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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Abdul-Aziz Jassem al-Shallal defects

Since I am sure that all of you know who Major General Abdul-Aziz Jassem al-Shallal is, news of his defection must be stunning.  Of course, I am kidding.  The general was the head of the Syrian national police and a member of the inner circle of Bashir al Assad.  He has moved to support the rebels and has castigated Assad for changing the army from a force to defend Syria into one that senselessly slaughters civilians of their own country.

Although I have searched, I have not found anything that indicates if the general is an Alawaite or a Sunni.  If he is Sunni, then this is just another defection, albeit an important one.  On the other hand, if the general is an Alawaite like Assad, then his defection may well be the beginning of the end days for the regime.  If it is losing its own ethnic supporters, a small group that has controlled Syria for decades, then Assad basically has no chance to prevail.

It would be nice to see Assad fall, but the aftermath may well be worse for the world.  It is too bad that America under president Obama seems to have no plan to deal with that aftermath.  Obama probably thinks that he can just give a speech and everything will be perfect.



 

 

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