Stay Out of Syria's Inferno: Americans Want Peace, Not Another War

President Barack Obama surprised most everyone in America by making the right decision and asking Congress for authority to go to war in Syria. Now Congress should make the right decision and vote no. One of the impacts of being a superpower is that America has interests everywhere. However, most of those interests are modest, even peripheral. Conflicts and crises abound around the globe, but few significantly impact U.S. security. So it is with Syria. The bitter civil war obviously is a human tragedy. However, the conflict is beyond repair by Washington. Ronald Reagan's greatest mistake was getting involved in the Lebanese civil war, which at one point contained 25 warring factions. The U.S. invasion of Iraq sparked civil conflict which killed tens or even hundreds of thousands of civilians. Allied intervention in Libya prolonged that brutal low-tech battle and left terrorism and instability in its wake. Egypt, where America has successively backed dictatorship, democracy and military rule, seems headed towards growing violent conflict, with the possibility of terrorism and even civil war. Civil wars are particularly resistant to outside solution. The antagonisms run deep and there often are multiple parties, none of whom may want peace. In Syria the radical Islamists appear to be gaining influence. It is not obvious how the same government officials who have made such a mess of so many other countries would fix Syria. Nor would the fighting likely end even if the U.S. ousted the Assad regime. Insurgent factions then likely would fight for dominance of either the whole of Syria or breakaway regions. For many rebels revenge against those backing the regime, as well as members of groups noted for their support, such as Alawites and Christians, would become a top priority. Then the U.S. would have to intervene again -- or ignore the blood-letting, as it did in Kosovo when ethnic Albanians exacted retribution. Even if nation-building in Syria wasn't such a daunting task, the U.S. government should not risk the lives of its citizens in conflicts where Americans have no substantial stake. Policymakers have no warrant to be generous with fellow citizens' lives. Protecting this nation, its territory, people, liberty and prosperity, remains the highest duty for Washington. Far from advancing U.S. security, getting involved in Syria would ensnare Americans in a completely unnecessary conflict. Damascus has neither the ability nor the interest to attack the U.S. Any attempt by the Assad government to strike, including with chemical weapons, would trigger massive retaliation -- perhaps even with nuclear weapons, which are true weapons of mass destruction. While the Assad regime theoretically could target a U.S. ally, it has no incentive to do so. After all, its very survival remains threatened by a determined insurgent challenge. Israel, Saudi Arabia and Turkey all are well-heeled and well-armed. All are capable of deterring attack. The administration implausibly claims that striking the Syrian government would help protect Israel. However, President Bashar al-Assad is not suicidal, which he would be to attack Israel. Damascus did not even retaliate against Israel for destroying an apparent nuclear reactor. But Israel would be at risk if the Assad regime dissolves and insurgents, including radical Islamists, gained control of chemical weapon stockpiles. A more likely beneficiary of U.S. firepower would be Saudi Arabia, which has done more than any other nation to promote fundamental Islamic theology around the globe. Some war advocates hope that hitting Damascus would weaken Iran. However, the administration has emphasized that it does not intend to actually weaken the Assad regime, making the attack a nearly purposeless gesture. Moreover, to the extent that Iran feels more isolated, it may press for tighter ties with Shia-dominated Iraq, which faces an increasing challenge from militant Sunnis. Tehran's divided elites also likely would close ranks against any possible peaceful deal over its nuclear program, which would be the regime's only sure guarantee of survival. The Syrian conflict is destabilizing, but the Mideast never has been at rest. Most of the countries are artificial, created by British and French line-drawing a century ago. Most of the Arab states have been run by kleptocratic dictators, generals and monarchs. Revolution has swept Egypt, Iran, Libya and Tunisia while protests have shaken Bahrain. Iraq and Turkey confronted lengthy Kurdish insurgencies. Jordan forcibly suppressed Palestinian forces. War consumed Libya and united two Yemens into one, which now could fall apart. Lebanon dissolved into years of civil war and recovered, but is threatened by Hezbollah's dominant role. Iraq attacked Iran and conquered Kuwait, only to lose to a U.S.-led coalition. Later occupied by the U.S., Iraq dissolved into bitter internal conflict and now seems headed back in that direction. Israel has faced multiple wars with multiple opponents as well as resistance in the occupied territories. And people worry about Syria destabilizing the Middle East? The entire focus on chemical weapons is misguided. The travesty of the Syrian civil war is that more than 100,000 people apparently have died, not that some were killed with chemical weapons. The latter are not really weapons of mass destruction. They are difficult to deploy and not so deadly. Explained John Mueller of Ohio State University, in World War I "it took over a ton of gas to produce a single fatality. Only about two or three percent of those gassed on the Western front died. By contrast, wounds from a traditional weapon proved 10 to 12 times more likely to be fatal." At least 99 percent of the millions of battlefield deaths in that conflict were caused by other means. Banning the weapon that killed one percent while ignoring the weapons which killed the other 99 percent exhibited a strange moral sense. Entering yet another war against a Muslim nation in the Middle East is bound to create more enemies for America. The surest way to encourage future terrorists is to join other nations' conflicts and kill other nations' peoples. Washington is still fighting a traditional war in Afghanistan and "drone wars" in Pakistan and Yemen. The U.S. should avoid adding another conflict to the mix. It doesn't matter whether Americans believe their actions to be justified. Those on the receiving end of U.S. weapons would believe otherwise. Even if the administration is genuinely committed to only minor military action, Washington would find it hard to be only half in. The more limited the strikes, the less likely they are to achieve anything other than suggest the pretense of enforcement of the president's "red line." But even inconsequential missile attacks would represent increased U.S. investment in the Syrian civil war. Pressure on Washington to do more would steadily grow, with a warlike Greek Chorus intoning "U.S. credibility" at every turn. However, concern over credibility does not warrant making a bad decision to enter an unnecessary war. American presidents routinely put U.S. credibility on the line without backing up their threats -- how many times have we heard that North Korea cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons? However, the only policy worse than tolerating a North Korean nuclear weapon would be bombing Pyongyang. The real lesson of President Obama's throwaway comment on Syrian chemical weapons is that red lines should not be drawn unless they reflect overriding, even vital interests and are worth war to enforce. Other nations will respect American demands if Washington rarely issues ultimatums, and only for obviously core interests. Going to war for minimal, even frivolous stakes to enhance credibility is a fool's bargain. The president has placed the decision whether to go to war where it belongs, with Congress. Legislators should act on behalf of the American people, not the Obama administration. And the right decision is to keep the U.S. at peace. Britain's House of Commons has shown the way. After members rejected the government's war policy, Prime Minister David Cameron observed: "it is clear to me that the British parliament, reflecting the views of the British people, does not want to see British military action. I get that and the government will act accordingly." President Obama needs to "get that" and his government needs to "act accordingly." Syria is a tragedy. But it is not America's tragedy. Legislators should reject war with Syria. This was first posted on American Spectator online.

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.huffingtonpost.com

Commission drives Gambling to Las Vegas NV?

by  Kassandra

“Now you see it, now you don't.”  Reminiscent of monks “fasting” by baptising meat to fish, the European Commission managed to change its mind on a European state company at a very critical stage, potentially affecting the whole of Europe's Gambling Industry and opening Pandora's box for all kinds of shady interests to invade one of the most sensitive areas for European Societies.  The Greek state Gambling company, “OPAP” was always considered to be a “public undertaking”. During the past few years, the Commission itself (DG MRKT) conducted a series of in – depth investigations on OPAP, considering the company to be a “public undertaking”.   The “miracle” of meat to fish transformation manifested itself last July, while the OPAP privatization procedure, part of the general privatization drive Greece has undertaken under the EU/ECB/IMF gentle directions, is at it's latest stage, with final conclusion of a deal to sell a major part of OPAP's equity stumbling on the resolution of criminal judicial procedures regarding 2 tenders.   And then comes a “Deus ex Machina”, a quite common conclusion in classical Greek Tragedy.  Replying to a question by  Theodoros Skylakakis MEP (ALDE) and prominent Greek politician,  the Commission informed the European Parliament that it has come to the conclusion that OPAP “does not fulfill the criteria established  by the directive 2004/18/EC in order to be considered as a public undertaking in the meaning of this Directive”on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts. In such situation, contracts signed between this company and technology providers would not be covered by EU public procurement rules.”   But it is not just a “Greek Tragedy”. It can develop into a European Tragedy, where the “Chorus” will be Europe's youth, caught by the song of gambling “Sirens”, with public and EU oversight marginalized by a surprising and inexplicable change of attitude towards “public undertaking”.  Given the Social ramifications of such a sudden leap and in a effort to explain miracles, New Europe has asked for the release of documents under Regulation 1049/2001 (access to documents) . Perhaps the Legal Opinion ruling the change of status of OPAP and all other related documents will shed some light on yet another mystery. Even if this is not just a legal issue.

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.neurope.eu

Barroso sails into history

by  Kassandra

This summer, I had a long break from Brussels and for some three months I was working remotely, with all kind of internet technologies. This gave me time to enjoy the Mediterranean and have time to meditate and write. I was thinking mostly of Europe.  What we got from our fathers  compared to what we will be giving our children makes me feel ashamed. Indeed, what I got from the Europe of my father Alexandros, were the grounds for hope, freedom, belief and progress for a better life and the Europe I will be giving to my son, Alexandros, is a structured corporate gang. The Greek sun, can melt rocks, revive in the minds our philosophical roots, and made me think and write. I thought that our Europe, in the seventies, with progress and democracy blooming, was in harmony with its philosophical and pragmatic essentials, Greek philosophy, Roman law and the French Revolution.  Because this is Europe, or, to put it better, this is what Europe should be. Thus I decided to write. I wrote a book about Europe, to make Europeans understand Europe and open the eyes of politicians in the 28 Member States as to how they should be handling the issue of the new Commission and take control of the “system” under the shadow of which, under the present artificial barriers, grows nothing political. I have finished the “hot” part of the book and now I am writing one of its chapters, ten scandals which define the way the “State within the State” operates.  This week I was working on the exception until the year 2050 of any carbon dioxide tax over the Maritime industry. This is a scandal with several ambiguities. First, thanks to this exception which nobody has ever explained why it was granted and under whose political responsibility, the EU budget is losing billions of Euros every year. This begs the question of who is benefitting from this exception. The Maritime industry. The only industry on the earth without any tax reference, based completely on offshore operations. Indeed offshore exists because it serves the shipping industry. Each vessel  is one company, in most cases a Liberia offshore one, based in 85 Moncerado Street, Monrovia, Liberia, and in selling the vessel, one is passing the shares of the Compania Naviera which owns the ship. Thus no tax base, which means plenty of cash which gives to industry wide margins to spent money in PR exercises and Lobbying. As I would like to have some explanation, which I will provide in my book, I will remind readers of some of my questions, in the hope that someone will have the sensitivity to reply, if not for any other reason than to make clear his involvement in this affair. I will be specific. Directive 2009/29 amending Directive 2003/87 stipulates that if the International Maritime Organization IMO (ICAO did not have the same treatment but we disregard this for the moment) does not adopt internationally binding rules on CO2 emissions reductions by the shipping Industry, the European Commission is obliged to submit a legislative proposal to the Parliament and the Council (co-decision) to introduce an EU Directive on the matter by 31 December, 2011. We now are in September 2013 and nothing has happened yet.  What we wish to know first, is who is politically responsible.  Connie Hedegaard is in charge of the Climate Change portfolio but she is limited to aviation pollution. Maritime pollution is handled by Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas who somehow took the matter from Hedegaard.  Then Kallas practically abolished, Directive 2009/29, which as far as we know it is still Community law.  Last but not least, President Jose Barroso. For the first time in EU history, two Commissioners, Hedegaard and Kallas, speak different languages over the same matter and the President of the Commission pretends that he does not know. We know that this is the second and last term of Jose Barroso in the Presidency of the Commission. What we do not know, as yet, is how Barroso will be remembered in history.  For the dismissal of Commissioner John Dalli, which cost him the third term in office, or for being the President of the Commission, which exempted the ship-owners from any Carbon Dioxide tax until the year 2050?

 

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.neurope.eu

Liechtenstein vs. Greece, Final Score 0-1: Greece Scrap Through Again

Liechtenstein vs. Greece, Final Score 0-1: Greece Scrap Through AgainSB NationFollowing their most recent trend, Greece narrowly defeated lowly Liechtenstein 1-0 in Vaduz with a late goal from Kostas Mitrogolou. The visitors lacked the pace and momentum to convincingly dominate the match. At times it looked as though the home ...and more »

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.sbnation.com

Italy proves too good for Greece at Eurobasket

KathimeriniItaly proves too good for Greece at EurobasketKathimeriniGreece suffered a painful 81-72 loss to Italy on Sunday, its first in Eurobasket 2013 in Slovenia, that not only deprives it from winning its group but will also count for the second group stage, too, as Italy will be in the same group as Greece. Still ...Majestic Greece dwarfs Turkey's '12 Giant Men' in EuroBasket 84-61Hurriyet Daily NewsGreece Beats Turkey 84-61 in EuroBasketGreek Reporter2013 FIBA EuroBasket scores and schedule: Turkey, Russia falter in Group DSB Nationall 7 news articles »

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com

Greek Food Festival draws hundreds for traditional fare

KERO-TV 23Greek Food Festival draws hundreds for traditional fareKERO-TV 23BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Bakersfield residents enjoyed food, fun, and music during tonight's 41st annual Greek Food Festival Friday and Saturday. It's set up to support St. George's Greek Orthodox Church on Truxton Avenue. This year some of the proceeds ...Greek fest offers food, fun, musicToledo BladeWorld Cup 2014 : Thinking about the contenders at the Staten Island Greek ...SILive.comSt. Catherine's holds its annual Greek festival in BraintreeThe Patriot LedgerFayetteville Observer -Spartanburg Herald Journal -Albany Times Unionall 19 news articles »

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.turnto23.com

Worst of Greece's recession is nearly over, says prime minister

Antonis Samaras says economy is regaining its competitiveness and is on track to return to pre-crisis levels

Greece's prime minister Antonis Samaras has insisted the worst is almost over for his country and reassured Greeks that the debt-stricken nation's longest recession would soon be consigned to the dustbin of history.

Boosted by figures showing the economy contracting by 3.8% in the second quarter – its smallest decline since the outbreak of Athens's worst financial crisis in modern times – the leader said the country's dependency on foreign lenders was also nearing an end.

"Greece is turning a page … all the international organisations agree that next year, 2014, will be the year of recovery for the Greek economy," he told industry and business leaders attending the annual Thessaloniki trade fair. "Last year most abroad were predicting that Greece would exit the euro. Now they are predicting the exact opposite. That Greece will exit the recession and stay in the euro," he said promising that the progress would hail the end of unpopular austerity.

The fair is traditionally used by Greek prime ministers to outline their economic policies. Using the keynote speech to list the achievements of his 14-month government, Samaras said Athens had not only made the biggest fiscal adjustment "in world history", but emerged with an economy that in regaining its competitiveness was on track to return to pre-crisis levels. Much of the rebound is due to an unexpectedly good tourism season. If Greece kept up the progress – the condition of rescue funds worth €240bn from its "troika" of creditors at the EU, ECB and IMF – Samaras said the country would also succeed in shaving its debt mountain, at €320bn the biggest in the eurozone.

"After the end of the year, we will achieve a new lightening of the debt burden," he insisted reminding international lenders they had "committed to" making Greece's debt load sustainable if Athens posted a primary surplus [before interest payments on debt] by the end of 2013.

"A primary surplus will mean that the country can stand on its feet [and] will be the first decisive step towards exiting the policies of the memorandums," he said referring to the two loan agreements Athens has signed up to since the start of the crisis. By returning to capital markets and breaking free of creditors, Athens could use the surplus to "lighten the injustices" of Greeks on low pensions and public sector employees hit by cuts.

With German elections looming, Greece is under immense pressure to continue paring back the bloated public sector – the root of the country's financial woes.

But the government also faces the herculean task of keeping the social peace at a time when most Greeks, struggling with draconian cuts and tax increases, are bracing for their hardest winter yet. Driving home a message of hope is central to the campaign.

In Thessaloniki over the weekend it was quite clear that many disagreed with that message just as they do in Athens and other parts of the nation. Police estimated that around 50,000 took to the streets to decry the record levels of unemployment and poverty associated exclusively with almost four years of austerity driven recession.

The radical left main opposition leader, Alexis Tsipras, accused Samaras of lambasting Greeks with "a primary surplus of deceit."

There is mounting speculation that Greece, whose economy had shrunk by nearly 25% since 2010, is heading for a third bailout in what EU mandarins hope will finally be the end of the eurozone crisis. The IMF has indicated that the country will face a €11bn funding gap when the country's current rescue program ends next July.

On Sunday, the German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble repeated that Berlin was "always ready" to help as long as Athens fulfilled its side of the deal. But Germany, which has provided the bulk of Greece's bailouts to date, rejected the notion that Athens would receive any kind of debt relief – a move that would cost German tax payers up to €30bn .

Greece was forgiven €145bn in debt by private creditors last year. "It would upset investors and creditors," Schäuble wrote in the German magazine Focus. "A second haircut is not the right step for Greece … and whoever discusses it, puts everything in danger."

GreeceEuropeEurozone crisisEuropean UnionEuropean monetary unionEuropean banksFinancial crisisEuroEconomicsHelena Smiththeguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.theguardian.com