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Netanyahu, Defense Ministry Reassure Country before the Jewish New Year: Jerusalem Post, Sept. 2, 2013—Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minstry leaders Moshe Ya'alon and Danny Danon, used the upcoming Rosh Hashana holiday as a platform to assure citizens that Israel is ready to confront any situation that may arise.
On the Front Lines of Syria's Civil War: Elizabeth O'bagy, Wall Stree Journal, Aug. 30, 2013—With the U.S. poised to attack Syria, debate is raging over what that attack should look like, and what, if anything, the U.S. is capable of accomplishing. Those questions can't be answered without taking a very close look at the situation in Syria from ground level.
Frustration and Disgust: International Inaction over Syria: Amb. Alan Baker, JCPA, Sept. 1, 2013—It is questionable whether or not the U.S. and the international community will ultimately punish Syria for the indiscriminate and criminal use of chemical weapons against its own civilian population.
The Price of Dithering: Editorial, Boston Herald, Sept. 2, 2013—There has never been a more inept, indecisive occupant of the White House in this nation’s once proud history. (And yes that even includes the hapless Jimmy Carter.) This nation used to stand for something. Our president was once called — quite seriously, in fact — the Leader of the Free World. Barack Obama has degraded the office and in doing so put this nation and most of the Middle East at risk.
Vignettes from Rosh Hashana in Israel, 1948: David Geffen, Jerusalem Post, Aug. 31, 2013
Cameron's Defeat on Syria is also President Obama's: Daniel Johnson, Wall Street Journal, Aug. 30, 2013
The Other 99 Percent of Syrian Casualties: Barry Rubin, Jerusalem Post, Sept. 1, 2013
Attack Already, Obama, we Want to Like You for a Change: Niva Lanir, Ha’aretz, Sept. 1, 2013
The Chemical Evidence: Editorial, Wall Street Journal, Aug. 30, 2013
Israeli Officials Express Frustration Over Obama’s Syria Indecision: Zach Pontz, Algemeiner, Sept. 1, 2013
Obama's Bread and Circuses: Caroline Glick, Aug. 30, 2013
On Syria: Raphael Cohen-Almagor, Jerusalem Post, Aug. 31, 2013
NETANYAHU, DEFENSE MINISTRY REASSURE
COUNTRY BEFORE THE JEWISH NEW YEAR
Jerusalem Post, Sept. 2, 2013
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minstry leaders Moshe Ya'alon and Danny Danon, used the upcoming Rosh Hashana holiday as a platform to assure citizens that Israel is ready to confront any situation that may arise. Netanyahu offered words of reassurance during a time of regional upheaval while speaking at Monday's ceremony dedicating the new Golani interchange. "Our state is peaceful, certain of the strength of the IDF and sure in itself because it knows that it can defend itself," Netanyahu said.
Tensions have run high in recent days as Israel continues to follow the ongoing violence in neighboring Syria. But the Prime Minister promised to protect Israel and urged Israelis to enjoy the upcoming Rosh Hashana holiday. "I will not allow anyone to harm the state of Israel," he said. "I ask you to go out and enjoy the holiday and if someone thinks of harming the tranquility of the holiday, he knows what awaits him." In light of the completion of the new interchange, Netanyahu opted to highlight Israel's progress compared to it's bordering countries. "While they shoot at each other, we build for each other," the Prime Minister said.
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said that Israel's powerful army intimidates its neighbors. Ya'alon spoke to Defense Ministry officials during a celebration marking the approaching Rosh Hashana holiday. "The capabilities of the (Defense) Ministry and it's staff to perform their jobs well is famous," Ya'alon said, "and the Defense Ministry employees of past generations helped the Israeli army evolve into a unit capable of intimidating our neighbors." He added, "we have the enormous advantage that the other side understands it is not worth their while to challenge us."
Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon spoke to IDF soldiers in a similar ceremony and reiterated Ya'alon's comments, adding that it is in Syria's interests to avoid attacking Israel. "Recent events, specifically regarding Syria, show us again the proof that we are ready for any scenario," Danon said. "I wouldn't advise anyone to try and disrupt the holiday festivities of the citizens of Israel."
ON THE FRONT LINES OF SYRIA'S CIVIL WAR
Elizabeth O'bagy
Wall Street Journal, Aug. 30, 2013
With the U.S. poised to attack Syria, debate is raging over what that attack should look like, and what, if anything, the U.S. is capable of accomplishing. Those questions can't be answered without taking a very close look at the situation in Syria from ground level.
Since few journalists are reporting from inside the country, our understanding of the civil war is not only inadequate, but often dangerously inaccurate. Anyone who reads the paper or watches the news has been led to believe that a once peaceful, pro-democracy opposition has transformed over the past two years into a mob of violent extremists dominated by al Qaeda; that the forces of President Bashar Assad not only have the upper hand on the battlefield, but may be the only thing holding the country together; and that nowhere do U.S. interests align in Syria—not with the regime and not with the rebels. The word from many American politicians is that the best U.S. policy is to stay out. As Sarah Palin put it: "Let Allah sort it out."
In the past year, I have made numerous trips to Syria, traveling throughout the northern provinces of Latakia, Idlib and Aleppo. I have spent hundreds of hours with Syrian opposition groups ranging from Free Syrian Army affiliates to the Ahrar al-Sham Brigade.
The conventional wisdom holds that the extremist elements are completely mixed in with the more moderate rebel groups. This isn't the case. Moderates and extremists wield control over distinct territory. Although these areas are often close to one another, checkpoints demarcate control. On my last trip into Syria earlier this month, we traveled freely through parts of Aleppo controlled by the Free Syrian Army, following roads that kept us at safe distance from the checkpoints marked by the flag of the Islamic State of Iraq.
Contrary to many media accounts, the war in Syria is not being waged entirely, or even predominantly, by dangerous Islamists and al Qaeda die-hards. The jihadists pouring into Syria from countries like Iraq and Lebanon are not flocking to the front lines. Instead they are concentrating their efforts on consolidating control in the northern, rebel-held areas of the country.
Groups like Jabhat al Nusra, an al Qaeda affiliate, are all too happy to take credit for successes on the battlefield, and are quick to lay claim to opposition victories on social media. This has often led to the impression that these are spearheading the fight against the Syrian government. They are not.
These groups care less about defeating Assad than they do about establishing and holding their Islamic emirate in the north of the country. Many Jabhat al Nusra fighters left in the middle of ongoing rebel operations in Homs, Hama and Idlib to head for Raqqa province once the provincial capital fell in March 2013. During the battle for Qusayr in late May, Jabhat al Nusra units were noticeably absent. In early June, rebel reinforcements rallied to take the town of Talbiseh, north of Homs city, while Jabhat al Nusra fighters preferred to stay in the liberated areas to fill the vacuum that the Free Syrian Army affiliates had left behind.
Moderate opposition forces—a collection of groups known as the Free Syrian Army—continue to lead the fight against the Syrian regime. While traveling with some of these Free Syrian Army battalions, I've watched them defend Alawi and Christian villages from government forces and extremist groups. They've demonstrated a willingness to submit to civilian authority, working closely with local administrative councils. And they have struggled to ensure that their fight against Assad will pave the way for a flourishing civil society. One local council I visited in a part of Aleppo controlled by the Free Syrian Army was holding weekly forums in which citizens were able to speak freely, and have their concerns addressed directly by local authorities.
Moderate opposition groups make up the majority of actual fighting forces, and they have recently been empowered by the influx of arms and money from Saudi Arabia and other allied countries, such as Jordan and France. This is especially true in the south, where weapons provided by the Saudis have made a significant difference on the battlefield, and have helped fuel a number of recent rebel advances in Damascus.
Thanks to geographic separation from extremist strongholds and reliable support networks in the south, even outdated arms sent by the Saudis, like Croatian rocket-launchers and recoilless rifles, have allowed moderate rebel groups to make significant inroads into areas that had previously been easily defended by the regime, and to withstand the pressure of government forces in the capital. In recent months, the opposition has achieved major victories in Aleppo, Idlib, Deraa and Damascus—nearly reaching the heart of the capital—despite the regime's consolidation in Homs province.
At this stage in the conflict, barring a major bombing campaign by the U.S., sophisticated weaponry, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapon systems, may be the opposition's best chance at sustaining its fight against Assad. This is something only foreign governments, not jihadists, can offer. Right now, Saudi sources that are providing the rebels critical support tell me that they haven't sent more effective weaponry because the U.S. has explicitly asked them not to.
There is no denying that groups like Jabhat al Nusra and the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham have gained a foothold in the north of Syria, and that they have come to dominate local authorities there, including by imposing Shariah law. Such developments are more the result of al Qaeda affiliates having better resources than an indicator of local support. Where they have won over the local population, they have done so through the distribution of humanitarian aid.
Yet Syrians have pushed back against the hard-line measures imposed on them by some of these extremists groups. While I was last in northern Syria in early August, I witnessed nearly daily protests by thousands of citizens against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham in areas of Aleppo.
Where does this leave the U.S. as the White House contemplates a possible strike? The Obama administration has emphasized that regime change is not its goal. But a punitive measure undertaken just to send a message would likely produce more harm than good. If the Syrian government is not significantly degraded, a U.S. strike could very well bolster Assad's position and highlight American weakness, paving the way for continued atrocities.
Instead, any U.S. action should be part of a larger, comprehensive strategy coordinated with our allies that has the ultimate goal of destroying Assad's military capability while simultaneously empowering the moderate opposition with robust support, including providing them with anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapon systems. This should be combined with diplomatic and political efforts to first create an international coalition to put pressure on Assad and his supporters, and then working to encourage an intra-Syrian dialogue. Having such a strategy in place would help alleviate the concerns of key allies, like Britain, and ensure greater international support for U.S. action.
The U.S. must make a choice. It can address the problem now, while there is still a large moderate force with some shared U.S. interests, or wait until the conflict has engulfed the entire region. Iran and its proxies will be strengthened, as will al Qaeda and affiliated extremists. Neither of these outcomes serves U.S. strategic interests.
Ms. O'Bagy is a senior analyst at the Institute for the Study of War.
FRUSTRATION AND DISGUST: INTERNATIONAL INACTION OVER SYRIA
JCPA, Sept. 1, 2013
It is questionable whether or not the U.S. and the international community will ultimately punish Syria for the indiscriminate and criminal use of chemical weapons against its own civilian population. Whatever they decide to do, one striking fact nevertheless stands out. Over one thousand innocent civilians were cruelly murdered in Syria in one fell swoop on August 21, 2013. Thousands more were seriously wounded. Thousands of families have been destroyed and doomed, to the end of their days, to pain, suffering, and misery by one criminal decision so glibly and easily taken, to use poison gas against civilians.
Thousands more civilians have been systematically and indiscriminately killed over the past two years in the unending hostilities between the Syrian regime and its opposition from within. Faced with all this, one may ask where are the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly? Where is the European Union? Where is the UN Human Rights Council?
Where are they all, together with the myriad non-governmental organizations that are so quick and eager to condemn any and every action by Israel to defend itself against Palestinian terror, and any and every plan or decision regarding Israel’s settlement policy? Where are the EU sanctions and labeling policies that the EU’s Catherine Ashton and her European colleagues so enthusiastically and consistently impose on Israel and its products and institutions in the territories?
Where are the UN General Assembly Emergency and Regular Session resolutions that are so easily and automatically adopted year in, year out, to condemn Israel for anything and everything? Where is the UN Human Rights Council, its Special Rapporteur, and Fact Finding Missions that are so eager to lynch Israel at every opportunity? Where are the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) activists and supporters whose fixation at harming Israel and threatening performers who want to appear in Israel blinds them to all situations of utter and genuine cruelty and lawlessness in the world?
Where are those hypocritical lawyers, jurists, academics, and labor union people who so readily pounce on Israel with boycotts, sanctions, and accusations of violations of international law, but who seem to turn a blind eye to genuine, blatant, and glaring violations of international law that have no connection to Israel?
Whether action will be taken against Syria or not, it is evident that the thousands of dead Syrians mean little to the UN, the EU, the BDS people, and the rest.
They have their double-standard. It’s evidently much easier and simpler to come out and bash Israel for little or no cause, than it is to react to the brutal chemical murder and ruination of the families of thousands of Syrians. One wonders why?
Editorial
Boston Herald, Sept. 2, 2013
There has never been a more inept, indecisive occupant of the White House in this nation’s once proud history. (And yes that even includes the hapless Jimmy Carter.) This nation used to stand for something. Our president was once called — quite seriously, in fact — the Leader of the Free World.
Barack Obama has degraded the office and in doing so put this nation and most of the Middle East at risk.
On Friday Secretary of State John Kerry outlined in the clearest possible terms the case for an imminent U.S. attack on Syria — more than a week after Bashar al-Assad had slaughtered more than 1,400 of his own people, including more than 400 children, with chemical weapons. Within the hour President Obama was walking that back, talking about how very limited and short-term any military action would be.
Little more than 24 hours later he was telling the nation there was no big rush and he’ll put the issue to Congress — when they get back from their recess, maybe by Sept. 9 or so after briefings this week and perhaps hearings, debate and then finally a vote.
Now consulting with Congress is usually a good thing. In fact, he could have done that last March after our intelligence community had proof that Assad had used chemical weapons then. He did nothing. And so with no one to stop him, Assad did what every bully does — he upped the ante.
Obama could have gone to Congress within days of the Aug. 21 attack. He didn’t.
He could have asked that even now Congress be called into emergency session — notice how quickly the British Parliament was able to act albeit ultimately turning their backs on the suffering of the Syrian people. But he didn’t.
Yesterday, Kerry, in one of his many TV news appearances, said, “In the last 24 hours we have learned through samples that were provided to the United States that have been tested from first responders in east Damascus, and hair samples and blood samples have tested positive for signatures of sarin. “So this case is building and this case will build,” he added.
Well, this isn’t “CSI” and we already know who the bad guy is. Even Kerry yesterday put Assad in the ranks of “Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein (who) have used these weapons in time of war.”
Obama has said repeatedly he believes he has the power to act in the wake of this violation of international law — and he does.
So why the decision at this late date to delay any action for at least another two weeks all the while giving Assad time to shelter weapons and the planes that deliver them. And what if during those two weeks — emboldened by this administration’s incompetence and dithering — Assad uses sarin again? What if there are more babies wrapped in white linen for the world the see? Then it’s all on us. Then the world will know the price of indecision and of cowardice.
Vignettes from Rosh Hashana in Israel, 1948: David Geffen, Jerusalem Post, Aug. 31, 2013—Zipporah Porath, better known as Zippy, just celebrated her 90th birthday in her adopted country, Israel. Rosh Hashana 1948 marked her first full year in the country, and what a year it was. In October 1947, Zippy Borowsky arrived in Israel from New York and enrolled at the Hebrew University. Caught up in Israel’s struggle for survival and independence, she abandoned her studies and joined the underground Hagana, illegally, of course
Cameron's Defeat on Syria is also President Obama's: Daniel Johnson, Wall Street Journal, Aug. 30, 2013—In the deadly poker game that the great powers are playing over Syria, the British have just folded. Thursday's vote in the House of Commons has not only damaged Prime Minister David Cameron's authority, perhaps beyond repair, but forced President Obama to face the prospect of military intervention without the support of America's staunchest ally.
The Other 99 Percent of Syrian Casualties: Barry Rubin, Jerusalem Post, Sept. 1, 2013—Forget about the hysteria of an impending US attack on Syria. Forget about the likely self congratulatory backslapping by policy makers and the chanting of “USA!” by citizens. A US air assault on Syria will not change anything.
Attack Already, Obama, we Want to Like You for a Change: Niva Lanir, Ha’aretz, Sept. 1, 2013—One morning, Mr. Israeli woke up to a new trend. Or, to be more accurate, a new problem – U.S. President Barack Obama. He read in the newspaper – with pleasure, it should be pointed out – statements condemning the American president’s weakness and hesitation.
The Chemical Evidence: Editorial, Wall Street Journal, Aug. 30, 2013—"If we choose to live in a world where a thug and a murderer like Bashar al-Assad can gas thousands of his own people with impunity, even after the United States and our allies said no, and then the world does nothing about it, there will be no end to the test of our resolve and the dangers that will flow from those others who believe that they can do as they will"
Israeli Officials Express Frustration Over Obama’s Syria Indecision: Zach Pontz, Algemeiner, Sept. 1, 2013U.S. President Barack Obama’s equivocation over the possibility of a strike on Syria has riled Israeli officials, Israeli daily Maariv reported Sunday. “Obama is a coward,” one diplomatic source told the paper. “It’s clear he does not want to attack and is looking for reassurance.”
Obama's Bread and Circuses: Caroline Glick, Aug. 30, 2013—Over the past week, President Barack Obama and his senior advisers have told us that the US is poised to go to war against Syria. In the next few days, the US intends to use its air power and guided missiles to attack Syria in response to the regime's use of chemical weapons in the outskirts of Damascus last week.
On Syria: Raphael Cohen-Almagor, Jerusalem Post, Aug. 31, 2013—The debate as to what constitutes a just war is ancient. The old saying “all is fair in love and war” might be true for love, but it is patently untrue for war. Politicians, diplomats, scholars, theologians and lawyers have devoted a great deal of their time to the challenging task of establishing criteria for waging a just war
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