Moonwalking in Syria

Moonwalking in Syria – latimes.com.

In an interview with the BBC, Ambassador Robert Ford said that the views expressed by former CIA Director, Michael Hayden, do not represent those held by the Obama Administration. But then, judging from past precedents, it seems that even views expressed by Obama do not represent those held by the Administration. The Administration’s real views remain unexpressed because they are unexpressable, in the sense that they are absolutely odious, as they include establishing working relations with a genocidal maniac, and supporting a stronger role for Iran in the region. These policies will be impossible to defend if articulated, so the Administration chose to dissimulate. And to moonwalk.

Into the Quagmire!

Through inaction and contradictory policy statements, the Obama Administration has plunged the U.S. into the very sectarian quagmire in the Middle East officials were hoping to avoid.

Amarji Special

If major segments of the Sunni communities in the Middle East have come to develop unfavorable views of American policies, especially those of the Obama Administration, the perceptions of Shia communities (and by extension Alawite communities as well) of Obama’s policies are not that favorable either. Indeed, despite the gains that Iran and Shiite communities across the region have made over the last few years as a result of American policies in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, and despite the recent “breakthrough” with Iran, anti-Americanism remains rampant in Shia circles, and stoking its fires will continue to a favorite pastime for political and religious leaders of Shia background for years, if not decades to come. Obama’s policies are alienating old friends and allies, but they are not making new ones.

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Rebels retake Christian town of Maaloula

Rebels retake Christian town of Maaloula | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR.

The battle of Qalamoun is heating up with the Christian towns of Deir Attiyeh and Maaloula coming under regime shelling. Rebels sought refuge there thinking the regime will not pursue them. They were wrong, as wrong as those who believe that the regime will protect confessional minorities: Christian, Druze or Alawites. The regime divides all so it can conquer all. Those who rely on it to be their protector are actually protecting it. Meanwhile, pro-regime media outlets will spin this as an attack by rebels on the towns, while pro-rebel sources will claim they are there to protect the inhabitants. We can only hope that the nuns of Mar Thecla, Mother Pelagia and all, are safe and sound.

Is Obama waging war against Sunni Islam?

Amarji Special

The United States is tired of being the policeman of the world, we are told. But when we wonder about the alternative, we are told it is the UN. But the UN does not move without leadership and its decisions can be blocked by Russia or China who apparently have no problem with genocide. NATO does not move without US approval, when Turkey wanted to call on it to intervene, the Obama Administration made it clear that it would not welcome this development. The Arab League has never proven effective in this regard. Moreover, it, too, requires a tacit American approval before endorsing major action.

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