(August 7, 2021)
Because they want to.
Archiv: West Asia War / Syria invasion / 27-11-2024 Turkish-led militias start offensive / Damascus fallen on 08-12-2024 / kurdish Region under attack / „Turkish Palestine“ scenario / Syria decay
The Imperial Presidency Is Bigger Than Donald Trump
A future Democratic-controlled Congress should take up the job that Obama and the party’s old guard abandoned: put strict limits on the use of drones that won’t simply be alternately loosened and tightened by whichever president comes to power, explicitly outlawing “targeted killing” and any other attempt at finding a loophole for the already existing ban on assassinations; finally repeal the 2001 Authorization of the Use of Military Force that has been serially abused by presidents to fight often secret wars all over the world; end mass surveillance, whether in the form of the National Security Agency’s warrantless backdoor searches that Democrats actually expanded under Joe Biden, or in the warrantless spying that the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies now do through private data brokers; close the Guantanamo Bay prison camp that Trump is now trying to send migrants to; and embark on a twenty-first-century version of the Church Committee to investigate and lay bare national security abuses.
‚Israel, Russia to coordinate in air, sea, and electromagnetic arena‘
(October 27, 2015)
In Russia, Eisenkot met with his Russian counterpart, General Valery Vasilevich Gerasimov – the first time chiefs of staff from Russia and Israel held a direct meeting in Moscow. Eisenkot also participated in part of the meeting held between Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Afterward, the two sides agreed to set up a joint working group led by the deputy chiefs of staff from each country.
Will Turkey Invade Iran?
(March 3, 2026)
Independent Turkish press described two possible scenarios for Turkish military action: an early-stage push to establish border shelters for a refugee crisis, and later incursions into Iran to secure a buffer zone if the Iranian state fails. Turkey’s intervention in northern Iraq—combining extensive airstrikes with a network of ground outposts in a mountainous, insurgent-sheltering hinterland—holds clues as to what such a buffer zone might look like in Iran. Nevertheless, the magnitude of PJAK or Kurdish coalition activity in a collapsing Iran would be the final determinant.
Türkiye refutes claims of illegal crossings from Iranian border
Türkiye on Saturday refuted social media claims alleging illegal crossings from the Iranian border amid Israeli, U.S. attacks on Iran.
„The images are old footage of unknown time and place; it has been determined that they were deliberately circulated again following recent regional developments,“ Türkiye‘s Center for Combating Disinformation said on Turkish social media platform NSosyal.
Türkiye may carry out cross-border action in Iran to prevent refugee influx: Report
(February 24, 2026)
Türkiye has updated its contingency plans for a possible US-led military campaign against Iran, with options that include entering Iranian territory to prevent a mass refugee influx, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
The preparations come as NATO has redirected its aerial surveillance operations based in Türkiye away from Russia and toward Iran.
Turkey plans buffer zone inside Iran if Tehran gov’t collapses: report
(January 27, 2026)
Turkey is drawing up plans to keep people from crossing its border from Iran if the government in Tehran collapses after possible US military action, the Middle East Eye news website reported on Tuesday.
The report said senior officials from the Turkish Foreign Ministry briefed lawmakers in a closed-door meeting at parliament on Thursday about potential scenarios involving Iran. The outlet cited two participants in the briefing.
Warum halten sich die Staatsführungen von China und Russland an die U.S.-Sanktionen gegen Iran, Venezuela, Syrien und Kuba?
(August 7, 2021)
Weil sie es wollen.
Why are the state leaders of China and Russia complying with U.S. sanctions against Iran, Venezuela, Syria, and Cuba?
(August 7, 2021)
Because they want to.
Secretary of State Calls on European Leaders to Defend Western Civilization in Munich Security Conference Speech
“In a perfect world, all of these problems and more would be solved by diplomats and strongly worded resolutions. But we do not live in a perfect world, and we cannot continue to allow those who blatantly and openly threaten our citizens and endanger our global stability to shield themselves behind abstractions of international law which they themselves routinely violate. This is the path that President Trump and the United States has embarked upon. It is the path we ask you here in Europe to join us on.”
“The United Nations still has tremendous potential to be a tool for good in the world. But we cannot ignore that today, on the most pressing matters before us, it has no answers and has played virtually no role. It could not solve the war in Gaza. Instead, it was American leadership that freed captives from barbarians and brought about a fragile truce. It had not solved the war in Ukraine. It took American leadership and partnership with many of the countries here today just to bring the two sides to the table in search of a still-elusive peace. It was powerless to constrain the nuclear program of radical Shia clerics in Tehran. That required 14 bombs dropped with precision from American B-2 bombers. And it was unable to address the threat to our security from a narcoterrorist dictator in Venezuela. Instead, it took American Special Forces to bring this fugitive to justice.”
Marco Rubio‘s shocking MSC remark: „The UN has no answers — bombers deliver results“
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a stark message at the Munich Security Conference, dismissing the United Nations as having „no answers“ for today‘s most urgent crises. Citing Gaza, Ukraine and Iran, Rubio argued that real outcomes come not through international institutions, but through American leadership — and even precision strikes by B-2 bombers.
Rubio says UN has ‘no role’ in solving wars, like Gaza; seeks to reassure Europe on Trump
He acknowledged that “we have bled and died side-by-side on battlefields from Kapyong to Kandahar,” a contrast with disparaging remarks by Trump about NATO allies’ troops in Afghanistan that drew an outcry. “And I’m here today to make it clear that America is charting the path for a new century of prosperity. and that once again, we want to do it together with you, our cherished allies and our oldest friends.”
CIA-Mossad footprint turned Iran’s peaceful protests into ‘full-scale street war’: Analyst
In a statement issued after the foreign-engineered unrest, Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs said 3,117 people were killed during the riots, including 2,427 civilians and security personnel.
Many were bystanders or protesters shot by organized terrorist elements. Yet, even amid those casualties, Ghaderi pointed to a detail he considers critical to understanding the government’s approach during the riots.
“Until the end of Thursday, January 8,” he remarked, “despite the killing of a significant number of police officers, members of the popular Basij forces, and ordinary civilians by terrorists, no one was killed by police firearms.” Only later, when violence intensified further, did the posture change.
“Of course, on Friday, given the high level of violence carried out by the terrorists, the police, following orders from senior authorities, engaged in armed confrontation with them,” Ghaderi said.
Tötungen in Iran: EU stuft Revolutionsgarde als Terrororganisation ein
Weiter nannte Wadephul die destabilisierende Rolle des Iran in der Region, die von der Revolutionsgarde verantwortet werde. Zudem stecke sie hinter Anschlagsversuchen in Deutschland und Europa. Sie habe Blut an ihren Händen, so der Bundesaußenminister.
Turkey plans buffer zone inside Iran if Tehran gov’t collapses: report
Turkey is drawing up plans to keep people from crossing its border from Iran if the government in Tehran collapses after possible US military action, the Middle East Eye news website reported on Tuesday.
The report said senior officials from the Turkish Foreign Ministry briefed lawmakers in a closed-door meeting at parliament on Thursday about potential scenarios involving Iran. The outlet cited two participants in the briefing.
Britain says it and France bombed suspected Islamic State arms dump in Syria
Western aircraft have been conducting patrols to stop a resurgence of the Islamist militant group that ruled parts of Syria until 2019.
Israel, Russia, and the United States Are Testing the Boundaries of Global Order
(September 12, 2025)
As I’ve discussed at length recently, we have already witnessed the death of the global trading system as we have known it. But this slide away from the rules-based system isn’t limited to trade. It is evident in the use of military force as well.
Three examples of unilateral military action over the past couple weeks are particularly instructive:
(…)
That is the real Hobbesian peril. Each of these actions can be seen as an isolated instance, but if one or two or three countries take kinetic action unilaterally, it risks creating a permission structure where others feel there are no guardrails to constrain them.
‘We’re living in terror’: fears in southern Syria over Israel’s growing occupation
(December 9, 2025)
A year after Israeli forces entered southern Syria, crossing into a UN buffer zone and in some cases beyond, its occupation remains and the frequency of the Israeli military raids on towns is increasing. An Israeli incursion in the town of Beit Jinn at the end of November left at least 13 Syrians dead, including two children.
Residents say they have traded the tyranny of Assad for a military occupation. Checkpoints are now operated by Israelis, not Assad officers. Night-time raids and phone searches continue.
US Needs Troops in Syria to Stop ISIS Comeback, CENTCOM Nominee Says
(June 24, 2025)
The U.S. and the SDF stayed clear of Syria’s civil war, which led to the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia.
The country’s new president is Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the Islamist rebel group Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that swept to power last December and has vowed to establish a tolerant, multi-ethnic state.
After months of deliberation, the U.S. has thrown its support behind the new Syrian leader. President Trump announced last month that he would lift sanctions on the country, a decision he made with encouragement from Saudi Arabia while Trump was in the Middle East.
Israel, Russia, and the United States Are Testing the Boundaries of Global Order
(September 12, 2025)
As I’ve discussed at length recently, we have already witnessed the death of the global trading system as we have known it. But this slide away from the rules-based system isn’t limited to trade. It is evident in the use of military force as well.
Three examples of unilateral military action over the past couple weeks are particularly instructive:
(…)
That is the real Hobbesian peril. Each of these actions can be seen as an isolated instance, but if one or two or three countries take kinetic action unilaterally, it risks creating a permission structure where others feel there are no guardrails to constrain them.
Turkey extends Iraq, Syria operations for 3 years, renews UN mission in Lebanon
UNIFIL, established by the United Nations in 1978, operates in southern Lebanon to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces, maintain peace and security along the Lebanon–Israel border and support the Lebanese government in extending its authority in the region. Turkey has contributed troops and naval units to the mission since 2006 as part of its broader commitment to UN peacekeeping operations.
Zum Völkermord gezwungen?
Der Vernichtungskrieg gegen die Hamas und Gaza sei alternativlos und aus Notwehr erfolgt, behauptet Israels Ministerpräsident Netanjahu. Was aber, wenn sich der Terroranschlag vom 7. Oktober 2023 hätte verhindern lassen? Vieles spricht dafür, dass seine rechtsgerichtete Regierung die Dinge hat geschehen lassen. Müsste die Geschichte dann nicht umgeschrieben werden, fragt sich Ralf Wurzbacher.
this is the biggest blunder in American history. Mark my words
(December 9, 2023)
WATCH: Is Israel using the Druze to expand hegemony in region?
Israel claims it has attacked Syria to protect its Druze minority, but analysts say its primary goal is to “divide and weaken” the country while expanding its hegemony in the Middle East.
Israel, Russia Military Hotline ‚Very Useful‘ to Avoid Incidents
(March 14, 2016)
„We do have this kind of coordination to avoid misunderstanding and accidents,“ Yaalon explained in a speech at the Wilson Center. He described the mechanism as „very useful.“
Israel was one of the first countries to establish a military to military communication channel with Russia after Moscow announced its engagement in airstrikes in Syria this past September.
‚Israel, Russia to coordinate in air, sea, and electromagnetic arena‘
(October 27, 2015)
In Russia, Eisenkot met with his Russian counterpart, General Valery Vasilevich Gerasimov – the first time chiefs of staff from Russia and Israel held a direct meeting in Moscow. Eisenkot also participated in part of the meeting held between Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Afterward, the two sides agreed to set up a joint working group led by the deputy chiefs of staff from each country.
Iran Foreign Minister, Aragchi, Says He Will Meet Putin In Moscow On Monday
(today)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi plans to travel to Moscow on Monday, June 23, for talks with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. This was reported by NBC News journalist Andrea Mitchell, who spoke with the Iranian Foreign Minister, according to UNN.