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Is the murder of the Syrian strongmen the beginning of the end?
The Guardian ^ | Wednesday 18 July 2012 | Martin Chulov

Posted on 07/18/2012 5:27:50 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican

The road to Damascus had been the Syrian opposition's most difficult journey. Now, after one decisive and deadly strike, the world's oldest capital appears in reach.

As the dust settled at the national security building, a transformation unthinkable only hours earlier was under way. Three of the regime's leaders lay dead around the table where they had been holding a weekly crisis meeting: the deputy defence minister, Assef Shawkat, the defence minister, Dawoud Rajha, and the military committee leader, Hassan Turkmani, all key figures in the Middle East's most ruthlessly efficient police state.

Of the three, Shawkat had long been the main target. His influence and power had been unmatched since the popular uprising began nearly 17 months ago. Shawkat was, as Syrian rebels like to say, the keeper of the secrets.

Every strategic decision about the crackdown carried out by President Bashar al-Assad's regime that had steadily morphed into full-blown war had passed across his desk. He was an essential part of the inner sanctum. In many eyes, he was a symbol of its infallibility.

(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Russia
KEYWORDS: assefshawkat; dawoudrajha; hassanturkmani; iran; syria; timetozotmg
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To: Little Ray
Ba’athists

What intellectual moron came up with that ridiculous "islamic spelling"? Nobody is going to say "ba-ath-ists"

It's bathists dammit.

(by the way...it's spelled mosk)

41 posted on 07/19/2012 5:47:24 PM PDT by ROCKLOBSTER (Celebrate Republicans Freed the Slaves Month.)
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To: CPT Clay

Google is your friend.


42 posted on 07/19/2012 5:52:55 PM PDT by Salvey
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To: MinorityRepublican

There’s not much doubt that our Dictator, without any input from Congress or anyone else, is about to arbitrarily commit America’s military resources to deposing Syria’s Dictator; just as he was allowed to do with Libya and Egypt and with the same results.

John McCain and Linda Graham will then clinch the election for Obama by touting him as a “brave and humane” leader.


43 posted on 07/19/2012 6:14:50 PM PDT by Aleya2Fairlie
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To: Aleya2Fairlie

you are likely wrong.

The Arab League?GCC has the situation in hand and will secure the country and provide leadership to implement a new government.

Turkey will also have a major part. Obama is irrelevant


44 posted on 07/19/2012 6:18:37 PM PDT by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... Present failure and impending death yield irrational action))
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To: bert

We’ll see.


45 posted on 07/19/2012 6:32:54 PM PDT by Aleya2Fairlie
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To: Owl558

You clearly did not read his post correctly. He does not say that Alawites are christian, he says that once they will be wiped out, THEN it will be open season on the christians in Syria. And there are MANY christians living in Syria....


46 posted on 07/19/2012 7:28:27 PM PDT by hannibaal
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To: The Antiyuppie

NO shit~

I’ve been wondering whose side the government is on for the past 20 years......


47 posted on 07/19/2012 8:54:53 PM PDT by Segovia
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To: justa-hairyape
To answer that you need to ponder another question. Why are we doing the Saudi's bidding? Check my tagline.
48 posted on 07/20/2012 6:15:57 AM PDT by meatloaf (Support Senate S 1863 & House Bill 1380 to eliminate oil slavery.)
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To: meatloaf

It could be the oil. It could be because they own obama. It could be because we have done it for at least 20 years.


49 posted on 07/20/2012 6:54:50 AM PDT by sport
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To: Tailgunner Joe
I make this point to idiot Libs all the time they are so stupid and don't realize the President needs congressional approval to go to war. I guess Oprah did not cover that.
50 posted on 07/20/2012 7:00:29 AM PDT by angcat (Without Valor there is no hope.)
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To: sport

Would we do it if we didn’t need the oil?


51 posted on 07/20/2012 8:12:42 AM PDT by meatloaf (Support Senate S 1863 & House Bill 1380 to eliminate oil slavery.)
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To: meatloaf

If we utilized our own, we would not need theirs. But then again, that does not fit the agenda of those who wish to destroy us.


52 posted on 07/20/2012 8:43:05 AM PDT by sport
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To: sport

A least in WV, the governor is taking steps to utilize natural gas fueled state vehicles. From what I’ve read Utah is also ahead of the nation.


53 posted on 07/20/2012 10:39:40 AM PDT by meatloaf (Support Senate S 1863 & House Bill 1380 to eliminate oil slavery.)
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To: meatloaf

In Florida, GTE, the telephone company was using naturasal gas to run its vehicles in the 60s. Then in the 80s 0r 90s they stopped for some reason. Also farmers used to use natural gas to run their tractors. This was earlier than 1955.They called it LP gas.


54 posted on 07/20/2012 1:13:21 PM PDT by sport
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