So...

[Yonivore]

...Putin commences re-communizing and re-totalitarianizing Russia.

...Israel bombs a patch of Syrian desert into unrecognizability and doesn't discuss while North Korea condems.

Discuss.

[ChumpDumper]

When do we invade?

[Nbadan]

...I blame Bush envy...

[Yonivore]

Some people claim they hit a cache of Korean nuke material recently transferred to Syria.

Some people claim they hit an Iranian-stocked missile base.

Some people claim they hit an Iraqi weapons cache from the Saddam era.

Everybody agrees there's a big fucking hole in the Syrian desert.

In any case, kudoes to the Israelis. Flew right through the thick of Syrian air defenses to a site near the Iraqi border.

Iran better start watching the skies over their nuclear facilities. After all, Syrian air defenses are Iranian air defenses.

So, what's up with Putin?

[Holt's Cat]

So it's time for a pre-preemptive nuclear strike?

[ChumpDumper]

The people of Syria will welcome us as liberators.

[Holt's Cat]

It's time to put that national offense to good use. Our Lord, Our Savior George W. Bush will lead us to glory.

[Nbadan]

....there's no oil in Syria.......so they'll attack Iran....

[Yonivore]

Iran is increasing their persecution of what they consider "immoral" behavior and hanging people left and right; which, according to some, can simply be due to acting like you like western culture.

Seriously, don't you think Russia with their renewed cold-war style "Bear" runs and disbanded government is ramping up for a conflict?

Iran?

What was Syria doing in the desert?

Isn't this all very odd?

[Yonivore]

....there's no oil in Syria.......so they'll attack Iran....
Well, there was something in Syria 'cause they attacked it and blew a huge crater in the earth.

[ChumpDumper]

Seriously, don't you think Russia with their renewed cold-war style "Bear" runs and disbanded government is ramping up for a conflict?With whom?


Iran?They are already in a proxy war with us thanks to Bush.


What was Syria doing in the desert?What are we doing in our desert?


Isn't this all very odd?So is it the rapture or what? What are you getting at?

[Holt's Cat]

So I guess we will approve should Syria opt to attack Israel.

[Holt's Cat]

All dem Muslims hate us because they aren't Methodists.

[Nbadan]

...they hate us for our freedoms! which we are taking away so they won't hate us....

[Holt's Cat]

All dem Muslims hate us because we won't let gays marry.

[Nbadan]

...they hate us because ours is a Country founded on the religion based on Abraham!

[Nbadan]

...in the Republican party....God's Party on Earth!

[ChumpDumper]

I'm pretty sure all Yoni can see are his own posts and 16 ignore notices.

[clambake]

So, anybody think Russian behavoir could be linked to US behavior?

[Nbadan]

So, anybody think Russian behavoir could be linked to US behavior?

I'm sure of it...there was an interesting article on this a few days ago...let me search my cache....

[exstatic]

...they hate us for our freedoms! which we are taking away so they won't hate us....
I knew Bush had a plan!!!:lmao

[PixelPusher]

Iran is increasing their persecution of what they consider "immoral" behavior and hanging people left and right; which, according to some, can simply be due to acting like you like western culture.

It's a political struggle the young, westernized moderates/liberal Iranians are bound to win eventually due to a massive demographics advantage...unless we go and do something really stupid like bomb (or even Cheney's "mini" nuke solution) the shit out of them, thereby stalling the internal revolution as Iranians rally around the flag.

[Wild Cobra]

Everybody agrees there's a big fucking hole in the Syrian desert.

Cool, anyone have satellite shots?


In any case, kudoes to the Israelis. Flew right through the thick of Syrian air defenses to a site near the Iraqi border.

The Israli military is the best in the region... My hat's off to them.


Iran better start watching the skies over their nuclear facilities. After all, Syrian air defenses are Iranian air defenses.

Like I said before, Israel will take action against Iran if Iran progresses far enough with the bomb. After all, it is Israel that Iran has stated it will bomb with a nuke.


So, what's up with Putin?

Only time will tell. Let's just pray things don't get out of hand.

Back to Syria, I wonder what my friend George will have to say when he gets back? He is over there visiting family... Only hope he wasn't part of collateral damage.

[Holt's Cat]

They hate us for our marginal income tax rates.

[Wild Cobra]

They hate us for our marginal income tax rates.
LOL...

I hate us for our marginal tax rates. I've paid in the 31% bracket before the tax cuts.

"Fair Tax" anyone?

[Oh, Gee!!]

Well, there was something in Syria 'cause they attacked it and blew a huge crater in the earth.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

How do you know Syria was up to something?
Because we attacked.

Well, why did you attack?
Because Syria was up to something.

[Holt's Cat]

Based on the "logic" of preemption, which state in the Middle East doesn't deserve its very own US invasion? Why aren't we going into Bejing and Shanghai today?

[Yonivore]

Based on the "logic" of preemption, which state in the Middle East doesn't deserve its very own US invasion? Why aren't we going into Bejing and Shanghai today?
We're busy, maybe tomorrow.

[Holt's Cat]

We're busy, maybe tomorrow.

It's time to shoot up the world.

[Oh, Gee!!]

let's blow up the moon

[Yonivore]

It's time to shoot up the world.
You're a little ambitious.

[clambake]

let's blow up the moon
Hell yes!!!

why limit democracy to this rock?

[Holt's Cat]

When do we liberate Mars?

[Yonivore]

Anyway, for a sober analysis of what transpired in Syria we turn to "Former Spook," at "In From the Cold."

What Did the Israelis Hit? (http://formerspook.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-did-israelis-hit.html)



http://bp2.blogger.com/_Y7kQSOBuEJw/RugWWPY0ANI/AAAAAAAAAHE/99Bh-TY0x84/s320/IsraeliF16I.jpg
An Israeli Air Force F-16I Sufa (Storm) Photo courtesy GlobalSecurity.org (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/f-16i-pics.htm)

Reports continue to circulate about the possible target of last week's Israeli military strike in eastern Syria.

According to The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/world/middleeast/12syria.html?ei=5090&en=dbc569048e2bfd46&ex=1347249600&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=print), U.S. officials believe that weapons caches, earmarked for Hizballah, were the most likely target of the raid, which reportedly included both air and ground units. A Defense Department official told the Times that Israeli warplanes hit "at least one target" in northeastern Syria, but said it was unclear what was struck, and the extent of the bombing damage.

Based on our past experience in BDA (battle damage assessment), that claim is a bit difficult to believe. Given the variety of sensors available to the intelligence community, it seems doubtful that we're largely in the dark about the target and the bombing results. The official's comment to the Times suggests that he (or she) is out of the loop (i.e., doesn't have access to current imagery products), or--more likely--is being deliberately vague about our knowledge of the attack.

But the real stunner in the Times report comes in the sixth paragraph, with this revelation from an unnamed member of the Bush Administration:


One Bush administration official said Israel had recently carried out reconnaissance flights over Syria, taking pictures of possible nuclear installations that Israeli officials believed might have been supplied with material from North Korea. The administration official said Israeli officials believed that North Korea might be unloading some of its nuclear material on Syria.

“The Israelis think North Korea is selling to Iran and Syria what little they have left,” the official said. He said it was unclear whether the Israeli strike had produced any evidence that might validate that belief.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing a military action by another government.
The possible transfer of "nuclear material" from North Korea to other rogue states is something we've written about at length, including this most recent installment (http://formerspook.blogspot.com/2007/09/disabling-promise.html). Fact is, we don't know the full extent of the "relationship" between Pyongyang, Tehran and Damascus. Clearly, North Korea has been the primary source of ballistic missile technology for both Iran and Syria; both countries have active WMD programs and an interest in acquiring nuclear weapons. But clear evidence of a nuclear transfer has never been offered, at least publicly.

However, there is enough anecdotal evidence to suggest that Tehran and Damascus have a more-than-passing interest in Pyongyang's nuclear expertise. Some intelligence analysts suggest that delegations from Iran and Syria were in the DPRK during last year's marginally successful nuclear test. And there were also reports that a number of Syrian technicians died in a 2004 blast at a railroad crossing along the border between China and North Korea (http://formerspook.blogspot.com/2006/01/moscow-express.html). That explosion has been described as both an assassination attempt on Kim Jong-il (who was returning from China along that route), or some sort of failed WMD experiment involving Syria and the DPRK.

In any event, the purported demise of at least 30 Syrian scientists and engineers (by one estimate) remains a bit curious, given the circumstances of their deaths. As you might expect, massive explosions are rare along major rail lines in the DPRK, particularly on a route used by the "Dear Leader" just a few hours earlier.

With North Korea "officially" abandoning its nuclear program (under the Six Party agreement with the U.S. and its partners), a transfer of material and technology to Syria and Iran certainly makes sense from Pyongyang''s perspective. By going along with the agreement, Pyongyang gets energy aid and other goodies from the U.S. and South Korea; the sale of nuclear materials to the Middle East would generate another economic windfall. It would also give the DPRK a mechanism for continuing their nuclear research efforts, while appearing to comply with the Six Party accord.

And, it would be relatively easy for Pyongyang to arrange such a transfer, but difficult for the U.S. to detect. North Korean vessels have delivered missile cargoes to the Middle East for years, and the same transports sighted at airfields near Pyongyang have turned up in Iran and Syria.

Such reporting does not provide conclusive proof that North Korea's nuclear program has moved to the Middle East, but it is cause for concern. More importantly, the Israelis (who had their own nuclear arsenal for more than three decades) know what to look for in spotting suspect nuclear facilities. The sites imaged in Syria apparently have signatures associated with nuclear storage or development capabilities.

So far, both the Israelis (and the U.S.) are being vague about what's been observed. If we had to speculate--and we must emphasize that it's only speculation at this point--we'd guess that Israeli analysts have detected something that resembles a nuclear storage facility. We base our conclusion on this key point: it takes years to build a nuclear R&D facility like Natanz or Esfahan in Iran, and there have been no reports of similar construction projects in Syria. On the other hand, a nuclear storage complex can be built much more quickly, and those facilities (regardless of location) have certain features in common. What might be in that facility--assuming it exists and has a "nuclear function"--is anyone's guess.

We must also emphasize that the reported nuclear facility was apparently not the target for last week's IDF strike. Israel's Ynet News (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3448829,00.html), quoting a Israeli-Arab newspaper published in Nazareth, said that the raid targeted "a Syrian-Iranian missile base in northern Syria that was financed by Iran...it appears that the base was completely destroyed." The paper based its reporting on anonymous Israeli sources.

But that claim is also rather odd. The area described by the newspaper (The Assennara) is home to a major Syrian SCUD facility, built almost entirely underground and extensively hardened. Complete destruction of the base would require exceptionally accurate bombing with penetrating weapons, and quite possibly, a follow-on ground assault. While the Israelis are capable of staging such an attack, the Syria base is heavily defended, and would present an exceptionally challenging target.

By comparison, other sources (including those U.S. officials quoted in the Times) place the target in northeastern Syria, not far from the Iraqi border. That would represent a logical area for training Hizballah crews on long-range rockets supplied by Iran. The area is remote, and the Syrians apparently thought it was relatively immune to Israeli attack (until last week). A less-hardened missile base or logistics facility would be easier to target and destroy, resulting in that "hole in the desert" claimed by IDF sources.

As for the reported "nuclear site," its existence may be short-lived, particularly if Israel has evidence that some sort of transfer has occurred, or is about to take place. That might mean that last week's attack was merely the opening blow, and not an isolated event.
Connecting the dots.

[Holt's Cat]

How about we pull out and let Israel shoot up the Middle East without subsidizing them?

[Yonivore]

How about we pull out and let Israel shoot up the Middle East without subsidizing them?
How 'bout we help eliminate their existential threat?

[Holt's Cat]

How 'bout we help eliminate their existential threat?

Muslim fanatics read Camus and Kafka?

[Oh, Gee!!]

How 'bout we help eliminate their existential threat?

and what would that be, Sartre? Despair? ennui?

[Yonivore]

Muslim fanatics read Camus and Kafka?
If you can't seriously discuss the topic, why don't you just say so?

[Oh, Gee!!]

If you can't seriously discuss the topic, why don't you just say so?

if you can't take a joke, just say so.

[Holt's Cat]

If you can't seriously discuss the topic, why don't you just say so?

If you can't express yourself properly that's not my fault.

[ChumpDumper]

How 'bout we don't start another war based on blog speculation and anonymous administration conjecture?

[xrayzebra]

If you can't seriously discuss the topic, why don't you just say so?

They cant seriously discuss any topic.

[Holt's Cat]

They cant seriously discuss any topic.


Yeah, I guess it's hard for one to discuss a topic seriously when "we're fighting for freedom" is assumed to be the correct answer.

[Nbadan]

Why those.....The Syrians are buying nuclear weapons from North Korea...so says Faux News....



U.S. intelligence officials have developed evidence showing that North Korea is helping Syria to develop a nuclear program for weapons purposes, FOX News has learned in recent interviews with sources who have knowledge of the situation.

Syrians emphatically denied the claim on Thursday.

The details of the claims are vague, but one source told FOX News in late August that the North Koreans had sold the Syrians a nuclear facility, most likely related to uranium enrichment. Enriched uranium is necessary both for nuclear power and nuclear weapons uses. The United States accuses Syria of assisting terrorist groups including Hezbollah.

A source said the case has been assigned the internal code name, "Orchard," and the evidence was developed through Israeli channels, possibly with the assistance of U.S. aerial photography.

Other sources, however, questioned Syria's ability to afford such a pricey venture. Those sources said that in recent discussions with U.S. intelligence officials, the officials had spoken of North Korea having sent nuclear scientists, engineers, and other personnel with relevant expertise to Damascus.

Faux News (http://www.myfoxdfw.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=4348570&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.1.1)

[ChumpDumper]

U.S. intelligence officials have developed evidenceKind of a poor choice of words.

[Wild Cobra]

I haven't looked for it, but anyone know what the Syrian responce is?

[Holt's Cat]

I haven't looked for it, but anyone know what the Syrian responce is?

They are renaming the country "Cyria."

[clambake]

They are renaming the country "Cyria."
:lol he won't get it.

[Wild Cobra]

:lol he won't get it.
Sorry, I've never played Unreal Tournament.

[xrayzebra]

I haven't looked for it, but anyone know what the Syrian responce is?

Has anyone looked to see what any ME countries response
has been..........hmmmmmm.......strangely quite isn't it.

[ChumpDumper]

The Syrians aren't going to say anything about it other than Israel violated their airspace.

Hopefully they didn't hit any of the million Iraqi refugees in Syria.

[xrayzebra]

The Syrians aren't going to say anything about it other than Israel violated their airspace.

Hopefully they didn't hit any of the million Iraqi refugees in Syria.

Typical dumb reply.....you couldn't even call you a troll,
more of a stalker.

[ChumpDumper]

Why is it stupid?

Syria isn't going to say anything because they were up to no good -- though I think it probably has more to do with Hezbollah missiles than North Korean nukes.

And there are in fact a million Iraqi refugess in Syria -- and almost another million in Jordan. It's something I think has been criminally underreported and evidence that everything might not be going as well in Iraq as some here claim.

[Wild Cobra]

Typical dumb reply.....you couldn't even call you a troll,
more of a stalker.
Since he only argues with never a piece of relavant discourse, I put the shit on IGNORE. Try it, you might like it.