Saturday, February 27, 2016

The American Dream in the age of Zika

NEWS: The World and Security Review: The American Dream in the age of Zika: The strang...: The American Dream in the age of Zika:  The strange case of " Asher Potts " aka " Artur Samarin "  or how to ...

The American Dream in the age of Zika: 
The strange case of "Asher Potts" aka "Artur Samarin

Friday, February 26, 2016

NEWS: The World and Security Review: "Of course, we are fully aware that this will be a...

Cohen - Heintz - Obama, "a shrewd observer of America’s role in the world": 

“The Consequences of the End of the American Century.” 
It’s political suicide... 

NEWS: The World and Security Review: "Of course, we are fully aware that this will be a...

"Let me start by thanking all of you, everyone working in the central office and the regional offices and special subdivisions, for y...
На заседании коллегии Федеральной службы безопасности.
Of course, we are fully aware that this will be a difficult and perhaps even contradiction-filled peace process, but peaceful settlement is the only possible way out of the crisis. We must put in place conditions for bringing a swift end to the bloodshed and then starting a full-fledged intra-Syrian dialogue with all constructive political forces taking part.
Nadia O'Mara


The Early Edition: February 26, 2016 


- Ahrar al-Sham says bombed Russia officers near Latakia

Friday, February 19, 2016

NEWS: The World and Security Review: » Up to 5,000 Isil-trained jihadists could be at l...

NEWS: The World and Security Review: » Up to 5,000 Isil-trained jihadists could be at l...: Mike Nova's Shared NewsLinks Review   From The Major News Sources »   Up to 5,000 Isil-trained jihadists could be at large in ...

NEWS: The World and Security Review: How ISIS Takes Revenge on Russia - The Daily Beast...

NEWS: The World and Security Review: How ISIS Takes Revenge on Russia - The Daily Beast...: isis and russia - Google Search How ISIS Takes Revenge on Russia - The Daily Beast 5 ISIS Weapons of War Russia Should Fear in Syria | Th...

NEWS: The World and Security Review: U.S. and Russia hold talks on Syria ceasefire ahea...

NEWS: The World and Security Review: U.S. and Russia hold talks on Syria ceasefire ahea...: U.S. Russia talks on Syria - Google Search Friday February 19 th , 2016  at  9:34 AM 1 Share US  and  Rus...

NEWS: The World and Security Review: » Report: Turkey presses ahead with cross-border s...

NEWS: The World and Security Review: » Report: Turkey presses ahead with cross-border s...: Mike Nova's Shared NewsLinks Review   From The Major News Sources »   Report: Turkey presses ahead with cross-border shelling ...

Sunday, September 27, 2015

M.N.: The current and emerging Middle East conflict is a complex "proxy war"... | Current Headlines

M.N.: The current and emerging Middle East conflict is a complex "proxy war" apparently "without reliable proxies" but with multiple players and "hidden hands"... | Current Headlines - 4:12 PM 9/27/2015

M.N.: The current and emerging Middle East conflict is a complex "proxy war" apparently "without reliable proxies" but with multiple players, "hidden hands" (see this review: "And now, the new wave of terrorism by IS works to Putin’s advantage given his problems in Ukraine." - Paul Goble) and various intertwined goals and objectives. It develops along the Sunni-Shia and the Russia (in alliance with Iran and China) - West divides. As much professed military wisdom goes it promises to be a "long (perpetual?) war" and its final outcome and reverberations remain to be seen after the dust settles and blood dries up. The question is the role and the scope of the U.S. participation in the most rational and efficient manner within some (still fluid and emerging) international framework and with the minimal risks and expenses for the country tired and disappointed with this almost unmanageable  and almost senseless chaos and destruction. However, this chaos might be creative. The point is to help it to become creative and to try to see clearly if it is possible, through the fog of the present and sometimes rather confusing moment. 
The "suddenly" (and very conveniently for Russian strategists) popped up (and readily fanned by pics and drama hungry media) migration crises in both the Europe and the USA, together with the other attempts at social and political destabilization (the examples are abound and not so hypothetical) might also be, at least in part, the results of some hidden movements of the same invisible hand. 

"Мильоны — вас. Нас — тьмы, и тьмы, и тьмы. 
        Попробуйте, сразитесь с нами! 
Да, Скифы — мы! Да, азиаты — мы, — 
        С раскосыми и жадными очами!"

Can this "hand" or "hands" be reprogrammed? It might be easier and smarter than the simple and crude amputation (which might be impossible anyway). This certainly is worth a try, without any guarantee of success and with multiple and yet unknown risks.


"Tamer, 24, from Latakia, said that Russian-led military operations have already started, in apparent contradiction of claims from Moscow and the US secretary of state, John Kerry, that the posture of the new arrivals was defensive.
“The Russians participated in an operation with the regime last week,” Tamer said. “There has long been a planned deportation for the Sunnis in Latakia, and many of their houses were taken by the Iranians and Hezbollah. I believe this is the beginning of dividing the country.
“The Russians came now to rescue the Syrians because the opposition came very close to the Alawite villages in Jourin. They want to control that area because it is on a top of a hill and once they have it, they can control the valleys around it and secure them.”"

Russian planes bring fear and hope to Syrian city in Assad heartland 


"Looking at the vacuum left by Obama’s retreating America, Putin seeks to position Russia again as a key Middle East player. How gratifying for him to have Israel’s Binyamin Netanyahu paying personal court in Moscow recently, in recognition of this enhanced role. Looking at the serial crises rocking the EU, from recession to Greece to migration, Putin hopes, as ever, to exacerbate and play upon European divisions. Looking at vulnerable borders from Estonia to Serbia, at the entire post-Soviet space including Georgia and Moldova, and at perceived Nato weakness, Putin sends submarines and nuclear bombers to dramatise his message: Russia is back. His rapid build-up in Syria is not, primarily, about vanquishing Isis, although Russia certainly has good reason to fear Islamist extremism. It is but a part of a bigger, ongoing international power-play fuelled by visceral hostility to the west." 

The Observer view on Russia’s military intervention in Syria

Vladimir Putin bids for major world role as his forces move into Syria