₦airaland Forum

By the way, based on the sheer quantity and qaulity of equipment, personnel and battle experience, I would say the Egyptian military is way ahead of its counterparts...Just my opinion though...And I am Nigerian by the way

Do South Africans have a similar website in the mould of NL? I wonder what that would be like

ojay0203: Fellows, i have two things to say here: Firstly, the reason why you don't have a lot of contributors in this forum is that it has turned into a Nigeria vs South Africa shouting platform. It has lost it's main goal, which is news sharing and analysis of Africa's armed forces. Time to get it straight. Secondly, it is not wise to turn the Kenyan crisis situation in which scores of innocent people have lost their lives into another circus. Don't be angered by my choice of words, rather understand my point. Time to make this forum educative and worthy. Cheers!

Well said ojay. Well said. I clicked on this thread to read insightful analysis and comparison of the abilities of the different African militaries and was disappointed to see that it had become another SA/Nigeria shouting match.. This circus will surely put off true and knowlegable military analysts

MiguelMi6: Leopard 2A-7
https://www.worldtribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Leopard2A7-UrbOps.jpg
M60AZ
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/M60A3_Panzer.jpg
Abrams
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Abrams_in_Tahrir.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Abrams_in_formation.jpg

Hey Miguel, nice pics but I think this is supposed to be an African military photo only thread,, right, Henry?

Henry120: More

Nigeria should PLEASE do away with these light weight pick up trucks and give these special units the very best armored trucks or personnel carriers for goodness sakes!! Special units require special tools... The Seals, SAS, Spetsnaz, etc get the very best gear and so should these boys!!

Why did the Nigerian Special Forces for got the Tavors by the way? Would have preferred a weapon with picatinny rails such as the FN SCAR, LWRC M6,Knights Armament SR16, Bushmaster ACR or even the M4 carbine in which different accessories can be fixed unto them? Price I guess??There is just something about the Tavor I just don't like

Henry120: SBS photos in borno

Was just about to go to bed! Nice one.

And God bless these boys... Doing what the do- facing sheer terror - ain't no easy task

Henry120: I'd leave them online till 12pm.

Oga I have been waiting patiently for the pics you promised o!

Henry120: Here is the photo of the PDW. Can you identify it?

It isn't a PDW.

It's a RONI stock on a pistol of unknown manufacture. I would hazard a guess and say it's a CZ75 or a Jericho 941, but I can't tell for sure from the picture. Here's a link to the stock that's available in the US:

http://www.caatactical.com/viewCategory.asp?catID=376

Fynline: Nigeria should brace up!.....i mean u knw how bad pple in this country copy bad things from elsewhere and copy it badly!

I was thinking the exact same thing. I was at The Palms, Lekki yesterday and just couldn't shake the thought of such a possibility off my mind

Henry120: Here is the photo of the PDW. Can you identify it?

Now, that's a tough one I must say. Never seen such a weapon before. It looks like a cross between a MP-7 and a Vector TDI. Funny thing is that I do not see any magazine

Henry120: Yeah, it was quite an impressive array of assault weapons. A mix of the old and the new. The FN SCARs kenyan army special forces were clutching immediately made me loose a significant amount of love for the tavor-21 which is widely used in nigeria. I mean, the FN SCAR is the world's most accurate assault weapon.

It is time for kenya to dump those ugly G3's their soldiers use. It is old, out-dated and heavy.

The M-4 carbines are used by kenya's equivalent of nigeria's DSS judging from their clothing.

There was also another PDW used by kenyan security services I could not quite identify. It was small, looked very compact. It looked a bit similar to the UZI PRO.

Post the picture and d i'll identify it

Henry120: Siege in kenya

Wow! sOMe serious action went down in Nairobi......

On a side note, I see FN SCARs, M4 Carbines and AKs all in use. Probably cos different units of their armed forces are issued different small arms.... Good pics though. They say a lot

Mikel finally scores his first goal in the EPL

[size=24pt]Na lie!! Mikel scores for chelsea!! [/size]

all4naija , lets not dwell too much on sentiments. These are the facts- irrefutable and clear as day:

1. The events in Syria have longed been planned. Evidence is abundant to show this. Wesley Clark's 7 countries video, award winning investigive journalist Seymour Hersh's article "The Re-direction", Brookings Institution's "Which Path to Persia" & "Assesing Options for Regime Change" , etc all foretell what laid in wait for Syria and then Iran. All these. videos, reports and articles are available online. It is left for you to research them by yourselves. How someone can wave all this aside as fairy tales or propaganda baffles me.

2. Quite a number of these so called freedom fighters are invading jihadists from as far away as Chechnya and Libya. This is very much evident in recent times as even the mainstream media can no longer avoid reporting this fact as well. The actors in this conflict as foretold in point 1 above so happen to be the very same actors involved in this conflict. We have also witnessed the barbaric atrocities that are being committed by these invaders all backed, armed and financed by their western sponsors and arab gulf states.


3. Contrary to what some of you may believe, Assad still enjoys popular support amongst his people. His figures are what leaders in some western states can only dream of. Oh yes he is a tyrant but would you rather a tyrant or a state stricken by sectarian strife and one that becomes a breedingground for terrorists and jihadists? This is the reality in places such as Libya and Iraq which have become cespools of violence and extremism.
I unusually watched a special edition of Piers Morgan's show on CNN a few weeks back and who would have believed that all the Syrian Americans and Syrians living in America - Sunni, Alawaite, Shia, etc- in attendance were all in support of the "Assad regime". They even reiterated that this was also the case back home in Syria and that quite a number of these "rebels" were invading and strange foreigners that was plunging the country into a sectarian civil war. HOW SHOCKED I WAS THAT CNN could air this!! Well, it's probably because the anti-war movement is so strong, so pervasive, so popular that even the mainstream media can no longer spin the war case and sell it to an increasingly doubtful public that doesn't trust its govt any longer.


4. Based on the lies and fabrications of past campaigns, the United States has lost its credibility and support for this new misadventure has been very tepid. The international community clearly won't be railroaded into another senseless war and unaffordable war. The American people have spoken (91% against war), the British parliament and its people have also made their stance clear. The only supporters for this misguided campaign are the leaders of those countries that seek personal and selfish gains. You can read on the Sunni/Shia divide, the Iran-Iraq-Syria-Europe pipeline, etc. It's all there on the internet for you to research for yourself. Google is your friend!


5. Contrary to what some of you may also believe, the Syrian and Russian government have individually and collectively submitted the findings of their own independent investigations into the August 21st chemical attack and other attacks in which the rebels were discovered to be the most likely culprits. PLEASE DO NOT CONFUSE THIS WITH THE RECENT SUBMISSION OF INFO ON.CHEMICAL WEAPONS STOCKPILES AND PROGRAMS BY THE ASSAD ADMINISTRATION. Once again, Google is your friend!

America on the other hand hasn't submitted a shred of evidence to the United Nations or to anyone supporting their claim that the Syrian government was behind the August 21st chemical attacks. They have asked us all to have faith in their intelligence. Theirs is faith based intelligence! Note also that they have conveniently overlooked the fact that the "rebels" were caught by Turkish authorities in possession of Sarin gas earlier in the year and that they were singled out earlier in the year also as the most likely culprits behind the Khan Al Asal attack on the 19th of March.

In addition, contrary to.what US secretary of state would have you believe, the UN DID NOT accuse the Syrian.government as the party behind the August 21st chemical attack. We sshould ask ourselves who stands to gain from the blatant use of chemical weapons. Assad or these jihadists? Would Assad be stewpid enough to carry out such an attack on the very same day that UN investigators visit? Would he be so bereft of wisdom and foresight that he would risk everything and carry out such a senseless attack when the US president had clearly stated that such would be a red line??

all4naija, i admire your passion but am sorry to say that your viewpoints are entirely based on sentiments and a misplaced sense of loyalty towards the American ideology.
You cannot possibly alone take on everyone within this forum that has an opposing viewpoint calling them pea brains and other names.They reason those "pea brains" click on the like button is because they are motivated and directed by what they see and hear not what they have been told to believe as the truth. I wonder if there is any common ground we can share. I am a Chelsea FC fan for instance..What are you?

PS: I never said Russia was interfering cos of humanitarian reasons. It was a sarcastic jab at the reasons the United States claims for its numerous interventions and misadventure. Pls read my statement again!

all4naija: Sorry, you are not making any sense. You beat around the bush to much in your write-up. Too much circumlocution just to remain relevant yet you fail to do so.

The worst thing is that the pea-brains will like this your comment very soon.

How else would you like me to state it? In another language? I coudn't have been clearer and more direct

Am off for a wedding....BYE

all4naija: I read your previous long comment, it is only sensitizing the whole situation along the line you have been programmed to see.

I see. So an investigative journalist was very smart and clairvoyant enough to plan the chaos that is unfolding in Syria 4 years in advance and then blame the other party, when the crisis ensues, which that journalist had clearly stated would be those responsible for this very chaos? It just so happens that is it not by coincidence that these participants: Bandar Ibn Sultan, Qatar, the sunni jihadists, the US govt, etc are all involved? I see...

I am posting the link once again for you. Please enjoy:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/03/05/070305fa_fact_hersh?currentPage=all

all4naija: I can recall the UN findings point to Al Assad government to be responsible and capable of producing and using such chemical weapon at a large scale, the reason why Putin and Al Assad is trying to complicate issue by yet-to-be-provided evidence on who used the Sarin gas.

Oga, the Assad adminstration has forwarded their evidence to the United Nations. [i]Can you say same for the United States? Perhaps we no longer need the United Nations and we should follow have-faith-in-what-we-say intelligence that the US is peddling?

all4naija: You need to ask yourself. Why are they given it up and signing to the NPCW at this point? The fact remains these chemical weapons produced by the rogue state of Russia is becoming dangerous to handle in war when the use has be banned long time ago. Keep alluding to what you see to be reasoning out of your mere sentiment.

America has chemical weapons. Britain has got chemical weapons. Russia has got chemical weapons. Israel has got chemical weapons. What else is new under the sun? And as a matter of fact, contrary to what you are insinuating, the British and German government (surprise, surprise!!) have been most active in selling poison chemicals to the Assad administration.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2415081/Britain-sent-poison-chemicals-Assad-Proof-UK-delivered-Sarin-agent-Syrian-regime.html
http://rt.com/news/germany-sarin-gas-syria-040/

Where exactly did u read that rogue state of Russia (lol) along with Syria are the last remaining custodians of chemical weapons? Where in Heaven's name do you get your news from?

And about Syria giving up it's chemical weapons stockpile, was a smart move to thwart the efforts of this jihadists from forcing western intervention should they decide to use chemical weapons again as they have been suspected to.

all4naija: I have long see people like you who are held on to information they makeup calling it fact. Indeed some go as far as to accuse America of every little shortcomings as if America is perfect and as such doesn't have the right to interfere in any things outside it border, ordering USA government around as though it is a child why praising rogue state. Obama government needs to spank any nation proofing dangerous to the world like in the case of Syria and its government.

Oya, point out one madeup story that I have provided and presented it as fact? Did I time travel t0 2007 and create an individual by the name of Seymour Hersh out of thin air and pen that article? Point where I have accused America of every ill there is in the world today.
What exactly is the meaning of a rogue state?? A state that observes international law or one that doesn't and acts unilaterally and with braggadocio? I believe you already know the answer to your question.

all4naija: However, your link and information in it is nothing new. That hasn't changed the fact there are tyrants around the world making slaves out of its own citizens. Whether it is in the middle east, Asia,Americas or Africa there is need to keep watch on this barbaric leaders who are playing their citizens for games. You refuse to see how Russian intervention in the side of Syrian dictator is a thing of interest rather than making the world a better place. It comes at a point when Putin is protecting their base in Syria and possibly protecting their interest of selling weapons to Al Assad. If it is USA people will scream foul and double standard yet nobody is talking about that. It is funny how Russia that doesn't listen to UN when stripping Georgia naked in face of the world is trying to act as though responsible, what a nonsensical strategy to look innocent, innocent only in the eyes of the foolish. It is clear many people are just afraid of the bully Russia. If America should take to such uncivilized way I don't think any nation would be at peace by now. Be as it may USA is still more qualify than Russia to sort this Syrian crisis, either through the use of force or dialogue. Whatever works is fully acceptable.[/i]

Oh yes there are tyrants abound. Kim Jung Un is a tyrant. Assad is also a tyrant. So also was Batista of Cuba, Mobutu of Zaire and Pinochet of Chile, etc. America wasn't keeping watch on these tyrants it would seem as long their interests were protected. And it seems you would rather have bloodletting jihadists running amok beheading and committing sectarian strife than a tyrant that still enjoys majority support amongst his people. No problem.

Yes, Russia has intervened on behalf of Syria - the legitimate government by the way - for their selfish reasons. What country doesn't put it's interests first? I guess America doesn't right? Its all humanitarian and for the greater good of mankind! Russia watched from the sidelined as America and it's allies plundered and destabilized countries such as Iraq and Libya and unleashed a new wave of terrorism and jihadism. As a black man, why don't you pay a visit Tawargha in Libya and see if you can walk freely as blacks used to under the protection of the Ghadaffi government.

As you have stated yourself, dialogue is not only an option in resolving this crisis. It is the only option.

Since we have digressed and are debating on what country is the most racist or hates blacks or other races the most, I'll indulged you lot.

Russia like most slavic countries such as Ukraine, Serbia, etc are generally xenophobic and do not react well to imports that are alien to their culture. Yes, blacks are not as many as they are in places such as the US or the UK for instance but that is not to say blacks do not suffer racial profiling or discrimination in those western countries as well. Should we start reproaching the Russians for not being more accommodating of other races,we might as well admonish the Australians a country that has one of the strictest and closely guarded immigration policies in the western hemisphere. Why not also direct our hate and frustrations at the South American countries or the Chinese if you will for not admitting
enough foreigners into their countries? Every country has got it's own peculiarities and not every country can be as multicultural as the United States which we all know is still bedeviled by a lot of racism, stereotyping, discrimination, racial profiling and racially induced social strife. Just because America is only managing to trudge along under the banner of being a multicultural society doesn't mean the same should and will automatically apply to other countries as well. In Germany some years back, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that "multiculturalism has failed!" why must we single Russia out at the the axis of the anti-multicultural of anti-black fervour? South Africa a fellow African country is probably the most xenophobic country in Africa where their distrust and hatred towards Nigerians in particular is well known. And what about Israel? A country that practices an apartheid form of government where blacks are treated like scum?
What about Nigeria? Why do we identify ourselves foremost by the state, LGA or tribe that we hail from before we see ourselves as Nigerians? Why are we so protective of our identities? Why haven't we invited other tribes to be a part of our respective tribes?


Majority of Russians abhor and detest gayness. Just like in Africa, it is alien to their culture. They do not understand why there is a deliberate and concerted campaign to force the ideology of gayness upon them. Na by force?? It is very wrong to assume that because they are "oyinbo" the idea of being gay is ok with them. Different countries have different values and beliefs that they hold dear and it is folly
to assume that the gay movement equates to being modern and developed or having a 21st century progressive mentality. Because America has said it is ok doesn't mean it is ok or acceptable worldwide. Note also that the russian anti-gay law unlike that of Nigeria doesn't criminalize you for being gay. It only outlaws promotion and dissemination of gay culture. As a matter of fact, the gay movement still faces a considerable amount of opposition and derision by Americans majority of whom are conservatives.

Let me also add that I have nothing personally against gay people. A person's sexual orientation or what he/she finds attractive is none of my business. What I cannot condone however is a well funded and deliberate campaign to force this as acceptable or progressive on the public conscience.


Back to the topic at hand, just I had stated in my previous post, as far as the Syrian crisis is concerned, Putin is in the right and warmongering (and probably senile) McCain is dead wrong! American public opinion (91% against military intervention) and indeed world public opinion is totally against any military intervention based on unfounded and unverified claims made by the powers (seen and unseen) that be within the Obama administration.
People let's not be blinded by the blitz, glamour and false reality of Hollywood or the myth of American exceptionalism. Let's look at the cold, hard facts. Let us look at history and how those mistakes are about to be repeated before forming misguided and biased opinions. Let's step back for a moment and look critically at the country that has assumed an aggressive stance and violated international law and started wars and triggered civil unrest more times than all other countries combined. Let's look at the country that has contrary to assurances and re-assurances of the past expanded the frontiers of NATO and crept closer to the Russian homeland. The country that has re-opened and opened new military bases in Asia and Australia because of the threat it sees from its emerging challenger, China. Let's look at the country, Israel that has scoffed at and rejected peace overtures from the new Iranian leader and is still baying for war.
I do not hate any country neither do I support any country unconditionally. As a matter of fact, should Russia or China emerge as world powers, the very same exploitation, destabilization and imperialistic posture would be implemented by them. . This has always been the way of world powers and would always remain so.

What we as black people need to realize is that to overcome our difficulties, to emerge as equals on the world stage and compete economically, intellectually and technologically with others we need to totally eschew this attitude of believing and seeing anything that the western powers do as justified or acceptable. That is the only way the renaissance of the black man can be started but if we keep kowtowing to everything that the western powers dictate or demand, then there is no hope for us. We will forever be condemned to a state of dependence, inequality and subservience to the all knowing, trustworthy white man!
I do not hate anyone in here. I just stand for the truth and greatly detest hypocrisy and falsehood. Like someone had mentioned within this forum, it may have been Africa, the Americas, the Middle East and Europe in the past. It may also be the Middle East and the Americas today. It may very well be Nigeria tomorrow..........Or are we already suffering from their machinations already?? Only time will tell....

Just in from RT:

Hundreds of rebels in Syria pledge loyalty to Al-Qaeda groups - report

Radical groups operating within Syria have seen their numbers rise as hundreds of rebels have pledged allegiance to the Al-Qaeda-affiliated wing of the rebel movement, according to activists cited by Reuters. The Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have been joined in recent days by individual fighters as well as entire units of rebels. Sources told Reuters that at least two rebel brigades joined the Nusra Front in the province of Raqqa bordering Turkey, while another group, the God’s Victory Brigade, recently published a statement online that all of its leaders and fighters had pledged their loyalty to the Nusra Front. "This is a sign the radical groups are still growing in power. This region could fall to the jihadists," said an activist in Raqqa.

Here's The Full, Extremist-To-Moderate Spectrum Of The 100,000 Syrian Rebels
Michael Kelley Sep. 19, 2013, 9:59 AM 5,914 17

https://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5238bb4feab8eafb13d2823b-480-/rtx13nmd-1.jpg
Free Syrian Army fighters pose for a photograph with their weapons in the old city of Aleppo September 16, 2013. The flag of the Liwa al-Tawhid is in the background.

Who are the approximately 100,000 rebels fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar al Assad?

Assad claims that “80 to 90% of those [the Syrian government is] fighting belong to al Qaeda."

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry claims that 15% to 25% of the opposition is "bad guys" who belong to an extremist groups.

Neither is accurate.

The complex reality is that there are as many as 1,000 individual armed rebel groups, each of which fall somewhere on the spectrum from al-Qaeda ideologue to secular Syrian Arab Army defector.

Charles Lister of IHS Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Center recently published a fantastic article detailing "specific nature and composition of the insurgency itself." According to Lister, nearly half of the rebel forces are jihadist or hardline Islamists.

We've drawn on Lister's insights and other estimates to establish a rough breakdown of the rebels fighting Assad:
Syria Rebels Breakdown_06

https://static2.businessinsider.com/image/523afee9eab8ea8b31647577-1200-825/syrian%20rebels%20breakdown_06.jpg
Mike Nudelman/Michael Kelley/Business Insider

Estimates of the number of overall FSA fighters varies because of the loose command structure of its Supreme Military Council (SMC) and the fact that the 19 SILF groups technically falls under the command of SMC head Brig. Gen. Salim Idriss.

Rebels groups in SILF range from overtly jihadist (e.g. Suqor al-Sham) to moderate. The strength of the FSA (and extremist groups) going forward will largely depend on where SILF fighters fall on the spectrum.

Lister places the number of "genuine moderates" — rebels wholly loyal to the SMC — between 20,000 and 32,000.


Jihadi dominance

While the FSA has been hampered by lack of cohesion and external support, al-Qaeda-link groups have benefited from structure via al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) and resources from Gulf countries. Other jihadist groups, including Ahrar al-Sham, receive funding from the Gulf.

In 2012 al-Qaeda fighters made themselves known on the front lines and subsequently began taking over civil services in Raqqa (where they share power with Ahrar al-Sham) as well as parts of Aleppo (i.e., Syria's largest city).

Lister notes that "groups on the more extreme end of the spectrum, particularly those affiliated with al-Qaeda, have proven remarkably adept at spreading their military resources across large swathes of territory, joining battles at the pivotal moment, and exploiting their superior organizational structures to establish political control and influence over territory."

Aaron Zelin, the Richard Borow Fellow at The Washington Institute who also runs the website Jihadology, recently published a two part report detailing ISIS efforts to establish and run an Islamic state in parts of northern Syria in the face of backlash against al-Qaeda's strict ideology.
https://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5238b72ceab8ea440ad28238-787-781/screen%20shot%202013-09-17%20at%204.08.52%20pm.png

Intra-rebel fighting

There are several wars within the war — most of which involve al-Qaeda — and the violent rift between al Qaeda and FSA-affiliated groups is growing.

On Wednesday fighting broke out between FSA and ISIS in the northern border city of Azaz, which is 3 miles from a key official border crossing with Turkey. ISIS reportedly took over the town, and fighters from Liwa al-Tawhid arrived from Aleppo to attempt to mediate the dispute.

The battle lines between rebels are difficult to draw because, as jihadi researcher Phillip Smyth points out, "regional realities play into [each group's] decisions and dictate how they act." Furthermore, the most immediate goal of most opposition groups is to oust Assad.

As Zelin notes, "one of the biggest ironies of the conflict is that the deeply fractured opposition has become deeply interconnected on the battlefield, since no one faction is strong enough to strong-arm the others."

Nevertheless, strong-arming is occurring, and the hostilities between ISIS and FSA could eventually lead to an all out war with the Assad regime being the primary beneficiary.

That's where Western support is crucial to influencing the estimated 30,000 moderates belonging to groups that have an Islamic character.

"Because of the Islamist make up of such a large proportion of the opposition, the fear is that if the West doesn't play its cards right, it will end up pushing these people away from the people we are backing," Lister told The Telegraph. "If the West looks as though it is not interested in removing Assad, moderate Islamists are also likely to be pushed further towards extremists."

Moderate hope

The FSA is pretty strong in the south, and a recent shipment of weapons via Saudi Arabia have bolstered them in and around Damascus.

The Saudis have been working with Jordan, the U.S., U.K., and France to "set up and run an undisclosed joint operations center in Jordan to train vetted Syrian rebels in tactical warfare methods, intelligence, counterintelligence, and weapons application," according to Interpreter Magazine Editor-In-Chief Michael D. Weiss reported writes.

Weiss reported that 1,000 trainees have graduated from the program, and earlier this month President Obama told senators that the first 50-man cell of CIA-trained fighters had begun sneaking into Syria. (The Pentagon has also offered a plan to train moderate rebels.)

FSA rebels in other areas, especially those with a strong al Qaeda presence, have not received nearly as much ammunition, weapons, and money.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed al-Abboud, who commands the eastern front for the SMC, told Weiss that many fighters join groups such as al Nusra or Ahrar al-Sham "for the salary and food."

"We want to give fighters salaries, even as low as $50," al-Abboud said, adding that proper support would "change reality in a month.”

Overall, the Syrian rebel spectrum will change as the conflict grinds on. How it changes largely depends on whether the West fulfills its promises of support or balks at toppling Assad.

http://www.businessinsider.com/graphic-the-most-accurate-breakdown-of-the-syrian-rebels-2013-9

Yes o all4naija. It is indeed a shame. A shame that you cannot read English to see from the list that the training and arms shipment was secretly done initially (covertly) and then recently, overtly. You'll also notice the chronological order in which the list was posted with the initial mainstream reports streaming in sometime in 2012 when sites such as the Washington Post ran articles clearly stating how the Saudis and Qataris, with US support armed and funded the rebels. Although they had ran this news in 2012, alternative news sites such as landdestroyer..com had been reporting this as early as 2011.

Seymour Hersh of the New Yorker in his article "The Re-direction" as far back as 2007, had clearly and in detail written what lay in store for Syria. Isn't it amazing that exactly the events he predicted are what is unfolding in Syria?


And are you tracking me all over Nairaland?

all4naija: Aren't all these proposed? You can't even distinguish between what is being planned from what has been provided. It is a shame though.

The genesis of it all.....

This article was written in 2007. It so happens that participants that were mentioned in this article are the players in this crisis

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/03/05/070305fa_fact_hersh?currentPage=all

bootlegaz: Your theory is irrational. Russians are hypocrite. Did they follow UN protocols when they bombarded republic of Georgia few years ago? Did they considered the right of those innocent people held by Chechnyan rebels in a movie theater before using their commandos to storm the theater as innocent lives were lost? When it comes to global politics there are no saint. America is as guilty as Russia so as France and Britain

You obviously didn't read my post.....Nothing to say to you

[size=14pt]Wow, wow and wow![/size]

So much passion, hate and vitriol up in here! Unfortunately alot of it is misguided, misinformed and misdirected.The genesis of this debate was the letter written by the Russian president, Vladimir Putin to the America people on the need to exercise caution -considering past misadventures- with regards to the Syrian crisis and senator McCain's rejoinder. Whilst Putin's letter was a polite plea and straight to the point, McCain's was rude, belligerent, personal and completely off topic.

Unfortunately also, the efforts of quite a number of you to drive home your points and reasons why your views are so have digressed from the topic at hand. Claiming that the reasons some of us are "anti-american" or "hate america" is because we have been denied a US Visa is totally ludicrous. Going further to state that those of us that hate America might as well relocate to the Russia which "we love" or that we might as well give up all the American invented technologies and gadgets that we have all become accustomed to and dependent upon is equally ludicrous, childish and absolutely and totally irrelevant. The health or robustness of the economies of these two countries is also besides the point. The issue at hand here is the war in Syria, its causes, the players (seen and unseen), the atrocities committed, those guilty of those atrocities and war crimes, the reaction to and plans of the US, Russia and the international community in finding a common ground towards resolving the conflict and they manner in which each country believes the conflict should be resolved.

These are the facts. Chemical weapons were used. The responsible party behind the attack is yet to be determined. The United States has been very vocal- albeit without providing a shred of evidence - in pointing the finger at the Assad government and threatening military action even though public opinion is heavily against another military misadventure. Russia on the other hand - even if for their selfish interests; and quite understandably so - has towed the path of caution reminding anyone that cares to listen of the importance of due process, respect for international law and the mandate of the United Nations Security Council as the sole authority with the powers to authorize military strikes on a sovereign nation. Russia like any law abiding nation should has also presented its own evidence to the UNSC and repeatedly stated through its foreign affairs minister Lavrov that the only solution to this crisis is a diplomatic one not a military one as the neo-cons and war mongers that exist aplenty in the American government would have you believe.

Yes, Russia has done unsavoury things and violated international laws in the past and arguably continues to do so with the manner in which it has clamped down hard on political opponents and turned a blind eye to corruption within the highest levels of its government but when it comes to calling out the government that has been involved in the most numbers of subversion, overthrows and subjugation of; interference with; assassination of or attempted assassination of heads of state - democratic or otherwise and invasion of sovereign countries- and the number of death, destruction and suffering as a fall out of such interventions, the United States of America is unrivaled and unequaled. Contrary to what some of you may also believe, institutionalized corruption also permeates the highest levels of the American government where the Wall Street banksters; corporate backed and financed so-called think-tanks; lobby groups that represent the mega corporations and Military Industrial Complex, which outgoing president Eisenhower so eloquently warned about in his farewell speech, are the true power brokers that call the shots, form government policy and hold the American people to ransom. This isn't fiction. These are not conspiracy theories. These are clear, undeniable, indisputable truths.

Those of us that are labelled as "anti-american" or "hateful" of America are not. We recognize, appreciate and are forever indebted for the unparalleled contributions that they the American people have made in science and technology (PCs, NASA, their exceptional military might, medical breakthroughs,etc), innovation and entrepreneurship (Facebook, Twitter, The American Dream,etc), sports and entertainment (Hollywood, etc) and in the American ideal and spirit BUT at the same time we also see the ugly side of America; the hypocrisy, the double standards, the unlawful wars based on lies and fabrications, the war crimes, the quest for global hegemony and dominance and this is what we cannot possibly turn a blind eye to and seek to show people that blindly and unrepentantly follow the American doctrine. The very fact that laudable American exports such as Hollywood is so pervasive and influential in shaping our views and opinions even makes so many of us blind to the other face that America has.

I am glad though that quite a number of us are capable of critical, rational and logical reasoning. That they research things for themselves and are motivated and guided by what they see not what they are told to believe as the infallible truth. Kudos to thoth, ocelot2006, GH PATRIOT, 25Calibre, NaWetinNa, shymexx, solomon11, for being objective and logical in your views. A viewpoint that is based on facts and truths trumps one that is based on ideology, loyalty or sentiments anytime and any day. I look forward to engaging with your lot more in the coming days and weeks.

RuuDie: Everybody just assumes the US and (or) its allies are funding or arming the rebels... can anyone prove it beyond reasonable doubt!!?

Reuters:
Exclusive: Obama authorizes secret U.S. support for Syrian rebels

Dailymail:
Britain secretly equipping Syrian rebels with latest satellite phones to help topple Assad

Landdestroyer :
Libyan Terrorists Are Invading Syria

LA Times:
U.S. has secretly provided arms training to Syria rebels since 2012

Democracy Now:
Iran-Contra Redux? Prince Bandar Heads Secret Saudi-CIA Effort to Aid Syrian Rebels, Topple Assad

Washington Post:
Syrian rebels get influx of arms with gulf neighbors’ money, U.S. coordination

Wall Street Journal:
U.S. Begins Shipping Arms for Syrian Rebels

CNN:
Official says CIA-funded weapons have begun to reach Syrian rebels; rebels deny receipt

JPOST:
US-using-Syrian-rebel-supply-lines-as-it-prepares-to-send-arms

Reuters:
U.S. uses Syrian rebel supply lines as it prepares to send arms

Fox:
CIA to arm, train Syrian rebels; Hagel says US jets, missiles brought to Jordan will stay

RT:
Pentagon proposes plan to equip and train ‘moderate’ Syrian rebels

The 5 Lies

Lie 1. Chemical weapons were delivered with munitions not used by rebels: This claim includes referencing "Syria watcher" Eliot Higgins also known as "Brown Moses," a UK-based armchair observer of the Syrian crisis who has been documenting weapons used throughout the conflict on his blog.

While Higgins explains these particularly larger diameter rockets (140mm and 330mm) have not been seen (by him) in the hands of terrorists operating within and along Syria's borders, older posts of his show rockets similar in construction and operation, but smaller, most certainly in the hands of the militants.

The Washington Post contends that somehow these larger rockets require "technology" the militants have no access to. This is categorically false. A rocket is launched from a simple tube, and the only additional technology terrorists may have required for the larger rockets would have been a truck to mount them on. For an armed front fielding stolen tanks, finding trucks to mount large metal tubes upon would seem a rather elementary task - especially to carry out a staged attack that would justify foreign intervention and salvage their faltering offensive.

Lie 2. The sarin was fired from a regime-controlled area: The Washington Post contends that:

The report concludes that the shells came from the northwest of the targeted neighborhood. That area was and is controlled by Syrian regime forces and is awfully close to a Syrian military base. If the shells had been fired by Syrian rebels, they likely would have come from the rebel-held southeast.

What the Washington Post fails to mention are the "limitations" the UN team itself put on the credibility of their findings. On page 18 of the report (22 of the .pdf), the UN states [emphasis added]:

The time necessary to conduct a detailed survey of both locations as well as take samples was very limited. The sites have been well travelled by other individuals both before and during the investigation. Fragments and other possible evidence have clearly been handled/moved prior to the arrival of the investigation team.

It should also be noted that militants still controlled the area after the alleged attack and up to and including during the investigation by UN personnel. Any tampering or planting of evidence would have been carried out by "opposition" members - and surely the Syrian government would not point rockets in directions that would implicate themselves.

Lie 3. Chemical analysis suggests sarin likely came from controlled supply: The Washington Post claims:

The U.N. investigators analyzed 30 samples, which they found contained not just sarin but also "relevant chemicals, such as stabilizers." That suggests that the chemical weapons were taken from a controlled storage environment, where they could have been processed for use by troops trained in their use.

Only, any staged attack would also need to utilize stabilized chemical weapons and personnel trained in their use. From stockpiles looted in Libya, to chemical arms covertly transferred from the US, UK, or Israel, through Saudi Arabia or Qatar, there is no short supply of possible sources.

Regarding "rebels" lacking the necessary training to handle chemical weapons - US policy has seen to it that not only did they receive the necessary training, but Western defense contractors specializing in chemical warfare are reported to be on the ground with militants inside Syria. CNN reported in their 2012 article, "Sources: U.S. helping underwrite Syrian rebel training on securing chemical weapons," that:

The United States and some European allies are using defense contractors to train Syrian rebels on how to secure chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria, a senior U.S. official and several senior diplomats told CNN Sunday.

The training, which is taking place in Jordan and Turkey, involves how to monitor and secure stockpiles and handle weapons sites and materials, according to the sources. Some of the contractors are on the ground in Syria working with the rebels to monitor some of the sites, according to one of the officials.

Lie 4. Cyrillic characters on the sides of the shells: The Washington Post claims:

The Russian lettering on the artillery rounds strongly suggests they were Russian-manufactured. Russia is a major supplier of arms to the Syrian government, of course, but more to the point they are not a direct or indirect supplier of arms to the rebels.

The Washington Post's logic fails even at face value. Terrorists operating inside of Syria also possess rifles and even tanks of Russian origin - stolen or acquired through a large network of illicit arms constructed by NATO and its regional allies to perpetuate the conflict.

Additionally, had the attacks been staged by terrorists or their Western backers, particularly attacks whose fallout sought to elicit such a profound geopolitical shift in the West's favor, it would be assumed some time would be invested in making them appear to have originated from the Syrian government. The use of chemical weapons on a militant location by the militants themselves would constitute a "false flag" attack, which by definition would require some sort of incriminating markings or evidence to accompany the weapons used in the barrage.

Lie 5. The UN Secretary General's comments on the report: The Washington Post itself admits the tenuous nature of this final point, stating:

"This is perhaps the most circumstantial case at all, but it's difficult to ignore the apparent subtext in Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's news conference discussing the report..."

That the Washington Post, and the interests driving its editorial board, could not even produce 5 reasonably convincing arguments as to why the UN report somehow implicates the Syrian government casts doubt on claims regarding the "wealth of technical detail" pointing in President Bashar al-Assad's direction.

The UN report confirms that chemical weapons were used, a point that was not contended by either side of the conflict, before or after the UN investigation began. What the West is attempting to now do, is retrench its narrative behind the report and once again create a baseless justification for continued belligerence against Syria, both covert and as a matter of official foreign policy.

[img]http://4.bp..com/-UpnO4jDEWbo/UjgSYAGgEgI/AAAAAAAAHgo/oE7a1R380Kg/s640/107mm_rockets.jpg[/img]
Image: 107mm rocket shells frequently used by terrorists operating within and along Syria's borders. They are similar in configuration and function to those identified by the UN at sites investigated after the alleged August 21, 2013 Damascus, Syria chemical weapons attack, only smaller.

Grand Theft Auto V: Illuminati Symbolism Exposed In 2013′s Hottest Game

Gaming community is exploding with comments about secret society references in video game released yesterday
Kit Daniels
Infowars.com
September 18, 2013
Grand Theft Auto V, the most anticipated video game of 2013 and the latest entry in the popular “open world” crime series, is filled with obvious references to the Illuminati secret society.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWuTcGWpuo8
Skip to 1:25 for reference.

Developed by British video game developer Rockstar North and released for the Playstation 3 and the XBox 360, GTA V allows the player to freely roam the game’s urban and rural settings while committing crimes with near impunity.
Between virtual shootouts and carjackings, however, players may find themselves distracted by the numerous secret society symbols in the game.
The references are so obvious that the Illuminati in GTA V is a trending topic on both YouTube and Twitter.

A video of the “All-Seeing Eye” picture framed on the wall of one of the game’s safe houses:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svT3d4RLXf0

The previous entry in the series, Grand Theft Auto IV, also had numerous hints to the occult.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSJtesieDGE

Is the symbolism merely meant to be harmless fun which stirs discussion or are they in there for a sinister reason? You decide.
This article was posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 12:30 pm
Tags: domestic news, entertainment


www.infowars.com

Grand Theft Auto V: Illuminati Symbolism Exposed In 2013′s Hottest Game
 
Gaming community is exploding with comments about secret society references in video game released yesterday
Kit Daniels
Infowars.com
September 18, 2013
Grand Theft Auto V, the most anticipated video game of 2013 and the latest entry in the popular “open world” crime series, is filled with obvious references to the Illuminati secret society.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWuTcGWpuo8

Skip to 1:25 for reference.
Developed by British video game developer Rockstar North and released for the Playstation 3 and the XBox 360, GTA V allows the player to freely roam the game’s urban and rural settings while committing crimes with near impunity.
Between virtual shootouts and carjackings, however, players may find themselves distracted by the numerous secret society symbols in the game.
The references are so obvious that the Illuminati in GTA V is a trending topic on both YouTube and Twitter.

A video of the “All-Seeing Eye” picture framed on the wall of one of the game’s safe houses:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svT3d4RLXf0

The previous entry in the series, Grand Theft Auto IV, also had numerous hints to the occult.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSJtesieDGE

Is the symbolism merely meant to be harmless fun which stirs discussion or are they in there for a sinister reason? You decide.
This article was posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 12:30 pm
Tags: domestic news, entertainment


www.infowars.com

[size=14pt]Revealing Pictures From 1972 Rothschild Illuminati Ball[/size]


On 12/12/72 Marie-Hélène de Rothschild, member of the most powerful elite family in the world, held a Surrealist Ball at Château de Ferrières, one of the family’s gigantic mansions. While these events are usually extremely secretive, photographs of this particular Ball surfaced on the web. In short, it is a mix of an “Eyes Wide Shut”-style masked ball mixed with a Lady Gaga-style pop video. I’m not even kidding. Indeed, behind the fun and games, these pics reveal the underlying ideology and the mind state of the occult elite – which is apparently also used in the countless MK/Illuminati theme music videos discussed on this site.

https://i1.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1a.jpg?resize=500%2C394
The invitation is written in reverse. It required a mirror to be read. Inversion is a big deal in a pseudo-satanic mind state.



https://i2.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/11.jpg?resize=500%2C343
The Château de Ferrières was lit in red to make it appear as if it was on fire. Scenes from Roman Polanski’s movie about Satan “9th Gate” were filmed there. In “Eyes Wide Shut”, the occult ritual takes place in another Rothschild mansion, Mentmore Towers in the UK.



https://i0.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/21.jpg?resize=469%2C650
A guest wearing multiple-faced mask. A similar mask is seen in Eyes Wide Shut (was the movie inspired by Rothschild balls?). Did this ball “devolve” into the debauchery depicted in the movie?



https://i0.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/31.jpg?resize=500%2C369
Lots of birdcages everywhere.





https://i2.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/111.jpg?resize=485%2C650
Lots.


https://i2.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/41.jpg?resize=400%2C546
The host is wearing a giant horned head. How appropriate.



https://i2.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/71.jpg?resize=500%2C377
Baphomet welcomes you.



https://i0.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/61.jpg?resize=500%2C493
Salvador Dali doing his Dali face in front of his famous depiction of Mae West.



https://i1.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/8.jpg?resize=500%2C356
Lady Gaga is probably dying to wear one of these.



https://i0.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/13.jpg?resize=500%2C404

https://i0.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/15.jpg?resize=500%2C333

https://i1.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/51.jpg?resize=600%2C404
On the diner table are dismembered dolls and cracked skulls. This imagery is also prevalent in countless music videos. Its all about the occult elite’s MK culture.



https://i1.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/9.jpg?resize=500%2C368
A mannequin-cadaver type thing on the diner table.


https://i0.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/12-e1379433515548.jpg?resize=500%2C330
Not quite sure what that is.

http://vigilantcitizen.com/

[size=14pt]Revealing Pictures From 1972 Rothschild Illuminati Ball[/size]


On 12/12/72 Marie-Hélène de Rothschild, member of the most powerful elite family in the world, held a Surrealist Ball at Château de Ferrières, one of the family’s gigantic mansions. While these events are usually extremely secretive, photographs of this particular Ball surfaced on the web. In short, it is a mix of an “Eyes Wide Shut”-style masked ball mixed with a Lady Gaga-style pop video. I’m not even kidding. Indeed, behind the fun and games, these pics reveal the underlying ideology and the mind state of the occult elite  – which is apparently also used in the countless MK/Illuminati theme music videos discussed on this site.

https://i1.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1a.jpg?resize=500%2C394
The invitation is written in reverse. It required a mirror to be read. Inversion is a big deal in a pseudo-satanic mind state.

 

https://i2.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/11.jpg?resize=500%2C343
The Château de Ferrières was lit in red to make it appear as if it was on fire. Scenes from Roman Polanski’s movie about Satan “9th Gate” were filmed there. In “Eyes Wide Shut”, the occult ritual takes place in another Rothschild mansion, Mentmore Towers in the UK.

 

https://i0.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/21.jpg?resize=469%2C650
A guest wearing multiple-faced mask. A similar mask is seen in Eyes Wide Shut (was the movie inspired by Rothschild balls?). Did this ball “devolve” into the debauchery depicted in the movie?

 

https://i0.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/31.jpg?resize=500%2C369
Lots of birdcages everywhere.

 



https://i2.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/111.jpg?resize=485%2C650
Lots.

 
https://i2.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/41.jpg?resize=400%2C546
The host is wearing a giant horned head. How appropriate.

 

https://i2.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/71.jpg?resize=500%2C377
Baphomet welcomes you.

 

https://i0.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/61.jpg?resize=500%2C493
Salvador Dali doing his Dali face in front of his famous depiction of Mae West.

 

https://i1.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/8.jpg?resize=500%2C356
Lady Gaga is probably dying to wear one of these.



https://i0.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/13.jpg?resize=500%2C404

https://i0.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/15.jpg?resize=500%2C333

https://i1.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/51.jpg?resize=600%2C404
On the diner table are dismembered dolls and cracked skulls. This imagery is also prevalent in countless music videos. Its all about the occult elite’s MK culture.

 

https://i1.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/9.jpg?resize=500%2C368
A mannequin-cadaver type thing on the diner table.


https://i0.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/12-e1379433515548.jpg?resize=500%2C330
Not quite sure what that is.

http://vigilantcitizen.com/

Just in. These are the people the US, Israel, Saudi, Turkey and Qatar are supporting and supplying weapons to........I am so sorry


[size=14pt]Horrific footage shows Syrian helicopter pilot who was 'shot down by Turkish forces and then beheaded by rebels[/size]



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2423831/Disturbing-footage-shows-Syrian-helicopter-pilot-shot-Turkish-forces-beheaded-rebels.html