US Deploys Aircraft Carrier to Syrian Coast
No Official Explanation as Rumors of War Continue
Violence continued in Syria today, with a number of civilian protesters killed. The focus however was off the coast, where America’s newest aircraft carrier, the USS George H. W. Bush, has taken up a position just outside of Syrian territorial waters, after a deployment near the Straits of Hormuz.
There was no official explanation for why the US would deploy the carrier there, but it comes amid growing speculation that NATO-ally Turkey is poised to launch an invasion of Syria, and the possibility that a US-backed regime change may be in the offing.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul has already suggested that they might use the pretext of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) operations inside Syria for the offensive, though reports suggest that the real reason would be to seize territory to house the large number of refugees from Syria which have poured across the border.
Though Turkey’s government has a long history of supporting the Assad regime, the government has not only condemned Assad but has vigorously backed the more militaristic rebel factions in Syria, allowing the Free Syrian Army to set up shop in Istanbul and providing access to their commanders through the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz
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paulBass
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:22 pm
R2P! we must do something to prevent a few thousands deaths over several months even if it means killing billions of people in a few hours
JLS
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:33 pm
Or…we could just mind our own business.
El Tonno
November 24th, 2011 at 12:09 am
Is the GWB even operational?
Tatiana
November 24th, 2011 at 2:24 am
Compared to the millions, YES, millions that the US has murdered in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and other countries that they feel they have the right to rape and violate, the 2500 alleged Syrian deaths over a nine month period (277/month), though sad, is still a pittance compared to the American carnage, not to mention the 18,000 Israeli murdered in their illegal invasion of Lebanon in 1982, or the tens of thousands of Palestinians murdered over the years on an ongoing basis. HYPOCRITES!
This is a US/Israeli set up to topple Syria and weaken Hizb-Alla and Iran as a prelude to an attack on Iran. I wish I could live long enough to see the day dawn when the future powers that be, impose a no fly zone on the USA and then level it's cities, to protect the people of course..
the lion
November 24th, 2011 at 4:22 am
Dont I remember that Russian Vessels were deploying to the area last week!
Gordon Arnaut
November 24th, 2011 at 4:45 am
Antiwar.com reports:
“Violence continued in Syria today, with a number of civilian protesters killed…”
I would like to know how Jason Ditz sitting at a keyboard in the US has verified that those killed are civilian protesters and not armed insurgents…?
And now all the drum beating about Syria killing “civilian protesters” has borne its fruit…the US is getting ready for another war of aggression based on a naked lie.
Well done antiwar.com…
liveload
November 24th, 2011 at 4:50 am
So now we'll have Russian an American warships in close proximity, awesome. Of course when then send a Big Bad Carrier, it doesn't operate alone. They have a whole entourage of ships that go everywhere with them …kind of like Ayn Rand with nukes.
John V. Walsh
November 24th, 2011 at 4:55 am
No aircraft carrier off the coast of Egypt or Bahrain (unless it is in our base there) or Gaza for R2P.
Wonder why that is.
seth
November 24th, 2011 at 5:03 am
A new Ottoman Empire could solve the problems in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. Obama could be the Caliph. As he would be entitled to four wives he could have his own Michelle and Bachman and Hillary and a wild card worth sleeping with. At least we'd be rid of him.
David Daniels
November 24th, 2011 at 5:44 am
"Civilian protesters"? You mean the guys firing the rocket-propelled grenades at the cops?
Keep up the propaganda. Keep it up.
omop
November 24th, 2011 at 6:30 am
So now there are TWO warships close to Syria one US and one Russian. Hoo said COLD WAR IS OVER?
hyperbola
November 24th, 2011 at 7:24 am
The best thing the world could do is help Americans recover their democracy by organizing a run on the US dollar and the US economy to make it more than clear that we cannot afford the imperial pretensions of our corrupt "elite".
Druthers
November 24th, 2011 at 7:27 am
This is reminiscent of Reagan’s syrupy voice saying "I'm here to help,” when speaking of the government.
dmaak112
November 24th, 2011 at 7:45 am
What price Turkey? In June 2010, Turkey reacts to the attack on its citizens by Israel and the US Congress immediately begins considering the Armenian slaughter of World War I. Although the American-Armenians had pushed for years for a declaration of genocide, American congressmen and senators could not find the time, and senators like Arlen Specter worked hard to prevent any declaration that would upset Turkey–Israel’s most important non-Arab ally. That changed. A year and half later, the movement of the Armenian resolution has all been but forgotten. When was the last time major media covered–or for that matter Mr. Ditz? In the 1980s, Turkey rattled its war saber at Hafez al-Asad for supporting Kurdish incursions. Turkey argued that it was against international law for a sovereign nation to provide aid and safety to terrorists–at least to the Turks. Apparently that is no longer the case when it is Turkey who threatens its neighbor with providing a safe haven for “freedom fighters” to overthrow Bashar al-Asad.
Readers may have forgotten that Turkey had embarked upon its new “no quarrel” policy with its neighbors when the EU rejected its admission. Maybe now that Turkey is going to use its ground forces backed by US airpower to “liberate” Syria, the EU may reward Istanbul with admission.
But of course, we are only interested in spreading democracy and stopping torture–except when it is Bahrain, when it is Saudi Arabia, when it is Egypt, when it is Kuwait, when it is Yemen. etc.
bjk
November 24th, 2011 at 7:47 am
While in the Mediterranean Sea, George H.W. Bush will conduct a full range of maritime operations and theater security cooperation efforts in concert with coalition, joint, interagency and other partners to improve operational proficiency, and maintain maritime safety and security.
The ship will continue through the Mediterranean Sea and make its seventh scheduled port visit on its return to homeport in Norfolk.
andy
November 24th, 2011 at 8:02 am
Too bad America can't mind its own business.
kenzer
November 24th, 2011 at 8:47 am
The Amerikans better not attack. The Syrians have Sunburn anti-ship missiles of several production rlines. How about a speed of 2.9 Mach, a 120 km range and a height of one meter above sea surface. Can also be launched from an after-burning supersonic jet. That USN George Bush carrier better be more than 500 km from Syria or its going to the bottom. Glug glug, welcome to Davy Jones locker.
Emilyrose
November 24th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Particularly when those few thousands are paid for by the American and Israeli taxpayer.
conumishu
November 24th, 2011 at 10:28 am
Looks like it is over. The hot one scares me a lot more.
hafed
November 24th, 2011 at 10:33 am
once again,it looks like the US is looking for trouble.Wherever it goes something drastic is due to happen, but wait, how many wars did it actually won???…..0.So,we shall wait and see the end of another nightmare!!!
hafed
November 24th, 2011 at 10:39 am
In fighting monsters one discovers that he himself is the monster he is looking for.
Anna
November 24th, 2011 at 11:56 am
Syria: U.S. Deploys Aircraft Carrier, NATO Prepares For War http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&…
davidgrayling
November 24th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Actually, China owns the new American aircraft carrier! Keep that in mind when the U.S. is bragging and throwing its weight around!
http://www.dangerouscreation.com
MoT
November 24th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Hypocrisy is the grease that moves the empire forward.
MoT
November 24th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
I only wonder if the Russians plan on doing anything or if their deployment of their warship was only for show. But considering Obamas "madness" of late I'm afraid that our Dear Leader is tweaking the bears nose and knows not the mauling he will unleash.
Sanity
November 24th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
Since we have a super-committee debating just exactly how much to shaft each us to pay for the bills that thier constant wars and banker bailouts have cost so far, does anyone want to ask whether we can even afford this.
Exactly what does a typical American tax payer get for having us send aircraft carriers to the far end of the Med. That alone is probably costing us a small fortune. The planes they put up in the air cost something like $20,000 per hour per plane. For a two plane wing in the air for a single hour, we could afford to pay a teacher for a year.
I hope the Syrian people find a way to freedom. But, at this point in time, someone in America needs to stand up and very simply say that we can't afford this.
Oh wait, no one can. The President has already claimed he can do this on his own,and the Congress has already set the precedent in Libya that they'll let him. So much for democracy. Now just watch them burn through more of hour money. Just remember, they are basically laying off a bunch of teachers and a bunch of nurses every hour that carrier is there.
George
November 24th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
We'll be happy to bring the Syrian people freedom and democracy Bahrain-style. If we topple Assad, then we'll just put in our own strong man and then he'll have a set of Chicago-style elections that he'll miraculously win with millions of CIA money, and then he can start gunning down his own people in the street just like Maliki in Iraq does.
El Tonno
November 24th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
"kind of like Ayn Rand with nukes."
Derp. Doesn't make fricking sense front back and center.
But I do love the Carrier's Motto, "Freedom At Work."
pendulum
November 24th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
thek bush boat gets to parallel park beside it.
pendulum
November 24th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
and choose between albright or rice.
El Tonno
November 24th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
> Syrian regime.
> Kind, caring
> Mfw
Like saying that the Egyptian Junta rolls only over ugly, smelly protesters who really deserve it.
Yeah, it's doubtful that there is headbashing going on. Not.
@HolocaustGaza
November 24th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
The George Bush? Isn't that the air carrier which toilets don't work?
jorgespbr
November 24th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
ron paul for prez or God save us
red
November 24th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Russians have warships in syrian water on patrol and s300 systems guard many syrian sites, in addition ss26 antiship missiles in the area as well as thousands of personnel. us sens carrier group. both parties see the area as vital. so, take a look at russian doctrine on use of tac-nuke, (which can be a city killer bigger than hiroshima "gadget" by an order of magnitude) game is to force iran to come to aid of syria as it is attacked, thus allowing us to play the part of injured party – following bismark's policy of realpolitik. this looks like a formula for a regional war that will, if russians follow their policy (read it http://tinyurl.com/6uhjzy5) involve nukes and very likely the destruction of capital ships. estimate of american geophysical union says that "a small-scale, regional nuclear war could produce as many direct fatalities as all of World War II and disrupt the global climate for a decade or more. In a regional nuclear conflict scenario in which two opposing nations in the subtropics each used 50 Hiroshima-sized nuclear weapons (ca. 15 kiloton each) on major populated centers, the researchers estimated fatalities from 2.6 million to 16.7 million per country. Also, as much as five million tons of soot would be released, which would produce a cooling of several degrees over large areas of North America and Eurasia, including most of the grain-growing regions. The cooling would last for years and could be "catastrophic" according to the researchers. very dangerous and childish situation.
Nathan
November 24th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
I am surprised at Turkey acting as a bitch for the U.S. If the hypocritic Turkish governent is so much concerned about democracy it should advise other despotic Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia and other members of the Persin Gulf Cooperation Council.
Nathan
November 24th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Good question about Mr Jason Ditz. Rest assured the U.S. will not attack Syria. They fight it by spreading lies and propaganda.