Neo-con fingerprints on Syria raid

[radfringe]

Neo-con fingerprints on Syria raid
By Jim Lobe

ROME - The neo-conservatives in and around the administration of US President George W Bush may be on the defensive, but Washington's reaction to the Israeli attack on Syria on Sunday shows that they remain in the driver's seat at the White House.

The fact that Bush has himself refused to in any way criticize the Israeli attack - the first on Syria since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war - shows how far the neo-cons have succeeded in aligning US policy with the right-wing government in Israel, a key goal going back to the first Likud government of the late Menachem Begin and, more recently, since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon won elections in early 2001.

---snip---

The study, "Ending Syria's Occupation of Lebanon: The US Role?", was co-authored by MEF president Daniel Pipes, who was just named by Bush to a post at the US Institute of Peace, despite widespread charges that he has promoted Islam-phobia, and Ziad Abdelnour, who heads the USCFL.

The study stressed that "Syrian rule in Lebanon stands in direct opposition to American ideals", and it rued Washington's habit since its disastrous withdrawal from Beirut in 1983 of engaging rather than confronting the regime, the only government on the State Department's "terrorism list" with which Washington has full diplomatic relations.

The group urged a policy of confrontation, beginning with tough economic and diplomatic sanctions that could not be waived by the president, and, if necessary, military force.

Not surprisingly, the same general provisions have been incorporated into a new bill that is presently being debated in Congress, and Sharon's actions, according to many observers, may have been intended in part to promote the bill's chances of becoming law soon.
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Support Grows for Sanctions On Syria
Bill Would Give Bush Six Options

By Glenn Kessler
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 8, 2003; Page A26

The Bush administration is lifting its objections to legislation that would impose sanctions on Syria until the country has ceased support for terrorist groups and halted development of chemical and biological weapons. The move suggests U.S. officials are adopting a tougher policy toward Damascus.

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looks like another invasion in a few months to me. Congress is ready to shirk it's responsibilities and issue the whistleass another blank check. IMHO, The blank check will be cashed just in time for the 2004 campaign season

[JasonBerry]

1. I think it would backfire - pardon the pun

The people of this country would not stand for another multi-billion dollar war. Instigating another war now would be a HUGE mistake. We're still "busy" with our illegal endeavor in Iraq.

[radfringe]

2. don't think it will

With Sharon bombings in Syria, this will escalate and the "message" will be that we have to defend Israel

a "sidebar" spin will be that Saddam hid the WMD's in Syria

Going to war to defend an ally is more "palatable" to the 'murican psyche as opposed to an outright invasion

another "sidebar" spin will be that this is an extension of the war on "terra"....

if my gut-feelings are true then this is going to "extend" into Dubya-Dubya-3. Given that, I seriously doubt that North Korea is going to sit on it's butt and just make noise - North Korea will also escalate

[JasonBerry]

3. You could be right

How we could afford it, morally as well as financially, is frightening. I still think it would be a risky adventure with the potential of too many things going wrong a year from election day. BUT, we ARE talking about the Bush criminals.....you could be right.

[radfringe]

4. morally we can't afford it

as far as financially - the whistleass will just put it on our grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's credit cards -

the GOP American Express Card - don't invade a country without it

[JasonBerry]

5. Good One!

"the GOP American Express Card - don't invade a country without it"

Sad, but ohhhhh soooo true.....

[KittyWampus]

12. Radfringe... You Should Be Writing This Stuff Professionally

the GOP Express Card- don't invade a country without it.

Priceless :D

[Zhade]

11. How can we afford it? Simple.

Both ways are two words:

1. Prison labor

2. Work camps

[peterh]

24. Bingo….that’s the only way shrub can currently move into another country

Israel has to provide provocation beyond it’s boarders. Like I said in another thread, Israel is the bait and the waters are being trolled.

[Eurobabe]

6. seems appropriate here

[elduderino]

7. personally....

i was under the impression the neocons were running for cover from the iraq fallout...especially with bill kristol making unsavoury comments regarding...bush.

The most concerning aspect in my opinion with the necons is the stealthy nature of their agenda to propagate an ideology which is forced to align with Israel’s bankrupt Likud policies. Unknowingly to the vast majority of our citizens – because it is so far removed from the 'collective consciousness of our nation’ allows the neocons to further their agenda – because it cannot be 'comprehended'…this I believe is their most powerful weapon – and also the classic anti-semite rebuttal.

I believe the biggest threat to our nation are the neocons. Internal - not extrernal - because their interest and sympathies lie with Israel first.

Interesting slant on what I believed in the article…thks…

[lumpy]

25. Bill Kristol is not running from anything

He's in tight with the US/Israel plan (in part, his baby) for the suppression/aggression of mid-east countries for the benefit of who else but the Sharon government.

[Judi Lynn]

8. This needs a kick

Thanks for the information.

:kick:

[truthisfreedom]

9. cons. cons. cons... CONs. we will not be conned.

cons. they con.

[goforit]

19. I like your attitude!!!

If only this attitude had more headway!!!

[radfringe]

10. here we go - booga-booga-booga

World's most dangerous spots can get deadliest arms
John Yaukey
Gannett News Service

--snip---
Most worrisome, according to CIA reports, is the burgeoning desire for nuclear weapons among small countries, confronting the world with the likelihood of new regional arms races.

In the past year, North Korea, Iran and Libya all have tried to obtain equipment to produce weapons-grade nuclear materials. This sends tremors of instability worldwide as additional countries may conclude they have no option but to seek nuclear, chemical or biological weapons as a deterrent.

Chemical and biological weapons are already commonplace in the Middle East, where they are viewed as the best available defense against Israel's formidable arsenal of nuclear weapons. Israel refuses to confirm or deny having nuclear weapons, but U.S. intelligence sources believe the country has close to 200 warheads.

ria and Iran, which support Hezbollah and other terrorist groups, both have chemical arsenals. Highly reliable intelligence indicates Iran is seeking nuclear weapons under the guise of a rapidly advancing nuclear energy program it does not intend to give up. Iran's foreign minister recently said his country intends to push ahead with a nuclear program and will not submit to the aggressive international inspections that the United States and European allies have requested.

[MrPrax]

13. Good links...

I like the last line:"Congress is ready to shirk it's responsibilities and issue the whistleass another blank check. IMHO, The blank check will be cashed just in time for the 2004 campaign season"

Since there is a Democratic Presidential Primary and there are a few top candidates that have made/co-opted anti-war support for Iraq...what are the chances these 'peace' lovers will get out in front on this one and provide some of that 'moral' courage?

Nil...of course

[Merlin]

14. This was a deliberate effort to sabotage the UN vote.

Don't be fooled by rhetoric. The Powell side of Bush's mouth says he wants UN cooperation. But the Neocon side will defeat it every time.

The neocons are in deep collusion with the big money admin buddies, halliburton, et al to block any and all efforts to share any degree of "control" (read oil fields) in Iraq.

The timing of this strike was as deliberate as was the bombing of the UN building in Baghdad.

[Say_What]

15. Dead give away when WhistleAss sang his

'they have a right to defend themselves' tune. He said the same thing about the Israeli invasions into Palestinian territory. It was so f*ck'n predictable it wasn't funny. Can the Sheeple see through this sh*t? :puke:

[Say_What]

16. Carte blanche to Sharon

From the article:

Indeed, Bush's statement on Monday that he had told Sharon that "Israel must not feel constrained defending the homeland" was almost breathtaking in its implied license, particularly considering that it was Sharon who not only led the invasion of Lebanon but is also widely believed to have rolled all the way to Beirut without Begin's approval. Many experts and historians believe that Begin was intending a more limited military action and that Sharon took the initiative to take it much further.

The neo-cons, one of whose core beliefs is that the US and Israel confront the same enemies and share the same values, have had Syria in their sights for quite a long time. Israel, particularly Likud, has seen Damascus as the most steadfast and potentially the most dangerous of its Arab antagonists.

Many of the same people both in and out of the administration who have favored making Syria a primary target in the US "war on terrorism" signed a report released four years ago that called explicitly for using military force to disarm Syria of supposed weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and end its military presence in Lebanon.

---

I don't think China and Russia will put up with the Bushistas wanting to destroy another country. The WMD excuse isn't gonna be bought anymore by the rest of the planet either. Our only prayer is that the rest of the world put a stop to this INSANITY. On the other hand, look at the signers of the report--f*ck'n scary.

:scared:

:nuke:

[Unknown Known]

17. This was the neocon Plan B

Because of the total mess that is now Iraq and Afghanistan and also because they themselves were totally exposed (I remember seeing Robert Kagan on some show being asked outright if the neocons were pushing to go into Syria. Of course he lied and said they had no plans)...because of this, they had to revert to Plan B - using Israel to get what they want.

[goforit]

18. Imperialism is IN and Peace is OUT!!!

Yeehaaa...........:puke:

[radfringe]

20. 'murican express card

Scroll to bottom right corner

[legin]

21. 'Ending Syria's Occupation of Lebanon: The U.S. Role' link

http://www.meforum.org/research/lsg.php

It is probably worth mentioning that israel was in Lebanon during the peroid delt with with by this report, but i have a feeling after a cursory skim that you may not find that mentioned.

There are some new names in the signatory list at the bottom which is probably worth checking out.

One caught my eye, Leon Edney, is one of the subsiderary writers of the 1996 'Shock and Awe' report.
http://www.dodccrp.org/shockIndex.html

[legin]

22. About a third

of the 31 signatories come from the business sector; investment banks, equity funds.

[goforit]

23. Pearle's signature??????..........never resigned eh?

Hey why don't we send Rush over to lead the charge over to
Iraq.

One achilles heel that the Neo-cons have is that they like to play hard ball without getting their lilly-white hands dirty!!!!

They need to be given the opportunity to be up front and center
in the masacar at hand.

It is the only humane thing to do.....give your fellow neighbor what
he wants the most. It is nothing but generosity!!!!