Al-Assad losing control but showing no signs of leaving
By Barbara Starr
The Syrian president's control is crumbling at an accelerating pace but the latest assessment by U.S. intelligence finds few indications Bashar al-Assad is willing to step down, according to U.S. officials.
While Obama administration officials have said during the nearly two-year conflict that it appears al-Assad is weakened, the descriptions provided to CNN by U.S. officials familiar with the latest intelligence suggest the Syrian leader's problems have accelerated internally as the opposition continues to capture more territory.
"It's at its lowest point yet," said one senior U.S. official with direct knowledge of the latest assessments. U.S. intelligence believes the decline has accelerated in recent weeks. "The trend is moving more rapidly than it has in the past."
Photos: Fallen dictators of the past
The officials agreed to talk on the condition their names not be used because they were not authorized to discuss the information with the media.
U.S. to send troops, Patriot missiles to Turkey
The description comes as a key Russian official suggested candidly that al-Assad could very well be defeated by the rising opposition fighters.
"The regime and the government in Syria are losing more and more control and more and more territory," Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bodganov told a Russian government committee. "Unfortunately, we cannot rule out the victory of the Syrian opposition."
The remark was unusually frank from Moscow, given that until very recently Russia had publicly brushed aside suggestions al-Assad was losing control. Still, few think it will lead to a change in Russia's stance to block efforts to force him to leave government.
U.S. official: Syria uses Scud missiles against rebels
Obama officials have publicly warned that al-Assad could resort to more drastic means to fight the opposition as he becomes more desperate.
Intelligence in recent weeks has found indications the Syrian military was mixing precursors for chemical weapons and loading them into bombs, though after public outcry and warnings from leaders around the globe there were signs that activity has "leveled off," according to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.
"But my concern is this: that as the opposition continues to move against the regime, particularly as they move towards Damascus, that if the regime feels that it's in danger of collapsing, that it might very well resort to these kinds of weapons. That's what concerns me the most," Panetta said in an interview this week with CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront."
This week brought new concerns - that the Syrian military had fired Scud missiles at rebels, according to U.S. officials.
The White House spokesman said the use was a sign of al-Assad's "utter depravity" and a U.S. official said it could represent a "growing sense of desperation" by the government. But others within the U.S. government suggest the move might be more tactical than desperate.
If al-Assad is trying to keep his aircraft out of the range of opposition's surface-to-air missiles, the Scuds let him fire from much farther away and still reach into opposition territory, according to a U.S. intelligence assessment.
Syria's president is still controlling some of his military forces and commanders, but U.S. officials believe he and his top advisers are showing less ability to maintain control than they did six to eight months ago.
"There has been a strongly downward steady progression" in al-Assad's grip on power," said the senior U.S. official.
The United States believes "the wall around him is slowly coming down," said the senior official of the strong inner circle around al-Assad. "We are saying there are indicators there is weakening around Assad."
Rebels say endgame in sight: 'We welcome this fight'
That said, this senior official and other U.S. administration officials tell CNN that as of now there is no indication al-Assad is making plans to step down.
A second official said the leader and his commanders appear to be fully aware the opposition has made significant military gains in recent weeks and that Assad "is not out of it" in his understanding of the current situation.
The signs point to this conflict being resolved through fighting, not through a diplomatic or political solution, said a former U.S. ambassador to Syria.
Syrian regime approaching collapse, NATO chief says
"My sense is that this will be ultimately decided through force of arms on the ground" - despite the Obama administration's reluctance to give heavy weapons to rebels, former Ambassador Frederic Hof told CNN's Christiane Amanpour on Wednesday.
Given that, the continuing concern is a sudden implosion of the Syrian government and a resulting security vacuum. The senior official said the United States feels it has enough intelligence indicators to be aware when that may happen.
Even with the rebel advances, the Syrian military forces that have stayed to fight for the government appear to be holding firm in their loyalty. There are signs that military defections at the commander level are slowing, though the U.S. analysts are not sure why, according to a second U.S. official.
"There is still regime control over the military despite the fact they recognize the opposition force has improved," said the second U.S. official, also directly familiar with the latest assessment on Syria said.
It could be the major period of defections is over, or there is tighter security. There continues to be some defections, especially of lower level troops, the second official said.
CNN's Jill Dougherty contributed to this report.
@natlsecuritycnn on Twitter
First of all,I would just like to point out that the way you all talk to each other on here disgusts me.All I ever hear is idiot this and imbecile that.Did your mommy not hug you enough as children?If that's the case,I don't care,go cry to Opera.Now,about Syria.The situation there will not end well.Assad is deeply entrenched in Syria and will most likely will either go down with his ship or be granted asylum in Iran or South America.Also,I think that there's a good chance that Turkey or Lebanon or both will have boots on the ground in Syria before it's all over with.Assad will use his chemical weapons on his own people and probably even on his neighbors in the region.I would hope that Assad will use that thing that we all call a brain and gets gone before he gets got.If you think that the way in which Gadhafi met his demise when the Libyan rebels found him,wait till you see what the Syrians will do to Assad.I thnk that what we're seeing right now is simply the calm before the storm.
SOME MIGHT BE WILLING TO CONSIDER A CONSOULTING FEE BASED ON ASSADS ABILITY TO COOPERATE
now the brotherhood can take over Syria.
NOW YOU CAN BUILD THE THIRD TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM ON THE TEMPLE MOUNT
GREAT ARTICLE BARBARA. YOUR A CHAMPION
AKA Spear chucker
He's really a good guy dictator- educated in England- favorite shows are the Flintstones and American Idol and was the guest of honor at a Laker's Game- How bad could he Be?
IF ASSAD WANTS TO SURENDER HIS FORCES HE SHOULD SAY SO AND THE CLEAN UP CAN BEGIN
ANYONE WANT TO GO IN ON A BOOZE FILLED TURBIN THAT CAN BE WORN AND DRUNK FROM USING A FLEXABLE STRAW WHILE WEARING IT
1 TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...
Americans don't read posts in all CAPS because they find it offensive. It's like someone is yelling at them, like some amateur. Do your homework. Free Syria from that idiot Assad!
TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA, FROM GOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzavl7gSYoE ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...ASSAD SHAKES HANDS OF PEOPLE IN LIBERTY COUNTRY NOW...
DONT BLAME THE SOLUTION BLAME THE PROBLEM
In other news you'll never see on CNN:
The Israeli army has been accused of mistreating journalists after soldiers allegedly assaulted two cameramen before forcing them to strip and kneel in the street, and exploding a tear-gas canister in their faces.
ooooooooooooo "accused"!!! by Palestinian media no doubt...........ooooooooooo "accused" by Julie!! oooooooooooo LOL
Go to youtube, search IDF abuse. Open your eyes.
So Assad is prepared to stay with his people and to defend his country whatever: that really shows him as a true dictator and evil man! Any democratically elected (i.e. good) politician would have already turn his back and run like hell...
Justice will come...Assad might end like the leader of Germany in 1945...when he'll see that he cannot escape...Justice for those who suffered, were raped by the less than animals, the poor little children and all others ...
The damm germans are behind this
Assad will leave. How about Kings ( Butchers) of Jordan and Saudi and Gulf ? Those are buddies of USA. Hypocracy
and Double standard.
A sniper would do wonders for this Assad problem. One bullet. Very efficient.
Yes, that would be good in Holywood movie. Unfortunately for that mind set there is this thing called reality, and it is "slightly" more complicated than a movie.
Keep watching more movies.
Some might have said the same regarding the warmonger Bush!
I'm kind of more terrified with whatever government is going to form after Assad is overthrown. Just look at Egypt.
If you are terrified please go see psychiatrist. They can help people who are terrified. It may identify a real source of your fear, and I can tell you Egypt is not it.
Is that what your shrink does? Helps you through your fears so you can face the world with enough courage to tell others online they should go see a shrink? Given how you've turned out, it's just not worth it.
very unfortunate, but not unexpected, this guy was off in psychpath world long before this even started and they dont change, with them? it is always! "someone elses fault",, always!, The weapons are the concern now,after Libya etc and the loss of so many to who knows who?, that needs to be carefully planned ahead of time,.. not only the gas etc, but also all the small arms and intermediates as well,some method of in situ destruction would be the best tactic wethinks,,it is not good storing them etc and or shipping them as thousands will only go astray via that method,Russia,s concerns in this are understandable to some extent, They have a few "assads" of their own and are scared that what happens there, can happen in russia as well,,[can too btw], their best move is to learn! from this instead of reacting with fear,,will they?.. can they?.. good questions,, "wars are begun by frightened men"..note please?.. "frightened MEN!"..NOT WOMEN,.. MEN!,and in that is quite likely a solution to avoiding all the pain and suffering of innocents, again,..Balance is extremely important in these things,lets hope? they are slowly getting an understanding of why this is so,,
HOW MANY QUOTE ON QUOTE GROUPS IN THE WORLD CALL WAR ZONES PARIDISE
In other news you'll never see on CNN:
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman resigns after criminal charges of fraud and money-laundering were brought against him.
Wrong. That extreme right wing guy is foreign minister, not defense (ofense) minister. Barak is ofense minister and he announced his resignation after election in January.
He might be getting ready for IWCT in Hague, who knows.
Why do these guys always take it to where they get killed before they go away? There is not point in what he is doing...
TERRORISTS COME AND TERRORISTS GO BUT TERRORISTS NEVER CHANGE
ANYONE WANT TO OPEN A BOOZERY IN SYRIA
Assad will not leave withot a fight because he has learned the lesson from Sadam Hussein and Gaddafi. He will be killed. He may as well go down fighting, because he has no incentive for leaving. His choices are death in fight or death without fight. He has chosen to fight. This will go on for some time. It has been going on already for almost two years.
What, just the opposite... where did you get that?
SATAN LIVES
I say if he and his regime uses biological weapons and we catch them, their death sentence should be death by the same biological weapon theu used on their people.
He died? People were saying Stan was around for centuries but no one actually saw him. Where is he?
PAPER OVER ASSAD
From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs TO ALL THE LEADERS OF AL QAEDA 2
Why does your god allow women and children to be massacred like they are today throughout the world? I never did meet one person who met god.
ASSAD WILL NOT LEAVE BECAUSE HE IS A BRUTAL DICTATOR AND BRUTAL DICTATORS DO NOT LEAVE
Sure Idiot,great Democracy in Libya and Iraq isn,t it?
really josh....you are calling someone an idiot based upon the removal of regimes that were slaughtering it's own citizens.......really, you are the idiot and to think we claim to be an intellgent nation, yet imbesols like you make liars out of the rest.....WOW
Do not forget the chaos in Egypt, Tunisia, Afghanistan and others where Islamic Theocracy used the democracy ladder to take over political power and when that happens you will never see democracy as we know it again!!!
The military personel and batteries that are being sent to Turkey will later be used to help the Kudish for their independence from Turkish control at the end of the day, that's how liberation goes...
From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs TO ALL THE LEADERS OF AL QAEDA
From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs / From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs TO ALL THE LEADERS OF AL QAEDA
From God to all the leaders of al qaeda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMCASxPfGs
There is no god
I would continue not to help anyone in this civil war. For years, Syria has been a state sponsor of terror activities against the West. That includes the people themselves. Given the history of that region, whomever has control of Syria will still be under the control of Iran, whether be it the dictator or the opposition.
You have been brain washed. Give us one example of so called Syrian "terrorist activities aginst west". One example would be enough. Do you know a single one?
The fact they do not like Israel that occupies their teritory (Golan height) is anothe issue, and Israel has never been "west". It is located in Middle EAST, and populated by mostly EASTERN European immigrants. Either way it is EAST not west.
Syrian activities against Israel is their problem, not problem of the west.
Be thankful that these animals have decided to fight *amongst themselves* in this region of the Medieval East.
You are the descendat of barbaric animals who destroyed Europe in the middle age and the lately in world war II as well as the holocast. Muslims are not animals and they are one third of the world population. Any person in his right mind will realize how evils you are and other Fanatics who express their hate on CNN posts. You are an ignorant person who is under enfluence of drugs.. go and read about the history and civilization or do some thing good for humanity than spilling your venome.
*** yawn ***
Its to bad he did not leave Syria. But who would want to be the host to this monster? The FSA will catch up with him. Then we need to weed out those "who are not desirable".
Dictators (short-sighted by nature) seldom abdicate, well known fact, and usually get hanged/shot/butchered in end.
Sayan.
..........anybody know what the OVER/UNDER is on ..............when Assad's head is used as a soccer ball in Damascus?
.........I'm gonna take...UNDER
Under The Fence, Over the Car....SCORE !!!
Yes it is not going to be a pretty site watching AQ kicking his head around.
Here is the deal, who cares?
They can all kill each other if they want to.
Why is the US and CNN even paying attention to destructfull Muslims?
We know whom you are ; either a fanatic zionist, Assad supporter or fanatic ungreatfull coptic christian. Most likely the first.
Islam is a religion of hatred and death. Every time you mention anything bad about it they start rioting and killing people. Barbarians. Get out of the stone age.
Note this comment: "If al-Assad is trying to keep his aircraft out of the range of opposition's surface-to-air missiles, the Scuds let him fire from much farther away and still reach into opposition territory, according to a U.S. intelligence assessment."
Ambassador Stevens was in Benghazi trying to negotiate with terrorists for 20,000 SAM's in the hands of Al Qaeda. The week following 9/11, shipments of SAM's to Syrian rebels began.
What the President does not want the country to know is that Al Qaeda now has 20,000 SAM's in their possession. Once smuggled into the US, a single terrorist could bring down several commercial airlines at a busy airport within minutes.
Assad is not crazy. He will kill as many as is necessary until the rebel terrorists are destroyed, which is okay with me. He has the right as the country's legitimate ruler to kill anyone trying to take over the country, including anyone giving support to the rebels.
Damn right!!
your out of your mind The poor people of Syria have been suffering to long under his regime This sick individual has got to go and soon the people of Syria will get him and liberate there country
they will suffer a million time more under an Islamic theocracy! Look at what is happening in Egypt!
Your statement is clear reflection of deep hate, people like you are replica of evil on this earth. Because of such persons like you we have senseless wars and destruction. Stop your hate and be real. I am very surprized that those supporter of ASSAD killing machine still posting their comments along with other fanatics. CNN post showed the world that those evils exist and they have no brain. Their blood and heart is full of hate which in the long run will destry them..
the oil ends only seas of sands left the stone era or the arab world will end... howgh
Most of the syrian christians are for the revolution in Syria. Many are afraid to speak out because of the barbaric consquence that can be inflicted on them for being truthfull. Christans in Syria have suffered from the Assad regime like any other syrians. Large portion immigrated to USA, Canada, Australia, Latin America...ect.
No body will forget what Assad father did to lebanese in Beirout Ashrafia, Zehleh...
For Assad supporter do not lie by claiming you are christians, your game is over and you are so stupid to follow the man who led you to your demise..
Look carefully and analyze the picture of Bashar Al Assad, don't you see major similarity to Hitler... This is a mad schizophrenic man that has little IQ. He is a mentally sick man that have lead Syria into this disaster... Well president Obama is not any better.. he is a controlled popet.. he does nothing without the advice of Israel..Israel want syria to be destroid and weakened. Those who claim they are the children of the holocast survival.. and keep crying in media channels about the horrific past.. now they are silent ..but also enjoying watching the syrian turmoil because it support their agenda.. They are liers they donot like any body except themself.. have fun now but your future is different.
IQ? You implicitly endorse eugenics and use a Hitler analogy in the same paragraph. Now that 's real irony!
Very strange and ridiculous analogy!!
The above BS is definitely the rhetoric of a MADMAN!
The US' support of Israel is not because of it's past but because of it's strategic position in the ME plus they are an ally to the western countries. Your post is utter nonsense.
That make sense Ken.... you take a schisphrenic paranoid Israel to therapy rather than follow schizophrenic ideas that lead to the destruction of the world...keep support schizophrenic by following their ideas...
And what is so strategic about Israel's position in ME?
Does it have oli? Great natural resources? Does it control Suez cannal?
Since Plaestinians are coccupying the same "strategic area" one would expect huge US support for Plaestine as well and somehow it is not happening. Very strange, Mr. strategist. Your statement of "strategic location" is just ridiculous.
One has to be profoundly mentally retarded to buy that argument.
Here we go again.
I really do not know from where American adminstration is picking their news!!!.they think that people are cheaps and they just believe their source of data?.
I know a Syrian Christian gentleman from Jaramana, Damascus. His brother is servicing with the Syrian army. He told me that the army has decided to withdraw from a number of useless military bases around Syria jas it is very hard to send daily support to those bases. Those bases are the ones stolen by Al-Qaeda members and certainly that will not harm the army and the regime.
He informed me that you need to just hear a very good news to be announced coming days. The good news will be about the army destroying Al-Qaeda in the major cities.
I think you need to pick up other news sources other than just American newspapers. Most of the world on line news. All Europe, even Russia, Lebanon, Turkey, all pretty much say the same as the American press. Give up reading Saana or at least believing anything it prints.
I am as American as apple pie,but I would be more incline to believe New from the Syrian Government,then here from CNN.
go to Syria then Josh and tell us what you believe when you return...if you do....
Actually the US has put the most successful group of the opposition on the terror list. Many groups inside Syria have rejected the Coalition endorsed by the US. Looks to me as if instead of helping the situation we made it more complicated, now we have opened a third front which is well funded but has neither the firepower of the government nor the presence on the ground of AlNusra. Thinking that these guys will take over is far fetched.
The US didn't endorse anybody in the conflict. They sent communications support to the opposition because of the suffering the Syrian people were experiencing. It is actually because of lack of military support that allowed AQ to infiltrate the opposition. Quit bringing junk here from Faux.
I told you they would fall fast, and Iran is the only impediment left. IRan better negotiate. for Israel and teh Palestinians are starting to play ball. Syria, Libya, Egypt all changing. Only Iran left, and they may battle well the first three months, but then the crush will come. Russians will turn on them also as they are leaving the Syrians. RUssia and Iran staying together for what Russian purpose. Russians were attacked by Muslim extremists. They know the end is coming. 1967 to 2017 agreements come into effect.
Russia won't give up on Iran the same way they haven't given up on Syria, they buy guns, planes, tanks, and every other weapon of war, they don't want to lose such a good customer.
What?
Russia has sanctioned Iran repeatedly and refuses to sell them modern military equipment and Russia condemned Iran again just recently for not following the IAEA.
Russia thinks very little of Iran and is on the same page as the rest of the World when it comes to them. Iran is a global pariah and has no friends besides Syria and North Korea.
Russia (Soviet Union) and Britain invaded Iran during WWII to get access to their oil to fight Germany.
Iran is self sufficient in military harware so they do not need Russia.
The other thing is that population of Iran is 4 times larger than Syrian, and Iranians are not Arabs.
One of unintended consequences of "regime change" policy could be (undesired) regime change in Bahrein and Saudi Arabia. If that happens and it could it would be lovely to see when propaganda machinery goes in overdrive.
assad is a dead man walking. We can only hope Obama knows what he is doing with the opposition and that Syria does not wind up with a fundamentalist regime. Obama seems to have no trouble speaking to and dealing with fundamentalists, at least when they are Islamic.
Obama has no idea what he is doing. We are supporting thinly veiled terrorists by helping these so called "rebels". Look at Egypt. We tossed out a long time ally of our country for an extremist government. Excellent. Obama is either incompetent or extremely dangerous.
Assad has he suitcase packed, his money has been sent to Switzerland and he has his plane ticket...
good, let him leave peacefully. if people are calling for his blood, he'll kill scores to protect himself
The United States should support democratic movements, whether or not it is in our short-term interests because in the long-run, democracies will be more stable and representative.
I think the US really missed an opportunity with Syria by not providing aid to the rebels. They basically hate us now for abandoning them while rebels and Syrian civilians were put through a grinder by the Syrian military. That being said, it is never too late to do the right thing and the US should support and help guide the rebels into a proper democracy. They might be upset we blacklisted Al Nusra right now, but after Assad is toppled the FSA will thank us for doing that once the Civil War moves into the next phase against splinter extreme groups and Hezbollah and Iranian fighters that will try to destabilize a democratic Syria.
MOST OF ALL.... I look forward to Assad finally being overthrown so the Hezbollah/Iranian spammers leave our news sites alone. It has been SO ANNOYING over this conflict having every comment board of every credible news source polluted with their propaganda spam of nonsense. I really don't even understand why they do it... it doesn't change any real american's mind and it's not like you can fight a war from a blog.... but I guess it makes the Ayatollah happy.
To any readers.... Happy Holidays and have a wonderful New Years full of good fortune, good health and good luck!
Yes that stratagy worked absolutly brilliantly in Egypt, they now love us their and will do anything to assist America.
Egypt is in transition. They got the government the people elected. The United States has spent too long trying to pick governments in the Middle East and Egypt is finally learning about democracy and the Muslim Brotherhood is not ideal for the United States, but they are also not doing so well with the people.... and like any democracy, they will probably not win another election, hence correcting to the people's wishes. They have a couple more years to try to prove differently, but I think in the end they will disappoint and Egyptians will look to more Liberal candidates in the next election.
For once, in Egypt we can say we are not at fault in anyway for the disappointments of the current government... which under Mubarak we could not say.
With all due respect that is a naive thinking! Once you have an Islamic theocracy like in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya you will never see democracy as we know it again. They use democracy as a ladder to reach authority and since they are applying Gods will all bets are off!
Yes, you are right, it should, but it does not, and that is the problem.
You keep believing in fairy tales. One day you may grow up.
I heard that former President Bush is actually responsible for the decision to send in weapons. I have to believe it. Their is no way President Obama would let down his followers and be involved with military action overseas
regarding the Patriots?
Why wouldn't we? Turkey is a NATO member and if they feel they need to bolster their air / missile defense to be cautious, why would it be a problem?
Thank you for proving my point.
Skog: touche' .
I don't think lending defenses to a fellow NATO ally is a Republican ideal but rather a bi-partisan ideal of loyalty to an ally and upholding our promises under the NATO treaty.
If Turkey feels threatened by possible missile or air strikes from a crumbling Syria, I do not think the US, Germany and Netherlands sending defensive weapons qualifies as a military engagement or a broken promise from Obama.
Niether do I , my point is that if it was president Bush, their would be media speculation and calls of war mongering.
really....a bush bash this late in the game....wake up form that rock you live under, Obama is in his second do nothing term, so you can forget bush as he stands alone now........he is defending our allies.....killing you libs isn't it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not True.. Stop your your propaganda. I have my family living in Demascus and just yesterday I spoke to them. They informed us that Syrian Army is contriling the City and situation now is much better than few months ago. Also I have friends from Albo City and he informed me that more than 60% to the city plus the airport is still with the Syrian Army of Bashad Al-Asad.
You must be right and the world news agencies all wrong, after all, your family and friends can see so much more from their front windows, and it must be magical glass so they can see the whole country, rather then having them tell you what's happening perhaps its better you tell them to get the heck out of Damascus before its becomes impossible to do so. It wouldn't be good if one day you called and just got a dead line on the other end. The important question is why have they stayed? Do they support this murderous man al assad? The jig is up, get them to leave while they still can.
I believe you, I don't understand CNN and Obama admin for their support to what so called "resistance"!! Most of these people are not even Syrians! They are the same terrorist the US is fighting in Afghanistan!
like you know anything.......I am sure you have a security clearance! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If Damascus is so safe why is the world press including Russia saying that Russia has serious doubts about Assad surviving much longer. Fighting is heavy in the city..Russia getting ready to evacuate their people out of Syria.. Your relatives (although I doubt seriously you know any one in Syria) better be running or protect themselves from the on slaught that will happen. May God be with those poor souls
As we use Al'Qaeda and other islamic radicals to over throw a government that hasn't invaded another country....nice....here's your hope, peace, and change for ya obama fans!
Do you really think the USA is working with Al Qaeda or are you just spouting Hezbollah/Syrian/Iranian propaganda?
Do you realize how RIDICULOUS it would be for the US to work with Al Qaeda? The NUMBER ONE ENEMY of the United States???
Sometimes I think one should use their own mind before believing complete drivel. If you use even the smallest bit of logic, you will be able to see through that complete piece of fiction you wrote.
It's not crazy when you consider we did work with them in the 80's
Jeff do you just get paid to spew this drivel, responding to any posts that do not toe the MSM line? We are directly supporting groups who film themselves beheading civilians, mass murdering bound captives, strapping innocent men into vehicles rigged with explosives, and carrying out ethnic cleansing.
It 's just more evidence of a foreign policy based substantially on wishful thinking.....
@real person
What? I get paid to write here?
If I did not have time in EWR to kill and finished reading the NYT and WSJ already, I would not be here and unless somebody was paying in the mid 6 figures to write, nobody could afford me.
Believe it or not, some Americans are quite well educated and well traveled.
@Chris
Yeah.... WAY before they attacked the US and killed thousands of innocents, including my neighbor, school mates and colleagues of mine.
totally agree JJ, but that is asking much if you read many posts.......................oh well!
realperson or real stupid...probably both
JerseyJeff,
Was that drivel supposed to be impressive? Wow, the Wall Street Journal AND the New York Times. You are so learned, we must bow to your feet. This just in, this is the internet, I can say I am the King of England but that doesn't make it so. The only people who buy that crap are fellow nitwits like yourself.
You should have your arm looked at, probably badly sprained from patting yourself on the back so hard.
Why Obama is promoting Islamic theocracy in the Middle East. These ideologies are completely the opposite of our values in America. Islamic Theocracy is against democracy, individual freedoms, human rights and list goes on. They only wants to enforce sharia law on everyone. Why Obama wants to do that? Why the Congress and the media are not commenting on that?
Wrong Sean. Barack Obama is not prompting Islamic Theocracies anywhere but trying to establish U.S. backed pseudo-democracies willing to carry out orders from Washington D.C.
Is that what they 're "trying ". Well then it seems they're failing, and badly.
This is essentially a 3-way conflict. There are secular regime, Islamist and assorted democratic-liberal coalition. Hard-line regime supporters and hard-line Islamist hate each other and will not collaborate, but some of each side hate West even more. It's not possible to eradicate Islamist, only perhaps drive them underground, with lots of war. It is possible to fracture regime supporters on several factions, but if it's done by West, they will hate it with whole hearts. In case rebels achieve unconditional win on battlefield and scatter regime supporters, liberals will remain weaker side which can be pushed asside. Much smarter idea would be to engineer elections and play role of hard-to-get kingmaker.
Al Assad is an unbelievably vile war criminal, but clearly parts of the opposition are also. The problematic aspect of this conflict is to figure out who is actually fighting whom, and not allow some filthy islamists to come to power.
Let's all hope that the forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad win out in the end, thus depriving the right-wing thugs in Washington of taking control of yet another Middle Eastern country, Veritas. Speaking of war crimnals, Barack Obama is even worse than Assad since he killed more people with those godless drones and Apache helicoptors that the forces loyal to Assad did in Syria.
You would think he would have learned based on the fall of Ghadafi (Libya)??
"... the Syrian military was mixing precursors for chemical weapons..."
We found one country with no WMD when we KNEW they had them. Years later a bordering country unexpectedly has WMD when we DIDN'T think they had them. Connect the dots. GWB will accept all apologies by proxy.
Yes, we "did" know that Saddam had WMDs, as did the rest of our Western partners, just correcting that we also knew about Syria's weapons as well for quite some time. I'm not refuting your theory that Saddam might have moved them to Syria at some point (that speculation has been looked into by the intelligence community as well).
I suspect Assad will end up like Hussein....the one in Iraq I mean.
Assassinate Assad and anyone else in his Regime who poses a threat and end the rule of this stinking pig ....Have a nice day.... Charles Bowen Solomon Stone
My family originally came from a Christian village in Syria about 30 miles west of Homs, over 100 years ago. Our remaining relatives there are now in Lebanon, pushed out by the Free Syrian Army and the rebels. They have burned the church there, looted and ransacked businesses and homes, and have threatened the Christians in the entire region. The US supports these people...just sayin.....
You are LYING. My family is CHRISTIAN! OMG I cannot believe you are such a liar. Free Syrian Army has been protecting my family my entire relatives in Damascus and Lattakia. All these years we had to suck up to Bashar so that he would treat us good. Enough is enough. No more Bashar. We want democracy. The real danger in our country Syria is Bashar and the Alewites not the Sunnis. However you are not educated and you are stupid. So please stop writing nonsense.
There is no "Free Syrian Army", those are mercenaries from different places that recently learned how to fight and overthrow previous rulers. Thei incentive is monetary and material (loothing captured property). This is not ideological fight for those guys. They could care lees. They would overthrow Mother Teresa's government for couple of bucks.
Now, people pulling the string have their "vision" and they are trying to remove the last Arab nationalist, and replace him with either a puppet or have Syria as failed state to be lees of a "threat" to their "interest" in the region. Unfortunately for them it may backfire like it did in Lybia.
The Free Syrian Army is made up by a MAJORITY of Syrians. Not AQ, or any other Islamist group. Here's some truth for you; The Free Syrian Army traces its origin to early defectors from the Syrian army who refused to shoot on unarmed protesters during the Syrian uprising.The first defections occurred when the army was sent into Daraa to quell ongoing protests. There were reports that different units had refused to shoot on protesters and had split from the army. That's their origin. Also here's some proof that they're AGAINST ISLAMISTs; In July 2012, the FSA rescued a British and Dutch photojournalist from their Islamist captors. The journalists, John Cantile and Jeroen Oerlemans, were held hostage for a week by Islamists who accused them of working for the CIA. The FSA stormed the camp, freed the journalists and scolded the hostage-takers. Oerlemans commented: "Where the FSA seems to be fighting for democracy, these foreign fighters don't want anything more than imposing sharia on Syria". In August, the Farouq Battalion (A FSA Battalion) killed the leader of the Islamists who had kidnapped the journalists. One Farouq Battalion member said: "Jihadis don't share in fighting against the regime, because they say we are kafirs, and they won't fight with kafirs". "Kafirs" is a derogatory curse towards other ME peeps that don't give themselves to the sharia ideals... Just sayin'.
That dude has a big forehead.
Like MAX HEADROOM!
Pop Asad in the head, gas the filthy rebels, well they dont deserve the name rebel. They are more like deviants that need a bath and idea. Put a fence up and send all the prisoners over.
Well that's it then. Obama just sent the first tranche of occupation troops in. How's that progressive liberal victorious mandate feel now?
Let us hope Mr. Assad will go the same way as his associate in crime did.
I cannot wait to see him executed.
lol American propaganda is hilarious, Assad isnt going anywhere
ASSAD IS GOING TO BE CUT TO PISCES BY THE GREAT HEROES OF SYRIA THE FREE AND DEMOCRATIC
funny eh? gaddafi said that,Saddam hussein said that,Mubarack said that, bin laden said that,,,,are you following the trend here? is the picture getting less foggy for you Bribarian?
Well said Leo. Well said.
AL ASSAD MAFIA IS TERROR ORGANISATION LINKED TO IRAN AND HIZB ALLAHA IN LEBONON,AND SERVE THE RUSSIAN INTEREST IN THE MIDDLE EAST...
Gee emad, you sound like another mindless Tea Partier with your right-wing, anti-Assad rants.
the whole world is watching the slaughterer of Syrian women and children by a Hitler like mas murderer name Bashar al assad.SHAME ON THE HUMAN RACE....
OH SHUT UP YOU IDIOT. WHY DON`T YOU REPORT THE CRIMES COMMITTED BY REBELS AND THE DAILY SUICIDE BOMBINGS. GADDAFI AND ASSAD ARE GREAT HEROS. THEY WILL FOREVER BE REMEMBERED FOR THEIR BRAVERY! GOD, ASSAD AND SYRIA ONLY!
IT IS NOT SYRIA AL ASSAD ANY MORE AMIGO , IF FIRING SCUD ON CIVILIAN BY YOUR COWARD ASSAD IS BRAVERY .THEN WE WILL INDITE YOU FOR SUPPORTING CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY..YOU ARE REAL SICK PERSON AND MAY GOD HELP YOU.....
Wow Fetah it's a good thing we have freedom of speech.
Assassinate Assad now and free Syria.....Charles Bowen Solomon Stone
Fetah as in cheese or as in dumb a$$......the latter....take your crap back to the sand
Rebel terrorists are being supplies by zi0nists and America. They are the ones who really caused all the bloodshed.
there is nobody to blame but yourselves. the middle east could have avoided this mess beginning in the last century, you could have had a microphone in your hands and in front of a camera stated your case to world bodies,with all concerned present, instead you would rather guns and bullets, so suck it up.
My brother monsoor khawaja was an american !!!!! he was tortured for year before he died !!!! he had legally changed his first name from monsoor khawaja to monroe khawaja !!!! he died of unknown reasons !!!!! it was unbelievable what took place and i want to know will that be coming out in these reports ?????? i tell u his names because thats how the approached him the last and final time !!!!!!
RUSSIA SHOULD HELP THE ASSAD REGIME. YOU ARE TOO WEAK RUSSIA. F U OBAMA AND THE REST. GO TO HELL!
your leader is a joke.... your country is a joke.... nobody is gonna help some hitler-like leader dropping scuds on hyis own people. they are only gonna pray for his demise.
USA and NATO backed terrorist FSA burn Church (http://youtu.be/pVccDjmSkX4) and Shia mosque (http://youtu.be/QlYey0F3HQc) in Syria! CNN is contributing to the murder of minorities in Syria – the same way they did in Iraq!
you make me sick you stupid idiot,it is the Syrian people revolution against your fanatic dictator who is destroying the whole country just to stay president...
Reblogged this on thesurvivalplaceblog.
USA and NATO backed terrorist FSA burn Church (http://youtu.be/pVccDjmSkX4 ) and Shia mosque (http://youtu.be/QlYey0F3HQc ) in Syria! CNN is contributing to the murder of minorities in Syria – the same way they did in Iraq!
Is this the same CNN who lied to us about WMD's in Iraq and caused thousands of US troops to be sent to their grave hunting weapons that didn't exist while our own intel network flooded the country with Al Qaeda from Libya and Saudi Arabia (our ally) to break the back of united Sunni-Shi'ia resistance? Yes, I think it is.
THE WMD'S ARE IN SYRIA DUDE. THEY WERE EASILY MOVED TO SYRIA AND MOST IF NOT ALL WILL GO MISSING BEFORE ASSAD IS EITHER KILLED OR EXILED. OBAMA AND PUTIN WILL MKAKE SURE THE WMD'S WILL NOT BE IDENTIFIED AS OF IRAQI ORIGIN..........BECAUSE IT WOULD MAKE BUSH RIGHT AND PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF WRONG!
I am by no means a Bush supporter but I would love for him to be proven right. I would love for there to be proof of a reason that our troops died.
JD, do you have a source for this? Other than your fevered imagination?
What a wonderful world of enchantment you must be living in!
there wer wmd's brother.... need to check your history... dont you remember 88 when saddam gassed the kurds in his own country.... chemical weapons.... before our intrusion dont you remember seeing the miles on convoys going from baghdad to syria.... wonder what they were carrying???????
You mean the poison gas that we sold him?We didn't have to invade Iraq to know that we had kept the receipts. No let's face it there were no WMD in Iraq and all those people died for the glory of the Islamic republic of Iran. Ain't it crazy? And you want us to do it all over again!
Just a matter of time before our favorite Mid-East Oculist/Despot is dragged through the streets of Damascus, like the other guy, in Libya?
I cant wait till hes dragged through the streets.... the days of the middle eastern greedy dictators ruling for decades is over.
Yup.
I'm looking forward to some satisfying Youtube vids in the near future.
Reblogged this on World Chaos.