Report: Rumsfeld considers striking Hizbullah to provoke Syria

[radwriter0555]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1074745158639&p=1008596981749

By DOUGLAS DAVIS

US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is considering provoking a military confrontation with Syria by attacking Hizbullah bases near the Syrian border in Lebanon, according to the authoritative London-based Jane's Intelligence Digest.

In an article to be published on Friday, the journal said multi-faceted US attacks, which would be conducted within the framework of the global war on terrorism, are likely to focus on Hizbullah bases in the Bekaa Valley of eastern Lebanon.

It noted that the deployment of US special forces in the Bekaa Valley, where most of Syria's occupation forces in Lebanon are based, would be highly inflammatory and would "almost certainly involve a confrontation with Syrian troops."

Such a conflict might well prove to be the objective of the US, said the journal, which described Washington's strategic benefits from a confrontation with Syria. These include:

* Pressuring Damascus into ending its support for anti-Israel Palestinian groups;

* Persuading Syria to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and to withdraw its troops from Lebanon;

* Stimulating a situation where Syrian leader Bashir Assad can be ousted;

* Crushing Hizbullah and ending its presumed connections with al-Qaida.


More @ link

[bif]

1. Let's not finish the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

Let's move on and start a new war. Brilliant!

[bluestateguy]

2. Not until next year

He'll need a draft to pull it off. Our military is stretched way too thin. They would have to move the professional soldiers out of Iraq and Afghanistan to fight in Syria and use inexperienced conscripts to hold down the fort in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Even this bootlicker Congress won't enact a draft in 2004, but if Bush is elected they will crank up the draft machinery in 2005.

[54anickel]

11. I don't think they care if the military is stretched or not. In Shrub's

speech in Rosemont he made the statement about not changing leaders in the middle of a war. With the prospect of us getting out of Iraq come hell or high water by July, he may need another war to get that statement to stick.

[Bozola]

3. Jane's is a excellent source

One of the best sources available. I wish I could afford a subscription....
--------------------------------

Here's another little gem BTW..
http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jid/jid040115_1_n.shtml




Extract:

http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jid/jid040122_1_n.shtml



USA mulls Hizbullah strikes

According to JID's intelligence sources, US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is considering plans to expand the global war on terrorism with multi-pronged attacks against suspected militant bases in countries such as Lebanon and Somalia. In a week in which Israel launched airstrikes against Hizbullah positions, our regional correspondent reports from Beirut.

Sending US troops into lawless Somalia would not be new, nor is it likely to cause serious diplomatic waves. Covert US forces have periodically infiltrated the country over the past two years to conduct surveillance and even snatch suspects wanted for the November 2002 suicide bomb attacks in Mombasa, Kenya: an incident in which suspected Al-Qaeda terrorists bombed a hotel and mounted an unsuccessful attack on an Israeli airliner with shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles.

However, sending US special forces into Lebanon - and in particular an area like the Bekaa Valey (which is virtually Syrian territory) and where the bulk of Damascus' military forces in Lebanon are deployed - would be an entirely different matter. Deployment of US forces in the area would almost certainly involve a confrontation with Syrian troops.

That may well prove to be the objective, since the Bush administration is currently stepping up pressure on the Damascus regime in a bid to force it to cut off all support for radical Palestinian groups that have been targeting Israel during the three-year-old intifada. Washington also wants Syria to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and to withdraw all its forces from Lebanon, a virtual satellite since Syria moved in with tacit US support in 1990 as part of a strategy to end Lebanon's civil war.

The US administration has long considered Damascus as a prime candidate for 'regime-change' (along with Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and possibly even Saudi Arabia). Syria, once a powerhouse of Arab radicalism that could not be ignored, has been seriously weakened, both militarily and politically. Washington may feel that the time is coming to oust Bashir Al-Assad and the ruling generals. Targeting Syria via Lebanon, the only concrete political influence Damascus has to show following decades of radical diplomacy, could prove to be a means to that end.

[arcane1]

4. excellent! We have PLENTY of fresh troops left!

:puke:

[Jackpine Radical]

9. My thought exactly.

We kin mop up them ragheads with a light brigade or 2.

Jeeez, Gin'rul Custer---lookit alla the injuns!!!

[IndianaGreen]

20. We have all of those young conservatives eager and willing to serve

They will be flocking to the recruitment offices, inspired by Jenna and Barbara Bush's examples.

:dunce:

[arcane1]

21. oh, they will be eager and willing all right

willing to call us traitors for opposing this, willing to tell us to suck it up when we complain about dead soldiers, willing to vote for this moronic asshole again...

[jokerman93]

5. Why Not?

Neocon objectives have already been achieved as far as possible for now in Afghanistan and Iraq. No time to waste, there's so much more money to made in the warmaking business.

[htuttle]

6. He's quite a ripe fucking idiot, isn't he?

Even if a single one of Rumsfeld's points had any merit, does he really think that if the younger Assad is deposed, a more friendly, more secular leader than Assad will take his place? He went to school as a dentist in the West, and married someone from overseas.

You can bet the guy that would ultimately replace him (years and millions of deaths from now) would be far, far less secular, and far less friendly.

In case anyone's forgotten, after 9/11, Syria become quite helpful as far as sharing intelligence on Al Queda/Muslim Brotherhod, etc... Bush fucked that up already, but he's making it so that the relationship can never be repaired.

Sorry people, but Syria is not the enemy of the United States. Israel's enemy, perhaps, but that's due to their long-running territorial disputes, not because Syria is somehow 'evil'.

[Go Eagles]

13. idiot isn't strong enough

Rumsfeld is completely delusional and should be on psychotropic medication. Regime change/occupation in Syria would be a ripe opportunity for the Muslim Brotherhood's radical fundamentalism to emerge; Assad's father crushed. Does he think inserting a presence in Lebanon will be a picnic and greeted favorably? Was that fool asleep during the 80's when our embassies and Marine barracks were targets for suicide bombers or pay attention to what Israel's experience with long term occupation of Lebanon was? This round of saber rattling makes more and more apparent what the agenda is, protectorate of Israel and it has nothing to do with direct threats to the US. It's no mystery to people here about I am astounded by how most people are clueless. Instead of the neo-con pipe dream we will see instability, violence, chaos, with plenty of US targets with thousands of bin Ladens. Islamic radicals are licking their chops and hoping for this one.

[number6]

27. ok, completely delusional idiot !!

:evilgrin: Dumold Rumsfool

[Mandate My Ass]

43. Great analysis

Welcome to DU, fellow Eagles fan! :hi:

[aquart]

36. Millions of deaths is the goal.

We cannot take and hold the Middle East unless millions of people simply vanish.

The thing Rumsfeld never considers is that China will eat us for lunch if we pull this shit. A China, India, Russia, EU alliance will leave us for dead. Maybe India won't join. But the others...?

[mbperrin]

7. Good idea since we have things so much under control

everywhere else!

</delusional state>

[leftchick]

8. Just where the hell is he getting the troops from?

Unless he doesn't plan for this to happen until after the draft is activated in 2005. I can't imagine how this could possibly work before hand. God save our poor military at the hands of these LUNATICS..... :grr:

[radwriter0555]

10. They've been massing them into European posts, along with equipment

for 2 months now... since the beginning of December. Someone here commented on how the movement of US air stuff then was similiar to the patterns of the invasion of afghanistan.

[KayLaw]

39. That's what I want to know

And I know I'm not alone. There are a lot of mothers out there who are just like me. Soccer moms, security moms, La Leche League moms, who are completely devoted to our children, and who did not spend our lives nursing our sons, singing and reading to them even before their births, watching Big Bird and Barney with them, carting them to dentists, doctors, and orthodontists, fussing over their nutrition and self-esteem,spending time and fortunes on music lessons, to have them used as cannon fodder in some phony ass, immoral, and unnecessary war!

:mad:

[damnraddem]

12. The Bushistas figure they'd better start another war.

After all, Dubya's bump in the polls after Saddam's capture is all gone, so they want to bump again. Sooner or later, Americans are likely to wonder just how much is enough -- and American soldiers to wonder how many of them have to die to help Dubya's electoral hopes.

[ewagner]

14. Healthy skepticism at first

When I saw this posted the other day there weren't any references but with Jane's as a source, I'm beginning to get the feeling that something is definitely afoot.

[radwriter0555]

16. LOL! as if the phony SANCTIONS last month weren't a BIG enough

clue?

;)

[radwriter0555]

17. Bush signs legislation on sanctions against Syria

REUTERS , WASHINGTON
Sunday, Dec 14, 2003,Page 7
US President George W. Bush on Friday signed legislation that provides for economic and diplomatic sanctions on Syria but also gives him the ability to waive penalties.

Bush signed the legislation in private and gave no indication of whether he intended to waive the sanctions. The White House had opposed the measure until Congress gave him broad waiver authority.

A US official said no decision had been made on waiving sanctions and the administration was still reviewing the issue.

Congress passed the legislation last month after the administration dropped its objections and accused Syria of ignoring US requests to crack down on Palestinian and Lebanese guerrilla groups.

A Bush statement said the law aimed to "strengthen the ability of the United States to conduct an effective foreign policy," but he did not regard its policy statements as binding and would reserve the president's constitutional authority to conduct foreign policy.

The bill bars trade in items that could be used in weapons programs until the administration certifies that Syria is not supporting terrorist groups, has withdrawn personnel from Lebanon, is not developing unconventional weapons and has secured its border with Iraq.

With trade between the two countries a modest US$300 million or less annually, the sanctions would have more political than economic effects.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

24. And this...

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/7678820.htm

Posted on Sat, Jan. 10, 2004

Bush aides debate attacking Syria
By Warren P. Strobel and John Walcott
Knight Ridder News Service

WASHINGTON - Senior aides to President Bush are vigorously debating what to do about Syria as evidence mounts that Damascus is stepping up support for the terror group Hezbollah and allowing anti-American insurgents to reach Iraq, U.S. officials said.

Civilians in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's office are pushing for military action against Syria and have drawn up plans for punitive airstrikes and cross-border incursions by U.S. forces, three officials said. They are not considering an invasion, they said.


Cheney/Runnie/Wolfie have their eye on Syria, just as they did Iraq, and will use/manufacture any opportunity they can to take them out.

[0007]

15. Glittering with Sharon's intellignece

What a move!

[aquart]

37. Yeah, tiny Israel runs the United States.

Because the Jews are so rich and clever and control the media, too.

Man, it never ends. Those Christians Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Bush are pawns, nothing but pawns in the hands of the Jews. Innocent pawns.

[xchrom]

18. get thee back to hell

rumsfeld.

[BigBigBear]

19. Desperation

He knows he'll be out of office in 10 months.

I think all these miscreants are dying to leaving the biggest, steamiest, runniest pile of foreign policy execrement possible for their Democrat successors.

[daleo]

22. If the November election can be rigged to be close

And there are enough wars in play, the Supreme Court can use national security as the reason to throw the presidency to Bush/PNAC again.

[Occulus]

42. No they bloody well can't.

And they know it. Having survived multiple assassinations, two world wars, a civil war, a cold war, and numerous police actions and internal strife such as the civil rights actions of the 1960s, there isn't any possible way any court could convince any American that we can't take it any longer.

They try that, and they will provoke a civil war.

[roguevalley]

23. they just pick a place on the map with a pin and nuke them. I'm moving

to New Zealand.

[wysi]

26. Come on down!

We've got lots of space here, and it's far away from everything except Australia! :-)

[Emillereid]

25. I say we drop Rummy on the Hizbullah

What a blood thirsty asshole!

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ElementaryPenguin]

29. We're fucked.

The blood thirsty BFEE/PNAC Mob is going to continue it's ruthless global assault, the lapdog Nazi press whores are going to spin it in the best possible light, and the uninformed/distracted/inattentive American sheeple will not bother to voice much of a complaint as the NeoCon revolution will continue - with the grand puppet monkey boy commander Bunny Pants - the AWOL Emperor ChickenHawk will be allowed to steal another 4 year term - in the world's most overrated, fastest declining "democracy!"

:puke:
:argh:

[Magleetis]

30. No abortion though

All life is too valuable don't you know.

[DevilsAdvocate2]

31. Was this a news story or an editorial?

It was filled with phrases like "might well provide, would be, would almost certainly, would be conducted". While i wouldn't put it past Rumsfeld, I also don't take this article as fact.

[Just Me]

32. I figured the Israeli strike against Lebanon was PNAC,...

,...inspired. This just bolsters my belief. Let's not forget, Perle says our children will sing if we just wage total war. Yuck!!! I still cannot believe such sick people are ruling our country.

[proud patriot]

33. This maddness must stop

:grr:

[NickB79]

34. Yeah, and Syria won't use its WMD's, right?

It is well-known that Syria has considerable stores of chemical and biological agents and the missiles to deliver them. That is not some BS spin like Bush did with Iraq; Syria really does have WMD's to counter Israel's nukes. Worst-case, yet still possible, scenario: US troops launch a massive offensive against Syria, but Syria manages to launch its warheads before the US can destroy their launch facilities. This also assumes they don't have mobile launchers that are harder to track and destroy. They could either launch against invading US troops or, if they really wanted to draw in other Arab states to help, hit Israel. Tens of thousands would die in minutes, Israel would threaten to launch nukes, and the shiite hits the fan.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[The Stranger]

40. Partially correct. But waging war without justification or provocation is

the plan, and the PNAC crew seeks to force Syria to an impossible decision: defend itself (like any nation on Earth would be expected to do) or resort to weapons that it does not want to use, even in the worst case scenario. It is damned if it protects itself, damned if it doesn't. Maybe we'll see Israeli fundamentalist settlers setting up in Syrian territory in the next few years, supported by Cheney, Wolfowitz, and the "Christian" White Supremacists that support them.

[dusty64]

38. Incredible, they

are going to try to drag us into another quagmire to boost their election chances. Where will this stop?

[MadHound]

41. One more step along the PNAC road to hell

I keep clueing people into the PNAC papers, telling them it reads off just like Mein Kampf. They don't believe me until they read it, and then they're shell shocked. This move into Syria has already been outlined by PNAC, and these assholes in power aren't going to deviate from their map one bit. Tell everybody you know that if they want to know what this misadministration is going to do, go to <http://www.newamericancentury.org/> and they can find out. These assholes are like Hitler, they're going to tell us what they're going to do, tell us when they do it, and then tell us when they're done, golden triangulation(paraphrasing Suskind/O'Neill from The Price of Loyalty). I think that the more people we have read this, the better our chances are come fall.