North Korea Isn’t Kidding About War. Neither Is Trump By Steve Berman | Tuesday, August 8, 2017 The North Koreans have never been shy about taking life. They are not skittish about committing acts of war. And now three things Read More...

Breaking: North Korea Threatens Pre-emptive Attack Against Guam By Nick Kammer | Tuesday, August 8, 2017 As tensions between the US and North Korea escalate, North Korea is directly threatening US territory now. In a North Korean media statement, Read More...

President Trump, Not President Clinton, Will Now Deal With North Korea By Erick Erickson | Wednesday, August 9, 2017 Though the left can construct alternate realities in their minds, Hillary Clinton fan fiction, protests, and clever tweets, the reality as the sun rises this morning is that Donald Trump is President, Hillary Clinton is not, and President Trump must now deal with the failures of his predecessors. We should all also be mindful that the very rhetoric used by Bill Clinton to assure the world North Korea would never get nukes was then used by Barack Obama to assure us Iran would never get nukes. President Trump, in dealing with the messes of his predecessors regarding North Korea, should take a very hard look at the Iranian deal lest a future President have to play clean up there. In the meantime, all of us should be in prayer for our President. Read More...

America Should Not Cheer on an India-China Fight by Lyle J. Goldstein

Playing geopolitics in South and Central Asia can have disastrous consequences for U.S. national security. Read it here.

Iran and Al Qaeda Exploit Syria Ceasefire By Genevieve Casagrande Key Takeaway: The U.S., Russia, Jordan "de-escalation zone" in Southwest Syria advances the interests of U.S. enemies and adversaries, including Iran and al Qaeda. The U.S. likely sought to leverage the agreement to drive a wedge within the Russo-Iranian Coalition, while reducing violence and testing a potential partnership with Russia to improve security in Syria. The deal has temporarily reduced violence, but at great cost to long-term U.S. interests in Syria. The Russo-Iranian coalition is exploiting the agreement to consolidate in the south. Al Qaeda will likewise leverage the deal and the recent cut to U.S. support to vetted Syrian opposition groups to preserve and expand its influence in Southern Syria. The de-escalation zone brokered by the U.S., Russia, and Jordan does not meaningfully constrain Iranian build up in Southern Syria and along the Golan Heights. The deal is rumored to include an "exclusionary zone" that requires Iranian and other non-Syrian forces to maintain a 30-40 KM distance from the Jordanian border. Iran and Hezbollah flaunted a large re-deployment away from frontlines in Dera'a City immediately after the de-escalation zone went into effect on July 9 in order to falsely demonstrate Iranian commitment to such an exclusionary zone to the United States. Most of the pro-Iranian forces relocated to areas just outside the exclusionary zone - including in the town of Sanamayn located approximately 50 KM from the Jordanian border - and to areas just outside Dera'a City, such as Athman. Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian forces retained many of their longstanding positionswithin the de-escalation zone and likely maintain some latent forces within Dera'a City, itself. Notably, the deal did not affect the historic pro-Iranian build up on the Golan Heights, a concern voiced by Israel in the weeks following the ceasefire. Iranian and pro-regime capabilities in the south remain largely unchanged. These local re-deployments and troop rotations still allow for Iran to quickly re-deploy to frontlines against anti-Assad forces as necessary. The de-escalation zone agreement secures the freedom of movement of Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime at the expense of U.S. partners. The deal has allowed Iran to temporarily shift assets away from previously contested frontlines like Dera'a City to reinforce other active fronts against the U.S. and partnered forces. Pro-Iranian and regime forces with Russian air supportlaunched operations against historically U.S.-backed opposition groups in Northern Suwayda and Eastern Rif Dimashq Provinces following the start of the ceasefire. The deal has freed up the pro-Assad coalition to continue to further project force into Eastern Syria. Pro-regime forces backed by Russia and Iran advanced to the outskirts of Sukhna along the ground line of communication (GLOC) between Palmyra and Deir ez Zour City on July 28. Iran, Assad, and Russia seek to reopen this GLOC to besieged regime-held areas of Deir ez Zour. These advances would ultimately constrain the freedom of action of the U.S.-led Anti-ISIS coalition in Eastern Syria and could block further advances by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) along the Euphrates River Valley. Russian build up along the frontline stands to deepen the Russo-Iranian coalition's penetration in Southern Syria. The deal lacks a legitimate, neutral enforcement mechanism and primarily relies upon Russian, Chechen, and Ingush forces to guarantee the agreement along the line of contact between regime and opposition forces. Russia cannot and will not restrain Iran and Assad. Russia deployed hundreds of military police including Ingush units to man observation points along the line of contact. The Russian force is positioned to protect -- not push back -- Iranian positions within this zone. The ceasefire deal allows al Qaeda to preserve its strength and expand its influence in Southern Syria. Al Qaeda had begun to reinvigorate its campaign to transform the Syrian opposition in its own image prior to the declaration of the de-escalation zone. Al Qaeda dispatched approximately thirtysenior officials to Southern Syria in May 2017. Al Qaeda likely seeks to replicate its recent success in Idlib Province in the South. The ceasefire deal will provide Al Qaeda with time and space to further network itself within the opposition, including through local governance and security structures. U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to halt some covert support to vetted opposition groups in Western Syria will only accelerate al Qaeda's potential rise in the south. Syrian rebels have expressed dissatisfaction over U.S. demands to abandon the fight against President Assad and decreased U.S. support to rebels. Al Qaeda will exploit these grievances and attempt to fill the vacuum. Al Qaeda will position itself to eventually spoil the agreement, but will do so in a timeframe that supports its own interests. Special credit to Matti Suomenaro and Sana Sekkarie for their research contributions to this publication. Read the full update online

July 31, 2017 Politics gone crazy: 21st century Nero fiddles as 'Rome burns'? WES VERNON — America needs to get its priorities straight. Picture this nightmare: Ex-President Barack Obama did (and out-of-office continues to) do his best to bring down America. Unlike other ex-presidents who had the courtesy to go home after their time in office was at an end and get out of their successor's way, Mr. Obama moved himself and his family into a mansion in a toney neighborhood in Washington, D.C. where he -- not satisfied with the damage he inflicted during the eight years the voters entrusted him the highest honor America can offer -- is now well-situated to undermine President Trump. He's like the rude house guest who never goes home.... (more)

UNREAL: Emails Leaked From Lynch Clinton Tarmac Meeting…Read This Before Its DELETED

CONSERVATIVE HEADLINES POLITICS UNREAL: Emails Leaked From Lynch Clinton Tarmac Meeting…Read This Before Its DELETED Posted on August 4, 2017 by Doyle Alexander Tarmac Newly released documents obtained by the American Center for Law and Justice show that members of the mainstream media are knowingly colluding with Hillary’s campaign. Watch the infamous moment below at the :30 sec mark. The Justice Department colluded with Washington Post and the New York Times to “tamp-down” stories relating to the Attorney General’s infamous meeting with Bill Clinton,” according to this shocking report. You can read that here. Comey’s FBI lied to us. The ACLJ submitted FOIA requests to Comey’s FBI and the Lynch DOJ about the Clinton Lynch plane meeting. James Comey was the head of the FBI at the time. The response they got was “No records responsive to your request were located.” Here’s what Varney and Co had to say about the story. Stuart Varney said on Fox the following: Liz McDonald: “I am hoping I can put it to rest. The New York Times reporter apologetically says he is being pressed into service to cover the story… A DOJ press official says, “I talked with the ABC producer he said he’s not interested in covering it even if FOX goes with it.” Stuart Varney: “This is collusion between reporters, specifically the Washington Post, and the Department of Justice.”

August 3, 2017 Judge mocks opponents of Trump voter commission WASHINGTON TIMES — A federal judge Tuesday shot down the latest attempt to derail President Trump's voter integrity commission, saying there wasn't enough evidence that Americans' rights are being violated by the request for voters' information. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth even seemed to chide the lawyers for Common Cause, an activist group that sued the commission, when one of them claimed they fear Mr. Trump will find a way to get at voters' data even if states refuse....

August 3, 2017 Judge mocks opponents of Trump voter commission WASHINGTON TIMES — A federal judge Tuesday shot down the latest attempt to derail President Trump's voter integrity commission, saying there wasn't enough evidence that Americans' rights are being violated by the request for voters' information. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth even seemed to chide the lawyers for Common Cause, an activist group that sued the commission, when one of them claimed they fear Mr. Trump will find a way to get at voters' data even if states refuse.... (more)

The real Russia-gate scandal...

The real Russia-gate scandal CLIFF KINCAID — In the time period of 2007-2008, two journalists – Trevor Loudon, a blogger from New Zealand, and America's Survival President Cliff Kincaid – tried to interest the public and the media in what they considered the story of their lifetimes. It was how a first-term largely unknown Senator from Illinois was a covert communist with backing from Russia who was poised to win the presidency of the United States. But the "fake news media" were not interested in the facts about then-Senator Obama, or the security risk he posed that would polarize and destabilize a nation -- and they covered up the story of Obama's communist mentor, suspected Soviet espionage agent Frank Marshall Davis. Here, for the first time in print, is how Loudon and Kincaid unraveled the story of America's first Marxist President. Kincaid says, "The smoking gun evidence of Barack Hussein Obama's deep personal relationship with suspected Soviet espionage agent and Communist Party member Frank Marshall Davis is the real Russia-gate scandal."... (more)

Murdered DNC staffer Seth Rich WASHINGTON – Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh appears to have dropped a bombshell in audio released Tuesday – pointing out that the DNC emails obtained by WikiLeaks stopped pouring in after the mysterious murder of DNC staffer Seth Rich in 2016. Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2017/08/bombshell-dropped-on-seth-rich-murder-mystery

Murdered DNC staffer Seth Rich WASHINGTON – Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh appears to have dropped a bombshell in audio released Tuesday – pointing out that the DNC emails obtained by WikiLeaks stopped pouring in after the mysterious murder of DNC staffer Seth Rich in 2016. image: http://www.wnd.com/files/2017/08/Pulitzer-Prize-winning-investigative-report-Seymour-Hersh-231x300.jpg Pulitzer Prize winning investigative report Seymour HershIn the audio, Hersh also claims an FBI report described to him by an insider confirms that Rich, the DNC voter-expansion data director, had taken some emails to WikiLeaks and requested payment for a full trove of DNC emails during the presidential campaign. In fact, the latest DNC email released by WikiLeaks was dated May 18, 2016 – just weeks before Rich was shot twice in the back with a handgun. “There are no DNC or Podesta emails that exist beyond May 21 or 22, last email from either one of those groups. What the report says is that some time in late spring … he makes contact with WikiLeaks, that’s in his computer,” Hersh says in audio almost certainly recorded by financier Ed Butowsky, who hired private investigator Rod Wheeler to investigate the murder of DNC staffer Seth Rich last July. Hersh continued: “Anyway, they found what he had done is that he had submitted a series of documents — of emails, of juicy emails, from the DNC.” Related story: “Seymour Hersh: Spy chiefs invented Russia-collusion story” Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2017/08/bombshell-dropped-on-seth-rich-murder-mystery/#QUaqX2JDDI1lB4IM.99

Sharia USA: Court Rules Residents Can’t Mention “Islam” or “Muslim” At Public Hearing By Pamela Geller

Sharia USA: Court Rules Residents Can’t Mention “Islam” or “Muslim” At Public Hearing By Pamela Geller - on August 1, 2017 SHARIA IN AMERICA This is sharia. This is a blasphemy ruling. Sharia commands Islamic supremacism, Muslims as a special class, and it’s here. Sharia commands restrictions on speech concerning Islam. It’s not a rumor, a maybe-what-if, it’s here. Court: Residents Can’t Mention “Islam” or “Muslim” At Public Hearing on Mosque Construction; Thomas More Law Center Files Federal Lawsuit ANN ARBOR, MI – In a settlement agreement, which reads more like an instrument of surrender, Bernards Township (“Township”), New Jersey officials agreed that, in addition to a $3.5 million payment to Islamic Society of Basking Ridge (“ISBR”), residents and citizens of the Township are prohibited from commenting on “Islam” or “Muslims” at the upcoming public hearing to approve the settlement. Astonishingly, a federal judge approved the prohibition as a fully enforceable Order of the Court. As a result of this suppression of speech, the Thomas More Law Center (“TMLC”), a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, yesterday, filed a lawsuit in the New Jersey Federal District Court on behalf of Christopher and Loretta Quick. The lawsuit was filed by TMLC affiliated New Jersey attorney, Michael Hrycak. Mr. Hrycak was assisted by TMLC staff attorney, Tyler Brooks. The TMLC is representing the Quicks without charge. TMLC’s lawsuit alleges that Bernards Township’s settlement agreement constitutes a prior restraint on speech based on content, as well as, a violation of the Establishment Clause because it prefers Islam over other religions. The lawsuit asks the court to: declare that the settlement agreement is unconstitutional; and to enter a preliminary and permanent injunction against its enforcement. Read TMLC’s entire Federal Complaint here. The Quicks reside within 200 feet of the proposed mosque construction in a zoned residential area. Yet, the settlement agreement prohibits them from describing the many unique features of Islamic worship which will impact design of the building, traffic density, water and sewage, traffic control problems, road construction, and parking arrangements. According to the settlement agreement, ISBR is permitted to make statements concerning Christians and Jews and their places of worship, but in contrast, the Agreement prohibits commentary relating to Islam or Muslims. In fact, ISBR has previously discussed the Christian and Jewish religions and their places of worship. Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented: “As we have previously documented, ISBR has taken the extraordinary step of concealing significant links on their website to a radical group named by the federal government as an unindicted co-conspirator in the largest terrorism financing trial in America history, the Islamic Society of North America (“ISNA”). ISNA is claimed by the Muslim Brotherhood as one of “our organizations.” According to internal documents seized by the FBI, the Muslim Brotherhood’s strategy is to engage in a “grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying Western civilization from within . . .” Thompson continued, “While claiming that the Township had a religious animus against Muslims, ISBR hid from the public view its animus toward Christians and Jews, by not only hiding anti-Christian and anti-Semitic verses published on its website, but also hiding its significant ties to ISNA. Instead of standing up to defend its citizens against ISBR’s hate-filled anti-Semitic and anti-Christian bias, the Township colluded with ISBR’s “Civilization Jihad” by capitulating to payment of millions of dollars to ISBR, allowing the construction of the new mosque and Islamic center in violation of zoning codes, and now even suppressing speech concerning Islam or Muslims at a public meeting.” In March 2016, ISBR filed a lawsuit in the New Jersey Federal District Court alleging that Bernards Township had discriminated against the Islamic Society when it declined to approve the construction of a large mosque on a lot that was far too small to handle the contemplated structure. And in November 2016, the United States represented by the U. S. Justice Department filed a second lawsuit against the Township on similar grounds. The settlement agreement covers both lawsuits. Read the entire Settlement Agreement and Court Order here. Pamela Geller is the President of the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), publisher of PamelaGeller.com and author of The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration’s War on America and Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance.

Why Washington's 'Rebel Support' Plans Keep Failing by Ted Galen Carpenter Time and again, U.S. officials have supported insurgent movements that turn out to be as bad as, or even worse than, the regimes they seek to overthrow. Read it here.

Russia Signals Tough Pragmatism toward the United States by George Beebe Misinterpreting Russian signals is the most immediate danger to the United States as the White House considers next steps. Read it here.