Syrian Forces Look to Cripple Rebel Opposition

    It may seem the Assad regime and the United States may have a common enemy in ISIS. While the odds of the U.S. and Syrian army joining forces to combat the militant group are slim; the Assad regime has much to benefit from bringing down a group of ISIS members. ISIS members are expected to rendezvous with Syrian rebels. If the Syrian rebels and ISIS rendezvous the Assad regime has much to lose. ISIS is expected to provide Syrian rebels with both arms and training. Currently Syrian military forces have allied themselves with Shiite militants from both Lebanon and Iran (Washington Post).  The primary target as of now for Assad and his allies on the ground is Aleppo. The main goal for Aleppo is to stop supplies from reaching the rebel forces. The Syrian military and its allies plan to reach this goal by surrounding the city. Currently Assad’s forces are attempting to take a village north of Aleppo. While the ground forces continue their campaign, Assad’s air forces are dropping barrel bombs. Barrel bombs are highly explosive and are dropped from helicopters, as of now over 120 bombs are reported to have been dropped (Washington Post). If Assad and his allies are successful in taking Aleppo from the rebels it would be a major victory in a three year confrontation.

            According to the Washington Post approx. 200,000 people have died since the confrontation began in 2011. After the rebels are dealt with, the Syrian forces are likely to shift their attention to ISIS. 

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/as-us-attacks-islamic-state-syria-steps-up-assaults-on-moderate-rebels/2014/10/22/50f53ed2-2c6a-414e-93cd-ea5741ad51d5_story.html

Chemical Weapons in Iraq

            The United States occupation of Iraq after 9/11 has always been the subject of controversy since President Bush had announced the plan. Some saw the occupation as a method to oppose Western ideals on a nation in the Middle East in the wake of a national tragedy, along with various other reasons. Many families mourned the loss of loved ones who sacrificed their lives in order to spread democracy and confiscate weapons of mass destruction.  Since the initial occupation of Iraq we the public have been told no weapons of mass destruction either chemical or nuclear were found in Iraq.

            Today, the New York Times released a story which detailed the account of a group of United States soldiers, whom were exposed to mustard gas while in Iraq. In 2008 the group had discovered an estimated “5,000 chemical warheads, shells or aviation bombs” (New York Times). Soldiers whom were exposed to mustard gas were denied treatment. Some of the troops were even instructed to lie about the incident and even deny the existence of such chemical weapons.  It is estimated “17 troops and seven Iraqi policeman were exposed” (Christian Science Monitor).

            On a separate a team of two snipers on a steak-out had recovered a non-descript shell. The commanding officer upon obtaining the shell deiced to pull out and return near their base. When the two shad come close to base the shell was to be destroyed and disposed of. Upon destruction of the shell the soldiers immediately became sick, the shell had contained saline gas. The commanding officer had put his team at risk along with his entire base as they raced back in order to receive treatment. The officers were given cover up stories and continued to stay in service after their exposure to a deadly nerve agent.

            These are only two stories out of a New York Times article which covers the stories in further detail, along with similar incidents which occurred in Iraq.  

Sources: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/10/14/world/middleeast/us-casualties-of-iraq-chemical-weapons.html?smid=fb-share&module=ArrowsNav&contentCollection=Middle%20East&action=keypress&region=FixedLeft&pgtype=Multimedia

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/Backchannels/2014/1015/US-military-denied-treatment-to-soldiers-exposed-to-chemical-weapons-in-Iraq-video

Changes in the Secret Service

                        The Secret Service, is tasked with protecting the President, his family, and other key politicians.  Julia Pierson Secret Service Director, resigned earlier today after several security slips. The slips in security under the direction of Pierson, may have potentially lead to successful attacks on the President, his family, other politicians. In fact a man had jumped the fence of the White House with a knife and ran through the White House. After a short period of time the attacker had been tackled by an off-duty agent. Other slips in security include allowing a contract bodyguard with a gun to enter the elevator with the President. Pierson had also failed to accomplish various basic managerial decisions. Pierson constantly failed to adjust the coverage of agents due to under staffing. Agents had to be pulled from other duties to be relocated with expenditures paid in full by the Secret Service.

            Former Director Pierson, had desired to make the Secret Service, “more friendly and inviting.” The Secret Service having a laid back demeanor is unnecessary as the lives of other individuals are at stake. The Washington Post’s Carol Leoning, refers to the change in leadership as the, “Secret Services’ biggest crisis since President Regan’s shooting.”   Pierson’s frequent slips in security will not be missed by those in the Service. A change in leadership is the first step in reshaping the Secret Service to the agency it needs to be.

            Former Secret Service Agent Joseph Clancy has been selected to replace Pierson temporarily. The reaction to Clancy taking on the role of Director temporarily, has been positive. Clancy prior to retiring had ran President Obama’s security team. It is highly unlikely that Clancy will make any drastic changes to the Secret Service.  Since, the odds of Clancy becoming Director permanently are low. Under Clancy the Secret Service is expected to be able to perform without any slips in security. Once a new Director is selected the Secret Service is expected to make an overhaul in policies and performance. Expectations for the Secret Service in a post-Pierson era are high.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pierson-failed-to-provide-fresh-start-for-secret-service-that-administration-wanted/2014/10/01/51a642a2-49a8-11e4-891d-713f052086a0_story.html