GENEVA, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The United States has not learned the proper lesson from its failed wars, Richard Falk, emeritus professor of international law at Princeton University, told Xinhua in a recent interview via video link.

Falk had first-hand experience visiting wartime Vietnam in 1968, which led him to question the lawfulness and the legitimacy of U.S. wars abroad.

"When I had the opportunity to visit Hanoi and meet some of the leaders there and see the effects of a high technology war machine being used against a peasant society that was trying to establish its own right of self-determination, it changed my understanding fundamentally," he recalled.

The United States, rather than learning the lesson of the Vietnam War, has repeated the mistake time and again, according to Falk.

"The U.S., ever since its defeat in Vietnam, despite having overwhelming military superiority, has failed to learn the basic lesson that military intervention is not an effective geopolitical tool," the renowned scholar explained, adding that the U.S. military adventures in the Middle East have further discredited "regime-changing interventions followed by prolonged occupations and state-building undertakings in the post-colonial period."

The empirical record, Falk stressed, "suggests that excessive reliance of American foreign policy on the military instrument was a consequence of retaining a quasi-war posture ever since World War II."

"The U.S. became a very militarized state bureaucracy with a high peacetime military budget, and this led it to consistently exaggerate security threats, coupled with the related claim that military approaches to foreign policy challenges continued to be effective," he commented.

Despite the preaching of the virtues of a "rules-based international order" in the current U.S. administration's foreign policy prescriptions, such an affirmation "certainly doesn't seem to mean respect for international law," Falk pointed out.

"It seems to mean that others will be held accountable if they depart from U.S. perceptions of what rules should govern," he added. "But it leaves the U.S. itself in a position of pursuing its geopolitical ambitions without any kind of visible respect for the limits set by international law or the UN (United Nations) Charter."

By Xu Chi

US military equipment which was sent from Port of Constanța, Romania to participate in the multinational exercise “Noble Partner 2018” has already shipped to Georgia. US armored vehicles “Stryker”, armored vehicles “Bradley”, M1A2 Abrams tanks and other military equipment have already downloaded in Poti Port, Georgia. The part of the equipment will be transferred to Vaziani by lorry, part of it – itself by marching.   

US military equipment were loaded in Port of Constanța, Romania and launched for Georgia via the Black Sea on July 22. 

Military personnel of II Cavalry Regiment have already arrived to Tbilisi International Airport via air. The part of US soldiers will arrive to Georgia up to July 31 stage by stage.    

The multinational exercise will officially be opened in Vaziani military airfield on August 1. “Noble Partner 2018” is a Georgian Armed Forces and US Army Europe led exercise, which intends to enhance participating nations’ readiness and interoperability.

Vice President of the United States Mike Pence arrived in Tbilisi. Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili and his spouse Maka Tsinadze greeted the Vice President and his spouse Karen Pence. The official meeting ceremony was held at the Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International Airport.

Today the Prime Minister will host the US Vice President, his spouse and the members of the American delegation at an official dinner.
The US Vice President was invited to Georgia by Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. Respective visit is held within the frames of Pence's first European tour.

Nine more US cable and IPTV operators have initiated Ultra HD trials using SES’s pre-packaged solution

LUXEMBOURG, 24 July 2017 – With an additional nine TV operators joining SES’s Ultra HD trials, a total of 30 US Pay TV providers, with a combined audience of more than 10 million subscribers, are now testing SES’s 4K content delivery platform across their distribution networks.

The latest wave of Pay TV system operators to ink Ultra HD trial agreements with SES includes:

• Alliance Communications, an Internet, phone and cable TV operator serving subscribers in South Dakota and Minnesota;
• Cincinnati Bell, a leading telco in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky;
• Douglas County Community Network, an ultra-high-speed broadband and IPTV provider in the state of Washington;
• Hotwire, a national telecom provider;
• Midco, a regional provider of triple play services in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Kansas;  
• Midwest Video Solutions (MVS), a multi-service provider in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois;
• Oneida Telephone Exchange, a triple play service provider operating in Oneida, Illinois and Rio, Illinois;
• Skitter TV, a national IPTV systems innovator; and
• South Dakota Networks (SDN), an enabler of IPTV for 19 telcos in South Dakota.

Among the 30 operators on SES’s 4K platform, three have already initiated commercial linear Ultra HD services in subscriber homes via SES’s end-to-end solution: Marquette-Adams Communications in Wisconsin, Highlands Cable Group in North Carolina, and, most recently, EPB Fiber Optics in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  

SES’s all-in-one Ultra HD platform combines satellite distribution services, reception gear, and the world’s largest 4K Ultra HD channel line-up, featuring Fashion One 4K, Travelxp 4K, 4KUNIVERSE, NASA TV UHD, INSIGHT TV, UHD1, C4K360, Funbox UHD, Nature Relaxation 4K and SES’s UHD demonstration channel.

“The turnkey SES Ultra HD platform is home to some of the largest and smallest cable and IPTV providers in the region, who are leveraging the scalability and reliability of satellite to differentiate themselves in a competitive market with the ultimate television experience.” said Steve Corda, Vice President of Business Development at SES Video, SES’s global media business unit. “Momentum continues to build as SES accelerates the delivery and commercial availability of Ultra HD services throughout North America, and we expect more cable and IPTV providers to join the trio of operators who have already launched their commercial Ultra HD services using our platform.”

“Hotwire is well positioned to be the first to market with exciting new Ultra HD services later this year, as a result of our Ultra HD trials with SES,” said Jonathan Bullock, Vice President of Corporate Development and Government at Hotwire Communications. “The SES Ultra HD platform is easy and fast to deploy on our all-fiber network, allowing us to provide the best 4K channel line-up virtually overnight.”

“SES’s Ultra HD solution is tailor-made to meet our subscribers’ demand for the best television experience available and our strong desire to be among the first to market with the world’s leading 4K offering,” said Michael Agostinelli, CEO at Skitter. “Skitter now has a clear competitive advantage as we make an exciting leap toward a commercial launch of Ultra HD services in our customers’ homes.”

 

 

 

Dear Mr. President,
On the 25th anniversary of our countries’ diplomatic relations, I extend to you and the Georgian people my warmest wishes and sincere appreciation for our longstanding friendship and cooperation.
In the first quarter century of our partnership, the United States and Georgia have established a strong trans-Atlantic bond. We share common values, and have stood together under difficult circumstances to defend those values against international terrorism and regional instability. The United States supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internally recognized borders. We also recognize Georgia’s right to chart its own future. Georgian independence and democracy remain an aspiration to the world.
My Administration and I look forward to future collaboration with you and the Georgian government to advance the shared values and prosperity of our two countries.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Trump

On invitation from US Vice President Mike Pence, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili will hold an official visit to the United States of America on May 8-10.
During the visit, a meeting between the Head of Georgian Government and US Vice President Mike Pence will be held at the White House. Giorgi Kvirikashvili will be also hosted by US State Secretary Rex Tillerson at the State Department.
In addition, the Prime Minister of Georgia will meet with the chairs of different committees at US Senate. During the US visit, Giorgi Kvirikashvili will have meetings with leading US experts as well.
The Georgian delegation includes Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze, the Prime Minister's Foreign Adviser Tedo Japaridze, and First Deputy Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani.

"The US congresspersons' recent letter in support of our country clearly demonstrates that Georgia is an important partner of the US. This has been the case over the past 25 years, and I certainly hope that, in the next 25 years, we will further cement our partnership as a guarantee of Georgia's development into a stable democratic country," the Prime Minister of Georgia commented on the letter in support of Georgia addressed by US congresspersons to US President Donald Trump.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili is convinced that President Trump shares the stance and determination of the American congresspersons.
"Importantly, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, and boost our partnership, thirty American congresspersons, members of the House of Representatives, addressed US President Donald Trump with a letter in support of Georgia. This address emphasizes the importance of our partnership and the great achievements in building democratic institutions and ensuring economic growth. It also points out that Georgia, despite facing occupation-related problems, remains a staunch supporter of antiterrorism measures and operations. The letter reflects support for initiating free trade agreement negotiations, which is commendable indeed. Lately, the US Congress has adopted several important resolutions, such as those supporting our territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. All this testifies that Georgia is a very important partner of the United States. I am convinced that the Senate seconds this attitude, and there is no doubt that the same is true of US President Donald Trump," the Prime Minister stated at today's Government meeting.

Georgian First Deputy Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani met Ambassador John Herbst, Director of the Atlantic Council's Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center. The sides discussed the bilateral strategic relations between Georgia and the U.S. emphasizing that the ongoing co-operation is at its highest level to which attests the busy bilateral agenda and interactions within the framework of the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission. David Zalkaliani briefed Ambassador John Herbst on the first contacts Georgia has established with the new U.S. administration. The sides also took note of the Georgian Foreign Minister’s ongoing visit to the U.S. paying special attention to the messages issued by representatives of the new U.S. administration in support for Georgia. The sides also spoke about the security situation in Georgia as well as in the region as a whole. David Zalkaliani provided the guest with detailed information on the security situation in Georgia’s occupied territories. Discussions focused on Georgia’s intense relations with the Atlantic Council as one of the leading research organizations of the U.S. The sides agreed to further continue this successful co-operation.

The Defense and Security, the Education, Science and Culture, the Sector Economy and Economic Policy, the EU Integration and the Foreign Relations Committees held the meeting with the US Air Force College students and lecturers. American guests heard the information about specification of Parliamentary activity, foreign policy priorities of the country and Georgia-Russia relations. The meeting was interactive and was open by the Chair of the Defense and Security Committee with his welcome speech. Irakli Sesiashvili thanked the American guests for visiting the Parliament and for their interests to Georgia. Georgia-USA partnership relations are significantly developed and meetings of such format are always interesting allowing exchange of opinions and enhancement of cooperation. The Chair of the Education, Science and Culture Committee, Mariam Jashi spoke about ongoing reforms, educational system development and economic priorities of the Government. “In terms of sustainable development of the country, Georgian Government recognized education as the N1 priority and will attach particular attention during the next 4 years. Our main directions are internationalization of educational system to allow the country establishing the leading position in the region in educational terms and developing the bilateral and multilateral cooperation”. American guests asked about the foreign priorities, security challenges and EU and NATO integration aspects. The graduating course of the USAF College within the in-depth study and partner participation program holds the meetings in the region. This year, the College will hold the meetings in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, told CNN that "hysteria in official Washington and in the American media" is harming relations between the two nations. Allegations that Russia hacked American institutions are false, Peskov said in an interview, and it's "high time for someone in the States to think, 'Are we that weak that a country can interfere in our domestic affairs and influence our electoral system?' "This is unimaginable and someone has to say -- all this is not true. We have to be sober, let's come to our minds," Peskov said. Questions about President Donald Trump's ties to Russia have consumed Washington since Trump assumed office. Much of the scrutiny is directed at meetings between Russian officials and people close to Trump before he took office. Peskov insisted Russia is not meddling in American politics."We don't have the slightest intention to interfere," he said. "The only thing I can tell you is that all this hysteria and public opinion, hysteria in official Washington and hysteria in American media, this is doing lots of harm to the future of our bilateral relations." The United States is "global player number one," Peskov said, and Russia seeks a relationship with a stable government. "For us, we are interested in having a predictable partner, a predictable vis a vis for the dialogue," he said. "And now when we unfortunately don't have a comfortable environment for our dialogue, of course it is a great pity." Peskov said he's disappointed Russia has become such a political issue in the United States. "We're really sorry about the situation that we are facing now. It is emotional extremism, of trying to make a toxic country out of Russia, to make a toxic ... ambassador out of Russia's ambassador," he said. Sergey Kislyak, Russian ambassador to the United States, has been scrutinized for his dealings with Trump's short-lived National Security Adviser Mike Flynn and two meetings with Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Diplomacy can recover, Peskov said. "I think yes," he said. "Let's not think in categories of one day, one month or even one year. Let's be a little bit more broad-minded. Let's be at least like our Chinese friends. They think about tens of years, hundreds of years, so inevitably we'll have our relationship normalized." In early January, then-President Barack Obama took unprecedented steps to retaliate against alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. The administration described Russia's involvement as "Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities" and sanctioned four Russian individuals and five Russian entities for what it said was election interference. The administration also ordered 35 Russian diplomats to leave the country and two Russian compounds were to close.