Tag Archives: syria

International, U.S.

U.S., Europe pushing UN Security Council for resolution against Syria, BRICS opposed

“We believe that the time has come for the council to take further actions to step up the pressure against those who are responsible for the violence against the citizens of Syria.”-Philip Parham, U.K. representative to UN Security Council

The U.S., France, Germany and Portugal all backed up the British demand that the UN Security Council take action against Syria.

The problem is that all the most economically powerful countries are opposed.  Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa believe the government of Syria is correct when it says the insurgency was started by outside forces (meaning the U.S. and Europe).

Russia and China are permanent members of the UN Security Council.  India currently holds the presidency of the UN Security Council.

Business/Economics, International, Opinion, U.S.

President Obama wants war with Syria, EU leaders want war with Syria, Canada wants war with Syria, it’s all about the oil baby!

“The future of Syria must be determined by its people, but President Bashar al-Assad is standing in their way.  We have consistently said that President Assad must lead a democratic transition or get out of the way.  He has not led.  For the sake of the Syrian people, the time has come for President Assad to step aside.”-President Barack Obama, written statement.

“Our three countries believe that President Assad, who is resorting to brutal military force against his own people and who is responsible for the situation, has lost all legitimacy and can no longer claim to lead the country.”-joint statement from British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel

“I join with (U.S.) President Obama and other members of the international community in calling on President Assad to vacate his position, relinquish power and step down immediately.”-Stephen Harper, Canadian Prime Minister

Syria is “…a proxy for Iran, a supporter of terror, and a threat to United States interests and our allies in the region.”-Eric Cantor, U.S. House Majority Leader

All these statements were made after President Assad announced an end to the crackdown on the insurgency.  He also invited the United Nations to investigate claims of human rights abuses, however, U.S. officials, and the U.S. media are reporting that some how the UN already conducted an investigation and found Assad guilty.  That was fast!

Major oil pipelines run through Syria, from Iraq and Iran to Turkey, Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea.  90% of the oil goes to Europe.  Remember, we’re attacking Libya, and the majority of Libyan oil goes to Europe, in fact almost all of Italy’s oil supplies come from Libya.

It’s really starting to look like Europe, with the help of the United States, is trying to save its sorry economic ass by taking direct control of their major suppliers of oil.

International

Syria declares end to crackdown on insurgents, will allow UN inspectors in

August 17, Syria’s President Assad told the United Nations that military operations against insurgents were a success, and are now complete.  I watched reports from the Middle East showing Syrian forces leaving several major cities, with the local population cheering them on.

In fact, the city of Deir ez-Zor suffered a brutal insurgency occupation that lasted several days: “These bandits blocked the roads, put up barricades – it became a ghost city. We were hiding at home, we were just like hostages.”- Hiba Deir Ezzor, resident

When the Syrian army showed up, the residents welcomed them as  liberators, not oppressors.

President Assad also told the UN that they could send inspectors in, to assess the humanitarian situation.

International, U.S.

Turkey gives Syria ultimatum, threatens war, United States makes the usual statments that preceed military action

“If these operations do not stop, there will be nothing left to say about the steps that would be taken.  This is our final word to the Syrian authorities, our first expectation is that these operations stop immediately and unconditionally.”-Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkish Foreign Minister

August 15, Turkey gave Syria an ultimatum; stop military operations or face the consequences.  This follows the increase of Turkish troops along the border with Syria, and the recall of all military officers who retired within the last five years.

Also, on the the same day U.S. President Obama issued this statement, through his spokesman Jay Carney: “We are looking, together with a broad array of international partners, to increase pressure on President Assad.” Also: “By his actions he has demonstrated that he has lost legitimacy to lead, and the president has no doubt that Syria will be better off without him.”

The statements from the Obama administration are now stereotypical in signalling military action.  Turkey is a member of the U.S. led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

 

International, U.S.

NATO member Turkey preps for invasion of Syria, massing more troops, recalling retired officers

Turkey, a member of the U.S. led NATO, has ordered more troops to the border with Syria, and is recalling retired officers to active duty.

Turkish leaders say the troop build up is officially for an anticipated wave of refugees coming out of Syria. Why are they anticipating a huge wave of refugees?  Is it because when NATO attacked Libya, European countries, like Italy and France, were swamped with refugees?

It’s interesting that the troop build up is being done at bases of “strategic importance”.  Turkish official do admit that any NATO action against Syria would put Turkey in a bad position with the Muslim world.

International

Israel threatens War with Syria, if the UN recognizes a Palestinian state

The Israeli Defense Forces believe they will have to go to war with Syria, if the United Nations recognizes the Palestinian state in September.

The IDF believes that Syria will send thousands of Palestinian supporters to the Israel/Syria border.  The IDF says they will respond by shooting anyone who tries to come in from Syria, and they believe Syria will use that as an excuse to invade.

Instead of not shooting at any future demonstrators on the Israeli/Syria border, in order to avoid a war, Israeli military officials are using this “scenario” to justify drawing up plans to invade Syria!

The IDF also said that they are increasing training in civil disturbances, especially toughening mental attitudes “…because the cadets learn primarily how to fight an armed enemy, and dealing with civilians requires different measures.”

Also, Israeli officials will increase military presence on Israel’s borders, and in the West Bank and Gaza, if the UN officially recognizes a Palestinian state in September.

 

International, U.S.

Preping for Syrian invasion: Germany tells fellow EU members to get their diplomats out of Syria

“In order to increase the political pressure on Damascus and to give a signal to Syrian society, I would welcome the withdrawal of European politicians.”-Ruprecht Polenz, chairman of the German parliament’s foreign affairs committee

“I do not believe that there can be a political future for Assad that would be supported by the Syrian people.”-Guido Westerwelle, German Foreign Minister

These statements by German officials come after Syrian officials announced they will hold new elections.  Also, the Syrian government is allowing the forming of new political parties.

As usual “western” leaders are not going to give them a chance, especially after U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, announced that Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, is no longer considered “legitimate” by the U.S. government.  That’s a sure sign military intervention will happen.

International, U.S.

Russian envoy to NATO reveals planned NATO attack on Syria, says Iran is next

“This statement means that the planning of the military campaign is well underway. It could be a logical conclusion of those military and propaganda operations, which have been carried out by certain Western countries against North Africa.”-Dmitry Rogozin, Russian envoy to NATO

The “statement” refers to the recent UN Security Council’s statement against Syria.

Rogozin also says the U.S. led NATO attacks on Libya, and the build up against Syria are all part of the “west’s” plan to invade Iran, and finally take total control of the oil rich region: “The noose around Iran is tightening. Military planning against Iran is underway.  And we are certainly concerned about an escalation of a large-scale war in this huge region.”


International, U.S.

U.S. & Europe closer to war with Syria, Clinton uses phrases that hint at military action

In a July 11 statement to the media, about Syria, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, used phrases very similar to phrases used in speeches that preceded U.S. led attacks on other countries.

She said Syria’s president was “…not indispensable…”, and that “…he has lost legitimacy, he has failed to deliver on the promises he’s made…”. Clinton also made the obligatory accusation that Syria was getting help from a sponsor of terrorism, Iran.

Clinton is meeting with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, no doubt they will be talking about military action against Syria.  Syria, which included Lebanon, was placed under French control after World War One.  The Imperialist French President Sarkozy seems to be interested in regaining all of France’s former colonies.

Syrian officials have countered the statements by Hillary Clinton, saying: “These remarks amount to further proof of the flagrant interference of the U.S. in the internal affairs of Syria.”

 

International, Opinion, U.S.

The U.S. IS a Police State: Obama refocuses U.S. War on Terror, the targets: Iran, Syria and…the people of the United States

“This is the first counter-terrorism strategy that designates the homeland as a primary area of emphasis in our counter-terrorism efforts.”-John Brennan, White House counter terrorism adviser

The Obama administration announced its new anti-terror policy.  Some confusing statements were made by Brennan, such as saying that the new policy will principally focus on “…al Qaeda, its affiliates and its adherents…”, but then went on to say that Iran and Syria “…remain leading state sponsors of terrorism.”, and that they will be targeted by the U.S.: “We will therefore continue to use the full range of our foreign policy tools to prevent these regimes and terrorist organizations from endangering our national security.”

The problem is that Iran and Syria are not partners with al Qaeda, in fact they are being targeted by al Qaeda.  Al Qaeda declared jihad against Syria because the government is secular.  And they declared jihad against Iran because most of the Iranians are Shia Muslims.  Al Qaeda members are mostly Wahhabi (aka Salafi) Muslims.

Brennan went on to say that the main focus of the new anti-terror policy will actually be…the people of the United States: “…the first counter-terrorism strategy that focuses on the ability of al Qaeda and its network to inspire people in the United States to attack us from within.”

Brennan believes al Qaeda is weakened, and that the greatest threat to the U.S. is domestic “lone wolf” terrorists.

Several countries worry that this means the U.S. will abandon them in the global War on Terror.  India considers its main threat a group called Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (aka Jamaat ud-dawa), not al Qaeda.

Is this new policy what Obama meant when he said he was going to refocus military/police action in the War on Terror?