After Paris Attack, Saudi Arabia, Other Regional Allies Under Pressure To Take On Greater Syria Role

[Jefferson23]

November 15, 2015

The coordinated terror attacks across Paris that left more than 130 dead and hundreds wounded have sparked renewed calls for regional powers like Saudi Arabia to play a greater role in solving the Syrian crisis, particularly by leading the fight against the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS. During Saturday evening’s Democratic debates, for example, U.S. presidential hopefuls called on Arab states to take the lead in the fight against ISIS to help avoid entrenching the U.S. in another long-term Middle East conflict and alienating Muslims in the region.

In addition, some experts are calling on the Saudis to stop their governmental and private support of controversial Islamist groups and negotiate for a permanent solution. While Saudi has continued some of its controversial policies, those experts said it appeared Saudi Arabia has grown increasingly willing to sit down with other regional and international, often adversarial powers, to work out a solution and defeat ISIS as the group has stepped up attacks beyond its Syria and Iraq borders.

Saudi Arabia has funneled millions of dollars into groups like Jaysh al-Islam, which while controversial has also been seen to counteract the influence of al Qaeda and its affiliates. But support for such groups has turned the Syrian conflict from a two-sided conflict into a complicated, multifaceted one, critics of Saudi Arabia’s policies say. Saudi leaders and private Saudi businessmen have also been accused of supporting more radical groups, including al Qaeda, and some analysts said Saudi Arabia needed to first be pressured to crack down on that support.

“They need to inform their private princes that their financing has to end, it’s over. That game is finished, it’s too dangerous” said Vijay Prashad, a professor of international studies at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. said. “Secondly, Jaysh al-Islam needs to be disbanded. It’s going to prevent a proper dismantling of ISIS.”

http://www.ibtimes.com/after-paris-attack-saudi-arabia-other-regional-allies-under-pressure-take-greater-2185249

[bemildred]

1. From Mumbai to Paris — the deadly double game in South Asia

On the night of November 13, I was preparing to discuss with Asia Times editor-in-chief Doug Tsuruoka an article noting the 7th anniversary of the November 26 terrorist attacks in Mumbai – and how India’s political leaders and diplomats failed since 2008 to get convicted the perpetrators from Pakistan. The general theme was the saying: to forget history, or failing to learn from it, means being condemned to repeat it.

Next morning, I read about Paris. The serial attacks with hostages shot in cold blood from close range straight away seemed similar to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. John Miller, Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counter-terrorism of the New York Police Department told CNN the same, of how Paris resembles the 2008 Mumbai terrorist strikes in many ways.

Since India failed for eight years to book the 26/11 conspirators and their supporters in Pakistan, I feared Mumbai or some other Indian city may be attacked soon – as inevitable price for India’s bizarre policy of maintaining ‘business as normal’ with the country it accuses of being a state sponsor of terrorism. Paris was unexpected.

The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks, but security experts worldwide have long known how dividing lines have blurred between terrorist groups. In any case, pathological hatred for fellow humans and psychotic killers do not have or recognize ideological boundaries.

http://atimes.com/2015/11/from-mumbai-to-paris-the-deadly-double-game-in-south-asia/

[Jefferson23]

2. That is a well written piece, facts are a pesky problem.

*The ‘amnesia’ continues...................
I'll say and leave it there, some will find the facts offensive for the wrong reasons.


Thanks for posting, bemildred..you do have great sources.

[bemildred]

4. I get a little obsessive sometimes ...

Yes, that guy writes well. I couldn't say why exactly, but I thought it went with your OP.

[Jefferson23]

5. Yes, well, he certainly got the history correct in a concise way..which can be hard to do.

The condemnation factor was not over the top, he lets you feel that on your own so to speak
which happens when you see all those dots connected, I think. Anyway, I thought it was
pretty great...I bookmarked it.

[Dems to Win]

3. Hillary can tell her Saudi buddies to "Cut it Out"

That'll stop the funding of ISIS

[bemildred]

6. King Abdullah of Jordan calls for Muslims to lead fight against terrorism

The King of Jordan has called for Muslims to take up the “battle” against extremist groups responsible for terror attacks in a speech on Sunday.

King Abdullah II said terrorism is the “greatest threat to our region” and that confronting it is: “both a regional and international responsibility, but it is mainly our battle, us Muslims, against those who seek to hijack our societies and generations with intolerance takfiri ideology.”

‘Takfiri’ refers to the radical Islamic practice of declaring one’s enemies to be infidels worthy of death, according to the Times of Israel.

Although the speech did not specifically refer to the terror attacks in Paris claimed by Isis that left more than 130 people dead, King Abdullah previously condemned it as a “cowardly terrorist act”. The monarch has been outspoken against terrorism, particularly after the execution of a Jordanian pilot by Isis in February last year.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/king-of-jordan-calls-for-muslims-to-lead-fight-against-terrorism-a6736586.html

[Jefferson23]

7. I don't think I have ever heard that term before, takfiri. n/t