Obama authorizes secret support for Syrian rebels

[jimnyc]

I'm not sure I like the sounds of the way this is being handled. I have no issue with Assad disappearing, the man has blood on his hands for mass killing of his own citizens. But I hope they're being "responsible" with anyone they help, even if maybe giving money, or helping with weapons, or whatever. I've read about various terrorist groups to possibly be in there, including some Al Qaeda figures.


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has signed a secret order authorizing U.S. support for rebels seeking to depose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government, sources familiar with the matter said.

Obama's order, approved earlier this year and known as an intelligence "finding," broadly permits the CIA and other U.S. agencies to provide support that could help the rebels oust Assad.

This and other developments signal a shift toward growing, albeit still circumscribed, support for Assad's armed opponents - a shift that intensified following last month's failure of the U.N. Security Council to agree on tougher sanctions against the Damascus government.

The White House is for now apparently stopping short of giving the rebels lethal weapons, even as some U.S. allies do just that.

But U.S. and European officials have said that there have been noticeable improvements in the coherence and effectiveness of Syrian rebel groups in the past few weeks. That represents a significant change in assessments of the rebels by Western officials, who previously characterized Assad's opponents as a disorganized, almost chaotic, rabble.

http://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-obama-authorizes-secret-support-syrian-rebels-010014457.html

[Dilloduck]

Wooooooo hooooooo we're gonna jump in and take care of those WMDs ! (secretly)

[hjmick]

Advisors. That's how it starts...

[jafar00]

Well, somebody had to do something, even if it is the kind of clandestine support of separatists that causes more terrorism problems than it solves elsewhere like in Iran and in the past Iraq.

[CSM]

Well, somebody had to do something, even if it is the kind of clandestine support of separatists that causes more terrorism problems than it solves elsewhere like in Iran and in the past Iraq.

Why the heck would they want help from the US or its military??? They have those awesome "freedom fighter heroes" that strike fear into the best trained, best equipped military in the world. I would think they would be better off with the help of a few of those guys carrying rusty AK47s.

[Gaffer]

hmmm, secret order? Headline news. Secret order signed. So the US is secretly helping the rebels in syria. Shhhh it's a secret. Don't tell any one. Will he use invisible ink so as to keep it a secret.

The dark lord is sending aid to syrian rebels but...

It's a secret!

This ranks right up there with the Zucker brothers movies like Airplane.

[Dilloduck]

There may wanna keep the fact that Al Queda is part of the rebel force quiet for awhile too.

[jimnyc]

There may wanna keep the fact that Al Queda is part of the rebel force quiet for awhile too.

The fact that Al Qaeda had a handful of members in Syria is old news. Remember, we were told right here on this board even, that Al Qaeda was more or less defunct, I think told less than 200 members in total, so how much could they possibly do?

[jafar00]

There may wanna keep the fact that Al Queda is part of the rebel force quiet for awhile too.

The Pentagon says AQ is not much of an influence in Syria.


While there may be some extremists among the Syrian rebels, al-Qaida is not establishing a strong footprint in the country, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=117287

The Free Syrian Army also deny AQ links.


A Free Syrian Army (http://backchannel.al-monitor.com/index.php/2012/07/1464/us-deepens-support-for-armed-syrian-rebels/) (FSA) leader, who asked to be referred to as Abu Haneen, said that most members of the FSA have nothing to do with al-Qaeda and hate Wahhabism [an ultraconservative branch of Sunni Islam].
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/01/07/fsa-leaders-first-interview-with.html

[Dilloduck]

I guess it all depends on who you beleive.

http://www.rand.org/blog/2012/07/al-qaedas-war-for-syria.html

http://www.alternet.org/rss/breaking_news/790839/al-qaeda_likely_behind_syria_bombings%3A_us_spy_chief

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/02/us-syria-crisis-iraq-qaeda-idUSBRE8710QC20120802

[jimnyc]

The fact that Al Qaeda had a handful of members in Syria is old news. Remember, we were told right here on this board even, that Al Qaeda was more or less defunct, I think told less than 200 members in total, so how much could they possibly do?


The Pentagon says AQ is not much of an influence in Syria.

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=117287

The Free Syrian Army also deny AQ links.

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/01/07/fsa-leaders-first-interview-with.html


I guess it all depends on who you beleive.

http://www.rand.org/blog/2012/07/al-qaedas-war-for-syria.html

http://www.alternet.org/rss/breaking_news/790839/al-qaeda_likely_behind_syria_bombings%3A_us_spy_chief

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/02/us-syria-crisis-iraq-qaeda-idUSBRE8710QC20120802

From your article:


According to estimates from one intelligence service in the region, al Qaeda has doubled its ranks to at least 200 full-time operatives

Sounds like it confirms right about what I was saying.

[Dilloduck]

The danger is clear. Assuming Assad's regime eventually collapses, a robust al Qaeda presence will undermine transition efforts and pose a major threat to regional stability. With U.S. troops now gone from Iraq, al Qaeda in Iraq has increased its attacks to nearly 30 per month, up from roughly 20 per month during the past two years. And this week Matthew Olsen, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, testified to Congress that al Qaeda in Iraq even poses a growing threat to attack the U.S. homeland.

Cherry picking my links ?----fine--let's pretend Al quaeda is no problem. We can look at them like arab Chuck Norris's fighting for a democratic Syria.

[jimnyc]

Cherry picking my links ?----fine--let's pretend Al quaeda is no problem. We can look at them like arab Chuck Norris's fighting for a democratic Syria.

Dude, read the thread you're in before responding. I know I never said they weren't a problem. In fact, in the opening post I clearly stated that I wasn't comfortable with any type of support that might end up in the wrong hands, specifically Al Qaeda. But I said they had a contingent of about 200, and your link simply confirmed it. As for whether they are a problem or not, depends on how you look at it. They can most certainly cause issues, but they aren't going to defeat an army consisting of 300,000 - 600,000 troops. No small group, insurgency or militia is going to defeat a military of that size.

[Dilloduck]

Dude, read the thread you're in before responding. I know I never said they weren't a problem. In fact, in the opening post I clearly stated that I wasn't comfortable with any type of support that might end up in the wrong hands, specifically Al Qaeda. But I said they had a contingent of about 200, and your link simply confirmed it. As for whether they are a problem or not, depends on how you look at it. They can most certainly cause issues, but they aren't going to defeat an army consisting of 300,000 - 600,000 troops. No small group, insurgency or militia is going to defeat a military of that size.


How many terrorists does it take to take down the WTC ? and you have NO problem with arming them ?

The CIA is supposedly employing a “vetting process” to avoid having the aid get into the hands of Islamic extremists, but the process is made up of untrustworthy, third-party sources and intelligence officials have recently told the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times that the truth is that the US doesn’t know who is getting the money and weapons.
http://news.antiwar.com/2012/07/25/al-qaeda-infiltrating-syrian-opposition-with-us-support/

[jimnyc]

I'm not sure I like the sounds of the way this is being handled. I have no issue with Assad disappearing, the man has blood on his hands for mass killing of his own citizens. But I hope they're being "responsible" with anyone they help, even if maybe giving money, or helping with weapons, or whatever. I've read about various terrorist groups to possibly be in there, including some Al Qaeda figures.


Dude, read the thread you're in before responding. I know I never said they weren't a problem. In fact, in the opening post I clearly stated that I wasn't comfortable with any type of support that might end up in the wrong hands, specifically Al Qaeda. But I said they had a contingent of about 200, and your link simply confirmed it. As for whether they are a problem or not, depends on how you look at it. They can most certainly cause issues, but they aren't going to defeat an army consisting of 300,000 - 600,000 troops. No small group, insurgency or militia is going to defeat a military of that size.


How many terrorists does it take to take down the WTC ? and you have NO problem with arming them ?

http://news.antiwar.com/2012/07/25/al-qaeda-infiltrating-syrian-opposition-with-us-support/

Do you not read what I write, or are you purposely trying to get a rise? I'm the one who started the thread and I'm the initial one who said I had a problem with helping over there, when it's not our guys, as it may go to the wrong people, including Al Qaeda. You're all over the map and now questioning what I already very clearly pointed out in the OP.

You are the one who downplays Syria and also any potential WMD's over there. Now, mysteriously, you are coming up with some hesitation regarding Syria. I guess Al Qaeda fighting against Syrian forces is more of a problem for you than potential WMD's.

[Dilloduck]

I know what thread I'm in, Jim. I just found it sorta silly like others did that we announce "secret support". I'm sure you understand the irony of that. I'm just curious how they think people will respond to the fact that Obama is sending secret support to a group that includes Al Qaeda. More than just a handful too. Sure makes me wonder what the hell our foreign policy is when one day we are celebrating the death of bin laden and the next we are helping his terrorist group overthrow a Syrian dictator. I wonder if people understand the Russia and China support Assad and both of them have enough nukes to destroy the world.

[jimnyc]

I know what thread I'm in, Jim. I just found it sorta silly like others did that we announce "secret support". I'm sure you understand the irony of that. I'm just curious how they think people will respond to the fact that Obama is sending secret support to a group that includes Al Qaeda. More than just a handful too. Sure makes me wonder what the hell our foreign policy is when one day we are celebrating the death of bin laden and the next we are helping his terrorist group overthrow a Syrian dictator. I wonder if people understand the Russia and China support Assad and both of them have enough nukes to destroy the world.

That I agree on, I think the policy right now sucks. They'll "secretly" give them money, or weapons for all we know, then one of these wackjobs takes over Assad's position, and then 20 years from now we are at war with the man we supplied the ability to toss Assad. I wouldn't have a clue as to why this would be announced if it was supposed to be secret, or if it were leaked. Either way I disagree with the actions. Any monies or guns, IMO, should be strictly for our own military and perhaps are closest of allies, but certainly not unknown rebels or Al Qaeda figures!

And we agree on that too. People around the world are probably wondering - isn't the US at war with terrorists, Al Qaeda being the main figures, and now they're giving them money? It's a repeat of Bin Laden, although to a lesser extent, if that's the case.

[fj1200]

I'm not sure I like the sounds of the way this is being handled. I have no issue with Assad disappearing, the man has blood on his hands for mass killing of his own citizens. But I hope they're being "responsible" with anyone they help, even if maybe giving money, or helping with weapons, or whatever. I've read about various terrorist groups to possibly be in there, including some Al Qaeda figures.

It could be beneficial to the Syrian people, and our interests, but I have zero confidence in the worldview that is behind the effort.

[Dilloduck]

Getting to be just like the good old cold war days. Russia is supporting Assad and we're pumping in support for the other team. Russia hates to lose.