Shelved

I almost forgot about this blog. I think I will keep it shelved for the time being, but I do intend to replace it in the coming months with something more grand.

Lebanon: Syria Not Ready to let go?

From Debka Main Page:

DEBKAfile reveals: After Syrian troops and intelligence units staged a ceremonial leave-taking from Lebanon Tuesday, Syrian president Assad reactivated the defunct External Intelligence Agency.

Straight from officiating at the leave-taking ceremony, General Roustum Ghazalah, Syrian military intelligence chief in Lebanon, and his 300 officers, received a presidential directive to carry on with their former undercover duties in Lebanon, operating out of Damascus from the EIA.

This is something that I would expect Syria to try and do. They need Lebanon for money, and will no doubt try and use local contacts, plus Hizb'allah, to keep as much money flowing their way as they can. Fortunately for the people of Lebanon, I don't think it will work.

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This site is now just below Debka itself on Google when you type in the search word "Debka."

Lebanon: Government Free From Syrian Control?

From Debka Main Page:

DEBKAfile’s Middle East sources report: Lebanon’s Mikati government was formed in consultation with Washington and Paris, the first not under Damascus’s thumb in more than two decades. Exiled Lebanese General Michel Aoun will return home and run for election as president.

I can't really guess one way or another if this is true. However, it should be easy enough to verify, should Aoun return sometime soon.

Israel: American's Training in Israel?

From Debka Main Page:

DEBKAfile’s military sources add details on long convoys of unmarked American military vehicles in S. Israel this week:

US Marines units are taking part in large-scale amphibian joint exercise with Israeli special operations units, including navy and air force. The Americans practiced landings on Israel beaches - one of which Nitzanim shore north of Gaza Strip.

Given this is taking place in Israel, fairly close to Debka's central control, if you will, I would think that it is probably true. However, I have heard nothing anywhere to confirm this. Given the scope of operations implied, I don't see how it could escape notice.

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Confirmed! The Jerusalem Post confirms the story: Marines Storm Ashore. Thanks to Manker for pointing this out, it wasn't there when I first checked. Looks like my first suspicions were correct.

Jordan: Plans to annext West Bank?

Debka Main Page:

DEBKAfile’s Middle East sources reveal: The coming buzzword at the court of Abdullah in Amman is “wilaya” – the old Ottoman term for province.

In process of dividing kingdom into three wilayas, Abdullah is mulling fourth on the West Bank if breakdown of order under Abbas or Hamas victory in July 17 poll sparks crisis.

Abdullah views Hamas (Muslim Brotherhood) takeover in Ramallah as threat to throne. A West Bank wilaya would open way to fresh thinking on Jewish settlement blocs.

There is also the "special report" as well.

But according to our Amman sources, Abdullah thinks the Palestinian Authority under Abu Mazen is sinking rapidly and may be beyond saving. What interests him most is the July 17 Palestinian election and its potential impact on stability in his kingdom given his large Palestinian population. Hamas’ prospects of sweeping the election improve as Abbas weakens. Of one thing Abdullah is certain: he cannot afford a Hamas takeover of Palestinian government in the West Bank and Gaza. The Palestinian Hamas terrorist group is not isolated or autonomous; it is a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a worldwide jihadist movement whjch is strongest in the Arab world. A Brotherhood-dominated government in Ramallah would point a knife at the Hashemite throne in Amman.

Abdullah is therefore turning over the possibility of Jordan moving in to fill the power vacuum that would be formed on the West Bank by Abu Mazen’s downfall.

I find this unlikely. It just does't add up. Verification needed later

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