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Armenian FM, ‪U.S.‬ Assistant Secretary of State talk Karabakh in Munich

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206010Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met Saturday, February 13 with ‪‎ the ‪U.S.‬ Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland‬ in Munich.

During the meeting, the parties expressed satisfaction with the high level of bilateral relations, stressing the importance of steps towards strengthening of friendly partnership between the two countries. The officials exchanged views on ways to further develop cooperation in various sectors.

Also, the Armenian foreign policy chief‬ and the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State dwelled upon pressing regional and international issues, including the ‪‎Nagorno Karabakh‬ peace process.

Armenia’s economy becoming attractive to US investors – ambassador

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f56bc7f31b6970_56bc7f31b6989.thumbArmenia’s economy has reached a stage of stabilization and reforms which makes it attractive to US investors, US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills said online in response to citizens’ questions about his comments on US President Barack Obama’s statement that the historic level of US investment in Armenia in 2015 is just the beginning of expanded trade and investment ties and about practical steps and US companies interested in investments in Armenia.

The US president’s comments reflect the priorities of the US administration and embassy in Armenia – promoting US investments and trade. Last year saw important developments, including the Vorotan hydroelectric system deal, the largest one-time US investment in Armenia. Armenia and the US signed a framework trade and investment agreement, which is supposed to help the two governments to remove obstacles to bilateral trade, Mr Mills said.

Ambassador Mills said he believes that the lifting of international sanctions against Iran could be a good opportunity for the United States to expand its business relations with the Islamic Republic.

He added that the Embassy’s objective to attract more investment runs parallel with their partners’ efforts towards reducing corruption in Armenia. The diplomat further highlighted the importance of ensuring equal conditions for all businesses (whether Armenian, Russian or other), adding that they can attract investments to help cut corruption risk in support to the domestic entrepreneurs.

Karabakh: The director of US intelligence feared an escalation of violence

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arton121952-480x270The current economic difficulties in Azerbaijan caused by the oil price fall may increase the risk of a further escalation of violence in the Nagorno-Karabakh feared yesterday the senior US intelligence.

“Baku is in full military buildup while the deteriorating economic conditions in Azerbaijan raise the possibility that the conflict escalates in 2016,” warned the US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, in its annual assessment of threats United States.

“The aversion of Azerbaijan to publicly renounce claim the Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia’s reluctance to give up the territory it controls continue to complicate any possibility of peaceful solution,” said Clapper.

Heavily dependent on oil revenues, Azerbaijan suffers increasingly from the collapse of world oil prices. The Azerbaijani national currency, the manat, has lost more than half its value against the US dollar last year, despite the fact that the Baku authorities spent nearly $ 9 billion to maintain its rate exchange.

Last month, the agency Standard and Poor’s lowered the rating of Azerbaijan by one notch and said now fear the recession of Azerbaijan’s economy this year, after more than a decade of rapid growth driven by oil.

Recently, the country’s economic problems have caused rare demonstrations in several cities of Azerbaijan. The demonstrators marched following the deterioration of living conditions, including the increase in bread prices. These rallies were fueled speculation in Armenia that the government of President Ilham Aliev could intensify violations of the cease-fire in the Karabakh conflict zone to “distract” the Azerbaijanis dissatisfied with his failed economic policies.

Last year already, along the “line of contact” around Karabakh and the Armenian-Azerbaijani border was a sharp increase of the fighting.

The United States and Russia and France, the two other mediating powers trying to negotiate an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace agreement, have expressed concern that climbing throughout 2015. “There is no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict “, said the US Secretary of State John Kerry, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and French Minister for European Affairs Harlem Desir in a joint statement issued in December.

Driven by massive oil revenues, which totaled more than $ 116 billion since 2001, Aliev has for years talked about a “widening gap” between Armenia and Azerbaijan which he said, would in Baku to regain control of Nagorno-Karabakh. A considerable portion of these revenues were spent on the acquisition of large amounts of offensive weapons.

Azerbaijan had intended to spend the equivalent of $ 1.2 billion for its defense and security in 2016. There are only four years, Aliyev stated that military expenditures of Azerbaijan exceeded the entire State budget of Armenia (about $ 3 billion).

The collapse of the Azerbaijani currency also resulted in some embarrassing economic statistics for Aliev: less than $ 300 a month, the official average salary in Azerbaijan is now much lower, in dollar terms, than the poorest in Armenia.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016,
Claire © armenews.com

Turkish Dictator accuses U.S. of creating “pool of blood” with policy on PYD Kurds

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205762Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday, February 10 accused the United States of creating a “pool of blood” in the region by failing to recognize the main Syrian Kurdish organizations as terror groups, AFP reports.

“Hey America… As you have never recognized them (as terror groups) the region has turned into a pool of blood,” Erdogan said in a lacerating attack on US policy, referring to the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia.

His remarks escalated a growing row between Washington and key NATO member Turkey over the role of Kurdish fighters in the struggle against jihadists in Syria.

Turkey on Tuesday summoned the US envoy to Ankara in protest after the US State Department spokesman said that Washington did not recognise the PYD as a terror group and would continue to support its operations in Syria.

“Hey America! How many times have we had to tell you?” Erdogan said in his fiery address. “Are you together with us or are you with the PYD and YPG terror groups?”

“Is there a difference between the PKK and the PYD? Is there a difference with the YPG?” asked Erdogan, according to AFP.

“We have written proof! We tell the Americans “it’s a terror group”. But the Americans stand up and say ‘no we don’t see them as terror groups’.”

Related links:

РИА Новости: Эрдоган усомнился в партнерстве с США из-за их поддержки курдов
AFP. Erdogan accuses US of creating ‘pool of blood’ with policy on Syria Kurds

US Military industrial complex, BFP Report A Distillation of DOD Funding Priorities for January 2016

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Military industrialBy Christian Sorensen | February 9, 2016,

DOD spent $11,696,571,000+ on 147 individual contracts in January 2016

The Pentagon issues a jumbled list of contracts every business day around 5:00PM local time. Our project distills an entire month of these contracts into an accessible form.

The Department of Defense (DOD) spent at least $11,696,571,000 on 147 individual contracts during January 2016. This amount does not include 15 Foreign Military Sales contracts worth $916,846,600 or 3 contracts involving partial FMS allotment worth $425,423,345.

FOREIGN MILITARY SALES (FMS) – Through FMS, the U.S. government procures and transfers materiel to allied nations and international organizations.

Boeing received $9,316,518 for 2016 F/A-18 A-F program management, logistics, and engineering for Switzerland ($4,187,292; 44.95%); Finland ($1,763,053; 18.92%); Kuwait ($1,127,556; 12.10%); Malaysia ($1,002,289; 10.76%); Australia ($505,984; 5.43%); Canada ($372,788; 4%); and Spain ($357,556; 3.84%).

General Atomics received $43,740,596 for France‘s MQ-9 second system. This is a sole-source acquisition.

Lockheed Martin received $14,221,556 to configure Target Sight System (TSS) to Pakistan’s requirements. This is sole-source, per 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(4).

Raytheon received $212,687,782 for PATRIOT engineering services, calendar year 2016 (FMS: Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Netherlands, Qatar, Spain, Taiwan, UAE).

Rockwell Collins Inc. received $30,727,886 to provide Pakistan installation tech support, and deliver Pakistan 11 C-130E model kits and 5 C-130B integrated avionics suites/kits. RC will also deliver B/E flight manuals, checklists, and maintenance supplements for Pakistan’s C-130 at Nur Khan Base. Sole-source.

CENTCOM FMS – Selling materiel and military equipment to countries in southwest Asia is very lucrative [PDF] for U.S. industry.

AM General received $24,965,954 to provide Iraq 120 HMMWV. AM General received $10,565,465 to provide Iraq 50 HMMWV and contractor unique spare parts. One bid solicited, one received.

Cessna received $55,268,755 for the Afghanistan Trainer Program: interim contractor support (at Kabul AB and Kandahar AB) on 18 C-208B aircraft and 1 C-208 training device (includes maintenance & training). This is sole-source.

Delfasco LLC received $81,626,329 to provide Saudi Arabia with practice bombs and fixtures.

Lockheed Martin received $92,732,991 for PAC-3 and MSE Multi-Band Radio Frequency Data Link obsolescence redesign for Qatar.

Lockheed Martin received $25,291,001 for continued logistics support for Office of Program Manager – Saudi Arabia National Guard (OPM-SANG).

Lockheed Martin received $18,834,540 to provide Iraq with sustainment on C-130E/J aircraft.

Lockheed Martin received $15,017,849 to provide Saudi Arabia a digital battle staff trainer, war simulation trainer.

Lockheed Martin received $10,035,434 for FMS to Israel: C-130J advanced procurement and external fuel tank modification kits.

Sallyport Global Holdings Inc. received $271,813,941 to provide Iraq with base life support, base operations support, and security (for Balad AB).

UNINHABITED VEHICLES & CRAFT

General Atomics received $34,028,813 to develop and field AFSOC’s MQ-9 Medium Altitude Long Endurance Tactical (MALET) Lead-Off Hitter (LOH) software.

General Atomics received $17,727,907 for MQ-9 system software operational test support and final fielding release.

Northrop Grumman received $8,021,113 for software sustainment services in support of MQ-8B Fire Scout.

Northrop Grumman received $8,171,523 for MQ-8 engines, engineering services, integrated logistics, and training.

Northrop Grumman received $55,681,130 for Battlefield Airborne Communication Node (BACN) platform maintenance and support.

SRA received $35,432,915 for Distributed Common Ground System (AF DCGS) Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination Operation Center at Langley AFB.

Textron (AAI) received $97,109,000 for Shadow UAS, tactical data link retrofit for full-rate production VII.

URS Federal Services Inc. received $9,692,686 for ACC UAS operation centers support to MQ-1 and MQ-9 at Creech, Ellsworth, Holloman, Nellis, Whiteman AFBs; Ramstein AB; and Kadena Air Base.

USSOUTHCOM

Gilbane Federal received $9,960,000 to build two barrel-type bulk fuel storage tanks at Naval Station Guantánamo Bay.

USSOCOM – USSOCOM recently opened its own technology startup named SofWerX.

Bethel-Webcor JV-1 received $19,600,000 to build waterfront operations facility for SDV Team One at Pearl City Peninsula. Space will also be provided for NSWG-3 Tactical Athlete Center.

FLIR Inc. received $14,656,803 to provide USSOCOM with life-cycle contractor support on electro-optical sensor systems for Technology Applications Program Office (TAPO). This was non-competitive, per FAR 6.302-1.

IGOV Technologies Inc. received $52,355,650 to modify M1145 HMMWV to provide Tactical Air Party users with embedded software and systems for critical voice, data, and video communications.

Minburn Technology Group LLC received $115,000,000 for Microsoft software licenses and software assurance in support of USSOCOM HQ Procurement Division (SOF AT&L-KS).

DARPA

Sotera Defense received $11,402,662 for R&D on a DARPA Counter Insurgency Operations project.

AIRCRAFT PROPULSION RESEARCH

Aerospace Testing Alliance received $14,315,412 for operations, maintenance, information management and support of AEDC.

Engineering Research & Consulting Inc. (ERC) received $89,223,718 for Climatic, Dynamic & Propulsion Test Divisions test and eval support services.

FLIGHT TRAINING

Boeing received $855,000,000 for T-38C avionics component integration and contractor logistics support.

JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER (F-35)

Alion Science & Technology (AST) received $28,725,401 to provide SECAF Acquisition office and JPO for F-35 with advisory & assistance services in Arlington, VA, and JBAB.

Lockheed Martin received $61,943,088 for F-35 recurring logistics support (e.g. ground maintenance; action request resolution; depot activation; ALIS [PDF] operations & maintenance) USAF ($33,956,484; 55%); USMC ($12,989,660; 21%); USN ($9,767,503; 16%); non-DoD participants ($5,229,441; 8%).

Lockheed Martin received $28,842,000 for F-35A air vehicle retrofit modifications re: fuel tank overpressure engineering change proposal for USAF ($26,855,466; 93.11%); Netherlands ($1,633,244; 5.67%); Italy ($201,880; 0.70%); Norway ($100,940; 0.35%) and Australia ($50,470; 0.17%).

Lockheed Martin received $9,020,798 for F-35 retrofit kits supporting Block 3F and USN initial operational capability-related engineering change proposals.

RAPTOR (F-22)

Lockheed Martin received $9,262,918 for two communication, navigation and identification units per F-22 and spares. LM will provide 479 retrofit kits and perform 443 installations to increase transistor reliability on CNI Driver B units.

OSPREY (V-22)

Bell-Boeing JPO received $11,314,491 for common software support for MV/CV-22, and training and training device support for MV-22.

Bell-Boeing JPO received $20,809,451 for MV-22 flight test sustainment support including test planning and execution, flight clearances, and technical reviews.

HELICOPTERS

Airbus received $8,648,399 for UH-72A logistics support.

General Nucleonics Inc. received $16,577,014 to repair three weapons replaceable assemblies in support of Main Rotor Blade In Flight Inspection System utilized on H-53. Non-competitive solicitation, per FAR 6.302-1.

Lockheed Martin (Sikorsky) received $7,893,500 to incorporate Nacelles physical configuration audit support and 36 total production kits for MH-53 and CH-53 in-service program.

EAGLE, FALCON & HORNET

Boeing received $22,398,869 to repair F/A-18 parts in Lemoore, CA (69%); Cecil Field, FL (30%); Philadelphia, PA (1%). One firm was solicited, per FAR 6.302-1.

Exelis Inc. received $7,628,203 to repair weapons replaceable assemblies used in support of Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM). This was not competitively procured, per FAR 6.302-1.

Martin Baker Aircraft Co. Ltd. (Middlesex, UK) received $9,458,828 for 30 U.S. Navy Aircrew Common Ejection Seats for F/A-18 and EA-18G.

STRATOFORTRESS

Fluor Federal Solutions received $17,648,238 to build B-52 Aircraft Maintenance Unit at Minot AFB.

POSEIDON

Boeing received $2,469,582,995 to manufacture and deliver 20 Lot III full-rate production P-8A for USN (16 for $2,052,571,034; 83%) and Australia (4 for $417,011,961; 17%)

STRATEGIC AIRLIFT

Lockheed Martin received $31,597,328 for C-130J long-term sustainment: program sustainment, inventory control point management, spares replenishment & repair, sustaining engineering, technical data, and depot activation.

Rolls-Royce received $77,920,767 for 24 AE2100D3 commercial engines for C-130J aircraft. This involves FMS (presumably $6,427,850) to Saudi Arabia.

Rolls-Royce received $76,067,069 for C-130J propulsion logistics, program management support, engineering services, spares, and technical data.

AERIAL REFUELING

Northrop Grumman received $43,835,227 for 10 engine overhauls in worldwide support of KC-10 program. Northrop Grumman received $24,668,666 for worldwide contractor logistic services in support of KC-10 program.

Rockwell Collins received $13,194,387 for KC-10 communication navigation surveillance and air traffic management, specifically installation of Group A and B kits on the basic contract’s remaining 23 aircraft.

OTHER FIXED WING AIRCRAFT

Boeing received $7,236,020 for R&D required to demonstrate integration of tactical data link (LINK16) including other required avionics changes to accommodate data link into radar-production and radar-remanufacture on AV-8B. This was not competitively procured, per 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1).

Boeing received $71,329,678 for USAF aircraft vertical stabilizers. This was sole-source, per 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1).

Boeing received $25,776,011 for Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization (PAR) Program Phase 1 Pre-Milestone B activities. Boeing will aim to improve affordability and reduce program execution risk. This is a sole-source acquisition.

Composite Engineering Inc. received $18,674,455 for 21 USAF Subscale Aerial Target (AFSAT) Lots 11-13 production. Composite Engineering Inc. received $37,000,000 for AFSAT spares, contractor logistics support, and out of warranty repairs. This is a sole-source acquisition.

L-3 received $42,017,407 to support T-1, T-6, and T-38 undergraduate pilot training at Vance AFB.

Lockheed Martin received $8,710,361 for AC/HC/MC and C-130J peculiar support equipment.

M-1 Support Services received $12,028,752 for aircrew and maintenance services on CV-22, UH-1N, and HH-60G, associated engines, and mission support equipment (58th Maintenance Group) at Kirtland AFB.

Gulfstream received $111,579,431 to support C-20 and C-37 fleet for contractor logistics support.

GENERAL AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE

DynCorp received $72,040,018 for depot level maintenance and logistics on aircraft (31 F/A-18A-F; 3 EA-18G; 5 MH-60S; 14 F-16A/B; and 2 E-2C) assigned to Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center, NAS Fallon.

Lockheed Martin received $24,900,000 for aviation field maintenance in Regional Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Central Area (Ft. Campbell, KY).

AEGIS

Lockheed Martin received $80,043,707 for Aegis Combat System Engineering Agent efforts on computer program baselines and TI hardware design support for next/future Advanced Capability Build.

SHIP MAINTENANCE

BAE Systems received $14,125,605 for USS Normandy (CG 60) FY2016 selected restricted availability (SRA), which includes depot-level maintenance and modifications to update ship’s military and technical capabilities.

BAE Systems received $25,589,923 for USS Anchorage (LPD-23) FY 2016 SRA.

Boston Ship Repair LLC received $12,505,219 for 58-calendar day shipyard availability for regular overhaul and dry-docking of USNS Grumman (T-AO 195).

Detyens Shipyards received $11,455,931 for 71-calendar day shipyard availability for regular overhaul and dry-docking of USNS Laramie (T-AO 203).

Marine Hydraulics International Inc. received $8,612,073 for USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) FY2016 repair, maintenance, and modernization.

Seaward Marine Services received $53,355,875 for worldwide waterborne hull cleaning and work supporting Director of Ocean Engineering, Supervisor of Salvage & Diving. This was not competitively procured, per FAR 6.302-1.

SUBMARINES

General Dynamics received $9,051,654 for secondary propulsion system detail design, prototype unit manufacture, qualification, and technical manual development.

L-3 received $44,710,060 for depot-level upgrades, repair, and overhaul of Photonics Mast (PM) & Photonics Mast Variant (PMV). This was not competitively procured, per 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1).

OTHER NAVAL CONTRACTS

AMSEC $14, 203,234; BAE Systems $17,756,331; Delphinus Engineering Inc. $16,155,225; Epsilon Systems Solutions $17,837,830; General Dynamics $15,714,308; L3 $18,787,064; Q.E.D. Systems $15,123,826 received those amounts for U.S. Navy Modernization Program (installation & technical services for hull, mechanical and electrical systems on U.S. Naval vessels) engineering and technical services.

BAE Systems received $21,491,950 for design, development, customization, fabrication, integration, test & eval, installation, certification, maintenance and upgrade, logistic, and life cycle support of communication-electronic platforms, equipment/systems and subsystems supporting Naval Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s Special Communications Mission Solutions Division.

Boeing received $8,343,706 in support of Navy aircraft. This was a sole-source acquisition, per 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1).

Crowley Technical Management received $34,498,445 to operate and maintain 5 U.S. Navy Ocean Surveillance Ships (T-AGOS) and 2 Missile Range Instrumentation Ships (T-AGM).

Lockheed Martin received $7,135,576 to repair 1263 (max.) parts used in AN/UYQ-70. This was not competitively procured, per 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1).

Progeny Systems Corp. received $9,599,780 to work on Maritime Airborne Service Oriented Architecture Integration for NAWCAD, Lakehurst, NJ.

RCT Systems Inc. received $12,393,192 for R&D on power conversion modules & energy storage components re: advanced shipboard electrical power system.

SMIT Singapore PTE Ltd. received $43,000,000 for salvage, salvage-related towing, harbor clearance, ocean engineering, and point-to-point towing services to support the Director of Ocean Engineering, SUPSALV, in the Western Pacific.

Textron (AAI Corp.) received $49,791,402 for electronic warfare systems integration test environment system upgrades to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s Electronic Combat Simulation and Evaluation Laboratory. This was not competitively procured per 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1).

C4ISR

BCF Solutions Inc.; IGOV Technologies Inc.; People Tec Inc.; Pelatron Inc.; Smartronix Inc.; and BAE Systems received $538,000,000 Platform for Engineering and Integration of Tactical and Strategic Systems (PEITSS) systems and capabilities within Theater Air Control System and other systems providing tactical and strategic battle management and command and control capabilities.

SAIC received $15,950,811 for Post Deployment Software Support (PDSS) for Total Force Information Technology Systems Consolidated Systems Integrator.

System of Systems Security (SOSSEC) Inc. received $99,000,000 for prototypes in C4ISR information sharing information systems: DCGS; TBMCS; Air Operations Center; Open Mission System; Secure View; ISSE Guard; cybersecurity environments; Web Temporal Analysis System; CIDNE; Collaboration Gateway, and other systems to be determined.

Technology Service Corp. received $23,812,562 for work on Rapid Reaction Multi-Mission/Support Jammer Cueing (RRMMS/SJC) using rapid prototyping processes and modular architectures to deliver technological capabilities.

SPACE

Lockheed Martin received $198,729,140 to provide MDA with 20 Lot 8 Interceptors and production support to THAAD Project Office (CLIN 8000).

Northrop Grumman received $7,026,986 for booster propulsion technology maturation: R&D on additive manufacturing for duct-cooled, carbon/silicon carbide thrust chamber technology.

Orbital ATK Inc. received $46,968,005 to develop 3 rocket propulsion system prototypes for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. Orbital ATK will share some cost investment to develop prototypes.

Portico Services received $7,503,853 to repair electrical distribution lines to support launch complexes at Cape Canaveral AFS. This is sole-sourced.

SpaceX received $33,660,254 to develop the Raptor rocket propulsion system prototype for EELV. SpaceX will share some cost investment to develop a Raptor engine prototype for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy upper stage.

SOFTWARE LICENSING

The Math Works Inc. received $11,000,000 for software licenses, maintenance, training, and consulting services in support of MATLAB. This was not competitively procured, per 10 U.S. Code 2304(c) (1).

ICBM

A-P-T Research Inc. received $30,456,367 for safety advisory and assistance services for technical, engineering, and management support re: BMDS.

Boeing received $15,606,149 for sustainment engineering and program management support services on ICBM guidance subsystem mostly at Hill AFB.

MISSILES, BOMBS, ROCKETS, PROJECTILES

Lockheed Martin received $7,971,649 for Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System development for USN ($7,867,057; 98.69%) and UK ($104,592; 1.31%)

Raytheon received $85,500,000 for Griffin A & B Block II/III missiles (incl. test and support equipment with engineering support). Sole-source.

Raytheon received $66,593,457 (post-dated 31 Dec. 2015) for FY2016 Navy RAM block 2 round pack requirements (material, fabricate parts, assemble, test, deliver). This was not competitively procured, per 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(4).

Raytheon received $36,000,000 to implement a data processor and signal processor equipment suite modernization at RAF Fylingdales for MDA.

Raytheon received $14,000,000 for R&D at AFRL on increased capabilities (missile # carried on single sortie, effectiveness, platform survivability against threats in A2AD environment) for next-gen, air-launched, tactical missiles. Two research concepts: Small Advanced Capability Missile (SACM) and Miniature Self-Defense Munition (MSDM).

Raytheon received $12,115,859 for advanced technology insertion and integration support on weapons systems (AIM-9, AIM-120, AGM-65, AGM-154, R/UGM-109, XM982 Excalibur, BGM-71 TOW, SM, Evolved Sea Sparrow, Talon, Pyros and Griffin).

Scientific Systems (SSCI) received $11,565,001 for advanced navigation system technology demonstration on Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) Increment I [ImageNav-SDB advanced navigation system]. Sole-source.

LASER

Leidos received $21,079,949 for R&D (at Kirtland AFB) into optical beam control in the presence of atmospheric turbulence to develop beam control systems for laser propagation and laser communication.

VEHICLES

Brighton Cromwell received $17,202,863 (max.) for medium and light tactical vehicle parts.

DRS-NIS received $16,492,821 for digital vehicle distribution box assembly repair and upgrades (for Bradley).

General Dynamics received $75,324,426 for design and integration engineering of 30mm cannon (8 prototypes) mounted on unmanned, stabilized Stryker turret.

General Dynamics received $170,720,400 to acquire a Stryker Tow Simulator.

L-3 received $38,039,981 for 180 Bradley transmissions and ancillary hardware.

Raytheon received $13,366,719 for nine turrets for USMC LAV anti-tank variant.

Veyance Technologies received $31,799,186 for Abrams track shoe assemblies.

SMALL ARMS

Olin Corp. (Winchester Division) received $22,829,590 for 5.56mm, 7.62mm, and .50 caliber ammunition.

GEAR & EQUIPMENT

Stresau Laboratory Inc. received $42,534,185 for blasting caps: electric M6; non-electric: M7; inert non-electric blasting caps: M30 and MK17.

CLOTHING

Bluewater Defense Inc. (San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico) received maximum $112,707,320 for various types of U.S. Army uniform trousers.

McRae Industries Inc. received $9,293,438 for hot weather, flame-resistant combat boots.

Rocky Brand Inc. received $15,623,052 (max.) for U.S. Army hot weather combat boots.

Travis Association for the Blind received $8,856,391 to clean and repair unserviceable, but economically repairable, clothing and equipment.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

American Society for Engineering Education received $111,456,970 for admin support to DOD Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service program. Most funding used to reimburse contractor for scholarships and stipends paid to students.

CBRNE

Aktarius LLC; Allied Technical Services; AQuate II; Axseum Solutions; K.D. Analytical Consulting; Murtech Inc.; Omega Consultants; SciTech Services; STS International; Veteran Corps of America; Battelle Memorial Institute; Camber Corp.; DRS Technical Services Inc.; Engility; Leidos; Patricio Enterprises; SAIC; received a shared $900,000,000 for logistics and service support to Joint PEO for Chemical & Biological Defense.

Booz Allen Hamilton received $35,954,551 for advisory and assistant services supporting Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program projects and the Proliferation Prevention Program (part of DTRA).

The Whiting-Turner Contracting received $30,469,870 to renovate the 20th CBRNE Conventional Weapons command HQ at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

FUEL & ENERGY

Apex Clean Energy Holdings received $497,350,565 to provide U.S. Army with electricity from an on-site solar and off-site wind energy production facility, supplemented with electricity from conventional resources.

Constellation NewEnergy Inc. received $7,046,395 for electricity and ancillary services in Maryland and Texas for U.S. Navy.

Syn-Tech Systems received $17,863,377 for fuel management systems (FuelMaster) support (technical, procurement, installation, sustainment) and automotive information module second gen. equipment at 507+ sites worldwide. This was not competitively procured, per 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1).

Thales received $49,178,470 for universal battery chargers (UBC), UBC battery interfaces, UBC soft covers, UBC hard covers and/or accessory kits.

MEDICAL & SAFETY

Armed Forces Services Corp. received $11,843,103 for continued professional support, program management, analytical, consulting, and admin services to facilitate Wounded, Ill and Injured programs.

Dispensers Optical Service Corp. received $7,500,000 for various optical lenses.

FedMedical Inc. received $25,000,000 for pulse oximeters, surgical lights and accessories.

SEKON Enterprises received $28,800,197 for engineering, cybersecurity, and configuration management to Defense Healthcare Management Systems.

United Concordia Companies received $11,010,000 for comprehensive dental care services worldwide to eligible TRICARE beneficiaries.

TRANSPORTATION, CARGO & STORAGE

Twelve companies received the following amounts for international ocean transportation and intermodal distribution services through USTRANSCOM’s Universal Service Contract-8: American President Lines $257,131,913; Maersk $227,835,577; Matson Navigation Co. $95,294,998; Hapag-Lloyd USA $92,075,357; American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier $66,941,381; Farrell Lines Inc. $64,360,874; Liberty Global Logistics $55,788,479; Totem Ocean Trailer Express $30,438,795; Central Gulf Lines Inc. $24,494,841; TransAtlantic Lines $20,596,119; Sea Star Line $20,148,725; and Young Brothers LTD $18,494,963.

For Category A international commercial air cargo transportation service, these companies received a shared $125,922,873: Alaska Airlines; Atlas Air; FedEx; Kalitta Air; Miami Air International; National Air Cargo Group; Northern Air Cargo; Omni Air International; UPS.

Accent Controls Inc. received $7,420,931 for warehousing and distribution support services.

Sealift Inc. received $8,760,576 to charter one U.S. flagged, self-sustaining ship, M/V Capt David I. Lyon, to support USAF at-sea prepositioning program.

ENVIRONMENTAL

CH2M Hill Inc. received a maximum $240,000,000 for comprehensive, long-term environmental action services on USN/USMC installations in NAVFAC Atlantic.

Leidos received $9,000,000 for architectural and engineering environmental support within Great Lakes & Ohio River Mission Boundaries, USACE.

Vernadero Group Inc.; Gulf South Research Corp.; Trinity Analysis & Development Corp.; Marstel-Day LLC; Stell Environmental Enterprises; HelioTech received a shared $99,000,000 for environmental support for the South Atlantic Division, USACE, Mobile District, Alabama.

FOOD SERVICES

Labatt Food Services received $52,500,000 for food and beverages in the San Antonio area. This was sole-source, per 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1).

US Foods Lexington received $64,500,000 for food and beverages in the South Carolina area. This was sole-source, per 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1).

ACQUISITION SUPPORT SERVICES

CSC Government Solutions received $77,500,000 for servicing the Logistics Modernization Program for Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal.

BASE SUPPORT, CONSULTING, ADMIN & LOGISTICS – Base support services usually involve a combination of: facility management & investment, fire & emergency services, grounds maintenance & landscaping, janitorial services, pavement clearance, pest control, port operations, utilities, vehicles & equipment service, and waste management.

PAE Applied Technologies received $31,927,651 for base operations support at Keesler AFB and received $8,196,000 for support services at Vance AFB.

Z Systems Corp. received $13,511,573 for logistics support to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood.

BUSINESS & OFFICE SUPPORT

Accenture Federal Services; CACI; CGI Federal; Deloitte Consulting; ECS Federal; IBM; Leidos; and Main Sail received $147,178,362 for process improvement, reengineering, management and data support services, to include Navy Enterprise Resource Planning sustainment on behalf of NAVSUP Business Systems Center (BSC).

All Native Managed Services received $10,425,244 for IT automation and tech support services to the National Capitol Region. One bid solicited, one received.

Ernst & Young received $15,427,675 to assist DOD Office of Inspector General Audit of DAF general fund FY2016 schedule of budgetary activity.

KPMG LLP received $13,762,530 to assist DOD Office of Inspector General to audit DA general fund schedule of budgetary activity for FY2016.

Telesto Group; Softek International; BridgePhase; Enterprise Horizon Consulting Group; CompQSoft; Johnson Technology Systems; 4M Research; Stango Obsidian Alliance; InSAP Services; Oakland Consulting Group Inc. received a shared $846,000,000 for enterprise resource planning services for the Project Manager, Army Enterprise System Integration Program; program manager, General Fund Enterprise Business System; and Army Shared Services Center and Army stakeholder organizations.

OVERSEAS CONSTRUCTION

HBA Architecture & Interior Design received $25,000,000 for worldwide architectural and engineering services for Navy Lodge and other NEXCOM facilities in NAVFAC.

DOMESTIC CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING

ACC Construction received $45,034,874 to build an overall Basic Combat Training complex and related work for one battalion HQ, two barracks/company operations facilities, one lawn equipment building with company storage, one dining facility, parking, a running track, and physical training pits.

Bethel-Webcor JV-1 received $14,989,000 to repair Buildings 1604 and 1632 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Binderman Construction received $21,586,000 to design and build Arlington Heights Illinois Army Reserve Center.

Hal Hays Construction Inc. received $18,508,130 to construct an Army Reserve Center in Fresno, CA.

KWR Construction added to a previous $95,000,000 construction contract at Luke AFB.

Mathy Construction received $7,398,957 for asphalt paving and delivery services.

Mississippi Limestone Corp. received $7,840,604 for articulated concrete mattress squares at Richardson Landing, Tennessee.

PentaCon LLC received $9,544,234 to build Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School Applied Instruction Facility at Construction Battalion Center, Stennis Space Center.

Pyramid Contracting LLC received $8,559,900 for flooring at Fort Jackson.

Tri-County Builders received $20,000,000 for magazine and building maintenance, repair, and construction at Naval Support Activity Crane.

DREDGING

Bethel-Webcor JV-1 received $7,230,000 to design and build a Welding School consolidation at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

The Dutra Group received $8,000,000 to rent a hopper dredge with attendant plan and operators for maintenance dredging of the Mobile Harbor Channel, AL.

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock received $15,819,524 to repair multiple beach projects in New Jersey.

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock received $34,564,800 for dredging and beach placement, Willoughby Spit and Vicinity, Norfolk, VA.

Weeks Marine Inc. received $10,642,250 to rent one fully operated cutterhead dredge and equipment for work in New Orleans, LA.

# # # #
*Editing consolidated similar contracts. Italics indicate notes from the editor.

**Any clerical errors are the editor’s alone. Each month, Boiling Frogs Post presents a distillation of the previous month’s DOD Contracts. Check back regularly.

***To avoid competitive bidding, DOD invokes 10 U.S.C. 2304, FAR 6.302, and FAR 8.405-6. DOD uses 15 U.S.C. 638 to avoid competitive bidding when dealing with small businesses. DOD uses CFR 206.302-4 to avoid competitive bidding when dealing with treaties and foreign transactions.

Christian Sorensen, a BFP Contributing Author & Analyst, is a U.S. military veteran and Arabic translator.

– See more at: http://www.boilingfrogspost.com/2016/02/09/bfp-exclusive-report-a-distillation-of-dod-funding-priorities-for-january-2016/#sthash.7suriR26.dpuf

Turkish Dictator is dictating that US choose the butchers of Middle east Turkey or Kurd YPD

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56b86ca9c3618890198b4587Riled by a meeting between a US official and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which controls the Syrian town of Kobane, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told Washington to choose between Turkey and, as he put it, the “terrorists.”

A delegation featuring Brett McGurk, the United States’ envoy to the coalition it leads against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), met the YPG over the last weekend in January. The YPG took full control of Kobane late last June, in what was a powerful symbol of Kurdish resistance.

“He [Brett McGurk] visits Kobane at the time of the Geneva talks and is awarded a plaque by a so-called YPG general?” Erdogan told reporters on his plane while returning from a trip to Latin America and Senegal, the Beser Haber newspaper reported.

“How can we trust [you]?” Erdogan said.

“Is it me who is your partner, or the terrorists in Kobane?” the Turkish president said, adding that both the PYD and the YPG are “terrorist organizations.” Ankara considers them to be part of the PKK, banned in Turkey as a terrorist group.

According to US officials, the trip appeared to be the first of its kind to northern Syria since 2013. It took place after the YPG’s political wing, Syria’s Democratic Union Party (PYD), was excluded from new peace talks in Geneva. Ankara had threatened to boycott the talks if the PYD were invited.

The conflict between the Turkish government and Kurdish insurgent groups demanding greater autonomy for the large ethnic group has been continuing for decades. With several failed ceasefires between the sides, Ankara has been blamed by a number of human rights groups for putting civilian lives at risk in Turkey’s mainly Kurdish southeast.

In August, Ankara launched a ground operation to crack down on Kurdish fighters linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The violence ended a two-year truce with Kurdish militants fighting a guerrilla war for independence.

“Turks have a phobia of Kurds because they are scared of their Turkish Kurds, some 20 million of them living in Turkey,” Abd Salam Ali, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party’s representative to Russia, told RIA Novosti, adding that “Kurds have interfered with Erdogan’s plans in Turkey.”

“Islamic State has military bases in Turkey, and is using it as a corridor. Turkey currently plays a role similar to the one Pakistan played in the 1980s. When the Soviet forces were stationed in Afghanistan, jihadists arrived there through Pakistan, along with the money and arms,” Abd Salam Ali noted.

“Now Turkey is exactly the same corridor [for militants in Syria], and it plays its own game. But Kurds appeared to stand in [Ankara’s] way. They have forced IS away from Rojava [also known as Syrian Kurdistan]. There’s only one piece left, a 90km-long territory between the Kurdish towns. If we force IS out of there and reconnect the Kurdish cantons, Turkey won’t be able to influence [the situation in Syria].”

Late last month, President Erdogan once again refused to search for a peaceful solution to the conflict, which began back in 1984 and has taken at least 40,000 lives, mainly Kurds. He pledged that “those with guns in their hands and those who support them will pay the price of treason,” referring to the Kurdish militants, deemed terrorists by the government.
According to Turkey’s General Staff, the number of PKK members killed during military operations in the southeastern districts of Cizre and Sur reached 733 on Sunday. But according to Amnesty International estimates, at least 150 civilians, among them children, have been killed during the Turkish operation, with more than 200,000 lives put at risk.

Turkey’s security operations in the mainly Kurdish southeast resemble a “collective punishment,” the human rights watchdog said last month. Amnesty slammed the international community for choosing to turn a blind eye to what Ankara has been doing to the Kurds.

“While the Turkish authorities appear determined to silence internal criticism, they have faced very little from the international community. Strategic considerations relating to the conflict in Syria and determined efforts to enlist Turkey’s help in stemming the flow of refugees to Europe must not overshadow allegations of gross human rights violations. The international community must not look the other way,” John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia Program Director, pointed out.

Up to 21 academics were detained by Turkish authorities in mid-January for signing a petition demanding that Ankara abandon its military crackdown on Kurdish rebels in the southeast of the country. The petition denouncing Turkey’s military operation against Kurds was signed by as many as 1,200 academics. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said they all sided with the Kurdish militants, who are considered terrorists by the government. “Unfortunately these so-called academics claim that the state is carrying out a massacre. You, the so-called intellectuals! You are dark people. You are not intellectuals,” he stated.

Saudi Arabia: the Devil’s Playground “Global markets roller-coaster ride”

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1032880842

By Pepe Escobar

Global markets continue on a roller-coaster ride two weeks after this column revealed how Saudi Arabia had been unloading at least $1 trillion in US securities, crashing global markets in parallel to its market share/oil price war.

The House of Saud may even hold more than $8 trillion in US Treasury bonds and stocks; that depends on how much of the Aramco profits they monopolized, and how well they invested.

A New York investment banker with solid Saudi connections confirms the Saudis coordinate their major oil moves with Goldman Sachs “and others” (he did not specify), so as not to antagonize Wall Street.

This would mean the House of Saud share in the profits with Goldman Sachs through derivatives in their oil trades. And this spells out a multi-trillion US dollar bonanza both to the Saudis and to Wall Street — considering some serious action could flow through partners of Goldman Sachs and others offshore to conceal the massive volumes.   

The only thing that has filtered so far is that Goldman Sachs is not exactly in the business of antagonizing the House of Saud. 

Show me the money

According to a House of Saud-related source, the share of the roughly 12,000 royal family members absorbs 40% of Aramco’s oil profits. Two years ago, according to the source, this would have represented $146 billion a year in today’s dollars. Considering the   astronomical increase of oil prices in 1973, 43 years ago, that would have yielded $6.2 trillion just for the House of Saud.

Apart from palaces crammed with golden faucets, yachts in the Cote d’Azur, or purple Lamborghinis, it’s fair to assume most of it went to US Treasuries and securities. Then there are the state reserves — 60% of Aramco’s profits; $ 219 billion, which times 43 make $9.4 trillion. These funds could not have possibly been all spent.  

Saudi investments may have been badly hurt by Goldman Sachs and others during the 2008 market crash. Yet the source says the House of Saud was duly informed ahead of time — so they lost nothing. 

The key point is the House of Saud may be swimming in a — secret — sea of money, and not being engulfed by the desert of debt default. 

The notion that the population of Saudi Arabia, according to the IMF, may have to face serious government austerity — after the House of Saud-provoked “worst oil price crash in modern history”, engineered to punish Russia, Iran and US shale producers — is nothing short of ludicrous. 

Riyadh is on a major spin spree on the need to “transform” its economy away from oil. The House of Saud is set to slash subsidies on water and electricity, with fuel subsidies further on down the road.

According to the IMF Saudi Arabia may be running a deficit of around $140 billion. But what about that secret stash of US Treasuries and securities?  

And they are also “losing” China

Meanwhile, the House of Saud market share part of its oil price crash strategy is unraveling even in China. Russia and Saudi Arabia are now both enjoying roughly the same Chinese market share — around the 14% range — with Russia keeping the upper hand because Moscow accepts payments in yuan.  

The House of Saud though is locked up in its petrodollar prison. Any attempt of escaping will be severely punished by the Masters of he Universe — those that send their minions to “debate” the future in places such as Davos. 

And this yuan/petrodollar disparity — with Moscow soon to distance Riyadh as China’s top oil supplier — is one of the key reasons why there does not seem to be a Russian-Saudi oil price “grand bargain” deal in the horizon. The other reason is Russia — and Iran — will only accept an oil deal if Saudi Arabia accepts a political — Syrian — deal.

As Petroleum Intelligence Weekly has reported, Moscow’s proposal remains on the table; it’s open for a 5% output cut by OPEC (including Iran and Iraq) and non-OPEC producers.  

What’s certainly advancing under the radar is something way more serious; a Russia/China-based alternative monetary system. That’s why the Russian Central Bank is basically not interfering with the fall of the ruble parallel to the fall in oil prices.

Russia will need a lot of rubles for the Russia/China monetary system. So Moscow’s strategy is to buy rubles back from the flooded market at rock-bottom prices, using artificially boosted dollars and euros. Russia’s treasury, meanwhile, also bought Russian companies shares at low market prices while repatriating at least 30% of Russian oil shares previously owned by foreigners.

Would this also help to convince the Saudis that their oil price crash strategy is leading nowhere? There’s no evidence so far.

Meanwhile, Warrior Prince Mohammed bin Salman continues to practically sit on the throne — out of deference to his father, ailing King Salman. Rumors of a Riyadh coup persist. The key will be the extent of US support for Mohammed bin Nayef; the real Masters of the Universe over Washington won’t tolerate the erratic Warrior Prince succeeding his father.  

So the bottom line, as a House of Saud-linked source summed it up, is that “the Saudis are staying — for now — with the devil they know (the US) rather than the devil that they don’t know (Russia).” All that of course may change in an instant if the alarmed Riyadh royals conclude that the devil they know is up to its tried and tested regime change tricks. But then, it will be too late.

Source: sputniknews.com

Watch Ash Carter Lie About Why He Let Turkey Supply ISIL with Oil (Video)

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"Of course we knew about these trucks with stolen oil"...

“Of course we knew about these trucks with stolen oil”…

One of the most embarrassing things to come out of the Russian military venture in Syria is the huge convoy supply lines of oil moving between Turkey and ISIS positions.

Watch America’s finest mumble their way through explanations of why they have let this go on for two years.

Priceless.

https://youtu.be/9MAmeAtzKms

Turkey’s Intervention in Northern Iraq Done with US Green Light

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13_dTEHRAN (Fars News Agency) – Turkey has sent its troops to Northern Iraq after receiving Washington’s green light as the recent statements of Turkish officials show, pro-Saudi media reported.

“Turkey’s insistence on military presence in Northern Iraq on the pretext of fighting terrorists there and Iraq’s failure to push Turkish troops out of its soil shows that Ankara has taken the move at the US order,” the London-based Arabic-language Al-Arab newspaper reported on Friday.

It said that the recent statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu who claimed that Turkey’s military presence in Northern Iraq has been justified for the world indicates a secret agreement between Ankara and Washington on the presence of Turkish troops in Iraq.

The newspaper noted that the Turkish troops are still in Northern Iraq near the city of Mosul which is under the control of the ISIL despite repeated protests by Iraqi officials.

On December 8, the Arab League condemned the deployment of Turkish troops in Northern Iraq, labeling the incident an “intervention.”

Following international criticism at Turkey’s decision to send troops into Northern Iraq to allegedly train Kurdish forces without Baghdad’s permission, Nabil Elaraby, Secretary-General of the Arab League, said the act was a “blatant intervention.”

He told newspaper Al Youm El Sabe that while the Arab League couldn’t take direct action against Turkey, they could release a statement condemning Ankara for the breach of Iraq’s national sovereignty.

Elaraby also warned that if Turkey continued to intervene in Iraqi territory without permission, then the Arab League would go to the UN Security Council to try and resolve the issue.

The furor came after more than 130 Turkish troops, along with tanks and artillery, entered Kurdish-controlled territory in Northern Iraq.

Turkish officials said the deployment was merely part of a routine training exercise with Kurdish forces to help them fight against Daesh, also known as ISIL.

However, Iraqi officials angrily criticized Turkey’s actions, saying that the move was a “serious breach of sovereignty.”

With tensions rising, Baghdad on Sunday threatened to go to the UN Security Council unless Turkey removed its forces within 48 hours.

“Iraq has the right to use all available options, including resorting to the UN Security Council if these forces are not withdrawn within 48 hours,” Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a statement.

Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi backed his prime minister, saying that Turkey needed to consult with the Iraqi government, regardless of what their motives were in the fight against jihadist groups in the region.

“No matter the size of the force entering Iraq, it is rejected. It was possible to undertake this sort of prior coordination without creating circumstances which contributed to a crisis between the two countries,” al-Obeidi said.

Turkey has come under serious international criticism over the country’s actions in recent times, particularly following the shooting down of a Russian jet last month, which resulted in the death of one Russian pilot.

The incident sparked a rebuke from fellow NATO member states, and led Russian President Vladimir Putin to label Turkey as “accomplices of terrorists.”

Did US VP Biden Guarantee Turkey annexion of Mosul, Trouble Brewing in Syria Preparing for Advance?

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US VP BidenUS Vice President Joe Biden’s recent visit to Turkey indicates that Washington is not inclined to pressure Ankara into halting its anti-Kurdish crackdown nor its military deployments near the rich Iraqi oilfields of Mosul, F. William Engdahl notes.

On January 24 US Vice President Joseph Biden held intensive meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

F. William Engdahl, American-German researcher, historian and strategic risk consultant, believes that the Obama administration manipulates both the ambitious Turkish President Erdogan and the impulsive Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, indulging their militarism and greed.

“The Washington game seems to be to give the Saudi-Turkish duo enough rope to hang themselves in a mad power grab of Syrian and Iraqi oil riches and perhaps, if they are really mad enough, of Iran’s oilfields too,” the researcher remarks in his article for New Eastern Outlook.

Anyway, Biden’s visit has indicated clearly that Washington still supports the Erdogan regime and is turning a blind eye to the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Turkish and Syrian Kurds by Ankara “thinly veiled” as a war against PKK (the Kurdistan Worker’s Party) and de facto occupation of Iraqi territories near Mosul by Turkey’s military.

Remarkably, Ankara has no scruples about equating the Syrian leadership, Kurdish PKK and YPG (People’s Defense Units), fighting terrorists in Syria, to Daesh (Islamic State/ISIL) and al-Qaeda’s affiliate al-Nusra Front.

According to Turkish PM Davutoglu, there are three threats in Syria: “One is the regime [of Bashar al-Assad], another is Daesh, and the third is the YPG,” he said as cited by Hurriyet, Turkey’s mainstream liberal media outlet.

“Turkey sees no difference between terrorists groups such as Daesh, PKK, DHKP-C [the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front] or al-Nusra,” Davutoglu added.

As for Turkey’s military deployments near the rich oilfields of Mosul, Deniz Zeyrek of Hurriyet reported Monday that during Joe Biden’s visit the Turkish side proposed a project to Washington “to calm Iraq’s unease.”

“According to the project, which found support from the US, NATO and the US anti-ISIL coalition will jointly operate at the training base in Bashiqa [a town in the Mosul District]. Nonetheless, no logistical change will be made at the base other than a sign showing that an international force is deployed there. The Iraqi army will be allowed to have a representative as part of the international coalition,” Zeyrek wrote, citing sources with the knowledge of the matter.

It seems that there are little if any contradictions between Ankara’s foreign policy in the region and Washington’s Middle Eastern agenda.

“In fact, Biden discussed US military support, unspecified, for a Turkish military move to take the oilfields of Mosul,” Engdahl notes.

“Further, the US Vice President apparently said not a word about the continuing illegal smuggling of Iraqi and Syrian oil by ISIS [Daesh] into Turkey where Erdogan’s son ships it to world markets, financing the ISIS terror inside Syria Biden claims to oppose,” he adds.

The researcher calls attention to the fact that Biden signaled that the United States and Turkey are ready to seek a military solution in Syria if the diplomatic Geneva talks fail.

“We do know that it would be better if we can reach a political solution but we are prepared — we are prepared if that’s not possible — to have a military solution to this operation in taking out Daesh,” Biden stated.

Interestingly enough, the statement came after US Defense Secretary Ashton’s announcement of the Pentagon’s new strategy in Syria that envisages more boots on the ground in the region. Furthermore, rumors are still simmering regarding the US increasing military deployments at the Syrian Rmeilan airfield.

Engdahl stresses that at the same time Turkey has gained more influence in the region.

“In March this year, as a result of collusion between the Saudi monarchy of Salman and Erdogan, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was coerced to hand over a vital political post to Erdogan,” he notes, explaining that Erdogan will soon lead the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a powerful and influential organization regarded by many as the Muslim ‘UN.’

According to the researcher, the ongoing preparations signal “something very big and very dramatic in the coming few months in the Middle East.”