Middle East: Passion & Protest

[Zhuanyong]

U.S. defense chief in Afghanistan as bombs kill 9

With the fallout over the American soldier who went on a shooting spree, there has been some bombings in Afghanistan. The next time my friend over there calls, I'll ask him about it. Based on what he told me about the Quran burning, it seemed like that was overblown and the media reported the extreme bad side of the event neglected what completely happened.

[TooMuchBaijiu]

While I completely agree that the democratic institutions in Iran are a front controlled by the Ayatollah, I've read in articles the entire scheme is largely controlled by a certain military group (can't remember their acronym).

I think you're referring to the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), which certainly-forgive me Godwin-has some parallels to the SS. They're powerful, no doubt about it, and have expanded their power at the expense of the democratic government. But it appears Mohammad Ali Jafari (the IRGC's CiC) is the Ayatollah's man. Perhaps when Khamenei dies, the new guy won't be able to maintain his hold on them...

[Zhuanyong]

Saddening proof that foreign intervention may lead to another Libya.

Syria rebels quit eastern city, army on offensive

In a separate blow to their cause, a respected human rights group accused the armed opposition of committing torture and arbitrary executions during the 12-month uprising - charges previously only leveled at the state security apparatus.

I can only assume that this would increase if they were given the help they want to oust Assad. I actually believe it would be more appalling than what we saw in Libya.

In a new twist, the advocacy group Human Rights Watch said the rebels were guilty of serious crimes, citing cases of kidnapping, torture and cold-blooded killings.

"The Syrian government's brutal tactics cannot justify abuses by armed opposition groups," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at the New York-based Human Rights Watch, in an open letter to dissident groups.

Russia has in the past declined to back Western and Arab-backed U.N resolutions condemning government violence, arguing that the actions of rebels should also be criticized.

I'm definitely glad that everyone isn't just blindly going in to back the opposition without looking at what they are equally guilty of.

[WeiWenDi]

I'm definitely glad that everyone isn't just blindly going in to back the opposition without looking at what they are equally guilty of.

Well, thanks for the link, Zhuanyong! And thank God for Human Rights Watch. And Russia. And people like Kofi Annan. Hopefully their efforts will stall the war machine long enough for more of us (and hopefully, some of our politicians) to take a good long gander at what is actually going on over there.

I think you're referring to the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), which certainly-forgive me Godwin-has some parallels to the SS. They're powerful, no doubt about it, and have expanded their power at the expense of the democratic government. But it appears Mohammad Ali Jafari (the IRGC's CiC) is the Ayatollah's man. Perhaps when Khamenei dies, the new guy won't be able to maintain his hold on them...

Control of the army has always been the big tipping factor in Iranian politics, sad to say - and that actually goes back well past the first Pahlavi (you know, the guy who was very nearly an actual member of the Axis during WWII). Operation Ajax only succeeded (on the second try) because of a split within the armed forces into pro- and anti-Mosaddegh camps, encouraged by a large number of American and British agents. Apparently it still holds true today?

[Dong Zhou]

In terms of calming down the British, really bad timing. With the budget, and the weeks long leaking of said budget, we wouldn't notice if N.Korea nuked themselves for lols. However this will strengthen the non-war factions, which seems to include most of our political class at the moment, against the "something must be done" pressure, just need to get that report more widely known.

Well that and for some reason, we seem to think the leaked emails are far more important...

[Zhuanyong]

Well, thanks for the link, Zhuanyong! And thank God for Human Rights Watch. And Russia. And people like Kofi Annan. Hopefully their efforts will stall the war machine long enough for more of us (and hopefully, some of our politicians) to take a good long gander at what is actually going on over there.

You're welcome.

Funny thing is, I don't believe that article was widely published. I just happened to notice it while browsing through my Yahoo email inbox.

Russia offers to back Annan's Syria plan at UN

Looks like Russia is willing to back Kofi Annan's Syria plan as long as it doesn't turn into an ultimatum. I hope they do continue to stall them and promote a patience to act.

[Dong Zhou]

The Muslim Brotherhood is apparently considering having a candidate for the presidency, changing it's mind after saying they weren't going to run. They also seem to want the government to resign, which won't please the army, and their behaviour in the constitutional panel has apparently annoyed some liberal leaning members of parliament, a quarter boycotting said panel.

The bit about the panel concerns me but not sure if reading too much into that?

Tzipi Livni has been ousted as Kadima's leader with ex-defence minister Shaul Mofaz winning the leadership. Not sure how that affects things within Israel or matters with Iran

[Zhuanyong]

There's a good way to get international attention and cause people to ponder how much pull Assad commands.

U.N. ceasefire moves fail to deter Syria violence

"There is a final date of April 10, but it's from now that Mr Assad must begin implementing the immediate measures he has committed to," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said.

"If the regime continues its refusals, its massacres, then it will be pouring scorn on and insulting the entire international community," he said.

But Syria's ally Russia again attacked the "Friends of Syria" group of Western and Arab nations who met in Istanbul at the weekend, saying it was undermining Annan's peace mission.

"Everyone has supported Kofi Annan's plan, but decisions at the "Friends of Syria" group meeting aimed at arming the opposition and at new sanctions undermine peace efforts," state-run Itar-Tass quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying.

I'm of the opinion that giving ultimatums isn't a good idea or way to go in this situation. Especially when the violence isn't one-sided.

[Dong Zhou]

Ex-vice president and spy-cheif Omar Suleiman is planning to run for president of Egypt. Wasn't his role during the Egyptian Spring rather controversial or am I thinking someone else?

[Zhuanyong]

The name sounds familiar in that regard, I think you you may be right.

Jane Mayer of The New Yorker notes that Suleiman remains controversial because he "has headed the feared Egyptian general intelligence service" and also describes his role in allowing controversial torture methods under US rendition programs which may have generated bad intelligence.

In turn, Suleiman blamed journalists for the current uprising in Egypt. "I actually blame certain friendly nations who have television channels, they're not friendly at all, who have intensified the youth against the nation and the state," Suleiman said in a TV address. "They have filled in the minds of the youth with wrongdoings, with allegations and this is unacceptable. They should have never done that. They should have never sent this enemy spirit," he said. The Committee to Protect Journalists replied that "it is stupefying that the government continues to send out thugs and plainclothes police to attack journalists and to ransack media bureaus". State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley said "we have traced it to elements close to the government, or the ruling party," and said "I don't know that we have a sense how far up the chain it went."

I managed to pull this much about him from Wikipedia.