US Forever War in Syria and Elsewhere
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
Make no mistake. Washington intends endless war in Syria, the same scenario as in all its war theaters. US forces come to stay.
Republicans and undemocratic Dems pursue the same imperial aims, wanting sovereign independent governance replaced by pro-Western puppet rule everywhere.
Russia, China, and Iran are prime targets for regime change. The US pursues a permanent war policy, risking catastrophic consequences.
The existence of thermonukes makes it likely they’ll be used if war between two nuclear armed states occurs – an unthinkable yet real possibility one day.
Nuclear madness threatens everyone. Flashpoint conditions in Ukraine and Syria could spark possible global war.
Last month, Ukrainian official Yuri Bereza belligerently said Kiev has “all the forces and means” needed to attack and defeat Russia in the Sea of Azov.
If a hostile incident occurs endangering Russian forces, the Kremlin will certainly respond appropriately to protect them.
If the US allies belligerently with its installed Kiev puppet regime, confrontation between the world’s dominant nuclear powers could follow.
If US-backed large-scale Kiev aggression against Donbass is launched, a similar scenario could unfold if Moscow aids its freedom fighters.
According to senior Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) official Eduard Basurin last month, “(o)ur intelligence services have detected an attack group being positioned by the Ukrainian armed forces in the direction of Mariupol under cover of Shtorm 2018 exercises,” adding:
“Our units are placed in a state of maximum readiness and are prepared for any scenario, including holding a counterattack in case the opponent attacks.”
In mid-September, Trump threatened to attack Syrian forces if a CW incident occurs, automatically blamed on Damascus, no evidence proving otherwise considered.
At the time, the Wall Street Journal falsely reported that Assad “approved the use of chlorine during (an) attack on the last major militant stronghold in the country” in Idlib province.
Virtually all CW incidents throughout years of war were carried out by ISIS and other US-supported terrorists. No credible evidence proves Syrian forces ever used these banned weapons.
If another CW false flag occurs, Washington and its imperial partners are poised to attack Syrian forces – likely with greater force than earlier.
Weeks earlier, US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman General Joseph Dunford said the Pentagon prepared options to strike Syrian targets in response to a CW incident – if ordered by Trump.
In late August, Trump’s war secretary Mattis said Pentagon forces will remain in Syria to continue combatting ISIS (the US supports) and until “the Geneva process…mak(es) traction toward solving this war” – code language for US sought regime change.
“(I)t really comes down to finding a way to solve this problems of (Assad’s) making,” Mattis added.
Fact: Syria is Obama’s war, now Trump’s. The country was invaded and attacked by US-supported terrorists, supported by Pentagon-led terror-bombing – Assad responsibly defending his nation against US-sponsored aggression.
In late September on the sidelines of the 73rd UN General Assembly session, John Bolton said “(w)e’re not going to leave (Syria) as long as Iranian troops are outside Iranian borders, and that includes Iranian proxies and militias.”
At the same time in Washington, Mattis said “we have to address Iran. Everywhere you go in the Middle East where there’s instability you will find Iran.”
“So in terms of getting to the end state of the Geneva process, Iran, too, has a role to play, which is to stop fomenting trouble.”
“Right now our troops inside Syria are there for one purpose, and that’s under the UN authorization about defeating ISIS.”
Fact: No UN authorization for US forces in Syria exists – nor for any other foreign forces. Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah operate in the country legally – invited by Damascus.
Fact: Iranian military advisors are aiding Assad combat ISIS and other terrorists in Syria. Washington supports this scourge it pretends to oppose.
According to Syrian media citing local sources, US helicopters on Saturday airlifted wounded and other ISIS fighters from Deir Ezzor province to an unknown location near the Iraqi border.
The same thing happened many times before, re-deploying ISIS commanders and fighters from one area to another.
Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami earlier said his country will continue supporting Damascus combat terrorism, adding no “third party” will dictate what its policy should be.
Separately on Sunday, Assad said “(t)he position of the Syrian state is clear. (Idlib) province and other Syrian territories remaining under the control of terrorists will return to the Syrian state” control, adding:
The Idlib demilitarized zone agreement is temporary, delaying plans to liberate the province, not ending them.
According to Russia’s Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East Mikhail Bogdanov, Idlib militants refusing to lay down their weapons and leave the buffer zone will be arrested or eliminated.
The zone is to be fully established by October 20 – an unattainable objective if Al Nusra and other US-supported terrorists refuse to comply.
Syria’s Western and regional enemies intend continued military, political, and economic war on the country. Longterm challenges remain to overcome their objectives.
A Final Comment
Israel said it intends using F-35 stealth warplanes to continue terror-bombing Syrian targets.
The Pentagon already is using F-22 stealth warplanes in the country, perhaps intending their exclusive use in response to enhanced Syrian air defense capabilities.
It’s unclear if Russian S-300 air defense systems supplied to Syrian forces can detect and down these aircraft.
The answer should be known before long, a potential game-changer if hostile stealth aircraft are vulnerable to be struck.
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My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."
