by Stephen Lendman

Syria is a sovereign independent country threatening no others, an Israeli regional rival, a thorn in the side of Washington’s hegemonic aims, an ally of Iran and Hezbollah, a victim of US imperial ruthlessness.

There’s nothing civil about Obama’s war on Syria despite official claims otherwise. Conflict was planned months in advance of its March 2011 onset, weeks after US-led NATO attacked Libya without just cause, Washington thinking both governments could be toppled in months - replaced by puppet regimes serving Western interests. One of many Big Lies proliferated about both governments claims popular sentiment rejected their ruling authorities. At the height of US-led aggression on Libya, Gaddafi had overwhelming support.

In June 2014, Assad won reelection with an 89% majority - a process international independent observers called open, free and fair.

Libyans valued Gaddafi’s leadership for the generous social services he provided - ones Americans can’t imagine, using a substantial portion of the nation’s oil wealth to benefit all citizens.

Assad gave Syrians a new Constitution they approved overwhelmingly by national referendum. Despite opposition boycotts, internal threats, Western anti-Assad media campaigns, and war-impeded turnout (57.4% overall), over 89% of voters approved it - an impressive showing given the risk Syrians took to participate.

From its initial draft, 14 new articles were added responding to popular sentiment, 37 were amended for the same reason.

Political pluralism was established for the first time, as well as presidential term limits and press freedom. Assad gave Syrians democratic rights - shaming America’s sham system. Mainstream propaganda mocks what deserves praise.

Washington calling for Assad to go is polar opposite what Syrians want. They can’t imagine anyone else leading them - besides rejecting outside powers wanting their will imposed with no regard for their sovereign rights.

All ongoing US proxy and direct wars are illegal - including efforts to topple Assad. All earlier post- WW II ones were extrajudicial. No nation may attack another except in self defense and only if Security Council authorized.

Washington operates by its own rules - a lawless imperial agenda seeking global conquest. International, constitutional and US statute laws are ignored. What better definition of a rogue state. In America’s case, one threatening world peace.

For Syrians, things are worse than ever. An unprecedented displacement crisis exists with too little aid for desperately needy people.

Obama just raised the stakes. So-called “rebels” are US enlisted death squads - Islamic State and other takfiri elements.

US warplanes already are bombing Syrian infrastructure targets illegally on the phony pretext of striking IS fighters and positions.

New rules of engagement warn Syria’s military not to attack so-called “rebels” waging dirty war without mercy on its people - to help them and defend the country, a fundamental international law guaranteed right.

If Washington’s threat isn’t heeded, Pentagon warplanes will bomb its forces and positions, perhaps target Damascus and other cities, heading toward full-blown aggression to topple Assad on the phony pretext of protecting proxy US elements on the ground responsible for horrific atrocities against defenseless civilians - including use of chemical and other toxic agents falsely blamed on Syria’s military.

Obama gave Assad two choices - defend Syria responsibly against imported terrorists and face US retaliation - or hold back and let them overrun the country.

The alleged small band of US supported “rebels,” conceals Washington’s involvement with key NATO allies, Saudi Arabia, other Gulf states, Jordan and Israel in enlisting thousands of Islamic State and other takfiri terrorists, training them outside Syria, and funneling them cross-border to wage war on the Assad government.

Washington can now call any legitimate Syrian military confrontation with imported terrorists an attack on its protected “rebels” - a pretext for full-scale intervention to topple Assad the way Gaddafi was eliminated in 2011 - a Libya 2.0 scheme to install pro-Western stooges.

At stake is Syrian sovereignty and fundamental rights for its people. If Assad falls, expect the same type violence and chaos affecting Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.

Obama’s legacy reflects endless imperial wars, unconscionable bloodshed mostly harming noncombatants, recklessly challenging Russia and China, and allying with some of the most ruthless despots to achieve his hegemonic aims. World peace hangs in the balance like never before.

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

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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