UK reviews Gaddafi exit solution: Keep him, Divide and Conquer

Mr. Hague apparently reviewed the U.K. Gaddafi strategy, he may not leave Libya, the British F.S. says, but it is a "question for Libyans". He though happened to have an answer to this. All my rebel sources are saying that the British government is by far the leading force in delaying Gaddafi's departure, as it has deliberately slowed down the NATO campaign with all the rules they have put in place. It is a mission to protect not to topple Gaddafi, bla bla. The plan, they say, and I partially agree, is to keep Libya divided in order to achieve more gains from the Libyan oil. Through the current division, they could achieve a lot, selling both sides weapons, getting great contracts from the rebels especially, as they will remain in need for French-British help. Very interesting analysis indeed, and I tend to see evidence every day pointing in that direction.  

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Syrian torture doctors from Hell

"A July 6 report by Amnesty International documents the treatment of Wassim, a 21-year-old protester in the Syrian town of Talkalakh. After an injury from a soldier's bayonet, Wassim was taken to al-Bassel hospital, which had been occupied by Syrian security forces. As he reported: "The nurses, men and women […] swore at me and beat me hard and one female nurse punched me repeatedly with all her strength on my chest. Some were taking off their shoes and slapping me with them. I could hear many voices asking: 'You want freedom, eh?'" The report states he later had his wounds stitched without anesthesia, before being beaten on these wounds by hospital staff. 
Wassim's is not an isolated incident. In May, Reuters documented the case of a protester who had lost sensation in his legs who requested to see a doctor in jail. He told the news agency: "The doctor hit my knees with his legs, and asked: 'There, is it better now?' and then he slapped me". Most pervasively, reports suggest that even when doctors have not been involved in direct abuse, they have falsified the causes of injuries and released information about patients to the Syrian regime's security forces. The result is a public distrust of hospitals, and a clear incentive for injured protestors to avoid the healthcare system"

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Famine in Somalia

Regions of Somalia worst-hit by drought are now officially in famine conditions, two senior UN sources said, forcing an escalation in food deliveries into areas controlled by Islamists linked to al-Qaeda.

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Damascus demonstration

This is a landmark demonstration in the Syrian walk for freedom. Look at the numbers in Damascus, very interesting indeed. Nothing is like freedom. I have always dreamed of reading a free newspaper in Damascus. It might happen very soon, this dream is coming true.

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Syrian revolution: This Friday's demonstrations

The reports on today's demonstrations are still flowing. Hama is expected to host an even larger demonstration with a forecast of 700,000 demonstrators. Very interesting. Here is a link to a video of Hama's demo today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1F0CywBRt8&feature=youtu.be

Homos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixta-pcu3hQ

Qamishli:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWqeD8JJiYg

Koureyeh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZmussDMeS4


There are reports of a demonstration in Aleppo, Syria's largest city, but I am still waiting for more news on that before I post anything. A reminder that Aleppo is the most interesting as it is the largest and most decisive urban center.

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Ahmed Wali Karzai’s killer had been an American intelligence Ally

"The killer, Sardar Mohammad, a police commander, met on several occasions with U.S. and British military officials, shared intelligence with Americans and played a part in Afghan arrests of scores of Taliban fighters, according to three relatives interviewed on Thursday in his home near Kandahar."

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An excellent article on Syria by Khalaf

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Bashar al-Assad is not hated by his fellow Arab leaders as much as Muammer Gaddafi, but he comes a close second. Blamed for destabilising Iraq and Lebanon, he is seen by many in the region as an obstructive regional force that puts its alliance with Iran above the so-called Arab “consensus”.
Yet, as Mr Assad’s regime shakes under the intensity of months-long popular protests, there is little gloating in the region, and none of the clamouring for his departure that was evident in the case of Mr Gaddafi. Syria’s uprising has been greeted with official Arab silence. As Peter Harling, Syria analyst at the International Crisis Group, says: “Even Syria’s enemies, ironically, would like to see the regime doing a better job at managing the crisis – because they believe the consequences are otherwise too unpredictable.”

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Robert Ford, an American Rambo? I don't think so

Look at the Washington Post article below, it fits perfectly the "American hero" twist on every story to convince the public opinion of any American intervention. Are they convinced that Ford would go to Hama without an American government decision? Such a move, which will have direct and known implications on relations, needs approval or a directive from above. The French ambassador joining Ford means this was a French-American coordinated escalation with Damascus. Maybe a sign that more reforms are needed or pushing for concessions in other issues like Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq.

U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford, known as a quiet, under-the-radar-screen diplomat, has changed the dynamic of U.S. relations with Syria by traveling to a tank-ringed city at the center of the protests that have swept the country.

Acquaintances say Ford is hardly the sort to seek the limelight. But his trip to Hama — where he was greeted by cheering demonstrators waving olive branches — was the most significant gesture that the United States has made to support the Syrian protesters. 

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A Syrian boy "resigns" from the Ba'th's vanguards

A boy from Douma reads a speech resigning from the Ba'th vanguards (for youngsters in every school). A very symbolic video, part of the media wars between the two sides. Notice the Quran and the chosen clothing; it might be more symbolic as Syrians are generally conservative and religious. Douma has a strong Pan-Arab presence since Nasser's days, but of course there are plenty of Islamists everywhere and they are definitely less backward and repressive than the current brutal regime.

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Your dialogue is like my ...

This is a t-shirt by a Syrian opposition member, he says "your dialogue (with the opposition) is like my butt".

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Martyr Ibrahim Kashoush, The Canary of the Syrian Revolution

This is one of the most interesting stories of the Syrian revolution. Ibrahim Kashoush, the man from Hama who sang an anti regime song, calling for Assad's departure from power. Kashoush's song rhymes and is amazing, you could listen to it here during a night demonstration in Hama (if you don't know the language, you will love the music). Kashoush was arrested and killed, his throat was cut out, you could see this gruesome video of his body here (Warning : very gruesome)

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Assad supporters storm French and US embassies in Syria

This is the regime's response to the American Ambassador's presence in Hama, very interesting developments indeed. I think the Syrian regime will go the Iranian way: full confrontation with the West, a bully approach to the Israeli-Arab conflict. That means more bases for Palestinians in Syria, a carte-blanche for plotting against Israeli and Western interests in the Middle East. Internally, the regime will use its foreign conspiracy rhetoric to repress any dissent.

"French embassy guards in Damascus fired live ammunition to disperse loyalists to President Bashar al-Assad who tried to break into the compound on Monday and are still surrounding it, diplomats in the Syrian capital said.
A similar crowd broke into the U.S. embassy but later left, they added. A US embassy official said the response of the Syrian authorities was "slow and insufficient"."

(I took a few days off, and now I am back full-force into blogging).

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Amnesty accuses Syria of crimes against humanity

Amnesty International has called for a UN-backed investigation into the violence in Syria, saying the regime's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters may constitute crimes against humanity.

The group has documented several cases of torture, deaths in custody and arbitrary detention in a new report.
All relate to a military sweep in the western village of Tell Kalakh in May.
Amnesty says the UN Security Council must refer Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague.
Syrian human rights groups have said that more than 1,350 civilians and 350 security personnel have been killed across the country since protests began in mid-March against the repressive rule of President Bashar al-Assad, who is fighting off the most serious challenge to his family's four decades in power.
The Syrian government has not responded to the report, but it claims that many of those who have died were the victims not of the army, but of armed criminal gangs.
Syrian state media has also reported on what it said was a large pro-government demonstration in Tell Kalakh late last month.

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Statement by the Local Coordinating Committees (LCC) On the alleged "National Dialogue Conference"

The so-called: "National Dialogue Committee" which has been recently appointed by the Syrian regime has decided to conduct a "consultation meeting" on the 10th of July, which is supposedly going to establish the basis and rules of a dialogue, that prepare...s for the "National Dialogue Conference" as was mentioned in the official regime’s media. The Local Coordination Committees in Syria would like to stress that the above-mentioned meeting and all that may result from it do not in any way represent a real "national dialogue" upon which people can rely for a solution, for the following reasons:     1- This move by the regime is the result of the internal pressure by the daily revolutionary demonstrations on the one hand; and on the other hand is a response to the several international calls to find a "political solution" to what they call "the Syrian crisis"; a solution still believed to be found under a regime that they still regard as legitimate in spite of all the planned systematic violence against the peaceful demonstrators over 4 months so far. Needless to say that this regime has actually fallen morally, politically and nationally, and betting on its survival will only prolong the suffering of civilians.     2 – This move has been taken by the regime while its forces are continuing its siege and shelling with tanks and artillery of many cities, and are still killing, arbitrarily detaining many protestors and torturing them to death in some cases, in addition to the other aspects of abuse and violence against civilians. This indicates that the regime’s aim in calling for this “dialogue” is just to influence the main international powers, and not really to respond to the demands of the Syrian people. It is known that none of the basic conditions for a dialogue that we mentioned in previous statements were implemented, and in particular:  - Stopping all forms of killing and violence against peaceful demonstrators.  - Lifting the siege imposed on the provinces and cities in Syria and returning all the military units to their military sites.  - The release of all the political detainees (including peaceful demonstrators) in Syria.  - Stopping the chasing of peaceful demonstrators, political and human rights activists; and not repressing the peaceful demonstration in any way and rather taking responsibility of ensuring the safety of the demonstrators. - Stopping all forms of pro-regime propaganda that is taking place on the governmental and semi-governmental media, in which people who call for freedom are being accused of treason. - Allowing foreign media to have access to Syria in order to cover the current events.     3 - The primary objective of the dialogue from our point of view, which is the ending of the current regime and the peaceful transition to a new civil, democratic regime in Syria, is still completely rejected by the regime. This is clearly evidenced by the working of the invitation to the "National Dialogue", which restricted the aims of the dialogue by "discussing the necessary changes to the state’s constitution and the blueprints of new legislations".     In the absence of real political solutions and while the regime is trying to gain time and circumvent the legitimate demands of the people in the transition to a democratic system, we believe that continuing our peaceful revolution is the only way to achieve all of our objectives. May mercy be upon our martyrs and may victory be for our revolution for a free, democratic Syria.     5-7-2011  

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The Palestinian invasion of Tel Aviv

Passengers will declare their destination as Palestine; Foreign Ministry plans to prevent group’s entry into Israel.

New York activist Laura Durkay plans to name Palestine as her destination when she lands at Ben-Gurion Airport this Friday, even though such a response is likely to ensure her deportation.

As pro-Palestinian activists are struggling to set sail to Gaza from Greece, a separate, informal group, is targeting Ben- Gurion Airport.

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A hero from Hama: Nasser Shami, an Olympic boxer injured

Nasser Shami won a bronze medal in boxing at the 2004 Olympics. It is reported that he has been injured during protests in Hama

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Ahmadinejad last months in Power

Iran faces the prospect of an early presidential election after opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s controversial leadership united behind calls for a vote to coincide with next year’s parliamentary polls.

Conservatives and reformists see elections next year for the Majles, the 290-seat parliament, as an opportunity to heal divisions opened by Mr Ahmadinejad’s rigged election victory in 2009.

“We believe the next presidential election will be held sooner than its legal time and that a clergy will be elected to have more humbleness towards the Supreme Leader,” said Ghodrat Alikhani, a prominent religious MP.

Mr Ahmadinejad counted on the support of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to survive a popular revolt against the election that granted him a second term in 2009 but he has since fallen out of favour with the Supreme Leader. Iran has been fearful of the Arab Spring uprisings, particularly the one against its Syrian allies, and Ayatollah Khamenei has been making conciliatory remarks, calling for the crackdown that followed the 2009 election to be reined in and urging “an open, healthy and safe political climate in accordance with the constitution”.

Reformists have also backed an early presidential vote. Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former president who lost the leadership of the body that chooses the Supreme Leader after challenging the result of the election, said a new vote offered Iran a route out of political deadlock. “History has shown that if we fail to have the consent of the majority of our people we will have no secure future,” he said.

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Hezbollah in Deraa???

This is the first video/claim from Syria that Hezbollah fighters are participating in repression. They sound Syrian from their accents, and I think that one of the soldiers was joking with a bearded colleague, saying: "Welcome, the followers of Nasrallah".

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Nasrallah's terrible error

Nasrallah, and in his speech last night, mistakes United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. He showed a document showing the UNTSO transferred 95 computers through Israel, saying that it was the STL. He was trying to undermine the STL's credibility. Here is the document he showed on TV last night:

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another video of the Hama demonstration

Here is another video with a clear view of the Hama demonstration

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Hama's massive demonstration: a historic event

This demonstration in Hama Yesterday is just massive, hundred of thousands participated in this historic event:

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Saudi reforms and intra regime tensions

An analysis on Saudi reforms from the Guardian's reductionist journalist, Jason Burke, also an expert on Al-Qaeda, and an expert on all Middle East related issues, to hell with nuance. A typical analysis that completely ignores the power structure:

"On a Friday at one o'clock, Sheikh Saad Bin Naser al-Shethri is leading prayers in a small mosque in an upmarket neighbourhood of Riyadh, the Saudi capital. The faithful fill two floors, listening to the cleric's sermon on the true sense of the traditional greeting "salaam aleikum" – peace be upon you. This, Shethri says, means love thy neighbour.

It is a moderate message from a man who even in fiercely conservative Saudi Arabia, home to the most rigorous strands of Muslim practice in the world, is considered a hardliner. Only 18 months ago, Shethri, 46, was fired from the country's high council of religious scholars by King Abdullah, who has ruled the kingdom since 2005.

His offence was to have criticised the king's decision to allow male and female researchers to work together at the new multibillion pound science university built outside Riyadh. The king had called the university, a key part of Saudi Arabia's drive towards economic modernisation, a "beacon of tolerance". Shethri retorted that "mixing [genders] is a great sin and a great evil ... When men mix with women, their hearts burn and they will be diverted from their main goal [of] education."

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The U.S. comes to save Assad

This is very interesting, the American role in saving what is possible from the Status-Co, very interesting indeed. So the Americans are acting on Israeli fears of losing this regime, and thus the incredible sense of security in the Golan Heights and with Syria's Palestinian refugees. So the Americans are pushing the opposition to accept that the Syrian regime is capable of reforming itself. The problem is it is too late and the Syrian people do not trust their regime.
This proposal is based on the false premises that Assad is leading the regime, and that he has sway over reform. The moment the revolution halts, there will be a massacre.

"The US is pushing the Syrian opposition to maintain dialogue with Bashar al-Assad's regime as details emerge of a controversial "roadmap" for reforms that would leave him in power for now despite demands for his overthrow during the country's bloody three-month uprising.

Syrian opposition sources say US state department officials have been discreetly encouraging discussion of the unpublished draft document, which circulated at an unprecedented opposition conference held on Monday in Damascus. But Washington denies backing it."

Syrian sources have revealed a roadmap for political reforms that would transform Bashar al-Assad's regime – but leave him in place

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