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Chemical Weapons Attack in Ghouta as a Pretext for US Intervention

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The World Disorder

Abstract

When a chemical weapons attack occurred in Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, the American, French and British coalition tried to use it as pretext for an intervention in Syria. Attributing the attacks to the Assad regime was an obvious farce, however, aided and abetted by the corporate media. There was no evidence in support of it. In fact, everything suggested Ghouta was to be blamed on Islamic militants’ intent on lighting the fuse for the western powers’ and Saudi Arabia’s invasion plans. These plans were already underway through the training of troops by mercenaries and the CIA and the deployment of war material to Syria’s vicinity. But the plans were foiled. Despite the drums of war, public opinion was against it and other western countries refused to embark on the adventure. Even the UK parliament ended up voting against intervention. Isolated, the United States was forced to broker a deal with Russia, and Syria accepted inspectors to dismantle its chemical weapons program. And Putin obtained yet another important diplomatic victory by persuading the Ukrainian president to stay out of the EU.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Jake Miller, “Kerry: ‘Definitive’ U.N. report confirms Assad behind chemical attack.” CBS News, September 2013. Available at: <http://www.cbsnews.com/news/kerry-definitive-un-report-confirms-assad-behind-chemical-attack/>.

  2. 2.

    “UN Report on Chemical Weapons Use in Syria.” Council on Foreign Relations, December 12, 2013. Available at: <http://www.cfr.org/syria/un-report-chemical-weapons-use-syria/p31404>; “Full text of “U.N. report on the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria.” United Nations Mission to Investigate Allegations of the Use of Chemical Weapons the Syrian Arab Republic Report on the Alleged Use of Chemical Weapons in the Ghouta Area of Damascus on 21 August 2013. Internet Archive. Available at: <https://archive.org/stream/787426-u-n-report-on-the-alleged-use-of-chemical/787426-u-n-report-on-the-alleged-use-of-chemical_djvu.txt>; “Syria profile.” BBC NewsMiddle East, March 19, 2014. Available at: <http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703995>; “AI—HRW im Solde der Giftgas Terroristen: BarakObama: UN Bericht, der Gift Gas Angriff in Syrien, durch die Terroristen.” Geopolitiker’s Blog, December 26, 2013. Available at: <http://geopolitiker.wordpress.com/?s=chemical+attacks+syria>; Robert Parry, “UN Investigator Undercuts New York Times on Syria. Assad Government not Responsible for August 21 Chemical Attack.” Available at: https://www.globalresearch.ca/un-investigator-undercuts-new-york-times-on-syria-assad-government-not-responsible-for-august-21-chemical-attack/5362559, accessed: November 28, 2018. Guy Taylor, “Obama lied about Syrian chemical attack, ‘cherry-picked’ intelligence: report.” The Washington Times, December 9, 2013. Available at: <http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/dec/9/obama-lied-about-syrian-chemical%2D%2Dattack-cherry-pic/>.

  3. 3.

    Wesley K. Clark, 2004, pp. 64 and 187–188.

  4. 4.

    La raison invoquée pour cette guerre est la position anti-israélienne du gouvernement syrien qui a fait de la Syrie une cible pour un changement de régime soutenu par l’Occident.” “UK planned war on Syria before unrest began: French ex-foreign minister.” Press TV, June 16, 2013. Available at: <http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/06/16/309276/uk-planned-war-on-syria-before-unrest/>; “Roland Dumas: deux ans avant le début de la guerre, l’Angleterre préparait l’invasion des rebelles en Syrie.” Wikileaks Actu Francophone. Available at: <https://wikileaksactu.wordpress.com/category/syrie/>.

  5. 5.

    Nafeez Ahmed, “Syria intervention plan fueled by oil interests, not chemical weapon concern.” The Guardian, August 30, 2013.

  6. 6.

    Guy Taylor, “Obama lied about Syrian chemical attack, ‘cherry-picked’ intelligence: report.” The Washington Times, December 9, 2013. Available at: <http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/dec/9/obama-lied-about-syrian-chemical%2D%2Dattack-cherry-pic/>.

  7. 7.

    Seymour M. Hersh, “Whose sarin?” London Review of Books, December 19, 2013, Vol. 35, No. 24, pp. 9–12.

  8. 8.

    Ibidem.

  9. 9.

    Dale Gavlak & Yahya Ababneh, “Exclusive: Syrians in Ghouta Claim Saudi-Supplied Rebels behind Chemical Attack. Rebels and local residents in Ghouta accuse Saudi PrinceBandar bin Sultan of providing chemical weapons to an al-Qaida linked rebel group.” MintPress News, August 29, 2013. Available at: <http://www.mintpressnews.com/witnesses-of-gas-attack-say-saudis-supplied-rebels-with-chemical-weapons/168135/>.

  10. 10.

    M. Klostermayr, “Syria: Mother Agnes on the Chronology of Chemical Attack near Damascus—Mother Agnes speaks about the fabricated videos of the chemical attack near Syria’s capital, Damascus.” SyriaNews, September 26, 2013. Available at: <http://www.syrianews.cc/syria-mother-agnes-chemical-attack-damascus/>; “Mother Superior presents a 50 pages report to the Human Rights Commision regarding the gas attacks.” Available at: <http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread972253/pg1>; “UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria ‘is acting to incite further Massacres’—Hands Off SyriaAustralia, Press Release.” Global Research News, September 15, 2013. Available at: <http://www.globalresearch.ca/hands-off-syria-un-commission-of-inquiry-on-syria-is-acting-to-incite-further-massacres/5349937>.

  11. 11.

    “Syria: Destruction and Murder Funded by Foreign Forces: Mother Agnes Mariam Challenges the UNHRC—Address by Mother Agnes Mariam of the Mussalaha Initiative given at the UNHCR in Geneva by Mother Agnes Mariam.” Global Research, March 16, 2014. Available at: <http://www.globalresearch.ca/syria-destruction-and-murder-funded-by-foreign-forces-mother-agnes-mariam/5373684>; “Syrie: Destruction et assassinats financés par des puissances étrangères. Discours de Mère Agnès pour “l’Initiative Moussalaha” [Réconciliation] en réponse aux déclarations du Haut commissariat aux réfugiés [UNHCR].” Mondialisation.ca., Centre de Recherche sür la Mondialisation, March 24, 2014. Available at: <http://www.mondialisation.ca/syrie-destruction-et-assassinats-finances-par-des-puissances-etrangeres/5375060>.

  12. 12.

    Adam Entous & Nour Malas & Margaret Coker, “A Veteran Saudi Power Player Works To Build Support to Topple Assad.” Wall Street JournalMiddle East News, August 25, 2013. Available at: <http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323423804579024452583045962>.

  13. 13.

    Seymour M. Hersh, “The Red Line and the Rat Line.” London Review of Books, April 6, 2014. Available at: <http://www.lrb.co.uk/2014/04/06/seymour-m%2D%2Dhersh/the-red-line-and-the-rat-line>.

  14. 14.

    Michael R. Gordon, “U.S. Steps Up Aid to Syrian Opposition, Pledging $60 Million.” The New York Times, February 28, 2013.

  15. 15.

    Ibidem.

  16. 16.

    Nick Paton Walsh, “Opposition source: Syrian rebels get U.S.-organized training in Jordan.” CNN, March 15, 2013. Available at: <http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/15/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html?hpt=hp_bn2>.

  17. 17.

    Ibidem.

  18. 18.

    “Jordan hosts 900 U.S. troops to shield against Syria.” Daily Star (Lebanon)—Associated Press, June 22, 2013. Available at: <http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-22/221243-us-military-presence-in-jordan-expands-to-1000-soldiers.ashx#axzz3CMsQVR3F>.

  19. 19.

    “Secretary of Defense Testimony—Statement on Syria before the Senate Armed Services Committee as Delivered by Secretary of DefenseChuck Hagel, Washington, D.C., April 17, 2013.” U.S. Department of Defense. Available at: <http://www.defense.gov/Speeches/Speech.aspx?SpeechID=1771>.

  20. 20.

    Ibidem.

  21. 21.

    Ibidem.

  22. 22.

    Bob Dreyfuss, “The CIA Is Training Syria’s Rebels: Uh-Oh, Says a Top Iraqi Leader.” The Nation. March 01, 2013. Available at: <http://www.thenation.com/blog/173149/cia-training-syrias-rebels-uh-oh-says-top-iraqi-leader#>.

  23. 23.

    Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, “Saudis offer Russia secret oil deal if it drops Syria Saudi Arabia has secretly offered Russia a sweeping deal to control the global oil market and safeguard Russia’s gas contracts, if the Kremlin backs away from the Assad regime in Syria.” The Telegraph, August 27, 2013.

  24. 24.

    “Un navire de débarquement de la marine américaine est arrivé en Méditerranée.” Le Voix de Russe. Available at: <http://french.ruvr.ru/news/2013_08_31/Un-navire-de-debarquement-de-la-marine-americaine-est-arrive-en-Mediterranee-2627/>.

  25. 25.

    Thom Shanker & C. J. Chivers & Michael R. Gordon, “Obama Weighs ‘Limited’ Strikes against Syrian Forces.” The New York Times, August 27, 2013; Shiv Malik & Tom Mccarthy, “Syria: US sees ‘no avenue forward’ to ‘meaningful action’ by UN—as it happened.” The Guardian, Wednesday, August 28, 2013.

  26. 26.

    “Syrie: l’intervention militaire pourrait débuter le 4 septembre.” La Voix de la Russie, October 30, 2013. Available at: <http://french.ruvr.ru/news/2013_08_30/Syrie-lintervention-militaire-pourrait-debuter-le-4-septembre-7767/>.

  27. 27.

    Peter Baker, “Obama Says ‘World Set a Red Line’ on Chemical Arms.” The New York Times, September 04, 2013; Glenn Kessler, “PresidentObama and the ‘red line’ on Syria’s chemical weapon.” The Washington Post, September 6, 2013.

  28. 28.

    “Intervention en Syrie: Hollande sous la pression de l’opposition.” Le Parisien, August 31, 2013; “Syrie:Obama veut un vote du Congrès, Hollande sous pression.” Le Parisien, September 1, 2013. Available at: <http://www.leparisien.fr/recherche/recherche.php?q=sur+trois+%2864+%25%29+sont+oppos%C3%A9s+%C3%A0+une+intervention+militaire+en+Syrie+&ok=ok>.

  29. 29.

    Scott Clement, “Most in U.S. oppose Syria strike, Post-ABC poll finds.” The Washington Post, September 3, 2013; Gary Langer, “Six in 10 Oppose U.S.-Only Strike on Syria; A Closer Division if Allies are Involved.” ABC News, September 3, 2013. Available at: <http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/09/six-in-10-oppose-u-s-only-strike-on-syria-a-closer-division-if-allies-are-involved/>.

  30. 30.

    Ibidem.

  31. 31.

    Paul Steinhauser & John Helton, “CNN poll: Public against Syria strike resolution.” CNN, September 9, 2013. Updated 1649 GMT (0049 HKT). Available at: <http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/09/politics/syria-poll-main/>.

  32. 32.

    Ibidem.

  33. 33.

    “Syria: reported chemical weapons use—Joint Intelligence Committee letter. From: Cabinet Office—History: Published 29 August 2013. Part of: Working for peace and long-term stability in the Middle East and North Africa and Syria. Letter from Jon Day, the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), about reported chemical weapons use in Syria.” Gov. UK. Available at: <https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/syria-reported-chemical-weapons-use-joint-intelligence-committee-letter>.

  34. 34.

    “Syria crisis:David Cameron makes case for military action.” BBC News UK Politics, August 29, 2013. Available at: <http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-23883427>; Andrew Sparrow, “MPs vote down military intervention in Syria: Politics live blog. Government intelligence on Syria. Government legal advice on attacking Syria. MPs vote down plan for military intervention in Syria. Government defeat—What it means.” The Guardian, August 30, 2013; “Syrie:David Cameron contraint par l’opposition d’attendre le rapport des inspecteurs de l’ONU.” Slate Afrique, August 30, 2013. Available at: <http://www.slateafrique.com/367024/syrie-david-cameron-contraint-par-l%E2%80%99opposition-d%E2%80%99attendre-le-rapport-des-inspecteurs-de-l%E2%80%99onu>; Haroon Siddique & Tom Mccarthy, “Syria crisis: US isolated as British MPs vote against air strikes—as it happened. Trouble for White House after UK parliamentary revolt. Doubts circulate about case tying Assad to chemical weapons.” The Guardian, August 30, 2013; “Syrie/attaque chimique: ‘pas 100% de certitude’ (Cameron)—Dossier: Situation politique en Syrie.” RIA Novosti, August 29, 2015. Available at: <http://fr.ria.ru/world/20130829/199146661.html>.

  35. 35.

    Leon Panetta, 2014, p. 448.

  36. 36.

    Ibidem, p. 448.

  37. 37.

    António Sousa Lara, 2011, p. 134.

  38. 38.

    Leon Panetta, 2014, p. 449–451.

  39. 39.

    Andreas Ross (Nova York), “Kampf gegen IS—Amerikas nächster Kriegspräsident.” Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Septembe 24, 2014; Beat schmid, “Obama, der Kriegspräsident.” Schweiz am Sonntag, September 27, 2014. Available at: <http://www.schweizamsonntag.ch/ressort/meinung/obama_der_kriegspraesident/>.

  40. 40.

    The removal and destruction of chemical weapons in Syria was completed in June 2014.

  41. 41.

    Nicholas Blanford (Beirut), “The Next Big Lebanon-Israel Flare-Up: Gas.” Time, April 6, 2011. Available at: <http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2061187,00.html>.

  42. 42.

    Andrew Mckillop, “Did Natural Gas Debt Trigger the Ukraine Crisis? The Market Oracle.” Politics/Eastern Europe, February 28, 2014. Available at: <http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article44628.html>; “Putin throws Ukraine $15 bn lifeline, slashes gas price—Russian President VladimirPutin on Tuesday gave Ukraine precious backing by agreeing to buy $15 billion of its debt and slash its gas bill by a third as it battles mass protests over the rejection of a historic EU pact.” Bangkok Post, December 17, 2013. Available at: <http://www.bangkokpost.com/lite/local/385256/pressure-mounts-on-ukraine-leader-ahead-of-russia-visit>.

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Moniz Bandeira, L.A. (2019). Chemical Weapons Attack in Ghouta as a Pretext for US Intervention. In: The World Disorder. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03204-3_11

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