The government of Syria continues to remain steadfast despite open intimidation from Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Other enemies of Syria including America, France, Jordan, and the United Kingdom, all prefer a more underhanded approach. This isn’t surprising given the many joint military alliances between al-Qaeda linked terrorist groups and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) despite all the words of denial coming out of Washington. After all, various FSA units work side by side with al-Qaeda linked groups and it is difficult to split them given the reality on the ground. Of course, the Islamists are “useful tools” just like they were in Bosnia when Bill Clinton gave them the green light. However, in time the United States would squeeze them out of the picture in Bosnia once their evil deeds had served the purpose of Washington. Last year it was the turn of NATO Turkey to try and entrap Syria by not only allowing the FSA and various Islamist groups to reequip and manipulate the border areas; but also because Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey had hoped to ensnare the Syrian armed forces into open hostilities in the border areas between both nations. The Syrian government is fully aware about the real motives of Erdogan therefore they have no intent on assisting his plans. After all, it is not in the interest of Syria to become involved in a conflict on another front. Therefore, with internal discontent increasing in Turkey because of the policies of Erdogan towards Syria, then now it is the time of Israel to play the devil’s advocate for Washington. President Obama pulled American forces out of Iraq and then supported a policy of the destabilization of Syria in the full knowledge that al-Qaeda and other sectarian forces would be reinvigorated in Iraq. Obama knows that it is a very hard sell to openly fight on the same side of al-Qaeda. Therefore, the CIA is being “pimped out” just like MI6 in the United Kingdom in order to do the dirty work from a distance. Prudently, it is wise for Obama to do this because the FSA Islamists have committed horrendous atrocities and currently two Christian bishops are being held by forces which are allied to the causes of Ankara, Doha, London, Paris, Riyadh and Washington. America’s “war on terrorism” in Syria is clearly a war on allowing Saudi Arabia and Qatar to openly support terrorism, sectarianism and sedition. The embassy debacle in Libya, the recent terrorist attack in Boston and the Saudi connection to September 11; means that it is a hard sell for Obama to openly side with the forces of al-Qaeda and sectarianism in Syria. This also applies to the fact that thousands of American troops were killed in Iraq but today because of the policies of Obama – and regional nations which are against the government of Syria – then the same forces of al-Qaeda are once more thriving in Iraq and now they can reach deeply within the Levant. In recent weeks it is clear that the armed forces of Syria have been reinvigorated and Jordan appears to have taken a step back based on self interests because the ratlines couldn’t be covered-up no more. Also, the elites in Jordan know that the Muslim Brotherhood will not stop at Syria because many ardent members want to take over the leverages of power within this country. Jordan should look at modern day Pakistan and how this nation helped to destabilize itself by giving birth to the Taliban and then fighting a brutal war with the same forces that were unleashed in Afghanistan. Islamists were “adorable killers” of Orthodox Christians for American in Bosnia because once they had dutifully served the interests of others; then they could be dismantled because their powerbase was weak internally. Yet in Jordan the Palestinian and Muslim Brotherhood questions are very real therefore some elites in Jordan are worried about ensnaring themselves. Turkey likewise backed down when NATO balked at becoming fully involved because just like the European Union it is clear that many members don’t buy into the hard sell of America, France and the United Kingdom. Also, with the Russian Federation remaining firm and internal discontent growing within parts of Turkey towards the policies of Erdogan; then his rants and goading of Syria have died down despite the menace still existing. The recent attack by FSA Islamists against Turkish border guards is also a reminder that Erdogan is playing a dangerous game because you have major religious, political and ethnic divides in this country. However, Israel doesn’t have to worry about a widespread Palestinian uprising because Hamas is increasingly in the pockets of Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. Also, despite anti-Christian persecution increasing in Egypt this isn’t stopping America from supporting the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt both financially and militarily. Therefore, Israel doesn’t currently face an internal threat and with sectarianism growing in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria; then this may be an opportunist moment to weaken Hezbollah further in the knowledge that the “Lebanese street” is extremely divided. The bombing by Israel also may highlight the death knell of FSA Islamists forces which are being pushed back in many areas by the Syrian armed forces. It seems inconceivable that Syria would be arming any other entity given the range of enemies against this secular nation. Similarly, the involvement of Israel makes a mockery of al-Qaeda because Islamists are not attacking NATO Turkey in the north or Israel in the south. On the contrary, Islamist terrorists are only focused on destroying Syria which is the last major independent state in the Arabic speaking world. Syria will be faced with a major dilemma if the bombing of this country by Israel becomes more frequent. After all, the Syrian armed forces can’t afford to be drawn into a conflict with either Israel or Turkey. Therefore, Israel may be goading Hezbollah in the knowledge that if Syria and Iran do reply then it will most likely come through south Lebanon and the heartland of Hezbollah. Also, with FSA Islamists attacking villages along the border between Lebanon and Syria and with Sunni Islamist militancy growing in Lebanon; then does Israel see an opportunity to entrap Hezbollah during a time when this organization may become over stretched? The government of Syria is the most stabilizing entity within the region because clearly this nation doesn’t seek to become embroiled with hostile nations. Israel can’t justify their attacks against Syria on any grounds because the government of Syria is not behaving in a hostile manor unlike Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Therefore, it is imperative that Syria is supported by friendly nations against all the dark forces which are against this country. Syrian TV stated that “The new Israeli attack is an attempt to raise the morale of the terrorist groups, which have been reeling from strikes by our noble army.” Ironically, the opposite will most likely happen because the more nations are pushing against Syria – then the more united the armed forces are becoming. Likewise, all major religious leaders in Syria from the entire spectrum remain firm against the meddling of outside nations. leejay@moderntokyotimes.com http://moderntokyotimes.com