The Pentagon has reportedly assassinated high-profile al-Qaeda-linked cleric Sheikh Abu al-Farraj al-Masri, a member of the Nusra Front in Syria, carrying out a drone strike against him in the Nusra-held Idlib Province in the northwest of the country.
The Nusra Front confirmed the death of Masri “in a Crusader raid,” and the Pentagon confirmed he was the target of a strike against a vehicle. Masri had been in jail for years on charges of “plotting” in Egypt, before leaving to join al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and later joining the Syrian affiliate.
It’s unclear what position, if any, Masri actually had in Nusra’s day-to-day operations, but he was a high-profile religious leader for the group, and the attack is doubtless to fuel resentment toward the US in a group which the US has recently been going out of its way not to antagonize.
That the Pentagon deliberately targeted a Nusra cleric with an airstrike against Nusra territory now is quite surprising, considering how loudly US officials are condemning Russia for its own airstrikes against Nusra, claiming the Russian attacks are threatening any efforts for peace in Syria.
The US has had a bizarre stance toward Nusra in recent months, as they were publicly courting Russia for joint attacks for months, made a deal that a seven day ceasefire would lead to those joint strikes, reneged after the seventh day of the ceasefire, and then railed against Russia for unilateral attacks. That the Pentagon is launching their own strikes only adds more questions about where the US stands.
Can someone guess what is going on?
The U.S.A is using Syria as a distraction keeping them engaged in a proxy war in Syria the ONLY naval base Russia has outside of there country because there building NATO BASES and missile defense systems along Russia’s borders.In the meantime Russia is struggling to keep Assad Syria’s dictator in power and has gotten fought up in a quagmire in the region.Its brilliant on America’s part because the Russians aren’t actually winning anything it’s been there’s all along as far as Syria’s concerned.They’ve had there naval base there for decades the only source of influence in the region that it has.The U.S. has many.In the end while they where in Syria killing off our enemies in the form of ISIS and Al Qaida and the re brands we were on there borders building up our capabilities…You can’t win your house if you already own it…Strategy….
You are giving this too much credit. Knowing the rather primitive smarts that guide policy — this is for show. Russia has effectively portrayed US as a sponsor of terrorism, as US acted as Daesh airforce in attacking Syrian base — and in coordination with Daesh an attempt was made to overrun it. Second problem that Russia exposed is the US support for Al-Nusta. All one has to see is how US media gushes over the “succesful” Al-Nusra in fighting Syrian forces. And unwillingness to separate “good” terrorists from Al-Nusra. With all that dominating world news (outside of Western zone) — it became essential for US to reclaim its terror fighting credentials. So — the oldest trick in playbook is used — killing an important leader. US has been killing all those important leaders of Daesh or Al-Qaeda for years. In Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen … Now, this is just to say — see we are fighting Al-Nuusra. I am afraid that in the court of world opinion it will only bring ridicule. How long has it been since killing Bin Laden, and are we any closer to getting out of Afghanistan, any closer to peace in that land? Or are we there to keep wars alive at all costs? Same in Iraq or Libya. When are they going to see peace after their “dictators” were removed? See the pattern?
I see that you want to believe that the policies of US government are clever and succesfull. I cannot see how you define success — unless you are a believer that US role is to conquer the globe, even if it kills us.
Syria was not Russia’s ally. The port was nothing more then refuelling and remintbpit stop in Syria. In fact, syria was convinced that it had good relationship with US. That changed on a dime — once US saw an opportunity presented through Arab spring. Saudi Arabia became paranoid about any secular regime in the ME, and a secular, multi religious country with women’s rights in Syria was the worst offender. The idea was to clobber it with Salafi cults — all spawned from the same Wahhabi sect that is the religion of Saudi Arabia. And US was game — who cared about people and suffering.
We should not approve of “clever” tricks our oligarhs play — and their bobbing heads in the Government faithfully execute. Look, today somebody is psying big bucks to lobby for outright assault on Syria — organizing protests around the western world, putting pressure on the government. Is this really good for us — the perpetual war machine robbing us of our own economic growth? Or is it good for some — with us, the idiots going along. We are the one hurting amd our armed forces more then anybody else. We need to put our values first — democracy not armed terrorism as the means of changing the government.
Once we affirm our own values — peacefull transition of government, right of all sovereign states on equality under international law, territorial integrity, etc. instead we run around like a bunch of loan sharks enforcing our right to oush anyone around and badmouth and eliminate those that do jot pay up or are insufficiently obedient. We are losing the credibility to lead — as a leader must be firm but just and respectfull. All we see day in and day out — our reps in UN or diplomacy behave so trashy that I try not to listen to them any more. Brings me pain, a dose of fear and shame — to know that such incompetents are actually running our country.
I completely disagree but I love the way you articulate your point of view.Very compelling.
Aug 10, 2016 Ex-CIA boss calls to kill Russians and Iranians in Syria!
Morell’s justification is that Shia militias killed American soldiers in Iraq – however, the point of difference is that no party had invited America to Iraq. The only allies of the US are the Salafi- jihadists of the Arab world. Russia and Iran, on the other hand, were invited by the legitimate Assad government of Syria.
https://youtu.be/k4H4j3iTBws
Yes, this is the problem. A leader of free world that trashes international law becomes a subject of ridicule and contemmpt (only some say it publicly and directly to our face). I have noticed a CHANGE in our political jargon. No longer is the term “international law” used, but instead “rules based international order”. Rules based — whose rules. Russia has commented on the change indicating that US is not entitled to imposing its own rules and call it “international” order.
I am wondering about the elite that is holding the reigns if power and now oretty much owns both parties. Even Trump that forced his way into nomination would not see a dime of party money until he stopped mentioning his foreign policy. It is in black and white on his web site — but not mentioned again. But even if he wins — which given his lack of discipline and Clinton machine will make it impossible — his business would be crushed and not a stone would remain of his buildings. Basically those that grabbed power will not let go — they always play for broke, forcing the challenger to consider concequences to the country — and back off. This is played out on the world stage. Pushing for broke — and challenging others to escalate. Russia knows this mentality too well. Dealt with it in going-for-broke Trotsky. So, by patiently engaging and communicating led the bully into responsible behavour. Since bully no longer saw an opportunity to turn the situation in the direction itvwanted — took marbles and went home. Now we are back at it — pushing everyone into believing that they are ready to blow up the
plannet and not give up on toppling Syria’s secular government and installing bloodthirsty psychopaths to make sure Syrians paid dearly for resisting. For it cannot be allowed. Shark cannot stop, once it stops, it dies. They are actually now practicing extortion on both US political system as well as internationally. They have to get their pound of flesh — and there is nothing you can do about it. While it is safe for them to play americans — it may not be possible to do it globally.
For the globe is a big place — and our strenght will be sapped. Our poverty increased and calls for accountability will grow stronger. Who will protect this go for broke cabal? Certainly not the exausted military. Now, if Hillary wins — the go for broke crowd will go insane. But the dangers to us will increase as well. So will the elite shrillness in claiming how they are the real victims and thecworldvis so cruel. I can hear it already.
This is what folks really need to wake up with! ‘ALL WARS ARE BANKERS’ WARS’
I know many people have a great deal of difficulty comprehending just how many wars are started for no other purpose than to force private central banks onto nations, so let me share a few examples, so that you understand why the US Government is mired in so many wars against so many foreign nations. There is ample precedent for this.
https://youtu.be/WN0Y3HRiuxo