Syrian Civil War
News Update

1-13-13

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US Abandons Mideast Allies on Syria

US Won't Secure Syrian WMDs

The Obama Administration, with Pentagon approval, has reversed policy regarding the problem of Syria's stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons.

At a news conference on Thursday, (1/10) outgoing Defense Secretary and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dempsey told reporters that the US would not send "boots on the ground" into Syria to prevent a Syrian Army attack or to prevent such weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists.

Last year, the Obama Administration had drawn a "red line" regarding Syria's WMDs indicating that any attempt by Syria to use such weapons or any indication that terrorists were about to capture said weapons would result in US military intervention. That was then and this is now. The US will not intervene in the Syrian situation, no matter the circumstances.

The shift in policy leaves Syria's neighbors to contend with the Syrian civil war and the WMD problem. The policy reversal may stem in part from Russian obstinate support for Syria's President and Russian assurances that the WMD stockpiles are secure and will not fall into the wrong hands. The Russians had also signalled that any intervention would be met by Russian military counter-intervention on behalf of Assad's regime. I

The policy reversal may also be part of an attempt to appease Iran as the White House tries to press Iran to alter its nuclear weapons program.

The Syrian rebels will be left to their own devices without further US assistance. The Syrian problem will be left for Turkey, Israel, Jordan and the Persian Gulf Arabs to deal with.

The Obama Administration is taking the position that the Syrian WMD problem is one for resolution by the "international community" and the UN.

In the meantime, Israel's response to the situation has been minimal. At the moment, Israel is constructing a 43 mile long chain link security fence along its border with Syria. That effort does nothing to address the threat of WMD attacks against Israel. Turkey has the sole consolation of being able to hide behind 6 Patriot air defense missile batteries. Both nations are forced into a defensive posture for now. Meanwhile, Jordan is left in a very vulnerable state.

For more on this story, LINK HERE.  Additional coverage - LINK HERE - and LINK HERE.

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Syrian Rebels Claim Capture

Of Syrian Air Force Base


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Syrian Civil War May Be Long Struggle


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Russian Naval Flotilla Heads for Syria

A flotilla of 5 Russian warships carrying 300 hundred Russian marines is heading to Syria as part of a Russian show of force and support for the Assad regime. It will also serve as a preventive deterrent to any Western intervention. More details, LINK HERE.

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Russia & US Use Syria as a Proxy War?


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Syrian President Gives Speech

Rejects Negotiations With Rebels

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