Arab Protests

Interesting stuff on Newsnight about the prospect of ā€˜regime changeā€™ in Syria. They have something along the lines of an eight thousand strong fleet of tanks which might complicate matters. An attack on Syria would have ramifications in Lebanon as well, and if it affects the balance of power in Lebanon it will affect Israel.

Israel doesnā€™t want democracy anywhere else.

Didnā€™t see Newsnight. Who was on? What was the general feeling? Was reading this piece earlier though, quite interesting, itā€™s a fairly downbeat assessment of the situation. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14716678

Syria is vastly more important than Lybia for the general geopolitics of the region. Itā€™s probably even more important than Egypt right now. Turkeyā€™s stance on everything is becoming more and more important too.

The pundits were only alright, the usual British peacocking about intervention and such. They touched on the implications for Lebanon and in particular the Hezbollah and the Iranian connection. Some wild theories about Assad starting a war with Israel to divert attention, and in the main a discussion around the impact of military intervention. The Americans were suggesting there wonā€™t be any which seems accurate. The Israelis were extremely slow to give any support to the protesters and to criticise Assad, and Iā€™m sure theyā€™re anxious at the possibility of a popular national movement gaining power.

As far as understanding the situation inside Syria goes, thereā€™s no real point in listening to the mainstream western media because they havenā€™t a clue. Fisk has written some great articles about the Assads and the Alawite grip on power in Syria over the years and heā€™s probably the best journalist to read on the whole situation. Good interview with him here from back in April:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSpeHVFPd8g

This one is probably more comprehensive, hits on all the issues mentioned above

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfNuDiftADQ

Turkey has expelled the Israeli ambassador and cut all military ties over Israelā€™s refusal to apologise for the flotilla raid.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=14433830

SkyNewsBreak Sky News Newsdesk

Reuters: NTC official says Colonel Gaddafi captured and wounded in both legs

The BBC are saying he is brown bread

So are Sky and Today FM

Someone on sky news saying he was killed by a bullet to the head.

he was caught with a golden gun apparently

All Propaganda.

Gaddafi is currently relaxing in an underground mansion in the Pakistani mountains with Osama and Saddam

RIP

Anyone have him on their celebrity death lists?

Mickey Rourke looks shook

Think the camera man needs to change the battery, looks to be running low there.

For fuck sake thatā€™s Carlos Santana. They got the wrong guy!!!

http://english.aljazeera.net/video/middleeast/2011/10/2011102014201566639.html

RIP

RIP Colonel.