Syrian rebels are gaining ground and might win, Russia’s Middle East envoy said on Thursday, in the starkest such admission from a major ally of President Bashar al-Assad in 20 months of conflict.
“One must look the facts in the face,” Russia’s state-run RIA quoted Mikhail Bogdanov as saying. “Unfortunately, the victory of the Syrian opposition cannot be ruled out.”
To be clear, the Russian government remains firmly opposed to the idea of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad losing control of the country, but even his staunchest allies are beginning to see the writing on the wall. We suspect the fighting is still far from over, but doubt many outside of the most devout Assad supporters continue to believe he will be president when the fighting ends.
Syrian forces have fired Scud missiles at rebel groups in the northern part of the country over the last few days, according to senior U.S. officials.
The use of the missiles marks a potentially significant expansion of the civil war, which has already killed more than 40,000 people. It comes as the Syrian rebels have been gaining momentum in their fight to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his regime.
While the White House hasn’t yet confirmed the reports, it did come up during today’s daily press briefing. “If true, this would be the last desperate act from a regime that has shown utter disregard for innocent life, utter disregard for the lives of its own citizens,” said White House press secretary Jay Carney. An unidentified official also called the move “desperate”, noting the increased likelihood for civilian casualties with such weapons, and said their use could be the latest indication that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is afraid of the opposition forces.
The Obama administration has formally designated a rebel group fighting in Syria as a terrorist organization in hopes of marginalizing the Al Qaeda affiliate and reducing its chances of playing a major role in the country should the government fall.
Administration officials blacklisted Jabhat al-Nusra, or the Nusra Front, describing it as a wing of Al Qaeda in Iraq, which was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans during the height of the Iraq war. The Nusra Front is one of dozens of rebel groups that have emerged in the Syrian conflict.
It remains to be seen what effect, if any, blacklisting Jabhat al-Nusra — also known as the Nusra Front — will have on the rebel militia, which has earned the trust and support of many Syrians battling the Assad regime. However, it does prevent the United States from supporting the group, or any others that work with the Nusra Front in the future, and U.S. officials hope it will dissuade others in the region from supporting the group as well.
This is a red line for the United States. I am not going to telegraph in any specifics what we would do in the event of credible evidence that the Assad regime has resorted to using chemical weapons against their own people. But suffice it to say we are certainly planning to take action if that eventuality were to occur.Secretary of State Hillary Clinton • Making clear that the United States will not remain idle on the sidelines any longer if the Syrian government uses chemical weapons on civilians or rebel forces inside the country. The United States and other nations have maintained a mostly hands-off policy with regards to the conflict in Syria, instead pushing for change via diplomacy, though international pressure has yet to yield any significant results outside of occasional political defections. The Syrian government has already responded with a denial that they own such weapons, saying officials would never do such a thing “under any circumstances.” source
Palestine appeals to UN General Assembly: The Palestinian Authority is expected to make major headway at the United Nations today, where a majority of the General Assembly is expected to vote in favor of granting the Authority “non-member state” status. The United States continues to oppose such a change, preferring instead to see a two-state solution arise from peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. source
Not to go to the UN would be suicidal for the Palestinian Authority. All these people [in Gaza] took the brunt of the attack and now we should chicken out because they [the US and Israel] will cut off some money? What we’re doing is not violent; it’s not military; it’s not illegal. The world should see that if they keep maintaining the status quo, it will get you nothing but more bloodshed. That’s the lesson from Gaza.Senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath - Assuring the Guardian’s Chris McGreal that Palestinians’ resolve to seek recognition of statehood from the United Nations would be broken by monetary threats. Several countries, most notably the US and UK, have been pressuring the Palestinian Authority to make various concessions ahead of its next attempt to gain international recognition on November 29. Much of the concern allegedly stems from the Israeli’s government’s fear that it will be dragged before the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges related to the Gaza offensive that took place four years ago. source
Syria is our friend, and we fulfil all our obligations to our friends. According to a 2008 contract, we repaired three Mi-25s and are ready to deliver them on time.Alexander Fomin, head Russia’s federal service for military-technical cooperation • Confirming that Russia still plans to deliver three attack helicopters to the Syrian government. Many assumed the deal was dead after a carrying the helicopters was forced to turn around last month, after when its UK-based insurer revoked the ship’s coverage. While Russia has considered delivery via air, if they are unable to insure a ship, one official said that the delivery still ultimately depends “on whether we can withstand the pressure from the west.” source (via • follow)
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» The reports come less than 24 hours after news broke that six-nation negotiations with Iran, over the country’s nuclear ambitions, broke down yesterday. During the discussions, Iranian negotiator Saeed Jalili continually insisted that the international community lift sanctions and respect his country’s right to enrich uranium. “We had an intense and tough exchange of views,” said EU spokesman Michael Mann, “They responded to our package of proposals from Baghdad but, in doing so, brought up lots of questions.”
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» With plans to leave the region in October, United States and NATO forces are making a final push against the Taliban in Afghanistan’s mountainous Nuristan region. After being expelled from the region, then officially abandoning it altogether, U.S. forces are offering a final round of training and aid for Afghan forces in the area. “There are a lot of Taliban around,” said Mohammad Ghazi, an Afghan militia member being treated at the NATO post in Nuristan. “If the (U.S.) supports the Afghan government it will be very good in future. If not, it will be worse.”
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The world’s most famous football club has dropped plans for a $1 billion IPO in Singapore, in favor of an offering in the United States. The team is owned by Americans Malcolm and Linda Glazer, who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and holding company First Allied Corporation. Many fans were already uneasy with new ownership, particularly after MU failed to win a title last year for the first time since 2005. So, United fans, what do you think about the decision to go public? US readers, any interest in the IPO? (Photo by pixeljunkie_) source
Remember Greece’s Golden Dawn political party? You know, the one with the guy who channels Hitler when he speaks, and won 21 seats in recent parliamentary elections? They’re back in the headlines again after spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris assaulted candidates from the rival SYRIZA and Communist parties during a televised debate. (Jump to 1:10 in the video. It’s crazy.) A warrant has been issued for Kasidiaris, who is also scheduled to go on trial Monday for his role in a separate mugging incident. source
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