Brookings calls itself a
Washington-based NGO "conducting high-quality, independent research"
to advance three goals: democracy, economic and social welfare for all,
and a "more safe, prosperous and cooperative international system."
In fact, it's a corporate financed imperial tool. It serves wealth and
power. It deplores democracy, social welfare, and equal opportunity.
It supports Washington's longstanding Syria and Iran regime change agenda.
Doing so ignores rule of law principles.
In June 2009, its report titled "Which Path to Persia? Options for a
New American Strategy Toward Iran" was a regime change policy paper.
Six pro-Israeli right-wing ideologues prepared it.
Topics addressed included military options for disarming Iran, invasion,
air strikes, allowing or encouraging an Israeli attack, regime change,
and containment.
It falsely accused Tehran of developing nuclear weapons, supporting
terrorist groups, and engaging in "wider efforts to overturn the regional
status quo."
It claimed "incontrovertible" evidence that "Iran has aided groups seeking
to overthrow the governments of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain (and
arguably Lebanon and Israel as well) at various times," but didn't reveal
any.
It said Iran helped derail Israeli/Palestinian peace talks. It asked
if Washington "should (be) willing to accept the Islamic Republic at
all." It stressed "ticking clock" urgency to act. It stopped just short
of demanding war.
It ignored over 200 years of Iranian history. For generations, Tehran
neither attacked or threatened other nations. It doesn't now.
It ignored other issues mattering most. It does what its corporate backers
wish. It's well financed to lie, deceive, misreport, and support imperial
lawlessness.
In March 2012, its report titled "Saving Syria: Assessing Options for
Regime Change" targeted Assad. Four contributors prepared it. Two helped
write the Iranian one, including:
Kenneth Pollack: He's a former CIA analyst and National Security Council
staff member. He's now a Council on Foreign Relations member and Brookings
Saban Center for Middle East Policy research director.
Daniel Byman: He's a former 9/11 Commission staff member. Currently
he's Brookings Saban Center for Middle East Policy research director
and Georgetown University security studies professor.
Two other contributors included:
Michael Doran: He's a former deputy assistant defense secretary and
National Security Council senior director. He now serves as Brookings
Saban Center senior fellow, specializing in Middle East security issues.
Salman Shaikh: Formerly he served in Qatar's Office of Sheikha Mozah
Bint Nasser Al Missned. Qatar's a rogue state. It also supports US imperial
wars. Shaikh also held UN posts. He's now Brookings Doha Center director,
focusing on Middle East policy.
Their report claims "Syria is trapped on a crumbling precipice, and
however it might fall will entail significant risks for the United States
and for the Syrian people."
They accused Assad of using military force and "sectarian thugs to crush
the opposition and reassert its tyranny."
It ignored Washington's longstanding regime change plans. America's
a global menace. Obama outrageously calls Assad an "unusual and extraordinary
threat." He, Hillary Clinton, and UN envoy Susan Rice demand he step
down. Doing so defies international and US constitutional law.
Western-generated violence rages. It's been ongoing for 15 months. Syria
was calm and peaceful until America, key NATO partners, and rogue regional
allies intervened.
Qatar's very much involved. So aren't Saudi Arabia, other Gulf States,
Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon's March 14 alliance, and Israel. Washington's
dirty hands orchestrate everything.
Most Syrians support Assad. A new constitution passed overwhelmingly
by national referendum. No Western society dares hold them. Populist
voices for change are denied.
On May 7, Syrians voted for the first time in parliamentary elections.
It was a milestone political event. Independent candidates participated.
It's too early to know what's ahead, but open elections are a good start.
Despite ongoing insurgent violence, turnout was high. Voting went smoothly.
Independent monitors supervised the process. They included intellectuals,
legislators and judicial authorities from other countries.
For Syrians, it was historic. Washington called elections farcical.
US and other Western reports mocked them. In lock step, scoundrel media
regurgitate official lies. They ignore their own tainted political process.
Americans especially have no choice. Money power runs things. People
have no say. Elections are theater, not real. The entire process is
tainted, corrupted and dysfunctional.
On issues mattering most, Republicans and Democrats agree. Anti-populism,
corporate empowerment, and imperial lawless define their agenda. Ordinary
people lose out.
Brookings reported ahead of Syrian elections. It focused on supporting
regime change. Doing so ignores international law. No nation may interfere
internally in others. For Washington and think tanks like Brookings,
its policy.
Its report said removing Assad won't be easy. It accused him of murdering
his own people, injuring many more, and torturing opposition forces
trying to topple him. It presented no evidence whatever.
It ignored Assad's obligation to confront insurgent violence. They're
responsible for most killing, destruction, atrocities, and other terror
directed at civilians and security forces. No responsible leader dares
leave his or her people unprotected. Most Syrians welcome his efforts.
To "protect US interests," said Brookings, Assad can't be allowed to
triumph. America must remove him. Six options were proposed:
(1) diplomacy;
(2) coercion and diplomatic isolation;
(3) providing full support for opposition forces to oust him;
(4) a Libya-style air campaign;
(5) invasion "with US-led forces;" and
(6) a "multilateral, NATO-led (regime change) effort."
International law is clear. No nation may interfere in the internal
affairs of others. Doing so forcefully is strictly prohibited.
Aggression is an international crime. UN Charter Articles 2(3) and 33(1)
require peaceful settlements of international disputes. Article 2(4)
prohibits force or its threatened use, including no-fly zone acts of
war.
Articles 2(3), 2(4), and 33 absolutely prohibit any unilateral or other
external threat or use of force not specifically allowed under Article
51 or otherwise authorized by the Security Council in accordance with
UN Charter provisions.
Article 2(7) states:
"Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United
Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic
jurisdiction of any state or shall require the Members to submit such
matters to settlement under the present Charter; but this principle
shall not prejudice the application of enforcement measures under Chapter
Vll."
Article 51 permits force only in self-defense if attacked until the
Security Council acts. It has final say.
Brookings called options it proposed "complex." Except for diplomacy,
they're outrageous and lawless. Supporting illegal acts is criminal.
On the one hand, it recommends giving diplomacy "one last chance." On
the other, it dismissed it out of hand. It said it "failed to keep up
with the increasingly bloody and militarized situation...." As a result,
it's unlikely "diplomacy alone can resolve the crisis."
Fingers were pointed the wrong way. Washington, not Assad, created crisis
conditions. The Obama administration bears full responsibility. It led
efforts to oust Gaddafi. It turned Libya into charnel house hell. Violence
still rages out of control.
Short of direct intervention, it's replicating the Libyan model in Syria.
It's responsible for most deaths and destruction. Calling off its dogs
would stop it. Greater violence likely is planned. Perhaps all-out war
looms.
Brookings called Russia and China "the biggest obstacle to international
unity." Together they blocked more bloody conflict. For how much longer
is doubtful. When Washington plans regime change, all options are open.
International law is ignored.
Brookings called no US Syria option cost-free. "Several steps are vital
for almost any conceivable effort to oust Asad." It proposed bolstering
support for opposition fighters, providing more arms for greater effectiveness,
and getting Turkey to assume more responsibility, whether or not it
"take(s) the lead."
It said Washington must intervene "to protect (its) many interests affected
by the bloodshed of Syria." It stopped short of admitting America's
longstanding goal is unchallenged global dominance by any means necessary.
Brookings, of course, supports it.
A Final Comment
On May 10, two powerful explosions rocked Damascus. They occurred during
morning rush hour when workers and students were heading for jobs or
school. Reuters reported 55 killed and 372 injured, some severely.
Insurgent violence was responsible. Washington's dirty hands got more
bloodstained. Western sources blame Assad. Syrians point fingers the
right way.
Images showed bodies with severed limbs. Body parts were visible. Vehicles
were mangled, burned and smoldering. Human remains were inside. One
explosion left a ten foot crater deep in the road. Walls of adjacent
buildings collapsed. Shooting was audible.
These type attacks are sophisticated. They take planning. Targets are
chosen. Timing's important. US and UK Special Forces are involved. So
are CIA and MI6 operatives. Earlier, Syrian forces captured French soldiers.
Western-generated violence isn't happenstance.
The previous day, a blast targeted a Syrian military truck seconds after
Norwegian General Robert Mood, UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS)
head, passed in a convoy.
Syrians face similar threats daily. Most know who's responsible and
condemn it. Conflict rages. Kofi Annan's peace plan is more sham than
real.
Russia and China provide support short of direct intervention. Assad
resists Washington's plan to transform Syria into another US puppet
state. Ordinary people most harmed support him.
Expect no end of conflict soon. How it ends remains uncertain. War is
a real risk given Obama's rage to wage them. Future articles will update
developments.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
His new book is titled "How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized
Banking, Government Collusion and Class War"
http://www.claritypress.com/Lendman.html
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge
discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News
Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time
and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy
listening.
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour
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