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Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Sunday, December 08, 2024

Rebel forces entered the Syrian capital of Damascus on Sunday after a week-long lightning offensive, with no immediate signs of government forces in the city, according to insurgent sources cited by Reuters.

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The Syrian government has been toppled, rebels are in charge of Damascus, and Assad is missing and possibly dead. Good roundup by Suleiman al-Khalidi, Timour Azhari, and Jaidi Taha for @reuters.com: www.reuters.com/world/middle ...

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-- Aron Lund (@aronlund.bsky.social) December 8, 2024 at 1:52 AM

The Syrian government has been toppled, rebels are in charge of Damascus, and Assad is missing and possibly dead. Good roundup by Suleiman al-Khalidi, Timour Azhari, and Jaidi Taha for @reuters.com: www.reuters.com/world/middle ...

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-- Aron Lund (@aronlund.bsky.social) December 8, 2024 at 1:52 AM

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It's nice to think that a tyrant can still be deposed and killed.

People like Assad are disturbingly common.

#1 | Posted by Zed at 2024-12-08 07:56 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

It's nice to think that a tyrant can still be deposed and killed.
People like Assad are disturbingly common.
#1 | Posted by Zed

Especially in that part of the world.

US left facing a difficult situation in Syria as rebels make massive advances against Assad regime
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, on Monday distanced the US from the offensive last week [...] "Let me be clear that the US is in no way involved in the operations you see playing out in and around Aleppo in northwestern Syria, which as you know are being led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a designated terrorist organization,"
www.cnn.com
Getting the feeling things may have just gotten worse in many ways for the world and the people of Syria.

#2 | Posted by censored at 2024-12-08 08:27 AM | Reply

Getting the feeling things may have just gotten worse in many ways for the world and the people of Syria.

#2 | Posted by censored

Donald has already announced that he will handle the situation by doing nothing. Except perhaps console Putin.

Get ready for a whole lot more of nothing from him.

#3 | Posted by Zed at 2024-12-08 08:55 AM | Reply

Donald has already announced that he will handle the situation by doing nothing. Except perhaps console Putin.
Get ready for a whole lot more of nothing from him.
#3 | Posted by Zed

Honestly, that may not be a horrible strategy for now (other than the giving oral-pleasure to Poohty part).

Hopefully he keeps protecting the Kurds, as we have been, and killing ISIS. As for the rest, let the people of Syria develop their own government as they see fit and bomb the H out of anyone who presents a threat to us or our allies. Seems like the best least-worst option to me.

#4 | Posted by censored at 2024-12-08 09:04 AM | Reply

- boarding a plane to an unknown destination

The Mar a Lardo Express.

#5 | Posted by Corky at 2024-12-08 10:42 AM | Reply

Syria updates: Assad in Russia, granted asylum -- reports
www.dw.com

... Rebel groups faced no resistance entering Damascus on Sunday after taking the city of Homs. Russian media report, citing unnamed Kremlin sources, that Assad is now in Moscow having gained asylum. ...


#6 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-12-08 02:23 PM | Reply

Bashar al-Assad And Family Are in Moscow: Russian News Agencies
www.themoscowtimes.com

...

Syria's ousted president Bashar al-Assad and his family are in Moscow, Russian news agencies announced Sunday evening citing a Kremlin source, hours after he fled the country as Islamist-led rebels entered Damascus.

"Assad and members of his family have arrived in Moscow," the source told the TASS and Ria Novosti news agencies. "Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds," he added. ...


#7 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-12-08 02:26 PM | Reply

Tangentially related, from the link in #7 ...

... A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership."

We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. ...


I wonder how long it will be before The Moscow Times goes the route of RT?

#8 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-12-08 02:28 PM | Reply

They've been guaranteed rooms in the Trump Towers Moscow, just as soon as it's built.

#9 | Posted by Corky at 2024-12-08 02:29 PM | Reply

They've been guaranteed rooms in the Trump Towers Moscow

With the special deposed dictator surcharge of 500% plus gratuity.

#10 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-12-08 02:53 PM | Reply

"Israel captures Syrian territory after Assad regime collapse

The Israeli military captured territory on the Syrian side of the border in the Golan Heights on Sunday after the Assad regime collapsed, the IDF said in a statement.

Why it matters: This is the first time Israel has captured territory in Syria since the war in 1973"

more

www.axios.com

Well... that didn't take long!

#11 | Posted by Corky at 2024-12-08 02:57 PM | Reply

"Biden says U.S. government believes Austin Tice is alive in Syria

President Biden told reporters Sunday that the U.S. believes American journalist Austin Tice, who has been missing in Syria for 12 years, is alive and that "we think we can get him back."

State of play:

The collapse of the Assad regime and the emptying of political prisons in Syria has raised new hope for the release of Tice, a freelance journalist who was abducted while reporting on the civil war in 2012."

www.axios.com

Sunshine on a cloudy day?

#12 | Posted by Corky at 2024-12-08 03:02 PM | Reply

"we think we can get him back."

Don't forget to give Lewzer credit if you do. And maybe a medal.

#13 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-12-08 03:16 PM | Reply

"President Joe Biden cheered the toppling of Syria's dictatorship in remarks on Sunday, but he warned about the uncertainty during the country's political transition.

"It's a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country," he said from the White House's Roosevelt Room.

"It's also a moment of risk and uncertainty. As we turn to the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the risk."

The U.S. will support Syria's neighbors, including Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Israel, during the transition period and send senior officials to the region, Biden said.

He also pledged to continue the mission against ISIS and to ensure the security of detention facilities in Syria that hold ISIS fighters."

www.cnbc.com

'
Trump responded that what Damascus really needs is a good Hotel.

And some sneakers, guitars, and the new Fight! Fight! Fight! cologne.

He also offered the Zombie Col Muammar Gaddafi the job as Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs.

#14 | Posted by Corky at 2024-12-08 05:11 PM | Reply

"US airstrikes hit dozens of Islamic State targets in central Syria on Sunday as President Joe Biden cautioned that Bashar al-Assad's fall from power could open the door to a resurgence of Islamic extremism.

"We're clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its capabilities and create a safe haven," Biden said in remarks at the White House.

"We will not let that happen."

www.bloomberg.com

#15 | Posted by Corky at 2024-12-08 05:16 PM | Reply

He's not dead the Il-76 just turned off its transponder. He's hiding in exile now.

#16 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-12-08 07:42 PM | Reply

When the HST pivots from moderation to get Western support and has power, to governance, it's going to be Afghanistan 2.0

#17 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-12-08 07:42 PM | Reply

Guess the ----- really hit the fan.

#18 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2024-12-08 08:52 PM | Reply

God willing they'll allow a place for the people of God to live.

I'm describing the gazans of course.

#19 | Posted by Tor at 2024-12-08 08:57 PM | Reply

He's having a sleepover with Vlad now.

#20 | Posted by Corky at 2024-12-08 09:00 PM | Reply

Erdogan wins big. New Ottoman Empire slowly taking shape.

#21 | Posted by NerfHerder at 2024-12-08 09:47 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Did he fall from a window?

#22 | Posted by bat4255 at 2024-12-08 10:37 PM | Reply

__________
#4 | Posted by censored at 2024-12-08 09:04 AM
Hopefully he keeps protecting the Kurds, as we have been...

Trump has sold out Kurds before:

www.pbs.org - 'Trump betrayed us': Fleeing Kurds condemn U.S. decision to leave Syria - NPR, Oct 21, 2019

apnews.com - Trump defends decision to abandon Kurdish allies in Syria - AP, Oct. 8, 2019

|------- Trump declared U.S. troops would step aside for an expected Turkish attack on the Kurds, who have fought alongside Americans for years... Even Trump's staunchest Republican congressional allies expressed outrage at the prospect of abandoning Syrian Kurds who had fought the Islamic State group with American arms and advice.
-------|

As for the rest, let the people of Syria develop their own government as they see fit...

Not possible under califate, or narco-terrorist regimes - see Taliban, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad etc.

www.hstoday.us - Iran's Narco-Terrorist Network: How Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas and Other Proxies Use Narcotics to Fund Their War Against the West. - HS, March 1, 2024

Another issue is that Syria has chemical WMDs, which Assad has used on Syrians, and some time ago has been developing nuclear bomb, with the help of North Korea.

IDF took care of Syria's nuclear weapons program before, and is trying to deactivate chemical weapons factories and storage now:

|------- IDF conducted a series of raids around Damascus, targeting advanced weapons systems and warehouses before they fall into the hands of HST rebels who have ended the Assad regime. IAF bombed a chemical weapons storage facility and a chemical weapons factory belonging to the regime of Bashar Assad to prevent the rebels from seizing them. IDF deployed tanks and infantry to the Golan Heights to prevent an incursion by Syrian rebel forces. The military also stated it would not get involved in any internal occurrences in Syria, provided that no forces in Syria endanger Israeli security.

Israel's position has always been to avoid direct conflict with Syria, but not to permit developments regarding advanced weapons, and it has carried out thousands of air strikes within Syria since civil war started. These attacks intensified in recent months after the IDF decapitated much of Hezbollah's leadership and started to also eliminate significant Hezbollah and Iranian interests in Syria.
-------|

en.wikipedia.org - Operation Orchard / Operation Outside the Box - September 6, 2007 - Strategic bombing run to destroy the Syrian nuclear site

www.youtube.com - Operation Orchard: The Explosive Raid on Syria's Nuclear Facility - YT video doc (48 min) explaining planning and details of operation and the role of North Korea in development of Syria nuclear program
__________

#23 | Posted by CutiePie at 2024-12-09 06:21 AM | Reply

> As for the rest, let the people of Syria develop their own government as they see fit...

Not possible under califate, or narco-terrorist regimes - see Taliban, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad etc.
#23 | Posted by CutiePie

Yeah, I was including governments run by religious nutters. Let the people of Syria decide if they want to live under that kind of system or take up arms for something different.

We can't solve the world's problems, especially in that region where many folks think they have a direct line to Allah and China and Russia help prop them up. The best we can hope for is to protect ourselves and our allies.

#24 | Posted by censored at 2024-12-09 08:03 AM | Reply

The best we can hope for is to protect ourselves and our allies.

#24 | POSTED BY CENSORED

The best WE can hope for in the next 4 years is that WE survive it.

(And fervently pray there is no pandemic or similar world crisis)

#25 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-12-09 11:37 AM | Reply

We can't solve the world's problems, especially in that region where many folks think they have a direct line to Allah and China and Russia help prop them up. The best we can hope for is to protect ourselves and our allies.

#24 | Posted by censored

Solve? No.

Make worse? Yes.

You Republicans have been GREAT at making it worse.

#26 | Posted by Sycophant at 2024-12-09 11:39 AM | Reply

"Assad Possibly Dead"

What a -------- of misinformation.

The "rebels" have made a wise move and decided that they want a Russian military presence in Syria after all-- just in case, LOL.

#27 | Posted by NerfHerder at 2024-12-09 11:54 AM | Reply


"President Joe Biden cheered the toppling of Syria's dictatorship in remarks on Sunday, but he warned about the uncertainty during the country's political transition.

I would cheer the toppling of Assad by a guy the US has on the terrorist watch list, and vows to destroy Israel.
x.com


The "rebels" have made a wise move and decided that they want a Russian military presence in Syria after all-- just in case, LOL.

Israel is destroying everything they can at this point.

#28 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-12-09 12:11 PM | Reply

You Republicans have been GREAT at making it worse.
#26 | Posted by Sycophant

You think I'm a Republican? OK ...

#29 | Posted by censored at 2024-12-09 12:41 PM | Reply

Situations like this are part of why it's a good thing we have an American Military Base in Syria. There's an actual chance for them to have a government that isn't run by islamists. If we're all Lucky it'll end up being like Jordan.

#30 | Posted by Tor at 2024-12-09 01:08 PM | Reply

"We can't solve the world's problems ... "


We are still a "superpower".

Democracy is not perfect and is not for everyone (shocking I know).

It's not about solving all the world's problems. It's about strengthening our own democracy and standing strong for democracy whenever and wherever we can in the world ... Especially with our democratic allies.

But now we will just have to concentrate on surviving the next 4 years to be able to do any of that. Apparently.

#31 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-12-09 01:17 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

If we're all Lucky it'll end up being like Jordan.

#30 | POSTED BY TOR

Who will be the King of Syria? Where will he come from? The Almighty?

Unlike Christianity, Islamists don't generally believe in the divine right of kings. But I admit I don't really know what these Jihadists believe.

But it definitely won't be a democracy. I am not sure why Americans think they can still plop down democracy in the middle east. It ain't happening and never ends well. It never did and it never will.

And I do think Russia is not done. They can still gum up the works somehow. Like by creating another refugee crisis.

Regardless, I was happy to see Dark Brandon take advantage of the situation and bomb the ---- out of ISIS tho.

#32 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-12-09 01:34 PM | Reply

New Syria could be ruled same as Germany was after WWII.

#34 | Posted by Tor at 2024-12-09 10:53 PM | Reply

__________
#30 | Posted by Tor at 2024-12-09 01:08 PM
There's an actual chance for them to have a government that isn't run by islamists.

Exactly how do you suppose that could happen? The people of Syria have no real say in the matter. Between HTS and/or other IS affiliates, Iran, Turkey and other "interested parties" Syria is ripe for more carve-ups.

Qatar already reached out and opened direct communications with HTS, after Monday's Doha meeting of senior foreign delegations of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Islamic State of Iran, and Russia "to maintain calm and preserve Syria's public institutions during the transition period."

If we're all Lucky it'll end up being like Jordan.

Jordan ended up being "Jordan" only after Israel kicked their ass (and several of their Arabic, Soviet Union-backed neighbors) in several major wars and minors skirmishes, and after Palestinians "refugees" and fedayeen had caused numerous problems and PFLP and Arafat's PLO attempted to take over the country and depose King (see en.wikipedia.org - Black September, aka Jordanian Civil War), and only after renouncing its claims to [occupied] West Bank in 1988 and finally signing a peace and WB security treaty with Israel in 1994, after 1993 Oslo Agreement.
__________

#35 | Posted by CutiePie at 2024-12-10 12:20 AM | Reply

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