Moscow

Submitted by David Stockman via Contra Corner blog,

Israel’s entrant to the Eurovision Song Contest, Hovi Star, claims he was humiliated for his sexuality by immigration officials in Russia. On a recent visit to Moscow to promote his Eurovision Song Contest entry, Made of Stars, border control officials at the airport tore up his passport and laughed at him for being gay. Hovi Star broke the news after other Eurovision entrants witnessed the homophobic attack and reported it to the media.

Submitted by David Stockman via Contra Corner blog,

If you want to know why we have a $19 trillion national debt and a fiscal structure that will take that already staggering figure to $35 trillion and 140% of GDP within a decade, just consider the latest campaign fracas. That is, the shrieks of disbelief in response to Donald Trump’s sensible suggestion that the Europeans pay for their own defense.

Russian military staff have warned the US they may unilaterally use force against groups “systematically” violating the Syrian ceasefire from March 22. They accuse the U.S. of dragging its feet on responding to Moscow’s proposals on rules for joint monitoring of the Syria cease-fire and response to violations, saying that delays are leading to civilian casualties.

Earlier today, we took a closer look at Vladimir Putin’s seemingly abrupt decision to partially withdraw the Russian military from Syria.

The prevailing view seems to be that Moscow somehow intended to put more pressure on Assad to be amenable to a negotiated, political solution and indeed that may be a part of the plan. However, as we noted, it’s not exactly as if The Kremlin is leaving the Syrian leader high and dry.