Syria's Major Supporters And Why

There has been a lot of press and talk about the Assad regime and the violence that is spreading slowly out of its borders. We have seen Iran as a major supporter of Bashar al-Assad. Today we need to look at the top three political and material supports that Assad has. Those three supporting nations, in ascending order, are China, Russia, and Iran. This analysts will not take into account UN votes, but financial and material support. China has its trade route and an ideolgue supporting some of their territorial views. Russia maintains a stronger military presence in the eastern Mediteranean, profits from arms sales, and has invested billions into Syrian infrastructure. Iran, we can easily state that they are knee deep in the hooplah and they are in it for the full range of what happens.

China has quite a financial interst with Syria. China, as of February this year, was Syria's third largest export country. Recall history, Syria was part of the Silk Road. Even today, china sees Syria as a trading and shipping hub. A rather important hub, at that. Ideologically, Hu Jintao and Assad have given support to each other on some views that have caused strong international angst over. Those views include Syrian support of China's claims and treatment of Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjang, and on China's application of human rights. China continues to support Assad on his claims over the Golan Heights.

China and Syria find mutually beneficial financial and ideological support for each other.

Russian support for the Assad regime includes military and financial interests as well. The depth of these interests goes far deeper than those of China.

Financially Russia is looking to recover financial interests are closely tied to its military interests in the region. The port at Tartus provides a strategic foothold. The Black Sea Fleet uses the port facilities for ship maintenance, supply, and logistics. The facilities at Tartus and the power grud in the surrounding area infrastructure has benefitted from Russia's investing $19.4 billion dollars in 2009. As of 2011 the facilities and piers at Tartus can, and have, supported guided missile cruisers and Kuznetzov class aircraft carriers. Russia continues to act in ways that undermine American interestts.

Russia may also be getting some isolationism ideas like the  methods used during the Cold War. At that time the West made strategic allies in order to surround Russian expansion and stop their geographic spread. Current examples include US support to Bahrain and Uzbekistan. I believe that this gambit is one that will completely fail for the West.

The Russian Liberal Democratic Party leader, Vladimir Zhimorovsky, has made some very strong statements againsty Western support to the rebels. Statements that indicate there is much more going on than is currently visible. Zhimorovsky has said that any US support to the rebels is "absolutely unacceptable" and would, in his eyes be, tantamount to violently toppling a regime.

Russia gains a naval forward support base and earns billions from arms sales. Commercially, Russia has earned $5 billion in weaponss sales to Damascus.

Iranian Support is all geared towards gaining a physical and very strategic position in the region. Iran has been so completely isolated from decent international contact for so long that the leadership is looking for any way to expand out of their isolation. By any means includes the blatant shipments by air and over land as well as the hardcer to see support through Hezbollah and in assisting Assad with the training and manning, as it were, of an army of children suicide bombers and fighters. This last group is known as the Basij, which Ahmedinijad claims to be. Judging by his age and grey hair, I openly declare him a failure in his service as a child soldier/suicide bomber. If Ahmedinijad could have done that right 40 years ago his poor judgement and mistakes wouldn't be an issue now.

Seriously, Iran already has missiles that can strike Israel from inside its borders, but, I am guessing that the guidance systems still leve something to be desired. Iran has successfully launched mutlistage rockets and put sattelites into orbit, but, they have yet to demonstrate the capacity to deliver their paylods at range. Every missilt that Iran has, buys, and makes can carry a nuclear payload. Iran is even working on its own independent re-entry vehicle. This IRV makes enough people at the IAEA to start investigations, not that any inspection will receive compliance from Ahmedinijad or Khameini.

Iran has the largest missile surplus in the Middle East. One of their missile production/storage sites was just bombed in Sudan earlier this week. Reports of this Israerli lead attack state that 300 Shahab III missiles there were destroyed. Iran is trying to put its own strike missile system in place in Syria. Why would they not expect to be allowed to? That is, should Assad not die in place.

Just imagine the changes that would most undoubtedly take place if Russia and Iran had missile silos in Syria while the US missile defense system, which Obama unplugged and dismantled, absent from the region. Could we ever again have allies in Eastern Europe? Could we carry on trade theough that region? No, not at all. The US Naval Fleet coverage and the protections it guarantees would be stripped away from the Mediteranean, through the Gulf of Aden, off the Somali pirate coast, and into the Indian Ocean.

Week In Review August 26, 2011

A number of issues have been expanded on this week. The most important of which, I think, include Syria and Department of Homeland Security.

Syria
In 1963 the al-Assad family took control of Syrian leadership. Basher, the current president, was born shortly after. He took power when his father died; in 2000 and 2007 Basher was “elected” after running unopposed each time. The al-Assad family has long been involved in chemical weapons (receiving several plane loads from Iraq in 2002), weapons proliferation with Iran, as well as routinely their subjects, err, citizens (he was elected, after all).

So what? Here the world can see that a slightly less megalomaniac than Ahmadinijad is doing precisely what Saddam Hussein and Mommar Khadafy did. Where they were forcibly and violently removed from power, after 32 and 42 years in absolute control, the al-Assad family stands unopposed by anyone outside of Syria. In fact, the UN cannot even bring a full coalition of outrage in a letter about al-Assad as Russia and China (both receiving US development funds as well as other US aid) are siding with al-Assad. I say siding with as they are not opposing nor speaking out, they are blocking further (useless) sanctions and any actual action that would follow the eventual and blatant violation of sanctions. Again, the “So What” here is that al-Assad is slaughtering his own subjects. Russia, China, and Iran are all backing al-Assad. Iran has funded, armed, and made numerous deals and deployments into Syria. Russia, China, and Iran have all stated that they want to, not just see, but be part of the destruction of the United States.

Now what? Not that I advocate total annihilation or genocide; I do, however, believe in the pre-emptive strike in order to defend a nation’s sovereignty and safety. A nation may also conduct a pre-emptive defensive strike to protect allies that are unable or incapable of defending themselves. Self-Defense on a national basis is what I am calling it. Right now, due to the START Treaty that Obama unwisely signed with the Russians, we now have a surplus of nuclear weapons. Does anyone see a problem with Syrian Green Glass? Yes, take a tactical nuke and put it into Basher al-Assad’s palace. No big loss of oil there. One homicidal and deeply twisted dictator and his entire family line are taken out. No ground troops from the US or coalition nations in harm’s way, done.

What about Obama’s Executive Order 13338? That? The executive order that prohibits us from buying oil from a country that produces less oil yearly than the US uses in a month? I think I called that an empty gesture from an empty suit. Representative Granger wants to see something with teeth, like having the $2 BILLION tax dollars budgeted to Egypt removed if they continue to oppose Western interests.



The Department of Homeland Security preparedness grant program awards for fiscal year 2011 puts $2.1 BILLION tax dollars into security initiatives and response organizations. None, or very little, of this $2.1 BILLION tax dollars seems to go into answering the questions presented by Dr. Jim Giermanski, Chairman Powers Global Holdings, Inc.

1.  Does DHS believe and support the use of Container Security Devices (CSDs) as being consistent with law, foreign security programs, non-government organizations, and the private sector bottom-line needs?

2. Does DHS believe that container security technology and CSDs serve as revenue producers for the private sector?

3. Why is the official policy on physical security for containers sealed "doors-only?"

4. Other than the incentives claimed by CBP for the private sector's participation in C-TPAT, what U.S. government incentive is used to encourage the use of CSDs?

5. Why is DHS not participating with the EU and other nations who are working together to develop an international standards and protocols for CSDs?

6. What can Congress do, but has not done to encourage CSD usage? 

7. What has DHS done with respect  to informing and encouraging Congress to ratify the Rotterdam Rules recognizing that these new Rules improve supply chain security?

8. Given increased security concerns about Mexico, what CSD pilots or programs have been used or tested in Mexico/U.S. cross-border commercial practices?

9. In which CSD pilots, if any, has DHS participated?

10. Why is DHS not complying with the mandates of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 with respect to CSD for usage HAZMAT movements?

11. If Trade Facilitation is one goal of CBP, why wouldn't CBP/DHS required the use of CSDs knowing that their usage is a financial benefit to the user as well as to the government?

12. Since DHS admits that transshipments are a legitimate security concern, why hasn't DHS mandated CSD usage for all containers inbound to the United States which transit a transshipment port?

13. Why has the "Green Lane" concept not yet been implemented in seaports to encourage CSD usage?

14. Why continue weak programs such as CSI knowing there is no actual verification of container contents?

15. Why is it that DHS/CBP has not yet addressed the current proven vulnerability of using the required 433.5 to 434.5 MHz spectrum in our ports knowing and admitting in writing along with the Office of the Secretary of Defense that the vulnerability truly exists as indicated in this DHS statement: ... these technologies...can be exploited and potentially used to trigger an explosive device.

16. Has DHS funded or directed an empirical study of the impact of closing all U.S. seaports and land ports-of-entry as a result of one or two dirty bomb blasts in the U.S. ports?

So, this week, while Ron Paul and 77% of the sitting democrats voted against enabling rules of engagement that actually PROTECT our military personnel, Janet Napolitano is spending $2.1 BILLION of our tax dollars on initiatives and response.

So what? DHS has put another $2.1 BILLION tax dollars into feel good initiatives rather than actually identifying and stopping threats.

Now what? I propose we do away with the Department of Homeland Security. But, they are there in case of a National Emergency, you say. What about the National Guard? Aren't they dual hatted to serve in support of the military AND to serve their states in response to national emergencies? Well, yes, they are. What about the highly important and visible role they play at airports? Don't most airports already have police, fire, rescue, and security elemnts working there? Well, yes, they do. Now what, you ask. The government tears down, repeals the institutionalized walls outlawing the sharing of information that Hillary Clinton was instrumental in putting up and allow the standing and proven methods of investigative, law enforcement, intelligence, and common sense to work.

Oh, yes, support Electrolux, they said that putting more sharia compliant rules in play within their organization sucks.

Thank you and have a great weekend.

Week In Review August 12, 2011

BLUF

The bottom line is that, while the Middle East burns, Obama fiddles and dithers. What is he supposed to do? Not that I am a fan of getting involved in land wars in Asia, as I have been through some myself, the US needs to take a strong verbal stand against oppressing the people. That little tiff we got involved in around the mid to late 1700's? The American Revolution? Well, we need to look back at that and hold strong to the values which were written into the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

BACKGROUND

While Syrians are being slaughterd, and Somalis on the brink of starvation for the 30th year, the UN points to Britain and says stop the evictions. You ever see anyone shooting pool with a rope? Seriously, this week is a new display of impotence from the UN. Also, the member states of the Organization of Islamic Conferences (OIC) is supposed to look out for the better interests of its member states. I suppose that it is no threat to any neighboring nation or member of OIC that the Shiite leader is slaughtering its Sunni citizenry.

Lebanon, Iran's proxy on teh UNSC, is going to side with Russia and China to form a block against taking action on Syria. Iran is going to continue to feed unrest in the Horn of Africa. They seem to have a nice position to sell weapons from and to watch, perhaps later tax, international shipments trainsitting the Red Sea and Suez Canal. In short, Iran continues to be, and will maintain this position, the festering boil on the buttox of the Middle East cross contaminating the mess that is on the Horn of Africa. Iran is also very interested n the many other natural resources it can get from other African states, which is why Ahmedinijad will continue to foster closer relations with countries across the continent.

Elsewhere child soldiers will continue to fight and die, people will starve under the grasp of terrorist organizations allwed too long to exist, and women will be bought, sold, raped, beaten, and killed all for the honor of a man. No one, not even the US, is likely to take a stand to stop these acts of terror. Why not? Well, sadly, the current administration is allowing the UN, which is at the beck and call of the OIC, to use us as a guard dog.

Growing Unrest in the Middle East

As the violence from the Arab Spring spreads, it comes to mind that it might, just MIGHT, have something to do with the foreknowledge that the US is pulling out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Just a thought, but, onto the BLUF

Bottom Line Up Front

No real action will be taken against Syria until the UN has gotten permission from the Organization of Islamic Countries. When action does come, the US will be at the forefront and reigned back by other regimes.

Background

The Middle East is now, always has been, and always will be, a violent mess. The so called "Arab Spring" brings to mind all sorts of lush, new green, budding growth. Nothing could be farther from the truth. World bodies, comprised of presumably democratic nations, stand and do nothing. The only action that is taken, be it in Iran, Algeria, Egypt, or now Syria, comes after the UN first goes through a regular series of steps to publicly "do something". It ends after the US gets called on by the UNSC to actually do something. When it was Lybia, Obama acted under the War Powers Act by putting us and NATO in the air and on the ground there. Now, with Syria five months into killings protestors, the UN continues to talk about and to consider what actions may (not will, but may) be taken.

On the UNSC are three bodies opposing stronger sanctions, sanctions that require unanimous support to be passed (no talk about enforcing, just passing) as a legal resolution. Those opposing the passage are Russia, China, and Lebanon. There is no shock that Russia and China, both of whom have strong records of making their own citizens disappear and die, are opposed to actions against Syria. So, too, is Lebanon. Lebanon is the proxy presence of Iran on the UNSC.

There are also reports that the United States has evidence of crimes against humanity that the Assad regime is now guilty of. Crimes which UN Secratary General Ban Ki-Moon says are very possibly real. These alleged and hinted at vharges are goig to be used as leverage, by the US, to get Assad to step down. To step down, ouch. That he gets to step down after committing crimes against humanity and slaughtering his own people is a sickening thought. Five months of killing his citizens and he could face the possibility of being asked to step down.

Considering the rally such a statement from the US would result in, this would likely come to the bloody and tortuous end of those who rallied at the words of our President. So, while the civilized world is "appalled" by the daily murder of Syrians citizens by their dictator Assad, the Ditherer In Chief waits for the OIC and the UN to let him off of his leash.Even while the impotent UN meets to talk about taking more action, Surians continue to suffer and die. Assets that the US can freeze have been. State Department personnel seem distressed that Assad cannot hear the call of the international community to stop. He can't seem to hear anything over the sound of the guns being used to kill protestors en masse. Leaders of Arab nations will continue to meet and discuss this uprising in Syria in their cool, clean offices and sprawling dining rooms, entreating their wayward cohort to be more gentle with his people.The nearly 2,000 people who have died during the last 5, almost 6, months will bear silent witness to the lack of concern for anyone.

http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/crimes-against-humanity-possible-in-syria-un_721685.html

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gC-QbkO61noyu9aKJB6RcyXBFmew?docId=CNG.d1c504bf387227a7f8244a7ff8064da3.481

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/UN-Security-Council-Meeting-on-Syria-127443678.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/08/09/bloomberg1376-LPOO8F1A74E901-1JGKKEAQ2BAM1PTBP3R96QKV9I.DTL&ao=2

http://frontpagemag.com/2011/08/09/the-u-n-and-double-standards/

China unrest: Xinjiang's Zhang Chunxian vows crackdown

Human rights? What? UNSC Standards, huh? If the US did this we would SO scream at them ...

The top Communist Party official in Xinjiang has promised a harsh crackdown on terrorism and religious extremism in the restive western region in China.

Zhang Chunxian was responding to unrest in two cities last month that left dozens of people dead and injured.

Beijing has blamed much of the violence on Uighur Islamic militants.

But exiled Uighur groups say resentment at decades of heavy-handed rule by Beijing - and the influx of majority Han Chinese - is the real cause.

"[We] must maintain a strike-hard policy in the crackdown against terrorists... to resolutely curb the continued occurrences of violent terrorist cases," Mr Zhang told party members at a meeting on Friday.
He also pledged to fight leaders of "religious extremist forces" and crack down on "the planning and implementation of terrorist violence that makes use of violence", AFP quoted a statement on the regional government website as saying.

The BBC's Michael Bristow in Beijing says officials often link religious extremism with terrorism when they talk about Xinjiang.

Uighurs, who are Turkic-speaking Muslims with cultural and ethnic links to Central Asia, make up almost half of Xinjiang's population.

China has invested heavily in Xinjiang and the region's rich oil and gas deposits are vital to China's booming economy.

But many Uighurs complain that large-scale migration of Han Chinese workers from the east has forced them out of jobs and livelihoods.

In mid-July, a group of armed rioters attacked a police station in the south-western city of Hotan - leaving at least 18 people dead.

In the city of Kashgar, more than 20 people were killed in a weekend of violence at the end of July.
The detention of young men without trial after the anniversary of deadly rioting in the regional capital Urumqi in July 2009, the confiscation of farmland for redevelopment and the demolition of houses in Kashgar were some of the reasons given for the violence.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14443274