So
far, memories of the fabricated Iraq War rationalizations have hung over the
issue, as has massive used by American forces of chemical agents like Napalm and
Agent Orange in Vietnam. Canada's CBC wonders if any one will ever be able to confirm who
used the gas.
Reported the NY Times, "The White House faces steep hurdles as it prepares to make the most important public intelligence presentation since February 2003, when Secretary of State Colin L. Powell made a dramatic and detailed case for war to the United Nations Security Council using intelligence -- later discredited -- about Iraq's weapons programs."
The best known UN weapons inspector at that time, former Swedish foreign minister Hans Blix, has just written in the Guardian that the US does not have the right to attack Syria.
"Unlike George Bush in 2003, the Obama administration is not trigger-happy and contemptuous of the United Nations and the rules of its charter, which allow the use of armed force only in self-defence or with an authorisation from the security council. Yet Obama, like Bush and Blair, seems ready to ignore the council and order armed strikes on Syria with political support from only the UK, France and some others," he says.
Such action could not be "in self-defence" or "retaliation", as the US, the UK and France have not been attacked," he adds. "To punish the Assad government for using chemical weapons would be the action of self-appointed global policemen -- action that, in my view, would be very unwise."
Iraq war critics are now saying that the protests back then, might be what influenced the government now. Writes David Swanson, "Opposition to a U.S.-led attack on Syria is growing rapidly in Europe and the United States, drawing its strength from public awareness that the case made for attacking Iraq had holes in it.
A
majority in the United States, still very much aware of Iraq war deceptions,
opposes arming the "rebel" force in Syria, so heavily dominated by foreign
fighters and al Qaeda. And a as many as 70 percent in recent polls oppose U.S.
military action in Syria."
This point of view had been all but missing in most press accounts but a new round of protests against the illegal nature of the planned attacks, held this weekend in London and Washington may put the issue more forcefully on the news agenda, even as the New York Times has run an op-ed calling for Washingtin to act even if it is illegal. It has since waffled editorially on the morality and logic of the planned attacks.
The Obama Administration has been scrambling to find support. Van Jones, a former Obama appointee who he forced out of his post after his history as a radical was questioned, is now an on-air commentator on CNN's new version of "Crossfire" and seems to currying offical favor with an endorsement of Obama's decision to strike Syria, the first voice on "the left" to do so.
More telling is that many members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans want Congess called back into session and are threatening to vote against the attack. Writes Kevin Zeese: "The irony of the Obama presidency may hinge on whether he attacks Syria. He began his presidency prematurely winning the Nobel Peace Prize and could end it being impeached for starting an illegal war without congressional or UN approval -- violating both domestic and international law."
Facts and arguments are being marshaled on all sides with Israeli intelligence claiming that it overheard phone conversations of Syrian Generals discussing their involvement. The Wall Street Journal examined the Israeli role concluding there is still no conclusive evidence.
An explosive potential angle in all this is that one of the media's most powerful players now has an apparent self interest in encouraging a conflict that may rearrange existing borders.
Former British Ambassador Craig Murray reveals that Rupert Murdoch (along with Dick Cheney) is an investor and advisor to company named Genie Energy (NYSE: GNE, GNEPRA), that the government of Israel has awarded its subsidiary, Genie Israel Oil and Gas, Ltd., an exclusive petroleum exploration license covering 396.5 square kilometers in the Southern portion of the Golan Heights, a currently Israeli occupied zone.
(The SEC reported: "In November 2010, GOGAS sold a 0.5% equity interest to Rupert Murdoch for $1.0 million paid with a promissory note. The note is secured by a pledge of the shares issued in exchange for the note. The note accrues interest at 1.58% per annum, and the principal and accrued interest is due and payable on November 15, 2015." )
I have not seen this connection explored in any major media outlet.
Washington is increasingly being isolated. China has urged a diplomatic resolution, the Arab League opposes military action, NATO is on the sidelines, and most of the Iraq-era "coalition of the willing," except France and Israel, have not rushed to be supportive.
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