LMS has extensively covered the conflict in Syria where we have witnessed the great game of global elites jockeying for control. This relatively small patch of land has been victimized by proxy war, state-sponsored terrorism, false-flag chemical attacks, and even brought the US the closest it has been to nuclear war with Russia since the Cuban Missile Crisis, yet few Americans have cared to pay even the slightest attention. After all, didn’t we “defeat” ISIS and all is well? The truth is this may be the calm before the storm and a new far bigger conflict is right around the corner.
I warned early Syria had real potential to become not just a major regional conflict, but even a world war in the classic sense. Ultimately, there will be major geopolitical winners and losers and as the conflict is brought to the brink. Someone will have to give. As it stands, the US-UK-Saudi-Israeli axis blinked and the Syria-Russia-Iran-Turkey have won the day…for now. However, the same special interests that pushed the US into fomenting the proxy war in Syria are the same forces that have no intention of losing. Rather than lose, they will kick over and burn the game board. Their calculus is not based on the best interests of the US, but their best interests. Of whom do I speak? The answer is actually very broad when speaking of everyone with interests in Syria. However, with respect to the most current brewing crisis, it is none other than your favorite Neo-Cons. John Bolton, President Trump’s National Security Advisor, is championing another disastrous war in the Middle East and has found an ally in Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law come senior advisor via nepotism. With the successful re-election of Benjamin Netanyahu as Israeli Prime Minister a perfect storm is brewing and everyone should take note. Prime Minister Netanyahu has been a longtime advocate of goading the US into a war with Iran and may now have his chance.
Netanyahu, Saudi Arabia, and the US bet big on destabilizing and toppling President Assad in Syria using the thinly veiled justification of defeating ISIS. However, with ISIS removed, Assad still in power, and Iran filling the vacuum, Washington has a big problem. The US no longer has any grounds to be in Syria, but their real target all along, Iran, is more entrenched than ever in Syria. At this juncture, I have to wonder if others are seeing the repeat of our disastrous policy in Iraq, which not coincidentally was championed by the very same John Bolton. This has prompted a narrative revision to justify the perpetuation of war. Just like how in Iraq the US went from the lie of eliminating WMDs to bringing democracy, we see the narrative in Syria shifting from the lie of defeating ISIS (a terrorist organization the US has openly admitted to deliberately creating) to now one of stopping Iran. No doubt, this is proof of what some refer to as the Deep State, Swamp, or Military-Industrial-Complex calling the shots and that means big problems for the US. So what’s next?
Three key leaders, all very closely tied together through special interests, have solidified power and will now turn their attention to Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu survived by the thinnest of election margins, but now has a clear mandate for action against Iran, which he considers Israel’s gravest threat. He knows this may be his last best chance to take out Iran and isn’t going to leave it to chance. In Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has effectively silenced the critics of anyone calling for justice after their blatant murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and appears to be holding onto power. Facing domestic problems, failure in Syria, and a war going very badly in Yemen, MBS is playing on populist sentiments and blaming Iran. As such, MBS has cast Iran as an existential threat that must be stopped. MBS, like Netanyahu sees his window for action closing and is now desperate to initiate a war that will destroy the Shia center of power in Tehran. The kingmaker in this trio is President Trump. With the conclusion of the Mueller Investigation, President Trump has survived what has been probably the most vicious political take down attempt against any American president in a generation. Fresh off of this political victory, President Trump is facing an uncertain re-election bid and knows that he must act now if he is going to cement his pro-Israel legacy. Without any doubt, this means a war with Iran.
Going forward, expect to see a growing narrative that “Iran must be stopped” and that “Iran’s presence in Syria is unacceptable.” Even though it is squarely not our place to tell another sovereign nation who it invites into its borders as guests, don’t let international law, ethics, or basic US national interests get in the way of good old special interests. Right now my bet is that Israel will aggressively occupy the Golan Heights and pick a fight. Israel will bomb targets in Syria and if necessary, just make up a narrative that Iranians in Syria attacked or were about to attack Israel. The linkage could be as weak as “Iran continues to supply weapons to Palestinian terrorist groups.” Whether fact or fiction, Israel is now prepared to instigate war. This will be “good enough” to justify a unilateral Israeli attack on Iran, which will most likely start with missiles launched from submarines. Saudi Arabia will support this attack, but to what extent is not known. At minimum, it will provide secret financial support and use its immense political influence in Washington to coalesce support. It could allow Israel to launch aircraft from one of its bases or provide overflight clearance, but politically, it will be far easier for Saudi Arabia to just look the other way. All of this will be green lighted by the Trump Administration, which pending Iran’s reaction, will be prepared to launch the US headfirst into what will prove to be a very deep and very empty pool called Iran. If President Trump allows this, it will be his final undoing and bankrupt the US after throwing global markets into absolute chaos. Watch and see…
By Guiles Hendrik
April 11, 2019
