Steven Gaal Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Hidden US-Israeli Military Agenda: "Break Syria into Pieces" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prof. Michel Chossudovsky 6/16/12 SEE LINK BELOW FOR MAPS MENTIONED IN ARTICLE http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=31454 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A timely article in the Jerusalem Post last month brings to the forefront the unspoken objective of US foreign policy, namely the breaking up of Syria as a sovereign nation state --along ethnic and religious lines-- into several separate and "independent" political entities. The article also confirms the role of Israel in the process of political destabilization of Syria. The JP article is titled: "Veteran Kurdish politician calls on Israel to support the break-up of Syria' (by Jonathan Spyer) (The Jerusalem Post (May 16, 2012) Sherkoh Abbas, President of the US based Kurdistan National Assembly of Syria (KNA) has "called on Israel to support the break-up of Syria into a series of federal structures based on the country’s various ethnicities." (Ibid) The objective of the US sponsored armed insurgency is --with the help of Israel-- to "Break Syria into Pieces". The "balkanisation of the Syrian Arab Republic" is to be carried out by fostering sectarian divisions, which will eventually lead to a "civil war" modelled on the former Yugoslavia. One possible "break-up scenario" pertaining to Syria, which constitutes a secular multi-ethnic society, would be the formation of separate and "independent" Sunni, Alawite-Shiite, Kurdish and Druze states: “We need to break Syria into pieces,” Abbas said. (Quoted in JP, op. cit., emphasis added). "The Syrian Kurdish dissident argued that a federal Syria, separated into four or five regions on an ethnic basis, would also serve as a natural “buffer” for Israel against both Sunni and Shi’ite Islamist forces." (Ibid.). Ironically, while Islamist forces are said to constitute the main threat to the Jewish State, Tel Aviv is providing covert support to the Islamist Free Syrian Army (FSA). Map 1 Meeting behind Closed Doors at the US State Department A top level US State Department meeting was held in May with members of the Syrian Kurdish opposition. In attendance were representatives of the Kurdish National Council (KNC), Robert Stephen Ford, the outgoing US ambassador to Syria (who has played a key role in channelling support to the rebels) as well as Frederic C. Hof, a former business partner of Richard Armitage, who currently serves as the administration’s "special coordinator on Syria". (Ibid). The delegation also met with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman. Frederic C. Hof, Robert Stephen Ford and Jeffrey Feltman are the State Department's key Syria policy-makers, with close links to the Syrian Free Army (SFA) and the Syrian National Council (SNC). The public statements of KNA leader Sherkoh Abbas in the wake of the State Department meeting suggest that the political fracturing of the Syrian Arab Republic along ethnic and religious lines as well as the creation of an "independent Kurdistan" were discussed. "State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner described [the meeting's] purpose as part of 'ongoing efforts... to help the Syrian [Kurdish] opposition build a more cohesive opposition to Assad.'” (Ibid). The KNA leader called upon Washington to support the creation of a separate Kurdish State consisting of "an autonomous region in Syria; joining the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq – which borders the Kurdish region in Syria; or perhaps an even larger Kurdish state" [Greater Kurdistan]. "The Kurdish people, in all parts of Kurdistan, seek the right to form an independent Kurdish state. We can only achieve this cherished goal with the help of the western democracies, and first and foremost the U.S.” said Sherkoh Abbas. (Syria: An Alternative, Choice, Ekurd.net, May 22, 2012) It is worth noting, in this regard, that the creation of a "Greater Kurdistan" has been envisaged for several years by the Pentagon as part of a broader "Plan for Redrawing the Middle East".(See map 2 below) This option, which appears unlikely in the near future, would go against the interests of Turkey, a staunch ally of both the US and Israel. Another scenario, which is contemplated by Ankara would consist in the annexation to Turkey of parts of Syrian Kurdistan. (See map above). "Greater Kurdistan" would include portions of Iran, Syria, Iraq and Turkey as conveyed in Coronel Ralph Peters (ret) celebrated map of "The New Middle East" (see below). (For Further details see Mahdi Nazemroaya's November 2006 Global Research article). (Nov 2006 article link below) http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=3882 Colonel Peters taught at the US Military Academy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Plans for Redrawing the Middle East: The Project for a “New Middle East” - by Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya - 2006-11-18 Towards the balkanization (division) and finlandization (pacification) of the Middle East http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=3882 Map 2. The New Middle East The following map was prepared by Lieutenant-Colonel Ralph Peters. It was published in the Armed Forces Journal in June 2006, Peters is a retired colonel of the U.S. National War Academy. (Map Copyright Lieutenant-Colonel Ralph Peters 2006). Although the map does not officially reflect Pentagon doctrine, it has been used in a training program at NATO's Defense College for senior military officers. This map, as well as other similar maps, has most probably been used at the National War Academy as well as in military planning circles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Colby Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 The crap you post pathetically easy to debunk. If one reads the actual JP article rather than carefully spun snippets. there is nothing in it about Israel or the US backing Abbas or his ideas, it even noted that he refuses to cooperate with the US backed Syrian National Council. http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2012/5/syriakurd499.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Gaal Posted June 17, 2012 Author Share Posted June 17, 2012 (edited) It must be wonderful to live in the MSM simplistic world of Len Colby. Whats that saying ? Ignorance is bliss. British Report: Mossad unprecedentedly penetrates the Syrian Opposition financially and politically. by D.N.N شبكة دمشق الإخبارية on Thursday, 5 May 2011 at 02:29 · An officer in the Israeli intelligence has sponsored “ Barada Channel”, “Justice and Development Movement”. The draft of “ Damascus Declaration” has been discussed in the headquarter of the CIA before proving its final version by Riad al Turk?! A British report titled “Israel and Arab Opposition Organizations after the neo-conservative era” has claimed that the Israeli intelligence has unprecedentedly penetrated the Syrian opposition financially and politically during the last few years using ‘roundabout ways’ for the financially transfers to guarantee uncovering them by banks. The 121 pages report were issued on the 10th of last March . It has mentioned that the First Lieutenant in the Mossad reserves Neir Youmes has offered millions of American dollars since 2004 till the end of 2009 of the “Mossad” budget to support Syrian opposition political and media groups and it has also offered logistic facilities for some leaders of Damascus Declaration alliance. It has sponsored reports about the domestic and political conditions in Syria. Mossad has transferred millions of dollars to many MFIs or to organizations that support Arab dissidents run either directly by Mossad like “Cyper Dissidents” or “FDD” or that which follow the neo-conservatives in the US like “NED”. As the report said. Neir Youmes has met Anas Al Abdeh and Ausamah Al Mnaged (Both are officials leaders in the Justice and Development Movement) in August 2007 several times in Washington. They have also met CIA and neo-conservative officials. The report has also remarked that some of these meetings were hosted by “National Salvation Front” led by Abdel-Halim Khaddam and the Comptroller General of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood – before their withdrawal. Other meetings were hosted by the Israeli embassy. As the report said. They agreed to sponsor many fake political and media activities like “Barada channel” and “The Higher Institute of Syrian Research”. This Institute is not registered in any place and it has published only one report. As the report said. Radwan Ziadeh and Ammar Abd AlHameid have played a major role in the financial transformation. One of the mission assigned to “ Fortune Project” is to “recruit Mossad agents inside Syria to write articles and reports for money that was transferred by a Lebanese bank in Chtoura near Syrian borders. In this contest, Mosaad al-Halfawi has affirmed that Al Abdeh and Al Mnaged are neo-conservative pro in Palestine and Iraq. They are also pro of double political and media line. So that they say in their Arabic articles that are different from those published in English. The Attempts of penetrating have also reached the “ patriot and the centre-left”. As the report said. Jouhina News ################################################ Now my analysis "The bottom line, as Qubad Talabani, representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government to the US, put it in a recent speech, is that the “Syrian opposition is not talking about Kurdish issues, is not talking about the need to protect Kurdish rights or to have the Kurdish identity as part of any new Syria.” For as long as this remains the case, calls for federalism, for separation, and for breaking Syria “into pieces” are likely to grow stronger." = JP article quote ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Since Syrian opposition is mostly a USA puppet then ," (ignored) calls for federalism, for separation, and for breaking Syria “into pieces” are likely to grow stronger.", then BALKANIZATION process can be fostered to occur. ######################################### see related // http://whatreallyhappened.com/node/174779 Edited June 17, 2012 by Steven Gaal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Colby Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 It must be wonderful to live in the MSM simplistic world of Len Colby. Whats that saying ? Ignorance is bliss. Whenever you start doubting the crapola you post here you lash out it’s a clear ‘tell’. Hilariously ironic that you post a piece in which Chossudovsky puts his spin on article in the JP, an MSM news outlet, but when I point out it didn’t really say what he claimed you start babbling about my living in my “MSM simplistic world”. British Report: Mossad unprecedentedly penetrates the Syrian Opposition financially and politically. by D.N.N شبكة دمشق الإخبارية on Thursday, 5 May 2011 at 02:29 · An officer in the Israeli intelligence has sponsored “ Barada Channel”, “Justice and Development Movement”. The draft of “ Damascus Declaration” has been discussed in the headquarter of the CIA before proving its final version by Riad al Turk?! Wonderful an anonymous “article” which doesn’t have any citations from the FB page of a pro-Assad group - only for ‘true believers. A British report titled “Israel and Arab Opposition Organizations after the neo-conservative era” has claimed that the Israeli intelligence has unprecedentedly penetrated the Syrian opposition financially and politically during the last few years using ‘roundabout ways’ for the financially transfers to guarantee uncovering them by banks. The 121 pages report were issued on the 10th of last March . It has mentioned that the First Lieutenant in the Mossad reserves Neir Youmes has offered millions of American dollars since 2004 till the end of 2009 of the “Mossad” budget to support Syrian opposition political and media groups and it has also offered logistic facilities for some leaders of Damascus Declaration alliance. It has sponsored reports about the domestic and political conditions in Syria. LOL we are never told who authored the supposed report or what group issued it. The only Google hits for the supposed report are to the FB article - only for ‘true believers. [...] ################################################ Now my analysis "The bottom line, as Qubad Talabani, representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government to the US, put it in a recent speech, is that the “Syrian opposition is not talking about Kurdish issues, is not talking about the need to protect Kurdish rights or to have the Kurdish identity as part of any new Syria.” For as long as this remains the case, calls for federalism, for separation, and for breaking Syria “into pieces” are likely to grow stronger." = JP article quote ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Since Syrian opposition is mostly a USA puppet then ," (ignored) calls for federalism, for separation, and for breaking Syria “into pieces” are likely to grow stronger.", then BALKANIZATION process can be fostered to occur. ######################################### ???? So the US not backing splitting up Syria is a sign they are secretly backing splitting the country up? Also this is a classic case of circular thinking you use the assumption ‘Syrian opposition is mostly a USA puppet’ to reinforce your belief that is the case. see related // http://whatreallyhap...com/node/174779 LOL where did the Taliban get their start? Where were the Mujahedeen based? Where is the resistance to the US backed regimes in Iraq and Afghanistan strongest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Gaal Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 (edited) Now my analysis "The bottom line, as Qubad Talabani, representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government to the US, put it in a recent speech, is that the “Syrian opposition is not talking about Kurdish issues, is not talking about the need to protect Kurdish rights or to have the Kurdish identity as part of any new Syria.” For as long as this remains the case, calls for federalism, for separation, and for breaking Syria “into pieces” are likely to grow stronger." = JP article quote ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Since Syrian opposition is mostly a USA puppet then ," (ignored) calls for federalism, for separation, and for breaking Syria “into pieces” are likely to grow stronger.", then BALKANIZATION process can be fostered to occur. ######################################### START COLBY BELOW ???? So the US not backing splitting up Syria is a sign they are secretly backing splitting the country up? Also this is a classic case of circular thinking you use the assumption ‘Syrian opposition is mostly a USA puppet’ to reinforce your belief that is the case. /// END COLBY ######################################### ANSWER TO COLBY If you dont talk about FEDERALISM ,you will get (worse) seperation. Soo much support Syrian opposition by USA,,,,,puppets. ########################################### ########################################### http://whatreallyhap...com/node/174779 Great map speaks volumes RE outsiders. BTW OUTSIDERS = will increase outcome to BALKANIZATION. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ http://www.eliteukfo...orces-syria.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Turkish daily Aydinlik said that suicide bombings represent a way of incitement carried out by the CIA and Mossad agents in Iraq, and are applied now in Syria, Lebanese daily Al-Benaa reported. TURKISH DAILY (A RELIABLE SOURCE) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/06/19/246992/syrian-gangs-receiving-israeli-arms/ Israeli arms to REBELS. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Searching for Solutions in Syria Written by Nile Bowie Posted: 12 June 2012 16:49 The worsening conflict in Syria and the prospect of foreign military intervention outside the mandate of the United Nations poses an immediate risk to civilian safety. The consequences of pursuing regime change in Damascus invite a broader sectarian conflict that would forever reshape the Middle East; this article analyzes the ongoing perpetuation of violence and attempts to offer non-abrasive solutions to the crisis in Syria. For sixteen months, the people of Syria have undergone economic hardship, tremendous human suffering and the unparalleled horrors of war. As the Syrian opposition officially abandons the ceasefire and calls for foreign intervention and the imposition of a no-fly zone [1], US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has announced a new transition plan that would topple the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, signaling the increasing possibility of intervention outside the mandate of the United Nations [2]. Following clashes between militant rebel groups and government forces that claimed the lives of 80 Syrian troops [3], rebels in Aleppo have reportedly taken 11 hostages and vowed to release them only when a new state is established [4]. While Bashar al-Assad attributes the perpetuation of Syria’s crisis to outside forces [5], Iran has expressed its readiness to mount an armed resistance against foreign military forces in Syria [6]. Regardless of who perpetrated the recent killings in Qubayr and Houla, the profoundly disturbing images of lifeless children begs the question, has the Syrian crisis reached a point of incorrigibility? Western media has largely relied on unconfirmed opposition accounts crediting the Shabiha, pro-government Alawite militias with carrying out massacres across Syria as a result of the Assad government “brainwashing the militia into believing the Sunni majority was their enemy,” as reported by The Telegraph [7]. Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung has recently reported that anti-Assad Sunni militants carried out the massacre in Houla, targeting pro-government Alawi and Shia minorities, “Those killed were almost exclusively from families belonging to Houla’s Alawi and Shia minorities. Over 90% of Houla’s population is Sunni. Several dozen members of a family were slaughtered, which had converted from Sunni to Shia Islam. Members of the Shomaliya, an Alawi family, were also killed, as was the family of a Sunni member of the Syrian parliament who is regarded as a collaborator. Immediately following the massacre, the perpetrators are supposed to have filmed their victims and then presented them as Sunni victims in videos posted on the internet” [8]. Human Rights Watch has also released a report entitled “Syria: Armed Opposition Groups Committing Abuses,” documenting the outstanding cases of violence exercised by the Syrian opposition, which has been accused of kidnapping, detaining, torturing and executing of members of the Syrian military and civilian government supporters [9]. HRW reports that attacks by opposition groups are conducted largely on sectarian grounds, motivated by anti-Shia and anti-Alawite sentiments, citing abuses committed by militant Salafist groups and members of the opposition Free Syrian Army. Although UN observers admit they are unable to determine the perpetrators of the recent massacre in Qubayr with no firm evidence to inculpate the Syrian government, UN chief Ban Ki-moon has declared that the Assad government has lost its legitimacy [10], channeling calls by President Barak Obama, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and British Prime Minister David Cameron for Assad to step down [11]. Reports of massacres have been framed to fit a pre-determined conclusion, in line with the foreign policy objectives of Western capitals by implicating the Assad regime with orchestrating violence in order to build popular support for aggressively toppling the Syrian government. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has recently accused external forces of inciting violence by providing arms and material assistance to militant opposition forces, stating, “They want the international community to be filled with indignation and start a full-blown intervention in Syria” [12]. Following the killings in Qubayr, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner called on the world to exert "maximum financial pressure" on Assad's government through strong sanctions that “can help hasten the day the Assad regime relinquishes power," while assuring that the US would support the use of force against Syria as authorized under Chapter 7 of the United Nations charter [13]. Although Hillary Clinton has openly acknowledged that members of Al-Qaeda and other groups on the State Department’s terror list are fighting alongside opposition rebels supported by the United States [14], countries belonging to both NATO and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have provided extensive financial and material support to the militant opposition. Former FBI translator turned whistleblower Sibel Edmonds has reported that NATO/American-affiliated troops have conducted operations on Jordanian soil near Syrian border in the village of Albaej [15], as US troops reportedly train members of the Free Syrian Army along with Jordanian forces in order to prepare them for an international military drill in the country [16]. Syrian officials report the presence of intelligence operatives from Mossad and the CIA, as well as employees of private military contractors such as Blackwater in Syria; security forces have reportedly detained French, Turkish, Gulf, Iraqi, and Lebanese gunmen operating inside Syria [17]. The Washington Post reports in their article, “Syrian rebels get influx of arms with gulf neighbors’ money, U.S. coordination,” that Persian Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar with coordination from the United States have spent millions arming and funding militant opposition groups battling the Assad government [18]. The United States has admittedly spent $6 million training opposition journalists and activists between 2006 and 2010, while funneling approximately $6.3 million to the Movement for Justice and Development, a London-based dissident organization that broadcasts anti-government news into Syria [19]. As a further indication of foreign elements at work in Syria, members of the Syrian opposition have also adopted tactics seen by Al Qaeda in Iraq. Reuters reports in their article, “Outgunned Syria rebels make shift to bombs,” that rebels have adopted suicide bombing, booby-trapped car bombs and roadside explosions; Joseph Holliday of the US-based Institute for the Study of War adds "There's no question that a lot of Syrians fought with al Qaeda elements in Iraq [against the United States] and it's likely that many rebels today learned bombing skills fighting there" [20]. While the editorial policy of The New York Times permits the publication of pieces such as the ostentatiously titled “Assad, the Butcher,” which incongruously accuses the foreign ministries of Russia and China of living in a “fantasy world” before calling on those nations to receive “comprehensive punishments” for being complicit in “more than 12,000 Syrian deaths,” the Western and Gulf capitals’ strategy of arming militant opposition forces and extremist groups has worked to foment atrocities and further enflame regional sectarian tension, invalidating any attempt to abide by Kofi Annan’s Peace Plan [21]. Publications released by The Brookings Institution, a US think-tank noted for its influence on American foreign policy, provides further insight into the nature of Washington’s objectives in Syria. Brookings’ March 2012 Middle East Memo titled “Saving Syria: Assessing Options for Regime Change,” is a testament to the underlying politicization of the “Responsibility to Protect” in Syria, as atrocities are orchestrated as a pretext to protect civilians, to warrant toppling the Syrian government and furthering Washington’s geopolitical objectives in the region. Brookings’ Memo meticulously theorizes ways to overthrow the Assad government, including the use of crippling economic sanctions to further incite unrest and the leveraging of human rights abuses to aggressively intervene in Syria, “Working with its Arab, regional, and Western partners, Washington can push for a more effective humanitarian response and pave the way for more aggressive intervention options to topple Asad” [22]. Due to budget restraints and a public wary of fighting wars overseas, Washington’s strategy is to lead from behind by prompting other countries to lead the charge militarily, “Israel could posture forces on or near the Golan Heights and, in so doing, might divert regime forces from suppressing the opposition. This posture may conjure fears in the Asad regime of a multi-front war, particularly if Turkey is willing to do the same on its border and if the Syrian opposition is being fed a steady diet of arms and training” [23]. While Hilary Clinton and others pay lip service to supporting the ceasefire proposed by the Annan Plan, Brookings’ advisers suggest Washington “pin down the Asad regime and bleed it, keeping a regional adversary weak, while avoiding the costs of direct intervention" [24]. The US continues pressuring neighboring countries like Jordan and Turkey to provide support for the militant Syrian opposition, “These allies would have to provide secure bases for the opposition on Syria’s borders, protected by their own armed forces. Their militaries could do much of the arming and training, in conjunction with the United States. Area intelligence services, perhaps including Israel’s, could also work behind the scenes to undermine Asad’s regime and bolster the opposition” [25]. Brookings’ Memo highlights Washington’s commitment to overthrowing the Syrian government using the most cost-effect means possible, “the hope is that the United States could fight a ‘clean’ war from 10,000 feet and leave the dirty work on the ground to the Free Syrian Army, perhaps even obviating a massive commitment to Iraq-style nation-building” [26]. The toppling of the Assad government would offer the United States and its allies in Tel Aviv and Riyadh substantial strategic advantages, as the underlying object of supporting insurgent activity against Damascus is to undermine Iranian influence in the Arab world. Syria under Bashar al-Assad is the fundamental channel that links Hezbollah with Iran, serving as a transit point for conducting training operations and distributing material assistance to the Palestinian resistance. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has theorized that the toppling of Assad would “be a major blow to the radical axis [syria, Iran, Hezbollah] and a major blow to Iran. It's the only kind of outpost of Iranian influence in the Arab world and it will weaken dramatically both Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza” [27]. Although Syria’s opposition in power after the downfall of Assad would be a compliant entity to the foreign powers supporting it, the SNC would likely be unable to conjure the political leverage needed to enforce order, and heinous violations of human rights would no doubt occur under it; if Salafist elements were able to usurp authority, Syria’s Alawite, Druze and Christian populations would likely be subject to sectarian violence and persecution. Israel can potentially reap significant gains from regime change in Syria by working to reduce Iran’s influence in the region and by increasing its commercial exploits in Syria’s Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which supplies one-third of Israel’s water supply [28] and holds an estimated $24 million in oil and gas reserves [29]. Over time, resistance movements in Lebanon and occupied Palestinian territories may be unable to defend their territory without outside support, allowing the Netanyahu government to more effectively pursue its aspirations to create a "Greater Israel". Saudi Arabia is motivated by the prospect of becoming a dominant regional power and the ideological aspirations of quelling the expansion of Shia identity through neutralizing the governments of Tehran and Damascus, as adherents to Sunni Islam recognize Alawites as part of the Shia sect. Turkey is also determined to increase its influence in the region and possibly expand its territory by annexing northern regions of Syria under appropriate circumstances. While foreign military intervention would inevitably continue to produce civilian casualities and collateral damage, it is important to recognize that the Syrian people have already experienced the spoils of war at this stage in the conflict. The unspeakable nature of the killings in Syria inevitably brings one to contemplate how diplomacy can be successfully utilized given the current state of affairs. The immediate cessation of violence in Syria through diplomatic and non-abrasive means should be the ultimate objective of those individuals charged with enforcing the Annan Plan, even if it means drastically increasing the presence and financial expenditure of a neutral United Nations peacekeeping mission. For all its shortcomings and adherence to aggressive policies of the United States, Israel, and others, the United Nations is the only institution currently established to undertake such a mission in Syria. Certain steps can be taken by the international community to ease tensions at the administrative and grassroots levels, namely by encouraging direct talks with between Bashar al-Assad and representatives of all internal opposition organizations, including members of the Free Syrian Army, the Syrian National Council, the Muslim Brotherhood and the National Coordination Committee, a coalition of left-leaning political parties staunchly opposed to foreign intervention [30]. Although both the opposition and the Syrian government have exercised inappropriate and excessive force indiscriminately throughout the conflict, the government of Bashar al-Assad is the legitimate legal authority in Syria. The Assad government has issued reforms allowing for multi-party competition, the establishment of an independent judiciary, a two-term limit on the presidency and political pluralism through inaugurating a new constitution passed in a referendum held in February 2012. If a ceasefire can be upheld through a power-sharing agreement between representatives of various opposition groups and the current government in Syria, the international community should rightfully encourage such a transition. Furthermore, representatives of the Syrian government and its allies should have a place at future "Friends of Syria" meetings and any international mediation conference to work towards a balanced solution to the crisis. The United Nations or any other legitimate neutral institution must investigate the nation states and institutions responsible for illegally exporting arms into Syria and issue substantial fines and sanctions to those responsible parties. Neutral institutions must secure Syria’s borders and thoroughly inspect all incoming and outgoing persons and cargo; in addition, an arms embargo must be established and respected by all sides with a focus on subduing illegal smuggling. Both sides must be encouraged to use the maximum amount of restraint, no matter how severe the provocation. In the case of successful dialogue between the Assad government and representatives of the opposition, the creation of UN-administered “arms-free zones” can be established in population centers if opposition leaders can be persuaded to call for the gradual disarmament of rebel forces. Given the degree of brutality exerted by those responsible for the atrocities in Houla and elsewhere, it is to be expected that certain individuals would not respect such a ceasefire; the motivation for their brutal actions may be sectarian, ideological, or financial. Neutral external individuals and institutions could encourage inter-faith dialogues between regional spiritual leaders, and perhaps influential clerics can be persuaded to issue fatwas or the equivalent against the further perpetuation of violence in an attempt to cool sectarian tensions. If the Syrian government and members of the opposition can come to a conducive transitional agreement where all parties have a degree of influence, joint security coalitions can be formed comprised of UN personnel, Syrian soldiers and former rebels to ensure that the ceasefire is exercised. Those who act outside the ceasefire using illegally procured arms and explosives could be individually prosecuted or dealt with by force if they pose an immediate security threat. Outside forces must be held accountable for engaging in activities that have brought the Syrian crisis to this dismal stage, namely by paying substantial penalties that can be used to temporarily resettle Syrian refugees and fund efforts to secure Syria’s borders. All efforts must be made to transition the Syrian people into a climate of normality, including the removal of economic sanctions. At this crucial stage, the Syrian government should exercise strict curfews to ensure the safety of civilians, making it more difficult for terrorist groups to operate. Even if an agreement can be reached between Bashar al-Assad and representatives of Syria’s various opposition groups, terrorists groups would likely continue to provoke violence for whatever their purpose. Until both the Syrian government and the opposition can unite under the common goal of providing security to the people of Syria, no viable political transitions can be agreed upon. The government of Bashar al-Assad must continue to make tangible reforms that legitimize dissent and promote expression, and the Free Syrian Army must agree to gradually disarm and come to a political compromise. The implications of both foreign military intervention and the administrative usurpation of sectarian fanatics hold unacceptable consequences for the Syrian people and the entire region. Even if internal actors agree upon a solution, it will take years for the people of Syria to recover from this conflict and begin to forgive each other. If the majority of the Syrian people desire a change in leadership, the world must respect their aspirations, however such a decision can only be reached once the domestic security situation has transitioned to appropriate levels by both sides respecting the ceasefire. Those individuals who value stability founded on the pillars of peace, compromise and conflict aversion must make their voices heard and stand with the Syrian people to help steer them out of these dark times, and eventually, help them heal. Nile Bowie is an independent writer and photojournalist based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Twitter: @NileBowie Notes [1] Syrian rebels abandon ceasefire, call on UN for no-fly zone, Russia Today, June 4, 2012 [2] US post-Assad Syria plan: Intervention in the cards? Russia Today, June 7, 2012 [3] Syria rebels 'kill 80 soldiers' in weekend clashes, BBC, June 4, 2012 [4] Syria rebels say will free Lebanese hostages in new state, Chicago Tribune, June 9, 2012 [5] Assad says Syria faces "real war" waged from outside, Reuters, June 3, 2012 [6] Iran: Syrian intervention 'will be defeated', Russia Today, June 9, 2012 [7] The Shabiha: Inside Assad's death squads, The Telegraph, June 2, 2012 [8] Abermals Massaker in Syrien, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, June 7, 2012 [9] Syria: Armed Opposition Groups Committing Abuses, Human Rights Watch, March 20, 2012 [10] UN mission ‘can’t say who to blame’ in Hama massacre, Russia Today, June 9, 2012 [11] UN debates Syria amid new demands Assad quits, Russia Today, August 19, 2011 [12] Annan plan ‘only chance for peace’ but stalled by intervention supporters - Lavrov, Russia Today, June 9, 2012 [13] Geithner warns Syria of UN action, as Clinton heads to Istanbul to talk strategy with allies, The Associated Press, June 6, 2012 [14] Clinton: Syria risking civil war, BBC, February 26, 2012 [15] US troops surround Syria on the eve of invasion? Russia Today, December 13, 2011 [16] Amman allows US to train Syrian rebels on Jordanian soil, PressTV, May 23, 2012 [17] Mossad, CIA and Blackwater operate in Syria - report, Russia Today, March 7, 2012 [18] Syrian rebels get influx of arms with gulf neighbors’ money, U.S. coordination, The Washington Post, May 16, 2012 [19] U.S. admits funding Syrian opposition, CBC News, April 18, 2011 [20] Outgunned Syria rebels make shift to bombs, Reuters, April 30, 2012 [21] Assad, the Butcher, The New York Times, June 9, 2012 [22] Saving Syria: Assessing Options for Regime Change, Page 4, The Brookings Institution, March 2012 [23] Ibid, Page 6, Brookings Institution, March 2012 [24] Ibid, Page 9, Brookings Institution, March 2012 [25] Ibid, Page 7, Brookings Institution, March 2012 [26] Ibid, Page 9, Brookings Institution, March 2012 [27] AMANPOUR. Latest full-length edition: Ehud Barak, CNN, April 20, 2012 [28] Shouting in the hills, Al-Ahram, June 2008 [29] Netanyahu Approves Oil Drilling In Golan Heights, AP, October 25, 1996 [30] Meet Syria's Opposition, Foreign Policy, November 2, 2011 By Nile Bowie 10 June, 2012 ########################################################### In 2008 ================= Mossad activism counterproductive / ISNwww.isn.ethz.ch/isn/Current.../Security-Watch Oct 9, 2008 by Dominic Moran Much play is being made in Israel of the purported involvement of the Mossad in a series of attacks in Iran and Syria. Largely laudatory, domestic comment eschews a more critical reading of the wider implications of such operations, Dominic Moran writes for ISN Security Watch. Edited June 19, 2012 by Steven Gaal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Colby Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Now my analysis "The bottom line, as Qubad Talabani, representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government to the US, put it in a recent speech, is that the “Syrian opposition is not talking about Kurdish issues, is not talking about the need to protect Kurdish rights or to have the Kurdish identity as part of any new Syria.” For as long as this remains the case, calls for federalism, for separation, and for breaking Syria “into pieces” are likely to grow stronger." = JP article quote ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Since Syrian opposition is mostly a USA puppet then ," (ignored) calls for federalism, for separation, and for breaking Syria “into pieces” are likely to grow stronger.", then BALKANIZATION process can be fostered to occur. ######################################### START COLBY BELOW ???? So the US not backing splitting up Syria is a sign they are secretly backing splitting the country up? Also this is a classic case of circular thinking you use the assumption ‘Syrian opposition is mostly a USA puppet’ to reinforce your belief that is the case. /// END COLBY ######################################### ANSWER TO COLBY If you dont talk about FEDERALISM ,you will get (worse) seperation. Soo much support Syrian opposition by USA,,,,,puppets. ########################################### LEN 6/20 And of course if the groups you believe to be “a USA puppet” WERE talking about “talking about Kurdish issues” you claim that was proof they back the “BALKANIZATION process” ditto if the US or groups it supported backed “FEDERALISM” heads I win tails you lose. ########################################### http://whatreallyhap...com/node/174779 Great map speaks volumes RE outsiders. BTW OUTSIDERS = will increase outcome to BALKANIZATION. LEN 6/20 Already addressed proves nothing, see my previous post. And who even knows if the map is accurate, it´s hard to believe that anything is going through the heavily fortified border with Israel. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ http://www.eliteukfo...orces-syria.php ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LEN 6/20 Already addressed proves nothing, see my previous post. Why do you keep repeating yourself? The Turkish daily Aydinlik said that suicide bombings represent a way of incitement carried out by the CIA and Mossad agents in Iraq, and are applied now in Syria, Lebanese daily Al-Benaa reported. TURKISH DAILY (A RELIABLE SOURCE) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LEN 6/20 OK a website run by Hezbollah and a ‘Shia’ news agency run by a religious group based in Iran claimed that a Lebanese newspaper also seemingly tied to Hezbollah reported that an obscure Turkish paper run by a Maoist political party which a Turkish criminal court found had “publish[ed] propaganda for a terrorist organisation” made such claims. What evidence did the radical possibly terrorist linked paper present? Gaal doesn’t know because not only has he not seen the original article he never saw the article in Al-Binaa (correct spelling) which said it was published. He can’t even be sure it was really published. http://bianet.org/english/english/118985-aydinlik-newspaper-banned-for-1-month http://www.presstv.i...g-israeli-arms/ Israeli arms to REBELS. LEN 6/20 - Gee a report with no cited sources from the notoriously accurate Iran gov't run PressTV. Reservations about the source and sourcing aside nowhere did the article say Israel was arming the rebels, only they has supposedly recieved Israeli made weapons. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Searching for Solutions in Syria Written by Nile Bowie Posted: 12 June 2012 16:49 The worsening conflict in Syria and the prospect of foreign military intervention outside the mandate of the United Nations poses an immediate risk to civilian safety. The consequences of pursuing regime change in Damascus invite a broader sectarian conflict that would forever reshape the Middle East; this article analyzes the ongoing perpetuation of violence and attempts to offer non-abrasive solutions to the crisis in Syria. For sixteen months, the people of Syria have undergone economic hardship, tremendous human suffering and the unparalleled horrors of war. As the Syrian opposition officially abandons the ceasefire and calls for foreign intervention and the imposition of a no-fly zone [1], US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has announced a new transition plan that would topple the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, signaling the increasing possibility of intervention outside the mandate of the United Nations [2]. ########################################################### LEN 6/20 You seem to have already forgotten the sage advice you got from Evan Steven,A suggestion you can choose to use or discard as you please. People are sometimes put off by large posts containing 'walls of text'. You might like to consider choosing a pertinent quote from the source and posting that with a link to the original article, etc. Alternatively, you can post a summary of the article's content in your own words, and then post the link. What is there in the article that is new and relevant? In 2008 ================= Mossad activism counterproductive / ISNwww.isn.ethz.ch/isn/Current.../Security-Watch Oct 9, 2008 by Dominic Moran Much play is being made in Israel of the purported involvement of the Mossad in a series of attacks in Iran and Syria. Largely laudatory, domestic comment eschews a more critical reading of the wider implications of such operations, Dominic Moran writes for ISN Security Watch. LEN 6/20 Relevance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Gaal Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 (edited) Gaal below In 2008 ================= Mossad activism counterproductive / ISNwww.isn.ethz.ch/isn/Current.../Security-Watch Oct 9, 2008 by Dominic Moran Much play is being made in Israel of the purported involvement of the Mossad in a series of attacks in Iran and Syria. Largely laudatory, domestic comment eschews a more critical reading of the wider implications of such operations, Dominic Moran writes for ISN Security Watch. ============================== LEN 6/20 Relevance? Gee LEN PAST IS PROLOGUE ==== MORAN ON COLBY SIDE OF TABLE FYI BTW ====== ============== In some cases Syria has accused Israel of responsibility for the attacks, with Israeli officials either responding with outright denials or staying mum. (MORAN QUOTE) Sgaal = " MUM" MEANS: YES,ISRAEL TERROR ATTACKS INTO SYRIA (see 9 Oct 2008 below) ________________________ 9 Oct 2008 Mossad activism counterproductive Much play is being made in Israel of the purported involvement of the Mossad in a series of attacks in Iran and Syria. Largely laudatory, domestic comment eschews a more critical reading of the wider implications of such operations, Dominic Moran writes for ISN Security Watch. By Dominic Moran in Tel Aviv for ISN Security Watch -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rightly or wrongly, responsibility for a series of attacks and assassinations in Iran and Syria in recent years and months have been laid at the door of the Mossad by the Israeli media. Lauded by political patrons for his purported rehabilitation of the Mossad's operational arm, agency head Meir Dagan has sought a return to the activist stance eschewed by the agency in the wake of a series of embarrassing botched operations. He has reportedly ruffled feathers within the agency in the process through the change in focus and a series of dismissals of senior staff. The Mossad has reaped the benefits in the form of a major boost in budgetary and human resources allocations, Haaretz reports. According to the daily, Dagan has succeeded in a push to tighten Israeli-US intelligence cooperation in the face of the perceived threat posed by the Iranian nuclear program. Under pressure since the 2006 Lebanon War, and in the absence of a viable military option against Iran, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has appeared to give the Mossad relatively free operational rein in his weekly Thursday meetings with Dagan and Mossad staffers. The widespread domestic popularity of the Mossad's alleged recent operations was reflected in the decision by analysts on the country's most watched news program to vote Dagan their "man-of-the-year." The "award" in itself is a reflection of the profound absence of domestic popular trust in both the political and, to a lesser degree, military leaderships in the wake of the Lebanon conflict. The provenance of spy agency attacks is, of course, virtually impossible to demonstrate in the absence of substantive evidence or subsequent claims of responsibility. A major bombing in Damascus on 27 September was blamed by Syrian officials on an unidentified Islamist group based in northern Lebanon. However, Italian news agency AKI reported Syrian opposition figures as claiming that Brigadier General Abdul Karim Abbas, deputy commander of the Syrian military intelligence's Palestine Branch, was the intended target, raising the possibility of Israeli involvement. Israeli commentators claimed that the blast further reflected the weakness of Syrian counter-intelligence efforts following the assassination of Hizbollah commander Imad Mughniyah in the Syrian capital in February. This was followed by the assassination of Syrian General Mohammed Suleiman, who Israeli reports claimed was responsible for contacts with Hizbollah and the murder of Hamas political bureau head Khaled Meshaal's secretary Hisham al-Labadani earlier this month. Lebanese reports that Suleiman was close to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and may have been a key witness in the probe into the death of former Lebanese premier Rafik al-Hariri further muddies the waters. In July 2007, a reported blast at a Syrian military plant, purportedly used in the manufacture of chemical warheads, killed at least 15 soldiers. According to an ABC News report, the Mossad may also have either "turned" a worker or inserted a spy at the supposed Syrian nuclear site bombed last September. In some cases Syria has accused Israel of responsibility for the attacks, with Israeli officials either responding with outright denials or staying mum. The interests of Arab intelligence agencies and the Mossad clearly coincide in their desire to probe the inner workings and potential of the Iranian nuclear program. Iranian state news agency IRNA alleged last month that recent Mossad successes were due to cooperation with a foreign intelligence agency. Hizbollah's Al Manar identified Saudi Arabia as the culprit. The channel claimed that Saudi National Security Council Prince Bandar bin Sultan (who Israeli reports claim met Olmert in 2006) played a leading role in securing cooperation between Saudi and Israeli agencies. An alleged arms convoy, purportedly intended for Hizbollah, was blown up in a Tehran suburb in July. The Iranian claims should perhaps be taken with a grain of salt but appear to reflect genuine fears amongst the Islamist Republic's leadership concerning the apparent ability of foreign agencies to secure access to sensitive research and other sites associated with the country's atomic program. The case for ongoing Israeli espionage and spy agency interdiction efforts in Syria is far from clear given the potential for dialogue with the Baathist government. Attacks against Syrian officials and facilities are likely to strengthen the cause of those within the al-Assad government and military opposed to the potential resumption of full peace talks with Israel in 2009. The Bashar al-Assad government has clearly chosen to ignore the attacks so far, a fact that reflects the weakness of the country's diplomatic position both regionally and on the world stage - though ties with France and, to a lesser extent, the US, appear to be warming. Nevertheless, the conduct of such operations places significant pressure on the Baathist government to respond - likely diplomatically - and has limited strategic import given that the rearming of Hizbollah is a virtual fait accompli. Indeed, Israeli involvement in such attacks may force Syria to reverse seeming recent moves to create some distance between itself and Hizbollah and undermines the Syrian decision to risk its economically important relationship with Iran through indirect talks with Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who will head the incoming Israeli administration should she avoid a breakdown of coalition negotiations, is known to favor the Palestinian peace track and has expressed doubts concerning Syrian intentions in the Istanbul parlay. However, Livni has signaled that she is keen to promote the role of the traditionally moderate Foreign Ministry within her new government. This is clearly intended to facilitate diplomatic progress through diminishing the role of the security-political cabinet (which includes Dagan) in government peace and other diplomatic moves. If she is serious about pushing ahead with the Syrian-Israeli track, Livni must exercise significant oversight over the Mossad, ensuring that it eschews further attacks on Syrian or Lebanese soil. These are of limited strategic import and undermine mutual confidence and the prospects for peace. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Dominic Moran, based in Tel Aviv, is ISN Security Watch's senior correspondent in the Middle East and the Director of Operations of ISA Consulting. ######################################### ######################################### GEE LEN I DONT THINK U ADDRESSED THIS below ???? (from the Nilie Bowie Article above (in POST #5), ALL PLEASE READ ,no matter what LEN COLBY says) Although Hillary Clinton has openly acknowledged that members of Al-Qaeda and other groups on the State Department’s terror list are fighting alongside opposition rebels supported by the United States [14], countries belonging to both NATO and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have provided extensive financial and material support to the militant opposition. Former FBI translator turned whistleblower Sibel Edmonds has reported that NATO/American-affiliated troops have conducted operations on Jordanian soil near Syrian border in the village of Albaej [15], as US troops reportedly train members of the Free Syrian Army along with Jordanian forces in order to prepare them for an international military drill in the country [16]. ##################################### ##################################### "LEN Colby 6/20 You seem to have already forgotten the sage advice you got from Evan" Well I say..... EVAN SAID THIS , EVAN SAID THAT,consistency is hobgoblin of little minds. Nile Bowie article is BALANCED IMHO and thus educational on the issue. THIS IS AN EDUCATION FORUM ???? Not a replay of MSM news ????? Edited June 20, 2012 by Steven Gaal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Colby Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 My latest -------------------------------------------------- Gaal below In 2008 ================= Mossad activism counterproductive / ISNwww.isn.ethz.ch/isn/Current.../Security-Watch Oct 9, 2008 by Dominic Moran Much play is being made in Israel of the purported involvement of the Mossad in a series of attacks in Iran and Syria. Largely laudatory, domestic comment eschews a more critical reading of the wider implications of such operations, Dominic Moran writes for ISN Security Watch. ============================== LEN 6/20 Relevance? Gee LEN PAST IS PROLOGUE ==== MORAN ON COLBY SIDE OF TABLE FYI BTW ====== ============== In some cases Syria has accused Israel of responsibility for the attacks, with Israeli officials either responding with outright denials or staying mum. (MORAN QUOTE) Sgaal = " MUM" MEANS: YES,ISRAEL TERROR ATTACKS INTO SYRIA (see 9 Oct 2008 below) No "mum" means "mum" they never admit or deny responsibility. That said Syria backs Hamas and Hezbollah both of with attack Israel. But targetted attacks is one thing backing the rebels is another. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ________________________ 9 Oct 2008 Mossad activism counterproductive Much play is being made in Israel of the purported involvement of the Mossad in a series of attacks in Iran and Syria. Largely laudatory, domestic comment eschews a more critical reading of the wider implications of such operations, Dominic Moran writes for ISN Security Watch. By Dominic Moran in Tel Aviv for ISN Security Watch -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rightly or wrongly, responsibility for a series of attacks and assassinations in Iran and Syria in recent years and months have been laid at the door of the Mossad by the Israeli media. Lauded by political patrons for his purported rehabilitation of the Mossad's operational arm, agency head Meir Dagan has sought a return to the activist stance eschewed by the agency in the wake of a series of embarrassing botched operations. He has reportedly ruffled feathers within the agency in the process through the change in focus and a series of dismissals of senior staff. The Mossad has reaped the benefits in the form of a major boost in budgetary and human resources allocations, Haaretz reports. According to the daily, Dagan has succeeded in a push to tighten Israeli-US intelligence cooperation in the face of the perceived threat posed by the Iranian nuclear program. Under pressure since the 2006 Lebanon War, and in the absence of a viable military option against Iran, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has appeared to give the Mossad relatively free operational rein in his weekly Thursday meetings with Dagan and Mossad staffers. The widespread domestic popularity of the Mossad's alleged recent operations was reflected in the decision by analysts on the country's most watched news program to vote Dagan their "man-of-the-year." The "award" in itself is a reflection of the profound absence of domestic popular trust in both the political and, to a lesser degree, military leaderships in the wake of the Lebanon conflict. The provenance of spy agency attacks is, of course, virtually impossible to demonstrate in the absence of substantive evidence or subsequent claims of responsibility. A major bombing in Damascus on 27 September was blamed by Syrian officials on an unidentified Islamist group based in northern Lebanon. However, Italian news agency AKI reported Syrian opposition figures as claiming that Brigadier General Abdul Karim Abbas, deputy commander of the Syrian military intelligence's Palestine Branch, was the intended target, raising the possibility of Israeli involvement. Israeli commentators claimed that the blast further reflected the weakness of Syrian counter-intelligence efforts following the assassination of Hizbollah commander Imad Mughniyah in the Syrian capital in February. This was followed by the assassination of Syrian General Mohammed Suleiman, who Israeli reports claimed was responsible for contacts with Hizbollah and the murder of Hamas political bureau head Khaled Meshaal's secretary Hisham al-Labadani earlier this month. Lebanese reports that Suleiman was close to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and may have been a key witness in the probe into the death of former Lebanese premier Rafik al-Hariri further muddies the waters. In July 2007, a reported blast at a Syrian military plant, purportedly used in the manufacture of chemical warheads, killed at least 15 soldiers. According to an ABC News report, the Mossad may also have either "turned" a worker or inserted a spy at the supposed Syrian nuclear site bombed last September. In some cases Syria has accused Israel of responsibility for the attacks, with Israeli officials either responding with outright denials or staying mum. The interests of Arab intelligence agencies and the Mossad clearly coincide in their desire to probe the inner workings and potential of the Iranian nuclear program. Iranian state news agency IRNA alleged last month that recent Mossad successes were due to cooperation with a foreign intelligence agency. Hizbollah's Al Manar identified Saudi Arabia as the culprit. The channel claimed that Saudi National Security Council Prince Bandar bin Sultan (who Israeli reports claim met Olmert in 2006) played a leading role in securing cooperation between Saudi and Israeli agencies. An alleged arms convoy, purportedly intended for Hizbollah, was blown up in a Tehran suburb in July. The Iranian claims should perhaps be taken with a grain of salt but appear to reflect genuine fears amongst the Islamist Republic's leadership concerning the apparent ability of foreign agencies to secure access to sensitive research and other sites associated with the country's atomic program. The case for ongoing Israeli espionage and spy agency interdiction efforts in Syria is far from clear given the potential for dialogue with the Baathist government. Attacks against Syrian officials and facilities are likely to strengthen the cause of those within the al-Assad government and military opposed to the potential resumption of full peace talks with Israel in 2009. The Bashar al-Assad government has clearly chosen to ignore the attacks so far, a fact that reflects the weakness of the country's diplomatic position both regionally and on the world stage - though ties with France and, to a lesser extent, the US, appear to be warming. Nevertheless, the conduct of such operations places significant pressure on the Baathist government to respond - likely diplomatically - and has limited strategic import given that the rearming of Hizbollah is a virtual fait accompli. Indeed, Israeli involvement in such attacks may force Syria to reverse seeming recent moves to create some distance between itself and Hizbollah and undermines the Syrian decision to risk its economically important relationship with Iran through indirect talks with Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who will head the incoming Israeli administration should she avoid a breakdown of coalition negotiations, is known to favor the Palestinian peace track and has expressed doubts concerning Syrian intentions in the Istanbul parlay. However, Livni has signaled that she is keen to promote the role of the traditionally moderate Foreign Ministry within her new government. This is clearly intended to facilitate diplomatic progress through diminishing the role of the security-political cabinet (which includes Dagan) in government peace and other diplomatic moves. If she is serious about pushing ahead with the Syrian-Israeli track, Livni must exercise significant oversight over the Mossad, ensuring that it eschews further attacks on Syrian or Lebanese soil. These are of limited strategic import and undermine mutual confidence and the prospects for peace. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Dominic Moran, based in Tel Aviv, is ISN Security Watch's senior correspondent in the Middle East and the Director of Operations of ISA Consulting. ######################################### ######################################### GEE LEN I DONT THINK U ADDRESSED THIS below ???? (from the Nilie Bowie Article above (in POST #5), ALL PLEASE READ ,no matter what LEN COLBY says) Never claimed that I had I asked you what in it was 'new and relevant'. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although Hillary Clinton has openly acknowledged that members of Al-Qaeda and other groups on the State Department’s terror list are fighting alongside opposition rebels supported by the United States [14], countries belonging to both NATO and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have provided extensive financial and material support to the militant opposition. Former FBI translator turned whistleblower Sibel Edmonds has reported that NATO/American-affiliated troops have conducted operations on Jordanian soil near Syrian border in the village of Albaej [15], as US troops reportedly train members of the Free Syrian Army along with Jordanian forces in order to prepare them for an international military drill in the country [16]. ##################################### Edmonds' blog post was based entirely on anonymous sources. And PressTV, the proganda wing of the Mullahs in Iran is not know for its accuracy. That said it would not surprise me if foreign countries were helping the rebels not that this would take away from their legitimacy. The ANC, Sandanistas and Mujuhadeen recieved outside help so did the American Revolutionaries. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ##################################### "LEN Colby 6/20 You seem to have already forgotten the sage advice you got from Evan" Well I say..... EVAN SAID THIS , EVAN SAID THAT,consistency is hobgoblin of little minds. No, you got the quote wrong (what else is new?), get back to us when get it right and understand why your error was relevant. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nile Bowie article is BALANCED IMHO and thus educational on the issue. THIS IS AN EDUCATION FORUM ???? Not a replay of MSM news ????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Gaal Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 (edited) Although Hillary Clinton has openly acknowledged that members of Al-Qaeda and other groups on the State Department’s terror list are fighting alongside opposition rebels supported by the United States Clinton: Syria risking civil war, BBC, February 26, 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anti-Imperialist Syrians Speak Out Against Israeli Plan to Balkanize the Middle East (first story 6:02)================================================ DEBKA (pro Israeli site) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ US & Russia Deploy in Syria – Double Prey for Al-Qaeda DEBKAfile Exclusive Report June 19, 2012, 3:35 PM (GMT+02:00) Tags: Syria Barack Obama Vladimir Putin Iran The failure of US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday, at the G20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico to agree on terms for Syria and Iran holds the potential for three equally dire scenarios to unfold in Syria: It could degenerate into another Afghanistan; or another Balkans, or al Qaeda’s next war arena. Potentially counterpoised in Syria today are, on the one side, the United States, Europe and their Arab allies; on the other, are Russia, China, Iran and Hizballah. The last group is preparing to show its muscle with a vast joint military exercise in Syria. Al Qaeda has begun to seep through the cracks. The Assad regime is not just shedding blood but bleeding itself But it stays alive because 40 percent of the Syrian population is behind it and the rebel movement is deeply fractured. Syria is therefore in the process of breaking up into three balkanized segments: The United States and its European and Arab allies in the northern, central and eastern regions. The Russians, along the Mediterranean coastal strip. Russian warships are on their way to secure their base at Tartus. In these circumstances, Iran and HIzballah will intensify their effort to prop up the Assad regime and solidify their grip in Damascus. So three world forces may end up dividing Syria up between them. Al Qaeda will have achieved its object of corralling America and Russia on one unruly territory and easily within reach of attack. #################################### #################################### http://www.globalresearch.ca/PrintArticle.php?articleId=30624 Meanwhile, the right-wing DEBKAfile reports that members of the Syrian opposition are already in Washington “imploring administration officials to abandon the U.S. policy of non-intervention in Syria. They warn that the rebel Free Syrian Army is falling into the clutches of al-Qaeda.” Washington, though, has no real qualms with an increased influence of al-Qaeda or its affiliates. After all, the U.S. has a long history of allying itself with Islamic extremists in order to further its imperial ends. This can be seen as far back as Washington’s support for the Mujahideen against the Soviets in Afghanistan, and as recently as its support of Libyan rebel groups opposed to the government of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Using the rubric of the global "war on terror, Washington has also long used the menace of al-Qaeda as a tool to garner domestic and international support for its agenda of militarist expansion. After all, in practice, Washington’s “anti-terrorism” policies have done little more than strengthen al-Qaeda and its various offshoots. For instance, in reporting on the expanded use of “signature” drone strikes in Yemen (which allow U.S. drone strikes within the country against unidentified targets), the Washington Post notes: "AQAP [al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula] has significantly expanded in numbers, strength and territory since one of its top leaders, the U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, was killed in a CIA drone strike last year." (The fact that the U.S. drone campaign within Yemen, ostensibly instigated to combat the rise of AQAP, has led to the expansion of the terror group passes without notice from the Post.) Much the same as AQAP, al-Qaeda in Syria will continue to be used as an excuse for enhanced Western military intervention into the country. Of course, the the true aim of Washington planners is not al-Qaeda, but remains, as the World Socialist Web Site observes, to target “Iran, as well as the oil and military interests of Russia and China in the region.” If left unchecked, this destructive militarism of the U.S. shall only led to the further impoverishment of the nation's already beleaguered working class, not to mention the grave imperilment of working people globally. -------------o Ben Schreiner is a freelance writer based in Oregon. He may be reached at bnschreiner@gmail.com or via his website. Edited June 21, 2012 by Steven Gaal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Colby Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Although Hillary Clinton has openly acknowledged that members of Al-Qaeda and other groups on the State Department’s terror list are fighting alongside opposition rebels supported by the United States Clinton: Syria risking civil war, BBC, February 26, 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wait, wait HOLD THE PRESSES! There's a risk of civil war in Syria! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Anti-Imperialist Syrians Speak Out Against Israeli Plan to Balkanize the Middle East (first story 6:02)================================================ No one denies that a significant minority of Syrians back Assad, especially Alawites, Shiites and Christians ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEBKA (pro Israeli site) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ US & Russia Deploy in Syria – Double Prey for Al-Qaeda DEBKAfile Exclusive Report June 19, 2012, 3:35 PM (GMT+02:00) Tags: Syria Barack Obama Vladimir Putin Iran The failure of US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday, at the G20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico to agree on terms for Syria and Iran holds the potential for three equally dire scenarios to unfold in Syria: It could degenerate into another Afghanistan; or another Balkans, or al Qaeda’s next war arena. Potentially counterpoised in Syria today are, on the one side, the United States, Europe and their Arab allies; on the other, are Russia, China, Iran and Hizballah. The last group is preparing to show its muscle with a vast joint military exercise in Syria. Al Qaeda has begun to seep through the cracks. The Assad regime is not just shedding blood but bleeding itself But it stays alive because 40 percent of the Syrian population is behind it and the rebel movement is deeply fractured. Syria is therefore in the process of breaking up into three balkanized segments: The United States and its European and Arab allies in the northern, central and eastern regions. The Russians, along the Mediterranean coastal strip. Russian warships are on their way to secure their base at Tartus. In these circumstances, Iran and HIzballah will intensify their effort to prop up the Assad regime and solidify their grip in Damascus. So three world forces may end up dividing Syria up between them. Al Qaeda will have achieved its object of corralling America and Russia on one unruly territory and easily within reach of attack. According to many serious analysts, Israel prefers the 'devil they know' a possible Islamist take over. I've not seen this take before, though some say Syria could split they say it would be on religious/ethnic grounds Kurds/Sunnis/Alawites, Shiites and Christians ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #################################### #################################### http://www.globalres...articleId=30624 Meanwhile, the right-wing DEBKAfile reports that members of the Syrian opposition are already in Washington “imploring administration officials to abandon the U.S. policy of non-intervention in Syria. They warn that the rebel Free Syrian Army is falling into the clutches of al-Qaeda.” Washington, though, has no real qualms with an increased influence of al-Qaeda or its affiliates. After all, the U.S. has a long history of allying itself with Islamic extremists in order to further its imperial ends. This can be seen as far back as Washington’s support for the Mujahideen against the Soviets in Afghanistan, and as recently as its support of Libyan rebel groups opposed to the government of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Using the rubric of the global "war on terror, Washington has also long used the menace of al-Qaeda as a tool to garner domestic and international support for its agenda of militarist expansion. After all, in practice, Washington’s “anti-terrorism” policies have done little more than strengthen al-Qaeda and its various offshoots. For instance, in reporting on the expanded use of “signature” drone strikes in Yemen (which allow U.S. drone strikes within the country against unidentified targets), the Washington Post notes: "AQAP [al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula] has significantly expanded in numbers, strength and territory since one of its top leaders, the U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, was killed in a CIA drone strike last year." (The fact that the U.S. drone campaign within Yemen, ostensibly instigated to combat the rise of AQAP, has led to the expansion of the terror group passes without notice from the Post.) Much the same as AQAP, al-Qaeda in Syria will continue to be used as an excuse for enhanced Western military intervention into the country. Of course, the the true aim of Washington planners is not al-Qaeda, but remains, as the World Socialist Web Site observes, to target “Iran, as well as the oil and military interests of Russia and China in the region.” If left unchecked, this destructive militarism of the U.S. shall only led to the further impoverishment of the nation's already beleaguered working class, not to mention the grave imperilment of working people globally. -------------o Ben Schreiner is a freelance writer based in Oregon. He may be reached at bnschreiner@gmail.com or via his website. Yawn, the author provides no citations the supposed DEBKAFile quote does not appear anywhere else on the Net, interesting though they supposedly said "the U.S. [follows a] policy of non-intervention in Syria ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. 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Steven Gaal Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 (edited) Syria Crisis: C.I.A. Reportedly Helping To Steer Weapons To Rebels The New York Times | By ERIC SCHMITT Posted: 06/21/2012 ------------------------------------oooooooo--------------------------- A small number of C.I.A. officers are operating secretly in southern Turkey, helping allies decide which Syrian opposition fighters across the border will receive arms to fight the Syrian government, according to American officials and Arab intelligence officers. ============================================== Syria Muslim Brotherhood part of it. (lion and tigers OH ! MY!,lion and tigers OH ! MY!)) Read the whole story at The New York Times http://www.blacklist.../0/0/0/Y/M.html #################################### #################################### The Yinon Plan =================== http://www.troubledkashmir.com/index.php/world-press-today/590-the-return-of-pan-arabism-amidst-upheaval-an-end-to-balkanization-mahdi-darius-nazemroaya ################################# In 2008, Cook authored Israel and the Clash of Civilizations: Iraq, Iran and the plan to remake the Middle East, published by Pluto Press.[10] Of the book, Antony Loewenstein wrote that, "Cook bravely skewers the mainstream narrative of a Jewish state constantly striving for peace with the Palestinians." According to Lowenstein, Cook argues that Israel "pursues policies that lead to civil war and partition," and that this idea of dissolving many of the nations of the Middle East, shared by the neocons and the Bush administration, was developed by Israel's security establishment in the 1980s.[11] Cook discusses an essay authored by Oded Yinon and published by the World Zionist Organisation in 1982 which advocated for Israel's transformation into a regional imperial power via the fragmentation of the Arab world, "into a mosaic of ethnic and confessional groupings that could be more easily manipulated" (p. 107). A review of the book in The Jordan Times called it, "well-researched and very readable."[12] Disappearing Palestine: Israel's Experiments in Human Despair was published in 2008 by Zed Books.[13] The book is in two parts, with the second half consisting of reprints of articles written by Cook as a journalist.[14] The first half of the book, according to a review in Electronic Intifada, explores the thesis that, "the goal of Israeli policy is to make Palestine and the Palestinians disappear for good."[14] Helena Cobban in the Boston Review says Cook argues that to encourage voluntary emigration, Israel has made life unbearable for Palestinians, primarily via "the ever more sophisticated systems of curfews, checkpoints, walls, permits and land grabs."[15] ---------------------------------------------o-------------------------------------------- 10 ^ Raymond Deane (11 February 2008). "Book review: "Israel and the Clash of Civilisations"". The Electronic Intifada. http://electronicint...ticle9289.shtml. Retrieved 2009-08-31. 11 ^ Antony Loewenstein (summer 2008). "THE RESOURCE WARS". overland literary journal. ISBN 978-0-9805346-0-3. http://web.overland....au/?page_id=602. 12 ^ Sally Bland (March 31, 2008). "Spreading 'organised chaos'". The Jordan Times. http://www.jordantim...For=sally bland. Retrieved 2009-12-05. 13 ^ Pam Hardyment (May 18, 2009). "Disappearing Palestine, Israel's Experiments in Human Despair by Jonathan Cook". http://www.paltelegr...y-jonathan-cook. Retrieved 2009-08-31. 14 ^ a b Gabriel Ash (February 12, 2009). "Book review: Un-erasing the erasure of Palestine". The Electronic Intifada. http://electronicint...icle10300.shtml. Retrieved 2009-08-31. 15 ^ Helena Cobban (July/August 2009). "Peace Out: The decline of Israel's progressive movement". Boston Review. http://bostonreview....34.4/cobban.php. 16 ^ "(Review of) Catastrophe Remembered: Palestine, Israel, and the Internal Refugees". Journal of Refugee Studies 19 (2): 267–268. 2006. http://jrs.oxfordjou...xtract/19/2/267. Edited June 22, 2012 by Steven Gaal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Kelly Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Gee, I hope the CIA is arming the Free Syrian Army, somebody should. I'm disappointed in the LIbyans, they have all the guns now, and should share them with fellow revolutionaries in Syria. Besides the Russians and Turks and Iranians, I don't know who is designing the new Syria, but I recall a scene near the end of the film Lawrence of Arabia where, after they take Akaba - and march on Damacus, the British counsel is asked about the fueding Arab militias, each of which has taken over a key industrial element of the city, and he responds saying something to the effect that he surmisses the power will be run by one, the waterworks run by another, and the radio by another. The Arabs couldn't agee on anything, then or now. As for Egypt, we are seeing the Muslem Brother take over the presidency, the military run the infrastructure and with an Islamic leader saying that women and christians and the Jews have nothing to fear, because he knows that if he imposes Islamic law against those people who led the revolution he will become a victim himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Colby Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 (edited) #################################### #################################### The Yinon Plan =================== http://www.troubledkashmir.com/index.php/world-press-today/590-the-return-of-pan-arabism-amidst-upheaval-an-end-to-balkanization-mahdi-darius-nazemroaya ################################# In 2008, Cook authored Israel and the Clash of Civilizations: Iraq, Iran and the plan to remake the Middle East, published by Pluto Press.[10] Of the book, Antony Loewenstein wrote that, "Cook bravely skewers the mainstream narrative of a Jewish state constantly striving for peace with the Palestinians." According to Lowenstein, Cook argues that Israel "pursues policies that lead to civil war and partition," and that this idea of dissolving many of the nations of the Middle East, shared by the neocons and the Bush administration, was developed by Israel's security establishment in the 1980s.[11] Cook discusses an essay authored by Oded Yinon and published by the World Zionist Organisation in 1982 which advocated for Israel's transformation into a regional imperial power via the fragmentation of the Arab world, "into a mosaic of ethnic and confessional groupings that could be more easily manipulated" (p. 107). A review of the book in The Jordan Times called it, "well-researched and very readable."[12] I forgot that Gaal spammed this here as well. As I pointed out on another thread: However you have yet to overcome my observation that “…we have no indication the paper represented Israeli government policy in 1982, when it was released, let alone 30 years later” and indeed his plan was NOT followed at the time. Yinon said the Israeli government should not abide by the Camp David Treaty and return the Sinai to Egypt but a few months after his paper was published they did exactly that and even sent in the Army to expel some settlers and bulldoze their community. I also wrote “Lastly (but not leastly) Pakistan is not part of "the Arab world" it's about 800 from the nearest Arab country, Austria is closer to Spain” and indeed there was only one brief mention of Pakistan in the entire paper which focused on Arab nations. Bill - Like you I'm cautiously optimistic about Mursi, he talks the talk of a moderate let's see if the military let's him do anything and if he walks the walk if they do. During the Cold War conservatives assumed any nationalist movement aided by the Cubans or Soviets was evil, unfortunately many 'progressives' today make equally simplistic assumptions in reverse, any movement favored by the US is evil. Edited June 26, 2012 by Len Colby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Gaal Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share Posted June 26, 2012 (edited) Gee, I hope the CIA is arming the Free Syrian Army, somebody should. I'm disappointed in the LIbyans, they have all the guns now, and should share them with fellow revolutionaries in Syria. Besides the Russians and Turks and Iranians, I don't know who is designing the new Syria, but I recall a scene near the end of the film Lawrence of Arabia where, after they take Akaba - and march on Damacus, the British counsel is asked about the fueding Arab militias, each of which has taken over a key industrial element of the city, and he responds saying something to the effect that he surmisses the power will be run by one, the waterworks run by another, and the radio by another. The Arabs couldn't agee on anything, then or now. As for Egypt, we are seeing the Muslem Brother take over the presidency, the military run the infrastructure and with an Islamic leader saying that women and christians and the Jews have nothing to fear, because he knows that if he imposes Islamic law against those people who led the revolution he will become a victim himself. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE ROAD TO FREEDOM ??????? Confirmed: Iraq orders closure of BBC and 43 other media outlets Get short URL : 25 June, 2012, 18:46 Iraq's communications and media commission announced the impending closure of several media outlets, including the BBC and Voice of America. While officials chalk the matter up to expired license fees, press freedom groups fear a looming crackdown. RT was one of the first to publish reports of the potential closures – and can now confirm that Iraqi officials from the media commission have forwarded the list of 44 outlets to the Interior Ministry. They will be the ones responsible for the actual closures once they begin. Only offices without an operating license will be closed down, the commission’s chairman Safaa Rabie told journalists. "It is an organizational matter, not a crackdown on the press," Rabie said. However, one broadcaster targeted for closure – US-funded Radio Sawa – says it does have a license. "We were surprised to see our radio station on the list because we think that we work in accordance with all Iraqi laws," Sawa deputy director Salah Nasrawi said. He refused to speculate on why their station might have ended up on the list, but others were less cautious. Iraqi press freedom group Journalistic Freedoms Observatory (JFO) claims the move is a clear warning from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. "It is a government message to the media outlets that if you are not with us, then you are against us," JFO head Ziyad al-Aajely said in a telephone interview with the Associated Press. So far, no action against any media outlet has been taken – and many of them, like the BBC, are trying to negotiate the renewal of their license with Iraqi authorities. "The delay is due to technicalities," said the company’s statement. "The BBC's journalists in Baghdad are not currently experiencing any issues reporting from the country, and it is important that the BBC and other international news organizations are able to operate freely and bring independent and impartial news to audiences in Iraq and the wider region." ###################### The Arabs couldn't agee on anything, then or now. // BILL KELLY QUOTING SOMEONE THAT HE AGREES WITH ================ I GAAL respond and say = GEE BILL DID WE WAKE UP ON THE ethnocentric racist SIDE OF THE BED TODAY ??????????? (of course here is were Colby rmaks an idiotic remark," Gaal dosent know ethnocentric/racist are not the same.") I know the difference and Bill qualifies for both words, its 'white mans BURDEN to Democratize the Middle East'. Edited June 26, 2012 by Steven Gaal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Gaal Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share Posted June 26, 2012 (edited) COLBY START // Like you I'm cautiously optimistic about Mursi, he talks the talk of a moderate let's see if the military let's him do anything and if he walks the walk if they do. During the Cold War conservatives assumed any nationalist movement aided by the Cubans or Soviets was evil, unfortunately many 'progressives' today make equally simplistic assumptions in reverse, any movement favored by the US is evil. #############0o0#################### END COLBY Gee Len ,Mohammed Mursi optmistic about him ?? How can that be. He is INSANE, Right ?? Hes a 911 TRUTHER !!!!!!!!!! Edited June 26, 2012 by Steven Gaal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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