With hopes of mediating peace in the middle east, Ex US president Jimmy Carter visited with Syrian President  Bashar al Assad and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal  in April and then again in December of 2008 [B2]. In late October of that year, in the midst of President Carters discussions, four US helicopters crossed the Iraqi border into eastern Syria and launched the first, of many, US attacks.

Major General John Kelly, who was the commander of US forces in western Iraq at that time (Major Kelly would then proceed to become the Head of Homeland Security and was just recently named White house chief of staff, replacing Reince Preibus ) said of the attacks “Iraq’s borders with Saudi Arabia and Jordan were secure, but the Syrian borders were uncontrolled from the Syrian side.” The commando raid was said to be aimed at fighters, crisscrossing the border to mount attacks in Iraq.

I would assume that if the US was polite enough, to have given fair warning, we could have avoided any “messy misunderstandings”?  It feels like the administration was saying ”Yeah, we attacked people in your country, but don’t take it personally, they weren’t from there.” and we expect, its all cool? There was no official comment from Washington [C2].

SANA (Syrian Arab News Agency) reported ,“The helicopters deployed soldiers that carried out an attack on a civilian building under construction.The US opened  fire on workers inside the building, leading to the death of eight civilians.” [C2*]

Syria responded to the attack by closing The US Embassy American School and Cultural Center, located in the capitol city of Damascus. Iraqi government spokesman, Ali al-Dabbagh, also condemned the US incursion. The always questionable, “anonymous sources”, from within the US military, said, “US forces shot several armed men and either wounded or killed a man they identified as a leader of al-Qaeda.” [C2**] CBS News, national security correspondent David Martin reported the raid as a successful targeting and murder, of Abu Ghadiyah. Said to be a senior al Qaeda leader in Iraq, responsible for funneling foreign fighters and money into the country [C3] 

In 2009, despite the United Nations Security Councils demands for a cease fire Israel continued launching assaults on the Gaza strip. President Carter denounced Israel for these attacks. Both the UN and The Red Cross pulled out of Gaza, after both agencies were reported to be targeted and attacked. At least two medical workers were reported to have been killed in bombings in Gaza [C2***]. Congressman Dennis Kucinich, called for a probe into the US funded attacks. Stating that the administration had violated the 1976 Arms Export Control Act, by arming Israeli forces with US weapons during the assault on the Gaza strip. It was noted “such pro – Israel measures are never subject to the normally objective committee hearing process, but instead, glorify all things pro – Israel and vilify all things other” [D0] .

Some will say that the US is controlled by Israel. Some will say it is a long term Zionist plan to control global economy. Some will equate all actions related to Israel as part of religious doctrine or part of diplomacy in the middle east. I have heard, that Christians feel it is just,  to protect Israel as a Holy land for the Jewish people. I am not knowledgeable enough on Israel to make educated statements about our relationship with them, but I have a sneaky suspicion that it is all about strategic control of natural resources,currency and borders .

In shocking opposition of the Bush administrations refusal to negotiate with Hamas, the Obama administration was reported to have met with Walid Sharaby and Mohammed Gamal Heshmat. Both men had publicly endorsed terrorist organizations and had connections to Hamas leader, Khaled Meshaal, who had just met with Jimmy Carter a few months prior.

Walid Sharaby posted onto social media sites, “They arrest you, they kill you, they beat you, they burn you,they falsely accuse you. They prevent you access to muslim scholars and they imprison you freedom. They know that there is a world of conspiracy against you. They arrest your leader whom you have elected…and if you come out of your closet in anger, they call you extremist. But why should I not be extremist towards my religion and Islam? Is this an accusation deserving that I flee? The hell with you, you prostitutes ! ” [D0*].

US senate overwhelmingly supported the attack in Syria. Both Majority leaders, Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell approved and applauded the US support of the Israel invasion. More and more US citizens started taking notice of the lack of reason and evidence, explaining the US’s involvement in these attacks. We started to take note of all of the ways that we were being forced to fund actions that were never voted on or approved. Anytime we demand the government use our tax money for things that would benefit us, they can’t afford it. Give them some bombs to drop and they are suddenly hemorrhaging cash.

The US Government Accountability Office released a report on March 31, 2009. Four countries designated as sponsors of terrorism received $55 million from the International Atomic Energy Agency’s [D0*1] Technical Cooperation program. Between 1997 and 2007, Iran received $15 million, Sudan and Cuba received $11 million each, Syria received $14 million. On top of funding terrorist, US taxpayers were now helping to pay for Iran’s nuclear program [D1].

The State Department strongly opposed diminishing the funding, fearing that doing so would “anger states in the developing world”. In the same week he had sent two senior officials to Damascus to explore better relations with the President Bashar Assad, Obama also extended the Bush administrations 2004 sanctions on Syria. Talk about “mixed messages”. Syria rejected the renewal of economic, and diplomatic, sanctions and urged Washington to abandon, “Foolish policies” [D1*].

Father and son,Abdul Nasser Khan Tumani and Muhammed Khan Tumani,were captured by Pakistani officials while escaping from Syria, traveling through Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan with 10 other family members. After being detained in Pakistan they were given over to US authorities in early 2001.The father, Abdul was identified as an explosives expert who had served in the Syrian military. He was also identified as a suicide operative and linked, along with his son, to al Qaida and the Abu Musab al – Zarqawi Network. The Center for Constitutional Rights reported that Abdul and Muhammed, were tortured and held separately for nearly seven years in Guantanamo. The US Government never charged either man with a crime and for years neither man had access to legal counsel [D2]. (One can hardly help to note, the push for retribution at the recent release and untimely death of Otto Warmbier, but, don’t even get me started on that ).

Detainee, Moammar Dokhan, was an admitted member of al – Qaida and the Taliban , as well as a suicide operative. Dokhan stated “he will engage in hostilities and kill Americans anywhere in the world upon release from US custody.” Dokhan was also a Syrian citizen, escaping through Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan (small world).

With a helping hand from Portugal, Obama was able to start nudging his way closer to closing Guantanamo. During a June visit with US Special Envoy Daniel Fried, Portugal and US administrations reached an agreement. Portugal offered to rehouse cleared prisoners from Guantanamo and the Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Amado declared in a letter to other EU leaders, “The time has come for the European Union to step forward. As a matter of principal and coherence, we should send a clear signal of our willingness to help the US government in that regard, namely the resettlement of detainees. As far as the Portuguese government is concerned, we will be available to participate.” The EU would later come to regret this decision. UK taxpayers were outraged when they learned of government funding of the detainees was being funneled to terrorist organizations [D3].

Dokhan and Muhammeds release to Portugal, was approved by congress and enacted in August [D2*]. The elderly father, Abdul Tumani remained in Guantanamo. There was no official comment from Washington. Wikileaks published “The Gitmo Files”, where you can read reports on most of the prisoners held at Guantanamo [D2**]. I am equally appalled at the thought of anyone being held without access to legal counsel and without charge, as I am skeptical of the US administrations motivations in both the detainment and the release.

During a February 2010 meeting in Damascus, Syria and Iran defended their 30 year alliance and vowed increased cooperation.When asked about Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton’s comments that ”the US is troubled by Syria’s relationship with Iran,” Bashar Assad answered, “ We hope that others do not give us lessons about our region and our history. We are the ones who decide how matters will go and we know our interest. We thank them for their advice.” Iran’s leader, Ahmadinejad, stated, “ The Americans want to dominate the region, but they feel Iran and Syria are preventing that. We tell them, that instead of interfering in the regions affairs, to pack their things and leave.” [E2] .

Obama dangled a bauble of diplomacy in hopes of winning Syria’s trust back. In early 2010, Bashar al- Assad, opened the door and eyeballed the gift, meeting with the US under secretary of state William Burns, to discus the restoration of full diplomatic relations between the two countries [F2]. The US wanted Syria to break its military alliance with Iran, end its support of Hizbollah and to help the US with intelligence gathering. Recall, Graham Fullers think piece “Bringing Real Muscle To Bear Against Syria” and you can guess the next movements. The script was written and the stage was set [F3]

In late December of 2010,feeling insecure about being able to secure the votes needed,President Obama bypassed the senate during a congressional recess and appointed Robert Ford as ambassador to Syria [F2*]. Recess appointments are made when the senate is not in session and last only until the end of the next session. Senate had clearly stated their doubts of placing an ambassador in Syria and had failed to act on the nomination.Stating “sending an ambassador to the country would reward it for bad behavior”. Almost a year later, in October of 2011, Senate had an amazing change of heart and confirmed Ford by unanimous consent. No longer serving under recess appointment, Ford could hold his position until the end of President Obama’s term.

Just four months of Ambassador Fords presence in Syria and trouble started. “ As – Shhab / Yoreed / Eskaat el nizam!“ which translates to,“ The People want to topple the regime!“ was spray painted onto the side of a grain silo. On March 6, 2011, Fourteen year old Naief Abazid, was apprehended in Daraa, an arid farming town in Syria. A total of 23 boys were arrested. The arrest and 14 days of apprehension of the boys was the strike of the match that ignited the Syrian civil war [20]. Several of the boys were given the title of, “The boy who started the Syrian revolution” [20*]. Another 14 year old boy in Daraa, named Mouawiya Syasneh had spray painted “ It’s your turn Doctor Bashar al – Assad” on a wall at his school in February of 2011.Unlike Naief (who is now living in Austria) Mouawiya’s tale, led him to work with rebel forces in Syria [20**] [20***].

The boys,were arrested and detained under General Atef Najeeb, a cousin of president Bashar al – Assad. Protest to release all of the boys started on March 6th.  All 23 boys were released and pardoned by Assad on March 20t h.These same small acts of rebellion, are what has been credited to be the tipping point in other “Arab Spring” style uprisings,happening in Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen and the beginnings of such manipulations here in our own country. Both boys now admit they were copying slogans and ideas from Arab uprisings they saw on television. Both also admit that they regret their actions and the many lives that have been lost or destroyed, due to what could be described as “school boy pranks”. But also both note, change was necessary. Journalist Mark MacKinnon was able to track down a number of the boys and report on where they are now and how their lives have been affected six years later [20A].

Soros has funded uprisings and revolutions across the world. Those who think he is just a “liberal philanthropist” who gives generously to social causes, need to take a deeper look into George Soros and how his involvement has destroyed nations and economies. Starting with something that appears to be citizen motivated, like the  Women’s March or the BLM protest. They always seem to start as a grassroots effort but quickly start to spiral into something far more funded and managed. A powerful fear mongering manipulator, these groups all have the same appearance and feel. They seem practically scripted to me. [20A*]. For a deeper look into Soros manipulated uprisings, I recommend this Corbett Report video discussion of the DC Leaks publishing of Soros emails [CR] .

George Soros may have had an influential hand in both President Obama and Hillary Clinton’s plans for Syria and the Assad government. Soros has been a long time friend of the Clinton’s and he had contributed generously to both candidates during the 2008 Presidential Elections and beyond [20A**]. Obama still appeared to only want to deal with Syria through sanctions and dialogue.

Secretary Clinton was in disagreement with the President on this and she did little to hide it. In July of 2011, while civil war was waging in Syria, Secretary Clinton stated,“President Assad is not indispensable and we have absolutely nothing invested in him remaining in power.” Kim Ghattas with the BBC said that, “Clinton’s statement was cleverly worded – as it might convince more citizens to abandon Assad, while allowing Washington to take no action and appearing to say it is up to the Syrian people to choose their leaders.” The Syrian foreign ministry called Secretary Clinton’s statement, “Provocative and an attempt to interfere in the countries domestic affairs ” [21]. As, it obviously was.

Syrian media reports accused Ambassador Ford of the formation of death squads, similar to those in Iraq. Ex-CIA man, Michael Scheuer described Fords strong support of the Syrian uprising as,” running around the country trying to encourage groups to overthrow the Syrian government” [20 B]. Scheuer is also quoted, as saying Ambassador Roberts position in Syria ”nothing more than a globalist destabilization expert who is merely taking over from his mentor John Negroponte, who became quite refined as an enabler of mass slaughter in Central America and Iraq.” [I2]

The US state department called for Ambassador Fords return to Washington on October 24th, 2011, siting “credible threats” to his safety. In the US, Ford was painted as a brave champion of the Arab spring. According to US officials, Ford had been attacked by an armed, pro Assad mob and there were concerns that the Ambassador would be killed by the Syrian government.

At the same time in the US, 47 year old Alex Soueid (aka Mohamad Anas Haitham Soueid or Anas Alswaid) a Syrian born, naturalized US citizen was indicted on espionage related charges by federal prosecutors on October 6, 2011. Alex was allegedly sending coded messages to officials in the Syrian government containing information on names, addresses and connections of Syrian and American anti Assad protesters.

Alex had immigrated to the US when he was 17 years old, with $600 in cash. He worked at a Mercedes Benz dealership in Virginia earning a hefty yearly salary of $300,000 affording him a 2007 built, million dollar luxury home situated on 13 acres in Leesburg Virginia [MS1], [MS2], [MS3]. By 2008 Alex joined along thousands of Americans in filing bankruptcy and having his house foreclosed on during the financial crisis. A relative living in Paris wired Alex $200,000 to start a limousine service, via an account in the name of a used car dealership [MS4].

On July 20,2012 Alex was sentenced to 18 months in a medium security federal correctional institution in Cumberland Maryland, with 3 years of supervised release and mandatory drug testing waived (?). 7 Months later, on January 31st 2013, Alex was released from FCI Cumberland facility [MS5] and was last listed as residing in Virginia. I am not sure if he ever opened that limo service. I have to wonder how the US would have reacted had Ambassador Ford been found on the same charges and received, what I view, as pretty lien-ant punishment for the act of espionage from the Syrian Government? Would the Ambassador become a resident and citizen of that country? Continue on there? Raise his kids, start a business?

Just a little over a month after his exit, Ambassador Ford was returned to his post in Syria.Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, met with seven exiled Syrian dissidents in Geneva,spreading her twisted idea of “democracy”, publicly showing support of the Syrian government opposition movement. Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, commented in a speech in Beruit about the return of Ambassador Ford, “We say yes to dealing with the phenomena of corruption, yes to all of the reforms that were accepted by the Syrian leadership and that were called for by the Syrian people. But there are some people who do not want reforms, security and stability in Syria, and neither civil peace nor dialogue. There are people who want to destroy Syria to make up for their defeat in Iraq, and Syria is a partner in defeating the Americans in Iraq.” [G2] It would be interesting to know what Mr. Soueid’s defense was, but most of that information is sealed for “public safety”

“ H: Lots of new intel;possible Libyan collapse.Sid” read the subject line of a March 26th, 2011,email from Sidney Blumenthal, to Secretary of State,Hillary Clinton [23]. The US administration had been wary of a repeat of the Libya scenario, where calls for Muammar Qaddafi to “step aside”, had not seen positive results [22]. The US administration had all of their pots coming to boil at once.

Sidney Blumenthal writes, “The best way to help Israel deal with Iran’s growing nuclear capability is to help the people of Syria overthrow the regime of Bashar Assad.” (Wasn’t Mr. Blumenthal aware of the US governments support of Iran’s nuclear capability? What did he think those dollars were actually going to?) Questioning how to best benefit the US within the placement of the new UN enforced “ready made” Libyan government. Also discussed, is the weaponizing and training of rebel forces  within Egypt, overseen by French, British and US Special Operations troops.

The rebels were armed to the teeth and ready for battle.Blumenthal list, “knowledgeable sources add that the insurgents have the following weapons stockpiled in Benghazi: 82 and 120 mm. mortars; GPZ type machine guns; 12.7mm. machine guns mounted on 4×4 vehicles; some anti-aircraft batteries type ZSU 23/2 and 23/4 as well as Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS) type SAM7; some tanks type T-72; UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-20439 Doc No. C05782401 Date: 12/31/2015 Possibly some fixed wing aircraft, and some light transport/medium helicopters. A seemingly endless supply of AK47 assault rifles and ammunition (even for systems ZSU 23/4 and 23/2). French, British and Egyptian Special Forces troops are training the rebels inside of western Egypt, and to a limited degree in the western suburbs of Benghazi. (Source Comment: These sources add that the MANPAD SAM7 systems appear to be old and badly preserved, and have been judged useless by the rebels.) “ Allies were concerned that the Muslim brother hood or rebel forces would set up “Caliphates” in the oil and gas rich regions of southeastern Libya if they did not take action quickly enough in post Qaddafi Libya. And make sure not to forget Israel and how they would benefit from these actions. With hopes that toppling Libya would lead to toppling Syria, to weaken Iran, to protect Israel. Not from attacks from Iran,but fear of losing its nuclear monopoly [24].

Getting more comfortable in his role and learning his lines,President Obama took some of the limelight from Secretary Clinton and called for President Bashar al- Assad,” to step aside” stating ” my administration is announcing unprecedented sanctions to deepen the financial isolation of the Assad regime and further disrupt its ability to finance a campaign of violence against the Syrian people. I have signed a new Executive Order requiring the immediate freeze of all assets of the Government of Syria subject to US jurisdiction and prohibiting US persons from engaging in any transaction involving the Government of Syria. This E.O. also bans US imports of Syrian – origin petroleum or petroleum products:prohibits US persons from having any dealings in or related to Syria’s petroleum or petroleum products:and prohibits US persons from operating or investing in Syria. We expect today’s actions to be amplified by others” [25].

Genie Energy was able to use acknowledgment of oil rich and disputed Golan Heights as Israel’s land, not Syria’s. This way they could continue oil exploration in Syria while appearing to be doing business with Israel, staying within the sanctions rules. With a list of shareholders with the likes of prominent Rothschild family member and investment banker Jacob Rothschild, Ex Vice President under George W Bush, Dick Cheney and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, you would guess that Genie Energy has influence in the decisions on middle eastern policy [25*].

President Obama summarized, “The future of Syria must be determined by its people, but President Bashar al- Assad is standing in their way.” Completely disregarding the fact, that Assad had just been elected to serve another 7 year term,by 97.6% of the vote, in the 2007 Syrian elections.

Just seven months after Sidney Blumenthal penned his informative email to Secretary Clinton, Muammar Qaddafi was killed by rebel forces in Libya. It was October 20, 2011 and Secretary Clinton was sitting down for an interview with CBS News. Long time Clinton employee and chief of staff to Secretary of State, Huma Abedin, handed Secretary Clinton her Blackberry. Reports showing Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi had been killed by rebel forces after his convoy was shot at by French air fire. Qaddafi’s capture and torture was captured on film and released to the US’s television viewing  public [26].

On a side note, I find it very odd that video of Qaddafi being sodomized by US backed terrorist with a bayonet was deemed fit for public consumption in 2011. Yet ,the audio of Omar Mateens 911 call during the Pulse nightclub shooting is deemed “ too sensitive” for public release in 2016.

Secretary Clinton’s initial response, caught on camera during a break in a television interview is not only telling of her true intentions in the middle east, but was in shockingly poor taste. “We came, we saw, he died” would haunt Secretary Clinton into the 2016 presidential campaign. The Secretary had just visited Libya a week before, where she is quoted as saying to the Libyan people ” We hope he can be captured or killed soon.” [25**] . Everyone has a dream and Hillary Clinton’s vision always seems to included the falling of a nation [26*] . By openly calling for the assassination of a foreign leader, Secretary Clinton joined the ranks of American political criminals. Ignoring Executive Order 11905 of 1976, which prohibits any member of the US government from engaging or conspiring to engage in any political assassination anywhere in the world [25***] . I am continually amazed at how many laws, our lawmakers break without ever paying any consequences.

Its all very confusing and will only become more mind boggling,as we delve into the destruction of Libya, the Behngazi years and the effects these events had on Syria, in the third part of “Our sanctimonious start in Syria and the middle east” part 3.