Abdo al Tallawi and his two sons and nephew were killed on 17 April 2011 in Homs by ‘armed men’. I made reference to the killings of these four people in May, 2011: http://pool.abc.net.au/media/syria-questions-must-be-asked-and-answered They were related to a good Syrian friend. In regard to Syria’s ‘Spring’, there are thousands of tragic stories to tell, many of them may seem conflicting. That is why it is vital to keep the big picture in mind. That big picture must involve a deep concern for the existence of a country – secular, independent Syria – and the lives of its 21 to 22 million inhabitants, and it must involve a rigorous search for Truth as well as genuine efforts for Peace.
Below is a basic Reference List. There are more up-to-date reference lists on other pages on this blog, but the articles and videos on this page are critical to understand some of the main players in the current crisis in Syria. It is a good time to highlight it again. (The photographs are of Australians who have attended rallies to support peaceful reform in Syria.)
REFERENCES:
Articles (online):
- Jonathon Steele, “Most Syrians back President Assad, but you’d never know from Western propaganda”, The Guardian, 17 Jan 2012, “Assad’s popularity, Arab League observers, US military involvement: all distorted in the west’s propaganda war”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/17/syrians-support-assad-western-propaganda
- Dr Jeremy Salt,”Truth about Syria: Crazy men in grey suits”, Eurasia Review, 13 Jan 2012, “The foot soldiers in the campaign to bring down the Syrian government are the armed men calling themselves the Free Syrian Army and the random armed gangs. None of them could maintain their violent campaign without outside support.”
- Patrick Coburn, “Whose hands are behind those dramatic Youtube Pictures”, The Independent, 15 Jan 2012. “..the internet has only increased the possibilities of spreading the fog of war”
- Interview with Archbishop of Aleppo, France 24, “President Bashar al-Assad is a good man”
- Aisling Byrne, ‘A Torrent of Disinformation: the NeoCon Propaganda Machine “Pushing Regime Change” in Syria’, CounterPunch 6 Jan 2012
- “MSM Propaganda on Syria, now comes the silent treatment”, by Sibel Edmonds, Counter PsyOps, 5th Jan 2011
- Interview with Dr Jeremy Salt, former Age journalist, currently an academic at a university in Turkey. RT. 4th Jan 2012 (NB: the image of fighters is most likely to have been taken in Libya, and not Syria as claimed.)
http://rt.com/news/syrians-killed-attacks-figures-193/
- Youtube video of young men kidnapped by armed men near Aleppo
- ” The ‘Arab spring’ and the west: seven lessons from history” Drawing on the British Pathé archive, Seumas Milne picks out the recurrent themes of imperial efforts to control the Middle East, The Guardian, 19th Dec 2011.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/19/arab-spring-seven-lessons-from-histor
- “Arab League mission to Syria becomes focus of demands for military intervention”, by Chris Marsden, World Socialist Web Site, 31 December 2011.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/dec2011/syri-d31.shtml
- “The march to war – Iran and the strategic encirclement of Syria and Lebanon”, by Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya, 30 December 2011, featured on Australians for Palestine webpage.
http://www.australiansforpalestine.net/56218#more-56218
- “Stratfor Challenges Narratives on Syria”, by Sharmine Narwani, 19 Dec 2011, Huff Post World http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharmine-narwani/stratfor-challenges-narra_b_1158710.html
- “Nato vs Syria”, by Philip Giraldi, 19 Dec 2011, The American Conservative http://www.theamericanconservative.com/blog/nato-vs-syria/
- Seumas Milne, “War on Iran has already begun.Act before it threatens all of us” 7 Dec 2011 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/07/iran-war-already-begun
- Tony Cartalucci “Humanitarian concerns “dressing up” the military conquest of Syria.” (re UN report on Syria), 29 November 2011 http://info-wars.org/2011/11/28/un-report-on-syria-based-on-witness-accounts-outside-of-syria/
- Amnesty International is at the forefront of the propaganda and humanitarian war against Syria. The recent appointment of Suzanne Nossel as the new Executive Director of Amnesty International USA should be raising eyebrows. Ms Nossel has worked for the US administration in the UN and Washington, and her paper on “Smart Power” apparently inspired Hilary Clinton in her 2009 Senate confirmation hearing. http://aeconomics.blogspot.com/2009/02/smart-power.html(One analysis of ‘smart power)
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/envoy/state-suzanne-nossel-named-amnesty-usa-executive-director-181113130.html (Who is Suzanne Nossel?)
NB: Challenge to Amnesty’s lack of response to Islamic extremists who support misogyny and violence in the past.
- Franklin Lamb, “Amnesty International’s Flawed Libyan and Syrian ‘Hospitals Investigation”, Opinion Maker, Oct 2011
http://www.opinion-maker.org/2011/10/amnesty-international-and-syria/#
- UN Human Rights Council Report on Syria, 23 November 2011 http://nationalpostnews.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/a-hrc-s-17-2-add1.pdf
- Jeremy Salt,”The Road to hell: Libya and now Syria”, 3 Dec 2011 (an analysis of UN Human Rights Report) http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=17293
- Alastair Crooke, “Syria and Iran: the great game”, The Guardian, 4 November 2011 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/04/syria-iran-great-game
- William Engdahl discusses US “Greater ME Plan”, analysis of “Arab Springs” and US economy, building a military bastion in ME;Russia ‘stabilizing role’; etc. 3 Nov 2011 http://www.disclose.tv/action/viewvideo/81429/William_Engdahl___Arab_Spring_a_western_ploy_to_control_Eurasia___Irina_Galushko__RT_/
- Wayne Madsen, “US Ambassador to Syria in charge of recruiting Arab/Muslim death squads”, 12th September 2011 http://www.opinion-maker.org/2011/09/u-s-ambassador-to-syria-in-charge-of-recruiting-arabmuslim-death-squads/#
- Press TV report on Sibel Edmond, FBI whistle blower, claim, “US training Syrian rebels in Turkey”, 9th December 2011
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/214641.html (NB: documentary on Sibel Edmonds, http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6063340745569143497 http://www.prisonplanet.com/us-and-nato-troops-train-on-the-syrian-border.html
- Paul Stenhouse, “For Democracy to thrive, Bashar Al-Asad needs a chance”, The Australian, 13 October 2011 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/for-democracy-to-thrive-bashar-al-assad-needs-a-chance/story-e6frg6ux-1226165234200
- Ibrahim al-Amin, “A Revolution against Resistance?”, Al-Akhbar English, 4 December 2011 http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/revolution-against-resistance
- Telegraph, “Syria: Fall of Bashar al-Assad will bring war to ME, warns Iraq” 4 December 2011 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8934317/Syria-fall-of-Bashar-al-Assad-will-bring-war-to-Middle-East-warns-Iraq.html
- Eric Margolis, “Syrian Time Bomb”, 28 November 2011 http://www.ericmargolis.com/political_commentaries/syrian-time-bomb.aspx
- Jeremy Salt, “Truth and Falsehood in Syria”, Counterpunch, 17 October 2011 http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29321.htm
- Jeremy Salt, “Turkey’s Syrian Ambit:New War in the Making” , 27 November 2011 http://www.intifada-palestine.com/2011/11/turkey%E2%80%99s-syrian-ambit-new-war-in-the-making/
- Interview with Gilbert Ashcar, Brit academic, regarding Qatar, Al-Jazeera, Syria &ME March 26, 2011 http://warincontext.org/2011/03/26/qatar-al-jazeera-and-the-middle-east/
- Fiona Hill, “Syrians deserve a better deal”, New Matilda, 17 November 2011 http://newmatilda.com/2011/11/17/syrians-deserve-better-deal
- Dr Brian Stoddart, La Trobe University academic, “The Situation in Syria; a first-hand account”, 8 Aug 2011
http://theconversation.edu.au/the-situation-in-syria-a-first-hand-account-2676″
- Jonathan Steele, “Syria needs mediation, not a push into all-out civil war” 17 November 2011 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/17/syria-mediation-arab-league-assad
- RT Question More, 2 Dec 2011. “Libyan in(ter)vention: False facts fatal for Gaddafi” (The ‘humanitarian’ war against Libya based on false or flimsy evidence.) http://rt.com/news/lybia-gaddafi-war-evidence-833/
- Paul Wood, BBC reporter, 26th November 2011 (NB His 8th December report on SBS News referred to killing of 4,000 people, but no mention of deaths of soldiers.) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15905970
- Tony Cartalucci, “Turkey Accused of Killing Kurd Leader – Trying to Trigger Civil War in Syria”, 9th October, 2011http://www.infowars.com/turkey-accused-of-killing-kurd-leader-trying-to-trigger-civil-war-in-syria/
- Alastair Crooke, “Ticking Clocks and Accidental War”, 14 October 2007 http://conflictsforum.org/2007/ticking-clocks-and-accidental-war/
- Susan Dirgham, “Fear and Horror in Syria”, October 2011 http://pool.abc.net.au/media/fear-and-horror-syria-one-persons-account
- Susan Dirgham, “Questions must be asked and answered”, May 2011 http://pool.abc.net.au/media/syria-questions-must-be-asked-and-answered
- SANA, “Armed groups attack family in Hama” December 1, 2011 http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/12/01/385323.htm
- ChamPress (News outlet in Syria) http://www.champress.net/
- Cham Press, “Media sources details of a conspiracy by Bandar Bin Sultan (former Saudi Ambassador to US and arms dealer) and Feltman (former US ambassador to Lebanon) to “destroy” Syria”, 28 March 2011 http://www.champress.net/index.php?q=en/Article/view/86507
- Michael A. Ledeen, “The War on Terror Won’t End in Baghdad”, 4 Sept 2002, from The Wall Street Journal, republished on webpage of American Enterprise Institute http://www.aei.org/article/foreign-and-defense-policy/regional/middle-east-and-north-africa/the-war-on-terror-wont-end-in-baghdad/
- Bernard Chazelle, “Bush’s Desolate Imperium” Counterpunch, Feb 2004 http://www.counterpunch.org/2004/02/01/bush-s-desolate-imperium/
- RT, “West’s Policies on Syria could ignite WW3”, Dec 2011, including interview with US analyst Lawrence Freeman (international community needs to act as a mediator.) http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29878.htm#.TtshsTjTY64.email
- William Blum, “USrael and Iran”, 3 Dec 2011, http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article29880.htm#.Ttsg77QiSHU.email
- Amnesty calls for Syria to be referred to International Criminal Court, 27 April 2011 http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/25453/
- Israel’s intentions re Syria and region? “Israel coming unhinged? A loose cannon in a volatile region” by Sharmine Narwani, Oxford Uni, Article in Huff Post Feb 7, 2010 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharmine-narwani/israel-coming-unhinged-a_b_451283.html
- Interview with Robert Fisk re the ‘truth’ and ‘reality’ about war, reference to Iraq war, April 2008 http://www.counterpunch.org/2008/04/18/quot-just-as-the-wall-is-called-a-fence-so-are-the-mercenaries-called-contractors-quot/
- Terry Jones on the drum beats of war, 8th Dec 2011, http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/06/iran-war-drums-terry-jones?CMP=twt_gu
- Who is Michael Ledeen, US commentator who beats the drums of war? (See video link below to see his interview with Lee Smith re Iran and Syria.) http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/MichaelLedeen.html
Youtube Videos:
- At a Sydney rally, Australians support Syria and condemn foreign interference http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcGQQc3KFso
- “Syria under threat”, Melbourne rally, 25 September 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS2bM0ruWSo
- “Mother Agnes Merriam Al-Saleeb From The Catholic Media Center In Syria.wmv” November 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R58xkl6IFGU
- Interview of reporter after press conference given by Syrian Foreign Minister, 28 November 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVHTdIXNZVE&feature=related
- Michael Ledeen and Lee Smith, senior editor at the Weekly Standard, discuss Iran and Syria on PJTV, 10th December, PJTV – aimed at “keeping America strong, safe and free” http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=mpg&mpid=174&load=6130
- RT, discussion with Dr Rania Masri, Lebanese academic, about Arab League decision re sanctions on Syria, 27 Nov 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDXvfNTQNZ4
- Interview with Dr Wilfred Tarpley re NATO-CIA destabilization of Syria, 29 November 2011 http://sgtreport.com/2011/11/dr-webster-tarpley-the-nato-cia-destabilization-of-syria-is-under-way/
- RT, Report on Arab League vote on sanctions, Interviews with various commentators, 17 November 2011 http://counterpsyops.com/2011/11/17/bloody-civil-war-at-hand-as-syria-under-ultimatum-video/
- Cleric Al Qaradawi, President of International Union of Muslim Scholars, gives support to Syrian National Council (opposition outside Syria; his support effectively encourages jihadists to go to Syria to fight army, which is what is happening) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_5IjdgqdMg&feature=related
- Youtube: “Sheikh Yusuf Al Qaradawi : The scum who started it” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMrUM7M2hFY
- On Al-Jazeera, “Sheik Qaradawi blesses the Syrian revolution” (Arabic, March 2011) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqCdKiydvtg
- Syrian Sunni Cleric Threatens: “We Shall Mince [The Alawites] in Meat Grinders” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwz8i3osHww&feature=related
- Mother of Sari Saoud interviewed after the killing of her son, November 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVlgn3uW608
- “Al Qaradawi praising Hitler’s anti-Semitism” Feb 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HStliOnVl6Q
- George Carlin (US comedian), “We like War”, 8 Oct 2007, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDkhzHQO7jY
- Propaganda in the American press, “How to brainwash a nation”; the work of Edward Bernays, CIA and coups, terror campaigns http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ8ZvYNlxiM
Interviews with President al-Asad
John Simpson, January 7, 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PwFBqiH6As
Charlie Rose, 27 May 2010, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3G4LrDSkuA
Books:
· “The New Lion of Damascus: Bashar Al-Asad and Modern Syria”, by David Lesch (2005), a biography of the president
· “Asad: The Struggle for the Middle East” by Patrick Seale, University of California Press (1988)
Rear Vision
ABC Radio National, Rear Vision, “Democracy in Iraq?” 23 November (A useful resource as it is a reminder of the complexity of the region and the difficulties faced by governments and people trying to fast-track ‘democracy’)
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rearvision/democracy-in-iraq/3674888#comments
360 Documentaries
Inside Syria, a report by Reece Erlich inside Syria, 10 December, 2011. (This has the voices of Syrian people expressing different views so it is valuable for that reason alone. However, Erlich does not give attention to the killings of soldiers from beginning or the terror of the ‘militia’. These things must have been referred to by many of the people interviewed; they are the main topic of conversation in the Australian Syrian community who learn about the killings, abductions and terror from their family in Syria and satellite TV. Nor does Erlich refer to the fatwas of extremist clerics and their implications for the conflict. The introduction to the report also presents the official US and allies view: “4,000 demonstrators killed by the military”.)
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/360/syria/3709714
susandirgham 