Thread/
Middle East Politics
- Thread starter Raoul
- Start date
First war I have any memory of (apart from the Troubles if that counts). Followed shortly by the breakup of Yugoslavia. The 91-01 period can seem like a bit of a golden age of peace and hope from some (largely Western) perspectives, but there were some seriously ugly conflicts playing out in that decade.
I wonder how his meeting with the circassians will go.
I think Jared should visit Gaza to negotiate directly with Hamas to end this crisis once and for all.
Have seen Saudis on Twitter this morning expressing concern for the plight of the indigenous peoples of Canada and the campaign for Quebec's independence.
In other news...
AP investigation: US allies cut deals with al-Qaida in Yemen
ATAQ, Yemen (AP) — Again and again over the past two years, a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the United States has claimed it won decisive victories that drove al-Qaida militants from their strongholds across Yemen and shattered their ability to attack the West.
Here's what the victors did not disclose: many of their conquests came without firing a shot.
That's because the coalition cut secret deals with al-Qaida fighters, paying some to leave key cities and towns and letting others retreat with weapons, equipment and wads of looted cash, an investigation by The Associated Press has found. Hundreds more were recruited to join the coalition itself.
https://apnews.com/amp/f38788a561d74ca78c77cb43612d50da?__twitter_impression=true
In other news...
AP investigation: US allies cut deals with al-Qaida in Yemen
ATAQ, Yemen (AP) — Again and again over the past two years, a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the United States has claimed it won decisive victories that drove al-Qaida militants from their strongholds across Yemen and shattered their ability to attack the West.
Here's what the victors did not disclose: many of their conquests came without firing a shot.
That's because the coalition cut secret deals with al-Qaida fighters, paying some to leave key cities and towns and letting others retreat with weapons, equipment and wads of looted cash, an investigation by The Associated Press has found. Hundreds more were recruited to join the coalition itself.
https://apnews.com/amp/f38788a561d74ca78c77cb43612d50da?__twitter_impression=true
Israel prime murder suspects in three decades within a couple of weeks.
Was funny seeing that Saudi organisation causally threaten Canada with terrorism.
The group has since apologized and are now claiming it was to wish their Ambassador a safe voyage home.
My god. 29 children dead and 30 injured as a Saudi air attack on Houthis hits a school bus in a marketplace. Total dead - 43, 61 injured.
Official coalition response:
BBC: Saudi-led air strike on bus kills 29 children
Official coalition response:
BBC: Saudi-led air strike on bus kills 29 children
Last edited:
UK and US actively taking part. We should be on the streets ffs!
That's a war crime.
The Saudis would have to murder 100 times that many children, day in day out for a year, before our arms companies blinked about selling them more stuff.
Yeah incredible heroism. They should make statue of him and make his birthday a holiday.
Interesting, this bit - "the Falcons would stage fake explosions and issue fake news releases, sometimes claiming large casualties" might finally provide an explanation for this really bizarre episode from back in 2016 - The Remarkable Case of an Iraqi Car Bomb.
Looks about right. Iraqi intelligence and IO capabilities have improved by leaps and bounds over the past decade.
It does certainly explain alot
Tunisian president to seek equal inheritance rights for women
Sebsi’s support for reform likely to anger traditionists who fear undermining of Islam
https://www.ft.com/content/182b05f0-9efc-11e8-85da-eeb7a9ce36e4
Bomb that killed 40 children in Yemen was supplied by the US.
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/17/middleeast/us-saudi-yemen-bus-strike-intl/index.html
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/17/middleeast/us-saudi-yemen-bus-strike-intl/index.html
Pathetic by the US and the Saudis, war crimes in its fines image, yet nobody care about those children because they are Yemenis.
Amazing and great steps forward. Tunisia has always been one of my favourite countries in the region, despite always being a bit of an afterthought for most people I think.
As above, the Saudis are fecking despicable and this war is ridiculous. Can't really say much more to express my disgust to be honest.
So Syria looks just about over. America and it's western allies have lost, Assad, Russia and Iran have won.
If ever there was much of a moderate or democratic movement there not many seemed to care enough to fight for it.
Lessons learned, hopefully.
If ever there was much of a moderate or democratic movement there not many seemed to care enough to fight for it.
Lessons learned, hopefully.
America didn’t lose. This is the outcome it has been working towards for several years now.
Is that good or bad?
It meant a lot of death, so, bad.
I don’t know that there was a good outcome possible here, though.
Yeah, I'm not against intervention in principle, but the US and it's allies do seem to choose it as an option before bothering to think it through. As for the outcome, maybe just accept that some peoples in the world rate ethnic loyalty and religion before western ideas of democracy, and leave them to it, unless they directly threaten. Although they were left to it soon enough when the Russians joined in.
While the Russians were busy saving Assad, the US has managed to do its part to degrade and eradicate ISIS (on both sides of the border), which will be viewed as a qualified success. The war wont of course end until Assad leaves power as any ceasefires will only set things back to the same conditions (plus 7 years of war) of what originally gave rise to the conflict in the first place. The only losers have been the people who aspired to not be governed by a totalitarian dictatorship.
Theres zero chance a lesson will be learned by the people who make these disastrous decisions. There have been multiple more clear cut examples of the same horrible decisions and it hasnt changed anything. The same people can't wait to bomb Tehran.
Until Assad leaves power? I thought everyone was packing up and going home? Except for the Russians, who will soon be nicely building up their bases there, I imagine.
America just can’t win in the post Iraq War era, in terms of public opinion.
‘Eradicate ISIS? Big deal. Took you long enough. Why aren’t you better at fighting tornadoes?’
I would imagine so. If the people protesting at the very beginning wanted him out then whatever negative sentiment towards him will be amplified after 7 years of war, half a million deaths, and repeated chemical weapons attacks. So while Assad mops up the final rebel 'strongholds', I see no reason why what follows won't be any less than a totalitarian police state hellbent on persecuting anyone they even think was affiliated with the other side and a well honed, war hardened insurgency intent on continuing the war from the safety of anonymity.
China Defies US Pressure as EU Parts Ways With Iranian Oil
China, seeking to skirt US sanctions, will use oil tankers from Iran for its purchases of that country's crude, throwing Tehran a lifeline while European companies such as France's Total are walking away due to fear of reprisals from Washington.
https://thewire.in/world/china-defies-us-pressure-as-eu-parts-ways-with-iranian-oil
China, seeking to skirt US sanctions, will use oil tankers from Iran for its purchases of that country's crude, throwing Tehran a lifeline while European companies such as France's Total are walking away due to fear of reprisals from Washington.
https://thewire.in/world/china-defies-us-pressure-as-eu-parts-ways-with-iranian-oil