GJCN » Syria

Syrian ruler encouraged by US Congress lackluster interest in Syria.

Sysop — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:25:05 +0000

Assad was further encouraged by an event in the US Congress. After the Senate Tuesday, Aug. 3 approved the bill raising the national debt ceiling, the lawmakers were scheduled to turn to the crisis in Syria. However, US Ambassador Robert Ford, on hand to brief the senators, saw them hurrying to leave Capitol Hill. Only one senator remained for the briefing.

The Syrian ruler has therefore concluded he can safely ignore international opinion. In the face of US and Western indifference, he can continue to mercilessly slaughter his people without fear of the sort of intervention they undertook in Libya or UN sanctions.

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US, Saudi Arabia smuggle satellite phones to Syrian rebels

Sysop — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:50:26 +0000

Iranian intelligence experts in Damascus have been disrupting the Syrian opposition movement’s telephone and Internet links with the outside world and among fellow-protesters in the country. To bridge the communications gap, the US and Saudi Arabia have in the last two weeks smuggled thousands of satellite phones into Syria and put them in the hands of opposition leaders, debkafile reports.

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Hizballah prepares to pull its heavy missiles from Syrian safekeeping

Sysop — Sun, 01 May 2011 23:54:57 +0000

Shiite Hizballah has obviously decided the Assad regime is sinking. debkafile’s military sources report the organization is preparing to pull its heavy, long-range weapons out of storage in Syrian military facilities – no longer sure they are safe there – and risk transporting them to Lebanon.

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Chinese warplanes make Mid East debut in Turkey and Iran

Sysop — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:02:45 +0000

The arrival of a new Middle East player startled Washington and Jerusalem: debkafile’s military sources disclose that when Turkish Prime Minister Tayyep Erdogan met Syrian president Bashar Assad in Damascus Monday, Oct. 11, they talked less about the Kurdish question and more about the role China is willing to play in the military-intelligence alliance binding Syria, Iran and Turkey.

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Despite Israeli protests, Russia won’t halt arms sale to Syria

Sysop — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:17:39 +0000

Haaretz reported on Friday that PM Benjamin Netanyahu had asked Russian PM Vladimir Putin to cancel the sale of long-range surface-to-sea cruise missiles to the Syrian Army.

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Scapegoating Israel: It’s Easy and Absurd

Sysop — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 06:10:03 +0000

Just earlier this week, Iranian President Mahmoud Amhadinejad announced that the United States and Israel would attack two countries in the Middle East. Charles Krauthammer suggests he has in mind Lebanon and Syria.

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Interesting that he believes Israel would attack Syria now… Wonder which city?

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Syria president, Turkey FM issue joint call for end to Gaza siege

Sysop — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:22:21 +0000

After meeting in Damascus, Assad and Davutoglu emphasize importance of reconciliation between rival Palestinian factions.

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Iran moves radar to Syria

Sysop — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 01:50:37 +0000

Iran has moved radar to Syria that could provide early-warning against a possible surprise Israeli air attack against Tehran’s nuclear sites, a US defense official said on Friday.

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Ahmadinejad: Iran and Syria will create a new world order

Sysop — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:34:29 +0000

Iran and Syria plan to create a new world order, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday.

"Iran and Syria have a joint mission to create a new world order on the basis of justice, humanity and belief in God," Ahmadinejad told visiting Syrian Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Abrash.

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And knowing these guys, I don’t think they are talking about “many years” from now, I think they believe they will do this… very soon.

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The Syrian way

Sysop — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:50:22 +0000

Shortly after taking office, in a dramatic departure from Bush-era policy, President Barack Obama made good on his pledge to reestablish dialogue with Syria. In recent months, in an effort to build confidence and improve the relationship, the administration has dispatched seven delegations to Damascus, including multiple visits from its top Middle East diplomat and peace envoy and senior military officials.

Much of the discussion has focused on stabilizing Iraq, an area where Syria-the leading point of entry for al-Qaida-affiliated insurgents since 2003-could potentially make a significant contribution. Washington also sought Syrian assistance in bolstering the embattled government in Baghdad. The administration chose Iraq because it was assumed to be a topic of "mutual interest", a belief seemingly confirmed in June 2009 by Syrian Ambassador to Washington Imad Mustafa, who described Iraq as "a very strong opportunity to cooperate with this administration".

THREE MONTHS later, however, it is becoming increasingly clear that Damascus is falling short. Not only are jihadis continuing to flow into Iraq via Syria, but the Assad regime appears to be actively working to undermine the stability of the Iraqi government. The recent carnage in Baghdad tells the story.