[haw-info] some reading (plus a Jon Stewart tape) on Syria

To members and friends of Historians Against the War,

The following is a list of recent articles that, in one way or another, call into question the push for U.S. military action in Syria.  Out of a flood of materials generated over the past few days, these seemed to me especially useful.  Thanks especially to Rosalyn Baxandall for finding many of these materials.  Jim O'Brien, co-chair of HAW

Critiques of the White House rationale regarding poison gas:

"To Some, US Case for Syria Gas Attack, Strike Has Too Many Holes"
By Hannah Allam and Mark Seibel, McClatchy.com, posted September 2

"White House Document 'Proving' Syria's Guilt Doesn't Pass the Smell Test"

By Dave Lindorff, Nation of Change, posted September 3

"How Intelligence Was Twisted to Support an Attack on Syria"
By Gareth Porter, TruthOut.org, posted September 3

Problems with the proposed US military action:

"Eight Arguments Against Going to War with Syria"
By Stephen Zunes, TruthOut.org, posted September 4

"Could U.S. Military Action Turn Syrian Civil War into a 'Widespread Regional War'?"
Interview with Fawaz Gerges, Democracy Now transcript, posted September 3

"Warped Motives on Syria"

By Paul R. Pillar, The National Interest blog, posted August 2

"Striking Syria: Illegal, Immoral, and Dangerous"

By Phyllis Bennis, Al-Jazeera, posted September 3

"Calling Off America's Bombs"

By Jeffrey D. Sachs, CommonDreams.org, posted September 3

 "Noam Chomsky: Bombing Syria Would Be a 'War Crime'"

By Alex Kane, AlterNet.org, posted September 3

 "Caveman Credibility and Its Costs"
By David Swanson, War Is a Crime.org, posted September 2

 "In Syria, It's a Case of All or Nothing"
By Patrick Cockburn, The Independent, posted September 1

"Possible Consequences of a U.S. Military Attack on Syria--Remembering the Marine Barracks Destruction in Beirut, 1983"
By Ann Wright, War Is a Crime.org, posted August 31

"Christians in Middle East: U.S. Attack on Syria Would Be Detrimental"
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey, Religion News Service, posted September 4

"On Syria: The U.S. Is No Lone Ranger and Should Put That Six-Shooter Away"
By Juan Cole, Nation of Change, posted September 5

Alternatives:

"The Syrian Problem--and an International Solution"

By Lawrence S. Wittner, History News Network, posted September 4

"With Focus on U.S.-Led Strikes, Global Failure to Meet Syria's Humanitarian Needs Goes Unnoticed"

Interview with Raymond Offenheiser of Oxfam America on Democracy Now, posted September 4

Aftermath of intervention in Libya:

"Lawlessnes and Ruin in Libya"
By Patrick Cockburn, CounterPunch.org, posted September 5

Miscellaneous history:

"Six Major Players Who Turned the Syrian Crisis into a Devastating Proxy War Nightmare"

By Alex Kane, AlterNet.org, posted September 4

"US Uses Past Crimes to Legalize Future Ones"

By Diana Johnstone, CounterPunch.org, posted August 26
On the Serbia bombings of 1999 and present-day Syria

"Samantha Power: Liberal War Hawk and Second Rate Scholar"

By Jeremy Kuzmarov, History News Network, posted September 4

Video:

Jon Stewart on the plan to bomb Syria (6-minute tape)