What To Do In Syria

Saudi billionaire, Prince Alwaleed Ibn Talal, is the House of Saud frontman.
Wikipedia characterizes Ibn Talal as "the most influential Arab in the world"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Waleed_bin_Talal

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"House of Bush, House of Saud: The Secret Relationship Between The World's Two Most Powerful Dynasties," by Craig Unger
http://www.amazon.com/House-Bush-Saud-Relationship-Dynasties/dp/0743253396

"Did The Saudis Buy A President?"
http://www.salon.com/2004/03/12/unger_2/

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Alan: I am posting the following article not for its intrinsic worth but because it reminds me of "What I would do in Syria."  In accordance with international law, the Obama administration "should" issue a summons, clearly stating the "probable cause" that Bashir al Assad is guilty of war crimes. This summons will include a non-negotiable demand that Assad surrender himself, within 30 days, to The World Court. If Assad does not surrender, make clear that the United States "will" use drones to hunt Assad and his top officials until he -- and his "Top 50 Enablers" -- have been killed. To track the bastards down, offer multi-million dollar bounties, American citizenship and participation in the Witness Protection Program. But before demanding Assad's surrender, the Obama administration will engage the Saudi Royal Family in public conversation, pointing out that geo-politics imposes responsibility on Saudi Arabia (whether the Saudis act individually or in conjunction with The Arab League) to prevent Assad from perpetrating war crimes. Demonstration of Assad's compliance will be determined by the absence of credible allegation that Assad has resumed criminal activity. Any alleged war crimes that take place in future will be ruled upon in absentia. In effect, the United States is about to fight another surrogate war for Saudi Arabia. This war -- like those Uncle Sam has already fought for the Saudi royals -- will be waged at great cost to the United States, not only in blood and treasure, but also in exacerbated hatred for the United States. Every time we wage war in the Middle East, Islamics the world over see the United States - rightly or wrongly -- as an oppressor, if not as The Great Satan. Given Saudi Arabia's military ability to restrain (or destroy) Bashir al Assad, it is appropriate that the United States devolve this responsibility to the Saudis. (My reason for according "second place" to "Saudi management of the Syrian war" is zero possibility that The House of Saud will do the right, responsible thing.) 

Top Afghan Militant Reportedly Killed In U.S. Drone Strike

by SCOTT NEUMAN

September 06, 2013

Enlarge image

Protesters in Pakistan shout anti-U.S. slogans during a protest in July against drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal areas.

Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images

A senior leader of the al-Qaida-linked Haqqani network — considered one of the most dangerous factions fighting American troops in Afghanistan — has been killed in a U.S. drone strike over northwestern Pakistan, officials say.

Sangeen Zadran was among five people killed at a compound in the North Waziristan tribal region when a missile fired from a U.S. drone hit the building, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

Reuters says Zadran was "the operational commander in Pakistan's tribal areas for the Haqqani network, which regularly attacks U.S. forces in Afghanistan from its mountain hideouts in Pakistan."

A Taliban spokesman told The Associated Press that Zadran was still alive, but the BBC quotes officials who say the militant's funeral had already been held in the regional capital of Miranshah.

The BBC reports:

"Experts say the 45-year-old was viewed as a senior militant leader in both countries and that he is a big loss to the Haqqani group although not irreplaceable.

"In 2011, the US state department added him to its list of specially designated global terrorists, claiming he orchestrated the kidnappings of Afghans and foreigners in the rugged and violent border area.

"He has also been identified as the man who kidnapped a US soldier, Bowe Bergdahl, four years ago — the only known American soldier currently held by Afghan insurgents."