Portents all bad for Syrian bloodbath as U.S., Russia Discuss Post-Assad Transition in Syria

Portents all bad for Syrian bloodbath: THE killings in Syria are going to get much, much worse, and they are a dreadful human tragedy, but they also have strategic consequences, which are important to understand. Syria is Iran's only state ally in the Middle East and the greatest regional danger is the emerging Iran-led coalition, which could eventually involve Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Shia minorities in the Persian Gulf states. Depriving Iran of its key ally is a sound objective.

Sunni Arabs only make up about two-thirds of Syria. Assad's ruling Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam, accounts for about 12 per cent. There are a lot of other minorities: Christians, Druze, orthodox Shia and the Kurds, who are Sunni but not Arab. The Alawites have generally supported Assad. By making the conflict sectarian, Assad does three things. He consolidates Alawite control of vital areas of the country. He binds the whole Alawite community to his fate, because Alawites now know there will be fearsome revenge killings of their people if Assad is toppled. And he radicalises the Sunni opposition.

U.S., Russia Discuss Post-Assad Transition in Syria: It was a constructive conversation. I won't say there aren't still gaps. There are still gaps, but it was a constructive conversation. And we're continuing to talk to the Russians about this [crisis in Syria],” State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said at a news briefing on Thursday.

Russia has twice – along with China - vetoed UN resolutions against Damascus over what it calls a pro-rebel bias, but has, however, fully backed UN envoy Kofi Annan’s six-point plan, which calls for the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from urban areas and a ceasefire to end 15-months of spiraling violence there. Western powers are trying to persuade Russia to apply pressure on Syrian President Bashar Assad and convince him to cede the power in the country to opposition before the current crisis escalates to a civil war.

I agree with Hilary! Iran and the IRG have been doing much of the slaughtering since the beginning. They openly admitted a month ago that they were going to take the lead role in slaughtering as many as they had to in order to quell the uprising and keep Russia and Iran's interest in control. I no longer believe that will be the case regardless of what Iran and Russia do. They have kept the misery perpetrator in power too long and allowed the people to be slaughtered. The people now will not rest until they see to their demise!

What we saw after the voter fraud in Iran was mild compared to what the IRG will do if this movement spreads to Iran. I really wish Bashar would step down but Iran is the elephant in the room any way you look at it. The total middle east breakdown we have written about numerous times is well under way. We can only hope we keep it from erupting into WW3.

You know Putin just got himself reelected as President, he did this so he could be at the helm of Russia as he like me knows 100% that world war is our future. He plans on marshaling China who is rapidly building a more formidable military and whoever he can to take on US hegemony.Russia watched helplessly as we had our way in Libya. Putin blames what is happening in Syria on our interference and Libya for training the protesters to fight against Bashar Al-Assad. Russia and Iran will not let this be another Libya but?

Putin is going to do everything possible to keep us from helping the Syrian people and I really feel for them. I do not see this going down the way Libya did and Iran and Russia are going to make sure it does not. I am afraid the Syrian people are going to be sacrificed, sacrificed in what is merely an opening salvo in this the wars for future dominance. God help us all!

In closing: Regardless of what is done with Russia's aid in order to remove Assad it is too late for Russia. They have allowed and even fed this slaughter. There is no way the people are going to allow Russia to maintain their base or have any influence on the country. Iran will see to it that the blood bath continues. I still see this conflagration spreading throughout the entire middle east.



James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com