Lost in Spades

Obama's back down on the Syrian "red line" has weakened him and emboldened not only Assad, but their recently outspoken allies Russia , Iran and China . Add to this the feeble UK - indeed it has been openly ridiculed by the Russians - and we have the appearance at least of an  impotent West . Send in the Clowns: Putin, Iran and the RCC. In the guise of Christianity, now rushing in to also help fill this void left by Obama and the Wets is the historically tyrannical Roman Catholic church. The Pope is the joker in the pack. Watch for him to now go a whoring with the East. This situation has left Israel feeling increasingly vulnerable , without friends. I have been postulating for some time but it is now clear that we have the pre-text for a third World War. When will the circus be in town? Tuesday, 15th April 2014 . The circus is coming to town! It isn't funny.

Asia Times Online :: Papal challenge rocks US's Syria plans The above link is to an article by  Francesco Sisci, a columnist for the Italian daily, in which he outlines the recent remarks by Pope Frances regarding the situation in Syria; and in effect serving as a timely reminder to the superpower USA, and the superpower-to-be China, that not all revolves around the Pacific. Indeed Francesco goes on to argue that "t his could dent the current ability of the US president to be the arbiter of right and wrong in global politics, and it would give the stage to the pope to become a greater center of gravity in international politics, not just in religion." Indeed the article assumes an increasing role, as world inquisitor, by the Hole See. Are we on the threshold of seeing the Pope again begin to wax greatly with regard to geopolitical affairs in a way not seen perhaps since the Middle Ages? Pope Francis ...

This article is a redaction from a number of articles from CNN looking at why Russia, China and Iran are backing Syria - February 5, 2012 RUSSIA Apart from securing its energy contracts, a leased naval facility at the Syrian port of Tartus is Russia's only direct access to the Mediterranean. Russia's key policy goal is blocking American efforts to shape the region - be they revolutions, wars or regime change. It points to the Arab Spring and the US-led war in Iraq as evidence of the regional disruption and repercussions from American influence. Russia doesn't want a repeat of Iraq, and Putin is still upset about NATO's bombing in Libya two years ago that removed Russian ally Moammar Gadhafi from power. Russia also doesn't trust U.S. intentions in the region; believing humanitarian concerns are often used as an excuse for pursuing America's own political and economic interests. The U.S. (Kerry, McCain et al.) is keen to stress that there is no ...

Financial Times - Global Insight, By John Reed - September 2, 2013 Their worry is not that Israel is being left alone to cope with Syria, whose war Israel’s government and most of its people want no direct part in. The fear – and it is a big one – is about the message America’s perceived wavering on Syria sends to its bigger and much more powerful ally: Iran.

James Legge -  Saturday 31 August 2013 The Independent A key Syria ally on the Security Council, Putin has previously warned that "any unilateral military action bypassing the UN Security Council" would be a "direct violation of international law".

The Independent - Joe Murphy , St Petersburg - Friday 06 September 2013 Few signs of unity of purpose between leaders at first day of summit, but hostility remains veiled – more or less .

The following is taken directly from what Luis Vega wrote in 2011 : Luke 4:5-7 "The Devil led Him (Jesus Christ) up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, “I will give You all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be Yours.” The Israel-Arab showdown is coming soon. Here is a study on it and to show what the coming Israeli-Arab wars could look like geo-politically on a map against a timeline of key dates/Blood Moons for Israel. It is also interesting that if 1967 marked a Jubilee Year in the liberation of Jerusalem during the 6-Day War, then could the 50th Jubilee Year mark the return of Jesus Christ? Will the Rapture take place before or during one of ...

Total Persons of Concern: 2,000,938 Registered Syrian Refugees : 1,826,684 An estimated 40,000 Syrians have streamed into the Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq since last Thursday, 15 August. The current protection environment remains unstable. Large numbers of refugees have expressed concern for their wellbeing, depleting food rations and savings. After a week of dramatically decreased numbers of refugees crossing the border, new arrivals to Jordan have resumed at the previous rate of 1,000 to 2,000 daily. Tensions have intensified across north Lebanon and northern Bekaa, inhibiting operations and humanitarian access. There are now close to 500,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan. On average 8,000 Syrians are crossing into Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey daily.        

The following articles are a look at Syria from within the Middle-East, albeit from what would be considered pro-US nations thereof: Iran’s ‘payback time’ over Syria Why does Turkey support intervention in Syria? The day after a strike on Damascus Israel watches over the Syrian border   AlArabiya.net is a pioneer in online journalism in the Arabic speaking world and aspires to be the most reliable source of news and analysis about the Middle East catering to readers all over the world (according to its statisticians, the non-profit UK-based ABCe ): Saudi Arabia    21.60%                    Kuwait    2.22% United States    10.08%           Algeria    1.41% UAE    7.71%           Qatar    1.24% Egypt   ...

Willing members for a coalition to retaliate against the apparent Syrian regime's chemical weapons attack against its own people is quickly fizzling and in great contrast, and perhaps because of, the debacle of WMDs and Iraq. Just as the West got it wrong then (there were no WMDs and Saddam Hussein was all bluff), I fear they are going to get it wrong again this time. Once bitten and twice shy, but the ever fearful UK et al should now be acting quickly against Syria. Yet they appear to be stalling. The West was wrong to invade Iraq; but that error is leading them to err again - they will be equally wrong if they do not retaliate against Syria. Two wrongs do not make a right. So why does the West keep getting it wrong? Why indeed. Perhaps this time we should be asking Russia, and to a less extent China.

It appears the US and UN are convinced the Assad regime was responsible for a chemical weapons attack in Syria last week. Having proclaimed this so, publicly, now means the West is obliged to act. The nature of this action is being considered as I type, but it will almost certainly involve some sort of military intervention. And this military intervention will clearly fly in the face of Russia's stated position - it has threatened retaliation if the West intervenes in Syria. In the eyes of the West at least, Russia has of late been an increasingly belligerent and outspoken opponent of the US and indeed the UN. Following on from a recent series of 'diplomatic' disagreements - the cold (and ever cooling) relationship between Obama and Putin  amid Moscow's grant of temporary asylum to the National Security Agency (NSA) whistle-blower, Edward Snowden. Indeed The Australian  revealed that a Russian pro-Kremlin broadshee...

With Syria imploding and Egypt teetering, what the Middle East needs now, like you need a hole in your head, is another neighbour collapsing -- enter Tunisia. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets of Tunis in support of the Opposition's demands for the resignation of the Islamist-led government following a recent political assassination; also marking the six-month anniversary of the assassination of a prominent leftist leader. The Tunisian General Labour Union called its members to join the rally. The current unrest comes only two-years since President Ben Ali was overthrown by a popular uprising at the start of the "Arab Spring" with the protestors demanding the dissolution of the transitional assembly. The National Constituent Assembly (ANC), eight months beyond its promised deadline, is still in the process of drawing up the constitution; after which fresh elections are to be held in December. Since the revolution but follow...