24 August 2012

An Information War We're Losing

If Syrian jihadist-wannabe's think we're keeping Assad in power, then it's clear that US information flow in the MidEast is pretty dicked up.

Among those volunteering for the frontline was a young Iraqi from Falluja, a bastion of the Sunni insurgency against U.S. occupation and Shi'ite-led governments that followed the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003: "For me, it's the same battle," said the man, who gave his first name as Jawad.
Though he had written his will and was ready for martyrdom, he said, he also did not want any trouble if he did return to his regular job - as an accountant for a Japanese firm in Dubai.
"America planted its Shi'ite stooges in Iraq, and America and Israel are now keeping Assad in power to stifle the awakening of the Sunnis," asserted Jawad, who said his infant sister had died in a U.S. raid in Falluja in 2004 and an elder brother was tortured to death by suspected Shi'ite militiamen.
"I am here," he said, "To avenge my sister and brother."

While I can admire his passion - even if it is directed against my country - it would be nice if he had an occasional fact in his hip pocket.

By: Brant

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Who takes any notice of US information flow? Let alone 'receives' it? If it gets anywhere it is mediated through a filter or two.

You are assuming that there is solid reasoning behind involvement. There are some British men there two who have been documented in some reports (e.g. detaining journalists). It's an expedition of a lifetime and DOING SOMETHING. You've seen, for instance, Libya and here's the next conflict.

The FSA seems to want nothing to do with most of these people, but at times you work with what you've got.

This of course allows Syria's friend Russia to say that the west is aligned with jihadists.

Brian said...

It's like that old Talking Heads song:

"Facts are simple and facts are straight
Facts are lazy and facts are late
Facts all come with points of view
Facts don't do what I want them to
Facts just twist the truth around
Facts are living turned inside out
...."

I've come to the conclusion that the Syria conflict is a proxy war between Sunni and Shia, each side backed up by Sunni or Shia states respectively, with civilians as always caught in the middle. 10 per cent of Syria's population is Christian and many of them have fled already. Russia backs the Assad government because they are a known quantity, and client.