Epstein Secrets

ject: April 18 update Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:28:01 +0000 18 April, 2012 Article 1. The Washington Post The stage is set for a deal with Iran David Ignatius Article 2. Council on Foreign Relations 'New Atmosphere' In Iran Negotiations Interview with Ray Takeyh Article 3. RCR The Brotherhood's Walking

Alawites for Assad: Why the Syrian Sect Backs the Regime Leon Goldsmith April 16, 2012 -- Since the start of the revolt in Syria, the country's Alawites have been instrumental in maintaining President Bashar al- Assad's hold on power. A sect of Shia Islam, the Alawites comprise roughly 13 percent of

revolt in Syria, the country's Alawites have been instrumental in maintaining President Bashar al- Assad's hold on power. A sect of Shia Islam, the Alawites comprise roughly 13 percent of the population and form the bulk of Syria's key military units, intelligence services, and ultra-loyalist militias,

Subject: September 5 update Date: Thu, 05 Sep 2013 15:07:13 +0000 5 September, 2013 Article 1. The Washington Post Syria nears a turning point David Ignatius Article 2. Los Angeles Times As Obama hesitates, Israel worries Benny Morris Article 3. Foreign Policy Is the Syrian Intervention Good for the J

acuum in case of a sudden Assad collapse." The plan includes steps for securing the chemical facilities; providing security in the city; protecting Alawites from reprisals; and working with the Syrian army. "The Syrian army is essential to have stability in the capital," notes the opposition memorandum.

ready to respond — by siding decisively with those in Syria seeking genuine change. Washington Post Bashar al-Assad stages his own coup Op-ed by David Ignatius March 29, 2011 Syria's President Bashar al-Assad is attempting a new survival tactic in this Arab Spring — organizing what looks like a coup again

y to American interests, he firmly believes Lebanon should be within Syria's sphere of influence, and he is a member of a minority Islamic sect, the Alawites, that has had a chokehold on power in Syria for decades. In 2004 and 2005, while writing a book on him, I had long interviews with Mr. Assad; after

TShirn o n Post 22 June, 2011 Article 1. Article 2. The Washington Post Avoiding a summer of blood David Ignatius Project Syndicate The Middle East's Slow-Motion Revolution Prince El Hassan bin Talal Article 3. Stratfor Turkey's Inevitable Problems With Neig

the country's majority Sunni population. Four decades in power is not a long time, and vengeance is a powerful force in this part of the world. The Alawites understand that they face an existential crisis, and if they allow their grip over the Baath-dominated political system - and most importantly the

srael? Martin Peretz Asharq Al-Awsat The Syrian-Israeli courtship Tariq Alhomayed The Washington Post Plotting a post-Assad road map for Syria David Ignatius Foreign Policy Saudi Arabia's youth unemployment Ellen Knickmeyer Wall Street Journal Another Overhyped Challenge to U.S. Power Joseph Nye Art

sition." In meetings with dissidents, Ford is said to have stressed that the opposition must reach out to minorities, such as Christians, Druze and Alawites, who fear that a post-Assad regime will be dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood. With U.S. encouragement, the opposition hopes to hold a meeting in

the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Now Mr. Panetta has indirectly caused a similar stir: After a conversation with Mr. Panetta this month, The Post's David Ignatius reported that the Pentagon chief "believes there is a strong likelihood that Israel will strike Iran in April, May or June." What could explain th

he rebellion stop and the sectarian aspirations — the raw desire by Syria's Sunni majority to oust the Alawite minority — begin. As a result, most Alawites are rallying to Assad, as are some Sunnis who have benefitted from his regime, particularly in Aleppo and Damascus, the capital. These pro-regime A

srael? Martin Peretz Asharq Al-Awsat The Syrian-Israeli courtship Tariq Alhomayed The Washington Post Plotting a post-Assad road map for Syria David Ignatius Foreign Policy Saudi Arabia's youth unemployment Ellen Knickmeyer Wall Street Journal Another Overhyped Challenge to U.S. Power Joseph Nye Vri

sition." In meetings with dissidents, Ford is said to have stressed that the opposition must reach out to minorities, such as Christians, Druze and Alawites, who fear that a post-Assad regime will be dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood. With U.S. encouragement, the opposition hopes to hold a meeting in