Portside

The "democracy" that ten years of US war and occupation left behind in Iraq.

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Reports of the Assad regime's use of chemical weapons are part of a retold drama riddled with plot-holes

Obama has painted himself into a corner.

In some ways the Syrian civil war resembles a proxy chess match between supporters of the Bashar al-Assad regime— Iran, Iraq, Russia and China—and its opponents— Turkey, the oil monarchies, the U.S., Britain and France. But the current conflict only resembles chess if the game is played with multiple sides, backstabbing allies, and conflicting agendas.

Why did Israel launch an air attack on Syria on January 29th? There is no evidence that the attack had anything to do with the SA-17, which, in any case, both Tel Aviv and Washington know would not pose any real danger to Israel. So what are some other possible reasons for the attack?

Israel's attack on Syria shows how volatile this conflict is. A political solution is now urgent.