Above Photo: Dimashqi Lens/Flickr
The US has a long history of seeking to dominate Syria going back to the first CIA coup attempt in 1949, two years after the CIA was created which was followed by a series of coup’s that led Syria away from democracy and into dictatorship. It was also followed by the ‘successful’ 1953 coup in Iran which also involved the State Department, where the US removed a democratically elected government and installed a dictator who brutally ruled the country until the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The US has continued efforts to dominate Syria in more modern times as can be seen in this 1986 document describing strategies to achieve regime change in Syria. It is a long history of the US seeking to decide who rules Syria so it can be controlled by the United States. Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Kurdish region in the face of Turkey’s planned military attack was met with howls of bi-partisan opposition because it is inconsistent with longtime US foreign policy goals. While we are concerned for the Kurds, who have always been abused in the region where they deserve their own country, we are pleased Trump is finally removing US troops. In the article below Stephen Lendman describes the history of US efforts to dominate Syria and argues that the US is planning a permanent occupation. KZ
International law is clear and unequivocal. No nation may interfere in the internal affairs of others.
No foreign military of proxy force may occupy another country’s territory. No nation may attack another state without Security Council authorization — permitted only in self-defense, never preemptively for any reasons.
As a signatory to the UN Charter, international laws of war and related ones are automatically US constitutional law under its Supremacy Clause (Article VI, Paragraph 2).
Both right wings of the US one-party state repeatedly and egregiously flaunt international, constitutional, and US statute laws, pertaining to war and related geopolitical issues — the international community doing nothing to hold it accountable.
Many of its member-states partner in its wars of aggression, by other means, and/or other illegal actions against targeted nations.
All sovereign independent countries the US doesn’t control are on its target list for regime change — by brute force if other methods face.
Along with Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Iran, Venezuela, Russia, China, Somalia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Donbass (Ukraine), and Occupied Palestine, Syria is in the eye of the US storm.
Its troops and proxy jihadists illegally occupy around 30% of its territory. Under both wings of its war party, the US came to Syria to stay, seeking another imperial trophy, wanting Iran isolated regionally, aiming to replace its legitimate government with US-controlled puppet rule.
All of the above is what the scourge of imperialism is all about. US rage for unchallenged global dominance is humanity’s greatest threat — at home and abroad.
Deceptive headlines falsely claim Trump intends withdrawing from Syria, a sampling:
NYT: “Trump Throws Middle East Policy Into Turmoil Over Syria…vow(ing) to withdraw American forces…”
Washington Post: “Trump withdrawing US from Syria…”
WSJ: “Trump’s Call to Leave Syria Draws Fire From GOP Allies”
Fox News: “Trump defends decision to withdraw troops from Syria”
CNN: Trump ignores his own warning in Syria…dec(ides) to remove the remaining American troops…”
AP News: “Trump defends decision to abandon Kurdish allies in Syria”
Reuters: “ ‘Buckle up:’ Abrupt Syria policy shift is sign of Trump unchained”
Haaretz: “Trump defies Pentagon, withdraws from Syria: Israel caught by surprise at Trump’s decision”
Countless other headlines and reports are similar — no Western ones explaining Obama’s war, now Trump’s, nothing about illegal US occupation of Syrian territory, a flagrant breach of international and US constitutional law.
Fact: The US came to Syria to stay, Pentagon forces and proxy jihadists operating from around 18 bases in the country’s north near Turkey’s border and south near Iraq and Jordan.
Fact: Trump is redeploying US forces in Turkey away from Turkey’s border, not withdrawing them from the country as falsely reported.
A White House statement said the US will neither support or be involved in Turkey’s planned cross-border offensive against Syrian Kurdish fighters — US proxies against Damascus.
What’s coming is naked aggression by any standard, part of President Erdogan aim to annex Syrian territory, especially its oil-producing areas.
On Tuesday, Turkey’s war ministry said “(a)ll preparations for the (cross-border) operation have been completed…ahead of a long-planned…operation.”
On the same day, Turkish Hurriyet News reported that the Pentagon “shut Turkey off on Oct. 7 from the air space in northeastern Syria, taking a series of actions that reduce the possibility that Turkish jets could support a planned military operation there,” adding:
US troops were redeployed away from the “security mechanism area between Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ayn in (Syria’s) north.”
An unnamed State Department official said two small Pentagon detachments were moved “a very short distance” away from positions near Turkey’s border, adding:
“There’s no change to our military posture in the northeast,” including Pentagon control of its airspace.
On Monday, Turkish warplanes reportedly struck Kurdish forces in northern Syria in al-Hasakah province.
On Tuesday, the Syrian Arab News Agency said “the Turkish regime’s army on Monday evening launched an assault on a number of areas in Hasaka northeastern countryside,” adding:
No casualties were reported, “material damages” alone. Turkey’s Anadolu news agency said Turkish warplanes struck Kurdish elements in northern Iraq’s Gara region, denying a Syria offensive was launched.
On Monday after meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Mohamad Ali Alhakim, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the following:
“We have a common position on Syria. It is necessary to complete the rout of the terrorists groups in that country.”
“We agreed to continue focusing on these issues of Syrian settlement in the Astana process, which was recently joined by Iraq as an observer.”
“We have common views on ways of deescalating tensions in the Persian Gulf area.”
He said nothing about illegal US occupation of northern or southern Syrian territory. Nor did he address Turkey’s planned cross-border aggression along areas bordering both countries.
Note: On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif tweeted:
“US is an irrelevant occupier in Syria—futile to seek its permission or rely on it for security.”
“Achieving peace & fighting terror in Syria will only succeed thru respect for its territorial integrity & its people.”
“Adana provides framework for Turkey & Syria—Iran ready to help.”
In 1998, both countries adopted the Adana Interstate Agreement on Combating Terrorism — Damascus vowing to prevent terrorist elements in its territory from threatening Turkey.
Endless US-led aggression in Syria for regime change continues because bipartisan hardliners in Washington oppose restoration of peace and stability to the country.
Trump is captive to dark forces controlling him in charge of US geopolitical aims — continuing on his watch without letup.