"Friends of Syria" grant Assad's opponents recognition but not weapons

Guardian (UK) ^ | Wednesday 12 December 2012 | Matthew Weaver

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Summary

Welcome to Middle East Live.

Here's a roundup of the latest developments:

Barack Obama said the US will formally recognise the Syrian opposition coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people, in a move designed to sap the legitimacy of President Bashar al-Assad's rule. In an interview with ABC News he said: "We've made a decision that the Syrian Opposition Coalition is now inclusive enough, is reflective and representative enough of the Syrian population, that we consider them the legitimate representative of the Syrian people in opposition to the Assad regime."

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[soycd]

> Syrian Opposition Coalition is now inclusive enough

Any idea if the SOC allows non-islamists to live in peace and among the mohamheads?

[Zhang Fei]

Not a bad move, given the opposition’s rabid anti-Americanism. Ultimately, their only point of disagreement with Assad is Alawite rule. In all other respects, they are generic anti-American Arabs, except they’re also religious fanatics who admire al Qaeda.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Last night's thread....:

Syrian rebels defy US and pledge allegiance to jihadi group

[Zhang Fei]

They’ll downplay their fanaticism when Westerners are around. But Ho Chi Minh was feted as Vietnam’s George Washington by an adoring Western media/fellow travelers, and it’s clear how that turned out. Just as it was fashionable for media types to be pro-Communist during the Cold War, it’s now fashionable for them to be pro-Islamist and borderline al Qaeda symps.

[MestaMachine]

I seem to remember that earlier on, the 'rebels' forced Christians to leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere or die.

Anyone wanting on or off this ping list, please advise.

[Para-Ord.45]

SO THEY ARE NOW OPENLY SAYING IT, ‘ WE SUPPORT JIHAD AND TERRORIST GROUPS AS THE LEGITIMATE GOVT OF SYRIA .

AND HERE THEY ARE:

1. Al Nusrah Front
2. Al Ansar Brigades
3. Al Abbas Brigades
4. La Ilaha Ila Allah [There is No God but Allah] Battalion
5. Al Hamza Brigade
6. Al Sa’qah Brigade
7. Jund al Aziz Brigade
8. Izzuddin al Qassam Brigade
9. Abu al Qassam Brigade
10. Brigade of the Da’wa [Preaching] and Jihad Front

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/12/syrian_jihadists_inc.php

[Marine_Uncle]

From the article: "Not everybody who is participating on the ground in fighting Assad are people that we are comfortable with," said Obama. "There are some who I think have adopted an extremist agenda, an anti-US agenda."

No shit Sherlock. Hey Obama. Welcome to the world George W. Bush had to deal with.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

And you would think he might know something about that world.

[Marine_Uncle]

"And you would think he might know something about that world."

We often direct our dis favor of him on grounds that seem to forget all those that put him into the presidency. I view him often as a minor player, if you get my gist.