Middle East

A complete U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014? Don’t count on it

"A US envoy on Tuesday dismissed suggestions that Washington would withdraw all troops from Afghanistan after next year, saying that both countries wanted to preserve a smaller force. Aides to US President Barack Obama earlier this year openly mulled the so-called 'zero option' of a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan once US troops end their combat role in 2014. 'We talk about the zero option — that’s not an option for the United States,' said James Dobbins, the US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Dobbins said he expected 'several thousand American forces and several thousand non-American NATO forces' in 2015 and beyond." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA complete U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014? Don’t count on it

U.S. Admits No Imminent Threat from Syria, No Clear Evidence

"Obama is going on a whirlwind media blitz this week in an attempt to sell a very skeptical public on war with Syria. Yet the Washington Post notes: 'Obama’s top aide says the administration lacks 'irrefutable, beyond-a-reasonable-doubt evidence' that skeptical Americans, including lawmakers who will start voting on military action this week, are seeking.' Indeed, those who have seen the evidence say that it is incredibly weak. German intelligence also says that Assad didn’t order the attacks." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. Admits No Imminent Threat from Syria, No Clear Evidence

Eric Margolis: Syrian March To Disaster

"Politicians invoke credibility as a excuse after they have made a huge blunder –notably Obama’s foolish 'red lines' in Syria that boxed the president into a corner of his own making. What we are seeing is the latest, 21st century version of the new era of colonialism and imperialism, with a touch of Crusader zeal thrown in. Today, the favored euphemism is humanitarian intervention, but the song remains the same. Syria is not about poison gas or human rights: it’s about a proxy war against Iran, the only nation now challenging total US and Israel military domination of the Mideast. For France, it’s about reasserting its former colonial rule in Syria and Lebanon." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEric Margolis: Syrian March To Disaster

Rand Paul Issues ‘Dear Colleague’ Letter Opposing Syrian Intervention

"In 1995, Colin Powell wrote, 'War should be the politics of last resort. And when we go to war, we should have a purpose our people understand and support.' I do not believe Syria passes that test. I treat the question of war as if it would determine the fate of my son or daughter. War is not some geopolitical chess game. It is, at best, a necessary evil. It should never be the first option. It should occur only when America is attacked or threatened, or when American interests are attacked or threatened. And only when all other options have been played out. Too often, the debate begins and ends with an assertion that our national interest is at stake, but no evidence is ever presented." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRand Paul Issues ‘Dear Colleague’ Letter Opposing Syrian Intervention

Nancy Pelosi sends fifth letter on Syria

"Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi sent a fifth letter to Democratic colleagues in a week in an attempt to bolster support for a measure to authorize a U.S. strike in Syria. In the letter sent Saturday, Pelosi (D-Calif.) highlighted statements supporting the strike by President Barack Obama and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). In earlier letters, Pelosi emphasized the importance of the strike and has told members she will be flexible about the eventual language in a use-of-force authorization. Pelosi also drew attention to Obama’s remarks that he had not set a red line in Syria, but that Congress set one in the 2003 Syria Accountability Act." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNancy Pelosi sends fifth letter on Syria

‘Obama to attack Syria regardless how Congress votes’

"America's envoy to the United Nations singled out Russia for criticism - for its outspoken opposition to strikes. And that's as the UN chief himself ruled out a military solution to the Syrian crisis - warning that a strike would have tragic consequences and fuel sectarian violence in the region. Investigative journalist Charlie McGrath has commented on the US envoy's statements - saying international trust in Washington's words has all but eroded." Continue reading →

Continue Reading‘Obama to attack Syria regardless how Congress votes’

Al Franken Leaning Toward Supporting Syria Resolution

"Sen. Al Franken (D., Minn.) on Friday said he was leaning toward supporting a resolution authorizing military action in Syria, giving a lift to Obama administration efforts to build support for a strike that U.S. President Barack Obama has sought in spite of widespread unpopularity. 'To me, there is enough evidence that there has been a chemical weapons attack; that it was authorized by the regime and I believe that we have to demonstrate that you can’t do that, so I’m leaning that direction,' Mr. Franken told reporters Friday after a closed-door briefing for lawmakers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAl Franken Leaning Toward Supporting Syria Resolution

Who funds Syrian rebel advocate O’Bagy and her ‘Task Force’? You do

"The Syrian Emergency Task Force, the pro-rebel lobbying outfit that employs widely quoted intervention advocate Elizabeth O’Bagy as its political director, receives funding from the U.S. Department of State and related government contractors. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Caller earlier last week, O’Bagy explained how she got paid. O’Bagy has been roundly condemned for working for a pro-Syrian lobbying group at the same time she was casting the Syrian rebels in a positive light. She works as an analyst at the neoconservative think tank, the Institute for the Study of War." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWho funds Syrian rebel advocate O’Bagy and her ‘Task Force’? You do