(2)Syrian rebels launch attacks near the capital
The Associated Press reports on attempts by Syrian rebels to take control of areas north of Damascus.
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READER COMMENTS: "Syrian rebels launch attacks near the capital"
Posted by blert at December 21, 2012 7:12 PM ET:
I'd really appreciate it if the media were to dig into just how much longer Assad & Co. can pay its bills.
For it would seem that Syria's economy is in a tailspin -- taking tax revenue with it.
Is Syria getting 'free' crude oil from Russia?
For, without it, how can Assad's military continue to roll.
IIRC, Syria has but one significant oil refinery, near the coast.
Because of international politics, she seems to have virtually no oil production. (The West has discouraged oil firms from pumping up the dictatorship.)
US surveys performed over Iraq detail oil deposits/prospects right up to the Syrian border.
(Al Anbar has excellent oil prospects.)
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Scud launches imply that Assad's air force is demoralized. SA-24, SA-18 ManPADs may be grounding his helicopter forces.
In the modern era, that normally spells the end game.
Posted by Ali Taj at December 22, 2012 4:40 AM ET:
Ali Garbousi is a Tunisian young man and a blogger blogging about the events in Libya Egypt and Syria. Syria is the place that he left while leaving behind a number of Tunisian young men who joined the fight there, whether voluntarily or while being pushed to do it. There were many facts that Ali Garbousi discovered while being there on the battlefront that he exposes today.
http://worldshiaforum.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/tunisian-ex-jihadist-tells-tunisian-tv-why-he-stopped-fighting-alongside-free-syrian-army-by-ali-taj/