Middle East

The U.S. Is Getting “Played” In Syria

"Even if the U.S./NATO is going to wage war, is this how you do it? Do you telegraph your moves days ahead of time? I must have missed that class when I studied at the Naval War College. By comparison, little E-1 Pvt. Bradley Manning (or is it Chelsea?) will rot for many decades in prison (the women’s wing?) after being convicted of releasing a pile of classified emails. And young Ed Snowden is a hunted man because he told the world that the National Security Agency sucks signals out of the ether. I’m shocked to know that! But Obama administration officials are holding press conferences — Press! Conferences! — to offer up the tactical details of any attack that’s set to hit Syria." Continue reading →

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Iran’s new U.N. nuclear envoy gets harsh reception

"Western envoys gave Iran’s new ambassador to the UN atomic agency a frosty welcome Wednesday, saying Tehran’s new government should waste no time proving to the world it does not want the bomb. Speaking at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s board of governors, US envoy Joseph Macmanus said Iran was refusing to comply with UN Security Council and IAEA resolutions demanding it suspend key parts of its nuclear programme. Iran denies seeking or ever having sought nuclear weapons and argues that the six UN Security Council resolutions passed against it since 2006 — four with sanctions attached — are illegal." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIran’s new U.N. nuclear envoy gets harsh reception

Kerry and McCain’s favorite Syria ‘expert’ fired for faking credentials

"A prominent pro-Syrian intervention expert, cited by both Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sec. of State John Kerry, lied about her academic credentials and failed to disclose her ties to rebel groups in the embattled republic. An op-ed piece by O’Bagy published in the Wall Street Journal drew fire over O’Bagy’s failure to disclose her ties to rebel groups in Syria. After the article was published on Aug. 30, it came to light that she is affiliated with the Syrian Emergency Task Force, a lobbying group that facilitates contract negotiations involving the U.S. and British governments and other agencies which provide aid to Syrian rebels." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingKerry and McCain’s favorite Syria ‘expert’ fired for faking credentials

UN finds Syria war crimes ‘on both sides’

"It was clear that 'the majority of casualties result from unlawful attacks using conventional weapons,' the Commission of Inquiry on Syria said in a statement. Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad's regime 'have continued to conduct widespread attacks on the civilian population, committing murder, torture, rape and enforced disappearance as crimes against humanity,' according to the report, which covers the period from May 15th to July 15th. It also charged that anti-government groups had 'committed war crimes,' including murder, torture and hostage-taking. The report does not address the period which includes the August 21st suspected chemical attack." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUN finds Syria war crimes ‘on both sides’

Liberty Empowered Coverage of No War in Syria Rally: Tulsa

"On Saturday of Labor Day weekend, while the majority of Americans were enjoying their time off drinking beer at the lake, a minority of Americans across the nation labored tirelessly for the cause of peace. Most major cities across the nation hosted a No War in Syria Rally, sporting picket signs and protesting American intervention in Syria’s civil war. Even on a worldwide scale, individuals showed their support for peace in record numbers. Here in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a group of about 60 activists gathered together for their No War in Syria Rally: Tulsa, in 104 degree heat to 101st and Memorial to unanimously show opposition to America’s involvement in another country’s civil war." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLiberty Empowered Coverage of No War in Syria Rally: Tulsa

Ron Paul: Why Aren’t We Talking About the Cost of War in Syria?

"Despite Obama’s assurances that U.S. military action won’t involve 'boots on the ground,' Paul warned about the human cost of 'so many more lives lost than [lawmakers] are anticipating. They think they can predict these things, but there is a cost – the cost of life and limb, the cost of freedoms at home because of a war atmosphere.' 'Just because one cruise missile might cost one-and-a-half million dollars –there are a lot more expenses involved' in any military strike, said Ron Paul. 'It will be easy [for costs] to go much, much higher.' He compared the difference in costs in the Iraq War: 'It was estimated to cost $60 billion – and it turned out to be into the trillions.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRon Paul: Why Aren’t We Talking About the Cost of War in Syria?

Chomsky: U.S. is a ‘rogue state’ that ‘doesn’t pay attention to international law’

"'We should bear in mind that the core principle of the United Nations Charter bars the threat or use of force. So all of this is criminal, to begin with, but he’ll continue with that.' 'The United States is a rogue state,' he averred. 'It doesn’t pay any attention to international law.' Furthermore, he said, '(t)his would be a perfect opportunity to ban chemical weapons, to impose the chemical weapons convention on the Middle East.' The U.S., of course, Chomsky noted, will never go along with that because of one nation in the Middle East 'which has chemical weapons and is in violation of the chemical weapons convention and has refused even to ratify it — namely Israel.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChomsky: U.S. is a ‘rogue state’ that ‘doesn’t pay attention to international law’

Where Congress stands on Syria

"Lawmakers appear to be tentatively dividing into four camps over military action in Syria. Each square represents a lawmaker who has indicated how he or she might vote, and the sentiment of the quote is mapped across the four categories. Among the lawmakers mapped below are members of leadership and several 'people to watch,' a category comprising influential or opinionated individuals, committee chairmen and 2016 presidential hopefuls." Continue reading →

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Kerry becomes first war casualty

"Much as the strike may (or may not) weaken the Syrian armed forces and diminish its military capabilities, Kerry's capacity to be an effective secretary of state for the reminder of President Barack Obama's term may have been seriously 'degraded' already. The point is, over three full eventful years still remain in Obama's presidency and three years is a lot time in politics. Kerry's tragedy is that he is being called upon to defend an indefensible brief. Three major gaffes within the space of a week is a terrible record for a top diplomat to pile up under any circumstances." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingKerry becomes first war casualty

Pepe Escobar: Dogs of war versus the emerging caravan

"Not even the ghost of Machiavelli would come up with an adjective to describe the whole planet waiting in disbelief to see whether the almost universally despised House of Representatives (15% approval rating, according to RealClearPolitics) decides, Roman Empire style, to give the thumbs down and authorize the bombing of one of the oldest cities in humanity (well, they have an illustrious precedent of applauding Shock and Awe over Baghdad, which topped the Mongols going medieval in the 13th century). And all this against the will of the 'American people' who, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll support this folly by an overwhelming 9%. Yes We Bomb. But what for?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPepe Escobar: Dogs of war versus the emerging caravan