International mediator Annan flew to Damascus on Monday for new talks with the Syrian government [Reuters] Kofi Annan, the UN-Arab special envoy, has held talks in Damascus with Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s president, amid international horror at a massacre of over 100 people. Anna, a former UN secretary-general, met Assad in the Syrian capital on Tuesday, having arrived in the [...]
Lebanon on the verge of a disaster 23 May 2012 The situation in Lebanon is a cause for concern and even fear. It is clear that there are some fronts, inside and outside of Lebanon who are working on blowing up a sectarian civil war that will push the country to [...]
Sectarian war back in Lebanon 21 May 2012 Lebanon is currently going through an unprecedented level of sectarian tension which has not been seen since the signing of the Taef Agreement in 1989 that ended 16 years of bloody conflicts of the Lebanese civil war. Shortly after the deadly clashes [...]
Syria: the deadliest third party 15 May 2012 At a time when the Syrian opposition is experiencing sharp internal conflict, which threatens both themselves and the Syrian people it represents, a third armed force has emerged, casting aside many theories on the Syrian uprising that were previously taken for granted. The Arab [...]
‘A third element has crept into this conflict, possibly from Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan, and its agenda has nothing to do with the Arab spring or the clamour for democracy.’ Illustration by Toby Morison. Abdel Bari Atwan guardian.co.uk, Sunday 13 May 2012 21.00 BST Comments (60) The two suicide car bombs in Damascus on 10 May were an [...]
Despite the presence of UN monitors , activists on Tuesday said 20 people were killed across Syria [Reuters] International envoy Kofi Annan has said his six-point peace plan for Syria is a “possible last chance to avoid civil war”. Annan, the UN-Arab League envoy tasked with bringing an end to the violence, said on Tuesday world powers [...]
Uprooting Trees and Lives by Abby Zimet The latest lofty move by the Middle East‘s self-professed only democracy: Israel has orderedPalestinian farmers in Deir Istiya, a major West Bank olive producing village, to uproot at least 1,400 trees they have tended for generations because…..umm. Petition to halt the largest of years of such actions, currently at a stand-off thanks to protests by residents and [...]
The Empire vs. Iran (and Syria): A New World War for a New World Order? By Jooneed Khan May 02, 2012 “Rabble” – Confronted with a declining World Order it can no longer control, does the West want to re-assert its will through a new world war, which this time would be really global? [...]
Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan has hinted he will use the NATO treaty to obligate intervention in Syria [REUTERS] Princeton, NJ - The conventional wisdom last week on whether Syria would comply with former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan‘s ceasefire plan was that it was up to Russia. We were reverting to Cold War politics, in which [...]
Robert Fisk: This is politics not sport. If drivers can’t see that, they are the pits Supposing it was Assad shelling out £40m for a race. Would Ecclestone be happy to give him a soft sporting cover for his repression? ROBERT FISK SATURDAY 21 APRIL 2012 When the Foreign Office urges [...]
Members of the initial contingent of UN ceasefire monitors in Syria tour the Damascus suburbs. Photograph: EPA The UN security council has unanimously voted to send 300 unarmed military observers to Syria to monitor the fragile ceasefire between President Bashar al-Assad‘s forces and opposition groups. The resolution approved on Saturday increases the number of observers in the [...]
THE ROVING EYE The fast and furious Sunni revenge By Pepe Escobar And the winner is … the Gulf Counter-revolution Club (GCC), also known as Gulf Cooperation Council. Their collective celebration party is this weekend’s Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix – complete with buckets of Moet and Ferraris oozing by. [...]
UN observers‘ mission must succeed 16 April 2012 This Monday sees the start of the deployment of international observers to Syria. This is part of the peace plan to ensure a ceasefire is followed by both sides. A ceasefire was meant to have been in effect since last Thursday. The [...]
Syrian Activists to Rebels: Give Us Our Revolution Back Many of the activists who began the uprising in Syria more than a year ago feel their peaceful push for change has been hijacked by the rebel Free Syrian Army. They’re meeting in Cairo today. By Gert van Langendonck, Sarah [...]
The Winds of War By Stephen Lendman - Posted on 11 April 2012 The Winds of War by Stephen Lendman When Washington plans regime change, wars are waged if other methods fail. For over a year, Western-generated violence ravaged Syria. Assad remains firmly in control. As a result, expect [...]
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/UNRWA With the world media focusing on the crisis in Syria, it has been forgotten that Syria is home to some 400,000 Palestinian refugees. This includes 14,000 Palestinians who inhabit a refugee camp in the bombarded city of Homs, and who rely on UNRWA, the UN Agency tasked with assisting Palestinian refugees, [...]
Foreign policy problems Arabic News Digest Apr 9, 2012 France’s plans in Libya backfire as chaos drowns the political process, spilling into Africa Marine Le Pen, the radical National Front candidate for the French presidential elections, was right on the money when she said in a recent statement that [...]
Putting Syria Into Some Perspective By William Blum April 07, 2012 “Information Clearing House” — The Holy Triumvirate — The United States, NATO, and the European Union — or an approved segment thereof, can usually get what they want. They wanted Saddam Hussein out, and soon he was swinging from a [...]
There are fears that UK technology firms could be supporting Assad’s Syrian regime. Photograph: -/AFP/Getty Images Jamie Doward and Rebecca Lewis guardian.co.uk, Saturday 7 April 2012 21.00 BST Article history Britain is exporting surveillance technology to countries run by repressive regimes, sparking fears it is being used to track political dissidents and activists. The UK’s enthusiastic role in the [...]
THE ROVING EYE We want war, and we want it now By Pepe Escobar It was deep into the night, somewhere over Siberia, in a Moscow to Beijing flight (BRIC to BRIC?) when the thought, like a lightning bolt, began to take hold. What the hell is wrong with those Arabs? Maybe [...]
Demonstrators protest against Syria‘s President Bashar al-Assad. Photograph: Handout/REUTERS Gulf states warned against arming Syria rebels Saudi Arabia and Qatar urged not to supply weapons to rebels for fear of undermining UN efforts to end crisis Ian Black and Julian Borger guardian.co.uk, Thursday 5 April 2012 19.18 BST Article history Saudi Arabia and Qatar are being urged not to supply weapons [...]
A rocket is launched from the Israeli anti-missile system Iron Dome, which could be used against Hezbollah in the event of war with Iran. Photograph: Dan Balilty/AP Israel predicts few casualties from war with Iran Assessment presented to security cabinet forecasts fewer than 300 casualties during three weeks of rocket attacks Israeli security officials have [...]
Imperialists Use U.N. Against Government of Syria By Joyce Chediac April 02, 2012 “Workers World” –The Syrian government agreed to accept the joint U.N.-Arab League-Kofi Annan plan for a ceasefire on March 27, according to Annan’s spokesperson. The former U.N. general secretary then demanded that Damascus “put its commitments into immediate [...]
(Photo: Reuters) Military Intervention in Syria is a Bad Idea by Stephen Zunes Although the impulse to try to end the ongoing repression by the Syrian regime against its own people through foreign military . intervention is understandable, it would be a very bad idea Empirical studies have repeatedly demonstrated that international military interventions in cases of [...]
. The United Nations buildings Time to Dismantle the UN Security Council by Arun Elhance The time has come for an urgent and complete overhaul of the organizational structure of the United Nations in the field of peace and security. To dismantle the UN Security Council would be the boldest but also the most enlightened step [...]
Syria: Way to Peace By Boris DOLGOV March 27, 2012 “Information Clearing House” — On March 21, 2012 the UN Security Council unanimously (all 15 members) approved a statement on Syria that is to facilitate the crisis solution. The statement is a six point proposal emphasizing a ceasefire by both sides, a pull back [...]
Bashar al-Assad‘s acceptance of Kofi Annan‘s peace plan has been received with scepticism as the Syrian president visits Baba Amr in Homs, the suburb where over 9,000 people have been killed in the last year. Photograph: Ay Collection/Sipa/Rex link to article http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/27/syria-nod-un-peace-plan-scepticism Syria‘s acceptance of a UN-backed plan to end the country’s bloody crisis has triggered [...]
Annan has been meeting with world leaders to build a consensus on how to resolve the Syrian crisis [Reuters] The Syrian government has agreed to accept the six-point plan by joint United Nations-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan on ending the violence in Syria, the former UN chief’s spokesman has said. “The Syrian government has written to [...]
U.S. President Barack Obama Photo by: AP Obama: Window for diplomatic solution to nuclear Iran is closing U.S. President reiterates position on Iran nuclear issue after talks with Turkish PM Erdogan; remarks come week and a half after Russian daily reported that United States had asked Russia to deliver ultimatum to Iran. By Reuters U.S. President [...]
Asma al-Assad‘s shoes 24 March 2012 We don’t know what might affect Asma al-Assad, the Syrian president‘s wife, if banned from entering the EU. Neither do we know the same of her mother-in-law Anisa who we have never heard of since she supposedly left Damascus perhaps over forty years ago. Some [...]
International Association of Democratic Lawyers Opposes Military Force Against Syria and Iran By davidswanson - Posted on 25 March 2012 by Marjorie Cohn | Smirking Chimp The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL), a non-governmental organization having consultative status with the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), is dedicated to uphold international law, particularly [...]
The Dangerous Mess in Syria Grows Murkier by Eric Margolis Syria’s murky, multi-level conflict continues to grow worse. So does public confusion here in the west as the US, British and some European media keep depicting Syria’s civil war as a simple passion play pitting the evil Asad regime in Damascus against mostly unarmed democratic protestors. [...]
Worrisome Security Council Presidential Statement on Syria By Stephen Lendman March 23, 2012 “Information Clearing House” – After months of internal wrangling, Security Council members unanimously endorsed efforts to end Syrian violence. Or did they? More on that below. Presidential statements are non-binding. However, with vague language, they risk potential slippery slope [...]
By Jonah Hull in Europe on Thu, 2012-03-22 12:47. Photo by EPA In resisting two previous United Nations resolutions on Syria, Russia’s position was that the texts were unbalanced and aimed at regime change. It insisted both sides should cease fire and begin negotiations, without preconditions or ultimatums. Western powers, demanding that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad [...]
The West will launch a package war against Iran, Syria and Hezbollah as soon as they decide what to do with the Iranian nuclear program, Abdel Bari Atwan, editor-in-chief of a London-based Arabic newspaper told RT in an interview. Atwan also believes the West is not intervening in Syria because they [...]
Today we talk to veteran investigative journalist about the “Responsibility to Protect” doctrine by which NATO has begun waging its “humanitarian” wars around the world. We discuss where this idea came from, how it has been used, and the way it is shaping international geopolitics. We also talk about the MEK, a bizarre [...]
The Assad family has ruled Syria for more than four decades, relying on ‘repression and injustice’ [AFP] As the Syrian revolution enters its second year, three scenarios loom on the horizon. However, as they say in Arabic: “their sweetest is bitter”. What started a year ago as a peaceful protest in the southern town of [...]
UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan‘s six-point plan calls for a ceasefire and for political dialogue to take place [AFP] The United Nations Security Council has adopted a statement backing joint UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s plan for ending the violence in Syria, as a government crackdown on opposition strongholds has continued. Mark Lyall Grant, the UK’s [...]
BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Israel is trying to thwart Palestinian efforts to secure a United Nations inquiry into the impact of settlements, Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said Monday. Al-Malki told Ma’an the PA is asking the UN Human Rights Council to appoint an international fact-finding commission “to come to the occupied Palestinian territory to [...]
Heading for War on Iran By Stephen Lendman - Posted on 17 March 2012 Heading for War with Iran by Stephen Lendman Israel wants it. So does Obama, but not until after November elections. Policy now focuses on winning. Waging more wars can wait, except for Syria, despite strong public support for [...]
As Syrian Rebellion Flounders, More Calls for Foreign Invasion Clashes Reported on Damascus Outskirts by Jason Ditz, March 16, 2012 | Print This | Share This | Antiwar Forum Syria’s full scale civil war seems to be rapidly quieting down, with the routs of rebel forces leaving fewer [...]
China tests its mettle in Syria By Chris Zambelis Solidifying the People’s Republic of China’s burgeoning relationships with the countries of the Middle East remains a top priority for Beijing. The impetus behind China’s resurgent efforts to extend its influence within the Middle East stemmed from Beijing’s pursuit of energy resources to sustain its rapidly expanding economy. As [...]
Pepe Escobar on Antiwar Radio posted by Thomas L. Knapp March 14, 2012 Antiwar.com Posted in Audio & Video“Globetrotting journalist Pepe Escobar discusses why the Academy Award winning movie ‘A Separation‘ should be required viewing for Americans …” [Flash audio or MP3] (03/13/12) http://antiwar.com/radio/2012/03/13/pepe-escobar-20/ Related articles Some Pepe Escobar interview links(ikners.com) Scott Horton [...]
U.S. Navy / MC1 Chad J. McNeeley Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet at Blair House in Washington, D.C. By William Pfaff The two most recent American wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan, have failed or are disastrously failing. The United States is being pressed to launch two new wars. [...]
President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron also discussed Iran’s alleged nuclear plan [Reuters] President Barack Obama has said the prospect of international military intervention in Syria is premature and could lead to a civil war. Speaking at a White House news conference on Wednesday, Obama said military intervention could lead to more deaths in Syria. [...]
Syria: heralding a change in the international strategic situation? ERNESTO GÓMEZ ABASCAL* EVIDENTLY the Cold War ended in the final decade of the 20th century with the disappearance of the Soviet Union and the European socialist countries, but the U.S. plan of domination enshrined in the Project for the New [...]
AP Rebels in northern Syria, where the situation continues to deteriorate this week: “We cannot and will not accept a regime that systematically murders its own people.” Ahead of a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday, Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali has warned against military intervention in Syria. In an interview [...]
24:08 CrossTalk: Occupy Globe (ft. Pepe Escobar) People are rising up against the authorities all around the world. Is this a crisis of the current political and economic system? What do these … by RussiaToday | 12,148 views Featured Videos 9:44 Pepe Escobar: US will continue to arm anti-government rebels in Syria after veto For several months [...]
Syria: NATO countries are already militarily active in Syria – an overview BY SUSANA AL HALABI – MARCH 9, 2012 – POSTED IN: SIDEVIEWS British and French Special Forces operate in Syria. NATO acts against international laws. Currently, there are two calls for peace circulating with a good response about Syria and Iran. Both are calling for an [...]
Obama Plans More Middle East Wars By Stephen Lendman - Posted on 10 March 2012 by Stephen Lendman Stephen Lendman continues to write sensible and straight forward articles. Here as he sees it Obama plans more wars. Of course that is true you might think when you realise the real warmongers that run the [...]
