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Unfolding the Syrian paradox
(Thanks to I. for this interesting article which features an overall interesting analysis, along with some typical western clichés – for example, there never was such a thing as a “Warsaw Pact school of grand maneuvers and heavy brigades” – The Saker) By Alastair Crooke for the Asia Times Can Syria properly be understood as an example of a “pure” Arab popular revolution, an uprising of non-violent, liberal protest against
Israel and the Flotillas: Clever madman
There is much angst among people of conscience over the fate of Freedom Flotilla II, but by effectively scuttling it, Israel is really just hammering more nails in its own coffin, says Eric Walberg The efforts by Israel to prevent Freedom Flotilla II from leaving Greece have been largely successful. Of the original 10 ships, only the French ship Al-Karama (dignity) with 10 activists including French politicians, which sailed from
Flotilla organisers consider sailing from Egyptian ports!
Gulf News reports: The organisers of the Gaza aid flotilla are not ruling out the possibility of the fleet sailing from Egyptian ports should their efforts to sail from Greece fail to materialise. Pro-Palestinian activists in Egypt have taken up the flotilla’s cause, inviting organisers to launch the fleet from Egypt after Greece made it clear that it would not allow the Freedom Flotilla 2 to launch from its ports.
Reasons behind the West’s attack on Libya
(Thanks to I. for drawing my attention to this excellent article! VS) Crescent International reports: Colonel Muammar Qaddafi is an easy figure to hate. Given his eccentric behaviour, he is the butt of many jokes that are easily conflated into hate against the man and his policies. Qaddafi need not be our favourite tyrant but the West’s attack on his regime as well as the country’s infrastructure is not motivated
You reacted – thanks! Now, what comes next for Libya?
First, I sincerely want to thank you all for your comments in response to my “cage rattling”. I have to tell you that with time I have learned to greatly respect your insights into many topics and since Libya was one country about which I knew the least, your inputs helped me a great deal to make sense of what is going on. Let me repeat here that I never
Rattling your cages! Will anybody react?
After trying more elegant methods, today I have decided to rattle “you’all’s cages” as they say in Florida. This goes against my best judgment, and I am probably going to alienate some of you. Which is too bad, because it is from precisely those of you would might be most displeased by this post which I would like to hear a reaction. Considering all this, I am going to introduce
How to turn the Freedom Flotilla 2 debacle into an opportunity
What can we make of the FF2 debacle? First, let’s say this openly: the FF2 was a comprehensive defeat for civilized mankind and a major tactical victory for the “Jewish state of Israel”. Yes, the FF2 did bring some additional attention to the Gaza blockade and the plight of the Palestinian people, but that is a very modest achievement at best. I would argue that the benefits of drawing the
French flotilla minnow escapes net for Gaza
Storyful reports: A small French boat has left Greek waters and is now the lone vessel headed to the Gaza Strip as part of the ‘Freedom Flotilla’. Originally there were 10 boats due to defy an Israeli naval blockade of the territory, but a number were damaged while still in port and the remainder were prevented from leaving by Greek authorities. The French vessel, called Dignite El Karameh, left Greece
July 6th Update from the U.S. Boat to Gaza
The presence of the U.S. Boat to Gaza in Athens is winding down. For more than 2 weeks the 37 passengers (someone was added at the last moment), 4 crew members and about 12 people in the support team there worked hard to make sure our boat – The Audacity of Hope – could sail as part of the international Freedom Flotilla 2 to Gaza. The Greek government’s willingness to serve as
On eve of U.S. Independence Day, U.S. passengers on flotilla start open-ended fast at U.S. Embassy in Athens
Demand that U.S. government pressure Greece to free their boat and captain, and allow boat to sail to Gaza For Immediate Release Contact: Athens: Donna Nevel (30) 694-266-3852, Medea Benjamin (30) 698-404-7912 NY: Leslie Cagan 845- 688-5646 July 3, 2011 Athens, Greece Members of the U.S. Boat to Gaza have begun an open-ended fast calling on the U.S. government to defend our right to sail out of Greece. The fast
The Israelis – clever, but stupid
Netanyahu looked very happy the other day: he got Papandreou to do Israel’s bidding and the outrageous sight of Greek Coast Guard commandos intercepting the Audacity of Hope in the Mediterranean waters clearly made the Israelis very happy. The Greeks also let the Israelis sabotage several ships in port without so much as opening an investigation. Besides, I can assure you that the Greeks knew about the Israeli sabotage teams.
Interview: Adam Shapiro on the Gaza flotilla
Gaza-bound aid flotilla grounded in Greece
Statement of the Greek Embassy in Washington DC
Announcement on the Flotilla Prohibition of the departure of ships with Greek and foreign flags from Greek ports to the maritime area of Gaza today Pursuant to a decision by the Minister of Citizen Protection Mr. C. Papoutsis, the departure of ships with Greek and foreign flags from Greek ports to the maritime area of Gaza has been prohibited today. By orders of the Hellenic Coast Guard Head Quarters to
Video of the Audacity of Hope stopped at sea by Greek commandos
This is how the Papandreou regime executes Israeli orders: To say that I am absolutely disgusted would be an understatement.
Take a look at the so-called “Libyan opposition”
Okay, maybe there is another Libyan opposition. But this is the one I see, and this one makes me sick in my gut. Take a look at them, and judge for yourself: Judging from the two characters representing the “opposition” on this show it is quite clear that these folks have no problems with the idea of turning Libya into another Kosovo or Bosnia. It really does not matter to
The Papandreou regime must be overthrown
Having sold its country to the multinational banking cartel, the Papandreou regime has immediately obeyed yet another order from its puppet masters. Here is what the US boat for Gaza reports: The U.S. Boat to Gaza – The Audacity of Hope – was stopped by the Greek Coast Guard. After a stand off that unfolded over several hours a 2nd Greek Coast Guard boat arrived. This boat carried heavily armed
