This is about chaos—selling weapons, seizing Syria (Sunday U.S./Iran update)

Syria today
AFP photo at Al Jazeera

“This isn’t about sides, this is about confusion. This is about creating enemies where there aren’t any. …

Compiled and edited
By Carolyn Bennett

“… How are we going to keep the military industrial complex chugging forward without clear-cut … pit-faced scum-sucking evil breathing down out neck — threatening our very shores?

“My job is to make sure the other side keeps on fighting, whatever side … whatever side we’re officially not on this year.” [film White Sands"]

SELLING WEAPONS

U.S. in Asia

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute early this year reported, “The volume of worldwide arms transfers in 2007–2011 was 24 percent higher than in 2002–2006 and the five largest arms importers in 2007–2011 were all Asian states.”

Reported on February 27, 2012, “Sales of arms and military services by the largest arms-producing companies continued to increase in 2010 to reach $411.1 billion. The global arms industry continues to be highly concentrated, with the top 10 arms-producing companies accounting for 56 percent ($230 billion) of total Top 100 arms sales.

“Arms-producing and military services companies from North America and Western Europe once again dominated the list (data excludes China-based companies).

Sales by the 44 U.S.-based companies accounted for over 60 per cent of all arms sales by the Top 100 arms-producing companies in 2010.  The 30 companies based in Western Europe accounted for a further 29 per cent.

SIPRI's Top 10 [excerpted from SIPRI’s top 100] arms-producing and military services companies, 2010

Company names and structures are listed as they were on December 31, 2010. For subsidiaries and operational companies owned by a holding or investment company, the name of the parent company is given in parentheses along with its country, where it differs. Figures for arms sales, total sales and total profit are in millions of U.S. dollars.

Rank		Company	Country	Sectors	Arms sales (US$ m.)		Total sales, 2010 (US$ m.)	Arms sales as share of total sales, 2010 (%)	Total profit, 2010 (US$ m.)	Total employ- ment, 2010
2010	2009				2010	2009
1	1	Lockheed Martin	U.S.	Aircraft, Electronics, Missiles, Space	35 730	33 430	45 803	78	2 926	132 000
2	2	BAE Systems	UK	Aircraft, Artillery, Electronics, Missiles, Military vehicles, Small arms/ammunition, Ships	32 880	32 540	34 609	95	1 671	98 200
3	3	Boeing	U.S.	Aircraft, Electronics, Missiles, Space	31 360	32 300	64 306	49	3 307	160 500
4	4	Northrop Grumman	U.S.	Aircraft, Electronics, Missiles, Ships, Space	28 150	27 000	34 757	81	2 053	117 100
5	5	General Dynamics	U.S.	Artillery, Electronics, Military vehicles, Small arms/ammunition, Ships	23 940	23 380	32 466	74	2 624	90 000
6	6	Raytheon	U.S.	Electronics, Missiles	22 980	23 080	25 183	91	1 879	72 400
S	S	BAE Systems Inc. (BAE Systems, UK)	U.S.	Artillery, Electronics, Military vehicles, Small arms/ammunition	17 900	19 280	17 903	100	1 966	46 900
7	7	EADS	Netherlands	Aircraft, Electronics, Missiles, Space	16 360	15 930	60 599	27	732	121 690
8	8	Finmeccanica	Italy	Aircraft, Artillery, Electronics, Missiles, Military vehicles, Small arms/ammunition	14 410	13 280	24 762	58	738	75 200
9	9	L-3 Communications	U.S.	Electronics, Services	13 070	13 010	15 680	83	955	63 000
10	10	United Technologies	U.S.	Aircraft, Electronics, Engines	11 410	11 110	54 326	21	4 711	208 220

http://www.sipri.org/research/armaments/production/Top100

Flag of Iran

Apropos April 28’s insight news entry (an update)

Iran, Arabia, Persian Gulf
Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan
Critical waterways north/south
Gateways
North to Russia
Northeast to China

Tehran— April 29, 2012 (Press TV report)  — Senior Iranian military commander, Deputy Head of the Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri, says the United States and its allies’ “causing a broad array of conspiracies …  seek to promote division and discord between Iran and its neighboring states.” The Iranian commander suggested that —

… Arab rulers who make baseless claims about the ownership of the three Iranian islands are playing into the hands of the U.S. and other hegemonic powers. Experience has shown [he said] that such scenarios written by arrogant powers, have failed to accomplish their objectives [“U.S. interests lie in creating tension in Persian Gulf region: Cmdr,” Sunday April 29, 2012, http://www.presstv.ir/detail/238747.html]

KILLLING, CREATING CHAOS, CONFLICT (now under foreign invasion: Syria)

Flag of Syria

U.S.-allied Turkey

April 28, 2012

Syrian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Jihad Makdisi says —

‘It is disturbing that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to bring in NATO to protect its borders with Syria.

‘This demonstrates a lack of a genuine commitment to the terms of the (Kofi) Annan plan and policies of good neighborliness.…’

U.S. in Middle East, Asia, Africa
Turkey sits in Europe and Asia

“On April 12, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey has ‘several options’ in response to possible spillover effects of the conflict in Syria over the Syrian-Turkish border.

‘First of all, there is an option of invoking Article 5 of the NATO treaty,’ Erdogan said, referring to a NATO clause which stipulates that an attack against a NATO member state is considered an attack against all members.

On April 26, the Turkish foreign minister also said that Ankara is considering ‘all possibilities in order to protect national security’ regarding the situation in Syria.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry representative continued the reaction saying “Turkey seeks to aggravate the situation in Syria and damage bilateral ties between Damascus and Ankara by making ‘provocative statements’ [and supporting] armed groups that ‘do not believe in [Syria’s] political process….’”

The UN Security Council in mid April approved Resolution 2042 sending 300 UN observers to Syria. These observers have arrived in Damascus.

U.S. anti-Syrian government

April 25, 2012

U.S. assassination drone

An American analyst says the United States has brought death squads into Syria to work as armed gangs and target population groups before Washington attacks the country, Press TV reports.

The U.S. author and historian Webster Griffin Tarpley told Press TV that the “‘main force of what’s causing the trouble in Syria is these death squads’ —  recruited from many parts of the world.” It is a pattern, Tarpley explained, that was used in Iraq:  “Washington sent death squads to Iraq in 2006 and 2007 and caused a civil war in order to maintain its presence in the country.

‘Syria was regarded as a unit with Iraq; they were setting the basis at that time [and] merely needed to develop it further.’ … The current situation in Syria shows that NATO powers are seeking an ‘armed intervention’ in the country, attempting ‘to create a civil war from the outside.’”

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March 2011 and many people, including members of the security forces, have been killed in the turmoil. The West and the Syrian opposition accuse the government of killing protesters. Damascus, blames ‘outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups’ for the unrest, asserting that it is being orchestrated from abroad.

U.S.-allied Qatar

April 24, 2012,

“Qatar-backed armed gangs have resorted to increased violence in Syria despite the peace agreement,” Syrian Ambassador to Tehran Hamed Hassan told Press TV.

The ambassador said in Tuesday’s press conference,

When the United Nations adopted this new peace deal brought about by Syrian Envoy Kofi Annan, the Qatari sheikh was against this strategy of ending violence and stopping the foreign-backed armed gangs and terrorists in our country.

Despite the UN-backed truce, part of a six-point peace plan proposed in March by Kofi Annan, armed groups have been carrying out attacks. Ambassador Hassan said “we’re looking forward to this new peace deal to bring calm and an end to the violence in the country” and added that “strong unity between Iran and Syria will have a positive influence on regional countries.”

US.-allied Saudi Arabia and Qatar

April 28

Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud reportedly has discussed with Qatari Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani “support for armed terrorist gangs operating in Syria.”

The Saudi Kingdom “has launched a worldwide campaign against the government of President Bashar al-Assad, especially by exercising pressure on Damascus through the Arab League. Qatar has called for supplying anti-Assad groups with arms and financial support. Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani in late February called for the creation of an Arab force to ‘open humanitarian corridors to provide security to the Syrian people.’

“Armed groups in Syria, which are supported by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and some Western countries,” reportedly disagree with the peace plan proposed by Envoy Kofi Annan and “continue violence against Syrian security forces and civilians.”

U.S.-allied Israel

Occupying, threatening Lebanon
April 28, 2012

On a daily basis, “Israel violates Lebanon’s airspace.”

In violation of a UN Security Council resolution, “Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles crossed into Lebanon’s airspace over the southern border village of Rmeish and carried out surveillance flights over several areas in southern Lebanon including the Bekaa valley on Thursday evening.  Earlier that day, an Israeli drone violated the Lebanese airspace over Alma al-Shaab town and conducted several sorties over various sectors of Lebanon. The Lebanese military reported to the press on Friday.

Lebanon’s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon known as UNIFIL have repeatedly condemned these violations, which are in breach of UN Resolution 1701 and Lebanon’s sovereignty. In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations presenting over 7,000 documents pertaining to Israeli violation of the Lebanese territory. UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war Israel launched against Lebanon in 2006, calls on Tel Aviv to respect Beirut’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Flag of Lebanon

Syria-allied Lebanon

April 28, 2012

“Lebanon stops ship with Syria-bound weapons” 

Al Jazeera reports today that the Lebanese navy reportedly “intercepted a ship loaded with three containers of weapons destined for Syrian opposition forces.

The cargo vessel had originated in Libya and contained heavy machine guns, artillery shells, rockets, rocket launchers and other explosives. Eleven crew members were being questioned by Lebanese military police. Military prosecutor Saqr Saqr said an investigation was under way.

Another security official said Sierra Leone-flagged Lutfallah II “was bound for members of the Free Syrian Army, an umbrella group of fighters trying to overthrow the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Also on Saturday, Syrian state media reported gunmen in inflatable boats attacked a military unit on Syria’s Mediterranean coast.

Russia allied against U.S.-allied forces in Syria

April 28, 2012

“‘All domestic and outside players need to prevent any support’ from reaching the armed gangs, the Russian Federation Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

Russia’s statement followed yesterday’s bomb explosion near a mosque and school in the central Damascus neighborhood of al-Midan that left 11 people dead and dozens injured.

“‘We are convinced,” the Russian representative is reported saying, “‘that the terrorists operating in Syria need a decisive rebuff.’”

“Officially I don’t exist, I can’t. My profit’s my reward— for selfless service to god and country.”

Sources and notes

Transcription from ending scenes of “White Sands” film, a speech by Gorman Lennox (Mickey Rourke)

 “White Sands” [not what it seems] is a 1992 Roger Donaldson-directed film starring Willem Dafoe as New Mexico Deputy Sheriff Ray Dolezal; Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as well-heeled finder of money for any “causes” for her kickback on front or back end, whichever is more profitable; and Mickey Rourke as “I’m C [BLINKING] I A…” arms trafficker mayhem-maker, murdered for profit

White Sands at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105813/; and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Sands_(film)

“Turkey aggravating situation: Syria Foreign Ministry,” April 28, 2012,  http://www.presstv.ir/detail/238564.html

“‘U.S. sent death squads into Syria,’” April 25, 2012, http://www.presstv.ir/detail/238083.html

“‘Armed gangs increase attacks in Syria,’” April 24, 2012, http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/237928.html

“‘U.S. sent death squads into Syria,’” April 25, 2012, http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/2

Also: “Bomb goes off near Iran office in Syria,” April 24, 2012, http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/237826.html

“KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia], Qatar supporting terrorism in Syria,” April 28, 2012, http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/238530.html

“Israeli drones violate Lebanese airspace,” April 28, 2012, http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/238457.html

“Lebanon stops ship with Syria-bound weapons — Vessel originally from Libya, loaded with arms reportedly destined for Syrian opposition, is stopped by Lebanese navy,” April 28, 2012, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/04/201242813737244536.html

“Russia backs rebuff to terrorists in Syria,” April 28, 2012,

http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/238540.html

Also

“Romanian govt. falls over EU debt crisis — The 78-day-old Romanian government has collapsed after it lost a no-confidence vote over its adoption of stinging austerity measures” April 28, 2012,

“Romania ‘to host U.S. missile shield’ — Bucharest defense body approves plan to deploy interceptor missiles on its territory… The U.S. military facilities, which would become operational by 2015, still require parliamentary approval before they can go ahead,” February 5, 2012, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2010/02/201024173236190795.html

2009

“Putin warns U.S. over missile defense — Russian PM says Moscow must develop new offensive weapons to counter U.S. plans  …  The U.S. dropped plans for missile defense bases in the Czech Republic and Poland earlier this year but said it would develop other defensive systems, December 30, 2009, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2009/12/20091229134142350297.html

INTERNATIONAL ARMS TRANSFERS Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reports

Asia and Oceania accounted for 44 per cent of global arms imports, followed by Europe (19 percent), the Middle East (17 percent), the Americas (11 percent) and Africa (9 percent).

India was the world’s largest recipient of arms (10 percent of global arms imports). The four next largest recipients of arms in 2007–2011 were South Korea (6 percent of arms transfers), Pakistan (5 percent), China (5 percent) and Singapore (4 percent).

Established in 1966, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. SIPRI is based in Stockholm and has offices in Beijing and Washington, D.C.

WEAPONS SALES

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute early this year reported, “The volume of worldwide arms transfers in 2007–2011 was 24 percent higher than in 2002–2006 and the five largest arms importers in 2007–2011 were all Asian states.”

Reported on February 27, 2012, “Sales of arms and military services by the largest arms-producing companies continued to increase in 2010 to reach $411.1 billion. The global arms industry continues to be highly concentrated, with the top 10 arms-producing companies accounting for 56 percent ($230 billion) of total Top 100 arms sales.

“Arms-producing and military services companies from North America and Western Europe once again dominated the list (data excludes China-based companies).

Sales by the 44 U.S.-based companies accounted for over 60 per cent of all arms sales by the Top 100 arms-producing companies in 2010.  The 30 companies based in Western Europe accounted for a further 29 per cent.

http://www.sipri.org/media/pressreleases/rise-in-international-arms-transfers-is-driven-by-asian-demand-says-sipri

SIPRI

Top 10 [excerpted from SIPRI’s top 100] arms-producing and military services companies, 2010

Company names and structures are listed as they were on December 31, 2010. For subsidiaries and operational companies owned by a holding or investment company, the name of the parent company is given in parentheses along with its country, where it differs.

Figures for arms sales, total sales and total profit are in millions of U.S. dollars.

Rank		Company	Country	Sectors	Arms sales (US$ m.)		Total sales, 2010 (US$ m.)	Arms sales as share of total sales, 2010 (%)	Total profit, 2010 (US$ m.)	Total employ- ment, 2010
2010	2009				2010	2009
1	1	Lockheed Martin		Aircraft, Electronics, Missiles, Space	35 730	33 430	45 803	78	2 926	132 000
2	2	BAE Systems		Aircraft, Artillery, Electronics, Missiles, Military vehicles, Small arms/ammunition, Ships	32 880	32 540	34 609	95	1 671	98 200
3	3	Boeing		Aircraft, Electronics, Missiles, Space	31 360	32 300	64 306	49	3 307	160 500
4	4	Northrop Grumman		Aircraft, Electronics, Missiles, Ships, Space	28 150	27 000	34 757	81	2 053	117 100
5	5	General Dynamics		Artillery, Electronics, Military vehicles, Small arms/ammunition, Ships	23 940	23 380	32 466	74	2 624	90 000
6	6	Raytheon		Electronics, Missiles	22 980	23 080	25 183	91	1 879	72 400
S	S	BAE Systems Inc. (BAE Systems, UK)		Artillery, Electronics, Military vehicles, Small arms/ammunition	17 900	19 280	17 903	100	1 966	46 900
7	7	EADS		Aircraft, Electronics, Missiles, Space	16 360	15 930	60 599	27	732	121 690
8	8	Finmeccanica		Aircraft, Artillery, Electronics, Missiles, Military vehicles, Small arms/ammunition	14 410	13 280	24 762	58	738	75 200
9	9	L-3 Communications		Electronics, Services	13 070	13 010	15 680	83	955	63 000
10	10	United Technologies		Aircraft, Electronics, Engines	11 410	11 110	54 326	21	4 711	208 220

http://www.sipri.org/research/armaments/production/Top100

http://www.sipri.org/media/pressreleases/rise-in-international-arms-transfers-is-driven-by-asian-demand-says-sipri

Images

Syria, AFP image: Syrian state media said 16 people died in the blast in a house used as a bomb factory by "armed terrorist groups" [AFP], http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/04/20124275240299142.html

White Sands moviesoftheday.com
5158588-word-cloud-concept-illustration-of-cia-central-intelligence-agency

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