Russia-Baiting and Risks of Nuclear War

By Ray McGovern, September 30 2016

Russia-Baiting and Risks of Nuclear War

The Pentagon has been insubordinate on Syria; demonstrably scuttled the latest Kerry-Lavrov cessation of hostilities agreement.  Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has been on tour highlighting nifty nukes (including small ones).  U.S. “moderate” rebels in Syria (if any) adamantly refuse to put distance (as in actual kilometers) between themselves and the “bad” rebels, despite Secretary Kerry’s wagging his finger at them.  As for Obama, through his only folly, his weird combination of hubris and cowardice, his refusal to bring in adults to advise him, and his extreme cowardice (i. e., unwillingness to fire those who led the Pentagon revolt), the President has lost his already fragile control over U.S. policy and actions vis-a-vis Syria.

 

President Harry Truman, after all, had the guts to fire the very popular Gen. Douglas MacArthur for insubordination.  Secretary Ashton Carter’s popularity rests mostly with those whom Pope Francis calls the “blood-soaked arms traders.”  (Oops, perhaps that’s the main reason Obama believes he’d better let him stay on.)  As for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joseph Dunford – who that?  Most Americans who have heard the name Dunford think it is an old village in Devon, England.  (Oops, there would also be a political cost to no-guts Obama in firing him.)

 

John Kerry shows himself to be a pathetic, confused stuffed shirt; admits that Syria, with all the various vying forces at play there, is just too hard to figure out and manage; Cui bono? — No one mentions Israel – the only benefactor of the chaos in Syria.  Putin and Lavrov running out of patience — holding the negotiation-track door slightly ajar, but saying quite clearly “Fool me once …”  And they remember the rest of that expression.

 

Lavrov, uncharacteristically, divulging in public the substance of his confidential talks with Kerry.  And the media drums for war get louder and louder – reminiscent of just before the attack on Iraq.  Main difference: Russia DOES HAVE nuclear weapons.  (Quick: someone tell Obama.)

 

Ray reviews some history, part of it from personal experience on the inside, to put this alarming situation in context; shows why he believes we should all be concerned.