One wonders what Syrians are thinking as “rebels” vowing to “free Syria” take the country down the same road to destruction as “rebels” in Libya. Libya, under Gaddafi a well-run country whose oil revenues were shared with the Libyan people instead of monopolized by a princely class as in Saudi Arabia, now has no government and is in disarray with contending factions vying for power.
Just as no one knew who the Libyan “rebels” were, with elements of al Qaeda reportedly among them, no one knows who the Syrian “rebels” are, or indeed if they are even rebels (Antiwar.com). Some “rebels” appear to be bandit groups who seize the opportunity to loot and to rape and set themselves up as the governments of villages and towns. Others appear to be al Qaeda. (Antiwar.com)
The fact that the “rebels” are armed is an indication of interference from outside. There have been reports that Washington has ordered its Saudi and Bahrain puppet governments to supply the “rebels” with military weaponry. Some suspect that the explosion that killed the Syrian Defense Minister and the head of the government’s crisis operations was not the work of a suicide bomber but the work of a US drone or missile reminiscent of Washington’s failed attempts to murder Saddam Hussein. Regardless, Washington regarded the terror attack as a success, declaring that it showed the rebels were gaining “real momentum” and called on the Syrian government to respond to the attack by resigning. (reuters.com)
The following is from a leaked intelligence document describing a previous Western terrorist intervention in Syria just in case any reader is so naive as to think that “our government would never do that.”
“In order to facilitate the action of liberative (sic) forces, …a special effort should be made to eliminate certain key individuals … [to] be accomplished early in the course of the uprising and intervention.…
“Once a political decision has been reached to proceed with internal disturbances in Syria, CIA is prepared, and SIS (MI6) will attempt to mount minor sabotage and coup de main (sic) incidents within Syria, working through contacts with individuals.… Incidents should not be concentrated in Damascus.…”
Further: a “necessary degree of fear … frontier incidents and (staged) border clashes”, would “provide a pretext for intervention… the CIA and SIS [MI6] should use … capabilities in both psychological and action fields to augment tension.” (Joint US-UK leaked Intelligence Document, London and Washington, 1957, globalreasearch.ca)
Obama has not said why his government is so desperate to overthrow the Syrian government. The current Syrian president was an eye doctor in London who was brought back to Syria to replace his father, who had passed away, as president of the country. Washington is reticent about its real motives, which it masks with high-sounding humanitarian rhetoric, but Washington’s motives are transparent.
One motive is to get rid of the Russian naval base in Syria, thus depriving Russia of its only Mediterranean base.
A second motive is to eliminate Syria as a source of arms and support to Hezbollah in order that Israel can succeed in its attempts to occupy southern Lebanon and acquire its water resources. Hezbollah’s fighters have twice defeated the Israeli military’s attempts to invade and to occupy southern Lebanon.
A third motive is to destroy the unity of Syria with sectarian conflict, as Washington destroyed Libya and Iraq, and leave Syria to warring factions to dismember the country, thus removing another obstacle to Washington’s hegemony.
Syria, a secular Arab state, like Iraq was, is ruled by a political party composed of Alawis, more or less Shia Muslims. The Alawis comprise about 12% of the Syrian population and are regarded as heretics by the Sunni Muslims who comprise about 74% of the Syrian population. Thus the orchestrated “uprising” appeals to many Sunnis who see the opportunity to take over. (In Iraq, it was a Sunni minority that ruled a Shia majority, and in Syria it is the opposite.)
The divisions among Arabs make Arabs vulnerable to Western interference and rule. The Sunni-Shia split makes it impossible for an Arab country to unite against an invader or for one Arab country to come to the aid of another. In 1990, the Shia Syrian government lined up with the US against the Sunni Iraq government in the First Iraq War. Neither Lawrence of Arabia, Nasser, nor Gaddafi succeeded in creating an Arab consciousness.
Washington’s cover for its violent overthrow of other governments is always moralistic verbiage. First, the target is demonized, and then Washington’s naked aggression is described as “bringing freedom and democracy,” “overthrowing a brutal dictator,” “protecting women’s rights.” Any assortment of cant words and phrases seems to work.
Hillary Clinton has been especially strident in advocating the overthrow of the Syrian government. The silly woman even issued threats to Russia and China for daring to block Washington’s attempt to use a UN resolution as cover for invading Syria. Washington misrepresents the Syrian government’s resistance to being overthrown as a government conducting terror against its own people. But Washington had no condemnation for the terror attack, whether its own or that of a suicide bomber, that killed high-level Syrian government officials. Washington’s double standard prompted the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, to accuse Washington of having “a sinister position.”
Indeed, Washington does. But what is surprising about Washington’s sinister position after Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, and Pakistan? Undoubtedly, after Syria is overthrown, Washington will move on to Iran. Russia itself is already being surrounded by US missile bases, and the Russian government has a disloyal and traitorous political opposition financed by American money. China is confronting a rapid buildup of US air, naval, and troop bases in the Pacific. How long before China’s government has a disloyal opposition financed by Washington?
The hegemon is on the march, but what Syrian Sunnis see is a chance to overthrow the Alawite Shia. The Syrian Sunnis will ally with Washington despite the fact that Washington overthrew the Iraqi Sunnis. Few Arabs, it seems, mind being puppets of a foreign regime that hands out billions of dollars.
Washington loosely refers to Syrian President Assad as a “dictator” or “brutal dictator,” but obviously if Assad is a dictator he is not very effective in that role. Normally, dictators don’t permit an opposition to rise, much less arm itself. It would be more accurate to say that the ruling party is authoritarian, but the ruling party has introduced elements of democracy with the new constitution.
As Iraq has proved, Arab governments have to be authoritarian if their Sunni and Shia populations are not to be constantly engaged in civil war. Both Bush and Obama claim that Washington brought “freedom and democracy” to Iraq. However, the ongoing violence in Iraq is as intense or more intense than under the American occupation. Here are the reports for the last three days:
July 23: “A wave of bomb attacks and shootings in Baghdad and north of the capital has killed at least 107 people. At least 216 were wounded.”
July 24: “A second day of intensified attacks left at least 145 Iraqis killed and 379 more wounded.”
July 25: “Attacks continue across Iraq: 17 killed, 60 wounded.”
This is what Washington did for Iraq. Far from bringing “freedom and democracy,” Washington brought endless mayhem and death. And this is precisely what Washington is in the process of bringing to Syria.
This article was originally published at PaulCraigRoberts.org and has been used here with permission.
stick to economics
“obviosly a bad dictator because an opposition eventuated”
I suppose a good dictator would not have any ?
You seem to be an isolationist and do not understand that washington is lobbied for its input.
Maybe , a lack of financial controls via your unregulated and risktaking (other peoples money) banking sector will have a greater collateral damage.
stick to economics
It was painful to read this article. The inaccuracies with which “jumpers” (People who become suddenly experts on a subject they know nothing about) put on display is truly embarrassing. Syrians do not believe in al-Qaeda and ALL of those Jihadi fighting in Syria today are foreigners attracted by the sectarian violence of Obama’s laissez-Faire, antiwar policy in Syria. Extremism as a result of apathy or cause and effect. In Syria, we have a cult character we call Jeha. Jeha used to slap his son for no reason. When asked why, he would answer “Just in case he did something wrong”. All Syrians feel like the son of Jeha today being slapped around for no reason just in case we are about to do something wrong. FPJ could do better than this..
Speaking of inaccuracies, U.S. policy towards Syria is hardly a “laissez-faire, antiwar policy”. The U.S. has been actively supporting the rebels with the goal of regime change.
Mr Craig Roberts seems to be living on some other planet. The people of Syria have been living under a regime of terror for over 50 years. They have finally had enough and started their protests peacefully. The brutality of the regime left them no choice but to take arms to defend themselves. They are paying the price of freedom and building a better future for their children.
As for Libya, Mr Roberts is quite deceiving in portraying the country’s revolution as a failure, quite the opposite, the libyan people are doing a very good job in building their democracy one step at a time.
Your lack of knowledge about the events in the middle east is astounding. Not even sure where to begin. Pure poppycock!
It is amazing to realize that Mr. Craig have difficulties to undersyand the most basic of the human reaction. When you have been oppressed for 50 years and you are always in fear afraid to tell your own friends and family what you think about this stalinistic minority government that can only be described as thieves and well organized brutal gangs, you have only one thing left i.e. die to live free! Is that really so difficult to understand? Syrians are today fighting for the same reason as the Americn did against the brits to get their own liberty.
It is hard to believe that after Iraq, Libya, et. al., people can still be so delusional and disconnected from reality as the above readers.
You’re giving them the benefit of the doubt for naivety that they don’t deserve. Disingenuous and deceitful would be more accurate descriptions in my opinion.
Mohammed – Are you communicating via Uranus?
Paul Craig Roberts has gone beyond that superficial narrative, which sounds plausible as a gloss, but suffers a lot under any investigation. Many reports – notably Wikileaks – have revealed that Washington has had Syria in it’s sights since 2005. Charlie Skelton of the Guardian did an incisive article on how this ‘Syrian’ Army was being funded – via various think-tanks and ‘philanthropic’ organisations. Do you still maintain that the government committed the massacre at Houla? UN say there is no evidence, and independent investigations – in a reportedly FSA-controlled zone – say the victims were loyal to the regime and were killed for it. Why would forces commit such a scene days after UN Peace Negotiators arrived in the country? These rebels have been found fabricating all sorts of events, and exaggerating incidents to gain sympathy from a drooling US/UK mastiff mentality.
The NATO/GCC foreign aggression and state sponsored terrorism against Syria and the middle east is the cause of the conflict. There wouldn’t be a war there without the money, weapons, mercenaries, safe havens, obstruction of justice, political support, and other illegal activities by NATO/GCC members in violation of international law, and the Arab League and UN Charters.
note to author. war is not plug and play.
one can stop reading after – There have been reports that Washington has ordered its Saudi and Bahrain puppet governments to supply the “rebels” with military weaponry.
-ordered its – puppet governments-
how stupid is this author?
How stupid are you? Turkey has been pouring money, weapons and mercenaries into Syria in blatant violation of international law. Google the crime of aggression and read up on it.
This seems a very well balanced assessment. I was mis-led about Iraq, against the action in Libya and now totally opposed to the Western manipulation of the Syrian situation. I can’t remember anyone in the UK being consulted about supporting these muslim rebel factions, and I’m damn sure that only a tiny percentage are aware of what is actually going on. Its very worrying how governments can act so aggressively with no mandate.
Your House of Commons voted 500 to 15 in favor of the Libya war, which almost everyone who followed it knew was an unnecessary fabrication. The aggressor democracies like the U.K., U.S. and France keep their legislatures over flowing with two faced politically intolerant war fascists.
NATO has waged a defacto ww3 of forced democratization against the planet for it’s entire 65 year history with as much death, destruction, deprivation, economic subversion, injury, ethnic cleansing, torture, and crime as ww1 & 2. Your MI6 is one of the most criminal intelligence agencies on the planet. And is up to it’s eye balls in political subversion and criminal regime change.
“Libya, under Gaddafi a well-run country whose oil revenues were shared with the Libyan people…”
I read this and I was like LOL. Is this author serious or simply trolling his readers?
Libya under 40 years of Gaddafi went from being a very poor nation to having the highest per capita income and longest life expectancy in Africa. Why do you have a problem with that? Because it was done with a non democratic government? Just like China is growing at an exponential rate, and has been for 20 years. While the NATO war mongers are drowning in debt from endless war and mismanagement.
Under Gaddafi, Libya rose to become the country with the highest standard of living in Africa.
You all so brilliant for posting your comments, but you all forget the pass present and the future of Syria.
First of all it has been documented for the pass five decade the U.S.A lost interest for the well been of Syria or Syrian people, since Hafez Assad turn his attention to C.C.C.P for boosting his military power with Soviets weapons started from Mig 17,21,,29,31 Sam missal defense…etc,etc.
Now here come the 9/11 attack on U.S.A while the relation with Russia in a low point with Syria witch became the Perfect ground to interrogate Alqaieda suspects since Iraq was enemy of Syrian GOVERNMENT for long time and if I recall all Syrian passport were stamped for restriction to visit Iraq, Syria become Bush Best Allie.
For that reason Syria must have AA in there hand Against the US And they are waiving theme right now.
If you all now what’s in Damascus in regard to the Russian and American presence so you should now that the day Russia issue a call to all their people to repatriates, this mean the U.S just paid Russia for the weapon contract have with the Syrian Government a $9 Billion worth, but the Q remain : is Russia asking double the amount so it will remove Assad from power so the two AA turn to nothing?????
The bottom line it is always about $$$$$$$$$$ this is the present situation in Syria, while thousands of innocents civilian getting massacred on the streets, homes, and secret prisons around the country.
The flee of Manaf Tulas from the country all of a sudden became no news, but prompted Russia to consider the possibility of Bashar ouster.
The bad element that should be removed from the country is Maher , Ramy and there gang of thugs.
Now is up to Bashar to demonstrate his willingness to remove his brother as his father did by removing Reffaat and his elite army before him, if he dose this may give him the 1% chance to stay in power, but if he dose not the big Q remain is Bashar want to end up like Kadzafie, Saddam, Mulacivitsh or Pinochet.?
The out come is in the Syrian peoples hand ,and will be decided by them.
Syrians must ask them selfs if this was worth all the people that are all gone today.
Do you really think the mother ,the father , the sons, the orphans that were left with their hearts ripped out their lives are today thinking the world is a better place today .democracy ! Don’t make me laugh. Everybody know’s another puppet well be put to satisfy the west.
The author has every authentication possible on each phrase reported by him.The fact remains a fact Inspite of international media going against Arab and real stories far beyond our reach.
Congratulations to author for such a truthful story
I don’t know if Mr. Hammond knows who Farid Ghadry is.
To know who is traitor is please watch the following video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGajTltqClk
Syrian people are witing for CIA petty agent like ….
They are determine not to give their country to CIA stooges and zionist servants…
SHAME
I was not aware. Thanks for the link.
Mr. Roberts:
It is a strange time to see the traitors claim they are the savior of the people. Farid Ghadry who left a comment here, the second from the top,
is close to CIA and AIPAC, in fact is part of it In fact he has shown that he has the cability of being one of their man who can be at their service. Please watch the video I left earlier.
Ghadry is openly “pro-Israel and positions his organizations with a similar allegiance; Ghadry is even a member of AIPAC.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Farid_N._Ghadry
HE IS US BASED ‘OPPOSITION’ who wants to go to Syria on back of the US tank like Chalabi, Kenan Makiya where Iraqi Journalists on Charlie Rose called them terrorists and a theif. Farid Ghadry is part of the same gang. He is also part of the Iran-Syria Operations Group under office of special plans.
All these stooges have promised to be in the servant of the zionists and imperialists.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Iran-Syria_Operations_Group
Thank you. It was obvious to me that dave, Farid Ghadry, Mohammed, Al Hafeza, and Syrian were either CIA assets, trolls, or completely delusional and stupid people. Anyone who thinks Washington’s aggression is going to bring “freedom and democracy” to Syria hasn’t enough intelligence to justify their existence.
The same thoughts occurred to me.
The universal declaration of human rights codified democracy and elections as a human right, usurping good government as a human right. This was a mistake in my opinion. Freedom, human and civil rights are provided by law and proper administration, not democracy and elections. And you don’t need democracy and elections to have pluralism in government. Legislation approved by referendum rather than elected representatives or executive consent is an option. You also don’t need taxes. The government’s operating expenses can be paid for by income from assets held in a public trust if it’s run properly. Governments need to be judged by how good of a job that they do, not by the political system that they use.
Good ETs aren’t going to normalize relations with us until we stop the wars. And normalizing relations with bad ETs isn’t in our best interests. We need to get the wars stopped and normalize relations with good ETs so that we can transition from the industrial age to becoming an extraterrestrial civilization ourselves. And begin importing off planet medical and industrial technology for extended lifespans with young healthy bodies on a war, poverty, and pollution free planet with the freedom to safely travel the universe on starships.
I wonder how many trolls are commenting on this forum with phony Arab names. Give me a break. Dr. Roberts is dead on as can be checked by consulting dozens of other international sources of news.
Most NATO aggressor democracy voters want war, it’s in all of the polls and election results. And there’s a lot more of them than there are peace voters. Running a pro constitution, peace, prosperity and good government campaign is a sure way to loose.
Voting patterns need to change away from war, pork and bad government, to peace, prosperity and good government. So the the legislatures can be overhauled, and we can get some competent people in office who will do a better job.
So that the legislatures can be overhauled,