Peter Koenig: US Seeks Regime Change in Syria

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TEHRAN (FNA)- Peter Koenig, economist and geopolitical analyst, says the US plans to maintain its military presence in Syria to protect ISIL (also known as ISIS and DAESH) terrorists and use them against the Arab country and other states on the White House’s command.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with FNA, Peter Koenig said, “Eastern Syria, the border with Iraq, where most of Syria’s oil is located, covers about one third of the country. To be in control of one third of the Syrian territory under false pretenses which the world seems to swallow – is quite good. US troops never left; they never will – not as long as the US is militarily alive and kicking.”

Peter Koenig is an economist and geopolitical analyst. He worked for over 30 years with the World Bank and the World Health Organization around the world. Also, he lectures at universities in the US, Europe and South America. He is also a co-author of “The World Order and Revolution!”

Below is the full text of the interview:

Q: While the US is pulling some troops out of Syria, it is still sending in additional troops claiming the move ensures Syrian oil facilities will not fall into the hands of Daesh. How do you find the White House’s justification for more troops in Syria?

A: This is an outright lie, like so many others. The US never had the intention to pull out troops from Syria. They want to keep a hold in Syria, because the US mission is not finished until they achieve regime change in Syria. This was the motive of promoting the CIA-initiated civil war in 2011 (prepared since 2008) in the first place. If at one-point President Trump was serious in pulling out of Syria – like in honoring his pre-election promise, “no more engaging in foreign lands” – then his behind the scene handlers – including the Pentagon, weapon manufacturers, the CIA – the corporate oil oligarchy – certainly told him differently.

Why would the US want to protect Syrian Oil from ISIS or Daesh? - Washington created, funded, nurtured and armed Daesh/ISIS. Now they are enemies? Do you believe that? –  Of course, vis-à-vis the outside world, but in reality, the US still counts on them – to run and fight whenever they, Washington, commands them to do so.

Q: Moscow released photos it claims show the real reason the US wants to keep troops in Eastern Syria is to protect the illegal oil trade and reap large profits. How do you view this?

A: There is another narrative, namely that the US wants to keep troops in eastern Syria to protect illegal oil trade and reap large profits. I do not believe in this. The US has larger goals, not to leave Syria. They just do not admit it and keep confusing the public. And it seems to work. Let’s face it, eastern Syria, the border with Iraq, where most of the Syria’s oil is located, covers about one third of the country. To be in control of one third of the Syrian territory under false pretenses which the world seems to swallow – is quite good. US troops never left; they never will – not as long as the US is militarily alive and kicking.

Of course, petrol is part of the larger picture, but not for the protection of oil smugglers – and who would make huge profits? The military? – No, the larger picture is dominating Syria as one of the most strategic countries in the Middle east, transit for oil pipelines, and the pivot to five seas – the Persian Gulf, the Caspian Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean, the Red Sea – that is President Assad’s strategy. The Caspian Sea is particularly important, as it is becoming a transit route for China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Being part of the BRI is key for future development. Mr. Assad knows it. And the US would of course like to prevent Assad closing links with China, especially because China is a close ally with her BRI partners and with their suppliers of hydrocarbons.

US Courting Trouble by Intruding into the Black Sea

By: Kayhan Int’l 

The US it seems has become so accustomed to being kicked around that it always looks for new spots to meddle and get thrashed to the embarrassment of the American public which has been burdened with humiliation after humiliation.

Pounded in the Persian Gulf, bloodied in Syria and Iraq, and outwitted in the South China Sea, it is now scheming to intrude into the Black Sea to court more trouble, especially since Russia is the dominant power determined to safeguard its strategic interests.

Western European powers ought to be cautious against venturing into the crisis created by Ukraine where an unpopular regime with the support of the US is suppressing the Ukrainian people and picking up an unnecessary fight with Russia.

It is worth noting that Crimea is essential to Russia both strategically and economically, while it is a far-fetched to expect Turkey be dragged into the US conflict with Russia with which Ankara has developed vital trade and political relations. 

According to observers, a power struggle in the Black Sea Moscow and Washington, with NATO on the US side, might turn out to be Great Game of the 21st century.

The chessboard from Syria to the Persian Gulf, Turkey and Crimea, has become complicated because of outside intervention that threatens to set fire to the whole region. 

In the mythology of ancient Greece the Black Sea was depicted as the dividing line between the known and the unknown worlds, where to the east lived the Iranian Scythians, renowned for their archery, horsemanship, and warlike nature.

The Greeks built up the myths of Jason and the Argonauts travelling to the farther shore of Pontus Euxinus (Black Sea) to steal the Golden Fleece from Colchis (in present day Georgia).

Historical developments are something else. With the conversion to Islam of the Mongol Golden Horde, the Black Sea soon became a Tartar Lake and then Ottoman Turkish Lake.
When an expansionist Czarist Russia reached the shores of the Black Sea the balance of power changed. First Russia and then the Soviet Union became active in building trade routes through the strategic straits of Kerch in Crimea, the Dardanelles, and the Bosporus.

Now with post-Soviet Russia calling the shots and Crimea back under Moscow’s rule, the region has become a formidable fortress incorporating S-400 and Iskander-M missiles – capable of ensuring total Russian primacy all across the Black Sea.

Next year the Black Sea fleet will be upgraded with an array of anti-ship missiles; protected by S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems; and supported by a new "permanent deployment” of Sukhoi SU-27s and SU-30s.

Now compare the re-acquisition of Crimea by Russia, without firing a shot and validated by a democratic referendum, to the US occupation of Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Libya.
Under the circumstance, it will be up to a new government in Kiev after the upcoming March elections to realize that any provocation designed to drag NATO into a Kerch Strait entanglement is doomed to failure.