Washington's War on Syria

Washington's War on Syria

by Stephen Lendman

On January 28, Arab League monitors suspended operations in Syria. In early February, they'll decide whether to end them altogether. League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby blamed Assad for "resort(ing) to escalating the military option in complete violation of (his) commitments."

In fact, he's contesting a Western-generated insurgency. League despots support it. They also condoned NATO's Libya war, including massacres too great to ignore.

They back NATO's plan to colonize, occupy and plunder Middle East states, including Iraq, Libya, Syria and Iran, as well as ongoing atrocities in Bahrain, Yemen, Somalia, Palestine, and elsewhere in the region.

On December 26, Arab League observers began monitoring Syrian cities. Sudanese General Mohammed Ahmed Mustafa al-Dabi led them. Instead of delivering the goods as planned, he called Assad "cooperative."

Ergo, end the mission. Initiate Plan B.

At issue is regime change and isolating Iran, not democracy and peace. America deplores both and won't tolerate them at home or abroad.

After ravaging Libya and toppling Gaddafi, Syria was next. For months, Western-backed insurgents killed thousands. No one knows how many. UN estimates lack credibility by pointing fingers the wrong way.

Washington wants Assad vilified, delegitimized, weakened and toppled. Tactics include violence, propaganda, and attempts to pass Security Council measures, inching closer to intervention. More on that below.

Whether Assad survives is uncertain. So far he's hanging on resiliently. Nonetheless, the State Department calls him "dead man walking," and Syria's Muslim Brotherhood expects him out in months. In fact, Israel's Ehud Barak thinks in weeks. Don't bet on it.

For now, he successfully resisted Western efforts to topple him with Russian, Chinese, and internal popular support. Syria's military is also strong and supportive. Loyalists run it with much to gain by standing fast, not yielding to opposition pressure. In contrast, so-called Free Syrian Army ranks are weak by comparison.

In addition, anti-Assad elements are divided and disorganized. Internal National Coordination Body for Democratic Change ones oppose foreign intervention and conflict. They want grievances settled politically and diplomatically.

In contrast, Turkey-based Syrian National Council (SNC) officials support it. They claim Syria's situation replicates Libya's. They also represent Western imperialism against the rights and interests of most Syrians.

Nonetheless, they're also internally split, unable to agree on a common agenda. Many don't trust SNC leader Burhan Ghalioun. Some call him authoritarian for unilaterally wanting SNC/NCB unity.

So far, Western and/or regional states haven't directly intervened. Whether that continues is uncertain. The longer Assad holds on, the greater the pressure to do so. Behind the scenes, Washington, rogue NATO allies and Israel seek ways to replicate Libya's model, either alone using regional proxies and/or by direct NATO intervention. The situation remains tense.

Strong Russian/Chinese Opposition

So far, Russia and China firmly oppose intervention. As a result, Western Security Council resolutions failed. Russia's against a new draft. On January 27, Itar Tass headlined, "Western draft resolution on Syria in UN SC unacceptable for Russia," saying:  

Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said Russia won't support