Palantir: The PayPal-offshoot Becomes a Weapon in the War Against Whistleblowers and WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks, the transparency organization known for publishing leaked documents that threaten the powerful, finds itself under pressure like never before, as does its editor-in-chief, Julian Assange. Now the fight to silence WikiLeaks is not only being waged by powerful government figures but also by the media, including outlets and organizations that have styled themselves as working to protect whistleblowers.

As Part I of this investigative series revealed, Pierre Omidyar – eBay billionaire and PayPal’s long-time owner – holds considerable sway over several journalists and organizations that once championed WikiLeaks but now work for the Omidyar-owned publication, The Intercept. Thanks to his deep ties to the U.S. government and his own long-standing efforts to undermine the organization, Omidyar is using his influence to bring renewed pressure to WikiLeaks as it continues to publish sensitive government information. However, Pierre Omidyar is not the only PayPal-linked billionaire with strong government connections and a dislike for WikiLeaks.

Whitney Webb
By Whitney Webb
Palantir: The PayPal-offshoot Becomes a Weapon in the War Against Whistleblowers and WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks, the transparency organization known for publishing leaked documents that threaten the powerful, finds itself under pressure like never before, as does its editor-in-chief, Julian Assange. Now the fight to silence WikiLeaks is not only being waged by powerful government figures but also by the media, including outlets and organizations that have styled themselves as working to protect whistleblowers.

As Part I of this investigative series revealed, Pierre Omidyar – eBay billionaire and PayPal’s long-time owner – holds considerable sway over several journalists and organizations that once championed WikiLeaks but now work for the Omidyar-owned publication, The Intercept. Thanks to his deep ties to the U.S. government and his own long-standing efforts to undermine the organization, Omidyar is using his influence to bring renewed pressure to WikiLeaks as it continues to publish sensitive government information. However, Pierre Omidyar is not the only PayPal-linked billionaire with strong government connections and a dislike for WikiLeaks.

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James Le Mesurier: The Former British Mercenary Who Founded The White Helmets

James Le Mesurier, a British ex-mercenary, founded the White Helmets in 2013. The group has been lauded for its “humanitarian” efforts in Syria, but they have actually functioned more as a logistics and propaganda arm of Syria’s al-Qaeda branch, complete with training from Le Mesurier.

Whitney Webb
By Whitney Webb
James Le Mesurier: The Former British Mercenary Who Founded The White Helmets

James Le Mesurier, a British ex-mercenary, founded the White Helmets in 2013. The group has been lauded for its “humanitarian” efforts in Syria, but they have actually functioned more as a logistics and propaganda arm of Syria’s al-Qaeda branch, complete with training from Le Mesurier.

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Alternative Media Is Ignoring Venezuela’s Regime Change Problem

Independent media outlets tend to pose alternative viewpoints that conflict with the narratives espoused by mainstream media. But when it comes to Venezuela, whose socialist government is in danger of being overthrown, they are parroting the mainstream line or ignoring the issue altogether.

Whitney Webb
By Whitney Webb
Alternative Media Is Ignoring Venezuela’s Regime Change Problem

Independent media outlets tend to pose alternative viewpoints that conflict with the narratives espoused by mainstream media. But when it comes to Venezuela, whose socialist government is in danger of being overthrown, they are parroting the mainstream line or ignoring the issue altogether.

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Ancient Greece Could Hold The Key To Solving Today’s Debt Crisis

Ancient Greece is perhaps best known for its contributions to mankind in the areas of philosophy, architecture, and science. But a modern-day economist suggests that some of the economic practices that were used in ancient times could help to solve Greece’s current debt crisis.

Dr. Michael Nevradakis
By Dr. Michael Nevradakis
Ancient Greece Could Hold The Key To Solving Today’s Debt Crisis

Ancient Greece is perhaps best known for its contributions to mankind in the areas of philosophy, architecture, and science. But a modern-day economist suggests that some of the economic practices that were used in ancient times could help to solve Greece’s current debt crisis.

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Laughing Their Ossoff: Did Computer-Aided Fraud Play A Role In Georgia’s Special Election Upset?

In a special Congressional election recently held in Georgia, Republican Karen Handel defeated Democrat Jon Ossoff, who went into the election with a significant lead in the polls. It may have been a good old-fashioned political upset – or the result of behind-the-scenes vote-counting fraud.

Jonathan D. Simon
By Jonathan D. Simon
Laughing Their Ossoff: Did Computer-Aided Fraud Play A Role In Georgia’s Special Election Upset?

In a special Congressional election recently held in Georgia, Republican Karen Handel defeated Democrat Jon Ossoff, who went into the election with a significant lead in the polls. It may have been a good old-fashioned political upset – or the result of behind-the-scenes vote-counting fraud.

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The Kurdish Connection: Israel, ISIS And US Efforts To Destabilize Iran

Syrian Kurds claim to be fighting against terror as they strive for autonomy, a goal that they have yet to achieve even after decades of effort. But their efforts are being co-opted by Western powers that are using them to achieve their own ends in the Middle East.

Sarah Abed
By Sarah Abed
The Kurdish Connection: Israel, ISIS And US Efforts To Destabilize Iran

Syrian Kurds claim to be fighting against terror as they strive for autonomy, a goal that they have yet to achieve even after decades of effort. But their efforts are being co-opted by Western powers that are using them to achieve their own ends in the Middle East.

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Left, Right And The Russian Connection: An Interview With Alexander Reid Ross And Eric Draitser

In order to understand today’s Russia, one has to look past the neo-McCarthyism of mainstream media and take a more nuanced view of the role the country now plays in the current political landscape. Today, MintPress News’ Yoav Litvin speaks with two experts to examine Russia’s influence on global politics.

Yoav Litvin
By Yoav Litvin
Left, Right And The Russian Connection: An Interview With Alexander Reid Ross And Eric Draitser

In order to understand today’s Russia, one has to look past the neo-McCarthyism of mainstream media and take a more nuanced view of the role the country now plays in the current political landscape. Today, MintPress News’ Yoav Litvin speaks with two experts to examine Russia’s influence on global politics.

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