Comments on: WILL BRAMMERTZ GIVE ASSAD AND HIS CRONIES A PASS ON THE HARIRI KILLING? http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2007/07/13/will-brammertz-give-assad-and-his-cronies-a-pass-on-the-hariri-killing/ Politics served up with a smile... And a stilletto. Sat, 23 May 2026 02:17:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Pajamas Media http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2007/07/13/will-brammertz-give-assad-and-his-cronies-a-pass-on-the-hariri-killing/comment-page-1/#comment-794928 Pajamas Media Sat, 14 Jul 2007 10:09:10 +0000 http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2007/07/13/will-brammertz-give-assad-and-his-cronies-a-pass-on-the-hariri-killing/#comment-794928 <strong>Hypocrisy All Around...</strong> Long trodden upon lines of propriety have been crossed once again in the media's most recent Larry Flynt-sponsored rush to expose a Republican caught engaging in acts beyond the bounds of his marriage. Rick Moran examines the recklessness of ignoring.... Hypocrisy All Around…

Long trodden upon lines of propriety have been crossed once again in the media’s most recent Larry Flynt-sponsored rush to expose a Republican caught engaging in acts beyond the bounds of his marriage. Rick Moran examines the recklessness of ignoring….

]]> By: leo http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2007/07/13/will-brammertz-give-assad-and-his-cronies-a-pass-on-the-hariri-killing/comment-page-1/#comment-794044 leo Fri, 13 Jul 2007 22:08:37 +0000 http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2007/07/13/will-brammertz-give-assad-and-his-cronies-a-pass-on-the-hariri-killing/#comment-794044 It is likely indeed that the Syrian regime was behind the Hariri assassination. And it is possible that those who investigate the whole thing since then assume this origin of the crime, too, but do not have enough proof. But there is an additional aspect which may prevail, Rick Moran: Do we have an interest in confronting the Assad regime with an accusation, with a condemnation, with any consecutive punishment? If not, it may be politically wise not to indict the Assad regime directly. Politics is not about morality. It may be better in this case allowing the presumptive killers of Hariri to get a pass. The Assad regime in Syria is stable now, and quite popular; neither the Syrians nor Israel (I suppose) nor Lebanon (not even Siniora & Co.) nor the USA seem to harbour an interest in seeing Assad ousted or squeezed too desperation: We all do not have an interest in bringing the Muslim Brotherhood to power in Syria, or turn it into a second Iraq, torn apart by civil war - thus providing a new battle field for Al Qaida. The difference between the Mehlis and the Brammertz report may just display the difference between the situation then (2006) and now (2007): In 2007 Assad has become strong enough to be no longer bullied as much as he was in 2006. That is, among other reasons, a side-effect of the US predicament in Iraq, and of the comeback of Al Qaida in Pakistan. Things may change again considerably when the US Gambling Team will - as I fear - air-raid Iran this or next year to reshuffle the deck, hoping for a new wave of patriotism at home and a new chance in Iraq; and Israel may use (abuse?) the opportunity to war with Hezbollah and Syria, trying to diminish their strength and pride. I doubt whether such change or reshuffle will improve US standing in the MidEast --- or global economy, or increase Israel's security. The Gamblers in Washington never were good in mid-term or long-term calculations. "Reality-based" people (like me, and maybe you, too) can only wait and see. And pray. It is likely indeed that the Syrian regime was behind the Hariri assassination.
And it is possible that those who investigate the whole thing since then assume this origin of the crime, too, but do not have enough proof.

But there is an additional aspect which may prevail, Rick Moran: Do we have an interest in confronting the Assad regime with an accusation, with a condemnation, with any consecutive punishment?

If not, it may be politically wise not to indict the Assad regime directly.

Politics is not about morality. It may be better in this case allowing the presumptive killers of Hariri to get a pass.

The Assad regime in Syria is stable now, and quite popular; neither the Syrians nor Israel (I suppose) nor Lebanon (not even Siniora & Co.) nor the USA seem to harbour an interest in seeing Assad ousted or squeezed too desperation:

We all do not have an interest in bringing the Muslim Brotherhood to power in Syria, or turn it into a second Iraq, torn apart by civil war - thus providing a new battle field for Al Qaida.

The difference between the Mehlis and the Brammertz report may just display the difference between the situation then (2006) and now (2007): In 2007 Assad has become strong enough to be no longer bullied as much as he was in 2006.

That is, among other reasons, a side-effect of the US predicament in Iraq, and of the comeback of Al Qaida in Pakistan.

Things may change again considerably when the US Gambling Team will - as I fear - air-raid Iran this or next year to reshuffle the deck, hoping for a new wave of patriotism at home and a new chance in Iraq; and Israel may use (abuse?) the opportunity to war with Hezbollah and Syria, trying to diminish their strength and pride.

I doubt whether such change or reshuffle will improve US standing in the MidEast — or global economy, or increase Israel’s security.
The Gamblers in Washington never were good in mid-term or long-term calculations. “Reality-based” people (like me, and maybe you, too) can only wait and see. And pray.

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