Iranian oil tankers en route to Venezuela despite US sanctions

Five vessels on course for Caracas after loading up with fuel in Iran

A shipment of Iranian fuel is on its way to Venezuela, tracking data showed on Wednesday, despite strong US sanctions against Tehran’s oil exports.

The Iran-flagged medium tanker Clavel had set sail for the crisis-hit South American country, Reuters reported, citing vessel tracking data from analyst Refinitiv Eikon.

The data suggests the tanker loaded fuel at Bandar Abbas port in Iran at the end of March, and passed through the Suez Canal and into the Atlantic on Wednesday at a time of heightened tension between Washington, Tehran and Caracas.

At least one oil tanker is underway to #Venezuela carrying fuel from #Iran -Refinitiv Eikon data

— Reuters Venezuela (@ReutersVzla) May 13, 2020

The tanker may be one of several oil shipments that Iran is sending to Venezuela.

https://www.thenational.ae/world/the-americas/iranian-oil-tankers-en-route-to-venezuela-despite-us-sanctions-1.1019124

Israel eying post-corona global instability to increase sales of surveillance systems

Israel is vigorously seeking out international clients for its defence exports as countries around the world battle to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

Its Defence Ministry is said to be prowling the globe in an effort to increase its export of military technology including systems for tracking civilians.

A request has been issued to Israeli manufacturers to provide business intelligence on how to meet the public security needs of various countries around the world. “All countries of the world, apart from states that are forbidden to trade with (Iran, Lebanon, Syria),” are potential clients the ministry’s International Defence Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) is reported to have said in its request.

Part of the proposals has to do with meeting the growing security needs of governments around the world. The suggestion is that the coronavirus outbreak will increase widespread protests, potentially destabilising some regimes. Israel needs to take advantage of such situations and be on the front line to sell its latest technology to clamp down on dissent.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200514-israel-eying-post-corona-global-instability-to-increase-sales-of-surveillance-systems/

>>9171041

Chess or musical chairs…Seems like the Same ole story ….Sorry to say

Senate Republicans allow their members to chair a committee for six years in total, regularly leading to rounds of musical chairs as senators face committee term limits.

Grassley has more seniority on the Judiciary Committee than Graham. Graham added that the Iowa Republican is “a very special friend” who has two more years in which he could be chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Grassley’s role as chairman would depend on Republicans keeping the Senate in 2020.

Grassley said on Wednesday he would “absolutely” want to go back to being Judiciary chairman and spoke to Graham about the request in November.