http://www.aawsat.net/2013/06/article55306975
Talk about a proverbial "sword of Damocles" for Egyptian politicians.
If the army does march, what in the world will Obama do? Condemn them for being undemocratic, I suspect. He'd much rather see the Muslim Brotherhood control Egypt, and, of course, continue to govern it into the ground.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Are the Majority of Muslims Really Turned Off by Terror?
Remember when the world's Muslims were upset about that Muhammad movie back in the fall, when mobs stormed the US embassy in Egypt and the Obama administration tried to use that as an excuse for what went down in Benghazi? Below is a link to an article about a protest by Muslims in Toronto outside the US embassy. The protestors number more than a thousand!
http://digitaljournal.com/article/333361
The other day a group of Toronto's "Progressive" Muslims decided to stage a demonstration against the hijacking of their religion by terrorists. See the report below.
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/06/17/progressive_muslims_group_launched_in_toronto_to_reclaim_hijacked_faith.html
The report doesn't mention a number, but does note that only about half of those who attended were actually Muslims. But if you look at the carefully and narrowly focused photos with the story, you don't see many people. The same is true of a You Tube video. The estimate is that the rally drew about two-dozen people.
Here is the video. It's fairly sad. These people definitely have a good heart and love their country--Canada. But the fact that there are so few of them tells you a lot.
And that is the problem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CUbnAiPZmc
http://digitaljournal.com/article/333361
The other day a group of Toronto's "Progressive" Muslims decided to stage a demonstration against the hijacking of their religion by terrorists. See the report below.
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/06/17/progressive_muslims_group_launched_in_toronto_to_reclaim_hijacked_faith.html
The report doesn't mention a number, but does note that only about half of those who attended were actually Muslims. But if you look at the carefully and narrowly focused photos with the story, you don't see many people. The same is true of a You Tube video. The estimate is that the rally drew about two-dozen people.
Here is the video. It's fairly sad. These people definitely have a good heart and love their country--Canada. But the fact that there are so few of them tells you a lot.
And that is the problem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CUbnAiPZmc
Assad Takes Priority over Israel
http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Hamas-official-Stopping-Assad-priority-over-jihad-in-Palestine-317570
According to this Hamas leader. That's a big step, and it's an indication that the Iran-Assad-Hezbollah strategy of trying to refocus Arab efforts on "The Jews" isn't working.
According to this Hamas leader. That's a big step, and it's an indication that the Iran-Assad-Hezbollah strategy of trying to refocus Arab efforts on "The Jews" isn't working.
Syrian Druze Want to Relocate to Israel!
http://www.timesofisrael.com/druze-leaders-ask-israel-to-take-in-syrian-coreligionists/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=6df6b8d39c-2013_06_23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-6df6b8d39c-54443077
The Druze are an off-shoot of Shi'a Islam. They have a long history and have often been repressed by especially Sunni Muslims as apostates. Israel already has a substantial Druze community. They are considered loyal, hold Israeli citizenship, and are subject to the compulsory service. I recall that a Druze at one point was the Israeli consul in Atlanta.
No doubt they are alarmed by the increasingly sectarian nature of the Syrian civil war.
The Druze are an off-shoot of Shi'a Islam. They have a long history and have often been repressed by especially Sunni Muslims as apostates. Israel already has a substantial Druze community. They are considered loyal, hold Israeli citizenship, and are subject to the compulsory service. I recall that a Druze at one point was the Israeli consul in Atlanta.
No doubt they are alarmed by the increasingly sectarian nature of the Syrian civil war.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Syria Now and Afghanistan Then
As we shape out policy in Syria, we ought to keep in mind our experiences in Afghanistan back in the late 1970s and 1980s. The Carter and Reagan administrations supported the Afghan resistance, which consisted of a hodgepodge of various mujaheddin groups, most Afghan nationals and other Arab volunteers. The US and its Arab allies helped these groups to win--that is to force the Soviets to withdraw. Unfortunately, that victory largely evaporated when the Taliban came to dominate the country and Al-Qaeda found a base for further operations.
When Al Qaeda won, it's leadership then had to decide what to do next. There were some who favored going after the "Near Enemy," that is the non-Islamist Arab states such as Saudi Arabia or Egypt. Others favored going after the "Far Enemy." For some that meant going to Chechnya and fighting the Russians in the Caucasus. For others that meant taking on the US, which was what the leadership ultimately decided to do. Hence 9/11/2001.
If Syria, like the Afghan Communist regime, supported by Russia, goes under and, in that sense, history repeats itself, what then can we expect from the victorious coalition?
First, the odds are the more radical and vicious groups will dominate, just as the Taliban did in Afghanistan.
Second, the victors will then debate "what do we do now?" Their options will be numerous.
Hunker down in Syria and rebuild the state?
Go after a "Near Enemy"?
Or go after a "Far Enemy"?
The reality of Syrian policy is that even if we are "successful," and drive Assad from power, we are headed for trouble. Of course, a failure to drive Assad from power would also create enormous problems, strengthening, as it would, Hezbollah and Iran.
When Al Qaeda won, it's leadership then had to decide what to do next. There were some who favored going after the "Near Enemy," that is the non-Islamist Arab states such as Saudi Arabia or Egypt. Others favored going after the "Far Enemy." For some that meant going to Chechnya and fighting the Russians in the Caucasus. For others that meant taking on the US, which was what the leadership ultimately decided to do. Hence 9/11/2001.
If Syria, like the Afghan Communist regime, supported by Russia, goes under and, in that sense, history repeats itself, what then can we expect from the victorious coalition?
First, the odds are the more radical and vicious groups will dominate, just as the Taliban did in Afghanistan.
Second, the victors will then debate "what do we do now?" Their options will be numerous.
Hunker down in Syria and rebuild the state?
Go after a "Near Enemy"?
- Go after Hezbollah in Lebanon;
- Go after the Shi'a in Iraq;
- Carry the struggle into Jordan to get rid of the King;
- Go after Israel in an effort to spark a regional war that might unite Arabs in a single cause.
Or go after a "Far Enemy"?
- Move the effort to the Caucasus against the Russians;
- Go after a European country;
- Go after the US.
The reality of Syrian policy is that even if we are "successful," and drive Assad from power, we are headed for trouble. Of course, a failure to drive Assad from power would also create enormous problems, strengthening, as it would, Hezbollah and Iran.
EU Fighters in Syria
http://rt.com/news/russians-europeans-putin-syria-063/
First, it was 200. Then it was 400. Now it is 600, including Russians. No doubt, the Russians are more concerned about what happens with these guys if they are successful in Syria.
First, it was 200. Then it was 400. Now it is 600, including Russians. No doubt, the Russians are more concerned about what happens with these guys if they are successful in Syria.
Violence Spreads to Lebanon?
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/syrian-war-threatens-lebanon-with-crisis.html
According to this Arab press article, that's what's happening.
Killings have been ongoing for a while now between Lebanese Shiite clans and the Sunni inhabitants of the town of Arsal. These events forebode an increase in sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites in broader Lebanon. Moreover, it has become obvious that the higher frequency of these events has coincided on the one hand with Hezbollah’s deepening involvement in the Syrian war and on the other with the consolidation of the relationship between Lebanese Salafist forces and their Syrian counterparts.
According to this Arab press article, that's what's happening.
Killings have been ongoing for a while now between Lebanese Shiite clans and the Sunni inhabitants of the town of Arsal. These events forebode an increase in sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites in broader Lebanon. Moreover, it has become obvious that the higher frequency of these events has coincided on the one hand with Hezbollah’s deepening involvement in the Syrian war and on the other with the consolidation of the relationship between Lebanese Salafist forces and their Syrian counterparts.
Are Those Manpads Arriving?
http://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-rebel-commander-says-they-have-new-weapons/
The rebels claim they've received new, game-changing weapons.
The rebels claim they've received new, game-changing weapons.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Times of India: "Humbled US"
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Humbled-US-makes-concessions-to-Taliban-to-start-talks/articleshow/20653104.cms
"Humbled US" headline from Times of India. They point out that Obama caved when the Taliban refused to meet the pre-conditions our illustrious president had set for the talks to begin. Any wonder that Karzai has already balked?
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_AFGHANISTAN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-06-19-06-35-52
Our foreign policy is a joke. The only people who don't realize it are Americans who continue to believe in their Messiah. The 1 billion Indians know it's a joke. The 1 billion Chinese know it's a joke. The Russians know it's a joke. The Iranians know it's a joke. Assad knows it's a joke. Nasrallah knows it's a joke. Wake up! Obama's trying to cut a deal with the Taliban so they'll give him a "decent interval" to withdraw from Afghanistan without them collapsing the place as we pull out. Obama will claim "victory" and when it all goes to shit blame the Afghans. Karzai is a bozo, and Karzai is corrupt, and Karzai is incompetent, but Karzai didn't get where he is without being an astute "survivor" and he can smell a "Munich" coming.
"Humbled US" headline from Times of India. They point out that Obama caved when the Taliban refused to meet the pre-conditions our illustrious president had set for the talks to begin. Any wonder that Karzai has already balked?
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_AFGHANISTAN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-06-19-06-35-52
Our foreign policy is a joke. The only people who don't realize it are Americans who continue to believe in their Messiah. The 1 billion Indians know it's a joke. The 1 billion Chinese know it's a joke. The Russians know it's a joke. The Iranians know it's a joke. Assad knows it's a joke. Nasrallah knows it's a joke. Wake up! Obama's trying to cut a deal with the Taliban so they'll give him a "decent interval" to withdraw from Afghanistan without them collapsing the place as we pull out. Obama will claim "victory" and when it all goes to shit blame the Afghans. Karzai is a bozo, and Karzai is corrupt, and Karzai is incompetent, but Karzai didn't get where he is without being an astute "survivor" and he can smell a "Munich" coming.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Turkish Army May Intervene
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/army-may-step-in-to-stop-protests-if-need-be-deputy-pm-arinc.aspx?pageID=238&nID=48946&NewsCatID=338
Dangerous sign for both sides. I'm not sure Erdogan can fully trust the military.
Dangerous sign for both sides. I'm not sure Erdogan can fully trust the military.
Saudis Will Supply Syrian Rebels with "Manpads"
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/syrien-konflikt-saudi-arabien-will-waffen-an-rebellen-liefern-a-905987.html
These will be French Mistrals, Man-portable air defense system. Of course, once these guys get their hands on such equipment, they can use them against western air liners.
These will be French Mistrals, Man-portable air defense system. Of course, once these guys get their hands on such equipment, they can use them against western air liners.
Russia: No No Fly Zone in Syria!
http://rt.com/news/line/2013-06-17/#48810
The story:
Russia will not allow the establishment of a no-fly zone over Syria, believes Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aleksandr Lukashevich. “We saw in Libya the way that such a zone is introduced and how these solutions are implemented. We don’t want this to repeat in the Syrian conflict. I think that we won’t fundamentally allow the same scenario,” he said. Lukashevich added that the contract with Syria to supply S-300 “was signed quite a long time ago” and has not yet been implemented. “We take a responsible approach to the implementation of our commitments and there is nothing illegal in terms of international law,” he reiterated. Earlier several countries spoke out in favor of establishing a no-fly zone over Syria, which would deprive the Syrian government's army of the capability to strike the rebel forces from air.
The story:
Russia will not allow the establishment of a no-fly zone over Syria, believes Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aleksandr Lukashevich. “We saw in Libya the way that such a zone is introduced and how these solutions are implemented. We don’t want this to repeat in the Syrian conflict. I think that we won’t fundamentally allow the same scenario,” he said. Lukashevich added that the contract with Syria to supply S-300 “was signed quite a long time ago” and has not yet been implemented. “We take a responsible approach to the implementation of our commitments and there is nothing illegal in terms of international law,” he reiterated. Earlier several countries spoke out in favor of establishing a no-fly zone over Syria, which would deprive the Syrian government's army of the capability to strike the rebel forces from air.
Even Hamas Has Turned on Hezbollah
http://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-to-hezbollah-get-out-of-syria/
This gives you a good idea of just how deep the sectarian divide has become in the region.
This gives you a good idea of just how deep the sectarian divide has become in the region.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Blame the Jews!
I've
made several posts on Facebook today highlighting blatant antisemitism in Iran,
Egypt, Syria, and Turkey. We are talking about outright antisemitism
from Sunnis and Shi'a alike. Why are we seeing this up-tick in
antisemitism? Because in the region, when the going gets tough, YOU BLAME
THE JEWS! And the going is getting tougher. Since the place is falling
apart, and sectarian infighting is exploding, no one
over there knows any way to counteract the increasingly evident
divisions other than to attempt to unite everyone against the Jews.
Basically, Jew hatred is one of the very few things in the Middle East
that people can all agree on, and rally around. So if you're an Egyptian
and you want more reforms, you're a tool of the Jews. If you want to
overthrow Assad? You're a tool of the Jews. If you protest against
Erdogan? You're a tool of the Jews. And if you don't like Iran, it's
nuke program, its support for Assad, or anything else, you're a tool of
the Jews. (And, of course, an Islamophobe.) Everyone's a tool of the
Jews, including Barack Obama.
[Sorry, got to run. Getting a call from Bibi.]
[Sorry, got to run. Getting a call from Bibi.]
Hezbollah Trains Syrians!
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/06/16/Hezbollah-trains-Assad-forces-for-Aleppo-offensive-.html
The Hezbollah forces, trained in urban warfare in Iran, are now training some Syrian units in urban warfare.
It was often clear in videos taken by Syrian rebels, that Assad's mechanized forces were not well suited to operating in built-up environments. The Syrian army was basically trained to fight the Israelis in open armored warfare. But now they are being re-trained and, apparently, they are performing much better, hence their recent victories.
The Syrians are also concentrating their forces in the northwest, especially near Aleppo. This is important to keep in mind because the US is supporting Syrian rebel forces operating near the Jordanian border, i.e., in the southeast. In other words, helping the rebels in the southeast, even if it is done well and in a timely fashion, is not going to help the rebels near Aleppo--unless "our" rebels can threaten either Damascus or the Syrian lines of supply running from the capital to Iraq.
Iranian supplies, and possibly troops, are moving along those roads running from Baghdad to Damascus, and are within striking distance of the Jordanian border.
The Hezbollah forces, trained in urban warfare in Iran, are now training some Syrian units in urban warfare.
It was often clear in videos taken by Syrian rebels, that Assad's mechanized forces were not well suited to operating in built-up environments. The Syrian army was basically trained to fight the Israelis in open armored warfare. But now they are being re-trained and, apparently, they are performing much better, hence their recent victories.
The Syrians are also concentrating their forces in the northwest, especially near Aleppo. This is important to keep in mind because the US is supporting Syrian rebel forces operating near the Jordanian border, i.e., in the southeast. In other words, helping the rebels in the southeast, even if it is done well and in a timely fashion, is not going to help the rebels near Aleppo--unless "our" rebels can threaten either Damascus or the Syrian lines of supply running from the capital to Iraq.
Iranian supplies, and possibly troops, are moving along those roads running from Baghdad to Damascus, and are within striking distance of the Jordanian border.
Erdogan Blames Jews!
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/the-chapull-jew-capulcu-interest-rate-lobby.aspx?pageID=449&nID=48497&NewsCatID=430
PM Erdogan talks about the "interest rate lobby," which is the code in Turkey for "the Jews!"
PM Erdogan talks about the "interest rate lobby," which is the code in Turkey for "the Jews!"
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