Putin Can 'Never Be Welcomed Back into the International Community'

Mar 29, 2022 • Retired Four Star General Barry McCaffrey and NBC News White House correspondent Mike Memoli on President Biden insisting that it is his personal view that Putin cannot remain in power, and that his comments over the weekend in Poland were not advocating for regime change.

Libya: David Cameron Warns that International Community Cannot 'Stand By'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron has warned that the international community cannot "stand by" after the Gaddafi regime yesterday unleashed a "barbaric war" against rebels and the EU rejected his plan for a no-fly zone to protect civilians.

During a six hour Brussels summit, an angry Prime Minister fought to persuade other EU leaders to send clear message threatening military action on the same day that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi unleashed air strikes and launched a massive military offensive against Libyan rebels.

"We are witnessing, what can only be called, barbaric acts with Gaddafi brutally suppressing a popular rising led by his own people," he said.

"Things may be getting worse not better on the ground. The truth is this: Gaddafi is still on the rampage, waging war on this people."

But Mr Cameron faced strong opposition to a Nato imposed no-fly zone led by Germany, which had the support of Baroness Ashton, the EU foreign minister and British peer.

EU leaders rejected British demands for a clear declaration that supported "continued planning with Nato allies to be ready to provide support for all possible contingencies as the situation evolves, including a no-fly zone".

In a serious setback for Mr Cameron, who was the first world leader to raise the prospect of Western military intervention in Libya, the EU agreed vague wording that "in order to protect the civilian population, member states will examine all necessary options".

Dismissing the traditional Brussels focus on summit communiqués and the subtleties of diplomatic language, the Mr Cameron pledged that Britain would not stand by as the Libyan people were slaughtered. >>> Bruno Waterfield, Brussels | Friday, March 11, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Libya: Gaddafi's jets break bodies but not the rebels' spirit – It started with the boom, boom, boom of decrepit anti-aircraft guns shooting wildly into the open blue sky. Then came the screeching engines of an invisible warplane, hurtling towards the rebel position. >>> Rob Crilly, Ras Lanuf and Richard Spencer in Tajoura | Saturday, March 12, 2011

Russia - Outside Meddling in Libya "Unacceptable"
REUTERS UK: Russia's foreign minister warned world powers on Thursday against meddling in the affairs of Libya and other African countries, saying military intervention would be unacceptable.

Moscow could use its clout, siding with fellow permanent U.N. Security Council member China, to temper Western policy and influence global actions, as it has done with Iran in an eight-year-long stand-off over its disputed nuclear activity.

Sergei Lavrov said Western discussion of proposals for a no-fly zone over the North African country was premature and had not yet been put before the Security Council, where Russia holds veto-wielding power.

He added that Russia would, however, "closely study" any such initiatives to provide support to rebel forces battling to oust long-time Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. >>> | Moscow | Thursday, March 10, 2011

How Syria's Assad Is Steering His Country out of Isolation
SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Washington still counts him as part of its axis of evil, but Europe and Russia -- and, more recently, even archenemy Israel -- are courting him as a negotiating partner. The ruler of Damascus, Syrian President Bashar Assad, wants to lead his country back to the international community.

Bashar Assad will never be a charismatic politician like Barack Obama or a populist leader in the style of Fidel Castro. Forced into politics by his über-father, Hafez Assad, the "Lion" of the nation, the 43-year-old former ophthalmologist consistently comes across as stiff and awkward on the international stage.

He always gazes into the distance during public appearances, as if he wanted nothing to do with politics and would much rather be someplace else. Even today, after leading his country for eight years, Assad still gives the impression that he longs to return to treating patients in his former practice in London or attending an ophthalmologists' conference. At state receptions, the tall president stands stiff as a board, as if he had swallowed a giant pencil, shifting his weight from one leg to the other, a lost flamingo in the palace of power.

But anyone who sees Assad as a political lightweight, as someone easily manipulated by his advisors and a marginal figure ridiculed or at best ignored by the major players on the world stage is making a mistake. Syria is in the process of becoming a decisive force in the Middle East once again. How Syria's Assad Is Steering His Country out of Isolation >>> By Erich Follath | September 23, 2008

SPIEGELONLINE PHOTO GALLERY: Wooing the Pariah >>>

TIMESONLINE:
Fears Grow in Lebanon as 10,000 Syrian Troops Arrive on the Border: Syria has massed thousands of troops along its border with northern Lebanon in what officials in Beirut fear is a prelude to the first incursion since Syrian forces pulled out three years ago.
Although Damascus insists that its forces are conducting an antismuggling operation, the Lebanese Government is eyeing the moves with unease, believing that the unusual scale of the deployment has more to do with tensions between the two countries over recent sectarian clashes in northern Lebanon. >>> By Nicholas Blanford in Hekr Janin | September 24, 2008

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The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Hardcover (US) Barnes & Noble >>>

Russia Mocks West’s Displeasure over War in Georgia

THE INDEPENDENT: The Kremlin has poured scorn on Western attempts to punish Russia for its invasion of Georgia, saying it was more than happy to be estranged from the international community.

The Kremlin on Monday said it was more than happy to be locked out of international institutions as it poured scorn on Western attempts to punish Russia over its invasion of Georgia.

Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, said he was not bothered if more than a decade of post Cold War rapprochement with Nato was halted altogether. "We are ready to accept any decisions up to halting relations altogether," he said. The president also issued a chilly warning to Moldova of a military response if it followed the Georgian example of trying to regain control of its own breakaway region of Transdniester, whose rebel leadership has long been backed by Russia.

The hard line approach was adopted by Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, who said he saw no merit in joining the World Trade Organization even though Russia has had an outstanding membership application since 1995. "We don't feel or see any advantages from membership, if they exist at all," he said.

While he did not formally abandon accession negotiations, Mr Putin announced that Russia was pulling out of commitments it had earlier signed that were seen as pre-requisites for membership. Russia Mocks West’s Displeasure over War in Georgia >>> By Adrian Blomfield in Gori and Bruno Waterfield in Brussels | August 25, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (US) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (US) >>>