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Make New Globes
AS THE civil war in Syria has dragged on, the
rebels have become more Islamist and extreme.
- Jabhat al-Nusra (Victory Front) is the biggest
worry.
Its global jihadist ideology justifies violence to bring about a nation
where all Muslims unite.
- The Farouq Battalions, whose territorial
reach goes
from Homs to Hasaka in the north-east, is another mixed bag, ranging
from Islamists to people with no particular ideology.
- The Supreme Military Command, led by General
Salim
Idriss, a Sunni defector from President Assad’s army, includes some
able commanders but still lacks the cash and arms to match either the
regime’s forces or Jabhat al-Nusra, which ignores the military command.
- Ominously, rebels from more secular-minded or
more
moderately Islamist groups speak openly of a second war to come—against
Jabhat al-Nusra. See full article. [Full
article]
If
you understand who's who in Syria, I tip my hat to you. This deal
has
more factions and intrigue than the Spanish civil war. But here's
one
thing we can take to the bank. The United States will never again
win
any war that Democrats have any part of, and I include
congressional
influence. Look at this mess; why bother?
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ASSAD’S
FRIENDS
The Islamic Republic of Iran - a Shiite Muslim regional power - is a staunch
ally of the Assad government and has been providing arms, military
training and cash. If Assad falls, Iran will be deeply wounded.
Iraq
After American troops
toppled Sunni Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iraq’s Shiite majority became
dominant. With this shift came regional alliances with Shiite countries
including Iran and Syria.
Russia
One theory for why Russia
has been so resolute in its backing of Damascus is to ensure continued
control of its only Mediterranean naval base, which is in the Syrian
port of Tartus.
ASSAD’S FOES
Saudi Arabia
It is a follower of the strict Wahabi branch of Sunni Islam. In backing
anti-Assad forces, Saudi Arabia is challenging its main regional foe,
Shiite Iran. Some experts believe the Sunni-Shiite divisions are being
exaggerated for political reasons.
United States
Until June, the administration was opposed to providing any lethal
assistance to Syria's rebels, but in June it said it was moving ahead
with sending weapons to vetted members of the opposition. What are
"vetted members?" Honest Syrian military rebels have been shoved
aside
by al Qaeda and the Muslim Broterhood. Can you say "Egypt's Arab
Spring?"
Turkey
Formerly a close friend of Syria, Turkey’s moderate Islamist government
has become a supporter of the rebels and supplying them with arms,
Jordan
Allows American troops to train Syrian rebels on its territory and F-16
jets are positioned there.
Hamas: The Palestinians
Israel
Believed to have carried out three bomb strikes this year in Syria
targeting Hezbollah weapons caches but refuses to confirm or deny
whether it was responsible. Were Israeli bombers flown by Hamas?
Drudge is
reporting that Obama's DOD "will only follow the
International community" (UN?)
into Syria. Nope, can't be the UN; Russia would veto. So, international community means
the US, Code Pink, and a bunch of token bit players from France.
The
answer to this mess is of course to take out Iran, and enjoy the peace.
The
tree falling with nobody to hear it option
The other thing to do is
simply never again acknowledge that there is a
Middle East. Replace maps and globes with Ocean. Nobody
will ever
know, or care. We have as much oil in the ground as they do, so
screw'em.
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