How can anyone who called for support of ISIS have any credibility anywhere but in NYT? Clealrly suffering from the Napoleonic, short-man, complex Friedman is projecting his evil thoughts on Q. Soleimani. Some years ago someone suggested writing a compare/contrast essay on QS and that compulsive fornicator Petraeus (analogous to the classic essay Grant v. Lee) whose idiotic policies assisted in the rise of ISIS and Sunni militancy in Iraq. Perhaps it's not too late!
Another amusing idea coming from a shrinking empire: Saudis and Emiratis are forced to hire African mercenaries, particularly Chadians, to do their dirty work in Yemen and elsewhere. As noted, all these desperate attempts will fail.
It took Nasser over 25000 dead Egyptians before he put his tail between his legs and ran away from Yemen in the 60s. The Wahhabis need to lose a few thousands and billions $$ of losses before MbS puts his tail between his legs and seeks refuge in Paris.
Months of negotiations were wasted on the Salafis in Ghouta; if they truly care about the civilians, they should take advantage of the government’s offer of amnesty. The ultimate cause of mayhem are the Saudis.
Erdogan is more upset at losing the trucks stealing Syrian oil than anything else. His son Bilal is an owner of the transportation company. "What happens to my son's inheritance now?"
Donald is doing what is common in all GOP primaries: stay to the Right of Attila the Hun, or in the more colorful language of Gov. Wallace many years ago: "I'll never be out-nig*ered again!"
We in the West have dealt with, and at times enabled, far worse monsters than Assad. So, setting such precondition is to fall into the Saudis' trap, who themselves are among the monsters. Besides, nations don't have permanent allies.
Let's hope that the Neocons and the other members of the Fifth Column won't be able to hijack this potential alliance and direct it toward the same failed, but murderous, goals.
When certain governments attempt to destabilize other governments they should expect blowback. Only fools and those in the corridors of powers are oblivious to this simple cause and effect relationship. Terrorism cannot be used selectively to pursue national interests.
That Daesh would claim credit even for the Chicago Fire, if it could, is understandable; however, slipping a barometric device thru some lax security is worthy of consideration, e.g. The Saudi mosque frequented by the intelligence unit etc.
The same delusion of finding "moderates" in Syria is afflicting the State and Defense Depts. in their search for the cooperative tribal Sunnis in Iraq. These Neocon-inspired delusions must be abandoned, if we care about American interests. Trying to find a unicorn will be more realistic.
It seems that finally Mr. Obama has realized the futility of seeing Turkey as an "ally", whose presence both in EU and NATO has been more detrimental than beneficial: dumping the refugees on other countries' doorsteps, supporting Daesh, and hindering NATO moves are just a few of their shenanigans. The game is certainly not worth the candle.
Yes he does! Unlike those draft dodgers who had no compunction about sending our youths to their deaths in all corners of the planet, he is staying out of a war which has nothing to do with us and American interests. Why should we support all these decrepit monarchies of the Gulf? Let them work it out, with or without Russian help!
The isolationist policy which some people have been advocating for decades may finally be realized. Let's hope that the American military will no longer be used as an arm of multinational corporations or in defense of indefensible regimes around the world.
As the old saying goes, the only 'moderates' fighting the Syrian government are those who have run out of bullets. Fortunately, the Russians are not fooled by pretenses and promises and we see the effectiveness of their actions so far. The same people in the US administration who actively participated in undermining the Syrian state are still in their world of delusions in the State Dept.
A convincing analysis! It should be added that the potential emergence of a Saudi-Turkey axis dominating the ME was an impetus for Iran deal as well. If no deal, both the West as well as Russia would have been boxed out of any meaningful presence in the ME. Thankfully, both Obama and Putin saw through this ruse. The last thing one wants is a ME dominated by Wahhabis or the MB and their affiliates.
Finally, Mr. Trump said something sensible. Perhaps he has noticed, unlike most, that the Saudis and Turks are supporting ISIS and are only waging a phony war in Syria. By freeing the govt.'s forces, they can fight a real war on this Saudi-created cancer called ISIS. I also suggest reading M. Scheuer's new blog on this matter.
That Bibi had to go to Moscow is a clear indication of a weakening positioning. His wings, as well those of others, were nicely clipped by Putin. As for the "inadvertent" nature of the assassination of the Iranian general, it's not that certain. It happened at a crucial moment during the nuclear negotiations and could have been a provocation to derail the negotiations, very much in line with the false-flag operations in Baluchistan and the asinine "plot" to kill al-Jubeir in the US.
This is an excellent move by the Russians which will inevitably make everyone else to be more serious. In the long run it will also serve as a good lesson to those countries that believe they can destabilize other governments with impunity.
For some time I believed that Bibi was just being an errand boy for the Saudis, but after observing his erratic ways I have concluded that he's fully unhinged.
It's interesting that the poorer countries, Turkey et al., are pushing for it while the richer, oil-producers are at best lukewarm. Could this be another strategy for the poorer countries to "shake down" their richer co-religionists? (Too cynical?)
As it has been argued on numerous occasions, Turkey, due to its historical and political developments, should not be a member of NATO and EU. The values adhered to by the Turks, as manifested by AKP, are contrary to those of Western democracies.
May I remind everyone that each trainee cost the U.S. tax payers an average of $4million (per person!!!!!) There is no solution to this quagmire but supporting Assad and dumping the delusional AKP.
Untrue, Dr. Cole has roots in Mars and little green men. Isn't it amazing that one is either accused of being an anti-semite or a crypto-Zionist, depending on the issue?
Salman is a gift that keeps on giving. Not unlike his amateurish involvement in Yemen, this will turn out to be another disaster, which should make all decent people very happy.
Don't forget that not long ago Davutoglu described ISIS thus:
"The structure called ISIL, in its core, could be viewed as a terrorized, radical group, but people joined there ... we should know it like this. Previous discontent, anger, discrimination and insults gave birth to a wide reaction in a big front."
With friends like this, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Israel, who needs enemies?
One wonders if there's a connection between the nuclear agreement and the "sudden" movements by the Turks and Saudis to get "serious" about fighting ISIS? Did the White House call their bluff? After all murdering the Shias and Kurds by ISIS has been going on for some time.
After the fiasco in Tikrit where the brave Shiis were dicouraged to continue their further advance, finally the US administration and the skeptics in Iraqi government have learned their lessons. Why should the Shiis risk their lives and treasures to protect a population who is, at best, unreliable? The Sunni tribes have to accept the new realities of Iraq and Syria and adapt. Otherwise, their future is quite bleak. Ramadi, which soon will be liberated by the Popular Moblization, should serve as a reminder to the inhabitants of the other cities in Anbar.
His childish outbursts are inevitably the results of his repeated failures to torpedo the negotiations. Zarif, if he wanted, could have made plenty of jokes about in-breeding in Arkansas and the unfortunate monstrosities which result from this practice, but thankfully he did not.
The way things are progressing on the ground, the demographics will be changing soon and the Sunni population will be, mainly, settled in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Gulf countries, and Jordan as they share so much with them, viz. culturally, religiously, and politically. In the long-run there will be a more or less autonomous Kurdistan, a much deserved outcome.
This is a direct outcome of interference by Riyadh, with the complicity of Washington. Why should the Shi'is and Kurds sacrifice their blood and treasure defending the Sunnis whose allegiance is, at best, questionable? Unfortunately, Washington has succumbed, once again, to the mendacious Saudis by pressuring the Iraqis not to advance too quickly against ISIS--viz. the so-called 'stalling' of Tikrit operations a few weeks ago. The truly 'devilish' natures of the policy makers in D.C. And Riyadh must be countered, as done by Shi'is, by allowing the reduction of the number of those perceived as disloyal to the majority of the population of Iraq.
This madness, not unlike ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Taliban, will end when the Saudi regime is finally overthrown, not a distant eventuality. The Wahhabis of Riyadh are so terrified that they'll inevitably continue with their desperate efforts to stay in power; however, since they will never be involved in a ground war--fear and incompetence--they would like to involve the Pakistanis or Turks. Needless to say, the latter will blackmail the Saudis without giving them anything in return.
Absolutely correct in your analysis, Dr. Cole! The idea of a peaceful Israel living peaceably with its neighbors is anathematic to everything Bibi and the Right (in Israel and USA) stand for. Many years ago M. Buber offered a condominium of Arabs and Jews in the Holy Land, which, ironically, was supported by the Iranian author J. Al-e Ahmad--a darling of the conservatives in Tehran (see his Journey to the Realm of Azrael).
Israel could have made friends with the Shi'is in Lebanon had Shamir-Sharon gang shown a modicum of intelligence in the early 80s.
Petraeus, the compulsive fornicator, is back in Iraq to engineer another disaster, as if the fruits of his previous designs are not horrible enough. The inanity of the man and the U.S. mercenary forces prevents them from realizing that it was his so-called "success" that served as the incubation period for the Sunni militants, founded by Saudis and the other degenerate Sheikhdoms of the Gulf--with the assistance of other U.S. allies.
He should be recalled so that he can pen another biography or work on another female assistant who'll be sharpening his pencil.
Some years ago Elliot Abrams noted that (paraphrasing) the only country that Jews should care about is Israel, i.e. not the countries into which they have wandered. So, it should come as no surprise that Friedman and his ilk have finally revealed their true natures. "Truthful" Tom, who must be included with the other 47 "traitors", also conveniently ignores the fact that it was the US-supported groups in Afghanistan which morphed into the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. We all suffered the blow back from those shortsighted policies of the 80s on 9/11 and beyond.
The madness exhibited by Friedman seems to be the result of his frustration, not unlike Bibi's, in dealing with the real world; history has its own march and anachronistic and anti-historical regimes, such as the Apartheid regime in Palestine, are on the losing side of this march.
Sooner or later, ISIS will be eliminated, but what's next? For the last 4 decades we have experienced the Taliban, Al-Qaida, and now ISIS. The common denominators, i.a., are: they're Sunni groups; they're financed by Saudis and the other degenerate Sheikhdoms of the Gulf; and they're unwilling to compromise. The root of these malignant tumors is the Wahhabi cancer in Riyadh and something MUST be done about it. Otherwise, we must prepare ourselves for more of the same in the next few decades.
Since I haven't seen anyone talking about the Persian "translation" of the "traitors'" letter, let me share my observations on it, as I'm a student of the language: the first thing that strikes one, is the awkwardness of the style. It appears to be a job done by Google translation. It's also inaccurate on several points, clearly indicating that the translator has no familiarity with proper meanings of words in Persian.
Returning to the style--if we can even call it a style--it is redolent of a work by a student with an elementary school education. I bet the amusing letter had the folks in Tehran in stitches marveling at the inanity of the authors and translator.
Next time, may I suggest that such asinine endeavors be done with, at least, a modicum of intelligence?
Soleimani is admired and loved by the Kurds and Shi'is alike. The generals in the mercenary army of the Pentagon should kiss his @$$ and learn to grow a pair--at least collectively!
There are only a few letters differing Tikritis from Takfiris! Quite insignificant! One must always keep in mind--my Hindu friends insist--Krishna's admonitions to Arjuna about eliminating enemies.
© 2026 All Rights Reserved
Jared is doing such a good job who needs a Secretary of State at all? Let’s see what official explanation we get for the shooting in Riyadh!
How can anyone who called for support of ISIS have any credibility anywhere but in NYT? Clealrly suffering from the Napoleonic, short-man, complex Friedman is projecting his evil thoughts on Q. Soleimani. Some years ago someone suggested writing a compare/contrast essay on QS and that compulsive fornicator Petraeus (analogous to the classic essay Grant v. Lee) whose idiotic policies assisted in the rise of ISIS and Sunni militancy in Iraq. Perhaps it's not too late!
Another amusing idea coming from a shrinking empire: Saudis and Emiratis are forced to hire African mercenaries, particularly Chadians, to do their dirty work in Yemen and elsewhere. As noted, all these desperate attempts will fail.
It took Nasser over 25000 dead Egyptians before he put his tail between his legs and ran away from Yemen in the 60s. The Wahhabis need to lose a few thousands and billions $$ of losses before MbS puts his tail between his legs and seeks refuge in Paris.
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
Sun Tzu (Q. Soleimani!!!!)
Does someone need a refresher course on Sun Tzu and Machiavelli? To the victors belongs ......
Months of negotiations were wasted on the Salafis in Ghouta; if they truly care about the civilians, they should take advantage of the government’s offer of amnesty. The ultimate cause of mayhem are the Saudis.
Filth will rub off on you when ‘live’ with a pig.
Very good. Your sense of humor is improving too! Lol
The best service rendered by this ponzi king is the ushering in of a multipolar world.
Excellent developments all the way! The next step will be to topple the House of Saud.
One definition of insanity is .......
Erdogan is more upset at losing the trucks stealing Syrian oil than anything else. His son Bilal is an owner of the transportation company. "What happens to my son's inheritance now?"
Donald is doing what is common in all GOP primaries: stay to the Right of Attila the Hun, or in the more colorful language of Gov. Wallace many years ago: "I'll never be out-nig*ered again!"
We in the West have dealt with, and at times enabled, far worse monsters than Assad. So, setting such precondition is to fall into the Saudis' trap, who themselves are among the monsters. Besides, nations don't have permanent allies.
Let's hope that the Neocons and the other members of the Fifth Column won't be able to hijack this potential alliance and direct it toward the same failed, but murderous, goals.
When certain governments attempt to destabilize other governments they should expect blowback. Only fools and those in the corridors of powers are oblivious to this simple cause and effect relationship. Terrorism cannot be used selectively to pursue national interests.
Daesh should have no fear as our good "allies" Turkey and Saudi Arabia will soon start bombing the Kurdish forces!!!!!
Bibi is acting like a sulking, disappointed child. There are many ways a nation can commit suicide and electing Bibi was one of them.
It seems to be a clear sign of desperation. Good news all around!
That Daesh would claim credit even for the Chicago Fire, if it could, is understandable; however, slipping a barometric device thru some lax security is worthy of consideration, e.g. The Saudi mosque frequented by the intelligence unit etc.
Indubitably, the fabled Sunni tribes sought by a credulous State Dept. will come to our aid on these occasions--some day!!!!
The same delusion of finding "moderates" in Syria is afflicting the State and Defense Depts. in their search for the cooperative tribal Sunnis in Iraq. These Neocon-inspired delusions must be abandoned, if we care about American interests. Trying to find a unicorn will be more realistic.
It seems that finally Mr. Obama has realized the futility of seeing Turkey as an "ally", whose presence both in EU and NATO has been more detrimental than beneficial: dumping the refugees on other countries' doorsteps, supporting Daesh, and hindering NATO moves are just a few of their shenanigans. The game is certainly not worth the candle.
The good senator is auditioning for a job as a Saudi lobbyist to pay off his campaign debts--FYI.
Yes he does! Unlike those draft dodgers who had no compunction about sending our youths to their deaths in all corners of the planet, he is staying out of a war which has nothing to do with us and American interests. Why should we support all these decrepit monarchies of the Gulf? Let them work it out, with or without Russian help!
The isolationist policy which some people have been advocating for decades may finally be realized. Let's hope that the American military will no longer be used as an arm of multinational corporations or in defense of indefensible regimes around the world.
As the old saying goes, the only 'moderates' fighting the Syrian government are those who have run out of bullets. Fortunately, the Russians are not fooled by pretenses and promises and we see the effectiveness of their actions so far. The same people in the US administration who actively participated in undermining the Syrian state are still in their world of delusions in the State Dept.
A convincing analysis! It should be added that the potential emergence of a Saudi-Turkey axis dominating the ME was an impetus for Iran deal as well. If no deal, both the West as well as Russia would have been boxed out of any meaningful presence in the ME. Thankfully, both Obama and Putin saw through this ruse. The last thing one wants is a ME dominated by Wahhabis or the MB and their affiliates.
Finally, Mr. Trump said something sensible. Perhaps he has noticed, unlike most, that the Saudis and Turks are supporting ISIS and are only waging a phony war in Syria. By freeing the govt.'s forces, they can fight a real war on this Saudi-created cancer called ISIS. I also suggest reading M. Scheuer's new blog on this matter.
That Bibi had to go to Moscow is a clear indication of a weakening positioning. His wings, as well those of others, were nicely clipped by Putin. As for the "inadvertent" nature of the assassination of the Iranian general, it's not that certain. It happened at a crucial moment during the nuclear negotiations and could have been a provocation to derail the negotiations, very much in line with the false-flag operations in Baluchistan and the asinine "plot" to kill al-Jubeir in the US.
This is an excellent move by the Russians which will inevitably make everyone else to be more serious. In the long run it will also serve as a good lesson to those countries that believe they can destabilize other governments with impunity.
For some time I believed that Bibi was just being an errand boy for the Saudis, but after observing his erratic ways I have concluded that he's fully unhinged.
It's interesting that the poorer countries, Turkey et al., are pushing for it while the richer, oil-producers are at best lukewarm. Could this be another strategy for the poorer countries to "shake down" their richer co-religionists? (Too cynical?)
As it has been argued on numerous occasions, Turkey, due to its historical and political developments, should not be a member of NATO and EU. The values adhered to by the Turks, as manifested by AKP, are contrary to those of Western democracies.
May I remind everyone that each trainee cost the U.S. tax payers an average of $4million (per person!!!!!) There is no solution to this quagmire but supporting Assad and dumping the delusional AKP.
Untrue, Dr. Cole has roots in Mars and little green men. Isn't it amazing that one is either accused of being an anti-semite or a crypto-Zionist, depending on the issue?
Salman is a gift that keeps on giving. Not unlike his amateurish involvement in Yemen, this will turn out to be another disaster, which should make all decent people very happy.
Don't forget that not long ago Davutoglu described ISIS thus:
"The structure called ISIL, in its core, could be viewed as a terrorized, radical group, but people joined there ... we should know it like this. Previous discontent, anger, discrimination and insults gave birth to a wide reaction in a big front."
With friends like this, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Israel, who needs enemies?
One wonders if there's a connection between the nuclear agreement and the "sudden" movements by the Turks and Saudis to get "serious" about fighting ISIS? Did the White House call their bluff? After all murdering the Shias and Kurds by ISIS has been going on for some time.
After the fiasco in Tikrit where the brave Shiis were dicouraged to continue their further advance, finally the US administration and the skeptics in Iraqi government have learned their lessons. Why should the Shiis risk their lives and treasures to protect a population who is, at best, unreliable? The Sunni tribes have to accept the new realities of Iraq and Syria and adapt. Otherwise, their future is quite bleak. Ramadi, which soon will be liberated by the Popular Moblization, should serve as a reminder to the inhabitants of the other cities in Anbar.
His childish outbursts are inevitably the results of his repeated failures to torpedo the negotiations. Zarif, if he wanted, could have made plenty of jokes about in-breeding in Arkansas and the unfortunate monstrosities which result from this practice, but thankfully he did not.
The way things are progressing on the ground, the demographics will be changing soon and the Sunni population will be, mainly, settled in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Gulf countries, and Jordan as they share so much with them, viz. culturally, religiously, and politically. In the long-run there will be a more or less autonomous Kurdistan, a much deserved outcome.
This is a direct outcome of interference by Riyadh, with the complicity of Washington. Why should the Shi'is and Kurds sacrifice their blood and treasure defending the Sunnis whose allegiance is, at best, questionable? Unfortunately, Washington has succumbed, once again, to the mendacious Saudis by pressuring the Iraqis not to advance too quickly against ISIS--viz. the so-called 'stalling' of Tikrit operations a few weeks ago. The truly 'devilish' natures of the policy makers in D.C. And Riyadh must be countered, as done by Shi'is, by allowing the reduction of the number of those perceived as disloyal to the majority of the population of Iraq.
This madness, not unlike ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Taliban, will end when the Saudi regime is finally overthrown, not a distant eventuality. The Wahhabis of Riyadh are so terrified that they'll inevitably continue with their desperate efforts to stay in power; however, since they will never be involved in a ground war--fear and incompetence--they would like to involve the Pakistanis or Turks. Needless to say, the latter will blackmail the Saudis without giving them anything in return.
Absolutely correct in your analysis, Dr. Cole! The idea of a peaceful Israel living peaceably with its neighbors is anathematic to everything Bibi and the Right (in Israel and USA) stand for. Many years ago M. Buber offered a condominium of Arabs and Jews in the Holy Land, which, ironically, was supported by the Iranian author J. Al-e Ahmad--a darling of the conservatives in Tehran (see his Journey to the Realm of Azrael).
Israel could have made friends with the Shi'is in Lebanon had Shamir-Sharon gang shown a modicum of intelligence in the early 80s.
Petraeus, the compulsive fornicator, is back in Iraq to engineer another disaster, as if the fruits of his previous designs are not horrible enough. The inanity of the man and the U.S. mercenary forces prevents them from realizing that it was his so-called "success" that served as the incubation period for the Sunni militants, founded by Saudis and the other degenerate Sheikhdoms of the Gulf--with the assistance of other U.S. allies.
He should be recalled so that he can pen another biography or work on another female assistant who'll be sharpening his pencil.
Some years ago Elliot Abrams noted that (paraphrasing) the only country that Jews should care about is Israel, i.e. not the countries into which they have wandered. So, it should come as no surprise that Friedman and his ilk have finally revealed their true natures. "Truthful" Tom, who must be included with the other 47 "traitors", also conveniently ignores the fact that it was the US-supported groups in Afghanistan which morphed into the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. We all suffered the blow back from those shortsighted policies of the 80s on 9/11 and beyond.
The madness exhibited by Friedman seems to be the result of his frustration, not unlike Bibi's, in dealing with the real world; history has its own march and anachronistic and anti-historical regimes, such as the Apartheid regime in Palestine, are on the losing side of this march.
Sooner or later, ISIS will be eliminated, but what's next? For the last 4 decades we have experienced the Taliban, Al-Qaida, and now ISIS. The common denominators, i.a., are: they're Sunni groups; they're financed by Saudis and the other degenerate Sheikhdoms of the Gulf; and they're unwilling to compromise. The root of these malignant tumors is the Wahhabi cancer in Riyadh and something MUST be done about it. Otherwise, we must prepare ourselves for more of the same in the next few decades.
Since I haven't seen anyone talking about the Persian "translation" of the "traitors'" letter, let me share my observations on it, as I'm a student of the language: the first thing that strikes one, is the awkwardness of the style. It appears to be a job done by Google translation. It's also inaccurate on several points, clearly indicating that the translator has no familiarity with proper meanings of words in Persian.
Returning to the style--if we can even call it a style--it is redolent of a work by a student with an elementary school education. I bet the amusing letter had the folks in Tehran in stitches marveling at the inanity of the authors and translator.
Next time, may I suggest that such asinine endeavors be done with, at least, a modicum of intelligence?
Soleimani is admired and loved by the Kurds and Shi'is alike. The generals in the mercenary army of the Pentagon should kiss his @$$ and learn to grow a pair--at least collectively!
Haha. Finally, someone got it. By the time the dust is settled in Iraq and Syria, the Sunnis will make up 1-2 percent of the population.
There are only a few letters differing Tikritis from Takfiris! Quite insignificant! One must always keep in mind--my Hindu friends insist--Krishna's admonitions to Arjuna about eliminating enemies.