Mattis and Dunford Lie to Congress; US Congress illegally approves more acts of economic war against Russia and other nations

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Washington is a serial aggressor, perpetually waging wars of choice, threatening the DPRK and all other independent countries it doesn’t control - why Pyongyang pursues a nuclear and ballistic missile deterrent. It’s solely for self-defense if attacked, not for preemptive war on America or any other countries.

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Mattis: “North Korea’s continued pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them has increased in pace and scope... The regime’s nuclear weapons program is a clear and present danger to all, and the regime’s provocative actions, manifestly illegal under international law, have not abated despite United Nations’ censure and sanctions.” Fact: America and its rogue allies threaten world peace and stability - their actions “manifestly illegal under international law,” representing “a clear and present danger to all.”

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Mattis: “(R)esurgent (Russia and China) are more aggressive,” placing “the international order under assault.” Fact: Russia and China pursue policies of non-belligerence, seeking cooperative relations with all countries, threatening none. Their strong alliance, independence and growing influence threaten America’s desired unipolar world - wanting all other countries dominated, seeking regime change by color revolutions or wars against any unwilling to observe Washington rules.

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Mattis turned truth on its head, claiming he’s seen no indication that Putin seeks cooperative relations with America. He’s “chosen to be a strategic competitor,” he blustered - a bald-faced Big Lie. Appearing with Mattis, Joint Chiefs chairman General Joseph (“fighting Joe”) Dunford called Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and terrorist groups America’s “key challenges.”

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In July 2015 testimony before Senate Armed Services Committee members, Dunford said “Russia presents the greatest threat to our national security."
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"If you want to talk about a nation that could pose an existential threat to the United States, I’d have to point to Russia. If you look at their behavior, it’s nothing short of alarming."

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In written testimony, Dunford mentioned “aggression” 15 times - referring to Russia. “What keeps me up at night is our ability to respond to the unexpected,” he said. “On balance, our force can deal with challenges that we have now. But there is very little residual capability - an undisguised request for greater military spending at a time America’s only enemies are invented ones, clearly what his Monday testimony, along with Mattis,’ aimed for.

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The so-called “terrorist” threat is a colossal hoax. America created and supports ISIS, al-Qaeda and likeminded groups in the Middle East, Central Asia, North Africa and elsewhere. Along with its rogue allies, it recruits, arms, funds, trains and directs these groups, using them as imperial foot soldiers.

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In Oliver Stone’s interview with Vladimir Putin, a four-part documentary airing on Showtime, begun Monday night, Russia’s leader said “Al-Qaeda is not the result of our activities...This is the result of activities of our US friends (sic). This all started in the times of the Soviet war in Afghanistan, when the US security services supported different movements of Islamic fundamentalism in their struggle against the Soviet troops in Afghanistan.”

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“The US side has nurtured both al-Qaeda and bin Laden.” The same goes for ISIS and similar groups, monsters used to serve its interests no matter the human cost.

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Putin said Russia has evidence, proving CIA support for Islamic terrorists during the 1994 - 96 and 1999 - 2000 Chechen wars. Washington continues supporting extremist groups hostile to Russia’s security. Its longstanding policy aims to marginalize, weaken, contain, isolate, destabilize, weaken and topple its government - replacing it with pro-Western puppet rule.

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Hyping a “Russian threat” is part of the strategy - a high risk one threatening possible nuclear war.

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Republican and Democrat Senate leaders agreed to tough new sanctions on Russia - including limiting Trump’s power to lift them. More on this below. The measure will be attached to legislation imposing new sanctions on Iran, targeting individuals involved in its legitimate ballistic missile program, US businesses and individuals aiding it, along with the country’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.

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In late May, bipartisan Banking Committee members announced their intention to strengthen US sanctions on Russia for its (legal) actions in Ukraine and Syria, as well as (nonexistent) interference in last year’s presidential election. The Senate measure sure to pass both houses by a veto-proof margin was agreed to Monday night.

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Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker (R. TN) said “(i)t really touches all the components” - targeting Russia’s intelligence and defense  apparatus, its energy, mining, railways and shipping industries, along with Russian officials wrongfully accused of corruption and human rights abuses.

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Asked if Trump intends supporting the new measure, Corker said “I have to believe that the administration has to at least strongly consider” it - adding he’s sure it’ll be veto-proof. A bipartisan statement said “(t)he amendment to the underlying Iran sanctions bill maintains and substantially expands sanctions against the government of Russia in response to the violation of the territorial integrity of the Ukraine and Crimea, its brazen cyberattacks and interference in elections, and its continuing aggression in Syria.”

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Fact: There’s not a shred of truth in any of these accusations. Targeting Russia and Iran irresponsibly is part of longstanding US bashing of both countries - for their sovereign independence and resistance to Washington’s imperial agenda. Last week, deputy White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the Trump administration “is committed to existing sanctions against Russia.” They’ll remain “until Moscow fully honors its commitments to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.”

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The new Senate measure greatly constrains Trump’s power to lift sanctions on Russia - by executive order or other presidential actions. It empowers Congress to review and block any future administration decision to remove any or all sanctions - making it virtually impossible to happen. It gives Congress 30 days to respond to any executive actions pertaining to lifting them - 60 days when its members are in recess. It codifies sanctions on Russia imposed by Obama’s executive orders, while letting Trump impose new ones on its economy.

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The measure hardens US hostility toward Russia and Iran. Last month, White House National Economic Council director Gary Cohn said “we could probably look to get tougher” on Russia. What a difference an election made. Candidate Trump’s outreach to Moscow vanished once in office as president.