Iran’s Turkish Gold Rush

Iran’s Turkish Gold Rush.

With too many parochial interests and too many corrupt politicians around few sanction regimes can ever achieve their intended goals, especially when they drag out for years. The same applies for wars, after a certain period conflicts become “stable” and self-sustaining as a result of a convergence of parochial interests. But conflicts remain unpredictable and often have too many unintended consequences. Those betting on “stabilizing” the Syrian conflict by transforming it into a contained low intensity conflict with minimal impact on neighboring countries are deluding themselves. The impact of the devolution of Syria will be felt globally, there are simply too many overlapping interests, too many players involved, and too many people watching and drawing lessons that may not too “kosher.”

Cameron, Clegg and Miliband: fate of Syrian children hangs in the balance

Cameron, Clegg and Miliband: fate of Syrian children hangs in the balance | The Guardian.

This is mere grandstanding. Without peacekeepers on the ground willing to confront both regime and Al-Qaeda militias when necessary, no such access can be provided in most areas where humanitarian assistance is needed. But no one has been willing to volunteer peacekeepers, as no peacekeeping mission is possible without agreement of all sides. In the final analysis, nothing short of decapitating the two-headed monster (Assad and Al-Qaeda) feeding on our children can actually work.

Syria signs offshore oil and gas exploration deal with Russia

Syria signs offshore oil and gas exploration deal with Russia — RT Business.

Ah, and this is the very stuff that genocide is made of, and for. Russia’s Putin, the great defender of national sovereignty and nonintervention in domestic affairs, rears his ugly head again and shows he’s nothing more than an oil-digger, or, an oil-thief to be exact. How fitting.

Syria’s Assad ‘has secret Iraq oil lifeline’

Syria’s Assad ‘has secret Iraq oil lifeline’ – Middle East – Al Jazeera English.

A world that throws so many lifelines to a genocidal maniac and almost none at all to pro-democracy activists and moderate rebels deserves no peace and has earned its misery. No one will be shielded for long from the fallouts of this travesty. No one.