Bashar al Assad:The Final chapter

[mishkin]

Do you think the Syrians don't know what happened in Iraq? On the other hand, it seems that we still don't take into account that the regimes mentioned were cruel dictatorships. Hussein was the guy who, among other things, gassed the Kurds. But hey, the oil was flowing and he wasnt isis

[Sir Adrian]

All I'm saying is don't count your chickens before they hatch. Assad's fall might be good for them but now is not the time to relax and sleep on one's ear.

[Ludicus]

Fear and uncertainty-Guardian

they are heading east rather than north, driving deeper into Syria territory. Whether Israel’s stated concern over its security is justified, or serves a wider agenda, is another question.

Israel systematically invokes its right to protect its security when it invades and bombs neighboring countries (first Lebanon, now Syria). Netanyahu does not invoke international law because he cannot, as he constantly violates it. But it is not only Israel making moves during this time of complete emptiness.

The US finances and arms the Syrian Democratic Forces (an alliance of militias made up of Kurdish Syrians, Arabs, Assyrians, Armenians, Turks, and Circassians), whose goal is to create a Kurdish state. They are led by the Kurds, who represent 60% of this alliance. For the U.S., they are a key partner in the fight against the Islamic State. But right now, they are under attack by fighters backed by Turkey. This is interesting to note because the U.S. and Turkey are allied countries, both NATO members.

The night before last, a Turkish security source informed Reuters that Turkey’s secret services (which, obviously, have no interest in the creation of a Kurdish state) destroyed 12 trucks containing missiles, heavy weapons, and ammunition depots that were in the hands of the Kurdish YPG militias, forces subordinate to the Syrian Democratic Forces.

The leader of HTS changed his name a few days ago to appear more moderate. He is waiting for his name to be removed from the U.S. and other countries' terrorist lists. Some are asking who this man is: the jihadist Abu Muhammad al-Jolani or the moderate Ahmed Al-Shara?
A United Nations official said yesterday that Syrian government services are "completely paralyzed" because public employees are staying home after the rebels took power, contradicting the claims of Syria’s new prime minister.

Israel is not interested in any of this. Always anticipating the worst possible scenario, what matters to Israel is to immediately neutralize the entire military arsenal of any neighboring country where a revolution occurs, regardless of whether it is more or less democratic.

The leader of the Islamist group HTS said today that he will suspend the parliament and the constitution for at least three months, and claims that the weapons he used did not come from abroad and that no one helped him. Hmmm..

Israel's Use of Force Against Syria and the Right of Self- defense

However, our purpose has not been to assess the practical wisdom of the Israeli actions, but rather their compliance with the jus ad bellum. The law is clear on this point – security risks or threats do not themselves give rise to the right to self-defense. Only ongoing or imminent armed attacks do

[Alastor]

the jihadist Abu Muhammad al-Jolani or the moderate Ahmed Al-Shara?

I wonder if dropping the al-Julani moniker is meant to tell Israel he is not interested in the Golan anymore. As long as he can have Damascus...

[Ludicus]

Israel continues to bomb Syria, after carrying out five hundred airstrikes in 48 hours. Today, it destroyed a research center in Damascus, having already wiped out the Syrian Air Force and Navy. Israel's expectation is that Syria will become the new Afghanistan, and therefore, nothing better than, "in a preemptive intervention," invading and destroying an independent nation, in violation of international law.

The Brazilian Jew Henry Galsky, freelance journalist and CNN Portugal correspondent in Israel, also stated today that after the elimination of Syria’s air force and anti-aircraft defenses, Israel is now prepared to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. And that it will remain in the areas now occupied in Syrian territory, not just for now, but forever. CNN predicts that Trump will give Israel all the blank checks it wants to do whatever it wants in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Iran.

Henry also stated that the Druze of the Golan Heights support Israel. Sorry, Henry, you speak Brazilian Portuguese very well, but it seems that you are not telling the truth: the unbiased Peter Beaumont writes in the Guardian, in an article published on December 11 titled "Fear and uncertainty in Golan Heights as Israeli troops drive deeper into Syria," that "The incursion has fueled anxiety among the Druze... Most Druze, who make up about half of the Golan Heights’ population of 55,000, identify as Syrian (and some were pro-Assad), having rejected Israeli citizenship after Israel’s unilateral annexation of the area in 1981. 'I’m not sure how long the Israelis will stay,' said Shehady Nasrallah, a 57-year-old agronomist who lives in Majdal Shams and whose sister lives in Damascus courtesy of an agreement that once allowed the Druze here to study and marry in Syria and transit the border. 'Months,' he suggested. 'Maybe years. No one knows'... Sanam Vakil, the director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham House, sees it as an opportunistic move of a part with Israel’s wider ambitions."

[AqD]

Henry also stated that the Druze of the Golan Heights support Israel. Sorry, Henry, you speak Brazilian Portuguese very well, but it seems that you are not telling the truth: the unbiased Peter Beaumont writes in the Guardian, in an article published on December 11 titled "Fear and uncertainty in Golan Heights as Israeli troops drive deeper into Syria," that "The incursion has fueled anxiety among the Druze... Most Druze, who make up about half of the Golan Heights’ population of 55,000, identify as Syrian (and some were pro-Assad), having rejected Israeli citizenship after Israel’s unilateral annexation of the area in 1981. 'I’m not sure how long the Israelis will stay,' said Shehady Nasrallah, a 57-year-old agronomist who lives in Majdal Shams and whose sister lives in Damascus courtesy of an agreement that once allowed the Druze here to study and marry in Syria and transit the border. 'Months,' he suggested. 'Maybe years. No one knows'... Sanam Vakil, the director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham House, sees it as an opportunistic move of a part with Israel’s wider ambitions."

They wouldn't need to worry if they had accepted the offer 40 years ago.

What they call opportunistic move is an once in lifetime chance for many people to get out of a failed state, acquire a worthy citizenship and secure a bright new life for them and their children and future generations. Charities are no better than this.

People who reject such offers should be deprived of parental rights.

[Ludicus]

...acquire a worthy citizenship and secure a bright new life...People who reject such offers should be deprived of parental rights.

"Worthy" of being second class citizens? The 1967 occupied Golan Druze community, even now, and by 80% refuses Israeli citizenship.
The "Gurkhas" in the Israeli army have never been happy.In 2018, the spiritual leader of the Druze in Israel, Sheikh Muwafak Tarif, spoke at an emergency meeting in Kafr Yasif near Acre in northern Israel, warning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that if he didn’t respond to the community’s demands "there will be a response that Israel has not seen to this day”. Druze fume: 'We're ready for war'


Meanwhile in Syria Turkish foreign minister says no room for Kurdish militants ...

"In the coming period, the YPG must come to a point where it is no longer a threat to Syria's national unity," Fidan said, adding the YPG should disband.
He said the new Syrian administration had told him during their talks that they could manage the Islamic State prison camps, if needed.
In a Reuters interview on Thursday, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi acknowledged the presence of PKK fighters in Syria for the first time, saying they had helped battle Islamic State and would return home if a total ceasefire was agreed with Turkey. He denied any organisational ties with the PKK.

[AqD]

"Worthy" of being second class citizens? The 1967 occupied Golan Druze community, even now, and by 80% refuses Israeli citizenship.

At least they'd have a class. Wouldn't they?

Palestinians inside Israel:



Palestinians outside of Israel:




It's pretty obvious which environment a sane person and a responsible family head should choose.

[Ludicus]

In 2017, Samuel Northrup published an analysis of how Syria's economic and political stability has long been based on the crucial importance of access to water. The Growing Power of Water in Syria

Now, Israel wasted no time getting its hands on Syria's water. Israel has seized 40 Percent of Syrian Water

Recent reports reveal that Tel Aviv now controls 40% of water resources shared by Syria and Jordan. This move is part of Israel’s broader expansion in Syrian territories

Israel, Syria, and International Law

in 1981, Israel annexed the portions of the Golan Heights that it had occupied in 1967. No country in the world recognized the annexation, until President Donald Trump in his first term of office recognized Israeli sovereignty in the Golan. Israel rewarded him at the time by creating a new settlement in the Golan and naming it “Trump Heights”
...The problem extends far beyond allegations of western countries’ rampant hypocrisy and double standards—it goes to the very fabric and structure of the international community and international law and institutions.
It certainly bodes ill that the Biden administration has already defended and condoned Israel’s violations in Syria.

[mishkin]

I've just been watching videos of people being assaulted and killed by "authorities" on the streets of Tehran.