(2019-12-02). Chris Hedges: Electoralism Won't Save Us. truthdig.com In the latest episode of "The Empire Files" with Abby Martin, Truthdig columnist Chris Hedges explores a range of topics including the degradation of America's institutions and the slow-motion collapse of the rule of law. While acknowledging that the Trump administration has made innumerable policy decisions to undermine our democracy, he specifically cites the president's circumvention of Congress to allow Saudi Arabia to build nuclear reactors. Hedges contends that the sickness of our political system is ultimately bipartisan and may prove terminal. "We're in a very, very serious moment in American history," he…
(2019-12-02). 5 more years of Yemen war will cost $29bn aid — relief group. rt.com 
An international relief group has said another five years of fighting in Yemen will cost as much as $29 billion just to sustain the current level of humanitarian aid — more than the entire annual global humanitarian budget. | The International Rescue Committee said in a report on Monday that with the current rate of aid, it will take 20 years to return Yemen to pre-conflict levels of child hunger. | The IRC says Yemen has the world's worst humanitarian crisis with 24 million Yemenis, or 80 percent of the population, needing humanitarian aid and 16 million living on the verge of famine. | A Saudi-led coali…
(2019-12-01). UK Labour's Corbyn To Stop Arming Saudi Arabia for War on Yemen. telesurenglish.net British opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Sunday he would stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia for use in a Yemen devastated by war if his party wins this month's election. | RELATED: | Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Called 'Warmonger,' Town Hall Cut Short | "Labour will stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen and work to end the war there, not actively support it as the Conservative government has done," Corbyn said in a speech presenting Labour's foreign p…
(2019-12-01). Saudi Aramco IPO Bids Reach $44.3b as Retail Offer Closes. telesurenglish.net Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company Aramco's initial public offering has drawn US$44.3 billion in bids so far from institutional and retail investors, about 1.7 times the amount the government is seeking to raise as of Nov. 29. | RELATED: | Saudi Arabia Values Aramco At $1.7 Trillion, World's Possible Biggest IPO | Institutional book-building closes on Dec. 4, before the IPO's final pricing the next day. The Saudi government plans to raise more than US$25 billion by…
(2019-12-01). 'Never going to Riyadh again?' Lil Wayne tweets & deletes mysterious angry rant. rt.com 
US rapper Lil Wayne has targeted Saudi Arabia in an angry tweet, allegedly after running into drugs-related troubles with the law following a concert there. The tweet then mysteriously disappeared amid a wave of mockery and jokes. | "Never going to Riyadh again!!!" Lil Wayne tweeted shortly after his appearance at a concert at Diriyah Music Festival in Saudi Arabia, where he was one of the headliners on Saturday, along with fellow rappers Tyga and Future. | When you've won the mandate for the international leg of the Saudi Aramco IPO. pic.twitter.com/Mcu1DuBwDK— Davi…
(2019-11-27). Democrats Want to End U.S. Support for the Yemen War — but They Might Continue Funding It Anyway. theintercept.com Progressives want to use the defense budget to stop support for Saudi Arabia's war, but are enough Democrats willing to take a stand?
(2019-11-21). Bernie Sanders Criticizes U.S. Relationships with Saudi Arabia and Israel at Democratic Debate. democracynow.org 
Ten Democratic candidates took the stage in Atlanta, Georgia, Wednesday for the party's fifth presidential debate, co-hosted by MSNBC and The Washington Post. Toward the end of the evening, Senator Bernie Sanders criticized former Vice President Joe Biden's support for the 2003 invasion of Iraq and laid out his foreign policy vision, including strong criticism of traditional U.S. allies Saudi Arabia and Israel. "It is no longer good enough for us to be pro-Israel — I am pro-Israel — but we must treat the Palestinians with the dignity they deserve," he said. We speak with Phyllis Bennis, a fellow at th…
(2019-06-20). Senate Votes to Block Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — June 20, 2019 — In response to the Senate voting to block arms sales involving Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other countries, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "When Trump vetoed legislation earlier this year to end U.S. involvement …