woensdag 16 november 2011
Will Syria listen to anyone as crisis grows?
Syria has faced a chorus of criticism over its eight-month crackdown on opposition protesters that has left, according to sources reporting to the U.N., at least 3,500 people dead. The regime is showing no indication it will soften its position, so will President Bashar al-Assad be open to any outside influence?
Who is criticizing Syria?
Many Western powers, notably the United States, Britain and France have condemned Syria's brutal crackdown. The regime shrugged off that criticism, but in a surprise move, 18 of the Arab League's 22 members voted on November 12 to suspend Damascus' membership of the alliance.
On Monday Jordan's King Abdullah said he would step down if he were al-Assad, a statement observers interpreted as a call for the Syrian president to do just that.
Turkey also added to the pressure Tuesday, threatening to cut off power supplies if Syria did not change course.
This criticism from regional neighbors previously considered allies is a stinging blow to al-Assad, according to Professor Fawaz Gerges, Professor of Middle Eastern Politics and International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
"Externally Syria is now more isolated than ever," Gerges told CNN. "The noose is now tightening around the neck of the regime. The loss of Turkey is a huge blow: not only are the two countries important trading partners but al-Assad and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan used to be friends -- they even took vacations together. This was not just a political relationship -- it was one based on tremendous potential between the two countries."
The Arab League's move though was the biggest shock. Gerges said its decision to suspend Syria was a "game-changer," as Syria portrays itself as the "beating heart of Arab nationalism." Consequently "the Arab League's decision resonates hugely among the Syrian people," Gerges said.
Will Syria listen to any of this external criticism?
This is the big question. According to another analyst, the regime has isolated itself internationally and is, on the face of it, taking little notice of criticism. "They think it's possible to survive on their own for a considerable amount of time until it blows over," said Chris Phillips, from the Economist Intelligence Unit. "They're relatively self-sufficient in terms of food, and they believe the Arab League won't impose such hefty sanctions as to threaten this. But they are aware that more active moves to topple them -- military or economic -- will make it difficult for them particularly if they get the U.N. to sign off on them."
The reported release of 1,000 political prisoners, Gerges said, could be an indication that the Syrian regime still believes it can influence its neighbors. What effect these external factors have on the internal dynamic is an unknown quantity though. While "the external war has been lost," internally the regime remains fairly strong, he added.
What effect would a trade embargo on Syria have?
Wide-ranging sanctions were imposed on Iraq for more than a decade, but they failed to bring down President Saddam Hussein; he was only toppled by the U.S.-backed invasion of 2003.
Syrian opposition activists are better organized than those in Iraq under Hussein, said Phillips. Sanctions could threaten the regime though if they make it harder to pay soldiers' wages: during the Libyan revolution, for example, unpaid soldiers deserted, putting extra pressure on leader Moammar Gadhafi.
The noose is now tightening around the neck of the regime. The loss of Turkey is a huge blow.
Professor Fawaz Gerges, from London School of Economics
Professor Fawaz Gerges, from London School of Economics
So can anyone influence Syria?
Russia and Iran are important factors in influencing Syria's behavior, Phillips said.
Moscow has been an ally since the Cold War and Russia's only naval base in the Mediterranean, Tartous, is in Syria. During the crisis Russia has accused the West of inciting opposition to the al-Assad government. The Kremlin is loath to back the West's position on Syria, he said, due to a feeling that its stance on Libya was misinterpreted. When Moscow declined to use its U.N. Security Council veto to block NATO military action, this was painted by some in the West as Russia giving its support to the Libyan operation.
On Tuesday Russia's foreign ministry said that it had not changed its position on Syria's political crisis, it urged all opposition groups to renounce violence and engage in peaceful dialogue with the government.
Iran is an even more important ally of Syria. Tehran has traditionally seen Syria as a gateway to the Arab world and a key supply link to its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, said Gerges. "So it's significant that Iran is reported to be establishing links to Syrian opposition groups. Even Iran is now trying to rescue its own interests."
China also used its Security Council veto to block a U.N. resolution condemning Syria, but its position is considered to be less solid than that of Russia, Phillips believes.
Despite these links, Syria is unlikely to take much notice of any of these countries. "Even if Russia said al-Assad should step down, I don't think he would," he added.
What lies behind the Arab League's move?
On one level, the Arab League is keen not to be on the wrong side of history, said Phillips. "By and large it is against popular revolutions, so the vote to suspend Syria's membership shows that it has seen the shift in public opinion, and wants to project this to its people and the wider world."
CNN's veteran Middle East correspondent Ben Wedeman sees the move in the context of the geopolitical shift during the last decade, which has seen Iran's power and influence surge.
The uprising in Syria went a long way to undercut Iran's oldest and most reliable Arab ally in Damascus, and Saturday's vote to suspend Syria from the Arab League was an added bonus.
CNN's Ben Wedeman
CNN's Ben Wedeman
"The U.S. economy -- and thus, its political clout -- is in decline," Wedeman wrote in response to Saturday's move by the Arab League. "Increasingly, America is viewed in the Middle East as an economically bankrupt, militarily and diplomatically overextended, withering superpower. In short, a huge vacuum looms in the region, and Iran could be the chief beneficiary.
"Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states are alarmed, and are eager to cut Iran down to size. The uprising in Syria went a long way to undercut Iran's oldest and most reliable Arab ally in Damascus, and Saturday's vote to suspend Syria from the Arab League was an added bonus. Syria is now isolated more than ever before, which means Iran's other allies in the region -- Hamas and Hezbollah -- could suffer, too."
How much credibility does the Arab League have?
The 66-year-old Arab League is seen by many in the Arab world as a toothless organization, said Phillips, who argues that this is why its vote to suspend Syria is so surprising. "The move does not mean it's reinventing itself. The Arab League will still be seen as the agent of brutal, corrupt regimes: of the 22 Arab League member states only three members are even vaguely democratic, and of them only Tunisia has had internationally recognized free and fair elections.
"But the decision does show that now the Gulf states may have to start recognizing the power of the ballot box in its relations with neighbors."
Why did Jordan's King Abdullah effectively call for al-Assad to quit?
Jordan has also been facing protests in the last eight months. King Abdullah's statement does not represent a genuine belief in democracy, but he is aware of the legitimacy of calling for Assad to go. He is doing it for two reasons: on the one hand he wants to realign Jordan with the West; on the other he knows the Jordanian population feels for their oppressed Syrian "cousins."
There is an opposition movement in Jordan -- if a more modest one than in Syria -- the difference is in how the governments have responded. Jordan did not respond with brute force as Assad did; and King Abdullah has appointed a new prime minister who has an image as a reformer.
What role if any does religion play in the crisis?
President al-Assad belongs to the Alawite sect while Sunni Muslims form the majority in Syria. However, the crisis should not be seen solely in sectarian terms, Gerges said. "Essentially this is a political struggle, although al-Assad is imposing a sectarian element to it. Many Syrians have been sitting on the sidelines, worried about the descent into armed sectarian violence."
But Gerges fears a "nuclear scenario" in the country as the violence intensifies. "Al-Assad has effectively asked his people: Do you want Syria to be another Iraq or Lebanon -- racked by sectarian divides? But everyone is now calling his bluff."
So what happens next?
Most analysts see little prospect of a peaceful resolution to the crisis, with al-Assad remaining resistant to all external pressure. "This is the beginning of the armed struggle in Syria," said Gerges. "If the political option is now shut down there will be a prolonged conflict ahead."
But armchair strategists should be wary of making too many predictions. Last month, Ed Husain, a Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote this cautionary piece of analysis. "The first rule for those observing political developments in the modern Middle East is that nothing is as it seems at first sight. Political calculations that make sense in Washington, DC, London, or Paris do not always translate so well on the ground.
"From the Balfour Declaration of 1917 to the Suez crisis of 1956 to the Hamas victory in 2006 in Gaza, Westerners often fail to grasp the complicated, counterintuitive reality of life in the Arab world."
Louis van Gaal goes back Home!!!
Former Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal will return to Ajax as general director on July 1, the Dutch club has announced via its official website.
The 60-year-old was relieved of his duties on the bench by the Bundesliga side last season, but he is still under contract there.
Once his deal expires, he will move to Ajax, who has rearranged its board of directors.
Former player Danny Blind and Martin Sturkenboom are in line to complete the board as technical and financial director respectively, but this has yet to be confirmed by the club's members council.
Van Gaal returns to Ajax having enjoyed an illustrious past there.
He began his coaching career in Amsterdam in 1991 before leading the Dutch club to a UEFA Cup in 1992 and a Champions League three years later.
Van Gaal left his post as coach in 1997 but returned in 2003 as a technical director before departing again in 2004.
ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT!! They Tried To Kill President Obama!!! (Breaking News)
Yesterday a crazed person attempted to ASSASSINATE President Obama. As of this morning, the Secret Service was not putting out very much information, but they CONFIRMED that a gunman fired MULTIPLE SHOTS at the White House.
The shots were fired on Friday. President Obama WAS in White House for the early part of day. Luckily the bullets were stopped by the BULLET PROOF GLASS at the White House. The President was NOT injured in the assassination attempt.
Developing . . .
Shaq Did It . . . He MARRIED HER . . . Without A Prenup!!!
This weekend Shaquille O'Neal and his fiance Nikki "Hoopz" Alexander ELOPED.
A rock solid snitch told that the couple wed on a whim. The insider explained, "There was no planning or anything They just went and got married. [Shaq] didn't talk to his accountants or lawyers . . . there's no pre-nup."
DAYUMMMMMM Hoopz you came up GIRRRRL!!! We can't hate on you ONE BIT.
We told y'all that 2011 is the year of the HEAUX BE WINNING. All y'all women of LOOSE MORALS better step up your game. There's less than TWO MONTHS left to 2011 . . . time is a wasting!!!
zondag 28 augustus 2011
donderdag 28 april 2011
SHOTS FIRED . . . SHOTS FIRED . . . LADY GAGA SETS OFF A FEUD WITH BEYONCE!! (EVIDENCE INSIDE)
According to a TOP music industry insider Lady Gaga and her label Interscope are launching a full scale ATTACK on the queen of pop. The insider explains, "Lady Gaga is happy with her status [as the number one worldwide artist] and she's not looking to be number two."
The insider claims that there has been a good amount of Bad Blood between the two ladies since an unspecified falling out the two had earlier this year. The insider adds, "Lady Gaga doesn't see Beyonce as an artist - she doesn't play instruments, she doesn't write her songs, [in Lady Gaga's eyes] Beyonce's just an empty shell."
So Lady Gaga's people are starting a CAMPAIGN . . . to expose Beyonce. The snitch added, "[Lady Gaga] would like fans to know that she's a real musician and Beyonce is a dancer that has a nice voice."
And yesterday the FIRST SHOT in the battle was FIRED. Lady Gaga's record label INTERSCOPE paid for a Twitter ad. Whenever someone searched for the word "Beyonce" they were taken to Interscope's ad. The ad told fans that Bey's new song Girls was really a REMAKE of the Major Lazer song Pon The Floor. But here's teh KICKER . . . Interscope doesn't WORK or have ANY financial interest in Major Lazer's product.
Tells the insider,"The only reason Interscope is advertising for a song that they DON'T OWN, is because they want to expose Beyonce."
And the war begins . . . Bey, I'm riding with YOU on this!!!
KIM KARDASHIAN'S LITTLE SISTER . . . IS DATING A FAMOUS BLACK DUDE!!! (YEAH . . . HER TOO)
This whole SWIRLING to get famous must be in the Kardashian blood. Kims younger sister Kendall is dating Snoop Dogg's 16 year old son CORDE!!!
They exchanged numbers at [the Nickelodeon] Kid's choice Awards. They've been texting each other and been on a few dates."
Well . . . as long as she doesn't end up ON TAPE doing anything. I guess it's OK!!!
WTF???? LOOK HOW BIG AND BLOATED RAPPER WACKA FLOCKA IS NOW . . . HE'S ALMOST RICK ROSS SIZE!!!
Wacka Flocka doesn't just go HARD IN THE PAINT . . . dude goes HARD at the dinner table too
YUUU-U-U-C-CCK!! REALITY STAR NATALIE NUNN WAS PHOTO'D . . . KISSING LIL KIM ON THE LIPS!!!
Usually we can't wait to see celebs kissing. But this is one encounter that is NOT AT ALL appealing.
Sony's Servers Get HACKED!!! Millions Of People's PERSONAL DATA . . . From Their PLAYSTATION CONSOLES . . . Is Released!!
A security breach in the Playstation Network by still unidentified hackers resulted in stolen personal information, Sony confirmed today.
Sony says while personal information was likely stolen they don't believe credit card numbers were and that they hope to have the Playstation Network service back up within a week.
The news comes more than nine days after the intrusion and six days after Sony shut down both the Playstation Network and Qriocity services in reaction to the breach. Sony says they've hired a "recognized security firm" to conduct a complete investigation into what happened and have taken steps to enhance security and strengthen network infrastructure.
"We have discovered that between April 17 and April 19, 2011, certain PlayStation Network and Qriocity service user account information was compromised in connection with an illegal and unauthorized intrusion into our network," Patrick Seybold, senior director of corporate communications for Sony Computer Entertainment of America, wrote on the official Playstation Blog today.
Among the possible information stolen:
- Name
- Address (city, state, zip)
- Country
- Email address
- Birthdate
- PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login and handle/PSN online ID.
"While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken," writes Seybold, "we cannot rule out the possibility."
"If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained," Seybold continues.
Sony is encouraging users to be especially aware of potential phishing scams from people using email, phone calls and mail to try and extract more personal or sensitive information from you. Sony also is strongly recommending that you change you password once you're able to log back into the Playstation Network.
"To protect against possible identity theft or other financial loss, we encourage you to remain vigilant, to review your account statements and to monitor your credit reports," Seybold wrote
"We thank you for your patience as we complete our investigation of this incident, and we regret any inconvenience. Our teams are working around the clock on this, and services will be restored as soon as possible. Sony takes information protection very seriously and will continue to work to ensure that additional measures are taken to protect personally identifiable information. Providing quality and secure entertainment services to our customers is our utmost priority. Please contact us at 1-800-345-7669 should you have any additional questions."
BEYONCE RELEASES HER NEW VIDEO . . . AND IT MAY BE HER BEST ONE EVER!!! (YOU GOTTA SEE THIS)
Anyway, the vid has Bey dancing up a storm.
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