Yes, the writer is supportive of Foreign intervention by the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel.
I've been trying to point that out, to have a discussion on this from your initial posts about Assad and Regime change in Syria and who should be responsible for this, who it is that is being co-opted so that subversive murderous terrorists influences by the three mentioned can be normalized as being necessary. Through all of your reply's being ad hominem attacks and or altering what I wrote and straw man attacks for that, I can only assume a few things. A) You send articles. B) You cannot (or refuse to) discuss the content of any of your posts. C) You support Authoritarians whether they've said they are, or you have appointed them in your mind as such, and like the good Corporate Party and the bad Corporate Party, the only choices are between your Authoritarian stance and the opposition. D) Authoritarians will not tolerate discussion, they are authorities, all questioners and knowledge seekers must be discredited and attacked, and this is your manner of dealing with any discussion. Thank you for this opportunity for a free and open discussion. Scott > Fuck off Scot > > The writer and the website speaks for itself. > > You fucking dumb ass... > > Cort > > > On Tue, Sep 17, 2013 at 5:27 PM, <scotpe...@cruzio.com> wrote: > >> So your saying that your writing a Shrooms as a Ghost writers name? I >> was >> discussing the article, not issuing an ad hominem comment (unless you >> are >> Shrroms? It appears this might be another of your names), when you >> respond >> with a personal attack. Of course, those who read my initial post would >> understand that as I took a direct quote of Shrooms and that was the >> mention to PNAC about it. >> >> You decline to discuss any of the issues, you simply ask that people >> repeat what you are repeating. >> >> You keep selling, and enemy of Assad is a friend of ours, and have never >> stated in the whole Syria Assad series of posts since the gas attacks >> started, nearly immediately after Obama started saying if gas was used >> he'd have to do something, that the USA, the Saud's or Israel aren't as >> likely to do the same thing. >> >> Your posts, that is the stuff you send out, you've declined to make >> personal statements that aren't ad hominem, defend using terrorists as >> any method to remove Assad, and yet historically speaking, everyone that >> has been freed by US Sponsored terrorism either via proxy or directly, >> have suffered 100 to thousands of time worse. >> >> You, writing as Shrooms, (apparent from your reply as you took the PNAC >> comment as personal) are advocating controlling what happens in the >> Middle >> East. the only people shoe agenda that is are the International Bankers, >> the Corporatists, and the Western Imperialists that are the economic and >> violent enforcers of the International bankers and Cortporationists. >> >> By the way, if your purposeful misspelling my name, that is assuming you >> have read as far as my personal signature at the end of everyone of my >> posts, is in an attempt to get me to reply as emotionally as you are, it >> isn't working. Your research once again shows nothing in common with >> what >> your stating personally about me, and your misspelling of my name. >> >> Scott >> >> > *And Scot, I know about the PNAC and wrote a little note on them in >> > 2004...Stop inferring I am one of them...Dumb ass Scot * >> > >> > >> > >> > http://pittsburgh.indymedia.org/news/2004/04/13810.php >> > >> > >> > Venezuela: The Coup Makers- The Invisible U.S. Hands >> > >> > By Cort Greene >> > >> > April 20, 2004 >> > >> > >> > With rumors of a new coup swirling through Venezuela daily, some with >> > merit, others just the wishful thinking of the fractured but still >> > dangerous "opposition", it is useful to review just who the real >> puppet >> > masters behind the last coup were, and the possibility and the reasons >> > that >> > they will try another one. >> > >> > Removing President Chavez and destroying the Bolivarian Revolutionary >> > Process has been a primary concern of the U.S. government since 1998. >> Why >> > else would it dedicate such resources to this effort? So far they have >> > spent over 4 million dollars in known covert funds, and the actual >> figure >> > is probably twice that amount if we take in account that there are >> over >> > 500 >> > U.S. corporations in Venezuela, some of which are CIA fronts. Dick >> > Cheney's >> > pals at Halliburton have 21 offices in Venezuela. >> > >> > These folks have a vested interest in bringing about a change of >> > government >> > â i.e. trampling on the democratic will of the majority of >> Venezuelans >> > if >> > it will bring them higher profits and greater access to the region's >> > natural resources. >> > >> > With the quagmire in Iraq, gaining control over the Venezuelan >> petroleum >> > industry is of particular importance, due to the prospect of an energy >> > crisis and the economic problems that will ensue from it. >> > >> > This could be a catalyst for a greater worldwide crisis than is taking >> > place now, and could be the greatest seen since the 1930s. >> > >> > President Chavez and Bolivarian Revolution are a threat because they >> > provide an example that goes not only against the imperialist plan of >> the >> > Free Trade Agreement of the America's, but shows the potential for a >> > revival of the working class struggle and socialism across the entire >> > region. >> > >> > The usual suspects for another coup attempt in Venezuela include U.S. >> > Ambassador to Venezuela Charles Shapiro (whom it is alleged played a >> part >> > in the spilling of the blood of the working class in Chile and >> Venezuela). >> > And of course there is the CIA, the National Endowment for Democracy, >> and >> > a >> > myriad of other organizations. >> > >> > But there is another, more insidious, and less heard of group that has >> > binds together all these other groups and officials together - the >> > "Project >> > for the New American Century" â which played a leading role in >> > developing >> > the US invasion of Iraq. PNAC's board of directors is a "who's who" of >> > government and business, which has representatives in Venezuela either >> > directly or through inter-locking boards of directors. >> > >> > The stated goals of this right-wing think-tank are a bold foreign >> policy, >> > the need to increase defense spending, and to challenge regimes >> hostile >> to >> > the vital interests and values of American capitalism. >> > >> > Some PNAC members include: >> > >> > · Donald Rumsfeld >> > >> > · Paul Wolfowitz >> > >> > · Frank Gaffney >> > >> > · Dan Quayle >> > >> > · Gary Bauer >> > >> > · Elliott Abrams >> > >> > · Steve Forbes >> > >> > · Zalmay Khalilzad >> > >> > · Paula Dobrainsky, Under Secretary for Global affairs >> > >> > · Jeb Bush >> > >> > · William Bennett >> > >> > · Vice President Dick Cheney >> > >> > These are just some of the puppet masters who will do anything to >> ensure >> > the continued U.S. dominance of Latin America and the world. If they >> had >> > their way, they would do to Venezuela what they did to Iraq. >> > >> > But they have fallen into more than a bit of trouble in Iraq, and >> already >> > the world working class is rallying to the defense of the Venezuelan >> > revolution. We must step up the pressure and end the imperialist >> > predations >> > of the U.S. ruling class once and for all! >> > >> > No to U.S. intervention in Venezuela! >> > >> > Defend the Venezuelan Revolution! >> > >> > Forward to Socialism! >> > >> > >> > On Tue, Sep 17, 2013 at 3:40 PM, <scotpe...@cruzio.com> wrote: >> > >> >> Educators do not use ad hominem attacks and strawman arguments. Only >> >> those >> >> supporting agendas and using the little back book of disinformation >> rely >> >> on those tactics to distract people from the questions at hand, which >> >> was >> >> in this instance, seriosuly, it reads like it came right off a PNAC >> >> funded >> >> site; >> >> *** >> >> Who, pray tell, is Shrooms, much less who is this person (or >> >> organization) >> >> working for? >> >> >> >> And why does this sound like I'm reading something on the PNAC site? >> >> *** >> >> >> >> I dare say this ID your using is the same as another I that sues the >> >> same >> >> tactics, partial because of your refusal to duplicate simple things >> like >> >> spelling of my name, or that you never read further then you can >> create >> >> an >> >> ad hominem attack for response to. >> >> >> >> Seriously, I thought you and your Marxist people were not on the side >> of >> >> the Imperialists. You send stuff that appears to be from Anarchists, >> >> that >> >> also do naught but support the Imperialists desires. >> >> >> >> Seriously, this is something I must take the opportunity to point out >> to >> >> others, especially on a list that is suppose to be for alternate >> media >> >> instead of shadowy propaganda wearing the cloak of the International >> >> Corporate Oppositionists. >> >> >> >> It's what your articles support, You on the other hand have never >> taken >> >> the opportunities presented to discuss anything, you just revert to >> >> personal attacks. >> >> >> >> Scott >> >> >> >> "Therefore strategies for dealing with, and opposing, the Muslim >> >> Brotherhood should be fundamentally different from our approach to >> >> militant-Jihadi groups" >> >> >> >> >> >> Scott >> >> >> >> > *Oh Scot* >> >> > * >> >> > * >> >> > *Your ignorance is showing or is it that the pole from the caber >> toss >> >> hit >> >> > you in the head too many times at the Highland games... [?]* >> >> > * >> >> > * >> >> > *Rojo Rojito* >> >> > * >> >> > * >> >> > *Cort* >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > On Tue, Sep 17, 2013 at 2:56 PM, <scotpe...@cruzio.com> wrote: >> >> > >> >> >> Who, pray tell, is Shrooms, much less who is this person (or >> >> >> organization) >> >> >> working for? >> >> >> >> >> >> And why does this sound like I'm reading something on the PNAC >> site? >> >> >> >> >> >> Scott >> >> >> >> >> >> "Therefore strategies for dealing with, and opposing, the Muslim >> >> >> Brotherhood should be fundamentally different from our approach to >> >> >> militant-Jihadi groups" >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > *Remembering Sabra and Shatila massacre 16-18 September 1982 >> >> >> > #Lebanon<http://twitter.com/search?q=%23Lebanon> >> >> >> > * >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://tahriricn.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/syria-the-rise-of-al-qaeda-in-syria-separating-fact-from-mythology/ >> >> >> > >> >> >> > â SYRIA/PALESTINE: Palestinians and the Syrian Revolution: >> >> Lessons >> >> >> from >> >> >> > the >> >> >> > fight against >> >> >> > fascism< >> >> >> >> >> >> http://tahriricn.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/syriapalestine-palestinians-and-the-syrian-revolution-lessons-from-the-fight-against-fascism/ >> >> >> > >> >> >> > â< >> >> >> >> >> >> http://tahriricn.wordpress.com/2013/09/15/uk-anti-fascist-network-statement-on-saturday-7th-september-edl-demonstration/ >> >> >> > >> >> >> > SYRIA: The Rise of Al Qaeda in Syria: Separating Fact from >> >> Mythology >> >> >> > >> >> >> > SEP >> >> >> > 12< >> >> >> >> >> >> http://tahriricn.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/syria-the-rise-of-al-qaeda-in-syria-separating-fact-from-mythology/ >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Posted by tahriricn >> >> <http://tahriricn.wordpress.com/author/tahriricn/ >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > By Leila Shrooms for Tahrir-ICN[image: >> >> >> > ED-AR204_obagy_D_20130830164816]< >> >> >> >> >> >> http://tahriricn.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/ed-ar204_obagy_d_20130830164816.jpg >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > One of the most worrying developments during the trajectory of >> >> >> Syriaâs >> >> >> > revolution has been the rise of militant Jihadi groups. The >> danger >> >> >> that >> >> >> > the >> >> >> > increasing strength of such groups poses to both Syria and the >> >> region >> >> >> > should not be underestimated. Yet a lot of misunderstandings >> exist >> >> >> about >> >> >> > the nature and dominance of such groups which this article >> attempts >> >> to >> >> >> > address. Only when fact is separated from mythology are we able >> to >> >> >> move >> >> >> > forward collectively towards a strategy that addresses the >> threat >> >> of >> >> >> > counter-revolutionary forces and have a better understanding of >> who >> >> is >> >> >> > working for the original goals of the revolution so that they >> can >> >> be >> >> >> given >> >> >> > the solidarity they deserve. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > *Al Qaeda ideology* >> >> >> > Al Qaeda or militant Jihadi groups[1] have an internationalist >> >> >> perspective >> >> >> > and want to establish a global Islamic caliphate based on a >> strict >> >> >> > interpretation of Sharia law. The ideology of Al Qaeda groups is >> >> >> closely >> >> >> > related to Salafi/Wahabi ideology (the totalitarian political >> >> doctrine >> >> >> > which is practiced in Saudi Arabia). Whilst Salafism is an >> >> extremely >> >> >> > repressive, puritanical ideology which follows a literal >> >> >> interpretation >> >> >> of >> >> >> > the Quran, it is important to note that not all Salafists >> believe >> >> in >> >> >> > violent means to establish their goals and that some Salafists >> are >> >> >> > prepared >> >> >> > to work within a democratic system. By contrast, militant Jihadi >> >> >> groups >> >> >> > reject the concept of democracy holding that their >> interpretation >> >> of >> >> >> Islam >> >> >> > is mandated by God. They believe that it is a religious duty to >> >> defend >> >> >> the >> >> >> > Muslim community against enemies of Islam and are prepared to >> die >> >> as >> >> >> > martyrs for that cause. They regard anyone who does not >> subscribe >> >> to >> >> >> their >> >> >> > ideology (including liberal Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims) as >> >> >> > heretics/Kafir. Some, known as Takfiris, believe that they have >> the >> >> >> right >> >> >> > to kill heretics. Al Qaeda affiliated groups in the region >> include >> >> >> > Egyptian >> >> >> > Islamic Jihad, Al Qaeda in the Arabian peninsula in Yemen and >> Saudi >> >> >> > Arabia, >> >> >> > Jund Ansar Allah in Palestine, Fatah Al Islam in Lebanon and Al >> >> Qaeda >> >> >> in >> >> >> > the Islamic Maghreb in Algeria and Morocco. [2]These groups do >> not >> >> >> have a >> >> >> > broad popular support base, primarily due to their use of >> terrorist >> >> >> means >> >> >> > targeting civilians in countries in which they operate and their >> >> >> following >> >> >> > of an interpretation of Islam which is alien to almost everyone. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > *Mainstream political Islam* >> >> >> > It is important not to confuse militant Jihadis with mainstream >> >> >> political >> >> >> > Islamist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood. Whilst the >> Muslim >> >> >> > Brotherhood is undoubtably conservative and reactionary, they >> have >> >> >> broad >> >> >> > based popular support across the Middle East and North Africa >> and >> >> have >> >> >> won >> >> >> > democratic elections in Palestine, Tunisia and Egypt. They >> gained >> >> >> > prominence during the Islamic revival of the 1970s, as a direct >> >> >> response >> >> >> > to >> >> >> > western imperialism. They work to reinstate Islamic laws and >> >> believe >> >> >> in >> >> >> > the >> >> >> > concept of Islamic unity and the return of the caliphate >> abolished >> >> by >> >> >> > Ataturk in 1924 although they primarily struggle on the national >> >> >> level. >> >> >> > They advocate that political Islam is compatible with the >> >> >> establishment >> >> >> of >> >> >> > a modern, democratic, multi-party state that respects human >> rights, >> >> >> > including the rights of religious minorities.[3] Pursuing social >> >> >> justice >> >> >> > and particularly reducing the gap between rich and poor has been >> a >> >> key >> >> >> > tenet of their ideology and to this end they established a vast >> >> >> network >> >> >> of >> >> >> > social services which gained them the support of the urban and >> >> rural >> >> >> > poor.[4] Although they have been known to use violent means to >> >> achieve >> >> >> > their goals, the Muslim Brotherhood officially rejects the use >> of >> >> >> > violence.[5] >> >> >> > >> >> >> > The experience of countries that have been governed by the >> Muslim >> >> >> > Brotherhood show a wide gap between their rhetoric and reality. >> >> Highly >> >> >> > authoritarian and repressive regimes have been established where >> >> they >> >> >> have >> >> >> > come to power. Yet we should not regard the Muslim Brotherhood >> as a >> >> >> > violent >> >> >> > terrorist organization or overlook the support the organization >> has >> >> >> > amongst >> >> >> > broad sections of a religiously conservative population. >> Therefore >> >> >> > strategies for dealing with, and opposing, the Muslim >> Brotherhood >> >> >> should >> >> >> > be >> >> >> > fundamentally different from our approach to militant-Jihadi >> >> groups. >> >> >> The >> >> >> > Muslim Brotherhood is prominent in the Syrian National Coalition >> >> (the >> >> >> > bourgeois opposition in exile which is backed by the West, Gulf >> >> States >> >> >> and >> >> >> > Turkey and influenced by foreign agendas). The Syrian National >> >> >> Coalition >> >> >> > also includes secular and leftist opposition groups (including >> >> >> Christian >> >> >> > and Kurdish parties), the Free Syrian Army, grass-roots >> opposition >> >> >> groups >> >> >> > and independents. It advocates establishing a civil, democratic >> >> >> Syria.[6] >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Between the âmoderateâ political Islamists and Al Qaeda >> there >> >> >> exists a >> >> >> > broad spectrum of other Salafist groups which subscribe to >> >> puritanical >> >> >> > versions of Islam some of which are militant. They include Al >> Nour >> >> >> party >> >> >> > in >> >> >> > Egypt, Islamic Jihad and Jaysh al Islam in Palestine, and Ansar >> Al >> >> >> Islam >> >> >> > and Ahrar Al Sham in Syria. Further, although the overwhelming >> >> >> majority >> >> >> of >> >> >> > people in the region are Muslim, many are also secularists, >> >> including >> >> >> the >> >> >> > vast majority of Syriaâs grassroots civil opposition. >> Socialist >> >> and >> >> >> > anti-authoritarian/anarchist currents also exist within Islam >> with >> >> >> roots >> >> >> > that can be traced back to the ninth century.[7] >> >> >> > >> >> >> > *Al Qaeda groups in Syria* >> >> >> > The two Al Qaeda affiliated groups operating in Syria are Jabhat >> Al >> >> >> Nusra >> >> >> > (Al Nusra Front â JAN) and the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham >> >> >> (ISIS). >> >> >> > Both >> >> >> > can be traced back to groups established to fight against the >> >> American >> >> >> > occupation of Iraq and grew in strength due to the sponsorship >> of >> >> the >> >> >> > Syrian government. This is important to note because whilst the >> >> >> origins >> >> >> of >> >> >> > Al Qaeda globally go back to Afghanistan, where they were >> supported >> >> by >> >> >> the >> >> >> > CIA to fight against the Soviets in the 70s and 80s, this is not >> >> the >> >> >> > experience of Al Qaeda groups operating in Syria or Iraq today >> >> which >> >> >> fight >> >> >> > against US imperialism, Zionism and all western influence. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Some of JANâs members are Syrians that returned from fighting >> in >> >> >> Iraq >> >> >> > when >> >> >> > the uprising broke out in 2011, but many foreigners also joined >> >> their >> >> >> > ranks. Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq >> claimed >> >> >> that >> >> >> > JAN was its branch in Syria. However, JANâs leader, Abu >> Mohammed >> >> Al >> >> >> > Golani, >> >> >> > has rejected this claim whilst simultaneously pledging >> allegiance >> >> to >> >> >> Al >> >> >> > Qaeda globally. ISIS is a part of the Al Qaeda network and the >> >> >> majority >> >> >> of >> >> >> > its members are foreigners. Whilst exact numbers are not known >> it >> >> is >> >> >> > estimated that together JAN and ISIS have around10,000 members, >> >> less >> >> >> than >> >> >> > 10 per cent of estimated armed opposition fighters.[8] Both aim >> to >> >> >> > overthrow the government of Bashar Al Assad, establish and >> Islamic >> >> >> > caliphate and a strict interpretation of Islamic law, are >> opposed >> >> to >> >> >> > Western intervention and are opposed to the US and Israel. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > The numbers of JAN and ISIS are relatively small, yet they have >> a >> >> >> > disproportionate strength compared to other armed opposition >> >> groups. >> >> >> They >> >> >> > have battle-experience from Iraq and have received a lot of >> >> military >> >> >> > support from Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and >> Qatar, >> >> >> which >> >> >> > aim >> >> >> > to destabilize Syria through sectarian conflict in order to >> prevent >> >> a >> >> >> > popular revolution from succeeding. By contrast other armed >> groups >> >> are >> >> >> > still mainly dependent on light weapons and what they can seize >> >> from >> >> >> > Syrian >> >> >> > army bases they have captured. JAN and ISIS are concentrated in >> the >> >> >> north >> >> >> > of the country, along the Turkish border in Aleppo and Idlib >> >> >> governorates, >> >> >> > in Al Raqqa governorate, and in the east in Deir Al Zour >> >> governorate >> >> >> along >> >> >> > the border with Iraq. They have attempted to set up Islamic >> >> emirates >> >> >> in >> >> >> > areas under their control, established Sharia courts and placed >> >> >> > restrictions on the rights of women and minorities. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Both groups have been responsible for carrying out attacks >> against >> >> >> > civilians, including suicide bombings, the arrest of opposition >> >> >> activists, >> >> >> > the torture and extrajudicial killing of Syrian army soldiers >> they >> >> >> have >> >> >> > captured, and sectarian killings. Most recently they have been >> >> >> responsible >> >> >> > for atrocities carried out against the Kurdish population, >> causing >> >> >> over >> >> >> > 20,000 Kurds to flee to Iraq in August. The extremism and >> violence >> >> >> > practiced by such groups is an increasing trend and major cause >> for >> >> >> > concern. Yet, it must be borne in mind that the overwhelming >> >> majority >> >> >> of >> >> >> > the estimated 120,000 deaths and vast majority of cases of >> torture >> >> and >> >> >> > brutality in Syria over the past 2.5 years have been carried out >> by >> >> >> the >> >> >> > Syrian regime.[9] >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Al Qaeda affiliated groups have the potential to cause chaos and >> >> >> violence >> >> >> > in Syria and the region for many years to come. However, their >> >> ability >> >> >> to >> >> >> > impose their vision on a future Syria is grossly over-estimated. >> >> They >> >> >> are >> >> >> > small in number, they do not have a popular support base, and >> the >> >> >> majority >> >> >> > of their ranks are foreigners. After 10 years of causing turmoil >> in >> >> >> Iraq, >> >> >> > including the massacre of thousands of civilians, they did not >> >> manage >> >> >> to >> >> >> > win the support of the local population or create an Islamic >> state. >> >> >> > According to a Syrian rebel from a secular brigade in Salamiyah; >> >> âAl >> >> >> > Qaida >> >> >> > is the one thing that will unite Syrian people after the >> >> revolution, >> >> >> > because all of the Syrians will want them out â those who are >> now >> >> >> with >> >> >> > the >> >> >> > regime and those who are against the regime. Nobody likes these >> >> people >> >> >> ⦠>> >> >> > After the regime falls there will have to be a new military >> >> formation >> >> >> to >> >> >> > confront these radical movements.â[10] >> >> >> > >> >> >> > *Relationship of militant Jihadi groups to the Free Syrian Army >> >> (FSA)* >> >> >> > The Free Syrian Army is the main, and by far the largest, armed >> >> >> opposition >> >> >> > group in Syria. Itâs leadership is linked to the SNC. The FSA >> is >> >> >> > comprised >> >> >> > of officers and soldiers that have defected from the regime as >> well >> >> as >> >> >> > anti-regime elements of the civilian population. It is committed >> to >> >> >> the >> >> >> > overthrow of Assad and the establishment of a plural, civil, >> >> >> democratic >> >> >> > Syria. The FSA is comprised of many battalions. The leader of >> the >> >> FSA, >> >> >> > Salmin Idriss has stated he is committed to secularism, yet some >> >> >> > battalions >> >> >> > are Islamist (mainly Muslim Brotherhood affiliated), some are >> >> secular >> >> >> and >> >> >> > some are comprised of Christians, Kurds and Alawites. There are >> >> even >> >> >> women >> >> >> > only brigades. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Whilst serious human rights abuses have been carried out by >> >> elements >> >> >> of >> >> >> > the >> >> >> > FSA, these appear to be mainly isolated incidents rather than >> >> >> wide-spread >> >> >> > and systematic attacks on civilians and civilian areas. Human >> >> Rights >> >> >> Watch >> >> >> > has noted that âmany of the antigovernment groups reported to >> be >> >> >> > carrying >> >> >> > out abuses do not appear to belong to an organized command >> >> structure >> >> >> or >> >> >> to >> >> >> > be following Syrian National Council ordersâ.[11] When such >> >> >> incidents >> >> >> > have >> >> >> > come to light the SNC and FSA have condemned them and called for >> >> the >> >> >> > arrest >> >> >> > and prosecution of those responsible, something that has never >> been >> >> >> seen >> >> >> > from the Assad regime.[12] The FSA is generally held in high >> regard >> >> by >> >> >> the >> >> >> > civilian population and seen as protector and defender of the >> >> >> people.[13] >> >> >> > >> >> >> > ISIS and JAN operate outside of the FSA chain of command and >> reject >> >> >> the >> >> >> > leadership of the SNC. Yet, due to their advanced military >> capacity >> >> >> and >> >> >> > military successes against the Assad regime, some FSA battalions >> >> have >> >> >> > cooperated with them. The majority refuse to do so, and as >> militant >> >> >> Jihadi >> >> >> > groups have grown in strength and carried out increasing attacks >> on >> >> >> > civilians, particularly sectarian violence, the FSA leadership >> has >> >> >> sought >> >> >> > to distance themselves and condemned their actions.[14] The FSA >> has >> >> >> also >> >> >> > been engaged in fierce battles with JAN and ISIS (as was seen >> >> recently >> >> >> in >> >> >> > Bustan Al Qasr) and militant Jihadi groups have expelled FSA >> >> >> battalions >> >> >> > from some areas under their control and even assassinated FSA >> >> >> leaders.[15] >> >> >> > It is also interesting to note, that increasingly JAN and ISIS >> have >> >> >> > refused >> >> >> > to fight against the government on front lines and instead >> focused >> >> on >> >> >> > consolidating their power in areas under their control.[16] This >> is >> >> a >> >> >> > clear >> >> >> > testimony that they are not working for the goals of the >> revolution >> >> >> but >> >> >> > rather to further their own extremist religious agenda. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > There are other battalions that operate outside of the FSA chain >> of >> >> >> > command >> >> >> > and are openly critical of the SNC and FSA leadership >> abroad.[17] >> >> >> These >> >> >> > include both secularists and Islamists. One of the largest >> Islamist >> >> >> > coalitions is The Syrian Islamic Front, comprised mainly of >> >> Salafist >> >> >> > battalions such as Ahrar Al Sham. Their aim is to establish an >> >> Islamic >> >> >> > state governed by Sharia Law although they are Syrian >> nationalists >> >> and >> >> >> not >> >> >> > working for a global caliphate or linked to Al Qaeda.[18] They >> >> reject >> >> >> > western notions of democracy.[19] >> >> >> > >> >> >> > *Syrian government strategy towards militant Jihadis* >> >> >> > When the peaceful popular uprising began in Syria in early 2011, >> >> the >> >> >> > Syrian >> >> >> > government falsely claimed it was fighting Sunni Islamic >> militant >> >> >> > terrorists. This was an attempt to discredit the legitimate >> demands >> >> of >> >> >> the >> >> >> > Syrian people for freedom, social justice and dignity and >> justify >> >> its >> >> >> > terrifying crackdown. As we have seen, to some extent it was to >> >> turn >> >> >> into >> >> >> > a >> >> >> > self-fulfilling prophecy. The government sent Shabiha (armed >> >> Alawite >> >> >> > militias) to arrest and shoot protesters and terrorize the >> civilian >> >> >> > population, thereby introducing sectarianism into the uprising, >> >> >> despite >> >> >> > minority groups such as Alawite, Christians and Kurds playing an >> >> >> active >> >> >> > role in the opposition. In the first five months alone, when >> >> protests >> >> >> were >> >> >> > still peaceful, the UN estimates that hundreds of people were >> >> >> killed.[20] >> >> >> > Many more were imprisoned and brutally tortured. Assad also >> >> released a >> >> >> > large number of militant Jihadi prisoners from jail in the early >> >> days >> >> >> of >> >> >> > the revolution.[21] The Assad regime has made deals with Jabhat >> Al >> >> >> Nusra, >> >> >> > such as paying them 150 million Syrian Lira [$1.15 million] >> monthly >> >> to >> >> >> > keep >> >> >> > oil flowing through two major pipelines in Banias and >> Latakia.[22] >> >> It >> >> >> is >> >> >> > also clear that the vast majority of attacks carried out by the >> >> regime >> >> >> > have >> >> >> > not been on JAN or ISIS strongholds but rather in areas where >> >> secular >> >> >> or >> >> >> > âmoderateâ Islamist brigades are concentrated such as Homs, >> >> Deraa >> >> >> and >> >> >> > FSA >> >> >> > controlled parts of Aleppo. All these factors point to a >> concerted >> >> >> > strategy >> >> >> > by the Syrian regime to allow the uprising to be taken over by >> >> Islamic >> >> >> > extremism and sectarianism which would allow the regime to gain >> >> more >> >> >> > popular support. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > *Opposition to militant-Jihadism in Syria* >> >> >> > Whilst the focus of this article has been armed groups operating >> in >> >> >> Syria, >> >> >> > it is important to note that the grass roots civilian resistance >> in >> >> >> Syria >> >> >> > remains dynamic and strong and stands against both the Assad >> regime >> >> >> and >> >> >> > counter-revolutionary militant Jihadi groups (and is often >> highly >> >> >> critical >> >> >> > of the SNC leadership in exile). The overwhelming majority of >> the >> >> >> civil >> >> >> > resistance movements are secular, none-affiliated to traditional >> >> >> political >> >> >> > ideologies and motivated by desires for freedom, social justice >> and >> >> >> > dignity. Major grass roots opposition groupings such as the >> Local >> >> >> > Coordination Committees have released statements condemning the >> >> >> actions >> >> >> of >> >> >> > JAN and ISIS and have stressed that they are committed to a >> >> âcivil, >> >> >> > democratic and pluralist stateâ that respects the rights of >> all >> >> >> citizens >> >> >> > regardless of religious or ethnic identity.[23] >> >> >> > >> >> >> > There have been increasing protests against JAN and ISIS >> >> particularly >> >> >> in >> >> >> > areas where they are dominant, rejecting their authoritarian >> >> practices >> >> >> and >> >> >> > condemning their sectarian ideology and abuses.[24] For example, >> in >> >> Al >> >> >> > Raqqa, the first provincial capital to be liberated from the >> >> regime, >> >> >> > militant Jihadi groups took over the civilian local council. >> Where >> >> >> they >> >> >> > tried to put up the black Jihadi flag, local activists pulled it >> >> down >> >> >> and >> >> >> > replaced it with the revolutionary flag. ISIS also tried to >> impose >> >> >> fasting >> >> >> > on the population during the month of Ramadan and have arrested >> >> many >> >> >> > civilians from the city. The people of Al Raqqa have been >> holding >> >> >> > continuous protests against ISIS and the Islamic court they >> >> >> established, >> >> >> > calling on them to leave.[25] Likewise protesters in Idlib and >> >> Aleppo >> >> >> have >> >> >> > held demonstrations against the Sharia Committee and >> >> extremist/Takfiri >> >> >> > killings.[26] As sectarianism has increased, there have been >> >> protests >> >> >> > calling for national unity in which different religious and >> ethnic >> >> >> groups >> >> >> > have participated.[27] On 1 August in Aleppo a joint protest was >> >> held >> >> >> by >> >> >> > Arabs and Kurds in which hundreds took part, condemning recent >> >> >> atrocities >> >> >> > carried out against the Kurdish population by militant Jihadi >> >> >> groups.[28] >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Civil society organizations such as Nabd have been established >> to >> >> >> promote >> >> >> > co-existence and an end to sectarianism.[29] Likewise, >> non-violent >> >> >> > organizations such as the Freedom Days coalition, which >> comprises a >> >> >> large >> >> >> > number of groups, promote peaceful struggle and coexistence >> across >> >> >> ethnic >> >> >> > and religious lines.[30] In recent days a campaign called >> Goodbye >> >> >> Da3esh >> >> >> > has been established to oppose the wide-spread arrests of >> >> civilians, >> >> >> > including opposition activists, carried out by ISIS.[31] >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Such initiatives and struggles need to be highlighted and >> >> supported. >> >> >> It >> >> >> is >> >> >> > too easy to adopt the simplistic binary narrative promoted by >> >> states >> >> >> and >> >> >> > blanket thinkers that the choice the Syrian people face is >> between >> >> a >> >> >> > secular fascist dictatorship or Al Qaeda. As Spanish >> >> revolutionaries >> >> >> in >> >> >> > the >> >> >> > 1930s fought on two fronts against both the fascists and the >> >> >> communists, >> >> >> > Syrian revolutionaries have to fight against both the Assad >> regime >> >> and >> >> >> > counter-revolutionary militant Jihadi groups. It is clear that >> >> >> militant >> >> >> > Jihadism is gaining a foothold in Syria and that as the struggle >> >> >> continues >> >> >> > without resolution they will continue to grow in strength. The >> >> answer >> >> >> is >> >> >> > not to support a regime that holds responsibility for creating >> this >> >> >> > problem >> >> >> > in the first place. The answer is to stand in solidarity with >> those >> >> >> who >> >> >> > struggle against it, in the hope that their voices will not be >> lost >> >> >> for >> >> >> > ever. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > *Endnotes:* >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 1 I emphasis the word militant because the concept of Jihad is >> >> often >> >> >> > misunderstood. Jihad is a religious duty for Muslims and means >> >> >> > âstruggleâ. >> >> >> > This can be interpreted as a struggle against oppression or the >> >> >> internal >> >> >> > struggles of ones own personal life. In the contemporary use >> >> Jihad(i) >> >> >> > refers to those who find it a religious obligation to defend >> Muslim >> >> >> land >> >> >> > against the Kafir (non believer). >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 2 For some reports on militant Jihadi groups in the region see, >> >> >> > International Crisis Group, Radical Islam in Gaza, (2011), >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Israel%20Palestine/104%20Radical%20Islam%20in%20Gaza.ashx >> >> >> , >> >> >> > < >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Israel%20Palestine/104%20Radical%20Islam%20in%20Gaza.ashx,%C2%A0 >> >> >> >Institute >> >> >> > for the Study of War, Jihad in Syria, (2012), >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Jihad-In-Syria-17SEPT.pdf >> >> >> , >> >> >> > Omayma Abdel-Latif, âCedar Jihadisâ[Lebanon] Al Ahram, >> >> >> > http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2008/895/re2.htm >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 3 For the pledge and charter of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood >> >> (2012) >> >> >> see: >> >> >> > http://www.memri.org/report/en/print6250.htm >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 4 For an excellent introduction to the Islamic revival (from an >> >> Arab >> >> >> > feminist perspective) see: Leila Ahmed, A Quiet Revolution: The >> >> >> Veilâs >> >> >> > Resurgence, from the Middle East to America, (2011) >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 5 See âA Declaration to the Peopleâ (2011) >> >> >> > http://asharqalarabi.org.uk/english/at-3.htm & âThe pledge and >> >> >> charter >> >> >> > of >> >> >> > the Syrian Muslim Brotherhoodâ (2012) >> >> >> > http://www.memri.org/report/en/print6250.htm >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 6 See âSyrian Coalition Principlesâ, >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.etilaf.org/en/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=35&Itemid=584 >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 7 See for example, Mohammed Jean Veneuse, Anarca Islam, (2009) >> >> >> > http://tahriricn.wordpress.com/2013/07/05/anarca-islam/ and >> David >> >> >> Baker, >> >> >> > Ninth-Century Muslim Anarchists, (2011) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://tahriricn.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/ninth-century-muslim-anarchists/ >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 8 See Aljazeera âInteractive: Mapping Syriaâs rebellionâ, >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2013/07/20137188552345899.html >> >> >> . >> >> >> > Whilst these figures vary according to reports from usually from >> >> >> > 6,000-10,000, Syrian grass-roots opposition groups repeatedly >> >> affirm >> >> >> that >> >> >> > militant Jihadi groups have a small presence amongst opposition >> >> armed >> >> >> > groups. For example see âOur Revolution: A popular revolution >> for >> >> >> > freedom, >> >> >> > equality and social justice and against every kind of >> >> absolutismâ, >> >> >> > (August >> >> >> > 2013) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://syriafreedomforever.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/our-revolution-a-popular-revolution-for-freedom-equality-and-social-justice-and-against-every-kind-of-absolutism/ >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 9 See for example: Amnesty International, âAnnual Report 2013: >> >> >> Syriaâ >> >> >> > (2013) http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/syria/report-2013 Human >> >> >> Rights >> >> >> > Watch âSyria: Government Likely Culprit in Chemical Attackâ, >> >> >> > (September >> >> >> > 2013) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/09/10/syria-government-likely-culprit-chemical-attack >> >> >> > and >> >> >> > The Revolting Syrian âDoes this not outrage you?â >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.therevoltingsyrian.com/post/50495350134/does-this-not-outrage-you >> >> >> > [WARNING: >> >> >> > the videos in the last link are extremely graphic] >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 10 Cited in Syria Deeply, âThe State of a Secular Rebel >> Fighting >> >> >> > Forceâ, >> >> >> > (September 2013) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://beta.syriadeeply.org/2013/09/state-secular-rebel-fighting-force/#.UjF5pmQ-u2p >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 11 Human Rights Watch, âSyria: Armed Opposition Groups >> >> Committing >> >> >> > Abusesâ, >> >> >> > (March 2012) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/03/20/syria-armed-opposition-groups-committing-abuses >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 12 See for example: âStatement by the General Staff of the >> Free >> >> >> Syrian >> >> >> > Armyâ (May 2013) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=482097828528873&set=a.458923474179642.1073741828.458106567594666&type=1 >> >> >> > and >> >> >> > âJoint Statement from the FSA and Kurdish Frontâ (July 2013) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://syriafreedomforever.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/translation-of-the-joint-statement-from-the-fsa-and-the-kurdish-front/ >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 13 This is evident in chants of support for the FSA seen at >> weekly >> >> >> > protests >> >> >> > across Syria and also based on my own discussion with Syrian >> >> refugees >> >> >> in >> >> >> > camps across Lebanon and Jordan. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 14 âJoint Statement from the FSA and Kurdish Frontâ (July >> 2013) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://syriafreedomforever.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/translation-of-the-joint-statement-from-the-fsa-and-the-kurdish-front/ >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 15 Martin Chulov, âFree Syrian Army clashes with jihadists in >> >> wake >> >> >> of >> >> >> > commanderâs assassinationâ, (July 2013) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/14/free-syrian-army-jihadists-clashes-aleppo >> >> >> > & >> >> >> > Syria Freedom Forever, âSyria: the Kurdish question, the >> >> Islamists >> >> >> and >> >> >> > the >> >> >> > FSAâ, (July 2013) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://syriafreedomforever.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/syria-the-kurdish-question-the-islamists-and-the-fsa/ >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 16 Syrian Freedom Forever, âYou can jail a revolutionary but >> you >> >> >> canât >> >> >> > jail >> >> >> > the revolutionâ, (August 2013) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://syriafreedomforever.wordpress.com/2013/08/24/you-can-jail-revolutionaries-but-you-cannot-kill-the-revolution-the-syrian-people-will-not-kneel/ >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 17 For an overview of Syriaâs armed opposition see: >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_armed_groups_in_the_Syrian_civil_war >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 18 See the Charter of the Syrian Islamic Front (2013) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://abujamajem.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/the-charter-of-the-syrian-islamic-front/ >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 19 Aron Lund, âSyriaâs Salafi Insurgents: The Rise of the >> >> Syrian >> >> >> > Islamic >> >> >> > Frontâ, (2012) http://www.ui.se/eng/upl/files/86861.pdf >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 20 United Nations, âSyria: Security Council condemns rights >> >> abuses >> >> >> and >> >> >> > use >> >> >> > of force against civiliansâ, (August 2011) >> >> >> > >> http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?newsid=39229&cr1=#.UjHzH2Q-u2p >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 21 âBashar released Al Qaeda prisoners to cover his crimesâ, >> Al >> >> >> Ahram, >> >> >> > (March 2013) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/66953/World/Region/Bashar-released-AlQaeda-prisoners-to-cover-his-cri.aspx >> >> >> > & >> >> >> > Misbah Al Ali, âRival Islamists loom large over Syriaâ, The >> >> Daily >> >> >> Star >> >> >> > (March 2013) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Mar-19/210649-rival-islamists-loom-large-over-syria.ashx#axzz2egSa7ZD9 >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 22 Syrian Freedom Forever, âSyria or elsewhere, there are no >> pure >> >> >> > revolutions, just revolutions,â >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://syriafreedomforever.wordpress.com/2013/06/07/syriaor-elsewhere-there-are-no-pure-revolutions-just-revolutions/ >> >> >> > also >> >> >> > Yasser Munif âThe revolution and the warâ, >> >> >> > http://socialistworker.org/2013/09/11/the-revolution-and-the-war. >> >> The >> >> >> > conversion is based on exchange rate of 11 September 2013. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 23 LCC statement (April 2013) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://syriafreedomforever.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/condemnation-of-zawahris-statements-regarding-his-intervention-in-the-internal-affairs-of-syria/ >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 24 See, Syrian Freedom Forever, âSelf Organization of the >> popular >> >> >> > struggles >> >> >> > in Syria against the regime and Islamist groups? Yes, it >> exists!â >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://syriafreedomforever.wordpress.com/2013/09/08/self-organization-of-the-popular-struggles-in-syria-against-the-regime-and-islamist-groups-yes-it-exists/ >> >> >> > and >> >> >> > Bassam Haddad, âThe Growing Challenge to the Syrian regime and >> >> the >> >> >> > Syrian >> >> >> > Uprisingâ, Jadaliyya, (June 2013) >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/12556/the-growing-challenge-to-the-syrian-regime-and-the >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 25 For example see: >> >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hOsyH7zasw&sns=em >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 26 For example see: >> >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8edfgXT61A(Idlib) >> >> >> and >> >> >> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5WqJ6Y2eQ8 (Aleppo) >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 27 For example see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaDFddXsJ3w >> >> >> (English >> >> >> > subtitles) >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 28 See, Syrian Freedom Forever, âSelf Organization of the >> popular >> >> >> > struggles >> >> >> > in Syria against the regime and Islamist groups? Yes, it >> exists!â >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> http://syriafreedomforever.wordpress.com/2013/09/08/self-organization-of-the-popular-struggles-in-syria-against-the-regime-and-islamist-groups-yes-it-exists/ >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 29 See their facebook page here: >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nabd-Gathering-for-Syrian-Civil-Youth/361274777254185 >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 30 See their facebook page here: >> >> >> > https://en-gb.facebook.com/Freedom.Days.Syria >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 31 See their facebook page here: >> >> >> https://www.facebook.com/goodbyeda3esh >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> > ------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:laamn-unsubscr...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:laamn-subscr...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:laamn-dig...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:laamn-ow...@egroups.com?subject=laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:la...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/laamn@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! 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