Wednesday, 7 December 2011

"Rebels" confirm clashes on Syria-Turkey border


Syrian armed forces carry out a live ammunitions exercise in an undisclosed location 4 December 2011. (Photo: REUTERS - SANA)
Published Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The Syrian regime said it prevented 35 gunmen from infiltrating Syrian territory from Turkey, Syria's official news agency, SANA, reported.

Syrian forces briefly clashed with the infiltrators before the gunmen fled back into Turkish territory, SANA said.

An officer for the Free Syrian Army -- army defectors battling the Syrian regime -- said wounded rebels were taken across the border for treatment, but denied that the group was operating from Turkey.
"There was heavy shooting in Ain al-Baida with the army shelling homes in retaliation for an operation conducted by Free Army elements operating in the area against security forces. I can confirm several people were wounded and smuggled and taken to hospitals on the Turkish side," said the officer.
But he added: "These are Free Army forces that have never operated inside Turkey and are not coming from Turkey."
Syrian forces attacked rebels along the border after a Free Syrian Army assault on a police station near the border on Tuesday, the officer said.
Another Syrian army defector who was aware of the incident said at least three men wounded in the clashes had been taken over into Turkey.
Turkish residents in villages across the border also confirmed the clashes took place, reporting that Syrian troops appeared to be firing at people fleeing across the border.
"We heard heavy gunfire," Abu Fahd, a villager in the Turkish border village of Guvecci, said, adding that it came from the Syrian side of the frontier. "The rattle and sounds were heard until early dawn."
Another man in the village, Abu Yousef, said he saw firing coming from Syrian army positions and believed they had been aiming at people trying to cross the border: "The Syrians were firing close to the border from sniper posts on the hillside."
The alleged incident comes a week after Turkey announced it would prevent weapons crossing from its border into Syria.
A Turkish diplomat denied allegations that Turkey is being used as a springboard for armed attacks on Syria.
"Turkey is not allowing any armed groups (to launch attacks) against other countries," said a Turkish diplomat who declined to be named.
(al-Akhbar, AFP, Reuters, SANA)

Authorities Clash with Gunmen Blocking International Road in Idleb, 7 Explosive Devices Dismantled in Hama

IDLEB/HAMA, (SANA) - Authorities on Wednesday foiled an attempt by an armed terrorist group to block the international road between Mourk in Hama province, central Syria, and Heesh in the northern province of Idleb...Read more

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian

Sayyed Nasrallah: The enemy is this American Administration and its “tool” not “ally” in the region, Israel,

Sayyed Nasrallah’s Speech on 10th Day of Muharram

Sara Taha Moughnieh


Tens of thousands of Imam Hussein lovers joined the unified march organized by Hezbollah in the Southern Suburbs of Beirut to mourn Imam Hussein, renew their vows and pledges to stay on his path, and express support for the Islamic Resistance and renunciation of the “Great Satan” America and the occupying entity Israel.

After the march people headed to Al-Raya Stadium where Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah was scheduled to deliver a speech after the commemoration.

However, unlike always, and as he was expected to deliver his speech via video link for the usual security reasons, Sayyed Nasrallah surprised the crowds by appearing among them on ground and saluting them.
Sayyed Nasrallah hasn’t appeared in public since the swap deal that took place in July 2008, when Samir Qintar and the four resistance fighters were released from the Israeli prisons.

His Eminence greeted the people and went on stage where he delivered a short statement saying: “I wanted to join you for a few minutes, even though I love to be with you always… On the 10th day of Muharram I wanted to join you so that we reiterate together and let the world hear our firm stance and vow to Imam Hussein who stood along on this day confronting 30,000 people, and was a confirmatory to his father Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb (as) who used to say: “By Allah, if I confront them while they are of large number and I’m alone, I would neither care nor repel.” When Hussein was put before two choices either … or disgrace, and how far, how impossible, that we be humiliated…”

Forever, and no matter how much the challenges and dangers were, we tell all those who wager on scaring us or threatening us, that we are the friends of Abi Abdullah Al-Hussein (as) who says “How impossible that we be humiliated”.”
“My brothers and sisters, on the 10th day of Muharram, we renew our vow to Hussein (as) and tell him like his friends told him on the eve of the 10th of Muharram: “How could we stay after you… how unpleasant is life after you Hussein. By Allah if I was killed, then burned, then scattered into the air, then brought back to life, then I fight, get killed, then get burned again, and scattered into the air again, and the same thing gets done to me a 1000 times, I would not leave you o Hussein!”

Sayyed Nasrallah concluded his word on stage to appear via video link after a few minutes and deliver the whole speech:
In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, most Merciful
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and peace be upon our Master and Prophet Mohammad Bin Abdullah, his virtuous household, and good friends, and upon all the prophets and messengers.
Peace be upon you my Master Imam Hussein the son of Allah’s prophet, and upon all the souls, that were martyred along with you…

First of all, I thank you all for this mass, for loyalty, pledge, commitment, and patience… and I ask Allah that he accepts all your efforts.

I join you on the 10th day of Muharram, the martyrdom day of Abi Abdullah Al-Hussein, his household, friends, to console the Prophet and his household (PBUT), our Imams, Imam Mahdi the grandson of Imam Hussein (may Allah hasten his appearance) and his deputy the leader Imam Khamenei, as well as all our scholars and all the Muslims who follow the prophet.
We yearly commemorate this day to renew our path, commitment, faith, vow, firmness, insistence, and strong desire to continue on this path that was taken by the all the prophets, messengers, guardians, and good ones.

Millions were martyred on this track, and Karabala is a major point in this good, historic path that will stay remembered until the Judgment day.

My brothers and sisters I will tackle some political issues on this day, as we have to warn and remind that the real threat to this nation, with all its countries, people, and governments, is the American, Israel project. It is the American administration no matter who its president was, and the enemy that is occupying Palestine violating the sanctities, assaulting the Palestinian people and the people of this nation. The greatest robber of our nation’s wealth is the American and Israeli.

Our peoples should always be aware of this truth and should not be deceived by this new American fraud. The Americans tried throughout this year to present themselves and defenders of human rights and democracy in the Arab world, those hypocrites and deceivers, who we all know and are aware of their history in supporting dictatorships, as all those dictatorships that were toppled were supported by the US Administration on the political, media, intelligence, military and every level.

Even when the people revolted and America found that its followers were toppling one after the other, it abandoned them. Do you know my brothers and sisters that these are the manners of Satan based on the Holy Quran? Satan does this on the Judgment day, when his followers reach a dead end; he abandons them, and acts like he does not have anything to do with it. What assures the American Administration’s satanic manners is that it deserts its followers, allies, and tools at the first conflict, and looks for its own benefits and on way to reduce its losses.

Our people in the Arab and Muslim world should know that this US administration is the enemy and the threat. Didn’t we listen to (US) President (Barack) Obama a few days ago addressing the Jewish Lobby and organizations in America and telling them that “the help that my administration has given to Israel’s security was not given by any preceding administration,” and this is true. Even more, in Obama’s period, the CIA transferred from a major American intelligence organization into an intelligencer that works in Lebanon for the Mossad and the Israeli security apparatuses, and gives information about the mujahedeen who seek to find storage for their arms, and about locations and homes of officials. The American security apparatuses transferred to small agents that serve the security of Israel and defend Israel.


Israeli Excavations under the Al-Aqsa Mosque
O people and political forces, don’t be deluded by the American Administration as it is the one occupying your Palestine, violating your Al-Quds, threatening your Holy mosque, and it is the one responsible, even before the enemy, of holding thousands of Palestinians in prisons, and of displacing, torturing, and besieging them in Gaza and the West Bank. This is America, so we should remember on the 10th of Muharram, not to err the enemy and not to err the friend. Only that with a blind insight errs the enemy and the friend.

The enemy is this American Administration and its “tool” not “ally” in the region, Israel, which it uses as a spearhead to humiliate and oppress the Arabs and the Muslims, and to impose the American desire on the Arabs and the Muslims in order to guarantee a market for its arms and steal their oil, and this should stay in mind.
Second, also in this context we should all be aware that after the failure of the American Administration’s former project of “the new Middle East”, which was defeated by the resistance in Lebanon, Palestine, and Iraq, and by the awareness of the people of this region and the resisting countries at the head of which is Iran and Syria; it awakened with the rising of the Arab people and revolutions, and revived the Middle East project again, but this time from another gate, the gate of internal conflicts and sectarian incitements, because this is the only remaining choice for America and Israel to return its control over the region.

In this context, we have assured, and we reassure that we should avoid any sectarian or inciting speech, because it serves Israel and America, and the enemy of this nation. We are all supposed to respect each others’ sanctities, and here I emphasize Imam Khamenei’s Fatwa which requires us to respect on the sanctities and all the symbols of every sect.

Third, in this context, I speak about Al-Quds, which is the central cause and center of conflict in this region, and I warn on this day of the Judification taking place there. Every day, steps are being taken to entirely Judify Al-Quds.
Yesterday, homes were demolished East Al-Quds, and every day, they take decisions to build thousands of settlements, and now there are parts of Al-Aqsa mosque are under threat because of the destructions taking place there. What we fear and we should fear is that while the Arab people are busy with their internal problems, Israel will take advantage of this opportunity and strike Al-Quds with a decisive blow. But anyway, this would be the greatest stupidity that Israel does since the entity’s establishment, yet the peoples should be aware and present because of these threats on the sanctities.

Palestine should always remain the first central cause no matter how much the situation worsens, and the conflicts increased. This is what we believe in and work for.

Regarding the Arab peoples’ options, we wager on these peoples’ awareness.

Today in Tunisia, the people triumphed over their tyrant, conducted elections, and hopefully, the political forces will meet the expectations of the honorable, dear Tunisian people.

The people in Libya triumphed over their tyrant, and the political forces there are also responsible of meeting the expectations of the people that presented thousands of martyrs.

In Yemen, the challenge is ongoing, and there are parts that are trying to divide Yemen and restore the sectarian atmosphere there, in order to end the revolution and its aspirations.

In Bahrain, the people are still going on with their peaceful movements, despite all the oppression, deception and hypocrisy. They are insisting on attaining their national, legitimate goals.
Barak: Egypt Vote Result Disturbing
In Egypt, major changes that shook Israel and urged Barack to have worries about them took place. We all have hope in Egypt, because any real transformation in Egypt for the sake of the nation and Palestine, will change Israel’s strategic atmosphere in the region, would limit Israel’s options in the region, and put it in front of a critical situation that threatens its existence. This is the great challenge for the Egyptian political forces that will win in the elections and form the new authority. The challenge of Palestine, Al-Quds, Gaza, Camp David, and the country\s stance from this entity.

Our hope is that the Arab peoples would not be deceived or deluded by all the American hypocrisy, and when they get over their internal problems, they will go back to their normal position which is confronting this central cause.

Those Americans have failed, and are failing.

And from here I will talk about Iraq, then Syria and after that Lebanon.
The 101st Airborne Division attacks the Iraqi city of Karbala
In Iraq, today and in the coming few days, the American withdrawal from Iraq is supposed to be completed. There is a real American defeat in Iraq as the Americans did not go into Iraq to later leave it. Their aim was to stay in Iraq, control it, and establish military bases secured for tens of years in Iraq; but the courageous Iraqi resistance, the firmness of the Iraqi people as well as the political powers, and the high cost of the American occupation in Iraq forced it to take another choice which is withdrawal.
I would also like to point out that the Iraqi resistance’s operations did not receive any Arab or international media coverage, and that many of the resistance factions used to send videos or DVDs about their strong operations to Arab and international satellites, but they used to ignore them. A big part of the Iraqi resistances’ operations were concealed in favor of the American army and Administration’s morale, and this reveals the nature of these satellites that are controlling media in the Arab and Islamic world.
Anyway, what happened and is happening in Iraq is a real defeat that the resistance forces as well as the sacrificing Iraqi people should celebrate. Even if there are some remarks on the conclusion, but in general, there is a great historic victory that was attained by Iraqi people and resistance, and this should be revealed and presented to all the people in the region.

When Israel is defeated in Lebanon and in Gaza, this means Israel is beatable, and when America is defeat in Iraq, this means America is beatable. Just like it was beaten in Iraq, it could be beaten in any other country, but the Americans want to conceal this defeat.

In this context, what is happening in our region, the events in Syria, threats to Iran, story about the Saudi Ambassador in Washington, and all these issues are to occupy the people in the region away from recognizing that the American that presented himself as a sole superpower in the world was defeated by the youth and the Mujahedeen of Iraq.

Unfortunately, I say that the Americans have succeeded in that. If you open the Arab and international satellites you will not find any news about the withdrawal from Iraq, no picture about the tanks’ or the army’s pullout, knowing that yesterday I read in a newspaper the number of American soldiers who are still present in Iraq.

How did 150,000 soldiers pullout from Iraq without anyone recognizing or even knowing about the issue? They did succeed in that.

All the satellites today speak about Syria first, then Egypt, then Libya, then Tunisia, then Yemen, etc… and sometimes, a very small news about the withdrawal from Iraq is reported. This is not an accident, it is intentional.

Therefore, the responsibility of the resisting forces in the Arab and Islamic world today, especially in Iraq, as well as the Iraqi people, and the Iraqi and Arab media is to reveal this truth.

On the 10th day of Muharram, we ask God to bless a historic occurrence in which blood triumphed over sword. The Iraqi people that were fighting with a rifle, an RPG, and a Katyusha were able to defeat the most powerful army in the world. If the Israeli army is the most powerful army in the region, then the American army is the most powerful army in the world, yet it was defeated in a few years. He was defeated by blood, Jihad, resistance, insistence, and firmness.

Today what is important is that we be aware of the phase that comes after the American pullout from Iraq, and of America’s satanic mind as well as the sectarian project it is working on in the region. This also depends on the awareness and dialogue of our brothers in Iraq, as well as their concern of their country.

Here, we reach the part on Syria.

Our stance has been clear since the beginning. We support reforms in Syria, and support a regime that resisted and opposed, and supported the resistance movements in the region. We say yes for treating all the causes of corruption, and yes for all the reforms that where approved by the Syrian leadership and demanded by the people, but there are some who neither want reforms, nor security, stability, civil peace, and dialogue in Syria, and rather want to destroy Syria.

They want to substitute their defeat in Iraq, knowing that Syria had a role in defeating them, as well as their possible strategic loss in Egypt, by changing the situation in Syria.

The so-called National Syrian Council that was formed in Istanbul, and that some Western countries consider legitimate, has a chief who is Burhan Ghalyoun. Two days ago Ghalyoun said that “if we change the regime gain power in Syria we will cut our ties with Iran and with the resistance movements in Lebanon and Palestine,” naming Hezbollah and Hamas.
These are all credits for the America and Israel.
More
And when he was asked about the Golan Heights, he said he will refer to the international community. After 20 to 30 years of failed efforts by the UN, these come out today aiming at ending Syria’s relation with the resistance movements and returning to the international community.
What is worse is that one of the leaders who is related to an Islamic organization in Syria, said that when we change the situation in Syria, we well cross the borders into Lebanon and punish Hezbollah. All these are credits to America and Israel, because Hezbollah is their enemy, it is the one that defeated Israel.
I state this before the Syrian people, and before the Lebanese people who say that we are misreading the situation in Syria. The past two days have assured to us that we have been reading the situation correctly and that the main target is the resistance movements in the region. What is demanded in Syria is not the reforms but rather a betraying, submissive Arab regime to America and Israel.

We say that we call for peace, stability, and dialogue in Syria, and we condemn all the sanctions that were imposed on Syria, and all types of sectarian incitements.

And of course, I remind all those who threaten of using arms, that your ships were destroyed on the coasts of Beirut.

About Lebanon, amid regional developments, we always insist that we don’t deal with the Lebanese situation on the basis that it is separate from the region. This is basic, and it’s not right for anyone to deal with the Lebanese situation by separating it from the region, for it is deeply connected to it.
We stress on civil peace, rejecting any kind of incitements, and stay patient despite all the accusations and blames that Hezbollah is constantly targeted with, knowing that this is an indication to their fear of Hezbollah.

There are some parts who are trying to stir up incitements in Lebanon, but we reject that, and we should confront it by being aware, wise, and patient…
.
We call for activating the governmental work and reassure the importance of responding to the rightful demands of the Free Patriotic movement…

We emphasize that the false witnesses file should be dealt with and justice should be attained, because those have not just falsely accused a few people; they also damaged the internal Lebanese situation as well as the Lebanese-Syrian relations, and caused the death of tens of innocent Syrians.

Most importantly is the constant Israeli threat to Lebanon, through the Israeli and CIA agents in Lebanon, the spying devices that are being uncovered gradually by the resistance and the army, and the Israeli violations and assaults.

In this context, we stress on the tripartite axis of power to Lebanon that is the army, people, and resistance.

Moreover, on the 10th of Muharram, I would like to send a new clear message to all those who conspire and wager.

This resistance in Lebanon, with its arms, formation, mujahedeen, mind, culture, and presence will remain, and will not be affected by your conspiracies, collusions, and media, psychological, political and intelligence wars.

We will hold on to our resistance, to the resistance arms, and today I tell you that day after day our number is increasing, our training is improving, and our trust in the future and armament are increasing.

On the arms issue, there is a real fallacy. Some say that the resistance arms are behind the disturbance and instability in Lebanon, but this is a fraud as the arms used in internal conflicts are the Kalashnikov guns, the M-16, and the guns… and these are in the hands of all the Lebanese. Rockets and heavy arms are not used in such incidents. The fact that all the Lebanese parties, families, tribes, individuals have these light weapons is the security problem in Lebanon and not the resistance arms.

Anyone who wants security in Lebanon should make efforts to solve this problem, as for those who want or even think of striping the rockets and defensive weapons, they are actually presenting a favor to Israel, meaning that what Israel failed to achieve in 33 days with the help of the entire world, they are trying to a through a dialogue or political talks or media; and I tell you, this will not happen.
On the 10th day of Muharram, the day of decisive and historic choices, I would like to tell the world that we in Lebanon have taken the initiative since 1980. We did not wait for the international community, Arab League, Islamic Conference Organization, or anyone in this world.

With our firm will, desire, youth, men, women, and modest potentials, we resisted, fought, and were martyred, and we returned our land, captives, dignity, and with our resistance, we will preserve our land, dignity, honor, and country, and will defend it against anyone in the world.

Dangers, threats, facts, and changes will not prevent us from performing this duty and this responsibility. We belong to the Imam who stood alone on this day against 30,000 men, and each one of us is not alone in front of these. We are tens of thousands of armed and trained fighters and mujahedeen who are ready to get martyred and are the lovers of Abi Abdullah Al-Hussein (as).
We are a power that the enemy does not know yet, and will never know. It will surprise every enemy with it strong and creative presence in every field it was in.

Therefore, on the 10th day of Muharram we say that the time when we compromise on our dignity, pride, presence, country, land and sanctities is over, and the situations have changes. Therefore, we conclude by renewing our pledge to Imam Hussein (as) and we tell him: O Master and Imam, just as u sacrificed for your great goals, and preferred to be killed along with your household and friends for their sake, we will preserve this path, but we will also triumph by your blood, your mind, and your culture.

Our call and pledge will always be to you on the 10th of Muharram, after everyone was martyred and Imam Hussein stayed alone, yet firm and strong, he did not address the army against him, he rather addressed all the people that will pass throughout the history asking: “Is there anyone to support me?”
The answer will stay forever with our blood, tears, soul, stance, mind, Jihad, and resistance: “Here I am, at your service o Imam Hussein!”

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian

Gilad Atzmon Interviewed by Rinaldo Francesca on September 27th, 2011 (pt 1)

DateTuesday, December 6, 2011 at 9:25AM AuthorGilad Atzmon
I love those interviews with Rinaldo. The man is extremely clever and very knowledgeable about the conflict. He then takes his time and produces pretty amazing clips. We spoke about the Palestinian UN bid, Jewish Diaspora vs. Israel, TWW, Jeffrey Goldberg Vs John Mearsheimer and more..


The Wandering Who-A Study of Zionist and Hasbara tactics Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian

"We can't take people's support for granted."

I Agree with Mr. Amayereh,Islamists can't can't take people's support for granted....but I would assure him, that Islamist betting on pleasing American Administration, the real enermy, shall lose people's support.

I, also, Agree with Mr. Amayereh "The Islamists in Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world must not fall prey to the illusion that the West, especially the US, is undergoing a moral conversion and will soon come to terms with the will of the people." but I would add that his hope that the US may come to terms is another illusion, a sixy years old illusion. Arab regimes, failing to realize who is the real enemy, lost 60 years betting on the next American President, or his next term.

Mubarak lost because his U.S.- armed, US-trained and US-financed Army was ordered to dump him. In Egypt, all Egyptians, not only "The Islamists", as Mr. Amayereh claimed, have suffered so much and waited so long.."

Let us remember the military councel's legitimacy comes from Tahrir,” therefore as long as People remain steadfast and hold their ground in Tahrir, It not Over Till It's Over.

Obama just changed the horse, just replaces the Moderate Arabs with Moderate Islamists.

The result of the Egyptian elections are “very disturbing” for the Israelis because Obama who sell-out Mubarak, may sell-out the military councel. But, Obama who celebrated the result of the Egyptian elections as a victory for “democracy.” made it clear to Istrael and its Lobby: "We don't compromise when it comes to Israel’s security ... and that will continue,”

Acccording to Mr. Amayereh and his brothers, the "Islamist reality" should come to terms. "It is is not the moment to open a front against Israel," "that might rock their boat at such a crucial juncture." its the moment for "constructive relations between an Islamist-dominated or Islamist-influenced regime in Cairo" and the USA 
 

Ehud Barak got the message from both,
“It is premature to predict how the changes we are witnessing will turn out. It may be that they are positive in the historic context but present a problem in the immediate context,” Barak said. 

To cut it short take from the Arab Islamist HORSE

Wake-up, "The enemy is the American Administration and its “tool” not “ally” in the region, Israel"
"O people and political forces, don’t be deluded by the American Administration as it is the one occupying your Palestine, violating your Al-Quds, threatening your Holy mosque, and it is the one responsible, even before the enemy, of holding thousands of Palestinians in prisons, and of displacing, torturing, and besieging them in Gaza and the West Bank.... The enemy is this American Administration and its “tool” not “ally” in the region, Israel, ....
Palestine should always remain the first central cause no matter how much the situation worsens, and the conflicts increased. This is what we believe in and work for.....
....This is the great challenge for the Egyptian political forces that will win in the elections and form the new authority. The challenge of Palestine, Al-Quds, Gaza, Camp David, and the country\s stance from this entity....
....When Israel is defeated in Lebanon and in Gaza, this means Israel is beatable, and when America is defeat in Iraq, this means America is beatable. Just like it was beaten in Iraq, it could be beaten in any other country, but the Americans want to conceal this defeat.....
.....Two days ago Ghalyoun said that “if we change the regime gain power in Syria we will cut our ties with Iran and with the resistance movements in Lebanon and Palestine,” naming Hezbollah and Hamas. These are all credits for the America and Israel.
And when he was asked about the Golan Heights, he said he will refer to the international community. After 20 to 30 years of failed efforts by the UN, these come out today aiming at ending Syria’s relation with the resistance movements and returning to the international community.

What is worse is that one of the leaders who is related to an Islamic organization in Syria, said that when we change the situation in Syria, we well cross the borders into Lebanon and punish Hezbollah. All these are credits to America and Israel, because Hezbollah is their enemy, it is the one that defeated Israel.

I state this before the Syrian people, and before the Lebanese people who say that we are misreading the situation in Syria. The past two days have assured to us that we have been reading the situation correctly and that the main target is the resistance movements in the region. What is demanded in Syria is not the reforms but rather a betraying, submissive Arab regime to America and Israel."


Islamists need to be vigilant, not euphoric

[ 05/12/2011 - 11:16 PM ]
By Khalid Amyreh in occupied Jerusalem

The sweeping victories Islamist and quasi-Islamist political parties have scored in recent elections in a number of Arab countries should grant the Arab masses a lot of confidence in pursuing their goals.

The Islamists have suffered so much and waited so long before reaching this point

However, this is not the time for indulging in euphoria because the enemies of Islam, especially Israel and her guardian-ally, the United States, are far from coming to terms with the outcome of Arab revolutions.

Israel, which tightly controls the politics and policies of the U.S., is beginning to sense the strategic transformation that is unfolding in the region.

And while some Israeli officials and commentators try desperately to put a good face on the "new situation", a majority of Israeli strategic planners do admit that the apartheid regime is indeed the biggest loser of the Arab spring.

Israel has been especially phobic and spasmodic about the triumph of the Islamists in Egypt , with Israeli and Zionist leaders privately and publicly pleading to Washington to try to scuttle or circumvent some of the foreseen implications of the Islamists ascending to the helm of power in Cairo .

According to reliable sources, Israel is now pressing the Obama administration to press the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) in Cairo to deny a prospective Islamist-dominated parliament certain sovereign powers, including appointing government, running Egypt's foreign relations, with particular emphasis on the "Israeli file."

The Obama administration is yet to elucidate its "preferences" vis-à-vis the upcoming regime in Cairo. But the initial indications don't seem auspicious, especially with American elections looming on the horizon.

The administration has opened a channel of contact with the Muslim Brotherhood, but some Islamist sources have referred to this feat as being "belated or even too late."
One Egyptian Islamist leader who spent many years in Husni Mubarak's jails and dungeons told this writer that the Americans "are trying to explore the landscape of the Islamist map.''
"I think the main problem hindering constructive relations between an Islamist-dominated or Islamist-influenced regime in Cairo lies with Israel and its powerful lobby in Washington.

"We, in the Brotherhood, have no inherent or intrinsic hostility toward America or the American people. Our main problem with America is America's pornographic support for to Israel. We simply can't have stable relations with the U.S. if it keeps up its obscene embrace of Israeli oppression and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians.

"If we pursue the old policies of Mubarak, the Egyptian masses will forsake us in the next elections. We can't take people's support for granted."


Vigilance

The Islamists in Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world must not fall prey to the illusion that the West, especially the US, is undergoing a moral conversion and will soon come to terms with the will of the people.

The will of the people must be defended and consolidated through a bitter and sustained struggle. Only when our foes, near and distant, despair of their ability to thwart or confiscate the will of the people will they stop their exploitation, plots and evil conspiracies to control the will of the masses to regain their sovereignty and dignity from erstwhile tyranny and subservience to foreign powers.

Hence, the victorious Islamist parties are strongly advised to form the broadest possible front with all sincere forces, Islamist and otherwise, in order to repulse and overcome possible pressures from familiar headquarters.
This solid front will shield the fledgling Islamic experiment from some of the avoidable and unnecessary harms, coming from anti-Islamic forces.

Yes, the Algerian scenario, whereby the army carries out a coup against the will of the people, is unlikely to repeat itself in Egypt now. But this doesn't mean at all that even more insidious scenarios to undercut the will of the people can be ruled out.

This is why the Islamists must see to it that any foreign pressure or interference that has the smell of trying to turn the wheels of time backward must be met with the will of the people of Egypt, not by the Islamists alone.

There is no doubt that the Israeli snake and its agents and mouthpieces will try, even ferociously and vociferously, to create a lot of distraction to any government in Cairo that adopts a pro-active stance against Israeli Nazism, especially the pornographic oppression meted out to the Palestinians.

Israel and her supporters are likely to make a big fuss about the sectarian issue, probably by manipulating some Coptic separatists and expatriates in the West. Israel might also try to keep an anti-Israel government in Egypt in a perpetual defensive position, responding to Israeli propaganda fireballs.

Hence, the new would-be rulers of Egypt must see to it that no free ammunition is provided to fuel Israeli propaganda, such as taking a lenient stance toward any criminal attacks on churches or other targets.

Now a last word to the Salafi brothers. You have achieved a spectacular victory in the first round of the Egyptian elections. This is undoubtedly a great favor from the Almighty. But, you too, shouldn't be euphoric. Election victories can be won and lost like any other variable.

Only through unity with other Islamist forces, even those who might differ with you in their tactics and way of thinking, will the Islamic preference succeed and be vindicated in the eyes of many. So, please make sure you are not carried away by your spectacular performance. You need to be wise. Your enemies, our enemies and the enemies of Egypt are impatiently waiting to see you stumble. Please keep them waiting for eternity.


Palestine and the Status Quo

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian

Russian 'Mousavi' found!

Sure looks like in my first post about the elections in Russia I missed the obvious "Russian Mousavi": the good old Mikhail "Gorbi" Gorbachev - the man which the West loves so much for wrecking the Soviet regime and country - now is calling for new elections. Which makes me wonder if George Soros wants to be the (not quite Russian) 'Russian' Rafsanjani. So far, he has kept a low profile, but "Gorbi" would never make a move now without asking his bosses.

As I am sure you have heard by now, there were some protests in Moscow and riot police was deployed. This is not quite as sexy as the riots in Iran, but nonetheless a good showing for the "regime changers". 

Not everybody buys it though. Check out this piece on the Lew Rockwell blog. Instead of shedding crocodile tears about election fraud and a defeat for Putin, the folks at LRC are taking a closer look at the "Golos" "fraudbusters" and their ties to the US CIA sponsored organizations. They even offer an interesting hypothesis:

Could US criticisms of Russia on the eve of elections somehow be related to Russia's surprisingly firm stance in favor of its ally Syria as NATO and its corrupt puppets in the Arab League prepare a Libya-style "liberation"?

Kudos for some good thinking here!

My personal feeling is that the West knows very well that there is not much it can do that stir some local protests here and there. This is just a big rehearsal for the upcoming presidential elections. Once Putin is re-elected - and it is pretty certain that he will - the West will not so much attempt to pull-off a regime change operation a la 'Gucci Revolution' in Iran, but paint Putin as a dictator thereby returning to the 'good old Cold War' (at least from the point of view of the US and British oligarchies).

It is interesting that the Western narrative presents the Russian Communist Party as the main victim from the alleged fraud. I suppose that the dismal showing of the pro-Western parties gives them no other choice. Besides, the commies having already crashed the country in 1991, they can probably be counted upon to repeat that feat again.

Still, the irony of CIA-paid organizations shedding crocodile tears over how the Russian communists were robbed of their electoral victory is truly comical for those who, like me, remember the Cold War and how the very same CIA supported the so-called 'dissidents' against these very same Communists.

The Saker

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The US and Israel: An Increasingly Uneasy Alliance

The US and Israel: An Increasingly Uneasy Alliance

Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak (L) sits across from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem 4 December 2011. (Photo: REUTERS - Gali Tibbon)

Published Monday, December 5, 2011

As developments continue to unfold in the Middle East, one thing seems to be increasing besides the campaign against the Syrian regime: American frustration with Israel and its policies (or lack thereof).
This time, US defense secretary Leon Panetta just couldn’t control his temper, calling on Israel to “just get to the damned table” to negotiate a settlement with the Palestinian authority. This is the third time the defense secretary has revealed a divergence with Israel and its policies…or lack thereof.

What this highlights is the quagmire Israel is in – and together with it the US, because of its alliance with Israel. Panetta says that Israel is becoming more and more isolated and calls on it to repair its ties with countries like Egypt, Turkey and Jordan. “Israel can reach out and mend fences with those who share an interest in regional stability – countries like Turkey, Egypt and Jordan,” Panetta said. He goes on to add that such a step “is not impossible.” This is the second time Panetta has underscored this isolation, and his assessment is correct (take for example the Egyptian protests against Israel in front of the Israeli embassy in Cairo after Israel killed Egyptian soldiers on the border with Gaza).

The dilemma here for both the US and Israel is that Israel has the wrong government at the wrong time. While changes are underway in the Middle East, Israel has a government whose members reflect the rise of the right wing in Israeli society (a combination of the ultra orthodox and settler movement). While Panetta points to the urgent necessity for Israel to change in a changing region, its government has the most diplomatically inept cabinet which is, or at least appears to be, totally out of touch with reality. This government, as many argue, appears to be indifferent to Israeli interests, let alone America’s, while some members of its cabinet are far too blasé about American support and simply take it for granted. There is probably no other government that is so incapable of change or pragmatic policies.

In fact Panetta expresses his opposition to Israeli policies (or lack thereof) when he says, “I believe security is dependent on strong military, but it is also dependent on strong diplomacy.” The end result is that Israel is bringing more doom to itself and to the US as long as Washington continues to stand with Israel unconditionally, which it will do at least for the foreseeable future (and especially from now until the US presidential elections.) It is from here that we can understand the frustration in Panetta’s statements, his tone and his body language.

Moreover, Panetta’s focus on Israeli reconciliation with countries like Turkey also reveals frustration on part of the defense secretary. The US is in great need of a player like Turkey (as can be seen from the Syrian file) and Turkey is proving to be a great partner for Washington. But while the US has its share of leverage over Turkey, there will be limits to this leverage as long as the crisis between Turkey and Israel over the flotilla incident continues. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan must be careful in responding to all American demands, as this may lead to an internal backlash against the PM by making him appear like a servant to Israel – precisely because of America’s unconditional support for Israel.

This could cause much damage to Erdogan, especially because Israel killed Turkish citizens in international waters. From here we can understand Panetta’s call on Israel to help build regional support for Israeli and US security objectives.

Then we come to the biggest American fear of them all: a military strike on Iran. Again Panetta comes out hard against this option, at the same time implying that Israel has a different view. He says, quite bluntly, “we have to be careful about the unintended consequences” that a strike on Iran would have, pointing to the danger it would subject US troops and bases in the region to (and the second time he has said as much). Not to mention his comments that a strike would “at best” delay Iran’s nuclear program. He cannot be any more straightforward in his opposition to the military option which Israel advocates.
So if anyone was in doubt about Israel becoming a strategic liability for the US, the US defense minister has shown that in today’s Middle East Israel is becoming just that. This actually began to unfold before the Arab spring, when the current CIA chief David Petreaus said, back when he was head of Centcom, that the continuance of the Israeli Palestinian conflict was adversely affecting the American military presence and its interests in the region due to American favoritism towards Israel. Now it has become more evident as the Middle East has seen US allies fall, the people gaining a much larger say and US military dilemmas in Iraq and Afghanistan continue. (Iraq especially will emerge as another case in a new Middle East which is not in line with American interests due to the special ties that now exist between Baghdad and Tehran).

So America realizes that change is needed if it wants to continue to be a significant regional player in a strategically oil-rich region. It also realizes change is needed to secure a somewhat acceptable outcome in Iraq and Afghanistan (which may explain why most of the statements that point to Israeli US divergence are from defense and military officials).

But change will only come through two scenarios. Either the Israeli government changes its behavior which is an extremely remote possibility; or, the US makes certain changes to the nature of its alliance with Israel. This second option also seems far-fetched, especially as election day in the US draws closer, but in the end it seems the US will have to choose between its own interests and its unconditional support for Israel.

Ali Rizq is Press TV News Director in Beirut.
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Crippling Iran: Questions for Mr Hague

Foreign Secretary William Hague said
Britain had ordered the immediate closure of the Iranian Embassy
Britain’s foreign secretary William Hague has written a widely acclaimed 576-page biography of William Pitt the Younger, who became prime minister in 1783 at the tender age of 24. Pitt was the war leader during Britain’s running battles with Napoleon, but it is said that he was uncomfortable in such a role and considered war got in the way of trade and prosperity.

It is a pity that Pitt’s abhorrence of war and preference for trade has not, apparently, rubbed off on Hague. We see our foreign secretary rushing around the international stage drumming up support for sanctions intended to cripple another country – a country that could and should have been a strong trading partner and valuable ally – on the mere suspicion of some nuclear skulduggery. And he does this without adequate debate, sensible explanation or popular mandate.

Mr Hague said last week’s ransacking of the embassy in Tehran was carried out “with regime consent”. But I read that US Vice President Joe Biden told Reuters that he had no indication the attack was orchestrated by the Iranian authorities.

Whatever the truth of the matter, the incident was clearly in retaliation for Britain’s leading part in orchestrating sanctions that will damage the Iranian economy and collectively punish the country’s civilian population. To this is added a burning resentment of Britain’s past sins.

Perhaps Mr Hague should pause to reflect and answer a few questions…

(1) Have we so easily forgotten the cruel and devastating effect of sanctions on civil society, especially children, before we reduced Iraq to rubble?
(2) Would the Foreign Secretary kindly explain the reasons for his hostility towards Iran?
(3) What concrete proof is there of Iran’s military application of nuclear technology?
(4) Why is he not more concerned about Israel’s nuclear arsenal, the threat it poses to the region and beyond, and the mental attitude of the Israeli regime?
(5) Why is he not seeking sanctions against Israel for its refusal to sign up to the NPT or engage constructively on the issue of its nuclear and other WMD programmes, not to mention its repeated defiance of international and humanitarian laws in the Holy Land?
(6) How many times has a British foreign secretary visited Tehran in the 32 years since the Islamic Revolution?
(7) Did Mr Hague make the effort before embarking on his punitive programme?
(8) Britain’s abominable conduct towards the Iranians in 1951-53 when a previous Conservative government, in cahoots with the USA, snuffed out Iran’s democracy and reinstated a cruel dictator, the Shah, was largely responsible for bringing about the Islamic Revolution and setting the pattern of future relationships. Is it not shameful that this Conservative government is spoiling for another fight? Shouldn’t the Foreign Office focus on exerting influence through trade and co-operation?
(9) Iran’s administration, like many others, may not be to our liking but nor was Dr Mossadeq’s democracy 60 years ago. In any event, what threat is Iran to Britain? And why is Mr Hague leading the charge?
(10) By pulling our people out of Tehran and kicking Iran’s people out of London Mr Hague has shut the door on diplomacy. How can he now communicate effectively and build bridges with a nation he seems determined to goad into becoming an implacable enemy?

It is difficult to understand how this escalation against Iran is in the British national interest. Do the British people want it? If Mr Hague’s purpose is to help preserve the balance of power in the Middle East so that a lawless, racist regime – Israel – remains the dominant threatening military force, he must be called to explain the wisdom of it.

Messrs Hague and Cameron both voted enthusiastically for the Iraq war, a supremely irresponsible decision based on neo-con lies. It has cost well over a million lives and caused utter ruination for the survivors and the destruction of much of their heritage. What possessed us to go to war on shoddy intelligence and inflict shock and awe on good people?

We want no repetition.

William Hague, according to the <em>Jewish Chronicle</em>, told David Cameron when he became Conservative party leader in 2005 that a deep understanding of the Middle East would be crucial if he wished to be taken seriously as a statesman. “We have to be steeped in the Middle East, way back to historical matters. Because you can’t understand it without the history. That’s been one of the failings sometimes with the Western governments.”

In which case the pair of them ought to know better.

A reminder to the foreign secretary seems appropriate. Most people realise that Westminster’s neo-con friends in Washington have war with Iran on their agenda. But Mr Hague’s job is to make friends for Britain not enemies. Genuine friends in the Middle East are becoming scarce, millions more innocent people may die and the cost of oil is likely to rocket if the West’s aggressive tactics and double standards continue.
Stuart Littlewood
6 December 2011
*******
Stuart Littlewood’s book Radio Free Palestine can now be read on the internet by visiting www.radiofreepalestine.org.uk
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Israeli Press: Rise of Egypt’s Islamists Jangles Israeli Nerves


Egyptian presidential candidate Hazem Abu Ismail attends a rally calling for a rapid transition from military to civilian rule in Egypt following the February ouster of president Hosni Mubarak in Cairo's Tahrir Square on 28 October 2011. (Photo: AFP - Mahmud Hams)

Published Tuesday, December 6, 2011

While some in the Israeli government are issuing nervous yet tempered statements in reaction to Egypt’s elections, other officials are labelling ascendant Islamists as a direct threat. But the media have reacted by blaming the US.

The outcome of the first round of the Egyptian elections has been depicted as a nightmare-come-true for Israel, which had not been anticipating the overwhelming scale of the Islamist victory at the polls.
Amid the general sense of consternation, Israeli political and media reactions ranged from sounding the alarm about the ‘Islamic revolution’ underway in Egypt, to voicing hopes that the Camp David peace agreement will not fall victim to it.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak described the poll results as “very, very disturbing,” but appeared to withhold Israel’s final judgement on Egypt’s ascendant Islamists. “It is premature to predict how the changes we are witnessing will turn out. It may be that they are positive in the historic context but present a problem in the immediate context,” he said.

Barak said he hoped that under any government or constitution, Egypt “will appreciate that there is no alternative to preserving international agreements, including the peace agreement with us.” He went on to demand that the Egyptian authorities do more to “deal seriously with the situation in Sinai,” although he acknowledged that “they are making an effort.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sufficed with reiterating Israel’s hope “that any government that will be formed in Egypt will recognize the importance of the existence of the peace treaty,” which he described as the “basis for security and economic stability in the region.” The Israeli president, Shimon Peres, was more forthcoming. He opined that “extremist clerics are attempting to block the approach of the Arab Spring and foil the hopes of the young people, and as usual they are using hatred of Israel as a pretext for their failures.”

Environment minister Gilad Erdan sought to calm the public’s nerves about Egypt, urging Israelis to refrain from beating war-drums and criticising statements made by some officials in recent weeks. “We must do everything possible to preserve the peace agreement and develop relations with any elected government in Egypt,” he said. But intelligence minister Dan Meridor warned that although it was in Egypt and Israel’s shared interest to preserve the peace treaty, “we must be prepared for the worst-case scenarios.”

Off the record, a senior security official told Yediot Aharonot that developments in Egypt were proving “more serious than we anticipated.” adding: “what was a danger, has become a threat.” The paper quoted a high-ranking foreign ministry official as saying that the elections in Tunisia and Morocco, followed by Egypt, were being seen as evidence that religious radicals are set to dominate the entire Middle East. “The Islamists have effectively stolen the revolution which the secular youth began in January. That is exactly what happened in Iran in 1979,” he said. The official accused both Saudi Arabia and Iran of funding the Islamist movement in Egypt.

However, the official stressed that an Islamist victory in the Egyptian elections was unlikely to lead to a severing of relations with Israel. He noted that foreign policy is the prerogative of the president rather than the government in Egypt. And he expected the country’s next president would most likely be former foreign minister and Arab League chief Amr Moussa, who he described as “no lover of Zion, but is committed to relations with the West.”

In the Israeli press, banner headlines dramatized the ‘Radical Islamist Landslide’ (Maariv), with Israel Today proclaiming: ‘The Islamic Revolution in Egypt Begins,’ and Yediot Aharonot lamenting ‘Egypt’s Calamity.’

A number of Israeli commentators were sharply critical of the US’ handling of events in Egypt and blamed it for the turn of developments there. “There is no mistake the US did not make in the Middle East, “fumed senior commentator Alex Fishman in Yediot Aharonot. “The Obama administration learned nothing from the sell-out of its ally Mubarak. It is now selling out, for a very cheap price, the ruling military group.” He explained: “The Obama administration approached this inevitable clash between liberal and Islamist forces with the same mantras about democratic transition. Instead of providing help to the liberal forces, it was busy giving lessons on democracy and human rights to General Tantawi and his subordinates.”

This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition.
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Gilad Atzmon: Desperate Dershowitz

Monday, December 5, 2011 at 12:41PM

Gilad Atzmon


Dershowitz is desperate. In a recent TV appearance, in a mere seven minutes the notorious Zionist mouthpiece, manages to exhibit just about every single ugly Hasbara symptom.

And what is Dershowitz so desperate about? Dershowitz, is desperate to stop "The Wandering Who" Why? Because "The Wandering Who" is probably the only contemporary text that offers a complete and comprehensive reading into, not only Jewish Identity politics in general but also into Dershowitz's own particular psychosis and duplicitous behaviour.

Speaking of duplicitous behaviour, being a prime Hasbara agent and well used to "the ways of deception", Dershowitz fails to produce a single truthful statement in the entire program. He lies all the way through. But lies and deception are not going to help Dershowitz.

To read a complete expose of Dershowitzes Lies and Glitches

http://www.foxbusiness.com

Dershowitz, a largely despised supremacist Zionist, wants to "shame" two of America's most distinguished professors. However, in pleading with academics and students to carry out the "shaming", Dershowitz actually follows one of the most disturbing of all Talmudic rituals - the Cherem.

Why does Dershowitz believe he has the moral authority to "shame" two of the world's leading humanists? Is it because he believes himself to be intellectually or morally superior, or is it that he is just, quite simply "chosen"?

It's about time that Dershowitz accepts that American universities are not Yeshivas and he should rein in his mediaeval rabbinical approach to political and intellectual discourse.

Being an ex-Jew, I ask no-one to â€کshame’ Dershowitz in return. This sad, vindictive man brings more than enough shame on himself – and on anyone within the Jewish community who identify so disastrously with his repellent behaviour.

The Wandering Who is now a best seller, it is endorsed by a huge list of academics and humanists and its message spreads like fire in a field. Needles to mention that I am thankful to Dershowitz and other Hasbara agents for their free publicity.





The Wandering Who-A Study of

Zionist and Hasbara tactics Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

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Tuesday, 6 December 2011

The Plot Thickens: Ghalyoun's 'lousy, incompetent & certainly not autonomous leadership!'

Via FLC

"Leaving the problematic statements about Iran and Hizballah aside, in whose interest is it for the head of the Syrian National Council (SNC) to talk about how the (possible) future Syrian leadership will or will not pursue its right to restore the occupied Golan Heights territory from Israel? ... And where did all this positivity suddenly emerge about Syrian-Western relations?

Most importantly, why should the strategies of a potentially democratic Syrian government be announced before the appropriate conditions for such a representative leadership are met? What if most Syrian citizens want to keep all options on the table for restoring their land and other rights in the future? On both related counts, Ghalyoun (can we still say “poor Ghalyoun?”) and the Syrian National Council sound very much like the Syrian regime: They are both (practically, in the case of the Syrian regime) giving up certain options for restoring occupied Syrian land, and they are both less concerned with the democratic process. Even the enemies of the Syrian people and Syrian rights are baffled, if pleased, at this seeming “political immaturity,” to use a euphemism...

The question here is the one posed at the outset. Who benefits from such pre-mature and ill-timed statements? Can we continue to act as though Ghalyoun, the scholar, has been thrown into this position and is essentially a mumbling politician unaware of statements’ political consequences? Is this simply about political acumen? Or is there something else going on that has little to do with political immaturity or acumen? ...

To Burhan
Consider these two statements from the interview:
Ghalyoun: “The current relationship between Syria and Iran is abnormal. It is unprecedented in Syria's foreign policy history.”
Ghalyoun: “We are banking on our special relationship with the Europeans and western powers in helping us in reclaiming the Golan as fast as possible.”

So, if a relationship between two nations (Syria and Iran) is unprecedented, it becomes “abnormal;” but if a nation (Syria) is colonized/exploited by another (France), and its government and people are maligned in the press of other nations (the “West”), and if these nations support (fund) and protect (UN Veto) the occupier of Syrian land, they deserve a "special relationship" in the eyes of the new Syrian National Council. Congratulations Burhan on this new and exciting language, logic, and principle...
Moreover, Ghalyoun states above that the SNC is “banking” on the “western powers” to help reclaim the Golan, presumably through international law and diplomacy. Really, Burhan? If a student of yours wrote this in a paper you would probably get an eye infection reading it. Since when did anyone with an ounce of historical knowledge rely on western powers to respect international law and human rights when it comes to the Middle East, and Israel in particular? When it comes to international law or the United Nations and Israel, the United States behaved like a rogue state for decades, vetoing dozens of UN resolutions against Israel’s international law and human rights violations. Germany is now subsidizing the sale of nuclear-head capable submarines to Israel for nukes that Israel supposedly does not have, while Israel is in constant violation of nearly every important human value possible. You expect these decades-long law- and rights-crushing actors suddenly to help Burhan Ghalyoun’s SNC restore the occupied Golan Heights, and, mind you, “as fast as possible?”...

One more remark, though many can be pulled from this first interview with Ghalyoun after heading the SNC. In an interview with Jadaliyya Co-Editor Ibtisam Azem, Ghalyoun asserted the “three no’s” of the opposition’s local Coordinating Committees in Syria:
"The goal is democracy and the "three no's" are: no to military intervention; no to sectarian strife; and no to the use of arms in any way."
In this fitting WSJ interview, the latter “no” found no home. It was dropped like one of Burhan’s decades-long political principles.
Where is the Syrian National Council Going?
Perhaps this is not about Ghalyoun at all; and probably not about the SNC altogether. Surely it is not about the interests of the Syrian people. But, should this trajectory of foolishness, dependence, and/or infantile approach to politics by the SNC continue, the books will register that a brutal Syrian regime was (might) be replaced with a lousy and incompetent, and certainly not autonomous, leadership..."
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