Neck of the woods
“Is it the fate of Arabs to keep getting liberated by their former masters?” Nobody else
“The Guardian witnessed the transfer of weapons in early June near the Turkish frontier. Five men dressed in the style of Gulf Arabs arrived in a police station in the border village of Altima in Syria and finalised a transfer from the Turkish town of Reyhanli of around 50 boxes of rifles and ammunition, as well as a large shipment of medicines. The men were treated with deference by local FSA leaders and were carrying large bundles of cash. They also received two prisoners held by rebels, who were allegedly members of the pro-regime militia, the Shabiha. The influx of weapons has reinvigorated the insurrection in northern Syria, which less than six weeks ago was on the verge of being crushed. The move to pay the guerrilla forces’ salaries is seen as a chance to capitalise on the sense of renewed confidence, as well as provide a strong incentive for soldiers and officers to defect. The value of the Syrian pound has fallen sharply in value since the anti-regime revolt started 16 months ago, leading to a dramatic fall in purchasing power. The plan centres on paying the FSA in either US dollars or euros, meaning their salaries would be restored to their pre-revolution levels, or possibly increased. The US senator Joe Lieberman, who is actively supporting the Syrian opposition, discussed the issue of FSA salaries during a recent trip to Lebanon and Saudi Arabia…………..”
Qatari money is buying chunks of France England already. It may soon own a chunk of the “new” Egypt, (including Islamic shaikhs, generals, and politicians) the chunk that is not owned by the al-Saud princes. Qatari and Saudi money are certainly aiming at buying Syria, with a down-payment paid now to the Free Syrian Army until the Baathist al-Assad regime falls. Once the regime falls, Qatari money and Saudi money will be fighting it out for the soul of the “new” Syria as well. Neither of them will win.
Which brings me to Joe Lieberman. Joe has two major issues that are close to his heart. The first one is the interests of the giant insurance corporations who contributed money to his past campaigns and are certain to offer him a lucrative salary when his term expires next year. The second one is the interests of Israel, as he perceives them. Joe doesn’t care about the Syrian people, any more than he cares about the Iranian or Saudi or Egyptian peoples. In fact, Joe probably doesn’t give a fig about any of these people. The main Middle East variable, the only “dependent variable” or “target variable” in the regional equation is Israel. In fairness to Joe Lieberman: do you think he is any different from many Arab leaders in not giving a fig about the Arab peoples?
Is it the fate of some Arabs to keep getting liberated by their former masters? By the West and now Turkey?
Cheers
mhg
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