Strategy of tension

WSJ: Obama & the Sunni - Shiite war   Fouad Ajami- The U.S. tilt to Iran is upsetting allies and disrupting the Middle East.Presenting a simplistic take on reality. Heavy on the demonization of Iran.So much for that nuclear agreement... Just a ruseThere has been no tilt to Iran.

An al Qaeda fighter in Fallujah stands guard near the Iraqi police truck he set on fire near a government building, Jan. 1. Uncredited/Associated PressUncredited? Curious?

Divide to conquer?A new (world) order out of chaos?I smell a rebrand. And have mentioned that on a number of occasions...

Behind Assad's Comeback, a Mismatch in CommitmentsThere has been NO mismatch in commitments This article makes me thing we are witnessing the implantation of a new meme "Mismatch in commitments"

Regime's Survival Seen as Example of America's Inability to Steer Events From a Distance

Spin- America has been able to steer events from a distance with little or no problem. Plenty of allies in the area willing to assist in the task.

Yes, this is a long one. And the third post of the day! But, I do hope you take the time to read it all. Most interesting stuff.Don't miss two previous postings. So much going on!Khordokovsky- fascinating stuff.

As I read through the article, that will be linked below our flashback, a few questions and thoughts come to mind:1-Are “counter- terrorism” experts telling us their tactics have changed ?  2-And that they are employing ethnic Russians ? In response to Russia cleaning house of their Islamist mercs? 3-Are they hoping that Russia has not caught on to that shift or alternative to the Islamist mercenary?4- Or is the whole ethnic slav angle a means to foment division in Russia?

Op-ed from NYT's

UPDATE BELOW Another day in Volgograd. Another bombing. Gotta admit this morning's news was surprising even to me. Very brazen, two bombing in 24 hours.  (First one: Man and/or woman likely to be involved in Volgograd terror bombing) Something that we have read about in Syria, sure.But then is Russia so different then Syria, really?

Are we looking at a solo woman bomber, a so called black widow? Was this a duo of perpetrators, two individuals who may have been  part of a larger terror group?Or.....did the woman serve as the distraction while the man set off the explosives?

Unsurprisingly, truly unsurprisingly, the new saviours (alleged) of the Egyptian people have now labelled Muslim Brotherhood a "terrorist organization"Yawn. This convenient branding will be used to further degrade and destabilize Egypt.But, Egypt is not going to be alone in this campaign of destruction.

Can't resist- Syria signs oil exploration deal with Russia