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Who’s Responsible for Destabilizing the Middle East? |
| By
Stephen Lendman |
| Washington, NATO, Israel and their rogue allies bear full responsibility
for destabilizing the region - not Iran, Syria, Hezbollah or Russia, allied
against US-supported terrorists. The Trump administration and Netanyahu wrongfully accused Iran of crimes they’re responsible for committing. Last week, AIPAC disgracefully accused Iran of “provocatively carr(ying) out perhaps its most brazen incursion ever into Israeli territory” - a Big Lie. No “incursion” occurred. An Israeli attack helicopter “brazen(ly)” downed a Syrian drone operating in its own airspace, explained in earlier articles. Washington, Israel and AIPAC wrongfully accused Iran of regional destabilization and arming terrorist organizations - US and Israeli specialties, not Tehran’s. Iranian military advisors in Syria operate from the country’s military bases. The Islamic Republic has none of its own in the country, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif explained when asked at the just concluded Munich Security Conference. No Iranian troops are involved in combatting US-supported terrorists in Syria. In a weekend interview, senior Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei advisor Ali Akbar Velayat said “(t)he Americans and Zionists should know that as they were defeated in the Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, their illusions won’t materialize,” adding: “The resistance front in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon will push them out of the eastern Euphrates.” Velayati also accused Washington, Israel and their rogue allies of wanting to create “a new Middle East whose reality will be marked by the disintegration of Muslim societies.” He denounced US forces in Syria as illegal. Last week, Sergey Lavrov said “we suspect that the United States wants to stay there for a long time, if not forever.” He accused Washington of using Kurdish YPG fighters to partition Syria, aiming to destroy its sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding: “Such fears arise when we get acquainted with the plans that the US is beginning to implement on the ground, primarily to the east of the Euphrates, on vast territories between this river and the border with Syria with Iraq and Turkey.” “This can be a very serious problem in terms of meeting the requirements of the UN Security Council to ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria.” “(T)he success of the Syrian settlement depends not on what else Russia can do, but on what the United States will not do, it would be better if they stopped playing very dangerous games that lead to the division of the Syrian state.” Russia knows Washington supports ISIS, al-Nusra and other terrorist groups while pretending to oppose them. Sunday at the Munich Security Conference, Netanyahu warned Iran about not “test(ing) Israel’s resolve,” saying he’ll “act if necessary,” threatening possible military confrontation against the Islamic Republic. He lied claiming Tehran wants to establish military bases in Syria, along with sending thousands of fighters to the country, a step toward dominating the region, saying: “Israel will continue to prevent Iran from establishing a permanent military presence in Syria and would continue to prevent it from crossing red lines.” Asked if Israel intends escalating military action, he said “(i)t’s up to Iran,” falsely claiming it’s government “is changing the ground rules.” Iranian military advisors are helping Syria, Hezbollah and Russia combat US and Israeli-supported terrorists. Tehran supports regional peace and stability, countries cooperating with each other politically and economically. It has no hegemonic ambitions like Washington and Israel. A separate important development involves YPG Kurdish fighters and Syrian forces agreeing to ally against Turkish aggression in Afrin. Senior Kurdish official Badran Jia Kurd confirmed it, saying “(w)e can cooperate with any side that lends us a helping hand in light of the barbaric crimes and international silence,” adding: “When it comes to the political and administrative matters in the region, it will be agreed upon with Damascus in the later stages through direct negotiations and discussion.” Syrian forces are expected to enter the area near Turkey’s border this week. On Monday, Syrian al-Ikhbariya television said an operation will begin “within hours.” Reportedly Damascus will establish a no-fly zone over the area. If effective air defense systems are installed, Turkish warplanes and attack helicopters could be downed if continue carrying out attacks - perhaps forcing Ankara to end its lawless cross-border incursion begun on January 20. VISIT MY NEW WEB SITE: stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman). Contact at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html |