http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/20135248428250959.html
http://news.antiwar.com/2013/05/22/us-willing-to-keep-assad-to-avoid-regional-war/
As violence skyrockets in neighboring Iraq, and nations like Lebanon and Turkey also see destabilizing incidents along their borders, the concern of Syria’s civil war turning regional is growing, and the administration, or at least much of it, now believes that keeping Assad in place is a small price to pay to avoid that eventuality.
Israeli Major General Amir Eshel, the head of the nation’s air force, says Israel is also planning to attack Syria the moment Assad’s government falls, warning that the war could be sudden, happening “at a few hours’ notice.”
Russia: Syria agrees to take part in talks |
Foreign ministry says Assad government has agreed "in principle" to attend US-Russia brokered proposed peace conference.
Last Modified: 24 May 2013 08:38
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The main opposition body is holding a second day of talks in Istanbul to discuss the US-Russia initiative [Reuters]
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Russia says the Syrian government had agreed in principle to attend an international peace conference proposed by Russia and the US, and criticised what it called attempts to undermine peace efforts.
The summit has been suggested by the US and Russia and could take place in the Swiss city of Geneva.
"We note with satisfaction that we have received an agreement in principle from Damascus to attend the international conference, in the interest of Syrians themselves finding a political path to resolve the conflict, which is ruinous for the nation and region," Alexander Lukashevich, Russian foreign ministry spokesman, said on Friday.
Faisal Mekdad, Syrian deputy foreign minister, said after talks in Moscow on Wednesday the government would soon decide whether to take part in the conference aimed at bringing government and opposition representatives together for talks.
Lukashevich said international action including a May 15 UN General Assembly resolution that praised the opposition and condemned President Bashar al-Assad's forces has "essentially pushed [the opposition)]to reject negotiations".
Some European media have reported that the conference has been tentatively scheduled to be held on June 10.
But Lukashevich said such reports "cannot be taken seriously" because the ranks of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's foes remain so divided.
"Demands to immediately name a specific date for the conference without having clarity about who, and with what authority, will speak in the name of the opposition, cannot be taken seriously," Lukashevich said.
The opposition Syrian National Coalition, which is currently meeting in Istanbul, to discuss an interim government, has said it will only go to "Geneva II" if Assad steps down as president.
Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from the Turkish city, said the Syrian opposition was "not excited" about the Russian announcement.
"For the opposition, they feel Assad has to send a senior member of government with the message that Assad will be handing over power," as anything less would just be seen as "window dressing".
"There is growing mistrust and divide between the Syrian opposition and the Russians," he said.
"The Syrian opposition says Russia is not a geniune broker of peace because it is a staunch ally of Assad."
The Syrian National Coalition, which is main opposition group based outside the country, entered a second day of talks on Friday aimed at finding an approach to the joint Russian-US peace push.
The first Geneva meeting in June last year ended in a broad agreement aimed at forming a transition government in Syria and introducing a long-lasting truce.
But the deal was never implemented because of disagreements over Assad's role in the new government and neither side's decision to lay down their arms.
Credibility at Stake as Syrian Rebels Debate Peace TalksJune Talks Mostly Opposed, But Not Participating Carries a Risk
by Jason Ditz, May 23, 2013
Intense debate in ongoing in the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) over whether or not to participate in the upcoming Geneva 2 conference aimed at ending the ongoing civil war. The rebel SNC has not decided on the matter despite UN Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi already claiming they would attend.
It’s a difficult matter for the SNC as it tries to find a position that allows them to resist ending the war without looking like they are doing so. Leaders in the SNC debate are openly condemning the talks, and warning it would amount to “surrender” to attend without setting their usual preconditions of unconditionally ousting the current government.
At the same time, other members say that keeping their current strategy of spurning peace talks of general principle is going to cost them huge amounts of credibility with the international community, particularly with the US now supporting the talks.
Yet the SNC has limited support among the actual rebel fighters to begin with, and they might lose what support they have if they agree to end the war at a time whenIslamist rebels are determined to conquer not only Syria, but the entire region.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/pomegranate/2013/05/syrias-fighters-0
An interview with Jabhat al-Nusra
The interviewee is a young fighter from Jabhat al-Nusra, an extremist Sunni group in Syria affiliated with al-Qaeda in Iraq. A former teacher and then tiler, he is dressed in well-ironed black trousers, a white shirt and a black turban. A gun rests on his lap. He is accompanied by an older man, who appears to be judging him on his answers. Both are Syrian and ask not to be named because they do not have permission to speak to the press.
How has Jabhat al-Nusra become so powerful?
The reason is the weakening of the other groups. Jabhat al-Nusra gets the advantage because of our ideology. We are not just rebels; we are doing something we believe in. We are not just fighting against tyranny; Bashar Assad is only part of our fight. The other groups are only a reaction to the regime, whereas we are fighting for a vision.
What is that vision?
We are fighting to apply what Allah said to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. We are fighting so people don’t look to other people but only to Allah. We don’t believe in complete freedom: it is restricted by Allah’s laws. Allah created us and he knows what is best for us.
What future do you see for Syria—or do you even see a Syria in the future?
We want the future that Islam commands. Not a country with borders but an umma [worldwide Islamic community of believers] of all the Muslim people. All Muslims should be united.
Syria has long been known for its sectarian diversity. How do you view the other sects?
The other sects are protected by the Islamic state. Muhammad, peace be upon him, had a Jewish neighbour, for example, and he was always good to him. But the power and authority must be with the believers [Sunnis], not the unbelievers.
What about other Sunnis who are more moderate than you?
We will apply sharia law to them.
What about Alawites?
Allah knows what will happen to them. There is a difference between the basic kuffar [infidels] and those who converted from Islam. If the latter, we must punish them. Alawites are included. Even Sunnis who want democracy are kuffar as are all Shia. It’s not about who is loyal and who isn’t to the regime; it’s about their religion. Sharia says there can be no punishment of the innocent and there must be punishment of the bad; that’s what we follow.
Did you lose or gain fighters following the announcement that you are linked to al-Qaeda in Iraq?
We’re with anything that represents real Islam, whether al-Qaeda or otherwise. If there is a better group, we’ll go with them instead. The effect of the announcement is that now we know our friends and our enemies. The good people will come to our side and the bad people will leave.
Many, maybe most, Syrians do not share your views. Do you care?
It would be great if the Syrians were with us but the kuffar are not important. Abraham and Sarah were facing all the infidels, for example, but they were doing the right thing. The number with us doesn’t matter.
Which other rebel groups do you see as acceptable? Ahrar al-Sham, another Salafist group, criticised your links to al-Qaeda.
I think only 5% of the battalions are against the Islamic vision. Ahrar al-Sham are a mixture of Islamists and people who like Allah so we are not sure about their vision. We are very clear as the Prophet, peace be upon him, made it very clear to us. Other groups have good beliefs but we are the only committed ones.
Will the differences lead to clashes, as have happened in some places? And how would you react if Western powers decide to arm other rebel groups?
If the arms reach people who will fight Assad and Hizbullah that’s okay. If they use them against us, then that’s a problem. We’ll avoid fighting [other groups] if we can. The West wants to ruin Syria.
How hard is it to become a member of Jabhat al-Nusra?
We examine those who want to join. First you must be loyal to the idea of Jabhat al-Nusra. Second, you must get a recommendation [from someone in the organisation]. Third, you go to a camp to be educated and practice, and take the oath of loyalty to the emir [the group’s leader].
Do you plan to carry out operations against the West in the future?
There is no permanent friendship and no permanent enemy. We’ll do whatever is in the interest of Muslims. The first duty on us is to fight the kuffar among us here in the occupied Muslim lands. The next duty will be decided later.
Do you have contact with the Syrian regime?
If it is in the interest of the Muslims, such as for gas or water, then we have no problem. These matters are in the hands of the emir.
Your presence helps the regime which has long tried to portray the opposition as extremist. What do you think about that?
The regime maybe benefits but in the end we’ll show all humans, Syrian and otherwise, the way, and true Islam.
What are your views of women?
The woman in Islam has a special role. She is respected as a wife, a sister, a mother, a daughter. She is a jewel we should preserve and look after. In the West they gave women freedom but they use them and don’t respect them. The woman is to use in adverts. We don’t have an issue with the woman working according to her mind and body. But not jobs that humiliate. Jewellery is okay on women, but not on men, and not too much. Make up should be just for your husband. You can wear coloured clothes and show your face. [The older man disagrees, saying women should cover their face and hands.]
Shouldn't men also cover up to avoid women looking at other people's husbands?
Our women ask the same question. Some men can’t control themselves and the woman is the source. It’s easier to prevent abuse. The men’s role is to go out and work. Man’s brain is bigger than the woman’s—that’s scientifically proven. Men’s brains have different areas for speaking and thinking, but women’s don’t which is why women they say what they think.
What if your interpretation of the Koran is wrong?
There are two types of verse. Firstly ones that are stable and unchanging, such as head-covering. Secondly ones on which people can differ, such as the rule demanding ablution after touching a woman. Does that mean touching her skin or intercourse? Opinions can differ.
Do you consider any Islamists too radical, like the Taliban, for example?
There are people committed to Islam and then those far from it. No one committed is too radical. We haven’t met anyone from the Taliban but they seem good Muslims because they defended their religion and the occupation, they kicked out the enemy and applied sharia.
Did you study religion?
I was poor but I read the Bible, and lots of Jewish and Islamic books. My head and heart told me to accept the Koran and the Sunna [accompanying religious texts]. Islam is different because it has a complete view of life, society, politics, economics—it is a complete system.
We hear there is a split inside Jabhat al-Nusra about your links to al-Qaeda. Do you disagree about that or other matters?
There are small differences, but when we give loyalty, we obey.
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LAST week Syrians lost access to the Internet for the second time in a month. While the Assad regime claims the lapses were the result of a faulty network link, the evidence suggests that they were deliberate efforts by the government to hamper the opposition’s ability to communicate inside the country and with the outside world.
As American policy makers debate additional measures to pressure President Bashar al-Assad and aid moderate elements of the opposition, they should consider a military cybercampaign to give Syrians the ability to communicate freely online. Doing so would serve our strategic interests, while also demonstrating a principled commitment to Internet freedom.
For example, through the military’s new Cyber Command, we could create a digital “safe haven,” akin to physical safe havens for refugees, by deploying long-distance Wi-Fi technologies along Syria’s borders and in rebel-held areas in coordination with vetted opposition groups. Platforms that enable transmission of Wi-Fi signals over distances of up to 60 miles are already in use in parts of South Asia and other rural markets.
Read More...
For example, through the military’s new Cyber Command, we could create a digital “safe haven,” akin to physical safe havens for refugees, by deploying long-distance Wi-Fi technologies along Syria’s borders and in rebel-held areas in coordination with vetted opposition groups. Platforms that enable transmission of Wi-Fi signals over distances of up to 60 miles are already in use in parts of South Asia and other rural markets.
Read More...
http://news.antiwar.com/2013/05/22/us-willing-to-keep-assad-to-avoid-regional-war/
US Willing to Keep Assad to Avoid Regional War
Russia: Rebels Don't Seem on Board With Talks
by Jason Ditz, May 22, 2013
Though the “official” US position on Syria seems to change wildly by the hour and is based primarily on who is talking and who is standing near them at the time, new reports suggest the Obama Administration is ready to ditch their demands for regime change.
As violence skyrockets in neighboring Iraq, and nations like Lebanon and Turkey also see destabilizing incidents along their borders, the concern of Syria’s civil war turning regional is growing, and the administration, or at least much of it, now believes that keeping Assad in place is a small price to pay to avoid that eventuality.
Which of course rests on the same premise as the US demanding regime change: the administration’s inescapable assumption that they, and not the Syrians, ought to decide who wins and loses this war. Even the past international talks have centered more on the US and Russia, with Syria’s government and rebels mostly sidelined.
The reality though is that the rebels are not on board with the idea of peace in the first place, a fact which some US officials are loathe to admit but which is drawing growing Russian concerns that the talks won’t have a serious, influential rebel component.
US government position is, as always a nebulous work-in-progress, with Secretary of State John Kerry still loudly pledging virtually unconditional support for the rebels even as the indications are that much of the rest of the cabinet is getting really concerned by the rebels reliance on Jabhat al-Nusra, the al-Qaeda faction in the fight, and the lack of secular leaders of any note.
http://news.antiwar.com/2013/05/22/general-israel-prepared-to-attack-syria-if-assad-falls/
General: Israel Prepared to Attack Syria If Assad Falls
Israel Threatens Assad, and Also Whoever Might Replace Him
by Jason Ditz, May 22, 2013
Israeli officials have been making much of their plans to launch additional attacksagainst Syria’s Assad government, but that doesn’t mean that they’re any more keen on whoever might replace him.
Israeli Major General Amir Eshel, the head of the nation’s air force, says Israel is also planning to attack Syria the moment Assad’s government falls, warning that the war could be sudden, happening “at a few hours’ notice.”
Israel has couched their attacks against Assad’s government around putative arms transfers to Hezbollah, and say that the Israeli military is prepared to exert the “full spectrum of its might” against post-Assad Syria. Unlike the current attacks, which are seemingly random and don’t go anywhere, Eshel says Israelis should prepare for a “protracted” war with post-Assad Syria.
Of course, Israeli military leaders are always talking up protracted and bloody wars with any number of their neighbors, but the timing of the comments suggest that Israel is comfortable with its current line of attacks on Syria and unwilling to let regime change get in the way.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-braces-for-massive-chemical-warfare-drill/
Israel to hold massive chemical warfare drill
Next week’s nationwide exercise to focus on grappling with missile strikes on civilians
May 22, 2013, 3:45 pm 2
IDF Home Front Command soldiers take part in a 2011 defense drill simulating a chemical attack (photo credit: Gili Yaari/Flash 90)
The exercise was originally scheduled to take place three weeks ago but was postponed due to tension with Syria. The simulation, which is being run in conjunction with the emergency response services, starts Sunday morning as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces a week of national emergency preparedness.Head of the Home Front Command Maj. Gen. Eyal Eisenberg said Tuesday that the outbreak of a war in which Israel would be hit with a “large volume of rocket fire” was a certainty. “Our opponents hold long-range missiles with large warheads and a carrying capacity of hundreds of pounds,” he said.
The drill will include preparation for possible missile strikes against Israel, particularly in the greater Tel Aviv area. The first few days will center on protecting civilian populations at public institutions and private households. Two alarms will be sounded on Monday, at 12:30 p.m. and 7:05 p.m., and citizens will be requested to go to protected rooms or bomb shelters and to stay inside for 10 minutes.
The drill will mark the first time an entire network of early warning systems will be tested. In addition to sirens, civilians are to receive alerts from various sources, including from cellphones, social networks, and the television.
Home Front Defense Minister Gilad Erdan warned Tuesday that rockets raining down on densely populated areas in Israel “are only a matter of time” and could happen at any moment. He referred to the threat posed to Israel by Syria and Iran’s unconventional weapons stockpiles.
“The question is no longer will rockets be fired at the large populated areas in Israel, the question is when it’ll happen,” Erdan told reporters during a briefing ahead of a large drill in southern Israel on Wednesday. He said the battles being fought no longer distinguish between the front line and the home front, as missiles and rockets allow strikes far from the battlefield.
Israeli jets reportedly struck sites near Damascus twice earlier this month, aiming to stop the transfer of advanced Fateh-110 missiles to the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah. Although Israel never took official responsibility for the strikes, it has said it will continue to act to stop weapons transfers and an unnamed official even reportedly threatened to topple the regime in Damascus should President Bashar Assad hit back at Israel for any further strikes. Syria, for its part, has threatened to retaliate if it is hit again.
Earlier this week, the UK’s Sunday Times reported that Damascus put a number of advanced weapons on standby to strike Israel, should Jerusalem hit targets inside Syria again. According to the report, satellite images show Syria has readied its stock of Tishreen missiles for use against Tel Aviv.
US Secretary of State John Kerry stated recently that “strong evidence” exists that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons against its people. Kerry’s comments came the same day that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu cited tests on Syrian war casualties being treated in Turkey that indicated chemical weapons had been used against them.
Damascus’s large stockpile of chemical weapons, and President Bashar Assad’s refusal to sign international accords banning them, has become a major international concern as the civil war in Syria rages on.
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