responsibilities to this committee.

“Mr. Chairman, I hope you’ll join me in asking the administration to immediately provide this committee with a briefing on the decision to order the departure of the embassy staff, the intelligence on what Iran may be planning to do and any plans to go to war with Iran,” Menendez continued, addressing committee Chairman Jim Risch (R-Idaho).

Later in the hearing, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) backed Menendez’s call.

“I agree with the ranking member about the need for a classified briefing on the matters in Iraq and hope that the entire committee, or perhaps just the chair and ranking member would be able to have that kind of briefing,” Romney said.

Risch replied to Romney that he has gotten a briefing and is working to arrange a briefing for the full Senate.

“This is a very critical issue, there’s no question about that,” Risch said.

“Thank you, that gives me a heartened feeling,” Romney replied.

The State Department announced Wednesday morning that it is order the departure of non-emergency personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. Consulate in Erbil.

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/443828-foreign-relations-senators-demand-iran-briefing

Romney is such a shit bag…

Zimbabwe’s Rural Communities Standing up to Chinese Mining Companies

MUTARE, Zimbabwe—Zimbabwe’s rural communities are beginning to stand up to Chinese companies operating in the country, as evidenced by the recent demonstrations against plans for a mining project in the Domboshava area, north of the capital Harare.

Villagers in Domboshava have been sending petitions to the government and holding protests against the quarry mine proposed by China Aihua Jianye, saying it would negatively affect more than 20,000 people, as well as clinics, schools, heritage sites, and graveyards in the area.

Mining activities by Chinese companies in various parts of the country have had serious impacts on the local environment, but the people affected have largely suffered in silence. The residents of Domboshava are the first to hold demonstrations in the hopes of stopping a Chinese mining project.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/zimbabwes-rural-communities-standing-up-to-chinese-mining-companies_2921664.html

Africa starting to wake up to who the Chinese really are?