Lendman on the Syrian & Mideast situation—latest commentary

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Trump making nice with Saudi royal. Nothing good can come out of any of this. It never does.

The Riyadh Declaration of Escalated Regional War

[dropcap]O[/dropcap]n the phony pretext of combating ISIS, the scourge America and its rogue regional allies support, a so-called Riyadh Declaration was agreed to by 55 Muslim countries in the Saudi capital on Sunday. Claiming it’s “to combat terrorism in all its forms, address its intellectual roots, dry up its sources of funding, and take all necessary measures to prevent and combat terrorist crimes in close cooperation among their states” is a statement of mass deception. Saudi Arabia, Israel and America’s regional presence constitute the epicenter of regional and global state terrorism - supporting its scourge, not combating it.

The Saudi Press Agency, saying “a global center for countering extremist thought…combating intellectual, media and digital extremism, and promoting coexistence and tolerance among peoples” based in Riyadh would be laughable if the threat posed by Washington, the Saudis and other regional rogue states wasn’t so grave. Riyadh Declaration signatory countries committed to provide “a reserve force of 34,000 troops” - not “to support operations against terrorist organizations in Iraq and Syria when needed,” as claimed.

They’ll partner with Washington’s destructive imperial agenda, a plot to eliminate Syrian and Iranian sovereignty, assuring endless Middle East wars. Iran was especially singled out, the document saying signatories “confirmed their absolute rejection of the practices of the Iranian regime designed to destabilize the security and stability of the region and the world at large and for its continuing support for terrorism and extremism” - polar opposite Tehran’s agenda.

It’s targeted for its sovereign independence, a nation America doesn’t control, a Saudi rival. Imperial plans call for regime change. On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted “Iran - fresh from real elections - attacked by @POTUS in that bastion of democracy & moderation (Saudi Arabia). Foreign Policy or simply milking KSA of $480 billion?”

Separately in a London-based al-Araby al-Jadeed news network op-ed, Zarif said Trump “must enter into dialogue with (the Saudis) about ways to prevent terrorists and Takfiris from continuing to fuel the fire in the region and repeating the likes of the September 11 incident by their sponsors in Western countries.” “(T)he Iranophobia project (was) initiated and promoted by the Zionist regime for years…Iran (seeks) stability in the entire region because it knows that achieving security at home at the expense of insecurity among neighbors is basically

impossible.”

Sadly as Zarif knows, US and Saudi policies foster terrorism, using ISIS and likeminded groups to further their imperial agendas. Trump’s Sunday Muslim world address was an exercise in deception - exposed by longstanding US policies, its endless wars of aggression, and announced deal to sell Riyadh hundreds of billions of dollars worth of powerful weapons over the next decade, entirely for offense, not defense. Washington’s goal isn’t “stamping out (terrorist) extremism,” as Trump claimed, it’s supporting and encouraging it to further US aims for unchallenged global dominance.

The Riyadh Declaration is part of the scheme to pursue this objective, polar opposite what its signatories claim.

Russian Forces in Southern Syria

Russian paras awaiting completion of rehearsal during deployment exercises.

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n response to US terror-bombing Syrian and allied forces last Thursday near the Iraqi and Jordanian borders, along with reports of a possible US-orchestrated southern invasion, Russian paratroopers and special forces were deployed to Dara’a and Sweida provinces. They’ll aid government and allied troops defend against possible southern Syria aggression - fortifying border areas with Jordan and Iraq, perhaps engaging enemy forces if necessary. Their presence sends a message to Washington, showing added Moscow resolve to combat terrorism, along with respecting Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Unverified reports suggested Russia plans a military base near Jordan’s border. US warplanes attacked Syrian and allied forces last week to prevent their securing control over southern border areas. Involvement of Russian forces helps achieve this objective. Protected by air cover, US warplanes aren’t likely to risk direct confrontation, though anything ahead is possible, given Washington’s rage to destroy Syrian sovereignty and oust Assad. US strategy involves dividing northern and southern areas from Damascus. It’s also about severing Syrian transportation routes to Iraq and Iran.

Russian conflict resolution efforts so far achieved no breakthroughs. Washington wants war, not peace. On the phony pretext of combating terrorism, larger numbers of US forces may be deployed to the region. Separately, former CIA officer Philip Giraldi warned that America and its rogue allies may be heading for war on Iran, saying it may happen “before too long as it is clear Trump and his advisers are already completely in the Israeli and Saudi pockets on this issue.” Putting Iran on notice along with hostile rhetoric from Trump and other administration officials are ominous signs of what may be coming.

Trump's Fawning Address in Israel

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t made disturbing listening and reading from the transcript. He “reaffirm(ed) the unshakable bond between the United States and Israel” - unshakably partnered in high crimes of war and against humanity he failed to explain. Sounding like Netanyahu, he said “(t)he ties of the Jewish people to this holy land are ancient and eternal.” “Israel is a testament to the unbreakable spirit of the Jewish people” - at the expense of millions of brutalized Palestinians and harm done to regional states. “My administration will always stand with Israel,” he blustered. “Through your hardships, you have created one of the most abundant lands in the world.” It’s been unaccountable throughout its sordid history because of US-led Western support, getting away with slow-motion genocide for decades.

Trump: “While evil forces seeks to kill innocents of all faiths, your nation has responded with compassion, charity, and generosity.”

Fact: Its agenda is polar opposite. Its Machiavellian alliance with America is the greatest threat to world peace.

Trump: “We must build a coalition of partners who share the aim of stamping out extremism and violence, and providing our children with a peaceful and hopeful future.” It “requires the world to fully recognize the vital role of the state of Israel.”

Fact: America and Israel are the world’s leading perpetrators of state terror, promoting extremism and violence to serve their interests.

Reinventing history, Trump turned truth on its head, claiming “Israelis have experienced firsthand the hatred and terror of radical violence.”

“Israelis are murdered by terrorists wielding knifes and bombs. Hamas and Hezbollah launch rockets into Israeli communities where schoolchildren have to be trained to hear the sirens and run to bomb shelters.” “ISIS targets Jewish neighborhoods, synagogues, and storefronts. And Iran’s leaders routinely call for Israel’s destruction.”

Fact: Israelis mass murder Palestinians, not the other way around. Hamas and Hezbollah never preemptively attacked Israel, only responded defensively to its aggression.

Iran never called for Israel’s destruction. The Big Lie has been around for a long time, one of many ways the Islamic Republic is vilified.

Former Deputy Israeli Prime Minister Dan Meridor admitted former Iranian President Ahmadinijad never said Israel should be “wipe(d) off the face of the face off the map” - actually saying its regime would collapse on its own. Yet the false claim persists, Trump in his Israeli address disgracefully repeating it. Saying “let us pray for…peace, and for a more hopeful future across the Middle East” belies the US/Israeli axis, waging endless wars, wanting sovereign Syrian and Iranian independence destroyed, their governments ousted, pro-Western rule replacing them.

Trump: “ All decent people want to live in peace, and all humanity is threatened by the evils of terrorism.”

Fact: Peace is unattainable as long as America, Israel and their rogue allies wage endless wars. State terrorism is the evil Trump ignored.

Trump: “As I have repeatedly said, I am personally committed to helping Israelis and Palestinians reach that mutual commitment comprehensive peace agreement, and I had a great meeting this morning with President Mahmoud Abbas and I can tell you that he is ready to reach a peace deal.”

Fact: The only so-called “peace agreement” acceptable to Washington and Israel is unconditional Palestinian surrender, continued subjugation under occupation harshness.

Trump: “The United States is firmly committed to keeping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and halting their support of terrorists and militias that are causing so much suffering and chaos throughout the Middle East.”

Fact: Iran’s nuclear program has no military component - not now or earlier, likely never given its abhorrence of these weapons, wanting the region free from them.

Fact: Iran is a victim of terrorism, not a sponsor or perpetrator like Washington and Israel.

As long as both countries pursue imperial objectives, endless wars will rage. Peace, stability and security will remain unattainable.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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STEPHEN LENDMAN lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." ( http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html ) Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE: No material by this author or any other author published on this site should be read as a defense of Donald trump and his policies. For us Trump, the GOP and the Democrats are all part of the same malignant threat to world peace, democracy, truth, elementary decency and honesty in government affairs afflicting the US and the rest of the world.

On the phony pretext of combating ISIS, the scourge America and its rogue regional allies support, a so-called Riyadh Declaration was agreed to by 55 Muslim countries in the Saudi capital on Sunday. Claiming it’s “to combat terrorism in all its forms, address its intellectual roots, dry up its sources of funding, and take all necessary measures to prevent and combat terrorist crimes in close cooperation among their states” is a statement of mass deception. Saudi Arabia, Israel and America’s regional presence constitute the epicenter of regional and global state terrorism – supporting its scourge, not combating it.