Slowed but not derailed by Russia and China
vetoing its Security Council resolution, America's regime change/war
plans remain on track.
In 1999, Washington circumvented the Security Council, UN Charter,
and US Constitution to wage aggressive war against nonbelligerent
Serbia/Kosovo.
According to former Nuremberg prosecutor Walter Rockler, it
"constitute(d) the most brazen international aggression since the
Nazis attacked Poland to prevent (nonexistent) 'Polish atrocities'
against Germans."
"The United States has discarded pretensions to international
legality and decency, and embarked on a course of raw imperialism
run amok."
In 1999, Nobel laureate Harold Pinter called America's aggression
"barbaric (and despicable), another blatant and brutal assertion of
US power using NATO as its missile (to consolidate) American
domination of Europe."
It replicated the same process against Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya,
as well as indirectly against other MENA (Middle East/North African)
countries. More aggression's planned against Syria and Iran, mostly
likely in 2012.
Run-up tactics include sanctions, hardening existing ones, imposing
new ones, isolation, and closing Washington’s Damascus embassy among
other steps. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said:
"The United States has suspended operations of our embassy in
Damascus as of Feb. 6. Ambassador (Robert) Ford and all American
personnel have now departed the country (allegedly because) the
regime failed to respond adequately" to US security concerns.
Hawkish UK Foreign Minister William Hague barely stopped short of
declaring war, saying Assad must surrender power. "This is a doomed
regime as well as a murdering regime. There is no way it can get its
credibility back either internationally or with its own people."
Furious about the Russian/Chinese veto, he added: "There is no way
to mince words about this. Such vetos are a betrayal of the Syrian
people."
Like Washington and other rogue NATO partners, he also didn't "rule
out" recognizing opposition Syrian National Council (SNC)
legitimacy, much like Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC)
won backing against Gaddafi.
In fact, international law prohibits it, but no matter. It doesn't
deter Washington/UK/French efforts to circumvent legal standards to
advance their joint imperium.
America's UN envoy Susan Rice, an unprincipled offender with higher
aspirations, threatened Russia and China with international
isolation for opposing Washington's Security Council action.
She added that America will use all means available against Assad.
Like Hague, she stopped short only of declaring war, though, of
course, ambassadors have no power to do so. Neither do foreign
ministers with platforms only to repeat sentiments of higher-ups.
Of course, Western-backed insurgents are largely responsible for
months of Syrian violence. Assad's more victim than villain.
So-called Syrian Free Army (SFA) militants promise stepped up
efforts ahead. According to SFA commander Colonel Riad al-Asaad:
"There is no other road. This regime does not understand the
language of politics. It only understands the language of force."
Behind the scenes, Washington's orchestrating regime change tactics.
So far bombing's not included. Expect it if other methods fail.
Notorious war goddess Hillary Clinton promised to "redouble our
efforts outside the United Nations." Her meaning was undisguised.
She also assailed Russia and China for vetoing SC action. She said
doing so "is to bear the responsibility for the horrors that are
occurring on the ground in Syria."
Obama repeated the accusation, blaming Assad (for) "murder(ing)
hundreds of Syrian citizens, including women and children."
In fact, no nation exceeds Washington's culpability throughout the
region. It orchestrated and participated in murdering tens of
thousands of Libyans, ravaging the country, and creating
incalculable human misery. Moreover, it's directly involved in
today's ongoing violence.
Cynically blaming Assad, America's responsible for thousands of
Syrian deaths and atrocities. Its bloodstained hands are infamous.
Its crimes of war and against humanity touch dozens of countries
globally. Syria's now target one, then Iran.
Similar to what preceded America's 2003 Iraq war, Washington,
Britain and France now call for a "coalition of the willing" against
Assad. If formed, expect Turkey, other rogue NATO partners, regional
despots, and Israel (at least covertly) to be included.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy cynically called it a "group of
friends of the Syrian people." Excluded, of course, are the
opposition Arab street, millions of others globally, and most
Syrians supporting Assad.
Major media scoundrels conceal it. Instead, a February 6 New York
Times editorial is typical headlined, "Killing in Syria," saying:
Assad "continue(s) his killing spree." Government "forces us(e)
tanks and machine guns (against) residential areas in Homs," killing
hundreds....Moscow and Beijing now have the blood of Syria's valiant
people on their hands as well."
Fact check
Throughout the Western-backed insurgency, Times scoundrels blamed
the victim like they always do. Syria was invaded by heavily armed
foreign militants. Assad confronted them responsibly. He's obligated
to protect his people. Yet he's blamed for externally generated
violence.
Russia and China blocked SC action intended to smooth the way to
war. Similar to Resolution 1973 against Libya, it made demands and
promised "further measures" if unmet.
By standing firm responsibly, The Times condemned Moscow and Beijing
for wanting "to deny the West another perceived victory."
At the same time, NYT editors endorse Washington's intention to
circumvent international and constitutional law by using other means
to topple Assad. It's "time for (him) to go," they stressed, no
matter how illegitimate to intervene in the internal affairs of
other countries.
Taking Aim at Iran
On February 6, Obama used unilateral Executive Order (EO) authority
to impose new sanctions on Iranian assets and central bank.
In a letter to Congress, he said:
"I have determined that additional sanctions are warranted,
particularly in light of the deceptive practices of the Central Bank
of Iran and other Iranian banks to conceal transactions of
sanctioned parties, the deficiencies in Iran's anti-money laundering
regime and the weaknesses in its implementation, and the continuing
and unacceptable risk posed to the international financial system by
Iran's activities."
Like he always does, he lied issuing EO 12957. Accusations are
spurious. They apply more to America's deeply corrupt financial
system. It involves grand theft, including looting the federal
treasury, customer accounts, and other private sources; market
manipulation; and money laundering through Wall Street and other
Western banks as one of their significant profit centers.
Instead of shutting down this money making racket and prosecuting
culpable officials, Obama ordered "All agencies of the United Stated
Government (to) hereby... take all appropriate measures within their
authority to carry out the provisions of this order" against Iran.
Describing the action as another way to isolate its government, it's
more cosmetic than effective as practically no Iranian assets remain
in America or under US control.
In other words, it was an election year stunt to win votes and
silence Republican hard-liners wanting bombs away now on Iran.
Not opposed, Obama favors delay to concentrate on toppling Assad,
isolating Iran, then directing full attention against Tehran by all
means necessary. Translation's unnecessary.
On February 5, AFP headlined, "Obama says US working 'in lockstep'
with Israel on Iran," saying:
"Obama "sought to reassure Americans over the threat posed by
Iran...." If fact, Tehran threatens no one but faces preemptive
Western belligerence to replace its government with a client one.
Nonetheless, Obama said:
"I've been very clear. We're going to do everything we can to
prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and creating a nuclear
arms race in a volatile region."
In fact, US intelligence and IAEA documents show no evidence
whatever of an Iranian nuclear weapons program. Obama knows it. So
do other NATO states and Israel. Claiming one is a red herring to
conceal regime change intentions.
Moreover, America and Israel share responsibility for regional
violence and instability, not Iran, Syria, Hezbolloh or Hamas.
They're victims, not villains.
Yet Obama claimed his "number one priority continues to be the
security of the United States (and) Israel."
In fact, he, Israel, and rogue Western partners prioritize imperial
lawlessness against targeted countries. As a result, all options are
considered, included preemptive wars with nuclear weapons against
Iran's underground facilities.
As a result, all humanity's potentially threatened by deranged
leaders too unconcerned to care. That's how Western civilization
today is governed.
When asked, no wonder Gandhi mocked its principles for good reason.
Imagine what he'd say today.
A Final Comment
On February 1, the Movement of the Icelandic Parliament (MIP)
nominated Private Bradley Manning for the Nobel Peace Prize. They
felt compelled to recognize his important contribution to world
peace.
He's an American hero threatened with life in prison or the death
penalty for his courage. Facing general court-martial, the US Army
Military District of Washington announced February 3 that he'll be
tried on all 22 charges. They include aiding the enemy, theft of
public property or records, transmitting defense information, and
fraud, among others.
Aiding the enemy carries a possible death sentence. Most likely
Manning faces life in prison.
On May 26, 2010, he was arrested and brutalized in prison isolation.
No announced trial date was set even though court-martial procedures
require trying suspects within 120 days of arrest or "preferral of
charges."
MIP's letter to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee said the following
in part:
"We have the great honor of nominating (Manning) for the 2012
(award)."
He stands accused of leaking documents revealing "a long history of
corruption, war crimes and imperialism by the United States
government in international dealings."
The evidence "should never have been kept from public scrutiny."
They document crimes of war and against humanity. "Citizens
worldwide" are indebted "to the WikiLeaks whistleblower for shedding
light on these issues, and so I urge the Committee to award this
prestigious prize to accused whistleblower Bradley Manning" for
displaying the highest form of courage at great personal risk.
Of course, expect Nobel officials to spurn him. The Committee's
history is long and inglorious. Past honorees included Henry
Kissinger, Shimon Peres, Yirzhak Rabin, Menachem Begin, Al Gore,
Obama, and others like them.
They share a common trait. They're unindicted war criminals, not
peacemakers. Choosing them exposed the Committee's real agenda.
It follows the tradition of Alfred Nobel. He was a wealthy 19th
century dynamite inventor/armaments manufacturer/war profiteer/then
reinvented peacemaker to conceal his disreputable past.
As a result, the Committee scorns peace and favors war. Usually,
those most deserving are bypassed for the world's worst.
In December, expect the tradition to continue. Perhaps Netanyahu and
NATO will share honors this year. Why not. It fits the pattern.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at
lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to
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