(Denise Serangelo)
13/10/15

http://www.difesaonline.it/mondo-militare/le-nove-vite-di-al-baghdadi

Every time al-Baghdadi does not die he reinforces his legend in the eyes of his followers, the premature passing of the leader would immediately assume the connotation of a negative omen that hovers over the Caliphate.

Man from the past has clouded the typical profile of the poor who want to excel in something without committing shame that this time he dragged with him upon two countries and a disproportionate number of people.

He already escaped twice raid from West, aura of immortality of the religious leader is increasing dramatically and almost denotes a real divine approval in the eyes of the skeptics. The story of al-Baghdadi before becoming Caliph, however, is quite different than what you would expect from a religious leader implacable intransigence. Surely his faithful supporters are not aware of man mediocre are following, the life of their leader is full of failures and small achievements.

The secrecy with which he lives the founder of the SI is functional to its purpose, the less you know the more you can build. Unless you become aware of what has been his life, plus the Caliph can embroider on its origins and obsequious his considerable talents.

Student below the average, does not shine for acumen, good at math and Arabic denies categorically to learn English. A harbinger? Who knows.

Reaching maturity with a vote after all acceptable not just to go to law school to which aspires always. The choice of this option is for many a symptom of the true nature of al-Baghdadi a young man who wants to stand out, you need to feel and be the leader of anything. The ironic fate denies advocacy to our future caliph but allows, thanks to the martyrdom of his brother at a young age, admission to the Faculty of Sharia at the University of Baghdad. Here folds his studies at the Department of Law of the University of Islamic jurisprudence, then moved to Koranic studies.

History is full of profiles as that of the Caliph, brilliant minds but that bad apply themselves in the right direction. Almost vindictive towards the world that has given him only mediocrity and doors closed, al-Baghdadi is now in the top list of the world's most wanted on the walls of the American agency.

Al-Baghdadi was said and heard a lot, a little or nothing comes from those who really knew him. What is certain is that in 2004 - after his first marriage - was arrested by the Americans and then imprisoned in Camp Bucca for common prisoners. At Camp Bucca, a legend was born after the other, those who claim to have been trained by the CIA who instead has been the victim of physical abuse. In many, almost all for the truth, they see in 2004 the key with which you get to forge a new leader and began the construction of a parallel life serve his purpose. The family from whom he has never seen even in pictures origins prestigious of which so much has, even the vaunted holy descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. Yet almost everyone believes, follow him, recognize him as the new Caliph.

The origins are rural, large family with several siblings and two parents present. The violence of his kingdom is therefore simply practice for the purpose of building a reign of terror that grinds consents that are based on the fear of difference and of a society still tribal as that of the rural areas of Iraq and Libya. The concept of the Caliphate as well as presented al-Baghdadi does not exist and will never exist in the Koran nor in the interpretations of the great experts on Muslim theology. The kingdom oppressive and violent that we see is a realm created using a model theorized in the sacred texts and exasperated to become relevant to reality.

The timing between al-Baghdadi and the coalition appears to have incredible. Not only his presumed death is likely to consecrate a clear leader, but was the victim of a strange coincidence of events. Being able to escape to a new attack on the very day that has been called into question his legitimacy to lead the new kingdom of the righteous for many it is an unmistakable sign: he is the way.

Like any totalitarian and absolutist state that bases its creation on the identity of their leader every cue is good to emphasize the authority and quality of the project. Proselytism of al-Baghdadi goes from religious and mystical aura mixed with a side of intransigence and moral severity, if the loyalists of the Caliph did not see and believe in your call from the IS would no longer exist for a long time.

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Syrian rebels as the mujahideen, Russia as the Soviet Union, but the Middle East is not Afghanistan

(Franco Iacch)
13/10/15

http://www.difesaonline.it/mondo-militare/siria-i-ribelli-come-i-mujaheddin-la-russia-come-lunione-sovietica-ma-il-medio

Although they are not officially fighting, the US and Russia are shaping the battlefield Syrian projecting indirectly (White House) and directly (Kremlin) its military power. Just in recent weeks, the American anti-tank missiles supplied to Syrian rebels in the past two years, are playing a major role in the whole context of the armed Region.

We know that the TOW missiles (short for Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-guided), were provided by the United States and its allies and the Free Syrian Army groups fighting against the government of Bashar al-Assad. At a cost of 12-15 thousand dollars per copy, it is clear that, this anti-tank equipment, was part of the standard American support for rebel troops.

The first (massive) use of TOW came last week, when the first ground offensive by government troops supported by the Russians. The rebels, on Wednesday, have dozens of videos posted on the network that will immortalize while using US-made missiles against tanks and armored vehicles from Russia, belonging to the Syrian army. The rebels claim to have destroyed 24 vehicles, including tanks and armored vehicles, only during the first day of the offensive.

Despite the program "train and equip" American has been suspended, it continues the provision of equipment. And the reference to what happened in the '80s, when hundreds of Stinger missiles Americans arrived in Afghanistan forever changing the tide of the war against the Soviet Union, is at least relevant. In effect, in Syria it is taking place a real proxy war between Washington and Moscow.

The TOW program, overseen by the CIA, is totally separate from that failed miserably by the Pentagon that, as intended, would have to affect the outcome of the other led war in Syria, one in the north-east of the country against the Islamic state. The CIA has launched the TOW program in early 2014, with the aim of countering Damascus providing training, arms, ammunition and anti-tank missiles: tools that would prove essential to bridge the gap with the heavy equipment of the government loyalist.

The missiles arrive in Syria from Saudi Arabia, upon delivery of the CIA. The plan, as described by the Pentagon, was intended to exert sufficient military pressure against Assad's forces and convince him to a political compromise. A sort of "invitation" to the negotiating table, perhaps avoiding the collapse that would unleash chaos in the country. The arrival on the scene of Russia, however, has upset the whole strategy of the CIA.

To date, it is impossible to determine whether the cable guided missiles in rebel hands, can really turn the tide of the war as did the Stinger in the 80s in the hands of the mujahideen. It would be worth noting, however, that in Syria the Russians are relying fighters bombing and helicopters (although for the first time have been spotted near Hama, but after appropriate softening).

The TOW missiles can slow the progress of the government, but certainly not block them. That's why in the past few hours, the rebels have asked the US Stinger missiles to counter the new threat from the sky. And the problem is right here: Obama, in fact, vetoed against provision of such platform flak for fear that it might fall into the hands of terrorists. No wonder: between 30 and 50% of the US supply provided to the Iraqis (for example) has fallen into the hands of the Islamic state without a fight. And we do not speak only of light equipment: the Islamic state has "received" by tanks to heavy artillery.

The TOW program, however, will continue. Saudi Arabia has already confirmed its support (none other than the projection mirror the US) to the rebels. Browse around a clause in the program: the missiles are delivered in limited quantities. To get supplies, the rebels must demonstrate that they possess the same pitchers delivered. A clause, we do not know how this can really work, to avoid the systems can end up on the black market. Nevertheless, in at least two episodes, the front-Nusra Front, has proven to be got hold of American missiles, although in small numbers.

In 2013, Saudi Arabia has purchased 13,975 anti-tank missiles, providing fully delivered. By contract, the Saudi government must inform the Member States of final destination of the missiles. The US approval is implied. The rules are now changed in Syria. The official versions of the governments are not necessarily the real ones, and in fact, these are precisely the main instruments of proxy wars.

Putin, meanwhile, spoke yesterday evening on Russian state television mocked the Americans, on the program "train and equip" by $ 500 million, pending and now considered a failure.

We also need the Americans to win against terrorism - said Putin - but if they had given us those $ 500 million, we would have used better.

The Pentagon finally announce that 50 tons of small-caliber ammunition were parachuted into northern Syria from four aircraft C-17 Sunday night. They were all ammunition for M-16 and AK-47. The 50 tonnes of material have been parachuted in al-Hasakah province, home of Syrian Kurds, Arabs and a community Assyrian minority

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IZAKOVIC