Russian embassy in Damascus comes under fire
Two rounds landed near the Russian embassy today. It is uncertain who fired them and what sort of round they were. Clearly, they are a response to Russia’s intervention in the civil war. The position expressed here last week is that Russia will come under attack in Syria, in the region, and perhaps at home. Chechens will be likely sources of attacks inside Russia. In recent years, they have struck a train station and movie theater in Moscow.
Meanwhile, the Homs Liberation Movement, a branch of the Free Syrian Army tied to al Qaeda, is vowing to strike back at Russians by means of suicide bombings. In that the US supports the Free Syrian Army, suicide bombings by it will give some truth to Putin’s claim that the US is supporting terrorism and that the war is between civilization and barbarism
American cargo aircraft have dropped quantities of small arms and ammunition to Syrian rebels, Arab ones. This is clearly in response to Russian intervention with airpower. The lumbering cargo planes (C-17s) were escorted by fighter jets in the unlikely events of Syria or Russian interdiction.
Two outcomes are possible from the increase in foreign intervention: recognition that neither side can win and negotiations must begin; more weaponry leads to larger-scale fighting – and casualties.
Amnesty International criticizes Syrian Kurds
The international human rights organization has accused Syrian militias of forcibly displacing Arabs from their homes and in some cases razing their dwellings. The same actions have been done by Iraqi Kurds as they moved into lands that were taken from them by Arabs during Saddam Hussein’s rule. Saddam wanted to firm Arab control over the oil-rich areas in the north. This should insert us that our allies in the region are far from angelic.
France lands big Saudi defense contracts
Saudi Arabia is displeased with American policies toward Iran and its advocacy of democracy in the region. The Kingdom is also displeased with Russia over its support for Syria. France has benefited from the estrangement from the two large arms-producing countries and ten billion euros will be headed its way.