Zero Hedge In Shocking, Viral Interview, Qatar Confesses Secrets Behind Syrian War

A television interview of a top Qatari official confessing the truth behind the origins of the war in Syria is going viral across Arabic social media during the same week a leaked top secret NSA document was published which confirms that the armed opposition in Syria was under the direct command of foreign governments from the early years of the conflict.

And according to a well-known Syria analyst and economic adviser with close contacts in the Syrian government, the explosive interview constitutes a high level "public admission to collusion and coordination between four countries to destabilize an independent state, [including] possible support for Nusra/al-Qaeda." Importantly, "this admission will help build case for what Damascus sees as an attack on its security & sovereignty. It will form basis for compensation claims."

As the war in Syria continues slowly winding down, it seems new source material comes out on an almost a weekly basis in the form of testimonials of top officials involved in destabilizing Syria, and even occasional leaked emails and documents which further detail covert regime change operations against the Assad government. Though much of this content serves to confirm what has already long been known by those who have never accepted the simplistic propaganda which has dominated mainstream media, details continue to fall in place, providing future historians with a clearer picture of the true nature of the war.

This process of clarity has been aided - as predicted - by the continued infighting among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) former allies Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with each side accusing the other of funding Islamic State and al-Qaeda terrorists (ironically, both true). Increasingly, the world watches as more dirty laundry is aired and the GCC implodes after years of nearly all the gulf monarchies funding jihadist movements in places like Syria, Iraq, and Libya....

"Shocking" refers to the admission rather than the events, which were widely suspected, with some evidence already available.

Now that the war seems to be winding down, the question of who is going to pay to rebuild Syria arises. Syria will be seeking compensation.

Zero Hedge

In Shocking, Viral Interview, Qatar Confesses Secrets Behind Syrian War
Tyler Durden

Nauman Sadiq — The US takes Rebranded Al-Nusra Front off Terror Watch-lists

Shell games in the snake pit.

According to a recent report by CBC Canada, al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, which was formerly known as al-Nusra Front and then Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (JFS) since July 2016, has been removed from the terror watch-lists of the US and Canada after it merged with fighters from Zenki Brigade and hardline jihadists from Ahrar al-Sham and rebranded itself as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in January this year.… 

Thus, this rebranding exercise has been going on for quite some time. Al-Julani announced the split from al-Qaeda in a video statement last year. But the persistent efforts of al-Julani’s Gulf-based patrons have borne fruit only in January this year, when al-Nusra Front once again rebranded itself from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (JFS) to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which also includes “moderate” jihadists from Zenki Brigade, Ahrar al-Sham and several other militant groups, and thus, the US State Department has finally given a clean chit to the jihadist conglomerate that goes by the name of Tahrir al-Sham to pursue its ambitions of toppling the Assad regime in Syria.

Oriental review
The US takes Rebranded Al-Nusra Front off Terror Watch-lists
Nauman Sadiq

Max Blumenthal and Ben Norton — CNN Hired Top al-Qaeda Propagandist for Award-Winning Syria Documentary and Wants to Cover Its Tracks

Star CNN correspondent Clarissa Ward worked with al-Qaeda “media man” Bilal Abdul Kareem to gain access to her “heroes on the ground.”

Hey, if the CIA and US military can work with AQ, why not the media?

AlterNet
CNN Hired Top al-Qaeda Propagandist for Award-Winning Syria Documentary and Wants to Cover Its Tracks
Max Blumenthal and Ben Norton

See also

Yet Another Video Shows U.S.-Funded White Helmets Assisting Public Executions in Rebel-Held Syria

Matthew Allen — The Blame Game Begins: Obama Administration Says Syrian Rebels Encouraged US to 'Work with' Al Qaeda

Smell that? Yes, that's the magnificent aroma of Washington trying to cover its ass now that its brilliant strategy of "arming human scum and shipping them into Syria by the Toyota-load" has failed miserably.

Here is Obama's Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes talking about the horrible moral dilemma Washington faced while arming random (but "moderate"!) weirdos in Syria:

What’s strange is, I met with the Syrian opposition, and often they would argue that we should work with al-Nusra, who we know is Al Qaeda. And I’m sympathetic if you’re in a neighborhood where al-Nusra is defending you against Assad. You want us to work with them. But let’s say a U.S. president does that, and then al-Nusra is using weapons that we gave them against us. That’s something you never recover from, right?

"We didn't want to directly/indirectly aid al-Nusra — and even if we sometimes did, by accident, the 'moderate' rebels made us do it!"

We remember employing a similar line of argument ... in first grade....

"The devil made me do it."

Washington's grand vision for Syria (a failed state that can be used to destabilize Iran and train psychos to send eastward, with their final destination being Russia) has failed. And the ass-covering begins....

Arming terrorists is state sponsorship of terrorism.

The Bush administration will be remembered for officially sanctioning torture and rendition. The Obama administration will be remember for arming terrorists of the same organization that attacked the US on 9/11.

Russia Insider
The Blame Game Begins: Obama Administration Says Syrian Rebels Encouraged US to 'Work with' Al Qaeda

Matthew Allen

Also

Politico
What Worries Ben Rhodes About Trump

Michael Crowley

Finian Cunningham — West Spins Again to Sabotage Syria Ceasefire

Having no shame for telling systematic lies about the strategic battle for Aleppo, the Western mainstream media are at it again – this time concerning renewed violence near the Syrian capital, Damascus.

European news media outlets in particular are claiming that the Syrian government forces are now applying «siege tactics as they previously did in Aleppo» in order to capture militant strongholds northwest of Damascus.…

Syrian government forces are mounting operations northwest of Damascus because the area is held by extremist groups dominated by Al Nusra Front, whom the West ambiguously describes as «rebels».

Furthermore, what is adding urgency to the campaign to retake the area around Wadi Barada is that the militants are contaminating the main drinking-water supply to the capital, some 30 kilometers away. Up to four million people in Damascus are cut off from water supplies because the jihadists in and around Wadi Barada have reportedly poisoned vital groundwater sources with diesel and other pollutants.

So, in contrast to Western media spin, it is the anti-government insurgents who are trying to hold the capital under siege through a massive act of terrorism, by shutting off drinking water to the entire population….

Blame it on Assad and the Putin.

A casual consumer of European news outlets, however, would be oblivious to this vital background. Indeed, the news consumer is apt to conclude that it is the Syrian governments forces, and by extension their Russian ally, who are perpetrating violations and undermining peace efforts.…

Ironically, it should be noted, Euronews declares the following mission statement on its company website: «Our duty is to give you the right amount of information so you can form your own opinion about the world».

The US media just ignores it on the other hand.

Much more in the post, too.

Strategic Culture Foundation

West Spins Again to Sabotage Syria Ceasefire
Finian Cunningham, Irish journalist and writer, and Global Research's Middle East and East Africa Correspondent

Patrick Henningsen — New Obama Executive Order Opens Door for Unlimited Arms to Islamist Terrorists in Syria

Obama loses it, does stupid shit.

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama issued a White House memorandum (see full text below) to both the US State and Defense departments which waives any arms export control restrictions on providing ‘military assistance’ to any and all ‘foreign forces’ in Syria, according to a White House press release issued today. Presumably, this includes not only guns and ammuniation, but also lethal TOW Missiles and RPGs (and anti-aircraft units?) for tens of thousands of extremist foreign fighters and salafi terrorists currently operating inside Syria, as well as thousands of US-trained and equipped fighters waiting in camp in both Turkey and Jordan.

This desperate move by Obama can only mean two things. Firstly, it demonstrates that the US and its allies are doggedly determined to prolong one the bloodiest and dirtiest wars in recent history. Secondly, it signals a last-ditch act of desperation on the part of a President who will be viewed as a perennial loser in a failed proxy war that lasted over 5 years, costing tens of billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of lives.

21st Century Wire
BREAKING: New Obama Executive Order Opens Door for Unlimited Arms to Islamist Terrorists in Syria
Patrick Henningsen

Assad Abu Khalil — Moderate rebels trained by U.S. Green Berets turn out to be Jihadists

"For months now, SOFREP has been writing a series of articles about how badly things are going for the Special Forces soldiers assigned to covert and clandestine programs in Syria, Turkey, and Jordan." "However, the Green Berets assigned to this mission are outraged for another reason: many of the “moderate” rebels they are charged with training are actually ISIS and al-Nusra collaborators." "However, the article also glosses over the complaints that Green Berets have made about the Timber Sycamore program in which “moderate” rebels actually turn out to be Jihadists." When confronted with this story, Liz Sly of the Washington Post commented: but those are liberal and secular Jihadis, no?

Liz Sly doesn't realize that "liberal and secular Jihadis" is an oxymoron. She and the Washington Post show the depths of ignorance in which the US mainstream is mired. It would be laughable if it were not so serious.

At the beginning of the Iraq War, the Bushies didn't understand the difference between Sunni and Shia Islam. Same with the canard that Iran is the major exporter of terrorism when the jihadis of all stripes are funded and supported by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which are Wahhabi and Salafi states. These are Sunni factions rather than Shia. They are enemies of Iran, as is Saudi Arabia, and Qatar and Israel, who are allied against Iran and using jihadis as proxies in conjunction with the US, UK and EU.

Angry Arab News Service
Moderate rebels trained by U.S. Green Berets turn out to be Jihadists
Assad Abu Khalil | Professor of Political Science, California State University, Stanislaus

Rudy Panko — BBC on Suicide Watch After Aleppo Civilians Seek Safety of Syrian Army

As the Syrian army continues to drive into the "moderate rebel" stronghold of East Aleppo, responsible western news outlets have been faced with the daunting, seemingly impossible task of turning the liberation of tens of thousands of civilians into a dark day for humanity.

Russia Insider
BBC on Suicide Watch After Aleppo Civilians Seek Safety of Syrian Army

Rudy Panko

also

Vladimir Putin instructed the Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief to set up field hospitals in Syria with a view to providing medical assistance to the residents of Aleppo and nearby territories. This task is to be implemented within the shortest possible timeframe as per the decision of the President.

President of Russia
Instruction to Defence Ministry and Emergencies Ministry on setting up field hospitals in Aleppo

Moon of Alabama — Nusra On The Run - Trump Induces First Major Policy Change On Syria

While Obama met Trump in the oval office, new policies, prepared beforehand, were launched. The policies were held back until after the election and would likely not have been revealed or implemented if Clinton had won.…

This is a major change in U.S. policy. Nusra will from now on be on the run not only from Russian and Syrian attacks but also from the intelligence and military capabilities of the United States.…

Obama, obviously as a direct consequence of the Trump election, now ordered the Pentagon to wage war on al-Qaeda in Syria just as the Russians do. This after five years of nearly unlimited U.S. support for al-Qaeda and its "moderate" Syrian affiliates. It is not yet know what new orders, if any, Obama gave to the CIA. Will the CIA follow these policies or will it (again) try to counter the Pentagon policies in Syria?…

Moon of Alabama
Nusra On The Run - Trump Induces First Major Policy Change On Syria

See also

EA World View
Syria Analysis: Obama Declares Fight is With “Terrorists” Rather Than Assad

Scott Lucas | Professor of International Politics at the University of Birmingham and editor-in-chief of EA WorldView

Sic Semper Tyrannis
Obama has overruled the pro-nusra faction in his government ...
Col. W. Patrick Lang, US Army (ret.), former military intelligence officer at the US Defense Intelligence Agency

Scott Horton — Washington Post: Up Until The Other Day US Syria Policy Was High Treason

Obama finally seems to have concluded that using terrorists as proxies against Assad is unfruitful.

The Libertarian Institute
Washington Post: Up Until The Other Day US Syria Policy Was High Treason
Scott Horton

RT — No one allowed to leave: Militants shell East Aleppo exit route as humanitarian pause ends

So much for that. It was a forgone conclusion, but Russia and Syria were wise to call the Western bluff, although Russia and Syria are being blamed anyway.

RT
No one allowed to leave: Militants shell East Aleppo exit route as humanitarian pause ends


Backgrounder on Mosul. Another mess.

Defend Democracy Press
Mosul’s Frightening and Uncertain Future
Patrick Cockburn

Patrick Bahzad — Showdown in Aleppo

Syria expert Patrick Bahzad explains the background. Russia has it right. The US has separated the "moderate rebels" from Al Qaeda affiliates, and now the Al Qaeda faction has control of the rebel-held territory in Aleppo that the Syrian government and its allies are attacking and attempting to eject.

Sic Simper Tyrannis
Showdown in Aleppo
Patrick Bahzad

Moon of Alabama — Todenhöfer: Interview With Al-Nusra Commander "The Americans stand on our side"

This interview by Jürgen Todenhöfer was first published in German on September 26 2016 by the Kölner Stadtanzeiger, the major newspaper in the Cologne region. (The interview was copied and translated to English by Bernhard for educational and academic purposes.)... 

Moon of AlabamaTodenhöfer: Interview With Al-Nusra Commander "The Americans stand on our side"

Also

Damascus has a recording of conversations between the American military and Islamic State terrorists ahead of the US-led coalition airstrike that hit Syrian troops near Deir ez-Zor on September 17, the speaker of the People's Council of Syria said.

RT
Damascus has proof US talked to ISIS militants ahead of airstrike on Syrian forces – lawmaker

And this.

Gordon Duff is not a reliable source in the opinion of many, so I usually do not post what he writes.

The following post is inflammatory, but it has an element of truth to it. In fact, Scott Adams suggested that this element was the basis of jihad recruiting and the issue is really based on Islamic sexual repression.

Anyway, make of it what you want.

NEO
The CIA Sex Mercenary Army

Gordon Duff

Also

Now, reports are emerging that Israeli Mossad agents and other foreign military officers were killed in Aleppo on Tuesday in a Russian missile strike fired by Russian warships. On September 22, 2016, Russian and Iranian state media both claimed some “30 Israeli and Western officers” died when they were hit by three Kalibr cruise missiles fired by Russian warships in a “foreign officers’ coordination operations room” in western Aleppo, near Mount Simeon.

According to the Arabic version of Russia’s Sputnik news, military officials from the United States, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Turkey were also killed in the strike. These countries are staunch members of the anti-Assad alliance, and as a result, it isn’t surprising to learn their agents might have been on the ground in Syria. 

As reported by the Times of Israel, at the time of this article’s publication, the Israeli government is yet to confirm or deny these reports. Thus far, only Russian and Iranian media have advanced the claim.

Anti-Media

Russian Media Claims “30 Israeli and Western Officers” Killed in Syria

Alexander Mercouris — US rages as Russia calls its Syrian bluff

Following the collapse of the ceasefire, and with the forcible imposition of a no-fly zone for all practical purposes ruled out, the US found itself left with nothing other than Kerry’s absurd proposal that Russia and Syria impose a no-fly zone on themselves. The moment the Russians rejected this proposal – as they were bound to do – the US found itself left with literally nothing at all.

It is this impotence to effect militarily the course of the battle of Aleppo – an impotence which British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has admitted – which is behind the furious denunciations we are now hearing as the US and its allies scramble desperately to try to get the Russians to call the battle off, saving their Jihadi proteges in Aleppo from total defeat and themselves from the humiliation of the public failure of their strategy.

The Duran

US rages as Russia calls its Syrian bluff

Alexander Mercouris

South Front — Al Nusra Launches Rebranding Campaign To Depict Itself “Moderate Opposition” And Avoid Air Strikes

More disinformation, as Al Qaeda affiliated Al Nusra rebrands itself as Jabhat Fateh Al Sham, or Sham Liberation Front. Well chosen name, since it is indeed a sham that is reminiscent of Blackwater rebranding itself as XE (209) and then Academie (2011), after becoming infamous. This is looking like a shell game or three card monte — where are the bad guys?

South Front

Al Nusra Launches Rebranding Campaign To Depict Itself “Moderate Opposition” And Avoid Air Strikes

Conn Hallinan — So Why Did Turkey Shoot Down That Russian Plane?

Good summary of the situation in the Middle East. Much more than the shoot down. Ties it all together. Yes, it is a snake pit.

Foreign Policy In Focus
So Why Did Turkey Shoot Down That Russian Plane?
Conn Hallinan

Dan Sanchez — They Sow The Cyclone - We Reap The Blowback

How the US created jihadism beginning over forty years ago under the aegis of Henry Kissinger and then Zbigniew Brzezinski down to the present. A sordid tale of intrigue, deceit, and mayhem. You can't make this stuff up.

AntiWar
They Sow The Cyclone - We Reap The Blowback
Dan Sanchez
Also published at DanSanchez.me and Medium.com