The Weekly Watch

Black Flags Over Damascus

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This moment reminds me of the US celebrating bin Laden and al Queda for ridding Afghanistan of the USSR. Later he declared war on the US. I suspect HTS and al Golani will play out in a similar manner. No matter, the nation state of Syria is no more. Of course it was a post world war (1946) creation itself, although Damascus is quite old. Many scholars believe that, among the ancient cities of the world, Damascus is perhaps the oldest continuously inhabited. Over the centuries, Damascus has been conqueror and conquered, wealthy and destitute, and capital of empire and small states. Sadly it's pluralistic culture is likely to be dissolved. (excellent article)

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The former nation state of Syria has had many faces over time, once as part of the Persian Empire.

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Several hundred years as part of the Roman Empire.

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A long time as part of the Ottoman empire.

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After the defeat of the Turks in WWI, it began it's evolution into a nation state.

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Syria was finally created after WWII.

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It's long and varied history has taken another turn.
Did you ever see Lawrence of Arabia? Full movie here. At the end of the film the Arabs find themselves unable to move beyond their tribal disagreements to control Damascus, aided by the Brits cutting off the city's water and electricity. Apparently not much has changed.

George Galloway also recalled the film in his monologue this week...
The Arab world is dead to me (18 min)
The new world isn't being born, the old world is not dying. With the destruction of Syria comes the death of Palestine. Gaza is done for. Netanyahu wins

Syrian born, Richard Medhurst, shares his opinion...

It's all about al-Qaeda. The map of Syria has been disfigured and redrawn. Head-chopping lunatics rule the asylum, says Richard Medhurst (15 min)

The Duran also discusses the situation...
Partitioning Syria. HTS is a shadow (16 min)
The video discusses the collapse of Syria, with foreign powers partitioning the country. It covers Israel's expansion, Turkey's actions, HTS's role, and the US involvement. The discussion also touches on Blinken's visit to Turkey and the uncertain future of Damascus.

Pepe Escobar: Syria in Ultimate Chaos

(65 min)

Pepe's recent article...
Death of a nation: Black Flags, massacres, land grabs as vultures feed on the carcass of Syria
The standard modus operandi of the Hegemon is always Divide and Rule. Cornered by the inexorable rise of the multi-nodal reality, they saw an opening for an imperial reboot, betting everything on establishing the “Greater Middle East” outlined still during the Cheney era.
The iron axis of Straussian neocons, Zio-cons and Old Testament psychos in Tel Aviv is no-holds-barred obsessed on destroying the Axis of Resistance, using their transnational network of bloody killers to extend chaos and sectarian civil war all across West Asia. Throughout this ideal scenario they dream of mortally hitting the head of the snake: Iran.
Sultan Erdogan, playing the role of useful patsy, has proclaimed:
A “bright period” for Syria has begun.
Indeed. A bright period for Black Flag head-choppers and Tel Aviv bombers and land grabbers – feeding on the carcass of Syria.

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To Kill a Nation: Daniel McAdams on the American War on Syria (54 min)
We’re excited to welcome back Daniel McAdams, Executive Director of the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity, to discuss the current situation in the Middle East. Together, we’ll examine the U.S. role in destabilizing nations throughout history, compare Syria’s plight to others, and explore what the future may hold for the country.

Max Blumenthal : Turkey Invades Syria.

(26 min)

Why Syria Fell So Fast/Now What Are We Looking At? Col Doug Macgregor (30 min)

Perhaps the most interesting hypothesis about the fall of Syria comes from Alex Krainer.

(30 min) He suggest it was a trap laid to ensnare NATOstan in a quagmire much like we did to the USSR in Afghanistan.
Did Russia Just Set a HUGE Trap in Syria? | Alex Krainer (48 min)

The idea that Syria and Ukraine are separate conflicts is mistaken to my mind. Ukrainian trainers and officers helped HTS in their rapid offensive. HTS is made up of foreign (mainly central Asian) jihadists. Plus CIA, MI6, Mossad, Turkey's MIT, were all knee deep in the invasion. Perhaps the idea was to distract Russia from Ukraine. If that was the plan, it failed. Russia continues it's unrelenting steady progress working toward the borders of all four new oblasts. Russia is currently holding all the cards and I don't see how the Ukraine army can withstand the massive onslaught for much longer.

Here's a nice summary of the conflict...
Has Russia 'Checkmated' the West With Oreshnik? Mike Maloney

(37 min) Today’s update exposes a critical and urgent threat that has been buried by mainstream media. For decades, global powers have taken steps that have destabilized international security, bringing us closer to the brink of World War III.
Discover:
Why the U.S. withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty changed the course of history.
The development of Russia’s Oreshnik hypersonic missile and its implications for global security.
How NATO’s expansion has escalated tensions with Russia.
The media’s role in suppressing essential information about these dangers.
What you can do to demand accountability and prevent further escalation.
The risks are real, and the stakes have never been higher. This is a conversation that must happen now.
Links to all referenced materials are right here.

The Duran had several clips this week updating the situation in Ukraine...
TRUMP wants end to project Ukraine, Zelensky panics (22 min)
ATACMS into Russia. Kursk cauldron KNOCKOUT to Ukraine (23 min)
Orban, project Ukraine and a return to diplomacy (24 min)

Trump Says No to ‘Foolish’ US Missile Attacks on Russia
President-elect Donald Trump accused the Biden administration of “escalating this war” in Ukraine and “making it worse” by allowing U.S. long-range ATACMS missiles to be fired from Ukraine deep into Russia. “I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia,” Trump told Time magazine in an interview published on Thursday. He said: “Why are we doing that? We’re just escalating this war and making it worse. That should not have been allowed to be done. Now they’re doing not only missiles, but they’re doing other types of weapons. And I think that’s a very big mistake, very big mistake.”

The outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden is preparing a significant surge in weapons deliveries to Ukraine in the final weeks of his tenure, a senior official told CNN on Thursday.


Biden Aims to Go Out With a Bellicose Bang

Having failed thus far to ignite Nuclear Armageddon, what’s up next for the U.S. military industrial complex? I’ll tell you: New bases in Europe, 47 of them, to be exact, in Scandinavia in coming years. That’s Joe Biden’s legacy, a blood transfusion to NATO’s moribund carcass by adding Finland and Sweden and thereby ballooning the Empire’s global military footprint, a footprint of over 800 imperial foreign military bases already bankrupting us Welp, we’re gonna get 47 more, per journalist Patrick Hennigsen, and they’re gonna be near Russia. If you’re a Finn or a Swede, you might want to consider emigrating, since the pusillanimous NATO to which you now belong has set you up as a tripwire for the Atomic Apocalypse. That’s Biden’s legacy. Don’t think for a minute these bases make anyone safer. Quite the contrary. Besides being hugely provocative and thus endangering the local population, the bases’ U.S. soldiers are in harm’s way.

I want to recommend watching this almost 3 hour conversation between Joe Rogan and deep state investigator Mike Benz. Watch it in bites to take it all in over the next week. Seems like I took it in with five or more bites. For those who are interested in the depth of the blob, it is well worth your time. Mike Benz (2.7 hours)

Mike Benz is a former official with the U.S. Department of State and current Executive Director of the Foundation For Freedom Online, is a free speech watchdog organization dedicated to restoring the promise of a free and open Internet. www.foundationforfreedomonline.com

As Mearsheimer said this week there's no way Trump can clean house, the tentacles of the blob simply reach too far.
Prof. John Mearsheimer : "Russophobic " - Buzzword for MSM

Great quote from the comments below the clip...
Corrupted by wealth and power, your government is like a restaurant with only one dish. They've got a set of Republican waiters on one side and a set of Democratic waiters on the other side. But no matter which set of waiters brings you the dish, the legislative grub is all prepared in the same Wall Street kitchen. - Huey Long

Of course you can't go wrong with Ray, Larry, and the Judge with the weekly wrap...

(30 min)

As to South Korea, I would point you to soryang's comment yesterday...

The republic of South Korea has profound structural problems, economically, socially, and politically. This drift into authoritarianism, the suppression of a free press, the institutional corruption of the press on behalf of the five major chaebol monopolies, the oppression of labor unions, etc., is a perennial problem, that lends itself to the emergence of dictatorship. This still isn't over. The now acting president, the prime minister Han Duck-soo, is a suspect in Yoon's plot to overthrow the republic. How can he function as the chief executive?

Much more to read in his comment.

On the domestic front...

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missed opportunities...

ABC To Pay Trump $15 Million For Defamation, Issue Apology

(60 sec)

RFK has TPTB wringing their hands....

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Jesse Watters: "The MAHA movements go into food court. First of its kind lawsuits, accusing top food companies of designing addictive foods and drinks and marketing them to kids, causing chronic diseases. Coca-Cola, Kraft, Heinz, Nestle, just some of the major companies hit with the lawsuit."
"Big food's pushing back, saying the suit gives processed foods a bad rap. Quote, there is currently no agreed upon scientific definition of ultra-processed foods. Attempting to classify foods as unhealthy simply because they are processed or demonizing food by ignoring its full nutrient content misleads consumers and exacerbates health disparities."
"While big foods fighting in court, Trump and R.F.K. Jr. are ready to fight in the court of public opinion. There's just a month away from shaking up Washington and the entire food industry see a new hope with the incoming administration. I think a lot of our moms didn't necessarily just like run to the right. They felt abandoned by the left. And when the right said, hey, we're here for you on health freedom, they said, that's something that I can align with."
"Parents of all political stripes are worried about their kids' health and their husbands. And they're cheering on Trump and RFK Jr. Democrats are realizing that once again, the right is on the side of the people, and their voters are switching sides. But instead of playing ball and fighting for the greater good, the left is lying to you."
"Democrats in the media have been trying to take down each of Trump's cabinet picks for weeks. The New York Times ran a little hit piece on RFK and vaccines. Kennedy's lawyer has asked the FDA to revoke approval of the polio vaccine. The Times had so little to work with, they were forced to admit the truth."
"Just a few paragraphs down, writing this, Mr. Kennedy, president-elect Donald J. Trump's choice for health secretary has said that he does not want to take away access to any vaccines. We don't expect the media to let the truth get in the way of a good story."

RFK may have to be a recess appointment big food and big pharma are powerful.

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Go to X for a quick read...or watch the 10 min clip.

But you better not question the science. Remember when Falsie said he WAS science?

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Funny how TPTB turned that on its head.

Staying away from health providers may be the best strategy.

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and the rest of the X post text...
"So he went and he did a study of the Amish... Following the national trends, there should have been about 2,000 autism cases. And they were able to find three."
"And all of them were children who had been adopted by the Amish after receiving their vaccines. Of the Amish in general, they could not find any."

No doubt RFK is going to have a steep hill to climb. I'm glad he's going to try.

Well, there's more news to discuss, but we'll have to do that in the comments below. The world, as always, is in a state of flux, but it feels like we're at the cusp of rapid changes. I hope you'll chime in with your thoughts, stories, and insights below. The Thread is open...

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QMS's picture

.
A full plate to savor over the week.
Thank you for harvesting all this.

Another interesting discussion, as you wish.
Almost 3 hours in length. Only 1/4 way thru now.
John Mearsheimer vs Alexander Dugin

https://youtu.be/Iv02AsNATAg

Enjoy your Sunday.

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question everything

Lookout's picture

@QMS

We've got a drizzly day here, but we can still use the rain. It's time to harvest some broccoli this week. Been eating garden greens. Cabbage heading up for harvest in a month or so. Winter greens must use sugar as antifreeze cause winter greens are so sweet. Carrots do the same in winter I've heard.

We sow winter ryegrass to have a nice bright green spot in winter. It is doing well and it's nice on these sorts of days to look out the window on greenery.

Hope you and yours are having a nice weekend. Thanks for coming by!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

soryang's picture

I had a false recollection that I had seen the original Michelangelo sculpture at the Louvre, a long time ago. So trying to verify where I got the idea that I had seen it, beyond the pictures in art books around my home growing up, I think I saw a replica at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. A close friend from high school was an art student in Philadelphia at the time. We spent some time visiting the museum. They had a great art collection. I did see the Pieta as a child in New York in 1964. Michelangelo was perhaps the greatest sculptor of all time. I used to draw images from photos of his sketches for fun.

LO Thanks for the plug. I was getting my news from South Korean sources, MBC, and Eonalba 언론 알아야 바꾼다, and others. Ms. So started watching only after the coup news. I've been watching Korean political news daily for years now. There were clearer accounts in the English language Korean press, or at least more organized. This Joongang Ilbo account, (very conservative msm) says the false flag plan recounted by Kim Eo-jun in the National Assembly was part of the original martial law plan as he told it.

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun alleges assassination plot against PPP leader in National Assembly testimony

An Qui-ryeong 안귀령 and Kim Eo-jun 김어준 below. They've been working together on his show for some time. I finally found Ms. An's resume online. Prior to this was an announcer/ journalist for KBS and YTN for years. She is a political activist, organizer, and campaign worker more recently. She confronted an armed special forces soldier in front of the National Assembly on coup night.

TK also reported that Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader says his party will not lead an impeachment effort against acting president Han Duk-soo (picture above) and wishes to cooperate with the interim administration in order to stabilize the country, and particularly the economic conditions.

This is a remarkable WW Lookout. There is so much here about the pivotal events of last week. It will be a challenge to take it all in. Thanks!

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語必忠信 行必正直

Lookout's picture

@soryang

This is a remarkable WW Lookout. There is so much here about the pivotal events of last week. It will be a challenge to take it all in.

I never get in all the news. This week I didn't cover the Georgian president refusing to leave office because...democracy. Nor the Romanian election coup and now the banning of the media company favorable to the nationalist presidential candidate who the globalists want to tank. Nor Macron's coup in France, and on and on. Just just can't cover it all.

Thanks for all you do around the site keeping us up to date with Eastern Asia!

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snoopydawg's picture

.

The US has been following the plan for many decades.

First Russia will be the enemy. Next terrorism will be the enemy. Next the weirdos in the Middle East. And the final enemy will be the extraterrestrial enemy card. We’re being played. Will you fall for it?

From 2022

When All Else Fails: PSYOP-UFO

We have the new government money laundering Space Farse Force.

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The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.
~Hannah Arendt

Lookout's picture

@snoopydawg ...at least I hope so. Not just UFOs, but now the drones flying all over. First it was Iran, now it is??? My guess CIA/deep state. Same with the UFOs. Thanks for the clip, I'll watch it later.

Hope you and Sam are doing well and staying warm!

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QMS's picture

@snoopydawg
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as far as I can tell. It is what happens when retailers
go to battle with the 'security state'. If they cancel
Christmas because of aliens? Ho ho ho.
Leaking intelligence setting us up for coal in the stockings.

Sorry kids, we thought Santa was a Chinese spy, so he had
to be eliminated as a risk to national insecurity. The Easter
bunny is next on their terrorist list. Sheesh.

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question everything

Lookout's picture

@QMS

The morons need some new script writers me thinks.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

We haven't grocery shopped in 3 weeks, so today will be a two-carter.
Funny how news sources I once disregarded are now a go-to, Rogan being one, Tucker being another. I will find the time to watch. I can't think of any better way to spend 3 hours. Benz is always great.
I wish the broccoli and turnip greens I intend to buy came from a garden, but it is what it is.
Thanks for the fantastic WW, dear friend. It is very deeply appreciated!

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Lookout's picture

@on the cusp ...but now appreciate his willingness to talk with a variety of ignored voices. Joe Rogan... I rarely listen to an entire interview, but certain people make it worthwhile. His clips are easier.

We all change with time. People have a track record, and one thing to look at is their ability to adapt and change.

Good luck with the shopping trip. Glad you came by today!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

considers newsworthy. SMH

https://www.euronews.com/culture/2024/12/13/marge-simpson-painting-disco...

Discovering an ancient Egyptian tomb is one thing... But what about discovering an ancient Egyptian tomb with a painting on it that bears an uncanny resemblance to a character from American animated sitcom The Simpsons?

That’s precisely what happened when a 3000-year-old tomb was discovered in an ancient cemetery in the Egyptian city of Minya, on the western bank of the Nile – with the upper lid looking like Marge Simpson.

The painting features a woman with yellow-coloured skin, a blue crown and a green outfit. It’s pretty spot on!

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Lookout's picture

@humphrey

distraction is one of their primary tools. Thanks for the article!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

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Lookout's picture

@humphrey

due to the need to preserve democracy. That says it all.

Thanks for the X post!

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Dawn's Meta's picture

So much going on, some seems random and some although separate in politics and apparent sources of conflict are more related than we may know.

Brian Berletic was interviewed by Danny Haiphong regarding his view of Alex Krainer's assessments on Syria. He agrees with some of Krainer's thinking but has other conclusions.

Thanks especially for the map graphics of the development of Syria as a nation/state. Very interesting history.

I watched the first night of the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, and found it moving. The first night was the formal reconsecration then the next day sans the agnostic or other religious believers, was the first new mass. Here is the first night with all the celebrities (no subtitles or tags).

The celebrity arrivals followed by the reconsecration ceremony.

Following the rededication was a concert with many famous musicians. The one I particularly liked was Cohan's Hallelujah. I have wondered for a long time whether it could be played in a church. Well here is the answer in French:

You tube offers other performances on the right side of the screen (desk top)

ETA: fact correction and spelling.

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A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Allegedly Greek, but more possibly fairly modern quote.

Consider helping by donating using the button in the upper left hand corner. Thank you.

Lookout's picture

@Dawn's Meta

I wonder if the spirit of Quasimodo was around for the event.

Did they ever get to the bottom of how it burnt? I remember hearing various stories...I think mainly blaming workmen.

Thanks for Brian and Danny. I heard that earlier. However, the more I think about the Krainer hypothesis, the more I like it. Time will tell, and now it is water under the bridge. What will come? That is the question. My guess is instability. We just have to stay tuned.

Hope all is well in your world, and Macron's power hold hasn't impacted y'all negatively. All the best!

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Lookout's picture

@humphrey
Great cartoon... fits the story well. Thanks.

Turkey is the other player that needs a cartoon. Something along the lines of this old one.
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as he was aware of their plans.

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Lookout's picture

@humphrey
Right before GADDAFI was deposed/murdered, he told the Saudis to their face they lick the shoes of the US.

It was true, but didn't prove to be an effective comment.

Thanks for the X post.

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Lookout's picture

We've been playing Christmas carols. You only get to play them once a year. Here's a nice version of jingle bells...

This is the way we play going around the circle giving everyone a turn (if they want a turn). Music is a cooperative venture. That's one reason we are attracted to it...even as infants.

Good night.

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Damn. I had no idea of the depth and breadth of our CIA in everything, everywhere.
Benz isn't for a total eradication of the Deep State, but a reformation. On that, I disagree. It should be long gone.
I hope everyone can watch it.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Dawn's Meta's picture

@on the cusp conclusion. Reform isn't enough.

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A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Allegedly Greek, but more possibly fairly modern quote.

Consider helping by donating using the button in the upper left hand corner. Thank you.

Lookout's picture

@on the cusp

All the tentacles just keep going...it is a deep state.

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QMS's picture

@Lookout
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hiding in the dark for our protection?
btw, enjoyed your jingle bell song

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snoopydawg's picture

@on the cusp

Watch the video I posted and see how long our hegemonic plans have been in motion. It wasn’t just the Israeli firsters who planned the mid East wars or the ones that started according to the plan.

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The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.
~Hannah Arendt

QMS's picture

@snoopydawg
regardless of new realities
the actors continue to play
the for-deigned roles

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