British surgeon ‘murdered by Syrian regime’

British surgeon ‘murdered by Syrian regime’ | World news | theguardian.com.

Bear in mind when reading this sad report that Dr. Khan was a British citizen and that his detention was well-publicized. Everything about Assad’s war crimes has been well-publicized, and still, the world continues to dither as what to do. And there are those who still wonder why Syrians took up arms, and they blame them for it. Impunity by Assad and his international supporters, coupled with moral cowardice on part of world leaders, especially in the West, have paved the way to desperate actions and nihilistic responses. I will not blame the victim, no matter how despondent I happen to be with the tragic developments currently taking place throughout the country.

Saudi Arabia Will Go It Alone

Saudi Arabia Will Go It Alone – NYTimes.com.

In no uncertain terms, the Saudi Ambassador to Britain tells Obama to go screw himself. But the real story that is always lost in all this back-and-forth is how the Syrian people are the ones who are actually getting screwed caught, as they are, between a genocidal regime, ambitious regional powers, and selfish international ones.

Far Right in Eastern Europe Makes Gains as Syrians Arrive

Far Right in Eastern Europe Makes Gains as Syrians Arrive – NYTimes.com.

Indeed, fascists are making a comeback in Europe, and the main drivers are economic woes and high rates of unemployment among the youth. But, in typical fashion, it’s the presence of immigrants and refugees that will be used as the convenient vehicle for venting frustration. Over the next few years, the Middle East, especially Syria, will be a major supplier of both, which makes continued dithering by European leaders on intervention in Syria rather baffling. Europe is not in a position to shield herself from meltdown in the Middle East, and yet, her leaders stood by and watched on helplessly as the genocide in Syria unfolded. Sooner rather than later, the political price for this lack of foresight and backbone on part of Europe’s leaders will be exacted, and the consequences will haunt all. Meanwhile, fascists of the world may not be uniting yet, but they are finding ways to cooperate with and support each other. That’s why they hold rallies and events in support of Assad throughout Europe, and that’s why few made them made the trip all the way to Syria to fight with his militias. While Western intelligence services will be watching all those European Jihadis after they come back home, their real security nightmares in the future might come from their native kith and kin on the far right.

Obama wanted U.S. action in Darfur. Why not in Syria?

Fred Hiatt: Obama wanted U.S. action in Darfur. Why not in Syria? – The Washington Post.

Why not indeed? Were they being dishonest then? Or are they being dishonest now? What goes on in their minds these days, I wonder, as they watch the unfolding mayhem in Syria? Do they feel guilty? Do they feel ashamed? Or do they feel somehow justified somehow, through some twisted bit of logic disguised as realpolitik, in their decision to enter into a business deal with Assad over his chemical program, and Iran over its nuclear one, even as both continue with their sectarian genocidal venture in Syria? Do they feel anything at all?