The New Dark Age

20 August 2011 — williambowles.info

20 August 2011

Jay Rothermel, “Who Defends Syria’s Sovereignty?”
MRZine.org Today at 15:43
While no one on the Diane Rehm Show would be so bold as to say it, clearly US imperialism has suffered a series of setbacks in the region and is now operating from a position of disadvantage. Their long-term funding of Syrian opposition groups, like their long-term funding of so-called Libya oppositionists (all revealed by Wikileaks), has given Washington and its allies little decisive strategic traction. Whatever the tempo and direction of the mass movements in Tunisia and Egypt, they have not today been boxed in by imperialism. Despite attempts to isolate Damascus as well as Tripoli, popular governments and organizations from Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez to the leadership of Hezbollah and Hamas have spoken out in favor of Syria’s sovereignty. At a time when the Wall Street ruling class and its allies are suffering crises at home and military setbacks abroad, it is not time to side with forces in the Middle East supported by the likes of Joseph Lieberman and James Woolsey.”

US, European powers demand resignation of Syria’s Assad
World Socialist Web Site Today at 15:01
Barack Obama called for the resignation of Syrian President Bashar Assad, in a move aimed at bringing Damascus more directly into line with US interests.

Syria: Obama Threatens U.S. Military Intervention By Sara Flounders
William Bowles.info Today at 12:21InI
President Barack Obama on Aug. 18 demanded that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad step down, saying that the Syrian leader’s days are numbered. The governments of Britain, France and Germany joined in this demand. This statement is a blatant imperialist interference in Syria’s internal affairs.

UK backs further Syria sanctions
BBC News Today at 11:23
Foreign Office Minister Alastair Burt says the UK will back further sanctions against Syria over alleged killings of anti-government protesters.

At least 5 people killed by armed groups across Syria: report
Strategic Culture Foundation Today at 08:18

More deaths in Syria as army fires on protesters
Strategic Culture Foundation Today at 06:02

At least 20 killed in Syria, despite Assad’s pledge to UN
Boston Globe
The killings, which came as thousands poured into the streets across Syria, suggest the autocratic leader is either unwilling to stop the violence or is not fully in control of his own regime. Although Assad told United Nations Secretary General Ban …
http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2011/08/20/at_least_20_killed_in_syria_despite_bashar_assads_pledge_to_un/

Tanks rumble into Homs, as 33 killed across Syria
AFP
DAMASCUS — Tanks rumbled into the central city of Homs at dawn on
Saturday, a day after security forces killed at least 33 anti-regime
protesters across Syria, adding urgency to a UN mission expected this
weekend. “Several tanks took up positions at …
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jVgGiHortFsAktmhRZfIy4LlYTpg?docId=CNG.2743f9b4f5fe8ae8daa339edbc89eb26.151

Syria poised to grant access to detainees: ICRC
Reuters
By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) – Syria is on the verge of granting
access for the first time to its prisons — where thousands of activists
and other civilians arrested in pro-democracy protests are believed to be
held — the International …
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/19/us-syria-redcross-idUSTRE77I4QZ20110819

International Court lacks jurisdiction over Syria
Washington Post (blog)
“The Office of the Prosecutor at this stage has no jurisdiction to
investigate these allegations because Syria is not a State Party to the
Rome Statute which governs the ICC.” Navi Pillay, the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights, …
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/checkpoint-washington/post/international-court-lacks-jurisdiction-over-syria/2011/08/19/gIQAAu08PJ_blog.html

PHL working on Pinoys’ repatriation from Syria
GMANews.TV
A Philippine team is securing travel documents needed for the repatriation
of the first batch of Filipinos from violence-plagued Syria. The Department
of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that as of early Saturday, some 60 Filipinos
have signified their …
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/229973/pinoy-abroad/phl-working-on-pinoys-repatriation-from-syria

Pressure piling on Syria’s Assad
China Daily
UNITED NATIONS – A humanitarian mission is readying to visit Syria on the
weekend, the United Nations said, as European powers press the UN Security
Council for tough sanctions against the government for its crackdown. As a
UN official announced the …
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2011-08/20/content_13155051.htm

Amateur videos show Syria protests
Washington Post
Amateur videos released on Friday were claimed to show thousands of
protesters flooding onto the streets across Syrian cities, shouting for the
ouster of President Bashar Assad as his embattled regime. (Aug. 19) (/The
Associated Press) Correction: …
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/amateur-videos-show-syria-protests/2011/08/19/gIQA90nbQJ_video.html

BLITZER’S BLOG: Assad must go – but where?
CNN (blog)
I suspect he can’t simply retire somewhere in Syria. The protesters in
Syria no doubt would like to arrest him and try him for killing more than
2000 people in the last few months. They probably would like to see him in
a courtroom cage – sort of like …
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/19/blitzers-blog-assad-must-go-but-where/

JURIST – Paper Chase: UN rights chief urges Syria ICC probe
By Jaclyn Belczyk
JURIST – Paper Chase: UN rights chief urges Syria ICC probe.
http://jurist.org/paperchase/2011/08/un-rights-chief-urges-syria-icc-probe.php

Assad resignation would destabilize Syria – Moscow — RT
By RT
At least four people have reportedly been killed and dozens injured in
Syria after the army opened fire on anti-government protesters. The attack
comes after the US and the EU called for Syria’s leader to step down.
http://rt.com/news/syria-assad-step-moscow/

RealClearPolitics – Where’s the Syria Plan?
By Eugene Robinson, Indianapolis Star
Where’s the Syria Plan? By Eugene Robinson. WASHINGTON — It’s hard to
argue with President Obama’s call for Bashar al-Assad, the bloodthirsty
Syrian dictator, to step down. But it’s also hard to discern any logic or
consistency in the …
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/08/19/wheres_the_syria_plan_111014.html

Obama Administration Takes Long-Overdue Action on Syria
By James Phillips
The Obama Administration finally took action to condemn Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad’s violent repression of peaceful demonstrators and call for
his resignation.
http://blog.heritage.org/2011/08/19/obama-administration-takes-long-overdue-action-on-syria/

NewsDaily: Analysis: Peril and promise in twin Syria, Libya crises
By Mark Hosenball and Laura MacInnis
Now that he has called for Syria’s leader to leave, President Barack Obama
faces the daunting challenge of smoothing the way to a post-Assad era —
just as another Arab strongman looks increasingly beleaguered in Libya.
http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre77i6pc-us-usa-mideast/

Syria… | Green Party of Canada
I don’t have too much to say regarding Syria. I hope everyone is following
what is happening. The fact that Syria’s navy is now firing heavy artillery
…
http://greenparty.ca/blogs/14516/2011-08-15/syria

19 August 2011

At least 5 people killed by armed groups across Syria: report
GlobalResearch.ca Yesterday at 21:48
For more details, please click on the link to read the article.

Russian Foreign Ministry, “Regarding the Situation in Syria: ‘We Do Not Share the US and EU Point of View concerning President Bashar al-Assad’”
MRZine.org Yesterday at 19:00
Question: Please comment on the calls of US President Barack Obama and EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down. Answer: Our position on the events in the Syrian Arab Republic (SAR) is that the leadership of the country headed by President Bashar al-Assad has to be given more time to carry out the declared major program of political and economic reforms. . . . We believe that a clear and unambiguous signal has been sent to the Syrians about the need to end all violence. This signal is also for the opposition, which should enter into dialogue with the authorities and dissociate itself from extremists. Outside encouragement of the radical forces that incite tension in the SAR, we strongly believe, is inadmissible. Based on these considerations, we would like to point out that we do not share the US and EU point of view concerning President Bashar al-Assad and will continue to pursue our consistent and principled line on Syria.

UN team lists Syrian rights violations
Morning Star Yesterday at 16:44
Government forces in Syria may have committed crimes against humanity by conducting summary executions, torturing prisoners and targeting children in their crackdown against opposition protesters and insurgents, a high-level UN human rights team said on Thursday.”

Syrian president may announce changes to constitution
Strategic Culture Foundation Yesterday at 15:03″

Assad resignation would destabilize Syria – Moscow
Russiatoday.ru Yesterday at 13:40 RT
At least four people have reportedly been killed and dozens injured in Syria after the army opened fire on anti-government protesters. The attack comes after the US and the EU called for Syria’s leader to step down….

Syria: Obama Threatens U.S. Military Intervention
GlobalResearch.ca Yesterday at 12:14
For more details, please click on the link to read the article.

‘It’s not peace but regime change the US is after in Syria’
Russiatoday.ru Yesterday at 12:09 RT
Barack Obama’s call for the resignation of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad indicates that the US’s true aim in Syria is not peace but regime change, believes journalist and broadcaster Neil Clark.”

The West encircles Assad
Asia Times Online Yesterday at Noon
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s days appear numbered after Russia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia cleared the path for the coordinated demands for his resignation that have now come from the West. Anticipated sanctions from Europe will make it more difficult for Assad to cling to power, but with opposition to the regime largely unstructured, his ouster could still be turbulent. – Jim Lobe (Aug 19, ’11)

Russia advises US and EU to hold their horses on Syria
Russiatoday.ru Yesterday at 11:41
Moscow is calling for Washington and Brussels to give Syrian President Bashar Assad, whose government is attempting to contain large scale anti-government protests, more time for enacting promised political reforms…”

Activists call new Syria protests
BBC News Yesterday at 10:39
Activists call for renewed protests to test Syria’s assertion its crackdown on civilians has stopped, as pressure mounts on President Assad to step down.”

“Syrians Tweet Back to Obama”
MRZine.org Yesterday at 08:30
Haneen Khaddour (18 August 2011): ‘Here we go again #american intervention. No one wants you in #syria’; Sate Hamza (18 August 2011): ‘Ya’ aha Obama. So someone injected in your brain the idea that you represent us Syrians? Gee thanks for lettin us know. Now buzz off. #Syria’; Maher Al Shaaban (18 August 2011): ‘Heard Obama say ‘Syria would be better without Assad’, well guess what Mr President ‘the whole universe would be better without the US”; ‘And of course by the US I mean United States government #previoustweet’; 3arabiSouri (19 August 2011): ‘#Syria – #Obama still thinks he’s the leader of the super power that carries the role of world policeman, via fro.gy/1bz1h’ . . .”

Military, police operations in Syria suspended – official
Strategic Culture Foundation Yesterday at 07:51

Pepe Escobar, “Why the Syrian Regime Won’t Fall”
MRZine.orgYesterday at 04:50
House of Saud and Gulf wealth is actively financing the more unsavory strand of Syrian protests — the radicalized Muslim Brotherhood/fundamentalist/Salafi nebula. . . . The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is overwhelmingly Sunni. They are playing for the regional Sunni gallery. But the AKP should be aware that at least 20% of Turks are Shi’ites from the Alevi branch, and they have a lot of empathy with Syrian Allawis. . . . The Assad regime has done the math and realized it won’t fall as long as the protests don’t reach the capital Damascus and the major city of Aleppo — that is, convulse the urban middle class. The security/military apparatus is fully behind Assad. All Syrian religious minorities make up at least 25% of the population; they are extremely fearful of Sunni fundamentalists. Secular Sunnis for their part fear a regime change that would lead to either an Islamist takeover or chaos. So it’s fair to argue the majority of Syrians are indeed behind their government — as inept and heavy-handed as it may be. Moreover, the Assad regime knows the conditions are not ripe for a Libyan-style North Atlantic Treaty Organization bombing campaign in Syria. There won’t even be a vote for a UN resolution — Russia and China have already made it clear. Europe is melting — and it will hardly sign up for added ill-planned adventurism. Especially after the appalling spectacle of those dodgy types of the Libyan transitional council killing their military leader and fighting their tribal wars in the open — with the added ludicrous touch of Britain recognizing the ‘rebels’ the same day they were killing and burning the body of their ‘commander’.”

The `Forgotten Population` Needs a Solution
occupation magazine – articles Yesterday at 00:59
Joharah Baker – MIFTAH – Let’s imagine that Bashaar Al Assad’s regime fell tomorrow. The Syrians, in spite of the thousands of deaths, injuries and disappearances they have endured, will rejoice. The Palestinians too will be happy for their Syrian counterparts when the tyrant falls, but that doesn’t mean that their own problems are solved. The refugee problem in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and inside of Palestine deserves a separate and just solution. They are not punching bags for other regimes to pummel. And they should never be forgotten.”

UN to send Syria assessment team
BBC News Yesterday at 00:48
The UN is to send a humanitarian mission to Syria on Saturday to assess the situation there, as Damascus repeats claims that army operations against protesters have stopped.”

Syria prayers to test Assad’s pledge over crackdown
Reuters
Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad attends a news conference at the Elysee
Palace in Paris in this July 12, 2008 file photo. By Khaled Yacoub Oweis
AMMAN, Aug 19 – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s pledge to the world that
he has halted his crackdown …
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/19/us-syria-idUSTRE77D0LP20110819

Suncor weighs effects of Syria sanctions
Calgary Herald
Palestinian youths stage a sit-in this week in Ramallah to protest Syria’s
brutal crackdown on anti-regime protesters. Oil markets should quietly
swallow the loss of modest Syrian supplies, even if Europe today joins
Washington in slapping new …
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Suncor+weighs+effects+Syria+sanctions/5276841/story.html

OWWA 11 offers repatriation assistance to OFWs in Syria
Philippine Information Agency
19 (PIA) -– The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in the
region has called on the kin of Overseas Filipino Workers working in Syria
who may wish for voluntary repatriation to coordinate with the agency for
assistance. …
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=49805

Syria, Libya and Middle East unrest – live updates
The Guardian (blog)
Friday protests expected in Syria after world leaders call for Bashar
al-Assad to step down. Blasts heard in Tripoli as Libyan rebels continue
battle for Zawiyah To receive updated content, refresh the page (F5 for a
web browser). …
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/aug/19/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest

Syrian forces shoot at protesters, killing 2
Danbury News Times
BASSEM MROUE, AP In this photo taken on a government-organized tour, Syrian
soldiers atop armored personnel carrier cheer on their way out of the
eastern city of Deir el-Zour, Syria, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2011. State-run news
agency SANA said army units …
http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Syrian-forces-shoot-at-protesters-killing-2-2123013.php

Iraq Leader Says the Arab Spring Benefits Israel
New York Times
By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT BAGHDAD — While Western leaders including President
Obama called on President Bashar al-Assad of Syria to step down, Iraq’s
prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, warned Arab leaders in a speech on
Thursday that Israel would …
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/world/middleeast/19iraq.html

Activists: Syria cracks down on protesters ahead of Friday demos
Monsters and Critics.com
At least 1855 civilians and 421 security personnel have been killed since
protests started in Syria in mid-March, according to the London-based
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It is hard to verify these reports, as
the Syrian authorities have …
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1657873.php/Activists-Syria-cracks-down-on-protesters-ahead-of-Friday-demos

Russia opposes Western calls for Syria’s Assad to go
Reuters
MOSCOW, Aug. 19 (Reuters) – Moscow opposes US and European calls for Syrian
President Bashar al-Assad to step down and believes he needs time to
implement reforms, Interfax news agency cited a Russian foreign ministry
source as saying on Friday. …
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/19/russia-syria-idUSLDE77I06H20110819

FACT SHEET ON SYRIA | The White House
By The White House
Syria has been designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism since December 1979.
An additional layer of sanctions was added in May 2004 with the issuance of
Executive Order 13338, which implemented the Syria Accountability and
Lebanese …
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/08/18/fact-sheet-syria

When the United States says “jump,” Syria says…. | Daniel W. Drezner
By Daniel W. Drezner
The future of Syria must be determined by its people, but President Bashar
al-Assad is standing in their way. His calls for dialogue and reform have
rung hollow while he is imprisoning, torturing, and slaughtering his own
people. …
http://drezner.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/08/18/when_the_united_states_says_jump_syria_says

Dr. Josef Olmert: Game Change for Syria
By Dr. Josef Olmert
Whether American statesmen will admit it or not, today’s announcement by
the president is opening a chain of events that is leading to the final
demise of the current murderous regime in Damascus.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-josef-olmert/obama-syria-assad-_b_930528.html

Syria: Al-Assad must resign, says Obama – News – Mail & Guardian …
The leaders of Britain, France and Germany issued a statement saying
Al-Assad should “leave power in the greater interests of Syria”.
http://mg.co.za/article/2011-08-19-syria-alassad-must-resign-says-obama/

Romney and Santorum hit Obama over Syria – CNN Political Ticker …
By gschwarzcnn
(CNN) — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney lambasted President
Barack Obama’s leadership Thursday saying his call for Syrian leader Bashar
al-Assad to step down comes after too much blood has been shed in the
country.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/18/romney-hits-obama-over-syria/

Syria orders thousands into stadium in Latakia crackdown – Los …
Syrian security forces cracking down on opposition strongholds in Latakia
herded thousands of people into a stadium and took away their
identification cards …
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/16/world/la-fg-syria-latakia-20110816

Protesters defy crackdown in Syria – Middle East – Al Jazeera English
Night demonstrations held in several cities as Syrian interior ministry
says security operation in Latakia has ended.
http://aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/08/2011816201013552300.html

18 August 2011

US to call on Syria’s Assad to step down
CBS News
In this photo taken on a government-organized tour, a Syrian man shouts in
support of President Bashar Assad, seen on the flag, as residents cheer for
Syrian soldiers leaving the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, Syria, Aug. 16,
2011. …
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/08/18/501364/main20093898.shtml

Arab countries back emergency UN session Syria violence
Jerusalem Post
The UN Human Rights Council will hold an emergency session on Monday on the
escalating violence in Syria after 24 countries including four Arab members
– Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia – backed the European Union
initiative, a UN statement said …
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=234265

Phl orders temporary deployment ban to Syria
Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines – Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz today
announced that the Philippine government is temporarily banning the
deployment of Filipino workers to Syria. “The temporary ban covers all
workers planning to work in Syria for …
http://www.philstar.com/pinoyworldwide/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=718152&section=pwwnewsarticle

Notes From Homs: A Reporter’s Trip to One of Syria’s Most Rebellious Cities
New York Times (blog)
Recently, an employee of The New York Times had the opportunity to spend
four days in the city of Homs, Syria’s third largest and one center of a
resilient opposition. The reporter, who is Syrian, collaborated with
Anthony Shadid, the Beirut bureau …
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/17/notes-from-homs-a-reporters-trip-to-one-of-syrias-most-rebellious-cities/

Syria’s Most Wanted: A Glimpse of Life on the Run with Army Defectors
TIME
TIME spoke to one of the most senior defectors, Colonel Hussein Harmoush,
in northern Syria in June, just hours before he crossed into Turkey.
Harmoush now claims to speak for the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA), a
loose grouping of defectors that is …
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2089182,00.html

EU To Discuss Major Syria Sanctions Expansion
Wall Street Journal (blog)
By Samuel Rubenfeld Ambassadors from member states of the European Union
will meet Friday to discuss a significant widening of sanctions on Syria,
Dow Jones Newswires reported, citing diplomatic officials. The diplomatic
officials said they expect the …
http://blogs.wsj.com/corruption-currents/2011/08/17/eu-to-discuss-major-syria-sanctions-expansion/

Shadow Government: Time to boot the Syrian envoy from Washington
Foreign Policy
The prevailing debate over whether or not the US Senate should confirm
Robert Ford as the US ambassador to Syria raises many interesting points,
as highlighted by the likes of Elliott Abrams, Mike Singh, and Senator
Joseph Lieberman, among others. …
http://shadow.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/08/17/time_to_boot_the_syrian_envoy_from_washington

MPs want govt to freeze Syria loans
Kuwait Times
KUWAIT: Five Kuwaiti MPs yesterday submitted a draft bill demanding that
the government suspend all cooperation agreements and loans with Syria over
its bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. Spokesman for the
opposition Popular Action bloc, …
http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=NjU5OTQ2NzkzOQ==

‘Syria Wants Freedom’
Huffington Post
HOMS, Syria — The narrower the streets of this city, a caldron of revolt
and resistance against four decades of rule by the Assad family, the
blunter the graffiti becomes. It is scrawled on walls, garbage bins, phone
booths, doors and even tree trunks …
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/17/syria-wants-freedom_n_929665.html

US preparing to statement on Syria…Obama about to take vacation
9&10 News
BEIRUT (AP) — As US officials prepare to make an explicit statement about
Syria’s leader, Bashar Assad is quoted as telling the UN chief that
military operations in his country have ended. Activists say Syrian troops
have shot dead nine people in the …
http://www.9and10news.com/Category/Story/?id=300138&cID=3

Syria Guns Down Palestinians | FrontPage Magazine
By Joseph Klein
Iran’s Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi said earlier this week that it
is “the duty of all Muslims to help stabilise Syria against the
destructive plots of America and Israel.” He is echoing the opinion of
Iran’s supreme ruler …
http://frontpagemag.com/2011/08/18/syria-guns-down-palestinians/

As Syria flares, some U.N.’ers take flight – This Just In – CNN …
By Mallory Simon, CNN News blog editor
The death and discord plaguing Syria hit home for the United Nations on
Wednesday as the world body temporarily withdrew some staff members amid
the violence there.
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/17/as-syria-flares-some-u-n-ers-take-flight/

At least 10 dead in Syria amid sweeping arrests | The Raw Story
By Agence France-Presse
A defiant Assad told the committee that Syria “will remain strong and
resilient” despite international pressure, adding that he had promised
reforms not because of outside pressure but “because Syrians were convinced
of their necessity. …
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/08/17/at-least-10-dead-in-syria-amid-sweeping-arrests/

“UN withdrawal is part of campaign to demonize Syria” — RT
By RT
The UN announced that it would be removing non-essential staff from its
offices in Syria amid growing concern over the violent crackdown by
government forces on demonstrators.
http://rt.com/news/un-syria-withdrawal/
News RSS : Today
http://rt.com/news/today/

Capital News » UN rights chief to call for ICC Syria probe
By AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
The 15-nation council is to meet on the Syria crisis amid growing concern
over President Bashar al-Assad’s military assault on pro-democracy
protests, which is said to have killed about 2000 people in five months.
…
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2011/08/18/un-rights-chief-to-call-for-icc-syria-probe/