US and Russia Squaring off in Syria ?
With spooks of every stripe and color running around like cockroaches within Syria, while the US preps for a proxy fight against Russia, Bashar al-Assad is looking more like a dummy than a dictator. Having lost complete control of his nation to as many forces externally as internally, the beleaguered tyrant is fighting on every front imaginable. Striking out at any and everybody now, al-Assad would accept help from Satan if he thought he could be trusted.
The CIA has crews operating out of Turkey on the not so down-low, establishing contacts and identifying worthy recipients for arms. The Russian's, coming to Syria's rescue with deliveries of boots bombs and bullets are now flagrantly providing way more than aide and comfort to the besieged al-Assad. And he needs it, because the Israelis too, are silently doing more than simply rooting for Syria's continued turmoil.
Lets face it, a tumultuous Syria equals a weakened Iran and a weakened Iran means a safer Israel and a safer Israel means a happy and well compensated U.S. Congress. But not so fast, for if only it were that simple. Since this Syrian Spring turned into a revolting revolt, every slimy murderer for hire, insurgent specialist, islamist activist or just straight up opportunist (too many special interest to list) are setting up camp there.
To be in place when the perennial $hit jumps off, the U.S. and Israel know they'll have more than the Russians to contend with. They've got the faceless yet formidable forces the Chinese have partnered with to keep their seat at the table warm. While China has been chilling in the background, you can safely bet they're kicking in some serious Renminbi to keep the pot stirring.
China and Syria have a great trade hook up. In 2009, mutual trade between these two buds was worth roughly $2.2 billion according to numbers from the International Monetary Fund. Additionally, the Syrian Ministry were expecting the same type of trade volume for 2010.
Considering this trade relationship flows mostly one way in favor of China, with exports from Syria to China making up less than 1 percent of the total trade volume at $5.6 million, its easy to see how the Chinese would like the U.S. and its Western allies to just shut up and look the other way.
As long as this story remains hot, we'll keep it covered.
In Other News:
Greece: We've taken Greece off suicide watch and significantly reduced their medication. We're still awaiting the fledging Greek government's first words to see if they're thinking clearly enough to enter into and keep commitments. Should we detect the slightest hint of irrational behaviors in governance or prove they lack the leadership to keep their peeps in line and off the streets protesting, well reevaluate the Greek condition and advise accordingly.
More Good Stuff:
Egypt: Egypt is off the hook again and justifiably so. The Egyptian army has resurrected Hosni Mubarak one time too many and the Muslim Brotherhood is spoiling for a fight. Until the army releases the results from the election, things will continue to boil.
Comments
Post a Comment