Who Speaks For You?
J. D. Pendry
I took some time off from serious news and politics for few days following my last post. The American media did too, but that’s not unusual. When I tired of the newest chapters in the sad lives and times of Orenthal James and Britney and the ensuing solemn discussions about his guilt and her fitness to raise children, I thought I’d poke around and see if there was anything else important and deserving of my attention - other than football. I found some things interesting and telling. I may meander a bit, but I’ll eventually arrive at a point. ...
Snatched: Israeli commandos ‘nuclear’ raid
Uzi Mahnaimi, Tel Aviv, Sarah Baxter, Washington, and Michael Sheridan
(H/T: Clarice Feldman)
ISRAELI commandos from the elite Sayeret Matkal unit – almost certainly dressed in Syrian uniforms – made their way stealthily towards a secret military compound near Dayr az-Zawr in northern Syria. They were looking for proof that Syria and North Korea were collaborating on a nuclear programme.
Israel had been surveying the site for months, according to Washington and Israeli sources. President George W Bush was told during the summer that Israeli intelligence suggested North Korean personnel and nuclear-related material were at the Syrian site.
Israel was determined not to take any chances with its neighbour. Following the example set by its raid on an Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak 1981, it drew up plans to bomb the Syrian compound.
But Washington was not satisfied. It demanded clear evidence of nuclear-related activities before giving the operation its blessing. The task of the commandos was to provide it.
Today the site near Dayr az-Zawr lies in ruins after it was pounded by Israeli F15Is on September 6. ...
