by Stephen Lendman

Syria's a battle zone. Western generated violence is to blame, not Assad. America's media scoundrels claim otherwise. They want him ousted by any means, including war.

An April 9 Wall Street Journal commentary said "Syrian government forces (keep) bombing and killing...." Assad "reneged on (his) promises to end the bloodshed."

Washington "and its allies (are) doing little or nothing to depose (his) regime. (The) illusion of diplomatic progress serves as cover for the Assads of the world to do more killing. Your move, President Obama."

Like all scoundrel media commentators, Journal contributors blame victims, not villains. Their readers are betrayed, not informed.

Wall Street Journal contributor Fouad Ajami long ago sold out to imperial interests for whatever he gets in return. He showed it in an op-ed headlined, "A Kosovo Model for Syria," saying: "In the Obama world, the tendency to wait has become official policy: It is either boots on the ground or head in the sand."

He'd "be wise to consider the way Bill Clinton dealt with the crisis of Kosovo in 1999. He authorized a NATO air campaign against Serbia that began on March 23, 1999, the very same day a bipartisan majority in both houses of Congress voted to support it."

Fact check

Bombing Yugoslavia for 78 days violated international law, as well as US constitutional and statute laws. It was also humanitarian hypocrisy.

Congress didn't declare war. The Security Council didn't authorize it. Yugoslavia didn't threaten America, other NATO members or neighboring states. Nonetheless, Clinton got the war he wanted.

It was lawless, premeditated aggression. Ajami thinks it's a good thing. So do other scoundrel media contributors like him. Yale Law Professor Bruce Ackerman said America "suffered one casualty in the (Serbia/Kosovo) war. (The) rule of law (was) blown to pieces."

While Congress appropriated funds for the war, it never authorized it. Presidents can't do it on their own. It hasn't stopped them since WW II. Roosevelt's war was the last one Congress declared. Failure to do so made others following it illegal, Obama's wars included.

Ajami claimed Clinton acted responsibly. Obama "has a similar opportunity" to oust Assad "without a massive American commitment." Failure leaves "only the shame of averting our eyes from Syrian massacres."

Shamefully, many others agree with him.

On April 21, a Washington Post editorial said it's time for "Plan B."

"THE ONLY good news about Syria since the Obama administration’s embrace of an unworkable United Nations peace plan is the hints that it is beginning to consider alternatives."

Assad "will never be induced by diplomacy to end his assaults on Syrian cities, allow peaceful demonstrations or release political prisoners...."

Obama has "to recognize these realities and embrace options that actually can advance its stated goal of ending Mr. Assad’s rule."

"Mr. Assad will fall only when his attacks are blocked and countered; it follows that U.S. policy should aim at that."

The Post urges "feckless diplomacy" ended in favor of immediate military action. Hawkish throughout the conflict, its position heads toward boiling over. Can war be far behind?

Hillary Clinton's notoriously hawkish. So is UN envoy Susan Rice. Critics call her "Rice-a-phony." She's an over-ambitious zealot angling for Clinton's job. Her rhetoric makes some observers gasp. It gives diplomacy a bad name and then some.

After Security Council Resolution 2043 passed, authorizing up to 300 unarmed military Syrian monitors, she couldn't hold back.

She said "300 or even 3,000 (won't halt Assad) from waging (his) barbaric campaign of violence against the Syrian people." Only "intensified external pressure (can halt his) murderous rampage."

She suggested tough measures are coming, saying "let there be no doubt: we, our allies and others in this body are planning and preparing for those actions....if the Assad regime persists in the slaughter of the Syrian people."

The Post also wants tough talk followed by tougher action. Minimally it supports "modest military force." Perhaps it considers Serbia/Kosovo a template. Perhaps it needs brushing up on US and international law, as well as who initiated lawless conflict and who confronted it responsibly.

Syria was calm and peaceful until Washington unleashed its dogs. US Special Forces direct them on the ground. So do UK ones. They attack hard and soft targets alike. They have Turkish safe haven sanctuaries. Post and other media scoundrels omit what's most important.

Ignoring Obama administration lies and its own, a New York Times editorial headlined "Assad's Lies," saying:

Assad "reneged on nearly every promise made. (So-called) "activists reported that Syrian troops fired tear gas and bullets on thousands of protesters....Ban Ki-moon (claims he's) failing to provide needed food and medicine to 230,000 displaced people, and refusing to allow outside agencies to help."

Fact check

"Activists" cited are stooges for power. Throughout the conflict, Times articles, op-eds, and editorials shamelessly blamed Assad for Western generated crimes. Ban Ki-moon does the same thing. Kofi Annan did it before him.

Both have shameless records of failure and betrayal. Assurance it would turn out that way got them their jobs. Only imperial loyalists qualify. Only media scoundrels claim otherwise or say nothing about their support for lawless wars and inaction to stop them.

Although Western generated violence displaced thousands of Syrians, no one has precise counts how many. ICRC officials report Assad cooperates delivering aid. Only areas plagued by insurgent violence makes it hard. When security forces quell it, residents thank Assad. They'd be helpless without him.

The Times said his "cruelty and blindness were predictable. What is unfathomable is why Russia and China continue to support him....Even now, Russian officials put much of the blame for the bloodshed on the fractured, mostly peaceful opposition forces, not the Syrian Army with its heavy weapons."

"Russia sells arms to Syria....China seems determined to deny the West another 'win....' "

Fact check

Times opinion writers mock truth and full disclosure. Anyone trying better find another line of work. Only imperial loyalty matters. Facts are sacrificed to support it.

In response to insurgent violence, Assad confronts it responsibly. Syrians count on him. He's their only means of defense. Russia and China are the only permanent Security Council members preventing Washington from getting another war trophy - so far.

Hopefully Russia does supply Assad arms and other aid. Washington, NATO partners, and regional despots like Saudi Arabia and Qatar do it. Turkey provides safe haven sanctuaries. Rule of law inviolability's a non-starter. Only imperial dominance matters.

Unless stopped, the entire Mediterranean Basin to Russia and China's borders will be US controlled territory. If achieved, their sovereignty is next. Both countries know it. They're not about to back off and do nothing. Hopefully, they've drawn red lines they'll challenge if crossed.

The Times accused both countries of "tarnishing their global reputations." It claims they're "alienating governments and people throughout the region....And when (Assad) falls - and he will - the people of Syria will blame them for their complicity in this bloodbath. Their enabling just gives (Assad) more time to kill....(A) wider war (is) more likely."

The last statement's the only true one. The Arab street depends on whatever help Russia and China provide. Brutal despots oppress them - notably in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. They're perhaps Washington's closest allies. In return, they're free to commit unspeakable crimes and atrocities.

The Times stopped only short of urging war. Perhaps it's coming in time. It supports all imperial wars. Watch for a future editorial calling for another couched in humanitarian intervention language.

Scoundrel media never report truths. They never get it right. They never apologize after the fact. They support power and privilege only. No matter the huge body count, one war after another is cheerled in an endless cycle of violence, destruction, and human misery.

How long before Obama launches another one. Scoundrel media support smooths the way. Increasingly it looks likely. Syria tops the queue. Can Iran be far behind?

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

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